CITY MATTERS
Q&A With the New Police Chief
Mini Mural Contest Winners See all 10 winning contest designs
LOST & FOUND Tips on keeping your pets safe HOW STUFF WORKS: FLEET SPRING 2024
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Dear Neighbors, If you’ve driven around town, you’ve likely seen the over two dozen traffic signal boxes painted with colorful murals as part of the City’s Public Art Initiative. Starting this spring, 10 more murals will be added to the collection, but instead of designs painted by professional artists, the boxes will be covered in designs created by residents. It’s all part of a contest that allowed citizens to submit a design to be digitally printed and wrapped on a traffic box. Nine winners were recently selected and one of the winners, April Zaidi, is featured on the cover of this issue of City Matters. Congratulations to April and all of our winners. I also want to congratulate and recognize League City staff based on the results of our recent Community Survey. Satisfaction ratings for City services rated above the U.S. average in 52 of the 56 areas assessed, including police and fire services, the quality of parks and recreational programs and facilities, and overall efforts to ensure we are prepared for emergencies. Myself, my fellow council members, and City staff use these results to ensure we are continuing to meet the needs of our residents and to help determine longrange planning and investment decisions. In addition to meeting the needs of our residents, we also want to make sure commercial and residential developers are highly satisfied with the City’s processes and procedures so we can continue to bring quality development to League City. That’s why our Development Services Department has put together a strategic planning committee that, over the coming months, will be conducting surveys, focus groups, and workshops to solicit input and feedback from developers, builders, contractors, and tradespeople. The ultimate goal is the development of a customer-focused
1 League City | CITY MATTERS
strategic plan where current processes and procedures are evaluated and mapped out in order to make improvements, and ultimately elevate trust between the development community and the City. Speaking of trust, one of the top priorities for League City’s new police chief—Cliff Woitena—is to maintain and even improve the level of trust our citizens have with the League City Police Department. Chief Woitena is committed to keeping the lines of communication open between LCPD, residents, and businesses in our community. A longer-term goal is the implementation of a mental health unit to better serve our citizens when it comes to crisis intervention. You can learn more about this initiative and Chief Woitena’s 25 years of service to League City on pages 3 and 4. This issue of City Matters also showcases some of the City’s behind-the-scenes work that you may not know about, including LCPD’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and our Fleet Department, which is responsible for maintaining nearly 600 City vehicles. The department employs some of the best mechanics in the city and their work, which often goes unnoticed, ensures our employees can perform their jobs day in and day out without having to worry about the safety or reliability of their vehicles. Finally, you’ve heard of spring cleaning, but we’ve got some City events and programs that involve some “spring greening.” I hope you check them out.
Nick Long Mayor of League City
HOW STUFF WORKS: LEARN ABOUT LEAGUE CITY’S FLEET DEPARTMENT ON PAGES 7 & 8
10 14
MURAL CONTEST WINNERS See all 10 winning murals
LOST & FOUND Learn how to protect your pets and how to get low-cost tags & microchips
15 17
UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Check out what’s in store this spring
GET CARDED Helen Hall Library’s new library card policy
CITY MATTERS | League City 2
MEET LEAGUE CITY’S NEW POLICE CHIEF
For as long as League City Police Chief Cliff Woitena can remember, he’s always had two career goals—joining the military and becoming a police officer. The first he accomplished right out of high school, enlisting in the Marines and serving four years before returning home to Pasadena to be closer to his wife and young son. His second goal—becoming a police officer—he accomplished soon after by getting a job at the Pasadena Independent School District, serving as a campus officer at the same high school he attended. “I quickly realized that working in municipality policing was more where my heart was, so I applied at the Pasadena Police Department, but I also applied at LCPD because one of my Marine Corps buddies was an officer for League City and had a lot of positive things to say,” said Woitena. Fast forward 25 years later and Woitena was not only hired by LCPD but has served in almost every position from a patrol, K9, and SWAT officer to working his way up to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, assistant police chief, and now police chief.
roadways—we have been able to apprehend several suspects in felony crimes and prevent potential property and violent crimes before they occur.” Moving forward, Chief Woitena believes that artificial intelligence will have a game-changing role in policing and the way it can mine data for the department. While this evolving technology will provide more crime-fighting tools for LCPD and may change day-to-day operations, there is one thing Woitena is committed to keeping the same. “Keeping the line of communication open between the citizens and LCPD is extremely important to me as is keeping the line of communication open between the different divisions and units within the department,” said Woitena. “We are not above or below the citizens we serve, we are a cross section, so we need to ensure that we never think of ourselves as not a part of the League City community. We are a representation of the citizens we serve.”.
