From the Jan. 20th “Friday Staff Reports to City Council”

The Friday Staff Report to City Council is a weekly communication between staff and Council. Petition for recall Council Member, Jesse Davis received. Signage proposals for Quakertown Park to SEDNA. A freeway is being studied in Denton County to accommodate the population growth in the next 30 years. A town hall meeting to discuss the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan will be held on January 26th. Kids Rock, Teen Movie Night, My Little Valentine Family Dance, and other events plus upcoming road closures.

General Information

A petition was received to recall the Place 3 Council Member, Jesse Davis. The City Secretary has 7 days to verify that a petition meets all requirements before it can be certified. If the petition is certified, the City Secretary will notify the Council member whose removal is sought and present it to the City Council. If the Council member does not resign within 7 days after such notice, an election for recall will be ordered.

The Texas Legislature has convened for the first of its 140-day Session. A large number of draft bills have been filed with the Texas legislature pertaining to cities, with a focus on tax relief, development processes, and the electric market. The City of Denton met with representatives from the state legislature to discuss bills and priorities. Staff will continue to provide updates on the legislative session to Council via the Friday Report.

The City of Denton is growing rapidly and improvements will be needed to accommodate the population. Denton County is studying a potential freeway that would run from I-35 to the Dallas North Tollway. The study will identify potential routes for the freeway in preparation for the forecasted growth of the next 30 years. Residents will have many opportunities to provide input throughout the study process.

Staff has been working with a consultant to provide an update on the Roadway Impact Fees, which will be discussed at a City Council meeting. The City Council will consider approval of the 2022 Roadway Impact Fee Study at a public hearing on Mar. 7, 2023. If the 2022 Roadway Impact Fee Study is approved, the City Council will have to adopt a new ordinance setting collection rates.

The first town hall in the series of in-person town halls for the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 7:00 p.m.

On May 10, 2022, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) opened the Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) for grant applications. Denton Municipal Electric submitted a project application for one Level 2 Electric Vehicle charger and one Direct Current Fast Charger, but the project was not selected for funding.

The PUCT has unanimously approved a new market design for energy-only markets in Texas. This is in response to deficiencies during winter storm Uri. The Performance Credit Mechanism (PCM) plan will now be presented to the Texas Legislature for consent and approval before the PUCT issues an order to ERCOT to begin implementation. The proposal awards reliability payments to generation and demand side resources for being available during low reserve margin periods. The PCM is designed to incentivize new dispatchable generation, like the Denton Energy Center, to be constructed as a reliability backstop to the increasing reliance of the ERCOT market on intermittent renewable resources. DME’s renewable energy portfolio will not be eligible to receive performance credits due to the high probability that they would not be producing during the lowest reserve margin periods. DME and its lobbyist will be monitoring the legislative session to provide updates to City Council and the Public Utilities Board.

City staff placed physical mockups of the proposed historical signage for Quakertown Park at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center and the American Legion Hall Senior Center. Staff will present the signage to SEDNA at their meeting on Monday, Jan. 23 and anticipates allowing approximately one week for public input, after which the signage will be sent to print.

Over 600 people attended the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration to commemorate the life of Dr. King and reflect on the theme “Why We Can’t Wait.”

Council Member Requests

The City of Denton will explore the feasibility of bringing a seasonal ice-skating rink to the city during the holiday season.

Council Member McGee requested information on a potential ordinance that prevents development on Corbin Rd. due to flooding issues. On Apr. 6, 2010, the Council adopted an ordinance to indefinitely close Corbin Road from the west side of I-35 (I-35W) to the east side of I-35W. The ordinance makes development more challenging due to access.

A resident reached out to Council Member McGee concerned about the increased number of large trucks driving through town on University Drive from I-35W to Loop 288. University Drive is a TxDOT facility, and staff are working with the Police Department to enforce truck traffic violations.

The Mayor Pro Tern requested an update on the installation of a sidewalk that will connect to the new Our Daily Bread facility. A new sidewalk will be installed on the southside of the street from the existing sidewalk to Market Street. A construction project for a new sidewalk will begin in April 2023.

A resident reached out to a Council Member with concerns about crosswalks on McKinney St. not being ADA-compliant because of active roadway construction. Alternative routes were evaluated but not found feasible due to safety concerns. Signs will be placed accordingly to give advanced warning of any crosswalk closures ahead. The sidewalk is expected to reopen in mid-February, depending on the weather.

Council Member McGee asked if the members of the City of Denton Teen Council can make recommendations to the City Council, like appointed boards and commissions. The Teen Council was not established to make recommendations to the City Council, so doing so is outside its current charge.

Council Member Davis has requested an update on the construction fence near North Lakes Park. Fencing is being installed to contain sediment runoff while vegetation regrowth takes place in construction disturbance areas; the fencing will be removed in February.

Upcoming Community Events and Meetings

Kids Rock: The Return – Kids Rock is a program that allows kids to have fun while parents get the night off. The program runs 7 – 11 p.m. and includes games, activities, mini-sports tournaments, inflatable fun, ping-pong, and video games on a large screen. The cost is $25 per child, with a $5 late fee if registering the day of after 5 p.m., with upcoming program dates of Jan. 13, Feb. 17, March 2, and Apr. 21.

January Adapted Rec Dance – On Friday, Jan. 20, there will be a Monthly Adapted Rec Dance with the theme of New Year, New Groove. The dance is at North Lakes Recreation Center from 7 to 9 p.m. The cost is $5, or free with a rec pass. For registration and event information, visit the Parks and Recreation Catalog and select “adapted rec dances”.

Teen Movie Night – On Friday, Jan. 20, at 7 pm Denia Recreation Center will host Teen Movie Night where teens can watch Grease and purchase concessions. Proceeds from purchases will go towards the Youth Advisory Council Summit and other Teen Council events.

My Little Valentine Family Dance – The My Little Valentine Family Dance will be on Feb. 10 from 6-8 PM at the Denton Civic Center. The dance will include a live DJ, a photo op station, light refreshments, themed crafts, and a complimentary candy bar.

Adapted Rec Sweetheart Ball – The Sweetheart Ball is a dance event for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. This year, the Sweetheart Ball Dance will take place on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Civic Center. An optional catered dinner will begin before the dance at 5 p.m. at the same location. Tickets for the dinner and dance are $25, and tickets for the dance only are $15. Advanced ticket purchase is required. For more information and a link to register, visit the Parks & Recreation Catalog and keyword search “sweetheart ball”.

Upcoming Street Closures