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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03 Euless TodayWe recently celebrated the accomplishments �^ of City Manager Loretta Getchell as she retired from the City. ,F She served the T residents of Euless for the past 27 years, with the most recent 10 years as City Manager. Her dedication to our City and our residents is something we will forever be grateful for. She has done a phenomenal job for so long, and has left a huge footprint on our City. We wish her all the best as she heads into the next phase of her life. The City Council appointed Deputy City Manager Chris Barker to be the next City Manager. He began working for the City over 25 years ago at the Texas Star Golf Course, and he has also worked in Parks and Community Services, Public Works, and Planning and Development before joining the City Manager's Office. It is with a great deal of pride and gratitude that we name him our next City Manager. The City of Euless is very fortunate to have a number of wonderful employees who serve the residents of our community with unparalleled passion. Nevertheless, it is always a pleasure to recognize a deserving and dedicated employee with the prestigious title of -Employee of the Year, and the 2024 designation was awarded to Stacy Rodriguez - Duke. Stacy serves as the Executive Secretary for the City Manager's Office, where her hard work and contributions continue to make a positive impact on the community. If you have had the opportunity to meet Stacy, you will have no doubt as to why she was selected the 2024 Employee of the Year. City Manager Announces Retirement After serving the City of Euless for 27 years, City Manager Loretta Getchell announced her retirement, effective January 31. She joined the city as the Director of Finance in 1997. Her finance background included being a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Government Finance Officer. In 2004, she was promoted to Assistant City Manager, and then became the Deputy City Manager in 2007. In 2015, she was appointed as the City's eighth City Manager. During her tenure as City Manager, Getchell oversaw transformative projects such as the development of Glade Parks, Founders Parc, and Watercolor. She also guided the City through a historic number of facility and infrastructure improvements, including the Library renovation, the construction of Fire Stations No. 1 and No. 2, the renovation of the Police and Court Facility, and several major public works and park projects. Most recently, she played a role in securing funding and designs for a new Animal Shelter, which is currently under construction. "I am so grateful to have always worked with a Mayor and Council that leads with integrity, professionalism, and unwavering support for the employees;' she said. "Likewise, our employees and Directors are the finest group of people I have ever had the privilege of working alongside. I am very proud of everything we have accom)lished together and I look forward to seeing the City continue to thrive in the years ahead.' Mayor Linda Martin said, "Loretta Getchell has been part of our Euless family for 27 years. As the City Manager for the past 10 years, she is leaving us better than ever. Loretta has dedicated her time, energy, and visionary planning to the City and citizens of Euless. It's incredibly difficult to see her go, but the time has come for her to dedicate herself to family. While her footprint maybe small in size, her impact is huge and can be seen everywhere you look. May God richly bless you and yours. Thank you for blessing us!" Please join the City of Euless in thanking Mrs. Getchell for her dedicated service to the community. Euless Today is published by the City of Euless. 201 N. Ector Dr. • Euless, TX 76039 • 817-685-1400 • eulessinfo@eulesstx.gov Uverse Ch. 99 • Euless Cable Channel 16 Follow the City of Euless on Facebook and X by searching "City of Euless" New City Manager Appointed At the January 14 City Council Meeting, Deputy City Manager Chris Barker was appointed to serve as Euless' ninth City Manager, effective February 1. He joined the City in 1997 as the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent. After a brief stint away from the City, he returned in 2001 and has worked in Parks and Community Services, Public Works, and Planning and Economic Development. Chris was appointed Assistant City Manager in 2011, and was named the Deputy City Manager in February 2020. He holds a Bachelors Degree from Texas A&M University, and is a member of the International City/County Management Association, the Texas City Manager's Association, the Northeast Leadership Forum, and the Rotary Club of Hurst, Euless, Bedford. Upon his appointment, he said, "I'm truly honored for the opportunity to serve as the City Manager of Euless, a community made up of amazing citizens, hardworking and talented employees, and strong, supportive leadership. Together, we'll continue to foster an environment where teamwork and innovation thrive naturally. I'm deeply grateful to the City Council for their trust and support, and I'm excited to build on the legacy of collaboration and dedication that makes Euless such a wonderful and welcoming community." Mayor Linda Martin added, "As a longtime employee, Chris has had the opportunity to work with and learn from the exemplary leadership that came before him, and I have no doubt he is going to do a fabulous job for us." Please join the City of Euless in congratulating Mr. Barker on this well -deserved promotion. 