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"Coyotes are here to stay, but we can coexist."

That was the theme of a presentation by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Urban Biologist Brett Johnson, who spoke to a gathering of residents at The Colony Community Center on Aug. 13.

Seeking first to dispel any myths, Johnson pointed out that coyotes are not the large predators some make them out to be.

"This is where I like to start. Let's look at some realistic numbers," he said. "I've got all kinds of reports of 60-plus pound coyotes ... (but) there just aren't that many running around." The ones that do reach that size live in Canada.

In fact, the average male coyote weighs only 33 pounds and has a torso just under 3 feet long. Females average 29 pounds.

"If you get up around 44 (pounds), you're big. But that's actually pretty uncommon," Johnson said. However, "I do know there's a couple that hang out off of (U.S. Highway) 75 in Plano that may legitimately be pushing 44 pounds."

Coyotes are rarely seen, but often heard. They are considered to be the most vocal canine in the world, and communicate well with each other, Johnson said.

"These guys can make up to 11 different vocalizations. When I get most of my calls, in March and April, most of the time it's for a pack of coyotes," he said. "That will be most of the reports we get, but what's funny is nobody ever really sees them."

Packs of coyotes are also uncommon. Most travel alone or in mating pairs over a homerange of 5 square miles. Coyotes are most active from approximately 10 p.m. to midnight, and can travel 1 to 4 miles per night.

And they are found in virtually every county in the state. While there have been cases of coyotes infected with rabies in far West Texas, the vast majority of rabies cases throughout the state are skunks.

The coyote's success comes from possessing unique biological adaptations that enable it to thrive in urban environments. In the recent past, two coyotes have even found their way into Central Park in New York City.

"These guys are extremely adaptable," he said. When it comes to habitat requirements, about the only thing that's going to restrict a coyote is the fact their dens must be within 6 miles of a water source while rearing their pups.

"Where in the state of Texas are you going to get more than six miles away from water," Johnson said. "There's plenty of water out there for them."

Looking at map of The Colony, Johnson pointed out the many streams and creeks which create "wildlife highways" cutting across the city, not to mention Lewisville Lake.

Their favorite foods are small mammals (particularly rabbits), rodents, bullfrogs, and reptiles. They've been known to occasionally prey on livestock but they are also fond of Mexican plums and persimmons. "Coyotes have a major sweet tooth," Johnson said.

Along with helping keep the rodent population in check, one of the coyote's major ecological functions is scavenging. Coyotes will eat carrion, which often includes the remains of cats killed by motor vehicles, and garbage, Johnson said. "If made available they will love trash," he said.

Unfortunately, some pets fall into the small mammal category. Regarding coyotes preying on small pets, Johnson considers this a value judgement. "Is this a coyote issue or a responsible pet-ownership issue," he asked.

There are steps one can take to keep their pets out of harm's way, such as properly managing outdoor pet food, following leash laws, and keeping cats indoors.

Given their solitary, nocturnal nature, coyotes will generally avoid human contact. In order to know when a coyote may be moving from neighbor to threat, Johnson offered seven progressive "warning behaviors:"

*An increase in coyote observations at night;

*Coyote approaching adults and/or pets at night;

*Early morning/late afternoon sightings, particularly on streets, parks, or yards, indicating the animal is becoming perhaps too comfortable. This is a good time to use aversive conditioning if the opportunity arises, Johnson said, such as spraying the animal with a water hose from a distance so it will continue to fear human contact. The concept of being hit with water when it's not raining is "mind boggling" to the coyote;

*Daylight observations of chasing and/or taking pets;

*Daylight attacks on leashed pets or pets in close proximity to their owners. This would be the time to consider a targeted, lethal removal of the animal from the area, Johnson said, adding that relocating coyotes is not recommended from an ecological standpoint, and that private trappers are not legally authorized to relocate coyotes;

*Midday sightings near play areas or parks; and,

*Aggressive behavior toward adults midday.

