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2015/01/28 City news, features, and updates January 28, 2015 Th i s W e e k i n H u n t s v i l l e Special donations - page 2 In this issu e . . . Annual Trash Bash - page 4 The City Council finalized the City’s 2015 Strategic Plan with adoption at the January 20 meeting, thus establishing a comprehensive, goal-oriented strategy for the year. According to City Manager Matt Benoit, the ultimate goal of the strategic planning process is to develop a work proposal that is agreeable for the entire Council and will be of most benefit to the citizens of Huntsville. The Council first met at the Huntsville Public Library Community Room on December 9, reviewing the 2014 objectives and results. Benoit, following up on Council member inquiries and inclusion of the topic in the 2014 plan, gave a presentation on economic development options, reflecting experiences in other cities and providing local examples. The Council members addressed the seven primary goal areas - City Appearance, Communications, Economic Development, Infrastructure, Resource Development, Finance, and Public Safety - and ap- propriate objectives for each. The City Manager, City Directors, and City staff next worked on refining the preliminary results, which Council members reviewed on January 13, at the second session of the process. Seventeen objectives were finalized for approval at the second regular Council meeting of the year. In addition to items selected on December 9, the Council chose to include continuation of the annual State of the City address in the Communications goal, and, under Resource Development, appoint- ment of a Council subcommittee to review the City’s advisory boards and make any necessary recom- mendations for modification to the full City Council. The discussion on a blueprint for economic development work within the City had been furthered at a January 6 work session, so the final adopted Strategic Plan included consideration to place an item on a ballot in 2015 for the citizens to consider the creation of either or both a dedicated economic devel- opment sales tax or economic development fund. The adopted 2015 Strategic Plan is available on the City web site at https://www.huntsvilletx.gov/ council/. Contact information for all Council members is available on the City’s Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov, and citizens are also welcome to call the City Secretary’s office at (936) 291-5403 to set up an ap- pointment to speak with a Council member. The City Manager’s office can be reached at (936) 291- 5411. City Council Adopts 2015 Strategic Plan Members plan for the future throughout the community Key Ceremony on Gospel Hill - page 3 Generous Donations Highlight Tourism and Solid Waste Two notable events were held just prior to the January 20th City Council meeting. Telecom Pioneers members Poncho Roberts and Cecil Grimes brought forward a $500 donation for the Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center. First established in 1911 as the Telephone Pioneers of America, Telecom Pioneers is the current name of retired AT&T employees, which they describe as the "largest industry-related volunteer organization in the world." Roberts and Grimes are long-time members who have also worked to ensure frequent support of the local community by the Pioneers and AT&T. Kimm Thomas, Director of Tourism and Cultural Services, was unable to attend, but very appreciative of the gift. "We are thankful for Poncho Roberts and his commitment to Tourism and the community of Huntsville. The Pioneers have been great supporters of the Sam Houston Statue and we are delighted that they have made yet another donation. Next up was a presentation by James Ray Necker and Linda McKenzie, on behalf of Walker County Proud Communities (WCPC) and Walker County Judge Danny Pierce. Their generous donation of $3,000.00 is targeted to offset expenses for the addition of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Day to the City's annual E-Recycling Day, to be held April 11th this year (see more below). The HHW Day has been made possible in large part through a grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). Solid Waste and Recycling Superintendent Esther Herklotz was on hand, noting, "Being associated with both Walker County Proud Communities and the City of Huntsville for many years provides us an excellent opportunity to share in the responsibility of taking care of our environment. Mayor Mac Woodward accepted both donations, with the appreciation of the City and the departments involved with each. Spring Saturdays with the Solid Waste Division The City of Huntsville Solid