We finally returned to our regular schedule of Tuesday nights after a few weeks of having to adjust our schedule.  I must first say that I am excited and impressed by our new agenda management system.  We are still testing it internally and it will be available to the public very soon.  The new system will allow our citizens to view live streaming of our meetings as well as to go back and watch the video of any topic.  This will greatly enhance our ability to communicate with our citizens.  I am certain everyone will be very impressed with this new product.

The proclamations this week were for the following:

• FISD Red Ribbon Week - The Red Ribbon Celebration brings millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States.  I found the history of the celebration very interesting which you can read here.  The FISD and the City participate in many programs including the DARE program, Shattered Dreams, the Student Resource Officer program, Rachel’s Challenge, as well as other education and counseling programs.  Please consider wearing a red ribbon next Wednesday to show your support
• Chamber of Commerce Week - John Land, Frisco Chamber of Commerce President, was on hand to accept this proclamation recognizing the benefit an active Chamber of Commerce can provide for a city.  I was surprised to learn that the Frisco Chamber of Commerce is the 4th largest chamber in North Texas.  Council Member Tony Felker works for the Chamber and David Prince is the current Chairman.  I have been a member of the Chamber for many years and so I know first hand the benefits they offer.  The Frisco Chamber of Commerce is top notch and crucial to many of our local businesses.
• Disability Employment Awareness Month - This is a proclamation from our President Bush.  You can read more about it here.  The proclamation is to encourage employers to work together to offer opportunities for those with disabilities.  The statistics are sobering showing that the unemloyment rate for those with disabilities is often 10 times that of the general population.  In addition, those with disabilities are 3 times more likely to live in poverty.  According to the presenter, the retention rate for employees with disabilities is very high.  51% are stay with an employer for more than 5 years and 36% for greater than 10.

Police Report:

There were 58 reported assaults, 42 of which were family violence assaults. Furthermore, all of the aggravated assault victims were either family members or acquaintances of the offenders. Habitation burglaries increased by 9 incidents. Of the 28 burglaries reported, force was used to gain entry in seven homes; ten homes were entered through an open garage door. Entry was gained in four burglary incidents by an unlocked door or window. It is unknown how entry was made in seven homes because there were no signs of forced entry. In addition, there were four attempted burglaries of habitation. Burglaries of buildings increased by four incidents; 11 of the 18 buildings burglarized were in construction sites. Burglaries of motor vehicles (BMVs) decreased slightly in September. Of the 51 burglaries reported, twenty-three vehicles were entered by force, twenty were entered through an unlocked door, and it is unknown how entry was made in eight vehicles as they had no signs of forced entry.

I asked Chief Renshaw about an email I received from a citizen about illegal parking in school zones.  According to the email, parents were parking on the wrong side of the street to avoid getting in the normal line.  Chief Renshaw contacted other staff and is going to try to address the issue with the school SROs.

Fire Report:

The Fire Department responded to 530 calls during the month of September including 260 emergency medical calls and 55 motor vehicle accidents. The Fire Department also responded to 3 structure fires and 1 vehicle fire resulting in combined damages of approximately $56,500. 119 fire safety inspections were completed in September. Overall average response time for first arriving Fire unit is 4:35.

Other report items:

• The Convention and Visitors Bureau are starting a new “Keep it Local - Keep it Frisco”. The goal is to bring awareness to CEO’s and decision making Executives that live in Frisco that we have great hotels and venues where they could be hosting their meetings. We need them to visit with their meeting planners and discuss the Frisco options. There will be more to come on this in future meetings.
• The Planning and Zoning Department will soon be accepting applications for an advisory committee to revise the zoning ordinance. This will be a 23 member committee that will work through a 12-18 month process.

Other Agenda Items:

