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Home My WebLink AboutFebruaryA, r e® Volume 22, No. 2 J Desk As we start the new year, perhaps you will allow me a moment of reflection as to some of the things that have been accomplished in the City this past year. 1. Weir Park was substantially renovated, thanks largely to the Friends of West University Place Parks. Milton Street Park is next and will be completed this year. It will be less filled with equipment; a quieter park. 2. Sidewalks around West University Elementary School were replaced courtesy of Metro and our representative on the Metro Board, Ms. P.J. Leonetti. I was concerned about the numerous, prominent tree roots in the area but, true to his promise, the contractor did a good job of protecting them. 3. After many years of occasional, but recurrent, acrimonious debate, the pay parity issue in the Police and Fire Departments appears resolved to everyone's satisfaction. 4. Land was acquired for renovation of the Public Works Department. This long overdue project will not only make that Department's facilities more accessable to the public, but will relieve congestion in City Hall. 5. We now have the facts and figures to evaluate the cost of acquiring, renovat- d maintaining the 'MCA property. You will be asked for your views on the matter sometime this year, if a bond election is timely organized. Be think- ing about this. 6. All plans for refurbishing the Community Building, even to the color of the walls, have been approved and will soon be submitted for bids. I think you are going to like the results and will not be reluctant to use it for special purposes. 7. Of course, those of you living in the southwest part of the City know that the infrastructure replacement is proceeding. The contract for Section 3 has been let and soon the whole area is going to be a mess. As the citizens in the Charlotte- Lake area learned, it will all be over soon, your underground utilities will work and your streets and curbs will be new. Please have patience. 8. In 1994 we bested our efforts of 1993. Not only did we again keep spending at a minimum, we lowered the tax rate for this coming year. With your help, we look forward to serving the City in 1995. Bill Watson, Mayor 1995 Eleclion flews West University Place will hold a general election on Saturday, May 6, 1995. Voters will vote for a Mayor and four Council Members to serve a two-year term of office. Each position is an at-large position. The first day a candidate may file an application for a place on the ballot is February 20, 1995. The filing deadline is 5pm March 22. Applications and accompanying documents may be obtained from the City Secretary's office at ity Hall. April 6 is the last day for submitting a voter registration application in time to vote at the election or for requesting transfer of registration to vote in a new precinct. Residents who vote at the West University Elementary School (Precinct 87), will now vote at the Scout House, 6108 Edloe. Kaylynn Holloway, City Secretary February 1995 Xi raq Mends onale Valued buesimeni yogi W ha, Vs yra s1 e Inside City IIa1L ...........................Page 2 Cardboard Recycling Begins ._Page 3 Seniors .........................................Page "s Saving Trees-- . ..........................Page 5 From the Chiet's Desk ................Page 7 Inside Council Chambers Page 2 Council commenis Public Weeks Roundup by Council Member Tom Rushing This City Council's term of office will end in less than six months. As I reflected on this fact with City Manager Mike Tanner, he reminded me of thirteen City projects that will likely begin before summer. I was pleasantly surprised to realize how many of these decisions, made during 1993 and 1994, would be visible to you this year. Some projects will not be visible to citizens, but will be very visible to our City employees. These projects will help streamline our City by establishing financial plans, audit procedures and ordinance codification. Public orbs: Garbage truck purchase Public Works Center rehabilitation Priority Area 3 (West PointNillanova) infrastructure replacement Public Safety: is oricat clef News Purchase 3 patrol cars Computerize police fleet Purchase fire engine I pleased to have played a part in these decisions and feel confident that they will help West University remain the quintessential 21st century small city. 1`._ " Ouncd'I News Swim/Pizza Party!: All youth, grades 6-9, are invited to attend a swimming and pizza party Saturday, February 25th from 7-1 Opm at Colonial Park Pool. Crab your favorite swimsuit and join us for games and lots of fun! For more information contact the Parks & Rec. Dept. at 668-8096. If you would like to become a member of our Youth Council, please contact David Hyde at 668-7642. 