Weekly Update: March 22, 2024
Posted on 03/22/2024
Weekly Update: March 22, 2024
 Updated Friday, March 22, 2024 at 6:25 PM
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
The City Council of Duncanville has authorized the release of findings from an independent audit consisting of a thorough review of the City's financial services department, spanning from July 2021 to April 2023. The audit period coincided with notable turnover within the department, leading to operational disruptions. The comprehensive report, encompassing an executive summary, identified allegations, concerns, and recommendations, and is now available for public access here.

The City Council and Audit Committee of Duncanville have announced receipt of the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The complete document, including previous year reports of the ACFR, is accessible on the City's website under the Fiscal Services section (Budgets and Reports), or directly through this link by clicking here.
DUNCANVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Regional Emergency Management Operations Coordinator Lauren Sanchez has been preparing the region for the solar eclipse and associated events. Meetings have been held to help the respective cities’ public safety teams ensure our citizens' safety. Ms. Sanchez organized a meeting with the Dallas County EM and the regional EMCs to discuss operational needs and lines of communication through the agencies.

DUNCANVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Officers Hernandez, Alvidrez, and Rodgers were presented with a Life Saving Award for their actions regarding a suicidal individual who was armed with a handgun. Officers showed compassion to an individual while putting their safety aside. They ensured the safety of not only the individual but all of the other patrons in the park. This is just another example of our employees going above and beyond to take the time to address issues as they arise. Too often, these situations turn deadly; our officers kept their composure, relied on their training, and connected with this individual to ensure he received the help he desperately needed. 

Officer Green was presented with a Life Saving Award for his quick action in administering Narcan to an unresponsive female who had overdosed. 

Graphic: A Light of Hope

The Police Department will host a Light of Hope event in observance of National Crime Victim’s Rights Week on April 25 at Lakeside Park.

In honor of Crime Victims* Rights Week, water lanterns will be provided the day of the event to assemble and customize in support of hope and healing in the community.

With the help from staff your customized lantern will be released in the pond at Lakeside Park.


 FISCAL SERVICES

Accounting & Reporting – Weeks of March 13 – March 20: 

  • EFT Payments: 54 invoices were processed, totaling $1,606,909.44.
  • Check Payments: 83 invoices were processed, totaling $105,848.46.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The Human Resources Department is currently recruiting for the following positions: 


PARKS AND RECREATION

Projects

Armstrong Park

  • Kidsville sod has been delivered and is ready for installation.
  • The chemical splash pad tank has increased from one hundred to two hundred gallons.
  • Bluebonnets on Cedar Ridge/I-20 have begun to sprout.
  • Decomposed granite around the AT&T tower has been installed.
  • Crews cleaned up the Armstrong Park cell tower.  
Photo: Sod at Armstrong Park

Parks

  • Staff responded to three SeeClickFix reports.
  • Crews finished the edging and mulching trees and beds in Armstrong Park.
  • Chemical pesticides have been applied on streets and rights-of-ways. 
  • Staff attended a BWI Expo in Fort Worth and a TRAPS Playground Maintenance Academy

Duncanville Fieldhouse

The 2024 B.O.S.S. Summer Camp registration begins on April 15.

Upcoming Events

  • Next-up Youth Basketball League, two courts – Friday 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
  • Tha Answer Basketball Tournament, six courts – Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Breakthrough Basketball Camp, two courts – Sunday, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Masters League Adult Basketball League, three courts – Sunday 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM 

D.L. Hopkins Jr. Senior Center

Become a member today! The minimum age to join is 50 years old. For more information, contact the Senior Center at (972) 707-3864.

Upcoming Events

Recreation Center

Princess Tea Party – Saturday, March 23, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Join us for a magical day with your favorite princesses! Escape to a magical world of fun, laughter, and amusement. Snacks will be served, and guests will have the opportunity to visit one-on-one with various princesses and take photos! Tickets are on sale now! $15.00 per child and $10.00 per adult. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Duncanville Recreation Center front desk. For more information, please call (972) 780-5070.

