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Home My WebLink AboutOctoberS'de- a r L., r By a 3-2 vote, the West U City Coun- cil authorized a sidewalk bond referen- dum for November 7. If approved by the voters, the referen- dum would allow the city to issue up to five million dollars in general obligation bonds for the repair, replacement, and installation of sidewalks and other im- provements. The bonds would add about two cents to the City's tax rate. According to a 1998 sidewalk condi- tions report, the City has a need for 13 miles in new sidewalks where none cur- rently exist, and 27 miles of sidewalks in non-acceptable condition. City Council action was based on a report by a sidewalk task force that rec- ommended the City take over responsi- bility for all 79 miles of sidewalk. The task force considered several options, but believed the fairest way to ensure a comprehensive sidewalk program was to provide long term debt financing, and the City to handle bidding and construc- tion management of the program. It is estimated that all sidewalks could be completed in about three years. On November 7, residents of Vilest U will have the oppportunity to vote on the bond referendum for sidewalks. Which box will you check? On the official ballot the proposition will read as follows: For Authorizing the issuance of $5,000,000 in bonds Against for sidewalks and related street improvements. i know ! ' [ ein Water Wise b , atrick Walters, Utilities Superintendent It's wise to plan how to conserve water. We know why we should conserve water, but how to go about it can be quite complicated. One method of planning to conserve begins when preparing to build or remodel a home. When planning to build or remodel, research and specify brands of water conserving fixtures with a proven record. The later model low flush toilets and low volume showerheads are better developed and do not have the problems that were associated with the first models. When deciding to replace existing appliances, you should consider purchasing more water efficient appliances. The most common appliances that consume water are dish washers and clothes washers. When planning to replace these items look for appliances with water conserving features. These appliances will advertise low water consumption features. The use of water inside the home can be controlled to a degree with these appliances and fixtures. We must re- member that a conservative attitude is required to cause all of these to benefit our conservation efforts. Plot-se welcome. . . ® Hoard & Committee News 6 The West Ulogo appears in this intersection design at Rice and Auden. The design is proposed for the intersections of Rice and Edloe and University and Edloe as well. Volume 27, No. 10 October 2000 Inside Council Chambers Page 2 Ago* ~Plwm ffx Xavft'o, Ved By: Mayor Linda Lewis We are at an incredible juncture in our city's history, where decisions this coun- cil makes will have much to do with its future. We are going to have to set pri- orities and decide which near term in- vestment opportunities have the most significant value. As I have mentioned in previous columns, sidewalks and streetlights are being considered, but these may have to take a back seat to purchasing the YMCA facility on Bellaire and located within our own city. Since 1993, or maybe longer, it has been the city's dream to purchase this property as it is the largest recreational space in our park-starved community. Surveys taken in the mid-nineties and last year show tremendous public sup- port for buying the property. The Y, how- ever, wasn't for sale so ownership re- mained only a distant possibility until now. In recent weeks, the Y has gone on the market, so the dream could, in fact, be- come reality, but the price may be steep. The Y is for sale for approximately $5 million, expensive by anyone's standards for slightly more than four acres. But, what does acquisition of the facility mean to the city? The list of answers is lengthy, and I will enumerate some of the ones that strike me as important. 1) Provides additional playing fields for the city's stretched-to-the-limits youth sports programs. This is especially im- portant to accommodate younger play- ers. 2) Allows the development of Colonial Park as the city's largest open green space. 3) Allows the city to expand its recre- ation programs and possibly move some of them from the Community Building thus allowing more use of that facility for Senior citizen activities and improv- ing access to the library. 4) Provides the city with a gym which would allow the development of a sports program for adults as well as children. 