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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpring 2011 C U R R E N T S A NEIGHBORHOOD CITY INCORPORATED IN 1925 TEXAS THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE For more information please visit our website at www.westutx.gov or call (713) 662-5813. THIS ISSUE 2 From Your Mayor 3 Community Message Board 4 Parks & Recreation 5 Public Safety 6 Public Works SPRING 2011 Registered voters of West University Place are encouraged to vote on May 14, 2011, in the general election to elect one Mayor and four Council Members. When to Vote on Election Day Polling places will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Where to Vote on Election Day The West University Place polling places are: • Precinct 15: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 5308 Buffalo Speedway • Precinct 87: Scout House, 6108 Edloe • Precinct 133: Recreation Center, 4210 Bellaire • Precinct 183: Community Building, 6104 Auden Notice of the May 14, 2011 General Election Important Dates April 14: LAST DAY TO REGISTER & CHANGE ADDRESS April 14 is the last day to register to vote or make a change of address effective for this election. May 6: APPLICATIONS FOR BALLOT BY MAIL DUE Applications for Ballot by Mail must be received at City Hall no later than the close of business on May 6. Please mail your application for a Ballot by Mail to: Thelma Lenz, City Secretary 3800 University Boulevard West University Place, TX 77005 May 2 – 10: EARLY VOTING Voters may cast their ballots early by personal appearance in the City Hall Council Chambers (3800 University Boulevard). Early Voting hours are: May 2 – 6, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm May 9 – 10, Monday – Tuesday 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Candidates for Mayor Two-year Term. Vote for none or one Bob Fry Steven Segal Candidates for City Council Two-year Term. Vote for none, one, two, three or four Jim Shields Susan Sample George Boehme Dick Yehle Joan Johnson Ed Heathcott 133 183 15 87 Rice Blvd. Bissonnet St. Bellaire Blvd. Bissonnet St. University Blvd. Community Weslayan Buffalo Speedway Kirby Dr. Auden Ave. Edloe St. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Scout House 5308 Buffalo Speedway 6108 Edloe St. Community Building 6104 Auden Ave. City Hall 3800 University Blvd. Early Voting Location May 2 – 10 Recreation Center 4210 Bellaire Blvd. 2 City Currents Spring 2011 From Your Mayor by Mayor Bob Kelly My second (and last) two-year term as your Mayor will end in June of this year. It has been a tremendous privilege and honor to serve as your Mayor for those very important four years in our City’s history. Much was accomplished. During my tenure I saw the installation of the College Street drainage project, the addition of new street lights throughout the City, the completion of the City’s sidewalk project, a citywide ban on cell phone texting while driving and the use of cell phones for any reason in school zones during school zone hours, passage of a bond issue for the construction of a new Recreation Center with an indoor/outdoor swimming pool plus a new family pool with adjacent building at Colonial Park, the construction and opening of the new Recreation Center and Colonial Park facilities, remodeling of the existing City Hall and Community Center buildings, construction of a new Police Station, the addition of improved sports fields to our recreation infrastructure, an update of the City’s tree ordinance for better protection of our urban forest, a significant reduction in the City’s health insurance cost and a reduction of over $7 million in the City’s unfunded liabilities. I also had the privilege and honor to serve during another important period in our City’s history, working as your Mayor Pro Tem on the Council from 1991 to 1993. That is when we started the long overdue replacement of all the City’s original streets and sewer/water lines. Residents’ fear of facing significant property tax rate increases to finance such a complete replacement had allowed our infrastructure to get into a deplorable state: our streets were almost impassable, sewage was running in our yards and backing up into our homes, and water lines were breaking every day. In reality, fears aside, almost the entire cost of the 20-year project was paid for by increases in the City’s tax base and not tax rate increases. Thus, as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, I was privileged to serve on Councils that had the foresight and courage to step up to the plate and make those decisions that significantly helped transform our City into what it is today. I want to emphasize that all this would not have been possible without our outstanding City staff. Our City employees work hard every day to provide the best service possible to our citizens. I realize that not all of our citizens agreed with all the decisions I made. As usual, history will determine the