City of Allen Welcomes New Mayor, Councilmember

On Tuesday, May 23, the residents of Allen came together to honor and welcome their newly elected officials. Mayor Baine Brooks and Councilmember Place No. 2 Tommy Baril were elected on May 6 and sworn in during the May 23 council meeting. Learn more about the Allen City Council here.

A community reception, held just before the meeting began, also served as an opportunity to recognize the outgoing Mayor Ken Fulk and Councilmember Carl Clemencich for their dedicated service to the Allen community. Mayor Fulk, who served as Allen City Mayor from 2020 to 2023, and Councilmember Clemencich, who served as an Allen City Councilmember from 2017 to 2023, were acknowledged for their significant contributions to the growth and development of the city.

About Mayor Baine Brooks

Mayor Brooks previously served as an Allen City Councilmember from 2012 to 2022 and as Allen Mayor Pro Tem from 2021 to 2022. His background extends beyond municipal governance, with previous roles as the director of the North Texas Food Bank, president of the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association and regional director of the Texas Restaurant Association. He and his wife are proud owners and managers of a local Allen restaurant founded in 1995.

Pictured below: Mayor Baine Brooks with outgoing Mayor Ken Fulk

About Councilmember Tommy Baril

Councilmember Baril previously served as the president of the Allen Community Development Corporation and chaired the Allen Downtown Steering Committee. Baril also demonstrated his commitment to public safety by actively participating in Allen's CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). Baril is employed as Assistant Director in the U.S. Government Accountability Office's Defense Capabilities and Management team. Baril and his family have proudly called Allen their home since 2004.

Pictured below: Councilmember Tommy Baril with outgoing Mayor Ken Fulk

City Closures and Modified Hours for Memorial Day Holiday

City facilities may be closed or have modified hours this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday. Check the list below for changes to city facility hours of operation for Monday, May 29.

• Allen Animal Shelter - Closed
• Allen City Hall - Closed
• Allen Public Library - Closed Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29; No materials due
• Allen Municipal Court - Closed
• Allen Community Ice Rink - Open for regular programs - View rink schedule
• Allen Senior Recreation Center - Closed
• Don Rodenbaugh Aquatics Center - Open 1-6 p.m.
• Ford Pool - Open 1-6 p.m.
• Joe Farmer Recreation Center - Closed
• The Courses at Watters Creek - Open normal hours - Book a tee time
• The Edge - Skate Park open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Indoor facility closed.

No trash or recycling collection will take place on Monday, May 29. Service will slide to the next day for all routes.

2023 Bond Process Has Kicked Off - Stay Up to Date at the Engage Allen Website!

Thanks to all the participants who attended the Engage Allen: 2023 Bond Public Kickoff meeting and subcommittee meetings this week! Additional meetings will be held on June 1, June 8 and June 12 (if needed). Visit the Engage Allen website for online bond resources, and updates on meeting times and locations.

Couldn't attend meetings this week?

If you missed this week's kickoff event and meeting, it's not too late to get involved! Visit Engage.CityofAllen.org to watch videos of the kickoff meeting and subcommittee presentations. Though formal volunteer solicitation has ended, you can still participate on the Engage Allen website by asking questions and participating in online feedback opportunities as they become available.

*NEW* resources available

Ready to take a deeper dive into the bond subcommittees' topics of focus? Several new documents, video presentations and resource links have been added to the Engage Allen website. These materials include links to prior bond-funded projects, master planning documents, handout sheets and more.

You can find them under the "Resources" heading on each project page:

• Parks and Downtown
• Public Safety
• Neighborhoods, Streets and Infrastructure
• Public Art
• Finance

Allen USA Celebration returns on June 24

Market Street Allen USA presented by Credit Union of Texas returns on Saturday, June 24, 2023! The activities kick off at 6 p.m. at Celebration Park, with fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. Join us as we celebrate our nation in the heart of Allen, where community spirit and togetherness shine bright.

Get ready to immerse yourself in a day filled with food, fireworks, and live music, headlined by the Emerald City Band this year! For more information and updates, please visit our official website.

Even more Summer Fun in Allen!

Ford Pool opens for the season on May 27

Grab your bathing suit and towel, Ford Pool reopens on Saturday, May 27! Visit Ford Pool's webpage to learn more.

Summer Sounds Concert Series

Enjoy live music, gourmet food trucks and fun activities at the NETSCOUT Summer Sounds Concert Series presented by Credit Union of Texas. These FREE, family-friendly outdoor concerts are perfect for all ages, with meals and snacks available for purchase from participating food trucks. Pack a blanket, meet up with friends and relish summer evenings spent outside!

Concerts take place at 7 p.m. at the Bethany Lakes Park amphitheater on the following dates:

• Monday, June 5
• Monday, June 12
• Monday, June 19