City of Terrell, Texas - City News and Press Releases

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City Newsletter

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.

“Deep in the Heart of Texas” ~ ’09 Summer Reading Theme

Hulsey Public Library’s Summer Reading Club for youth this year will focus on the theme, “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” It will feature reading incentives and contests throughout its eight week run.

Enrollment in the library’s Summer Reading Club will begin June 9, between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm at the library. The program is open to children of all ages, clustering like ages into aptly named groups, the Little Listeners for ages 0 – 5; the Green Machine for children 6 – 8; Blue Crew for ages 9 – 12; and Teen Zone for 13 – 17 year olds.

Children participating in the library’s Summer Reading Club will be involved in a variety of reading labs, special events and storytimes. The Blue Crew and Green Machine kids will have a choice of meeting Wednesdays or Thursdays between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm, a come-and-go situation where children may attend for a half-hour or an hour or more. According to Cessy Valenzuela of the library staff, there will be several lab stations set up throughout the library with various crafts for the children to take part in as well.

Story times presented by Valenzuela will be offered for the Little Listeners who may choose either Wednesdays at 10:30 am or Fridays at 2:00 pm. A third Little Listeners story time is to be offered for bi-lingual toddlers on Saturdays at 10:30 am as well.

“Terrific Tuesdays” featuring fun and entertaining acts will be held in the Kennedy Elementary School cafeteria each Tuesday during the library’s summer program. This year the initial Terriffic program will begin at 1:30 pm June 16 and will feature David Slick’s entertaining program of juggling tricks.

According to Youth Librarian John Trischitti, ensuing Terrific Tuesday programs will include a play presented by the Storytime Theater group, a magic show presented by Todd McKinney, and Billy Welch the entertaining singer, guitar-playing storyteller, to cite a few.

Teen Zone will meet Monday evenings at the library from 6 to 8 pm each week during the SRC program. These gatherings will feature X-treme sports activities, a slate of guest performers and speakers, and movies. “The teens have a blast at those gatherings and look forward to finding out what awaits at each successive session,” Trischitti offered.

“ All in all, there should be something for everyone, an exciting interactive reading program for children of all ages, and accented by the fine programs scheduled for Tuesdays,” commented Trischitti. Last year, according to Trischitti, the “Terrific Tuesday” programs drew an average of 184 children for each performance. A record number of reading certificates were earned by area children last year, and several hundred free books were awarded to those who had participated in reading incentive contests.

New Police Chief hired

April 24, 2009 - City Manager Torry Edwards announced the appointment of Jody L. Lay as Chief of the Terrell Police Department, effective May 8.

Lay comes to Terrell from Garland, where he had 29 years of service with the Garland Police Department. His experience includes 10 years as Captain, supervising the Criminal Intelligence, Narcotics, Gang Unit, and Vice divisions. He also brings expertise in first-line supervision of police resources and management of field operations.

Lay is a graduate of South Garland High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. He and his wife Kathy plan to become part of the Terrell community, relocating to the city.

“I want to thank the hardworking men and women in uniform,” said the City Manager. “They have increased the level of service to the citizens of Terrell during the transition period. Interim Chief Donaldson has served as a valuable resource during this process.”

Bookmark display honors National Library Week

April 3, 2009 - Libraries are the focus during April when National Library Week is observed, and to observe it in an impressive way, Hulsey Public Library’s April display features an enormous collection of bookmarks belonging to Janice Sauer of Terrell.

Sauer began her bookmark collection in the early 1980’s. She documents each bookmark singly as she finds or receives one and numbers her collection today at over 1,100 and, she says, “I’m still collecting and counting.”

She is especially fond of a bookmark that was passed on to her some years ago by a friend and is, by far, her oldest one. The bookmark is inked on silk with an inscription

denoting First Presbyterian Church, Tipton Missouri, and is dated December 25, 1887.

The collection is vast and very colorful, and will remain at the library throughout the month of April.

Janice Sauer, on the right, points out a few of her favorite bookmarks to Barbara Coffman of the library staff.

Winter Season Algal Bloom
Responsible for Taste and Odor Changes in Our Water Supply

February 4, 2009- The mid-summer “algal bloom” is the most common yearly occurrence in all surface water supplies affecting taste and odor of the water supply. It is rare and uncharacteristic that a winter algal bloom can create taste and odor changes in the water supply during cooler weather patterns. As a result of the winter algal bloom, an earthy or metallic taste and/or odor are noticeable in the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) water supply.

The treated water supply provided to the region served by NTMWD continues to meet and exceed the Safe Drinking Water Standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Although aesthetically undesirable from time to time to some consumers, 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. The water supply remains safe for use with no health risks created by these events.

