Saturday, March 26, 2022

The Week of March 28th - April 1st, 2022 in the City of Waxahachie

 Hello Friends!

    I hope everyone is doing well!  We have a pretty short list of meetings this week, but before I get into those, I wanted to share a video with you.  A recent news publication said that I "... refuse to talk." and that this person "...was once overly bothered by any candidate's refusal to be open and transparent...."  For anyone who has been following me for any length of time, hopefully you've noticed that I am actually both open AND transparent.  I happened to have a candidate interview already set up with someone else, but just not with that particular newspaper editor.  In my interview, we discuss growth, taxes and more, so please feel free to check it out! If you still have any questions, please feel welcome to reach out to me.  I love hearing from residents! 2022 Council Candidate Interview with Melissa Olson:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMFw152eq98
 
    For the May 7th, election, sample ballots are now available on Ellis County Election's website, but it's a little tricky to find your exact version.  Here is a sample ballot for those living in Waxahachie City limits:  https://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/15877/Style-03 If you want to find your exact ballot based on your precinct, please visit:https://www.co.ellis.tx.us/702/Individual-Sample-Ballots .  There are also 2 proposed Constitutional amendments to vote on, so you can read more about those on their website here: https://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/15826

To view the city's calendar to see if any meetings have been changed or added after this newsletter goes out, please visit: https://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php
 
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Tuesday, March 29, 2022
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6:30 PM - Planning & Zoning Commission Briefing Session
Council Conference Room, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.
 
 
This briefing is being held to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular meeting.  It is not live-streamed at this time, but residents ARE welcome to attend.
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7:00 PM - Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.
 
 
7 & 8: Public Hearing on a request by 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee, for a SUP (Specific Use Permit) for a Drive-Through coffee establishment located north of the intersection of Country Meadows Blvd and Hwy. 77.  7 Brew intends to serve coffees, teas and frozen drinks in this strictly drive-thru coffee shop.  There will be no inside dining.  Staff is recommending approval per comments.

9: Consider request by 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee proposing to plat the subject property into two lots for commercial use.  Lot 1 is proposed above in items 7 & 8 and there are no specific developments currently under consideration for Lot 2.  Staff is recommending approval per comments.

That's about it for this agenda.  There is a case for # 5 & 6, which is very routine; however, feel free to review it in the agenda packet, linked above.  This meeting will be live-streamed at the following link but residents are welcome to attend in person as well:  https://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php
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That's it for this week!  I anticipate multiple meetings the following week, but will post them once they become available.
 
I hope y'all have a fantastic rest of your weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!
 
Your Friendly Councilmember,
 
Melissa Olson, CMO
(text) 817-507-5162
molson@waxahachie.com
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Saturday, March 19, 2022

The Week of March 21st - 25th , 2022 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Friends!
 
    This should be short and sweet, but want to provide one quick reminder for all those who wish to register to vote before the City Council & School Board elections on May 7th, Thursday, April 7, 2022 is the last day to register to vote.  For more information on registering to vote, please visit: https://www.co.ellis.tx.us/740/Voter-Registration-Information
   
    So far on the city calendar for next week, we only have the Council briefing and meeting on Monday, but please feel free to check back on the city's calendar to see if any meetings are added after this newsletter goes out.  The link to do that is here: https://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

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Monday, March 21, 2022
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6:30 PM - City Council Briefing Session - PUBLIC MAY ATTEND
Council Conference Room, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.

 
Staff and Council are conducting a briefing to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular Council meeting.  This meeting is not live-streamed; however, residents are welcome and encouraged to attend the briefing session.
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7:00 PM - City Council Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.
 

There are multiple items on the consent agenda for this meeting. Many are for events, but some are for supplemental appropriations.  Most of those requesting supplemental appropriations have already been approved by their respective boards in public meetings held last week.  Those would be items:

5j - Supplemental appropriation from TIRZ account for Farmers Market improvements in the amount of $106,884.25
5k - Supplemental appropriation from TIRZ account for Downtown Parking Garage improvements in the amount of $138,867.18
5m - Supplemental appropriation from WCDC account to fund additional Wags-a-Hachie Dog Park improvements in the amount of $97,350.00

5l - Supplemental appropriation authorizing the insurance reimbursement of the Fire Department vehicle maintenance fund in the amount of $24,552.00

The only two P&Z cases are not big developments, but rather SUP requests for  accessory structures at 112 Homestead Ln and 808 W. Main and both were approved unanimously at the last P&Z meeting held on March 15, 2022.

Tonight's agenda is relatively short, but you never know what discussion may come up during a meeting.  At any rate, the Council meeting will be live-streamed at the following link starting at 7:00 PM : https://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php
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That is it for this week!  I hope y'all enjoy this FANTASTIC weather we're having and have a wonderful week ahead!!!
 
Your Friendly Councilmember,
 
Melissa Olson, CMO
(text) 817-507-5162
molson@waxahachie.com
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Saturday, March 12, 2022

The Week of March 14th - 18th, 2022 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Friends!
 
