News Notes

Yesterday, today and tomorrow is the annual Sales Tax Holiday. There will be no sales tax (of 8.25%) on the following items:

• Clothing and footwear under $100
• Backpacks under $100 for elementary and secondary students
• Schools supplies including paper, binders, crayons, lunch boxes, etc.
• Includes layaway items

I was not able to put off shopping for all the kids until this weekend. I already bought (with a little help from my friend, my mother) all the school supplies, and all the clothes. All that remains is the annual Famous Footwear trip. This Famous Footwear trip alone can be almost as much as the rest of the clothes and supplies.

What do we buy? Nikes, Sketchers, Aasics, Adidas, Converses, maybe a pair of Pumas or New Balances, plus a pair or two of work shoes for the adults. How much do we hope to save? Well, it’s buy one get one for half price, resulting in an overall reduction of 20% or so (because they take the half off the cheaper pair.) Then we’ve got a 20% off coupon, now we’re at 40% Then the sales tax for another 8.25% reduction. Overall if we do it just right,  it will work out to a reduction of almost half the price of the shoes.

I’m not convinced, I must admit to you, that the shoes haven’t been marked up 2-300% to prepare for my clever bargaining. Since when did it cost $80 to put together a pair of mid-range Nikes in a third-world country where workers make just fifty cents a day? Nevertheless, we live in this society, so the annual family “shoe binge” is inevitable. My kids are Americans, they need their athletic shoes. The choices they make will tell everyone, the first day of school, who they are, even if there are five other kids in their grade with the exact same shoes.

Our local Famous Footwear store is in the mile-long strip mall with OfficeDepot, PetCo, HomeDepot and TJMax just north of the intersection of the 820 and Hulen Blvd. If you go there this afternoon you might see us. We’ll be the family with the 6 foot tall son who claims he needs a pair of $100 shoes because there are no other shoes in the store that are “right.” He is like a Gila Monster — once he gets ahold of his prey he will let go. His parents can either buy the shoes or leave him in the store forever.

For a detailed description of the sales tax holiday rules, see Window on Texas Government, 2009 Sales Tax Holiday.

My fellow Fortworthians, please do not let it be true that I am the only one incensed about the proposed closing of our pools and libraries. Pia says she will go and represent FWRenaissance tomorrow, though I will have to be at work. Hopefully, someone besides us will want to tell our City Council to become a little bit more “fiscally responsible.”

From a press release by the City:

FORT WORTH – City officials are ready to hear citizen input on the $1.2 billionbudget proposal, presented last week, which includes workforce reductions and cuts to some city services.

The City Council is set to vote on the budget Sept. 15. Before the vote, however, public feedback will be taken during five regularly scheduled City Council meetings, all held in the City Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall (1000 Throckmorton St.) on the following dates and times:

• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18
• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8
• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 (public comment will be heard before final passage of the budget)

Fort Worth faces an extremely challenging budget on the heels of the national recession. According to City Manager Dale Fisseler, bridging the $59 million budget gap will not require a tax rate increase, but will most likely require cuts to some programs. Fisseler’s recommendation focuses on sustaining basic core city services with a particular emphasis on public safety.

View an overview of the FY2010 Proposed Budget on the city’s Web site.

I was quite shocked, as I opened up the Fort Worth 2010 budget, to find the City of Fort Worth is considering closing a number of pools and libraries next year. This is the type of action a responsible city undertakes at times of severe budget crisis. I do not see the upcoming year, with a projected reduction in revenues of about $10,000,000, or about 1%, to be a state of emergency.

The police, as far as I can understand, are getting an increase of 5%. Maybe I don’t understand — undoubtably I don’t understand — but I didn’t think we needed any more police. I saw three today, radaring on the 820 and 35 freeways, and although I escaped without a ticket, probably by virtue of obeying the speed limit I wondered why they were working the radar so hard.

According to an idea of Fort Worth Vision, which I found in the same 2010 budget which proposed closing our public services, the City Council is planning that “By 2020, Fort Worth will be recognized as the most livable city in Texas.” How can that happen with closed  public pools and libraries? Just imagine, the real estate agent is taking a prospective new resident around to look at houses. “Oh, is that a library?”

Yes, but it’s closed.

“Why is that?”

The city council didn’t want to fund it.

“Is the City that broke?”

No, not really, we just don’t think libraries are our highest priority.

My next question, were I that real estate buyer, would be “Can we look at houses in Keller or Arlington?”

What an impression to make.

The new budget actually states that the real cause of the cuts proposed is not a decline in revenue. It’s in order to increase funding for retiree health care and pensions. This is not mandatory crisis spending. Have you noticed that all over people are out of work? Is this really the time to increase retirement spending?

