THE SACHSE NEWS is the newspaper of record for the City of Sachse.  Public notices, bid notices, city announcements and reporting of city events can be found in THE SACHSE NEWS.  THE SACHSE NEWS also contributes pictures used in The Sachse Scene, the quarterly city newsletter.  THE SACHSE NEWS, P. O. Box 369, Wylie, Texas, 75098 may be reached at 972.442.5515.

 
 

STREET NAME CHANGED TO ELIMINATE CONFUSION

The Sachse City Council approved a request for a street name change from Maple Shade Court to Shade Tree Court at their April 7, 2008 meeting.  The following addresses are affected:  4503, 4504, 4507, 4508, 4511, 4512, 4515, 4516 and 4520 Maple Shade Court will now be 4503, 4504, 4507, 4508, 4511, 4512, 4515, 4516 and 4520 Shade Tree Court.  The police department is updating its 9-1-1 database and the U.S. Postal Service has been informed.  If you have questions or problems, please contact Michael Spencer at 972.675.1633.  


NEWS 8 INTERVIEWS CITY MANAGER


City Manager Allen Barnes was recently interviewed by Channel 8 news.  It was a good news story for Sachse, reporting that in a time of downturn in revenue for some cities, Sachse is doing just fine.

 

KEY DATES FOR MAY 10, 2008 CITY COUNCIL ELECTION

The filing period for the May 10, 2008 election for Place 3 (incumbent Jim Burnett) and Place 4 (incumbent Bill Adams) on the Sachse City Council has ended.  Councilman Bill Adams in Place 4 is unopposed in the election.  Place 3, which was vacated when Councilman Jim Burnett announced he will not seek re-election, has two candidates, Cullen King and Nicole Tucker.   

For the May 10th election, all citizens will vote at Sachse City Hall, 5560 Highway 78.  Early voting dates and times are as follows:

Monday, April 28 thru Saturday, May 3 - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 4 - 1:00 to 6:00 pm
Monday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 6 - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Election day, May 10, the polls will open at 7:00 am and close at 7:00 pm.

The election will be canvassed at the May 19, 2008 City Council meeting, which starts at 7:30 pm.  The new Council members elected at the May 10 election will be sworn in at the City Council meeting of June 2, 2008 at 7:30 pm, following the approval of the minutes of the May 19 meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact City Secretary Terry Smith at 972.495.1212, ext. 23 or email to tsmith@cityofsachse.com.


CHANGE IN VOTING PRECINCT FOR SACHSE VOTERS

Dallas County Elections has notified the City of Sachse of a change in our voting precincts.  Voting Precinct 2601 has been split into two precincts:  2601 (the southern portion of the original Precinct 2601) and 2602 (the northern portion of the original Precinct 2601).  Generally, Precinct 2602 is a line down Bailey Road, from the county line to Sachse Road to Miles Road, down Miles Road to the old Miles Road. 

Click here to view a map of the new Precinct 2601.

Click here to view a map of the new Precinct 2602.

This change will have NO effect on the May city elections.  Everyone will vote at Sachse City Hall, 5560 S.H. 78 for the May city elections.

 

ARE YOU READY FOR THE DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION?

On February 17, 2009, the nation's large television stations covering multiple cities will stop broadcasting in analog format.  In order to free spectrum for important public safety activities, the government has ordered a transition to digital broadcasting.  The transition to digital broadcasting will dramatically improve the clarity of broadcasts and make exciting new services available.  Some consumers, however, may not have the equipment needed to receive these digital signals.  The information contained in the link below will help you prepare for the transition.

Digital Television Transition Alert

 

WINTER SEASON ALGAL BLOOM RESPONSIBLE FOR TASTE AND ODOR CHANGES IN OUR WATER SUPPLY 

The mid-summer “algal bloom” is the most common yearly occurrence in all surface water supplies which is responsible for the taste and odor changes in the water supply. It is rare and uncharacteristic that a winter algal bloom can create taste and odor changes in the water supply during cooler weather patterns. As a result of the winter algal bloom, an earthy or metallic taste and/or odor are noticeable in the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) water supply.

With the vegetation growth that was prevalent along the exposed shorelines of Lake Lavon during the recent drought period, the nutrients present for an algal bloom to occur are in abundance and are exacerbating the taste and odor problem. 

