The Friday Staff Report to City Council provides weekly updates between staff and Council. In the 2024 General Election, Brandon Gill won Denton’s 26th Congressional District seat, and various local incumbents retained their positions, while Denton staff are collaborating with the Behavioral Insights Team to assess Denton Halloween’s impact on tourism and the economy using data-driven analysis. Denton was also recognized with eight awards for video programming excellence, surpassing larger Texas cities. Council member inquiries included an update request on a social media policy for government devices and follow-up on resident concerns regarding Robinwood Lane construction.
General Information
2024 General Election Results – In the November 5, 2024, General Election, Brandon Gill was elected to represent Denton’s 26th Congressional District, taking over from retiring Congressman Michael Burgess after 22 years. Congressman Ronny Jackson returned to Congress unopposed. In state races, Brent Hagenbuch won Texas Senate District 30, representing parts of Denton County, and Andy Hopper was elected in Texas House District 64, covering parts of Denton and Wise County. Incumbents Jared Patterson and Richard Hayes retained their seats in the Texas House.
Denton Halloween Evaluation – Denton city staff, in collaboration with the Behavioral Insights Team (BIT) and Bloomberg Philanthropies, are assessing the economic and cultural impact of Denton Halloween, aiming to boost tourism and the local economy. The evaluation employs What Works Cities foundational practices, utilizing systematic criteria for data collection and analysis. The team is finalizing an evaluation plan, outlining quantitative and qualitative methods to measure the event’s success and drive future improvements.
Denton Wins State Awards – On November 7, the City of Denton and Denton Television (DTV) received eight awards for video programming excellence at the Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (TATOA) Annual Programming Ceremony. Competing against major Texas cities, Denton secured four 1st place awards for instructional videos, program promotions, animal services, and military-themed content. Additionally, they won four 2nd place awards in public education, fire department coverage, energy conservation, and storytelling. All videos were broadcast on DTV, shared on social media, and can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.
Council Member Requests
Applications Policy – On November 2, Council Member Byrd asked for an update on the policy to restrict certain social media applications on government devices. The policy is scheduled for Council consideration on November 19.
Robinwood Lane – On November 6, Council Member Beck relayed a resident’s question about upcoming construction on Robinwood Lane. The City is coordinating with the contractor to address the resident’s concerns and will provide a follow-up.
Upcoming Community Events
Now located at Events.
Upcoming Street Closures
| Street/Intersection | From | To | Closure Start Date | Closure End Date | Description | Closure Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deerwood Pkwy | Kings Row | Grant | 11/23/24 | 11/27/24 | Asphalt Restoration | Lane Closure |
| Ocean Dr | Atlantic Dr | Nautical Ln | 11/18/24 | 11/30/24 | Sanitary Sewer install | Full Closure |