1- c ~1 66 >9t69,: Sp~~ V T+r.~. a_ To -E c-;omn'_ _ c - s i Ei za> 0636,4-54 33" E_a 'er a, r!~~v_5o' 2p e? ~.n E._ ~g. _ e .._.e P S (4a1 9~.i~ 3-30' Seniors City i Page 3 ffightighis For February Call 668-8478 for Reservations any ear" ids" an the Htock? The West University Newcomer's Club plans and organizes activities of all kinds for recent arrivals to West U who might like to meet other people just like themselves! Come to the Community Bldg. on Feb. 10 for a very informal Friday morning coffee. You can meet some other newcomers, eat a muffin, and find out about the activities. If you can't be there then, please call Suzanne Guthrie (664-8410) for more information. Encourage anyone who's new on your block to give her a call! Call Cindy Neal (665-3949) if. you would like to become the West U Compost Ding or Queen; you are interested in mulching your lawn as it's mowed; or your group will help us encourage recycling in return for a "grant." a nfine's nowslor s on Agenda aftlbpary The West University Library will be having a special holiday storytime on February 14, at 11:OOam, for Valentine's Day. A craft will follow the stories. Storytime is recommended for children ages 3 to 6 and is offered every Tuesday. On February 15 at 3:30pm, Kid's Corner will meet for its monthly activity. We will be making snowstorms in ajar. Kid's Corner meets every third Wednesday at 3:30pm during the school year and is recom- mended for school-aged children. For more information, please call the Library at 668-8273 or visit us at 6108 Auden (next door to the Community Building). I: in-,, i 2ulfefi nr Page 4 Feb rP1 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Friends of West U Building and AARP Tax Help Upcoming Events Parks @ 6:15pm, Standards Commis- (Senior Services) 2nd Annual Sentinel Club Tennis Tournament Conference Room sion @ 6:30pm, loam, Council 22 & 23 April 21 Council Chamber Chamber , Parks Board 7:30pm, Conference Room 1 2 3 4 Zoning and Planning AARP Tax Help Park @ 7:30pm, Council (Senior Services) lo C il Lover's Chamber am, ounc Chamber all, Wyndham Warwick 7 - midnight 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Council Workshop Zoning Board of AARP Tax Help @ 6:30pm, Adjustment @ (Senior Services) Conference Room :30pm, Council loam, Council Chamber Chamber Council Meeting @ 7:30pm, Council Chamber 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Communications AARP Tax Help Committee @ 6pm, (Senior Services) Council Chamber loam, Council Chamber 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Council Workshop t Class 01jefing @ 6f Community Building, 6104 Auden, 668-8096 erence Room Conference Beginning Guitar: Learn how to play chords, scales, and songs. Council Meeting @ Open to beginners or those needing a refresher course. Participants 7:30pm, Council Chamber must supply own guitar. Open to ages l0yrs. & up. Lay/Time: Thur/ 8:30-9:30pm Bates: (8weeks) March 2-April 20 Class Fees: $40 res. $50 n/res. 26 27 28 Supply Fee: $5 payable at time of registration austva r¢a Urban r¢sirg uncit ® ® e WHY SAVE TREES? Trunk Trees are valuable: According to the International Society of Arboriculture, a specimen shade tree may be worth up to $27 per square inch of trunk cross section.' For example, a tree two feet in diameter could be worth $12,214; a three foot tree up to $27,482. Property values go up with trees. Real estate agents and homebuyers typically assign 10 to 23% of a residence's value to trees on the property.2 Trees save energy three ways: Shade. In a Miami study, the temperature of an unshaded west wall ranged from 112 to 117°F; a similar surface shaded by one large tree ranged from 87 to 920F, a reduc- tion of more than 20%.3 Shade also reduces heat reflected by concrete or asphalt surfaces. Natural "air conditioning". Evaporation of