All About Irving
Resident Survey Results
Each year, the City of Irving conducts a survey to assess resident satisfaction with delivery of major city services and uses responses to help set priorities for the community. City services have experienced significant satisfaction increases over the past three years according to survey respondents. Survey results are featured in the July edition of City Spectrum, which is available online and will be mailed to every Irving household this week.
Audit and Finance Committee Audio
In the interest of financial accountability and increased transparency, a new feature allows Internet users to access complete audio recordings of Council Audit and Finance Committee meetings from the city website. To listen, visit www.cityofirving.org, locate the “Video on Demand” button on the left navigation bar and select the “Meetings” tab. Audio from the June 22 meeting is available here.
Supplies for Success
Irving residents and businesses are invited to participate in the 6th Annual Mayor and Firefighters’ Supplies for Success school supply drive July 5–Aug. 6. This citywide event is held to collect school supplies for economically disadvantaged students who attend school in Irving ISD. Donations may be dropped off at any Irving fire station. Financial contributions for the purchase of supplies can be mailed to: IISD Partnerships in Education c/o Supplies for Success Drive, P.O. Box 152637, Irving, TX 75015-2637. E-mail partnership@irvingisd.net to set up a delivery point to drop off large donations. Those who need assistance with supplies should contact their child’s school counselor. View supply wish list and donation drop-off stations online.
Rain Garden Class
Learn how to make the most of a rain garden with this free class from 6 to 8 p.m. July 8 at Northwest Recreation Center, 2800 Cheyenne St. To register, visit www.cityofirving.org/begreen and select “Educational Opportunities”.
Summer Shred Opportunity
The next free document shredding opportunity will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 9 at the Drop-Off Center, located at 3000 Rock Island Road (west side of parking lot). Bring only paper to be shredded. All shredded materials will be recycled. Residents are limited to two file boxes on a first-come, first-served basis. Proof of Irving residency is required. Call (972) 721-8059.
Public Input Opportunity
Residents are invited to provide input on proposed enhancements to the city’s animal ordinance that have been recommended by the Animal Services Advisory Committee. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. July 12 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. Committee recommendations include a review of the definition of abandoned animals, feral cat management, dangerous wild animals within city limits and the roadside sale of animals. Resident comments will be solicited following a short presentation. For more information, call (972) 721-2256.
Summer Youth Programs
The Irving Police Department’s Athletic League is partnering with the Irving Independent School District and the YMCA to offer free summer youth programs. Choose from five different sessions offered from July 6-Aug. 6.
- Summer Hoops – Youth, ages 10-14, will practice teamwork, develop positive relationships with police, while sharpening fundamental basketball skills at the Sam Houston Recreation Center, 3033 W. Country Club Drive. For more information contact Sgt. Richie Miller at (972) 721-2544 or rmiller@cityofirving.org.
- Summer Kicks – Youth ages 8-14, will focus on soccer fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship and creating relationships with the community at the Irving YMCA, 2200 W. Irving Blvd. For more information, contact Sgt. Joe Palomar at (972) 721-2545 or jpalomar@cityofirving.org.
Cool Nights at Campión
Interpretive naturalists will guide small groups on an evening hike from 8 to 10 p.m. July 23 at Campión Trails – Bird’s Fort Trail Park, 5757 Riverside Drive. Experts will discuss the creatures of the night on the trail. Flashlights will be provided to hikers and a cool treat will be provided following the hike. To register, visit www.cityofirving.org/begreen.
Irving Pursues Tree City USA Designation to Beautify City
The Parks and Building Maintenance Department is spearheading the city’s efforts to achieve national designation from the Texas Forest Service as a Tree City USA.
“Trees provide cleaner air, shadier streets and add to the aesthetic beauty of the community, and we’re excited to add the pursuit of the Tree City USA designation to the city’s list of initiatives that promote environmental sustainability,” said Chris Michalski, parks and building maintenance director. “Achieving this designation will demonstrate that Irving is a community that really cares about its environment.”
During the past year, through regular business operations, Irving exceeded the financial requirements to obtain the Tree City USA designation. In support of the Tree City USA initiative, the city hosted its first Arbor Day Celebration. In addition, the city will review its Tree Ordinance and propose to establish a new Tree Board comprised of community volunteers from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Keep Irving Beautiful and the Green Advisory Committee.
Nationwide, more than 3,000 cities participate in the Tree City USA program. Once Irving obtains its Tree City USA designation, annual observances, community forestry education programs and other initiatives that promote environmental sustainability will be ongoing to preserve the status.
