OUR CORE VALUES
MEMORANDUM
FROM: Sara Hensley, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Staff Report
I. Council Schedule
A. Meetings
1. Public Utilities Board on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
via
video/teleconference – City Council Work Session Room.
2. Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board on Monday, April 12,
2021 at
3:00 p.m. via video/teleconference – City Council Work Session
Room.
3. Special Called - Work Session of the City Council on Tuesday,
April 13, 2021
at 3:00 p.m. via video/teleconference – City Council Work Session
Room.
4. Economic Development Partnership Board on Wednesday, April 14,
2021 at
11:00 a.m. via video/teleconference – City Council Work Session
Room.
5. Development Code Review Committee on Wednesday, April 14, 2021
at
12:30 p.m. via video/teleconference – City Council Work Session
Room.
6. Cancelled - Agenda Committee Meeting Wednesday, April 14, 2021
at 2:30
p.m. in the City Manager’s Conference Room.
7. Cancelled - Public Art Committee on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at
4:00 p.m.
in the City Council Work Session Room.
8. Community Development Advisory Committee on Friday, April 16,
2021 at
9:00 a.m. via video/teleconference – City Council Work Session
Room.
9. Cancelled - Human Services Advisory Committee on Friday, April
16, 2021
at 12:00 p.m. via video/teleconference – City Council Work Session
Room.
10. Special Called - Public Art Committee on Friday, April 16, 2021
at 4:00 p.m.
via video/teleconference – City Council Work Session Room.
II. General Information & Status Update
A. Pending Council Requests Work Session Topics – Pursuant to
Ordinance No. 19-
2026, the following items will be discussed during the April 13
City Council work
session. Each week, the topics included on the next week’s agenda
will be in the Friday
Report. Staff contact: Stuart Birdseye, City Manager’s Office
1. Put forward for council consideration of an ordinance that no
one on a
ballot is eligible to be added to a board or commission.
a. Requestor: Council Member Ryan
b. Council Member Request: “I would like to put forward for
council
consideration of an ordinance that no one on a ballot is eligible
to be added
to a board or commission. Reappointment is not a part of this, if
you currently
serve you can continue to serve. “Anyone running for local, county,
state or
federal office cannot be initially appointed to a city board or
commission
between the date when they file and the final results of the
election”
c. Staff Information: Currently, in order for a person to be
eligible to be
appointed to a Board or Commission, that person must generally be
1) a
qualified voter of the City of Denton (as a result, be a Denton
resident), and
2) have no obligations owed to the City of Denton, as outlined in
Exhibit 3
and affirmed in the Boards and Commissions Affirmation of
Qualifications
Exhibit 4. If Council would like to update the requirements with
Council
Member Ryan’s request, staff will present a draft resolution for
Council
Consideration at a future City Council Meeting.
2. A work session to discuss directing to the Public Art Committee
to establish
a city-led public-private partnership which would fund and
commission a
signature public art installation at Rayzor Ranch Park.
a. Requestor: Mayor Pro Tem Davis
b. Council Member Request: “I am requesting a work session to
discuss
directing to the Public Art Committee to establish a city-led
public-private
partnership which would fund and commission a signature public
art
installation at Rayzor Ranch Park, more specifically a
fountain
commemorating the history of the land and Rayzor family while
also
providing an opportunity for free water play. Below is an example
photo of
Rotary Fountain in Spokane, WA”
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c. Staff Information: As discussed during Individual Consideration
Item 21-
497 during the April 6, 2021 City Council meeting, there is space
available
at Rayzor Ranch Park for a public art installation and/or spray
ground. If
Council would like to move forward with this proposal, staff will
coordinate
with the Public Art Committee to develop potential designs and
anticipated
budget to begin identifying potential funding sources.
B. Governor Abbott Executive Order GA-35 – On April 5, 2021,
Governor Greg Abbott
issued Executive Order GA-35 (attached). The order generally states
that no
governmental entity can compel a person to receive a COVID-19
vaccine and that
state agencies and political subdivisions, such as cities and
counties, cannot make
COVID-19 vaccination a condition of the provision of services or
access to any place.
These requirements also extend to government and private entities
that receive public
funds from any source. The order does provide an exception for
residents of nursing
homes and similar facilities. As the City of Denton does not make
vaccination a
condition of services or programs, this order will not impact city
operations. Staff
contact: Ryan Adams, Customer Service and Public Affairs
C. Proposed Concrete Plant – On April 6, City staff received the
attached TCEQ public
hearing notice from members of the community. This notice was never
provided to
the City since the proposed location of the plant is outside the
City’s ETJ. However,
after further researching this matter, staff found that in 2002 a
separate plant was
proposed in this area and while the City filed opposition documents
for that plant, a
permit was ultimately approved, and the plant has been operational
since that time.
The current proposed plant would be located next to the existing
plant. Based on prior
City action, staff submitted the attached letter of opposition on
April 7 to this proposed
plant and placed a resolution of opposition on the City Council’s
agenda for April 13
for consideration and approval. Staff contact: Deborah Viera,
Environmental Services
D. United Way COVID-19 Utility Assistance – On March 2, Denton
County approved
local use of COVID relief funds which were authorized by the
federal government in
late December 2020 after the US Treasury department provided
clarity on legal
funding use in late February.
After awaiting federal guidance on fund use, United Way of Denton
County (UWDC)
recently reopened their assistance channels for customers who
require utility
assistance due to the effects of the pandemic. As many residents
were waiting for
greatly needed assistance, UWDC has been working through a very
high volume of
assistance requests but are now ready to begin receiving direct
referrals from
Customer Service on behalf of our customers, effective Friday,
April 9.
Beginning on this date, any customer seeking financial assistance
should contact
Customer Service at (940) 349-8700. Customer Service
representatives will then
gather basic intake information and provide it to the appropriate
agency, UWDC or
Interfaith Ministries, depending on whether the need is COVID-19
related. This
proactive approach will ensure customers do not have the added step
of contacting
these organizations themselves and ensure the account will not be
interrupted while
the case is being processed.
On April 7, the US Treasury released further clarification was
released which restricts
the utility assistance usage of newly allocated federal funding for
renters and 3
specifically excludes homeowners from receipt of COVID aid for
utility bills.
Customer Service, UWDC and Interfaith Ministries have coordinated
to ensure
homeowners experiencing COVID related income loss are referred to
Interfaith
Ministries where they can still receive assistance through the
normal assistance
channel.
While Interfaith ministries typically submits payment for
qualifying customers within
2 weeks of receiving documentation, UWDC will have a short term
extended timeline
due to the high demand. Customers will not be interrupted during
this extended
timeline. Staff will continue to work with UWDC to create the most
clear and efficient
process possible for customers. Staff contact: Christa Foster,
Customer Service and
Public Affairs
E. Sate Legislative Action Update – As bills begin to move through
committees, City
staff and legislative consultants have been actively involved in
upholding Council’s
adopted 2021 legislative program. Letters addressed from the Mayor
(attached) were
submitted in opposition to:
• SB 10 – regarding the banning taxpayer-funded legislative
consultants; and
• Several similar law enforcement defunding bills being heard
before the House
Ways and Means Committee.
Staff also contacted Rep. Stucky’s office and the City’s
legislative consultants
regarding many priority bills going before their respective
committees over the course
of the week. HB 2548 which would prohibit a municipality from
collecting an
inspection fee related to the inspection of a building during a
declared state or local
disaster. As originally filed, this bill would, in disasters that
have no impact to
building safety, provide an unnecessary benefit to those property
owners seeking
inspections and adversely impact taxpayers who derive no benefit
from the
inspections. Consultants engaged the bill’s author on amenable
language for an
amendment to only apply to those disasters where issues of building
safety and
building damage. Following, a committee substitute was put forward
which made the
bill less burdensome on cities. Staff will continue to take action
on bills that impact
Denton in alignment with Council’s adopted legislative program.
Staff contact: Rachel
Balthrop Mendoza, City Manager’s Office
F. Library Reopening for Drop-in Access and Adapted Services –
Starting May 1, all
three Denton Public Library branches will be open for drop-in
access and adapted
services. The library is also pleased to announce that Library
Summer Classes &
Events will feature small audience, in-person programs as well as
virtual programs.
North Branch contactless drive-up hold pickup will continue to
remain available.
Curbside hold pickup at Emily Fowler Central Library and South
Branch will cease
on May 1, 2021. Some areas and services may remain unavailable at
this time to
maintain social distancing and a safe library environment for
library patrons.
