Dallas City Hall
District 12
Enews
May 22, 2022
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Connecting You With City Information, News, and Resources |
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Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn
Council appointments:
*Chairman, Government Performance and Financial Management Committee
*Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee on General Investigations and Ethics
*Vice Chairman, Public Safety Committee
*Housing and Homeless Solutions Committee
*Transportation Committee
*Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Affairs
*Regional Transportation Council Member
*North Central Texas Council of Governments Executive Committee
Other city-related appointments/elected positions:
*National League of Cities Youth, Education, and Families Council
*Board of Directors, National League of Cities Women in Municipal Government
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Congratulations Graduates, Lots of Info to Share Below!
So many wonderful celebrations are happening as students complete the school year, and our high school and college seniors graduate and move to their next phase of education and life!
Below are many events and activities I think you'll enjoy learning about and participating in, and I hope to see you there.
Are you ready to speak up? There are several issues coming to the city council and affecting our neighborhoods and if you're concerned about them, please speak up. Your voice matters!
Last week I was sick with COVID-19. Even though we all want COVID to be a thing of the past, unfortunately it is still with us. The current transmission rate is very low and last week the Mayor disbanded the city council COVID-19 Ad Hoc committee.
Make sure to read the information on Cotton Belt/Silver Line below.
Take care, Cara
Council Liaison: Madison.Johnson@dallascityhall.com
Council Assistant:
Luis.Delgado@dallascityhall.com
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City Council Redistricting Process |
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The Redistricting Commission voted to recommend a map to the Mayor. Last Wednesday, the city council was briefed on the map. The city council can make amendments to change the map, but any amendment must receive 75% of the vote to pass. Changes must be made to the map within 45 days and then will become final and will go into effect for the 2023 municipal election.
District 12 entered the redistricting process with more residents than the ideal population. The new map removes some parts of the current District 12 and moves them into District 11. The Bent Tree area, previously in District 12 but moved to District 11 in 2010, returns to District 12 under the new map. You can view the map and learn more here: www.DallasRedistricting.com.
It is my sincere belief that elected officials should not be making the maps they are elected to serve under. I believe the redistricting commission did a thorough job evaluating all the needs of the city, providing public input opportunities, and came up with the best map they could. Most people have at least something they would like to change, and I suspect there will be at least one council amendment to the map. I do not plan to put forward any amendments. Many thanks to D12 Redistricting Commissioner Johnathan Neerman. This was an incredibly time-consuming and intense volunteer position and he did an excellent job navigating a highly political process.
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Marni Kaner Trail - Petition Drive |
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The Preston Ridge Trail (PRT) is a north-south trail that runs along Meandering Way. Many have been confused with the Preston Ridge Trail EXTENSION that runs east-west, intersecting the PRT at Meandering Way and heads west past Brentfield Elementary and terminates before reaching Davenport.
The Richardson ISD PTA Council is sponsoring the petition drive to rename the Preston Ridge Trail Extension the Marni Kaner Trail. The number of signatures depends on how close people live, so the goal is now to get 2,000 City of Dallas residents age 18+ to sign the petition!
Why rename the trail?
- The Preston Ridge Trail Extension was a "placeholder" name and has been confusing residents for a long time.
- Marni Kaner, a longtime D12 resident and frequent walker on the PRT, died of cancer a little more than two years ago. She was an outstanding civic leader and volunteer, exemplifying the enduring kindness and selflessness of the people in our community.
If you didn't get a chance to know Marni while she was alive, I hope you'll be able to be inspired by her as you walk the trail that will be named for her. The ribbon cutting for this trail will be an amazing celebration of her life and our community.
Our goal is to collect all the signatures we need by the end of June. You can help by signing the petition. Bring it with you to an event, your congregation, HOA meeting, restaurant, etc... It is here: Marni Kaner Trail Petition.
Please mail completed petitions to:
Council Member Cara Mendelsohn District 12, Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street, 5FS, Dallas, Texas 75201, or take a clear photo of the petition and email it to: district12@dallascityhall.com. You can also drop off completed petitions to Joey Kaner. Please contact our office for his home address.
