HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual_Report 2002 to 2003
CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS
2002 ANNUAL REPORT
January 2003
2002 in Review
Introduction
The City of University Park marked another successful year, improving already high
levels of service, moving to more efficient systems, and addressing important policy
issues. In June 2002, D Magazine rated University Park as the “#1 Dallas Suburb.” The
top ten reasons residents cited for why they chose to live in University Park were “public
safety, neighborhood character, and location.” The many projects that were begun and
completed in 2002 and that will be continuing in 2003 will ensure that the City remains
among the top cities in the Dallas area and the nation.
Financial Status
In June 2002, the City made its final bond payment, making the City debt free for the first
time since 1972. The City now finances all capital improvement projects, an average of
approximately $6.0 million a year, on a pay as you go basis. This approach allows more
flexibility in planning projects and lowers the overall cost by eliminating interest
expense. Additionally, all money held in the capital projects fund earns interest, which
further helps pay for the projects.
The 2003 budget, adopted in September 2002, totaled $30.62 million dollars – an
increase of 5.5% over fiscal year 2002. Since 1991, the City’s budget for operating
purposes has increased less than the inflation rate. Only when capital improvements
funding is included do total expenditures approach the level of inflation.
Eighth consecutive tax rate decrease
The City Council approved a new tax rate of $.32932/$100, the eighth consecutive
tax rate decrease. The number of full-time employees is currently 238, still below
the high of 247 employees in 1992. Positions added over the past few years were
for the most part in Police and Fire Departments, including several dispatch
personnel.
Increase in utility rates
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This October the FY02-03 budget adopted the first rate increase since the mid-
1990’s. During that time the City has absorbed over a million dollars in increased
wastewater treatment charges from Dallas Water Utilities and the Park Cities
Municipal Utility District, as well as a 27% increase in landfill fees from the City of
Garland. University Park employees have worked hard to reduce operating costs
and avoid increases. However the latest round of increases necessitated a 5%
increase in water, 15% increase in wastewater rates, and a 16% increase in
sanitation fees. These utilities are operated as enterprise funds, meaning they
receive no tax support and pay all operating costs from user fee revenue.
Infrastructure Management
The City continued an aggressive program of repairing and replacing its infrastructure
systems and facilities. Since 1991, the City has spent over $45 million to replace or
upgrade streets, water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer lines, curb and gutter, and other
facilities including parks, traffic signals, and City buildings. All work is financed on a
pay-as-you-go basis, with no debt being incurred. During fiscal 2002, the City expended
$4.175 million on capital projects. These include:
Tulane/Amherst Sewer Improvements
Work began in early 2002 to replace approximately 2.0 miles of water, 1.5 miles
of sanitary sewer, and associated pavement in the following locations:
• Lovers Lane/Amherst alley, from Turtle Creek Blvd west to Tulane;
• Amherst/Stanford alley, from Tulane and Preston Rd;
• Purdue/Stanford alley, from Tulane and Preston Rd;
• Hanover/Bryn Mawr alley, from Tulane and Preston Rd;
• Turtle Creek Lane, from Lovers Lane to Turtle Creek Blvd;
• Tulane, from Lovers Lane to Bryn Mawr.
The contractor was paid $2.1 million for work completed during the 2002
calendar year. The $2.8 million contract will extend into the spring of 2003.
Street, Alley, and Curb Repairs
During 2002, 14 of 31 curb and gutter locations were completed at a cost of $1.1
million. Work will continue into 2003 on the remainder of the $2.6 million
project. Resurfacing of 42 blocks of street pavement was completed at a cost of
$480,000. Preston Road, from University Blvd to Lovers Lane, and the 4100
block of Druid were reconstructed at a cost of $1.5 million. That project included
elimination of aerial utilities, installation of decorative streetlights and new traffic
signals at Preston/Glenwick and Lovers Lane/Westchester.
Public Safety
Direct Alarm Monitoring
After almost four years of operation, the Police Department has connected
approximately 980 homes in University Park to its Direct Alarm monitoring
service. Approximately 20 to 30 homes are added each month. Revenues
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generated by the monitoring have paid for additional personnel in dispatch and
upgrades to telephone and radio equipment, which will result in further
improvement in service to all citizens.
