Wednesdays long awaited Board of Adjustment meeting was cancelled at the last minute. The developer was appealing the decision of the Building Commission denying his request to allow front facing garages on the lots.
The Lake Travis ISD received an exemplary rating for the second year. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
St. David’s Emergency Center will hold a community-wide event to celebrate the grand opening of the center on Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The free event will allow residents of Bee Cave, Lakeway and Lake Travis, as well as other surrounding areas, to tour the new emergency center and learn more about the medical services it offers.
Travis County will hold a public hearing July 26th and a decision is expected to finalize the projects to be included on the bond election this November.
CBC will meet next week in regular session on Thursday at 9AM. Here is that agenda. Support your commissioners, they work hard to keep Lakeway the GREAT city it is!
Steve Jones, Dave DeOme and I met with representatives from the Lakeway Regional Medical Center this week. They have decided to step in and build both a Medical Office Building and the Flintrock Road entrance because of their importance to the opening of the Hospital. They are asking for expedited handling of these projects through the City and Staff feels this will not be an issue.
From Steve Jones:
The Village of The Hills is seal coating their streets this week and some of the tar is being tracked onto city streets at their entrances. This causes no damage and will disappear pretty quickly.
There is a bad patch of asphalt on Lohmans Crossing near the intersection with Hurst Creek Dr. This portion of the road was overlaid last year and is under warranty! The contractor has been contracted and they are scheduled to make repairs next week.
Tuscan Village is looking better all the time. Some Certificates of Occupancy have been issued and more are on the was as site work is completed.
__________________
Chief Todd Radford reports officers have been testing the body-worn video cameras and have had good results so far. You might have seen a story done on the cameras - here is a link to one of the reports.
July 30th Movies in the Park will present The Karate Kid starting at 8:45 PM! Here is a link to more info on that event!
Thanks again for the support!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Catch Up Post
Hi folks! Just returned from a driving vacation in South Dakota. It was just as hot there!
I'll try to go in chronological order - here goes!
Note that the weekly police report has been updated - police report.
From Steve Jones -
There were zero calls about illegal use of fireworks on the 4th of July! Thanks to everyone for helping keep our City safe from fire!
It looks like the Flintrock Road project on the Bond list has moved from nearly last to the sixth position. Bee Creek / Highlands is still at #24 (next to last). The Bond advisory committee is scheduled to make a presentation to the Commissioner's court this week and the final status is due on July 26.
The City is looking to refinance one of our bonds and it looks like this is the time to do that. Savings is projected to be $5-7 K per year over the life of the bonds.
Julie Oakley has finished our financial statements for the month ending in June. Our revenues are higher than predicted and expenses are lower than budgeted. Staff is considering liquidating some of our lease / purchase debt with the surplus.
Staff met with a rep from Benetex, our health benefits coordinator this week. They confirmed the City's health insurance rates will not increase for FY 2012 - GREAT news!
From Andrea Dearing:
The carport at the Activity Center was hit by the top of a truck when a driver pulled in to unload supplies. It is in the process of repair.
500 shoppers attended the Garage Sale last Saturday. This was a great turnout!
12 kids attended a football, soccer and baseball camp at Dragon Park. Plenty of water breaks were taken and the occasional "sprinkler break" were big hits with the kids!
From Shannon Burke - There is interest in putting in a family oriented drive in theater somewhere in the Tracey Tract / Glen Heather area - more on that as it progresses.
__________________
Council met Monday evening at 6:30. Here is that agenda. Here are the results:
As previously reported, the City was above projections on revenue and under budget on expense! What a great way to be!
The first reading and vote were taken on a franchise agreement with Austin Energy. The vote was unanimous in favor of the agreement. This is projected to add about $250K per year to the City's income.
A vote was taken to allow refinancing some bonds - this passed unanimously.
The Special Use Permit for Rough Hollow Yacht Club was again postponed by request of the residents and applicant.
A Special Use Permit was granted to retain two modular "temporary" buildings to Emmaus Catholic Church. Although some residents behind the church opposed the permit because of noise and privacy issues, Council felt that removing the buildings would not improve that condition since the same parking lot would still be used. The Church promised they would not request another renewal.
The first public hearing was held on annexation of Highlands Phase 1, sections 5 & 6. This annexation is requested by the developer.
The topic of regulating short term rentals was again brought to Council by staff. Council requested some changes be made by staff but generally agrees with the proposed ordinance. It will come to Council again in August.
Item 11, 12 and 13 dealt with ordinances regulation the licensing and operation of certain businesses in the City. All were passed unanimously.
Congratulations to Jesse Griffith who was appointed as an Alternate Member of the Board of Adjustment!
Thanks for looking!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
I'll try to go in chronological order - here goes!
Note that the weekly police report has been updated - police report.
From Steve Jones -
There were zero calls about illegal use of fireworks on the 4th of July! Thanks to everyone for helping keep our City safe from fire!
It looks like the Flintrock Road project on the Bond list has moved from nearly last to the sixth position. Bee Creek / Highlands is still at #24 (next to last). The Bond advisory committee is scheduled to make a presentation to the Commissioner's court this week and the final status is due on July 26.
