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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual_Report 2008 to 2009UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITYPPARKARKANNUALANNUALREPORREPORTT2008-20092008-2009MMAAYORYOR’’SS MMESSAGEESSAGE FF INANCEINANCE CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT•The Department will continue to work with committees and City Council on modifications for single-family and multi-family design standards.PPARKARK DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•Coffee Park - The Council has approved funding to ren-ovate the park and install landscaping along the Northwest Highway screening wall, make median improvements at the intersection of Hillcrest and Northwest Highway, and improve landscaping in Artha Garza Park. These projects will be constructed jointly and are scheduled to be finished in fall 2009. •Smith Park - City Staff is finalizing construction docu-ments for upgrades to the park and will begin seeking bids for the project in spring 2009. •Curtis Park Pool - Staff is preparing the pool’s Phase II Master Plan. Improvements will include a zero-depth beach entry and a water slide. The project is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2010 pool season. FFINANCEINANCE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department will complete the orderly relocation of Utility Billing and Municipal Court to renovated office space in City Hall.•Useful analysis of the Bush Presidential Library’s impact on the City will be performed. •The City's online credit card processing function will be enhanced.IINFORMANFORMATIONTION SSERERVICESVICES•The Department will complete City Hall security system upgrades, including the installation of a new security camera system and an electronic “card-key”access/entry system.•The Department will convert UPPD incident reports tothe City’s LaserFiche & Document Imaging System andimplement wireless EMS reporting for the Fire Department. UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY PPARKARK TTAXAX BASEBASE ANDAND RARATESTES,,FYFY 2004-20082004-2008 PP LANSLANS FORFOR 20092009 VVISITISIT THETHE CCITYITY ONLINEONLINE AATT WWWWWW..UPTEXASUPTEXAS..ORGORG PPOLICEOLICE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department’s Direct Alarm Monitoring program plans to increase customers in 2009 through public education and advertising in the New Resident packets. •Through the electronic sharing of files, the Department will improve information sharing and collaboration with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and other Dallas County criminal justice agencies. •To reduce further the potential for traffic related injuries and deaths, the Department’s traffic unit will continue directed traffic enforcement efforts. •Parking enforcement will increase in Snider Plaza through the use of the “AutoChalk”photo enforcement system. This vehicle-mounted equipment will help turn parking spaces over faster and reduce abuse of parking regulations.•In September, the Department will welcome home Officer A. J. Sherrill from active duty in Afghanistan. FFIREIRE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department plans to upgrade the current training facility on Fondren Drive. This will allow the Department to conduct more scenario-based training for personnel. Currently this type of training must be conducted outsidethe city. PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKS•The Germany Park water booster pumping station will be replaced. The $3.5 million improvement will replace a sixty-year-old facility and provide more efficiency and reli-ability. Construction should be completed by early 2010. •Permanent metering stations will be installed at key locations in the City's sanitary sewer system to track flows from the City and aid in the reduction of infiltration and inflow. •Bids will be let for the next “mile per year”project tore-place water and sanitary sewer lines and pavement in various alleys. City budget Adopted in September 2008, the Fiscal Year 2009 budgettotals $41.7 million, an increase of 5.52%. Balancing thebudget was made more difficult by sharply rising costs forfuel, electricity, and health care, which contrasted with flat orfalling revenues from sales taxes and building permits. Thebudget includes 10% increases in water and wastewatercharges and a 5% increase in sanitation and recycling rates.The City deleted three full-time positions from its work-force. For the 13th consecutive year, the City property taxrate decreased, as displayed in the chart. The current Citytax rate is 26.5 cents per $100 of taxable property value. Capital improvement program (CIP) The FY2009 CIPbudget of $15.8 million is the first year ofthe five-year CIP.The CIPis the method by which the Cityidentifies, plans, and funds capital projects, which aredefined as non-recurring, multi-year efforts totaling over$25,000. Funding for the CIP comes from multiple sources,including operating budget transfers, fund balance draw-downs, and interest earnings. The City is debt-free and usesno debt for capital projects. The FY2009 CIP budgetincludes projects like completion of the City Hall renovation($3.7 million), construction of a new water booster pumpstation ($3.5 million), Preston Road water line replacement($1.5 million), and replacement of alley and utility lines($2.5 million).Awards and accomplishmentsThe City received two national financial awards this year.For the eighth year in a row, the National Purchasing Insti-tute (NPI)awarded University Park the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award. Purchasing AgentChristine Green and Purchasing Assistant Sandy Perkinsmanage the City’s procurement operations. For the ninthconsecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Asso-ciation (GFOA) awarded the City the Certificate ofAchievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Con-troller Tom Tvardzik and the City's accounting staff pre-pare the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)that is the basis for the Award. The CAFR is available asaPDF file on the City's Web site. 2008 was a memorable year for the City of University Park. As referencedthroughout this report, the City put the finishing touches on the largest and mostextensive improvement project in the City’s history. Our newly refurbished CityHall is now ready to serve the needs of staff and residents alike for decades tocome. On behalf of my City Council colleagues I want to thank all of our “dis-placed” employees for maintaining their “can-do” attitudes through the monthsof construction, dust and disarray. Likewise, I appreciate how graciously thoseresidents who live near City Hall handled the noise, traffic congestion and lackof on-street parking that accompanied the months of construction. As our commitment to excellence continues in 2009, I’m proud to report that 96% of residentswho responded to our 2008 Community Survey reported they were “very satisfied”or “satisfied”with the City services and programs and that, again in 2008, D Magazine named University Parkas the “best suburb’in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. CC ITYITY HHALLALL RR EOPENSEOPENSPhased construction project began in summer 2005February and March 2009 will be remembered as a special time in the City’s long and accom-plished history. February 21, after being housed for 18 months in temporary quarters, staff fromthe Executive Department, Municipal Court, Utility Billing and Human Resources moved intotheir new workspace inside a fully renovated City Hall. In March, the City Council held its firstmeeting in the fully refurbished Council Chamber and Police Department personnel and 9-1-1 staffcompleted the move-in process. Thirty years after the last renovation, in summer 2005 the City