Connecting You With City Information, News, and Resources
Hello District 12,

Just a quick update with several events, reminders, and important opportunities for input on city issues. I hope you will take a couple of minutes to share your opinion and help shape our city.

If you have a friend who would benefit from the information in the enews, please forward it to them. Residents can sign up to receive the enews directly by emailing cara.mendelsohn@dallascityhall.com.

Have a great weekend, Cara

Cara Mendelsohn, Dallas City Councilmember, District 12
District 12 Virtual Town Hall - Police Chief Garcia
Join the D12 Virtual Town Hall with special guest, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia, Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m. 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:

April 29 - Dallas Police Chief Garcia
May 20 - Interim DART CEO
June TBD - Dallas Water Utilities - wastewater investment & expansion
Voting Information
Voting Locations and Hours
Municipal and ISD Election Day is May 1. Here is the schedule for the polls and voting locations:

Early voting:
Monday, April 19 - Saturday, April 24, 8 am - 5 pm
Sunday, April 25, 11 am - 4 pm (Denton County only)
Sunday, April 25, 1 pm - 6 pm (Dallas County only)
Monday, April 26 - Tuesday, April 27, 7 am - 7 pm

Election day:
Saturday, May 1, 7 am - 7 pm

You must vote in the county in which you live. Closest polling locations in or near D12 are:

Dallas County:
  1. Fretz Park Library for early voting and Election Day. On Election Day, voting centers will also be at Bowie, Parkhill, Brentfield, Prestonwood, and Spring Creek schools.

Collin County: Note: Renner Frankford Library is CLOSED for repairs
  1. Fire Station #10, 4451 Frankford Road (corner of Gibbons & Frankford near Chick-fil-A). Available for early voting and Election Day.
  2. Harmony School of Innovation, 8080 W. George Bush Turnpike (just east of the corner of Frankford and Coit, across from Highland Springs). Available for early voting and Election Day.
  3. On Election Day, Rose Haggar Elem will be an election center.

Denton County: Note: Frankford Townhomes community room is closed due to COVID
  1. Timberglen Recreation Center is available for early voting and Election Day.

What is on the Ballot?
In addition to candidates for city council, ISD trustees, there are 2 city charter amendments on the ballot for the City of Dallas, a bond election for RISD residents, and Collin College trustees for Collin County residents.

There has not been much publicity about the City of Dallas charter amendments. One charter amendment asks you to decide if the current requirement to serve on a charter-required board or commission should remove the requirement that the appointee be an "eligible voter," meaning, should the person be a US citizen? This is your decision on the ballot. The other charter amendment asks about removing the qualification that an appointee be a tax-payer to serve on the Civil Service board.
COVID Vaccine is Available
IF YOU CAN DRIVE TO A LOCATION:

If you'd like to get the vaccine, it is now being offered for free, without an appointment, for anyone 55+, at Fair Park by Dallas County. The schedule changes frequently, so please check the website before you go at www.dallascounty.org. Right now, the schedule is 8-5. Here is the schedule posted as of noon Friday:

Saturday & Sunday 4/24 & 4/25 - closed
Monday 4/26 - Moderna - first and second doses available
Tuesday 4/27 - closed
Wednesday 4/28 - Pfizer - first and second doses available
Thursday 4/29 - Pfizer - first and second doses available OPEN noon - 9pm
Friday 4/30 - Moderna - first and second doses available
Saturday 5/1 - Pfizer - first and second doses available
Sunday 5/2 - closed

IF YOU ARE HOMEBOUND (SENIOR OR DISABLED):
The Visiting Nurse Association in conjunction with Dallas Fire Rescue is visiting homes to vaccinate homebound seniors and people with disabilities. Please email district12@dallascityhall.com and give the name, address, and phone number of the person who wishes to receive the vaccine. We will share our list weekly with the DFR/VNA team to schedule priority in-home vaccinations.

Great job District 12 - zip code 75248 has the highest vaccination rate in North Texas. 75252 and 75287 have a higher than average vaccination rate.
Kiddie Academy - Coming Soon!
The groundbreaking was festive for the two new buildings coming to McCallum just east of Preston, next to Kroger at Campbell and Preston. The main building will be leased to Kiddie Academy, a high quality day care with after school care. They expect to start accepting placements in January on a limited basis. The other space will be available for office leasing.
Save the Date!
Another Document Shredding Event... and more!
It was great to see D12 residents turn out for the recent document shred and food drive benefitting the North Texas Food Bank. Thank you to our generous and caring neighbors and DPD for an awesome event! It was so fun to see you in person.

  • Over 275 residents were served
  • 1566 pounds of food collected
  • $1334 raised in monetary donations for North Texas Food Bank!

Due to popular demand, we're going to do it AGAIN, this time with our friends in code compliance! Save the date for Saturday, May 22nd, from 11 - 2 pm at Renner Frankford Library parking lot. In addition to FREE shredding services, we'll be collecting old paint, batteries, and household chemicals, along with additional bulk items.

