The Frisco City Council and the Arts of Collin County (ACC) board of directors, Executive Director and ACC staff met yesterday in Frisco to go over the latest project figures and get feed back from the Frisco City Council.

Executive Director Mike Simpson of the ACC made a power point presentation to the Frisco council with the latest figures and a complete history of the project.

The presentation states that the final revised GMP as of March 5, 2010 is $65.7 million and that the construction costs are down 24& from the original figures.

Simpson said he has had other people make inquires about donations and there are two In-Kind donations for $100,000 that are going to be announced.

The city attorney for both Allen and Plano have already started working together on a contribution agreement  which will layout how they are going to sell their bonds.  The ACC board is encouraging the Frisco attorney to also take part in the discussions even though Frisco has clearly expressed that they are not ready to sell their bonds. Once an agreement is reached by all three cities it will still come before council again for approval before any sales took place.

ACC is assuming that construction will start no early than Sept. 2010 and money would not be needed until Oct. 2010 which is a new fiscal year for all three cities.

The ACC wants the cities to seriously consider a bond sales schedule which they are looking at their new fiscal year budgets this summer.

The power point presentation also addressed the Maintenance and Operations cost that some people have said have changed over the years.

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso said during the meeting that the original M&O budget was between $110,000-$440,000. He said the new projects still fall within the original projects.

The current M&O project is $375,000 per year for Frisco. Simpson’s slides stated that the numbers could be lowered if more sponsorships and memberships were sold.

After the presentation Frisco council was able to give feedback on the presentation and the ACC Board questions.

Many of the Frisco Council Members asked for similar things. They wanted to see more information on the ACC website so they public could see it.

“I honestly believe that this project can be strengthen with a lot more 21st century disclosure,” council member Pat Fallon said.

He thinks the board should tape meetings and place their videos online, as well as list the donations that are made quarterly and post the salary and compensation packages for employees paid by the ACC.

Council member Scott Johnson thinks there should be a whole list of things added to the ACC website including;  their check book, audit report, quarterly reports, the footnotes pages(working backup), enter local agreement, feasibility report and more.

Ultimately the council took no action at last night’s information meeting but decided the item will appear on the next council agenda to decide if their attorney will start taking part in the talks.

During  a special called council meeting on Monday, the Frisco City Council took no action to put the Arts of Collin County on the May ballot for a revote.

The meeting came about after a very long regularly scheduled meeting last week in which the council showed that they were very split on the project. The point on Monday’s meeting was simply to decide if the item should be put back on the ballot to let voters decide if they wanted to continue with the project.

After more than an hour in executive session council came out and shared their thoughts .

Council member David Prince felt strong about letting the voters have a say in such a project.

“This is far too important an issue to be cramming through this fast - no matter which side of the issue you are on.  None of this haste is good for Frisco.  Period,” Prince said. “With all the facts, and information, that I have at this time I firmly believe that this bond request should go back to the voters.”

Prince was alone in his push to get the item back on the ballot. He also suggested a citizen referendum. Other council members agreed that it might not be the right time to sell the bonds but none said it should go back on the ballot.

“The bonds are the same now as they were then,” council man Bob Allen said. “As in all things I think we need to look for a win-win situation and a revote is not the answer.”

Council member Pat Fallon wants to see changes made to the ACC Web site to make what they are doing more transparent. The public meetings that have been held aren’t enough for him. He suggested the commission add a history of the project to their Web site, as well as post a good faith estimate for the cost and additionally the commissions own budgets and salaries that they operate from.

“I don’t think in the economic times I would support the sale of the bonds,” he said. “I just can’t wrap my arms around it.”

Several council members and the Mayor also vowed to take a more active role in the project from here on out. Scott Johnson even suggested that someone from the Frisco City Council join the Arts of Collin County Board.

“I did clearly hear that we are not in the position to move forward selling the bonds,” Mayor Maher Maso said.

The council originally passed a bond package back in 2002 for $19 million. They still have $16.4 million in bonds to sell and the ACC commission was pushing for those bonds to be sold sooner rather than later because they have received a guaranteed maximum price 23 percent lower than originally said and would like to continue with construction.

The Frisco City Council will continue their relationship with the Arts of Collin County but have not indicated when they may sell the bonds.

The following weight loss tips will start you on the right track to weight loss freedom. All suggestions are proven effective by medical professionals.

"Healthy dose of pride ends with a strong habit".

Take the word "Can't" out of the equation. Throw away each of the irrational thoughts and trade them for "I can create the life I've always wanted". Dr. Robert Neff (expert in sports psychology and weight management) suggests taking the following actions to contribute to higher confidence.

1) Journaling achievements and compliments

2) Visualizing positive outcomes

3) Using positive body languate and facial expressions, Smiling!

4) Choosing to use positive and optimistic self talk

5) Developing idea habits

6) Reducing anxiety (since that's the opposite of confidence)

"Never turn your alarm clock off".

Create consistency in a routine, at first rigid, then habit forms. Eventually, the habit becomes second nature and occurs without having to make a conscious decision. Dr. Neff suggests the following proven weight loss routine.

1) Prepare breakfast, lunch and health snaks the night before

2) Excersie first thing in the morning prior to breakfast

3) Carry food and water with you to work

4) Set reminder alarms on your phone

5) Rest in the evenings

"You are a product of your environment."

Breaking old habits is hard enough, so change what we can contol, our environment. Throughout the day, pay attention to key places that will set back your weight loss goals. Start with the obvious; house, car and work. Dr. Shemek describes three environmental setbacks and easy solutions to each:

1) "Dispose of food that does not serve you in your weight management or optimal weight loss goals." Look through your house, at work and all other hiding places we'd never admit to. Get rid of all sugars! Excess sugars end up on places we'd rather them not be; the buttocks, breasts and thighs. Replace sugars with complex carbohydrates (oats, whear, brown rice) lean protein and healthy fats.

2) Seave smaller protions. Make your portions appear larger by using smaller bowls, plates, and cups. Leave the table as soon as you're done eating. Under no circumstance eat while infront of the TV. Either move to a difference room or remove the television.

3) Create a diversion from mental cravings. Figure out what negative impulse triggered the craving and do anything to divert your attention; walk your dog, go for a swim, play with your kids, read a book, review this article.

As you know, habits are hard to break. These easy tips will start you off in the right direction and lead you to a new state of mind. Changing your mental state,establishing consistency and analyzing your environment can all change your mental relationship with weight loss.

 

To learn more about the condributors feel free to check out their websites.

Dr. Lori L. Shemek " Top 3 Succesfull Weight Loss Tips"

Dr. Robert Neff "Mental Touphness Training"

 

More on Azure Medical Weight Loss Programs

As a result of the March 2 Frisco City Council meeting the council is meeting again today to decide whether or not they should revote on the Arts of Collin County Project. The project was previously voted on in 2002 and passed with approximatly 63% of the vote.  The special  meeting today only has the one item on the agenga and it can be found at http://sire.friscotexas.gov/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=502&doctype=AGENDA