began a phased, multi-year projectto expand and renovate its distinctive Colonial Williamsburg-style City Hall.Funded without debtaccording to a carefully followed funding plan, the effort is the largest and most extensiveimprovement project in the City's history.Nearly $14 million of the project's $21 million price taginvolved City Hall enhancements. The rest of the project's expenditures provided for alterationsto the City's Peek Service Center ($2 million), the installation of a box culvert over Turtle Creek($3.5 million) and enhancements to Goar Park ($1.5 million). Like the building's west wing that was finished in summer 2007 and houses the Fire Department,the refurbished portions of City Hall will benefit staff and residents alike with larger work, train-ing and public space. The building also has state-of-the-art technology, especially in the City'snew 9-1-1 center and meeting rooms. PPARKSARKSPark Maintenance Along with the daily mainte-nance of landscape totalingmore than 60 acres of parkland, the Park Department isannually involved in projectsto enhance the overallappearance of the park sys-tem and our community. Park Projects Major park improvements completed in 2008: •Phase III of the City's Secondary Entrance Marker Program•Tennis court lighting upgrades to Burleson, Caruth and Williams Park •Landscape renovations to Byrd Park Projects started in 2008: •Modification of Barbara Hitzelberger Park•Installation of new landscaping at City Hall•Construction of a "sprayground" at Curtis Park Pool, to be completed in time for the 2009 pool seasonPark Department special events in 2008: •Children's Fishing Derby at Caruth Park in June•1st annual Independence Day Fun Run in July•Annual Arbor Day observance in November•Second annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony in cooperation with the Snider Plaza Merchants Associationin December. An estmated 1500 people attended. HHUMANUMAN RRESOURCESESOURCESEmploymentDuring fiscal year 2007-08, the City had an employeeturnover rate of 6.2%, with five of the 15 terminations comingfrom service retirements. The Human Resources Departmentoversaw the hiring of 73 full-time, part-time and seasonalemployees during the fiscal year. Plans for2009The Department will conduct ethics training for all Board and Committee appointees and all City employees. 3-1-1 systemThe 3-1-1 system was launched in December 2006. Resi-dents use the 24-hour-a-day number for non-emergencycalls for service and information. In 2008,3-1-1 call-takers answered approximately340 calls a week. The highest weekly callvolume was 570, whichoccurred the weekthat new recycling bins were delivered to allhouseholds. 2008-2009 annual report.qxp 2/17/09 2:42 PM Page 1 PPOLICEOLICE SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITYDDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKS The Sanitation Division collects resi-dential solid waste twice a week andrecycling, brush and yard waste once aweek. Commercial waste and recyclingdumpsters are emptied up to six times aweek. In 2008, to encourage greaterrecycling, the Division delivered recy-cling bins and dumpsters to all households. II NFORMANFORMATIONTIONSSERERVICESVICES PPUBLICUBLIC WORKSWORKS SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS 2008 brought unique opportunities for the Information Services Department. •In conjunction with the remodel and expansion of City Hall, new tech- nology for audio and video presentation was designed for all conference rooms and the Council Chamber. •The City implemented an automated City Council agenda preparation process. •The Department initiated the first phase of a City Council meeting management system that will provide touch screens for each Councilmember and audio and video streaming to the City's Web site.•GIS (Geographic Information Systems) capabilities were enhanced by linking property plats and fire pre-plans to City maps, as well as wireless 911 calls for some carriers.•Right-of-way imagery was collected for all streets and alleys and a City storm sewer map was created. Engineering Division During 2008, Engineering Division staff managed the plan-ning, design, and construction of nearly $9 million in capitalprojects. The City annually awards contracts for routine cap-ital projects such as in-place recycling of asphalt pavement,curb and gutter replacement,and the "mile-per-year" (MPY)water and sanitary sewerreplacement program. Duringthe past year, construction wascompleted on the MPYprojectin the Shenandoah-Stanhopealley, between Preston andArmstrong. In addition toannual projects, engineeringstaff worked on several special large construction projectsduring 2008 including: •Northwest Highway screening wall•12" water main on Northwest Parkway,from Airline west to Thackery and south on Hillcrest, from Northwest Parkway to Marquette•Reduction of infiltration-inflow with a sanitary sewer evaluation survey •Planning and design of the water booster pumping stationin Germany Park•Development of a master plan for replacement of drainage structures at University Blvd. and McFarlin Blvd. and the McElvaney damsouth ofWilliams Park•12" water main along Preston Road from Bryn Mawr north to WentwoodOperational DivisionsThe operational divisions of the City consist of InfrastructureMaintenance, Traffic, Sanitation and Facility Maintenance.In 2008, the Streets and Utilities Divisions were combined toform the Infrastructure Maintenance Division. This Divisionis responsible for maintaining and repairing the City's 71miles of street pavement, 33 miles of alley pavement, 74miles of water mains, 61 miles of sanitary sewer mains, 16miles of storm sewer mains, and 463 fire hydrants. In 2008,the Division poured over a linear-mile of concrete in theCity's alleys. The Division also repaired 138 water mainbreaks. The Division is also responsible for maintainingintersections and repairing over 6,000 traffic control devicesincluding traffic signals, decorative street lights, school zoneflashers, pavement markings and public parking areas. Inaddition, Traffic personnel performed special projects likethe installation of reflective striping material on over 1,000sign poles. In 2008, City services for codeenforcement, building inspections,and planning & zoning were reor-ganized into a new departmentnamed Community Development.Before reorganization, these func-tions were housed in the PublicWorks Department. The changewas made to improve the qualityof service provided to the commu-nity and to establish better and more thorough processes forthe planning, inspection, and code enforcement functions.The department reorganization includes the hiring of a ChiefBuilding Official. The City expects to fill the position inspring 2009. The University Park housing market experienced significantchange in 2008. The national downturn in the housing sec-tor was reflected locally with a 40 percent decline in permitsfor new residential construction. New residential construc-tion permits totaled 84 in 2008 compared to 147 in 2007.Total construction values for new single family homesdecreased 30 percent from $137 million in 2007 to $92 million in 2008. PP OLICEOLICECommunity Services •Officer A. J. Sherrill was activated for a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the United States Army Reserves. Officer Jennifer Transou was assigned to replace Officer Sherrill as the School Resource Officer. •The Department participated in Shattered Dreams with Highland Park ISD. The program helps students understand the seriousness of drinking alcohol. Amock car crash involving a teenage drunk driver was staged so that students could watch the accident and the numerous consequences unfold. •The Department continued to provide an officer for the D.A.R.E. program at McCullough Intermediate School. Personnel The Department