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May 2006 City Connection City Connection May 2006 Volume 2, Number 8 www.huntsvilletx.gov Fiscal Year 2007 City Calendar Budget Meetings May 23 City Council Meeting Once again, the City of ation. Our first council the Council must then set @ 6:00 p.m. at City Huntsville staff and City work sessions are sched-the appropriate Property Hall 29 Memorial Day Ob Council will soon begin uled for June 9 and 10 Tax Rate by September served—City Offices planning sessions leading followed by a second 19, 2006. Will be Closed to the adoption of a budg-round on June 30 and July June We invite your attendance et for Fiscal Year 2007 1, 2006. These sessions 6 City Council Meeting at these sessions. Moreo- (October 1, 2006 through will be posted in accord- @ 6:00 p.m. at City ver, we will keep you up- September 2007), as well ance with the Texas Open Hall dated on any changes to as the adoption of the Meetings Act and will be 9 & 10 City Council Budget the dates provided above Property Tax Rate neces-open to the public. Session in subsequent issues of 19 Juneteenth—City sary to support that budg- The Council's goal is to this newsletter, on the Offices Closed et. 20 City Council Meeting conduct our final budget City web site and through @ 6:00 p.m. at City We anticipate that by June review on August 15, 2006 the local media. Hall 6, 2006 the City Manager and, following any revi- 24 City/HISD Runoff kevans@huntsvilletx.gov will present to the City sions, adopt the budget no Election (if necessary) Council a proposed budget later than September 5, Please visit developed by the staff for 2006. Following adoption www.huntsvilletx.gov for a council review and deliber-of the budget by Council, complete/current schedule UTILITY PAYMENT OPTIONS HUNTSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT Utility payments may be made hours of Monday - Friday, 8:00 business day. There is a fee of SWEEPS in person, by mail, by phone, am - 5:00 pm, with a credit or $1.25 for these payments which by automatic bank draft, check/debit card (which does is charged by our software pro- COMPETITION through the Internet, or placed not require a PIN number en-vider. in our night drop. try). There is no fee for this Many of customers pay their bill Members of the Huntsville service. The phone number is In Person through a “bill payer” linked with (936) 291-5431. Fire Department recently their bank. Please note that at competed against other Fire- The utility billing office is locat- Bank Draft this time these payments are fighters in East Texas at the ed inside City Hall in the front not received electronically, but East Texas Firemen’s Con- of the building. Office hours are You may have your bill amount rather arrive as checks in the vention in Scenic Loop. Monday through Friday, 8:00 directly drafted from your mail. If you utilize this type of am - 5:00 pm. There are two checking or savings account bill payment system, please Firefighters Jeremy O’Neill, payment/service windows in each month. All drafts are keep in mind that your provider th the lobby area and a drive-thru processed on the 5 of each John French, David Cohen, will be mailing a check, so be window at the front of the month. To activate this ser- sure to allow an adequate num-John Collins, Joey Burleyson building. Virtually all forms of vice, please contact the utility ber of days for the check to be and Jason January all placed payment, such as cash, check, billing office or download the processed and mailed. Please first in the Pumper Team money order, credit card (Visa, form from our webpage. The double check to make sure that Competition. MasterCard, American Express, web address is http:// your account number on these and Discover), and check/debit www.huntsvilletx.gov/finance/ payments is correct, especially if Jeremy O’Neill, David Cow- cards which bear the Visa or ub/index.htm. you have moved your service en, and Jason January all MasterCard logo, are accepted recently as this will cause your nd placed 2 in the 3 man Internet at all payment windows. When account number to change. Payments may be made direct- Pumper team competition. utilizing the drive-thru please ly through the City of Hunts- have your bill or your account Night Drop ville website by opening your Jason January, David Collins number. Internet browser and navi-If you wish to drop a payment and David Cowen placed Mail gating to www.huntsvilletx.gov outside of our regular business first in the hose handling and follow the link to “Online hours, a night deposit is availa- competition as well. Payments should be mailed to: Bill Pay”. You may also access ble. The night deposit is located the payment site from the Utili-in the drive-thru lane just past If you see any of these guys City of Huntsville Utility ty Billing webpage shown in the the payment window. Please do around town, wish them Billing preceding paragraph. You will not pay with cash and be sure to luck, they are going to be 1212 Avenue M need to register as a user for include your account number Huntsville,Tx 77340-4608 representing Huntsville in account access, but this is a with your payment when using very short and simple one-time the night deposit. the State Competition June Note: Please insure that your process. Please note that pay- th 10th-14. account number is included jweaver@huntsvilletx.gov ments may only be made with with your payment. a Visa or MasterCard credit