Resident Update Dec 18-Jan 19SHOP HERE ON PURPOSE AND
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY
Denton is a thriving, unique, and independent community with lots of
places to eat, shop, and play. As we near the holiday season, remember
that you can help support our local businesses and economy. The
S.H.O.P. (Shop Here On Purpose) Denton program encourages those who
live or work in Denton to make a concentrated effort to shop here.
When you shop local, you are helping to support your friends and neighbors.
Dollars spent at an independent, locally owned business go right back into
the local economy as those business owners make purchases from other
local businesses, service providers, and farms—further strengthening the
economic base of the whole community.
Additionally, by shopping where you live, you reduce your environmental
impact, support community groups, and invest in your community’s future.
This effort keeps Denton unique, provides a much broader range of product
choices and prices, and creates more jobs for our residents. Local businesses
often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling
and who take more time to get to know their customers. Small businesses
will also select products based on their own interests and the needs of their
local customers instead of a national sales plan. Combined together, all of
this helps make one-of-a-kind businesses an integral part of Denton’s
distinct character.
What can you do? S.H.O.P.
Denton! Shopping options
are abundant—in shopping
centers, malls, and our
historic downtown. Make
a day of it and check out
Denton; all of the same
services or products you find
out-of-town are conveniently
located right where you live.
This upcoming holiday season provides many shopping opportunities
as merchants host special sales, product demonstrations, and fun
promotions. So, meet your friends or take your family and shift your
shopping to local.
To learn more about the S.H.O.P Denton program and events, visit
www.shopdentontexas.com or follow us on Instagram (shopdentontexas)
and Facebook (fb.me/shopdentontexas). RESIDENT UPDATECITY OF DENTONDECEMBER 2018 | JANUARY 2019
Welcome to the Resident Update.
Last year, we made a commitment
to improve our communication
and connection with residents.
We believe that you deserve to hear
about what is going on in Denton
directly from your local government.
In this edition, you’ll find information about local public art
murals, how to recycle real Christmas trees, and how to
schedule a free energy audit for your home. There is also
information about how the City of Denton helped Florida
recover from Hurricane Michael and much more.
This November, we saw unprecedented voter turnout
in the midterm election. Showing up to the polls and
having your voice heard is one of the most important
things you can do as an American, as a Texan, and as a
resident of Denton. We hope that you’ll be equally as
motivated to cast your ballot in our next City election
in May 2019—we want to hear from you.
We also want to hear about what you would most like to
see in this newsletter. If you have feedback or suggestions
for future editions, please let us know by sending an email
to CMO@cityofdenton.com.
FROM THE MAYOR
Shop Here On Purpose ..........................................1
From the Mayor .......................................................2
Upcoming Public Meetings ...................................2
Denton City Council ...............................................2
Holiday Closings ......................................................2
Annual Stream Clean ..............................................3
Annual State of the City Scheduled .....................3
City Crews Aid in Hurricane Recovery ................3
Denton Parks | 31.3 Miles of Trails .......................4
SilverSneakers® and Silver&Fit® Programs ..........5
Free Energy Audits ..................................................5
Public Art Profile: Arts Center Murals ..................6
Turn Your Christmas Trees Into Dyno Dirt .........6
Calendar of Winter and Holiday Events ..............7
IN THIS ISSUE
DENTON CITY COUNCIL
DENTON CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, Dec. 4
Tuesday, Dec. 11
Tuesday, Dec. 18
Tuesday, Jan. 8
Tuesday, Jan. 15
PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD
Monday, Dec. 10
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Wednesday, Dec. 12
Wednesday, Jan. 9
These and other public meetings are broadcast
live on DTV and at www.cityofdenton.com/dtv.
For a current list of meetings and agendas,
visit www.cityofdenton.com/public-meetings.
IN THIS ISSUE
UPCOMING
PUBLIC MEETINGS
2
Chris Watts, Mayor | Chris.Watts@cityofdenton.com
Gerard Hudspeth, District 1 | Gerard.Hudspeth@cityofdenton.com
Keely G. Briggs, District 2 | Keely.Briggs@cityofdenton.com
Don Duff, District 3 | Don.Duff@cityofdenton.com
John Ryan, District 4 | John.Ryan@cityofdenton.com
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5 | Deb.Armintor@cityofdenton.com
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6 | Paul.Meltzer@cityofdenton.com
Not sure who your Council Member is?
Visit www.cityofdenton.com, click on the magnifying glass in the
top right corner, and type “Find My Council Member” in the search bar.
City of Denton administrative offices
will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24
and Tuesday, Dec. 25;
Tuesday, Jan. 1; and Monday, Jan. 21.
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
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ANNUAL STREAM CLEAN EVENT HELPS KEEP
DENTON WATERWAYS FREE OF LITTER
On Saturday, Oct. 6, close to 600 volunteers cleaned up nearly 3,000 pounds of trash and 950 pounds
of recycling from Denton’s waterways during Stream Clean, Denton’s annual waterway litter clean up
event. It is always interesting to see the odd items that are picked up, and this year was no different.
