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The Friday Staff Report to City Council is a weekly communication between staff and Council. Denton top city for LGBTQ+ rights. Denton ranked 19th fastest growing city. Denton Municipal Court will host an event at UNT for students to resolve pending citations. Upcoming events, Movie in the Park: Elf, Breakfast with the Grinch, and upcoming road closures.
General Information
City of Denton sent letters to congressional delegation regarding two issues. The first letter requests the committee not attach a bill to the defense spending bill that would require the city to purchase expensive financial reporting software. The second letter is requesting more federal funding to increase the supply of electrical transformers.
The City of Denton is among the top cities in the state for LGBTQ+ rights, with a score of 94 on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2022 Municipal Equality Index.
Denton was ranked 19th in the Smart Asset study of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
The North Texas Commission will host a virtual briefing for newly elected local officials on Jan. 20, 2023 stressing the importance of regionalism and how communities are interconnected.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Denton Municipal Court will host an event at the University Union at the University of North Texas that will allow students to resolve any pending citations and discuss options for keeping a citation off their record. A Q&A presentation on the Court on Campus event will be led by Judge Atkinson from 2 to 3 p.m.
The City of Denton is accepting comments on a draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. The plan details how the City intends to distribute the $1,763,622 in HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The plan proposes to allocate funds to eligible entities through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) application process to provide Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) and Supportive Services. A public hearing will be held on Dec. 13, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. during a City Council meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Denton Municipal Electric was recognized as a Smart Energy Provider by the American Public Power Association.
Council Member Requests
Staff in Drainage and Engineering partnered to design a solution to mitigate the slick conditions along the curb line and across Blackberry Way by diverting water away from the roadway and into the underground drainage system.
Council Member Byrd inquired about cones placed throughout Teasley Lane and Dallas Drive; staff investigated and confirmed the traffic control devices were for recent Atmos emergency repair.
Council Member McGee inquired about a project designed to improve visibility at the intersection of Oakland Street and Congress Street. The project will improve bicycle/pedestrian access, traffic calming effects, and crosswalks on Parkway Street and Oakland Street. The project is anticipated to start construction in mid-Jan. 2023.
Council Member McGee requested an update on the acquisition of Elm and Locust. Capital Projects/Engineering staff is currently working with Denton County and the Texas Department of Transportation to finalize an agreement for the two properties.
Upcoming Community Events and Meetings
Movie in the Park: Elf – On Friday, December 9th, Parks and Recreation will host a screening of Elf in Quakertown Park.
Breakfast with the Grinch – The Breakfast with the Grinch event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10am to noon at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center and includes a photograph with the infamous holiday grouch and breakfast.
Wreaths Across America – Denton Parks and Recreation will host a National Wreaths Across America Day event on December 17th at Oakwood Cemetery. The wreath-laying ceremony will include an address by Rev. Reginal Logan, and the delivery and placement of the wreaths.
Cookies and Cocoa Drive-Thru – Join Parks and Recreation for a drive-thru holiday treat on Saturday, Dec. 17 at Denia Recreation Center (1001 Parvin Street). Staff will provide delicious hot cocoa and cookies to participants from 4 to 8 p.m.
Upcoming Street Closures
| Street/ Intersection | From | To | Closure Start Date | ClosureEnd | Description |
| Carroll Dr | Oak St | Mckinney St | 12/09/22 | 02/10/23 | Wastewater Collections will be installing a new sewer main line. |
| Clover Ln | Robinwood Ln | Glenwood Ln | 12/09/22 | 04/05/23 | Water Distribution will be installing a new water main line and services. |
| Long Rd | Stuart Rd | Sherman Dr | 12/05/22 | 12/07/22 | Installing sanitary sewer improvements |
| Mistywood Ln | Robinwood Ln | Sherwood Ln | 12/09/22 | 04/05/23 | Water Distribution will be installing a new main line and services. |
| North Texas Blvd | NB I35E Service Rd | Highland Park | 12/05/22 | 12/16/22 | Contractor will be performing asphalt demo of the existing roadway, earthwork and sub-grade work for base course of new widened roadway. |
| Robinwood Ln | Kayewood Dr | Emerson Ln | 12/09/22 | 04/05/23 | Water Distribution will be installing a new water main line and services. |
| Woodrow Ln | Morse St | McKinney St E | 12/08/22 | 01/20/23 | Water tie in, Right turn lane and approach construction. |
| Wye St | Cross Timbers | Mill St | 12/05/22 | 02/24/23 | Water/wastewater replacement and full street reconstruction |