Waste Division is hard at work helping to keep the com- munity clean all year. Grass grows fast in the summer, the leaves fall in autumn, and Christmas trees bloom like weeds the first week of January, while garbage and recycling are picked up year-round. But, just like spring cleaning at the begin- ning of a new year, there are some special events that take place on Saturdays of February, March, and April to help citizens take care of the their homes and the planet. Tree Sale The first Saturday in February (this year February 7) annually sees the Walker County Proud Communities Tree Sale. Hosted in cooperation with the Walker County Master Gardeners and the City, the sale of trees from the Texas Forest Service is a great way to add beauty to a yard, get information on planting , or buy mulch. Trash Bash The Walker County Proud Communi- ties (WCPC) organization, consisting of members from Walker County, City of Huntsville Solid Waste and Recycling, Tex- as Forest Service, Master Gardeners, and local businesses, sponsors the annual Trash Bash (this year March 7). Each year over 400 vehicles come through three drop -off sites with over 150 tons of garbage, tires, and metal (brush is composted and not disposed of). Over 100 volunteers from the Walker Coun- ty Sheriff’s Office, Walker County Communi- ty Supervision and Corrections, Master Gar- deners, Walker County Environmental En- forcement, Walker County Commissioners, Try 2 Recycle, Waste Management of Hou- ston, and the City of Huntsville Disposal and Recycling staff assist during this multi- site event. E-Recycling Day/Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day The City of Huntsville Solid Waste and Recycling Services hosts Electronics Recycling Day in April (this year the 11th) at the City’s Disposal and Recy- cling Facility. Technocycle of Houston sponsors staff, trucks, and packing sup- plies to haul the electronics. The purpose for Electronics Recycling is to divert recyclable electronics from the waste stream and avoid placing items in landfills which can be recycled and re- manufactured into other products. This year's event is being expanded to include Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, thanks to a grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and a generous donation from Walker County Proud Communities (see above). Left: Cecil Grimes and Poncho Roberts of Telecom Pioneers with Mayor Mac Woodward Right: City of Huntsville Solid Waste Superintendent Esther Herklotz, Linda McKenzie of Walk- er County Proud Communities, Mayor Mac Woodward, James Ray Necker of Walker County Proud Communities As reported in December, eleven qualifying homes in Walker County are being reconstructed with the assis- tance of the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and the City of Huntsville’s Neighborhood Services Depart- ment. Mrs. Willie Mae Mundy is a long-time resident who moved to the Gospel Hill neighborhood in 1980. Her new home was overseen by Drew Cheek of Tegrity Builders, and Dr. Sherry McKibben, Director, and Lindsey Owings of the City’s Neighborhood Services Department, who are work- ing on many of the reconstructions and were present to celebrate with Ms. Mundy and her family at the key cere- mony. Home Reconstruction Completed Hurricane Ike Disaster Recovery Program Builds for Citizens “I had applied for the HOME Program and was on a waiting list, so it was thrilling when we heard of the H-GAC funds being release for additional homes” said Mrs. Mundy. Daughters Yvette Shorten and Pam Wilson concurred. “Mom had lived in her old house since 1980 and this pro- gram was able to provide her with a smaller but better-built home. We are very appreciative of Dr. McKibben and Lind- sey Owings' help in this process." Mrs. Mundy receives her new keys from Councilmember Lydia Montgomery. “Given the opportunity to live in a new home that is en- ergy efficient and ADA accessible means everything. I thank the City of Huntsville and H-GAC, not only for the kindness and consideration given to me, but also for what was given throughout the community to others in similar situations. I am proud to be a Huntsvillian!” For more information on Neighborhood Services, visit the Department’s page on the City web site at www.huntsvilletx.gov. To learn more on the H-GAC Hur- ricane Ike Recovery program, see http://www.h- gac.com/community/community/ike/. Above, Councilmembers Joe Rodriquez, Lydia Montgomery, and Ronald Allen join Mrs. Mundy, members of her family, and Tegrity builder Drew Cheek for the ribbon cutting. Right, Mrs. Mundy, her grandson Jerry Shorten, Councilmember Lydia Montgomery, and Mrs. Mundy’s daughters Yvette Shorten and Pam Wilson.