or check/debit card which does jjanuary@huntsvilletx.gov Phone not require the entry of a PIN number. Payments are posted Payments may be made by to your utility account the next phone, during regular office MAY 2006 CITY CONNECTION PAGE 2 Aquatic Center Update National Public Works Week May 21-27, 2006 It’s spring time in Huntsville The Aquatic Center’s two with summer temperatures pools will offer fun and variety National Public cies and profes-States Senate resolu- already on the rise. We to anyone’s visit. The recrea-Works Week sionals to take the tion affirming the first know everyone is eagerly tional pool is a zero depth (NPWW) is a cele-opportunity to National Public Works awaiting the opening of the entry pool. The colorful poles bration of the tens make their stories Week in 1960, letters Aquatic Center to cool off. that you can now see are for of thousands of men known in their of acknowledgment Well, we have good news for the play elements (spay can-and women in North communities. Over from Presidents you! If you have driven by nons, raining buckets, water America who provide the years the ob-Dwight Eisenhower the pool site lately you will tunnels, and several others) and maintain the servances have and Lyndon Johnson, notice that the two pools that will be featured in this infrastructure and taken many forms, and a Presidential have taken shape. Although pool. On the deep end, there services better including parades, Proclamation signed it looks small during con-will be a 7 foot water slide known in Huntsville displays of public by John F. Kennedy in struction, rest assured it is with a 52 foot flume. The lap as Public Services. works equipment, 1962. the right size! pool is a 25 yard, eight-lane The celebration be-high school essay competition sized pool. gan as a public edu-contests, open National Public Works Workers are wrapping up the cation campaign by houses, programs Week is observed pools and the decking will As you recall, the construction the American Public for civic organiza- each year during the start in the near future. of the Aquatic Center began in Works Association tions and media third full week of They are also currently December 2005. The con- (APWA) in 1960, events. The City of May. Through NPWW working on the bath house struction of the pool is still on NPWW calls atten-Huntsville has cele- and other efforts, and pouring the foundation schedule with an anticipated tion to the im-brated this event APWA seeks to raise for the surge tanks and me-opening date in July 2006. portance of public for the past four the public’s aware- chanical building. services in commu-years by staging an ness of public works rkader@huntsvilletx.gov nity life. The Week equipment rodeo issues and to increase strives to enhance and a proclamation confidence in public the prestige of the to City Council. works employees who often unsung heroes are dedicated to im- in our communities, The occasion is proving the quality of the professionals marked each year life for present and who serve the public with resolutions future generations. good every day with and proclamations tthornton@huntsvillet quiet dedication and from mayors and x.gov resolve. governors, as well. Huntsville State Park 50th Anniversary Some special high- APWA encourages lights of NPWW Celebration public works agen- include a United Burn Permits Required Police/Fire th On May 18, 1956 Hunts-canoes and kayaks provid- ville State Park was offi-ed by the City of Huntsville The Huntsville Fire Department issues burn- cially dedicated as a Texas Parks and Recreation De-Statistics ing permits to citizens wishing to burn yard State Park. Since that partment. Take a hike or debris at their home. This clearing has to be time, the park has grown ride a bike on our 15 miles March 2006 done by hand, and cannot be done with into one of the State’s of trails that wind through heavy machinery such as dozers. Our pro- more popular outdoor rec-the beautiful Pineywoods. Police: Police: Police: gram only applies to residents who want to reation destinations, offer-Or, simply come out and burn small amounts of brush. You must burn ing a wide variety of activi-have a picnic and relax. only during the day and all flames have to be  Calls for service ties including camping, out before nightfall. An adult must be visible In honor of this anniver- picnicking, hiking, biking, 3353 at all times while the fire is burning. sary celebration, day use fishing and boating, to entry into Huntsville State name a few.  Because weather and fire conditions are ever Arrests made Park will be FREE on May changing, part of your burning permit agree- 122 thth This year on May 18, 18. Other free days will ment requires you to call our dispatch center Huntsville State Park kicks be scheduled throughout to log in each day that you plan to burn. This  Accidents investi- will allow us to tell you if there is a burn ban off a year-long anniversary the year as well. So, come gated 82 in effect when you want to burn. celebration with a park out and enjoy the great “open house”. A variety of outdoors and help us cele-  Our Fire Department permits are endorsed by Animal Control programs and activities will brate 50 years as Hunts- City Ordinance…If you are found burning a complaints inves- be offered throughout the ville’s State Park. For brush pile without a permit, or during a burn tigated 96 day. To name a few…come more information about ban, you may be