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SUGAR LAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERSafe City Planned Community Strong Local Economy Financially Sound City Mobility for PeopleFall 2001WHAT’S INSIDE: FY2002 Budget . 2 New Boards and Commissions . 3 Fire Station #5 Opens . 6City of Sugar Landwww.ci.sugar-land.tx.us
ALLEN BOGARDNamedSugar LandCity ManagerCity Property Tax Rate Drops 1.5 CentsSugar Land’s fiscal year 2001-2002 budget lowers the property tax rate by 1.5 cents, or 4.3percent, to 33.33 cents. Since 1993, the City has lowered the tax rate 16.67 cents or 33percent, which has resulted in a tax rate that is one of the lowest tax rates in Texas amongcities the size of Sugar Land. Projected 2002 funding sources and expenditures for the 93.7 million balanced budget include:SourcesSales TaxCharges for Service 24.7 million 21.4 millionExpendituresPublic SafetyCapital Projects 14.6 million 34.7 millionProperty TaxesBond Proceeds*Other Sources 17.4 million 27.9 million 11.9 millionCommunity ServicesDebt Service**Other Uses 12 million 22.8 million 22.5 million*Revenues include franchise fees, interest income, fines and forfeitures.**Other uses include utilities, airport, insurance and administration.The budget’s 13.5 million or 16.9 percent increase from the prior year’s adopted budget isdue primarily to infrastructure and rehabilitation projects, with a major emphasis on utilityimprovements. The Capital Improvements Program for fiscal year 2001-2002 totals 34.7million, including funding from the city’s two economic development corporations. Most ofthese funds will be dedicated to the 18 million Sugar Land Conference Center, to be builtin conjunction with the hotel in Town Square, and water and wastewater rehabilitationprojects.In addition, budgets totaling 12.9 million were approved for the City’s two economicdevelopment corporations.Allen Bogard has been named SugarLand’s city manager effective Oct. 1,2001. City Council selected Bogardfollowing the resignation of CityManager David Neeley.Since his arrival in Sugar Land in1994 as deputy city manager, Bogardhas been instrumental in thedevelopment of First Colony Mall andthe now-developing Sugar Land TownSquare. He also played a leading rolein the creation of Sugar Land’s twopremier recreation facilities –Eldridge and Oyster Creek parks.Bogard brings a total of 25 years ofTexas municipal experience to hisnew position. He began his career asa budget analyst in Dallas, served asan executive director in Plano andmore recently, served as city managerin Winnsboro and in Keller.page 2 / Fall 2001Tax Optionsfor SeniorsSugar Land’s tax rate is one of the lowestmunicipal tax rates in Texas. Sugar Landalso offers an over age 65 exemption of 40,000 and a homestead exemption of 5,000. After these exemptions, residentsover age 65 pay the second lowest taxbills among Texas cities the size of SugarLand.For seniors over the age of 65 withpayment problems, the City offers twopayment options. A quarterly paymentplan allows homeowners over the age of65 to pay City taxes in installmentswithout penalty or interest.The City’s deferment plan allowshomeowners over the age of 65 topostpone payments of delinquentresidential property taxes for as long asthey own or live in their homes. A seniorcitizen must file a tax deferral affidavitwith the appraisal district; if the seniormoves, sells the home or passes away,past taxes and interest at a rate of 8percent per year are due no later than 91days after the change. For moreinformation, call (281) 275-2750.CITY COUNCILDean A. HrbacekMayorJames A. ThompsonAt-Large Position OneKaryn K. DeanAt-Large Position TwoDonald L. SmithersMayor Pro-Tem, Single Member District OneCyril HosleySingle Member District TwoJ. Brian GastonSingle Member District ThreeDavid WallaceSingle Member District FourCITY STAFFAllen BogardCity ManagerKaren GlynnDirector of Community DevelopmentClaire MantheiDirector of Finance/AdministrationEarnest TaylorPolice ChiefJohn WuFire ChiefJoe MorrisCity AttorneyGlenda GundermannCity Secretary
