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Connecting You With City Information, News, and Resources
Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn

Council appointments:
*Chairman, Government Performance and Financial Management Committee
*Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee on General Investigations and Ethics
*Vice Chairman, Public Safety Committee
*Housing and Homeless Solutions Committee
*Transportation Committee
*Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19
*Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Affairs
*Regional Transportation Council Member
*North Central Texas Council of Governments Executive Committee

Other city-related appointments/elected positions:
*National League of Cities Youth, Education, and Families Council
*Board of Directors, National League of Cities Women in Municipal Government
Panhandling, Cotton Belt, Concert Truck, Poker Rooms, Sound Walls, and so much more!

This is a long enews - there is so much going on!

Please make sure to read the Cotton Belt/Silver Line update from DART. In addition to the items mentioned in their construction update, one lane on Coit will be closed November 1-12.

Many people have contacted the District 12 office about the increasing encampments and panhandling. Some of the campers are people who relocated from District 10 as the big encampment at Forest Lane was addressed. Obviously, Dallas should not allow encampments to just move place to place and we need a stronger plan of action to address encampments.

Previously, our community wanted to see panhandling addressed in a comprehensive way. Please read below about the city-wide pilot program that was approved by the Government Performance and Financial Management Committee Monday. You should see anti-panhandling signage at Frankford and the tollway before the end of the first week of November.

Please read the Oncor notice below for tree trimming locations, and information about upcoming events, including a Halloween drive-thru and Dallas Symphony Orchestra Concert Truck next Sunday.

Best, Cara
ps-District 12 continues to spend some days at city hall and some work-from-home. Calls are forwarded but email is easiest for follow up. Please say an extra prayer for Mayor Johnson, as he was diagnosed COVID-19 positive today.

Council Liaison: Madison.Johnson@dallascityhall.com
Council Assistant:
Luis.Delgado@dallascityhall.com
 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
  • 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence (e.g. beating, burning, strangling) by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

  • On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.

  • Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.

  • 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States has been raped in their lifetime.

  • 72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner; 94% of the victims of these murder suicides are female.

  • 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.

  • Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8.0 million days of paid work each year.

  • The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $8.3 billion per year.

If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

In North Texas, if you are a family with children, please call Family Gateway at 1-888-411-6802 (Option 3).
 Early Voting Ends Friday!
There's an election going on with State Constitution Amendments for your consideration. You can learn more about what's on the ballot here: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/10/15/texas-constitution-amendment-election/.

Election Day is November 2nd. Voting locations are limited. Here's the closest locations for D12:
Dallas County residents - Fretz Library
Collin County residents - Parr or Haggard Library in Plano
Denton County residents - Timberglen Rec Center
 Branching Out - Join Us!
50 trees will be planted in Salado Park Saturday and you're invited to help plant them as a volunteer! You'll learn how to plant a tree from our City of Dallas Arborist, meet other residents, get a little exercise and fresh air, and be able to watch your efforts grow for decades to come!

Local HOAs are providing donuts in the morning and the District 12 office will have Potbelly at 11ish for folks that have helped with the event. We've got about 100 people signed up and we'd love YOU to join us! Tools will be available, but if you have a gloves and a shovel to bring, that would be great.

Group photo at 9:15 am. Volunteers of all ages welcome. Register at District12@dallascityhall.com. If you have any questions, please contact our District 12 Park Board representative, Lane Conner, who has done a terrific job coordinating this effort, at Lane.conner@dallascityhall.com. ps-check out the new benches that have been added to the park. They are right along the Preston Ridge Trail.
 D12 - ForwardDallas Community Workshop
Your input is needed to help shape land use and development in Dallas! Join the City of Dallas Planning & Urban Design Department for a virtual community workshop to identify your priorities for the ForwardDallas Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update. ForwardDallas sets out to ensure Dallas’ land use policies actively promote equity, economic vitality and environmental sustainability throughout Dallas. Join us as we begin the process! This session is specifically for District 12.
 
Registration is required. Register to attend at https://bit.ly/FDWorkshopNov01
Questions?pud@dallascityhall.com or 214.671.8900
 
ForwardDallas Community Workshop
November 1, 2021, 6:30-8:00 pm, virtual
Panhandling and Homelessness
Compassion + Enforcement
You've been asked to call 311 when you see a panhandler or homeless encampment in District 12. I asked you to do this, because months ago when the data was pulled by staff at city hall, they identified the top 5 city council districts with these issues, and District 12 was not one of them. Thank you for taking the time to submit the 311 requests by phone and through the Our Dallas app. IT IS WORKING!!! District 12 is now the top district of calls to 311, and is receiving the resources and attention to better address the issues of panhandling and homeless encampment. Please continue to call 311 for assistance with panhandling and homeless encampments. (note: District 12 is NOT the top location of panhandlers or homeless encampments, just the highest number of 311 calls)

I hope you will agree these are not easy issues, and there are significant legal implications for how panhandling is addressed.

