Starting May 18, Missouri City property owners who violate any of six certain housing codes may find themselves cited directly to court.

“To keep all our neighborhoods looking their best and to protect property values around the City, we are stepping up efforts to carry out the City’s Code Enforcement program,” said Mike Fogarty, Coordinator in the Code Enforcement Division. “More than seven months have passed since Hurricane Ike hit the region, so we are eager to have all subdivisions restored to their condition before the storm. By intensifying our Code Enforcement efforts, we are fulfilling our mission to keep Missouri City clean and safe.”

Following the direction of City Council, inspectors with the City’s Code Enforcement Division will issue citations beginning May 18 when they observe homes with:

1. Grass or weeds higher than nine inches;
2. Junk or abandoned vehicles, including those that have been inoperable for 72 consecutive hours and those with expired license plates or inspection stickers;
3. Trash or debris piled in the yard or street, trash containers left out before or after any subdivision’s designated times for trash collection, or trash containers that are left visible from a public or private roadway (outside of times for trash pick up);
4. Vehicles parked on grass;
5. Storm-damaged structures, including downed fences;
6. Pools that have not been properly maintained.

For major storm-damaged structures that are still in disrepair, such as damaged roofs, homeowners will be cited directly to court unless they can provide documentation outlining sufficient reasons why repairs have not been completed. The City’s Code Enforcement Division should receive this documentation prior to May 18.

In addition, property owners who are found to have repeated a code violation of any kind within a 12-month period can also receive a direct citation to court for those violations.

Since the City began code sweeps of neighborhoods in August 2008, more than 4,200 first notice letters have been issued for code violations. Of those infractions, 83 percent were corrected after the first letter was sent.

Of the more than 700 remaining violations, over 600 were corrected after a second, final notice letter was issued. The remaining 100-plus property owners were cited to court for non-compliance with City codes.

“While we appreciate the majority of citizens are complying with our code enforcement initiatives, there are still outstanding violations that must be addressed,” Fogarty said. “Missouri City was honored as one of America’s ‘Best Places to Live’ and we want to continue to maintain the highest housing standards.”

The maximum fine for a code violation is $500 per occurrence of each violation. A code violation that has not been corrected can be issued a citation to court daily.

Code sweeps are continuing throughout the City. Notice is provided to residents when Code Enforcement inspectors will be in their neighborhoods. In addition to this stepped up program, the Code Enforcement Division continually responds to any code issues reported throughout the City.

For a neighborhood schedule of Code Enforcement sweeps, visit www.missouricitytx.gov/PDFs/News/sweeps-II. To report a code violation, call the Code Enforcement Hotline at 281-403-8560. For questions about the code sweeps, call 281-403-8500 and ask for Code Enforcement.

Driving through Missouri City will soon be easier, now that the City has given the green light to a multi-million dollar Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project.

At its April 6 meeting, City Council authorized a $335,000 contract for the project’s design to the engineering firm, Walter P. Moore. The cost for the design is part of Missouri City’s Capital Improvement Project program.

The rest of the funding for the $3 million ITS system will come from the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments’ Transportation Improvement Program, which will put $2.2 million toward the project. Additional funding will come from federal stimulus funds, yielding $500,000 in savings to the City.

The project will include:
• Installation of a Wi-Fi system for traffic signals, which can communicate light outages or other signal problems directly to a traffic management center. The system will allow the monitoring and synchronization of signals for more efficient traffic flow.
• A traffic management center, with the ability to view selected intersections for direct response to messages from traffic signals.
• Enhanced pedestrian signals enabling safer crossing of busy streets.
• Access to real-time Missouri City traffic information on the City’s Web site.

After approximately 10 months of design work (which is anticipated to begin this month), the project will be implemented on major City thoroughfares, including the gateway corridors of Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road and State Highway 6 and Murphy Road.

