Annual Citizen Update 2008-09

City departments are essentialto the function, effectiveness,

and effi ciency of the City’sday-to-day operations. These

departments continually make contributions to our community in

efforts to honor the City’s on-going commitment to service.

Public infrastructure improvements to enhance service to tenants and pilots using Denton

Airport continue to progress. Since 2004, the City has completed construction of an air

traffi c control tower, a new taxiway parallel to the main runway, a terminal building, and

various drainage and surface improvements—all funded through federal and

state grants totaling $21 million, with $3 million in local matching funds.

The 2009/2010 Fiscal Year will bring completion of RADAR service for

the control tower, the construction phase of the runway extension from

6,000 to 7,000 feet, a new taxiway to open 34 additional lots for hangar

development, and security fencing around the airport perimeter. These

improvements will enhance airport services and operation safety, while

providing the opportunity for additional private investments and new jobs.

DME increased service to fi ve new residential subdivisions, two new apartment

complexes, and 49 new commercial customers, which included more than

72,593 feet of primary and secondary conductors. The 24-hour emergency

dispatch responded to more than 26,000 customer calls through its new

Interactive Voice Response System, which in conjunction with the new

Outage Management System has improved response time. To meet response

to continued electrical load growth, two new substations/interchanges are

in the design and construction phases. The Engineering Division also began

utilizing a secure online site for providing detail design information to vendors,

reducing the amount of printing needed for projects. For more information

about DME’s programs and services, please visit www.dmepower.com.

COMMITTEDto a sustainable future

Since 1905, Denton Municipal Electric (DME) customers have come to expect safe, reliable electric service as well as low rates from their public power utility. By

maintaining this commitment to the Denton community, the American Public Power Association recognized DME last year as a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3®). The RP3® recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate profi ciency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement.

DME also became an environmental leader in Texas and the nation by entering intoa multi-year power purchase agreement with NextEra Energy Resources LLC, owners and operators of the Wolf Ridge Wind Farm in Muenster, Texas. The agreement provides DME with approximately 60 Megawatts of renewable energy, comprising about 40 percent of its current annual energy needs, on average. As part of the agreement, a portion of the proceeds are being directed to a NextEra Trust, where 100 percent of the trust will be used to build new renewable generation facilities. As a result of its commitment to providing 40 percent of its customers’ energy needs through renewable energy, DME leads the nation in providing more wind energy per capita than any other city.

“Diversifying our overall energy portfolio helps position our organization to better meet the future energy needs of our customers, while still maintaining aff ordable electric rates,” Phil Williams, DME General Manager, said. “This agreement is the result of months of diligence, hard work, and a strong collaborative eff ort between the City, our City leaders, and NextEra.”

To fulfi ll its commitment to help customers become more energy effi cient, DME revamped two existing programs. The EnergySave Program was replaced by the new GreenSense Energy Effi ciency Rebate Program (GreenSense) at the beginning of 2009. The program has been expanded to off er rebates for energy-effi ciency improvements, including heating and air conditioning, attic refl ective radiant barriers, solar screens, energy-effi cient windows, solar water heaters, interconnected PV systems, attic/ceiling insulation, and programmable thermostats.

“When you own a home or business, you have to make improvements over time, but you may put them off until they are no longer just an improvement, but an emergency. This program is an incentive for customers not to put off for tomorrow what could save them money and energy today,” stated Lisa Lemons, DME Community Relations Manager.

GreenSense closed its fi rst fi scal year in September 2009. Approximately 295 customers have taken advantage of GreenSense and utilized 567 rebates, with a total of 349.43 in kilowatt hours deemed energy savings.

DME also modifi ed its Energy Audit Program to include thermal imaging, which can identify thermal fl aws in a home or building’s shell. Some examples of fl aws are: improper wall insulation installation; open areas in the attic that may disturb loose-fi ll insulation; and uncontrolled air infi ltration through windows, doors, ducts, and both plumbing and electrical holes. In 2009, more than 160 Denton customers took advantage of this free program. To learn more about DME’s commitment to providing its customers with renewable energy, please visit www.dmepower.com.

,

COMMITTED

140000

2010 2011

City Manager George Campbell’s MessageThe theme for this year’s Citizen Update is commitment. This

past year, groundwork was laid to streamline workfl ow and build organizational philosophies, which in turn, has strengthened the organization’s commitment to excellent customer service. We pride ourselves in providing quality service to our citizens, and we trust your interaction with City staff refl ects this ongoing commitment.

