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August 2012 CITY CONNECTION Volume 8, Issue 11 August 2012August 2012August 2012August 2012 Calendar August 2012August 2012August 2012August 2012 1 Yard Waste Trimming Collection 2 Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 12 p.m 7 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 1212 Avenue M 8 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 15 Yard Waste Trimming Collection 16 Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 21 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 1212 Avenue M 22 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 29 Yard Waste Trimming Collection September 2012September 2012September 2012September 2012 4 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 1212 Avenue M 5 Yard Waste Trimming Collection 6 Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 12 p.m 12 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 18 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 1212 Avenue M 19 Yard Waste Trimming Collection 20 Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 26 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. www.huntsvilletx.govwww.huntsvilletx.govwww.huntsvilletx.govwww.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 re- newed 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, other campuses and Sam Houston State University will be back in session, and there will be a lot more traffic and a lot more kids to consider,” Barnes said. “We’re en- couraging 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 ask- ing citizens to observe those protocols,” he said. “There will be officers available to assist and answer questions, but they will also issue cita- tions 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 cita- tions 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 re- quired 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 unfa- miliar with the Huntsville area. “We’re asking that drivers consider the fact that many incoming fresh- man 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 usageCell phone usageCell phone usageCell 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. The same fine applies to speeding in school zones, Barnes said. For more information or with any questions, contact Barnes at (936) 291-5496. See page 2 for school zone information. HPD urges residents to be mindful of HPD urges residents to be mindful of HPD urges residents to be mindful of HPD urges residents to be mindful of school zone safety, driving concernsschool zone safety, driving concernsschool zone safety, driving concernsschool zone safety, driving concerns Page 2 CITY CONNECTION Did you know? City Web site features available to all residents The City of Huntsville’s public access channel, KSHU Channel 7, is available through live streaming on the City’s Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov. With the live streaming feature, any- one can view the City’s channel from any location simply by visiting the Web site, making the City’s public meetings, employment information and current events more readily available. The City offers video archives of City Council meetings, Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and Hotel Occu- pancy Tax Board meetings, as well. “We’re excited to offer live streaming of Channel 7 on our Web site because we feel it will give our citizens unre- stricted access to the programming,” said Chris Vasquez, Information Tech- nology Manager for the City. From the City of Huntsville home page, citizens can navigate to the Channel 7 streaming video by clicking “Live & Ar- chived Meetings” on the left side of the page. The City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission and Hotel Occupancy Tax Board meetings are available through the same link. Simply search for the desired meeting date, click the “Play” link next to the video duration, and a new window will open with the select- ed video content. Huntsville Aquatic Center to close this Huntsville Aquatic Center to close this Huntsville Aquatic Center to close this Huntsville Aquatic Center to close this month!month!month!month! From now until August 26, the HAC will be open for its regular hours: Tuesday to Friday, Sunday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. The Aquatic Center will close for the season on August 26. Citizens: Please be mindful of school zonesCitizens: Please be mindful of school zonesCitizens: Please be mindful of school zonesCitizens: Please be mindful of school zones (No cell phone signs posted in all zones)(No cell phone signs posted in all zones)(No cell phone signs posted in all zones)(No cell phone signs posted in all zones) Huntsville HS:Huntsville HS:Huntsville HS:Huntsville HS: FM2821 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m./ 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 35 miles per hour during school zone periods Huntsville Intermediate & Scott Johnson Elementary:Huntsville Intermediate & Scott Johnson Elementary:Huntsville Intermediate & Scott Johnson Elementary: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 miles per hour during school zone periods Huntsville Elementary:Huntsville Elementary:Huntsville Elementary:Huntsville Elementary: 87 Martin Luther King Drive Gibbs Elementary:Gibbs Elementary:Gibbs Elementary:Gibbs Elementary: 19th Street Stewart Elementary:Stewart Elementary:Stewart Elementary:Stewart Elementary: 3400 Boettcher Sam Houston ElementarySam Houston ElementarySam Houston ElementarySam Houston Elementary: 1600 7th St. Mance Park