Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn

Hello District 12,

With the promise of Spring, decreasing COVID-19 hospitalizations, and an increasing number of people having received one or both doses of the vaccine, there is a renewed sense of hopefulness for our future. I hope the difficult days of the past year are behind us and like the spring, we blossom as we take on the next challenges. Before we get there, let's celebrate a bit!

With Lent, Vernal Equinox, Passover, Easter, Holi Phagwa, and Lailat al Bara'a all celebrated within two weeks time, it is remarkable and heartwarming to know people across the city and world are celebrating in the manner of their choosing and faith.

Wishing you a wonderful celebration with your family and friends.

Best, Cara Mendelsohn

ps- If you need help, please reach out. We are here for you.

Join the D12 Virtual Town Hall with special guest, City Manager, T.C. Broadnax this Thursday evening at 7 p.m. If you've already signed up for a previous town hall, we'll automatically send you the link around 5 pm the day of the event. If you haven't signed up yet, register here so you'll receive the link: https://forms.gle/S6yL9tYArzAbBCJA9

Join the fun at Fretz Park, Campbell Green and Timberglen Rec Centers for the FREE drive thru Eggs'traviganza! Please register in advance by calling the rec center.

It's taken a lot of time and effort from a lot of staff and volunteers working together to make so much progress in such a short time. The goal is simply to make our area a better place to live and play. Here's the highlights:

Hillcrest Village - 100% open, wi-fi and light poles should be complete by the end of June. The community has embraced this new park and we discovered the trash service was not adequate to keep the park clean and inviting. Additional trash days have already been added, along with additional cans by both the city in the park and the developer by the stores. We're also figuring out how to bring events and concerts to the park... stay tuned!

Campbell Green Park - your voice was heard... this highly used park is missing shade! Three new shade umbrellas have been ordered for the splash park, along with a large one for the bleacher area near the soccer fields. Discussions about additional trees, adding a frequently requested pickleball court, resurfacing the existing tennis courts, and adding features to the splash park are on the project list.

Timberglen Park - a "smart" restroom is being added at the splash park. The restroom is expected to be complete and operational before summer break.

Preston Ridge Trail - the agreement with the City of Plano is the first step in connecting the Dallas portion of the trail to the Plano portion. It has been approved by all parties and Plano will begin construction in April within the City of Dallas just south of GWB turnpike. Construction is estimated to take 18 months. The part of the trail near Meandering Way is going through a real estate process to assess the possibility of acquisition of the privately owned land. The goal is to preserve the green space. If the land is purchased, there will be significant neighborhood input to determine if any amenities or changes are desired. This land is adjacent to the location of the intersection of the Cotton Belt Trail.

Cotton Belt Trail - this is a major regional project of great importance for Dallas, as it connects all the cities along the rail line. Making sure all elements are safe, fun, accessible, and respect the privacy of residents along the trail is a top priority!

Trail Connection - Timberglen Trail and Preston Ridge Trail... one day these two trails will connect through the "Timberglen Trail Phase 2". There will be a community meeting in the coming months to discuss the consultant's proposed alignment as well as other suggestions. Also, what do you want to name this trail? Start thinking about it, because this will be determined by the D12 community.

A NEW PARK?!?? - for more than a year, negotiations with Plano ISD have allowed for consideration of a new park on the land adjacent to Dickerson on the Frankford Middle School property. The vision supported by Plano ISD is a loop trail with possibly a playground and/or pavilion. If the agreement is finalized, neighbors will be invited for significant neighborhood input to determine what they would like to see on the land. This part of Collin County is a parks desert. Additional partnerships with Plano ISD are being discussed.

ANOTHER NEW PARK?!?? - in Dallas County, there is land on the southeast corner of Parkhill Junior High that is used as a dog park, but it is part of Richardson ISD, not the City of Dallas. The area doesn't have a trash can, trash service, water for pets or people, and only has one bench. Discussions have occurred with Richardson ISD and a proposal has been sent to have the city use the land for an official dog park, same as it is used now, except it would provide all the sanitary and quality of life amenities needed.