"Let's be proactive, rather than reactive when it comes to coyotes," Johnson concluded. To that end, a reporting system has been set up enabling biologists to better track coyotes, in addition to educational outreach programs and efforts to promote ordinances addressing pet ownership responsibility.

Anyone wishing to report the time and location of a coyote sighting may call the DFW Wildlife Coalition from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 972-234-9453. Urban Biologist Brett Johnson may be reached at dallasbiologist@airmail.net.

Following a public hearing on the matter, The Colony City Council on Monday approved a special-use permit for La Paisana Meat Market to allow the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption. The permit request had previously sparked concern from residents because the restaurant at 5201 S. Colony Blvd. was located next door to a day-care center.

Mayor John Dillard presented five public hearing notices from residents in the area concerned about the permit.

The Texas Alcohol and Beverage Code prohibits the sale of alcohol within 300 feet of a state-approved education facility. But as the day care in question does not have a state-approved school curriculum, the statute does not apply, Planning Director Donna Bateman said.

With that in mind, the council voted, 4-2, to approve the permit, with council members Allen Harris and Perry Schrag voting against the motion.

“We legally have no basis for denying the permit,” Harris said, despite his dissenting vote. “I personally wish they wouldn’t sell (alcohol) there, but we don’t have the legal authority to disallow it since we allow it in other locations.”

If the day-care center had been certified in Texas as a school, “then we’d have something to work with,” he said.

Discussion continued on the city’s proposed 2008-2009 budget, which included a public hearing. Finance director Rebecca Koo updated council members on changes to the budget as the result of their work session last week.

Per the council’s request, two additional full-time positions for jailors have been added to the police department’s budget. In addition, a correction was made allocating $400,000 in fund balance to capital improvements, lowering the city’s “rainy day” funds to 84 days.

No additional public hearing on the budget will be held, however public hearings on the city’s proposed tax rate of .6925 cents are scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 28 and Sept. 2 at City Hall.

Alongside scheduling the hearings, the council approved a motion establishing the above rate as the “not to exceed” value. In response, council member Schrag said he still hoped the rate could be lowered, “but I might be on the island on that one,” he said.

In other business, the council approved an agreement between the city and MF 5 Land Ltd. to allow the installation of 15 privately owned and maintained street lights on public rights-of-way along Sumner Drive and Arbor Hills Way. The city’s ordinance allows for the installation of three public street lights along these roadways; however, the developer has requested permission for the additional lights.

This item was originally tabled after the July 7 council meeting in order for city staff members to include additional language in the agreement related to performance and future ownership of the lights.

Council member Joel Marks asked Public Works Director Steve Eubanks if he knew of any similar types of agreements, which Eubanks did not.

“This hasn’t been done before, and the full responsibility is going to be with the developer (to maintain the lights),” Marks said. “My biggest concern is if the developer leaves … what happens to this agreement?”

Eubanks assured council members that the language in the agreement has been modified from its original form to ensure the agreement carries over regardless of the property’s owner.

Council member John Marshall expressed similar concerns regarding an agenda item authorizing the city to enter into a maintenance agreement with The Tribute Homeowners Association defining responsibilities along drainage ways in The Tribute.

According to city documents, several of the subdivisions in The Tribute include extensive water features and improvements, including small lakes. The Tribute HOA and city staff members have agreed upon terms outlining maintenance responsibilities within drainage easements and HOA property. The agreement allows The Tribute to maintain their property at the desired level of service while permitting city staff members access as needed to repair drainage components.

Eubanks said he was familiar with similar agreements in place in other cities but wasn’t aware of any instances where an HOA defaulted on its agreement. “Certainly that could happen,” he said. “I don’t know if there’s anything we could do to prevent it, should an HOA become dissolved.”

Marshall said he wasn’t concerned so long as the HOA was in the hands of the developer, but once handed over to the homeowners, “who picks up the slack” if an HOA fails to carry out its responsibilities, he asked.