Middle SchoolMance Park Middle SchoolMance Park Middle SchoolMance 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 miles per hour during school zone periods 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. Curbside Recycling underway in Area #5 Recycling to expand to Area #6 later this year Curbside Recycling in Area #5 began July 5, and after three weeks of recycling, the customer recycling par- ticipation rate is 25% of 836 recycling carts issued. Area #5 includes customers within most of the Forest Hill area, Hwy. 75 North and I-45 North. For map details, visit www.huntsvilletx.gov under City News. Area #5 garbage pickup will be on Mondays only and recycling pickup will be on Thursdays only. The next Curbside Recycling Area # 6 begins on January 4, 2013 and encompasses the southwest side of Sam Houston Avenue South north of Hwy. 19, Old Houston Road area, Powell Road area and the Tall Tim- bers Street area. Blue recycling carts will be issued in December 2012. Recycling Guidelines meetings will be scheduled at a later date. Area #5 Pickup ScheduleArea #5 Pickup ScheduleArea #5 Pickup ScheduleArea #5 Pickup Schedule Area #5 Street ListingArea #5 Street ListingArea #5 Street ListingArea #5 Street Listing Residents on these streets began recycling on July 5! 7th Street 10th Street Avenue O Avenue P Braxton Ave Brittany Ln Bruncy Bush Dr Crosstimbers Dr Cypress Cir Eastham Dr Elmwood St Far Hills Gainous St Gospel Hill Gray Heaton Ave Heatonville Ave Hickory Dr Hill St Julia Ave Long Point Madisonville Rd Magnolia Way Maple Mary Ave Merchant Mize St Moffett Springs Normal Park Dr North Park Rd Old Madisonville Paul Knox Rd Peach Tree St Pine Valley Pleasant St Plum Cir Roosevelt Roundabout Royal Oaks Settlers Way Smith Hill Southmore Dr Sowell Dr Sunny Side St Timberline Dr Truman St Willowbend Dr Wood Rd Young St Garbage Garbage Garbage Garbage ---- Monday pickMonday pickMonday pickMonday pick----up dates:up dates:up dates:up dates: August 6, 13, 20, 27 September 3, 10, 17, 24 Remember to use Green carts for garbageGreen carts for garbageGreen carts for garbageGreen carts for garbage Recycling Recycling Recycling Recycling ---- Thursday pickThursday pickThursday pickThursday pick----up dates:up dates:up dates:up dates: August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 September 6, 13, 20, 27 Remember to use Blue carts for recyclingBlue carts for recyclingBlue carts for recyclingBlue carts for recycling Also, please remember to separate all Also, please remember to separate all Also, please remember to separate all Also, please remember to separate all garbage from recyclables!garbage from recyclables!garbage from recyclables!garbage from recyclables! Curbside Recycling will be available in all eight City areas by January 2014! Area #6 - January 2013 Area #7 - July 2013 Area #8 - January 2014 Check the City’s web site for expansion details! Page 4 CITY CONNECTION Stats for June 2012Stats for June 2012Stats for June 2012Stats for June 2012 Fire:Fire:Fire:Fire: Police:Police:Police:Police: Calls for service: 4102 Accidents investigated: 64 Animal Control complaints investigated:59 Calls for service: 101 Main alarm calls: 8 Police/Fire: Police/Fire: Police/Fire: Police/Fire: Yard Waste SpecificsYard Waste SpecificsYard Waste SpecificsYard Waste Specifics Residential yard waste collection service is provided two to three times per month: The 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday of each month, this is automatic and there is no call-in required. Yard waste is classified as leaves, grass, pine needles, yard clippings and small brush (green waste). The total number of bagged, canned or bun- dled yard waste is limited to twelve (12) per household per collection day. All yard waste materials must be placed within 2 feet of street's edge no later than 6:00 AM on the morning of the scheduled pick-up. Yard waste such as leaves, grass, pine nee- dles or small clippings must be: (1) Bagged or placed in 30 gallon container garbage cans, (2) Can not exceed 50 pounds each, and (3) City-issued garbage carts cannot be filled with yard waste. Tree limbs and brush must be: (1) No longer than 4 feet in length, (2) Limbs no larger than 4 inches in diameter, (3) Must be tied securely in bundles which cannot exceed 2 feet in diameter and can’t exceed 50 pounds each. The following items and locations DO NOT qualify for Yard Waste pickup: (1) Household garbage of any kind, (2) Any- thing other than green waste: No flower pots, fertilizer, mulch, bags, dirt, rock, gravel, etc., or (3) Commercial businesses or commercially generated yard waste. Bring your City Utility Bill showing that you pay garbage and dispose of your yard waste at the City Transfer Station for FREE. This excludes commercial customers, yard waste contractors and any lawn service providers. The Customer must be present with a current City garbage bill at the time of disposal. The yard trimmings must not be bagged. CEMETERY BOARD SEEKS DONATIONS The Cemetery Advisory Board invites you to consider providing your tax-deductible con- tribution to assist in the maintenance and improvements of historical Oakwood Ceme- tery and to keep the cemetery beautiful. We welcome gifts of any amount. Your dona- tions will help make much-needed improve- ments to maintain Oakwood Cemetery’s in- herent beauty and ensure its continued functionality. Checks can be made out to the City of Huntsville, and mailed to City of Huntsville, c/o Penny Joiner, 448 State Hwy 75 N, Huntsville, TX 77320.Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.