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November 2012 Connection CITY CONNECTION www.huntsvilletx.govwww.huntsvilletx.govwww.huntsvilletx.govwww.huntsvilletx.gov Volume 9, Issue 2 November 2012November 2012November 2012November 2012 Calendar November 2012November 2012November 2012November 2012 1 Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 12 p.m. 6 Regular General and Special Election 7 Yard Waste Trimming Collection 13 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 14 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 15 Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 19 Special Session - Canvass 11-6 Election 21 Yard Waste Trimming Collection 27 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 28 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste December 2012December 2012December 2012December 2012 5 Yard Waste Trimming Collection 6 Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 12 p.m. 11 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 12 Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 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. Please note irregular City Council meeting schedule for November and December, to include meeting to canvass the November 6, 2012 General and Special Election. The City of Huntsville celebrates Municipal Court Week November 4 through 10, and as part of the annual recognition, below is a brief overview of the func- tions and responsibilities of the court. According to Susan McGilberry, Court Administrator, the Municipal Court is re- sponsible for the collection of fines, fees, and State costs which stem from class C misdemeanor violations that occur within the City limits. The court also handles the filing of citations and/or complaints; court schedul- ing; issuing, tracking, and clearing warrants; maintaining court records and reporting collection, conviction, and data to the appropriate State agencies. “In general, the Municipal Court handles class C misdemeanor criminal offens- es committed by both juveniles and adults,” McGilberry said. “The court also has exclusive jurisdiction over violations of the City of Huntsville Code of Ordi- nances. The cases we typically see the most are parking and traffic citations, minors (under 21 years old) charged with alcohol violations, simple assault, theft under $50, and public intoxication. We also handle cases of students failing to attend school as well as parents who are charged due to their child’s attendance deficits.” Cases are filed against juvenile and adult offenders, and most non-juvenile cases can be processed and handled at the court clerk window. Juvenile cases, filed against persons who are under 17, require court appearance by the juve- nile and the parent or legal guardian. For non-compliant adult cases, the Municipal Court issues two types of war- rants: (1) Arrest warrants, which are filed when a person fails to appear or vio- lates their promise to appear, and (2) Capias Pro Fine, filed when a person fails to pay a fine, fees and/or court costs according to judicial order. “In the last fiscal year, more than 310 warrants were issued each month on delinquent cases in our court,” McGilberry said. The Municipal Court Judge John Gaines presides over the court. The court staff includes McGilberry, City Marshal Byron Bush, Deputy Court Clerk and Spanish interpreter Flor Santos, Deputy Court Clerk and Juvenile Case Manager Ben Gibbs, Deputy Court Clerk Paula Dugas, Data Entry Clerk Virginia Van Vel- kinburgh and Prosecutor Theresa O’Brien. Online servicesOnline servicesOnline servicesOnline services The City’s Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov, features a wide range of information on court services, contact information and citation payment options on the Municipal Court page, which can be accessed by scrolling over “Departments.” Online users also have the option to make payments on their cases through the “Online Payments and Services” link on the left side of the page. According to McGilberry, the court is also working on expanding its online ser- vices in the near future. When the changes are complete, citizens will be able to request deferred disposition, and driver safety course options. Additional functionsAdditional functionsAdditional functionsAdditional functions The Municipal Court page on the City’s Web site also includes informational links for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Walker County and other entities. “We’re happy to help our citizens get where they need to go - we take a lot of pride in that,” McGilberry said. “However, there are some misconceptions about the types of documents we can provide. We get a lot of requests for po- lice reports, which are actually handled through the law enforcement agency that investigated the incident, such as the Huntsville Police Department or the SHSU Police Department. We also get a lot of questions about documents maintained by Walker County Clerk’s Office, like marriage