HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovemberWEST_UNIVERSITY PLA
A#- f Volume 27. Noe 11
7,
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The City Council adopted the 2001
budget on October 23 and total
expenditures of all funds are set at $40.3
million.
"The City's infrastructure program will
see a major acceleration in 2001," said
City Manager Sherman Yehl. "Almost
half of these expenditures are earmarked
for the Infrastructure Replacement
Fund."
With the budget set, the City Council
will be establishing a tax rate of 42¢/
$100 of assessed valuation - a one-cent
increase over the current year.
While the City's coffers has benefited
from the continued strong real estate
market in West U and assessed valua-
tions now exceed $2 billion, Yehl noted
that there were three reasons for the
increase in the tax rate:
• Almost $16 million in new general
obligation debt will be placed on the
books in 2001. As the Debt Service Fund
is financed entirely from property taxes,
A
this increase adds over $600,000 to debt
service payments.
• Over the past year 10 new posi-
tions have been added to the City's Gen-
eral Fund - three police officers, four
dispatchers, a fire marshal, police ser-
geant, and a building inspector. Five of
the positions (dispatchers and fire mar-
shal) were filled to reduce the City's
ISO rating which should lower residen-
tial homeowner insurance premiums by
as much as 15%.
• In September a new pay plan went
into effect for all police and fire per-
sonnel. The increase, about 25% above
previous salaries, was approved by the
City Council in July to make these posi-
tions more competitive with the current
market. As a policy, the City Council
has established a pay system that is five
percent above market for comparable
cities which include Bellaire, Memorial
Villages, Missouri City, Sugar Land, and
(2001 budget set - continued on p.7)
Citizens the M
r
h .,sue. I
During the September 25' Council Meeting, David Marks, Peter Taafe, Russ Schulze and Taylor
Cooksey were recognized for their leadership in the Stella Link Redevelopment Project and received
the West U Millennial Citizen Award. Pictured from left to right are Taylor Cooksey, Russ Schulze
and Mayor Linda Lewis
November 2000
Don't forget to vote
Povernber 7, 2000
Polls will be open
-
from 7 AM to 7 PM.
(Vote el 7 de
noviembre de 2000,
7.00 de la manana
a 7.00 de la tarde)
• Precinct 15
(Distrito electoral
~i
15) - St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church,
i J u~l
5308 Buffalo Speed-
way
• Precinct 87 (Distrito electoral 87)
- Scout House, 6108 Edloe
• Precinct 133 (Distrito electoral
133) - Colonial Park, 4130 Byron
• Precinct 183 (Distrito electoral
183) - Community Building, 6104
For a look at West U ballot propo-
sitions, check out the City's website
at www.westu.org.
~'eu
be closed on
November 23 & 24 in
observance of Thanksgiving
• Board & Committee News 6
• Calendar of events 8
• City Life 3
• Employee Spotlight 4
• Inside Council Chambers 2
• Ordinance Spotlight 4
• Police Blotter 5
• Senior Calendar 7
Inside Council Chambers Page 2
~rlwm 14, By: Mayor Linda Lewis
After what seems like years of
discussions, we are at last ready to move
forward with finalizing the plans to
update the town center, the area
immediately surrounding West U
Elementary. The planned changes are
by no means radical, but they will
provide pedestrian and streetscape
improvements, particularly in the areas
of parking, traffic flow and street
lighting. All in all, these enhancements
should be exciting for all of us.
Eighty percent of the funding for the
improvements will be provided by the
Texas Department of Transportation un-
der its Statewide 'T'ransportation En-
hancement Program. This grant,
$862,080, was awarded to the city ear-
lier this year, and in the last month we
have entered into an agreement with
TxDOT for advance funding.
Under terms of the agreement, West
U has primary responsibility for provid-
ing architectural and engineering ser-
vices, and the State handles the bidding
and administers the contract for con-
struction. The State also has responsi-
bility for development and design review.
