Monday evening was the regular date for the Big Band Bash at the Activity Center - this one was special because it was also Fred Newton's 80th birthday. He is Chairman of the Arts Committee and also is responsible for the inception and continuing success of the Big Band Bash. Great celebration and a special night for Fred!
The Activity Center has a lot going on - here is a link to a list of things you can sign up for!
Tuesday Julie Oakley (Assistant City Manager) and I went downtown to the Capitol to attend hearings on two important bills. SB 2 would reduce the rollback rate on property taxes from 8 to 5 percent and would make an election automatic if the rollback rate was exceeded. Here is a link to the text of the bill. This bill would limit the City's ability to manage it's finances and could cause issues with public safety issues. This is especially significant for small cities like Lakeway.
SB 451 will effectively gut our Short Term Rental (STR) ordinance we have spent the last two years implementing. Here is a link to the text of that bill.
There is also a bill filed by Senator Donna Campbell that would take the City's authority away to regulate trimming and cutting of hardwood trees. This would have a negative affect on our Oak Wilt restrictions and development ordinances.
After listening to hours of testimony on SB 2, SB 451 was moved to a new time after the session. We met with State Senator Dawn Buckingham and Representative Paul Workman and expressed our concerns on both bills and the negative effect both would have on the City of Lakeway and it's residents. At this point I would suggest you write Senator Buckingham and Representative Workman with your opinions on the bills. A resolution opposing SB 2 is on the March 20th agenda for Council Consideration.
Two hundred vehicles dropped off household items at the Hazardous Waste Event held on Wednesday. Of the 200 participants, 143 were Lakeway residents. There are many items that can be had free of charge that others have discarded. The picture on the right shows shelves of automotive supplies, cleaning supplies and much more!
Here is a link to BDS activity for the week along with the agenda for the next ZAPCO meeting. Looks like BDS was busy and ZAPCO may have a long meeting!
Monday morning will be the first meeting of our Charter Review Committee. This is required every 4 years by the Charter. We have a committee of citizens each appointed a Council Member. Our Charter has served us well over the years and I appreciate our citizens participation in this project.
Council will meet in regular session Monday evening, here is a link to that agenda. We will see our "Audit Report" (clean audit with no issues!). Many items are on the agenda but I suspect most will go fairly quickly - at least I hope so!
Tuesday March 21 (1st day of Spring) will bring a presentation on the proposed Police Station in Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. We have filed a "Notice of Quorum" because it is very possible several Council Members will be present. There will be ample time for questions and answers - come to the presentation and learn about the project.
From the Chief:
LPD Officers conducted 148 traffic stops, responded to 20 alarm calls, responded to 19 animal calls, answered 26 suspicious circumstances calls, responded to 9 collisions and handled 95 other types of calls for service for a total of 317.
Routine traffic stops resulted in the following charges; Driving while Intoxicated X 2.
Officers responded to several addresses in the Rough Hollow area in reference to burglary of vehicles. Reports were taken at these locations and detectives are following up with investigations.
Officers responded to a Cutty Trail address in reference to a disturbance call. Upon arrival it was learned that a verbal argument had taken place between family members. One of the persons involved was found to have outstanding Lakeway arrest warrants. The subject was taken into custody and transported to Travis County jail.
Officers responded to a Long Wood street address for an assist EMS call. Upon arrival a male resident was in medical distress. EMS personnel had begun CPR on the subject, but were unsuccessful in reviving the patient. The male was pronounced deceased by medical personnel and the body was released to Weed, Corley and Fish Funeral Home.
Officers from Lakeway are assisting Travis County Sheriff’s deputies attempting to locate a suspect in a multiple homicide. The male subject is identified as Randall L. Burrows of 111 Morning Cloud Cove. He is a suspect in a multiple shooting which occurred in Travis County overnight, leaving two victims deceased and a third in critical condition. An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Burrows.
Week four of the Lakeway Citizen’s Police Academy took place last night with Rebecca Pagan reviewing department statistics. She was joined by Officer Trevor Mathis and Crime Scene Tech Edgar Smith as they reviewed equipment and technology. The evening ended with a course on issues related to mental health, taught by Sergeant Jason Brown.
That's all for now, I hope everyone had a great and safe St. Patrick's day. If you would like to be added to my email list, send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get you added.
Thanks for the support!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
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