licenses or child sup- port documentation.” The Municipal Court is located at 717 FM 2821 West, Suite 200. The main phone number is (936) 291-5476. Huntsville Municipal Court Services, functions the staff provides the public Hurricane Season 2012: Are You Prepared? Huntsville residents are encouraged to con- tinue to be mindful of hurricane season, an- ticipated to last through November. According to John Waldo, City of Huntsville EMC, family and household preparation are important parts of getting through the hurri- cane season safely. “Hurricane season takes place from June through November, and you need to be pre- pared,” Waldo said. “Knowing the steps to take during a disaster – whether that disas- ter is flooding, tornadoes or hurricanes – can greatly reduce the danger and distress your family may face. “Above all, having a plan is one of the most important steps you can take in disaster pre- paredness. Knowing what to do and how to do it can help your family manage disasters with less worry, fear and uncertainty. Citi- zens should make sure their own prepara- tions for hurricane season are complete.” Waldo said individual preparedness can in- clude developing or updating a personal dis- aster plan as well as assembling an emer- gency supply kit. Typically, emergency supply kits will allow individuals to sustain themselves for three to seven days. Families are also advised to store enough water to provide each family member with one gallon of water per day. “Having an emergency plan and a disaster kit will help you manage in almost every kind of crisis, and there are numerous web sites which will assist individuals in the develop- ment of a personal disaster plan and emer- gency kit,” Waldo said. “The American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Manage- ment Agency both have excellent infor- mation to offer online. “Waiting until a storm enters the Gulf of Mexico may be too late to make adequate preparations. The time is now to start mak- ing preparations to ensure you, and your family, are ready if a disaster should occur.” For more information, contact Waldo at (936) 291-5945. Additional information on emergency supply kits is also available at www.redcross.org or www.fema.gov. Page 2 CITY CONNECTION City of Huntsville residential customers: It’s time to City of Huntsville residential customers: It’s time to City of Huntsville residential customers: It’s time to City of Huntsville residential customers: It’s time to “winterize” your sewer charge“winterize” your sewer charge“winterize” your sewer charge“winterize” your sewer charge Water meter usage for the months of November through February is used to calculate your new sewer average charge for the next year. Consciously reducing your water usage during these months could lower your sewer charge. Methods to reduce usage include limiting or completely eliminating outside watering. The new sewer average charge will be effective with the April billing (due in May). “Basically, the City of Huntsville would just like to advise residents to curtail any kind of outdoor watering, such as washing cars, in order to keep water consumption down during winter months,” said Jerri Weaver, City of Huntsville Billing and Revenue Manager. “Also, residents should be aware of any water leaks and make sure to have those repaired.” For more information, contact City of Huntsville Utility Billing at (936) 291-5431. It’s Winter Time…Let’s Recycle Antifreeze!It’s Winter Time…Let’s Recycle Antifreeze!It’s Winter Time…Let’s Recycle Antifreeze!It’s Winter Time…Let’s Recycle Antifreeze! Like many other residential customers, do you plan on replacing the antifreeze in your vehicle this winter? Do you plan on dispos- ing of other kinds of liquids, including motor oil, peanut oil or cooking oil? Don’t run those materials down the drain – recycle them!recycle them!recycle them!recycle them! The City of Huntsville Solid Waste Services Department offers free, year-round recycling for these liquids as well as other items for residential customers at the Recycling Drop-Off Center, locat- ed at 590 I-45 North from 7:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Other items, including oil filters, are recycled in specifically marked collection barrels. As they are flammable, nei- ther gasoline or diesel from lawn equipment nor vehicles will be accepted for disposal or recycling. Unfortunately, due to disposal restrictions, the Solid Waste Ser- vices Department is not able to pick up liquids on a curbside ba- sis. If you have any questions, please call 936-294-5743. Downtown Christmas FairDowntown Christmas FairDowntown Christmas FairDowntown Christmas Fair Saturday, December 1, 2012Saturday, December 1, 2012Saturday, December 1, 2012Saturday, December 1, 2012 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. –––– 5 p.m.5 p.m.5 p.m.5 p.m. Arts, crafts, food, a wide range of family-oriented entertainment and more! For information contact the Main Street Program: (936) 291-5920 or