Sunnyvale Review August, 2019
Mayor Pro-Tem Finch and new Store Manager Poncho Quintana were on hand for the ribbon cutting at QuikTrip, which opened Aug. 1. The first retailer to open in Sunnyvale Centre is the result of a longstanding partnership between the Town and Rick Sheldon Real Estate and is expected to spur additional development in the area. KSCS 96.3 helped celebrate and promote the opening of the store. Judging by the great turnout during the ribbon cutting and observed since the opening, business is brisk!
From the Mayor Dear Friends and Neighbors, As our annual small-town tradition goes, we once again gathered this year on the Friday before July 4th to celebrate Sunnyfest. Our town staff carefully planned all details of the event to make sure that this year’s Sunnyfest provided something for everyone. Bounce-houses, rock climbing, slides, and face painting entertained children and their parents. A dozen or so food trucks offered a variety of food and soft beverages for everyone’s enjoyment. A good mix of rock-n-roll, country, and other forms of patriotic music filled the warm, but not so humid, summer evening. The train rides were always full and hence continued to run late into evening. Last but not least, the fireworks were a perfect ending to the night. It was so great to see a number of Sunnyvale residents coming together to celebrate our independence with food, music and fireworks. Many felt that this year’s celebrations were special and commented on the strong, small-town feel to it. Moving on to Town news. I mentioned in the last newsletter about the challenges of Sunnyvale’s aging infrastructure (some of the sewer lines are as old as the town itself) and the need for renovations (Collins Road expansion from Tripp to Town East, drainage improvements, water lines, etc.). A Citizens’ Committee consisting of a dozen or so Sunnyvale residents from a very diverse education and experiential background stepped up and worked together with the Town staff to address this challenge. The committee met over several weeks to carefully evaluate a long list of projects and associated funding sources and came up with a Capital Improvement Plan recommendation to the Council. At the Town Council meeting on June 24th, the committee’s recommendations were adopted as the Fiscal Year 2019-2024 Capital Improvement Plan. The Council will continue to deliberate details of these projects and will decide on funding sources, some of which will require voter approval for facilities such as a new fire station and an animal
control facility. As the Council works through 2019-2020 budget, some of these details will be fleshed out. Furthermore, the effort to hire a new Police Chief to lead the Town’s transition from Dallas County Sheriff to Sunnyvale Police Department is currently underway, with a target to have the new chief in place by the fourth quarter of this year. As details of the transition are being finalized, the Town staff is doing a good job in communicating and coordinating with Dallas County to ensure a smooth transition and public safety. The next 12 months are going to be a very exciting period for Sunnyvale. Some of the strategic priorities this Council has put together in 2019 such as Public Safety, Collins Road expansion, Quality Businesses, Municipal Excellence, Community Engagement, etc. will be maturing quite a bit with some initiatives even coming to fruition. I will be sure to keep you posted. Also, please feel free to sign up for the weekly News Flash by visiting townofsunnyvale.org/ communication to stay up-to-date on the details. Finally, as I stated before, if there is anytime you would like to meet with me, share a concern, or ask a question, please feel free to reach me at mayor.george@townofsunnyvale.org or sajigeorgetexas@gmail.com. Meanwhile have a happy rest of the summer.
Thank you, Mayor Saji George
Council Calls for Volunteers The Town of Sunnyvale is seeking volunteers to fill upcoming vacancies on several of its Boards and Commissions. The purpose/duties required of each of these boards/commissions are as follows: 4A Development Corporation: The primary role of the 4A Development Corporation is the promotion and development of new or expanded business enterprises within the Town. *Applications for this board are not currently under consideration.
4B Development Corporation: The primary role of the Sunnyvale 4B Development Corporation is to help develop and diversify the economic, recreational, educational and cultural aspects of the Town. *Applications for this board are not currently under consideration. Planning and Zoning Commission: The Planning and Zoning Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Town Council by making recommendations on a multitude of planning and zoning issues related to development activity in the Town. These include consideration and action items pertaining to concept plans, preliminary plats, site plans, final plats, special use designations, zoning changes, Unified The Board of Adjustment is appointed by the Town Development Ordinance text amendments, Council and is comprised of five (5) regular members Comprehensive Plan updates/amendments, etc. The (and two alternates) who serve two-year staggered Planning and Zoning Commission meets regularly terms. every third Monday of the month at 7 p.m., as well as for specially called meetings and joint workshops Library Board: The Library Board serves in an with the Town Council and other boards and advisory capacity to the Town Council and the commissions. Library director by making recommendations pertaining to all matters of the library including The Planning and Zoning Commission is appointed by recommendations on budgetary items, fees, the Town Council and is comprised of seven (7) programming, facilities, internal policies, long range regular members (and two alternates) who serve two planning, etc. The Library Board meets regularly on -year staggered terms. the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. If you are interested in serving on a Board, please The Library Board is appointed by the Town Council visit townofsunnyvale.org/volunteer and submit and is comprised of seven (7) regular members (and your application by Aug. 20. two alternates) who serve two-year, staggered terms. Board of Adjustment: The Board of Adjustment’s purpose is to conduct hearings and take action regarding variance requests of anyone seeking relief from the enforcement of the Unified Development Ordinance. The Board of Adjustment meets regularly on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
Council Orders Special Election for Sales Tax Distribution At the regular Council meeting held on July 22, the Town Council voted to hold an election for Sunnyvale voters to consider discontinuing one of the Town’s two economic development corporations (EDCs) (4A) and to instead utilize these funds for General Fund expenses – particularly Police services and street maintenance. The measure would keep the Sunnyvale sales tax rate level.
corporation would instead be used for the Town’s General Fund for expenses such as Police and street maintenance.
