The Joshua City Council met last night for our regular monthly session. On the agenda was recognition of outgoing council members and the swearing in of new ones. More on that below.
Earlier in the agenda the council discussed a new cell tower lease on city property. The site has been in use for several years and a tower is already in place, but in previous agreements payments were made monthly for the easement allowed for tower access. The new agreement is a long-term lease (30 years) that brings in just over $67,000 to the city. After input from the council the agreement will be amended to include an obsolescence clause to sever the agreement should the tower no longer be used for a period of time. 30 years is a long time when you're talking technology.
The council awarded the architectural design contract for our new fire station to Randall Scott Architects. Mr. Scott was in attendance at last night's meeting and his firm had the most experience in fire station design from the applicants considered. The design process will take 6-9 months. After that the city will go out for bid for a construction manager at risk to contract the build.
The council approved a $25,000 expenditure from our Type B economic development fund for a feasibility study to potentially locate a YMCA in the city. I'm hopeful the results will be favorable and that the city will be able to partner with The Y to create a facility that will enhance the quality of life and convenience for our citizens. I have fond memories of participating in YMCA Indian Guides with my dad when I was little so I hope to have the opportunity to get involved in what is now called Adventure Guides locally with my boys.
We concluded our session with plaques awarded to Mayor Merle Breitenstein, Councilman Cameron Smallwood and Councilman Tom Tallent for their service to the city and then new Mayor Joe Hollarn, Councilman Jesse Davis and Councilman Jerry Moore were sworn in. Councilman Butch Isom was also sworn in for his second term on the council. I've enjoyed working with the outgoing council over the past year and I'm looking forward to getting to know our new council members better and participating in discussions with them.
A.J.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
JCPAAA
Last night 8 of our 12 inaugural Citizen Police Academy participants met again to continue moving towards a perpetual support system for the Joshua Police Department. We're forming the Joshua Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association as is customary in most cities that have the classes. I have the honor of serving as president of our first group and now we have several tasks ahead of us. To make sure everything is official we'll be forming a non-profit corporation and applying for 501(c)3 tax exempt status so that donations made to the organization will be tax deductible.
I'm anxious to get through the start-up tasks and get on with the fun stuff that we'll be in business for and that is raising funds to support the Joshua Police Department. One of the main financial purposes of the group is to acquire for the department equipment and tools that don't make it into the regular operating budget. Once we get established we'll work with Chief Robertson and Captain Cheek to develop a list of goals to work towards.
In addition to financial help we hope our organization will also move into a Citizens on Patrol group to help the department with awareness and assist in large crowd events in the city. Of course we'll be in our neighborhoods serving as ambassadors as well, helping educate the public on the functions of the department.
Interest in next year's CPA class has already surpassed this year so I'm excited to get to know the 2011 participants and bring them into our organization to further the mission. I'm looking forward to working with our CPAAA officers, board of directors, members and of course the Joshua P.D.
A.J.
I'm anxious to get through the start-up tasks and get on with the fun stuff that we'll be in business for and that is raising funds to support the Joshua Police Department. One of the main financial purposes of the group is to acquire for the department equipment and tools that don't make it into the regular operating budget. Once we get established we'll work with Chief Robertson and Captain Cheek to develop a list of goals to work towards.
In addition to financial help we hope our organization will also move into a Citizens on Patrol group to help the department with awareness and assist in large crowd events in the city. Of course we'll be in our neighborhoods serving as ambassadors as well, helping educate the public on the functions of the department.
Interest in next year's CPA class has already surpassed this year so I'm excited to get to know the 2011 participants and bring them into our organization to further the mission. I'm looking forward to working with our CPAAA officers, board of directors, members and of course the Joshua P.D.
A.J.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
2010 Joshua City Council Election
It sure seems like we've done a lot of voting this year so far, but don't forget about Joshua this Saturday, May 8th. We have one contested City Council seat that will be decided. Voting will take place at the Community Room next to the library at the high school from 7am to 7pm.
I'm pleased to support Jerry Moore for the Place 5 council seat. Jerry has been an asset to our city in recent years with his involvement on our Type B Board and our Parks Board. You can read more about Jerry on his campaign website at www.jerrymooreforjoshua.com
A.J.
I'm pleased to support Jerry Moore for the Place 5 council seat. Jerry has been an asset to our city in recent years with his involvement on our Type B Board and our Parks Board. You can read more about Jerry on his campaign website at www.jerrymooreforjoshua.com
A.J.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Police Ride
No, I didn't get arrested! I had the privilege of riding along with one of Joshua's finest this afternoon and it was a great experience. Sgt. Kevin Harris took me out in Joshua's new Chevy Tahoe patrol truck and we had a great time.
We were on our first pass north on Broadway when we whipped around after our first speeder. It was surreal to be on the pursuer side of a traffic stop accelerating with the lights flashing. It's a point of view you usually only get from watching an episode of Cops so to be in the vehicle as it was happening was an exhilarating experience. One thing I learned in Joshua's Citizen Police Academy is that there is no such thing a "routine" traffic stop so each time Sgt. Harris walked up to a vehicle I sent a quick prayer up for him and watched intently for anything unusual.
