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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMayor's Newsletter 02/94 eity �ulesa �e4rc�ar� X99¢ Greetings from your Mayor . . . Your City Council has begun the race Elementary 1994 calendar with a non-stop hosted the first agenda. A worksession the first meeting and week in January was devoted to the South Euless Ele- proposed library expansion. Lee mentary tripled , Brawner,our library consultant,has the attendance at provided us with some great plans its meeting. Look that will lead us into the 21stcentury. for meetings at The half-cent sales tax you passed Wilshire Elemen- last January provides us the re- tary and Central sources needed for the library. Jr.High School in UVO The Council completed a two-day the near future. Imo , retreat to review the half-cent sales Jack Ballas is a tax revenues and related projects. well-known Euless Our next step is to select the library author. His expertise is Western formed about all city concerns and architect. Meanwhile, we are con- novels and he belongs to our D/FW developments. If you have sugges- tinuing to work with the mall devel- Writers' Workshop, Inc. He is our tions for improvements for city ac- opers and to search for additional guest columnist this month. Enjoy. tivities or work solutions, please land for athletic fields. Many of our city staff earn awards know as your Mayor I am here for Revenues from the half-cent sales throughout the year, and we want You. I want to hear from you and you tax are within our budget predictions you to know some of their achieve- can count on me to help Build a and we anticipate even better projec- ments. We are proud of our staff. Better Tomorrow. tions with the new business openings Please see the story on page 3. '. in our city. No monies from this tax One of our newest groups meeting go into the general budget. All the at the Midway Recreation Center is Mary Lib S h revenues are designated for library our own Euless Youth Council. expansion,parks expansion and eco- They are energetic and enthusiastic I n this issue nomic development. Please read the and we are looking forward to some related article on page 6. exciting programs soon. Page 2: Youth Council,drug-free We promised you more communi- Your City Council approved the zones cation and we hope you have read all Municipal Court of Record last fall. Page 3: Business community, the articles in our local newspapers Judge George Boring began the Woodvine bridge and seen our television coverage as Court of Record in October and it Page 4: Municipal Court well. The Channel 8 coverage of the has now expanded to two days a Family Focus series was excellent week in our Municipal Building. Page 5: City staff awards, Err- and the meetingwas well n to ee of the Year e attended. P Y If you have not visited our Music We continue to host meetings for Shop, you have missed a treat. This Page 6: D/FW Writers, half-cent city and local businesses as well as is good, clean family entertainment sales tax state and federal officials. We want Pae 7: Recycling,provided by the city. We've had g y g, coming at- EULESS in the limelight. "sold out" performances for several tractions OurPolice Departmenthas initiated of the shows. Page 8: City directory, commu- a series of Town Hall Meetings in We will continue to keep you in- nity policing our city and schools. Oakwood Ter- Euless Program Offers Students Challenges Hillarie Grizzel says she joined the do," said Juanita Mar- Euless Youth Council to make a dif- shall-Milledge , one of ference in her community. Other the parents who helped members of the all-Trinity High to found the group. School group say they joined simply "This allows them to to meet new people and get involved. get involved and de- Regardless of why they joined,all of velop some volunteer these students are making a differ- skills as well as becom- ence in their community,the lives of ing a part of the com- others and their own lives,too. munity." We are representing the youth of Milledge said she and � ourcommunity,"said member Jaffar fellow parent Phillis Milledge."This is a way for us to all Mullin came to the city'' get along." with the idea of form- Others expressed an interest in ing some sort of a Members of the Euless Youth Council meet with city helping other kids through programs group for the kids who staff and parents to plan activities. and games sponsored by the council may not necessarily be involved in Mayor Mary Lib Saleh,Community for thejuniorhigh schools in the city. other activities at school. Services Director Rick Herold and The group's first major project is to "We have a good mix of kids," Recreation Manager Julia Wakeley organize a"goofy Olympics"known Milledge said. "Not all of these stu- help the students reach their goals, as J-Day, named after the group's dents are on the "A" honor roll or but the ideas are all their own, unofficial mascot member, Jaffar involved in sports and other activi- Herold said. Milledge. J-Day will be held on ties, but some of them are. I guess The city's effort to help the group March 12, and gives the Youth you could say we have a combina- is just a part of the goals of the Council an opportunity to give to the tion of kids with different back- founding parents. younger students while learning grounds and different interests." "It takes a whole community to valuable lessons themselves. The Youth Council was formed as raise one child,"Milledge said. "We "We wanted a community effort in an affiliate of the Euless Parks and felt like the city had a vital role to finding something for these kids to Leisure Services Department. play in making this effort work."