City hosts Preservation Month webinars
In recognition of National Preservation Month in May, the City is hosting a series of informal webinars discussing Georgetown’s history and historic preservation efforts lead by Britin Bostick, the City’s Downtown and Historic Planner.
The meetings will be held on Mondays in May at Noon and feature a different topic each Monday. Links to the meetings will be online at historic.georgetown.org.
Preservation Month events:
- May 4—Where to find the City of Georgetown’s online historic resources and a brief history of Downtown’s development.
- May 11—Topic: What is a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA), why do we have them, and when did Downtown have a 100-foot tall tower?
- May 18—Pro tips for historic property research and the first known female real estate developer in Georgetown.
- May 25—How the railroad made the Downtown we enjoy today, and why Old Town has so many different building styles.
For more information, call (512) 930-3581, email historic@georgetown.org or visit historic.georgetown.org.
2020 Census: Shape your future
Households in the Georgetown area should already have received a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau in March. It’s not too late to respond. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline has been extended for census-takers going door-to-door. There is still time to be counted by responding online or by phone.
The mailing you received has information on how you can respond to the Census online or by phone. Or just go to go to 2020census.gov if you don’t have the mailing.
Since the census count of our population affects so much that happens locally, including federal funding and political representation, the City of Georgetown is partnering with the Census Bureau to encourage our residents to participate in the decennial count. The Georgetown Complete Count Committee, including staff from the City, Georgetown ISD, and a number of local nonprofits, is helping spread the word about the 2020 Census and why the census is important.
The census matters here: Census data are used to adjust electoral districts at all levels of government. An accurate count ensures all residents have a voice in how decisions are made. In addition, everyone who is counted represents $1,500 in funding for new highways, special education grants, schools lunches, hospitals, children’s health insurance, community development block grants, housing loans, and more than 100 programs.
Respond online, phone, or mail: The 2020 Census is the first time you can respond online. The mailer you received has instructions for how to respond online. If you can’t find the mailer, just go to census.gov/ and you will see how to respond. You also may respond by phone using a toll-free number included in the mailer. You can call any day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern Time at (844) 330-2020 for English or (844) 468-2020 for Spanish. Many other languages are available by phone. If the Census does not receive a response online or by phone from your household, then a survey will be mailed to you or a census-taker will leave one at your door.
Required by the Constitution: Everyone living in the U.S. is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census. The Constitution mandates a count of the population once every 10 years.
Ten questions: The census questionnaire includes 10 simple questions like the name, age, race, and sex, of people who live in your home on April 1. Other questions include whether you rent or own your home and a phone number in case the Census has any questions about your responses.
What the Census won’t ask: The Census will not ask you for your social security number, money or donations, credit card numbers, or citizenship status. If you suspect fraud from a mailer or phone call or someone at your door, call (800) 923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.
Answers are confidential: Your personal information is confidential and cannot be shared with anyone, including any government agencies or law enforcement. Your responses on the census cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. The Census uses responses to produce statistics with no identifiable information about you, your home, or your business. Information about individuals is protected by law for 72 years.
Responses are secure: Census responses are safe. Data encryption and two forms of authentication are used for ensure the security of responses.
The census population count is the basis for our representation at the Legislature and in Congress as well as billions of dollars in federal funding. The City aims to make sure everyone gets counted in the 2020 Census. Help to shape your future. You can learn more about the 2020 Census at census.gov/.
Red Poppy Festival goes virtual
The 21st annual Red Poppy Festival is going virtual due to COVID-19.
While the festival has been rescheduled to Oct. 23-25, the City is offering an interim virtual festival for fans to celebrate from home.
The online festival will include live music from Dysfunkshun Junkshun, a video replay of the 2019 Red Poppy Parade, and a presentation of the history of red poppies in Georgetown by The Daytripper star Chet Garner.
Special T-shirts commemorating the 2020 Red Poppy Festival: Virtual Edition, will be available for purchase. All proceeds will benefit The Caring Place. For more information, visit cityofgeorgetowntx.formstack.com/forms/2020redpoppyfestivalvirtualedition.
Join the event on Facebook for updates on the celebration and to watch the virtual events and videos.
