Garland City Press - March 2021

WINTER STORM RESPONSE AND RESOURCES MARCH-APRIL 2021 | VOLUME 29, ISSUE 2 | GarlandTX.gov

WINTER

STORM

In mid-February, a historic winter storm plunged north Texas temperatures below zero and the region’s residents into extended power outages and a nightmare of broken pipes. Garland’s leaders and City employees responded throughout the storm and its aftermath to meet needs all across the community.

As you’d expect, Police, Fire and Streets personnel were on the job 24/7. So was Garland Power & Light as problems with the statewide grid became a nightmare for residents. Water employees were critical too as pipes at residences and businesses across Garland began to burst from the record cold.

Behind the scenes, Fleet personnel refueled generators around the clock to keep City personnel in motion. Dispatchers handled thousands of calls during several consecutive days and often slept on cots at the station. Warehouse, Transportation, Wastewater, IT … a broad list of departments were pressed into service by the storm.

Staff from across the organization contributed as two recreation centers were converted to 24-hour warming centers. And when a quarter of the city’s apartment residents were left without a water connection, Central Library became a distribution hub for community-donated drinking water.

WINTER STORM BY THE NUMBERS of water 146,000+ Bottles distributed from

GP&L COMMITS TO REVIEW AND RESOLVE COMMUNICATIONS GAP During a Feb. 22 City Council Work Session in the immediate aftermath of the 2021 winter storm, Garland Power & Light General Manager Jeff Janke addressed storm impact on Garland’s electric customers.

Central Library; almost half went to apartments, the rest to individuals in need

apartment 5,899 Garland units affected by the winter event

Janke apologized to the Council and Garland residents for failures in two areas. First, he acknowledged failure to adequately communicate to customers and provide adequate ways for customers to communicate with GP&L. Second, he addressed the design of the citywide distribution system, which should have better accommodated rolling blackouts.

“I take full responsibility for the lack of communication during the event and commit to the Council and our customers that GP&L will be conducting a thorough review of our distribution system,” said Janke. “In fact, we will be conducting an autopsy, if you will, of how our organization performed and what things need to modified from the very top to the very bottom.”

Janke also thanked GP&L employees for the countless hours they worked and the spirit in which they conducted themselves in the most demanding of circumstances.

“Our employees have spent their entire careers dedicated to ensuring that Garland’s citizens are provided reliable electricity to their homes and businesses. When that ability is taken away from them in a statewide event such as what we suffered through last week, there is deep feeling of helplessness and understandable frustration.”

GP&L and the City of Garland are committed to resolving the issues within their span of control that contributed to the difficulties many Garland residents faced during the winter storm.

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Garland City Press March-April 2021

1,170 928 158

Fire calls in a five-day period starting 7 a.m. Feb. 14; 700 Water Department calls during that same period Calls to Police and Fire dispatch in a peak eight-hour time period Consecutive hours worked by Garland Street Department crews; Water Utilities and Garland Power & Light had similar nonstop times of service

Garland’s Utility Customer Service is available to assist residents whose water bills might reflect excessive water consumption due to broken pipes. Be sure to save evidence of your break, such as photos and receipts.

UTILITY BILLS Garland Power & Light residential customers are all on a fixed rate plan. Customers outside the GP&L service territory who chose a variable rate plan may see a significant increase in their electric bill.

On March 1, the Garland City Council proposed a one-time residential water bill adjustment to offset the costs related to dripping faucets during the cold weather event. The 2,000-gallon credit will show as a reduction of the monthly Cost of Basic Service charge. This adjustment applies to both single-family and multi-family residents.

Check GarlandTX.gov for updates.

Garland Utilities will always work with customers who might be struggling to pay.

Call Utility Customer Service at 972-205-2671 or CustServ@GarlandTX.gov to request or discuss possible credits.

RECOVERY ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES

Inside this Issue Feature

Page

COVID-19

Response and Recovery Pages

FEMA ASSISTANCE

Garland individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the winter storm can now apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 for TTY users.

The Building Inspection Department is waiving permit fees for work related to winter storm repairs. The department also monitors a list of current plumbing contractors and other resources property owners might need. Call 972-205-2300 or email BuildingInspections@GarlandTX.gov.

Programs are available to assist income-eligible homeowners in Garland with emergency home repairs such as broken pipes, HVAC repairs, and electrical repairs.

Please call 972-205-2130 to obtain information to apply.

The Small Business Administration issues low-interest loans to individuals and businesses to support recovery. Visit DisasterLoanAssistance.SBA.gov or call 800-659-2955.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Snap Benefits for food replenishment call 211, option 2 or visit hhs.texas.gov or yourtexasbenefits.com.

