January - City of Forest Hill

Forest Hill News
Visit us on the web @ www.foresthilltx.org
Volume 4, Issue 4 January 2015/February 2015
Plans for new year include numerous street improvements
One of the primary focuses of the City of Forest Hill in
recent years has been improving the infrastructure. Streets
have been tops on the list every year and Tarrant County
Commissioner Roy Brooks has partnered with the City to
help achieve those goals.
Every year a “wish list” is developed and as many of those
streets as possible are improved. Last year two major streets
received a major upgrade - Anglin Drive from California
Parkway north to Mansfield Highway and Independence
Lane, a street divided by a drainage ditch, had curb and gutter replacement followed by a new surface. Crews also com-
pleted two sections of Bisbee Street, Guilford Street, Packard Lane and Nell Street.
On the “wish list” for 2015 presented to the City Council
by City Manager Sheyi Ipaye are Oak Timber (Landmark Wichita), Oak Haven, Forest Edge (Oak Haven - Falcon),
Truett (Cardinal Ridge - Orchard), Cardinal Ridge(Forest
Hill Drive - Wichita), Grady (Forest Hill Drive - Wichita),
Bisbee (Anglin - Mansfield Highway), and Griggs (Dorsey
- Leonard). Also on the list but needing drainage work are
Trailwood, Woody Lane and Woodview During the last five
years, the City has redone over 40 streets.
Hundreds join Forest Hill’s “Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe” Parade
A huge crowd of walkers were joined by musicians and marchers along with over 250 horseback riders for the annual Forest
Hill “Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe” Parade which wound its way through the streets on Sunday, December 14. Total participants is estimated at about 1,000. This year many families
lined the parade route to cheer while others decorated their
yards and set up parties to commemorate the event.
Brightly costumed band members fill Forest Hill streets.
En Español: Una gran multitud de caminantes fueron
acompañados por los músicos y los manifestantes junto con
más de 250 jinetes para el Forest Hill anual “Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe” Desfile que se abría paso por las calles el
domingo, 14 de diciembre Total de participantes se estima en
alrededor de 1,000. Este año muchas familias se alineaban en
la ruta parade para animar mientras que otros decoraron sus
yardas y crear grupos para conmemorar el evento.
First Annual Forest Hill
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Monday, January 19, Kick-off at 10 a.m.
at Civic & Convention Center
Prancing horses and walkers of all ages made the parade a
sight to behold with hundreds lining the streets to watch.
Route: Old Hickory Stonewall - Valley Forge Forest Hill Dr.
Info: 817-568-3009
Celebrating Unity, Harmony and Diversity
A Message from the Mayor:
With the holidays now behind us and a brand new year
ahead, it’s time once again to make… and then KEEP our resolutions for 2015.
To continue on our promise as a Council to be open and
transparent in all we do, to be honest, and be your voice in
making the best decisions for our city, I urge you in 2015 to
participate in the many programs, events and volunteer opportunities the City of Forest Hill has to offer. With the sup-
From the City Council
Town Hall Meeting - December 16, 2014
The Forest Hill City Council held a Town Hall Meeting on
Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 6 p.m. with all members present to hear from citizens about Public Safety in Forest Hill. An
overflow crowd attended with many citizens voicing concerns
with others speaking in support of the Police Department.
Regular City Council Meeting - December 16, 2014
The Forest Hill City Council met on Tuesday, December 16,
2014 at 7 p.m. with all members present.
• Following the invocation and pledges to the flags, Mayor
Joubert congratulated Council Member Brigette Mathis on her
involvement with the National Black Caucus of Local Elected
Officials.
• Mayor’s Report included an update on the Christmas Celebration held on December 4 and the Women in Government Luncheon held on Friday, December 5.
• A Proclamation was presented to Dr. Jerilyn Pfeifer, Superintendent of the Everman Independent School District who is
retiring.
• The consent agenda was unanimously approved including: (1)
Approval of November 18, 2014, Minutes.
• Three items placed on the agenda by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
Malinda Miller were pulled by Miller.
• The Council unanimously approved the appointment of Armando Villareal to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• The City Council delayed action on an appointment to the
Parks, Recreation
and Clean City
Commission until
the next meeting.
• In another unanimous decision,
the Council appointed Francisco
Hernandez to the
Zoning Board of
Adjustment.
