August 2015 City Connection
CITY
CONNECTION
Volume 11, Issue 3
August 2015
Calendar
August 2015
4 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
5 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
6 - Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 12 p.m.
9 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
18 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
19 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
20 - Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
26 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
September 2015
1 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
2 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
3 - Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
7 - Labor Day - City offices closed
12 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
15 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
16 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
17 - Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
23 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
30 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
Submit requests for Heavy Trash pick-up
before noon on Wednesday,
the week prior to pick-up,
at 294-5796.
Learn more about
City events at
www.huntsvilletx.gov
Sign up for our digital newsletter,
“This Week in Huntsville!”
The City’s digital newsletter is a must, issued twice a month and
arriving directly in your email inbox, full of features to keep every-
one in your home or office informed. Check it out!
To subscribe, log onto the City’s Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov and
click on the Publications tab.
You’ll automatically receive a free digital newsletter
twice each month!
You’ve likely noticed that sound in the air, a persistent and steadily in-
creasing buzz - it’s the swarm! Over the last year, groups all around the
area have been working with HISD to show their support, which will con-
verge on downtown Huntsville on August 28 with the first “Feel the Sting”
Day!
Economic developers believe that strong schools can be an attraction to
business and potential residents. The school district serves the majority
of local families and is a major employer, making it in the best interest of
the community for it to be effective and integrated with the community.
To encourage this, a group of churches, civic groups, local entities, and
individuals have banded together to adopt campuses and classrooms.
Known as Promoting Our Positives (POP), the network has provided count-
less hours of service and spread the word on the good news at HISD. Ac-
tivities have included tutoring, teacher support, positive notes and treats
for teachers and students at testing time, classroom resources and mate-
rials, and more.
The response has been overwhelming, from the public and the District,
with both sides saying how much they gain from the relationships and
greater involvement with the community’s children and their educators.
To publicly symbolize this, POP developed the Hornet flag project. Mem-
bers of the public donating $35 for a Hornet flag for the downtown area,
or $25 for a flag for their home or business, can share in this visual ex-
pression of spirit and appreciation. (This is an ongoing project, contact
the Chamber of Commerce at 295-8113 at any time to participate.)
As year two of the project begins, a very special event, the first to involve
the flags, is on the horizon - “Feel the Sting” Day! On August 28, the date
of the first Hornet varsity football home game this year, the flags will be
out in full force around the square. All who have purchased a home/
business flag are encouraged to display them, also, to really show a “Luv
ya green!” attitude.
At the City Council meeting on August 18, Mayor Woodward will issue a
proclamation in honor of “Feel the Sting” Day, so join him that evening at
6:00 p.m. Then, be sure to display your flag on August 28, and make
time to visit the square that day. Last, but definitely not least, remember
to thank an educator or education support staff team member, and let a
child know their educational success is important to you!
“Feel the Sting” Day
Are you reading this in green?
Effective August 26, 2015, job seekers will find a modernized application process in
the Human Resources (HR) Department. Online applications will then be available
through www.huntsvilletx.gov, and the City will no longer accept paper applications.
Julie O’Connell, HR Director, is excited about the new opportunity for applicants.
“This is something that has been in the "works" for a very long time, and we have now
been able to complete it as part of the new website” she said. “HR will also have two
computers available to complete online applications in the HR office.”
The new process will provide benefits to applicants, as they will be able to apply for
more than one position without having to complete additional forms, and they can
track the jobs they’re interested in easily and at any time. It will also be easier to at-
tach additional documentation such as resumes and certifications.
Because the City’s website is designed to adapt to use on tablets, smartphones, and
other electronic devices, applicants can access the system with greater convenience.
Current City employees, volunteers, and interns will have specialized applications
through the online process.
The process will also enable HR to better and more quickly communicate with candi-
dates on their application status, scheduled interviews, and follow up notifications.
For more information, contact Sandra Cuevas, HR Coordinator, at 936 -291-5914.
Electronic HR applications available
Free Spanish Classes at Huntsville Public Library
The ever popular free Spanish classes are returning to the Huntsville Public Library! Instructor Beth Williamson will be teac hing Inter-
mediate and Advanced classes on Tuesdays in the Community Room. Classes begin September 8, and materials are provid-
ed. Register now to reserve your spot – only 35 students maximum for each class.
Intermediate classes will meet from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and advanced classes from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register online a t
www.myhuntsvillelibrary.com or call Mary Kokot at 936-291-5471 for additional information.
The splash pad is OPEN! If you haven’t been by
lately, it’s been too long! Adjacent to the Frank
D. “Poncho” Roberts Aquatic Center, the pad is
wet from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the hours ex-
pected to remain the same through the month of
October.