significance of the above accomplishments. My goal was always to make West U a better place to live for our families and to keep West U a place we all felt proud to call home. As I leave your service as Mayor, I would like to sincerely thank everyone for all you did to help me, the rest of the City Council and the City staff to better serve you. Linda and I have lived in West U for over 35 years and have loved every minute of it. We hopefully intend to live here for many more years. We look forward to seeing and talking with you as we continue to enjoy our City, which has truly become one of the country’s (yes, the entire country’s) most desirable places to live. Streets may flood for several reasons. The primary reasons are insufficient street grades to convey water to inlets, and the inadequate capacity of inlets and storm sewers. A second contributor to flooding may be clogged, damaged or obstructed inlets and/or storm sewers: if the runoff is kept from entering the storm water system, it has nowhere to go, so water ponds and begins to fill the street. Yet another reason for street flooding is the filling of a nearby bayou or stream. If its water level has risen to the same elevation as the street itself, or perhaps even higher in some cases, the storm water system “backs up” and floods the street — a very common occurrence in areas immediately adjacent to our bayou and stream systems. However, it is important to note that in almost all cases the streets are designed to serve as a secondary conveyor of storm water during extreme rainfalls. That means the street floods instead of the houses and buildings located along it. In virtually all curb-and-gutter streets, the streets are intended to flood (or pond) for a given duration of intense rainfall in order to provide protection to the adjacent structures. Street ponding (flooding) of a short duration is anticipated and is designed to be a part of the overall drainage capability of the storm sewer system. Storm sewer design balances capacity and economics. The storm sewer pipes are sized to convey less intense, more frequent rainfalls while attempting to retain traffic movement. But overlarge pipes are uneconomical, so when rainfall events exceed the capacity of the storm sewer system, the additional runoff is intentionally “stored” in the streets or conveyed overland in a manner that best avoids flooding homes and businesses. In other words, the storm water is being detained in the streets on purpose, and so-called street flooding provides a direct benefit in keeping water out of your home. Typical storm sewer designs for this region’s urban areas are based on a defined two-year storm frequency. A “two-year storm frequency” event is when the rainfall intensity has a 50% probability of occurring in any given year (or is nominally likely to occur once every two years). In contrast, another frequently used design category is the 100-year frequency. This is where the rainfall intensity has a 1% probability of occurring in any given year (or is nominally likely to occur once every 100 years). As a rule, it is not economically feasible to construct storm sewer systems to handle 100-year frequency rainfall. If you own or rent a home or business building within the City of West University Place, you are likely at risk of incurring property damage from flooding — this is true in most of the Gulf Coast region. If your structure is not within the floodplain, your mortgage lender may not require that you purchase flood insurance as a condition of your mortgage loan, but you are still at risk of potential flood damage. Many properties not located within the 100-year floodplain have been damaged by various storms in our region. Because the basic homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover damage caused by flooding, everyone should strongly consider purchasing flood insurance. Why Does My Street Flood? By Michael Ross, West University Place City Manager City Currents Spring 2011 3 Community Message Board Want to know what’s going on in your city? Get City News by Email Get News Alerts by Email Get Text Message Alerts SIGN UP FOR ALERTS! Did you know that the City provides an easy way to keep up-to-date on the latest changes to City services? It is easy to use—just visit www.westutx.gov and click the link “Get City News by Email.” The best part of this service is that you can select the information you want to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time. By subscribing, you will be kept upto-date on City emergencies, changes to services, such as garbage and recycling collection, and (if you desire) agendas for City Council and board meetings. Q UIET HOUR S Weekdays (Mon – Fri), except holidays Before 7:00 am or after 8:00 pm Saturdays, except holidays Before 8:00 am or after 8:00 pm Sundays and on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and the corresponding Friday or Monday on which the city observes that holiday Before 12 Noon