• We accepted Debby Hanson’s letter of resignation from the CVB as she no longer qualifies for the position.
• We approved a resolution authorizing Cities Aggregation Power Project (CAPP) to negotiate and execute an electric supply agreement and committing to purchase energy via CAPP through December 31, 2013. CAPP’s current electric contract will expire on December 31, 2008. This means that CAPP members will lock-in prices for five years that are below electric prices members are currently paying. This is separate from the 24 month agreement CAPP was negotiating that I discussed in the last meeting.
• Oncor Electric Delivery Company asked the City to approve a 17.6% increase in residential rates, a 9.1% increase in commercial rates, and a 5.8% increase in street lighting rates. According to Oncor, annual rates would increase by approximately $60 for an average residential customer. Council denied the requested rate increase and requires that the Company’s current rates be maintained for all customers within the City.
• We approved a contract for renovation to Shawnee Sports Complex in the amount of $110,603. This contract provides for design services and construction documents to renovate the concession building, add fencing to allow for tournaments to be held at the facility, add permanent dugout covers, add bleacher covers, renovate the irrigation system, replace chain link fencing where needed, and provide a concrete mow strip under fencing. These renovations are needed because the concession stand does not comply with current health or ADA standards, the complex is not consistent with the facilities that are being constructed today with regards to shade and fencing to segregate warm up areas from spectators. The remainder of the renovations are due to expected and acceptable levels of wear and tear from 13 years of use.
• We approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a boundary adjustment agreement between the City of Frisco and the City of Plano to establish the centerline of SH 121 as the boundary between the two cities.

Please remember the  Trick or Treat at Safety Town is this Friday, October 24, from 6 to 9 pm.  If you attended last year, you will remember how great of an event it was.  You will also remember to get there early.  I hope to see you there!

Posted with Permission from Jeff Cheney, Frisco City Councilman

Early voting, which began today, October 20, is underway at two locations in Frisco. Registered Collin County voters may vote ‘early’ at the Preston Ridge Campus of Collin College, 9700 Wade Blvd. Collin County ‘early voting’ hours being offered in Frisco are as follows:

October 20 - 24: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
October 25: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
October 26: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
October 27 - 31: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Voters registered in Denton County may vote ‘early’ at the Frisco Lakes Amenities Center, 7277 Frisco Lakes Drive. Denton County ‘early voting’ hours being offered in Frisco are October 27 - 31, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
For other ‘early voting’ polling locations throughout Collin and Denton counties, please go to the City of Frisco website at www.friscotexas.gov, click on ‘government’ and find ‘elections’ in the ‘drop down’ menu. The city’s election page provides the links to your respective county election information.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. On Election Day, voters must cast ballots at their designated precinct polling place. There are ten Collin County precincts and six Denton County precincts in Frisco. Voters are encouraged to bring their voter registration cards.  If you do not know which precinct you’re in, go to the City of Frisco website at www.friscotexas.gov and follow the respective links to Collin and Denton County Election Information. Once there, you can do a ’search’ of your voter registration to determine your precinct number.
All Frisco precinct polling locations are listed on the webpage for the City Secretary’s Office at
http://www.friscotexas.gov/government/citysecretary/index.aspx?id=7746 The City of Frisco is not conducting an election on the November 4, 2008 ballot. For additional information regarding voting dates, times, and polling locations, please contact the election office for your respective county: Collin County (972-547-1990) or Denton County (940-349-3200).

We typically meet the first and third meeting of every month. This meeting was pushed back a day to Wednesday. For the second straight meeting, we changed the date to accommodate National Night Out.  I enjoyed National Night Out again this year.  I visited a half dozen parties this year while riding with the Police Department.  As many of you know, Texas was test marketing a new date this year, pushing it back from our normal August date.  Many people discussed enjoying the cooler weather.  However, the downside was that many people’s parties ended earlier due to being a school night and had less attendance due to conflicts with after school activities.  My neighborhood party was wrapping up when we got back so I was disappointed with sundown being earlier.  Personally, I prefer the August date, heat and all.  W will be reviewing the statistics and feedback to determine when to have NNO next year.

In other NNO events, the Fire won the Battle of the Badges which was a blood drive competition between the Police and Fire.  The Fire won by 4 pints and collected 216 pints of blood.  However, the Police got the last laugh by winning the Good vs. Good basketball game 43-34 while raising money for Special Olympics.

We had many lengthy topics which resulted in a meeting running very late into the night.  We started with a discussion on Cities Aggregation Power Project, Inc. (CAPP) long-term power contract.  The City is a member of the Cities Aggregation Power Project (“CAPP”), a non-profit political subdivision corporation aggregator. Created in 2001 in anticipation of the deregulation of the Texas retail electric market, CAPP pools members’ electric power needs in order to negotiate lower, more stable prices through bulk purchasing. CAPP is run by a voluntary 10 member Board of Directors, comprised entirely of city employees and city officials.

CAPP and its sister political subdivision corporation aggregator, South Texas Aggregation Project, Inc. (“STAP”), have more than 150 political subdivision members that purchase in excess of one billion kWh annually. Together CAPP and STAP have member savings that have surpassed $100 million since the Texas electric market deregulated in 2002.

