Life Connected Magazine. | March - April 2023

A NOTE from the City Manager

Thank you for taking some time to read the official magazine of the City of Celina, Life Connected. In this issue, you will learn so much about life here in our hometown. I want to draw your attention to the calendar of events, the Public Works updates, business and infrastructure updates, and so much other information that will help you prepare to enjoy all this community offers as we make our way towards the spring and summer.

Celina residents cherish our City’s motto, Life Connected. As people come to Celina and experience how life truly is better here, they begin to understand that our motto isn’t merely another town cliché. Life Connected. is the way we honor our heritage while pioneering an exciting road before us. Simply put, it is our way of life and living here. Our feature article in this issue further develops the concept of our motto and talks about the care that must be given to upholding the vision and values that we have historically shared while navigating through the robust future that is on our horizon. I hope you will enjoy reading this article and will join us in safeguarding the very things that make Celina the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

City Council Members

Sean Terry Mayor

Jay Pierce

Mayor Pro Tem, Place 2

Wendie Wigginton

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, Place 4

Philip Ferguson Place 1

Andy Hopkins Place 3

Mindy Koehne Place 5

Tony Griggs Place 6

Some of the great traditions we share are the incomparable citywide events held throughout the year. These events are not only great community builders for our residents, but they give us an opportunity to showcase our City to friends and visitors throughout North Texas. We are excited for our upcoming 2023 schedule that will kick off on March 3rd with one of our longestrunning events Friday Night Market. In addition, this spring will be packed full of events with Friday Night Markets, Movie Night, Music Night, Cinco de Mayo celebration, and Cajun Fest - our signature event. The best part is that all of these events are free to the public.

Again, I am so glad you are enjoying this informative and enjoyable edition of Life Connected. This magazine is another way that the City of Celina can keep all of us connected as we journey through these exciting days. I am proud of our team that put together this great piece, and I know you will want to make sure your friends and relatives also have a copy. Stop by one of the Life Connected. magazine stands on the Square, or visit the Heritage Museum, City Hall, or any of our partners around town who make this resource available to our residents and guests.

Happy Spring from all of us who work and serve this great City!

Yours truly,

Jason Laumer, City Manager

Jason Laumer City Manager

City Council Highlights

Employee Recognition: Captain Justin Beamis

Captain Justin Beamis recently completed the National Fire Academy’s (NFA’s) Managing Officer Program, which is a multi-year curriculum program that introduces emerging emergency services leaders to personal and professional skills in change management, risk reduction, and adaptive leadership. A 10-year veteran of the Celina Fire Department, Beamis was one of 125 applicants to be selected for this prestigious program. In the State of Texas, only 132 fire officers currently hold the NFA Managing Officer Program Certification.

Marketing and Events Awards

The Marketing and Events Department placed first in three categories and second in three categories at the Texas Festivals & Events Association Kaliff Marketing Awards.

Field of the Year

Leadership Academy Graduation

The City’s inaugural Leadership Academy Class graduated. Leadership Academy is a ninemonth program open to City employees interested in developing their leadership skills.

The City of Celina is a “Home-Rule Municipality” governed by a Mayor and six City Council members who are elected by the residents. City Council Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 PM inside City Council Chambers located at 112 N. Colorado Street in Celina.

All City Council Meeting Agendas are posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. Each meeting is live-streamed and recorded for those that cannot attend. Streaming information and agenda packets can be found online at www.celina-tx.gov/citycouncil.

From left to right Fire Chief Mark Metdker, Captain Justin Beamis, and Assistant Fire Chief Eric Everson

The Celina EDC presented the proceeds of the annual Celina Gift Tour to Grace Bridge.

EDC Gift Tour Funds

The Parks and Recreation Department was awarded Softball Field of the Year by the Texas Turfgrass Association.

Flag Presentation

An American Flag was presented to veteran Melissa Gresham on behalf of the American Legion Post 145 for her dedication and service.

Fall 2022 Coaches of the Year, Parent of the Year

The Celina Parks & Recreation staff recognized its Coaches and Parent of the Year for its fall sports season at the February City Council Meeting. The Fall 2022 Coaches of the Year were Ray Tingle and Cory Aubuchon, and Parent of the Year was Jennifer Rojas.