5) Provides additional flexibility in pool usage. For example, the Y pool could be used for lap swimming and swim team practice and events, freeing up the Colonial Park pool for family recreational use. 6) Accommodates a jog/walk track which could be invaluable in getting people off the streets and onto a safe facility. 7) Allows the development of an ex- panded and improved weight room fa- cility. 8) Provides an opportunity to develop a teen facility, a skateboard/roller blade area, and possibly, an after school childcare program. These are some reasons why acquisi- tion of the Y property could benefit the city and its residents. You can probably think of more. Purchase of the facility couldn't come at a better time, because the Parks and Recreation Board is hard at work with White Oak Studio devel- oping a master parks plan that will en- sure the best use of existing park space. As for other projects, such as side- walks and streetlights, they justmay have to be put on the back burner until the (Mayor's Desk - continued on p.7) ,"r--! One of the things that makes West U such a special place is its friendly, small-town atmosphere. A neighborhood block parry is a great way for folks to get together our special place. Events like these are a great way for neighbors to ri f r^ meet and keep in touch with each other. There are lots of ways to parry - you can celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, ;4! f danc n' in or just dedicate the day to fun activities the streets, or a min -carnival with gam like and food. You football, even have a West U fire engine or friendly neighborhood police officer vrsity your party! - To help you plan a safe and successful event, a special Block Party Planning Kit is available just for the asking. This handy kit contains everything you need to apply for a permit to temporarily close your street to thru traffic and it has some great ideas if you need a reason to party! To get your kit, call the City of West U at 713.662.5862, visit our web at www. westu. org, or stop by the West U Police Department at 3814 University. Then, party down. 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 Visit us on the World Wide Web at <www.ci. west-universi- lace.tx.us> City Life the of it Jan n in the ark Enjoy a cool night of hot jazz on /-Saturday, October 7 from 7:00- J 10:00 PM at Colonial Park, 4130 Byron. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs and relax on the deck or cool off with a swim, while listening to sizzling jazz by Resolution. Admission is free, how- ever, donations will be accepted for the Friends of West U Parks Fund. For more information, call 713.668.7642. This month's featured performers are Cindy Mangsen and Steve Gillette. Mangsen performs on guitar, dulcimer, concertina, and banjo, but it is her sing- ing that brings her the greatest recogni- tion. Her repertoire includes both tradi- tional and contemporary songs. Gillette is a country-folk singer-songwriter with western roots. Reviewers have lauded both his voice and guitar style. The concert will be held at the West U Community Building, 6104 Auden, on October 14 at 7:30PM. Tickets will be on sale at the door-adults $8; Senior Citizens (65) $4; children under 12 free with adults. Homemade refreshments sold at the door. For more information, call 281.347.3235, 281.495.2923 orvisit the Houston Folklore/Music Society website at www.houstonfolk-music.org. Page 3 :Iewcomer's el rates t erest Historically Speaking . . For those of you who have not yet par- ticipated in the Pemberton walking tour sponsored by the West U Historical So- ciety, or if you took the tour and would like to do it again, we have good news! We will again offer the tour on Sunday, November 511 at 1:30 Pit. The Pemberton Addition to West U is bounded by Kirby, Wakeforest, Univer- sity, and Centenary. The first homes were built in the addition beginning in 1929. During the next 12 years over 170 Ys L 7"" t T vu's rat::®.1 Once again West U residents have the op- tion to apply for a free tree from the Tree Trust. The 30-gallon container-grown trees I_I'will be planted, staked, mulched and fertil- ized. Il you have to do is provide care for the tree once planted. Tree trust trees can only be planted in the area between the street and t'sidewalk. E'I Stop by City Hall or the Public i Works Building for an application or call 713.662.5834 to have one faxed or mailed to you. Don't delay; Lithe deadline is October 31, 2000 [I for trees to be planted this year. homes were built in the seven block area. The architectural styles in the addition are an interesting mixture of popular 1930 styles--Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Monterey, French, Eclectic, and Interna- tional. The tour features historical, so- cial and architectural tidbits of the homes and the people who lived in them. The tours will be offered by