Code Compliance opens registration for Citizens Code Academy

The City of Dallas Department of Code Compliance Services has opened registration for the next Citizens Code Academy. The Academy is free, and is open to Dallas residents 18 years of age or older. The Academy is a four-week program where attendees will learn about the Department, its staff and initiatives.

The class meets on four consecutive Tuesdays from 6 – 8 p.m. The next Academy will begin on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, and conclude on February 27. Registration is limited to a maximum of 30 students, and is on a first come, first serve basis. For registrants who sign up after the class is full, they will be put on a waitlist for future Citizens Academy classes.

Registration is available online here.

The first Academy class was made up of citizens nominated by the Mayor and City Council. Read more about the first class here.

The post Code Compliance opens registration for Citizens Code Academy appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/code-compliance-opens-registration-citizens-code-academy

Downtown streets to be closed for BMW Marathon

Friday, December 1

• Akard Street – All southbound lanes closed from Young St to Marilla St all week beginning Friday December 1 at 10 a.m. through Monday December 11 at 7 a.m.
  Alternate route: Use Marilla St southbound from Young St for Friday only

Saturday December 2 from 1 p.m. to Monday December 4 at 7 a.m.

• Young Street – Westbound lanes closed from Field St to Ervay St and eastbound lanes closed from Field St to Akard St
• Akard Street – All lanes closed to through traffic between Wood St and Young St.
  • Access to the Federal Building parking lot will be provided by DPD officer at the Wood / Akard intersection
• Akard Street – All southbound lanes closed from Young St to Marilla St
• City Hall Parking Garage – Entrance and exit from the west on Young St

Monday December 4 through Wednesday December 6

• Young Street – All westbound lanes closed from Ervay St to Field St and eastbound lanes closed from Field St to Akard St
  • Lanes will be provided for through traffic during the peak hours of 7 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.
• Akard Street – All lanes closed to through traffic between Wood St and Young St.
  • Access to the Federal Building parking will be provided by DPD officer from the Wood / Akard intersection
• Akard Street – Southbound lanes closed from Young St to Marilla St
• City Hall Parking Garage – Entrance and exit from the west on Young St

Thursday December 7

• Young Street – All lanes closed from Field St to Ervay St
  • Lanes will be provided for through traffic during peak hours from 7 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.
• Akard Street – All lanes closed to through traffic between Wood St and Young St.
  • Access to the Federal Building parking lot will be provided by DPD officer from the Wood / Akard intersection
• Akard Street – Southbound lanes closed from Young St to Marilla St; all lanes of Akard St closed beginning at 7 p.m.
• Marilla Street – All lanes closed between Young St and Akard St. Through traffic will be available during peak hours at 7 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.

Friday December 8

• Young Street – All lanes closed from Field St to Ervay St
  • Lanes will be provided for through traffic during peak hours at 7 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.
• Akard Street – All lanes closed from Wood St to Marilla St.
  • Access to the Federal Building parking will be provided by DPD officer from the Wood / Akard intersection
• Marilla Street – All lanes closed between Young St and Akard St

 Alternate routes:

• Westbound traffic use Jackson St or Canton St
• Eastbound traffic use Cadiz St or Wood St
• Northbound traffic use Griffin St or Harwood St
• Southbound traffic use South Saint Paul St or Griffin St
• Access to Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas is available from the south via Lamar St or Griffin St

 Parking:

• Metered parking will be prohibited on westbound Young Street between Field St and Ervay St all week, beginning on Saturday December 2 at 1 p.m. through Monday December 11 at 7 a.m.
• Metered parking will be prohibited on eastbound Young Street between Field St and Ervay St beginning Thursday December 7 at 7 p.m. through Monday December 11 at 7 a.m.
• Pioneer Plaza parking lots are closed beginning Thursday December 7 at 4:30 a.m. through Monday December 11 at 7 a.m.

The post Downtown streets to be closed for BMW Marathon appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/downtown-streets-closed-bmw-marathon

City Council members host Hurricane Harvey recovery appreciation events

City staff, community organizations and supporters who helped with Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts attended appreciation brunches held in their honor throughout the City.  Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano and Councilmembers Jennifer S. Gates, and Tennell Atkins held appreciation events at the three City recreation centers that served as temporary shelters for evacuees displaced by Hurricane Harvey on Thursday, November 30 and Friday, December 1.

