August 2014 City Connection
CITY
CONNECTION
Volume 10, Issue 10
August 2014
Calendar
August 2014
5 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
6 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
7 - Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 12 p.m.
13 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
19 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
20 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
21 - Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
27 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
September 2014
2 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
3 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
4 - Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 12 p.m.
10 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
16 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
17 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection
18 - Planning & Zoning Commission -
City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
24 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste
Submit requests for Heavy Trash pick-up
before noon on Monday, the week of the pick-up
at 294-5796.
Learn more about
City events at
www.huntsvilletx.gov
The Huntsville Police Department asks all citizens to be especially mindful during
the coming months of the beginning of the school year and the associated traffic
concerns.
According to HPD Lieutenant Jim Barnes, the increased presence of Sam Houston
State University students on main roadways and the renewed enforcement of school
zones and the laws pertaining to school busses should be on the minds of all
drivers, especially through the months of August and September.
“The Huntsville Independent School District, Sam Houston State University and
other local campuses will be back in session, and there will be a lot more traffic and
a lot more kids to consider,” Barnes said. “We’re encouraging all citizens to be
aware, plan accordingly when driving within the city, and be patient and cognizant of
your surroundings.”
Barnes said citizens should review the locations of school zones on their daily travel
routes as well as the speed limits in effect during drop-off and pick-up hours.
“Every campus has protocols for how to enter and exit, and we’re asking citizens to
observe those protocols,” he said. “There will be officers available to assist and
answer questions, but they will also issue citations for those who violate traffic laws.
“Also, when you’re driving near school zones, remember to keep an eye out for
children who will be walking or riding their bikes to school.”
Within residential areas, drivers are also cautioned to observe the laws related to
school bus stop signs, Barnes said.
“There are numerous bus stops throughout residential areas, and citations will be
issued for those not stopping for school bus signs,” he said. “When the stop signs
on a school bus are out, vehicles are required to stop whether they are behind that
bus or across the street from it.
“In these situations, please be patient, or plan alternative routes to avoid
temporarily congested areas.”
Finally, Barnes said drivers on Sam Houston Avenue and 11th Street should be
ready for an influx of university student drivers who are unfamiliar with the
Huntsville area.
“We’re asking that drivers consider the fact that many incoming freshman may be
driving in Huntsville for the first time,” Barnes said. “Again, please be patient, but if
there is a situation which you feel may require law enforcement attention, make us
aware of it and we will act accordingly.”
Cell phone usage
Citizens are also reminded that the use of cell phones when school zones are active
is against City ordinance and punishable by a fine not to exceed $200. This
regulation applies to both calling and texting, and the same fine applies to speeding
in school zones.
For more information or with any questions, contact Barnes at (936) 291 -5496. See
page 2 for school zone information.
Citizens: Please be mindful of school zone period speed limits
Huntsville High School: FM 2821
7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m./ 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - 35 miles per hour
Huntsville Intermediate & Scott Johnson Elementary:
US 190 - 7:30 a.m. to 8:05 a.m./ 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - 30 mph
Huntsville Elementary: 87 Martin Luther King Drive
Gibbs Elementary: 19th Street Stewart Elementary: 3400 Boettcher
Sam Houston Elementary: 1600 7th St. Mance Park Middle School: 8th Street
All five campuses:7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m./ 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - 20 mph
Speeding or use of cell phone is punishable by a fine not to exceed $200. Call the
Huntsville Police Department for more information at (936) 291 -5480.
HPD encourages back-to-school driving safety
Remember school zone speed limits, cell phone safety
CITY POLLING LOCATIONS FOR NOVEMBER 4 ELECTION
Ward 1 –
Pct. 102 - Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue Suite 101
Ward 2 –
Pct. 201 - Walker County Storm Shelter/Veterans Complex, 455 State Highway 75 North
Pct. 401 - University Heights Baptist Church, 2400 Sycamore Avenue
Ward 3 –
Pct.101 - Walker County Justice Center, 717 FM 2821
Pct. 301 - Huntsville ISD Transportation Building, 95 Martin Luther King Dr.