“I came to League City and have never regretted my decision for a moment,” said Woitena. “League City is a fantastic community and watching it grow from a rural small town of 30,000 to a large city with close to 120,000 people has been extraordinary.” With that growth has come some changes, explained Woitena, including the amount of technology available to officers for preventing or solving crimes. “Recently, with the use of flock cameras—which capture the license plates of vehicles that drive by on League City’s major
Scan the QR code to watch an in-depth video interview with Chief Woitena. 3 League City | CITY MATTERS
Marine Corps
Sniper School
Q&A WITH THE CHIEF You have worked for LCPD for 25 years in various positions. How do you think that has prepared you to be chief?
What about League City has made you serve our community for 25 years?
Being able to move around the department I think gave me an appreciation for what everybody else did and does to make, as the saying goes, the wheels on the bus go round and round. Everybody serves, in some capacity, towards the overall mission and if they weren’t there, achieving the mission would be impossible.
There has never been a time in my life or my professional career where I have doubted that this is where I should be. The job has been extremely rewarding and I have been blessed to work in a city where your officers and your organization have a positive relationship with the community. I can’t think of a time where a citizen hasn’t put a smile on my face, and I can’t think of a better PD to work at or a better city to serve.
What has been the most surprising thing about being police chief?
Can you tell us about your work as a training officer?
Until you sit in the chair as chief you never quite know what to expect. Before, being in the number two spot, my predecessor Chief Ratliff would deal with things and decisions that I wasn’t even aware of. Now, I have to deal with those decisions and quite a few items that need to get my approval before it is communicated to everyone else within the department.
For the last 19 years I have traveled the country teaching active shooter and attack response scenarios to various law enforcement agencies as part of an organization called ALERRT, which stands for Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training. I have taught at agencies as large as Detroit and Chicago to departments with three or more officers. Everywhere I have been, I have seen how lucky and blessed LCPD is to have a supportive community that has a general trust and appreciation for our officers.
What has been the biggest challenge? Learning how the City operates as a whole compared to just navigating the day-to-day operations of the police department. Also, within the organization I have always enjoyed performing lots of different roles, but I’ve always kind of been in the background. Now as chief, I cannot be in the background. I often need to be front and center representing the entire department.
What has been the best thing? This may sound cheesy, but it’s being a representative for the men and women in the department—trying to show them that administration appreciates them and all they do. Acknowledging the patrol officers and drawing attention to what they do day in and day out to protect our city has been the most rewarding. Their role is vital to the citizens of our community.
SWAT
Santa Fe Shooting
What are your goals for the immediate future? Our biggest priority right now is the implementation of our Mental Health Unit, which has been in the works for the last 18 to 24 months. The goal is to create a unit of officers that can better serve our citizens when it comes to crisis intervention such as suicide attempts, addiction, and other mental health issues. In addition, I want to keep the lines of communication open with our citizens and continue to build that trust that we have with the community. I also want to continue that expectation within the walls of the department so our officers value that relationship as well. If you lose it or have a fractured relationship with your community or fail to have that mutual trust, then it’s difficult to have an effective police department.
Swearing in Ceremony
Community Engagement
Training
CITY MATTERS | League City 4
s t l u s e R e Thare in...
Scan to see the Citizen Satisfaction Results!
OVERALL PERCEPTIONS
95%
indicated League
City was an excellent or good place to live (compared to national average of 49%)
93%
indicated League
City was an excellent or good
LEAGUE CITY IS AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO LIVE! CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY In the fall of 2023, League City worked with ETC Institute—a nationally recognized government research and survey company—to administer a community survey. The survey was conducted as part of League City’s effort to assess citizen satisfaction with the quality of services the City provides as well as the overall perception residents have of the community where they live. This is the third community survey ETC
Institute has administered for League City. The first was conducted in the fall of 2019.