“It’s a way of showing gratitude for our team of workers,” said Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Medrano, who attended the Samuell Grand Recreation Center event. “These are good people who worked tirelessly to help prepare the centers ahead of our guests arriving from Houston and the surrounding areas.”

Other events took place at the Walnut Hill Recreation Center on Thursday and Tommie Allen Recreation Center and were attended by their respective councilmembers, Councilmember Jennifer Gates and Councilmember Tennell Atkins. Councilmember Gates also presented certificates of appreciation to Parks and Recreation Staff, joined by District 13 Park Board Representative Calvert Collins-Bratton.

The post City Council members host Hurricane Harvey recovery appreciation events appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/city-council-members-host-hurricane-harvey-recovery-appreciation-events

Cite and Release begins December 1

On December 1, 2017 the City of Dallas will begin the Cite and Release Program. The city has released ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ to alleviate confusion citizens may have.

Does this decriminalize marijuana in the City of Dallas?

No. Marijuana is still illegal in the City of Dallas and the State of Texas.

Who does this impact?

This will only impact individuals detained:

• With 4 ounces of marijuana or less;
• Who reside in the Dallas County portion of the City of Dallas and are detained in the same area;
• and must have a valid Texas issued ID or Driver License

Is this citation reducing the charge from a Class A or B misdemeanor to a Class C citation?

No. This citation does not reduce the charge to a Class C ticket. The charges are as follows: A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine up to $4,000 and/or up to one year in jail. This is not a Class C citation or ticket.

If I receive a citation, what court do I need to go to?

Individuals detained for Possession of Marijuana, a Class A or B misdemeanor offense and given the Dallas County Acknowledgement & Acceptance Form will be assigned a court date at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N Riverfront Blvd., 75207.

What happens if I don’t show up to the court date?

If the individual does not attend their court date, a warrant will be issued for their arrest.

Why is the City of Dallas doing this?

On April 12, 2017, the Council approved the creation and implementation of a cite and release program. Cite and Release will allow officers to rapidly document the offense and return to their patrol duties, protecting the citizens of Dallas.

The post Cite and Release begins December 1 appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/citeandrelease

Streets to be closed during the 50th annual Turkey Trot

The 50^th annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot will take place on Thursday November 23. Projected attendance is 40,000 people. Road closures related to this special event will impact traffic around Dallas City Hall and Downtown Dallas.

The following streets will be closed to traffic for event staging:

• Young St. – All lanes closed between Akard St. and Browder St. on Wednesday November 22 at 7 p.m. until Thursday November 23 at 1 p.m.
• Young St. – All lanes closed between Saint Paul St. and Park St. on Wednesday from 7 p.m. until Thursday at 1 p.m.
• Young St. – All lanes closed between Griffin St. and Harwood St. on Thursday from 4 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The following streets will be intermittently closed to traffic on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. until noon, while participants pass through:

• Young/Canton St. – All lanes from Akard St. to Hall St. closed
• Hall St. – All lanes from Canton St. to Main St. closed
• Main St. – All lanes closed from Hall St. to Houston St.
• Market St. – All lanes closed from Main St. to Young St.
• Houston St. – All lanes closed from Main St. to Reunion Boulevard
• Reunion Boulevard West – All westbound lanes closed to Hotel Drive
• Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel access from Reunion Boulevard East
• Hotel Drive – All northbound lanes closed from Reunion Boulevard to Sports St.; dedicated lane available for Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel access
• Reunion Boulevard – All eastbound lanes closed to Sports St.
• Sports St. – All northbound lanes closed to North Drive
• Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel access provided by Dallas Police
• North Drive – All lanes closed
• Hotel St. – All lanes closed from Memorial Drive to Reunion Boulevard East
• Houston St. – All southbound lanes closed from Reunion Boulevard East
• Marsalis Avenue/Houston St. Viaduct – All lanes closed from Houston St. to Colorado Boulevard
• Colorado Boulevard – All lanes closed from North Zang to North Marsalis Avenue
• Blaylock Drive – All lanes closed from Colorado Boulevard to East 5th St.
• East 5th St. – All lanes closed from Blaylock Drive to Beckley Avenue
• Beckley Avenue – All lanes closed from East 5th St. to Zang Boulevard
• Zang Boulevard – All northeast lanes closed from Beckley Avenue to Jefferson St. Viaduct
• Jefferson St. Viaduct – All northeast lanes closed from Zang Boulevard to Market St.
• Market St. – All northbound lanes closed from Jefferson St. Viaduct to Young St.
• Young St. – All lanes closed from Market St. to Marilla St.

