From the October 6th, “Friday Staff Reports to City Council”

The Friday Staff Report to City Council provides weekly updates between staff and Council. A draft schedule for the 2024 Council Meetings is under review, expected to be finalized by mid-October. The Riviera Mobile Home Park is undergoing a water crisis, with temporary solutions in place. Interfaith Ministries has updated its procedure for assisting families at risk of losing utility service. The Ready for Work Program aids people experiencing homelessness, and the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center will close for maintenance. Community Improvement Services is considering adopting the 2021 International Property Maintenance Codes. The Denton Municipal Archives has added new collections. Council Member McGee inquired about energy subsidies from Denton Municipal Electric and the discontinuation of free notary services at Denton Public Libraries. Various community events are scheduled, including Teen Dungeons & Dragons, Family Night Story Time, a Valorant Esports Tournament, and Halloween events, among others, offering diverse recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.

General Information

Draft 2024 Council Meeting Schedule

A draft schedule for the 2024 Council Meetings is currently under review and is expected to be finalized by mid-October. For queries or more information, the City Manager’s Office is available for contact.

Riviera Mobile Home Park Water Crisis

The Riviera Mobile Home Park experienced a water outage due to well failure. An emergency interconnect, authorized by the TCEQ, has been activated to restore water from the City of Denton for three months. The park remains under a boil water notice until a permanent solution is established.

Interfaith Ministries Procedural Changes

Interfaith Ministries, partnered with Customer Service, has changed its procedure for assisting families at risk of losing utility service due to increased applicant numbers. Clients must now ensure their application and documentation are complete and initiate contact with Interfaith for assistance to expedite the process.

Ready for Work Program

The program, a partnership between the City of Denton and Our Daily Bread since June 12, 2023, aims to aid people experiencing homelessness by providing work and skill-building opportunities at the Denton Landfill. One participant has already transitioned to full-time employment.

Animal Shelter Closure Days

The Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center will be closed from October 18 to 20 for annual maintenance and staff development. Emergency response will still be available via the non-emergency police number.

Updates to City of Denton Code of Ordinances

Community Improvement Services is reviewing updates to Chapter 17 of the Municipal Code to potentially adopt the 2021 versions of the International Property Maintenance Codes. Public hearings for feedback are scheduled for October 17 and 18.

Denton Municipal Archives

New collections, including digitized records from the Planning Division and the Denton Scrapbook and Ledger Collection, have been added. Ongoing projects include the preservation of local significant websites and an online exhibit detailing the history of Denton’s parks.

Council Member Requests

Energy Subsidy Inquiry

Council Member McGee raised a question regarding energy subsidies provided by Denton Municipal Electric (DME), echoing an earlier query by Mayor Pro Tem Beck. Previously, home electrical storage batteries were incentivized only as part of a larger photovoltaic (PV) installation. With PV rebate funds now redirected to the GreenSense Program, these batteries are no longer covered. DME may revisit battery storage rebates after conducting a value of solar study.

Library Notary Services

Council Member McGee inquired about the availability of free notary services at Denton Public Libraries. The service was discontinued in 2012 due to the increased staff time required and requests for testimony about notarized documents. When inquiries are made, the library staff provides a list of local notary service providers to assist residents.

Upcoming Community Events

Teen Dungeons & Dragons at North Branch Library – New to D&D? This is a great opportunity to try it out in a fun, casual setting. No experience required and ages 11-17 are welcome to attend. The event will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 4 to 5 p.m. at North Branch Library (3020 N. Locust St.). Registration is not required.

Family Night Story Time – Bring the family out to Story Time to enjoy songs, books, and rhymes with your little ones. This event is designed for children ages 1-5 with caregivers, but children of all ages are welcome! It will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at Emily Fowler Central Library (502 Oakland St.). Registration is not required.

Homework Help – Texas Academy of Math and Science (TAMS) students from the University of North Texas (UNT) will be available at the North Branch Library to help children in fifth to tenth grade, ages 10-16, with their homework on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 18, and 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at North Branch Library (3020 N. Locust St.). Registration is not required.

Pokémon Trivia – Updated Edition – Are you the biggest Pokémaniac? Prove it at South Branch Library (3228 Teasley Ln.) on Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to celebrate all things pocket monsters! Prizes will be awarded to the top three participants. Registration is not required.

Bilingual Story Time/ Hora de Cuentos Bilingües – Join UNT-Dallas professor Victor Lozada for interactive classes that use stories, songs, and puppets in Spanish and English to prepare children to learn to read! The class will be held on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the North Branch Library (3020 N. Locust St.). Registration is not required.

Thursday Afternoon: Sherlock Holmes – Has your child ever wanted to be a detective? Now is their chance! Children ages 6-10 can join the adventure and learn how to be great at solving crimes on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the South Branch Library (3228 Teasley Ln.). Registration is not required.

