City Council January 17 recap; proposed CIP requires utility rate increases

Kim Everett | January 21, 2012

Proposed CIP budget calls for increase in water and waste collection rates:  According to Bryan Bradford, the Capital Improvement Program budget has been influenced by a decline in the tax base over the last three years, along with the amount of existing debt.   72 percent of the $190 million dollar budget is made up of utility supported projects.  27 percent is tax supported, and one percent is internal service projects.

$11.7 million will go toward new projects; $97.1 million is for projects started before 2012; and $81.2 million will be for projects approved in prior years.

The largest tax supported projects are:  Street and transportation at $31.2 million; facilities and equipment at $5.1 million; parks at $3.8 million; and public safety at $3.6 million.

Projects include various street and drainage improvements; fire equipment and relocation of fire station no. 5; severe weather sirens; rebuilding of police shooting range; Surf & Swim renovations; Atrium renovations; Springcreek Greenbelt Trail; library facilities upgrades; downtown improvements; equipment upgrades for the landfill, CGTV, and city hall; and Firewheel Golf course renovations.  Also included are electric, sanitation, and water utility upgrades.

The tax supported portion has been decreased due to a decline in property values and existing debt not being paid off.

The CIP will require $102.6 million in new debt.  No tax increase will be required, but an increase of 1.3 percent in residential water rates is proposed along with a 1.8 percent increase in the residential wastewater rate and a 2.4 percent increase in the rate for residential trash collection.  No electric rate increase is planned.

County redistricting update:  County Commissioner Mike Cantrell addressed Mayor Ronald Jones and the City Council regarding redistricting.  Garland now has areas in Commissioner Dickey’s and Commissioner’s Price’s districts.  According to Cantrell, having areas in three districts could increase the opportunities for Garland because there are now three different pools of money.

DART update:  DART board members Mark Enoch and Michael Cheney gave updates on changes in rail and bus services.  The rail expansion to Irving will be completed in July, and service to Rowlett and the Belt Line Station will be available in December.

Several bus route changes are proposed and some could affect Garland residents’ transportation to the Parkland Clinic.  Council Member Laura Perkins Cox expressed concern about these changes and asked that DART take measures to ensure that service to the clinic would not be negatively affected.

Advertisements, public meetings, and Twitter updates, along with additional methods, will be used to keep citizens aware of the changes.  The final decision on route changes will be made in March.

Changes in waste collection:  An update was provided on proposed improvements to solid waste collection.  The proposed changes would be implemented the week of March 6-9 and will impact 12.5 percent of customers.  The expected savings in fuel, maintenance, and overtime would be in excess of $107,000.  Four percent of customers’ solid waste collection day will change, and eight and one-half percent of customers’ recycling collection day will change.

City secretary taking Fort Worth job:  City Secretary Mary Kayser will leave the city of Garland to take a job as Fort Worth’s city secretary.  The mayor praised her years of service to Garland.

Outdoor warning sirens, necessary or not

Kim Everett | January 7, 2012

During the January 3 work session, Deputy City Manager Martin Glenn advised Mayor Ronald Jones and City Council members that the city’s existing emergency warning siren system is inoperable.  He mentioned several replacement options including installing towers only in outdoor gathering locations such as parks and stadiums; methods through which social media like Twitter would be utilized; and the city’s Code Red system.

Council Member Rick Williams’ position is that the city should get rid of all towers because they only serve as an outdoor warning system.  He cited a study that concluded that 90% of people are indoors, so the sirens would only be heard by 10 percent of residents.  According to Williams, the effectiveness of sirens is minimal and does not prompt people to take cover. 

“Government does have a role in public safety…but there are times when we have to put a pragmatic thought and a cost-effectiveness thought to what we do,” Williams said.  “Spending close to a million dollars for a system that people don’t care about, they don’t want, and that is ineffective makes exactly zero sense.”

Williams also mentioned that people need to use common sense when deciding if they need to take cover because of the weather.  “People need to take care of themselves,” Williams said. 

He said that they can watch or listen to the weather in the morning or the night before.  “The real situation is the cost to benefit ratio,” he said.