Proposed improvements to the town
center area have evolved through nu-
merous discussions with representatives
from all groups involved in the use of
the area. These include West U Elemen-
tary, Tri-Sports and each of its entities,
merchants on Edloe and University,
churches, Southside, West U Library
and the City. And, in the selection of
street lighting, all citizens were invited
to participate. Together, we have made
decisions about what is important in this
highly visible and used area, both in terms
of function and aesthetics. All in all, it
has been an exciting process with cre-
ativity and compromise being the char-
acteristic of the planning.
As plans unfold, they will be available
for review at City Hall. I invite you to
take a look and share the excitement
created by yet another successful part-
nership between the City, its residents,
public and private entities, and the State.
7 7
F[7,7~n -
by Council Member Burt Ballanfant
Council is again facing the budget and
tax issues that it is charged to confront.
Last year Council reduced the tax rate
from 42 cents to 41 cents per hundred
dollar of valuation. This year initial pro-
jections show the tax rate will return to
42 cents per hundred dollars of valua-
tion. How can this be when our ad valo-
rem valuation has increased to over $2
billion?
Ad valorem revenues increased by
$894,630 due to construction and in-
creased valuation and increased tax
rates added another $553,670 for a total
increase of $1,448,300. Expenditures in-
creased by almost the same amount. A
lam, TO ,-t f 11,o ; ~A a ~ ;
due to increased debt service. In 1995
the citizens authorized $63 million in
bonds to finish the infrastructure project.
That debt was not issued all at once,
but rather every two years to pay for
the construction costs for the next two
years. Last year there was no new debt
service. In 2001 there will be almost $16
million of new debt to service. This is
due to the originally scheduled segment
plus two accelerated segments. The ac-
celeration of the infrastructure project
saved $2 million dollars in cost increases
debt service sooner while finishing the
infrastructure construction sooner. The
new additional debt service cost for the
infrastructure project beginning in 2001
Crosswalk
team formed
Under the direction of City
'Council Members John
Bertini, Burt Ballanfant, and
- John Grubb, a team has
been formed to study
- the current status of
crosswalks in West U and to recommend
areas for improvement. The four-per-
son team includes representatives from
the Neighborhood Safety Board, the
Traffic Task Force, the Parks and Rec-
reation Board, and City Staff. The team
first met on September 25`h
With current infrastructure develop-
ment in mind, the team discussed the
benefits of a crosswalk installation pro-
gram. The team agreed that installing
crosswalks at major city intersections
and around city parks would enhance
pedestrian safety, especially for children
and seniors. City Staff noted that cross-
walks are not expensive - simple
painted walks cost an estimated $200 to
$300 each, which can be covered by the
current operations budget. Painted
crosswalks require annual maintenance.
Lt. Tod Schnieder and his staff have
agreed to survey the city to pinpoint in-
tersections with a high volume of pe-
destrian traffic. In addition, the team
would like to hear from citizens who have
suggestions for intersections that are in
need of new or improved crosswalks.
With survey information and citizen in-
put, the team plans to make recommen-
dations to City Council by December.
If you know of an intersection in need
of a new or improved crosswalk, call
713.662.5887 or email traffic@ci.west-
universify-place. tx.us no later than No-
vember 15. Please note that the team is
concentrating on al l parts of the city ex-
cept for the City Center, which is under
study by another team.
--a- r---- -r-------a 11 rgurerig tr[c ti. rzrrr - curuirrueie err p..4/ 1
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.ei.west-university-plaaee.tx.us>
City Life
r the
0 of it
Holiday a
G During the hustle and
bustleof the holiday season, don't for-
get to sign up for Holiday Camp! Shop
`till you drop, while your children have
a bundle of fun! Activities include arts
and crafts, games, songs, movies,
playtime, and more! Children need to
bring a sack lunch. We'll provide snacks
and lemonade. Registration is going on
now at the Community Building, 6104
Auden. Ages 5 & up. For more infor-
mation, please call 713.662.5892
Days: Monday-Friday Tune: 8:30 AM-1:30 PM
Fees: $80590NR Session: December 18-22
Location: Scout House
Coordinator: Lachele Stoeck
Snow is in
the recast
Join us Monday,
December 4th at 6:30 PM for the l2 `h
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at
City Hall, 3800 University. Get into the
holiday spirit- build a snowman, sing
carols, or take a photo with Santa. Holi-
day music will be provided by members
of the West U Elementary Chorale and
Violinists. For more information, call the
Community Building at 713.662.5892.
