Focus Friendswood

Volume 23 Number 4

This Issue Page 2 Parking Lot Complete

www.friendswood.com | Winter 2011

City Begins Work on Major Water/Sewer Project Federal Grant Covering Entire Project Cost

Page 3 Friendswood City Election Page 4 Keep Signs in Check Page 5 Friendswood Turns 50 Page 6 City Code Changes Page 7 Keep Friendswood Beautiful Survey Results Page 8 Public Works Projects Page 9 2010 Annual Crime Report Page 10 Library Corner Page 11 Blue Santa Program

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n 2009, the City of Friendswood successfully secured $2 million in federal grant funding for the purposes of stimulating economic development activities that will benefit the regional economy. This Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant was designed to create water and sewer infrastructure in the Harris County portion of Friendswood, near Beamer Road and FM 2351. Numerous prospects have been interested in development in this area over the years, and infrastructure improvements in this area will make commercial development much more desirable, especially given the proximity to Interstate 45.

Calco Contracting LTD began construction of this project in Friendswood’s north end, or what is commonly known as Friendswood’s ‘Panhandle’ area, in January. More than two miles of water and sewer pipe will be installed as a part of this construction. The estimated completion date is October of this year. This project is expected to facilitate the creation of new industry and jobs for the bay area economic base. Once complete, the new infrastructure will have the potential to diversify the local tax base with economic development along the FM 2351 corridor in Friendswood’s north end.

Five Star Spirit Award

Attention Neighborhood Association Officers & Members

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omeowners and Neighborhood Associations play a vital part in our community and its future. In an effort to help facilitate communication between Friendswood neighborhoods and City elected officials and staff, please encourage your association to provide the City with updated contact information. This information helps to ensure that relevant news and announcements from the City reach the associations and their members. Association Presidents or Board members can update their information by contacting the City Secretary’s Office at 281996-3220. Baker with City Manager Roger Roecker

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he Five Star Spirit Award recipient for the third quarter of 2010 is Rhonda Baker. Rhonda is an Administrative Secretary in the Community Development Department, and she has worked for the City of Friendswood since 2000. Rhonda began her service with the City by working in the Administrative Services department for three years before moving to Community Development in 2003.

Stadium Lane Parking Project Complete

Rhonda received accolades from fellow employees noting that she “is always eager to help anyone that needed it” and that she is “quick to assist both citizens and co-workers”. Rhonda exhibits all five elements of the Five Star Spirit, which include being courteous, competent, reliable, professional, and enthusiastic. We appreciate the service that Rhonda Baker has provided this community, and we congratulate her on being the recipient of the Five Star Spirit Award for the third quarter of 2010.

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ust in time for spring ball, the contractor for the Stadium Lane OnStreet Parking project has completed their work.  Construction along Stadium Lane was underway this fall and winter to develop 195 on-street parking spaces to serve Renwick Park and the nearby Friend-

swood ISD facilities. The project is now complete and available to the public for use.  Germination is taking place along all newly cut swales and drainage ditches in this area as well.

Friendswood City Election • May 14, 2011

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egistered voters may go to the polls to vote in the City’s General Election to elect a Councilmember to Position #2 and Position #5. Voting hours on Election Day are 7 AM to 7 PM. There will be one polling place for all voters which will be at Friendswood City Hall. Election information is available by contacting the City Secretary’s Office at (281) 996-3270. Last day to register to vote for this election will be April 14, 2011 EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE Monday, May 2, 2011 - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 Council Chambers, Friendswood City Hall 910 S. Friendswood Drive Galveston and Harris County Residents



Monday-Thursday Friday Saturday Monday Tuesday

May 2 – 5 May 6 May 7 May 9 May 10

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

VOTING BY MAIL Voters may vote by mail if over 65, disabled, confined in jail or expected to be absent from the county. Applications for mail ballots must be mailed to: City Secretary, Melinda Welsh, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, 77546-4856. All applications must be received no later than close of business on May 6, 2011 ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATION May 14, 2011 • 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 2nd Floor, Friendswood City Hall 910 S. Friendswood Drive Galveston County and Harris County Residents

Focus of Friendswood Winter 2011 Published by the City of Friendswood City Manager’s Office

Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council Position 1 Council Position 2 Council Position 4 Council Position 5 Council Position 6

David J.H. Smith Jim Hill Mike Barker Jim Barr Patrick J. McGinnis Bill Holbert Deirdre Carey Brown

