2024 April Newsletter

Table of Contents

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Your gateway to discovering everything you need to know

DOWNTOWN TEMPLE

Unveiling the vibrant heart of our city

PARKS & RECREATION

Discover fun and adventure in Temple!

PUBLIC SAFETY: FIRE AND POLICE

Protecting and serving our community

TEMPLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Exploring the treasures of the public library

PUBLIC WORKS

Learn about City services and stay informed of the latest Public Works updates

FROM THE Desk of the City Manager

The City Manager's Office handles the general administration of the City of Temple and executes the policies and objectives of the City Council. The City Manager is directly responsible to the Mayor and City Council and oversees the day-to-day operations of the City by coordinating all City departments activities and functions, including the development of the Strategic Plan. The City Manager's Office also leads the financial and budget management process for the City and directs the City's efforts to plan for the future.

A rare celestial event will grace our city this month - The Great American Eclipse. On Monday, April 8th, our skies will witness a total eclipse, a spectacle that will darken our surroundings for approximately three minutes as the moon traverses its path.

This extraordinary phenomenon is expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the nation and beyond to our city. It is projected that our population may double or even triple during this time. As such, it is imperative that we make adequate preparations to accommodate this influx of guests.

The surge in visitors is likely to strain our basic resources, particularly from Friday, April 5th through the weekend until the departure of visitors on Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Therefore, I urge you to plan ahead and ensure you have essential supplies such as medications, gas and groceries well in advance of the event. If possible, I advise minimizing travel during this period to avoid anticipated traffic congestion.

I must also emphasize the importance of protecting your eyes during the eclipse. Looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection can cause permanent damage. Please ensure you have the necessary equipment to safely view this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

I encourage all residents to enjoy this unique event responsibly while prioritizing safety and preparedness. Let us welcome our guests with warmth and hospitality, showcasing the spirit of Temple.

Wishing you all a fantastic time during The Great American Eclipse!

Brynn Myers

Development Updates

These are exciting times in the City of Temple! New developmental projects are transforming our urban landscape, promising to bring innovation and vibrancy to our community. With a focus on sustainable design, these projects are set to revitalize our city's core, creating a dynamic hub for residents and visitors alike. Stay tuned for a reimagined Temple that seamlessly blends modernity with its rich heritage, making it a place we love to call home! To learn more about our projects, visit letstalktemple.com.

East Central Avenue

Sidewalk Project

TheEastCentralAvenueSidewalk project,spanningfromSouth6thStreet toSouth12thStreet,isslatedfor completionbetweenlateMarchand earlyApril.Thisendeavorhasbeen madepossiblethroughagenerous grantfromtheTexasDepartmentof Transportation(TxDOT),withthe designfinalizedinJuly2023.However, theprojectiscurrentlyawaitingthe installationofhandrailsbeforeitsfull realization.

Noteworthyimprovementsincludethe installationofnew5-foot-wide sidewalks,alongwithrampstoenhance accessibility,andthestripingof crosswalks.

Oncecompleted,theseenhancements willsignificantlycontributetothe safetyandconvenienceofpedestrians alongEastCentralAve

Community Happenings

Our community plays a vital role in the fabric of the City of Temple, such as sustaining its growth and prosperity. Through active engagement and collaboration, community members contribute to the overall well-being of the city, whether it's through volunteering, supporting local businesses, or participating in civic initiatives. By nurturing a strong sense of solidarity and shared responsibility, the community becomes the driving force behind positive change, shaping the city's identity and ensuring its continued success.

Great American Eclipse

TIPS FOR RESIDENTS

Errands & Appointments: Schedule your errands and appointments before Thursday, April 4.

Check ahead if you have plans for Monday, April 8; some services may be closed or have limited hours.

Supplies: Overall, supplies may be limited due to the high demand, which may mean the items you want are not available during the impact days. If there is something important you want, get it early.

Gas: If you normally fill up your gas tank Friday –Monday, do that task early, before Thursday, April 4.

Cash: If you regularly use cash or want some on hand, consider visiting your local bank or ATM before Thursday, April 4.

911: Only dial 911 during a true emergency, use the non-emergency number 254.298.5500 for everything else. Did you also know that you can text 911?

Cellular Service: With the increased number of visitors, local public safety officials anticipate cellular service may become overwhelmed (primarily on Monday, April 8) or have limited access during the impact days. Text 911 if you can’t call or use a landline.

Visit bellcountyeclipse.com for more information.

Good Neighbor Program

The City of Temple is seeking volunteers who are willing and able to help Temple’s elderly and disabled with regular lawn care needs and other minor home improvement projects. Sign up to be a good neighbor or to receive help from a good neighbor at templetx.gov/goodneighbor

Jackson Park Clean-Up Event

Join us on April 20 from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. to help us clean up the Jackson Park Neighborhood District! Activities will include trash pickup and other revitalization efforts. You can sign up to volunteer at https://bit.ly/4a3NVBK or by meeting us at 201 E King Ave, Temple, TX on April 20.

