Sunday, September 30, 2012

912 Project Fort Worth


912FTW GENERAL MEETING 
Monday, October 1, 2012
 6:00 pm Social Hour
[hamburgers and beverages available for purchase] 
7:00 General Meeting
Elks Lodge
3233 White Settlement Road
Fort Worth, TX

 ***** 
Please welcome...
 TERRI HALL 
Speaker, Trainer, Activist

Terri founded the San Antonio TOLL Party, in 2005, when she discovered that TX DOT was converting her only access to San Antonio (Hwy 281) into a tollway. She also founded the 
Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom [TURF]
which defends property rights and our freedom to travel.
Terri has organized marches and rallies in Washington DC and Austin, appeared on the Lou Dobbs Show, CNN's American Morning, MSNBC and Fox News
*****
Terri will share information on..... 
* Will the Toll Roads bust our budgets?
*Can the International Trade Corrider [known as Trans Texas Corrider] be stopped?

* Are we selling our highways to the highest bidder
 by privatizing themand handing them over to foreign companies? 
* Eminent domain...what happens to our private property?

***** 
Find out how you can help stop runaway taxation without representation
and abuse of private property rights. 
Q & A to follow.
Co-Sponsors hosting this meeting include:
Texas Patriots TEA Party [Johnson County]
Northwest Republican Club
Parker County TEA Party 

***** 
PATRIOTS, ARM YOURSELF WITH INFORMATION
 AND REMAIN ENGAGED!
See you Monday, October 1, 2012
  
*****
 God Bless America!
God Bless Texas!

Who's on first?

What happens when government agencies sell land back and forth to each other because they want the first piece of land for their pet projects?

YOU get a $97 million dollar bill (so far). 

How's that Trinity River Vision working out for you so far?
We marked some of the items you won't want to miss in bold.

DATE: 8/21/2012
REFERENCE NO.: C-25798
LOG NAME: 06PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER DESIGN BUILD
CODE: C
TYPE:  NON-CONSENT
PUBLIC HEARING: NO

SUBJECT: Authorize Execution of a Design-Build Contract with The Cornell FW Company, LLC, at a Guaranteed Maximum Price in the Amount of $97,522,957.00 to Design and Build the New Public Safety Training Center at a Site Near the Intersection of Hemphill Street and Felix Street, Authorize Non-Interest Bearing Inter-Fund Loan Between the Solid Waste Fund and the Public Safety Training Facility Fund in the Amount of $20,522,957.00 and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (COUNCIL DISTRICT 9)

--------------------------------------------

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Authorize a non-interest bearing inter-fund loan from the Solid Waste Fund to the Public Safety Training Facility Fund in the amount of $20,522,957.00 for interim financing of the new Public Safety Training Center;
2. Adopt attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Public Safety Training Facility Fund in the amount of $20,522,957.00; and
3. Authorize execution of a Design-Build Contract at a guaranteed maximum price in the amount of $97,522,957.00 with The Cornell FW Company, LLC, to design and build the new Public Safety Training Center.

DISCUSSION: The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to award a Design-Build (D-B) Contract with The Cornell FW Company, LLC, at a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) amount of $97,522,957.00 for the design and construction of the new Public Safety Training Center on the property purchased last year from the federal government through General Services Administration (GSA). It is also necessary to authorize a non-interest bearing inter-fund loan in the amount of $20,522,957.00 between the Solid Waste Fund and the Public Safety Training Facility Fund in order to provide interim financing for the project. This is necessary due to the timing of funds being available from the Crime Control Police District (CCPD) and from the sale of the Police Department's headquarters located at 350 Belknap to Tarrant County. The remaining $77,000,000.00 will come from the sale of Certificates of Obligation expected to occur on or around August 14, 2012.

The current public safety training center located at 1000 Calvert Street was developed over the past 50 years to train the City's police and fire personnel. Due to its age, limited capacity and functionality, and the impacts of the bypass channel associated with the Trinity River Vision project, it has become necessary to replace the current facility. After an in-depth analysis of potential locations, Staff has determined that the most appropriate location is the Federal Depot property located at 501 West Felix Street in south central Fort Worth. This location has numerous benefits including good freeway access, central location, proximity to current City facilities and existing zoning and infrastructure.

