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WANG Minutes
January 8, 2019
Lions Municipal Golf Club
I. Call to Order – 6:40
Present: Reed, Edwards, Basciano, Kyle, Harris, Cannatti, Bennett, Tollett
Absent: Lill
II. Approval of Dec minutes – unanimous (Kyle abstaining)
III. Land Matters
A. 2608 W 7th (Maudie’s, Twin Liquors, Goodwill)
i. Joe Draker made a brief presentation to the Board concerning his proposal to expand Maudie’s as well as other changes to the shopping center located at Lake Austin Blvd, 7th Street, Newman Dr., and Norwalk Ln. Twin Liquors is also expanding to about 4200 sq. ft., and Goodwill is moving out. See Conceptual Plans below
ii. Twin Liquors’ owners are handling any zoning changes that may be required.
iii. Joe Draker (Maudie’s) has submitted site plan to city and expects approval any day. Maudie’s square footage will increase from 2300 to 4900 sq ft. Maudie’s will also operate its catering service from Norwalk side of the building.
iv. The WANG Board was not asked to take any action because no zoning change has been filed with the City.
B. 3307 Jamesborough – Neighbors are concerned about renovations being made to this lot. Because the renovation does not require any variances, no Board action is required. The primary concern is runoff and flooding. Arnold suggested checking the floodplain maps, which may affect the setback line.
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Meeting Minutes - DEC '18
WEST AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, December 4, 2018, 6:30 p.m.,
at The Contemporary Austin/Laguna Gloria Villa.
I. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM by President Holly Reed. Board members in attendance included: Mary Arnold, Joyce Basciano, August Harris, Haidar Khazen and Blake Tollett. Board members Elizabeth Adams, Joe Bennett, Mike Cannatti, George Edwards, Cathy Kyle and Craig Lill were not in attendance. Neighbors in attendance included Maureen Adair, Laney Henley, Samuel Hertenburger, Sara Madera, Brady Pedneau and Pete Wassdorf.
II. Approval of Minutes:
The October 2, 2018 Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously.
III. Neighbor Communications:
A. Pete Wassdorf expressed concern that the construction project 2303 at Quarry Rd. may be exceeding the height limits set by the McMansion Ordinance. There is also concern that the project may exceed the Floor-to-Area Ratio.
B. 706 Upson St. Construction—no report.
IV. Land Matters:
A. 3004 Bonnie Rd: A newly constructed fence is being inspected by Code Compliance as it exceeds the City’s height restriction.
B. 2608 West 7th St (Maudie’s, Goodwill, Twin Liquors development).: This shopping center submitted plans for interior renovation and re-orientation of the businesses. Maudie’s Restaurant will be expanding its facilities, and a zoning change is needed to move Twin Liquors to the west side of the center. Neighbors expressed concern over a request for reduction in parking, as this may overflow into the surrounding neighborhood. President Holly Reed will invite Maudie’s owner, Mr. Draker, to the January 8th, 2019 WANG meeting. She moved to ask the City of Austin to postpone an administrative decision on the site plan pending a visit from Mr. Draker. Mary Arnold seconded the motion. Motion unanimously approved..
C. 1503 Forest Trail demolition has been postponed to December 17th. The property doesn’t qualify for Landmark designation.
V. Transportation:
August Harris reported that scooters may be permitted on Johnson Creek Trail. Cap Metro’s Project Connect staff is doing Council District meetings. Council Member Alter has asked the Mayor and City Manager for funds to do a traffic study in West Austin. President Holly Reed will send a letter to City Manager Cronk, Mayor Adler, Transportation Department Director Rob Spillar in support of Council Member Alter’s request for a traffic study.
VI. Membership:
In the absence of WANG Membership Chair, Joe Bennett, no report was given.
VII. Newsletter:
The next newsletter will feature a reports on the Brackenridge Tract and MUNY Golf Course. Newsletter content is due by December 14th.
VIII. ANC Liaison Report:
Joyce Basciano reminded the Board to renew WANG’s ANC membership. Patricia King is the new ANC president.
IX. Treasurer’s Report:
In the absence of WANG Treasurer, George Edwards, no report was given.
X. Old Business:
A. August Harris gave an update on the status of the Brackenridge Tract. He will write a new Statement of WANG’s Position on the Brackenridge Tract development issue, with contributions from the Board.
B. Mary Arnold gave a brief history and an update on the MUNY Golf Course situation.
C. City Manager Spencer Cronk is designing a new Land Development Code process. At present, there have been no reports on his progress.
XI. New Business:
A. Suggestions for 2019 meeting spaces were considered.
B. Next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 8th 2019 at 6:30 PM at Lions Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse.
XII. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned by President Holly Reed at 8:20 PM.
The West Austin Neighborhood Group held its Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 21st at the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse. After weeks of rain, we were blessed with beautiful sunny weather, and opted to have the meeting outdoors on the Clubhouse patio.
Neighbors gathered to join W.A.N.G. or renew their memberships, and enjoy burgers and fries provided by Cow Bells’ trailer. Surrounded by youth golf teams practicing on the range and putting greens, we were reminded of our mission to save this iconic part of Austin from being destroyed forever. “Muny” as Lions Municipal Golf Course is known in Austin, was founded in 1924, and became the first public golf course in the south to desegregate. It received a Texas Historical Landmark in 2009, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. People throughout Austin have worked tirelessly over the years to help preserve Muny from being closed and the land developed, before its lease from the University of Texas expires in May of 2019.
