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