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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual_Report 2007 to 2008UN I V ER S I TYUNIVERSITYPARKPARKANNUALANNUALREPORTREPORT2007-20 082007-200 8 As Mayor,I am pleased to provide a quick overview concerning the projects and initiatives discussedinmoredetailinthisAnnualReport.During 2007 your City Council,our able City staff,and thoseresidentswhoservevoluntarilyonmorethanadozencommitteesmadegreatprogressforallthosewholiveandworkinthischerishedcommunity. This past year we celebrated the re-birth of Goar Park.In connection with the ongoing renovation ofCityHall,the park now has a brook that runs from the gazebo area into Turtle Creek,new walkwaysandobservationdecks,new trees and landscaping,and two new fountains.In 2007 the FireDepartmentmovedintoitsnewhomeonthewestsideofCityHall.Now,for the first time in 30 years all fireapparatus,including the reserve apparatus,is being housed at the fire station.Moreover,the firefighter living quartersarevastlyimproved,with private sleeping rooms for each on-duty fireman.That wing's second floor is also theFinanceDepartment's new home.By the end of 2008 we anticipate that other City departments will be able to movebacktoafullyrenovatedCityHall.The project's last major piece features expanded work space for the PoliceDepartment,the 911 dispatch center and Municipal Court personnel.Keeping its Colonial Williamsburg look insideandout,City Hall will also have new audio-video equipment in the Council Chamber and renovated office space fortheExecutiveandHumanResourcesDepartments. 2008 will be a banner year for public space city-wide.Water features will soon be in place at Barbara HitzelbergerParkandSisGermanyPark.In the next few months the Park Department will also finalize a Master Plan design forCoffeePark.After a busy summer,renovation work will begin on the Curtis Park Swimming Pool. In 2008 the Northwest Parkway Wall project is scheduled for completion.Running from Airline to Turtle CreekBoulevard,the 10 foot high wall will provide nearby residents with a buffer from the constant traffic on NorthwestHighway.Because the section of Northwest Parkway that has been open to traffic will be permanently closed,we'llalsogainusablespaceinadjacentCoffeePark.Late this year,Public Works is scheduled to start construction on anewboosterpumpstationjustsouthofGermanyPark.The new facility will replace the current booster pump stationthathasbeeninservicesincethe1950's.The booster pump is connected directly to the Dallas County Park CitiesMunicipalUtilityDistricttreatmentplant. Public Safety is always a high priority.In 2007,to reduce speeding on Lovers Lane,a continuous left turn lane wasinstalledinasix-block stretch from Hillcrest to Boedeker.To target traffic and speeding concerns throughout thecity,the City Council approved funding for a three-officer Traffic Enforcement Unit for the Police Department.Toguardagainstpedestrianinjuries,last December,the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones in active school zones. Last month the City Council passed an ordinance requiring the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in all newhomesandduplexes.The ordinance,which takes effect in August,also covers major residential remodeling projects.In addition to providing more protection for our neighborhoods and our firefighters,I believe this measure is a fittingwaytorecognizetheaccomplishmentsanddedicationofFireChiefDavidLedbetter.On the day this report ispresentedtothepublic,David will retire with 35 years of service to University Park. MES SAGEMESSAGE F ROMFROM TH ETHE MAYORMAYOR FF IN A NCEINANCEDDEPARTM EN TEPARTMENT PPARKARK DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTIn2008,the Parks Department will again implement an aggressive parkscapitalimprovementsprogram.The Department will finalize a MasterPlandesignforCoffeePark.Staff is also working with architects onupgradestotheCurtisParkSwimmingPool.The first phase of theprojectwillincludetherenovationofthechildren's pool and theconstructionofawater"sprayground."Construction is scheduled tobegininfall2008withimprovementscompletedintimeforthe2009poolseason. FFINANCEINANCE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTIncreaseinover-65 homestead exemption:Following study by theFinanceAdvisoryCommitteeandCitystaff,in December 2007 the CityCouncilapprovedinconceptanincreaseintheover-65 homesteadexemptionforpropertytaxpayers.Currently the over-65 homesteadexemptionis$50,000.The increased over-65 exemption is intended toprotectover-65 taxpayers from tax hikes related to property valueincreases.Adoption of the higher over-65 exemption is scheduled forearly2008. Other goals for 2008 include orderly relocation of Utility Billing andMunicipalCourttotherenovatedofficespaceinCityHall,usefulanalysisoftheBushPresidentialLibraryimpactontheCity,andenhancementoftheCity's investment portfolio management. IINFORMATIONNFORMATION SSERVICESERVICESThetechnologyspotlightwill again focus on the City Hall remodel. •City Hall will house the primary Police,Fire,and EMS DispatchCenter.The center will be constructed to mirror the alternatedispatchcenterthatwasbuiltin2007.The new center will havethreeconsolepositions.•The reconstruction of the Council Chamber will include theinstallationofnewaudioandvideoequipmentspecificallydesignedtofacilitatemeetingproductionandpresentation.•All other City Hall conference and training rooms will be equippedwithstate-of-the-art audio/video equipment.•The final major technology change related to City Hall will be theintroductionofanewsecuritycamerasystemandelectronicaccesscontrolofthedoorswithIDcards. City budgetRobustfiscal health continues to be a hallmark of the City.TheFiscalYear2008budgettotals$39.6 million,an increase of4.48%.The budget includes increases in water,wastewater,andsanitationrates.For the 13th consecutive year,the City propertytaxratedecreased,as displayed in the chart below.The currentCitytaxrateis26.8 cents per $100 of taxable property value. Capital improvement program (CIP)adoptionInOctober2007theCityCouncilapproved a FY2008 CIPbudgetof$18.4 million as the first year of the five-year CIP.The CIP is the method by which the City identifies,plans,andfundscapitalprojects,which are defined as non-recurring,multi-year efforts totaling over $25,000.Funding for the CIP comesfrommultiplesources,including operating budget transfers,fund balance drawdowns,and interest earnings.During fiscal2007capitalprojectexpenditurestotaled$16.4 million forprojectsliketheCityHallrenovationandaddition,Goar Parkimprovements,Northwest Parkway wall and water line,andalley/underground utility replacement. Comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR)available onWebsiteFinancepersonneladdedthetwomostrecentCAFR's to theCity's Web site.The documents were converted into electronicPDFfilesforplacementonthesiteandarenowavailabletoanyonewithInternetaccess. Implementation of credit card drafting for utility billsJustasresidentscanpaytheirCityutilitybillsby monthlyautomaticbankdraft,they now have the option of paying bymonthlyautomaticchargetoacreditcard.The Utility Billingofficeimplementedthisfeatureinmid-2007.For moreinformation,call 214-987-5320. UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY PARKPARK TAXTAX BASEBASE ANDAND RATESRATES,,FYFY 2003-20072003-2007 The City's 3-1-1 system was launched in December 2006.3-1-1 call takers answer approximately 275 calls per week.Callvolumesincreaseduringholidayperiods.Residents use the 24-hour-a-day number for non-emergency requests for serviceandasasourceforanswerstoawidevarietyofquestionsaboutCityservicesandoperations. Since 2002,through payroll deductions,cash donations and proceeds from themed events,University Park employees have given more than $50,000 to the United Way of MetropolitanDallas.In 2007,with the assistance of a charity-based Rubber Duck Race in the brook at Goar Park,the annual employee fund drive topped $10,000 for the first time. Park ProjectsAnumberof major park improvementprojectswerecompletedin2007. •The installation of park entrance signsatCaruthandGoarPark.•The first two phases of landscapeenhancementstoCityHallandGoarPark.•The installation of Phase I of the City.secondary entrance marker program•The upgrade of lighting at the CurtisParktenniscourts.•The resurfacing of tennis courts atSmithPark.•The installation of electrical upgradestotheSniderPlazafountain Park Projects underway include•Landscape improvements and fountain installation at SisGermanyPark•Completion of the water feature at Barbara Hitzelberger Park,located at the intersection of Lovers and Hillcrest•Phase II of the city-wide secondary street entrance markerprogram.