fined. take a canoe “nature hike” the many scheduled pro- Fire: Fire: Fire: with a Texas Parks & Wild-grams and activities, call Your home is your most valuable investment, life Environmental Special-the park at 936-295-5644. let us help you protect it…if you are going to ist, learn “All About Alliga- burn yard waste, allow Fire Marshal Tom  Calls for service sbrim@huntsvilletx.gov tors” from a Wildlife Biolo- Grisham to tell you the safest times to burn. 151 gist or learn how to be- rkader@huntsvilletx.gov If you have any questions or concerns, call come an amateur bird-  Main alarm calls your Huntsville Fire Department at watcher. Enjoy boating on 936.291.3047 or jjanuary@huntsvilletx.gov 22 beautiful Lake Raven with MAY 2006 CITY CONNECTION PAGE 3 FREE Disposal of Yard Waste Hurricane Season Begins June 1 and Lasts Through November 30 Trimmings and Leaves Plan Ahead – And Be hand (small bills), because power outages mean banks Prepared! The City of Huntsville is offering free disposal of and ATMs may not be availa- yard waste trimmings and leaves at the City of ble. Make your evacuation plans Huntsville’s disposal site located at 590 IH 45 ahead of time: What will you 3. First Aid Kit. take with you? Where will you North, Monday thru Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to go? What will you do with pets 5:00 p.m. 4. Extra prescription medica- and livestock? tions. Any city residential utility customer who brings Put together an emergency 5. Toilet paper, clean up sup- a copy of their utility bill may dump their yard supply kit now. If you already plies (wet wipes), personal have one, check to make sure waste trimmings for free. The yard waste trim- hygiene products and special the water and other supplies mings must be clean of all debris and not products for babies and the are fresh. Be sure it includes a elderly. bagged when dumping into the City’s yard NOAA weather radio and extra waste pile. No limbs larger than six (6) inches batteries. 6. For your pets, include pet in diameter will be accepted for free disposal. food, bowls collars, identifi- Make sure all family members cation tags, leashes and car- have the name and phone If you have any questions pertaining to the free rying cases. number for a friend or family yard waste trimmings and leaves disposal, member outside your city or 7. Blankets, pillows, sleeping please call the Solid Waste Services Division at state. If you become separated bags and extra clothing. – call this person to check in 936-294-5723. and get news of others in your 8. Copies of important docu- group. ments such as proof of resi- cblaylock@huntsvilletx.gov dence, account numbers, Your Emergency Supply insurance phone numbers. Kit Should Include: Keep these in a waterproof container (like a ziploc bag- 1. Food and bottled water. This publication is brought to you by the gie). Supplies should include a three City of Huntsville Communications Com- -day supply of non-perishable 9. Battery-operated NOAA mittee. If you have any questions, com- food, one gallon of water per weather radio, flashlight, ments, or suggestions regarding this person, per day, utensils, paper extra keys, tools and extra plates and a manual can open- newsletter, please contact the City Secre- batteries. er. tary’s Office at 291-5413 or City Hall, 1212 10. Road maps Ave M, Huntsville, Texas 77340 2. Cash. Keep some cash on- Sbrim@huntsvilletx.gov Back Flow Water Utility Customers… Your Responsibilities We turn on the water faucet program designed to educate a hose left dangling carelessly What should a customer many times every day, expect-the community about the inside the container to be filled, do to avoid the possibility ing it to be readily available shared responsibilities and creating the potential of the of cross contamination? and safe to drink, whenever we commitment of both the cus-reserve flow of water. Avoid situations from occur- want it. tomer and the utility in main- Adding water to a car radiator ring such as those described. taining the level of quality “Safe drinking water” is man-with a garden hose left inside Also, the customer can in- drinking water. dated by state and national vehicle’s radiator. stall hose bibb vacuum agencies, such as the Environ-What are some possible breakers on all outdoor fau- Leaving a garden hose to water mental Protection Agency. With ways that someone might cets. They can be purchased plants or shrubs in an elevated these guidelines, all municipal cause a cross contamina-at any homeowner supply position that could cause con- water utilities are responsible tion? store. Installation of the taminated material to be re- for ensuring the protection of hose bibb vacuum breakers Lack of an improper use of turned to home piping because safe drinking water. does not require major backflow prevention devices, of gravity flow. plumbing skills to install. Even with strict regulations, such as a hose bibb vacuum The possibility of cross contam- situations can occur when breaker. For more information regard- ination exists whenever water backflow of contaminants are ing back flow prevention, call Spraying chemicals on the pressure is lost in the home inadvertently allowed to enter the City of Huntsville Water lawn, permitting a back siphon-due to a break in the service, our drinking water supply. Maintenance Division at 294- age to “suck” chemicals back repairs are being made, or 5700. The City of Huntsville Public into your house