2021 Annual Report

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR

Thank you for taking a few moments to read our 2021 Annual Report for the City of Celina. The Annual Report gives us an opportunity to highlight the goals and vision set forth in our Strategic Plan. We hope to give you a sense of what we have accomplished, what we are working on, and what is on the horizon for our City in this publication.

Since its establishment, Celina has grown from a tiny farming community near the Grayson County border to the most desired and valuable place to live, work, and raise a family in North Texas. It’s fair to say we experienced unprecedented growth last year. While our numbers have increased with new families and businesses moving to the area, we have managed to maintain that community spirit that has always made Celina so special.

Sean Terry MAYOR

Our community spirit was on full display at each and every event that the City held last year. Our historic Downtown Square played host to nearly 50 events beginning in March and wrapping up at our annual Christmas on the Square. These events not only gave us an opportunity to bring the community together, but it was an opportunity to welcome new faces to our City. Each event was an opportunity to showcase the Downtown area, which is both rich in history and a symbol of our expected growth. Just like Celina!

With so many new neighborhoods under development, businesses being created, and families deciding to call Celina home, I can see how we are living up to our City’s motto – Life Connected. We expect this upcoming year to be even more exciting and memorable than years past.

No matter the size of our population, Celina will continue to be known and beloved because of the size of our heart. Perhaps as you look through this Annual Report, the heart of the City – much more than just the data or statistics – will resonate with you. You will see why this place that we call home, and these people who we call family are the best of what Texas represents.

We hope you have a fantastic 2022!

LETTER FROM THE CITY MANAGER

We appreciate you taking the time to read the 2021 Annual Report for the City of Celina.

When looking back at the goals we set this past year, I am proud to say we accomplished all of them. It’s important to know that we couldn’t have done this if it were not for you – the true heart and soul of the community.

It’s because of you that we are committed to helping build the best infrastructure to serve all of Celina. We strive to have the finest community-focused Police and Fire Departments. We are committed to building neighborhoods – rather than subdivisions – where our parks, schools, and amenity centers all reflect our motto of “Life Connected.”

We believe it’s important to show gratitude to our talented team that works every day to make Celina a place where everyone can call home. Their work has been the catalyst for our success and growth. In five short years, we have grown from a staff of 81 to 238 dedicated, hard-working servants of the community. I join our City Council and entire community in thanking them for their service.

We are proud of those who serve our community, and we continue to make every effort for the City of Celina to be an attractive place to work. I am proud that we strengthened our employee’s family insurance plans. Also, I am excited about a new policy that allows each employee up to 12 hours of paid leave to volunteer their time to charitable groups that directly benefit people with needs in our City.

While we are expanding our team and making sure that we take care of them, we are also making a commitment to you as a community member. Celina is the fastest-growing city in North Texas, and I want to reaffirm my commitment to you that we are being smart and strategic in how we grow. Growth will not help our community unless we do it the right way.

This is our mission. This is the spirit that is reflected in our core values of Excellence, Community, Integrity, and Service.

Let’s enjoy a bright and bold 2022 together!

Jason Laumer

CITY MANAGER

CITY LEADERSHIP

Sean Terry MAYOR

Justin Steiner DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM/ PLACE 1

Jay Pierce PLACE 2

Andy Hopkins PLACE 3

Wendie Wigginton PLACE 4

Mindy Koehne MAYOR PRO TEM/PLACE 5

Chad Anderson PLACE 6

Jason Laumer CITY MANAGER

2018-2020 STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS

This Annual Report serves to evaluate the two-year goals that we developed for our 2018-2020 Strategic Plan. The City identified these goals by looking at what we are deeply passionate about; what fuels our economic engine; and what areas we can be best in class. This understanding was fueled in large part by the results of our Community Survey. Using these three areas, we analyzed the place where all of these elements overlapped. From there, we established what we call our “Vision Framework”.

25-YEAR GOAL: OUR MISSION

Our mission is to preserve our agricultural heritage and flourish as a close-knit, ever-growing Celina family during the explosive and planned growth of our City. We will provide a unique and extraordinary quality of life complemented by a significant array of high-tech and desirable businesses, agritourism assets, unique destinations, and connections.

CELINA BY THE

TION C POPULATION COUNT BY YEAR

Current: 40 Square Miles

Projected: 78 Square Miles

Zip Codes: 75009 (Celina) 75078 (Prosper)

76227 (Aubrey)

THE NUMBERS

POPULATION GROWTH: Total Service Area

Celina was named “Fastest Growing City in North Texas” by Dallas Business Journal for the third consecutive year.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Public infrastructure improvement projects for the City of Celina, which are funded and contracted by the City, are called Capital Improvement Projects. Many of our 2021 Capital Improvement Projects involved City streets. This is one of the ways in which we strive to keep you safe and connected to where you need to be.

COMPLETED

• Choate Parkway

• Outer Loop: DNT to Choate Parkway

• Old Celina Park Phase II

STARTED

• Celina Road Ground Storage Tank

• DNT: FM428 to Marilee Road

• Outer Loop: Choate Parkway to Custer Road

• Frontier Parkway DNT to Preston Road

UNDER DESIGN

• Law Enforcement Center

• Fire Station #3

• Downtown Treatment Plant Expansion

• Coit Road: Frontier Parkway to Vest Lane

SHARE OUR STORY

“Life Connected” is so much more than our City slogan. It’s a fundamental way of living and interacting with the community. We strive to embody the core values of living life connected by sharing what we are working on; the great things happening in Celina; and who we are as a City. This story should be reflected in everything that we say and do.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Began Fire, Police, and Citizen’s Government Academies

• Created the Life Connected Resident Newsletter

• Began HOA Quarterly meetings

• Celina designated as “Halloween Capital of North Texas”

ON THE HORIZON

• Inaugural Heritage Festival

• Implementation of Citywide volunteer program

• Inaugural Police and Fire Honor Guards

PLAN THE CITY

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update

• Establishment of the Special Events Advisory Committee

• Received Certificate of Achievement in Planning Excellence from The American Planning Association

• Impact Fee and Water/Wastewater Study

• Establishment of Sustainability Programs (Rental Inspection and Registration)

ON THE HORIZON

• Commercial and Multifamily Vision Book

• Wayfinding signage

Planning is essential to identify what actions we can take to better Celina and the processes to get there. When we started the Strategic Plan in 2018, it was apparent that establishing a vision and implementing it in a timely manner was essential for controlled and planned growth. We strive to plan the City in such a way that is consistent and true to the small town feel and strong sense of community.

ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CELINA

We define Quality of Life as the level of satisfaction to live, work, play, and learn in our Strategic Plan. We are proud of our top-rated schools, incredible events, and newly-renovated Old Celina Park to name a few. With so many opportunities available during the year, we have made it a point to provide the best Quality of Life possible for our community.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Assisted over 124 kids through the Blue Santa Program

• Increased new library members by 10% from 2020

• Acquired 230 acres of additional parkland

• Celebrated the Grand Opening of Old Celina Park Expansion

• Created the Life in Celina Facebook page

• Installed turf in the Downtown Square

ON THE HORIZON

• Construction of Old Celina Park playground

• Design and construction of new Senior Center

• Neighborhood Integrity Grants

BEAUTIFY & BRAND CELINA

Celina’s beautification and branding are paramount. We found this to be true in both the 2018 and 2020 Community Survey. We want to ensure that the City’s aesthetics are aligned with our vision and that our brand is carried through everything we do from street signs to social media.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Completed Downtown murals

• Installed Preston Road streetlights

• Awarded Scenic City DesignationPlatinum Status

ON THE HORIZON

• Continuation of the Mural Project

• Created Commercial and Multifamily Vision Book

• Fine Arts Master Plan

SUPPORT & GROW EMERGENCY SERVICES

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Received new replacement ambulance

• Established School Resource Officer Program with CISD

• Hired Training and Logistics Fire Captain and EMS/Fleet Fire Captain

• Hired nine Police Officers

• Ordered new fire engine and ambulance

ON THE HORIZON

• Groundbreaking of Law Enforcement Center and Fire Station #3

• Secure land for future fire and police stations

• Begin Junior Police Academy and Youth Summer Program

• Formation of the Police and Fire Department Honor Guards

Safety and security are among the most basic human needs. It is also one of the biggest drivers of economic development and quality of life in cities. To adequately and safely accommodate growth, we must continue to proactively support and grow emergency services.

PRESERVE, ENHANCE, REVITALIZE, & GROW DOWNTOWN

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Welcomed new businesses: Annie Jack (relocated), Summer Moon, and Valley Vines

• Reconstruction of Utah Street, Arizona Street, Ash Street, Elm Street, and Main Street

• Established the Downtown Commission

• Renewed the Main Street Program Membership

• Adopted Downtown Code

ON THE HORIZON

• Construction of Downtown Innerloop

• Creation of the Downtown Patio Plaza

• Increase parking in Downtown

• Install Downtown street blades

Downtown is a focal point in Celina, and it is one of our biggest strengths and opportunities. It represents the heart of our community, and we recognize its importance to our quality of life and economic development. We strive to find balance between the past and the future, ensuring that Downtown Celina retains its charm and character as new opportunities for growth arise.

ATTRACT & CULTIVATE THE RIGHT DEVELOPMENT IN THE RIGHT PLACES

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Neighborhood Vision Book

• Acquisition of parkland

• Parks at Wilson Creek under construction

• Edgewood under construction

• Celina Station under construction

ON THE HORIZON

• Neighborhoods under design:

• Mosiac

• Legacy Hills

• Ten Mile Creek

• Cross Creek Meadows

We want to make it easy for development to happen in the best and most appropriate locations. We will ensure that our policies and actions align with our Vision Framework, resulting in desirable residential and commercial development. This will result in unique places with high-quality construction that meet our community’s needs.

DEVELOP A HIGHLY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY & MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE

We want to be at the forefront of innovation in everything we do—always thinking of new and better ways to challenge the status quo with excellence. Harnessing new innovations and technology will give us a significant advantage as we work to achieve our goals.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Sensus Analytics utility services customer app implemented to residents

• Launched the Life Connected app

• GIS Mapping Portal

• Fiber infrastructure constructed and available to 100% of Celina residents

• Implementation of City Works work order system

ON THE HORIZON

• Implement an alternative mobility solution for Downtown

• Install Wi-Fi in The Old Celina Park

• Install RFID system in the Library

PURSUE INNOVATIVE LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS

We intend to pursue new and improve current partnerships to foster innovative learning in Celina. The City will do its part to proactively collaborate and support schools, education, and new programs that are consistent with our community goals.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Partnership with Celina ISD - Middle School

• Partnership and Grand Opening with Collin College

• Implemented Library homeschool program

ON THE HORIZON

• Create Internship Program

• Launch Police Explorer Program

CREATE & ENCOURAGE AGRITOURISM OPPORTUNITIES

We take pride in our agricultural heritage and traditions, and we want to share them with everyone in a coordinated and strategic way. The combination of agriculture and tourism (agritourism) is the perfect way for us to connect to our heritage. We intend to more readily identify our assets, market them, and create new agritourism experiences and destinations.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Expand Friday Night Market

• Incorporate heritage components into City design elements

ON THE HORIZON

• 2022 Heritage Festival