or after 8:00 pm Where will you be when the next emergency hits? The City of West University Place and the City of Southside Place received an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Homeland Security grant for a joint Public Information and Emergency Response (PIER) Center that will be launched later this year. The UASI program supports the national priority of expanding regional collaboration in the Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Guidelines. Grants are intended to assist participating jurisdictions in developing integrated regional systems for prevention, protection, response and recovery. The proposed PIER Center will be a management interface for emergency communications. It will be an additional resource for our citizens and staff during a large-scale emergency. The Center will allow the City to “virtually” connect to the Harris County Joint Information Center and enable information relating to the City to be shared between various Joint Information Centers. Please visit the West U website www.westutx.gov regularly for PIER Center launch updates. Extended Office Hours to Better Serve You! As of Monday, March 7, 2011, West U office hours are from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Monday through Friday. West U City offices are offering extended business hours to better serve the citizens of our community without any additional cost or impact to the City budget. City Phone Numbers Emergency – Police & Fire: 911 Police Dept. Non-emergency: (713) 668-0330 General City Information: (713) 668-4441 Building Permits: (713) 662-5833 Code Enforcement: (713) 662-5831 Colonial Park Pool: (713)662-7460 Community Building: (713) 662-5895 DirectLink Alarm Monitoring: (713) 662-5860 Fire Dept. Non-emergency: (713) 662-5835 Friends of West U Parks: (713) 662-7430 Municipal Court: (713) 662-5825 Planning Department: (713) 662-5843 Police Dept. Crime Prevention: (713) 662-5869 Public Works Information: (713) 662-5839 Recreation Center: (713) 662-7420 Scout House: (713) 668-7462 Senior Services: (713) 662-5895 Urban Forestry: (713) 662-5313 Utility Billing: (713) 662-5824 2011 Garbage /Recycling Holiday Schedule Good Friday, Friday, April 22: No curbside collection; normal collection will resume on your next scheduled day. Memorial Day, Monday, May 30: No curbside collection; normal collection will resume on your next scheduled day. Independence Day, Monday, July 4: No curbside collection; normal collection will resume on your next scheduled day. Labor Day, Monday, September 5: No curbside collection; normal collection will resume on your next scheduled day. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24: No curbside collection; garbage regularly scheduled for pickup on this day will be picked up on Friday, November 25. Please hold your recyclables until your next scheduled recycle day. Day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 25: Normal collection of garbage and recyclables. City offices will be closed. Additional Christmas Holiday, Friday, December 23: Normal collection of garbage and recyclables. City offices will be closed. Christmas Day (Observed), Monday, December 26: No curbside collection; garbage regularly scheduled for pickup on this day will be picked up on Tuesday, December 27. Please hold your recyclables until your next scheduled recycle day. New Year’s Day (Observed), Monday, January 2: No curbside collection; garbage regularly scheduled for pickup on this day will be picked up on Tuesday, January 3. Please hold your recyclables until your next scheduled recycle day. ww w.w est utx.go v 4 City Currents Spring 2011 Parks & Recreation Friends of West U Parks Park Lovers’ Ball The Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel was transformed into “An Evening in Cupid’s Garden” on Saturday, February 12. Over 500 West U park lovers attended the action-packed event, complete with a live auction led by former Houston Rockets forward Robert Reid. According to the Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc., the ball’s financial objectives were met and proceeds will go to the redevelopment of Judson Park. Event chairs Jennifer Debow and Amy Reeves overlooked no details in ensuring the evening was fun for all. The gold “living statue” of Cupid was the center of attention in the lobby, and many attendees posed with Cupid for pictures. Other highlights included the ever popular wine pull, photo booth, silent auction and big board. Klockwork Band played until midnight and the dance floor was packed all evening. The event also honored Joni and Mark Fichter for their many years of service to the West U community. Thanks go to all of our underwriters and sponsors, in particular to our Heartbreaker underwriter, Direct Energy. Direct Energy has seized the spotlight when it comes to West U Parks: the company was the lead underwriter for the Fathers & Flashlights event held last October as well. Steven Murray, President, Direct