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Magnolia City Council convened a special session Aug. 2 to consider a proposed change to the property tax. Montgomery County Assessor and Collector J. R. Moore, Jr., outlined the steps that would be necessary for the council to lower the city’s tax rate to $0.4786 per $100, from $0.4814 per $100 of value.

The council passed a motion to propose the new rate and to undertake those steps.

As explained by Moore, the council must conduct two public hearings on the tax rate, while his office must advertise the new rate in newspapers.  The public notices must also be published on the city’s website. All of this must be accomplished before the end of August.

The proposal will increase total tax revenue from properties on the tax roll in the preceding tax year by more than five percent. That occurs because the proposal will allow for more of the collected revenue to be distributed to the city’s maintenance and operation budget, rather than the debt service fund. The city is estimated to have more than $50,000 additional to work with for operation and maintenance costs.

Individual tax rates will be lower, as long as the assessed valuation of the property isn’t higher. If the council adopts the proposed tax rate, the tax on an average Magnolia home would be $449.07 on a home valued at an average of $97,667. Last year, the amount of taxes imposed on an average home was $470.17 on a home valued at an average of $93,830.

The additional tax revenue will be used for city maintenance and operations. The rate of $0.4786 is the maximum amount that can be adopted by the city for next year’s budget.

“After the public hearings (the city) can adopt a rate that is less but cannot adopt a rate that is more,” stated Moore.

Only properties inside the Magnolia city limits will be subject to the tax.

The council scheduled the two public hearings for the evenings of Tuesday, Aug. 14 and Tuesday, Aug. 21. The public hearings will have a separate agenda.

“People will come here to talk about the tax rate. They cannot discuss the budget at these two meetings,” Moore clarified. 

The meeting to vote on and adopt the tax rate is set for Wednesday, Aug. 29.

All meetings begin at 7 p.m. at the Magnolia City Hall at 18111 Buddy Riley Boulevard in Magnolia. Residents of the city of Magnolia are encouraged to attend the meetings.

On a steamy Saturday morning, several people stood watching as an excavator crunched into a dilapidated, abandoned building on a quiet neighborhood street.

Thanks to the Magnolia Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (MCPAAA), the demolition at 158 Roy Street was finally taking place, as a result of volunteer efforts from businesses and citizens.

The MCPAAA was originally formed by Magnolia Citizens Police Academy graduates, and Williams Elementary teachers, Jill Gabriel and Summer Foltz. They approached Magnolia Police Chief Domingo Ibarra about projects that might build a stronger bond between citizens and the police department. He immediately suggested they try to find a way to demolish the Roy Street structure. It had long been a problem for the city because of code enforcement violations, but Ibarra was reluctant to take the property owner to court due to extenuating family circumstances.

“The ladies (Gabriel and Foltz) felt this project was out of their league, but I knew this group would find a way to do it -- and they did,” said Ibarra. “Now we know what they are capable of.”

The MCPAAA rallied a group of volunteers and engaged the services of local businesses. The demolition, was first scheduled for early July, but was delayed because of heavy rains that affected the area. On Aug. 4, the project got off to an early morning start. DLG Timber and North Houston Trucking provided the heavy equipment, WCA provided debris removal and Texas Star Propane disconnected the gas lines and removed the propane tank on the property -- all free of charge.

Many residents on Roy Street came out to support the effort, happy to have the dangerous structure eliminated.

The MCPAAA will be tackling other similar projects in the near future.

“We have other unsafe structures to raze and want to begin some projects for our senior citizens,” said Gabriel. “The Magnolia Citizens Police Academy taught us how we can get involved in the community and help make a difference.”

Magnolia residents who are at least 18 years of age can participate in MCPAA projects, and will soon be able to view information about upcoming events online on the Magnolia Police Department website at www.cityofmagnolia.com. A new Citizens Police Academy will begin starting Sept. 6. Classes run from 6 to 9 p.m. for a nine week period and are free of charge. Class size is limited, so officials say that those interested should call the police department office at 281-356-2500 soon to apply.

