JULY 2021
IN THIS ISSUE WAYS TO SAVE
REDUCE WATER WASTE SERVE YOUR CITY
APPLY FOR A CITY BOARD CALLING ALL BOOKWORMS!
SUMMER READING AT APL PARKS & RECREATION
GET ACTIVE IN ALLEN GOT JUNK?
A GUIDE TO DIY DISPOSAL
ALLEN CITY COUNCIL
WAYS TO SAVE:
REDUCE WATER WASTE
Ken Fulk Mayor
Daren Meis
Councilmember | Place No. 1
Carl Clemencich
Councilmember | Place No. 2
Dave Cornette
Councilmember | Place No. 3
Chris Schulmeister
Councilmember | Place No. 4
Dave Shafer
Councilmember | Place No. 5
Baine Brooks
Mayor Pro Tem | Place No. 6
CITY MANAGEMENT
During the summer, up to 60% of water used in Allen comes from irrigation systems. Take control of your water use – and future utility bills – with these tips from Allen Water Conservation. CHECK THE FORECAST During the growing season, your lawn only needs ½ inch of water per week. Keep automatic sprinklers in the “off” position and water only when rainfall isn’t adequate.
Eric Ellwanger
Tim Dentler
Eric Strong
Rebecca Vice
SWITCH TO “CYCLE AND SOAK” This irrigation method staggers three short cycles of watering (6 minutes per cycle for spray nozzles, 13 minutes per cycle for rotors) at least 30 minutes apart. This allows our clay soil to fully absorb water and reduce runoff while providing ½” of water for the week.
YOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR ALLEN NEWS & EVENTS
UNDERSTAND YOUR SMART SETTINGS SMART irrigation systems use data from local weather stations to automatically adjust the frequency and volume of water used. Though many homeowners appreciate this “set it and forget it” feature, automated systems can sometimes lead to unexpectedly high bills after extremely hot or dry periods.
City Manager
Deputy City Manager
Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager
FIND MORE TIPS AT: CityofAllen.org/WaysToSave
SERVE YOUR CITY
JOIN A BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE
IMPORTANT DATES AUG 4
Application deadline
SEPT
Appointments made
SEPT 30
Mandatory orientation for appointees
OCT 1
Appointments are effective
HOW DOES IT WORK?
City boards, commissions and committees are ways for citizens to participate in local government by shaping public policy and recommending local legislation. In Allen, members of these appointed groups advise City Council on a variety of topics including planning, zoning, transportation, parks, libraries, building and public art. Members of City of Allen boards, commissions and committees are unpaid volunteers. Board, commission and committee members are subject to attendance requirements, the Code of Conduct Ordinance and conflict of interest provisions.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Thirty-five positions will be considered by City Council for appointment in 2021, including known vacancies on the Board of Adjustment (1) and Library Board (1). Any qualified voter with one year of residency in Allen is eligible to apply. Applicants are encouraged to attend at least one meeting of the board or commission they wish to join. The application deadline is August 4, 2021. All applications received, including those from incumbents, will be reviewed and considered for interview. Interviews are typically held in late August and early September. Appointments are made in September and are effective October 1. A mandatory orientation will be held for all appointees on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
If you have questions need assistance in processing your application, contact City Secretary Shelley George at sgeorge@cityofallen.org or 214.509.4105.
LEARN MORE & APPLY AT: CityofAllen.org/Boards
CALLING ALL BOOKWORMS!
EARN PRIZES FOR SUMMER READING
LIBRARY HOURS Monday-Thursday: Friday-Saturday: Sunday:
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 1-5 p.m.
CURBSIDE PICKUP Monday-Saturday:
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
HOLIDAY CLOSURE Allen Public Library will be closed July 4-5 in observance of Independence Day.
Allen Public Library’s Summer Reading Club is underway! Track your reading and collect your points by August 6 to earn prizes and enter drawings for local gift cards. Visit AllenLibrary.org to download the READsquared app, register for Take & Make craft kits, browse virtual programs and more. Paper logs are available upon request.
MORE INFO: AllenLibrary.org WISH YOU WERE HERE!
EXPERIENCE ALLEN PARKS & RECREATION Jump back into the pool, return to an active lifestyle or discover something new this July during Parks and Recreation Month. High-value membership packages, special events and rewards are your invitation to discover how to live your best LIFE in Allen! Visit an Allen Recreation Center or go to LifeInAllen.org/Discover for details.
HIGH-VALUE MEMBERSHIPS
BEAUTIFUL PARKS
INCREDIBLE JOURNEYS
LEARN MORE AT: LifeInAllen.org/Discover
Do-It-Yourself Disposal Can’t wait for bulk or yard waste pickup? Load up your car, truck or trailer and head to one of the D-I-Y disposal facilities available to Allen residents through the North Texas Municipal Water District. Personal or rented cars, pickup trucks, trailers or flatbed trucks are permitted.
WHAT TO DRIVE
Trucks or trailers with a contractor name visible will be charged a contractor fee, even if disposing on a resident’s behalf. Box trucks and stake bed trucks are not allowed; automatic dump trailers are charged a fee.
WHAT TO BRING IDENTIFICATION: Current City of Allen utility bill and Texas driver’s license. The addresses on the utility bill and driver’s license must match. Resident must be present. TRASH: Furniture, mattresses, grills (no propane tanks), lawn mowers (oil and gas removed), packaging material, excess household trash. YARD WASTE: Brush, tree limbs, branches, leaves/grass clippings collected in paper lawn bags and flattened/empty cardboard may be disposed at the Custer Road Transfer Station Wood Grinding Facility only. No soil, dirt or fence panels accepted. HOME IMPROVEMENT WASTE: All home improvement waste will incur a disposal fee to be paid by the resident. Large quantities must be taken to the 121 Regional Disposal Facility. APPLIANCES: Appliances with refrigerant/Freon must be taken to the Parkway Transfer Station for disposal. Other appliances are accepted at all facilities. UNSECURED LOADS: All loads must be covered with a tarp or tied down according to state law.
WHERE TO GO CUSTER ROAD TRANSFER STATION & TEXAS PURE PRODUCTS WOOD GRINDING FACILITY
9901 Custer Road - Plano, TX Accepts trash, yard waste and passenger tires (up to 4 per visit).
PARKWAY TRANSFER STATION
4030 West Plano Parkway - Plano, TX Accepts trash and household appliances, including those with refrigerant/Freon. No yard waste.
NTMWD 121 REGIONAL DISPOSAL FACILITY
3820 Sam Rayburn Highway - Melissa, TX Accepts trash and construction/demolition materials. Construction/demolition materials will be charged a disposal fee. Yard waste is not accepted.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: CityofAllen.org/Disposal FIND US IN YOUR FAVORITE PLACES!
305 Century Parkway Allen, TX 75013 CityofAllen.org • 214.509.4100
YouTube
Nextdoor
TV: Spectrum, Frontier, Grande Cable, AT&T U-Verse Live Streaming and Video on Demand: AllenTV.org
Allen in Focus is publication of the City of Allen Public and Media Relations Office. These periodic updates are provided to residents 8-9 times per year in City utility bills and LIFE in Allen Activity Guides.