Members of the Sons of the Republic of Texas recently journeyed to Missouri City to celebrate the Republic’s 175th anniversary. From left are Dale Williamson, Mayor Allen Owen, and Tom Green.

Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen has proclaimed Tuesday, March 1 as “Texas Independence Day” in the Show Me City to celebrate the 175th year since the founding of the Republic of Texas.

“A lot of people have moved to the state and while they may visit the Alamo, they may not understand the history of that event,” noted Mayor Owen. “Texas Independence Day is part of the history of the state that people are encouraged to read about and appreciate as they go about their daily lives.”

Texas Independence Day originally began in 1836 when 59 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence gathered in a blacksmith shop at Washington-on-the-Brazos and formally split from Mexico to form the Republic of Texas. The signing came less than a year after the first battle of the Texas Revolution was fought in October 1835 in Gonzales. Texas won independence when the revolutionary army won the decisive Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. Texas joined the United States about a decade later in 1845, but the idea of Texas as its own nation, and its fight for independence, shapes the state’s identity to this day.

Joining Mayor Owen at the reading of the proclamation at City Hall were Tom Green and Dale Williamson with the Sons of the Republic of Texas. “The Sons of the Republic of Texas encourage residents of Missouri City and across the state to learn about the history of this great state,” Green said.

Williamson shared his family’s historical ties to Texas. “My ancestor, Judge Robert Williamson, known as ‘three-legged Willie,’ came to Texas in 1826 and served with the Texas Rangers, was the first Judge in the Republic of Texas, was a Texas Supreme Court Justice and was elected to the Texas Legislature six times,” recalled Williamson, who was dressed in period costume. “So this day is very important to my family.”

Joining forces to celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking for a half-million-square-foot Ben E. Keith Distribution Facility in Missouri City on March 22, are from left: Robbie Fish, General Manager, Ben E. Keith Foods-Houston Division, City Manager Frank Simpson, Councilman Danny Nguyen, Councilman Bobby Marshall, Mayor Allen Owen, Councilman Don Smith, Councilman Robin Elackatt, Councilman Brett Kolaja and Mike Roach, President Ben E. Keith Foods.

The turning of dirt at the groundbreaking for a half-million-square-foot Ben E. Keith Distribution Facility in Missouri City on March 22 brings with it hundreds of new jobs, other economic development projects and a prestigious company that chose the “Show Me” City for its 82-acre site with the future opportunity to expand to more than 1 million square feet.

Mayor Allen Owen likened the groundbreaking ceremony, held inside a large white tent set up at the site of the future distribution headquarters on Cravens Road near South Gessner Road, to a wedding.

“First you have the dating period, then the engagement period, then you set the date for the wedding and finally today is the wedding. It’s a huge day for the City. We waited four long years and it was well worth the wait because we did it right. I cannot express in words how important this is for Missouri City—to the tax base, to an employment base and to what it means to the community. And my next promise is to bring commuter rail to this location in the future.”

Ben E. Keith Foods is now the eighth largest broad-line distributor in the nation, with six distribution centers serving South Central USA –Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee, and Missouri.

The company’s warehouse and other buildings will serve southeast Texas and Louisiana and create about 300 jobs. It expects to start operations in Fall of 2012 or Winter of 2013.

The warehouse includes:

*Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems
*LEEDS Gold Status in harvesting rainwater for use as non-potable water for the facility; reduced paving to reduce rainwater runoff, and plans to recycle 95 percent of construction waste generated.

The additional buildings at the facility will include a 91,455-square-foot freezer, 48,992-square-foot cooler and a 33,648-square-foot Truck Maintenance Garage, among others.

“We believe Missouri City has the high-quality work force we need,” said Mike Roach, President, Ben E. Keith Foods. “Our demographic studies showed it validated our decision to locate here. The culture of Missouri City in talking with City officials, business owners in the area and others, a sense of transparency was evident and that people here were willing to collaborate and understand the relationship between the City and business. It was also a proper fit logistically with access to Beltway 8.” Roach added that “through discussions with the City, the County, the Fort Bend Economic Development Council and statistics from the Houston Restaurant Association, we found this is the epicenter of the ‘dining away from home industry’ in the area we service including Texas and Louisiana.”

Robbie Fish, General Manager of the new distribution center, noted the groundbreaking was the culmination of hard work by the City, Fort Bend County, Water Control Improvement District #2, the Fort Bend Economic Development Council, and Ben E. Keith staff. “We’ll be the largest employer with well-paying jobs for the residents of Missouri City, and have a big impact as a good corporate citizen,” Fish said. “This facility will be the first food service distribution center in the country that will have a double deep automated storage and retrieval system. It will be a great selling tool and a growth engine for Ben E. Keith for the next 20 years. This is a model of what good government looks like.”

