Fire Department – There were no major fire or EMS events in Duncanville this past week.
This Saturday April 23, Fire Department personnel plan to go door to door in District 4 to promote a smoke alarm program. If a residence does not have a working smoke alarm, they will install one or change batteries. We plan to do this in all five council districts and believe this will greatly enhance and promote fire safety in our community.
Public Works – Water usage was 27.355 MG last week, down from 31.580 MG the prior week. The weekly peak water demand occurred on Monday, April 11, when 4.023 MG was pumped from ground and elevated storage.
In cooperation with the IT department, the Equipment Services Department had The Rocket® vehicle router installed in five police vehicles. The Rocket® provides much more reliable connectivity for the wireless devices the Police Department use in their daily operations. In November, this router was installed in a police vehicle as a test with great success. The Rocket® will be installed in all new police vehicles as a part of the standard police equipment.
The official numbers from the Operation Clean Duncanville event held on April 9 are:
153 participants,
hauled 1.32 tons of e-waste,
shredded 12.25 tons of paper, and
hauled 6.31 tons of trash to the landfill.
We would also like to recognize Republic Services for providing lunch for the volunteers, and for their assistance in ensuring the event went smoothly. Their supervisors and drivers on standby assisted with unloading residents’ vehicles of trash and debris. We greatly appreciate their support in this annual event.
The storms this week resulted in Streets crews removing fallen trees and brush from eight locations. The soft ground and winds from thunderstorms contributed to several trees falling, blocking roadways. Crews removed a total of 84 cubic yards of debris.
As previously reported, we experienced some sanitary sewer overflows due to the amount of rain and our aging infrastructure. Reports were filed with TCEQ as required and remediation efforts are underway. At no time did we experience any effect on the drinking water supply for the city and there have been no observations of any adverse impact to the streams and creeks.
Parks and Recreation – Parks crews are working hard to get Armstrong Park ready for the Big Red Smokin’ Blues and BBQ event this weekend. The rain this week has certainly made it a challenge but we have implemented our contingency plan by moving the “backyard cookers” to the east-bound lane of James Collins Boulevard and the VIP tent has been moved to higher ground. The Lion’s Club will use small utility vehicles to move equipment and supplies around the park instead of pick-up trucks. In addition, park staff used ballfield rollers to help disperse remaining puddles of water as well as power washing the amphitheater.
Staff is working with the ESPN Deportes staff for the soccer tournament next weekend
and the preliminary numbers are exceeding their expectations. They had initially estimated approximately 80 teams would play but registration is now approximately 130 teams. We are actively searching for additional field space from the school district and our sister cities to accommodate the unexpected growth.
Fieldhouse — as reported at City Council on Tuesday night, the GASO tournament this weekend is also exceeding past years with over 340 teams registered. This event not only includes teams from across the United States, but we will also have teams from Canada and Australia playing at the Fieldhouse!
Building Maintenance – new lighted bollards have been installed at City Hall with LED lighting to help illuminate the front entry. We were short one bollard and it will be replaced next week upon delivery. The new bollards are much more attractive and energy efficient as well.
Economic Development — ED staff is providing assistance on the following potential projects:
HVS Consulting Firm – Interested in building a hotel in Duncanville.
Brand Capital, Daniel Sisk, and WinCo Foods – with PW staff, discussed the US Hwy 67 Cockrell Hill exit ramp in front their property. TxDOT has pulled the southbound exit ramp back about 300 feet, but they are still concerned the ramp change will not be enough to help the development of their properties. Staff discussed this again with TxDOT at the Public Meeting held Thursday, April 21 at Cedar Hill. TxDOT will continue to look at options.
Italian Restaurant that is looking at the old Texas Tux at the Quality Inn and Suites.
Prospect interested in opening a BBQ and Blues type restaurant, sharing a site with a proposed cigar bar.
Met with Fortis Foods, Cook Associates Architects, Inc., and Vision Commercial to discuss the proposed specialty grocery store in Wheatland Plaza.
Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Permits Issued:
Seeton Touch Massage; 402 W Wheatland Rd Unit 160F
Pop Life Kids Boutique; 1314 S Main St 300
Patrick Harvey 