Quality of Services Satisfaction ratings for League City services rated above the U.S. average in 52 of the 56 areas assessed. Major categories of City services that had the highest levels of satisfaction were: • The quality of police services (90%) • The quality of fire services (89%) • The overall quality of parks and recreation programs and facilities (83%) • The overall efforts to ensure the community is prepared for emergencies (83%)
• Overall maintenance of city streets,
Most Important City Services The major categories of City services respondents think should receive the most emphasis over the next two years include: • Overall flow of traffic and congestion management
5 League City | CITY MATTERS
The seven-page survey was mailed to a random sample of households throughout the city. Citizens could return the survey via a postage-paid return envelope or take it online. A total of 418 households completed the survey and the results collected have a 95% level of confidence with a precision of at least +/- 4.8%.
sidewalks, and utilities
• Overall drainage and stormwater efforts What Happens Now The information gathered from the survey will be used to help League City improve existing programs and services and help determine long-range planning and investment decisions.
place to raise children (compared to national average of 61%)
88%
indicated they felt
very safe or safe overall in League City (compared to national average of 58%)
87%
were very satisfied
or satisfied with the quality of life in League City (compared to national average of 51%)
The results of the 2021 survey placed League City as a winner of ETC’s “Leading the Way Award.” The award was created to recognize local governments for outstanding achievement in the delivery of services to residents. Recipients of the award are ranked in the top 10% of all local governments in the United States with regard to performance in three core areas: overall quality of services, customer service provided by employees, and value received for local taxes and fees.
ELEVATING TRUST IN LEAGUE CITY’S DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
The age-old adage “there’s always room for improvement” is the driving force behind the creation of a new City committee that will be developing a strategic plan to elevate trust with stakeholders— both commercial and residential— who are currently or have been involved in some way with League City’s Development Services Department. This includes everyone from developers and builders to contractors, tradespeople, and essentially anyone who has ever applied for a permit with League City.
Over the next several months, the 10-person committee—made up of members of City staff, a member of the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, commercial and residential developers, and Councilmember Tommy Cones—will be conducting surveys, focus groups, workshops, and open house events to solicit input on the City’s current development processes and procedures.
said Development Processes Manager Ron Menguita. “We want to utilize their feedback so we can better understand our customer’s needs, pain points, and challenges so we can identify areas for improvement and ultimately elevate their trust in the City.” Menguita, who was recently hired to act as ombudsman for the City, will be leading the strategic planning process along with Assistant City Manager Rick Davis.
“The ultimate goal is the development of a strategic plan based upon really listening to our customers Are you a builder, developer, and identifying their tradesman, contractor, or main priorities,” someone who regularly interacts with the City’s Planning and Development Department? Take a quick During focus groups and workshops, the committee will survey to share your thoughts be gathering feedback on these questions: and feedback by scanning the • What did you like most about your most recent experience QR code above. with League City’s Planning and Development Department?
ASKING QUESTIONS
• What did you like the least? • What convinced you to invest or complete your project here to begin with? • What is it about our processes that if changed or did not change, would cause you to consider investing in some other community?
• If you were king or queen for a day, what would change about our development and permitting processes or what would you do?
“Ron’s position is to really act as intermediary between League City and stakeholders in the development community,” said Davis. “This is a new position for the City and Ron’s main responsibility is to help identify systemic issues so processes can be evaluated and mapped out in order to make improvements so ultimately developers continue to invest in our city.” Menguita and Davis hope to have the strategic plan developed by May 2024 so they can then report back to stakeholders. Then the real work begins—implementing the plan and measuring its success along the way.
TIMELINE Establish Mission and Goals
Listen and Engage with Stakeholders
Identify Priorities
Compose the Plan
Return and Report
Implement the Plan
CITY MATTERS | League City 6
Fleet
HOW STUFF WORKS Without the efforts
From fire trucks and ambulances to boats and even chainsaws, League City’s Fleet
of the City’s Fleet
Department keeps all the City’s vehicles and equipment running. From “cradle to
Department, our first
grave,” this in-house repair shop schedules maintenance, provides roadside assistance,
responders could not
purchases and disposes of vehicles, and provides the specialized skills needed to
answer emergency
maintain some of the more unique pieces of equipment used by City departments.
calls, our infrastructure
HOW STUFF WORKS
Learn more about this little-known crew and why they are so important to our city.
would be neglected, and the safety of
The Fleet Department employs 10 staff members, including a department manager, administrative assistant, shop foreman, service & parts lead, and six mechanics. Each month, mechanics perform an average of 167 repair orders on vehicles/equipment. In total, there are nearly 600 pieces of equipment. Scheduled maintenance makes up about a quarter of their work, while non-scheduled repairs are responsible for about 75 percent of the workload. Mechanics do everything from tire repairs to fabrication to entire engine replacements, if necessary. On the right-hand page, discover more about the work Fleet crews preform to help keep the city running.
residents would be compromised.
6 mechanics service and maintain nearly 600 pieces of equipment.