It is the Mission of the Council and Staff of the City of Friendswood to provide the highest level of service to our citizens at the greatest value. Adopted: July 9, 1990 Revised: January 4, 1993 Revised: August 18, 1997 Revised: January 12, 2004

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Maintain the Beauty of Your City – Keep Signs In Check

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e all take pride in the beauty of our city. As winter turns into spring, our city landscape tends to blossom with more than just flowers. Business, garage sale, and open house signs spring up all over the City. Illegally posted signs pose a threat to public safety, especially where they appear in intersections, medians on bridges, utility poles or along sidewalks. Signs are sometimes also placed on private property without the owner’s permission. The City of Friendswood and the State of Texas have requirements for the placement of signs in order to protect the safety and aesthetics of our community. Here are a few tips on how to properly place your signs:

On Public Property: It is unlawful to post signs on any public property or public right-of-way.

As a general rule, the public right-of-way includes the lawn area roughly three (3) feet behind a sidewalk, and in roadway median strips, roadway shoulders and ditches, all intersections, parks, bridges, alleys, utility poles and boxes, street signs, and telephone poles. Signs must not be placed in any manner that will cause a traffic hazard or unsafe condition for motorists and pedestrians. Signs in public rights-of-way and utility structures often pose dangerous conditions. On Private Property: Signs may not be placed on private property without permission from the property owner. Signs on private property may not be located in a manner that creates a safety hazard, including: • Signs may not obstruct free and clear vision of traffic or traffic signs and signals

• Signs may not inadvertently direct traffic to proceed in an unlawful manner Under Texas law, it is a class C misdemeanor to place any sign on a state highway rightof-way. Violators face fines of up to $500 per sign, and may even be charged for the removal of illegally placed signs. In addition, there are new City rules that regulate handheld signs in our community as well as vehicles containing advertising. While handheld signs are prohibited in public rights-of-way, handheld signs on private property are only permitted when complying with certain size, permit and location criteria. For assistance with the legal placement of signs, the City’s Code Enforcement Officer can help. For more information about sign requirements, contact Code Enforcement at 281-996-3201.

City Maintains ‘Class 5’ Rating from National Flood Insurance Program

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riendswood recently received word that we continue to be one of only four communities in Texas to have earned one of the highest rankings in the National Flood Insurance Program. The Community Rating System (CRS) is a program that was created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide incentives for efforts by communities that reduce flood losses. Any community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may apply for a CRS classification in order to obtain flood insurance premium rate credits for its residents. The community must demonstrate that it is implementing floodplain management and public information activities that exceed the minimum requirements of the NFIP.

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Today, there are almost 20,000 communities in the NFIP and 1,018 communities in the CRS. Based on these numbers, those in CRS represent the top five percent of the nation’s flood prone communities. Out of 53 communities in Texas currently in CRS, only four are Class 5’s – Plano, Kemah, Houston, and Friendswood. The City of Friendswood began participating in the CRS Program in 1991 and maintained a classification of 8 until October 1, 2003, when the City achieved an unprecedented rating of 5, and is now ranked in the top 2 percent of all communities participating in the NFIP. Communities may apply for CRS classification in order to obtain flood insurance premium rate credits for their residents. Flood insurance premiums in certain flood hazard areas can be reduced as much as 25 percent with the ranking of 5.

Friendswood has demonstrated that it is implementing floodplain management and public information activities far exceeding the minimum requirements of the NFIP. The City just received notification from FEMA that Friendswood will retain its current rating as a CRS Class 5 community as a result of the activities the City has implemented to protect lives and reduce property damage. The letter from FEMA’s Department of Homeland Security states, “I commend you on your community actions and your determination to lead your community to be more disaster resistant. This commitment enhances public safety, property protection, protects the natural functions of floodplains, and reduces flood insurance premiums”.

Friendswood turns 50

Upper left: Former Friendswood City Councilmember and current State Representative Larry Taylor speaks with former City Councilmember and longtime Friendswood volunteer Kenneth Camp at a 50th anniversary reception held on November 1 at City Hall. Upper right: Friendswood Mayor David Smith poses with 50th Anniversary Poster Contest grand champion Clara Allcorn. Lower left: Clara Allcorn’s grand champion entry of the Friendswood Fine Arts Institute and City of Friendswood’s 50th Anniversary “Connecting our Community” poster contest. Lower right: Some of Friendswood’s longest tenured residents pose for a photo at the reception.

