Mayor Leppert's Post Office Letter

THOMAS C. LEPPERT MAYOR

July 15, 2009 Consumer Affairs Manager Dallas District 951 Bethel Road Coppell. TX 75099-9631 Dear Consumer Affairs Manager: The City of Dallas appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed Area Mail Processing (AMP) Study of mail processing in the Dallas area, I would like to express my thoughts on the proposed consolidation of mail processing operations by moving those functions at the Dallas Processing & Distribution Center to the North Texas Processing & Distribution Center located in Coppel! Texas. I have concerns with respect to the economic vibrancy of our city that will be adversely affected by the move of these jobs. These concerns are based in the principles of Executive Order 12072 of August 16, 1978; section 1-104: 1-104. The process of meeting Federal space needs in urban areas shall be consistent with the policies of this Order and shall include consideration of the following criteria: (a) Compatibility of the site with State, regional. or local development, redevelopment, or conservation objectives. (b) Conformity with the activities and programs of other Federal agencies. (c) Impact on economic development and employment opportunities in the urban area, including the utilization of human, natural, cultural, and community resources. (d) Availability of adequate low and moderate income housing for Federal employees and their families on a nondiscriminatory basis, (e) Availability of adequate public transportation and parking and accessibility to the public.” Paragraphs c, d. and e, address the specific concerns of the City of Dallas. (c) Obviously, this relocation of jobs will harm our urban area with the removal of 11 7 jobs and the associated payroll. Our unemployment rate, along with the rest of the nation, is on the rise. We go to great lengths to

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

CITY HALL

1500 MARILLA ST 5EN

DALLAS TEXAS 75201

TELEPHONE 214-670-4054

FAX 214-670-OC4e

Consumer Affairs Manager July 15. 2009 Page 2 of 2

encourage job creation and the retention of our existing employers and do not wish to see a loss of United States government jobs to another city (d) Dallas has a far greater supply of low and moderate income housing. The Dallas Housing Authority owns and rents thousands of LMI units and subsidizes private owners to allow for additional LMI rental opportunities. (e) Dallas also has far better access to public transportation than does the City of Coppell. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) operates approximately 130 bus routes covering 12 cities and 700-square miles including one that runs in front of your Dallas facility. These routes are run with a fleet of nearly 750 buses, DART also operates 45 miles of light rail transit and 75 freeway miles of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and paratransit service for the mobility impaired. Coppell has access to none of these services as it does not participate with DART. Secondly, I am concerned about the notification process that was used to solicit public comment from stakeholders, The AMP Process indicates that stakeholders must be notified of the intent to perform the study and given the opportunity to comment. After the study is completed and submitted to the Area Vice President, a public input meeting is held and fifteen days are provided for the public’s submission of additional written comments. We are currently within that 15 day comment period. However, the public, including the City of Dallas, was not appropriately notified of the intent to perform the study nor was the public appropriately notified about the public input meeting held on July 1. 2009 at Mountain View College. I have grave concerns about the lack of the appropriate notification of stakeholders. The proposed changes will not only result in a net loss of jobs, but they will change the way Dallas residents do business at the Dallas facility. This is important not only to the employees, but to the general public who was not properly informed of the meeting. —

Lastly, I am concerned about the loss of the Dallas postmark due to this consolidation. The City of Dallas just became the 8th largest city in the United States. Dallas is easily the most recognizable city in the DFW Metroplex and a destination site for visitors and industry. The name of a city is like its brand and we are proud of the Dallas brand and its status on the national and international stage. As such, we are concerned about the loss of the Dallas postmark due to relocation of processing activities to the NTP&DS. There are a number of bulk mailers in Dallas that have not had enough time to react to this change. Other businesses may have additional important reasons to keep this Dallas post office, We do not want to support any change that is detrimental to private sector growth. I urge you to reconsider this move to Coppell. We value the presence of the Postal Service and wish to see you grow in Dallas. I hope we can continue in successful partnership for years to come. Sincerely,

Tom Leppert Mayor of Dallas