CNA 10.13.08 General Meeting Minutes

Laura Morrison of City Council spoke, addressing some of the questions asked of her by the CNA executive committee.

She indicated that she has sought common ground with each of the other City Council members to work one-on-one with them on specific issues, such as preservation (Lee Leffingwell), affordable housing, emerging technology and distributed energy sources, and boards and commission setup.

Regarding a comprehensive plan for the City of Austin she feels that such a plan should address more than the usual zoning and transportation. Also addressed should be land use - parks, public safety, utilities, etc. The last comprehensive plan was done in 1979. There is a line in the budget for this year to work with a consultant on a 2-year process to update the city plan. A city auditor came in two years ago and assessed that Austin has many plans but that they do not communicate with each other.

Regarding working with the City Manager, she stressed the need to be well informed on each issue put before the Council. This educational information is referred to as backup information, and she believes that nothing should be on the agenda without backup information, as Council has at times approved things the consequences of which they weren’t fully aware. The current agenda along with the backup information available to Council is posted on the city’s web site (usually by Friday afternoon), and citizens are encouraged to contact Council members with additional backup information on agenda items if they see that such information is lacking (cc Bobby and Barbara from Laura’s staff).

No money is currently in the budget for implementing neighborhood plan recommendations. The next bond election is likely to be 2011. When that happens, the city could go to neighborhood plans to look at priorities. Looking at what would go into a bond might happen two years before such an election. She suggested that neighborhoods attempt to raise their own funds for their regional priorities in order to gain visibility, as sometimes city funds become available and can then be added to existing efforts underway. Two new positions (neighborhood advisors in the neighborhood assistance center) are to be filled in November.

How can VMU development be developed the way it is supposed to be done? The Station Area Plan is to go before Council for the 2nd reading on the week of October 20th, where they’ll be looking at the recommendations from the 1st reading. Laura pointed to some legislation that indicates that a neighborhood plan requires an amendment before a TOD change to the plan can be approved. This was new information to the executive committee, and Steve and Eddie were going to look into that.

Regarding approval of the neighborhood’s opt in/opt out application, she has heard that as long as neighborhoods have made a good faith effort to pick and choose which properties are in or out, that it is a shoe-in.

Regarding cut-through traffic on Morrow: There is no talk about a left-hand turn from north-bound Lamar onto Morrow. There is currently an Anderson Ln corridor study underway that seeks to determine how to improve traffic flow and make Anderson more pedestrian-friendly. It is believed that if Anderson Ln has better access from Lamar, there will be no reason to open Morrow up to westbound traffic from east of Lamar.

There is talk of developing TIFs (tax increment financing zones) at TOD developments to provide additional income to the city to fund the infrastructure improvements beyond what the developer provides.

She has heard that the Ryan Austin Energy property is being considered as the location for a prototype family-friendly affordable housing development – larger apartments with spaces to play.

She recently went on a Chamber of Commerce sponsored trip to Vancouver to see how they do things there. They are REQUIRED to do parks, affordable housing, childcare, etc. as part of their new developments, but Texas doesn’t have the same laws that Canada has.

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Sonny Poole from Austin Energy was on hand to answer questions about the new substation going in off Lamar at the north end of the Crestview Station development. He handed out a list of questions and answers that are posted as the Austin Energy FAQ under the Neighborhood Documents section.

APD to host 8th Annual Community Symposium, Oct. 29, 2008

The Austin Police Department will host the Eighth Annual Community Symposium “Preparing Today for a Safer Tomorrow: Public Safety Awareness” – on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. The symposium is designed to unite neighborhoods, businesses, faith communities, law enforcement, non-profit organizations and public agencies to improve and impact the quality of life in Austin.

Police Chief Art Acevedo will be the morning keynote speaker focusing on the department’s current public safety awareness efforts and the challenges our city faces in the future.

Throughout the day, the symposium will feature breakout session on various public safety topics including:
· Personal Safety/Home Security: Taking Control
· Highway Enforcement: How does it work?
· Anti-defamation: Hate groups in Austin
· Human Trafficking: How real is the problem in Austin and the United States
· Safety Procedures for religious institutions: A safer experience
· Buses and Light Rail: The future of transportation in Austin

City Manager Marc Ott will give closing keynote remarks on his vision for the City of Austin.