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Convention Center Master Plan Virtual Public Meeting |
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You're invited to participate in the fourth Virtual Public Meeting for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) Master Plan on Thursday, June 2 at 6:00 PM.
Please register with the link below:
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Good Neighbor Agreement, Contract, & Renovation Plans
for Family Gateway North
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This week at city council we will consider the Good Neighbor Agreement and continuing contract for Family Gateway's operation. Family Gateway North, our new family homeless shelter, is undergoing a $2.2 million capital campaign to add some needed amenities to their program in District 12. The 50-room facility, has been doing a great job of helping families have a safe and stable environment and getting them back on their feet. Here's what their plans are:
Early Childhood Center - In partnership with Vogel Alcove, will provide a dedicated space for infants and toddlers.
Pre-School & Afterschool Learning Center - Pre-K and afterschool programs, summer programming, tutoring, mentoring, and homework assistance.
Outdoor Play Areas - Children experiencing homelessness will be able to enjoy active play and exercise.
Business Center & Teleconference Pods - A private place to have telemedicine, tele-mental health services, or virtual job interviews.
Counseling & Consultation Rooms - Will offer a private area for sensitive intake questions and discussions about trauma and recovery needs, medical and mental health support, and housing and employment needs.
Interested in touring Family Gateway North, hearing more about the renovation plans or how you can get involved? Send an email to development@familygateway.org.
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The program begins June 4th, but you can sign up today!
June 4 to August 13, 2022
Kids who participate in summer learning maintain their skills and are better prepared to start school in the fall. Dallas Public Library makes it easy and fun! Sponsored by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library
- Kids ages 0-18 who read or are read to at least 20 minutes a day can earn great prizes.
- After logging 10 days of reading, kids earn a free book of their choice.
- Each time they reach the 10-day mark, kids can pick up another prize, up to 5 times over the summer.
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Kids who read at least 50 days by August 13 will be entered to win the grand prizes! See last year's prizes.
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Log reading at dallaslibrary.beanstack.org or on the Beanstack app.
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WELCOME NEW DALLAS POLICE OFFICERS! |
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It is an honor to welcome our new officers as they graduate from the Dallas Police Academy. I try not to miss any of the graduation ceremonies. Two weeks ago we welcomed class 379 as they swore their oath and received their badges. The North Central Police Station gained 4 new officers. |
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I am thankful for Mayor Eric Johnson issuing a special recognition of Max Glauben, of blessed memory. We were honored to have his family join us in the council chambers while we shared some special words about his remarkable life.
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The Primary Runoff Election is Tuesday May 24, 7am - 7pm. These are partisan races. You must vote in the county where you live. The closest locations to vote in D12 are:
Dallas County - Fretz Park Library
Collin County - Renner Frankford Library
Denton County - Timberglen Rec Center
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Pickleball is our New THING!!!! |
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We had a very fun ribbon cutting ceremony for the improvements at Campbell Green Park three weeks ago and the response has been tremendous!
The new trees and shrubs, additional shade structures, and of course, the new pickleball courts were celebrated. D12 turned out for the event and I don't think y'all have left the courts since! Seriously, the courts are a HIT!! Two weeks ago I got a chance to play for the first time and I can see why this game is so popular.
Many thanks to Lane Conner, our D12 Park Board Representative, who did a masterful job coordinating all the aspects of this project and making it even better with resident input. Thank you to Dallas Parks and Recreation staff who built the pickleball courts, the first ones from scratch (not just restriping tennis courts). Most importantly, thank you to the residents who asked for this amenity and shared your vision for what you wanted. Together, this is how we improve our city and community.
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Thank you for speaking up about this traffic signal and intersection! After meeting residents in the area for morning walks to school and understanding the problem, we were able to get the transportation department to come visit and evaluate the safety issues. There are many problems at this intersection, but the biggest one is a really old traffic signal that didn't have the features needed to help protect pedestrians, many who are school kids on their way to Prestonwood Elementary. Because the intersection is half in District 12 and half in District 11, we worked together to address it and pledge funding. Here's the update:
- Arapaho/Golden Creek - new signal coming soon!