NTMWD utilizes several steps to treat the taste and odor produced by the algal blooms. Laboratory personnel perform algal counts and can determine the onset of an algal bloom. With the onset of an algal bloom, additional chemicals are added to the treatment process.  Potassium permanganate is added as an oxidizing agent in reducing the odor levels. To reduce the unpleasant taste, activated carbon is used as an absorption media.  Each of these chemicals is removed during the treatment process prior to delivery of the potable water supply. Chlorine, which is used as the disinfectant in the treatment process, also aids in odor reduction.

This event does not change the quality of the water supply and is strictly a palatability issue.   The water is safe for use meeting all Safe Drinking Water Standards. There are no health hazards created as a result of the change in taste or odor.

This notice was sent to City Manager Allen Barnes from Denise Hickey, Public Relations Coordinator with the North Texas Municipal Water District.


STATUS OF WOODBRIDGE PARKWAY CROSSING UPDATED

City officials received an update on the Woodbridge Railroad Crossing: Kansas City Southern Railroad has requested that the eminent domain case the City of Sachse filed to obtain the railroad crossing for Woodbridge Parkway be moved to Federal Court in Sherman. The Court is considering whether the case should be kept in Federal Court or returned to Collin County Court of Law 2. All filings were complete in August and both sides are awaiting a decision from the Federal Court. Until that decision is rendered, no further action on the suit can take place.


NEWLY-ELECTED COUNCILMAN BILL ADAMS TAKES OATH OF OFFICE


Bill Adams takes the Oath of Office from Mayor Mike Felix at the December 4, 2007 Council meeting.  Mr. Adams was elected to serve the unexpired term in Place 4.

 

 

SACHSE SELECTS VETERAN OFFICER FOR POLICE CHIEF POSITION

After starting with a pool of 83 applicants, narrowing to a semi-final group of five and a final group of 3, Sachse City Manager Allen Barnes announced Dennis Veach from Carthage, Missouri as Sachse's new Police Chief.

Veach has served as Chief of Police for the City of Carthage, Missouri since 1998.  Prior to becoming Chief in Carthage, Veach served in the Columbia, Missouri Police Department for 22 years.  He retired from Columbia at the rank of Deputy Chief of Police.  Veach holds a Master’s Degree in Administration of Criminal Justice from Central Missouri State University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Truman State University.  He has attended the FBI National Academy and the Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar conducted by the FBI.

Mayor Felix is also very please that Mr. Veach has accepted Sachse's offer.  "I believe he will work to maintain the high standards of the city as well as our low crime rate," stated Mr. Felix.



SACHSE TO FURTHER RELAX WATER RESTRICTIONS

On July 6, 2007, Sachse City Manager Allen Barnes announced that because of actions taken by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) to curtail Stage 3 Drought Restrictions and begin Voluntary Conservation measures, the City will drop its mandatory measures as well.  Barnes said that "the recent rains have raised the pool levels at local lakes to capacity or higher."  Barnes does advise residents to conserve water and to refrain from watering between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm.  Watering during this time period leads to high evaporation rates and can cause stress to the plants being watered.

"Over the past two years residents of North Texas have come to understand the importance of water conservation.  We all need to think about our water use regardless of lake levels," Barnes said.


UPDATE ON BOND PROPOSITION PROGRESS

Since the passage of all six bond propositions by Sachse voters, City staff has been working on several phases of the propositions.

Proposition 1 - Roadway and transportation improvements to Bunker Hill Road, Dewitt Road (Ingram to Ranch), Murphy Road (SH 78 to Blackburn),  5th Street (SH 78 to Ingram) including purchase of right-of-way:  The City has held two public hearings on the route selection for the 5th Street (SH 78 to Ingram) project and City Council selected a route that best fits all aspects of the project. (Click here to view an aerial map of the selected route.)  Survey work has been completed and the engineers will begin taking soil samples.  We are still on track to begin appraisals in late winter or early spring.  Design drawings of the roadway were presented at the City Council meeting of January 21st.  Kansas City Southern Railroad has begun communication on the improvements to the intersection at 5th Street and Highway 78.  With Collin County making improvements to DeWitt Road and the City of Wylie making improvements to McCreary Road (Maxwell Creek), there will be a four-lane divided roadway from Highway 78 to FM 544 in the future. 

