Rowlett Joins Texas Cities in Lawsuit 

This week, the City of Rowlett joined 24 other Texas cities in filing a lawsuit accusing Disney DTC LLC, Hulu, LLC, and Netflix Inc., of failing to pay millions of dollars in municipal franchise fees as far back as 2007.

“With this lawsuit, we hope to ensure streaming video companies’ compliance with their PURA obligations moving forward and also recoup unpaid franchise fees from the Disney, Hulu, and Netflix streaming services as follow-on relief,” said Rowlett Mayor Blake Margolis. “Franchise fees are an important source of city revenue. We have an obligation to our residents to ensure that these companies comply with state law and pay what is owed to the City of Rowlett.”
Read on...

DGNO Railroad Maintenance Continues

TxDOT has closed the southbound PGBT service road between SH66 (Lakeview Parkway) and Main for DGNO to perform railroad crossing maintenance through Monday, August 1. This maintenance will smooth out the crossings and bring them to grade, the work DGNO will perform includes:

• Installing a new rail and ties.
• Surfacing the crossing to proper elevation.
• Repaving the crossing and approaches.

We are very excited for DGNO to have selected our community to receive these railroad crossing rehabilitation projects – and very grateful the projects will be complete before school begins on August 8! More info...

NTMWD Continues Request for Outdoor Watering Reduction 

This week, the North Texas Municipal Water District thanked everyone for conserving water while critical maintenance was completed at the Wylie Water Treatment Plant Complex. Widespread action to reduce water use, especially outdoors, preserved water resources until all work was finished. Although the maintenance activities were completed, aggressive water conservation is still needed as drought conditions and rising demands for water persist. Water demands are often highest during the month of August and without continued and aggressive conservation, water demands may surpass its facilities’ ability to treat and deliver sufficient volumes. Residents are asked to continue limiting outdoor water use and monitor the timing and frequency of irrigation as the region enters the height of the summer demand season.
More info... 

Volunteer for a City Board or Commission – Deadline to Apply is August 14

Community Emergency Response Team Class

Saturdays, August 6 & 13
8 am-6 pm both days
The Rowlett Citizen Corps Council is actively recruiting residents to be trained in the CERT program, which includes Disaster Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, and Fire Suppression following FEMA guidelines. During a natural or man-made disaster, CERT teams assist Public Safety teams in doing damage assessment, accounting for residents and securing quick, accessible routes into their neighborhood. Teams also help search for missing persons, and assist with evacuations, traffic control, courtesy patrols and City events. 

Register today! The class is open to the public. A course fee of $25 covers class administrative expenses. 
More info…

Code Red Continues at the Rowlett Animal Shelter - Meet Pepe! 

Age: 4-5 yrs 
Gender: Male
Color: Black & White
Neutered: Yes 

Come meet this big ole sweetheart!  Pepe is super cool and affectionate.  He is great with other cats and kids, but like most cats, he thinks dogs drool and cats rule, so needs a home without the drool. Pepe is FIV positive but is healthy and fully vetted.  If you would like to meet Pepe or any of the other adoptable animals, please contact Animal Services at 972 412-6219.   
 
Check out all of the available pets on the City of Rowlett Animal Services Facebook page…

Check Out the Latest Food Establishment Scores

Oumi Sushi - 98 
Domino’s Pizza - 96 
Sprout’s Farmers Market - 95 
Arby’s - 95 
Subway - 93 
Hat Creek - 91 
Chipotle - 90 
Scooter’s Coffee - 89 
El Rincon De Pancho Villa - 86 
Little Caesar’s (Dalrock) - 85 
Jersey Mike’s - 83 
Tokyo Hana - 80 
 
Scoring: Each item on the inspection form carries a demerit value of 3, 2, or 1 point(s) based on the violation severity.  For example, a score of 91 could represent 3 violations at 3 demerits, or 3 violations at 2 demerits and 3 violations at 1 demerit. A score of 100 is the best possible score.  To view more food establishment inspection scores, please visit the Environmental Health webpage. 

Preventing Grass Fires

• Don't throw cigarette or cigar butts on the ground or out of a vehicle. Dispose of them properly and make sure they are completely extinguished.
• Do not burn trash, leaves or brush outdoors; there is a permanent burn ban in the City of Rowlett
• Keep a 30-foot "safety zone" surrounding the home clear of brush and cedar, especially for those living in a woodland area. Grass should be cut short in this area as well.
• Stack firewood at least 15 feet and uphill from the home.
• Rake leaves, cut off dead limbs and twigs, and mow grass regularly. Cut tree limbs within 15 feet of the ground and remove dead branches that extend over the roof.
• Don't park cars, trucks, or recreational vehicles on dry grass or shrubs. Exhaust systems on vehicles can reach a temperature of more than 1000 degrees; it only takes about 500 degrees to start a brush fire in the summer.
• Parents should emphasize to their children the dangers of playing with fire. Many grass fires are started by children who have no idea how quickly flames can grow and spread.
• Homeowners who barbeque should maintain a 10-foot area free of brush and shrubbery around grills and propane tanks. Non-flammable screens should be placed over the grill (with mesh no coarser than 1/4 inch thick). Never leave a grill unattended. After use, place grill ashes in a metal bucket and soak in water.
• Keep a bucket of water, fire extinguisher, or other fire suppression tools on hand.

Summer Sports Camps 

The summer sports camps are going very well, we have had a great turnout and the kids are learning valuable skills!
Attendance numbers: 
MVP Basketball Session 1  
·       Beginners - 25 
·       Intermediate - 11 
MVP Basketball Session 2 
·       Beginners - 40 
·       Intermediate – 17 
MVP Basketball Session 3 
·       Beginners - 23 
·       Intermediate - 12 
Volleyball Skills and Drills Session 1 
·       Beginners – 32  
·       Intermediate –17