New Vehicles and Computer Equipment
Information Services staff completed installation of computer equipment in all
police and fire vehicles this year. The equipment provides voiceless dispatch and
police incident and accident reporting from the mobile environment, allowing the
officers more time on the streets. The fire department added a new, medically
equipped fire truck to its fleet of emergency vehicles, staffed with paramedic
personnel 24 hours per day. With its medical equipment, if the Mobile Intensive
Care Unit (MICU) is on another call, this new truck is equipped to handle all
aspects of a medical emergency aside from patient transport, the same as the
MICU.
Accreditation
The Police Department successfully completed the second year’s requirements for
accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement
Agencies (CALEA). Last year’s requirements involved the institution of many
new policies and procedures.
Emergency Management Plan
The Fire Chief continued work to revise the City’s Emergency Management Plan.
In October, Erase Enterprises conducted training sessions for all key personnel.
The Fire Chief will continue to update the plan and attend conferences and
training sessions to learn how to improve University Park’s response to possible
terrorist threats and other emergencies.
Other Changes and Improvements
Change was a constant companion for other areas of City operations during the year.
Employee Health Insurance
In January 2000, the City established a self-funded health insurance plan using a
third party claims administrator. Although premiums remained at the same level
as 2000, fiscal year 2001 brought the need for a change in the premium scale set
up for UP employees. In accord with the national trend, 2002 was no different,
and another increase in employee premiums will take place in 2003. In 2002,
dependent premiums were increased by 10%, prescription co-pays increased for
non-generic drugs, and employee premiums increased by $20 per month.
Additionally, the City’s contribution increased 29% to cover rising healthcare
costs. The move to self-funded insurance has helped lower costs to the taxpayers
while providing access to a quality group of physicians and hospitals at a
reasonable cost to our employees.
Information Technology
As in past years, this division handled a number of major projects. However, in
2002, the Information Systems staff added a Webmaster/Network Technician
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position and moved from a division of the finance department to an individual
department. Adding the webmaster/network tech position allowed the department
to move forward with the development of the City’s first website (which launched
January 27, 2003). The City’s three-person information services staff oversaw
the procurement, installation, data conversion, user training, and implementation
of many major projects, including upgrades to the City’s service request system
and completion of the installation of Mobile Data Computers in Police and Fire
vehicles. Additionally, staff replaced the City’s IBM AS/400 mainframe to
support all City, financial, utility billing, payroll, and human resource
applications. The information services staff continues to support a wide array of
projects, such as Direct Alarm Monitoring and day-to-day operations of the City’s
network infrastructure, including citywide e-mail, a website, and a fiber optic link
between the City’s two major facilities, City Hall and the Peek Center.
SMU Master Plan
Implementation of projects conceived as part of the Campus Master Plan
continued at a rapid pace. All involved major efforts by both SMU and City staff.
The connection of Dublin between Dyer and McFarlin was completed this year.
The University completed construction of the Jerry R. Junkins Electrical
Engineering Building and began construction on the Laura Lee Blanton Student
Center.
Pool and Playground Equipment Improvements
The park department completed improvements to the swimming pool pump house
and restroom this year. Upgrades were made to the women’s restroom with a
new, larger facility, and the roof system on the existing restrooms and pump
house, as well as the entrance facility. The improvements have unified the entire
facility, solved roof problems in the entrance facility, and provided more adequate
restroom facilities for patrons. Over the past few years, in partnership with
residents who raised funds for the project, the department has installed new
playground equipment in Caruth, Curtis and Coffee Park.
Planning and Zoning Issues
The Planning and Zoning staff, local developers, City Council, and Planning and
Zoning Commission have all worked diligently to resolve several high profile
Planned Development (PD) applications. Much time and effort was given to
consideration of a PD for Park Cities Baptist Church. Much time was also spent
by all parties in reviewing the process of application for planned development of
Chase Bank, although the developer ultimately withdrew the application.
Plans for 2003
Financial Status
The City’s sound financial health is projected to continue, although the slowing national
economy will negatively affect revenues, building activity, and the City’s annual budget.
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Building Activity
Building activity seems to be on par with that of 2001 and 2002, but building
activity and permits may slow during the year in response to the sluggish
economy.
Tax and Utility Rates
Due to increases in charges by Dallas Water Utilities, Dallas County Park Cities
Municipal Utility District, and the City of Garland, University Park rates were
raised in October 2002. There are no foreseen increases for 2003, but the City
will continue to monitor the sanitation and utility funds.
Infrastructure Management
The City will continue to spend millions of dollars to replace aging infrastructure.
