City Manager’s Weekly Report
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Robert Ranc, City Manager
AUGUST 16, 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 16: Movie Night on the Square (7:00 PM, Council Chambers)
August 28: Special Called City Council Meeting (5:00 PM, Council Chambers)
September 6: Friday Night Market (6:00 - 9:00 PM, Downtown Square)
September 7: Special Called City Council Meeting (7:30 AM, Council Chambers)
September 10: City Council Meeting (5:00 PM, Council Chambers)
September 11: 9/11 Anniversary Ceremony (8:00 AM, Downtown Square)
September 12: Celina Police Headquarters Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (10:00 AM, Celina Police Headquarters)
September 14: Celina Police Headquarters Community Grand Opening (9:00 AM, Celina Police Headquarters)
September 17: Kolaches with Council (8:00 AM, Ralph O’Dell Senior Center)
CITY UPDATES
CITY OF CELINA APPOINTS SHAWN WHITE AS NEW FIRE CHIEF
This past week, the City announced the appointment of Shawn White as its new Fire Chief, and he will officially begin in early October. Chief White brings an impressive legacy of leadership and experience to Celina, having served as the 11th Fire Chief of Henderson, Nevada, since September 2017. During his tenure in Henderson, Chief White was instrumental in guiding the city through significant growth, overseeing the opening of four new fire stations and adding over 100 new positions within the department.
Under his leadership, the Henderson Fire Department achieved an ISO Class 1 Classification, placing it in the top 0.5% of fire departments nationwide. The Henderson Fire Department also earned accreditation from the Commission of Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the Commission of Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), demonstrating its commitment to excellence in emergency response and public safety.
Chief White joined the Henderson Fire Department in 1999, progressing from Firefighter/Paramedic to Captain, Battalion Chief, and Deputy Chief before being named Fire Chief in 2017. Celina’s new Fire Chief began his career in fire service in 1989 with the Albuquerque Fire Department where he rose through the ranks from Firefighter/ Paramedic to Engineer and Lieutenant over a decade of service.
CITY OF CELINA NAMES MELINDA BARTRAM AS ITS NEW DOWNTOWN MANAGER
The City of Celina is pleased to announce the appointment of Melinda Bartram as the new Downtown Manager. Bartram brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the Downtown Manager for the City of Rowlett. Her diverse background includes key positions with the Denton County Transportation Authority and the City of Plano. Bartram is recognized for her leadership in downtown development and revitalization. During her tenure as Executive Director of the Main Street Program, she successfully completed the requirements to become a Certified Main Street Manager (CMSM) through the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. Her expertise has been instrumental in advancing the success of several award-winning communities, including McKinney. Bartram will officially begin her duties with the city on Monday, August 26.
NEW LOCATION FOR MOVIE NIGHT ON THE SQUARE THIS EVENING
Due to the extreme heat, the Marketing & Communications Team has decided to relocate the final Movie Night on the Square to Council Chambers. The event will begin at 7:00 PM with Kung Fu Panda 4 as the featured film.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES UPDATE: NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Permits have recently been issued for the construction of the amenity center at 4601 Meander Way within the Mosaic master-planned community. This development marks a key milestone in enhancing the community’s amenities and overall appeal.
DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY PHASE 4A PROJECT: LANE CLOSURE NOTIFICATION
For the ongoing work on the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) Phase 4A Project, contractors will implement lane closures next week. These closures will facilitate the transport of topsoil, a mass haul of materials, and the cleaning of the area. It is important to note that the entire left lanes will not be closed, and closures will only occur at the construction exits as necessary. NTTA has approved these closures on the condition that they are used solely for hauling purposes and that the Dallas Parkway is kept clean at all times.
Monday, August 19, through Saturday, August 24, from 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
•Nor thbound and southbound left lanes of Dallas Parkway from First Street to FM 428
UPDATE ON OWNSBY PARKWAY RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Ownsby Parkway was opened this past week in time for the beginning of the school year from Preston Road to S Coit Road. Traffic will travel on the two northern lanes in both the east and west directions, and all intersections will be connected to Ownsby Parkway except for County Road 83.
NEW MEXICO DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS SET TO BEGIN ON MONDAY, AUGUST 19
Beginning on Monday, August 19, New Mexico Drive between E Ash Street and E Elm Street will be closed to local traffic as part of the New Mexico Drive Capital Improvement Project. This phase of the project encompasses water, sewer, and roadway enhancements. The current closure marks the start of Phase I, which is expected to last approximately three weeks. Subsequent phases of construction will follow.
ANNUAL STREET MAINTENANCE PROJECT UPDATE
The Public Works Department has engaged Apple Pavement Services for the Annual Street Maintenance (ASM) Project, which includes the reconstruction of County Road 128. This project is scheduled to take place from August 14 - 30, affecting the section of County Road 128 that runs from FM 455 to north of Lake Drive. During this period, traffic flow may be impacted as two-way traffic could be limited in the construction zone. The contractor will be on-site to manage and direct traffic accordingly. While no detours are required, at least one lane of traffic will remain open at all times to ensure minimal disruption. In addition, concrete replacement will begin next week for the following sections of roadway: (1) 1521 Brooke Lane, (2) 1425 Caruth Lane, (3) Eccleston Street, (4) 806 W Oak Street, (5) 803 W Cedar Street, (6) S Alabama Drive, and (7) W Cedar Street.
CELINA POLICE FOUNDATION TO HOST FIRST BACK THE BLUE GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Celina Police Foundation will host its inaugural Back the Blue Golf Tournament on Thursday, September 5, at 10:00 AM at The Bridges Golf Club in Gunter. The tournament will feature a four-player scramble format, providing an excellent opportunity to demonstrate support for the Celina Police Department. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the department, ensuring that our officers have the necessary resources to continue safeguarding the community. CLICK HERE to register a team for the tournament.
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT EARNS ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
The City is pleased to announce that our Purchasing Department has been honored with the 2024 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award by the National Procurement Institute. This marks the fifth consecutive year that our team has earned this presitigious recognition. The City is among an elite group of 198 agencies across the United States and Canada, and one of only 72 cities to achieve this distinction. The award is a testament to the team’s commitment to innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership in the procurement field.
ROAD CLOSURES RESIDENT MAP
The City’s Road Closures Resident Map serves as a critical tool for residents to remain informed about ongoing projects and associated road closures within the city. This comprehensive resource empowers individuals to plan their travel routes effectively, minimizing disruptions caused by construction activities. By clicking on the map or accessing the link above, residents gain access to the full interactive map, ensuring easy navigation and timely updates on the evolving infrastructure projects throughout Celina.