reserva- tion only for $5 per person. For reser- vations or for more information, call June Begeman at 713.666.5721. Don't forget t v toi Be prepared to vote in the No- vember 7, General Elections. Here are a few dates to keep in mind. - October 10. Last day citizens may register to vote in the November 7 gen- eral elections. - September 8. First day to submit ap- plication for ballot by mail. - October 21 November 9. Period for Early voting. For more information, call the Harris County Election Department at 713.755.5792. semi-annual West U October brings fall, football and West puters would land in U.S. landfills by U's semi-annual Heavy Trash clean-up. 20 05. By 2005, one computer will be ' i The Clean-up will be held Saturday, di scarded for every new one put on ~ October 28 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at (West U - continued on p.7) the Public Works Building, 3826 Milton. _ Gather your heavy trash, items that h can't be put out for regular pick-up, in- cluding old fencing and construction Stop by the West U library on Sat- material, concrete blocks, bricks, and _ urday October 28t1 to check out the "J used book sale. Friends of the library rubbish. Metal, iron, limbs and brush will be recycled. On past heavy trash days . will host the sale from 10:00 - 2 00 B k i 10 ' f the City has been able to recycle or re- : PM. oo pr ces range rom . cents to a foot dollars. All proceeds use about 50% of items brought in. _ go towards the library's collection and A 1997 Carnegie Mellon University' d t d th t 150 illi t programs. For more information, call u y projec e a m on com- s _ the Library at 713.668.8273. - - - _ Page 4 'yam the Spotflr]-~,t This month the employee spotlight shines on Patricia Kwan, the City's Deputy Tax Assessor/Collector. She has served as the City's Deputy Tax Assessor/Collector for more than ten years. Patricia joined the West U team in 1987 as head cashier in the City's Finance Department. Prior to coming to work for West U, Patricia completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing and Management at Houston Baptist University. Patricia also holds a State license as a Registered Tax Assessor. This designation requires passing a comprehensive examination covering property appraisal, assessment, and law. She is very active in the Texas Association of Assessing Officers and has earned the designation of Certified Tax Administrator from the organization. When asked about her work, Patricia states, "It is a pleasure helping citizens who are cooperative and knowledgeable about taxes." Patricia was born in Hong Kong. Her interests include traveling, music, and movies. She and her husband, Stephen Szeto, own a parrot named Burt-Burt. According to Walter Thomas, West U's Finance Director, "Patricia is a major asset to the City's team. She is very concerned about delivering quality customer service, especially for the community's older taxpayers. She actively pursues the knowledge she needs to provide the highest level of service and can be counted on to deliver more than is expected of her." Ordinance spotlight.. . New construction-what you should know .U t~ Construction crews, machinery, and equipment are not an uncom- mon site in West U, as new homes continue to emerge at a rapid pace. Although minor inconveniences due to new construction are accepted as a part of progress, there are a number of inconveniences that are, well, unacceptable. ® Contractors must not allow loud and excessive construction noise to occur be- fore 7:00 AM or after 8:00 Pm Monday thru Friday, before 8:00 AM or after 8:00 Pm on Saturday, and before NOON or after 8:00 Pm on Sunday. ® All contractors are to provide portable sanitary facilities for their workers at all times. These facilities may not be placed within the City right-of-way. ® Construction materials may not be stored within the City right-of-way at any time. m Contractors are required to provide a City approved trash. container on the site and all trash and debris must be deposited into the container on a daily basis. ® Trespassing on your property by any contractor or their employees for any rea- son need not be tolerated. ® The business name, address, and phone number must be displayed on the side of all service vehicles. ® Protected trees within the construction site must be properly protected from potential injury due to construction activity. This usually requires the area around a tree to be fenced in. ® Contractors must provide written notification of pending construction to all con- tiguous property owners prior to the start of construction for all new construction projects or substantial remodel projects. If you experience any type of inconvenience, annoyance, or problem with one of the contractors, first contact