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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJulyL~ It's not exactly the constitutional convention, but it's close. Seven residents, selected by the City Council, will be reviewing the West U's "constitution" - our home-rule charter, over the next six months. A review of the City's charter is re- quired every six years for the purpose of looking into the operations of City government and determining if the char- ter needs to be updated. The charter establishes the form of city government, composition of city council, the conduct of elections, functions of city depart- City offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4" in observance of c Independence Day There will be no solid waste pick-up. Have a cafe and hcppy holidayl ments, and the regulation of utility fran- chises. Former mayor John Neighbors is serv- ing as chair of the commission and Jeann Howse, a member of the 1994 review commission is serving as vice-chair. Other members include Neil Calnan, Carolyn Galfione, Whitt Johnson, David McDaniel, and Bob Kelly; and three al- ternate members David Marks, Bill Boyd, and Barbara Sklar. The CRC has scheduled meetings for July 6 and 20 and August 3 and 17. The meetings will be held in the Municipal Building at 3800 University Boulevard and begin at 6:00 Pm. At least one pub- lic hearing will be scheduled later this year once the commission has had an opportunity to complete its preliminary review of proposed changes. Residents are welcome to attend these meetings or contact the CRC through e-mail at charter@ ci. west- university- place. tx. us. to start planning for the 2001 Park Lover's Ball. 2001 Park Lovers Ball Co-chairs, Donna LaMond and Sherry Gift, are hard at work planning the Friends of West Univer- sity Place Parks Board's next big voyage, 2001-A Park Odyssey. E,, by Officer,fackFrisby, WUPD Construction everywhere and a 1 no place to drive! That's the way it often seems when attempting to navigate West U streets. Various routes are closed from one day to the next. Couple that with the heat and humidity, and it is easy to understand why drivers sometimes disregard construction barricades and warning signs. Unfortunately, this is not the best choice to make. State law requires mo- torists to observe and obey the instruc- tions of warning signs, signals, or mark- ers erected in conjunction with a con- struction site. Failure to do so may re- (Detour ahead - continued on p.7) Not ;j On the Fourth of July, friends and families get together to celebrate our country's independence. Food, fun, and games are tradition, but if you think fireworks will be part of the celebration in West U, think again. Like most Texas municipalities, fireworks are illegal within West U city limits. If you are caught with firecrackers, bottle rockets, chasers, and Ro- man candles, etc., you are subject to fines that exceed $1,000; not to mention the possible haz- ards associated with fireworks, including damage to property and personal injury. You can still enjoy the many pyrotechnic events held at many locations throughout the Houston- Galveston area. Watch for dates and times. Have a safe Independence Day, but please leave the fireworks to the professionals. • Board & Committee News 6 e Calendar of events 8 • City Life 3 • Employee Spotlight 4 • Inside Council Chambers 2 • Ordinance Spotlight 4 • Police Blotter 5 • Senior Calendar 7 • Consumer Report ..........Inse rt Volume 27, No. 7 July 2000 Inside Council Chambers Page 2 ~'Ey rs By: Mayor Linda Lewis In the years I have lived in West U, my sense is that the city has always been committed to hiring and retaining the best available employees. For the most part, that attitude has been successful, and our citizens have been privileged to be served by a number of good people who have made their careers in this community. Recently, however, in the process of hiring new police officers, staff made council aware that the city's pay plan is below average and that, perhaps, West U was missing out on a large pool of qualified applicants. Council immedi- ately asked the city manager, the chiefs of police and fire, and the finance di- rector, to survey surrounding cities and to begin the process of adjusting the pay plan for both the police and fire depart- ments. Furthermore, we agreed that such adjustments should be made