 Photos by Cheryl Garcia

In what’s quickly becoming a highly anticipated annual event, the City of Magnolia and the Magnolia Community Foundation (MCF) have set Aug. 18 as the date for the second annual Magnolia Tailgate Party on the Stroll.

‘Last year’s turnout was amazing,” MCF President Deborah Rose Miller said. “And this year, more is being planned for all ages. It is a great way to end the summer with a family-friendly evening that celebrates all school activities with the entire community.”

Miller said there will be a few enhancements to this year’s event.

“The biggest change is two-fold,” she said. “First the bands and other groups will have performances throughout the evening on four side streets around the Stroll, instead of just one big performance. The other will be a district-wide pep rally at Sullivan Park at 7:30 p.m.”

Groups performing will be the various bands, drill teams, drumlines, cheerleaders and others from the Magnolia schools.

Karaoke has been added to this year’s event, while the Magnolia Rotary Club will have a dunking booth. Football coaches and principals from both Magnolia High School and Magnolia West High School will be inside the booth taunting tossers who will pay $1 for each throw. Proceeds from the dunking booth will benefit the Magnolia ISD athletic programs.

“The dunking booth we have this year is brand new and bigger,” Miller said.

Booster club’s from the various schools will have booths set up to sell spirit items, while other vendor and food booths will be set up along the Stroll. Vendor and food booth spots are still available for $50.

MCF has also set up a contest that offers a $500 cash prize to the school that receives the most likes on the MCF Facebook page.

“The evening will not only be a great party for all ages, but will benefit our community in tangible ways, especially the children,” Miller said. “Seeing all the kids come together in one place is something I am really excited about.”

Miller said the idea for the tailgate party came after a brainstorming session of MCF members.

“The tailgate was a creation of the Stroll committee and Ravelle Smith, who originated the concept,” she said.

There is no charge to attend the tailgate, however alcohol is not allowed. Students are encouraged to wear their activity uniform or attire to the event.

The entrance to the Stroll is located at Sullivan Park, at the intersection of FM 1488 and FM 1774. For more information or to purchase booth space call 713-806-3453, visit magnoliacommunityfoundation.org, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Magnolia City Council wrapped up the summer Aug. 14, with a lengthy agenda of activities and resolutions. The oath of office was administered to City Secretary Lynne George, Municipal Court Judge Jimmy Thornton and Municipal Court Administrator Karla Bussey.

The council agreed to annex several acres adjacent to the Canrig Drilling Technologies offices, along FM 1488 in Magnolia, which pushes the city limits eastward. They agreed to consider a contract for improvements to Commerce and 10^th streets, near the Walgreens store that is being constructed. They also agreed to award a new contract for city janitorial services to Alpha Cleaning Concepts. Approximately eight bids were received and council decided that Alpha provided the most services for the cost.

The council will allow a variance of less than the required five feet on one lot within the Magnolia Ridge subdivision, because the permit has already been issued for a home to be constructed, but they wanted to state that any additional lot deviations would need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Residents of Connie Street, near Nichols Sawmill Road, requested city action regarding a serious drainage problem that they said caused flooding to several homes three times within the last two years. The council agreed to consider a corrective action of larger culverts at that corner to accommodate high rainwater volume.

Mayor Todd Kana proclaimed the first full week of September to be National Payroll Week for Magnolia, as a means to promote economic health and to educate the business community and the public about responsible payroll practices, laws and guidelines. The American Payroll Association, which promotes itself as the nation’s leader in payroll education, has declared September 3-7, 2012 as National Payroll Week to celebrate America’s 156 million wage earners and the payroll professionals who pay them.

Kana also presented a City of Magnolia flag to Magnolia ISD Superintendent Todd Stephens. The flag, which was designed by a Magnolia student, will be displayed at the Celeste Graves Education Center.

The council terminated an agreement with Magnolia ISD regarding joint maintenance for the planned recreation center pool and tennis courts, based on the recommendation of Deborah Rose Miller, president of the Magnolia Community Foundation. She has helped develop a plan that will allow Magnolia ISD to take on full maintenance of the facilities, and indicated that this would be reasonable because the facilities will be utilized by the schools and students.