•The installation of landscaping in conjunction with theNorthwestParkwayscreeningwallandtheadjoininggatewayentrancefeatureattheintersectionofHillcrestandNorthwestHighway. Special Event Programs The department hosted two newcommunityeventsin2007.InJune,a Children's FishingDerbywasheldatCaruthPark.More than 130 childrenparticipatedintheevent,whichincludedprizesforthelargestfishandfreehotdogs.In lateNovember,in cooperation withtheSniderPlazaMerchantsAssociation,the department hosted aHolidayTreeLightingCeremony.More than 500 people watched a liveperformancebytheDallasBalletbeforeSantaClausandMayorHolmesflippedtheswitchontheholidaytree.Based ondozensofpositiveresidentcomments,both events will occur annually. In 2008,prior to the annual July 4th Parade,the department willhostitsfirst"Fun Run,"sponsor its annual Arbor Day treeplantingeventwithassistancefromwithlocalelementaryschoolstudentsandcontinuethepopularDive-In Movie program at theCurtisParkPool. PPAR KARK DD EP ART ME N TEPARTMENT PPL ANSLANS FORFOR 20 082008 NNOT AB LE SOTABLES ...... PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKSCapitalprojectscurrently underway and scheduled for completion in2008include: •Northwest Parkway Wall•Reconstruction of sidewalks around Highland Park IndependentSchoolDistrictcampuses.•Booster pump station:One of the more high profile projects scheduledtobeginin2008istheGermanyParkBoosterPumpStation.Built inthe1950's,the existing underground pump station,located south ofGermanyPark,is connected to water coming from the Dallas CountyParkCitiesMunicipalUtilityDistricttreatmentplant.It pumps nearly9milliongallonsperdayintothecity.In the summer of 2002,thepumpstationflooded,and the city lost all ability to pump water into thedistributionsystem.To eliminate the possibility of flooding and toensurereliability,the Engineering Division has worked with anengineeringfirmtodesignanabovegroundfacilitylocatedadjacenttotheexistingpumpstation.Completion of the Germany Park BoosterPumpstationisscheduledforthesummerof2009. PPOLICEOLICE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTGoalsandobjectivesfor 2008 will reflect increased efforts by thedepartmenttoinvolveindividualmembersofthebusinessandresidentialcommunitiesincrimepreventionandpersonalsafetyprogramsandactivities.This strengthened partnership will in turn reduce crimesthroughouttheCity.With the involvement of the Traffic EnforcementUnit,the department will increase roadway enforcement to reduce thepotentialforaccidentrelatedinjuriesanddeaths. FFIREIRE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTCERTProgram:Fire Department personnel have purchased andreceivedresponseequipmenttooutfitcitizenswhowillbecomemembersoftheCommunityEmergencyResponseTeam(CERT).The equipmentwaspurchasedwitha$6,500 federal grant.The department will beginadvertisingforCERTvolunteersbymid-2008.CERT members will betrainedinresponsetechniquestoassisttheirneighborhoodsshouldamajordisasteroccur.Fire and Police personnel will train CERTmembersinfiresafety,light search and rescue techniques,first aid,terrorism awareness,traffic and crowd control,and the IncidentManagementSystem. VVISITISIT THETHE CCITYITY ONLINEONLINE ATAT WWWWWW..UPTEXASUPTEXAS..ORGORG James H.“Blackie”Holmes,IIIMayor FF I REIRE DD E P A RTMEN TEPARTMENT PPA RKARK DDE P AR TM E N TEPARTMENT CC I TYITY HH A LLALLRRENOVATIONENOVATION 20 07 I2007I NN RR EV IE WEVIEW FF IR EIRE DDE PA R TM ENTEPARTMENT FFIREIRE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT SSTATISTICSTATISTICS PPOLICEOLICE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT SSTATISTICSTATISTICS PP O LI CEOLICE DD EP ART ME N TEPARTMENT PPUBL ICUBLIC WW OR K SORKSDDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT engineers and architects.This new service will dramaticallyimprovetheturnaroundtimefromplansubmittaltobuildingpermitissuance.The CH2M Hill contract will also allow the citytoreallocateexistingresourcesthatwillresultinagreateremphasisonqualityfieldinspections. Engineering divisionResponsibleforoverseeing theplanning,design,andconstructionofallPublicWorkscapitalimprovementprojects,the division in 2007 managednearly$9 million worth ofactivity.On an annual basis,theCityawardscontractsforroutine capital projects such as in-placerecyclingofasphaltpavement,curb and gutter concrete repairs,and the mile-per-year water/sewer/alley replacement.In 2007,themile-per-year program completed replacement of the 4100through4300blocksoftheShenandoah-Stanhope alley.Inadditiontoannualcapitalprojects,the Engineering Divisionoverseesspeciallargeconstructionprojects.The City Hallrenovationisanexampleofthistypeofproject. Operational divisionsTheoperationaldivisions consist of Sanitation,Streets,Utilities,&Traffic. •The Sanitation Division collectsresidentialwastetwiceaweek,commercial dumpsters up to sixtimesperweek,and recycling onceperweek.•The Traffic Division is responsibleformaintainingandrepairingover6,000 traffic signs,33 signalizedintersections,pavement markings,and public parking areas.Inaddition,the Traffic Division performs special projects such asoverseeingtherecentre-striping of Lovers Lane for theinstallationofacontinuousleftturnlanefromBoedekertoHillcrest.•The Streets Division is responsible for maintaining and repairingtheCity's 71 miles of street pavement and 33 miles of alleypavement.In 2007,the division poured over one linear-mile ofconcreteintheCity's alleys.•The Utilities Division maintains the City's water,sanitary sewer,and storm sewer infrastructure,consisting of over 150 miles ofpipe.On occasion the division also installs new water mainsseparatefromtheCity's mile-per-year capital improvementprogram.This year was highlighted by the installation of over200feetofan8-inch water main along Boedeker. In summer 2005,afteryearsofcommunity-widediscussionandcarefulplanning,the City began aphased,three-yearconstructionprojecttoexpandandrenovateitsdistinctiveColonialWilliamsburg-style CityHall.Funded without debtaccordingtoacarefullyconstructed multi-year funding plan,the$20 million project is the largest and most extensive improvementprojectintheCity's history.Throughout the pages of this report,specific components of the project are discussed in some detail. Construction Timeline•June 2005 -City Council holds groundbreakingceremonyforproject,first phase of project(dredging of Turtle Creek channel and pond andconstructionofboxculvertbegins).•Late summer 2006 -Construction starts onadditiontoCityHall.•Summer 2007 -Police Department temporarilyrelocatestotheCity's Peek Service Center.Fire Departmentmovesintocompletednewwing.•May 2008 -Remodel of existing City Hall scheduled to start.•December 2008 -Construction on existing City Hall completed. Building inspection divisionIn2007,construction activity was virtually unchanged incomparisonwiththesamestatisticsfor2006.Despite a drasticslowdowninthehousingsectorandareductionofhousingpermitsatthenationalandregionallevels,new single familypermitstotaled147in2007comparedto149in2006.Totalconstructionvaluesfornewsinglefamilyhomesincreased3percentfrom$203 million in 2006 to $210 million in 2007.Permits for repair and remodel of existing homes declined 7percentfrom187in2006to175in2007. The Building Inspection Division is implementing new planreviewproceduresin2008.The City has contracted with theengineeringfirmCH2MHilltosupplementexistingplanreviewservices.The majority of residential and commercial planssubmittedforbuildingpermitswillbereviewedbythefirm's Re-accreditationInDecember2006 the CommissiononAccreditationforLawEnforcementAgencies,Inc.(CALEA),conducted an on-sitereviewofthePoliceDepartment'saccreditationprogram.Followinganintensereviewofallareasofthedepartment's administration and operation,UPPD was re-accreditedforanotherthree-year period.In its report summary,the on-siteteamofindependentassessorsnoted,"The agency is responsive totheneedsofthecommunityandistrulycommittedtoprovidingthebestlawenforcementservices." Staff promotionsSergeantRobertFlood,a 13-year veteran of the department,waspromotedtotherankofPoliceCaptainandwasplacedinchargeofPoliceOperations.This promotion came about after Captain RobertBrownwasappointedPoliceChieffortheCityofDuncanville,Texas.In conjunction with those moves,Officer Greg Spradlin waspromotedtoPoliceSergeantandwasplacedinchargeoftheCriminalInvestigationDivision. Traffic enforcement unitFollowingtheCityCouncil's approval of three additional positions,the department created a three-officer Traffic Enforcement Unit.All three officers in the unit will have specialized training in trafficaccidentinvestigationandaccidentreconstruction.Two currentofficers,Robbie Keenan and Jonathan Ingelido held such expertisepriortocreationoftheunit,and they have already been assigned totheirnewduties.The department will add a final officer to the unitwhenthedepartment's new officers have completed their training.In addition to working traffic accidents,the officers in thisspecializedunitwillworktargetedareasforspeedingandotherreportedviolationsinneighborhoodsthroughoutthecity. Traffic safetyTrafficsafety on Lovers LanebetweenHillcrestandBoedekercontinuestobeafocusofenforcementefforts.Following therecommendationoftheCity's PublicSafetyAdvisoryCommittee,theCityCouncilapprovedtheinstallation of a continuous left turn laneandtheplacementofadditional"speed monitoring"display boardsalongthatsix-block area.Both enhancements were completed. The department is continuing enforcement in conjunction with a25mphstudythatistakingplaceinthenortheastsectionofthecitybetweenLoversandSouthwesternandBoedekerandHillcrest.At the direction of the City Council,the program seekstodeterminetheextentofvoluntarycomplianceinthepostedneighborhoods. The department has added crossing guards at the intersections