City and County Notes — October 2010

The Lake Travis Master Plan draft submitted in April by the Travis County Commissioners Court allowed for the possible sale of Tom Hughes Park, 12714 Hughes Park Road, near Mansfield Dam. The plan allowed funds from the sale to be used to buy parkland elsewhere. Residents circulated an e-mail campaign and spoke against this provision at public hearings in May. Travis County Commissioners and staff agreed with the residents to strike that portion of the draft from the master plan before approving it at the Sept. 14 Commissioners Court meeting. Visit www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/tom_hughes.asp.

Short-term home rentals banned in Rollingwood

At the City of Rollingwood’s Sept. 15 City Council meeting, the council prohibited the rental of residential property for periods of less than a month, effective immediately, under its Offenses and Nuisances Ordinance. The council said the short-term rentals “pose a risk of increased public nuisances, disruption of neighborhoods and criminal activity.” The short-term exchange of homes or rooms for money, as well as housing-swaps, where two families switch homes for a short period of time, have recently increased in the city. Neighboring residents have complained, and City Council decided this type of activity is “contrary to the long-standing and traditional nature and character of the community.” Violations are considered a misdemeanor and are punishable of up to $500 per day.

Council meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Rollingwood City Hall, 403 Nixon Drive. Visit www.cityofrollingwood.com or call 327-1838.

City adopts 2010–11 fiscal budget; calls special election for street maintenance sales and use tax

The City of Bee Cave City Council adopted Ordinance No. 59 to approve a $3.89 million operating budget for its next fiscal year and an ad valorem tax rate of $0.02 per $100 of taxable value was approved for debt service for 2010 to pay for bonds outstanding by the city.

A special election has also been called for Nov. 2 to reduce the municipal sales and use tax for road and street maintenance from one-fourth of 1 percent to one-eighth of 1 percent and to increase municipal sales and tax use from one-fourth of 1 percent to three-eighths of 1 percent for economic development projects.

For more on the budget, visit more.impactnews.com/9229.

Nitro Swim Center breaks ground

Mike Koliber, owner of Nitro Swim Centers in Cedar Park, is opening a second facility in Bee Cave. The new location will have all the same programming being offered at its Cedar Park location: group swimming lessons from 6 months old to adults, private swimming lessons, a USA Swim Team for ages 5 and up, a masters swim team for ages 18 and up and a summer rec team. The target opening date is spring 2011. Visit www.nitroswim.com.

Meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall located at 4000 Galleria Parkway.

Visit http://portal.beecavetexas.com or call 767-6600.

Lakeway Mayor Dave DeOme, surrounded by city council members and city staff, proclaims Oct. 5 as National Night Out in Lakeway.

National Night Out

At the Lakeway City Council meeting Sept. 20 Mayor Dave DeOme proclaimed Oct. 5 as National Night Out, a national program to promote public safety, in Lakeway.

Fiscal year 2010–11 budget approved

The Lakeway City Council adopted the city’s budget and new tax rates at its meeting Sept. 20. The tax rate will rise from 19.29 cents per $100 of property valuation in 2009–10 to 19.96 cents per $100 of property valuation for 2010–11. The average homeowner will not see an increase in taxes because there was a decrease in property value for the average home. Visit www.cityoflakeway.com.

P. Terry’s pending approval in Lakeway

Patrick Terry, owner of P. Terry’s Burger Stand, is planning to bring a fourth Austin location of his well-known burgers and fries restaurant to Lakeway. The Lakeway Zoning and Planning Committee received a presentation on the proposed site at 3311 RR 620 S. in Turnquist Plaza and got approval from the neighboring property—the condo’s homeowners association—but the information was not passed onto individual homeowners within the condominiums. The Lakeway City Council tabled the vote to approve the special use permit for a drive-thru because many condo owners showed up to protest this type of restaurant and said they had found out about the project the day before it went to council for approval. The location is zoned for a restaurant. Visit www.pterrys.com.

P. Terrys Burger Stand hopes to get Lakeway’s approval on a drive-thru.

Council meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at 1102 Lohmans Crossing Road. Visit www.cityoflakeway.com or call 314-7500.

Shortfall causes city to dip into reserves

West Lake Hills City Council approved its 2010–11 fiscal budget with a deficit of $622,167 Aug. 22. The shortfall means the city must dip into its general fund cash reserves.

Before the budget was passed, Mayor Dave Claunch said he was uncomfortable with the amount being proposed at the meeting—$ 801,463—as a one-time capital expenditure.

“These one-time capital expenditures are to rationalize our budget shortfall,” Claunch said.

Councilman Stan Graham suggested the council plan on budget adjustments once the final numbers are in for the 2009–10 budget.

The city had planned on hiring a city planner in the new fiscal year, which would cost $50,000, but decided to wait another year.

Council said Bob Rogers, the city inspector, had been helping with city planning in his role for the past year by working with developers prior to projects’ acceptance. While the council believed he has improved the process, City Administrator Robert Wood also said he was stretched thin trying to meet with developers, giving him less time for inspections.

The council is keeping the city planner as a line item so it could possibly be added to the budget later in the year if the city’s finances improved.

To download the city’s budget, visit www.westlakehills.org.

West Lake City Council voted against a sign variance that would allow Maya Pomroy to keep this mural at her store Brilliant Sky Toys and Books.

Brilliant Sky mural to be removed

Brilliant Sky Toys and Books owner Maya Pomroy may have to repaint the mural on her storefront within The Village at Westlake back to its original solid color. The toy store opened recently and got a sign variance to make its sign blue to go along with its name.

When Pomroy decided to hire an artist to paint a mural that would personalize and draw shoppers into her store, she asked the city if she needed approval from City Council. She had West Lake Hills City and Zoning Secretary Mark Littrell send an e-mail saying paint would be allowed. However, some City Council members were left questioning whether the intention for a mural was clear.

At one point in the Sept. 22 meeting, it seemed the council would approve keeping the mural if Pomroy would paint over the words “find your way to play,” but the variance was not approved on grounds that three of the five members believed it may set a precedence for other businesses wishing to have murals on their own buildings.

“I really like the mural, but I’m inclined to vote against this because it seems to open a door to other businesses,” Councilman Stan Graham said before casting his vote against the variance.

Endeavor’s Colin Bearden, who leases the storefronts in The Village at Westlake, had approved a rendering of the $3,000 mural prior to the artist flying in from Knoxville to paint the colorful mural.

City Council determined it would decide whether to reimburse Pomroy to repaint the wall back to its original state, since she went through the proper channels of asking the city’s advice before altering the outside of her store.

City celebrates secretary’s 20th anniversary

West Lake Hills Chief of Police Cliff Spratlan and City Secretary Jane Rogers grab a slice of cake to celebrate Rogers’ 20th anniversary with the city.

City Hall under construction

West Lake Hill’s City Hall is being updated and renovated to add space to the north of the City Council’s chambers for more offices for city staff. The deck that was beside the chambers has been taken down for a walkway to be built when the weather is clear. The entire project is expected to be completed in March 2011.

West Lake Hill’s city hall is undergoing renovations expected to be complete in 2011.

Council meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 911 Westlake Drive. Visit www.westlakehills.org or call 327-3628.