Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Weather (Or Not), Blood Drive, Council Report and More!

Rain?  Not yet.... It is a little cooler today.  Chances improving this week with some cooler temperatures.  Lots of clouds today.  Here's a link to my weather station for current conditions and rain amounts (if we get any). 

Don't forget the Lakeway Blood Drive this upcoming Saturday from 8 a.m. till noon.  Email LakewayCommunityBloodDrive@gmail.com for an appointment!

The Public Safety day was a GREAT success!  Thanks to all that attended and a special thanks to all the first responders and volunteers that made it a great success!

*****Council Meeting*****

3)  This is the 11th month of the current budget.  It appears we have a positive variance of about $1,474,004.  Here's a link to the graphic that shows the income and expenditures.  The Interim City Manager, Julie Oakley, says a lot of this is timing.  $600K is unexpected BDS Permit fees that will be used for inspections in the next budget.  The problem with this is the council is requesting a tax increase partially because of inspection cost increases.  All inspections should be covered with permit fees.

Even so, that leaves nearly $500,000 carryover from the current budget. 

4)  Another report on the Police Station.  Council Member Vance was concerned of duplicate billing (especially on concrete work) and the auditors were contacted and reviewed those charges and scope issues.  No duplication was found - Good Project, On Time and Under Budget.  No inaccuracies found.  $600,000 returned to the city!

5)  Public Hearing on Proposed Budget - no data provided in the packet, no one spoke and council had no comment.

6)  Public Hearing on Proposed Tax Rate.  No data provided in the packet - it appears they are still looking at using this years rate for 2020 - effectively raising citizens taxes.  That's with $1.5M from last year plus $600K return from the Police Project.
No public comment, no comment from council.

7)  Request for HOT funds from Lake Travis Chamber to snag a Firefighters Conference for Lakeway.  Includes travel expense and conference expenses to attend current conference to make the pitch.  Probably will more than pay for itself if we get the conference.  Approved unanimously.


8)  Chair Larry Harlan gave an update on the Comprehensive Plan update progress.  Moving along, still struggling with how granular it needs to be - my opinion is a general framework with few specifics.  The old one was too redundant.  Another Town Hall in November.

9)  Donations for the Heritage Center and the historic Liebelt Cabin.  Artifacts from the cabin and that time period.  Thank you! 

10)  Discussion and decision to abolish the office of City Marshal - passed unanimously.

12)  Council Member Mastrangelo donated a handheld infrared thermal camera to the Police Department - no cost to him or the city, he tested it and had no use for it. 

13)  First reading of Chapter 28 Code of Ordinances - more changes.  Here's a link to the marked up ordinance.  If they keep changing things, soon no one will know what they are doing....

15-16)  Infamous Executive Session.  

Council approved spending $30,000 for a City Manager search.


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This is what it looks like every day in my back yard.  I love the deer - but it's not normal to see herds like this in a yard.  This is just the back, two more herds in the front.  We don't feed, nor do my neighbors.  

That's all for today, more soon.  Are electric cars worth it?  I'm working on some info that might surprise you.  National Night Out is coming up soon.  It's a good way to meet your neighbors and enjoy the evening.

If you would like to be added (or removed) to my email list, send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get it done!  I appreciate all the support for the blog!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us


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