    *** Don't forget to set your clocks 1 hour ahead to "spring forward" tonight (Saturday, 3/12/22)! ***
 
    I hope everyone is doing well!  I want to make y'all aware of a resource for updates and news for the city here: https://www.waxahachie.com/newslist.php They try to post most things like traffic closures, etc.  Also, if you are on Facebook, I highly recommend following the City's official page.  There is a ton of current information pushed out to the residents that way (even more than the city's website).  Their page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfWaxahachie. 
   
    If you live off Broadhead Rd., please be aware of the following:  Please note that starting MONDAY MARCH 14, contractors will be switching two lane traffic over to the east side of Broadhead Road from US 287 to about April Lane in order to finish up on the pavers replacement project.  The work is scheduled from 7am to 5pm Monday-Friday and possibly some Saturdays. Expect some delay and contact us at 469-309-4300 or email publicworks@waxahachie.com with any questions or concerns. We appreciate your cooperation and apologize for any inconveniences.
 
    There are a lot of meetings for this upcoming week, so I'll get started; but please be aware of the city's calendar on the website which will be updated if any other meetings are added after this newsletter goes out.  The link for that is:  https://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php
 
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Monday, March 14, 2022 
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8:30 AM - FR&R- Firemen's Relief and Retirement Fund Regular Meeting
Waxahachie Fire Station No. 2
1601 Cleaver St., Waxahachie

 
This meeting seems to be fairly routine in nature; however, I would like to point out two items which may be of interest:
 
7 - Discuss and act on revising the Investment Policy
 
8 - Discuss and act on potential plan changes for the 2022 Actuary
 
This is a public meeting and you are welcome to attend.  It is not live-streamed at this time.
 
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022
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6:30 PM - Planning & Zoning Commission Briefing Session
Council Conference Room, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.
 
 
This public briefing session is being held to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular P&Z meeting.  Residents are both welcome and encouraged to attend the briefing session as it is not live-streamed at this time.
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7:00 PM - Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.
 
 
This is a pretty routine meeting. No multifamily (apartments) or large developments on the agenda.
 
5 & 6: The applicant requested to withdraw case # ZDC-10-2022, Heritage of Love Academy daycare.  This means that the Commission will not hear anything about this case and there will be no decisions made on it either.
 
The rest of the agenda is posted above in the Agenda Packet link.
 
This is a public meeting and residents are welcome to attend, but it will also be live-streamed at the following link starting at 7:00 PM:  https://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php
 
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022 
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1:30 PM - Senior Center Advisory Committee Regular Meeting
Senior Center
122 Park Hills Drive

 
4 - Reorganize the Committee
 
6 - Consider financial report on Senior Center, Inc. for period ending February 28, 2022
 
7 - Discuss Senior Center Activities
 
8 - Discuss community garden expansion and take any necessary action
 
This is a public meeting and residents are welcome to attend; however, this meeting will not be live-streamed at this time. 
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3:00 PM - Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.

 
It's been just over a year since the TIRZ Board met.  You can review the minutes of the last meeting from Tuesday, February 23, 2021 in the agenda packet link above.
 
3 - Introduction to the TIRZ - Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1
 
4 - Reorganize the Board
 
6 - Hear financial update
 
7 - Consider funding for multiple Farmers Market improvements which you can review in the agenda packet.
 
8 - Consider funding for Downtown Parking Garage improvements for various improvements such as upgrading to LED fixtures (a brighter garage would be a safer garage), a new camera surveillance system, refreshing and updating signage, restriping the parking spaces and servicing of the A/C units in the IT and elevator room.  The total cost of these improvements are projected to be $126,242.89.

This is a public meeting and you are welcome to attend; however, the meeting will not be live-streamed at this time.

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Thursday, March 17, 2022  ---  ** Don't forget to wear green for St. Patrick's Day  **
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5:30 PM - Heritage Preservation Commission Regular Meeting
Council Chamber/Council Conference Room, City Hall 
401 S. Rogers St.

 
4 - Hear request for reconsideration of approval of tax exemption application for 1404 W. Main
 
5 - 7: Consider approval of renewal, new and previously tabled HT tax exemption applications.
 
This is a public meeting and all are welcome to attend; however, the meeting will not be live-streamed at this time.
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That's all for this week!  (Plenty, don't ya think? lol)  I hope everyone enjoys the rest of your weekend and has a wonderful week ahead!
 
Your Friendly Councilmember,
 
Melissa Olson, CMO
(text) 817-507-5162
molson@waxahachie.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sunday, March 6, 2022

The Week of March 7th - 11th, 2022 in the City of Waxahachie

 Hello Friends!

    I know it seems like we just got done with an election and we did... the primaries; however, the next upcoming election is for your local elected officials - namely City Council Members and WISD School Board Trustees and Thursday April 7, 2022 is the last day to register to vote for this Election. 
 
