Voters still have no say...

Is what the Fort Worth Star-Telegram could have called their article, "Voters had no say as DFW cities took on debt". 

Read what your "leaders" say about YOU.  Does it sound like they called you stupid?  Or they just know you're not paying attention?  What's it going to take before you do?  They aren't going to stop on their own.

While we commend the "news" paper on writing a "news" story, we noticed one tiny, billion dollar item was missing from the list.  The Trinity River Vision, which is completely taxpayer funded, was not listed as another one of these projects where voters have no say. 

If you are a citizen and taxpayer of the metroplex, it is YOUR duty to send this to every citizen and taxpayer in the metroplex you know.  Your kids are counting on YOU.  Then, you should read their article , "Congressional mailing privilege favors incumbents at taxpayer expense".  Duh.  They use your money to tell YOU to vote for them, to keep them in office, so they can keep spending your money.  WHO didn't know that? WHY do YOU continue to do it?  Tell us, inquiring minds want to know.

If we haven't convinced you yet, maybe some of what they said will...

In fact, none of them got to vote at all.

However, taxpayers are on the hook should funding fall short.

$52.7 million -- wasn't presented to voters.

A Haltom City official cautioned that greater disclosure would confuse people and make them more inclined to oppose something because "it's just a bunch of big numbers."

And they aren't foolproof.

One critic testified before the Legislature that such financing can result in "vampire indebtedness" -- debt that never dies.

"I think we're smart enough to know when we're in their wallets," Combs said.

And the moral to the story?  Do something.

Keller voters forced an election in 2006 and crushed the proposal while also voting out three council members who had supported it.

Please. Do something!

In Tarrant, 18 cities, including Fort Worth, borrowed at least 40 percent of their tax-supported debt from 2005 to 2011 without voter approval, according to an analysis of Texas Bond Review Board data.

Fort Worth City Treasurer James Mauldin said certificates are used in many cases to avoid the time it would take to bring a bond to voters. Such measures also save on election costs, officials said. "Usually, it's we need it before we can put another [bond] program out on the streets," he said.

"It seems some local governments are making every effort to [not put] things before voters," Venable said. But with so much focus on the national debt, she said, "few people realize that local debt is growing exponentially as well."

But official statements about the debt, on file with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, show that in recent years the borrowing funded projects such as new libraries that some see as amenities or computers and software that may be outdated before the debt is scheduled to be paid off.

North Richland Hills' 2010 official statement for a $23.7 million certificate fails to mention that uses for the money included the recreation center that opened Saturday. Yet the city says that's where they got $18.8 million for the complex.

A spokeswoman said that the information was omitted in error, that it wasn't a legal problem, and that voters were informed through a council resolution and legal notices.

Or cities may say that revenue from special tax districts or sales taxes will pay off new debt, but they don't make clear that if that revenue falls short, taxpayers may bear the burden. That's because to obtain more favorable terms, cities usually back the certificates with property taxes.

Keller serves as a cautionary tale. The city borrowed $33 million using certificates to finance a town hall and other projects, with revenue from a special tax district to pay for it. But revenue couldn't keep up, and the city, despite refinancing the debt, had to use other funds to make payments.

Taxpayers could turn to the Texas Bond Review Board for information on borrowing, but it may be unreliable. In spot-checks, the Star-Telegram found errors in the board's information. For instance, Richland Hills' per capita debt was skewed by a reported population of 338 -- the figure should have been 23 times that: 7,801 residents. The board reported the assessed property values of Weatherford at $329 million, a number off by more than $1.4 billion. Arlington's tax-supported debt was listed incorrectly as $432 million. The city says it owes $659 million.

In Fort Worth, where debt and interest top $1 billion, Mayor Betsy Price said she believes that elected officials' job is to provide full disclosure. Price said the city communicates through town hall meetings, through social media sites such as Facebook and at council meetings.

"But it's also the citizens' responsibility to read the details," she said. "Voters need to study and get engaged on those issues and ask their elected officials tough questions."

Cities aren't required to tell voters that they can block the certificates. Voters can force an election if 5 percent of them sign a petition and submit it before the certificates are approved.

One of the few instances of that took place in Keller, where voters had rejected a bond issue for a library in 1999. Nevertheless, the City Council approved plans in 2005 to borrow about $8.5 million for a library without an election.

Typical

Both the TIF and the reporting.

Read the article about TIF's not living up to their hype or promises.  The article that then goes on to tell you how much the TIF's should make.  Wait, what??  Typical Fort Worth Way in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 

It talks about the developers taking risks with TIF's, it doesn't say much about those that fund the TIF.  Yes, it's YOU.

Notice how when they tell you about the Trinity River Vision TIF, they leave out the 40 years it spans (so far).

Does that mean YOUR kids will be sheep too?

Many projections for valuation growth were wildly overoptimistic.

For example, the tax increment finance district, or TIF, that covers east Fort Worth's Woodhaven neighborhood has lost overall property value for two years in a row. And a TIF that was started to attract a Cabela's sporting goods store to far north Fort Worth doesn't generate enough revenue to reimburse the retailer for bond payments tied to the development.

They typically stay in place for 20 years.

But he added, "Nobody predicted the loss of tax base two years in a row," referring to Woodhaven.

Cabela's was touted as a destination that would attract other development and millions of visitors. But there has been no other building.

