January 2023
CITY NEWSLETTER
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Many of you may know we use the Humane Society of Central Texas, a regional organization with open admission, when we cannot find homes for stray animals. From May 2021 to April 2022, Robinson Animal Care Officers could not locate the owners of 80 animals, requiring them to utilize the Animal Shelter. This intake number for the year was higher than the County and some of our neighboring cities. Due to a distemper outbreak, the Humane Society has not accepted strays or lost animals for several months. This has left Animal Care Officers and foster volunteers scrambling to find options for found animals with no known home (more information here).
Recently the City of Waco Animal Shelter shared with us that most of the animals are looking good, with test results showing immunity which means the shelter hopes to open for intake soon. Once opened, they will only take in a limited number of animals dropped off by Animal Care Officers. So what can you do to help? One of the simplest things you can do is get your furbaby microchipped. It’s not only a city ordinance, but it can help us return them quicker if they ever go missing. (Ask your vet about microchipping, or find low-cost options here). For added safety, using a collar with a tag is also a great way to ensure your pet makes it safely back home to you. |
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Do strays roam through your neighborhood? Are you worried about them during winter weather, especially with measures being taken due to the closed shelter? Here are a few tips on how you can help them!
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Create a Shelter: You can make a shelter out of almost anything; cardboard boxes, plastic storage totes, and more. The best material to use to make a shelter is a styrofoam cooler. Cut a hole in the side just big enough for the cat to go in. You don’t want to make this hole too big because it will allow warmth to get out. If you make the shelter out of cardboard, or similar material, be sure it’s off the ground to avoid getting wet. Cats don’t need a ton of room. The smaller, the better because they rely on body heat to stay warm.
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Provide Warmth: Make sure that whatever you provide for comfort and warmth for strays stays dry. Blankets absorb moisture, so opt for straw or something similar.
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Avoid Salt or Chemicals to Melt Ice: If it gets icy or snows, avoid adding salt near where strays are sheltering. It can be toxic when licked off paws or when they drink it from a puddle.
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Provide Nourishment: Leave water and food for the stray. You may have to check it occasionally to ensure it isn’t frozen. When strays have access to food and water, it keeps their caloric intake up, giving them energy and warmth.
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Preparing for Freezing Weather |
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Two years ago, we faced an unprecedented freeze. The freeze caused damage and devastation throughout the state. The chances of another storm of that magnitude occurring again anytime soon are slim, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. If it happened once, it could happen again, so it is a good idea to be ready. Here are some quick tips to get you started:
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Prepare your home for a freeze: Check that your insulation is up to par. You should also have enough material to insulate exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing.
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Create an emergency kit: This kit should have everything you need and be light enough to carry. Some things to include are battery-operated light sources, a battery pack to charge your phone, a weather radio, and enough water and nonperishable food for two to three days.
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Create (or buy) a first aid kit: Accidents can happen anytime. The American Red Cross suggests having in your kit absorbent compress dressing, band-aids, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, and hydrocortisone ointment.
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Generators: Many of us lost power for days during last year’s freeze. Having no heat for an extended period can be dangerous so consider investing in a generator.
Click here to read more tips. |
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Fix Leaks and Running Toilets |
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In the next few weeks, installation for the new Digital Water (AMI) Meters will begin throughout the city. Traditional meters and AMI meters measure water traveling through the home in the same way. However, the improved performance of a new meter can result in a more accurate measurement of the water used due to an inaccurate older water meter or potential leaks that have gone unnoticed. Due to this, customers may notice an increase in their bill based on actual consumption. Now is a good time to check for leaks and get dripping faucets and running toilets fixed. It's important to note if your old meter was operating properly, you may not see any changes in your monthly bill.
Highter-than-normal water bills can also indicate a household leak and should be investigated. Find tips on how to find a leak here.
Find more information and a list of FAQs about the new water meters here. |
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Sadly, Christmas has come and gone once again this year. Below are some options for disposing of a live Christmas tree. |
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Option One
The city will be providing a roll-off dumpster for residents to dispose of their trees starting the week after Christmas. The dumpster will be located on Strauss behind the Police Department and should ONLY be used for real Christmas tree disposal. Please do not dump artificial trees in the dumpster.
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Option Three
You will be able to drop your tree off at Prestige Shredding and Recycling (5198 W Loop 340) to have it mulched. Prestige plans to have a chipper early in the new year.
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Option Two
Utilize bulk/brush curbside pickup (this is included with your weekly solid waste collection). If you choose this option, make sure the branches are no greater than five inches (5”) in diameter and are cut, tied, and bundled in five-foot (5’) lengths. Leave at your curb on your regular collection day, and Waste Management will take it. |
Option Four
Bring your tree to one of our monthly Bulk/Brush Days. These are held on the first Saturday of every month (unless a holiday bumps it to the following Saturday). The first Bulk/Brush Day after Christmas will be January 7th from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 5158 South 12th Street, Robinson, TX. You will need to show your most recent water bill and pay a fee of $10 for each trip will be charged to your next utility bill. |
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The City Council will meet in person and virtually for their monthly City Council Meeting on January 3rd.
The meeting agenda and packet can be found online here. Para la agenda en español, visite este sitio web, aqui.
Individuals have the option to participate in the meeting in person or virtually, either by telephone or video through GoToMeeting. 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 and toll-free number will be provided in the agenda.
Public comment will only be allowed via telephone or video conference via GoToMeeting 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 join the meeting at least 15 minutes prior to it 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.
Live Streaming of Meetings
Council meetings are now being live streamed to the city's YouTube account, the link to the streaming will also be shared on the city's Facebook page. All live streaming is for viewing purposes only, viewers wanting to participate virtually will have to do so via GoToMeeting. Meetings can be viewed live on YouTube, but meeting recordings will only be available on YouTube.
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Recycling is picked up every other week on your designated collection day. |
Bulk/Brush Day is January 7th 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. |
City Offices will be closed on Monday, January 16th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Solid Waste will run as normal. |
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Road Closure & Water Shutoff Alerts |
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Have you signed up to receive alerts about road closures and water shutoffs? We partner with the Waco-McLennan County Office of Emergency Management to be able to notify our citizens by text or phone call in case of these events. Click here to sign up!
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Through the SeeClickFix mobile app and web tools, Robinson residents are now able to provide city staff with pictures, descriptions, and other valuable information needed to get the job done efficiently right from an app on their phone. In addition, the SeeClickFix platform provides city staff with a centralized service request management system to manage issues from creation to resolution — engaging residents throughout the entire process.
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The City of Robinson is hiring! We are looking for individuals to join our culture that values community, service, innovation, professionalism, integrity, leadership, and fiscal responsibility.
Love where you Connect. Grow. Live.
- Maintenance Technician
- City Planner
For more information on the jobs, and to apply, visit our website.
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You can always reach us by phone during business hours by calling (254) 662-1415.
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