Keller Connect Summer 2011 Web
- 1. Mayor’s Notebook Plan Ahead Keller Connect www.cityofkeller.com Summer 2011 The summer heat is upon us and the sound of children en- joying their time off from school fills the air. Keller truly is a community of families and there is an assortment of ac- tivities for everyone to enjoy in our City during the next several months. At The Keller Pointe, the outdoor pool is open and numerous classes, programs and summer camps are being offered. The Library’s Sum- mer Reading Club for children, teens and adults is also in full swing. It’s not too late to join and the Summer Reading Club is a great way to have fun, earn prizes and stay up to date on your summer reading. The ever popular Concerts in the Park music series contin- ues on Saturday, July 16 and August 20, at Bear Creek Park and coming this fall is a brand new special event called “Rock the Park.” You won’t believe the fun things being planned for this festival; so, stay tuned to the City’s website for more information about “Rock the Park” and all of the many other programs and activities our community has to offer. These are just a few of the amenities that have contributed to mak- ing the City of Keller the “7th Best Place to Live in America” (CNN/Money Magazine). Traffic is never a pleasant topic of discussion and we here in Keller are beginning to See MAYOR on Page 4 July • Yard Waste Drop-Off, July 2 and 16 (New Summer hours 8 a.m. to noon) • City offices closed, July 4 • Fourth of July Spectacular at The Keller Pointe, July 4 • Mother/Son "I Scream" Social, July 10 • Concerts in the Park, July 16 • KSAC PastaPalooza, July 21 • KPL Saturday Matinee, July 23 • Pack The Pool at The Keller Pointe, July 13 and 27 • MasterWorks Series, July 27 August • Public Arts Show, Aug. 1-31 • Yard Waste Drop-Off, Aug. 6 and 20 (New Summer hours 8 a.m. to noon) • Concerts in the Park, Aug. 20 • KSAC Pie Off Luncheon, Aug. 26 • KPL Saturday Matinee, Aug. 27 September • Public Arts Show, Sept. 1-30 • Yard Waste Drop-Off, Sept. 3 and 17 (Regular hours 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) • City offices closed, Sept. 5 • Labor Day Fun at The Keller Pointe, Sept. 5 • Fall Trash Bash, Sept. 10 • Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, Sept. 17 • Rock the Park, Sept. 24 • KPL Saturday Matinee, Sept. 24 Visit www.cityofkeller.com/calendar for information Fiscal Year 2011-12 Budget Officials expect to hold the line The City has begun the early stages of developing its draft fiscal year 2011-12 budget. The new budget year begins October 1 and runs through September 30. As in previous years, a conservative approach will be utilized during the process as the City continues to engage in a value driven system that provides a high level of service while keeping expenditures at a reasonable amount. Unlike the past several years, projected revenues are showing slight increases and property values are beginning to stabilize or, in some cases, improve somewhat. Further, through reductions in spending during the previous two fiscal years the City was able to enhance its General Fund balance. The projected revenues and increase in fund balance will be important going into to next year’s budget as the City previously delayed funding for many capital items such as the replacement of older vehicles and equipment. Per our City Charter, the City Manager must submit to the City Council the proposed fiscal year 2011-12 budget no later than August 15. The proposed budget document is a public record and will be made available to any interested parties through the City’s website and in hardcopy format at the Keller Public Library and Office of the City Secretary in Keller Town Hall. Leading up to the public hearing for the adoption of the budget in September, there will also be opportunity for community participation during budget review workshops with the City Council. Should you have any questions or like additional information regarding the budget calendar and process leading up to the adoption of the City’s fiscal year 2011-12 budget, please contact the City at 817-743-4000 or visit the website at www.cityofkeller. com/financereports. New to this edition of the City of Keller CONNECT are two QR codes linking smartphone users directly to pages on the City's website. Don't have a smartphone? Don't worry, keep informed on City news and events by subscribing to e-mail updates through the Keller Connect e-subscription service at www.cityofkeller. com/kellerconnect. Stay Connected
- 2. During the summer, Keller residents use more water than at any other time of the year. Whether water is used to irrigate lawns and landscaping or to fill up the backyard pool, it's up to all of us to use water responsibly. Keller, along with other area communities, purchases its water from the City of Fort Worth. To maintain the long- range integrity of our region's water supply, the City has imple- mented Fort Worth's mandatory water conservation measures: No watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. unless by hand or soaker hose. Lawn and landscape watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. with the exception of watering by hand or with soaker hoses. All sprinkler systems should be set to operate in the early morning or late evening, when the sun and temperatures are less likely to cause evapora- tion. Prevent water runoff. Do not allow substantial amounts of water to fall on impervious areas instead of a lawn or landscape, such that a constant stream overflows to the street or other drainage area. Position sprinklers to avoid water runoff. When cleaning your driveway, patio or deck, use a broom instead of a water hose. While washing the car or truck, use a sponge and bucket. Place a nozzle on the hose to stop the flow of water between rinsing. Properly maintain sprin- klers. All water customers are required to properly set and maintain sprinklers in a manner that prevents the waste of water. Inspect sprinkler heads regularly to make sure none are missing, broken, leaking, clogged, pushed too far into the ground, or spraying in the wrong direction. Rain and freeze sensors required on new irrigation systems. The use of irrigation systems or other lawn or landscape watering devices during any form of precipitation is prohibit- ed. Rain and freeze sensors are required on all new irrigation systems. The use of rain and freeze sensors will prevent over watering and costly water line breaks. For