This video was made by the mayor, in the role of mayor, sitting in the mayor's office in city hall as part of a longer "update to the public" video that the mayor regularly makes and posts on the city web site. The video is public domain. It belongs to you.

 

But the mayor has been making copyright claims on the video wherever it appears online. The mayor doesn't seem to want you to to see this video and as he tried to answer Mr. Levy's questions about unlawfully claiming copyright ownership of a city produced and public domain video, the mayor started to verbally stumble and decided to call the police and falsely claim he was being harassed. 

4-25-2023 

Today at the Lakeway Activity Center, Christopher Levy approached the Mayor, remained 4 feet away and asked him about a public domain video of the Mayor telling congregants at the Lakeway church to kick people out of Church because they did something the mayor didn't like: file a lawsuit to challenge the validity of former city manager Julie Oakley's tenure based on her (allegedly) not primarily residing in Lakeway, as required by city code approved by voters.

There were many, many witnesses. Asking questions for less than 60 seconds and listening to Kilgore's answers without any physical contact is not harassment. At no time did Kilgore ask Levy to not ask him any questions. No voices were raised by Mr. Levy.

 

Then, very rapidly...

1. Ken Bautsch decided to make a derogatory statement about Levy.

2. Bobbi Vance (councilmember Gretchen Vance's husband) walked into the discussion and said something nasty and Levy said he was talking to the mayor and not Mr. Vance.

3. Then Mr Vance said "who are you?" (to Levy) and Mr. Levy responded with his name and 

4. Bobbi Vance went off  on Mr. Levy at about 0:75 seconds.

5. The mayor then suddenly announced (0:81 seconds) he was being accosted. Several people watching guffawed and said he wasn't being accosted. Mr. Levy had never raised his voice and no physical contact, just a few questions that flustered the mayor about the above copyright behavior and church video.

6. The mayor picked up his phone and called someone but didn't say who.

7. 30 feet away a woman mentioned that no one was being accosted and this triggered Mr. Vance rush over (0:95 seconds) and he charged up on this woman very quickly and with a threatening stance. She looked terrified by Gretchen Vance's husband doing this.

Note: up until this time, councilmember Gretchan Vance was over at her car and not a part of what was going on.

 

A few minutes later 2 police patrol cars and a supervisor car arrive. It was quickly determined that no one was accosted, the mayor was not being threatened at all and that in fact Bobbi Vance, rushed up on the woman standing nearby in a threatening manner. The police spoke to Mr. Vance at length and he eventually (correctly) walked over and apologized to the woman... at which point his wife, Gretchen, dragged him away and was overheard telling him he shouldn't apologize at all.

 

As of this post, we still do not know why the mayor thinks he has copyright over your/our public domain videos of city hall recordings posted online. But what we do know is:

- the mayor called the police after being asked uncomfortable questions for a few seconds

- the mayor and a Gretchen Vance supporter physically threatened a 5'2" lady

This above statement is factually incorrect and is hereby retracted. The Mayor was not involved it the altercation with the 5'2" bystander. I apologize for the error in reporting.

It should read a "Gretchen Vance supporter was involved in a verbal altercation with the 5'2" bystander."

- the mayor used city resources frivolously to create the perception of a problem that didn't exist.

How to GET Vaccinated!

 *****Covid-19 Vaccine Information*****

Do you want to get vaccinated?  You have to be proactive!  If you sit and wait, there is no telling when or if you will be contacted.  I received my first shot on January 16th, and it takes some effort but is there if you want it.

The area providers are not getting vaccine very quickly, I'm signed up on all of them and have only received emails saying they don't have doses for particular weeks.

If you want to get the vaccine you will need to take a ride.  Austin Public Health is getting about 12,000 doses a week.  Not many for the population but appointments are available when the doses come in- you must be in the 1a or 1b group.  

First, pre-register.  Here is the link:

https://covid19.austintexas.gov/s/?language=en_US

Scroll down and select "Create an Account"

Fill out all the information.  You should then get an email to verify your registration.

Once that is done, you will need to be able to log in - use the same link above scroll down and click on log in.

If you experience an issue (wrong password or incorrect information), append aph to the email address.  For example, in my case instead of joe@bain.us for my email address I had to use joe@bain.us.aph - you may or may not have to do this.

The big issue is they don't tell you when the appointment slots open and they fill up pretty quick.  I got my appointment on a Wednesday afternoon - it seems the appointments open on Wednesdays but it all depends on whey they get their allocation - a friend got his on Thursday morning EARLY.  You have to deep trying!  After all, if your staying at home, what else do you have to do???

If all else fails, you can call - 512-972-5560 - it didn't work too well for me, but I have a friend that got through and made appointments for she and her husband.  I would suggest you at least register first.

