Dallas City Hall

District 12

Enews

May 14, 2023

Happy Mother's Day & Welcome to the new District 12!

First, Happy Mother's Day to you! Whether you are a mom or you are celebrating a mom, I hope you have a special day.

With the recent city election, the new boundaries for each district go into effect across the city. The redistricting commission tried to balance the population of each district and consider connected communities. District 12 had too many people and some were moved to District 11. A few homes from District 11 who were moved out of District 12 ten years ago, were rejoined with District 12. We know all areas north of LBJ are very connected. Here is a map of the new districts across the city.

If you've recently found yourself moved to District 11, you are certainly welcome to continue participating in District 12 events (and all events across the city!) and remain on the District 12 enews. If you'd like to join the District 11 enews, please click here.

District 12 continues to represent all of the areas in Denton and Collin Counties that are part of the City of Dallas. With the new boundaries, about 10% of the district is comprised of residents who live in Dallas County and the City of Dallas. The new Dallas County neighborhoods that have moved to District 12 are largely comprised of several Bent Tree communities, Preston Trails, Windsor Place, Glen Abbey, Saddlebrook and Kensington Square.

District 12 is the only district with residents who live outside Dallas County. Our district has the second-most affordable housing units, and is tied for the highest diversity scores for the racial and ethnic makeup of our population. We've had the least crime incidents of any city council district this year. Crime in D12 has gone down 11% compared to last year, which was lower than the prior year. The highest category of crime is assault, followed closely by car thefts, car burglary and vandalism. Mom advice: resolve disagreements with words not fists, always lock your car (and house), and don't leave any valuables in your car, even in a "safe" area or if you'll only be gone for a few minutes.

This enews has a lot of information about upcoming events, ways to give input on big policies facing the city, ways to give input on the upcoming bond (meaning tell us your thoughts on needed projects from street repaving to parks) and some opportunities for applying to serve as a commissioner on a few boards. You are welcome to share it with friends and neighbors or your neighborhood groups. The goal is to get the information to residents and your help is appreciated.

Exciting news! Madison, our District 12 liaison, delivered a healthy baby girl! We're so excited for their growing family and look forward to seeing her return in August from maternity leave. District 12 has welcomed Jandis Price, policy analyst, about six weeks ago and while Madison is on leave, we'll be shuffling duties around to serve you.

If the District 12 team can help connect you to any city services or answer a question for you, please reach out. We hope to see you at upcoming events! Here is a quick rundown so you can add events of interest to your calendar:

Wednesday, May 17, 7 pm, Texas A&M Agrilife building on Coit Road @ McCallum, DART Community Meeting for the Cotton Belt/Silver Line **CHANGED DATE - IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

Thursday, May 18th, 6 - 7:30 pm, Renner Frankford Library, Forward Dallas input meeting. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY AND OUR AREA. This plan will determine how development can occur. Can an area that is single family be changed? Can apartments be added in places that don't currently have them? Should there be less parking required? Or no parking required? Should there be limits on the density allowed in any areas? When development changes come that are nearby your home, it will be too late... this is the time to speak up about what you want for the future of your neighborhood and city.

Saturday, May 20, 8 am - 2 pm, Pop Up Permit Event, Oak Cliff Municipal Center, 320 E. Jefferson Blvd.

Sunday, May 21, 1 pm, McWhorter Elementary, Dallas Symphony Concert Truck, Come enjoy a wonderful two piece duo.

Wednesday, May 24, 10 am - 4 pm, Blood Drive at North Central Police Station benefitting a Dallas Police Officer. Please schedule an appointment using the QR code in the flyer below if you are able to donate. There is no substitute for the lifesaving gift of blood.

Friday, May 26, 2 -4 pm, D12 Walk-in office hours, North Central Police Station community room. Come see us if you have any city-related problems, questions, or want to give input.

Saturday, June 3, District 12 Zoo Day! Free entry and we're working on some transportation options. It's going to be WILD!!

Tuesday, June 6, 8 pm, Campbell Green Park, the FULL Dallas Symphony Orchestra will put on a show to remember! Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy an amazing free concert!

Friday, June 9, 2 -4 pm, D12 Walk-in office hours, North Central Police Station community room. Come see us if you have any city-related problems, questions, or want to give input.

Thursday and Friday, June 15 & 16, 1 - 3 pm both days, Renner Frankford Library, come give your input on a Preston Road traffic study. If you live nearby, work nearby or travel through, you'll want to speak up now about traffic concerns.

Thursday, June 22, 7 - 9 pm, DART Community meeting at Texas A&M AgrilLife building.

Friday, June 23, 2 -4 pm, D12 Walk-in office hours, North Central Police Station community room. Come see us if you have any city-related problems, questions, or want to give input.

