The Friday Staff Report to City Council provides weekly updates between staff and Council. This week’s report says Denton firefighters were deployed on a statewide wildfire mutual aid request, the city’s inclement weather shelter opened seven nights with occupancy reaching 171 beds, June’s financial report is available online, Crescent and Alice will be converted to an all-way stop within three weeks, and Animal Services is promoting a husky named Pandora for adoption; staff also told Council that certificates of occupancy can be issued for unusual residential rebate cases, Congress Street Park improvements are still being scoped, new turn restrictions and a speed study are planned near Denton High School on Westgate Drive, school access changes were made around Bonnie Brae and Bronco Way during construction, and TxDOT is reviewing confusing traffic control near Bonnie Brae at I-35.
General Information
State wildfire deployment – On Aug. 10, the Denton Fire Department deployed a wildland truck and three firefighters through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System as part of Strike Team 139 for elevated wildfire danger across Texas. The deployment can last up to eight days and crews may be sent anywhere in the state.
Heat shelter activity – The inclement weather shelter at Denton Community Shelter, 909 N. Loop 288, opened seven times from Aug. 6 through Aug. 12 for overnight cooling during major and moderate heat risk days. Occupancy ranged from 159 to 171 beds, with 24 to 36 beds available. Shelter and weather resources, including alert sign-up information, are available on the City website.
June financial update – The City released its June 2026 Monthly Financial Report, which provides a year-to-date overview of financial performance, including revenue, expenditures, and budget variances.
Intersection safety change – After a road safety audit tied recent crashes to poor yielding from Alice Street, Transportation Services plans to convert the Crescent Street and Alice Street intersection from two-way stop control to all-way stop control. Traffic Operations staff will make the change within three weeks and monitor results over the next year.
Pet adoption spotlight – Animal Services is highlighting Pandora, a 5-year-old spayed female Husky described as gentle and easygoing, who has adjusted well in foster care and gets along with other dogs. She is available for adoption through Denton Animal Services.
Council Member Requests
Historic renovation occupancy certificate – After a resident needed a certificate of occupancy for a residential alteration to qualify for a Texas Historical Commission rebate, staff said the City does not typically issue certificates of occupancy for residential permits but can do so in unique cases when requested.
Congress Street Park plans – Staff said start and completion dates for Congress Street Park will be set after scopes of work are finalized and quotes are obtained. Proposed improvements approved after neighborhood feedback include basketball and futsal courts, pickleball and tennis courts, benches, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, drinking fountains, concrete repairs, track repairs, fence removal along the parking lot, goal post removal, and park signage.
Westgate student safety – After an audit near the new Denton High School, staff added a no-right-turn sign at Westgate Drive and Bronco Way and a no-left-turn/U-turn sign for westbound Bronco Way to southbound Westgate Drive to discourage cut-through traffic. A speed study is planned for mid to late August, and police will coordinate targeted daytime school-hour enforcement.
Bonnie Brae sidewalk access – Ahead of the first day of school, staff said sidewalks on the south side of Riney Road and Bronco Way would remain continuously accessible from Denton High School to Reeves Elementary, all Bronco Way lanes from Bonnie Brae to the I-35 frontage road would be open, Riney Road would be fully open from Bonnie Brae to US-77, and Bonnie Brae would carry two-way traffic on the new southbound lanes from Riney to US-77. Staff said temporary adjustments may still be needed as work continues and updates will be posted on the Bonnie Brae Street Discuss Denton project page.
Bonnie Brae traffic confusion – After a report of drivers entering an oncoming lane on Bonnie Brae Street at the I-35 service road, city staff said the traffic control belongs to the TxDOT I-35 Merge project and forwarded the concern to TxDOT. The state project team will investigate and may add cones or signage if needed.
Street Closure Report: Upcoming Closures
There are no upcoming closures listed in this week's report.