June 2021
CITY NEWSLETTER
City News
Meet Marissa Brownlow, Code Compliance Officer
Marissa Brownlow joined the City of Robinson on Monday, May 10, 2021, as our Code Compliance Officer. Born and raised in Waco, TX, Brownlow is a 2013 graduate of Connally High School, graduating in the top ten percent. She is also a recent graduate from TSTC, graduating with a 4.0 GPA, and currently holds an Associates of Applied Science in Environmental Compliance Specialization Technology (December 2020) and Occupational Safety Compliance Technology (May 2021). She also has two thirty-hour Department of Labor certifications in OSHA Outreach, one in General Industry and one in Construction, a forty-hour HAZWOPER Certification, and a twenty-four-hour Hazmat Tech Certification. She also holds certifications in First Aid, AED, and CPR.

Prior to joining the City of Robinson, Brownlow interned with Greenfiber as a Safety Intern, where she conducted things like new employee safety orientation and employee safety training. Before that, she was employed with Area Wide Protective, a contractor for TxDOT, for almost a year as a Lead Traffic Control Specialist. Her interest in the open Code Compliance Officer position for Robinson was the opportunity to meet new people and build relationships within the community. “I’m a people person and can talk to anyone about anything,” states Brownlow. “You always hear about the good and the bad when it comes to code compliance, and I want to be a part of the ones who make a difference here for good,” emphasizes Brownlow. If you don’t have the resources, she likes helping you find those resources, whether it be through education, helping you find the resources, or getting you in touch with someone who can.

One of Brownlow’s short-term goals is to get to know the community and begin building relationships with those who live here. Another short-term goal of hers is preparing for her Code Compliance licensing, which requires someone to be employed for one year before testing. She would like to begin working on her bachelor’s degree for the long-term but isn’t one hundred percent set on what that might be yet.

Brownlow currently resides in Hewitt, TX, with her husband, Cody, and their one-and-a-half-year-old, Hazel. She and her husband will celebrate their first wedding anniversary in November, something initially delayed by COVID.
Common City Ordinance Violations
Below you will find some of the city's most common code compliance violations. Find a more detailed list with links that will take you directly to the chapter and article within the code of ordinance here.

  • Tall grass or weeds and trash in the yard: Grass should not be taller than 12 inches and trash or debris should not be piled up in your yard. Allowing trash to accumulate can become a health or fire hazard.
  • Open Storage: All properties in a residential area that are used for open storage (e.g. a garage or storage building), must have a solid fence that is at least seven feet high and completely enclosed.
  • Signs: No signs (garage sale signs, election signs, etc) may be placed on or over the right-of-way or on utility poles.
  • Junk & Abandoned Vehicles: ·    Vehicles that are visible from a public place or right-of-way and have an expired registration are not allowed. 
  • Garage Sale Permit: You must purchase a garage sale permit if you wish to have a garage sale. No more than three households may join together for one garage sale permit. Purchase a garage sale permit here.
  • Parking in Yards: Parking in yards is not allowed. Yards should only be used for landscaping, walkways, and driveways.
  • Stagnant Water: ·    Allowing stagnant water to accumulate is forbidden within the city limits. Any standing water must be treated to eliminate a breeding source for mosquitoes. Possible breeding sources must be drained, or removed. This includes an artificial container that acts as a water basin (such as a swimming pool, pond, birdbath, etc).
  • Discharge of Pool Water: Pool water, either from a public pool or private pool, may not be discharged or drained onto land or into non-sewer waters. You should drain pool water into your sewer cleanout.

City Facilities Open to the Public
Beginning June 1st, City Hall and the Robinson Police Department will be open to the public during regular business hours (Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Check the calendar for holiday closures. Park rentals will also open up to reservations. Please note, park facilities will NOT be sanitized between rentals.
Tips to Prevent Auto Theft and Burglary
It is not uncommon to see car break-ins increase during the summer months. Robinson Police Department provides the tips below to help protect your property and avoid becoming a victim of auto theft or break-ins.

  • Never leave your vehicle unattended with keys in the ignition
  • Lock your doors and keep the windows closed, even when parked in front of your home
  • Do not leave extra keys in your vehicle
  • Park in busy and well-lit areas
  • Do not leave valuables (e.g. GPS, GPS holder, cell phone, iPads, etc.) in view
  • Equip your vehicle with an alarm or other anti-theft devices
  • Never leave your vehicle registration or other personal documents in your vehicle

If your car is broken into, please call the Robinson Police Department at (254) 662-0525.
Are you planning your summer getaway and want to make sure your house stays safe? Submit a Security Check Request form and the RPD will drive by your house while you're away to make sure everything is as it should be! Fill more information here.
The hot summer months are quickly approaching. And with many jobs still having flexible and changing schedules, you might not have a daily routine. The  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has simple reminders to help prevent the tragic accident of leaving a child in a hot car. Tips such as remembering to "Park. Look. Lock.", asking yourself "Where's baby?", and making sure the car doors and trunk are ALWAYS locked when the car is unattended.

