My Rowlett

Happy Friday, Rowlett! Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of November 18th!

At Tuesday night's City Council Meeting, Chief of Police Michael Denning was officially sworn in! We are so stoked to officially welcome him to the Rowlett Family! You can see the photos here: https://bit.ly/3XcQQ4V

Also at Tuesday night's city council meeting, we honored our 28th Veteran- Gabriel Joseph Kanawite. Thank you so much for your service and for everything you’re doing for the Veteran community and beyond!

The water tower is lit in red this week, in honor of Native American Heritage Month and to bring awareness to the plight of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Visit the RDEIC Facebook page here learn more: https://www.facebook.com/RowlettDEIC

We’re a couple of weeks away from our Holiday festivities, and next week, we’re going to release another My Rowlett Podcast episode around family fun events and activities that you can participate in this season like the fan favorite- Main St. Fest & Holiday Parade. Visit rowlett.com/podcast to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform today!

And since next week is thanksgiving, the City of Rowlett offices and facilities will be closed. And we won’t have an episode of Friday @ 5 next week either. I hope you get to enjoy time with people you love and eat yummy food.

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

Happy Friday, Rowlett! Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of November 11th!

Upcoming Events:

• Friday, November 11 @ 11 am: Join us for the Veterans Day Ceremony hosted at Veterans Park (3900 Main St) If you can’t make it in person, you can watch the video on our Facebook or YouTube page.

Here are some highlights from this week!

This week, we released another episode of the My Rowlett Podcast about 5 things you can access with your library card!

Listen here: https://bit.ly/3TF4yLS

Watch here: https://bit.ly/3zXaO9N

During the month of November, patrons may donate non-perishable food items to waive fines off their accounts. For each package of food donated, the Library will take $1 off patron fines. This only applies to fines for late materials; it does not apply to fees from lost or damaged materials. Collected items will be donated to local food pantries.  More info here: https://bit.ly/3hqf0sl

You have One More Week to Tell Us What YOU Think! Take the Let’s Talk Trash online Survey today! Take the survey here:https://bit.ly/3TesrK6

Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

There are so many resources that you can access with your FREE Rowlett Public Library Card! And getting a Library card is SO easy!

In this episode of My Rowlett, Host Hannah Rabalais sits down with Nancy Chevalier & Colton Lytle to talk about 5 resources you can access with your Rowlett Public Library Card. In addition to the 5 resources mentioned in the episode, Nancy & Colton share how easy it is to get a Rowlett Public Library Card, all of their upcoming events & programming, Library hours and address, and where you can find more info!

Here are the 5 that are mentioned in this episode:

-Hoopla: https://www.hoopladigital.com/

-Wifi Hotspot Checkout: https://bit.ly/3hr7gGp

-Libby/OverDrive: https://netldc.overdrive.com/ https://www.overdrive.com/apps

-Curb Side Check Out: Request materials via the Library Catalog here: https://bit.ly/3tbBAHN

Call 972-412-6161 when you arrive for pick up.

Curbside checkout is available while the library is open.

-Copy, Printing, & Computer Use: https://bit.ly/3UFDbl2

Additional links and helpful information:

Library Card Info: https://bit.ly/3FX4tPC

Library Catalog: https://bit.ly/3tbBAHN

Calendars & Newsletters: https://bit.ly/3FXkSU6

Friends of the Rowlett Public Library: https://bit.ly/3Ed1rFM

Follow the Rowlett Public Library on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RowlettPublicLibrary

Follow the Rowlett Public Library on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowlettpubliclibrarymain/

Rowlett Public Library Hours of Operation:

Monday - Thursday 9:30 am - 8:30 pm

Friday - Saturday 9:30 am - 5:30 pm

Rowlett Public Library Address:

3900 Main Street Ste 200

Rowlett, TX 75088

We will be sharing more Library resources on the My Rowlett Podcast. Stay tuned and subscribe!

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

Happy Friday, Rowlett! Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of November 4th

Upcoming Events:

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 5th week we’ve got two events that you’ll want to mark your calendars for.

- Saturday, November 5 from 10 am to 1 pm- The Parks and Rec Advisory Board celebrates Texas Arbor day at Pecan Grove Park. This is a family-friendly event, that will have activities for all ages. We will be giving away 250 trees on a first-come-first serve basis. More info here: https://bit.ly/3h3eeBn

- Saturday, November 5 from 11am-3pm- The City of Rowlett and Rowlett Ready are hosting the Community Preparedness Fair! Join us for interactive booths, touch-a-truck, food vendors, and more! More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/409600201283641

- The Charter Review Commission Wants to Hear From YOU! They’re hosting a public input session on Monday, Nov 7 @ 7 pm and they want your feedback on the recommendations they will be making to City Council in January. More info here: https://bit.ly/3FIkfOn

- Friday, November 11 @ 11am We’re hosting our Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Park If you can’t make it in person, we will share the recording on our Youtube & Facebook page! More info here: https://bit.ly/3U254nb

Here are some highlights from this week!

During Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting…. Chris Kilgore took the Oath of Office and was sworn in as Chief Municipal Judge. Judge Kilgore had been serving as Interim Chief Municipal Judge for the past several months and has been involved with our city for many years.

This week Mayor Blake Margolis released his November Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter and podcast episode, and this month he’s providing a CIP update!

Listen to the Mayor’s Spotlight podcast episode here: https://bit.ly/3sPsQqR

Read the Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3T1ni7g

On Thursday night The City of Rowlett joined over 340 landmarks around the world to observe Alzheimer’s Awareness Month by lighting the historic water tower in teal!

During the month of November, City of Rowlett Public Library patrons may donate non-perishable food items to waive fines off their accounts. For each package of food donated, the Library will take $1 off patron fines. This only applies to fines for late materials; it does not apply to fees from lost or damaged materials. Collected items will be donated to local food pantries. More info here: https://bit.ly/3T3FJIg

Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

The November 2022 Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter has been released. And this month, Mayor Margolis is providing a CIP update!

Read the November 2022 Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter here: rowlett.com/mayorsspotlight

Visit: Rowlett.com/CIP for an interactive map allowing you to keep up with the latest information.

Episode takeaways :

- In May of 2021, residents of Rowlett voted to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of almost $22 million for two bond propositions to fund streets and public safety capital projects under the Community Investment Program (CIP).

- Mayor Margolis provides a summary of what the Community Investment Program Task Force and why they want YOUR Input! Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/3FzKbM4

- Mayor Margolis provides brief updates on some Paving & Drainage Projects and Parks & Public Safety Projects.

- Mayor Margolis briefly also talks about the Capital Improvement Plan.

Read the November 2022 Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter here: rowlett.com/mayorsspotlight

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of October 28, 2022

Upcoming Events:

• Saturday, October 29 from 5-8 pm @ the Pecan Grove Park Parking lot, Parks and Rec is hosting their Trunk or Treat! Enjoy Halloween trunks, candy, food trucks, and a costume contest. So fun! More info here: https://bit.ly/3gNb6JT

Next Saturday, November 5th week we’ve got two events that you’ll want to mark your calendars for.

• Saturday, November 5 from 10 am to 1 pm- The Parks and Rec advisory Board celebrates Texas Arbor day at Pecan Grove Park. This is a family friendly event, that will have activities for all ages. We will be giving away 250 trees on a first come first serve basis

Takeaways from this episode:

• On Tuesday, The City of Rowlett released the second episode of the My Rowlett Podcast featuring the Recode Rowlett Team! If you ever wanted to learn more about Zoning and Code, this episode is for you! Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AChMJLd2jg&t=2s

-Early voting kicked off this week! You can vote early today through November 4! The General Election takes place on November 8, 2022. Visit rowlett.com for more info.

Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

The City of Rowlett is embarking on a journey to Recode Rowlett! If you ever wanted to know more about Zoning and Code in Rowlett, this episode is for you.

In this episode of My Rowlett, Host Hannah Rabalais sits down with Alex Koenig and Jade Broadnax to talk about the Recode Rowlett project and survey! The Recode Rowlett Survey is live until November 4! All citizens are encouraged to take the survey here: https://www.recoderowlett.com/survey

So what is the Recode Rowlett project about? The City of Rowlett is updating its development regulations. The goal of Recode Rowlett is to unify the City's two existing development regulations—the Rowlett Development Code (RDC) and Form-Based Code (FBC)—into one user-friendly document that will help the City meet its land-use goals. To learn more, listen to this episode or visit: https://www.recoderowlett.com/

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Recode Rowlett team here: https://www.recoderowlett.com/contact

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of October 21, 2022-

Have you seen the scarecrows downtown? If you wanna join in on the fun and build a scarecrow on Main street, reach out to our Neighborhood planning team! Registration is free and You’ve got until October 25th to set one up. Visit rowlett.com for more info.

This week we hosted three public input hearing sessions around what you consider important as we proactively begin the process of contracting our next solid waste service provider. If you couldn’t make it in person, you can watch the presentation on our Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas/videos/644283020664520

And on our Youtube page here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaU3kaHq_rU

Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WBSGDKC

At Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting, October was recognized by proclamation as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, there are several local organizations that are doing amazing work, and we want to highlight the National Domestic Violence Hotline! There is someone available 24/7, and they’re incredibly helpful. The phone number is 800-799-7233 or you can text START to 88788.