prior to the next budget cycle to ensure that West U stay competitive in the market- place. Developing a new pay plan is com- plicated and expensive, and it is the de- sire of this council to adopt a policy that ff 11 In res ftonse to your concerns. by Council Member Burt Ballanfant As Council liaison to the Parks Board, I had occasion to read the results and comments of the recent Parks survey. Some of the comments reflected how hard it is to adequately communicate what's going on in a city even in one as small as West U. For instance, many people do not appreciate that the park improvements in recent years have been paid by money raised by the Friends of West U Parks Board, not by municipal taxes. As a result some people believe funds spent on parks represent a diver- sion from infrastructure projects or other city services. That is not true. The gen- erosity of private citizens and the dedi- cation of volunteers has permitted West U parks to be substantially upgraded at no additional cost to taxpayers, while an extremely ambitious infrastructure project was proceeding simultaneously. Other comments indicated that seg- ments of the public still did not appreci- ate that the entire City infrastructure was being redone with the sequencing of construction being established by the condition of the sewers 5-10 years ago. Council was to accelerate the program. That acceleration is estimated to have saved about $2 million in construction costs. Specific accelerated projects in- clude roadwork in the Chimney area and the entire infrastructure in the southeast along Kirby where the last unreplaced sewer exists. Citizens should be aware that there are financial implications to the infrastructure expenditures. The City voters authorized the entire infrastructure project 5 years ago to the tune of $63 million in bonded indebted- ness. Every two years the City issues the already authorized bonds to pay for the next segment of the infrastructure project. This fall is one of the years sales will occur. Last year's tax rate was about forty-one cents per $100 valu- ation. To fund last year's budget at this year's increased valuations would call for a tax rate of 35.4 cents per $100 valuation. However, the debt service for the infrastructure will require a tax rate of 40.4 cents per $100 valuation, a five cent increase which was envisioned by the original bond issue five years ago. This is still well below the 58 cents per has purpose, is cost effective, demon- strates fiduciary responsibility and al- lows the city to attract top notch per- sonnel. We think we have done that by approving a salary structure that is five percent above the average paid by the Memorial Villages, Hedwig Village, Sugar Land, Houston, Missouri City and Bellaire. What that boils down to in dol- lars and cents is that a beginning police officer will earn $35,696 rather than $28,000 and a firefighter's beginning salary will go from $27,000 to $35,205. As a consequence of this increase, other salaries within both departments have to be adjusted similarly. Hopefully, these increases will insure that West U is able to be competitive in recruiting and retaining safety person- nel. But, what does this mean to you, the taxpayer? The adjustments for the period beginning September 1 will be paid from the city's general fund, however, with the 2001 budget, the new pay plan, costing in excess of $700,000, will re- quire a tax increase of 3.7 cents. I hope you will agree that the investment in public safety is one we all benefit from. In addition to implementing a new pay plan, council has directed city staff to review competitive salaries annually so we will not fall behind neighboring cities in the future. As long as the economy remains healthy, there are many attrac- tive jobs in the Greater Houston area and not always enough qualified people to fill them. As anyone who runs a busi- ness knows, that can put the small guy at a distinct disadvantage unless he works to remain at the top of the heap, not only with salaries but with benefits. This council is committed to that philoso- phy, and I can't imagine that others to follow will not have similar purpose. As one citizen, I will gladly pay the money it costs to improve this city's ef- fectiveness in the marketplace. An early initiative of rnis iwayor anu ( in response - connnuea on p. z) The City of West University