Friday, January 28, 2011

Troy Yocum Update, Weekly Report


Thanks to all of you that attended the reception for Troy Yocum yesterday - we had 50 or 60 folks there and many donations. Mayor DeOme signed his bat along with Mayor Lindgren of The Village of The Hills at Lakeway City Hall. Here is a link to Troy's website. There are updates on his condition there and you can also make a donation. Troy has a severe infection in his foot and will be unable to walk for a few days. He is spending another night here and volunteers are walking a few miles for him - Good Luck Troy and Godspeed!

CBC - the CBC met in regular session Wednesday, they granted two variances having to do with fences and are working on a solution to a basketball goal issue in the Ridge at Alta Vista. They are also working on some changes to the ordinances, one of which has to do with the way heights and views are done. More on this as it happpens!

Steve Jones - A bill has been filed with the state legislature to create a special taxing district for the Lakeway Regional Medical Center. The bill would authorize the developer to issue bonds to finance water, wastewater and road infrastructure improvements and impose a property tax on their own property to finance the debt service. This should have no direct impact on the City.

Travis County Emergency Services would like to know if the City is ok with relocating our ambulance from the firehouse on Lohmans Crossing to medical center facilities.

The new executive manager of Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources committed this week to include $2 million for the reconstruction of Flintrock Road in the county's bond package this November. They also committed to including about $10 million i the bond for reconstruction of Bee Creek road from SH71 to Highlands Boulevard.

A committee led by County Commissioner Huber has received sufficient pledges to move forward with hiring a consultant to perform an economic impact study on Lake Travis.

Shannon Burke - LTISD wants to put temporary portable buildings at Lake Travis Elementary for 2 to 3 years. This will require a variance to the Building Code - it will be on CBC's agenda for February 24th.

Representatives of the Enclave at Alta Vista have been negotiating with Patrick Terry regarding future landscaping. Changes will require Council's blessing and will be on the next agenda.

There is a movie being filmed in Lakeway today. It's a rags to riches story with the biggest name being Val Kilmer. It's being shot at Rough Hollow Marina, Lakeway Church and Lake Travis Thrift Store. Keep your eyes open!

Chief Radford - The police have completed installation and training for the new automated ticket writers - they should be in use next week.

Thanks for Looking!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Special Edition

Hi folks! Tomorrow, January 27th, an Iraq War Veteran, Troy Yocum will be coming to Lakeway on his 7,000 mile walking trip across America. His story aired on "60 Minutes" last Sunday night - he is trying to raise $5 million dollars to help military families in need. He started his walk on April 17, 2010 and will be presented with a Proclamation honoring his mission Thursday at 2PM at the City Hall!

Let's give him a BIG Lakeway welcome - come join us tomorrow, wear something patriotic - here's his website!

If you would like to donate to his cause, make the check out to "Soldiers' Angels" and put "Hike for Heroes" in the memo section. You can also donate on his web site.

See you there!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

Friday, January 21, 2011

Brrrrrrr - Pancake Breakfast, Weekly Report +

It's cold outside! Don't forget the Membership Appreciation Pancake Breakfast on the 29th at the Lakeway Activity Center! City Officials will cook for you - it's a lot of fun and GOOD too! See you there!

Here is a link to Dallas Gorman's newsletter with events and classes at the Activity Center - check it out!

From Steve Jones:

You may see Lakeway Police cars at the new hospital soon. the contractor is hiring off duty Lakeway officers for security on nights and weekends. This is a good opportunity for our police to make extra money at no cost to the city!

Remodeling work at the court is taking longer than anticipated,s o Judge Madison may hold court in the Council Chambers next Tuesday night depending on how much progress the contractor makes this weekend.

P Terry's had their site plan approved and has submitted their building plans - there may be site work there while the plans are under review.

Aqualand tells us that we may see a site plan submittal soon for the medical office building slated for the middle of the LRMC development. They hope to begin work on this pad sometime in April. Aqualand hopes to begin construction of Medical Parkway next week.

Cinco Hills (formerly Serene Hills) is requesting their zoning change application be postponed until March to allow more time to investigate options.

The Police will be advertising for two open dispatcher slots. Dispatcher Bryan Hilton is transferring from the PD to Code Enforcement and the other slot is coming open because of a resignation.

The Police are having sergeants meetings focused on shifts performance and personnel issues for the prior month. This is a good learning process for them and they can work out issues experienced on different shifts.

We have trapped 80 deer so far this year. We are permitted for 200 and hope to accomplish that number by the end of trapping season.
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That's all for now -

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Weekly Update!

The CBC (City Building Commission) met in regular session Thursday. A variance was granted to 402 Sunfish for a fence encroaching into the 25' setback and a height was granted to 413 Morning Cloud for an addition.

The members also discussed potential revisions to the height determination process. There will be further discussion on this item.

The final inspections were approved.

