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Home My WebLink AboutUBI 2013 JUL-AUGCITY OF COLLEGE STATION What is a mosquito dunk? Mosquito dunks are small, donut-shaped objects that slowly release a long-term, biological mosquito larvicide at the water’s surface for 30 days or longer under typical environmental conditions. This larvicide gradually settles in the water where it is eaten by mosquito larvae and kills them. The bacteria in the dunks will not hurt pets, birds, children or wildlife. Dunks can be placed directly where mosquitoes breed such as birdbaths, rain barrels, ponds, old tires, sewers, gutters, creeks, streams, drainage channels or any other area with standing or slow-moving water. One dunk will cover approximately 100 square feet of surface area. It can be broken up if treating small areas. For areas with moving water or where the dunk might wash away in a rain, you can tie the dunk to a weight or stake it into the ground. West Nile Virus In recent years, West Nile Virus has been frequently reported among mosquito Inside College Station * * * * * * * City of College Station * Home of Texas A&M University® * College Station, Texas * * * * * * * W hen summer arrives in Texas, it always brings along some familiar friends: heat, humidity and a lot of mosquitoes. While we can’t do much about summer heat and humidity, the City of College Station can help you take steps to control those annoying and potentially dangerous pests through its Mosquito Abatement Program. The program is designed to grant funds to registered neighborhood and homeowners associations for the purchase of mosquito abatement products. These associations may be eligible for a rebate when they purchase products such as mosquito dunks, which release live bacteria that is deadly to mosquitoes but harmless to other organisms living nearby. Since the Mosquito Abatement Program began in 2002, many homeowners have successfully addressed their mosquito problems. If you are not part of a neighborhood or homeowners association, you can still purchase mosquito dunks for your home at a reduced price from the City of College Station. July-August 2013 QUICK LINKS Neighborhood Servicescstx.gov/neighbor invasions in Texas cities. In the past, cities relied on fogging or spray trucks in mostly vain attempts to control mosquitoes, but most now distribute mosquito dunks as a more environmentally-friendly and effective solution. The Brazos County Health Department sets mosquito traps throughout the county. If a trapped mosquito tests positive for the West Nile Virus in the City of College Station, the city’s Public Works Department will spray that area. The department does not, however, take on mosquito spraying by requests. What else can you do? In addition to using dunks, you can defend yourself against mosquitoes by remembering these four words: • DRAIN - Drain standing water from gutters, flowerpots, buckets, wading pools, puddles, etc. Change the water in bird baths often. Trim your grass and shrubs, and don’t overwater. • DEET - Use insect repellant with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon- eucalyptus or IR3535. • DUSK/DAWN - Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Make sure to stay indoors during these times. • DRESS - Dress in long-sleeves and pants when possible. For more information about MAP or to learn how to purchase mosquito dunks, go to cstx.gov/neighbor or call 979.764.6262. MosquitoesCausing a BUZZ?MosquitoesCausing a BUZZ? grants up to $5,000. Eligible repairs include replacement of an air conditioner or heater, plumbing or electrical systems or other minor repairs necessary to ensure safe living conditions. Eligible homeowners can apply for a partially forgivable and partially low-interest (3 percent) loan for major renovations of owner-occupied homes. Loans of up to $50,000 are available for qualified families. Up to $25,000 of this assistance may be forgivable. If you are living in a structure that is beyond repair, you may be eligible for the Housing Reconstruction Loan Program. Reconstruction assistance is provided through a partially forgivable and partially low-interest (3 percent), repayable loan of up to $110,000 for the cost to demolish and reconstruct a substandard house. Up to $40,000 of this assistance may also be forgivable. For more housing information, visit cstx.gov/rehab or call 979-764-3778. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Looking for a job? You’re in luck! The City of College Station is hiring! We have full- and part-time jobs available in a variety of fields throughout the organization. To view all positions and to apply, visit csjobs.cstx.gov. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tell Your Story In October 2013, the City of College Station will recognize its 75th anniversary. We want to highlight your stories from when you were growing up, playing, going to school or working in College Station, Texas. We’d love to see photos as well! Send your story and/or picture to: City of College Station Public Communications-City Hall P.O. Box 9960 College Station, Texas 77842 979.764.3491 heritageprogram@cstx.gov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CITY OF COLLEGE STATION Come & Skate It Aug. 31 - G. Hysmith Skate Park The second annual Come & Skate It competition at is set for Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature four divisions, all competing in a five-minute Jam Session format. Prizes will be awarded in each category and participants are required to wear helmets. Spectators can enjoy skate exhibitions, music, giveaways, vendors, refreshments and much more. Registration runs July 15 through Aug. 30. The participation fee is $20, which includes all four competitions, snack packs, t-shirt, giveaways and an event wristband. For more event and registration details, visit cstx.gov/skatepark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City Housing Programs Learn, Invest, Repair LEARN - Find out more about buying and maintaining a home through the City of College Station’s Homebuyer Education course. The NeighborWorks America- approved curriculum includes six topics: readiness to buy a home, managing your money, understanding credit, obtaining a mortgage loan, shopping for a home and protecting your investment. This four-day course is $15 for materials (optional) and will be held on Sept. 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 6-7:30 p.m. at College Station Fire Station No. 6. You must attend each session to obtain a certificate. To register, call 979.764.3778 or visit cstx.gov/homebuyer. INVEST - If you’re interested in purchasing a home in College Station, you may be eligible for down-payment assistance. Qualified buyers may receive a form of a 0 percent interest deferred loan for up to 15 percent of the home’s purchase price. This assistance can be used for down- payment, and up to 30 percent can be used for closing costs, to help lower the cost of homeownership for eligible homebuyers. For more information, call 979.764.3778 or visit cstx.gov/downpayment. REPAIR - Owner-occupied homes in need of minor but necessary repairs can apply for Inside College Station events August-September Aug. 1 & 8 | Family Swim Nights at Adamson Lagoon | half-price admission from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 1-31 | Register for CS Little League Baseball (Ages 5-14) | collegestationlittleleague.com Aug. 19-30 | Register for Adult Slowpitch Softball OR Adult Kickball (Ages 16+) | cstx.gov/sports Aug. 26-Sept. 6 | Register for Youth Flag Football (PreK-6th graders) OR Girls Volleyball (5- 8th graders) | cstx.gov/sports Aug. 21 | 11:30 a.m. Exploring History Luncheon featuring Red Cashion | R.S.V.P. to mrodgers@cstx.gov or 979.764.6351. Aug. 28 | 10 a.m. Casino Day & Luncheon for Seniors at Southwood Community Center | Enjoy lunch and casino-style games. Call 979.764.6371 or e-mail mrodgers@cstx.gov. Sept. 2 | City Offices Closed for Labor Day--No Recycling. All other sanitation services will be collected as normal. Sept. 5-8 | Harvest Blue, Grow Green Exhibit at the BV Fair & Expo. Hosted by Brazos County Master Gardeners, Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District and the City of College Station Water Services. For more events, visit: cstx.gov/calendar July-August 2013 {PAGE 2}