SEPTEMBER 2022
IN THIS ISSUE PHASE 2 NOW UNDERWAY! ALLEN LIBRARY EXPANSION TRACK YOUR WATER USE SMART WATER METER INSTALL ALLEN POLICE OFFERS PROJECT H.O.M.E. SERVICE HAVE SOME FUN THIS FALL! UPCOMING EVENTS IN ALLEN STRIKE A POSE! BEST SPOTS FOR FAMILY PHOTOS
ALLEN CITY COUNCIL Ken Fulk Mayor
Daren Meis
Councilmember, Place No. 1
Carl Clemencich
Councilmember, Place No. 2
Dave Cornette
Councilmember, Place No. 3
Chris Schulmeister
Mayor Pro Tem, Place No. 4
Dave Shafer
Councilmember, Place No. 5
Ben Trahan
Councilmember, Place No. 6
CITY MANAGEMENT Eric Ellwanger
Eric Strong
City Manager
Deputy City Manager
Tim Dentler
Rebecca Vice
Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager
YOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR ALLEN NEWS & EVENTS
PHASE 2 NOW UNDERWAY! ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY EXPANSION Plans to expand Allen Public Library are moving forward. In July, City Council approved a $949,297 contract with Hidell and Associates Architects to develop schematic and detail designs and prepare construction documents. Allen Public Library received more than 2,000 responses to public surveys during the first phase on the project. Architects used that feedback, as well as input from the project steering committee, Library staff focus groups, tours of local libraries and other evaluations, in conceptual designs. Final designs are expected to be complete in Spring 2023. At that time, construction bids will be solicited and negotiated before a final construction contract is submitted to City Council for consideration. If approved, construction is expected to begin Fall 2023 with a preliminary estimate of 15 months for completion.
FOLLOW THE PROGRESS:
AllenLibrary.org/Expansion
SMART WATER METERS
A smarter way to track your water use
HYDRUS
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Citywide installation of Smart Water Meters begins this fall! Here’s what you need to know before your meter arrives. Consistent, 30-day billing periods, hourly water use data and automatic leak alerts are just a few of the perks of Smart Water Meters, coming soon to every Allen home and business. The first meters will be installed in October 2022, with 2,000-3,000 meters added each month through December 2023.
What to Expect
Beginning 4-6 weeks before receiving a new meter, residential customers will receive a letter and door hanger with details about upcoming work. The process of swapping meters typically takes 15-30 minutes. Crews will leave a door hanger to notify you when work is completed, or to inform you if the installation was unable to occur and must be rescheduled. Commercial customers will be contacted separately regarding installation procedures.
NEW FEATURE! City of Allen Customer Dashboard
New meters will sync with a new customer dashboard, allowing every customer to access hourly water use data, review history of past water use, enroll in optional text/email leak alerts, estimate upcoming bills and more! You’ll receive instructions on how to access this optional (but totally awesome) feature once your new meter is installed.
SMART METER BENEFITS Track your own use • Smart meters help you understand how much water you use and when you use it. • This helps eliminate surprises and even allows customers to estimate monthly bills. • Frequent meter readings allow for reliable monthly billing increments set for every 30 days – a feature our residents specifically requested.
Stop wasting water
Save now and later
• Use detailed, hourly data to identify unexpected water use—such as incorrectlyprogrammed sprinkler systems or a running toilet.
• Track data over time to understand how simple changes to your water use habits can have a big impact on your monthly bill.
• Get leak alerts when you use a very large amount of water at once, or small amounts of water over a continuous period.
• Benefit from more efficient processes leading to reduced City service costs over time.
• Use video tutorials to help fix common leaks – and avoid unnecessary calls to a plumber.
• Help delay the need for costly water infrastructure projects by contributing to reduced citywide water use.
QUESTIONS? SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT
CityofAllen.org/SmartMeters
DIEHL
SCAN HERE TO ENROLL
ALLEN POLICE OFFERS PROJECT H.O.M.E. SERVICE ABOUT THE SERVICE
HOW THE SERVICE WORKS
Project H.O.M.E. (Help Our Missing and Endangered Persons) helps first responders identify children or adults who are unable to communicate their names or addresses due to a cognitive impairment such as autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome or a traumatic injury.
If the individual is found wandering, the Allen Police Department can search the database for individuals who match the physical description. With photo identification, medical information and emergency contacts easily accessible, police can return the individual to caregivers quickly and safely.
HOW TO ENROLL IN THE SERVICE
A caregiver of the special needs individual can enroll into the service in one of following ways listed below. After the individual is enrolled, Allen Police Department’s Records Technicians will input the photo, physical descriptions and other information into the Records Management System. • ONLINE: Visit AllenPolice.org/ProjectHOME or scan the QR code above with your phone’s camera. • IN-PERSON: Stop by and visit the Allen Police Department Headquarters located at 205 W. McDermott Drive - Allen, TX 75013.
LEARN MORE: AllenPolice.org/ProjectHOME
HAVE SOME FUN THIS FALL SEASON! VIEW DETAILS AND DISCOVER MORE EVENTS AT: CITYOFALLEN.ORG
OCTOBER 4
OCTOBER 8
OCTOBER 22
NOVEMBER 5
National Night Out
Arbor Day Celebration
CeCe’s Tracks
Allen
& Treats
Recycles Day
STRIKE A POSE! BEST SPOTS FOR FAMILY PHOTOS Take out the matching flannels because it’s officially family photo season! Capture special moments with your loved ones as you explore these hidden Allen gems. Do you have a go-to location around town for family photos? Share your favorite spots with us by using #NoPlaceLikeAllen!
ALLEN HERITAGE VILLAGE
ALLEN TRAIN DEPOT
SPIRIT PARK
CIVIC PLAZA AT CITY HALL
352 St Mary Drive
100 E. Main Street
1151 Ridgeview Drive
305 Century Parkway
With several of Allen’s oldest homes, outbuildings and churches, families can transform any picturesque area to suit their preferred style and celebration.
All aboard! The Ebenezer Allen Locomotive and caboose, located in front of the Allen Heritage Center, is a great spot for highlighting the city’s railroad heritage.
From the Hideout Playground to a pollinator garden, Spirit Park sparks a natural spirit of play! Whimsical, sculptural artwork make a perfect portrait backdrop.
Located near City Hall, Allen Civic Plaza’s native landscaping and stream-like water feature is an ideal location for capturing fall colors.
Tag your photos. Share the love! Instagram
FIND US IN YOUR FAVORITE PLACES!
305 Century Parkway Allen, TX 75013 CityofAllen.org • 214.509.4100
YouTube
Nextdoor
TV: Spectrum, Frontier, Grande Cable, AT&T U-Verse Live Streaming and Video on Demand: ACTV.org
Allen in Focus is publication of the City of Allen Public and Media Relations Office. These updates are provided to residents periodically in City utility bills and LIFE in Allen Activity Guides.