Mayor Pro Tem's Message

This year, April begins with Easter, with its celebration of new beginnings and hope in the world. Traditionally, April is the month of “April Showers”, which will bring “May Flowers”, but we are far south enough to already see beautiful flowers, and trees blooming and producing fresh leaves for the year. If you travel a bit further south, Bluebonnets and other Texas wildflowers are already starting! We are putting away the winter clothes and making room in our closets for the spring and summer clothes.

We are making progress in Watauga! The improvements on Bursey Road are complete, and the new section of Bursey Road is open from Willis to Rufe Snow. The new, wide sidewalk will allow walkers, runners, and bike riders to comfortably travel from Whitley Road to Rufe Snow safely, and vehicles to travel on a new, wide road! The new Parkview subdivision at Whitley Road and Starnes is booming, with new homes popping up at a rapid clip.

Check out the Watauga Library this month. The Library is one of the busiest places in Watauga! Harp Essence is coming back on Thursday, April 26^th by popular demand. I plan to be there! There are activities for all ages, and something is always popping there!

Come to our Community Center and the new facility for our active seniors. Lots to do, no excuse for not socializing and exercising! Consider volunteering in our city, just visit our website and find something that will allow you to share your talents and interests with your fellow Watauga citizens.

Enjoy April, and SHOP WATAUGA!

Employee Anniversary Awards

On Monday, March 26, 2018, during the City Council Regular Meeting, two employees were honored with Anniversary Certificates.

Mr. Randy Richards, Building Official (left) has been employed with the City for twenty-five years.

Officer James Dykes (right) has been employed with the City for five years.

The City of Watauga thanks them for their service, loyalty, and dedication!

General & Special Election

Early Voting will begin on Monday, April 23, 2018! During Early Voting registered citizens may vote at ANY polling location within Tarrant County. Watauga City Hall is designated as a polling location during Early Voting. The schedule for Early Voting is as follows:

April 23 - 27, 2018
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

April 28, 2018
Saturday
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

April 29, 2018
Sunday
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

April 30, 2018
Monday
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

May 1, 2018
Tuesday
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Candidates

The Candidates on the General Election Ballot are as follows in ballot order:

Council Member, Place 1

Hal Gerhardt

Council Member, Place 2

Tom Snyder

Council Member, Place 6

Mark Taylor

Phillip Jennings

Council Member, Place 7

Kim Irving

The Candidates on the Special Election Ballot are as follows in ballot order:

Council Member, Place 3

Sandra (Sandy) Bush
Lee Griffin

Council Member, Place 4

Michelle King

David Griffin

Mayor

Patrick Shelbourne
Brandon Krausse

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

Work Where You Live!
Have you considered a career in Municipal Government?

The City of Watauga is searching for dedicated and hardworking individuals to join our team. The City offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Summer job opportunities are now available as well. Visit our website for a list of career opportunities!

April Events….

Girls Summer Volleyball Registration - Now Open - Watauga Community Center
Watauga Summer Camp Registration - April 2 - Watauga Community Center

Senior Health Expo- April 6 - Watauga Community Center

Concert in the Park - April 6 - Watauga Community Center

Life Line Screening- April 11 - Watauga Community Center

Disease Management Workshop - March 27 - May 15 - Watauga Community Center

Aging Mastery Program - April 18 - June 20 - Watauga Community Center

Harp Essence- April 26 - Watauga Library

Diabetes Self Management - April 26 - May 31 - Watauga Community Center
International Leadership of Texas Art Show - April 28 - May 3 - Watauga Library
Public Speaking and Meeting Procedure - April 28 - Watauga Library

Coming in May....

King's Window Services
5937 Plum Street, Unit F
Watauga, Texas 76148
817.908.1060

Dad’s Tool Box - 5947 Rufe Snow

Niu Niu Foot Spa - 6801 Rufe Snow

Artist Kollect - 6120 Watauga Road

Cabrera’s Automotive - 5930 Plum Street

Be sure to stop by and welcome them to Watauga!

Grand Opening

Four Seasons Markets Brings Outdoor Farmers Market to Watauga!