the contractor directly. If you are not satisfied with the contractor's response, contact the Public Works Department, Development Services Division at 713.662.5833. Work progressing in Priority Areas Progress is being made in Priority - During October, paving in the 3400-3600 Areas 613 and 7A. General cleanup blocks of Georgetown will continue, remains on Wroxton and Albans in while paving is scheduled to begin Priority Area 6B. The Contractor in the 3400-3600 blocks of is currently working on the 3700 Amherst. block of Sunset. During this next Here's the 30 day forecast for month he will be working to utility projects: complete the southeast quadrant of the ® Sewer work will continue in the 3300- block. At the intersection of Rice and 3600 blocks of Rice. When this area is Auden, new curb will be installed and complete, all sewer work in Priority general cleanup will take place. Area 7A will be complete. In Priority Area 7A, paving of Univer- e Water line work will continue on sity is now complete. The contractor is Plumb. presently working on sidewalks, wheel ® Water mains work will continue on chair ramps and general restoration. Westchester from Plumb to University. I ree trimming around electrical lines Reliant Energy/HLP routinely prunes trees that are located - around their lines. This is done to insure continued electrical service against outages from fallen branches or bending limbs. Tree trimming clearance will vary depending upon the type of power line and the type of tree; usually between 5-10 feet on each side. Power lines with higher voltages require greater clearance because of their sensitivity. Fast growing trees also require greater clearances than slow growing trees. The trimming is normally completed on a 3- year cycle in West U. Residents may (Trimming - continued on p.5) ®lice Blotter August, 2000 17 17 r (7k Criminal Mischief Bence. 4000 Tennyson - August 15 Check- 2 700 Arbuckle - August 5. Two ve- hicles parked on street overnight egged. 2900 Nottingham - August 7. Un- known type projectile used to break win- dows at residence. 4200 Dartmouth - August 8. House egged by unknown suspects. 3800 Ruskin - August 12. Ve- hicle damaged by unknown type ` projectile. 6700 Vanderbilt - August 24. Pry tool used to shatter vehicle window in an attempt to gain entry. Burglary of a Residence 3900 Ruskin - August 13. Computer equipment and other items stolen from residence. Entry gained through backdoor. 2800 Rice - August 17. Backdoor pried open and jewelry and other items stolen from residence. 3100 Quenby - August 26. Window shattered. Money and radio stolen from residence. Robbery 3800 Marquette - August 13. Resi- dent assaulted and robbed after argu- ment with acquaintance. Theft 4100 Rice -August 6. Two teak wood chairs stolen from front porch. 6100 Annapolis -August 8. Jewelry stolen possibly by workers inside resi- and several items stolen from residence by worker. 4200 Emory -August 15. Unsecured bike stolen from driveway. 6400Community -August 1.6. Texas State Flag stolen from front porch. 4200 Marquette - August 25. Cell phone stolen by unknown suspect(s) attending juvenile party. Fraud/ Forgery 4200 Bissonnet - August 9. Male at- tempted to make a purchase via internet using resident's credit card number. 3700 Robinhood - August 24. Resident's personal information un- knowingly used to fabricate checks used to make several large purchases. Vehicle Recovery 4100 Villanova -August 9. Vehicle, reported stolen out of Houston, recov- ered parked on street. Burglary of a Building 3900 Southwestern - August 25. Washer and dryer stolen from garage of house under construction. Domestic Disturbances One domestic disturbance occurred during the month of August. (Trimming - continued from p.4) request additional service from Reliant Energy/HLP or address their concerns with the Reliant Energy/HLP Forester Coordinator in this area. Reliant Energy/ HLP can be reached at 713.207.7777. Just a friendly reminder: Reliant En- ergy/HLP rarely trims around your ser- vice drops (lines from house to pole). If you think that your trees require pruning, please have a professional do the work around the electrical lines. Page 5 Chiefs Corner by -&&ce, Ch, -f xe-iwv Segey It's October and the seasons have already rotated their shifts. October not only ushers in the heart of Autumn, but also one of children's favorite holidays, Halloween is a fun and exciting time for children. A time when they can al- low their imaginations to run wild and get a pile of candy at the same time. Unfor- tunately, it is also a time when children are exposed to danger. There are a num- ber of things parents and grandparents can do to help ensure that this is a happy and safe holiday. Be aware of costumes that your chil- dren