Council met in regular session and here's what happened:
Looks like our finances are in good shape per the treasurer, Al Tyson. We are well under budget so far and revenues are holding strong - GREAT work staff!
The Council voted to adopt the proposed amendments to the Building Ordinance. There were several clean up issues and changes, including project completion schedules, accessory structures, property maintenance, guardrails, deed restrictions, screening, solar energy, driveways, landscaping, fencing, and inspections.
The Council went into Executive Session to discuss our city's authority to regulate marina development in our ETJ. No decisions were made and advice was solicited from council to help the members with decisions in the future.
After returning from Executive session, Council heard from residents on the issue of the marina project at Graveyard Point.
Council approved the consent agenda which included approval of Council minutes, an amendment to the City's Personnel Policies and Procedres Manual and Tom Brewer's appointment to the Lakeway MUD Citizens Advisory Committee.
I hope all of you enjoy our Holiday Season and I will keep you posted on any new happenings in the City as I hear about them!
Merry Christmas - be safe!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Weekly Update +
Several items of interest this week. At the November Council meeting, council voted to nominate Michael Murphy to represent the Western District of the Travis Central Appraisal District. He lost the election to Tom Buckle. I'm sure Tom will well represent the citizens of Lakeway!
A Board of Adjustment meeting was scheduled to meet Wednesday to act on a variance request from an applicant that wanted to bring in an aircraft to the local Airpark that exceeded the size specified by city ordinance. The meeting was canceled when the applicant withdrew his application.
Council meets on December 21 at 6:30PM. Click here for the full agenda.
The City is interviewing applicants for Finance Director. Hopefully there will be an appointment before Council at the January meeting.
There was a meeting of the Deer Management Committee and Kevin Schwausch, Big Game Specialist for Texas Parks and Wildlife attended. He confirmed that TP&W considers our deer
management program to be one of the most effective in Texas.
Tonight the Police Officers Association sponsored a party for the Lakeway Police Officers and their families. It was well attended and we are looking to make this an annual affair!
_________________________________
The City was advised Thursday that Richard Eason, General Manager of Lakeway MUD, has been placed on administrative leave by Tom Rogers. An early press release said that Eason's continued employment will be put to a vote at the District's January board meeting. Rogers was quoted as saying that Eason betrayed a confidence and his actions are inexcusable.
More on this in the near future I'm sure!
Thanks for all the support! If you would like to be added to the email list for notifications when new posts are made, email me at lakeway@bain.us
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
A Board of Adjustment meeting was scheduled to meet Wednesday to act on a variance request from an applicant that wanted to bring in an aircraft to the local Airpark that exceeded the size specified by city ordinance. The meeting was canceled when the applicant withdrew his application.
Council meets on December 21 at 6:30PM. Click here for the full agenda.
The City is interviewing applicants for Finance Director. Hopefully there will be an appointment before Council at the January meeting.
There was a meeting of the Deer Management Committee and Kevin Schwausch, Big Game Specialist for Texas Parks and Wildlife attended. He confirmed that TP&W considers our deer
management program to be one of the most effective in Texas.Tonight the Police Officers Association sponsored a party for the Lakeway Police Officers and their families. It was well attended and we are looking to make this an annual affair!
_________________________________
The City was advised Thursday that Richard Eason, General Manager of Lakeway MUD, has been placed on administrative leave by Tom Rogers. An early press release said that Eason's continued employment will be put to a vote at the District's January board meeting. Rogers was quoted as saying that Eason betrayed a confidence and his actions are inexcusable.
More on this in the near future I'm sure!
Thanks for all the support! If you would like to be added to the email list for notifications when new posts are made, email me at lakeway@bain.us
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Monday, December 14, 2009
Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award
The 2009 Lakeway Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Janet Wright at the volunteer recognition party on December 4th. Janet has served on the Parks & Recreation Commission, the Activity Center Advisory Committee and most recently she has dedicated her time to Arts and Beautification Committee.
Since 2005, she has been Chairperson of the Arts and Beautification Committee and developed several programs including:
The Brown Bag Concerts
Sunday Afternoon Concerts
Evening Concerts
Parkfest
Public Arts Program and the Photo Festival.
She worked tirelessly on the new wall and plantings along Lohmans Crossing at City Hall, the Sculptures in the median on Lakeway Boulevard and most recently the Lakeway Entrance Monument on 620.
