SRCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Monday, November 7, 2016 7:15 PM
LIFE IN THE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
(formerly Grace UMC)
205 E. MONROE, AUSTIN, TEXAS
MINUTES
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.*
Presenter throughout: Gretchen Otto, SRCC President, unless otherwise noted.
2. 7:25 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. 7:27 Approve minutes from October 3, 2016 monthly general meetings (available at www.srccatx.org).
MOTION: Nancy Byrd / Betty Weed – to approve the minutes from October 3rd = PASSED 22 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstain
4. 7:30 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
5. 7:35 Committee Chairs reports
1) Parks, Schools, Environment–see item below; 2) Planning & Zoning; 3) Transportation & Public Safety–see item below; 4) Norwood; 5) Historic District; 6) Finance; 7) ANC*; 8) Communications; 9) CodeNEXT; 10) Executive Committee (5 min)
CodeNEXT – Russell Frasier – The Planning Commission is the “watchdog†over the hired consultant and planning department and made statements that they did not feel their input would affect the outcome of the process. It appears they are warning the Council of the perceived hurdles ahead. They would like to see how the new code compares to the existing code in terms of density. http://www.austintexas.gov/codenext and http://www.imagineaustin.net
100 Year Water Plan – Russell Frasier – The City’s Water Task Force continues to hammer out the details of Austin’s first comprehensive plan to address water needs for the next 100 years.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6. 7:40 Update on Sherwood Oaks/St. Ed’s University operations building/truck traffic issue
Presenter: Elloa Matthews, SRCC Area 5 Co-Coordinator, ellomail@austin.rr.com | Garret Nick, Secretary, secretary@srccatx.org
Since our last meeting, St Edwards brought in their master planning team for a neighborhood outreach meeting. Approximately thirty people, mostly residents of Sherwood Oaks, showed up for the meeting. A list of four questions were given to the group but participants mostly wanted to address concerns about past decisions and the current construction. It was suggested at the SRCC meeting to try to work with the City of Austin to force SEU to create a Master Plan in conjunction with the City. Part of the issue is that SEU is in District 3 but the affected parties are mostly in District 5. Pio Renteria has mostly stayed out of the conversation and provided no help. 25 questions were submitted to SEU and many of those same questions were asked at this meeting with very little response.
7. 7:50 Update on request for four-way stop signage at E. Live Oak and Alta Vista; similar work being done on crossing on Woodland at park; request for folks to join trans comm
Presenter: Betty Weed, SRCC member, bweed@austin.rr.com; Gretchen Otto
The effort to have a 4 way stop sign installed at this busy intersection is moving ahead with an initial traffic counting. The first change was to prohibit parking close to the intersection and that has improved the situation. The general feeling is that it will be difficult to install signs due to a variety of engineering and traffic concerns. Betty would like to vote on this issue next month given that the traffic study should be complete by then. SRCC members were encouraged to join the SRCC Transportation & Safety committee that works on these issues.
NEW BUSINESS
8. 7:55 Election of interim VP. Candidate is Dan Fredine. VOTE REQUIRED
Presenter: Gretchen Otto
Dan has lived on Upland Dr for 15 years and is an Engineer at Austin Water. Â Congratulations and a big thanks to Dan for volunteering!
MOTION: Claudette Lowe / Russell Frasier – to elect Dan Fredine as the interim VP = PASSED 22 for, 0, 0
9. 8:05 New nonprofit Odd Meter Collective seeking to provide low-cost housing to musicians in our neighborhood
Presenter: Robert B. Wells, Odd Meter Collective, 512-426-3304, rbw@oddmetercollective.org
Robert is the founder of Odd Meter Collective, graduate of St Edwards and grew up in Travis Heights. His family built the house in 1919 and he recently inherited it. The goal is to provide affordable housing for approximately six musicians with the initial target rent being $500/month and the future goal being a zero-cost residence. The immediate neighbors are aware of the concept but without the complete details they have no final stance and not everything mentioned appears to be possible given the zoning and lot sizes. The process is ongoing but he hopes to have residents on site in about a year. In a few months there should be an update.
10. 8:15 Ad-hoc committee for AISD parcel
Presenter: Gretchen Otto
There is an AISD parcel that is at the headwaters of Blunn Creek that is going up for sale and several SRCC members have formed an ad hoc committee to work on a proposal to acquire and preserve it. The parcel is off Warehouse Row near Wal-Mart. There was an open house for the property. If you would like to participate in this effort, please contact us.
11. 8:20 Ad-hoc committee for house relocations
Presenter: Gretchen Otto
This is a preliminary effort to address the recent and future issues surrounding house relocation.
12. 8:30 City Council item #53, changes to the rules for the Historic Landmark Commission, VOTE REQUESTED
Presenter: Gretchen Otto; Michele Webre, SRCC Historic District Committee Chair (10 min)
This item is being postponed because the City Council postponed it.
8:40 GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Greater South River City Neighborhood Planning Contact Team Meeting Nov 15
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We need volunteers for several open positions
neighborhood watch program organizer
Special Events Chair to organize the July 4 picnic and annual potluck
Newsletter Editor
more folks interested in helping on transportation committee.
NEWSLETTER–should have been delivered to every single home! Please alert me if you
have not received.
Austin Monitor discount: SRCC16 for 20% off subscription
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
