Dallas City Hall
District 12
Enews
June 20, 2021
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Connecting You With City Information, News, and Resources |
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Hello District 12,
The new term for city council members has begun! The photo above is the new council after inauguration. It's a more casual photo than usual, but it seems to fit the times (the formal one was also taken).
Council meetings in June have been a combination of in-person and remote, and it is the city manager who decides when to open everything 100%. Right now, City Hall remains closed to the public. As soon as he lifts the restrictions, walk-in office hours in the district will resume at the North Central Police Station community room. These walk-in hours allow you to access help, ask a question, give input, or just stop by to say hi. We're continuing town halls virtually and the next one IS MONDAY at 7 pm to share information on the contract for management of the former Candlewood Suites by Family Gateway.
When we resume in-person town halls, we'll work to have an online option for those who prefer virtual meetings.
Budget season has begun. Please stay informed and speak up! More information below.
Also, please see information about District 12 staff changes below!
Thank you, Cara Mendelsohn
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Virtual Town Hall - Former Candlewood Property |
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District 12 town hall on Monday at 7 pm. The big topic is the contract with Family Gateway to run the Candlewood Suites property. The Office of Homeless Solutions will be answering questions. Sign up by 3 pm on Monday to be sent the link by 5 pm. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/FLhqcrMeXEYKNR6bA
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The City Manager will provide his draft budget to the city council on August 10th. Here are my budget priorities that I have shared with the city manager by memo, posted on social media, and shared with my city council colleagues publicly at our budget briefing last week.
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Increase the senior and disabled homestead exemption (Yay, we passed it unanimously 2 weeks ago). The new exemption is $107,000.
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Decrease the property tax 1 cent. Typically, the city council votes to decrease property tax 1/100th of a cent while property values go up significantly, resulting in an increase. Dallas has the highest tax rate in our area.
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Provide a market-based pay raise for police officers. In September 2019, the city council unanimously voted to approve a 3-year contract that evaluated public safety pay of surrounding cities annually and increased officer pay an average of all of those rates. When 2020 came, a majority of the city council voted to not live up to that promise, as calls for "defund the police" were repeated at every meeting and concerns about COVID and sales tax were the focus. Had we followed the contract, we would have provided a 3.5% raise. This year, we need to provide the market increase as promised so we can live up to our word and retain our officers.
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Budget for 3200 sworn police officers and hire as needed to get to that level. We have less than 3100 sworn police officers right now. The city budget will often indicate the number of officers to hire, but not the full staffing level the city should be at. If we need to hire 100, 200, or more to get to a staffing level of 3200, that is what should happen. Right now, we have twice as many officers retiring as we are hiring.
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Fund street maintenance, sidewalks, street markings, and traffic signals. These are basic quality of life and safety issues. Before any new initiatives are launched, these need to be addressed.
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Maintain city assets. Tax dollars have paid for many city assets that are not being maintained. If they are unnecessary, sell them. If they are necessary, take care of them.
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Fund homeless services so those who fall on difficult times can quickly return to stability. For those with mental health or substance abuse issues, quickly help get them assistance and care. Helping keep people homeless or living with a disease is not kind or compassionate.
In addition to the regular city budget, there are hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into the city from the federal government, some with very restricted uses. We need to make sure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity invests in the city to serve the needs of our residents and to provide for the future.
We will have several budget town hall meetings in August. Here is the schedule:
Thursday, August 13, 7 pm *virtual
Tuesday, August 17, noon *virtual
Thursday, August 19, 7 pm *joint with District 11, in-person if possible with a virtual option
I'd love to hear your budget priorities. Will you fill out this quick survey?
https://forms.gle/mGDwhG4DpEa7zoT77
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Would you like to volunteer/be appointed? |
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City Councilmembers appoint residents to a variety of boards, commissions, task forces, and special projects. If you'd like to be considered, please apply! Some meetings are virtual right now, but most meetings will be held at city hall. Some are in the daytime, others in the late afternoon or evening. You can let us know you are interested here:
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Teen Late Night Recreation Program |
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It's back!!! The Park and Recreation's TOPS Program (Teens Organized and Prepared for Success) is excited to rollout the Teen Late Night Recreation program starting June 25th. The program will be held at Timberglen recreation center for teens ages 13-17 on Friday nights from 7 - 10 pm.