For more information on how to register to vote so you can help make a difference in your local government, you can go to the Ellis County Elections website here: https://www.co.ellis.tx.us/740/Voter-Registration-Information .  This link will also let you change the address on your voter registration card if you've moved within the same county or from/to another county in Texas.  If you aren't sure whether you're registered to vote or if your information is correct, please visit this website (I just love this one!  It's so handy!) from the Texas Secretary of State's office: https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do  If you have any questions, please reach out to me.  My contact information is at the bottom of this page.

Now, moving on to this week's meetings.  There aren't a whole bunch listed, but here is the link to the city's calendar and if any new meetings are posted after this newsletter goes out, they will be reflected here: https://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php
 
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Monday, March 7, 2022
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6:30 PM - City Council Briefing Session
Council Conference Room, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.
 
 
This briefing session is being held to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular meeting.  It is open to the public to attend in person; however, it is not live-streamed at this time.
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7:00 PM - City Council Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall
401 S. Rogers St.
 
** No P&Z items on tonight's short agenda **
 
 
4 - Public Comments: Persons may address the Council on any issues whether on this agenda or not; however, in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA), the Council may not comment or deliberate such statements during this period, except as authorized by Section 551.042, Texas Government Code. Speakers must observe the five minute time limit.
 
5e - Supplemental appropriation for additional track repairs and increased scope of wrought iron fencing at the Sports Complex.  I bring this up because on a social media platform recently (although I can't remember which), someone had brought up the poor condition of the track at the Sports Complex.  Staff have already been made aware of the issue and are bringing it to Council for final approval (the WCDC has already approved the appropriation from their funds) to get it fixed correctly.  I hope that the person who had posted about that, is able to hear about this and know that we are taking care of the issue.
 
6 -Consider City of Waxahachie Annual Financial Report for year ended Sept. 30, 2021.

7 - Discuss Solicitation Ordinance. Council enacted this ordinance (No. 3209 : https://library.municode.com/tx/waxahachie/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1039440 ) on 9/8/20 and it was one of those things that we really needed to have in place in order to see how well it works and where it could be improved.  It has been brought to my attention by a local business owner that they routinely have to go into the police station every month (excessive in my opinion) to have background checks run and fingerprinting done on every individual who goes door-to-door in Waxahachie for their company. I want to commend them for their efforts in trying to do the right thing and comply with the ordinance that Waxahachie has in place.  The problem in my opinion is... when this ordinance becomes a burden on local companies.  You have a company who is local, complying with the ordinance and then you have all the "bad actors" so to speak, who are usually NOT local, just looking to make some money off Waxahachie residents.  
 
I cannot tell you how many door-to-door solicitors I have had who do NOT have a permit from our city.  In fact, I could say CONSERVATIVELY... 90% of those who come to my door do NOT have a permit.  This ordinance is for the safety of our residents and Chief Goolsby will go over the different details of the ordinance at the meeting.  
 
*** For all those who are affected by this ordinance - especially local business owners, PLEASE consider coming and speaking on this issue at the meeting.  Your input is invaluable and while we want the ordinance to protect residents, we  also want to make sure it places REASONABLE requirements on our local businesses.  Do you find all the requirements reasonable?  Do they place a financial or otherwise burden on your ability to conduct business in the city?  Whatever you think about this ordinance, now is the time to bring forward your thoughts, while Council is in the process of discussing it.  We don't review ordinances very often at all, so that's why I want to be sure that I share this information in order for you to take part in this process. ***

This is an open meeting and residents are welcome to attend.  For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will also be live-streamed at the following link: https://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php
 
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Thursday, March 10, 2022
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4:00 PM - Mid-Way Regional Joint Airport Board Regular Meeting
Upstairs Common Area of Mid-Way Regional Airport
131 Airport Dr., Midlothian, TX

 
3 - Public Comments
 
5 - Presentation from our local Civil Air Patrol
 
6 - Presentation from Airport Business, Airborne Imaging
 
7 - Consider Hangar Lease Insurance Requirements
 
8 - Discuss the Hangar Waiting List Policy
 
This is a public meeting and residents are welcome to attend.  This meeting is not currently live-streamed.  For additional information on Mid-Way Regional Airport, please visit:  https://www.mid-wayregional.com/
 
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That's it for the meetings for this week.  
 
I have had some folks ask about how they can help my campaign.  Campaigns always need donations, but what I would really like to ask is for help with blockwalking.  I would love if I could get a "neighborhood captain" for each neighborhood and that person would put door hangers on each door.  (If you want to knock on doors and talk to people, that's a bonus, but definitely not required!) :)  We would supply you with all the door hangers you need and for large neighborhoods, we have them broken down in to smaller sections, so we would even furnish a map of the area that needs to be walked as well. 

*** To volunteer, please text/call me (817-507-5162); message me on nextdoor, or Facebook or even email me at olsonfortexas@gmail.com .  That is my campaign email, not to be confused with my Council email below. ***

Thank you for your support!  I hope you have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

Melissa Olson, CMO
(text) 817-507-5162
Council Email (no campaign-related emails please): molson@waxahachie.com
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