Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Mar 2010: Fort Bend County News.

Sugar Land Surveys

Citizens on Service Delivery

Citizens of Sugar Land gave high marks to public safety and quality of life in a statistically valid Citizen Satisfaction Survey last year.

The city continued its citywide, every two-year telephone survey program conducted by Creative Consumer Research, an independent research firm based in Fort Bend County. The random telephone survey was conducted over a two-week period and targeted a cross section of respondents consistent with the community ’s demographic composition (i.e., gender, age, ethnicity and geographic location.)

“The survey offers direct feedback from residents throughout the city on customer service in such areas as water bill questions, response to water and sewer service and police and fire safety in the community, ” said City Manager Allen Bogard.

“Since we began conducting these surveys in 2004, the city has received high ratings on almost all factors rated, with steady and significant increases in quality of life, emergency preparedness, public safety, crime prevention, overall city services, mobility and employee courtesy and professionalism with citizens. ”

“According to our citizen survey results, I’m proud to say our report card is excellent with a few areas of significant improvement. Like all report cards, though, we have a few areas that present opportunities for some improvement. ”

Highlights of the survey follow:

•97 percent of citizens rate Sugar Land’s quality of life as excellent or good.

•93 percent agree that Sugar Land is a well-planned community that ensures compatible land use for residential, office and retail purposes.

•90 percent of citizens report feeling safe or very safe throughout the city.

•91 percent are satisfied with city services in return for dollars paid.

Other key findings included the following:

•At least 79 percent agree that the city adequately enforces weeds and high grass, zoning, and noise codes.

•City parks and facilities receive at least 88 percent “Good” and “Excellent” ratings on all factors.

•At least 81 percent are satisfied with almost all factors of the police department.

•At least 82 percent are satisfied with all factors of the fire department.

Survey results indicated the city has room to improve service delivery in two areas —recreation programs and the city’s cable television channel. Read the entire report at www.sugarlandtx.gov.

Foresight and Cooperation to Bring Adequate Water to Residents in Missouri City

Water should be flowing from a new $58 million surface water treatment plant project in Missouri City by the first quarter of 2011. The city and 19 municipal utility districts in the region are working together to make it a reality. By cooperating in this venture, the state- mandated reduction in groundwater usage will mean a savings for taxpayers in the long run.

By 2013, the city must utilize 30 percent surface water and that number will increase to 60 percent by 2025.

“The city had the foresight 10 years ago to reserve surface water options from the Gulf Coast Water Authority to assure an adequate water supply for our residents. Now we are moving forward with the bid phase of the surface water treatment plant to meet our long terms needs, ” said Scott Elmer, director of public works. “The plant will be a membrane treatment plant with the first phase expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011. It will provide 10 million gallons of water per day. Ultimately, the entire plant, when completed around 2030, will be able to provide 32 million gallons of water per day to residents. ”

City staff and representatives of companies working with the city on the planning and design of the water treatment plant met with members of the municipal utility districts ’ boards of directors at City Hall on Feb. 2 to update the joint effort.

“We currently have a $1.10 per 1,000 gallon usage fee that the MUDs are paying, and we plan to minimize indebtedness as much as possible, ” Scott Hibbs, of Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd Inc., explained during a presentation at the meeting. “Currently, we are cleaning the land, constructing the surface water impoundments and the engineered fill for the building foundations on the plant site, which should save 60 to 90 days on the general construction contract. Bids for construction will be opened on March 2, and we hope to have a recommendation to city council and start work by late March or April. ”

The city is in the process of seeking a $250,000 matching grant from the state Water Development Fund for regional utility planning studies.

The city also informed MUD representatives about an upcoming educational campaign to remind residents of the importance of keeping storm water sewer systems free of lawn clippings and debris.

Sugar Land Prepares to be Counted as Part of U.S. Census

Sugar Land community members are working hard to “Make Sugar Land Count” and ensure citizens receive their fair share of $4 trillion in federal funds.

Mayor James A. Thompson has appointed a 12-member Complete Count Committee made up of community leaders representing the city ’s diverse ethnic, geographical and age groups. After establishing “Make Sugar Land Count” as the slogan, the committee began developing strategies to reach the entire community.

