eWYLIE December 21, 2006
Welcome to eWYLIE, the City of Wylie’s e-newsletter. Our goal is to provide you with the timeliest information about city programs, events and services.
City Presents 2006 Employee Awards Butters named Employee of the Year
At its Annual Employee Banquet, the City of Wylie presented its year-end awards and recognized service tenure recipients.  At the banquet, the City recognized the following Award recipients: City Employee of the Year – Jeff Butters Customer Service Award – Wanda Forman Newcomer Award – Joyce Pollard Also at the Banquet, the Wylie Police Department awarded its Police Employee of the Year. Police Employee of the Year – Patrol Sergeant Curtis Smith In addition to the main three awards, employees are able to create their own award to recognize fellow employees for a specific trait or accomplishment. This year, there were five (5) special awards presented. Iron Woman – Karla Stovall Silent Heroes – Fire Shift B-1 Grace Under Pressure – Scottie Robbins Innovation Award – Cristen Williams Git-R-Done – Meter Services
Council Awards Design Contract for Founders Park Project
On December 12, City Council awarded the engineering contract to Halff Associates, Inc. for the design of Founders Park Improvements. In the November 2005 bond election, Wylie voters approved $5.47 million for improvements to Founders Park, a 65-acre park located between Wylie High School and Hensley Park. Halff Associates was selected by Council in August 2006; and City staff negotiated the contract which includes scope of services, major task schedule and fee schedule. During the design process, there will be several meetings with key audiences to gain public input. At this time, proposed new amenities include 14 soccer fields, two baseball fields, concessions/restroom facility, hike and bike trail and additional parking. It is anticipated that construction should start in 2007 fall with completion in 2008 spring.
Closing and Trash/Recycling information for Holidays
The City of Wylie offices, except for emergency services, will be closed on the following days in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays: · Monday, December 25, 2006 · Tuesday, December 26, 2006 · Monday, January 1, 2007 For the Christmas holidays, the Smith Public Library will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 22, and remain closed until Wednesday, December 27, when it will reopen at 9:00 am. For New Year’s, the Library will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 29, and reopen on Tuesday, January 2, at 12:00 pm. Trash and recycling pick-up scheduled for Monday, December 25, will not be provided. For December 25 – 29, trash and recycling pick-up will occur one day later. Trash and recycling pick-up for Monday, January 1, will not be provided. For January 1 – 5, trash and recycling pick-up will occur one day later.
Council Approves Funding for WEDC Strategic Plan Plan includes developing a community wide strategy to address retail development
On December 12, the Wylie City Council unanimously approved funding to assist with the Wylie Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) Strategic Plan and Target Market Study. The Strategic Plan and Target Market Study not only includes the area of industrial development; but was expanded to develop a community wide strategy to address retail development. By proactively evaluating and planning for retail development, City officials anticipate increasing Wylie’s retail base which will provide residents with additional shopping options and have a considerable impact on the City’s sales tax revenues. WEDC has entered into an agreement with TIP Strategies, an Austin-based consulting firm, to conduct the Strategic Plan and Target Market Study. The planning process, which is expected to take approximately six months, will begin in January 2007. The scope of the work will include assessing Wylie’s unique strengths and weaknesses, defining a vision, identifying strategies and opportunities, and developing an implementation plan.
Police Begins Second Year in State Campaign to Deter Speeding and DWIs
For the second consecutive year, the City of Wylie Police Department received a $15,000 grant as part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s STEP (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) Wave program. STEP Wave is a traffic safety campaign in which the grant will pay for off-duty officers to enforce traffic laws during traditionally high traffic periods. For their involvement, WPD concentrates on speeding in high accident areas and driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses. As part of the program, Wylie Police Wylie Police is scheduled to participate in the STEP Wave program on five (5) occasions. The first phase will occur during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays from December 22, 2006, through January 2, 2007. During the 2005-2006 campaign, Wylie Police issued 913 speeding tickets and 23 DWIs while logging 557.75 enforcement hours.
