Resident Update Jan-Feb 2020On Thursday, Jan. 23, the City of Denton will
host its annual State of the City event at the
Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention
Center (3100 Town Center Tr.) from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Now in its fourth year, State of the City is a great
opportunity for the Denton community, the Mayor
and City Council, and City staff to come together to
celebrate the accomplishments from the past year
and look forward to building the future together.
Denton reached major milestones in 2019, including
the completion of major road construction projects,
opening a second runway at Denton Enterprise
Airport, completing a new Fire training facility,
and celebrating the grand opening of the
G. Roland Vela Athletic Complex.
The City is also planning and building for the
future. With voter approval of a $220 million bond
package this past fall, the City continues to make
investments into facilities for the Police Department,
improving roadways, and purchasing land within the
city for future park space.
Event attendees will have the opportunity to meet
with staff from various City departments to ask
questions and receive information about many
of the services and programs that the City provides.
You can hear from Parks and Recreation,
Denton Public Library, Sustainability, Streets and
Capital Projects, Police, Fire, and Animal Services,
just to name a few.
The event is free and open to everyone, and there
is no preregistration required. The department fair
begins at 6 p.m., and the Mayor will give his State
of the City address beginning at 7 p.m.
ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 23
www.cityofdenton.com
RESIDENT UPDATECITY OF DENTON
2020
JANUARY | FEBRUARY
As we start a new year, it’s an ideal time
to reflect on our past achievements and
look forward to the future. In 2019, the
Denton community and the City of
Denton worked together to accomplish
some truly amazing feats.
The City reconstructed 10.8 lane-miles of roads in 2019, and
community support for improved transportation continues into
2020. In fact, safer city infrastructure will be a priority for years
to come thanks to citizens authorizing $154 million in bonds
toward street improvements. The City also began crafting its
2020 Mobility Plan, which will address citywide transportation
in the years ahead.
Alongside mobility, development remained a priority for the
City in 2019. This can be seen in the adoption of the Denton
Development Code, which features simplified processes and
increased transparency for development projects. Our ability
to manage an astounding amount of growth is one of the
reasons Denton was named a Top 10 Boomtown by
www.smartasset.com. In 2019, the City also celebrated
Denton being named as a cultural district by the State of Texas,
which highlights the heart of Denton’s unique cultural arts scene.
By reducing the city’s property tax rate, reducing solid waste
rates, and maintaining all other utility rates, the City continued
its focus on serving citizens while practicing effective financial
management. Furthermore in 2019, the City launched a
number of initiatives to enhance quality of life, public safety,
the environment, and address homelessness.
Please join me, the City Council, and our City staff on Jan. 23
at our State of the City event as
we celebrate these and other
successes of 2019 and preview
all that is to come in 2020.
FROM THE MAYOR
Annual State of the City Scheduled for Jan. 23 ........1
From the Mayor ...............................................................2
Upcoming Public Meetings ...........................................2
Denton City Council .......................................................2
Prepare Now for Winter Weather Conditions ...........3
City to Begin Registration of Short-Term Rentals ....4
Committee Formed Ahead of 2020 Census .............4
Start a Crime Watch in Your Neighborhood..............5
Get to Know Denton’s Industrial Park.........................5
Rec Center to Host Events in Honor of MLK Jr. .......6
Mobile Hotspots Available at the Library ....................6
Featured Events ...............................................................7
Stay Updated ....................................................................8
IN THIS ISSUE
DENTON CITY COUNCIL
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
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
Jesse Davis, District 3 | Jesse.Davis@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.
DENTON CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, Jan. 7 - Work Session & Council Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 14 - Work Session
Tuesday, Jan. 28 - Work Session
Monday, Feb. 3 - Luncheon
Tuesday, Feb. 4 - Work Session & Council Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 11 - Work Session
Tuesday, Feb. 18 - Work Session & Council Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 25 - Work Session
PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD
Jan. 13 & 27, Feb. 10 & 24
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Jan. 8 & 22, Feb. 5 & 19
UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
City of Denton offices will be closed on
Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
3
Chilly temperatures are here, serving as an important reminder to be ready for the hazards that can
accompany winter weather. In the event of an emergency, the City of Denton has resources and plans in
place to quickly respond. Are you prepared? Get started by reading key local information below, and for
more resources, visit www.ready.gov.