Janet is also a Board member of Tex-Arts, an association for the visual and performing arts, and the Lakeway coordinator for Operation Interdependence, a civilian to military delivery system supporting our deployed military personnel. She is the sole proprietor of her own architecture-rendering & design company. She belongs to the Lake Travis Arts league, the Capitol Arts Society and the Waterloo Watercolor group.
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A ”Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award” was given to La Nell Edwards for her countless hours of volunteer service over the many years she has lived in Lakeway. LaNell has never received a Volunteer of the Year award, yet the sum of her contributions to the City of Lakeway has been tremendous. Among other things, she was a City Councilmember between 1995 and 1999. She was Mayor pro Tem in 1998-1999. From 1999 to 2004, she was Parade Chairman for the 4th of July activities. She was appointed to the Board of Ethics for the City of Lakeway in 2004. She served on that Board until early this year. Recently she was appointed to the Personnel Advisory Committee. The past summer she was honored as the Parade marshal for the 4th of July activities.
Since 2005, she has been Chairperson of the Arts and Beautification Committee and developed several programs including:
The Brown Bag Concerts
Sunday Afternoon Concerts
Evening Concerts
Parkfest
Public Arts Program and the Photo Festival.
She worked tirelessly on the new wall and plantings along Lohmans Crossing at City Hall, the Sculptures in the median on Lakeway Boulevard and most recently the Lakeway Entrance Monument on 620.
Janet is also a Board member of Tex-Arts, an association for the visual and performing arts, and the Lakeway coordinator for Operation Interdependence, a civilian to military delivery system supporting our deployed military personnel. She is the sole proprietor of her own architecture-rendering & design company. She belongs to the Lake Travis Arts league, the Capitol Arts Society and the Waterloo Watercolor group.
______________________________________
A ”Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award” was given to La Nell Edwards for her countless hours of volunteer service over the many years she has lived in Lakeway. LaNell has never received a Volunteer of the Year award, yet the sum of her contributions to the City of Lakeway has been tremendous. Among other things, she was a City Councilmember between 1995 and 1999. She was Mayor pro Tem in 1998-1999. From 1999 to 2004, she was Parade Chairman for the 4th of July activities. She was appointed to the Board of Ethics for the City of Lakeway in 2004. She served on that Board until early this year. Recently she was appointed to the Personnel Advisory Committee. The past summer she was honored as the Parade marshal for the 4th of July activities.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Weekly Update
Hi everyone! This one's a little late. I hope all the kids went to Breakfast With Santa yesterday! I was in the back busy printing pictures of those that visited with the REAL Santa - yup, we had the real Santa there! Thanks to everyone that made it happen!
For the real news! TxDot awarded the project to do the intersection improvements at SH 71 and Serene Hills Drive to Capital Excavation. The project will probably start in late January or early February. I'll share the actual schedule as soon as it is available.
After ZAPCO again turned down the Special Use Application for Speedy Stop, they are withdrawing their application. This officially means this project is dead.
The Charter Review Committee is working toward a recommendation to the City Council for proposed changes to the city charter. It is not finalized at this time but it looks like there will be several changes. The plan is to have it to the council in February so it can be on the ballot in the May election.
Ramming Paving completed one day of a three day crack sealing contract that involved putting sealer in almost four miles of cracks located mostly on Lohman's Crossing between the fire station and Hurst Creek. This doesn't look real good but is necessary to help extend the life of the pavement. We are working on plans and a cost estimate for reconstruction of the road in this area.
The City continues to monitor the failure on Rough Hollow Rd. The developer has an engineered restoration plan and intends to start construction as soon as possible. More as this saga continues!
Chief Radford has promoted Benny Reid from Dispatch Supervisor to a newly created position of Police Manager. He will supervise and administer most of the civilian functions of the department including dispatch and the investigations division. Chief Radford thinks this is a great fit and we are looking forward to further utilizing his skills!
The police department is preparing to hire two new officers, our new patrol car is inn and we are waiting on a new patrol truck.
Thats all for today! Thanks for all the support!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
For the real news! TxDot awarded the project to do the intersection improvements at SH 71 and Serene Hills Drive to Capital Excavation. The project will probably start in late January or early February. I'll share the actual schedule as soon as it is available.
After ZAPCO again turned down the Special Use Application for Speedy Stop, they are withdrawing their application. This officially means this project is dead.
