City of University Park           April 2018
Welcome to UPdate.   This mid-month publication provides residents with timely information about upcoming City projects, programs and events. You can sign up for things too.    
City Hall

Participate in the City's 2018 Community Survey

We want to hear from you! Now through April 30, residents are asked to provide the City with feedback on our services, programs and communications. Households received the printed survey in their March utility bill. A self-addressed postage paid envelope is included with each survey. For those who prefer to participate electronically, each printed survey has a unique number on the front. To gain online access, participants are asked to go to a secured link and type in their specific number. Whether you reply using the printed survey or you participate online, department-by-department content will be the same. Both formats provide residents with the opportunity to include expanded written comments. All answers and comments are confidential and anonymous. Once the results are tabulated by an outside research firm, we will report back to the community using the Arbor, UPdate and other outreach tools.
City Council Election - May 5

Six University Park residents are on the ballot for four at-large City Council seats. Mayor Olin Lane Jr. is running unopposed. 

Here are the candidates, listed in the order their names will appear on the ballot:

  • Randy Biddle
  • Jeff Barker
  • Liz Farley
  • Taylor Armstrong
  • Gage A. Prichard, Sr.
  • Nick Farris

Early voting begins on Monday, April 23 and ends on Tuesday, May 1. The nearest early voting location is HPISD's Administration Building at 7015 Westchester Drive. Please click on the tab below for date- specific hours and other early voting locations.

On May 5 voters will cast their ballots at Highland Park Middle School at 3555 Granada. That day you can vote any time from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
     
Snider Plaza Parking Improvement Strategy - Town Hall Meeting 

Thursday, April 19 - 6 p.m.

How would you preserve the character of Snider Plaza and address long-standing parking issues? As a resident and an interested patron of Snider Plaza, the City wants to engage directly with you in the formation of these solutions.
Join us at City Hall on Thursday, April 19 at 6 p.m. for the first in a series of public meetings, to gain input on how we can collectively move forward to solve these issues. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to review how other communities have improved the economy and experience of similar shopping districts. This town hall conversation will be facilitated by Paris Rutherford, a certified planner and University Park resident. Snider Plaza property owners and merchants will be there. We hope to see you there too!
Town Hall Meeting - Zoning Ordinance Review 

Thursday, May 10 - 7 p.m.
The Zoning Ordinance Revision Committee, appointed by the City Council, is entering the final stages of its work on revising and updating the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The ordinance details and generally standardizes rules for compatible development on all properties, both commercial and residential. Since May 2016 the committee has been working closely with its consultant Duncan Associates, and has just released a draft of the overhauled ordinance.
On Thursday, May 10, the consultant and City staff will summarize all the proposed changes during a town hall meeting at City Hall. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. To learn more about the work of the Committee, click on the tab below. 
2018 Citizen of the Year search underway

The City is accepting applications for the 2018 Citizen of the Year Award. The City Council created the award to boost public awareness and appreciation for the many residents who work, often behind the scenes, to better the city's quality of life. Rather than acting out of a need for recognition, these residents are driven by a desire to contribute to their community. Whether beautifying our neighborhoods, increasing local opportunities for our youth, or raising money for various worthy projects, all demonstrate an exceptional level of citizenship.
  
Click on the green bar below to submit an online nomination.  Nominations must be received by Friday, June 1, 2018.
A panel of residents will select and notify the honoree the week of June 11. Along with riding in the July 4th Parade, the honoree will be presented with a plaque and a special Citizen of the Year gift during a brief ceremony at the Goar Park Gazebo.
Nominees for Citizen of the Year must:
  • Be a University Park resident;
  • Have worked to improve the quality of life in University Park.
Current and former Mayors and Councilmembers are not eligible for this award. 
Save the Date - Community Recycling event, April 28 
The next Park Cities recycling event will take place in the parking lot across from Burleson Park on Saturday, April 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Get a jump on spring cleaning and close out tax season by clearing your garage, attic and closets of old financial and medical documents, outdated or unused electronics, and even clothing, furniture and large appliances. 
Parks and Recreation
Spring Movie in the Park -- Friday, May 4

Join us Friday, May 4th for our spring Movie in the Park, featuring Coco.
Festivities begin at 6 p.m. The fun includes food trucks, bounce houses and face painting. The Parks and Recreation Department will provide free popcorn and drinks. The movie begins at 8:30 p.m.
Event sponsor: Highland Park Emergency Room
Rain Date: In the event of inclement weather, this event will take place one week later on May 11.
Holmes Aquatic Center 2018 pool passes - May 1
Pool passes for summer 2018 go on sale Tuesday, May 1. The purchase of a season pass covers your admission fees for the full pool season. This year, you can purchase pool passes at two locations, the City’s Peek Service Center, or UP Public Library. 
Summer swim lessons & swim team information
This summer the Holmes Aquatic Center will provide swimming lessons and swim team opportunities for kids of all ages. To sign up for any of the opportunities listed, click on the Aquatic Programs tab.
UP Public Library
UP @ the Library Family Time - Birds of Prey

Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m.

The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center  has a great educational program featuring various birds of prey. It's a wonderful opportunity to get up close to these amazing birds. 

Sponsors:

UP @ the Library Family Time is sponsored by Christine McKenny and Allie Beth Allman and Associates.
Celebrate the five-year anniversary of UP Public Library by supporting the Friends of UPPL
Read an  open letter from Mayor Olin Lane, Jr. concerning the wonderful materials, resources and programming that are provided by UP Public Library, and the essential role the Friends of the Library play in supporting and enhancing this invaluable community resource.    

Have you tried Community Connect?

Do you have smart speakers in your home or office? If so, you can use an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot or Echo Show, or similar products from Google and Apple to get City news and information without logging on to a computer or making a phone call.

Community Connect  provides you with general community news and events, road closure information, emergency alerts and other information. Just add the free skill to your Alexa app. Then, use any of these prompts:

  • Alexa, ask My University Park what's in the news?
  • Alexa, ask My University Park what are the events?
  • Alexa, ask My University Park for road closures.
  • Alexa, ask My University Park to read The Arbor.
  • Alexa, ask My University Park for building hours.
With Community Connect you can now listen to the City's most recent tweets. Just say, "Alexa, ask My University Park what's UP with Twitter?"
Upcoming City Meetings & Events