City News and Press Releases

Keep up with the latest news from The City of Terrell:

• Terrell Citizens University (TCU) accepting applications
• Terrell - Building a Sustainable Community (This is a 4.6 meg pdf file and may take a moment to download)
• Algal Bloom on Lake Lavon
• Notice Of Water And Wastewater Rate Increase
• Terrell Turnaround Team Tackles Tough Tasks
• Citizen "Tip Line" debuts at Terrell PD

City Newsletter

• May 2009

Terrell Citizens University (TCU) accepting applications

Terrell Citizens University (TCU)
The City of Terrell is accepting applicants to participate in Terrell Citizens University (TCU). This engaging program is designed to promote citizen awareness of City of Terrell government services and knowledge of city processes and procedures.

Acceptance into the 7-week Terrell Citizens University program is based on a subjective assessment of the information each applicant provides in the application below. The program begins with an orientation session scheduled for April 8. Classes will be held weekly, beginning April 22, with class graduation on May 27.

The goal of Terrell Citizens University is to assemble a diverse group of individuals with a common interest in “building a better community.”

Tentative Topics include a Tour of City Facilities, Growth Management, Terrell Case Study/ Retail, Leakage Analysis, City Government/Public Safety, and the Code Enforcement Process

All classes will be held at City of Terrell Service Center, 400 Industrial Boulevard in Terrell.

The application deadline is April 5, 2010. For more information please call 972-551-6600, ext: 253

Application

Algal Bloom on Lake Lavon

January 12, 2010 -The North Texas Municipal Water District has confirmed today that a winter algal bloom is occurring in Lavon Lake. Taste and odor changes in treated drinking water caused by blooms may be detected by water consumers who are sensitive to these changes. The taste and odor is a palatability issue only. The palatability change that results from a naturally occurring algal bloom does not alter the quality of the water provided to the cities and the communities served by NTMWD. The water supply remains safe for use with no health risks created by these events.

The NTMWD website has information about what algal blooms are and the steps NTMWD is taking to minimize the taste and odor issues caused by algal blooms.

In addition, the website information has been updated to include information regarding the ozone implementation plan for the Wylie Water Treatment Plants and how this treatment process, once on-line, should significantly reduce and/or eliminate the taste and odor issues caused by algal blooms.

Winter Algal Blooms (Specific) – A general fact sheet about Winter Algal Blooms.

Taste and Odor (General) - Includes a general fact sheet about taste and odor, a summer bloom information page, and a winter bloom information page.

Ozonation – Includes brief information about ozonation benefits and the NTMWD ozonation implementation plan at the Wylie Water Treatment Plants.
www.ntmwd.com/ozonation.html

Notice Of Water And Wastewater Rate Increase

Effective October 1, 2009, all customers of the City’s water and wastewater utility will see an increase in their water and wastewater bills. The key issues driving this increase include:

• A 9% increase in the cost of treated water from the North Texas Municipal Water District
  
• Increases in regulatory fees charged by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality,
  
• A need for additional funds to repair, maintain, and improve the City’s water and wastewater system

Specifically, corrosion of aging lines within the City is a significant problem which impacts the City’s ability to provide citizens with clean, safe water. Many of the City’s water and wastewater lines date back to the 1930’s, and some of these lines have seen little maintenance since that time. Further, the 9th Street Water Tower, which was built in 1955, has not received significant maintenance since 1970. For the City to be able to provide the level of water service expected by our citizens and required by the State, this tower must be replaced.

As part of this rate increase, the City will be building a new 1.5 million gallon Elevated Storage Tank and performing utility relocations along State Highway 34. This increase will also help to fund needed replacement of corroded water distribution lines in the City. These improvements will help to increase the water quality and efficiency of the utility system. The improvements will also result in enhanced water pressure to all customers, a higher level of water quality, and improved fire flow.

The rate increase will maintain the City’s current rate design which charges more to those customers who use more water. The following table provides an estimate of the increase you will see on your monthly bill based upon the amount of water you use.

Complete water rate chart

With these improvements, the City expects to reduce ongoing maintenance costs which will help to minimize future rate increases. As always, the City will continue to work diligently to control costs so as to ensure that your water and wastewater service remains affordable.

If you have questions about this increase or any other aspect of your water or wastewater service, we encourage you to contact City Hall at 972.551.6600.

Terrell Turnaround Team Tackles Tough Tasks

August 27, 2009 - On any given day a small group of unsung heroes is out patrolling the city in an effort to implement the initiatives council has introduced. These are not police officers, but they can write tickets. They don’t have lights and sirens, but can respond quickly to any situation. They aren’t social workers, but they provide service to citizens that improve the lives of the city’s most needy. Who are these people? They are the tireless workers in the Municipal Development Department.

In 2007 City Council drew a line in the sand and announced that this city was going to get cleaned up and they put their full support behind the various employees that were charged with making it happen. The Municipal Development Department houses the Code Enforcement Officers, Building Inspector, Permitting Clerks and serves as staff support to the Building and Standards Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission making Municipal Development the headquarters for the city cleanup process.

Though it is called a Clean City Initiative, the work begins with code enforcement patrolling the streets and looking for unsafe and substandard structures and other health hazards. The department takes anonymous reports from the public but actively goes out searching for problem areas and specific violations. “Last year our focus was on Building and Standards”, said Building Official David Denney.