• City Manager’s
Report included
(1) A report on a Dr. Jerilyn Pfeifer and Mayor Joubert
Special Note: Take receipts for repairs involving water
leaks Special Note: Take receipts for repairs involving
water leaks during the months of December, January
and February to the water department for a possible
adjustment on your winter averaging for sewer charges.
port and assistance of our city staff and your elected officials,
together we will continue to work to make the City of Forest
Hill the wonderful place it is that you and I call “home.”
I am proud to serve as your Mayor and look forward to
making 2015 another year of many accomplishments for our
great city.
Yours in Service and Gratitude,
Mayor Gerald Joubert
gjoubert@foresthilltx.org
water payment to the City of Fort Worth; (2) A report regarding
home demolition program; (3) A report regarding the HOME
Grant Program; (4) A report regarding water improvement projects ;and (5) A report regarding street projects.
Regular City Council Meeting - January 6, 2015
The Forest Hill City Council met on Tuesday, January 6, 2015
at 7 p.m. with all members present.
• Following the invocation, pledges to the flags and Citizen Presentations, the minutes of the December 16, 2014 meeting, the
Consent Agenda was approved including (1) Approval of Minutes of December 16 City Council Meeting and (2) Approval of
TxDOT Environmental Speed Limits as requested.
• In a split decision, appointment of a Charter Review Committee was approved as requested by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
Malinda Miller. She asked that they consider amendments to
lengthen the term of office for Council and Mayor from two to
three years and add a section for compensation. (Currently, they
receive no pay or stipend.) Voting NO were Mayor Pro Tem
Ozell Birks and Mayor Joubert who disagreed with asking for
compensation for Council Members.
• Action regarding honoring all Mayors, past and present, was
tabled.
• The Council reviewed the history of the Forest Hill Chamber
of Commerce but no action was taken since a Chamber of Commerce is run by local businesses, not the City.
• City Manager’s Report included: (1) Report on fatality accident on I-20 in which a woman lost control of vehicle; (2) Notice of final approval received from the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality; (3) Report regarding Drought Contingency Plan; (4) Report regarding staff effort concerning issues
raised during the Town Hall Meeting; and (5) Report regarding
the City Manager’s recognition by the United States Congress.
LIONS CLUB USED
EYEGLASS ROUND-UP
District 2E2
Saturday, January 24
7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Civic Center Parking Lot
6901 Wichita
Eyeglass
Recycling
Center
126 families including 353 kids helped during holidays
00
It was a holiday season of sharing, caring and togetherness as people of
all races, faiths and philosophies worked together. Since 1980, the Forest
Hill Action Group has coordinated the care of the needy in Forest Hill
during the holidays. This year there were 126 families assisted including
336 children who received toys, gifts and other items during the Christmas holidays thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations in
the community including a generous donation from the Forest Hill Lions
Club,
In addition, groceries which were collected during Super 1 Foods’
“Spirit of Christmas Food Drive,” by students at Harlean Beal Elementary, students at O.D. Wyatt High School and residents of the Villas were
distributed to those families in need of food and to a lot of senior citizens and disabled in the community. The South Tarrant Chamber of
Commerce donated 12 turkeys with all the trimmings as part of their
holiday event in cooperation with Foodland which also offered support. Super 1 Foods also donated hens for the needy families. Rodeo
Dental helped with a toy drive as did the Villas. The Utility Billing
Department at City Hall also made a cash contribution.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened its building
for the group to use as a sorting station and distribution point and
also provided volunteers and a drive for warm blankets, hats and
gloves along with an Arlington LDS congregation. Mt. Zion Christ
Holy Sanctified Church took care of eight families including 35 children referred by the Action Group which interviewed and qualified
them. That church also assisted at Thanksgiving.
Above: Firefighters and other volunteers help distribute
Also during the Thanksgiving holiday, many families, especially food. Below: Lions Club student partners help sort toys
senior citizens, were assisted with either groceries or gift cards with and shop for needy families.
assistance from the House of Prayer, Women of Power Ministry and
the Forest Hill United Methodist Church.
Action Group coordinators expressed appreciation on behalf of the
needy in Forest Hill for all the help which was given, especially the
donations of money and toys. They reported more than 75 volunteers
were on-site during their project.
From the Water Department...
For your protection, please give the Water clerks your current
phone number when paying your bill, They recently were able to
assist the police with a house on fire because they had the customer’s number on file.
