SRCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Monday, October 5, 2015 7:15 PM
LIFE IN THE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
(formerly Grace UMC)
205 E. MONROE, AUSTIN, TEXAS
AGENDA
To be sure you get a vote, become a member. You can join or renew online www.srccatx.org. Not sure if you are current? Email membership@srccatx.org and we’ll let you know.
CALL TO ORDER/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. 7:15 Meeting procedures, etiquette, welcome newcomers. Verification of quorum. Reminder: state your name when presenting or seconding a motion. If an acronym is stated during the meeting and you don’t know what it means, please feel free to raise your hand and ask (see also footnote*).
Presenter throughout: Sounthaly “Tune†Outhavong, SRCC President, unless otherwise noted.
2. 7:20 Membership and voting. Pay multiple years in advance and get a discount.
Single membership: 1-yr $20; 2-yr $35; 3-yr $50 / Family membership: 1-yr $35; 2-yr $65; 3-yr $95
NOTE: In order to vote, dues must be paid a month in advance, with the exception that if a former member’s dues have lapsed no more than 2 years, they may renew at the meeting and be eligible to vote.
3. 7:22 Approve minutes from August 3, 2015, and Sept. 7, 2015, last 2 regular monthly meetings (available at www.srccatx.org). Â No vote was taken.
4. 7:25 Treasurer’s Report – see attachment to agenda distributed at the meeting; all reports are available upon request to the Treasurer.
Presenter: Nancy Byrd, Treasurer – treasurer@srccatx.org
The Heritage Oaks Park is now fully funded and we have paid our fees for our meeting space for the entire year.
5. 7:30 Committee Chairs reports
1) Parks, Schools, Environment; 2) Planning & Zoning; 3) Transportation & Public Safety; 4) Norwood; 5) Historic District–item below; 8) Finance; status of projects funded by SRCC; 9) ANC*; 10) Communications (10 min)
Norwood – After years of effort, this project has begun to take shape by stabilizing the house and will enter into another fundraising round to complete the vision as proposed.
ANC -Â (click here to view the notes)
Historic – The Bluebonnet Hills Historic District is up for vote this Thursday but is scheduled to be postponed at that meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
6. 7:40 CodeNEXT: update on progress, opportunity to ask questions
Presenter: Darrick Nicholas, Public Information Specialist, Planning and Zoning Dept, darrick.nicholas@austintexas.gov; Paulina Urbanowicz, Planner, Planning and Zoning Dept., Paulina.Urbanowicz@austintexas.gov
The upcoming meeting will help to test out some of the new code ideas prior to implementation. The ideas being tested are based on all the work done up to this point. A Citizen Advisory Group has been formed and will be expanded to 18 members to increase outreach and citizen communication. The concept at work is to design and create the tools to be used to implement the existing neighborhood plans and overall vision laid out in the comprehensive plan which is currently the 2012 Imagine Austin plan. The CodeNext team consists of individuals from within City staff, citizens and outside consultants. Ultimately the City Council votes to approve this plan. Please email any of the presenters with your questions.
7. 7:55 Proposed bikeway along East Riverside–REQUEST FOR VOTE to support BikeAustin’s Riverside Coalition Letter (https://www.srccatx.org/2015/09/28/1713/) asking city to add/improve bike and pedestrian facilities, traffic calming measures and enhanced bus service on Riverside corridor.
Presenter: Miller Nuttle, BikeAustin, miller@bikeaustin.org, campaign site: bikeaustin.org/riverside
The area in question is from I-35 heading eastward due to the complexity of the portion of Riverside between Congress and I-35. Due to the major increase in road fatalities this year, BikeAustin is working to improve safety for all road users by building towards Vision Zero, the idea that all road fatalities are preventable. Â No vote was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
8. 8:00 Mobility35 Project improvement plans for I-35 @ Oltorf
Presenter: Dustin Elliott, Deputy Program Manager, delliott@hntb.com. More information at http://my35.org/capital/projects/travis/oltorf.htm
Mobility35 is the project looking to upgrade and improve 60+ miles of I-35 with a total estimated cost of $4.5 billion dollars. The presentation covered many details about the overall project and some details about our area, mostly describing the different ways they re-engineer the existing space to improve flow and safety. The bike/ped paths alongside I-35 will be widened as well as bike/ped improvements at Woodland. Concern about large trucks using I-35 rather than 130 was voiced.
9. 8:15 Review of neighborhood watch program, call for volunteers and new chairperson
Presenter: Raymond Sinatra, raymondsinatra@yahoo.com
The Neighborhood Watch program has gone dormant but recent interest has surfaced and Raymond was here to describe how it works. A shared Google calendar is used to organize patrols for volunteers to observe and report (call 911) suspicious activity. Training is required and provided to learn best practices and keep volunteers safe. The program needs a new leader who is willing to put in a few hours a month communicating primarily through email. Patrolers volunteer as much as they’d like and the role is perfectly suited for those who already walk regularly. If you’d like to join this team or lead this team, step up!
10. 8:25 Representatives from SWIM 512, a public engagement effort to learn more about Austin’s public pools, will offer a presentation on their program and a Q&A regarding what improvements and programs Austinites would like to see at their public pools.
Presenter: Dr. Laura J. Cortez, Cortez Consulting Services, laura@cortezconsulting.com; and Wayne Simmons, Aquatic Program Manager (PARD), wayne.simmons@austintexas.gov
About a year ago, an aquatic facility needs assessment was completed, now they are looking to maximize use of these facilities. Barton Springs and Deep Eddy are not part of this project as they have their own plans but Big and Little Stacy are. In October they will work with focus groups to further hone the message and desire of the community. Volunteers are wanted to participate in these focus groups. Do you like to swim or want to impact the management of our public pool system? This is for you! Mabel Davis pool was discussed as a critical facility.
10. 8:40 District 9 Quarter Cent Fund-Update from meeting with Mayor Pro Tem, Kathie Tovo, on how to allocate these funds in D9.
Presenter: Sounthaly “Tune†Outhavong, President, president@srccatx.org (10 min)
Last week a meeting was held to discuss how to use the 1/4cent fund designated for mobility issues. District 9 should be receiving approximately two million dollars. After reviewing our neighborhood plans, a small list of needs was created and must be submitted within the next two weeks. If you would like to weigh in on this issue, please email vicepresident@srccatx.org.
8:50 GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Travis Heights Art Trail, presented by Charlotte Bell – This is a very walkable art trail that will include live performances.
Little Stacy Park Improvements Project. Next meeting on 10/24, 9-11am. Travis Heights Elementary cafeteria.
Our next EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING has been moved to a new date. It will now be on October 26. Location to be determine.
Update on Blue Bonnet Hills Local Historic District–going back to city council.
Newsletter: Still accepting story ideas! Last chance to get something into the fall edition.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We still need a volunteer to chair our neighborhood watch program. We also need a new Area Coordinator for Area 2 and additional block captains in Area 3a.
Monthly Review: Stay up-to-date on neighborhood news and SRCC announcements by signing up for our Monthly Review emails at www.srccatx.org. These simple, easy-to-read digests are available to all area residents.
Account reconciliation, Profit & Loss and Balance reports available upon request from treasurer@srccatx.org or financecommittee@srccatx.org
*Frequently used acronyms: ACF: Austin Community Fund; ANC: Austin Neighborhood Council; SF: Single Family zoning category; FLUM: Future Land Use Map; GSRC NPCT: Greater South River City Neighborhood Planning Contact Team, NCCD: Neighborhood Conservation Combining District