The item was tabled until Sept. 15 in order for city staff members to address these and similar concerns regarding the agreement.

Following an executive session, the council removed a discussion item from the regular agenda regarding the city’s Hidden Cove Park Concessionaire Agreement with J.T. Goods Inc., which operates J.T.’s Boat Rentals. The council then voted, 4-2, to authorize the city manager to terminate the agreement with 90 days notice. Council members Schrag and Marks voted against the motion.

Also following executive session, the Council voted, 4-2, to remove Fernando Villarreal from the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding actions of the commission related to zoning case numbers SE01-0001 and Z08-0002. Council members Schrag and Jeff Connelly cast the dissenting votes.

The motion to remove Villarreal was “based on failure to follow established city ordinance policies and direction, and for overstepping the authority” of the Planning & Zoning Commission, Harris said.

The Council approved additional funding for the Chamber of Commerce’s Pirate Days event set for October. Originally, council members had authorized $45,000 in Hotel and Occupancy Tax funds for the event. Following conversations with the city’s emergency services departments, organizers determined they required an additional $24,200 in public safety costs, bringing the city’s contribution to the event to $54,200, minus $15,000 in “seed money.”

The council also approved a construction services contract with JT Dersner to replace the 30-inch northwest trunk sewer line from Main Street to the city’s wastewater treatment plant near Lake Highland Drive. The contract is for $484,184, which includes a 10 percent contingency fund.

During a recent emergency repair to the line, it was discovered that the trunk pipe was in poor condition and needs to be replaced as soon as possible, according to Public Works Department documents. Construction will include the complete replacement of the sewer line, as well as the connections to existing sewer and water lines. The project could begin as early as mid-September, with completion approximately six months thereafter.

Council member Harris expressed concern that the construction would interfere with football practices and games taking part in the nearby sports fields, and asked that the project be planned such that it would have the least amount of impact on access to the fields.

Eubanks assured the council that the construction would account for access concerns but added he had no problems moving the schedule around if required.

Council member Kirk Mikulec was absent from the meeting, as he was out of town on business. Also, with the first Monday of next month falling on Labor Day, the council’s first regular meeting of September has been moved to Tuesday, Sept. 2.

The Lewisville City Council is proposing a lower tax rate for 2008-09 than in 2007-08, but is also looking at slight increases in the water and sewer rates.

Final action on the proposed general fund budget of $61,200,404 and the proposed tax rate will take place on Sept. 29, after several public hearings.

The council and city staff met for several hours Saturday in the Community Room of the Municipal Annex to go over detailed plans for expenditures and revenue for the coming fiscal year.

Gina Thompson, city budget and research director, said $59,170,921 was budgeted for 07-08, and, “We are now anticipating $63,085,658 by the end of the fiscal year.”

After hearing presentations by the city staff, the council agreed to propose a tax rate of .44021 per $100 valuation. The tax rate for 07-08 was .44050.

Thompson explained that the proposed rate is the effective tax rate plus three percent.

James Kunke, city community relations manager, explained how the effective tax rate is determined.

“A simple definition of the effective tax rate is the rate you would assess on this year's property value to collect the same tax revenue you received last year,” Kunke said. “In other words, if property values go up, the effective rate will be lower than the current actual rate. If property values go down, the effective rate will be higher than the current actual rate.

“In our case this year, the total taxable property value in Lewisville went up slightly from last year, due mostly to new construction and commercial development,” Kunke continued. “As a result, a slightly lower tax rate would be needed to produce the same tax revenue as was collected last year.”

Kunke said the numbers were such that the council could adopt the effective rate plus 3 percent (not plus 3 percentage points, which would be far different) and still have a slightly lower actual property tax rate than was assessed last year. This will be the second consecutive year with a rate reduction.

The council also proposes a 1.5 percent increase in water rates and a .5 percent increase in the sewer rates for 08-09. No change was proposed for garbage pickup rates.

Present water rates for most residential customers are $12.99 for the first 2,000 gallons, and $2.69 per 1,000 gallons after that. The average residential water customer uses about 8,000 gallons per month.