Watch footage from the City of Irving’s Arbor Day Celebration on demand.
Proper grease, oil disposal: The majority of sanitary sewer overflows are due to grease buildup from homes and apartments. Help prevent costly sewer overflows by following a few simple steps.
Do:
- Put oil and grease in collection containers.
- Remove oil and grease from kitchen utensils, equipment, food scrapers, towels and brooms.
- Keep grease out of wash water.
- Place food scraps in collection containers.
Do not:
- Pour oil and grease down drains.
- Wash fryers, griddles, pots, pans or plates with water until oil and grease are removed.
- Use hot water to rinse grease on surfaces.
- Put food scraps down the drain.
For more information, call Water Utilities at (972) 721-2281.
Recycle used cooking oil: The proper disposal of fryer oil is essential. Once the oil is cool, carefully pour or scrape the oil into a container no larger than 5 gallons and apply a tight-fitting, screw-top lid. Call (972) 721-2232 for pick up. Free plastic funnels are available to residents to pour oil back into containers. There is a limit of one per household. Call (972) 721-2772. The used fryer oil will be recycled into biodiesel, an American-made fuel that burns cleaner than petroleum diesel. Biodiesel also is safe, nontoxic and biodegradable. Every gallon of used fryer oil replaces a gallon of foreign crude oil. Frying oil accepted in the recycling effort includes vegetable, peanut, canola, sunflower and cottonseed oils. This does not include cooking grease such as lard or animal fats. For more information, call (972) 721-8059.
Telephone directory opt out: The Yellow Page Association and Association of Directory Publishers have created an opt out program, where customers can call the publisher, or visit www.yellowpagesoptout.com,, to opt out of receiving a phone book. To exercise the opt out option, AT&T/Yellow Pages customers may call (866) 329-7118 and press 1; Verizon/Idearc Media customers may call (800) 888-8448 and press 2. Callers should be prepared to provide a home phone number, name, e-mail address (for confirmation) and home address to the publisher’s customer service representative. The opt out offer is valid for three years; however, those who opt out may be contacted yearly to confirm.
Cell phone ban reminder: To help provide additional safety to children, the use of cell phones while driving in active Irving school zones is prohibited. The guidelines for the ban, which are enforced on school days during active school zone hours, prevent motorists from engaging in calls by talking, dialing or listening on a hand-held mobile telephone, and entering or reading text messages. This includes:
- Hand-held cell phones
- Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
- Pagers
- Other electronic communications devices
For more information, call the Police Department at (972) 721-2518 or visit www.cityofirving.org..
New West Irving Library: Expanded library services will be available to residents in west and central Irving as plans for a new standalone facility begin to take shape. Construction on the 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art library is set to begin this December. The building will be designed to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified. It will be equipped with panels that allow for the conversion of solar energy into electricity, and will include use of geo-thermal energy to heat and cool the building. Library features will include a computer lab and business center complete with WiFi access, and outdoor reading and activity areas. The future site of the library is a 6.5-acre site located on the corner of Rochelle and Esters roads near Northwest Park Recreation Center. The facility’s grand opening is scheduled for early 2011.
Ozone season awareness: Ozone season for the Dallas/Fort Worth area runs through October. Pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, refineries, chemical plants and other sources destroy the Earth’s ozone layer. Help save the ozone by using mass transit, observing the speed limit and traveling less. Learn more environment friendly tips at www.cityofirving.org/begreen.
Garage sale ordinance: Effective May 1, Irving residents conducting a garage sale without a permit will be subject to a citation. The requirement to obtain a permit is part of a city ordinance, Chapter 49, passed in October 2005, which also states that garage sales cannot exceed 72 consecutive hours, and that only two garage sales are permitted per address per calendar year. In addition, signs advertising garage sales may only be placed on public property from noon Friday to noon the following Monday. Garage sale permits are free of charge and can be obtained from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd., in the Planning and Inspections Department. Save time by downloading an application online at www.cityofirving.org. For more information, call (972) 721-2371.
Mosquito preparedness: Irving residents are reminded to prepare themselves for mosquito season this summer. Residents can defend themselves against West Nile virus by following the “Four Ds.” They are:
- Dusk/Dawn – the times of day to stay indoors.
- Dress – wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors during these times.
- DEET – an ingredient to look for when purchasing and using insect repellent.
- Drain – minimize outside standing water so it does not become a mosquito breeding site.
For more information, call (972) 721-3755.
Irving
Convention Center