The proposed contract called for lower power costs for our based load of power in exchange for the our commitment to a 24 year contract as well as paying 60% of the contract up front.  This brought obvious questions from Council including why they are requiring so much of an up front payment, what other options we have that are not as long of a term, what happens if the company defaults, etc.  We are going to have further discussions on this topic at the next Council Meeting to determine if this is a good deal for the City of Frisco.

A few months back, we heard a request from Community Waste Disposal for a fee increase due to the rising costs of fuel.  If you recall, Council voted to not reward the fee increase.  Since then, fuel prices have decreased substantially.  Another agenda item was brought forward for a fee increase, although at a lower rate than a few months prior.  My position had not changed since the last time we voted.  We had negotiated a contract with CWD nearly 5 years ago and all parties should keep to those terms.  CWD was awarded the contract in a competitive bid situation. It would not be fair to others who wanted this contract to improve the terms before completition.  This contract expires in July and at that time we can pursue differing contract terms that take into account fluctuating fuel prices.  Council voted 3-2 to deny the request.

We had our first round of discussions regarding a proposed parking facility next to City Hall.  Partial funds for this project were approved by the citizens in our last bond election.  The renderings were quite impressive and blended very well with the architecture of City Hall and the surrounding Frisco Square.  The proposed cost is roughly $14,000 per parking space.  Part of this is attributed to wider parking spaces since so many families visit the facility.  A basic parking garage can be built as cheaply as $10,000/space.  The proposed garage would have 578 spaces.  We are going to have future discussions about the features, budget, and timing of this parking facility.  With the current state of the economy, we are very sensitive to pricing and capital outlays.

A few other items to note:

• Chris Johnson was appointed as an ex-oficio member of the Convention and Visitors Bureau
• We agreed on a proposal to true up costs in property swaps with the Frisco ISD
• As of August 25, there are 2,364 members at the Senior Center at Frisco Square. This compares to 1,383 from the same time frame in 2007. Congratulations to Judy Florence and her staff on this 71% increase in just one year!

• The FAC has a total of 4,538 membership accounts totaling more than 16,561 members. Did you know that the membership of the FAC is almost split evenly between males and females? Males made up 49.4% of the Center’s membership and Females constituted 50.6% of the membership. Members under the age of 45 make up 86.5% of the total membership of the FAC. By the end of August, the FAC had a total of 15,897 total members, with a daily average of 1,477 members attending the Center during the month.

Thanks again for reading and please feel free to send me any questions you have.

Posted with Permission from Jeff Cheney, Frisco City Councilman

Thursday, October 2, 2008
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Westin Hotel (1549 Legacy Drive; Frisco, TX 75034)
(Following LIVE Broadcast of the VP Debate on BIG SCREEN!)

This 2008 Election will be one of the most important elections in our lifetime and there is much to be voted on from local races all the way to the most talked about election in history!

We need your vote!

Come hear from the candidates and their campaign teams(Local, State and National), last chance to register to VOTE and or update your information, networking, etc. The event will be a “come and go” event, but it will culminate with the Vice-Presidential Debate on Big Screen with Republican and Democrat comments feedback following the Debate!

“Come to this great event and support your particular party by wearing RED or BLUE. Eat Peanuts or Popcorn depending on your particular party choice. Come learn about the issues and have fun doing it.”

2. As has happened since the nation moved forward and prospered after George Washington refused both a crown and an unlimited term of office, Collin County must now move forward and prosper with those who will follow Jack in Precinct 4. I spent the 4th of July weekend coordinating with the precinct chairmen in Jack Hatchell’s precinct, and believed that a clear majority developed around a person who would have the support of the precinct chairmen. Therefore, I appointed Kathy Ward as Commissioner, Precinct 4, effective today, July 7. Kathy brings a solid conservative philosophy to the court and will prove a friend to the taxpayer. She is a proven campaigner, and as a serving commissioner, she brings all the enthusiasm and skills we need in order to retain this Republican seat in the November general election.

I am pleased that a majority of the Precinct 4 executive committee agreed with Kathy’s appointment and this evening named Kathy as the Republican nominee on the November ballot. I thank the chairmen for their vote of confidence in Kathy.