158
130
General Fleet
32
66
Heavy Equipment
14
EMS Fleet
Fire Fleet
Police Fleet
171
Light Equipment
5
Marine
CAR PART ART
Over their many years together as a team, the Fleet crew has taken bits and pieces of car parts—from license plates to tires—to decorate and furnish their repair shop, while reflecting the excellent craftsmanship behind the work they do every day. Pictured to the left: Misty Ferro, Admin Assistant (15 years); John Norgan, Shop Foreman (39 years); Roger Howard, Senior Mechanic (28 years); Brandon Wiltse, Mechanic (1 year).
7 League City | CITY MATTERS
KEEPING THE CITY RUNNING The Fleet Department has 10 bays in their repair shop, where mechanics provide maintenance and repairs on City vehicles and equipment. The repair shop houses a variety of specialty equipment including an overhead crane, vehicle lifts, tire changer, heavy-duty wheel balancer, welding equipment, and more.
Fleet boasts a highly experienced team of professionals. Senior Mechanic Sterrett Bell, pictured repairing a tire, has worked for Fleet for 26 years. In fact, six of the 10 employees have worked in the department for more than 10 years. Of those six, three have been there 20+ years and two have been there 30+ years.
There are three fueling locations in the city that City staff use to fuel City vehicles. Fleet staff coordinate fuel deliveries to the sites and their software program receives data from each fuel transaction. This data is used to track department fuel costs and coordinate preventive maintenance services.
Shop Foreman John Norgan services a Public Works Wastewater Department vehicle. Public Works crews are first responders who often need to be on scene quickly to perform vital repairs to city infrastructure. Fleet crews ensure their vehicles are maintained and ready to respond safely and efficiently.
Fleet’s licensed safety inspector uses this state inspection machine to perform in-house safety inspections on City vehicles, saving time and money. The safety inspector performs around 28 inspections per month.
In January 2023, League City brought vehicles and equipment—including a grapple truck and dump truck—to Deer Park to assist with cleanup efforts following an EF3 tornado. Fleet mechanics follow an organized maintenance schedule to ensure equipment is ready for deployment in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
The Marsh Master is a specialized piece of heavy equipment used to mow detention ponds and improve drainage. During a recent regular maintenance inspection, Fleet mechanics found and repaired a hydraulic leak. Most repair needs are discovered during scheduled maintenance.
The LCPD Total Containment Vessel—used to transport and dispose of explosive devices away from civilians—waits at Fleet for hydraulic system repairs. The unit weighs 6.5 tons and can withstand a blast of up to 15 pounds of high explosive, which is equivalent to about 20 sticks of dynamite.
CITY MATTERS | League City 8
SPRING GREENING
CLEAR CREEK CLEANUP 2024 200+ Volunteers cleaned up over 8 tons of trash.
Get Involved with Ecofriendly Events and Activities
From organized cleanups to plant swaps and seedling giveaways, we’ve got several upcoming events that not only contribute to a cleaner and greener environment but also offer opportunities for community engagement.
EARTH DAY SEEDLING GIVEAWAY
PLANT SWAP
April 13, 8 a.m. – noon Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center parking lot Hosted by the Bay Area Plant Exchange, this biannual plant swap is coming to League City. It’s easy to get involved. Bring a plant, swap with someone else, and take home your new plant baby. Local gardening and nature organizations will be showcasing their clubs and programs during the event.
April 22, 10 a.m. – noon Helen Hall Library Celebrate Earth Day by adopting a seedling. Stop by Helen Hall Library to pick up a tree or plant seedling while supplies last. Over 200 seedlings will be up for grabs, with 30 to 40 varieties to choose from. This is a first come, first served event, with one seedling per family.
9 League City | CITY MATTERS
March 16 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Residents can stop by Hometown Heroes Park and drop off their household hazardous waste on March 16. You must bring a League City current water bill and driver’s license to provide proof of residency. When dropping off items, containers must be sealed and in their original packaging. Items cannot be accepted without their original label. This event is sponsored by AmeriWaste.
ACCEPTED ITEMS
KEEP TEXAS WATERWAYS CLEAN
May 11, 8 – 10 a.m. Clear Creek Nature Center Peninsula (West of 270 at the League City boat ramp) Help keep the waterways of Clear Creek clean. Meet up at the League City boat ramp, grab your gear, then make your way down to the Nature Center’s stretch of Clear Creek. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt. Sign up online at leaguecity.com.