■ City Cracks Down on Guns and Drugs ❑New zones make penalties higher near schools, churches Drug dealers and weapon carriers who venture near in one of the new drug-free zones would face a minimum schools and playgrounds in Euless will be hit with stiffer penalty of$2,000 and two years in the county jail. penalties than ever before, now the City Council has "The City Council and the Police Department have passed a resolution that doubles the minimum sentences adopted a zero-tolerance level for illegal and violent for those offenses. offenders in our city,"said Police Chief Gary McKamie. Police have been given the authority to impose the The crackdown comes at a time when both the state and harsher penalties after the state legislature passed a law local communities are escalating crime-fighting mea- that makes possesssion of illegal drugs or weapons sures. A map detailing the zones has been prepared and within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or video game is available to view at City Hall. arcade a crime. For example, the current minimum sen- tence for possession of marijuana is a$1,000 fine and one Signs designating the drug-free and gun-free zones will be installed throughout the city in the near future. ■ year in the county jail. A person caught with marijuana Business Community Expands, Prospers jWhile the economy as a whole re- ment on Highway covers in cities across the United 121. Still other States,the city of Euless is seeing its businesses are own prosperity reach new heights in looking to locate the fast-paced business community. in Euless, and Several new businesses have re- city officials are cently opened their doors and others working dili- are on the way, according to city gently to get them development staff. settled in Euless. Ramada Inn has taken overthehotel As a means of site at Highway 183 and Westpark promoting the city , Way, and renovations should be and saying thank complete early in February. The you to existing hotel and a new restaurant and businesses in the lounge, Jaguar's, will be open for city, the Office of business by the middle of this month. Economic Devel- Members of the HEB Chamber of Commerce Board of Direc- Restaurant owner Wayne Spence opment, the HEB tors meet in Euless to discuss the business outlook for the and hotel manager Steve French say Chamber of Com- Mid-Cities. they are happy to be in Euless and merce and the look forward to becoming a part of Economic Development Advisory with one another,which helps every the community. Board will host business owners and local business,Cox said. managers at a Business Forum Another indicator of growth in Eu- offer citizens a safe place to have a Meeting on March 3 at the Midway less is the number of new homes good time and a good meal,"Spence Recreation Center from 11:30 a.m. being built in the city. Several new said. to 1:30 p.m. subdivisions have been under con- Other businesses are gearing up for Economic Development Director struction,including Covington Hill, a future in Euless as well. Restau- Tom Cox said the meetings offered Bear Creek Bend, Bell Ranch Ter- rants such as Key Largo and Katea's local businesses "a chance to get to race and Arbor Glen. Paradise have opened for business. know city staff and council as well For more information on economic Construction is scheduled to begin as getting to know other businesses development activities in the city of soon for the Little Bear Sports Park, in the community."This networking Euless, call 685-1420. ■ which will offer family entertain- opportunity allows local businesses to "shop Euless" and trade services Woodvine bridge construction begins Residents in Morrisdale Estates on Branch between r the city's southwest side will see im- Pipeline Road and provements of major proportion to Hurst's Rickel their neighborhood in the next few Park. Construction months as another phase of the Sul- is scheduled to phur Branch Drainage Project gets begin in the middle underway. of the year and will A bridge on Woodvine Drive where take 24 months to41 _ r it crosses the Sulphur Branch Creek complete. ■ is under construction. The bridge is a major step toward the completion Construction crews of this project,according to City En- begin the task of re- gineer Paul Kruckemeyer. moving the existing F _ The last phase of the project will bridge on Wood- include improvements to Sulphur vine Drive. . Municipal Court Enters New Year, New System While the holder of a speeding ticket in Euless may not look for- ward to avisit to the city's new Court of Record, the rest of the city is benefitting from the court's ability to serve justice to an extent not pos- sible before the administrative change. - The city of Euless has established a Court of Record so that all court proceedings are now recorded in Eu- less. Before the designation, all cases originating in Euless have had the automatic right of appeal. They, defendant did not have to show I_ 44 - cause or error on the part of the Municipal Court proceedings in order to appeal. That meant that Municipal Court staff members include,seated:Roslyn Moore and Judge George many of the court's class C misde- Boring' standing: Forrest Babb Emily Murphy, Diana Ko ecky' Lori Mann, meanors were appealed to an al- Teresa Britt,Linda Minor and Carol Wray. ready overloaded county court