Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarchAs of January 13,1992, the City of West University Place has closed its landfill to incoming material and began transporting all solid waste to a private landfill site. The old site was pur- chased around 1956 and began accepting material in 1961. The original site was designed to last 20 years, but through updating designs, the site life was extended an additional 10 years. In closing the site, the City is entertaining the possibility of a joint venture with the City of Bellaire (whose old landfill site is adjacent to the city's) and Houston Hills Golf Club to create an 18 hole golf course over both sites. This venture, if completed, will be the first known project of this type in Texas. The City is now faced with private disposal. Costs have risen from 53.96 per cubic yard to $5.88 per cubic yard. It now costs 5170.00 to unloadeach truck. Sincewecollect approximately 14 s per week the disposal costs run about $125,000 per year. nis is why the recycling and composting programs are so very important to our community. In both programs, we actually divert the flow of disposable items from a landfill site to private companies that recycle the material and pay us for it. In 1991 the City collected between 58,000 and 59,000 in revenue through these programs and will do even better in 1992 as the markets level out. The most important factor is that through recycling and composting, we eliminated over 535,000 in landfill disposal costs. These savings can onlybe recognized through your participa- tion in these programs. After all, these arc your tax dollars, why not spend them wisely and participate? If you have any questions, please call the Solid Waste Division at 662-5839 and ask for Kim. Jerty Barns Deputy Director of Public Works Goodbye to an Old Friend The City of West University Place purchased 75 acres of land nine miles west of City Hall on Ruffino Road in 1958 for S150,000.00. It would be interesting to know what the 75 acres is worth at this time. The site has been used for the past 34 years but was ordered closed by the State Department of Health and was officially )scd January 13, 1992. With the additional cost of 5125,000.00 each year and in- creased costs of operation, the City may have to increase the rates being charged residents for the removal of solid waste. Sincerely, I have the privilege of reporting to you on the great progress being made by the Parks and Recreation Board and the Friends of West U. Parks in relation to our park development and en- hancement efforts. As you read this; construction plans and specifications are being completed for Phase I of development at the Milton Street park site. This phase, expected to be completed by March, 1992, will involve final site preparation (clean-up, grading, etc), construction of sidewalks and access points, and planting of trees and other landscape plants. Con- struction is slated to begin in April, 1992. Future phases, to be initiated shortly after the completion of Phase I, will include the acquisition and installation of playground equipment and other amenities. The Parks and Recreation Board has also been busy with other activities. On January 18, we had a very successful Arbor Daycelebration, despite the uncooperativeweather. Numerous trophies were awarded to West U. Elementary School students who participated in a tree art contest organized and judged by Parks Board volunteers. January 26 also saw the Parks and Recreation Board turn out for the wet Houston-Tenneco marathon. Volunteers operated a booth selling souvenirs to raise money for West. U. parks. Saplings left over from Arbor Day were also given away. Finally, by the time you read this, the Parks and Recreation Board will be basking in the glow of success from the first annual West U. Parks Valentine's Day Lovers Ball. Held on February 14 at the Stouffer Hotel, the net proceeds from this event will also go to West U. parks and recreation activities. In a cooperative effort between the Parks Board and the Friends of West U. Parks, a booklet has been published describ- ing the long-term West U. parks development and renovation plans. This booklet was published with the generous assistance of West U. Magazine and distributed in a recent issue. Addi- tional copies of the booklet will be used to solicit major parks grants from various Houston-area charitable foundations. This solicitation activitywill be the main focus of the Friends' efforts. Your Mayor and City Council fully support these, and we encourage you to express your encouragement and apprecia- tion. The volunteers on these committees spend countless hours trying to make West U. the best City it can be. Let's show them that their efforts don't go unnoticed. Sincerely, Whiit F. Johnson Mayor City Currents is printed on recycled paper Cullen A. Dicke Counciltnember Solid Waste Management Report West University Parks City Currents/March 1992 Southwest YMCA Teen Activities Social/Cultural Club: March Musical play-T.B.A. April Bowling-April 24 AdventureClub: March Lock-in March 7 (Southwest YMCA) April Jr Ji-Y campout April 3-5 Sports Club: March Rockets basketball March 21 April Astros baseball vs Cincinnati April 11 Please call two weeks prior to activity for further information at 664-YMCA, 4210 Bellaire Blvd. New Committee Assignments/1991-1993 Senior Services Jim Council Jane Davis Marie Fish Dr. Mary Lee Gray Randy Hardy Tom B. Malloy John P. Monahan Dorothy B. Reigcr Dotty Shaw Dalia Stokes M. D. Wickerham Florence T. Worstell Second Saturday Concert If your taste is for sweet, acoustic country/folk with beautiful old country harmonies, then an evening with Aileen and Elkin Thomas is just what you'll love. Their music directly reflects a lifestyle of downhome, backporch, easy country living. The March Second Saturday Concert will be held on March 14at 7:30 pm in the West University Community Center located at 6104 Auden. Tickets are sold at the door and are $6 for adults and $3 for senior citizens. Children under 12 