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

Current Council appointments:
*Government Performance and Financial Management, Chairman
*Ethics and Investigations Ad Hoc, Chairman
*Public Safety
*Housing and Homeless Solutions, Vice Chair
*Transportation
*COVID-19 Ad Hoc
*Legislative Ad Hoc, Vice Chair
*Regional Transportation Council
*National League of Cities Youth, Education, and Families Council
*National League of Cities Women in Municipal Government, Board of Directors
Hello District 12,

As this city council term starts to wind down, I want to say thank you for your support and let you know that a lot of big issues are coming up in the next term, some driven by another large infusion of federal dollars to the city.

On city council, there are just four full council meetings left, and many council committees are meeting for the last time before the new council is installed. The City Manager is working with staff on a return to work plan for city council meetings to resume in person soon, which may include hybrid-options. Other in-person meetings, like District 12 walk-in office hours and in-person town hall meetings (with a virtual option), will resume as soon as the City Manager has opened up the buildings to the public. In the meantime, you're invited to Virtual Town Hall meetings this Thursday and next Thursday.

Saturday, May 22, a document shredding and household chemical disposal drop off event is scheduled in the parking lot of Renner Frankford Library. See below for details. Please share this information with your Dallas friends and neighbors.

Also, please see below for an update about bulk trash and job fair postings.

Thank you, Cara Mendelsohn

ps- If you need help, please reach out. We are here for you.
Sanitation Services
As mentioned in the last enews, the City of Dallas is again struggling with providing the service levels expected for bulk trash. Our office, the Sanitation Department, and the City Manager are all aware that bulk trash service has been delayed in District 12 and every other city council district. I share your frustration and disappointment that this situation is not yet resolved for immediate issues and longer-term solutions have not been developed to ensure reliable and cost-effective service.

It was one year ago today I posted on Facebook an update about delayed bulk pickup. Not much has changed, as the reasons for the delay are the same and the remediation being employed by the city are also the same.

The Quality of Life city council committee, which is generally charged with oversight of this issue, has not taken it up in the last two years. Decisions made more than two years ago by the prior council did not rectify the issues causing the delays. After talking to the City Manager again yesterday about this issue, and meeting with the Assistant City Manager over the department and the Interim Director of the Sanitation Department, I have requested to move this discussion from the Quality of Life committee to the Government Performance and Financial Management committee to receive a briefing on current status, historical performance, to understand previous recommendations that were not enacted, and hear current recommendations to improve service from city staff.

WHY ISN'T MY BULK PICKED UP?
City staff has indicated the delay stems from a variety of causes including second highest levels of refuse and the inclement weather.

WHEN WILL MY BULK BE PICKED UP?
Per Sanitation department leadership:
Week one - set out was Thursday, April 29th, pick up should have begun May 3rd. Current status: expect to be complete by May 14th.
Week two - set out was Thursday, May 6th, pick up should have begun May 10th. Current status: expect to be picked up by May 20th.

DELAYS IN BULK TRASH HAVE BEEN GOING ON A VERY LONG TIME
True. This is an issue that goes back at least a decade. I've worked with the Sanitation Director to develop a pilot program that would provide better and reliable service to residents. The program was slated to go into effect at the end of 2019, but the October tornado delayed the implementation, and then the director retired. And even today, the director position remains unfilled after more than one year. In that time, District 12 has continued to seek additional assistance from city hall staff. The City Manager must focus his attention on this performance issue of a basic city service.

WHAT CAN BE DONE IN DISTRICT 12?
The Code Compliance department is designing a pilot program for our district that will allow for drop-off bulk items at your convenience. More information coming soon.
District 12 Virtual Town Halls
Join the D12 Virtual Town Hall with special guests on Thursday, May 13 and Thursday, May 20th, both from 7 - 8 p.m. This week, there are two special guests. Jared White will give an update on the Cotton Belt Trail (your input requested) and Tim Oliver will give an update on the Sanitation Department. Next week, David Leininger will join us to give an update on DART and the Cotton Belt/Silver Line.

If you've already signed up for a previous town hall, we'll automatically send you the link around 5 pm the day of the event. If you haven't signed up yet, register here so you'll receive the link:
Streetlights Coming to District 12
Criminal activity is greatly influenced by causal factors in the physical and social environment. Changes to the physical environment such as new streetlights can augment efforts to promote public safety and help reduce and prevent crime. The city has over 80,000 streetlights, the majority of which are owned and operated by Oncor. Additional lighting may also help reduce the number of traffic accidents, including those crashing into neighborhood brick walls.

Orders for upgraded LED lighting in District 12 are coming to:

Haverwood - 44 new lights ordered for installation
Pear Ridge Dr. - 11 new lights ordered for installation
Midway-Rosemeade - 58 new lights ordered for installation.
Shredding, Hazardous Chemicals & More!
Property Valuation
If you want to protest the value of your home as determined by the county appraisal district, you must submit your protest very soon (some counties have a deadline of May 17). Here is an article that explains why YOU SHOULD protest your property tax appraisal: https://dentonrc.com/news/the_watchdog/the-watchdog-how-to-protest-your-2021-texas-property-tax-appraisal-why-you-should-and/article_6d5d1122-c640-579e-92c1-4980874b8192.html

If you are a senior or disabled, make sure you have that exemption on your appraisal notice. If the property is your primary home, make sure you have a homestead exemption on your appraisal notice. Please contact the Chief Appraiser for your county if you have any questions.

The value of your property will then be multiplied by the tax rate for the school district, city, county, community college, and any special taxing entities (Parkland and Dallas County Schools if you live in Dallas County). The tax rates will not be set until after the values are determined. Increasing the senior and disabled exemptions and lowering the overall property tax rate are included in my top budget priorities.
National Police Week
If you see an officer, give a wave. Any special treat, note of thanks, or kind gesture will be appreciated. The graphic above is a banner has been placed at North Central Police Station. Thank you DPD!
Girl Scouts Raise Funds for Animal Rescue
Shout out to Girl Scout Troop #7755 who baked homemade dog treats and made fun dog toys for sale. They worked together to raise funds for a local animal rescue group. The 10-member troop took shifts throughout the afternoon to sell items to park visitors. What a great example of the caring, determined, and savvy nature of these terrific young ladies! ps-Murphy really loved the peanut butter oatmeal treats.
Libraries - Renner Frankford Update
All Dallas libraries are open in limited fashion as described in the last enews, except Renner Frankford library, which remains closed for repairs from the storm. One of the things often requested by residents and identified by the staff as needed, but not available at Renner Frankford, are small rooms for study groups, group projects, meetings, or card games. The funding to repair the building only applies to rebuilding it as it was before the storm damage.

The cost for building out and furnishing 3 small study rooms is $60,000. There are some discretionary dollars allocated to District 12 from old, unspent bond funds that I have allocated to cover this improvement. This update will be a welcome benefit to our area students, seniors, and families. Additionally, the floorplan will be updated to provide additional flexible space for large group meetings or performances. The library is hoping to open before school starts in the fall.
Jobs Available
Drive-Thru Event for Seniors!
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