Providing citizens with NOAA weather radios at a discounted rate was mentioned as an option.  Council Member Laura Perkins Cox said that there are residents that might not be able to afford to purchase a radio, even at a discounted rate and introduced the idea of providing radios to those people at no cost.  Cox also said that the outdoor system is valuable for people who are outdoors, and she believes that a layered approach, incorporating several methods, would be advantageous.

Council Member Doug Athas expressed concerned for people who might be at outdoor locations that do not have a sturdy structure nearby. 

Council Member Lori Dodson shared with council that she remembers hearing interviews after the Joplin, Missouri weather catastrophe in which people said that they were thankful for the sirens.  She also said that a price cannot be put on a human life.  “If a million dollars saves one of our citizen’s lives or two of our children that are out playing, then yea, we should spend a million dollars,” she said.

Council Member John Willis said that he is in favor of a measured approach tailored to places where people gather outdoors.

The item will be placed on the agenda for the Capital Improvement Program discussion.

City looks ahead to 2012

Posted January 2, 2012

As we all celebrate the beginning of a new year, the City of Garland looks forward to new opportunities for growth and improvement of city services.  Here are a few highlights of what's ahead in 2012:

New city Website – The City will unveil a new website early in 2012. City staff has worked for more than two years to gather information from the community and internal departments to create a site intended to better address the needs of residents, visitors and other stakeholders who access City information and services online. The will share more details as the “go-live” date nears via Garland E-News, @garlandtxgov on Twitter, the current website, and the Garland City Press.

Construction of Sixth Street Crossing – Part of the City’s Downtown Garland plan includes extending Sixth Street across the DGNO and DART tracks to Walnut Street. As part of the project, the Garland historical society’s Landmark Museum will be relocated to this area, placing the museum in a more visible, accessible location. The Sixth Street crossing project will also improve accessibility to businesses surrounding the historic Downtown Garland Square.

311 system feasibility study – City staff continue to investigate the costs and processes associated with creating a 311 system for contacting City departments and services. A proposal is expected to be crafted in time to be considered in the 2012-13 budget process. City leaders believe a 311 system would help citizens gain quicker access to city services, while making internal processes more cost-efficient.

Continue overall economic development efforts – While the public and private sector what the economy closely for signs of sustained recovery, the city of Garland will continue its efforts to facilitate positive economic development projects. City leaders are focusing on the Downtown Garland area, potential development opportunities surrounding the DART Light Rail station at Forest Lane and Jupiter Road, redevelopment of empty retail areas in south Garland, the I-30 corridor and new opportunities surrounding the 190 eastern extension.

Fire chief search – Soon after the beginning of the new year, city management will begin a national search to find a permanent fire chief. Raymond Knight is currently serving as interim chief following the retirement of Danny Grammar. Chief Knight is expected to seek the permanent position.

City milestones 2011

Posted December 27, 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, the city of Garland looks back on several milestone events: 

Garland Pawsibilities partnership – The year began with a partnership intended to open more doors for homeless pets in Garland. Garland Pawsibilities, a non-profit volunteer group, began working with Animal Services to operate and staff an offsite adoption center at a vacant fire station site at 3136 South Shiloh Road. The group has worked tirelessly to prepare the location with the goal of improving the lives of animals by increasing adoptions, assisting with medical care, and offering pet education.

Railroad quiet zones established – In July, a railroad quiet zone was established along the Kansas City Southern Railroad mainline in order to improve safety and minimize the impacts of train horn noise. The KCS mainline runs alongside along South Garland Avenue and Lavon Drive and in downtown Garland.

Completion of branding project – In March, the City Council approved a brand identity that showcases the many things that make Garland unique including its manufacturing base, career opportunities and family friendly atmosphere. The logo features a Firewheel wildflower, which is native to the city. The Firewheel has a notched edge that resembles a gear, signifying forward motion, energy, and progressiveness. The tagline, “Texas Made Here,” speaks to all that is made in Garland. 

Tax rate holds steady – Despite ongoing economic challenges, the City Council approved a budget for the new fiscal year that maintains a stable property tax rate and current service levels for citizens. The combined budget for 2011-12 is $10.4 million less than the previous fiscal year.

