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City hosts second annual State of the City event virtually

The second annual State of the City event will be held virtually from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28.

Residents will be able to join the meeting on Zoom or via Facebook Live to hear from Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder and City Manager David Morgan.

The event highlights major projects and programs completed in 2020 and previews what is to come in 2021. City staff will also present information on topics including the historic design guidelines and small area plans, the household hazardous waste program and the transfer station upgrades, Mobility Georgetown Bond 2021, and the police department’s CommUNITY initiative.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during a question-and-answer session at the end of the event or may submit questions prior to the event by email to pio@georgetown.org.

All residents participating in the event will be entered to win one of several prizes, including a one-year family pass to the Georgetown Recreation Center and one-year passes to Garey Park.

For more information, including instructions about how to join the Zoom meeting, visit georgetown.org/state-of-the-city-2021

MLK Day closings on Jan. 18

City of Georgetown offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 18, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. There will be normal solid waste and recycling collection on Jan. 18.

City offices and facilities closed Jan. 18 for MLK Day include the following:

  • Animal Shelter, 110 Walden Drive
  • City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
  • Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
  • Municipal Court, 510 W. Ninth St.
  • Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
  • Planning Department, 406 W. Eighth St.
  • Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.
  • Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood Road
  • Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
  • Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive

The Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive, will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Transfer Station at 250 W.L. Walden Drive will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18.

The Visitors Center at 103 W. Seventh St. will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18.

GoGeo bus service

There will be no service Monday, Jan. 18.

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection

There will be normal residential solid waste and recycling collection for Texas Disposal Systems customers in the City of Georgetown on Monday, Jan. 18. For questions about solid waste collection, call TDS at 512-930-1715.

MLK Day events

There are several groups hosting a variety of in-person and virtual events in honor of MLK Day. To find more information, visit https://bit.ly/2LKtx2q.

MLK Day Events in Georgetown on Jan. 18-26

[CORRECTION: The time for the leadership prayer breakfast has been updated.]

A variety of events including a virtual program, service day events, and a race and ethnicity symposium will be held in Georgetown on Monday, Jan. 18, through Tuesday, Jan. 26. The events honor, celebrate, and continue the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Several City offices and facilities will be closed Jan. 18 in recognition of the holiday. For more information about City closures, visit https://bit.ly/3qj6z1m.

MLK Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 18

The Georgetown Ministerial Alliance and the Georgetown Police Department will host the MLK Leadership Prayer Breakfast from 8-9 a.m. The event will be held virtually at bit.ly/2XBDGRr. For more information, contact GMA president Rev. Harriett Jones at harriettjones.gma@gmail.com.

Day of Service on Jan. 18

The United Way of Williamson County is sponsoring a Day of Service on MLK Day from 9 a.m. to noon for youth or adults. The Day of Service includes virtual and in-person locations throughout Williamson County. To register, go to unitedway-wc.org/MLK_DOS or call (512) 255-6799.

Virtual MLK Day celebration on Jan. 18

The Georgetown Fellowship of Churches will host a virtual MLK Day Celebration event featuring speaker Dr. Paula Dawning at noon. Register to attend the event at bit.ly/2K4Gkfq

Youth Service Day on Jan. 18

The Georgetown Project is hosting a Youth Service Day on MLK Day for high school students in grades nine to 12, including a limited number of smaller projects because of COVID-19. The group plans to host a larger service day later this year.

Interested individuals should contact The Georgetown Project at 512-943-0074 for opportunities and availability.

Southwestern University Dream Week events Jan. 19-26

Southwestern University will host several events for its annual Dream Week programming.

“Southwestern University’s Racial History:” The Race and Ethnicity Studies annual symposium’s first session at 4 p.m. Jan. 21 will lay out the broader context of the mid-1800s when Southwestern was founded. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. Visit ringcentr.al/35EAucd to register to attend the virtual event.

Keynote presentation: The university will host a webinar performance from scholar, poet, playwright, and activist Sonia Sanchez from 7-8 p.m. Jan. 22. Register to attend the virtual event at ringcentr.al/35xJ3Wd.

