Latest News

From commercial development to highway construction, this is the page with all of the latest City of Southlake news. The provided links will take you to other parts of the website for more information.

City News

For the latest news from Southlake DPS, please click here.

Severe Weather Update

September is National Preparedness Month

Solid Waste and Recycling Holiday Information

Butterfly Festival Comes to Southlake

Bob Jones Nature Center Biscuit Breakfast

Gershwin Musical Theatre Revue

Solid Waste and Recycling Information

City Council Makes Board Appointments

City Files Proposed FY 2011 Budget

Southlake DPS Safety Fair

City Boasts 83% Census Participation Rate

City Approved for $1.7 million in Sidewalk Funding

Dove Trail Comes Closer To Completion

DFW Connector Construction Alerts

 DFW Runway Closure

 Name a City Park

Southlake Sanitary Sewer Smoke-Testing

Construction Updates

Meetings

Severe Weather Updates - 9-8-2010

5:30 p.m.  (Day summary)  On September 8, 2010, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning due to severe thunderstorms covering our western areas and moving steadily along and east of the I-35 corridor. At 10:02 a.m., the National Weather Service issued an additional Flash Flood Warning for Tarrant and Johnson Counties until 2:00 p.m.; with a band of heavy rain from Southlake to Arlington to Alvarado. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at 9:00 a.m., with roadway conditions deteriorating quickly with multiple street closures due to flooding. The city monitored the storm situation throughout the area as it passed through.  As of 11:00 a.m. approximately 6.7” of rain fell in the city over a 24-hour period. The EOC was closed at 2:00 p.m. A synopsis of the day’s events are as follows;

4:10 p.m. Below are pictures showing the aftermath of today's rain storm. They were taken by Southlake DPS Personnel as they assessed the damage. 

 

11:59 a.m.:  Early this morning the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning due to severe thunderstorms covering our western areas and moving steadily along and east of the I-35 corridor.  At 7:30 a.m., the threat was under a watch until Thursday; the remnants of Hurricane Hermine are tracking north, resulting in the heavy rainfall. At 10:00 the NWS issued an additional Flash Flood Warning for Tarrant and Johnson Counties until 2:00 p.m.  The NWS has discouraged travel until flood waters recede due to the magnitude of heavy flooding. 

 

The City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at Level 2 at 9:00 a.m., volunteer personnel from the North East Tarrant County Amateur Radio Club opened the RACES room shortly following, and the situation escalated extremely quickly with multiple street closures due to flooding.  Emergency Management, Fire, Police, Public Works, Public Information, and staff from the City Manager’s Office are still staffing the EOC.  We are continuing to monitor the storm situation throughout the area as it passes through this morning and afternoon. 

As of 11:00 a.m., the City had received approximately 6.7” of rain in the last 24 hours.  Most roads have been reopened with the exception of the

We have also received word from TxDOT regarding the following state road closures:

Please be aware that more road closures may occur as rains continue.

You can continue to get the latest updates on this webpage and also on the city's Facebook and Twitter feeds.  

11:31 a.m.:   All roads are now open except:  3400 White Chapel Bridge, White Chapel at Pleasant Run, and Dove at Lonesome Dove. Please continue to use caution.  There is a Flood Warning in effect until 2:00 p.m.

10:46 a.m.:  The current rainstorm has caused flooding through out the City. The bridge at 3400 North White Chapel road has washed out. Please avoid the area. There are partial road closures through out the city so if you must be out please slow down and use caution. Remember to turn around and don't drown, it only takes a small amount of water to make a situation dangerous. You can also get the latest updates on the city's Facebook and Twitter feeds. We will provide further updates as they become available.

Complete road closures:

 Partial road closures: 

September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month! This awareness month is sponsored by the Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Ad Council. NPM is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities.

Two of the major components to NPM 2010 is the emphasis on making a plan and making a kit.  Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. When preparing and making a kit for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.    To help you with both making a plan and a kit, please visit the Ready.Gov website.

Southlake DPS is also hosting a Safety Fair on September 25th to highlight our 2010 National Preparedness Month initiatives. Please visit the Southlake Safety Fair Website to get information on the event! 

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Holiday Information

Labor Day was a holiday for Duncan Disposal.  Collections will shift forward one day with Monday collections picked up on Tuesday (9/7/2010) and Tuesday collections picked up on Wednesday (9/8/2010).   Questions about the collection schedule should be directed to Duncan's Customer Hotline (817) 317-2424.  The holiday collection schedule for the rest of the year is as follows:

City of Southlake Files Proposed FY 2011 Budget

(Southlake) - Balanced, conservative and forward thinking. These are the words to describe the proposed FY 2011 budget. The Southlake City Council has always kept an eye towards the future, planning for the city’s ongoing success. Strategic planning has driven a budget to ensure Southlake’s residents and businesses will see no City service reductions and the kickoff or completion of many large construction projects. 

