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HomeMy WebLinkAboutreporter.mar06© City of Georgetown, 2006 VOL.4 • NO.3 A Publication of the City of Georgetown March 2006 Due to drought conditions this year, the City has enacted a 10,000 gallon cap on averages for the current sewer charge reaveraging period. Water use during the months of December through March is used to calculate the sewer consumption average for each residential cus- tomer. The City reviews water usage for these four months, drops the month with the highest consump- tion, and averages the remaining three months. This average is the consumption on which a customer’s sewer charge is based for the rest of the year. Usually outdoor watering is at a minimum in the winter months, which means that average water usage in this period is a good esti- mate of sewer system use. However, due to the drought, customers may be watering lawns and outdoor plants, which could lead to inflated sewer charges. In response, the City has enacted a cap of 10,000 gallons on residential sewer averages for the 2005-2006 reaveraging period. The individual average still will be calculated, and sewer charges will be based upon a customer’s average water use, but only up to a cap of 10,000 gallons. Commercial sewer charges will con- tinue to be based on actual monthly water consumption. The City hopes that this step will minimize any of the self-imposed watering restrictions that could lead to lawn or landscape damage. For more information, see the City News item on the City web site at www.georgetown.org, or call the Utility Office at (512) 930-3640. Sewer Average Capped This Year Due to Drought Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Sunday Fair in Georgetown on April 9 A culinary and cultural celebration attracting world renowned chefs and winemakers will hold its marquee event in Georgetown this spring. The 21st Annual Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival comes to San Gabriel Park on April 9 for the traditional Sunday Fair, the culmina- tion of the four-day event. Held previously in Austin, the Festival organizers hope to make Georgetown the new home for the Sunday Fair. Other events will take place at various Central Texas locations starting April 6. The Sunday Fair will be an old-fash- ioned, family-friendly event where guests can sample a wide assortment foods prepared by celebrity chefs and top-notch restaurants. Wine tastings featuring Texas vinters and visiting wineries from around the world will complement fine cuisine. In addition, wine and food seminars and cooking demonstrations will be offered featur- ing celebrity chefs such as David Bull of the Driskill Grill, Sue Torres of Sueños in New York City, Rebecca Rather of Rather Sweet Bakery in Fredericksburg, James Beard Award- Winner John Ash, and Susana Trilling of Seasons of My Heart cooking school in Oaxaca, Mexico. A highlight of Sunday Fair is the Circle of Chuckwagons, in which authentic cowboy cooks prepare traditional trail fare from their rustic chuckwagons. Sunday Fair is open from noon until 5 p.m. on April 9. Food tast- ings are offered until 5 p.m., and the booths offering samples of wine and spirits will close at 4 p.m. Tickets for the Fair are $45 for those age 21 or older, and $10 for those age 5 to 20. (Note that strollers are not allowed in the vendor booth tents.) For details, visit the Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at www.visitgeorgetown.org or the Festival website at www.texaswineandfood.org. Held previously in Austin, the Festival organizers hope to make Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park the new home for the Sunday Fair. Texas Hill Country Wine Food Festival & Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org Joe Lara, Utilities Financial Analyst Finance and Administration Started with the City in 2002 Laurie Brewer, who is the City’s controller and Joe’s supervisor, says, “Joe has developed models and systems for a number of key projects this year, including pavement management, wastewater rates, impact fee review, the Simon/Wolf Ranch agreement, and the annexation project. He also coordinated the Capital Improvements Program process and produced a very readable and appealing document for the public. Joe is always willing to help. He has a great attitude regarding his work and is always willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish our goals.” Joe says, “I enjoy spending time with my family (wife Tammy and two sons, Henry and Jack). Henry is 19 months old and Jack is four weeks old. I enjoy running in various 5K and 10K runs in the area. I also do volunteer work at my church; I am currently working a project in the children’s building giving the preschool area the look of Disneyland’s Toontown.” Joe Lara Bobby Ray, Director Planning and Development Services Started with the City in 2002 “Bobby manages a department that experienced some significant changes in the past year,” says Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis. “He is cool under pressure and always prepared for items that go the Planning and Zoning Commission or the City Council. Bobby is very approachable and always willing to Manager of the Year – Bobby Ray assist with special projects or requests. His positive, can-do attitude has earned the respect of his fellow employees.” Bobby and his wife Irene have two daughters, Emily, 6, and Kayla, who was born January 8. Bobby says he enjoys running and has competed in 10K races and half-marathons. He is considering running a full marathon, but doesn’t expect to break any speed records. “I’m not fast,” he says. Bobby Ray Tommy Lockhart, Crew Leader Georgetown Utility Systems Electric Operations Started with the City in 1986 Energy Services Manager Mike Mayben says, “Tommy does not ask why, but rather is proactive in what he does and looks for the end result. As a team leader, Tommy’s crew was the first City of Georgetown electric utility crew deployed to East Texas to aid in Hurricane Rita restoration. Tommy took the lead in working with electric crews from other cities while in Hemphill and later in Jasper. Because of his leadership, restoration was completed in Hemphill in less than one week, Supervisor of the Year – Tommy Lockhart allowing for crew redeployment to other affected areas. We received very positive feedback from the City Manager in Hemphill and the FEMA representative on Tommy’s leadership and his crew’s work.” Tommy and his wife Lori live on 10 acres near the little town of Coupland in eastern Williamson County. Tommy has two daugh- ters, Kristin and Rachael, and two sons, Tommy and Justin. The boys help him with his tree-trim- ming business that keeps him busy in the evenings. Given the amount of time Tommy spends climbing power poles or tall trees, you can imagine he doesn’t have much fear of heights. Tommy Lockhart Bill Cummings, Field Representative Georgetown Utility Systems Engineering Started with the City in 1999 The City Safety Committee selected Bill as this year’s award winner because “he is called upon frequently to address safety issues that affect many people including co-workers, contractors and civilians. Bill routinely ensures that City contractors are following safety procedures under OSHA standards. This requires a vast knowledge of procedures and requirements ranging from traffic control, signage, and building codes. His experience and attention to detail regarding safety practices and procedures has Safety Employee of the Year – Bill Cummings without question lowered the claims against the City, thus saving us money.” Bill lives near Walburg with his wife Bonnie Sue and their four children, Shanna, Howdy, Spencer, and Bobbie Sue. Bill’s hobbies include photography, camping, boating, flying, scuba diving, and welding. He is nearly finished building a 38-foot tall “barn” that includes a welding shop, a wood shop, and living quarters. Still in the works is a Jacuzzi perched on top of a water tower. Bill Cummings Employee of the Year – Joe Lara At the Employee Recognition Lunch in December, four City of Georgetown employees were given City-wide awards for 2005. Other employees were recognized as Division Employees of the Year and for years of service. 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.