City of Georgetown Texas > Articles by: Beth Wade

Best of Georgetown, TX winners announced

The votes are in for the best places in Georgetown. Here are some of the gold (first-place) winners:

Best Overall Restaurant
Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill

Best Veterinary/Pet Services
Zoot Pet Hospital and Luxury Boarding

Best Boutique
BiG Café and Shop

See a complete list of gold, silver, and bronze winners at bestof.georgetown.org.

Winning businesses receive window decals as well as certificates showing their award and category. All 2021 Best of Georgetown, TX recipients can pick up their award certificate and decal from the Georgetown Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St. The visitors center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

In addition, the business name will be listed on the 2021 winners’ flyer at the Visitors Center and on the Bestof.Georgetown.org website for one year. Winners will have access to the Best of Georgetown 2021 logo for use in their websites and printed material.

The annual Best of Georgetown, TX contest is sponsored by the City of Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Chase the Chief 5K and Fun Run on March 6

See if you can catch Interim Georgetown Police Chief Cory Tchida at the 10th annual Chase the Chief 5K and Fun Run: Sunday, March 6, at East View High School, 4490 E. University Ave.

People who would prefer to complete the run virtually also have that option this year. Participants can track their distance on a fitness app, take a screenshot, and email it to chasethechief@georgetown.org to be entered into a prize drawing. All submissions are due by 5 p.m. March 12.

Registration for the event is open and priced at $5 for students and $10 for adults. Register by Jan. 31 to be guaranteed a T-shirt. Packet pick up, including those participating virtually, will be from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. March 2-4 at the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, 3500 D.B. Wood Road.

Chase the Chief features a Fun Run, which starts at 2:15 p.m., and a 5K, which will start about 2:45 p.m. Other activities include a police department obstacle course and fitness fair open from noon to 5 p.m. Look for race day registration and other event activities on the athletic fields.

The goal of Chase the Chief is to encourage students and their families to lead active, healthy lives. This event is a joint fitness initiative by the Georgetown Police Department, Georgetown ISD, and the Georgetown Health Foundation.

Proceeds from this event will help fund grants for physical education programs at Georgetown area schools.

For more information and to register, go to ChaseTheChief.georgetown.org.

Proposed Voluntary Annexation of 1.56 Acres (Gardiner-Mueller House)

The City of Georgetown is considering a voluntary annexation of property into the city limits.  A Public Hearing will be held at the January 25, 2022 meeting at 6:00pm. City Council meetings are located at the City Council Chambers, 510 W. 9th Street. This Board is now meeting in-person with a quorum present and the public is welcome to attend. If special accommodations are needed, please reach out to the Staff Liaison, Robyn Densmore at robyn.densmore@georgetown.org or 512-931-7715 for assistance. Additional information on available options for public comment will be provided on the posted agenda.

The area being considered for voluntary annexation approximately 1.56 acres out of Lot 12A, Block 1, Oak Crest Unit 1 to be known as 407 Oak Crest Lane

After holding the required public hearings, the City Council will consider an ordinance for the annexation.

For additional information, please contact Cesar Acosta in the Planning Department, 512-930-6652 or email at cesar.acosta@georgetown.org.

Proposed Voluntary Annexation of 10 Acres (200 Hillvue)

The City of Georgetown is considering a voluntary annexation of property into the city limits.  A Public Hearing will be held at the January 11, 2022 meeting at 6:00pm. City Council meetings are located at the City Council Chambers, 510 W. 9th Street. This Board is now meeting in-person with a quorum present and the public is welcome to attend. If special accommodations are needed, please reach out to the Staff Liaison, Robyn Densmore at robyn.densmore@georgetown.org or 512-931-7715 for assistance. Additional information on available options for public comment will be provided on the posted agenda.

The area being considered for voluntary annexation approximately a 10 acre tract out of the William Addison Survey, Abstract No.21, generally located at 200 Hillvue Lane to be known as 200 Hillvue

After holding the required public hearings, the City Council will consider an ordinance for the annexation.