"The story of this upcoming year is really the foresight of the City Council," said City Manager Shana Yelverton. "In past years the Council saw fit to create a strong financial environment to support their plans for the city. In FY 2011 funds are being put to work building parks, constructing roads and bridging the gaps in our sidewalks."

The $70 million budget is structurally balanced and for the eighth straight year, the tax rate will remain unchanged at $0.462.

Proposed general fund expenses total $30.7 million and although revenues are expected to be flat, this budget will allow the City to provide a one-time, lump sum cost of living adjustment to city employees based on the 12-month average of the consumer price index. No staff layoffs are anticipated. (MORE)

 

Butterfly Festival Comes to Southlake

The Kiwanis Club of Northeast Tarrant County will host their annual Butterfly Festival in Southlake's Town Square from September 10th to September 12th.  Butterfly experts will be on hand to answer questions as you enjoy a walk with hundreds of butterflies contained in a 600 square foot tent stocked with flowering plants. The weekend activities will culminate in the release of the butterflies at 5 pm.

All proceeds will be donated to children’s charities, including Kiwanis International and Children’s Miracle Network of Dallas. The event runs from 9am to 6pm Friday and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for kids aged 3 to 12 and $7 for adults.  

For more information, please contact netckiwanis@webfeatpro.com, visit www.netckiwanis.org. or call (972)786-4204.

Gershwin Musical Theatre Review

Apex Arts League along with White’s Chapel United Methodist Church will present its first musical theater performance in Southlake at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 at The Bridge at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

“Love Is Here to Stay: A Gershwin Musical Theatre Revue” is based on Gershwin's life and features the music of one of America’s most beloved musical composers. The show is based on a book by Dell McLain and Jeff Lankov. Musical concepts and arrangements are by Jeff Lankov.  The production features Todd Hart, director, along with singer-actors Neil Nowles, Jenny Thurman and Debbie Dacus. Also, performing are Brent Dacus, drums; Rex Bozarth, bass; and Jeff Lankov, piano.

Lankov has served as musical director for productions at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, as well as Dallas Summer Musicals and Dallas Theater Center.  His credits include more than 1,000 performances of “Forever Plaid,” the longest running show in Dallas-Fort Worth history.

The production features memorable songs such as “I Got Rhythm, Summertime, Swanee, Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Love Is Here to Stay,”  presented in the intimate setting of The Bridge, White’s Chapel’s fully equipped contemporary performance space.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for Apex members, seniors and students. Seating is general admission. To purchase tickets online, visit www.apexartsleague.org.  Tickets purchased online will be held at Will Call at the show.  If available, tickets may also be purchased at the door.

The Apex Arts League (www.apexartsleague.org) is the 501c3 organization established to enhance community awareness, participation, and appreciation of the arts in the “Apex” or north central region of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Information

Starting October 1, 2010, the residential solid waste and recycling collection fee will increase to $12.34 a month.  That equals $8.68 per month for solid waste, $2.72 per month for recycling and $0.94 cents tax.  The fee increase was approved by the City Council in 2008 as part of Duncan Disposal's contract review.  As Southlake's solid waste and recycling provider since 2007, Duncan maintains a 96.4% satisfaction rate.    If you have questions about the fee increase or the City's contract, please call the City at 817-748-8400.  If you have questions about your pickup days or are in need of some of Duncan's special services, please call 817-317-2424.

Southlake DPS Safety Fair

The Southlake Department of Public Safety will host a Safety Fair on Saturday, September 25th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   The event will highlight National Preparedness Month, National Night Out and will kickoff October’s Fire Prevention Week.  The Southlake DPS Safety Fair will include booths and classes on disaster preparedness, crime prevention, fire safety education, DPS volunteer groups, and displays of all fire and police equipment.   

This event is part of the nationwide National Preparedness Month effort to encourage individuals, families, businesses, and communities to work together and take action to prepare for emergencies.  The event will be hosted at the DPS Headquarters facility at 600 State Street; preparedness and safety is everyone’s responsibility--come join us to find out how to be more prepared.

City Boasts 83% Census Participation Rate

Southlake posted an 83% participation rate in the mail participation phase of the 2010 Census, which exceeds the 72% national average and 69% state average. Just because 83% mailed back their census forms does not mean the census process has been completed, however. In the next few months, Census workers will go door to door to conduct interviews with the remaining 17% of addresses that did not submit a form. This is an important step in the process, as a 100% response rate is required by law.

