STREETCAR UPDATE
To read the latest information on the Fort Worth Streetcar initiative, visit: http://fortworthology.com/2009/09/24/city-of-fort-worth-issues-streetcar-design-request/
Source: FortWorthology.com
ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 3
Learn about the 11 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution and local issues impacting our city – click here to view the non-partisan VOTERS GUIDE from the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County.
LEARN ABOUT CCPD AHEAD OF NOV. 3 ELECTION
Councilmember Frank Moss and the Fort Worth Police Department invite you to attend an informational meeting about the Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) and its renewal election scheduled for Nov. 3.
Councilmember Moss and Executive Deputy Chief Rhonda Robertson will provide information about the CCPD, including an overview of CCPD-funded programs. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Tarrant County College Opportunity Center, Building A, Room 1330. The building is at 5901 Fitzhugh Ave.
The CCPD was created in 1995 and renewed in 2000 and 2005, most recently for a five-year period. CCPD revenue is derived from a half-cent of the city sales tax. The fund is administered by the Fort Worth Police Department; and it is managed by a nine-member board of directors appointed by the mayor and Council. The CCPD Board establishes the annual budget and policies, oversees expenditures, and evaluates programs funded by the district.
The CCPD’s approved budget for the 2010 fiscal year is $50,625,926. Some of the programs that receive funding from the CCPD include:
- Neighborhood Crime. Neighborhood patrol officers, Citizens on Patrol program (COP), police storefronts, and parks community policing.
- School Safety and Youth. After School programs, police officers in schools, and the Safe Haven program.
- Violent Crimes and Gangs. Zero Tolerance teams, graffiti abatement program, Gang officers, and Narcotic officers.
- Police Department Enhancements. Technology and equipment, police officer pay plan, patrol vehicle replacements, recruit officer training, mobile data computers, video cameras in marked police vehicles, and the stockyards detail.
To learn more, visit the CCPD’s Web page.
CITY OFFICES CLOSED FOR OCT. 12 FURLOUGH DAY
The FY2010 adopted budget closes a $59 million shortfall by increasing fees and revenues, cutting back on some city services and reducing personnel cost. One of the strategies implemented to reduce personnel costs are furlough days. A furlough day is a day off without pay.
The first furlough day will be Monday, Oct. 12. As a result of the furlough day, some city services and programs will be unavailable. Fort Worth Municipal Building (City Hall), Marshall Public Safety Building (Municipal Courts) and most city buildings will be closed.
Open/Services As Usual
- Fire emergency services
- Police services
- Weekly trash, recycling, yard waste and bulky item pickup
- Alliance, Meacham and Spinks airports
- Water Call Center: Payments can be made online or by phone.817-FW-24-HRS (392-4477)
- Fort Worth Convention Center and Will Rogers Memorial Center
- Golf courses, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth Herd, McLeland Tennis Center, Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth Water Gardens (water features will not be operating)
City Call Center:- City Switchboard: 817-392-CALL (2255)
- Environmental Management: 817-392-EASY (3279)
- Code Compliance: 817-392-1234
- Animal Care and Control: 817-392-3737
- Transportation/Public Works: 817-392-8100
Operating on Alternate Schedule
All libraries will be closed Oct. 12. The three libraries that are normally closed on Mondays – Northside Branch, BOLD (Butler Outreach Library Division) and COOL (Cavile Outreach Opportunity Library) – will be closed for their furlough day on Saturday, Oct. 10.
On furlough days:
- No library materials will be due.
- No electronic requests for materials will be processed.
- Book drops will be closed.
Fort Worth Convention Center will be closed Oct. 5.
RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP CLASS BEGINS OCT. 1
The first Responsible Pet Ownership class – part of the PAW (Pets Are Worth it) program from the Code Compliance Department’s Animal Care and Control Division – will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.
The class replaces the Educate The Offender program and costs $30 if attended to mitigate violations. Also, any pet owner can take the class at no cost and become eligible for a free intact-pet permit.
The Responsible Pet Ownership class will cover many of the city’s animal care ordinances, as well as the importance of spay/neuter for pets, proper shelter and veterinarian care, the need for wholesome food and water, and how to avoid injuries caused by aggressive animals.
Subsequent classes will be held at the Chuck Silcox Animal Care and Control Center, 4900 Martin St. Classes in English will be held 9-11 a.m. Oct. 10 and 6-8 p.m. Oct. 20. Classes in Spanish will be held 6-8 p.m. Oct. 6 and Oct. 15, and 9-11 a.m. Oct. 24.
To learn more, contact Animal Care and Control at 817-392-PAWS (7297) or check online at www.FortWorthGov.org/animals.