Employee Recognition: Andy Glasgow

Andy Glasgow, Director of Engineering, was recognized for completing and obtaining his Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. Glasgow has served the City in multiple roles for five years. We are grateful for his dedicated service to our residents!

BRODY WILLIAMS Mayor for the Evening

Mayor Sean Terry invited local middle school student Brody Williams to be Mayor for the evening. Mayor Brody assisted Mayor Terry with the entire February City Council Meeting.

2022 VOLUNTEER STATISTICS

City of Celina has seen a tremendous surge in volunteerism over the last few years. We have grown the City volunteer program over 200% since 2020. In 2022, the City piloted its first official volunteer program and onboarded more than 100 new volunteers and five new programs. Volunteering creates community and encourages our residents to live Life Connected. We are proud to share some 2022 volunteer statistics. If you’re interested in 2023 volunteer opportunities, visit volunteer.celina-tx.gov

212 VOLUNTEERS

1,872 HOURS TOTAL

TOP 2022 VOLUNTEERS

(BY HOURS SERVED)

David Hogue

198 hours

Vicky Hogue

93 Hours

Mathew Eberius

58 Hours

Ryan Tubbs

27 Hours

Sharon Christ

26 Hours

Jeremy Page

138 Hours

Karen Williams

58 Hours

Debra Davis

32 Hours

Joe Holland

26 Hours

Anca Iagar Otvos

24 Hours

Life Connected. TO WHOM AND WHAT ARE WE CONNECTED

Special Contribution by Marc Rylander

Just about anyone on any given day can make their way around Celina, Texas, and have an encounter with two words that are quite familiar to people who call this place home. They are found on maps and materials put out by the City. They adorn the Water Tower and City Council Chambers. They are printed on our master plans and reflected in the name of this magazine, Life Connected Adopted as the hometown motto just a few years ago, the words have become a familiar description of the culture that makes Celina so unique; yet their deep meaning and what they represent can sometimes be missed to those who may see them as a casual cliché.

Far more than a catchy slogan or a motto inked by marketing minds, these two words define the core of Celina. They reflect Celina’s past, present, and future. They encapsulate special moments across storied decades that deepened the ties that bind us. They bring

to mind those who came before us and, though gone from us now, left a legacy that still impacts who we are and what we are as a community. Life Connected. is really an expression of the soul of this place. To many, it’s emotional. It’s historical. It’s as much about what was as it is about what is and what will be.

As our City faces rapid changes and growth, Life Connected. must be talked about. While every city’s history has imperfections, the stories, people, and moments within this motto must be introduced and reintroduced over and over again if we truly desire to maintain that beautiful uniqueness that has been so richly intertwined with our history and growth. Most importantly, as the stories are told, we must do so with a clear intention to educate all who come here with the living legacy of this town by explaining to whom and to what are we connected as we pass it on.

OUR LIVES ARE CONNECTED TO THE CELINA BEFORE US

We can never look at the excitement around us today without acknowledging the broad shoulders upon which we stand. Residents today are connected to pioneers who chiseled this community from the wild northern Collin County plains. We stand on the shoulders of Postmaster John Mulkey who borrowed the name Celina from a town in Tennessee and gave us our identity…the shoulders of the family of William Willock, who made the land available for the heart of the town we know today, so that Old Celina could move and the community could thrive from the arrival of the railroad…the shoulders of J. Fred Smith, who in 1907 laid out the Downtown Square that, to this day, is the epicenter of life and trade in the city.

We were shaped and inspired by early civic leaders who embraced the arts and opened an opera house here in 1917. We are connected to business entrepreneurs who, by the 1930’s, operated a dry goods store, seven gas stations, two drug stores, an ice cream factory, two grain elevators, a flour mill, two ice houses, three cotton gins, a lumber yard, a shoe shop, a jewelry store, a blacksmith shop, a bank, and a movie theater.

We build toward the future upon the broad shoulders of passionate educators who built a modern brick school building at the turn of the last century, rebuilt it after a fire, then rebuilt it again after faulty construction. They never stopped building school facilities that would allow generations of educators to prepare our kids to lead and change the world.