ofColgateandTulaneandCaruthandTulane.Traffic studies atbothlocationsdeterminedthattwonewguardswerenecessary.The studies were requested by parents at Hyer ElementarySchool. DARE program and School Resource OfficerIn2007-2008 the Police Department will continue to provide theDAREprogram(Drug Abuse Resistance Education)atMcCullouchIntermediateSchool.Officer Suzette Elwonger isthecurrentDAREinstructor.Since 1994,DARE has sought toprovidesixth-graders at the school with a launching pad forconversationwithpeers,and by extension with parents,on theharmfuleffectsofdrugs,alcohol and tobacco.The DAREprogramisfundedannuallyina75-25 percent split between theCityofUniversityParkandtheTownofHighlandPark. In early 2007,the department assigned a full-time SchoolResourceOfficeratHighlandParkHighSchool.Officer A.J.Sherrill,a five-year veteran of the Department,was selected fortheposition.The majority of Officer Sherrill's time is spent at theschool,where he interacts with students and staff to provide asaferandmoresecurecampusforallconcerned.Officer Sherrillalsoattendson-campus school athletic events and dances and theschool's out-of-town play-off games.The position is fundedannuallyina72-28 percent split between the City and Town. New fire stationInJune2007,uponcompletionofthefirstphaseoftheCityHallrenovationproject,the Fire Departmentmovedintoitsnewlyconstructedfirestation.Forthefirsttimein30yearsallfireapparatus,including thereserveapparatus,is beinghousedatthefirestation.The firefighters'living quarters are vastlyimproved,with private sleeping rooms for each on-duty fireman.The spacious day room and kitchen are both comfortable andfunctional.The new station also has a large patio where they cansitinprivacyandenjoyamealcookedoutside. Fire Chief retirementFireChiefDavidLedbetter retired in February2008,culminating 35 years of service with theCity.The Waters Consulting Group was retainedtorecruitcandidatesforthisposition.A newChiefshouldbenamedbyMarch2008. Emergency management activitiesInSeptember2007,the Mayor and Emergency ManagementCoordinatorattendedaSeniorOfficialsworkshopconductedbyHomelandSecurityandtheTexasA&M Engineering ExtensionService. In October 2007,the Mayor,City Council and DepartmentDirectorsweregivenarefreshercourseontheNationalIncidentManagementSystem(NIMS).Under a Presidential HomelandSecurityDirective,local governments are required to becomeNIMScomplianttomanageandworkwithFederal,State andotherlocalgovernmentsduringtimesofdisaster. The Fire Department staff isbeingtrainedinIC300and400coursesrequiredbyFEMAtobecompliantwithNIMS.These courses are designed forpersonnelwhowillbeinchargeofemergencyincidentsescalatingtoUnifiedCommandanmulti-jurisdiction situations. Emergency warning system upgradesTheCity's All Hazard Emergency Warning System was upgradedin2007.This increased the size and type of the warning sirens andimprovedcoveragetoallpartsofthecity.The new sirens areomni-directional and emit sound 360 degrees simultaneously.Each siren has ten cells which provides for greater sound level andincreasesthedistancethesoundtravels.As with the old system,voice messages can be delivered through loud speakers with pre-recorded messages or live instructions.The new system features aone-touch control panel that simplifies its operation which isstrictlycontrolledbytheFire/Police Communication Centerpersonnel.The new system is equipped with self-diagnosticsoftwarecapableofreportingpotentialproblemswiththeunits.Itisimportanttonote,however,that the outdoor alert system is notintendedtopenetrateintohomesandbusinesses. Re-banding radiosIn2007,the City negotiated a contract with Sprint/Nextel to re-band the radio frequencies used by the Public Safety and PublicWorksdepartments.This effort is mandated by the FederalCommunicationCommission.The contract requires Nextel to re-band the radios to a lower frequency while ensuring that eachagencyhasthesamelevelofservicethatexistedbeforethere-banding.This effort will reduce Nextel's interference with day-to-day Public Safety radio transmissions.The re-banding contractstipulatesthatre-banding must be completed before June 2008. HHUM A NUMAN RRE S O U RCE SESOURCESEmploymentDuringfiscalyear2006-07,the City had an employee turnoverrateof4.8%,with seven of the 12 terminations coming fromserviceretirements.The Human Resources Department hired 57employeesduringthefiscalyear:12 regular fulltimepositionsand45swimmingpoolpositions. City Hall expansion and remodelInconjunctionwiththeremodelandexpansionofCityHall,it wasnecessarytotemporarilyrelocateallemployees,and at the sametime,make sure that continuity ofservicewasmaintainedforcomputingsystems,data,phones,radios,911,and direct alarmmonitoring.A state-of-the-art alternate dispatch center wasconstructedwithnewconsolesandcomputingequipmentatthePeekServiceCenter.The Police,Fire,and EMS computer-aideddispatchsoftware,along with the 911,Public Safety Radio,Direct Alarm Monitoring,Security Camera,and Access ControlSystemswerealsoupgradedtothelatestversionsavailable.Theverysuccessfulrelocationwascompletedinthreephaseswithnolossofservice.As part of the City Hall expansion,the FireTrainingRoomandFinanceConferenceRoomwereequippedwithnewAudio/Video Systems. Mapping softwareTheCityalsobegan migrating to the industry standard ESRI(Environmental Systems Research Institute)GIS (GeographicInformationSystem)mapping software.Now data related toparcels,streets,and the City's utility infrastructure arecontinuallybeinglinkedtothemap.An ESRI-based interactivemapoftheCitywithmultiplelayersofinformationisalsonowavailableontheCityWebsite. II NF O RMA TI O NNFORMATIONSSERVICESERVICES PPUBLICUBLIC WORKSWORKS SSTATISTICSTATISTICS 2007 Employee of the Yearawardrecipientspicturedfromlefttoright:CurtisFortner,Jimmy Lee,LizSpectorandGeorgeJones. In 2008,a proposed Capital Improvement Project will allow forthereplacementofallportableandmobilePublicSafetyradios.Due to age,many of the City's current radios are becomingobsoleteandwillnotmeetupcomingrequirementsforinteroperabilitywithotheragencies.During the terrorist strikeontheWorldTradeCenterin2001,many emergency personnellosttheirliveswhenrespondingagencieswereunabletotalktooneanotherviaradio.Since then,the federal government hasrequiredallPublicSafetyradiosbeProject25compliant. FF I REIRE DD E P A RTMEN TEPARTMENT PPA RKARK DDE P AR TM E N TEPARTMENT CC I TYITY HH A LLALLRRENOVATIONENOVATION 20 07 I2007I NN RR EV IE WEVIEW FF IR EIRE DDE PA R TM ENTEPARTMENT FFIREIRE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT SSTATISTICSTATISTICS PPOLICEOLICE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT SSTATISTICSTATISTICS PP O LI CEOLICE DD EP ART ME N TEPARTMENT PPUBL ICUBLIC WW OR K SORKSDDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT engineers and architects.This new service will dramaticallyimprovetheturnaroundtimefromplansubmittaltobuildingpermitissuance.The CH2M Hill contract will also allow the citytoreallocateexistingresourcesthatwillresultinagreateremphasisonqualityfieldinspections. Engineering divisionResponsibleforoverseeing theplanning,design,andconstructionofallPublicWorkscapitalimprovementprojects,the division in 2007 managednearly$9 million worth ofactivity.On an annual basis,theCityawardscontractsforroutine capital projects such as in-placerecyclingofasphaltpavement,curb and gutter concrete repairs,and the mile-per-year water/sewer/alley replacement.In 2007,themile-per-year program completed replacement of the 4100through4300blocksoftheShenandoah-Stanhope alley.Inadditiontoannualcapitalprojects,the Engineering Divisionoverseesspeciallargeconstructionprojects.The City Hallrenovationisanexampleofthistypeofproject. Operational divisionsTheoperationaldivisions consist of Sanitation,Streets,Utilities,&Traffic. •The Sanitation Division collectsresidentialwastetwiceaweek,commercial dumpsters up to sixtimesperweek,and recycling onceperweek.•The Traffic Division is responsibleformaintainingandrepairingover6,000 traffic signs,33 signalizedintersections,pavement markings,and public parking areas.Inaddition,the Traffic Division performs special projects such asoverseeingtherecentre-striping of Lovers Lane for theinstallationofacontinuousleftturnlanefromBoedekertoHillcrest.•The Streets Division is responsible for maintaining and repairingtheCity's 71 miles of street pavement and 33 miles of alleypavement.In 2007,the division poured over one linear-mile ofconcreteintheCity's alleys.•The Utilities Division maintains the City's water,sanitary sewer,and storm sewer infrastructure,consisting of over 150 miles ofpipe.On occasion the division also installs new water mainsseparatefromtheCity's mile-per-year capital improvementprogram.This year was highlighted by the installation of over200feetofan8-inch water main along Boedeker. In summer 2005,afteryearsofcommunity-widediscussionandcarefulplanning,the City began aphased,three-yearconstructionprojecttoexpandandrenovateitsdistinctiveColonialWilliamsburg-style CityHall.Funded without debtaccordingtoacarefullyconstructed multi-year funding plan,the$20 million project is the largest and most extensive improvementprojectintheCity's history.Throughout the pages of this report,specific components of the project are discussed in some detail. Construction Timeline•June 2005 -City Council holds groundbreakingceremonyforproject,first phase of project(dredging of Turtle Creek channel and pond andconstructionofboxculvertbegins).