WELCOME OFFICERS & NEW BOARD MEMBERS Officers Richard Brown – President Mitchel Fonberg – Vice…
Dallas City Newsletter December
Dear District 13 Neighbors,
As we enter this holiday season I would like to take a moment to share a few highlights.
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2019 Offsite Council Meetings
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Council passed a resolution in June 2018, which allows four offsite City Council Agenda meetings to be held quarterly throughout the City of Dallas. The City Manager recommended the dates and sites selected, and all were approved with the adoption of the city calendar this fall. Below you’ll find dates, times and addresses for these offsite meetings, as well as information on how to register to speak and where to find Agendas posted online.
February 13, 2019 at 2 pm
The first offsite meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 2 pm at W.H. Adamson High School, 309 E. 9th Street, Dallas, Texas, 75203
May 8, 2019 at 2 pm
The second offsite meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at 2 pm at Kleberg-Rylie Recreation Center, 1515 Edd Road, Dallas, 75253.
August 14, 2019 at 2pm
The third offsite meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at 2 pm at Bachman Lake Branch Library, 9480 Webb Chapel Road, Dallas 75220.
November 13, 2019 at 2pm
The fourth offsite meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 2 pm at Campbell Green Recreation Center, 16600 Park Hill Dr., Dallas 75248.
In addition, the resolution states that the second Wednesday City Council Agenda meeting will start at 2 pm instead of 9 am, with public hearings to begin not earlier than 6 pm at Dallas City Hall.
How to Register to Speak at a City Council Meeting
A person wishing to address the city council must first register with the city secretary and provide the following information: Name, residence address, daytime telephone number, the subject matter to be presented, and whether the subject is on the current city council meeting agenda. A person may register in person, by electronic mail (CitySecretary@dallascityhall.
How to View Upcoming Agendas
Upcoming Agendas with Agenda Item Details, once posted, may be found at this website: www.dallascityhall.com/
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Preston Center Parking Garage 2nd Public Meeting
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On January 31, 2019, the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the City of Dallas will host a Public Meeting to discuss the future of the Preston Center Garage. This is your opportunity to provide input about the current garage, as well as your vision of what it should be for Preston Center. The meeting will be from 6-8:00 pm at the Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75229.
The Public Meeting is part of the Parking Garage and Transportation Interface Study. The Study is an analysis that follows the community-led Northwest Highway and Preston Road Area Plan, which was adopted by the City in early 2017. This Study will evaluate the recommendations of the Area Plan for a new, underground garage with green space on top, and possibly some technology improvements/modifications that could be made in the near-term. The Study will also evaluate access and connections from Northwest Highway to the parking structure. This will be the second Public Meeting; the first was held on September 6 at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. This link will take you to a presentation shared at the 9/6 Public Meeting:
www.nctcog.org/planningstudies
Please share the link and news of the 1/31 Public Meeting with your neighbors or anyone you think may be interested in the Study.
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Northaven Trail Update
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Expansion of the Northaven Trail into District 13 is underway! The Northaven Trail currently runs approximately 2.2 miles from Valleydale on the eastside to Preston Road on the west. Expansion west is taking part in two phases. The first phase, 2A, is from Preston Road to Cinderella Drive (just west of Midway). The second phase, 2B-C, is from Cinderella Drive to the Walnut Hill DART Station at Denton Drive. Phase 2B-C is led by Dallas County, and should be complete in early 2019. Phase 2A is led by the City of Dallas. Construction on Phase 2A has recently started and is estimated to be complete by late 2019. The same contractor is working on both phases, and the trail expansion is not being completed in a linear fashion. When complete, the full trail should be over 8 miles long. Please do not use the expanded trail until it is officially opened.
For additional information on expansion, events on the trail, or if you would like to get involved, please visit the Friends of Northaven Trail website: www.northaventrail.org
 
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| New Vickery Meadow Library
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 Plans are well underway to build the first library in the Vickery Meadows community. City Council approved the professional services contract for design services at its October 24 meeting. The ceremonial groundbreaking happened at last week’s Festival of Lights event. This library will be transformative, finally serving a neighborhood deserving of a great new library and learning spaces. The staff, public art and building design of the Vickery Meadow branch will reflect the diversity of this community.
Dallas voters approved funds for this new building in the November 2017 bond election. We are very appreciative of the support from Friends of the Dallas Public Library and Crystal Charity for funding over $750,000 in upgrades and enhancements to the Children’s and Teen areas. These funds will be used to offer more technology, upgrade furnishings and fixtures, offer community programs, and will be a fun and lively learning space for the neighborhood.
There are plans for enhanced technology, gaming, homework help, arts and crafts, coding and much more. English language learning, GED classes and career resources for adults will be available. Additionally, the Library will offer meeting spaces with seating from 2 to 150, and everything in between, for community and neighborhood groups to use.
