October 2008 |
Dirt begins to turn on turnpike construction in Rowlett!
Construction on the Eastern Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) through Rowlett is now officially under way!
After decades of planning and preparation with the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Dallas County and our neighboring cities of Garland, Sachse and Dallas, there are now real signs of turnpike construction in Rowlett.
This $1 billion, 9.9 mile, six-lane divided turnpike extension that will connect SH 78 in Garland to IH-30, is scheduled to be open to traffic in late 2011, with a portion of the Rowlett section open in 2010. The extension, being constructed by the NTTA and TxDOT, will begin at Firewheel Parkway, go east through portions of Sachse, aligned with Pleasant Valley Road, and turn south going through Rowlett. The alignment through Rowlett will be along Liberty Grove Road, crossing over Merritt Road. The route will then go under SH 66 and continue south on Kirby Road, going under Main Street in front of Rowlett High School. It will continue south going under Miller Road all the way to Lake Ray Hubbard where TxDOT will build the bridge across the lake and the connection to IH-30.
The turnpike extension, will encourage development of more than 1,000 undeveloped acres in north Rowlett, east of Liberty Grove that have been reserved for commercial growth. This area is referred to as the Northshore Commercial District. There are also hundreds of acres set aside on the east shore of Lake Ray Hubbard in Rowlett called the Waterfront Entertainment District. Development in both of these areas is projected to create more than 13,000 jobs and $18.9 billion in economic impact for Rowlett over 20 years.
Regular construction and traffic updates will be provided to Rowlett citizens for the duration of the project in this newsletter, through E-News subscriptions on www.rowlett.com and on RTN16, the City’s cable access channel. |
UPCOMING EVENTS
 Main Street Holiday Parade Launches Holiday Season
Saturday, November 22 at 10 a.m.
Come get in the holiday spirit and join in the fun as the Rowlett Noon Exchange Club kicks off the Holiday season with the Annual Holiday Parade in downtown Rowlett. Come early and stay after the parade as the City and Chamber of Commerce present fun activities for the entire family.
Activities begin at 9 a.m. on Main Street between the Clock Tower and Rowlett Road to give everyone a chance to find a great view of the parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m., and when it is over, families are invited to stay and enjoy all the exciting events and entertainment. Not only will the children get to talk to Santa Claus, but there also will be performances from local school choirs, and plenty of children’s activities including bounce houses, face painting, mini-train rides and a chance to make holiday arts and crafts. Activities will conclude at 2 p.m. and there is no admission fee. Parking is available at Coyle Middle School, east of City Hall.
 Veteran’s Day Memorial Ceremony
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 | Veteran’s Park
Join the City of Rowlett in this ceremony to honor our veterans with a moment of silence, and the placing of a memorial wreath at Veteran’s Park, located adjacent to the Rowlett Public Library on Main Street. Time of ceremony to be determined, so check www.rowlett.com for more information closer to the event.. |
COMMUNITY NEWS
 Dial 972-463-CITY for ACTION
The new city phone number, 972-463-CITY(2489) will connect you to the City of Rowlett Action Center, where a customer service representative is ready to assist you with all your questions, service requests and concerns, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
 Police Install New Cameras
to Catch Graffiti Vandals
New Ordinance Holds Parents Accountable
for Children’s Actions
In response to a rash of recent graffiti vandalism, the Rowlett Police Department has installed High tech cameras in certain areas in hopes of catching the perpetrators and curtailing the problem. The City has also passed a new ordinance that could hold parents accountable for their children’s actions should they be caught in the act of vandalism.
The cameras are in use in numerous cities throughout the country. These digital cameras use wireless technology to capture a photograph of the vandals in action. The camera emits a loud audible noise, warning the perpetrators that their photograph has just been taken. Detectives retrieve the photograph, identify the suspect, and use it in the prosecution.
These cameras have been extremely successful in reducing graffiti, illegal dumping, and criminal activity. The cameras can be deployed rapidly and moved anywhere a problem is identified. Citizens are reminded to report crimes in progress to dispatch at 972-412-6200.
 Council approves $81.6 million budget with no tax increase
The Rowlett City Council approved the 2008-09 fiscal year budget on Tuesday, September 16 that maintains the current property tax rate and provides for a pay raise for employees, new police units and two new ambulances.
The 2008-09 Fiscal Year budget is approximately $81.6 million. The property tax rate, which provides the bulk of the general fund, will stay the same for the fourth consecutive year at .747173 cents per $100 assessed value. The approved budget includes across the board raises of three percent for all employees on the open range pay plan and step raises for all public safety personnel, which became effective October 1, 2008. The City Council also approved implementation and funding of the Public Safety tenure pay plan, effective April 1, 2009. The annualized percentage rate of the tenure pay plan will range from 0%–6%.
Budget Summary:
1. Total adopted budget of $81,618,334
2. No change in employee position count
3. 3% raises for all employees on the open range pay plan and step raises for all public safety personnel effective 10/1/2008
4. Public Safety tenure pay plan effective 04/1/2009
5. Continued funding of road and infrastructure improvements - $3,157,484
6. Replace 4 police vehicles and two replacement MICU’s (ambulances)
7. Tax rate remains flat at 0.747173 per $100 valuation
8. Includes funding for a Downtown Special Events series
9. Includes funding for two positions expected to bring in revenue equal to their cost – a Deputy Marshal and a Meter Maintenance Specialist
With the tax rate remaining the same at .747173 per $100 assessed value, the City of Rowlett is maintaining a comparable tax rate to the surrounding cities. This is vital to the growth of economic development in Rowlett.
 Charter Amendments on November 4 Ballott
The City of Rowlett will have 7 Charter Amendments on the ballot this year. A Council-appointed citizen committee worked for months to recommend amendments to the City’s Charter and their recommended changes will be on the ballot on November 4. Go to www.rowlett.com for more information. Please click here for the amendment propositions and brief explanations of each proposition. You will also find early voting information and links to other important voter information here whether you live in Rockwall or Dallas County.
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YOUR CITY COUNCIL
Pictured left to right: Mayor Pro Tem Todd Gottel, Mayor John Harper, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Steve Maggiotto,
Council Members Cindy Rushing, Chris Kilgore, Doug Phillips, Patrick Jackson
Click here to email all Councilmembers
Regular City Council meeting times and location:
Work Session
- 6:00 p.m.* | City Hall Conference Room | First and Third Tuesday of the month
Regular Session - 7:30 p.m.* | City Hall Council Chambers | First and Third Tuesday of the month
4000 Main Street |
(972) 412-6116
Citizens wishing to address the council during a city council meeting may do so by notifying the city secretary’s office at (972) 412-6116, or by appearing at a council meeting and completing a card prior to the start of the meeting requesting time to speak during the “Citizens' Input" portion of every regular council meeting.
Upcoming City Council Meetings:
Tuesday, November 4 & 18
Click here to check the upcoming meeting calendar for Boards and Commissions.
* Check agenda for meeting times |
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