will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult. Second Saturday Concerts are sponsored by the Houston Folklore and Folk Music Society (HFMS). HFMS is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of folklore and folk music. For more information call 347-3235. City Currents of West University Place, Texas is published monthly by the Communications Committee March lditor Virginia Clark Desktop Publishing ...............Virginia Clark Contributors Charlotte M. Burks, Pat Malone, Barbara Townsend City OnTents welcomes your contributions. Forward to 3800 University 131vd., I iouston, TX 77005 by the first of the month preceding the month of publication to assure consideration. It is the policy of the City of West University not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, scx, religion, age, veteran status or handicapped condition. City Calendar City Council Meetings Regular Monday, March 9 and 23,7:30 pm Building and Standards Commission Thursday, March 5, 6:30 pm Zoning and Planning Meeting Thursday, March 12, 7:30 pm Zoning Board of Adjustment Thursday, March 19,730 pm Senior Services Activities Call 662-5849 for reservations Tuesday, March 3, 9:00-5:30 Wharton County day trip. Wharton County museum, Castle of Imagination and the Heard-Northington Plantation, $10.00 plus your lunch. Call for reservations. Wednesday, March 4,11:30-1:30, Free A Little Day Music at the Wortham Center. Concerts are excerpts of the music that will be presented during the month. Bring a sack lunch - the concert and drinks are free. Call for reservations. Tuesday, March 17, 11:00-1:00, $4.00 St. Patrick's Day. We will have lunch and enjoy the Glamour Grannies and each others company. Call for reservations. Fridays during March, t0:00-1:00, Free AARP Tax Assistance every Friday until April 15. Call for reservations. Mon-Wed-Fri, 11:00-12:30, $2.00 Exercise - Sit and Get Fit - Exercise in a chair. Volunteer of the Month Caroline Mataliano is the West University Senior Service volunteer of the month. She is one of the coffee makers and bingo helpers on each Fridayof the month. Her smiling face and pleasant disposition make one feel welcome as she stands behind the kitchen counter passing out cookies and coffee. Caroline always has something to say to each bingo participant and enjoys her conversations with each one. Shewill often bring in baked goodies for staff members as a special treat. From staff members, fellow volunteers and Senior friends, "Thanks, Caro- line." Twenty-first Houston Tenneco Marathon Success The following letter was received from John Stokes, a coordi- nator of the Tenneco Marathon: "Thank you for you support of" the Houston-Tenneco Marathon and the support over the years of all the employees of the City. West U is a very important segment of the Marathon Course and the Houston Marathon i WMT IDLACE March 1992 Crime Up Close - January Attempted Robbery 2600 Albans - A juvenile was walking home from the Block- buster Videowhen two black maleswearing hooded sweatshirts approached him from the alley. One suspect stood in front of the juvenile and demanded that the juvenile surrender his wallet. The other suspect walked behind the juvenile. Much to the suspects' surprise, the youth was a student of Tae Kwon Do. The youth kicked to the rear disabling one suspect and kicked the other suspect in the chin. Theyouth ran off and looked back to see the one suspect helping the other one off the ground. Robbery Arrest The man pictured in the December Police Blotter as being a suspect in the aggravated robbery that occurred in November of 1991 on Belmont street, has been arrested. Samuel Walker Jr. was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. The victims w,,re able to positively identify the suspect. The suspect was also z red for two robberies in Southside Place and is thought to be responsible for several armed robberies in Houston. The suspect was currently employed as newspaper delivery man. He had several previous arrests for robbery, having been convicted twice for robbery, and was currently on parole. Auto Theft 6200 Rutgers - A 1988 Ford was stolen from the driveway during the night of January 17th. The vehiclewas recovered the next morning down the street. The vehicle's steering column had been broken to start the vehicle. Burglary of Motor Vehicle 2900 Bissonnet - On January 16th, two of our city's Public Works employees observed a juvenile enter a vehicle and rummage through the vehicle. Using their radio, they notified dispatch andweapprehended the juvenile suspect. Charges were filed in juvenile court on the 15 year old Lamar student. 2624 Wroxton - Between midnight and 2:30 am on 1/30, unknown suspect(s) broke out the window of a 1985 Buick and took several small items. 2736 Albans - During the night of 1/29, a radar detector and cash was taken from a 1987 Chevrolet that was parked on the street. There was no sign of forced entry. 2631 Bissonnet - A vehicle belonging to a patron of the M--iuis Bar was broken into on 1/23. A stereo was stolen. 5 Plumb - The vent windowwas broken out of a 1959 Ford Pickup that was parked on the street on January 15th, between I0:00pm and 11:00pm. A briefcase and travel bag was stolen. Credit Card Abuse 3924 Bellaire - Two of our residents used credit cards at this Exxon Station and later discovered several unauthorized charges. 