Place, Texas Mayor Linda Lewis (713.662.5801) City Council Members Burt Ballanfant (713.662.5847), John Bertini (713.662.5808), John K. Grubb (713.662.5848), Bill May (713.662.5889) City Currents welcomes your contributions. Forward material to City Currents, 3800 University Boulevard, West University Place, TX 77005, by the 10th of the month preceding publication. General Information: 713.668.4441 • City Manager Sherman Yehl: 713.662.5810; e-mail: syehl@ci.west-university-place.tx.us City e the - L alit Not t late to sign up! 4`U Openings remain in Ses- sions IV and V of Summer Camp 2000 and Racquet and More Camp! Register now at the Com- munity Building, 6104 Auden. For more information, call 713.662.5892. Summer Camp 2000 (ages 5-10) Campers will enjoy arts, crafts, games, outdoor activities, and a daily swim. Chil- dren need to bring a sack lunch daily and must know how to swim. Location: Colonial Park Fees: $130/$140vR Days: Monday - Thursday Time: 8:30 AM-1:30 PM Sessions: IV. July 17-28 V. July 31- August 10 Coordinator. Lachele Stoeck Racquet More Camp (ages 7-12) Campers will enjoy tennis, racquetball, wallyball, sand volleyball, and a daily swim. Supply list furnished at registration. Chil- dren need to bring a sack lunch daily and must know how to swim. Location: Colonial Park Fees: $130/$140rvR Days: Monday-Thursday Time:8:30 AM-1:30 PM Sessions: IV: July 17-28 V: July 31-August 10 Coordinator. Daniel Hallman Page 3 Relax with new summer classes The.followin8 classes are taught by Cynthia Raman, RMT J C Cymply ovin' A gentle and energetic time to experi- ence the connection of body, mind and spirit. Simply have fun and enjoy mov- ing, while releasing tension and stress through the movement of breath and body. The experience consists of medi- tative moments along with a guided and self-directed movement with music Location: Activity Room Time: 6:30 - 7:15 AM Days: Wednesday Fees: $10/20NR Sessions: II: July 5-19 III: July 26- August 9 Independence ay Bike Parade and Pool arty Kids of all ages are invited to participate in the Independence Day Bike Parade to Colonial Park. Decorate your bicycles, tricycles, wag- ons, or strollers. Line up in front of West U Elementary, 3756 University, at 9:45 AM on Tuesday, July 4t". The parade will begin at 10:00 AM, proceed west down University, turn south on Academy, and then west on Byron to Colonial Park Pool, 4130 Byron. After the parade, join us at Colonial Park for a dip in the pool. Pool games will take place from 12:00 - 5:00 PM. There will be plenty of food, fun, and festivities for everyone! For more information, call 713.662.5892. Conscious Breathing Learn a simple 10-minute program and the benefits of breathing con- sciously and fully from the diaphragm. Bringing the breath into balance helps bring our life into balance. Location: Activity Room Time: 7:30 - 9:00 AM Days: Wednesdays Fees: $15/25NR Sessions: 11: July 5-19 III: July 26-August 9 This introductory class teaches and explores the benefits of meditations. The class is 25% lecture and 75% ex- periential. Sitting and walking forms of mediation will be introduced and prac- ticed. Beginners Meditation Location: Senior Room Time: 6:30 - 7:15 AM Days: Thursdays Fees: $10/20NR Sessions: II: July 6-20 III: July 27- August 10 I r% Pool hours i I 2WO r expanded MMIG 5:00-7:00AM 7:00-9:00m 9:OOAM-NOON 8:00pm/Open Swim 8:00-19AOPM Y Adult Lap Swim Swim Team Lessons & Classes Adult Lap Swim Colonial Park has ex- T 5:00-TOOAM d l 7:OD-9:OOAM 9:00AM-NOON l Noc*8:00pM O 8:00-9:00PM 9:OD-la00PM d l A u t Lop Swim Swim Teen Lessons & G osses pen Swim TH Swim A t Lop Swim u p a n d e d its Summer hours to include Adult 5:00-7:00m Adult Lap Swim 7.0D-:OOAM Swim Team 9:00m-Nooty Lessons & Classes oN 8'OOpM/Open Svnm 8:00-10 COPM Adult Lap Swim Lap Swim on Fridays N p from 5:00-7:00 AM and Thrsday 5:00-7:00m 7:0D- 000 9:00m-NOON oort-8:00 m 8:00-9:00PM 9:oo-1UOOPM Adult Lap Swim Swim Team Lessons & Classes Cpen Swim Tri Swim Adult Lop Swim i d - ays Open Sw m on Sun be Innis at Goon. The g g Fry ~Y 5:00 7:OOAM Adult Lop Swim t~boN-8:OOPM/Cpen Swim 8:00 9:OOpM Adult Lap Swum i t th ht h d l g o e r e e sc u prov i des a complete 7:00-10.OOAM Adult Lap Swim 000m-7:00PM/ -,;,Am 7:00 9:OOpM Form y Swim li ti f h ng o ours. s ! L m5w, Adult N=+8:00PM/Cpen Swim Page 4 Ernployeeivi the- Spotlight This month's employee in the spotlight