Police Chief Domingo Ibarra reported a high rate of arrests being made by Magnolia police officers, as well as the benefit to the city from restitution for vandalism to Unity Park, a recently confiscated automobile as a result of the asset forfeiture rule and $113,000 received from fines as a result of the city’s red-light camera at the corner of FM 1488 and Buddy Riley. The camera has helped promote the safety of residents by reminding drivers that they need to come to a complete stop at this busy intersection. 

Ibarra stated he was very proud of the recent success realized by the joint efforts of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, local businesses and residents, which resulted in the demolition of a dilapidated structure on Roy Street being accomplished free of charge by volunteers. Several Magnolia police officers and city council members attended the demolition.

“The neighbors on that street are so happy with the outcome,” said council member Anne Sundquist. 

City Administrator Paul Mendes reported that the better records being kept by the public works department has resulted in greater water conservation. He also stated the municipal court is in the process of removing outstanding warrants for persons who are no longer in the area, which should allow it to manage the recoverable warrants more effectively.

A public hearing was held just prior to the city council meeting regarding the proposal to make a change in tax revenues from properties on the tax rolls during the last year. This change from $0.4814 per $100 of appraised value to $0.4527 per $100 of appraised value could result in greater or lower taxes for individual properties, depending on their county-appraised value. The tax will apply to properties within the Magnolia city limits only.

This was the first of two public hearings to be held on the subject – the second one will be on Tuesday evening, Aug. 21. The council will vote on the proposal the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 29. No citizens spoke up during this first public hearing. 

MAGNOLIA - The Magnolia City Council continued with its extraterrestrial jurisdiction (ETJ) expansion eastward, along FM 1488, at the Sept. 11 meeting. In Texas, the ETJ of a municipality includes specified unincorporated area that is adjacent to the city limits. Property owners can request to be part of the ETJ.

In the future, the City of Magnolia may choose to extend city limits and city services into the ETJ areas.

Unincorporated areas may be subject to annexation by a nearby city, which could be either Conroe or Magnolia. Currently, Magnolia has extended its ETJ areas five miles east of the city limits, which could add a beneficial tax base for the city in the future.

“We have one of the largest ETJs for a city of our size in the state of Texas,” said Deborah Rose Miller, Magnolia’s economic development coordinator.

In other business, the council appointed Anne Sundquist as the city representative to the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s general assembly, which meets in January. The Houston-Galveston Area Council is an association of 36 members from local governments in the 13-county Gulf Coast Planning Region of Texas. Its service area comprises 12,500 square miles and more than six million residents.

Following an executive session, the council terminated the Magnolia Waste Management contract for sewer treatment (sludge removal) services. The city will continue to use Magna-Flow for these services. Contracts with both services have co-existed and the council wanted to remove the redundancy.

Police Chief Domingo Ibarra announced the promotion of Officer Kyle Montgomery to the rank of Sergeant. He also had news about the cooperation of the MPD patrol division with other government entities.

“They are doing a great job working together. As an example, we recovered a stolen vehicle recently from the Brookshire Brothers parking lot, which was a great success,” said Ibarra.

A new Magnolia Police Trespass Agreement Program was announced by Ibarra. The program offers businesses and property owners the opportunity to allow Magnolia police the authorization to contact and question persons who may be unlawfully on private property (without prior authorization from the property owner). It is expected to reduce the instances of crime on private property.  

The Magnolia Community Foundation presented Magnolia City Manager Paul Mendes with a plaque honoring his volunteer service for the organization. Mendes has been instrumental in many of the accomplishments of the Foundation, and has donated his time to help ensure the success of community events, such as those at Unity Park and The Stroll.

Miller, who is also president of the Magnolia Community Foundation, explained the plaque was very appropriate.

“We wanted Paul to know his efforts are greatly appreciated,”

The Texas Renaissance Festival is coming to Magnolia, giving residents a chance to meet the King and Queen of the Festival, along with other members of their court. Stroll thru the Renaissance Festival will be held Sept. 29, from 4 to 8 p.m., on the Magnolia Stroll.

