🖤 Celebrate Black History Month! - City of Waco ENews 2.6.23

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February 6, 2023

Happy Black History Month!

Annually observed in February, Black History Month is meant to recognize and celebrate African American heritage, culture and achievements.

THANK YOU — We are so thankful for every City employee and our contracted Waco Transit partner that were out working in the winter weather last week! Their efforts have been essential to keeping Waco safe as well as providing vital services to those in need.

Special shout out to the Water and Parks & Recreation Departments for braving the wintery weather this past week to take care of water repair emergencies and clearing fallen trees!

And to all the departments and workers who were out there working hard and aren’t pictured — thank you for your dedication and hard work!

If you want to give a shout out to your favorite City of Waco employee, visit waco-texas.com/recognition.

Employee Recognition

HOME-American Rescue Plan FUNDING — The City of Waco is receiving new federal funding for projects and services to reduce homelessness and increase the availability of affordable housing. The public is encouraged to complete a short survey to help staff determine how to best use this funding. Use the links below to complete the survey, or visit your local library for a paper application.

For more information, contact Housing & Community Development at (254) 750-5656 or visit waco-texas.com/housing.

Community Survey

Join us in celebrating our hard-working transit team on Saturday, March 18 for Transit Team Appreciation Day!

This holiday honors transit employees, ranging from bus operators to maintenance staff. At the Waco Transit System (WTS), we are recognizing over 100 employees serving in many different critical roles. Our team is dedicated to what they do and deserves heartfelt thanks!

Do you know a special bus operator who deserves recognition or just want to thank WTS staff? Consider sending a thank you message to wtscomments@wacotx.gov.

🚌🚏If you ride with Waco Transit on March 18, be sure to thank your operator for their commitment to safety and service.

Recognize Transit Employees

Comparison video of Lake Waco's decreasing water levels.

LAKE WACO — The Lake Waco water levels continue to decline. The drought has been going on for over a year, and Lake Waco is lower than ever. In order to improve conditions with the lake level, a major rain event is needed in Lake Waco’s watershed, which is located along the Bosque River.

Lake Waco is a regional water source for our area, making it vital to protect the supply in the future. We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to navigate drought conditions and do our best to conserve water.

WATER RESTRICTIONS — Remember! We are currently in stage 2 of water restrictions, so that means:

No watering between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
Odd numbered addresses may water Tuesdays & Saturdays.
Even numbered addresses may water Wednesdays & Sundays.
Business customers may water Mondays & Fridays.
No watering on Thursdays.
Hand watering is allowed any day of the week.

Under this water restriction stage, violations can reach up to $2,000.

For more information, contact us at (254) 299-CITY (2489) or visit wacowater.com.

Waco Water

The application period for the City Council seats representing Districts II, IV and V are open through Friday, February 17.

Eligible applicants must have resided in the State of Texas and the City of Waco for 12 months and in their district for at least six months.

Interested candidates should submit their application to the City Secretary's Office on the First Floor of City Hall, 300 Austin Avenue. Contact the City Secretary’s Office during regular business hours at

(254) 750-5750 to schedule an appointment, or notarized applications can be scanned and emailed to citysecretary@wacotx.gov.

For more information, visit waco-texas.com/elections.

May 6, 2023 Election

Do you live in District 1 or District 2? Spots are still available!

Waco City Academy is a FREE ten-week class starting in March. The class offers an interactive, behind-the-scenes look into city government. Classes will be held mostly on Thursday evenings.

Applications are due 5 p.m. Monday, February 13.
Applications will be available at City Hall, 300 Austin Avenue, or online.
For more information, contact us at neighborhoods@wacotx.gov or (254) 750-5774.

For more information and to apply, visit:

waco-texas.com/cityacademy

Find Your District

Apply Now!

AIRPORT UPDATE — The Airport Terminal Modernization Project to update the interior at Waco Regional Airport is coming along and nearing completion of Phase 1.

Phase 1 of the project includes the security screening checkpoint, the café area and half of the passenger hold room. Crews have already started demolition in additional areas to smoothly transition into phase 2 of the project and remain on schedule.

The artwork for the phase 1 portion of the airport construction is expected to be installed by the end of February. The City of Waco is collaborating with Creative Waco to commission multiple art pieces. Stay tuned for a future sneak peak of the art!

Construction officially began back in August and is currently on track to be completed this fall.

For more information, visit flywacotransformed.com.