We embody the patriotism of war heroes who represented our town in every major military conflict, including the many young men and women who fought and served in WWII. The nearly two dozen of them that never made it home from that war, and more that died in other conflicts. All of their names are etched on the veteran’s monument on the Downtown Square.

And, yes, we stand on the shoulders of some memorable football seasons and victories—moments etched in the history of our hometown that are forever celebrated and cherished. Eight state championships…11 title game appearances…44 state playoff contests…and the impressive record of 68 wins in a row.

When we talk about Life Connected., we must always remember we are first connected to the Celina before us.

OUR LIVES ARE CONNECTED TO THE CELINA BESIDE US

While Life Connected. represents and reminds us of a deeply-rooted and rich past, we also stand on the most fertile foundation for the explosive excitement we experience today. Our once-tiny farming community is now a destination for people around Texas.

Our lives are connected today to a Celina beside us that is becoming one of the most attractive places in the United States to people who are eyeballing a location to build a home, a business, and a family. It’s a place where new residents are welcomed, where local businesses are supported, and where values long ago instilled are still cherished.

Our lives are connected today to that historic Downtown Square that now boasts a growing list of some of the finest restaurants and retail places. We have locations where our residents can gather and celebrate one another and our great community. We have parks that offer spaces for kids and adults to play and enjoy the thrill of winning games and learning the lessons that come from losing some. We have historic homes being restored and new neighborhoods being built. We have new infrastructure expanding and aging structures that are being reimagined.

We are connected to an exciting new college community. What began as a vision in the heart of longtime Celina resident Brenda Goodell became a reality when Collin College opened its beautiful 70-plus-acre campus, offering students of all ages a chance to further develop and grow their minds and skills and to study in a library named in memory of her life and vision.

Our lives are connected today to Celina ISD, a school system that values children and places their success in the classroom and beyond as its highest priority. It’s a district that offers buildings, technology, and athletics facilities that rival some colleges.

We are a community and people connected to those values today—values that from our earliest days have been a beacon of hope and light on these plains. Life Connected. welcomes new families, people, and ideas, but it does so without compromising the soul of Celina for the sake of progress. Our values are who we are. They have connected us for over a century and should connect us until the end.

OUR LIVES ARE CONNECTED TO THE CELINA BEYOND US

Residents of Celina can never exclusively focus on our past and our present. No life-giving organism can exist without preparing for and embracing the next breath— for that which is to come. Life Connected. is, therefore, also about the Celina beyond us.

If one has sat down and talked with our City leadership, taken time to look at our master plans for the future, and perused the plans in the hearts of the Economic Development Corporation or Chamber of Commerce, they would be confident that the community is ready for the Celina beyond us. If one has driven out and seen the master-planned communities rising from the ground, measured the impact of this being the first Gigabit City in Texas, noticed the overwhelming success and growth of community events, and seen the respect Celina has in the eyes of our North Texas neighbors, then it is easy to see that we are connected to a Celina beyond us that can hold true to the place we have come from while catapulting to that which we are becoming.

And now, our unique and fabulous story is wrapped up in the City’s motto, Life Connected.

Rendering of Ousley Park

Rendering of the Ralph O’Dell Senior Center at Ousley Park

Granny’s Mangiamo Italian Market & Deli

Silos in Celina

Swirls Bakery

PRESTON A1 Locksmith and Browning Safes

3-D Dance

First State Bank

Local Liquor

Kolache Shop

7 Brews

Starbucks

Metro Express Car Wash

Monarch Veterinary Clinic

Legacy Bagels

Swig Restaurant

Sharkey’s

Huddleston Building Restaurant FRONTIER

Daylight Donuts

Which Wich/Paciugo

Allergy & Asthma of Prosper & Celina

Gideon Math and Reading

AT&T Store

Cook Children’s Health

OMG Tacos

Rockstar Martial Arts

Methodist Family Medical

Doe Branch Medical and Professional Offices

McDonald’s

Whataburger

*SOME BUSINESSES LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Driving around the Lone Star State, residents and guests in Texas will certainly notice the iconic silver and black historical markers dotting the landscape along the highways and byways of our 250 counties. Each gives a verified account of a person, place, or event that impacted the storied history of this state or a county near the marker. According to the Collin County Historical Commission, this county has over 200 State Historical Markers and over 50 County Historical Markers. Surprisingly, with such a storied past, Celina is home to only a handful of these historical markers.