You need to run an errand that will "take just a minute," so you decide to bring your furry companion along since they love car rides. However, it's best to leave Fido at home. Hundreds of pets die each year from being left in hot cars. Even on a mild day, temperatures inside a car can increase dramatically in a short time. The Humane Society tells you what you should do if your pet is exposed to high temperatures or you spot another animal in distress here.
Bug Bite Prevention
Insect season is upon us. You can do several things to help limit bugs in your backyard and minimize the number of bites you and your family get.

  • Remove standing water (Keep your gutters clean, change the water in your birdbath, empty and turn over toys that collect rainwater)
  • Mow tall grass and clean up leaf and brush piles
  • Use yellow "bug lights"
  • Use a fan
  • Plant native plants (These attract other insects that will control the unwanted pest population)
  • Put up a bird or bat house
  • Keep your pets treated against ticks and fleas
  • Wear clothing that will cover as much exposed skin as possible
  • Use fragrance-free skin & laundry products

Upgrading Robinson
Street Maintenance
  • Wildwood Trails: All of Wildwood Trails (City and County sectors) will be reclaimed and chip seal resurfaced by the County beginning the first week in June.
  • Woodcock: All of Woodcock will be reclaimed by the County, and the City will apply the chip seal resurface beginning in mid-June.
  • S. Andrews Dr: City crews will be repairing base failures and crack sealing all of S. Andrews Dr., followed by a micro-surface resurfacing by Viking Construction beginning mid-June.
  • Sunland Park, Valhalla Park, and Pompano Park: City crews will be repairing base failures, replacing sections of sunken curb & gutter, and crack sealing all of these 3 streets, followed by a micro-surface resurfacing by Viking Construction beginning the first week in July.
  • 200 Block of Headrick: City crews will be replacing sections of sunken curb & gutter and repairing base failures beginning the first week in June.
  • 200 Block of Lux: City crews will be replacing sections of sunken curb & gutter and repairing base failures beginning the first week in June.
  • 100 Block of Flat Creek: City crews will be replacing sections of sunken curb & gutter and repairing base failures beginning in July.

Drainage Maintenance
City crews will be grading and restoring drainage ditches for:

  • Tinsley - from Old Robinson Road to Highway 77
  • Karnes - from Old Robinson Road to Highway 77
  • 1000 block - on Old Robinson Road

 This work will be completed between and after the work listed above.

Due to the unbudgeted emergency street repairs imposed by winter storm Uri, the major drainage crossing repairs planned for Hillside, E Moonlight, and Roy have been postponed.

Pothole Repair
There has been a significant increase in potholes throughout the community due to Winter Storm Uri. Our Street Department attempted to contract additional help from Durapatcher, but the contractor could not meet our city's needs. To meet demands, our street crews have implemented improved methods for addressing the large clusters of potholes, and there has not been a reoccurrence of potholes where these methods have been applied. Attention to these repairs is taking longer than usual due to the number of scheduled projects listed above, the unforeseen shortage of materials, and the continuous rainfall. However, city staff is working diligently to have all potholes in need of repair to a manageable level by early to mid-June.

*All dates are estimates and can change due to weather, availability of supplies, and the possibility of additional projects.
Spotlight
The City Council will meet in person and virtually for the June City Council Meeting.

The meeting agenda and packet can be found online here. Para la agenda en español, visite este sitio web, aqui.

The telephone and video meeting will be hosted through WebEx. The City has set up a section on our website to provide instructions on how to both view and submit a public comment for the meeting and navigate the virtual event. The access code, password, and toll-free number will be provided in the agenda.

Public comment will only be allowed via telephone or video conference via WebEx if choosing to attend remotely. All speakers must register to speak at least two hours in advance of the meeting. All public comments will occur at the beginning of the meeting under the public comment item. Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting starting in order to speak. Written comments may also be submitted two hours in advance of the meeting. To register to speak or to submit written comments, please email the City Secretary, Misty Cryer.

An audio recording of the virtual meeting will be made available to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Act upon written request.
City Offices will be closed on July 5th in observance of Independence Day. Solid Waste will run as normal.
Recycling is picked up every other week on your designated collection day. Can't keep track of which week is a recycle week? Download the Recycle Coach app today and never miss recycle week again!
Bulk/Brush Day is June 5th from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5158 South 12th Street, Robinson, TX. City staff will NOT be available to help place bulk items in the containers so make sure to bring enough help to get items in the 40-yard roll-off.

Reminder: customers have the option to set bulk/brush items at their curb to be collected weekly, during their normal collection day. For hazardous materials, customers may use the At Your Door Special Hazardous Waste Collection offered monthly with their Waste Management services.
Did You Know
Career Opportunities
The City of Robinson is looking for a Utility Operator to join our culture that values community, service, innovation, professionalism, integrity, leadership, and fiscal responsibility.

Love where you Connect. Grow. Live.

For more information on the jobs, and to apply, visit our website.
Community News
Bethel Methodist Church and Cornerstone Baptist Church are offering Vacation Bible School, God's Big Back Yard, for ages 5 through 12 on July 10th, 2021, at the Robinson Primary School Playground. Water, snacks, and lunch is provided. Donations of canned food are being accepted for the Robinson Pantry.
Contact Us
Communications: [email protected]

Utilities: [email protected]

Dispatch: [email protected]

Permits/Inspections: [email protected] or [email protected]

Code Compliance: [email protected]

Municipal Court: [email protected]

You can always reach us by phone during business hours by calling (254) 662-1415.