Making Fort Worth the best place to live, work and play.

November   2019  |  District 4  Update

Wishing you and  your family  a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving holiday.            Cary Moon

September 2019 End of Year Sales Tax Report

A 5% year-over-year growth is greater than budget forecast and a good indicator of the strength of the Fort Worth and state economy

CITY NEWS

Do Fort Worth police shoot, kill at disproportionate rate? Here’s what the data says. (Star-Telegram)

Fort Worth needs this crucial element to understand police shootings, experts say (Star-Telegram)

Panther Island hires new coordinator. Will things change for $1.17B Fort Worth project? (Star-Telegram)

Fundraiser at Fort Worth restaurant donates proceeds to Brotherhood for the Fallen (Star-Telegram)

Loan Program Increases Ft Worth Residents' Access To Fresh Produce (Patch.com)

Panel Discussion to Focus on Fort Worth Urban Development (NBC-5)

Fort Worth Country Day recognized for global outreach with Sister Cities awards (Star-Telegram)

Two North Texas Mayors Unite in Support of USMCA (WBAP)

Trinity Metro, Fort Worth partner to develop transit master plan (Progressive Railroading)

Conversations on the future of urban Texas (Texas Tribune)

Fort Worth business leader, former Trinity Metro chair honored by City Council (Fort Worth Business Press)

Red light cameras being removed, some refunds sent (Fort Worth Business Press)

NAACP local leader addresses meeting, wants more information on shooting (Fort Worth Business Press)

Cottage community approved for Altamesa Boulevard (Fort Worth Business Press)

Freese and Nichols honored for 125 years of work (Fort Worth Business Press)

Police Policy Development and Review Panel set (Fort Worth Business Press)

City will soon fill police monitor position (Fort Worth Business Press)

Texas Attorney General Allows Water District Cover-Up (Texas Scorecard)

Tarrant County Approves Game Room Regulations

  Fort Worth

Tarrant County commissioners approved a long list of requirements for game room owners Tuesday in an effort to regulate the businesses that many residents believe attract crime.

The commissioners unanimously adopted an ordinance that requires permits for game room owners and sets rules regarding hours and locations. Commissioner J.D. Johnson was not present. The regulations are set to go into effect April 1, 2020. Among the rules for game rooms:

• A permit to operate.

• Hours are limited to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Game rooms cannot be within 1,500 feet of a school, church or residential neighborhood, or within 2,000 feet of another game room.

• An outside sign that reads “game room” must be displayed and at least two windows must provide “a clear and unobstructed view of all machines.”

• Violating the regulations could result in fines and misdemeanor charges.

But it’s unclear how the county will notify game room owners, as officials know there are some businesses they aren’t aware of. No game room owners testified in support of the regulations at Commissioners Court.

Read more here: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article237251639.html#storylink=cpy

Camping Ordinance

https://www.fox4news.com/news/fort-worth-proposal-to-fight-homelessness-would-require-written-permission-for-camping-on-private-property

Download MyFW app, a new way to report issues

Kroger Drive Project Improvements

Kroger Drive from Ray White Road to Park Vista Circle West is slated for improvements.

Kroger Drive will be a four-lane divided road from Ray White to Central High School’s easternmost driveway and four-lane undivided to Park Vista Circle East. Reconstruction at the intersection with US 377 will provide a median with left- and right-turn lanes. Traffic signals are proposed at Kroger Distribution Center and Park Vista Circle West. In addition, a median opening with a traffic signal will be constructed on Ray White at Central High’s middle driveway.

These improvements are being funded by the City of Fort Worth 2018 Bond Program.

Two Phases:

• Phase 2 - 7mo duration (Summer 2020 start , end Jan 2021 

• Phase 1 - starting last (Feb 2021)

To learn more, contact Project Manager Raul Lopez at 817-392-2457.

EFW Channel erosion project

Channel erosion has been evaluated and prioritized  and is scheduled to begin in December.

Did you know it's the law?

Door to Door Vendors

§ 20-145 REGULATIONS.

   A door-to-door vendor shall not engage in solicitation activities:

   (a)   At any residence or business that has a “No Soliciting” or “No Trespassing” sign posted on the property;

   (b)   At any residence or business where the door-to-door vendor has been verbally informed that no solicitation of food, goods, services or merchandise is allowed; or

   (c)   At any residence before 9:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time and after 8:00 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time, unless at the occupant’s request.

(Ord. 15245, § 1, passed 9-17-2002; Ord. 21674-03-2015, §§ 2, 3, passed 3-3-2015)

  Ordinance exemptions: politics or religion do not require a permit.

