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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAprilwEsT UN _ RsrrY P Volume 23, No. 4 April 1996 Yard stem ®t Topic t West U Senior Services Calendar ' April 8th or 15th - Monday. Let s go to the JAPANESE GARDENS and The City has always picked up yard waste on the same day as trash. Rather see how beautiful it has become. We than take it to the landfill (where it is not accepted), it is delivered to a will choose which day we take the composting facility. It seemed that we were "saving money", because disposal trip depending on the azalea season costs were only $2.50 for one cubic yard of yard waste, whereas the costs were and the forecasted weather. Bring $6.50 per cubic yard at the landfill. Recently, however, rates for "compost" your own lunch, we've taken care of disposal have risen to $8.00 per cubic yard. the drinks. 11:00 - 12:30. $1.00. In 1995, it cost the city more than $13, 000 to dispose of April 10 -Wednesday We're going out yard waste. At the current rate, the City will pay to learn about Coffees and Teas in $41, 000 in 1996 today's seminar presented by a local No longer can we pretend that what we do in our own yards don't matter. coffee specialist. We will focus on Don't expect your neighbors to subsidize your yard (The 20 bags of grass and the history of coffee, types of grinds trimmings left by your neighbor cost YOU money). All of us should do and preparation methods. 2 - 3:00pm. everything we can. Free. -Want a thick, beautiful lawn? Install a mulching mower blade. Ask your April 12 - Friday Today's Senior i qwn service to use mulching mower blades, or use one of the many companies program will be Landmarks in Print io use them. You will have eliminated ALL grass clippings. To make Collecting which includes master- leaves disappear, mow over them! Don't bag anything. pieces from the British Museum on -Get a compost bin and dump everything else from your yard in it. (Until you exhibit outside the United Kingdom mulch, they are large enough to accommodate all the grass grown in a West U for the first time. 9:30 -noon. $1.00/ yard). Enrich your garden with the results. $2.00. West U subsidizes compost bins, available for $15.00 each at the "Water Bill April 23 - Tuesday Today's trip Window" in City Hall. Call Patsy Graham, West U's state--trained Master will be to Bryan's Messina Hof Composter (660-9710), to sign up for a 2-hour workshop to learn how. Winery, Brazos Valley Museum of This month, the Recycling Committee will present a recommendation to City Natural History and Forsyth Center Council to study our solid waste system. One of the alternatives we will study and J. Wayne Stark art galleries is a system wherein households who bag yard waste will pay more than those housed in the student center at Texas who do not. Please feel free to call with your comments. (Cindy Neal, Recy- A & M University. The cost will be cling Chairman - 665-3949). $20.00 and includes lunch. April 24 - Wednesday Gulf e~ ee Issues ~,®L~I~CI CP (~y',s Park - The first race is Greyhound ' ll get there early enough 1:30, but we We Need Your Input to order lunch . 12:00 - 4:30. $3.00 + Over the past two years, the City has been dedicated to improving our City program and tip sheet + lunch. Parks. Apparently, the improvements are paying off because the number of April 30 - Tuesday residents frequenting the parks has increased considerably. This increase Every year everyone looks forward initiated an evaluation of the current speed limits surrounding our parks. An to our Health Fair. We always try to analysis was recently conducted by the Police Department to determine the have all your favorite screenings. In average traffic flow/speeds. The results indicated that the average speed during addition, we add many booths to give anal park hours ranged between 20 - 25 mph. Is this speed acceptable to you information. You don't have to `you? Do you feel lowering the speed limit to 20 mph near our City parks is a fast before the blood test!. Light viable alternative? Would you comply with the reduced speed limit? The City refreshments. 