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The Friday Staff Report to City Council provides weekly updates between staff and Council. This week’s briefing included information on the upcoming mayor pro tem election, the temporary closure of the Municipal Court for staff development, and the initiation of the city’s Rental Repair Program to improve housing standards. The report also highlighted public review opportunities for the 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan and Action Plan for Housing and Community Development and updates on bus stop bench installations. It also addressed pressing issues at Denton Animal Services. Council Member requests discussed various construction projects around the city, particularly on Elm/Locust Street, Angelina Bend Drive, Wilderness Street, Woodland Street, and Brown Drive. In addition to these updates, the report provided details on a variety of upcoming community events, from a nature exploration day for preschoolers and night hikes at Clear Creek, to a special weekend at Water Works Park, the annual MLK Health Fair, and the return of spring kayaking trips.

General Information

The City Charter mandates the annual election of a mayor pro tem, who acts as mayor during the mayor’s absence or incapacity. The 2023-2024 mayor pro tem election is slated for the special-called meeting on May 16, 2023.

The Municipal Court will be closed on Friday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for staff development, with the aim of full staff participation. Despite the closure, it is expected to have minimal public impact as all online services, such as case information, payment, and resolution request submission, will stay operational. Notifications regarding the closure and online options will be communicated via the phone system, court website, and at the court entrance.

The City’s 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan and 2023 Action Plan for Housing and Community Development, which details the utilization of federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is available for public review from May 15 to June 16. A total of $1,586,760.67 in funds are available for projects listed in the online plan for the 2023-24 program year. Citizens can provide feedback via mail, phone, email, or a public comment form, and a public hearing is scheduled for the June 6 Council meeting.

In April 2023, local organization Abundance Denton placed temporary benches at various bus stops in the city. An interim solution was agreed upon in a meeting with the City management and Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), resulting in the placement of heavy-duty park benches at six bus stops with existing concrete pads. The benches, installed by the Parks and Recreation staff, will be moved to parks once permanent facilities are ready. The City and DCTA will continue collaboration to determine the additional four locations based on ridership data and existing pad sites.

The City Council approved the Rental Repair Program in February 2023, offering landlords grants up to $24,500 as a 5-year forgivable loan to repair and rehabilitate single-family rental units. In exchange, landlords are expected to lease to low-income households, thus improving housing standards and affordable housing availability in Denton. The program, launching on May 15, aligns with the city’s 2020-2022 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development and the Affordable Housing Strategic Toolkit. An online application process, a comprehensive marketing campaign, and a webinar for interested property owners are planned.

Denton Animal Services (DAS) is currently at capacity due to a high volume of surrendered dogs, which can affect the animals’ health. While DAS is collaborating with rescue and foster groups, these organizations are also experiencing similar pressures. After seeking assistance from the Denton Animal Support Foundation (DASF), which promoted the cause and offered incentives for adoption, DAS has seen increased interest and anticipates dogs will soon find permanent homes. For more information, people can contact the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center directly.

Council Member Requests

Mayor Hudspeth requested an update on the Elm/Locust Street construction on May 8. Utility improvements have been completed south of Hickory Street, and street reconstruction is being coordinated with TxDOT. The construction agreement and the roadways’ return to the City are in progress. Road sections north of Oak Street, included in the Denton County TRIP 2022 Bond Election, will commence once funding is secured. Agreements are expected to be presented to the Council in the third quarter of 2023.


Mayor Hudspeth requested an update on the Angelina Bend Drive construction, part of the Denton Street Rehabilitation project, on May 8. This project involves restoring streets that have reached their end of service life. Unexpected groundwater during construction caused delays. A modified subgrade section is now being installed to reroute water to the drainage system, leading to an extended estimated completion date through mid-June, dependent on weather conditions.

Mayor Hudspeth inquired about the street coating issues on Wilderness Street on May 8, questioning warranty coverage and potential temporary solutions. Staff evaluation revealed that the repairs aren’t covered under warranty and temporary crack seal removal/reapplication could worsen conditions. Wilderness Street is set for full reconstruction in next year’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), prompting the Streets Department to consider adjusting the schedule for earlier restoration.

Mayor Pro Tem Beck requested an update on the Woodland Street and Brown Drive construction on May 10. These roads, part of the Denton Street Rehabilitation project, are undergoing reconstruction after previous utility line replacement. To prevent potential damage, utility line locates are required bi-weekly during construction. The project’s estimated completion date is the end of May, weather permitting.

Upcoming Community Events

Preschool in Nature at Clear Creek – Preschoolers are invited to explore the outdoors at Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center (3310 Collins Rd.) on Friday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will search for pieces of nature to create an artistic masterpiece. They will also enjoy kid-friendly activities such as a short hike, a nature story, and natural art. The event is free, but registration is required using this link.

Other VOD Stories

Night Hike at Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center – Join staff on an organized evening hike that provides community members, regardless of hiking experience, an opportunity to experience Clear Creek Natural Heritage Area’s (3310 Collins Rd.) trails showcasing the natural environment at sunset. The next hike will be held Friday, May 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is available online.

Water Works Park Member Preview Weekend – Water Works Park will kick off the 2023 season with a members-only weekend on May 19 and May 20. Park information, pricing, and frequently asked questions can be found online by visiting the Denton Water Works webpage.

MLK Health Fair -The Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, and American Legion Hall Senior Center are partnering with several agencies to host an annual health fair on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year, the fair has been expanded to include mini-sessions on healthy cooking, cardiovascular health, mental health resources, and dermatology/skin care. Vendors include the foster grandparent’s program, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Denton County Public Health, and Aetna Better Health of TX, with the aim of providing resources to families, veterans, and persons with disabilities. Attendees can get cost-free health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks. Additionally, the first 300 people in attendance will receive goodie bags with health information. The event is open to all ages and will include bounce houses and face painting.

Spring Kayaking – Kayak trips have returned! Kayaking trips are scheduled for Saturday, May 27 (ages 5+), Friday, May 5 (50+), and Saturday, May 27 (ages 5+). Children between the ages of 5 and eleven must share a kayak with an adult, while those 12 and up can use a single kayak. The cost of the program is $25 for a single kayak and $50 for a tandem kayak. Registration is available online.

Upcoming Street Closures

Street/IntersectionFromToClosure StartClosure EndDescription
Oak StMounts AveFulton St06/30/2307/28/23Wastewater Collections will be installing a new sewer
Ottawa DrGreat Bear LnWind River Ln05/29/2307/06/23Street Panel and Sidewalk Repair

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