Council Liaison: Madison.Johnson@dallas.gov

Council Policy Analyst: Jandis.Price@dallas.gov

Council Assistant: Luis.Delgado@dallas.gov

CITY OF DALLAS LAND PURCHASE IN DISTRICT 12!

This week the Dallas City Council approved the purchase of land for the Dallas Park & Rec Department on the northwest corner of Davenport where it crosses the Cotton Belt/Silver Line north of Campbell. This property will serve as a trailhead to the future Cotton Belt Trail.

The goal is to have a place for visitors to park, picnic, get water, fix bicycle tires, etc... without intruding on adjacent neighborhoods or overwhelming tiny Preston Green park, which has no parking. This property borders a creek and has some beautiful trees. Congratulations District 12!

DART COTTON BELT/SILVER LINE

DART has been issued a permit to do utility work on McCallum the week of May 15th. This will close one lane in the westbound direction.

The traffic signal at McCallum and Hillcrest is flashing red on purpose. It was switched to flashing red because of the large number of accidents occurring at the intersection. Cars were traveling fast with uncertainty of lane changes and the situation became more dangerous as the lanes recently shifted. The flashing red lights mean each car must come to a full stop (vehicles should take turns going clockwise). The result is each vehicle will be crossing the intersection going much slower. This was the recommendation of the outside consultants to improve vehicle safety. While I have heard of several near misses and some frustration about an increased time to get through the intersection, there have also been several benefits. First, many commuters from Plano have rerouted and are using Coit and Preston instead of Hillcrest. Second, the intersection has remained open. Third, it has provided greater safety to pedestrians as vehicles have to drive slower.

Hillcrest will be completely closed between McCallum and McKamy at some date in the future (unknown at this time). The agreement with DART states they can close Hillcrest for 25 weeks and was approved by the DART management, board of directors, and the Dallas City Council. Now, DART would like to close it for at least a year. If you want DART to live up to its contractual agreement to close Hillcrest for no more than 25 weeks, send an email to:

tc.broadnax@dallas.gov; robert.perez@dallas.gov; tammy.palamino@dallas.gov; eric.johnson@dallas.gov; jesse.moreno@dallas.gov; adam.bazaldua@dallas.gov; paula.blackmon@dallas.gov; jaynie.schultz@dallas.gov; gay.willis@dallas.gov; cara.mendelsohn@dallas.gov; paul.ridley@dallas.gov; tennell.adkins@dallas.gov; chad.west@dallas.gov; jaime.resendez@dallas.gov

2024 BOND

The Bond Task Force has begun meeting. We will be seeking your input on projects and priorities in each area. A series of meetings will be set up and published in the next edition of the enews. We are looking at ways you can give input in person and virtually about parks, street resurfacing and reconstruction, erosion, critical facilities, and more. 

DALLAS BUILDER'S ASSOCIATION

Thank you to the Dallas Builder's Association for inviting me to speak at the Professional Women in Building event. This was a great audience of smart women with thoughtful questions!

DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT TRUCK

LOCATION ANNOUNCED: McWhorter Elementary on the corner of Timberglen and Vail. The Concert Truck will be behind the school, adjacent to the Timberglen Trail. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a FREE afternoon concert. We'll have some treats and other city resources on site.

The Concert Truck has previously played three times in District 12 and they have wowed the community each time. See you there!

RANSOMWARE

https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2023/05/a-week-after-ransomware-attack-dallas-makes-progress-on-restoring-city-services/

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/ransomware-still-attacking-dallas-city-government/3253639/

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/how-a-ransomware-attack-on-dallas-delayed-emergency-response/

https://www.keranews.org/news/2023-05-09/dallas-ransomware-cyberattack-federal-investigation

The City of Dallas was hit with a major ransomware attack. It was the same group that hit the Dallas Central Appraisal District and brought their site down for 73 days. To date, Dallas 911, DPD and DFR are continuing to function and automated dispatch has been nearly fully restored, but not all data sets are available to all officers. Development Services continues to accept payments and issue permits, and the ability to receive electronic plan submittals is restored. Dallas Water Utilities is accepting payment online. Municipal Court remains closed. The city website is functioning, not all pages are fully restored. Because this is a criminal investigation, not much can be said publicly.

It is essential we prioritize funding our IT department in a manner that provides the modern safety and reliability needed to ensure the city departments can function and data is protected. The city has underfunded IT for decades and there is a "technology deficit" that must be overcome.