The TIF, which was challenged in court by a citizens group, was set up to attract the Cabela's project at the northeast corner of I-35W and Texas 170. Cabela's said it wouldn't come to Fort Worth without it.

One of the more ambitious TIFs in terms of funding development is the Trinity River Vision TIF, which spans 3,980 acres from Northeast 23rd Street on the north and West Lancaster Avenue to the south, and includes Gateway Park to the east. The TIF proposes $320 million in spending.

The TIF currently carries costs associated with the Trinity River Vision project and has raised $8.4 million but spent only $2.5 million, the report says.

It started in 2003 with a base property value of $130.7 million.

That grew to $334.8 million in 2010, but expectations are that it could have a taxable value of $2.6 billion by 2044.

Another Tarrant County "Study"

Funny thing about "studies", they usually produce the outcome those hired to produce it are looking for.  It's what you call a win/win.  Unless, of course, you're the one paying for it.

This one was done by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. Read about it in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

It claims property taxes are part of the benefit to all the abatement's Fort Worth handed out this year.  How can that be when the TIF's in the area are struggling to meet their promises due to declining property taxes?  Remember, there were studies for those TIF's too. What are they basing these numbers on?  Apparently, whatever they could.

The overall economic impact includes company investments, salaries and what workers will spend.

It also considers salaries created or supported in new or existing firms, such as maintenance companies and service firms, and spending at stores and restaurants.

 There were a couple of key sentences in the article:

In its efforts, the chamber's economic development division received and spent about $1 million from private and public sources in 2011.

The chamber's economic development division works closely with the city's economic development department.

As usual the best part were the comments from THE PEOPLE:

It's a great place to do business if you're looking for a tax handout, but Fort Sprawl is not a great place to live anymore.  

Roads are in terrible condition, crime is up and police response times are lousy.  City services are poor and getting worse.  Those that still exist, anyway.  Price lives in her shielded world and is not in touch with the average citizen.

The only ones who are happy with all this are the stinking corporations and developers and corrupt politicians (current and past mayors & council included) who are benefiting at citizens' expense. If you've got enough money to buy a politician or two, you can pretty much get whatever you want. That's exactly what happened with the Trinity Drainage Ditch Vision and many other pet projects... reward the developers/politicians... screw the citizens.

How's that TIF workin out for ya? NRH

This one in North Richland Hills.  WHY is the TIF not working out?  Declining property values.

Read about the latest TIF tiff in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The city must scale back a project that is part of redevelopment efforts along Boulevard 26 south of Northeast Loop 820 because revenues from a special tax district have fallen short.

With a $9 million drop in property values in the area since 2008, the city wouldn't have enough revenue to meet the debt service for the $3.5 million project plan. Instead, city officials estimate that $2.5 million in funding is available.

The city has sold $1 million in bonds and, based on revenue projections, says that $1.5 million in additional debt could be issued.

The issue is focused on a Tax Increment Financing district, created in 2008 to use property tax revenues for redevelopment. The city had an existing TIF zone, created in 1999, but expanded it to include all commercial properties in the Boulevard 26 corridor south of Loop 820, except North Hills Hospital and the Calloway Creek area.

"Staff has had several meetings with TxDOT trying to reach a compromise, but has not had a great deal of success. TxDOT has made it very clear that only TxDOT approved roadway striping and colors can be used in the corridor within their rights-of-way," Curtis wrote in Nov. 14 memo to the North Richland Hills City Council.

How's that TIF workin out for ya?

The Fort Worth Business Press tells you what another one cost YOU.

TIF board agrees to pay hotel developer full reimbursement

Trinity Bluff Development Ltd. will receive a complete $206,864.08 reimbursement related to developing the Marriott TownePlace Suites hotel on East Belknap Street just west of downtown.

According to information compiled by the downtown TIF, Western International sold the hotel to Apple REIT Nine for $18.4 million on July 19, 2010. The value of hotel improvements since construction was completed totaled $15.4 million, the difference between the land sale price and the hotel sale price.

At the Nov. 28 meeting, the TIF board had four options: find Trinity Bluff Development in default in its TIF development agreement and pay it nothing; find that while Trinity failed to meet its commitments, it may be paid a prorated amount on the reimbursement under one of two scenarios; or find that Trinity “met the spirit of the development agreement” and be paid the entire reimbursement amount.

More Connections

Today the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tells you about a large land purchase.  Land that's being drilled on, lots of it.  Of course only the surface rights were for sale.

WHO would buy that much land?  Michael Mallick.  110 drilling sites, thousands of acres, millions of dollars.  Apple REIT Nine.  Coming soon to a neighborhood near you.

We looked for some Mallick info, not surprisingly, the Fort Worth Weekly had some. 

Project developer Michael Mallick is Anglo, with offices on the west side of town. Those opposing Hicks and Mallick on the project are a few black business leaders, led by controversial real estate developer Leonard Briscoe, Sr., who went to prison in the 90s for illegal kickbacks. He contends that black developers like him are being aced out of projects in favor of white, politically connected developers like Mallick.

She points to the two Mallick Group developments on the map. The Sierra Vista development will provide about 230 new single-family homes on the site of the old Riverside Village apartment complex, plus retail sites nearby. About a mile to the east. the Masonic Home property will be transformed into about 500 homes plus 63 acres of commercial development. There will also be 16 acres set aside for natural gas drilling. Hicks helped broker a deal earlier this year that created a tax increment financing district to include both Mallick Group properties. As tax income to the city increases because of the development, the extra dollars will pay for infrastructure improvements — perhaps one of the few instances when Fort Worth has used the TIF device in the kind of blighted area it was intended for. The East Berry TIF could produce as much as $10 million for things like streets and sewers in what will be known as Masonic Heights, bounded by Wichita and East Berry streets and Mitchell Boulevard. Homes likely will sell for $140,000 to $200,000.

