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Management report card
By definition, emergencies are events that are in flux, sometimes constantly changing with new details occurring as a result of the primary incident. Most commonly, emergencies are weather-related, but sometimes can be manmade whether involving hazardous materials or other similar incidents that can result in an ever-changing situation.  As such, dealing with emergencies calls for a mechanism that is equally flexible in rising to meet the challenge of an unpredictable set of circumstances. To that end, I am very proud to report to the Farmers Branch community that our emergency management plan, and the staff we have to execute it, have received a rating of "advanced" by the Texas Department of Emergency Management. Our Fire Chief, and Emergency Management Coordinator, Steve Parker has done an exemplary job in coordinating the myriad details that go into a comprehensive plan for effectively dealing with emergency situations in order to minimize threat to life and property.
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Fire Chief Steve Parker
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In addition to the planning component of emergency management, there is also training. There are several dozen City employees who have undergone training from the federal level and are qualified to act in their specific capacities as part of the overall Farmers Branch response. And, its not just first responders that play a role in this process, although the job done by our Police and Firefighters are critical. There can be financial aspects to emergency management, purchasing of supplies, stocking shelters and such. There's maintenance and coordination of vehicles and equipment. There's dealing with news media that may be on scene and so much more. Any time you see a City employee with an "Emergency Operations" endorsement on their ID badge, that means they are designated to be part of our "advanced" emergency management team. No two emergencies are alike and sometimes the best plan is to have a plan that can anticipate as many variables as possible, but is flexible enough to respond to the unexpected. Hopefully, that call never comes, but for now, congratulations to Chief Parker and all of our emergency management personnel for staying ready.
  
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New water main work to affect southbound Josey
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In order to repair a large water main near the intersection of Josey Lane and Valwood Parkway, Farmers Branch Public Works crews will shut down two southbound lanes on Josey, between Heritage and Valwood, beginning Monday, February 25.
This will leave one through lane open on the southbound side, in addition to the left turn lane onto eastbound Valwood.
The work is expected to take two weeks.
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Single member district Council election set May 11
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch City Council on Tuesday called the annual City election for Saturday, May 11 to elect City Council members. As the result of a lawsuit, the federal district court has ordered that City Council members must now be elected from five geographically drawn single member districts, replacing the at-large system of elections used in prior years.
The implementation of the single member district system will be staggered during the next three years to coincide with the current staggered terms of office.
In 2013, Districts 1 and 4 are up for election. Next year, District 2 plus the Mayor's seat will be chosen. Then, in 2015, representatives from Districts 3 and 5 will be elected. Current Council members will retain their positions until the end of their respective terms, at which time they have the option to run for re-election according to the district of their residence, if that district is up for election in that year. The Mayor will continue to be elected at-large and all members of the Council will serve three year terms.
District 1 generally covers the northwest end of the City while District 4 encompasses most of the southeast section of Farmers Branch. District 3 extends from the center of the City to the southwestern edge while Districts 2 and 5 are located in the northern central area of town. Detailed maps are available for inspection at City Hall or online at www.farmersbranch.info.
The candidate filing period is now underway for the 2013 election and will close on March 1.
For more information, call 972.919.2503.
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Multiple residential projects among EcoDevo activity
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Adjacent to City Hall, work continues at a fever pitch with multi-family residences and single-family patio homes rapidly emerging on the landscape at the Farmers Branch DART Green Line Station. These are among the Economic Development projects currently underway:
MUSTANG STATION: Progress continues on this mixed-use, multi-family development directly adjacent to the rail station platform. The parking garage has been erected and support work has begun on the surrounding four-story building.
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Progress is happening fast in Mustang Crossing, adjacent to the DART Station area.
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K HOVNANIAN: Likewise, K Hovnanian is making rapid strides on the tract directly to the south of Mustang Station. The model home is being framed this week with the other 28 patio homes soon to follow.
LINCOLN ROYAL: This multi-family development near Royal Lane and Luna Road is currently under construction with completion set for January of 2014.
MERCER CROSSING: A joint meeting of the City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission was held February 7 to discuss the future of the west side of the City. Further review on the matter continues.
O-K PAPER: Olmsted-Kirk Paper, who announced their relocation from Dallas to Farmers Branch last year, has completed their move to their new facility at Luna and Valley View.
ELAN CITY CENTRE: As work continues on this multi-family project on the City's east side, adjacent to the Sheraton Hotel, Elan City Centre has opened a leasing office on site.
For more information on Economic Development activities in Farmers Branch, call 972.247.3131.
Farmers Branch Office of Economic Development and Tourism 2012 Year-in-Review report:
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 Employee: Melanie Luce
 Department: Parks and Recreation Position: Administrative Assistant I Years Employed: 5 years Background: Attended Newman Smith High School and San Diego City College. Worked as a Legal Secretary for 13 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Moved back to Texas in 2006 with my 3 girls so they could enjoy the same Texas upbringing that I did. Farmers Branch is the first city I have ever worked for, and I hope to finish my career here! What I like most about working for the City: The feeling of family we have here. Yes, we work here, but we really are a lot like a family unit. We care for each other, help each other, depend on each other, and have fun at the same time. Going to work every day is a pleasure. The City values my family as well. The City understands the importance of family and children. As a single mom, this understanding has been a major factor in my satisfaction and happiness in working here. |
Volume 3.08| Number 104 
is published weekly by the Communications Office of the City of Farmers Branch, TX.
