SRCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Monday, April 4, 2016 7:15 PM
LIFE IN THE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
(formerly Grace UMC) 205 E. MONROE, AUSTIN, TEXAS
www.SRCCatx.org
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: Gretchen Otto, 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 March 8, 2016 monthly general meeting (available at www.srccatx.org).
There was not a quorum so 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
5. 7:30 Committee Chairs reports
1) Parks, Schools, Environment; 2) Planning & Zoning; 3) Transportation & Public Safety; 4) Norwood; 5) Historic District; 6) Finance; 7) ANC*; 8) Communications; 9) CodeNEXT
9) CodeNEXT – Russell Frasier – CodeNEXT is a complete rewrite of the City’s land development code that is currently underway. Russell has been attending the meetings and providing summaries but you can find the complete 45 page document online at SRCCatx.org.
South Central Coalition of Neighborhood (SCC) – Elloa Mathews – This is a coalition of South Austin neighborhoods and at the last meeting they voted to not support the variance of One Two East development being planned in East Austin. (see Item 12 below)
2) Planning & Zoning – Jean Mather – At 101 East Side Dr there is a B&B being planned and they will be providing more information.
OLD BUSINESS
6. 7:40 Heights on Congress – Existing low-income apartments being redeveloped to include low-income and luxury units. Possible vote. Presenters: Elloa Matthews, ellomail@austin.rr.com, SRCC Area 5 Coordinator; Michelle Rogerson Lynch, mlynch@mwswtexas.com, Metcalfe Wolff Stuart & Williams, LLP
This property is the existing low income apartments at Cumberland and South Congress known as The Heights. Current zoning is CS-MU and listed as mixed use (MF-6) in the future land use neighborhood plan. Existing 172 units with another 300 market rate units planned in the addition. They expect to keep the existing 60% impervious cover but can go as high as 80% with the addition of treatment facilities. Building heights along Carnarvon trigger compatibility that would scale the building from 60’ down to 30’ as it abuts the single family homes. There are 176 trees on the property. The new entry would line up with Cumberland whereas it currently does not. A second entry/exit will be further south on Congress. Existing tenants will be retained and assisted with the transition. No vote was requested, this was for informational purposes only. They are hoping to incorporate softer techniques for rainwater detention such as rain gardens and harvesting. The newly constructed affordable units will be kept affordable for 30+ years. Most all of the new market rate units will be 1 and 2 bedroom with the affordable units being rebuilt as they currently exist.
7. 7:55 Bike Austin – effort to fund the bike master plan and high-priority sidewalks through a potential mobility bond this fall, collecting individual signatures, and possible vote.
Presenter: Miller Nuttle, BikeAustin, miller@bikeaustin.org
Bike Austin is a local nonprofit that supports safer cycling in Austin. There is an upcoming bond election and Bike Austin is hoping to have the Austin Bike Master Plan and the Austin Sidewalk Master Plan both fully funded. He provided two maps showing the priority bike lanes and trails included in the master plan. OurStreets.BikeAustin.org is the webpage where you can find all of the information about these plans. A concern was raised about the order in which Bike Austin went about contacting neighborhood groups that might have created confusion concerning the priority of needs within our EROC boundaries. There was not a quorum so no vote was taken but Mr Nuttle was asked to return later.
NEW BUSINESS
8. 8:05 The Great Outdoors to discuss battle with City Code Compliance over a lack of Certificate of Occupancy. Presenter, Tom Tinguiley of the Great Outdoors, tom@gonursery.com
This nursery has operated at this location for 22 years but recently was given a citation for no certificate of occupancy on some of the buildings. The expense of making the required changes to the property would force the owner out of business but to not make the changes would cause them to be shut down by the City. Greatoutdoorsnursery.com is where you can find the online petition. They are in Sabino Renteria’s District 3 and working with him and the Mayor’s office on a solution.
9. 8:10 Update on the South Central Waterfront project, more information on SCW at www.austintexas.gov/waterfront
Presenters: Alan Holt, Principal Planner, COA Urban Design/Planning & Zoning, alan.holt@austintexas.gov
The SCW plan has been an ongoing effort for nearly three years and covers 32 private properties and 100 acres stretching from Hooters to Jo’s Crab Shack and includes the Statesman. Alan will be presenting the vision to the City Council with the hope that it will be included in the City’s Master Plan and fully funded en route to being implemented before the properties in question begin to redevelop without a framework other than what is outlined in the Waterfront Overlay. You can find more details about this effort and plan at austintexas.gov/waterfront. Under current zoning and waterfront rules we would get very few community benefits given that existing properties would be developed individually rather than with a complete vision. The SCW framework aims to add 300-500 affordable units, more contiguous open space, more rainwater treatment, more connectivity and better design. Currently this area is over 75% impervious cover and the SCW plan looks to address this through a variety of means identified by a team hired through an EPA grant. Concerned was expressed regarding recent flooding of this area and whether the additional density might be subject to or contribute to flooding problems.
10. 8:25 City of Austin Aquatics staff presenting info on summer 2016 aquatic programs
Presenter: Ashley Wells, Aquatic Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Ashley.Wells@austintexas.gov 512-974-9343
One of the top goals of the Aquatics Dept is to make swimming lessons and pool access available to everyone. Lessons are offered all the way to 7:30pm but not on the weekends. 650-700 lifeguards are needed in order to operate all the City’s pools. $100 signing bonus is offered to the first 400 lifeguards on the payroll and the certification training can be received through the City for $40. $8.25/hour for 15 year olds and $10+ starting at 16. Visit LifeguardAustin.com for more information.
11. 8:35 Presentation on City of Austin’s Neighborhood Partnering Program, administered by the Public Works Department. Megan encouraged the neighbors to continue brainstorming potential projects such as community gardens, trails, sidewalk improvements, park improvements, crossing safety, public art, etc.
Presenter: Megan Heynen, Neighborhood Partnering Program, City of Austin Public Works Department, Megan.Heynen@austintexas.gov, (512) 974-1173
First we pitch an idea and the program at Public Works would vote whether to approve it, then would manage it and see it through till the end. Cost matching funds are required from the neighborhood. Volunteer hours are credited at $24/hour towards the cost sharing, materials also count. There is also a grant assistance program to help you meet your cost match with another grant. Application deadlines are June 1st and October 1st. There is a $500 million dollar budget per year that is funded through your utility bill. Two projects mentioned as possible fits for this program were the Big Stacy eroded entry and the Little Stacy park redevelopment.
12. 8:45 Presentation on One Two East Development. Possible vote.
Presenter: Tracy Witte of OCEAN–Organization of Central East Austin Neighborhoods. tracywitte@gmail.com
OCEAN is asking for our support in speaking out against a proposed development on the East Side. It goes in front of Council on April 14th. You can read the entire document here. Please email Council with your thoughts.
13. 8:55 GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Presenter: Diane Presti, SRCC Vice President, vicepresident@srccatx.org
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We still need a volunteer to chair our neighborhood watch program, someone to take over organizing the July 4 picnic, an Area co-Coordinator for Area 2 and an Area co-Coordinator for Area 6.
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