SUGAR LAND BOARDS AND COMMISSIONSMembers of Sugar Land’s boards, commissions and corporations give freely of their time and expertise.They are volunteers who make an invaluable civic contribution to the success of Sugar Land, ensuring thatresidents enjoy a wide range of services and amenities.AVIATION POLICYADVISORY BOARDHenry Neal, chairmanJohn AdkinsReagan ClarkKen EnglishJeng LiangDinesh ShahSally SimsCouncilman James A. ThompsonANIMAL CONTROLADVISORY BOARDLt. David Marcaurele, chairmanDr. James L. CoxBecky EngbrockKathi LundBUILDING CODES BOARDOF ADJUSTMENT ANDAPPEALSDoug Turner, chairmanAl AbramczykRussell BirdSandra BoughalStephen CaldwellWalter EdmundsJim LancasterGordon YeattsVictor Zavala, Sr.Susan ZapalacMUNICIPAL AIRPORTJOINT ZONING BOARDRalph Young, chairmanJim AustinRobert LinSteve PorterMatthew ShepardPARKS AND RECREATIONPOLICY ADVISORY BOARDJames Hines, chairmanMable AustinSuehing Woo Yee ChiangJohn IvyCouncilman Brian GastonTom GargiuloMike GibsonMike O’ConnellPLANNING AND ZONINGCOMMISSIONJoe Zimmerman, chairmanSean BurnettJesse DeLaRosaKathy HuebnerJim LordAndre McDonaldRawley OutlawNancy PorterW. Michael YentzenSUGAR LANDDEVELOPMENTCORPORATIONLewis Luckenbach, III, presidentDean CarpenterCouncilman Brian GastonCouncilman Donald SmithersTim StubenrouchSUGAR LAND 4BCORPORATIONRobert P. Pickell, chairmanThomas DeMontPaula StansellGeorge TurnerCouncilman David WallaceDaniel WongBridget R. YeungZONING BOARD OFADJUSTMENTDon Burns, chairmanEd HinesSally HirschheimDeloise Holmes, Jr.Alan KwanLeo MeermanRose Kay ParkerMario RiveraSUGAR FESTIVAL BOARDOF DIRECTORSCouncilman David Wallace, chairmanSharon BacaPaul BarnettSteve BowersRoxie CampbellDoug EhrenkranzR. Kay ParkerNancy PorterGil SaenzTAX REINVESTMENT ZONENUMBER ONEMichael Siwierka, chairmanJoan DamonVincent DiCosimoJohn GambleLouis GarvinJared JamesonDavid E. NeeleyGreg StirmanRobert TreacyCOMPREHENSIVE PLANSTEERING COMMITTEEJoe Zimmerman, chairmanThomas ChapmanStephen EwbankKathy HuebnerWalter HolmesAndre McDonaldRay NixonNarendra PatelMary Von TungelnFallFall 20012001 // pagepage 33
TxDOT and FAA Partner with Sugar LandAirport for Air Traffic Control TowerThe last man to walk on the moon, GeneCernan, was the first pilot to officiallytouch down on Sugar Land’s runwayunder direction from controllers in thenew state-of-the-art air traffic controltower. Other activities at the Augustdedication included an F-16 flyby, musicby the Ismaili Pipe Band and a ribboncutting that included U.S. CongressmanTom DeLay.Cab group photo: (L-R)Michael Wheeler, tower hubmanager for Federal AviationAdministration/Houston;Steven J. Brown, deputyassociate administrator forFederal AviationAdministration Air TrafficServices; U.S. CongressmanTom DeLay; StateRepresentative CharlieHoward; Sugar Land MayorDean Hrbacek; Sugar LandCouncilman JimmyThompson, At-Large Position1; and Dave Fulton, Directorof Aviation of TexasDepartment of TransportationAviation Division.Sugar Land Airport was the first airport inthe state to receive funding from theTexas Department of Transportation(TxDOT) for construction of an air trafficcontrol tower. TxDOT approved 500,000 toward the construction, withthe remaining 500,000 paid through aloan from Sugar Land DevelopmentCorporation, a non-profit corporationwhose purpose is to support economicdevelopment. The airport will repaythese funds through revenues fromfuel sales.Texas Recycles DayTexans will learn just how recyclingrelates to clean air by attending one of500 Texas Recycles Day events on Nov.15. From Sugar Land to Midland,Abilene to Athens, recycling events willfocus on the theme, “Care for the Air Recycle.”Locally, Sugar Land and Keep SugarLand Beautiful will provide literature andgoodies promoting clean air to Fort BendISD fourth-graders. The literature willfocus on the air quality benefits ofrecycling, including cutting carbonemissions, reducing energy consumptionand allowing new products to be madewith less pollution. Whether recycling,conserving energy or choosing to carpool, each is a positive step toward cleanair in Texas.More information on the event isavailable at www.TexasRecyclesDay.org.As part of the Contracts Tower Program,the Federal Aviation Administration isfunding tower operations, saving theairport more than 250,000 annually.Corporations Choose Sugar Land AirportSugar Land