Teen Chess Clubs – Whether you are a beginner or an expert, chess club is the place for you! Improve your skills while meeting new friends on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. at North Branch Library (3020 N. Locust St.) and Monday, Oct. 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at South Branch Library (3228 Teasley Ln.). Registration is not required.

Food N Fun Friday – Join at the North Lakes Driving Range (2009 W. Windsor Dr.) on Friday, Oct. 13 from 5 to 9 p.m. for $20 unlimited golf balls, a free-to-join closest to the pin challenge, and food for sale from food trucks including King & Queen New Orleans Sneauxballs. No registration is required.

Adult Tennis Social – Come alone or bring a friend on Friday, Oct. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Denton Tennis and Pickleball center (1117 Riney Rd.). The event is free to attend, but registration is preferred and available at this link.

Homeschool Hike at Clear Creek – Offers children the opportunity to enjoy local trails with learning curriculums. Two hikes will take place at Clear Creak Natural Heritage Center (3310 Collins Rd.) on Friday, Oct. 13, and Friday, Oct. 20. Children ages 5-11 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Children 12 and up can hike alone with a parent waiver on file. The cost is $5 per hiker, and registration is available at this link.

Friends of the Denton Public Libraries Book Sale – The Big Book Sale will be on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the North Branch Library (3020 N. Locust St.). Admission is free for members or $1 for non-members. Only cash or local checks will be accepted. The sale hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is not required.

Valorant Esports Tournament – Register for the tournament at the Denia esports gaming lounge (1001 Parvin St.) on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. The cost is $20 per player and registration is available at this link.

Books on Tap – Denton Public Library’s DPL2Go Outreach Service is bringing book discussions to local bars and breweries. Join at Miss Angeline’s (125 E. Oak St.) on Monday, Oct. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ages 21+. Registration is not required.

Backyard Bands, Ages 50+ – The Denton Senior Center will host a mini-concert series this October featuring classic cover bands. The event will take place every Monday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the amphitheater (509 N. Bell Ave.). The event is free to attend. Additional information is available at this link.

Golf Scramble – Parks and Recreation will host its Monthly Golf Scramble at Wildhorse Golf Club in Robson Ranch (9400 Ed Robson Blvd.) on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. There is a $30 fee for a team and an additional $14 per person green fee paid to Wildhorse Golf Club. Registration is available online.

Dementia-Friendly Nature Walk – Join Dementia-Friendly Denton County for a tour of the Civic Center Garden (321 E. McKinney St.) on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 10 to 11 a.m. The walks are free to attend, and registration is available at this link.

Lunch Break Genealogy – Bring your lunch, watch a genealogy webinar, then discuss the topic with fellow genies on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Emily Fowler Central Library (502 Oakland St.). Registration is not required.

Teen Halloween Costume Bash – Come join in the fun with a Halloween themed costume party at South Branch Library (3228 Teasley Ln.) on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Registration is not required.

Adapted Rec Social Connections – Join for a “Picnic in the Park” on Friday, Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at South Lakes Park (556 Hobson Ln.). The event is designed for individuals over 16 with disabilities. Registration is available at this link.

Newcomer Pickleball Social – Learn more about pickleball on Friday, Oct. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Denton Tennis and Pickleball Center (1117 Riney Rd.). Registration is available at this link.

MLK Haunted House – Experience the horror on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21, from 6 to 10 p.m. at MLK Jr. Rec Center (1300 Wilson St.). There is a $5 per person charge with a $3 charge for re-entry. Registration is available at this link.

Halloween Harvest – Denia Recreation Center (1001 Parvin St.) will host this family-friendly event on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event is free to attend and registration is available at this link.

Community Tree Giveaway – The giveaway is on Saturday, Oct. 21 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Denton Landfill (1100 S. Mayhill Rd.). A waitlist registration and additional information is available at this link.

Animal Services Howl-O-Ween Trunk or Treat – Join the event at the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center (3717 N. Elm) on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. Trunk registration is available at this link.

Hallo-wing Trunk or Treat – The Denton Enterprise Airport (5000 Airport Rd.) hosts this event on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Different aircraft will be on display and families can trick or treat from one to the next, learning about aviation.

Clear Creek Halloween Night Hike – Join for a night hike at Clear Creak Natural Heritage Center (3310 Collins Rd.) on Friday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 7:00 p.m. The cost is $5 per person, open to ages 5 and up. Registration is available at this link.

Tennis with Friends – This event on Oct. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Denton Tennis & Pickleball Center (1117 Riney Rd.) is for children, ages 8 to 13. The cost is $10 per person for residents and $15 for non-residents. Registration and additional information is available at this link.

S’mores and Stories – Join for stories around the campfire at Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center (3310 Collins Rd.) on Friday, Oct. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. Each s’mores kit costs $3. Registration is available at this link.

Upcoming Street Closures