Congrats to TRIP!

Good example of what THE PEOPLE can do when they come together.  Read the message below from the Trinity River Improvement Partnership. 

Dear Friends of the Trinity River,

TRIP is pleased to announce that our documentary video project, Up A Creek, has been selected by the Neo-Relix Film Festival in Glen Rose, Texas. It will be shown as one of the featured programs at 2:00 Saturday, September 3rd, and at 12:00 Sunday September 4th.

Up A Creek is a story about the real dangers of flooding that exist in the Fort Worth area, and seeks to inform citizens about the misplaced priorities of our elected officials and their plans to spend close to one billion dollars of tax money to benefit the development community.

Our presentation begins with a heartbreaking, true story of flooding, tragedy, and a lack of local governmental foresight and accountability. Local critics of the Trinity River Vision Project then pick up the story and cover a wide-ranging series of topics, from eminent domain abuse to TIF financing districts, legislative manipulation, lack of local media scrutiny, where flood control is actually needed. It addresses the role of the Tarrant Regional Water District and where our local and federal tax dollars are going with this project. The video ends with a call to action, urging voters to educate themselves about the project and help TRIP to offer a more realistic alternative.

TRIP... Our Mission: Support public and civic organizations to achieve maximum balance in preserving property rights, the environment, flood control, and historical considerations, while achieving reasonable development and a clean and adequate water supply.

Please join us. Visit us at www.savethetrinityriver.org

Calling Fort Worth

A local resident had some questions concerning a gas drilling site in Fort Worth, so he emailed the Mayor and Council and many others. 

Watch for the response in the next post. 

August 12, 2011

City of Fort Worth

I wish to file a complaint regarding M&C G-17346 which is the Chesapeake Rutherford 1H proposed well site. The street address is 6699 Boca Raton Boulevard per the City Council Agenda.

This item was on the City Council Agenda for which I filed an on-line speaker card against. I received a phone call advising me it had been withdrawn from consideration. Upon arriving to speak on another item, I spoke with Rick Trice who informed me the reason it was withdrawn was that Chesapeake had all of the necessary waivers.

I informed Mr. Trice there was an apartment in the Woodhaven Self Storage main building that is about 75 feet from the proposed pad site and less than the 300 feet required by Ordinance. I was then told they would have to move as Chesapeake had a waiver or something indicating no one lived there.

I have a copy of what I think he is talking about and it does say there is not a permanent resident. However, there is an on site manager as advertised on their web site who lives there. I unaware of any resident of an apartment who is a permanent resident, they however are a resident. The only permanent residents I am aware are in the Cemetery.

Perhaps Mr. Trice was being facetious about there needing to move, but it would appear to me the City has an obligation to review the matter more and if there is a resident, which there is, the occupied building should have the right to correct any issues. The Storage Company has been in business for a length of time and part of their service is having an on-site manager for their customer’s storage security. The Woodhaven Self Storage is located within the Woodhaven TIF 13 and most TIF areas are not noted for security and safety, this TIF is no exception.

There are numerous reasons why a well site should not be allowed at this location, but I will begin with basic procedure irregularities.

The drilling Ordinance 15-36 D clearly states no application for a gas well permit will be accepted without ALL of the waivers having been obtained.

The last waivers were not obtained until August of 2011 and yet the application was submitted and accepted by the City in early May of 2011, or three months earlier.

15-36D. Permitting Procedures for a Waiver from Protected Use Property Owners.

1. No application for a Gas Well permit within six hundred (600) feet of a Protected Use by Waiver of Protected Uses shall be accepted unless the written notarized waivers are obtained from all Protected Use Property Owners within six hundred (600) feet of the proposed well site. Written notarized waivers granted by the all the Protected Use Property Owners within a six hundred (600) foot radius around the proposed well or boundary of Multiple Well Site must be filed, at the expense of the Operator, in the applicable county records. All waivers must identify the property address, block and lot number subdivision name and plat volume and page number. Copies of filed Protected number. subdivision name and plat volume and page number. Copies of tiled Protected use Property Owner waivers must be submitted with the filing of a completed application for a gas well permit within 600 feet of a protected use.

The next irregularity is that it was recently cleared, graded and removal of large light poles along with installing a chain length fence around the property. This was done before the City issued any gas-drilling permit and at the direction of Chesapeake.

This violates Sec. 15-34(A) Gas Well Permit Required.

A person wanting to engage in and operate in gas production activities shall apply for and obtain a gas well permit under this article and shall indicate what type of gas well permit is requested. It shall be unlawful for any person acting either for himself or acting as agent, employee, independent contractor, or servant for any person to drill any well, assist in any way in the site preparation, re-working, fracturing or operation of any such well or to conduct any activity related to the production of gas without first obtaining a gas well permit issued by the city in accordance with this article. Such activities include, but are not limited to re-working, initial site preparation, drilling, operation, construction of rigs or tank batteries, fracturing and pressurizing. A permit shall not be required for seismic surveys unless the survey is conducted on city owned property or city rights-of-ways unless such requirement is waived by the city.