Energy Residential, is a West U resident, and we extend a heartfelt thank you to him and Direct Energy! Friends of West U Parks is also deeply grateful to our Cupid’s Crush underwriters, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and Frost Bank, which will be opening a location in Rice Village soon. Thanks also to the many other underwriters and sponsors without whom our fundraising goals could never have been met. Believe it or not, the next Park Lovers’ Ball is already under way. It will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012, and will be chaired by Courtney Archer and Anne Freeman. Mark your calendar for next year and plan to be part of West U’s biggest and most fun annual gala. EGGStravaganza Saturday, April 16 Starts 10:00 am Recreation Center, 4210 Bellaire Blvd. The Parks & Recreation Department will host the big annual Easter egg hunt, featuring an “eggs-tra” special visit from the Easter Bunny. The hunt will take place on the field next to the Recreation Center. Please make sure to arrive early; the hunt starts promptly at 10:00, and Easter egg finders move fast! Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the memories and a basket to collect the eggs. Admission is free, and the event is open to children up to 11 years of age. For additional information, please call (713) 662-7420. Summer Camps, Summer Swim Lessons, and Recreation Class Registration Registration for summer camps is going on now! Registration for summer swim lessons and recreation classes begins at 8:00 am on April 20 for residents and on April 22 for non-residents. Sign up at the West University Place Recreation Center, 4210 Bellaire. Returning participants may be eligible for priority registration. For more information or a complete listing of camps and activities, please visit the Parks & Recreation page on the West U website at www.westutx.gov or contact the Parks Department at (713) 662-7420. Second Saturday Concerts Houston Folklore /Music Society April 9: Johnsmith May 14: Jon Brooks June 11: Michael Troy Community Building, 6104 Auden, 7:30 pm Tickets to these concerts of acoustic, folk or bluegrass music are sold at the door: adults $12, senior citizens (65+) $8 and children under 12 free with adults. Visit www.houstonfolkmusic.org for information on performers. Music Under the Stars Classical Concert Series April 1: The Apollo Chamber Players April 8: Texas Brass April 15: Zeger Strings Colonial Park Pavilion, 6:30 – 9:00 pm Enjoy some of the finest classical ensembles in the Houston area. Each informal concert is designed for newcomers and symphony enthusiasts alike. The evening begins with musical performances by children’s groups from throughout the community, followed by the main event. Remember to bring a blanket and picnic picnic basket for a perfect evening of classical music in the park. For more information, call (713) 662-7420 or go to www.westutx.gov. West University Place Recreation Center One-Year Anniversary April 12 marks the one-year anniversary of the new Recreation Center opening! Be sure to renew your memberships before they expire. New this year are Combo Memberships, which provide access to both the Recreation Center and the Colonial Park Pool rolled into one convenient pass. Avoid the crowds Get Involved While the annual Park Lovers’ Ball is our largest fundraiser, there are other ways to contribute to Friends and be involved with the West U parks. The Fathers & Flashlights campout, which raised over $52,000 last October, will be chaired by Sara Edgecomb, Maggie Garza and Amanda McGee next fall. Pavers are for sale at all West U parks and are a great way to acknowledge Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other special occasions, or to memorialize or honor a friend or loved one. The Friends & Neighbors Guild meets quarterly and provides a vehicle for involvement in smaller ways. For more information about Friends, to order your paver or to get involved with events, please call (713) 662-7430 or email DLaMond@WestUTX.gov. Amy Reeves, Jennifer Debow and Joni Fichter Amy Reeves, Robert Reid and Elizabeth Allen Jennifer Debow, Amy Reeves and Leah Ragiel and renew your memberships at the West University Place Recreation Center, 4210 Bellaire. Spring Swim Series Saturdays, April 2 – May 14 Colonial Park Pool, 9:00 –10:00 am Spring is here, and summer is on the way! It’s time to take part in the educational and enjoyable Get in the Swim series. For no added cost beyond the daily admission rate, you can get in one hour early to the pool and participate (or just watch) these fun lessons and demos. April 2: West University Piranhas Swim Team! Come out and speak with the folks who have the answers. Learn everything you need to know about the swim team, the coaches, practice and meet schedules, tryout information and more. April 9: Scuba Demo! Always wanted to try scuba diving? Well, now you can! This demonstration/participation session will allow you to watch or