The Friday Staff Report to City Council provides weekly updates between staff and Council. This week’s report highlights the City’s upcoming Alternative Work Week pilot program, major water treatment plant shutdowns supporting capacity upgrades, transportation project updates, record-breaking volunteer hours at Animal Services, the Mayor’s featured adoptable pet, and recent staff recognitions. It also outlines wildlife concerns related to the Cooper Creek No Mow Program, progress on the Downtown Quiet Zone, and construction updates on West Prairie Street. Two upcoming street closures are scheduled for mid-December and early January.
General Information
Alternative Work Week Pilot Program – Beginning January 2, 2026, City administrative offices will close to the public at noon on Fridays as part of a one-year pilot intended to improve service delivery and support employees. Public-facing hours will shift, but employees will maintain an 80-hour biweekly schedule, essential services will continue uninterrupted, and quality-of-life facility hours will remain the same. The program will be evaluated through spring 2027, with digital services available throughout.
Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant Project Update – Three full plant shutdowns began December 1 to support capacity increases of 5–10 MGD through regulatory re-rating. During the shutdowns, the Lewisville Lake plant will operate at full capacity, ensuring no customer impact. Shutdowns will run December 1–12, January 19–30, and February 9–20, with early completion possible.
Monthly Mobility Report – The monthly transportation report from Innovative Transportation Solutions provides updates on regional TxDOT projects and has been included for Council review.
Animal Services Surpasses 1,000 Volunteer Hours – Following a 2025 relaunch of the Volunteer Program featuring new training, onboarding, and scheduling systems, volunteer hours have steadily increased, reaching 1,078 hours in November—exceeding the prior record of 418 hours.
Mayor’s Pet Spotlight – Taco Tiger, once extremely fearful after being abandoned, has shown major behavioral improvement through patient staff care. He does well with other dogs and cats and needs an adopter willing to continue supportive training and respect his boundaries.
Animal Services Behaviorist Certification – Animal Services’ behaviorist earned the KPA Certified Training Partner credential, a respected professional certification demonstrating mastery of positive-reinforcement training methods, which will be integrated into shelter practices.
Falling for Our Team Awards – The City recognized outstanding employees across innovation, service, and teamwork. Awards went to Jason Hernandez (Gold Leaf – Innovation), Hayden Scarnato (Red Leaf – Exceptional Service), and Jason Schreiber (Orange Leaf – Teamwork), reflecting organizational dedication and collaboration.
Council Member Requests
Cooper Creek No Mow Pilot Program – In response to concerns about increased coyote and bobcat sightings, staff are coordinating with the USDA and referring residents to existing safety guidance. The No Mow pilot, launched in March 2024 to study ecological benefits, continues with drainage maintenance scheduled the week of December 8 and the next mowing cycle planned for January 2026. A full ecological assessment by UNT is expected in June 2026.
Downtown UPRR Quiet Zone Update – The project design was completed in October 2024 and approved by Union Pacific in September 2025. Staff are securing construction agreements for four crossings before seeking Council approval. The City anticipates bidding in late Q1 2026 and construction beginning in late Q2 2026, dependent on railroad coordination.
West Prairie Street Construction – Recent heavy rains required close monitoring of temporary drive access, and many sidewalks remain closed for pedestrian safety. Cement-lime stabilization was performed December 2 to prepare for asphalt installation planned for December 10, weather permitting.
Street Closure Report: Upcoming Closures
| Street/Intersection | From | To | Closure Start Date | Closure End Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audra Ln | Paisley St | At Intersection | 12/15/25 | 01/09/26 | Sidewalk / ADA repair |
| Weslayan Dr (2816) | Kirby Dr | Dunlavy Rd | 01/05/26 | 02/06/26 | Concrete panel repair |