The City still appears to be ready to move forward with permitting this well site for Chesapeake despite there being a protected use (residence) approximately 75 feet from the pad site even though the Ordinance requires a minimum of 300 feet from the pad site.

This well is closer than 300 feet from a protected use.

The Woodhaven Storage facility is right next-door with an on-site manager and an apartment on the second floor. I talked to Scott Haskins the General Manager who assured me the apartment is used. That apartment is about 75 feet from the pad site.

The definition of a residence:

Residence means a house, duplex, apartment, townhouse, condominium, city-inspected mobile home or other building designed for dwelling purposes, including those for which a building permit has been issued on the date the application for a gas well permit is filed with the gas inspector. Residence shall include assisted living facilities, nursing homes (both intermediate care facilities and skilled nursing facilities), residential board and care facilities, group homes, twenty-four-hour shelters, half-way houses, hotels, motels and jails.

The Woodhaven Self Storage building was obviously designed to provide a living place. The up-stairs has a balcony, a ceiling fan and patio furniture along with an outdoors grill. The living area is required for this facility to provide security and oversight by the on-site manager as advertised. I have driven past this location many times late a night and observed automobiles present and activity on the balcony.

There are many practical reasons why a well should not be at this location.

The location is within the boundaries of the Woodhaven TIF 13.

When the TIF was authorized and approved, the citizens of Fort Worth and Tarrant County were assured there would be a plan put in place to ensure the TIF area would increase property values and create a better place to live.

When you look at where this gas well is proposed, it goes against everything we were promised.

I don’t understand why the Council Person for District 4 isn’t demanding this well site not be allowed. He is on the TIF Board and his duty is to protect the Woodhaven TIF 13.

It is located at one of the few gateways into the Woodhaven TIF. That would be John T. White and 820.

History has shown a gas well only brings down property values and it creates a nuisance along with being a safety hazard to the residents.

There are already more well sites than should be allowed in and around this TIF, but this well site is located literally in the middle of an existing community. On several sides there are hundreds of apartments and on the other side there are neighborhood friendly businesses.

There is a major grocery store, several restaurants and other business the residents frequent often. These are all extremely close to the site.

The well site is out of place.

How do you plan to notify 1000’s of apartment residents within that 600 feet or even 400 feet if there is a major blowout or explosion? You can’t.

There is no safety margin and no time to develop a plan.

If there is a blowout or fire, there is no acceptable safe access to the site for fire and safety crews if the winds are from the Northwest, and which it most likely would be during winter months.

The City also has other obligations.

The City signed an agreement with Tarrant County that states

4.1. Amendment to TIF Ordinance.

All amendments to the TIF Ordinance shall be

approved by the TIF Board prior to approval by the City Council.

Due to the site location, that would be contrary to what was agreed in the contract with the County and they can stop making payments.

Has the TIF board approved anything or even discussed this as the contract stipulates?

Chesapeake doesn’t need this well; they already have a well site less than 1000 feet away and could drill anyplace they could from this one. They can drill over 5000 feet if necessary.

They appear to be grabbing land and destroying surrounding property values.

The City has the authority to say no to this gas well. It is in a TIF and as such the State grants the authority

Sec. 311.008. POWERS OF MUNICIPALITY

OR COUNTY.

(b) A municipality or county may exercise any

power necessary and convenient to carry out this

chapter, including the power to

(3) enter into agreements, including agreements with bondholders, determined by the governing body of the municipality or county to be

necessary or convenient to implement project plans and achieve their purposes, which agreements may include conditions, restrictions, or covenants that run with the land or that by other means regulate or

restrict the use of land;

I have provided several images to review that support my request to looking deeper into the permitting of the Rutherford 1H well site.

They include a copy of the TIF area showing the well site is inside the TIF.

An aerial of surrounding apartments and residential friendly business that creates a community

The location of another well site less than 1000 feet.

There are photographs of the pad site before clearing, grading and site preparation and after. One aerial photo clearly shows light poles on the location.

Woodhaven Self Storage Web page – “on site manager”

There are eating establishments with Food prepared within feet of site.

The well site should not be allowed at this location, it is not needed by Chesapeake Energy and certainly does not belong in a location so close to residents and other business without an adequate ability to fight a fire if one occurred.

Chesapeake Energy cannot say there is not another location for a drill rig since there is already a well site within 1000 feet of the proposed site.

The location of this site is right in the heart of a residential neighborhood and neighborhood friendly businesses area.

Placing a well site in the heart of any residential community will destroy the surrounding area and is contrary to the goal of the Woodhaven TIF 13.

The City has partners in the TIF such as Tarrant County and the school District along with others who were never consulted about allowing a gas well and this violates the partnerships agreed purpose.

Chesapeake Energy and the City of Fort Worth have violated the trust of the Citizens of Fort Worth in misrepresenting the truth or the facts. Numerous Ordinances were not followed as required and when they were pointed out, there was no action taken, except maybe on the little guy, Woodhaven Self Storage.

Due to the long list of discrepancies, irregularities, lack of safety considerations and not meeting the required setbacks of the Fort Worth Gas Drilling Ordinance, I request that no permit be issued to Chesapeake Energy for the Rutherford 1H well site location. I would also request penalties be asses for violations as provided by the city Ordinance. Chesapeake knows the regulations and should be required to obey them.

Sincerely

Right on the money

YOUR money.

Excellent letter in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this weekend.  Maybe the paper should have more letters and less editorials?

