Published by the City of Lancaster, Texas
www.lancaster-tx.com
February 2017
February 2017 Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 Senior Groom and Glamour, 11am Computer Basics, 10:30am, Library
2 AARP Senior Tax Assistance, 11am, Senior Life Center
3 4 Senior Cinemark Movie Matinee, 12:45pm Computer Basics, 10:30am, Library
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6 City Council Special Meeting, 7pm; Special Work Session, 7:30pm
7 Sr. Day 2017 at the State Capitol, 5:30am
8 PowerPoint Basics, 10:30am, Library
9 Senior Outing, 10:30am, Salt Grass AARP Senior Tax Assistance, 11am, Senior Life Center
10 Senior Valentine’s Social, 10:30am,SLC PowerPoint Basics, 10:30am, Library Parent/Child Valentine’s Dance, 6pm, Rec. Ctr.
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13 City Council Meeting, 7pm
14 Valentine ’s Day
15 Senior Outing, 10:30am, Red Bird Bowling Senior Groom and Glamour, 11am Word Basics, 10:30am, Library
16 Love Your Healthy Self Health Fest, 5:30pm, Rec. Ctr. AARP Senior Tax Assistance, 11am, Senior Life Center
17 Senior Black History Presentation, 10am Word Basics, 10:30am, Library
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20 President’s Day City Council Work Session, 7pm
21 Low Cost Vet Services
22 Senior Groom and Glamour, 11am Excel Basics, 10:30am, Library
23 Senior Spelling Bee, 10:30am AARP Senior Tax Assistance, 11am, Senior Life Center
24 Excel Basics, 10:30am, Library
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27 City Council Meeting 7pm
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Valentine fun facts:
About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged in the US each year. That’s the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas. About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets. Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, and “Improvement in Telegraphy”, on Valentine’s Day, 1876. Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentine’s Day candy box in the late 1800’s.
FEBRUARY Feb 6 – I see Illegal Dumping Workshop 6 p.m., Recreation Center Feb 10 – Parent/Child Valentine’s Dance 6-9 p.m., Recreation Center Feb 16 – Love Your Healthy Self Health Fest 5:30 p.m., Recreation Center
MARCH Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar
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10 – City Offices Closed all day 13-17 – Spring Break 25 – Mayor’s Couch to 5K Run/Walk 9 a.m., Community Park 25 – Spring Trash-Off 8 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 1501 N. Dallas Avenue 25-26 – Overnight Campout – Bear Creek Nature Park, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Illegal Dumping What is Illegal Dumping? Illegal Dumping occurs when a person places, deposits, dumps or accumulates refuse on or in any public or private street, public right-of-way or easement, gutter or sidewalk within the Lancaster City limits. Why is Illegal Dumping a problem? - Property values decline. - Illegally dumped material can become a breeding ground for vectors, such as mice, rats and mosquitoes, which can spread diseases such as encephalitis, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and West Nile Disease. - Illegal dumping is hazardous to the environment. From refrigerators to tires to auto parts to televisions, many contain heavy metals and other toxins. - Illegal dumping costs taxpayers money. Legal Alternatives to dispose of your unwanted items: - Drop off your waste free of charge at the CWD transfer station located at 2010 California Crossing Dallas, TX 75220. A copy of your water bill is required. - Order a special pick up at 972-218-1300. This allows residents to schedule a pickup of bulky waste at a decent fee. - You may drop off your waste at the Trash-off event on January 21st. - Move the unwanted items away from public view until the next Bulk/brush collection.
Fine for Illegal Dumping Up to $4,000.00 How can You Help? - Report it! Call 972-218-1200 and provide information that leads to a citation of the illegal dumper.
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pg. 3
AARP Tax-Aide Every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from February 2nd to April 13th, AARP representatives and volunteers will be on site at the Lancaster Senior LIFE Center to help with tax preparation and assistance. No appointment is necessary. Location: City of Lancaster Senior LIFE Center Lancaster Community Park 240 Veterans Memorial Parkway Lancaster, TX 75134 Please call 972-218-3780 with any questions. pg. 4
February is Bulk/Brush Month February Bulk/Brush Schedule First Week Feb 6-10 Second Week Feb 13-17 Third Week Feb 20-24 Fourth Week Feb 27-Mar 3 Set bulk out by 7:00 am on Monday of your pickup week.
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Winter averaging is a practice by which water use during the winter time period is used to determine maximum sewer charges for the upcoming year. The utility bases winter average on the average water consumption during December, January, and February. The winter averaging rate is effective April 1st of each year. Why does the city use winter use for averaging? Your sewer bill is based upon your water consumption. Outdoor water use (such as irrigation, car washing and recreational use) does not typically enter the city’s wastewater system and using winter averaging consumption therefore, prevents the wastewater portion of your utility from spiking during the summer. How is winter averaging calculated? Consumption information is calculated during the three winter billing periods to arrive at the winter average. For example, if your water use for December =5000 gallons, January =3000 gallons, and February =5500 your total winter consumption would be 13,500 gallons. This consumption is divided by 3 to determine your winter average would be 4500 gallons (13,500 gallons / 3 months = 4500 gallons). Your winter average consumption would be 4500 gallons. The figure of 4500 gallons would be your maximum sewer consumptions for the next year. What if I use less water than my winter average? If an account uses less water than the winter averaging consumption, the sewer charges would reflect charges for the actual water use. For example if your winter averaging rate was 4500 gallons and your current water consumption was 3900 gallons your sewer charges would reflect 3900 gallons of sewer use. What can I do to reduce my sewer charges? Reducing overall water use during the winter averaging period is essential in cutting your sewer charges for the coming year. This reduction can be accomplished by fixing all leaks as soon as possible (toilets, faucets, service lines, irrigation systems).
Turn off irrigation systems. Consider replacing old toilets with new, water-efficient models. Replace old shower heads and faucet aerators with new, efficient models. Use only the water that is needed when washing hands, dishes or brushing teeth.
Please note: If you have a water leak during this time period which caused your water consumption to be higher than usual, it is extremely important to notify the billing office at (972) 218-1328. Senior Citizens over the age of 62 qualify for a discount on their water bills.
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How much is the discount? $1.94 water $1.76 sewer How do I sign-up? Complete the form located at the utility billing desk at City Hall (211 N. Henry) What should I bring with me? Bring your Driver’s License for proof of identity. The water bill must be in the senior citizens name.
Did You Know?
Signup today for Lancaster EMERGENCY ALERTS
SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS
COMMUNITY ALERTS
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Visit-- https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/8A6624CF2BC2 Click the CodeRED logo to get started Enter your cell phone number and address Enroll any additional contact information including emails Save these numbers in your phone! Emergency Communication 866-419-5000 pg. 8
Weather Communication 800-566-9780
Important Numbers Animal Services
972-218-1210
Building Inspections/Code Compliance
972-218-1200
City Career Opportunities
972-218-1794
City Hall
972-218-1300
Country View Golf Course
972-227-0995
County Health Dept (Immunizations)
214-819-1800
County Tax Office
214-653-7811
Development Services
972-218-1200
Driver’s License Office
469-272-9301
Economic Development
972-218-1314
Facility Rentals
972-218-3706
Fire (Non-Emergency)
972-218-2600
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
972-218-1317
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
Mayor Marcus E. Knight
pg. 9
For more information contact: Community Relations, 972-218-1303, communtiyrelations@lancaster-tx.com