 “No Trespassing” or “No Soliciting” signs clearly posted should deter anyone from soliciting on your property.

§§ 30-5 OBSTRUCTING FREE USE OF STREETS, SIDEWALKS.

   It shall be unlawful for any grouping or assemblage of persons, whose standing, remaining or congregating upon any public street or sidewalk shall obstruct, prevent or interfere with the free or unobstructed use of such street or sidewalk by other persons, to fail or refuse to move on or to disperse upon being ordered to do so by any police officer of the city or other peace officer.

(1964 Code, § 33-5)

§ 23-14  POSTING OF HANDBILLS, SIGNS, POSTERS OR ADVERTISEMENTS IN CERTAIN PLACES—PROHIBITED.

   (a)   It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, other than the owner of the property to post, fasten, erect or display, or cause to be posted, fastened, erected or displayed:

1. Any type of handbill, sign, poster or advertisement on or upon any structure, tree, pole, curb or elsewhere within the right-of-way of any public street, or upon any public property within the City of Fort Worth, without the express permission of the city council of the City of Fort Worth;

§ 30-16  AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING OR SOLICITATION

• 30-16  AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING OR SOLICITATION.

   (a)   Definitions. In this section, the following definitions apply:

      AGGRESSIVE MANNER, AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR or AGGRESSIVELY.  As related to soliciting, begging and panhandling means:

1. Using violent or threatening gestures toward a person solicited;
2. Continuing to solicit from a person after the person has given a negative response to such soliciting;
3. Intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person without that person's consent in the course of soliciting;
4. Intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means, including causing a pedestrian or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact;
5. Soliciting money from anyone who is waiting in line for tickets, for entry to a building or for any other purpose;
6. Approaching or following a person for solicitation individually or as part of a group of two or more persons, in a manner and with conduct, words, or gestures intended or likely to cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or damage to or loss of property or otherwise to be harassed or intimidated into giving money or other thing of value; or
7. Soliciting, begging or panhandling of minors less than 16 years of age.

      AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE. A device, linked to a bank or financial institution's account records, which is able to carry out transactions, including, but not limited to: account transfers, deposits, cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and mortgage and loan payments which are made available to banking customers.

      BANK. A bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, trust company, or similar financial institution.

      CHECK CASHING BUSINESS. An entity in the business of cashing checks, drafts, or money orders for consideration.

      PARKING METER or PARKING PAY STATION. A location on a street, parking lot or parking garage where persons pay, for parking by either cash or credit, to a person or at a machine or other device designed to accept payment for parking.

      PRIVATE BUILDING. Shall be deemed to include, but is not limited to, retail or service establishments, such as restaurants, convenience food stores, laundromats, service stations, hotels, offices, and similar privately owned establishments open to the public. This term does not include any building owned, leased or operated by the federal or state government, political subdivisions thereof, municipalities, special districts, any public administration board or authority of the state.

      PUBLIC AREA. An area to which the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, the common area of a hospital, apartment house, office building, transport facility, shop, basement, building entrance or doorway, lobby, hallway, stairway, mezzanine, elevator, foyer, public restroom or sitting room or any other place used in common by the public, tenants, occupants or guests situated in any private building.

      PUBLIC PLACE. A place to which a governmental entity has title to which the public has access, including, but not limited to: any street, highway, sidewalk, walkway, parking lot, plaza, transportation facility, school, place of amusement, park, or playground.

      SOLICIT, ASK, BEG or PANHANDLE. To request, by the spoken, written, or printed word, or by other means of communication an immediate donation or transfer of money or another thing of value from another person, regardless of the solicitor's purpose or intended use of the money or other thing of value, and regardless of whether consideration is offered.

   (b)   A person commits an offense if the person solicits:

      (1)   In an aggressive manner in a public area or public place; or

      (2)   Within 20 feet of the following areas where the public is considered vulnerable or where solicitation would interfere with the flow of pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic:

1. An automated teller machine;
2. The entrance or exit of a bank;
3. The entrance or exit of a check cashing business;
4. An authorized charitable contribution activity;
5. A parking meter or parking pay station on a street;
6. A public parking garage or parking lot pay station;
7. The entrance or exit of a restaurant or the service area of an outdoor eating establishment;
8. In a bus, at a bus station or stop, or at a facility operated by a transportation authority for passengers including but not limited to any school bus stop;
9. A marked crosswalk; or
10. An entrance of a commercial or government building.