2024 Euless Employee of the Year Congratulations to Executive Secretary Stacy Rodriguez - Duke on being named the 2024 Euless Employee of the Year. She is a graduate of Colleyville Heritage High School and received her Bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas. She was honored as the City of Euless Employee of the Month for August 2018, is a graduate of the Citizens Fire Academy, Citizens Police Academy, and CERT. She also plays an active role in City events as a member of the Employee Engagement Committee, and exemplifies what it means to be committed to both her role and the community. At the time of her recognition, City Manager Loretta Getchell said, "Stacy is friendly and compassionate to our citizens and is invaluable to the City Manager's Office. She takes great pride in being part of the Euless team, and embodies the values that we seek in an Employee of the Year." Stacy's dedication to the City of Euless and its residents is admired by all, and she is the perfect choice for the 2024 Employee of the Year. Concert in the Park: Abbey Road Trip Friday, March 14, 6 - 8 p. m. Glade Parks 2701 Rio Grande Blvd. Enjoy a live musical tribute to the legacy of The Beatles. Abbey Road Trip is a Beatles tribute band whose harmonies and music recreate the sound of the Fab Four. Come out and enjoy great music with your friends and family, and be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. This free concert is at Glade Parks between Thirsty Lion and The Reserve. For more information, please call 817- 685-1814 or send an email to cboyd@eulesstx.gov. Spring Activities for Senior Citizens Mark your calendars for some exciting Senior Center events during the month of March. Trip to D.J.'s Classic Alpacas Monday, March 3, 10 a.m. 8600 Indian Knoll Trail Meet and learn about alpaca history and the unique personalities of the herd. This visit lasts one hour and the group eats brunch before the trip. Closed -toed shoes are encouraged as this is a working farm. Registration is required, and the cost is $15. Spring Fling Friday, March 7, 11 a.m. Enjoy the outdoors at the Senior Center with games, music, food trucks, and a car show. The event is free, but Senior Center membership is required. Spring Break Camp March 17 - 21, 7.30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Euless Family Life Center 300 W. Midway Drive Are you looking for something for your kiddos to do while they are out of school for Spring Break? Look no further; we have the perfect camp for 7 to 12-year-olds. We will have an exciting week of on -site activities including swimming, movies, arts and crafts, games, and more. Please bring lunch, two snacks, and a water bottle to camp every day. You have the option of paying for each day individually, or registering for the week. When purchasing the whole week, there will be a $40 discount compared to purchasing the days individually. Registration is in -person only. Camp fills quickly, and is first come, first served, so register now. For more information, please call 817-685-1871, or you may email Holden Garner at hgamer@eulesstx.gov. Per day option: $40 Resident/$50 Non -Resident Week option: $160 Resident/$210 Non -Resident a+wuc�i 6AVIHG 1 fj DIME S FOR AND Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9 This is also a great time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. Remember, batteries should be checked every month, and changed every six months. Easter Sunday Brunch April 20 — Reservations Required Reservation Times: 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:15 p. m., or 12:45 P. m. Texas Star Golf Course 1400 Texas Star Parkway Bring your family to Raven's Grille, located inside the Texas Star Golf Course clubhouse, for a delightful Easter Sunday brunch for all ages to enjoy. Reserve your table early for one of four time slots. Our special guest, Mr. E. Bunny, will be available for pictures with brunch guests. Please call 817-685-1847 for reservations. Brunch pricing is as follows: adults $26.95, children (ages 3-9) $15.95, and children 2 and under are complimentary. The brunch buffet and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the price. As a reminder, Raven's Grille will be closed for breakfast and dinner. Sign up for the Texas Star Junior Golf Camp March 18 and 19 from 