HomeMy WebLinkAboutJulyWEST tJN
Volume 23, No. 7
To repair or replace...
that is J
question
Is a new street in your future?
It depends, according to Public
Works Director Ed Menville.
With the City in the midst of a sig-
nificant infrastructure replacement pro-
gram, some streets don't need to be re-
placed.
"Street work can be divided into
two types - rehabilitation or new con-
struction," said Menville. "The type of
construction is based on engineering
analysis by the City's consulting engi-
neer in the early stages of design."
Under new construction, the con-
tractor removes all existing pavement
and replaces it with a new street. In
addition, the contractor will replace
driveway approaches, matching the tex-
ture and color of the old one.
With rehabilitation, the contractor
removes only those portions of the ex-
isting pavement deemed to be in too
poor condition to keep. Only portions
of the street are replaced with new con-
crete. Depending on where rehabilita-
tion takes place, driveway approaches
may or may not be replaced.
In Priority Area 3 and 4A where
contractors are currently working, 4100
and 4200 blocks of Case, Rice, Milton,
Amherst, Swarthmore, Byron,
Villanova, Marquette, Southwestern
and University will be replaced. All of
Academy and Fairhaven; Community
and West Point (between Bellaire and
Case) will be replaced. The 4100 blocks
of Oberlin, Riley, Ruskin will be com-
pletely replaced. The 4200 Blocks of
Oberlin and Ruskin and the 6400 Com-
munity are only scheduled for repair.
In Priority Area 4B and 5A, sched-
uled for construction in 1997, 4100 and
4200 Blocks of Tennyson, Coleridge,
and Marlowe will be replaced. Acad-
emy, Westpoint and Community (be-
tween Rice and Bissonnet) will be re-
placed. The 3 800, 3900 and 4000 blocks
of University, Amherst & Milton will
be replaced. The 4000 block of Rice
will be replaced. All of Auden, Col-
lege and Weslayan between University
and Rice will be replaced.
The decision to repair or replace
the street is not set in concrete (so to
speak). Menville says when conditions
of the street change due to construction
or detour traffic, a change for rehabili-
tation to new construction may be in
order.
"It's a question of making our re-
sources go as tar as they can," saicl
Menville. "If the street is going to last
20 or 30 years with repairs, it doesn't
make economic sense to replace it."
Questions about the infrastructure
program should be directed to the Pub-
lic Works Department at 662-5839.
m
Inside
Mayor And Council Comments
Page 2
Recycling News
Page 3
Parks and Recreation Events
Page 6
.Daly 1996
The goal: world
class service
From Sherman Yehl
City Manager
One of the things I've learned in
my 20 years of work in the public sec-
tor is that good customer service is hard
work - but poor customer service is even
harder work!
My personal commitment as your
new City Manager is to make West U.
city government world class when it
comes to customer service. That doesn't
mean we will be able to solve all of your
problems, but it does mean that we will
be courteous and responsive, and pay
attention to requests. If we can't help,
you'll know why.
Both the Council and staff are
dedicated to this level of service, and
you can help us succeed. When we fail
to meet your expectations, let us know.
Call me at 662.5810 or stop by City
Hall. For those of you cyber-clined, e-
mail me at 72162.2142
@compuserve.com. Even snail mail
will work by completing the form on
the back of City Currents and sending
it to City Hall. Praise is a powerful
motivator, so when we do something
really great we'd like to hear about that,
too.
It's great to be here and serve as
your City Manager. This is your gov-
ernment, though, and government
works best when citizens stay involved.
West U has so many opportunities for
you to be a part of the community. I
encourage you to take advantage of
those opportunities!
Working together will make world
class service easy to provide.
Inside Council Chambers
FromtheMayor'sDesk
"When there are staff people who can
move into a different position and do it
well, a mayor and city council can rest a
little easier." - Bill Watson
Seldom is good news to be found in a bond sale and the
resulting indebtedness. Of course, a low interest rate is the
big exception to that principle. Without going into detail
and getting over my head, suffice it to say that we have be-
come aware of a method of financing that portion of our
bond having to do with sewer lines that gives us a lower
interest rate. It is a federal program administered by the
State of Texas. The City of Houston has used the program a
number of times, and we are investigating means to partici-
pate without becoming embroiled in excessive bureaucratic
control. It looks promising and the Council mathematician,
Tom Rushing, estimates that it may save the City some
$3 5,000 each of the twenty years of the bond pay-out. That
is a tidy sum of money and worth a little effort to get. Walter
Thomas, our Finance Director, is familiar with the program
and has been authorized to initiate the necessary procedures
for our participation. It pays to have talented people em-
ployed by our City.
Speaking of talented people, Section Two of our infrastruc-
ture replacement has been completed under the able super-
vision of Ed Menville and his staff and has been accepted by
the City. Section Three is due to be completed in Septem-
ber. I drove through that area recently and am impressed by,
and immensely grateful, for the patience and forbearance of
our Citizens who have to put up with that construction work.
Thank you, thank you.
Thanks also to Steve Griffith who stepped into the acting
City Manager's position and did a splendid job. Gary Brye
performed equally well as acting Chief of Police. When there
are staff people who can move into a different position and
do it well, a mayor and city council can rest a little easier.
Sherman Yehl, our new City Manager, has a great staff to
work with and gives every indication that he is equal to the
task of leading City Administration in giving you continu-
ing quality service in the future.