CONNECTED TO County and State Mark Places

Not that this community is without a story to tell, but the process to have one of these markers placed is labor intensive. Applications go to Austin, through the appropriate county of the potential marker, and can take up to a year for approval by the county or state historical commission. For folks in Celina, the markers already in place tell bits and pieces of the wonderfully rich history of the community. Some of the markers may tell stories more familiar, but some uncover parts of our past that give a new glimpse into the history of our hometown.

The following stories are recorded by current markers and designations in Celina which include:

CELINA HISTORIC SQUARE

In 1910, local businessman J. Fred Smith devised a plan to build a downtown shopping area in Celina. Influenced by the “City Beautiful” movement popular at that time, he acquired land, laid out the “Square” and proceeded to build brick buildings around it. This feat was accomplished in eight months. With Smith’s supervision, Celina soon had macadamized streets, concrete sidewalks, an electric plant, and water and sewage systems. Other improvements to the community were a city park, lake, and the first good road in the county named the Celina Pike. Brick streets were added in 1925. In addition to creating a viable shopping center for a small country town, Smith succeeded in creating a place that added greatly to the quality of life for all of the inhabitants in the area. In the succeeding hundred-plus years, the Square and environs that have been host to an opera house, band shell, movie theaters, Saturday drawings, WWII scrap iron collection point, parades, pep rallies, festivals, street dances, outdoor movie nights, veterans’ memorial, and Cinco de Mayo events. A November 1911 article in The Texas Magazine states “The upbuilding of Celina in the last eight months probably has no parallel in the United States.” A very fitting tribute to a man whose tenacity and vision helped create a place he always referred to as “Celina the City Beautiful.” On October 15, 2011, the community of Celina celebrated the Square’s centennial. (Collin Co. Historical Commission)

TO OUR PAST

Places to be Etched for All Time

Special Contribution by Marc Rylander

NELSON HOTEL

Early Celina settler Richard Tinsley Peterman built this structure in 1914, 12 years after the town moved from its original site (one-mile south) to the railroad line. The building originally housed a grocery store on the ground floor and rental space on the second floor. Charlie Spergon Nelson, who moved his family to Celina in 1917, bought the property in 1922. The family lived on the first floor and operated the Nelson Hotel for railroad travelers on the second floor. The hotel remained in operation under Nelson family ownership until 1976. (TX Historical Commission, 1991)

COTTAGE HILL METHODIST CHURCH AND CEMETERY

According to local tradition, this Methodist Church traces its origin to pioneer religious gatherings organized by Rev. John Culwell. The Methodist campground meetings were held at the home of Culwell’s brother, Andrew, as well as the nearby Honey Creek between 1846-48. The first documentary mention of Cottage Hill Methodist Church is contained in the minutes of the Trinity Conference held in Plano in 1874. A church structure was built on land donated by F.F. Morrill at this site in 1881 where H.H. Sullivan served as pastor. The sizable number of early headstones bearing the name Culwell and the many unmarked graves surrounding the gravesite of Martha Culwell (d.1870), the cemetery’s earliest recorded interment, suggests that the Cottage Hill Cemetery began as a family cemetery. Although located adjacent to each other and believed to have been connected as part of the land deeded to the Cottage Hill Church during the 1880s and 1890s, the church and cemetery have not been formally associated since the establishment of the Cottage Hill Cemetery Association in 1890. The church structure, renovated in 1946, continues to serve the Cottage Hill Methodist Church. (Texas Historical Commission, 1992)

CROSSROADS CEMETERY

The local Baptist community built a church in 1882 approximately three miles east of Celina, just north of the present Crossroads Cemetery. The property, encompassing 1 1/2 acres, had been jointly owned by brothers Abiel D. and Edmond Stelzer. The resulting Crossroads Baptist Church was moved in 1902 to the new town of Celina to be near the St. Louis, San Francisco, and Texas Railway. The church’s name was changed to First Baptist Church of Celina, and in 1930, a quitclaim deed was filed by the church for the Crossroads Cemetery. The earliest marked grave is that of an infant girl, who died in 1875. Today, Crossroads Cemetery continues to serve residents of the area. (Texas Historical Commission, 2006)