Good to know some people are paying attention. Are YOU?  YOUR kids will thank you for it.

Bless you, Ms.Bledsoe.

Out of balance

In its July 26 editorial, the Star-Telegram bemoans the city's $2.5 million loan to get a space museum off the ground and into orbit. The editorial said: "The council shouldn't devote one more cent to the pursuit of an aviation museum. ... How do taxpayers get their money back?"

Without necessarily defending the loan or advocating for the museum, I will point out that for nearly a decade the paper has been an ardent booster of the $909 million water wonderland known as Trinity River Vision, the cost of which is to be borne equally by the feds and us locals.

The project is touted to be updating flood control. But we already have a flood-control system in place. It is pure economic development.

Our local half will be paid for by the taxpayers of the city, county, water district and an iffy TIF that will siphon funds from the city's general fund. That's $450 million, compared to $2.5 million loaned to the space museum.

What was it that Jesus said in Matthew? "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."

-- Barbara Bledsoe, Fort Worth

They get it...

Do YOU?

The FW Weekly does another bang up job at putting it together.  Kudos to Dan McGraw!  And to all the people quoted in the article, wanting to learn more and DO something!

Don't miss the article.  It's got some good information on TRIP (Trinity River Improvement Partnership) and the local Tea Party, 912.  The Weekly gets it right by talking to many different folks with many different opinions.  Too bad our other "news" outlets only say what their told.

Enough already...GO VOTE!

"We keep hearing from city leaders how [Fort Worth] hasn't been affected as much as other cities by the national economic downturn" she said. "But then we can't afford basic city services like building better roads and keeping pools open. I guess I just want to find out how we got in this mess. I guess I'm here because I want to learn more."

He started coming to meetings earlier this year because "I would read the paper and watch the news at home, and I found myself having a fit," he said. "I wanted to see what I could do, to learn more about all the issues and not just sit at home and complain.
 
"The TRV is a big waste of money when we don't even have money to fix our roads. Granger puts her son in charge of it at a very high salary. This is mis-spending at its worst."
 
In Fort Worth ... no one has questioned authority in the past," he said. "We just did not get involved. The more I keep my eyes open and the more I see, the more I need to get involved.
 
TRIP and the 912ers have become close allies as they fight what they both consider crazy spending on a project that they believe is not needed and favors private development interests through the use of eminent domain. TRIP backs a plan that would spend about $60 million to improve river access near downtown, but members want the private marketplace alone to determine what kind of development happens along the river.
 
 "I am a member of both groups because no one represents the taxpayers anymore, and that has to change," she said.
 
"The TRV project is a perfect example of that," she said. "They want to spend more than $900 million of federal and state and local tax money, and voters haven't had any say in the matter. And believe me, the federal money is drying up because of the ban on earmark spending, and you know the burden is going to shift to local money.

Toal Roads...

We found an amusing letter to the editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram today. 

James Toal, a long time leader of Gideon Toal, had something to say.  Seems he wants more of YOUR money.  For those of you who don't know Gideon Toal, here are some tidbits found online at Gideon Toal and various sites. 

Gideon Toal has been retained by Tarrant Regional Water District, in conjunction with Streams and Valleys, City of Fort Worth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Tarrant County to guide the planning and implementation of “Trinity Uptown™”. Our firm is hired to do phasing, implementation and funding strategies, including establishing a TIF District.

The plan aims to revitalize an 800-acre area north of downtown Fort Worth with a combination of public improvements and private development. Its goal is to provide a vibrant, stimulating environment in which families can live, work, shop, play and learn.
 
Some other Gideon Toal projects:
Trinity River Master Plan
Trinity River Vision Authority Office
Tarrant Regional Water District Annex
Tarrant County College complex
Tarrant County Jail 

 See a pattern yet?

In today's paper James Toal says he'll spend the money if YOU will for transit...he wants to do justice for the next generation.  Does he mean that generation that will be broke since they will be paying for the Trinity River Vision for the next 40 years?  The project and its projects that he has made a fortune from?  Talk about throwing our pennies away.   If we're paying for all the "private development" maybe Toal should  foot the bill for the transportation.  Or better yet, hit the road.

Funding transit

Good transportation includes buses, commuter rail, light rail, highways and regional systems.


People try to compare Tarrant County and Fort Worth with the Dallas region, Denver, Portland, etc. Why do Denver and these other regions have light rail, commuter rail and buses?


Answer: The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system receives one penny in sales tax revenue.


Fort Worth's T is mostly a city system that has a half-cent in sales tax. That is the difference between regional systems vs. a mostly local bus system.


If Fort Worth, Tarrant County and adjoining counties to the west, north and south desire better transportation, I suggest that instead of throwing those pennies away, they bond together on a regional system and spend them on transit and transportation.


We do not have a lack of good regional planning; we have some of the best planners and government administrators in the world. We do have a lack of financing.


So spend the extra half-cent. I will if you will. If you don't, we will not do justice to the next generation.


-- James Toal, Fort Worth

Down the Road

Imagine, a TIF (tax increment financing district) that didn't live up to its expectations or projections.  No, not the Trinity River Vision, everyone but the project "leaders" know that won't happen.  We're talking down the road from there, in Keller.   Read about it in the the Keller Citizen.  Then ask the TRV project "leaders" to read about it too.  Someone should ask the Fort Worth Star-Telegram what the difference is too.

