9/8/09 City Council Meeting: No Property Tax Rate Increase with '09-'10 Budget

Tonight's City Council meeting including 3 Public Hearings and a number of items for City Staff and City Council.

Full Agenda and packet here (.pdf, 154 pages)

Also, City Council approved the '09-'10 Budget unanimously and voted 5-2 for no Property Tax increases next year.  Council members Tunnell and Brancheau voted in opposition.  

Brancheau also made a statement that he didn't want to make a million dollar mistake, and that no tax increase this year was a mistake.

There were 3 Public Hearings tonight.  

One on a zoning change to allow a residence in Bethel Road Estates to be made of stucco and have a 2 story residential structure on the same property (pic on right).

The second item was an ordinance change for rules for computing the number parking spaces when a business increases the amount of floor space, employees, seating capacity, etc.  It was noted that some restaurants enter into agreements with other nearby businesses for overflow parking.  The new J. Macklins was mentioned in sharing parking at the YMCA.

The last hearing was on "Special Definitions" to revise the existing existing definition of "Outside Storage and Display".

I watched and listened to the meeting from the Video Room on the City of Coppell's website.  I updated live via Twitter at www.twitter.com/concerncoppell

As a reminder, the City shows the Council meetings live and they are also archived if you are interested in going back and watching.

The next City Council meeting is 9/22/09 at 530p.  The September Planning and Zoning meeting is on 9/17/09 at 630p.

City Council Meeting, 730p Regular Session

Direct link to .pdf Agenda

A few items from tonight's meeting:

• (9) Zoning change for Bethel Road Estates to allow for stucco and to allow an additional detached, 2 story residential structure at 256 West Bethel Road
• (10) Amendment for "Rules for computing number of parking spaces"
• (11) Amendment to revise the existing definition of "Outside Storage and Display--Retail Stores:  Retail Stores and Shops:" to include additional screening requirements
• (14) adopting the '09 - '10 Budget
• (15) approval of ad valorem taxes

Two items of interest:

• (12) Resolution, outlining the terms and conditions of a debt service funding plan
• (13) Consider approval of the written Fund Balance policy of the City of Coppell

Will be interesting to hear the discussion about a debt service funding plan and policy.

Follow updates on Twitter tonight at www.twitter.com/concerncoppell

Facebook group is located here

Coppell Residents speak out against tax increase - Coppell Gazette, 9/6/09

Direct link via Coppell Gazette

Coppell Residents speak out against tax increase

By Jim Kilpatrick, Staff Writer

Published: Sunday, September 6, 2009 12:19 PM CDT

More than 70 Coppell residents spoke out against the proposed 2009-2010 municipal budget and the 2009-2010 proposed tax rate of .69146 at the regular meeting of the Coppell city council Aug. 25.

The meeting ran three hours and 51 minutes with residents speaking for more than two hours. No one spoke in favor of either item during the public hearing.

Dave Capps, a 23-year resident and businessman was concerned that the tax rate is too high. He said he paid more than $50,000 in taxes last year for his home and business.

“I am sure there are plenty of items in the budget that the city of Coppell is working very diligently to make cuts on during this recession. If not there should be,” Capps said.

Former Coppell mayor Mark Wolfe said he has supported every bond election for the city and school district since he moved to Coppell.

“For the first time in 30 years as a resident of this community I find myself opposed to my local government,” Wolfe said.

Senior citizens said they are on a budget and even a small tax increase would be a burden. Others said it was not the time for a tax increase.

After more than two hours the hearings were closed and council discussed what they had heard from the residents.

Billy Faught, Place 5, thanked the residents for coming out and expressing their feelings.

“There have been several comments made tonight that I agree with,” Faught said. “I feel it is a time to make some tough decisions.”

Faught ended by saying the council is listening, and “this is not a done deal.”

“Coppell has always been a paid-as-we-go city,” said Bob Mahalik, councilman Place 2. “We can’t avoid taxes completely. It is going to happen; it’s just how much and when.” He added that the council will compromise.

Marsha Tunnell, Place 4, said the council has been meeting on the budget for most of the year.

“The taxes are going to be raised, they have to be raised,” Tunnell said. “I don’t know how much, but they will be raised, but I don’t when.”

She added that the timing for a tax increase isn’t good.

“We (the council) agreed that no matter what path we take we will have to raise taxes,” said Tim Brancheau, councilman Place 1. “I hope that we have the political will as a group to follow through with our agreement.”

Mayor Pro Tem Karen Hunt said she has not made up her mind about what should be done about the tax rate increase.