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Friendswood City Council Makes Several City Code Changes

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riendswood City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission recently worked through several subject matters that ultimately resulted in City ordinance changes. Details of some of these changes and why they were made are explained below. All of the City’s ordinances are easily accessible online at www.municode.com. Sign Ordinance Changes

person, and shall include sandwich-board signs and persons in costume or otherwise dressed to call attention to a business. Handheld signs are now prohibited on any public rights-of-way including but not limited to sidewalks, streets, and alleys. Handheld signs on private property must not exceed four (4) square feet in size, the holder must obtain a permit from the City and the sign and sign holder shall be located on private property with the property owner’s permission, if necessary. In addition, vehicles containing advertisement must be parked in an approved parking space. Such vehicles are prohibited from being parked on any public rightsof-way including but not limited to sidewalks, streets, alleys, or other public property.

Recent trends in commercial advertising have spurred the City to adopt amendments to the current Sign Ordinance. City staff has received numerous complaints about individuals standing near busy intersections holding signs, wearing attention-getting costumes or sandwichboard signs and business owners parking vehicles that contain advertisements in landscaped areas or public right-of-ways to obtain more visibility. The safety of the people holding or wearing signage as well as the safety of drivers throughout the City was a concern expressed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition, maintaining the beauty and character of Friendswood without the clutter of vehicles parked in grassy areas was another goal cited by the Commission. To address these issues, the City’s sign ordinance now includes definitions and prohibitions of handheld signs. The definition of a handheld sign is any sign that is not self-supporting and is carried by or is under the immediate control of a

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Notification Procedures for Submission of Plats



county many years ago. In these areas of town, if a lot within an unofficial plat was to be further subdivided, no notices were required to be sent. That procedure was unfavorably received by some residents in the larger lot subdivisions where plat applications were filed to subdivide one lot into multiple lots. The new ordinance states that if a new plat application (preliminary, final or short form final) does not meet the definition of a replat per the City code, but it amends a previously recorded map or survey for which there is no formal recorded plat approved by law, written notices of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting date will be mailed to the real property owners, according to the most recent tax roll, situated within the original subdivision map or survey and within 200 feet of the subject property. Notices will be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. The City anticipates that these changes will increase public awareness of future plat applications. Community Overlay District Boundaries

The Planning and Zoning Commission recently took on the task of addressing notice requirements in relation to replat applications. State law requires notices be sent to property owners within 200 feet of a tract of land being replatted. However, in 2008, a new definition provided by the City’s legal staff refined what actually constitutes a replat. If a property has never formally been platted (not approved by a governmental agency subject to county or municipal platting requirements), a plat application filed to further subdivide a property previously recorded as a survey or map does not constitute a replat. Many of the older “subdivisions” in Friendswood are portions of surveys or maps that were drawn and recorded at the

The City’s Community Overlay District (COD) is a district that exists along Friendswood’s major thoroughfares, including FM 2351, FM 518, FM 528, Friendswood Lakes Blvd, and Bay Area Blvd. The COD includes extra conditions to development along these roadways, including extra landscaping, screening, and architectural requirements intended to preserve and enhance the physical characteristics of the City of Friendswood.

In an effort to remove a loophole in the current COD guidelines, revisions have been made with respect to the district boundaries. Previously, a tract visible from a major roadway but not fronting it would not be subject to the COD requirements. In the amended ordinance, any property that is situated within 300 feet of the rightof-way of any designated thoroughfare shall comply with the zoning regulations of the COD. Weeds, Brush, and Rubbish

The City’s weeds, brush and rubbish ordinance has been revised to clearly define when, where, and at what height the grass and weeds on cultivated and uncultivated properties should be maintained. The maximum height of grass and weeds on a property is nine inches unless an agricultural exemption has been issued for ad valorem tax purposes by the appraisal district of the county in which the property is located. In this instance only, the grass and weeds within 50 feet of an adjacent property or within 50 feet of the right-of-way will still be required to be maintained at nine inches; however, grass and weeds on the interior of the tract will be permitted to grow to a maximum height of 24 inches. Another change in the ordinance will allow City staff to reduce the number of notices required for repeat offenders within a year of the first offense. If a violation covered by a notice under this section of the ordinance occurs again within a one-year period, and the City has not been informed in writing by the property owner of an ownership change, then the City may take any action permitted in this section and assess its expenses as allowed by the ordinance without issuing a notice. For more information on Friendswood Code of Ordinances, please call the City Secretary’s Office at 281-996-3270.

