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Wednesday, July 27, 2016
'Sharrows' designed to point cyclists in the right direction

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The artwork appearing on roadways in Farmers Branch is a precursor of more pedal power to come as new "sharrows" signify the most visible signs, to date, of the implementation of the Trail Master Plan.
   Crews started putting down sharrows, or shared lane markings, earlier this week. Each marking consists of a stencil of a bicycle with two arrows above it, indicating that motor vehicles should "share" the lane with bicycles. The markings, approved by the Federal Highway Administration, are being installed as part of the City Council-adopted Citywide Trail Master Plan.   Sharrows are being installed on the outside lanes of Valley View from the DART Green Line to Midway, except for the stretch between Josey and Webb Chapel. Public Works is in the process of reconstructing Valley View through that area. Sharrows will be added when the project is complete. What do sharrows mean for motorists? Drivers should expect to see bikes on the street and should expect to share the lane with cyclists. Additionally, motorists should remember to change lanes to pass a cyclist and to follow the rules of the road as if there were no sharrows.
   What do sharrows mean for bicyclists? The markings remind cyclists they can ride in mixed traffic where there is no dedicated bike lane. Cyclists should use the sharrow to guide them where to ride within the lane. Beyond that, riders should not ride too close to parked cars and, like motorists, should follow the rules of the road.
   For more information on the project or on the Trail Master Plan, call 972.919.2620 or visit farmersbranchtx.gov/trails.

Property values continue to rise

DALLAS ~ Certified property values in Farmers Branch for the 2016 tax year stand at $4.85 billion, up from last year's total of $4.5 billion, according to figures released this week by the Dallas Central Appraisal District.
   The report shows Farmers Branch overall taxable values are up 6.9 percent. Commercial is up 8.2 percent while Business Personal Property is up 1.5 percent. 
   Residential values continue to surge with a 2016 increase of 9.6 percent, up from last year's increase of 6 percent. 
   Additionally, average market value of homes in Farmers Branch jumped 9.8 percent percent from $163,736 last year to $179,764 in 2016.
   The total taxable value increase of $313.2 million includes $102.1 million in new construction, of which residential accounts for $7.4 million while commercial totals $94.7 million.

ONLINE STORIES
'Clear the Shelters' turns into another howling success story

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center
This pair of new best friends were one of 34 matches made on Saturday.
 was cleared of all adoptable pets on Saturday, July 23 during the third annual installment of 'Clear the Shelters' Day.
  The Farmers Branch facility participated with more than 50 other shelters across north Texas to waive adoption fees for one day only, in an effort to find homes for as many adoptable pets as possible.
   Farmers Branch Animal Services Manager Miguel Gauna said 34 adoptable dogs and cats found new homes on Saturday, totally clearing the shelter of adoptable pets. That total equaled the number of pets adopted through the entire month of July to that point.
   Dozens of volunteers helped facilitate the 350 people that visited the Farmers Branch facility on Saturday. 
   Sponsored in part by NBC5, the event locally was supported by FlexPress and Jimmy John's with assistance from the Farmers Branch Police Explorers and Citizens On Patrol, along with Officer Kris Garrett.
35Express to close southbound I-35E overnight Saturday

LEWISVILLE ~ The 35Express construction group has announced a full closure of southbound I-35E, between LBJ and Royal Lane in Dallas, from 11 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday.
   Motorists traveling southbound out of Farmers Branch during that time will have to exit to east or westbound LBJ.
   Southbound entrance ramps to I-35E from Valwood and Valley View will close at 9 p.m.
   35Express is the construction group that is rebuilding I-35E from LBJ in Dallas, north to U.S. 380 in Denton County.
Warm weather pests being combatted with Integrated Mosquito Management 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As the weather continues to warm up, coupled with periodic and uncharacteristic rainfall this summer, Farmers Branch staff is working hard to protect residents from mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus. 
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   Resident involvement is crucial to the success of the Farmers Branch Integrated Mosquito Management, or IMM, program. 
   Efforts are focused on prevention through citizen education, mosquito surveillance, and use of larvicide. Each week, city staff puts out mosquito traps to catch mosquitoes that will be tested for West Nile Virus. 
   These sample pools will help determine if, when and where the city will be sprayed for mosquitoes through the warmer months.
   Additionally, Environmental Health staff is working closely with Code Enforcement to address stagnant pools and properties that have the potential to become mosquito breeding grounds.
   Residents are reminded to drain standing water, wear insect repellent with DEET, and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
   Mosquito "dunks" to treat standing water are available free of charge to residents at the Senior Center and Farmers Branch City Hall, limit one per household.
   Report standing water to 972.919.2536. To learn more about the city's mosquito program, please visit farmersbranchtx.gov/mosquito.