Getting an accurate Census count is extremely important, because it directly impacts the number of representatives Texas sends to the United States House of Representatives. Census counts also determine how more than $400 billion in federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, public works projects, and emergency services. For more information about the 2010 Census and when information will start being released to the public, please visit www.census.gov. 

City Approved for $1.7 million in Sidewalk Funding

The City was recently approved for $1.7 million of sidewalk construction funds from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).  The funds are to be used to help fill in the gaps along Southlake Boulevard (F.M. 1709) and complete the pedestrian connectivity in areas not covered in the Southlake Boulevard Improvement Project (medians, deceleration lanes and sidewalks). 

The monies represent 80% of the project’s cost. As part of the application the City of Southlake agreed to be reimbursed for the initial 80% of the $2.1 million dollar project, pay for the remaining 20% of the project and cover any additional costs. 

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), “the federally funded program provides opportunities for non-traditional transportation related activities."

Southlake's proposed project includes the construction of most missing sidewalk segments along both sides of F.M. 1709 from the western city limit at Pearson to the eastern city limit at S.H. 114, excluding sidewalks that will be built with the construction of the Southlake Boulevard Improvement Project.

“The proposal was just one part of the submittal, said Ken Baker, Director of Planning and Development Services.  “The City received many letters of support from residents, business owners, the City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission and Carroll ISD.  Those letters were included in the grant submittal and I am confident they helped obtain the approval of funds.”

The City will discuss the details of the project, including a project timeline, with TxDOT in the near future.  Unlike other projects, where the City is obligated to obtain right of way property for construction projects, all land needed for this project is located in TxDOT right-of-way saving the City time and money.
 

Pathway Update

Did you know that current park construction projects will result in an additional two miles of pathways in Southlake?  See some fast facts about park pathways and trails below:

If you have questions about the pathways in City parks, please contact the Community Services department at 817-748-8019.    For more information about the City of Southlake's sidewalk construction projects please click here.
 
 

Dove Trail Comes Closer to Completion

More trails will soon be a part of the Southlake landscape. At the July 20th meeting, the Southlake City Council approved monies for the construction of Dove Trail in the amount of $225,249.

The trail will run on the north side of Dove road, from Ridgecrest to Carroll Avenue. Construction began in May 2010 with the installation of the pedestrian bridge just east of Ridgecrest. Tree removal and utility relocation were completed in early July. Concrete installation is the next step required for completion. The City will work with Manning Concrete and will maximize taxpayer dollars by utilizing an interlocal agreement with the City of Grapevine. The total cost of the project is projected to be $426,031 with completion scheduled for mid-fall.

The monies come from the city’s capital improvement program. “This trail is an important addition to the City’s pathways system,” said Community Services Director Chris Tribble. More than 3500 linear feet of trail will be added providing for better and safer connectivity between Liberty Park and Carroll Middle School. We are looking forward to seeing the end result.”

To track the progress of this project or any other pathways project, please go to www.cityofsouthlake.com/sidewalks .

DFW Connector Alerts

 

The DFW Connector Public Information Team and the City of Southlake would like to inform you of upcoming lane closures and detours which could affect your commute in and around Southlake.

Section 1: Lane Closures on SH 114 and SH 121 West of Main Street

There will be no lane closures from Thursday, September 2 at 12:00 noon to Tuesday, September 7 at 8:00 PM in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Eastbound SH 114 frontage road near William D. Tate Avenue
Dates: 9/8/10 - 9/10/10
Times: 9 AM to 3 PM each day
Lanes Opened: One at the widest point
Lanes Closed: One right lane; flagger will be in place
to assist with traffic
Type of Work: Utilities
Associated Lane Closures: Center lane on southbound William D. Tate bridge

Eastbound SH 114 frontage road near William D. Tate Avenue
Dates: 9/7/10 - 9/10/10
Times: 9 AM to 3 PM each day
Lanes Opened: One at the widest point
Lanes Closed: One right lane; flagger will be in place
to assist with traffic
Type of Work: Utilities
Associated Lane Closures: Center lane on southbound William D. Tate bridge
 
Eastbound SH 114 from FM 1709 to SH 26
Dates: 9/7/10 - 9/9/10, 9/12/10 - 9/16/10
Times: 8 PM to 6 AM each night
Lanes opened: One at the widest point
Lanes closed: One right lane
Type of work: Wall work

Eastbound SH 114 frontage road from FM 1709 to SH 26
Dates: 9/7/10 - 9/9/10, 9/12/10 - 9/16/10
Times: 9 AM to 3 PM each day
Lanes opened: One at the widest point
Lanes closed: One left lane
Type of work: Wall work

Eastbound SH 114 from SH 26 to Main Street
Dates: 9/7/10 - 9/9/10, 9/12/10 - 9/16/10
Times: 8 PM to 6 AM each night
Lanes opened: One at the widest point
Lanes closed: One right lane
Type of work: Wall work
Associated Ramp Closures: Eastbound SH 114 on-ramp from SH 26, eastbound SH 114 exit ramp to SH 26, eastbound SH 114 exit ramp to Main Street. Check the website daily as ramp closures may change.