Second Saturday Concert
This month's featured performers are
Cathy Barton and Dave Para. Barton
and Para are popular musicians from
Missouri whose dynamic performances
are acclaimed for their variety and ex-
pertise in both vocal and instrumental
styles. Their music ranges from hard-
driving stringband music to contempla-
tive ballads and airs. They have a knack
for finding unusual, rarely heard songs
from traditional and contemporary
sources in their home region as well as
from elsewhere in the US and Europe.
The concert will be held at the West
U Community Building, 6104 Auden, on
November 11 at 7:30 PM. 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 or visit
the Houston Folklore/Music Society
website at www.houstonfolkmusic.org.
Page 3
'Cal
If you're not new to the area, don't let the name fool youl The West U Newcomer's
Club is open to all West U and Southside Place residents regardless of length of residency.
If you are looking for a new place to go for a night of outrageous fun, join us Saturday, November 1P
for a Murder Mystery/Dinner Theater at Prima Pasta! Social hour starts at 7:00 Pm, followed by a three
course dinner and show at 8:00 Pm. Prima Pasta is located at 2710 Richmond at Kirby. The cost is
$39.00 per person. Please send your check, payable to WUNC, to Dawn Rubin, 3816 Marquette Street
by November 6". If you have any questions, contact Dawn at 713.668.7264.
The WUNC offers playgroups, wine tasting, chick flicks, an investment club, book club, Bunco and
lots morel WUNC is a great vay to become acquainted with your neighbors! For more information about
WUNC and how to join, please visit our website at bttp..//:,vaa a~astunewoomors.org.
661~
i- a 97
L'~~
- ; Can you name a local
hero? Does a particular
person come to mind when
thinking of people who have
served our community in an
extraordinary way? Perhaps someone
who has volunteered on a board or
committee, served in the Fire or Police
Department, spearheaded an athletic
organization, organized a grassroots
community movement, owned a special
neighborhood business, or for some other
reason should be honored as a hero of
West U.
Nominate your special hero today. Sim-
ply name the person you believe should
be honored at the first annual "Local
Heroes of West U" awards on March
28, 2001, presented by the West Uni-
versity Place Historical Society.
There are practically no restrictions.
Nominees need not be current West U
residents. Posthumous awards are eli-
gible. Heroism does not discriminate on
the basis of age, gender, race, disability,
or national origin.
Please send nominee's name and an
explanation of his or her outstanding
service along with your name and phone
number to Local Hero, c/o Janice
Donalson, 4981 Laurel, Bellaire, Texas
77401 or to jantex@houston.rrcom.
"Park Kids" t-shirts and ornaments
1/t Artisans are hard at
r work producing 250 hand
1 1 made "Park Kids" orna-
ments for the Friends of
West University Place Parks Fund, Inc.
The ornaments are being made at the
Center for the Retarded, Inc.'s Willow
River Farms, a residential program for
adults with developmental disabilities,
located near Sealy. The festive,
handcrafted ceramic ornaments sell for
$10.00 a piece and can be purchased at
the West U Community Building or by
calling Mark Mailes, Parks and Recre-
ation Director at 713.662.5892.
Recently, a ten year master plan was
approved, which addresses park devel-
opment and renovations throughout the
neighborhood. The plan will give West
U additional green space, while making
the current parks state of the art. Parks
Board Chairman, Will Bertron is spear-
heading the project with the support of
the Parks Board, the Friends Board and
City Council. Considering the vast
amount of money needed to implement
the parks' masterplan, the Friends Board
decided to increase fundraising visibil-
ity and add to existing projects so that
all neighbors could participate.
The Friends primary fundraiser is the
Park Lovers Ball, which will celebrate
its tenth anniversary on February 10,
2001 at the Westin Galleria. Make plans
to join your neighbors at the "2001: A
Park Odyssey" for a fun evening filled
with dancing to the tunes of the Eclipse,
gourmet dining, and a special auction.
There are many opportunities to vol-
unteer on the Ball Committee. For more
information call Sherry Gift at
713.661.9184 or Donna LaMond at
713.664.3916.