www.huntsvillemainstreet.com Page 3 November November November November 2012 CITY CONNECTION Every year around the holidays, organizations throughout Huntsville collect food, toys, monetary donations and clothing essentials for families in need. The City encourages residents to work with local churches, service organizations, school groups or private organizations to do whatever possible to help out. Below, we have included information about organizations who will be accepting various donations this holiday season. If you would like your organization featured in the December City Connection, please contact the City Secretary’s Office at (936) 291-5403 or (936) 291-5413. Holiday Donation Ideas Holiday Donation Ideas Holiday Donation Ideas Holiday Donation Ideas The Good Shepherd MissionThe Good Shepherd MissionThe Good Shepherd MissionThe Good Shepherd Mission 1005 Avenue F (MLK Blvd) - (936) 291-8156 Walkercountyonline.com/org/mission gsmission@suddenlink.net According to Dave Smith, Executive Director of the Good Shepherd Mission, several food items are needed in preparation for Thanks- giving including: ~ Frozen turkeys ~Frozen hams ~Dry beans and rice ~Canned goods ~Other holiday meal items Volunteers are also needed, especially in the food bank, to help sort donations and prepare meal bags for local families. The Good Shepherd Mission also works with Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church each year to collect toys for the Santa’s Helpers Santa’s Helpers Santa’s Helpers Santa’s Helpers program, benefitting 350 local families with 485 - 515 children. Santa’s Helpers is held every year on the se- cond Saturday in December - this year it will be held on December 10th. Coat and blanket drives will also be conducted throughout the holiday season. Boys & Girls Club of Walker CountyBoys & Girls Club of Walker CountyBoys & Girls Club of Walker CountyBoys & Girls Club of Walker County 119 FM 980 – (936) 291-6054 info@bgcwc.org Cookbook Fundraiser Cookbook Fundraiser Cookbook Fundraiser Cookbook Fundraiser As part of a special fundraising effort for the Boys & Girls Club. Local restaurant legend Ginny Renfro will release her long-awaited cookbook, “Momma Ginny’s Journey,” on November 15. All proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club. According to Michelle Spencer, Executive Director, the book will include some of Renfro’s favorite personal recipes, catering recipes and recipes from her various restaurants. “Since 1970, Renfro has exercised her dedication to good food and good times through restaurants including The Lamplighter, Texan Café, Casa Tomas, Geppettos, Renfreauz’s, Farmhouse Café and Farm- house Sweets & Eats,” Spencer said. Operation SantaOperation SantaOperation SantaOperation Santa Businesses and individuals are encouraged to participate in the Boys & Girls Club’s annual “Operation Santa” program. Children involved in the club provide “Wish Lists” including clothing sizes and toys, and those who wish to “adopt” a child receive a list and purchase the items included. Lists will be available beginning November 7, and the gifts should be returned by December 14. As well, volunteers will be needed to help package, tag and sort the gifts between December 14 and the club’s Christmas party on December 19. For more information, to adopt a child or to volunteer, contact Diane Balderas, Director of Operations, at dbalderas@bgcwc.org or (936) 291-6054. Huntsville Head StartHuntsville Head StartHuntsville Head StartHuntsville Head Start Maria H. Dooley - Social Services Coordinator 125 FM 980 - P.O. Box 719 Phone: 936-291-9190 Huntsville Head Start is looking for businesses or individuals to “adopt” local families for the Thanksgiving holiday. Adoption would entail providing a Thanksgiving meal to families of various sizes. Contact Dooley for more information. Page 4 CITY CONNECTION Thursday, November 22, 2012 No residential garbage or recycling collection; No Commercial garage collection; Facility closed Friday, November 23, 2012 No residential garbage or recycling collection; Commercial garbage collection will run; Facility closed Monday, December 24, 2012 Both residential and commercial collection will run; Facility open Tuesday, December 25, 2012 No residential or commercial garbage collection; Facility closed Tuesday, January 1, 2013 Both residential and commercial collection will run; Facility open Change your clock, Change your clock, Change your clock, Change your clock, change your change your change your change your batteries batteries batteries batteries ---- November 4, 2012November 4, 2012November 4, 2012November 4, 2012 At 2 a.m. on November 4, At 2 a.m. on November 4, At 2 a.m. on November 4, At 2 a.m. on November 4, 2012, Daylight Savings 2012, Daylight Savings 2012, Daylight Savings 2012, Daylight Savings Time will come to a close. Time will come to a close. Time will come to a close. Time will come to a close. Huntsville residents are re-Huntsville residents are re-Huntsville