wear. Many costumes are not made of fire retardant material and will ignite easily. Check costume labels to see if costumes are fire retardant and make sure costumes are kept away from open flames or other ignition sources. Cos- tumes should fit properly and be sure that there are no parts that can get snagged or caught on something or create a chok- ing hazard, particularly on young children. Try to find a costume with bright colors and reflective material to make the child more visible at night. Masks are often a problem for children's safety. Masks should fit prop- erly and allow unrestricted vision. Many masks severely restrict peripheral vision, resulting in falls and other injuries, and the inability to see approaching cars. Face painting and make-up are prefer- able. If a mask is worn, it should not in- terfere with vision or movement and should be easily removed. Many children will "Trick-or-Treat" at dusk or after dark. An adult should ac- company young children to help en- sure safety. Older children should go in groups. Use sidewalks and be mindful of traffic. Go to houses where you know people and be careful about accepting unwrapped candy. Adults should inspect candy before children are allowed to eat it. Where available, Halloween parties at schools, churches, and homes may be preferable to "Trick-or-Treating". Lastly, people driving on Halloween should be extra cautious, particularly af- ter dark. Children will be excited and may not pay sufficient attention as they cross streets and walk from house to house. Please slow down, make sure you stop completely at stop signs and keep a sharp eye out for all little ghosts and izoblins. Page 6 !:A, 17,3ond Election on Sidewalks by Patrick W. Dugan, Neighborhood Safety Board member ' The condition of side- U'J3 walks in West U has been a problem for a number of years. This problem affects both the safety and aesthetics of the City. You need only drive the few blocks over to Southside Place to see the dramatic difference a good sidewalk and street light system can make. In 1997 an engineering firm did a Side- walk Evaluation Study for West U. Based on figures from this study the total amount of sidewalk required by ordinance within the City is 418,465 feet or 79.25 miles. The study estimated that the City's existing sidewalks contained 38.53 miles of acceptable sidewalk, 27.14 miles of non-acceptable sidewalk, and 13.58 miles of non-existing sidewalk. Modern trends in city planning and neighborhood design emphasize creat- ing communities that are walkable and, therefore, more livable. When in good condition sidewalks interconnect a com- munity and also provide recreation space for walking, rollerblading, and other ac- tivities. Kids and older residents are probably affected the most by broken and uneven sidewalks, but ultimately we all are. In a City such as ours where space comes at a premium, miles of sidewalks in disrepair equate to miles of wasted space. An ordinance relating to sidewalks currently exists, which places the re- sponsibility for sidewalk repair on the individual property owner. It authorizes the City Council to order work on side- walks after a public hearing. If the prop- erty owner fails to perform the work within a specified period of time, the City may perform the work. If the owner fails to pay for costs, a lien can be filed against his/her property. The current ordinance has not been enforced for perhaps 20 to 30 years, except in the case of new construction and major remodeling projects. The lo- gistics burden placed on owners by the ordinance may have added to the reluc- tance to enforce it, for example, taking bids, hiring a contractor, and supervis- ing a sidewalk installation. The up-front costs of such a project might also have been a factor, particularly with regard to older residents on a fixed income. In an effort to obtain guidance on this issue, Council appointed a Sidewalk Committee to make recommendations. Each Board and standing committee of the City designated a representative. After meeting and considering the vari- ous alternatives, the Sidewalk Commit- tee unanimously recommended to Coun- cil that the City take over the responsi- bility for sidewalks and that the cost be financed through either a certificate of obligation or a bond issue. Recently, Council voted 3 to 2 to put the matter before residents in the form of a bond issue to fund a comprehensive sidewalks program for West U. Passage of the bond issue would provide for the construction of good sidewalks through- out the City. Sidewalks would be handled much as streets and other infrastructure have been. The City would manage the program and assume responsibility for logistics as well as for compliance issues, which may arise, such as under the