Members include co-chairs Nancy Porter and Sherrie Knoepfel, Jeanette Anderson, Leon Anhaiser, Harvinder Arora, John Cantu, George Chang, Tom Gargiulo, K.C. Mehta, D.C. Pickett, Terri Wang and Shenila Momin.

Census questionnaires will be mailed to all residents in March; every household will receive the same short, 10-question survey.

All information is kept completely confidential, as mandated by law, with no questions about citizenship or social security numbers.

“10 questions, 10 minutes,” said Thompson, “affects the next 10 years of our lives. A good count is critical for Sugar Land and every other community. ” At stake is more than $400 billion per year in federal dollars that is allocated to states and communities based on census data. That ’s more than $4 trillion during a 10-year period for things like new roads and schools, as well as services like job training centers. The data is also used to determine boundaries and representation for state and local legislative and congressional districts. Read more at www.sugarlandtx.gov.

Crimes Against Missouri City Citizens Decline in 2009

Initiating strategic programs and building community partnerships, Missouri City’s nationally-recognized police department has curtailed crime over the past year to keep the “Show Me City” one of the safest places in the nation.

The department’s public safety initiatives were so effective that six of the eight worst felonies, classified as Part 1 crimes, dropped double digits. From 2008 to 2009, murders fell by half —from 4 to 2, rapes fell 26 percent—from 23 to 17, robbery was down 10 percent—from 101 to 90, aggravated assaults were down from 87 to 64, vehicle thefts dropped from 100 to 66 and arsons from 17 to 11. However, due to the sluggish economy, Part 1 crimes increased overall by 3 percent because of an increase in two felonies —burglary and theft. Burglaries jumped 17 percent from 334 to 391 and thefts increased by 9 percent from 891 to 972.

“In times of economic downturn, historically crimes against property go up,” explained Capt. John Bailey, whose Support Services Division tracks crime figures for the Missouri City Police Department. More importantly, Bailey noted that though crimes against property have risen, crimes against citizens have dropped.

The surge in major offenses, combined with all other unlawful acts committed in the city, slightly pushed overall crime up 2.39 percent over the previous year, from 4,479 offenses in 2008 to 4,586 in 2009. The figures are reflective of how cities nationwide are struggling from the economic crisis. Although there have been high- and low-crime periods over the past five years, overall crime in the city has decreased 5.23 percent from 2005 to 2009.

“Overall, major violent crime in the city is down and our officers are doing a superb job protecting the citizens, ” Chief Joel Fitzgerald said. “Our officers have a real love for and commitment to the community and they do a great job of making sure residents feel safe and are serviced quickly. ”

Fitzgerald said the department is quick to respond to residents’ calls for assistance, helping to maintain the city’s strong stance against crime. Departmental figures for 2009 show that officers responded to Priority 1 calls, i.e., emergency calls for service, in less than 4 minutes. The department ’s proactive policing programs have strengthened the force internally and externally, building on the strong bond between the people and their police.

Anti-Defamation League Again Names

Sugar Land “Community of Respect”

Two years after being named the nation’s first “Community of Respect,” the Anti-Defamation League recognized Sugar Land for the third straight year for its ongoing commitment to foster an inclusive and respectful community.

The ADL formally presented its 2009 “Community of Respect” award to Sugar Land during a city council meeting in January, which is reflective of city council ’s goal of being an “Inclusive Community.”

The “Community of Respect” program is an initiative to help governments, nonprofit organizations, faith institutions, businesses and institutes of higher learning create an atmosphere that rejects prejudice and fosters respect and an appreciation for diversity.

The city was specifically recognized for several initiatives:

•The city manager’s Multi-Cultural Advisory Team hosted Chinese, Asian-Indian and South Asian-Pakistani “101” sessions for key staff to learn more about the traditions and history of the respective communities in an effort to improve the city ’s ability to meet the needs of all residents. The events included introductions to culture and question-and-answer sessions.

•The city hosted a Community Summit to receive input on the draft Vision 2025 and Guiding Principles document before moving forward with using it as the framework for a future amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. Approximately 70 residents participated in the event, including significant representation from Sugar Land ’s multi-cultural communities.

ADL also recognized other city efforts, including support of the Dragon Boat Regatta and the Fort Bend Education Foundation International Festival, as well as plans for the city ’s first-ever cultural kite festival.