In December, the City Council unanimously approved a $1.4 million contract to begin the final plans for the White Rock Lake dredging project. This contract will provide the engineering design, surveying, sampling, permitting support and other services necessary before the City publicly advertises for bids to dredge White Rock Lake.
The work specified under this contract is underway, and updates will be provided to you on a regular basis. Another component of the contract includes assistance in determining where the lake sediment will be placed and in obtaining permits for the dredging operation.
A few requests for the sediment have already been received, but we will be required to undergo an extensive permitting process before final decisions are made. The engineers and City staff are working on a final schedule, but once again, I want everyone to realize that the entire project will take approximately three years – not the one year that some people originally thought.
If you have any questions, PLEASE call me at 670-4069.
In other good news, at the Dec. 13 council meeting, we approved contracts with a number of firms that will allow us to accelerate the work on the majority of the bond program.
This means that instead of finishing some of the work in four to five years, the work will be completed in three to four years. This projection is predicated on the belief that the economy in Dallas will continue to improve and that we will be able to afford a higher level of debt service on the bonds than originally anticipated.
Continuing with the good news, Dallas will soon be announcing that violent crime is down for the seventh consecutive year. Violent crime was down six percent in 1995.
Important Reminder
If you have a security alarm at your home or business, be sure that you apply for a permit from the City of Dallas. Also, please double check your permit number with your alarm company to make certain that the number is entered correctly into the alarm company’s system. If you have any questions about obtaining your permit or the number, please call 744-1000.
Flood Gauges
After last year’s flood on May 5, City staff identified a number of measures that could help citizens avoid danger in the event of future flash floods. One of these is the installation of flood gauges and warning signs. The Street Operations Division has identified 79 flood-prone locations throughout the City.
The gauges are being installed to warn of flooding possibility and to provide a quick visual indicator of the depth of the water should flooding occur.
It is recommended that these areas be avoided during periods of heavy rain or when high water is present. The locations in the White Rock area where gauges have been or will be installed include the following:
4600 Abrams beneath the railroad trestle, West Lawther at Williamson, Dalgreen at West Lawther, 1300 Peavy, 6500 Mockingbird at Williamson, 1000 Buckner at Dixon Branch, 800 Easton and 9500 Lake Highlands.
Problem Solvers
Our office continues to receive a high number of requests from citizens to resolve City-related problems. I regret that so many people are inconvenienced by these problems, but I am happy to respond when notified.
On that note, I am delighted to welcome Dawana Thompson to the staff of District 9. Dawana works closely with my assistant, Marsha Cranford.
In the event that I am not in my office, please ask for either of them, and you can be assured that your message will get to me.
Town Hall Meetings
The District 9 Dallas Plan and town hall meeting is scheduled Feb. 1 at Ridgewood Recreation Center, which, as many of you know, is getting a new flooring treatment. Soon, a meeting will be scheduled in the area north of Mockingbird and west of Abrams.
The annual meeting in the Forest Hills area is scheduled Feb. 22. I hope to get around to all parts of the district often, and I welcome your attendance.
A meeting to discuss the economic development and beautification opportunities along Garland Road is also in the planning stages.
If you want details on a particular meeting, just call me at 670-4069. I look forward to hearing from you.
