December 2022
CITY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Meet David Hale, Building Official |
|
The City of Robinson would like to introduce you to our new Building Official, David Hale. Hale began with the city on October 11, 2022, and has taken the last month to get acquainted with the permitting and inspection side of the city. Originally from New Mexico, Hale moved to the DFW area after Junior High, graduating from High School in Fort Worth. After graduation, he stayed in the DFW area, attending Tarrant Community College for a short period of time.
Hale joins the city with almost ten years of experience in permitting and inspections. Prior to joining the city, he spent three years with the City of Alpine and two years with the City of Hutchins as the Building Official. He also served four and half years with the City of Grapevine and a year with the City of Carrollton as a Combination Inspector. Hale is a certified master plumber, TSBPE plumbing inspector, and a TDLR journeyman electrician. He is also certified in HVAC (TDLR), Class C Water Distribution, OSHA 30, and as a TCEQ Backflow Tester. Hale is a Texas State Fire inspector, Texas State Fire Plan Reviewer, and an IAEI Electrical Inspector. He has experience in fire review, planning and zoning requests, development site plans, specific use permits (SUP), inspecting utilities and streets associated with construction, and electrical and plumbing inspections.
The small-town feel of Robinson, coupled with the fact that there aren’t six million people living on top of each other, assisted Hale in deciding to make the move to Robinson. Hale mentions, “the community, good people, and the dynamics of Robinson are inviting, and I want to surround myself with good people.” He continues, “the slower pace of the area, when compared to Dallas, allows me the opportunity to get to know people.” Although Hale has taken up residency in Central Texas, his son and daughter still reside in North Texas to attend college, so he still makes monthly trips back for visits.
Hale is excited to bring his professionalism and expertise to Robinson, continuing to advance the city while creating a positive environment for citizens and contractors. “As once a small business owner myself, actually a Mechanical Electrical Plumbing company, I understand the struggles that come with permitting, building, and installing, so I’m compassionate when it comes to these things. My primary focus is to streamline state regulations into a more workable format for contractors,” explains Hale. There are multiple ways to interpret codes, so I like to amend and work within those codes where they benefit the contractor in the long run, saving money and time while still meeting state requirements. Hale clarifies, “codes provide a minimum standard which allows for some flexibility, but the primary focus is safety, not only for the developers and contractors but also for those occupying the space long after the developer or contractor has moved on.” His long-term focus is to become licensed as a Master Electrician and licensed in Stormwater Management as well as a registered Accessibility Designer through the state.
|
|
The Annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting will be on December 1st at 6 p.m. The parade will begin at Robinson High School and end at Peplow Park for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. We look forward to seeing all the festive floats that go along with the theme each year. This year’s theme is Cowboy Country Christmas. |
|
Robinson Police Department Blue Santa |
|
The Robinson Police Department is getting set to host its annual Blue Santa once again this year! Blue Santa helps families in need provide the Christmas they wouldn’t have without the added support during the season. You will be able to come and choose Blue Santa ornaments beginning December 5th. And just like last year, you will be able to snag an ornament or two from the wooden Christmas trees that will be outside of the Robinson Police Department. The deadline for donations is December 16th. However, any and all donations are welcome at this time! You can return your donations to the Robinson Police Department, but please remember to return the ornament(s) with the gifts because it helps our staff know which child it belongs to. Click here for more information. |
|
Everyone associates droughts with hot water, but droughts can last through cold weather too! Due to this, we are asking everyone to continue their efforts in conserving water. Check out the graphic to above for a reminder of the voluntary water restrictions.
|
|
The City of Robinson will convert our water treatment from chloramines to free chlorine beginning December 14th to January 11th. This is a temporary change to the treatment process, referred to as a chlorine conversion, which improves the quality of water served to our customers and ensures it is free of biofilm growth. During this process, there may be some brief taste and odor changes, but there are no associated health risks. If you have any questions, contact Greg Hobbs, Director of Utility Systems, at (254) 662-1415. |
|
Introducing My H2O - Digital Water Meters |
|
Exciting news, Robinson! Did you know we will be installing new digital water meters? These new meters will be delivered to our city facilities throughout December with hopes of being installed starting in January.
What are the new digital meters?
The City’s new digital water meters will be installed to replace the City’s current meters. Also known as Advanced Metering Infrastructure, the digital water meters provide the City and you, the customer, with accurate near real-time data on your water usage along with alerts to notify us of potential issues like a leak. This technology will help you gain a deeper insight and understanding of how and when you use water, putting H2O in your hands.
Click here for more information and a list of FAQs. |
|
The holiday season is here, which means plenty of online shopping. When deliveries increase, package theft increases; how do you avoid becoming a victim of porch pirates? Below are several tips!
-
Sign up for package tracking. You can then retrieve your package when you get the notification it's been delivered.
-
Invest in a video doorbell. These will sometimes work as a deterrent for thieves. In addition, many video doorbells have motion sensors. You can see when your package is delivered, and if someone attempts to steal it, you’ll have a video of it.
-
Utilize Amazon lockers. You often can't control when or how your packages are delivered, and sometimes won't be able to retrieve them once they have been delivered. This way your package will be delivered securely to an Amazon locker, and you will receive a code to open the locker when you go to retrieve your package.
-
Consider a porch lockbox. There are several varieties of porch lockboxes, so find one that best suits you.
-
Require a signature on delivery. This option can be a bit inconvenient if you are not home during the day, but it's a secure way to make sure the package ends up safely in your hands.
-
Some home security systems offer mailbox sensors. These work similarly to video doorbells by sending a notification when your mailbox has been opened. When used in conjunction with your video doorbell, you can activate the camera to see who is opening your mailbox.
-
Make it clear you have a home security system. Most home security companies have signs you can stake in your front yard. Don't have a security system? You can purchase fake signs to place in your yard. Most times, thieves won't want to chance it.
|
|
For some, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a fresh tree. You might still be hanging your ornaments at this time, but it never hurts to think ahead. |
|
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.
|
|
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 Three
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. |
|
The City Council will meet in person and virtually for their monthly City Council Meeting.
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.
|
City offices will be closed on January 2nd in observance of the New Year. Solid Waste will run as normal.
|
|
Recycling is picked up every other week on your designated collection day. |
Bulk/Brush Day is November 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. |
City offices will be closed on December 23rd and 26th so our staff can spend time with their family's on Christmas. Solid Waste will run as normal.
|
|
Are you planning on going out of town for the holidays but are nervous about leaving your home unattended? Sign up for our security checks, and one of our officers will drive by your house while you are away and make sure everything is as it should be! Click here to sign up. |
|
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.
|
|
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
- Utility Operator
- Customer Service Specialist
- Utility Billing Clerk
- City Planner
For more information on the jobs, and to apply, visit our website.
|
|
You can always reach us by phone during business hours by calling (254) 662-1415.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