ALLA SCHOOL

In 1866, Moses and Mary Jane Hubbard and their daughter, Alla, moved from Missouri to Collin County, where Hubbard was a successful doctor, farmer, and one of the largest landholders in the area. Concerned with the inadequacy of the local school, the Hubbards supplemented Alla’s education at home then sent her to Pritchett Institute in Glasgow, Missouri, where she earned a degree in Literature in 1880. A talented writer, Alla returned to Texas and married Dr. B.F. Spencer in 1884, but died five years later. In 1895, her parents founded a school in her memory. Named Alla School, it was formed from the consolidation of the nearby Emerson and McWhirter School Districts and was completely financed by the Hubbards. With an initial enrollment of 108, Alla School opened in 1896 with nine grades, no scholastic age limit, no tuition, and an eight-month school term. The Hubbards, aware of the benefits of a solid educational background, instituted these uncommon features at a time when there was little support for free public schools. In 1958, the Alla School merged with the Celina Independent School District. Funds from the Hubbard estate, however, continued to serve public education in the Celina Schools. (Texas Historical Commission, 1983)

OLD CELINA CEMETERY

The town of Celina, settled by natives of Celina, Tennessee, was founded near this site in 1870. The oldest grave here is that of a child who died in 1884. W.J. Bounds (1830-1886) donated the land as a community cemetery after the death of Elizabeth McWhorter on February 28, 1885. In 1900, residents of Celina began to relocate their homes and businesses along the railroad. By 1910, only this burial ground remained at the original townsite. A cemetery association was formed in 1918. Several more acres were later added to the cemetery, which contains about 600 graves. (Texas Historical Commission, 1976)

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF MARKERS: SUBJECT MARKERS

Educational in nature and reveal aspects of local history that are important to a community or region.

RECORDED TEXAS HISTORICAL LANDMARK (RTHL) MARKERS

Structures deemed worthy of preservation for their historical associations and architectural significance.

HISTORIC TEXAS CEMETERY (HTC) MARKERS

Only for burial grounds that have previously been approved for HTC designation.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR A HISTORICAL MARKER?

Both the State and County have criteria for being designated with a historical marker. Some of the criteria includes:

• Site is associated with events or locations that have made a significant contribution at least 50 years ago to the cultural, economic, social, archaeological, architectural, or historical heritage of the State of Texas or Collin County.

• Site is associated with persons or groups whose lives were significant in our past.

• Site embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses exceptional artistic value.

TO

LEARN MORE VISIT

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

COLLIN COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

T H U R S D A Y

M A R C H 3 0

5 : 3 0 P M

C I T Y C O U N C I L

C H A M B E R S

Topic of Discussion

S O M E M O R E T O P I C S :

O v e r v i e w o f c i t y w i d e

i n f r a s t r u c t u r e

i m p r o v e m e n t s

P r o j e c t s t h a t h a v e b e e n c o m p l e t e d

C a p i t a l I m p r o v e m e n t

P r o j e c t s u n d e r d e s i g n

a n d / o r u n d e r c o n s t r u c t i o n

M a i n t e n a n c e o f c u r r e n t

i n f r a s t r u c t u r e

S t r e e t r e s p o n s i b i l i t y : C i t y

v s C o u n t y v s T x D O T

I n f r a s t r u c t u r e : S t r e e t s

C A N ' T M A K E I T ?

J O I N U S F O R

C o f f e e w i t h C o u n c i l F

GIS INTERACTIVE DASHBOARD: STREETS

The City of Celina utilizes GIS Interactive & Static Dashboards to keep residents informed on Capital Improvement Projects, Road Projects, and Thoroughfares to name a few.

GIS, which stands for Geographic Information System, is a computerized system that incorporates geographic features with tabular data in order to map, analyze, and assess real world problems. The GIS applications allow end users to perform analysis, edit spatial data, and create hard copy and web-based maps.

In Celina, GIS helps the City improve its decision-making process with the help of layered information where it optimizes cost saving with greater efficiency and improves communication between different departments, elected officials, management, and residents.