Last year, the City acquired the 75 acres of property through GSA at a cost of $6,425,000.00. On July 26, 2012, the Crime Control Police District (CCPD) was presented with the option of using $10,000,000.00 in CCPD funding to help pay for the cost of the new training center. Before being able to commit any funding, however, two public hearings must be held. At its July 26, 2012 meeting, the CCPD Board of Directors recommended moving forward with the public hearing process. The first hearing is scheduled for the next CCPD Board meeting on August 30, 2012, followed by the second public hearing at the September 18, 2012 City Council meeting. The $10,000,000.00 in funding from CCPD will not be available until after the public hearing process has been completed and the City Council has approved the use of CCPD funding.

Similarly, the sale of 350 West Belknap requires a formal advertisement process before the sale of 350 West Belknap can be considered by the City Council, which is expected to occur by the end of September 2012. In order to get the Public Safety Training Center project initiated without further delay, Staff recommends moving forward with the inter-fund loan approach between the Solid Waste Fund and The Public Safety Training Facility Fund. Timing is critical as the City is expected to have some its new facilities in place, including the new Firing Range, by the end of December 2013 per the lease Agreement signed with the Tarrant Regional Water District (M&C L-15268) when the current police/fire training facility was sold last year.

Regarding the sale of 350 West Belknap, the County has agreed to purchase the City's share of the building by the end of this fiscal year and has agreed in principle to the price of $13,500,000.00 which is in line with the City's appraisal. Staff will use $10,522,957.00 of the sale proceeds to reimburse the Solid Waste Fund while an additional $335,520.00 will be used to pay TPW-Facilities Management for Construction Administration Services. Because the County wants to begin using some office space and parking shortly after they purchase the City's share of 350 West Belknap, it will be necessary to temporarily move some Police staff out of their headquarters. This move will entail some additional costs to make replacement space ready including IT, parking, and possibly some minor remodeling. It is also expected that the County will charge a commercial lease rate for the space the City continues to use at 350 West Belknap. All of these costs will be identified and brought forward as part of the upcoming Mayor and Council Communication in September that will involve the sale of 350 West Belknap to the County. Lastly, the Solid Waste Fund will also be reimbursed with the $10,000,000.00 in CCPD funding that is expected to be approved by the City Council in September.

Due to the ambitious construction schedule, Staff determined that the only viable procurement option was Design-Build (D-B), which is one of several contracting and delivery procedures for construction projects authorized by Chapter 2267 of the Texas Government Code. Under a D-B model, the government entity contracts with a single entity that provides both design and construction services. For projects on a tight timeline, the D-B procurement method generally results in a quicker, more seamless delivery with fewer change orders and delays than those typically associated with a traditional design-bid-build method.

The Request for Statements of Qualification (RFQ) from D-B firms opened on January 13, 2012, and was advertised in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. A total of 15 teams responded. The selection panel shortlisted four teams and issued a Request for Proposals to each that included a more detailed scope of services. Upon receiving their proposals, interviews were held with each of the four teams on April 11, 2012. The selection committee assigned points for each proposer based on experience and qualifications of the D-B team members, project scheduling, M/WBE participation, understanding of public safety training centers in terms of their planning and functionality, and ability to finance and costing methodology. Based on evaluation of the listed performance-based factors, The Cornell FW Company, LLC, received the most points and was selected as the top ranked D-B firm based on the demonstrated ability to design and build the Public Safety Training Center.

The Cornell FW Company, LLC, is in compliance with the City's M/WBE Ordinance by committing to 25 percent M/WBE participation on the design phase and 30 percent M/WBE participation on the construction phase of this D-B Project. This is achieved through the use of a joint venture for design between Komatsu Architects, a certified M/WBE firm, and Brinkley-Sargent Architects and a second joint venture for construction between Thos. S. Byrne, Ltd., a certified M/WBE firm, and Ridgemont Commercial Construction. In addition to the M/WBE joint venture participation, The Cornell FW Company, LLC, has committed to realize substantive M/WBE participation through the use of additional M/WBE subconsultants and subcontractors. The City's M/WBE goal on the design phase is 25 percent and on the construction phase is 30 percent.

This property is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 9, Mapsco 91N.

FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION:

The Financial Management Services Director certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current capital budget, as appropriated, of the Public Safety Training Facility Fund.

TO Fund/Account/Centers
1) C236 222064 000000198700

$20,522,957.00

2) C236 444100 061070198783

$10,522,957.00

2) C236 472079 061090198783

$10,000,000.00

2) C236 541200 061070198783

$10,522,957.00

2) C236 541200 061090198783

$10,000,000.00

FROM Fund/Account/Centers

1) PE64 137236 0000000

$20,522,957.00

3) C236 541200 061070198783

$87,522,957.00

3) C236 541200 061090198783

$10,000,000.00
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitted for City Manager's Office by:
 Fernando Costa (6122)

Originating Department Head:
 Randle Harwood (6101)

Additional Information Contact:
 Mark Rauscher (2446)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

What nimrod

loses a radioactive rod?

Haliburton did just that.  Don't worry though, they say it's ok.  And what does TXDot have to do with it?

Here's hoping they find it before some kids do. 

Well now we know

WHO controls NBC 5. 

We were sent a council agenda snip it from Fort Worth.  It's all about WHO you know, or WHO you owe.

M&C C-25548 - Amend M&C C-24973 Authorizing Tax Abatement and
Economic Development Program Agreements with
KXAS/NBC-5 for Construction of a New Production Facility
at the Southwest Corner of Amon Carter Boulevard and
FAA Boulevard to Extend Various Completion Deadlines
(COUNCIL DISTRICT 5)

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Where do you think you're going?


We're getting reports all over town of road closures due to flooding.  If you're still naive enough to travel on 820 or 183, and you can get off, don't.  The roads are under water.  Here's hoping the finished freeways (and toll lanes) are flood proof.

Good thing they are doing all that work on the creeks. Oh, wait...

Monday, September 24, 2012

You Are Cordially Invited


Joint GWO/AG Zoning Strategy Meeting
League of Neighborhoods,
North Central Texas Communities Alliance, 
The Historic Randol Mill Valley Alliance
Tuesday, September 25th, 6:30
NEW! Temple Christian School
We will meet in a classroom very near the auditorium which is 
located at the EAST end of the campus on Randol Mill.
6824 Randol Mill Road Fort Worth, TX 76120
(817) 457-0770

I propose for our agenda:

·       For us to all air our concerns and share understandings.
·       For us to agreed upon a consensus strategy for bringing about needed changes in the language of the City of Fort Worth’s Gas Well Ordinance.
·       I personally have a priority on blocking the construction of gas compressor facilities on the AG zoned property in our area.
·       I have a collateral need to recruit other neighborhoods with AG zoning in or near their respective areas and have collected the maps and the data base needed to make reaching out to them as easy as possible.
·       I am sure you all have your own concerns as well and look forward to hearing them with all of us present to listen, ask questions and better understand “the big picture.”

Please feel free to bring any colleagues that you like as there is plenty of meeting room.  I think that if we can agree on priorities, on central players, on recruiting strategies and on persistence under fire, we will surely prevail!

THRMVA will arrange to bring a laptop with lengthy power cord, a data projector, a screen and some nibbles and drinks.

I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday…have a grand, green weekend!

Bob Horton, MS
THRMVA

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Abram's Street Woes - Part 2


First Abram Street study cost $580. Second unnecessary study inflates to $55,000.

Monday, September 17, 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before moving on to other issues, we want to make these further comments on the Mayor’s plan to reduce the number of traffic lanes on Abram Street to make room for bicycle lanes.

To that end the City Council voted unanimously on August 21stto pay an out-of-state consultant $55,000 to study the feasibility of reducing Abram between Cooper and Collins to fewer lanes. Yes, we know the Mayor and Jimmy Bennett were absent, but had they been there, they would have voted yes.

There are plenty of problems with paying a consultant $55,000 to do work that a competent city staff (some of these folks have $100,000 range annual salaries) could do.

A bit of history. On 06/14/2011 the City Council approved a Thoroughfare Development Plan (consultant cost $100,000). On 06/28/2011 they approved a $61 million Hike and Bike Plan (consultant cost $250,000).