Temple Community Treasures Contest

Lunch at the Temple Airport

The Temple Historic Preservation Board and Kasberg, Patrick, and Associates (KPA) of Temple are pleased to present the 6th Annual Temple Community Treasures Photography Contest and the 3rd Annual Temple Community Treasures Painting Contest. This contest is part of Temple's observance of National Preservation Month in May. It aims to draw community attention to protecting and preserving our historic buildings. Winners will be honored and recognized during May, National Preservation Month. KPA will also award the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners with cash prizes. For more information, contact Ayanna Batchand-Rowe at (254) 298-5376 or abatchandrowe@templetx.gov.

Join us for Lunch at the Airport at the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport!

New Activities:

Airplane Rides (Tickets can be purchased at the event- Children must be 5 years or older and minors must be accompanied by an adult)

Flight School Information Aircraft Tours

Stop by Saturday, April 27th from 11 a.m.2 p.m. and purchase a delicious meal from Flexin’ Texan, then stick around to enjoy a fun afternoon at the airport! Indoor seating is available. This event is open to the public.

Downtown Temple

Downtown Temple stands as a dynamic hub, contributing to the community's enrichment in variety of ways. Its array of restaurants draws both locals and visitors, while the district hosts a plethora of events, from festivals to parades, throughout the year. Offering a blend of local boutiques and specialty stores, downtown Temple provides residents with diverse retail options, playing a crucial role in elevating Temple life and fostering community spirit through enjoyable dining experiences, festive celebrations, and retail therapy.

April First Friday

Join us downtown for First Friday, April 5, and enjoy amazing drinks, food, and specials!

Check out our full list of downtown happenings at bit.ly/3vAXira

Temple Ticket Spring Issue

Your ticket to travel Temple like a pro this spring! Enjoy wildflowers, local attractions, things to do, solar eclipse tips, and much more. bit.ly/templeticket #DiscoverTemple

Photo Courtesy: Jason Deckman

Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum

Changing The Face Of Power: Women In The U.S. Senate

Melina Mara began photographing the thirteen women in the U.S. Senate in 2001, continuing as their number grew to fourteen in 2003. At a time when access to national politicians is increasingly controlled, Mara persuaded a majority of the senators to allow her to document the unprecedented role of women in the Senate, both behind the scenes and before microphones.

Changing the Face of Power is an exhibition by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin, presented in partnership with Humanities Texas. Changing the Face of Power is made possible in part by a We the People grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Saturday, April 27

Join us for a recycling day! Learn how to minimize waste and discarded material and learn to upcycle with us as we make some cool crafts from recycled materials. Want to recycle, but do not have access to the right bins? We have your back! We will even have recycling bins onsite so you can bring your own materials to be discarded via recycling.

National Train Day

Saturday, May 4

National Train Day is here again! Join the museum for our annual celebration of the Transcontinental Railroad. Whether you are a train enthusiast or just interested in a little slice of American history, National Train Day has something for everyone Tickets are on sale now, visit bit.ly/TrainDay24.

@ladie.kadie

Parks & Recreation

Parks and Recreation plays a vital role in fostering vibrant and thriving communities. By providing accessible and well-maintained parks, recreational facilities, and programs, they create spaces for individuals of all ages to engage in physical activity, socialize, and connect with nature. As well as organizing community events, sports leagues, and cultural activities, promoting a sense of unity and belonging among residents.

Central Texas AirFest Tickets On Sale April 1!

ExperiencethethrillattheCentralTexas AirfestinTemple!Joinusforanactionpackedweekendfeaturingaerialfeatsby industryexperts.Fromvintageclassicsto cutting-edgeaircraft,enjoyadiversedisplay inafamily-friendlyatmosphere.

TheexcitementbeginsonFridaynightwith aliveconcertandanenchantingdrone showilluminatingthesky.Throughoutthe weekend,indulgeinfoodtrucks,vendor booths,akidzone,airplanestaticdisplays, andliveaeronauticalperformances.

Don’tmissthespecialFridaynightconcert anddroneshow–auniqueadditionto thisyear’sfestivities.Joinusforan unforgettablecelebrationofaviationand familyfunattheCentralTexasAirfest! Ticketsareonsalenow,visitctxaf.com forticketsandmore!

Hiring Night

Lifeguard & Aquatics Staff

We are gearing up for an epic Pool Season in 2024 and we want you to be a part of the team!

Join us at the Sammons Community Center for our Hiring Night on April 11 from 5-8 p.m. Prepare for on-the-spot interviews.

