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2015/02/11 City news, features, and updates February 11, 2015 Th i s W e e k i n H u n t s v i l l e Rec Activities - page 2 In this issu e . . . Annual Trash Bash - page 4 On February 3, the City Council conducted a second reading and adopted the City’s updated guidelines for heavy trash pick up charges and yard waste bagging requirements (fee schedule changes for Solid Waste were approved on January 20). Heavy Trash Pick Up Effective April 3, 2015, customers who call in for Heavy Trash Service will have a $25.00 charge added to their City of Huntsville utility account bill each time the service is used. This service is for residential customers only with an active utility account and a call-in is required. Re- questors call 936-294-5796 to leave information on the voice mail in order to be added to the pick up list. They must leave a name, service address, account number, contact number, and a description of the item or items to be picked up. Heavy Trash Service is for furniture, appliances, piles of brush not to exceed 4 feet high, 10 feet in length, and 5 feet in depth, or limbs no larger than 12 inches in diameter and cut to 5 feet in length. Natalie Mimms, Assistant Superintendent for Solid Waste and Recycling Services, said the changes were brought for consideration to help recover and reduce costs of tonnage hauled, vehicles, and staff time. “Residents inside the City limits will still be able to bring heavy trash and their ID to the Transfer Sta- tion and pay just over three cents a pound, with a $5.00 minimum, if that’s a more affordable option for the items they need to dispose of,” Mimms added. “For non-residents, it’s about four cents per pound, with a $6.25 minimum.” Yard Waste Beginning April 3, yard waste must be placed for pick up in one of the following acceptable manners: - In paper compostable yard bags which can be purchased from local retailers - In personal trash cans not to exceed 30 gallons - Limbs no larger than 4 inches in diameter, cut to four feet in length, must be tied securely in bundles no larger than 2 feet in diameter, and not weigh more than 50 pounds All yard waste must be placed at the street’s edge on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of each month by 6:00 a.m. The total number of bagged, canned, or bundles of yard waste is limited to 12 per house- hold per collection day. The Solid Waste Division asks residents to please consider these alternatives to having yard waste picked up by the City: - Use a mulching blade on lawn mowers and compost leaves and other yard debris - Bring yard waste directly to the Transfer Station facility with a current utility bill and identification with a matching address to dispose of yard waste at no charge - Require personal lawn services to either use compostable bags, or haul away yard debris Solid Waste Superintendent Esther Herklotz said the change in bagging requirements will help keep green waste out of landfills. “Last year, over 500 tons of leaves, grass clippings, and small limbs went in with the City’s garbage due to insufficient manpower to remove materials from non-recyclable bag- ging. Anyone can dispose of yard waste for a disposal fee. Residential customers with current City Utili- ty bill and matching drivers license can dispose of yard waste at no cost.” For more information and specifics, please go to the City of Huntsville web page under Departments/ Public Works/Solid Waste /Recycling. Updated information for the Solid Waste Division is available on the City’s Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov, and citizens are also welcome to contact the office at (936) 294-5724 or eherklotz@huntsvilletx.gov. Heavy Trash and Yard Waste Updates Guidelines revised by City Council on February 3 2015 Citizen’s Police Academy - page 3 Zumba®’s Back! If your New Year’s resolutions included improving your health or just having more fun, it’s time to join Zumba®! The classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 in the 5th grade gymnasium at Huntsville Intermediate School on Highway 190. Zumba® is a Latin-based aerobic fitness option that’s fun for all ages. People of any condition level who can stand and move for fifty minutes should bring water, a hand towel, and dress comfortably. Instructors Penny Joiner and Natalie Reid say this is a fun and high energy activity. “Turnout was great in January, so we’re looking forward to seeing more students willing to come shake it out and have some fun,” said Joiner. “Everyone forgets they’re working out and just enjoys dancing!” Participants will be charged $2 per class or $20 for 12 classes with the purchase of a punch card. For more information, contact Recreation Assistant Natalie Reid at 936-294-5725 or nreid@huntsvilletx.gov, or visit the City website at www.huntsvilletx.gov or the City of Huntsville-Recreation Services Facebook page. A full schedule of recreational activities will be available soon. Kids “Q” at Shotgun Fred Pirkle BBQ Showdown The Parks and Leisure Department will be assisting with the Kids “Q” for the 2015 Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown, February 26-28 at the Walker County Fairgrounds. Kids who want to participate should submit a completed registration form (attached as the last page of this edition) and a $25 entry fee. Registration gets the participant a mini-grill and meat to prepare (may be a hamburger or small barbecue item), and enters them in the judging. Entrants should bring their own spices. Penny Joiner, Parks and Leisure Administrative Assistant, worked with the event last year and is looking forward to lots of little hands in the mix. “Last year they made hamburgers, it was lots of fun to see the kids make their own special rubs and spice mixes.” Age groups are 6-11 year-olds and 12-17 year-olds, with an addition this year. “There will also be a special needs category,” Joiner noted, “for all ages, to provide an extra recreational opportunity for them and their families.” “Shotgun” Fred Pirkle