Keep Friendswood Beautiful 2010 Survey Results

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eep Friendswood Beautiful recently reached out to Friendswood residents for their input on litter in Friendswood. The survey was given out during KFB’s Fall Haul-a-Day in November and was placed on the City’s website and sent out via the City’s e-mail notification system during the month of December. Results of the survey indicate that improvements could be made on reducing litter from the seven sources of litter: motorists, pedestrians, construction sites, uncovered trucks, household trash, commercial dumpsters and business loading docks. All residents are encouraged to do their part to make sure that litter does not make its way onto Friendswood roadways and lawns. Keep Friendswood Beautiful would like to thank those Friendswood citizens who participated in this survey. KFB is always looking into better ways to recycle, reduce, and reuse waste. For more information on Keep Friendswood Beautiful and the work that this group carries out for the betterment of our community, contact the City of Friendswood at 281-996-3220. Responses to the survey’s “yes” and “no” questions included: In the past month, do you recall dropping a paper wrapper or similar small litter item on a street, sidewalk, or parking lot? 100% responded NO

In the past month, do you recall dropping a paper sack, cup or similar litter item on a street, sidewalk, or parking lot? 100% responded NO Do you think the community has a litter problem? 50% YES / 50% NO In your opinion, do you think the streets have more visible litter than one year ago? 4% YES / 96% NO In your opinion, do you think the downtown area has more litter than one year ago? 15% YES / 85% NO Do you feel that you are helping to reduce litter in the community? 100% YES Do you feel that you help influence others in reducing litter in the community? 70% YES / 30% NO Have you ever heard of Keep Friendswood Beautiful? 95% YES / 5% NO In your opinion, which of the following would be a source of litter in Friendswood: • Motorists - 80% YES / 20% NO • Pedestrians - 65% YES / 35% NO • Construction - Sites - 80% YES / 20% NO • Uncovered Trucks - 85% YES / 15% NO • Household Trash - 70% YES / 30% NO • Commercial Dumpsters - 70% YES / 30% NO • Loading Docks - 60% YES / 40% NO

Responsibilities of Pet Owners

Reminder from the Friendswood Police Department

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ith pet ownership comes responsibility. Not only are we responsible for the care of our pet, but also for that pet’s effect on our neighbors and the community. Local laws covering pet ownership can be found in Chapter 10 of the Friendswood Code of Ordinances, and pet owners should be aware of

the provisions of this ordinance. The ordinances may be viewed at http//www. municode.com. Residents are requested to report any violations or concerns regarding pets to the Friendswood Police Department at 281-996-3300.

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Public Works Projects these meters, is a very important factor in the City’s efforts to maintain our water conservation plan. Sewer Rehabilitation Program The City’s annual sewer rehabilitation program currently is being prepared to be bid for 2010-2011. Last year, the City of Friendswood was able to repair over 6,000 linear feet of sewer pipe. These pipes were cleaned and inspected utilizing remotely operated cameras, and this process exposes potential problems in the infrastructure that are then repaired. This program has vastly improved the sewer line infrastructure of the City. Utilities

Signs The City’s sign technicians made the conversion from incandescent bulbs to the much more cost effective LED lights on traffic signals at Sunset at Falling Leaf and Sunset at Castlewood. In addition, striping on Whispering Pines was recently completed and “Do Not Pass” signs were installed on Whispering Pines and Friendswood Link. The sign technicians also continue to upgrade signage through the City’s Sign Replacement Program. Streets and Drainage The City’s Public Works department is dedicated to preventive maintenance that will help lengthen the life of city streets.

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he City of Friendswood Utilities Department has been working throughout the City to locate and paint all water main valves. Some residents may find a blue painted valve box in their yards. The strategic location of these water main valves is crucial for the City to close these valves in case of a water main break to minimize water loss and water service to customers. In addition, Public Works crews are continuing to replace older water meters which may not be reading accurately. Many have already been identified and replaced. Water usage information, based on the data from Fire Hydrant Spacing and Auditing The Fire Hydrant Spacing and Auditing program has been ongoing over the past year and will continue throughout 2011. Last year, the city was able to audit and paint over 200 fire hydrants on the north side of town starting in The Forest of Friendswood subdivision and working towards FM 2351. This program helps improve the appearance of the fire hydrants, and ensures that the fire hydrant is in proper working condition in case of an emergency.

The City will begin crack sealing on the asphalt streets and approximately 175,000 linear feet will be sealed starting in mid February throughout the City. The Street Crew has also raised 2,353 linear feet of sidewalks in order to remove uneven sidewalk sections, removed and replaced 188 linear feet of sidewalks, raised 15,542 square feet of streets and removed 83.87 cubic yards of debris starting in this year’s annual budget, which began in October. For more information on Friendswood Public Works, please call 281-996-3380.