Airport is quickly becoming the southwest sector’s hub for corporateaviation. Parker Drilling, Sugar Land Airport’s newest tenant, recently entered anagreement to lease hangar and office space. The company provides worldwide drillingand rental tool services to the energy industry.Parker joins a growing list of companies at Sugar Land Airport, including: Western Airways, one of the largest aircraft charter and management services in thegreater-Houston area (Western consolidated its operations and more than 20 aircraftto the airport last year and recently announced expansion plans.); andBeeler Properties Inc., a company that manages and builds apartment communitiesand develops real estate (Beeler recently purchased the BFI hangar and relocated itsflight operations to the airport.).page 4 / Fall 2001Steer It. Clear ItThe law now allows thatvehicles involved inaccidents should be removedfrom the roadway if there areno injuries and the vehiclesare able to be driven.
A BrightFutureGrowing Some JusticeThere’s no free ride for juveniles issued citations in Sugar Land. They can now be put towork instead of paying fines.As one of two Texas cities participating in the Community Garden program, juvenilesissued Class C misdemeanors may be assigned to work in a garden located at the City’sPublic Works complex. Youth cultivate crops, including tomatoes, squash, cabbage,herbs, strawberries, radishes, carrots, etc. More than 176 pounds of food has beendonated to the East Fort Bend Human Need Ministry Food Pantry since October 2000.Keep Sugar Land Beautiful recently recognized the garden with its Who Keeps SugarLand Beautiful Award.Volunteers help to supervise the youth while working the garden. To volunteer,call (281) 275-2560.A Driving Forcetruck sent to repair a malfunctioningsignal light at a busy intersection.Numerous Sugar Land departments relyheavily on specific vehicles, many ofthem designed with specialized service inmind, to perform their everyday duties.Ensuring that residents continue to enjoya quality of life unsurpassed in Texas isthe goal of Sugar Land’s seven-memberComprehensive Plan Steering Committee(names appear on page 3). Appointed byCity Council in July, these citizens willmeet weekly during the next eight monthsto develop goals, objectives and strategiesfor updating the City’s ComprehensivePlan, a document adopted in 1993.Shaping the work of the steeringcommittee is feedback from a communitysummit held this spring, during which 88community leaders provided input on avision for the City during the next 20years. They prioritized what theyperceived to be vital issues the Citywill face.Ever wonder how that police patrolvehicle or fire truck is always able torespond when needed? Let’s not forgetthe Public Works water unit dispatched torepair a water main leak or the bucketFleet Services maintains more than 350city vehicles and pieces of equipment. Astaff of three mechanics, who holdAutomotive Service Excellencecertification, and one divisional servicewriter perform and or document serviceranging from basic preventivemaintenance items to full-scale repairs orreplacements, including engines andtransmissions.DID YOU KNOW?In Fort Bend County, shoppers have some4 million square feet of retail space closeto home, 3 million square feet of it inSugar Land alone. First Colony Mallmakes up 1 million of that square footage.For more information,call (281) 275-2313 or e-maillmcelhanon@cityhall.ci.sugar-land.tx.us.Fall 2001 / page 5
Sugar Land AcquiresEmergency Response VehicleThe Sugar Land Fire Department recently placed a new emergency response vehicle inservice for non-fire-related calls. The purpose of the vehicle is to reduce the number ofruns made by the much larger and costlier full-size fire engines.Located at Sugar Land Fire Station #4 (Austin Parkway near First Colony Mall), dataindicates the vehicle has successfully reduced response times for all types ofemergencies around First Colony Mall, including the following: emergency medical calls; motor vehicle accidents; non-emergency service calls; and hazardous materials spills.Free Gun Locks, SafetyKits AvailableFree gun lock and safety kits are nowavailable at the Sugar Land