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eWYLIE May 4, 2007 |
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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. |
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Reception to Honor Council members
Hogue and Newsom on May 8 |
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The
City of Wylie will host a reception to honor Councilman Eric Hogue and
Councilman Earl Newsom for their years of service and dedication to the City
at the Wylie Municipal Complex, 2000 Hwy 78 North, on Tuesday, May 8, at 5:30
pm. The reception is open to the public and will be held prior to the
regular City Council meeting at 6 pm. Councilman
Eric Hogue, Place 3, decided not to run for re-election following seven years
on the Wylie City Council. Councilman
Earl Newsom, Place 1, decided not to run for re-election following 3 years on
the Wylie Council. |
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Early Voting Ends May 8, Election
Day is May 12 |
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The
Wylie City Council General Election will be held for the purpose of electing
two (2) members to the Wylie City Council. The candidates, as they will
appear on the ballot, are for Place 1: John Onufreiczuk and David Goss; and
for Place 3: Kathy Spillyards. Early
voting concludes on May 8. The
Election Day is May 12 from 7 am to 7 pm. Voters
in Precinct 2601 (Dallas County) and Precinct 1A (Rockwall County) will be
able to early vote at Collin County locations and vote on Election Day at
Wylie Bible Church. However, these
residents will only be able to vote for Wylie City Council Place 1 and Place
3; and will not be able to vote regarding the State Special Election at Collin
County locations. To vote for the
State Special Election, these residents must vote at a location within their
respective county. |
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Downtown Pedal Car Race Scheduled
for May 6 |
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On Sunday, May 6, the
Wylie Downtown Merchants Association will host the 4th Annual Pedal Car Race
and the 2nd Annual Classic Car Show in Historic Downtown Wylie. The
pedal car races take place from 2 to 4 pm with registration beginning 1
pm. The races are open for kids 2 to
5 years old. The cost is $10 per kid
with each participant receiving a t-shirt and trophies going to the winners. In
addition, the classic car show will take place from 3 to 6 pm. Proceeds
from the event benefit Wylie Area Special Olympics and Downtown Wylie
beautification. |
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Stage 3
Water Restrictions Remain in Effect |
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Recent rainfall has had a positive impact on our
area and especially Lavon Lake, North Texas Municipal Water District’s
(NTMWD) main water supply. However, the City remains at Stage 3 of its
Drought Contingency Plan as recommended by NTMWD. Being one of the 13 member cities of NTMWD, the
City Council chose to accept the NTMWD’s Drought Contingency Plan as the
City’s plan. This plan outlines all of the watering restrictions.
At this time, there are several factors as to why
we remain at Stage 3. First, our region has experienced an elongated
drought period for the past couple of years. This two-year drought
period is one of the worst on record and has taken a toll on our region’s
water supplies. While Lavon’s level is near normal, Lake Cooper,
NTMWD’s other water supply, remains at 10 feet below normal. Despite
the recent rainfall, there is no clear cut evidence that our region will
experience an improvement in drought conditions throughout the summer and
fall. Second, NTMWD is limited by the State on the
amount of water that it can withdraw each year from its water supplies.
For 2007, that amount is approximately 300,000 acre feet of water – 1 acre
foot of water equals 325,900 gallons of water. With water demand
increased during drought conditions, NTMWD would most likely exceed its
limitation set by the state without the implementation of watering
restrictions. The good news is that NTMWD has been working on
the addition of two new water sources, which are scheduled to go “on-line” in
early 2008. The new water sources will double the amount of water that
NTMWD can withdraw. |
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Council Approves Parks and
Recreation Projects New skate park at Joel Scott Park and enterprise plan
for new Recreation Center |
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At
its April 24th meeting, the Wylie City Council unanimously
approved two Parks and Recreation projects as part of mid-year budget
adjustments. One
project is to build a new skate park at Joel Scott Park, adjacent to
Birmingham Elementary at Westgate Way and Brown. Proposed by the Wylie Parks Board, the skate park will cost
$87,000 and is scheduled to be built this summer. The
skate park elements will be installed upon a newly-constructed 4,800 square
foot post-tensioned concrete slab in the new addition of Joel Scott Park on
the westside of Westgate Way. The
skating elements will feature banks, grinding rails, pipes, benches, and flat
bars. The skating area will be
surrounded by landscaping, irrigation and an accessible concrete hike/bike
trail. In
addition, Council approved $20,000 for an enterprise plan for the new
Recreation Center. The main purpose
of the enterprise plan, which is scheduled to be completed this summer, is to
identify revenue sources and rate fees for the Center. The scope of the plan will include a
project overview, market review and analysis, programming assistance and
operational analysis. Wylie
voters approved the $10.2 million Recreation Center in November 2005. The approximately 40,000 square foot
facility is currently in the design stage with construction scheduled to
begin in 2008. The Recreation Center
will be located along with the new City Hall and Library on city property
along FM 1378 just north of FM 544. |
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Wylie Fire-Rescue Honors Four at
Pinning Ceremony |
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On
Friday, April 27, the Wylie Fire-Rescue Department held a Pinning Ceremony to
recognize four firefighters. New Fire
Chief Randy Corbin received his fire chief badge, while Fire Inspector Tommy
Nicholson, Firefighter Michael Ahlemeier and Firefighter Brandon Storm each
received their firefighter badge. The
Pinning Ceremony is very significant as it provides the fire department the
opportunity to make an impression and set the tempo for what is coming up in
a firefighter’s career. The
department is confirming that the new firefighter is about to become a part
of a very special family that is second only to their families at home.