Resources for Texans with Special Needs: 877-541-7905 or accessibleemergencyinfo@gmail.com.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990

Legal Aid of North West Texas Disaster Assistance Hotline: 855-548-8547

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10 City Council

City Services

City Council Meeting Schedule

GP&L Renewable Power

CGTV Listings

Outdoor Warning System

2021 Council Elections

Chlorine Maintenance

05

12

City News

Quality of Life

Vaccination Events and Registration COVID Recovery Resources

Library Master Plan

Build Garland Day

Earth Day

Interactive Zoning

Recreation Center Events

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Water Inventive “Story Map”

Neighborhoods & Development

What's Being Built There Taking It to the Streets Where the Heart Is 2021

Email

Garland@GarlandTX.gov On the Web

Visit GarlandTX.gov for an updated resource list.

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GarlandTX.gov MakeYourMarkGarland.com

Note: As Garland venues reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic, check GarlandTX.gov for arts, library, parks and other program listings.

On Social Media

@GarlandTXGOV

City of Garland, Texas Government #MYMGarland

#GarlandTX

March-April 2021 Garland City Press

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2021 Council Elections

CGTV Listings

Channel 16 (Spectrum), Channel 44 (Frontier) or Channel 99 (AT&T U-verse), GarlandTX.tv

The City of Garland will hold a General Election for two-year terms for Mayor and Districts 3, 6, 7 and 8 and a Special Election on May 1, 2021 for the final year of an unfinished term in District 1.

City Council

» Meeting dates and times subject to change.

Candidates in the City election in the order they will appear on the ballot (U indicates unopposed):

» Meetings are broadcast

at GarlandTX.gov via live streaming and on-demand, and on CGTV with several rebroadcasts during the week of the meeting.

Mayor

Scott LeMay Roel G. Garcia, Sr.

District 1

John Grimley Angie Whitney Jeff Bass

CITY COUNCIL SCHEDULE

• •

Live broadcast – 6 p.m. March 1, March 15, April 5 and April 19 Rebroadcast the following Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 9 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday – 7 p.m.

District 3

City Council Regular Meetings

• •

Live broadcast – 7 p.m. March 2, March 16, April 6 and April 20 Rebroadcast the following Wednesday – 9 a.m., Friday – 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Early voting locations in Garland include the Dallas College Garland Campus, 675 W. Walnut St., and the South Garland Branch Library, 3845 Broadway Blvd.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, May 1. Garland residents may vote at any polling place in Dallas County.

The Garland Chamber of Commerce and Garland NAACP will host candidates of the General City Election, as well as the Garland Independent School District, in virtual political forums.

Ed Moore Angela Graham-West PC Mathew Vicki Jackson High

City Council Work Sessions

April 1 is the last day to register to vote in the May 1 election. Early voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, April 19, through Saturday, April 24; from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 25; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, April 26, and Tuesday, April 27.

Visit GarlandTxNAACP.org for information on the 6:45 p.m.

Thursday, March 25, event.

District 6

Robert Vera (U)

District 7

Dylan Hedrick (U)

District 8

Robert John Smith (U)

Visit GarlandChamber.com for information on the 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 14, event.

Plan Commission

– 7 p.m. March 8, March 22, April 12 and April 26 • Meetings Meetings rebroadcast the following Tuesday, Thursday • and Fridaywill– 9bea.m.

City Council Members Mayor

Scott LeMay 972-205-2400 214-794-8904 Mayor@GarlandTX.gov

District

1

Ricky C. McNeal 214-500-0184 Council1@GarlandTX.gov

District

5

Rich Aubin 972-325-2529 Council5@GarlandTX.gov

Keep up with the latest public meetings.

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Garland City Press March-April 2021

Receive public meeting agendas in your inbox.

1

Visit GarlandTX.gov.

2 Click on the “Public Meeting Agendas” link.

3 Click on the blue “Subscribe” button.

4 Select the agendas you want to receive.

District

2

Deborah Morris Deputy Mayor Pro Tem 214-273-4387 Council2@GarlandTX.gov

District

District

Jerry Nickerson Mayor Pro Tem 972-205-2292 Council3@GarlandTX.gov

6

Robert Vera 469-782-4482 Council6@GarlandTX.gov

3

District

7

Dylan Hedrick 469-560-6099 Council7@GarlandTX.gov

District

B.J. Williams 972-898-7672 Council4@GarlandTX.gov

District

8

Robert John Smith 469-223-4723 Council8@GarlandTX.gov

Meetings are broadcast at GarlandTX.gov via live streaming and on-demand, and on CGTV with several rebroadcasts during the week of the meeting.