Our fair City was lucky to escape any ice last week during the cold spell! The streets dried out before we hit freezing temps! Our street department was ready with sand just in case! Enjoy the rainy days - we really need the moisture!

Parks and Recreation Meeting will have their regular monthly meeting Thursday, January 20th at 6:30 at the City Hall. Here is the agenda.

The big parade for our Lake Travis football and volleyball teams will be held this Sunday at the Hill Country Galleria. Here is the full schedule of events! Go Cavs!

From Steve Jones:
Financial statements for the 1st quarter are in and we are looking good! Court revenues are below budget, but building and development fees and sales tax revenues are making up for it.

There are concerns on the quality of the pavement recently done on Sailmaster - large areas have been repaired and Public Works is meeting with the engineer to inspect the work and determine if more repairs are needed.

The Village of The Hills just finished restriping the intersection of The Hills Drive and Trophy Drive two weeks ago. The City took advantage of the opportunity and had their contractor paint parking spaces on Trophy drive to help organize parking for the Canyonlands Trail and parking for special events in that area.

The County Commissioners Court approved a RFP for a study to measure and evaluate ambulance service in areas outside Austin City limits and includes Lakeway.

New sign faces have been ordered for the directional signs on Lakeway Blvd. Glued on letters will be replaced with a painted metal panel that is designed to emulate our new greenbelt signs and our entry monuments on RR 620. Here is a link for viewing.

Police Chief Todd Radford reports the driver that hit the directional sign on Lakeway Blvd. at Highlands Blvd. has been arrested! Officer Jeff Brennecke has completed his FTO program and has been assigned to solo patrol. Detective Mike Pribble completed Internal Affairs School at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

Several developers have had conversations with Director Shannon Burke about downsizing lots in their planned subdivisions from R-1 to R-3 Single Family zoning. Staffs response has been negative since they believe smaller lots would be contrary to the city's comprehensive plan.
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Don't forget, next weeks Council meeting is on Tuesday - here is the agenda. As you can see, it will be a short meeting!

Thanks for all the support!

If you want to be added to the mailing list, please send a note to lakeway@bain.us.

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

MUD BOD results, message from Judge Madison!

The Lakeway MUD met today in regular session - here is the agenda.

4. A homeowner requested deposit requirements be dropped for 297-A Mooring Circle. Deposit requirements were retained, however the BOD voted to waive the penalties.

5. 129 Schooner was declared surplus after much discussion over value and disposition. No decision was made over sale price or disposition.

6. An amendment to the Existing Agreements with LCRA was passed unanimously.

General managers report was made which included discussion on the LCRA barge. Letter was sent and received by LCRA requesting they pull the barge from the sale of other assets. Decision will probably be made within the next year.

Meeting was closed about 11:00 - short meeting!
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Lakeway Municipal Judge Madison is available to speak to your group about traffic safety for teen drivers. These programs include the bumper sticker for teen drivers, driving contracts, and a safe driving video. Judge Madison has a unique perspective on traffic safety, from his experience as a police officer, police chief, and EMT/Firefighter. If you would like Judge Madison to speak to your group, call him at 784-5237.

Another GREAT service!

If you wish to be added to my mailing list, simply email a note to lakeway@bain.us.

Thanks for LOOKING!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

Friday, January 7, 2011

Weeks Happening's!

It appears the police knew more than I did about the damage to the directional monument at Highlands Parkway and Lakeway Blvd. In fact they recovered the car (still on one of the rocks) and are close to closing the investigation!

The City was out repairing the letters on the stone directional monuments. The limestone they are made from is very soft and the stone tends to chip off allowing the letters to fall on the ground. They are looking for better ways to attach the letters!

Word from TXDOT is the construction on Hwy. 71 near the Uplands will be complete by August of this year - I know everyone will be happy when it's done!

The celebration for the Cavaliers is scheduled for 12 noon on January 16th at the Hill Country Galleria. The Lady Cavaliers Volleyball team and the Lake Travis Cavaliers football team will be celebrating their capture of State titles! Come out and help celebrate their victories!

If your trash pickup was last Wednesday you might have noticed IESI was a little late. Someone in Westlake put some sort of acid in their trash and it eventually started a fire. The driver caught it early enough that the truck did not suffer any permanent damage, but that truck was unavailable for use in Lakeway since IESI was limited to one truck.

The Lakeway City Building Commission will have their regular meeting January 13th at 9:00AM i the Council Chamber. Here is the agenda!

The City Council Meeting will be moved to Tuesday, January 18th because of the observance of Martin Luther Kings Birthday on Monday the 17th. I will post the agenda as soon as it's posted!

The January ZAPCO meeting has been canceled for January. The next meeting will be February 2, 2011.

The next Blood Drive is Saturday, January 15 from 8:00am to 12:00. See the link at the top right of the page for more information.

That's all for now! Enjoy the rain and cold weather and I'll have more to report soon!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us

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