Weekly Staff Report
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Page 1 of 14 To: Mayor and Members of City Council From: Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager Date: March 12, 2021 Subject: Weekly Update Police Department COMMUNITY CORNER Bravo Nights Officers’ phenomenal policing was praised by a Duncanville resident, business owner and himself a Law Enforcement officer on yesterday, March 9, 2021: “To whom it may concern, Good Afternoon I would like to bring to your attention an outstanding job your officers did this morning. I am a Dallas Police Officer and owner of the American Karate Academy of Duncanville. This morning about 4:45am I called in a burglary in progress to your 911 dispatch of my business. I was monitoring live feed from my camera system inside the business. Your officers responded in a expediate manner and were able to detain the suspect with out incident and was able to return all my property undamaged. These officers were very professional and explained everything to me as a business owner. I think these officers all went above their job duty to ensure the safety of the citizens of Duncanville residence and business owners. These officers should be recognized for the outstanding job and professionalism they showed to myself. The officers went above and did not ignore the call and work endless past the end of their work hours and made sure to help make the City of Duncanville safer. Thank you again for everything your officers and the police department has done to protect my property and business. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. I would like to provide dinner for the officers on this shift one day if you could please let me know a good time I could have some food catered in. Thank you again for all the hard work and dedication of the Duncanville Police Department.” City of Duncanville • P.O. Box 380280 • Duncanville TX 75138 • (972) 780-5017 • Fax (972) 780-5077 Page 2 of 14 COMMUNITY ALERT On March 9, 2021 a group of “landscapers” offered to spread compost for $10 per bag to a resident of Duncanville. The resident told the Hispanic men to go ahead with one bag to see how far it would go. They proceeded to spread several bags even though the resident asked the men to stop. At that point, the men told the resident the price was $1,100.00 even though it is unclear but unlikely that 110 bags of mulch were spread. When the resident advised them he didn’t have that much money, they asked him to go with them to the ATM to withdraw the $1,100.00 in cash. Fortunately, someone looking out for the resident’s best interest arrived at that time, stopping the trip to the ATM. One of the men advised the resident owed the money at which point they were asked for their permit to solicit, and that is when the “landscapers” ran to a white Chevy Silverado pick-up truck, shielded the LP, and hurriedly left. Residents are encouraged to avoid cold calls from unknown and unsolicited peddlers. The City of Duncanville recently amended its “Solicitor and Peddler” Ordinance and the police department is in the final stages of securing high-visibility vests which, when received, must be worn by door to door solicitors after they have obtained a permit and while they are going door to door within the City of Duncanville. Within the next few weeks, it is anticipated those vests will have arrived and will be required to be worn by each person receiving a permit within the City of Duncanville. As always, if anyone feels something suspicious is occurring, they are encouraged to immediately call 911. We would rather respond and determine either there is no issue or be able to ensure the safety and security of our residents. PERSONNEL The five patrol cadets currently in the NCTCOG academy continue to do well and are tentatively set for graduation dates in April and June (two classes which began on different dates). Officer Zachary Green is scheduled to complete field training on March 16th. Training and Personnel will hold a civil service entry examination for potential candidates on April 3rd in hopes of hiring two solid candidates. In the event unlicensed candidates make the subsequent civil service list, the goal would be to process and hire them so they could attend one of the basic police academies held at the NCTCOG in mid-May or June. Interest cards for the April 3, 2021 test must be turned in by Friday, March 26, 2021 at 3:00 pm. COVID-19 There are no employees out with COVID-19 at this time. City of Duncanville • P.O. Box 380280 • Duncanville TX 75138 • (972) 780-5017 • Fax (972) 780-5077 Page 3 of 14 Parks and Recreation Parks: • There was graffiti vandalism at multiple locations at City Hall/Police Station. The Water Department was able to use their valve exerciser to assist Parks in removal of the graffiti. • The