We also encourage you to get to know your City Council representatives and become involved in Denton’s local government. Keeping up with local issues has never been more convenient. Local meetings are now aired on the City’s redesigned Web site, off ering you an alternative to attending meetings or watching them on TV. The Web site also features archived City Council meetings and the ability to search and view agenda items of interest. As you read through this update, you will discover the many ways the City is working to strengthen our commitment to you—our most important customer.

Recent changes have been made to the CodeRED Emergency Telephone Notifi cation System. The

System allows public safety offi cials to contact areas of the City in case of emergencies, such as missing children, hazardous materials incidents, or boil water notices. In addition to notifi cation by phone, new features have been added to provide citizensthe ability to receive notifi cation by e-mail and text message. In order to ensure the system has the most current contact information, citizens are urged to register for the service at www.cityofdenton.com by clicking on the CodeRED link. Residents without Internet access may visit any of the City’s public libraries to register using a public-access computer. The CodeRED System also off ers a TDD/TTY option for tone delivery of emergency messages.

Citizens can also sign-up for CodeRED Weather Warning (CRWW) while registering for the basic CodeRED service. CRWW will automatically call to alert citizens when severe weather warnings are issued by the National Weather Service. CRWW calls only when warnings are issued and only if your address is included in the projected path of the storm. New changes to the CRWW service allow citizens to select the types of severe weather (tornado, severe thunderstorm, and/or fl ash fl ooding) for which they want to be notifi ed. The City of Denton is pleased to be one of the select few cities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex off ering this valuable, life-saving service to its citizens.

For more information about CodeRED or CodeRED Weather Warning, contact the City of Denton Offi ce of Emergency Management at (940) 349-8836.

to safety

Committed to You!Your City Council is working hard for you and your family. In August 2009,

the City Council held a two-day strategic planning session to review past

successes, focus on future goal-setting for the community, and provide

direction to City staff as they prepare an organizational strategic plan. The

discussions about the most desirable aspects of Denton 2019 led to the

agreement of four key concepts that describe the future toward which the

City seeks to build. These key concepts are: destination Denton; family

safe, family friendly; sustainability leader; and authentic character and

heritage. They will be considered and refi ned as a city-wide strategic plan is

developed.

MEMBERS OF THE DENTON CITY COUNCIL Back Row (left to right): Mayor Mark Burroughs, Jim Englebrecht (District 3), and Chris Watts (District 4). Front Row (left to right): Dalton Gregory (District 2), Pete Kamp (Mayor Pro Tem/At large Place 5), Joe Mulroy (At large Place 6), and Charlye Heggins (District 1).

DENTON Demographics

Population numbers are projections based upon City of Denton staff estimates. Source: City of Denton.

The March 30, 2009 population estimate for the City of Denton was 118,994.

Denton increased from 87.4 square miles in 2007 to 89.5 square miles in 2009.

140,000

125,000

110,000

95,000

70,000

55,000

40,000

Denton’s population projection

COMMITTEDto you

Caucasian

62%

Hispanic

(of any race)

23%

African American

9%

Other

6%

2010 2011 2012 2013

121,

374

123,

802

126,

278

128,

803

The Denton City Council is made up of citizens elected by you, the voting public. They take

their commitment to you very seriously and are working diligently to make Denton an even greater place to call home. They welcome your suggestions and comments. Here’s how to get in touch with them.

If you are unsure which district you reside in or who your City Council member is, please visit our Web site at www.cityofdenton.com. Under the Government tab, click on City Council. There you will fi nd a map of Denton’s voting districts and more information about your council members.

