04_22_20 Department Summaries Contents
Airport (Scott Gray).......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Animal Services (Randi Weinberg).................................................................................................................................... 2
CapitalPlanning (Scott Gray)............................................................................................................................................ 2
CapitalProjects (Todd Estes)............................................................................................................................................ 2
CitySecretary's Office (Rosa Rios).................................................................................................................................... 3
Community Services (Dani Shaw)..................................................................................................................................... 3
Denton Municipal Electric (DME) (Tony Puente)............................................................................................................... 3
Development Services (Scott McDonald).......................................................................................................................... 4
Economic Development (Jessica Rogers).......................................................................................................................... 4
Environmental Services (Dr. Kenneth Banks).................................................................................................................... 5
Facilities Management (Scott Gray).................................................................................................................................. 6
Finance/Customer Service (David Gaines)........................................................................................................................ 6
Fire (Kenneth Hedges)...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Fleet (Ethan Cox).............................................................................................................................................................. 6
Human Resources (Tiffany Thomson)............................................................................................................................... 7
InternalAudit (Umesh Dalal)............................................................................................................................................ 8
Legal (Aaron Leal) ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
Library (Jennifer Bekker).................................................................................................................................................. 9
MunicipalCourt (Lorri Brighton)....................................................................................................................................... 9
Parks and Recreation (Gary Packan)................................................................................................................................. 9
Police (Frank Dixon)........................................................................................................................................................10
Procurement/Compliance (Cassey Ogden) ......................................................................................................................11
Public Affairs (Sarah Kuechler) ........................................................................................................................................11
Risk Management/Health (Cassey Ogden).......................................................................................................................12
SolidWaste (Brian Boerner)............................................................................................................................................12
Streets and Drainage (Ethan Cox)....................................................................................................................................12
Sustainability/Recycling Public Outreach (Dr. Kenny Banks)...........................................................................................12
Technology Services (Melissa Kraft) ................................................................................................................................13
Utility Administration (Dr. Kenny Banks) .........................................................................................................................13
Utilities Strategic Operations (Dr. Kenny Banks)..............................................................................................................13
Water and Wastewater Utilities (Frank Pugsley)..............................................................................................................14
Summary of COVID-19 Departmental Activities
Compiled April 20, 2020 for Week of 4/13 — 4/17
Airport(Scott Gray)
• The Director is assigned to Executive Team B and has been working remotely this week. Director attending the
CIVIC) Director's meeting and shared details with staff as appropriate. Director coordinating department's efforts
in all COVID-19 related issues or inquiries.
• Airport staff continued staff separation protocol and the Terminal Building has remained closed to the general
public since Friday, March 20.
• Administrative staff(Administrative Assistant III, Operations/Maintenance Supervisor, and Airport Manager
(Director)) continue to work remotely,subject to call in for emergencies or reduction of staff as a result of
COVID-19 staff exposure. Operation and Maintenance staff are working from separate on-airport locations to
eliminate direct contact.At least one staff member is onsite M-F,8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and S-Su,8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
conducting daily airfield safety and security inspections.
• Staff is evaluating potential operating budget impacts and will be making recommendations regarding possible
short, medium and long-term reductions. Staff is also evaluating the impact on capital projects.
• Staff is coordinating with TxDOT Aviation regarding the release and acquisition of new COVID-19 aviation related
funding for capital projects, debt service,and workforce retention.
Animal Services(Randi Weinberg)
• Emergency Pet Food Pantry assisted 244 animals.
• Staff is no longer on rotating schedules as our intake has increased.
• Field operations are now responding to all stray animal calls.
• After-hours Field Officer was deployed 4/18.
• Celebrated Animal Care and Control Appreciation week by highlighting staff with bios on Facebook and
recognition.
Capital Planning(Scott Gray)
• All personnel have continued to work remotely. Staff is participating in various Microsoft Teams video
conferences to keep related design and construction projects on track. Staff continues work site visits as
necessary for inspections or construction coordination. Staff have begun discussions with contractors to
determine if they anticipate delays due to supply chain or workforce delays.
Capital Projects(Todd Estes)
• Real Estate automation—PMO completed the initial training; project status being updated.
• Citywide Map of Projects, Closures and Detours—project on hold until address COVID 19 issues.
• PMO and Project Delivery put together an updated schedule that is under review.
• Development Review Engineering is currently continuing to review all administratively approved applications,
field changes, and material changes remotely.
• Pre-Construction Meetings and Applicant Meetings are being held through Microsoft Teams.
• All staff that can work remotely are working remotely.
• We are maintaining a rotating shift of Public Works inspectors 1 week at home and 1 week at the Service Center.
• Construction is still taking place, so we have modified inspection procedures to provide the maximum safety for
personnel.
• Capital Projects administration is working remotely.