American Disabilities Act. Overall costs would be reduced through the purchase of volume construction services. The costs would be amortized over 15-20 years, and as part of each owner's ad valorem taxes would be deductible, unlike a City man- dated home improvement cost. The bond proposal will appear on the ballot for consideration by voters in the general election on November 7. l 3. by the Traffic Task Force r d y Every day you encoun- ter signs as you drive, walk, or bicycle. Each sign conveys a message, urging you to do something-from buying a car to driving the speed limit. Since last fall, a three-person residential subteam of the Traffic Task Force has worked to ad- dress some West U traffic signs. Dr. Muriel Flake, leads efforts with the help of Gene Womack and Davis Tucker. What type of signs are we address- ing? All signs related to traffic manage- ment-stop, yield, children at play, etc. Why work on our traffic signs? Many of West U's traffic signs are in poor condition or do not meet State stan- dards. Others can be improved-replace "dead end " signs with "no outlet Some are unneeded, cluttering West U streets. How many traffic signs are there? There are approximately 5,000 signs in the City, of which more than 500 are stop signs and 2,000 are block address signs. Why all these traffic signs? Traffic signs are devices placed along, beside, or above a highway, roadway, pathway, or other route to guide, warn, and regu- late the flow of traffic, including motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and other travelers. Signs should be placed only where warranted by facts and engineer- ing studies. Signs should be placed as necessary for safety and proper regu- lation of traffic. However, the use of too many signs may reduce the effective- ness of all signs at that location as they are seen as "clutter". What are the "rules" on signs? The official manual for signing in the U.S. is the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). MUTCD is a national standard, intended to ensure that signing is consistent throughout the U.S. Each state has adopted either the Federal MUTCD or a state Traffic Manual that governs traffic control devices for that particular state. We use Texas's MUTCD. What's the benefit of signs? Many signs are required by law. Others pro- mote safety (non-regulatory as "children at play"). Others set the tone ("Welcome to West University Place"). Correct and good-looking signs promote the image of our City. How much do signs cost? Replac- ing, removing, and fixing signs are all low cost efforts. Typical signs cost $20 - $50. (The Silent Campaign - continued on p.7) Page 7 • October 3, Tuesday • October 13, Friday ~ • October 27, Frida -~-moo y' Visit Texas Southern University's new museum and explore exhibits with our special docent. We may visit the Flower Man's house on the re- turn trip. 1:30 - 3:30 PM. Free. October 6, Friday Take off to all world desti- nations via song at our Air- plane Party. Enjoy sounds and sights from around the globe. An air- line lunch will follow the entertain- ment. Call early for a boarding pass! 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. $4.00. October 10 & 17, Tuesday A speaker from the Clayton Library will talk about the art of Genealogy. Conduct your own familial research during the follow-up trip to the library on the 17th. 2:00 - 3:30 PM. Free. (Mayor's Desk - continued from p.2) time is right to pay for these improve- ments. They are important, too, and nothing would please me more than to have a program in place that would ac- commodate them. However, there are only so many dollars to spend, and it is the duty of this council to make deci- sions that are fiscally responsible and will best serve the community not only at this time, but for years to come. How we would fund the Y is yet to be determined. It could be done with a bond issue, or with some other creative meth- ods that are currently being considered. No matter the pay plan, it will impact your tax rate over time. Some people will argue the value ofthis purchase con- sidering they have no personal use for it, but it's not only us 1 am thinking about, it's the generations to come. What a gift for them! When I ran for mayor, I promised to listen and be responsive. Please, let me know your thoughts on this important issue. It may well be a once ever op- portunity, and it is my desire to lead your council forward in a way that represents the desire of the people who elected us. Glassell School Artist 0 *Spotlight shines on % Wynne Phelan and the compli- cated science of art conservation and restoration. 9:30 AM - NOON. Free. • October 20 & 27, Friday MFR Senior Program: the Roman- tics, Realists and Revolutionaries of the 19th Century in German paint- ings. 9:30 AM - NOON. $1/$2.00. • November 3, Friday Explore the medical aspects of Heart Disease. 