Lancaster Today April Issue

City of Lancaster Lancaster Today

What you need to know about COVID-19 and Census 2020

April 2020 WWW.LANCASTER-TX.COM - PAGE 1

Table of Contents:

Your City Council 3 2020 Census 4 COVID-19 Facts 5 How To Prevent Spread of COVID-19 6 Recent COVID-19 Orders 7 Facility Closures 8 Public Distancing & COVID-19 Scams 9 Code Red Alerts 10 2020 Elections 11 Common Parking Violations 12-13 Residential Solid Waste 14 Helpful Tips 15 Frequently Asked Questions 16 Bulk Trash Pickup 17 Stay Connected 18 COVID-19 FAQs FOR ANIMAL OWNERS:

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STAY CONNECTED DURING COVID-19 WATCH CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS LIVE AT http://www.lancaster-tx. com/324/Watch-Meetings

WATCH THE NEXT PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING:

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2020 Census The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States. The Census provides data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and the City of Lancaster. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hositals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.

The results also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and how they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

You can respond to the 2020 Census by phone, mail, or online at www.my2020census.gov.

Everyone counts! When filling out your form, be sure to count everyone living with you. Don’t forget to include young children and infants.

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COVID-19 FACTS According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a virus that was first detected in Wuhan, China and spreads from person-to-person. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

SHARE FACTS ABOUT COVID-19 Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and help stop the spread of rumors.

FACT

1

Diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can cause people to avoid or reject others even though they are not at risk for spreading the virus.

FACT

2

For most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.

There are simple things you can do to help keep yourself and others healthy.

FACT

4

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

You can help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms:

FACT

5

FACT

3

Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation does not pose a risk of infection to other people.

For up-to-date information, visit CDC’s coronavirus disease 2019 web page.

• Fever • Cough • Shortness of breath Seek medical advice if you • Develop symptoms AND • Have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

CS 315446-A 03/16/2020

cdc.gov/COVID-19

If you begin to have symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please call your doctor first before traveling to your doctor’s office or hospital.

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How to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 You can help slow the spread of COVID-19!

Please cover your cough, avoid touching your face, clean objects and surfaces often, stay home when you are sick, avoid others who are sick, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

By staying home, you can also help slow the spread of COVID-19. If you do go out, please practice social distancing by keeping six feet between you and other people.

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Recent COVID-19 Orders From Mayor Clyde C. Hairston Stay Home Stay Safe Order: All residents are ordered to shelter in place. This means everyone needs to stay at home. The exceptions are for employees of essential businesses like government services, public infrastructure construction, and housing. Restaurants are still open, but only for curb side pick-up or drive-thru. Grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies remain opem, but please practice social distancing when you leave your home. For additional information please visit our website at www.lancaster-tx.com/1372/COVID-19.

Long-Term Care Facilities Order: This order states that if a resident becomes sick all staff, other residents at the facility, and loved ones of the individual must be notified. It also states that if someone becomes sick with COVID-19, healthcare workers must wear masks, and the facility will be closed to all new admissions. For additional information please visit our website at www.lancaster-tx. com/1372/COVID-19.

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Facility Closures

WHILE CITY FACILITIES ARE CLOSED, STAFF IS STILL AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOU!

Due to COVID-19, City facilities are closed to the public.

#StayHomeLancasterÂ

Who to Call for Assistance: City Hall: Staff is still available to answer your questions and concerns at 972-218-1300 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Utility billing staff is accepting payments online and over the phone at 972-218-1328. Or call 1-888-614-8279 to pay via automated system.

Municipal Court: All jury trials and walk-in court has been postponed. You can call 972-218-1334 to make payments during business hours.

Recreation Center: All youth and adult activity is suspended. Please call 972-218-3710 to discuss possible refunds or a reschedule.

Senior Life Center: All programming is postponed. Please call 972-218-3780.

Airport: The airport terminal is closed, but staff is available by phone to provide services Public Safety: You can enter the facility only to utilize the such as refuels and payments at 972-218front desk phone to contact emergency 1274. communications. For all non-emergencies, call 972-218-2711.

Animal Services: If you are wanting to adopt an animal, you are welcome to visit Animal Library: Library resources are available online at Services. We are only allowing one person http://www.lancaster-tx.com/149/Library-Services. You inside at a time to comply with the social can still drop off, reserve, and check out items by calling distancing rule. the library at 972-218-1080 and utilizing the drive-up option.

Golf Course: The golf course is closed until further notice.

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While our parks are closed to the public, hiking and biking trails remain open.

We ask everyone to practice social distancing by keeping six feet away from others while using the trails. Remember, water fountains and restrooms are closed as well. Please wash your hands before visiting the trails.

Scammers follow the headlines Robocalls – HANG UP! Scammers or scammy companies

use illegal robocalls to profit from Coronavirus-related fears – posing as the IRS or Medicare. Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website to hear scam calls: ftc.gov/coronavirus.

Testing Scam – scammers are calling or knocking on doors in white lab coats or hazmat gear claiming to be with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention selling fake athome Coronavirus tests.

