Candidate Filing for City Council Positions

Candidate filing for City Council positions for the May 8, 2010 Regular Municipal Election in the City of Sherman officially begins Saturday, February 6, 2010, however the City Clerk’s Office will not be open until Monday, February 8, 2010, at 8 a.m. Filing ends Monday, March 8, 2010 at 5 p.m. Candidates may obtain the necessary applications and supporting documents from the City Clerk between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Council positions open for the May 8 Election are for the District 1 City Council Member and the District 3 City Council Member. To file for one of these positions, the candidate must be a resident of that District. All positions are voted on at-large, by the citizens of Sherman.
The Council positions are currently held by Joe Smith (District 1); and Pam Howeth (District 3). Both Council Members are eligible for re-election.
All eligible voters in Sherman will vote for both of the City Council positions on the ballot. Any citizen considering making an application for candidacy must be a United States citizen, 21 years of age or older, a resident of Sherman for the past twelve months, and must be a registered voter. Other Charter requirements for candidacy are listed in the candidate election packet.
Anyone needing additional information should call the City Clerk’s Office at (903) 892-7204.

Texas Landowner Bill of Rights

Texas Landowner Bill of Rights

Ballot Deadline

Ballot Deadline

Fight the Bite-Mosquito Control

What is the city of Sherman doing to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus and control the mosquito population?

Because of the health risks to humans, pets and plant life, the city of Sherman does not spray for mosquitoes. Instead of spraying, the city believes residents can make a larger impact by learning how to prevent mosquito populations in the first place. The city of Sherman wants to educate residents on how they can prevent mosquito infestations around their home.

What is the risk of West Nile Virus to Humans?
While public health officials understand concerns of residents when it comes to West Nile virus, they want to remind the public that the risk of human exposure is low.
Even in the unlikely event that you are bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile, trends have shown that there is only a 20 percent chance of developing any kind of symptom, and a less than one in 1,000 chance of dying from the disease. We should keep this low risk in perspective.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was 1 death from West Nile virus in Texas last year. Comparing that number with other incidents or conditions puts West Nile in perspective:
39,996 deaths due to heart disease
9,342 deaths due to stroke
34,197 deaths due to cancer
5,593 deaths due to diabetes
3,704 deaths due to motor vehicle accidents
1,496 homicides
976 deaths due to HIV
(source, Texas Department of Health, 2005)
How can I protect myself and my family from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus?
There are many steps that everyone should take to reduce mosquito populations around their home. While spraying for mosquitoes is sometimes thought of as the first line of defense against mosquitoes, personal protection and eliminating places where mosquitoes breed are the most effective and healthiest ways of preventing mosquito bites. The more people are involved, the greater the amount of control.
Defeat Mosquitoes with the Four D’s.
Dusk and dawn are the times of day you should try to stay indoors. This is when mosquitoes are most active.
Dress in long sleeves and pants when you're outside (when possible). For extra protection, you may want to spray clothing with repellent.
DEET is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent. Always wear repellent when outdoors, and choose products that contain up to 20 percent DEET. Be sure to follow product instructions, especially when using repellants on children.
Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood where mosquitoes ¬¬can breed. This eliminates mosquitoes at their source--stagnant water. It only takes three to seven days for thousands of mosquitoes to develop in stagnant water. Below are some helpful suggestions to reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home, apartment or business:
• Eliminate Standing water by removing old tires, buckets, plant holders, water dishes for pets, or anything that holds standing water, or empty them regularly.
• Reduce runoff of water from sprinkler systems and use additional landscaping to absorb standing water on your property.
• Keep your lawn mowed; mosquitoes typically rest in high grass and weeds.
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets.
• Clean roof gutters; keep gutters free of leaves and other debris that can trap water and allow for mosquitoes to breed.
• Treat standing water that can't be drained with a larvicide (mosquitoes dunks) containing Bti, available at home and garden stores.
• Clean and Chlorinate swimming pools. A swimming pool left untended by a family on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
• Have fish. Aerate/ventilate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
How Mosquito Dunks can help control the mosquito population?
Bti, a naturally occurring bacteria, is becoming a popular method to kill mosquito larvae. This material is available for you to buy and use yourself at home. Bti can be purchased in small, donut-shaped form, often called "mosquito dunks", which are useful in small areas of standing water, such as a birdbath or small puddle of water that may gather in a low spot on your property. A granular form of Bti is available, and effective for larger areas, such as backyard ponds. Bti can be purchased in many lawn and garden, outdoor supply, and home improvement stores. The great thing about this bacteria is that it kills only mosquito and black fly larvae. It is not harmful to people, pets, aquatic life (such as fish) or plants.
Where can I get more information or ask questions?
You can call the Grayson County Health Department at 903.465.2878, the Texas Department of Health at 1-888-883-9997, or the City of Sherman at 903.892.7315.
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index
www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westNile/
www.mosquito.org

Sherman City Council Meetings

All Meetings Start at 5:00 PM.