I pay taxes to this City whether I’m rich or poor, whether I have a job or not, and I would appreciate if the few things I count on from the City, the libraries and pools, including Kellis Park Pool, which is in your district, were taken a little more seriously. I certainly don’t mean to sound disrespectful or dismissive of the City’s efforts up to this time. Fort Worth is a first-class city.

But let’s try a little harder to keep it that way than is suggested in the proposed 2010 budget.

You can bet my city councilman will get a letter about this one from me, and if you care about quality of life in the city, you might want to look over this list of cuts and consider chiming in too. I understand funds are limited, but our libraries and pools are critical to quality of life here.

The city council could keep the libraries and pools open for a wopping $1.50 per person per year. I don’t understand why they can’t find the money. Maybe they don’t need a public pool, because they have one at home and/or belong to a country club, and they don’t read books?

Go figure.

From a press release by the city:

The City Manager’s recommendation focuses on sustaining basic core city services with a particular emphasis on public safety with no increase to the property tax rate.

Reduce Services/Workforce

Program/Operational Reductions: $16M

• Suspend third allocation to Housing Trust Fund: $2M
• Reduce Medstar subsidy back to FY08 level: $2M
• Reduce maintenance of medians and eliminate maintenance of right-of-ways: $405,000
• Close Wedgwood Branch and Meadowbrook Branch libraries: $813,194
• Reduce funding to social services and arts nonprofits by 24 percent. Subsidies for grant funding provided to three agencies (The United Way ofTarrant County, the Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County and the Fort Worth Convention and Visitor’s Bureau), which would allocate funding to various nonprofit organizations: $779,000
• Reduce street and traffic operations and maintenance: $763,628
• Eliminate Parks and Community Services late night programs: $577,041
• Reduce Code Compliance districts from seven to six: $466,320
• Close all city pools except Forest Park for summer 2010: $444,961
• Reduce Illegal Dumping Program: $351,000*
• Close and evaluate future of Day Labor Center operations: $271,462
• Reduce after school programs at all Community Centers: $188,522
• Reduce Graffiti Abatement Program: $134,451
• Close Animal Care and Control Center two days per week: $103,000
• Eliminate summer youth track program and reduce adult sports programs: $47,645

Employee Furlough: $3.9M (represents a 3 percent cut in pay for general employees)**

• Columbus Day, 10/12/09
• Day before Thanksgiving Day, 11/25/09
• Christmas Eve, 12/24/09
• President’s Day, 2/15/10
• Good Friday, 4/2/10
• Friday before Memorial Day, 5/28/10
• Friday before Independence Day, 7/2/10
• Friday before Labor Day, 9/3/10

Workforce Reductions: Roughly $10M***

• Need to reduce workforce by 230
  • 114 filled and 74 vacant:
  • 42 voluntary retirements (city to offer $10,000 incentive for eligible retirees)

Employee Benefits:

• Earmark an increased annual contribution to Employees’ Retirement Fund of 2 percent ($5.4M), but refrain from disbursing the additional funds until a committee can submit proposal to change retirement benefits for new hires (possibly summer of 2010).
• Contribute an additional $5M to the long term liability of Retiree Healthcare Plan and eliminate city-paid benefits to those eligible to retire after FY2020.
• Establish Employee Health Clinic and Fitness Facility on a pilot basis: $1M
• Eliminate tuition reimbursement: $258,000
• Increase employee group health insurance premiums by 12 percent, or an average of 1 percent of employee pay, and eliminate Select Plan from Health Benefits Plan.

Reorganize/Outsource Programs

Outsourcing/Privatization: Cost saving unknown at this time

• Equipment Services Division: Evaluation/Request for Proposals during FY10 with target to outsource some services by October 2010.
• Information Technology Services: Evaluation/Request for Proposals during FY10 with target to outsource some city-wide services by October 2010.
• The Herd: Request for proposal to transfer to the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
• Other possibilities: portions of Aviation, Reprographics, City Cable

Organizational Transfers: $3.1M

• Public Events Department > Culture and Tourism Fund: $2.6M
• Capital Projects > Capital Projects Service Fund: $576,000
• Reprographics and City Cable > Community Relations Department
• Emergency Management Office > Fire Department
• Sunset Review > Organizational Analysis Unit
• Directions Home Program > Housing and Economic Development Department
• Aviation Department > Infrastructure Services

Increase Revenues

General Fund Fee Increases: $13M

• Lift the $3.2M cap on mineral ad valorem tax revenue: $6.7M (a portion of which will be used to maintain funding for the Directions Home 10 year homelessness plan)
• Assess payment in lieu of taxes for water and sewer properties: $4.2M
• Municipal Court contract for collection of over-due fines: $1.5M
• Increase various fees related to Parks, Code Compliance, Library, Planning and Development, and other services: $1M

Non-General Fund Fee Increases: $9M

• Water Bill changes beginning January 1, 2010 (for typical residential user): up $2.85 per month.
  • Water fee up 50 cents
  • Wastewater fee up 60 cents
  • Sanitation fee up 75 cents*
  • Stormwater fee up $1
  • Water bill late fee: An additional fee totaling 5 percent of the bill will be added to those delinquent payments (23 days or more after issuance of bill).
• Non-residential stormwater fees will increase an average 27 percent.