10:00 - 11:00 AM. Free. All ages invited. • November 14, Tuesday Sign up for the HARP Defensive Driving Course. For an insurance discount, you must attend both ses- sions. 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. $10.00. • October 24, Tuesday The IM film, "Wolves", explores the natural his- tory, biology and conser- vation of the grey wolf. 2:00 - 4:15 PM. $4.00. Please call 713.662.5895 for more information or to make reservations to 1 attend events. (West U- continued from p.3) the market, according to the Silicon Val- ley Toxics Coalition.The group says that currently, fewer thgn 14% of unwanted computers are recycled or donated for re-use. The rest-more than 20 million computers in the U.S.- are expected to be thrown out as trash. Once again, a computer recycler will be available during the Clean-up to pick- up old computers and assorted parts for reuse or proper disposal. They will also accept most working and non-working electronic appliances, except refrigera- tors and washers/dryers. By utilizing the above services, you will help keep the City's cost down by diverting recyclables from the landfill, preserving valuable space and saving high dumping charges. The entire day costs the City approximately $5,000. Therefore, it is to everyone's benefit to take advantage of the program. The City cannot accept hazardous household wastes such as oil, all paint types, or antifreeze. However, this ma- terial may be taken to the City of Houston's facility on Westpark between Chimney Rock and Fountain View. Take advantage of one of many fine services the City provides its residents. American Diabetes Society representatives will talk about diabetes. 2:30 - 3:00 PM. Free. All ages invited. • November 17, Friday MFA Senior Program: Sarah Campbell Blaffer, her life and Eu- ropean Renaissance and Baroque art collection. 9:30 - NOON. $1/$2.00. (The Silent Campaign - continued from p.6) Adding in posts and labor, a typical sign plus installation costs less than $100. What's been done? Key problem ar- eas have been addressed, including: • Replaced "Dead End" signs with "No Outlet" and marked street ends with red reflectors. • Added "Drive Friendly" signs. • Ensured proper signage at all of our playgrounds. • Installed new lime-green school signs. • Removed signs no longer needed. • Added 16 new "Welcome to West University Place" signs on key streets. • Added "Reduce speed, 30 MPH" signs. What's ahead? We will continue to work throughout the City on a street or area basis. We are awaiting designs on large "Welcome to West University Place" signs to be installed at key gate- ways-north and south ends of Buffalo Speedway and-WeslayanBissonnet. We are also awaiting results of a survey of residents on or near Buffalo Speedway before we redo signage on that street. Your input please! If you know of a sign that should be replaced, removed, or is needed, contact Muriel Flake at mhflake@aol.com or 713.667.3617. 0 City of West University Place 3800 University Boulevard West University Place, Texas 77005 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 6270 Houston, TX i ft ( j _ Sunday Monda Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday ~ 1 S~:curday 7 J Neighborhoodafety Traffic Task Force @ Friends of West U Park The Building and 1. k j~ rr "`rV Board @6:00 PM in 6:30PM Public Works @ 6:30 PM City Hal Standards Commis- T ~a he City Hall Confer- R Lunchroom Conference Room sion @ 6:00 PM in the r P r, oom. nce Parks Board @ 7:30 P City Hall Conference } City Hall Council Room. r 1 2 3 Chambers. 4 7 ~ SPeciai Session @ Recycling and Solid Senior Services Board ' 6:30 PM City Hall Con- f R Waste Reduction B d 6 30 Meeting @ 2:30 PM. erence oom Council Meetin g @ oar @ : PM Public Works Lunch Zoning and Planning C i i 6 45 7:30 PM City Hall Room. omm ss on @ : PM City Hall Conference S Council Chambers 9 1 11 Room 12 Zoning Board of Ad- i - justment @ 7:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. 15 16 ti$ 18 19 20 21 j Special Session @ 6:30 PM City Hall -j Conference Room ° Council Meeting @ UI ` 7:30 PM City Hall I~,,II IIJ7 ' 4~i IC i\ 22 Council Chambers23 , ; 25 26 27 2I::, Jaentet( I{ouse Friends of West UParks The Building and S o~ktacular @0 6:30 PM City Hall Standards Commis- i i ry p Conference Room s on @ 6:00 PM n the 6:UU - 9:00rp1 Parks Board @ 7;3 City Hall Conference . Room. - at the Scout Hb.se 1 PM Council Chambers 3® 3 1 2 Neighborhood Safety Traffic Task Force @ Senior Services Board ~T Board @6:00 PM in Cit Hall Confer th 6:30PM Public Works Meeting @ 2:30 PM. - e y ence Room. Lunchroom Zoning and Plannin g Commission @ 6:45 PM City Hall Conference i 5 6 7 A Room c 1_