There are two locations, one is the Delco Center (Near Hwy 183 and Hwy 290).  There is another location - same general area and same distance.

Good luck, you can get an appointment, you just have to work at it.  I logged in every hour for a couple of days and succeeded.  

I wish everyone good health and hope this is helpful!

Joe Bain
joe@bain.us

Weather, Lakeway Church Sanctuary, Election Results, Last Council and Today's Agenda!

*****Weather*****

Well, apparently Winter is here for a while.  80's day before yesterday and it was 34° this morning at the 15th Tee of Live Oak.  Looks like a beautiful week with highs in the 70's.  No rain until the weekend or next week.

*****Church Sanctuary Grand Opening*****

It was a wonderful Sunday for the Lakeway Church!  First services in the new Sanctuary - it was wonderful and a lot of folks showed up to celebrate.  Since they blocked every other row and two seats between family groups, it was a full house at the 9:30 service.  I'm sure the 11:00 was just as packed.  

If you missed it, here is a video of the Wider and Deeper construction video they showed - Morgan put it together from the hundreds of pictures I've been sending of the construction.  Here's a link, enjoy the video!

  

*****Election Results*****

Although 6 out of 8 Charter Amendments passed, two went down.  We will live with the new Charter for at least 2 years per State law.  The two that passed are going to prove challenging to say the least.  

The Charter provision to delete the Treasurer was defeated. The Charter stipulates significant requirements that a volunteer will not be able to do.  We'll see where that goes.

The provision deleting the requirement for the City Manager to "reside" in the City was resoundingly defeated.  That will be a sticky wicket for the new City Manager.  Since she is happily married to the County Judge of Burnet County and he has to "reside" in Burnet County, it will be a challenge.  Deletion of the requirement was a plan from the beginning, but a failsafe was included in her contract - $15,000 a year to pay for housing....The definition of "reside" is "have one's permanent home in a particular place".  They might meet the letter of the law, but not the intent.  The founders of Lakeway were smart folks and made rules to insure Lakeway remained a unique and special place for generations to come.

Thanks to all the citizens that looked at the issues and voted in the election.  The "Save Lakeway" group didn't prevail, but the number of votes against all the propositions was significant.  Keep an eye on what's going on in the City.

*****Council Results from November 2*****

This was yet another videoconference.  

3)  Unanimously appointed an Assistant City Manager - welcome to Mr. Joseph Molis from Harker Heights.

4)  An Economic Development Committee was established per recommendation of the ad hock committee that reported at the last meeting.

5)  The Budget was amended to appropriate money to hire an individual to explore options to bring an annual event to Lakeway.  They allocated $80,000 from the Hotel Tax Fund to do this.

Then the infamous "Executive Sessions" started at 7:16 and returned at 9:51, 1 individual signed up to speak on item 6 but was no longer there at 10:00 but came in and spoke on (B) although the volume was so low you couldn't hear him.

6)  Having to do with a (A) zoning change and (B) final plat for Serene Hills Phase 5, zoning was passed unanimously with no discussion and unanimously denied the final plat.  

Interestingly, there was nothing on the Airpark Unicom letter issue but the letter was sent the next day (no decision, right?) and once again nothing on "Project Granite" that council has been meeting secretly on for months and months.

Meeting adjourned at about 10:00.

*****Council November 16*****

Here is that agenda / packet.  

They are amending Chapter 28 regulations and also several items in the FY 20 Budget.

10)  Accepting the results of the election.

11)  Finally selling 7.6 acres to the MUD for $476,375.  Remember the budget shortfall?  

12)  Withdrawn and delayed by applicant.  Seems the city wants to change an already approved plat and plan...

13)  Final Plat for Rough Hollow

14)  Special Use permit for an Orthodontic Practice at 1010RR 620.

15)  Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental at 412 Sailmaster.

16)  Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental at 1501 Parker Bend

17)  Change the PUD for the Oaks to require building of Main Street - lawsuit coming on this one.

18)  Looks like they are also going to amend the Rough Hollow Development Agreement that has been in place for 20 years.

19)  Discuss Charter 4.07 (Police) - presentation given by Police Defunder's Higginbotham and Mastrangelo.

Then the Executive Sessions start.

One on Project Granite, Legal issues on Serene Hills Parkland Dedication and the Annual Review of the City Manager.  

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Lots going on, I'll report on council results soon.....

Thanks again for all the support.  If you would like to be added to my email list, please send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get you added!

Have a GREAT week!

Joe Bain

lakeway@bain.us

  

Weather, Council, Environment Info and More!

 *****Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring - Two Weeks*****

High of 91, low of 37 and a little wind and rain thrown in for spice.  Next week looks like highs in the 70's and lows in the 40's and 50's, little to no rain.  Sounds like a pretty nice week. 

*****Council Agenda*****

Council meets in Special Session Monday - this meeting is again going to be teleconference.  Here is a link to the meeting packet.  