Engineering work continues on Bunker Hill Road and Murphy Road.  Updates will be posted as they become available.  Dallas County conducted an informational meeting on Murphy Road at Sachse City Hall in November with residents that will be affected by the construction.  It is anticipated that construction to move and relocate utilities will begin the first of 2009.

Proposition 2 - Updates to Salmon Park: The Parks and Recreation Commission and Parks and Recreation Department continue to review the progress on Salmon Park.  The Stream Team has developed a plan with implementation and construction beginning in the next few months. A major concern for the park is the erosion control of the creek bed. This will be addressed through natural enhancements such as rock and environmental-friendly plantings to divert the flow of water and to help prevent silting.

Proposition 3 thru 6 - Municipal Complex Campus - Ron Hobbs Architects out of Garland was selected by City Council as the architect for this project. With over 30 years of experience, Ron Hobbs Architects has completed local projects including Allen City Hall, Rockwall City Hall, Sunnyvale Town Hall and Waxahachie City Hall, to name a few.  RHA will schedule meetings with the departments affected by the new city facility (fire, police, administration, etc.)  in order to get input for what is needed at the new facility.

We will keep everyone posted of bond proposition progress here on the website and in the city's quarterly newsletter. 

 

TxDOT PROPOSES IMPROVEMENTS TO HIGHWAY 78

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing improvements to State Highway 78 from 4,000 feet north of the President George Bush Turnpike in the City of Garland, through the City of Sachse, and continuing to Spring Creek Parkway in the City of Wylie.  The purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility and traffic safety along the stated limits of SH 78.  Click here to read a more detailed verbal description of the proposed improvements; and click here to view a map of the starting and stopping points of the project.


UPDATE ON PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE
EASTERN EXTENSION FROM SH 78 TO IH 30

The proposed 9.9-mile segment from Highway 78 to Interstate 30 through Garland, Rowlett and Sachse received approval for the financing and connection agreements from the Texas Transportation Commission.  After receiving environmental clearance from the Federal Highway Administration in January 2005, work on the final design is under way.  In May 2007 the NTTA received authorization to begin the purchase of right-of-way and that process is ongoing.  The tentative project schedule calls for construction to begin in the third quarter of 2008.  The projected opening from SH 78 to IH 30 is late 2001 to early 2013.

If you have any questions or comments about the tollway, please contact Chris Anderson at 214.461.2021 or e-mail canderson@ntta.org.


If you have any questions or comments about the TIF zone, please contact Guy Brown at the Sachse Economic Development Corporation, 972.675.0562.


NTTA Web Site - 190 Information



5th STREET WIDENING PROJECT
ROUTE SELECTED FOR ROADWAY

On June 18th, the Sachse City Council selected an alignment for the 5th Street widening project as presented by Birkhoff, Hendricks & Conway, L.L.P.  This project, approved as part of the November 2006 Bond package, will upgrade a vital arterial roadway and help ease transportation woes in the northeast sector of our city.  Click here to view a map of the selected route.  (The file is extremely large.  Please be patient while it is loading.)  The contractor is now in the process of notifying affected residents so that property surveys can be completed and right-of-ways completed.


 

  
SACHSE RESTAURANT INSPECTION SCORES AVAILABLE
Click Here


VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VoIP)
KNOW HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR CALL TO 9-1-1!!

With Internet telephone services offering low costs and unlimited calling packages, many consumers are trading in their traditional phone service.  This is great that you are saving money, but did you know there may be limitations on the Internet telephone service you select as it applies to 9-1-1 emergency calling.

>>> 9-1-1 service may NOT be offered at all and, if it is offered, may need
        to be activated 

>>> Emergency calls may NOT go directly into the 9-1-1 system but to 
        administrative lines in the 9-1-1 call center

>>> 9-1-1 call takers may NOT know the caller's location or call back number

>>> If the power is out, VoIP telephone service may also be out

>>> If a VoIP adapter is used in a location outside of the home, 9-1-1 may 
        NOT work

For more information on voice over internet protocal (VoIP), the North Central Texas Council of Governments offers an information website at www.911voip.org.