To learn more about current projects in the City, please visit our GIS Interactive Dashboard.

STATIC MAP: CELINA ROADWAY PROJECTS

The Annual Street Maintenance Plan

The Annual Street Maintenance Plan for the City includes complete sidewalk and curb repairs, grout sealing, and panel replacements to go along with a full-depth reclamation of roads that need major repairs. In order to facilitate the work, the City has implemented multiple contracts for raw material purchase, including asphalt, gravel, flexbase, sand, and outscores grading for asphalt repairs. The City has also made several significant capital purchases over the last three years, including an asphalt repair truck, dump truck, brine sprayer, sanding spreader, and excavator. Below is a map of Celina, which shows the maintenance responsibilities for each street.

You can make a City service request through the Life Connected. App!

Download the Life Connected. App on Google Play and the Apple App Store!

HOW TO MAKE A SERVICE REQUEST

Each entity has a process to follow when requesting maintenances services. Please follow the QR code to visit the respective websites. For questions on road maintenance, please call Public Works are (972) 382-9986.

COMMUNITY FEATURE: CARTER RANCH

The City of Celina is committed to improving the lives of our residents. The City prioritizes providing the best in public safety, top-ranked schools, innovative infrastructure, and most importantly, listening to feedback from our residents.

Below are some ongoing and future City projects happening in and around Carter Ranch.

SAFETY

The Celina Police Headquarters broke ground in September 2022, which will be located at the corner of Punk Carter Pkwy and Coit Rd. The 75,000-square-foot headquarters will be constructed in multiple phases. The first phase, which will be 32,000-square-feet, is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2024 and will include the main headquarters, office space, community room, training room, kitchen, and courtyard space.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Kinship Pkwy was completed and allows traffic to connect from Punk Carter Pkwy to Choate Pkwy. The Collin County Outer Loop was opened in October and will improve east-west connectivity stretching from Preston Rd and Custer Rd. The City is currently in the design phase for a four-lane concrete road that includes drainage, signage, lights, sidewalks, and landscape to occur on Ownsby Pkwy from Preston Rd to Coit Rd.

SCHOOLS

Collin College-Celina Campus became the first college to open its door in Celina in Fall 2021. Situated at 2505 Kinship Pkwy, Collin College-Celina Campus is a 96,000-square-foot facility that is designed to accommodate 2,500 students and includes 16 classrooms, five computer labs, three science labs, and a health science workforce lab.

COMMUNITY

Carter Ranch has been a past recipient of the City’s Neighborhood Integrity Grant, which has gone to enhance the physical and aesthetic conditions of the development.

SCAN TO VIEW MORE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT INFORMATION

CELINA POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Celina Police Department is committed to keeping its residents safe through dedicated service and involving them as partners. Sometimes, when considering safety, residents tend to think of major crimes such as murder, robbery, burglary, assault, and so on. When in reality, the simple task of daily driving presents the highest risk of danger the average person will face on any given day.

Knowing this, the Celina Police Department has developed a new Traffic Division with the goal of keeping you safe through engineering, education, and enforcement. This new Traffic Division will use the Data Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS). The Traffic Division will collect and compile traffic-related data throughout the city and look for ways to improve traffic safety. This data includes traffic collision reports, citations/warnings issued, citizen complaints, crime statistics, and more.

Recently, the Celina Police Department purchased a Stalker RADAR message board trailer. They named it C.A.R.E.N., which stands for Collecting Analytics Roadside and Educating Neighbors. C.A.R.E.N. collects speed and vehicle count data, which is analyzed and used to provide statistics to officers to ensure resources are allocated effectively and efficiently.

WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, THE CELINA POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKES YOUR COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY AND THEY HAVE A C.A.R.E.N. TO PROVE IT.

CELINA PUBLIC LIBRARY CELINA PUBLIC LIBRARY

BOOK SALE BOOK SALE

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Saturday, April 1, 2023

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Celina Council Chambers

Celina Council Chambers

DO YOU HAVE BOOKS TO DONATE? DO YOU HAVE BOOKS TO DONATE?

DROP OFF LIKE-NEW BOOKS AT THE LIBRARY CIRCULATION DESK!

DROP OFF LIKE-NEW BOOKS AT THE LIBRARY CIRCULATION DESK!