“The ITS will use technology and communication tools to improve the safety of motorists and pedestrians and boost City employees’ efficiency, while saving time, lives and money,” Director of Public Works Scott Elmer said. “When the ITS is implemented, the City will be better able to meet our residents’ and businesses’ transportation needs, reduce environmental impacts from vehicle emissions and offer real-time traffic information..”

As the population of Fort Bend County increases during the next decade, the ITS is anticipated to help reduce congestion, allowing for faster travel times with a larger volume of traffic, Elmer said.

Golf fairways aren’t usually considered works of art, but Missouri City residents can take pride knowing the Quail Valley Golf Course is being sculpted to precision by masters with a vision – and a schedule.

Construction is on track for the Quail Valley El Dorado course, where more than 190,000 cubic yards of earth have been moved to shape the golf holes according to the design of renowned course architect Jeffrey Blume.

The movement of the large volume of dirt will promote better drainage on El Dorado, where rain water used to build up because the property is so flat. Heavy rain this past weekend – including nearly eight inches of rain on April 18 – filled several of the course’s lakes, giving builders a better understanding of how the new drainage system will operate. With the new design, water will flow into drainage pipes and out to a water outlet – making El Dorado less problematic for homeowners along the course.

El Dorado is one of two 18-hole golf courses that comprise the Quail Valley Golf Course, which the City acquired in June 2008. The property’s other course, the La Quinta, re-opened on July 4, 2008.

Work on the drainage system for the first six holes on El Dorado is underway and greens construction has been completed on seven holes, Blume said. Irrigation work on the first three holes on El Dorado has also begun. The replacement of the irrigation system at La Quinta – which was included in the $5.5 million construction contract awarded in January – is expected to be finished in May.

“The weather this spring has allowed us to progress rapidly on this renovation,” Blume said. “With more than half the holes sculpted, construction on El Dorado is proceeding perfectly. Over the next two months, residents will be able to see the drainage and irrigation systems being tucked into place. When this renovation is complete, El Dorado will be a premiere golf course that can be enjoyed by all residents of Missouri City and beyond.”

The terrain on holes 1 through 10 is already formed to match Blume’s concept for those greens, tees, bunkers and other course features. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of July, with El Dorado ready for a grand re-opening later in the year.

The 200-acre El Dorado course is being built by Heritage Links of Houston, a division of Lexicon, Inc. The construction firm has built golf courses in Mexico, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and the United States, including Chambers Bay, a Washington golf course that was named the No. 1 “Best New Public Golf Course” by Golf Magazine in January 2009 and is the destination for the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open.

Construction on El Dorado has occurred in phases: First, bulldozers shape the land at each hole, according to the architect’s design. Blume then walks through each sculpted hole and suggests adjustments, from the shape of the mounds to the location of any hazards. Once a hole meets Blume’s approval, it is slightly dismantled to make way for the drainage system, irrigation and the construction of the golf course features. Finally, the hole is reassembled and grass is installed.

“Building a golf course is kind of like piecing a puzzle together,” Blume said. “Certain steps have to be taken first, so that the desired picture can come together.”

Nearly all of the old cart paths on El Dorado have been demolished, and the new path will be installed as construction progresses. The five miles of demolished cart path will be recycled by the City and Fort Bend County as material for erosion prevention projects.

Holes are expected to be finished in order, from one to 18. Once the holes are ready, grass will be installed at three or four holes at a time.

“This is a fantastic property that offers an outstanding recreational opportunity for all residents,” Blume said. “It is a wonderful project for everyone involved.”

On Nov. 4, 2008, 72 percent of Missouri City voters approved a $17.5 million bond referendum for the Quail Valley parks project. The City envisions creating a new community center, green space improvements and other fitness opportunities on the 400-acre property, in addition to the golf course renovation.

