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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruaryp.® WDST Volume 23, No. 2 T-N r - ff Recycling Center Recycling has been important in West University Place for a long time so much so that it appears on the signs at our city limits: "Our City Recycles". Over the years, the program has changed with the times, from including some materials and not others in the curbside pickup program, to the controversial closing of the Milton Street drop-off site. For most of this time, there has been a city-appointed Recycling Committee which makes recommendations and helps to implement various aspects of the recycling program. This committee, for instance, is responsible for the success of the cardboard drop-off site, implemented in January 1995. We are now in the process of developing a three-year plan for the overall recycling program. Many of you have missed the Milton Street drop-off since its closure. The Recycling Committee, in its efforts to make recycling "easy", is recommending that another drop-off site be established, and the City Council has agreed. Initially, it was assumed that the location would be somewhere near the old, familiar one. However, we are now in favor of another location, a slight 'istance from the center of West U, but preferable for other reasons. West U owns property just north of West U, commonly known as "Dincans". We currently store heavy equipment there, as well as piling the "mulch" gath- ered from the street sweeper and Christmas tree recycling. It is that property at the corner of Dincans and Westpark - which has been chosen for the new drop-off site. We are proposing a drive-through facility, probably a large building. (Aesthetics are somewhat less important at "Dincans" that they would be in the heart of West U on College Street. The facility will accommodate daily drop-off of recyclables, both those which are currently picked up curbside, as well as cardboard, plastic and bimetal cans. Because the site is actually in Houston, non-West U residents will be permitted to drop-off recyclables, too. (Since the materials have value, West U will reap the financial benefits.) Since more than just West U residents will use the drop-off, we are eligible for and are requesting grant money made available for projects such as this. An architectural firm has been retained and planning is underway. Both the Recycling Committee and the city staff would very much like to receive input from interested West U residents. Fill out the How Are We Doing on page 4 or call Cindy Neal, Recycling Committee Chair (665-3949) or Kay Holloway, City Secretary (662-5813). We look forward to hearing from you! Mayor Bill Watson (665-3969) Mayor Pro Teni Teresa W. F'ogler (664-6433) City Council Ni'letubers Linda Lewis (662-501.2), Stan McCandless (669-1.830),Tom Rushing (666-09434) Acting City Manager Steve Griffith (662-5812) February 1996 Jack E. Meyers Assistant Manager Senior Services Born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan, Jack attended the Palestrina Institute of Music in Detroit where he learned to play the piano and organ. He entered the army in 1957 and became a Chaplain's Assistant. After the service, he remained in California and attended the University of California - Berkley receiving a B.A. Degree in Advertis- ing while working for Stran-Steel Corporation. Jack moved to Houston in 1964 and took a job with the Houston Post in the National Adver- tising Department. In 1967, he married his lovely wife, Pamela, and has lived in West University Place for 23 years. He joined the Senior Services Department in November of 1990 and enjoys working with the seniors in all of their various activi- ties. He works very hard to improve the quality of life for our senior citizens. Many thanks to this month's featured employee. West U Park Partners Our thanks to: Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Mosbacher, Jr. for purchasing a paver to be placed in a West U park. If you are interested in purchasing a family paver, contact Mark Spradling at 758-2828. Inside Council Chambers Page 2 Fi. +11 Cardboard Recycling in West U om e -L V yor s Just when I thought the City could settle back and coast awhile with the bond election and holiday activities over, some hyper-active types start showering me with lists of things to be considered by the City in the next few months. I appreciate this attention to business; without such persons the world might just coast to a stop. So that you can help me worry about these matters, I will include a partial list: Begin City audit Publish 1996 budget Telephone lines, computers, fiumiture for Public Works Building Bid for garbage truck Bid for recycling truck Bid for backhoe Bid for 1.5 million gallon storage tank Bid forjanitorial services Bid for mosquito spraying Bid for Priority Area 4A construction Bid for depository of city funds Bid for demolition of