May 1 library drop-in access and adapted services will
include:
• 30-minute Grab & Go browsing and checkout
• Access to limited number of library computers on a first come,
first served
basis for up to two 1-hour sessions per day OR access to limited
laptop
workstation tables for internet access for one 2-hour session on a
first-come,
first-served basis per day. (Daily visits by customers using public
computers
or laptop stations should not exceed 2.5 hours.) 4
• Interlibrary loan services
• Limited in-person quick answer reference and computer assistance
with social
distancing
• 2020 Summer Reading Challenge prize book selection and pick
up
Temporary library hours of operation will also be expanded at all
three library locations
starting May 1, 2021. Expanded temporary hours:
• Emily Fowler Central Library
• Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Tuesday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Wednesday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Staff contact: Jennifer Bekker, Library
G. Comprehensive Plan Community Workshop – The second community
meeting for the
Comprehensive Plan Update Community Workshop #1 was held during the
evening
on Monday, April 6. The workshop was scheduled immediately in
response to a
situation where participants were left out of the first workshop.
Following an email
blast that was sent out announcing a second date, staff receive 80
registered
participants. Similar to the first workshop, participants were
introduced to the project
team, received an explanation of what is a Comprehensive Plan, were
provided with
information about the project and answered polling questions
throughout. When
available, recordings of the workshops will be posted on the City’s
dedicated website
at www.cityofdenton.com/dentonplan. The community is encouraged to
visit the
website to keep up to date on upcoming events, download documents,
view past
presentations, and provide input through various interactive
exercises. Staff contact:
Scott McDonald, Development Services
H. Priority Bill Status Report – While the City of Denton is
tracking hundreds of bills
filed during the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature that could
potentially impact the
City of Denton, staff are more closely monitoring the status and
progress of a subset
of these bills in a priority tracking list. These priority bills
have a high impact to the
City of Denton and/or are progressing rapidly through the
legislature toward full
passage. A list of our priority bills that are being monitored is
attached. Staff contact:
Rachel Balthrop Mendoza, City Manager’s Office
I. April/May Resident Update - The April/May issue of the Resident
Update newsletter
(attached) was delivered to Denton homes this week. This issue
features information
about Parks and Recreation’s summer hiring opportunities, COVID-19
vaccine
resources, Denton Plan 2040, the May 1 City Council election, tips
for preventing
recycling contamination, and more. Staff contact: Justin Harmon,
Customer Service
and Public Affairs
J. Drinking Water Quality Report – The 2020 Water Quality Report
(attached) will be
mailed out to utilities customers in May, and contains information
about 22 analytes,
all reported to be below regulatory maximum levels. No drinking
water monitoring
violations were issued for 2020. The Report will also be available
online in English
and Spanish. Staff contact: Tony Puente, Utilities
K. Update on Customer Service Call Volumes – Customer Service
continues to
experience very high call volumes from customers who have utility
bill inquiries or
need to take action regarding their accounts. This volume is
roughly 140% higher than
it was in 2019 and as high or higher than many of our peak call
periods in 2020. In
response to these call volumes and the general growth that has and
will occur within
the City, Customer Service recently added 7 Customer Service
Representatives,
bringing out total from 18 to 25. These new hires are currently
training – a process
which presents challenges as seasoned customer service
representatives provide one-
on-one guidance to ensure they are ready to take calls alone and
are capable of
providing accurate information. This process will conclude over the
next two weeks,
at which point the new hires will work independently and we
anticipate call wait times
being reduced significantly. Staff will monitor call volumes over
the coming months
to evaluate the impact of the additional staff members. Customers
who call the City
are greeted with an automated message acknowledging the above
average wait times
and providing options to reduce the wait. Staff contact: Ryan
Adams, Customer
Service and Public Affairs
L. Animal Services performs FHO Surgery – On April 7, Animal
Services Veterinarian
staff performed their first Fermoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) surgery
on a shelter dog
named Mermaid. An FHO, is a surgical procedure that aims to restore
pain-free
mobility to a diseased or damaged hip, by removing the head and
neck of the femur.
Typically, this type of surgery is referred out to a contracted
veterinarian clinic and
can cost up to $6000 to perform. Animal Services would like to say
a special thanks
to Denton Animal Support Foundation (DASF) for generously donating
the funds to
purchase all the necessary medical tools to successfully perform
the surgery. We are
happy to report that Mermaid’s surgery was successful, and she is
now back home
with her foster parents recovering. Staff contact: Randi Weinberg,
Animal Services
M. Preschool Update – Over the last few years, many challenges
faced the preschools at
Denia Rec Center, MLK Jr. Rec Center, and North Lakes Rec Center,
including low
enrollment, staffing, increased cost, and increased preschool
providers. Staff struggled
to recruit and maintain preschool teachers; the full-time staff was
often used for
extended periods while looking for teachers. North Lakes preschool
planned to close
at the end of the 2019-2020 school year due to the new tennis
center construction at
the North Lakes Annex. During the pandemic, Denia and MLK Jr. Rec
Center
evaluated their preschool and decided to close permanently. The
preschools' closing
allows staff to focus on new programs and additional space for
facility rentals and
programs. Parks and Recreation will continue to offer the preschool
camp during the
summer. Staff contact: Caroline Seward, Parks and Recreation
N. Summer Camps – Registration for Parks and Recreation summer
camps opened on
April 5. All-day summer camps are Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6
p.m. There is a
Preschool Camp (ages 3-5), Teen Camp (ages 11-15), and then many
options for ages
5-11. The weekly fee includes a T-shirt, field trips, crafts,
swimming, and the
occasional lunch. The Teen Camp will go on daily field trips, while
the other camps
go on weekly field trips.
6
PARD is also offering many specialty and sports camps for all ages,
like the Clear
Creek Camp. This camp is held at Clear Creek Natural Heritage
Center and lets kids
learn outside, get a little dirty, but still go on fun field trips
and go swimming. This is
also the first year PARD is offering a Before and After Camp Care
to help supplement
the specialty camps' drop-off and pick-up times.
COVID safety precautions will be in place at the camps, including
smaller camp sizes,
social distancing, frequent handwashing, and sanitation of
touchpoints. Counselors
will wear masks at all times, campers must wear masks when they
cannot social
distance.
To register for summer camps, visit www.dentonparks.com. Staff
contact: Caroline
Seward, Parks and Recreation
O. Great American Cleanup Results – During March, Keep Denton
Beautiful (KDB)
hosted Denton's 33rd annual Great American Cleanup (GAC), a
community-wide
litter cleanup effort. A total of 967 volunteers registered.
Volunteers gathered nearly
five tons of litter (519 bags of trash and 147.25 bags of
recycling) from 91 locations
around Denton, including roadways, parks, trails, and school
campuses. Volunteer
participants contributed a collective 1,273.75 hours of volunteer
time, worth an
estimated $34,646.
KDB held photo contests for a public vote on the KDB Facebook page.
The following
groups received awards for their volunteer efforts:
• Most Bags Collected: DATCU East Branch (21 bags)
• Best Photo: Adhikari Family
• Oddest Item Found: TI-84 Plus graphic calculator – Girl Scout
Troop 7849
GAC is part of a nationwide effort with Keep America Beautiful, and
Denton is one
of more than 20,000 communities that participate each spring. Sites
are selected
citywide and include roadways, streams and shorelines, and public
areas such as parks.
KDB tracks litter rates in the community throughout the year to
help target areas most
in need of cleanup. Community members can participate in these
tracking efforts or
make recommendations for future cleanup sites by emailing
carly.weld@cityofdenton
or calling (940) 349-8737.
This year's Great American Cleanup was made possible through
community
contributions and sponsorships, including generous support from the
Denton Parks &
Recreation Department, the Solid Waste & Recycling Department,
Watershed
Protection, Keep America Beautiful, and Keep Texas Beautiful.
Additional
community support was provided by Pan Ector Industries, Raising
Cane's Chicken
Fingers, Beth Marie's Old-Fashioned Ice Cream, and Gnome Cones.
Staff contact:
Carly Weld, Parks and Recreation
P. Summer Job Hiring – Parks and Recreation regularly hires around
300 seasonal
summer jobs for Water Works Park, Civic Center Park, and summer
camps. There are
jobs for anyone 16 and older available. Some jobs, like lifeguards,
require
certifications; however, some require no previous experience and
will have on-the-job
training. These jobs are vital to summer programming running
smoothly for Denton.
7
Parks and Recreation
Q. DME Quarterly Newsletter – Denton Municipal Electric has created
the attached
quarterly newsletter for April – June. This edition highlights the
Logistics Team, the
Safety Program, provides updates on CIP Projects, and includes some
Fun Facts. Staff
contact: Tony Puente, DME
III. Responses to Council Member Requests for Information
A. Pavement on Western Portion of Windsor Drive – On March 10,
Mayor Pro Tem
Davis inquired about when the temporary asphalt at the westernmost
portion of
Windsor Drive would be resurfaced and have curb and gutter
installed. The
westernmost portion of Windsor Drive, where the current curb and
gutter ends (see
image of the location below), is Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) right-
of-way and will be reconstructed as part of the I-35 Widening
Project. City staff have
requested that TxDOT make temporary improvements to address the
condition of this
strip of roadway and will report back once TxDOT communicates their
plans to
address current conditions. Long-term, TxDOT has plans to build an
overpass at
Windsor as part of the I-35 Widening Project. Improvements made by
the Windsor 35
multifamily development will be temporary until the ultimate
overpass is developed.