information on water con- servation, contact Keller Environmental Services at 817-743-4092 or visit www. cityofkeller.com. Page 2 City of Keller CONNECT Summer 2011 The City of Keller is committed to protect- ing our creeks from pollution and you can help us by reporting any problems you see. Please notify the City whenever sani- tary sewer wastewater overflows from septic tanks, sanitary sewer cleanouts or sewer manholes. If the problem is not correct- ed, sanitary sewer wastewater could enter the stormwater drain- age system and flow into one of Keller's creeks. Sanitary sewer wastewater can harm aquatic life and may result in a costly cleanup. If there is an overflow of sani- tary sewer waste- water at your home or if you see an overflow anywhere, call the City immediately. You can report sanitary sewer wastewater overflows 24 hours a day to Keller Public Works at 817-743- 4200. A city service crew will check the City's main lines to identify the problem and begin any clean-up that may be required. For information, contact Keller Environmental Services at 817-743-4092 or visit www.cityofkeller.com. Did You Know? Sanitary sewer wastewater overflows Mayor & City Council Regular Council Meetings: 7 p.m. first and third Tuesdays, Keller Town Hall • E-mail: mayorandcouncil@cityofkeller.com Water Conservation Yard Waste Drop-Off Site Summer Hours 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 2 and 16 Saturday, Aug. 6 and 20 Looking for a place to drop off "green" yard waste? Keller residents or their lawn ser- vice (with a City permit) can use the free Yard Waste Drop-Off site located at 1792 Ottinger Road. Proof of residency is required so bring a current driver's license or water bill. Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Place 2 Place 3 Place 4 Place 5 Place 6 Pat McGrail Ray Brown Gary Reaves Tom Cawthra Jim Thompson Mitch Holmes Vacant Place 6 had not yet been determined by the June 18, 2011 Runoff Election at time of print.
- 3. Summer 2011 City of Keller CONNECT Page 3 Public Works Projects The following is an update of current projects being planned, conducted or coordinated by Keller Public Works: Street Projects • FM 1709 dual left turn lanes at US 377: City staff is working to comply with all State and Federal requirements prior to con- tracting for the engineering services. An engineer con- sultant should be retained by the City within the next couple of months. • Safe Routes to School: This project consists of side- walk installations around local schools. City staff is working to comply with all State and Federal require- ments prior to contracting for the engineering servic- es within the next couple of months. • North Tarrant Parkway: The remainder of the pro- posed concrete paving and the Willis Lane intersection will be complete this sum- mer. New traffic signals will replace the existing signals at Whitley Road and new signals will be installed at the Willis Lane and High- land Oaks Drive intersec- tions. Once the paving is complete, the contractor will start installing irrigation systems in the medians. • FM 1938 extension, Phase 1: Utility adjust- ments and drainage im- provements have been completed. Road construc- tion is underway which includes the portion from Randol Mill Avenue at Fawkes Lane, north up Precinct Line Road to SH 114. • Rufe Snow Drive: Con- struction is underway. The contractor is working on the box culvert extension on the north end of the project and new sanitary sewer line installations on the south end of the proj- ect. New water lines, sani- tary sewer lines and storm drains are to be installed as part of the construction. • Bourland Road exten- sion and Mt. Gilead Road Intersection Improve- ments: Construction is underway. The contractor is installing the new water line, sanitary sewer line, and storm drains. Daily lane closures will be a part of this project. Clearly marked detours will guide traffic through the con- struction zone. Drainage Projects • Highland Oaks Crossing Channel Improvements, Phase 2: Construction is complete. Sanitary Sewer Projects • Dana Lane Sanitary Sew- er Extension: City crews will extend a new sanitary sewer line from 801 Dana Lane north to 905 Dana Lane. Construction began in June and should be complete this summer. • Northwest Keller 12-Inch Water Line Improve- ments: The water line will be installed across the Overton Ridge Park to connect the Roanoke Road existing 20-inch wa- ter main with the existing 12-inch water main in Mar- shall Point Addition. Con- struction is being done by City crews and should be completed in July. For information on these and other improvement proj- ects, contact Keller Public Works at 817-743-4080. Chief Gaumont has been active in the fire service for over 40 years. He began his career as a call fire- fighter with the Ames- bury, Massachusetts Fire Department while still in high school. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a fire- fighter and completed a 20-plus year career before his retirement as an E-8 Senior Master Ser- geant, Fire Protection Manag- er. After leaving the Air Force, Chief Gaumont and his family moved to Portage, Mi where he took a position as a Deputy Fire Chief. He again moved as part of his career progres- sion to Ipswich, MA where he became the Fire Chief of a 48 person combination Fire Department. Chief Gaumont later assumed the role of Fire Chief for the City of Watertown, NY, Fire Department comprised of 82 full- time firefighters prior to his arrival to the City of Keller as the Fire Chief on March 30, 2009. Chief Gaumont and his wife Shannon reside in Keller. They have two children Daniel Patrick and Heidi. Daniel and his family live in Chesapeake, Virginia, and Heidi and her family live in Ringgold, TX. Chief Dan and Shannon have four grandchildren. Meet A Staff Member Keller Parks and Recreation is proud to announce a new special event, Rock the Park, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat- urday, September 24, at Bear Creek Park. Free admission and parking. Rock the Park's mission is to promote quality family ex- periences and to encourage healthy and active lifestyles. There will be plenty of entertainment for all ages including a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, vendor booths, children's activities, live entertainment, dance groups, fit- ness demonstrations and more. For information, contact Keller Parks and Recreation at 817-743-4050 or visit www. kellerrockthepark.com.