CGTV Listings

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Channel 16 (Spectrum), Channel 44 (Frontier) or Channel 99 (AT&T U-verse), GarlandTX.tv

City News

Vaccination Events and Registration

COVID-19 Recovery Resources

The City of Garland and other community partners are facilitating access to recovery programs for residents who have been impacted by COVID-19.

COVID-19

The Garland Health Department is registering persons for its COVID-19 vaccine waiting list. The vaccine is free. COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary. As vaccine becomes available, we schedule vaccination events and notify those who are eligible to attend in the order that they registered to the list.

A link to the registration is provided at GarlandTX.gov/COVIDvaccine. Our libraries have computers and staff who can help you use them. Our Health Department can register you at 972-205-3900 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has translation services available.

We are excited to serve as a vaccination hub and want everyone on our list to get the vaccine.

However, we have no control over how many doses of vaccine we receive.

You are, therefore, encouraged to register with multiple vaccine hubs to maximize your opportunity. We list many of the hub providers at GarlandTX.gov/COVIDvaccine. When you receive your vaccine, please remember to cancel your other registrations. This allows providers to get through their waitlists more efficiently.

To cancel your Garland registration, email GPH@GarlandTX.gov or call 972-205-3900.

Those impacted by COVID-19 may apply for assistance with rental and mortgage payments during the pandemic. Rental assistance is available through the following partners: Charities of Dallas Inc.: Leave a message at 214-257-0674 with • Catholic questions or to meet one-on-one for assistance with the application

process, and a representative will contact you as soon as possible; visit GarlandTX.gov and click “Recovery Resources” for a link to the application

Army: 214-637-8204, mark.sliter@uss.salvationarmy.org • Salvation (non-COVID assistance available) • Under 1 Roof: 214-343-4000, Under1RoofDallas.org • Transcend COVID Rental Assistance: 800-758-9151, transcendstem.org

For mortgage assistance, call the Salvation Army at 214-637-8204 or email mark.sliter@usssalvationarmy.org.

Assistance in meeting food supply needs is available from Good Samaritans of Garland. Call 972-276-2263 or visit goodsamofgarland.org.

Seniors and disabled adults may also qualify for meal delivery services through the Meals on Wheels program. Call 214-689-2681 or visit vnatexas.org.

Additional utility, food and basic needs assistance for Garland residents age 62 or older who are experiencing a loss due to COVID-19 is available through The Senior Source Elder Financial Safety Program. Call 214-823-5700 or email efsc@theseniorsource.org.

Assistance is also available for those who need job training and placement, or medical and counseling services, or who are domestic violence victims or homeless because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit GarlandTX.gov and click on “Recovery Resources.”

March-April 2021 Garland City Press

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BUILD GARLAND DAY

On Build Garland Day, Wednesday, Jan. 13, the City backed a record investment from its residents with a record day of groundbreaking, sign-raising and celebration of new projects.

Garland is delivering on its $423.7 million bond program, even in a pandemic. City leaders made a socially distanced tour of five sites on Build Garland Day, with the public connected to the event via Facebook Live.

Build Garland Day’s first stop was the playground at Hall Park.

At 24 parks all over Garland, one of four styles of playgrounds are being installed – traditional, nature play, themed play and adventure/fitness – as part of a $117.8 million investment in parks and recreation from the bond program. Hall Park will be getting new adventure/fitness play equipment and a picnic area with a shade structure.

At Miller Road and Glenbrook Drive, ground was then broken on a project aimed to transform Rick Oden Park. A 40,000-square-foot skatepark will include areas for street plaza style skating, bowl features and an area for learners.

"The skateboard community transcends age differences, racial differences and economic differences and that's so important," said District 5 Council Member Rich Aubin, who noted the input toward the project from the Garland Youth Council and the skateboarding community. "It's a microcosm of our bond program in that there's something for everyone. There is a place for everyone here in Garland and if you have needs, we see you and we hear you."

"Our residents and our voters spoke very clearly during this bond process that our parks needed attention," Mayor Scott LeMay said. "We will be able to measure our return on investment through happy kids."

The second groundbreaking of Build Garland Day was the celebration of a new 18,000-square-foot police property and evidence building. It will provide safe and secure evidence processing settings for officers and staff with modern chainof-custody protocols and twice the space of Garland’s existing facility.

Then, a sign was raised along Walnut Street, celebrating the relocation of Walnut Creek Branch Library. Voters have actually blessed this project twice, once in the bond election to fund replacing the current structure on nearby Edgewood Drive and then on Nov. 3, 2020, to approve Hollabaugh Park as the site for the new library. On the eve of Build Garland Day, Jan. 12, the Garland City Council approved a design agreement for Walnut Creek Branch Library. Construction is anticipated to start in mid-2022.

