Residents invited to share priorities, feedback through survey

As our City Council and staff begin preparing for next year's budget, we want to hear from you! This year's community survey kicked off today, so you may also have encountered an email from OnPointe Insights in the email inbox where you receive your Keller utility bill. 

We invite you to take 7-10 minutes to tell us how we're doing as a community and organization, and what priorities you have for Keller's future. Thank you in advance for your insights!

Take The Survey

Yappy Hour kick-off moves to next week

Keller Parks & Rec is getting geared up for four weeks of paw-someness! Our popular Yappy Hour series offers an evening of fun for area dog owners — as well as cold beer samples from local breweries — from 5:30-7 p.m. weekly in March at The K-9 Pointe Dog Park, 405 Rufe Snow Dr.

Tonight's event has unfortunately been canceled due to incoming inclement weather, but the fun will resume on March 9! 

Please note that this free event has moved to Thursdays this year so that you can get a date in with your pup ahead of the weekend. We'll see you at the dog park on March 9, 16, 23 and 30. 

Featured Breweries

- 9:Bishop Cider
- 16:  Wild Acre
- 23:  Sierra Nevada
- 30:  Shannon Brewery

Johnson Road closure extends east of Keller-Smithfield next week

Closures related to the Johnson Road project will expand next week as work begins on the east side of the Keller-Smithfield intersection. 

Beginning Monday, March 6, barriers will be in place closing Johnson from the Keller-Smithfield intersection to just west of Rhonda Road. Drivers on Chandler Road will also encounter a road closure as they head north, cutting off access at Johnson. That means residents on Dana Lane and Ledara Drive will want to use Johnson and Rhonda to reach their homes.  

Please note that the closure kicking off next week is in addition to the existing closure to the west, between Hallelujah Trail and Keller-Smithfield Road. As with the west-side closure, access will be maintained on Johnson Road for residents within the construction zone and their visitors, including delivery drivers, garbage and recycling trucks, etc. 

The eastern closure is expected to last into 2024 as progress is made on water line replacements and construction begins on the street’s new drainage system and pavement reconstruction. Those who do not have business within the construction zones are expected to adhere to the detour signage directing drivers south to Keller Parkway via Rufe Snow and Keller-Smithfield or north to Florence/Ottinger roads via Greenbriar Drive. 

As a reminder, north-south traffic on Keller-Smithfield Road itself will remain open throughout construction — often with temporary pavement and configurations — due to its proximity to Fire Station 2.

Longtime Library Director retires

After 16 incredible years, we said goodbye to Library Director Jana Prock this week.  

Jana served Texans through her work at public libraries for a whopping 41 years, having worked with the San Antonio and Bay City library systems before starting her career here in Keller.

Under Jana’s care, we celebrated the renovation and expansion of the library and the organization of the Library Annex and Friends of the Keller Library Bookstore, and broken ground on our Tale Trail project.  She also introduced the acclaimed “Keller Reads: One Book One City” program 11 years ago, oversaw the conversion of the library away from the Dewey decimal system, and championed countless additions to the library’s offerings over the years from physical products like robotics kits, puzzles, games, seeds, and Wi-Fi hotspots to new digital amenities.

The Keller Public Library received the highest state award available to libraries — the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association’s Achievement of Library Excellence Award — 10 times during her tenure and was selected by Google as one of only two Texas “Grow with Google” library campuses in 2020.

Her influence stretched beyond Keller, too; in her 16 years, she mentored eight librarians who have become library directors in other communities. And she served as president of the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association, president of the Public Library Administrators of North Texas, and head of the audio/visual committee for the national Public Library Association.

We’ll miss you so much, Jana, but we know you already have trips abroad planned and an endless list of books to get through. Enjoy your retirement, and thank you!

KPD veteran graduates from supervisor school

Congratulations to KPD Sgt. Austin Clark for completing the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration’s School of Police Supervision.

The four-week program is designed to help mid-level supervisors make the social and personal change from patrol to management. During his training, Clark studied 25 topics, including servant leadership, conflict resolution, community policing, procedural justice, ethics and diversity.

“This course hones the skill sets of KPD supervisors to ensure the citizens of Keller, who we all proudly serve, have the most educated supervisory staff,” Clark said. “I would like to thank the citizens of Keller for putting their trust in our department’s leadership, who in turn has entrusted me with such a great responsibility, which I hold in the highest esteem.”

Clark was one of 56 police leaders from agencies all over the state selected to participate in this training. He has been a member of our team since 2010.