- Staff tried to tweak the timing on the existing signal last year but did not have good results because the signal is too old
- School speed zone boundary adjusted with new signage
- School crossing guard requested for next year
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Poker Rooms - Split Decision & Lawsuits |
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Basically, the board of adjustment upheld the building official's denial the first time, but not the second time. This means the building official can appeal the board's ruling through a judge. The city has hired outside council to represent the quasi-judicial board of adjustment and the building official so there is no conflict of interest. Additionally, the city is defending a lawsuit from the poker operators. If this issue is important to you, please let Luis know so we can provide extra updates as appropriate. You can email him at luis.delgado@dallascityhall.com. Please include your name, address and phone number.
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Dallas Police Memorial Ceremony |
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A somber day where we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving Dallas residents. The ceremony began with a march to the police memorial and included the police choir, police chaplain, honor guard, bagpipes, helicopter flyover, 21-gun salute, laying of the wreath, speech by the Mayor and the reading of the names of all fallen officers since Dallas Police was formed in the 1800s. It was a moving and respectful event and reminds us that the lives of our fallen officers can not be forgotten. The police memorial is next to city hall. The table top piece on the memorial has the expected information about officers, but the top piece is what is unexpected. It has the badge numbers of the fallen cut into it and when the sun shines through them, it shows them on the sidewalk, like they are standing beside you. |
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If you work or travel to Downtown Dallas frequently, this is important for you. I-345 is the segment of highway that connects Central Expressway (75) with I-45 south, leading to I-30 east and west. Residents north of LBJ were not considered in the prior study, but many District 12 residents work downtown and even further south. The "improvements" can mean anything from they will rebuild the elevated road as it is, they will dismantle it and vehicles will exit the highway and travel on a boulevard with traffic signals, or they may decide to put it in a trench, similar to Central Expressway. There is a lot at stake because the land is so valuable.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is conducting a feasibility study for improvements to I-345 from I-30 to Woodall Rodgers Freeway (Spur 366) in Dallas County, a distance of 1.4 miles. This notice advises the public that TxDOT will be conducting an online virtual public meeting on the proposed study with two in-person options. The same information will be presented at the in-person and virtual meetings
Virtual Meeting Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. through Monday, June 27, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. www.keepitmovingdallas.com/I345 *This is not a live event - The virtual meeting materials will be posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. and remain online through Monday, June 27, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Please note, this is not a live event. The materials can be viewed at your convenience. To log onto the virtual public meeting, go to the study website listed above any time during the dates and times indicated above.
In-Person Meeting 2 Thursday, May 26, 2022 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Open House) Sheraton Dallas Hotel Dallas Ballroom 400 Olive Street Dallas, Texas 75201 Parking for self-park will be free.
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Property Tax Rates - Survey & Senior Exemption |
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The deadline to protest the valuation of your property has passed. The value is one component of how much you will pay in property taxes. The other is your tax rate. Each entity has its own tax rate and may give different exemption amounts.
In the City of Dallas, we offer the highest homestead exemption allowed under state law, 20%. We also offer an additional exemption for seniors, currently valued at $107,000 reduction in value.
I chair the Government Performance and Financial Management (GPFM) committee. At Monday's GPFM committee meeting, we'll be looking at the senior exemption to see if it should be increased to address changes in cost of living. The committee will make a recommendation to the full council for consideration in June.
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Resident Feedback Needed for FY 2022-23 Budget
The City of Dallas wants to know what the community’s priorities are for the upcoming budget.
As part of the outreach process for Fiscal Year 2022-23, Budget Management Services is conducting the Budget Priorities Survey to gather feedback from residents. “Resident feedback is a critical part of the budget development process,” said Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Reich. “Residents have the opportunity to voice opinions through Spring listening sessions, public hearings at City Council meetings, August Town Hall meetings, and through the bi-annual Community Survey.”
The Budget Priorities Survey is specific to the budget process, and different from the bi-annual community survey, which is wrapping up in early May. The survey will run through July 2. To take the survey, click here. It can also be found on the City’s Financial Transparency page.