Additional fundraising opportunities in-
clude memorial brick pavers for $300,
which can be placed in any park in honor
or in memory of someone special; and
Golf shirts - $50 and the Friends new t-
shirts - $15, which can be purchased at
Colonial Park Pool or from Mark Mailes.
Page 4
This month's employee in the spotlight
is Geronimo (Ronnie) Dyogi. Ronnie is
a maintenance worker in the Water
Utilities Division of the Public Works
Department.
Ronnie joined the West U team in
August, 1998, and is certified by the
Texas Natural Resources Conservation
Commission (TNRCC) for operations
and maintenance of drinking water
systems. He enjoys working with the
people in West U and feels it is
important to be a team player.
Ronnie learned to be a team player
several years ago, while training for and
participating in Judo competitions. In
1972 Ronnie participated in the 201h
Olympic games held in Munich,
Germany, where he placed 10th in the
Light Middle Weight Division ofthe Judo
competition. Ronnie also took third place
in the 1968 and the 1970 Asian Game
Tournaments in the Light Middle Weight
Division Judo competition.
When not at work, Ronnie enjoys a
variety of physical activities including
weight lifting, swimming and jogging.
He also enjoys spending time with his
two daughters, Michele and Stephanie
and his wife Evelyn.
According to Patrick Walters, Utilities
Superintendent, "Ronnie is an asset to
our City, he is a team player and is
always ready to take the extra steps
necessary to provide the high quality
customer service that is expected by the
citizens of West U."
Ordinance spotlight . .
11'1' 1
~l - e - with Harris County
The West U City Council and Harris County Commissioner's Court recently
{approved an inter-local agreement that authorizes Harris County Public Health
;and Environmental Services to inspect and permit the food establishments located
within West U city limits. The council also approved an ordinance that requires all
l food establishments in West U to comply with county and state laws for
t Food service and retail food establishments. The county and state laws
'are not very different from the City's Food Ordinance that was amended.
The ordinance requires food establishments to have an employee in a o
managerial capacity who possesses a current food manager's certifi-
~~cate.
Anyone with questions concerning the new agreement or the ordinance
can call Fire Chief Terry Stevenson at 713.662.5836 or Janet Lane, R. S.,
Chief, Harris County Environmental Health Division, 713.439.6270
-ir in
All areas of Priority blocks of Amherst is also continuing.
Area 6E are complete. Here's the 30 day forecast for utility
General clean-up is projects:
now in progress and e Sewer work will continue in the 3300-
other required repairs 3600 blocks of Rice. When this area is
underway. complete, all sewer work in 7A will be
Work is progressing in Priority Area finished.
7A. Paving in the 3400-3600 blocks of ® All water line work in Priority Area
Georgetown is complete and restoration 7A is complete.
will continue for the next 30 days. Paving e Storm sewer work will begin in the
in the 3200-3300 blocks of Georgetown 3200-3600 blocks of Rice. When this
is underway and will continue for the next work is complete all storm sewer work
30 days. The paving of the 3400-3600 in Priority Area 7A will be complete.
West
"arci at woK~~: for Willow River Farms'resident artisans are hard at work producing "Parks Kids" ornaments for the
Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc. Pictured with artisans are Joni Hruska Fichter,
Friends Board T-shirt and Ornament Chair- (center left) and Linda Gray, Friends Board Chair
(center right). For article, see page 3.
lice Blotter
Page 5
September, 2000
C r 'I L L.,7
Criminal Mischief
r,,
close
3900 Byron - September 10. Rear
vehicle window and antenna broken.
Burglary of a Building
4100 Dartmouth - September 21.
Furnace stolen from house under con-
struction.
3800 Tennyson - September 29. Two
heater exchange coils and a trailer sto-
len from house under construction.
Theft
2600 Centenary - September 6.
Bike stolen from carport.
5900 Buffalo - September 7.
Two cement lion statues stolen
from front porch.
4000 Oberlin - September 11.
Resident's personal information used in
attempt to obtain credit card over
internet.
6400 Belmont - September 19.
Resident's driver's license and credit
information used by unknown suspect
to purchase vehicle at dealership.