January 18, 2010

February 1, 2010
February 15, 2010

March 1, 2010
March 15, 2010

April 5, 2010
April 19, 2010

May 3, 2010
May 17, 2010

June 7, 2010
June 21, 2010

July 6, 2010
July 19, 2010

August 2, 2010
August 16, 2010

September 7, 2010
September 20, 2010

October 4, 2010
October 18, 2010

November 1, 2010
November 15, 2010

December 6, 2010
December 20, 2010

Bulk Waste

Bulk Waste Program
Coming October 2009

Starting October 5th, Bulk Waste will be collected once a month from each household in Sherman. The schedule for collection will be broken down into sections, just like brush collection. The Southeast section will be collected the 1st Monday of every month, the Northeast section will be collected the 2nd Monday of every month, the Northwest section will be collected the 3rd Monday of every month and the Southwest section will be collected the 4th Monday of every month. The rules for bulk waste collection are as follows:

1. Bulk Waste must be at the curb by 7am of your Monday collection day.
2. Bulk waste and brush MUST be separated; mixed piles will not be collected.
3. All small items must be bagged or boxed.
4. Each household is limited to 5 cubic yards of bulk waste per pick-up. For example, 5 cubic yards is equal to an area 7ft x 5ft x 4ft.
5. Place bulk waste at the curb free from obstructions—do not place waste under a tree, under overhead wires or guide wires, or behind a pole. If waste is blocked by a vehicle, boat, trailer, etc...It will not be picked up. Also, you cannot place waste in a street, alley or other public way. If you have ?’s or concerns about a suitable location to place trash please call 903-892-7261.
6. Only one trip down each street—if you miss your collection day you will have to remove the material from the curb and re-set it out the next month OR call for a special collection. (Fees apply for a special collection.)
7. No waste collection from alleyways—even if your household trash is collected in the alley, bulk waste will not be collected from the alley. Neatly place all waste for collection at the curb in front of your house.
8. Tires, concrete, shingles, liquids, batteries, dirt, rock and railroad crossties will not be collected.
9. Bulk waste removal is a free service offered to Sherman residents ONLY.
10. Non-Sherman residents should not add to your waste pile.
11. Items containing Freon, such as refrigerators, air conditioners and freezers, will not be collected unless it has been certified and tagged as having the Freon removed by a licensed company or individual.

Ya viene el programa de bulto de basura
Octubre 2009

En efecto el 5 de Octubre, empezaremos colecciones de Bulto de Basura un día al mes para cada domicilio. Como la colección de ramas, el programa de Bulto de Basura se organizara por secciones de la ciudad.

1. Bulto de Basura tiene que estar en la orilla de la calle (el borde de la banqueta) antes de las siete de la mañana en el día de colección en su área indicada.
2. Favor de apilar el bulto de basura aparte de las ramas; no se llevan pilas revueltas de basura y ramas.
3. Artículos pequeños deben de estar embolsados o en caja.
4. Cada domicilio tiene limite de 5 yardas cúbicas para colección. Por ejemplo, 5 yardas cúbicas es comparable a 7 pies X 5 pies X 4 pies.
5. Favor de poner su bulto de basura en la orilla de la calle, libre de obstrucciones – no poner la basura abajo de un árbol o cables, ni atrás de algún poste. No intentamos llevar la basura si este atrás de un vehiculo, trailer o barco (etc.) estacionado. No se puede apilar la basura en la calle, callejón, o otro lugar publico. Si usted tenga preguntas o preocupaciones, favor de llamar a 903-892-7261.
6. Pasamos por las áreas indicadas una sola vez al mes, si falle usted en sacar su basura en tiempo, tiene que quitar la basura de la banqueta hasta que le toque la próxima colección de bulto de basura. Si usted necesita hacer una cita de colección especial (cuota/cargo aplicable), favor de llamarnos para poner su nombre en la lista de espera.
7. No se recoge basura de callejones, aunque recogemos sus botes de basura en el callejón, bulto de basura no se recogerá en el callejón. Favor de poner toda la basura en la banqueta en frente de su casa.
8. No se recoge llantas, concreto, shingles/tejas/tablillas, líquidos, baterías, tierra, piedras, o traviesas para vías férreas.
9. Colección de bulto de basura es un servicio gratis SOLAMENTE para los residentes de la Ciudad de Sherman.
10. Personas que no sean residentes de la Ciudad de Sherman no deben de tirar su basura en el bulto de basura de usted.
11. No se recoge ningún artículo de basura que contiene Freon, por ejemplo – refrigeradores, acondicionadores de aire o congeladores, a menos que ha sido, el artículo, certificado y que contenga la etiqueta que indica que una compañía o persona licenciada le han sacado el Freon.