This evening will offer area residents a unique opportunity to meet the organizers, stars and support staff of the Texas Renaissance Festival, which has enjoyed more than 30 years in nearby Plantersville. Last year the City of Magnolia became the host city for the Texas Renaissance Festival, marking a new partnership between the festival and the city.

"The Texas Renaissance Festival brings more than a half-million people to our area,” Magnolia Economic Development Coordinator Deborah Rose Miller said. “This partnership has forged a new relationship between the city and the festival, one that is advantageous to both.”

Opening the evening will be a knighting ceremony at Sullivan Park, the entrance to the Magnolia Stroll at the corner of FM 1488 and FM 1774. In addition to lots of festival food, arts, crafts and jewelry will be available and children will enjoy enchanted Festival activities along with games of skill for all ages. 

There is no admission charge for Stroll thru the Renaissance Festival and activities are planned for all ages by the sponsoring organization, the Magnolia Community Foundation For more information visit, magnoliacommunityfoundation.org.

Magnolia city officials have entered the beginning stages of a new comprehensive plan, which will give the city a roadmap for planning the next 15-20 years. Residents will have a chance to hear about the new plan during the city council meeting Nov. 13.

Magnolia Economic Development Coordinator Deborah Rose Miller said the plan is long overdue. The city's last comprehensive plan was developed in 1999.

"It was time for an update," she said. "We had outgrown our previous plan. It wasn't as encompassing as we want to make this plan."

Miller said the new plan will be able to allow the city to do more things to plan for the future, such as possibly adding planning and zoning down the road.

"We can't do zoning without a comprehensive plan, if we decide to do that," she said. "We will be able to do many things as a city, but to do those things, the law requires that we have a comprehensive plan."

The plan, being developed by officials with the help of Kendig Keast Collaborative, starts off by focusing not just on the city, but the entire area around Magnolia and its explosive growth.

"Magnolia benefits from the regional employment centers and mixed-use amenities of The Woodlands, Conroe and Tomball," the plan's introductory statement says. "This has translated into local growth, as Magnolia has experienced a 25 percent population increase over the last 10 years and a 50 percent increase in commercial permits over the last year."

Among the goals of the plan are establishing a community-supported vision and guiding principles that steer future growth and enhancement, providing short, mid-term and long-term growth strategies and providing greater predictability for residents, land owners, developers and investors.

Members of the plan's steering committee have gone over the first three chapters of the plan, which will be presented to the city council Nov. 13, for discussion.

"It's part of the process," Miller said. "We want to make sure each chapter builds on the others and make sure everyone is on the same page."

The second chapter of the plan deals with the area's land use and character.

"The city must play to its strengths by maintaining a high quality of life and niche appeal that compliment the big city amenities of neighboring jurisdictions," the plan states. "As the community grows and matures, land use and character planning will be central to protecting its highly valued identity, while guiding the pattern, appearance, quality and sustainability of new growth."

The third chapter to be discussed at the meeting deals with growth management and capacity.

"Like many small, bedroom communities, Magnolia lacks a critical mass of taxpayers that wholly fund the infrastructure and social services that are expected of a metropolitan suburb," the plane states. "As the city pursues an aggressive growth trajectory to overcome this imbalance and achieve home rule authority, its long-term financial health and sustainability will be contingent on its restraint, as much as it opportunism."

The city has taken steps to build a committee to look into the benefits and concerns of zoning, which the council will discuss at the meeting as well.

"If the council approves the committee, its charter will be to investigate the pros and cons of implementing zoning," Miller stated.

The council meeting starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 18111 Buddy Riley Blvd.

The City of Magnolia recently implemented its first comprehensive plan, while also growing and expanding its boundaries in 2012. With that plan now in full swing and money problems a thing of the past; the city hosted a review of the past year, Magnolia on the Move, Jan. 8.

