The Week of November 28, 2022 in the City of Waxahachie!

Hey Y'all!

 

    I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving and a long weekend!  This week's newsletter will ACTUALLY be short... For real this time...  I hope... lol

 

    #1 The Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Tuesday, November 29th in downtown Waxahachie is my ALL TIME FAVORITE event each year. (The picture at the top is one I took when our family went in 2018.) It brings everyone together and is really magical.  All the details are in this link from Waxahachie's CVB (including parade route map):  https://www.waxahachiecvb.com/events/2022/christmas-parade--community-tree-lighting2

 

    #2 There are SO MANY wonderful events going on in these next few weeks!  Please be sure to check back on the CVB's website for all the info.  https://www.waxahachiecvb.com/

 

     #3 As of late Sunday afternoon, 11/27/22, there are currently no meetings posted on the City's calendar for next week; however, this could change on Monday, so please feel free to check that link to see if any are added after this newsletter goes out: https://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php

** Just be sure to click "next month" for the latter part of the week, since we are beginning December!  I can't believe it's here!

    #4 The CPAC meeting previously-scheduled for Wednesday, November 30th at 6PM has been postponed due to a meeting conflict with the WISD Townhall meeting.  There is a link at the bottom of this page that you can use to sign up for updates and notifications.  It also gives contact information to the appropriate staff at City Hall who can assist you with any questions regarding this process.  https://www.waxahachie.com/departments/planning_department/comprehensive_plan_update.php

    #5  - WISD - There is a very important informational townhall meeting on Wednesday, November 30th from 6 PM - 7 PM at the Fine Arts Center (Coleman).  From their website: "Join us to hear from Dr. Hollingsworth about the district's growth and future plans.  Attendees will have an opportunity to submit questions."  This is a really important meeting to attend and to ask questions, as WISD is gearing up to order another school bond.  To see some of the information that has been presented to the LRPC (Long Range Planning Committee) leading up to this, please visit the following: https://www.wisd.org/LRPC  The LRPC is the group who will be recommending whether or not the school board of Trustees should order a bond election for voters who reside within WISD's boundaries will then vote on.  Lots of slides full of information at the LRPC link above.  I highly encourage all to read those before the Wednesday meeting.

    And... that's a wrap! Please take a minute to check out the links I've provided for everyone.  There's a ton of information - as long as you know where to look!  

I hope that everyone has WONDERFUL WEEK AHEAD!

Your Friendly Neighbor,

Melissa Olson

(text) 817-507-5162

olsonfortexas@gmail.com

The Week of November 7, 2022 in the City of Waxahachie

 

Hello Friends!

 

    We've got a lot to cover, so let's dive right on in! 

First off, Friday, November 11th is Veteran's Day.  Thank you to everyone who is serving or who has served our country!!  There will be an Ellis County Veterans Celebration on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Waxahachie Civic Center from 10 AM - 12:30 PM.  It is recommended to be there around 9:30 AM.

This is a WONDERFUL program that really does honor our veterans.  (Might want to bring a few tissues as well.)  They have a website for more information and also a way to donate and/or help sponsor this event.  https://elliscountyveterans.com/  For those who are on Facebook, please like and follow their page to stay in the loop.  https://www.facebook.com/EllisCountyVeteransCelebration

 

Thank you to the organizers of this great event.  You make sure that it is a program truly worthy of our veterans and you are appreciated! 

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Next up, there's an organization that many of us have heard of before, but may not know how to get involved.  I hadn't heard anything about toy collections for our local Toys for Tots this year and thought that maybe y'all hadn't either, so that's why I got some information to share with everyone.

 

Toys for Tots Ellis County helps a ton of local kids.  In 2021, they supported 4,973 children and distributed 12,603 toys IN ELLIS COUNTY.  A lot of times, there are great organizations, but their efforts don't directly impact those around you.  This one does.  There are so many ways to get involved.  You can become a toy drop off site, volunteer, donate funds and of course, donate toys and books.  Please check out their website:  https://ennis-tx.toysfortots.org/  Also, if you find yourself doing some shopping on Amazon, they even have a wish list that you can buy from and have those items shipped directly to the coordinator.  The link to do that is here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/JKVUSIRP9RK1?fbclid=IwAR0BWuvNV6l0Qv9nqbkrILo4L8_hHRzCoTcmPNcVj_BSS-GvmcTNsTSrdz0

 

Our thanks to Mr. Bell, the Toys for Tots Coordinator in Ellis County, and to everyone who helps kids all over Ellis County by donating time, money and/or toys!