Volunteers found a large inflatable pool, two boxes of ceramic tile, and a very large skateboard ramp.
The group also found several tires, furniture pieces, and building materials.
Stream Clean is an opportunity for residents to work together to
keep Denton clean. Cleaning the waterways keeps trash and illegally
dumped items from contaminating Lake Lewisville, one of Denton’s
drinking water sources.
Stream Clean is sponsored by the City of Denton Water Utilities,
Sustainability, Watershed Protection, and Solid Waste and Recycling Departments. This year, volunteers
included families and individuals, local scout troops, and groups from Denton ISD, the University of
North Texas, and Texas Woman’s University.
While there was less trash to be picked up this year, this event is a great reminder to do your part
and make sure waste and recyclables are disposed of properly. Let’s work together to keep Denton’s
waterways free of litter!
3RD ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 17
The City of Denton will hold the third annual State of the City event on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019
from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center. Residents, business
owners, and community leaders are invited to attend and learn about City services, upcoming
projects, and ways to get involved in local government. Mayor Watts will make a keynote address
at 7 p.m. highlighting accomplishments from 2018 and looking forward to what’s ahead in 2019.
At the event, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of various City
departments and find out more about City services, programs, events, and activities.
Mutual aid is common among cities, as police, fire, and other resources respond to other local
communities when they are needed. However, sometimes, crews have to travel a little further to
provide help.
In response to a call for mutual aid, City of Denton electric and fleet crews headed to Tallahassee,
Florida in early October in response to Hurricane Michael. Despite many roads being impassable due
to fallen trees and power lines, 20 staff members made it safely and worked with local electric providers
to get the power back on.
When the crews first arrived, 96 percent of Tallahassee customers were without power, but through
their tireless efforts, most customers had their power restored within a short time period. This rapid
recovery is only possible because of the commitment of cities across the country working together
to help during emergencies.
CITY CREWS AID IN HURRICANE RECOVERY
4
5
SUMMER SPLASH TIMESILVERSNEAKERS® AND SILVER&FIT® PROGRAMS
GIVE DENTON SENIORS ACCESS TO REC CENTERS
Included as a benefit in many Medicare Advantage Plans, SilverSneakers®
is a free health and fitness program designed for adults age 65 and
older. It provides a free fitness membership for senior adults eligible
through their health insurance policy.
Another program designed specifically for older adults, Silver&Fit® is a fitness and healthy aging program
by American Specialty Health. You may gain access to Silver&Fit® as a Medicare beneficiary through
many insurance companies’ Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans.
Members of both programs can receive a number of benefits through Denton Parks & Rec:
• Unlimited attendance of all group exercise membership classes at North Lakes Rec Center
and Denton Senior Center;
• Unlimited attendance of SilverSneakers® classes at Denia Rec Center;
• Unlimited use of the cardio and weight rooms at all rec centers; and
• REC PASS activities at all rec centers.
To learn more about Denton Parks & Rec programs, classes, and activities, visit www.dentonparks.com.
SAVE MONEY AND INCREASE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY
OF YOUR HOME WITH A FREE ENERGY AUDIT
Energy costs can make up a significant part of monthly
household expenses, especially in the summer and winter.
To help save money and increase the energy efficiency
of your home, the City offers free home energy audits to
utility customers in good standing.
As part of the audit, a certified energy auditor will use
diagnostic tools to reveal thermal flaws in your home.
The diagnostic tests may include a blower door test to
determine your home’s air tightness and thermal imaging
to identify flaws in your home’s shell. Participants receive
a detailed report after the audit, which includes prioritized
recommendations for improving energy efficiency.
Once you get your report, you can check to see if any recommended improvements are included
as part of the City’s GreenSense Energy Efficiency Rebate Program to save even more money. Rebates
are offered for HVAC systems, smart thermostats, attic reflective barriers and insulation, air ducts, solar
screens, windows, and weatherization supplies.
To learn more about energy conservation and rebates, or to schedule an energy audit for your home,
visit www.cityofdenton.com/energyaudit.
6
PUBLIC ART PROFILE: ARTS CENTER MURALS
Denton is a creative magnet that attracts talented painters, sculptors, printmakers, designers, and other artists.
Our community cultivates and creates many beautiful works for residents and visitors to enjoy, with many
pieces prominently displayed along streets, courtyards, and parks. One of the most visible forms of art are the
large murals that beautify walls, buildings, and other structures around town. Two of these murals, both located
on the exterior of the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, were commissioned by the City’s Public Art Committee.
Artists Ryan Gaker, Ayrton Chapman, and Bailey K.
Chapman were commissioned in spring 2011 to create
a mural inspired by the Historic Denton Train Station
on the east wall of the Arts Center. The mural, entitled
Denton Depot, was designed to capture the idea that
“wherever a train stops, a town grows,” and was
commissioned to celebrate the opening of DCTA’s
Euline Brock Downtown Denton Transit Center. The
mural creates a window into Denton’s past with a scene
of the old train depot. An optical illusion draws the
observer into the scene so that they will feel like they
are a part of historic Denton.