3. National media sources are recognizing Collin County as a great place to live and work.

Forbes magazine recently named Collin County the 14th best place in America to raise a Family. My quote to a reporter was that I am surprised that we are not rated higher than number 14. If you have not read the Forbes article, America’s Best Places to Raise a Family, you may read it at http://www.forbes.com/2008/06/27/schools-places-family-forbeslife-cx_zg_0630realestate_slide_8.html?thisSpeed=15000

CNNMoney recently named Plano as the best city in the nation in which to build personal wealth by measuring local salaries, the cost of living and unemployment. Secondary factors such as diversity of the local economy, residents’ education, percentage of population below poverty level and commute time were also considered. You may read the article at http://biz.yahoo.com/cnnm/080630/063008_personal_wealth.html?.v=2

Sincerely,
Keith

1. Farmersville celebrated the 84th anniversary of Audie Murphy’s birth on Saturday, June 21. Audie Murphy, a Medal of Honor recipient, was the most decorated soldiers of WWII and one of the most famous soldiers in American history. Along with Audie Murphy’s memory, the city also honored veterans from every era during a parade around the town square and a ceremony held in the historic Onion Shed. It was a moving experience to watch veterans wipe tears from their eyes during patriotic songs, and then swell with pride as their individual branch of the Armed Services was recognized. It was a genuine celebration of freedom honoring the cost borne by our veterans to defend our freedom. 

As we approach the 4th of July, Independence Day, our annual celebration, we will hear “freedom” frequently over the next few weeks. 

Our freedom focus today tends to our concerns over the threat (and rise) of radical Islam, but we also need to keep close watch on the domestic issues addressed in our U.S. Constitution. Freedom can be lost not only by foreign threat, but also by concentrating too much power and money in our government. The Constitution is a wonderful document written by men who had first-hand experience with a too-powerful government. The Constitution is all about limited government. 

As you consider your freedom over the next weeks, consider what Frederic Bastiat wrote in a period when France was turning to socialism, “Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.” This great fiction is NOT what our veterans fought and died for. 

Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.

Let it soar with the winds high above

Among the spirits of soldiers now sleeping,

Guard it with care and with love.

- Audie Murphy

Guard your freedom with care and love.

2. The Commissioners Court voted 3-2 today to institute a 5% homestead exemption with a $5,000 minimum during the next fiscal year that starts in October. This homestead exemption means that your county tax burden in real dollars should decrease, depending on your individual property appraisal. That is good news. One of my longtime primary goals has been to give you tax relief.

However, I preferred a more broad based tax relief through a tax rate decrease. A broad based tax rate decrease would give not only you, the homeowner, tax relief, but it would also give tax relief to the business that employs you. In this troubled time, we need to be encouraging all the employment that we can. I will continue to work through the budget process to include a tax rate decrease that will include tax relief for our businesses.

Sincerely,

Keith

For more information please visit my website:   www.KeithSelf.com

I recently read an article regarding the property tax crisis in Texas. This article, titled Taxing the American Dream, was written by the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI).  This week, with permission from TCCRI, I would like to share this article with you.

*********

While Congress works to bail out homeowners in the wake of the national mortgage crisis, homeowners continue to suffer under the crushing weight of a long‐standing property tax crisis. In fact, property taxes present a greater, longer‐standing threat to homeownership than the sub‐prime crisis.

In that context, House Speaker Tom Craddick (R‐Midland) appointed an Interim Committee on Property Tax Relief charged with “doing everything it can to provide meaningful and responsible property tax relief to those who are strained by the burden of soaring taxes.” The Committee is led by State Rep. John Otto (R‐Dayton) and State Rep. Ken Paxton (R‐McKinney), both of whom are committed to exploring ways to alleviate the pains of a tax that asks too much of Texans.

Statewide, total property taxes increased 111% from 1996‐2006. Since 2001, property tax bills have risen over 40 percent, statewide. This number is shocking when compared to increases in school enrollment (11 percent), prices of consumer goods (13 percent), and Texans’ personal income (14 percent), all in the same time period.

In the Houston area, property tax bills increased 47.13 percent from 2000 to 2006, when the Legislature forced school districts to lower their rates as part of the largest property tax rate cut in state history.

This problem is not confined to Texas. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on April 26, property tax collections nationwide have risen 62 percent since 2000, while median home values have risen 48 percent and personal income has risen 28 percent.

In the last three sessions, the Legislature has worked to make property taxes less burdensome. Yet despite more than $14 billion in legislatively appropriated property tax rate cuts in 2007, increases in local rates, appraisals, and bond debt continue to push property tax bills ever higher. In 2007, 115 school districts held tax rate elections to increase their tax rates from the cap of $1.04 to $1.17. On top of these rate increases, 197 school districts held bond issue elections in 2007, which issued at least $7.4 billion of new debt.