"Getting this plan was huge," Magnolia's Economic Development Coordinator Deborah Rose Miller said. "It gives us a roadmap for the future, taking into consideration the entire infrastructure, along with desires of our community partners."

Miller presented the program, along with Paul Mendes, Magnolia's city administrator.

The pair talked about the city's recently expanded extra-territorial jurisdiction, along with the recent triple-a-minus bond rating from Standard & Poor, as well as the city's budget surpluses, saying that it all was proof that Magnolia was clearly focused on the future and putting issues of the past in the rearview mirror.

The number one priority for the city in the future will be transportation and connectivity. Because transportation and connectivity are crucial to the city, its participation in the year-old 249 Partnership, a regional coalition dedicated to the improvement of SH 249, was also highlighted. Mendes was recently named vice chair of the coalition.

The comprehensive plan also outlines a new town center, which Miller said points to continued growth in Magnolia, adding that after the recent Walgreen's opening, more chain stores are expected to follow.

Kendig Keast Collaborative, an urban planning firm in Sugar Land, has been working with the city on its comprehensive plan for a year. Capturing more than five miles in the city's ETJ was just one parallel goal of the plan.

Other accomplishments reviewed at Magnolia on the Move included the utility relocation project along FM 1774, which has readied the city for roadway expansion by the Texas Department of Transportation in progress now, and the fly-over at FM 1488 and FM 149 that is expected to be under construction in 2014. In addition a fly-over at FM 1774 and FM 1488 is expected to be completed in 2015.

Lastly, the report congratulated the Magnolia Community Foundation on giving the city an annual  "branding" event, the Magnolia Love Bug Festival. The June festival along with events on the Magnolia Stroll was praised for bringing visitors to the city throughout the year. Moreover, the city's partnership with the Texas Renaissance Festival, now in its second year, was credited with filling Magnolia motels for more than nine weeks last year.

A few months ago Magnolia was planning to build a recreation center in Unity Park that would house both tennis courts and a public pool. Since then, plans have been scaled back to only include the tennis courts. But the good news for Magnolia residents is that a new public pool may still be built, just not in Unity Park.

Economic Development Coordinator Deborah Rose Miller explained the change.

"After careful consideration, the city determined that maintaining a public pool is cost prohibitive at this time," she said. "In addition, there is limited land in the part available and it made more sense to use it for the tennis courts. What we hope will happen is to expand the current Magnolia natatorium next to Magnolia High School and create an outdoor pool there."

Terry Jones has been the director of the Michael D. Holland Aquatic Center (the Magnolia natatorium) since it opened in 2003. Under his direction, the center has shaped many high school all-state swimmers and divers and the open-to-the public Magnolia Aquatic Club has produced both state and national champions. He does, however, see a tremendous need to expand the current center.

"We would like to see construction of an outdoor 50 meter pool," Jones said. "With two high schools and a larger population, our district has outgrown the present facility. We are continuing to grow, so we need to get the community behind this effort as soon as possible. We are at capacity for swim events right now and a new larger pool would allow us to accommodate more events and long course competitive swimming events. When you have 300 or 400 people involved in two-day swim events, it is an economic boon to the town."

Like many similar venues, the Olympic-sized "long course" pool could be used year-round, even in cold weather, by maintaining the water at a constant temperature and utilizing a "thermal blanket" to retain heat when the pool is not being used.

"Maintenance on an outdoor pool is actually less expensive than on an indoor one," said Jones.

Jones feels money would be saved by building a new pool next to the existing one.

"The location next to Magnolia High is very central for our district and the existing high school parking lot would accommodate all the cars that would accompany large meets," he added. "Much of the current infrastructure is already in place at the current natatorium, which would reduce operating costs."

He sees a big advantage for the community is the fact the pools would be used by both MISD and Magnolia residents.

"Right now the aquatic center is being used by the public for learn-to-swim programs, junior swim teams, masters' swim programs and recreational swimmers," said Jones. "With another, larger pool, even more people could benefit."

Many residents are excited about tennis courts at Unity Park - especially since four of the courts are planned as smaller "quick start" courts which are used for teaching children under 10 tennis skills.