Tax Revenue Increase

The City of Sherman, Texas, conducted public hearings on September 8, 2009 and September 17, 2009 on a proposal to increase the total tax revenues of the City of Sherman, Texas from properties on the tax roll in the preceding year by 3.5 percent.

The total tax revenue raised last year at last year’s tax rate of $.32000 for each $100 of taxable value was $6,601,030.

The total tax revenue proposed to be raised this year at the proposed tax rate of $.32000 for each $100 of taxable value, excluding tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year, is $6,675,415.

The total tax revenue proposed to be raised this year at the proposed tax rate of $.32000 for each $100 of taxable value, including tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year, is $6,832,066.

The City Council of the City of Sherman, Texas, is scheduled to vote on the tax rate that will result in that tax increase at a public meeting to be held on September 21, 2009 at Sherman City Hall, 220 West Mulberry Street, Sherman, Texas 75090 at 5:00 p.m.

Sherman City Street Improvement Updates

Contractors have been busy this summer working on a long list of street improvements that will significantly improvement the city’s transportation system across the city. Below is an update of completed and planned projects:


Mill and Overlay - in May and June 20 miles of city thoroughfares were rehabilitated through a process called mill and overlay. The work involves grinding off approximately 2” of old asphalt and laying down a new, smoother asphalt surface. In addition to a smoother ride this work extends the life of the street considerably.

Canyon Creek Drive – a new section of Canyon Creek Drive is in the process of being rebuilt from its current west end (O’Hanlon Ranch Addition) to Shady Oaks Lane (city limits). The street will be built in concrete with sidewalks on both sides. The new street will also serve as the entrance to the new Pecan Grove Phase II Park.

West Washington Street, Heritage Parkway (FM 1417) to west city limits – this section of Washington Street is currently in the design stage and is expected to be final some time in August 2009. The new 25’ concrete street will have sidewalks, curb and gutter, storm sewers; and the existing bridge will be removed and completely rebuilt.

Lamberth Road, Heritage Parkway (FM 1417) to Shady Oaks Lane –Lamberth Road west of Heritage Parkway is currently in the engineering design phase as a part of planning for future development on the west side of Sherman. The north lane of the planned boulevard is already in place and the current design will complete the south lane with a center median. The design is expected to be complete in August 2009 and construction started this fall carrying the new street to the western city limits.

Travis Street, Washington Street to Jones Street – Phase I of this project is located in the central business district and involves replacement of an old water line. Phase II, next spring, will involve milling off the old street surface and laying down new asphalt driving lanes, connecting the portion of Travis Street completed last fall from Highway 75 to Washington Street.

The reconstruction of two intersections on Taylor Street, at Crockett and Alexander, will begin soon as a part of the City of Sherman’s continuing efforts to improve streets and thoroughfares across the city. The much needed improvements will “smooth out” the severe dips that currently exist on Taylor Street. The dips are caused by “valley gutters” used to transmit storm water across Taylor Street. Milling and overlaying with new asphalt along other sections of Taylor Street was completed earlier this year.

Taylor Street, between Travis and Woods, will be closed to through traffic beginning June 29, 2009; and the project will be complete by no later than August 24, 2009. Motorists traveling east or west on Taylor should avoid the area by taking Fairview Street to the south or Dexter Street to the north. Residents living on Taylor Street, in the construction areas, will have access to their homes throughout the project.

Brockett Street Rehabilitation Project

After a long period of engineering design and utility relocation, the process of changing the look of Brockett Street from Travis Street to Grand Avenue is about to begin. Over a year ago, the redesign of the street began with the challenge of finding a way to give the street a whole new look, solve the difficult problem of where to put all the utility lines and wires, make sure storm water had a place to go, and keep it all within budget.

Earlier this year, area utility companies began moving the maze of underground and overhead wires, lines and pipes, while at the same time not causing major outages. As that work draws to a close, the City’s contractor, Vessels Construction, began removing trees that are too close to the new street that will widen in places. The reconstruction will involve removing the old curb and gutter and rebuilding a consistent 37’ wide asphalt street with sidewalks on both sides.

Other features in the rehabilitated street will include red brick paver crosswalks at the intersections, handicap ramps, and decorative street lights. Construction will hopefully start in earnest around August 1, 2009 and be complete by the end of the calendar year.

City of Sherman Boards and Commissions

The Sherman City Council has established a network of advisory boards and commissions to provide a direct means of involvement for its citizens. Members on these boards serve as advisors to the City Council on the special needs of the boards. Some boards require special knowledge, however many only require an adequate amount of time and a sincere desire to become involved in the community. The following is a list of current advisory boards and commissions appointed by the City Council, which now have vacancies:

Airport Advisory Board (3)
Historical Preservation Board (1)
Keep Sherman Beautiful Commission (6)
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals (7)
Standard Unsafe Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals (5)

Applications are available in the City Clerk’s Office and on the City’s website, and are kept on file for one year.