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS
The City of Denton uses CodeRED to issue emergency notifications straight to your phone. CodeRED is a
geographical-based system and uses street addresses to target specific areas. You can also opt in to receive
weather warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Register for CodeRED or update your information
at www.cityofdenton.com/codered.
Visit www.cityofdenton.com for important updates on City
services. Also, follow the City on Facebook (cityofdenton) and
on Twitter (@cityofdentontx) to stay informed.
If there is a power outage, Denton Municipal Electric provides
updates on Twitter (@dmepower). An outage map is also available
at www.dmepower.com. To sign up for outage text alerts for your
home or business, call (940) 349-7650.
REPORT AN ISSUE
Call 911 if the issue you are reporting is a public safety emergency.
The non-emergency number is (940) 349-8181.
Call (940) 349-7000 to report a utilities-related incident that
requires immediate attention, such as downed electrical poles
or wires, a water main break, a clogged or overflowing sewer
main, or a leaking water meter or hydrant.
You can notify the City of non-immediate issues through
Engage Denton. Download the mobile app on your smartphone,
or submit a request online at www.engagedenton.com.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND DELAYS
The Denton Independent School District will announce school
closing decisions on the district’s website, www.dentonisd.org,
and social media. The district’s main phone line—(940) 369-0000
—will also report closings.
Area universities and colleges will report closings and delays on
their respective websites. Schools will also report these to local
television and radio stations. Make sure the school has your
up-to-date contact information in case of an emergency.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN
When the temperature is expected to fall below 32 degrees,
daytime warming centers and other resources are available to
anyone in need of shelter or assistance. For a list of public
facilities, service providers, and emergency shelter locations,
visit www.cityofdenton.com/communitydevelopment.
PREPARE NOW FOR WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS
• Create an emergency plan
at www.ready.gov/plan.
• Sign up for CodeRED
emergency notifications
at www.cityofdenton.com.
• Check on family members
or neighbors who may need
assistance.
• Bring pets and plants inside.
• Cover exposed pipes and turn
off sprinkler systems.
• Drip water and leave cabinets
open to prevent freezing.
• Stock up on home essentials
like water, non-perishable
food, warm clothing, and
batteries.
• Create a car emergency
kit with items such as a
flashlight, first-aid kit,
blankets, and jumper cables.
• Check your tires and complete
other car maintenance.
• Install and test batteries of
smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors.
WINTER WEATHER CHECKLIST
4
CITY TO BEGIN REGISTRATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS
On Feb. 1, the City of Denton will begin registration of short-term rentals. Short-term rentals are defined
as the renting of an entire residence for fewer than 30 days. These types of rentals are commonly found
on websites such as Airbnb and VRBO. As popularity of
short-term rentals grows, residents who have these types
of rental properties will be required to register with the
City and must follow certain regulations in the
Denton Development Code.
Regulations include limiting the amount of on-site
advertisement, setting a limit on the number of occupants,
providing required safety and contact information for guests,
and notifying the neighbors near the property. Individuals
who rent only a single room of their property, or rent for
greater than 30 days, are exempt from these regulations
required by the Denton Development Code.
For additional information, or to register your short-term rental, visit www.cityofdenton.com or contact
Development Services at (940) 349-8360.
COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE
FORMED AHEAD OF 2020 CENSUS
Mark your calendar for April 1, 2020! Known as “Census Day,”
this date is when the 2020 Census will officially open for residents
to complete. Performed only once every 10 years, the Census
counts every individual within the United States. The City of
Denton, along with other community partners, has formed a
Complete Count Committee to help spread the word about the
Census and to encourage people throughout Denton to complete
their Census form.
The Committee’s mission is to encourage participation in the Census through outreach and education,
particularly with historically hard-to-count groups such as students, renters, and immigrants. It consists of
representatives from the City, our local universities, nonprofit service providers, and religious institutions.