HIGHWAY I-345 & WHY IT MATTERS TO FAR NORTH DALLAS

You may not even know where I-345 is, even if you drive on it frequently. If you take Central Expressway downtown, when the highway elevates between Woodall Rogers and I-30, that little stretch of highway is I-345. The Texas Department of Transportation and the North Central Texas Council of Governments have been studying this area for a long time, along with many progressive urban advocates. The highway has reached its end of life and a determination for its future must be made.

After years of studying it and collecting data, TXDOT made a recommendation to depress the highway. The City of Dallas asked for additional consideration to minimize the land it is using and further connect the downtown area with Deep Ellum. TXDOT returned with a recommended hybrid depressed option. Some wish to tear the highway down altogether and make it a boulevard. The problem is, there are 180,000 cars a day that use the highway. It is essential to freight traffic (its how goods get from the Port of Houston to the rest of the country) and access to jobs for southern and northern Dallas. The recommended TXDOT option could return 11 acres of land to the city to develop, including decking for buildings and parks, as well as keep traffic moving.

The idea of tearing down the highway and making it a boulevard is unrealistic. The city would have to pay for the whole thing (possibly $1 billion) and it would cripple traffic on roads and adjacent highways that were not intended for that level of vehicle traffic. I remain in support of TXDOT's recommended hybrid depressed option. If you would like to listen to the meeting, you can go to: https://dallastx.new.swagit.com/videos/226897

DALLAS CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY

Would you be interested in learning more about our police department by participating in the Dallas Citizen Police Academy? You can find out more at

Dallas Police Dept. Citizen's Police Academy Webpage. Mail your completed application or ask any questions to: DPDUNIDOS@DALLASCITYHALL.COM

ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Thank you for the honor of providing greetings from the City of Dallas and reading a special recognition from Mayor Johnson at the Israel Independence Day celebration!

FORWARD DALLAS

Thursday, May 18th, 6 - 7:30 pm, Renner Frankford Library, Forward Dallas input meeting. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY AND OUR AREA. This plan will determine how development can occur. Can an area that is single family be changed? Can apartments be added in places that don't currently have them? Should less parking be required? Or no parking required? Should there be limits on the density allowed in any areas?

When development changes come that are nearby your home, it will be too late... this is the time to speak up about what you want for the future of your neighborhood and city.

City of Dallas Planning and Urban Design wants to hear from you regarding the Forward Dallas future land use placetypes. Visit http://Dallas.gov/ForwardDallas for more information.

You can also join virtually at: http://bit.ly/fdcommentmap

WELCOME TO DALLAS JHSA!

Last week I was invited to give remarks at the JHSA International conference. My message to the attendees was about the importance of their service in fundamentally changing vulnerable lives, not for the data in an annual report, but for the impact that lasts a lifetime. When working in the social services field, you can never know the extent of the difference you make as a staff professional or lay leader. Having previously attended this conference three times in various cities as a board member and board chairman for Jewish Family Service of Dallas, it was a distinct honor to welcome the group to Dallas as a City Councilmember!

CITY BUDGETING & INPUT

https://www.keranews.org/news/2023-05-04/mounting-dallas-fire-rescue-overtime-and-vehicle-costs-raise-concerns-about-city-finances

The City Manager is working on preparing a draft budget for Dallas City Council. We'll receive his draft in early August. Thank you to all who attended the March budget meetings to give input to the city manager's office on priorities before he starts compiling the next budget. Input from District 12 included prioritization of public safety, streets and traffic signals, homelessness, libraries, parks, and reducing the tax rate. Other districts have communicated their priorities to the city manager. We will have a town hall in August for you to give your input on the City Manager's proposed budget.

A city survey is being sent to 100 randomly selected residents in each district. If you receive it, please complete it and return it as soon as possible.

https://www.wfaa.com/article/money/dallas-property-tax-increase/287-2674546e-b5d3-43c0-bf2f-97125ea874a5

CITY OF DALLAS TEEN DRIVER SAFETY FAIR

Thank you to all our City of Dallas Municipal Court judges, especially Judge Julie Clancy, who took the lead in planning this event, along with partners AAA Texas, TXDOT, MADD and Campbell Green Rec Center. This was a very impactful event with multiple non-profits that seek to increase teen driver safety in remembrance of their lost children and family members.

Teens were able to wear the "impaired" googles and attempt to drive the go-cart or walk a straight line, visit the tables of non-profits, hear from highway patrol officers who respond to severe accidents, and watch TXDOT's machine that rotates a car with a dummy in it, showing the difference between wearing a seat belt or not when there is a rollover accident. Please talk to your teen about wearing a seat belt every time they are in a vehicle and following the speed limits. Let's keep them safe out there!

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS

A CITY OF DALLAS COMMISSIONER?