“The Latina History Project:” The Race and Ethnicity Studies annual symposium part two at 4 p.m. Jan. 26 will feature the LHP, a faculty-student humanities collaborative providing archival and educational resources on Chicana/Latina feminism and activism in Texas since the 1960s. Join the event at ringcentr.al/2N2GXY8.

For more information about other planned MLK Dream Week events at Southwestern, contact Terri Johnson at 512-863-1342, email tjohnson@southwestern.edu, or visit southwestern.edu.

Georgetown Parks and Recreation to host virtual Cupid’s Chase 5K and Fun Run

The 26th annual Cupid’s Chase 5K and Kids Fun Run is going virtual in 2021.

The virtual race will take place Feb. 13-21 with participants completing 3.1 miles at the location of their choice.

The registration cost is $25 for the 5K for ages 11 and up and $10 for the Kids Fun Run for ages 10 and under. Registration ends on Jan. 22.

All participants will receive a race T-shirt. The first 200 5K participants will also receive a cooling towel and all Kids Fun Run participants will receive a race T-shirt and a goody bag. Participants can select to pick up these items during packet pickup at the Georgetown Recreation Center or have them shipped to their home for a $5 shipping fee.

“While we love seeing our community gather in person for this race, we’re adapting our events to keep everyone safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Melissa Trahan-Pecorino, Special Events and Marketing Coordinator for Georgetown Parks and Recreation. “We are excited for the opportunity to continue this longstanding Georgetown community tradition in this ‘virtual’ format this year.”

The race will not be officially timed, but participants are encouraged to submit photos of their time to be entered into a drawing for door prizes.

Cupid’s Chase is sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. To register online or for details, go to cupid.georgetown.org.

New pet for Christmas? Here’s what you need to know

Did your family get a new puppy or kitten for Christmas this year? Here are some important things to remember when caring for your new pet in the City of Georgetown.

Leash your pet: Always leash your pet in public. It is against City ordinances for dogs to be at large in the city limits, and for cats that have not been altered or vaccinated to be at large. It is also against City ordinances to chain or tether your dog unless a person is holding the restraint with a few exceptions.

License your pet: All dogs and cats that live within the city limits are required to have an annual City license. The City’s pet-license requirement helps keep rabies under control by enforcing the rabies vaccination requirements. The cost of a license is $5 for animals that are spayed or neutered or $20 for unaltered animals. For residents age 65 and older, the license is free if the pet is spayed or neutered. Free licenses are limited to one per person.                                                                          

Take care after your pet: You may not allow an animal to damage private property other than the owner’s property. Pick up after your pet by immediately removing any waste on public or private property and properly disposing of it. Free-roaming cats that cause a nuisance while off their owner’s property can be impounded, and their owner can be fined.

Learn more about Georgetown’s animal-related ordinances at pets.georgetown.org/overview/ordinances.

About the Georgetown Animal Shelter

The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter is located at 110 W.L. Walden Drive. The shelter is currently operating by appointment during its normal operating hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. For more information, visit pets.georgetown.org.

Georgetown Parks and Recreation to host virtual youth fishing derby

Georgetown Parks and Recreation will host a virtual Youth Fishing Derby Jan. 16-31 at Blue Hole Park, 100 Blue Hole Park.

Admission into the derby is free and open to youth age 12 and younger. A fishing permit is required for anglers age 17 and older. All participants must register in advance to be eligible for the prize drawing.

Blue Hole Park will be stocked with 1,500 rainbow trout prior to the event. Unlike previous years, participants will fish on their own time and submit photos to be eligible for prizes. Prizes will be drawn at random for those who submit a photo of their trout catch. More information about the process is available on the website and instructions on how to submit photos will be sent with the registration confirmation.

Due to rising COVID-19 case numbers in Williamson County, participants should maintain physical distancing of at least six feet from others not in their household. When not able to physically distance, face masks or coverings are encouraged. Good hand hygiene is also encouraged. Find out more at bit.ly/COVID19GTX.

For more information and to register, visit parks.georgetown.org/fishing-derby.

Recycling Christmas trees and boxes this holiday season

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. There is no solid waste or recycling collection on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Solid waste and recycling pick up slides one day to Saturday. For more information, click here.