10:00 - 1:00. would appreciate hearing from you. Please call 662-5873 and leave a message. Call 662-5895 for reservations. Inside Council Chambers Page 2 From the Mayor's Desk "As is our policy in approaching civic problems, we want the input of those citizens who are to be directly affected by the decisions before us." Bill II'atson The outer perimeter of our city has always posed special problems requiring solutions that were not always univer- sally approved. The north, south' and west boundaries are as developed as they ever will be in the near future. The east, or Kirby side of West U, still has areas where their ultimate use in the immediate future is unresolved. South of University Boulevard and north of Plumb there is no problem at the present time. One end of Kirby is residential and the other end is commercial-- it's the middle that gives us concern. Someone might suggest the old clich6 "if it's not broke, don't fix it". We do not want to wait until it is "broken", i.e., until someone files a lawsuit for the right to use some of the lots classified residential for commercial uses because of the change in the surroundings. If we take some realistic action as was done on Bissonnet and Bellaire Streets, rather than waiting on a court decision, we have a greater chance of control- ling the ultimate results. The residents on Lake Street understandably do not want fast food outlets occupying the land behind their homes with the resulting garbage, rats, late hours and heavy traffic. It seems unlikely that single family residences will be built on Kirby in that area. So, maybe some intermedi- ate use will provide a better solution. Council, Staff and the Communications Committee are planning a community block party in that area on April Zest. As is our policy in approaching civic problems, we want the input of those citizens who are to be directly affected by the decisions before us. The whole city will be indirectly affected and we want your suggestions, too. Bill Watson, Mayor From a Council Member's Desk "Talk to your kids, find out what they would be excited about having in the community and 1-It nie hear from you."- LindaLewis The youth of our community are among West University's most valuable assets, and the City wants to do as good a j ob providing for them as it does for the rest of its citizens. What, you may ask, might we do that we are not doing? The city does provide an attractive array of activities for pre-schoolers and young school age children. Youth sports--baseball, softball and soccer--attract a large number of youngsters, mostly pre-teen, but are these activities enough? What is the City providing for the middle school age youngsters who are too old for kiddie activities and too young to participate in high school functions or the high schoolers who are too young to drive? You know the kids I am referring to. Drive by th? Little League field most spring and early summer nights; and they are hanging out there looking for something to do or hoping to meet up with their friends. There's certainly, nothing wrong with kids hanging out at the ball park (mine did it, too), but is there a better option? This is one of the questions your City Council and Staff are trying to answer, and I would like to have your input. Would it make sense for West U to have a teen facility that would serve as a gathering place? Many of us grew up in communities with such a place and that was where we spent many hours playing ping pong, listening to music, visiting with our friends or learning about babysitting. Would it still work? If so, where is the best place for it to be located? The center of town is that area around the sports complex, so does it make sense to have a teen center accessible from that location? The City currently is involved in a facilities planning exercise, and it is possible that a youth activities center could be incorporated in that area? What kinds of See Council Comments, Page 3 Mayor Bill Watson (665-3969) Mayor Pro Tem Teresa W. Fogler'(664-6433) City Council Members, Linda Lewis (662-5812), Stan McCandless (669-1830),Tom Rushing (666-0434) Acting City Manager Steve Griffith (662-5810) 3800 University Boulevard - Houston, Texas 77005 668-4441 City Life Page 3 '-)uncil Comments, continued activities would be appropriate for kids today? Over the long haul, would they support a youth center, and what part should youth have in planning its use? These are just some of the questions that need to be answered. If you have any answers or opinions that could help make a decision about the feasibility of having a youth center, I would like to hear from you. If the youth center is not the answer, then what suggestions do you have for a program that would better serve our young citizens? Talk to your kids, find out what they would be excited about having in the community and let me hear from you. Employee Recognition I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Office Robbin Sharpe. She has been with the West Univer- sity Place Police Department since June 1992, and is currently assigned to the Drug Abuse Resistance Educa- tion (D.A.R.E.) Program. She teaches D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) in area schools. In addi- tion, she is the Exploring Advisor for the West University Law Enforce- ment Exploring