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Friendswood Police Department Releases 2010 Annual Crime Report

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he Friendswood Police Department recently released its Annual Crime Report for 2010. The report contains facts and statistics pertaining to crime and trends. The Annual Crime Report is available on the City’s website, www. friendswood.com. The serious crime rate, Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Part I, decreased 14.8% from 13.38 to 11.40 crimes per thousand residents. Crimes against persons (murder, aggravated assault, sexual assault and

robbery) were down 16%; crimes against property (burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson) were down 14%. The serious crime rate also was reduced by 7% in 2009.

notably, narcotic arrests increased by 25%. The police department partnered with other local agencies to identify and arrest drug dealers in and around the City of Friendswood.

The number of arrests increased in 2010 by 12% from 2009. The 2010 increase in arrests closely tracks the decrease in the crime rate. The increase in arrests was the direct result of the police department focusing on criminal behavior that impacted the serious crime rate. Most

Traffic data showed an 8% decrease in the number of crashes - 422 in 2010 compared to 459 in 2009. Speed was the leading causal factor. Crime Report data is listed below.

2009 Crime Rate Comparisons

2009 by Crime Rate Comparisons Provided the State of Texas in October 2010 Provided by the State of Texas in October 2010

Friendswood ‘Part 1’ Crimes 2006-2010 Friendswood ‘Part 1’ Crimes 2006-2010

Friendswood ‘Part Friendswood ‘Part2’2’Crimes Crimes 2009 - 2010 2009 - 2010

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Adult Programs Friends of the Library Book Club Book Club meets the 2nd Tuesday each month at 7 p.m. Refreshments are provided. The library has several copies of the book. Book Titles & Group Discussion Dates are:

Monday, March 7th from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Overdrive Class: The who, what, when, where, how: Repeat of Feb. 22 class. Wednesday, March 16th at 7 p.m. Genealogy: Foreign Language Records: Researching non-English records.

March 8: One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus.

Monday, March 21st from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Overdrive Class: The who, what, when, where, how: Repeat of Feb. 22 class.

April 12: A Good Death by Gil Courtemanche and Wayne Grady.

Monday, April 4th at 2 p.m. Navigating the Web to Great Medical Information: Learn the best methods to find creditable, authoritative information on health and medicine.

May 10: The Help by Kathryn Stockett 

Beginner Computer Classes Computer class is offered every other Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and some Mondays at 2 p.m. The topics rotate and include Internet searching, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Files and Folders, E-mail, and free library database resources. 

Special Topic Programs Tuesday, February 22nd from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Overdrive Class: The who, what, when, where, how: Did you receive an eReader, Smartphone, MP3 player, Apple iPod, or Apple iPad for Christmas? Come learn how to checkout, download, and play free eBooks and audiobooks at the Friendswood Public Library. Wednesday, February 23rd at 7 p.m. Funding Sources For Senior Care: Join in a discussion on the broad aspects of what Medicare covers regarding illness and related health care, Medicaid coverage and seniors, Social Security and Long Term Care insurance, and planning options for funding non-medical home care and home health.

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Monday, April 18th at 1 p.m. Genealogy: FamilySearch Indexing: Discover how easy the online process is to index key information from digitized historical records. Wednesday, April 20th at 7 p.m. Celebrate National Poetry Month: With poetry readings by Net Poets Society (NetPoSo), a Houston-based poets’ group. Early Literacy Workshops These programs teach adults how to help their children learn important skills now so they can become good readers. Each person attending will receive a certificate for 2 clock hours of professional development. Call or visit the Children’s Librarian to register. Monday, February 28th at 6:30 p.m. Talkers: Two and Three Year Olds Monday, March 28th at 6:30 p.m. Pre-Readers: Four and Five Year Olds

Young Adult Programs (11 - 18 yrs.) Fridays 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 - Surprise Theme Scavenger Hunt March 4 - Goth Sock Puppets March 11 - Henna March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day Snacks March 18 - Boys vs. Girls Fort Contest (Please bring pillows/blankets/sheets!) March 25 - Magnets April 1 - Picture Frames April 8 - Howl’s Moving Castle Craft April 15 - Movie and Snack April 22 - Monster April 29 - Poetry Coffee House May 6 - Star Lantern May 13 - Hunger Games Craft Movie Makers Workshop Are you a teen who’s interested in show business? Join us as we write, rehearse, act, film, and edit our own movie at the library! Tuesday Nights twice a month 5:30-6:30. February 22nd, March 8th and 22nd, April 5th and 19th, May 3rd and 17th.