2020 Red Poppy Festival: Virtual Edition schedule
Friday, April 24
7 p.m. Virtual Concert by Dysfunkshun Junkshun
Saturday, April 25
10 a.m. Virtual Parade Video Watch Party
2 p.m. Video with Chet Garner as Okra Compton: Fun Poppy History & Coloring Contest Winners
6 p.m. YouTube Playlist Featuring originally scheduled Saturday night entertainers, including, Matthew McQueen, Dale Watson, and Mark Chesnutt
WHERE: Live streamed on the 2020 Red Poppy Festival: Virtual Edition Facebook event
Proposed Voluntary Annexation of 20.26 Acres (The Preserve at Water Oak)
The City of Georgetown is considering a voluntary annexation of property into the city limits. A Public Hearing will be held at the May 12, 2020 meeting at 6:00pm. City Council meetings are located at the City Council Chambers, 510 W. 9th Street, but in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic the meeting may be held via teleconference. Please see the agenda posted at agendas.georgetown.org for information on how to access the teleconference meeting. The agenda is posted the Wednesday before the scheduled meeting.
The area being considered for voluntary annexation is approximately a 20.26-acre tract of land situated in the Isaac Donagan Survey, Abstract No. 178, generally located at 3701 W. SH 29, to be known as The Preserve at Water Oak.
After holding the required public hearings, the City Council will consider an ordinance for the annexation.
For additional information, please contact Ethan Harwell in the Planning Department, 512-930-3692 or email at ethan.harwell@georgetown.org.
Georgetown Electric Utility honored with national award for outstanding safety practices
Georgetown Electric Utility has earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2019. The utility earned first place in the category for utilities with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure.
“Strong safety programs are essential to ensuring that electric utility employees are informed and trained on safe work procedures,” said Brandon Wylie, Chair of the Association’s Safety Committee and Director of Training & Safety at Electric Cities of Georgia. “The utilities receiving this award have proven that protecting the safety of their employees is a top priority.”
More than 335 utilities entered the annual Safety Awards, which is the highest number of entrants in the history of the program. Entrants were placed in categories according to their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records during 2019. The incidence rate, used to judge entries, is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2019, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“Employee safety is our topmost priority,” General Manager Daniel Bethapudi said. “I’m consistently impressed with the professionalism and commitment to our customers and safety shown by Georgetown’s electric utility employees. This award shows that our safety program is one of the best in the nation. I would like to thank all our electric utility employees for this great achievement.”
The Safety Awards have been held annually for the past 60 years. The American Public Power Association is the voice of nonprofit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide.
The City of Georgetown electric utility started in 1910 when the residents of Georgetown approved bonds for the construction of the Light and Water Works plant on Ninth Street. Today, the City of Georgetown electric utility serves about 25,000 customers in its service area, which includes most of the Georgetown city limits as well as areas on the north side of Round Rock.
Georgetown Chamber and City of Georgetown partner to establish COVID-19 Small Business Resource Grant
As Georgetown small businesses continue to suffer financial fallout due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the City of Georgetown have approved funding for the Covid-19 Small Business Resource Grant.
Each entity has committed $100,000 to this grant, which seeks to provide immediate financial relief to Georgetown’s small businesses in amounts up to $5,000. The grant will assist with business expenses, such as rent and employee payroll.
“The coronavirus outbreak has sent us into uncharted territory,” Chamber President & CEO Jim Johnson said. “This grant is a critical step to mitigate the economic impacts of this challenge and help workers and businesses to weather the storm and come out stronger when things return to normal.”
Businesses may visit www.georgetownchamber.org/coronavirus-grant for more information and to learn how to apply for funding.
The Georgetown City Council voted unanimously Friday to approve $100,000 toward the grant at the recommendation of Georgetown Economic Development Corp. The City’s contribution comes from unused promotion funds the State allows Type A corporations to utilize at their discretion.
“The vibrancy of Georgetown is a direct result of the many amazing small businesses in our community that make Georgetown that special place we call home,” Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross said. “That’s why we welcome the opportunity to partner with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce to administer the COVID-19 Small Business Resource grant. The City is sensitive to the challenges our businesses and residents are experiencing, and we want to provide as much support as we can during this unprecedented time in our City’s history.”
For information about the City’s response to COVID-19, as well as other resources for businesses and community members, visit bit.ly/COVID19GTX.
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce is an independent 501(c)6 nonprofit organization with a mission to facilitate economic success for our community through advocacy, education and collaboration.
City closes Blue Hole Park to enforce physical distancing orders
Effective April 2, Blue Hole Park is closed to the public until further notice to help enforce physical distancing required by the Williamson County Stay Home Stay Safe Order.
The section of the trail going through Blue Hole Park will also be closed, and barricades will be installed at Scenic Drive and at Rock Street to close off the trail. Two Rivers and San Gabriel Village residents will still have trail access via the low water crossing below the dam.
“We did not want to close Blue Hole Park to Georgetown residents wanting to enjoy this community gem, but during the past week, we have received numerous complaints about overcrowding, and simply can’t ensure people’s safety anymore,” City Manager David Morgan said. “While we want residents of Georgetown to get out and enjoy our park, we have to maintain safe distances from one another to slow the spread of this virus in our community. If the City of Georgetown continues to see overcrowding or lack of physical distancing in other parks, we will have to close those as well.”