The symposium will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hilton Austin Hotel, 9515 Hotel Drive. The registration fee is $20, which includes breakfast, lunch and all breakout sessions.

Those interested in attending can get more information by visiting APD’s website, www.cityofaustin.org/police. An event registration form and brochure can be found in the “Community Events Calendar” section.

Ruth Avenue Annual Block Party, 10.26.08, 1pm - ?

Greetings, neighbors!

Want to let you know about a fun neighborhood event! You are invited
to the fabulously fun Ruth Avenue Annual Block Party from 1 p.m.
until ?? on Sunday, October 26. The party has something for everyone –
piñata and moonwalk for the kids, a band for the adults, and lots of
food and fun.

Here's the scoop: It's a potluck, so bring enough food for your crew -
- plus more to share, if you like. Pot-luck tables are set up for
sharing. There are also several grills going, so you're welcome to
bring things you'd like to grill.

As for beverages, it's either BYOB or contribute to the keg
(suggested contribution is $20 per family for the kegs. Probably a
good idea to contact organizer Charlotte, whose info is below, if
you're planning to keg, so she's sure to get enough.)

The music will be provided by WK Burchenal and the Happy Campers (Ken
Burchenal, Pete Nalda,the neighborhood's own Vanita Trippe, Shane
Kullberg, and Justin Patch), who play two sets beginning at about 5
p.m. Traditionally the organizing neighbors have kicked in $20 per
family for the band. The hat is also passed for the band, so you can
follow your conscience in that regard.

If you need more info on the party or the logistics, contact
Charlotte Johnson (contact info below). The party takes place at
several yards along the block, as well as in the street, but is
centered at Charlotte and Mike's house.

Party contact info:
Charlotte Johnson
1213 Ruth Ave.
Austin TX 78757
914-8594
Charm616@msn.com

Hope to see you there!

Posted to the neighborhood listserv by Vanita Trippe

Preserve Crestview history in home movies

In an effort to expand and improve the documentation of Texas history and culture, the Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI), with the help of the Office of the Governor's Texas Film Commission, is searching for Texas-related moving images to include in our online library of streaming video. To encourage participation, TAMI is offering free transfers of film and video to DVD for those willing to donate a digital copy of their materials to TAMI's online library.

Whether a home movie of a family at the park or an advertisement for a local business, moving images provide vibrant records of our lives and communities that should be preserved and shared. Help us to preserve your neighborhood's moving images by spreading the word about TAMI's free digitization program. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a collection of community-based film and video that can be shared both via TAMI's online library and through community screenings and educational programs like TAMI's Texas Film Round-up, kicking off in Austin in February 2009.

More information can be found on our website (http://www.texasarchive.org/tfc.html) or by contacting TAMI at (512) 485-3073 or round-up@texasarchive.org. See moving images that have already been contributed by searching the TAMI online library:
http://www.texasarchive.org/library.

Help us to make sure your neighborhood is represented!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Hansen
Outreach and Education Coordinator
Texas Archive of the Moving Image
500 San Marcos Street, Suite 108B
Austin, Texas 78702
(512) 485-3073
www.texasarchive.org

Brentwood Elementary's "Spooktacular" Halloween Carnival

Saturday, Oct. 25, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested at the door.

- Come enjoy children's entertainer/ singer Joe McDermott in concert from 5-6pm
- If you dare, walk the halls of our annual Haunted House
- Eat great food from Taco Deli, Mangia, and local chef Joel Fried
- Dance your heart out at our karaoke sing-along
- Face painting, moonwalk, and not so scary stories
- Bake sale and salsa making contest

Visitors of ALL ages welcome. Don't forget to wear your costume!

For more information or if you want to volunteer or donate a prize, please contact Lisa Boone at lboone@grandecom. net or 796-6752.

Safety Fair, Oct. 11th, 10am-2pm

Representatives from the City of Austin Code Enforcement, Austin Energy 311, APD Community Liaison and Central West District Representatives will be on hand to answer questions at the Anderson Lane Shopping Center (Anderson & Lamar), in the parking lot across from Hobby Lobby.