The Week of June 29th - July 3rd, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Neighbors!

While there will be some important meetings coming up regarding the budget and tax rate, there are currently no city meetings for next week! 

• Please mark your calendars for July 7th starting at 8:30 AM at the Civic Center for our first budget workshop.  It should be open to the public (although usually no public comments at this particular one), but is a great way if you're able to make it, to see the process and learn more about the upcoming budget.  
• Public budget and tax rate hearings will be happening in the upcoming weeks and notices for those will be published in the Waxahachie Sun so keep an eye out.  I will also let y'all know when they are near as well.
• Governor Abbott has issued new executive orders as of 6/26/20 and they are outlined here: http://www.waxahachie.com/news_detail_T6_R171.php
• Please check back on the City's website to see if meetings have been added for next week: http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php
• Primary election runoffs begin this coming week.  All the information including safety protocols, voting locations and sample ballots can be found here: http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/629/Upcoming-Elections
• Special thanks to Ms. Borders and to Manjul (our GIS expert) for putting together a map of our Hachie Hearts!  I've seen so many out walking and biking around the community and finding these might be a fun family thing to do while you're out!  https://waxgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=dea312dfbc2a44b3a41513b06355be3c&fbclid=IwAR2c8IO87ppV0kmwSzs71O0G0kVkmZEzi95kPpHHGI51vr9HWiEc4KtlgMs#
• JULY 4 ANNOUNCEMENT:
  23rd Annual Crape Myrtle Festival and Parade Cancelled
  Due to concerns relating to COVID-19 and the community’s safety, the decision has been made to cancel the 23rd Annual Crape Myrtle Festival & Parade originally scheduled for July 3-4, 2020.
  The City of Waxahachie is currently under the Executive Orders of Governor Abbott, and with those restrictions, it would be difficult to stay within the recommended protocols that would help keep our community safe and healthy. “As hard as it is to make the decision, it’s important to make a decision based on smart, not based on our heart,” said Bonney Ramsey, Chairperson of the Crape Myrtle Festival.
  In the years past, it has been a parade tradition to honor veterans in Ellis County and put the focus on them by making our local heroes the parade marshals.
  Since the community will not be able to join together for a parade this year, organizers are encouraging the community to assist in a virtual salute to all veterans and all active service personnel by using the hashtag #hachieveterans on Facebook and Instagram to post photos.
  For more information, please call the Waxahachie Convention & Visitors Bureau at 469-309-4040.
  
  I think this is just about everything that I can think of for now, but as always, please reach out with any questions, comments or concerns.  I provide my contact information below.
  
  Please have a wonderful week ahead and a safe 4th of July!
  
  Your Friendly Councilmember,
  
  Melissa Olson
  (text) 817-507-5162
  molson@waxahachie.com
  www.olsonfortexas.com
   
   

The Week of June 22nd - 26th, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Neighbors!

Happy Father’s Day for all the dads out there!  I hope you have a great Sunday.

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Monday, June 22, 2020
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There are no meetings posted at this time, but please check the city’s website to see if any meetings have been added. http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php
 
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Tuesday, June 23, 2020
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5:30 PM - IFCIAC - Impact Fee Capital Improvements Advisory Committee Regular Meeting 
Council Conference Room, City Hall
 
Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/70779/6-23-20_IFCIAC_Agenda_Packet.pdf

Presentation to discuss Land Use Assumptions and Capital Improvement Plan methodology recommendations. It appears that the presentation materials have been included in the agenda packet for your review.  If you're interested in what this is, I strongly recommend reading the packet.  It's very interesting (to me at least lol).

This is a public meeting and residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.  It will not be live-streamed.

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

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/70777/6-23-20_P_Z_Agenda_Packet.pdf

The two public hearings on the agenda have each been continued.  The first one (SP-75-2020) has been continued to the 7/14 P&Z meeting.  The second (ZDC-77-2020) has been continued to the 7/28 P&Z meeting. The only item up for consideration, is a final plat for 175 lots in the city's ETJ (extra territorial jurisdiction).

This meeting will be live-streamed and can be viewed here at the meeting time: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php

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Wednesday, June 24, 2020
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12:00 PM - Civil Service Commission Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/70736/6-24-20_Civil_Service_Agenda_Packet.pdf 

This meeting's agenda has several action items for both Waxahachie Fire Rescue and for our Waxahachie Police Department.  For more information, please refer to the agenda packet above.

This meeting is open to the public, but will not be live-streamed.

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Thursday, June 25, 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/70737/6-25-2020_TIRZ_Agenda_Packet.pdf

The main item for consideration is the reimbursement of expenses for new sewer main at 217 E. Main Street.

This meeting is open to the public, but will not be live-streamed. 

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Friday, June 26, 2020
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There are no meetings schedule as of now, but please check back on the city's website as meetings may be added.  http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

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I hope that you enjoy your weekend and that you have a wonderful week ahead, Waxahachie!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

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


 

The Week of June 15th - 19th, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Neighbors!

I hope that this week's newsletter finds you and your family well.