The problem, however, is much deeper than high tax bills. The property tax crisis is also a property rights crisis.

Property taxes are perpetual, abrogating the right to own property in the truest sense. If one must pay local taxing authorities every year, then property ownership is reduced to nothing more than a form of renting from the government.

The State Constitution gives government the power to seize property and evict its owners. Under Article 16, Section 50, homesteads are exempted from forced sale for the payment of debts, except, of course, for collection of past-due property taxes. Harris County conducted a tax sale as recently as May 6, selling properties that were seized for failure to pay property taxes.

Presley Sauls, an elderly Dallas man, lost his $36,000 home in early 2008 to a bank, for failure to make payment on a loan. However, Mr. Sauls had already paid his mortgage in full. His home was seized because he defaulted on a second loan, which he took out to pay his property taxes. The property tax forced Mr. Sauls into a situation from which he could not escape, at least not with his home. [See: “Fast Track to Foreclosure”, The Dallas Morning News, February 11, 2008].

The system is rigged against all property owners across the state, and it gets worse. The Texas Tax Code allows taxing units to “permit an individual who is at least 65 years of age to perform service for the taxing unit in lieu of paying [property] taxes.” This rings eerily similar to indentured servitude. [See: §31.035, Texas Tax Code].

The mortgage crisis is a temporary economic problem that will eventually right itself. Property taxes, on the other hand, threaten the viability of homeownership for many while abridging property rights for all. It is imperative that short-term relief be coupled with a long-term plan to eliminate this intolerable and unjust tax.

Get Involved

Each Interim, the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute hosts issue specific Task Forces that bring public and private sector participants together to address the most pressing issues before the state. One of our Task Forces for this Interim is the Property Tax Task Force. For more information, please contact TCCRI Task Force Director Brent Connett by email (brent@txccri.org) or by phone at 512-474-6042.

1. Please help me congratulate Commissioner Jack Hatchell, who just won the prestigious Pitstick Award at the North Central Texas Council of Governments annual general assembly. The Pitstick Award is given in recognition of an individual’s commitment to regional excellence, and Commissioner Hatchell richly deserved the award for his many years of service to Collin County and the region.

2. Tracy and I just returned from the Republican Party state convention in Houston. I was very encouraged by the conservatism that the grassroots delegates demonstrated - and voted - in election after election. The convention showed that in spite of the rapid rate of growth of local and state governments in Texas that you see, at least our grassroots understand the need for personal freedom, low taxes, personal property rights, and limited government. I was very encouraged, and I want you to be encouraged as well.

3. The county employees were recently asked for their input on an issue that will come before the Commissioners Court. In order to also gain your taxpayer perspective, I ask for your feedback on a request to include a 4,000-square-foot employee workout facility in the next expansion of the new courthouse. As I said before, I take the authority to tax 730,000 citizens very seriously and want transparency in the issues and decisions before the court. Thomas Jefferson, 1810, “No one more sincerely wishes the spread of information among mankind than I do, and none has greater confidence in its effect towards supporting free and good government.” I agree.

Please give me your thoughts at keith.self@collincountytx.gov

The court will soon hear the concept to build an employee workout facility in the courthouse that will eventually contain all our district courts and county courts at law. This is a secured building with limited entrance and exit points. As I said at the dedication of the new courthouse, this is the building where our citizens come to receive and administer justice, where the quality of construction and infrastructure speak to the importance of the business conducted therein. This is not a general business location - it will house the vast majority of our justice system when completed. Approximately 205 employees currently work in the new courthouse out of approximately 1700 total county employees. That means that 88% of our employees (approximately 1500 employees) would have to travel to the main courthouse in order to take advantage of the employee-only facility. Of course, employee-only showers and locker facilities may be necessary as well.

Whether or not the employees with specific health issues would take advantage of the workout facility remains a question. I hosted a day-long event, Get Fit with the Judge, at the Lifetime Fitness in Allen on October 27, 2007. About 20 employees attended; mostly healthcare employees. Throughout the day, we hosted a 5K run/walk, a workout with a personal trainer, a pool party, a kid’s bounce house, basketball, volleyball, and rock climbing. In spite of the fact that a full day of events was scheduled, a great special membership price was offered, and children’s events were included, only 20 employees, mostly from the sponsoring office, attended.

