City of Georgetown Texas

The City of Georgetown is creating a Civic Leadership Academy to educate, connect, and inspire leaders to develop a strong commitment to community service for the greater good of Georgetown.

The academy will provide a learning experience for existing and emerging leaders to understand City services and functions while building the skills and knowledge to succeed in City leadership roles. Participants of the program are given the opportunity to develop an understanding of the promises and challenges facing our community, as well as their role as future City leaders.

The eight month program will meet from 2-6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, except for the first class, which will meet Sept. 30.

Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15.

To be eligible to attend, participants should be a resident of the City of Georgetown and be able to attend 6 out of 8 sessions.

Benefits of participating in the program include:

• an enhanced understanding of Georgetown local government, community challenges, and decision-making
• relationships with other community and local government leaders
• insight into how to use data to articulate challenges and advocate for resources for your community
• an in-depth look at how the City works and develop specialized knowledge about the City’s departments and programs
• information about how to become an effective community leader

To learn more and apply, visit government.georgetown.org/georgetown-civic-leadership-academy.

Georgetown District 6 Council Member Rachael Jonrowe has resigned from her seat effective July 6, 2021. She cited personal reasons for her decision when she announced her intention to resign in June.

“Serving on behalf of the residents of District 6 for the last 10 [plus] years has been the honor of a lifetime, and I look forward to being able to continue to connect and serve with many of them, as a friend, in the years ahead,” Jonrowe posted to her official Facebook page Tuesday. “I wish everyone full measures of grace, empathy, and wisdom, as our community continues to deliberate, debate, and vote on issues of vital importance to the current generation and those to come. And I encourage us all to actively search out opportunities to include people with different experiences and points of view in these decisions. I believe we all benefit when we do so…and listen to their voices.”

Jonrowe was serving her fourth term on City Council, after being most recently reelected in November 2020. The City Charter and the Texas Constitution require a special election within 120 days of a vacancy, which coincides with the Nov. 2, 2021, election.

“While I was surprised and saddened by Jonrowe’s resignation from City Council, I fully support her decision to prioritize her family and her health,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said. “I thank her for her service to this community and wish her well in her future endeavors. I know that she will remain an active participant in Georgetown. I look forward to working with the next representative of District 6.”

Jonrowe served on multiple boards during her time on the council, including the boards for the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation, the Downtown Georgetown tax increment reinvestment zone board, the Transportation Advisory Board, and the Animal Shelter Advisory Board. As a volunteer in the community, she has helped organize letter-writing, voter registration, and get-out-the-vote drives and works to encourage greater diversity and participation in local government.

While a City Council member, Jonrowe was committed to encouraging more people to “be aware of who their representatives are, get involved, and encourage accountability and transparency.” She said her personal goal, as an elected representative, was to do her part to make sure decisions made at City Council reflected the needs and desires of her district and benefited the people of Georgetown.

Jonrowe was born and raised in Austin and moved to Georgetown in May 2006. Jonrowe and her husband, Brian, have four children, and she is a co-owner of Lark & Owl Booksellers, 205 Sixth St., Ste. 101.

Georgetown City Council will host a public hearing July 13 during its regular meeting to get feedback on proposed amendments to the City’s charter.

The City Charter is the legal document establishing a municipality and defines the structure, powers, functions, and procedures of local government.

City Staff and members of the council-appointed Charter Review Committee identified several potential charter amendments, which were presented to the council at its May 25 workshop for discussion and direction from City Council. Direction from the council was sent back to the committee for consideration and to be drafted into a final report that outlined the committee’s recommendations to the council.

At its June 8 meeting, City Council reviewed the committee’s final recommendations and gave its recommendations for charter amendments.

Proposed amendments include changes related to:

1. Term limits
2. Council qualifications
3. Council vacancies
4. Rules of procedures
5. Procedures to enact legislation
6. Franchise agreement notifications
7. Public lead initiative, referendum, and recall requirements
8. City structure language

Details of proposed changes can be found at Georgetown.org/2021-charter-amendment-election.