Page 2
From a Council Member's Desk
"We surely live in the quintessential urban city
for the 21st century." - Tom Rushing
Judson Park
A Great History - A Greater Future
Judson Park was part of the original design of College Court
filed with the City of Houston in 1924. In January 1925, the
City of West University Place incorporated the "chimney",
and the Judson Community Building plot became an open
space. South Judson Street was originally Syracuse Street.
The City gradually developed Judson Park to be enjoyed by
local residents for many years; it has remained relatively
unchanged for over twenty years.
About ten years ago the West University Place Parks Board
recommended hiring Tapley-Lunow Architects to design a
long-term plan that could give West U the first class parks
its citizens deserved. The Friends of West U Parks, a 501
C(3) corporation, was formed to raise funds to complete the
Tapley-Lunow plan.
Over the last few years, funds have been raised, primarily
from foundations, corporations and the ever popular Park
Lover's Ball, to completely renovate Weir, Milton and Co-
lonial Parks. The Parks Board presently has about $200,000
available to give Judson Park the face-lift that its users de-
serve. Architect Lauren Griffith (a chimney resident) has
been retained to present design alternatives and themes to
the Parks Board. The Board will be presenting their final
recommendation to Council in July and opportunities for
resident input will be in August.
Many residents have played a part in raising funds, meet-
ing with architects, City Staff and Council and sharing their
time to give our City the best small parks I have ever seen.
We surely live in the quintessential urban city for the 21st
century. Current chairpersons such as Beverly Loftis, Ross
Frazer and Cindy Sparkman are making us all proud park
users.
Mayor Bill Watson (665-3969)
Mayor Pro Tem Tom Rushing (666-0434)
City Council Members Teresa W. Fogler (664-6433), Linda Lewis (662-5812), Stan McCandless (669-1830)
City Manager Sherman Yehl (662-5812)
3800 University Boulevard - Houston, Texas 77005
668-4441
City Page 3
T -.-f-A-.1.
West U. Artist y on recycling
By Cindy Neal
West UJ Parks Partners
Many thanks to the following West
University citizens who purchased a
paver to be placed in a West U park:
Mr. & Mrs. David Hightower
Mr. & Mrs. John Cox
If you are interested in purchasing a
family paver for one of the West Uni-
versity parks, please contact Mark R.
Spradling of The Friends of W.U. Parks
Fund, at 758-2828.
4- 4- 2-A
16
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July 1996
Crime
Up Close
From the Chief's Desk
Remember!
It is Illegal to shoot Fireworks
in the City of West University
dace!
Page 6
y' ---3 Activity Calendar
For reservations, call 662-5895
West University Community u ei Oar Page 7
July 1996
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Recycling
Friends of
City Holiday
Family Night
Committee @
West U Parks @
No Garbage Pickup
Colonial Park Pool
7:00pm, Public
6:15pm, Conference
Works Lunchroom
Room
July 4th Parade and
Celebration
Parks Board @
7:30pm, Conference
Room
1
2
3
4
5
6
Teen Swim
7:30 - 9:30pm,
Council Workshop
@ 6:30pm,
Teen Game Night
Zoning and Planning
Family Night
Colonial Park Pool
Colonial Park
Conference Room
m, Council
@ 7:30P
Chamber
Council Meeting @
7:30pm, Council
Chamber
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Zoning Board of
Family Night
Adjustment @
Colonial Park Pool
7:30pm, Council
Chamber
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Teen Swim
Council Workshop
Teen Game Night
Cardboard
7:30 - 9:30pm,
@ 6:30pm,
Recycling, 8am to
Colonial Park
Conference Room
Noon, behind Police
Station
Council Meeting @
7:30pm, Council
Family Night
Chamber
Colonial Park Pool
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Upcoming Events
National Nite Out, August 6th
28
29
30
31
Summer Happenings
Page g
July 4th Celebration
We have an exciting July 4th planned
this year at Colonial Park. It will kick-
off with the bike parade which will be-
gin in front of West U. Elementary at
10:00am and wind its way to Colonial
Park for our best decorated bike con-
test. After that, we have a fun filled
day at the pool planned with all kinds
of games, food, music and more. For
Family Plights at the Pool
Every Saturday night at Colonial Park
Pool will be a family night starting June
1 st thru August 17th. This means from
7:30 - 9:30pm each Saturday night you
can bring your entire family to the pool
and enjoy a refreshing swim. We will
designate certain Saturdays and have
some special activities such as music,
dancing, volleyball, basketball and other
activities. So m
all you sand volleyball and wallyball ake plans to spend your
players we will have a tournament be- Saturday nights at the pool with your
ginning at 12:00noon. Entry free is
$25.00 per 4 man team with t-shirts
awarded to the top two finishers in each
sport. Registration will begin June 1 st
at Colonial Park. For more details con-
tact David Pippin at 668-7642.
family!
City Currents
West University Place, Texas
Production for this issue provided
ti=rough the efforts of Steve Griftu
and Thelma Lenz.
City Currents welcomes your contribu-
tions. Forward to 3814 University Blvd.,
Houston, Texas 77005 c/o Chief Griffith by
the 10th of the month preceding publication
to assure consideration.
It is the policy of' he City of West Uni-
versity Place not to discriminate on the ba-
sis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex,
religion, age, veteran status or disability.
Street Hockey Squadron
The City of West University Place, the Southwest 'MCA and the Hous-
ton Aeros are sponsoring a Street Hockey League. Games will be played on
Sunday afternoons at Rice Lab School. Cost is $30, which includes shirt.
Equipment not provided. Call Larry Langford - 664-9622
®w 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
Comment
City of West University Place
3800 University Blvd.
Houston, 'T'exas 77005
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