Burglary of Residence
6500 Mercer - September 30. Un-
secured residence entered overnight
while residents asleep. Laptop comput-
ers and other items stolen.
2700 Barbara Lane - Sep-
tember 30. Unsecured residence
entered overnight while resi-
dents asleep. Money and other
items stolen. Vehicle in drive-
way also entered.
2700 Centenary - September 8. Two
black metal plant urns stolen from front Burglary of a Motor Vehicle
porch.
4000 Oberlin - September 9. Front
vehicle license plate stolen. May have
occurred outside city.
3100 Amherst - September 12. Black
jeep wrangler hard top stolen.
3100 Bellaire -September 20. Money
and several items stolen from residence.
Suspect known by resident.
2600 Albans - September 21. Sev-
eral items stolen from residence by ju-
veniles at unsupervised drinking party.
3900 Southwestern - September 22.
Playground equipment stolen from
house under construction.
4200 Bellaire - September 22. Bag
containing jewelry and other items sto-
len from business office.
2600 Wroxton - September 1. Cell
phone stolen from unlocked vehicle.
3500 Tangley - September 7. Ve-
hicle door pried open and folding chair
bag stolen.
3700 Robinhood - September 20.
Laptop computer stolen from trunk of
unsecured vehicle.
6600 Belmont - September 26.
Money and cell phone stolen from un-
secured vehicle.
4200 Bellaire - September 27. Ve-
hicle window broken. Bag containing
several items stolen.
2700 Arbuckle - September 29.
Lawn blower stolen from yard worker's
truck.
3400 Robinhood - September 22.
Ring stolen from residence, possibly by Recovery of Stolen Property
workers.
3800 Tennyson - September 27. Power drill, bike and cell phone sto-
Handgun stolen from residence. Work- len in burglary of a vehicle and garage
ers suspected. recovered. Suspect taken into custody.
2600 Bissonnet - September 29.
Purse stolen from beneath table at busi- Found Property
ness. Later recovered with cash miss-
ing from wallet.
Fraud/Forgery
3800 !Northwestern - September 5.
Resident's bank debit card number used
to make fraudulent charges.
5500 Edloe - September 30. Boys
bike found in poor farm ditch. Logged
into found property at police station.
Simple Assaults - one
Domestic Disturbances - one
Chiefs racy
1~, -O&C& chief Ke ,,V serflz
The holiday season is just about
everyone's favorite and special time of
year. Thanksgiving is a real family holiday.
Many of us are planning to leave town to
join friends and families, while others plan
to host gatherings at home.
While we are out of town enjoying the
food and fellowship of Thanksgiving,
there are those left behind looking to take
advantage of an opportunity to make
some quick money. Make sure your
home and belongings are as secure as
possible before leaving town. First and
foremost, make sure that all appropriate
appliances are turned off. Double check
jcoffee makers, toasters, and other appli-
ances that generate heat to ensure that
they are turned off or unplugged. It is
also a good idea to turn off the water
supply to your clothes washer, prevent-
ing the possibility of a ruptured hose flood-
ing your home.
Burglars often look for signs that
homeowners are away. Having several
newspapers lying in the driveway, lights)
turned off or left on all the time, and no
noise are sure signs that residents are
away. To make your home appear more
lived in stop newspaper delivery before
you leave, consider purchasing several
timers to use with lamps throughout the
house and maybe a radio. Make sure all
doors and windows are locked and
alarms are set. Check your garage and
make sure it's secure. If you plan to leave
a vehicle outside, make sure valuables
are not visible and lock all doors. Lastly,
call the West U Police Department and
request a house watch. Your house will
be checked periodically in your absence
to ensure everything is all right. The ser-
vice is free and provides peace of mind.
When making plans to host a Thanks-
giving get-together or other gatherings in
town, remember to be good neighbors
when planning for the parking of guests.
West U streets are very narrow and easily
congested. Parking very close on both
sides of a driveway and directly across
from it makes it impossible for a driver
to exit the driveway. Heavily congested
streets also make it impossible for an
emergency vehicle to maneuver through.
Please take a minute to plan for parking
at your gathering.
Have a warm and wonderful Thanks-
giving.
Thanks and be safe!