residents are re-Huntsville residents are re- minded to make sure to set minded to make sure to set minded to make sure to set minded to make sure to set all clocks back one hour to all clocks back one hour to all clocks back one hour to all clocks back one hour to 1 a.m. at that time. 1 a.m. at that time. 1 a.m. at that time. 1 a.m. at that time. The fall back of Daylight The fall back of Daylight The fall back of Daylight The fall back of Daylight Saving Time will be Saving Time will be Saving Time will be Saving Time will be “corrected” at 2 a.m. on “corrected” at 2 a.m. on “corrected” at 2 a.m. on “corrected” at 2 a.m. on March 10, 2013.March 10, 2013.March 10, 2013.March 10, 2013. The Huntsville Fire Depart-The Huntsville Fire Depart-The Huntsville Fire Depart-The Huntsville Fire Depart- ment also encourages resi-ment also encourages resi-ment also encourages resi-ment also encourages resi- dents to change their smoke dents to change their smoke dents to change their smoke dents to change their smoke alarm batteries alarm batteries alarm batteries alarm batteries ---- most of most of most of most of which are 9which are 9which are 9which are 9----volt alkaline volt alkaline volt alkaline volt alkaline ---- at at at at the same time.the same time.the same time.the same time. The City of Huntsville Solid Waste Transfer Station and Recycling Facility will observe Thanksgiving Day on both Thursday, November Thursday, November Thursday, November Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 2322 and Friday, November 2322 and Friday, November 2322 and Friday, November 23. Due to the closure for the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no garbage or recycling collected resi- dentially on those dates. OnlyOnlyOnlyOnly on the following Monday or Tuesday garbage collection days following Thanksgiving will excess bagged garbage outside of the residential garbage cart be collected. Commercial dumpster collection will not run on Thursday, November 22 but will run on Friday, November 23. Businesses with a scheduled dumpster collection on November 22 will be collected either Wednesday, November 21 or November 23. Commercial roll-off and compactor collection will not run on November 22 or November 23. Businesses with scheduled roll-off or compactor collection on November 22 or November 23 will be collected on November 21. The Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling facility will open Saturday, November 24. As well, the City of Huntsville Solid Waste Transfer Station will observe Christmas on Tuesday, December 25Tuesday, December 25Tuesday, December 25Tuesday, December 25. Due to closure for the Christmas holiday, there will be no garbage collected residentially or commercially on that date. Only on the following Monday or Tuesday collection days will excess bagged garbage outside of the residential garbage carts be collected. Customers with Tuesday, December 25, garbage collection will instead be collected on Friday, December 28, with recycling collection postponed until the following Friday, January 4, 2013. Businesses with a Tuesday, December 25 collection day and with commercial dumpsters, roll-offs or compactors will be collected on Monday, December 24, or Wednesday, December 26. The Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Facility will be closed to the public on Tuesday, December 25. The Recycling Drop-Off Cen- ter, located at 590 IH-45 North, will be closed to the public on Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25. Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Residential and commercial users affected Finally, the Solid Waste Transfer Station will be open for business on New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2013. There will be garbage collected both residentially and commercially. The Re- cycling Facility will be closed. The Streets Department will pick up Christmas trees (not artificial) at the street’s edge from Monday, January 7, 2013 through Friday, January 11, 2013 only. Your trees must be on the curb by Monday, January 7, 2013. The Solid Waste Department will pickup up Christmas trees (not artificial) at the street’s edge on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 and Wednesday, January 9, 2013 only. City residents may also take their Christmas trees (not artificial) to the Solid Waste Disposal Facility, free of charge with their current City of Huntsville residential utility bill, during regular business hours. Christmas trees (not artificial) must be unloaded at the brush pile only. If you have any questions about the garbage collection, the Solid Waste Transfer Facility, or the Recycling Drop-Off Center, please call the Solid Waste Division at 936-294-5743. Please refer to the calendar below, or cut it out for use at home!Please refer to the calendar below, or cut it out for use at home!Please refer to the calendar below, or cut it out for use at home!Please refer to the calendar below, or cut it out for use at home!