Staff contact: Rebecca Diviney, Capital Projects/Engineering
B. Smart Meter Compatibility – On March 30, Council Member Ryan
requested
information about whether DME’s smart meters are compatible with
ZigBee. After
researching, it appears that ZigBee is “older” technology that is
no longer available
from that vendor. However, the company is focused on Internet of
Things (IoT) via
WiFi but DME’s meters also do not have this available. As staff
continues to look at
updating our Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI), which is now
over 10 years old,
staff will certainly look at this and any other home network/smart
home technologies
that we may be able to make available to our customers. Staff
contact: Tony Puente,
DME
C. Oak Hickory Historic District Alleyway Ownership – On April 4,
Mayor Hudspeth
forwarded a resident inquiry requesting information on the status
of repairs and 8
confirmation of ownership of an alleyway that connects the 900
block of Oak Street
to the 1000 block of Hickory Street (see map below). Staff has
records dating back to
November 2018 with the resident who submitted the most recent
request about
alleyway ownership (timeline is attached). After receiving the
initial request, Real
Estate and Public Works staff began researching property ownership
of the alleyway.
In April of 2019, staff had a formal survey conducted by Teague
Nall and Perkins. On
May 1, 2019, staff received survey results that confirmed the
alleyway is a private
drive and is part of the original Yancey Tract that developed
portions of the 900 block
of Oak Street. Staff hosted a series of community meetings from May
2019 through
August 2019 to discuss alleyway ownership and answer questions
about parking and
speeding enforcement in the Oak Hickory Historic District. If the
City were to obtain
ownership of the alleyway, property owners would need to convey the
right-of-way
and any necessary easements to the City and bring the drive up to
City standards. If
the drive is made public, it will operate as a City street and
access will not be limited
to property owners. Staff will also need to further investigate if
there are any unpaid
taxes on the alleyway, which would need to be paid prior to
accepting ownership of
the alleyway and making it a public drive. Staff contact: Rachel
Wood, Capital
Projects
D. Street Parking Strategy Internal Team – On April 5, Mayor
Hudspeth forwarded a
resident concern about student’s parking in front of their
residence which limits the
ability for trash and recycling collection, including a time that
someone moved their
carts to an area that was inaccessible for the collection trucks
resulting in a missed
collection. Staff understands these frustrations and assembled an
internal team to
identify potential solutions that might be able to be applied to
this situation and others
throughout the city that have similar concerns. Staff will bring
these ideas forward for
Council discussion during a work session at a future City Council
Meeting. Staff
contact: Sara Hensley, City Manager’s Office
E. Water Meter Box Key – During the work session item at the joint
Public Utility Board
and City Council meeting on April 5 regarding the storm report for
the
Water/Wastewater utility, there was a discussion about providing
access/key to the
water meter box. The water meter boxes are equipped with locking
lids to restrict 9
residents/customers from tampering with the meter register, meter,
or shut off valve
and the meter box can only be accessed by authorized City of Denton
personnel or
contractors. As such, it is not recommended that the City provide
keys or access to
residents/customers to the water meter boxes.
Typically, residential homes have two shut-off valves along the
service line between
the water main (located under the street) and the residential
structure. One valve is
located in the water meter box and the second valve is located
closer to the structure.
The primary function of the first valve (one located in the meter
box) is to provide
easy access to City staff for turning the water service on and off
and shutting off water
service while conducting maintenance or replacing the water meter.
The primary
function of the second valve (one closer to the structure) is to
provide easy access to
the resident for shutting off water to their home in case of
emergency or while
conducting repair/maintenance work. It should be noted that all
residential homes
within the City constructed in the last 20-25 years have the
two-valve system in place
and all new development in the City is required to install two
separate valves.
Additionally, the City has engaged the services of a consultant to
review the options
for implementing Advance Metering Infrastructure which may enable
us to remotely
control (turn on and turn off) the valves for individual homes. The
AMI study is
anticipated to be completed this fall and the
results/recommendations will be presented
to PUB and Council for direction and approval. Staff contact:
Pritam Deshmukh,
Water Utilities
F. Vision Zero Participation – On April 6, Mayor Pro Tem Davis
requested a status
update on the Vision Zero Program. Staff and representatives from
the Federal
Highway Administration presented Vision Zero to City Council in
December of 2019
and received direction to establish a Denton Vision Zero Program.
The City’s previous
Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator started preliminary work to
initiate a Vision Zero
Program. However, with his departure, the project has been placed
on a temporary
hold until the position described above can be filled. Staff
continues to participate in
the monthly Vision Zero Texas Cities meeting in which other cities
such as Austin,
San Antonio, Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston and Laredo share their
experiences and
efforts in the Vision Zero arena. When the Sr. Planner -Bicycle,
Pedestrian and ADA
Coordinator position is filled, the City will resume the
development and
implementation of a 3-Year Action Plan. Initial interviews for the
Sr. Planner will take
place on Friday, April 9. Interviews Staff contact: Becky Diviney,
Capital
Projects/Engineering
G. Concessions Contract – During the April 6 Work Session, Council
Member Davis and
Meltzer requested information on the inclusion of sustainable
packaging and healthy
food options for the outsourced concessions contract with Mega
Promotions. The City
adopted the contract with Mega Promotions in 2018, and the vendor
currently utilizes
several sustainable packaging options and provides fresh fruit as a
menu option for
patrons.
In 2019, the City's Sustainability Department worked with Parks and
Recreation to
include sustainable packaging for all in-house concessions. The
Sustainability
Department is currently working with the Procurement Department to
develop
sustainability provisions for all future contracts. Staff contacts:
Katherine Barnett,
Sustainability, Gary Packan, Parks and Recreation, and Christine
Taylor, Procurement
and Compliance 10
H. Update on Mayhill Phase 2 Project – On April 7 Council Member
Johnson forwarded
a resident inquiry to staff requesting an update on the Mayhill
Phase 2 Project. The
Mayhill Phase 2 Project (often referred to as the Mayhill DCTA
Project because of
the planned bridge that will span the A-Train line) will extend
Mayhill from Colorado
Boulevard to the existing 4-lane divided section of Mayhill north
of Quail Creek.
Project design is nearing completion, and staff is currently
finalizing a few scope items
needed to bring the design to 100% complete. Staff anticipates
completing design this
spring and is currently projecting to complete construction in
early calendar year 2023.
Staff will have a more precise project schedule once the design is
complete and the
construction contract has been advertised, which we anticipate will
occur in summer
2021. Staff contact: Tracy Beck, Capital Projects
I. 377 Southbound Traffic at I-35 E – On April 7, staff received an
inquiry from Council
Member Ryan regarding what could be done to address traffic
back-ups at the
southbound intersection of US 377 (Carroll Boulevard) and I-35 E
heading out of
downtown Denton. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
currently has
an active project on US 377 on the southside of I-35 E (from I-35 E
to FM 1830) that
is approaching closeout with only a few minor punch list items
remaining. After
construction work is fully closed out (which should be within the
next two weeks),
TxDOT will coordinate with City Traffic Operations to make
necessary signal
adjustments to address congestion at the southbound US 377
intersection. City Traffic
Operations is reviewing signal timing this week to determine if
there is anything that
can be done prior to construction closeout to alleviate congestion
as quickly as
possible. Traffic Engineering staff is currently assessing signage
and striping to
address confusion by clarifying traffic patterns including through
traffic and turning
movements. Staff will work with TxDOT to ensure signage and
striping is updated at
the conclusion of the US 377 project. Staff contact: Rachel Wood,
Capital Projects
J. Windsor Construction Near Woodrow Wilson Elementary – On April 8
staff received
a resident concern that was forwarded from Council Member Armintor
regarding both
lanes of Windsor Drive being closed during school pickup time near
Woodrow Wilson
Elementary. The City has had a single lane closure on Windsor from
Hanover to
Nottingham that has been in place for approximately three weeks.
The lane closure
was moved to the westbound lane of Windsor Drive from Branch
Crossing to
Nottingham on Thursday, April 8. The assigned City Project Manager
for Windsor
Drive has researched the potential of both lanes being closed with
the construction
contractor, Public Works Inspections, and Denton Independent School
District (DISD)
and cannot find the source of the dual lane closure that was
reported by the resident
earlier this week. Staff is coordinating with DISD and will not be
conducting
additional construction in the immediate vicinity of Woodrow Wilson
Elementary
until summer break unless an emergency situation arises.
The resident who contacted Council Member Armintor also inquired
about the total
project cost of construction on Windsor Drive. Windsor Drive is a
part of the City’s
2019 Street Reconstruction Project, which is currently scheduled to
be completed in
the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021. The total construction
expense to-date for the
Windsor Drive portion of the 2019 Street Reconstruction Project is
$4,598,270.15.