I've scanned in the draft board minutes from recent city meetings for your review.  I do this because these various board minutes used to be in the Council agenda packet, but they were removed and are now approved whenever each corresponding board meets again.  Because they are public record and a great way to find out what is going on in the City, I make them available to you this way.  If this is something that you find useful, please let me know and I will continue to make them available this way.  Here are the most recent:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tOo8G6uWvVjWSx8TgSftMIyonp9CvCHs/view?usp=sharing

We have some important things going on this week, so let's get started!

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Monday, June 15, 2020
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5:30 PM - City Council Work Session
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/63235/6-15-20_City_Council_Work_Session_Agenda.pdf

*I would highly recommend attending this meeting.*

This work session's sole intention is to discuss preliminary budgetary outlook for Fiscal Year 20-21.

It will not be live-streamed, but residents are welcome to attend.
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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/63233/6-15-20_City_Council_Briefing_Agenda.pdf

The purpose of this briefing is to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular meeting.

Briefings are highly informative and open to the public.  Since they are not live-streamed, I encourage all who can make it, to give it a try.
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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/63234/6-15-20_City_Council_Agenda_Packet.pdf

There is a lot of typical city business items on the agenda this evening, but there are two items I'd like to point out specifically.

# 6 : This is to consider and take action on a resolution directing publication of notice of intention to issue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2020 bonds.  This particular item is not a vote on issuing the debt but simply to publish a notice and to prepare an official statement regarding the bonds.  I have asked that these bonds go to the residents for a vote since it is debt that the city will be taking on, backed by property taxes, but that isn't going to happen.  The bonds would go for water lines and street repairs, with only a couple exceptions: Penn Park Phase IV (swimming pool, etc), a new fire engine and the architectural & design services for a 4th Fire Station. I'm extremely conservative especially when spending taxpayer funds or taking on debt, but do agree that these are fairly reasonable items.  I want you to know that the vote for this will be coming up in August.

# 9-11 : These agenda items are dealing with Oak Cliff Metals.  After speaking with our Fire department, the attorney for the City and the attorney for Oak Cliff Metals have drafted an agreement that should ensure the company can continue to operate, but do so without any more fires.  There should certainly be nothing like the magnitude of the fire that we had in December.  Not only is that dangerous for Oak Cliff Metal employees, but those residents who live nearby and of course, our firefighters. I think that this is a good way to handle the situation, but will reserve my final opinion til everything has been presented at the meeting.

The meeting is open to the public but will also be live-streamed via this link: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php

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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
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12:00 PM - WCDC Work Session
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda:  https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/63238/6-16-20_WCDC_Agenda_Packet.pdf

This is a very important meeting because it will be a discussion of current needs and future direction and priorities of the WCDC (Waxahachie Community Development Corporation).  They are funded through a 1/2 cent sales tax and are responsible for such items as the Sports Complex and the Civic Center.  Because of the COVID pandemic, sales tax revenues have been deeply affected throughout the state, and I'm sure this will be discussed at the meeting.

This meeting will not be live-streamed; however, residents are welcome and encouraged to come to
the meeting.

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Those are the only public City meetings posted thus far for the week, but please check back on the City's calendar to see if there are more posted. http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

Have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead, Waxahachie!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

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

The Week of June 8th - 12th, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Neighbors!

First off, I want to congratulate all of the seniors who are graduating this weekend!  You've had an extraordinary year and kudos to you and your parents for persevering.  I wish you the best of luck in the next phase of your lives!

Next up - great news!  We are finally hosting in person meetings again and public comments are back on the agenda. It's always great to have input from our citizens!

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Tuesday, June 9, 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/63000/6-9-20_WCDC_Agenda_Packet.pdf

This is a fairly routine meeting with one exception.  Item #4 will include a briefing on the impact of COVID-19 on the WCDC revenues/budget.  I think this will be very interesting information and important to know as we move deeper into budget season for the City.

This meeting will not be live-streamed, but residents are welcome to attend.
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6:30 PM - Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission Briefing
Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/62998/6-9-20_P_Z_Briefing_Agenda.pdf

The purpose of this meeting is to conduct a briefing to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular meeting.

This meeting will not be live-streamed, but residents are welcome to attend.
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7:00 PM - Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission Regular Meeting 
Council Chamber, City Hall

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/62999/6-9-20_P_Z_Agenda_Packet.pdf

5 & 6 : Regarding a detailed site plan review for Dove Hollow, has been continued to the 6/23/20 P&Z meeting.

7-9 : The commission will be reviewing final plats for The Enclave Phases 1 & 2 and for the Estates of North Grove.

10 & 11 : This is the public hearing on whether or not Oak Cliff Metals is allowed to continue to operate specific machinery.  Staff and attorneys (for both parties) have changed the specific use permit to allow the company to continue operation, BUT they may not have any granulators which make piles of fluff that may catch on fire, like we've had before.  Staff recommends approval of this changed SUP, as long as the owner is willing to adhere to a development agreement that puts more restrictions/precautionary measures in place to protect the citizens and our firefighters.  You can read the agreement in the above agenda packet link.

Residents are welcome to attend the meeting; however, it will also be live-streamed via this link: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php
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Please check back on the city's calendar to see if other meetings are added throughout the week: http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

Have a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead, Waxahachie!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

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