New buildings receive LEEDS certification – In September, the city was notified that it had achieved Silver LEED® certification for two buildings completed in 2010: the Duckworth Utility Services Building and the Garland Utility Payment Drive Thru. The Leadership in Efficiency and Environmental Design certification verifies that the construction used environmentally friendly methods and materials and that building operations support environmental principles.

Garland Power & Light joins transmission project – In September, GP&L announced participation in a transmission project that will establish a new interconnection between the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and eastern power grids, have potential to reduce power costs for all Texans, and result in additional revenue. The Southern Cross Project will deliver wind energy generated in Texas to utilities in the southeastern United States.

Central Library renovations – In October, city leaders cut the ribbon to unveil renovations at the Central Library. The facility features enhanced and expanded public spaces including new group study rooms, enlarged technology center with public access computers, an enhanced children’s department, periodical reading area, redesigned area for teens, and a larger new-book area with laptop chairs.

Good bond ratings save $$ - Garland was affirmed in November with a AAA bond rating from Fitch for its General Obligation refunding bond issues and all outstanding tax-supported debt. The rating company views the city’s economic outlook as stable. Such ratings save taxpayers money by reducing the long-term debt service cost. The AAA rating helped save almost $1.5 million in the most recent bond issue.

Firewheel Golf Park renovates Traditions Course – In November, Firewheel Golf Park reopened the Traditions Course following a renovation project. Golfers can now enjoy newly-planted Brent grass greens, dodge redesigned white sand traps, and enjoy other updates. The project also included improvements to drainage and sprinkler systems and replacement of cart paths. 

PGBT Eastern Extension nears completion – The North Texas Tollway Authority opened the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension.  The 9.9 mile project extends through Garland, Sachse, and Rowlett. Construction began in August 2008.

Health Department releases 2010 statistics

Kim Everett | December 15, 2011

Richard Briley, the city of Garland’s managing director of health, updated Mayor Ronald Jones and the City Council members at the regular council meeting on Tuesday, December 13.  He gave the following information for each branch of the department: 

Environmental Health

·         1,468 unannounced food service inspections were conducted.

·         Food service inspection average score dropped to 82.7.  Critical violations also dropped.

·         There were 51 inspections of child care facilities, which rated an average score of 90.

·         581 public pool inspections were performed.

·         2,371 mosquitoes were tested for West Nile Virus.  None of the tests were positive.

·         461 pollution source control inspections of industrial and commercial sites were performed.

·         227 creek sites were sampled for storm water pollution.  96% were pollution free.

·         Only two daycare complaints were received this year.

 

Animal Services

·         21,716 citizen calls were made to the Animal Services Department with 8,543 being for strays.

·         Average response time of Animal Services officers was 17.75 minutes.

·         Animal owners gave up 2,666 pets to the shelter, which is a four percent increase over 2010.

·         1,369 animals were adopted, and because of partnership with Pawsabilities and PetSmart, an additional 241 found homes.

·         776 animals were rescued.

·         Reclamation rate of animals is up nine percent from 2010.

·         70 major and 321 minor bites were reported.

·         City veterinarian vaccinated 2,644 animals and sterilized 971.

·         No animals tested positive for rabies.

·         The use of carbon monoxide for euthanasia was eliminated.

·         Kennel cough vaccine was purchased and administered.

·         New flooring and paint was added at the shelter.

 

Public Health

·         Garland continues to be the only Texas municipality operating full service health department.

·         13,228 child and adult vaccinations were administered, along with 1,650 travel vaccines.

·         177 pediatric wellness health exams were performed.

·         689 communicable diseases were investigated and the department intervened on 73 occasions.

·         12,349 phone calls were received regarding health issues.

·         Public Health Administrator Vikki Yeatts was appointed to the Texas DSHS Public Health Policy and Funding Committee.

·         Department continued to be fully funded by grants, donations and program revenues.

 

Code Compliance

·         Each residential property was evaluated an average of three times.

·         55,699 properties were placed on notice.

·         2,378 non-compliant cases were abated by the city at a cost of $123,000.  Abatement costs have been reduced by 36 percent over the last four years.

·         2,001 citations were issued; 73 percent were accepted by municipal court.

·         Response time of Code Compliance officers averaged five hours.