The expected companion idea has also emerged - if a workout facility is good, then other facilities would be just as good. Several recommendations to include a childcare facility in the courthouse have already been received. If we acted on every suggestion, conducting the judicial business of the county would be secondary, rather than the primary focus of the courthouse. You get the picture. It is difficult to know where to stop once you get started adding amenities.

There is no doubt that our county workforce would benefit from increased exercise. Specifically, diabetes and overweight issues could improve, hopefully decreasing our health costs and improving the health of our workforce.

This is one of those ideas that requires balance between our responsibility to encourage a healthy workforce and the principle that government not compete with local business. There are an increasing number of commercial facilities that could serve the same purpose. In fact, several of our cities have taxpayer funded facilities with which we could contract, much like we share local cable channels for government broadcasts.

I want to improve the health of our employees - that is why I hosted Get Fit with the Judge at Lifetime Fitness. However, I would like to develop a comprehensive approach to employee healthcare during the budget cycle which ends in September, rather than addressing a single facility out of cycle without a complete strategic view of how we plan to address the entire spectrum of employee health issues.

I value your feedback. This is not a clear issue on either principle or solution. What IS clear, as Ronald Reagan articulated in April 1981, “When I took the oath of office, I pledged loyalty to only one special interest group–”We the People.”" I look forward to hearing from you, the taxpayer. Please email me at keith.self@collincountytx.gov

4. I occasionally run across items that are so good that I have to share them with you. Congressman John Campbell’s Green Eyeshade Blog is one. He is doing at the congressional level what I am trying to do at county level by writing about the workings of our respective organizations. You may follow his writings at http://greeneyeshade.townhall.com/blog. The latest entry on climate change is priceless, and shows the devastating loss of jobs and economic growth under legislation being considered.

Sincerely,
Keith

Bart Crowder 54.21%
Tim Nelson 45.79%

*Results are unofficial at this time

Responses courtesy of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce

1. Why did you choose to run for City Council?

Tim Nelson - I have had the pleasure to live in Frisco for over nine years. During this time I have watched our leaders make some strong decisions that have set a series of events into play that have resulted in the wonderful city that we have today. While a resident I have been married to my wife Candice, had two children, bought a second home, acquired a rental property, worked with several local volunteer organizations, and deployed to Iraq with my Army Reserve unit.

I believe that the Frisco City Council, our city’s “Board of Directors” needs to comprised of intelligent, service oriented residents that have diverse experience and educational backgrounds. This year in Place 5 we lose a veteran councilman that had a unique perspective. Based on the current make up of the city council, I am the only candidate that brings diverse, unique experiences that will add a new perspective while assisting the City Council in making the best possible decisions for our city.

I am service oriented and have a lifetime’s worth of giving back. I have made a conscious decision to focus this effort on Frisco shifting the 15-20 volunteer hours that I had dedicated to the Army to the City of Frisco. I look forward to serving my community as I have served my country.

Bart Crowder - We chose to bring our family to Frisco when we moved back to the area five years ago. We love the city for its progressive attitude and great family environment. I realize that this didn’t happen by chance. It is the result of many citizens and leaders that worked hard to make it what it is today. I believe that it is important that qualified citizens continue to volunteer time and energy to keep Frisco great. I believe my professional experience and skill will enable me to best add value to Frisco by serving on City Council.

2. Since your campaign for City Council began this year, what is the one area that you have learned the most about, and how do you feel that translates to this runoff election and your candidacy?

Tim Nelson - I have learned that the best thing a candidate can do is meet as many Frisco residents as possible. If one is going to serve the community, one must be in touch with their issues and be prepared to represent everyone. I believe that this translates well to this runoff as more residents have had the opportunity to meet me and understand who I am and what I stand for. I am an honest person that embraces values such as loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage, truth and faith. As I meet people I think they realize the sincerity of what I have to say and know that I genuinely care about Frisco and have no other motive for running other than having a desire to help the city become an even better place to live, work and play.

Bart Crowder - I learned the most since I ran for City Council in 2007. I gained a great appreciation for the need to spend time learning about the city, meeting with staff and leaders to be ready to step into a position on the Council. I completed the Frisco Leadership program over the last year which allowed me to spend many hours working with key contacts within the city. I have greatly expanded my knowledge of the city and believe this translates into making me the appropriate choice for this election.

