Events

New Solid Waste and Recycling Service to begin

The City has contracted a new solid waste and recycling service. The pick-up days will remain the same as the previous service, recycling on Tuesday and solid waste on Wednesday and Saturday. Bulky Waste and bundles (limited to 10 bags and 5 bundles) will be picked up on Wednesday (instead of Saturday). Please have your waste either at the backdoor or curbside by 7:00 am so as not to miss the pickup. For additional information and a list of recycling services, please see the flyer enclosed in this edition of the LaVentana.

Bay Area Community Advisory Panel (BAYCAP) Seeking New Members

The Bay Area Community Advisory Panel (BAYCAP) welcomes local residents interested in dialogue with Bayport industry to attend a meeting this spring and consider membership in the committee that advises 24 chemical plants on or near Bay Area Boulevard and Red Bluff Road. Members come from the communities closest to that part of Bayport and the organizations and governmental bodies serving neighborhoods like Brookwood, Brook Forest, and PineBrook and cities like Taylor Lake Village, El Lago, Nassau Bay, and Seabrook.

Topics for community-industry dialogue this year include plant upset and maintenance emissions, long range transportation plans, emergency response and communications, air emission trends, pipelines, and the future workforce for the chemical industry. Chemistry 101 lessons geared to the general public will introduce members to several chemicals made or used by Bayport plants.

BAYCAP meets on Wednesday, February 27th, for its first annual report on plant community relations programs. The first Chemistry 101 lesson will be on ethylene oxide.

In lieu of its regular meeting, BAYCAP will take part in a March 26th public forum on air quality in Jacinto City. BAYCAP meetings are scheduled for April 23rd, May 28th, August 27th, September 24th, and October 22nd.

BAYCAP usually meets at Armand Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Boulevard. The group gathers at 6:00 p.m. for a light meal, business begins at 6:15 p.m., and the meet adjourns by 8:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome! To confirm date, time, and place, contact BAYCAP facilitator Diane Sheridan at 281.326.5253 or via e-mail.

Rabid Bat Found in Seabrook

A bat, which tested positive for Rabies, was recently found in the Seabrook area. The 5 high risk wild animals in Texas are bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes. However, all warm-blooded animals, including humans, can get rabies. Guidelines for your pets and wild animals as provided by the Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services are listed below:

• Make sure that all your family pets are current on their vaccinations
• Confine all pets or keep them on a leash
• Avoid all sick or injured animals
• All stray or wild animals should be avoided, particularly skunks and bats observed during the day
• Report all animal bites or scratches that break the skin, or any physical contact with a bat to your medical provider and HCPHES Veterinary Public Health or the City Animal Control department
• Report loose animals to HCPHES Veterinary Public Health or the City Animal Control department

Should you need help or require assistance, Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services phone number is 281.999.3191. The City of El Lago's Animal Control Dept. can be reached at 281.326.1951, ext. 13.

New Animal Control Fees

Due to the increased number of both domestic animals on the loose and wild animals being trapped, City Council has increased the Animal Control fees to cover the additional expense and necessary manpower:

• Impoundment Fee: $25 (pick-up and release of animal to owner within a 24 hour period)
• Boarding Fee: $15 / day (per day after initial 24 hour Impoundment Fee)
• Animal Removal: $75 (removal of unwanted domestic animal from owner)
• Quarantine: $140 (10 days mandatory after a biting incident)
• Trap Rental (includes disposal of trapped animal): Weekly fee with a 2 (two) week prepaid minimum is $20 / first 2 (two) weeks and weekly fee after first 2 (two) week prepayment is $10 / week
• Wild Animal Removal: $20 (pick-up and release wild animals trapped by residents in their own trap)

Increased Parking Fees for Violations

City Council has increased the parking ticket fee from $13 to $15 per violation. According to City Ordinances, it is unlawful to park in the following manner or areas: on the street between 3 a.m. to 5 a.m.; on the lawn of a residence; on the curb of the residence; between the curb and the residence, except in the driveway of the residence; in such a manner as to block the sidewalk; blocking the driveway; parked on the street over 48 hours; in any area prohibited by a traffic-control sign, "No Parking" or "No Parking Anytime - Tow Away Zone;" and in any area prohibited by a sign indicating "No Parking Any Time - Fire Lane - Tow Away Zone."

Reminders from City Hall

Home and Yard Maintenance - City Hall has heard from quite a few citizens who are concerned about the maintenance and upkeep of homes and yards in the city. Some residents are not taking the time to do regular maintenance. Obviously, in order to keep property values up, it is necessary to maintain the appearance of homes and yards. In today's busy world, consistent maintenance can be bothersome but the rewards are significant. Please take the time to assess your property and plan necessary maintenance. Spring is a great time to get rolling on those essential tasks that have been set aside throughout the winter.

Sign Boxes - You may not have noticed, but the city has two designated areas to advertise garage sales, local events, and other items of interest. One is located at Loch Lake and Repsdorph and the other is located in front of city hall. Signs are not permitted on any other public property within the city. If you take advantage of this opportunity to advertise, please be sure you pick up your signs within a week.

Complaint Desk - It seems that there are multiple complaints against pet owners in the city. Here is a reminder of your responsibilities as a domestic pet owner: in our city:

1. DO NOT allow your animal to roam free – this includes walking your dog without a leash. It is against the city ordinance for ANY domestic animals to roam free within the city. This includes both dogs and cats.
2. Pick up after your animals. Nothing is more frustrating than having to dodge landmines in your own front yard even though you don’t even own a pet. You can’t always control where they go, but you can always clean it up.
3. DO NOT let your dog(s) bark and disturb your neighbors. If your dog barks continuously, it is considered a nuisance; you may be fined or even find yourself in court.
4. Make sure your pets are vaccinated as directed by your vet and then licensed with the city. The license can be purchased from City Hall at 98 Lakeshore Drive and is only $5.00 annually. Please bring a copy of the current vaccination record with you when purchasing a pet license.