Program, a develop- mental organization to teach teens about law enforcement. Officer Sharpe enjoys martial arts, music, reading, and traveling to new places. Her husband, Allen Sharpe, operates a Martial Arts Studio and is the self defense tactics coordinator for the . Texas Department of Corrections Institutional Division. If you see Robbin around our schools, please op and say hello. Gary Brye, Acting Police Chief Second Saturday Concert April 13, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. Featured performers are Aileen and Elkin Thomas. They are an acoustic country/folk duo with beautiful old country harmonies. Their music reflects a life-style of down-home, back-porch, easy country living. Together or singu- larly they have performed on projects with artists such as Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Earl Scruggs, Waylon Jennings, and Ramblin' Jack Elliot. They have a new songbook along with a half dozen plus albums of their own with Elkin writing most of their songs. Aileen and Elkin set their stage as though they were singing at a family reunion. They have many followers who feel that they truly are family. The concert will be held at the West University Community Building, 6104 Auden (at Rice Blvd.). Tickets are on sale at the door. Adults $6; Senior Citizens $3; Children under 12 free with adults. This is a family show. Home- made refreshments are available. For more information, call 347-3235 or 495-2923. Letter to the Editor: I read with interest Tom Rushing's column about the City's plans to develop a park on the Sanders family property recently acquired at 3771 Rice Blvd. More than one of the Sanders made local history (details to follow). I suggest that the City, or perhaps the West University Historical Society, consider erecting a plaque or marker in the park honoring both Allison and Thelma Sanders. Mr. Allison Sanders worked for the Houston Chronicle for 51 years; his last column appeared a few days before his death in August 1985. Starting out as a reporter, then working as a city editor, features editor and columnist, he was best known for his "Motorman" column in which he often mentioned West University Place. Sanders received large volumes of mail, from which he crafted witty, unusual or touching stories about ordinary people some of which were reprinted in Reader's Digest. Mrs. Thelma Sanders was the founder of West University Library. In 1940, she opened a small library in a corner of the West University Community House. Records show that during World War II, when the library space was needed by Police and Civil Defense, Mrs. Sanders moved the library collection to an unheated field house. She kept the Library going throughout the war, and then moved it back into the Community House. A dream came true for Mrs. Sanders in September of 1963, when Harris County and the City of West University Place ventured together to open the Library building at 6108 Auden St. Thelma Sanders retired in October of 1972. Keddy Outlaw, W. U. Branch Librarian Pro e Page 4 Planning and Zoning Commission This is the first in what we hope will be a monthly feature profiling the boards, commissions and other City functions that help make West University Place such a unique city. Our goal is to tell you both the "how" and the "who" of City operations. Any comments or sugges- tions can be directed to the Communications Committee. West University's Zoning & Planning Commission is created by Section 5.03 of the City Charter, and operates under the authority of State law and City ordinance. The Commission is responsible for recommending to City Council plans for the physical development of West University. This responsibility includes recommendations to change the City's Comprehensive Plan (Land Use) and zoning ordinances, as well as approval of land develop- ment plats and the subdivision of land within the City limits. Planning is an integral part of the Commission's responsibilities, with a focus ranging well beyond only zoning. In contrast to the Zoning and Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the quasi-judicial role of which is to pass on individual zoning issues or disputes such as zoning variances, the Zoning & Planning Commission's function is essentially legislative. The Commission has identified three key areas of focus during its 1995-97 term: Density Kirby corridor development Long-range planning By Charter, the Council must appoint no fewer than five, nor more than seven, members of the Commission. Terms of office are for two years beginning each September 1 of odd numbered years. The Commission currently has seven members. The chairperson, currently Mr. Ned Ross, is elected by the Commission. Mr. Ross is currently serving