3. Since your campaign began this year, what has surprised you the most about running for office and/or the experiences you have had in doing so?
Tim Nelson - Although I already knew that the residents of Frisco were friendly, I had no idea that there would be such an outpouring of support for a candidate that was not politically well connected. I have made many new friends along the way. Each relationship helps me better understand the needs of our residents and our businesses. Serving on the city council is not about representing a group of people or about my specific ideas. It is about all of the people that live, work and play in Frisco. The only way to effectively represent those that have interests in Frisco is by personally meeting with as many of them as possible. I look forward to continuing to meet as many individuals as possible throughout my term should I be elected.

Bart Crowder - During the 2008 campaign, I clearly found that the emphasis on the Mayoral race and referendum made it more difficult for voters to focus on researching information related to the City Council positions. I am pleased that the runoff will allow citizens and voters to clearly evaluate the experience and credentials in our race.

4. What do you feel are the biggest concerns/issues facing businesses in Frisco, and what do you feel you can do to address those concerns?

Tim Nelson - I have had the opportunity to meet with many business executives in Frisco. I am very familiar with the challenges that business owners/executives, especially small business owners/executives face. Both my mother and step-father own and operate their own businesses. Professionally, I have worked for both of them in facets such as marketing, sales, planning and operations.

Several concerns have been brought to my attention recently. 1. Slower than average construction, development, permits and inspections. 2. Business failure rates. 3. Tax rates. 4. The number of restrictions and regulations. 5. Lack of a level playing field. 6. Desire for predictability and stability regarding rules and regulations.

In order to address each concern I would first listen and acknowledge each of our business owners concerns. I would then further explore the concerns to help identify where the barriers exist. I would then respond with a course of action that I would take as a member of the city council. Next would be to ensure that that concerns are addressed by the appropriate city staff. Lastly, follow up.

I have partnered with many businesses as a solution provider during my years at EDS and while conducting business development and account management roles with several organizations. Strong, successful business is what sustains a city. Without it, even the strongest cities begin to crumble.

I look forward to partnering with both Collin and Denton county businesses located in Frisco and those that wish to relocate to Frisco. Frisco is a dynamic city unlike other cities in North Texas. The sheer diversity of live, work and play options in Frisco makes it a prime location. As a member of the Frisco City Council I look forward to inviting business to our city, making it easier for its owner/executives to do what they do best, and that is grow their business.

Bart Crowder - Businesses in Frisco face similar issues to many cities: seeking to generate sales/revenue, efficiently delivering products and services, and finding talented people. Frisco’s growth has been very dramatic. This creates a unique challenge as businesses try to reach many new residents and build brand identity. I believe the city could assist the business community by co-sponsoring more forums for Frisco businesses to meet citizens. This might be a family based event that was contingent on volunteer efforts from businesses but rewarded them with exposure to a large number of citizens.

5. What traits/experience would you bring to the City Council that may not be present on Council today?

Tim Nelson - My combination of professional and military experience allow for an individual with unique experience to provide a new perspective to current and future potential challenges. The city’s “board of directors” should be made up of the most successful people from varying professions and experiences to ensure that the best possible decisions and troubleshooting abilities are on the team. My experience adds a new dimension to the city council complimenting the already diverse group

An ability to exercise values-based decision making ensure that decisions that are developed with the desired end state in mind ensuring short and long term success. I have a proven track record of effective decision making that has resulted in personal and organizational success in both the best and worst situations.

Bart Crowder - I believe there are many great traits and experience represented on the Council. Areas where I would seek to bring unique value would be related to my overall professional experience working for a Fortune 500 company and time spent living in other areas. As a leader in a large organization, I must lead teams to accomplish lofty goals. I seek to do this by motivation which starts with establishing the vision for our team. I then assess our team strengths and identify resources needed. This leads to development and execution of a plan which allows the team to reach team and individual goals. I believe this strategic approach will be beneficial to helping the Council reach goals we establish for the city.

6. What do you think about the current Frisco business community?

Tim Nelson - Our business is vibrant and diverse. As I have attended business functions and gone door to door meeting business owners I have realized that we have an amazing, talented group of entrepreneurs that have decided that Frisco is the place to be. The individuals that comprise our business community are focused, goal oriented and have a strong desire to ensure their businesses grow while adding value and giving back to our community at the same time.

There is a piece of the puzzle that I’d like to bring to the forefront and that is to attract large national/international business headquarters to Frisco. I believe Frisco has the ability to host business campuses similar to Plano’s Legacy development. This would allow for more of our highly skilled residents to work in their hometown.

