The Week of January 27th - 31st, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Neighbors,

It is with a heavy heart that I bring you this week's virtual newsletter.  As many have heard, our community has lost a young man this past week.  According to NBC 5 news, a candlelight vigil has been scheduled for Wednesday night, Jan. 29, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Penn Park. Organizers ask those attending the vigil to wear Spencer's favorite color red. Some candles will be available, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own.  If you'd like to read more about this tragic incident, here is their link: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/waxahachie-family-seeking-answers-after-teen-shot-and-killed/2298018/

I offer my sincere condolences to the friends and family of this young man.  Please, if you are inclined to pray, continue doing so for them and for the community as a whole.

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In city news for this week, we only have the P&Z briefing and meeting on Tuesday evening which have been posted thus far.

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Tuesday, January 28, 2020
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6:30 PM - Planning & Zoning Commission Briefing
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda:  https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39769/PZAgenda20200128B.pdf

This is the briefing to prepare for the 7:00 PM regular meeting.  Briefings are a great way to see what will be discussed in the main meeting and hear discussion in a less formal setting.  They are open to the public, but are not live-streamed by the city.

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7:00 PM - Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39770/1-28-20_P_Z_Agenda_Packet.pdf

This should be a relatively short meeting; however, there is one item that many have been interested in.  Item 12 is a Public Hearing on a request by Mark Thedford for a replat to create Lots 1,2,3 of Stone Creek Estates (formerly called Fountain Court).  This is located across from Garden Valley Estates entrance off of Garden Valley Parkway and staff has recommended approval.  There have been several letters of opposition, but if you are in support or opposition of this development, you may speak during the public hearing.

This meeting will be live-streamed by the city and can be found here:  http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php
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Please check back on the City's website here http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php to see if any more meetings are added later on.

Have a wonderful week ahead, Waxahachie!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

Melissa Olson
molson@waxahachie.com
817-507-5162 (text)

The Week of January 20th - 24th, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Neighbors!

I hope everyone has had a great weekend and is ready for the week ahead.

We have had a lot of meetings recently and therefore have a lot of draft minutes for our various boards.  If you'd like to see what all is going on, I highly encourage you to take a minute to view them here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yziob2pqh0QVRnb2JfmuCVO8Bg-nGxsu

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Monday, January 20, 2020
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2 Announcements for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

1 ) City offices will be closed Monday, January 20, re-opening on Tuesday, 21 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  For non-emergency needs during this time, please call the Waxahachie Police Department at 469-309-4400. Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. Residential trash pickup will run as normally scheduled on this day.

Additionally, since this holiday falls on a day of a regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, the Council Meeting will instead be held on Tuesday, January 21 at 7pm at City Hall. An agenda is posted below.

2) The NAACP and IMA Action Committee present the Annual King Day Celebration, to take place on Monday, January 20, 2020.

The parade lineup will begin at 11:30am at the intersection of S. Aiken Street and E. Jefferson Street. Parade will begin promptly at 1:00pm. Following the parade, a program will be held at the Jim Street Christian Church, 108 Jim Street in Waxahachie.

For more information please contact the Waxahachie Branch NAACP by calling 972-937-2077, or email naacp6240@att.net. Parade Flyers and registration forms are also available at Gibson's Check Cashing.  

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Tuesday, January 21, 2020
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6:00 PM - City Council Briefing
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39650/1-21-2020_City_Council_Briefing_Agenda.pdf

The briefing will not be live-streamed, but is open to the public, so please feel free to attend.

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7:00 PM - City Council Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39651/1-21-2020_City_Council_Agenda_Packet.pdf

There are a couple solar panel cases and a few other items of interest:

15 & 16 - Public hearing on a 168 unit apartment complex called Cypress Creek proposed to be built by the water tower at 287 (near Farley), behind River Oaks Subdivision.  Staff is recommending approval and it was approved through P&Z with a 5-1 vote.

18 & 19 - Public hearing on the construction of a Caliber Collision auto repair shop in the North Grove business center.  Staff recommends denial of this project and it was denied at P&Z 6-0.

20 & 21 - Changes to the zoning ordinance.  I have a problem with a couple parts of this change.

a) Section 4 iv - It has been added to DENY solar panels if they face a right of way, even if the panels are on the rear or side of the house. (For example, if the rear of your house faced Broadhead, you would be unable to install the panels there, even though it's the rear of your home.)  I think this is too restrictive and takes away personal property rights.

b)  Section 7 vii - Limiting accessory structures to 2 per single family residence.  - This depends on the definition of what is considered an "accessory structure", but again, it feels like an infringement of personal property rights.

c) Boat dock standards and regulations: I don't necessarily have an issue with this, but would welcome feedback from residents on this and any other aspect of the zoning ordinance proposed changes.  These can be viewed in the agenda packet link above.

This meeting will be live-streamed at the following link http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php ; however, you are welcome and encouraged to come to the meeting, if possible.
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There are no other meetings posted at this time, but please check back on the city's website, to see if more have been added.  http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead, Waxahachie!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

Melissa Olson
cell: 817-507-5162
molson@waxahachie.com

The Week of January 13th - 17th, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Neighbors!