is Marcia Noyes. Marcia is the new Recreation Manager at Colonial Park. She joined the West U team this past April, bringing to the City 20 years of experience in the Health and Wellness field-16 years of experience working with the YMCA. She also owned her own Fitness and Gymnastics Facility. Marcia's qualifications include a degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation and Secondary Education. She is also a Certified Lifeguard, a Swim Instructor Trainer, Personal Trainer, Aerobics Instructor, and Walk Reebok Instructor Trainer, just to name a few. Marcia is proud to be a team player and understands that the duties of the lifeguards, swim instructors, desk attendants, and cleaning crew are just as important as those of the Recreation Manager. One person cannot run a facility; it takes the whole team. Marcia has three brothers and two sisters who live in Massachusetts. However, her immediate family, Cookie and Delilah, her two dogs, keep her company here in Texas. Marcia is a devout member of the Second Baptist Church. In her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities. According to Mark Mailes, the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, "Marcia is already a real asset to the Recreation Division. Her can do attitude has been well received by the citizens and staff at Colonial Park." Ordinance spotlight.. . ,rte, It's law' I-`'` /cycle helmets -just cool-looking safety equipment. They are now the law in West U. On June 12, 2000, the West U City Council passed an ~rdinance requiring the wearing of the helmets by riders under age 18. Most of us grew up riding bicycles. Many of us still bear the scars of innumer- able falls. These scrapes and bruises were almost a rite of passage and eventually healed. However, every year many people suffer severe injuries and some are killed while riding bicycles. The vast majority of severe injuries and deaths are associated with head injuries. The proper wearing of an approved helmet while riding a bicycle will help reduce the severity of any head injury. The ordinance approved by City Council requires a person who is under the age of 18 and rides upon a bicycle, side car, trailer, child carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle upon a public way to wear a bicycle helmet. It specifies that the helmet must be in good repair, it must be approved, and it must be securely fastened to the head in the manner intended by the manufacturer. The purpose of the ordinance is to encourage the wearing of this very important safety device by our most precious resource-our young people. It is not designed' to be onerous. Upon the first offense, if the person demonstrates to the court that he/she has acquired a helmet and promises to wear one in the future, the person is not convicted. Fines are limited to $100. Of note is the fact that parents will be held responsible for violations committed by persons under the age of fourteen. The safety of our children is our most important concern. Please ensure they wear these helmets for their own good and for our peace of mind. traffic: West U dealing misconceptions Part 4 of 4 by the Traffic Task Force The Traffic Task Force has been work- ing to address residents' traffic concerns. Listed below are some additional miscon- ceptions heard while studying traffic is- sues in our City. ® Fix traffic on Buffalo Speedway, Weslayan, Holcombe, Kirby, and Bissonnet-this will solve our prob- lems. This is an admirable goal, but un- likely to happen. Holcombe, Kirby, and Bissonnet (except for the small stretch between Academy and the railroad tracks) are in the City of Houston. These are arterial streets designed to handle high volumes of vehicles. These streets are part of a larger grid of traffic flow. A change in any one part of the grid has consequences elsewhere. Solving the problems on these arteries will require joint work by West U and Houston. Co- operative discussions have begun. In early 2001, Metro will assist us with the installation of new traffic signals on Buffalo Speedway and with the synchro- nization of timing. Additionally, Metro Po- lice are helping patrol Buffalo Speedway and Weslayan. The TTF recently polled Buffalo Speedway residents regarding possible changes involving pedestrian crosswalks, medians, and restricted parking. Study results will be available in July. ® My idea is best!! What's