Paint related materials Household cleaners White goods and microwaves Batteries (no rechargeable batteries) Household pesticides and herbicides Electronics (TVs, computers, and monitors) Pool chemicals (no muriatic acid) Aerosol cans Tires (maximum of 4) Fluorescent bulbs
NON-ACCEPTED ITEMS
Hazardous chemicals not in original container Business and commercial waste Medical waste (pharmaceuticals, sharps, and needles) Radioactive waste Ammunition Explosives Compressed gas cylinders Smoke detectors
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
April Zaidi
Following a citywide contest and receiving dozens of submissions, 10 mini mural designs were selected to be wrapped on traffic boxes throughout the city. Last fall, as part of the City’s Public Art Initiative, citizens who live within a 50-mile radius of League City were invited to submit one or more designs to be “wrapped” on a traffic signal box. Over four dozen designs were received, and 10 winning pieces were selected, including League City resident April Zaidi’s submission. A mother of four, Zaidi is a self-taught artist and photographer that sells her pieces locally. Her entry, entitled “Easy Creek,” is a painted panorama of kayakers exploring Clear Creek.
Department as well as members of the Keep League City Beautiful citizen committee. The theme for the traffic box contest was “Natural Assets” and artists were encouraged to be creative with their submissions while following a set of guidelines that were used during the judging process. They included:
• Depict our city’s beautiful natural environment and wildlife.
• Represent activities that residents of
League City can enjoy and take part in.
• Celebrate League City’s history and our growth over the years.
Zaidi’s entry, along with the other winners, was selected by a committee consisting of staff members from Public Works and the City’s Communications, Community Engagement, and Cultural Affairs
Carolyn Wiesen
Giselle Dodge
All winners have been notified and their designs will be wrapped on traffic signal boxes across the city in the spring and summer.
Mark Myers
Jackie Liddell
Emilie Sizemore
“It’s a tribute to the peaceful calm of the creek as viewed through rose-colored lenses,” said Zaidi. “When we first moved to the area, we gravitated immediately to the creek because there is always something new to see and so much wildlife and lush greenery. It’s one of League City’s greatest natural assets.”
Fontaine Jacobs
Cathy Kemper-Pelle
Cathy Kemper-Pelle
Dianne Owen
CITY MATTERS | League City 10
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT
Commercial vehicles hit the road every day in our city, but they don’t always measure up to the safety standards required by the state. The League City Police Department has a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Unit that plays a crucial role in keeping unsafe vehicles, which often carry hazardous materials, off the street. The CVE unit is made up of three trained officers tasked to stop and inspect commercial vehicles to make sure they are following state law. “The main benefit to the community as we enforce these regulations is to send the bad actors away from our area,” said Officer Loren Stevenson. “If you’re going to drive through League City, you must have everything in working order.”
Officers can stop commercial vehicles at random and physically inspect them for mechanical issues. They also make sure the drivers have the correct certifications and their paperwork is in order. Officer Stevenson says he often finds vehicles with air leaks, non-working headlights, and brake issues, which can be very dangerous. He’s even seen a garden hose used to cover up a truck’s air line. If a vehicle is found with a significant safety violation, officers don’t allow it back on the street. Commercial vehicle drivers must immediately remedy the situation by calling a mechanic to the location, towing the vehicle,
or getting an escort by officers to the nearest repair shop. “It feels good to know that I’ve taken a dangerous vehicle off the streets and potentially prevented a tragedy from occurring,” said Officer Stevenson.
Scan the QR code to watch an interview with Officer Stevenson and see how the inspection process works.
MORE FLOCK CAMERAS COMING SOON Additional League City roadways will be getting flock cameras this year, as will several city parks. In late 2023, the League City Council approved an agreement with Flock Safety—a private security camera company— for the addition of 28 cameras for roadways and parks. The flock cameras capture pictures of vehicle license plates and notify law enforcement when a vehicle or plate has been reported stolen. In 2023, the League City Police Department installed 42 flock cameras throughout
11 League City | CITY MATTERS
the City, which led to the arrest of several suspects wanted for serious crimes, including robbery, aggravated assault, and more.
The move to acquire more cameras is a direct result of an uptick in break-ins near where the cameras will be installed, including parks. The cameras will be placed at the Chester L. Davis Sportsplex, Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside, Hometown Heroes Park, Lobit Park, and the Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Nature Center. NEIGHBORHOOD CAMERA PROGRAM
In addition, LCPD is beginning a Neighborhood Flock Camera Program that
will provide a limited number of cameras for two years to subdivisions that apply. After the two years, the subdivision will have to pay to lease the cameras and must give LCPD access to all data collected. In order to apply, an HOA will need to submit a written request to LCPD accompanied by HOA minutes or a board resolution that indicates support for the initiative. The number of cameras is limited and HOAs will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information contact Captain Harold Lee at 281-554-1825 or harold.lee@leaguecitytx.gov.