The total estimate at the time of construction completion for the
Windsor Drive portion
of the project is $7,450,151.50. Staff contact: Trevor Crain,
Capital Projects
11
K. West Hercules Reconstruction Updates – On April 8 Council Member
Baker contacted
City staff regarding resident concerns about the status of
construction on West
Hercules Lane. The West Hercules Reconstruction Project includes
the reconstruction
and widening of West Hercules from Stuart to Sherman including the
installation of
sidewalks, curb and gutter. The project is actively under
construction and is nearing
closeout with an estimated completion on or before the third
quarter of calendar year
2021. After receiving the notification from Council Member Baker,
the assigned City
Project Manager for the West Hercules Reconstruction Project
visited the site and
spoke with both Council Member Baker and the resident to discuss
the concerns.
Below is an overview of the concerns and the remediation plan for
each issue
discussed:
• Site cleanliness: One of the concerns discussed was the state of
the worksite
including construction debris, dust and a portable restroom being
left on the
premises. The worksite has been tidied up and the contractor will
address dust
at the site once their street sweeper, which malfunctioned on April
7, is repaired.
The portable restroom will be removed by April 9.
• Condition of fill material: Another concern expressed was the
quality of the fill
material used on lawns. Staff tested the fill material and
confirmed it contained
trace amounts of lime, which is not acceptable per City
specification. The
contractor will be removing four inches of the current fill
material and replacing
it with higher quality material the week of April 12.
• Driveway approach: Two residents were also concerned about the
angle of their
recently poured driveway approach. Staff has worked with the
contractor and
adjustments to the approaches should be made to improve the angle
of the
driveway within the next two weeks.
• Sprinkler head damage: The final concern discussed was damage to
sprinkler
heads. Staff has coordinated with the contractor and the damaged
sprinkler
heads will be replaced.
The Project Manager and Public Works Inspections staff will
continue to work with
the contractor for the duration of the West Hercules Project to
ensure the site remains
tidy and to mitigate impacts to residents. Staff contact: Dustin
Draper, Capital Projects
IV. Upcoming Community Events and Meetings
A. 2020 Street Reconstruction Bundle Virtual Community Meeting –
Thursday,
April 15, 2021 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Email
[email protected] for
link to meeting. Staff contact: Trevor Crain, Capital
Projects
B. All-Way Crossing Virtual Community Meeting – Thursday, April 22
at 11 a.m.
via Zoom. Email
[email protected] for link to
meeting. See
attached flyer for information. Staff contact: Robin Davis, Capital
Projects
C. All-Way Crossing Virtual Community Meeting – Thursday, April 22
at 6 p.m.
via Zoom. Email
[email protected] for link to
meeting. See
attached flyer for information. Staff contact: Robin Davis, Capital
Projects
B. TCEQ Concrete Plant Meeting Info
..................................................................
18
C. COD Opposition Letter
.....................................................................................
20
D. Denton Letter re Defunding
..............................................................................
22
E. SB 10 Letter
.....................................................................................................
24
F. Priority Bill Status Report
.................................................................................
26
G. Resident Update April/May
2021......................................................................
32
I. DME Quarterly Newsletter
...............................................................................
42
J. Oak Hickory Alleyway Timeline
......................................................................
72
K. All-walk Crosswalk Meeting
............................................................................
73
VI. Informal Staff Reports
A. 2021-020 Boards and Commissions Meeting Time Survey Results
................... 74
B. 2021-021 DEC Dashboard January 2021
.......................................................... 80
C. 2021-022 State Traffic Citation Programs and Warrant Clearance
.................... 82
VII. Council Information
B. Council Calendar
.............................................................................................
87
E. Street Construction Report
...............................................................................
99
13
14
15
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17
TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR AN AIR QUALITY
STANDARD PERMIT FOR A CONCRETE BATCH PLANT WITH ENHANCED
CONTROLS
PROPOSED AIR QUALITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 163864 APPLICATION. Platas
Concrete Inc, 411 E Jones St, Lewisville, TX 75057-2613 has applied
to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for an Air
Quality Standard Permit for a Concrete Batch Plant with Enhanced
Controls Registration Number 163864 to authorize the operation of a
concrete batch plant. The facility is proposed to be located at the
following location: from the Intersection of Farm- to-Market 428
and Wildcat Road go west on Farm-to-Market 428 for approximately
0.37 miles. The site entrance will be on the left. The facility
will be located in Aubrey, Denton County, Texas 76227. This link to
an electronic map of the site or facility's general location is
provided as a public courtesy and not part of the application or
notice. For exact location, refer to application.
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/hb610/index.html?lat=33.304628&lng=-
97.034787&zoom=13&type=r. This application was submitted to
the TCEQ on January 20, 2021. The primary function of this plant is
to manufacture concrete by mixing materials including (but not
limited to) sand, aggregate, cement and water. The executive
director has determined the application was technically complete on
February 4, 2021. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC HEARING. Public written
comments about this application may be submitted at any time during
the public comment period. The public comment period begins on the
first date notice is published and extends to the close of the
public hearing. Public comments may be submitted either in writing
to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of the
Chief Clerk, MC-105, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087, or
electronically at www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/. Please be
aware that any contact information you provide, including your
name, phone number, email address and physical address will become
part of the agency’s public record. A public hearing has been
scheduled, that will consist of two parts, an informal discussion
period and a formal comment period. During the informal discussion
period, the public is encouraged to ask questions of the applicant
and TCEQ staff concerning the application, but comments made during
the informal period will not be considered by the executive
director before reaching a decision on the permit, and no formal
response will be made to the informal comments. During the formal
comment period, members of the public may state their comments into
the official record. Written comments about this application may
also be submitted at any time during the hearing. The purpose of a
public hearing is to provide the opportunity to submit written
comments or an oral statement about the application. The public
hearing is not an evidentiary proceeding.
18
The Public Hearing is to be held: Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 6:00
pm
Members of the public who would like to ask questions or provide
comments during the meeting may access the meeting via webcast by
following this link:
https://www.gotomeeting.com/webinar/join-webinar and entering
Webinar ID 924-788-035. It is recommended that you join the webinar
and register for the public meeting at least 15 minutes before the
meeting begins. You will be given the option to use your computer
audio or to use your phone for participating in the webinar. Those
without internet access may call (512) 239-1201 at least one day
prior to the meeting for assistance in accessing the meeting and
participating telephonically. Members of the public who wish to
only listen to the meeting may call, toll free, (213) 929-4212 and
enter access code 745-015-898. Additional information will be
available on the agency calendar of events at the following link:
https://www.tceq.texas.gov/agency/decisions/hearings/calendar.html.
RESPONSE TO COMMENTS. A written response to all formal comments
will be prepared by the executive director after the comment period
closes. The response, along with the executive director’s decision
on the application, will be mailed to everyone who submitted public
comments and the response to comments will be posted in the permit
file for viewing. The executive director shall approve or deny the
application not later than 35 days after the date of the public
hearing, considering all comments received within the comment
period, and base this decision on whether the application meets the
requirements of the standard permit. CENTRAL/REGIONAL OFFICE. The
application will be available for viewing and copying at the TCEQ
Central Office and the TCEQ Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Office,
located at 2309 Gravel Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76118-6951, during
the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, beginning
the first day of publication of this notice. INFORMATION. If you
need more information about this permit application or the
permitting process, please call the Public Education Program toll
free at 1-800-687-4040. Si desea información en Español, puede
llamar al 1-800-687-4040. Further information may also be obtained
from Platas Concrete Inc, 411 East Jones Street, Lewisville, TX
75057-2613, or by calling Mrs. Lacretia White, Project Manager at
(972) 768-9093. Notice Issuance Date: February 11, 2021
OUR CORE VALUES
ADA/EOE/ADEA www.cityofdenton.com TDD (800) 735-2989
April 7, 2021
TCEQ
To Whom It May Concern:
The City of Denton appreciates the opportunity to share with the
TCEQ Commissioners our
concerns about the issuance of an air quality general permit for
the concrete batch plants with
enhanced controls proposed by Platas Concrete Inc.
This proposed site is located approximately 400 feet east to a
Greenbelt Corridor created and
supported by the City of Denton in conjunction with the City of
Dallas, Army Corps of
Engineers, and Texas Parks & Wildlife. At a cost of over 10
million dollars, the Greenbelt
represents a significant financial and time investment by the City
and its partners in preserving
and protecting this ecologically important and unique upland and
riparian habitat area.
The Greenbelt is one of our community’s most important locations
for environmental protection,
education and outdoor recreation. Besides an excellent wilderness/
recreation trail, the Greenbelt
provides long-term protection of the Elm Fork River and its
associated floodplain. This area
contains unique and rich habitats including a significant stand of
virgin forest, bottomland
hardwoods, bobcats, ducks, coyotes, and bald eagles. Since opening
in 1999, over 150,000
people annually have visited and enjoyed the scenic natural beauty
found along the Greenbelt.
