Big Week!

First, thanks to the voters for passing Lakeway Prop 1!  Passed 3,191 to 1,789 - a good margin.  Looks like we will be working quickly to get the project started and find a really good rate for the bond.

Travis County also passed the County Health Care Bond, expect your taxes to go up next year.

We elected a new County Commissioner - congratulations to Gerald Daugherty!  I look forward to working with him on our area challenges.

The Lakeway Visitors Commission will meet Monday November 12th at 9:00 AM.  Here is that agenda. 

I previously reported that a community Northwest of here was interested in incorporating.  They stated they wanted to keep Lakeway and Bee Cave from annexing them - they are on Hwy 71 around Angels if you know where that is.  Apparently folks out there weren't really excited about the way it was handled and voted that down.

We found out Friday that Fire Chief James Linardos is resigning his post over ESD 6 and will accept a position with the Austin Fire Dept.  We wish him luck in his new job.  ESD #6 is currently looking at funding options since they are at their maximum tax rate.  The City of Lakeway, Bee Caves and the Village of the Hills are looking at some of the options they have presented.   More on this soon.

 Lakeway Building Commission will meet this Thursday in regular session.  Here is that agenda.

From Steve Jones:

The citizens of Austin voted to change the date of their municipal elections from May to November.  This may have an impact on the cost of holding our elections in May.  As you know, we contract with Travis County to conduct our elections, with the cost shared by all jurisdictions involved in each election.  If the largest participant (Austin) pulls out, the cost for the remaining jurisdictions could increase considerably.  We will be working with the county clerk’s office in the next few weeks to ascertain the cost and options available to continue May elections.

Many City Staff and Councilmembers will be attending the LCRA committee next Tuesday in Fredericksburg.  Concerns mostly are focused with the continued release of water to downstream rice farmers.  The lake is currently at very low levels.  This water is sold downstream at a rate that is subsidised by water customers in our area.  It is sold to farmers at a rate that is lower than the cost to provide it.  Hopefully we will have an impact and will be able to influence some of these decisions.

Welcome Debbie Andrews to the Building and Development Team beginning Monday.  She will fill the vacant code enforcement position.

Chessie Zimmerman reported, “Staff members attended two meetings regarding the Serene Hills subdivision this week.  Serene Hills Ltd., the residential developer, will soon submit a revision to the existing preliminary plan and met with staff to review the proposed location of an eight-acre tract for parkland.  The developer also plans to provide a trail system that will connect to the planned trail system in Falconhead West.  We also discussed acquisition of the right of way needed for the Bee Creek Road project and development of the commercial tract on the corner of Bee Creek and SH 71.  Staff also met with representatives from Western Rim Property Services, the company that is seeking to acquire the multifamily zoned tract in Serene Hills.  They plan to develop a 376-unit luxury apartment community consisting of two-story and three-story townhome-style buildings with attached garages.  Western Rim intends to develop a project that is fully compliant with the city’s ordinances.  It is likely that no public meetings will be required for this project.”

Julie Oakley reports, “Finance is putting the finishing touches on the proposed solid waste agreement with Progressive Waste Solutions which includes the single stream recycling program.  We placed seven items on the auction website for sale to the public.  You can watch these items by going to the Finance section of the city’s web page and click the GovDeals icon under surplus property.  I expect we will be adding more items when the PD is ready to auction their vehicles.  Many thanks to Public Works and Rachel for their help with this task.  We received over 40 applicants for the Lead Accountant position, which included many educated and qualified individuals.  We interviewed eight candidates.  The final interview yesterday produced an excellent candidate for the position.  We will extend an offer to him today.  And, we received a total of $93,758 in hotel occupancy tax revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.”

Andra Dearing reports, “Goblin Glow has been put away, as the Trail of Lights decorations are coming out.  Last week I ordered replacement displays for several broken ones, so we will see new additions this year including the 12 Days of Christmas.  Final preparations will be completed today for the Veterans Day event on Monday at the Heritage Center.  And, in the wake of Dallas’ car accident, we are all pulling together to make sure all of our bases are covered, and that we function as ‘business as usual.’  Please keep their family in your thoughts and prayers, as Lizzie (their oldest daughter) had to go back in the hospital this week as well.”  
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In other area news, Planet K seems to have reached an agreement with the City of Bee Caves and will be allowed to open inside soon - several things will have to be done by both parties.

 And in closing, Lakeway's Big Band Bash continues at the Activity Center on Monday, November 12, 8 to 10.  Join them and enjoy the music!  BYOB.

More as I find out!

Thanks for all the support.

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us