BuildGarland.com 6

Garland City Press March-April 2021

Rick Oden Park’s baseball history will be rejuvenated with a field featuring the largest dimensions of any in the city, targeting older baseball players who Garland's current fields do not accommodate. More than two miles of new trails and sidewalk connections are planned, as well as two new restroom buildings, a large playground with multiple features, new picnic and shade pavilions at both ends of the park, and a food truck and picnic plaza for vendors near the baseball field and skateboard facility.

City leaders put the wraps on the eventful Build Garland Day by raising the sign for Fire Station No. 7 at 1805 Pleasant Valley Road. One of three new stations being constructed through the bond program, it will replace a 35-year-old station nearby.

Construction is anticipated to start in late 2024.

The largest bond program in City history was approved by voters in May 2019. Follow the progress of all our bond projects at BuildGarland.com.

Interactive Zoning

City News

With interactive mapping and easier-to-read notifications, zoning cases in Garland have become simpler to follow.

Staff has been working with the City Council and Plan Commission to improve the zoning notification process by providing clearer, more informative and transparent information to the public.

That includes non-English speakers. Full translation in Spanish and Vietnamese has been added to contact letters — the notifications to nearby properties when a zoning change is proposed. Staff has also removed some of the technical jargon from the letters, within legal limits, in an attempt to make them easier to understand. And we’ve left more space for the neighbors’ written comments.

But you don’t have to live within a certain distance of a property to weigh in at GarlandPlanning.org, the online home for these cases. Click on “Active Zoning Cases” and you’ll be routed to a map of the city that features all current zoning cases. Click on any of the marked properties and you’ll receive background information on the case and the ability to register your comments on the proposal. As with the letters, the information is available in three languages.

In an effort to make sure people notice where new zoning is proposed, Garland is also placing more noticeable signs on the properties themselves. At least two bright green signs with large black lettering will be found at sites with active zoning cases. Those signs include a quick response (QR) code that links a user to GarlandPlanning.org and information about the case.

For more information, call 972-205-2445 or visit GarlandPlanning.org.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT For the second year in a row and the third time in four years, the Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant will receive a “Plant of the Year” award from the Water Environment Association of Texas.

The award will be presented virtually in April as part of the Texas Water 2021 conference.

The award is presented to a Texas municipal wastewater treatment plant that has consistently exhibited outstanding performance of daily activities beyond the normal call of duty.

March-April 2021 Garland City Press

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WHAT’S

Garland is buzzing with new development.

BEING BUILT THERE?

1

A retail building is under construction at the southeast corner of President George Bush Turnpike and Mansions Drive.

2

Under construction at 3102 Zion Road is a multifamily development, consisting of approximately 132 units. Also under construction is an extension of Zion Road.

3

A multitenant retail building is under construction at 609 E. Oates Road.

Taking It to the Streets Projects scheduled to begin in March-April A

Arcady Drive, Linda Drive to south cul-de-sac Street reconstruction

B

Glenbrook Drive, Carroll Drive to Centerville Road Street reconstruction

C

Glenfield Drive, Cumberland Drive to First Street Street Reconstruction

D

Monica Drive, Arcady Drive to Dairy Road Street Reconstruction

Ongoing projects E Avon Drive, Stratford Drive to cul-de-sac Street reconstruction F Centerville Road, Broadway Boulevard to State Highway 66 Concrete street repair

1

G Country Valley Road, Centerville Road to Scott Drive Concrete street repair

I

F

H

A D

Cranford Drive, Cortez Drive to Denton Drive Street reconstruction

I

First Street, Buckingham Road to Lavon Drive Concrete street repair

635 East

C E

H

UPDATE

G

B

2 3

Texas Department of Transportation Project

In the months of March and April, expect to see an increase of bridge construction along the project. Also planned is partial bridge demolition of Interstate 635 main lanes at Kingsley, Plano and Jupiter roads and Garland Avenue.

Bridge building continues throughout the corridor with new structures at several intersections including the Interstate 30 and I-635 interchange.

Visit 635East.com for information about the project.

Visit GarlandTX.gov/Garland635Info for information specific to Garland.

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Garland City Press March-April 2021

Neighborhoods & Development

WHERE THE HEART IS 2021 The Office of Neighborhood Vitality partners with Garland neighborhoods to support and encourage neighborhood improvements through the Where the Heart Is program.

Over the course of the program year, we seek resident input, coordinate beautification efforts and connect neighbors to each other and outside resources.

In 2021 we will be working with the Williams Estates neighborhood and the surrounding Park Groves area. This is an area of 1,300 single family homes, two multifamily housing units, three churches and several businesses, located between Forest Lane, Miller Road, Shiloh Road and South Garland Avenue. It is also the area of Garland most severely hit by the October 2019 tornado.