Other Cost Savings

• Reduce vehicle purchases by half: $1.5M
• Reduce uniform spending for non-civil service employees: $430,000
• Reduce number of city-paid cell phones/blackberries: $50,000
• Reduce car allowance for executives: $40,000

Are you wondering what’s going on after the Heritage Park Workshop back in April? I was, and my curiosity finally drove me to call up the City’s PR contact for the project, Veronica Villegas. She reported that the City was planning a press release as soon as they had firm plans to report, at least in terms of doing a feasibility study on the project that the workshops showed the people want.

Here’s the thing: the workshop turned up a strong desire to see an upgrade and repair on the entire Heritage Park site, all 112 acres, not just the Heritage Plaza, the part designed by Lawrence Halperin. Even doing a study on how to accomplish the updating will cost millions.

Villegas explained that the entire Heritage Park site extends from the Main Street bridge down to where the new TCC Downtown campus has been built, encompassing the bluff where the original Fort Worth settlement (a fort, of course) stood as well as the site of the meeting between the West and Clear forks of the Trinity River. Naturally, a park this large cannot be developed on a shoestring.

The City, then, is working on a plan to restore the plaza and transform the park into an important Fort Worth destination. The problem that may prevent this, not surprisingly, is money. However, currently a number of partner agencies have been working to move the project forward. These include the Amon Carter foundation, Downtown Fort Worth Initiative, Historic Fort Worth, Fort Worth Public Art, Streams and Valleys, Tarrant Regional Water District, Tarrant County College and even Tarrant County itself.

Olin Studios, who conducted the workshop, has provided the City with a proposal. The city has not yet signed off on the project, however, as they need some idea of how to pay for it.

“It will be years” before the project can be completed, Villegas said. The project may be phased, with the most critical elements coming first. One would think this would mean Heritage Plaza, but there are no safe assumptions in city government or municipal planning.

In conclusion, Villegas said, “The project will need a lot of community support and very likely some private funding.” Will the plans the citizens asked for at the workshop come to fruition? It’s impossible to tell, but if you care about this project, you might agitate through your City Council member.

Koi travel by net from their transit tank to the pond at the Fort Worth Japanese Garden

About 60 large Koi, or Japanese Ornamental Carp, were added to the Botanic Garden’s Japanese Garden’s pond system yesterday morning. The new additions, which came from Weatherford’s Clear Fork Koi, cost around $100-250 each and will hopefully live many years, somewhere between 40 and 150 depending on who you ask. The koi appeared in high-flopping good health. They came along with two catfish which were headed for the Botanic Garden’s reflecting pond.

These fish are to help replace those lost last winter, when about 100 Koi died during a water replacement procedure at the garden. Chlorinated water was poured into the ponds due to a miscommunication with the Municapal Water Department. The Water Department has pledged $23,000 to pay for the damages related to the fish die-off.

The new fish, which were each 18-20 inches long or more, travelled to the garden in a large bucket-like travel tank that nearly filled the bed of a pickup truck. After they arrived at the garden, no lack of care was shown about them getting just the water they needed. After some of the pond water was mixed with water in the ravel tank and time was allowed for them to acclimatize, the fish were transfered to the pond by  workers using large nets. The fish objected but they were overruled.

Another addition of replacement Koi is planned to bring the total replaced over 100.

You may want to take your kids to one of these before the summer is out. So here are the places I was able to scare up that are in the basic Fort Worth area that have water slides and kids play areas with waterfalls, etc. Some are full-fledged waterparks where you pay a lot and stay all day — others are simply augmented municipal pools. There’s a park for every budget. So let’s get splashing.

NRH2O – Owned by the City of North Richland Hills (hence the name). This is a pretty spiffy waterpark, with 6 attraction-quality waterslides as well as a kid’s waterfall/pipes area, wave pool, and river. Free parking, free tubes, and concession stand. $22.99 over 48 inches, $18.99 others, and under 2 is free. Discounts for purchasing ahead on the web.

