Southlake Media Tips
(July 2, 2009) The City of Southlake publishes Media Tips weekly summarizing interesting City news and upcoming events. Please contact Pilar Schank at 817-748-8006 with questions.
City Offices and Library Closed Friday, July 3, 2009
In honor of the July 4th holiday, City of Southlake offices and the City Library will be closed, Friday, July 3, 2009. The Library will also be closed on Saturday, July 4, 2009, re-opening on July 6, 2009. Solid waste, recycling collection and emergency services will not be affected by the closure.
Stars and Stripes
The City of Southlake and Southlake Town Square, are hosting their annual "Stars and Stripes" Independence Day celebration. This flag-waving Independence Day celebration includes live music, children's activities, festival style culinary delights and a spectacular fireworks show. This year's event will be held on Friday, July 3rd with festivities beginning at 5:00 pm and the fireworks starting when the sun goes down. Live music will include Domino Effect, King Creole Band, Kyle Hunt Band, Southlake Swing Band and Southlake Community Band.
For those wishing to arrive early and save a viewing space, please limit the space you save to a 10' x 10' area. Parking and Shuttle Service will be available at White Chapel United Methodist Church starting at 4:00 pm. For more information, please visit http://www.starsandstripessouthlake.com/. If you have additional questions please call Meredith Dowdy, Recreation Coordinator at 817-748-8337.
No Refusal Weekend
Southlake police officers will be participating in the Tarrant County "No Refusal" weekend this July 4th holiday. Tarrant County agencies have joined forces this weekend in a coordinated effort to combat drunk driving. This initiative involves the use of blood warrants to obtain blood evidence from those suspected of driving while intoxicated. This year, Southlake Officers will be partnering with registered nurses at Harris Methodist Southlake Hospital to conduct the blood draws. Blood evidence often results in a much higher DWI conviction rate, which means that more drunk drivers will be held accountable for their actions. The "No Refusal" weekend initiative runs from July 3 – 5, 2009.
Southlake Fills the Boot
(June 19, 2009) Members of Southlake's Fire Services are asking people to fill the boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The firefighters will be collecting during the City's annual Stars and Stripes event that takes place at Town Square on July 3rd. Firefighters nationwide have been partnering with MDA to save the lives of those with neuromuscular diseases since 1954. In addition to campaigns like Fill-the-Boot, thousands of fire fighters nationwide volunteer their personal time at MDA summer camps. Please call Officer Renni Burt 817-748-8349 for more information.
Right on Red Reminder
Texas state law allows for motorist to make a legal right turn on red, after coming to a Complete Stop and yielding to oncoming traffic. Slowing or "rolling" thru an intersection is not stopping and is a violation. At Southlake "red light camera" intersections, failing to come to a complete stop causes the camera to activate and capture a video image which is then forwarded to the Southlake Department of Public Safety for review. All video images are reviewed by sworn Police Officer and if a violation has occurred a civil citation is then issued to the car's owner. Drivers are reminded that when making a right turn at an intersection with a red light showing, coming to a complete stop before proceeding will ensure compliance with state law.
Board and Commission Appointments
(June 17, 2007) On Tuesday, June 16, 2009, City Council appointed new members to many of the Boards and Commissions of the City of Southlake. Click here to see the list of the appointments.
City Council Meeting
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, July 7, 2009. The agenda will be available no later than 6 pm, Thursday July 2, 2009. Starting July 7, 2009 the regular City Council meetings will start at 5:30 p.m. Please keep in mind that Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month in the Council Chambers in Town Hall and the meetings are open to the public. For questions about the agenda or City Council please contact City Secretary Lori Payne at 817-748-8016.
Construction Alerts S. Carroll Ave. Lane Reconfiguration Adjacent to Central Market:
(Updated July 1, 2009)  |
The southbound lanes on S. Carroll Ave. between FM 1709 and the Shops of Southlake (Central Market) have been reconfigured to facilitate traffic flow along S. Carroll Avenue. The improvements eliminated the need for the left southbound-lane to merge right before the entrance to Central Market. This construction project started on 6/22/2009 and was completed by 7/1/2009. Please call 817-748-8082 with any questions.