We are so excited to meet these families, hear their stories and work together to enhance their Garland neighborhood. There are a couple ways to get involved, so don’t delay!

Give your Time: Are you interested in volunteering in Garland? Join our email list and be the first know about upcoming opportunities.

Join the Effort: Do you live in this area and want to get involved in these efforts? Sign up online to learn more, give your feedback and meet your neighbors!

For more information, visit GarlandNeighborhoods.org and click on “Where The Heart Is.”

Neighborhood Vitality Matching Grant Application Deadline March 23

The Neighborhood Vitality Matching Grant program enables registered neighborhood groups, both voluntary and mandatory, to apply for matching funds for physical enhancement projects in publicly accessible spaces. These projects encourage neighbors to work together to create projects unique to their neighborhood while boosting a sense of pride and ownership.

Applications are due to the Office of Neighborhood Vitality

by Tuesday, March 23. View updated neighborhood match requirements and access all forms and guidelines at GarlandNeighborhoods.org.

Questions?

Contact the Office of Neighborhood Vitality at Neighborhoods@GarlandTX.gov or 972-205-2445.

Register Your Neighborhood Group Does your neighborhood have a neighborhood group, crime watch or homeowner association? If so, register your organization with the Office of Neighborhood Vitality (ONV) to stay up to date with what’s happening in the city, networking, grants, and other resources and opportunities. The ONV requests that neighborhood groups update their registration once a year. Visit GarlandNeighborhoods.org to register or update your registration.

Neighborhood Leader

MEET & GREET 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25 • Virtual Event

FREE – REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Mark your calendar for the next Neighborhood Leader Meet & Greet. You will hear City updates, network with other neighborhood leaders and learn of potential opportunities for your neighborhood. Register now at GarlandNeighborhoods.org.

March-April 2021 Garland City Press

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STAY SAFE

with Outdoor Warning Sirens Sign Up for 100% Renewable Power from GP&L Garland Power & Light offers customers a sustainable power option with Green Choice, which provides 100% renewable energy from Texas solar and wind resources.

The cost is just a penny more per kilowatt-hour than GP&L’s regular rate. Green Choice customers using an average of 1,300 kWh per month will only pay an additional $13 per month to help support a clean environment. A minimum 12-month commitment is required.

Select Green Choice by enrolling online at gpltexas.org/GreenChoice or calling 972-205-2671.

City Services

Severe weather season is upon us, and the Office of Emergency Management wants you to be prepared.

One of the ways you and your family can stay safe is to know what to do when you hear outdoor warning sirens (OWS).

OWS are used to alert people who are outside of approaching or existing hazardous conditions that require immediate protective actions. Many people will not hear the sirens when they are indoors, so we recommend signing up for the Garland Alert System.

Traditionally, these systems have been mistaken as “tornado sirens,” a term that fails to acknowledge all reasons for activating sirens. The most common of several other reasons why the City of Garland could activate siren systems include:

Garland Alert System is a free service that will send alerts via phone call, email and/or text. Visit GarlandTX.gov/alerts to sign up.

in excess of 70 miles per hour •• Winds Hail of 1.75 inches (golf ball size) in diameter or larger We may also sound OWS when there is a potential or occurring catastrophic event that affects the lives and safety of our residents.

Remember: If you hear the sirens, seek shelter and information immediately!

For indoor warning, obtain a NOAA all hazards radio (with S.A.M.E. technology) which immediately alerts when the National Weather Service issues a warning.

More preparedness information can be found on the Office of Emergency Management website: Garland-OEM.com

Texas SmartScape Can Help Ease Water Pollution Stormwater and irrigation runoff carry pesticides and fertilizers from residential yards to neighborhood creeks, ponds and lakes.

This impacts aquatic life and our sources of drinking water.

Fertilizer is often applied in the spring and fall, times of significant rainfall in many parts of Texas. This means a high percentage of fertilizer never even reaches the targeted plants, but instead enters our waterways through runoff.

Eliminating or minimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers in your landscape helps keep these harmful chemicals out of our environment. The plants in the Texas SmartScape database should thrive without the use of much — if any — synthetic fertilizer or pesticides. The Texas SmartScape program also includes tips for water-efficient irrigation and proper application of fertilizers and pesticides, which should reduce the amount of polluted runoff heading to our local waters.

Visit TxSmartScape.com for plant database, design tools and other information.

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Garland City Press March-April 2021

Recycle Right: What’s the Big Deal with Contamination?

Curbside recycling has been around since the 1970s. We all know what the triangular recycling symbol looks like. But how many of us actually know how recycling works? And why should some items never be placed in the recycle cart?

Many items do not belong in the recycling cart because of the damage they can cause to the equipment or to other recyclables. For example, plastic bags and film can wrap around everything they touch. Food and liquids can seep into cardboard and paper products and make them unusable. The recyclability of an item depends on how easily the item can be separated and turned into something else.

