From the Jan. 6th “Friday Staff Reports to City Council”

The Friday Staff Report to City Council is a weekly communication between staff and Council. The city of Denton VOTE website has been newly updated, plus Engage Denton plans on tackling some issues. The Animal Shelter took things up a notch by installing frosted glass in their kennels. Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy continues with various events, Kids Rock program returns for another round of fun activities, & roads will be closing soon.

General Information

The City’s VOTE page has been updated with information on the upcoming 2023 election.

There have been recent technical issues with the Rock Solid platform that hosts Engage Denton. The city staff is working with Rock Solid to resolve an issue that is causing residents to receive multiple notifications.

The City of Denton has been funding temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness in local hotels since 2020 due to COVID-19 health and safety reasons. The ARP award will be used to extend a program to help those affected by COVID-19. The City of Denton has partnered with Our Daily Bread to operate the program, which will be funded in part by a grant that extends the program’s operations through 2024. Our Daily Bread will continue to be the lead agency for operations, including referrals to the program for individuals and families. Giving Grace will assist with providing case management for families.

The Community Development Grant Program application is open from January 3rd to January 30th. Nonprofit agencies and organizations in Denton, Texas are encouraged to apply for funding to improve the quality of life for low to moderate-income residents. The Community Services Advisory Committee will evaluate applications in February and March.

The Community Development Division is updating the City of Denton’s Consolidated Plan.

Selina Russell has been awarded the Digital Forensics Scholarship for Women in Law Enforcement. Selina is a Crime Scene Investigator who has recently transferred to the first and only Digital Forensic Analyst position at the City of Denton Police Department.

On September 29th, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Department began working on an Aquatic Master Plan with the help of consultants Kimley Hom and the Counsilman-Hunsaker Group. PARD will present findings to the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board on Monday, Jan 9. A final virtual public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 12.

The City’s Capital Budget includes money to fund numerous capital maintenance projects across Water Works Park, Civic Center Pool, and the Natatorium.

Denton Parks and Recreation is offering a free week trial to try out gym and group exercise offerings.

The Animal Shelter has installed frosted glass in the kennels, which has resulted in a decrease in barking from dogs. This gives the animals a break from the action, allowing them to relax.

Council Member Requests

The Northwest Water Transmission Main Project is a $15.6 million project that will be funded by $2.7 million in impact fees.

Council Member Byrd inquired about the Mingo Road and Ruddell Street upgrades in relation to the closing of Bell A venue to vehicular traffic. The Mingo Road/Ruddell Street/Quiet Zones Improvement Project is in the planning phase. The Bell A venue Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor Improvements will not be associated with the Mingo Road/Ruddell Street/Quiet Zones Improvement Project.

A resident reached out to a city council member with concerns regarding the removal of trees and speeding on Teasley Lane. The City of Denton removed some trees to make way for a water line relocation. Teasley Lane was reconstructed and widened by the Texas Department of Transportation in 2022, but it wasn’t included in a citywide speed study because it was under construction at the time. TxDOT will complete a speed study to determine the appropriate speed for Teasley Lane.

The Mayor reached out to staff regarding the removal of privet at Bowling Green Park. The goal of targeted removal of privet is to restore the characteristics and functions of the open space and habitat.

Mayor Hudspeth asked about the orientation of a proposed elementary school on Riney Road. The current plan to orient the building to Riney Road is in accordance with Site Design standards.

Upcoming Community Events and Meetings

KDB Community Appearance Index – Join Keep Denton Beautiful on Jan. 13 to help identify littered areas in our community. Volunteers are asked to help identify and remediate problem areas by riding in a city vehicle and visually rating the amount of litter on roadways.

Adapted Rec Social Connections – Denton Parks and Recreation is hosting its monthly Adaptive Recreation social event this Jan. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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.

Sustainable Saturday – Clear Creek Nature Heritage Center offers events every second Saturday of the month that focus on nature, conservation, and our local environment. There is an event on Jan. 14 that focuses on incorporating conservation and sustainable practices into daily life.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration Program – The Parks and Recreation Department will host a program to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. on January 16th. There will be a program at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center that features presentations from the DAVID Ministerial Alliance and the Catherine C. Bell Award, entertainment, and more.

Upcoming Street Closures