•Late summer 2006 -Construction starts onadditiontoCityHall.•Summer 2007 -Police Department temporarilyrelocatestotheCity's Peek Service Center.Fire Departmentmovesintocompletednewwing.•May 2008 -Remodel of existing City Hall scheduled to start.•December 2008 -Construction on existing City Hall completed. Building inspection divisionIn2007,construction activity was virtually unchanged incomparisonwiththesamestatisticsfor2006.Despite a drasticslowdowninthehousingsectorandareductionofhousingpermitsatthenationalandregionallevels,new single familypermitstotaled147in2007comparedto149in2006.Totalconstructionvaluesfornewsinglefamilyhomesincreased3percentfrom$203 million in 2006 to $210 million in 2007.Permits for repair and remodel of existing homes declined 7percentfrom187in2006to175in2007. The Building Inspection Division is implementing new planreviewproceduresin2008.The City has contracted with theengineeringfirmCH2MHilltosupplementexistingplanreviewservices.The majority of residential and commercial planssubmittedforbuildingpermitswillbereviewedbythefirm's Re-accreditationInDecember2006 the CommissiononAccreditationforLawEnforcementAgencies,Inc.(CALEA),conducted an on-sitereviewofthePoliceDepartment'saccreditationprogram.Followinganintensereviewofallareasofthedepartment's administration and operation,UPPD was re-accreditedforanotherthree-year period.In its report summary,the on-siteteamofindependentassessorsnoted,"The agency is responsive totheneedsofthecommunityandistrulycommittedtoprovidingthebestlawenforcementservices." Staff promotionsSergeantRobertFlood,a 13-year veteran of the department,waspromotedtotherankofPoliceCaptainandwasplacedinchargeofPoliceOperations.This promotion came about after Captain RobertBrownwasappointedPoliceChieffortheCityofDuncanville,Texas.In conjunction with those moves,Officer Greg Spradlin waspromotedtoPoliceSergeantandwasplacedinchargeoftheCriminalInvestigationDivision. Traffic enforcement unitFollowingtheCityCouncil's approval of three additional positions,the department created a three-officer Traffic Enforcement Unit.All three officers in the unit will have specialized training in trafficaccidentinvestigationandaccidentreconstruction.Two currentofficers,Robbie Keenan and Jonathan Ingelido held such expertisepriortocreationoftheunit,and they have already been assigned totheirnewduties.The department will add a final officer to the unitwhenthedepartment's new officers have completed their training.In addition to working traffic accidents,the officers in thisspecializedunitwillworktargetedareasforspeedingandotherreportedviolationsinneighborhoodsthroughoutthecity. Traffic safetyTrafficsafety on Lovers LanebetweenHillcrestandBoedekercontinuestobeafocusofenforcementefforts.Following therecommendationoftheCity's PublicSafetyAdvisoryCommittee,theCityCouncilapprovedtheinstallation of a continuous left turn laneandtheplacementofadditional"speed monitoring"display boardsalongthatsix-block area.Both enhancements were completed. The department is continuing enforcement in conjunction with a25mphstudythatistakingplaceinthenortheastsectionofthecitybetweenLoversandSouthwesternandBoedekerandHillcrest.At the direction of the City Council,the program seekstodeterminetheextentofvoluntarycomplianceinthepostedneighborhoods. The department has added crossing guards at the intersections ofColgateandTulaneandCaruthandTulane.Traffic studies atbothlocationsdeterminedthattwonewguardswerenecessary.The studies were requested by parents at Hyer ElementarySchool. DARE program and School Resource OfficerIn2007-2008 the Police Department will continue to provide theDAREprogram(Drug Abuse Resistance Education)atMcCullouchIntermediateSchool.Officer Suzette Elwonger isthecurrentDAREinstructor.Since 1994,DARE has sought toprovidesixth-graders at the school with a launching pad forconversationwithpeers,and by extension with parents,on theharmfuleffectsofdrugs,alcohol and tobacco.The DAREprogramisfundedannuallyina75-25 percent split between theCityofUniversityParkandtheTownofHighlandPark. In early 2007,the department assigned a full-time SchoolResourceOfficeratHighlandParkHighSchool.Officer A.J.Sherrill,a five-year veteran of the Department,was selected fortheposition.The majority of Officer Sherrill's time is spent at theschool,where he interacts with students and staff to provide asaferandmoresecurecampusforallconcerned.Officer Sherrillalsoattendson-campus school athletic events and dances and theschool's out-of-town play-off games.The position is fundedannuallyina72-28 percent split between the City and Town. New fire stationInJune2007,uponcompletionofthefirstphaseoftheCityHallrenovationproject,the Fire Departmentmovedintoitsnewlyconstructedfirestation.Forthefirsttimein30yearsallfireapparatus,including thereserveapparatus,is beinghousedatthefirestation.The firefighters'living quarters are vastlyimproved,with private sleeping rooms for each on-duty fireman.The spacious day room and kitchen are both comfortable andfunctional.The new station also has a large patio where they cansitinprivacyandenjoyamealcookedoutside. Fire Chief retirementFireChiefDavidLedbetter retired in February2008,culminating 35 years of service with theCity.The Waters Consulting Group was retainedtorecruitcandidatesforthisposition.A newChiefshouldbenamedbyMarch2008. Emergency management activitiesInSeptember2007,the Mayor and Emergency ManagementCoordinatorattendedaSeniorOfficialsworkshopconductedbyHomelandSecurityandtheTexasA&M Engineering ExtensionService. In October 2007,the Mayor,City Council and DepartmentDirectorsweregivenarefreshercourseontheNationalIncidentManagementSystem(NIMS).Under a Presidential HomelandSecurityDirective,local governments are required to becomeNIMScomplianttomanageandworkwithFederal,State andotherlocalgovernmentsduringtimesofdisaster. The Fire Department staff isbeingtrainedinIC300and400coursesrequiredbyFEMAtobecompliantwithNIMS.These courses are designed forpersonnelwhowillbeinchargeofemergencyincidentsescalatingtoUnifiedCommandanmulti-jurisdiction situations. Emergency warning system upgradesTheCity's All Hazard Emergency Warning System was upgradedin2007.This increased the size and type of the warning sirens andimprovedcoveragetoallpartsofthecity.The new sirens areomni-directional and emit sound 360 degrees simultaneously.Each siren has ten cells which provides for greater sound level andincreasesthedistancethesoundtravels.As with the old system,voice messages can be delivered through loud speakers with pre-recorded messages or live instructions.The new system features aone-touch control panel that simplifies its operation which isstrictlycontrolledbytheFire/Police Communication Centerpersonnel.The new system is equipped with self-diagnosticsoftwarecapableofreportingpotentialproblemswiththeunits.Itisimportanttonote,however,that the outdoor alert system is notintendedtopenetrateintohomesandbusinesses. Re-banding radiosIn2007,the City negotiated a contract with Sprint/Nextel to re-band the radio frequencies used by the Public Safety and PublicWorksdepartments.This effort is mandated by the FederalCommunicationCommission.The contract requires Nextel to re-band the radios to a lower frequency while ensuring that eachagencyhasthesamelevelofservicethatexistedbeforethere-banding.This effort will reduce Nextel's interference with day-to-day Public Safety radio transmissions.The re-banding contractstipulatesthatre-banding must be completed before June 2008. HHUM A NUMAN RRE S O U RCE SESOURCESEmploymentDuringfiscalyear2006-07,the City had an employee turnoverrateof4.8%,with seven of the 12 terminations coming fromserviceretirements.The Human Resources Department hired 57employeesduringthefiscalyear:12 regular fulltimepositionsand45swimmingpoolpositions. City Hall expansion and remodelInconjunctionwiththeremodelandexpansionofCityHall,it wasnecessarytotemporarilyrelocateallemployees,and at the sametime,make sure that continuity ofservicewasmaintainedforcomputingsystems,data,phones,radios,911,and direct alarmmonitoring.A state-of-the-art alternate dispatch center wasconstructedwithnewconsolesandcomputingequipmentatthePeekServiceCenter.The Police,Fire,and EMS computer-aideddispatchsoftware,along with the 911,Public Safety Radio,Direct Alarm Monitoring,Security Camera,and Access ControlSystemswerealsoupgradedtothelatestversionsavailable.Theverysuccessfulrelocationwascompletedinthreephaseswithnolossofservice.As part of the City Hall expansion,the FireTrainingRoomandFinanceConferenceRoomwereequippedwithnewAudio/Video Systems. Mapping softwareTheCityalsobegan migrating to the industry standard ESRI(Environmental Systems Research Institute)GIS (GeographicInformationSystem)mapping software.Now data related toparcels,streets,and the City's utility infrastructure arecontinuallybeinglinkedtothemap.An ESRI-based interactivemapoftheCitywithmultiplelayersofinformationisalsonowavailableontheCityWebsite. II NF O RMA TI O NNFORMATIONSSERVICESERVICES PPUBLICUBLIC WORKSWORKS SSTATISTICSTATISTICS 2007 Employee of the