City Council Approves Plan
to Improve Brush
Collection Service
The Waco City Council approved a plan to improve brush collection
services. The Solid Waste Services department had a difficult time
keeping up with high volumes of brush piles last year produced by
unusually heavy rainfall.
To address this issue, the department will be purchasing three
new trucks to add to the fleet. These trucks will not only be able
to pick up brush, but recycling items in a separate compartment.
This means that one new truck can do work that previously took
two trucks to do, saving fuel costs, reducing air emissions, and
adding efficiency to garbage pickups.
The council approved an increase of 50 cents to residential solid
waste fees, which will now be $14.20 per month.
However, the City will no longer charge for the collection of residential
brush piles larger than 5 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet. Larger piles
will require a call to Solid Waste Services for removal.
Large bulky waste pile removal charges will remain in effect. A
portion of the new fee will also go toward the creation of a new
cell in the landfill.
A cell is an area of a landfill that is especially engineered to
receive garbage. According to state and federal regulations, all
garbage that is landfilled must be disposed of in an approved cell.
Because of the engineering controls designed to protect air and
water resources, cell construction is a costly, but necessary expense.
For more information, call Solid Waste Services at 299-2612.
New Programs on WCCC-TV
Beginning April 1, the Waco City Cable Channel will
add two new programs to its lineup.
“The American Veteran,” a monthly half-hour news magazine
from the Department of Veterans Affairs, tells compelling stories
of real-life veterans who have taken advantage of the many and varied
benefits and services available to them as a result of their military
service.
This program will air on WCCC-10 TV (on Time Warner
and Grande Cable systems) on Wednesday’s at 11 a.m., Thursday’s
at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday’s at 8 p.m.
Each weekday morning at 7 a.m., citizens can begin
their day with “Sit and Be Fit,” a popular exercise program committed
to healthy aging.
The program features nationally recognized health
and fitness expert, Mary Ann Wilson, and is made possible by the
Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.
The program will also air Tuesday and Thursday mornings
at 11 a.m. The Waco City Cable Channel continues to expand its programming
to provide alternative, quality programs for Waco area citizens
to enjoy.
Police Academy
Now Recruiting
The Waco Police Department is accepting applications
for police recruits until noon on Friday, April 25. The academy
will begin in August of 2008.
Beginning salary: $17.91/hour during academy to $19.57/hour
after academy.
Police officers from other law enforcement agencies
may be eligible for higher starting pay based on previous experience
and under certain conditions.
Applicants who have a permanent and current TCLEOSE
peace officer’s license may qualify for a modified academy or Fast
Track program.
The City of Waco is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer.
For more information, contact Waco Police Personnel
Office, 721 N. 4th Street, Waco, TX 76701.
Lifeguard Certification
Looking for a great summer job?
The City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department and the American
Red Cross are teaming together to offer lifeguard certification
classes.
The classes will take place in April. Participants must be at least
15 years of age or older before the last scheduled class.
There will be a pre-course session where a swimming skills test
will be given. Upon completion of the classes, participants will
receive First Aid and CPR certification.
Lifeguards can apply to work at Waco Water Park, which will open
in May. For registration information, call 750-5874.
Book Sale Donations
The Friends of the Waco-McLennan County Library are taking donations
for the fall book sale.
Paperbacks, hardbacks, movie videos, textbooks, CDs, DVDs, and
2003 to present encyclopedias are needed.
Books may be dropped off at any library location. For more information,
please check out the library Web site at www.waco-texas.com
or contact Kim Salome at 750-5974.
Good Times Guide
Pick up a copy of the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department’s
Spring and Summer edition of the “Good Times Guide” for all the
latest updates on classes, programs, events and recreation leagues
in Waco.
The guides are available at city facilities or at www.waco-texas.com.
How to Contact Us:
If you have news from your neighborhood association that
you'd like for us to include in future editions of City Limits,
you can call us at (254) 750-5638 or e-mail us at City
Limits News.
Copies of the City Limits are available at all four Waco-McLennan
County libraries.
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Early Voting for City Elections
The City Elections will be held on Saturday, May 10.
Voters will select council representatives for Mayor (at- large)
for Districts I and III. In order for your vote to count, remember
to register by April 10. The early voting dates and times are as
follows:
- April 28 - May 2 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.;
- and May 3, 5, 6 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
The early voting locations are:
- McLennan County Records Building, 214 N. 4th St.
- First Assembly of God Church, 6701 Bosque Blvd.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2710 Speight Ave.
- Multi-Purpose Center, 1020 Elm St.