his second two-year term on the Commission. Regular meetings of the Commission are held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Additional meetings are frequently scheduled, and are announced in City Currents and posted at City Hall. Commission action is by majority vote of those members attending a meeting provided that a quorum is present. Meetings of the Commission are open, and interested persons are encouraged to attend. The Commission has studied the impact of population density on the City, and has proposed certain changes in the City's zoning ordinances addressing density. These changes will affect the maximum building size in relation to the size of the lot on which the structure is to be built. These proposals have been submitted to City Council, and will be the subject of hearings and possible Council action in the future. Kirby Corridor development is another issue under active study. Kirby Corridor is the eastern border of West University between University and Bissonnet, consisting of light commercial, townhouse and single family resi- dence development. The Commission is in the process of gathering data and opinions, and has made no proposals to City Council at this time. A Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, April 21 at 4:00 p.m. at the 6100 Block of Lake Street to help obtain citizen input on this issue. The Commission's third principal focus is development of a long-range strategic plan for our City. As part of its vital planning function, the Commission is attempting to define our City's future goals and objectives. Quite simply, the Commission is asking what we want our City to look like in ten years. Consensus on a long-range strategic plan will aid decision-making not only in zoning but in virtually every area of City governance. In develop- ment of a long-range strategic plan, the Commission is working closely with other boards and commissions such as the Parks Board, as well as with the City Manager and City Council. The Commission is especially solicits citizen input in this critical area. The seven volunteer members of the Zoning & Planning Commission each devote substantial time and energy working to plan for and protect our City's future. In addition to attending the Commission's meetings dis- cussed above, the Zoning & Planning Commission can be reached through the City Secretary at City Hall. New Sidewalks? The City of Houston has asked for the input of property owners in the adjacent blocks to Kirby Drive between University and Holcombe. As part of their neighborhood to standards program, they are installing sidewalks. They are considering the installation of sidewalks on the west side of Kirby Drive between University and Holcombe. For those residents in the 2600 blocks of streets abuting Kirby, we ask that you fill out the How are We Doing? form on page 8 and let us know whether you feel side- - walks along our side of Kirby Drive are desireable. Thanks! clubs were placed near the open garage door and were taken within 10 minutes. 02/20/96 - 3201 University - A contractor put a bag of tools on the floor in an open garage. He carne back 5 minutes later and the tools were gone. urglary of a Building 02/12/96 - 3816 Bellaire Blvd. St. Marks School - Unknown person(s) entered school, ransacked offices and rooms. Nothing was discovered missing. 02/19/96 - 3303 Albans - A Craftsman saw was stolen out of the open garage. Auto Theft 02/19/96 - 4200 S. Judson - The resident's car was found by police with the engine running on Coleridge. The resident was con- tacted and discovered that the car had been stolen. The car was returned. 02/19/96 - 6711 Stella Link - A vehicle was stolen from the parking lot and subsequently recovered by DPS in Waller County with a flat tire. 02/21/96 -4210 Bellaire -A car was stolen from the parking garage. was found in Houston on 2/27/96 with a broken steering column and no battery. Burglary - Motor Vehicle 02/09/96 - 3783 Tangley - Cellular phone was stolen out of a car. There was no forced entry. 02/09/96 -3515 Georgetown -A cellular phone was stolen out of an unlocked vehicle. 02/20/96 - 4056 Bellaire - Car was parked in the parking lot. Unknown person(s) broke out a window and stole a briefcase. 02/28/96 - 3522 Corondo Ct. - Unknown person(s) broke a car window and stole Cokes, sports bag, and cellular telephone. 02/29/96 - 4202 Ruskin - 2 cars were broken into, window broken. 2 radar detectors, 2 cellular phones, and a C.B. radio were taken. 'T'heft 02/10/96 - 3303 Albans - Construe- Lion workers were in the residence working. They came back outside 30 minutes later and discovered tools missing. 