TMA Truck
PUBLIC WORKS SHOWCASES NEW VEHICLES
The League City Public Works Department is stepping up its commitment to safety and maintaining our infrastructure with two new specialized vehicles. TMA Truck: A Guardian of Safety on the Road
The Truck Mounted Attenuator (TMA)—often known as a “crash” truck—is designed to absorb the impact of crashes, providing an additional layer of protection for both working crews and the drivers on the road. The TMA truck, which was purchased through grant funding, plays a crucial role in traffic control when performing work on TxDOT roadways. Equipped with the latest technology, the crash truck has the capability to inform the public about road conditions through the Waze Traffic App. In the case of a lane closure or accident, drivers can be notified in real-time with essential information in the area where the truck is deployed. It also features a message board mounted on the back that can deliver important messages
to drivers about speeding, alerting them to reduce their speed in work zones. CCTV Line Inspection Truck: Cost-Effective Maintenance Through Technology
Public Works recently retired the City’s Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) line inspection truck, which served League City residents for the past 18 years. The department’s new CCTV line inspection truck has a state-of-the-art camera system to conduct inline inspections of underground sanitary and storm sewers. The system uses a robotic, remote-control camera on a tether that is inserted into the pipe to search for potential points of failure. This technology allows crews to identify necessary repairs before critical failures occur, resulting in substantial maintenance cost savings and more efficient planning of repair activities.
Maintained and operated by a dedicated crew of five employees with extensive experience, this new inspection system ensures Public Works can continue to provide timely, costeffective customer service well into the future. The addition of both new vehicles is part of League City’s commitment to adopt innovative solutions that will benefit residents. As the city continues to evolve and grow, our Public Works crews will remain focused on providing reliable and essential services.
Scan QR code to see the CCTV truck in action.
CCTV Line Inspection Truck
CITY MATTERS | League City 12
LEAGUE CITY ANIMAL CARE WINS NATIONAL GRANT AWARD IN 2023, LCAC Took in
3,190 animals
➜ Adopted out
1,588 pets
➜ Returned
502 pets home
878
Sent pets to foster care
13 League City | CITY MATTERS
The Beacon of No-Kill Excellence Award grant will allow the shelter to continue fostering a no-kill community and provide life-saving care to shelter animals. In the fall of 2023, League City Animal Care & Adoption Center received the Beacon of No-Kill Excellence Award from national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society for their exemplary commitment to saving all healthy and treatable cats and dogs in the shelter in 2022. LCAC plans on using the grant funds to pay for spay and neuter surgeries for shelter animals.
grateful to Best Friends for this grant and for the recognition of our team’s dedication to life saving.” In 2022, LCAC maintained an impressive save rate of 96 percent. No-kill means saving every dog or cat in a shelter who can be saved, and the benchmark for no-kill status is a 90 percent save rate.
DID YOU KNOW?
“We know that achieving and maintaining a 90 percent save rate takes intentional collaboration between shelters, rescue groups, local governments, and members of the community, that’s why we are thrilled to provide League City with this grant that will increase lifesaving and further teamwork,” said Sophia Proler, South Central Regional Director for Best Friends Animal Society. “We commend shelters like League City for their dedication to lifesaving.”
LCAC cares for an average of 150 animals every day.
“This grant will make a huge impact on our life-saving abilities here at League City Animal Care,” said Jasmine O’Keefe, Animal Services Manager. “We look forward to using these funds to help us secure additional spay and neuter surgery slots for shelter pets. In 2022, we saw more than 1,800 pets adopted, which, combined with universally rising costs, has stretched our surgery funding to its limits. We are so
LOST & FOUND Dog Tags, microchips, and other tips for keeping your pet safe!
More than 4 million dogs are lost annually in the U.S., and only about 1 million are found within 24 hours. According to a recent national survey, the average time it takes a pet owner to find their lost dog is about 28 days.* League City Animal Care wants League City pet owners to know how to prevent pets from getting lost in the first place, and what steps to take in the event your pet does go missing.
