City Lights - August

August, 2016 www.desototexas.gov www.visitdesototexas.com DeSoto City LightsUpdate on the Clean‐up at Meadow Creek Park Large amounts of construc on debris from damaged homes was dropped on the youthfootball fields at Meadow Creek Park during the tornado that hit the southern part ofDeSoto and northern Ellis County on December 26, 2015 causing the City to close the parkto the public. Phase I of the embedded debris removal at Meadow Creek Park beganrecently and is producing some surprising results. The ini al phase involves mowing the grass A Publication of the City of DeSoto CommunittyoRhelaaltfioanns iDnecpha,rvtmaceunut ming the debris and using magnets to see if any debris remains. A pass of the areas around the perimeter of the playing fields by a tractor with a special magnet a ached has already produced mounds of roofing and concrete nails, screws and other small pieces of metal. Once this vacuuming process is complete, the next step is to perform a special process called ver cu ng to further expose the embedded debris in the grass, remove thatchbuildup, and si debris, followed by more vacuuming and mowing.Phase III will involve excava ng random areas of the fields andsi ing the removed soil three separate mes as a way to determineif other debris exists. Finally new topsoil and sod must be appliedto the excavated areas in order to be ready for use.“All of this takes me,” said Phil Lozano, Assistant Director of Parksand Recrea on for DeSoto, “and must be done according to specificinstruc ons to sa sfy FEMA reimbursement condi ons.” Inaddi on to addressing the issues with the fields, there are severalsupport structures that were damaged such as the press box,bleachers, goalposts, ligh ng standards, fencing and more.It is an cipated that the fields will not reopen un l the fall 2017 season. However, arrangements are being made toallow the 36 youth football teams in various age groups to play at mul ple sites within DeSoto Independent SchoolDistrict.“It will be a tedious situa on not being able to play at Meadow Creek, but we’re all one team,” said Calvin Ford, coachof the DeSoto Panthers, “and we’ll make it happen together.” Byron Sanders, President of the DeSoto Youth FootballLeague and coach of the DeSoto Colts, said they are conduc ng “damage control” mee ngs and assuring parents thatthey will have a season in 2016.“It’s all about safety,” said Lozano. “We want to be sure we have fields that are good and safe.”

City Calendar July 4 Fireworks Lancaster Community Park 6pm2 Park Board Mtg. ‐ Civic Ctr. ‐ 6:30 pm5 City Council Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 7 pm6 Library Board Mtg. Library ‐ 7 pm6 KDB Mtg. Civic Ctr. ‐ 6:30 pm6 Historical Founda on Mtg. ‐ 6 pm15 Inside Out Movie Amphitheater ‐ 8:30 pm19 City Council Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 7 pm22 Council Budget Mee ng ‐ City Hall 6 pm22 Funky Knuckles Amphitheater ‐ 7 pm25 DEDC Board Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 9 am26 Planning & Zoning Mtg. City Hall ‐ 7 pm28 Council Budget Mee ng City Hall ‐ 6 pm August 1 Arts Commission Mtg. ‐ Civic Ctr. ‐ 6 pm 1 Park Board Mtg. ‐ Civic Ctr. ‐ 6:30 pm 2 City Council Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 7 pm 4 Library Summer Reading Kick‐off ‐ 1 pm 4 KDB Mtg. Civic Ctr. ‐ 6:30 pm 4 Library Board Mtg. Library ‐ 7 pm 5 Zootopia Movie – Amphitheater 8:30 pm 9 Planning & Zoning Mtg. ‐City Hall ‐7 pm 13 Backyard Bash & Concert ‐ Amphitheater 16 City Council Mtg.– City Hall ‐ 7 pm 23 Planning & Zoning Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 7pm 26 POLiiiTIIC Concert ‐ Amphitheater ‐ 7pm 29 DEDC Board Mtg. ‐ City Hall ‐ 9 am“I’m a patriot,” says Eudean Hester. Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller showed his apprecia on for DeSoto Police and Fire firstHe has never served in the military responders by donated a police vehicle to the DeSoto Police Department and $25,000but loves his country and city and for to the DeSoto Fire Academy that will fund 15 scholarships for deserving fire recruits.the 3rd year in a row, has placed Following the presenta on ceremony, Miller signed autographs for first responders.American flags along Cloud Crest for The police vehicle is a great example of police and community coopera on and will beMemorial Day, July 4th and Labor used as recrui ng tool. “We are so proud of Von and all he has accomplished,” saidDay. Mr. Hester carefully places each DeSoto Police Chief Joe Costa. “It’s gra fying to know that he has not forgo en hisflag himself, spacing them two feet roots and is willing to give back to his hometown.” Thank you Von!!!from the curb. The City of DeSotosalutes you! Free Family Fun in the Outdoor Amphitheater with... 2 Outdoor Movies... July 29th 8:30 pm Poetry Slam and Concert Aug. 5th 8:30 pm with POLiiiTIC August 26th 7pm