The Charter Review Committee is working toward a recommendation to the City Council for proposed changes to the city charter. It is not finalized at this time but it looks like there will be several changes. The plan is to have it to the council in February so it can be on the ballot in the May election.
Ramming Paving completed one day of a three day crack sealing contract that involved putting sealer in almost four miles of cracks located mostly on Lohman's Crossing between the fire station and Hurst Creek. This doesn't look real good but is necessary to help extend the life of the pavement. We are working on plans and a cost estimate for reconstruction of the road in this area.
The City continues to monitor the failure on Rough Hollow Rd. The developer has an engineered restoration plan and intends to start construction as soon as possible. More as this saga continues!
Chief Radford has promoted Benny Reid from Dispatch Supervisor to a newly created position of Police Manager. He will supervise and administer most of the civilian functions of the department including dispatch and the investigations division. Chief Radford thinks this is a great fit and we are looking forward to further utilizing his skills!
The police department is preparing to hire two new officers, our new patrol car is inn and we are waiting on a new patrol truck.
Thats all for today! Thanks for all the support!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Monday, December 7, 2009
Green Santa / Sing Along Success
If you missed the Sing Along Show for Green Santa Sunday afternoon, you missed a GREAT show - what a success! A lot of area kids will benefit from all the toys and money donated to this great cause.
Happy Holidays!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Friday, December 4, 2009
Weekly Update
Not a lot to report, but there are a few things of interest. As previously posted, Rough Hollow Drive is getting worse. It is currently open, but the City is watching closely and if it gets worse, it will have to be closed until restoration is finished. We don't want anyone hurt!
The Special Use permit for a Speedy Stop at the old Exxon location was denied, mostly because of congestion concerns. We don't know if it will be brought to the City Council at this point - updates as they come up.
Activity in the permitting department is picking up. It's not a global recovery but it appears there is interest in the building industry in Lakeway!
The police department has four candidates in the background stage of the hiring process. With luck, we may have new officers by the end of the month!
For those interested, the Flippers Pet Store animal abuse case is over. Mr Courts was found guilty and was fined, given community service, and may not own another pet store.
The Lights On program was a GREAT success! Our own "Trail of Lights" is really looking good and is still FREE. Walk through and see what you think!
The City is installing street lights on RR620 at Stewart Road and Flamingo Road. This was done at the request of area residents and in the hope it will add to the safety of in both of these areas.
Thanks for all the support! If you want on my email update, send me a note at
lakeway@bain.us!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
The Special Use permit for a Speedy Stop at the old Exxon location was denied, mostly because of congestion concerns. We don't know if it will be brought to the City Council at this point - updates as they come up.
Activity in the permitting department is picking up. It's not a global recovery but it appears there is interest in the building industry in Lakeway!
The police department has four candidates in the background stage of the hiring process. With luck, we may have new officers by the end of the month!
For those interested, the Flippers Pet Store animal abuse case is over. Mr Courts was found guilty and was fined, given community service, and may not own another pet store.
The Lights On program was a GREAT success! Our own "Trail of Lights" is really looking good and is still FREE. Walk through and see what you think!
The City is installing street lights on RR620 at Stewart Road and Flamingo Road. This was done at the request of area residents and in the hope it will add to the safety of in both of these areas.
Thanks for all the support! If you want on my email update, send me a note at
lakeway@bain.us!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Snow?
Just in case! The City has several sand trucks loaded and ready if necessary - who knows, it's Central Texas you know. Everyone stay warm and safe!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
ZAPCO / Rough hollow Road
ZAPCO met this morning and voted to NOT recommend a Special Use Permit for a Speedy Stop at the old Exxon location. They felt traffic congestion, property values of neighbors and public opinion were justification to deny the request. Speedy Stop has the choice now of dropping the issue or taking it to the City Council.
Rough Hollow Road has been re-opened and will stay that way for a while. The developer is looking for solutions and the City is monitoring the situation to be sure the roadway is safe.
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Rough Hollow Road has been re-opened and will stay that way for a while. The developer is looking for solutions and the City is monitoring the situation to be sure the roadway is safe.
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Lights On, Rough Hollow Rd., Highlands Blvd.
Thanks for the support! Men's Breakfast Club tomorrow morning at the Activity Center and ZAPCO shortly after at the City Hall. Click on the pictures for a larger view!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
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