PoliceDepartment, 1200 Highway 6.The police department received about2,500 gunlock safety kits as part of Texas’Project ChildSafe. The kits will beavailable from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday on a first-come, first-servebasis with a limit of two per household.For more information about the freegunlock and safety kits, please contactSgt. Angie Womble at (281) 275-2520.Sugar Land Firefighter Selected for NewYork Search and Rescue EffortSugar Land Fire Lt. Greg Hopper recently returned from a Federal EmergencyManagement Agency (FEMA) deployment to New York, where he assisted in theresponse to the destruction of the World Trade Towers.The only Fort Bend County firefighter to assist in the search and rescue effort, Hopperhas been dispatched to emergencies in the past as part of FEMA’s Texas Task Force 1,White Team. In this capacity, Hopper participates in search and rescue operations,medical treatment and technical support. Designed to be logistically self-sufficient forthe first 72 hours of operation, the task force is able to function for up to 10 days.FIFTH FIRE STATION ADDEDSugar Land’s first new fire station since 1994 and the first ever built in the City’s extraterritorialjurisdiction opened Aug. 29. Fire Station #5 is located at Commonwealth Boulevard and Elkins Road.Fire Station #5 is staffed 24 hours per day and houses a Rescue “Pumper” Engine capable ofresponding to fires, medical emergencies and automobile collisions. The location of the station shouldsignificantly improve response times within First Colony, Commonwealth and Avalon, as well as areasthroughout the southwest portion of the City. Firefighters based at Station #5 have responded toapproximately 30 emergencies during the station’s first month of operations, placing the facility ontrack to meet projections of more than 300 emergency calls during its first year.page 6 / Fall 2001
U.S. 59:Two Years Down,One to GoKeeping Motorists MobileSugar Land implemented several proactive measures to keep motorists on the move: New developments must dedicate additional right-of-way at major intersections,accommodating exclusive right-turn lanes.New commercial development must construct left-turn lanes at mid-block medianopenings to serve their private driveways.Joint use commercial driveways are utilized wherever possible to minimize thenumber of commercial driveways on public streets.The Traffic Management Center will ultimately remotely control traffic signals.A policy is being drafted to minimize the impact that new development has onpublic streets.Capital improvement projects recently completed or in the planning stages:1) Right- and left-turn lanes at Dulles and Lexington completed; 2) Right-turnlane on Dulles at Highway 6 completed; 3) Right-turn lane on Lexington atHighway 6 completed; 4) Re-striping Sweetwater Boulevard/First Colonyoverpass at Highway 59 to four lanes by Thanksgiving 2001; 5) Right-turn laneon Sweetwater at Lexington to begin next year; and 6) Median improvements toLexington between Austin Parkway and Highway 6 to be constructed next year.And the Survey Says As part of Sugar Land’s summer 2001 community newsletter, residents were asked tocomplete a communications survey designed to solicit feedback on items like the City’scommunity newsletter, the annual report/calendar and the Web site. More than 390surveys were returned; the following comments summarize what residents had to say:With the second year of road constructionbehind us in Sugar Land, the U.S.Highway 59 expansion project is wellunderway, and the end is in sight. We’reheaded for the goal of summer 2002,when drivers will enjoy a total of eightcontinuous northbound and southboundmain lanes from State Highway 6 tosouthwest Houston. On the Horizon Thanksgiving 2001: Traffic switchedto new pavement in the median forthe U.S. 59 main lanesEarly 2002: Reconstruction of StateHighway 6 at U.S. 59 completed2002: U.S. 59 main lanes over U.S.Highway 90A completed2002: U.S. 59 main lanes andfrontage roads from Sugar CreekBoulevard to Highway 6 completed2003: Frontage roads betweenKirkwood Drive and Sugar CreekBoulevard, including U.S. 90A mainlanes and the railroad crossingcompleted With few