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Be aware of risks associated with swimming in rivers and lakes
While places along the San Gabriel River like Blue Hole as well as Lake Georgetown are popular summertime destinations, those using these natural water bodies should be aware of potential risks. Stormwater runoff flowing into our rivers and lakes often contains bacteria and other organisms, especially after rainfall.
During the summer months, warmer temperatures can lead to higher levels of bacteria in our rivers, streams, and in Lake Georgetown. Some of the highest levels of bacteria and other organisms can be found in areas where the river current slows or pools due to natural barriers or dams. Slow-moving water combined with higher temperatures can allow organisms to multiply in the water.
Swallowing natural water while swimming or diving or exposing cuts or open eyes to natural water can lead to a variety of illnesses or skin conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about how to avoid recreational water illnesses.
If you have questions about health-related problems which you suspect may be the result of recreation in natural waters, or you would like more information, contact the Williamson County and Cities Health District at www.wcchd.org or call 512-943-3660.
Linda McCalla awarded 2019 Main Street Star Award
Long-time resident and business owner Linda McCalla was recognized as the 2019 Georgetown Main Street Star Award recipient June 22 at the Texas Main Street Reunion held in Georgetown.
The Main Street Star award recognizes individuals for outstanding activity promoting downtown Georgetown, contributions making a lasting impact on downtown Georgetown, and meeting the Main Street Program’s mission of enhancing downtown vibrancy and historic preservation. The Georgetown Main Street Advisory Board voted to recognize McCalla for her service to downtown Georgetown during its annual retreat in early June.
McCalla was the first Main Street Manager in Georgetown, helping to develop the foundation of the program and start the revitalization of downtown in 1982. Since that time, she has been actively involved in further improvements to downtown. She has served on many boards and committees, including the Main Street Advisory Board, Historic Architecture and Review Commission and as past president for Preservation Georgetown. She now serves on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. She recently completed a restoration project on her downtown property and worked with the Main Street Program, receiving a façade grant to complete the work.
“Linda is a great steward of her own property and as a past HARC commissioner has helped enhance preservation and new construction projects in downtown,” Downtown Development Manager Kim McAuliffe said. “She was one of the first people that reached out to me when I started working in Georgetown, and as soon as we met, I knew she and I would be fast friends. She has been a great resource and supporter.”
Since the establishment of the award in 2014, the Georgetown Main Street Program has recognized seven individuals in downtown Georgetown, including. Lucas Adams, Chet Garner, Rusty Winkstern, Judy and Len Lester, and Beverly and Don Adams.
The Georgetown Main Street Program, established in 1982, is a preservation driven, economic development program within the City of Georgetown’s Economic Development Department. To learn more, visit mainstreet.georgetown.org.
Homeowner associations asked to register with City
Starting July 1, the City of Georgetown will notify registered neighborhood, homeowner, and property owner associations of proposed land use changes for properties in areas governed by an association or within 300 feet of the association’s boundary. Association managers or representatives can go to planning.georgetown.org and click the “Neighborhood Association Notification Registration” button to begin the registration process. Changes in land use include rezoning and special use permits, as well as other changes.
At their June 11 meeting, City Council adopted new notification standards to increase public review and provide additional opportunities for adjacent residents to learn about, discuss, and provide feedback on proposed requests in advance of the public hearing process.
In addition, the changes increase the notification radius from 200 feet to 300 feet and require the City to notify property owners in the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction of requested changes.
“These changes go a long way to increase our outreach when it comes to changes in land use,” Mayor Dale Ross said. “Notifying property owners within 300 feet, homeowner associations, and people in the ETJ goes well beyond state law and is a model for transparency in governance.”
Registered associations will receive a notification for any land use changes requested for properties within their boundaries or within 300 feet of their boundaries. Registrations will be processed within five business days.
Proposed Voluntary Annexation of 112.85 Acres (Patterson Ranch)
The City of Georgetown is considering a voluntary annexation of property into the city limits. The Public Hearings will be held at the July 9, 2019 meeting at 3 pm and 6 pm. City Council meetings are located at the City Council Chambers, 510 W. 9th Street.
The area being considered for voluntary annexation is approximately a 112.85-acre tract of land situated in the William Addison Survey, generally located at the northeast corner of Southwestern Blvd. and CR 110, to be known as Patterson Ranch.
After holding the required public hearings, the City Council will consider an ordinance for the annexation.
For additional information, please contact Chelsea Irby in the Planning Department, 512-931-7746 or email to chelsea.irby@georgetown.org
City to measure recycling participation
The City of Georgetown is counting how many residents participate in the City’s curbside recycling program. The count will be done June 16-30.
The City reviews residential recycling participation each year to ensure the service is meeting the needs of the community. Staff will count the number of recycling carts at the curb and consider route or service changes needed to increase participation.
Last year’s participation rate was 70.3 percent. Recycled materials are collected by the City’s solid waste contractor, Texas Disposal Systems, and processed at their Materials Recovery Facility in Creedmore. TDS provides residents with single-stream recycling, requiring no material separation at home. The MRF processes more than 50,000 pounds of recyclable material per hour, including glass, cardboard, paper, aluminum, and plastics.