Frankford Park - there are discussions about providing access from Torah Day School to the park without having the children walk along Hillcrest. Lighting has recently been added and existing lighting repaired.

Twin Lakes Park - new benches, trash cans, and water access were selected by the residents as the improvements most important to them and they are being ordered and installed!

Bentwood Trail Park - the lake fountain is being repaired, additional benches and trash cans are being ordered. Thank you to the community for selecting the improvements that are most important to you. (also working on slowing traffic down on Bentwood Trail!)

As you can tell, there has been a renewed interest in providing for quality outdoor spaces in District 12. Many thanks to Lane Conner, our D12 Park Board Representative for helping coordinate and lead these efforts. If you are on Facebook and are interested in staying up to date about these issues, please join the new Parks page he hosts and manages called District 12 Dallas Parks and Recreation. Most districts have groups of residents who are part of a "friends" group for a nearby park. If you are interested in starting one or being part of an existing one, please reach out to Lane.Conner@dallascityhall.com.

Stunt driving, racing, and all kinds of foolish, dangerous, reckless behavior have become more frequent since COVID-19. Our new DPD Chief Eddie Garcia, recognizes the danger and has allocated manpower and resources to address it. They are making arrests, issuing citations, and starting the process to seize vehicles. If you see street racing or stunt driving, please call 911.

Do you have a sidewalk in disrepair or do you find it difficult to navigate in your neighborhood because sidewalks haven't been maintained? This has been a long-standing issue that greatly affects the quality of life for Dallas residents.

Dallas is working on a Sidewalk Master Plan and has set up a resident task force. Rod Scales was appointed from D12 and has done a wonderful job in representing our area. Last week a city-wide public meeting was held, and there is a survey open through the end of the month for anyone who wishes to give input. (please do!) Here is a link to the website where you can find the survey and watch the virtual public meeting: www.dallassidewalk.com.

To add a sidewalk that needs repair to the map, go to the website above and click "project map," select "add comment" identifying the issue with the sidewalk, then click the spot on the map with the issue. If your HOA would like to make a comprehensive list of all the sidewalks that need repair in the HOA, please contact Rod at rodscales78@gmail.com.

The shocking charges against a Dallas officer have rocked DPD and City Hall. Like the public, questions are being asked about how this could happen? Who knew about the allegations and allowed the officer to continue working with a firearm and interacting with the public? Are there other officers under investigation for charges as serious as murder that are actively on the force? Mayor Johnson has appointed a new committee, Ethics and Investigations Ad Hoc, to investigate this issue and to review our current ethics policy and incorporate changes from an outside task force. I am honored to have been named chair of this committee and will do my best to get the answers the public deserves. Of course, of utmost priority is the criminal and administrative investigations and the work of this committee will be extremely sensitive to the integrity of that work.

Join the festivities of the citywide beautification event at 14 parks across Dallas on Saturday, April 10th, 9 am - noon. In District 12, we'll be planting, mulching, weeding, and picking up litter and debris at Timberglen Park. Park guidelines limit the number of volunteers. Please register at www.dallasparks.org by April 5th.

Many people have asked about the federal operation to hold migrant teenage boys at the KBH convention center. The city council was not involved in the decision to lease the convention center to the federal government nor is the city involved in any effort to run the program. We receive periodic updates from the Office of Emergency Management who is monitoring the operation. The federal government has contracted with Red Cross to manage the site. Red Cross has contracted with Catholic Charities to help with many activities at the site, along with many other vendors. If you would like to volunteer or to assist in any way, please go to https://www.ccdallas.org/. If you would like to give input on immigration policy and enforcement, please contact your Congressman (Allred-Dallas County, Taylor-Collin County, or Van Duyne-Denton County) or Governor Abbott.

