CNA 11.10.08 General Meeting Minutes

The new City Manager, Marc Ott, spoke at the general meeting. A city org chart and a brief description of the City Manager’s duties were available for those unfamiliar with Mr. Ott’s position and responsibilities.

Mr. Ott talked about his 26-year background in city management, his mission to make Austin the best managed city in the country, and his sense that he is exactly where he wants to be in his career. He spoke about the first challenges that he has faced during his 9 months as City Manager in Austin: Ending the last fiscal year without a deficit in the face of dwindling sales tax revenue, closing the latest budget gap of 25.3 million dollars while opening up the budget process for greater input and getting a 2.8 billion dollar budget adopted by Council in 45 minutes, and negotiating labor contracts (fire, police, EMS).

The neighborhood began voicing their concerns and Mr. Ott attempted to address some:

Despite reigning in labor salaries (currently 30-40% above industry norms), no reduction in police or fire forces are anticipated.

He has started the process for a comprehensive plan in Austin, leading the effort with the help of a hired outside consultant. The intention is for openness and inclusiveness, while trying to get consistency and agreement among the various patchwork plans and land use ordinances.

When asked about accountability when city staff changes ordinances between 1st and 2nd readings, after neighborhoods are less involved in the planning process, Mr. Ott indicated that City Council is ultimately responsible, and the only recourse to neighbors if implementation fails.

Regarding Crestview Station, Parkland Dedication fees must be spent in the area of the TOD where they are collected (to include playscapes). Brewster McCracken is claimed to have said that the Austin Energy property on Ryan is targeted for 80% affordable housing and 20% green space.

The level of investment for street upkeep is set to maintain 80% of the streets at excellent, good, or fair condition and 20% at poor. In actuality, it is closer to 30% at poor. Historically, street upgrades have not been a priority as citizens wish to discourage increased traffic.

Mr. Ott had a recent discussion with ANC by bringing in heads of departments to which people could ask questions. He offered to come back and do the same for the neighborhood association.

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At the next general meeting there will be traffic calming committee members to brief the neighborhood on the status of their efforts [EDIT: As of 11.20.08 this has been cancelled - Don], and Steven Zettner from Sustainable Neighborhoods will present on open space issues in the central north Austin region.
A resolution was presented to the assembled that will be voted on at the next general meeting. [NOTE: The resolution is currently posted on the neighborhood web site under the Neighborhood Documents section] The resolution asks for a minimum of 20% of sidewalks and open space for future mixed use developments.

The property owner of the L-shaped plot on the southeast corner of Burnet & Anderson (Northstar strip mall) has submitted an application to subdivide that property. This is important to the neighborhood because once a property drops below 5 acres in size, there is no longer a requirement to dedicate 2% of the land to open space on new developments. This application goes before the Planning Commission on Nov. 25th. Parties interested in formulating a neighborhood response are encouraged to contact the CNA President, Jonathan Locklin.