3)  Looks like they are hiring an Assistant City Manager.  Appears to have some planning experience and economic development experience.  Coming from Harker Heights.

4)  Establishing an Economic Development Committee.

5)  Budget Amendment.  Authorizing $80,000 to hire someone to explore and launch a high-quality event to attract tourists.  Money coming out of the Hotel Tax account.

***Executive Sessions***

Serene Hills Final Plat
Legal issues with Airpark Unicom Renewal
Project Granite - here we go again, your tax dollars at work..
More Cherry Knoll settlement agreement issues with potential development

Council has had more Executive Sessions (Secret) than the last 5 Mayors terms put together.  Let that sink in.

*****More City Stuff*****

Lakeway has won certification as a Platinum Scenic City - one of only 5 in Texas.  Congratulations!  They must not have looked at 620...

The City continues to cancel almost all of the Committee and Commission meetings.  Lately I've seen Art's Committee and Engagement committee - none have met for months, not even teleconference.

Here's a link to The Activity Center information - Thanks Dallas!

*****Charter Amendments*****

If you plan to vote on election day or even if you have already voted, please get the low down on the Charter Amendments.  Here is a link to our web site with the reasons we (the 5 former mayors) think some are a really bad idea. 

Here is a link to the oppositions funding report.

*****Environment***** 

I posted this link in the middle of a paragraph a few weeks ago and many folks missed it.  This is a video from Prager U about the costs and efficiencies of Solar and Wind energy.  Please take about 4 minutes to view this video - it has some great information:

Solar and Wind Video

*****Lakeway Church Update*****

Took some more pictures Friday of the exterior and interior.  Here's the outside:

As far as the inside, here is a link to a 360° where you can look around.  

Here are some stills:

Two weeks until the first service there!  It's been a long road but worth the wait!

That's all for today!  Thank you for sharing time with me.  If you need pictures please consider Sky Pictures .  If you would like to be added (or removed), please send an email to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get it done.

Have a GREAT day and be kind in this election season.  We may have different opinions, but we are all Americans and Texans!  It will be over soon.....

Joe Bain

lakeway@bain.us

Deer?, Council, Election and More!

 *****Deer Issues*****

Have you noticed the increase in deer population in your area?  Ours has significantly increased in the Vanguard / Lido area.  What does that mean?  Well, in the last 3 weeks, there have been 5 deer killed within about 100 yards of my house.  Three in the last 4 days, two mature doe and one yearling buck.  This is in an area where traffic has to slow to go around a 90 degree curve.  This is a cruel and painful death, please slow down and watch for he deer.  This is the WRONG way to cull the herd!

*****Council*****

Council met at 6:30 Monday evening.  Here is the agenda / packet and here is a link to the video.

10)  Ron Massa Gave a report from the Economics Development Committee.  To sum it up, Lakeway has tried two times in the past to pass a tax funded 4B Economic Development Corp., both failed.  Defeated at the polls because residents don't want to attract more traffic and has let commercial development do it's own thing and has done pretty well.

Two ways to go, Stay the Course - No cost, sales tax continues to rise, property values continue to rise and city finances are sound.

Active Role - Shape development, improve business mix, control 620 during expansion, better meet needs and desires of citizens.

Recommendations - Revise permitting processes, Plan remaining and redeveloping commercial tracts, marketing material to promote city, partner with chamber of commerce, attract and plan an annual event and assess impact of RR 620 widening.

They also want to assign ED to a position, fund a part time position with the HOT fund to explore and launch annual event and create a standing EDC.

There is more in the packet and in the video.  One has to think since the citizens voted down a 4B EDC twice, they might nowt want to increase commercial.  We'll have to see where this goes.

11)  The Lake Travis Film Festival was awarded $50,000 for this year.

12)  The re-plat of Teck Circle was denied.

13)  A special use permit was granted to put office and storage space in an existing hangar at Lakeway Airpark South.

14)  Special Use Permit at 1501 Parker Bend was tabled.

15)  Thoroughfare Plan was adopted.

Two Executive Sessions - when council returned audio of meeting was not available.

I'm told, the City Manager was given the ability to sign and manage Coronavirus Relief Fund allocations for the City of Lakeway (just their requests).

I'm told the city did not take any action on the Serene Hills parkland issue.

Meeting adjourned a little before 10 PM.

*****Election*****

The election is in full force.  I am told that over 18,000 have voted as of Sunday.  Lines are a little shorter now.  Go vote!

I've also been told sign thefts are up and some damage has been done to residents homes that are showing signs and blue lights.  

