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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-Communicator-City Publications-12/30/20131 IN THIS ISSUE Biennial Citizen Survey Has Lasting Impact L.D. Lockett Park/Cottonbelt Trail II State of the City - Jan. 23 Winter/Spring Reading and Recreation Sensation Citizen Police Academy Rate Increase by TRA Sign Up Saturday - Jan. 18 Winter Ball - Jan. 31 Road Projects Other News - Breakfast with Santa - Colleyville CloseBuy - Mayor for a Day BIENNIAL CITIZEN SURVEY HAS LASTING IMPACT The opinions and perspectives of Colleyville citizens shape the plans and actions of the city. One of the most effective ways to express those opinions is by responding to the city's biennial citizen survey, which will be mailed to every Colleyville household in January. Citizensurveys help gauge how we're doing, but more importantly, they play a critical role in determining the programs and initiatives we pursue in both the near future and in the long-term. Responses received from the past two surveys, in 2010 and 2012, have influenced the city's approach to funding roads and infrastructure, helped the city target retailers that citizens desire, led to stronger regulations for door-to-door solicitors, and brought about an increase in public meetings and opportunities for public input. 2 QUICK LINKS CITY OF COLLEYVILLE CITY NEWS PUBLIC MEETINGS JANUARY ACTIVITIES Keyboard/Piano Senior Center Thu., Jan. 9-30 Times vary by age (Ages 5-7 and 8 & up) For details, call 817.503.1180 Simple Machines Senior Center Thu., Jan. 9-30, 5:30 p.m. (Ages 9-12) For details, call 817.503.1180 Sewing Circle Public Library Tue., Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. For details, call 817.503.1150 Teen Advisory Board Public Library Tue., Jan. 21, 5:00 p.m. For details, call 817.503.1150 Reel Talk Film Discussion Group Public Library Thu., Jan. 23, 11:00 a.m. For details, call 817.503.1150 Valentine Oreo Lollipop Demonstration Public Library Sat., Jan. 25, 2:00 p.m. For details, call 817.503.1150 Survey topics range from public safety to leisure services and community development to Colleyville Center. This year's survey will also include questions related to the upcoming comprehensive plan that will guide Colleyville's future physical development. The responses have an impact on virtually every aspect of how the city conducts business, communicates with citizens, and plans for future projects. With finite resources, the survey is critical in determining the city services that are most relevant to the people we serve and how to allocate the city budget accordingly. Beyond budget time, in fact, throughout the year, both the Colleyville City Council and city staff refer to the survey and the opinions, feedback, and information provided by citizens, on a consistent basis. It is one of the most important tools in Colleyville's municipal guidebook. Colleyville has averaged a 20 percent return rate on past surveys. With options to complete and return the survey by pre-paid mail or drop-off at Colleyville City Hall, Colleyville Senior Center, and the Colleyville Public Library - or to take the survey online at Colleyville.com - officials hope for an even greater return this year. Surveys must be completed online or returned by mail or dropped off by Jan. 31. L.D. LOCKET PARK/COTTONBELT TRAIL II The city will be seeking public input about potential updates to the L.D. Lockett Park/Cotton Belt II trailhead area at a public meeting to be held on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Colleyville Public Library, second-floor meeting room. Prospective changes that may provide new amenities for L.D. Lockett Park and trail users will be presented at the meeting. Colleyville enjoys some of the best parks in the area and input is being sought from all Colleyville citizens on the project. STATE OF THE CITY - JAN. 23 The annual State of the City meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 23, at Colleyville Center, 5301 Riverwalk Drive. Designed as a one-stop information resource for residents, the State of the City will be preceded by an open house with city departments and community organizations. The open house begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by the State of the City at 7:00 p.m. A review of the past year and a look at some of the city's future initiatives will define the State of the City program. The Colleyville City Council and city staff will be available to talk with citizens and answer questions during the public Q&A session that will follow the formal presentation. 3 Winter Ball Colleyville Center Fri., Jan. 31, 7:00 p.m. (Ages 4-12) For details, call 817.503.1180 Registration is required for many activities. Please call for information. For a complete listing of activities, visit Colleyville.com. City of Colleyville 817.503.1000 Suggestions or Comments? CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY The Colleyville Police Department is accepting applications for the 2014 Citizen Police Academy. The academy is free and open to Colleyville residents, ages 16 and older. An applications can be downloaded at the bottom of this article or at the Colleyville Justice Center, 5201 Riverwalk Drive. Applications are due Jan. 15. The program offers an opportunity to experience a variety of police training methods so that participants gain knowledge about police operations. Courses include crime scene investigation and fingerprinting, traffic enforcement and mock traffic stops, building searches, arrest and handcuffing techniques, SWAT/bomb squad equipment, drug education, and more. The 12-week class begins Jan. 30, and runs through April 24 (no class the week of March 13). Classes meet on Thursdays from 7:00-10:00 