For additional information, please contact Cesar Acosta in the Planning Department, 512-930-6652 or email at cesar.acosta@georgetown.org.

Proposed Voluntary Annexation of 34.19 Acres (Brady Tract)

The City of Georgetown is considering a voluntary annexation of property into the city limits.  A Public Hearing will be held at the January 11, 2022 meeting at 6:00pm. City Council meetings are located at the City Council Chambers, 510 W. 9th Street. This Board is now meeting in-person with a quorum present and the public is welcome to attend. If special accommodations are needed, please reach out to the Staff Liaison, Robyn Densmore at robyn.densmore@georgetown.org or 512-931-7715 for assistance. Additional information on available options for public comment will be provided on the posted agenda.

The area being considered for voluntary annexation approximately a 34.19 acre tract out of the William Addison Survey, Abstract No.21, generally located at 2755 Rockride Lane to be known as the Brady Tract

After holding the required public hearings, the City Council will consider an ordinance for the annexation.

For additional information, please contact Cesar Acosta in the Planning Department, 512-930-6652 or email at cesar.acosta@georgetown.org.

Recycling Christmas trees and boxes

City of Georgetown residents are encouraged to recycle Christmas trees, boxes, and wrapping paper to reduce material going to the landfill. If you recycle your tree, please remove the tree stand and any garland, ornaments, or lights. Artificial trees cannot be recycled.

Curbside pick-up: Texas Disposal Systems customers in the city limits of Georgetown can put Christmas trees on the curb for collection on your regular yard trimmings pickup day. Trees seven feet in length or less can be placed at the curb uncut. Longer trees should be cut into sections. Artificial trees are not accepted.  

Collection day look-up: For City of Georgetown residents, your yard trimmings collection day is on your first recycling day of the month. Georgetown solid waste and recycling customers can check their collection days, sign up for text or email reminders, and find out how to sort your solid waste and recycling on Texas Disposal Systems’ Waste Wizard at texasdisposal.com/waste-wizard. The holidays will not affect solid waste and recycling pickups, because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fall on a Saturday. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3EX9m82.

Boxes and wrapping paper: Cardboard boxes and wrapping paper are recyclable. If they won’t fit in your recycling cart, you can put wrapping paper and boxes in a larger box and set it next to your recycling cart. Ribbons and bows are not recyclable.  

Cellophane wrap and plastic bags are recyclable if they are placed in a yellow bag-the-bag, tied, and placed inside the recycling cart. Bag-the-bag recycling bags are available for pick up at the Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St., Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave., and the Sun City Social Center monitors desk, 2 Texas Drive, and the Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Road. Note that extra plastic bags next to your trash cart are not permitted without a bag tag. Go to recycle.georgetown.org for a complete list of recyclables.  

Christmas tree drop-off: Christmas trees will be accepted at the City of Georgetown Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, from Dec. 26-Jan. 31 at no charge. Normal fees apply to other items. Recycled Christmas trees are turned into mulch, which is available year-round, free-of-charge to City residents. Artificial trees are not accepted.                                   

Collection Station: Normal hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Collection Station will close at noon Dec. 24 and be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. For details, contact Texas Disposal Systems at 512-930-1715.

The City of Georgetown also offers holiday string light recycling through Jan. 31 at drop-off locations throughout Georgetown. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3s528v3.

Cupid’s Chase 5K and Fun Run on Feb. 12

Register now for the 27th annual Cupid’s Chase 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, Feb. 12. The chip-timed 5K run/walk begins at 8 a.m. in San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St. The race begins and ends in the park. To register online or for details, go to cupid.georgetown.org.

Through Jan. 25, the registration cost for the 5K is $30 per person age 11 and older.

The Kids Fun Run for children age 10 and younger starts at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $10.

Participants who register before Jan. 25 are guaranteed to receive a Cupid’s Chase T-shirt. Cupid costumes are encouraged. Strollers and dogs on a non-retractable leash are always welcome on the Cupid’s Chase course.

Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female winners, the overall male and female masters winners, and the top three male and female finishers in each age division. Awards also will be presented to the top overall male and female City of Georgetown employees.

Race results will be posted after the race at cupid.georgetown.org.

In case of bad weather on race day, check facebook.com/GTXParksandRec, and parks.georgetown.org for updates. There are no refunds or transfers for participants.

Cupid’s Chase is sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. Event proceeds help fund projects at Georgetown parks. To register online or for details, go to cupid.georgetown.org.

City to host household hazardous waste event Jan. 19

The City will host a free household hazardous waste collection event from 3-6 p.m. Jan. 19 at the old show barn site in San Gabriel Park, 425 E. Morrow St.

The event will be available for up to 300 Georgetown solid waste customers who have solid waste service through Texas Disposal Systems. Customers must contact Customer Care at 512-930-3640 or customercare@georgetown.org to have their name placed on a list. Please include your name, address, and utility account number when emailing customer care. Customers must have their name on the list to participate.

Residents must remain in their vehicles during the no-contact collection. Staff will unload items from the back seat or trunk of the vehicle.

All items to be dropped off must be in their marked original containers. Commercial disposal and trailers are not allowed.

Acceptable items include:

  • Batteries (household, hearing aids, cell phone, etc.)
  • Automobile batteries
  • Pool and spa chemicals
  • Used oil/oil filters (up to five gallons per vehicle)
  • Transmission fluid
  • Light bulbs (including regular, compact, and four-foot fluorescent)
  • Grease
  • Thermometers
  • Over the counter, residential lawn and garden chemicals
  • Aerosols
  • Household cleaners and disinfectants marked caution, warning, or poison
  • Art and hobby chemicals
  • Paint (up to 10 gallons per vehicle)
  • Over the counter one-pound disposal propane bottles
  • Gasoline (up to five gallons per vehicle)

Unacceptable items include:

  • Unmarked containers or unknown chemicals
  • Construction, commercial, or landscape waste
  • Professional, concentrated chemicals that require a professional license to mix
  • Medications or pharmaceuticals
  • Oxygen tanks
  • Electronics
  • Tires
  • Explosives (including ammunition and fireworks)
  • Radioactive materials
  • Biological materials

Additional household hazardous waste collection events are being planned for 2022.

For more information about the City’s solid waste and recycling services, visit recycle.georgetown.org.

Williamson County hosts two household hazardous waste collection events open to all county residents each year. The spring event date is still TBD. Details for the county’s event can be found by calling 512-759-8881, option 4, or visiting https://bit.ly/3648ZYX.

Ubiquity to build open-access fiber-optic infrastructure across Georgetown

City Council approved a pole attachment agreement at its Dec. 14 meeting with communications network company Ubiquity which will pave the way for the construction of an open-access fiber-optic network throughout the city.

The company initially plans to invest $75 million to establish fiber connectivity across Georgetown and plans to start construction in early 2022 once right-of-way permits have been granted.

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Ubiquity, which will allow for more fiber network options to come into the Georgetown market,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said. “Fiber is the future, and we are glad Ubiquity selected Georgetown as an investment location for their new technology.”

The company’s open-access model makes the fiber system open to any local and national cable and internet service providers, as well as other technology platforms, such as 5G wireless cell sites. This approach reduces the cost and disruption of construction for providers looking to expand to Georgetown and maximizes connectivity choice across the Ubiquity footprint.

“Ubiquity is incredibly excited to bring next-generation fiber infrastructure to Georgetown,” Ubiquity Managing Director Greg Dial said. “Our open-access fiber model is designed to accommodate both current and future connectivity use cases including support of mobile carriers, smart city applications, edge computing, and a broad choice of broadband providers. The build-once, connect-all approach will reduce city disruption during installation while maximizing access to what has become a critical utility.”

Construction is expected to take 2-3 years to complete. The project will provide connectivity for 80 percent of residents and 95 percent of businesses in Georgetown with the first customers coming online in summer 2022.

For more information about the company, visit ubiquitygp.com.