• Property Acquisitions are still moving forward.
• Traffic Operations has been split into an A shift and B shift and are working rotating shifts.
• In-house design is continuing as normal. Plans are being developed to move additional work to the internal
Engineering design team.
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• Making contingency plans for Capital Projects personnel for the escalation and de-escalation of the current
emergency.
City Secretary's Office(Rosa Rios)
• Staff continues to work remotely and on-site as needed for Council meetings and finalize any work that cannot
be completed remotely.
• Staff continues to answer telephones/emails and direct inquiries to the appropriate department/resources.
• Staff continues to process open records requests within established deadlines.
• Staff continues to process City Council actions within the established meeting deadlines.
Community Services(Dani Shaw)
• Community Development staff continue to work remotely, and Code Enforcement officers are split into A/B
shifts rotating daily,working remotely or on-site in the office until May 4 or later if extended.
• Maintaining modified code enforcement operations necessary to monitor neighborhoods and process code
complaints, as well as assisting with other tasks such as coordination with Legal, Development Services, and
Public Affairs in ongoing Disaster Declaration Enforcement,and M-F lunch time delivery of ODB meals to shelter
hotel. Code Enforcement officers were initially instructed to take vehicles to be able to deploy remotely as
needed. As of Monday,04/20/20,the vehicles are no longer parked remotely with staff. During non-business
hours,they are now parked/stored at City Hall East.
• Continuing community development operations necessary to maintain HUD compliance and drawdowns,
processing requests for emergency housing assistance,completing public facility projects, supporting human
services grants agencies, and overseeing three current housing renovation projects. Residential Construction
Specialist is conducting work site visits only as necessary for emergency repair assessment, inspections, or
construction coordination while implementing modified inspection procedures to provide the maximum safety
for staff, contractors, and residents.
• Answering telephone calls,emails,and providing referrals to available community resources.
• Virtual weekly meeting with local non-profits regarding services, logistics, and donation management each
week. With support from Public Affairs,CD staff is managing and updating a master list of services online:
www.citvofdenton.com/coronavirusresources.
• Coordinating closely with ODB, MKOC, and TSA regarding operations levels at MKOC hotel site including oversite
of emergency shelter hotel meal deliveries with support of multiple city offices and security firm.
• Assisting KDB/Parks with coordinating staff to volunteer at local nonprofits (ODB, MKOC, DCFC, etc.) as needed.
Added bilingual staff to assist Denton Community Food Center with translation assistance for Food Pantry
clients.
• Staff evaluated potential operating budget impacts, Developed summaries of cost reduction strategies.
• Attending virtual meetings with local, state, and federal organizations to stay current on COVID-19
developments and identify potential impacts on the City.
• Planning for expected and potential emergency funding sources i.e. CARES Act. Staff sent out a COVID-19 Impact
Survey to local nonprofits to gather data.
Denton Municipal Electric (DME) (Tony Puente)
• Department continue to operate at Level 2 of operational staffing plan. No significant changes to employee
availability list.
• DME will be moving to Level 1 operational staffing plan the week of April 20th. Those employees that can work
remotely will continue to do so. Field operations, including Substations, Line Construction, Line Operations and
Maintenance, Metering, and Denton Energy Center will return to normal operations but will be using the City of
Denton Personal Protection Equipment guidelines.
• DME campus remains closed to all non-essential personnel.
• The Mausch Branch Subdivision was energized on Tuesday April 14th and is now in service.
• The new transmission pole in the Windhaven subdivision was installed on Thursday April 16th.
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• The reconstruction of the Cooper Creek to Arco 138 kV transmission line continues with estimated completion
date of June 1, 2020.
• Mandatory ERCOT testing of substation relays continues with two substations completed.
• Field crews continue to respond to numerous service requests for both residents and new construction that is
being completed, especially TXDOT related.
• Completed engine warranty work on 11 of 12 Denton Energy Center units.The remaining unit will be completed
on Tuesday 4/21.
• Personal Protection Equipment consistent with the City of Denton COVID 19 PPE guidelines distributed to all
field service employees along with detailed procedures for their use.
Development Services(Scott McDonald)
• All staff that can work remotely are working remotely including development review employees.A limited
number of staff who preferred working from the office have continued to work from the Development Services
Center.
• Building and Health inspectors are maintaining a rotating shift of working 1 week remotely and 1 week at the
Development Services Center. Inspections procedures have been modified for these employees to maximize
safety.
• Development Services continues to receive applications for projects which do not require City Council or
Planning and Zoning Commission approval.
• Building permit intake and review is continuing as normal with applications being accepted online.
• Staff is continuing to hold pre-application conferences and pre-construction meetings with applicants using
teleconferencing technology.