02/16/96 - 5915 Annapolis - The resident had been doing yard work and someone stole his wheel barrel. Criminal Mischief 02/10/96 - 2804 Robinhood - Resident's car was vandalized. The hoses and belts were cut. 02/11/96 - 4040 Southwestern - The driver's side window on the resident's passenger van had been broken out. 02/18/96 - 6018, 6114, 6212, Community & 4201 Amherst - Un- known person(s) sprayed black spray paint on vehicles parked in the drive- way. This month I'd like to talk about something that is very dear to all of us: Junk Mail that we just love to receive and those Telephone Solicitors that we can't wait to talk with! All kidding aside, the greatest majority of the information we receive in the mail or on the phone is legitimate. How- ever, it is the small percentage that I am concerned about. We need to be very careful about what we think may be a good deal on paper and what ends up to be a major headache. Furthermore, those telephone solici- tors are in sales and are trained to convince you that ordering their product is the best thing you could ever do. My advice is don't talk to anyone you don't want to and don't fill out any papers that you have not completely read and understand. There are people in this world that love to prey on unsuspecting citizens with good hearts. If people you don't know ask you for money, personal information, bank accounts, etc., don't give it to them. If you really believe that "their cause" is a good one, do your homework first. Ask for a telephone number so you can call them back, find references, have them send you more information, etc. If their cause is legitimate, they should be more than happy to provide you with any other information you request. Please, don't become a victim to a scam artist. On another topic, the city is trying to ensure that all residents receive a copy of the City Currents. If you are not receiving one, or are receiving more than one copy addressed to your house, please call 662-5870 and leave a message. Thanks for your help. Gary Brye, Acting Police Chief Crime Up Close - February From the Chief sDesk Parks Recreation Page 6 Easter Egg Hunt The City of West University Place will host its 1996 Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 6th at West U. Elementary Baseball Field 41. Activities will begin at I0:0Oam and the Easter Bunny will be on hand to greet the children! All children up to 11 yrs. are invited to attend. Each participant will need to bring an Easter basket. Admission is free! Summer Camp 1996 The City of West University Place Parks and Recreation Department is proud to announce the 1996 Summer Day Camp Program at Colonial Park. Ms. Debbie Ellis and Staff have an exciting Summer planned. Each of our five 2-week sessions will have an overall theme of activities and each session will include swimming, arts & crafts, songs, games and more. Session 1: June 3 - 13, Camp Superstars Camp will include football, air hockey, wiffleball, kickball,Wally ball, various relay races, raft races and much more. Session 2: June 17 - 27, Creative Dramatics The Staff and Campers will come up with skits, dance steps, lip sync songs or anything else we can do to put on a talent show for the parents on the last day. Session 3: July 1 -11, Community Helpers (No class on Thursday, July 4th) We will have a variety of guests come visit us in this session such as Firemen and Policemen, Paramedics, Professional Athletes, Government Officials and more. Session 4: July 15 - 25, Camp Olympics With 1996 being an Olympic year we will have our own West University Place Olympics with all kinds of games and events for our Campers. Session 5: July 29 - August 8, Old Fashioned Summer Camp In this session, we will do activities such as make homemade ice cream, have a wiennie roast, make and fly kites, play croquet, hula hoop contest and more. Ages: Must be between 4 - 10 Years Old Day / Time: Monday Thru Thursday 8:30am - 1:30pm Location: Colonial Park Recreation Center Fees: Per 2 week session - $90 res. $100 n/res., ($10 Supply fee for Camp T-Shirt & Pizza) Registration starts April 29th at Community Building, 6104 Auden A complete list of summer classes will appear in the May issue of the City Currents. Colonial Park 4 Bubble Removal and Spring Maintenance The City of West University Place Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled the Bubble removal and Spring Maintenance for April 15th - 26th at Colonial Park. If all goes well, we will reopen sooner but please call before coming by. We look forward to an exciting summer. Annual Membership We will start selling the 1996 annual membership and summer swim season passes on April 22nd at Colonial Park. The annual passes will be effective May 1, 1996 - April 30, 1997. If you currently have a Senior Citizen Membership, please come