Many have asked these questions: 1) Are the boys tested for Covid? Answer: yes, they are tested before they leave their current detention facility at the border and before they enter the KBH convention center. 2) Are the boys allowed to go outside? Answer: no. 3) Will the boys be enrolled in DISD or other local schools? Answer: no.

After the recent storm, the library was left with extensive damage. As previously reported, parts of the ceiling collapsed, the entire book collection was lost, most of the furniture and some of the drywall will have to be replaced, and all computers will be replaced. The roof is being repaired and the space is being considered for improvements that are long overdue (pun intended!). The demolition is complete. As the budget allows, additional improvements will be considered and the community will be asked for input. Renner Frankford is a popular voting location and alternative sites are being arranged. More information coming soon!

If you have damage to your primary home, please file a claim with FEMA, which may cover a large portion of your expenses after any insurance you have has processed the claim.

City of Dallas residents and business owners who sustained February Winter storm damage may apply for assistance by registering at: www.disasterassistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585. 

If you earn under 80% of the area median income, the Dallas City Council passed a $2 million dollar home repair program that is now available to assist with costs.

There is continued food assistance all over North Texas and can be found at www.ntfb.org.

The Mayor is urging all businesses that would like to be listed as having a face mask requirement to be listed here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/99e3f8efa9014a26a93ad58b03db3e2d.

If you would like to view the map and database of the businesses, click here: https://dallasgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d089cc6b19f148159b35fba73b58e1d7 (give it a minute to load all layers of the map).

Dallas Water Utilities offers a leak adjustment when a water leak causes a substantial increase in water use. Due to the February storms, DWU will allow for additional adjustments for customers affected DURING THIS PERIOD ONLY. More info and apply at bit.ly/3iWLFSX

The stormwater portion of your water bill is estimated based on monthly water consumption. Because many people left water dripping to keep their pipes from freezing, Dallas Water Utilities will not use the month of February in the stormwater fee calculation. Also, due to the storms, no water service will be shut off for non-payment at this time.

Got a favorite food truck? Share this survey with them. The city is looking to clarify and simplify the permitting process and vendor input is welcome. https://www.betterblock.org/post/mobile-food-vending-in-dallas

Dallas libraries now offer hotspots and laptops available for checkout!

Summer will be here before you know it! Scholarship applications are bing accepted through 3/31. Please go to www.dallassparksfoundation.org to apply. Click the top right corner and choose "summer camp application" to get started. If you need assistance with the application, staff at the rec centers can help or call (214) 670-8847.

Since January, the City of Dallas has allowed Family Gateway to use the old Candlewood Hotel to shelter their families with a working parent as part of the COVID-19 response. Experts had advised to separate working and non-working families to limit exposures in the downtown shelter. The Family Gateway staff is at the site 24/7 running their regular program. There are approximately 95 people staying at the hotel. Since clients started occupying the building, our District 12 office has received zero complaints about the facility. As a guest in the lobby for a couple of hours, it was clear the families are very young and the staff very capable.

The procurement for the on-going operator of the shelter has not been selected and contract negotiations have not begun.

If you would like to assist Family Gateway in the meantime, please contact them at www.familygateway.org. Donations of individual cleaning supplies like 409, toilet cleaner, windex, are welcome and can be dropped off at the front desk. The location is 19373 Preston Road, behind Silver Star Motors. Donations can be sent by Amazon.

Vaccine - All individuals 16+ are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 29th. If you'd like the vaccine, please sign up with every Texas county that you are willing to drive to, plus local clinics like Tom Thumb, CVS, Walgreens, HEB, etc... You can find a list of all counties and locations giving the vaccine, as well as testing sites, and other COVID-related information and resources at: www.dallascityhall.com/covid19

Here are links to the D12 Counties - please sign up for all of them if you are willing to drive to them!

Dallas County www.DallasCountyCovid.org.

Collin County https://www.collincountytx.gov/healthcare_services/Pages/COVID19vaccines.aspx

Denton County dentoncounty.gov/covid19vaccine

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