      (3)   Within five feet of a curb or edge of a street;

      (4)   Within 50 feet from any land owned by a public or private school and used in whole or in part for providing education services to elementary age children;

      (5)   Within ten feet of a gas station, liquor store, or convenience store property;

      (6)   In a public restroom; or

      (7)   At a public event that is operating by permit issued by the city at city parks as defined in the city code;

   (c)   Private property.

      (1)   No person may solicit, ask, beg or panhandle on private property or residential property without permission from the owner or occupant.

      (2)   It shall be unlawful for any person to:

1. Solicit, ask, beg or panhandle, as those terms are defined in this chapter, in any public room in any private building, without the written permission or consent of the building's owner or managing and authorizing agent. For the purpose of enforcement of this subsection, it is presumed that if the owner, lessee, managing agent or other person in charge of a building prominently displays a sign as provided in subsection (c), then the activities declared unlawful in this section are deemed to be without the permission or consent of the building's owner, lessee, managing agent or other person.
2. Solicit, ask, beg or panhandle,  as those terms are defined in this chapter, on any private property where the owner, lessee, managing agent or other person in charge of such property displays a sign as provided in subsection (c).
3. Conspicuous notice. To invoke the protections afforded under this section, each owner, lessee, managing agent or person in charge of the operation of a private building or private property shall prominently display a sign on the premises, such as the lobby or entrance of the private building or private property, where it may be read by any person going in or out of the building or private developed property stating generally: "NO PANHANDLING PERMITTED SEC. 30-16, FORT WORTH CODE OF ORDINANCES" "NO SOLICITORS" or "NO SOLICITATION."

   (d)   For purposes of subsection (b) in this Section, measurement shall be made in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures or objects, from the nearest point at which an unlawful act is conducted to the nearest portion to the items listed in subsection (b).

   (e)   The solicitation of contributions while standing on a traffic median, shoulder, improved shoulder, sidewalk, or the improved portion of the roadway from occupants of any vehicle on a roadway, street or thoroughfare shall only be permitted in compliance with the terms and conditions set out in Section 30-7, "Solicitation" of the city code, provided they are not in an aggressive manner as defined in this section.

   (f)   Any person who engages in any activity specified in subsection (b), maybe subject to prosecution for a Class C misdemeanor and a fine not to exceed $500.

(1964 Code, § 27-49)  (Ord. 7211, § 1, passed 8-11-1975; Am. Ord. 22573-01-2017, § 1, passed 1-24-2017)

§ 24-9  DOGS TO BE ON LEASH.

   Dogs must be kept on a leash and under the direct physical control of the owner or handler while in any city park or recreation area. Dogs are permitted off-leash only in those portions of the park designated by the director of park and recreation as off-leash areas. Dogs must remain under the immediate personal supervision and command of the owner or handler while in off-leash areas.

(1964 Code, § 27-19(10))  (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 15599, § 6, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015)

Special Needs Assistance Program aids the entire community

A man-made accident, terrorist act or severe weather disaster can strike quickly and without warning. All Fort Worth residents should know what to do and quickly move to shelter in these situations, but residents with a disability can find it especially difficult to get out of harm’s way.

According to the July 2016 U.S. Census Quick Facts Report, 7.8 percent of Fort Worth residents under the age of 65 were reported to have some type of disability. That is more than 66,000 Fort Worth residents, and that number grows substantially when you add in residents 65 and older.

That is why the City of Fort Worth hosts the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP).

This SNAP program is not federal food stamps, but a local database that contains information about residents with disabilities who may not be able to evacuate their homes, or simply want to provide advance information on their disability to emergency first responders.

SNAP registration is available in English and Spanish, does not define or limit what a disability would be, is free to all Fort Worth residents and should be reviewed annually to keep information current.

Register online, call the Office of Emergency Management at 817-392-6170 or mail a registration request including name and contact information to: Office of Emergency Management, 200 Texas St., Fort Worth, TX 76102.

Emergency management personnel will assist residents with phone and mail registration.

Information provided in the SNAP program helps emergency management personnel plan for future disasters and provides advance knowledge of the resident’s specific disability to emergency first responders after a disaster or 911 call.

City Hall Calendar  No meeting November 26, 2019

City Council Agenda   Zoning Agenda   Video Archives

You call. We answer.

Do you have a community concern? Please call our office at 817-392-8804.

           Alicia Ortiz                                                   Cary Moon

           District Director                                            District 4 Councilmember

           817-392-6062                                              817-392-8804

           Alicia.Ortiz@FortWorthTexas.Gov               Cary.Moon@FortWorthTexas.Gov

Produced by District 4 Councilmember Cary Moon's office