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Winter 2012 City Currents Newsletter

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Winter 2012 City Currents Newsletter CURRENTS THIS ISSUE 2 From the Mayor’s Desk 3 Community Message Board 4 Parks & Recreation 5 Public Safety 6 Public Works WINTER 2012 DirectLink: ST UN E IVE W R st F S O IT The 21 Century Bat Phone Y Y T P I L C A E C Back in the 1960s, when Commissioner Gordon needed to responding instantly, H E T summon Batman to help rid Gotham City of bad guys, he the way we do with would simply pick up the Bat Phone. Next thing you knew, DirectLink,” said West TEXAS Batman and Robin were speeding to the rescue. University Place Police West University Place is one of a few cities in the Chief Ken Walker. A NEIGHBORHOOD United States that can connect a resident’s security alarm ECV requires the alarm service to verify the alarm acti- CITY INCORPORATED IN 1925 directly to the police and fire vation by making a minimum of departments … just like a “West University Place is one of two phone calls to two different Bat Phone. But West U is the responsible parties’ telephone first—and only—city that a few cities in the United States numbers before contacting the connects through a system that can connect a resident’s police or fire department. The called DirectLink. “DirectLink first verification call goes to is a special security program security alarm directly to the the location where the alarm only available to West U resi- police and fire departments.” originated. If contact cannot be dents,” said Michael Ross, West made, the service has to make a University Place City Manager. second call to a different number. How does it work? DirectLink sends an alarm signal “DirectLink removes those time-consuming extra steps. from a residence or business directly to the City’s Would you drive from Houston to Dallas by way of El Emergency Dispatch Center, which forwards it to the cor- Paso?” asked Fire Chief Steve Ralls. “DirectLink is the rect responder—the West U Fire or Police Department. shortest route to our Emergency Dispatch Center.” Without DirectLink, the security alarm signal notifies West U Mayor Bob Fry believes that the full partici- a third-party company that sends it on, and dispatch is pation of all households in DirectLink is the next best delayed by critical seconds. Or longer. step for improved public safety. “DirectLink is like a Most third-party alarm services follow a time-consum- Bat Phone,” said Fry. “Every house has a hotline to the ing procedure called Enhanced Call Verification (ECV) dispatcher.” for police A subscription to DirectLink includes a yard sign and dispatches. window decals to warn potential criminals that your ECV reduces alarm has a DirectLink to the West University Place Police false alarms and Fire Departments. by as much as The cost is about a dollar a day, and it’s added to your 25-50%, but monthly utility bill. A contract is not required for a sub- it takes time. scription to DirectLink. “ECV burns “Full participation in DirectLink makes everybody up precious safer,” said Fry. time and Getting DirectLink is simple—just call Trish Cormier at keeps us from (713) 662-5860. 2 City Currents Winter 2012 From The Mayor’s Desk by Mayor Bob Fry One of the most important roles of your City tax base will be for the coming year, usually University Place remains unchanged for 2012. Council is to pass a budget each fall for the sometime in August, City Manager Michael In fact, the actual property tax paid for a home upcoming year. The fiscal year 2012 budget Ross and his department directors con- of median value will be slightly less! was completed and recently approved by duct a series of meetings to develop a unanimous vote of the City Council (the a preliminary draft budget. Staff then This fiscal year, we were lucky. fiscal year runs from January 1 to December presents this draft budget to the City Actions addressing pension lia- 31, 2012). A well-constructed budget is the Council in a daylong Saturday work- bilities taken by the previous City tool that tells the City’s professional staff shop that is open to the public. Council and the Texas Legislature what goals and priorities your elected lead- last spring worked in the City’s ers have set for the year, and it provides the The annual budget must reflect what favor. While we held the line this metrics to gauge staff performance. the City Council believes its con- year, we will be hard-pressed to stituents reasonably expect to have do it again. However, residents can The annual budget development process happen. For instance, this year was an be assured both this Council and begins during the summer, when each election year. Everyone on this year’s Council our City staff will strive to keep costs, and department reviews its prior performance ran on a platform of “no tax increase,” therefore taxes, as low as practicable, while and future needs. After the Harris County and City staff took this message seriously. maintaining the level and quality of services Appraisal District advises the City what its As a result, the tax rate for the City of West this community has come to expect. From Council Member Joan Johnson As a newly elected City Afternoon Aerobics, Tai Chi, Yoga, Watercolor to volunteer, West U offers many activities Council member for Painting, and Bridge Lessons. Evening through Senior Services. I encourage you West University Place, I classes that have recently been added (Line to meet and join up with your neighbors have learned a great deal Dancing, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Meditation) have through these great opportunities. Visit in the last five months. been well received by working residents of www.westutx.gov/seniors for more I always knew that we 50-plus years of age. Check out the Winter/ information. lived in a wonderful city Spring 2012 “West U at Your Leisure” guide with great services, but for more information on upcoming classes I now realize that more and programs. Please note that some of the than ever. We are very fortunate to have our programs charge fees, which go to pay for City staff and services. the instructors. If you would like to see a pro- gram or activity offered that is not currently One service I’m particularly proud of is our available, please let Senior Services Manager Senior Services program. In 2005, I decided Toby Brooks know, and she will be glad to that I needed to give back to our commu- look into the possibility of providing it. You nity and applied to become a member of the can reach Toby at [email protected] or at Senior Services Board. (You don’t have to be (713) 662-5895. over 65 years of age to be involved in this program.) In the last six years, this program Residents of all ages can get involved with has grown from organizing activities for Senior Services through the Good Neighbor “your mom and dad” to offering programs Team. The Good Neighbor Team is a group A TIME FOR THANKS for all active adults, particularly baby boomers. of caring and concerned neighbors who give When I think of seniors, I think of people my back to their community by offering friend- The City Council wants to thank mother’s age (she just turned 90!), not myself. ship and assistance to homebound senior Chappel Jordan Clock Galleries But “seniors” here means anyone past 50. I residents. They serve as friends and good for repairing the City’s antique currently participate in the Water Aerobics neighbors by making occasional telephone clock that hangs in the Council program coordinated by Senior Services, and contacts or home visits and delivering sea- it is definitely a workout for people in their sonal gift bags or plants to homebound senior Chambers. The clock is over 100 50s and 60s. The instructor conducts a full citizens. Additional volunteers are needed for years old and was donated to the workout, but encourages attendees to work to this group. If you are interested in becoming City by Chappel Jordan in the their individual capability. a Good Neighbor Team volunteer, please call early 1980’s. We are honored and (713) 663-5895 for more information. The Water Aerobics program is just one of proud to have it hanging back in the many classes offered through Senior Services. Whether you are a senior looking for some- Chambers where it belongs. Other classes include Early Risers Exercise, thing to do or a resident of any age looking City Currents Winter 2012 3 Community Message Board Want to know what’s 2012 Garbage / Recycling going on in your city? Holiday Schedule EGGStravaganza Good Friday, Friday, April 6: Get City News by Email The City of West No curbside collection; normal collection will University Place Get News Alerts by Email resume on your next scheduled day. Parks & Recreation SIGN UP FOR ALERTS! Memorial Day, Monday, May 28: Department’s big No curbside collection; normal collection will annual egg hunt Did you know that the City provides an will feature an easy way to keep up-to-date on the latest resume on your next scheduled day. “eggs-tra” spe- changes to City services? It is easy to Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4: cial visit from the use—just visit www.westutx.gov and No curbside collection; normal collection will Easter Bunny and click the link “E-Notify Me.” resume on your next scheduled day. Labor Day, Monday, September 3: our very own Wally The best part of this service is that you the Walrus.
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