Arlington has 3,000 lane miles. So for a total of $350,000 (the cost of both plans), Arlington got a traffic pattern flow study and a whole lot more (including a 400 page bike plan) at a cost of $116.00 per mile.

Now consider Abram from Collins to Cooper—a single mile of roadway—with just five lane miles. The new Abram Street study at $55,000 will cost the citizens of Arlington $11,000 per lane mile. That is simply incredible! And remember, this is just a“study.” What if the consultant has more integrity than we think he has and reports that Abram should remain as is? If so, our City Council has squandered $55,000 of our tax dollars.

But now let’s add insult to injury. This new $11,000 per lane mile Abram Street study is just a retread of the original study of Abram Street (again Cooper to Collins) that was part of the original Hike and Bike Plan. That original study said taking Abram down to two lanes, despite a 19,000 daily traffic count, made great sense. Wrongheaded as its conclusion might be, that first study was at least cheap, at $580 for the five lane miles.

What on God’s green earth is at work here?

Creeping cronyism, that’s what.

Arlington risks becoming a city of crony capitalism where the well-connected gain advantage at citizen expense.

Abram Street is a glaring example. There are those who would like to turn Abram Street into a downtown open air mall where cars are no longer welcome. Like the cattle barons of old, these folks want to fence off Abram for their benefit. And if you have the temerity to think the streets belong to you, the citizen, and that you should be free to use Abram to get from west Arlington to 360, then, bub, these folks have got news for you. You’re not welcome to pass through.

Intentionally congesting a street and thereby diverting traffic to other streets that then congest as well, all to benefit special interests, is not good for Arlington, and it is not just.

Abram's Street Woes - Part 1

Two incoming emails about Abram's in Arlington.  What's it going to cost YOU?  And WHO is trying to take over all Texas roads?  Ponder that.

Avoiding the Road Less Traveled?

Show of hands: how many of you avoid going to Abram Street in downtown Arlington because the sidewalks are too narrow? Anybody? Anybody? Didn’t think so. Let’s try this again: how many of you avoid Abram Street because of the lack of quality landscaping? Anybody at all? Finally, how many of you avoid driving down Abram Street because there are just too dang many lanes (five including the center turn lane!), but that if it were reduced to three, or better yet two, you’d mosey on down there this very instant to grab a Shipley Donut bear claw?

Susan Schrock reports (“Arlington considers future of Abram St.,” Star-Telegram, Sept. 10, 2012) that the Arlington City Council and various public officials believe that these are some of the things that are keeping customers away from downtown businesses.

Which of course begs the question: how dumb do they think we are?

Apparently at least $55,000 dumb, since that is the money that will be spent to study the effects of reducing the lanes (along with wider sidewalks, additional landscaping, adding bike lanes, etc.). The thinking seems to be:

1) Fewer lanes will cause traffic congestion.
2) People love traffic congestion.
3) Therefore: more people will flock to downtown Arlington businesses.

Such stunning logic is supplemented by Public Works and Transportation director Keith Melton, who is quoted as saying, “Everybody agrees it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing roadway.” Well duh. The road itself needs to be repaved. How about we start with that? Old and poorly-kept buildings line much of the street. Refurbishing those would have a huge impact. Abram is a major Arlington street, and its appearance and viability undoubtedly affect the city’s image and quality of life. But replacing automobile lanes with bike lanes and planting a few trees ignore the real issues.

City Hall offers bizarre plans that are disconnected from reality. The current sidewalks could use some repair here and there but are perfectly wide enough unless the city is anticipating an influx of sumo wrestler pedestrians who insist on walking three abreast on their way from eating those Shipley bear claws to catching a concert at the Levitt Pavilion. The city planners talk about the need for additional on-street parking, yet there’s always plenty of parking around. Even during major LevittPavilion concerts, it’s rare to have to walk more than two or three blocks (on those oh-so-narrow-sidewalks!) to get to the event. My guess is that even a convention of sumo wrestlers could manage.

According to Ms. Schrock’s article, the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation “is pushing for Abram to become more pedestrian-friendly.” The group’s executive vice president Tony Rutigliano says people need to feel safer walking around downtown, and he’s not talking about muggings. Apparently those narrow sidewalks are frightening the women and children–a veritable plethora of Bridges of Khazad-Dum, surrounded by Balrogs, with Mr. Rutiglianooffering to be our Gandalf shepherding us to safety.