·         A 50 percent reduction in violations has been noticed over the last five years.

·         726 graffiti cases were opened and 507 work orders were issued at a cost of $39,874.

·         Nine high-risk apartment complexes were inspected.

·         3,734 exterior apartment inspections and 3,350 interior unit inspections were conducted.

·         11,920 illegally placed signs were removed.

·         Department director Steve Killen was elected president of Texas Environment Health Association.

·         OS Rodriguez was honored by the Keep Texas Beautiful organization.

City Council work session, regular meeting:  December 5-6

GGI waste to energy project update

Deputy City Manager Martin Glenn provided an update to the Mayor Ronald Jones and the City Council on a proposed project in which GGI would partner with the city of Garland to develop a waste to energy facility.  When the subject was first brought to council, it included the Hinton landfill, the wastewater treatment facility, and the transfer station.  The current proposal version would only utilize the landfill.

The project consists of converting municipal solid waste and wastewater sludge into commercial diesel grade fuel.  According to the proposal, a minimum of 110 tons per day of waste will be utilized, with the maximum being 500 tons per day.  According to city staff’s estimates and projections, this would reduce the flow of waste into the landfill by 40 percent.  The facility would operate six days per week. 

GGI will be responsible for the design, construction, equipment, staffing, and operations of the facility and would also be tasked with getting all the necessary permits at local, state, and federal levels.  Costs of the permitting process would also be absorbed by GGI.  Additionally, all insurance costs and liability would be the responsibility of GGI.

The city would lease six acres to GGI at approximately $35,000 per year over 40 years and would also receive an annual flat revenue fee of $1 million.  In addition to the revenue, there would be $800,000 in operational savings at the landfill.

Ronald Jones said that the project will not only bring 160 new jobs to Garland, but that it will also add $70 million to the tax base, which is $493,000 in taxes to the city and $877,000 to the Garland Independent School District.

“I’m extremely comfortable going forward with this,” Jones said.

Councilman Doug Athas asked Glenn if the project would add to the already existing odor at the landfill.  Glenn said that all the waste will be inside, and it is anticipated that it will reduce the odor.  He also said that emissions will be minimal.

General Dynamics and Automatic Products will be partnering with GGI on this project.

Carnival restrictions

Permit requirements for carnivals will be adjusted to require more distance between carnival locations and residential property lines.  The current distance is set at 300 feet and will be changed to 500 feet.  This matter was brought up because of citizen complaints about noise, trash, and other problems caused by traveling carnivals.

City Council work session, regular meeting:  November 14-15

Kim Everett | November 20, 2011

Comprehensive plan update

City staff briefed the council and Mayor Ronald Jones on updates that have been made to the Envision Garland Comprehensive Plan.  The changes made were based on citizen, council, and staff input.  Terminology was explained and the glossary was expanded, along with other edits.

Councilman Doug Athas said that he continues to feel that the plan does not explain where the city is going.  Councilman Jim Cahill said that it seemed to him that the only kind of development that is addressed is in the plan is high density, mixed use, urban.

More changes will be made, and the plan will be brought back to council.

Meeting date change

Because of the Christmas holidays, the work session and meeting scheduled for December 19-20 will be held December 12-13.

Knight/Goiter International Codes to be adopted

The city’s building compliance, along with the fire department, will adopt the International fire, residential, building, energy conservation, plumbing, mechanical, property maintenance, and fuel gas codes.  Many other North Texas cities have already adopted the codes.

Bids for promotional materials awarded

The Payton Group won a $400K contract for the city’s logo clothing, and Divine Imprints was awarded a $200K contract for promotional items.

One citizen spoke on this issue and urged council to think about the total amount of money being spent on these items.

Car wash proposed for north Garland intersection

Jerry’s Express Car Wash will open a Garland location on the northeast corner of Jupiter and Arapaho Roads.  City staff worked to make sure that requirements were put into place to keep the level of the vacuum cleaner noise at a minimum.  In addition, there is a masonry wall between the proposed location and the closest residential area.

Several citizens were present to express their opposition to the car wash.  Some are concerned about the noise level, and another said that he did not want a car wash behind his house.  “I’m the one that lives within a stone’s throw of this,” he said.