p.m. For more information, call 817.503.1241. Download application here RATE INCREASE BY TRA The Trinity River Authority (TRA), which supplies water and sewer treatment to 98% of Tarrant County, including Colleyville, has raised its rates $0.11 per 1,000 gallons of water and increased its sewer treatment rate $0.38 per 1,000 gallons. TRA attributes the increase to higher costs for raw water purchases, chemicals, debt service to fund federal environmental mandates, and replacement of aging infrastructure. The new TRA rates took effect Dec. 1, with the start of TRA's new budget year, and will be reflected in the January billing statements of all water utility customers. Water calculators can be accessed here for customers wishing to review the effect of the rate change. The city's portion of the rate did not increase. SIGN UP SATURDAY - JAN. 18 Colleyville is teaming with GCISD, Baylor Grapevine Regional Medical Center, and neighboring cities to support Sign Up Saturday, a FREE youth sports, health, and wellness expo. Sign Up Saturday will provide families the opportunity to register for physically active programs and health initiatives. The event also includes free health screenings for children, along with safety and health education demonstrations. The goal is to fight against childhood obesity and to promote healthier lifestyles for children. The event is part of Baylor's Lifestyle Improvement Challenge. 4 Sign Up Saturday is scheduled Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9:00 a.m. until noon at Cross Timbers Middle School in Grapevine (2301 Pool Road). For details, call 469.231.7005 or email neil.forbes@baylorhealth.edu. WINTER BALL - JAN. 31 The Winter Ball, a new event designed especially for fathers and their daughters, and mothers and their sons, is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 31, at Colleyville Center, 5301 Riverwalk Drive. The wintry gala is open to girls and boys, ages 4-12. Young ladies and their fathers or father figures (uncle, grandfather, etc.), and young men and their mothers or mother figures (aunt, grandmother, etc.) are invited to share an evening to remember. A deejay will provide the music, each young lady or young man will receive a special gift, and refreshments will be available. Hours will be 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 per mother/son or father/daughter duo. An additional daughter or son is $10. Tickets may be purchased at the Parks and Recreation office, 2512 Glade Rd. through Jan. 24. Space is limited, so plan to purchase Winter Ball tickets soon. OTHER NEWS Support for Colleyville businesses Many Colleyville businesses have been hit hard by the weather event. Remember to "keep it small" as in "small business" when you can and support your local small businesses and restaurants. The city of Colleyville, working in conjunction with our small businesses, has made that easier through the Colleyville CloseBuy holiday offerings - support a local participating businesses...and keep more money in your pocket with Colleyville CloseBuy discounts. Colleyville CloseBuy cards are available at participating businesses-look for the "Do You Have Yours" decal on business doors and windows. The Holidays are CloseBuy-get the details here. Breakfast with Santa Breakfast with Santa has been rescheduled to this Saturday, Dec. 14, from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. Advance tickets are $8 for a family; $10 at the door. For the latest information on Breakfast wtih Santa, visit the Lions Club website here. Mayor for a Day winning essay Jack Stacy, a fifth-grader at Colleyville Elementary School, wrote the winning essay in the Mayor for a Day contest. His essay covered addressing crime issues, charitable work 5 to help meet the needs of less fortunate residents, and creating a websection on the city's website, Colleyville.com, to appeal to kids and young people. Jack will serve as Mayor for a Day on Tuesday, Dec. 17. ROAD PROJECTS Orange Barrel Report Every month the Public Works department produces the Orange Barrel Report detailing the latest information on road and infrastructure projects in Colleyville. Read the latest report here. Glade Road Project The Glade Road Project team is conducting a survey to gather public input on potential design alternatives for Glade Road. The team is working to address the road's deteriorating condition, as well as various safety and traffic flow issues. To take the survey, visit the Glade Road Project website here, and look for the DESIGN ALTERNATIVES SURVEY feature on the top right-hand side of the home page. The survey will be available through Dec. 18. Royal Street closed Dec. 16-20 Royal Street from Bluebonnet Drive to Janet Lane will be closed beginning Dec. 16, while crews reconstruct the main entrance. Temporary access will be from Riverwalk Drive to Kingswood Lane. Royal Street is anticipated to re-open on Dec. 20. There will be no disruption to trash or recycle services for those who live in the area. READING & RECREATION SENSATION Reading & Recreation Sensation - winter brochure now online Check out all the activities and classes being offered through Colleyville Parks & Recreation and at the Colleyville Public Library this winter and spring. The brochure is now online and registration, in most cases, can be done online. Check it out here! Some of the activities scheduled for January include: - Digital Image Workshop - Candlelight Yin Yoga - Jo-Ann's Little Dancers - Zumba - Books 'n' Brunch Book Club - Keyboard/Piano for ages 5-7 and 8 & up - Registration opens for Story Times & Chess Club - Late Edition Book Club - Snacks & Stories Story Time - Build-O-Mania 6 - Reel Talk Film Discussion Group - Adventure Kidz - Valentine Oreo Lollipop Demonstration