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Municipal Elections
By: Kathy Carlton, Director of Government Affairs
Municipal Elections
Many cities and school districts will hold their elections on Saturday, May 10. This is the time when city council members, school board members and bond programs are voted on. Each city has their own set of unique issues, so be sure to read up about them before voting.
The Dallas Independent School District is trying to get a bond election passed to fund school improvements. It is estimated that only about 7% or 33,000 voters will turn out. Other cities and school districts have similar items or propositions on the ballot. AAGD does not usually support school board candidates or take positions on bond elections, but there are a few council candidates that the Legislative Committee has chose to endorse. Please make note of them and consider casting your vote for them if you live in the designated city. To see what a sample ballot will look like before going to the polls, visit www.dalcoelections.org.
City of Carrollton
Mayor - Becky Miller
City of Denton
Place 2 - John Ryan
Place 6 - Joe Mulroy
City of Farmers Branch
Mayor - Gene Bledsoe
Place 2 - Ruben Rendon
City of Irving
Mayor - Herb Gears
Place 6 - Rose Cannaday
Dallas Safe Complex Symposium
Yes, it’s that time of year again when the City of Dallas invites one representative from each property to attend the Safe Complex Symposium. By ordinance, it is supposed to be help the third week in May. However, you may be wondering why you haven’t heard anything about it by now.
Based upon comments and recommendations from AAGD, the new Code Enforcement Director, Forest Turner, is attempting to make some changes to the half-day seminar. City staff is exploring alternate ways of providing the information, including multiple locations throughout the city or possibly an on-line course. There are many details to work through. In the meantime, the Code staff has sought permission from the council to postpone the date. At press time, we were told that you will have the opportunity to attend the symposium on one of two dates: August 19 or September 16. Both events will be held at the Fair Park Music Hall, similar to last year.
We have no other information, but will publish it here as we receive it. Remember to continue attending local crime watch meetings so you can receive credit towards your multifamily license.
Dallas Water Conservation
The City of Dallas is very concerned about the future water needs of its citizens. Their conservation efforts are spearheaded in the Dallas Water Utilities Department, whose mission it is to provide superior water and wastewater services at a fair and reasonable price. At their request, we are including an article from the department aimed at reducing wasted water and run-off. Did you know by the year 2050, 30 percent of Dallas’ water supply will need to come from conservation and reuse?
In 2001, the City of Dallas passed a time-of-day watering ordinance that prohibits watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., from April 1 to October 31 each year. This ordinance was created because Dallas’ need to conserve water was growing faster than the city’s rapidly expanding population, and the fact that more than 50 percent of Dallas’ drinking water goes directly to our landscapes. Watering during these times minimizes evaporation during the hottest months of the year, saves your property money by using water more effectively, and helps the City achieve its water conservation goals to keep up with Dallas’ projected growth.
Dallas’ watering restrictions do not mean your property’s landscaping will suffer through the summer heat. As a general rule, landscapes are watered too much and too often. Most turf grasses in North Texas only need one inch of water every five to ten days. Watering more frequently produces shallow root systems that struggle to survive freezing temperatures, heat and drought. By watering deeply and infrequently, you encourage landscapes to develop deep, healthy roots that can endure Dallas summers, winter freezes, pests and disease.
Also note, the city ordinance prohibits watering with broken, missing or misdirected sprinkler heads, watering sidewalks, driveways or streets and during any form of precipitation. As of January 1, 2005, all automatic irrigation systems were required to have rain and freeze sensors installed. Possible fines for non-compliance with the ordinance can range from $250 to $2,000.
As a new incentive to help save water and money, Dallas Water Utilities offers customers free sprinkler system checkups, performed by a licensed irrigator and certified irrigation auditor, to help you determine the best way to use your existing system to water your property’s landscape. These audits can potentially save thousands of gallons of water every time you use your sprinkler system.
To schedule a sprinkler system checkup for your property or for additional information on City of Dallas watering restrictions, Water-Wise tips and links to reporting water waste, visit www.savedallaswater.com or call 214.670.3155.
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