City Manager’s Weekly Report To: Mayor and City Council From: Robert Ranc, City Manager
February 16, 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS February 16: Last Day to File as a Candidate for City Council Elections February 23: Kolache Shoppe Grand Opening (9:00 AM, 605 S Preston Road) February 29: City of Celina/Celina ISD Town Hall Meeting (6:30 PM, Celina High School) March 1: Friday Night Market (6:00 PM, Downtown Square)
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS February 20: Fireside Chats with the Chamber (5:00 - 7:00 PM, HeyDay)
CITY UPDATES CITY COUNCIL RETREAT RECAP City Council held its annual retreat on Friday, February 9, and Saturday, February 10, in Downtown Fort Worth. The focus of the retreat was strategic communication, strategic planning, governance, ethics, and several tours to discover keys to planning for arts and culture facilities. The sessions were led by Nick Kittle with Sustainovation. Council provided direction to staff in several key areas to ensure alignment and provide a framework for decision-making over the course of this year and the next several years. Over the next few months, staff will be making several recommendations on updates to the Strategic Plan, Governance, and Ethics policies based upon direction provided by City Council.
FIRE CHIEF MARK METDKER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT During the annual Fire Department Banquet on Saturday, February 10, Chief Mark Metdker announced he would be retiring in June 2024. We would like to congratulate Chief Metdker on his 44 years of public safety service. Chief Metdker began his fire service career in McKinney before spending 25 years with the City of Addison. Chief Metdker has been with the City of Celina since 2008. As the City prepares to celebrate Chief Metdker’s retirement, the City Manager will begin a national search for Celina’s next Fire Chief. 1
City Manager’s Weekly Report for February 16, 2024
EMPLOYEE CERTIFICATIONS Eric Glover earned his TCEQ Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester License (BPAT). Brandon King obtained his TCEQ Collection Class I Certification.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT The City of Celina Office of Emergency Management Division announced the installation of five new outdoor warning sirens that will be located across the community. The five outdoor warning sirens will be strategically positioned at the following locations: • Fire Station #1 • Fire Station #2 • Fire Station #3 • Celina Police Headquarters • Buffalo Ridge The outdoor warning sirens will serve as an important tool to alert residents in the event of severe weather. In conjunction with existing mass notification systems, the outdoor warning sirens will provide an additional layer of warning and notification to ensure residents are promptly informed and can take appropriate action. The Office of Emergency Management will be conducting testing on the first Wednesday of the month (depending on weather conditions) to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of these new outdoor warning sirens. We kindly request residents’ cooperation and understanding during these test periods, and please note that these tests are conducted to assess the functionality of the outdoor warning sirens and do not signify an actual emergency. Buffalo Ridge
City Manager’s Weekly Report for February 16, 2024
Fire Station #2
2
ENGINEERING On Monday, February 12, the Downtown Inner Loop at Pecan St from Ohio St to Arizona St and Colorado St from Maple St and Walnut St was open for traffic. The Engineering Department worked with the Marketing & Communications Department to create a visual map for residents showing the new traffic patterns that was posted on social media. In addition, an animated video explaining reverse parking was posted on social media and an “In the Know” tutorial video will be posted this Monday. For all updates on road closures, please see the link below. https://arcg.is/5bfOa1
PLANNING The Planning Department presented multiple items at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 13, as well as the Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting held on Thursday, February 15. In addition, staff has formally met with two potential developments in recent weeks, including a potential retail development along Preston Road and Glendenning Parkway.
PUBLIC WORKS The Public Works Department released the areas of scheduled pothole repairs that will be completed. The Streets Team has filled in a utility cut on Vest Lane this past week, and they will be working on filling potholes on County Road 52 this week and will continue with road grading. The following roads were recently graded: Smiley Road, Carrie Road, County Road 53, and Celina Road. In addition, the team will be finishing on County Road 100 next week. https://www.celina-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11987/Public-Works-Potholes-Schedule
3
City Manager’s Weekly Report for February 16, 2024