Treatment Scam – scammers are calling or knocking on

doors in white lab coats or hazmat gear claiming to be with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention selling fake cures, vaccines, and medical advice on unproven treatments.

TOP SCAM:

Fake Stimulus Check

Supply Scam – scammers are creating fake shops,

websites, social media accounts, and email addresses to sell medical supplies in high demand, like surgical masks. When you try to purchase supplies, they pocket the money.

Provider Scam – scammers are contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or family member for COVID-19 and demanding payment.

Charity Scam – scammers are soliciting donations for

individuals, groups, and areas impacted by coronavirus.

Phishing Scam – scammers are sending emails posing as health

officials, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They want to trick you into downloading malware or providing personal identification and financial information.

App Scam – scammers are creating and controlling mobile apps used to track the spread of COVID-19. If used, these apps insert malware on your device that steals your personal and financial information.

Compassion & Romance Scams – scammers will use this

opportunity to prey on your vulnerability while you are contained and isolated to your home, developing a friendship or romantic relationship with you to gain your trust and obtain your personal and financial information.

Contact us for help or with questions

BEWARE OF RED FLAGS • Urgency – scammers will apply pressure or use fear to get you to act.

• Scarcity – scammers will claim there is a limited supply, so you must “buy now.”

• Social Consensus – scammers want you to think everyone else is doing it too, and you don’t want to be left behind!

We want to keep you safe not just on the trails, but from scammers as well during COVID-19.

Check on your loved ones to make sure they are staying home and not being scammed while online.

• Credible Sources – scammers will claim they are with a reputable business or organization.

TIP: Do NOT click on links from

sources you do not know, and only call known phone numbers.

3910 Harry Hines Blvd. • Dallas, TX 75219 • 214.823.5700 Email: efsc@theseniorsource.org • Website: www.theseniorsource.org

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CODE RED ALERTS Download the Code Red App to your phone to receive emergency and non-emergency alerts.

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2020 Elections Due to COVID-19, GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT ISSUED A PROCLAMATION SUSPENDING PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE TO ALLOW POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS TO POSTPONE LOCAL ELECTIONS

Primary Runoff Elections First Day of Early Voting Monday, May 18, 2020 Last Day of Early Voting Friday, May 22, 2020

2020 LOCAL ELECTIONS POSTPONED

Primary Runoff Election Day Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Please visit www.DallasCountyVotes.org for more information

MAY 2ND ELECTIONS POSTPONED UNTIL NOV. 3RD

Schedule of Local Election Changes: Last day to register to vote Monday, April 27, 2020 Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Uniform General Election Date First Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only), Saturday, July 18, 2020 Last Day to File for a Place on the General Election Ballot (Local Political Subdivisions Only), Monday, August 17, 2020 Last Day to Register to Vote, Monday, October 5, 2020 First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance Monday, October 19, 2020 Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance Friday, October 30, 2020 Election Day Tuesday, November 3, 2020

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Transportation Code Sec. 545.303 The Texas State Transportation Code States An operator who stops or parks on a twoway roadway shall do so with the righthand wheels of the vehicle parallel to and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

An operator who stops or parks on a oneway roadway shall stop or park the vehicle parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway in the direction of authorized traffic movement with the righthand wheels within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or lefthand wheels within 18 inches of the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway. This subsection does not apply where a local ordinance otherwise regulates stopping or parking on the one-way roadway.

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Ordinance No. 201802-01 Prohibits parking in any paved alley within the city limits and prohibits parking within certain distances of postal receptacles.

"Article 12.500 Parking in Alleys and Streets, Generally Sec. 12.501 Parking Prohibited (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to leave, stand or (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to leave, stand or park any motor vehicle, boat or other impediment upon any public street or alley between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. within fifteen (15) feet of a postal receptacle or a grouping of.

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Common Parking Violations continued Postal receptacles, except a United States Postal Service vehicle, and except on Sundays and federal holidays."

Code of Ordinances Sec. 22.06.006 No person shall leave standing or park in any public street within the city limits any vehicle, automobile or other character of private property unattended for a longer continuous period of time than twentyfour (24) hours. (2002 Code, sec. 12.503)

NO PARKING VEHICLES OVER ONE AND ONE-HALF TONS IN DWELLING DISTRICT Code of Ordinance Sec. 22.06.007 It is unlawful for any truck-tractor with a weight or carrying capacity in excess of one and one-half (1-1/2) tons upon any street within area zoned by the development code as a single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or multiple-family district.

PARKING DURING BULK PICKUP WEEK Residents that place April brush and bulk out must not have any vehicles blocking the area. Residents need to utilize their driveway and garage or brush and bulk will not be picked up.

Residential Solid Waste COMMUNITY WASTE DISPOSAL MESSAGE Community Waste Disposal (CWD) is encouraging all residents to Bag it, Tie it and Throw it Away. The City ordinance requires all trash to be bagged. Please share this information to help control the spread of COVID-19.

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Residential Solid Waste Regular Trash is picked up ONCE a week. All trash must be secured in bags within your GRAY cart.

If you are physically unable to roll your cart or take your recycling cart to your pickup location, help is available.

