CITY MANAGER’S WEEKLY UPDATE
For the week of:
April 20, 2008
Banks, Retailers Invited into “No Hats” Robbery-Prevention Program
The Lewisville Police Department is working with local banks and retailers to implement the “No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses” robbery-prevention program. Banks and check-cashing outlets have been given signs to post at their entrances that ask customers to remove hats, sunglasses and hoods before entering.
One typical form of robbery at financial businesses is “note job” crimes in which the robber tries to remain inconspicuous by concealing his or her face from staff, customers and cameras. Experience in other cities shows that the “No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses” program discourages that type of crime because the robbers become more conspicuous when regular customers remove hats and sunglasses upon entering. Anyone still concealing his or her face will then draw increased scrutiny from employees and become less likely to commit a robbery.
This national program already has been implemented in several North Texas cities, including Highland Village, and has been endorsed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a possible robbery deterrent.
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
The Planning and Zoning Commission met briefly on April 15 for a one item agenda: The Final Plat for Lewisville Towne Crossing, a 54.6 acre tract designated Light Industrial (LI), located on the southeast corner of Business S.H. 121 and Josey Lane (FM 423). The plat had one requested variance to allow public waterlines dedicated to the Fresh Water District to be placed in easements under paving instead of “grass only” easements. After a brief question and discussion period, the P&Z Commission unanimously recommended approval (6-0) of the plat and requested variance.
Park Board Meeting
At the Park Board’s meeting held on April 9, 2008, the main topic of discussion was athletic field usage/practice fees. The current fees have not been adjusted since the late 1980’s. The Board is reviewing the fees now since major improvements have been made at the Lake Park Athletic Complex, and the new complex will soon be under construction. Staff presented a survey of usage fees from other metroplex cities at the March meeting for the Board’s review. After much discussion and comparison of Lewisville’s athletic facilities and maintenance levels, the Board voted to recommend that the field usage/practice fees be increased from $5 per hour for unlighted fields to $10 per hour, and from $10 per hour for lighted fields to $20 per hour. The Board noted that while this may seem like a large increase, Lewisville will still be at only mid range of the survey cities and at the top end of facility quality and maintenance. Several Board members were in favor of a slightly higher fee and would like to review the fee again next year. Staff will present the Board’s recommendation in the budget process.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee Meeting
The CDBG Advisory Committee met on April 15. They considered progress on the Children's Advocacy Center's grant for a new facility. The City has funded $70,500 toward the construction project. Staff explained that in their contract, there is a provision for the committee to review progress because the City's funds cannot be used until the agency raises enough money from other sources to begin construction. Staff reported that while the agency was not meeting its project goals, there was also not an immediate need to re-allocate the funds to another project. Also the agency's board will consider taking out a construction loan at its next meeting so that it can begin construction this summer. Their director feels it is important to begin because they are overcrowded at their current location. The committee accepted the information as a staff report and decided no action was needed at this time.
The committee also approved plans to amend the City's Annual Action Plan for CDBG funding in order to add one more block to the Sewer Rehabilitation project to be conducted in the area between Edna and Hatcher streets south of Main Street. When the project was originally funded, several blocks fell within the available budget. Bids on the project were received recently and came in lower than expected which will allow the 400 block of Hickory to be added. After a public comment period, Council will consider the committee's recommendation. Staff also reported that a new Community Needs Assessment will not be completed until next year. Without setting new priorities, the committee prefers to allow new applications next spring for a special one-year grant cycle before getting back to the preferred three-year cycle once the Needs Assessment results are known and the committee can recommend new funding priorities.
Senior Center Hosts Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
The Senior Center will be hosting its annual volunteer appreciation luncheon on Wednesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. During the luncheon, staff will recognize volunteers and corporate sponsors who have made many contributions to assist in making the Senior Center programs successful.
Recreation Division Staff Volunteers
Four members of the Recreation division staff volunteered to help decorate for the Grand Ball at Lewisville High School. Hilary Boen, Wayne Pickett, Jeff White and Monica Winters assisted in building props and scenes for the annual prom held for special needs students. This year’s theme was "Into the Garden"
City Serves as Host for Business Recycling Workshop on April 24
Area business operators are invited to attend a recycling workshop on April 24 to learn how recycling can save their business money and other resources. The “Reduce Waste, Save Money” program, being presented by the City of Lewisville and the North Texas Corporate Recycling Association (NTCRA), will cover such topics as waste stream education and waste audits, capturing recyclables for pickup, and property management’s role in facilitating recycling for tenants. Registration is $25 for NTCRA members and $35 for non-members. The class will be held from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Lewisville City Hall Council Chambers, 151 W. Church Street. On-line registration is available at www.ntcra.org. For more information, please contact Rose Chavez at rchavez@gptx.org or 972.237.8151.