SEISMIC TESTING UPDATE
AHNA does not endorse Seismic Testing at this time.
Jeff Seay from Gateway Permit Services recently contacted AHNA about doing another round of seismic testing covering 30 square miles of Fort Worth exclusively for use by Chesapeake as they “fill in the blanks” on their seismic map, thus allowing them to maximize production when drilling for natural gas.
According to Gateway’s Jeff Seay, Gateway Permit Services are going to be back in our neighborhood, as well as many adjacent neighborhoods, attempting to acquire mineral permits in Fort Worth.
“We have a few different agents working again in your neck of the woods that includes Bobby Britton and me. We are looking to have surveyors on the ground at 45 days give or take a few from today’s date. We will have the crews collecting seismic data in 60 to 90 days as well. This data collection may take 15 to 30 days maybe more (weather permitting. Again Chesapeake wants the best 3D look at the Barnett Shale to help maximize gas well drilling and production when that time comes. Please pass my Email and number to anyone wanting me to answer questions. I am available anytime!”
Jeff Seay
Gateway Permit Services
Fort Worth, Tx
817-919-8585
jseay64@aol.com
Again, like earlier this year, agents will be knocking on the doors of residents who have not yet signed a gas lease to obtain their permission to conduct seismic testing. Agents will be respectful of people’s privacy and willingness to sign the form, additionally agents will not be in our neighborhood in the early morning or late evening.
The reason Gateway is returning is that Arlington Heights was on the edge of the XTO’s Edwards project and the quality of data gathered from that seismic testing project was weak; additionally, Chesapeake is seeking to get higher quality data by surveying a larger area. Also geophysicists design projects differently and are more comfortable with their own models and the interpretation of that data. No compensation will be offered for permission to view these minerals. Payment from the last project was for surface access. However all work and equipment for this project will be conducted within public right of way, therefore they are not offering any compensation.
Providing permission to conduct seismic testing is entirely optional for homeowners and you are free to just say no – remember giving permission for Chesapeake to look at what lies beneath before we get a lease negotiated could give Chesapeake an advantage. Further, by providing residents with this information, AHNA does not endorse seismic testing—again, you are welcome to simply say no.
Seismic testing boxes will start appearing in Arlington Heights along the street right-of-ways likely in the fall of this year and testing will last approximately 30 to 45 days. Gateway’s Jeff Seay assured the neighborhood association that Gateway would work with us and our residents as they moved forward with seismic testing agreements. AHNA will provide residents with updates as they become available. Updates could come quickly, so check your email.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, OCT 6 AT THOMAS PLACE COMMUNITY CENTER
Join us October 6 for National Night Out at Thomas Place Community Center from 6-8pm. Additionally, in celebration of AHNA’s 10 year anniversary, we invite you to come share a piece of cake with us and renew or join the association for just $10.
CITY COUNCIL UPDATES
Southwest Parkway, Increasing Water/Sewer Rates, and Drilling Under Parks. To read the full story, visit: http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1629929.html
Source: Fort Worth Star Telegram
IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRE REROUTE TO TRINITY TRAIL
The Trinity Trail between University Drive and Rogers Road will be rerouted through mid-October as the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) works on the first phase of reconstruction.
During construction, trail users will be directed onto the south side of Riverfront Drive, which runs parallel to the current trail. Signs and barricades will designate the trail’s temporary path.
In addition to the trail work, the project includes constructing a new trailhead at the corner of Rogers Road and Riverfront Drive, a fishing pier and trail modifications to address accessibility, congestion and safety.
Phase two of the project will begin in mid-October and will require additional rerouting of the trail while work is being completed under University Drive. That work is expected to be complete by the end of November. Information about trail rerouting during phase two will be available as work on that phase begins.
Source: City of Fort Worth
CONSUMER HEALTH MOVING TO NEW LOCATION
Code Compliance Department’s Consumer Health Division has closed its offices at 1800 University Drive to begin its move to the new Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods, 818 Missouri Ave.
No Consumer Health services will be available from noon Wednesday, Sept. 23, through 7:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, when Consumer Health resumes normal operations at its new Hazel Harvey Peace Center offices. Hours will be 7:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Consumer Health protects the public from food-borne, waterborne and other communicable diseases. The division develops and implements consumer health education, surveillance and enforcement programs.
The division inspects food service establishments; child-care facilities; swimming, recreational and health therapy pools; and hotels and motels. The division also enforces the city’s smoking ordinance.
Staff also assists in investigating food- and waterborne disease outbreaks. To learn more, call 817-871-7255.
Source: City of Fort Worth
