Municipal Minutes e-Newsletters

Congratulations to Commissioner-elect Yvonne Hinson-Rawls: Congratulations to Commissioner-elect Yvonne Hinson-Rawls, who won the District 1 commission seat on Tuesday, Jan. 31. A swearing-in ceremony for Commissioner-elect Hinson-Rawls and the at-large commissioner will be held in May 2012.

City of Gainesville Run-Off Elections on Feb. 28: The City of Gainesville elections for district one and one at-large commission seat were held on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Because no candidate got the 50 percent majority, the at-large commission race will go to a runoff, which will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Lauren Poe and Nathan Skop will be on the ballot for the at-large commission seat. For additional information on the election or the upcoming runoff, please visit http://VoteAlachua.com.

Focus on the Future Community Forum on Feb. 6: Gainesville residents are invited to meet with their mayor and city commissioners to share their views and comments during the first "Focus on the Future" community forum scheduled for Monday, Feb. 6 from 6-9 p.m. at the Eastside Recreation Center at Cone Park, which is located at 2841 E. University Ave. in Gainesville. This community forum gives Gainesville residents the opportunity to provide feedback on what they want to see Gainesville look like in the future by addressing issues, such as public safety, Gainesville's parks, public transit, economic development and the environment. This feedback will provide elected officials with insight that will help shape their strategic budgetary decisions for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. This is an opportunity for the public to express their opinions to elected city officials and influence near- and long-term planning and budget decisions by the City Commission that will shape our city for years to come. For ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equal Opportunity at 352-334-5051.

Five-Year Forecast for FY13-FY17: The Five-Year Forecast for FY2013-FY2017 was presented to management on Monday, Jan. 30. To view the forecast and the narrative, please click here.

Graffiti Abatement Campaign: A Graffiti Abatement Public Awareness Campaign will begin soon, leading up to the annual Great American Cleanup on Saturday, March 17. The campaign will increase awareness of graffiti as a public blight, safety issue and economic detractor. The graffiti abatement campaign aims to increase awareness, eradication, enforcement and prevention of graffiti. Various departments throughout the City of Gainesville have teamed up with Keep Alachua County Beautiful to address this concern.

Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program: The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is a combined effort with the United Way of North Central Florida and the IRS to help low to moderate-income working people keep more of their refund and not pay for income tax services. Many lower-income households are owed a significant refund because of the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, a federal income tax credit for low to moderate-income working people. United Way officials are hoping to find more local residents who are eligible for the EITC by offering VITA, a free service. Residents can find out more about the free program, make an appointment and find out what to bring to the appointment by calling United Way’s 24-hour information line 2-1-1. VITA sites are located  in Alachua, Bradford, Union, Gilchrist, Dixie and Levy counties, offering various dates and times of service at each location.  A complete schedule can be found at www.getyourEITC.com.

Registration Open for Gainesville 101: Citizens' Academy: Learn how Gainesville became one of the top-ranked cities in the nation. Gainesville 101: The Spring 2012 Citizens' Academy will give residents a behind-the-scenes look at city facilities and allow residents to meet their city's leaders. This series of free classes begins on Wednesday, March 14 and continue for six weeks through April 18. Sessions are held from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register now as space is limited! For more information, the schedule of events or to register, please visit http://academy.cityofgainesville.org.

2012 Calendar Available for Downloading: Don't forget, the 2012 calendar (pdf) is now available for downloading. Photographs in the calendar are finalists of the Third Annual Gainesville Photography Contest. The pages are 8.5"x14" and cardstock is recommended. Please note that since this is a printable calendar, the file size is large. To download the pdf, please click here.

Congratulations to Carolyn Stevens-West, Winner of the Third Annual Photography Contest: The grand prize winner of the Third Annual Gainesville Photography Contest was unveiled on Jan. 24. The winning photograph is Blue Moon over Old Historic Inn by Carolyn Stevens-West. Finalist's photographs can be found throughout the 2011 Citizen's Report and will be on display in the art gallery at the Hippodrome State Theatre from Monday, Feb. 13-Monday, Feb. 20. For gallery hours and information, please contact the Hippodrome at 352-373-5938 or visit their website at www.thehipp.org.

Fire Assessment Hardship and Fire Flow Mitigation Credit Applications Due May 1: Applications for the Fire Assessment Hardship Programs and the Fire Flow Mitigation Credit are now available for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The applications are due by Tuesday, May 1, 2012. For more information, please see the Special Assessment for Fire Services webpage or call 352-334-5088.

State of the City Address 2012: On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Honorable Mayor Craig Lowe delivered the annual State of the City Address, which featured highlights from 2011 and laid out the vision for the continued success of Gainesville. The address is now available for viewing on Community 12TV or on the city's website at www.cityofgainesville.org. To view the Community 12TV schedule, please click here. Additionally, the transcript is available online here.