People who observe violations of the physical distancing can call the Georgetown Police Department’s non-emergency phone number: (512) 930-3510.
People with questions about the Stay Home order should call Williamson County’s hotline: (512) 943-1600. Calls are answered daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Effective March 25, all Georgetown Parks and Recreation amenities and playgrounds that don’t allow for physical distancing have been closed.
Closed
- Playgrounds
- Pavilions
- Exercise equipment
- Courts
- Drinking fountains
- Restrooms
- Skate park
- Gatehouse at Garey Park
- Play Ranch at Garey Park
- Blue Hole Park and trail going through it
Open
- Garey Park
- Bark Park
- Trails
- Open spaces
- Dog Ranch at Garey Park
- Equine amenities at Garey Park
Operating hours for amenities that remain open at Garey Park will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.
Park and trail users are encouraged to follow CDC guidance and practice physical distancing by remaining a minimum of six feet away from anyone you pass on the trails and avoid areas where people may gather.
City facilities remain closed to the public, with few exceptions, including the drive-thru window for utility payments and appointments at the Animal Shelter. For more information about City services, community resources, and frequently asked questions about COVID-19, visit georgetown.org/coronavirus-information.
Stay Home, Stay Safe order in effect March 24
The Stay Home, Stay Safe order, enacted by Williamson County on March 24, requires all Williamson County residents, including Georgetown residents, to remain home, except to complete essential tasks or provide essential services.
For more details on the Stay Home, Stay Safe order and the City’s response to Coronavirus, go to the City of Georgetown Coronavirus (COVID-19) site.
City closes Parks and Recreation amenities in response to Williamson County Stay-Home Order
Update: For the latest information on the City’s response to Coronavirus, go to the City of Georgetown Coronavirus (COVID-19) site.
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation will close all amenities and playgrounds that don’t allow for physical distancing. These closures will be in place until further notice. Staff will begin marking off closed areas throughout the day on March 25.
Now closed
- Playgrounds
- Pavilions
- Exercise equipment
- Courts
- Drinking fountains
- Restrooms
- Skate park
- Gatehouse at Garey Park
- Play Ranch at Garey Park
Open
- Garey Park
- Bark Park
- Trails
- Open spaces
- Dog Ranch at Garey Park
- Equine amenities at Garey Park
Operating hours for amenities that remain open at Garey Park will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.
Park and trail users are encouraged to follow CDC guidance and practice physical distancing by remaining a minimum of six feet away from anyone you pass on the trails and avoid areas where people may gather.
For more information about City services, community resources, and frequently asked questions about COVID-19, visit georgetown.org/coronavirus-information.
City Council extends local disaster declaration
Update: For the latest information on the City’s response to Coronavirus, go to the City of Georgetown Coronavirus (COVID-19) site.
City Council unanimously voted March 19 to extend the local disaster declaration issued by Mayor Dale Ross on March 14 through May 11.
The order’s primary purpose is to allow the City to take necessary steps to limit the development and spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the city based on information provided by public health agencies.
The original order followed disaster declarations by the President of the United States, the Texas Governor, and Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell. The extension follows a March 18 order from Judge Gravell, which limits gatherings of 10 or more and closed County facilities through May 11. Judge Gravell issued the order in response to the first, confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Williamson County.
The declaration allows the City to allocate resources, reorganize personnel, and enact procedures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Georgetown. It also allows for state assistance to be requested if local resources are insufficient.
As of today, more than 10,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 150 deaths from the disease have been reported in the United States. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reported a total of 143 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three deaths in the State of Texas, as of March 19.?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects more cases of COVID-19 to be identified in the United States in the coming weeks.
Local COVID-19 information
The City has closed all City facilities to the public, effective 8 a.m. March 19 through May 11. This closure includes the main lobbies of the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Georgetown Municipal Complex (GMC), and City Hall.
Staff are prepared to continue providing services via telephone, email, and other digital means. For department contact information, please refer to the City directory. Additionally, the City is preparing to implement a continuity of operations plan if such steps are needed to protect public health.
The City continues to coordinate daily with local, regional, and state partners and adjust its response in the best interest of the health and safety of our community. The City regularly updates its central COVID-19 webpage with answers to frequently asked questions and other resources and information for residents.
The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care.
Health officials also recommend those at higher risk of Coronavirus because of their age or because they have serious, long-term health problems stay home as much as possible to reduce their risk of contracting the disease. The CDC has issued guidelines and quarantine recommendations for travelers returning from countries with elevated risk of coronavirus.