City of The Colony E-newsletter • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Latest COVID-19 information

During its regular meeting on April 21 (video), The Colony City Council amended its local disaster declaration such that moving forward the City will adopt executive orders and timelines in response to COVID-19 as determined by the Denton County Commissioners Court. Denton County this week stated its intent to conform to the statewide orders set forth by the Governor's Office, which include the mandate for all Texans to continue following #StayHome guidelines through at least April 30. However, restrictions regarding retail operations are anticipated to loosen on April 24 under strict conditions. Related updates include:

In the interests of public health and that of employees, the City Manager has ordered city facilities (such as City Hall, the Recreation Center, Library and Community Center) to remain closed to the public through at least May 8;
Golf courses recently reopened for play but under strict guidelines;
As of April 22, there were 37 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in The Colony. Of those, 19 had recovered and one patient has passed way. Visit the Denton County Public Health website for additional information and data.

"We can start looking forward to some revival of the businesses and shops in our community (on April 24) as long as they continue to follow social-distancing and the guidelines set forth by Governor Abbott," The Colony Mayor Joe McCourry said. "We're able to reach this point pretty quick because our residents have followed the stay-at-home directions. We have to thank every one of the residents in our community that have gotten us to this point so that we can start reopening our economy and get our community businesses on the road to recovery."

Mayor McCourry also wished to thank those who have provided masks not only for first-responders or healthcare workers but for their friends and neighbors, too. "Our community has come together and there's some very special folks we need to thank who have gone out of their way," he said.

Great news! Clean-up efforts have advanced to the point that we are able to reopen the Shoreline Trail. Repairs are still ongoing, so please be observant while you are on the trail to avoid any rough areas. Repairs will continue over the coming weeks until all areas of the trail are back to normal. While on the trail, please be sure to observe social-distancing guidelines! Thanks for everyone's patience as we have waited for the flood waters to recede. In other news, the boat ramp at Stewart Creek Park is also reopen. Until further notice, hours for using the boat ramp are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Day or annual pass sales will be credit card only. Boat-ramp users must also adhere to social-distancing guidelines. Boats are prohibited on the park shoreline until COVID-19 mandates are lifted. The remainder of Stewart Creek Park remains open for pedestrian and bike usage ONLY. For more info, contact Parks & Recreation at 972-625-1106. #PlayTCSafely!

We encourage you to check out this video from Fire Chief Scott Thompson and the men & women of TCFD regarding information about the department's preparedness and response to COVID-19, including details about PPE procedures when they respond to calls.

Check out the Birthday Parade from The Colony Police! If the kiddos are missing out on a birthday celebration because of the stay-at-home order, let TCPD know! They will send a squad car to your street. Contact Officer De La Cruz at rdelacruz@thecolonytx.gov for more information. #InThisTogether

In what has turned out to be a timely decision, The Colony Fire Department added a new position to its leadership team at the start of the year: Chief of Emergency Medical Services. Learn more about the new role and its responsibilities regarding #COVID19 on our website.

Be sure to include #SelfCare among your essential activities! Click this image for a listing of free mental health resources available to all North Texans. #InThisTogether

What else is In THE News?

Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) has recognized the City of The Colony as one of 10 winners of the 2020 Governor’s Community Achievement Awards (GCAA) for outstanding community improvement;
The Colony City Council proclaimed April as Child Abuse Awareness Month;
Here's a great #StayHome activity - take the Census! You can respond by phone, mail, or online;
Originally scheduled for early May at the Annex, the next course in Keep The Colony Beautiful's 2020 education series has moved online. "Birds, Bees, and Butterflies" from AgriLife Water University will now be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. April 30 on Facebook Live; and,
#ICYMI: Bulk/green waste collection has moved to Saturdays. Residents are also asked to bag-and-tie loose items for bulk collection in bags no more than 50lbs.