Winter Lunchtime Lap Hours at Northeast Pool Expanded: Current pool hours are:
Northeast Pool (heated pool):
Mondays-Fridays 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (lap swim)
Mondays-Fridays 3-7 p.m. (recreational swim)
Saturdays 12 noon-5 p.m. (recreational swim)
Closed on Sundays

Third Annual Gainesville Photography Contest: Gainesville Transitions Exhibition at the Hippodrome Art Gallery: Finalists from the Third Annual Gainesville Photography Contest: Gainesville Transitions will be on exhibition in the art gallery at the Hippodrome State Theatre from Monday, Feb. 13-Monday, Feb. 20. The grand prize winner, Carolyn Stephens-West, was announced at the State of the City Address. For gallery information, please contact the Hippodrome at 352-373-5938 or visit their website at www.thehipp.org

Photography Contest Winners Announced: Congratulations to the winners of the Third Annual Gainesville Photography contest: Gainesville Transitions... From Old to New. The winning photos are now available in a downloadable 2012 calendar that is available on the city's website. The grand prize winning photograph is Blue Moon over Old Historic Inn by Carolyn Stevens-West and was unveiled at the State of the City Address on Jan. 24 by Mayor Craig Lowe.
The winner's of this year's contest are:
Lake Alice by Brigitta Cuadros, Autumn by Brigitta Cuadros, Blue Moon over Old Historic Inn by Carolyn Stevens-West, Local Color by Carolyn Stevens-West, Hot Mail by Carolyn Stevens-West, Paynes Prairie Sunset by Chantay Shafer, Thomas Center Shadows by Cheryl Slechta, Alien Abduction by Deborah Wilbanks, Great Grandpa Calculating mpg (miles per grandchild) by Doreen Blake, The Walls of Alachua General Hospital Come Tumbling Down by Farol Tomson, Young Life Encountering New Life by Gary Paul, Just Another Peaceful Day by Hao Zhang, Waterfall by JD Wright, Kelly Power Station by Laurel Housden, Goooal! by Matt Benson, Baughman Center by Miguel Palaviccini, University of Florida Bat House by Miguel Palaviccini, Innovative Wheel Use at Spin Cycle by Nicole Kibert, I Still Believe - Frank Turner by Nicole Kibert, County Road by Sharren Gibbs, Purple Bloom at Kanapaha by Tom Parsons

Curbside Recycling Now Accepts Paperback Books: Paperback books to be added to the curbside orange recycle bin effective Jan. 23, for both City Of Gainesville and Alachua County customers. The county will launch a three-month advertising campaign to promote this additional recycling opportunity. The City Of Gainesville would like to encourage the reuse of paperback books by trying to donate them first before attempting to recycle them in the curbside orange bin.

Seasonal Energy Tips from GRU: Be sure to check out the seasonal and year round energy saving tips from GRU. Did you know that for each degree you increase the temperature from the recommended setting (68 in the winter), you can increase your energy bill by up to 4 percent? For more tips for this upcoming winter, please read more.

Final Weekend of the 26th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire: The Alachua County Fairgrounds is transformed into a bustling medieval marketplace for the 26th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire. Come be swept away by medieval magic as troupes of actors, street performers and musicians journey back to the days of yore on Feb. 3-5, 2012. Join the crowd and cheer for your favorite contender as mounted knight’s joust in full plate armor on the tournament field. Applaud street performers who dance, juggle and jest for your amusement. Listen to minstrels playing period music and enjoy continuous live entertainment on eight stages. Browse through the bustling medieval marketplace for that perfect gift or trinket. For more information, please visit www.gvlculturalaffairs.org.

Gainesville Police Department Hosting District Meetings: On Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6–8 p.m., GPD will host the District Once Council Meeting at the Oscar Lewis Center, which is located at 524 NW First St.  For additional information or to RSVP to the Feb. 2 meeting, contact Debbe Duffie at 352-393-7705. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 6–8 p.m., GPD will host the District Two Council Meeting at the MLK Recreation Center, which is located at 1028 NE 4th Ave., in the multi-purpose room. This meeting is open to the public. This is a great opportunity to meet the GPD officers who serve in your area, and provides members of the Gainesville community a platform to discuss any issues or concerns that they feel are the most important to them.  For any additional information, or to RSVP to the Feb. 8 meeting, contact Officer Ernest Graham at 352-316-4102.

Register Now for Out of School Days: Need a place for your kids to go on teacher work days or school holidays? Camp hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Fees are $5.25 per day/per child for city residents (proof of residency required) and $8 per day/per child for non-city residents. Lunch is not provided. You may register online or at the PRCA Administrative Office, which is located in the Historic Thomas Center, Bldg. B, 306 NE Sixth Ave. Please call 352-334-5067 with any questions. The Recreation Division offers full day camps at Eastside Recreation Center and Albert "Ray" Massey Recreation Center on the following dates:
o Monday, Feb. 20
o Friday, March 30
o Thursday, June 7

Art Exhibitions at the Thomas Center Galleries:
-Redeemed by Art: Al Black's Prison Murals runs Jan. 7-Feb. 25 in the Main Gallery.
-Alachua County K-12 Schools runs Jan. 7-Feb. 11 in the Mezzanine Gallery.

Nature Operations Season of Events: The fall season of events have started at Morningside Nature Center. Please note the events are free and open to the public.
Barnyard Buddies (Wednesdays at the Living History Farm): Youngsters and their parents can meet and greet animals by helping staff with the afternoon feeding. This free program begins at 3 p.m. and lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. Feed-A-Frog-Fridays (first Friday of the month, in the Education Building): Youngsters, with an adult, can join a Morningside Nature Center animal caretaker for amphibian and reptile feeding during Feed-A-Frog Friday. This free program begins at 2 p.m. and lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. Living History Days (every Saturday): The Living History Farm comes to life with staff interpreting day-to-day life on a rural Florida farm. Sample biscuits, fresh butter and a slice of life from 1870!

Gainesville Police Department Community Calendar: Did you know that GPD has a community calendar? The calendar shows meetings like neighborhood crime watch meetings, the Black-on-Black Task Force meetings and the Homeless Coalition meetings. Click here to find out the dates of these meetings and more!