The City Council just passed the first readings of proposed rate hikes. The same increases will have to pass another round of votes at a council meeting next month before they take effect. The council voted 6-3 to increase both water and sewer fees by 5 percent and franchise fees on the municipal services bill by 2 percent.

Council member Beth Van Duyne and Tom Spink are more often than not the only two people on the losing end of council votes. Van Duyne must have been surprised at how tonight’s votes went. When Mayor Herbert Gears read the outcome as 6-3, Van Duyne swung her head around to the large screen that displays how each member voted.

Joining Van Duyne and Spink in voting against the rate increases was Gears himself. The mayor last year took the proposed rate increases off the agenda. They are back again after City Manager Tommy Gonzalez repeatedly tried to get council members to see that the money is needed to maintain the city’s aging water and sewer lines.

These are the City Council members voting to raise fees in Irving!!

Allen Meagher ccouncil@cityofirving.org Phone: (972) 313-0808
Lewis Patrick lpatrick@cityofirving.org Phone: (972) 790-6478.
Rose Cannaday rcannaday@cityofirving.org Phone: (972) 871-0019
Rick Stopfer ccouncil@cityofirving.org Phone: (214) 876-7172
Sam Smith ccouncil@cityofirving.org Phone: (972) 253-8202
Joe Phillip jphilipp@cityofirving.org Phone: (972) 650-8382

See DallasNews article here.

Submitted by Iram Mian.

Monday, October 13 at 7 p.m.

Central Library Auditorium, 801 W. Irving Blvd.
The library’s plan addresses opportunities to increase services in the community, and includes the framework for:

• New Northwest Branch Library to replace existing storefront location
• Comprehensive renovation of the Central Library
  Consolidation of staffing to better serve the city
• Build-out of the Valley Ranch LibraryRecreation/library complex that will provide an innovative activity destination for Irving residents

Residents also may submit information online at www.cityofirving.org under the “Public Input” section of the home page.
For more information, call (972) 721- 2628.

Contributed by: Iram Mian

Contributed by: Iram Mian

JumpstART Stories & Art Continues – JumpstART, a family-friendly program cosponsored by the Irving Public Library and the Irving Arts Center, continues at 10 a.m. Sept. 4 with the theme Fall into Reading. Each hourlong program features a new theme for story time, followed by hands-on art activities. JumpstART is offered on the first Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. For more information, call (972) 721-2548.

Irving Idol – The Southwest Branch Library will host Irving Idol at 7 p.m. Sept. 18. at the Georgia Farrow Recreation Center, 530 Davis St. Participation in the event is open to ages 12-19. Admission is free. Gift certificates will be awarded to final contestants. Registration by Sept. 15 is required. Instructions, event rules, and application packets are available at the Southwest Branch Library, 2216 W. Shady Grove Road, or the Georgia Farrow Recreation Center, 530 Davis St. For more information, call (972) 721-2546 or (972) 721-2519.

Mustang Park Recreation Center Birthday Party – Mustang Park Recreation Center will host the six-year anniversary of its opening from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sept. 12 with an open house that includes entertainment and refreshments.

Bioblitz Invitational – The Parks and Recreation Department, Solid Waste Services and the eco-tourism team will host the Bioblitz Invitational on Sept. 20 at Campión Trails. Bioblitz will kick off the city’s new ecotourism program. Groups representing recreation centers, home schools, youth services and scouts will explore various trails to identify and document plants, birds and other wildlife species. Participants receive T-shirts, fanny packs and other giveaway items. Professional nature specialists will lead the groups. Approximately 100 children between the ages of 10-12 have registered to participate. Lunch will be provided. In the event of rain, the program will shift to the University of Dallas campus.

Annual Ms. Mature Pageant – The 26^th Annual Ms. Mature Pageant will be held Sept. 26 at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. The award-winning program features senior ladies vying for the title of Ms. Mature Irving. Contestants compete in categories including personality, talent and evening wear. The winner will represent Irving in the state Ms. Mature Pageant, which could lead to the National Ms. Mature Pageant.

Irving Main Street Event – Irving residents are invited to attend the Irving Main Street Event from 3 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27 in the Irving Heritage District. The theme will be Music and Magic on Main, and the event will feature a car show, artists, music, magic, food and children’s activities. The schedule of events includes:

• Manifolds on Main car show, with on-site registration beginning at 1 p.m. Visit the car show
  Web site at www.manifoldsonmain.com.
• Jazz performance by Fingerprints from 3 to 4 p.m.
• High School Caesar Band from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Dave Thomas World of Magic Show from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Cavalcade of Stars presented by Tapley Entertainment from 7 to 8 p.m.

The new event is being organized by the Parks and Recreation Department. For more details, call (972) 721-2501.

(As a reminder, Briery Road form our neighborhood’s west border.)

Source: City Manager’s Report, July 9, 2008

Please take time and complete the attached input form by Wednesday, July 9. You may mail the form to the address listed or e-mail it to Steve Reed in the Planning Department: sreed@cityofirving.org.

Residents are encouraged to tune in to ICTN and call (972) 721-2300 during the show with questions or comments. The show will broadcast live on ICTN 1 (Time Warner Channel 16 or Verizon Channel 30) and via the Internet (ictn.tv).