The 2020 Census will offer residents a new feature—
online submission. Participating in the Census will
now be easier than ever as you can complete the
Census from anywhere at any time. As we move closer
to Census Day, the Committee looks forward to directly
engaging the community on this and other details and
sharing the importance of the 2020 Census.
If you would like to request that someone from the
Complete Count Committee come and speak to your
local group or organization about the 2020 Census,
contact Ryan.Adams@cityofdenton.com.
For additional information about the United States
Census and the Complete Count Committee, visit
www.dentoncounts2020.com or the Census Bureau’s
2020 Census website at www.2020census.gov.
WHY COMPLETE THE CENSUS ON APRIL 1, 2020
1. It is a foundation of our democracy
(it’s in the Constitution).
2. It determines legislative districts and
how you’re represented in Austin and
Washington, D.C.
3. It determines how hundreds of billions
of federal funds are distributed.
4. It is the basis for population projections
over the next decade.
These are just a sample of the benefits of a
Complete Count in 2020.
?
5
START A CRIME WATCH IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
The Denton Police Department values community engagement.
One simple way to get involved in your own neighborhood is by
establishing a Neighborhood Crime Watch. Already in place across
Denton, these are organized groups of residents who strive to
reduce crime by informing law enforcement about any suspicious
activities in the area.
Participation in this crime prevention program is free. When
neighbors are committed to watching out for neighbors, residents
can deter crime while also unifying their own communities. In
addition to enhancing safety, a Neighborhood Crime Watch helps
neighborhoods build relationships with Denton police officers.
The Denton Police Department guides residents through the
process of establishing a Neighborhood Crime Watch. After the
Police Department helps determine how many signs are needed
in a neighborhood, the Traffic Operations Division will install the
signs. These signs demonstrate a neighborhood’s unified
commitment to crime prevention by letting all visitors know that
suspicious activity will be reported to the police.
If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Crime Watch,
or would like more information about the program, contact
Community Resource Officer Shane Kizer at (940) 349-7241
or Shane.Kizer@cityofdenton.com.
GET TO KNOW DENTON’S INDUSTRIAL PARK
If you have lived in Denton for a while, you may remember seeing nothing but crops and cattle in fields west
of I-35. Over the last five years, however, this once rustic pastureland has been transformed into a modern
industrial park and an economic engine for our community.
The nearly 1,000-acre Industrial Park is home to an array of businesses with the majority of development
in the distribution and manufacturing sectors. Major retailers such as WinCo and Target operate advanced
distribution facilities that help keep their retail stores’ shelves filled, while manufacturers such as Peterbilt
and Tetra Pak make products in Denton that can be found all over the world. Soon, United States Cold
Storage and Tyson Frozen Foods will also join the Industrial Park, bringing even more distribution capacity,
investment, and jobs to the city.
Why is Denton so attractive to these industries?
Texas is centrally located, which allows businesses
to deliver their products to either coast within two
days, saving time and money. Denton is also
strategically located at the I-35E and I-35W
intersection and is in close proximity to both
air and rail transportation facilities. These
transportation options make delivering products
across the country even easier.
Industrial businesses play an integral role in the Denton community because they make large capital
investments in our growing city, which generates property tax revenues to support services like police, fire,
libraries, and parks. These businesses also enhance our retail and commercial development, generate more
employment opportunities for current residents, and provide a long-lasting boost to the local economy.
6
REC CENTER TO HOST COMMUNITY EVENTS IN
HONOR OF MLK JR. AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The MLK Jr. Rec Center will host a number of community events in January and February in honor of
Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and Black History Month. “We are positioned in the heart of the community
and feel it’s our responsibility and opportunity to honor that community through celebrating our heritage,”
said Bobby Givens, MLK Jr. Rec Center Manager.
On Monday, Jan. 20, the center will celebrate MLK Jr. Day. The day will
begin at 11 a.m. with a friendly game of flag football at Fred Moore Park
(500 S. Bradshaw St.). Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will hold a rally at 2 p.m.
at the UNT University Union (1155 Union Circle Dr.) and march to Fred Moore
Park. From there, the march will continue to MLK Jr. Rec Center, where a
special program will begin around 3:30 p.m. and celebrate the life and legacy
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“This is a day that we can reconnect with our community,” Keanna Stallings,
Recreation Coordinator, said. “There are many people who come back to the
center for just this one event each year. It’s a homecoming.”