Page 6
at does 6"'drive friendly"
mean to youg?
by Elizabeth Bixby, Neighborhood Safety Board member
Have you seen the
MLZ new signs around
town that ask us to
"Drive Friendly"? Maybe you have been
wondering just what those signs mean.
This article explains what one West U
resident thinks of when she sees "Drive
Friendly" signs.
At first, it brought to mind a picture of
happy, friendly drivers waving gaily to
all and sundry as they drive the streets
of West U, but that cannot be right. In-
stead, it means we must be aware of
our surroundings and drive, walk, bike
and skate in a friendly manner.
What is a friendly manner? Let us think
back to the days when we were learn-
ing to drive. Perhaps you remember the
phrase "defensive driving." True defen-
sive driving is friendly. The defensive
driver is friendly because he or she
watches out for others and makes a
complete stop at stop signs or lights, and
looks carefully before proceeding. The
defensive driver also anticipates what an-
other driver, biker or pedestrian is going
to do before they do it and acts accord-
ingly. Sometimes that means hesitating
for a few seconds before proceeding
through an intersection. It sometimes
means giving up the right of way to
someone else, who is determined to get
through the intersection as quickly as
possible. It also means giving one's full
attention to driving. That can involve
pulling over to the side of the road when
talking on a cellular phone or using ex-
tra care when changing lanes or radio
stations. It means belting your children
into their seats so they are not bouncing
around distracting you. It may even
mean pulling over to settle whatever
squabble is going on in your back seat.
The defensive driver slows down when
driving down a street with parked cars.
He or she knows there is a possibility
that a ball may suddenly appear closely
followed by a child from behind a parked
car. He or she also slows down when
approaching a curve, such as that on
Wakeforest near Plumb. There are no
sidewalks on that street section, but it is
a favorite place for walkers who often
walk two or three abreast, against traf-
fic. A driver needs to be especially care-
ful after dark, as many residents walk,
jog, bike or skate in the evening.
That brings me to another point. I think
"Drive Friendly" signs also include ac-
tivities of walkers, joggers, bikers and
skaters. It is necessary for them to be
friendly as well. If you have to walk in
the street, due to lack of sidewalks, be
sure to walk against traffic so that you
can see cars coming towards you. It is
also a good idea to wear light colored
clothing when walking at night. It is never
a good idea to walk in such a way as to
completely block vehicular traffic, and it
is not smart to wear earphones that keep
you from hearing approaching cars.
"Drive Friendly" can mean many
things. Just keep it in mind whenever you
are out and about in West U, and life
will be much safer for all of us. it M
by Rick Jenkins, Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board member
Recycling works and West U has been
proving it for almost thirty years. Paper
prices are up and recycling is making
more money these days. We have al-
ready eclipsed last year's recycling
revenues by $20,000.00! Unfo
nately, a few mistakes can en
danger the success we are mak-
ing for ourselves. One bad
habit is wasting man-hours of
our Solid Waste personnel, while another
simply costs us recycling revenues.
1. West U asks you to separate organic
yard material and put it in brown paper
bags on your trash days. Unfortunately,
there is an abundance of inorganic trash
within the yard material. This inorganic
trash, such as oily rags, plastic contain-
ers, cans, etc., contaminates yard ma-
terial, and the composter we deliver this
to will reject the load. Our composter
does not accept yard material from all
municipalities because their level ofcon-
tamination is unacceptable. Our Solid
Waste Department has been reduced to
checking curbside material prior to load-
ing. We realize that many of our resi-
dents, who would not contaminate the
yard material, have lawn services that
may. As a Board, we have made up
-minders in English and Spanish
for our Public Works personnel to
leave at the curb with the con-
taminated material. We have
recycled about 700 tons ofyard
material this year to date, saving West
U over $10,000.00 in landfill fees so far.