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If you see your neighborhood patrol police officer on a bicycle and you're wondering why, it's because they are doing special patrols to deter crime. Looking at the data, they have focused on a grid with higher crime (near McCallum apartments) and their presence and visibility is helping reduce crime. I've been lucky to run into them a few times while walking on the Preston Ridge Trail. If you see them, feel free to stop and say hello! Thank you DPD! |
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Traffic Fatalities Are UP |
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Many neighborhoods have reached out to say they are experiencing fast drivers through their neighborhoods and in school zones. They are rightly concerned about safety. Our North Central Police Major Harris has deployed more resources to school zones as we finish out the year. Please help make sure YOU are educating your children about watching out for vehicles, your teen drivers about slowing down and the seriousness of what could happen, and of course, most of the people driving too fast through the neighborhood are... us.
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- Do you have utility flags in your yard? If they have been there more than 10 days, feel free to take them out and throw them away. Sometimes contractors leave them behind.
- Did you know the Sanitation Department will text you when it is time to put out your regular weekly trash and monthly bulk trash? See graphic below to sign up. (Personal note: my husband really likes this app)
- If you find there is some vandalism, something broken or fallen down, you can report it to 311. If it is in a park, they will route the request to them. If it is a transportation issue, they'll route the request to that department. Special thanks to the Park and Recreation maintenance staff who quickly reinstalled some signage uprooted from Campbell Green Park.
- Please call 311 for panhandling and encampments! The response isn't overnight, but we're finding that most cases are being addressed when they are reported. Keep us in the loop if you aren't getting the response needed. There has been a big effort to clean out Rosemeade Park twice, and already encampments are returning. A plan to address Rosemeade park in a longer-term manner is being developed.
- Special shout out to Dallas Fire Rescue! The Wildland Team has deployed to help with wildfires in the Vernon and Merkel, Texas areas. Be safe!
- Food trucks are now allowed at City of Dallas Aquatic Centers. This helps make a day at Fretz Park a little bit easier if you want to stay for lunch. Enjoy!
- Fosters for kittens are needed! Please call Dallas Animal Services if you'd like to learn more how you can be part of this adorable (and needed) effort. (214) 670-6800
- A big thank you to Oncor for donating an incredible piece of land to the City of Dallas. They have given us 110 acres for the future development of Parkdale Lake in south/southern Dallas. It will be one of the largest urban parks in the nation!
- Upcoming classes from the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability. Register at www.dallascityhall.com/calendar. Classes include Vermicomposting Hands On (6/14), FoodScaping: Eat the Yard (7/16), Reducing Kitchen Waste (8/13), and Bokashi Composting Hands On (9/13).
- Weeds or grass more than 12 inches high is a violation of the City Code. Failure to maintain your property may result in a court citation and/or bill for the City's mowing services. Questions or concerns? Please call 311.
- Reminder about the city's watering schedule. If the last digit of your address is 0,2,4,6, or 8, your watering days are Sundays and Thursdays. If the last digit of your address is 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, your watering days are Saturdays and Wednesdays. If you have a property without an address number, the watering days are Sundays and Thursdays. No landscape watering is allowed on Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays. From April 1 - October 31, watering is prohibited between 10 am - 6 pm, any day of the week. Drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and hand watering are allowed on any day at any time. Apartments, office complexes, or other properties containing multiple addresses must be identified by the lowest address number.
- Your continued calls and reporting on the Our Dallas app has helped reduce panhandling significantly. Please continue to report and direct your generosity to social service organizations instead of giving to panhandlers.
- Frankford Road between Coit and Preston is going through reconstruction. Currently, engineers are designing the new road. Road construction will begin in early 2023. Yes, this will be at the same time as the Cotton Belt/Silver Line construction. It is going to take longer to drive through the construction areas.
- Parkhill Dog Park is still under construction but open. Target for completion is June.
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- Learn more about the latest happenings at our Family Gateway North family homeless shelter. http://familygateway.org/north/
- Dallas Animal Services reports the shelter is full! If you are interested in fostering or adopting a dog or cat, please contact them. Dogs are free to adopt and we have the Everyday Adoption Center inside the Petsmart at Coit and Campbell, usually open 4 days a week. Check out the website www.BeDallas90.org to see the pets currently available.
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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
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