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Tuesday, November 8, 2022:  ELECTION DAY

Polls will be open from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

 

You can find all of the links I provided below and even more on the Ellis County Elections website for this current election: http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/629/Upcoming-Elections

 

You may vote at ANY voting center in Ellis County.  Here is a full listing of them:  http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/16428/221108-EDLocations-2022-?bidId=  

In Waxahachie, the main voting location is the Cowboy Church, but other Waxahachie voting  centers include (please view the link above for a full listing):

 

Ellis County Womens Building on Jefferson

First United Methodist Church on Marvin

Salvation Army 

The Avenue Church

 

For a Google map of Election Day polling locations, please visit: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HPp8GksdDcs8z8Pj6?g_st=ic

 

So far, 34.54% of registered voters in Ellis County have cast their votes.  http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/16680/General-Election_EVDaily-Report

 

Here is a generic sample ballot:  http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/16437/221108_SampleBallotGeneric-with-write-ins?bidId=

 

Thank you to those who have served and defended our right to vote!  Please go out and exercise that right!

 

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On to city business!  There are several meetings this week.  Here is a link to the city's online calendar so you can see if any meetings are added after this newsletter goes out:  https://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php 

I will be doing a pretty brief highlight of these meetings, so I highly encourage everyone to at least read each meeting's agenda to see if there is any item that you are particularly interested in.

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Monday, November 7, 2022

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6:30 PM - City Council Briefing Session

Council Conference Room, City Hall

401 S. Rogers St.

Agenda: https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187913/11-7-22_City_Council_Briefing_Agenda.pdf

This short, but usually very informational briefing allows the Council to get prepped for the meeting and ask staff questions before the actual meeting.  This briefing IS open to the public and I always recommend attending when possible.

Can residents attend?  Yes

Live-streamed?  No

 

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7:00 PM - City Council Regular Meeting

Council Chamber, City Hall

401 S. Rogers St.

Agenda Packet: https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187914/11-7-22_City_Council_Agenda_Packet.pdf

Most items seemed pretty routine; however, I'll just point out a couple that I think folks would probably benefit from reading more about in the agenda packet linked just above.

4 - Public Comments

 

5i - Letter of Support for a Traffic Signal 2022 SMART Grant Program - lots of info in the memo, so please do look it over for this one, but I will point out one thing.  "Even though all traffic signals are owned and maintained by TXDOT...  Also, the City will be responsible for maintaining the traffic signals when our population reaches 50,000 (per Census)."  Again, please review the memo for the full text.

5k - Supplemental appropriation of $308,809 from the WCDC for the land purchase of 55.965 acres adjacent to Lions Park - Again, there is a bit of good info in the memo, but it doesn't say what the land will be used for.  My best guess would be for expansion of the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

13 - Consider bid award to Excel 4 Construction, LLC. for the 2021 Sidewalk Program in the amount of $418,212.00.  I thought this must be a typo, and was for 2022, but the memo notes "Delays to this project were due to coordination with property owners and obtaining easements." The memo also tells you where they are planning to do this.

Can residents attend?  Yes

Live-streamed? Yes

Live-stream link: https://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php

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Tuesday, November 8, 2022

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3:00 PM - Waxahachie Community Development Corporation (WCDC) Regular Meeting

Council Chamber, City Hall

401 S. Rogers St. 

Agenda Packet: https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187912/11-8-22_WCDC_Agenda_Packet.pdf

2 - Public Comments

3 - Reorganize the Board

4 - Approve minutes of 09/13/22 meeting and 10/18/22 work session

5 - Consider contract with Sports Fields, Inc. for Synthetic Turf Improvements Project Phase III - Not sure where exactly the turf would go for this phase, as I didn't see it noted in the memo.

Can residents attend?  Yes

Live-streamed?  No

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Wednesday, November 9, 2022

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12:00 PM - Civil Service Commission Regular Meeting

Council Conference Room, City Hall

401 S. Rogers St.

 

Agenda Packet:  https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187909/11-9-22_Civil_Service_Agenda_Packet.pdf

3 - Public Comments

This meeting is full of action items for both Fire and Police Departments.  Please refer to agenda packet link above for more information

 

Can residents attend?  Yes

Live-streamed?  No

 

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Thursday, November 10, 2022

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4:00 PM - Mid-Way Regional Airport Board Regular Meeting 

Upstairs Common Area, Mid-Way Regional Airport

131 Airport Dr., Midlothian

Agenda: https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187830/11-10-22_Airport_Agenda.pdf

 

3 - Public Comments

6 - Presentation on surrounding airport fuel prices

7 - Consider establishing meeting rules for the Mid-Way Regional Airport Board meetings - I find this item to be very interesting.  In fact, any time rules, laws, procedures, ordinances, etc. are being discussed and considered, I try to pay attention because those may very well have an impact on your life; your children's lives; or your neighbors' lives.