Lifeguards earn $15/hour plus a $500 bonus for completing the season. Enjoy free lifeguard classes.

Advance your career as an Assistant Pool Manager ($16.50/hour) or Pool Manager ($18/hour).

Gain experience, make memories, and have a blast! Apply now at templelifeguards.com and get ready to make a splash this summer!

Public Safety

Our police and fire departments are crucial to our community’s well-being, ensuring the protection and security of community members. From patrolling neighborhoods and investigating crimes, conducting safety awareness programs, offering emergency medical assistance and community outreach, public safety professionals play a pivotal role in safeguarding the community while instilling peace of mind and fostering a sense of security among community members. Our first responders are at the forefront of protecting our neighborhoods, providing essential aid during crises, and promoting a sense of safety and reassurance among our community members.

MEET THE BRAND NEW

Temple Fire & Rescue Truck 6

Temple Fire & Rescue celebrated the addition of a new fire truck in March with a traditional pushin ceremony and open house.

Truck 6 includes a 107-foot aerial ladder, the tallest ladder in Bell County. It also features the ability to flow over 2000 gallons per minute (GPM) of water and a new emergency lighting system that helps to minimize distractions and blinding drivers who are passing fire scenes

“We are excited about the addition of this new truck and the opportunity to celebrate and thank the residents of the Temple community for it,” said Fire Chief Mitch Randles.

Truck 6 is a 2024 Pierce Velocity 107' Aerial. The last push-in ceremony the department hosted was back on June 21, 2021 at Central Station.

Temple Public Library

The public library serves as a hub of knowledge, learning, and community engagement within a community. Its role extends far beyond providing access to books. The public library acts as a valuable resource and a catalyst for personal growth, education, and community development.

Come join us at Temple Public Library as we eagerly anticipate bringing the community together and stimulating intellectual growth.

Financial Wellness: Lunch & Learn

Sign up for an exciting six-month lunch & learn series on financial literacy in partnership with PNC Bank and Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries. Explore banking, budgeting, retirement, and other financial basics while enjoying a free meal These engaging sessions are every second Friday beginning on April 12 at 12 p.m. in the 3rd floor Board Room of the library. Registration is required, so reserve your spot today by visiting bit.ly/TPLAdultRegistration For questions, email adult@templetx.gov.

Teen Volunteer Orientation

Are you a teen interested in volunteering at the library this summer? Attend our Teen Volunteer Orientation! We will teach you and your parent or guardian how to sign up with our online platform, assist with documentation, and answer questions. Pizza will be provided!

Unable to make it? No worries! Contact us for details on how to volunteer this Summer! For ages 12 - 18.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Workshop

This workshop will explore how the characteristics of autism vary significantly within and across individuals with ASDs, how students with autism have varying degrees of challenges and strengths, and early diagnosis and intervention strategies. No registration required.

English: April 23 | 1 – 2 p.m.

Spanish: April 23 | 2 – 3 p.m.

Free Comic Book Day

The Temple Public Library will host Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help your tweens and teens select free comic books during this family friendly event that will feature prize drawings, outdoor games, activities for all ages, and free comics courtesy of FX Game Exchange. Celebrate the power of comics and May the 4th be with you!

For questions, email outreach@templetx.gov.

Upcoming Events & Programs

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Society of Fantastic Bibliofiles

Let’s talk about your favorite books!

Join us for our Teen Book Talk program and share what you are reading For ages 13 - 18

5 p.m. - 6 p.m. | 1st Floor

Foreign Film Friday

Come and enjoy great movies from around the world. Every month, we will watch a different film that will highlight the talent that abounds outside of Hollywood.

6:30 p m - 9:30 p m | McLane Room

Family Lego Night

Build fun into your family time with this Lego event Bricks will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. For all ages.

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | 2nd Floor

Genealogy Saturdays

Join the Bell County Genealogy Society in the Temple Public Library’s Genealogy Room for help with your history research.

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | 2nd Floor

Dia (Children’s Book Day)

Día, or Children’s Day/Book Day, is a nationally recognized celebration of children, families, and reading with an emphasis on the importance of literacy for all children of all linguistic backgrounds. No registration required. For all ages.

3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | 3rd Floor - McLane Room

Public Works

Public works plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for community members. Their primary objective is to ensure the maintenance, development, and improvement of public infrastructure and services. From roads and bridges to water supply systems and parks, public works departments are responsible for managing and enhancing these essential elements of a community. Their efforts contribute to the safety, accessibility, and overall quality of life within the community.

Collection Schedule ECLIPSE GARBAGE & RECYCLING

Eclipse Collection Schedule

Due to the total solar eclipse, the City of Temple’s Solid Waste facility will be closed on Monday, April 8 and will reopen on Tuesday, April 9.