Ward 4 –
Pct. 205 - Elkins Lake Conference Center, 634 Cherry Hills Drive
Pct. 206 - Huntsville Fire Station #1, 1987 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Pct. 401 - University Heights Baptist Church, 2400 Sycamore Avenue
All Walker County polling locations are available at www.co.walker.tx.us in the “Current
Elections” tab, and will be included in future issues of the City Connection.
Photo ID Required for Texas Voters
Voters are now required to present one of the following forms of photo ID when voting in person:
(1) Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
(2) Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
(3) Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
(4) Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
(5) United States military identification card containing your photograph
(6) United States citizenship certificate containing your photograph
(7) United States passport
**With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60
days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.**
The voters name on the identification presented must match or be “substantially similar” to the name on the official list of
registered voters (poll list).
Additional information, including material on further exemptions, is available through the Texas Secretary of State’s office
at www.votetexas.gov.
Dates to
Remember
for the
November 4, 2014
election
First day to apply
for ballot by mail
September 5
Last day to
register to vote or
make name/address
changes:
October 6
Early voting begins:
October 20
Last day to apply for ballot
by mail
(Received, not postmarked)
October 24
Early voting ends:
October 31
Election Day:
November 4
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
EARLY VOTING INFORMATION
Early voting will be conducted at the following location:
Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue, Suite 101
Dates: October 20th to October 31st, Monday through Friday
Times: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
EXCEPTIONS:
There will be two twelve hour days during early voting:
Tuesday, Oct. 21st and Tuesday, Oct. 28th – Early Voting Hours 7:00am – 7:00pm
There will also be weekend voting at the Walker County Annex:
Saturday, Oct. 25th and Sunday, Oct. 26th – Early Voting Hours 1:00pm – 5:00pm
November 4, 2014 General Election
Voting information, key dates
City of Huntsville Recycling Guidelines
Direct questions to (936) 294-5743
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 vehicles
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 removed 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, shredded paper, glass/oil/filters,
batteries, cell phones, electronics, Styrofoam or aluminum foil.
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
customers 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, place in plastic
trash bags. 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. Put the cans in plastic trash bags. 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
staples if possible. Put in small boxes or paper stacks.
Glass - Clear or brown only: Throw away lids, rinse out. You can leave the
label on. Place clear glass and brown 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, 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. Place these items in plastic trash bags by themselves. Keep
these jugs separate from soda bottles or colored plastic.
Other #1 and #2 Plastic Containers - Examples of other recyclable
containers: syrup bottles #3, snap-on coffee lids #4, cottage cheese
containers #5, yogurt containers #6, and ketchup bottles #7
Plastic bags - Must have recycling symbol visible on the bag. These can be
some grocery bags, shopping bags, dry cleaning bags, etc. Place all plastic
bags into one and tie shut.
No plastic wrap, shrink wrap or bubble wrap. No Styrofoam, even if it has a
recycling number and symbol on item.
Drop-off Center Also Accepts: Used motor oil, oil filters, cooking oil and
antifreeze.
Visit www.huntsvilletx.gov for Area curbside recycling schedules and more
recycling information.
Yard Waste Specifics
Collection Service: 1st, 3rd and 5th
Wednesday 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 bagged, canned or bundled yard
waste 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 (bags not to exceed 30 gallons) or placed in
personal garbage;
(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
exceed 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
garbage service and dispose of your yard waste at the
City Transfer Station free of charge.
This excludes commercial 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.
The yard trimmings must not be bagged.
For more information on yard waste trimming collection
services, contact the Solid Waste Services Division at
(936) 294-5743.
The Huntsville Police Officers Association is preparing for its annual Team Roping Fundraiser, and attendees and
potential participants are encouraged to mark their calendars! According to Huntsville Police Department Sergeant Eric
Scott, the event will be held on October 19 at the Walker County Fairgrounds, and the money raised will go directly back
into the local community to support children’s activities and organizations.