Mayor Mark Burroughs (940) 349-7717 or [email protected]

Jim Englebrecht (District 3)

(940) 206-5167 or [email protected]

Dalton Gregory (District 2)

(940) 390-8867 or [email protected]

Charlye Heggins (District 1) (940) 391-2339 or [email protected]

Mayor Pro Tem Pete Kamp (At large Place 5)

(940) 390-9137 or [email protected]

Joe Mulroy (At large Place 6) (940) 349-7717 or [email protected]

Chris Watts (District 4)(940) 391-4422 or [email protected]

George CampbellDenton City Manager

PubbbPubPub ilililicliclic iinin inffrafrastrstructure improvements to enhance service to tenants and pilots using Denton

Airport continue to progress. Since 2004, the City has completed construction of an air

ffi l i ll l h i i l b ildi d

DMEDME iin increasedd sd serverviiceice tto to fifi fi veve newnew re idsidsid tentiial subdivisions, two new apartment

complexes, and 49 new commercial customers, which included more than

COMMITTEDto service

Denton’s historic downtown is a well-established, vibrant, and prosperous cen-

tral business district. The City of Denton’s Economic Development Department

focuses on the revitalization and preservation of downtown, and maintains

this area as a community treasure, which is known for its cultural and historic

appeal. Since the inception of the downtown revitalization program in 1989,

267 buildings have been rehabilitated, 19 new buildings constructed, and 15

public/private partnership projects completed for a total of $41 million rein-

vested in the area. During this time, the downtown area gained 245 business

starts, relocations, and expansions, for a net gain of 989 jobs. For information

about historic preservation and upcoming events, visit www.dentonedp.com,

and click on Downtown Development.

The Denton Fire Department was able to expand the level of service provided

to its citizens through the award of several grants this past year. The majority of

the grants were received through its partnerships with the North Texas Council

of Governments. The Fire Department received approximately $563,000.

The funding was used to expand the department’s capabilities and increase

the overall safety of fi refi ghters and citizens of Denton when responding to

hazardous materials, explosives ordinance devices, and special operations

incidents. Contributing to the “Whatever it Takes” approach, these grants

allowed the department to proactively respond to citizens effi ciently, safely,

and eff ectively.

KDB has been doing “Whatever it Takes” to improve

eff ectiveness in the community as well as customer service.

In 2009, KDB celebrated its 11th Annual Community Tree

GiveAway. Since 1999, KDB has given away more than

10,000 trees to Denton citizens. Traditionally, the event

is held on Make A Diff erence Day in October, and citizens

received trees on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. However,

at the event last fall, KDB implemented a new preregistration system, which allowed

Denton residents to reserve their trees in advance. This new system eliminated long lines,

streamlined the event day, and resulted in higher satisfaction among citizens.

With a 96 percent approval rating in the Citizen’s Survey results released last summer,

the Denton Public Library continues to explore innovative ways to serve Denton

citizens. In 2009, all three library locations had exciting developments. After much

anticipation, the remodeled South Branch Library re-opened with an expanded col-

lection, increased fl oor space, and more parking! The Emily Fowler Library was one of

only 40 libraries nationwide chosen to host the traveling exhibit, Benjamin Franklin:In Search of a Better World. The North Branch Library was featured in the March 23,

2009, issue of Time magazine as an example of how cities have repurposed aban-

doned retail centers. The building that houses the North Branch Library was originally

a grocery store, which was purchased by the City and refurbished as a library.

Citizens of Denton are using their libraries more than

ever! In 2009, almost 1.5 million items were checked out from the three locations of the Denton Public Library.

“During the current economic downturn, our library system continues to be a critical and vital entity in our community,” said Eva Poole, Director of Libraries. “We are seeing an exponential rise in the use of our libraries.”

To help meet this increased demand, the Denton Public Library’s newly renovated South Branch was unveiled in December with a larger collection, expanded fl oor space, and more parking. This is just one example of how the Denton Public Library found new and innovative ways to meet the needs of the citizens of Denton in 2009. A few more examples are listed below.

Computer services were expanded to include free WiFi at all Denton Public • Library locations. In addition, total use of computer services at the library increased, with job seekers taking advantage of the library’s Internet stations and computer classes.The library launched an adult literacy program for Denton citizens, providing • support and training for volunteer tutors and matching tutors with students.The library continued off ering a wide range of programs and services for • children, with more than 4,500 individuals participating in the 2009 Summer Reading Club.Approximately 35,000 items were added to the library’s collections in 2009, • ensuring that citizens of Denton can access a wide variety of new books and movies.The library sponsored Denton Writes, an annual writing contest, with • participation from all age groups.Along with the University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University, and • Denton ISD, the Denton Public Library hosted Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, as part of Denton Reads, Denton’s annual one-book, one-city event.The library began providing online language instruction for Denton Public • Library card holders with its Mango Languages database. The database is available both in the library and from home via the Internet.