• Development Services staff is verifying contractor registration via MS Teams video conferencing in lieu of face to
face interactions.
• Development Service staff is successfully filing plats and other documents following an interim process that staff
established in coordination with Denton County.
• Development Services staff has continued retail/grocer education, monitoring compliance, and informing
retailers of best practices.
• Development Services staff in collaboration with CIS is responding to emergency order investigation and
complaints.
• Development Services staff, in collaboration with Economic Development, Community Development, and Public
Affairs drafted and mailed letters to major retail outlets providing best practices for social distancing and
including a copy of the April 6 Declaration of Disaster Order.
• Development Services staff drafted a checklist to use when making future COVID-19 related site visits to ensure
consistency between inspectors and to improve the quality of data collected.
• As a result of the Governor's announcements on Friday,April 17, Development Services staff is devising
resources and a plan to assist and inspect businesses for safety as we gradually begin to re-open for retail-to-go
and/or full operation.
• In collaboration with the Library,the hard copy files in the Development Services Center are being digitally
imaged including building plans,certificates of occupancy, and historic preservation documents.
• Remote phone software has been installed and headsets provided to Development Services employees allowing
them to answer phone calls remotely and lessening the call volume for on-site employees.
Economic Development(Jessica Rogers)
• Continued to work with Public Affairs,CIVIC, and United Way to develop scope of service for business and
individual support programs and grant for United Way to expand their information and referral program.
• Conducting analyses and prepare information related to CARES Act programs including expansions to
unemployment insurance programs, Paycheck Protection Program,and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Programs.
o Provided updates to City Council regarding status of the PPP and unemployment insurance distribution.
o Review information for Public Affairs regarding social media graphics and posts.
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• Reviewed and provided updates regarding unemployment and labor force data and reports released by the US
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Texas Workforce Commission.
• Aided businesses seeking lenders through the PPP without prior banking/business relationships.
• Connected with local banks to discuss options and terms and conditions of PPP through their institutions.
• Selected to serve as an advisory member to the Arts,Culture, and Entertainment workgroup leader on the
Governor's Strike Force to reopen the economy.
• Continued discussions with TIP Strategies regarding short-term economic development strategies and plans
related to the COVID-19 response framework and how to best position Denton for a quick recovery when it is
safe to do so.
• Participated in Denton Main Street Association's Facebook Live town hall regarding programs for businesses.
• Participated in the Denton Chamber of Commerce's Government Relations committee meeting.
• Monitoring draft and final rules from federal agencies related to CARES Act implementation and distributing
information accordingly; and continue to monitor potential new appropriations or legislation regarding
economic support programs.
• Working with local restaurants regarding supplemental meal assistance for shelters and first responders.
• Drafting responses to questions regarding federal programs, state assistance programs, and local resources.
• Working with State of Texas Music Office on ways to support musicians during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Monitoring information being released by Federal Reserve regarding economic support and monetary policy
changes, including new lending programs that could help support local governments and small businesses.
• Published information related to support for artists and creative sector in response to COVID-19, including
available federal grants and programs.
• Making regular check-in calls on major employers and large retailers to understand impacts,answer questions,
and provide workforce assistance.
• Coordinating with Workforce Solutions for North Texas on resources for employers and claimants for
unemployment insurance and helping businesses access other workforce programs.
• Attending/participating in webinars,online trainings, and conference calls with Denton Main Street Association,
Stoke Denton, Denton Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce,Texas Workforce
Commission, IEDC,TEDC, Buxton,and Texas Downtown Association.
• Working with Denton Chamber of Commerce and Denton Main Street Association to provide resources for those
organizations to distribute to their membership.
• Maintaining a tracking list of available free educational resources and assistance programs for businesses and
sharing information through the regional Denton County economic development/chamber of commerce work
group.
• Working with Public Affairs on public information for businesses.
• Updating social media pages with relevant information for businesses, and providing information and resources
to other partners to post for their audiences.
• Working with Community Improvement Services, Development Services, Public Affairs, and Legal on essential
business determinations.
• Maintaining/continuing regular operations necessary for department, including incentive administration and
compliance, preparation of agenda items,and other standard department functions.
Environmental Services(Dr. Kenneth Banks)
• Environmental Services continues providing essential and critical services.
• Staff continues responding to citizens reports of illegal discharges and general questions.
• Management continues developing financial strategies for potential long-term effects of the COVID-19
emergency.
• Inspections of gas well sites continue as programmed.
• Industrial Pretreatment staff currently working from home have signed up for volunteering with the Our Daily
Bread.
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• The Municipal Laboratory continues performing regulatory testing for the city's drinking water plants and water
reclamation plant, and for public water systems (PWSs)from nearby communities.