Westbound SH 114 from William D. Tate Avenue to SH 26
Dates: 9/7/10
Times: 8 PM to 6 AM
Lanes Opened: One lane at the widest point
Lanes Closed: One right lane
Type of Work: Barrier wall work

Eastbound SH 114 frontage road from FM 1709 to SH 26
Dates: 9/7/10 - 9/9/10, 9/12/10 - 9/16/10
Times: 8 PM to 6 AM each night
Lanes Opened: One lane at the widest point
Lanes Closed: One left lane
Type of Work: Wall work

Northbound and southbound SH 121 near Mustang Drive
Dates: 9/7/10 - 9/9/10, 9/12/10 - 9/16/10
Times: 8 PM to 6 AM each night
Lanes Opened: One at the widest point
Lanes Closed: Left lanes
Type of Work: Detour paving

For more information on road closures in other areas areas please go to DFWConnector.com

Runway 18R/36L Closure

DFW Airport has informed the City of a temporary runway closure that could affect Southlake's airspace. Runway 18R/36L is now closed for pavement maintenance until approximately the end of August. Runway 18R/36L is the western-most of the north/south oriented runways and is primarily an arrival runway. This short-term closure will push many of the airport's daily arrivals to other runways and Southlake residents may notice increased airline arrival noise.

To read the airport's summaries of the project please click here.  The airport has also provided the City with a link to their website listing all future DFW Airport construction projects.  For questions about this project please call the Airport's Environmental Affairs Department at 972-973-5570.  To make a noise complaint please call 972-973-9428.

Name A City Park

The City of Southlake Parks and Recreation Department is seeking your suggestion(s) to name a new 19.5 acre park located northwest of the intersection of Ridgecrest Drive and Dove Road. The community park is in a pastoral setting, and when complete, will be heavily landscaped and include multi-use fields with concession building, restrooms, playground, pathways, pond and open space. The City guidelines for naming city parks or facilities specify that City parks:

  1. May be named for outstanding and/or predominate physical characteristics or ecological features of the land such as streams, lakes and creeks, landmark significance, historical significance, street name identity, a subdivision in which the park property is located, based on the activity, event or function if the park;
  2. May be named for any group or individual who has made exceptional contributions to the City. Examples of exceptional contributions may include, but no limited to, monetary, property, material contributions, service to the City, etc;
  3. May be named in honor of deceased local, state or national figure(s). There shall be a waiting period of one or more years prior to the naming of a park in honor of a deceased local, state or national figure(s). The renaming of a park facility, which has been previously named after an individual, is prohibited unless compelling circumstances arise whereby consideration to a change is appropriate;
  4. May not be given the same name as an existing school site, or public facility, except where the sites abut one another;
  5. Components or areas within a park or recreation facility may be given a name which is different than the park or recreation facility. Such components or areas may include, but not limited to, gardens, playgrounds, athletic fields, structures, and meeting rooms.


Please use this Submissions Form to enter your recommendation(s). Incomplete entries will not be accepted.

Completed suggestion forms may be emailed to lcarpenter@ci.southlake.tx.us 


Forms may also be printed and submitted to:

City of Southlake Community Services Department - Park Name
Bicentennial Park Community Center
400 North White Chapel Blvd
Southlake, Tx 76092
817.748.8184 – Phone
817.748.8027 – Fax

Deadline: 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 27, 2010

 

Southlake Sanitary Sewer Smoke-Testing

Boundaries:
                      N – Harbor Haven
                      S-   Powder River
                      E-  Lake
                      W- Harbor Refuge

 

Construction Alerts (Updated September 7, 2010)

Here is the latest information on the City of Southlake construction projects. Check back frequently for important information which could affect the commute of you or your family. 

Questions? Please call the Public Works Administration & Engineering Offices at (817) 748-8098. 

Highland Street Reconstruction and 12-inch Water Line from Shady Oaks Drive to SH114

Dove at N. White Chapel Blvd

Heatherwood, Royal Oaks, and Twin Creeks Addition Sanitary Sewer Construction

For information on other construction projects, please click here.

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Boards and Commissions Announcements and Meetings and Agendas 

City Council

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