Hurricane Harbor: Run by Six Flags. This is a full size waterpark. You can buy a joint ticket for Hurricane Harbor along with Six Flags, but I wouldn’t advise it, since either of these places would take all day to see. How many slides? I couldn’t count them, but here’s a map to give you an idea. Online, get both kids and adult passes for $19.99; at the park, adults pay $24.99. Kids under two are free. Parking $10.

Water Works Park run by the City of Denton Four slides, children’s play area, river ride. $12-7 non-resident admission depending on age, with discounts available if you show up for the evening after 5.

Bedford Splash This is apparently a smaller waterpark with some kids-splash attractions and a couple of slides. But the price is definitely right:  $5 adults and $4 kids.

Hawaian Falls Mansfield This looks like a pretty well developed waterpark, with lots of stuff to do. Also two people on Twitter mentioned that this was a good place to go.  Here a link to the map. $19.99 adults/$13.99 kids online price.

Keller Point: Run by the City of Keller: A very advanced public pool or a very small waterpark, take your pick. There are two attraction quality slides (small, but fun) two lazy rivers and two little kids splash areas, as well as a “beach” of very shallow water for babies. Two pools, one inside and one out. Concessions. No tubes. Life jackets $2. $10 for adults, $9 for kids, non-resident.

From a Press Release by the City of Fort Worth:

Who/What:

The Charles Tandy sculpture, which was removed from downtown’s Paddock Park earlier this month, was reinstalled at its new permanent home on the TCU campus.

Where:

Grounds of Charles Tandy Hall at TCU, 2900 Lubbock St.

Why:

The relocation was endorsed by the Fort Worth Art Commission and approved by the Fort Worth City Council after Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. recommended moving the city-owned sculpture to a smaller-scale, pedestrian-friendly site that offers historic context.

As part of a long-term agreement with TCU, the city will maintain ownership of the artwork and supervise ongoing maintenance through its public art program. The relocation of the sculpture is being funded with a grant from the Burnett Foundation.

The sculpture will be located at the entrance to Charles Tandy Hall, dedicated March 1989 as part of the Neeley School of Business at TCU. The late Charles D. Tandy (TCU ’40) was known as an entrepreneur with immense energy who laid the foundation for one of the country’s best-known electronics and computer manufacturers.

From a press release by Entertainment and Sports International:

A midway will be set up outside the Fort Worth Cats stadium on July 3rd 2009

Fort Worth, TX — Fort Worth Cats baseball fans may want to come early to stop by the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest at LaGrave Field on July 3, 2009 when the Fort Worth Cats take on the Pensacola Pelicans. The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest is an unparalleled, and completely free, celebration of baseball visiting nearly 50 minorleague baseball ballparks all across the country during its sixth season.Created and produced by Entertainment & Sports International (ESI), the 4000square foot Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest will be set-up just outside the main gates and will be open for fans at 4:05PM. For the sixth consecutive year, the Principal Financial Group will serve as exclusive title sponsor of this unique entertainment experience.

Baseball legend and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan returns as national spokesperson. The minor leagues offer fans a great baseball experience, said Ryan. From exceptional value to a safe, family environment, fans get to see competitive professional baseball with non-stop entertainment. The Principal Financial Group FamilyFun Fest extends that excitement before the game with an event truly unique to minor league ballparks.

Started in 2004, the tour has already been visited by more than 1.5 million fans at over 250 appearances. Open three hours before the game and set up right outside the main stadium gates, the event is free to all fans and features more than 20 baseball themed attractions,including:

• A minor league baseball museum.
• A state of the art Great Clips Best Buy Mobile Video Game Arcade with the latest baseball and family games.
• Free souvenir personalized baseball cards sponsored by Days Inn.
• Free Sports Illustrated Kids personalized magazine covers.
• A midway with batting and pitching cages, giant slides, bounce houses, bungee runs.
• A special Rookie Zone for younger fans.

There has never been more pressure on families to stretch their entertainment dollar, said ESI co-founder Joe Owens. With historically low ticket and concession prices, a family of four can go to a minor league baseball game with great food and merchandise for under 50 bucks. Add to that the completely free Family Fun Fest and you have unmatched and unprecedented entertainment value. We believe minor league baseball will continue to deliver record-breaking attendance figures in 2009.

The game isscheduled to begin at 7:05PM and game tickets are available by visiting fwcats.com.

From a press release by the City:

Who/What: Dedication of 38 “pocket” gardens featuring native Texas plants.

When: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 30.
Where: Fort Worth Garden Club Headquarters Building at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth 76107
Why: More than two dozen garden clubs from around the state donated money to remove invasive plants at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and establish a one-acre Texas wildscape for visitors to enjoy and learn about native plants from across the state.