Facilities Management(Scott Gray)
• The maintenance staff continues its rotating schedule that coordinates with the Director A& B team schedules,
with all technical staff subject to recall as needed. Response to emergency needs and COVID-19 needs as well as
the on-call technician rotation remains in full effect. Preventative maintenance work has been suspended,for
the closure period,to allow for cost savings.
• The Teams are primarily responding to City-wide COVID-19 related facilities cleaning requests, including
coordination of 3rd party janitorial services for deep-cleaning requests.Two staff members have access and are
responsible for the majority of City building security changes (e.g.,facility lockdowns, access requests, etc.).At
the request of the PIO,staff is ensuring any COVID-19 related posters or signage,with updated closure dates,
are delivered and posted on external doors at each City facility. Additionally, maintenance staff inspect each
building throughout the week to look for any issues that would normally be reported by staff housed in the
buildings.
• The HVAC technicians are available to institute additional setbacks in the event other City buildings are
temporarily vacated.
• Spending is being limited to necessary and/or COVID-19 related items only as a cost savings measure.
• USPS pickup and delivery by City Warehouse staff for facilities without external mailboxes continues with
minimal issues.Any City facility with external mailboxes or the ability to continue receiving mail from the Postal
Worker, has continued normal USPS.
Finance/Customer Service (David Gaines)
• Finalizing projections for General and Utility Funds incorporating reduced revenue forecasts. Initiated process
identifying expenditure reductions to offset revenue losses.
• Preparing a presentation of cost reduction strategies for Council consideration on April 21.
• Staff is continuing to collect COVID-19 expense detail for FEMA for reimbursement.
• Staff has automated several processes to facility remote working conditions.
Fire(Kenneth Hedges)
• Coordinated a cross-departmental Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) working group that was tasked with
developing recommendations based on the latest CDC guidelines for daily use of PPE by non-medical staff.
• Public Safety PPE working group continues to monitor burn rates of current stock as well as reviewing and
implementing changes coming from the CDC.
• Continued working with Denton State Supported Living Center on a COVID-19 plan
development/implementation. A Unified Command structure was established in which key stakeholders meet
three times a week for an updated briefing.
• Continued weekly discussions of a group of representatives from City of Denton, Denton County, Medical City
Denton and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton to regularly communicate medical needs/responses to
COVID-19.
• Continued support and coordination of Emergency Operations Center. Staff participate in daily conference calls
and distribute a summary report to EOC members.
• Developed guidelines for MKOC hotel site for infection control and exposure actions.
• Two dedicated COVID-19 ambulances continue to offset workload of primary Fire response units. Continual
response modifications are being made for the COVID-19 units.
Fleet(Ethan Cox)
• Began temperature scans and log sheet for all employees entering the building at the beginning of each shift.
• Both Fleet Shops are working"A and "B"teams.
o "B"Team worked on-site this week
• Fleet shop hours are 7:OOam-3:30pm.
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• Critical technicians for PD and Fire are on "Standby"when not on duty.
• All department personnel reporting healthy.
• Operating department service levels maintained without interruption.
• Implemented towing of vehicles, if departments are unable to aid.
Human Resources(Tiffany Thomson)
• Maintained service levels for customers.
• Fielded phone calls,texts, and emails about how to handle COVID19 related questions; Monitored and
responded to the COVID19HR email inbox.
o 14 Cases worked last week.
• Monitored and responded to the Return to Work Requests from employees returning to work after being ill.
o 13 requests to return to work forms worked last week.
• Assisted departments with assessments and planning; attended meetings and discussions.
• Attended discussions on Voluntary Separation Program and memo to employees.
• Worked on addressing Unemployment claims related to COVID.
• Represented HR on citywide PPE Work Group.
o Reviewed and assisted with completing the City of Denton PPE Guidelines during COVID and a
Department SOP for COVID PPE template.
o Ordered/picked-up masks and set-up PPE station for HR.
o Prepared and distributed PPE Guidance for HR.
• Read the information and had discussions to stay abreast of COVID19 guidance.
• Attended COVID-19 Workgroup Webinar.
• Coordinated with Payroll over the phone and through teleconference to plan and navigate time/pay
codes/tracking for EFMLA and ESLA.
• Processed updates to TMRS approved signers due to organizational changes.
• Cleaned out the HR storage unit and assisted with planning the move of the rest of the items to a new storage
facility.
• Generation of various reports for leadership use across the organization.
• Coordinate within HR Team regarding employees returning to work post-COVID (or presumed COVID) related
absences.
• Communication with Fire and Payroll to correctly code First Responders after update to policy 111.01.
• Responding to questions via phone and email from employees and supervisors about EFMLA, RTW procedures,
and other concerns related to leaves and absences.
• Specifically communicating with employees on leaves unrelated to COVID-19 and the limitations therein of
FFCRA.