moisture from leaves cools air under a tree's canopy by 6 to 80F. Trees can reduce daily air conditioning costs by as much as 50%.4 Reduced air infiltration. As wind breaks, trees can save to 30% of winter heating bills. Trees clean the air. Over a year's time, one acre of growing trees will absorb all the carbon dioxide produced by an automobile driven 26,000 miles.s Trees also trap and remove particulates from the air. BEFORE CONSTRUCTION: DESIGN F TREE SIT All Pick the trees to save and design the house to accommo- date them. Look for healthy trees of desirable species. Pay special attention to shade potential for the house and nearby cement/asphalt areas. Determine the Critical Root Zone (CRZ) for each tree, "ich is roughly a circle with a radius equal to the average uripline (see Figure 1). Realize that most tree roots are in the top two feet of soil, and that feeding roots are in the top few inches (see Figure 2). Roots require non-compacted soil for both air and moisture. Drlpllne ` - _ CRZ Fig. 1 The Critical Root Zone (CRZ) Protect at least 75% of the CRZ. Fence the area to prevent traffic or storage of materials. If fencing is not possible, cover the CRZ with 6-8 inches of wood-chip mulch and 3/4 inch plywood or road boards to prevent soil compaction. Route underground utilities to avoid the CRZ. If digging is unavoidable, bore under the roots or hand dig to avoid severing them. Design paving away from CRZ. If this is not possible, use a porous material for driveways, such as crushed granite, pavestone, etc. Save trees that are very close to buildings by using pier and beam construction techniques that allow air and moisture to reach the root zone. DURING CONSTRUCTION: SA THE DOTS, SA THE TREES Set up tree protection guidelines and monitor compliance- from initial grading of the lot to final landscaping and irrigation. Maintain CRZ fencing. Mark access routes, storage areas and refuse sites. Keep backhoes and other root destroying equipment away from roots, especially in the CRZ. Avoid soil compaction. Park in the street, not under shade trees! Use boring or tunneling methods when utilities are in the CRZ, since most roots are close to the surface. Or dig hand trenches to avoid cutting roots. Do not allow disposal of paints, oils, unused mortar or other potentially toxic materials anyplace on the site. If pruning is required, use correct National Arborist Association specifications. Do not expect pruning (or fertilizing) to compensate fully for destroyed roots. Keep the CRZ well watered during construction to avoid extra stress on trees. Saturate the top 4-6 inches of soil. a PY+i.w.V...XY vIV -...YY v4Y+,w......Xh v4Y . : li]t ~ yam. Flg. 2 How people tHr* How they really grow tree roots grow 'Valuation of landscape, trees, shrubs and other plants. 7th edition, International Society of Arboriculture, Savol, IL, 1988. 'Morgan, Robin. 1991. Technical guide to urban and community forestry. U.S. Forest Service, p.4. 'The Landscaping Fact Sheet, Texas Energy Extension Service, Texas A&MUniversity, 1-800-643-SAVE. `Parker, 1 1981. Use of Landscaping for Energy Conservation, Florida International University, Miami. 'Benefits of Urban Trees, U.S. Forest Service, 1720 Peachtree Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30367-9102. Employment Opportunity Fire Department The City of West University Place Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of Part-Time Secre- tary. Position requires flexible hours. Job Summary: Provides clerical support to the Fire Chief and Fire Department. Minimum Education, Experience and Certification: High school diploma or equivalent required. How to Apply: Make application, Monday-Friday, City of West University Place, City Hall Lobby, 3800 Univer- sity Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005 from 9:00am-11:00am or 2:00pm-4:00pm. Benefits: Part-Time employees are not eligible for benefits. EOE M/FN/D Drug Free Work Place Page 8 We Need Your Input! :S UllrlIS~1CG ~~i tI1C G oh E"'c C'40 Pie, le ity cul aS h. ICOi2eS OLii CCflttlbastio11S. F-'or "'11'd to 'ill (J_lit' Blvd- 770 L, 1-11) 0 SS urc C011 7.C?e"2tiorlt c. C1 iCi O ii', oc ..',S'. S C.'l 'c. City of West University Place 3800 University Blvd. Houston, Texas 77005 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 600 Houston, TX