Fly Waco Transformed

COBBS RECYCLING CENTER — Although the Cobbs Recycling Center is in the same location, the address has been updated to 4201 Trice Ave due to the new entrance and exit to the center.

Hours of operation remain the same – Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn more about the Cobbs Recycling Center at

waco-texas.com/cobbs.

Cobbs Recycling Center

THIS SATURDAY! The District 2 Clean Up is scheduled to start at 7 a.m., Saturday, February 11. Remember to separate bulky trash from brush and have the items clearly marked before the pick up time.

🗑 🚛 To find out what items are accepted visit waco-texas.com/solidwaste or contact Solid Waste at (254) 299-2612.

To find your district, visit waco-texas.com/my-area or click the below and enter your address!

Find Your Council District

District Clean Up Guidelines

SAVE THE DATE — City of Waco Solid Waste Services is providing residents of Waco, Bellmead, Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview, and Woodway with a FREE service for disposal of hazardous waste. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 at 501 Schroeder Drive.

Pre-registered residents have access to the “Fast Lane” and everyone else will have to wait in line. Please bring an ID and city utility bill for proof of residency.

Entrance: Schroeder Drive is located between The "Out House" & Bob Mills Furniture Store.
Exit: Access Road of Imperial Drive.

For a full list of acceptable and non-acceptable items and to register for the fast lane, visit waco-texas.com/solidwaste or call (254) 299-2612.

Pre-register!

Waco-McLennan County Library is offering FREE tax help three days of the week at two locations!

Assistance is provided first come, first served through April 18! No appointment needed. (Excluding February 20, March 6, April 10 and April 17.)

Make sure to bring all your tax documents and ID and the social security cards for everyone on your tax form.

Mondays

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Central Library, 1717 Austin Avenue
Assistance provided by La Vega High School business students

Tuesdays & Thursdays

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
East Waco Library, 901 Elm Avenue
Assistance provided by AARP Tax-Aide Program volunteers

For a full schedule of other Waco Library activities, visit calendar.wacolibrary.org.

Upcoming Library Events

VALENTINE'S DAY HOLIDAY — Have you reserved a spot for you and your valentine at Paint Talk yet?

Enjoy a couple's painting class and steak dinner for two on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Bledsoe-Miller Community Center, 300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. and the cost is $60 per couple. The Community Center will provide the painting supplies, canvas and step-by-step instructions to create a fun art piece alongside your partner.

❤️Call (254) 750-8684 for reservations.

Paint Talk

Come shop and support Waco’s local youth on Saturday, February 25!

Presented by Dewey Community Center, the Youth Pop-Up Shop will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, 925 N. 9th Street. Students 18 and under will have the opportunity to showcase their handmade products, baked goods or other items and experience what it's like to run their own small business. It's free to join, and tables will be provided. Vendor registration ends February 17.

👦👧Parents with children interested in participating, should call

(254) 750-8677 to sign up.

Youth Pop-up Shop

Are your kids prepared for the upcoming STAAR test?

Free STAAR test tutoring will be available at Dewey Community Center. 925 N 9th Street, starting today through April 5 for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. Registration is not required.

⭐Grade 3: Mondays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
⭐Grades 4-5: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which is the state's student testing program.

📝For more information, contact Dewey Community Center at

(254) 750-8677.

Parents! Need some tips and ideas for helping your child improve their math and reading skills?

Dewey Community Center's "Parents as Teachers" workshop kicks off tomorrow and will provide strategies and resources you can use at home to make the learning process easier for students in grades 3 through 12.

The free workshop will take place at the community center, 925 N 9th Street, from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on February 16, March 16 and April 20. Registration is not required.

🧑‍🏫For information, contact Dewey Community Center at

(254) 750-8677.

Spring will be here before we know it, which means it's time to start planning spring activities for your kids. The local community centers are great resources for spring break opportunities.

Spring Break Camp

Camp will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from March 6 to 10 for children ages 5 to 13. Kids will enjoy educational and recreational activities, arts and crafts, games, field trips and more. Cost is $70 per child, and participants will need to bring their own lunch each day.

To register, call the community center directly.

Bledsoe-Miller Community Center: (254) 750-8684
Dewey Community Center: (254) 750-8677
South Waco Community Center: (254) 750-8650

Little League

Registration for the 2023 Little League Baseball/Softball season is underway or opening soon. Follow the links below for more information.

The We Are Waco series by City of Waco Productions showcases Wacoans with local businesses, organizations, and talent. They represent what makes this city a vibrant, thriving place to live. It's what we do, how we live & who we are... #WeAreWaco.