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Connecting You With City Information, News, and Resources
Quick but Important Updates
Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn
Hello District 12,

I try not to stuff your inbox with too many emails, but I wanted to be sure you had these important updates:

*Virtual Town Halls
*DART- Cotton Belt/Silver Line
*Bulk Trash
*Property Tax

The Governor had a press conference Monday and announced more openings across Texas. Info can be found at gov.texas.gov. His orders address exercise facilities, child care, summer camps, zoos, bowling, bars, youth sports, professional sports, manufacturers, and office-based employees.

Navaz, Elysia, and I are here to assist you in way we can. Contacting us by email is much easier since we are all working from home.

Thank you, Cara
Virtual Town Hall Meetings
We've set up a schedule for weekly virtual town hall meetings in D12. You're invited!

Next sessions: special guests from RISD and PISD and DART update meeting!

The agenda is quite simple, a quick greeting, introduction of our guest, a few minutes from the guest on what is happening in their field, a quick update about things happening at city hall, and then it's YOU - your questions, your input, your chance to share what is on your mind. So while we can't be together for Coffee With Cara, we can connect from the convenience of your home.
DART - Cotton Belt/ Silver Line
As you know, DART's plan for the Cotton Belt has been to be operational by 2022. Plans are moving forward and construction will soon be starting. I am proud we were able to get some additional concessions for safety and quality of life, but make no mistake, this area is entering a new chapter with an active rail line. Construction in the areas around the Cotton Belt will be difficult. Please consider joining the virtual town hall focused on DART-Cotton Belt/Silver Line to hear all the details and ask any questions. After the town hall, an enews with a detailed update and the questions asked/answered will be sent.
TRASH TALK - BRUSH/BULK UPDATE
Brush and bulk trash collections are delayed in many areas of Dallas due to higher than usual set out volumes. With so many people at home, it appears we've all been busy cleaning out garages, attics, doing home improvement projects, and lots of yard work! The Sanitation Department asks for your patience as they work to keep up with the current increases in volumes. Please set your items out as scheduled.

-A private contractor has been hired to help with collection, which may mean different crews come down your street to pick up different materials on different days
-Crews are working 6 days a week
-Week 1 estimated completion is 5/21
-Week 2 estimated completion is 5/28
-Code compliance will not be issuing violations for bulk trash violations during this time in the affected areas.
Property Tax Notices
You should receive your county tax assessment notice in the mail this week. Many people are seeing increased property values. You'll have 30 days to protest. The value of your property is multiplied by the tax rate set by all the taxing entities - the city, county, school district, community college, and for Dallas county, Parkland Hospital, to determine your property taxes for 2020, payable January 2021.

Please know I am committed to NOT raising property taxes, and committed to prioritizing public safety (police, fire, EMS), improving infrastructure (streets, alleys, traffic signals), helping our most vulnerable, and doing city business in smarter and more efficient ways.

Your input on the budget is welcome. You can provide input by email, voicemail, join a virtual town hall meeting, email to all city council members, or sign up to speak at a city council meeting.
COVID-19 Testing at Wal-Mart
The Wal-Mart located on Coit and Arapaho has opened a drive-thru COVID-19 testing center. Like other testing centers, people must be symptomatic OR, age 65+ OR, be employed as an essential worker.
Good News - Traffic Signals
There are at least 5 new traffic signals coming to District 12! Two will be new, three will replace signals that are 40+ years old.
#ThankYouThursday
Times are tough, but taking a few minutes to show our thanks to essential worker reminds us of the goodness of our neighbors and the people around us. So on Thursday at 7 pm, take a step outside and make some noise to thank our health care workers, first responders, code compliance, sanitation workers, teachers, grocery workers, truck drivers, and all the people that have kept us going while they have been on the front lines.
Frankford Road - Repaving is Coming!
If those terrible pavement cuts and potholes on Frankford are driving you crazy, there is good news! The City of Dallas applied for a transportation grant in partnership with Collin County and received it. That means the city prioritized some transportation dollars to match the grant and will be sending out a bid to repave Frankford from Coit to Preston.
Yard Signs ARE Allowed!
If you got a notice of violation from the city's code compliance department marked as "litter" for hosting a yard sign that doesn't comply with the strict rules "in normal times," please know that you will NOT be issued a ticket for supporting graduates or spreading hope during the pandemic. Your messages are hopeful and appreciated.
Do You Live in University Place?
If you are an owner of a home in University Place, there is an opportunity to serve on a special board that meets just a couple of times a year. This board will have an important role in developing an area of South Dallas and will allocate dollars to improvements in University Place. If you are interested, please contact me at the email below.
Need help, got a question, or want to give input?

Email: Cara.Mendelsohn@DallasCityHall.com
Office phone: (214) 670-4067
Text phone: (214) 490-1036