Message from the Mayor

Hello Watauga. I hope that this newsletter finds you all healthy and safe. As we move into April we find ourselves still in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. We unfortunately, still have a long way to go before our Nation can return to normal. As reported earlier, to date Watauga only has two (2) cases of the virus, both of which are travel related and not community spread. This means that thanks to you, the preventative measures we put in place in March appear to be working. So, please continue practicing social/physical distance from others. Our parks remain open with no plans to close them at this time. However, playground and exercise areas are closed, so please respect the rules and avoid use. With schools temporarily closed and the weather warming up kids are going to want to gather and meet up with friends. I want to stress the importance of "social/physical distancing" and how critical it is in helping to control the spread of the virus. Be sure to follow all the restrictions/guidelines in the Tarrant County Executive Order effective March 24, 2020. Please comply with the Order so we can "flatten the curve" and move on with our lives.

Although City facilities are closed to the public, your City staff is continuing to find innovative ways to continue to serve you. Your Library is hosting numerous on-line activities for all. Your Recreation Department/Senior center is also continuing to serve our community providing food distribution (curbside only) and providing limited meal service to the 30 plus Seniors currently enrolled. We are also coordinating with Meals on Wheels to ensure that our Seniors continue to get a nutritious meal every day.

We have had numerous cancellations due to the "stay at home" order in place; however, the Carter Blood Care Center will host a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive at the Hector F Garcia Community Center on April 7, 2020. YOU MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO DONATE. Please contact 1-888-480-8200 to schedule an appointment to donate.

As I stated in my video post last week, this is a "WE" time, not a "ME" time. Let's do what's best for everybody. Remember Family, friends and neighbors. Take care of your family, stay in touch with your friends and check on your neighbors. As Mayor, I challenge each of you to support our Local Businesses by visiting those providing curbside and/or drive-thru services. Watch for my new Facebook video posts related to showing support for Watauga businesses! Let's ensure that Watauga remains a great place to live.

City Administration Offices will be CLOSED Friday, April 10, 2020

APRIL 13, 2020

REGULAR MEETING
6:30 P.M.

The meeting will be held by video teleconference. The agenda packet will include the registration information necessary for public input. Check here for agenda posting.

COVID-19 Emergency Information

The health and well-being of our citizens, employees and the community is a top priority for the City of Watauga. We understand the concern and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to the needs of the community as the situation evolves.

In coordination with Tarrant County Health Services and in response to the declarations of a State of Emergency by the County, State of Texas and the President of the United States, the City of Watauga is following recommendations to minimize the potential for spread of the COVID-19 virus. Included in these recommendations are the closures of the Hector F. Garcia Community Center and the Library to the public as well as the cancellation of Watauga sponsored events for the next 2 weeks, effective immediately.

City offices will remain open at this time, however, City Administration strongly recommends that citizens utilize alternative methods of contact with staff including the use of the City's online payment portal and contact via phone or email. Please remember that the City is expecting heavier than normal call volume, so the wait times may be longer than usual.

We strongly encourage you to use the City's digital applications. You can access updates on the City's website.

If you haven't registered for emergency updates through the City's Civic Ready application, you are encouraged to do so. The Civic Ready notification tool will be utilized to provide emergency updates. All other updates may be found on the City's website and the City's Facebook page.

With the health and safety of our citizens in mind, the City would like you to know:

All City facilities are cleaned and sanitized daily as part of our normal business operations. In light of COVID-19, we have increased the extent of daily cleanings and taking steps to ensure all City buildings have ample hygiene and sanitation supplies available.
City facilities have hand sanitizer in place at varying locations throughout the buildings, and we encourage our employees and the public to utilize sanitizer to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Consistent with the CDC, we encourage all citizens and employees to follow appropriate preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. Please stay home if you aren't feeling well or believe you may be at risk.

The City will continue to keep the public updated and appreciate the cooperation of all concerned.

More information regarding the COVID-19 disease is available from:
Tarrant County Public Health
Texas Department of State Health Services

The following is a partial list of programs that have been cancelled:

The 2020 State of the City Event

All Library events through March 27, 2020
All Recreation and Community Services events through March 27, 2020 including the Donut Dash, Pickleball Clinic and the Paws in the Park Event
The Animal Services Microchip Event and Vaccination Clinic

CIVICReady Message:

Hello, this is the City of Watauga with an important announcement regarding COVID-19. The health and well-being of our citizens, employees and the community is a top priority for the City of Watauga. We understand the concern and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to the needs of the community as the situation evolves.

In coordination with Tarrant County Health Services and in response to the declarations of a State of Emergency by the County, State of Texas and the President of the United States, the City of Watauga is following recommendations to minimize the potential for spread of the COVID-19 virus. Included in these recommendations are the closures of the Hector F. Garcia Community Center and the Library to the public as well as the cancellation of Watauga sponsored community events for the next 2 weeks, effective immediately.

City offices will remain open at this time, however, City Administration strongly recommends that citizens utilize alternative methods of contact with staff including the use of the City's online payment portal and contact via phone or email. Please remember that the City is expecting heavier than normal call volume, so the wait times may be longer than usual.

We strongly encourage you to use the City's digital applications. You can access updates on the City's website at www.cowtx.org/covid19

April is national Child Abuse Prevention Month. Although child abuse occurs all year long, April allows our community to have a concentrated effort to become more aware of the realities of child abuse and more importantly to GET INVOLVED to prevent child abuse in Tarrant County. Whether you are interested in learning more or volunteering to help victims, the month of April gives plenty of opportunity for you to make a difference!

Alliance For Children, the Children's Advocacy Center in Tarrant County, has been serving child abuse victims since 1992. Their mission is to protect Tarrant County children from child abuse through teamed investigations, healing services and community education. Alliance For Children rescues hope for child abuse victims through a team of experts investigating criminal child abuse, restores trust through interventions that provide safety and healing and rebuilds lives with tools that help children move beyond victimization and ensure that abuse will not define them.

Alliance For Children urges adults to take action to end child abuse and ensure that each child has the opportunity to live in a safe and nurturing environment.
Child abuse is preventable. There are steps you can take to better protect children from harm.

Listen to your child: Talking with your child and listening to what he or she has to say is the first step in preventing abuse.

Know who has contact with your child: Most abusers are someone the child or family knows and trusts.

Minimize Opportunity: Avoid one adult/one child situations. Drop-in on situations where your child may be alone with another adult (even close family members).

Recognize the Signs: Don't expect obvious signs when a child is being abused. Signs are often there, but you have to know what to look for.

Monitor your child's Internet and cell phone use: Offenders often use the web and text messaging to lure children into physical contact.

React Responsibly: Be prepared to react responsibly if a child discloses abuse to you, or if you suspect or see that boundaries have been violated.

Educate your child: Teach your children about their body and the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touches. They should know that inappropriate touches could occur with strangers, a family member, adult friend or an older youth. Tell your children that they should tell a trusted adult about an inappropriate touch.

Educate yourself: Sign up to take a free Stewards of Children^® training class by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020SOC

Please visit Alliance For Children's blog for more information and tips on preventing child abuse. For additional resources select HERE.