COMMITTEDto learning

The South Branch Library expansion includes a larger collection, expanded floor space, and more parking.

Walmart Supercenter

1515 S. Loop 288

Denton 76208 (940) 484-1717

Walmart Supercenter

1035 Hickory Creek Blvd.

Lake Dallas 75065 (940) 321-5363

In & Out

1516 E. McKinney St.

Denton 76201 (940) 566-3500

Cliff C.C. Store #3

718 Ft. Worth Dr.

Denton 76201 (940) 383-2735

Cliff C.C. Store #5

214 W. University Dr.

Denton 76201 (940) 565-6663

Kroger #493

500 W. University Dr.

Denton 76201 (940) 566-6791

J’s Cheaper Cigarette

834 W. University Dr.

Denton 76201 (940) 387-0665

Corner Stop

3286 N. Elm St.

Denton 76205 (940) 383-0429

Insurance Services Agency

1111 Teasley Ln.

Denton 76205 (940) 566-2202

Sack and Save of Denton

1500 N. Interstate 35E

Denton 76205 (940) 565-0550

R.R. Beverage

3211 Ft. Worth Dr.

Denton 76205 (940) 442-6070

Kroger #586

1592 S. Loop 288

Denton 76208 (940) 566-6075

Kenos Express

718 Hercules Ln.

Denton 76209 (940) 243-1772

Kroger #570

5021 Teasley Ln.

Denton 76210 (940) 380-4100

Edgar Shell

5375 S. Hwy 377

Aubrey 76227 (940) 365-2718

Committed to ConvenienceThe City of Denton just made paying your utility bill easier! You can now

pay your City of Denton Municipal Utility bill at any of the convenient payment

locations listed below. Please call payment locations for information about hours

of operation. A payment location fee applies for each transaction.

The mission of the City’s Customer Service Department is to provide outstanding customer

service through communication, integrity, and accountability. The City provides utility services to citizens and businesses in Denton and is committed to customer-service excellence.

The department is comprised of a dedicated team of employees with shared values and passion for the department’s mission. Team members integrate excellent, positive customer service skills into their daily routines in order to best meet the needs of Denton citizens and business owners.

In line with this commitment to excellent service, the Customer Service Offi ce—in City Hall East located at 601 E. Hickory St.—now off ers extended hours. The offi ce is now open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Recently, the department also revamped its utility bill. The new, easy-to-read format includes bill highlights, meter usage information, payment option details, and more. More information, including access to self-service payment options, is available online at www.cityofdenton.com. Questions? Please call (940) 349-8700,or send an e-mail to [email protected].

COMMITTEDto our citizens

Denton resident Keith Shaff er, aff ectionately known as “Pops,” began his daily workout routine at North

Lakes Recreation Center in 1987. He has missed few days since. In fact, Shaff er has not skipped a day of his workout program in the last seven years.

“It’s because of this place that I’m still going strong,” said Shaff er, who celebrated his 85th birthday this year.

Shaff er works out six days a week, sometimes twice a day. As a result, he’s now back to his World War II weight. In addition to providing the means to a healthier lifestyle, Shaff er said North Lakes feels like home. It’s that sentiment that encourages Parks and Recreation staff to get to know their customers and treat them as family.

“We have a passion for taking care of people’s needs, and many of those needs are met at our centers and through creative programming like drawing, cooking, and life-skills classes for interviewing and team building,” stated Emerson Vorel, Director of Parks and Recreation. “Other helpful services provided by Parks include child-care camps, preschools, new innovations in park developments, and state-of-the-art upgrades to parks, trails, fi elds, and playgrounds.”

Each recreation center, parks maintenance building, and administrative offi ce is designed and maintained to help provide a high standard of service. This sound structure is also apparent in the loyalty of Parks and Recreation Department staff . Staff takes pride in the City of Denton, which allows them the opportunity to provide on-going services to residents like Keith Shaff er.

By nurturing a dedicated staff , many with more than 10 years of service at the City of Denton, the Parks and Recreation Department fosters the idea that recreation is intended to be both fun and benefi cial. Access to a knowledgeable Parks and Recreation staff allows residents to take advantage of unique activities, such as kayaking and rock climbing, and self-improvement opportunities, such as exercise and sports programs. This commitment to excellence provides Denton citizens like Keith Shaff er the ability to improve one’s daily life and overall well-being.

