City Lights March 2022.pub

March 2022 www.desototexas.gov

DeSoto City Lights DeSoto ArƟsts Lab Is Bringing New Arts OpportuniƟes To DeSoto Residents DeSoto Arts Commission Chair, James Adams recently introduced the DeSoto Artists Lab to the DeSoto City Council. This is the first initiative resulting from the recently adopted Community Cultural Arts Master plan. The DeSoto Artists Lab is a new arts grant program for City of DeSoto whose focus is to develop local artists. The nine artists who have been accepted for the DeSoto Artists Lab will be in residence for up to nine months, working in DeSoto Public Library, the DeSoto Senior Center, the Grow DeSoto Marketplace and other public facilities and private spaces that are open to the general public. Through their residencies, the artists will provide free programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Each residency will conclude with an onsite celebratory event, such as a performance, exhibition, project unveiling or community festival.

Here’s the list of artists who make up the inaugural DeSoto Artists Lab: Felicia Fisher, a weaver and basket maker will offer free Adult Basket Weaving classes at the Library on March 5, 12, 19 and 26 and at the Senior Activity Center on March 7, 14, 21, and 28. Johnathon Foster is a visual artist. His art will be on display at City Hall, the Senior Center and the Grow DeSoto Marketplace throughout the spring and summer. Justin London, digital artist and DJ will provide DJ services at City events such as the BSW Teen Expo on April 30th and plans to offer classes in digital music production for students this summer. Alexandria Morris is an accomplished dancer. She will offer dance classes for students at the Recreation Center. Dana Proulx Willis is a video story teller. She will tell DeSoto’s story through interviews with residents that will be compiled into “The Faces of DeSoto” video premiering on September 27, 2022 at the Corner Theatre. Carol Simmons, a visual artist, can be viewed creating amazing works of art at the Library, City Hall and Grow DeSoto Marketplace during the month of April, 2022. Tony Vinto, theatrical director/producer, will collaborate with King Shakur on “The Art Inspired Healing Festival” on May 14th at Town Center. Rolanda Brigham, Master Artist and Project Manager for the DeSoto Artists Lab is collaborating with all these talented artists serving as their liaison to the DeSoto Arts Commission. As you can see, the artists of the DeSoto Artists Lab have some exciting and wonderful projects planned for DeSoto in the coming months. Watch this newsletter for details as these events unfold. Michelle Pryor , a weaver and jewelry maker, will conduct jewelry making, paper making, and weaving classes at the DeSoto Library on Thursdays in July, 2022. King Shakur, a spoken word artist, will host “The Art Inspired Healing Festival” on May 14, 2022 at Town Center.

Applications Are Now Being Accepted For Round Two Of The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program

CITY CALENDAR

MARCH 1 City Council Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 6 pm 3 Mayor’s Quarterly City Hall ‐ 6:30 pm 3 Library Board MeeƟng Library 7 pm 3 KDB Board Mtg. Civic Ctr. 6:30 pm 7 Park Board MeeƟng ‐ Civic Ctr. 6:30 pm 7 Arts Commission Mtg. ‐ City Hall 6 pm 8 Planning & Zoning Mtg. ‐ City Hall 6 pm 14 Special Council Mtg. ‐ City Hall 6 pm 15 City Council Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 6 pm 22 Planning & Zoning Mtg.—City Hall 6 pm 26 City Wide Clean Up Day 28 DeSoto Dev. Board Mtg. ‐ City Hall‐ 9 am APRIL 4 Arts Commission Mtg.– City Hall 6 pm 3 Park Board Mtg. ‐ Civic Ctr. 6:30 pm 4 City Council Mtg. ‐ City Hall– 6 pm 7 Library Board Mtg. ‐ Library ‐ 7 pm 7 KDB Board Mtg. ‐ Civic Ctr. 6:30 pm 12 Planning & Zoning Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 6 pm 14 Veterans CommiƩee—City Hall. ‐ 6 pm 15 City FaciliƟes Closed‐Good Friday Holiday 18 Special City Council Mtg.‐City Hall ‐ 6 pm 19 City Council Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 6 pm 25 Development Board Mtg. City Hall 9 am 26 Planning & Zoning Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 6 pm 30 BSW Teen Expo ‐ Library ‐ 10 am ‐ 3 pm

Round Two of the annual Neighborhood Matching Grant program opens on March 1, 2022. This program invites HOA and Neighborhood Associations registered with the City of DeSoto to make application for funds for improvements to their neighborhood. The program has a total of $14,610 available to offer matching grants for neighborhood entryway improvements or upgrades to common areas in your HOA. These are competitive grants and not guaranteed. Grants will be reviewed and recommendations for funding made by a committee of seven volunteers who are members of active HOAs not participating in

the second round of the grant program.