participate and see if scuba diving is something you would l ike to learn. April 16: Wally’s Pool School! Join Wally the Walrus and his swim instructors for a group swim lesson. If you are participating in summer swim lessons, this would be a great chance to get your children evalu ated so you know what level they should sign up for. April 23: Lifeguard Training! Watch or even join the lifeguards in one of their in-service trainings. You’ll learn what the lifeguards do each day to get the pool ready for operation and to keep you safe while you swim. April 30: Tennis Demonstration Day! Okay, this isn’t swimming, but here’s your chance to learn the basics of tennis. This exciting game is making a huge comeback in sports, so get in the action and give it a swing! Held at the Colonial Park Tennis Courts. May 7: Recreation Center comes to Colonial Park Pool! Come meet some of the the instructors and learn more about Boot Camp, Jazzercise, Yoga, Pilates, Ballet, summer camps and more. May 14: Sunscreen is a MUST! Learn all about sunscreen, skin care and preventive measures for you and your family. Representatives from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will be at the pool to provide information and give out samples. VIP Colonial Park Pool Day Friday, May 27, 5:30 – 8:30 pm Colonial Park Pool The Parks & Recreation Department invites all 2010 season membership holders to receive VIP treatment as a special “thank you” for a great 2010 summer season. This is an opportunity to enjoy an exclusive pre-summer evening at the pool. Admission is free. Please bring last year’s membership card for entry. Party on the Patio Fridays, June 3, 10, 17 and 24 7:00 – 9:00 pm Colonial Park Deck, 4130 Byron Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, sit back and enjoy a fantastic lineup of great local bands. Admission is $2 for the concert only; if you wish to swim, regular pool admission is required. Please visit the Parks & Recreation Special Events page on the website at www.westutx.gov for a complete schedule. 5 One of the most prevalent and growing crimes facing law enforcement today is burglary. The majority of the burglaries reported in West University Place are the result of residents failing to lock homes, garages and vehicles. The West U Police Department is asking for your assistance in reducing the number of these crimes involving unsecured property. In most of reported vehicle burglaries, vehicles were unlocked or had property inside that was visible to anyone walking by. Criminals check parked vehicles until they find one that is unlocked or they see valuable property inside. We would like to provide several basic tips to encourage citizens in developing crime prevention habits: • Never leave your vehicle running or with the keys in the ignition. • Don’t leave vehicles open and unlocked. • Always roll up the windows before you lock the car. • Never leave valuables in plain view even if you lock your car. At a minimum, put them in the trunk, but try to remove them if they are not needed in the vehicle. • • If you do not already have one, install a vehicle security alarm system. If you already have one, use it! Activate the alarm whenever you leave the car. The whooping alarm brings attention to the criminal. • Never leave items containing personal documentation and credit cards, such as purses, in your vehicle. • Park in your driveway or garage instead of on the street. All of the preventive actions are recommended even if you are parking “for just a minute” in front of your home or while dropping or picking up children at school or daycare facilities. With assistance and cooperation from residents, we can make West University Place a less attractive place for criminals and in turn reduce burglaries. We need your help, so please help us help you by securing your property. To further assist the Police Department, report any suspicious activity to our non-emergency number: (713) 668-0330. Dial 911 if the matter is urgent or an emergency. We also encourage reporting any potential crime information/tips to crime@westutx.gov. For additional information, contact Sgt. A.E. Gomez at (713) 668-0330, ext. 5869, or by emailing agomez@westutx.gov. City Currents Spring 2011 Public Safety GET READY! Disasters can happen anywhere and at any time. By taking the time to create an emergency supplies kit, your family will be prepared in the event of a disaster. The kit also helps children feel more secure knowing it is there in case of an emergency. The supplies can be kept in a plastic tub, small suitcase, trash can, backpack or other container. To learn what else you need in an emergency supplies kit, go to www.ready.gov. Emergency Supplies Kit • Water – one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation — store 3-day supply • Ready-to-eat food, canned juices, comfort/stress foods — at least a 3-day supply • Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA weather radio, and extra batteries for