Two-time TAMI Award Winner for Best eNewsletter in Texas
Given by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers
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MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Patrons can bring canned food items to the Manske Library, along with overdue Library items to have Library fines waived March 11-24.
Charges associated with previous fines, lost, billed, damaged or otherwise missing items cannot be waived and fines paid in the past are not subject to refund. Call 972.247.2511 for more info.
CITY HALL ~ The Farmers Branch City Council will meet in regular session on Tuesdays, March 5 & 19 at 6 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. Coverage on FBTV begins at 6 p.m. Council meetings are replayed on FBTV at 7 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, call 972.919.2515.
TAX HELP TUESDAYS
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Free tax preparation assistance from AARP volunteers is now available on Tuesdays at the Farmers Branch Senior Center and at the Manske Library.
Volunteers are on hand at the Senior Center on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and at the Manske Library from 1 until 7 p.m. through April 16. The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15.
GENEALOGY CLASS
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Library Director, and amateur genealogist, Belinda Jacks will lead an educational session on how to overcome the challenges and reap the rewards of genealogy on Wednesday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at the Manske Library.
The class is free and open to anyone. Call 972.247.2511.
ADULT SOFTBALL
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Registration is now underway for the Farmers Branch Adult Softball League, set to get underway March 25.
The league features Co-Ed, Men's and Church divisions. Registration ends March 15. For more information, visit www.primetimesportz.com or call 972.355.3788 (x123).
CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY
JUSTICE CENTER ~ Focusing on the inner workings of law enforcement, rarely seen by outside eyes, the Farmers Branch Police Department Citizen Police Academy is now accepting applications for its Spring session.
The 11-week course meets once a week and offers everyday citizens both classroom and hands-on learning experiences on all aspects of law enforcement and the operations of the Farmers Branch Police Department.
The class is open to adult residents of Farmers Branch. For more information, contact Lt. Mike Blum at 972.484.3620 or mike.blum@farmersbranch.info.
BASIC BRIDGE
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The Farmers Branch Manske Library's Bridge Beginners Basics class was so popular in a previous incarnation, it will start anew on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library.
Designed for players looking to learn about and begin to play the popular card game, the class will continue every Wednesday with each class building on the previous. Anyone interested is asked to sign up at the Library's circulation desk by March 5.
For more information, call 972.247.2511.
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 Not that it's been a particularly nasty winter, but the first glimpse of spring is starting to poke out of the less-than-frozen ground as February's daffodils are emerging at Gussie Field Watterworth Park, near City Hall.Photo by Tom Bryson
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LBJ Express Project Animation VIDEO
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ The weekly update on the Interstate 635 expansion project has been made available by LBJ Express, the construction team responsible for the five-year project that will completely renovate the freeway from the Dallas North Tollway to Interstate 35E. This update is for Wednesday, February 20, 2013.
Valley View: The IH35E northbound frontage road left lane is closed south of Valley View through February. Valley View will be closed under IH635 during nighttime hours on February 21 and 22 for retaining wall work.
Denton Drive: The westbound LBJ frontage road between Ford and Denton will remain closed until mid-April.
Josey Lane: Construction of the permanent paving and drainage on Josey will require various lanes closed through March. All lanes of Villa Creek at Josey are reopened.
Webb Chapel: Various single lane closures will continue this week and next week north of LBJ. Webb Chapel will be closed at IH635 on the night of February 22 for bridge work. The eastbound Webb Chapel exit ramp will be closed on the night of March 4.
Marsh Lane: The pavement and bridge work on Marsh south of Ridgeoak will continue until April.
Midway Road: The southbound left turn lane on Midway Road between the LBJ frontage roads will remain closed indefinitely. Southbound lanes have been reconfigured to allow for one left turn lane and two through lanes at the eastbound frontage road. Expect various lanes to be closed on Midway at LBJ during night-time hours. Midway will be closed at IH635 on the nights of February 23 for bridge beam installation. Midway will be closed for Bridge work on the night of March 2. The right southbound lane of Midway is scheduled to be closed for drainage installation from February 20 through March 18.
Dallas North Tollway: LBJ is narrowed to 3 main lanes in each direction at the DNT.
Other Locations: The new westbound frontage road from Valley View to Marsh and the new section of eastbound frontage road from Marsh to Midway have experience delays and are now expected to be opened in March.
Various main lanes of LBJ will be closed frequently during night-time hours. There will also be intermittent night-time closures of various LBJ entrance and exit ramps. All scheduled work is tentative as permitted by weather conditions and other factors.
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About the City of Farmers Branch
 An historic community in the geographic center of the DFW Metroplex, Farmers Branch boasts a residential population of 28,800 and a daytime employment population of 66,000. Located on the northwest border of the City of Dallas, the City's 27 parks and lush greenbelts feature nationally-acclaimed, award-winning soccer fields, football facilities as well as baseball and softball complexes. The city's location in the center of the Metroplex and only 15 minutes away from both DFW Airport and Love Field, along with the 2,200 hotel rooms within the city, make Farmers Branch an ideal location for residents and for business. For more information on the City of Farmers Branch, visit farmersbranch.info, visitfarmersbranch.com, lovethebranch.com
or call 972.247.3131. |
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