Save The Date: Night Hike at Johnson Road Park

If you like to take an evening stroll with family and friends, meet us at Johnson Road Park next week for a community Night Hike!

The trek will start at 6 p.m. Monday, March 6, last about an hour and cover roughly 2 miles of our scenic trail system. The path is paved, so strollers and leashed pets are welcome. We will start a little before the sun sets, so wearing bright clothes or bringing a flashlight wouldn’t hurt. All ages and fitness levels are welcome.

We hope to see you there (at 640 Johnson Road)!

Coming Soon: Headquarters

Engineering firm and software company owner Erik Reynolds has had it both ways; he worked a corporate job for many years in a large office building, and then transitioned to a fully remote setup, staying connected to his colleagues across the globe virtually. Now, he’s trying to find a sweet spot between the two with his next business venture.

“During the pandemic when I was working from home, I realized there were things about the office environment I missed — mostly being around other people,” Reynolds said.

He and his family moved to Keller in 2019 after falling in love with the city’s small-town charm. But when the father of six started looking for coworking space, he couldn’t find options as close as he wanted. Now Headquarters, Keller’s first coworking business, is on track to open in Keller Town Center next month.

“I thought, ‘if I feel this way, there are probably other people in Keller who feel the same,’” he said. “So I’ve made this space and I want to see what people do with it; I hope to attract people focused on their careers, but also people who really care about Keller and want to do things to benefit the community.”

The business at 1101 Keller Pkwy, Ste. 3123, which fills out the back of the suite also housing Keller’s first indie bookstore, A House With Books, has room for up to 24 members to be on site at a time. Headquarters’ membership options include 1-Day, 3-Day and 5-Day plans during normal business hours Monday through Friday, and a “Side Hustle” package offers access on nights and weekends.

The space features fiber-based internet, a kitchenette, sit-and-stand desks and on-site personal storage. Members can also reserve a conference setup with AV for larger meetings or a podcast room complete with upgraded acoustics and professional amenities.

Reynolds has started offering free trial days by appointment on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and he expects to officially open his doors on Tuesday, April 4.

Learn more, schedule a trial day and apply for membership now at kellerheadquarters.com.

Applications due March 12 for Metroport Teen Court Advisory Board

One spot has opened on the Metroport Teen Court Advisory Board, and the City Secretary's Office is now accepting applications from Keller residents interested in volunteering their time. 

Members of this board, which meets the first Monday of every other month, advise City Councils and staff on the operation of the Teen Court and assist in the development of community resources to advance the program, which offers juvenile offenders the opportunity to assume responsibility for their actions by involvement in the judicial process and completion of community service.

The Metroport Teen Court Advisory Board consists of three members from each participating city (Keller, Colleyville, Grapevine, and Southlake). Keller's representation on the board includes one council member and two at-large members. Applicants must be Keller citizens and registered voters; applications will be accepted through Sunday, March 12.

Learn more at www.cityofkeller.com/serve. 

Now Open: A House With Books

Fiction and romance and thrillers — oh my! Keller’s first indie bookstore has officially opened its doors here in Keller Town Center.

A House With Books is located at 1101 Bear Creek Pkwy., Ste. 3123, facing Keller Town Hall’s eastern front lawn. The bookstore offers fiction and nonfiction for all ages, including a corner of children’s books and a small selection of other gift items.

Owner Hayley Smith says she can’t wait to get to know all your individual tastes and help you pick your next unforgettable reads! And don’t forget: besides her on-site stock, she can place custom orders for patrons.

Smith expects to expand her hours in the fall once her youngest heads to school, but for now, the shop’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Learn more at https://ahousewithbooks.com/

Mizani secures second term as mayor, five vie for two Council seats

Filing for this spring’s City Council election has wrapped up. Here are the candidates vying for your vote in the May 6, 2023 contest. In the Place 5 and Place 6 races, Keller voters will have their choice of candidates as follows (in alphabetical order).

- Place 5: Becky Haskin and Chris Whatley (incumbent)

- Place 6: Mitch Holmes, Ross McMullin (incumbent) and Rebecca Tovar

Mayor Armin Mizani did not draw an opponent, so while his name will still appear on the ballot for those of you who enjoy being thorough in checking boxes, he is guaranteed another three-year term.

Early voting for the May election will run from April 24 through May 2, 2023. As a reminder, City Council candidates must win over 50% of the vote to claim victory. If none of the candidates in the Place 6 race pulls off that margin, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff election.

Please note: Erik Leist filed for the Place 5 race and was included in the city's original candidate announcements, but later withdrew his application.