Disabled individuals may qualify for a manual trash collection by submitting a manual collection form available at City Hall along with a Doctor’s note stating your need for special assistance.

This special assistance program allows the driver to get out of the waste truck and pickup the trash/recycling cart from your property without it being placed by the curb.

Recycling is picked up ONCE a week with trash pickup. Everything within the BLUE cart must be recyclable materials.

If at any time you do not comply within the above mentioned guidelines, your address will be documented as NO PICK UP for that week’s collection.

Place all trash items out no later than 7:00 a.m. for pickup between 7:00 a.m.

and 7:00 p.m. on your service days. Please ensure the trash receptacle and the recycle cart are separated by at least three (3) feet, and three (3) feet away from obstacles such as mailboxes, cars, fences, gas meters, and drainage ditches. Please ensure there is a 16-foot clearance above your cart. Position trash cart with the wheels toward the residence.

For more information or questions please call 972-218-1324.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Curb side brush/bulky waste collection:

When do I set out my bulk/brush items?

All bulk/brush items must be set out and ready for pick up by 7:00 a.m. the Monday of your collection week.

You may begin placing your bulk/brush items out for pickup two days (Saturday) before your bulk / brush collection week.

Can I put my bulk/brush on my vacant lot?

Vacant lots generally do not have active water accounts with the City. If your brush/bulk is on your vacant lot, we cannot take payment.

PROHIBITED • Commercial construction and remodeling debris (call CWD for estimate) • Household hazardous waste (paint, motor oil, pool chemicals, etc.)

• Tires, batteries • Propane tanks

You will need to contact CWD customer service at 972-392-9300 and you will be able to pay CWD directly for the special brush/bulk pickup service.

What if I have bulk/brush on the odd months of the year?

On odd months, residents may drop off up to 12 cubic yards (size of a Volkswagon Beetle) of brush/bulk at the CWD transfer station at the following address:

How do I schedule a special bulk/brush pickup?

2010 California Crossing Road Dallas, TX 75220 A copy of your current utility bill is required.

Charges will apply to volumes in excess of 12 cubic yards.

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ACCEPTABLE • Washing machines/dryers • Water heaters • Kitchen appliances • Yard tools • Furniture • Bundled carpet in 4 ft. lengths • Bagged leaves • Refrigerators/freezers (must be tagged certifying removal of refrigerant)

Special bulk pick up requests are needed in writing from the account holder. Please send this request to communityrelations@ lancaster-tx.com with a subject title “Special Pickup”.

What is the minimum fee for a special bulk/brush pickup?

There is a $68.96 minimum fee on every special bulk/brush pickup; price may increase depending on the size of the bulk/brush. The charge is added to your next water bill.

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Even Months of the Year

Bulk Trash Pickup - Bi Monthly

Missed bulk must be reported to the City at 972-218-1300 the week following your pickup week.

Bulk/Brush is picked up EVERY OTHER MONTH on EVEN months of the year.

April June August

October December

Please refer to map above to find your service area and the chart to identify your bulk/brush service week.

How much bulk/brush will CWD pick up?

12 cubic yards will be picked up on the event months of the year.

How much is 12 cubic yards?

12 cubic yards looks like the size of a Volkswagon Beetle.

You may also access this information on the RecyclingCoach App found in the I-Tunes and the Google Play store.

If apps are not your thing, you can go to the City website at www.lancastertx.com/1081/Interactive-Maps, click on Bulk Trash Schedule, enter your address and it will populate your bulk/brush pickup schedule.

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How can I stay connected with the City of Lancaster?

•

City website - www.Lancaster-TX.com

•

Weekly email newsletter - Lancaster Live - www.Lancaster-TX.com/NotifyMe

•

Monthly newsletter - Lancaster Today www.Lancaster-TX.com/NotifyMe

•

Quarterly newsletter - Lancaster Connection - mailed to all Lancaster Residents

•

Social Media - follow the links below: • Facebook - Facebook.com/ CityofLancasterTX •

Twitter - Twitter.com/Lancaster_TX

•

Instagram - Instagram.com/ Lancaster_TX

•

YouTube - YouTube.com/ Lancastercityof

Important Numbers: Animal Services Building Inspections/Code Compliance City Career Opportunities City Hall Country View Golf Course Dallas County Health Department (Immunizations) Dallas County Tax Office Development Services Driver’s License Office Economic Development Facility Rentals Fire (Non-Emergency)

972-218-1200 972-218-1200 972-218-1794 972-218-1300 972-227-0995 214-819-1800 214-653-7811 972-218-1200 469-272-9301 972-218-1314 972-218-3706 972-218-2600

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Lancaster Regional Airport 972-227-5721 Library 972-227-1080 LISD Administration 972-218-1400 Municipal Court 972-218-1334 Parks Operations 972-218-3709 Planning & Zoning 972-218-1307 Police (Non-Emergency) 972-218-2700 Public Works 972-275-1752 Recreation Center 972-218-3700 Senior Life Center 972-218-3780 Texas State Auxiliary Museum 972-218-3790 Volunteer Opportunities 972-218-3706 Water/Sewer Repair 972-218-2324 Water/Utility Billing 972-218-1328

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