Please note parking at meters will be restricted from Wednesday November 22 at 9 a.m. to Thursday November 23 at 5 p.m. for event staging along the following streets:

• Young St. between Akard St. and Harwood St.
• Browder St. and South Ervay St. between Young St. and Marilla St.

Meters along the entire route will be hooded beginning Thursday November 23 at 3 a.m. and will be removed by 2 p.m. that afternoon.

The post Streets to be closed during the 50th annual Turkey Trot appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/streets-closed-50th-annual-turkey-trot

City of Dallas closures and schedules for Thanksgiving and Friday Nov. 24

City offices:
Closed on Thursday November 23 and Friday, November 24.

Libraries:
Closed on Thursday November 23 and Friday November 24.

Recreation Centers:
Administrative offices and Recreation Centers closed on Thursday November 23 and Friday November 24.

Animal Services:
Shelter and Administrative offices will close Thursday November 23.  Animal Services staff will respond to emergency calls.  All calls will be handled through 311. Both adoption and lost and found centers will be open for normal hours on Friday November 24.

3-1-1 Customer Help Line:
Customer Service Representatives will be available to take service related urgent calls such as water main breaks, downed trees/limbs, signal lights out/down, animal control, etc.  Water Customer Service will be closed. For service requests visit

Police and Dallas Fire-Rescue
Administrative offices closed. Will operate on a normal schedule.

Court & Detention Services:
The Municipal Courts Building at 2014 Main will be closed Thursday November 23 and Friday November 24.  Payments by mail are accepted with postmark dates honored.  Online payments may be made at www.dallascityhall.com. Full payments and attorney and cash bonds for arrested defendants will be processed 24 hours/7days a week (including holidays) at the Dallas Marshal’s Office, 1600 Chestnut St.

Sanitation:
Administrative offices closed on Thursday November 23 and Friday November 24. There will be no garage, recycling or brush/bulk trash collections on Thursday, November 23. Thursday customers should place their garbage and recycling carts out on Wednesday November 22. Garbage and recycling roll carts will be collected as scheduled for Friday customers on Friday, November 24. If needed, brush/bulk trash collection will resume for third Monday customers. Transfer stations and the McCommas Bluff landfill will be open as scheduled.

The post City of Dallas closures and schedules for Thanksgiving and Friday Nov. 24 appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/city-dallas-closures-schedules-thanksgiving-friday-nov-24

Dallas Fire-Rescue tests Priority Dispatch

The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department (DFR) is announcing the implementation of the Medical Priority Dispatch System, known as Priority Dispatch, to better serve the citizens of Dallas in emergency medical situations. The new system, which was approved by City Council earlier this year, follows nationally recognized standards that provide identification of life-threatening situations, determination of critical emergency call information for responders, and call prioritization to send the right resource to the highest medical need request. This gives consistent care and service to every emergency medical request received.  The system is scheduled to be implemented toward the middle of November, and has another significant benefit – a proactive quality improvement program that will serve as an important component towards DFR’s continued assessment, adjustment, and improvements in EMS delivery.

“The system will allow DFR to send the most appropriate EMS resource to handle high-priority calls, while still managing the overall ambulance resource needs throughout the City; ensuring effective response times to the highest priority calls”, said DFR Assistant Chief of the EMS and Communications Bureau, Daniel Salazar, when asked how the new system will best benefit callers.

The department plans to evaluate how the system responds and works with the current DFR response model over the next three to four months.

“Assuming the system works as anticipated, there will be changes made in the way EMS service delivery is provided across the City, primarily in call prioritization and what type of resource (EMS unit, Fire unit, or further processing) each call receives,” said David Coatney, Chief of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department.

It is important that the citizens of Dallas understand that the new system will not impact how quickly a response is sent to high priority EMS calls; but instead, other types of calls (non-urgent) will require more vetting to determine which type of EMS resource should be dispatched.  Dallas Fire-Rescue will continue to put Service First as the system is implemented and fully expects that it will help in the daily management of incoming calls.

The post Dallas Fire-Rescue tests Priority Dispatch appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/dallas-fire-rescue-tests-priority-dispatch