99%
dogs f of o hours und in 24 or less had a colla visible r with a ID tag .*
According to a survey of dog owners,* the THREE things that get lost dogs returned home the fastest are:
1
A PHYSICAL SEARCH FOR THE ANIMAL. Drive, walk, and/or ride your bike around your neighborhood and perform a visual search for your pet the moment you realize they’ve gone missing. Tell your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye out for your dog.
2
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS. Share photos of your dog to your social media page and with any local groups that share photos of lost
animals on social media.
3
ID TAG ON THE COLLAR. Ensure each of your dogs has an ID tag on their collar with your current contact information. If your information changes, update the tags promptly. Digital ID tags allow people to scan a QR code that can store more information than a traditional tag. Keep the collar on your pet at all times.
MAX
555-123-4567
$1
LCAC offers pet tags for residents.
No appointment necessary.
DID YOU KNOW? If your pet
$5
LCAC offers pet microchips for residents.
is microchipped, you don’t have to annually register your pet with the City.
No appointment necessary.
FiFi
555-123 -4567
* 2023 survey by PetHub, Inc. and the National Animal Care & Control Association
Dos and Don’ts to Keep Your Pet Safe • DO get a $1 ID tag from LCAC or purchase one from a
retailer and ensure your pet is always wearing their collar.
• DO get a $5 microchip from LCAC and keep your information updated.
• DO inspect the perimeter of your yard and block easy escape routes.
• DON’T leave your pet outside when you aren’t home. • DON’T leave your front and back doors unsecured. • DON’T assume your pet can’t dig under, climb up, or jump over your fence. Observe your pet’s behavior and ensure you have appropriate fencing and barriers.
CITY MATTERS | League City 14
Make the most of spring in League City with
Spring Has
these activities, programs, and events. POP-UP STORYTIME
April 5, May 3 | 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Join the library at a different League City fire station each month for stories, songs, and rhymes! Check the library calendar or Facebook event for the exact location each month. This activity is designed for ages 3 to 5 years old with their caregivers.
CELEBRATE SPRING MIGRATION
NATURE WITH KRISTINE
GET YOUR LEAGUE CITY SWAG
NONPROFIT EXPO
Spring is in full swing, and League City is a birding hotspot for the millions of neotropical migrants that are making the trek north. How many migratory birds can you spot while exploring League City’s parks and trails? Download a handy birding guide at visitleaguecity. com/birding to find the best local birding spots.
Select Saturdays in March, April, & May Connect with nature through activities like arts and crafts, games, and scavenger hunts! Explore League City’s parks with nature enthusiast and avid birder Kristine Rivers. No registration required, and classes are free to the public. Visit leaguecity.com/parks for more details.
Stock up on official League City swag at the League City Visitor Center. Located in League Park at 512 2nd Street, the Visitor Center offers brochures and guides to help you explore League City, plus a ton of LCTX-themed merchandise including hats, t-shirts, mugs, tumblers, and even Milby the Little Longhorn.
EGG SCRAMBLE
March 24 | Noon Join Parks and Recreation for an eggciting day of egg hunting at Hometown Heroes Park during the annual Egg Scramble. There will be face painting, kids’ activities, an Easter Bunny, and lots of eggs. The event will end when there are no more eggs to gather. Make sure to arrive early! Egg Scramble starts promptly at 1 p.m. No registration required.
15 League City | CITY MATTERS
March 30 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Looking to volunteer with a nonprofit organization? Stop by the Nonprofit Expo at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center. This free, all-ages event will feature booths and representatives from dozens of local nonprofit organizations. There will also be food trucks, outdoor games and activities, live music, and demonstrations from local organizations. Sign up for the expo at LCnonprofitexpo.eventbrite.com.
Sprung!
Save the Date!
WHITE LINEN NIGHT 2024
AFTER SCHOOL SPECIAL
Celebrate the arts this summer
Food Festa | March 21 | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Throw out the rulebook and join Helen Hall Library for some foodie fun! Kids will get to play with their food as they make delightful creations. The theme for March 21 is Candy Sushi. Designed for kids ages 6 to 11. Food allergens may be present at program.
on June 8 at one of the most anticipated events of the year. Back for its third year, White Linen Night—held in the League City Historic District—will showcase over 100 local artist
WALK FOR WELLNESS
March 23 | Race Time 7:30 a.m. Walk, run, or jog through Walter Hall Park during this 1K/5K race designed to increase awareness of the needs of senior citizens and encourage citizens of all ages to develop healthy lifestyles. Registration is $30 per person. All proceeds benefit the Friends of League City Seniors Foundation. For more information and to register, visit leaguecity.com/parks.
booths, live entertainment, food trucks, KidZone, and local beer, wine & cider.