One of the key reasons the Greenbelt was sited in this particular
location was to protect the water
quality of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River segment, which conveys
water for the cities of
Denton and Dallas from Lake Ray Roberts to Lake Lewisville, our
community’s sole water
supply. Platas Concrete proposed site is located within the
100-year floodplain. Given moderate
to heavy rains, the proposed site is almost completely inundated by
water, which drains directly
into the Elm Fork. The proposed facility, located in a floodplain
and so close to the Elm Fork,
poses a dangerous hazard to the riparian flora and fauna living in
the immediate stream segment.
This, in turn, can have an overall negative impact on water quality
throughout the watershed.
20
2
The City of Denton maintains our strong belief that we can balance
development and economic
growth with that of protecting our natural heritage. However, based
on the reasons mentioned
above, the City of Denton must strongly oppose the granting of a
TCEQ air quality standard
permit.
Sincerely,
21
Office of the Mayor 215 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76201 (940)
349-7717
OUR CORE VALUES Integrity Fiscal Responsibility Transparency
Outstanding Customer Service
ADA/EOE/ADEA www.cityofdenton.com TDD (800) 735-2989
April 6, 2021 The Honorable Morgan Meyer Chairman, Ways and Means
Committee Texas House of Representatives P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX
78768-2910 Dear Chairman Meyer: The purpose of this letter is to
inform you of the City of Denton’s opposition to several similar
law enforcement defunding bills being heard before your committee.
These bills appear to be based on several assumptions:
That only funding is directly correlated with effective public
safety; There is no scenario, now or in the future, where police
resource reduction and
preservation of public safety can coexist; and That a local
government cannot effectively provide for public safety
services.
The City of Denton has taken care to provide appropriate resources
for public safety, such as increasing the police budget and
staffing as part of the recent FY 2021-22 budget. However, the City
believes legislation that provides a penalty, whether by tax rate
limitations or other mechanism, for reducing the funding or
staffing of its police operations does so at the expense of other
critical services that contribute meaningfully to public safety.
The City also believes authority for how it funds, staffs, and
operates its police department is best left to those who know the
community’s needs the best – its residents and the Council they
elect to represent them. Under a number of these bills, even an
inconsequential reduction in our police budget to replace a costly
and ineffective program or a reduction in one staff member due to
an interlocal agreement with another law enforcement agency would
not only label our City as a “defunding local government”, but
punitively roll back revenues that fund other critical,
safety-related services such as building inspections, code
enforcement, animal services, street maintenance, and fire
protection. This punitive action would also extend to our electric
utility where rates would be frozen at the same rate in which we
were labeled a defunding city. As an enterprise operation, our
electric utility must raise revenues to cover the ever-increasing
costs of service. Restrictions on the ability to cover these costs
would result in additional public safety hazards that come with
unreliable or insufficient electric service. Several of these bills
create a process by which a state agency, such as the governor’s
criminal justice division, can decide of whether a city violates
the funding prohibition. We strongly support language that
establishes a process by which a city can participate in a formal
or
22
2
informal hearing in order to provide relevant information on the
city’s budget and budget adoption process. City officials know
their budgets and their police departments best, and it is
imperative that cities have a seat at the table in any process that
would potentially limit revenue for budgeting decisions made by the
city. Another procedural safeguard that might help is to give the
criminal justice division latitude to determine if a city’s budget
decision has a significant adverse impact on public safety within
the city. Including such a standard would give the governor’s
office necessary discretion to fairly perform its duty under the
bill while preserving local flexibly in preserving public safety
efficiently and effectively. Additionally, considerations for
disasters and economic downturns that necessitate resource
reductions would provide benefit in the event of unforeseen
calamity. The City would like to extend an invitation to work with
you to eliminate any unintended consequences these defunding bills
while still meeting the initial intent of incentivizing local law
enforcement agencies to be responsive to the communities they
serve. For these reasons, the City of Denton opposes law
enforcement defunding bills and other similarly drafted legislation
as they are currently written. Thank you for your leadership and
for taking into consideration the City of Denton’s input.
Sincerely, Gerard Hudspeth Mayor Cc: Honorable Members of the House
Ways and Means Committee Honorable Members of the Denton County
Delegation
23
Office of the Mayor 215 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76201 (940)
349-7717
OUR CORE VALUES Integrity Fiscal Responsibility Transparency
Outstanding Customer Service
ADA/EOE/ADEA www.cityofdenton.com TDD (800) 735-2989
April 6, 2021 The Honorable Paul Bettencourt Senate Committee on
Local Government Texas Senate P.O. Box 12068 Austin, Texas 78711
Dear Chairman Bettencourt, The purpose of this letter is to inform
you of the City of Denton’s opposition to Senate Bill 10 by Senator
Bettencourt. The bill significantly alters the relationship between
Texas cities and state government. Under this bill, cities would
lose the ability to hire individuals or firms to represent their
legislative interests, proactively communicate directly with
legislators and legislative staff, or advise the City on
legislation and the legislative process. Essentially, this bill
prohibits the hiring of persons required to register as lobbyists
and severely reduces a city’s ability to engage in the legislative
process. With the current volume of city-related bills being
considered, it takes an extraordinary amount of time for a
legislator to be informed and vote on all those bills. It is even
more difficult for mayors and city council members, who may not
have the legislative expertise or time to adequately research
proposed changes of state statutes, to evaluate the potential
impacts on municipal operations. Council and senior staff members
cannot quickly and frequently travel to Austin to directly advocate
for our constituents on the high volume of city-related bills.
Cities rely on the knowledge and expertise of legislative
consultants to not only help understand the impacts of bills, but
also to help inform legislators which bills have potential adverse
impacts on city operations and collaborate with the members to
productively resolve issues with proposed legislation. One further
concern is the extra expense cities would incur with this bill’s
passage. Cities would be forced to hire additional full-time staff
to spend the necessary time to provide full analyses of and
coordinate action on proposed legislation. Hiring an experienced
advocate who is physically present in Austin brings an added level
of efficiency to the process of dropping support and opposition
cards, providing testimony, and directly engaging with legislative
staff and members. Costs for travel, lodging, and full compensation
with benefits must be considered if cities can no longer contract
with legislative advocates. The money saved by contracting with
legislative advocates is far more beneficial to taxpayers. Another
issue is the frequency and regularity which private industry uses
lobbyists to influence legislation that affects cities. As an
elected official I know the importance of being fully informed on
the issues I am considering. Legislators work hard to represent the
interests of
24
2
constituents who live in their districts. To assist them in that
job, they need information from multiple sources and they need to
hear every side of the issue, including hearing from cities. When
an industry lobbyist assures a legislator a particular bill will
not adversely affect his or her constituents, the lawmaker needs a
team that can quickly gather the facts, research the law, and
respond from the cities perspective. Cities need advocates who can
provide this service and help ensure lawmakers clearly understand
the impacts of the bills they are considering. For these reasons,
the City of Denton opposes SB 10. Thank you for your leadership and
for taking into consideration the City of Denton’s position.
Sincerely, Gerard Hudspeth Mayor Cc: Honorable Members of the
Senate Local Government Committee Honorable Members of the Denton
County Delegation
25
- Action in the date range - Link to Related Information ( ) -
Priority
Critical/High Priority
HB 11
Paddie, Chris(R) Relating to the extreme weather emergency
preparedness of facilities for providing electric service.
Bill History: 04-08-21 S Referred to Senate Committee on Senate
Jurisprudence
HB 88
Thompson, Senfronia(D) Relating to interactions between law
enforcement and individuals detained or arrested on suspicion of
the commission of criminal offenses, witnesses to the commission of
those offenses, and other members of the public.
Companions: SB 161 West, Royce (Identical) 11-10-20 S Filed
Bill History: 03-25-21 H Committee action pending House Homeland
Security and Public Safety
HB 610
Swanson, Valoree(R) Relating to judicial review of certain local
laws applicable to state license holders.
Bill History: 03-24-21 H Committee action pending House Judiciary
and Civil Jurisprudence
HB 638
Krause, Matt(R) Relating to the authority of certain political
subdivisions to adopt a budget that reduces the amount allocated to
provide a fire protection, law enforcement, or emergency medical
service.
Bill History: 03-01-21 H Introduced and referred to committee on
House State Affairs
HB 652
Paul, Dennis(R) Relating to notice of an epizootic infectious
disease occurring in an animal shelter.
26
Bill History: 03-22-21 H Reported from committee as substituted
House Public Health
HB 749
Middleton, Mayes(R) Relating to the use by a political subdivision
of public funds for lobbying activities.
Companions: SB 234 Hall, Bob (Identical)
3- 3-21 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate State
Affairs
Bill History: 03-25-21 H Committee action pending House State
Affairs
HB 753
Bill History: 03-22-21 H Committee action pending House
Environmental Regulation
HB 768
Patterson, Jared(R) Relating to the requirement that certain
governmental bodies make audio and video recordings of open
meetings available on the Internet.
