DELORES M. MARTIN’S

SIXTH

STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

FOR THE

CITY OF MANVEL

 

Five years ago when I first stood before you, I stated a favorite quote of mine:

 

“Amateurs built the Ark Professionals build the Titanic”

 

We in Manvel were amateurs building the Ark.  We did not profess to know everything we needed to know.  We planned to take advantage of all opportunities, seeking out professionals in specific fields and other possibilities to expand our knowledge to better serve our community. 

 

Professionals thought they had designed the perfect ship, the Titanic.  IT IS FAR BETTER TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND LEARN ALL AVENUES OF POSSIBILITIES before a decision is made.

 

Hopefully the last five years have helped to prepare us for what lies before and around us.  Did we get all our homework done?  No, but WE ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS.  When I was in school, Sister would always say, “If you did not learn something new everyday, the day was wasted”.  I can assure you….I have not wasted a day. Everyday is always a new learning experience.

 

2006 has been good to the City of Manvel.  Many changes have occurred:

• New Hope Church opened their beautiful new facilities

• Brazoria County Court Annex opened.

• Manvel High School opened its doors on August 9^th with the present enrollment of 633 students.

• Sonic Drive-in

• Figacho’s

• Kwik Industries

• Church’s Chicken

• Motorcycle Shop

• Jerry Cooper CPA

• Scrubs and More

• Texas General Security

• Janie’s Unisex Beauty Salon

From October 01, 2005 to September 30, 2006……1, 442 permits were pulled.

 

Rodeo Palms is constantly adding new homes daily.  Pioneer, Perry, Legend and Meritage have constructed over 300 homes.  Fifteen (15) acres have been set aside for a possible elementary school site and 1.5 acres have been set aside for a public safety site ( for Police, Fire or EMS).  Another entrance/exit is being constructed to open to CR58.  This will relieve some of the traffic tension on 288.  This was part of the Developers Agreement.

 

THE MANVEL POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

• Achieved our second major goal for the PD on January 1^st …24 hour dispatching!

• Added a new Logger telephone and radio transmission recorder
• Developed an intranet for internal communications
• Created a new Corporal position…Corporal J. D. Greene
• Constructed a holding cell for adult prisoners
• Added two additional Panasonic Toughbook laptop computers for police vehicles
• Added one additional patrol vehicle
• Added a digital projector for training purposes and for hurricane preparedness
• Weatherbug desktop software to monitor weather alerts and to broadcast to first responders in the field
• Implemented photo ID system for staff employees, emergency operators and for vendor or peddlers
• Added a Code Enforcement Officer/ Inspector…Sgt. Jay Coffman

 

PD PROJECTS FOR 2007

• Additional of a computer aided dispatch system

• Addition of a report management system

• Addition of a mobile communication command module system

• Migrating to an all digital video security system

• The addition of an emergency standby generator

• Two additional patrol officer positions

• One additional communication operator position

ADMINISTRATION

• We now have 25 employees.

• The 2006- 2007 budget is _$2,784,356.00.  This is an increase _of_$385,956.00__over the 2005-2006 budget.

• We have given our employees a 5% raise, and the city still pays 100% insurance for these employees including vision and dental.

• Since 2001, our tax rate has decreased from .75 to the 2006 rate of .628798………including the $65,000 exemption for the over 65 and the handicapped.

• Our sales tax has increased from $487.151.45 in 2005 to $683,901.15 in 2006.  This is a 40% increase due to the new commercial development in our community.

• Impact fees have been added.

• The codification of our ordinances is ready to be added to our website for the benefit of our citizens, police officers and interested developers.

• The city has taken the ownership of the water billing and the permit department has been streamlined with new software.

• The City of Manvel has entered into an agreement for a Regional Detention Facility which will benefit not only the impending growth, but will be able provide for existing areas needing additional help along the SH6 area.   We are extremely appreciative of DD#3, DD#4, DD#5 and the Chocolate Bayou Steering Committee for all the support and guidance shown to us regarding this project.