• Acting as the timekeeper for employees on EFMLA to track FMLA and ensure proper coding since this time is
paid through ESLA and then at 2/3.
• NeoGov demo to investigate options for HRIS replacement.
• Developed, hosted, analyzed, and reported on City Survey regarding COVID response; responded to a LOT of
questions and requests from other cities who received the results.
• Clinic space rent deferral process.
• Assisting City leadership with budgetary options and operational reductions.
• Development, editing, refining Voluntary Separation program and accompanying documents.
• Reviewed GASB75 documents for 2020.
• Preparation and assist leadership regarding impending organizational changes.
• Daily update of the Remote Work Resources page (https://codenton.sharepoint.com/sites/codep/COVIDHR).
• Creation of new shortened performance review document and process.
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• Creation and facilitation of live virtual training sessions.
• Coordination of recruitment for Municipal Judge.
• Conducted research on Applicant Tracking System and Learning Management System.
• Collection of Public Safety Communications Appreciation Week material.
• Updated HR HUB pages.
• Continued management of Hiring Freeze,applications,and new hires.
• Processed employee verifications.
• Continued to serve customers—internal and external —with no disruption in service.
• Continued cleaning up files in Laserfiche.
• Researched Civil Service requirements.
• Researched TWC filling requirements.
• Continued training with retiring employees.
• Cleaned out the storage unit at Storage Depot and found a new location in a City building to move the remaining
items to.
• Advised on Corrective Actions and other employee relations matters.
• Reviewed and edited Corrective Actions.
• Participated in EOC Meetings.
• Advised and responded to questions from Department Heads regarding reorganization strategic plans.
• Researched the CARES Act and attended teams meeting including other HR staff from other Cities.
• Collaborated with NEOGOV representative through Teams.
• Worked on updating Civil Service Rules in preparation for approval by the Civil Service Commission.
• Continued preparation for virtual Civil Service meetings.
• Conducted an administrative review of an employee's concerns.
• Researched Unemployment Compensation Benefits and developed a strategic plan on how to provide assistance
and address initial claims.
• Assisted with VSP.
• Reviewed, edited and advised on PPE Guidelines.
• Reviewed Weekly Employee COVID-19 Updates.
Internal Audit(Umesh Dalai)
• All internal Audit personnel are working remotely.
• They are performing their duties with electronic communication and using Microsoft Meeting video
conferencing.The City Auditor attends most of the meetings.
• The staff is providing status report of work accomplished and progress of the projects.
• Status of outstanding requests and needed information is communicated electronically to auditees and Task
Force management team.
• The City Auditor meets with my staff using Microsoft Meeting video conferencing.
• The City Auditor reviews work papers prepared by staff auditors and communicates his queries to them.
• The Administrative Assistant reports work accomplishments to the City Auditor.
Legal (Aaron Leal)
• City Attorney has advised Council on legal implications of various proposed budget strategies.
• Deputy City Attorneys researched requirements for election date change petition.
• Deputy City Attorneys have drafted resolution to the governor for a non-uniform election date for the general
and special municipal elections.
• Deputy City Attorneys analyzed and provided a summary of latest gubernatorial orders.
• Deputy City attorneys are researching applicable law related to cost-cutting measures.
• Attorneys have responded to questions on employment issues stemming from the emergency.
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• Attorneys have prepared documents for the proposed VSP.
• Attorney have been advising operational staff on implementation of VSP.
• Attorneys have been performing research in anticipation of the need for further orders in coordination with the
gubernatorial orders.
Library(Jennifer Bekker)
• Library staff is working an A/B schedule,with half working in library branches and half working remotely to
continue providing customer service, providing resources, and supporting library operations. Staff is using MS
Teams and phone conference calls for virtual meetings.
• Library staff continues to answer phone and email customer questions related to accounts, reference, and
reader's advisory. Staff is also conducting research for patrons while library facilities are closed.
• Materials continue to be returned. Staff is checking in materials,sorting, and shelving to keep items from
backing up.
• Staff is developing a plan to bring back curbside and drive up pickup for available hold materials.
• Created social media marketing and engagement content on Facebook, twitter, and Instagram. Wrote and
posted new library blog posts. Developed schedule for posting live and taped video online programming and
activities to ensure M-F daily programming. Planned, prepared,and conducted online programming events.
o Online book club, Virtually Together
o Virtual StoryTime Live (Wednesdays @ 11 a.m.)
o Adult Book Talks
o Youth Book Talk
o Teen Book Talk
o How-to/Craft activities
• Several library staff members assisted at Our Daily Bread.