In the past 12 months the department has taken over 60 unsafe structures to the Buildings and Standards Commission for demolition. These structures are magnets for criminal activity and contribute to blight and lowered property values in the areas where these buildings are located. Demolition crews often find evidence of criminal activities such as drug paraphernalia and vagrant occupation once the work begins. Empty and abandoned buildings invite criminal activities and often are the site of arson. Council, recognizing these issues, wants to make sure every neighborhood is safe and attractive and nothing is there to attract crime of blight.

There are still another 50 or so properties that are substandard and dangerous that the city is working with the owner’s to get demolished or renovated. There is a process in place and everything has to run its due course but the department is working step by step to get the problems solved.

As a result of pressure put on property owners, many of whom live out of the area, many of the buildings have been renovated and made livable again helping to create a sense of community. In an effort to do their job the officers incur a lot of displeasure from violators and have to stand firm on the law but they do have a heart and reach out to the community they serve.

Several of the code enforcement officers themselves have volunteered their own off-duty time to assist homeowners who are unable to do the work themselves or could not afford to hire someone to do the work. Officers have cleared brush, leveled gravel in driveways, installed donated air conditioners, provided cleanup after storms, repaired fences and even delivered a birthday cake to an elderly widow who was helped with alleviating numerous unsafe and unsightly conditions.

One of the major recent pushes has been addressing junk cars and junk and debris. Allowing junk to accumulate encourages snakes and other vermin to gather and breed. Officers are out investigating cars that sit in place for extended times, have expired inspection, outdated registration, or up on blocks or otherwise indicates that they are not running and are a hazard. In addition, cars parked on the grass also pose a risk and are cited as well, vehicles are required to park on approved parking material. Junk accumulation contributes to vermin and health hazards, it can also provide a place for fires to start or in which children could become trapped.

“ It is gratifying”, said Terry Capehart, Municipal Director for the City “to hear people say that they moved here or located their business here because the city is clean. They express appreciation for the cleanliness of the city”.

The community outreach also extends to assisting potential businesses and developers with implementation of the Developer’s Corner, a section on the city’s website that outlines all of the codes, processes, costs, and requirements for nearly any project that could be contemplated. Of course, city staff is available to meet with anyone who has questions not addressed on the website, but the information posted will help expedite and streamline the entire process. “Developers and businesses will enjoy doing business in Terrell because we are customer oriented”, said Capehart, “the whole philosophy is to fast track and simplify as much as possible”. “Going the extra mile” is the department’s operational practice.

A new hotline has been activated to request building inspections, fire inspections, and to make anonymous tips. By calling (972) 551-6654 a person can call for inspections or report code violations.

Municipal Development staff includes clerical support for issuing permits, posting board meetings, answering questions, and forwarding information or questions to the appropriate person. Mr. Capehart reports the support staff has improved efficiency in the office and reduced expenditures through changes in procedure. For instance, the way liens are filed has been changed to yield substantial savings to the city. The clerks are the face of the Municipal Development Department and provide timely and accurate information. “We are out there working for you”, said Omaira Renteria.

Front Row: Left to Right – Omaira Renteria, Sherry Foster, Lucy York,
Back Row: David Denny, Scott Boyd, Jerry Pearsall, Ronnie Click, Terry Capehart

The Department’s Mission Statement is: “To provide the development community, business owners and citizens of Terrell with the highest level of customer service and the best possible protection of life, health and property and to help the community continue in its safe and solid growth in housing and industry.” The recent launching of the Developer’s Corner on the city’s webpage is one stop shop for everything relating to building or developing in Terrell in a very user friendly format that creates an open door to the city at the tips of your fingers.

Citizen "Tip Line" debuts at Terrell PD

June 29, 2009 – It's now easier for Terrell residents to report suspicious activity without "getting involved."

The Terrell PD's new anonymous Tip Line doesn't even require a phone call – an online form on the City's website allows citizens to report incidents to the police with a few keyboard strokes.

"Major crimes are rarely solved without some information being supplied to police by the public, especially the case with narcotics investigations," said Terrell Police Chief Jody Lay. "Our new email Tip Line will allow citizens to provide critical information and still remain completely anonymous, should they choose to do so. We will review, assess and respond to anonymous information from the public. We want to do all we can to facilitate the flow of vital information from the public to the police." The email Tip Line is not intended to replace the call to the police department when an officer is needed at the scene, but rather as a means of allowing citizens to provide information to police when a contact with the police is not needed or perhaps wanted.

To send a tip to the Terrell PD, go to http://www.cityofterrell.org/tips and fill out the easy to complete online form. The form may be sent anonymously, but if the person reporting would like to be contacted by a police officer, there is an opportunity for supplying personal contact information.

Tip Line users are asked to provide as much detail as possible about date, time, location, descriptions or names (if known) of involved persons, and details of the incident. If vehicles are involved, a license plate number and car description would be helpful.

In the very near future the Terrell Police Department will also provide citizens who may not have access to the Internet an opportunity to call a phone Tip Line and leave anonymous crime information. In the meantime, it is still possible to report tips to the police department by phone at 972-551-6622. Callers should be prepared to provide the same details requested in the online form.

To be notified when information is added to this page , please provide your email address then hit the " submit " button. You will receive a confirmation email , which must be clicked to confirm.

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