*****Amendments*****

There is still time to look at the Save Lakeway website.  Although the city publishes the amendments, they only tell one side.  Many of the amendments were totally different from what was recommended by the Charter Review Committee - all appointed by Council and the Mayor.  Please take the time to look at what's going on and if you have questions, ask!  lakeway@bain.us

**********

You know, I keep hearing about renewable energy and it is really an interesting subject.  Prager University did a video explaining some of the costs and efficiencies.  Here is a link to the video, it's about 4 minutes and worth watching.  No matter what side you're on, it's really interesting.

**********

On Friday October 30, the City is putting on a "Drive Through Boo!" where from 7-8:30 PM the staff will hand out candy to citizens driving through!  Three locations, Police Department, Activity Center and the City Hall.  Here is a link to more info.

**********

Thank you for sharing some of your time with me!  Please let your friends know about the blog if you like it, have them send me a note at lakeway@bain.us and I'll put them on my email list.

Thanks again for all the nice letters and support!  For Gray, I'd love a copy of the report!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

Civility!

 *****Civility*****

Unfortunately, it appears Lakeway is changing, and not in many ways for the better.  That I am writing this post brings that statement to light.

Lakeway used to be a place where people could discuss political differences and still be friends.  If there were differences, we were still neighbors.  In the last few years this has begun to change.  

Previously, if errors in political signs had errors with legal nomenclature, friends would tell friends and it would be corrected.  In the last couple of elections, complaints were filed with the State Ethics Commission by candidates instead of working together.

Today, it appears it is thought to be ok to steal or destroy political signs because they are for an opposing candidate.  This has happened with many signs already in this contentious election.

I have friends that are afraid to put out political signs because they fear their homes will be vandalized.  Really?  Winning at any cost is a concerning issue.  This is not Lakeway.

Please respect your neighbors and their opinions. Maybe start a dialog and learn why they feel the way they do.  Please tell your kids it is not good behavior to destroy others property.

Posting incorrect or outright fiction on Social Media is another example of disrespect for others.  Apparently we have those living in our city that make up their own facts to make a fake point.  

Most people moved here because they loved the city and what it represented.  It was formed and lead by those that worked and  volunteered to make it the great place it is.

Can we please back up a little and remember the roots of the community and try to move forward in that tradition?

Thanks for sharing your time with me.  If you disagree with me, send me a note and start a dialog.  If you agree, share with your friends.

Thanks again for reading my blog.  If you would like to be added (or removed) from my email list, send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get it done!

Thanks again!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

https://savelakeway.com/

Weather, City Budget Info, Charter Amendments and Church Construction Updates

*****Weather*****

This morning was humid and a little warmer than the last few days. My weather says cloudy for most of the day with a slight chance of rain overnight.  Highs in the 90's over the weekend and for the first of the week cooling a little with a few clouds the  rest of the week.  Still Fall in Central Texas!

*****City Budget Information*****

Check out page 30 of the Community Impact.  Interesting numbers, turns out they REDUCED the Police Budget -1.03% and INCREASED the Administration Budget +9.6%.  Let that sink in.  They also removed the Cost of Living raise for the city employees (2%).  Maybe they could have reduced the amount for administration (new positions?) and could have paid the COL raise for employees and increased the Police Budget so they could fill needed positions, etc.  Building and Development Services was increased +2.15%.

The increase in Property Tax was +2.5% (+- $155,500).  So the city got a raise after all.  There were small decreases in Sales Tax -0.75% 

(+- $32,700) and ROW fees -0.1% (+- $1000).

Learn the facts and get involved.  

*****Charter Amendments*****

Early voting starts Next Tuesday, here's a link to all the dates and time information. 

The Former Mayor's PAC would like for everyone to investigate and make an informed decision on the Charter Amendments.  Here is a link to what we feel are the most egregious departures from the path of good governance.

Just one more thought.  Proposition D deletes the requirement for the City Manager to live in Lakeway.  I'm not sure changing the long standing Charter because of the current City Manager selection is the right thing to do.  What do you think?  

Remember, if one amendment passes, the Charter cannot be changed for two years per state law.  That's why we are asking you to vote against all the amendments.  Please make an informed decision!  Our future depends on it.  Would you rather get information from keyboard warriors or those that have served the community.

*****Church Construction Update*****

It's really coming together at the Lakeway Church!  Here's a link to a PANO of the interior - use your mouse on a PC or finger on your phone to look all around.  The exterior is getting close too.  Parking lot is in and they are working on rocking the Bell Tower.

Here's some shots of the interior.

We live in a beautiful community don't we?

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That's all for right now.  More as I find out!  I hope you enjoy the blog, it has been my attempt at transparency for well over a decade.  

Thank you for sharing your time with me.  It is appreciated as well as comments and questions.  lakeway@bain.us

If you'd like to be on my mailing list (or removed), please send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get it taken care of.  

If you have need for aerial or interior photo's I'd love to talk to you about it!

Thanks again for all the support!  

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us