Graphic: Princess Tea Party – Saturday, March 23, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Easter Eggstravaganza – Saturday, March 30, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Join us for this year’s Easter Eggstravaganza! The event will feature an egg hunt, fun games for the kids to enjoy, bounce houses, music (DJ), and the Easter Bunny! Be sure to bring a camera to capture all those special Easter moments in Duncanville’s beautiful Armstrong Park. Contact the Recreation Center at (972) 780-5070 for more information. 

2024 Easter Extravaganza

Graphic: Dark in the Park

Dark in the Park: A Solar Eclipse Festival

Sunday, April 6, 2024, | 6:00 – 8:00 PM and Monday, April 7, 12:00 – 3:00 PM

Join us for Dark in the Park, an exhilarating Solar Eclipse Festival beginning on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and continuing Monday, April 8, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This eagerly anticipated two-day event, set to coincide with the 2024 solar eclipse, promises an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike.

On Sunday, April 7, enjoy the electrifying sounds of The Emerald City Band. Alongside live entertainment, attendees can explore vendors offering unique goods and services and indulge in family-friendly activities, including a thrilling zipline adventure against the night sky. 

On Monday, April 8, attendees can secure their ideal spot for witnessing the solar eclipse. A talented DJ will keep the energy high with an eclectic mix of tunes. Vendors and family activities will ensure there's something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, free eclipse sunglasses will be provided to the first 2,500 attendees for a safe and enjoyable viewing experience.

Graphic: Kidsville Grand Opening

Kidsville Grand Opening – Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 4:00 PM

Join us for the anticipated Grand Opening of the new Kidsville Playground and Splash Pad at Armstrong Park. Attendees can play, splash, enjoy free hot dogs and drinks, and much more!

Contact the Recreation Center at (972) 780-5070 for more information.

Graphic: Super Mario Bros. Movie in the Park

Movies in the Park featuring The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 8:00 PM

Join us Saturday, April 6th, at the Poe-Hobden Amphitheater at Armstrong Park for Movies at the Park, featuring The Super Mario Bros. Movie! Admission is FREE. The movie will begin at sundown (approximately 8:00 PM). Don’t forget to bring your blanket or lawn chair.

Contact the Recreation Center at (972) 780-5070 for more information.


DUNCANVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Spring break week was an exciting time at the Library. We offered several programs and events that were popular with our entire community.

Highlights include the Country Critters Petting Zoo, which brought 429 visitors, including City Manager Douglas Finch. The Spring Break Reading Challenge had 64 participants, and our special movie presentation had 95 viewers in attendance.


DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

EDC staff donated swap bags to the Duncanville Chamber of Commerce for the Flavor of Duncanville event. 

Certificates of Occupancy – Certificates Issued :