joined the HighIntensity Drug Task Force forNorth Texas. The federally-fundedtask force is part of the U.S. Officeof National Drug Control Policy.That office is focused on reducingdrug manufacturing, traffickingand drug-related crimes. In January 2008, Captain Robert Flood attended the FBINational Academy.The ten-week course enhances the per-sonal and professional development of law enforcement lead-ers. Officers can take undergraduate and/or graduate levelcourses on the Quantico, Virginia campus in: Law, BehavioralScience, Forensic Science, Leadership Development, Com-munication and Health/Fitness. Traffic SafetyIn January 2008, the Department began enforcing UniversityPark's ban on cell phone usage by drivers in school zones.The ordinance, adopted in December 2007, also prohibitsmotorists from placing or responding to text messages whiledriving in school zones. In response to resident concerns, the Department increasedenforcement of trucks that violate weight limits (those overtwo-and-a-half tons) on Lovers Lane between Hillcrest andPreston. The third position of the Department's Traffic Unit was filledby Officer Al Rosales. The specialized traffic unit works traffic accidents and is assigned towork targeted neighborhoods forspeeders and other reported violations.The Department recorded a 7.74 per-cent decrease in traffic accidents in2008. The Department also purchased “AutoChalk,” a state-of-the-art digital imaging technology to better detect parkingspace time violations. Installed in the parking enforcementofficer's vehicle, AutoChalk records the location anddescription of parked vehicles and alerts the enforcementofficer when there is a violation. 2008 20072006 FF IREIREPersonnel Fire Chief - In June 2008, Randy Howell joined the Univer-sity Park Fire Department as the Department's new FireChief. Aveteran in the fire service, ChiefHowell has 24 years of operational andadministrative experience. He is also agraduate of the National Fire Academy'sExecutive Fire Officer Program. Assistant Fire Marshal - In April 2008, Margaret Corn wasselected as the City's first Assistant Fire Marshal. Margaretcame to the Department from the Little Elm Fire Depart-ment. She has more than 15 years of fire service experienceand extensive knowledge in fire codes, inspections andinvestigations. She is actively involved in public safety edu-cation and oversees the City's newly organized CommunityEmergency Response Team. Battalion Chief - In October 2008, Rusty Massey, a 10-yearmember of the Department, was promoted to this position.He filled the position vacated by the promotion of ShaneLeCroy to Assistant Fire Chief. HonorGuard In 2008, the Department added to its tradi-tion by forming an Honor Guard. The unitconsists of six Department members. TheHonor Guard serves the community andthe Department as a visual reminder of thefire service and its traditions through par-ticipating in various ceremonies, parades,athletic events and funerals. Emergency management activities Department officers have been trained in ICS 300 and 400courses required by FEMAto be compliant with the Nation-al Incident Management System (NIMS). These Departmentof Homeland Security courses prepare officers to manageboth routine and large scale, multijurisdictional emergencies. Along with numerous other local public safety agencies anddepartments, staff participated in a table-top exercise atSouthern Methodist University covering evacuation of FordStadium and Emergency Incident Planning. After completing extensive trainingunder Department supervision, the firsteight graduates of University Park'sCommunity Emergency ResponseTeam (CERT) are now ready to respondand assist the City's public safety per-sonnel. CERTwill greatly enhance theCity's ability to effectively respond tothe needs of residents by providingassistance in many emergency and non-emergency situationslike: weather related incidents, missing person searches,evacuations and incident perimeter maintenance. Fire prevention In 2008, successful fire prevention efforts resulted in thereduction of the largest amount of fire loss since 2000. Thetotal fire loss for 2008 in the city was $293,602. There wereno fire fatalities in 2008 and only one fire-related injury. In January 2008, the City Council passed a residential firesprinkler ordinance. Enforcement of the ordinance beganAugust 1, 2008. All new construction must now have auto-matic fire sprinkler systems installed, including one-and two-family dwellings. Residential building with additions greaterthan 4,000 sq. ft. of total floor area and greater than 30% ofthe original floor area must also have fire sprinkler systems.This ordinance will enhance community safety by control-ling fire in its early stage of development. New Equipment The Department replaced its 2001Chevrolet Tahoe command vehi-cle with a 2007 Chevrolet Subur-ban to enhance incident manage-ment capability by shift supervi-sors. The vehicle is fitted with aheavy-duty winch for various res-cue situations. The Departmenthas also added a 2008 ChevroletColorado to its fleet. This vehicle is assigned to the fire pre-vention efforts and the Assistant Fire Marshal. CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS FFIREIRE SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS 2008-2009 annual report.qxp 2/17/09 2:42 PM Page 2 PPOLICEOLICE SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITYDDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKS The Sanitation Division collects resi-dential solid waste twice a week andrecycling, brush and yard waste once aweek. Commercial waste and recyclingdumpsters are emptied up to six times aweek. In 2008, to encourage greaterrecycling, the Division delivered recy-cling bins and dumpsters to all households. II NFORMANFORMATIONTIONSSERERVICESVICES PPUBLICUBLIC WORKSWORKS SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS 2008 brought unique opportunities for the Information Services Department. •In conjunction with the remodel and expansion of City Hall, new tech- nology for audio and video presentation was designed for all conference rooms and the Council Chamber. •The City implemented an automated City Council agenda preparation process. •The Department initiated the first phase of a City Council meeting management system that will provide touch screens for each Councilmember and audio and video streaming to the City's Web site.•GIS (Geographic Information Systems) capabilities were enhanced by linking property plats and fire pre-plans to City maps, as well as wireless 911 calls for some carriers.•Right-of-way imagery was collected for all streets and alleys and a City storm sewer map was created. Engineering Division During 2008, Engineering Division staff managed the plan-ning, design, and construction of nearly $9 million in capitalprojects. The City annually awards contracts for routine cap-ital projects such as in-place recycling of asphalt pavement,curb and gutter replacement,and the "mile-per-year" (MPY)water and sanitary sewerreplacement program. Duringthe past year, construction wascompleted on the MPYprojectin the Shenandoah-Stanhopealley, between Preston andArmstrong. In addition toannual projects, engineeringstaff worked on several special large construction projectsduring 2008 including: •Northwest Highway screening wall•12" water main on Northwest Parkway,from Airline west to Thackery and south on Hillcrest, from Northwest Parkway to Marquette•Reduction of infiltration-inflow with a sanitary sewer evaluation survey •Planning and design of the water booster pumping stationin Germany Park•Development of a master plan for replacement of drainage structures at University Blvd. and McFarlin Blvd. and the McElvaney damsouth ofWilliams Park•12" water main along Preston Road from Bryn Mawr north to WentwoodOperational DivisionsThe