An initial draft of a Bicycle Master Plan for Georgetown was presented to City Council at a workshop session on Tuesday. The plan presents a blueprint for future transportation projects or educational efforts to support a safe and well-connected bicycle network in Georgetown.

The proposed bicycle system in the plan includes several types of bicycle facilities including bike lanes on streets, buffered bike lanes, off-street paths, and pavement markings or signs to indicate dual use of roads for vehicles and bicycles. Key opportunities in the plan include connections across I-35 and University Avenue, three bicycle loops to provide circulation around the city, central east-west and north-south corridors, and bicycle enhancements to the downtown Square area. The plan also makes recommendations such as locations for bicycle racks, roadway adjustments, activities, signs, maps, and educational efforts to help safely integrate bicyclists into the transportation network.

The draft plan includes findings from surveys conducted in 2016, open house meetings and a survey in 2018, an assessment of current bicycle infrastructure and zoning factors, a proposed bicycle system plan, and a set of top 10 priority projects.

The draft Bicycle Master Plan was developed by graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture with assistance and guidance from City staff as well as other agencies.

A number of City boards and commissions will review and provide feedback on the draft plan, which is scheduled for adoption by ordinance by the City Council in November and December. In addition, there will be a public open house on the draft Bicycle Master Plan at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street.

The full draft Bicycle Master Plan document, as well as details and updates on board and commission meetings, is posted at transportation.georgetown.org/bike-plan.

The City will celebrate the completion of Phase 2 improvements to San Gabriel Park at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 4 at the Springs Pavilion, which is near the low-water crossing and the College Street Bridge. (See Springs Pavilion 10 on the map.)

Phase 2 of the San Gabriel Park improvements project included a new basketball court, restrooms at the disc golf course, two new playgrounds and swings, additional pavilions, road improvements, restoration of two existing springs, and trail improvements—including the extension of the San Gabriel trail to the Katy Crossing neighborhood, which is expected to be completed this fall.

The $4.2 million Phase 2 project was completed by Ritter-Botkin Prime Construction Company Inc. of Pflugerville.

Future phases of the San Gabriel Park project include improvements to the remaining areas of the park. The design of Phase 3 improvements was included in the City’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget.

Funding for the improvements was approved by voters in a 2008 parks bond. The San Gabriel Park Master Plan, which was completed in June 2015, identified improvements to be completed in phases to limit park disruptions.

One of the springs restored in phase 2 is shown below.

As pool season comes to a close, many pool owners may decide to drain their pools for cleaning or necessary repairs. It’s important to remember a few tips when draining your pool to protect waterways and yards.

Here’s how to properly drain your pool in three easy steps:

1. Let your pool water sit for five to ten days to allow chlorine to break down naturally. Avoid adding chlorine to the water before draining. The water pH level should be between 6.5 and 8.
2. Stop all chemical water treatments. Avoid adding any chemicals to help reduce the water pH.
3. Slowly drain pool water onto your lawn. If possible, drain the pool slowly onto your lawn over a few days. Avoid draining the pool water directly into storm drains and be sure to watch where the water goes to avoid flooding your neighbor’s yard.

Water from your pool may drain through yards into storm inlets, which lead to streams and rivers. Along with chlorine, pool chemicals can be toxic to fish, turtles, other amphibians, and plants.

By following these three steps, you can ensure that that water from your pool does not affect the water quality in rivers and streams or harm the plants, fish, amphibians, or other organisms that live in them.

For more information, visit transportation.georgetown.org/storm-water-plan/public-awareness.

Daniel Bethapudi will be Georgetown’s new general manager for the electric utility. After a nationwide search, Bethapudi was selected from more than 50 applicants to serve in the new role. He will be taking on responsibilities currently held by long-time general manager Jim Briggs who is retiring Sept. 30.