exceptions, respondents said the community newsletter is one of the waysthey receive information about the City, saying they read it “always” or “often.”Local events and ordinance stories were cited as most popular, and a new section onnew Sugar Land businesses was requested most often.Comments on the annual report/calendar ran the gamut from a “waste of taxpayerdollars” to pride in living in Sugar Land. Based on the feedback, the calendar willcontinue for now, and the 2002 calendar will have date pages that are pen and pencilfriendly and will include some Fort Bend ISD dates.The majority of individuals who returned a survey indicated they have “never”visited the City’s Web site. Check out our site at www.ci.sugar-land.tx.us.Most respondents were unaware that they can direct inquiries, complaints,compliments and requests to Ask City for assistance and resolution. The Ask Cityphone number is 281/ ASK-CITY (275-2489).The U.S. 59 Hotline (281/276-9959) — also unfamiliar to most people whoreturned surveys — provides information regarding road closures.Hometown HelpA Utility Assistance Program is available to customers experiencing difficulties inpaying their bills. The program is supported with donations from water/wastewatercustomers and administered by the Fort Bend Social Services Department.Eligibility for the Utility Assistance Program includes unemployment; persons 65 yearsof age or older on fixed incomes with no alternative source of funds; disability; singleparent household; and special hardships, such as unusual expenses that can bedocumented.Fall 2001 / page 7
On the Cover: Proud to be an AmericanThousands of Sugar Land residents from all backgrounds —including Moslems, Hindus, Jews and Christians — joinedtogether at Oyster Creek Park to rally around the flag during“Proud to be an American.” Patriotic songs and chants of“USA!” filled the air as residents sent a symbolic messageduring a time of national tragedy: “We are one in Sugar Land.”Joining in the festivities were U.S. Congressman Tom DeLay,Sugar Land City Council and many other local and stateofficials. Minerva Perez, of KTRK-TV Channel 13, served asmaster of ceremonies, and religious leaders spoke on the needfor unity: Sr. Pastor Tom Pace, of the Christ United MethodistChurch of Sugar Land; Reverend Ed Lee, pastor of the FortBend Community Church; Aftab Ghesani, a representative of theMoslem community; Bharat Dave’, of the Hindu BLPS Temple;and Rabbi Avi Schulman, Congregation Beth El.Appearing before the crowd were Clements High School studentAmber Laird who sang the National Anthem; the IsmailiPipeBand; the Kelly McGuire Band; Friends in Harmony:Deborah Hernandez, Laurie Pauley, Marlene Keplinger andTheresa Rawls; and Sugar Land firefighter Robert Rogers, whoplayed a bagpipe tribute to fallen firefighters.The Sugar Land and the Fort Bend Exchange Clubs and theAustin High School Reserve Officer Training Corps color guardalso participated in the event.DATES TO REMEMBERNovember6City Council Meeting6Election Day10Backyard Composting Classes15Texas Recycles Day20City Council Meeting22Thanksgiving Day-City Offices Closed23City Offices Closed27City Council MeetingDecember4City Council Meeting13Senior Holiday Gala14Share Your Christmas Food Drive18City Council Meeting25Christmas-City Offices Closed29Curbside Christmas Tree RecyclingROLLING HOLIDAYSThanksgiving (Thursday, November 22)Thursday’s solid waste collection will occur on Friday, and Friday’scollection will occur on Saturday.Christmas (Tuesday, December 25)Tuesday’s solid waste collection will occur on Wednesday;Thursday and Friday’s collection will not be affected.New Year’s Day (Tuesday, January 1)Tuesday’s solid waste collection will occur on Wednesday;Thursday and Friday’s collection will not be affectedPRST STDUS POSTAGEPAIDSUGAR LAND, TXPermit No. 8City of Sugar LandPO Box 110Sugar Land, TX 77487-0110Residential Customerpage 8 / Fall 2001
Airport for Air Traffic Control Tower Corporations Choose Sugar Land Airport Texas Recycles Day Texans will learn just how recycling relates to clean air by attending one of 500 Texas Recycles Day events on Nov. 15. From Sugar Land to Midland, Abilene to Athens, recycling even
