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Westlake's 2015 Year in Review
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Happy New Year! We hope your new year is off to a fabulous start as schockingly, the first month's end is already here. January is a month of new beginnings and also a time of reflection. T
he Town of Westlake accomplished much during the past year, completing many projects in preparation for our town's inevitable growth.
This year, you will see more landscape changes as Entrada moves forward, completion of Solana's revitalization work, more houses coming to completion in Granada, Vaquero, and Carlyle Court too!
Let's take a look back at our journey throughout the 2015 year...
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Fire department setback leads to an updated facility
A New Year's Eve fire at the Westlake Fire Department began the year with an emergency meeting to approve funding for new housing quarters. Southlake Fire Department graciously housed our fire staff while the new living quarters were being built, which included more space for the staff and equipment with much needed improvements in the living quarters. Thankfully there were no injuries or a loss of emergency vehicles as a result of this fire.
Other Fire Department news this year included the delivery of a b
rand new fire truck in May. The below photo shows our fire crew giving the new engine its first wash at the station. The FY 2015-2016 budget that began Oct. 1 includes funding to begin steps in acquiring a permanent location for a new fire station.
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PID bonds approved/
Entrada & Granada progression
In January 2015, Town Council approved $26 million in Public Improvement (PID) bonds for Entrada, which will fund Entrada's infrastructure construction. Town staff worked throughout the year with Entrada and Granada developers, holding weekly meetings to iron out details and keep both projects moving forward with the intended vision. In December, Town Council approved site plans for CVS and Primrose School, which will be architecturally unique to fit Entrada's Spanish village design. Beautiful landscaping amenities can now be seen at Granada, with several Phase I homes nearing completion and all of the Phase II lots are under contract. Click here to view the presentation shown at the November council meeting.
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F.M.1938 amenities added
As part of our F.M. 1938 Streetscape Plan, new landscaping, water features, shade structures, trails, lighting, and entry monuments were added. Just a drive down this north-south corridor makes it very clear where the Westlake border begins. This $1.2 million streetscape project, which began five years ago, reinforces our Town's pastoral character with beautiful, drought tolerant landscaping, signature gateways and pedestrian friendly amenities.
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Comprehensive Plan updated & approved
In March 2015, one of the Town's most important documents was updated. After more than a year's worth of meetings, workshops, and public hearings, Westlake Town Council adopted a new Comprehensive Plan to realistically address inevitable growth in our area. Click here to read the plan in its entirety.
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Smart meter installation
May began the installation of new smart meters, which not only saves the Town the cost of manpower to read the meters but can save customers money! With the new online portal, customers can log on 24/7 and see water usage details down to the hour, and set alerts when usage reaches a certain level. You might recall in 2014, CBS came out for a story about the meters. Click here to read.
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Outdoor warning sirens installed
In the spring, Westlake's new outdoor warning sirens were installed at Davis Blvd./Dove Road, Ottinger Road at Westlake Academy, and Roanoke Road near TD Auto Finance. It's important to note t
he primary purpose of these sirens is to warn our citizens that are outdoors of sever weather. While many may not be able to hear the sirens inside their homes, our CodeRed notification system serves as an effective notice while indoors. Regular monthly testing of the warning sirens is conducted the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., except during periods of severe weather threats.
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Resident survey results raised the bar for satisfaction levels
During the summer, our Bi-annual Resident Survey was mailed and the results put Westlake on the map, setting new standards. Along with the Composite Customer Satisfaction Index at 127, much higher than the national average of 100, the Town of Westlake set new satisfaction highs in emergency preparedness efforts, communications, customer service, and code enforcement. Click here to read the document in its entirety.
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Westlake Academy graduates larger class; New website launched; Hosts International Mindedness Seminar
In June, Westlake Academy graduated its largest class to date. The 54 graduates were accepted into many top universities with more than $4 million in scholarships! The Class of 2015 included 14 graduates from Westlake Academy's inaugural first grade class in 2003.
On the heels of graduation, the Academy held its first
International Mindedness Educator Symposium.
The
conference, focused on global collaboration,
connected
Westlake educators with others in Coppell, Northlands (Argentina) and Instituto Anglo Britanico (Mexico). Since then, the schools participated in several global activities such as Skyping, global handshakes, and a LIMBS International campaign to raise money and awareness for amputees.
WA also launched a brand new website in November and continued to receive additional budget awards during the year- the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), both for the sixth consecutive year.
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Illuminated street name signs installed
In the fall, new internally illuminated street name signs were placed at intersections at FM 1938/SH 114, US 377/Westport Parkway, and Parkway/Trophy Club Drive intersections. Pearson Road at Dove Road also has a new sign.
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Town awards
Westlake was awarded a second Gold Level Scenic City Certification by Scenic Texas, joining 20 Texas cities earning a five-year certification from 2015-2020! Westlake was first certified in 2010 as a gold medal recipient in the inaugural class of certified Scenic Cities.
Additionally, our finance department continues with service excellence and once again was awarded the Distinguished Budget Award by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting.
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New budget keeps Town tax rates low!
The Town of Westlake 2015-2016 Budget was approved in October, keeping the municipal tax rate the same as the prior year and the lowest town/city rate in Collin, Dallas, Denton, & Tarrant counties (and the majority of all Texas cities to boot)! Other highlights of the budget include market adjustments for staff, a few additional staff positions (part-time and full-time), reconstruction/drainage projects and a traffic signal at F.M. 1938 and Dove Road.
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Smoking ordinance approved
In an effort to promote a safer, healthier community, Town Council passed an ordinance that prohibits smoking in Westlake's parks, along our trails (including medians), and within 25 feet of all building entrances.
The ordinance went into effect Jan. 1.
Besides the medians and right of ways on Town streets, smoking is prohibited at or under the trails' shade structures along F.M. 1938 and all trails in Westlake.
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Solana revitalization & Address changes
In March 2015, Solana began a $50 million makeover that included
rebranding with a new logo and website. Renovations include additional parking, improved wayfinding systems, enhanced landscaping, and upgrades to retail amenities. Along with the wayfinding systems comes a new Town address (see below) and for other businesses within Solana. Mail addressed to our former Town Hall address will continue to be delivered for one year.
Town of Westlake
1301 Solana Blvd.
Building 4, Ste. 4202
Westlake, TX 76262
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Press Coverage
Westlake was featured in more than 75 news stories last year, more than doubling our media coverage from the previous year! From events over at Westlake Academy to news about Entrada, Solana and other developments, our Town took the spotlight. "Read all about it" by clicking the quick link
here to the Town's webpage.
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Looking Ahead in 2016
- To help with traffic woes at some of our busiest roadways, traffic signals at the intersections of F.M. 1938/ Solana Boulevard/Capital Parkway and F.M. 1938/ Dove Road will be installed.
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Town of Westlake | 3 Village Circle, Suite 202 | Westlake, TX 76262 | 817-430-0941
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