where they were often dismissed. on the part of the Municipal Court laws of the city, the efforts of the With the new Court of Record des- before an appeal could be pursued. Police Department are not lost to the ignation, the city will be able to Cases appealed to Tarrant County county," said court manager Teresa maintain local jurisdiction and con- Britt. "This way we cut down on trol over violations occurringwithin before the Court of Record was im- y plemented often exceeded 4,000 per the amount of time officers have to the city, and the loophole for frivo- year, but the city's new Court of spend going to cases being heard lous appeals will be closed,as defen- Record is expected to drop that num- in county court and we give our dants will be required to show error officers more backing to enforce ber to below 100. g "By enabling the court to uphold the the laws in our city." The new court procedure also vali- Congressman answers Euless dates the case processing work done concerns by the court clerks, which before could be lost in the dismissal of an U. S. Representative Pete appeal. Geren visited with Euless Britt said the new Court of Record City Councilmembers,HEB procedures may also cause people Chamber of Commerce offi- receiving citations to re-think their cials and other citizens re- actions because an automatic appeal cently to discuss issues is no longer a guarantee. affecting the HEB area. Other cities have also recently Geren reiterated his support switched over to recorded court pro- for local governments to ceedings,including Bedford,Grape- speak out against unfunded vine,Hurst and Arlington. federal mandates and an- Judge George Boring holds court swered questions about on Wednesdays and Thursdays of health care, the national every week in the Municipal Build- debt and the expansion of ing. For more information on court DFW Airport. proceedings, contact the Court Manager's office at 685-1466. ■ Making it all Worthwhile ❑City and staff garner awards and accomplishments Several city departments and indi- cently named one of the"Top Forty from the Government Finance Offi- vidual staff members have brought Under Forty" by the Fort Worth cers Association. Both of these Euless into the spotlight with awards Business Press. The list includes awards are based on whether the !� and recognition that attest to the con- successful members of the business city's financial reports are presented tinued excellence for which the city and civic community in Tarrant in a way that can be easily read and strives. County, but Hart was the only city understood by the citizens. National award manager named to this year's list. Promoting education The city's largest annual event, Fiscal Policy A tuition program for city employ- Arbor Daze, has been named the The city's Finance Department has ees has helped several employees Nation's Best Arbor Day Celebra- proven that good fiscal planning earn college degrees. The program tion by the National Arbor Day pays off both for citizens and for encourages employees to return to Foundation.This year's festival will staff.The city received a Certificate school to further their education in be held April 22-24 and has also of Excellence Award by the Munic- ways that will positively affect the been selected as the official State of ipal Treasurers Association for its jobs they do for the city.Employees Texas Arbor Day Celebration by investment policy and practices.The who recently received associates de- the State Forestry Service. MTA said the city's investment pol- grees include Linda Lux of the De- The prestigious national designa- icy is utilized to receive the maxi- velopment Department and Alice tion and the state's decision to par- mum safe return possible, which Cahill of the Personnel Department. ticipate in Arbor Daze are bringing should give residents good feelings Harland Westmoreland of the Police regional and national attention to about the way tax money is handled. Department and Peter Krause of the Euless,and we expect to surpass last The city also recently received the Community Services Department year's number of visitors. Distinguished Budget Award and a completed their bachelor's degrees. Management Excellence Certificate of Achievement for Ex- City Manager Tom Hart was re- cellence in Financial Reporting 1993 Employee of the Year serves citizens with a smile It's hard not to find humor when in any capacity to serve the citizens of the company of Cathy DiMaggio. Euless. From her bubbly personality to her "Cathy works with all departments ability to laugh under pressure, through the records management DiMaggio is the kind of employee program, and everyone has had that makes work more than just a positive comments about her,"said job--she makes it fun. In recogni- a co-worker. "She maintains a pos- - tion of her abilities and contribu- itive attitude no matter how heavy tions to the city, DiMaggio's the work load or how hectic the co-workers have honored her by schedule." naming her the 1993 Employee of As the coordinator of the city's the Year. records management program, DiMaggio is the assistant to the DiMaggio is responsible for bring- City Secretary, a job she has han- ing all city documents and perma- `=`' dled with skill since January 1992. nent records in line with state DiMaggio was nominated by sev- guidelines for preservation. eral employees from outside of her DiMaggio was selected the Em- "Cathy is full of good humor and department. According to all of the ployee of the Month for November praise for other employees who nomination forms, she was chosen 1993, before receiving the award help her,"an employee said."She is for her outstanding work ethic, for Employee of the Year. always available to lend a hand attitude and willingness to help in when needed." 