The present sewer rates for residential customers are $7.84 for the first 2,000 gallons, and $3.15 per 1,000 gallons after that.

Contact Dan Eakin at 972-628-4075 or at deakin@acnpapers.com. Comment on this story at scntx.com.

The food and entertainment was great at the 21st Annual Highland Village Balloon and Music Festival last weekend at Copperas Branch Park, according to Van Glover, festival chairman.

In addition to watching the balloons take to the air, the crowds on Friday and Saturday nights were entertained from two different stages with different types of music

The event was the major fundraiser for the Highland Village Lions Club, which sponsors two Boy Scout troops, a Cub Scout pack and an Adventuring Crew. The Lions also sponsor a program for people with sight needs. The Lions provide eye glasses for school children who need them but can’t afford them, and also provide dogs for the sightless.

“We didn’t have the event last year because the park was flooded,” said Van Glover, Highland Village Lions Club president-elect and festival chairman.

He said Lions Clubs from Lewisville, Denton, The Colony and Lake Cities also participated in this year’s event.

In addition to the Lions raising funds for their projects, Boy Scouts raised money for theirs by collecting parking fees, and Cub Scouts raised money by selling bags of ice.

The Alphabet Chair is a very nice chair and is fun to sit in.

Two adults or three children can sit in it at the same time.

But the Alphabet Chair is far more than just a chair.

It is also a sculpture.

Sarah Peters, who lives in Falmouth, Mass., has made four of them so far. The Friends of the Lewisville Public Library want to buy the fourth one to place in the children’s section of the new Lewisville Library. After the sculptor makes a total of 10 such chairs, the mold is to be destroyed.

The Alphabet Chair is also more than just a sculpture. It is an educational piece.

From a distance, the bronze chair looks like an oversized living room chair, made up of the 26 letters of the alphabet.

But on closer look, viewers can see that each letter has imbedded in it impressions of what the letter represents.

The A is for animals. Looking closely at the A, viewers can see imprints of several animals.

The B is for buttons. So, impressions of buttons are all over the B.

The E is for elephant. The sculptor actually used the skin of an elephant to make an impression in the E.

“We want to use the chair not only as an educational tool, but also to offer some culture,” said Ann Wiegand, library manager. “We want the library to not only be a place for books, but also to serve as a culture center.”

“It’s also a good way for children to learn the alphabet,” she said. “It’s fun for the kids and it’s a very good literacy tool.”

The chair was on display at the Lewisville Library for several months, but is now on display at a library in another state.

If Friends of the Lewisville Public Library can raise enough money, it will be returned to be permanently at the Lewisville Library.

The cost of the Alphabet Chair is about $36,000, and just under half of that amount has been donated so far.

PointBank has been by far the major contributor so far. The bank, which raises money for libraries in cities where it has banks through an annual golf tournament, gave $1,600 last year, and another $2,500 earlier this month.

“We bought the P for Point last year,” said Robert Fogle, area president of PointBanks. “This year, we bought the B for Bank.”

Actually, a letter may be sponsored by any business, organization or individual for $1,500.

Kathy Beatty, president of Friends of the Lewisville Public Library, said, “The Alphabet Chair will be a wonderful addition to our library and is much loved by children and adults alike. It is a celebration of language, art and community. PointBank has been our strongest supporter in our efforts to purchase the chair which reflects their commitment to our community. We can't thank them enough.”

A total of $17,415 has been donated so far for the chair, including $10,688 donated by the Friends of the Lewisville Public Library and amounts from the donation box and miscellaneous contributions.

A display on a wall at the entrance to the library shows how companies, organizations or individuals can sponsor one of the letters of the alphabet on the chair. Also, cash or check contributions toward the purchase of the chair can be dropped into the glass donation box by the display.

Contact Dan Eakin 972-628-4075 or at deakin@acnpapers.com. Comment on this story at scntx.com.