- Community Midway Plaza, 8714 LaVillage Ave., Suite 105A
Voter registration applications are available at the following
locations:
- City Secretary’s office in City Hall
- The Waco-McLennan County Libraries
- Department of Public Safety Office
- The McLennan County Elections Office.
For more information, call the City Secretary’s Office at 750-5750
or visit the City of Waco Web site at www.waco-texas.com.
The good times and great music return to downtown
starting in April at the City of Waco’s Brazos Nights concert series.
The first free concert of the year will be Friday,
April 4 with polka legends Brave Combo and the latin-funk ensemble
Grupo Fantasma.
Both bands are recognized internationally for their
dynamic live performances. The concerts will continue with a Cinco
de Mayo flavor on Friday, May 2 and the Friday, June 6 show will
feature a couple of Texas music legends.
The concert series concludes on July 4 with a lineup
of blues legends and the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza.
The Brazos Nights concerts are free and will begin
at 7:30 p.m. at Indian Spring Park, next to the Suspension Bridge.
Concessions will be available. For more information
and a complete schedule, call 750-5781 or visit www.waco-texas.com.
Tips from Animal Control:New Laws Regarding Care
of Dogs
The State of Texas has enacted a new law that states;
pet owners may not leave their dogs outside and unattended by using
restraints that unreasonably limit their dogs’ movement.
The restrictions apply during the hours of 10 p.m.
to 6 a.m. and restraint for more than three hours in a 24-hour period.
The law also covers extreme weather conditions including
temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a heat advisory, or severe
weather.
The new law also restricts the use of pinch-type,
prong-or choke-type collars that are not properly fitted to the
dog; and the use of a chain that is shorter than five times the
length of the dog. If an animal control officer observes violations
to this law, the officer may issue a warning, followed by a citation.
There are a couple of options for pet owners to comply
with the new law. One option is to bring the dog inside the home
to live and provide exercise through regular walks using a leash.
The second option is to construct or buy a secure
fenced enclosure for your pet. Animal Control officers remind pet
owners that these new laws are for the health of your pets.
An otherwise friendly and happy dog that is chained
and isolated can become unhappy, anxious and aggressive.
Chained dogs can also unintentionally injure themselves
and are at risk of attacks by other animals.Finally, chaining dogs
can worsen behavior problems and create new ones.
For more information or to ask questions, call the
Waco Police Department at 750-7500 and ask to speak to an Animal
Control officer.
Plan a Party at the Water
Park
The spring is the best time to plan a summer party
at the Waco Water Park.
The park begins hosting parties in May and will open
to the public Memorial Day weekend. Birthday packages, pavilion
rentals and other options are available.
Waco Water Park includes two water slides, a competition
pool, various water toys and pavilions all in a natural setting
along Lakeshore Drive. For information, call 750-5874.
Yard Waste Collection
Resumes April 1
The City of Waco Solid Waste Department will resume
the yard waste collection service on April 1.
The City began this program in June of 2005 as part
of our plans to save valuable landfill space and use the yard clippings
to create compost. Bagged clippings cannot be recycled and will
have to be sent to the landfill.
The City of Waco offers a third special 35-gallon
green colored cart to be used for yard waste only.
The carts are available to City of Waco residential
utility customers at the Solid Waste Administrative Office, 501
Schroeder.
There is no extra charge for this basic service, but
larger carts or a second cart are extra. The yard waste collection
service is offered from April through October each year.
For more information, call 299-2612.
Lake Waco & Neighborhood
Clean-up Events
Saturday, April 5
- Gardening on Elm
Students from J.H. Hines Elementary and other volunteers will
be planting flowers. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. @ 714 Elm Street, River Development
building
- Lake Waco Clean-up
Volunteers should bring gloves, wear long pants and closed toed
shoes. Hot dog lunch will be provided. 8:30 a.m. check-in 9 a.m.
- 1 p.m. volunteer hours @ Speegleville Pavilion
- Neighborhood Clean-up Day
Students with Baylor’s Steppin’ Out and neighborhood associations
will participate in clean-up projects Contact Keep Waco Beautiful
for roll-offs, gloves, trash bags, or other supplies.1 p.m. -
4 p.m.
- Used Tire Recycling Day
All residents of McLennan County can bring up to 10 tires (33
inches or less) for free. An additional 15 tires per household
will be accepted at $1 per tire. Proof of residency required.
9 a.m. - noon @ HOT Fair Grounds, Bosque Blvd. entrance
For more information contact Keep Waco Beautiful 750-5728
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