Teens will have opportunities to participate in a variety of activities such as, sports, games, performing and fine arts, technology, fitness, and more.
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We Love Our District 12 Parks! |
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With the start of Summer weather, we are all exploring and going out. Our parks are popular and it is a great opportunity to receive your feedback and questions on our parks and trails.
Many projects are in the works! Some are maintenance (new shades at Campbell Green), some are new park space (interlocal agreement with Plano ISD has been reached for the Dickerson area), and lots of items are being worked on to improve the trails, parks, and activities available in Far North Dallas.
We'll be hosting a community input meeting for the Dickerson area soon. The Duffield area near Preston Green Park will have a community input session related to the Cotton Belt Trail, and the area near Parkhill Junior High for the dog park improvements. Be on the lookout for postcards if you live nearby and we'll send out an invite by email and place it on social media.
Parks Board Member Lane Conner is ready to answer your questions or concerns. Please contact him by email at: lane.conner@dallascityhall.com
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Touring the Water Treatment Plant |
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Dallas Water Utilities is an important part of the City of Dallas. It accounts for about 1/4 of our annual budget. Previously, I've visited a wastewater plant, a stormwater plant, and last week, District 12 staff toured a drinking water plant.
It's hard to imagine how much we take for granted in life, including clean water that comes out of the faucet 24/7. From how they take in the water from various lakes to how it is delivered to our homes and businesses, it's almost a miracle, except it's science. One part old school "let it settle and take the top" and another part cutting edge technology and practices. From the pumps to the chemicals, coagulants, flog, and care for the final product "finished water", it was amazing to see all that goes into clarifying and disinfecting water.
During the big freeze, this plant had been off-line for cleaning. Within 48 hours, they managed to defrost all the pipes, get back online, and pump out their full capacity of water - 330 millions of gallons a day of safe drinking water, while other water districts were issuing boil water notices.
Dallas Water Utilities is one of the biggest in the nation, draws water from many reservoirs, serves lots of other cities and DFW Airport, and has staff at all plants 24/7. Cheers to these unsung heroes who make life simple and safe for all of us!
Ps-your water bill pays for all services from Dallas Water Utilities, not your tax dollars. The DWU budget is approx $1 billion!
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City of Dallas & DART Properties: Cut the grass! |
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With so much rain for so many weeks, mowing was not possible in many areas. Standing water, very soft soil, and lightning are too dangerous for our staff and contractors. Thankfully, we've had sunny skies and staff and contractors have been catching up with mowing. If you think they forgot a certain area, please call 311. |
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Emergency Rental Assistance Available |
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Did you fall behind on rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Help is available from Dallas Housing Authority. Assistance is available for past due and future rent between March 2020–December 2021.
Landlords can apply on behalf of their tenants, too.
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When I was elected two years ago, the first thing I did was ask Navaz Kayani-Irani, Council Liaison, to stay as part of the District 12 staff. She had planned on leaving, because working in a council office is very challenging and she had already served so many years and was ready for a change. I was able to convince her to stay for one year. Two years later, she's really ready to make a change and a wonderful opportunity to use her skills, knowledge, and experience has opened up. In the next edition, we'll be able to announce the department and position, but it's a great fit! For anyone who has interacted with Navaz, you know she is one of the nicest, most helpful and professional people in Dallas. To me, she is one of the best colleagues I have ever worked with and I will forever thank her for helping me and all District 12 residents. As soon as the City Manager allows, we'll have a reception to toast Navaz.
Stepping into the role of Council Liaison, is Madison Johnson (below - backstage on inauguration day). Madison has worked as the Council Assistant in District 11, our neighbor to the south, so she is a proven rock star. She'll be learning some new job duties, some things about District 12, and is eager to meet and serve you. Luis Delgado (below - at the Meyerson with Navaz) remains in the position of Council Assistant and he's doing a great job! Please reach out to us if you need help or have questions.
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Crime in Far North Dallas |
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A family member asked if crime is up in our area because they receive Ring notices and see posts on NextDoor. The answer is no, crime is down in Far North Dallas. District 12 is the safest district in the City of Dallas, but that doesn't mean there is no crime. You should lock your car doors and remove any items that are visible. You should make sure your garage doors are down, your house doors locked. If you have a crime watch in your area, please participate. If you don't, maybe you'd like to start one? We can help you with that.