operational divisions of the City consist of InfrastructureMaintenance, Traffic, Sanitation and Facility Maintenance.In 2008, the Streets and Utilities Divisions were combined toform the Infrastructure Maintenance Division. This Divisionis responsible for maintaining and repairing the City's 71miles of street pavement, 33 miles of alley pavement, 74miles of water mains, 61 miles of sanitary sewer mains, 16miles of storm sewer mains, and 463 fire hydrants. In 2008,the Division poured over a linear-mile of concrete in theCity's alleys. The Division also repaired 138 water mainbreaks. The Division is also responsible for maintainingintersections and repairing over 6,000 traffic control devicesincluding traffic signals, decorative street lights, school zoneflashers, pavement markings and public parking areas. Inaddition, Traffic personnel performed special projects likethe installation of reflective striping material on over 1,000sign poles. In 2008, City services for codeenforcement, building inspections,and planning & zoning were reor-ganized into a new departmentnamed Community Development.Before reorganization, these func-tions were housed in the PublicWorks Department. The changewas made to improve the qualityof service provided to the commu-nity and to establish better and more thorough processes forthe planning, inspection, and code enforcement functions.The department reorganization includes the hiring of a ChiefBuilding Official. The City expects to fill the position inspring 2009. The University Park housing market experienced significantchange in 2008. The national downturn in the housing sec-tor was reflected locally with a 40 percent decline in permitsfor new residential construction. New residential construc-tion permits totaled 84 in 2008 compared to 147 in 2007.Total construction values for new single family homesdecreased 30 percent from $137 million in 2007 to $92 million in 2008. PP OLICEOLICECommunity Services •Officer A. J. Sherrill was activated for a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the United States Army Reserves. Officer Jennifer Transou was assigned to replace Officer Sherrill as the School Resource Officer. •The Department participated in Shattered Dreams with Highland Park ISD. The program helps students understand the seriousness of drinking alcohol. Amock car crash involving a teenage drunk driver was staged so that students could watch the accident and the numerous consequences unfold. •The Department continued to provide an officer for the D.A.R.E. program at McCullough Intermediate School. Personnel The Department joined the HighIntensity Drug Task Force forNorth Texas. The federally-fundedtask force is part of the U.S. Officeof National Drug Control Policy.That office is focused on reducingdrug manufacturing, traffickingand drug-related crimes. In January 2008, Captain Robert Flood attended the FBINational Academy.The ten-week course enhances the per-sonal and professional development of law enforcement lead-ers. Officers can take undergraduate and/or graduate levelcourses on the Quantico, Virginia campus in: Law, BehavioralScience, Forensic Science, Leadership Development, Com-munication and Health/Fitness. Traffic SafetyIn January 2008, the Department began enforcing UniversityPark's ban on cell phone usage by drivers in school zones.The ordinance, adopted in December 2007, also prohibitsmotorists from placing or responding to text messages whiledriving in school zones. In response to resident concerns, the Department increasedenforcement of trucks that violate weight limits (those overtwo-and-a-half tons) on Lovers Lane between Hillcrest andPreston. The third position of the Department's Traffic Unit was filledby Officer Al Rosales. The specialized traffic unit works traffic accidents and is assigned towork targeted neighborhoods forspeeders and other reported violations.The Department recorded a 7.74 per-cent decrease in traffic accidents in2008. The Department also purchased “AutoChalk,” a state-of-the-art digital imaging technology to better detect parkingspace time violations. Installed in the parking enforcementofficer's vehicle, AutoChalk records the location anddescription of parked vehicles and alerts the enforcementofficer when there is a violation. 2008 20072006 FF IREIREPersonnel Fire Chief - In June 2008, Randy Howell joined the Univer-sity Park Fire Department as the Department's new FireChief. Aveteran in the fire service, ChiefHowell has 24 years of operational andadministrative experience. He is also agraduate of the National Fire Academy'sExecutive Fire Officer Program. Assistant Fire Marshal - In April 2008, Margaret Corn wasselected as the City's first Assistant Fire Marshal. Margaretcame to the Department from the Little Elm Fire Depart-ment. She has more than 15 years of fire service experienceand extensive knowledge in fire codes, inspections andinvestigations. She is actively involved in public safety edu-cation and oversees the City's newly organized CommunityEmergency Response Team. Battalion Chief - In October 2008, Rusty Massey, a 10-yearmember of the Department, was promoted to this position.He filled the position vacated by the promotion of ShaneLeCroy to Assistant Fire Chief. HonorGuard In 2008, the Department added to its tradi-tion by forming an Honor Guard. The unitconsists of six Department members. TheHonor Guard serves the community andthe Department as a visual reminder of thefire service and its traditions through par-ticipating in various ceremonies, parades,athletic events and funerals. Emergency management activities Department officers have been trained in ICS 300 and 400courses required by FEMAto be compliant with the Nation-al Incident Management System (NIMS). These Departmentof Homeland Security courses prepare officers to manageboth routine and large scale, multijurisdictional emergencies. Along with numerous other local public safety agencies anddepartments, staff participated in a table-top exercise atSouthern Methodist University covering evacuation of FordStadium and Emergency Incident Planning. After completing extensive trainingunder Department supervision, the firsteight graduates of University Park'sCommunity Emergency ResponseTeam (CERT) are now ready to respondand assist the City's public safety per-sonnel. CERTwill greatly enhance theCity's ability to effectively respond tothe needs of residents by providingassistance in many emergency and non-emergency situationslike: weather related incidents, missing person searches,evacuations and incident perimeter maintenance. Fire prevention In 2008, successful fire prevention efforts resulted in thereduction of the largest amount of fire loss since 2000. Thetotal fire loss for 2008 in the city was $293,602. There wereno fire fatalities in 2008 and only one fire-related injury. In January 2008, the City Council passed a residential firesprinkler ordinance. Enforcement of the ordinance beganAugust 1, 2008. All new construction must now have auto-matic fire sprinkler systems installed, including one-and two-family dwellings. Residential building with additions greaterthan 4,000 sq. ft. of total floor area and greater than 30% ofthe original floor area must also have fire sprinkler systems.This ordinance will enhance community safety by control-ling fire in its early stage of development. New Equipment The Department replaced its 2001Chevrolet Tahoe command vehi-cle with a 2007 Chevrolet Subur-ban to enhance incident manage-ment capability by shift supervi-sors. The vehicle is fitted with aheavy-duty winch for various res-cue situations. The Departmenthas also added a 2008 ChevroletColorado to its fleet. This vehicle is assigned to the fire pre-vention efforts and the Assistant Fire Marshal. CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS FFIREIRE SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS 2008-2009 annual report.qxp 2/17/09 2:42 PM Page 2 PPOLICEOLICE SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITYDDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKS The Sanitation Division collects resi-dential solid waste twice a week andrecycling, brush and yard waste once aweek. Commercial waste and recyclingdumpsters are emptied up to six times aweek. In 2008, to encourage greaterrecycling, the Division delivered recy-cling bins and dumpsters to all households. II NFORMANFORMATIONTIONSSERERVICESVICES PPUBLICUBLIC WORKSWORKS SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS 2008 brought unique opportunities for the Information Services Department. •In conjunction with the remodel and expansion of City Hall, new tech- nology for audio and video presentation was designed for all conference rooms and the Council Chamber. •The City implemented an automated City Council agenda preparation process. •The Department initiated the first phase of a City Council meeting management system that will provide touch screens for each Councilmember and audio and video streaming to the City's Web site.•GIS (Geographic Information Systems) capabilities were enhanced by linking property plats and fire pre-plans to City maps, as well as wireless 911 calls for some carriers.•Right-of-way imagery was collected for all streets and alleys and a City storm sewer map was created. Engineering Division During 2008, Engineering Division staff managed the plan-ning, design, and construction of nearly $9 million in capitalprojects. The City annually awards contracts for routine cap-ital projects such as in-place recycling of asphalt pavement,curb and gutter replacement,and the "mile-per-year" (MPY)water and sanitary sewerreplacement program. Duringthe past year, construction wascompleted on the MPYprojectin the Shenandoah-Stanhopealley, between Preston andArmstrong. In addition toannual projects, engineeringstaff worked on several special large construction projectsduring 2008 including: •Northwest Highway screening wall•12" water main on Northwest Parkway,from Airline west to Thackery and south on Hillcrest, from Northwest Parkway to Marquette•Reduction of infiltration-inflow with a sanitary sewer evaluation survey •Planning and design of the water booster pumping stationin Germany Park•Development of a master plan for replacement of drainage structures at University Blvd. and McFarlin Blvd. and the McElvaney damsouth ofWilliams Park•12" water main along Preston Road from Bryn Mawr north to WentwoodOperational DivisionsThe operational divisions of the City consist of InfrastructureMaintenance, Traffic, Sanitation and Facility Maintenance.In 2008, the Streets and Utilities Divisions were combined toform the Infrastructure Maintenance Division. This Divisionis responsible for maintaining and repairing the City's 71miles of street pavement, 33 miles of alley pavement, 74miles of water mains, 61 miles of sanitary sewer mains, 16miles of storm sewer mains, and 463 fire hydrants. In 2008,the Division poured over a linear-mile of concrete in theCity's alleys. The Division also repaired 138 water mainbreaks. The Division is also responsible for maintainingintersections and repairing over 6,000 traffic control devicesincluding traffic signals, decorative street lights, school zoneflashers, pavement markings and public parking areas. Inaddition, Traffic personnel performed special projects likethe installation of reflective striping material on over 1,000sign poles. In 2008, City services for codeenforcement, building inspections,and planning & zoning were reor-ganized into a new departmentnamed Community Development.Before reorganization, these func-tions were housed in the PublicWorks Department. The changewas made to improve the qualityof service provided to the commu-nity and to establish better and more thorough processes forthe planning, inspection, and code enforcement functions.The department reorganization includes the hiring of a ChiefBuilding Official. The City expects to fill the position inspring 2009. The University Park housing market experienced significantchange in 2008. The national downturn in the housing sec-tor was reflected locally with a 40 percent decline in permitsfor new residential construction. New residential construc-tion permits totaled 84 in 2008 compared to 147 in 2007.Total construction values for new single family homesdecreased 30 percent from $137 million in 2007 to $92 million in 2008. PP OLICEOLICECommunity Services •Officer A. J. Sherrill was activated for a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the United States Army Reserves. Officer Jennifer Transou was assigned to replace Officer Sherrill as the School Resource Officer. •The Department participated in Shattered Dreams with Highland Park ISD. The program helps students understand the seriousness of drinking alcohol. Amock car crash involving a teenage drunk driver was staged so that students could watch the accident and the numerous consequences unfold. •The Department continued to provide an officer for the D.A.R.E. program at McCullough Intermediate School. Personnel The Department joined the HighIntensity Drug Task Force forNorth Texas. The federally-fundedtask force is part of the U.S. Officeof National Drug Control Policy.That office is focused on reducingdrug manufacturing, traffickingand drug-related crimes. In January 2008, Captain Robert Flood attended the FBINational Academy.The ten-week course enhances the per-sonal and professional development of law enforcement lead-ers. Officers can take undergraduate and/or graduate levelcourses on the Quantico, Virginia campus in: Law, BehavioralScience, Forensic Science, Leadership Development, Com-munication and Health/Fitness. Traffic SafetyIn January 2008, the Department began enforcing UniversityPark's ban on cell phone usage by drivers in school zones.The ordinance, adopted in December 2007, also prohibitsmotorists from placing or responding to text messages whiledriving in school zones. In response to resident concerns, the Department increasedenforcement of trucks that violate weight limits (those overtwo-and-a-half tons) on Lovers Lane between Hillcrest andPreston. The third position of the Department's Traffic Unit was filledby Officer Al Rosales. The specialized traffic unit works traffic accidents and is assigned towork targeted neighborhoods forspeeders and other reported violations.The Department recorded a 7.74 per-cent decrease in traffic accidents in2008. The Department also purchased “AutoChalk,” a state-of-the-art digital imaging technology to better detect parkingspace time violations. Installed in the parking enforcementofficer's vehicle, AutoChalk records the location anddescription of parked vehicles and alerts the enforcementofficer when there is a violation. 