Dallas City Hall

District 12

Enews

October 23, 2022

Engage in D12!

Lots of things are happening in the city and in District 12. If you have some time to participate, we welcome your input and suggestions. We've tried to make it easy to connect with our office with Monthly Town Halls (some in-person & some virtual), Twice Monthly Walk-in Hours, and this enews. 

If you have a City of Dallas request, most go through 311, but if you don't get resolution, please contact our office for help. Luis and Madison are masters at navigating city hall when things aren't going right to get them resolved.

The city has been working on gathering data and presenting it in a useful manner for decision making and public transparency. Below is an article with links to data I think you'll find interesting.

Our monthly Town Hall meeting is Monday, October 24, 7pm. This month is virtual and we'll send the link out by email prior to the meeting. Dallas Animal Services is our special guest, and they will focus on coyotes (we have quite a few dens in our area). Like all town halls, they'll give a 5 minute presentation on their department, I'll give a 5 minute update from city hall, and the rest of the time is yours to ask questions or give input on any subject. I hope you'll join us.  

Tuesday evening, October 25, 7 pm, DART will host their next monthly project and construction update on the Cotton Belt/Silver Line at the Texas AgriLife conference center on the east side of Coit at McCallum. AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, DART IS PROPOSING NEW CHANGES THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE ATTEND TO HEAR THEIR PLANS AND GIVE FEEDBACK.  The last meeting was covered by CBS:

https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/dallas-residents-voice-concerns-to-dart-officials-about-new-line/ and shockingly, DART told reporter J.D. Miles they had been working closely with the schools and Dallas police and fire departments. Unfortunately, that was not true, and records of the meetings with DPD and DFR show no discussions about our area were included. The Major over North Central police station on Hillcrest was unaware lanes on Hillcrest were being closed the following day or the long-term plans for the project. The two fire stations just yards away from construction were unaware lanes were being closed the following day, and the schools had not heard from DART for what DART representatives described to me as "a very long time," yet to the media they release a statement saying they have been working together closely.

D Magazine wrote a feature on the project and you can read it here: https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2022/october/dart-silver-line-far-north-dallas/

Family Gateway CEO Ellen Magnis and I led a session at this year's Texas Homeless Network conference focused on the success story of Family Gateway North and how we were able to partner to make that happen. They have kicked off a capital campaign to add an on-site day care center in partnership with Vogel Alcove, a volunteer work room, donation drop off center, a playground, and common space for the residents.

Below are other opportunities to get involved and give input on city plans and projects. Far North Dallas residents have a lot to offer in service to our city and your voice is needed as plans are developed and updated. As the most northern part of Dallas, I think of you as the angel watching over the city. 

See you soon, Cara

Council Liaison: Madison.Johnson@dallas.gov

Council Assistant: Luis.Delgado@dallas.gov

Dallas Data and 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

You've probably heard about the Parkhill Dog Park... we're still waiting on the water fountain to have an official ribbon cutting. 

But have you heard the latest??! Two weeks ago, the acquisition of land on Mapleshade was unanimously approved by the Dallas City Council! This land will do many things for this Collin County portion of Dallas including, protect it from development that could interfere with the flood plain, keep it a natural area for the community to enjoy and explore, be an instrumental part of the trail connection between the Preston Ridge Trail and the Timberglen Trail, and one day, it will host a tiny amphitheater integrated with nature and the trail for local gatherings and performances. More information and imagination sessions will be coming as the project progresses. 

Many thanks to Lane Conner, our District 12 Park Board representative, the Park and Recreation staff, the city attorney's office, and all the park board and city council members for their unanimous votes! 

Congratulations D12!

ForwardDallas Land Use and Bike Master Plan Public Meetings

The ForwardDallas Land Use update is the citywide visionary plan that establishes guidelines for how public and private land should be used and what the city should look like. 

These decisions about the use and design of land affect almost everything...including employment opportunities near you, commute time, access to green space, your air quality, and food access.

