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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter March 2016©CityofGeorgetown,2016 unanimous ruling on December 17, 2016 to approve the transfer of the service area of the Chisholm Trail district to the City of Georgetown. The Board signed the transfer on January 13.The transfer of the cer- tificate of convenience and necessity or CCN to the City of Georgetown means that Georgetown Utility Systems now has the authority and obligation to serve water customers in the former Chisholm Trail SUD service area. “With this approval,the regulatory process is now complete,”says Jim Briggs,general manager for utilities for the City of Georgetown.The PUC ruling follows two years of regulatory review by the PUC and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “This consolidation is a win for the citizens of Georgetown because it allows us to guide and manage qual- ity development in a fast-growing With this issue of the Reporter, we welcome 8,700 households in the former Chisholm Trail Special Utility District area to Georgetown Utility Systems. This issue represents a transition from a City of Georgetown newsletter to a combined publication from the City of Georgetown and Georgetown Utility Systems.Look for a new design in the next issue that reflects the expanded scope. Customers of the Chisholm Trail Special Utility District,including more than 8,700 households,offi- cially joined Georgetown Utility Systems in January.Georgetown Utility Systems is owned by the City of Georgetown and provides utility services in the city and sur- rounding areas. The board of the Public Utility Commission of Texas voted in a area to the northwest,”says Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross. Delton Robinson,president of the board of Chisholm Trail SUD, says,“This is a tremendous victory for all the customers involved.We wanted a consistent and reliable water supply for our customers. There are strategic advantages to a regional water supply system,man- aged by a competent,professional staff.This merger means that we join multiple water sources in one system and can more cost-effective- ly build infrastructure to serve all our customers.” Georgetown Utility Systems is planning to expand interconnec- tions with other water systems, replace aging infrastructure,build additional storage,and obtain additional water resources to sup- port the former Chisholm Trail district service area that extends northwest of Georgetown. Fees:For former Chisholm Trail customers transitioning to the City of Georgetown and Georgetown Utility Systems,a 0.5 percent TCEQ assessment fee on the monthly bill will be dropped for all billing periods after January 12. A $4.75 transition fee will be dropped for all service periods that begin after January 12. Did someone from the City of Georgetown or Georgetown Utility Systems call and demand payment on the phone?Don’t be fooled.It’s a scam. The scammers typically demand pay- ment to a special toll-free number with a pre-paid credit card. Deceptive technology can create the illusion on caller ID that the call is from the City or the utility. Georgetown Utility Systems won’t call you and demand payments by phone.And it is strictly against poli- cy for any customer service repre- sentative to accept payment in the field.If a bill payment is overdue, there is a three-step notification process: First,late notices are mailed to cus- tomers with unpaid balances the day after the billing due date. Second,an automated phone call is provided to the phone number on the account two weeks after the billing due date. Third,a second automated phone call is provided to the phone num- ber on the account three weeks after the billing due date. If you have questions about a utility bill,call the Georgetown Utility Systems Customer Care Center at (512)930-3640 or toll free 1-888- 474-4904,before providing financial information regarding your utility account. Yard trimmings collected at curbside are ground into mulch,which is free to all in-city customers and while supplies last,to outside city-limit customers.Yard trimmings also may be put in the trash cart,but they will be landfilled and not turned into mulch. Look up your once-per-month yard trimmings collection day at recycle.georgetown.org/schedules or call the Georgetown Utility Systems Customer Care Center at (512)930-3640. Utility Payment Scams The GeorgetownCity Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown Public Communications Department. Connect with the City at georgetown.org or at www.facebook.com/CityofGeorgetown. Welcome! VOL.13 •NO.3 News from the City of Georgetown and Georgetown Utility Systems.MARCH 2016 Chisholm Trail SUD Consolidation Approved By PUC Yard trimmings collection is a once-a-month,year-round service for all City of Georgetown resi- dents in the city limits. Branches should be bundled with twine,less than 35 pounds,and no more than four feet in length. Compostable brown paper lawn and leaf bags must be used for leaves, grass,or other organic material. Containers marked with home address and “yard trimmings”can also be used.A maximum of 20 bags,bundles,or containers can be picked up per month. Yard Trimmings Pickups Protect Pipes The waters of the three forks of the San Gabriel River provide areas for recreation and fishing and are habi- tat for a wide range of fish,birds, and other wildlife.Everyone in the community has a role to play in pro- tecting our natural waters. Pollution control efforts from storm water runoff include detention pond and storm sewer maintenance,con- struction permitting and inspec- tions,and public education.In 2014,the City began an enhanced program to protect natural water- sheds and prevent pollution.The enhanced program was a result of Georgetown’s inclusion in the Austin urbanized area after the 2010 census. Watershed protection outreach efforts will highlight topics such as options for grass clippings,swim- ming pool maintenance,household hazardous waste vouchers,and pollution reporting. Eggstravganza This free annual egg hunt on March 19 with 25,000 candy eggs is held at the McMaster Athletic Complex on N.College Street.The start horn sounds promptly at 9 a.m.Arrive by 8:45 a.m.Age categories are 2 and under,3-4,5-6,7-8,and 9-10. Each age division has their own hunt. Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org Watershed Protection A red poppy painting by Lucas Adams,an artist who lives in Georgetown, will be featured on the poster and on street banners for the 2016 Red Poppy Festival on the downtown square April 22 –24.Find out more at RedPoppyFestival.com. Georgetown Swirl Saturday, March 5 The seventh annual Georgetown Swirl is March 5 from 6 to 9 p.m.Enjoy an evening of shopping and live jazz music in down- town Georgetown while sampling Texas wines and cuisine from local restaurants. The cost is $50 per person.VIP tickets are $125 each with special benefits.Go to Swirl.Georgetown.org for details and tickets. (Tickets sold online only.)Proceeds benefit the Main Street Program Facade and Sign Grant Program. Georgetown Public Library In Central Texas,the coldest days of the year often occur in February or March.Here are ways to keep water pipes from freezing. Wrap outdoor water spigots: Disconnect the garden hose and wrap outdoor spigots with a towel or old T-shirt and secure with duct tape.Or purchase faucet covers available at local hardware stores. Outdoor pipes:Use foam pipe insulation and secure with tape.Be sure to insulate joints and fittings since they are the most susceptible to bursting if they freeze. Irrigation backflow devices: Above-ground irrigation backflow devices can freeze,so remember to wrap or insulate them.Also,turn off backflow water valves and turn off your irrigation system controller to reduce the freeze potential. Indoor Pipes:Indoor pipes in an uninsulated exterior wall can freeze. Let hot and cold water trickle from an indoor faucet to keep pipes from freezing. 50th Anniversary Gala:The Georgetown Public Library is 50 and fabulous!Join the celebration at the 50th Anniversary Gala,a ticketed event on Saturday,March 5 at 7 p.m. Bring your dancing shoes because music will be provided by Cienfuegos.Go to library.george- town.org for ticket information and details. Art:Works by the Central Texas Pastel Society will be on display at the library February 29 through March 30. Spring Break:Georgetown Public Library is ready to enjoy Spring Break from March 14 –18 with entertaining events for all ages.Go to library.georgetown.org for details. Live Music:Bluegrass group Franklin’s Tower performs on March 20 at 2 p.m.in the lobby.