The council is expected to consider the first reading to call a charter amendment election at its July 27 meeting. The second reading would be Aug. 10.

If approved, the charter amendments would be on the Nov. 2 ballot. Early voting and Election Day information will be listed at wilco.org/elections.

The City is seeking feedback from the community regarding general knowledge of the natural waterway systems and the programs the City of Georgetown provides to protect those systems. The results will be used to develop or improve education materials and programs residents can use to help protect water quality.

“Our waterways, like Lake Georgetown and the San Gabriel River, aren’t just great recreation spots,” Georgetown stormwater management coordinator Tiffany Spicer said. “They also serve as homes to hundreds of species and provide drinking water from, through and to Georgetown and other communities in the area. It’s important we know people’s understanding of these systems, their impacts, and our programs, so we can work together to protect these critical resources.”

Take the survey here before it closes Friday, July 16.

The City of Georgetown has a Storm Water Management Program as required by state and federal regulations. The program describes the steps required to reduce pollutants in the City’s storm water. The City’s existing programs and activities are designed to protect the environment and water quality. The survey results will be used to improve the program and community outreach.

More information can be found at transportation.georgetown.org/storm-water-plan.

[UPDATE: Fireworks may start at about 9:15 p.m.]

The Georgetown Sertoma Club will have a fireworks display at dusk Sunday, July 4, in San Gabriel Park for its 38th annual Family July 4 Celebration. The parade and other festivities normally included in the celebration have been canceled.

“Several months ago, a joint decision was made by the City of Georgetown and the Georgetown Sertoma Club not to hold this year’s festivities in San Gabriel Park due to COVID,” Georgetown Sertoma Club President Lauri Tulloch said. “Since then, we have seen improved conditions. It’s much too late for the necessary planning of events, but we are thrilled to be able to provide the fireworks show.”

The fireworks display begins at about 9:15 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from the McMaster Athletic Fields on North College Street. Fireworks can be viewed from San Gabriel Park, VFW Park, and other areas in Georgetown. The best entrance to San Gabriel Park for the event via Morrow Street on North Austin Avenue. The free event is sponsored by the Georgetown Sertoma Club service organization with assistance from the City of Georgetown.

Please do not bring dogs to the July 4 event.

Parking

There is limited parking in San Gabriel Park. Attendees also are encouraged to park at Georgetown High School and carpool to San Gabriel Park. Limited handicapped parking is available in the designated area on the south side of San Gabriel Park.

Both the McMaster Fields parking lot and the Parks and Recreation Administration parking lot at North College Street and W.L. Walden Drive will be closed on July 4 due to their proximity to the fireworks fall zone.

College Street and McMaster Fields closure

Due to the fireworks fall zone, North College Street will be closed Sunday, July 4, from about 9 to 11 p.m. between the traffic circle and Holly Street. Parking, standing, or sitting along that segment of North College Street will not be permitted during this time.

The McMaster Athletic Fields will be closed all day Sunday, July 4.

Personal fireworks prohibited

By City of Georgetown ordinance, fireworks are not allowed in the city limits of Georgetown or within 5,000 feet of the city limits, unless they are used in a permitted display authorized by the Georgetown Fire Department. This area outside city limits includes, but is not limited to, the neighborhoods of Cedar Hollow, Crystal Knoll, Escalera, Fountainwood, Indian Creek, Logan Ranch Road, Lost Rivers, Oak Crest, Olde Oak Estates, Serenada, Shady Oaks, Turtle Bend, and Woodland Park, and areas along D.B Wood Road.

Violations can lead to fines of up to $2,000 per firework. To view a map showing the 5,000-foot boundary, go here.

Additionally, please make sure your dog is secure inside your home, particularly during the evenings of the holiday weekend. Georgetown animal control officers pick up several loose dogs around the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays, many of whom are never reunited with their owners.