BRANCH BULLETIN - eNews from Farmers Branch
Memo from the MANAGER

Telling the story

 

   Farmers Branch is very lucky to have Tom Bryson, Communications Director, as the head of our communications effort. I noticed very quickly that Tom is regarded as one of the best in his profession nationally.

Gary 2013

   Often, I would hear of how much effect Tom has had on 3CMA and how many people rely on his support and advice. It was almost like he is a "Rock Star" among his peers. Many people seek Tom out for his ideas and advice on communication programs be it print, video, or social media. A testament to his expertise is the fact that the City of Farmers Branch has raked in over 12 3CMA awards including five Savvies under his direction. It is quite humbling to see so many honor and appreciate a person as they do Tom at the 3CMA convention.
   The problem with working day to day with someone who is as gifted as Tom is that it makes it easy to take his work for granted. We always know he is going to work very hard to see that the public is well informed. We always know that our publications are going to be well written and outstanding visually; we always know our

Tom Bryson
Director of Communications

videos are going to be creative and informative; and we always know that the information flow is going to be outstanding in the time of crisis. These, and many other things, do not happen without the hard work, planning and dedication of our Communications Director.
   We are very fortunate in Farmers Branch to have a great deal of employees, like Tom, who are not only outstanding in their jobs but also willing to share their skills and ideas on a broader scale. It is a great reflection of the City of Farmers Branch and our community as a whole.
So the next time you read a Branch Review or Bulletin, watch the city television channel or an informational video, attend a city briefing, read a press release from the city, etc. smile and remember the information is coming from a "Rock Star."

 

 

Important UPDATE
Stormwater Utility program set for discussion at special meeting prior to September 16 public hearing
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Mirroring what most other cities in the Metroplex have already implemented, the City of Farmers Branch is considering a Stormwater Utility Program to provide for management, maintenance and improvements to the City's stormwater drainage system and other related activities. 
   In order to provide residents with the most accurate information about the proposed Stormwater Utility Program, a general meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
   The meeting will consist of a short presentation on the proposed program followed by public input. Citizens will also be given an opportunity to ask specific questions about how this program will effect their own property. 
  The Farmers Branch City Council will then hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Stormwater Utility program as part of their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. 
   The Stormwater Utility will provide a number of different, but related services, including street sweeping, flood control, creek sediment removal, erosion protection, water quality management, channel repair and reconstruction, vegetation management and bridge & culvert construction.

   Funding for the utility will come from assessments on each developed property, based on that property's area of hard surface, such as rooftops, driveways or parking lots, and their impact on the stormwater system.

   It is proposed that residential properties will pay a rate of $3.05 per month for homes with less than 3,100 square feet of impervious area. Single family residences with impervious area between 3,100 and 5,100 square feet will pay $4.50, while houses with more than 5,100 square feet of impervious area are proposed to pay $7.20 per month.

   Other properties, such as multi-family and commercial, will pay $4.50 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of impervious area on the property. One ERU is equivalent to 4,000 square feet of impervious area, which is the average impervious area for a single family residence in Farmers Branch. For example, a commercial property with 10 times more hard surface than an average house, will pay $45 per month.

   Upon approval, the Storm Water Utility fee will be shown as a line item on monthly utility bills and is expected to take effect January 1, 2015.

   For more information, call 972.919.2597.



Featured STORIES
Triple Bill
Manske Library augments Community Reads program with outdoor movie series

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Drawing on stories of "other worlds" for the theme of the Farmers Branch Community Reads program this fall, the Manske Library will further illustrate the theme with three movies on consecutive Saturdays, to be shown outdoors in the Library's amphitheater.
   Built into a hillside on the banks of Rawhide Creek in Farmers Branch, the Manske Library's amphitheater features wide, tiered levels with natural grass surface. Patrons are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs for comfortable seating.
   The Steven Spielberg classic, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" will kick the series off on Saturday, September 6. Described by some critics as a modern-day "Raiders of the Lost Ark," the contemporary search for a mythical treasure is the storyline of "National Treasure," starring Nicolas Cage and showing at the Library on
 Saturday, September 13. The series closes out
 on Saturday, September 20 with a very
 contemporary re-telling of a comic book classic, the 2014 release of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."
   Admission is free with concessions available for purchase.
   For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.


