Sunnyvale Review June, 2019
From the Mayor Dear Friends and Neighbors, as I sit down to write this, it amazes me how quickly my first term in the office of Mayor has flown by. When I reflect upon the first year, I feel good about the vision and strategy we have set: the focus and commitment we placed to preserve the character of our town, enhance the quality of life and improve the municipal services. The strategic priorities and the ten-page long list of projects that the town manager monitors and updates the council on, tell the story that a lot was accomplished in this one short year and a lot more is in the works.
SPD is thorough and seamless, the Town will hire the services an experienced Public Safety Chief in the next several weeks. The overall transition is expected to be completed in 2020.
I want to use this month’s newsletter to update everyone on one of the most important initiatives this Council is working on, Sunnyvale’s Police services In last November, the Town engaged the services of Matrix Consulting Group to review options related to Police services. Council also formed a citizens’ focus group made up of ten Sunnyvale residents to assist in the study. Even though our residents really like our Dallas Sheriff Officers, it is clear that the Dallas County no longer wants to provide such services to Sunnyvale. Other neighboring jurisdictions such as Mesquite and Garland are not interested either. After an in-depth review, the citizens focus group recommended to Council to adopt a resolution to stand up a Sunnyvale Police Department (SPD). Town Council considered this resolution in their June meeting. SPD is being planned with the intent to provide a higher level of service to Sunnyvale residents at an equitable cost. Further, it will allow better local control of the Police services in our town. To ensure that the transition from DSO to
These major initiatives can be successful only with the involvement and support of our residents. Sunnyvale is blessed with so many highly qualified, educated and experienced residents who deeply care about our Town. Each one of you makes a difference. So if you are interested in serving in any of the focus groups, or serving on a board or commission, please be sure to fill in an application form https://www.townofsunnyvale.org/volunteer and send to the town secretary Rachel.ramsey@townofsunnyvale.org.
The other significant challenge facing the town is our aging infrastructure (some of the sewer lines are as old as the Town itself). A number of In May, Council Members Ryan Finch and Kevin these items need to be dealt with in the near term to Clark returned for a second term, while we welensure that the normal lives of our citizens are not comed new Council Member Jonathan Freeman to disrupted. Council appointed another group of citithe Council. I am very grateful that I am going into zens to serve on the Capital Improvement Project my second term unopposed. In the first meeting in (CIP) Committee to review and prioritize these proMay, Council elected Mr. Finch as the new Mayor jects. The committee has met several times and Pro-Tem and thanked Mr. Wade for his service as the their recommendation will be presented to Town Mayor Pro-Tem last year. Council for approval on June 24.
Finally, if there is anytime you would like to meet with me or share a concern or have a question, please feel free to reach out to me at mayor.george@townofsunnyvale.org or sajigeorgetexas@gmail.com Thank you Mayor Saji George
Budget Retreat Mayor Saji George convened the members of the Town Council for the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Retreat on Saturday, June 1 in the Board Room at the Sunnyvale ISD Administration Offices. As a part of the retreat, Town Manager Susan Guthrie provided the Council with an update on fiscal year 2018-2019 projects and goals, a recap of the Council’s recent SWOT analysis, the impact of recently adopted legislation, the recently conducted compensation and classification study, and upcoming projects. Over the coming year, the organization will focus on:
Improving processes.
Assessing core services.
Ensuring new projects decrease ongoing operational costs.
Measuring the impact of proposed fee adjustments.
Ensuring impact fees are appropriate.
Evaluating the use of sales tax funds.
Projects for the 19-20 Fiscal Year include:
Transition of law enforcement services from Dallas County Sheriff’s Office to a municipal police department.
Town Council and staff work on the 2019-2020 budget.
Implementation of the Capital Improvement Plan to include needed facility and infrastructure projects.
Adoption of an updated fee schedule.
The widening of Collins Road from US Highway 80 through the Tripp Road intersections.
The Town Council will provide multiple opportunities for public input as the budget is developed and prior to adoption. Public Hearings: Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Ad-Hoc Committee Updates The Town Council appointed several ad-hoc citizen committees this year to help guide policy decisions. Below is an update from each committee.
Police Services Focus Group The Police Services Focus Group met from February through March to provide feedback to Matrix Consulting Group on a study to review options for law enforcement delivery. They were tasked with reviewing three options for the delivery of these services that included: 1. Continue with Dallas County Sheriff’s Office 2. Contract with a neighboring municipality for services 3. Start a Town of Sunnyvale Police Department Once the committee began meeting, and the Consultant began working with partner agencies, it became clear that Dallas County was no longer willing to provide law enforcement services to the Town, and none of the neighboring jurisdictions wanted to provide service. Costs to receive the services from Dallas County have continued to rise dramatically over the past few years, and we have not yet received the expected rate information for the 19-20 Fiscal Year.