You have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to update this very important and foundational plan! ForwardDallas will help inform decision-makers on where investments such as real estate development, transportation projects, and park expansions need to be prioritized. That means that the plan we create together now has the power to shape how future generations experience Dallas as a place to live, learn, work, create, and grow.

Attend ONE workshop to give input on the TWO plans!  A joint interactive workshop focused on ForwardDallas Land Use update AND the Dallas Bike Master Plan is coming to a location near you! Join us in planning the future land use vision for Dallas while also helping to make bicycling safe and fun for everyone! Residents will have the opportunity to attend one workshop to provide input on the two plans. Not able to attend this meeting, view the full list of workshops at https://bit.ly/dallasplantogether.

For more information about the Bike Plan Update and upcoming engagement opportunities, please visit the Bike Plan Update website at https://dallascityhall.com/departments/transportation/bikeway/Pages/Bike-PlanUpdate.aspx. 

Dallas Legislative Lunch

Texas Representatives and Senators joined the City Council for a Legislative Luncheon as we prepare for the 2023 legislative session. The event included formal remarks by Tennell Atkins, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Legislative Committee, a review of our legislative priorities, and an informal lunch. Councilwoman Paula Caldwell Blackmon & I enjoyed sitting with State Senator Nathan Johnson, who represented the Dallas County portion of District 12 before redistricting. We will formally adopt our state and federal legislative priorities Wednesday. 

What 3 Words?

The Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire Rescue are using a new location technology. What3words is a simple way to describe a precise location. It has divided the world into three meter squares and has given each one a unique identifier made from three words.

What3words can be used via the free mobile app and the online map at what3words.com. The system works offline and can be used in over 40 languages.

Using what3words addresses gives callers a simple way to describe precisely where help is needed, helping first responders to find and get resources to the scene faster.

What 3 Words has been used across the world, but is new to use for city services. There is no cost to use this tool. You can find a handy step-by-step instructions on how to use the what3words app here: http://what3words.com/how-to-use-the-what3words-app

Dallas Public Library Backpack Challenge and Job Fair

The annual Backpack Challenge is on! Help us fill backpacks with warm items and toiletries for our unhoused neighbors. Work with friends, family or coworkers to fill packs with gender neutral items for adults. Drop items off at any Dallas Public Library location by November 16. The list of needed items and more information: https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/annual-backpack-challenge-collection-drive

Want to work in your neighborhood? Dallas Public Library is expanding branch hours at 15 locations across the city and hiring dozens of new staff. Opportunities include customer service, program planning and community engagement positions. Apply today:  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/dallas?department[0]=Library&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending or attend the job fair: https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/work-library-job-fair

Thank You Commissioners!

Thank you to Commissioners J.J. Koch, Dallas County, and Duncan Webb,  Collin County, for being our special guests at the September District 12 town hall meeting. They shared great information about their Counties and how the city and county work together. It was a very interesting and informative night. We appreciate your time and service to the community.

What Projects would you like to see in the 2024 Bond?

Lots of discussion has started at City Hall about funding initiatives for the planned 2024 bond. At some point, city councilmembers will be appointing representatives to the bond committee and the various subcommittees that work on specific propositions.

If you live in an HOA or Neighborhood Association, we'll be reaching out to talk with your elected board about bond requests. Please make sure your leadership information is up to date with our office by submitting an up to date roster to District12@dallascityhall.com. If you don't live in an area with an HOA or Neighborhood Association, please reach out to our office to help set one up for your area. ALL BOND REQUESTS FROM HOAs AND NAs WILL BE PRIORIZED.

If you think you would be interested in serving on a bond committee, let us know by indicating your interest here: https://forms.gle/gm7M5ic584CV5SfN7

Congratulations Dallas Police Academy Class #383!

Welcome to our 31 new Dallas Police Department officers! You've worked hard these past 9 months and we're thrilled to celebrate your graduation. Our North Central police station has 4 new officers.