So, WHO pays?  And WHO benefits?  Be sure and read the comments on the article, if you live in Tarrant County, YOU can't afford not to.

The tax increment financing district was created in 1998, and the city borrowed about $33 million to fund construction of Town Hall, a natatorium, streets, a lake and other infrastructure in it. Officials anticipated that tax revenues within the district would pay off the debt. Projections were that the district would attract development that would generate $29.7 million in tax revenue by last Sept. 30. Instead, the district brought in only $17.8 million, O’Leary told the council.

“You’ll see how substantial these numbers are, in terms of what the community has to subsidize to keep things afloat,” he said.

Compounding the financial problems, overall property values in the district fell for the first time this year, dropping 9 percent, O’Leary reported. "The value now is about $12 million less than it was a year ago," he said.

"News" Flash

You can miss a lot around here in a day or two.  Apparently all kinds of video... stuff YOU can't afford to miss. 

We learned more about the Trinity River Vision, flooding, TIFs, earmarks, eminent domain, etc. than all the "news" we've seen combined.  Ever.  Bravo.

And guess who has it?  The "news"? Hell no. Durango, who else?

Bravo.

Watch both links.  YOU can't afford not to.

Fort Worth and the Almighty Dollar

A couple of great letters to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 

Not enough viewing spots

Attending the Parade of Lights has to be one of the most delightful traditions our family looks forward to each year. Every year, we have been taken aback by the decreasing number of spaces where a family can throw down a blanket and some lawn chairs to enjoy the festivities.

The organizer, out of its desire to make a buck, has covered the entire downtown parade watching area with fold-up chairs that can be had at a price to view the parade. It's almost come to the point that if the powers-that-be see an open spot where a family has its blanket set up, there will be a row of fold-up chairs in its place the following year.

Fort Worth parade officials, please keep the rented folding chairs to a minimum. We were able to find a spot to throw down our blankets and set up our lawn chairs, but I'm disturbed that next year, it, too, will be invaded with those white folding chairs.

-- Aaron Lopez Sr., Fort Worth

No streetcars

Although Fort Worth has a $30 million shortfall as we start our next budget year, it seems the city needs a shiny streetcar to attract tourists. Our world-class museums and cowboy culture are not sufficient.

With the three-mile starter route costing only $86 million and the entire system $700 million, what is the concern? We can always close our libraries and swimming pools. The council never saw a TIF or a tax it didn't like. The latter can easily be included in the water bill.

In this economy especially, a project of this magnitude is out of the question. Let's tell our City Council members it's time to be Scrooge.

-- Nina Speairs, Fort Worth

Fort Worth Streetcar Continued...

Here is an excellent letter to the Editor's at the newspaper.  Since you won't see it in the "news", you'll see it here. 

Reporters should exercise some intelligence instead of just reporting information.

Today's story on the streetcar meeting said that 2,000 riders per day could be expected on the route from LaGrave Field to Harris Hospital .

Did the reporter ever study math?

2000 riders x 365 days = 730,000 riders a year.

Suppose the fare is $1 a person. That comes to $730,000 a year income from fares. Does that compute as a good business deal?

The reporter should have asked...How will that amount pay for the multi-million dollar investment? If it will not, where will the extra funds come from? The obvious answer is perpetual taxpayer subsidy for the benefit of some "unknown developers" who "may" do developments along the route "IF it is built". Drive the route. There is no room for development except 8 blocks along North Main . Studies have shown that people will walk no more than 2 or 3 blocks to ride public transit (streetcar OR bus). How much development can occur in a 32 block area (both sides of North Main) that makes such a subsidy practical? Will lack of streetcars HALT development? With their greater flexibility, why can't buses serve the area much better? I know the public relations business. Have you asked who is the p.r. agent for this project?It has the signs of being a well-orchestrated PR presentation.

PS. I have a friend who is close to City Hall. He says it is a "done deal" and the rest is just "window dressing". A good investigation would "follow the money."

PPS. I would run a test. For one year run FREE buses along the proposed route. (Free, to offset the inconvenience of not having trolleys) Same schedule and stops as the proposed streetcar route. See if the free buses attract 730,000 riders.  Fair test?

PPPS. Public transit depends on HIGH DENSITY POPULATION.
Fort Worth has NO high density population.

Fort Worth Streetcar Meeting Update

Over 300 people and guess what, they all have an opinion.  Sounds like the majority say no way.  Funny, that's what they say about most of the things that are done the Fort Worth Way. 

Lots of great speakers last night!  Kudos to you all!

There was information in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about the pre-meeting meeting and the meeting as well as on NBCDFW.com.  Too bad we weren't invited to the behind the scenes meeting, sounds like it was a good one.  We'll give you some highlights below.  Consider it your incentive to be informed!  We noticed neither news source said the consulting company HDR is where a lot of the story information came from.  Does the price tag jump from the original plan, remind anyone else of the Trinity River Vision scheme?  We did notice, the majority of Fort Worth is left out of the loop...

Question to you WHO support and want to spend the Trinity River Vision TIF on the streetcar, WHERE do you think that money comes from? 

Fort Worth takes pride in resolving disagreements behind the scenes and presenting a united front. So nobody is talking publicly about the clashes that played out Monday, when about 15 heavy-hitters met in two sessions, for almost six hours, to try to hash out their differences.