Rice/Auden property Completion of Priority Area 2 construction Completion of Milton Street Park Completion of Public Works Center Completion of codification of City Ordinances Completion of Priority Area 3 construction Completion of privatization and intergovernmental cooperation studies Completion of P.E.R.T. Chart for construction areas Completion of Recycling Grant application Revision of Master Plan for the City Consider privatization of meter reading Consider records management requirements Consider what to do, if anything, with City Hall/Fire Department Building Consider contract revision with engineering consultants Consider wastewater treatment study Consider 1996 bond sales Consider ,vater and sewer rate study Consider additional privatization studies Consider developing master plan for data processing Consider a recycling center Etc... Sort of mind-boggling, isn't it? Of course. I will not be directly responsible for much of this, but as your elected watchpersons, the Council has to be involved. Looks like a busy year. If you want to help, let us know. Bill Watson, Mayor A Success Story On January 28, 1995, the first cardboard drop off took place in West U. We had no idea what to expect, and were thrilled with the 1,500 pounds of cardboard we received cardboard for which the city received some payment (from the recycler to whom it was delivered), and for which the cost of landfill disposal was avoided. The amount of cardboard received has grown steadily each month, and in December four tricks were filled to capacity with 6500 pounds of cardboard! (We especially appreciate those of you who flatten your corrugated boxes.) The cardboard recycling program in West U is a volunteer effort, with concerned citizens giving of their time for YOUR benefit. Equally important are the hundreds of you who endure cluttered garages to save cardboard, and take the time to bring it to the drop off site. A reminder: As long as recyclable paper products are still in demand, all kinds of cardboard will be ac- cepted. The recycling company may, in the future, accept only corrugated cardboard, but until then we will continue to accept chip board (cereal boxes, for example) and other types of cardboard. NO PLASTIC BAGS, NO STYROFOAM, NO PACKING PEA- NUTS, AND NO GARBAGE, PLEASE. (*Packing peanuts may be taken to Mailboxes, Etc., for REUSE.) The cardboard recycling program continues, from 8:00 to 3:00 on the last Saturday of each month, rain or shine. See you there! A Brief Summary of the West U Recycling Program CURBSIDE: IN PAPER BAGS ONLY. PAPER: All kinds, including newspaper, maga- zines, and junk mail. ALUMINUM: Squishable cans that beverages come in only. (No "tin" cans). GLASS: Separate clear from colored; unbroken glass, please, for safety. West U recycles every Wednesday morning, rain or shine. (If it rains, please double the bags containing glass to prevent the bags from breaking as they are thrown into the trick. Keep our West U employees safe!) CARDBOARD: Save it for the drop off, please. GRASS CLIPPINGS, YARD WASTE: Compost it yourself. Or leave it curbside on trash day. TREE LIMBS: Call for specifications and to sched- ule pickup. (662-5839) Try P February 1996 FromtheChieFsDesk The holidays are over, a new year is upon us, and spring time is around the corner. Many people take this oppor- tunity during the nice spring time weather to fix the fence, repair the roof, paint the house, or anything else that needs to be done and is left over from last year. Some of us will take the initiative to complete these jobs; some of us will forget about them and put them off until next year; still others will decide that the jobs need to be done and will hire someone else to do them for us. Please beware of those you hire! One of our elderly residents was victimized by a person of questionable -haracter who I will call Mr. Crook. /Ir. Crook was not someone this resident called on the phone and asked to come over and give an estimate on work to be done. Mr. Crook just showed up at the resident's door, said that the roof needed repair, spent a short time on the roof and charged $1200 for the work. Needless to say, the resident was swindled, and if not for the bank employee who got the information on Mr. Crook, we may never have found out who Mr. Crook really is. His real name is Henry Joe Smith, a white male, 43 years old, driving a pickup and currently wanted by the police. The message being delivered is to beware of those who approach you and solicit business. If you need work done, call around, get estimates, and check references. There are many reputable people working in this community who will do an excellent )b. You find them, don't let them find you. We don't want you to become a victim too. Gary Brye, Acting Chief of Police Crime lose December Burglary of Building 5308 Buffalo - Unknown suspect(s) broke into St. Andrew's Church office and took money. 