City Manager’s Weekly Report
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Robert Ranc, City Manager
JULY 10, 2026
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 10: Friday Night Market (6:00 - 9:00 PM, Downtown Square)
July 11: Patio in Motion (8:30 - 9:30 AM, Downtown Patio)
July 14: City Council Meeting (5:00 PM, City Council Chambers)
July 17: Live & Local Entertainment Series (6:30 - 9:00 PM, Downtown Patio)
July 18: Fire Station #3 Open House (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Fire Station #3)
July 25: Clean Sweep (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 10165 CR 106)
July 29: Coffee with the Contractors (9:00 AM, 112 N. Arizona Dr)
CITY UPDATES
UPCOMING DOWNTOWN ACTIVATIONS
Downtown and Celina EDC, in partnership with Parks & Recreation, continues to focus on economic development and placemaking through purposeful public space programming. Three key activations are scheduled to drive foot traffic, support brick-and-mortar merchants, and foster community connection on the Square:
Friday Night Market: Presented by Renewal by Andersen, this favorite open-air tradition on the Downtown Square connects residents with local entrepreneurs offering homemade, handmade, and homegrown goods. By drawing consistent crowds, the market serves as an excellent platform for small vendors while boosting economic activity for surrounding downtown businesses.
Patio in Motion: This summer outdoor fitness series activates the new Downtown Patio at the former Forge building (132 N. Louisiana Drive). Held Saturdays at 8:30 AM through June and July, the program invites participants ages 13 and up to enjoy fresh air and community movement. Registration is required, and attendees are encouraged to stay downtown afterward to shop and dine.
Live & Local Entertainment Series: Launching on Friday, July 17, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, this new series brings free, live musical performances to the Downtown Patio. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, grab takeout from downtown restaurants, and enjoy an evening of local entertainment in the heart of our city.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE: E. ASH STREET FULLY REOPENED
As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to downtown road improvements and infrastructure modernization, a major downtown corridor has fully reopened. As of Tuesday, July 7, E. Ash Street is now open to all traffic between Preston Rd. (SH 289) and Oklahoma Dr. (BUS 289).
Crews have successfully finalized the remaining improvements on the eastbound lane. We sincerely appreciate the patience of our residents and local business owners during this construction period as we continue to invest in and improve our local infrastructure.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: FALL CITIZEN ACADEMIES APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Applications are now live for the City’s fall citizen academies. These programs provide residents, business owners, and students with direct insight into municipal operations, turning participants into informed community advocates.
Celina Youth Council: Open to local high school students, this program focuses on civic leadership and local government operations. Students interact with elected officials and department heads across City operations. Participants complete a capstone project evaluating current City services and proposing future improvements.
Citizens Government Academy: This four-month program for adult residents and business owners covers the complexities of municipal governance. Through interactive simulations and direct discussions with department representatives, participants learn about infrastructure planning, city finance, and council decision-making processes.
Citizens Police Academy: This immersive nine-week program details law enforcement operations to strengthen community trust. The curriculum includes classroom instruction and hands-on training, such as mock traffic stops, tactical exercises, and firearms safety. Graduates are eligible to join the Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) program to support public safety efforts.
FIRE STATION #3 TO HOST OPEN HOUSE
The Celina Fire Department will host a “Firehouse Fun Day” community open house on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Fire Station No. 3. This event is designed to foster positive community relations and provide educational outreach for local families.
The event will allow residents to tour the station facilities, view frontline apparatus and specialized rescue equipment, and engage directly with local emergency personnel. To encourage youth participation and emphasize safety messaging, the open house will feature interactive activities, including a health- and safety-themed sidewalk chalk contest on the station driveway, face painting, and refreshments. This activation serves as a key component of the department’s ongoing efforts to promote public safety awareness and build strong connections within the community.
WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES CONTINUE
The City continues to work together to inform and educate residents on the importance of water conservation through a digital “Myth vs. Fact” educational campaign to address common misconceptions surrounding water conservation. As summer water demands peak, this initiative aims to deliver clear, data-driven messaging that informs and educates residents on efficient water usage practices. By debunking widespread myths and providing actionable facts, the campaign empowers the community to actively participate in resource management while supporting the city’s long-term sustainability goals. The graphics and educational messaging are being deployed across all primary city digital and social media channels.
TEAM WORK IN ACTION: SWIFT INTERDEPARTMENTAL RESPONSE RESOLVES HEAT-INDUCED ROAD DAMAGE
Extreme summer temperatures recently caused significant concrete buckling and roadway damage on major thoroughfares, including southbound traffic on the Dallas North Tollway just south of Light Farms and on Frontier Parkway just west of the Tollway. In response to these critical infrastructure failures, multiple City departments mobilized immediately to ensure public safety and restore normal traffic flow.
The Police and Fire Departments quickly arrived on-site to establish safe detour routes, managing traffic flow onto Light Farms Way and Parvin Road to keep motorists moving away from the immediate hazards. Concurrently, the City of Celina Streets Department deployed heavy equipment and specialized crews to evaluate the compromised concrete and execute rapid, high-quality emergency repairs. Thanks to the seamless coordination between public safety personnel and our infrastructure teams, the complex hazards were mitigated quickly and safely, demonstrating our departments’ shared commitment to maintaining a resilient and safe city.
STAFFING AND PROMOTION UPDATES
The City continues to invest in building a strong and talented workforce through strategic hiring and professional development. This reporting period included the addition of a new team member to the IT Department as well as to the Parks & Recreation Department.
DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY PHASE 4A PROJECT: LANE CLOSURE NOTIFICATION
As part of the continued progress on the DNT Phase 4A project, construction crews will soon implement targeted lane closures to support key project activities. These closures are necessary to facilitate the transport of topsoil, conduct mass haul operations, perform area cleanup, and set structural beams. It is important to note that full closure of the left lanes is not anticipated. Monday, July 13, through Saturday, July 18:
• The northbound and southbound left lane of Dallas Pkwy from First St to FM 428 will be closed daily from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
ROAD CLOSURES RESIDENT MAP
The City‘s Road Closures Resident Map serves as a crucial tool for residents to remain informed about ongoing projects and associated road closures within the city. This comprehensive resource empowers individuals to plan their travel routes effectively, minimizing disruptions caused by construction activities. By clicking on the map or accessing the link above, residents gain access to the full interactive map, ensuring easy navigation and timely updates on the evolving infrastructure projects throughout Celina.
[ CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ROAD CLOSURES MAP ]