Health & Wellness Expo coming to Community Recreation Center

COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER ~ Hoping to bolster the well-being of the community, the annual Farmers Branch Health & Wellness Expo is coming to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center on Saturday, September 13, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.
   There will be free biometric screenings, Baylor Mobile Mammography, other health screenings and consultations, flu and pneumonia vaccines, Vitamin B12 shots, fitness retailers, pet adoptions, kids activities and much more. All offerings are subject to change and payment is required for some services.
   Additionally, the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments will be undertaking their annual "Battle of the Badges" to raise blood donations for Carter BloodCare. Call 972.247.4607 for more information about the 2014 Health & Wellness Expo.


Minor zoning adjustments to be considered for Branch Crossing

FARMERS BRANCH ~ In order to accomplish a few minor adjustments to the zoning regulations for the Branch Crossing neighborhood, the Planning and Zoning Commission will be considering amendments to Planned Development No. 79 in their meeting on September 8, in advance of City Council consideration on September 16. 
   Farmers Branch Planning Director Andy Gillies said Planned Development No. 79, or PD-79, is a customized zoning district that allows single family detached housing in the renaissance neighborhood dubbed Branch Crossing in the late 1990s. Mr. Gillies emphasized that PD-79 will remain a single family detached neighborhood, while outlining the proposed changes: 
* Fence height is currently limited to six feet. City staff is recommending an increase to a maximum of eight feet. 
* The percentage of front yards that can be covered is proposed for an increase from 30 percent to 65 percent to better allow circular driveways. 
* Currently, PD-79 requires that every new house include a chimney. City staff is recommending removal of this requirement. 
* There is also a recommendation to allow for solar panels on the roof, provided they match the roof color and are placed in an orderly pattern. 
* Garage doors are currently required to be metal. The proposed change would allow styled wood or fiberglass to be used as well. 
   Mr. Gillies said the Planning and Zoning Commission would consider these matters in a public hearing during their regular meeting on Monday, September 8, then forward their recommendation to the City Council who will hear the case during their meeting on Tuesday, September 16.
   For more information, call 972.247.3131


CityStaff Snapshot




Employee: Ronda Allison
Department: Human Resources
Title: Administrative Assistant I
Hire Date: September 2, 2014
Background: I just recently moved to Farmers Branch with my husband, Steve, after living in Nashville, TN for 18 years. I was born and raised in Angleton, TX. I have one son and a granddaughter. In my spare time, we enjoy sailing and being around the water.
What I like most about working for the City: Everyone with the City makes me feel so welcome and it's really a great group of people to work with. I am so thrilled to be here!
Branch BRIEFS
Badges to battle again for blood
BLOOD
COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER ~ With bragging rights on the line, the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments are again competing to find out who can drum up the most blood donations in the annual "Battle of the Badges" going on as part of the Health & Wellness Expo, September 12 & 13.
   Anyone wishing to donate blood to Carter BloodCare should come to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, 14050 Heartside Place, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on either day. Donators will be asked if they wish to donate on behalf of the Police or Fire Departments. All donors will receive a commemorative t-shirt and thanks from both Farmers Branch Public Safety agencies.
972.247.4607
Tell it to the Mayor session planned

CITY HALL ~ Mayor Bob Phelps will hold open office hours at Farmers Branch City Hall on Wednesday, September 10 as part of his ongoing "Tell it to the Mayor" series.
   Anyone is welcome to come by City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway, to speak with Mayor Phelps on any topic, without an appointment, during the hours of 3 until 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month.
972.919.2515
Registrations open for National Night Out

JUSTICE CENTER ~ Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller said he expects record response to the 2014 edition of National Night Out, set for Tuesday, October 7 in Farmers Branch.
   Chief Fuller explained that more than 30 neighborhood parties registered with the Police Department last year and said interest in Farmers Branch Community Watch could push that number even higher.
   The first Tuesday in October of every year is the Texas edition of National Night Out, dubbed America's night out against crime by the National Association of Town Watch. The event is designed to get neighbors outside, meeting, greeting and getting to know each other and, in doing so, present a united front against crime in residential areas.
   Registered neighborhood parties may receive visits from the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Department as well as the Mayor, some members of the City Council and other City officials.
   For more information or to register a neighborhood party, call the Farmers Branch Police Department.
972.919.9304
October Council meeting moved for NNO

FARMERS BRANCH ~ With the Texas version of National Night Out again set for the first Tuesday in October, Mayor Bob Phelps and the members of the Farmers Branch City Council will hold their first meeting of the month 24 hours earlier on Monday, October 6.
   The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. Study Session will precede the Council Meeting at 5 p.m. in the second floor conference room at City Hall.
   For more information on National Night Out, call the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.919.9304.
972.919.2515
Pickups-N-Panels show coming to FBHP