Grant applications are available on the City website or by contacting Becky Lewis in the City Manager’s Office at 972.230.9643. The deadline to submit an application for Round Two is Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 5 pm. Following approval by the City Council, grant funds will be awarded in May, 2022.

972.230.9690 The ordinance imposes fines for dogs found to be “running at large” as defined above. The first conviction will subject the dog’s owner to a $100 fine, the second conviction will result in a $200 fine, there will be a $500 fine for the third conviction and all other subsequent convictions will be subject to up to a $2,000 fine. A Message From DeSoto Animal Control City of DeSoto’s Animal Ordinance requires citizens to take responsibility for their animals. Article 2.200 RUNNING AT LARGE stipulates that it is unlawful for any person who owns, possesses, keeps or harbors any animal other than a domestic cat, to permit or allow that animal to run at large within the city limits of DeSoto. DeSoto’s Animal Control authority, or any peace officers or animal control officers are authorized to impound any animal found running at large. The ordinance also requires that any dog found by Animal Control or Police to be “running at large” and impounded, will be implanted with a microchip at the owner’s expense. The $30 micro -chipping fee must be paid before the dog is released to the owner. This will aid Animal Control officers in identifying the dog should it be found “running at large” again in the future. Please call the Code Enforcement and Animal Control office at 469.658.3075 or the Dispatch non-emergency number at 972.223.6111 to report dogs “running at large”.

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Development Services Construction Updates Chattey Road is undergoing a complete roadway reconstruction, from E. Belt Line Road and progressing toward E. Pleasant Run Road. The Chattey Road project is approximately 85% completed.

Upcoming Veterans Appreciation Events

Repairs and replacements to several underground utility lines along Chattey Road, including the sanitary sewer, storm drain and water main lines have been completed. The construction of new concrete pavement, sidewalks, street lighting and replacement of

The Mission Statement for the City of DeSoto Veterans Affairs Committee reads as follows: The DeSoto Veterans Affairs Committee commits to advocate, educate, and honor the service of community veterans and their families. In keeping with our mission, the DeSoto Veterans Affairs Committee would like to offer the following schedule of events and ask local veterans to please mark your calendars and make plans to attend. March 29th 12 pm - DeSoto Town Center - Viet Nam War Remembrance Ceremony May 7th 4 to 6 pm —DeSoto Town Center - Military Appreciation Event - Free Burgers for Veterans provided by In & Out Burger May 30th 10 am - DeSoto Veterans Monument, 1325 Greenbrook Dr.— Memorial Day Observance August 19th 10 am —DeSoto City Hall—In person Benefits Forum. If you need assistance with filing for veterans benefits or have a question about your benefits, please email [email protected]

landscaping within the City right-of-way continues. The remainder of work is taking place from just north of the Heath Creek bridge to Pleasant Run Road. Completion is scheduled for Spring 2022. The Chattey Road detour remains in effect, with Chattey Road traffic only traveling in the Northbound direction , between Bob White Drive and E. Pleasant Run Road. Traffic is closed to all residents entering Chattey Road from the E. Pleasant Run Road side, due to the limited construction area. All residents are encouraged to utilize E. Belt Line Road to enter onto Chattey Road. Work is also progressing on the City’s Alley Reconstruction Project. C&M Concrete Contracting has been working on alleys located off of Pleasant Run Road. They have replaced two alleys with concrete, between Misty Glen Drive and Dennis Drive and also between Ray Andra Drive and Vince Lance. The contractor is approximately 90% complete with one more concrete pour remaining between Ray Andra Drive and Vince Lane.

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