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Home My WebLink AboutUBI 2012 FEBCITY OF COLLEGE STATION Last summer, the city launched a mobile website that can be accessed through any smartphone or tablet device. Social Media The city has established a vibrant presence on Facebook, which is approaching one billion users around the world. The city’s popular page promotes various activities and programs and provides a two-way communication tool for residents to offer comments and ask questions about city services and events. In addition, the city has an active presence on Twitter, tweeting important links and videos, and advising followers with quick and authoritative information on breaking stories. Videos produced by the city are available on YouTube and range from educational pieces to special event promotions. The city also maintains a treasure trove of high- quality photos of city facilities and events on Flickr. Blogs Staff and council members offer their Inside College Station * * * * * * * City of College Station * Home of Texas A&M University® * College Station, Texas * * * * * * * Thanks to technology and the growth of social media, the City of College Station has a number of effective ways to proactively communicate with its residents. The Public Communications Office uses a wide variety of tools to inform citizens not only about city events and operations, but also to provide vital information during emergencies. The city’s Facebook and Twitter pages attracted a record number of visits when power outages happened last winter, and again when a wildfire threatened several neighborhoods and businesses in September. The best part is that all of these innovative communications tools are available for free to the public. Here’s a closer look at the ways you can follow the City of College Station: Website The centerpiece of the city’s communications efforts is the city website, which can be found at cstx.gov. Pertinent details about city departments, services and programs can be found here, along with information about the city council. February 2012 City Communication YOUR way viewpoints on the city blogs, which give residents another interactive means to connect with their local government. The blogs are issue-oriented and address a wide range of interesting and engaging topics. The Public Communications Office provides detailed live blogs directly from city council meetings, as well as preview blogs of the meeting agendas. Ch. 19 The city’s government access channel, available on Suddenlink Channel 19, provides unique programming that addresses the needs and interests of the entire community. City Council and Planning and Zoning meetings are televised live and are archived on the city’s website. The channel also is used to promote special events, publicize job opportunities and educate the public about various issues. In addition, the College Station Independent School District has access to the channel to promote its events. Other Tools City activities and programs also are promoted through RSS feeds, a weekly electronic newsletter called Access, and the monthly utility bill newsletter. We encourage residents to take advantage of these significant tools to discover the reliable information you need to know about your city. For more information, visit the city website at cstx.gov and click on the “Stay Informed” tab. QUICK LINKS >>> e-News cstx.gov/access Blogs cstx.gov/blogs Channel 19 cstx.gov/cstv19 Facebook facebook.com/cityofcollegestation Flickr flickr.com/photos/collegestation Twitter twitter.com/cityofcs YouTube youtube.com/cityofcollegestation be on Saturday, April 28 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University Services Building in College Station, located at 3380 University Drive East. These events are a great opportunity to safeguard your home and the environment by properly disposing of household hazardous waste. Such dangerous waste includes: paint, paint thinners, automotive batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, household cleaners, fertilizers, pesticides, computer monitors, pool chemicals, medical waste and medications. For a complete list of accepted items, visit cstx.gov/hhw or call the HHW Hotline at 979-764-3809. Receive & Pay Your Utility Bill Online Sign up to receive a paperless bill, via your e-mail account, through CSU’s eBill option. E-billing is faster, lessens our environmental impact, and is much more efficient than standard mailing. You can sign up for eBill and pay your utility bill online at cstx.gov/ucs. Worried that you won’t get to read this if you sign up for eBill? Don’t fret; you can view the monthly Inside College Station newsletters anytime at cstx.gov/insidecs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Groundwater Awareness &Fix a Leak Week (March 11-17) College Station, Bryan and Texas A&M University all solely rely on local groundwater resources for their water supply. This is why it’s important to conserve this precious resource by participating in Fix a Leak Week. You can do this by checking your irrigation system and home for leaks, twisting on a new faucet or showerhead, and replacing old water-guzzling toilets. Leaks waste water, energy and money. A leaking toilet can waste up to 73,000 gallons of water per year. Visit cstx.gov/water to CITY OF COLLEGE STATION Start a GREEN Revolution Would you like to become more eco-friendly this spring? Here are some simple ways to accomplish that goal, and they are all free! Sign up for Curbside Recycling Before you throw something in the trash, ask yourself if it can be recycled. The City of College Station makes recycling easy with Curbside Recycling for single-family homes, duplexes and most four-plexes. Items accepted include: white paper, phone books, newspapers, magazines, #1 and #2 plastic, aluminum/tin/steel cans, clear and brown glass, and lead acid car batteries. Each eligible residence is provided with clear plastic recycling bags to use to sort and store the recyclable materials. Once the bag is full, you can just place it on the edge of the curb by 8 a.m. on the scheduled recycling collection day. Recycling collection is provided once a week, on the same day as bulky items and brush collections. To sign up, visit cstx.gov/recycle or call 979.764.6228. Borrow a Recycling Bin Next time you have a large gathering, be sure to invite a recycling bin. College Station Recycling makes recycling at events simple with their Borrow a Bin program. This free program is available to all residents, businesses and organizations in College Station. All you have to do is fill out the online request form and CS Recycling will provide the bin and bags to the desired location! To participate, call 979.764.6228 or visit cstx.gov/recycle. Properly Dispose of HHW The Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency, Inc. (BVSWMA) sponsors a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event twice a year. The next collection will Inside College Station February 2012 {PAGE 2} events coming in March Feb. 27 - March 9 Register for Spring Adult Volleyball Ages 16+. Play begins March 20 . March 12-16, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Register for Camp YO 5th-8th graders. Spring break field trips, outdoor fun and more. March 12-23 Register for Summer Swim Team Learn competitive swimming. Begins May 7. Ages 5-18. March 12-23 Register for Swim Stroke Clinic Learn the technical aspects of four Olympic swim strokes. Begins April 2. Ages 6-18. March 21, 11:30 a.m., $5 pp Exploring History Lunch Lecture “Edge of Freedom (Battle of Goliad)” by John Willingham, sponsored by Comfort Keepers. CS Conference Center. Call 979.764.6351 or email kkelbly@cstx.gov to RSVP. For more information on these and other activities, visit:cstx.gov/parks learn more water conservation tips and available rebates. Irrigation and landscape professionals can soak up some knowledge at the Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor training on March 6 and 7, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the College Station Utilities Meeting Training Facility. This two day session covers field tests and calculating accurate watering schedules based on plant water use, soils and local weather data. Register online at: irrigation.org/iaweb/Core/Events/events.aspx.