My Brother’s Keeper
Youth Summit for Young Men
The Everman High School Gospel Choir presented a
Christmas Concert for the South Tarrant Chamber of
Commerce Christmas Event.
Lion's Club International
District 2E2
Saturday, February 21st
Saturday, January 24
Forest Hill Civic & Convention Center
Forest Hill Civic &
Convention Center
8:00 a.m. - Noon
FREE TO ATTEND
Call 817-568-3004 to be a sponsor
or to attend
7:30 am - 11:30 am
6901 Wichita St.
4.5 million American lives
are saved each year by
blood transfusions!
Community Calendar
All meetings are subject to change. City info: www.foresthilltx.org.
January 19 - City offices and Senior Center closed for Dr.
Martin L. King holiday. Emergency personnel on duty Call 9-1-1 for help! Dr. Martin Luther King Parade - 10
a.m. Call 817-568-3009 for info.
January 20 - No Chamber Meeting; No City Council
Meeting.
January 24 - Lions Club Eyeglass Drop-off and Blood
Drive - Civic & Convention Center. (See details inside.)
January 25 - Bridal Show, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Civic & Convention Center. See back page ad for details.
January 26- Blood pressure checks & BINGO - Senior
Center - 9:30 a.m.
February 3 - Blood pressure checks & BINGO - Senior
Center - 9:30 a.m.; Planning & Zoning Commission, 6
p.m. - City Hall.
February 3 - City Council Meeting - 7 p.m. - City Hall.
February 5 - Neighborhood Watch Meeting - 7 p.m. - Civic & Convention Center. Info: 817-905-9494.
February 5 - Senior Center Food Bank Day for regular
attendees.
February 9 - Blood pressure checks & BINGO - Senior
Center - 9:30 a.m.; Parks, Recreation & Clean City Commission Meeting - 6 p.m. - City Hall; Police Alumni Association Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - Civic & Convention Center;
Friends of the Library Meeting - 7 p.m. - Library. Info:
817-551-5354.
February 16 - City offices closed for Presidents Day.
Emergency personnel on duty. Call 9-1-1 for help! Senior
Center open - Blood pressure checks & BINGO - 9:30
a.m.
February 17 - South Tarrant Chamber of Commerce 11:30 a.m. - Civic & Convention Center. Lunch $15. Info:
817-535-2177; City Council Meeting - 7 p.m. - City Hall.
February 23 - Blood pressure checks & BINGO - Senior
Center - 9:30 a.m.; Library Board Meeting, 6 p.m., at Library; Community Development Corporation, 6 p.m., City Hall.
New Home for Forest Hill Starbucks
The Forest Hill Starbucks officially opened the doors of its
“new” home on Tuesday, January 6th to hundreds of thirsty
customers. From sparkling new tabletops and serving cabinets,
to beautiful fixtures and plenty of hot coffee, teas and yummy
eats, the store is now located at 3221 California Parkway, right
next to City Hall. Get your Starbucks fill weekdays starting
at 5:00 a.m., Saturdays at 6:00 a.m. and Sundays at 6:30 a.m.
Doors don’t close until 10:00 p.m. any night! Got questions?
Call them at 817-551-6225.
The Roadhouse Nightclub, a vacant frame structure at 5300
Mansfield Highway, was totally destroyed by fire on December 29. The cause of the fire is undetermined but is under
investigation by the Tarrant County Fire Marshals Office.
The Forest Hill Lions Club meets at 7 a.m. each Wednesday at the Forest
Hill Presbyterian Church, 5713 Forest Hill Drive. Visitors welcome... and
they eat free.
Library Info: 817-551-5354 or www.foresthillpubliclibrary
LIBRARY HOURS: Tuesday -Thursday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Closed Friday, Sunday & Monday
Learn Spanish Saturdays 2-3 p.m.
Family Game Days Saturdays 3-4 p.m. Free board games.
Storytime: Tuesdays - 11 a.m.; Saturdays - 1 p.m.
ESL Classes Tuesdays and Thursdays - 6 p.m.
February 19 - 4-5 p.m. Family Pathfinders Overview of Financial Services.
BRIDAL FAIR
Sun., January 25th 1pm-6pm
Admission $5
Vendor/Ticket Info: 817.532.2687
6901 Wichita Street