Weather, Transportation, Deer and More!

Another weather roller coaster!  Low of 23, high of 67, a little rain (.38 inch) and a little wind (18 mph) in just a week.  Today is a real improvement over yesterday!  Here's a link to my weather station on the Live Oak 15th Tee - get the current conditions.

*****Baylor Scott and White*****

The Lakeway Baylor Scott and White newsletter is out - it's call the Pulse (a little pun I guess...) - here is a link.  There's good information about what is going on in the hospital and what they are doing to better serve the community!  Check it out!

*****Transportation*****

Do you think we got our money's worth on the Transportation Bond Facilitation Project?  $150K to a consultant that told us what we already knew.  

We need Main Street all the way to RR620 - that's a revelation.  It was part of the original project that was proposed for the MUD property - instead of tabling that, ZAPCO outright turned it down.  That changed the process - it was too dense, agreed, but that could have been negotiated to make it a better project.  Then the public wanted the Comprehensive Plan Committee to change the use of that land.  Didn't happen, they actually came back and said it should be "Multi Use".  By the way, the extension of Lohmans Spur was included along with another access road to Main (4, Lohmans Spur) were all included in the original project at no cost to the citizens.  

Also is included is (3) Medical Dr.  This goes across property that has multiple owners - at least right now.  A developer may try to develop this property and would build the road.

One of the issues with the City building Main and Lohmans and Medical Dr. is it normally would be done by the developer and the city Bond money would effectively significantly increase the value of the properties because now there is access that incurred costs are borne by the City taxpayers.  100% of the taxpayers even though they may not benefit from the improvement.

Also included was a North / South shared use path.  How many residents of Highlands, Rough Hollow, Serene Hills and Western Lakeway would use this?  Not many, but 100% of the cost would be once again borne by 100% of the taxpayers.

There is a "Shared Use Lane" - 10' each side of the 620 project.  Do we need more?

*****Deer?*****

After 3.5 hours of discussion, council again came up with less than a plan.  I'm not sure most of them even took time to look at the Surveys the city has been paying for.  Here they are - Survey 2017, Survey 2018, and Survey 2019.

Let's look at some of the interesting things.  

1)  All the surveys were done on areas deemed as "Unsuitable Habitat" by the Wildlife Biologist.  What does that mean?  It means he doesn't look at any areas the deer SHOULD be in.  No golf courses, no greenbelts - only areas where he can drive down streets.  I will also say, there are many better routes he could take that would exhibit many more deer.  He goes down Lakeway Blvd. for one instead of going through areas where there are known deer.

2)  The 1st Survey, Survey 2017, actually showed only 379 deer.  Really?  Survey 2018 was 1347 and Survey 2019 was 1354.  If you look at the deer sighted, it's almost the same on all three years, works out to an average of 5.41 acres per deer.   What does this tell you?  Not much.  Recommended is 10-15 acres per deer - that means at 5.41 there is actually at least twice as many as recommended for healthy deer.  Why was there 1,000 more deer in 2018?  Either there was an error made or the numbers were changed - I got the 2017 survey from Ms. Cross because she wouldn't agree to let the city get the information directly from the Biologist - make your own conclusion.  

3)  If you use a route that already has too many deer, do you think some of them may move to areas more suitable?  Like my back yard - or maybe the golf course?

December 2019, Other Half to the Right
Click for a larger view.

Now the city has an opportunity to use TTT - Trap, Transport and Translocate.  It was used when the city first started the management process.  It has not been available since because of the over population of white tail deer.  There has been anthrax in some of West Texas and now TPW is helping to find ranches to take the deer.  This won't last long so if we continue to delay it won't be an option.

Another big thing happened last week.  The first free range deer in Texas was discovered with CWD (Cronic Wasting Disease).  Previously, all the deer with this disease were captive and on breeding ranches.  This is problematic.  Although there is no known issue with humans, it is related to mad cow disease that in fact can affect humans.

***So, although the Wildlife Committee has now twice recommended to reinstate the management process, council in their infinite wisdom has once again put an obstacle in the process.  Our Deer Management Plan was once TPW's suggested plan.  Why do we have a committee?  To take the blame for council inaction.

The current fuss was about a survey.  Since Lakeway only has a deer issue in certain areas it would require a sectionalized survey in the areas affected.  Those are the folks that need help.  It would cost money - the mayor said maybe $25K.  That was a huge issue.  Seems like they can spend money to find roads to build ($150K) and a consultant to see if we need to redo our City Organization (seems like its done well for over 50 years) without issue, but money to actually help is too much.  Maybe they could tap the money set aside for finding a City Manager ($30K) - I don't think they've spent that yet.

The hold up right now is knowing how much it's going to cost.  Until we get a contract with a trapper, we won't know.  The City Manager needs to negotiate that contract.  The permit has to be obtained by the 1st of the year.  No management until the council agrees on the cost.

++++++++++

I know, I've been grumpy since the last council meeting.  What time was it over?  Well, no one really knows since the video went off at 2:30 a.m. because there was no activity.  I'm told it was over at 3:00 a.m.  

Is this where we want to be?  I'm not sure.  The original framers of the City had a pretty good idea - unfortunately it seems to some we have outgrown their thoughts.  It's worked pretty well for over 50 years - do we really need to change it?

Here's a link to the list of questions for the latest consultant.  It appears the current council wants to restructure the city.  Take a look, what do you think?  Another $50K.  

+++++++++++

That's all for today - I know it's a long post, lots of info!  I hope you enjoy it and think about where the city is going.  As always, if you would like to be added (or removed) from my email list, send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get it done.

I'd also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!  It's a great time of the year and the Holiday Season won't last too long - January will be on us quickly.   Enjoy time with friends and family, and please be safe in all your travels!  Lakeway is a wonderful place with friends all around.  The Bain's wish you a wonderful Holiday Season!

Thanks for all the support and I hope to see all of you soon!

Joe Bain,  lakeway@bain.us