The location also allows for the elimination of 50 trucks a night traveling between this area and Fort Worth and San Antonio; thereby saving the company 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel a day, or half-a-million gallons a year.

Jeff Wiley, President of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council spoke to guests about the tremendous growth of Fort Bend County, which is the second-fastest growing County in the state with three of the top 10 master planned communities in the United States, including Sienna Plantation. “Fort Bend County has had very high-quality growth and the type of growth has made the County very fertile for a company like Ben E. Keith to locate here.”

Students of the Quail Valley GT Academy gather around Mayor Allen Owen after having a spirited discussion about how local government works.

Mayor Allen Owen went back to class on Friday, April 15 to talk with local students about the ordinances that govern the “Show Me City” and to participate in Quail Valley Middle Schools’ Gifted and Talented Academy program that encourages students to draft bills that could be introduced at the State Legislature. The class prepared for the event by participating in the annual Legislative Session. They researched the Student Code of Conduct and reviewed the Missouri City Charter and current issues. The students’ bills were discussed and voted on during a mock legislative session.

Owen evaluated the bills on their importance and effect on residents’ lives. He also explained the process that cities follow to pass ordinances on issues ranging from a juvenile curfew to dangerous dogs. Some of the laws the students drafted included ones pertaining to bicycle lanes along roadways, a recycling center and a center to address the needs of the homeless.

Owen explained that the City currently has an up-to-date recycling center that recently reopened after several upgrades, and that Missouri City has an ordinance that enforces a curfew for minors. “Many of these ordinances in place in our City make it one of the safest in the United States and is the reason Missouri City has been designated as one of the best places to live in the U.S.,” he said. “In the future, we want to get our economic mix right, we want to get our sales taxes up and are already working to bring in an employment base so residents will have the ability to work closer to home.”

“The City’s goal to preserve this property and to maintain the original Quail Valley master plan – the first of its kind in Fort Bend County- was a community-wide project,” Mayor Allen Owen said.

Missouri City acquired the property for the parks project through eminent domain in June 2008 after long-time deterioration took a toll on the community and caused property values to decline. A 100-person citizen committee had studied its purchase and recommended to City Council to move forward. Then 72 percent of voters from all areas of the City approved a $17.5 million bond referendum to provide funds for the acquisition and improvements. The Quail Valley Homeowners Association also contributed $150,000 to the project.

After acquiring the 390-acre property, the City immediately started working to make improvements, repairing several bridges that were considered safety hazards, mowing high grass and weeds, and replacing the irrigation systems on two 18-hole courses. On July 4, 2008, the City reopened the 18-hole La Quinta golf course to the public and the 18-hole El Dorado golf course, which was completely redeveloped, including drainage improvements, reopened in November 2009.

In addition to the two courses, plans are in the works for a passive park; the development of the First Tee program, a national initiative for youth; the design and construction of a golf shop and banquet facility, and a tennis and recreation center.

The progress on the Quail Valley parks property has had a positive impact in property values because of the City’s improvements to the area and at the same time it has increased parks and recreation green space by 50%.

Seven judges reviewed the applications for the Landmark Awards program. “We are honored that experts in quality property preservation, property development and green building initiatives recognized the importance of this project and the positive impact it has had on our community,” Owen said.

March 19, 2010

Dear Mayor Owen,

As President of the Missouri City Police Officers’ Association, it is with great pleasure to formally announce our decision to support you in your upcoming re-election bid.   We know how hard you have worked over the years to make Missouri City a place a better place to live, work and play.  We strongly believe you take pride in what you do and will continue to make decisions to benefit all citizens of Missouri City.  We very much appreciate your support and you in turn can count on us to actively work towards your re-election as Mayor of the City of Missouri City.

Sincerely,

Donna Quackenbush

President – Missouri City Police Officers’ Association
P.O. Box 1381, Missouri City, Texas 77459

]]> http://mayorallenowen.com/2010/03/31/police-officers-association-lend-letter-of-support/feed/ 1 http://mayorallenowen.com/2010/03/29/mayor-owen-announces-for-may-8-election-missouri-city-mayor-allen-owen-seeks-to-continue-city%e2%80%99s-unprecedented-success/ http://mayorallenowen.com/2010/03/29/mayor-owen-announces-for-may-8-election-missouri-city-mayor-allen-owen-seeks-to-continue-city%e2%80%99s-unprecedented-success/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:46:13 +0000 Admin http://mayorallenowen.com/?p=189 Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen, is running to continue his service to the city and community he has served as a planning and zoning commissioner, a council member and mayor since 1994. Owen in the last years has led the city in attracting millions of dollars of private business investment, public works infrastructure improvements and park growth, hike and bike trails and providing for better public safety by boosting city police and fire forces. This is the reason that Missouri City was voted one of the safest cities in the nation. It was also voted one of the top 100 cities in the nation to live in.

