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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter Jan 2011© City of Georgetown, 2011 VOL. 9 • NO. 1 A Publication of the City of Georgetown January 2011 CARTS Georgetown Station Opens including $500,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Georgetown station opened in October and is served by CARTS buses linking to Capital Metro buses and MetroRail in Austin, as well as CARTS intercity service in the region, vanpools, and nation-wide Arrow Trailways passenger and freight service. In addition to wind and solar power at the Georgetown Georgetown residents passed two local items in the November election. Voters approved by 80 percent the 0.25 percent sales tax for street mainte- nance. The sales tax that can be used only for city street maintenance will continue for another four years. It will again be on the ballot for reau- thorization in 2014. The sales tax is projected to generate $1.5 million this year for street maintenance proj- ects. The sales tax rate is unchanged at 8.25 percent. Georgetown voters also approved a local option proposition by 78 percent. This bal- lot item, which was the result of a petition by local citizens, removes restrictions on the types of alcohol permits available to restau- rants and wineries in Georgetown. Georgetown is now fully “wet” in all areas. However, the City’s develop- ment code still requires a 750-foot separation between bars and also requires bars, wineries, and micro- breweries to be 300 feet from a church, public or private school, or public hospital. Drivers on I-35 may have noticed the Capital Area Rural Transportation System’s new station just north of SE Inner Loop. The wind turbine, orange clock tower, and solar panels on the roof make the environmentally-friendly transit hub a unique new Georgetown landmark. The transit station at 3620 S. Austin Avenue is a joint project of CARTS and the City of Georgetown with funding from the Texas Department of Transportation, CARTS, and the Federal Transit Administration, Redistricting in 2011 The City Council hired a legal firm last year to advise them in the redistricting process in 2011. City staff has already provided some local informa- tion to that firm. The City Charter specifies seven single-member districts and a Mayor elected at-large. Changing the number of council districts would require voter approval through a charter election. By April 1, 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau will provide neighborhood-level data that will be used for reapportion- ing district boundaries within states, counties, and cities. In the summer of 2011, as directed by the City Charter, the City Council will work to revise council district bound- aries in order to re-balance the number of residents among districts. If the City Council can agree to new council district boundaries, and those dis- tricts are approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, then new districts will be in effect for the City Council elections in May 2012. station, other sustainable features include two electric car charging stations, an 11,000 gallon rainwater collection system for landscape irriga- tion, and use of recycled materials in construction. For service schedules from the Georgetown Station, go to the CARTS website at ridecarts.com or call 1-800-456-7433. Appr ov ed Str eets Sales T a x and Local Option Register now for the 16th annual Cupid’s Chase 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, February 5. This chip-timed run begins at 8:30 a.m. in down- town Georgetown at Seventh and Main streets. Register before January 22 for the early-bird registration prices: $17 for ages 13 and up, $12 for seniors age 55+ and children under 12. Prices go up to $22 for all age groups on January 22. Cupid’s Chase is sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. Register on-line at cupid.georgetown.org. For more information, contact Erin Ruyle at (512) 930-8459. Cupid’s Chase 5k Run/Walk The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of GeorgetownPublic Communications Department, P.O. Box 409, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. For questions or comments, contact KeithHutchinson, public communications director at (512) 930-3690, or by email at keith.hutchinson@georgetown.org. Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org The Palace Theater Scrooge. The Musical, Nov. 19 – Dec. 30 The Sunshine Boys, Jan. 14 – Feb. 6 Details at GeorgetownPalace.com, or call (512) 869-7469. Note:No First Friday, Market Days, or farmers markets in January. Georgetown Swirl on Feb. 26 Mark your calendars for the Georgetown Swirl on February 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. on the downtown Square. Sample fine wines and foods in downtown businesses and enjoy live jazz music in this fun event that benefits the Main Street Program’s facade and sign grants. The per-person ticket price is $30 after January 1. Go to www.Swirl.Georgetown.org for details and tickets. City Boards and Commissions The City of Georgetown is accept- ing applications to fill vacant or expiring terms on the City’s 18 boards or commissions.The deadline to apply for one of these volunteer positions is January 14.Terms begin in March. Information and applications are available at www.georgetown.org. January Events A city license is required for all dogs and cats that live in the city limits. You can download the license online at files.georgetown.org/pet-license, fill it out, and mail it in. A pet license is a free ride home for a dog or cat that gets out of the yard and is picked up. The license tag also helps to make sure your dog or cat can find you, if found by a neighbor or animal control officer. The annual license is $5 for a spayed or neutered animal and $15 for an unaltered animal. Licenses also are available at most local veterinary clinics and at the Georgetown Animal Shelter, located at 110 W.L. Walden Drive. New Year’s and MLK Day Closings City offices closed December 31 and January 17. Regular solid waste and recycling collection both days. January Notes Christmas Tree Recycling For Texas Disposal System cus- tomers in Georgetown, Christmas trees will be collected at curbside for recycling on two Saturdays: January 8 and January 15. TDS customers MUST call TDS first at (512) 930-1715 to schedule a Christmas tree pickup on one of those days. A designated truck will be picking up trees on those days. Please remove the tree stand and any garland, ornaments, or lights before putting the tree out for col- lection. There is no charge for this service for TDS customers in the City Limits. Trees collected will be ground into garden mulch. From January 3 through January 30, you also may bring a Christmas tree to the City of Georgetown Collection Station for recycling. Trees brought to the Collection Station will be ground into mulch. Please remove the tree stand and any garland, ornaments, or lights before bringing it in. Mulch is available, year-round, free- of-charge at the Collection Station, located at 250 W.L. Walden Drive. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take Care of Texas Save Energy and Lower Your Bill Take a quick online survey to find out how much you can save with energy-saving fixes to your home. Go to TakeCareOfTexas.org, take the online pledge, and see how much you can save. Take Care of Texas is a statewide campaign by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality designed to involve all Texans in lifestyle and habit changes that will help improve air and water quality, conserve water and energy, reduce waste, and save individuals a little money in the process. Dog and Cat Licensing A Free Ride Home Mulch-It, Don’t Bag It! Got leaves? Instead of bagging them and trucking them to the landfill, mulch them or turn them into com- post. Mulch or compost contains nutrients for your lawn and garden, and you’ll do your part to reduce greenhouse gases. Learn more at recy- cle.georgetown.org or www.garden-ville.com. If you’ve been to the Georgetown Public Library recently, you’ve likely encountered an enormous black rhino standing guard at the south entrance. The three-ton bronze sculpture by El Paso artist Julio Sanchez De Alba is a recent addition to the sculpture show at the library and in San Gabriel Park. You may have also seen the life-sized longhorn steer lounging in the library lobby. Around the playscape near the Recreation Center, you’ll find bronze pieces by sculptor Kristin Eyfells that look like jumbles of giant dinosaur bones. A total of 18 pieces were recently added to the Georgetown Sculpture Tour, which began in April 2010. Sponsored by Georgetown’s Arts and Culture Board, the show is made possible at minimal cost to the City by the generosity of the artists who have agreed to display their work until October 2011. Most of the pieces are in San Gabriel Park near the intersection of Morrow Street and Stadium Drive, but several of the new pieces have been placed along the hike and bike trail near the playscape. To see photos of the sculptures, go to arts.georgetown.org. Heavy Metal