5311 Mercer - Unknown suspect(s) used a key to enter St. George Orthodox Church and took money. 6500 Block of Brompton - After the parents left town, the kids threw a party. A large amount of jewelry was stolen. Burlgary of Vehicle During December, six cars were broken into. In all six cases, portable cellular telephones were taken. Criminal Mischief During December one adult and one juvenile were arrested together after they were caught breaking out windows with a sling shot. seminar on MEDICINAL HERBS and how they can help your arthritis, indigestion, foot problems, eyesight, skin, hair and much more! Our speaker will bring some of her herbs with her for you to purchase. Time: 2:00 - 3:30. Cost: Donations accepted for the speaker. February 14, Wednesday We will have a lovely VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY with entertainment provided by the very talented Balladeers Choral Group. They sing all your favorite songs beautifully and will be able to join us for the holiday dessert to be served later. Time: 2:00 - 3:30. Cost: $2. February 22, Thursday What to do on a wintry Houston afternoon? Go to the IMAX film, THE LIVING SEA, with us. We're going to leave a little early so we can check out the butterflies and lovely gift shop before the film. Time: 1:15 - 3:15. Cost: $3.50. February 28, Wednesday Spend the day being both educated and entertained. We begin at the HOUSTON CHRONICLE to learn how the newspaper is produced. After lunch at the downtown Birraporetti's, we will go to the CHILDREN'S MUSEUM where we will be met by Edna Daly, who will guide us through all the interesting exhibits at this very interactive museum. They have replications of two foreign cities, the inside of a Randall's supermarket, a circus of circles, lots of computer games and much more! P.S. We'll have it all to ourselves. Time: 10:00 - 4:00. Cost: $20. Please remember that it is a violation of City Ordinance to place your garbage out before your pickup day. Senior Services February Calendar February 2, Friday The Museum of Fine Art's Senior Program is highlighting THE TEXAS COLLECTION. The art will include contemporary Texas art - both modern and post-modern. Time: 9:30-12:00. Cost: $1/members or $2/non-mem- bers. February 7, Wednesday In the morning our West University librarian, Keddy Outlaw, is going to lead a writing workshop entitled FIRST WRITES. Its aim is to help you in collecting your memories and putting them on paper for your family to enjoy forever. Bring a spiral notebook. Additional dates 2/14, 2/21 and 2/28. Time: 10:30 - 11:30 each Wednesday. Cost: Free. In the afternoon there will be a Page 4 West U Newcomers Come and meet Mayor Bill Watson and his wife Lois. The West Univer- sity Place Newcomer's Club is sponsoring the third annual "Meet Your Mayor and Local Dignitaries" on Saturday, February 24th, 1996, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Note: You must R.S.V.P. to attend. Please call Sheila Murphy at 664- 6952 to R.S.V.P. or for more informa- tion. Here's the pitch... West University Little League will be holding team tryouts for all new players and returning players moving up to a new division on February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The following weekend will be available as a rain date and open to those who could not attend the 1st session. Following the draft, teams will be determined and manda- tory team meetings will be called by West U. Little League Main Board and Auxiliary Board members. Plan to attend your team's meeting during the week of February 13th - 16th. The season begins March 25th. It's a I Iitl For more information, please contact Darlene Thompson, West University Little League, at 663-6258. How Sweet It Is! Support West University Little League and your sweet tooth! West U. Little League players will be selling the World's Finest Chocolates beginning Wednesday, February 21st through March 6th. All proceeds ow Are We Doing? City Currents of West tlidversity P12ce, Texas City Currents welcomes your contributions. Forward to 3814 University Blvd- Houston, 'texas 77005 c/o Chief Griff i th by flee 10th of the month preceding publication to assure consideration. It is the policy of the City of West Unix asity 1 lace not to discriminate on the basis ofrace. creed, color, national origin. sex, rcli-ion, age, veteran status o,- from the candy sale go toward uni- forms, equipment, and field mainte- nance. Cash awards and prizes are presented to the League's top sellers. For more information, call Janet Amend at 668-3002 or Judy Sere at 664-0654. City council & staff want to be responsive to your needs. If you have a comment, problem, complaint or compliment for us, please fill out the information below and return with your water bill. Thanks! Flame Address Home Phone # Work Phone # Comment City of West University Place 3800 University Blvd. Houston, Texas 77005 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 600 Houston, TX