Aquatic Center Manager Jay Miller is pleased by
the announcement.
“We welcome all to come enjoy the splash pad
and beat the summer heat,” Miller said. “This is
another fun way to enjoy the City’s aquatic facili-
ties. I hope our residents enjoy this alternative
to taking a plunge in the pool!”
While you’re drying out in the sun, don’t forget
the City’s Free Little Library is located at the
same property, between the pool and the splash
pad. Drop off books, borrow a book, find a new
favorite story!
This Little Free Library was an installation of the
City’s Youth Advisory Board in May 2014.
Meet John Agey of the Parks & Leisure Department
John Agey, Parks & Leisure Manager, and USAF, Retired, has worked with the City for fourteen years. We stopped him for a
three-question interview!
What’s the best thing about your job? Prepping ball fields, because
you can see the progress in your work and people appreciate it be-
ing done right. (You also get to mow patterns in the grass!)
What do you wish people knew about Huntsville parks? There are
several pocket parks more of our residents would enjoy, and other
larger ones that need more use, too. Our Department offers excel-
lent Recreation Services programs like Outdoor Explorer and
Zumba, and the splash pad just reopened!
Which is your favorite City of Huntsville park and why? It used to be
Gibbs Park when it was more forested, but now it’s the trails in the
Eastham-Thomason Park. It’s like being out of the city without leav-
ing town. You can’t hear city noises, but you see wildlife like rab-
bits, hawks, and foxes.
CITY CONNECTION Page 2
City Splash Pad reopens!
CITY CONNECTION Page 3
Town Creek Grant Awarded!
Notification is culmination of six years of effort
The City of Huntsville was pleased to receive notification this week that it has received the award letter from the Texas Dep artment of
Emergency Management (TDEM), approving a scope of work for “Improvements along approximately 1.5 miles of Town Creek between
7th Street and Bearkat Boulevard in downtown Huntsville…” Acceptance of this $8,763,910.00 amount from TDEM and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to be combined with a City match of $2,921,302.00, is the culmination of over six years o f
work to secure the funds.
Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director of Neighborhood Services, was elated and relieved by the news.
“We have been expecting this for some time,” McKibben said. “Knowing that the application had met all the anticipated approvals and
that the monies had been allocated left only this formality to be met in order to move ahead with the entire project.”
The original timeline for completion was 24 months, but FEMA and TDEM have agreed to grant a 36 -month timeline.
In April 2009, the City applied for $11.1 million in funding to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program through the Texas Departm ent of
Emergency Management (TDEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve the drainage along Town Creek from
Sycamore Avenue to 7th Street. Subsequently, FEMA issued a Request for Information in January 2010, and Klotz and Associates was
hired to assist the City in responding.
On December 13, 2010, TDEM and FEMA awarded the City $392,000, with a match of $130,668, for Phase I Design of the project
which included bringing the project to 30% design. Klotz and Associates was selected as the engineering firm for the project an d was
awarded the contract. On October 2, 2012, the City Council amended the contract to include an additional $105,900, for a tota l fee of
$497,900, to complete and secure the United States Army Corps of Engineers permit and finalize the Environmental Assessment t hat
FEMA required but did not originally fund in Phase I. This additional funding is provided by FEMA and is included as a cost o verrun.
The Corps of Engineers Permit was issued on December 23, 2014. The Environmental Assessment was approved and FEMA issued a
Finding of No Significant Impact on May 14, 2015 which resulted in FEMA approval to award Phase II of the project. The City C ouncil
amended the contract with Klotz and Associ-
ates on May 5, 2015 for the Design and Engi-
neering of Phase II.
Due to the length of time working through FE-
MA’s requirements (six years), FEMA requested
an updated project budget in January 2015.
The updated project budget is $12,207,880
and FEMA has agreed to increase the original
request from 2009 to reflect this amount. The
$12,207,880 total project budget includes
$753,003 of City “In-kind” match, leaving a
cash budget of $11,454,877 needed for the
project.
On June 5, 2015, FEMA released funding for
Phase II of the project and, on June 23, 2015,
the City was informed FEMA sent a letter to
TDEM indicating the funding was obligated and
available to the State. On June 9, 2015, the
City Manager provided formal Notice to Pro-
ceed with final design to Klotz. As formal grant
award was then imminent, the City Council au-
thorized acceptance of the grant, signature
authority to the Mayor and City Manager, and
approved the requisite budget amendments on
July 7, 2015.