I can’t believe he’s serious, and that is what’s disconcerting about all this. A debate about the future of Abram Street is needed, but it has to be based on reality, not on some mythical fantasy about an imaginary city. What’s next? How about a place to park landspeeders? What if I want to ride my tauntaunto the library?

The way to get more customers to businesses is to make it easier, not more difficult, to get to these businesses. Clogging up the roads so that we have to park six blocks away and walk or bicycle the rest of the distance just to grab a donut or taco is absurd. We might as well plan for that convention of sumo wrestlers to parachute in by helicopter for some Babe’s chicken.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Want to get out of dodge?

It will cost YOU.

Did you hear the latest joke?  HOV lanes will be converted to toll lanes. 

Don't think it's funny?  Then you better speak up now, or forever pay the price.

Read about it here. 

Calling Arlington

Opinion Arlington, a True Voice for the Citizens of Arlington
 
Thursday, September 20, 2012
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
After one false and disappointing web site start, we are moving forward with Opinion Arlington, a web site dedicated to providing the citizens of Arlington with a greater voice in city government.  Such a voice has long been needed. 

We predict that the number of citizens voting in city elections will increase substantially. As that happens, Arlington can and will move beyond the crony crowd that has in the past determined election outcomes and a consequent city policy that too often works to serve glad-handing special interests rather than the citizen.
 
That has to change and Opinion Arlington wants to join with you, our fellow citizens, in making that change happen.
 
Opinion Arlington is not fancy, but it is inexpensive. We can operate indefinitely without asking anyone for financial support.
 
What we do ask for is that you know what your city government is doing and why.  Are the Mayor and City Council working in your interests, or are other interests the priority?  Opinion Arlington ’s goal is to keep you informed so that come election time, you’ll know who has worked for you and who is helping the crony capitalists pick your taxpayer pocket.
 
We really do believe positive change is coming.  Our job here at Opinion Arlington—and we’ll need your help to do it—is to get the following balls rolling:
 
1) Encourage citizen-friendly candidates to run for Mayor and Council seats.
2)  Spread the word about Opinion Arlington. Let friends, neighbors, and business associates know that Opinion Arlington offers invaluable insights into how city government is limiting our freedom and needlessly increasing the cost of government.
3)  Increase the number of voters in Arlington to a point where the crony crowd can no longer deliver re-election to incumbents who put the cronies ahead of the ordinary citizen and taxpayer.
 
We are looking for opinion writers. If you have something to say, we’ll be glad to publish your opinion piece.  Although we make no bones about being a conservative publisher, we nonetheless welcome all views.
 
If you wish to comment on any column, your thoughts are likewise welcome.
 
Opinion Arlington is not a news site.  Our forte is opinion and to that end we hope to be the place to go for lively interchanges on issues that matter to the citizens of Arlington .
 
To get the word out, we are printing thousands of Opinion Arlington business cards.  We’ll be getting these out in various ways. You can help by picking up a stack of cards when you see us at a meeting or by coming by 511 East Abram Street (across from Fuzzy’s Tacos).  Cards will be available next Thursday (Sept. 27th).
 
Opinion Arlington has a link whereby you can email the Mayor and City Council with your comments on an issue.  Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get a reply. That is common. But you can be sure they read each email.
 
We are in the process of setting up a “How the Council Voted” page.  For the first time, the citizens of Arlington will be able to review the voting report of incumbents.  We predict that many voters will not like what they see.
 
We’ll be adding a non-partisan community calendar featuring upcoming events that address public issues and concerns.
 
Opinion Arlington remains a work in progress, but we are pleased with the progress thus far.
 
With our nation $16 trillion dollars in debt, and literally creating new debt faster than new dollars can be printed, something very unpleasant is about to hit the fan at every level of government, something that is going to radically alter our way of life. We citizens must get more involved in civic life and find new leaders far better than those we have.  We need to assert ourselves at every level of government, including city.
 
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get started!
 
Sincerely,
Buddy Saunders
Publisher - Opinion Arlington
buddy@opinionarlington.com 
817-860-7827
www.opinionarlington.com