PLEASE NO ENCYCLOPEDIAS, MANUALS, TEXTBOOKS, MAGAZINES, AUDIOBOOKS, OR DVDS

PLEASE NO ENCYCLOPEDIAS, MANUALS, TEXTBOOKS, MAGAZINES, AUDIOBOOKS, OR DVDS

ALL FUNDS FROM THE BOOK SALE WILL GO TOWARD ALL FUNDS FROM THE BOOK SALE WILL GO TOWARD THE LIBRARY'S SUMMER READING PROGRAM THE LIBRARY'S SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Parks & Recreation

FIELDS OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

This nationwide program recognizes hardworking individuals, schools and communities for their dedication and effort in keeping fields and sports facilities looking their best.

Planning for the Future: PARKLAND

As the City grows, abundant, accessible, and innovative recreational space is a top priority. To ensure this, we are strategically acquiring acreage throughout the City. To date, we have 706 acres of land currently in use as recreational space or set aside for future recreational development. This land will be developed into state-of-the-art recreational facilities using data and feedback from our residents. For more information, check out our Parks and Trails Master plans and maps online!

VIEW THE PARKS & TRAILS MASTER PLANS HERE:

The grass fields at Old Celina Park received the 2022 Fields of Excellence Award from Pioneer Athletics.

3/3

THINGS TO DO Around Celina

Friday Night Market

6:00 – 9:00 PM | Downtown Square

Friday Night Market is a great way to get outside, shop local, eat delicious food, and listen to live music – all held in Celina’s Downtown Square. Friday Night Market features a fantastic variety of vendors with something for everyone. Make sure to #ShopLocal and support our homemade, handmade, and homegrown vendors. March’s musical guest will be Tim Urban. Visit lifeincelinatx.com/fnm for more information!

3/14

City Council Meeting

5:00 PM | City Council Chambers

Celina City Council Meetings occur on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers located at 112 N. Colorado St. City Council Meetings are live-streamed and recorded. Visit www.celina-tx.gov/livestream.

3/30

Town Hall: Streets

5:30 PM | City Council Chambers

City of Celina leadership will be hosting its first Town Hall of the year. The Town Hall’s theme will be Streets. Some of the topics to be discussed include street maintenance, developer obligations, road standards, and current and future projects to name a few.

3/31

Coffee with Council

9:00 AM | City Council Chambers

Coffee with Council is a great way to come out and engage, ask questions, and hear directly from our City leadership.

4/1

Celina Public Library Book Sale

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | City Council Chambers

Come out to the Library’s Annual Book Sale! All funds from the Book Sale will go toward the Library’s Summer Reading Program. Do you have books to donate? Please stop by the circulation desk at the Library to drop off all like-new books. Please no encyclopedias, manuals, textbooks, magazines, audiobooks, or DVDs.

4/1

2nd Annual Collin County Neighborhood Conference

9:45 AM – 1:00 PM | The Sanctuary Music & Events Center

Are you an HOA Board Member or a leader in your neighborhood? You need to attend the North Collin County Neighborhood Conference! Participants will learn how to better serve their neighborhood through informative sessions and panel discussions on a range of neighborhood issues, including how to run an effective meeting, and legal issues facing today’s HOAs.

Visit bit.ly/CCNeighborhoodCon to reserve your spot!

4/14

Friday Night Market

6:00 – 9:00 PM | Downtown Square

Friday Night Market is a great way to get outside, shop local, eat delicious food, and listen to live music – all held in Celina’s Downtown Square. Friday Night Market features a fantastic variety of vendors with something for everyone. Make sure to #ShopLocal and support our homemade, handmade, and homegrown vendors. April’s musical guest will be CJ Briscoe.

Visit lifeincelinatx.com/fnm for more information!

4/21

Movie Night on the Square: DC League of Super Pets!

7:00 - 10:00 PM, Movie plays at sunset

Celina’s Downtown Square

Reminiscent of an outdoor drive-in theater, our FREE Movie Night on the Square features a massive blow-up movie screen with seating on the bleachers or lawn. Prior to the movie start, meet Superman and Krypto, enjoy free popcorn, and a free kids zone! Our very special guest All American Dogs will be hosting an adoption and donation event as well! Visit lifeincelinatx.com/movienight for more information!