Approximately $7.3 million will be spent to replace streets, water and sewer, park and
other facilities during FY2003. Major projects started or completed will include:
Water & Sanitary Sewer Improvements - $1.83 million
• Colgate-Marquette alley, Turtle Creek Blvd to Airline - Reconstruction of
water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and alley paving. Oncor will also
replace their facilities in the same alley.
• Airline Road, Colgate-Marquette alley to NW Parkway - Reconstruction
of water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and pavement repairs.
• Hillcrest Ave, Southwestern Blvd to Centenary - Installation of water,
storm sewer, and pavement repairs;
Construction began in January 2003 and is expected to be complete by summer
2004.
Water & Sanitary Sewer Improvements - $518,000
Work will include reconstruction of water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and alley
paving in the following locations. Oncor Gas will also replace their facilities in
the same locations.
• University-Emerson alley, from Westchester to Preston Rd;
• Glenwick-Emerson alley, from Westchester to Preston
Construction is expected to begin Spring 2003 and take about six months to
complete.
Water & Sanitary Sewer Improvements - $2.5 million (estimated)
Work will include reconstruction of water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and alley
paving in the following locations. Oncor Gas will also replace their facilities in
the same locations.
• Southwestern-Greenbrier alley, from Hillcrest Ave to Airline Rd;
• Marquette-Centenary alley, from Hillcrest Ave to Airline Rd;
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• Caruth-Colgate alley, from Hillcrest Ave to Turtle Creek Blvd;
• Caruth Blvd, from Hillcrest Ave to Airline Rd;
• Turtle Creek Blvd, from Southwestern Blvd to near Greenbrier.
Design of the sewer improvements is expected to be completed by Summer 2003
and construction could begin prior to the end of the year.
Street, Alley and Curb Repairs
In addition to the pavement repairs associated with the projects above, the City
expects to perform over $2.7 million in street, alley and curb repairs throughout
the City during the coming year. The remainder of the $1.5 million curb and
gutter project will be completed during the coming year.
Staff is developing specifications for new curb & gutter and pavement resurfacing
projects, which are expected to begin during 2003. Those projects should expend
about $2.3 million.
A new traffic signal will be installed this year at Hillcrest and Normandy. The
work is expected to start during the summer and will cost approximately $85,000.
Electronic Reading of Water Meters
Over the past year, staff developed specifications for the equipment necessary to
provide electronic reading of the City's water meters. Bids for the equipment and
for its installations were received in December, and the City Council awarded a
$1.1 million contract to Datamatic Limited on December 2. Installation will take
place in 2003. The new equipment will allow the City to read all water meters in
a single day. This in turn will allow better tracking the continuity between sales
and purchases.
Public Safety (Police & Fire)
Police Department Accreditation
This should be the last year necessary for the Police Department to achieve full
accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement
Agencies (CALEA) and will require an on site assessment. Members of the
Commission on Accreditation will hold a “mock” onsite inspection in April. This
would make it only one of approximately 19 departments in Texas so recognized.
The Department started toward this goal when the Police Chief was hired in early
2000.
Other Police Department Goals
While the overall crime rate fell slightly in 2002, the police department will
continue work toward the reduction of index crimes through community
involvement with a new Crime Prevention Officer. The department has increased
the number of Direct Alarm Monitoring customers to almost 1000, and that
increase has raised the already high number of false alarms. The department will
work with the community to reduce the number of false alarms in 2003.
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City Hall Improvements
Planing for a major restoration project as well as construction of additional space
for Police and Fire operations will continue next year. Changes in public safety
operations including computers, direct alarm-monitoring equipment, and facilities
to provide paramedics a way to safely handle biomedical waste are some of the
reasons for the expansion. Additional reasons include the addition of computer
systems in all operations as well as changes in Finance and Municipal Court
operations. The final reasons include the need to reconstruct heating, air
conditioning, electrical, roofing, plumbing and other systems because of the
building’s age. City Hall was originally constructed in 1937, and the last
substantial remodel occurred in 1972.
Emergency Medical Response in Dallas
At the end of 2002, the City entered into an agreement with the City of Dallas
Fire-Rescue Department for reciprocal ambulance service. The agreement with
Dallas further assures timely response and full coverage in University Park, and is
in addition to a similar agreement already exists with Highland Park. In return for
Dallas emergency medical service in University Park, UP’s MICU (Mobile
Intensive Care Unit) will become the first responder in an area bounded by
Northwest Highway, Midway Road/Bluffview, and University Blvd, unless the
UP MICU is already responding to an emergency in the City or Highland Park.