1. Proclamations:
A. National Sexual Assault Awareness Week: month of April
B. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: April 26- May 2
C. National Arson Awareness Week: May 3 - May 9

2. The City is developing a water rescue and dive team. Officer Cox is now a certified trainer and will be training 10 Missouri City Police and Fire Department personnel to be part of this special team. The training the staff will go through is quite extensive and estimated costs are approximately $35,000. Much of this is for the specialized equipment, which will hopefully include donated sonar equipment. The Fire Department already has TWO boats which can support this team. It was commented that this team will assist in possibly evidence recovery and can potential change the post outcomes of potential accidents involving the many waterways in Missouri City.

3. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) recently completed an update on its grading services of the City’s Building Code Effectiveness Scale. Effectiveness ranks for 1 - 10 for both residential and commercial properties that were issued occupancy permits after January 1, 2009. City ranked 2/2. The ISO survey also showed that Missouri City Code Department works more permitting requests than similar sized cities with the same staff.

4. Consent agenda was approved which included approval of meeting minutes, authorizing a change order for reconstruction on the El Dorado course, an agreement for tax collection services and the deeding of park lands in Olympia Estates.

5. Appointments were made for two positions on the Sienna Plantation Management District.

6. Staff was authorized to execute an agreement for median and intersection improvements on Highway 6. This is a combined effort between TX DOT, Missouri City, Sugar Land and Fort Bend County.

7. City has to adopt an Identity Theft Prevention Program to be compliant w/ Federal mandates, since they bill for some trash pick up services through local MUDs. This resolution will basically document procedures on informing account holders if there is a security breech.

8. Recent rain fall from this weekend was mentioned. Scott Elmer shared that the City, in general, received about 7.8 inches of rain in 8 hours. Staff has identified some areas on the golf courses that possibly need remedial grading and ditches. The Mayor shared that everyone needs to remember that streets are also designed for conveyance of water and that the minor inconvenience of not being able to travel down a street because of high water is protecting homes.

Residents are invited to attend Missouri City’s fourth annual Candlelight Vigil honoring fallen public safety officers on May 13 at 6 p.m. in front of Public Safety Headquarters, 3849 Cartwright Road.

The ceremony is held during National Police Week, which will be celebrated around the country during the week of May 11. The vigil will include a wreath-laying and a 21-gun salute.

“Because of police officers’ devotion to this community, we’ve made Missouri City one of the safest cities in the country,” said Interim Police Chief Pat Worrell. “The Missouri City Police Department has never lost an officer in the line of duty. But this important event is a chance for residents to remember the officers across the country who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our rights and freedoms.”

During the commemoration of National Police Week, flags in Missouri City will be flown at half-staff to show appreciation for the officers who have given their lives to protect cities around the nation. Trees along Cartwright Road will be decorated with blue ribbons to honor law enforcement officers who serve in federal, state and local agencies.

According to the National Police Week Web site, this is the 21st year a candlelight vigil honoring fallen officers has been held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The memorial’s Web site reports that 133 officers were killed nationwide in 2008. A total of 18,661 names will appear on the monument after this year’s names are added.

Missouri City police officers will be able to provide even stronger protection for residents, thanks to The 100 Club’s donation of 10 bullet proof vests and a night vision camera to the police department.

Representatives of The 100 Club will officially present the contribution of $25,852 in equipment to police officers at 10:30 a.m. on April 21 at the City’s Public Safety Headquarters, 3849 Cartwright Road.

The 100 Club is an organization that provides law enforcement agencies with various forms of support, from life-protecting equipment to scholarships and educational opportunities for officers.

The Missouri City police department did not have a hand-held infrared camera until The 100 Club’s donation of the device. The $8,000 thermal imaging unit will allow officers to scan buildings or other locations to determine if people are hidden in those places.

“With this camera, officers can quickly and accurately locate perpetrators and other potential threats to public safety,” said Interim Police Chief Pat Worrell. “We did not have funds in our budget for any of this donated equipment, but because of The 100 Club, our officers now have access to tools that will ensure their safety as they serve the people of Missouri City.”