Calling Musicians & Artists Applications are now open for artists and musicians who want to participate in White Linen Night 2024. To apply, visit leaguecity. com/whitelinennight or scan
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Registration for Parks and Recreation’s summer programs is opening soon. Summer Basketball registration opens March 13, Summer Swim Lessons on April 24, and Camp by the Creek Summer Camp on April 17. Registration will open for League City residents at 8 a.m. on their respective dates. Visit leaguecity.com/parks for more information.
the QR code. Application deadline is May 1.
TECH HOUR & APPOINTMENTS
April 5, May 3 | 2 to 3 p.m. Need assistance downloading an eBook or attaching a file to an email? Want to learn more about your smartphone? The library is here to help. Bring your computer, phone, and technology questions to Friday Tech Hour. Can’t make it? Schedule a one-on-one technology session by calling 281-554-1104.
CITY MATTERS | League City 16
GET CARDED
Changes to Helen Hall Library’s Usage Policy BEGINNING MARCH 4, 2024 LIBRARY PATRONS WILL NEED A HELEN HALL LIBRARY CARD TO ENJOY LIBRARY SERVICES. All library patrons must show their library card to access the library’s facilities, collections, programs, and databases.
TIP: Attach your keyring card to your car or house keyring so that you never leave home without it!
Why did the policy change?
On January 9, 2024—in an effort to prioritize residents—League City Council voted to begin charging a $50 yearly non-resident household fee* for any Helen Hall Library users who reside outside of Galveston County. Due to this change, all library users will be required to present their library cards. Getting a library card is easy!
All League City residents are eligible for a free library card. Simply visit the library and present your proof of residency (driver’s license, recent utility bill, etc.) to receive your card. Library cards can be issued to both children and adults, with age restrictions placed on child and teen cards for the on-site library collection. What if I lost my library card? No problem! Just stop by the library to get a free replacement.
TAKE YOUR LIBRARY EVERYWHERE!
Download the myLIBRO App to manage your account and explore the library myLIBRO is like a virtual branch of your library. Browse books, place holds, find information on upcoming programs, view Helen Hall social media feeds, and get all the latest HHL updates.
Scan the QR code to download and start exploring! *Exceptions to this household privilege fee include • Users who own property in Galveston County • Users who live in the Harris County areas of League City or Friendswood • Users who work for the City of League City or Galveston County and their kids, spouses and parents • Users who have a TexShare card granted from a TexShare participating library
17 League City | CITY MATTERS
CITY COUNCIL Nick Long Mayor 409-927-0856 nick.long@leaguecitytx.gov Andy Mann Position 1 281-554-1221 andy.mann@leaguecitytx.gov Tommy Cones Position 2 409-927-0855 tommy.cones@leaguecitytx.gov Tom Crews Position 3 409-440-5900 tom.crews@leaguecitytx.gov Courtney Chadwell Position 4 281-544-1000 courtney.chadwell@leaguecitytx.gov Justin Hicks Position 5, Mayor Pro Tem 409-204-8944 justin.hicks@leaguecitytx.gov Chad Tressler Position 6 409-218-2916 chad.tressler@leaguecityx.gov Sean Saunders Position 7 713-419-8710 sean.saunders@leaguecitytx.gov
CONTACTS LEAGUE CITY
311 HELP HOTLINE
Have a question, concern or need assistance related to a City service? Call 311 from your mobile or landline phone. Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday: 7:30 a.m. to noon. For police or fire emergency, call 911.
Citizen Request Tracker Is there a pothole on your street that needs to be fixed? An overgrown drainage ditch that needs to be mowed? Request a service from City staff and track its progress by signing up for leaguecity.com/tracker.
Frequently Called Numbers Animal Care 281-554-1377 Building Department 281-554-1429 City Hall 281-554-1000 Code Compliance 281-554-1480 Facility Rental 281-554-1193 Fire Department (non-emergency)
281-554-1465
Fire Marshal 281-554-1290 Helen Hall Library 281-554-1111 Municipal Court 281-554-1060 Parks and Recreation 281-554-1180
SOCIAL MEDIA
Planning and Development
281-554-1080
Police Department (non-emergency)
281-332-2566
Public Works 281-554-1346 Streets, Stormwater, and Traffic
281-554-1086
Utility Billing 281-554-1335 Wastewater 281-554-1320 Water Production 281-554-1041 CITY MATTERS | League City 18
City of League City 300 West Walker Street League City, TX 77573
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