City of University Park   
 September 2021
Welcome to UPdate. This mid-month publication provides residents with timely information about upcoming City projects, programs and events. You can sign up for things too.    
PUBLIC WORKS
New detours - Ongoing Stormwater Improvement Project
Having observed traffic flow patterns since the start of the school year, the City has altered detour routes associated with the closure of Hillcrest between Southwestern and Colgate. These detours are now in place:

  • Northbound Hillcrest motorists will be diverted at Hanover east to Airline, north on Airline to Centenary, and west on Centenary back to Hillcrest
  • Southbound Hillcrest motorists will be diverted at Marquette east to Airline, south on Airline to Bryn Mawr, and west on Bryn Mawr back to Hillcrest

During high-volume hours, motorists are encouraged to avoid this neighborhood so local traffic can more easily come and go. We appreciate your patience and understanding as work continues on the City’s stormwater improvement project. 

Project background

This multi-year project will upgrade the City’s stormwater system and reduce storm runoff in the neighborhoods near Caruth Park. This construction involves the replacement of existing underground stormwater pipes with large concrete boxes underneath Southwestern and Hillcrest, and it requires the removal of a substantial amount of street surface. 
FIRE DEPARTMENT
September is National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month is observed each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is "Prepare to Protect - preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love." Here are some tips to help your household be prepared when disaster strikes.

Make A Plan
  • Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for Coronavirus.

Build A Kit
  • Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness
  • Natural disasters don’t wait for a convenient time. Preparing for them shouldn’t wait either. Start today by signing up to receive Code-Red emergency notifications from UP, safe-guarding important documents, and taking other low cost and no cost preparedness actions to lessen the impact of disasters and emergencies for you and your family.

Teach Youth About Preparedness
  • Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.
FINANCE
FY2022 budget
The Tuesday, September 21 City Council agenda includes a public hearing on the proposed 2022 budget and tax rate. Following the hearing, Council will vote to adopt the FY2022 budget and tax rate. For more information on the 2022 budget, click here.

Comments about the proposed budget

If you want make your comments in person during the September 21 meeting, you are welcome to do so. If you would like to register to speak before you arrive at City Hall, here is the online form.

All Council Meetings are live streamed on the City's website at uptexas.org. If you want to comment remotely or have comments included in the Public Comments portion of a Council Meeting, you can use our website’s eComment feature, or you can contact Christine Green, City Secretary, at cgreen@uptexas.org or 214-987-5302. Please note that the Mayor will acknowledge receipt of written comments, but written comments are not always read aloud.
PARKS AND RECREATION
2021 pool season recap
The Holmes Aquatic Center had a terrific 2021 pool season! The pool’s concession stand made a big splash with pool goers once again. This past summer, attendees purchased more than 45,000 concession items. That is nearly 10,000 more items than in 2018 when we expanded our menu options! As the illustration shows, snow cones, Dippin' Dots and hot dogs were among the most popular snacks.

Senior Swim, Wibit Wednesdays, Story Time at the Pool, A Taste of UP and Dive-In Movies were just some of the popular program options offered during the 2021 pool season. Add in weeks of mostly rain-free days, and overall, things went swimmingly!
Register for Doggie Splash Day
There are still some spots left for Doggie Splash Day! The fun takes place on Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

To participate you must be a University Park/HPISD resident and you must register. The registration fee is $10 per dog. Humans are free. You will need to complete a form for each dog that will be coming to the event.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Tree limb regulations 
In your preparations for the fall and winter months and potential severe weather, if you have trees on your property that could use some attention, help the City and your neighbors by trimming and pruning in accordance with existing City Ordinance.
 
Clearance requirements for trees and shrubs are:
 
14 feet above the street curb line
8 feet over the sidewalk
15 feet above the alley
 
These heights help ensure that sanitation and service trucks can safely access alleys. They also help motorists clearly see traffic signs and help keep sidewalks clear of obstructions for walkers and joggers.

Cut limbs and shrubbery should be placed in the parkway for collection by City sanitation crews. For larger debris piles, call 311 or 214-363-1644 to arrange for pick-up. The cost for collection depends on the volume of material. Any brush charges will be added to your next utility bill.
 
Here are the costs for brush based on volume:
 
Manual pick-up $26.81
Mechanical pick-up - less than ½ truckload $87.41
Mechanical pick-up - ½ truckload $134.62
Mechanical pick-up - full truckload $177.74
FRIENDS OF THE UP PUBLIC LIBRARY
Upcoming City Meetings & Events