Bill History: 03-25-21 H Committee action pending House County
Affairs
HB 872
Bernal, Diego(D) Relating to the confidentiality of certain
government operated utility customer information.
Companions: SB 668
Menendez, Jose (Identical)
3-11-21 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Business
and Commerce
Bill History: 04-06-21 H Voted favorably from committee as
substituted House State Affairs
HB 1024
Geren, Charlie(R) Relating to the pickup and delivery of alcoholic
beverages for off-premises consumption.
Companions: SB 298 Hancock, Kelly (Identical)
3-16-21 S Committee action pending Senate Business and
Commerce
Bill History: 03-25-21 S Received in the Senate
HB 1391
Middleton, Mayes(R) Relating to the effect of an election at which
the voters fail to approve or vote to reduce the ad
27
valorem tax rate adopted by the governing body of a taxing
unit.
Bill History: 03-22-21 H Committee action pending House Ways and
Means
HB 1416
Capriglione, Giovanni(R) Relating to the definition of business day
for purposes of the public information law.
Companions: SB 925
Zaffirini, Judith (Identical)
3-11-21 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Business
and Commerce
Bill History: 04-08-21 H Committee action pending House State
Affairs
HB 1869
Burrows, Dustin(R) Relating to the definition of debt for the
purposes of calculating certain ad valorem tax rates of a taxing
unit.
Bill History: 03-22-21 H Committee action pending House Ways and
Means
HB 1885
Harris, Cody(R) Relating to restrictions on municipal regulation in
certain areas.
Companions: SB 1922
Lucio, Eddie (Identical)
3-31-21 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate State
Affairs
Bill History: 04-07-21 H Reported from committee as substituted
House Land and Resource Management
HB 1900
Goldman, Craig(R) Relating to municipalities and counties that
adopt budgets that defund law enforcement agencies.
Bill History: 04-06-21 H Voted favorably from committee as
substituted House State Affairs
HB 2319
Jetton, Jacey (F)(R) Relating to the use of public money to
compensate a person who lobbies the federal government.
Bill History: 03-15-21 H Introduced and referred to committee on
House State Affairs
HB 2362 Harris, Cody(R) Relating to municipalities and counties
that adopt
budgets that defund law enforcement agencies.
28
Bill History: 04-01-21 H Voted favorably from committee on House
State Affairs
HB 2438
Meyer, Morgan(R) Relating to municipalities and counties that adopt
budgets that defund law enforcement agencies.
Bill History: 04-06-21 H Committee action pending House Ways and
Means
HB 2548
Morrison, Geanie(R) Relating to the inspection of municipal
buildings during a declared disaster.
Companions: SB 877 Hancock, Kelly (Identical)
4- 7-21 S First placement on Senate Intent Calendar for
Bill History: 04-07-21 H Committee action pending House Urban
Affairs
HB 2590
Leach, Jeff(R) Relating to the time for the issuance of municipal
building permits.
Companions: SB 1947
Springer, Drew (F) (Identical)
3-31-21 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Local
Government
Bill History: 04-06-21 H Committee action pending House Land and
Resource Management
HB 2683
Canales, Terry(D) Relating to requirements for open meetings that
are broadcast over the Internet or held by telephone conference or
videoconference call.
Companions: SB 924
Zaffirini, Judith (Identical)
3-11-21 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Business
and Commerce
Bill History: 04-08-21 H Voted favorably from committee as
substituted House State Affairs
HB 3069
Holland, Justin(R) Relating to statutes of limitation and repose
for certain claims involving the construction or repair of an
improvement to real property or equipment attached to real
property.
Bill History: 03-31-21 H Committee action pending House Judiciary
and Civil Jurisprudence
29
Bill History: 03-25-21 H Committee action pending House State
Affairs
HB 3935
Slawson, Shelby (F)(R) Relating to the distribution of municipal
sales and use tax revenue to a municipality that reduces the
funding allocated to law enforcement agencies.
Bill History: 04-06-21 H Committee action pending House Ways and
Means
SB 10
Bettencourt, Paul(R) Relating to the use by a county or
municipality of public money for lobbying activities.
Bill History: 04-06-21 S Committee action pending Senate Local
Government
SB 23
Huffman, Joan(R) Relating to an election to approve a reduction or
reallocation of funding or resources for a municipal or county law
enforcement agency.
Bill History: 04-08-21 S First placement on Senate Intent Calendar
for
SB 46
Zaffirini, Judith(D) Relating to the municipal regulation of
housing for homeless individuals provided by a religious
organization.
Companions: HB 2405
Rodriguez, Eddie (Identical)
4- 8-21 H Voted favorably from committee on House Urban
Affairs
Bill History: 03-29-21 S Meeting set for 10:00 A.M., EXT AUDITORIUM
- Senate Local Government
SB 234
Hall, Bob(R) Relating to the use by a political subdivision of
public funds for lobbying activities.
Companions: HB 749 Middleton, Mayes (Identical)
3-25-21 H Committee action pending House State Affairs
Bill History: 03-03-21 S Introduced and referred to committee on
Senate State Affairs
SB 778
Hinojosa, Chuy(D) Relating to the review by local governmental
entities of certain sales and use tax audit reports and audit
working papers.
30
Companions: HB 4032
Herrero, Abel (Identical)
4-12-21 H Meeting set for 10:00 A.M. OR ADJ., JHR 140, House Ways
and Means
Bill History: 03-30-21 S Committee action pending Senate
Finance
SB 861
Paxton, Angela(R) Relating to remote meetings under the open
meetings law.
Companions: HB 3793
Shaheen, Matt (Identical)
3-22-21 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State
Affairs
Bill History: 04-07-21 S Voted favorably from committee as
substituted Senate Business and Commerce
SB 877
Hancock, Kelly(R) Relating to the inspection of municipal buildings
during a declared disaster.
Companions: HB 2548 Morrison, Geanie (Identical)
4- 7-21 H Committee action pending House Urban Affairs
Bill History: 04-07-21 S First placement on Senate Intent Calendar
for
SB 987
Buckingham, Dawn(R) Relating to prohibitions on camping in a public
place.
Companions: HB 1925
Capriglione, Giovanni (Identical)
4- 1-21 H Voted favorably from committee on House State
Affairs
Bill History: 04-12-21 S Meeting set for 12:30 P.M., EXT AUDITORIUM
- Senate Local Government
Total Bills: 32
31
2021 APRIL/MAY
• DCPH Vaccine Information
• Prevent Recycling Contamination
COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know ........ 3
City to Update Multi-Year Comprehensive Plan ....... 4
City Council Election Set for Saturday, May 1 ........... 5
5 Tips to Keep You Healthy & Safe This Spring ......... 5
Help Us Prevent Recycling Contamination ............... 6
Meet Anthony Cunningham .........................................
6
Signs of Spring in the Redbud Capital of Texas ........ 7
Fire Dept. Celebrates Opening of Stations 3 & 8...... 7
Featured Events
...............................................................
7
IN THIS ISSUE
2
To protect the health and safety of the Denton community; City
Council, board, and commission members; and City staff, all public
meetings have moved to a remote format until further notice. All
meetings will use the new Rules of Procedure that were adopted
during the March 31, 2020, Council meeting.
Scheduled public meetings are streamed online at
www.cityofdenton.com/dtv, made available on-demand, and can be
viewed live on the City’s DTV cable channel (Frontier FiOS on
channel 38, Charter Spectrum on channel 194, and Grande on channel
12). Due to the remote format of the meetings, no in-person
attendance at Denton City Hall will be permitted.
Certain meetings will accommodate and receive public input on
eligible agenda items. Members of the community are able to
participate using our virtual public comment options, including an
online Virtual White Card and by phone.
For additional information and a current list of upcoming public
meetings, visit www.cityofdenton.com/publicmeetings.
VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETINGS
Throughout the last year, Denton has proven to be one of the
strongest, most compassionate, and resilient communities in North
Texas. From the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in March of
2020, to February’s unexpected and unprecedented winter weather
emergency, the residents and businesses that make up our unique
city have stepped up to the challenge.
The week of Feb. 14 proved to be bitterly cold and challenging as
sub-zero temperatures rapidly covered the state. As you know,
communities across Texas, including Denton, were faced with power
and water outages, hazardous driving conditions, and empty store
shelves. It was an unprecedented event in a year of unprecedented
events. For all of us, it was a time of uncertainty and
anticipation. For some of us, it was a time of fear and great
concern.
What I hope to convey to you in this short message is that,
throughout the entire storm, this community—our community—stood
tall and never wavered. We took care of our loved ones, checked on
our neighbors, and provided for those in need.
City leaders and staff, in partnership with the State of Texas and
Denton County, worked alongside residents, nonprofit organizations,
and grass roots community groups to provide Denton residents with
access to critical information, warming stations/shelters, power
for essential medical devices, bottled water and showering
facilities, drivable roadways, and critical emergency services. We
all did more with less under trying and extraordinary
conditions.
