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HomeMy WebLinkAboutreporter.june06© City of Georgetown, 2006 VOL.4 • NO.6 A Publication of the City of Georgetown June 2006 For the past three years, the City has funded the majority of its street maintenance program through the City’s 1/4-cent sales tax for streets, originally approved by the voters in November 2002. The sales tax rev- enue can be used for maintenance of existing streets. In November, it will be time for voters to decide if they want to keep or rescind the 0.25 percent sales tax for street improve- ments. The tax is charged on sales to residents and nonresidents in the City Limits. Since April 2003, more than $3.4 million in sales tax has been collect- ed for street repairs. The funds have been used to: Improve 21 streets Purchase street maintenance equipment for $157,000 Implement a pavement management information system, which captures pavement Aviation & Auto Museum Coming to Georgetown Airport Browning, 95, whose col- lection of aviation memora- bilia will be featured in the museum. Browning, who has donated $1 million toward the creation of the museum, was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame last year. Georgetown Mayor Gary Nelon honored Browning at the event with the naming of the Emma Carter Browning Terminal at the Georgetown Airport. Antique planes, a commercial jet, and vintage Harley Davidson motor- cycles were on display at the event, providing a “preview” of the future museum. For details about the museum and photos of the event, see the news item on the City web site at www.georgetown.org. The board for the Texas Aviation and Automotive Museum announced in April that the Georgetown Airport topped a list of 25 other sites and will be the loca- tion for the 100,000 square-foot museum. The projected opening is 2009. Georgetown held a wel- coming event on April 20 for the museum’s non- profit board and aviation pioneer Emma Carter conditions for all City streets and prioritizes street maintenance projects, based upon pavement conditions and available funding. The City has budgeted to improve 12 more streets during the current fiscal year using the street repair tax. Since Texas law requires a vote every four years on the tax, Georgetown residents will vote on November 7 to keep or rescind it. For information on street maintenance and projects funded with the sales tax, visit www.georgetown.org. Street Maintenance Tax Election in November More than 50,000 are expected for the Games of Texas, which are being held in Williamson County beginning on July 21. The estimated economic impact of the event this year is $10 million. To host the 20 amateur sporting events at 25 locations, more than 1,000 volunteers will be needed for registration, concessions, scorekeeping, traffic flow, ushering, event setup and cleanup and scores of other duties. “Not everyone has the chance to attend the Olympics, but this is the official State Games event in which everyone can be a part by volunteering. It’s a rare chance to see top athletes in a variety of sports,” says Kimberly Garrett, who as Georgetown’s Parks and Recreation Director is heading up the volunteer effort. Volunteers are being coordinated by the Round Rock Volunteer Center. To volunteer or get more information on volunteering, call 388-4575 or visit www.volrock.org. Volunteers Needed The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown Public Information Office located in City Hall, 113 E. Eighth Street, Georgetown, Texas, 78626. For questions or comments, contact Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer for the City of Georgetown at (512) 930-3690, or by email at pio@georgetowntx.org. Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org Zeke Rodriguez, customer service representative for the City Utility Office, says his gas-electric Ford Escape hybrid “has some good boost.” The hybrid also gets impressive gas mileage—36 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway. That’s right, the hybrid gets better gas mileage in city driving since its electric motor is in use below 30 mph. The battery charges during braking. With higher gas costs, the three Escape hybrids that customer service representatives have been using since April are a cost-effec- tive vehicle for City employees who spend a good part of their day behind the wheel. Stewardship of our water resources involves securing water supplies to meet the community’s needs, as well as encouraging wise water usage. Drought conditions over the winter months have reduced lake and aquifer levels, leading to the implementation of both supply and conservation strategies. Lake Georgetown, our primary drinking water supply, is 10 feet below its full level. Since February 1, water from a pipeline that draws on Lake Stillhouse Hollow in Bell County has maintained the level at Lake Georgetown. The pipeline was completed last year as a project of the Brazos River Authority, the City of Georgetown, the City of Round Rock, and other water purveyors in the area that draw water out of Lake Georgetown. The result of 20 years of such cooperative efforts, explains Jim Briggs, assistant city manager for utilities, is that, “Georgetown has water under contract to provide for growth needs and population through 2050. We continue to look for options and expanded alternatives to be able to handle water needs beyond that time.” In addition to water from Stillhouse Hollow, the City of Georgetown encourages summer conservation through conservation rates, public education, and a summer watering schedule that is used throughout the region. In addition, the City’s development standards now include native landscape plants and other low-water landscape elements that will further reduce water consumption. While mandatory water restrictions are not warranted at this time, the City closely monitors water use to guide appropriate action. Wise water use, particularly in outdoor irrigation, remains an important way that each of us can help to manage our collective water resources. For water conservation tips, see the City website at www.georgetown.org. Toddlers - 6th graders Friday, May 26, 4 - 7 p.m., Children’s summer reading program kickoff Rodeo at Kelly’s Kids, Windsong Farm (951 CR 110) Mondays in June: craft days for preteens (ages 8-12) Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., entertainment in the children’s room (ages 2-5) Wednesdays & Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., special events for kids of all ages Friday, June 30, 6 – 8 p.m., Joe McDermott performs “Fantasy Quest” – for grades 6-12 Fridays, June 2 – July 28, 4 - 6 p.m. The kick-off will be a medieval feast on Friday, June 9 at 4 p.m. Guided by members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, all events explore aspects of the Middle Ages. Learn how to draw fantasy and dragon art with Austin artist, Tony Sansevero, attend a writer’s workshop with author Elizabeth Moon, make a catapult and toss some water balloons, watch a fencing demonstration, and make a costume for the Renaissance Faire finale. Public Library Summer Programs for Kids WATER SUPPLY and conservation Residents in the city limits of Georgetown are required to have a license for each dog or cat they own. A City license can be purchased at many of the local veterinary offices or at the City Animal Shelter, which is located at 110 Walden Drive. The license allows the City Animal Services department to track vaccination status for animals, including rabies vaccinations. Another benefit of the license is that found animals can be easily returned to their owners with clear identification. “We strongly encourage dog and cat owners to keep the license tag on their pet’s collar at all times so that we can quickly contact the Medieval Feast Kick-off Pet Licenses owner if the animal is lost or injured,” says Ken Finn, animal services manager for the City. The cost for the license is $5.00 if the pet is spayed or neutered, and $15.00 if the pet is unaltered. There is no charge for a license for a senior citizen’s pet, if the pet is altered (limit one per person). The license fee helps to offset administrative costs in tracking pet vaccination status and shelter operations. The license is renewable annually, and proof of a current rabies vaccination is required. Hybrid Happiness