3 In both cases, the credit cards had been mistakenly left at the gas station. Detectives are investigating and an ex-employee is suspected. Burglary of a Business 4110 Bellaire - Unknown suspect(s) broke into a doctor's office over the weekend of January 3rd and took a safe. Unlawful Carrying of Weapon 6700 Stella Link - An officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and observed the two suspects place something under their seat. The officer found two semi-automatic pistols. Charges were filed. Ordinance Reminders Number of Dogs City ordinance prohibits the ownership of more than three dogs. The ordinance does have a provision which allows dogs with young puppies. If you have questions, please call our animal control officer at 668-0330. Licensing City ordinance requires that dogs and cats be licensed and that the animal wear the city tag. The 1992 tags arc here, so be sure and get your per licensed. BB Guns and Sling Shots It is against city ordinance to fire a BB gun or a slingshot in the city limits. During this last Christmas break, we had numer- ous reports ofwindows in vehicles and homes being broken with eithera BB Gun or slingshots ("wrist rockets"). Parents, please do not allow your kids to use these in the city limits. Let's Be Neighborly Many of our streets are narrow and if you park on the street, please be neighborly. Do not park across the street from your neighbor's driveway. This makes it very difficult for people to pull out of their drives. Thanks. Telephone Harassment Many of our residents have problems with unwanted tele- phone calls. Southwestern Bell Telephone is offering a new service which will greatly assist in controlling these problems. The phone company can provide services which prevent you from receiving calls from a particular number, can immediately call back a number which was just disconnected (hang up calls) and can trace the phone number which you have received a call from. If you have experienced problems with unwanted calls, you might want to investigate these new services. 4 City Currents/March 1992 1991 Building in West U 1991 proved to be another busy year for the Building Depart- ment of the City of West University Place. The Staff issued a total of 3,532 permits, 539 of which were building related permits as follows: 143 permits for construction of single family houses for a total valuation of $36,182,249.00, 23 non-residen- tial building permits for a total valuation of $330,150.00, 224 residential building permits for a totalvaluation of $330,150.00, 224 residential additions, alterations and conversions (which includes residential, non-residential and garages) for a total valuation of $4,435,824.00 and the demolition and razing of buildings accounted for 149 permits for a total valuation of $566,302.00. There were 2,993 non-structural permits issued for a total valuation of $819,175.22. Non-structural permits include air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, roofing, fence and retaining wall, sign, sidewalk & driveway and tree removal. The largest house constructed in 1991 was 7,744 square feet in area. WUP Firemen Have BeenTrained to Handlle Bees Recent articles regarding the Houston Fire Department bee handling training has heightened public interest in the progress of the African Honey Bee, often called the "killer bee" because of its aggressive nature and reports of attacks on livestock and humans. The West University Place Fire Department has been involved in handling bee swarms for manyyears. The sensation- alism associated with the African bee has just required us to review our policies. West University Place firefighters attended a class in 1990 which explained how to recognize a swarm and what behavior could be expected. The departmentwill maintain a list of qualified bee handlers who will assist the property owner in removing or extermination the swarm of bees. If action must be taken to get to a victim or prevent injury, the simple applica- tion of soap and water will kill the bee. Citizens should remember that these bees are aggressive and should not be provoked. If a swarm is noticed, call a professional bee handler or the Fire Department for assistance. Teny Stevenson Fire Chief Recycling Changes As of March 1, the City of West University Place is no longer recycling plastics. Unfortunately, the City no longer has a buyer for waste plastics. Plastics accounted for 5 to 6% by volume of the recyclable material collected. The City is looking for an- other outlet, but until one is found residents should dispose of plastics with other non-recyclable solid waste. The City recy- cling program continues to collect glass, aluminum and paper curbside. Used motor oil can still be disposed of at the drop off location on Milton. Please watch the Currents for further announcements. The City asks that on rainy Wednesdays residents hold their material until the next dry Wednesday. Wet paper is no longer accepted as recyclable and it is extremely hard to handle glass jars with wet sacks. All routes will be run, rain or shine, but wet materials become garbage and is disposed of as such. Tips on Reducing Waste: Precycling Recycling is great, but "precycling" is even better! Simply defined, precycling is reducing waste before we buy, not after. Here are some simple things to do: Reduce throwaways: use cloth napkins and dish towels instead of paper. Use less packaging: don't accept bags or boxes at the store unless you really need them. Bring your own bag, or put the goods in your purse or pocket. Buy in bulk: it's cheaper and eliminates the need for many small containers Avoid buying products with excess packaging: product packaging accounts for 40%-50% or our domestic trash by volume. Marathon continued front page 2 Committee is very appreciative of the right to run through the City." Mr Stokes is a resident of West University Place. We have also received letters from Raymond Brady, Amar- illo, Texas expressing support of the event and looking forward to returning to Houston in 1993; Ruth Hein of Houston thank- ing us for fantastic support, and Jack Browder, Runner #254, mentioning that he had worked with the City Council several years ago when West U. was first included in the course, and that West University Place was the most activesection of the course. How are we doing? Your city council and staff want to be responsive. So please, write down your suggestions, compliments or problems on this form and enclose it with your water bill. If there isn't enough space below, simply fill in your name, address and phone numbers and we will contact you. Come on everybody! Let's hear from you! Comments Mr. O Miss us as Name: Mrs. 0 Ms. Address: Phone (home): _ Phone (work):