Mayor Hector F. Garcia - Never Forgotten

The start of February has been one of much sadness and loss. On February 2, 2018 we lost our beloved Mayor.

For the past five years Mayor Garcia had provided staff with a monthly message to add to the newsletter. This month we have been left with the task of fabricating a message with grieving hearts.

Mayor Hector F. Garcia was a driving force in Watauga and completely devoted to his community and his family. He was a proud resident of the City of Watauga where he and his wife, Wendy, established their home in 1968 and raised two children and one grandson.

Mayor Garcia served in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1968, serving in Korea, Turkey, England and the United States. He worked for General Dynamics as an Aircraft Assembler and Supervisor. After receiving an Associate Degree in Applied Science specializing in Aviation Technology he was moved to the Engineering Planning Department where he retired after 35 years of service.

Mayor Garcia served as Co-Chairman of the first Watauga Charter Commission in 1979. In 1980 he was elected to Council Place 3, and served for 6 years. In 1994, he was Chairman of the Watauga Zoning Board of Adjustment, and in 1995 he was elected Mayor and served in that capacity until 2002. He had a brief hiatus in his service, but was elected Mayor in 2013, for a total of over 29 years of public service.

Mayor Garcia will be greatly missed; his contagious positivity, love for life and care for his fellow citizens will never be replaced. The legacy he has left us will live on for generations as it was his mission to always make the City of Watauga , "A Great Place to Live".

Please keep Mayor Garcia’s family and loved ones in your prayers.

City Manager - Retiring on February 18, 2018

Watauga City Manager, Greg Vick will be retiring on February 18, 2018, after five years of service.

Mr. Vick earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Abilene Christian University and his Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Texas.

He has served several municipalities over his 40 years in city government. His public service includes serving as City Manager in the following cities:

Gladewater
Cedar Hill
Elgin
Watauga

He also served as Assistant City Manager in:

North Richland Hills
Farmers Branch
The Colony

His dedication and steadfast resolve to provide top notch services in the communities he has served is remarkable. During his tenure with the City of Watauga we have seen the implementation of an Equipment Replacement Fund, the construction of a new Active Adult Center, multiple street improvement projects, incentives for Public Safety Employees, the creation of a Planning and Economic Development Division, the addition of a Municipal Court Marshal's Division, and an increase in training opportunities for all employees and Council Members, just to name a few.

Mr. Vick's open door policy and outgoing demeanor have categorized him as the friendliest City Manager in the history of Watauga. City Council and staff wish him much joy and happiness in his upcoming retirement and thank him for his dedication and service to the Citizens and Employees of the City of Watauga.

General & Special Elections - 2018

The May 2018 City Elections are right around the corner.

General Election Candidate Places: Special Election Candidate Places:

Filing DEADLINE - February 16, 2018 Filing DEADLINE - March 5, 2018

- Council Member - Place 1 - Council Member - Place 3
- Council Member - Place 2 - Council Member - Place 4

- Council Member - Place 6 - Mayor
- Council Member - Place 7

For more information please contact the City Secretary's Office via email or via phone at 817.514.5825.

February Events….

Youth Crisis Workshop - February 28 - Watauga Community Center

Stress Busting for Caregivers - February 7 - April 4,- Watauga Community Center

Watauga Middle School Photograhy Show - February 3-16 - Watauga Public Library

Shop Watauga Business Updates

EZ Shredding, 5937 Plum Street Unit U has a new owner

Kings Window Service, 5937 Plum Street Unit H-I has moved

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

AT&T/Park Vista

AT&T Construction in Park Vista Area AT&T is installing Fiber Optics in the Park Vista Area during the months of January and February. The work shall be on the following streets: 1. Elk Ridge Drive 2. Trout Creek Court 3. Caribou Ridge Drive 4. Beaver Ridge Drive 5. Bear Hollow Court 6. Red Rock Trail 7. Geyser Trail 8. Bison Trail 9. Bison Court 10. Cedar View Trail 11. Cedar View Court 12. Timber Ridge Drive All improvements shall be in the public right-of-way with minor disturbances to your front lawn. Any damages caused by AT&T shall be repaired by AT&T. If you have any concerns, please contact AT&T at 817-466-8515 or the Watauga Public Works Department at 817-514-5843.

Bursey Road II

The City of Watauga is widening Bursey Road from Willis Lane to Rufe Snow Drive. The existing street shall be reconstructed with concrete pavement, storm water system, water, and sidewalk improvements. The construction is currently on the section of Bursey Road from Serene Court to Rufe Snow Drive. The section of Bursey Road from Serene Court to Willis Lane is open for local traffic only. We expect the project to be complete in April 2018. Cidrax Texas, LLC is the general contractor on this project. Staff is reviewing the possibility of repairing a paving section of Emma Way as part of this project.

Starnes Road

Starnes Road 16” Water Main The Starnes Road 16” Water Main replacement project from Indian Springs Road to Rufe Snow Drive is currently in the Engineering Design Phase. The plan includes abandoning the existing 16" water main, placing a new 16” water main, and repairing the street cuts with concrete paving. Construction is planned to start late May 2018.

Whitley Road Phase I
Whitley Road 1 Reconstruction Whitley Road 1 from Birchill Road to Starnes Road is complete and open to traffic. The contractor Stabile and Winn, Inc. and Engineering Firm Burgess Niple both performed well on this project and opened the road ahead of schedule. Enjoy the new road, water, and sidewalk improvements. Whitley Road 2 Reconstruction Whitley Road from Watauga Road to Chapman Road is currently in the engineering design phase. A Public Input Meeting was held on January 23, 2018 at 7105 Whitley Road, Watauga, Texas in the City Hall Council Chambers. The Citizen involvement was excellent and our engineering team is reviewing the comments to incorporate some into the project. The project includes complete reconstruction of the street, storm water drainage system, 16” water main, and related wastewater infrastructure. The new street shall be concrete with sidewalks along the sides of the street. Burgess Niple is the Engineering Design firm working on the plans.

Rufe Snow Widening Project

This City of North Richland Hills and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) Project is for the complete removal and replacement of the paving, drainage, water, and some sanitary sewer mains on Rufe Snow Drive from Watauga Road to just south of Ridgetop Road. This project is behind schedule and the contactor is currently working on Phase I (northbound lanes) of Rufe Snow Drive. An updated schedule should be submitted in the coming days.

The City of Watauga has several social media feeds available for residents to follow at www.wataugatx.org