Library Service Statistics Saturday 4/12-Friday 4/18
• 1,424 items were returned, checked-in, sorted, and shelved
• Staff responded to almost 300 phone calls and a-mails from community members
• 6,325 ebooks, digital audiobooks, downloadable music, and streaming TV/movies were checked out last week
from cloudLibrary and hoopla digital services
• 73 eCard and eRenewal requests were completed
Municipal Court(Lorri Brighton)
• Court Window Clerks continue answering phone lines Monday thru Friday 8am-5pm providing information on
citations.
• Essential Staff rotating Teams in the office.
• Continued essential duties to include processing mail,administrative reports, and case management of citations.
• Court Staff continue to respond to email and a-fax requests to reset court dates and provide case information.
• Court staff reset cases set for dockets not held first 2 weeks in April.
Parks and Recreation (Gary Packan)
• Director and Assistant Director continued to meet remotely with Executive Team, CMO, EOC, Budget,
Leadership, and department staff throughout the week via Microsoft Teams and Zoom related to COVID-19
responses, as well routine operational activities.
• Continued to meet daily at 8am with the Business Manager, Marketing staff and Parks Superintendent to review
ongoing needs related to COVID-19 as well as public outreach and communications.
• Continued remote staff meetings to coordinate operations and logistics related COVID-19 impacts.
• Continued work on budgetary adjustments to plan for the loss in operating revenue for the department and
organization.
• Staff processed contractor payments, check requisitions, PO requests,and responded to Engage Denton
requests.
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• Staff continued budget savings analysis, updated the template for subsidy and resource allocation program
planning, and gathered Q2 internal performance measures data, and researched available Park Land Dedication
funding for certain projects.
• Staff continued distribution of COVID-19 reporting requirements, processed refunds and submitted check
requisitions for COVID-19 response cancelations.
• Staff created social media marketing and engagement content for Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram; and
responded to daily COVID-related public inquiries.
• Staff continued the Question of the Day Facebook video campaign to engage the community with staff in a
month-log needs assessment series while at home.
• Staff coordinated daily with Public Affairs to help research and develop content for public outreach related to
the CARES Act, Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and United Way.
• Staff continued content development for the virtual recreation center.
• Staff expanded Zoom licenses and continued to assist program areas with the delivery of services using Zoom,
social media and the virtual rec center.
• Staff met and discussed the development of virtual community events for the upcoming Earth Day and Arbor
Day celebrations.
• Staff canceled After School Action Site due to the cancelation of in-classroom school services and contacted
customers to process refunds.
• Staff delivered McAlister cookies to 26 seniors in the form of a four-car parade using signs to.
• Staff hosted a Facebook Live Bingo event on Friday,April 17.
• Staff delivered weekly update for on-going and COVID-19 related business to staff and Parks, Recreation &
Beautification Board members, developed folders and documents for remote work progress, and created a
weekly department summary template.
• Volunteer Hours—Staff continued to fill volunteer shifts with Our Daily Bread.
o April 12-18, City employees filled 26 shifts at Our Daily Bread.
o Staff coordinated shifts for bilingual staff to serve as onsite translators at the Denton Community Food
Center beginning the week of April 20.
• Staff continued maintenance of parks,trails and open space.
• Staff continued to maintain park closures and installed additional signs along open trails to encourage social
distancing.
• Staff responded to issues related to illegal dumping in rights-of-way.
• Staff transitioned back into the fields and have returned to mowing areas with high visibility, parks, and public
buildings on a regular schedule. Contractors are also still mowing.
• Public Hygiene and Civic Center Pool—The facility continues to be staffed by PARD and cleaned by Parks and
Facilities Maintenance staff.
• Week 2 1 Public Hygiene and Civic Center Pool Attendance
o Total restroom (270) and laundry(54) usage: 324 'r23 from the previous week.
Police(Frank Dixon)
• Worked with the North Texas Police Chiefs Association to obtain PPE.
• We are looking into two separate grants to obtain COVID-related funding.
• Responded to Lowe's with CIS in reference to a health/safety concern related to COVID.
• Responded to a social media message post by someone claiming to work for a local wrecker service.Appears it
was a hoax, possibly by an unhappy customer.
• Several local businesses, including Frio's, Chuy's. New York Sub Hub,Jersey Mikes,Gillean Brothers Roofing,
donated items of support for first responders.
• DPD is participating in the "rolling parades"that have become popular. We will accompany as many as we can,
keeping in mind that public safety is our primary concern.
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Procurement/Compliance (Cassey Ogden)
• Continue working remotely.
• Set up on-line form for cloth mask needs for all City departments.
• Purchased and received cloth masks for all City departments through Warehouse.
• Participated in PPE Working Group meetings.
• Worked with departments on PPE needs and distributing those materials.
• Conducted daily meetings for Purchasing and Warehouse staff to discuss daily COVID procurement priorities.
• Assisted Finance with on-going FEMA cost tracking and reporting, including purchases made via purchase order
(PO) and p-cards.