We had a good tour of the city checking for anything unusual and a few addresses with a history of issues. The population and passers-through were relatively law-abiding from 10am to 2pm today, but we had a few traffic stops and a good time so I consider it a success.
I'm appreciative of Sgt. Harris allowing me to occupy the space where he normally lays his electronic ticket unit and thanks to Chief Robertson for making the CPA class possible and of course this ride. As expected I have an even deeper appreciation for the Joshua Police Department and I can't wait for another opportunity to ride along!
A.J.
We were on our first pass north on Broadway when we whipped around after our first speeder. It was surreal to be on the pursuer side of a traffic stop accelerating with the lights flashing. It's a point of view you usually only get from watching an episode of Cops so to be in the vehicle as it was happening was an exhilarating experience. One thing I learned in Joshua's Citizen Police Academy is that there is no such thing a "routine" traffic stop so each time Sgt. Harris walked up to a vehicle I sent a quick prayer up for him and watched intently for anything unusual.
We had a good tour of the city checking for anything unusual and a few addresses with a history of issues. The population and passers-through were relatively law-abiding from 10am to 2pm today, but we had a few traffic stops and a good time so I consider it a success.
I'm appreciative of Sgt. Harris allowing me to occupy the space where he normally lays his electronic ticket unit and thanks to Chief Robertson for making the CPA class possible and of course this ride. As expected I have an even deeper appreciation for the Joshua Police Department and I can't wait for another opportunity to ride along!
A.J.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
ESD Tax Increase - Part II
In my previous post on this subject I stated some clear facts, but a letter to the editor in today's Cleburne Times-Review with some inaccuracies requires that I publish some additional and clarifying information.
Bryan Jamison, Chief of the Briaroaks Fire Department and President of the Johnson County Emergency Services Association stated in today's paper that "Revenue from the ESD tax is the primary source of funding for all 12 volunteer fire departments in the county." He goes on to say that "It is also a significant source of funding for paid and volunteer departments in Alvarado and Keene." The fact is that Joshua is one of the 12 volunteer departments in the county, but our primary source of funding is property taxes paid by the citizens of Joshua. For the latest complete budget year, 2008-2009, the Joshua fire department budget was $320,720.79 of which the ESD contributed $111,282.84 or 34.6% - not in any way a "primary source". As for Alvarado and Keene the ESD provided 17% and 14% respectively so you can be the judge as to whether that is a "significant source". Even when you take the salary costs out of the Alvarado and Keene budgets the ESD only contributed 40% and 29% respectively.
You can look at the ESD budget and decide for yourself if your money has been spent wisely. For me personally I'm not so sure it has so I'm not sure yet which way I'll vote. They've built a new dispatch center, but 911 calls will still go the Sheriff's Office dispatch and then be forwarded to the ESD dispatch. If the ESD instead worked with the Sheriff's office they could have saved a lot of money and remained under one roof where the calls come in.
Nothing I've pointed out in anything I've written on this subject should be taken as me being unwilling to support our fire fighters. On the contrary I want every penny our department has coming to it. Our debt to the courageous men and women who choose to selflessly put themselves in harm's way to protect our lives and property can never be repaid and most of them in Johnson County do it for free. This tax increase will not amount to much money for most people, but all tax money should be spent wisely before asking people for more. Besides that I was elected to represent the people of Joshua and I'll continue to work to make sure the tax money from the people of my city is used to its greatest extent and that the Joshua Fire Department is able to get what it needs to allow them to do their best and safest work.
A.J.
Bryan Jamison, Chief of the Briaroaks Fire Department and President of the Johnson County Emergency Services Association stated in today's paper that "Revenue from the ESD tax is the primary source of funding for all 12 volunteer fire departments in the county." He goes on to say that "It is also a significant source of funding for paid and volunteer departments in Alvarado and Keene." The fact is that Joshua is one of the 12 volunteer departments in the county, but our primary source of funding is property taxes paid by the citizens of Joshua. For the latest complete budget year, 2008-2009, the Joshua fire department budget was $320,720.79 of which the ESD contributed $111,282.84 or 34.6% - not in any way a "primary source". As for Alvarado and Keene the ESD provided 17% and 14% respectively so you can be the judge as to whether that is a "significant source". Even when you take the salary costs out of the Alvarado and Keene budgets the ESD only contributed 40% and 29% respectively.
You can look at the ESD budget and decide for yourself if your money has been spent wisely. For me personally I'm not so sure it has so I'm not sure yet which way I'll vote. They've built a new dispatch center, but 911 calls will still go the Sheriff's Office dispatch and then be forwarded to the ESD dispatch. If the ESD instead worked with the Sheriff's office they could have saved a lot of money and remained under one roof where the calls come in.
Nothing I've pointed out in anything I've written on this subject should be taken as me being unwilling to support our fire fighters. On the contrary I want every penny our department has coming to it. Our debt to the courageous men and women who choose to selflessly put themselves in harm's way to protect our lives and property can never be repaid and most of them in Johnson County do it for free. This tax increase will not amount to much money for most people, but all tax money should be spent wisely before asking people for more. Besides that I was elected to represent the people of Joshua and I'll continue to work to make sure the tax money from the people of my city is used to its greatest extent and that the Joshua Fire Department is able to get what it needs to allow them to do their best and safest work.
A.J.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