Code Corner

   There are many reasons for a vehicle to be inoperable. However, please note that keeping an inoperable vehicle where it is visible from a public place, adjoining private property or on public right-of-way is not allowed by City codes.
   A vehicle that doesn't have a valid license registration, valid inspection sticker, is wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, has one or more flat tires or any combination of the above is considered to be inoperable.
   Failure to remove an inoperable vehicle from property or to return it to an operable condition may result in a code violation.

FIND OUT MORE @

972.919.1414  |  farmersbranchtx.gov/code  |  MyFBTX mobile app 


Firehouse to open 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' Thursday night

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Continuing a busy summer schedule, The Firehouse Theatre is set to open the regional premiere of "Billy Elliot: The Musical" on July 28 with performances planned for select nights through August 14.
   Additionally, The Firehouse Theatre will be conducting auditions July 31 through August 2 for its November presentation of 'The Little Mermaid.'
   For tickets for 'Billy Elliot' or information on 'The Little Mermaid' auditions, visit thefirehousetheatre.com or call 972.620.3747.


Volume 6 | Edition 30 | Number 283 TAMI Awards
Wednesday, July 27, 2016  
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the Communications Office of the
City of Farmers Branch, Texas since March 5, 2011

Four-time winner of TAMIO Awards for Best eNewsletter in Texas, recognized by
the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers

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John Land named Deputy City Manager

FBTX ~ Recognizing his leadership capabilities along with his intricate knowledge of city government, City Manager Charles S. Cox has promoted Managing Director John Land to the position of Deputy City Manager.
John Land
  "I can think of no one better suited to help keep this City moving in the right direction," Mr. Cox said. "You all know that John has deep roots in Farmers Branch and cares deeply about this community. 
  "This natural progression of his responsibilities aligns with our priorities going forward."   

 

City Secretary earns new certification

FBTX ~ The International Institute of Municipal Clerks had conferred the designation of 'Certified Municipal Clerk' (CMC) upon Farmers Branch City Secretary Amy Piukana.
Amy Piukana
   The IIMC grants the CMC designation only to those municipal clerks who complete a demanding education requirement and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community and state.
Reconstruction of Valley View to last through Spring 2017

FBTX ~ Continuing work from the voter-approved 2015 $23.5 million street bond, the Farmers Branch Public Works Department will start next week on the reconstruction of Valley View Lane, between Josey and Webb Chapel.
   Public Works Director Randy Walhood said the roadway will be completely reconstructed with 10-inch thick concrete paving and will feature seven-foot-wide sidewalks to better accommodate pedestrians.
   A new 8-inch waterline will replace the existing cast-iron water line that is more than 50 years old. In addition, the current aerial wiring that connects street lights on Valley View will be placed underground.
Police compete for donations in 
'Food Face Off'

FBTX ~ Chief Sid Fuller and the Farmers Branch Police Department are trying to best their counterparts in Addison, Coppell and Carrollton by raising more food donations for the Metrocrest Services Food Pantry in the 'Metrocrest Police Food Face Off.'
   Donation boxes have been placed in the lobbies of the Justice Center, City Hall, Manske Library, Community Recreation Center and Senior Center.
   Anyone can drop off food items to help Farmers Branch Police win the challenge.
In the Banner

FBTX ~ A Farmers Branch Firefighter tends his apparatus during a recent house fire on Littlecrest. 
   The blaze was started by violent storms that sent limbs crashing into the electrical service line to the house. 
   Farmers Branch Fire Department was assisted by Carrollton and Addison. No one was injured but the house was a total loss. The 40+-year residents plan to rebuild.


JULY 
Calendar
JULY 30
FARMERS BRANCH MARKET
8 am to Noon @ The Grove at Mustang Crossing
972.919.2620

JULY 28
"Billy Elliot: The Musical"
Opening night @ The Firehouse Theatre
972.620.3747

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

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.