NewsFlash - Dec.22

This issue of NewsFlash will be the last for 2023. The next issue will be sent Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.

Citing her vast experience in the field, along with her fourth generation heritage in the fire service, Town Manager Jeff Jones has announced that Tami Kayea has been named the next Fire Chief for the Town of Sunnyvale.

She becomes the first female Fire Chief in North Texas and one of only five in the state.

“When evaluating our applicants, Chief Kayea’s story got our attention,” Jones explained. “Not only is she impeccably qualified to run a department, her family history and penchant for the community spirit in smaller towns made her the perfect choice.”

Chief Kayea holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Tarleton State University and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program through the National Fire Academy. She also holds Master Firefighter Certification and is a Licensed Paramedic.

Having been promoted through the ranks, Chief Kayea draws on more than 27 years of fire service experience with Dallas Fire and Rescue where she served as EMS Section Chief and Battalion Chief before being promoted to Deputy Chief in 2018. In Sunnyvale, she fills the vacancy left by the August retirement of Fire Chief Doug Kendrick.

“It is vitally important that a Fire Chief not only understand every component of Fire and EMS service,” said Mayor Saji George. “It’s also critical that they have a passion for community and understand what it means to serve, not just a town, but its people. Chief Kayea fits that bill and we’re thrilled to have her.”

Chief Kayea’s professional credentials are lengthy but include membership on Dallas Fire and Rescue’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team and Peer Support Team as well as the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council. She has lectured extensively and is the author of numerous articles on fire service and EMS procedures. She counts her proudest accomplishment as being named Staff Officer of the Year, nominated by the officers that worked for her.

Chief Kayea begins work in Sunnyvale on January 16, 2024.

The Sunnyvale Police Departments wants you to establish a #9PM Routine for security and safety.

The #9PM routine reminds residents to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicle doors, lock the doors to their residences, turn on exterior lights, and activate all alarms and security systems if applicable. We ask residents to set a nightly reminder on their smartphones or other devices that will remind them to follow the #9PM routine. Sunnyvale PD will also send frequent #9PM reminders to lock up.

Criminals are opportunistic and seek out easy targets. By following our #9PM routine we can make it more difficult for them to do so. Crimes such as vehicle burglaries, thefts and stolen vehicles often occur as a result of vehicles being left unlocked or unsecured. Criminals walk through neighborhoods, trying vehicle door handles, hoping to find an unlocked vehicle. Don’t make your property an easy target. The best way to prevent vehicle burglaries is to lock your doors, remove your valuables from the vehicle and out of sight, and take your keys with you inside your home.

Let’s make this #9PM reminder part of our daily routine where we will work to prevent crime together!

Town of Sunnyvale offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 25 and 26 for the Christmas holiday. The Doris Padgett Public Library will be closed Saturday, Dec. 23 through Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Town offices will be closed New Year's Day. The Library will be closed Dec. 30 through Jan. 1. Trash, recycling and bulky pickups will follow their normal schedules.

Work is underway on $16.4 million worth of road improvement projects recently approved by the Sunnyvale Town Council.

Phase 2B and 2C include the repair and overlay of the following sections of asphalt roadway (dates are subject to change). This week's activity is scheduled to include:

• Town East Boulevard from Polly to Collins - Reconstruction of this section began Tuesday, Dec. 12 and is expected to be finished before the end of December weather permitting.
• North Collins Road from Town East Boulevard to Barnes Bridge Road is complete.
  
• North Paschall from Tripp to US 80 Frontage Road - Construction continues on the southbound lane. North Paschall is expected to be fully completed by the end of December weather permitting.
  
• South Paschall from US 80 Frontage Road to Long Creek - Paving is completed. All that remains is final striping that is expected to be completed in early January.
• Long Creek from Larkin to US 80 - Construction is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 2 on the northbound/eastbound lane.
• Tower Place (Town East to the Library) - Construction is scheduled to begin Thursday, Jan. 4. Access to/from the library will be maintained during construction. The parking lot will also be repaved, so library patrons will need to park in the Vineyard Park Parking Lot during construction.
  
  

The latest updates and a preview of upcoming activities are available at TownofSunnyvale.org/RoadProjects. Construction schedules can change with short notice. We appreciate your patience.

Subscribe to our weekly NewsFlash enewsletter or follow the Town of Sunnyvale on Facebook for regular updates.

If you're ready to add a furry friend to your family, give us a call at (214) 862-4525 to meet a precious pet waiting for a forever home! Keep sharing with your friends and networks and let's clear our shelter this holiday season!

We're still waiving pet adoption fees and providing discount vouchers for several pet services. Call us at (214) 862-4525 or visit our Petfinder page to learn about available pets.

The Sunnyvale Animal Shelter urgently needs a foster home for one of the dogs in our care.

Kodak is a one-year-old German Shepherd. He came to us about six weeks ago with an injured tail, which eventually had to be amputated. Kodak has severe anxiety issues and needs lots of care and attention. He is a great, loving dog. He's just very needy right now.

We're searching for someone who can foster him until a forever home can be found. The Town will be responsible for Kodak's healthcare and food while in foster care. He can be adopted for FREE, and his new owner will be responsible for his continued health and recovery.

If you can assist, please contact the Sunnyvale Animal Shelter at (214) 862-4525.

Join us at the Doris Padgett Public Library for crafts and storytime! Beginning at noon, you can work on beautiful festive holiday crafts or take a craft kit home (while supplies last). At 1 p.m., we'll have a special Christmas storytime!

Join us on Jan. 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. for refreshments, door prizes, and a chance to hear from and visit with our special guest speaker, Sunnyvale Town Manager Jeff Jones.

Going forward, we'll hold regular Senior Days with a wide variety of activities and speakers, but we want to hear from you! Let us know if there are people you want to hear from or things you'd like to share with the community! We want to create an experience you can't wait for!

We can't wait to see you!

The Sunnyvale Town Council recently approved the purchase of a new video streaming platform for hosting Town Council meetings and other Town-related meetings. The Swagit service was launched at the Dec. 11 Town Council meeting and offers a variety of improved features. Viewers will notice better audio and video quality, as well as the use of three cameras to allow viewers to see speakers and presentations. The platform bookmarks the video and ties it to specific agenda items. The Meeting Videos link on the Town website takes you to the new platform, then click on "Town Council." The platform will be added to YouTube and Facebook in early 2024.