2008 20072006 FF IREIREPersonnel Fire Chief - In June 2008, Randy Howell joined the Univer-sity Park Fire Department as the Department's new FireChief. Aveteran in the fire service, ChiefHowell has 24 years of operational andadministrative experience. He is also agraduate of the National Fire Academy'sExecutive Fire Officer Program. Assistant Fire Marshal - In April 2008, Margaret Corn wasselected as the City's first Assistant Fire Marshal. Margaretcame to the Department from the Little Elm Fire Depart-ment. She has more than 15 years of fire service experienceand extensive knowledge in fire codes, inspections andinvestigations. She is actively involved in public safety edu-cation and oversees the City's newly organized CommunityEmergency Response Team. Battalion Chief - In October 2008, Rusty Massey, a 10-yearmember of the Department, was promoted to this position.He filled the position vacated by the promotion of ShaneLeCroy to Assistant Fire Chief. HonorGuard In 2008, the Department added to its tradi-tion by forming an Honor Guard. The unitconsists of six Department members. TheHonor Guard serves the community andthe Department as a visual reminder of thefire service and its traditions through par-ticipating in various ceremonies, parades,athletic events and funerals. Emergency management activities Department officers have been trained in ICS 300 and 400courses required by FEMAto be compliant with the Nation-al Incident Management System (NIMS). These Departmentof Homeland Security courses prepare officers to manageboth routine and large scale, multijurisdictional emergencies. Along with numerous other local public safety agencies anddepartments, staff participated in a table-top exercise atSouthern Methodist University covering evacuation of FordStadium and Emergency Incident Planning. After completing extensive trainingunder Department supervision, the firsteight graduates of University Park'sCommunity Emergency ResponseTeam (CERT) are now ready to respondand assist the City's public safety per-sonnel. CERTwill greatly enhance theCity's ability to effectively respond tothe needs of residents by providingassistance in many emergency and non-emergency situationslike: weather related incidents, missing person searches,evacuations and incident perimeter maintenance. Fire prevention In 2008, successful fire prevention efforts resulted in thereduction of the largest amount of fire loss since 2000. Thetotal fire loss for 2008 in the city was $293,602. There wereno fire fatalities in 2008 and only one fire-related injury. In January 2008, the City Council passed a residential firesprinkler ordinance. Enforcement of the ordinance beganAugust 1, 2008. All new construction must now have auto-matic fire sprinkler systems installed, including one-and two-family dwellings. Residential building with additions greaterthan 4,000 sq. ft. of total floor area and greater than 30% ofthe original floor area must also have fire sprinkler systems.This ordinance will enhance community safety by control-ling fire in its early stage of development. New Equipment The Department replaced its 2001Chevrolet Tahoe command vehi-cle with a 2007 Chevrolet Subur-ban to enhance incident manage-ment capability by shift supervi-sors. The vehicle is fitted with aheavy-duty winch for various res-cue situations. The Departmenthas also added a 2008 ChevroletColorado to its fleet. This vehicle is assigned to the fire pre-vention efforts and the Assistant Fire Marshal. CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS FFIREIRE SSTTAATISTICSTISTICS 2008-2009 annual report.qxp 2/17/09 2:42 PM Page 2 UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITYPPARKARKANNUALANNUALREPORREPORTT2008-20092008-2009MMAAYORYOR’’SS MMESSAGEESSAGE FF INANCEINANCE CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT•The Department will continue to work with committees and City Council on modifications for single-family and multi-family design standards.PPARKARK DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•Coffee Park - The Council has approved funding to ren-ovate the park and install landscaping along the Northwest Highway screening wall, make median improvements at the intersection of Hillcrest and Northwest Highway, and improve landscaping in Artha Garza Park. These projects will be constructed jointly and are scheduled to be finished in fall 2009. •Smith Park - City Staff is finalizing construction docu-ments for upgrades to the park and will begin seeking bids for the project in spring 2009. •Curtis Park Pool - Staff is preparing the pool’s Phase II Master Plan. Improvements will include a zero-depth beach entry and a water slide. The project is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2010 pool season. FFINANCEINANCE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department will complete the orderly relocation of Utility Billing and Municipal Court to renovated office space in City Hall.•Useful analysis of the Bush Presidential Library’s impact on the City will be performed. •The City's online credit card processing function will be enhanced.IINFORMANFORMATIONTION SSERERVICESVICES•The Department will complete City Hall security system upgrades, including the installation of a new security camera system and an electronic “card-key”access/entry system.•The Department will convert UPPD incident reports tothe City’s LaserFiche & Document Imaging System andimplement wireless EMS reporting for the Fire Department. UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY PPARKARK TTAXAX BASEBASE ANDAND RARATESTES,,FYFY 2004-20082004-2008 PP LANSLANS FORFOR 20092009 VVISITISIT THETHE CCITYITY ONLINEONLINE AATT WWWWWW..UPTEXASUPTEXAS..ORGORG PPOLICEOLICE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department’s Direct Alarm Monitoring program plans to increase customers in 2009 through public education and advertising in the New Resident packets. •Through the electronic sharing of files, the Department will improve information sharing and collaboration with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and other Dallas County criminal justice agencies. •To reduce further the potential for traffic related injuries and deaths, the Department’s traffic unit will continue directed traffic enforcement efforts. •Parking enforcement will increase in Snider Plaza through the use of the “AutoChalk”photo enforcement system. This vehicle-mounted equipment will help turn parking spaces over faster and reduce abuse of parking regulations.•In September, the Department will welcome home Officer A. J. Sherrill from active duty in Afghanistan. FFIREIRE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department plans to upgrade the current training facility on Fondren Drive. This will allow the Department to conduct more scenario-based training for personnel. Currently this type of training must be conducted outsidethe city. PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKS•The Germany Park water booster pumping station will be replaced. The $3.5 million improvement will replace a sixty-year-old facility and provide more efficiency and reli-ability. Construction should be completed by early 2010. •Permanent metering stations will be installed at key locations in the City's sanitary sewer system to track flows from the City and aid in the reduction of infiltration and inflow. •Bids will be let for the next “mile per year”project tore-place water and sanitary sewer lines and pavement in various alleys. City budget Adopted in September 2008, the Fiscal Year 2009 budgettotals $41.7 million, an increase of 5.52%. Balancing thebudget was made more difficult by sharply rising costs forfuel, electricity, and health care, which contrasted with flat orfalling revenues from sales taxes and building permits. Thebudget includes 10% increases in water and wastewatercharges and a 5% increase in sanitation and recycling rates.The City deleted three full-time positions from its work-force. For the 13th consecutive year, the City property taxrate decreased, as displayed in the chart. The current Citytax rate is 26.5 cents per $100 of taxable property value. Capital improvement program (CIP) The FY2009 CIPbudget of $15.8 million is the first year ofthe five-year CIP.The CIPis the method by which the Cityidentifies, plans, and funds capital projects, which aredefined as non-recurring, multi-year efforts totaling over$25,000. Funding for the CIP comes from multiple sources,including operating budget transfers, fund balance draw-downs, and interest earnings. The City is debt-free and usesno debt for capital projects. The FY2009 CIP budgetincludes projects like completion of the City Hall renovation($3.7 million), construction of a new water booster pumpstation ($3.5 