“During the 2019 Texas Legislative Session, a bill was passed that limits the amount a Town’s property tax revenue could grow each year to 3.5 percent – down from 8 percent,” explained Mayor Saji George. “As a homeowner, that is good news. However, as a Town Some background: that is experiencing growth greater than 3.5 percent, this change limits our funds for road maintenance Sunnyvale currently has two EDCs: 4A and 4B. and other operating expenses. The option of going By law, 4B can essentially do the same things to one EDC is an option to offset this decrease in that a 4A can do. funding that we wanted the voters to consider.” It is estimated that less than 10% of towns have both a 4A and 4B. EDCs are funded through sales tax revenues.
The election would result in the Town having only one EDC – the 4B Corporation - that would continue receiving ½ cent of sales tax revenues generated in Sunnyvale. The ½ cent that currently funds the 4A
Collins Road to be Reconstructed Town and County officials recently held the groundbreaking ceremony for Collins Road. Construction begins this month and is expected to take over a year to complete. The project will result in a four-lane divided roadway and a roundabout to tie together the two segments of Tripp Road.
Doris Padgett Library It’s almost time to head back to school for an all new year, and we want to make sure you’re ready! We’ve got great books for every member of the family to help you get organized and ready. We even have that Summer Reading book your child was supposed to finish a month ago and you just found out about! If you don’t have a library card, all you need is a government-issued photo ID and proof of residency in the State of Texas. We always want more people to come see what we’re about, and we have a great selection, including a huge e-book collection! Come by or give us a call at (972) 226-4491 and we’ll find you what you need to prepare . . . or at the very least, a nice movie to watch to unwind from the craziness.
Story Time The Library holds our weekly story time every Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. Children ages 2-6 are invited to hear some great stories and make a fun craft they can take home!
The Sunnyvale Public Library Book Club meets on the first Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. to discuss our monthly book and enjoy light refreshments. If you need a copy of the book, be sure to come by the Library; we have multiple copies of each book available for checkout and past book club selections available for purchase. If you have a book you’d like us to consider for reading, let us know and we’ll try to incorporate your selection, as well as suggest something new we bet you’ll love! Schedule of Upcoming Books: July 6: Empire Falls by Richard Russo August 3: A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. September 7: Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson
2019/2020 Budget to Focus on Public Safety and Capital Improvements The Town of Sunnyvale is a Council-Manager form of government. Under this structure there is an elected body (the Town Council) who is responsible for policy decisions, adoption of an annual budget and supervision of a professional Town Manager. The Town Manager’s job is to oversee the daily operations of the organization, supervise staff and develop the annual budget for the Council’s approval.
both the CIP Committee and the Police Subcommittee,” said Mayor Saji George. “It is vital that major decisions such as these are vetted by citizen groups prior to the Council taking action.”
The Town of Sunnyvale’s total budget is more than $16 million and is comprised of revenues from many sources, including property tax, sales tax, fines and fees, sale of water and sewer services, and franchise fees.
The CIP Committee evaluated the capital improvement needs of the community and prioritized the projects. Plans for the 2019/2020 budget include the reconstruction of Collins Road, drainage projects, beginning work on improvement of the sewer lines and alleys in the Harris addition, and starting design and construction on a new fire station.
This year’s budget focuses upon public safety and implementation of the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Citizen committees worked this spring to provide guidance to the Town to move these initiatives forward.
The Police Subcommittee recommended that the Town begin establishment of their own Police Department. The 2019/2020 budget includes funding to launch the new department, which will begin operations in October 2020.
Adoption of the 2019/2020 budget will take place at the Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 City Council meetings. The budget goes into effect Oct. 1, 2019.
“I am very thankful for the sage advice offered by
On July 22, the Town Council, along with Sheriff Marion Brown, recognized Deputies with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts on recent calls.
Town of Sunnyvale 127 N. Collins Road Sunnyvale, TX 75182
CALENDAR August 12 – Town Council, 7 p.m. Town Hall 13 – 4B Economic Development Corp. 6:30 p.m. Town Hall 14 – 4A Economic Development Corp. 5 p.m. Town Hall 19 – Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 p.m. Town Hall 26 – Town Council, 7 p.m. Town Hall The Town Council will hold Special Meetings on Aug. 5, 19, and 27. Please check our website for details and times.
September 3– Board of Adjustments, 7 p.m. Town Hall 9 – Town Council, 7 p.m. Town Hall 10 – 4B Economic Development Corp. 6:30 p.m. Town Hall 11 – 4A Economic Development Corp. 5 p.m. Town Hall 16 – Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 p.m. Town Hall 23 – Town Council, 7 p.m. Town Hall
Dates and times are subject to change. Please visit http://townofsunnyvale.org for current meeting information.