Minutes
SRCC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING Â (www.srccatx.org)
Monday, September 1t, 2019 Â Â Â Â 6:30 PM
Opal Divine’s Austin Grill (Best Western Hotel)
2200 S IH 35 Frontage Rd., AUSTIN, TEXAS
AGENDA
To be sure you get a vote, be 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. 6:30 Meeting procedures, etiquette, welcome & introductions of new members
Presenter throughout: Eric Cassady, SRCC President, unless otherwise noted.
Meeting called to order at 6:32 p.m.
2. 6:35Â Membership & voting announcements. Reminder that SRCC current dues status is required to participate in SRCC business and actions such as voting and making motions. Reminder of changes to bylaws regarding voting members of EC.
3. 6:40 Approve minutes from June 17, 2019 Executive Committee Meeting
Reminder: schedule for Executive meetings: 3rd Monday of the month; 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Location Opal Divine’s Austin Grill.
Proposed meeting dates through rest of term: Oct. 21, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, April 20
MOTION: Claudette Lowe/Eric Cassady to approve minutes from from June 17th EC Meeting. 11/0/1
4. 6:45 Report from the President: Volunteer opportunities, newsletter articles needed this month from committee chairs, logistics of motions coming from committees, yard signs.
Presenter: Eric Cassady, President
The SRCC President shared volunteer opportunities:Â SCA CDC Affordable Representative, Historic Preservation Chair, Outreach Committee Chair, and Co-Vice President, as Dan is resigning.
Dan described that the VP job doesn’t need a lot of knowledge ahead of time. The job entails receiving emails and setting the agenda for the meetings. This is a good role for someone who is interested in learning more about the neighborhood.
The Newsletter Chair asked for articles, especially from committee chairs.
Logistics: If we have a motion that a committee has already voted on, there doesn’t need to be a second when it is voted on in a general membership meeting. If possible, submit the motion in advance so that it can be included in the agenda and displayed during the meeting. This will help will help our meetings to run smoothly and end on time. A member of the EC said that this was a great idea, because there have been difficulties hearing at some meetings when there is a lot of discussion to create a motion. According to Roberts Rules, thee purpose of a second on motions does not mean that the person agrees to the motion. Rather, it means that the person agrees that it is worthy of being discussed and voted on in the meeting. If a chair brings a motion to the meeting, that means that the issue has already been discussed and the committee recommends an action. Further, it is not required that the committee vote be unanimous in order for the committee motion to be presented to the membership. Those who were not in favor of the motion can express their concerns to the membership when the motion is on the table.
5. 6:50 Committee check-ins on events/goals/issues.
Presenters: Committee Chairs. Â 1) Planning and Zoning; 2) Historic Preservation; 3) Finance; 4) Mobility–see item below; 5) Public Safety;Â 6) Parks and Environment; 7) Schools; 8) Communications
Planning and Zoning: The Chair of P&Z shared that there is a new private church school going in to the Church on Congress Avenue. They will need a conditional use permit. The Downtown Austin Development Alliance is coming to the October meeting to explain the SoCo Parking Study. The chair attended an Orange Line Meeting reported that he thinks the goal of this study is make a parking garage. Â
The P&Z chair will be meeting with the developer of 504 Sunny Lane.
Historic Preservation:Â The Historic Preservation Committee is reviewing several demolition permits in the neighborhood that were initiated by one person who is apparently also a realtor. The committee may contact her to discuss her plans.
Finance: The chair of finance shared that so far this year we have spent about as much as we have brought in. He went over the expenses listed in the Profit and Loss statement and some upcoming expenses expected for the rest of the year. We may be spending more than we bring in this year, however we have a surplus from prior years.
Public Safety: At this point there are three residents doing patrols in the neighborhood. There are some more people interested in patrolling, however some of the magnetic signs are showing a bit aware. The Chair of Public Safety asked if we could get some new signs. It was suggested that signs be shared. The finance committee needs a request in writing to budget for purchasing new signs.
REPORTS OF AD HOC COMMITTEES and REPRESENTATIVES
6. 7:10 Check-ins on events/goals/issues
Presenters: Committee Chairs/Representatives. Norwood; NPCT; ANC*; SCC*; South Central Waterfront–see item below; St. Edward’s; S. Central Affordable CDC; ad-hoc Land Development Code Revision
ANC: Our representative to the ANC reported that at the last meeting, the Land Development folks were almost unanimously against the current proposed changes to the Land Development Code. There was a discussion on Project Connect at the last ANCe, and they are interested in talking to SRCC about how changes in transit will affect our neighborhood. Â
Ad Hoc Land Development Code: The SRCC President reported that he has been working with the committee to get the letter sent to the CoA. (See item below.)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7. 7:20 Although fireworks are illegal in Austin, there is a city process that allows commercial displays to be permitted. Past displays have created problems for residents and their pets, and there is inherent danger of fire. It is being proposed that we ask the City to strengthen the permitting process to better protect the public. There is not any expectation that civic displays for community events on appropriate public property (like the Fourth of July celebration at Auditorium Shores) would be affected.
There is a lot of attention right now about the existing wildfire danger, and this makes it a good time for SRCC to weigh in on this public safety issue. It is anticipated that there will be a vote at an upcoming General Membership meeting to request that the City considers the need for safety for neighborhood residents, public input to the permit process, mandatory notification in the area to be affected, sound-level control, and cost control for these commercial events.
