Message from the Mayor

I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted from dealing with “unprecedented” events. Last year at this time it was COVID-19. This year it is SNOVID-21. Who would have ever thought people would walk across Capp Smith Lake? I think we deserve a break and I desire to avoid issuing emergency declarations. Seriously, the extraordinary weather event of last month impacted every one of us in some manner. Whether it was loss of power, frozen/broken pipes, broken water mains or impassable roads, it was a tough week. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone on city staff for the job they did in helping us all get thru it. From public works repairing mains in sub-freezing temperatures, the office staff working in buildings with no heat, calls made to check on our senior citizens, delivering meals to those in need, our IT department keeping the all-important communications systems up and running and our Police and Fire Departments responding to emergency calls. They all “answered the call” and were there when the citizens needed them. My hat is off to all of them. Thank you also to the citizens of Watauga. Neighbors taking care of neighbors. That is what makes “Watauga a Great Place to Live”.

Given Mother Nature’s tirade last month, it’s hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. March 20^th is officially the 1^st day of spring. That means that it’s time for the clocks to change again. Sunday, March 14^th we set the clocks ahead one hour.

Our 3^rd annual State of the City will be held on March 24, 2021. Unfortunately, this great event will again be virtual. It will be posted to our Facebook page so be sure to watch.

Lastly, after an extended closure due to COVID, our City Hall reopened to the public on February 22^nd. Our recreation center hopes to fully reopen by mid-March followed by our library in April.

March 8, 2021

WORKSHOP
5:30 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING
6:30 P.M.

March 22, 2021

WORKSHOP
5:30 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING
6:30 P.M.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

7105 WHITLEY ROAD

Milestone Business Anniversaries

10 Years

Watauga Quick Stop

6531 Watauga Rd Ste 110-A

5 years

Hashi Japanese Kitchen

8004 Denton Hwy Ste 206

5 years

HD Eyecare, PLLC

6000 Denton Hwy Ste 100

5 years

ServeVita Holdings LLC

8321 Whitley Rd Ste 100

5 years

Care ONE

6735 Rufe Snow Dr

Gecko Green

6245 Rufe Snow Dr. Ste 804

Overstock Furniture & Mattress

7616 Denton HWy Ste 500

Changes Coming to Watauga Public Library

The Watauga Public Library together with other area libraries will be separating from the Fort Worth Public Library as of October 2021. After many years of partnership, Fort Worth and other member libraries were unable to reach an agreement related to certain contract provisions.

After careful review by staff and discussion with the Watauga Library Board and approval of the City Council, the contract with Fort Worth will end on September 30, 2021.

Patrons may see minor disruptions in service as early as this summer as preparations are being made to form a new consortium. The process will likely require months to complete.

What will these changes mean for Watauga Library Members?

Fort Worth card holders will not be able to use their cards at any of the new consortium libraries. Neither will consortium library card holders be able to use their cards at Fort Worth. Books will still be available to borrow from Fort Worth but through interlibrary loan, which tend to be slower than the weekly deliveries currently.

Consortium library patrons will be able to use their cards at partner libraries just as before and courier service will run between libraries to pick up and deliver books. Watauga will no longer be issuing TexShare cards, but non-consortium city residents may purchase cards for an annual fee.

We apologize for any disruptions in service this change may cause as we transition to a new system. We are optimistic that other libraries will join our new consortium. We feel this decision will better serve our citizens both now and in the future. Additional details will follow soon, but in the meantime, please watch for updates from the Library on our Facebook page and monthly newsletter. Concerns, questions and comments will be addressed by phone at 817-514-5860, 817-514- 5865 or by email at lewell@wataugatx.org.

Crazy for Cactus Curbside Craft for Adults

Tiny Art Show

Completed art drop-off:

March 1^st-19^th, Monday through Friday between 10:00am and 6:00pm.

Tiny Art Show on Facebook starts: Wednesday, March 24^th

Please call the library at 817-514-5865 with any questions.

Fort Worth Zoo – Virtually @ the Library!

Do you or someone you love adore animals? Well, then we have the program for you! Each month from February to May, the Library will have a virtual animal experience available for you to register for. While you are free to register early for the program, the link will be provided closer to the date of the program.

The date of the first Fort Worth Zoo presentation is: February 11^th at 6PM.