wrong with my idea?? Very few single ideas are best. Solutions to traffic issues re- quire knowledge of traffic engineering, safety standards and practices, City/ State/Federal laws, historical and cur- rent traffic data, residents' perceptions and their ability to tolerate or accept change, and a process that balances these for the good of the community. Ignoring any of these invites failure. The TTF attempts to maintain this bal- ance by offering solutions that are in consensus with residents, City Staff, and Council. ® I just avant my children to be safe! We do too!! There are no signs or de- vices that can protect our children at all times when it comes to traffic. How- ever, there are things your City can and will do to enhance their safety. As par- ents or caregivers, we must all regu- larly remind our children 'Never go into a street or cross a street before you stop, look, and listen Children should be reminded to obey laws regarding bi- (Traffic - continued on p.7) slice Blotter May, 2000 Crime up close Cr°inal Mischief shattered and a camera and camcorder stolen from a vehicle parked on street. 2600 Bissonnet - May 14. Driver side window removed from vehicle. Mir- ror found in bushes. 3500 Carnegie - May 19. Window of vehicle parked on street over- - = night shattered. 3400 Amherst - May 19. Window of vehicle parked on street overnight shattered 3300 Cason - May 21. Win- L` dow of vehicle parked on street broken out. 2700 WVerlein - May 24. Resident's kitchen window shot with BB-gun. Ju- veniles seen running from area. Burglary of a Motor Vehicle 3800 Bellaire - May 2. A watch was stolen from an unsecured vehicle parked at a business during daylight hours. 4200 Milton - May 2. Vehicle door lock pried open and cell phone and brief- case stolen. 4200 Tennyson - May 19. Window of vehicle parked on street overnight shattered and stereo equipment stolen. 6100 Community - May 19. Vehicle = window broken. Detachable radio faceplate removed. 3000 Plumb - May 26. Stereo faceplate stolen from an unsecured vehicle parked on street overnight. ~-to rty Found 3800 University - May 1. Child's white Mongoose bike found in bushes. 6000 Mercer - May 5. Red and white, gas powered weed eater found in road. 4100 Byron - May 8. Child's red and black Ambush bike with red, purple and green lettering found at Colonial Park. Attempted Auto Theft 6600 Sewanee - May 19. While on patrol, an officer located a vehicle with the driver side door open and steering column shattered. 4UU Annapolis - May 11. Window Forgery/Counterfeiting 2700 Pemberton - May 11. Resident's personal information used to counterfeit checks. Checks cashed out- of-state by unknown person. 4100 Emory - May 15. Resident's personal information used to open an account at a business. Theft 6700 Stella Link - May 10. Check book stolen from purse left on the counter at a business. 6300 Vanderbilt - May 15. Antique iron cross stolen from yard. 6700 Brompton - May 24. Jewelry stolen from residence. 4200 Bellaire - May 30. Unattended purse stolen from counter at a business. 4200 Judson - May 30. Bicycle sto- len from front yard. Suspects seen leav- ing area in an older model, full-sized, dark green pickup. Page 5 Chiefs Corner by -&&cv, Chief ",#v Se#&e, Houston's summer heat and humidity are legendary. As hard as Houston summers are on us, imagine how hard they are on our cars. Both heat and traffic take their toll on cars. When sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic for long periods of time, heat builds in the car's engine and transmission. Heat is a big car killer and can cause untold damage and breakdowns. We can't change the weather, but we can take preventative measures to help ensure that we don't end up stranded on the roadside. Conducting preventative maintenance on our cars is extremely important. Change the oil regularly, en- sure that all hoses and belts are in good shape and properly adjusted, and make sure that your tires are in good shape and properly inflated. Heat causes oil in engines to break down, making them more susceptible to damage. Aged and weakened hoses are frequent causes for breakdowns; and worn, improperly in- flated tires frequently leave drivers be- side the road with blowouts. These prob- lems can occur regardless of the make, model or year of your car. Take a few minutes and have your mechanic or dealer give your car a