Bart Crowder - I believe the current business community in Frisco is strong. It is supported by a strong Chamber which seeks to be influential in driving business success. The spirit of the Frisco community in general is very entrepreneurial and the demographics of Frisco are strong for supporting ongoing business growth.

7. What is your opinion of the many partnerships that the City of Frisco uses to help accomplish its goals, and how do you see those partnerships in the future?

Tim Nelson - The partnerships between the City of Frisco and the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, the Frisco Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) and the Frisco Community Development Corporation (CDC) have resulted in positive growth and development for our city. I have had the opportunity to attend Chamber events and have served as an Ambassador. I have also had the opportunity to attend FEDC and CDC meetings and speak with the members of their boards. What struck me as most impressive was their ability to focus on their particular area of concentration, plant seeds for the future while understanding how what they do impacts the other partnerships and the city itself. Other partnerships such as the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Advisory Board also provide the City real value.

I can’t see Frisco being as successful in the future without these strategic and operational partnerships. The City of Frisco cannot meet the needs of all her businesses and residents without them and would encourage continued collaboration.

Bart Crowder - I am a big fan of the creative partnerships which have been put in place. Citizens benefit greatly from the creative use of tax favored (TIF) zones and win/win partnerships between the City, FISD and the business community. FISD has state of the art facilities such as Pizza Hut Park while paying less than the cost of a stand alone project. The pending public/private venture to expand the Starcenter will provide a much needed venue for graduation with much smaller costs to the FISD and Frisco citizens. I envision continued implementation of value added partnerships in the future.

8. How do view Frisco’s relationship with Collin and Denton Counties?

Tim Nelson - Frisco has a strong and robust relationship with Collin County. Collin County has experienced many years of continuous growth and identifies well with Frisco’s current success and challenges. The collaborative relationship between the two has fostered growth for our community. Without their assistance many of the things residents take for granted would not exist. We must continue to reach out to Collin County to ensure that our city is “top of mind” and that our residents are taken care of when problems are identified.

Our relationship with Denton County is more challenging. Only recently has Denton County experienced the kind of growth Collin County has enjoyed for the past couple decades. This relationship has been strained by an inability to better understand each other’s needs and collaborate on projects that benefit both parties. It is Frisco’s obligation, and the obligation of our City Council, to continue to reach out to Denton County develop a further understanding of each other’s goals and then work towards them.

Bart Crowder - In the recent past, Frisco’s relationship with Collin County was much stronger. Going forward, I believe we can improve relationships with Denton County and build bridges with new contacts in each entity.

9. How do you view Frisco’s relationship with its adjoining cities?

Tim Nelson - Our relationship with our adjoining cities is dynamic. Some relationships are stronger than others. It is critical that strong relationships are developed so that future regional initiatives can be accomplished. Just as “no man is an island”, Frisco must continue to reach out to our neighbors and develop strong relationships so that we can all be successful.

Bart Crowder - Frisco has strong relationships with adjoining cities. Frisco learned much from Plano’s experience and has partnered with multiple cities to address mutual issues. Mayor Pat Evans has been a friend to Frisco. To our North, Prosper is now learning from Frisco’s experience. Newly elected Frisco Mayor Maso is a big believer in strong regional relationships and will certainly continue leading us to maintain strong relationships.

10. What is your opinion as to the next steps that need to be taken on the Arts of Collin County?

Tim Nelson - Unfortunately, McKinney has decided against participating in the Arts of Collin County project. However, I am familiar with the efforts of some of McKinney’s businesses and prominent residents to support the project. Clearly there is a need for such a facility. No city of national prominence is without a place to celebrate the arts. Although I originally favored a city of Frisco Arts Project, the costs of such a project make this a prime candidate for collaboration with our neighbors. The current project is intended to be located just outside our city limits, but close enough for all of our residents to enjoy. I believe Frisco should live up to its commitment and continue its involvement in the Arts project.

That being said, a report should be published to the residents of Frisco containing the current state of the project as well as the plan for additional funding and projected completion date. Should there be glaring discrepancies compared to the agreed upon terms only then should any discussion of withdrawal be considered by the Frisco City Council. If withdrawal looks to be our best course of action, it should be brought to the voters for their say.

Bart Crowder - I believe the Arts of Collin County project will be completed and will be an outstanding addition for Collin County and Frisco. The current budget shortfalls are being addressed by additional corporate donations. I also believe that McKinney will soon elect to join this important project.