City of Georgetown Texas > City Hall

GoGeo passengers can now pay fares with Hopthru app

GoGeo riders can now use smart devices to purchase bus passes. Using the Hopthru app, riders are able to purchase passes anytime, anywhere and present them while boarding. Riders may purchase passes with their credit card, debit card or commuter benefits card and store them until they are ready to ride.

Riders can download from the app store or receive a link to download the app by texting “hopthru” to 43506. After signing up, riders will be prompted to select the transit agency, rider type and ticket type, then complete the purchase. Once a rider is ready to board, they can activate their pass and then present it to the operator while boarding. Purchased passes can be activated at any time with or without an internet connection.

For more information, visit RideCARTS.com, email info@RideCARTS.com or call at (512) 478-RIDE (7433).

Low-water crossings closed along Randy Morrow Trail

Updated: The trail crossing locations have been updated.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Lake Georgetown Dam is increasing the amount of water released into the San Gabriel River today.

A release rate more than approximately 2,000 cubic feet per second will close the low-water crossings along the North Fork of the San Gabriel River on the Randy Morrow Trail, including the crossings at River Road near Booty’s Road Park, the crossing under the I-35 bridge, Fly Fishers bridge between Rivery Boulevard and Chandler Park, and the Country Club bridge at Chandler Park. Please do not attempt to cross any part of the trail that water is flowing over, and obey any barricades that may be present.

Visit the Lake Georgetown website at www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/georgetown to see the current release rate and check ATXFloods.com for the status of road closures at low-water crossings in Central Texas.

Cupid’s Chase 5K and Fun Run on Feb. 2

Register now for the 24th annual Cupid’s Chase 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, Feb. 2. The chip-timed 5K run/walk begins at 8 a.m. in downtown Georgetown at Seventh and Main streets and ends at the Bark Park on Holly Street. (A shuttle will take you back to the starting line). To register online or for details, go to cupid.georgetown.org.

Through Feb. 1, the registration cost is $22 per person for all age groups and $25 on race day.

The Kids Fun Run for children age 8 and younger starts at 7:30 a.m. The course is a loop around the Courthouse. Registration is $10 before Feb. 1 and $15 on race day.

Participants receive a Cupid’s Chase T-shirt, while supplies last. T-shirts are not guaranteed if you register on race day. Cupid costumes are encouraged. Strollers and dogs on a non-retractable leash are always welcome on the Cupid’s Chase course.

Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female winners and the overall male and female masters winners as well as the top three male and female finishers in each age division. Awards also will be presented to the top overall male and female City of Georgetown employee.

Race results will be posted after the race at cupid.georgetown.org.

In case of bad weather on race day, check facebook.com/GTXParksandRec, and parks.georgetown.org for updates. There are no refunds or transfers for participants.

Cupid’s Chase is sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. Event proceeds help fund projects at Georgetown parks. To register online or for details, go to cupid.georgetown.org.

 

Shelter maintains no-kill status

For the fourth year in a row, the Georgetown Animal Shelter has achieved a live outcome rate above 90 percent, which means it is considered a no-kill shelter. The save rate was 94 percent for the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30.

The live outcome rate is notable for an open-admission public shelter. Factors in the 94 percent live outcome rate include a high rate of animal adoptions, the number of animals returned to owners, and the cleanliness of the shelter which results in healthy animals.

Other notable milestones for the 2018 fiscal year include:

  • A record 29 percent of animals returned to their owners, including 384 dogs and 64 cats
  • 888 animals, or 57 percent of all impounded animals, adopted or transferred to rescue groups
  • 648 cats and dogs vaccinated at low-cost vaccine clinics
  • 113 cats spayed or neutered at the free spay/neuter clinics for cats and the animal shelter’s public assistance program
  • 213 volunteers recorded 7,036 volunteer hours

The Georgetown Animal Shelter is located at 110 W.L. Walden Drive.

Contact the shelter at (512) 930-3592, animalsvc@georgetown.org or online at pets.georgetown.org.

Georgetown Parks and Recreation hosts Fitness Fusion event

The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department is hosting Fitness Fusion at the Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 5.

The event is open to the public and features 14 fitness classes, such as yoga, Zumba, cycling, and Silver Sneakers classes. The goal of the event is to showcase the variety of fitness programs available at the recreation center that accommodate all ages and fitness levels.

During the event, fitness instructors will host 20-minute sample classes in three different locations within the recreation center. Guests can participate in as many classes as they would like.

The event is free for Georgetown Recreation Center members and $5 for nonmembers.

Airport Road ribbon cutting Jan. 4

The City of Georgetown will hold a ribbon cutting for the Airport Road widening project Friday, Jan. 4. The event is at 9:30 a.m. on Airport Road at Aviation Drive.

The newly expanded segment of Airport Road extends north from Lakeway Drive to Aviation Drive. The expansion creates two northbound lanes, two southbound lanes, and a center turn lane, as well as a new traffic signal to improve traffic flow and facilitate development in the area. This project represents part of the City of Georgetown and the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation’s partnership in the Holt Cat construction equipment dealership and service center.

The construction cost for the roadway project is $2.4 million. KPA is the design engineer on the project, and Patin Construction LLC is the contractor.

Ribbon cutting location:

The Airport Road ribbon cutting will be held on the east side of Airport Road at Aviation Drive.

