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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter January 2015© City of Georgetown, 2014 VOL.12 • NO.1 A Publication of the City of Georgetown January 2015 Holiday Closings City offices closed Jan. 1: New Year’s Day Jan. 19: MLK Day No solid waste or recycling pickup on Jan. 1. For New Year’s week: Thursday slides to Friday Friday slides to Saturday Regular solid waste and recy- cling collection on MLK Day. For the second time in four years, the Georgetown Animal Shelter marked an important milestone for the animals in their care. The City shelter achieved a live out- come rate of 90 percent for the 2014 fiscal year, which spanned October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014. This means that the shelter met the common standard for no- kill status, which is a euthanasia rate under 10 percent. Animals are euth- anized at the shelter only when they are severely sick or injured, or exhib- it behavior unsafe to other animals or people. This is the second time for the shel- ter to meet the annual no-kill stan- dard. The shelter had a 90 percent live outcome rate in the 2011 calen- dar year. In the 2013 fiscal year, the live outcome rate was 81 percent, and in fiscal year 2012 it was 85 percent. “I’m so proud of our staff and volunteers who work so hard to find good, appropriate homes for our dogs and cats. And we are all grateful to the public for adopting,” said Jackie Carey, animal services manager. There were other notable milestones from the 2014 fiscal year compared with prior fiscal years: A record number of adoptions, with 904 in 2014, 871 in 2013, and 822 in 2012. A noticeable spike in cat adoptions, with 500 adopted in 2014, 371 in 2013, and 412 in 2012. The highest number of impounded animals ever with 1,863 impounded in 2014—a 12 percent increase. The number impounded in 2013 was 1,664 and in 2012 was 1,671. A near-record number of animals returned to their owners with 426 returned in 2014, 438 in 2013 and 318 in 2012. That is a 34 percent increase from two years ago. According to Carey, the dramatic increase in animals being returned to their owners is probably a result of increased efforts to track down and work with owners on reclaiming their animals, as well as more ani- mals being microchipped. In summary, the shelter took in 12 percent more animals than in the previous year, yet both the number of adoptions and the number returned to owners increased, resulting in fewer animals being euthanized. “This is a huge accomplishment for an open intake municipal shelter,” said Carey. “We are required by law to take in every animal surrendered or picked up at-large within our jurisdiction, even aggressive or sick animals. To accomplish no-kill under those requirements is nothing short of amazing.” Best Overall Restaurant:Dos Salsas Best Hamburger:Burger University Best Barbeque:The Pit Barbeque Best Pizza:600 Degrees Pizzeria and Drafthouse Best Wine:Georgetown Winery Best Women’s Haircut:Razmataz Salon Best Wedding Venue:Gabriel Springs For a complete list of the gold, silver, and bronze winners, go to Bestof.Georgetown.org. Best of Georgetown, Texas Winners The votes are in! Below are some of the gold (first-place) winners in the 2014 Best of Georgetown, Texas contest: Animal Services employees Jackie Carey and Shawn Gunnin help to take care of cats like Mouse at the shelter. Georgetown Animal Shelter Meets No-Kill Goal Abby, an energetic Australian Cattle Dog, shows some love to Animal Services employees John Torrez and Jessica Pierce in the dog recreation area at the shelter. The Georgetown Animal Shelter is located at 110 W.L. Walden Street next to the McMaster Athletic Complex. The shelter website is pets.georgetown.org. Contact the Georgetown Animal Shelter by phone at (512) 930-3592 or by email at animalsvc@georgetown.org. Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org January Events Farmers Markets Sun City Market, Tuesdays 9 a.m. to Noon, 2 Texas Drive at Social Center Georgetown Market, Thursdays 3:30 - 6:30 p.m., Church of Christ, 1525 W. University Ave. Details at www.gtfma.org Wolf Ranch Farmers Market, Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wolf Ranch Town Center, 1015 W. University Avenue, WolfRanchFarmersMarket.com. The Palace Theater Jesus Christ Superstar, Jan. 16 – Feb. 15 Details at GeorgetownPalace.com, or call (512) 869-7469. A new section of the San Gabriel River Trail was dedicated by the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department in October. The new mile-long trail section extends from University Avenue north to Blue Hole Park. The eight-foot-wide concrete trail parallels Scenic Drive and goes through Chautauqua Park. The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown Public Communications Department, P.O. Box 409, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. For questions or comments, contact Keith Hutchinson, public communications manager, at (512) 930-3690 or by email at keith.hutchinson@georgetown.org. Park improvements Trail Section Dedicated ings for the house, the Customer Care representative identified a likely irrigation leak. After further investi- gation at Copelan’s home, an irriga- tion pipe was found to be separated at a joint, causing the loss of water. Thanks to Aqua Messenger, Copelan was notified immediately that his water consumption had peaked over his designated level, thus resulting in the discovery of a damaged pipe and no more water lost. Copelan hopes his story will help others be aware that Aqua Messenger really does work. “Good thing we had Aqua Alert!” says Copelan. To sign up for Aqua Alerts, go to water.georgetown.org. Georgetown customer John Copelan was away on a beautiful Alaskan vacation when he received an email from the Aqua Alert Messenger. Much to his surprise, the alert let him know that his water usage had exceeded his selected threshold. Copelan contacted the Georgetown Customer Care department about the unexpected water use number. In looking at daily water use read- Renovations to San Jose Park at 1707 San Jose and Chautauqua Park at 602 Rucker Street also were completed in October. Work included new parking areas, restrooms, and accessible walkways at each park, as well as new playground equipment at San Jose Park. The new trail section includes an overlook near the University Avenue Bridge over the San Gabriel River. The new playground at San Jose Park includes swings and a playscape. Georgetown voters approved Proposition 1 for the street mainte- nance sales tax with 83 percent sup- port for the measure in the November election. Prop 1 is for the reauthorization of a dedicated 0.25 percent sales tax for street mainte- nance in the City of Georgetown. Georgetown voters initially approved the sales tax for street maintenance in 2002 by 57 percent of the vote. The sales tax was reau- thorized in 2006 by 72 percent of the vote and in 2010 by 80 percent approval. The sales tax must be reauthorized every four years according to state law. Street Maintenance Sales Tax Reauthorized City Boards and Commissions The City of Georgetown is accept- ing applications to fill vacant or expiring terms on the City’s boards or commissions. The deadline to apply for one of these volunteer positions is January 9. Terms begin in March. Information and applica- tions are available at www.george- town.org. Aqua Alert Works