“I do appreciate all the information I have gotten from citizens, and all the additional perspectives that I’ve heard,” Hunt said. “Because it does help me navigate through this decision.”

She said she has “flip-flopped” back and forth on how she feels about the tax rate.

“Have I made up my mind (on the tax rate)? I am not sure.” Hunt said. “There won’t be (any) new tax; it’s when will there be a tax, because we need it.”

Brianna Hinajosa-Flores, Place 3, appreciated the input from the residents.

“I have read your emails and I have heard your comments I hear you loud and clear,” Hinajosa-Flores said. “I have wrestled with it and it is a difficult decision.”

Hinajosa-Flores added that no one wants higher taxes.

Marvin Franklin, Place 6, said there was not a lot of communication regarding the tax increase.

“Taxes are an issue that affects everyone, whether you are rich, poor, or middle income, and it deserved all the discussion it’s getting,” Franklin said.

Franklin added that the council needs to be creative when it comes to the budget and tax rate.

“We do not need a tax increase this year to pay all our bills for the longer term and to have a healthy fund balance,” Franklin said. “That is where I stand and I am firm in that.”

He added that the council is there to serve and protect the residents of Coppell.

“We still are going to have to pay this North Lake debt.” Franklin said.

Upcoming Coppell Events - September and October

All from the City of Coppell website

9/11/09

City of Coppell to Host Patriot Day Ceremony On 9/11

The City of Coppell will conduct a Patriot Day Ceremony on Friday, September 11, 2009, 9:00 a.m. at Town Center Plaza, located behind City Hall, 255 Parkway Blvd.  Patriot Day is an annual observance to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.  The ceremony will feature the Coppell Fire and Police Color Guards along with the Fire Dept. Bagpipe and Drum Corps who will perform traditional ceremonies to honor and pay tribute to public safety agencies and military personnel. The ceremony is open to the public.

9/12/09

10/6/09

National Night Out 2009 is scheduled for Tuesday October 6

National Night Out promotes block parties, which encourage neighbors to come outside, meet one another and unite themselves against crime in our community.  Celebrate the evening with an ice cream social, a cookout, a bounce house, or a swim party.  You can be as creative as you want to be! We will have a block party contest for the best spirit, best theme, and the party with the most attendance.  The neighborhoods that are selected as a winner receive a "2009 Block Party Winner" street sign for their neighborhood.  Regardless of who gets the sign, everyone is a winner that helps local law enforcement make our streets and neighborhoods safer.  Spend the evening with the Police, Fire, McGruff, "Mr. P.C.", the Robot Car, the National Night Out Knight, The mayor and city council, and of course - your neighbors!   We look forward to seeing you at the block parties! 

To register your block party, click here to download the National Night Out block party application form 2009  Forms can be returned to Officer R.J. Harr at the Police Station, 130 Town Center Bld., or by fax at 972 304 3535, or email at rharr@ci.coppell.tx.us.  If you would like more information or help planning your party, contact Officer Harr at 972 304-3625.  By registering with Officer Harr, your party will be placed on the visitation list.

The Police and Fire Department will be visiting block parties from 6 pm to 8 pm. 

Due to the number of parties, we can not guarantee an exact time when the Police, Fire, Mayor and City Council, McGruff, and the rest of the crew will show up at your party.  However, we will guarantee that you will see us at some point in the evening.  As a reminder, the Fire Department is subject to emergency calls and may not be able to visit your party.   

We also encourage you to help us celebrate by getting involved in our other great activities.

10/17/09

 ...celebrating life in Coppell.

   

    October 17, 2009

    5 - 10pm

    Andy Brown Community Park, East

More information about the event:  Parks and Recreation Department 972-462-5100 fax 972-462-5149 parks@ci.coppell.tx.us	To Volunteer on the Coppell CREW:  972-462-5181 slewis@ci.coppell.tx.us
Food Vendor Applications Now Available Vendor Application Deadline is Oct. 2, 2009 Temporary Food Permit Vendor Application

New Blog Name and URL: www.StayInformedInCoppell.com

Thank you to everyone that has been reading, commenting, emailing on this blog!

I am making a few changes/tweaks to the blog...one of those is the name and website address.

This blog began as "Concerned Citizen 75019" as a place for me to voice an opinion and inform those about this great city.  After lots of reflection and work in the community, what I've realized is that the blog's name really didn't reflect the overall goal of mine.

Yes, I am a "concerned citizen" of Coppell, but more importantly, I am a long time resident of Coppell that wants to stay informed and help others as well.  Staying informed can take on many forms, not just things that are "concerning".