On Monday, the Government Performance and Financial Management city council committee had a presentation unveiling a new plan to address panhandling. This plan combines compassion with enforcement, and does not rely on only one intervention. It is a multi-pronged, comprehensive approach that utilizes multiple departments. Previously, the city council has rejected two plans brought by staff to address panhandling, because enforcement and recognition of organized, professional panhandlers were not incorporated. This time, there is a better understanding by staff of what is happening, and a plan that meets the realities of what is happening on the street.

  • The plan starts with your call/report to 311.
  • The Office of Homeless Solutions sends out an outreach team to connect with the panhandler and offer services. The outreach team will input information about the panhandler in a new database to track the panhandler, location, and interactions.
  • A public education campaign includes 1)signage at locations with high reports of panhandling to discourage giving money to panhandlers 2)asking residents and people in need to call 311 3)directing the public to charitable giving instead of direct giving 4)encouraging charitable organizations to serve in a way that is helpful in encouraging people to stop panhandling
  • Crisis Intervention Teams will go out to panhandlers that do not want to accept services. They will evaluate mental health, physical health, and verify if there are outstanding warrants.
  • Panhandlers may be issued v-citations by Dallas Marshals, which means they will go to community court. Community court connects defendants with food, housing, transportation, mental health care, substance abuse assistance, employment, basic life skills, financial literacy, etc... If a panhandler does not want to accept the community court assistance, they will be referred to municipal court.
  • Judge Robinson, who heads Dallas municipal court, will start a pilot, conducting court hearings in the field. You may even drive by and see him on the sidewalk adjudicating a case.
  • Environmental design elements, like lighting, fencing, and sound will be used where appropriate to discourage standing in medians or congregating at entrances to gas stations.

This plan does not take Dallas Police Officers off the street, allowing them to continue their plan to address violent crime.

This city-wide pilot has performance measures, and the Government Performance and Financial Management Committee will be briefed on the program in June 2022.

Here are some news stories about it:


Below is a dashboard you can find on the city hall website (this is a 311 dashboard) and you can find the presentation on panhandling at: https://dallascityhall.com/government/Council%20Meeting%20Documents/Panhandling-Deflection-Program_GPFM_102521.pdf

The issue of homeless encampments has a City of Dallas response, but it is not sufficient to quickly remove the encampments, debris, and address the safety concerns of residents. If you see an encampment, please call 311. If there is an encampment on your personal property, please call 911. Encampments on commercial property will be addressed by the code compliance department to ensure cleanliness and safety. By reporting to 311, it helps build a case for community prosecution if there are repeated incidents. Documenting your frustration on Nextdoor without reporting to 311 does not allow for city officials to address the issue.
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra Concert Truck Returns!
Join us Sunday, November 7th at 2 pm in the Parkhill Junior High parking lot, for a wonderful concert with the performers of the DSO Concert Truck. We're so lucky to have the return (they performed for us last December!) and you won't want to miss this encore performance. You can sit in your car, bring a lawn chair, or spread out a blanket... come as you are for a real treat to lift your spirits and bring joy to all. FREE to all.
Pavement Conditions on a Street or Alley & Upcoming Public Works Projects in D12
The City of Dallas has scoped out and graded the pavement condition of every street and alley. If your street or alley is in disrepair and you would like to see it get repaired, repaved, or reconstructed, you can call 311 to report it, and it will be tracked and considered for inclusion in the next bond. You can also contact the District 12 office, as we maintain a list, also.
You can check out the pavement condition analysis of your street or any in the city here: https://gis.dallascityhall.com/pmp/index.htm
Below is a screenshot of what the pavement condition map looks like. Below the screenshot is a list of the public works projects in District 12 for this quarter.
Renner Frankford Library - Reopened!
The Renner Frankford Branch reopened last week with limited service. In February, the library was damaged in the ice storm when the fire suppression system froze, then burst, ruining the entire library collection, furniture, flooring, walls, and more. With the reopening, you can browse and check out material, but not all the books have arrived, and library staff is still re-shelving the new materials. Pick up of holds is now available, but the phone line is not yet connected, so please contact the library staff by email at rennerfrankford@dallaslibrary.org

Most of the furniture has not come in yet (supply chain issues), but they've borrowed temporary furniture and are using folding tables for the check out area. The wifi and computers aren't fully set up, but coming soon. There is still work happening, meaning there are missing ceiling tiles, some flooring issues in the children's area, and the community room is full of construction materials and a few pieces of furniture that have come in but not yet unboxed.