Link to City Auditor’s Wildfire Report.
Link to burn ban ordinance.
Presenter: David Swann, SRCC Member, expfc@att.net
Mr. Swann shared a possible resolution and draft letter that we might decide to vote on at an upcoming meeting.  Under the current process, the fire department has to sign off and the person who’s putting on the fireworks display has to get a special events permit through the CoA. Mr. Swann’s goal is for the CoA to review their current systems for approving fireworks permits and assure that they are sufficient to protect the safety and rights of citizens being affected. An EC member suggested edits to wording and Mr Swann welcomed anyone who would like to review and contribute to the exact wording of his draft proposal.
8. 7:35 During the September 2019 SRCC General Membership meeting, the membership voted to ask that the City Council not approve any new entitlements above existing base zoning or those entitlements outlined in existing PUD ordinances for the Statesman tract or any other properties in the South Central Waterfront plan area until the Council has implemented the regulatory and financial measures needed to ensure that the Austin community may realize the full public benefits outlined in the South Central Waterfront Vision Plan. This is a follow-up to that discussion.
Link to SRCC Planning & Zoning PUD Amendment Topics sheet for 305 S Congress.
Presenter: Russell Fraser, SRCC Planning & Zoning Committee Chair, russell_fraser@msn.com
The chair of P&Z shared what was approved at the last General Membership meeting regarding the 305 S. Congress Project (formerly known as the Statesman property). The President of SRCC has sent the document to the appropriate parties.Â
NEW BUSINESS
9. 7:45 Paula Kothmann has volunteered to fill the role of Mobility Committee Chair. She has been heavily involved in the SRCC ad-hoc Land Development Code Revision Committee (as Chair) and is familiar with mobility issues related to the LDC. (Reminder that both ad-hoc and Standing committees are to keep sign-in sheets and written minutes of their committee meetings, and can share them with the Membership Secretary to get them saved on SRCC’s Google Drive.) The executive committee needs to vote to appoint her to this position. [VOTE EXPECTED]
Presenter: Eric Cassady, PresidentÂ
Paula Kothman is not available for Monday night meetings until December, but has already been emailing the president & vice president regarding mobility issues and talking on responsibilities.
Motion: Carol Martin/Angela Reed to appoint Paula Kothman as chair of the Mobility Committee. 13/0/0
10. 7:55 Several months ago, Expose, an adult-oriented business on South Congress closed. It appears that the property was purchased by the owners of the Yellow Rose, they intend to re-open it as another adult-oriented business.
Presenter: Kim Lanzillotti, Area Coordinator, Area 8, kamerakim@gmail.com
Ms. Lanzillotti reported that she was contacted by a developer/engineer about the Expose property who researched code for the property. At that point it seemed several things had been done which would chanee the AOB, Adult Oriented Business, zoning designation. It is unclear if utilities were cut off or transferred to the owner or new tenant. At this point, the owners of Yellow Rose do not have a lease. Kim Lanzillotti and the developer/engineer are meeting with the CoA to tell them that they do not want an AOB at the location any longer. A member of the EC stated that they may need a conditional use permit. An AOB has to have security on sight, however a bar going in to the location would not require that. A neighbor reported that there have been more car break-ins nearby since Expose closed.
11. 8:05 Good Shepherd on the Hill (1700 Woodland, just east of I-35) offered to allow SRCC to use meeting space at their church, including General Membership meetings. This could provide some logistical benefits (such as parking, comfortable meeting room, etc.), though they do have a conflict on Monday nights. Let’s discuss the pros and cons, as well as how to gather feedback from SRCC members about the possibility of moving the General Membership meetings.
Presenter: Eric Cassady, PresidentÂ
The president of SRCC shared that he was approached about moving the General Membership meetings to Good Shepherd on the Hill. Points to consider–
- More accessible (no stairs)
- Kitchen is available
- Easy parking
- Newer & More comfortable space
- Tables available
- Moving location is disruptive
- Would mean changing to Tuesday nights
- Conflict with current location for pot luck
- Cost unknown at this point
- Unknown if wifi is available/can be shared
He shared that this was just exploratory at this point. We would like to poll/get feedback through any venue possible (website, Nextdoor, meetings, etc). We don’t want to lose membership, so we will proceed very slowly before making any changes. It was suggested that an ad hoc committee be formed to explore this possibility. It was suggested that we reach out to those who have attended meetings this year, as we have those records. A member from the committee that helped revise the bylaws shared that there are rules about where meeting could be held. The old bylaws stated that the meeting location was GMUC because SRCC has a long tradition with the church. When the current revised bylaws were written, the exact location was not specified, but criteria were identified: “set a consistent location within SRCC boundaries and regularly communicate the location to members.”. The suggested location (Good Shepherd on the Hill) would meet those rules. If you would like to be a part of the ad hoc committee, email president@srccatx.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SRCC currently has the following volunteer positions open:
- -South Central Affordable CDC Representative
- -Historic Preservation Committee Chair
- -Outreach Committee Members/Chair
- -Co-Vice President
Agenda Prepared by Dan Fredine, vicepresident@srccatx.org
Minutes Prepared by Mary Janecek-Friedman, secretary@srccatx.org.