Help the City of Garland recycle right by only recycling these items un-bagged, clean and dry: • Aluminum • Steel and tin cans • Glass bottles and jars • Plastic bottles • Jugs and containers with lids • Food and beverage cartons • Cardboard • Paper products All other items should be donated, reused or throw in the trash. If you have any recycling or disposal questions, check out GarlandWasteWizard.com.

Remember, when in doubt, throw it out. It is better to throw a few recyclable materials in the trash than it is to turn an entire load of recycling into trash due to contamination.

CHLORINE MAINTENANCE ROUTINE HYDRANT FLUSHING

Offers Utility Bill Credits Take time now to make your home more energy efficient for summer!

Garland Power & Light’s EnergySaver Program can help by providing utility bill credits for qualifying upgrades.

New air conditioning may qualify for up to an $800 bill credit, depending on efficiency and type of unit.

Home weatherization upgrades, such as ENERGY STAR® windows and doors, window solar screens or film, and ceiling insulation can also help you conserve energy and earn credits.

To view complete program requirements and print applications, visit gpltexas.org/energysaver. If you have questions, email energyadvisor@ gpltexas.org or call 972-205-2929.

In the month of March, you may notice several areas around the city where fire hydrants are being used to flush water lines during the chlorine maintenance being conducted by our water supplier.

The yellow boxes next to the hydrant are used to dechlorinate water before it enters the storm drain system. This protects our local streams and creeks. Flushing operations are happening in all parts of Garland. Sometimes it’s visible from the street. Other locations are internal to the system. View a map of our flushing program and find out more information about this program at GarlandWater.com.

CALL 811 Before You Dig Garland Power & Light reminds homeowners to call 811 at least two working days before starting any yard project that involves digging.

811 is a free service that connects you to professional line locators who will mark the locations of all buried utility lines.

Whether installing a new fence, laying a patio or planting a tree, always call 811 before you dig.

Visit Texas811.org for more information.

March-April 2021 Garland City Press

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Quality of Life

LIBRARY MASTER PLAN The Garland City Council in February approved a new Library Comprehensive Master Plan to transform Garland’s library system by embracing new industry trends, roles, services and technologies.

“Modern public library service can be summed up with one phrase. Access for all,” Library Director Karen Archibald said.

“It’s access to the library whether that’s in-person or through virtual means.

It’s access to a place to work, study, communicate and collaborate. It’s a library without walls in that we can go out to the community and bring the library to you.”

Increasing points of access, particularly to underserved populations, is a key component to the master plan.

Events at parks and the Downtown Square, neighborhood kiosks and virtual outreach are all in the design for the future of Garland’s library.

“One of the biggest things that we have to do is break down the barriers to access,” Archibald said. “A library materials kiosk is a great way to increase access points to underserved areas.

To put library materials in the hands of people who do not otherwise have a means to visit the physical library location.”

Within the strategic plan to provide guidance for the next five to 10 years and beyond are plans for technology, staffing and facilities.

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Garland City Press March-April 2021

Exterior space at the library will be seen as being just as valuable as interior space. That will be particularly evident in the rebuild of the Walnut Creek Branch Library, which will share a site with both a recreation center and a park. Policies will also be inclusive, including an increase in the number of multilingual staff.

The library is working also to help develop the local workforce through its partnerships with the Garland Independent School District and Dallas College.

In 2019, the library had 1.1 million physical and digital materials circulated and 377,000 users of its online databases.

More than 53,000 participated in virtual programs in 2020 as the library shifted approaches because of the pandemic.

As a result, the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association awarded Garland’s library system its 19th consecutive Texas Achievement of Library Excellence Award.

Garland’s library system is recognized as consistently performing in the top 10% of Texas libraries. It has received the state award every year since the award was established.

Garland’s previous Library Comprehensive Master Plan was adopted in 2001. Through surveys, public forums and stakeholder interviews, more than 1,800 people provided input to the development process for the Library Comprehensive Master Plan.

In particular, City Manager Bryan Bradford credited the members of the City’s Library Board for their dedication and for sharing the vision for the library’s future.

Garland Libraries Continue to Promote Patron Safety Due to COVID-19, Garland libraries continue to operate with some limits and service changes.

To ensure the safety of patrons and staff, masks are required at all library locations. The libraries are still offering curbside materials pickup, online card registration, downloadable books and online resources. Staff are sanitizing shelf-check stations, computers and other equipment throughout the day. Furniture has been arranged to encourage social distancing. All returned materials are quarantined before they are sent back to the shelves for use by other patrons.

