Hail, MUD, Distracted Driving, CAMPO and More!

We had a little excitement Friday morning, about 5 AM some thunderstorms came through and we had some more hail!   Luckily it was small - mostly pea size or smaller and it looks like very little damage.   Also have had about a half inch of rain between last night and today - not a bad start to April!

I've noticed the Lakeway MUD campaign is underway in full force.  I have sent an informational packet to the candidates with sign rules, basically keeping them off of public property and making sure they have landowners permission.  Hopefully we can clean up some of the issues and code enforcement time won't be necessary.  If you have signs in your yard, a good rule of thumb is the right of way on small interior roads is about 10 feet from the pavement and on large arteries at least 15 feet.  No signs should be in the right of way.

Looks like the State and other jurisdictions will be doing a distracted driving campaign, I hope our residents will look within and be safe.  Distracted driving including cell phone use and texting is making our streets dangerous.  Please comply with the law and just put the phone down while driving - "It Can Wait"!  I am seeing multiple violations when I'm out driving and the police are looking too.  I'm told by the court that they are seeing an increase on cases coming before them and I intend to ask the Chief to instruct officers to make distracted driving a priority.  Don't expect sympathy from me if you get stopped!

CAMPO Update:  Deputy City Manager Chessie Zimmerman attended the March CAMPO Technical Advisory Committee meeting.  Discussion at the meeting focused on a proposed update to the current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that will be voted on at the Monday Board Meeting.

Last month the CAMPO meeting was on Council night and I was unable to attend.  One of the issues discussed was finances of the "Lone Star Rail" from Georgetown to San Antonio.  With Union Pacific's withdrawal from the project CAMPO is considering termination of the financial arrangement.  A long discussion ensued and the vote was eventually 10 to 9 against termination.  Another item on the agenda was how voting proxy's are handled - this was tabled until the meeting Monday, April 4th that I will attend.  The agenda also includes items on project funding for projects in the 2017-2019 time frame.  Here is a link to the agenda.  I will be working to insure the 620 environmental and engineering is progressing and we hopefully will be able to find some dollars for that project in the near future.

DAR Flag collection / disposal - Collection boxes will be at the Lakeway Activity Center and the Heritage  Center during the month of April.  Please bring in your old and damaged flags so they can be properly disposed of - Thanks DAR!

ZAPCO meets next week on April 6th.  Here is the agenda.  Couple of interesting items and our 1st Short Term Rental application.  See you there!

BDS met with representatives of LTISD to discuss plans for the future Lakeway Highlands elementary school.  They also met with the city attorney to finalize the agreement for the large lot (13 Acre each) Thomas development off Flintrock Road.  It will be before Council at this month's meeting.

The bids were opened Friday for the traffic signal at Lohmans Crossing at Lohmans Spur.  The low bid was from Austin Traffic Signal and came in at $236K, $14K under our estimate.

The Justice Center Advisory Committee visited justice centers in Pflugerville, Georgetown and Cedar Park Thursday.  They plan to visit Borne in the near future plus they will be looking at possible locations along with learning about financing options in next sessions.

Municipal Court reports that Judge Madison issued four evidentiary blood search warrants over the month for the Lakeway Police Department.  Marshal Johnson arrested eight people this week with the help of our license plate recognition system.  And, the totals for the 2016 State Warrant Round up were 273 warrants cleared (up 33% from last year) and $76,952 collected (up 25% from last year). 


Sing Along is presenting their 16th Annual Spring show "My Generation" April 28-30 at the Lakeway Activity Center.  Here is a link to more info.

Interested in "Historic Lakeway"?  Would you believe we have Mid Century Modern Architectural Heritage?  We do!  Check it out at eh Lake Travis Library Speaker Series Tuesday, April 12.  Here's a link to more info.

We appreciate our veterans!  Let's show it by welcoming them back from the Honor Flight next Saturday - here's a link to more info.  I've been honored to be selected to help with the group so come see us come home!

Here's the April Class update from Dallas Gorman at the Activity Center - check out all the fun things to do!

From the Chief:
Routine traffic stops resulted in the following charges, Out of Jurisdiction Warrants X 2, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia X 7, Possession of a Controlled Substance X 2,  Driving while Intoxicated X 3, and Possession of Marijuana X 1.  

Officers responded to a call of Criminal Mischief on Hurst Creek Drive.  Upon arrival graffiti was discovered on an iron gate, no suspects in this case. 

Officers responded to an address on Malabar for a report of Harassment.  The subject reports being harassed by an ex.  This case will be investigated. 

Officers took a report of Graffiti in the World of Tennis Condo complex, no suspects are known at this time.  

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Unit responded to the 400 block of New Lido in reference to a deceased person.  The subject was found inside of her residence by family friends.  The death appears to be from natural causes, but an autopsy is pending. The case remains under investigation.

According to officials with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, a threat was made towards the students/staff at the Lake Travis High School by a current student. Officers and Detectives responded with TCSO to the student’s residence where CIT units conducted a mental health evaluation and a consensual search of the residence. LPD personnel were released from the scene and the investigation was turned over to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. 

The Animal Protection Officer responded to the 100 block of Golden Bear to investigate a report of a dog bite.  According to the complainant who was walking her own dog, a loose dog came from a nearby residence and attacked her dog causing minor injuries.  At the request of the complainant, the owner of the aggressive dog was given a warning for Dog at Large. 
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I hope everyone enjoys the wonderful weather this weekend.  Look for my column in the Lake Travis View next Thursday!  If you want to be added to my email list send a note to lakeway@bain.us.  Thanks again for all the support!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us