In that light, I am renaming the blog "Stay Informed in Coppell".  This will extend to the Facebook group as well.

I'm keeping the Twitter feed as "@concerncoppell" as the name implies that it concerns Coppell.

If you have saved the blog URL, be sure to change that to www.StayInformedInCoppell.com.

Email me if you have any questions or be sure to leave a comment!

CISD's decision on the President's address to the nation's school children

Direct link

9/3/2009
Coppell ISD Offers Educational Opportunity
According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Education, on Tuesday, September 8 at 11 AM (CST), the President will address the nation's school children about the importance of education. During his speech, the President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning in order to be competitive in the global market. It is the decision of the district to offer live and taped viewings of the President's speech, however, teachers will not be utilizing the materials provided by the Department of Education: rather, they will make age appropriate connections between the speech and the grade level Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Parents may view the live broadcast at http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/or watch it on the C-SPAN channel or view a downloadable recording at http://www.coppellisd.com/or on http://www.ed.gov/index.html. Parents are encouraged to view the national address prior to making a decision about their child's participation.

However, if a student is in a high school Social Studies-related course at the time of the live broadcast, those parents may need to make a decision regarding their child's participation prior to the broadcast.

Should the CISD Administration find that the speech is at all objectionable, the digital recording will not be shown in class. In addition, we trust our great social studies teachers to lead whatever discussions are appropriate according to our TEKS and the age of the student.

At the high schools, the speech will be aired live for those students who are in subject-appropriate classes (i.e. social studies, government, etc.) at the time of the live broadcast. The digitized recordings may be viewed when appropriate during the remainder of the week. Parents will have the opportunity to have their student “opt out” of the viewings by submitting a written note to the main office. The note must also include the student's name and their grade level. Those students will be provided an age appropriate alternative activity by their teacher and will not be penalized in any way.

At the middle schools, the President's speech will be digitally recorded for viewing during Social Studies classes on Thursday and Friday. Parents will have the opportunity to have their student “opt out” of the viewings by submitting a written note to the main office. The note must also include the student's name, grade level, and the name of their social studies teacher. Those students will be provided an age appropriate alternative activity and will not be penalized in any way.

For the elementary grades, students will be viewing the digitally recorded speech during their social studies lesson on “Patriot's Day,” Friday, 9/11. After pre-viewing the speech, if parents decide to limit their child's participation, they will simply need to submit a written note to their child's teacher: those students will be provided an age appropriate alternative activity and will not be penalized in any way.

Coppell ISD values the support of its school community as a partner in offering the very best educational opportunities for all students. CISD Administrators and staff take the role of educator and protector very seriously and hope to make this a positive experience for all students.

Posted by Coppell ISD at 5:00 PM

Your Voice Has Been Heard: The Franklin Compromise

In a fantastic display of representative government, the Public Hearing on the proposed Property Tax increase came to a close Tuesday evening.

Town Hall had plenty of Coppell citizens out in force to voice their opposition to the proposed Property Tax increase.

In what looks like "The Franklin Compromise", City Council listened to citizen after citizen voice their opposition to a proposed property tax increase.  If you remember from the 8/25 meeting, Marvin Franklin was the only City Council member in opposition to a Property Tax increase, as well as Mayor Peters.

Mayor Peters stated that their were 23 signed up to speak in opposition and 1 in favor.

Before the floor was opened to the public, Mayor Jayne Peters and City Manager Clay Phillips opened with comments.  Mayor Peters made a statement to "get the facts straight about the Northlake development".

Mr. Phillips (picture on left) discussed in detail how the City got to where it is now with our General Fund and fiscal stability.

 As each speaker expressed their opposition to the increase in Property Taxes, there was applause by the majority of the room.

After all the speakers were heard, Mayor Peters declared it was 'time for City Council deliberation and discussion'.

In what appears to be a 5-2 majority, City Council has listened to the citizens and is prepared to not raise taxes for the '09-'10 budget.  There was general concern that there would be a need to raise taxes the following year to pay down the Northlake bond.

I was using Twitter to update live and capture comments from the meeting.  Thanks to the City of Coppell for streaming the meetings live from their City website.  I was able to participate in this meeting while being out of town on a business meeting.

If you would like to read all of the detail of last night's meeting, go to www.twitter.com/concerncoppell.

Great job Coppell!  Last night was a great example of how representative government works and thank you Marvin Franklin and Mayor Jayne Peters for their leadership, as well as all of City Council for listening and understanding the right course of action.

The actual vote is on September 8th.  Stay tuned and thank you for all of the comments on the blog.  More to come on Stay Informed in Coppell!