HISTORICAL PARK ~ Open to all 1989 and older model year cars and trucks the annual Pickups-N-Panels Classic Car and Truck Shootout is coming Saturday, September 13 to the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
   Gates are open and registration begins for this 15th annual event, to benefit the American Cancer Society, at 9:30 a.m. Registration is $20 per vehicle.
817.307.1186
Construction CAM
Farmers Branch Aquatics Center Construction
Updated: September 3, 2014 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Walls are going up on the newly named Margaret Young Natatorium in the new Farmers Branch Aquatics Center, located next to the Community Recreation Center on Heartside Place, near Valwood Parkway.

   The year-round, indoor section of the new complex is expected to be open next winter with the outdoor portion ready for the summer, 2015 swim season. Call 972.247.4607 for more information.

 

Volume 4 | Edition 35 | Number 184   
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the  Communications Office
of the City of Farmers Branch, TX.
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Excellence in E-Newsletters in Texas
 
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www.texastamio.org

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IN the BANNER
Midnight ride
  The Farmers Branch Manske Library kicks off its 2014 Outdoor Movie Series on Saturday with the Steven Spielberg classic, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial." Showtime is dusk at the Library's outdoor amphitheater. Admission is free.
YOUR Calendar
Coming Soon
==============
SAT, SEP 6
OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES
"E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial"
@ Manske Library Amphitheatre @ Dusk
972.247.2511

WED, SEP 10
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515

STORMWATER UTILITY SPECIAL MEETING
@ City Hall @ 6 pm
972.919.2597

SAT, SEP 13
HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO & BATTLE OF THE BADGES BLOOD DRIVE
@ Community Rec Center
9 am - 12 noon
972.247.3131

PICKUPS-N-PANELS
@ FB Historical Park
10 am - 3 pm

OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES
"National Treasure"
@ Manske Library Amphitheatre @ Dusk
972.247.2511

TUE, SEP 16
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
@ City Hall
Study Session @ 5 pm
Regular Meeting @ 6:30 pm
972.247.3131
* All meeting dates & times subject to change. Call for verification.
 
SAT, SEP 20
OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES
"The Amazing Spider-Man 2"
@ Manske Library Amphitheatre @ Dusk
972.247.2511

ENCOUNTERS FROM
THE PAST
@ Keenan Cemetery
972.406.0184

TUE, SEP 23
STAR PARTY
@ FB Historical Park
Dusk - 9 pm
972.406.0184
WED, SEP 24
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515
SAT, SEP 27
MOVIE IN THE PARK
Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins"
@ Barney Wood Athletic Cplx
Dusk
972.247.4607

Mark Your
Calendar
==============
OCT 6
CITY COUNCIL MEETING  -
Special Date
@ City Hall
Study Session @ 5 pm
Regular Meeting @ 6:30 pm
972.247.3131
Watch LIVE
* All meeting dates & times subject to change. Call for verification. 

OCT 7
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Schedule Neighborhood Parties by calling FBPD @ 972.919.9304

OCT 8
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515

OCT 17-18
BLOOMIN' BLUEGRASS
FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL &
CHILI COOK-OFF
@ FB Historical Park
972.919.1433

OCT 18
CELEBRATION OF ROSES
@ Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch
972.919.2550

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
@ Senior Center
9 am to 4 pm
972.241.8636

OCT 21
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
@ City Hall
Study Session @ 5 pm
Regular Meeting @ 6:30 pm
972.247.3131
* All meeting dates & times subject to change. Call for verification. 

OCT 22
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515

OCT 25
HALLOWEEN IN THE PARK
@ FB Historical Park
972.919.1433

NOV 11
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
@ Senior Center
10:30 am
972.919.2620

DEC 6
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
@ FB Historical Park
972.919.1433 

NOV 28 thru DEC 30
CHRISTMAS TOUR OF LIGHTS
972.919.1433

All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
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LBJ Express
Check the latest weekly report on the five-year reconstruction of Interstate 635 that includes:
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Check the latest information on the 28-mile, $1.4 billion reconstruction of Interstate 35E from LBJ, through Farmers Branch, to U.S. Highway 380 in Denton County.
About the City of Farmers Branch Farmers Branch Logo
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  lovethebranch.com or call 972.247.3131.
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