The Last Week of 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

 Hello Friends!

There are no city meetings scheduled for this week; however, you can check back on the city's calendar for any that may be posted after this newsletter is published.  The link to do so is here: http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

I wanted to take a moment to let you know the status of the discussion regarding live-streaming.  I had it placed on the agenda for our last meeting to stream all public meetings (including briefings) that take place at City Hall.  We currently stream the Council and Planning & Zoning meetings.  At the briefing session before our meeting, during the discussion, the city manager, director of communications and other councilmembers stated that they have not had any requests for live-streaming.  Therefore, there is a concern that people don't really want it.  I've been a proponent of live-streaming since I became a councilmember, but thought that with COVID, now is an especially good time to stream our meetings for the citizens.  The Mayor responded that COVID is almost over so he didn't see the need for it due to COVID.  The city manager then offered that he could add a question about live-streaming on an upcoming citizen survey they are creating.  I felt that this was a reasonable option so that we (council) can see if the want for this service is there to justify the cost of both the initial equipment/setup and to cover the streaming of the additional meetings.

 

I still feel that we should stream all public meetings in City Hall as a good faith measure of transparency and as a service to offer our residents, but it would be good to have resident feedback on this issue as well.  For those who have been wanting streaming services, please fill out the survey when it comes out (even if it is a little lengthy).  Your feedback is important because the direction that council will take on many matters, will come from you - the residents.  

 

If you'd like to take another approach, you can contact city council so that we know residents do want meetings streamed.  City councilmember contact information can be found here: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/index.php  The city manager's email can be found here: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/contact_us_city_staff.php

I hope that everyone has a happy, healthy and safe new year and may God bless you all in 2021.

Your Friendly Councilmember,

Melissa Olson

molson@waxahachie.com

(text) 817-507-5162

The Week of December 21st - 25th, 2020 in the City of Waxahachie

 

Hello Friends!

I'd like to first wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope that you having a wonderful holiday season!  Only the City Council briefing and regular meeting are posted for this week and I don't expect any others to be added due to the holiday.  We do, however, have some draft minutes from recent meetings that I've scanned for your review here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lGCRXRjhxb-Cc2FWSnk8jawUgIt8cKtp/view?usp=sharing 

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Monday, December 21, 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/108477/12-21_City_Council_Briefing_Agenda.pdf

This is a briefing to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular meeting. Please refer to the regular meeting's agenda packet for item details.

The briefing is a public meeting, but will not be live-streamed at this time.  Residents are able to attend in person.

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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/108478/12-21-20_City_Council_Agenda_Packet.pdf

 

We have several P&Z items on the agenda, but items I think are of particular interest are:

 

7: Recognize Mr. Kevin Strength for his service as Mayor and City Council Member

 

10 - 11:  Public hearing on a zoning change for a development known as Montclair Heights located west of 2374 W Hwy 287 Bypass.  Staff is recommending approval.

16 - 18: Public hearing on a request for a zoning change for apartments located near the SW corner of Park Place Blvd at Garden Valley Pkwy. This development called the Fitzgerald, has had several changes since the P&Z meeting.  Staff recommended denial on the original submission, but due to changes, I believe they are now recommending approval or sending the case back to the P&Z commission.  The developer has worked hard to incorporate neighborhood feedback, so even though almost nobody wants apartments, I think these would be good ones to have.  The zoning is already for apartments, so apartments are going to go there.  It's just a matter of which ones and when.

** 23 - I requested to have this item on the agenda.  Discuss live streaming all public meetings in City Hall, including briefings, and take any necessary action.  This matter was brought up in comments to my last newsletter and I appreciate the feedback.  I feel that it's time we look at this issue again, especially in light of COVID, and consider providing this service to our residents.

This is a public meeting and residents can attend, but it will also be live-streamed at the following link: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php

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Wishing you all hope, peace, love and joy this holiday season!

 

Your Friendly Councilmember,

 

Melissa Olson

molson@waxahachie.com

(text) 817-507-5162