- 4. Page 4 City of Keller CONNECT Summer 2011 feel the effects of area growth on a more regular basis. To address our mobility woes the City is involved in a number of road and intersection im- provement projects that, once completed, will enhance the flow of traffic throughout the majority of our community. In order to minimize the impact to residents and businesses, our goal on some of the smaller projects, such as the Whitley Road overlay or intersection improvements at Mt. Gilead and Bourland Road, is to un- dertake them during the sum- mer months when school is not in session. Larger projects such as North Tarrant Parkway and Rufe Snow Drive both re- quire more than a year to com- plete. One bit of good news is that North Tarrant Parkway, from Whitley Road to Davis Boulevard, continues to prog- ress at a good pace and should be completed by the fall of this year. Having just begun, the Rufe Snow Drive expansion, from Bear Creek Parkway to Rapp Road, which also in- cludes a new trail section, is still a year away from comple- tion; however, when finished this and all of the other road- way improvements will have a significant impact on enhanc- ing our transportation system and reducing congestion. In the meantime, we apologize for the inconvenience and ap- preciate your patience. For more information on these and other infrastructure improve- ments please visit the “Public Works Projects” section of this newsletter. As always, I encourage you to be involved in our commu- nity and stay informed on City news and events by subscrib- ing to e-mail updates for cate- gories you are most interested in through Keller Connect at www.cityofkeller.com/keller- connect. You can also follow City news, events and activities on Twitter and Facebook. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer. Please continue to support our local businesses and most importantly don’t for- get to enjoy all that your com- munity has to offer. Keller Connect is published quarterly by the City of Keller, 1100 Bear Creek Parkway, P.O. Box 770, Keller, TX 76244 • 817-743-4000 • www.cityofkeller.com It appears every street in the Keller area is being worked on recently. North Tarrant Parkway, from Whitley Road to Davis Boulevard, is being widened and improved by both the City of North Richland Hills and Keller. Rufe Snow Drive is being widened and improved between Rapp Road to Bear Creek Parkway. Whitley Road is being reconstructed by Tar- rant County crews between Rapp Road and Stallion Drive. Recently, Keller Parkway had medians installed by the State. And, as you may have no- ticed, the Golden Triangle Boulevard construction be- tween US Highway 377 and I- 35W is starting to kick into high gear. Golden Triangle Boule- vard is a City of Fort Worth project and is being inspected by the Texas Department of Transportation since federal funds are involved. The road is to be reconstructed as a four lane concrete divided road- way. Currently, the contrac- tor is working on the second of four phases on the project which entails working on in- stalling the roadway pavement on the north side of Golden Tri- angle from Old Denton Road to US Highway 377. Also, as part of Phase 2, the south side of Golden Triangle from I-35W to Old Denton Road will be paved. The bottleneck at the railroad track near U.S. Highway 377 is due to Katy Road being closed as part of the construction. Phase 2 is to be completed by the end of September and all four phases should be complete by the end of September 2012. In the meantime, pick your routes carefully and be courte- ous to your fellow drivers. Mayor from Page 1 Transportation Update PastaPalooza Tickets available at KSAC or Town Hall July 21 • 6:00 PM live music by Just in Tyme 817.743.4370 | kellerparksandrec.org $6•silent auction Keller Senior Activities Center, 660 Johnson Rd Senior Activities Center Pack the Pool at The Keller Pointe Wednesday, July 13 and 27 • Free admission after 5 p.m. Concerts in the Park at Bear Creek Park Featuring "Me and My Monkey" 8 to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 16 • Free admission and parking PastaPalooza at the Keller Senior Activities Center Annual Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction 6 p.m., Thursday, July 21 • $6 per plate