million), Preston Road water line replacement($1.5 million), and replacement of alley and utility lines($2.5 million).Awards and accomplishmentsThe City received two national financial awards this year.For the eighth year in a row, the National Purchasing Insti-tute (NPI)awarded University Park the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award. Purchasing AgentChristine Green and Purchasing Assistant Sandy Perkinsmanage the City’s procurement operations. For the ninthconsecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Asso-ciation (GFOA) awarded the City the Certificate ofAchievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Con-troller Tom Tvardzik and the City's accounting staff pre-pare the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)that is the basis for the Award. The CAFR is available asaPDF file on the City's Web site. 2008 was a memorable year for the City of University Park. As referencedthroughout this report, the City put the finishing touches on the largest and mostextensive improvement project in the City’s history. Our newly refurbished CityHall is now ready to serve the needs of staff and residents alike for decades tocome. On behalf of my City Council colleagues I want to thank all of our “dis-placed” employees for maintaining their “can-do” attitudes through the monthsof construction, dust and disarray. Likewise, I appreciate how graciously thoseresidents who live near City Hall handled the noise, traffic congestion and lackof on-street parking that accompanied the months of construction. As our commitment to excellence continues in 2009, I’m proud to report that 96% of residentswho responded to our 2008 Community Survey reported they were “very satisfied”or “satisfied”with the City services and programs and that, again in 2008, D Magazine named University Parkas the “best suburb’in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. CC ITYITY HHALLALL RR EOPENSEOPENSPhased construction project began in summer 2005February and March 2009 will be remembered as a special time in the City’s long and accom-plished history. February 21, after being housed for 18 months in temporary quarters, staff fromthe Executive Department, Municipal Court, Utility Billing and Human Resources moved intotheir new workspace inside a fully renovated City Hall. In March, the City Council held its firstmeeting in the fully refurbished Council Chamber and Police Department personnel and 9-1-1 staffcompleted the move-in process. Thirty years after the last renovation, in summer 2005 the City began a phased, multi-year projectto expand and renovate its distinctive Colonial Williamsburg-style City Hall.Funded without debtaccording to a carefully followed funding plan, the effort is the largest and most extensiveimprovement project in the City's history.Nearly $14 million of the project's $21 million price taginvolved City Hall enhancements. The rest of the project's expenditures provided for alterationsto the City's Peek Service Center ($2 million), the installation of a box culvert over Turtle Creek($3.5 million) and enhancements to Goar Park ($1.5 million). Like the building's west wing that was finished in summer 2007 and houses the Fire Department,the refurbished portions of City Hall will benefit staff and residents alike with larger work, train-ing and public space. The building also has state-of-the-art technology, especially in the City'snew 9-1-1 center and meeting rooms. PPARKSARKSPark Maintenance Along with the daily mainte-nance of landscape totalingmore than 60 acres of parkland, the Park Department isannually involved in projectsto enhance the overallappearance of the park sys-tem and our community. Park Projects Major park improvements completed in 2008: •Phase III of the City's Secondary Entrance Marker Program•Tennis court lighting upgrades to Burleson, Caruth and Williams Park •Landscape renovations to Byrd Park Projects started in 2008: •Modification of Barbara Hitzelberger Park•Installation of new landscaping at City Hall•Construction of a "sprayground" at Curtis Park Pool, to be completed in time for the 2009 pool seasonPark Department special events in 2008: •Children's Fishing Derby at Caruth Park in June•1st annual Independence Day Fun Run in July•Annual Arbor Day observance in November•Second annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony in cooperation with the Snider Plaza Merchants Associationin December. An estmated 1500 people attended. HHUMANUMAN RRESOURCESESOURCESEmploymentDuring fiscal year 2007-08, the City had an employeeturnover rate of 6.2%, with five of the 15 terminations comingfrom service retirements. The Human Resources Departmentoversaw the hiring of 73 full-time, part-time and seasonalemployees during the fiscal year. Plans for2009The Department will conduct ethics training for all Board and Committee appointees and all City employees. 3-1-1 systemThe 3-1-1 system was launched in December 2006. Resi-dents use the 24-hour-a-day number for non-emergencycalls for service and information. In 2008,3-1-1 call-takers answered approximately340 calls a week. The highest weekly callvolume was 570, whichoccurred the weekthat new recycling bins were delivered to allhouseholds. 2008-2009 annual report.qxp 2/17/09 2:42 PM Page 1 UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITYPPARKARKANNUALANNUALREPORREPORTT2008-20092008-2009MMAAYORYOR’’SS MMESSAGEESSAGE FF INANCEINANCE CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY DDEVELOPMENTEVELOPMENT•The Department will continue to work with committees and City Council on modifications for single-family and multi-family design standards.PPARKARK DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•Coffee Park - The Council has approved funding to ren-ovate the park and install landscaping along the Northwest Highway screening wall, make median improvements at the intersection of Hillcrest and Northwest Highway, and improve landscaping in Artha Garza Park. These projects will be constructed jointly and are scheduled to be finished in fall 2009. •Smith Park - City Staff is finalizing construction docu-ments for upgrades to the park and will begin seeking bids for the project in spring 2009. •Curtis Park Pool - Staff is preparing the pool’s Phase II Master Plan. Improvements will include a zero-depth beach entry and a water slide. The project is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2010 pool season. FFINANCEINANCE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department will complete the orderly relocation of Utility Billing and Municipal Court to renovated office space in City Hall.•Useful analysis of the Bush Presidential Library’s impact on the City will be performed. •The City's online credit card processing function will be enhanced.IINFORMANFORMATIONTION SSERERVICESVICES•The Department will complete City Hall security system upgrades, including the installation of a new security camera system and an electronic “card-key”access/entry system.•The Department will convert UPPD incident reports tothe City’s LaserFiche & Document Imaging System andimplement wireless EMS reporting for the Fire Department. UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY PPARKARK TTAXAX BASEBASE ANDAND RARATESTES,,FYFY 2004-20082004-2008 PP LANSLANS FORFOR 20092009 VVISITISIT THETHE CCITYITY ONLINEONLINE AATT WWWWWW..UPTEXASUPTEXAS..ORGORG PPOLICEOLICE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department’s Direct Alarm Monitoring program plans to increase customers in 2009 through public education and advertising in the New Resident packets. •Through the electronic sharing of files, the Department will improve information sharing and collaboration with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and other Dallas County criminal justice agencies. •To reduce further the potential for traffic related injuries and deaths, the Department’s traffic unit will continue directed traffic enforcement efforts. •Parking enforcement will increase in Snider Plaza through the use of the “AutoChalk”photo enforcement system. This vehicle-mounted equipment will help turn parking spaces over faster and reduce abuse of parking regulations.