Yearawardrecipientspicturedfromlefttoright:CurtisFortner,Jimmy Lee,LizSpectorandGeorgeJones. In 2008,a proposed Capital Improvement Project will allow forthereplacementofallportableandmobilePublicSafetyradios.Due to age,many of the City's current radios are becomingobsoleteandwillnotmeetupcomingrequirementsforinteroperabilitywithotheragencies.During the terrorist strikeontheWorldTradeCenterin2001,many emergency personnellosttheirliveswhenrespondingagencieswereunabletotalktooneanotherviaradio.Since then,the federal government hasrequiredallPublicSafetyradiosbeProject25compliant. FF I REIRE DD E P A RTMEN TEPARTMENT PPA RKARK DDE P AR TM E N TEPARTMENT CC I TYITY HH A LLALLRRENOVATIONENOVATION 20 07 I2007I NN RR EV IE WEVIEW FF IR EIRE DDE PA R TM ENTEPARTMENT FFIREIRE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT SSTATISTICSTATISTICS PPOLICEOLICE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT SSTATISTICSTATISTICS PP O LI CEOLICE DD EP ART ME N TEPARTMENT PPUBL ICUBLIC WW OR K SORKSDDEPARTMENTEPARTMENT engineers and architects.This new service will dramaticallyimprovetheturnaroundtimefromplansubmittaltobuildingpermitissuance.The CH2M Hill contract will also allow the citytoreallocateexistingresourcesthatwillresultinagreateremphasisonqualityfieldinspections. Engineering divisionResponsibleforoverseeing theplanning,design,andconstructionofallPublicWorkscapitalimprovementprojects,the division in 2007 managednearly$9 million worth ofactivity.On an annual basis,theCityawardscontractsforroutine capital projects such as in-placerecyclingofasphaltpavement,curb and gutter concrete repairs,and the mile-per-year water/sewer/alley replacement.In 2007,themile-per-year program completed replacement of the 4100through4300blocksoftheShenandoah-Stanhope alley.Inadditiontoannualcapitalprojects,the Engineering Divisionoverseesspeciallargeconstructionprojects.The City Hallrenovationisanexampleofthistypeofproject. Operational divisionsTheoperationaldivisions consist of Sanitation,Streets,Utilities,&Traffic. •The Sanitation Division collectsresidentialwastetwiceaweek,commercial dumpsters up to sixtimesperweek,and recycling onceperweek.•The Traffic Division is responsibleformaintainingandrepairingover6,000 traffic signs,33 signalizedintersections,pavement markings,and public parking areas.Inaddition,the Traffic Division performs special projects such asoverseeingtherecentre-striping of Lovers Lane for theinstallationofacontinuousleftturnlanefromBoedekertoHillcrest.•The Streets Division is responsible for maintaining and repairingtheCity's 71 miles of street pavement and 33 miles of alleypavement.In 2007,the division poured over one linear-mile ofconcreteintheCity's alleys.•The Utilities Division maintains the City's water,sanitary sewer,and storm sewer infrastructure,consisting of over 150 miles ofpipe.On occasion the division also installs new water mainsseparatefromtheCity's mile-per-year capital improvementprogram.This year was highlighted by the installation of over200feetofan8-inch water main along Boedeker. In summer 2005,afteryearsofcommunity-widediscussionandcarefulplanning,the City began aphased,three-yearconstructionprojecttoexpandandrenovateitsdistinctiveColonialWilliamsburg-style CityHall.Funded without debtaccordingtoacarefullyconstructed multi-year funding plan,the$20 million project is the largest and most extensive improvementprojectintheCity's history.Throughout the pages of this report,specific components of the project are discussed in some detail. Construction Timeline•June 2005 -City Council holds groundbreakingceremonyforproject,first phase of project(dredging of Turtle Creek channel and pond andconstructionofboxculvertbegins).•Late summer 2006 -Construction starts onadditiontoCityHall.•Summer 2007 -Police Department temporarilyrelocatestotheCity's Peek Service Center.Fire Departmentmovesintocompletednewwing.•May 2008 -Remodel of existing City Hall scheduled to start.•December 2008 -Construction on existing City Hall completed. Building inspection divisionIn2007,construction activity was virtually unchanged incomparisonwiththesamestatisticsfor2006.Despite a drasticslowdowninthehousingsectorandareductionofhousingpermitsatthenationalandregionallevels,new single familypermitstotaled147in2007comparedto149in2006.Totalconstructionvaluesfornewsinglefamilyhomesincreased3percentfrom$203 million in 2006 to $210 million in 2007.Permits for repair and remodel of existing homes declined 7percentfrom187in2006to175in2007. The Building Inspection Division is implementing new planreviewproceduresin2008.The City has contracted with theengineeringfirmCH2MHilltosupplementexistingplanreviewservices.The majority of residential and commercial planssubmittedforbuildingpermitswillbereviewedbythefirm's Re-accreditationInDecember2006 the CommissiononAccreditationforLawEnforcementAgencies,Inc.(CALEA),conducted an on-sitereviewofthePoliceDepartment'saccreditationprogram.Followinganintensereviewofallareasofthedepartment's administration and operation,UPPD was re-accreditedforanotherthree-year period.In its report summary,the on-siteteamofindependentassessorsnoted,"The agency is responsive totheneedsofthecommunityandistrulycommittedtoprovidingthebestlawenforcementservices." Staff promotionsSergeantRobertFlood,a 13-year veteran of the department,waspromotedtotherankofPoliceCaptainandwasplacedinchargeofPoliceOperations.This promotion came about after Captain RobertBrownwasappointedPoliceChieffortheCityofDuncanville,Texas.In conjunction with those moves,Officer Greg Spradlin waspromotedtoPoliceSergeantandwasplacedinchargeoftheCriminalInvestigationDivision. Traffic enforcement unitFollowingtheCityCouncil's approval of three additional positions,the department created a three-officer Traffic Enforcement Unit.All three officers in the unit will have specialized training in trafficaccidentinvestigationandaccidentreconstruction.Two currentofficers,Robbie Keenan and Jonathan Ingelido held such expertisepriortocreationoftheunit,and they have already been assigned totheirnewduties.The department will add a final officer to the unitwhenthedepartment's new officers have completed their training.In addition to working traffic accidents,the officers in thisspecializedunitwillworktargetedareasforspeedingandotherreportedviolationsinneighborhoodsthroughoutthecity. Traffic safetyTrafficsafety on Lovers LanebetweenHillcrestandBoedekercontinuestobeafocusofenforcementefforts.Following therecommendationoftheCity's PublicSafetyAdvisoryCommittee,theCityCouncilapprovedtheinstallation of a continuous left turn laneandtheplacementofadditional"speed monitoring"display boardsalongthatsix-block area.Both enhancements were completed. The department is continuing enforcement in conjunction with a25mphstudythatistakingplaceinthenortheastsectionofthecitybetweenLoversandSouthwesternandBoedekerandHillcrest.At the direction of the City Council,the program seekstodeterminetheextentofvoluntarycomplianceinthepostedneighborhoods. The department has added crossing guards at the intersections ofColgateandTulaneandCaruthandTulane.Traffic studies atbothlocationsdeterminedthattwonewguardswerenecessary.The studies were requested by parents at Hyer ElementarySchool. DARE program and School Resource OfficerIn2007-2008 the Police Department will continue to provide theDAREprogram(Drug Abuse Resistance Education)atMcCullouchIntermediateSchool.Officer Suzette Elwonger isthecurrentDAREinstructor.Since 1994,DARE has sought toprovidesixth-graders at the school with a launching pad forconversationwithpeers,and by extension with parents,on theharmfuleffectsofdrugs,alcohol and tobacco.The DAREprogramisfundedannuallyina75-25 percent split between theCityofUniversityParkandtheTownofHighlandPark. In early 2007,the department assigned a full-time SchoolResourceOfficeratHighlandParkHighSchool.Officer A.J.Sherrill,a five-year veteran of the Department,was selected fortheposition.The majority of Officer Sherrill's time is spent at theschool,where he interacts with students and staff to provide asaferandmoresecurecampusforallconcerned.Officer Sherrillalsoattendson-campus school athletic events and dances and theschool's out-of-town play-off games.The position is fundedannuallyina72-28 percent split between the City and Town. New fire stationInJune2007,uponcompletionofthefirstphaseoftheCityHallrenovationproject,the Fire Departmentmovedintoitsnewlyconstructedfirestation.Forthefirsttimein30yearsallfireapparatus,including thereserveapparatus,is beinghousedatthefirestation.The firefighters'living quarters are vastlyimproved,with private sleeping rooms for each on-duty fireman.The spacious day room and kitchen are both comfortable andfunctional.The new station also has a large patio where they cansitinprivacyandenjoyamealcookedoutside. Fire Chief retirementFireChiefDavidLedbetter retired in February2008,culminating 35 years of service with theCity.The Waters Consulting Group was retainedtorecruitcandidatesforthisposition.A newChiefshouldbenamedbyMarch2008. Emergency management activitiesInSeptember2007,the Mayor and Emergency ManagementCoordinatorattendedaSeniorOfficialsworkshopconductedbyHomelandSecurityandtheTexasA&M Engineering ExtensionService. In October 2007,the Mayor,City Council