• Participated in weekly EOC activities.
Public Affairs(Sarah Kuechler)
• Serving as lead for all public information functions and serving as liaison with CIVIC)and City Council.
• Serving on EOC team and operations. Participating in various calls and daily briefings.
• Regularly monitoring official announcements, press releases, and media coverage from federal,state, county,
and local entities, school districts, universities, businesses,community organizations, nonprofits, etc.
Coordinating with our partners.
• Developed social media posts, resharing posts,and developed videos to share with the community.
• Developed press releases,flyers,social media posts, and more to educate the community and businesses on
Stay at Home Order and social distancing best practices.
• Supported Economic Development and CMO with responding inquiries regarding COVID-19 guidance,guidelines
and orders.
• Supported Economic Development with daily reporting of local business impact survey responses; individual
responses and summary data reports.
• Coordinated with departments to ensure their information on the website is up-to-date, add details about
service changes as needed.
• Supported Community Development with managing and updating COVID-19 Community Resources page
www.citvofdenton.com/coronavirusresources.
• Deployment of"We Are" and "Denton Strong"video series that demonstrate the City and Denton community
response to COVID-19.
• Compiled information with Human Resources and drafted communication for Weekly Employee COVID-19
update in both digital and print; and assisted in other employee communications including state self-quarantine
mandate for select states.
• Coordinated with PMO on tracking and communication for active construction projects that are suspended due
to COVID-19 response.
• Deployed virtual platforms for public meetings, including the coordination public comments through an online
form or telephone.
• Evaluated state legislation and are prioritizing state laws to request, in coordination with our consultants and
other cities, be suspended to enable a more effective COVID-19 response.
• In partnership with United Way of Denton County, developed and launched an enhancement of the Information
and Referrals program to connect individuals and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 to federal,state, and
local resources.
• Developing strategy with state legislative consultants to communicate the City's desire for a special session of
the State Legislature to be called in response to COVID-19.
• Advocating for the anticipated 41h federal legislation addressing COVID-19 to include direct funding to local
governments with no restriction on size (as in the CARES Act).
• Deploying additional social distancing communication pieces for use by Denton businesses.
• Deployed critical internal employee communications in coordination with the CIVIC)and Human Resources.
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Risk Management/Health (Cassey Ogden)
• Continue working remotely.
• Continued tracking work related exposures of COVID-19 through the Risk Management Information System.
Solid Waste(Brian Boerner)
• Tonnage into the Denton Landfill has returned to pre-COVID Levels.
• 30 additional transactions over to pre-COVID levels.
• 23 calls for commercial service reduction/elimination due to COVID business losses.
• Residential tonnage collected up 53%versus pre-COVID levels (839.46 tons last week versus 549 tons first week
of March).
• Residential bulky collections up 49.3%(430 last week versus 288 first week of March).
• Crew leaders/Supervisors returned to office with PPE from A/B schedule.
• Health Monitoring,wearing masks began.
• Revenue analysis ongoing to determine impact of COVID.
Streets and Drainage(Ethan Cox)
• Staff is divided into 2 groups alternating weeks onsite.
• All personnel are working remotely who are able.
• Major construction projects are put on hold. Projects are being brought to passable and safe state before the
project is suspended.
• Streets Crews are working on:
o Pothole patching
o Minor base failure
o Minor Sidewalk repairs
o Monitoring Engage Denton App and making repairs where needed
o Goal is to finish a project within the same week it is started.
• Drainage Crews are working on:
o Inlet inspections and cleaning
o Channel inspection/cleaning
o Street sweeping
o Monitoring Engage Denton App and making repairs where needed
• Staff is practicing social distancing while working and commuting back forth to the job with, 1 person per
vehicle.
Sustainability/Recycling Public Outreach (Dr. Kenny Banks)
• Responded to social media requests for information.
• Completed Solid Waste website updates.
• Update Budget Information as requested.
• Participated in "Pathways to Resilience" webinar—interesting options to consider for enhanced building code
requirements.
• Reviewed and edited Proclamations for Earth Day, Drinking Water Week and Pollinator week.
• Coordinated soil delivery at Clear Creek. Will work next week with limited folks to get plants in beds that were
solarized in preparation for planting. (plants are onsite and need to get in the ground).
• Coordinated with KDB Board member about donation of more than 200 native plants to Clear Creek. Bluestem is
part of an ongoing project transplanting bluestem from Denia to Clear Creek.Volunteers have transplanted
more than 200 over past 2 years with great success.
• Discussed combining Stream Clean and Great American Cleanup into one event in the Fall. Sustainability,
Watershed, and KDB participated.
• Completed Earth Month Educational Materials, including NASA Citizen Science Project walkthrough
presentations and BioBlitz intro video.
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• Started USDN Equity Foundations Training.
