Public Input on Aquatics Center [Pictures]
March 7, 2008
Water & Wastewater Budget Considered
June 4, 2007
Do me a favor. Go into your bathroom and flush your toilet. If it works, say a little thanks to our Public Works Department.
Public Works is one of those city functions that people don’t realize how important it is until it stops working. We have a lot of dedicated employees who make sure the water and wastewater systems work. Of course, that is not the only thing they do, but it is an important part of their charge.
The city budget for all those water and wastewater projects is being considered by the council this Tuesday night. We break out our water and wastewater projects from the main budget so each of the projects can get the attention they deserve.
Our projects are listed on a large spreadsheet, with budget numbers when available. For each project, we determine if they can be funded in the next 5 years. If so, we put them on the scheduled year. If not, they are pushed to a “Future Projects” category.
Each year, we re-evaluate our schedule of projects to make sure it is consistent with our vision and to make sure it meets our most important needs.
I’ll post an update to this post after the meeting.
Apply for Board & Commission Positions
May 30, 2007
It’s that time of year again – time to accept applications for the boards and committees. Due to the run-off election, the interview process will be a little later than usual. The City Council is planning a special meeting on Tuesday, July 17, to interview the applicants.
You can download an application here or pick one up from the City Secretary’s office. All applications must be turned into the City Secretary by 5:00pm on June 15.
A description of the city boards and commissions can be found on the City’s website.
Budget Highlights
August 4, 2005
The 2006 Budget has been finalized. We will officially vote on it in an upcoming meeting, but for all intents and purposes, it is final. This year we had a number of important issues to tackle. I discussed some of these issues in one of my prior posts. See Refocus. I think we were successful in addressing some of the most important needs. Here are some of the key points:
More Police. We added 5 more police officers. Adding more officers puts more officers on the streets more of the time and will support our public safety as the city grows over the next year.
More Firefighters. We added 4 more firefighters and will purchase a new fire engine. More firefighters and new equipment gives us the ability to respond with firefighters and paramedics from the same station at the same time.
More Code Enforcement. We added a new code enforcement officer and will purchase computer software that will help all our officers track violations. The number of violations our officers must track can be overwhelming at times. A new officer and software will give them much needed resources to implement the vision for our neighborhoods. More stringent code standards will be implemented in the next few months. See Code Enforcement Report, Residents Mull New Ordinances, and City Wants Input on New Codes.
Drainage and Transportation. We set aside $100,000 (in addition to last year’s $125,000) to help find solutions to the drainage issues facing some of our neighborhoods. We also continued our practice of allocating funds to help offset the costs of future road construction projects.
There are many other important aspects of this year’s budget, but those are the highlights. I hope you will support us as we work toward the vision for our city.
Winding Hollow HOA Meeting
June 30, 2005
I was honored to speak at the Winding Hollow homeowners association meeting on Thursday. I acknowledged the positive things happening in Cedar Hill, but I also discussed the challenges that lay ahead.
You can hear my comments using the audio player below.
Refocus
May 11, 2005
As the election fanfare fades away, we must refocus ourselves on the tasks ahead. Cedar Hill has been so richly blessed. We should not take our successes for granted, and we must never be content. We must set new goals — new standards. We must make an honest assessment of the state of our city. We must confirm our vision and work tirelessly toward that ideal.
In the upcoming year, we face many challenges. We must continue to protect our citizens through reinforcements to our police and fire departments. We must bolster our aging infrastructure by expanding vital thoroughfares, improving old roadways, and rebuilding old sewer and drainage systems.
And let us not forget our neighborhoods. The retail growth we have enjoyed has been a blessing, influenced by the hard work of the men and women who have gone before me. But it is not the end of the journey. It is not the finish line. Rather, it is the catalyst to improving our neighborhoods.
Our neighborhoods are the city. We are invested in our neighborhoods. Our neighborhoods are the foundations of our lives. We live in neighborhoods. Our children play and grow in neighborhoods. At the end of the day, our neighborhoods are a reflection of who we are as a city. To neglect our neighborhoods is to neglect our potential.
And so, I look forward with anticipation to the challenges of this year. Let us come together as a community to answer the call. Let us rally to the greater good that we all might prosper.
Regarding Drainage
April 25, 2005
Much as been said about the proposed Lifestyle Center to be developed across from Uptown Blvd., in between FM 1382 and Pleasant Run. Many of the residents in Bent Creek and Bentle Branch are understandably concerned about the impact the development will have on their neighborhoods.
One concern is drainage. How will the new development alter drainage in the area and how will it affect Bentle Branch Creek. In an effort to meet the concerns of the residents, the developers agreed to not allow the Lifestyle Center to impact the water volume in the West or East branches of the creek.
Lately, there appears to be some confusion and concern that this promise will not be kept. Let me assure you, the development will not be allowed to proceed until the city is satisfied that there will be no impact on the creek. To their credit, the developers are not waivering from their promise.
Last Friday, I sat in on a meeting the Mayor and city staff had with representatives of the developer and a number of engineering companies. Despite all the technical engineering terminology, one thing is clear. They have kept their promise, and in some cases, exceeded it.
The drainage plans for the West branch not only keep the Lifestyle Center from impacting the creek, they also reduce the amount of water that will flow from the development. It appears we might be able to achieve as much as a 40% reduction in water volume in the creek from the Lifestyle Center to the convergence of the West and East branches. From that point to Duncanville, there could be as much as a 20% reduction.
On the East branch, the on-site drainage the developers have planned will keep the Lifestyle Center from making the volume any worse, just like they promised. The city is also looking at additional upstream improvements that would actually reduce the volume in the East branch, just like in the West.
All the engineering details and approvals have not been completed, but everyone involved is working well together. The Mayor, being an engineer, understands the issues involved and is working with the developer to keep the promise.
Fire Hydrant Flushing
February 22, 2005
The Public Works Department has started a new FH Flushing Program as of today. Right now our water crew is flushing 5 fire hydrants in Lake Ridge. There will be flushing in a different part of the city just about every day. This flushing will be going on in a methodical manner in various parts of the city for a while.
Cities contract for drainage study
November 18, 2004
By HERB BOOTH / The Dallas Morning News
Cedar Hill and Duncanville have hired Halff Associates to determine what impact future development would have on Bentle Branch, a stream that flows into Ten Mile Creek.
Lee Sanborn, a Cedar Hill resident, said that’s not enough. Mr. Sanborn, who lives in the Bentle Branch area, said he and his neighbors have requested a moratorium on development near the stream until the study is done and the city knows what it’s working with.
“We’re a 20- to 22-year-old community. A lot of us were hoping to retire here,” Mr. Sanborn said. “The flooding … needs to be addressed.” Read more
Welcome!
My name is Wade Emmert and I am a Council Member for the City of Cedar Hill. This web site is a way for me to share with you some of my thoughts about issues important to the City.
It is my sincerest goal to be a good steward of the citizens’ trust. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at Wade.Emmert@cedarhilltx.com or (214) 740-3164.