Lessons will be learned from this storm. Not everything went the
way we would have liked, but we will rise above this challenge more
resilient and united than ever.
I am proud to be a part of this great community. Stay strong.
FROM THE MAYOR
Birdia Johnson, District 1 |
[email protected]
Connie Baker, District 2 |
[email protected]
Jesse Davis, District 3 |
[email protected]
John Ryan, District 4 |
[email protected]
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5 |
[email protected]
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6 |
[email protected]
Not sure who your Council Member is? Visit
www.cityofdenton.com/council, click on “Find Your Council
Member” in the menu bar, and enter your physical address.
Gerard Hudspeth, Mayor
City of Denton offices will be closed on Monday, May 31 in
observance of Memorial Day.
33
3
COVID-19 VACCINES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW As of March 23, 2021, the
Texas Department of State Health Services announced that all
individuals over the age of 16 are now eligible for the COVID-19
vaccine. To date, the Denton County Public Health (DCPH) vaccine
clinic has already administered more than 170,000 first and second
doses. To see how you can join the clinic waitlist, visit the DCPH
Vaccine Interest Portal at http://bit.ly/DCPHPortal. Demand and
availability will impact how long it will take for you to receive
your invitation for a vaccine appointment.
If you need help getting to the clinic, there are also
transportation resources available. Denton County Transportation
Authority (DCTA) and Span Inc. are working with Denton County to
help all residents have access to vaccinations. If you have a
vaccine appointment and need a ride, just call (940)
243-0077.
As our community continues to fight against COVID-19, the City of
Denton recommends that individuals and businesses use precautions
and best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) to slow the spread. We can help keep our
friends, neighbors, and families safe by washing our hands
frequently, wearing face coverings, and practicing social
distancing.
Register for the Vaccine Interest Portal:
http://bit.ly/DCPHPortal
See if You’re Eligible for the Vaccine:
DentonCounty.gov/vaccine
Vaccine Clinic Transportation Help: (940) 243-0077
IMPORTANT COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES
WE'RE HIRING SUMMER JOBSSUMMER JOBS
Denton Parks and Recreation | www.dentonparks.com
We have 300+ summer jobs to fill that are essential to summer
programs and facility operations. For job descriptions, conditions
of employment, and a schedule of training deadlines, visit
www.dentonjobs.com.
To register for American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor or
Waterpark Lifeguard training, visit www.dentonparks.com.
TRAINING REGISTRATION IS OPEN
300+ SUMMER JOBS AVAILABLE
We're currently accepting applications for the following summer
camp jobs:
We're also currently accepting applications for the following
aquatic summer jobs:
SUMMER CAMPS
WATER WORKS PARK Civic Center Pool, & Denton NAT (age
requirements will vary by position)
Must like making a positive impact onthe community and in the minds
of kids.
If you're ready for a rewarding summer job experience, apply online
at www.dentonjobs.com
Camp Supervisor Camp Counselor Camp Coordinator II
Concessions Manager Assistant Concessions Manager Concessions
Attendant Pool Cashier Birthday Party Host/Hostess Lifeguard Swim
Instructor I Swim Instructor II- WSIAPPLY ONLINEAPPLY ONLINE
www.dentonjobs.com
34
4
CITY TO UPDATE MULTI-YEAR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Denton is looking a
generation into the future! The City is in the process of updating
our Comprehensive Plan— a major guiding document that sets a vision
for what the community will be 20 years from today, and provides a
pathway toward that vision. The Plan helps us understand our unique
community characteristics and environment, and how they can impact
development, the provision of City services, protection of our
natural
assets, and other governmental activities. The Plan sets goals,
policies, and actions to manage growth, promote reinvestment, and
improve the quality of life for Denton residents. This process
occurs once every 5-7 years and is an important and essential
event.
To capture the spirit of this effort, this significant project was
given the name Denton Plan 2040: Growing with a Unified Purpose.
“Growing with a Unified Purpose” was selected because the city is
currently experiencing, and will continue to experience, tremendous
growth. We need a Comprehensive Plan that provides a framework that
adequately accounts for Denton’s continued long-term growth and
provides a forward-looking roadmap to joins the operations of the
City with the goals of the community under a unified purpose.
The update process officially kicked off in February with
stakeholder interviews and focus group meetings. In March, the City
held its first virtual community workshop where attendees were
provided the opportunity to share their own vision for Denton’s
future. A second community workshop is expected in May 2021, which
will focus on Downtown Denton, new growth areas, city
infrastructure and services, and economic development. Additional
public meetings will occur throughout the spring and summer.
Once complete, Denton Plan 2040 will reflect Denton as is and as it
will be, embody the community’s vision, and target major issues
that the City must address in both the near-term and long-term. The
Plan will also include a special topic study, which is to review
and update the Downtown Master Plan.
The anticipated completion of Denton Plan 2040 is October 2021. For
additional information about Denton Plan 2040, including future
updates and announcements about public input opportunities, visit
www.cityofdenton.com/denton2040.
Denton Plan 2040 will play an integral role in various City
services, programs, and initiatives, including:
• Master Plans • Master Planned Communities • Overlays and
Districts • Mobility and Plans for Future Roads • Connectivity •
Modes of Transportation (bicycle, trails, bus, and rail transit) •
Pedestrian Circulation (Downtown and University areas) • Zoning •
Placement of Parks and Open Space • Location of public safety
facilities • Economic development strategy • Employment (Workforce
Development) • Infrastructure plans, investments • Growth
(location, capacity, timeline) • Annexation
• Budget and Finance • Land Use (balance and distribution) •
Housing (diversity and affordability) • Community Health •
Environmental Protection • Air and Water Quality • Natural
Resources • Historic Preservation • Tourism and Entertainment •
Public Art • Urban Design • Neighborhood Protection • Redevelopment
and Infill • Solid Waste and Recycling • Emergency Services
35
CITY COUNCIL ELECTION SET FOR SATURDAY, MAY 1
Saturday, May 1 is Election Day for City Council candidates. Four
seats are up for election: Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4. Qualified
voters are only eligible to vote for candidates in the district in
which they reside.
WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES? (Listed in ballot order.)
District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Matt Irvine Connie
Baker Jesse Davis John Ryan Birdia Johnson Daniel Clanton Alison
Maguire Vicki Byrd Brian Beck WHAT DISTRICT AM I IN? To find your
voting district, visit www.cityofdenton.com/vote, click “Locate my
Voter District,” and enter your physical address and date of birth.
If you have any problems locating your information, contact the
Denton County Elections Administration at (940) 349-3200.
WHERE DO I VOTE EARLY FOR THE ELECTION? During early voting, you
can vote at any polling location in Denton County. You can find
early voting location information at www.votedenton.com.
WHERE DO I VOTE ON ELECTION DAY? Election Day polling locations are
assigned based on City Council district and County precinct. You
can find your voting precinct information and polling locations at
www.votedenton.com.
¿DONDE PUEDO ENCONTRAR INFORMACION DE ELECCION EN ESPAÑOL? Para
obtener información sobre la eleccion en español, visite a
www.votedenton.com y haga clic en “Español” en la pancarta que se
encuentra arriba de la página o llame a la Oficina de la Secretaria
de la Ciudad al (940) 349-8309.
As spring weather approaches, the City’s Community Improvement
Services Division has compiled a list of tips to help you maintain
health and safety in your neighborhood and remain in compliance
with City codes:
KEEP SIDEWALKS CLEAR: Local code requires that sidewalks remain
clear to allow people to walk freely without any obstructions. Take
care not to park vehicles over a sidewalk, and keep bushes trimmed
to avoid blocking a walkway.
TRIM GRASS & WEEDS: Grass and weeds taller than 12 inches in
height are considered unsanitary and a code violation. Keep your
yard trimmed below 12 inches to help keep the community safer and
cleaner!
REMOVE TRASH & DEBRIS: Keep property free from trash and debris
to prevent attracting mosquitoes, rodents, and disease-carrying
pests. Prioritize your property and health by getting rid of bulky
trash and items that may collect standing water. Residents can
request a bulk trash pickup by submitting a ‘Trash and Recycling’
request through the Engage Denton mobile app or calling Customer
Service at (940) 349-8700.
STORE TRASH CARTS PROPERLY: Trash carts must be stored on the side
or rear of the house or inside a garage or shed. Carts can be put
out after 6 p.m. the day before your trash day and must be placed
back on the side or rear of house by 8 a.m. the day after trash is
collected.
REGISTER FOR EMERGENCY WEATHER UPDATES: There is a higher risk of
severe storms in Texas during the spring months. CodeRED is an
emergency notification service that alerts residents of local
emergencies and weather events. Visit www.cityofdenton.com/codered
to register for CodeRED alerts and stay prepared for extreme
weather conditions.