“This city has a great population of families and businesses that care about its future. I have demonstrated throughout my adult life my commitment to its citizens and its commerce. I have shown I can guide its growth while listening to the wisdom of those that have invested their lives, home and businesses here,“ said Owen who with his wife Jane of 42 years has lived in Missouri City nearly 35 years and raised their three children here.

“We have leadership in place in this city with the council and department heads that are driven to make this the best city it can be for seniors, growing families and emerging businesses. I have seen where this city has come from and with this community working together I know where we can take it. These are challenging times. Together as one of the country’s most diverse cities, we can continue to move forward with purpose and prosperity for all our city’s population,“ he said.

Owen is a local bank area manager and tireless volunteer, committing hours to YMCA, United Way and March of Dimes and as a Fort Bend Chamber, Fort Bend County Women’s Center and Fort Bend Literacy Council Advisory Board Member. He also is a Lifetime member of the Fort Bend Fair Association and Vice-Chairman on the Fort Bend Community Justice Council. Owen is a Life-Time VP and Director of Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Past-President of Texas 4H Foundation, and President of the Asian American Family Counseling Center. He and his wife are members of the First United Methodist Church in Missouri City. He graduated from Southern Methodist University’s Graduate School of Finance and Banking and from Stephen F. Austin State University.

“Missouri City has a legacy of strength and success,” said Mayor Allen Owen. “This year was no exception.”

“SHOW ME” WINNERS…
The following achievements allowed the area to continue to stand out and shine:

BEST BUDGET. For the 21st year in a row, the Finance Department earned a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for fiscal responsibility and sound financial management. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada presented the award to the City, which ranks among a select few in the Gulf Coast region that have successively received this award for more than two decades

TOP COPS. The Missouri City Police Department joined an elite group of 18 police forces across the State to attain “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency” status in Texas. The Department was evaluated on 161 Best Practices standards to achieve this prestigious award.

SAFETY FIRST. For the second year, Congressional Quarterly recognized Missouri City as one of the safest in America.  The City ranked as the eighth safest in Texas and in the top 100 in the United States.

PRISTINE PARKS. The Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments recognized two parks in their Natural Area Awards program: the Hunter’s Glen sprayground funded by the Blue Ridge West Municipal Utility District and Buffalo Run Park, which emerged from a water detention project to a beautiful 95-acre City park.

PERFECT PUTT. Ten months and an inaugural tee time later, the El Dorado Golf Course is back! The course is the dynamic design of Golf Architect Jeff Blume, who oversaw workers moving 200,000 cubic tons of dirt, installing a complete irrigation system, building 78 sand traps and five different tee boxes and the shaping of 18 Greens. The result: An exciting El Dorado.

PREMIER PREMIUMS. After meeting the high prevention standards of the National Flood Insurance Program, Missouri City received a “very good” Community Rating System Score of 7, placing residents in a strong position to secure lower flood insurance premiums.

“SHOW ME” GOOD CENTS…
The economic turbulence hitting the nation hit home here, but fortunately it was not nearly as jolting for Missouri City. The following actions helped the City maintain its stability:

FISCAL FITNESS. Ever mindful of using tax dollars to provide excellent customer service to citizens, City officials streamlined the 2010 budget to reduce spending by almost 5 percent from the previous year and to maintain stability. The blueprint also includes a $950,000 fund for contingencies.

TAX TIME. To generate the same amount of revenue from existing property as last year, City Council adopted a tax rate of 52.84 cents per $100 valuation that cut spending for maintenance and operations and devoted more tax revenue to voter-approved capital improvement projects to take advantage of the current low construction costs and interest rates. The tax-rate change was necessary because the City’s total taxable value last year for both residential and commercial property was almost flat.  Coupled with strong fiscal management, the decision allows the City to maintain its AA credit rating while tightening its spending belt and to assure the continuation of quality City services.

“It is never easy to increase taxes without showing the citizens why it is necessary. Taking care of an aging infrastructure, continuing to put Public Safety at the very top of our priorities, and yet tighten our belts in other areas, was our goal,” Mayor Owen said. “I think we have done that and will continue to look for ways to reduce our taxes. Hopefully property values will continue to move upward, and the economy will make a rebound in 2010.”

SHOW ME” PLANNING
The updated Comprehensive Plan and Trails Master Plan both were approved by City Council, following extensive citizen involvement.  Both outline realistic goals and strategies to manage the needs and development of Missouri City.  The comprehensive plan sets the foundation of what the city will look like in the next 20 years and beyond, with the plan being updated every five years. A citizen survey this past fall validated the Plan’s primary points, elements and direction. Survey respondents rated the top three most important quality of life factors to be: focus on crime prevention and security, limitations on the amount of rental housing, and community beautification.