City of Huntsville Recycling Guidelines
Direct questions to (936) 294-5712
Curbside recycling guidelines:
1. Rinse all plastics and cans to remove residue
2. Only plastics 1-7 stamped with number and symbol
3. Flatten items to save room inside of cart
4. Keep cart five (5) feet from all other objects including vehi-
cles
5. Carts must be placed at the curb or street’s edge no later
than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Carts must be re-
moved from the street’s edge by the end of the collection
day (carts cannot be stored at the street’s edge)
Items that cannot be placed in the City cart:
Garbage, food waste, yard waste, loose shredded paper,
glass/oil/filters, batteries, cell phones, electronics, Styrofoam,
aluminum foil, or plastic bags of any kind.
No plastic wrap, shrink wrap, or bubble wrap. No Styrofoam,
even if it has a recycling number and symbol on item.
Recycling Drop-Off Center Information:
The Recycling Center accepts self-hauled recyclable items and is located at
590 I-45 North. The Recycling Center Attendant will be onsite to assist cus-
tomers from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Drop-offs can still be
made Monday - Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and holiday closings
are posted.
Recycling Drop-off Center Guidelines:
Aluminum - Soda cans, beer cans: Flattened/unflattened. Keep aluminum
cans separate from steel cans. NO FOIL, BAKING PANS OR FOOD TRAYS.
Steel Cans - Food cans, pet food cans, aerosol cans: Rinse out the can, you
can leave the label on. Aerosol cans must be empty.
Newspaper - Whatever comes inside the newspaper can be recycled. Stack
and put in paper bags or cardboard boxes. Throw away plastic rain sleeves
and rubber bands.
Magazines - catalogs, phone books: Keep separate from newspaper. Place
in brown bags or small cardboard boxes. DO NOT place in plastic bags.
Paper - White or colored paper, remove paper clips, rubber bands and sta-
ples if possible. Put in small boxes or paper stacks.
Glass - Clear, green or brown only: Throw away lids, rinse out. You can
leave the label on. Place glass in separate containers. NO window panes,
light bulbs or dishware.
Cardboard - Toilet/paper towel cores, food boxes, medicine boxes, shoe
boxes, shipping/moving boxes, sugar bags, dog/cat food bags which in-
clude a recycling logo, paper bags. NO packing materials, plastic liners or
foam.
Plastics - Numbered 1-7: Recycling symbol and number are required.
Milk Jugs and Water Jugs - Throw away cap/lid. Rinse with warm water and
try to flatten. Keep these jugs separate from soda bottles or colored plas-
tic.
Other #1 and #2 Plastic Containers - Examples of other recyclable contain-
ers: syrup bottles #3, snap-on coffee lids #4, cottage cheese containers
#5, yogurt containers #6, and ketchup bottles #7
Drop-off Center Also Accepts: Used motor oil, oil filters, cooking oil and anti-
freeze.
Visit www.huntsvilletx.gov for Area curbside recycling schedules and more
recycling information.
Yard Waste Specifics
Collection Service: 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednes-
day of each month - No call-in required!
Yard waste is classified as leaves, grass, pine needles,
yard clippings and small brush, items referred to as
“green waste.”
The total number of paper compostable-bagged, canned,
or bundled yard waste items is limited to twelve (12) per
household per collection day. All yard waste materials
must be placed within two (2) feet of street’s edge no
later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of the scheduled
pick-up.
Yard waste such as leaves, grass, pine needles or small
clippings must be:
(1) Bagged in paper compostable bags (not to exceed
30 gallons) or placed in personal garbage can;
(2) Cannot exceed 50 pounds each;
(3) City-issued garbage and recycling carts cannot be
filled with yard waste.
Tree limbs and brush must be:
(1) No longer than four (4) feet in length;
(2) Limbs no larger than four (4) inches in diameter;
(3) Must be tied securely in bundles which cannot ex-
ceed two (2) feet in diameter and can’t exceed 50
pounds each.
The following items and locations DO NOT qualify for
Yard Waste pick-up:
(1) Household garbage of any kind;
(2) Anything other than green waste: NO flower pots,
fertilizer, mulch, bags, dirt, potting soil, sand, rock,
gravel, etc.
(3) Commercial businesses or commercially generated
yard waste.
Bring your City utility bill showing that you pay for gar-
bage service and dispose of your yard waste at the City
Transfer Station free of charge. This excludes commer-
cial customers, yard waste contractors, and any lawn
service providers. The customer must be present with
their current City garbage bill at the time of disposal.
For more information on yard waste trimming collection
services, contact the Solid Waste Services Division at
(936) 294-5712