Skeptics, including leaders from Downtown Fort Worth Inc. and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, insisted that they were just asking questions and vetting the numbers. Streetcar supporters, including the Trinity River Vision Authority and Fort Worth South, said that they felt ambushed and that the challenges were a pretense for killing the project.

Tempers flared, and some cautioned that the attacks were getting too personal.

We're talking about three miles of track at $85 (million) to $86 million," said Paul Rudisill, a business owner opposed to the project. "When it was first proposed, it was about $53 million. So 22 percent have access to it, while 78 percent will be paying for operational costs of it. That's ridiculous."

"Expensive? Yes. It's an investment for the future. A lot of the things that we do today hopefully will pay for themselves in the future. But we've got to start."

A good number of people Thursday at the Fort Worth Convention Center were skeptical of the $88 million estimate presented for the total cost of the project and the notion of adding expenses during a slow economic period.

One speaker pointed out that the estimates of the Trinity River Vision, which started out at $320 million in 2003, have soared to near $1 billion today. Many others said the project would benefit too few people.

Cleveland Harris said he believed that to be true but objected to the proposal because his neighborhood is not part of the plans.

"If it leaves us out of the loop, we're against it," said Harris, the director of government affairs for the Morningside Neighborhood Association. "They need to promote the whole city, not just a portion of the city."

This just in...

Adrian Murray has got the hang of how to read the local "news".  Read it below.  Welcome aboard!

WHAT THEY SAID AND WHAT THEY MEANT

The headline:
Fort Worth Streetcar Supporters Make Final Push
What it meant
City Elite Preparing to Cram Streetcar Down Taxpayers Throats

The opening paragraph:
Supporters of bringing streetcars back to Fort Worth are ready to take their case to the public.
What it means:
Let the lying begin.

What's in the works:
Beginning Wednesday, a streetcar on loan from a system in Oregon will be displayed through Thanksgiving at the corner of Seventh and Throckmorton streets in downtown Fort Worth.
What it means:
Someone is fixing to make so much money on this swindle that they shipped a freaking streetcar all the way to Fort Worth from Oregon.

What he said:
"We want people to touch it and feel it and ask questions," Mayor Mike Moncrief said Tuesday during a break at a council meeting."
What he meant:
"The people are so incredibly stupid we're fairly certain if we let them touch and feel a freaking electric bus they'll never notice their tax dollars being wasted on the idiotic streetcar."

What's coming next:
The mayor and several council members also directed city staff to organize a town hall-style meeting some time in the next week or two, and invite residents from all parts of the city to learn about the potential costs and benefits of a streetcar system.
What it means:
Time to ratchet up the BS.

Why the dog and pony show?
"I think it’s time for us to listen to people on this issue, whether they live on the outskirts or the inner core of the city," Moncrief told council members.
What he really means:
"When the poor suckers realize our elite friends in the Fort Worth power circle pocketed tens of millions in this deal and all they got in return was a stupid electric bus going up and down Main Street, we need to be on record as having given them the opportunity to speak beforehand.  It's not our fault they couldn't put two and two together."

What's the problem?
At issue is whether the city should accept a $25 million federal grant, and add another $58 million to $63 million in local property tax funds, to build an electrified streetcar rail system from downtown to the Trinity River Vision project on the North Side, and to the medical district on the Near South Side.
What's the answer?
Absolutely not.

Why is that?
Several council members say the city can’t afford to spend public dollars on a project that is aimed more at sparking urban development than relieving traffic, especially when the city is slashing services and laying off workers to make ends meet.
What that really means:
There is no practical economic excuse for spending $100 million or so on a stupid electric bus, tear up city streets for years while it's being constructed and generally disrupt people's lives and bust the city budget.

What he said:
"To be brutally frank about it, nobody in my area is going to benefit from it," said Councilman Carter Burdette, whose district includes west and northwest Fort Worth.
What he meant:
Don't blame my ass.

What he said:
Councilman Joel Burns, whose district includes the city’s south and downtown areas, noted that the local funds for the project can be paid for with special property tax districts. There’s a misperception, he said, that streetcars are competing for funding against a proposed commuter rail line from southwest Fort Worth to Grapevine and Dallas/Fort Worth that is being planned by 2015

What he meant:
I sincerely believe Fort Worth citizens are the stupidest lifeforms on earth, maybe even lower than Brad Watson.  Seriously, I just said that some people think an electric bus going up and down Main Street would compete against the commuter rail line between Fort Worth and Dallas.  True, they both are in contention as the greatest waste of taxpayer dollars since some genius thought up the Trinity River Vision, but we're quite capable of wasting huge amounts of taxpayer money on two projects simultaneously.  Come on, get real.  We're politicians.  That's what we're paid to do.

What he said:
"I hope we make a strong effort to inform folks about what differentiates streetcars and commuter rail," Burns said.
What he meant:
Maybe if we draw them pictures they'll be able to figure it out.

What they suggest:
A consultant, HDR Engineering, has recommended that the city form a local government corporation to run the streetcar program. The corporation would include representatives from the city, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, the tax increment financing districts and area property owners.
What they mean:
There's plenty of money to be made here, folks.  No need for shoving.  Let's let the idiot voters smell the new leather seats in the stupid electric bus while we agree on how to divide the loot.

What they're saying:
A few members of the transportation authority, also known as the T, have spoken out against the project. The T board is scheduled to get a briefing from the consultant Wednesday during a meeting in southeast Fort Worth.
What that means:
Where's our vig?