After reviewing the alternatives, the Committee unanimously recommended the Council pass a Resolution supporting the standing-up of a Police Department. The Council subsequently approved the Resolution. Matrix Consulting Group presented their study to the Council on June 10, and the Council directed the Town Manager to begin recruitment of a Chief to lead the transition.
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Citizen Committee The CIP Committee met from March through May and reviewed over $93 million in projects identified by Town Staff. The Committee reviewed, toured, and prioritized all projects and will recommend to the Town Council infrastructure and facility projects totaling approximately $24 million. The Committee’s recommendation will be presented to the Council on June 24 during the Regular Council Meeting.
Home Rule Charter Review Commission The Town’s Home Rule Charter requires the Council to appoint a group of citizens to review the Charter no less than every five years. Originally adopted in 2013, the Commission was comprised of new and returning members that met throughout 2018. As a result of their review, five amendments were proposed and approved by the voters of Sunnyvale in May, 2019. You can review the updated Town Charter at https:// townofsunnyvale.org/charter.
CIP Committee members rank projects.
Ethics Committee The Ethics Committee was appointed in November, 2018, and charged with reviewing the existing Code of Ethics for Elected and Appointed Officials, and presenting any recommended changes to the Town Council. The Committee presented their recommendations in April, and the Council approved the new policy on May 13. You can view the updated policy at https://townofsunnyvale.org/ethics. The committee also recommended new Rules of Procedure for Council that were adopted on June 10.
Board and Commission Training One of the Council’s Strategic Focus Areas includes Municipal Excellence. All Board and Commission members were invited to attend a session on the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act on May 31. A total of 28 members attended the half-day training to better serve in their roles.
Board members and staff attend Open Meetings Act training.
Doris Padgett Library This summer is about to be interstellar! Beginning on June 4, come by the Library and experience A Universe of Stories! Sign up and receive everything you’ll need to participate in Summer Reading, including an awesome folder and a colorable tote bag! (Supplies are limited; get yours early!) Come in between June 11th and July 20th for a chance to win awesome prizes just for visiting the library! Complete monthly reading challenges to enter for a chance to win even more amazing prizes and add your star to the library’s constellation! Come by on our Thursday craft days (June 13, 20, 27 and July 11, 18, and 25) at 1 p.m. to experience the fun of your favorite book series with a fun and exciting craft you get to take home! And at the end, come party with us on July 27th for our End of Summer Reading celebration, featuring refreshments, fun games, and EVEN MORE fun prizes! Reading can take you to the stars, the planets, and new places you haven’t even dreamed of yet. Come find out what adventures await you! 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
Identity Theft Concerns Dallas County Sheriff's Department is warning of an increase in identity thefts. Identity thefts commonly occur by: 1. Dumpster Diving - thieves rummage through your trash looking for bills or other documents with your information. 2. Skimming - They steal credit/debit card numbers with a special device when processing your card. 3. Phishing - they pretend to be financial institutions, companies or government agencies, and send email or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information. 4. Hacking - They hack into your email or other online accounts to access your personal information, or into a company's database to access its records. 5. Old-Fashioned Stealing - They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access. If you suspect ID theft, call the Dallas Sheriff's Department at (214) 749-864 and file a report. Place fraud alerts on credit reports. Contact security or the fraud department of each company where an account was opened. Report the ID theft to the Federal Trade Commission .
TxDOT to Hold Public Hearing on US Highway 80 Project Where:
Mesquite Convention Center/Hampton Inn—Salon A 1700 Rodeo Drive Mesquite, TX 75149
The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and solicit public comments on the proposed roadway improvements to US 80 from I-30 in Dallas County to FM 460 in Kaufman County, Texas. The hearing will be an open house format from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with formal presentation starting at 7 p.m. Comments must be received on or before Wednesday, July 10, 2019, to be a part of the official record.
When: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Open House 6 p.m. Formal Hearing 7 p.m.
Town of Sunnyvale 127 N. Collins Road Sunnyvale, TX 75182
CALENDAR June 17 – Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 p.m. Town Hall 18 – 4B Economic Development Corp. 6:30 p.m. Town Hall 17 – Library Board, 6 p.m. Doris Padgett Public Library 19 – 4A Economic Development Corp. 5 p.m. Town Hall 24 – Town Council, 7 p.m. Town Hall 28 – Sunnyfest, 6 p.m. Town Center Park
July 4 – Independence Day, Town Offices Closed 8 – Town Council, 7 p.m. Town Hall 9 – 4B Economic Development Corp. 6:30 p.m. Town Hall 10 – 4A Economic Development Corp. 5 p.m. Town Hall 15 – Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 p.m. Town Hall 22 – Town Council, 7 p.m. Town Hall
Dates and times are subject to change. Please visit http://townofsunnyvale.org for current meeting information.