Brrrr!  I hope that everyone is staying warm after that 35 degree drop in weather!  I thought this would be a funny way to start this week's newsletter.  😄

We have several meetings this week, however, so let's get started!

For more details on any item listed, please refer to the agenda packet for that particular meeting.





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Monday, January 13, 2020
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8:30 AM - Firemen's Relief & Retirement Fund (FR&R) Regular Meeting
Waxahachie Fire Station No. 1, 407 Water Street

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39369/1-13-20_FR_R_Agenda_Packet.pdf

Items of interest include:

3. Canvassing votes for a new FR&R Board member

4. & 5. Administer Oath of Office to member and Reorganize the Board

8. & 9. Considering invoices

10. Discuss consultant search and take any necessary action

This meeting will not be live-streamed by the City.

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Tuesday, January 14, 2020
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3:00 PM - Waxahachie Community Development Corporation (WCDC) Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39397/01-14-20_WCDC_Agenda_Packet.pdf

This agenda packet is stuffed with events (past, present and future) at the Civic Center plus community beautification efforts with pictures.  If interested, please look through the agenda packet via the link above.  I highly recommend it so you can mark your calendars.

This meeting is not live-streamed by the City.

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6:15 PM - Planning & Zoning Commission Briefing
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39416/PZAgenda20200114B.pdf

This briefing is open to the public and is to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular meeting.

It will not be live-streamed by the City, but residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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7:00 PM - Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39417/1-14-20_P_Z_Agenda_Packet.pdf

Items of interest:

7. Consideration of a plat request for the second phase of the Arbors of Willow Grove

17. & 18.  Public Hearing on a zoning change next to the River Oaks subdivision for the Cypress Creek at Waxahachie Apartments.

19. & 20.  Public Hearing to allow construction of a Caliber Collision (Auto Body Repair & Paint Shop) within the North Grove Business Park.  Staff is recommending denial.

21. & 22.  Public Hearing by the City of Waxahachie for various textual amendments to the City Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance No. 3020. which includes restrictions on political signage (including having a permit for them), amendments to solar panel guidelines and boat dock structure regulations, among others.

This meeting will be live-streamed and can be accessed by this link when the meeting starts. http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php

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Wednesday, January 15, 2020
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1:00 PM - Senior Center Advisory Committee Regular Meeting
Senior Center, 122 Park Hills Drive

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39399/1-15-2020_Senior_Center_Agenda_Packet.pdf

Items of interest include transferring funds and reviewing the BASTAS  (Be A Santa To A Senior) project in December.  More details can be found in the agenda packet link above.

This meeting will not be live-streamed by the city, but is public and residents are welcome to attend.

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Thursday and Friday
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There are currently no meetings scheduled for those days, but please check back on the city's website to see if some are added at a later time.  Here is the link: http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

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Just a reminder that this Wednesday is the first day to turn in applications for City Council, if anyone is interested.  I'm always willing to answer questions. but there is also more information on the City Secretary's web page.  http://www.waxahachie.com/departments/city_secretary/elections.php

I hope that everyone has a great weekend and I wish you all a wonderful week ahead!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

Melissa Olson
molson@waxahachie.com
817-507-5162 (text is best)

This is why we need to stream more city meetings!

On Thursday, January, 9, 2020, the city had several public meetings. The first of three meetings I attended that day was that of the Cemetery Board. It was such an amazing meeting I wish it had been live-streamed so that y’all could see how it went.  The board was having a great discussion. Ideas were being thrown out there and the various aspects of each were examined until the board reached a solution.  In some meetings (not specifying city meetings, but just meetings in general), it seems as if often times one idea will be suggested and everyone just agrees without discussion and then action is taken. This particular Cemetery Board meeting was an excellent demonstration of collaboration. It was FANTASTIC!  I’m so honored to be a part of it.

You may remember that I pushed to get all city meetings live-streamed and while I’m grateful that we now stream the City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission  meetings, this Cemetery Board meeting reinvigorated my desire for all public meetings in City Hall to be streamed. I think it’s not just important for folks to know what is happening, but the process behind those decisions - the how/why in the decision-making process.  Often times from the outside, it can look like there’s no rhyme or reason for some of the choices that the city makes, but seeing the discussion of those boards that lead to the decisions made by Council, could really provide additional understanding of how the city works. Not only that, but folks would get a chance to see the hard work and dedication of our volunteer board members.  Thank you to all our board volunteers and staff for your collaborative efforts to serve the residents and make a better Waxahachie!
 

If you’re interested in being involved and serving on any city boards, please fill out an application and submit it to the City Secretary’s office. The link to do so is here: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/boards_commissions.php  Board appointments are made in August or September of every year, but sometimes there are openings on a board before that time, so having your application on file with the City Secretary, would help us fill an open position until appointments are made for that year. 