by and update your personal information card. Stop by early to beat the summer rush. Racket Camp Instruction in tennis, racquetball, and wally ball; fol- lowed by lunch and a refreshing swim. Enrollment is limited. For ages 8-12. The following is a list of supplies needed for each child: Racquetball racket, can of racquetballs, goggles, tennis racket, can of tennis balls, towel, swimsuit, and lunch. Location of Camp: Colonial Park Recreation Center Session: All session dates are the same as Day Camp (Monday-Thursday). Fees: Per 2 week session - $90 res. $100 n/res. Sports & More Camp Ages: 7 & Up Day/Time: Monday Thru Friday 8:30am - 1:30pm Location: Scout House(Mon. - Thur.), Colonial Park (Fri.) Fees: Per 2 week session - $115 res. $125 n/res., ($10 Supply fee for Camp T-Shirt & Pizza) Come join us for our new Sports & More Camp to be held at the Scout House this summer. Each Friday we will meet at Colonial Park for swimming, sand volleyball and wallyball. All two week sessions will consist of a variety of soccer, baseball, volleyball, golf, basketball, football, wiffleball, kickball, floor hockey & more. So come experience the variety of sports we will be offering. You don't have to be a professional to be involved in our sports & more camp. There will be equipment needed for this camp, a list will be provided on the first day. Session 1: June 3 - 14 Session 2: June 17 - 28 Session 3: July 1 - 12 (No class on Thursday, July 4th) Session 4: July 15 - 26 Session 5: July 29 - August 9 Registration starts April 8th at Colonial Park ONLY. St University Community Bulletin oar page 7 ril j Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday - Friday Saturday New Comer's Club Friends of Building and Easter Egg Hunt @ @ 7:30pm, City West U Parks @ Standards Commis- 10:00am, West U Council Chamber 6:15pm, Conference sion @ 6:30pm, Elementary Fields Room Council Chamber City Holiday Parks Board @ Recycling Commit- No Garbage 7:30pm, Conference tee @ 7:00pm, Pickup Room Police Dept. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Council Workshop Zoning and Planning Little League Fund Opening Ceremo- @ 6:30pm, @ 7:30pm, Council Raiser @ 6:30pm, nies @ 11:00, Little Conference Room Chamber Wyndham Warrick League Field Easter Sunday Council Meeting @ 7:30pm, Council Chamber 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Zoning Board of Adjustment @ 7:30pm, Council Chamber 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Town Meeting @ Council Workshop Cardboard 4:00pm, 6100 Lake @ 6:30pm, Recycling @ Police Topic: Kirby Conference Room Department Corridor Council Meeting @ 7:30pm, Council Chamber 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 301 1 Spring Happenings Page 8 1996 WUP Biathlon Series We have the second stage of our three part biathlon series scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 1996, at 8:00 a.m. at Colonial Park. The events will consist of a 350 yard swim followed by a 5K run. Registration is currently underway for individuals and teams. You can obtain entry forms at Colonial Park or the Com- munity Building. For more informa- tion, contact David Pippin at 668- 7642. Clean Up Day Saturday, April 27. Everything, and we mean every- thing, will be accepted, except Haz- ardous Waste. Big or small. Heavy or light. Reusable or not. Make plans now to get rid of it. More information WEST U. PROUD As some of you may not be aware, the City of West University Place has its own City Flag and is considering having reproductions made to sell to its residents. The City is also ponder- ing with the idea of selling West University paraphernalia (i.e., caps, T- shirts, etc.) in the lobby of City Hall. Would you be interested in purchasing a flag and/or paraphernalia? If so, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Kaylynn Holloway, City Secretary, at 662-5813 and be West U. Proud! Cite Currents or West University PNce,Tex,,,s P1 roduceion for this issue provided through the efforts of 'Zteve Griffith and Thelma Lenz Cite Currents welcoli-i e s your contributions. FoI%vard to 3 14 University Blvd., llouston, Tee;as 77005 c/o Chief G-iftithbv the I Oth of t1l le 11101101 preceding publication to assure consideration. it is the policy of the City of' Wrest Ulliv ersity Pl ce sotto uiscrimmate on Ole basis of race, creed, color, national ori(6n, Se\, rehuiozl, age, veteran status or 'disabilit,~. next month. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - How Are We Doing? 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! Name Address Home Phone # Work Phone # Comment City of Nest University Place 3800 University Blvd. Houston, Texas 77005 BULK RATE U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 600 Houston, TX