Garbage vendor changes customer service availability

Need to speak with CWD? The city’s garbage and recycling vendor has adjusted its customer service hours. Following a review of their customer call volumes, the new hours run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are staying the same, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

As a reminder, CWD can be reached directly at 817-795-9300 or [email protected].

Submissions due March 24 for incoming Old Town sculptures

Get your applications in, Texas sculptors! The Public Arts Board will soon choose up to six new pieces to install as part of the Old Town Keller Rotating Sculpture Program. The selected sculptures will spend the next two years further enhancing the eclectic blend of restaurants, retail and office space within the six-block footprint south of Keller Parkway and west of Main Street.

A $1,500 honorarium will be awarded for each of the selected pieces, and one Best in Show winner will receive an additional $500. All sculptures must be the original work of a Texas artist, family appropriate, pose no risk to public safety, be made of materials that can withstand the harsh Texas weather and require no maintenance once installed.

Submissions are due March 24. Learn more and apply now at www.cityofkeller.com/callforart.

Mark your calendar:  April 1 is Community Document Shred Day

If you want to declutter your home or office, take advantage of our Community Document Shred Day coming up this spring at the Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (100 Keller Pkwy).

The City of Keller, in partnership with RBFCU, will allow residents to drop off their unwanted paper for disposal. Bag or box your paper and enter the drive-thru lanes at the bank, and volunteers will remove your unwanted documents while you wait in the car.

There is a three-box or tall trash bag limit per vehicle, and document collection will run from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 1. For more information, call RBFCU Business Development at 469-642-7062.

Tickets on sale now for local FWSO concert

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra returns to Keller for its annual concert hosted by Keller Public Arts at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Keller High School's Fine Arts Center, 601 Pate Orr Road.

Tickets, $5 per person, may be purchased at the door or in advance at one of the following locations: The Keller Pointe (405 Rufe Snow Drive), Keller Town Hall (1100 Bear Creek Pkwy.) and the Keller Senior Activities Center (640 Johnson Road, Bldg. C). Tickets are also available online at the link below.

Want to make a night of it? FnG Eats in Keller Town Center will once again offer a "Dinner & Symphony" deal that evening featuring a special menu. Call 817-741-5200 for reservations.

For additional information about the Public Arts Program or the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra performance, please contact the City of Keller at 817-743-4000 or [email protected].  

Purchase Tickets

Calling all performing artists

Interested in headlining one of our city events? Let us know!

We’re often contacted by bands and other performers about working our events once the marketing for them rolls out, but in most cases, we’re booking talent several months in advance. To help acts get ahead of the curve, we’re collecting information to expand our contact list for when we’re looking for talent.

If you want to be on our list, please create an account at the link below and fill out the form.

Submit Performer Information

Save The Date: Spring Craft Show & Market

Shopping for something unique this spring and love a good deal? Make plans to visit the Spring Craft Show & Market coming up at the Keller Senior Activities Center.

There will be over 50 vendors offering a wide variety of gifty goods, and shopping is open to all ages. Parking and entry are free, and everything is indoors, so you don’t have to worry about the weather. 

Check it out from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1, in the Keller Senior Activities Center gymnasium, 640 Johnson Road, Building C. We hope to see you there!

- Now Hiring -

The City of Keller is searching for talented people! Click on any position below to learn more and submit your application.

Animal Control Officer I
Crew Leader - Streets/Storm Drainage
Dispatcher
Economic Development Intern
Firefighter/Paramedic or Paramedic
Library Aide - Summer Reading
Maintenance Worker - Streets
Maintenance Worker - Streets/Storm Drainage
Planning Technician
Police Officer
Program Coordinator-KSAC
Senior Planner
Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker
Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker II

The Keller Pointe
Building Maintenance Technician

Seasonal Positions
Childcare Attendant
Customer Service Representative I
Customer Service Representative II
Lifeguard
Recreation Assistant
Recreation Coordinator
Summer Camp Coordinator
Summer Camp Counselor

- Upcoming Public Meetings -

March 6
Library Board - CANCELED

March 7
Keller City Council

March 8
Public Arts Board

March 9
Parks & Recreation Board

March 14
Planning & Zoning Commission

March 20
Economic Development Board

March 21
Keller City Council

March 28
Planning & Zoning Commission

March 30
Keller Development Corporation

Public meetings take place at Keller Town Hall unless otherwise noted.

- Pets Of The Week -
These pets are looking for their new forever homes now at the Keller Regional
Animal Adoption Center at KPD, 330 Rufe Snow Drive.