0 Writers Group Calls Euless Home By Jack Ballas about your work.If you are not cur- the Simmons Senior Citizens Center Special to the Mayor's rently writing, or are a neophyte, on Simmons Drive, February 26, 9 Newsletter come,listen and learn. a.m.to 4 p.m.,open to the public for Also, about eight times a year, we a fee of$35. Make checks payable Euless' best kept secret is that we bring in agents and editors from to the City of Euless.This class will have our very own writers group,the major New York publishing houses. teach writers how to get down to the DFW Writers Workshop, a non- They meet each of us face to face, nifty-gritty of how to show,not tell; profit organization with over 100 review a few pages of our work and how to say who said what,and where members. This column will intro- tell us whether they are interested.If to say it; how to write natural dia- duce the workshop to our city and the genre is not in line with what they logue; how to weave in background invite those of you who aspire to are buying,but it is publishable ma- material; how to tighten your work; write and publish to come visit us. terial, many of them will recom- and much more. We may be just what you're looking mend another publisher and editor. The membership includes persons for. Through these meetings alone, of every writing level, neophyte to Meetings are held every Wednes- many of us have been published. professional, novelists of every day night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Seminars and symposiums are held genre, poets, screenwriters, song the Ruth Millican Center on Cullum several times a year. Some of these lyricists and non-fiction writers. At Drive, where we read our work and are by members for members, and least one-third of the membership is have it critiqued. The critiques are some are open to the public for a fee. published, and that success is di- not for the thin-skinned. Our goal is rectly attributable to the workshop. toet you published, and the onlyOur next class,Skills Most Writ g y Classes Don't Offer, will be held ing at Formore information,call 282-0669 way we can do that is to be honest or 834-3130. ■ Full Steam Ahead ❑Half-cent sales tax will go to library, parks, economic development Members of the Euless City Council and citizen mem- tax will be the new library and a youth/adult athletic bers of the Euless Development Corporation(EDC)have complex.The city is currently reviewing the consultant's studied the needs of the city's library and parks system library study and moving forward on the architectural and plans are being made for future growth funded selection process. At the present time, a new library through the city's new half-cent sales tax. building is being considered,which will be placed on the The Euless Development Corporation was established City Hall Complex. on April 13, 1993, with the following Board of Director "We want a library that is large enough to meet the needs members: Sonja Adams, Edward Denari, Miles Pritch- of the community today with room to grow into the year ard, Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, Mayor Pro Tem Bobby 2015," Mayor Saleh said. The library needs assessment Baker, Councilmember Charles Miller and Coun- study recommends the library be about 42,000 square cilmember Henry Boatright.The EDC provides the city feet with adequate parking,computer systems and com- with guidance on the distribution of half-cent sales tax munity meeting facilities. funds to various projects. However,the existing funds will not allow such a large The city began collecting the half-cent revenues in July facility.Consideration will be given to building the large 1993, and has collected $508,909 thus far. Officials library but finishing out only the portion we are able to estimate the annual total will be approximately $1.35 adequately fund at the present time. By the year 2015, million. we will schedule to have the entire facility completed. All revenues collected from the half-cent sales tax go The city is also in the process of locating additional land directly into the EDC fund to be expended only for for a central athletic complex to house various sports. economic development, library and parks facilities. No Economic Development studies are currently underway half-cent monies go into the city's general fund. by council, staff and the Economic Development Advi- Two of the major projects funded by the half-cent sales sory Board. 0 Citizen Support for Recycling Grows ❑Volunteers are needed Coming Attractions for continued success * Feb. 5: Come join the fun of the Euless Music After its first full year of operation, L Shop as the Austin the Euless Recycling Program is off Lounge Lizards take to and running,and citizens have made the stage at 8 p.m. The the difference at every tum in the Music Shop has quickly program. Several measures are being taken to ensure that all citizens become a Euless tradition know about the program and are that brings crowds from aware of how to recycle properly, all over the Metroplex. but the help of citizens is still needed For more information, to get the word out, said Michelle call 685-1666. Wyman,recycling coordinator. February 28: The HEB The Block Leader program begun +E Chamber of Commerce this summer has given citizens the Business Exposition will other p opportunity to be involved as levard.The service is free.To recy- cle othproducts that are currently be held at the DFW Hyatt sources of information for their yfrom 3 to 8 m. For in- neighbors in neighborhoods across not taken under the Euless Recycl- P• the city. The program is currently ing Program, contact the following formation, call 283-1521. succeeding with 71 block leaders, locations: * March 3: Business including all of the City Coun- Old Paint--H.E.A.T.