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Florence Rd. Water Supply Line Construction:
(June 16, 2009) Construction of a portion of a new 30 inch water supply line, "Segment A", to the T. W. King Pump Station No. 2 in the northern part of the city is currently underway along Florence Rd. between Pearson Rd. and Randol Mill Ave. Traffic along this section of Florence Rd. may be temporarily reduced to one-lane or closed during certain hours of the day for the next four months. Commuters should anticipate delays. Local residents and businesses will continue to receive mail and solid waste services as usual.S. White Chapel Blvd. and Continental Blvd. Intersection Improvements:
(June 16, 2009) Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of S. White Chapel Blvd. and Continental Blvd. is scheduled to begin on June 25th, 2009. The intersection will remain open during construction; however, traffic will be re-routed through the intersection as work progresses. Commuters should anticipate delays. Construction work will continue through November 2009. Dove Road Intersection and Drainage Improvements:
(June 5, 2009) Intersection Closed! The intersection of Dove Rd. and N. Carroll Avenue will be completely closed starting at 9:00am on Monday, June 8, 2009, and will remain closed thru August 15, 2009 for the construction of a new roundabout. To view the City's official detour and view progress photos, please click here.Highland Street 12-inch Waterline and Roadway Improvements :
(April 24, 2009) Construction of a new 12-inch water line and roadway re-construction of Highland St. between Shady Oaks Dr. and SH 114 began on Monday, April, 27, 2009. Commuters should anticipate delays. Traffic along Highland St. will be limited to one-lane for most of the day. This project will be under construction through November 2009. Local residents and businesses will continue to receive mail and solid waste services as usual. To view construction photos, please click here.If you have questions about any of these construction projects, please contact the Public Works Administration and Engineering Offices at (817) 748-8098. For information on other construction projects, please click here.
Summer Reminders
Vacation Watch
Going on vacation? Sign up for "House Watch" and members of DPS police services will check on your home while you're gone. Click here to sign up Teen Curfew
Just because school's out doesn't mean Southlake's teen curfew has changed for those 16 and under. Remember the curfew is Sunday through Thursday 11pm, Friday and Saturday nights midnight. There are exceptions to the rules for minors who are working, on their way home or in the company of a parent or guardian. Smoking Ordinance
Finally, a reminder about Southlake's smoking ordinance: smoking is prohibited within 12 feet of the entrance to any public building. This includes the dining patios of some restaurant establishments. For questions or more information please call the DPS Community Initiatives Unit at 817-748-8137.
Water Conservation
(Updated June 8, 2009) The recommended lawn watering schedule posted in the Annual Water Quality Report recently mailed to residents contained a misprint. Odd numbered residential properties should irrigate their lawns on Thursdays and "Sundays" not "Saturday". We apologize for the misprint. To learn more about the recommended watering schedule, Southlake's daily per capita goals, and additional water conservation efforts click here, and please remember that watering between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited year-round.
Storm Water Quality Management
(May 21, 2009) All personnel working on construction sites must receive training related to the City's erosion and sediment controls prior to registering as a contractor with the City. To view a presentation and learn more, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Cortez at 817-748-8070 or Christi Upton at 817-748-8638.
Southlake Issues Annual Water Quality Report
(May 11, 2009) The annual report (provided in the link above) is about the quality of the drinking water Southlake customers received in 2008. The information shows the water treated and delivered was better than the state and federal standards require. Please keep in mind that the annual water quality report is for the 2008 calendar year. Questions about this report should be directed to Public Work Operations at 817-748-8082.
United States Census 2010
The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census; it's used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year. Click here for the United States Census 2010 website or you can click here to read about address confirmation efforts currently going on in Southlake neighborhoods.
City Librarian Named Texas Librarian of the Year
(April 3, 2009) City Librarian Kerry McGeath was named "Librarian of the Year" by the Texas Library Association (TLA). The award recognizes achievement by sustained activity that contributes to the profession and improves library services for the people of a community and the state. McGeath accepted the award this past week in Houston at the TLA's Annual Conference. Please contact Pilar Schank with questions 817-748-8006.
Southlake Named Tree City USA Community
(April 3, 2009) Southlake, TX has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry. It is the twelfth year Southlake has received this national recognition. Southlake is also the recipient of a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in the following activity areas: - Education and Public Relations
- Youth Education
- Partnerships
- Citizen Training Program
- Tree Planting and Maintenance
- Tree Preservation
The prestigious Growth Award recognizes environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. Southlake has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.