February is Black History Month, and the center will celebrate with a student art contest. Local artists, grades
K-12, are invited to create a piece of art focusing on the theme, “Remembering our Past, Speaking Out for Our
Future,” through Feb. 7. Contest entries will be on display at the center throughout the month. Winners will be
announced at a special event on Saturday, Feb. 22 where the center will also add Reginald Seastrunk to the
Wall of Honor. Seastrunk was an educator and former employee at the MLK Jr. Rec Center. His dedication to
the community was significant and will be remembered during this time.
For more information on these events, visit www.dentonparks.com.
MOBILE HOTSPOTS AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT
AT DENTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Beginning in February, Denton Public Library is expanding its circulation materials to include mobile hotspots.
These 4G hotspots will let library cardholders access the internet from anywhere, allowing them to freely work
on homework, pay a bill, or apply for jobs.
Thirty hotspots will be available for checkout, with 10 being located at each of the three Denton Public Library
locations—North Branch, South Branch, and Emily Fowler. Just like books, movies, and music, library patrons
may borrow one hotspot for three weeks at a time. If the device isn’t returned by the due date, it will be
deactivated until it is returned.
Each hotspot connects to multiple WiFi enabled devices, so one hotspot can even connect a whole household
to the internet. If all hotspots are checked out, patrons may also access the internet through the library’s
public computers or use the library’s WiFi.
Hotspot checkout is just one way the Denton Public Library is
increasing access to information and breaking down barriers
for library cardholders. In 2019, the library launched fine-free
late returns and automatic renewals and increased its ebook and
audiobook collection from 18,000 titles to 125,000. To see all that
the library has to offer, visit library.cityofdenton.com or stop by
one of the three library branches.
7FEB. 23LINDA MCNATT ANIMAL CARE & ADOPTION
CENTER FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Sunday, Feb. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m.
3717 N. Elm St.
Join staff and volunteers at the animal shelter
for a special community open house event
celebrating five years of animal care and
adoptions at this incredible Denton facility.
For all ages. FEB. 1SCOUT DAY 2020
Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m.
North Lakes Rec Center - 2001 W. Windsor Dr.
Enjoy hands-on activities for the whole family
while learning how Denton conserves resources in
this annual educational event. Being a Scout is not
required. This year’s theme is “Creating a Healthy
Planet,” and that includes taking care of ourselves
and the environment. For all ages.
Visit www.sustainabledenton.com to register. FEB. 15HONEY RUN 6: 5K, 10K, & 1-MILE WALK
Saturday, Feb. 15 from 8 to 11 a.m.
Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center
3310 Collins Rd.
Visit www.sustainabledenton.com to
register for this popular annual event where
you’re invited to run with your honey or fly solo
on the trails! This special event also features a
honey tasting and beekeeping workshop.
For all ages. JAN. 8LIBRARY VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION FOR ADULTS
Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
South Branch Library - 3228 Teasley Ln.
Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Emily Fowler Central Library - 502 Oakland St.
Is volunteering one of your resolutions for 2020?
Denton Public Library is always in need of
dedicated volunteers. Join us at an orientation
where you will learn all about volunteering at the
library. Volunteers must pass a background check.
FEATURED EVENTS
Parks and Rec Events Feb. 4 | Career & College Fair
Explore your options!
Jan. 11 | North Lakes Group Ex Sampler
Sample popular group exercise for free.
Feb. 7 | Valentine Family Dance
A dance for the entire family.
Feb. 8 | Adapted Rec Sweetheart Ball
A sweet Saturday dinner and dance party.
Feb. 22 | Black History Celebration
A community celebration at MLK Jr. Rec Center.
Jan. 11 | Senior Center Open House
A great day for demos, discounts, and deals.
Jan. 20 | MLK Jr. Day Celebration
A community-wide march and celebration!
www.dentonparks.com
STAY UPDATED
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