For more information about the

various programs and services

off ered by the Denton Parks and

Recreation Department, visit

www.dentonparks.com.

DDentonton’’s’s hihihistortoriicic ddow tntown iisis a wa w llellell es-est btablished, vibrant, and prosperous cen-

tral business district. The City of Denton’s Economic Development Department

ThTheThe DDe Dennton Fire Department was able to expand the level of service provided

to its citizens through the award of several grants this past year. The majority of

KDBKDBKDB hahhha has bs bs beeneen ddo doiinging “W“W Wh thathateveeve iir ir it Tt Tt T kakeakess” to improve

eff ectiveness in the community as well as customer service.

l b d i th l i

WiWitWithh ah a 96696 96 ppe percecerce tntnt appapprovroval rating in the Citizen’s Survey results released last summer,

the Denton Public Library continues to explore innovative ways to serve Denton

COMMITTEDto service

This year, the Parks and Recreation Department updated the 2009-2020 City of Denton Parks, Rec-

reation, and Trails System Master Plan, which will serve as the guide for park planning over the next

decade. As a result, Denton citizens may look forward to new and exciting developments, including

plans for 200 acres recently purchased in southwest Denton. As the area continues to develop, the

site will become a sports complex, providing athletic opportunities to youth and adults. In addition,

the Parks and Recreation Department completed the Cedar St. Streetscape project, improvements

to Evers Park Baseball Complex, a new pedestrian trail at Denia Park, enhancements at North Lakes

ball fi elds, and an expansion to the Senior Center that includes a new fi tness center. The depart-

ment also increased recreational participation through its new, online registration program and by

mailing the recreation guide to all residents. For more information, visit www.dentonparks.com.

In 2002, the City Council voted to adopt the City

of Denton Downtown Master Plan. The Downtown

Implementation Plan (DTIP), currently underway,

will bring the vision of the Downtown Master Plan

to fruition. The DTIP will evaluate the following

elements: parking, architecture design, open space, appropriate land-use

linkages, and a land-use analysis. Jacobs Engineering has been selected to

conduct the analysis and draft the DTIP. For more information, contact Ron

Menguita at (940) 349-8328 or at [email protected].

In 2009, effi cient use of resources was the trend at the Police Department. From comput-

erized ticket writers to crime-mapping networks and social media sites, the department

utilized technology to improve service delivery. Through the use of electronic citation

devices, police offi cers are now able to automatically send data to the courts, reducing

the time and eff ort needed to input citations. Also, the Police Department began using

www.crimereports.com to share crime information with Denton citizens. After a free, on-

line registration, citizens receive instant access to crime-mapping software that provides

information on neighborhood crime. Finally, the Police Department introduced Nixle,

another free, electronic information service, which provides up-to-the-minute informa-

tion to citizens. For more information, visit www.dentonpolice.com.

The Solid Waste Department is excited to announce that it received

the 2009 U.S. Conference of Mayors Liveable City Award, which

recognized the Sustainable Schools Program. In partnership with

Denton ISD, the program supplies comprehensive recycling collec-

tion coupled with TEKS-compliant lessons, special events, and educational opportunities.

In 2009, the Parks and Special Events recycling program was launched. This program pro-

vides recycling containers at most parks, requires special events to recycle, and off ers a free

"borrow” program for anyone in Denton in need of temporary recycling containers. The

Home Chemical Collection ReUse store hours have changed. It is now open Wednesdays

from noon to 6 p.m., and the fi rst and third Saturday of each month from 7 a.m. to noon.

In an eff ort to improve the livability of the Denton community, the Code Enforcement Division provides enforcement services to ensure the health, safety, and general

welfare of the citizens of the City of Denton. In this pursuit, the division proactively enforces the Denton Property Maintenance Code, i.e. general property maintenance and substandard structures regulations. By mid-2010, the division will also enforce minimum housing regulations in the Denton Property Maintenance Code, as well as zoning regulations in the Denton Development Code. Improving the look of our city, instilling pride in our citizens, and maintaining property values is a cooperative eff ort between the City and its residents and businesses. To assist citizens and businesses with local code compliance, the division educates the public through informational handouts and community meetings. Below is a list of a few ordinances found in the Denton Property Maintenance Code.