 

Can residents attend?  Yes

Live-streamed?  No

 

** Their agenda says "The Airport Board packet is available for viewing by going to the Airport's website: https://www.mid-wayregional.com/" however, as of 4 PM on Sunday, November 6th, there was no packet on their site that I could find.  **

 

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5:30 PM - Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting

Council Chamber/Council Conference Room, City Hall

401 S. Rogers St.

Agenda Packet: https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187832/11-10-22_HPC_Agenda_Packet.pdf

2 - Public Comments

4 - Consider Certificate of Appropriateness for 101 S. College

Can residents attend?  Yes

Live-streamed?  No

 

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Thank you to those who were able to hang in there 'til the end of this rather lengthy newsletter.  I wish you all a great evening and a wonderful week ahead!

 

Your Friendly Neighbor,

 

Melissa Olson

(text) 817-507-5162

olsonfortexas@gmail.com

The Week of October 31, 2022 in the City of Waxahachie

 

 

Hello Friends!

    Happy Halloween!  Can you believe it's already the first week in November coming up this week?  I just can't believe it, but it looks like we're in store for some wonderful fall weather this week!

    *** Early Voting for the November 8th election is open TODAY, Sunday, October 30th from 1-7 PM at the following locations:  http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/16427/221108-EVLocations-2022-?bidId= ***

Here's a report of the voter turnout so far.   18.39% of registered voters in Ellis County have voted.  http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/16680/General-Election_EVDaily-Report

 

This election includes the race for the Governor of Texas, among many others.  Here is a generic sample ballot (Please remember that this is only a generic ballot.  The precinct you are registered in will determine the races you will vote in.) : http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/16437/221108_SampleBallotGeneric-with-write-ins?bidId=

 

For all the information regarding this election, you can visit the Ellis County Elections website here:  http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/629/Upcoming-Elections

 

Let's move on to city business! 

 

** I want to first throw out a huge THANK YOU to all of the city staff and volunteers that help make the Texas Country Reporter Festival what it is.  The amount of time it takes to bring everything together is immense, but in true Waxahachie fashion, people come out and help each other.  Just another reason I love this city!! **

 

Here is a link to the city's calendar where you can see any meetings that may be added after this newsletter goes out:  https://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php  *Please note that if you visit this link before November 1st, you'll need to click "Next Month" at the top of the calendar.* There are no meetings scheduled for October 31st at this time.

 

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Thursday, November 3, 2022

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8:30 AM - Cemetery Board Regular Meeting

Council Conference Room, City Hall

401 S. Rogers 

 

Agenda Packet:  https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187550/11-3-22_Cemetery_Board_Agenda_Packet.pdf

* This meeting is FULL of important business, so I've listed just about every action item except for approval of the September 8th minutes. *

 

2 - Public Comments

3 - Reorganize the Board

5 - Hear update on Cemetery vandalism repairs

6 - Hear update on Babyland headstone project

7 - Hear update on security camera project

8 - Discuss and consider upcoming clean-up events

Citizens welcome to attend:  Yes

Meeting Live-Streamed:  No - This is really unfortunate because this meeting will be very interesting.

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3:00 PM - Park Board Regular Meeting

Council Conference Room, City Hall

401 S. Rogers

 

Agenda Packet:  https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187552/11-3-22_Park_Board_Agenda_Packet.pdf

I highly recommend reading this agenda packet for the minutes of the last Park Board meeting since they had an Executive Session and came out and took action. (It's really short.) These minutes will be revised, if necessary, and approved during this November 3rd meeting.

2 - Public Comments

3 - Reorganize the Board

4 - Approve Park Board meeting minutes from September 8th

5 - Hear update on Penn Park Pool and Boat Dock Park

6 - Review past events

7 - Discuss upcoming events

Citizens welcome to attend:  Yes

Meeting Live-Streamed:  No

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4:30 PM - Keep Waxahachie Beautiful Committee Regular Meeting

Council Conference Room, City Hall

401 S. Rogers

 

**  They also have a Facebook page where they post upcoming events! https://www.facebook.com/KeepWxBeautiful  **

Agenda Packet: https://storage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/187554/11-3-22_KWB_Agenda_Packet.pdf

2 - Public Comments

3 - Reorganize the Committee

5 - Discuss and consider leadership opportunities

6 - Consider properties for PIN Nomination.  The PIN stands for Pride in Neighborhood - which is a pretty cool little program they have to reward those who go above and beyond in beautifying their yard.  I'm not sure if they have a set criteria for the award or not at this time, but it's still a neat program.)

7 - Review past events: Mustang Creek Clean-Up and Tree Giveaway

8 - Discuss and consider 2023 events

9 - Hear update on 10 on Tuesday program

 

Citizens welcome to attend:  Yes

Meeting Live-Streamed:  No

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That's it for this week! 

 

Please keep in mind that if you have any concerns related to streets, utilities or code enforcement, you can submit those on the city's website at this link: https://www.waxahachie.com/services/report_an_issue/index.php

 

*** I hope y'all have an amazing week and enjoy this beautiful fall weather!! ***

 

Your Friendly Neighbor,

 

Melissa Olson

(text) 817-507-5162

olsonfortexas@gmail.com