Would You Like to Apply for an City Ordinances require that weeds Arts Grant from the DeSoto The DeSoto Domes c Arts Commission? Violence and Preven on Commission recently sponsored a student If you have enjoyed a live concert at essay contest. The the DeSoto Corner Theatre, a winners were performance by Texas Winds recognized at a recent Musical Outreach at a local nursing City Council mee ng home, or one of the Juried Visual and include: High  Arts Shows sponsored by the DeSoto School – Jazmine Art League on display in the DeSoto Davis, Kennedy Harper, Library, you have enjoyed programs Autumn Jennings, funded by DeSoto’s Cultural Arts Thomas Ha on, Te’a Grants Program. These are just a Johnson, Alexis Seals, few of the arts and entertainmentJada Jones, Mikiah McNair, and Cierra Sco . Middle School – Cedric Barnes, Daylon opportuni es made available toJohnson, Kayla Spears, Odyssey Giddings, Cameron Vance, and Courtney Saich. DeSoto residents by this program. A Message From Code Enforcement Applica ons for funding of projects scheduled to take place in 2017 areThe fence on your property should be inadvertently wandering into the accepted from July 1st through August 31st each year. Qualifyingmaintained at all mes. It is unlawful pool. This fence, structure or gate nonprofit arts organiza ons can request funding for their projects byto allow your fence to lean or to have shall not be lower then (6) six feet in comple ng the applica on form available at www.artsdesoto.com ormissing, loose or broken slats or height, and not have any openings by calling the DeSoto Arts Commission staff liaison atpanels. The fence is not allowed to that will allow a four‐inch diameter 972.230.9648.have any symbols, wri ngs or other sphere to pass through; and all gatesgraffi except for signs which pertain should have a self‐closing and self‐to the address or occupancy of the latching device designed to keepproperty. It is prohibited to have gates closed and locked at all mes.barbed ware, hog wire, or chicken A permit is required to build anywire or to have an electric fence. fence on your property and can beIf you have a swimming pool, a fence, obtained from Building Inspec on atstructure or gate is required to City Hall, 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd. orcompletely surround the swimming by calling 972.230.9610.pool to prevent small children from You can now enjoy award winning barbeque in DeSoto Town Center at Top 5 BBQ. DeSoto based and family owned, Top 5 BBQ recently opened their restaurant on Pleasant Run Road but they have been serving great barbeque in DeSoto for some me from their bright red catering trailer. Now Greene has taken his business to the next level in his new loca on. Try it, its “just smokin’ good.” 3

Happy 104th Birthday, Mrs. Gladys Harris!! Recently the DeSoto Senior Ac vity Centercelebrated a special birthday. Mrs. GladysHarris turned 104 on July 4th. DeSoto MayorCur stene McCowan presented a MayoralCommenda on to her. Mrs. Harris a ends theSenior Center daily, rain or shine, andperforms with the Golden Voices Choir.Pictured from le , Mrs. Harris’ daughter‐in‐lawDana Harrington, Mayor McCowan, Mrs.Gladys Harris, son Levon Harrington and MayorPro Tem, Rachel Proctor. Happy 104thBirthday Mrs. Harris!!! 6pm 7 am  Public Welcome!  Cosponsor