Grass and Weeds

Grass and weeds higher than 12 inches, including in easements and rights-of-way, • are not allowed.Grass and weeds growing upon/over the surface of an improved right-of-way (i.e. • sidewalk, curb, street) are not allowed.

House Numbers

House numbers are required and must be at least four inches high and visible from • the street.

Outside Storage

Storage of items or objects outside of an enclosed building are not allowed unless • screened completely from public view at all times (i.e. privacy fence), and shall be located in the side or rear yard only.Outdoor furniture designed for outdoor use and in good repair is allowed in the • front yard.

Parking

It is unlawful to park or store, or allow • another to park or store, a vehicle in the front, side, or rear yard of any property upon any surface other than an improved parking surface.If no improved surface exists in the side • or rear yard, a vehicle may be parked behind a six-foot solid fence or wall, or be stored within an enclosed structure.Parking surfaces added to an existing, improved parking surface in the front, side, or • rear yard must be made of the same material and be connected to and run parallel with the original improved surface.Please keep in mind that the above information is only a sampling of the City’s code

enforcement property maintenance regulations. For more information, including a full list of ordinances, visit www.cityofdenton.com.

COMMITTEDto our City

appropriate land-use

DentonDowntown Implementation Plan

ReUseCITYOF

The City of Denton has many offi ces and facilities in various locations

throughout the City—including three City Hall buildings. Citizens may call the City switchboard Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (940) 349-8200. The City switchboard will directly connect callers to any City department.

The deaf and hearing impaired may contact the City by phone by callingthe Texas Relay service (TDD) at (800) 735-2989 to connect to our main line at (940) 349-8200. Below is a list of frequently called City departments. Save this list to keep important City phone numbers at your fi ngertips.

Animal Services ....................................................... (940) 349-7594 Building Inspections .............................................. (940) 349-8360Cable Television ...................................................... (940) 349-7272Central Fire Station ................................................ (940) 349-8840City Switchboard .................................................... (940) 349-8200Code Enforcement ................................................. (940) 349-8743Library......................................................................... (940) 349-8752 Municipal Court ...................................................... (940) 349-8331Non-emergency Police ......................................... (940) 349-8181Parks and Recreation ............................................. (940) 349-7275Planning ..................................................................... (940) 349-8541Solid Waste ............................................................... (940) 349-8700Street Lights ............................................................. (940) 349-7000 Street Maintenance ............................................... (940) 349-7160Utility Customer Service ......................................(940) 349-8700 Utility Line Location................................................ (800) DIGTESSUtility 24-hour Service .......................................... (940) 349-7000 Water Quality ........................................................... (940) 349-7501

CONTACTS

COMMITTEDto our neighborhoods

The City of Denton Neighborhood Planning Program (CDNPP) has one goal—to ensure the existence of healthy neighborhoods in the City of Denton. CDNPP’s

three-pronged approach to a healthy neighborhood includes neighborhood-specifi c and city-wide programming, as well as technical assistance. The fi rst principle to revitalizing and preserving our City’s neighborhoods is the knowledge that citizens are our most valuable resource. As such, they must have a voice in planning initiatives and be educated about their position as proactive neighborhood stakeholders. Therefore, CDNPP kicked off its city-wide program by launching its fi rst-ever Neighborhood Empowerment Summit, which was held Oct. 24, 2009 at the Civic Center.

The Summit provided education, leadership development, and civic empowerment to community leaders, grassroots organizers, and citizens. One of the Summit’s highlights was a presentation by Johnesha Daniels, a local high-school student and a workshop facilitator for Youths and Seniors: Assets in Community Building. Johnesha dazzled the audience with her level of community involvement and showed the participants that youths with guidance fi nd purpose and fulfi llment by serving others.

The courses off ered engaged, informed, and prepared residents to be community advocates. The Summit courses were:

• Recruiting and Maintaining Members • Community Building: Organizing Basics • Planning Neighborhood Projects• Nuts and Bolts of an Eff ective Neighborhood Watch Program • Neighborhoods Infl uencing Decision Making • Understanding Land Use, Zoning, and Development• Grants and Grassroot Fundraising • Youths and Seniors: Assets in Community Building• Greening Your Neighborhood1

Participants selected workshops according to their group’s needs and interests. Approximately 65 citizens participated in the event; based on evaluation forms,93 percent of the participants were satisfi ed or very satisfi ed with the Summit.