“We are very excited to host our fourth annual Team Roping Fundraiser,” Scott said. “HPOA, which includes both civilian
and uniformed employees of the Huntsville Police Department, works with community sponsors to coordinate prizes for
the event, as well as food and beverages for the concession stand. Then, we open the event up to individuals who wish
to register to compete for a $25 entry fee. We take 30 percent of those fees for the fundraiser, and the remaining 70
percent goes into a pot for the winners.”
Scott said HPOA was able to donate funding to several community organizations including the Huntsville Lions Club, the
Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce, the Walker County Fair Association (for student projects) and more.
For more information, contact Scott at (936) 291 -5497 or HPD at (936) 291-5480.
HPOA preparing for annual fundraiser - Citizens encouraged to participate
Citizens are encouraged to follow the City of Huntsville Twitter feed, @HuntsvilleTexas, for updates on the City’s curbside r ecycling and
solid waste efforts.
According to Carol Reed, Public Works Director, additional material will be made available for residents via the City’s exist ing Twitter
page as part of the “Greener Huntsville: Easy Recycling” initiative.
“Now that we have activated curbside recycling in all eight areas of the City, we want to provide our residents with as much information
as possible about how to take advantage of this service correctly and easily,” Reed said. “By providing how -to guides, tips and
reminders about curbside recycling and important dates to remember, our hope is to make recycling a quick and convenient part of our
citizens’ daily lives.”
The tweets will not only address recycling, Reed said, but will also assist customers in pinpointing Heavy Trash, Yard Waste and regular
garbage pickup dates and requirements. The most current copy of the City's recycling and garbage pick -up area map will also be
provided for reference.
“We plan to use Twitter to remind people to put their blue or green carts at the street’s edge both at the right time and on the right
day,” Reed said. “For example, for customers in Areas 1, 3, 5 and 7, we actually plan to send a tweet out on Sunday evening t o remind
them their garbage pickup is the next day, Monday.
“That way, they have plenty of time to get their carts out before the next morning at 6 a.m. when pickup begins. We’ll do the same thing
for recycling later in the week; our plan is to send these messages on a set schedule so citizens always have an extra remind er.”
Reed said the “Greener Huntsville” Twitter initiative will also include energy conservation tips for residential and commercial entities,
methods for saving water and more. For more information, contact Reed at (936) 294-5768 or Solid Waste Superintendent Esther
Herklotz at (936) 294-5724. The City's Twitter feed can be viewed at https://twitter.com/Huntsvilletexas.
Solid waste customers: Look for “Greener Huntsville” Twitter posts
“Beat the Heat” with these summertime tips
As temperatures reach the high double and even triple digits this summer, utilize the following tips to stay cool and healthy :
(1) No air conditioning? Make a homemade air conditioner using a fan and bowl of ice. The fan’s breeze will blow across the i ce cubes
and, as they melt, ice-cooled air will spread and help cool off a small space, like a bedroom or kitchen.
(2) Another way to simulate A/C is to hang a wet towel filled with ice from a desk or table and position it near a fan, which will blow
colder air around the room. Be sure to place a bucket underneath to collect the melting ice.
(3) Cool off by spraying yourself with water from a spray bottle in the fridge. It’s a cheap and an easy way to lower your bo dy
temperature. Be sure to spray your upper chest, arms and face to cool down.
(4) Make your freezer your friend. Put household items in the freezer and use them to cool down. Anything from towels to pill owcases
can be tucked in the freezer and pulled out during peak afternoon heat hours or overnight to cool off.
(5) Cover windows that receive a ton of sun with shades or towels to keep your house cooler. Turn off the lights, when possib le, to
reduce energy use.
(6) Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Cold beverages and water will help cool down the body.
(7) Mind what you eat. Avoid spicy foods, which can raise your body temperature, and opt for well -balanced and light meals, instead.
Kids should eat foods such as fresh fruits, like watermelon, or ice popsicles, that are rich in water to stay hydrated.
(8) Avoid coffee and alcohol. As they are diuretic-based, they can lead to frequent bathroom visits that exacerbate dehydration.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/07/summer -heat-wave-tips-to-beat-the-heat-2/