It also signifies that it is a privilege and an honor to wear the badge,
and that their fellow firefighters will hold them accountable. During
the ceremony, each firefighter took an oath to protect and serve the
community to the best of their ability and to do the right thing. The
families of the four firefighters were invited to the ceremony to join in
this special occasion and fellowship with members of the Fire-Rescue
department. |
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Police Officer Hermes Recognized by
MADD |
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Wylie
Police Officer Chad Hermes has been nominated for Wylie DWI Officer of the
Year by MADD for his commitment to eliminate drunk driving in the North Texas
area. Hermes,
who joined the Wylie Police Department in 2002, will be recognized at the
2007 MADD Strides for Change Walk to be held May 5 at Las Colinas Williams
Square. Strides
for Change, MADD’s signature walk, is a community-driven 5K walk that raises
funds and awareness for MADD’s programs and services. |
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Council Accepting Applications for
Boards and Commissions |
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The
Wylie City Council is currently accepting applications to fill expiring or
vacant terms on city boards and commissions.
Current members, whose terms are expiring, may reapply for their
position on the board or commission and participate in a modified
reappointment process, similar to new applicants. Application
forms are available on the city website in the Boards & Commissions
section and at the City Secretary Office, Wylie Municipal Complex, 2000 Hwy
78 N, Wylie 75098. The
deadline is May 31, 2007, and applications are kept on file for a year. During June, a three-member Council panel
will visit with all new applicants prior to making their nominations for
appointments. Council
will make all nominations and appointments in open session at a Council
meeting. All applicants will be
contacted after the appointments are official. Listing
and descriptions of current Wylie Boards and Commissions: Animal Shelter Advisory Board This
board meets at least three (3) times per year with additional meetings as
needed at the Wylie Municipal Complex.
Qualifications: The board shall consist of one licensed veterinarian,
one county or municipal official, one person whose duties include the daily
operation of an animal shelter, and one representative from an animal welfare
organization. The board shall act in
an advisory capacity on any matter pertaining to compliance with Chapter 823,
Health and Safety Code. Construction Code Board This
7-member board meets as needed at the Wylie Municipal Complex at 7 pm. The Board is designed to review building
code requirements. Plumbing,
contractor, and/or electrical experience preferred. Staff liaison is the Building Official. Library Board This
7-member board meets the 2nd Monday every month in the Bluebonnet Room at the
Smith Public Library at 7 pm.
Qualifications: Members of this board must be a registered voter of
the city. The Board acts as an advisory board to Council with regard to library
services and programs. Staff liaison
is the Library Director. Parks and Recreation
Board This
7-member board meets the 4th Monday each month at the Wylie Municipal Complex
at 6:30 pm. Qualifications: Members
of this board must be a registered voter of the city. The Board acts as an
advisory board to the Council with regard to acquisitions, maintenance,
operation and use of parks, playgrounds, and open spaces. Staff liaison is the Assistant Parks &
Recreation Superintendent. Planning and Zoning Commission This
7-member board meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month at the Wylie
Municipal Complex at 7 pm.
Qualifications: Members of this board must be a registered voter, a
taxpayer and a resident of the city.
The Commission is charged with the review of rezoning applications,
subdivision plats and site plans, and to advise Council regarding
comprehensive planning issues. Staff
liaison is the Planning Director. Public Arts Advisory
Board This
new seven-member Advisory Board will meet at least once a month at such time
and place as determined by the board’s standing rules. Qualifications: Members of this board must
be a registered voter of the city and not an employee of the city. This Board oversees the city’s public arts
program. Staff liaison is the City
Manager. Wylie Economic
Development Corporation Board This
5-member board meets on the 3rd Friday of each month at 6:00 am and on an as Zoning Board of
Adjustments This
5-member board with two (2) alternates meets as needed on the 4th Monday of
each month at the Wylie Municipal Complex at 7 pm. Qualifications: Members of this board must be a registered
voter of the city. The Board meets to
consider applications for variances to zoning ordinance regulations. The board hears appeals regarding
determinations of the Zoning Administrator, and considers action concerning
non-conforming uses. Staff liaison is
the Planning Director. |
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