More resources and info can be found here: https://www.thehotline.org/

This week is Friends of the Library Week! To get more involved, or learn how the Friends support the City of Rowlett Public Library, you are invited to attend any of their upcoming Library meetings. Membership is not required in order to attend the meetings. Follow them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheRowlettPublicLibrary to learn more!

Upcoming Events:

- On Monday, October 24th, we’ve got our lunch on the lawn in Downtown Rowlett from 11 am- 2pm. Parks and recreation posts the food truck lineup before the event on their social media pages.

- We’ve been enjoying the taste of fall farmers and craft market, and next Thursday October 27th is the last one for the season, come out to the lawn in Downtown Rowlett from 5:30-8:30pm to shop all of our vendors.

Takeaways from this episode:

- The City of Rowlett is hosting many events this weekend and during the month of October. See the full list of events here: https://bit.ly/3Cbr60y

- Take the trash survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WBSGDKC

Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of October 14, 2022-

Upcoming Events:

- Saturday, October 15: from 9 am- 12 pm Keep Rowlett Beautiful is hosting their Fall 2022 Electronics Recycling and Paper Shredding @ Rowlett High School. Visit Keep Rowlett beautiful.org for more info

- Saturday, October 15: Our annual Celebrate DiverseCity event presented by Rowlett Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission, is from 4-7p at Downtown Rowlett. Get to know more about Rowlett's Diverse Culture with a combination of performances and activities for people of all ages, I am personally excited for the Zumba class led by Fit with Daniel. . Bring a lawn chair to watch the performances and visit all the booths for educational activities! More info here: https://bit.ly/3fL8hbF

- Saturday, October 15: The Public Library is hosting an independent Medicare educator from 3-4pm. They will be presenting information on signing up for Medicare, submitting claims, and the differences between Medicare and Medicare advantage. Visit the Rowlett Public Library for more info.

- Monday, October 17: Join us for the Fall lunch on the lawn series. Head to downtown every Monday in October from 11am-2pm to grab some grub. More info here: https://bit.ly/3Cfl3b2

- The City's current solid waste contract expires in September 2024 and we have three upcoming in-person public input sessions to share what you consider important as we proactively begin the process to contract our next solid waste service provider. Come out to the Rowlett Community Centre on October 18 @ 9 am and on October 19 and 20 at 7pm. If you can’t make it in person an online survey will be made available next week!

- Thursday, October 20: The Taste of Fall Farmers and Craft Market is still happening! Join us on the lawn in downtown Rowlett from 5:30pm-8:30pm!

Takeaways from this episode:

- The City of Rowlett is hosting many events this weekend and during the month of October. See the full list of events here: https://bit.ly/3Cbr60y

- We have officially released the first episode of the My Rowlett Podcast featuring your Mayor, Blake Margolis! You can watch the episode on our Youtube channel, or listen on your favorite podcast platform. Visit rowlett.com/podcast for more info!

We currently have three opportunities for you to share your opinion and insight!

First, The City of Rowlett is beginning a major new project that will result in a comprehensive rewrite of the City’s land use regulations. We’d like to learn about your experience working with the land use regulations, as well as observations related to living in and/or doing business in Rowlett. Take the survey here: recoderowlett.com

The second opportunity is next week! The City's current solid waste contract expires in September 2024 and we have three upcoming in-person public input sessions to share what you consider important as we proactively begin the process to contract our next solid waste service provider. Come out to the Rowlett Community Centre on October 18 @ 9 am and on October 19 and 20 at 7pm. If you can’t make it in person An online survey will be made available next week!

An online survey will be made available next week! More info here: https://bit.ly/3rQLGx5

And finally…. The Community Investment Program Task Force Wants YOUR Input! To meet the demands of our growing community, the need for new facilities is real. That's where YOU come in. We would like to know how you would prioritize the building of those facilities! Take the survey here: https://form.jotform.com/221236712325043

Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/

Did you know that the City of Rowlett currently has the youngest Mayor in office? Meet your Mayor, Blake Margolis in this first official episode of the My Rowlett podcast!

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy this conversation between the My Rowlett Host, Hannah Rabalais, and Mayor Blake Margolis.

Mayor Margolis shares his story about how he was inspired to serve his community and why he ran for City Council and for Mayor. Mayor Margolis provides insight into some of his initiatives and priorities while he’s in office. Mayor Margolis also talks about why he loves the City of Rowlett and the incredible City Council, Staff, and Community we currently have to support everyone who lives, works, and plays in Rowlett, Texas.

Want to contact Mayor Margolis? The best way is to email him at [email protected]

Follow him on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/RowlettMayor

Read his Monthly Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletters here: rowlett.com/newsletters

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at [email protected] or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas

https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo

https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas

https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas

https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/