CDNPP will continue to recognize citizens as partners in revitalizing and/or enhancing Denton’s neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Empowerment Summit is one step of many to bring training to the community’s doorstep. This is not our only event, but it will be a CDNPP annual year-end event. See you in 2010!

1The Power Point presentation for this Summit workshop will be available soon on the City’s Web site.

93 percent ofthe participants were

satisfied or very satisfiedwith the Summit.

ThiThis year, thhe Parkks dand Recre iation Department updated the 2009-2020 City of Denton Park

reation, and Trails System Master Plan, which will serve as the guide for park planning over

In 0020022, thethe Cii Cityty CCouncil voted to ao adopdopt thhe City

of Denton Downtown Master Plan. The Downtown

IIn 2009, ffieffi cient use of resources was the trend at the Police Department. From comput-

erized ticket writers to crime-mapping networks and social media sites, the department

ThThe So Solidlid W Wa tste D Department is excited to announce that it received

the 2009 U.S. Conference of Mayors Liveable City Award, which ReUse

In the spirit of enhancing communication eff orts to engage and inform our citizens,

the City launched an all-new Web siteOct. 1, 2009 at www.cityofdenton.com. The site features a powerful overall design and many new features.

“The redesign, which took around six months to complete, was well worth the eff ort,” stated Kevin McGinnis, the City’s Web Site/Graphic Administrator.

Vision Internet helped the City with its new Web site. The company was selected based on its proven success in building aesthetically appealing government Web sites, creating sites that are easy to navigate, and off ering stellar customer service.

The site overhaul off ers many new features, including user-friendly navigation, increased ways to communicate, and direct connections to the programs and services citizens use most. New site features include:

Interactive Calendar—Allows users to easily fi nd events. Document Central—Provides a central location for documents, which are categorized by department.

E-Notifi cation—Allows the City to quickly disperse information; citizens are able to set preferences for the types of notifi cations they would like to receive.

Ease-of-Use Technology—Integrates third-party tools and databases, includes a powerful search engine, off ers the ability to conduct Web-based citizen surveys, and more.

Also on the Web site, the City is now streaming live content from Denton Television (DTV) the City’s government channel. DTV programming includes City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, restaurant health inspection scores, street construction reports, and more. The meeting broadcasts are archived on the Web site and available on-demand; links are included to allow viewers to go directly to a particular agenda item.

McGinnis said these positive changes bring Denton up-to-date with the technology that Web users have come to expect. Frequently updated, the Web site will continue to provide citizens with the information they need—all at the click of a mouse.

DENTON

A new three-million-gallon elevated water storage tank is being

built along Roselawn; completion is planned for 2010. This tank will

increase storage capacity for the developing southwestern area of

Denton and provide added security for fi re protection. The design

for the Lake Lewisville Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation is

currently underway, with plans to start its two-year construction in

2010. The most signifi cant part of this upgrade will be the addition

of ozone as a treatment for disinfection by-products and taste and

odor control.

The initial design for the Pecan Creek Interceptor for the wastewater collection system is fi nished.

The Interceptor is scheduled to be built in 2010. Improvements to the State School sewer line were

completed this year, allowing better capacity on the south side of the City. The Benefi cial Reuse

Division completed an eight-acre expansion for the composting area and is conducting pilot programs

to examine the feasibility of composting organic materials. In 2008, compost sales increased to

$470,000, and more than 16,000 tons of wood waste was diverted from the Landfi ll. The new combined

Wastewater/Storm Water Monitoring System was upgraded in Fiscal Year 2009. This system will allow

real-time rainfall data to be correlated to sewer system overfl ows and fl ooding with seven rainfall

monitoring locations. This information should be available to the public in Fiscal Year 2010.

About the City of Denton Annual Citizen About the City of Denton Annual Citizen UpdateUpdateIf you have questions or comments concerning this update or would like to request a copy, please call Kiersten Dieterle, Public Communications Manager, at (940) 349-8171.

Para obtener una copia en espanol del reporte anual de la Ciudad de Denton, llame al (940) 349-8200o venga por la ofi cina de informacion en la municipalidad, 215 E. McKinney.

For more information about other City of Denton programs and services, visit www.cityofdenton.com.

Produced by the Public Communications Offi ce 12/09215 E. McKinney | Denton, TX 76201(940) 349-8200 | TDD (900) 735-2989www.cityofdenton.com

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