Memo from the MANAGER

Retreat, Part II

  

  Most of you know that we take the members of our City Council out on retreat every January to help plot the course for the coming year.
   As it is uncommon to have a Council election where two positions turned over, as we did this year, we're going to pause for just a moment this Friday to have a mid-year retreat with our Council, including new Council Members Mike Bomgardner and John Norwood. 
  There are several reasons for this. Chief among them is so that we can get our new members on the same page for current City issues and projects and also for a better gauge of consensus with a new makeup of this policymaking body.
   And, that is a golden point for everyone to know - the big distinction between the City Council and the City staff. The Mayor and City Council Members are our elected officials whose responsibility it is to set policy. Then, it is the job of the City staff to carry out that policy in accordance with Council direction.
   So, with a change in people on the City Council comes a change in dynamics. There could be adjustments to parts of our Strategic Plan, based on what direction we, the staff, get on Friday. In any event, the occasion is always one that lends itself to team-building and camaraderie among peers.
   Something else worth noting is that some organizations, especially private companies, will take their top management on retreat to distant locations.
   We don't.
   Sometimes, we even have them in Farmers Branch. But, even when we don't, we don't go far - never out of the Metroplex. On this occasion, we'll be at the Bank of America building in downtown Dallas. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.
   The main idea is to get everyone away from the offices, phones and other distractions so that we can get down to the business of setting an agenda for this great City. 
   We're looking forward to it.

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Updated INFORMATION
Trinity River flooding forces delays in trash pickup

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As Trinity River flooding in Lewisville has cut off access to both the DFW and Camelot Landfills, Waste Management will have to haul local residential garbage to an outlying landfill, likely causing delays in regular routes that will persist until floodwaters recede. 

   "As the result of both Camelot and adjacent DFW landfills being temporarily closed, Waste Management is having to haul residential trash to a more distant landfill," said Farmers Branch Environmental Services and Solid Waste Manager Shane Davis. "They will attempt to keep routes on schedule but there will likely be delays because of the much greater distance trucks will have to go." 

   Carrollton, Lewisville and a number of other north Texas communities are also impacted by this temporary closure of both landfills as trucks make the extra trip with approximately 7,000 tons of trash, per day.

   Any garbage not picked up on its regular day will be collected as quickly as possible on the following day. Penalties for trash sitting out overnight will be temporarily suspended until normal operations resume at the Camelot Landfill. For questions, call 972.919.2597. 

Featured STORIES
Vintage Base Ball festival to bring the great game back to its early days

BASEBALL 

HISTORICAL PARK ~ The Farmers Branch Historical Park will be bringing base ball history back to life on June 6 by hosting the Farmers Branch Vintage Base Ball Festival, featuring teams from around the area, playing by 1860s rules. 

  Running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission to the festival is free. As the home team, the Farmers Branch Mustangs will welcome the Irving Estelle, Carrollton Elites, and Plano Wildcats. 

  All teams will show off their skills by playing six base ball matches, starting at 8:30 a.m. and running throughout the day. The four North Texas teams will play in the Historical Park's meadow by 1860s base ball rules which means no gloves, no stealing of bases, and some great nicknames. 

   Fans will be encouraged to support the team using 19th century cheers such as "Huzzah!" and "Show some ginger!" Festival attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and picnic lunches to enjoy during the festival. 

   Friends of Farmers Branch Historical Park will be selling concessions and providing bounce houses for children from 11 am to 2 pm. Chairs will be available to rent for $2 throughout the day. 

   The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road, a short five-minute walk from the Farmers Branch DART Green Line light rail station.

   Overflow parking will be at Metro Square Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical Park at 12300 Ford Road. For more information, visit fbvintagebaseball.com, or call 972.406.0184. 

Summer Reading Club to kick off Saturday with 
'Superhero Training Camp'

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ "Every Hero Has a Story!" is the superhero theme of the 2015 Summer Reading club at the Farmers Branch Manse Library, kicking off in June.

   Kids are invited to the "Superhero Training Camp Kick-Off" on June 6 at 10 a.m. at the Manske Library. The season will get underway with fun and adventurous games like Mighty Muscles, Spiderman's Web, Brain Power and more. The superheros get to pick prizes from the "Mystery Box" after taking part in the activities. 

   Library Director Denise Wallace said there will be superheroes a plenty. Even a local superhero will be present as No'Squito Girl teaches kids about how to avoid mosquitoes and the diseases they can carry.

   "We want kids to join us for a Summer Reading Kick-Off that tests their superpowers by striking out a villain, performing daring rescues and by registering for the Summer Reading Club," Ms. Wallace said. "We'll offer adventurous programs and activities throughout the summer." 

