Council Connection: Aug. 2, 2024 (2025)

Storm debris update

The effort to collect storm debris is in the final stages, moving into the south part of the City.

To date, 11,000 tons of brush has been collected. If it were piled in a 10-foot-tall stack, it would take three-and-a-half football fields to contain that amount of brush.

Crews are on track to complete most storm pickups by Aug. 12. After that time, Solid Waste will resume normal operations, but requests for special pickups will be limited at first, and crews will be working to collect other remaining storm debris.

Please help us speed up the process by:

• Separating bulk trash and other materials from the brush
• Making sure vehicles are not blocking brush piles
• Monitoring any brush piles so that they do not block the street
• Remembering you can take vegetative debris to the City’s Convenience Center, located at 3550 Lawson Road

For more information on how to properly separate debris, please visit www.cityofmesquite.com/SeparatingDebris.

This was the most widespread storm we have experienced in 30 years. Crews have worked diligently to meet our cleanup goals. We appreciate their efforts and your patience during this severe storm aftermath.

City Council to meet on Aug. 5

The Mesquite City Council meets at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, at City Hall, 757 N. Galloway Ave. Members of the public, applicants and interested parties may attend the meeting in person.

Members of the public desiring to comment during Citizens Forum must preregister by either sending an email to sland@cityofmesquite.com or calling 972-329-8388 before 3 p.m. on Aug. 5. Provide the City Secretary with your name and address. Comments on agenda items may be made during the meeting or by submission on or before 3 p.m. on Aug. 5 to the City Secretary.

View meeting agendas online. The City broadcasts meetings via Facebook Live and at www.cityofmesquite.com/WatchCouncilMeetings.

Doggie Splash Day on Aug. 3

Calling all pups and their people! Come play at the Annual Doggie Splash Day from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Vanston Pool, 2913 Oates Drive.

Swimmers will have access to the wading pool and lap pool. Dogs can compete for prizes in the pet swimsuit contest, diving contest, paddle race, and a trick or talent contest. Admission is $5 for one owner and one pet, $2 for each additional pet, and $1 each for spectators. Pet parents can skip the line and pre-register their dogs at www.cityofmesquite.com/DoggieSplashDay.

All dogs will be required to show proof of current vaccinations and must be accompanied by a responsible person age 16 and older. Aggressive or socially challenged dogs may be asked to leave. Lifeguards will be on duty. Find out more at www.cityofmesquite.com/DoggieSplashDay.

City urges safe driving for new school year that starts Aug. 14

Students across Mesquite return to school in August. Mayor Daniel Alemán, Jr., and all the Councilmembers send best wishes to all students, teachers, administrators and school staff for a wonderful school year.

The City is reminding everyone to pay extra attention in school zones and crosswalks. No texting while driving, no cell phone usage in crosswalks, watch for children when driving near schools, stop for school buses and please, “Drive Like Your Family Lives Here.”

Visit www.DriveLikeYourFamilyLivesHere.org to learn more about the City’s safe-driving campaign.

Art exhibitions on display at MAC

The Mesquite Arts Center is hosting two art exhibitions now through Sept. 20.

"Feeling My Way," on display in the Main Gallery, features the works of Marc Dominus and is described as "vibrant, layered and spontaneous." The show includes work completed over the past two years.

On display in the Chamber Gallery, "You Just Had to Be There..." by Assandre Jean-Baptiste captures what the artist calls "tales from the past." Jean-Baptiste re-imagines these moments through illustration and paint.

A reception with both artists will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Arts Center.

Learn more about events and happenings at the Arts Center by visiting www.mesquiteartscenter.org.

Farmers Market every Saturday

Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through November, head to the Farmers Market at Front Street Station.

Discover a wide variety of local goods including artisanal products, locally grown produce, baked goods, bath and body products and more.

Enjoy food vendors who offer everything from ice cream to snow cones and barbecue to classic fair food. More information can be found at www.downtownmesquitetx.com.

Help Mesquite kids by donating to Spread the Love collection

Residents are invited to donate jars of peanut butter and jelly during the annual Spread the Love collection campaign, which runs through Labor Day (Sept. 2).

The City also is calling for donations of alternative butters that are safe for kids with nut allergies, such as sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter.

The Spread the Love program was developed because many children rely on free or reduced lunches during the school year but don’t have access to these programs over the summer. Spread the Love provides nutritious food kids can make at home by themselves.

Turn in donations at both Library locations, City Hall and the Municipal Center. To learn more, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/SpreadTheLove.

Contact Us

Do you have a concern? Send requests for street repair, crime concerns, park issues and more from your computer or mobile device. For more details, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/myMesquite.