Commercial garbage routes will run; however, residential garbage collections will be paused until Tuesday, April 9. Monday’s collections are scheduled to be picked up on Tuesday, April 9 and Tuesday’s collections are scheduled to be picked up on Wednesday, April 10.

Solid Waste Tips

Spring cleaning does not mean your recycle bin is an extra trash can. For a list of acceptable curbside recyclables please visit templetx.gov/recycling.

Secure Document Shred Event

The City of Temple will be hosting a Secure Document Shred Event on April 20 from 9 a m to 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic High School, located at 6608 W. Adams Ave.

Residents can bring up to five bankers' boxes to be shredded free of charge!

Document Shreding Tips:

Sort Documents

Before recycling, sort through your documents to separate those that can be recycled from those that contain sensitive or confidential information that needs to be shredded.

Remove Bindings and Staples

Before recycling, remove any bindings, staples, paper clips, or other non-paper items from the documents. This ensures that the paper can be recycled efficiently.

Reuse When Possible

Before recycling, consider whether the document can be reused or repurposed. For example, you could use the back side of old documents for notetaking or printing drafts.

Don't Contaminate Recycling

Avoid contaminating your recycling bin with non-recyclable items such as food waste or liquids, as this can reduce the quality of the recycled paper and make it more difficult to process.

For more recycling tips to utilize throughout the year, visit templetx.gov/recycle!

Stormwater Tips

Don’t Over-Fertilize Your Lawn

Springisacommontimetofertilizeyour lawn,butit’simportantnottooverdoit Excessfertilizercanrunoffintonearby waterwaysandcauseharmfulalgal blooms.

Grass Clippings

Grassclippingsareoneofthemain sourcesofstormwaterpollution.

Blowingyourlawnwasteintothe streetscanclogdrainsandcause floodingissues.Yardwastecontains nitrogenandphosphorusandcan contributetonutrientoverloads whennotdisposedofproperly.Can beharmfultoaquaticlife

Alwayssweeporblowclippingsoff pavedsurfacesandbackontothe lawn.Canbehazardousconditions fordrivers,motorcyclists,and bicyclists

Swimming Pools & Spas

Drainyourswimmingpoolonlywhen atestkitdoesnotdetectchlorine levels.

Wheneverpossible,drainyourpoolor spaintothegrass,notthestreetor stormdrain.

Properlystorepoolandspachemicals topreventleaksandspills,preferably inacoveredareatoavoidexposureto stormwater

PROTECT YOUR WATER:

Backflow Assembly Testing

PROTECT YOUR WATER

Protect hose bibs (outside faucets) by installing a vacuum breaker on all hose bibs capable of having a hose attached.

Have the backflow assembly tested by a certified tester as required.

Never use unprotected faucets to fill containers such as pools, stock tanks, hot tubs, etc.

Protect your drinking water and your community’s water supply by ensuring you are taking the proper measures to properly protect cross-connections.

BACKFLOW

When water backflows, it can carry contaminants back into your home and/or the water distribution supply.

CROSS-CONNECTIONS

A cross-connection is a point in a plumbing system where it is possible for a non-potable substance to come in contact with the potable drinking water supply

Common cross-connections include garden hoses, lawn sprinkler systems, water softeners, and private wells.

For more information, visit templetx.gov/backflow.

Water Conservation

The City of Temple continues to remain under Moderate Water Shortage mandatory restrictions. In August 2023, the Brazos River Authority announced levels at Lake Belton dropped below the Stage 2 – Drought Warning Trigger, prompting the city to follow suit.

IrrigateResponsibly

Pauseyourirrigationsystemsand don'twaterwhenit'sraining.

RaiseYourLawnMowerBlades

Longergrasspromotesdeeperroot growth,resultinginamoredroughtresistantlawn,reducedevaporation, andfewerweeds.

MandatoryWateringSchedule

Allwatercustomersarecurrently requiredtoparticipateinawater conservationschedulebasedontheir address.

WateringTimes

Midnightto10a.m. 8p.mtoMidnight

ResidentswithEven-NumberedAddresses

Sunday

Thursday

ResidentswithOdd-NumberedAddresses:

Saturday

Wednesday

Formoreinformationandupdates,please visittempletx.gov/waterconservationor reachouttothePublicWorksDepartment at2542985611

TEMPLE TALK: In Case You Missed It

Great American Eclipse Town Halls

In order to help Temple residents prepare for the Great American Eclipse happening on Monday, April 8th, City of Temple staff members conducted three Town Hall events at the end of February and in March. The Town Halls covered everything that folks can expect, from a surge in population, to traffic, and the need to have essential items in stock. The event also allowed individuals to ask questions of the City of Temple Emergency Management Coordinator, Police Chief and Fire Chief.

Click HERE to watch one of the three town halls.

The