4/22

Life Connected. Service Day

8:00 AM | City of Celina

The City of Celina is committed to transforming and enhancing our community through acts of service and opportunities to build relationships with our neighbors. The Life Connected. Service Day, a one-day event, seeks to connect volunteers with residents who need assistance with home maintenance and repairs.

Visit celina-tx.gov/celinaserviceday for more information!

Celina Clean Sweep

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 10165 CR 106 4/1

The City’s Public Works Department puts together three Clean Sweep events during the calendar year. Bring out your Spring cleaning! Bulk trash, household hazardous waste items, and more are accepted for disposal. This event is open to all Celina residents with proof of residency.

Visit celina-tx.gov/cleansweep for more information!

Celina Police Department Car Meet

4/22

9:00 -11:00 AM | 110 N. Colorado St.

Come visit with the Celina Police Department’s newest division - Traffic Division! Enjoy coffee, donuts, cars, and conversation to kick off an exciting addition to the Police Department.

Welcome to Celina Workshop

4/24 6:00 – 7:00 PM | City Council Chambers

Join other newcomers to our City as you learn all about City services and how you can engage in your neighborhood and the community. The Welcome to Celina Workshop is a one-hour workshop introducing the most helpful information to equip new residents with all the facts and resources they will need to be a successful and engaged resident. Visit bit.ly/welcometocelina to reserve your spot!

Fire Station #2 Open House

4/29 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | 1805 Light Farms Way

Join us for the Celina Fire Department Open House in Light Farms. Bring your family and friends for an educational and fun day, free of charge. There will be live demonstrations, Junior Firefighter Obstacle Course, station tours, giveaways, face painting, and an opportunity to visit with your local firefighters. The event is free and open to the public. Follow @CelinaFireDept for more information

4/29

Celina Area Historical Society Preservation Celebration

9:30 -11:30 AM | Two29 on the Square

Join the Collin County Historical Commission in conjunction with the Celina Area Historical Association as they present the 16th Annual Preservation Celebration. The winners of the the five historic preservationists awards will be announced and presented.

MAY ELECTION INFORMATION

Last Day to Register to Vote

Thursday, April 6

First Day of Early Voting

Monday, April 24

Last Day to Accept an Application for a Ballot by Mail

Tuesday, April 25

Last Day of Early Voting

Tuesday, May 2

General Election

Saturday, May 6

Voter Registration Deadline

The deadline to register and be eligible to vote in the May 6, 2023 general election is Thursday April 6, 2023. This can be either the postmark date or the date the application is received in the office of the voter registrar. You may, of course, register at any time before that date to ensure that your registration is effective for voting. You can obtain a voter registration application from your voter registrar’s office, libraries, most post offices, and high schools. You can also fill out a voter registration application online or request a postage-paid application to be mailed to you.

On the ballot, residents will be voting for Mayor and City Council Places 4 and 5.

Collin County Elections Department

2010 Redbud Blvd, Suite 102 McKinney, TX 75069

Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday – Friday)

Website: www.collincountytx.gov/elections

Phone: (972) 547-1990 or (972) 424-1460

Ballot by Mail Email: absenteemailballoting@collincountytx.gov

Voter Registration Email: voterregistration@collincountytx.gov

701 Kimberly Dr, Suite A101 Denton, TX 76208

Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday – Friday)

Website: www.votedenton.gov

Phone: (940) 349-3200

Email: elections@dentoncounty.gov

Denton County Elections Department

Boards & Commissions Library Board

The Library Board contributes to the development of the Public Library in the City of Celina. Board members advises staff in developing and implementing policies, planning and setting goals, and serving as advocates for the Celina Public Library.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Library Master Plan - Final adoption planned for June 2023

• Assisted with Cupcakes with Mrs. Claus at Christmas on the Square

• Started developing a Friends of the Library Program

• Assisted with Celina Heritage Festival

• Helped staff implement the Library Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) System

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

Jessica Biwot

Becky Freeman

Daryl Meyer

Molly Page

Jo Rutt

Corinne Weaver

Aaron Zapata

Public meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM in the Celina Public Library