•In September, the Department will welcome home Officer A. J. Sherrill from active duty in Afghanistan. FFIREIRE DDEPEPARARTMENTTMENT•The Department plans to upgrade the current training facility on Fondren Drive. This will allow the Department to conduct more scenario-based training for personnel. Currently this type of training must be conducted outsidethe city. PPUBLICUBLIC WWORKSORKS•The Germany Park water booster pumping station will be replaced. The $3.5 million improvement will replace a sixty-year-old facility and provide more efficiency and reli-ability. Construction should be completed by early 2010. •Permanent metering stations will be installed at key locations in the City's sanitary sewer system to track flows from the City and aid in the reduction of infiltration and inflow. •Bids will be let for the next “mile per year”project tore-place water and sanitary sewer lines and pavement in various alleys. City budget Adopted in September 2008, the Fiscal Year 2009 budgettotals $41.7 million, an increase of 5.52%. Balancing thebudget was made more difficult by sharply rising costs forfuel, electricity, and health care, which contrasted with flat orfalling revenues from sales taxes and building permits. Thebudget includes 10% increases in water and wastewatercharges and a 5% increase in sanitation and recycling rates.The City deleted three full-time positions from its work-force. For the 13th consecutive year, the City property taxrate decreased, as displayed in the chart. The current Citytax rate is 26.5 cents per $100 of taxable property value. Capital improvement program (CIP) The FY2009 CIPbudget of $15.8 million is the first year ofthe five-year CIP.The CIPis the method by which the Cityidentifies, plans, and funds capital projects, which aredefined as non-recurring, multi-year efforts totaling over$25,000. Funding for the CIP comes from multiple sources,including operating budget transfers, fund balance draw-downs, and interest earnings. The City is debt-free and usesno debt for capital projects. The FY2009 CIP budgetincludes projects like completion of the City Hall renovation($3.7 million), construction of a new water booster pumpstation ($3.5 million), Preston Road water line replacement($1.5 million), and replacement of alley and utility lines($2.5 million).Awards and accomplishmentsThe City received two national financial awards this year.For the eighth year in a row, the National Purchasing Insti-tute (NPI)awarded University Park the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award. Purchasing AgentChristine Green and Purchasing Assistant Sandy Perkinsmanage the City’s procurement operations. For the ninthconsecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Asso-ciation (GFOA) awarded the City the Certificate ofAchievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Con-troller Tom Tvardzik and the City's accounting staff pre-pare the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)that is the basis for the Award. The CAFR is available asaPDF file on the City's Web site. 2008 was a memorable year for the City of University Park. As referencedthroughout this report, the City put the finishing touches on the largest and mostextensive improvement project in the City’s history. Our newly refurbished CityHall is now ready to serve the needs of staff and residents alike for decades tocome. On behalf of my City Council colleagues I want to thank all of our “dis-placed” employees for maintaining their “can-do” attitudes through the monthsof construction, dust and disarray. Likewise, I appreciate how graciously thoseresidents who live near City Hall handled the noise, traffic congestion and lackof on-street parking that accompanied the months of construction. As our commitment to excellence continues in 2009, I’m proud to report that 96% of residentswho responded to our 2008 Community Survey reported they were “very satisfied”or “satisfied”with the City services and programs and that, again in 2008, D Magazine named University Parkas the “best suburb’in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. CC ITYITY HHALLALL RR EOPENSEOPENSPhased construction project began in summer 2005February and March 2009 will be remembered as a special time in the City’s long and accom-plished history. February 21, after being housed for 18 months in temporary quarters, staff fromthe Executive Department, Municipal Court, Utility Billing and Human Resources moved intotheir new workspace inside a fully renovated City Hall. In March, the City Council held its firstmeeting in the fully refurbished Council Chamber and Police Department personnel and 9-1-1 staffcompleted the move-in process. Thirty years after the last renovation, in summer 2005 the City began a phased, multi-year projectto expand and renovate its distinctive Colonial Williamsburg-style City Hall.Funded without debtaccording to a carefully followed funding plan, the effort is the largest and most extensiveimprovement project in the City's history.Nearly $14 million of the project's $21 million price taginvolved City Hall enhancements. The rest of the project's expenditures provided for alterationsto the City's Peek Service Center ($2 million), the installation of a box culvert over Turtle Creek($3.5 million) and enhancements to Goar Park ($1.5 million). Like the building's west wing that was finished in summer 2007 and houses the Fire Department,the refurbished portions of City Hall will benefit staff and residents alike with larger work, train-ing and public space. The building also has state-of-the-art technology, especially in the City'snew 9-1-1 center and meeting rooms. PPARKSARKSPark Maintenance Along with the daily mainte-nance of landscape totalingmore than 60 acres of parkland, the Park Department isannually involved in projectsto enhance the overallappearance of the park sys-tem and our community. Park Projects Major park improvements completed in 2008: •Phase III of the City's Secondary Entrance Marker Program•Tennis court lighting upgrades to Burleson, Caruth and Williams Park •Landscape renovations to Byrd Park Projects started in 2008: •Modification of Barbara Hitzelberger Park•Installation of new landscaping at City Hall•Construction of a "sprayground" at Curtis Park Pool, to be completed in time for the 2009 pool seasonPark Department special events in 2008: •Children's Fishing Derby at Caruth Park in June•1st annual Independence Day Fun Run in July•Annual Arbor Day observance in November•Second annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony in cooperation with the Snider Plaza Merchants Associationin December. An estmated 1500 people attended. HHUMANUMAN RRESOURCESESOURCESEmploymentDuring fiscal year 2007-08, the City had an employeeturnover rate of 6.2%, with five of the 15 terminations comingfrom service retirements. The Human Resources Departmentoversaw the hiring of 73 full-time, part-time and seasonalemployees during the fiscal year. Plans for2009The Department will conduct ethics training for all Board and Committee appointees and all City employees. 3-1-1 systemThe 3-1-1 system was launched in December 2006. Resi-dents use the 24-hour-a-day number for non-emergencycalls for service and information. In 2008,3-1-1 call-takers answered approximately340 calls a week. The highest weekly callvolume was 570, whichoccurred the weekthat new recycling bins were delivered to allhouseholds. 2008-2009 annual report.qxp 2/17/09 2:42 PM Page 1