piping. through nearby fire fighting Services Department has de-activities which may reduce tthornton@huntsvilletx.gov Filling a sink, tub, or pool with veloped a backflow prevention water pressure. MAY 2006 CITY CONNECTION PAGE 4 RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS DETERMINE THEIR OWN SEWER CHARGE All of us should practice Q. Once I have an av-Q. Why are only resi-Q. What program was water conservation every erage, will it ever dential customers eligi-in place prior to this day. In addition to pre-change? ble for this program? one? serving a valuable natural A. Yes. Your average will A. Residential accounts A. Until October 2002, resource, conservation be updated each year vary seasonally due to residential customers had helps reduce cost for eve- when we average your lawn sprinkling, the filling a maximum sewer charge ryone. During the winter November through Febru-of swimming pools, and of 10,000 gallons each months, residential cus- ary usage. It could the number of people month. All customers had tomers can take another go up, go down or stay in the house-hold. Histori-the same maximum opportunity to be con- the same; it depends on cally, commercial and (which was based on the servative with their water how much water you use multi-family (apartment) city-wide average of resi- usage and it can translate during those months. accounts do not vary dential customers) regard- directly into savings for Your average can also be much seasonally. If they less of what their individu- them! Specifically, each adjusted if you experi-are sprinkling, they gener-al household was putting year during the winter enced a leak or other unu-ally have separate meters into the sewer system. months, residential cus- sual circumstance during so that their sewer rate is tomers will automatically Q. So how can this pro- the winter months, which affected only by domestic, have their monthly water gram help me save caused high usage. or inside, usage. As well, consumption averaged to money? the occupancy factor of establish the sewer charge Q. Why do you use the multi-family accounts af- that the customer will A. Keep your water usage winter billing months fect monthly usage and have for the next 12 as low as you can during for averaging? makes it difficult to accu- months. The sewer aver- the winter months rately measure consump- aging program was origi- A. Traditionally, these (November through Febru- tion for each household. nally put into effect in Oc- four months have the low-ary. Remember that wa- tober 2002, and was est consumption for resi-tering your lawn or filling Q. Wouldn’t it be more amended in October 2003. dential customers. The a pool during these equitable to just meter primary reason for this is months will affect your my sewer? FREQUENTLY ASKED residential customers are winter water usage and QUESTIONS not watering their lawns, A. No. It would be ex-ultimately your sewer and water usage is mainly tremely costly to the City charge for the year. If Q. How exactly do you inside the house. This of Huntsville as well as to you suspect you have a average my winter generally means that the its customers to meter leak in a toilet or your months’ usage? majority of the water used sewer. Sewer meters are sprinkler system, they A. We take the water con-is going down the sewer. expensive to buy, expen-should be repaired imme- sumption for the months sive to maintain and not diately and then reported Q. What is my sewer of November, December, as accurate as water me-to the Utility Billing Office charge if I am a new January, and February ters. Usually, metering in order to request an ad- customer and do not (the usage shown on your sewer is reserved only for justment to your bill and have winter month us- December, January, Feb-large commercial or indus-to your sewer average. age history? ruary and March billings), trial users and then those REMINDER… and establish your aver-accounts are reviewed on A. If you have not estab- age winter usage. The an individual basis to de- lished a winter average We print a reminder mes- sewer charge is then cal-termine if it is cost effec- usage, you are billed for sage about this averaging culated on this average tive only to do this special sewer charges on 80% of program on your bills each usage, and this amount is type of metering. There your water meter us-year. The message will then set as your sewer are only a handful of sew- age, up to a maximum of give you the approximate charge that will be used er meters used within the 10,000 gallons (maximum dates during which water from April of that year City of Huntsville current- charge is $53.96). consumption you use will through the following ly. be averaged to determine March. Q. Do you still read my your sewer charge. Q. Why was this pro- water meter monthly? Q. Once I have my av-gram implemented? Call the Utility Billing office erage, does this mean I A. Yes. We must read at (936) 291-5431 and we A. It is a more equitable will be charged this your water meter to deter- will be glad to assist you system for billing sewer to same amount every mine how much water you with this or any other residential customers. month? should be billed for each questions you have about Each customer’s sewer month. your sewer charge or any A. Yes. This will be your billings are “customized” account billing questions. sewer charge for the next to match their own usage twelve months. patterns. jweaver@huntsvilletx.gov