The staff is working hard to provide the most services possible. They are looking forward to seeing you. When you go, you'll see the floor plan is a little bit different, allowing a big open space in the middle for flexible programming, and two new study rooms. I was able to pledge District 12 bond funds to help make that happen, and people are already asking to reserve it for small meetings, to work on projects together, and that their students will love it as meeting spots (better option than Starbucks!).

To welcome back YOU and the library staff, District 12 held office hours outside the library in tents. We were glad to see so many residents stop by to talk and enjoy a cupcake. (The unanimous award for best cupcakes goes to Small Cakes - wow, they were delicious!) We brought lunch for the library staff, as they return to Renner Frankford with the news of a co-worker and friend's death. Many of you knew Jennifer from her many years at Renner Frankford and she will definitely be missed. Thank you to our D12 Library Board Commissioner, Jandis Price, and Director of Library Services for the City of Dallas, Jo Giudice, along with several Friends of Renner Frankford Library for stopping by!

There will be a grand re-opening hosted together with the Friends of Renner Frankford Library later this year when all the final touches are in place. Stay tuned!
National Night Out - Thank You Bent Tree West!
National Night Out is a great event that encourages a closer relationship between the police and community, and helps neighbors get to know each other. Many events were canceled last year and this year due to COVID-19. Some neighborhoods planned fun, outdoor programs this year and had a great response. Please consider planning an event next year with your HOA or neighbors. If you let our D12 office and DPD know about your event, we'll try to stop by to say hello. This year we were able to give out tickets to the Arboretum at the Bent Tree West HOA National Night Out event.
DART Cotton Belt/Silver Line Construction Update
Construction update is below (zoom in if the text is too small). Please know that DART may cut down more trees in its right of way and may TRIM YOUR TREES if they are hanging in their right of way! We have asked them to contact any property owner before cutting, but you may want to trim your own tree before DART/Archer Western does it.

Coit Road will have one lane closed between November 1 - 12 to create a construction entrance near the tracks (17817 Coit).

SOUND WALL - the issue surrounding the selection of a color and texture for the sound wall was explained previously in several enews editions. The city is proposing the rolled ashlar finish (it received the largest number of votes in the DART-conducted voting) and a light tan color (it received the second largest number of votes in the DART-conducted voting. The color that received the most votes has been identified by city staff as higher maintenance). What is clear is DART is not prepared to provide green wall maintenance and choosing that option would set homeowners, residents, and the city up for continued disappointment and conflict with DART.

Thank you to all who took a minute to fill out the sound wall input form. 90% of the people who completed the form said they prefer the walls to be one color and texture. 42% of respondents live adjacent to the tracks. 62.5% were satisfied with the proposed selection. 30% strongly preferred a green wall, even if it would not meet community standards for maintenance, and 7.5% said they prefer something else - either a different color or texture.

Clearly, there is no way for everyone to be happy with whatever decision is made. I have asked city staff to proceed with the proposed color and texture (light tan with rolled ashlar), contingent upon DART allowing track-adjacent property owners to purchase, plant, and maintain shrubs and vines of the property owner's choosing that can attach to the sound wall. DART has verbally agreed to this and the city is awaiting a concurrence letter. Assuming their letter matches the conversations that have been happening, this will be incorporated into the next addendum to the Inter Local Agreement.

This compromise is a recognition of the preferences of as many residents as possible, and a recognition by DART of the impact the walls will have on track-adjacent homeowner's lives. Based on the input form and the ballots in the DART track-adjacent voting, this compromise should satisfy most residents.

TIRE DERIVED AGGREGATE (TDA) - Recently some residents have raised concern about TDA's safety. TDA is scrap tires that are cut up and used to absorb vibration and reduce sound. TDA is not being removed from the Cotton Belt/Silver Line project and Dallas Water Utilities has confirmed that it is safe for use in this project, even with adjacent creeks. Here is an article about its use in the Bay Area: https://scraptirenews.com/2010/12/01/tda-will-cushion-new-light-rail-line/
Poker Room Update
The appeal by Champions to include a poker room use in their Certificate of Occupancy was heard last week. Thank you to the residents that took the time to give public comment. The City Attorney's Office successfully defended the Building Official's decision to deny the Certificate of Occupancy with a poker use.