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 Transfer 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 Transfer 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.

Transfer Station: Normal hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 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 three drop-off locations throughout Georgetown. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3nt88Zh.

2020-21 Sculpture Tour awards announced

The City of Georgetown Arts and Culture Board has awarded John Mark Luke the first prize award in the 2020-21 Sculpture Tour, a juried year-long outdoor exhibit in the historic downtown Georgetown Cultural District. Luke won for his piece “Interaction of Thought V,” a piece created from laminated wood, clear fiberglass and resin, steel rebar, and a semi-truck brake drum. The sculpture is located on Main Street near its intersection with Eighth Street.

Second prize went to Marla Ripperda for “Uncommon Egret” crafted from two-part epoxy clay over expanded metal lath. This piece is located on Eighth Street near the corner of Main Street.

The other sculptures accepted into the tour include:

“Butterfly” by Mary Angers
“Golden Hugs” by Marianne Caroselli
“Zenith” by Scy Caroselli
“And He Was Sad” (Eeyore) by Bob Coffee
“Ventura” by Humberto DeGarrio
“Paths We Choose” by Anthony St. James
“Great Bird” by Peter Mangan
“Letting Go” by Peter Mangan
“Twist” by Peter Mangan
“Moment of Reflection” by Dan Pogue
“Luminous Beings Are We” by Kirk Seese
“Pluma Sculptura”, aka The Feather by Kirk Seese
“Tree Branches” by Kirk Seese
“Nine” by Scott Shubin
“Sunburst” by Scott Shubin
“The Optimist” by Linda Wilde

The board selected these 18 sculptures from a total of 33 pieces submitted for consideration by 22 artists. All sculptures will remain on exhibit through October 2021.

For more information, including a map of the sculpture tour and images of the sculptures, visit arts.georgetown.org/art/sculpture-tour.

Holiday closings for City facilities and services

City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. City offices also will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. This includes the following:

  • Animal Shelter, 110 W.L. Walden Drive
  • City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
  • Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
  • Municipal Court, 510 W. Ninth St.
  • Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
  • Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
  • Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.
  • Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood Road

City of Georgetown facilities with weekend or evening hours will observe these closures:

  • Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive: closed Dec. 25, closed Jan. 1
  • Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243: closed Dec. 24-25
  • Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.: closed Dec. 24-25, open Dec. 31 (closing at 6 p.m.), closed Jan. 1
  • Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive: closed Dec. 24-25, open Dec. 31 (closing at 6 p.m.) closed Jan. 1
  • Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive: will close at noon Dec. 24 and is closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
  • Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.: Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 24; closed Dec. 25, open Dec. 31, closed Jan. 1

GoGeo bus service

There will be no service Thursday, Dec. 24, Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1.

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection

The holidays will affect solid waste and recycling pickups. Texas Disposal Systems will not collect solid waste and recycling on Friday, Dec. 25, or Friday, Jan. 1. For both holidays, Friday collection will slide to Saturday. To look up your collection day and to determine how the holidays will affect your collection, visit texasdisposal.com/waste-wizard.

For questions about solid waste and recycling collection, call TDS at 512-930-1715.

 

 

 

Georgetown seeks public input for Hazard Mitigation Plan

The City of Georgetown is currently in the process of updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan, which is updated every five years, aims to minimize or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from known hazards like droughts, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and other major disasters.

Hazard mitigation efforts could include projects such as flood channel clearing, road and bridge design changes, property buy-outs, building code changes, or public alert systems.

As part of updating the current plan, the City is seeking input from the community to help identify, analyze, and prepare for potential hazards affecting residents. The survey tool also asks residents to share if they have been affected by disaster events and about areas of the community they think are particularly vulnerable, should any type of disaster occur.

To help gather this information, the City has created an online survey in English and Spanish languages.

English Language Survey
Spanish Language Survey

“We encourage all residents of Georgetown, as well as folks who work in Georgetown and live elsewhere, to complete the survey,” said Raymond Mejia, emergency management specialist for the City of Georgetown.

The survey is open from Dec. 17 through Jan. 17, 2021. After the survey closes, results will be compiled, and included in the plan where applicable. The draft plan will be shared with the public in the spring.