• We have added a fantastic group to the Manvel Team:  Ron Cox, who serves as our Consultant/Project Manager, Sue Darsey of Knudson & Associates, who serves as our financial Tirz and MUD wizard and Kent Marsh also of Knudson & Associates, who is our thoroughfare/comprehensive planner.  We owe the MEDC an enormous debt of gratitude for considering to sponsor Mr. Marsh and this project.  THE CITY OF MANVEL IS AT A CROSSROADS.  EITHER WE CLIMB INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT AND LET DEVELOPMENT FIT INTO OUR PLAN….OR THE CITY WILL BE CONTROLLED BY WHAT THE DEVELOPERS WILL DO.

• The Hope Water Line Project is back on track after a long delay of seeking TexDot’s assistance with a permit to place part of the line in their R O W.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

 

• Special Road Projects 14,050 feet of asphalt overlay - $155,178.44
• Special Road Culverts - 19,544.24
• Hud Projects 14,445 feet of asphalt overlay - $176,541.82
• 52 driveways raised due to asphalt overlay - $1,704.12
• Drainage…Ditches dug and cleaned 38, 225 feet - $48,088.00
• Maintenance of remaining roads - $76,415.00

PROJECTED PROJECTS FOR THE COMING YEAR

• Overlay roads most in need of repair
• Continue to assist with drainage issues
• Oversee the Texas Water Development Board Projects of the expansion of water/sewer lines/drilling of new water well
• Add additional road maintenance equipment

 PROJECTED GROWTH COMING TO THE CITY OF MANVEL

 

Tighten your seat belts….we are about to begin an explosive journey

 

IN OUR ETJ:

• New Suzuki dealership next to Southern Ford…Another Joe Catania project

• Mustang Ranch….+1100 acres…..proposed build out in 10 years…total approximate value  $511 million…EXPECT ROOFTOPS BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR (+2000 homes).

• Sedona Lakes…+532 acres….proposed build out in 5 years…total approximate value $300 million

 

These two subdivisions have agreed to follow all our ordinances, pull our permits and pay our fees to be 100% compliance with all the city’s requirements including setting aside properties for three elementary schools, 2 public safety sites, parks, sites for regional water and wastewater sites and a limited sales tax agreements to the City of Manvel for any commercial/retail development

 

WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS

 

• Jerry Argovitiz………+300 acres…..1million sq foot shopping mall…over the next three years……approximate total….  $365,000,000 .  Mr. Argovitz is PROPOSING for the city to consider…to extend our 16” water line westward to SH288 and under 288 into his planned development with his TIRZ agreement, among other amenities…benefiting not only his development but opening the door to other developments along SH6.   He, too, has set aside acreage for regional water/waste water facilities. He is also asking for a covenant deed setting up high architectural standards for his project.

 

• Seven Oaks Ranch….+1100 acres in Manvel…proposed build out 10-12 years…acreage set aside for two elementary schools, a public safety site, parks  and some commercial/retail ……..approximate total…$700 Million

 

• Manvel Acres….20 acres…Bill Wilkins, developer…13 estate lots, custom homes

 

• Diversified Real Estate of Las Vegas……+330 acres

Diversified looks forward to working with the City of Manvel to create a community that people will be proud to call home.  Below you will find a bullet point list of items that are in progress:

• Preliminary land plan early phase(see enclosed plans)

• Create an amenity center that will compliment the development.

• Will Dean of Transwestern is the local representative for leasing major retailers big box and inline tenants.  The project was well received at the International Council of Shopping Centers conference in San Antonio last week.

• Transwestern is also entertaining several offers from quality home builders and retail developers.

• A portion of the property will be set aside for hotel development.

• Discussions with major auto mall users.

• Working with local attorneys to create a TIRZ.

• Integrating probable uses with the existing MUD#30

• Exploring regional detention and city water connections

Enclosed are inserts expanding on their vision “The Presidio at Houston” and South Pointe Crossing.

 

This is only a partial picture of Manvel’s future growth.  I am very ably assisted by a fantastic staff:

 

        

Our goals for 2006-2007….

• WE PLEDGE:

• To serve the Manvel community to the best of our ability.

• To direct growth so it will be a compliment/not a distraction to our area.

• To remain fair-minded on projects we are asked to consider.

• To stay user-friendly whenever and wherever possible.

• TO WORK AS A TEAM…FOR:

“TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”.

 

Thank you!

Delores M. Martin, Mayor

October 17, 2006