Household hazardous waste vendor discontinues service Dec. 22

City to hold collection events in 2019, alternate collection centers available to Georgetown residents

Update, Dec. 20: The City’s current household hazardous waste program will be discontinued at 12:00 noon on Saturday, Dec. 22. PA-jer, the operator of the Williamson County Recycle Center, will cease collecting household hazardous waste at that time. The City was alerted to this updated change in service on Dec. 19. Customers are able to use the current household hazardous waste vouchers through Dec. 22 at 12:00 noon.

***

The City’s current household hazardous waste program will be discontinued on Dec. 31. PA-jer, the company the City uses for this service, will cease collecting household hazardous waste at the end of this year. The City was alerted to this change in service on Dec. 13.

Customers are still able to use the current household hazardous waste vouchers through Dec. 31. The Williamson County Recycle Center will remain open to the general public in December on Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The Williamson County Recycle Center is at 495 CR 156, which is northeast of Georgetown on FM 971.

To secure a household hazardous waste voucher, visit recycle.georgetown.org/household-hazardous-waste.

Other options

The City is working on a new household hazardous waste program to replace the current one. During this interim period, customers can take their household hazardous waste to the City of Austin’s Reuse and Recycle Drop-Off Center. The Center is located at 2514 Business Center Dr., Austin, TX 78744. Their phone number is 512-974-4343.

The Hutto Recycling Center will accept paint and automobile oil from Williamson County residents. The facility is located at 600 Landfill Road, Hutto, Texas 78634. Their phone number is 512-759-8881.

Additionally, the City will host household hazardous waste collection events in 2019. The new household hazardous waste program details will be shared in January.

What is household hazardous waste?

Household hazardous waste products should never be poured out on the ground, down the drain, or thrown out with regular household garbage. Improper disposal can contaminate groundwater and drinking water. It can also injure those who come into contact with the waste

Many common products used in the home and garden are considered household hazardous waste. These items should not be placed in residential trash collection carts or placed at the curb for pickup.

Household hazardous waste products are often labeled with words such as caution, toxic, poison, corrosive, or danger. Examples include:

  • Aerosol spray cans
  • Antifreeze
  • Art and hobby chemicals
  • Automotive products
  • Fluorescent lights (tubes or CFLs)
  • Household cleaners and disinfectants
  • Mercury (from thermometers, thermostats)
  • Motor oil or transmission fluid
  • Paints and stains, especially oil-based
  • Pesticides and poisons
  • Pool and spa chemicals
  • Thinners and solvents
  • Vehicle batteries (wet cell)

Each year, the City of Georgetown collects about 75,000 pounds of household hazardous waste.

Recycling Christmas trees and boxes

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. Look it up at recycle.georgetown.org.

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. 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 Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, from Dec. 26-Jan. 31 at no charge. Normal fees apply to other items.

Collection Station: Normal hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Collection Station is closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-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, click here.

Holiday closings for City facilities and services

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

  • City Hall, 113 E. Eighth St.
  • Economic Development, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
  • Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
  • Municipal Court, 101 E. Seventh 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

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

  • Animal Shelter, 110 W.L. Walden Drive, closed Dec. 22-26, closed Jan. 1
  • Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive: closed Dec. 25, closed Jan. 1
  • Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive: will close at noon Dec. 24 and is closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
  • Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243: closed Dec. 25
  • Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.: closing weekdays at 6 p.m. and closing at 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1, regular hours resume Jan. 2
  • Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.: open Dec. 23 (closing at 6 p.m.), closed Dec. 24-25, open Dec. 31 (closing at 6 p.m.), closed Jan. 1, open Jan. 2 (opening at 8 a.m.)
  • Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive: closed Dec. 24-25, open Dec. 26-27 (closing at 6 p.m.) closed Jan. 1, open. Jan. 2 (opening at 8:30 a.m.)
  • Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.: closing at noon Dec. 24; closed Dec. 25, open Dec. 31, closed Jan. 1 

GoGeo bus service

The bus will run on limited hours Dec. 24 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. There will be no service Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Jan. 1.

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection

The holidays will affect solid waste and recycling pickups Dec. 25-Jan. 6. Collection days for Texas Disposal Systems customers will slide one day for the week. TDS will not collect waste on Tuesday, Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Tuesday collection will slide to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday, Thursday to Friday, and Friday to Saturday.

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

Georgetown Parks and Recreation announces holiday camps

Georgetown Parks and Recreation will offer camps for students during the winter holiday break. Pricing and schedules vary for each program.

Participants can select from three camps:

  • Camp Goodwater is offered on Dec. 27, 28, and 31, Jan. 2-4, and 7, and Feb. 15 and 18. The camp runs from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. for children ages 5-11. The camp includes a variety of activities, such as gym games, trips to local parks, seasonal arts and crafts, and more! Daily fees are $35 for Georgetown residents and $45 for nonresidents.
  • Junior Tennis Academy is offered on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2-4, from 9-11 a.m. for children ages 7-18. Ages 7-10 will focus on developing a solid foundation of stroke development providing the child with the skills to reach the next level. Ages 11-18 will focus on learning, consolidating and perfecting the basics of the game. Daily fees are $20 for Georgetown residents and $25 for nonresidents.
  • Volleyball Camp is offered from Jan. 2-4 from 9 a.m.-noon for children ages 7-14. The camp covers the rules of play for beginners and defense and positions for more advanced players. Fees are $75 for Georgetown residents and $95 for nonresidents.

For more information and to register, visit parks.georgetown.org/camp or call 512-930-3596.