The City is looking to refinance one of our bonds and it looks like this is the time to do that. Savings is projected to be $5-7 K per year over the life of the bonds.
Julie Oakley has finished our financial statements for the month ending in June. Our revenues are higher than predicted and expenses are lower than budgeted. Staff is considering liquidating some of our lease / purchase debt with the surplus.
Staff met with a rep from Benetex, our health benefits coordinator this week. They confirmed the City's health insurance rates will not increase for FY 2012 - GREAT news!
From Andrea Dearing:
The carport at the Activity Center was hit by the top of a truck when a driver pulled in to unload supplies. It is in the process of repair.
500 shoppers attended the Garage Sale last Saturday. This was a great turnout!
12 kids attended a football, soccer and baseball camp at Dragon Park. Plenty of water breaks were taken and the occasional "sprinkler break" were big hits with the kids!
From Shannon Burke - There is interest in putting in a family oriented drive in theater somewhere in the Tracey Tract / Glen Heather area - more on that as it progresses.
__________________
Council met Monday evening at 6:30. Here is that agenda. Here are the results:
As previously reported, the City was above projections on revenue and under budget on expense! What a great way to be!
The first reading and vote were taken on a franchise agreement with Austin Energy. The vote was unanimous in favor of the agreement. This is projected to add about $250K per year to the City's income.
A vote was taken to allow refinancing some bonds - this passed unanimously.
The Special Use Permit for Rough Hollow Yacht Club was again postponed by request of the residents and applicant.
A Special Use Permit was granted to retain two modular "temporary" buildings to Emmaus Catholic Church. Although some residents behind the church opposed the permit because of noise and privacy issues, Council felt that removing the buildings would not improve that condition since the same parking lot would still be used. The Church promised they would not request another renewal.
The first public hearing was held on annexation of Highlands Phase 1, sections 5 & 6. This annexation is requested by the developer.
The topic of regulating short term rentals was again brought to Council by staff. Council requested some changes be made by staff but generally agrees with the proposed ordinance. It will come to Council again in August.
Item 11, 12 and 13 dealt with ordinances regulation the licensing and operation of certain businesses in the City. All were passed unanimously.
Congratulations to Jesse Griffith who was appointed as an Alternate Member of the Board of Adjustment!
Thanks for looking!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Friday, July 8, 2011
Weeks End Update
Rocky Kirk announced his resignation as Superintendent of Schools for personal reasons, effective July 31, 2011. the Board of Trustees officially accepted his resignation at a special meeting last night.
CBC will meet in regular session next Thursday at 9AM. Here is that agenda.
From Steve Jones:
The staff and volunteer committee did a wonderful job on this year's July 4th Celebration. It is apparent that the "Block Party" went over big and everyone wants to deep it as a regular event!
Council will be looking at a franchise agreement on the July 18th agenda with Austin Energy. They have agreed to a 3% franchise fee and has agreed not to pass the fee through to our customers. This is a huge concession on their part!
Good news - Blue Cross Blue Shield advised us that there will be no increase in the rates for next year - this is good news for the budget!
Leigh Naftolin (Travis County Bond representative) reports our projects, both Flintrock Road and Bee Creek Road survived the last round of cuts. The bad news is that they are the last two on the priority list - hopefully there will be no further cuts.
Early results of our survey regarding single-stream recycling show overwhelming support for the program (75%). 43% prefer weekly pickup vs. 32% every other week.
Also at the July Council meeting, staff will propose ordinances which regulate the operation and location of sexually oriented businesses and adult novelty stores.
The City Wide Garage Sale will be held tomorrow (Saturday) from 8AM to 1PM at the Activity Center.
__________________
Have a GREAT weekend - stay cool! More as it happens!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
CBC will meet in regular session next Thursday at 9AM. Here is that agenda.
From Steve Jones:
The staff and volunteer committee did a wonderful job on this year's July 4th Celebration. It is apparent that the "Block Party" went over big and everyone wants to deep it as a regular event!
Council will be looking at a franchise agreement on the July 18th agenda with Austin Energy. They have agreed to a 3% franchise fee and has agreed not to pass the fee through to our customers. This is a huge concession on their part!
Good news - Blue Cross Blue Shield advised us that there will be no increase in the rates for next year - this is good news for the budget!
Leigh Naftolin (Travis County Bond representative) reports our projects, both Flintrock Road and Bee Creek Road survived the last round of cuts. The bad news is that they are the last two on the priority list - hopefully there will be no further cuts.
Early results of our survey regarding single-stream recycling show overwhelming support for the program (75%). 43% prefer weekly pickup vs. 32% every other week.
Also at the July Council meeting, staff will propose ordinances which regulate the operation and location of sexually oriented businesses and adult novelty stores.
The City Wide Garage Sale will be held tomorrow (Saturday) from 8AM to 1PM at the Activity Center.
__________________
Have a GREAT weekend - stay cool! More as it happens!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
July 4th, Lobby Monitor, Short Term Rentals, ZAPCO
What a wonderful celebration! Hopefully everyone was able to attend the parade and festivities. Andra did a GREAT job of recovery from the fireworks prohibition and Duck Soup did a great job of entertaining the citizens at the block party. Here is a link to a youtube presentation submitted by Tom Conners of the parade - enjoy!
