City Council News - May 2009

City Council News - May 2009

Friday, 01 May 2009

Recycling program

In March, Utilities Director Michael Thane presented results of a six-week recycling program in which 43 volunteers participated. They were given two 96-gallon containers, one for trash and one for recycling, and the city picked up the containers once a week. Forty-one of the 43 participants said they’d like the program to be permanent.

However, because the recycling market has fallen out, rather than getting paid to deposit recyclables, the city must pay to drop them off at a recycling center in San Antonio. The cost to recycle is expensive at $20 per ton.

Thane provided no recommendation to the council. He said his staff will watch prices in the coming months and will come back with a cost estimate for the program and a recommendation.

Recycling program participants provided the following feedback:

• 17 said they altered their product purchases to buy more recyclables
• 39 participants said once a week trash and recyclables pickup met their needs
• 88 percent said they recycled more because of having a larger recycle bin

Signage

Planning Director Jim Stendebach proposed an ordinance amendment in March that was approved in April to establish a temporary program for special purpose signs in commercial centers. Stendebach said the purpose is to enable local businesses to promote themselves during a down economy. The amendment expires April 9, 2010, unless it is extended by the city council. The sign permit is free.

• Freestanding signs are not allowed to be internally illuminated.
• The council recommended a maximum 12 sq. ft. sign size.
• One sandwich board per business is allowed on sidewalks, but must meet ADA standards of providing 36 inches of space to pass.
• Inflatable signage, trailers with signs, streamers and flashing signs remain prohibited.
• Applies only to centers larger than 12 acres.

Upcoming Round Rock meetings

Round Rock City Council regular meetings May 14 and 28 at 7 p.m., 221 E. Main St.

Public input meetings for the General Plan

Hosted by the City of Round Rock Planning and Community Development Department, the series of public meetings will be held to gather public input on the city’s general plan, which is updated every 10 years to guide growth and development in the city. Topics for the kick-off meetings will be environment and quality of life, transportation, and maintaining community quality. RSVP at 218-5428 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .; Baca Center in the Grand Room, 301 W. Bagdad Ave., Bldg. 2, Round Rock

• Kick-Off Meeting - May 6: 7-9 p.m. or May 16: 9-11:30 a.m.
• Meeting 2 - May 27: 7-9 p.m.
• Meeting 3 - June 30: 7-9 p.m.
• Final meeting - July 15: 7-9 p.m.

Water for sale

The council authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute contracts with the City of Manor and with Manville Water Supply Corporation to wheel water from Lake Pflugerville through the Manville water lines to sell to the City of Manor. The City of Manor and Manville still need to approve the contracts.

Federal grant for Police Department

The council approved a $19,848 Justice Assistance Grant from the federal government in April. The Pflugerville Police Department will use the money to purchase a server, data storage system and distribution system from Mobile Vision to support a digital video system for patrol units. The funding will help the police department begin a transition from VHS to digital video format. Additional funding will be required to complete the transition and replace older technology in the 52 police vehicles.

Road responsibility

City staff on the Transportation Committee recently met with Texas Department of Transportation representatives to discuss the ongoing projects and challenges. A report was presented in April to the council that included traffic signal synchronization on Pecan Street, signal maintenance agreements, utilization of the MoKan right-of-way, pedestrian improvements in the Old Town area and considerations for operations and maintenance of Pecan Street and FM 685.

Upcoming Pflugerville meetings

Pflugerville City Council regular meetings May 12 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., 100 E. Main St., Ste. 500

Public Works open house

The City of Pflugerville will host an open house for local citizens to tour the public works facilities, including the new Pecan Street Community Gardens and the future site of the Pflugerville Recycling Center. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 251-9935.

May 9 from 8 a.m. to noonCity of Pflugerville wastewater treatment plant, 2609 E. Pecan St.