City Manager’s Weekly Report
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Robert Ranc, City Manager
FEBRUARY 14, 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 20: Planning & Zoning Meeting (5:00 PM, Council Chambers)
February 26: Coffee with the Contractors (9:00 AM, 112 N. Arizona Dr)
February 27: City of Celina/Celina ISD Town Hall (6:30 PM, O’Dell Elementary School)
March 4: City of Celina/Celina ISD Town Hall (6:30 PM, Bothwell Elementary School)
March 7: Friday Night Market (6:00 - 9:00 PM, Downtown Square)
March 11: City Council Meeting (5:00 PM, City Council Chambers)
March 15: Fire Station #3 Open House (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Fire Station #3)
March 15: Methodist Celina Medical Center Community Opening (5:00 PM, Methodist Celina Medical Center)
CITY UPDATES
OUSLEY PARK: HONORING THE PAST, EMBRACING THE FUTURE
The City of Celina deeply values its rich heritage and is committed to moving forward as a City that honors its past while embracing the future. One of the most cherished parts of our history is the iconic Bobcat Stadium.
As part of the Ousley Park Master Plan, adopted by the City Council in January 2024, the City is beginning the process of removing the bleachers at Bobcat Stadium. The football field will remain, preserving an important piece of our legacy. To honor the stadium’s history, historical markers and features will be integrated along the park’s trails. The press box, while in need of refurbishment, will be preserved and evaluated as part of the final park design, maintaining its connection to the park’s evolving space. Additionally, the signs honoring past state champions will remain unaffected by the bleacher removal, and the marble monuments currently stored under the north bleachers will be relocated to the City’s Public Works facility for safekeeping.
Ousley Park will be a transformative park that follows the Doe Branch corridor, bringing much-needed green space to Downtown Celina while incorporating the original Bobcat Stadium, Ralph O’Dell Senior Center, and Parks Administration Building. Construction on the Parks Administration Building, which will be housed in the former Celina ISD Athletics Offices, will begin this summer.
Ousley Park is a multi-phase project included in the City’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. Phase II will feature the construction of a 12-foot-wide concrete trail from Preston Road to Ash Street, along with stream restoration along Doe Branch. The project will also feature a variety of new amenities, including a splash pad, a large entry fountain, structured and natural playgrounds, a memorial walk, a dog park, pickleball courts, and additional parking, creating a vibrant and welcoming space for the community.
Public Meetings and a Community Survey on the future of Ousley Park were conducted in 2023 to ensure the project reflects the needs and desires of our residents. While change can be challenging, we believe Ousley Park will be a place that allows us to celebrate Celina’s rich history while building new memories for generations to come.
DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE PROJECT CONTINUES TO PROGRESS
Progress continues on the Downtown Parking Garage, marking another key step in strengthening Celina’s Downtown infrastructure. Crews have successfully completed the perimeter walls and most of the structural columns, setting the stage for the next phases of construction. Currently, teams are focused on installing underground plumbing and electrical systems, which will provide essential utilities to the facility. These foundational elements ensure the long-term functionality and efficiency of the garage as it prepares to support increasing demand in the area.
Next week, the project will reach a significant milestone with the first slab-on-grade (SOG) pour. The SOG serves as the main structural foundation of the garage, creating a stable, load-bearing surface that will support the weight of the entire structure. This critical step allows for the continuation of vertical construction, bringing the project closer to completion.
LOCATION UPDATE: FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSE
In last week’s City Manager’s Weekly Report, we shared our plans to incorporate City Council Outreach into our upcoming Public Safety Open Houses, which will replace the Coffee with the Council events. I would like to bring to your attention that the location for the next Open House has been changed from Fire Station #1 to Fire Station #3. The event will be held on Saturday, March 15, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you there and appreciate your continued engagement with the City.
OLD CELINA PARK RESTROOM CLOSURES DUE TO FREEZING TEMPERATURES
As freezing temperatures approach, the City of Celina has temporarily closed the restrooms at the grass baseball and soccer fields at Old Celina Park to prevent weather-related damage and ensure the safety of park facilities. These closures will remain in effect until further notice as we take necessary precautions to protect the plumbing infrastructure from freezing conditions. For the convenience of park visitors, the restrooms at the turf field will remain open and available for use.
WELCOME OUR NEWEST FIREFIGHTERS TO THE TEAM
After four weeks of rigorous training and orientation, we are proud to welcome 15 new firefighters to the Celina Fire Department. As they officially join their crews and begin their first shifts, Ethan Byard, Michael DePiazza, Col-
lin Diehl, Andrew Griffin, Aiden Jones, Jeff Jones, Hahnur Kim, Mark Lopez, Drew Morovick, Colton Rains, Rustin Reedy, Jaci Ticknor, Jacqueline Warne, Joe Westbrook, and Markous Vinson stand ready to serve our community with dedication and professionalism. Their commitment to protecting and supporting Celina reflects the Core Values of our department, and we are grateful for their service. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming them as they embark on this important journey!
WELCOME NEW CITY STAFF MEMBERS
The City of Celina is pleased to welcome two new members to our team this week. Jeyse Boyce joins the Parks & Recreation Department as a Site Coordinator, and Phillip Worrall joins Public Works as a ULM Maintenance Worker. We are proud to have them on board and look forward to their contributions in serving our growing community.
DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY PHASE 4A PROJECT: LANE CLOSURE NOTIFICATION
As part of the ongoing work on the DNT Phase 4A project, please be advised that crews will be implementing the upcoming lane closures. These closures are necessary for transporting topsoil, performing a mass haul of materials, and completing clean-up work in the affected areas. Please note that the entire left lanes will not be closed, and we will ensure there are no conflicts between lane closures within the same areas. Additional closures will occur at construction exits as needed to maintain safety and efficient traffic flow.
Monday, February 17, through Saturday, February 22, from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
• The daily northbound and southbound left lane of Dallas Pkwy. from First St. to FM 428
Monday, February 17, through Friday, February 21, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• The daily northbound and southbound U-turn lane at First St.
Friday, February 14, through Saturday, February 22
• The daily eastbound and westbound left turn lanes and right turn lanes of Punk Carter Pkwy. between northbound and southbound Dallas Pkwy.
ROAD CLOSURES RESIDENT MAP
The City ‘s Road Closures Resident Map serves as a crucial 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.