Please be on alert and call 911 if there is a suspicious situation or person, street racing, panhandling, homeless encampments, gunshots, or other issues. You are not "bothering the police" and if you don't report it, they won't know patrols are needed in that area. Calls to 911 are documented and areas of high crime at commercial businesses are tracked. If a business has a lot of crime issues, the city attorney's office will reach out to work with the business and police to identify ways they can reduce criminal activity. Businesses must comply or will be sued by the city.
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I am happy to serve as an Ambassador for our City of Dallas SMART Summer Reading program. Help your favorite youngster experience the joy of exploring their imagination and learning about the world through books. Sign up today to earn prizes and keep motivated through the summer. While Renner Frankford library is expected to be closed through the summer for repairs, Timberglen library and Fretz Park library are both open and happy to serve you. |
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7/7 Shooting - 5 years ago |
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It's hard to believe the 7/7 shooting of the 5 law enforcement officers was almost 5 years ago. The 4 DPD and 1 DART officer killed will not be forgotten. At the North Central station, the portrait of Michael Smith hangs in the briefing room.
To show our officers we care about them, remember this day, and their commitment to ensuring public safety, we'll be hosting a meal for all shifts on 7/6 (many officers will be participating in memorial events on 7/7). Would you like to be involved? Here's how you can support our officers:
- If you'd like to help serve a meal at the police station, please contact our office.
- If you'd like to send a note of appreciation, you can email it to us and we'll put it on a sticky note and hang them all over the windows and inside of the station.
- We'll also be putting up giant blue ribbons at the North Central station, Jack Evans station, the police training academy, Dallas Police Association, Dallas Black Police Association, and at the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization. If you want to help with the ribbons, please contact our office.
- If you see a police officer, take a moment to thank them and let them know you support them.
Anything you do to show your support will mean more to them than you can imagine!
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Adopt or Foster for Dallas Animal Services |
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Dallas Animal Services is full - they are at capacity and starting to double up dogs. If you'd like to adopt, this is a great time. If you've considered being a foster dog family, they'd love to have you. Learn more at www.bedallas90.org.
The main shelter for Dallas Animal Services is near downtown, but the Everyday Adoption Center is in District 12 off of Coit Road inside the Petsmart. You can meet and play with a dog before you make a decision. You can view the dogs at DAS on their website.
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Chief Garcia speaks at Highland Springs Men's Club |
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Special thanks to Dallas Police Department Chief Garcia for accepting the invitation from Wally Reed of Highland Springs men's club to be this month's speaker. These guys start their meetings with a few jokes and smiles. They had great questions and lots of support for our men and women in blue. Thank you Chief for sharing your vision and experience with the community.
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Gambling is illegal in Texas, but the entertainment industry has found a way around the law. Throughout Texas, there are more than 50 poker rooms. There are two known poker rooms in District 12, a third has signed a lease, and a fourth is trying to open. The way around the law is they don't take a cut of the games, they charge a cover fee and chair rental rate. Right now, the City of Dallas doesn't have any special zoning for these businesses. If they wish to open in a retail area that has no restrictions, there is nothing the city can do to stop them if they meet all the usual criteria. Because neighborhood input is so important, I've asked our City Planning Commissioner to open a public hearing on changing the city code to require a Special Use Permit for poker rooms. The commission voted to do so, and now it has gone to committee to work out the technical details. Once done, it will come back to the plan commission, and then to city council. In the meantime, the old IIIForks on the Dallas Parkway has signed a lease to open a poker room, bar, and steak house. They have rehired the former IIIForks chef and operations manager, and will continue to use the second floor for event space. The old YouFit, also on the Dallas Parkway, is being considered by a different owner for a poker room. Safety and security, not having patrons go through neighborhoods, noise, parking, drunk driving, are concerns that have been expressed in the community and communicated with the owners and police. I have spoken with State Rep Shaheen's office and have a meeting with Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis this week. Our office is keeping close tabs on this situation. Please feel free to reach out if you become aware of new information. |
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Need help, got a question, or want to give input?
Email: Cara.Mendelsohn@DallasCityHall.com
Office phone: (214) 670-4067
Text phone: (214) 490-1036
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