and DepartmentDirectorsweregivenarefreshercourseontheNationalIncidentManagementSystem(NIMS).Under a Presidential HomelandSecurityDirective,local governments are required to becomeNIMScomplianttomanageandworkwithFederal,State andotherlocalgovernmentsduringtimesofdisaster. The Fire Department staff isbeingtrainedinIC300and400coursesrequiredbyFEMAtobecompliantwithNIMS.These courses are designed forpersonnelwhowillbeinchargeofemergencyincidentsescalatingtoUnifiedCommandanmulti-jurisdiction situations. Emergency warning system upgradesTheCity's All Hazard Emergency Warning System was upgradedin2007.This increased the size and type of the warning sirens andimprovedcoveragetoallpartsofthecity.The new sirens areomni-directional and emit sound 360 degrees simultaneously.Each siren has ten cells which provides for greater sound level andincreasesthedistancethesoundtravels.As with the old system,voice messages can be delivered through loud speakers with pre-recorded messages or live instructions.The new system features aone-touch control panel that simplifies its operation which isstrictlycontrolledbytheFire/Police Communication Centerpersonnel.The new system is equipped with self-diagnosticsoftwarecapableofreportingpotentialproblemswiththeunits.Itisimportanttonote,however,that the outdoor alert system is notintendedtopenetrateintohomesandbusinesses. Re-banding radiosIn2007,the City negotiated a contract with Sprint/Nextel to re-band the radio frequencies used by the Public Safety and PublicWorksdepartments.This effort is mandated by the FederalCommunicationCommission.The contract requires Nextel to re-band the radios to a lower frequency while ensuring that eachagencyhasthesamelevelofservicethatexistedbeforethere-banding.This effort will reduce Nextel's interference with day-to-day Public Safety radio transmissions.The re-banding contractstipulatesthatre-banding must be completed before June 2008. HHUM A NUMAN RRE S O U RCE SESOURCESEmploymentDuringfiscalyear2006-07,the City had an employee turnoverrateof4.8%,with seven of the 12 terminations coming fromserviceretirements.The Human Resources Department hired 57employeesduringthefiscalyear:12 regular fulltimepositionsand45swimmingpoolpositions. City Hall expansion and remodelInconjunctionwiththeremodelandexpansionofCityHall,it wasnecessarytotemporarilyrelocateallemployees,and at the sametime,make sure that continuity ofservicewasmaintainedforcomputingsystems,data,phones,radios,911,and direct alarmmonitoring.A state-of-the-art alternate dispatch center wasconstructedwithnewconsolesandcomputingequipmentatthePeekServiceCenter.The Police,Fire,and EMS computer-aideddispatchsoftware,along with the 911,Public Safety Radio,Direct Alarm Monitoring,Security Camera,and Access ControlSystemswerealsoupgradedtothelatestversionsavailable.Theverysuccessfulrelocationwascompletedinthreephaseswithnolossofservice.As part of the City Hall expansion,the FireTrainingRoomandFinanceConferenceRoomwereequippedwithnewAudio/Video Systems. Mapping softwareTheCityalsobegan migrating to the industry standard ESRI(Environmental Systems Research Institute)GIS (GeographicInformationSystem)mapping software.Now data related toparcels,streets,and the City's utility infrastructure arecontinuallybeinglinkedtothemap.An ESRI-based interactivemapoftheCitywithmultiplelayersofinformationisalsonowavailableontheCityWebsite. II NF O RMA TI O NNFORMATIONSSERVICESERVICES PPUBLICUBLIC WORKSWORKS SSTATISTICSTATISTICS 2007 Employee of the Yearawardrecipientspicturedfromlefttoright:CurtisFortner,Jimmy Lee,LizSpectorandGeorgeJones. In 2008,a proposed Capital Improvement Project will allow forthereplacementofallportableandmobilePublicSafetyradios.Due to age,many of the City's current radios are becomingobsoleteandwillnotmeetupcomingrequirementsforinteroperabilitywithotheragencies.During the terrorist strikeontheWorldTradeCenterin2001,many emergency personnellosttheirliveswhenrespondingagencieswereunabletotalktooneanotherviaradio.Since then,the federal government hasrequiredallPublicSafetyradiosbeProject25compliant. UN I V ER S I TYUNIVERSITYPARKPARKANNUALANNUALREPORTREPORT2007-20 082007-200 8 As Mayor,I am pleased to provide a quick overview concerning the projects and initiatives discussedinmoredetailinthisAnnualReport.During 2007 your City Council,our able City staff,and thoseresidentswhoservevoluntarilyonmorethanadozencommitteesmadegreatprogressforallthosewholiveandworkinthischerishedcommunity. This past year we celebrated the re-birth of Goar Park.In connection with the ongoing renovation ofCityHall,the park now has a brook that runs from the gazebo area into Turtle Creek,new walkwaysandobservationdecks,new trees and landscaping,and two new fountains.In 2007 the FireDepartmentmovedintoitsnewhomeonthewestsideofCityHall.Now,for the first time in 30 years all fireapparatus,including the reserve apparatus,is being housed at the fire station.Moreover,the firefighter living quartersarevastlyimproved,with private sleeping rooms for each on-duty fireman.That wing's second floor is also theFinanceDepartment's new home.By the end of 2008 we anticipate that other City departments will be able to movebacktoafullyrenovatedCityHall.The project's last major piece features expanded work space for the PoliceDepartment,the 911 dispatch center and Municipal Court personnel.Keeping its Colonial Williamsburg look insideandout,City Hall will also have new audio-video equipment in the Council Chamber and renovated office space fortheExecutiveandHumanResourcesDepartments. 2008 will be a banner year for public space city-wide.Water features will soon be in place at Barbara HitzelbergerParkandSisGermanyPark.In the next few months the Park Department will also finalize a Master Plan design forCoffeePark.After a busy summer,renovation work will begin on the Curtis Park Swimming Pool. In 2008 the Northwest Parkway Wall project is scheduled for completion.Running from Airline to Turtle CreekBoulevard,the 10 foot high wall will provide nearby residents with a buffer from the constant traffic on NorthwestHighway.Because the section of Northwest Parkway that has been open to traffic will be permanently closed,we'llalsogainusablespaceinadjacentCoffeePark.Late this year,Public Works is scheduled to start construction on anewboosterpumpstationjustsouthofGermanyPark.The new facility will replace the current booster pump stationthathasbeeninservicesincethe1950's.The booster pump is connected directly to the Dallas County Park CitiesMunicipalUtilityDistricttreatmentplant. Public Safety is always a high priority.In 2007,to reduce speeding on Lovers Lane,a continuous left turn lane wasinstalledinasix-block stretch from Hillcrest to Boedeker.To target traffic and speeding concerns throughout thecity,the City Council approved funding for a three-officer Traffic Enforcement Unit for the Police Department.Toguardagainstpedestrianinjuries,last December,the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones in active school zones. Last month the City Council passed an ordinance requiring the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in all newhomesandduplexes.The ordinance,which takes effect in August,also covers major residential remodeling projects.In addition to providing more protection for our neighborhoods and our firefighters,I believe this measure is a fittingwaytorecognizetheaccomplishmentsanddedicationofFireChiefDavidLedbetter.On the day this report ispresentedtothepublic,David will retire with 35 years of service to University Park. MES SAGEMESSAGE F ROMFROM TH ETHE MAYORMAYOR FF IN A NCEINANCEDDEPARTM EN TEPARTMENT PPARKARK DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTIn2008,the Parks Department will again implement an aggressive parkscapitalimprovementsprogram.The Department will finalize a MasterPlandesignforCoffeePark.Staff is also working with architects onupgradestotheCurtisParkSwimmingPool.The first phase of theprojectwillincludetherenovationofthechildren's pool and theconstructionofawater"sprayground."Construction is scheduled tobegininfall2008withimprovementscompletedintimeforthe2009poolseason. FFINANCEINANCE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTIncreaseinover-65 homestead exemption:Following study by theFinanceAdvisoryCommitteeandCitystaff,in December 2007 the CityCouncilapprovedinconceptanincreaseintheover-65 homesteadexemptionforpropertytaxpayers.Currently the over-65 homesteadexemptionis$50,000.The increased over-65 exemption is intended toprotectover-65 taxpayers from tax hikes related to property valueincreases.Adoption of the higher over-65 exemption is scheduled forearly2008. Other goals for 2008 include orderly relocation of Utility Billing andMunicipalCourttotherenovatedofficespaceinCityHall,usefulanalysisoftheBushPresidentialLibraryimpactontheCity,andenhancementoftheCity's investment portfolio management. IINFORMATIONNFORMATION SSERVICESERVICESThetechnologyspotlightwill again focus on the City Hall remodel. •City Hall will house the primary Police,Fire,and EMS DispatchCenter.The center will be constructed to mirror the alternatedispatchcenterthatwasbuiltin2007.The new center will havethreeconsolepositions.