New City Manager Named

At a special Executive Session on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, the City Council officially selected Lynda Humble to become the next City Manager of Rowlett. Lynda currently serves as Assistant City Manager of DeSoto and will join the Rowlett team on January 20, 2009.

She was originally recruited in to DeSoto in 1995 to become Managing Director of Administrative Services. Two years later, she advanced to become Managing Director of Management Services. In 2002, Lynda was promoted to Assistant City Manager. Prior to joining the City of DeSoto, Lynda served as Director of Economic Development for the City of Cedar Hill, and as Business Development Manager for the City of Garland.

As Assistant City Manager in DeSoto, Lynda had direct operational oversight of Police, Fire and EMS, Emergency Management, Human Resources, Library, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Information Technology, Environmental Health, Facility Maintenance, Citizen Action Center, Animal Control, Franchises, and Litigation. She holds an MBA from Amberton University, and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from Northeast Louisiana University. She is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma, and holds the designation of Certified Public Manager from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she has been tapped as an instructor for other public managers.

In 2006, DeSoto was named one of only ten All American Cities across the nation. Previously, Texas Business Magazine named DeSoto one of their Best Managed Cities in Texas. Lynda played an integral role in both designations.

Lynda rose to the top of an extraordinarily strong national field of 69 candidates from 23 states, including many well established city managers from much larger cities than Rowlett. This exceptionally strong nationwide field of candidates is a reflection of the wonderful quality of life and incredible opportunity offered by Rowlett.

More than 250 people attended a public information meeting on Thursday, November 20 at the Rowlett Community Centre addressing the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) Eastern Extension. Experts from the North Texas Tollway Authority and their consultants were present to answer individual questions about the construction process, sound walls, construction design and logistics of the project as it relates to the City of Rowlett.

The PGBT Eastern Extension is an approximately $1 billion, 9.9-mile, six-lane toll road extension that will stretch from SH 78 in Garland, where the PGBT now ends, to Interstate Highway (IH) 30 in Dallas, traversing through Garland, Sachse, Rowlett and across Lake Ray Hubbard. All sections of the project are scheduled to be open to traffic in late 2011. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will construct the bridge across Lake Ray Hubbard and the IH-30 interchange, just west of Bass Pro Drive.

To date, the most noticeable construction progress has been the removal of structures, trees and vegetation within the turnpike right of way, mostly parallel with Liberty Grove Road north of State Highway (SH) 66 and along Kirby Road south of SH 66. There is also activity along Kirby Road where utility lines are being relocated and preparations are being made to relocate the historical Coyle House out of the right of way to Pecan Grove Park.

Valencia Drive at Liberty Grove Road was closed indefinitely in October to clear the right of way. Residents of the Mariner’s Cove and Mariner’s Park subdivisions, just east of Liberty Grove, are able to access Liberty Grove Road via Baffin Bay or Royal Bay Roads. Eventually, those two roads will close, but access to Liberty Grove will be provided to the residents at all times during the construction. 

Regular updates of construction information will be sent to those who subscribe to the City’s ENEWS notifications. You may subscribe by clicking here. For monthly general information about the PGBT Eastern Extension, please go to www.rowlett.com.

You may also access additional information by going to the NTTA website at http://www.ntta.org/AboutUs/Projects/PGBTEast.htm.  You may also watch the City’s Cable Access channel, RTN16 for updates.

Meeting scheduled to address Rowlett Road Rehabilitation south of Miller

You are invited to attend a neighborhood meeting for the Rehabilitation of Rowlett Road – Phase III on Wednesday, January 7 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 4000 Main Street.

The project limits extend south of Miller Road to the bridge over Lake Ray Hubbard. In addition to replacing the damaged panels of pavement along these limits, the project includes constructing a 12-inch waterline as well as drainage improvements. The project has been designed and is planned to be bid in mid-January.

The City will present the details of the project. You are encouraged to attend in order to provide feedback regarding this project. If you have any questions, please call Shawn Poe at (972) 463-3910.

Click here to email all Councilmembers

Regular City Council meeting times and location:

Work Session  - 6:00 p.m.* | City Hall Conference Room | First and Third Tuesday of the month
Regular Session - 7:30 p.m.* | City Hall Council Chambers | First and Third Tuesday of the month 

4000 Main Street | (972) 412-6116

Citizens wishing to address the council during a city council meeting may do so by notifying the city secretary’s office at (972) 412-6116, or by appearing at a council meeting and completing a card prior to the start of the meeting requesting time to speak during the “Citizens' Input" portion of every regular council meeting.

Upcoming City Council Meetings:

Tuesday, December 16
Tuesday, January 6 - Meeting includes a Public Hearing on the proposed restaurant smoking ban.
Tuesday, January 20 - Meeting includes the Mayor’s Annual State of the City Address

Click here to check the upcoming meeting calendar for Boards and Commissions.

* Check agenda for meeting times