• Continued to add residents to waiting list for energy and water auditing program.
• Air Quality Awareness week planning of outreach materials (May 4).
• Worked with ICLEI regarding GHG mitigation plan.
• Joined USDN working groups for renewable energy and food waste reduction.
• Explored consumption-based inventory as a possible add on for calculating GHG impact
• Volunteered and sewed over 50 masks.
• Continued to participate in the Urban Sustainability Directors Network(USDN) Equity in Action Learning group
concerning experiences and challenges of engaging citizens equitably during the pandemic.
• Held virtual meetings to discuss Stream Clean for Fall 2020 and participating with NCTCOG and Keep Denton
Beautiful for Fall cleanup.
Technology Services(Melissa Kraft)
• Technology Services is working with all departments with ongoing technology needs.
• Majority of staff are working remotely. Rotating onsite staff on a weekly basis.
• Assisted over 25 walk-ins,Serviced over 284 incidents and service requests. Received 119 calls through our TS
helpdesk.
• Completed our Motorola radio system field coverage testing.
• Assisted departments needing SharePoint sites.
• Performed several application software upgrades.
• Completed updates to SIDE Denton County Municipal Boundaries. Includes: City limits, ETJ, ESN,and County
Sheriff layers.
• Performed quarterly vulnerability scans.
• Rolling out softphone for many departments to provide communication between citizens and staff.
• Public Safety Communications(911)
0 911 calls on average during the period 4/13 to 4/19 - 1,126 total calls—160 per day
o Decrease of 13.5%over last week.
o Admin calls on average during the period 4/13 to 4/19—1,906 total calls—272 calls per day
o Increase of.7%over last week.
o Calls for service entered into CAD system—1,292 for PD, 264 for FD, and 71 for AS— 1,605 Total
o Increase of 1.4%over last week.
Utility Administration (Dr. Kenny Banks)
• Purchase orders, contract administration,and invoice payments continue to be processed as normal.
• Timekeeping specific to COVID-19 responses continues to be tracked and reported.
• Staff continues to work on budget items, personal protective equipment and processes,training, and budget
items.
Utilities Strategic Operations(Dr. Kenny Banks)
• Water Distribution,Wastewater Collections,Water Metering, and Operations Planning and Asset Management
are continuing to work a Shift A and Shift B schedule in effort to reduce our workforce in half and allow for
alternating weeks of operations while with keeping staff healthy.
• All in-house construction by the Water Distribution and Wastewater Collections Departments continues to be
suspended temporarily.
• Tasks directly related to maintenance operations, regulatory operations,job site visits and walk throughs, water
meter installations, line locating,valve operations, and emergency responses are continuing. Water Distribution
and Wastewater Collections are continuing to deliver water to Green Tree Estates. Water Metering has seen an
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increase in their workload this week due to the metering reading function of the City being started back up as of
April 15.This has required Water Metering to make some scheduling modifications to accommodate.
• We are currently working through the proper PPE requirements including masks for each employee, and a
Standard Operating Procedure for COVID PPE is being reviewed for implementation.
• The Water and Wastewater Utilities Departments received 10,000 masks as a donation and has received all cloth
masks requested. The department is now awaiting receipt of thermometers and additional gloves.
Water and Wastewater Utilities(Frank Pugsley)
• All departments continued to run modified schedules and shifts to minimize staff contact. Utilities continue to
physically staff only for continuity of operations, required maintenance, and emergencies.
• The remainder of staff are on standby in case of emergency or if an on-shift employee becomes ill. All staff
members continue to take actions to minimize likelihood of exposure, including single riders in vehicles/
equipment, disinfection of vehicles/equipment before and after use, and social distancing. Utilities Staff
members are currently working with staff in the Fire Department to obtain personal protection equipment to
allow more staff to physically report to work.
• All Water and Wastewater departments evaluated PPE needs for all staff to ultimately return to work. Staff
provided PPE needs to the Purchasing Department for procurement.
• The Water Production Department began fully staffed maintenance operation to complete mowing and
landscape care of the production facilities during the peak growing season. Staff work independently on mowers
or with hand equipment.
• All departments continued to run modified schedules and shifts to minimize staff contact. Utilities continue to
physically staff only for continuity of operations, required maintenance,and emergencies.The remainder of
staff are on standby in case of emergency or if an on-shift employee becomes ill.Adjustments have also been
made to accommodate higher risk staff members. All staff members continue to take actions to minimize
likelihood of exposure, including single riders in vehicles/equipment, disinfection of vehicles/equipment
before and after use, and social distancing.
• Staff continues to ensure all essential Water and Wastewater(Reclamation) operations are maintained with no
noticeable service loss. Schedules continue to be adjusted as needed to complete maintenance work that
requires two staff members for safety.
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