If you get a chance, go by the Court House (police station) and see the new Lobby Monitor that has been installed. It has a scrolling slide show with info on the court, staff, hours, processes, and procedures.
Council is once again taking up regulations on Short Term Rentals at the next meeting. Here is a link to the information and initial documents.
ZAPCO met today - here is that agenda. Here are the results:
3. Sign for Real del Lago was approved as requested.
4. Permanent sign for Sandeez Hamburgers was denied because of the red background. Staff and the owner will work to come up with a new color combination.
5. Enterprise Rent a Car's sign was approved.
6. Cavalier Food Mart on RR620 is changing from Shell to Conoco and colors were again an issue - they will be working to come up with a solution with staff.
7. Emmaus Catholic Church applied for a new permit for their temporary buildings for office use - this was recommended but restricted to daytime office use - Council will have the final vote on this.
______________________
On a personal note, Dr. Lyle Koen of Austin was killed along with Dave Eddington in an aircraft crash near Matagorda Island Sunday. Although not a resident of Lakeway, Dr. Koen owns two hangars at the Airpark and was a huge supporter of Aviation. We had been close friends for 20 years. Here is a link to a report done by KVUE news. Please keep his wife Pat in your prayers.
Thanks for all the support!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
If you get a chance, go by the Court House (police station) and see the new Lobby Monitor that has been installed. It has a scrolling slide show with info on the court, staff, hours, processes, and procedures.
Council is once again taking up regulations on Short Term Rentals at the next meeting. Here is a link to the information and initial documents.
ZAPCO met today - here is that agenda. Here are the results:
3. Sign for Real del Lago was approved as requested.
4. Permanent sign for Sandeez Hamburgers was denied because of the red background. Staff and the owner will work to come up with a new color combination.
5. Enterprise Rent a Car's sign was approved.
6. Cavalier Food Mart on RR620 is changing from Shell to Conoco and colors were again an issue - they will be working to come up with a solution with staff.
7. Emmaus Catholic Church applied for a new permit for their temporary buildings for office use - this was recommended but restricted to daytime office use - Council will have the final vote on this.
______________________
On a personal note, Dr. Lyle Koen of Austin was killed along with Dave Eddington in an aircraft crash near Matagorda Island Sunday. Although not a resident of Lakeway, Dr. Koen owns two hangars at the Airpark and was a huge supporter of Aviation. We had been close friends for 20 years. Here is a link to a report done by KVUE news. Please keep his wife Pat in your prayers.
Thanks for all the support!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Get Ready for the 4th!, Bond Meeting, ZAPCO ++
Get READY! The 4th of July is almost here! The street is blocked and the tent is up - rides for the kiddies, food and beverages and Duck Soup! Here is a link to the full schedule. I hope to see everyone there!
Check out the new landscaping going in at Loehmans and Lakeway Blvd.
The Bond Hearing was very well attended. There were over 30 speakers, all were positive. Topics covered were of course the
Flint Rock Road improvements, the Bee Creek Road improvements, purchase of parkland for East and West Travis County, other road repairs (a large contingency from Apache Shores was there), and a large group of bike folks were there also. Hopefully all of our projects will be covered. Karen Huber (Precinct 3 County Commissioner) was there to hear all the information.ZAPCO will meet next Wednesday at 9AM. Here is that agenda! As you can see it will be a sign agenda - come see your commissioners at work !
From Steve Jones:
An activity report from the Austin Board of Realtors shows the number of homes sold increased by 27% fro 335 to 425. The median price decreased 3% from $375K to $365K.
The Lake Travis economic study is nearing completion - results are to be made public August 17th. The goal is to demonstrate to policy makers the economic impact of business activity on and around Lake Travis is at least as important as that of rice farming and should no longer be ignored!
Friends of the Parks has been given permission to build a storage facility on City property at our public works center adjacent to the Canyonlands.
The Mayor and Mr. Jones met with representatives of Lakeway Resort, Hampton Inn, and the Holiday Inn to discuss the anticipated hotel occupancy tax in Lakeway.
From Shannon Burke: Tuscan Village is still not ready for site acceptance - because of watering restrictions, mulch will be allowed to be placed on site instead of grass.
Building plans for the Library were received on Wednesday. There are a few issues that need to be addressed but it is promising - the next step is to forward the plans to McComis for a detailed review.
The developer of Sereno Colinas is bringing their appeal to the Board of Adjustment next month to address their variance for front facing garages - staff continues to oppose the request. That hearing will occur on July 20th.
_____________________
Welcome Rowdy Salazar, Code Enforcement and Justin Kilgore, Dispatch! They both started work for the City this week!
Rachel Wallace is working with our web services provider to upgrade the City's website. We average 120K visits to the home page each year.
The Police department is currently testing personal wearable video cameras. You might have seen a news report on Austin Police with these cameras - they increase officer safety and prosecutors have the ability to see exactly what the officer saw.
That's all for now! Hope to see all of you at the parade and events - stay cool and drive safely!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
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