quick checkup before things really heat up. Keep a small "safety package" in your car, which includes water (at least a quart), a blanket, flashlight, and a few basic tools. A cell phone is an excellent tool to have in your car, even on short trips. If your car breaks down, be very aware of traffic around you. You must assess your particular situation to deter- mine whether to remain with the car or not, but you should consider the type of street you are on, whether you are on the shoulder or in traffic, the amount and speed of traffic, and the neighborhood you are in. Make sure people can see you and your car. Try to stop in a well- lighted area with a lot of people around. Don't accept rides from people you don't know. Consider asking them to call the police or, otherwise, get help for you. A car breakdown is inconvenient and can be frightening. The time spent on pre- ventative maintenance can result in sig- nificant dividends down the road. Be safe! Page 6 e Final notes on the railway killer ` M by Patrick Dugan, Neighborhood Safety Board member l Recently, Sgt. Ken Macha of r= the West U Police Department spoke to members of the Neighborhood Safety Board regarding the rape and murder of Dr. Claudia Benton on De- cember 17, 1998 by the "railway serial killer", Angel Maturino Resendiz. Sgt. Macha was the investigating de- tective at the scene that night and worked on the case with the Task Force for many months trying to find Resendiz. In particular, members of the Board wanted to know whether there was a lesson to be learned from this tragedy. Sgt. Macha stated that Resendiz came and went undetected. Nobody saw any- thing suspicious. There was no evidence of forced entry. In fact, it is not clear how Resendiz got into the house. It is possible that the overhead garage door to the Benton home was left open. Also, a door inside the garage leading to the house was found unlocked. This door was always left unlocked by the family. There was an alarm system, but it was never used. Sgt. Macha stated that there were no curtains on the upstairs windows in the Benton home, so it would have been pos- sible for Resendiz to observe Dr. Benton from the street and know that she was alone and had gone to bed. It may be that an open lot next to the The fine by Steve Stelzer, Recycling Composting is the con- trolled decomposition or decay of or- ganic material such as yard trimmings, kitchen scraps, and other plant materi- als. The result is a humus-rich material that benefits the soil. This compost makes great mulch, can be mixed with soil to improve its texture and ability to support beneficial nutrients, bacteria, insects, worms, and other organisms, and increases the soil's ability to retain wa- ter and decrease runoff. Compost is nature's way of recycling plant mate- rial and has worked for millions of years. You will be amazed at the way your plants and trees respond to compost. West U Public Works office has two types of composting bins available to residents for fifteen dollars-an open tracks along Community provided easier access to the area near the Benton home. It may also be that the vacant house under construction across the street made it possible for Resendiz to remain in the area and observe the Benton home undetected. This crime seems to be the result of the convergence of a series of unfore- seeable circumstances. In comments to the Houston Chronicle, George Benton, Dr. Benton's husband, was quoted as saying "[i]t's like being struck by lightning. [Resendiz] might have eas- ily seen someone else alone that night and gone somewhere else." However, despite this aspect of the case it may still be possible to generalize a few ba- sic lessons from these events. What this tragedy dramatizes is the fact that violent crime can occur any- where, even in West U. And, while we should not, and need not, live in fear, we should develop habits that minimize the odds that we will become the victim of a violent crime in our home. For ex- ample, we should be in the habit of checking doors at night to be sure they are locked, including garage doors that lead to a home. If you have an alarm system set it nightly. Also, draw blinds or curtains at night. Residents should also immediately re- port anything they see that is suspicious or out of place. Such a report and the information provided may give the po- lice more latitude legally than