If you think you may be interested in an opportunity to use your experience and passion to serve our city as a Dallas City Commissioner, send your resume and a statement of why you would like to serve and in what capacity to Jandis.Price@dallas.gov.

Open positions include: Senior Affairs Commissioner, Library Commissioner, and Veteran Affairs Commissioner. Other positions may become available as term limits are met for some current appointees.

A good way to understand what is involved is to watch a commission meeting. You can find all commission meetings here: https://dallastx.new.swagit.com/views/113 and choose board and commission meetings.

IN THE NEWS

DART - https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/one-dead-two-injured-shooting-dart-dallas-train/287-481e0cee-71f7-4e51-95bd-b3afedee6fca

PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATIONS - https://candysdirt.com/2023/04/27/council-approves-3-new-apartment-developments-under-public-facility-housing-finance-structures/

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/04/27/dallas-oks-177-million-housing-project-foregoes-75-years-of-tax-revenue/

PROPERTY TAXES - https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/north-texas-property-owners-prepare-another-year-protesting-appraisals/287-99cd3950-fb51-4fde-8ce5-b16040db22fc

REQUIRING ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY WIRING IN CODE - https://candysdirt.com/2023/04/19/dallas-council-balks-at-staff-suggestion-to-require-electric-vehicle-wiring-in-newly-built-homes/

SHORT TERM RENTALS (AIRbNb) -

https://candysdirt.com/2023/04/04/dallas-city-manager-says-short-term-rental-ordinance-isnt-ready-for-a-council-vote/

TINY HOMES TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS -https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/tiny-homes-in-big-d-could-help-house-the-homeless-16278655

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: RENTAL PROPERTIES V HOME OWNERSHIP

https://candysdirt.com/2023/03/28/should-dallas-development-incentive-funds-go-toward-for-sale-homes-instead-of-apartments/

DENTON COUNTY - CITY OF DALLAS

Thank you State Rep. Kronda Thimesch for hosting a great event for constituents to find out what is happening at the State Legislature, updates from ISDs, cities in Denton county, and Denton County Judge Eads.

POLICE MEMORIAL DAY - MAY 2ND

Moving & important Dallas Police Department memorial service. We must never forget the sacrafice made by the men and women who choose law enforcement as a way to protect and serve the people of Dallas. The roof of the memorial has badge numbers cut out of fallen officers that shine from above. Meaningful words were shared from Mayor Johnson and Chief Garcia.

1 minute video: https://twitter.com/DallasPD/status/1653539843962445826?s=20

BMW DALLAS MARATHON

The BMW Dallas Marathon is December 8th - 10th, but registration has already started. Kids age 14 and under can run for FREE in ALL Friday and Saturday events. To register, go to: http://runDallas.com

BRANCHING OUT EVENT &

DALLAS POLICE SAFETY FAIR

Thank you to the volunteers who helped with the Branching Out event at Timberglen Park! 19 trees got new mulch and we removed some bags of litter. Special thanks to Rep. Thimesch for joining us and teaching how to best mulch a tree (she owns a landscape company!).

Immediately following, the Dallas Police Department hosted a teen safety fair and we were treated to a visit by Air 1 and the K9 unit. I think having a helicopter land at Timberglen park's ball fields was a first! Thank you for promoting safety in Far North Dallas!

PRESTON ROAD STUDY - INPUT NEEDED

The City of Dallas has asked the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to undertake a study of traffic on Preston Road. With a large number of new housing units being added on Preston Road near Beltline and in Plano, there is concern for how traffic moves and what could be done to make traffic move more efficiently and safely.

Your input is needed and welcome. If you live nearby, work nearby, or travel through the area, we want to know your suggestions and concerns. Please plan to stop by and talk to us on June 15th and June 16th from 1 - 3pm either day at the Renner Frankford library.

GENESIS WOMEN'S SHELTER AND SUPPORT

Domestic violence knows no boundaries of race or income or parts of town. The shocking statistic that 1 in 3 women will be touched by intimate partner violence in their life, means this is an issue for all. Genesis Women's Shelter is one of the leaders in our community and I was pleased to support them last week at their fundraising luncheon. It was great to see some District 12 residents there! If you need to reach out to Genesis for support or you wish to volunteer or donate, their contact information is below.

Reduce your water bill and save our precious resource. Register at www.SaveDallasWater.com or (214) 670-3155.

DALLAS DATA & DASHBOARDS

Dallas Crime Analytics Dashboard

Dallas Fire Rescue Dashboard

Dallas Open Data Portal

Dallas Census Datahub

Office of Homeless Solutions Dashboard

Forward Dallas Land Use Map

Dallas Public Zoning Map

COVID 19 Response Funding Dashboard

Pavement Condition Map