FIVE TIPS TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY & SAFE THIS SPRING
1 2 3 4 5
5 36
HELP US PREVENT CONTAMINATION
Over the last several months, the City has seen an increase in
recycling contamination. What is recycling contamination, you
ask?
Contamination is defined as any material placed in a recycling cart
that can contaminate other recyclables. Contamination can affect
the processing of recyclables, the safety of staff, and the quality
of recycled material.
KEEP THESE CONTAMINANTS OUT OF YOUR RECYCLING CART:
Bagged Recyclables Please do not bag recyclables.
When it gets to our recycling facility, staff will not know if the
bag contains clean recyclables or trash. Keep your recycling loose
and dry in the cart and at our recycling drop-off locations.
Plastic Bags & Film Take single-use plastic shopping bags,
films, and wraps (like bread bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper
bags, etc.) to a drop-off box, which are often available at local
grocery stores. These items do not belong in your recycling cart.
Single-use plastics are flexible and can wrap around our machinery.
This halts production and causes our recycling facility staff to
have to climb into the machinery and pull out these tanglers.
Styrofoam Throw Styrofoam away in your trash cart. Styrofoam is not
recyclable through our program and decreases the quality of the
recyclables it may be bailed with.
Trash Please do not use your recycling cart as an additional trash
cart or donation bin.
Items such as food waste, yard waste, furniture, and
clothing/textiles are all things that do not belong in your
recycling cart. If you have additional trash you cannot fit in your
trash cart, contact Customer Service at (940) 349-8700 to schedule
additional trash bags as bulky items, or make arrangements for a
second trash cart. If you aren’t sure how to dispose of something,
check out our Waste Wizard app at www.dentonrecycles.com. This
online application can provide more information on what goes in
your trash cart, recycling cart, or requires special disposal. Our
staff is also available to answer any questions you may have—just
send an email to
[email protected].
MEET ANTHONY CUNNINGHAM
COMMUNITY RESOURCE OFFICER
Since joining the Denton Police Department (DPD) in 2003, Officer
Cunningham has dedicated his time to helping bridge the gap between
our agency and the community we serve. As part of this commitment
to community-oriented, relationship- based policing, he is
stationed at a remote office at MLK Jr. Recreation Center. He
believes as DPD does, that it is essential for officers to know and
understand the people, places, and cultures in the areas where they
work. Officer Cunningham’s roots run deep in Southeast Denton where
he was raised. He has 25 years of service as a certified police
officer and has obtained his Master Peace Officer license from the
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Outside of work, he can be
found coaching youth sports and mentoring students. “I am excited
for the opportunity to engage community members in dialogue that
connects core concerns with community action,” Cunningham said.
“This will help the department identify attainable and specific
areas for change that will unify and build community trust and
empowerment.” To get in touch with Officer Cunningham, call (940)
349-7978, email Anthony.Cunningham@ cityofdenton.com, or stop by
the MLK Jr. Recreation Center located at 1300 Wilson St.
37
7
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE Denton Public Library’s annual Summer
Reading Challenge will take place from May 27 to July 31.
Readers of all ages can sign up online at Denton.ReadSquared.com
beginning May 27. No library card is required and people of all
ages are encouraged to join the challenge.
HONEY RUN VIRTUAL 5K & 10K
Spring is here and so are the blooming redbud trees! The redbud is
so beloved in Denton that in 1994, Denton became the Redbud Capital
of Texas. Although small in stature, the redbud tree is easily
identifiable by its green heart-shaped leaves and vibrant, not red,
but pink flowers. Redbuds can grow up to 15 to 30 feet in height
and the crown can reach 10 to 20 feet, which makes it the perfect
understory tree species.
Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are attracted to the
bright magenta flowers, and many native species of bees rely on
this early bloomer for survival. Texas has three native varieties
of redbuds: eastern redbud, Texas redbud, and Mexican redbud. Our
Cross Timbers region is well suited for the Texas variety due to
its drought tolerance and drier, more alkaline soils.
While the typical in-person Redbud Festival may be canceled this
year, Keep Denton Beautiful (KDB) is still offering a few ways to
celebrate our most beloved tree. KDB, in partnership with Texas
Woman’s University (TWU), will be sharing a designated campus
Redbud Route along TWU’s Dr. Bettye Myers Butterfly Garden. Walk
the route and share your photos using the hashtag
#dentonredbuds.
While you’re out and about experiencing Denton’s fantastic parks,
help us create more future redbud routes across the city by mapping
your own findings using the iNaturalist app: www.inaturalist.org/
projects/denton-trees. These pink blossoms only last a short time
between mid-March and May—enjoy them before they’re gone!
SIGNS OF SPRING IN THE REDBUD CAPITAL OF TEXAS
The Denton Fire Department (DFD) recently celebrated the grand
opening of the newly rebuilt Fire Station 3 (1401 Underwood St.) on
Feb. 12. This four-bay, 16,000-square-foot station replaced the
existing two-bay station that was built in 1970. The new station,
which can house up to 12 firefighters, currently houses Engine 3
and Medic 3, a small Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting truck (ARFF 3),
and a second Battalion Chief who supervises the stations on the
west side of the city. Fire Station 3 is built for growth and will
eventually house a second truck company.
Additionally, on Friday, Feb. 26, DFD opened the brand new Fire
Station 8 (3131 Colorado Blvd.). This is the first new fire station
and engine company since Fire Station 7 opened for service in 2007.
This two-bay, 8,400-square- foot station serves southeast Denton
and houses Medic 8, the new Engine 8, and can house up to seven
firefighters.
To learn more about the Denton Fire Department, including the
location of all eight fire stations, visit
www.dentonfire.com.
DENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES OPENING OF REBUILT FIRE STATION 3
AND NEW FIRE STATION 8
Honey Run has gone virtual this year! Visit www.dentonparks.com to
register for this free, virtual race.
Participants will receive a free T-shirt, but quantities are
limited to first come, first served. Prizes will be raffled for
those who complete the race.
MOVIES IN THE PARK
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Quakertown Park for a
socially distanced outdoor family movie night! Movies will begin
around sunset.
April 23 - The Croods: A New Age (PG)
May 14 - Jumanji: The Next Level (PG-13)
For more spring and summer activities, visit
www.dentonparks.com.
38
CONNECT WITH US TO STAY UPDATED!
A publication of the City of Denton • 03/21 • ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD
(800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com
RESIDENT UPDATE CITY OF DENTON
RECYCLABLE IN THE
CITY OF DENTON
Sign Up for Email Notifications
www.cityofdenton.com/stayupdated
Want to know what’s going on at the City of Denton? We’ve got you
covered! Follow our official communication channels to stay updated
about what’s happening in your city.
Read City of Denton News & Stories
www.cityofdentonnews.com
Sign Up for CodeRED Emergency Alerts
www.cityofdenton.com/codered
/cityofdenton
/cityofdenton
39
Denton uses surface water from Lake Lewisville and Lake Ray Roberts
for its water supply. Drinking water, both tap and bottled, can
come from a variety of sources including rivers, lakes, streams,
reservoirs, and springs. As water travels over the land’s surface
or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals
and radioactive material and can be polluted by animal or human
activity.
Contaminants that might be expected in untreated water include:
microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria; inorganic
contaminants, such as salts and metals; pesticides and herbicides;
organic chemicals from industrial processes or petroleum use; and
radioactive materials.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected
to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The
presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water
poses a risk. More information about contaminants and potential
health effects can be obtained by calling the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or visiting
www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water.
Water, whether tap or bottled, is regulated for safety. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulates water provided by public
water systems while the Food and Drug Administration establishes
regulations for bottled water.
Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste,
color, or odor problems. These types of problems are not
necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on
taste, odor, or color of drinking water, please call Water
Production at (940) 349-7525.
It is more responsible, and cheaper and easier, to keep
contaminants out of our lakes than it is to remove them once they
get in. Excessive or improper use of pesticides/herbicides,
improper disposal of used oil and antifreeze, and littering are
just a few activities that can lead to pollution in our drinking
water supply. Learn more about protecting our water on the
following pages, and please do your part to stop pollution.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality completed an
assessment of your source water and results indicate that some of
our sources are susceptible to certain contaminants. The sampling
requirements for your water system are based on this susceptibility
and previous sample data. Any detections of these contaminants may
be found in this report. For more information about source water
assessments and protection efforts at our system, contact Abbigayle
Otteson, Water Regulation Compliance Coordinator, at (940)
349-7477.
There are a number of options available to learn more about Denton
Water Utilities or to participate in decision-making processes. For
questions about this report or the quality of our drinking water,
call Abbigayle Otteson, Water Regulation Compliance Coordinator,
at
(940) 349-7477. For participation opportunities, call Utilities
Administration at (940) 349-7154. For the Public Utilities Board
meeting times and locations, visit our website at
www.cityofdenton.com/publicmeetings.
EN ESPAÑOL: Este reporte incluye información importante sobre el ag