they would otherwise have to stop and question a suspicious individual. As West U and Bellaire are two of the most affluent communities in the Hous- ton area, it may be that the open area between them, including the area around the tracks, should be patrolled on a peri- odic basis or simply that the high grass in the area be cut on a regular basis. The Board is exploring these issues. Sgt. Macha also recounted how Resendiz was identified. Mr. Benton noticed a drawer on the garage floor along with broken pieces of plastic. The plastic turned out to be pieces from the steering column of Dr. Benton's Jeep. Sgt. Macha discovered fingerprints on the inside of one of the pieces. Other prints were also found and Resendiz was identified as the likely assailant. Dr. Benton's murder was traumatic for the department, as it was for the com- munity. We can be grateful for the ex- cellent work of Sgt. Macha and other members of the West U Police Depart- ment in preserving the crime scene and for their contribution toward identifying the individual who was ultimately to be- come known as a notorious serial killer. points of compostinl~") and Waste Reduction Board member coated wire mesh unit and a cylindrical plastic unit with a lid. I have tried both, and prefer the cylindrical one for first time composters. A book on composting is available in the Finance Office at City Hall for a nominal charge. Composting is almost effortless if you're not in a hurry. The more effort committed to composting the quicker it is completed. For the easy method, load the cylindrical composter with a half and half mixture (by weight) of dry or brown plant material and green plant material. The plant material needs to be cut up (shredding is okay), and it needs to be moist, but not wringing wet. You can also add your kitchen plant waste to the compost pile. The lid of the composter helps keep it moist so the microbes can work their magic and break down the material into compost in about six to nine months. If you stir it up once in a while and don't let it dry out, it will "compost" faster. When the material at the bottom looks like dark, rich, soil, you have com- post. For more information, get the book, or download information from the Internet. If this is too much work for you, do the next best thing, mow with a mulching mower and/or put yard waste in the pa- per bags for curbside pickup on your regular trash day. Yard trimmings go to a commercial composter instead of the landfill. West U diverted 889 tons of yard trimmings last year, nearly 15% of all garbage pickup by weight, for an ap- proximate saving of $30,000.00. 7 0'%e-!'7snNors' calendar of events for July July 5, Wednesday* ® July 14 - August 4, Friday a August 1, Tuesday Janette edou, local State Farm In- surance agent, will speak on long term Car and Medicare supplemen- tal insurance. 10:00 -11:00 AM. Free. r ® July 7, Friday Go Hot doggin' in the Space Station. Learn about the latest on space from one of NASA's speak- ers. Afterwards, fill up on hotdogs and all the trimmings. 11:00 AM -1:00 PM. $4.00. July 11, Tuesday Join us for a trip to the Museum of natural Science and view the vis- iting gold show from Harvard Uni- versity, as well as, the Trilobites ex- hibit. 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Free. Don't miss the Brown . Bag Radio Show, a four- week series of classic radio "watching". Remem- ber Jack Benny, Jimmy Durante, and the Lone Ranger? Well then, bring your lunch and don't be late. Stay for Bingo. NOON - 1:30 PM. Free. e July 25, Tuesday* Mark your calendars for an exciting trip to... Well, we don't exactly know where yet, but we will think of some- thing. Cool suggestions for a hot summer day will be considered. ® August 5 -Sept. 5, Tuesday* Learn more about Texas history Learn about brain waves, from the Torch Collection housed body language, DNA and in the Torch Energy Advisor's down- more at the special program, town office building. J.P. Bryan has Please call 713.662.5895 for more Envision the Invisible at the a collected over 10,000 pieces of information or to make reservations to Museum of Health edii- Texas history in the form of maps, attend events. cal Science. 1:30 - 4:00 PM. $2.00. artwork, and utilitarian items. 1:30 - * All ages invited. 