The UP Fire Department anticipates one call or less per day to be dispatched to
Dallas. In return, Dallas will respond to any area within University Park upon
request (if UP crews are unavailable due to other calls).
Other Projects
Dispatch, critical to both operations, will continue to improve, and a new dispatch
position has been created to this end. Dispatch continues to work toward keeping
the division fully staffed. This should reduce workload on dispatch operators to
help offset the increase caused as more and more citizens sign up for Direct
Alarm Monitoring. The City will replace the landline based radio transmission
system with a microwave system, allowing better redundancy and uninterrupted
service. The retirement of a number of firefighters and the implementation of
new policies in the Fire Department have resulted in multiple paramedics being
available on each shift. The Department is operating with a new MICU,
command vehicle, front line engine, and medically equipped “paramedic” fire
truck.
Other Issues
Changes in other areas of operation are also in store for the coming year.
Employee Health Insurance
Due to nationally increasing health insurance costs, 2003 will bring another slight
increase in employee premiums. The City’s contribution will increase 49%.
Employees will pay an additional five dollars per month, raising the premium to
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$25 per month for employee coverage. No other modifications are planned for
health benefits, and dependent premiums will not change in 2003.
SMU
The connection of Dublin between Dyer and McFarlin continues this year with
the date for completion to come early in the year. Construction of the Laura Lee
Blanton Student Center continues. Finally, work on an architectural entry at
University and Hillcrest is underway.
Park Department
The Park Department plans to continue its improvements to City playgrounds by
installing new equipment, raised with City and private contributions, in Burleson
Park this year. Completion of the pocket park on the west side of the Lovers
Lane/Hillcrest intersection is also planned. The pedestrian entrances to the linear
park along North Central Expressway will also be completed this year.
Information Technology
The division worked arduously last year to develop the City’s first website.
Upgrades continue for the City’s Impact Resources software (for service requests)
and RecTrac (automated tennis reservation and pool pass system). The division is
also working with the Police and Fire Departments to improve all mobile
computing applications. Staff is upgrading the City’s VESTA System – an
intelligent workstation network combining telephony functions with a PC to
provide dispatchers with instant access to an array of timesaving and life-saving
features – to allow for 911 positioning in order to locate 911 calls from cellular
phones. Finally, maintenance and operation issues in direct alarm equipment,
utility billing, accounting, payroll, personnel, and keeping the 150 or more PC’s
connected to the overall system generates a heavy daily work load for the three
employees in this Division.
Executive Department
In addition to encouraging, monitoring, and otherwise following most of the
projects above, we do have a few things we will take care of solely in the City
Manager’s Office. During the coming year, we intend to have all past City
Council, Planning Commission, and Board of Adjustment Minutes as well as
Ordinances and Resolutions of the City scanned and indexed. Presently, the
manual system is inadequate and requires searching individual books, a time
consuming and usually unsatisfactory task.
Planning and Zoning Issues
The City entered a contract with Duncan and Associates to reformat the writing in
several paragraphs of the Zoning Ordinance to make the document more readable.
Graphics will also be added throughout to supplement the text.
Conclusion
Challenges for the City will continue. Building activity, while probably not at the
historically high levels of past years, will be brisk. While some major construction
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projects, such as Lovers Lane and Preston Road, are complete, allowing improved traffic
flow to those areas, improvements at SMU will continue to cause short-term traffic and
neighborhood disruption providing long-term enhancements. These issues are
controversial and draw the public’s attention. University Park is a city in the new
millennium and, as much as some would like, we cannot return to the traffic levels of the
1950’s when every family had only one or two cars.
The City will continue to provide a high level of service to residents and raise that
service level with the City website. Residents will continue to have easy access to
Department Heads, the City Manager, and other key City staff when they have problems.
Water service connections, building inspections, street repairs and other problems will
continue to be handled quickly and efficiently. We will continue to have one of the best-
maintained and most attractive series of parks in the nation. If citizens call with an
emergency, they can expect to have either Police or Fire personnel at their home within
3.5 minutes. For non-emergency calls, they can expect us within 5 minutes. A resident
here has access to the best emergency medical care provided by any city. Staff is
committed to work to maintain these standards during the coming year and make
improvements when the opportunity presents.