9 —11 a.m. 1400 Texas Star Pkwy Calling all junior golfers! The Texas Star Junior Golf Camp will be on March 18 and 19 from 9 — 11 a.m. The cost is $100 per child or $175 for two children in the same family. Our PGA coaches will elevate your game and help you achieve your goals in the areas of putting, chipping, bunker play, and full swing. We are confident you will learn the right way to play and you will walk away with a greater knowledge of the great game of Golf. For more information, call 817-685-7888. CPR Blitz: Free Help for Home Repairs The Community Powered Revitalization (CPR) program brings the community together to help struggling homeowners make necessary home repairs. This program is for those in the greatest need of assistance and are unable to perform the work themselves. The next CPR Blitz is April 25 and 26. For more information, visit www.eulesstx. gov/cpr or call 817-685-1600. r., I 3..h, � 0 rare Euless Construction Updates The City of Euless is excited to share updates on several key facility projects, including the Police and Court Building, Fire Station No. 2, and the Animal Shelter. Police and Court Building —1102 West Euless Boulevard The renovation and expansion of the Police and Municipal Court Facility, which has faithfully served Euless residents for the past 22 years, is progressing well. Due to the City's growth, there was an increased need for additional space to ensure efficient service delivery to our citizens. Approximately 30,000 square feet is being added to the existing building, with construction expected to last 18 to 24 months. The updated facility will provide the Police Department and Municipal Court staff with the necessary resources to continue delivering exceptional service to our community both now and well into the future. Temporary Locations During Renovation: • Police Department Operations: Temporarily relocated to 1314 Royal Parkway, Suite B. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. • Municipal Court Services: Temporarily housed with the Hurst Municipal Court at 825 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite B. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. • City Jail and Property Room: Operating at 825 Thousand Oaks Drive in Hurst. The City Jail also serves as the after-hours location for Police services. All phone numbers and responses to citizen requests remain unchanged during construction. Thank you for your patience and support during this process. We look forward to hosting an open house for the remodeled Police and Court Facility in 2026. For updates, follow the Police Department's social media or check the News List on the City website. New Fire Station No. 2 — 2501 West Pipeline Road Euless Fire Station No. 2, located at 1515 Westpark Way, was originally built in 1978 as a Fleet Service Center and was repurposed in 1998 to serve as a fire station. A facility needs assessment in 2022 determined that the existing station no longer meet the needs of a full -service fire station and could not support future operational demands. In response, the City acquired the former Voss Parts and Supply location at the northeast corner of W. Euless Boulevard and Westpark Way, in order to construct a new Fire Station No. 2. Construction on that facility began in September 2023 and is nearing completion. The new station, spanning 19,575 square feet, more than double the size of the old station, will accommodate future growth and improve response times for fire and EMS personnel. An upcoming official ribbon cutting and open house will provide the opportunity for residents to visit the new Fire Station No. 2 to see the enhancements firsthand! Follow the Fire Department's social media for a grand opening announcement. Animal Shelter and Former Fire Station No. 2 —1515 Westpark Way With the completion of the new Fire Station No. 2, the former fire facility at 1515 Westpark Way is being repurposed into a new Animal Services Center. Combined with the existing Animal Shelter, the updated facility will total nearly 14,000 square feet, five times the size of the current shelter, and will address the growing needs of the community. The new Animal Services Center will feature: • Additional kennels and holding areas for a variety of pets. • Grooming and bathing facilities. • Outdoor exercise and play areas. • Enhanced adoption services, including "Get to Know" areas where residents can meet pets available for adoption. Construction is expected to take approximately one year. During this time, a temporary shelter located at 201 West Euless Boulevard has been opened. The temporary shelter began operations in December 2024, with minimal interruptions to services. Temporary Shelter Hours: • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. • Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. Thank you for your continued support as we enhance these essential facilities to better serve our community!