“SHOW ME” FUN…
Annual traditions were honored again this year in the Show Me City. Funtastic celebrations that brought City officials and citizens together were the Dad and Daughter dance, the 21st annual Bunny Hop, the 25th annual July 4th celebration, National Night Out, Boo in the Run and Snowfest.

“SHOW ME” WHAT’S NEW…
The City also ushered in new property and programs.  The recreational options available to residents will expand with the purchase last November of eight acres of land at the site of the former Quail Valley Tennis and Fitness Center.

In January, the City will receive statements of qualifications from interested firms to renovate or construct a new facility there that will serve the entire community’s fitness, leisure and recreation needs.  Firms also will be submitting qualifications to replace the current Quail Valley Golf clubhouse and add a community center.

A mid-year partnership took shape with 19 municipal utility districts in City limits and in the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction agreeing to participate with Missouri City in a state-mandated groundwater reduction program. Because of subsidence in the region, by 2025 these jurisdictions must reduce the groundwater they pump by 60 percent.  Design of the $58 million surface water treatment facility is complete and bids go out for construction early in 2010.  This cost-effective partnership minimizes the infrastructure that otherwise would be needed.  This will ensure Missouri City water users have competitively lower water rates.

And another important bridge of communication was established with residents through the initiation of City-sponsored Homeowner’s Association meetings. The meetings have been a successful forum for staff, officials and HOA board members to discuss issues and share ideas.

“SHOW ME” NEW BUSINESS…
Though the U.S. Economy was dealt a bust, our bottom line was balanced by a business boom, supported by national and international companies opening their doors here: Lowe’s opened a new store, building on the strong retail corridor along Highway 6.   Lufkin Automation signed as the first tenant for the new Lakeview Business Park, with several more on the horizon; Global Geophysical opened its corporate headquarters on Gessner Road; and business flourished in the commercial corridor in the northern part of the City. Additionally, Councilmembers approved a resolution in May to establish the nonprofit Missouri City Recreation and Leisure Local Government Corporation, which helps the City acquire, improve, maintain and operate parks and recreation facilities, including the Quail Valley Golf Course.

“SHOW ME” GOING GREEN…
The City also continued to enhance the quality-of-life for residents with these efforts:  Partnering with CenterPoint in January to plant more than 30 power line-friendly trees in Ridgeview Park; planting more than 200 trees donated by the Apache Foundation at Independence and Sta-Mo Parks to control erosion and flooding and provide a habitat for wildlife; designing a plan to transform the Texas Parkway/Cartwright Road Corridor into safe, navigable “green areas” complete with sidewalks and landscaping and additional features in the future; and upgrading and maintaining its many parks and recreation areas through a continuation of the Mulch Madness and Junior Arborist volunteer programs and through Spring Clean-up, Arbor Day and Earth Week programs. The City also built the state-of-the-art sprayground at Hunter’s Glen Park that uses an efficient recycled water system for irrigation; a similar process is used at the Quail Valley Golf Course.

“SHOW ME” MILESTONES…
Many other memorable moments took place throughout the year, including the retirement of Police Chief Ron Echols, a 28-year veteran of the force.  During his five years as Chief he took the department to a higher standard. To continue that existing excellence, the City was fortunate to hire Joel Fitzgerald Sr., a veteran law-enforcement official who has fostered a close collaboration between police and community, initiating a popular neighborhood policing program that ensures officers and residents are always in contact. Fitzgerald is a respected leader who has made it clear that his department is committed to serving residents, reducing crime and keeping Missouri City one of the safest cities in the nation. Another moment streamed through in July, when the City launched programming from the municipal cable station on the City website, featuring City News, Council and Planning and Zoning meetings and other vital information for residents.

“SHOW ME” THE FUTURE…
Overall, 2009 was a good year for Missouri City. “There were so many positive things that happened in 2009 for our City,” Mayor Owen said.  And the City has great expectations for 2010, he added:  “We are on the edge of being an even greater place to live, work, and play. We begin 2010 with new prospects of large companies relocating to our City, which will bring new employment opportunities as well as other development around those projects. Economics will control the pace of growth in 2010. We are confident that we are working with companies and retail establishments that are somewhat less impacted by the economy. Housing starts in our newer subdivisions seem to be on pace at a rate better than other areas of the country. This is key to future retail development.”

Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen does the honors at a board cutting that kicked off the July 2 grand opening of the Lowe’s store in Missouri City. Store Manager Phillip Lewis (LEFT) and Sales Manager James Uvalle (RIGHT) helped the mayor as a large group of residents looked on. The 117,000-square-foot store is located at Murphy Road (FM 1092) and State Highway 6. Lewis told the crowd on hand that the new store has 170 employees and represents an $18.5 million dollar investment in Missouri City.