From the Feb. 24th“Friday Staff Reports to City Council”

The Friday Staff Report to City Council is a weekly communication between staff and Council. City updates: Bond program, fires at North Lake Park, DME recognized for tree preservation, city videos, upcoming workshops macrame and soap, Great American Cleanup, and road closures.

General Information

Innovative Transportation Solutions (ITS) presented its monthly mobility report during the Feb. 22, 2023, Mobility Committee meeting, which included an overview of major Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) projects in the region. The report is available for review.

2012 and 2014 Bond Program Update

The 2012 Bond Program allocated $20.4 million for street reconstruction and public art, with an additional $24 million approved in the 2014 Bond Program. A total of 433 street segments will be completed by April 2023, concluding both the 2012 and 2014 street reconstruction projects within the bond programs.

The 2014 Bond Program authorized $61.71 million for roadway improvements, including the $24 million designated to supplement the 2012 street reconstruction program. Bonnie Brae phase 4B is currently in the design phase, with right-of-way acquisition to begin in the current fiscal year, and scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Hickory Creek Road phase 2 is nearly complete, with traffic signal improvements scheduled for completion in late 2023 and early 2024.

Propositions 2, 3, and 4 have been completed or are nearing completion. Proposition 2 authorized $16,565,000 for improving public safety facilities, with the remaining projects tied to the PD Headquarters renovation scheduled for completion in Q3 2023. Proposition 3 authorized $8,545,000 for drainage system improvements, and all projects have been completed. Proposition 4 authorized $11,355,000 for park system improvements, with only the Tennis Center Remodel & Expansion and a public art piece along the South Bonnie Brae Trail remaining, scheduled for completion by Q2 2023 and early 2024, respectively.

There were several believed deliberate small fires around North Lakes Park last week, including burned porta-potties, trash cans, and spot fires along the trail. The Denton Fire Department responded and quickly extinguished the fires, while the Denton Police Department filed reports and increased patrols. An investigation is ongoing.

Denton Municipal Electric has been recognized as a 2023 Tree Line USA Member for meeting five program standards that promote preserving urban forests. The program promotes safe and reliable electricity delivery while maintaining healthy community trees.

The staff produced several videos this month to educate and inform the community, including DME’s tree trimming program, Foster Grandparent Volunteers, and a new Denton-inspired ice cream flavor called “North of Ordinary” by Beth Marie’s. The staff encourages sharing these videos on YouTube.

Council Member Requests

A resident expressed concerns to Council Member Byrd about parked cars and trespassing on private property along Lakeview Boulevard. Staff reviewed the situation and worked with the Denton Fire and Police Departments. The Police Department is investigating the trespassing concerns.

Council Member McGee inquired about the Denton Teen Council, which consists of 16 local teens aged 14-18, selected through an application process that runs from September through May. The Teen Council provides input and feedback on teen programming and issues related to the Parks and Recreation Department. The council is led by Parks staff in developing service projects, which can include programming and community issues. Projects this year include Teen Tech Tuesdays, where the Teen Council provides seniors with one-on-one help with technology, and monthly Teen Nights at Denia Recreation Center. In addition, the Teen Council participates in community service projects such as Wreaths Across America and holiday toy and jacket drives. The Teen Council expressed a desire for more programming that would not conflict with their busy schedules and suggested one-time or monthly events that don’t require a significant commitment would be ideal for their demographic.

Council Member Davis asked about the possibility of expanding the O’Neil Ford-designed City Hall building. An expansion could provide approximately 15,000 square feet of space, but retaining the building’s historic character would result in around 9,000 square feet of usable space. A more in-depth study is needed to assess if the original design would comply with current codes and determine the building’s condition. Staff is drafting an Informal Staff Report for distribution before the bond program presentation on March 7, 2023.

Council Member Davis shared information regarding trucks parked along Worthington Drive. Staff is also reviewing the possibility of installing No Parking signs.

Council Member McGee inquired about sidewalks on McKinney Street and Dallas Drive, and staff proposed a construction project on McKinney Street to widen it from Audra Lane to Loop 288, including sidewalk connectivity, utility relocations, and drainage improvements. The project is in the initial planning phases and will be reviewed in the FY 2023-24 Capital Improvement Budget. On Dallas Drive, new sidewalk construction would be TxDOT’s responsibility, and any existing sidewalk maintenance or repair would be completed by the City’s Streets department. Staff will share the concern with TxDOT staff at the next monthly meeting and inquire about future plans for sidewalk improvements.