No extra effort is required to be included in the count. Residents should simply place recycling carts at the curb on their regular recycling day during the count period. To find collection days or to learn more about recycling in the City of Georgetown, visit recycle.georgetown.org.
Juneteenth celebration June 15
The 67th annual Juneteenth celebration in Georgetown is Saturday, June 15, at the Georgetown Community Center at 445 E. Morrow St. in San Gabriel Park. The Georgetown Cultural Citizen Memorial Association hosts the annual public event which is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Juneteenth event schedule
The event starts at 11 a.m. with a special program featuring guest speaker Ebony Rose, Georgetown native and senior learning development consultant for Leadership and Professional Development at Texas Christian University, as well as a special performance by The Groovers Line Dancers.
The event also includes live entertainment by S7EVEN, DJ Tony Stewart, and games for youth and adults, as well as vendors.
GCCMA will also host a Juneteenth kickoff reception Friday June 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at BB’s Home Cooking, 1500 Rivery Blvd.
Juneteenth history
Juneteenth marks the day on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers landed at Galveston and reported that the Civil War was over and slavery had ended. The Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves had been in effect since January 1, 1863, but word did not reach Texas for more than two years. Juneteenth was declared an official state holiday in Texas in 1980.
Contact information
For more information, please contact Alma Allen-Johnson with the GCCMA at (512) 751-4532 or johnsonalma2000@yahoo.com.
GTX Residents: Free Spay/Neuter Clinic for Cats
Kitten season is in full swing, and there are plenty of babies to visit and adopt. To keep the kitten population from becoming overwhelming, the Georgetown Animal Shelter is holding its third and final free spay/neuter clinic for cats on June 22. The goal of the clinics is to reduce the cat population in Georgetown. This is the seventh year that the shelter has offered free spay/neuter clinics for cats to help manage overpopulation in Georgetown.
Spay and neuter surgeries and rabies vaccinations will be provided at no charge. Other services available at the clinic include a combo test (feline AIDS/leukemia test) for $20, an FVRCP vaccine for $5, microchip for $10, and e-collar for $10.
Appointments are required for the free clinics, which are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Cats or kittens must be at least three months old. The clinic is offered only for cats whose owners live in the city limits of Georgetown.
Additionally, the shelter continues to offer low-cost vaccine clinics every few months, which are walk-up clinics for vaccinations only (not spay/neuter surgeries). Dates for the shot clinics can be found at pets.georgetown.org/programs/low-cost-shots-and-neutering/.
Email animalsvc@georgetown.org or call (512) 930-3592 to schedule your cat for surgery. All spay or neuter surgeries will be done by a licensed veterinarian.
The spay and neuter clinic will be held at the City of Georgetown Animal Shelter at 110 W.L. Walden Drive near the McMaster Athletic Fields. Contact the shelter at (512) 930-3592 or by email at animalsvc@georgetown.org. The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter website is pets.georgetown.org.
Proposed Voluntary Annexation of 126.06 Acres (Cole Estates)
The City of Georgetown is considering a voluntary annexation of property into the city limits. The Public Hearings will be held at the June 25, 2019 meeting at 3 pm and June 25, 2019 at 6 pm. City Council meetings are located at the City Council Chambers, 510 W. 9th Street.
The area being considered for voluntary annexation is approximately a 126.06-acre tract of land situated in the Isaac Donagan Survey, generally located at 4901 West SH 29, to be known as Cole Estates.
After holding the required public hearings, the City Council will consider an ordinance for the annexation.
For additional information, please contact Michael Patroski in the Planning Department, 512-930-3580 or email to michael.patroski@georgetown.org.
Music on the Square Summer Concerts start June 14
The Music on the Square summer concerts start on Friday, June 14, on the Courthouse lawn. These free concerts start at 6:30 p.m. each Friday, with the exception of First Fridays, in June, July and August. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab dinner-to-go from a local restaurant, and enjoy an evening of great live music.
Here’s the lineup:
- June 14: Georgetown Fire Department Pipes & Drums
- June 21: Wilson String Band
- June 28: Lexxi Garza
- July 12: Mike Hamilton
- July 19: Megatunes
- July 26: Roland Waits and The Wayward Travelers
- Aug. 9: Showmen Bluegrass
- Aug. 16: Mike Elliot – Sincerely Elvis Show
- Aug. 23: Porch Turtles
- Aug. 30: Dueling Pianos
Concerts are sponsored by the Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Williamson Museum.
For a complete schedule, go to the Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau website at VisitGeorgetown.com.
2019 Sunset Movie Series continues throughout summer
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department presents its Sunset Movie Series program throughout the summer, continuing with “Mary Poppins Returns” (PG) on Friday, June 14, in San Gabriel Park. The event will take place on the soccer fields located behind the Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
This is a free community event. The movie starts at sunset, around 8:30 p.m. Moviegoers are welcome to bring blankets, chairs, and picnics. Come early for free popcorn, to explore the park, and to visit with vendors.
For details, visit parks.georgetown.org/sunset-movie-series.
Upcoming Movies in San Gabriel Park:
July 19
“Incredibles 2” (PG)
Aug. 16
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (PG)