Entertainment Announced for Cinco de Mayo Festival in Lewisville
The entertainment schedule has been announced for Lewisville’s sixth annual Cinco de Mayo, to be held Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Main Street in the heart of Old Town Lewisville. Headlining the festival will be Grupo Sueno, Tyler Marco Band and The Image Band in a series of performances during the afternoon. Earlier in the day, crowds will be able to enjoy shows by dance groups from Central Elementary School, Delay Middle School, Lewisville High School, and Dancers Workshop. In addition, the Visual Art League of Lewisville will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with displays in various storefront windows along Main Street.
Organized by Dallas Tortilla and Tamale Factory and sponsored by the City of Lewisville and Miller of Denton, the event will include music, food, arts and crafts, vehicle displays, boxing exhibitions and more. The Old Town Farmers Market will be held in one part of the festival area from 8 a.m. until sell-out.
The event is free to the public. Visitors are asked to make a donation of $1 to the Cinco De Mayo Scholarship Fund or bring canned food and household paper goods for Christian Community Action. Festival organizers hope to raise enough money to present at least two $500 college scholarships to graduating Lewisville ISD students of Mexican descent. Seven such scholarships have been awarded during the past five years.
Cinco de Mayo is a commemoration of the Battle of Puebla, which was fought on May 5, 1862. On that day, an army of 4,000 Mexican nationalists defeated a French-commanded army of more than 8,000 men. That victory launched a campaign that eventually drove the French out of Mexico and restored Mexican independence (which is celebrated in Mexico on Sept. 16). Many historians also credit the victory in Puebla with keeping the French army in Mexico from joining the Confederate forces in the Civil War.
Festival sponsors and volunteers are still needed. For event information, please call 972.436.4333 or visit www.cityoflewisville.com.
Cinco de Mayo Entertainment Schedule
11 a.m. Welcome from Mayor Gene Carey; singing of Star-Spangled Banner
11:30 a.m. Central Elementary School Ballet Folklorico
Noon Delay Middle School Ballet Folklorico
12:30 p.m. Lewisville High School Latino Club Ballet Folklorico
1 p.m. Presentation of Cinco de Mayo scholarship winners
1:45 p.m. Dancers Workshop
3:30 p.m. Grupo Sueno
4:45 p.m. Tyler Marco Band
5:30 p.m. The Image Band
FM 407 Bridge Over Interstate 35E to Close April 26 for Resurfacing
The FM 407 bridge over Interstate 35E will be closed Saturday, April 26, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. while the Texas Department of Transportation resurfaces the roadway. The bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic during those times. Message boards at each entrance to the bridge and on Interstate 35E will advise drivers of the closure and direct them to detour routes.
Street & Sidewalk Repairs
The City of Lewisville Street Division has contracted with Hencie International, Inc., to perform street and sidewalk repairs on Hidden Trail from Corporate Drive to the end of Hidden Trail. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 21, 2008, and be completed by Friday, May 30, 2008, weather permitting. The street must be cleared of all vehicles during this time.
Work is being performed in the areas listed below.
Use caution in these work zones.
Use caution in these work zones.
Street Repairs
Continuing street panel and sidewalk repairs on Valencia and on Hidden Trail
Alley repairs in the 1800 block of College Parkway and on Bentwood at Valley Parkway
Crack sealing on Corporate Drive between I-35 and Highway 121
Street and sidewalk repairs on Hidden Trail from Corporate Drive to the end of Hidden Trail
Sanitary Sewer Line and Manhole Repairs
Main line cleaning and video inspecting the sewer mains on High School Drive, Mill Street and Huffines Street
Cleaning and video inspecting the 12" sewer main on Rivercrest Drive
Upcoming Events
April Meetings & Events
- April 21 City Council Meeting
April 26 Old Town Farmer’s Market
April 28 Old Town Design Review Committee Meeting
April 30 Library Board Meeting
May Meetings & Events
- May 1-2 Fire Dept Pipe, Drum & Color Guard Symposium & Workshop
May 3 Old Town Farmer’s Market
May 3 Cinco de Mayo Festival
May 5 City Council Meeting
May 6 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
May 7 Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting
May 10 Old Town Farmer’s Market
May 10 Lewisville Second Saturday Collection Day
May 12 Old Town Design Review Committee Meeting
May 14 Park Board Meeting
May 17 Old Town Farmer’s Market
May 19 City Council Meeting
May 20 CDBG Meeting
May 20 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
May 21 Library Board Meeting
May 24 Old Town Farmer’s Market
May 26 Holiday – Offices Closed
May 31 Old Town Farmer’s Market
