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From the August 16th, “Friday Staff Reports to City Council” Government

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The Friday Staff Report to City Council provides weekly updates between staff and Council. Recent efforts to conserve water helped Denton avoid Stage 2 Drought Restrictions, while the Emily Fowler Central Library is set for a temporary closure for facility improvements. New signage supporting the Responsible Giving Initiative will be installed, and the City received an award for excellence in procurement practices. Additionally, various Council Member requests were addressed, including issues related to graffiti removal, property maintenance, flooding concerns, and inquiries about zoning and construction practices. The report also highlighted ongoing efforts to address community concerns and maintain city operations.

General Information

Drought Restrictions – The City of Denton narrowly avoided Stage 2 Drought Restrictions due to city-wide conservation efforts. These restrictions are triggered when water demand surpasses 90% of the water treatment facility’s capacity for three consecutive days. Although the threshold was exceeded on August 13 and 14, voluntary water usage reductions by residents and organizations prevented the need for Stage 2 restrictions. The City encourages continued conservation during high temperatures.

Emily Fowler Central Library Temporary Closure – The Emily Fowler Central Library will be closed from Monday, August 19, through Monday, August 26, for facility improvements. It will reopen on Tuesday, August 27, with regular hours. A 24/7 book drop will be available during the closure.

Responsible Giving Signage – New signage promoting the Responsible Giving Initiative will be installed at five city intersections starting Monday, August 19. Each sign includes a QR code linked to a donation page for the Denton County Homeless Coalition Barriers Fund. This initiative aims to reduce panhandling by encouraging donations to established organizations.

Procurement Award – The City of Denton’s Purchasing Division received the 29th Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award for 2024 from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. The award recognizes public and non-profit agencies that demonstrate excellence in procurement practices. Denton is one of only 72 cities in the U.S. and Canada to earn this award in 2024.

Solid Waste Association of North America Board Election – Brian Boerner, Director of Solid Waste, was re-elected as president of the Texas Lone Star Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (TxSWANA) for the term from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. This organization focuses on advancing solid waste management through education, research, and advocacy.

Council Member Requests

Railroad Graffiti near Fort Worth Drive – On August 6, Council Member Holland requested the removal of graffiti on the Fort Worth Drive trellis. Staff contacted Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to address the issue.

Monsignor King Building – On August 8, Council Member Byrd inquired about lawn and fence repairs at the old Monsignor King Outreach Center. Staff coordinated the necessary lawn care and secured the site with additional fencing.

Kingsway Development – On August 9, Council Member Beck relayed concerns from residents about flooding due to water line damage. Staff worked with the contractor to resolve the issue, issuing a stop work order over the weekend, which was later lifted after compliance. Future construction impacts will be communicated proactively.

Food Truck Trailer Parking – On August 12, Mayor Hudspeth shared a resident’s concern about a food truck trailer parked on the grass in a residential area. Staff inspected and informed the owner of the violation, leading to the removal of the trailer. Monitoring will continue.

Woodmere Community – On August 12, Council Member Holland received a resident’s inquiry about dead trees in the neighborhood. Staff determined the trees died due to grade changes and watering practices related to nearby development. Plans are in place to remove the dead trees and address any necessary mitigation.

Fair Chance Hiring Program – On August 13, Council Member Byrd requested an update on the Fair Chance Hiring Pilot Program. The Denton Chamber of Commerce will discuss the program at their August 22 meeting, with further details to follow.

Other VOD Stories

Pool Construction – On August 13, Council Member Beck forwarded a resident’s question about the materials used around pool constructions. Staff provided clarification based on the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, which is addressed during the permitting process.

Campaign Finance Ordinance – On August 13, Council Member McGee asked about the process for implementing a campaign finance ordinance similar to Austin’s. Staff noted that the request would require over two hours of work, and Council Member McGee will present a brief pitch at an upcoming meeting.

Water Treatment Plant Filter Replacements – On August 13, Council Member McGee relayed a resident’s concern about water treatment plant filter replacements. Staff reported that the filters failed prematurely, with the manufacturer assisting in repairs. The treatment capacity is reduced temporarily, but the water supply remains unaffected, with full operation expected by early September.

Zoning Inquiry – On August 13, Mayor Hudspeth requested information on the history and differences between properties zoned as R4 and MN. Staff provided a detailed chart explaining the history and recommended uses of each zoning category.

Upcoming Community Events

Now located at Events.

Upcoming Street Closures

Street/IntersectionFromToClosure Start DateClosure End DateDescriptionClosure Type
Brandywine StCopper Ridge StBriarwood St08/26/2409/20/24Curb and Asphalt RepairLane Closure
Ocean DrAtlantic DrNautical Lane08/26/2409/10/24Sanitary Sewer installFull Closure

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