Regarding live-streaming... The company we currently use, Swagit, has done a great job breaking down meetings by agenda number and displaying the agenda next to the video.  It helps greatly when wanting to go to a specific part of the meeting. In fact, the City of Waxahachie just added information about our streamed meetings on the website the other day.  You can find that at the following link:  http://www.waxahachie.com/news_detail_T6_R118.php

The Week of January 6th - 10th, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie!

Hello Neighbors!

We have a busy week ahead at the City.  Some really interesting things too.  First of all, here is a link to the draft minutes from recent city meetings.  These are a fantastic way to see what has been going on in the city.  Draft Board Minutes for Council Meeting on January 6, 2020
  
Here are the meetings for this coming week:

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Monday, January 6, 2020
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6:00 PM - City Council Briefing Session
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda:  https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39282/1-6-2020_City_Council_Briefing_Agenda.pdf

This meeting is open to the public, so please feel free to attend.  We will be discussing items on the 7:00 PM agenda in an informal setting.  Residents are not allowed to speak during the briefing but there is a public comments section at the actual meeting. This meeting will not be live-streamed.

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7:00 PM - City Council Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall

Agenda Packet:  https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39283/1-6-2020_City_Council_Agenda_Packet.pdf

Some items of note are:

12 - Consider request for a detailed Site Plan review for apartments located at the SW corner of Northgate Dr at Stadium Dr. - due to this item NOT being a public hearing, anyone wishing to speak to this, must do so at the public comments at the beginning of the meeting.

** 21 - Reconvene from Executive Session (due to having consultation with City Atty)**
a. Take any possible action by City Council to initiate a zoning change under Section 2.04 and 7.03 of the Zoning ordinance, and consider calling public hearing to consider revocation of a Specific Use permit held by Oak Cliff Metals
b. Take any necessary action
*** This is a big deal.  Finding that balance between government intervention and business rights is a very big thing.  There should be a lot of information presented to the Council, most likely at the briefing that evening, and we will consider all input before rendering a decision.***

Anyone wishing to speak to this will need to speak during the public comments section at the beginning of the meeting OR wait until a public hearing, if that is the action taken by Council.  I welcome all to give me feedback on your thoughts on this subject.

The Council meeting will be live-streamed at this link: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php

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Tuesday, January 7, 2020
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There are currently no meetings scheduled for this day, but please check back on the city's website to see if any are added at a later date.  http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

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Wednesday, January 8, 2020
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3:00 PM - TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1) Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39276/1-8-2020_TIRZ_Agenda_Packet.pdf

The meeting will include

3 - Reorganize the board

5 - Consider funding for parking lot repair for Covenant Life Church at 423 N College

6 - Consider funding for Walk of Fame Stars fabrication and installation.

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Thursday, January 9, 2020 
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****None of the meetings held today will be live-streamed, but they are open to the public and residents who are interested are encouraged to attend. ***

8:30 AM - Cemetery Board Regular Meeting
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda Packet:  https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39271/1-9-2020_Cemetery_Board_Agenda_Packet.pdf

4 - Discuss pavilion project and take any necessary action

5 - Discuss cemetery activities and take any necessary action

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3:00 PM - Park Board Regular Meeting
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39272/1-9-20_Park_Board_Agenda_Packet.pdf

This appears to be a standard meeting in which park projects and activities will be discussed and action can be taken on those, if necessary. The only item that is different is:

6 - Discuss Little Creek Trail opening

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4:00 PM - Mid-Way Regional Airport Board Regular Meeting
Rex Odom Conference Room, Mid-Way Regional Airport
131 Airport Dr., Midlothian, TX

Agenda:  https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39269/AA20200109.pdf

Some highlights of this meeting's agenda include:

6 - Discuss Starting Educational Program with MISD and WISD

7 - Discuss Starting RFP and Proposals for New Hangar Development

8 - Election of 2020 Officers

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4:30 PM - Keep Waxahachie Beautiful Committee Regular Meeting
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39274/1-9-20__KWB_Agenda_Packet.pdf

This looks to be a standard meeting with the following exception:

6 - Discuss promotional items for Garden Expo and take any necessary action

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5:30 PM - Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
Council Chamber / Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/39275/1-9-20_HPC_2nd_Revised_Agenda_Packet.pdf

A couple items of interest on this agenda are:

4 - Consider revised plans for 421 S. College

5 - Consider Certificate of Appropriateness for 310 Kirven

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Friday, January 10, 2020
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There are currently no meetings scheduled, but please check the city's website to see if any are added at a later time. http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

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Just a reminder for those who would like to serve on the Waxahachie City Council, packets are available in the City Secretary's office.  The first day to turn in your application is January 15, 2020.

Also here is a notice for those who live in the Estates of Garden Valley that there may be some traffic
starting Monday due to the installation of new sewer lines. 


Here is the notice on the city's website: http://www.waxahachie.com/news_detail_T6_R117.php


I hope that y'all enjoy your weekend!  Have a wonderful week ahead, Waxahachie!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

Melissa Olson
817-507-5162 (text)
molson@waxahachie.com