both • Flashlights and extra batteries • First aid kit • Non-prescription drugs such as pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, laxative • Prescription medications, contact lenses and supplies, denture needs • Whistle to signal for help • Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant • Water and pet food if you have pets • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation • Dust mask or cotton t-shirt to filter the air • Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities • Can opener for food • Aluminum foil • A jacket or coat, hat, and gloves • A complete change of clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes stored in a waterproof container. • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person • Rain gear • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils • Cash or traveler’s check, change • Paper towels • Tent • Compass • Matches in a waterproof container • Signal flare • Paper, pencil • Personal hygiene items • Soap • Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. Remember to include emergency contact numbers. • Passport, bank account numbers, credit card account numbers and companies • Books, games puzzles, portable music device NOTE: Replace food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs once a year. Replace batteries and update clothes, etc. Reproduced from NFPA, © NFPA 2011. For more information, visit the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org/disaster. Developed by NFPA. Funding provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness. Have children create their personal pack. Have them include things like their favorite book or stuffed animal. These familiar things will help keep them comfortable during an emergency. • Change of clothes. • Blanket • Books • Favorite toy • Paper, pencils, and crayons My Personal Pack Checklist Burglary Prevention 6 City Currents Spring 2011 Public Works Q: Who is responsible for trimming trees and shrubs over the sidewalks and streets? A: The Property Owner. Spring is a good time to look around your yard and start cleaning up and trimming vegetation that has grown over the year. Current code requires property owners to maintain the trees and shrubs that are located on their property. You need to provide vertical clearance above the roadway of 13 feet 6 inches (see diagram 1) and clearance above the sidewalk of 80 inches (see diagram 2). Another area that is in need of constant vigilance are trees or shrubs that grow near or in front of street signs (stop signs, speed limit signs, school zone signs, etc.), as in the photo of a partially obstructed stop sign. Here’s a good rule of thumb when deciding if growth needs to be cut back – if you cannot see the full sign from two to three property lots away (approx. 125 feet), then the vegetation needs to be trimmed. If you have any questions concerning road, sidewalk or sign clearance, please contact the West U Public Works Department at (713) 662-5839. Here is your chance to dispose of those unwanted items in your home at no charge. We will take most items EXCEPT for Household Hazardous Waste. To learn more, please visit the City’s website at www.westutx.gov and click the Solid Waste link. When: Saturday, April 30 Time: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm Where: West U Public Works Maintenance Facility 3826 Milton Available to West U Residents Only. Protect yourself from identity theft with FREE document shredding provided by SHRED-IT and the City of West U. When: Saturday, May 7 Time: 9:00 am – Noon Where: NEW LOCATION! West U Public Works Maintenance Facility 3826 Milton Limit: 5 banker boxes No business shredding Available to West U Residents Only. Heavy Trash Day! Save the Day with Free Shredding! 7 How to get rid of expired and unused prescriptions? In the greater Houston area alone, an estimated $1 billion of unused or expired pharmaceuticals are disposed of each year. Don’t Flush Pharmaceuticals are often both very toxic and resistant to chemical treatment, so dangerous drugs are frequently discharged from wastewater treatment plants unaltered. More than 100 different pharmaceuticals have been detected in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and streams throughout the world, and their ecological impacts are now being studied by the Environmental Protection Agency and other groups. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that prescription drugs should be flushed only if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so. A list of prescription drugs that can be flushed is available on the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov (in the search window, type in “drug disposal”). With the exception of this small group of prescriptions, flushing is not the answer. Participate in a Pharmaceutical Take-Back Program In the Houston area, only Costco currently offers such a program to its members. However, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has recently instituted a prescription drug take-back program. The initial event, held in September 2010, was quite successful nationwide. The DEA collected approximately 121 tons of pills from cities across the country, including 3,000 pounds in the Houston area. Based on the success of this event, the DEA is planning a second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day for Saturday, April 30, 2011. Locations will be posted when available on the DEA’s website at www.dea.gov (click “Drug Disposal” under “Useful Tools”). Proper Disposal If You Must In the meantime, the federal government has developed guidelines for disposing of medications. These guidelines instruct you to take prescription drugs out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance such as cat litter or used coffee grounds (to reduce their appeal to illegal users). Put the mixture into a sealable bag and dispose of this in the trash. Additionally, be sure to scratch off or mark over any identifying information, particularly your name and the prescription number, from the label on the empty drug container before recycling it. Prescription drugs are in large supply in almost every household. In fact, the Center for Disease Control estimates that 47.2% of all Americans, or 145 million people, take at least one prescription drug per month. As might be expected, prescription drug use tends to increase with age; over 65% of people aged 65 and older use three or more prescriptions on a regular basis. Because of a number of health and safety risks, it is important to remove expired and unused prescriptions from your home on a regular basis. Why get rid of outdated and unused prescriptions? Removing unused drugs prevents the accidental poisoning of children and pets; around 40% of childhood accidental poisonings occur in the homes of their grandparents. Drug abuse is encouraged by the availability of outdated prescriptions. More than 7 million Americans abuse prescription drugs, and each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. The majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including by raiding the home medicine cabinet. Finally, drug diversion from the burglary of homes with prescription drugs accumulated in drawers and medicine chests is a growing problem. City Currents Spring 2011 Public Works Proper Disposal of Pharmaceuticals Protecting People, Pets and the Environment FREE ADDITIONAL RECYCLING BIN The City Council recently approved an additional recycle bin for free for those residents that request one. Please see the insert in your April water bill for the details on how to request a recycle bin. Early Placement of Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste Causing a Problem! West U, we have a problem. Have you noticed recently in your neighborhood and throughout the City that some residents are placing their trash, recycling and yard waste curbside one to three days before their scheduled pickup day? Under current regulations, trash, recycling or yard waste cannot be placed curbside earlier than 6:00 pm the night before a pickup day nor later than 8:00 am the day of scheduled collection. These time limits are an effort to minimize the unsightly impact that trash, recycling and yard waste has on our community. Over the last couple of weeks, workers have conducted sweeps throughout the City to remind residents about early placement. Please be aware that if trash is placed curbside before the established times or if items that are not accepted are left unretrieved, the City will issue a special collection fee that is charged on the resident’s water bill. The minimum fee is $50, but it can be higher to cover the actual cost of collection. A lot of the issues with yard waste are caused when lawn service companies leave the cuttings curbside for collection. We ask residents to schedule their lawn service to coincide with the afternoon before their collection day. If that is not possible, then you should require your lawn service company to take the cuttings with them. Please remember, the special collection fee is charged to the homeowner and not to the lawn service company. If we all work together, we can keep West U looking good. If you have any questions concerning the rules and guidelines for collection, please visit www.westutx.gov or (713) 662-5839. C U R R E N T S 8 City Currents Spring 2011 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUSTON, TX PERMIT NO. 134 City of West University Place 3800 University Boulevard West University Place, Texas 77005 A Newsletter for the citizens of West University Place Spring 2011 City of West U Officials City council Mayor Bob Kelly members Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Fry George Boehme Chuck Guffey Steven Segal City Michael Ross (713) 662-5810 Manager or mross@westutx.gov General (713) 668-4441 Information City Website www.westutx.gov City Currents is a quarterly publication and is printed on recycled paper.