To avoid large gatherings, all library programs will remain in virtual format until further notice. These events consist of educational, informational and recreational programs for children and teens, such as storytimes; basic skills workshops; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEAM) programming. Events for adults include online book club meetings via Zoom, video craft tutorials and additional informational programs.

In development is a set of virtual training webinars on Libby, the library’s downloadable books service. The webinars will consist of 30 minutes of live training that focus on downloading the Libby app and signing in, searching for titles, placing and managing holds, and borrowing titles. Each webinar will include a brief live Q&A session.

A “deep-dive” webinar on Libby will also be presented. It will highlight new features and cover topics such as refining and filtering lists, tagging titles, making and accessing annotations and exporting tags. This advanced webinar is directed by user questions and includes a longer Q&A session.

The library hopes to host these webinars in April or May. Please visit the library website, Library.GarlandTX.gov, for updates.

In addition to downloadable media, the library continues to provide access to other online resources, such as HelpNow’s online tutoring, Mango Languages, Brain HQ, the Gale Virtual Reference Library, and Universal Class online courses. All are available at Library.GarlandTX.gov.

Public Wi-Fi is accessible and free both inside and outside of each library location. Library card registration can be done on the library website.

For the most up-to-date event schedule, information on what library services are currently available, and access to downloadable materials and online resources, visit Library.GarlandTX.gov. Or follow the library at Facebook.com/GarlandLibraryTX.

Events from the Arts

GARLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 19 Granville Arts Center, 300 N. Fifth St. Concert VI of Garland Symphony Orchestra’s A Ludwig Shindig Season will feature performances of Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto in A Major” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 8 in F Major.” Tickets: GarlandArtsBoxOffice.com, 972-205-2790 or at the door prior to showtime.

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GARLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 16 Granville Arts Center, 300 N. Fifth St. Concert VII of Garland Symphony Orchestra’s A Ludwig Shindig Season will feature performances of Beethoven’s “Leonora Overture No. 1,” Brahms’ “Violin Concerto in D Minor” and Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 4 in A Major (Italian).”

Tickets: GarlandArtsBoxOffice.com, 972-205-2790 or at the door prior to showtime.

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All theatre seating will be restricted to follow the Governor's current COVID-19 guidelines. All patrons are required to wear masks or face coverings at all times, including while seated inside the theatre.

March-April 2021 Garland City Press

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Inventive “Story Map” Wins National Award

Quality of Life

The Garland Water Utilities Department won a national award for its newly published story map, “We Keep it Flowing, Coming or Going.”

events Recreation Center

SPRING INTERSESSION CAMP

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 8-12 • Ages 7 to 12, $80 per child

Bradfield Recreation Center, 1146 Castle Drive Beat that springtime boredom with days packed with exciting games, sports, and arts and crafts projects.

972-205-2770 or BRC@GarlandTX.gov

ROBLOX GAME DESIGN

6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, March 1-31 • Ages 9 to 16, $45 per person Fields Recreation Center, 1701 Dairy Road Learn to manipulate 3D parts and create scripts using variables and loops as you create worlds and avatars within the Roblox environment.

972-205-3090 or FRC@GarlandTX.gov

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies, (NACWA) has awarded this year’s Public Information & Education Award to the department’s production of a multi-media presentation. The project walks the viewer through the history of water and wastewater services in Garland and concludes with the technology that we use today. Pictures, graphics and video all contribute to the story telling style of this project.

“It was a great opportunity to research our City’s history and tell our story in a new way,” Garland Water Utilities’ Environmental Outreach Coordinator Lorrie Reeves said.

The project relied heavily on the use of information technology for maps, graphics and story map software.

“It was a unique opportunity to combine outreach and technology to bring something new to our outreach efforts. The story map tool allowed us to visually represent elements of our history and bring our presentday operations to life through the use of maps and graphics along with our story,” Public Works Operations Technology Manager Cynthia Baughman said.

The Public Information & Education Awards honor agencies for inventive efforts to educate the public on the effects of wastewater treatment and pollution control on the environment.

You can explore the story map at GarlandWater.com.

YOGA

7:15 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, March 3-31 • Ages 18 and up, $35 per person Granger Recreation Center, 1310 W. Avenue F Shape body and mind through prescribed postures and poses, meditation and controlled breathing.

972-205-2771 or GRC@GarlandTX.gov

EXTREME SPORTS CAMP

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 15-19 • Ages 6 to 12, $100 per child Holford Recreation Center, 2314 Homestead Place Take on extreme Frisbee, capture the flag, dodgeball and more in this fast-paced sports camp.

972-205-2772 or HRC@GarlandTX.gov

FITNESS WALKING

7 to 7:50 p.m. Wednesdays, March 10-31 • Ages 18 and up, $20 per month Hollabaugh Recreation Center, 3925 W. Walnut St. Learn the different types of walking for exercise. Improve your cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and body composition.