Plans also include an outdoor play area, park space and public plaza area for to socialize and enjoy. We anticipate construction starting in spring 2019 and opening our new library in Vickery Meadow by fall 2020.
The building will be a warm and welcoming space, and will feature photos provided by neighbors depicting the many cultures, languages and countries represented in Vickery Meadow. The Library is being designed by DSGN Architects.
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| Introducing A New And Improved 311 App | |
 When Dallas residents need to report an issue or request a City service, calling 311 is usually their first step. The 311 system handles over a million calls annually, manages 400,000 service requests every year, and dispatches urgent calls for service for six departments, including Code, Dallas Animal Services and Dallas Water Utilities.
In 2017, staff began implementing a new system to enhance the quality of service the City can provide to residents. Staff is now able to better track analytics of calls, as well as make it easier for residents to make requests for service.
There’s also a new app to replace the Dallas 311 app. The new OurDallas app is a one-stop shop for all City services, and is enhanced by artificial intelligence to recognize images and learn what residents need most as they interact with the app. The app may be downloaded at the Apple app store, as well as on Google Play. Please contact 311 at dallas311@dallascityhall.
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| Winter Weather Preparedness | |
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Winter weather can be particular volatile and potentially dangerous. Though we’ve already had cold snaps, we are just getting started with winter weather. There’s still time to get ready, and you can use these tips from the City’s Office of Emergency Management to prepare, whether you’re at home or traveling.
Around the home:
In the car/traveling:
The Office of Emergency Management constantly monitors weather conditions and is ready to respond to any weather situations that arise. OEM can quickly activate a shelter should an emergency arise, like power failures. We encourage residents and guests to report any icy road conditions, downed limbs or trees, and power outages to 3-1-1 so the appropriate resources can be dispatched. Residents should also promptly report power outages to Oncor for service restoration. More information is available on the Office of Emergency Management Website under the Get Informed and Get Prepared tabs: www.dallasemergencymanagement.
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Meet Calvert Collins, D13 Park & Recreation Board Member
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Calvert Collins serves as the District 13 representative on the City’s Park & Recreation Board.
Calvert is a seventh generation Texan, born and raised in Dallas. After attending Highland Park schools and the University of Missouri, Calvert then spent a decade as a television news reporter in Omaha, Las Vegas, and then FOX 4 here in Dallas. In 2015, she switched gears to work for Methodist Health System as its Corporate Public Relations Manager, and now as an Assistant Vice President in the Methodist Health System Foundation. She moved to District 13 in 2016 with her husband, who works for Southwest Airlines, and together they’re raising three daughters: Vivienne (4) and twins Evelyn and Cecilia (2).
Councilmember Gates appointed Calvert to the Dallas Park and Recreation Board in 2017, which is a family tradition. Calvert’s mother served on the Park Board in the early 1980s, when she was pregnant with her, so Calvert jokes it’s literally “in her blood”! Among her proudest accomplishments serving on the Board are:
-Supporting the 2017 Bond Program, which provided $260 million for park recreation facilities, trails, etc.
-Passing the Fair Park First contract to enhance Fair Park facilities, maintenance, and venue attraction
-Extending the Northaven Trail west from Preston Road through District 13 all the way down to Harry Hines
Calvert says, “I absolutely LOVE serving on the Park Board, helping make decisions that improve the quality of life and green space in District 13 and beyond. Dallas is an incredible city, and has become a model for other cities in management of its park and recreation facilities, public-private partnerships, and utilization of land. I look forward to continuing the great work of the Park and Recreation Department, and seeing many projects come to fruition!”
Thank you, Calvert. We appreciate your time and service.
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Get a Free Tree with Branch Out Dallas
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All City of Dallas residents are invited to sign-up for a free tree with Branch Out Dallas. Reserve a tree today at www.greendallas.net. If you have questions about the program, call 214-670-1200.
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| Holiday Sanitation Service Schedule | |
Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
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| Helpful Tips for Seniors | |
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Click HERE for helpful safety and financial information for senior citizens from the Elder Financial Safety Center.The Center is a collaborative partnership between The Senior Source, Dallas County Probate Courts, and the Dallas County District Attorney’s office.
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| Holiday Happenings Around Town | |
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Dallas Arboretum
Enjoy ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ at the Dallas Arboretum this month. The outdoor exhibit will be open Wednesday-Sunday nights, and runs until December 31. The event was named one of ‘The South’s Best Holiday Experiences’ by Southern Living Magazine.
Dallas Zoo
Nights shine brighter at the Dallas Zoo during the Dallas Zoo Lights festival. The event happens on most nights up until January 1, from 5-9 pm. After the animals are tucked in bed for the evening, the Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with over 1 million twinkling lights illuminating the Dallas Zoo throughout the season. Discover more light displays, several photo opps throughout the Zoo, meet Santa Claus, visit the Elves’ workshop in the Children’s Zoo, and enjoy s’mores, specialty donuts, and hot chocolate.
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