From the October 3rd, “Friday Staff Reports to City Council” Government

The Friday Staff Report to City Council provides weekly updates between staff and Council. The October 3, 2025, report highlights the city’s 31 Days of Halloween celebration, the Mayor’s Pet Spotlight featuring adoptable dog Macy, and maintenance-related temporary closures at local dog parks. Community Improvement Services achieved a high compliance rate through education, while Council inquiries addressed drainage issues in Old North Park, updates to federal trail funding procedures, new traffic controls and bike lanes in North Lakes, tree planting near utility lines, and safety standards for home backup power systems. Additionally, updates were provided on ongoing nominations for DCTA and Development Code Review Committee appointments, with a detailed listing of street closures and maintenance schedules across Denton.

General Information

Denton Halloween – Denton launched its 31 Days of Halloween celebration with The Maze ribbon cutting, Blocktober Party, and Pumpkin Drop at the Civic Center. As the official Halloween Capital of Texas, the event draws visitors nationwide and internationally, featuring nearly 300 events throughout October, from haunted attractions to themed food and drink experiences.

Mayor’s Pet Spotlight – Macy, a three-year-old spayed female Pit Bull mix, is featured as the week’s adoptable pet. She’s playful, medium-energy, leash-trained, and enjoys socializing with other dogs. Macy is described as affectionate and food-motivated, ideal for families or apartment living.

Temporary Dog Park Closures – Maintenance at Lake Forest’s Wiggly Field and North Lakes Park’s Fetch dog parks will occur in two phases for ryegrass overseeding. Half of each park will close October 6–19, reopening October 20, and the other half will close October 20–November 2, reopening November 3, pending weather. Portions for both large and small dogs remain open throughout.

Community Improvement Services FY24-25 – The department resolved 8,046 property maintenance code cases, an 11% increase from the prior year. Of these, 97% achieved voluntary compliance through education, reducing average case closure time by 24% to 11.2 days. Most cases were identified proactively, reflecting improved responsiveness and community engagement.

Council Member Requests

Old North Park & Stonehawk Drainage Issues – Following heavy rains in late September, staff inspected the Stonehawk site to address resident concerns about flooding. The developer is reviewing drainage improvements during construction and conducting surveys near residences to prevent future runoff impacts.

Federal Trail Fund Cancellation Order – New USDOT funding guidelines require compliance reviews emphasizing density analysis and effects on automobile traffic. All City of Denton trail projects remain compliant and are proceeding without interruption under current agreements.

North Lakes Stop Signs – Traffic data supported new stop signs and planned bike lanes in the North Lakes neighborhood. The improvements include curb-separated lanes funded through NCTCOG, addressing safety concerns after several recent crashes.

Trees Planted Beneath Utility Lines – Trees along US 380 near Home Zone were planted under an older development plan approved in 2022. Staff are now revising the Landscape Code and manual to prevent future conflicts between vegetation and overhead utilities.

Home Backup Power Systems – Denton Municipal Electric evaluated home backup systems, including generators and solar units. All such installations must meet electrical and fire codes to prevent back feed hazards. DME plans to update interconnection agreements to ensure inverter safety standards are met.

Upcoming Street Closures