City’s Christmas Tree Recycling Moved to New Location
The City will offer its annual Christmas tree recycling from December 26, 2006, through January 7, 2007. Citizens can drop off their Christmas tree on these days from 6:00 am until 12:00 am at a new location near the Wylie Service Center, 949 Hensley. This is the same site as used for the 2006 Clean Up – Green Up program. There is no charge for this service. This recycling is for Christmas trees only; and other types of trees, brushes, fencing, etc. are not allowed. Flocked trees are permitted; and all tree stands, bagging, etc. should be removed from the tree. The recycled tree mulch will be available on a first come, first served basis beginning on or about January 10, 2007, at no charge. For more information, contact Wylie Parks & Recreation at 972.442.7588 or parks@wylietexas.gov.
Animal Control Recommends Update to Pets’ Vaccinations Two cases of rabies have been identified
Since December 1, Wylie Animal Control has responded to two calls relating to dead skunks found in the 700 block of Pickwick Lane and 600 block of Oakbrook. In both cases, the skunks were sent for testing to the Texas Department of Health Bureau laboratory. The test results confirmed both skunks had rabies. Wylie Animal Control recommends that all residents take this opportunity to update all pets’ vaccinations because a house or fenced-in pet can still be exposed to wildlife and high-risk animals. Animals that are high-risk for carrying rabies include skunks, raccoons and coyotes. Because these high-risk animals are nocturnal by nature, a danger sign of rabies can be if one of these animals is visible during the daytime. If you see one of these animals within your neighborhood during daylight, secure your pet and contact Animal Control at 972.442.5268. If sighting occurs before 8 am or after 5 pm, please contact the Wylie Police non-emergency number at 972.442.8171. The transfer of rabies is not limited to biting. Exposure can occur through a variety of saliva contact between the exposed animal and pet or person. Animals that are rumored to be high-risk for carrying rabies; but are actually non-carriers, are rabbits, birds, squirrels and possums. Upcoming Vaccinations Opportunities City of Wylie Low Cost Vaccination Clinic with Dr. William Wood, North Texas Mobile Veterinary Clinic Friday, January 5, 2007 (the first Friday of each month) 4 – 7 pm Wylie Animal Control, 949-A Hensley Rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats cost $11 for one year and $31 for three years.
Fire-Rescue Recommends Holiday Fire Prevention
With this being the holiday season, Wylie Fire-Rescue would like to remind residents to take extra precautions to prevent holiday-related fires. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), an annual average of 128,700 fires occurred during the month of December from 2002 to 2004. These fires were responsible for an estimated 415 civilian fire deaths, 1,650 civilian fire injuries and $990 million in property loss. Holiday Fire Safety Information
Police Receives Indictments for 1990 Murder
Ronnie Shy and Cinnamon Nemec were indicted for the murder of David Grubstein, which occurred in Wylie in the summer of 1990. Shy was indicted on a capital murder charge and Nemec was indicted on a murder charge. By applying modern techniques with old fashioned police work, the Wylie Police Department and the Collin County Cold Case Fugitive Unit teamed up to develop evidence sufficient for the indictments.
Make Paying Water Bills Easy with Direct Pay
To make paying your water bill more convenient, you can sign up for direct payment through your banking institution.  Simply fill out the Direct Payment Authorization Agreement and you will never have to worry about forgetting your water bill again. Direct Payment Agreement
Library Enhances Use of Computers
The Smith Public Library has completed the installation of Envisionware, a reservation system for Internet use of library computers. Through the new reservation system, patrons use their library cards to reserve time on the Internet.  In addition, Envisionware will keep track of patrons’ time and log them off when allotted time is up. Patrons can now utilize the Library computers up to two hours a day, which previously was 30 minutes. In addition, the Library has increased the number of computers for Internet use from five to the current number of nine. In addition to Internet use, patrons now have access to Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Plus, there is access to information about library activities, the online catalog and library research databases. Smith Public Library
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