City Manager's Weekly Report (March 22,2024)

City Manager’s Weekly Report

To: Mayor and City Council

From: Robert Ranc, City Manager

March 22, 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 26: EDC Business Roundtable (8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Omni PGA Frisco Resort)

March 26: City Council Special Meeting (4:00 PM, Council Chambers)

March 27: Public Meeting for Coit Road Improvements (6:00 PM, Council Chambers)

March 30: Easter Egg Hunt (9:00 AM, Old Celina Park)

April 1: Public Meeting for New Mexico St Improvements (6:00 PM, Council Chambers)

April 4: Fire Station #3 Grand Opening (10:00 AM, 4400 FM1385, Aubrey)

April 4: Community Event at Alpine Ten55 (4:00 PM, Alpine Ten55)

April 5: Friday Night Market (6:00 PM, Downtown Square)

April 6: Clean Sweep (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 10165 Co Rd 106)

April 8: Solar Eclipse Party at the Park (12:00 - 2:00 PM, Old Celina Park)

April 9: City Council Meeting (5:00 PM, Council Chambers)

April 11: EDC Quarterly Update (9:00 AM, Council Chambers)

April 13: Touch-a-Truck (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Old Celina Park)

CITY UPDATES

LINDA SHAW: INFORMATION ON FUNERAL MASS

On Friday, April 5, at 10:30 AM, there will be a funeral mass to celebrate and honor the life of Linda Shaw at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in McKinney. The family has posted her obituary at Turrentine-Jackson, and you can find it here: https://www.turrentinejacksonmorrow.com/obituaries/ linda-jo-shaw. In the meantime, let us keep Linda’s family and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

FIRE CHIEF RECRUITMENT PROCESS

As previously announced, the City will be conducting a nationwide search for its next Fire Chief. The goal is to hire the best possible person to build on the phenomenal culture of the department as the City moves forward into its future.

The City has contracted with Ure Consulting Group (UCG) to facilitate the search for the next Fire Chief. Based in Missouri City, Texas, UCG has over 30 years of experience focusing on public safety recruitments. UCG will carry out a comprehensive process to ensure the City is able to identify and hire an outstanding Fire Chief. In addition to creating a recruitment brochure, which will be posted on national and statewide job platforms such as the Texas Fire Chief’s Association and the Texas Municipal League, UCG has a broad network of potential candidates from which it will recruit.

The hiring process will involve an application process which will include a detailed job-relevant questionnaire. Based on the initial review of applications and job questionnaires, a group of finalists will be selected to move forward in the process. The finalists will complete an assessment center (including a role-play exercise, professional interview, leaderless group exercise, community engagement exercise, and written exercise). The assessment center will be developed by UCG’s team of subject matter experts with input from the Celina Fire Department. There will also be an interview process for the final group of candidates which will include involvement of both representatives from the Celina Fire Department and the City Council.

The recruitment process is expected to take 90 days. UCG has already begun its work developing the recruitment brochure, and UCG will be visiting Celina in the coming weeks to tour the Fire Stations and meet with members of the Fire Department. More information will be provided regarding UCG’s visit to the department, the selection of the final group of candidates, and the timing and logistics of the finalist interviews as the recruitment process progresses.

PUBLIC MEETING FOR COIT ROAD IS SET FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

The Public Meeting for Coit Road is Wednesday, March 27, at 6:00 PM, at the Celina Council Chambers (112 N Colorado St). This meeting will help address any concerns on the upcoming road improvements from Vest Lane to north of Rocky Road and Choate Parkway to the Collin County Outer Loop. This will be an open house format where residents may come and go at their convenience.

EMPLOYEE CERTIFICATIONS

Gabriel Mason, Utility Line Maintenance Worker - Water, obtained his Class C Wastewater License. Kayla Daniel, Water Quality Technician, obtained her Class C Water Distribution Certification.

NEW EMPLOYEES

March 18: Marcella Avans, Part-Time Management Assistant

March 18: Christopher Barron, Police Officer

March 18: Vanessa Fischer, Records Coordinator

March 18: Eric Solis, Police Cadet/Recruit

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

ENGINEERING

On Thursday, March 29, County Road 83 will be reopened to traffic from Coit Road to Quail Hollow Street. Upon reopening County Road 83, Vest Lane from Quail Hollow to Coit Road will be permanently closed. Traffic will continue traveling north and south along Coit Road. Residents of Preston Hills subdivision will have to access the neighborhood through Preston Hills Circle or Heritage Trail.

Beginning on Monday, March 25, there will be temporary lane closures during work hours on FM 428 between Legacy Drive and Smiley Road. These closures will facilitate the construction of a right turn lane on FM 428 to connect to McNabb Drive in Green Meadows that is currently under construction. These closures are scheduled to last approximately three weeks depending on weather conditions.Please expect delays and seek an alternative route, if possible. Street closures can be found at https://arcg.is/5bfOa1.

Marcella Avans

Christopher Barron

Vanessa Fischer

Eric Solis

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

The Marketing & Communications Department are finalists for the Government Social Media Golden Post Awards, which are nationwide awards given to federal, state, and local governments. The Department is up for Best Long Form Video (https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzmmNjcPpDw/) and Best Podcast (https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/podcast). In addition, the Police Department is also a finalist for Best Long Form Video (https://www.instagram.com/reel/Codbveluohf/). The Weston Heritage Guild has nominated the City’s Life Connected. Magazine for an Excellence in Historical Education Award with the Collin County Historical Commission.

PUBLIC WORKS

Phase 2 of the Downtown Sign Replacement Project started on Friday, March 15. Marcom is the contractor that is performing the work for the project and will be replacing the existing traffic signs and poles. They have started putting new bases for the sign poles in the downtown area north of Walnut St (FM 455) between Preston Road and Tolleson Drive. This project will bring all the exisiting signs up to current City standards and uniformity with sign placement in the downtown area. During the construction, Marcom will be need to temporarily close lanes to complete their work, but through traffic will always be maintained in the areas where they are working. If any residents have concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at (972) 382-9886.

STRATEGIC SERVICES

Brandy O’Keefe, Downtown Manager, will be returning to the City of Allen as its Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Downtown Commission and Arts & Culture Board responsibilities will be split between Trevor Ludwyck and Ty Behringer under the direction of Anthony Satarino, Director of Strategic Services until the position is filled.

The monthly Keep Celina Beautiful meeting took place on Thursday, March 21. During this productive session, the Board commenced the review process of this year’s applications to our Neighborhood Integrity Program. In preparation for the annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet that will be held on Tuesday, April 30, the Board evaluated nominations and cast votes for the recipients for awards that will be presented during the celebration.

The annual Volunteer Fair that was held on Monday, March 18, was a great success. Over 50 residents gathered at Council Chambers to explore volunteer opportunities within the City. Organizations, such as Grace Bridge, Meals on Wheels Collin County, and Collin County Animal Shelter, shared their needs to interested residents. In addition, Trevor Ludwyck, Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator highlighted the Life Connected. program and ways to serve in the City.