   Ms. Wallace added that kids will complete reading logs for cool prizes, be entertained every Wednesday by talented performers, show family movies every Monday and more. 

   "Enter our grand prize drawing and earn bragging rights for your school with our Traveling Trophy," she explained. "It will be awarded to the elementary school with the highest student participation." For more information, visit  farmersbranchlibrary.org or call 972.247.2511. 

Tastes & Tunes summer series to marry food trucks and live music for outdoor entertainment

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Food trucks have been so popular at other events, they're getting one of their own.

   Actually, three.

   The Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department has announced that "Tastes & Tunes" will be featured one night per month in June, July and August at The Grove @ Mustang Crossing, adjacent to the Farmers Branch DART Station at the corner of Bill Moses Parkway and Denton Drive.

   Admission will be free to the food truck area where live music will be played each evening. Dates and bands are: Thursday, June 18 with "Hard Day's Night"; Thursday, July 16 with "The Bad Monkeys"; and Friday, August 14 with "Live 80."

   Each event will be scheduled from 5 until 8 p.m. each evening. For more information, visit www.fbspecialevents.com or call 972.919.2620.

Parting SHOT

Rising Star
Farmers Branch Senior Planner Alexis Jackson shows off her new Rising Star award trophy presented to her by Farmers Branch Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Connally on behalf of the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce. Given annually to young professionals, the Rising Star award represents the next generation of leadership forthcoming in each of the Metrocrest communities (Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Addison).
Volume 5 | Edition 22 | Number 223
Wednesday, June 3, 2015  
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the Communications Office since March 5, 2011
of the City of Farmers Branch, TX.
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IN the BANNER
"Huzzah"
Playing the great game as it was originally conceived is the aim of the Vintage Base Ball Farmers Branch Mustangs. The home team will host a Vintage Base Ball Festival at the Farmers Branch Historical Park on Saturday. See related story.
Branch BRIEFS
Record rains mean more standing water

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ 

With the recent record rainfall, Farmers Branch employees are working harder than ever to treat standing water and eliminate mosquito breeding sites in public rights-of-way. 

   In places where standing water cannot be drained, staff is using larvicide to prevent mosquito growth. Additionally, traps are being set out weekly to monitor for West Nile Virus.

   Farmers Branch residents can help control mosquito populations by draining standing water on their property and using "mosquito dunks" when necessary. 

   Mosquito dunks are available to residents free of charge at City Hall and the Senior Center, however there is a limit of one pack per resident, as supplies are limited. 

   Additional dunks can be purchased at your local hardware store.

   "As always, we remind residents to protect themselves by wearing insect repellent with DEET," said Farmers Branch Environmental Health Manager Katy Evans, "Covering up with long sleeves and long pants, is also advised and limiting activity at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active."

Spots still open for Teen Fire Academy

 

FARMERS BRANCH  ~ The Farmers Branch Teen Fire & Rescue Academy, a summer program to give youth a closer look at the workings of the Fire Department, is now enrolling for their one week session, beginning June 22.   

   The Academy is limited to ages 13 to 18 and there is space for 20 participants. Cost is $50 for Farmers Branch residents and $65 for non-residents.

   Activities include hands-on training, challenges and drills. Topics will feature fire operations, search and rescue, emergency management, basic CPR, medical equipment, thermal imaging and more. 

   For more information, call 972.247.4607. 

Class to teach Japanese composting

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Composting teacher Erin Hoffer will go a step beyond traditional approaches and endeavor to explain Bokashi, the art of Japanese composting during her upcoming session at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.

   The class is planned on Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. and is presented by Dallas County Master Gardeners and the Farmers Branch Community Garden. For more information, call 972.919.2625.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch City Council will meet one time in regular session in both June and July, on Tuesdays, June 16 and July 14, according to City officials.

   Regular meetings begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway. Study Sessions are held prior to the regular meeting, typically at 4 p.m. but times are subject to change.

   Meetings can be seen live on FBTV, cable channel 16 in Farmers Branch, AT&T Uverse Channel 99 throughout the DFW area and online at www.farmersbranchtx.gov.

   The City Council returns to the regular first and third Tuesday meeting schedule in August.

Firehouse Theatre to continue run of classic comedy

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Long before there was "Modern Family," there was the Sycamore family, depicted in "You Can't Take It With You," and presented by the Firehouse Theatre on select nights May through June 14.
   The Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy has everything from ballet dancers and snake charmers to rocket makers and xylophone players.
   For more information, visit thefirehousetheatre.com or call 972.620.3747.
June 2015
JUNE 10
CANCELED:
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
972.919.2515
farmersbranchtx.gov

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
@ City Hall
4 pm - Study Session
6 pm - Regular Session
** ONLY MEETING IN JUNE
LIVE on FBTV
972.247.3131


All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.



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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.