From the “Friday Staff Reports to City Council”

The Friday Staff Report to City Council is a weekly communication between staff and Council. City Hall will be installing gates around the building to improve security, and Denton Parks and Recreation has released its Fall/Winter 22-23 Play guide. The Fire Department’s Community Risk Assessment & Standards of Cover document is now online as well! Policy for medicinal marijuana use by citizens and city staff. The Parks Department will host a Día De Los Muertos celebration on October 15th. Upcoming street closure in Denton.

General Information

Brian Boerner was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Lone Star Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America.

The Purchasing Department developed the M/WBE program to ensure that historically underutilized businesses are included in business opportunities throughout the procurement process.

In April 2022, the Council was notified of a security breach at City Hall and staff began implementing security enhancements. City Hall will be installing gates around the building to improve security.

The Commercial Solid Waste Service Request form allows customers to schedule solid waste services without having to call. The new commercial solid waste service request form is available on the City of Denton website at www.cityofdenton.com/paymybill.

Aimee Kaslik has been appointed as the new Chief Strategy Officer for the City, with over 23 years of municipal experience. She will work with departments to identify and improve core services.

A tree replacement on Foxcroft Circle is scheduled for September 19.

Denton Parks and Recreation

The City of Denton won a Savvy Award for Creative Marketing and Communications for their work creating the Denton Senior Recreation Guide.

The Denton Parks and Recreation Department placed third overall at the DFW Director’s Six Pack on Friday, September 9.

The Denton Parks and Recreation Fall/Winter 22-23 Play guide is now available. It includes information on the city’s recreation centers, trails, nature preserves, community gardening, outdoor recreation, parks projects, facility rentals and inclement weather shelters.

The Parks and Recreation staff will begin applying a preemergent herbicide to City-owned properties around September 19 in order to prevent unwanted plants from growing. Residents should avoid contact with treated areas for a minimum of 12 hours following application.

Streets

The gravel road located at the intersection of Windsor Drive and Hinkle Drive will remain closed through September 21 to accommodate construction at the North Lakes Tennis Center. Temporary parking is available for park users at the Linda McNatt Animal Shelter; however, overflow parking is available at the G. Roland Vela Soccer Complex and North Lakes Sports Complex.

A resident is concerned that the Hickory Creek Road Phase 2 project does not have a median opening at Livingston Drive and staff is evaluating the possible addition of the median cut.

Plastic bollards were installed at two intersections (Emerson Lane and Mill Pond Road) and at the bridge to evaluate the influence of the devices on travel speeds.

Fire Department Assessment Document

The Denton Fire Department’s Community Risk Assessment & Standards of Cover document is available online and identifies hazards and risks within the Denton community.

Transitional Housing Project RFP

The City of Denton is issuing a Request for Proposals to develop a Transitional Housing Project to provide housing for people experiencing literal homelessness.

Hotel Voucher Program Update

Earlier this year, the City of Denton secured additional hotel rooms for persons experiencing homelessness through the Hotel Voucher Program. These rooms were funded to increase temporary housing capacity during the extreme heat. As this temporary use of additional rooms concludes, the hotel’s capacity will be reduced by 15 persons. The Hotel Voucher Program staff are assisting those who have not obtained permanent housing at the Monsignor King Outreach Center shelter.

Council Member Requests for Information

The City is working with individuals who are camping behind a storage facility on Fort Worth Drive.

Mayor Hudspeth requested that staff visit a business on Dallas Drive to inquire about some property left outside. Upon visiting, speaking with the owner, and advising them of the concern, they stated they would comply and a CIS officer will revisit to confirm.

The City Council Member Davis requested information about a potential roundabout on Bonnie Brae Street and Windsor Drive.

Staff are currently conducting a traffic evaluation to determine the effectiveness of installing plastic bollards on Ector Street to discourage speeding.

The National Wildlife Federation offers a Community Wildlife Habitat Certification program that Mayor Pro Tem Beck has requested information on. As part of this program, residents, schools, and businesses can earn points for registering yards or landscape projects as habitats.

The Mayor Pro Tem inquired about the policy for medicinal marijuana use by citizens and city staff. The policy is that anyone who is found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of any substance will be arrested, but if an individual is found without suspicion of intoxication and only in possession of marijuana and holds a prescription/card, they will not be arrested per DPD General Order 524.

Upcoming Community Events and Meetings

Composting Workshop – Compost is the single greatest soil amendment you can add to set your garden and landscape up for success! Learn how to make high-quality compost at home using materials most folks throw away. We’ll give you the dirt on the most effective composting materials and methods. The event will be held on Thursday, September 22, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Emily Fowler Library, located at 502 Oakland St. There is no cost to attend, and participants can register online.

Denton Black Film Festival Screening at ALH Senior Center – The Denton Black Film Festival and the Southeast Denton Neighborhood Association will host a film screening of the award-winning documentary Alice Street to be followed by a panel discussion on Monday, September 26, beginning at 6 p.m. The film will be screened at the American Legion Hall Senior Center (629 Lakey Street) beginning at 6 p.m. with panelists’ discussion following.

TxSWANA Safety Committee Denton Landfill Small Hauler Outreach Event – On September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Lone Star Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (TxSWANA) Safety Committee will host a Small Hauler outreach event at the City of Denton Landfill.

Chief of Police Swearing-In Ceremony – The community is invited to attend the swearing-in of Doug Shoemaker as the Denton Police Department’s Chief of Police at 2 p.m. Monday, October 3 at the Public Safety Training Center at 719 E. Hickory St.

Día De Los Muertos Celebration – The Parks and Recreation Department will host a Día De Los Muertos Celebration on October 15, starting at 10 a.m. at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center. The celebration will feature keynote speaker Dr. Valerie Martinez-Ebers, who is a Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science and Director of the Latina/o and Mexican American Studies Program at the University of North Texas. This event will also feature various vendors, resources, and raffles.

Upcoming Street Closures