In 2016, celebrated Denton artist Mick Burson was commissioned to create an additional mural during the
35Denton music festival. The public was invited to watch the artist work as part of the festival’s events and
performances at the Arts Center. Created in Burson’s distinct abstract style, the new mural—placed to the
left of Denton Depot—was a creative response to the existing mural on the Art Center’s east side. Side by
side, the murals reflect the rich history of downtown Denton while setting the stage for the exciting future
of Denton’s Arts Corridor.
To learn more about Denton’s murals, visit www.discoverdenton.com/dentons-mural-scene.
TURN YOUR CHRISTMAS TREES INTO DYNO DIRT
The City collects and composts more than 1,000 Christmas trees every year and turns them into Dyno Dirt
products. This year, curbside collection of non-artifical, non-flocked trees begins the week after Christmas.
After removing all decorations—including lights, ornaments, tinsel, wire, ribbon, tree skirts, and stands—
place real trees at the curb and at least four feet away from carts and other objects by 7 a.m. on your scheduled
collection day. Artifical, flocked, or decorated trees cannot be composted. Call (940) 349-8700 to schedule
a collection of your Christmas trees. Also remember, any extra trash ouside your cart must be scheduled for a
special collection.
If you do not have curbside service, real trees can be taken to the City of Denton Landfill at ECO-W.E.R.C.S.
to be composted at no charge. Extra holiday recycling, such as large cardboard boxes, can also be taken
to ECO-W.E.R.C.S., or one the the other recycling drop-off centers. Visit www.dentonrecycles.com for
drop-off locations and additional information.
ABOUT DYNO DIRT
Denton-area residents and professionals have been using Dyno Dirt
compost, soil blend, and mulches since 1997 for landscape planting and
mulching, lawn establishment and maintenance, flower gardens, green
house production, and turf and sod production. Dyno Dirt products are
available to purchase by the cubic yard at the City’s Beneficial Reuse
Division, located at 1100 S. Mayhill Rd., on Tuesdays through Saturdays
from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more, visit www.cityofdenton.com/dyno.
7
CALENDAR OF WINTER AND HOLIDAY EVENTS
Reindeer Romp
Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. | South Lakes Park, 556 Hobson Ln.
Take part in the 4.2-mile run or 2.5-mile walk through the Forrestridge neighborhood decorated for
the holidays. Race check-in and holiday photos begin at 5:30 p.m. and the race begins at 7:30 p.m. The
registration fee includes a long sleeve shirt, 4x6 photo, fruit, snacks, and beverages at the end of the run.
Register by Wednesday, Dec. 5; $25 per person. $30 per person on race day.
Santa’s Snapshot
Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon | MLK Jr. Rec Center, 1300 Wilson St.
Nothing marks the holidays like pictures with Santa. Kids of all ages can visit with him, snap a photo, then stay
a while for games and activities. $5 per person at the door and the fee includes a photo with Santa.
Santa StoryTime
Come to the library for stories, songs, and puppets with Santa! Bring your camera to take pictures with
Santa at the end of StoryTime. Ages 1-5.
Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. | Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St.
Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. | South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Ln.
Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. | South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Ln.
Friday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. | North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St.
For a complete list of Denton Public Library events, visit library.cityofdenton.com.
All-Day Holiday Camp
Dec. 21, 26, 27, 28, and 31; Jan. 2, 3, 4, and 7
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Denton Civic Center, 321 E. McKinney St.
Registration is by the day and each day includes a field trip, games, activities, and more.
$30 per child, per day. Ages 5-12.
Teen Outdoor Winter Break Adventures
Thursday, Jan. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Denia Rec Center, 1001 Parvin St., with an adventure to
Cinnamon Creek Ranch; $35 per teen. Ages 11-16.
Friday, Jan. 4 from noon to 4 p.m. at Denia Rec Center, 1001 Parvin St., with an adventure to
Black Mustang Ranch; $55 per teen. Ages 11-16.
Senior Center Open House
Saturday, Jan. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Denton Senior Center, 509 N. Bell Ave.
Join us for numerous class demos, discounts, and deals, including partial scholarship opportunities for seniors
who do not qualify for the SilverSneakers® and Silver&Fit® benefits and cannot afford the fitness membership.
For a complete list of Denton Parks & Rec events, visit www.dentonparks.com.
With the holidays and winter break just around the corner, it’s time to start marking your calendars with many
of the fun, family-friendly activities that are planned for toddlers, seniors, and everyone in between.
STAY CONNECTED
www.cityofdenton.com
/cityofdenton /cityofdenton@cityofdentontx
A publication of the City of Denton • ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD (800) 735-2989 • wwww.cityofdenton.com
RESIDENT UPDATECITY OF DENTON
DECEMBER 2018 | JANUARY 2019
/cityofdenton