The new body vests - each worth about $1,785 - will replace the department’s current vests, which have warranties set to expire in July. The vests, which will be used by SWAT team members, are crafted to withstand bullets from higher caliber weapons.

“We are very grateful for this donation, which will allow our officers to continue the City’s efforts to provide citizens with the best possible protection,” Worrell said.

In November, Congressional Quarterly named Missouri City the 22nd safest in the nation in the 75,000 to 100,000 population range.

Quail Valley PROUD is once again sponsoring a Clean-Up Team in conjunction with Missouri City’s “Going green” with a “Spring Clean and Green” event on Saturday, April 25th! Proud’s Team will meet at Ridgeview Park at 9:00 A. M. The event will include a clean up along streets in Missouri City with Proud’s Team working in Quail Valley. All volunteers will receive trash bags and gloves. Volunteers will receive a commemorative T-shirt for participating. Please email Howard Dunlap, Quail Valley Proud’s 2009 Event Coordinator at dunlap2376@yahoo.com if you are willing to participate.

Saturday, April 18, 10 AM to 3 PM
Take a fun and relaxed day and get inspired for outdoor living by viewing some of the beautiful backyards in Quail Valley, which is known for its backyard gardens and mature trees.
Whether you want to:
• create more living space
• attract nature to your back yard
• enhance or create a view
• extend your ability to entertain
• refurbish your landscaping or get new ideas
• deal with too much shade or transition from sun to shade
• get some new ideas or just get inspired!
There will be ideas galore along with tips from Master and experienced gardeners and music at the Student Poster Contest. Our 8 homes and six locations will provide a relaxed pace to enjoy . . .
But don’t take my word for it . . . see why you want to attend by pressing or copy/pasting into your web browser address line.
http://traction.typepad.com/qvgc/backyard-garden-tour.html
Tickets are available in advance by calling Janice Scanlan at 281 261-2320 or any Quail Valley Garden Club member. Your $10 donation per ticket will benefit the many community projects the Quail Valley Garden Club sponsors.
To download a tour map . . .
http://traction.typepad.com/files/qvgc-09-tour-map.pdf

Moms and their sons won’t have to fight a villain or hide a secret identity to attend Missouri City’s Super Hero Lunch on July 18! But like most Super Heroes, participants will have to wear a distinctive costume to this annual event.

The lunch for mothers and sons will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center next to City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway. A limited number of tickets go on sale May 26. The tickets are $20 for moms with one son, and $10 for each additional son.

Moms and sons are encouraged to dress as their favorite Super Heroes. They will have a chance to color and decorate their own capes to take home.

Exciting activities are planned for both moms and sons, including:

.Spiderman moonwalk
.Photos
.Door prizes
.Lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A
.Group games and prizes

This event is perfect for boys ages 10 and under. Tickets are available at the Missouri City Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway, during regular business hours or by calling (281) 403-8500.

The Quail Valley Fund has made arrangements with the Meadow Creek HOA for pool and tennis court usage.

Fees are $25.00 per person for pool usage for the entire summer. Residents must show proof of residency. A current water or utility bill will be accepted.

Pool tags will be available at the Meadow Creek Clubhouse on Saturday, May 16th and Saturday, May 23rd from 12 noon to 7pm.

The pool will open Memorial Day weekend, then close until FBISD is out. Regular pool hours are 12noon - 7pm Tuesday through Sunday. The pool is closed on Mondays.

The Clubhouse is also available for rental.

For additional information on the pool facilities and Clubhouse usage, call Buddy Snyder at 281-499-3345.

Meadow Creek is also offering non-resident tennis memberships. There is a $360 annual fee, plus an initial $75.00 initiation fee and a $25.00 key deposit. Tennis team, leagues, junior leagues and lessons are also available. For additional information on tennis, contact Nancy Vivero at 281-835-9573.