972-205-2721 or HHRC@GarlandTX.gov Audubon Recreation Center, 342 W. Oates Road, is closed for construction.

Register now!

Visit PlayGarland.com or call your local recreation center for more events.

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@PlayGarland

Garland City Press March-April 2021

Spring Creek Forest Preserve By taking part in a May 1-2 BioBlitz, Garland residents can help answer the global City Nature Challenge 2021.

The BioBlitz will take place at the Spring Creek Forest Preserve, 1770 Holford Road. BioBlitz participants will find and identify as many plant, insect and animal species as possible. Participants will take photos from several angles and then identify their finds using the iNaturalist app.

Members of the Society will be at the park pavilion from 10 a.m. to noon each day to assist those who need help with the iNaturalist app.

The iNaturalist app is available from the Apple app store or Google Play store. Or create an account at iNaturalist.org (must be 13 or older) and use your laptop or desktop computer to upload your observations.

The activity will help members of the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest identify organisms that are essential to the local ecosystem and also invasive species that present potential harm.

Information about the City Nature Challenge 2021 can be found at citynaturechallenge.org. In 2020, Dallas/ Fort Worth was among 244 participants from six continents.

The BioBlitz is all day, both days. Individuals decide how much time they want to spend on the project.

For more about the Garland BioBlitz, email barbara_baynham2005@yahoo.com.

SPOTLIGHT

ON GARLAND Garland ranked third in Texas and No. 17 in the United States in a 2021 study of Where More Young Residents Are Buying Homes.

Conducted by personal finance website SmartAsset, the study found where people younger than 35 are most likely to own their own home, comparing home ownership for the demographic in 2009 to 2019.

Unlike the 10 largest cities in the U.S. and most of the 200 cities in the study, Garland had an increase in the home ownership rate for those under 35 over the decade. More than 37% of Garland residents ages 18 to 34 own homes, compared to 26% for cities overall in the study.

In another study, Cities Where Black Americans Fare Best Economically, SmartAsset finds Garland to be the No. 7 city in the nation and second in Texas only to Grand Prairie. Cities were compared across six metrics including median household income, homeownership rate, percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree and percentage of business owners.

The Black homeownership rate in Garland, 51%, was the fifth-highest in the study. Garland was also top 15 in Black labor force participation rate, median Black household income ($60,030) and percentage of Black adults with a bachelor’s degree (32.5%).

More people are moving out to suburbs than moving into downtown cores during the pandemic, according to a study by personal financial services company Bankrate. Using change of address requests to the U.S. Postal Service, it was found that Texas’ urban cores saw the most shift to suburban living of any state.

Among those leaving Dallas, Garland was the No. 3 destination.

March-April 2021 Garland City Press

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Garland City Press City of Garland P.O. Box 469002 Garland, Texas 75046-9002

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID GARLAND, TEXAS Permit No. 365

Postal Customer Garland, Texas

2021 Council Elections

Some candidates were at City Hall and others attended via Zoom as City Secretary Rene Dowl oversaw the drawing for places on the ballot for the May 1 General Election. See Page 4 for more information about the election.

Connect with Us! Garland eAssist Report issues, get information and submit questions online or through an app on your smartphone. Visit GarlandTX.gov and click on the eAssist button or download Garland eAssist from your app store.

Garland City Press Briefs This weekly enewsletter is sent each Sunday evening and contains reminders and updates about City-sponsored events and activities.

Register on the City’s website. Look for the Enews link.

Social Media The City is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Nextdoor.

Check these out by visiting GarlandTX.gov and see what interests you most!

GarlandTX.gov

Garland Has a New Assistant City Manager Judson Rex started Jan. 4 as Garland’s Assistant City Manager for Planning & Economic Development. He oversees City departments that participate in planning, economic development and redevelopment activities.

For the past five years, Rex served as City Manager in Denison, Texas. Prior to joining Denison, he served five years as the Town Manager in Strasburg, Virginia. His experience as a city manager/town manager features extensive work in planning and economic development.

Prior to becoming a city manager, Rex served in numerous capacities in municipal planning departments.

Rex holds a bachelor’s degree in Planning and Resource Management from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University.

He is certified as a Credentialed Manager by the International City Managers Association. In addition, Judson holds a certification from the American Planning Association as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Rex and his wife, Jennifer, have three daughters, Lauren, Chloe and Olivia.

Garland City Press is produced and funded by the City of Garland and contains information about the City, as well as details on City-sponsored events.

Send comments or questions to: Dorothy White, Public & Media Relations, City of Garland, P.O. Box 469002, Garland, TX 75046-9002.