Bethapudi currently serves as the assistant director for College Station Utilities, directing and managing transmission and substation operations and overseeing strategic planning and power supply functions. While in College Station, Bethapudi successfully restructured and replaced multiple energy contracts, resulting in average annual savings of approximately $15 million. He also developed and implemented a risk management framework and governance model to equip decision makers at all levels of the organization to properly assess risk related to energy.

“It was not easy to make the decision to leave College Station,” Bethapudi said. “I moved here to attend graduate school and ended up staying more than 15 years. But Georgetown offers a unique opportunity for me and my family. I look forward to addressing the current challenges facing the electric utility, ensuring this great institution remains an asset for the community for years to come.”

In Georgetown, Bethapudi will oversee Georgetown’s electric utility which serves nearly 27,000 customers. Reporting directly to the city manager, the new general manager will have responsibility for more than 75 employees and an annual operating budget of $77.4 million.

“Daniel is uniquely qualified to lead our electric utility through its current financial challenges. He has a track record of restructuring energy contracts, improving risk management practices, and achieving financial excellence,” City Manager David Morgan said. “We’re excited for Daniel to join the City of Georgetown team. He’s a natural fit for our organization, and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Prior to College Station, Bethapudi served in several roles at Navasota, Texas-based Mid-South Synergy, including the manager of engineering and information technology as well as interim chief operating officer. He concluded his time at Mid-South as the vice president and chief financial officer, directing the finance, engineering, information technology, and electric operations. During his time at Mid-South, Bethapudi oversaw the financial turnaround of the electric cooperative, implementing new strategic and financial planning processes, financial models, and technology.

Bethapudi has a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Hyderabad in Hyderabad, India. He is also a project management professional, a certified energy manager, and a certified energy procurement professional. His first day at the City will be Oct. 7.

National Night Out, an annual event to support safe neighborhoods, is on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in Georgetown. Block parties are being organized from 6 to 9 p.m.

Last year there were more than 100 registered National Night Out events in Georgetown. Georgetown Police Department officers as well as other local law enforcement officers, elected officials, Georgetown firefighters and EMS technicians, and other City employees attended block parties in Georgetown.

The Georgetown Police Department is hosting a reception for hosts of NNO block parties at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, 3500 DB Wood Road.

For details about National Night Out in Georgetown, go to pd.georgetown.org/national-night-out.

The City of Georgetown Economic Development Department is partnering with Georgetown ISD, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce to host a Future Readiness Fair on Sept. 24 for Georgetown ISD high school students.

The fair will feature colleges as well as vocational programs, representatives from military branches, careers in manufacturing, representatives from local public safety organizations, and other job providers. Students will be able to meet representatives from different career paths, and discuss the admissions process, funding options for college, and other paths to success.

The event will be at East View High School, 4490 E. University Ave., from 6-8 p.m. All GISD high school students are invited to attend.

For more information, visit georgetownisd.org.

The City of Georgetown’s Bag-the-Bag program, which allows residents to recycle film plastics such as plastic grocery bags and other pliable plastic wrappers, has been expanded to include more yellow collection bag pick up locations.                                             

Georgetown solid waste customers can pick up two yellow bags each month from any of these five locations throughout the City:

• Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
• Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.
• Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
• Sun City Social Center monitors desk, 2 Texas Drive
• Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Road

The yellow bags are specially designed to compact when compressed in the back of the collection trucks. Other bags may “pop” when compressed releasing their contents into the back of the collection truck. Additionally, the bright yellow color makes the bag easy to spot, and sort, on the sorting the line at the material recovery facility.

Items that can be recycled through the program include:

• All types of clear or opaque common film plastics
• Single-use and reusable plastic bags with handles
• Dry cleaning bags
• Newspaper bags
• Meat and produce bags (free of food residue)
• Bread bags
• To-go food bags
• Ziploc-type bags
• Plastic wrap and cellophane products
• Six-pack rings
• All types of plastic wrap encasing products such as paper towel rolls, toilet papers, napkins, and paper plates

Once the yellow bag is full, tie it shut and place it in the recycling bin.

Find out more at recycle.georgetown.org/single-stream-recycling.