(Heat Energy Forum Meeting for all Eu- cilmembers, but more are always Advanced Technology), located at less business community needed and welcomed. A block 4460 Singleton Blvd.in Dallas.Call leaders. For more infor- leader's job is a simple but vital one. (214) 637-6434 for more inforina- mation,call 685-1426. Block leaders are encouraged to pro- tion. mote the recycling program with aBat- * March 5: The Euless Y g P g Old Batteries--In Arlington, si in his or her front and which Music Shop will host a Y tery & Auto Parts Center takes old CD releaseart for states the day of recycling collection batteries at 131 Stadium Drive. Call P Y for that area and to encourage others (817)275-1411. In Fort Worth, call Sarah Elizabeth Camp- in the neighborhood to recycle by Continental Battery,2800 W.6th St. bell, one of the hottest providing them with brochures and at (817) 870-2682. In Hurst, call acoustical singers around. information about the program. Batteries Unlimited, 738 W. Hurst Call 685-1666. To become a block leader, contact Blvd.,at(817)268-2238. * March 12• Euless Youth the Recycling Office at 685-1821. Residents who need to purchase Council holds J-Day for Citizens interested in recycling blue bags may do so at Kmart,Winn junior high students. Call used motor oil may take the oil to Dixie, Food Lion, Kroger, Home 685-1662 for information. Chief Auto Parts on Industrial Bou- Depot and Sutherlands. Look for the Recycling Program * April 6: Night of a Thou- booth at Arbor Daze April 22-24. sand Stars at the Euless Cit shirt caps Public Library. Come City , p The recycling coordinator will be other items are;. _ available to answer questions about hear a story and share in for p ;rChase at the Mid the program and what you can do to the wonderful world of get involved in recycling. ■ books. Call 685-1480. w y er reatton Centelr - ::::.::.:::::::::::::.::.:.::.>�.:.:.:.:.>:::::::.:::.:.:::.:::... .....: ... Aril * 22-24: Arbor Daze o Ct Hall Building'A. llydcw�:;.:> :>:: #1>_> ` P :.;:.;::::.��......::.::.......::.::::::..::.. ...: 94 hits the City Hall Fo o nfQrmatio <:::.>::::>::>::>::> Complex lawn for even call 685- 6,, ows.P..lEilflrd':li 'IIOxs� i more free entertainment �' ' >:aa tom->:svl d>:>:>::::>:>:>:: � :<€,><�;� ' your city prt e,:: parf .: ..:: ..�.: Q..: food artsn ........... and crafts,free trees and fung alore. Call pte :.;:.;:.::.;:.;:.::.;:.::.::.::.;:.:;:..:.::.::. 685-1666. ■ City Of Euless Phone List The Mayor's Newsletter is a publication of the City of Euless,printed on a quarterly basis or as a Emergency 911 supplement to the Leisure Times magazine`. Animal Shelter 685-1592 Mayor Building Permits/Inspections 685-1622 Mary Lib Saleh City Manager 685-1420 City Council Finance 685-1430 Bobby Baker, Mayor Pro Tem Fire Department(non-emergency) 685-1600 Frank Douglass Fire Marshal 685-1635Todd Smith Garbage Service 283-3092 Charlie Mille T Job Line 685-1450 Henry Boatright Library 685-1480 Glenn Walker Mayor's Office 685-1419 City Manager Midway Recreation Center 685-1666 Tom Hart Municipal Court 685-1460 Parks and Community Services 685-1660 Assistant City Manager Personnel 685-1450 Joe C. Hennig Planning and Development 685-1630 City Secretary Police Department(non-emergency) 685-1500 Susan Crim Public Information Officer 685-1429 Editor/Photographer Recycling Hotline 685-1825 Katherine Thompson, Public Information Officer Streets/Utilities 685-1580 Desktop/Layout/Graphics Water Office 685-1470 Becky Null, Administrative Secretary Police, Citizens Work Together to Fight Crime ❑New community policing looks for Officers assigned to each secondary school and a bicycle solutions to neighborhood problems patrol begun last fall in southwest Euless. Residents are encouraged to attend the meetings and to The Euless Police Department is asking for help from form neighborhood crime watch programs.For informa- citizens in fighting crime proactively instead of reac- tion on home crime prevention checks, neighborhood tively with a new community-based policing program watch programs or other police programs,call 685-1569. which has been implemented across the city. The new method of patrolling gets officers out of their cars and , ; into the community to talk to residents and business owners about what is really going on in Euless. "We want residents to know their police officers and to feel safe in their homes and businesses," said Sgt. Mi- chael Brown. The Police Department has hosted two Town Hall meet - ings to introduce the new style of policing and more meetings are scheduled for this spring. They include a March 10,meeting at Wilshire Elementary and a March 3 meeting at Central Junior High School. Both meetings #- will begin at 7 p.m. The Town Hall meetings are the latest part of the Police Department's campaign to involve citizens in crime pre- vention. Other new programs include the Youth Action Capt.Joey Ziemian addresses citizens at the South Euless Town Hall Meeting.