•The reconstruction of the Council Chamber will include theinstallationofnewaudioandvideoequipmentspecificallydesignedtofacilitatemeetingproductionandpresentation.•All other City Hall conference and training rooms will be equippedwithstate-of-the-art audio/video equipment.•The final major technology change related to City Hall will be theintroductionofanewsecuritycamerasystemandelectronicaccesscontrolofthedoorswithIDcards. City budgetRobustfiscal health continues to be a hallmark of the City.TheFiscalYear2008budgettotals$39.6 million,an increase of4.48%.The budget includes increases in water,wastewater,andsanitationrates.For the 13th consecutive year,the City propertytaxratedecreased,as displayed in the chart below.The currentCitytaxrateis26.8 cents per $100 of taxable property value. Capital improvement program (CIP)adoptionInOctober2007theCityCouncilapproved a FY2008 CIPbudgetof$18.4 million as the first year of the five-year CIP.The CIP is the method by which the City identifies,plans,andfundscapitalprojects,which are defined as non-recurring,multi-year efforts totaling over $25,000.Funding for the CIP comesfrommultiplesources,including operating budget transfers,fund balance drawdowns,and interest earnings.During fiscal2007capitalprojectexpenditurestotaled$16.4 million forprojectsliketheCityHallrenovationandaddition,Goar Parkimprovements,Northwest Parkway wall and water line,andalley/underground utility replacement. Comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR)available onWebsiteFinancepersonneladdedthetwomostrecentCAFR's to theCity's Web site.The documents were converted into electronicPDFfilesforplacementonthesiteandarenowavailabletoanyonewithInternetaccess. Implementation of credit card drafting for utility billsJustasresidentscanpaytheirCityutilitybillsby monthlyautomaticbankdraft,they now have the option of paying bymonthlyautomaticchargetoacreditcard.The Utility Billingofficeimplementedthisfeatureinmid-2007.For moreinformation,call 214-987-5320. UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY PARKPARK TAXTAX BASEBASE ANDAND RATESRATES,,FYFY 2003-20072003-2007 The City's 3-1-1 system was launched in December 2006.3-1-1 call takers answer approximately 275 calls per week.Callvolumesincreaseduringholidayperiods.Residents use the 24-hour-a-day number for non-emergency requests for serviceandasasourceforanswerstoawidevarietyofquestionsaboutCityservicesandoperations. Since 2002,through payroll deductions,cash donations and proceeds from themed events,University Park employees have given more than $50,000 to the United Way of MetropolitanDallas.In 2007,with the assistance of a charity-based Rubber Duck Race in the brook at Goar Park,the annual employee fund drive topped $10,000 for the first time. Park ProjectsAnumberof major park improvementprojectswerecompletedin2007. •The installation of park entrance signsatCaruthandGoarPark.•The first two phases of landscapeenhancementstoCityHallandGoarPark.•The installation of Phase I of the City.secondary entrance marker program•The upgrade of lighting at the CurtisParktenniscourts.•The resurfacing of tennis courts atSmithPark.•The installation of electrical upgradestotheSniderPlazafountain Park Projects underway include•Landscape improvements and fountain installation at SisGermanyPark•Completion of the water feature at Barbara Hitzelberger Park,located at the intersection of Lovers and Hillcrest•Phase II of the city-wide secondary street entrance markerprogram.•The installation of landscaping in conjunction with theNorthwestParkwayscreeningwallandtheadjoininggatewayentrancefeatureattheintersectionofHillcrestandNorthwestHighway. Special Event Programs The department hosted two newcommunityeventsin2007.InJune,a Children's FishingDerbywasheldatCaruthPark.More than 130 childrenparticipatedintheevent,whichincludedprizesforthelargestfishandfreehotdogs.In lateNovember,in cooperation withtheSniderPlazaMerchantsAssociation,the department hosted aHolidayTreeLightingCeremony.More than 500 people watched a liveperformancebytheDallasBalletbeforeSantaClausandMayorHolmesflippedtheswitchontheholidaytree.Based ondozensofpositiveresidentcomments,both events will occur annually. In 2008,prior to the annual July 4th Parade,the department willhostitsfirst"Fun Run,"sponsor its annual Arbor Day treeplantingeventwithassistancefromwithlocalelementaryschoolstudentsandcontinuethepopularDive-In Movie program at theCurtisParkPool. PPAR KARK DD EP ART ME N TEPARTMENT PPL ANSLANS FORFOR 20 082008 NNOT AB LE SOTABLES ...... PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKSCapitalprojectscurrently underway and scheduled for completion in2008include: •Northwest Parkway Wall•Reconstruction of sidewalks around Highland Park IndependentSchoolDistrictcampuses.•Booster pump station:One of the more high profile projects scheduledtobeginin2008istheGermanyParkBoosterPumpStation.Built inthe1950's,the existing underground pump station,located south ofGermanyPark,is connected to water coming from the Dallas CountyParkCitiesMunicipalUtilityDistricttreatmentplant.It pumps nearly9milliongallonsperdayintothecity.In the summer of 2002,thepumpstationflooded,and the city lost all ability to pump water into thedistributionsystem.To eliminate the possibility of flooding and toensurereliability,the Engineering Division has worked with anengineeringfirmtodesignanabovegroundfacilitylocatedadjacenttotheexistingpumpstation.Completion of the Germany Park BoosterPumpstationisscheduledforthesummerof2009. PPOLICEOLICE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTGoalsandobjectivesfor 2008 will reflect increased efforts by thedepartmenttoinvolveindividualmembersofthebusinessandresidentialcommunitiesincrimepreventionandpersonalsafetyprogramsandactivities.This strengthened partnership will in turn reduce crimesthroughouttheCity.With the involvement of the Traffic EnforcementUnit,the department will increase roadway enforcement to reduce thepotentialforaccidentrelatedinjuriesanddeaths. FFIREIRE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTCERTProgram:Fire Department personnel have purchased andreceivedresponseequipmenttooutfitcitizenswhowillbecomemembersoftheCommunityEmergencyResponseTeam(CERT).The equipmentwaspurchasedwitha$6,500 federal grant.The department will beginadvertisingforCERTvolunteersbymid-2008.CERT members will betrainedinresponsetechniquestoassisttheirneighborhoodsshouldamajordisasteroccur.Fire and Police personnel will train CERTmembersinfiresafety,light search and rescue techniques,first aid,terrorism awareness,traffic and crowd control,and the IncidentManagementSystem. VVISITISIT THETHE CCITYITY ONLINEONLINE ATAT WWWWWW..UPTEXASUPTEXAS..ORGORG James H.“Blackie”Holmes,IIIMayor UN I V ER S I TYUNIVERSITYPARKPARKANNUALANNUALREPORTREPORT2007-20 082007-200 8 As Mayor,I am pleased to provide a quick overview concerning the projects and initiatives discussedinmoredetailinthisAnnualReport.During 2007 your City Council,our able City staff,and thoseresidentswhoservevoluntarilyonmorethanadozencommitteesmadegreatprogressforallthosewholiveandworkinthischerishedcommunity. This past year we celebrated the re-birth of Goar Park.In connection with the ongoing renovation ofCityHall,the park now has a brook that runs from the gazebo area into Turtle Creek,new walkwaysandobservationdecks,new trees and landscaping,and two new fountains.In 2007 the FireDepartmentmovedintoitsnewhomeonthewestsideofCityHall.Now,for the first time in 30 years all fireapparatus,including the reserve apparatus,is being housed at the fire station.Moreover,the firefighter living quartersarevastlyimproved,with private sleeping rooms for each on-duty fireman.That wing's second floor is also theFinanceDepartment's new home.By the end of 2008 we anticipate that other City departments will be able to movebacktoafullyrenovatedCityHall.The project's last major piece features expanded work space for the PoliceDepartment,the 911 dispatch center and Municipal Court personnel.Keeping its Colonial Williamsburg look insideandout,City Hall will also have new audio-video equipment in the Council Chamber and renovated office space fortheExecutiveandHumanResourcesDepartments. 