Why she objects:
T board member Reby Cary has criticized the plan for diverting federal transportation funds away from the city’s southeast side, where there are many predominately African-American neighborhoods. Bus ridership is high in those areas, Cary said, and transit improvements are sorely needed.
What she means:
I have Al Sharpton's cell phone number.

What happens next?
The debate during the next three weeks likely will pit residents of Fort Worth’s central neighborhoods, where support for streetcars is perceived to be higher, against residents of outlying areas where residents presumably desire more room for cars.
What that means:
We'll pretend we're listening to the little folks but we'll put the damn electric bus wherever we damn well please.

Why he's for it:
Councilman Sal Espino, who represents the North Side, said the public needs to understand that Fort Worth has a long-term plan to create urban, walkable villages within the city’s older neighborhoods. The streetcar plan would tap into property taxes only in these areas.
"You have the Baby Boomers. Their nest egg is empty. They’re looking for places to live," Espino said. "Then you have Generation Y, they were born between 1977 and 1994, and they’re looking to get close to the city."
What he's saying:
Don't I sound smart?  I know the dates of Generation Y.  I'm a freaking statistician.  Of course, never mind the fact that half those people born in 1977 will have died of old age before the first condo goes up for sale in Trinity Uptown.  And please don't ask me why there are so many vacancies in downtown loft apartments now.  I'm really fairly stupid.

How it works:
On the North Side, a tax district created for the Trinity River Vision – a proposal to reroute the Trinity River and create an island of mixed-use development just north of downtown – has already pledged support for the streetcar plan. A tax district for the South Side also has expressed support for dedicating its future property taxes to the project.
What that means:
The whole city is a freaking TIF.  We've already pledged all future property tax revenues until the year 2525.  We're broke.  Did someone say $25 million in FEDERAL dollars?

What's at stake:
The $25 million federal grant, meanwhile, could be used to connect those two neighborhoods to downtown.
What that means:
Whatever, whatever, just give us the $25 million.  Gideon Toal and Freese & Nichols have been all over my ass for a year now demanding their share of the tribute and just last night Brian Eppstein threatened to cut off the end of my nose if I didn't close this deal so stop asking me questions and SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!

For the original article, go here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/16/2637507/fort-worth-streetcar-backers-seeking.html

Of course they do

The Trinity River Vision says they need streetcars.

What they need is a dose of reality.

Read about it in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  As usual, Bill Hanna tells the story.

"It was always the intention to have a smart, permanent transportation system," said J.D. Granger, executive director of the Trinity River Vision Authority. "It was a recognized need that was a design concept for that area. If we have streetcars, development will start earlier; it will be built faster and will be denser."


The City Council will be briefed Tuesday about the plan, the 3-mile starter line of which would cost $83 million to $88 million, according to a draft of the business plan, released Friday. Council members could vote on the streetcar plan no earlier than Dec. 7.

Both the Southside Tax Reinvestment Zone and Tax Increment Financing District 9 (Trinity River Vision) passed resolutions last month expressing support for a streetcar system. A TIF uses tax revenue from development in its boundaries to pay for infrastructure and other improvements.

While some question whether streetcars would be the best use of the city's limited transportation dollars, the city's streetcar consultant, Portland, Ore.-based Charles Hales of HDR, told the City Council on Oct. 5 that a streetcar system "isn't a project of transportation necessity. It will not alleviate congestion or suburban growth. It will capture the housing demand that is there."

Gary Havener, a board member of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, or the T, said a fixed streetcar system doesn't make financial sense.

But before Fort Worth makes a long-term commitment, Havener said, city officials should get more input from citizens.

"Ultimately it's a public thing. The people should decide whether they want it or not -- but they need to have more information," Havener said.

Sound familiar?

Pay up

We took bets back in  December when JD Granger said "Trinity River Vision has no desire to own LaGrave or the entire 58-acre tract."   We asked again in February.

Why then did they purchase it?  Note "at their price". 

TCEQ and TRWD working together to clean up the environmental issues, that should go well. 

And someone please tell us, is Bill Hanna on the TRWD payroll too?  Read his latest about the Tarrant Regional Water District buying out Bell in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The $17.5 million will paid from the water district's mineral revenues.

It isn't the first time the water district has chosen to go that route. The water has already pledged to loan Trinity River Vision's tax increment financing district up to $226 million from its mineral revenue until the TIF can start generating money. The TIF was extended to 40 years late last year, far longer than most tax increment financing districts.

Tsk, TIF

Another example of another failed TIF. WHO thinks these are a good idea?  YOUR elected officials gambling with YOUR money.  The Trinity River Vision wants a 40 year TIF.  How long was the Radio Shack TIF?

WHO will be around when YOUR kids are paying for something else that fell apart and didn't go as planned?

Read an example in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 

Two years after the civil courts building was scheduled to be demolished, Tarrant County officials say they don't have the money to raze the monument to bad 1950s architecture and give the historic courthouse some breathing room.

Another factor is the loss of funding from a tax increment financing measure connected to the former RadioShack campus, Whitley said.

"The TIF was supposed to do two things: RadioShack was going to spend $9.8 million in improvements bringing utilities over there," Maenius said. "Part of what we were to receive compensation for was to help us with the acquisition of the Technology Building from RadioShack and part of it was to generate enough money to take the old civil courts building down."

Under a new incentive package that goes before the City Council today, the TIF agreement would change to pay RadioShack $4 million more over the next five years.