NTMWD utilizes several steps to treat the taste and odor produced by the algal blooms. Currently, NTMWD laboratory personnel perform algal counts to confirm the occurrence of an algal bloom and the algal species which are responsible for the changes in taste and/or odor. Laboratory analysis of recent raw water samples have shown levels of geosmin that exceed anything previously found in NTMWD’s records. Geosmin is produced by the algal bloom. The current treatment process will reduce but not eliminate the taste and/or odor changes.

Previous studies and thorough testing have shown that the use of ozone, an oxidation process, to supplement the current treatment process can provide additional advantages including: micro-flocculation to reduce chemical usage, micro-constituent oxidation, and taste and odor control. In June 2008, the NTMWD Board of Directors authorized the Black & Veatch Corporation to perform a preliminary engineering evaluation for the use of ozone at the NTMWD’s Water Treatment Plant in Wylie.

The preliminary engineering report for implementing ozone at the NTMWD’s Water Treatment Plant in Wylie is scheduled to be completed in May 2009. Upon completion of the engineering evaluation and favorable recommendations, NTMWD anticipates detailed design to begin in the summer of 2009 and to receive construction bids for the ozone facilities in the summer of 2010. Currently, NTMWD anticipates approximately three years to complete construction which would place the ozone system in service in mid 2013. Adding ozone treatment requires significant time and capital expenditures. Once construction is completed, NTMWD’s Water Treatment Plant in Wylie will be the largest single ozonation facility in the world. The cost for adding ozone facilities is estimated to be in excess of $150 million, which does not include operating expenditures.

NTMWD continuously monitors the taste and odor changes that occur from the naturally occurring algal blooms and has continued to implement strategies to reduce the effects with the technology that is currently available at the water treatment plant. Ozonation is a proven technology and is the process used by the majority of water producers in our area.

While no taste and odor control process is 100% effective, ozonation will eliminate or greatly minimize the palatability issue of the water supply. NTMWD and our consultants are continuing to analyze the potential causes of the taste and odor episodes, the source of the recent record levels of geosmin and additional methods to address the issue until the ozonation process is constructed and operational.

City Staff Goes Beyond the Call of Duty

February 19, 2009 - City of Terrell employees are known for their dedication to their jobs and their willingness to assist citizens even if that assistance occurs outside of their own departments or includes duties not usually assigned. This was certainly the case with the city’s Municipal Development Secretary, Omaira Renteria, when the police department requested that she provide translation for a Spanish speaking eight-year-old child who had allegedly been sexually abused.

Interim Terrell Police Chief Jim Donaldson sent a memo to Assistant City Manager, Mike Sims commending Ms. Renteria for her service in acting as an Spanish interpreter for the child during interviews with Detective Ken Moore. Detective Moore and Chief Donaldson said she exhibited an extreme level of professionalism and participated to a degree that was greater than expected. They reported that her contribution to the investigation helped the child’s family as well as the investigation unit.

Omaira has worked for the City of Terrell for a total of nearly 4 years. She started out as a part time employee in the City Secretary’s office, and then moved to Municipal Development as a full time employee in March of 2005. She assists code enforcement officers with sending letters to code violators, and providing assistance to citizens needing permits and information on what services the Municipal Development Department can provide. Ms. Renteria grew up in Terrell and still lives here with her two children, Melina and Jovanni.

Positive Feedback From Landlords On Housing Inspection Plan

January 30, 2009 - City of Terrell Municipal Development Director, Terry Capehart, in following the directives of Mayor Hal Richards and City Council members, held a hearing at City Hall inviting public comment on a proposed ordinance aimed at ensuring rental homes meet minimal safety standards that drew a large crowd of interested property owners. Another public meeting is to be held at City Hall on Thursday, February 5th at 6pm in Council Chambers. Anyone is welcome to attend.

The council has set a priority to raise the bar in housing safety with several new initiatives over the past year and that goal continues into the new year with a proposed ordinance that will require single family dwellings that are rented or leased to be inspected on a regular basis. In an effort to make this new ordinance as relevant and useful as possible, Mr. Capehart held a public meeting to inform and gather information from the public on the new Certificate of Occupancy ordinance.

A meeting notice was sent out to all owners of rental property in the city inviting them to a public hearing. Approximately 75 people were in attendance which represents about 10% of the total number of single-family rental property owners in Terrell. Attendees were skeptical at first, but quickly came to understand the City of Terrell leadership was trying to establish a dialogue with property owners to gather suggestions for modifications to the proposed ordinance and were trying to make sure all housing stock meets minimal safety standards as established by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This includes asking owners of rental properties to provide a basic minimal level of safety, necessary utilities and sanitation for their tenants.

Mr. Capehart said, “The majority of the landlords who attended currently maintain their properties in a way that meets or exceeds the proposed standards and they really don’t have anything to worry about”. He went on to explain that, “It is the ones who did not show up that in all likelihood will have a problem meeting the minimum standards”.