2. Cardboard is recyclable at a $45 per
ton benefit, and landfilled at a cost of
$23 per ton. Too many of us are putting
an abundance of cardboard out with the
trash instead of with the recycling ma-
terial on Wednesdays. Old habits are
tough to break, but if the cardboard is
recycled instead of going out with the
trash, it saves West U disposal fees and
doesn't go to the landfill. As a Board,
we have made up reminders for Solid
Waste personnel to leave at the
homeowner's property when excessive
"used on a 75% favorable response
from residents in the Southeast quadrant
t _i-ea, this fall a blue recycling bin will be
°,,jliverjd to each resident in our City. This bin can
,)a use l to store your commingled materials-•-glass,
in/bi-metal, aluminum, and plastic C#'s I and 2
,only) and can be put out at the curb for the Wednes-
!day pickup. Paper must still be placed in a sepa-
~rate paper bag and cardboard can be stacked next
'to the [Japer as before."
cardboard is left with the trash. In a few
weeks Public Works personnel will be-
gin leaving cardboard at the curb on trash
days for homeowners to recycle on
Wednesdays.
Overall, our recycling operation is very
beneficial, thanks to your diligence as
citizens and to the foresight of our Pub-
lic Works Department; but we need your
help to work out a few bugs. Keep in
mind that we only have five more years
of inexpensive landfill rates. In ten years
trash disposal will be very expensive. If
West U can maximize recycling and mini-
mize trash, we all win. Meanwhile, we
on the Board predict that this should be
a banner year for recycling revenue.
rtu- =F r
P L E' _t
® November 3, Friday
All ages are invited to explore
the medical aspects of Heart
Disease. Learn how to combat
this affliction. 10:00 - 11:00 Ann.
Free.
November 14, Tuesday
American Diabetes Society Rep-
resentatives will talk about diabetes.
2:00 - 3:00 PM- Free-
9 November 17, Friday
r,
MFA Senior Program: Sarah ®
Campbell Blaffer, her life and Eu-
ropean Renaissance and Baroque
art collection. 9:30 - NOON. $1.00/
$2.00.
Please call 713.662.5895 for more
information or to make reservations to
attend events.
ar C1 (-:~nvents for
t-
9 November 20, Monday December 5, Tuesda~
I
7
Don t miss the IMAX feature ~o
Start the holiday season with a mati-
film, Dolphins. Swim the coral
nee showing of A Christmas Carol
reefs of the Bahamas to the seas of
at the Alley Thc&r,,.jr. Bring refresh-
Patagonia with these playful inquisi-
ments for intermission. Will leave for
tive creatures. 2:00 - 4:15 PM. $4.00.
the show at 9:00 AM. $7.50.
?e November 23, Thursday
z
December 8, Friday
- You are invited to a special
Fashion as Works of Art is the topic
1_- Thanksgiving Luncheon
at the Artist Spotlight at the
hosted by the Bellaire High School
Glassell. Enjoy Selven O'Keef's lec-
Honor Society. If you need a ride or
ture followed by a tour of the British
a meal delivered to you home, call
designer show 9:30 - NOON. Free.
our office. Noon - 1:30 PM. Free.
l
® December 11, Monday
e November 29, Wednesday
Join us for a special trip to
Take a mini-bus ride to the Hous
the Rienzi Mansion decorated--'--
ton Maritime Museum. Tour the
4
in
the spirit of the season with many
exhibits and enjoy a short lec-
Masterson family ornaments. Sorry,
ture on global warming and wave
we can only take a group of twenty.
energy. 10:30 - 12:30 Pm. Free.
12:30 - 2:30 PM. $5.00 - $10.00.
(2001 budget set - continued from p.1)
Houston.
Yehl noted that almost 80% of the
City's General Fund expenditures are
related to personnel and operating
charges such as electricity.
In taking action, the City Council re-
duced expenditures by $200,000 from
the recommended budget by eliminat-
ing three positions in the General Fund
and reducing some contingency and in-
surance funding. This resulted in the
one-cent decrease from the advertised
tax rate of 43¢ to 42¢. Twenty-one and
one-half cents of the rate wiI l fund debt
service and 20.5¢ will fund maintenance
and operations which includes police,
fire, street maintenance, administration,
parks and recreation services, and fi-
nance operations.
The budget goes into effect on Janu-
ary 1, 2001.
(Figuring the tax rate - continued from p.2)
is $660,000.