PLANNING AND ZONING

Items scheduled for the March 28th Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting 
  • 6 Roundtop Blvd 
    • Lot Area  
    • Lot Depth 
  • 310 Linkview Dr 
    • Lot Width 
  • 515 W Center St 
    • Number of Accessory Buildings 
  • 627 W Red Bird Ln 
    • Lot Width 
  • 1759 Meadow Crest Ln 
    • Lot Width 
Items scheduled for the April 8th Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting 
 New & Potential Projects 
  • Proposed New Development at 518 East Highway 67.
    • Preliminary Meeting held on 07/12/2022. 
    •  The proposed project has moved forward to the building permit stage; the building permit was issued on 12/18/2023. 
    • Owners have applied for a certificate of occupancy; the application is waiting for payment.  
  • Proposed New Development 704 North Main Street.
    • Site Plan submitted 08/30/2023. 
    • Building permit application submitted 11/18/2022.
    • Replat approved at the April 10 Planning and Zoning meeting. 
    • Building Inspections is currently reviewing plans; fire is waiting on fire sprinkler plans. 
      • Civils have been approved. 
  • Proposed New Development at 510 East Red Bird Lane.
    • Pre-Development Meetings held on 06/12. 
    • Updated Plans submitted 07/28; staff sent out comments 08/10. 
    • DRC meet with the applicant on 3/5. 
  • Proposed New Development at 615 South Cockrell Hill Road 
    • Pre-development meeting occurred on 08/30. 
    • Staff sent comments/markups to developers on 08/29; waiting for developers to respond. 
    • Staff reached out to developers on 11/27. Per developers – they will be moving forward with the proposed project after getting with the owner. 
    • Latest plans submitted 02/07/2024. The latest markups were sent to developers on 02/13. 
    • SUP request for “Fuel Pumps” will be heard on April 8. 
  • Proposed New Development at 626 Crestside Drive. 
    • Pre-development meeting occurred on 11/07. 
    • SUP application submitted on 12/06; SUP request scheduled for February 12.  P&Z docket and March 5 City Council docket. 
    • SUP request at the January 8 P&Z meeting; recommended for approval at the February 12 P&Z meeting.  
    • Replat tabled application submitted on 12/13; Replat approved at the January 8 P&Z meeting. 
    • SUP request approved by City Council on 3/5 
    • Civils sent to the developer on 3/21/2024.
  • Proposed Re-Development/New Development at 202 West Center Street.
    • Pre-development meeting occurred on 11/20; staff comments were sent out the same day to applicants. 
    • The second pre-development meeting occurred on 12/18. 
    • Walkthrough with developer and city staff on 3/11/2024.
  • Proposed New Development at 1410 South Clark Road.
    • A Pre-development meeting occurred on 12/12; staff comments were sent out the same day to applicants. 
  • Proposed Re-Development at 250 West Highway 67. 
    • Pre-development meeting occurred on 12/18. 
  • Proposed New Development at 282 West Highway 67. 
    • Pre-development meeting occurred on 01/09/24. 
    • Staff sent out comments on 01/09/2024 after the meeting. 
    • Latest plans submitted on 02/07/2024. Staff markups were sent to developers on 02/16. 
    • SUP request for the use of “Retail, Sundry” will be heard on April 8.   
  • Proposed New Development @ 914-918 East Highway 67 
    • DRC 10/24/2023. 
    • The Planning Director met with developers on 1/3 to discuss the site plan. 
    • DRC 3/8.
On-Going 
  • Comp Plan Five-Year Update 
    • Request for Qualifications has been posted to the city website by Chief Procurement Officer Elton Brock.
    • Pre-Statement of Qualifications Meeting for RFQ 24-0014 held on 3/6. 
Short-Term Rental Registration 

The City Council granted five (5) Properties a Specific Use Permit in July 2022. One (1) of the five (5) properties no longer operate as a short-term rental. 

  • Four (4) properties were mailed a certified final notice from the Building Official on 12/18/2023. 
  • One (1) property was mailed a final notice from the Planning Division on 01/19/2024. 
  • Two (2) properties were mailed an initial notice from the Planning Division on 01/19/2024. 

PUBLIC WORKS

Street Division

  • Brush and debris have been removed from eight drainage headwalls to ensure sufficient drainage. 
  • Sixteen potholes at various locations throughout the City have been patched. 
  • Crews marked 116 right-of-way utility locations throughout the City.  

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Construction

Fire Station

  • The perimeter fence on the east side of Fire Station No. 271 has all the posts and top rail installed. The fence is nearing completion.

Cherry Alley Phase 1

  • The project is 95% complete, with driveways to pour and restoration sod areas to start. 

E. Danieldale Rd. Reconstruction and Utility Improvements Project

  • The weed removal is scheduled to take place this week.
  • Installation of the monument was completed on Wednesday, March 20. 

Photo: City of Duncanville Monument Sign

Ten Mile Creek Embankment and Drainage Improvements

  • The project commenced on March 11; Stoic Cicil Construction has notified residents of the forthcoming construction work. Additionally, they have called for utility locates. 

Wren Ave. and Oriole Blvd. Water Main Replacement I-20 Aerial Crossing

  • Water shut-off notices were distributed to residents, notifying them of the Winding Trail water shut-off scheduled for the water tie-in of March 18. 

 COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

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Categories:
2018 Bond Projects,Economic Development,Fiscal Services,Fire Department,Parks and Recreation,Planning and Zoning,Police Department,Public Works,Weekly Updates,Public Library,D.L. Hopkins Jr. Senior Center
Tags:
fire station 1,armstrong park,kidsville,splash pad,eclipse,life saving awards,human resources,summer camp,senior center,e. danieldale rd.,princess tea party,easter egg hunt,bond projects,movies in the park,planning and zoning,cherry alley,ten mile creek,wren ave,oriole blvd
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