To serve residents who are unable to participate on a Saturday due to religious observance, a drop off service is being arranged for either Thursday or Sunday. If your congregation would like to host the collection containers, please email cara.mendelsohn@dallascityhall.com.
Homelessness in District 12 & the City of Dallas
Please report known homeless encampments to 311. The city has started a dashboard to track calls to 311 regarding homeless encampments, and you can see a map of where they are reported for the last 30 days and the progress on the resolution here: https://dallasgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ccd41f0d795f407a94ae17e2c27bf073
Your Input Requested - Short Term Rentals
This is a very important item! Some single family homes are being used as short term rental (STR) sites (AirBnB or VRBO), with loud parties, wedding venues, music video production sites, and neighbors are experiencing problems with trash, noise, intoxicated people roaming the neighborhood, gunshots fired in the air, and more. The city is looking at ways to regulate them or ban them from certain areas.

A public hearing will be held on May 5 so you can provide input on the options to regulate Short Term Rental properties. You can call 214-670-3738 to register to speak. You must be registered by 5 pm on May 4th if you wish to speak at this meeting.
Libraries Open May 4th!
Dallas Public Library Locations Opening May 4! (Note: Renner Frankford library will remain closed as repairs are made due to damage from the big freeze)

Beginning Tuesday, May 4, Dallas Public Library is resuming in-person service at 27 branch locations and the Central Library. Customers will once again be able to browse the library’s collection, check out books, and pick up their holds inside the library.

Building capacity is limited to 25 at branches and 155 at the Central Library. Public computer access is available for one 90-minute session per day per user and can be reserved up to 24 hours in advance. Researchers may use the Dallas History and Archives and Genealogy collections by appointment, as well as the Creative Spaces at the Central Library. Seating is unavailable at the branch libraries, but the Central floors will have limited seating to allow for charging and using personal devices.

“We’ve made every effort to keep library users and library staff as safe as possible with our reopening,” Director of Libraries Jo Giudice said. “I know Dallasites have been anxious to come back to the library, and we’re excited to have them back – even if it is somewhat limited.”

Masks worn over the nose and mouth will be required for all customers age 2 and older, and 6-feet social distancing will be encouraged. Staff will be available for limited assistance, but self-checkout is encouraged. Reference service is still limited to online chat and phone, although staff will be able to help with quick answers and book requests. Library To Go curbside service is still available by appointment.

Some services remain unavailable for the time being in order to protect the health and wellbeing of staff and customers. These include in-person programs and events – all programs will be virtual throughout the summer, public meeting rooms at all locations, study rooms at all locations, chairs have been removed to reduce lingering, toys, games and other interactive items.

Bookmarks at NorthPark Center continues Library To Go service only.

Because the danger of COVID-19 has not passed, visitors are asked to respect and observe safety protocols during their visit.
Welcome Juice Bar!
The Juice Bar has opened at Hillcrest Village! Thank you to Moms Out Marketing for a great preview party with a fun DJ and lots of delicious samples!

The store has a terrific seating area, lots of choices of juice mixes and smoothies, and a clean, fresh feeling with smiling employees. It's a great addition to this revitalizing retail area!
Texas State Parks
Texas State Parks are open at full capacity. It won't be long before the heat of summer sets in. If you'd like to visit a state park, make sure to plan your visit and make a reservation. They can be made up to 30 days in advance. For overnight stays, reservations can be made up to 5 months in advance. Make your reservation here: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com
Your Input Requested - Transportation Projects and
Air Quality Initiatives
North Texans are encouraged to comment on multiple transportation projects and programs April 12th through May 11th.
 
North Central Texas Council of Governments staff will present details on the fourth round of the COVID-19 Transportation Infrastructure Program, which awards funding to projects across the region to help stimulate the local economy. Staff will also present information related to a proposed single-occupancy trip reduction resolution that establishes a regional target to reduce drive-alone commute trips through Travel Demand Management strategies such as teleworking, ridesharing, active transportation and transit.

Additionally, information related to several regional air quality initiatives will be provided. The 2021 ozone season began March 1 and runs through November 30. Currently, Dallas-Fort Worth does not meet federal air quality standards for the pollutant ozone. Staff will present an introduction to the pollutant, an overview of current progress, an ozone season update, and information on how the public can contribute to the regional air quality solution by keeping their cars in good condition.
 
Finally, modifications to the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program Development Project Listing will be available for online review and comment.
 
The Map Your Experience tool, Regional Smoking Vehicle Program and vehicle incentive opportunities will also be highlighted.
 
For more information and a recording of the presentations, visit www.nctcog.org/input. To request hard copies of the information, call 817-608-2365 or email Carli Baylor at cbaylor@nctcog.org.
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