City Receives Excellence Award
(March 13, 2009) Southlake Building Inspections has been awarded the "Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) 2008 Award for Excellence." This award was presented at the BOAT midyear meeting on February 26, 2009 in San Marcos, Texas. Each year, the Building Officials Association of Texas recognizes qualifying cities for their professionalism and outstanding contributions to the building profession and community it serves. Southlake has been recognized for the department's high degree of certifications and licenses, continuing education, plan review and inspection response time, and staff participation in national, state and local organizations. The Award of Excellence recognizes Southlake as one of the most qualified building departments in the state of Texas. This is the fifth time Southlake Building Inspections has been honored with this distinction.
City Receives AAA Rating from Standard and Poor's
(February 17, 2009) The City received a strong financial endorsement from Standard and Poor's (S&P) Rating Service with an upgraded General Obligation (GO) rating from AA to AAA and an elevated Financial Management Assessment score of "strong." The credit upgrade will keep the City's cost of borrowing money down and advances Southlake to a select group of cities who have received AAA ratings. Please click here for more information.
CALEA Assessment Report
(February 13, 2009) The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. has issued the City's assessment report following the December 2008 on-site review. DPS Police Services has been recommended for re-accreditation with the final decision to be made by the commission at the end of March. Please call Sgt Michael Bedrich for more information. To read the assessment report in its entirety click here.
Water Meter Replacement Program
(February 4, 2009) If you live South of Continental Blvd., you will be one of the residents that will be receiving a new water meter this year as part of the City's on-going water meter replacement program. Water meter change outs will begin on February 16th to replace aging meters, and ensure accurate readings for billing. Brochures have been mailed to homeowners. Click here to learn more. Please contact Kyle Flanagan, Water Supervisor, at 817.748.8082 with any questions.
Digital Television Switch
(Updated February 27, 2009) The switch from analog to digital television signal has been delayed until mid-June. If you have not converted and still have questions, please visit http://www.dtvanswers.com/. This site not only provides information about the switch but also has step by step instructions on conversion. Additionally, the City of Southlake recognizes that in preparation for the switch from analog to digital, many residents may be purchasing new televisions and wondering next what to do with the old one. There are a couple of great recycling alternatives through programs provided by Best Buy, Inc. and Goodwill.
Please click here for recycling information - scroll down to "Television & Electronics."
City of Southlake Received Grant for Firefighters
(January 16, 2009) The City of Southlake has been awarded a 2009 SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant. The grant will allow the City to hire six new Fire Services personnel. The SAFER grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments nationwide in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities. The City will receive funds to pay for salaries and benefits of the six new personnel over the five year performance period an amount totaling $650,280. The SAFER grant uses a phase program to cost-share the salaries over the five years the grant is administered, beginning at 100% and decreasing over the performance period. The enhanced staffing will not only result in reduced emergency response times and a safer, more efficient incident scene but the City will have more adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. The City and the Department of Public Safety look forward to hiring six new fire personnel and providing effective and efficient professional services to the citizens we serve. Please contact Pilar Schank at 817 748.8006 with questions.
Southlake Public Library Tax Assistance Efforts
(January 9, 2009) From February 5 to April 9, 2009 the Southlake Public Library will be hosting AARP Tax-Aide volunteers. The AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be providing free tax counseling and preparation services. Each year from February 1 through April 15, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers prepare tax returns for low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those who are age 60 and older. There is no need to be an AARP member and there are no age restrictions. The library is also participating in the IRS Tax Forms Outlet Program which means the Library will have quantities of the most common tax forms and can help print others from the IRS website – http://www.irs.gov/. For more information or to make a Thursday appointment with a Tax-Aide volunteer, please call the library at 817.748.8247. Thursday appointments are available at 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Southlake Scene
(April 1, 2009) Registration for Summer 2009 is now open. The Summer 2009 Southlake Scene has just been released. Information about Stars & Stripes, Summer Camps, Basketball & other special events, programs and classes can be found in the Scene. There is something for everyone and every family to enjoy. Visit http://www.southlakeparksandrec.com/ to view a copy on line and to register for programs and classes from the comfort of your own home. Registration is also accepted in person & by mail (a copy of the registration form can be found in the Scene or online). For more information, please call 817.748.8019.
D Magazine Names Southlake Best Place to Live
(July 6, 2006) Southlake tops the list of DFW suburbs ranked by D Magazine, beating out several other area cities.
Working in Your Neighborhood
Are you interested in learning about the City's plans for road construction in the near future? Are you wondering why City crews have been in your neighborhood recently? Use the link above to read the latest news about the many Public Works projects going on in Southlake neighborhoods |
