From the March 3rd “Friday Staff Reports to City Council”

The Friday Staff Report to City Council is a weekly communication between staff and Council. Denton Fire Department achieved accreditation. The City is monitoring state legislative bills. A new interactive map shows restaurant inspection results. Limited edition Grogu library cards are available. Other updates include a re-certification, historical signs at Quakertown Park, and staff reviewing “No Parking” signs.

General Information

The Denton Fire Department has achieved Internationally Accredited Agency status with the CF AI and the CPSE.

State Legislative Update – Over 5,500 draft legislation pieces have been filed since Nov. 14, with 700 related to cities. Denton City staff and consultants are reviewing them and preparing for possible testimony. One-third of the 140-day Legislative Session is complete, and both chambers have reached notable milestones. Committees and budget hearings are underway. The bill filing deadline for both chambers is March 10, 2023. The City is monitoring bills and providing information to legislators and has recommended amendments to some bills. ERCOT market design is a top priority for committees, and bills have been filed to give ERCOT the ability to procure generating capacity and permit charges to wind energy facilities. The Lt. Governor will introduce SB 6 and SB 7 on this issue next week. Staff will continue to update Council on the legislative session via the Friday Report.

A new interactive map provides results of local restaurant inspections, including health scores and filters for cuisine type, drive-thru availability, and name.

Solid Waste & Recycling held a public meeting on Feb. 16 to gather feedback on implementing a comprehensive diversion ordinance. Proposed changes to Chapter 24 of the Denton Code of Ordinances are available online for public comment, and staff will provide updates at upcoming work sessions.

Staff plans to form a committee with the Planning and Zoning Commission and one ad hoc member nominated by Council Member Davis to serve as the CIAC.

Denton Animal Services (DAS) congratulates Mary Braden on being awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2022.

Denton Public Library has limited edition Grogu (Baby Yoda) design library cards available while supplies last. New cardholders can select the design and current account holders can purchase a replacement for $2.00. The library is giving away hand-felted Grogu figures to three winners at each branch who find a sticker on the back of their Grogu library card, with the contest running until the final marked card is given.

Denton has been re-certified as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Temporary historical signs have been installed at Quakertown Park to explain the general history of the Quaker community and the histories of each congregation that had a church building within Quakertown.

A resident sent an email to the staff regarding the changes to speed limits on Bell Ave. The staff has determined that it is best to keep the speed limit at 20mph on this road section due to the close proximity of Mingo Rd. and Texas St., as well as the potential for driver confusion.

The installation of pedestrian and vehicle gates at City Hall is complete.

Staff is reviewing the process of installing “No Parking” signs throughout the City. Departments are collaborating to determine the location, fabrication costs, and enforcement of signs.

Council Member Requests

The Denton County Transportation Authority does not provide GoZone service to the 76210 area, but residents with disabilities located outside of GoZone service areas may apply for Access Paratransit.

A business owner’s concerns about a road closure on McKinney Street were addressed after it was determined that the lane closure was associated with an Atmos gas line bore.

Staff received an email from a council member regarding the possibility of a crosswalk at Bonnie Brae and Panhandle. This section of Bonnie Brae will be improved as part of the Bonnie Brae Phase 5 project. Staff is evaluating the location to determine if there are any temporary improvements that can be installed until the project begins.

The Denton Cinco de Mayo Committee is hosting the festival on Saturday, May 6 at Quakertown Park. City staff is helping festival organizers with the new process for special event permitting.

A leak was found on two service line connections to the North-South Watermain Phase 3 project, which caused damage to the subgrade and temporary pavement. The contractor completed the subgrade repairs in January 2023, but due to inclement weather, paving didn’t start until February 9 and was expected to be complete by the end of March.

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 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.

Oaks of Montecito Public Meeting – Public Works is hosting a virtual community meeting on March 8 at 6:00 pm for residents in the Oaks of Montecito neighborhood. The meeting will cover maintenance work on the neighborhood’s roadways, including over six lane miles of mill and overlay maintenance and roadway reconstruction, starting on March 20 with completion anticipated in August. Residents will receive an overview of the project’s scope and schedule and can register on the City’s website or Discuss Denton project page.

Mayhill DCTA Public Meeting – Capital Projects is hosting a virtual community meeting for the Mayhill Phase 2 construction kickoff on March 9 at 6 pm. The project involves the realignment of Mayhill Road from Colorado Boulevard north to connect to the existing 4-lane termination of Mayhill Phase 1, with a new 4-lane section and bridge over the DCTA Rail. Registration is available on the City’s website or Discuss Denton project page.

Life on the Range – (ages 5-11) on Thursday, March 9 at 4 p.m. at the South Branch Library (3228 Teasley Ln.). 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

Garden Workdays at Denia Wildflower Garden – Join Keep Denton Beautiful for monthly garden workdays at the Denia Wildflower Garden, located in front of Denia Recreation Center (1001 Parvin St.). Get ready to dig in the dirt and learn proper garden maintenance techniques with our garden experts. Tasks vary but frequently involve weeding, cutting back plants, and picking up plant debris and litter. The volunteer opportunity is free to attend but does require registration through the park’s event calendar page. Upcoming workdays are scheduled for March 11, April 15, and May 6.

All-Day Spring Break Camp – Coinciding with DISD’s Spring Break, Parks and Recreation will offer an all-day Spring Break Camp from March 13 through March 17 at MLK Jr. Recreation Center, Denia Recreation Center, and Denton Civic Center. Each day of the camp is jam-packed with physical activity, creativity, and play involving several fun, enriching activities and field trips. Kids must be dropped off at 9 a.m. each day and need to pack drinks, snacks, and a lunch. The fee is $33 per child, per day. The camp is broken up into two age groups: ages five to ten, and ages eleven to fifteen. Parents and guardians can register their children through the link on the event details page at dentonparks.com.

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