Quick Updates

• The multifamily housing development being built at Trinity Mills and the tollway will have 317 units of market rate housing and 17 units of affordable housing. This development was allowed by right with our zoning code.
• Please continue to call 311 or report on the OurDallas app when you see panhandlers and please do not give them money.
• Hillcrest lane closures are changing - please drive slowly and pay attention to signage. If you have suggestions for improving the traffic management, please share them with our office.
• Zoning to change the land use on Coit for a restaurant and Pickleball will be voted on Wednesday.
• The City of Dallas remains in several lawsuits about poker rooms. Recently, a Texas city raided a poker room and arrested people for illegal gambling. Champions, the company involved in the lawsuit about poker in the old III Forks building, has opened a new facility in Irving. The old III Forks building is currently for sale.
• If you are interested in starting an Exchange Club, Rotary, or Women's League chapter in Far North Dallas, please contact Luis.

Equitable Housing Policy Community Meetings

The City of Dallas hired consulting group CES to facilitate the development of the new equitable housing policy framework. While I do not know what the consultants will recommend, my understanding is they wish to add density to District 12. This is concerning, as 65% of our housing is multi-family, the second highest percent in the city, and I regularly hear concerns from both homeowners and renters about the density level in our area.

CES has a meeting scheduled for November 5, 2022. Registration details can be found via Dallas Accountability for Housing Equity | Eventbrite.  

DART BUS SERVICE 

District 12 has long suffered with a lack of sufficient bus service. Efforts continue to provide more options for routes and more frequent bus service. During DART's bus redesign, I sent a letter to DART asking for a more robust, direct route on Frankford, which was included in their plan. Since then, I've asked for GoLink to be extended to our area. They have recently added a new area in the Denton County portion of D12.

The GoLink changes for this area increase the Keller Springs Zone to the north, with the Walmart Store located at 18121 Marsh Lane @ Frankford Road (Dallas, TX 75287) as the new northern boundary.

Here is a news article that covered the city's transportation committee meeting pressing for greater bus service in Dallas: 

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dart-offers-new-promises-for-bus-service-improvements-after-years-of-complaints/3099040/?fbclid=IwAR1h-Ad844t1igCkSE83Nn7naAloJdE9jRzpghuexefIm9GfS272V-Cmsuo

Volunteers Needed for Trash Assessment

Volunteers are needed for assessing (not cleaning up) the trash on the ground in Dallas zip code 75287. Volunteers will be given a list of locations to assess and rate how much trash they see, then email the results to Beth Weaver, the assessment’s leader. Beth will be working with individuals and organizations to adopt locations and continually clean them on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Details of the Trash Assessment:

Date: Saturday, October 29 (rainout date Saturday November 5)

Time: all day as convenient for the volunteer

To volunteer, please contact Beth Weaver at saturdaysfortheearth@gmail.com.

Lots has Happened at City Hall  - Items that Most Affect D12:

Public Comment at City Council Meetings - Being able to speak at city council meetings about items that are not on the agenda has allowed members of our community to share information and concerns about the Cotton Belt, Poker Rooms, and Short Term Rentals with the city council.

https://www.keranews.org/news/2022-10-19/the-public-gets-to-speak-for-now-but-dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-wants-to-turn-off-the-mic

https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-considers-eliminating-open-microphone-speaker-sessions-during-city-council-meetings-15089336

COVID EVICTION ORDINANCE - This temporary ordinance is still in effect and causing higher housing prices throughout the city. Dallas is the only city with this type of ordinance (even Austin repealed theirs), and I believe Dallas should do the same.

https://candysdirt.com/2022/10/20/rental-inflation-pandemic-prompts-overhaul-of-dallas-eviction-ordinance/

https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2022/10/dallas-difficult-question-what-can-it-do-to-protect-tenants-facing-eviction/

