The official website of the City of Mansfield, Texas

It's tough to be without a name. And the water drop mascot that has come to symbolize the public education efforts of the city's water and environmental services departments doesn't have one. A name that is.

So the city is looking for some creative ideas and wants your help to "Name that Toon." The mascot will soon take on a real presence, making public appearances at special events and festivals to help educate residents on water-related issues.

If you have idea for the mascot's name, send your entries to name_that_toon@mansfield-tx.gov. The winning entry will be recognized with a plaque at an upcoming city council meeting and ride with the mascot when he makes his debut Saturday, March 17, at the First Annual Mansfield Pickle Parade.

Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, and will be announced in the March 7 Mansfield News-Mirror.

The Mansfield Police Department is pleased to present the Every 15 Minutes program to the high schools of Mansfield Independent School District. The Every 15 Minutes program is for juniors and seniors and is a very powerful and important program that challenges participants to think about the effects of decision making, drinking, and driving. This is a very intense two-day program that involves your entire family. The program dates for this school year will be March 8th and 9th, 2012. In the past, the program has been held immediately around prom with the intention of encouraging students not to drink and drive during prom. However, this is only a short-lived experience. We want students to realize this is a life-long decision that applies to not only prom but graduation, college, weekend parties, spring break…….life.

While the program is presented through the Mansfield Police Department, it is really a community-wide effort. This program could not be capable with the cooperation of the Mansfield Police Department, Mansfield Fire Department, Mansfield Independent School District, Tarrant County Constable's Pct. 7, Arlington Police Department, Hospital, Funeral Home, Medical Helicopter, and numerous donations from businesses and community members.

This year we have created a website for the Mansfield Police Department's 2012 Every 15 Minutes Program. The website will serves as the official place for student's and parent's to learn more about our program and completing the participant application. Starting January 2nd, 2012 Mansfield Independent School District junior's and senior's that would like to participate in this school years program will be able to complete and submit their application from the website. The website can be accessed at the City of Mansfield website, MISD website, each high school campus website, or directly at https://sites.google.com/site/mansfieldevery15minutesprogram/. Deadline for applications will be Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 by the end of the school day.

Should you have any questions feel free to contact your campus coordinator, Crime Prevention Officer Brandi Howard at (817) 276-4757 or brandi.howard@mansfield-tx.gov or Traffic Investigator Richard Hash at (817) 804-5705 or richard.hash@mansfield-tx.gov.

The Mansfield Animal Care & Control Department has received several calls and complaints regarding wildlife issues, including Coyotes. Due to the recent increase in wildlife related calls it has become necessary for Mansfield Animal Care & Control to research and develop a comprehensive plan of action for wildlife related calls. Therefore, Mansfield Animal Care & Control are working closely with Texas Wildlife Services, a Division of the USDA, who has provided a specialist in the study of, and if necessary the trapping or lethal enforcement of, urban wildlife. It is expected to take several weeks to adequately complete this task and a public forum is being planned around the end of January to address these issues. In the meantime Mansfield Animal Care & Control would like to make the public aware of a few basic facts regarding wildlife.

Mansfield Animal Care & Control are primarily trained and equipped to handle domestic pet issues, ordinance enforcement of animal related ordinances, and loose pets or livestock. Wildlife are not domesticated animals and are a vital part of the ecosystem, even in heavily populated areas. wildlife, particularly Coyotes, cannot be safely trapped in most cases and if they are trapped cannot be successfully be relocated. As a general rule it is not good practice to remove wildlife, even from urban areas. The most common practice used by the majority of cities nationally is to implement a Wildlife Management Plan and make sure the citizens are aware of the behavioral patterns and natural lifestyle practices of wildlife in order to coexists with all forms of wildlife.

Until this program can be established it is important for citizens to understand that coyotes are not normally comfortable around humans. In most cases coyotes will only approach humans that they have previously encountered and have determined not to be a threat. Coyotes will normally only be in close proximity to humans if there is a viable food source close by. As a general rule, the only thing necessary for a human to do to ensure their encounter with a coyote, or a coyote pack is brief, is to make a lot of noise and movement in order to scare the coyote. This almost always works and is considered the industry standard preventative method. Should this not work a citizen should call for Animal Care & Control or if in imminent danger, call 911.

In most cases a coyote will not approach a human unless that human has a food source. Pets are definitely considered a source of food for urban coyotes as their natural food sources are limited in populated areas. Citizens who live close to parks, fields, golf courses or any other area with open, uninhabited areas close by, should be aware that wildlife does exists in those areas and pets should not be unattended, even in fenced yards. All pets are required to be on a leash, including cats, unless they are contained in a fenced yard and citizens should be aware that when walking a pet on a leash in a wooded area, or close to any possible wildlife habitat, there is a danger of being approached by various forms of wildlife seeking food. Normally humans are not in danger when this occurs and should therefore be very animated and vocal in trying to scare the predator away but keep in mind that you are holding what the predator considers to be a food source and an attack on the food source is possible. There is nothing that Animal Care & Control can do to eliminate this threat. There are no magic solutions to coexisting with wildlife so each citizen should be aware of the potential threat of wildlife. Should a citizen have a wildlife sighting and have questions about what they should do, Mansfield Animal Care & Control should be able to answer any questions. There is currently information available on our website and in print and available at the Mansfield Animal Care & Control, located at 407 Industrial Mansfield Texas 76063, at the Public Safety Building and at the receptionists counter at City Hall. This material should answer the majority of questions most citizens have regarding wildlife. We would ask that you please be patient and allow us time to address this issue in so that we are able to thoroughly investigate and research every plan of action to ensure the best possible solutions for our citizens.

Mansfield Animal Care & Control - 817-276-4799

City implements Stage 1 Drought Restrictions on outdoor watering

This year's record high temperatures are impacting water levels at the lakes that supply most of Tarrant County with water. As a result, Mansfield is implementing Stage 1 Drought Restrictions, the first time the city has ever put mandatory water restrictions in place. This regional plan is triggered when the levels at the network of lakes supplying the Tarrant Regional Water District reach 75 percent. Without significant rainfall to replenish the lake levels, we have currently reached 75 percent within the water district.

Stage 1 Drought Restrictions are a state-mandated response to reductions in available water supply and primarily impact outdoor watering, allowing properties to water landscaping twice weekly. Residential and commercial properties are on the following schedule:

• Monday - No watering
• Tuesday - All non-residential sites and apartments
• Wednesday - Residential addresses ending in even numbers (0,2,4,6,8)
• Thursday - Residential addresses ending in odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9)
• Friday - All non-residential sites and apartments
• Saturday - Residential addresses ending in even numbers
• Sunday - Residential addresses ending in odd numbers

The plan also does not allow for businesses or residents to use water to clean off parking lots, sidewalks or buildings. Some exceptions to the restrictions include foundation watering (hand watering or soaker hose only, 2 hours per day any day) and newly planted sod (no restrictions for the first 30 days after planting).

Large irrigation systems such as those at golf courses and schools, may apply for a variance to modify their schedule but will still water each zone only twice a week. Athletic fields are included in the restrictions however can water to meet league standards. And golf courses may water tee boxes and greens without restrictions under Stage 1.

The city will be leading by example, following the restrictions as it pertains to our parks, medians and public grounds. For more information, you can read the complete drought plan.

If you have questions, contact the Utility Department at 817-477-2248.