Council Member McGee inquired about a possible change to the speed limit on John Paine Road. Based on the 2022 Denton Mobility Plan and a speed study, John Paine Road was designated as a Secondary Arterial with a target speed between 35-40 miles per hour. The road was then officially designated as a 35-mile-per-hour zone.

Council Member Davis raised concerns about unsafe construction machinery on Bonnie Brae. Public Works staff inspected the area and observed two construction projects working near the road with no safety issues. Both contractors were notified of the concerns and held immediate safety meetings with their crews. Public Works staff will continue to monitor both sites for any additional safety concerns.

Mayor Pro Tern Beck asked if the bags used for Dyno Dirt were biodegradable and requested staff to investigate the possibility of using compostable or biodegradable bags instead. The current vendor confirmed that there is no compostable/biodegradable bag that is compatible with compost. However, the bags used for Dyno Dirt are recyclable, and Solid Waste staff confirmed that plastics numbered one through seven can be placed in blue bins for recycling.

Mayor Pro Tern Beck inquired about mold requirements in the Denton Development Code. The city does not have a mold ordinance, but general health-related information can be found in the city’s Code of Ordinances. Information about mold can be found on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website.

Council Member Byrd asked about transportation options to the Denton Community Shelter, and staff provided information on two options. The first is sidewalk installation from Audra south, set to begin in April 2023. The second is DCTA’s Route 3, which serves the shelter and runs Monday through Saturday. DCTA offers discount passes to nonprofits, and the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team provides transportation to the shelter during outreach. The City of Denton does not fund a bus for transportation to the shelter or other community services.

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 March 2, and Apr. 21

Adult Tennis Social – The Goldfield Tennis Center is hosting an adult tennis social event on March 3 and May 19 from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Attendees can play tennis, meet new people, and socialize.

Yes, You Can Can – (ages 18+) on Monday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the South Branch Library. Have you always been interested in canning but weren’t sure where to start? Join staff for a demonstration of different canning techniques.

Life on the Range – (ages 5-11) on Thursday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m. at the South Branch Library. Learn all about Mary Ann Goodnight and her life on the range. We will learn about how she cared for buffalo and make homemade butter together! More information and registration is available online.

Women’s History Month – The Parks and Recreation Department will host a Women’s History Month Celebration on Mar. 11 at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center, beginning at 10 a.m. The celebration is co-sponsored by the Denton County Alumnae Chapter- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and will commemorate the achievements of women in American history with Marian R Hicks as keynote speaker. Various vendors, resources, and raffles are also featured during this event to celebrate Women’s History Month

Macrame Workshop – (ages 18+) on Tuesday, March 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the South Branch Library. Join local artisan Mary Cresson and learn two basic knots used in macrame work. You will leave with a new skill and two keychains.

Through the Lens – (ages 5-11) on Thursday, March 23 at 4:00 p.m. at the South Branch Library. Learn about photographer Dorothea Lange, who captured images of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression and make Depression-era toys. More information and registration.

Great American Cleanup – The 35th Annual Great American Cleanup (GAC) is a citywide litter cleanup in Denton on Saturday, Mar. 25 starting at 9 am. After the cleanups, there will be a Volunteer Appreciation Party from 11 am-1 pm with free lunch from In-N-Out Burger and other treats, educational activity booths, bounce houses & more. Prizes will be awarded to the largest group of volunteers that collect the most bags and find the oddest item during their cleanup efforts. The goal is to engage 1,500 participants; currently, 121 volunteers are registered but more are needed by Mar 15 at 5 pm via the registration page open to individuals or groups of all ages & experience levels who receive free supplies & t-shirts (while supplies last).

Felted Soap Workshop – (ages 18+) on Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the South Branch Library. Have “good clean fun” by creating felted soap! We will cover a bar of soap with colorful wool which gently exfoliates, eliminates the need for a loofah or washcloth, and makes soap easier to hang on to.

Upcoming Street Closures