3:30 PM. Free. (Detour ahead - continued from p.l) cult in a fine. More importantly, disre- garding or failing to observe such de- vices puts the motorist, other citizens, and construction workers at risk. Fre- quently, work done by workers during the day may need to "set" overnight or longer before work can continue. Driv- ing on a surface not ready for traffic may cause costly damage and further delay the project's completion. Construction workers have a very de- manding job. They must work in the heat and humidity without the luxury of an air-conditioned vehicle or office. Ac- tivity associated with the construction site is sometimes dangerous and re- quires their attention, such as large pot- holes, uneven work surfaces or the movement of heavy vehicles. Barri- cades act as a security blanket, keep- ing their work area free of unnecessary traffic. Ignoring warning signs and driv- ing through work zones, puts workers at risk. Barricades are not only for the pro- tection of construction workers, but also for the protection of the motoring pub- lic. Barricades are initially set up after a determination is made that the road- way is unsafe for normal traffic. Mo- torists may encounter potholes, uneven surfaces, or excavations, which are un- safe for through passage. Additionally, there are often large construction ve- hicles in motion which present limited visibility for the operator, who doesn't expect normal traffic. Ignoring warning signs, signals, and barricades is unwise and unlawful. In- frastructure construction is expected to continue for approximately two more years. We all owe it to our community to pay attention and adjust our driving habits accordingly. (Traffic - continued from p.4) cycling, roller blading, and other activi- ties and to use common sense. Please, remember to wear seat belts-the larg- est cause of death for children in the U.S. is automobile accidents. Our efforts will have little impact on traffic and safety unless all residents take an interest in obeying all traffic laws and teaching by example to be kind to (In response - continued from p.2) $100 valuation tax rate that was projected to be the top tax rate necessary to pay for the infrastructure five years ago. The last debt service to be added to com- plete the infrastructure is now projected to be incurred in 2002 and, based on today's valuations, would require a tax increase of 2.5 cents per $100 valua- tion. Another area of interest expressed by the citizens was the City's acquisition of the YMCA property, if the YMCA moved to the Stella Link Campus. The City has appointed a negotiating team to work with the City Manager on this important matter. Committe Members include John Graf, Bob Fry, Ross Frazer, Marshall Clinkscales and Rick Spencer. If the YMCA is prepared to relocate, this potential purchase has significant long range implications for the City. our kids and neighbors. Every time you drive your car, think about what others think of your driving. Driving courteously and according to our laws is contagious. City of West University Place 3800 University Boulevard West University Place, Texas 77005 om no MW um W= on mm ~ sm Em Em Em am Em M= mm M= Em ow on 00 M= om am mm "2 000 Tuesday Wednesday - Thursday Friday Saturday Fin ~x ® ~O°11 i~ 41 + Nei hborhood Friends of WestU -Parks a ui g an i;I g r; @ 6:30 PM City Hall Standards Cmommis- y Safety Board will Conference Room sion @ 6:00 PM in the rneet on July 10 @ 1!6:00PM in the Public C City Hall Conference j;'JVorks Lunchroom., Parks Board 7:30 Room. F PM Council Chambers 2-1 5 6 1 8 Special Session @ Recycling and Soli Senior Services Board _ 6:30 PM City Hall Con- Waste Reductio Meeting @ 2:30 PM.p P l ference Room Board Xlic PM in Zoning and Plannin / Council Meetin r~ the Public Works 9 g g Lunch Room. Commission 6:45 PM 7:30 PM City Hall City Hall Conference 1 9 Council Chambersl® 11 12 Room 13 ro ni n g Board of Ad- 15 Traffic Task Force 14 6:30PM Public Work stment @ 7:30 PM in Lunchroom e City Hall Council 16 17 18 L Special Session 6:30 PM City Hall Conference Room Council Meeting 7:30 PM City Hall 23 Council Chambers24 25 26 Traffic Task Force @ Friends of West U -Park: 6:30PM Public Works @ 6:30 PM City Hal Lunchroom Conference Room Parks Board @ 7:3C PM Council Chambers 3 1 2 301 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 6270 Houston, TX rsunaing ana Newcomers Diu ndards Commis- Coffee, 10:30AM 6:00 PM in the NOON, Communit Hall Conference Center. gym. 3) 41 5