was an avid barbecuer and a graduate of SHSU, to which he made generous donations. The BBQ Showdown offers a $10,000 prize for the main event and is in part a fundraiser for a scholarship to Sam Houston State University. The Kids “Q” event is held on Saturday, February 28. For more information, contact Joiner at 936-294-5708 or pjoiner@huntsvilletx.gov. Stormy Clouds contemplates the flames at the 2014 Shot- gun Fred Pirkle BBQ Show- down Kids “Q”. Lots on at the Library! - Story Time on Wednesday, February 11, at 10:45 a.m. This week’s theme is Val- entine’s. Please join us for songs, stories, and a craft. - Family Movie Night on Thursday, February 12, at 5:30 p.m., provided by the Tex- as Children’s Health Plan and all movies are rated G or PG. Complimentary pop- corn and drinks will be served. - Kiwanis Club will host a benefit pancake supper on February 13 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit the semiannual RIF/KRABS program sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, which provides all area third grade students with a free book. - Love of Family Craft and Board Game afternoon. On February 14. There will be games, crafts, and Valentine’s fun from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. - READ with the Dogs on February 16. READ with the Dogs is a literacy program that helps children overcome reading anxiety. Stay up to date with all the events at the library by following their social media pag- es – on Facebook at Huntsville Public Library and on Twitter at @HuntsvilleLib. For more information, contact Children’s Coordinator Kristi Glasgow at 291-5472. The Huntsville Police Department is inviting citizens of Hunts- ville to participate in the 2015 Citizens’ Police Academy, a unique opportunity for participants to learn about police opera- tions firsthand. The CPA is a 13-week program that will meet from 6–9 p.m. at the Huntsville Police Department on Monday nights. According to HPD Senior Officers Mark Jenkins and Kenneth Posey, the deadline to apply for the program is March 23, and those approved to take part in the program will attend sessions every Monday from April 13 to July 10. “If you have ever wondered how a Huntsville police officer is trained, how the SWAT Team operates, or what it’s like to go on a night-shift ride-along, the Citizens’ Police Academy promises to be an engaging, one-of-a-kind experience,” Posey said. “Participants will have the opportunity to see and hear about the overwhelming curriculum recruits must master before be- coming part of the HPD. “Instructors will be real police officers who will take you on ac- celerated overview of various operations of our department. It is our goal to increase understanding of police work and devel- op effective partnerships between the Huntsville Police Depart- ment and our community.” Participants will hear HPD officers and employees discuss their roles and responsibilities within the department. There will be guest speakers from other criminal justice agencies within Huntsville and Walker County, including juvenile and adult pro- bation and the District Attorney’s office. Citizens will tour the County Jail and the Communications Center, ride with a police officer, and explore the Firing Range. The HPD strives to make this class hands-on and enjoyable while educating the participants about the police department and the local criminal justice system. According to Jenkins, the ideal candidate for the Citizens’ Police Huntsville Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy Academy is any local citizen with interest in the department or in law enforcement in general. “Join us and be part of this important effort – the only investment on your part is three hours of your time for 13 weeks,” he said. “What our participants will learn will not only benefit them. When they share what they’ve learned with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, we believe that will have a significant impact on the Police Department and on community relations." More information about the Citizens’ Police Academy is available on the HPD website at www.huntsvillepolice.com, in the Community section. Those interested in applying for this year’s CPA should download and complete an application and release and deliver both to the Huntsville Police Department located at 1220 11th Street. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, March 23, 2015. For questions, please contact Senior Officer Mark Jenkins or Sen- ior Officer Kenneth Posey at 936-291-5480. Citizenship Preparation Course The Huntsville Public Library, in conjunction with the Sam Houston State University (SHSU) Law, Engagement, and Politics (LEAP) Center, will present a free five-week Citizenship Preparation Course on Thursdays in April from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., in the Huntsville Public Li- brary Community Room. The course is designed to prepare immigrants for the U. S. Naturalization Test and will cover the application pro- cess, oral interview, and exam. All materials will be pro- vided. The classes are taught by Mike Yawn, Political Science Professor at SHSU. Space is limited and registration is required, so sign up at the library early. For more information, questions, or to register for the class, please contact Mary Kokot, at 936-291-5912 or mkokot@huntsvilletx.gov, or Mike Yawn at 936-294- 1456. SPRING into Veggie Planting Huntsville Public Library is pleased to host the Walker County Master Gardeners’ annual spring planting workshop on Friday, February 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in the library’s Community Room. Learn different gardening styles, soil preparation, planting time, fertilizers, watering, drip irrigation, pest control, and how to transform almost anyplace into an overflowing, growing gar- den. Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments provided. Register online for this free workshop at www.MyHuntvilleLibrary.com. For questions or additional information, call Denise Tilson at the library 936-291-5471.