I-345 (the stretch of highway that links Central Expressway to I-45) - The idea of "stitching a community back together" sounds good until you realize more than 100,000 vehicles use this highway daily and the traffic delays exceed an additional 40 minutes each direction. All areas north of LBJ weren't even included in the study. Representatives from districts far away from downtown agree the highway needs to be rebuilt with the recommended plan, which puts the highway in a trench like Central Expressway, with pedestrian bridges connecting the community. Dallas may be able to reclaim 17 acres of land for development with this plan.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2022/10/19/some-on-dallas-council-uneasy-over-plan-to-lower-i-345-and-want-to-see-it-gone/

https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2022/10/council-questions-the-future-of-i-345-but-its-destiny-may-already-be-decided/

Car Allowance for City Councilmembers - I voted no.

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2022/10/09/last-minute-city-council-vote-on-car-allowance-troubling/

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2022/09/30/dallas-city-council-gives-itself-a-1000-a-month-car-allowance-stipend/

Help For Homeless with Master Leasing - A big step forward for people who qualify for a housing voucher but can't find housing. 

https://candysdirt.com/2022/10/05/dallas-city-council-prioritizes-housing-through-increased-funding-and-policy-changes/

SANITATION IMPROVEMENTS COMING

More than half of calls for help to 311 from our area concerns issues related to the sanitation department. A new approach to staffing and shifts will begin soon and we hope it will provide more reliable service to our area. It may mean your day of the week changes. Starting December 5th, if you live in D12, your new trash day is MONDAY. Please download the Dallas Sanitation App (free) and you will get notifications for your specific address on changes, and reminders when to set out trash and bulk.

If you need assistance because your trash or bulk was not picked up or you need a new roll cart, please call 311 or submit a service request through the Dallas Sanitation app or OurDallas app. If you don't get resolution through the normal channels, contact Luis for extra help at District12@dallascityhall.com 

https://dpdbeat.com/2022/09/12/the-dallas-police-department-announces-violent-street-crime-decreases-12-in-the-first-year-of-the-violent-crime-reduction-strategic-plan/?fbclid=IwAR2Op6gMKM5WXWPsMKdUTq7TC54BGiwgxd3GbW18SGIMZFEKd037v5nugYM

North Dallas Neighborhood Alliance

Love seeing so many North Dallas Neighborhood Alliance members who care about improving their neighborhood and the City of Dallas! This group was focused on public safety, sidewalks and short-term rentals. Thank you Dallas Police Department North Central Neighborhood Police officers for your presentation and encouragement to take the active shooter prep class. Always fun to do meetings with Jaynie Schultz, Dallas City Councilwoman District 11!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

• When will your trash get picked up? Get notified! Download the Dallas Sanitation App and it will text you when it is time to put your items outside. Did your trash/recycling get missed? Call 311 asap and they'll come get it within 24 hours.
• Dallas Animal Services reports the shelter is full! If you are interested in fostering or adopting a dog or cat, please contact them. Check out the website www.BeDallas90.org to see the pets currently available.
• Sidewalk maintenance in front of your home is your responsibility. The City of Dallas has a sidewalk replacement program, where the city will pay half the cost and the resident pays half the cost. Learn more here: https://dallascityhall.com/departments/public-works/DCH%20Documents/Public%20Works/pdf/SidewalkReplacementProgram-brochure%20091021.pdf
• To report panhandling or homeless encampments, call 311 or report on the OurDallas app. If you see something dangerous, please call 911.
• Learn more about the latest happenings at our Family Gateway North family homeless shelter. http://familygateway.org/north/
• Would you like to volunteer with Dallas Park and Recreation Department? To get involved in a Friends of a park in our area, contact our D12 representative on the park board, Lane Conner, at Lane.Conner@dallas.gov. To volunteer with any park facility across the city go here for more information:  https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/8c24d063-80d2-4ae6-83b8-aea8f1cf9e5f/1?fbclid=IwAR1eDcEhMroqVKwUlWC01SPvdDudFVZz0i8ums36BRdgHkvn23_zuaVu3jA