The City Council also increased the
pay of police and fire employees. Sur-
veys showed our policemen and fire-
men salary structure had fallen behind
comparable cities. The Council raised
the salary targets for police and fire-
men. For the first time in history, West
U will pay more than the City of Hous-
ton to its police and fire employees. That
increase in salary expense increases city
spending on public safety employees by
$681,800. The Council also added four
dispatch positions to meet Insurance
Service Organization requirements.
These positions added $60,877 in salary
expense. The total increased expendi-
tures for public safety personnel is
$780,000. These extra positions, if we
meet regulatory standards in other ar-
eas, will lower home insurance premi-
ums in West U as a whole by $686,000
per year if we reach Class 3 status and
$1,531,000 per year if we reach Class 2
status, which is our goal. This is poten-
tially a great cost savings to the City.
This should be a net savings to the tax-
payer particularly if they can deduct their
ad valorem taxes from their income tax.
The total of debt service and safety per-
sonnel salary increases equals
$1,440,000, which is almost exactly rev-
enue growth in the City.
In 1995 the Bond Committee projected
that the City tax rate would ultimately
reach 58 cents per hundred dollars of
valuation to cover the debt service for
the infrastructure project and operating
budget. Next year (2002) the City will
add the last infrastructure debt to its
budget. That will add about $550,000 in
debt service to the budget. If the YMCA
is bought by West U for approximately
$3.5 million, that will add about $240,000
in debt service. If voters approve the $5
million bond issue for sidewalks, that
would add $300,000 in debt service. The
new total debt service would increase
by $1,068,000 assuming all three addi-
tional expenditures. If the ad valorem
tax valuations increase at the likely rate
of $200 million in fiscal year 2002 and
there is $50 million in new construction
in 2002 compared to $63 million in 1999,
that would yield at the 42-43 cents per
$100 valuation tax rate about $1,100,000
in increased revenue. That is enough to
fund the potential capital expenditures
as well as the currently committed ex-
penditures because there should be no
more debt to be added. Based on this
analysis we are now at or very near our
top tax rate ($.42 or $.43) in the City
and well below projections from five
years ago while having funded all the
infrastructure and the significant fore-
seeable capital expenditures. From this
point on our tax rate will first begin to
stabilize, and then begin to decline, as
revenues will continue to increase while
expenditures flatten out or decline.
City of Nest University Place
300 University Boulevard
West University Place9 Texas 77005
WeST 0V 1 1 1 C 77 Tr v9 2ooo
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Friends of West U Parks The Building and
EXerC138 our @ 6:30 PM City Hall Standards Commis-
Conference Room sion @ 6:00 PM in the
rl htl d0>8 On City Hall Conference
9 Parks Board @ 7:30 PM
th City Hall Conference Room.
November? 1
Room. 1 2 3 4
Neighborhood Safety
Traffic as Force
Senior Services Board
Board @ 6:00 PM City
:30PM Public Works
Meeting @ 2:30 PM.
Hall Conference
Lunchroom
Zoning and Planning
Room.
Commission @ 6:45 Pm
City Hall Conference
5
6
7
8
Room
9
1
11
Special Session @
Recycling and Solid
Zoning Board of Ad-
6:30 PM City Hall Con-
Waste Reduction
justment @ 7:30 PM in
ference Room
Board @6:30 PM
the City Hall Council
Council Meeting @
Public Works Lunch
Chambers.
7:30 PM City Hall
Room-
121
Council Chambers 13
14
15
16
18
U.
City offices will be
closed November 23
9 & 24 in observance
19
20
21
of Thanksglvin~' , 25
Special ession
6:30 PM City Hall
Conference Room
1 ~_I
Council Meeting @
7:30 PM City Hall
f
6
Council Chamber827
28
29
30
1
I
Neighborhood Safety
Traffic Task Force @
Friends of West U Park
The Building and
_
L^~71
Board @6:00 PM in
6:30PM Public Works
@ 6:30 PM City Hall
Standards Commis-
City Hall Conference
Lunchroom
Conference Room
sion @ 6:00 PM in the
Room.
Parks Board @ 7:3
City Hall Conference
Tree lighting cer
PM Council Chambers
Room.
mony @ 6:30 PM at
- 3 west a city Ha!!. 4
5
6
7
8
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