Jerry Pearsall, the city’s housing inspector, reported that some very good suggestions came out of the meeting that will help the city focus on those properties that are not being maintained and Mr. Capehart echoed that the original proposal will be revised to reflect many of the suggestions given at the public hearing.

The City will conduct one more open forum to take comments from the public before presenting a final draft of the ordinance to the Council. Staff said they took all of the attendees comments seriously and tried to answer all of their concerns. “This was the democratic process at its best with open dialogue between all of the stakeholders to help shape legislation that will be a benefit to everyone in the community”, said Terry Capehart.

Some of the changes that will be incorporated as a result of public input are as that instead of inspecting properties every year, the proposal will be altered to require inspection upon a change of tenants. As another result of the dialogue the city will speak with local insurance agents to see if property owners will receive a reduction in premiums for meeting the standards. One comment was made that any cost incurred by the landlord would likely to be passed on to the tenants and that this was coming in an economically challenging climate. Mr. Capehart responded to the comment by pointing out that a safe and sanitary place for tenants to live is a basic responsibility of the landlord and safety is a top priority in any economy. Safety cannot be neglected or put on the back burner just because the owner has failed to keep their properties properly maintained or up to code.

Using Fire Engines to Block Traffic Saves Lives

December 17, 2008 - Fire Engine number 2, working out of the Baker Street station, saved the lives of up to 7people Tuesday morning when it was struck by the trailer of an out of control 18 wheeler on an icy stretch of Interstate 20 at about 2:30am. The engine accompanied Terrell Police Services to the scene of the accident as a protection unit for Fire, Police and Texas Department of Public Safety units, along with the occupants of the original accident on I-20. The engine acted as a barricade while the emergency crews worked the accident.

The driver of the 18 wheeler lost control of the vehicle and the trailer struck Engine 2 on the right side of the apparatus causing significant damage. Fire Chief Jim Harper says the engine sustained significant damage which will run into the thousands of dollars. “The engine did its job”, said Harper, “if that engine had not been there acting as a barricade, 7 people would have surely lost their lives when the 18 wheeler came through.” As it was, there were no injuries.

Engine 2 weighs approximately 48,000 pounds, and the impact moved it 15 to 20 feet. Although the procedure of using a fire apparatus as a barricade is sometimes questioned, doing so saves the lives of police, fire, emergency medical personnel and civilians. About 18% of bad accidents are secondary to one already on the highway and results in injury or death to numerous responders each year. To increase safety for emergency workers, accident victims and drivers, a federal document known as the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD) prescribes what must be done for any work zone on a freeway.

An emergency scene is classified as a “temporary work zone”. The federal manual establishes all kinds of requirements regarding placement of cones, flares, and warning devices on freeways. In addition to these requirements, the state of Texas has added its own rules about how an accident scene is protected and worked. Emergency operators now routinely dispatch an ambulance, an engine, and a truck to accident scenes on the freeway. The truck’s job is to block a minimum of two lanes in which emergency crews can safely operate. As a result of new regulations from OSHA, NFPA, TxDOT, and other agencies, in some cases more than two lanes, as well as shoulder lanes, will need to be blocked. All in an effort to save lives.

Workers on the scene of the Tuesday morning accident were grateful for the policies that required the use of an engine to block off lanes and act as a barricade. “This would make a good point of information for our citizens, some of whom might question the practice of using fire engines as barricades” said Mayor Hal Richards.

In addition to the damage to the fire engine, two police vehicles were involved in weather related traffic accidents. One vehicle was totaled the other is repairable, with no injuries in either accident.

Photo Submissions

The City of Terrell’s Marketing Director and her Intern is seeking photos taken by members of the community to use on the City website, in news and magazine articles, brochures, and other materials that will be used to market the City.

“With the holiday celebrations coming up” says Marketing Coordinator Lynnette Nadeau, “a wonderful opportunity presented itself to document the community spirit here in Terrell” Ms. Nadeau says she is looking for pictures of citizens’ families enjoying the seasons of the year, starting with the holidays, pictures of neighborhoods, neighborhood activities, and families. She advises taking ordinary pictures of things an individual would find interesting and representative of the city.

The Marketing Coordinator reports she is working on updating the city website and putting together materials to recruit business owners to establish retail and food outlets here in Terrell. The view of the city by citizens gives prospective business owners, and people considering moving here, a feel of the hometown community spirit enjoyed here in Terrell.

Ms. Nadeau is pleased to get Sherian Brooks, the Marketing and Public Information Intern, involved in the photo submission project. Ms. Brooks attends a local college and spends about 20 hours a week working on various projects and assisting in several capacities at City Hall.

Photos can be submitted to Sherian via attachment to her email SBrooks@CityofTerrell.org, or brought or mailed to City Hall. If you want the items returned please put your name and address on the back of the photos. Submissions will need to be accompanied by a photo release form which you can get when you drop off the photos or get from the city’s website. For more information call (972) 551-6600 and ask for Sherian or Lynnette.

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