Mark your calendars! Starting Sunday, April 15, 2018, in the Watauga Pavilion Shopping Center parking lot, 7600 Denton Hwy, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. is the opening of the Outdoor Watauga Farmers Market. The market is expected to go year round on Sundays, weather permitting. Hope to see you there! For more information and if you are considering becoming a vendor please contact: www.fourseasonsmarkets.com

National Small Business Week

The United States Small Business Administration has announced April 29 - May 5, 2018, as National Small Business Week. For the 4th year, the City of Watauga is planning to participate in activities that recognize our small hometown businesses. A business luncheon is planned as well as announcements on social media. We want your input in the planning of another successful Watauga Small Business Week. If you would like to contribute ideas for this week of recognition, please contact Denise Wilkinson at 817.514.5813 or via e-mail. If you would like to share photos of your business when you opened or even before you built your business with a small history, we can post them on our FaceBook page.

Spring is finally here and as the weather changes more families are spending time outdoors riding their bikes, taking walks and enjoying time spent with neighbors, friends, and family. The Watauga Police Department wants to remind citizens of some Parking Violations when parking your vehicle on a residential street.

DO’s

An operator who parks on a two-way roadway shall do so with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle parallel to and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
An operator who stops or parks on a one-way roadway shall stop or park the vehicle parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway in the direction of authorized traffic movement with the right-hand wheels within 18 inches of the curb.
A person may stop, stand, or park a bicycle on a sidewalk if the bicycle does not impede the normal movement of pedestrians or other traffic on the sidewalk.

DON’Ts

An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle:

On the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street (double parking);
on a sidewalk;
in your private driveway blocking a sidewalk impeding the normal movements of pedestrians or other traffic on the sidewalk;
in an intersection;
on a crosswalk;
in front of a public or private driveway;
within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;
in front of a public or private mailbox;
where an official sign prohibits stopping or parking.

Did you know...

Did you know Unsightly Conditions not only affect your property but may affect the neighborhood as well? Items stored outside in public view or in the backyard may be a violation of the City of Watauga Code of Ordinances and could possibly lower property values and or cause a health risk to the neighborhood. To help understand what may not be kept outside, items include but are not limited to, any kind of debris, trash, tires, scrap metal, construction materials, or anything that may become a rodent harborage or hold stagnant water.

Please take advantage of the monthly bulk curbside pick-up available in your area. If you need assistance determining whether or not certain items are a violation, we are here to help answer your questions. Please call Public Works at 817.514.5839 or 817.514.5843 and ask to speak to a Code Compliance Representative.

Thank you for your help in keeping Watauga, "A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE”.

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.

Bursey Road 2

The City of Watauga is widening Bursey Road from Willis Lane to Rufe Snow Drive. Bursey Road shall be open to thru traffic the last week of March 2018. The existing street was reconstructed with concrete pavement, storm-water system, water, and sidewalk improvements. While Bursey Road is open to traffic, there still remain minor construction items that will be ongoing. The construction is currently on Emma Way from Lauren Way to Grayson Way. Emma Way in this area shall be closed to thru traffic. Anyone wanting to access Fairview Drive or Bursey Road from the neighborhood should use Courtney Way. We expect the project to be complete in April 2018 other than minor punch list items. Cidrax Texas, LLC is the general contractor on this project.

Starnes Road

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 summer 2018.

Rufe Snow Widening Project

The City of North Richland Hills and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) widening project of Rufe Snow Drive from just south of Ridgetop Road to Watauga Road is nearing the end of Phase I (northbound lanes) and should start Phase II (southbound driving lanes) in April 2018. Continuous dual northbound and southbound driving lanes are to be open during construction other than minor single lane closures as necessary. The Contractor shall provide driveway entry signs along Rufe Snow Drive notifying motorist of business entry points where construction barricading blocks normal visibility of drive approaches. Additional temporary advertising signs may be granted to a business by the Building Official when construction reduces access or visibility of the business. The time allowed for the display of a temporary sign shall be extended to the duration of the limited or reduced access or visibility. Such signs shall be exempt from a permit fee.

To request a temporary sign contact the Watauga Public Works Department at 817.514.5839. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the NRH Engineering Staff at 817.427.6400 or the Watauga Public Works Department at 817.514.5753.

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