2008 will be a banner year for public space city-wide.Water features will soon be in place at Barbara HitzelbergerParkandSisGermanyPark.In the next few months the Park Department will also finalize a Master Plan design forCoffeePark.After a busy summer,renovation work will begin on the Curtis Park Swimming Pool. In 2008 the Northwest Parkway Wall project is scheduled for completion.Running from Airline to Turtle CreekBoulevard,the 10 foot high wall will provide nearby residents with a buffer from the constant traffic on NorthwestHighway.Because the section of Northwest Parkway that has been open to traffic will be permanently closed,we'llalsogainusablespaceinadjacentCoffeePark.Late this year,Public Works is scheduled to start construction on anewboosterpumpstationjustsouthofGermanyPark.The new facility will replace the current booster pump stationthathasbeeninservicesincethe1950's.The booster pump is connected directly to the Dallas County Park CitiesMunicipalUtilityDistricttreatmentplant. Public Safety is always a high priority.In 2007,to reduce speeding on Lovers Lane,a continuous left turn lane wasinstalledinasix-block stretch from Hillcrest to Boedeker.To target traffic and speeding concerns throughout thecity,the City Council approved funding for a three-officer Traffic Enforcement Unit for the Police Department.Toguardagainstpedestrianinjuries,last December,the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones in active school zones. Last month the City Council passed an ordinance requiring the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in all newhomesandduplexes.The ordinance,which takes effect in August,also covers major residential remodeling projects.In addition to providing more protection for our neighborhoods and our firefighters,I believe this measure is a fittingwaytorecognizetheaccomplishmentsanddedicationofFireChiefDavidLedbetter.On the day this report ispresentedtothepublic,David will retire with 35 years of service to University Park. MES SAGEMESSAGE F ROMFROM TH ETHE MAYORMAYOR FF IN A NCEINANCEDDEPARTM EN TEPARTMENT PPARKARK DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTIn2008,the Parks Department will again implement an aggressive parkscapitalimprovementsprogram.The Department will finalize a MasterPlandesignforCoffeePark.Staff is also working with architects onupgradestotheCurtisParkSwimmingPool.The first phase of theprojectwillincludetherenovationofthechildren's pool and theconstructionofawater"sprayground."Construction is scheduled tobegininfall2008withimprovementscompletedintimeforthe2009poolseason. FFINANCEINANCE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTIncreaseinover-65 homestead exemption:Following study by theFinanceAdvisoryCommitteeandCitystaff,in December 2007 the CityCouncilapprovedinconceptanincreaseintheover-65 homesteadexemptionforpropertytaxpayers.Currently the over-65 homesteadexemptionis$50,000.The increased over-65 exemption is intended toprotectover-65 taxpayers from tax hikes related to property valueincreases.Adoption of the higher over-65 exemption is scheduled forearly2008. Other goals for 2008 include orderly relocation of Utility Billing andMunicipalCourttotherenovatedofficespaceinCityHall,usefulanalysisoftheBushPresidentialLibraryimpactontheCity,andenhancementoftheCity's investment portfolio management. IINFORMATIONNFORMATION SSERVICESERVICESThetechnologyspotlightwill again focus on the City Hall remodel. •City Hall will house the primary Police,Fire,and EMS DispatchCenter.The center will be constructed to mirror the alternatedispatchcenterthatwasbuiltin2007.The new center will havethreeconsolepositions.•The reconstruction of the Council Chamber will include theinstallationofnewaudioandvideoequipmentspecificallydesignedtofacilitatemeetingproductionandpresentation.•All other City Hall conference and training rooms will be equippedwithstate-of-the-art audio/video equipment.•The final major technology change related to City Hall will be theintroductionofanewsecuritycamerasystemandelectronicaccesscontrolofthedoorswithIDcards. City budgetRobustfiscal health continues to be a hallmark of the City.TheFiscalYear2008budgettotals$39.6 million,an increase of4.48%.The budget includes increases in water,wastewater,andsanitationrates.For the 13th consecutive year,the City propertytaxratedecreased,as displayed in the chart below.The currentCitytaxrateis26.8 cents per $100 of taxable property value. Capital improvement program (CIP)adoptionInOctober2007theCityCouncilapproved a FY2008 CIPbudgetof$18.4 million as the first year of the five-year CIP.The CIP is the method by which the City identifies,plans,andfundscapitalprojects,which are defined as non-recurring,multi-year efforts totaling over $25,000.Funding for the CIP comesfrommultiplesources,including operating budget transfers,fund balance drawdowns,and interest earnings.During fiscal2007capitalprojectexpenditurestotaled$16.4 million forprojectsliketheCityHallrenovationandaddition,Goar Parkimprovements,Northwest Parkway wall and water line,andalley/underground utility replacement. Comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR)available onWebsiteFinancepersonneladdedthetwomostrecentCAFR's to theCity's Web site.The documents were converted into electronicPDFfilesforplacementonthesiteandarenowavailabletoanyonewithInternetaccess. Implementation of credit card drafting for utility billsJustasresidentscanpaytheirCityutilitybillsby monthlyautomaticbankdraft,they now have the option of paying bymonthlyautomaticchargetoacreditcard.The Utility Billingofficeimplementedthisfeatureinmid-2007.For moreinformation,call 214-987-5320. UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY PARKPARK TAXTAX BASEBASE ANDAND RATESRATES,,FYFY 2003-20072003-2007 The City's 3-1-1 system was launched in December 2006.3-1-1 call takers answer approximately 275 calls per week.Callvolumesincreaseduringholidayperiods.Residents use the 24-hour-a-day number for non-emergency requests for serviceandasasourceforanswerstoawidevarietyofquestionsaboutCityservicesandoperations. Since 2002,through payroll deductions,cash donations and proceeds from themed events,University Park employees have given more than $50,000 to the United Way of MetropolitanDallas.In 2007,with the assistance of a charity-based Rubber Duck Race in the brook at Goar Park,the annual employee fund drive topped $10,000 for the first time. Park ProjectsAnumberof major park improvementprojectswerecompletedin2007. •The installation of park entrance signsatCaruthandGoarPark.•The first two phases of landscapeenhancementstoCityHallandGoarPark.•The installation of Phase I of the City.secondary entrance marker program•The upgrade of lighting at the CurtisParktenniscourts.•The resurfacing of tennis courts atSmithPark.•The installation of electrical upgradestotheSniderPlazafountain Park Projects underway include•Landscape improvements and fountain installation at SisGermanyPark•Completion of the water feature at Barbara Hitzelberger Park,located at the intersection of Lovers and Hillcrest•Phase II of the city-wide secondary street entrance markerprogram.•The installation of landscaping in conjunction with theNorthwestParkwayscreeningwallandtheadjoininggatewayentrancefeatureattheintersectionofHillcrestandNorthwestHighway. Special Event Programs The department hosted two newcommunityeventsin2007.InJune,a Children's FishingDerbywasheldatCaruthPark.More than 130 childrenparticipatedintheevent,whichincludedprizesforthelargestfishandfreehotdogs.In lateNovember,in cooperation withtheSniderPlazaMerchantsAssociation,the department hosted aHolidayTreeLightingCeremony.More than 500 people watched a liveperformancebytheDallasBalletbeforeSantaClausandMayorHolmesflippedtheswitchontheholidaytree.Based ondozensofpositiveresidentcomments,both events will occur annually. In 2008,prior to the annual July 4th Parade,the department willhostitsfirst"Fun Run,"sponsor its annual Arbor Day treeplantingeventwithassistancefromwithlocalelementaryschoolstudentsandcontinuethepopularDive-In Movie program at theCurtisParkPool. PPAR KARK DD EP ART ME N TEPARTMENT PPL ANSLANS FORFOR 20 082008 NNOT AB LE SOTABLES ...... PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKSCapitalprojectscurrently underway and scheduled for completion in2008include: •Northwest Parkway Wall•Reconstruction of sidewalks around Highland Park IndependentSchoolDistrictcampuses.•Booster pump station:One of the more high profile projects scheduledtobeginin2008istheGermanyParkBoosterPumpStation.Built inthe1950's,the existing underground pump station,located south ofGermanyPark,is connected to water coming from the Dallas CountyParkCitiesMunicipalUtilityDistricttreatmentplant.It pumps nearly9milliongallonsperdayintothecity.In the summer of 2002,thepumpstationflooded,and the city lost all ability to pump water into thedistributionsystem.To eliminate the possibility of flooding and toensurereliability,the Engineering Division has worked with anengineeringfirmtodesignanabovegroundfacilitylocatedadjacenttotheexistingpumpstation.Completion of the Germany Park BoosterPumpstationisscheduledforthesummerof2009. PPOLICEOLICE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTGoalsandobjectivesfor 2008 will reflect increased efforts by thedepartmenttoinvolveindividualmembersofthebusinessandresidentialcommunitiesincrimepreventionandpersonalsafetyprogramsandactivities.This strengthened partnership will in turn reduce crimesthroughouttheCity.With the involvement of the Traffic EnforcementUnit,the department will increase roadway enforcement to reduce thepotentialforaccidentrelatedinjuriesanddeaths. FFIREIRE DDEPARTMENTEPARTMENTCERTProgram:Fire Department personnel have purchased andreceivedresponseequipmenttooutfitcitizenswhowillbecomemembersoftheCommunityEmergencyResponseTeam(CERT).The equipmentwaspurchasedwitha$6,500 federal grant.The department will beginadvertisingforCERTvolunteersbymid-2008.CERT members will betrainedinresponsetechniquestoassisttheirneighborhoodsshouldamajordisasteroccur.Fire and Police personnel will train CERTmembersinfiresafety,light search and rescue techniques,first aid,terrorism awareness,traffic and crowd control,and the IncidentManagementSystem. VVISITISIT THETHE CCITYITY ONLINEONLINE ATAT WWWWWW..UPTEXASUPTEXAS..ORGORG James H.“Blackie”Holmes,IIIMayor