Athletics Crew continues to prep the athletic fields for associations per schedule. • The Horticulture Crew continues to mulch landscape bed and trim back “burnt” portions of annual color. Top row from left: Graffiti Vandalism at Police Entrance Sing, Athletic fields prep at Harrington Park Bottom row: Bed Maintenance in front of Library/ Recreation Center City of Duncanville • P.O. Box 380280 • Duncanville TX 75138 • (972) 780-5017 • Fax (972) 780-5077 Page 4 of 14 Fieldhouse: • Blue & Green entryway rebranding signage will be installed this week. • Kieffer Signs will be providing an additional field survey to complete the Hwy 67 Pole sign conversion, survey is scheduled for 3-11-2021. • Upcoming Events: . D -Town Magic Basketball League – Tues. & Thurs. 7p - 9p (3 courts) . Driven Elite Basketball Camp – Fri. 5p - 9p (2 courts), Sat. 12p - 2p (1 room), Sun. 8a - 5p (2 courts) . BlockSport Volleyball Tournament – Sat. 8a – 8p (8 nets) . Dallas ShowTyme Basketball Tryouts– Sun. 10a - 2p (3 courts) Blue & Green Entryway Rebranding Signage Senior Center: • Senior Center has resumed COVID-19 curbside meal pick up and deliveries. • Staff continues to make wellness calls throughout the week. Crossword puzzles and trivia games are being provided via the newsletter and handed out with meals. • Upcoming Drive-thru Events: . Parking Lot Bingo (St. Patrick’s Day) – Wednesday, March 17, 2021 . Parking Lot Bingo (Postponed Valentine’s Day) – Wednesday, March 24, 2021 City of Duncanville • P.O. Box 380280 • Duncanville TX 75138 • (972) 780-5017 • Fax (972) 780-5077 Page 5 of 14 Curbside Pickup at D.L. Hopkins Jr. Senior Center Recreation Center: • Effective Wednesday, March 10, 2021, all indoor rentals are now at 50% capacity. Facility COVID protocols (masks, gloves and social distancing) will still be required. • Staff continues to routinely sanitize the facility and equipment. • Open volleyball and open gym continue to bring in participants. • Upcoming Events: . Movies in the Park – Saturday, April 17, 2021 (tentative) From left: Open Volleyball, Open Gym City of Duncanville • P.O. Box 380280 • Duncanville TX 75138 • (972) 780-5017 • Fax (972) 780-5077 Page 6 of 14 Fire Department There have been no major fires or EMS events in the city in the past week. The Fire Department responded to 140 calls for service in the past seven days. We conducted a physical agility test for new- hire candidates on March 6. Those that passed will continue into the background check process. EMS Chief Mike Ryan teamed up with the two National Guard members to provide vaccines for homebound residents and were able to distribute thirty vaccines. Public Works Operational Updates: Building Inspections • A total of 1,636 single-family rental properties are registered to date; one property was registered since the last update. Eighteen inspections were completed since the last update, fourteen passed while four failed. Lack of privacy locks, CO detectors, and GFCI protection were the reasons for failures. Fourteen residential certificates of occupancy were issued for a total of 480 certificates of occupancy issued since inception of the Single-Family Rental Registration Program. • Since the start of active lien collection, $246,613.97 has been collected. $3,250.36 was collected since the last update. Utilities Division • Water usage was 28.28 MG this reporting period, 3/1/21 to 3/7/21, down from 28.64 MG the previous week. The daily peak water demand occurred on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, when 4.45 MG was used. There was 0.13 inches of precipitation this reporting period. Traffic Division • The City’s Signal contractor completed work on the traffic signal located at Camp Wisdom and Hill City on 09 March 2021. The next intersection to be re-wired will be Danieldale at Larry. This work is part of our normal maintenance plan. The City rewires traffic signals at four intersections per year. The intersections at Danieldale and Greenstone, Clark and Big Stone Gap will also be re-wired this year. Street Division • The Concrete Construction Crew - Installed four ADA Ramps totaling 1,126 sq. ft. at various locations: 247, 902-903, 926 Green Terrace and 811 Green Tree. • Sweeping Services of Texas, the city’s sweeping contractor, began sweeping and removing ice chat from bridges and intersections sanded during the recent winter weather event. • Completed ADA ramps in Greenway Estates and will move to Merribrook Park next. City of Duncanville • P.O. Box 380280 • Duncanville TX 75138 • (972) 780-5017 • Fax (972) 780-5077 Page 7 of 14 Planning and Zoning Division • Predevelopment meetings were conducted on 03/04/2021 for a free-standing tenant building at 310 S Clark Road and a restaurant with drive thru at 300 S Clark Road and a church childcare center at 610 N Cedar Ridge.