Randy Ortwine is the citizen co-chair of the Magnolia Community Foundation and a past president of the Houston Tennis Association. He believes there is a great demand for the opportunity to learn tennis in Magnolia. 

"We want to have the courts open by the end of summer," he said. "We plan to have four full-size lighted courts and four 'quick start' courts, which will be some of very few in the county."

Ortwine has heard from kids and their parents who can't wait for courts to be available. And many adults who enjoy playing in tennis leagues have been asking about the courts.  The courts will also provide a great opportunity for Magnolia ISD students to develop tennis aptitude.

"I am confident that in just a short time Magnolia will have its own tennis association, like many larger towns do," he said.

In the meantime, Magnolia ISD and the Community Foundation will share in managing the courts.

Miller stated that bids are going out right now for construction of the Unity Park tennis courts. She believes there will be further opportunities to develop the park in the future.
"Right now we need more land, not only for this park but for others in the community," Miller said. "We hope to uncover land purchase opportunities below market value, which happens if land is less desirable for building, or to locate donors who want to leave a legacy for future generations."

The Magnolia City Council is moving ahead with ordinances that will allow for expansion of the city limits while trying to preserve the attractiveness and charm of the town.

At the city council meeting on Feb. 12, they passed ordinances to help control building codes for new construction, improve the placement and type of business signs and provide the groundwork for subdivision and land development regulations. They agreed to increase fees for city services to make them more in line with comparable cities.

The ordinance regarding building regulations was developed as an interim building, subdivision and land development ordinance that would be in place to ensure all future development is consistent with the comprehensive plan, until the plan becomes fully effective. It applies to new properties within the city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of Magnolia. Officials said its purpose is to promote the character and charm of Magnolia through architectural design, construction practices, landscaping guidelines, nuisance regulation, resource protection and adjacency protection, among other items.

The new sign ordinance will regulate or prohibit any signage that is placed on public property or right-of-way, private property signs and billboards. It will assure that permanent signs adhere to an annual inspection schedule and that applicable fees are paid to the city. It was also set in place to ensure attractive roadways in the city.

Council members agreed to rehabilitate the elevated water storage tank along the railroad tracks and to permit the purchase of two replacement police patrol vehicles.

In the business of elections, three council positions will be up for election, during a general election to be held May 11. Council agreed to conduct joint elections between Magnolia ISD and the city and to authorize an election services agreement between Montgomery County and the city.

Magnolia Police Chief Domingo Ibarra reported that for the last ten months the city has collected more warrants than it has issued and that officers are proceeding to impound vehicles of people without insurance or drivers' licenses who commit traffic or other violations in the city. He also stated that the department is working to report crime statistics that occur only within the city limits, not for crimes outside the limits, so that the statistics more accurately reflect the crime situation within Magnolia itself.

City Administrator Paul Mendes stated the comprehensive plan for the city is on schedule for completion in March. The Public Works Department is working on repairing pipes, sewers and ditches that need to be improved so the expansion of the city can stay on track.

"The infrastructure needs repair -- some water is not being accounted for due to leaks and improper construction that was completed long before city regulations were put in place," he explained.

He went on to say that city codes are being enforced and monthly building permits are up.

"These are good signs that Magnolia is moving forward," said Mendes.

Several presentations were given during the meeting. Auditor Robert VanWassehnova reported that "Magnolia had a good financial year in 2012 and the Council is making good use of the taxpayers' money" with its careful spending.

Juan Carreon, Union Pacific Railroad Vice President, presented commemorative gifts to the city in honor of its designation as an "Official Union Pacific Train Town," which occurred on the same day as the council meeting. Also, Matt Dillon, owner of Dillon's Gunsmoke in Magnolia, presented a Blackhawk Tactical Backpack Kit to the Magnolia Police Department. The military-style gear will help officers safely enter a dangerous building in the event of an active shooter incident.

In a separate presentation, Ibarra was awarded a plaque from the Fraternal Order of Police of Harris County for his recent help in diffusing a sensitive law enforcement situation.