‘Tween (8-10 year old) Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. March 9 - Pot of Gold Craft April 13 - Earth Day Craft

Children’s Programs Storytimes - (Now through May 6th ) Toddlertime (for babies from birth to 3 years): at 10:10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Preschool Storytime (for ages 3-6): at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Family Storytime meets at 11 a.m. on the following Saturdays: January 15th, February 12th, March 12th, April 9th, and May 7th. Rattle and Rhyme (for babies 6 to 18 months) meets from 10:10 to 11:00 a.m. on the following Mondays: February 28th, March 7th and 21st, April 4th and 18th, and May 2nd.

Library Corner cont’d

‘Blue Santa’ Program Visits Cline Elementary

Children’s Schedule February 28th Early Literacy Workshop: Talkers: Two and Three Year Olds. To register see Children’s Librarian or call 281-482-7135. 6:30 p.m. March 16th - Craft- St. Patrick Day Treat Bags: Ages 5-12 yrs. Tickets available March 9th. 4:30 p.m. March 19th - Detective Party by Miss Pat: Be prepared for a treasure hunt, guessing games, and mystery snacks. For all ages. Tickets available March 12th. 10:30 a.m. March 28th - Early Literacy Workshop: Pre-Readers: Four-and Five-Year-Olds. To register see Children’s Librarian or call 281482-7135. 6:30 p.m. April 2nd - Chick-A-Doo Suz - Roving Chicken Story Teller. For all ages: Tickets available March 30th. 10:30 a.m. April 18th - Ride the FISD School Bus: Ride to Westwood, Bales, Cline, and Windsong. Ages 4 and up. Tickets available April 11th. 10:30 a.m. April 20th - Tie Dye Butterfly Craft: Make a butterfly using recycled materials. Ages 5-12 yrs. Tickets available April 13th. 4:30 p.m. May 4th - Mother’s Day Craft: Make mom a gift to show your appreciation. Ages 5-12 yrs. Tickets available April 27th. 4:30 p.m. May 5th - Teen Summer Volunteer Meeting: For teens ages 14 and up. 4:30 p.m.

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embers of the Friendswood Police Officers Association and Santa Claus himself visited Cline Elementary on the morning of December 15 to pick up toys that students and their families dropped off as a part of their ‘Share Your Christmas’ toy drive. For many years, members of the Friendswood Police Officer’s Association

have continued the Blue Santa tradition by compiling a list of families that need help, shopping for families, and wrapping and delivering toys. Each year, the ‘Blue Santa’ program collects toys for needy children 12 years old and under during the holiday season. In 2010, the program distributed toys to 119 needy children in addition to providing grocery gift cards for some 50 families.

Friendswood broadcasting on AT&T U-Verse

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he City of Friendswood’s PEG (Public-Education-Government) television channel has been broadcast on Comcast Cable Channel 17 for several years now, and the City recently announced that we have now been added to AT&T’s U-Verse channel line up as well.

of City Council meetings and meetings of Friendswood’s boards, commissions and committees that are held in the City’s Council Chamber. As always, the most recent City Council meeting can also be viewed at the City’s website, www.friendswood.com.

The City’s PEG channel broadcasts Cityrelated information as well as replay video

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City of Friendswood City Manager’s Office 910 S. Friendswood Drive Friendswood, Texas 77546

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 122 Friendswood, TX

Community Events Presidents Day February 21, 2011 City Offices will be closed Friendswood City Council Workshop February 28, 2011, 7 p.m. City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Dr. Regular Friendswood City Council Meeting March 7, 2011, 7 p.m. City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Dr.

Friendswood Senior Program Spaghetti Luncheon March 17, 2011, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Friendswood Activity Building Call 281-482-8441 for more information Friendswood City Council Workshop March 21, 2011, 7 p.m. City Hall 910 S. Friendswood Dr. Regular Friendswood City Council Meeting April 4, 2011, 7 p.m. City Hall 910 S. Friendswood Dr.

Friendswood Senior Program Spring Picnic Thursday, April 14, 2011 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Stevenson Park Call 281-482-8441 for more information Friendswood City Council Workshop April 18, 2011, 7 p.m. City Hall 910 S. Friendswood Dr. Good Friday April 22, 2011 City Offices will be closed

*Regularly scheduled City Council meeting dates are subject to change. For more information, please sign up for meeting alerts at www.friendswood.com.