After the Champion's Certificate of Occupancy was rejected with the poker use, they applied for a Certificate of Occupancy without a poker use and they are currently able to open as a restaurant with bar service. Some residents have noted that they have removed poker language from their website. It is possible that Champions will sue the City of Dallas about the poker issue. The City of Dallas is prepared to defend its decision.
In the News
DART/D2 & Transportation Priorities:

City of Dallas Data Loss/Technology:



Fire Station Alarms/Technology


AirBnB/Short-Term Rental in D12 (house has now been suspended)
Oncor Pruning Locations
To make sure they can provide reliable and safe electric service, Oncor conducts routine vegetation management. That means, they will come prune any trees within 10 feet of electrical lines. Arborists canvass affected neighborhoods, including proactive in-person outreach and provide door hangers to ensure you are informed in advance.
 
The November 2021 pruning schedule for areas in District 12 is below.
 
Please remember it is unsafe and a violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code for non-line clearance certified contractors to be near the high voltage lines. Please do not hire contractors to conduct pruning which would require them to be within 10 feet of the electrical line.   
 
If you get a green door hanger on your door, and are concerned about the pruning planned, please contact the number on the tag as soon as possible, so your concerns can be addressed prior to pruning.
311 Calls in District 12
(Code compliance includes panhandling/homeless)
Estates West Neighborhood Association Gift Bags for DPD!
Shout out to Estates West Neighborhood Association for a wonderful initiative to support the police officers at the North Central station as part of their National Night Out activities. Because of COVID, they canceled their usual pot luck dinner, demonstrations by first responders, and games and activities for the kids and instead collected donations via Amazon to prepare 145 gift bags for our local police officers. Each gift bag included an assortment of snacks, hand sanitizer, lip balm, energy bars and a water beverage along with a note that read, “Thank you for all you do for each of us and our community. We in Estates West support our police”. Great job neighbors! 
Quick Updates
  • An open house is scheduled by the North Central Texas Council of Governments showcasing the progress for the Dallas-Fort Worth High-Speed Transportation Connections Study. The family-friendly event will highlight the findings from the Phase 1 Screenings and showcase the technology modes being studied in Phase 2. Globe Life Field in Arlington, Saturday, Oct. 30 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Free Parking at Lot A Location and Parking Map. In addition, the ballpark will be offering discounted tours for all NCTCOG Open House attendees. We also encourage children to dress up in their Halloween costumes for a sweet treat on us! For questions regarding the upcoming open house events please contact DFW_HST@nctcog.org or 817-695-9240.

  • Here is a COVID-19 dashboard provided by the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI), a partner vendor for the City of Dallas. It shows COVID cases by zip code across the City of Dallas. PCCI provides weekly updates and the last update was provided on October 25, 2021. COVID-19 Dashboard


  • Would you like to purchase an engraved brick along the Preston Ridge Trail? They make a great gift and cost just $50 per brick or $75 for the large size. You can learn more at www.fprt.org. If you'd like to get involved in the Friends of Preston Ridge Trail, please contact Cori Pratt, VP Beautification, coripratt57@yahoo.com or Rod Scales, President, rodscales78@gmail.com.

  • There are lots of great events and classes offered by the city. You can access the city calendar at www.dallascityhall.com, choose calendar, and note that the top menu has several categories. Many are virtual and most are free.
District 12 Parks Update
  • Two tours are in the works... one is to evaluate how we can improve the connection of the Preston Ridge Trail to Valley View Park so walkers and cyclists can arrive safely. The area that needs improvement is in District 11 and we're working together to provide access to D12 residents who want to go south and D11 residents who want to go north. The second tour is for a new trail that will connect Timberglen Trail to Preston Ridge Trail, with the working name Charley Pride Trail. This trail will allow our City of Dallas/Denton County residents safe access to the rest of the trails within the city.
  • Dog park at La Manga & Meadowcreek on the corner of Park Hill Jr. High/RISD property - this has been approved by the park board and will be voted on Wednesday, October 27th by the city council.
  • New benches have been installed at Salado Park. If you'd like to join the tree planting on Saturday, see article above to RSVP.
  • New picnic tables have been installed at Bent Creek Park.
  • Pickleball court construction and columns for shade structures at Campbell Green splash pad and in the soccer fields are about to start work!

Do you have a suggestion for a park improvement? Email District12@dallascityhall.com or our park board representative for District 12, Lane Conner at lane.conner@dallascityhall.com.
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