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President Cathy Kyle addressing the neighborhood | Council Member Alter addresses the group on neighborhood issues | WANG Annual Meeting Setting up for the Annual Neighborhood meeting |
President Cathy Kyle
Council Member Alter
WANG Annual Meeting
District 10 Council Member Alison Alter told neighbors in attendance that the City of Austin and the University of Texas were currently in negotiations regarding Muny, but nothing had been agreed upon and the deadline for sending a letter of cancellation of the current Brackenridge Development Agreement was approaching rapidly. She advised all present to vote in FAVOR of the Parks Bond (Prop C,) in the November 2nd bond election. If approved this would designate money for parkland acquisition, which could be earmarked for the purchase of Muny by the City. CM Alter also encouraged neighbors to vote in favor of Prop A, Affordable Housing, and Prop J, which would require a city wide vote to approve any comprehensive changes to the Land Development Code. Council Member Alter answered questions from neighbors after she spoke.
President Cathy Kyle spoke to the neighbors about W.A.N.G.’s accomplishments during 2018. At the conclusion of the meeting an election for the W.A.N.G. Board of Directors was held. Board Members elected included Mary Arnold, Elizabeth Adams, Joyce Basciano, Joseph Bennett, Michael Cannatti, George Edwards (Treasurer,) August Harris, Haidar Khazen, Craig Lill and Blake Tollett (Secretary.) Board Member Holly Reed will take over duties as President in December, and Cathy Kyle will continue on the Board as our Past-President.
The West Austin Neighborhood Group Board would like to thank all the neighbors who attended the Annual Meeting, and extend special thanks to those who joined W.A.N.G. by becoming members or renewing membership. Your support will help W.A.N.G. achieve its ongoing mission to preserve and protect the integrity of our beautiful neighborhoods for generations to come.
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Order up! | Save Muny and other neighborhood issues | Cow Bells |
Order up!
Save Muny
Cow Bells
WANG Board of Directors & Committee Members
Organized 1973......"To preserve our neighborhood and protect it from deterioration"
- President: Holly Reed President@westaustinng.com
- Secretary: Cathy Kyle Secretary@westaustinng.com
- Assistant Secretary: Blake Tollett AsstSecretary@westaustinng.com
- Treasurer: George Edwards Treasurer@westaustinng.com
- Past President: Cathy Kyle PastPresident@westaustinng.com
All Current Members (click on name to send email)
- Holly Reed ............................member since 2015 (President)
- Cathy Kyle ............................member since 2010 (Secretary)
- Blake Tollett .........................member since 1994 (Asst Secretary)
- George Edwards ..................member since 2004 (Treasurer)
- Mary Arnold .........................member since 2006 (Muny Tract)
- August "Happy" Harris.........member since 2005 (Transportation)
- Michael Cannatti .................member since 1999 (CWANPCT)
- Joseph M Bennett ...............member since 2001 (Membership)
- Haidar Khazen .....................member since 2014 (Web Master)
- Craig Lill ...............................member since 2017
- Joyce Basciano ...................member since 1999 (ANC Liason)
Honorary Committee Members
- Honorary Mayor Steve Adler
- Honorary Alison Alter
- Honorary Kathie Tovo
Contact your City Council Representatives:
(click on name to send email)
- Mayor: Steve Adler 512-978-2100
- District 1: Natasha Harper Madison 512-978-2101
- District 2: Delia Garza 512-978-2102
- District 3: Sabino Renteria 512-978-2103
- District 4: Gregorio Casar 512-978-2104
- District 5: Ann Kitchen 512-978-2105
- District 6: Jimmy Flanigan 512-978-2106
- District 7: Leslie Pool 512-978-2107
- District 8: Paige Ellis 512-978-2108
- District 9: Kathie Tovo 512-978-2109
- District 10: Alison Alter 512-978-2110
Email All of the Council: Entire Council and Mayor
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by Wizzie Brown, BCE
Drain flies are small brownish-grey insects with two wings. They have fuzzy wings and bodies and when at rest, the wings are folded over the body making them look like tiny moths. This is why they are sometimes called moth flies.
Drain flies may be seen in kitchens and bathrooms near sinks or tubs. They tend to be more active in the evening. Female flies lay eggs in the thin film of organic matter that builds up on the inside of drain pipes. Larvae develop in the slime layer, feeding on fungi and other microorganisms.
Unfortunately, targeting adult drain flies will only temporarily solve the problem. To manage drain flies, the source should be located and treated to reduce the population of developing flies. To track down where the flies are coming from, place tape over one side (don’t cover the drain completely) of drains in sinks and tubs before you go to bed. In the morning, check tape for flies that emerged during the night to find out which drain(s) is/ are infested.
Once the drain is located, take a stiff brush and scrub the inside of the drain, following up by flushing the drain with boiling water. There is no need to treat the drain with bleach or ammonia. It may take several days to see a reduction of the adult flies once the drain has been cleaned; you have to allow the emerging adult drain flies to die. If you have drains that you cannot access to clean, there are biogels that consume the organic matter where they larvae develop. Read and follow all label instructions.
For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist
Wizzie Brown, BCE
512-854-9600
My Blogs: http://urban-ipm.blogspot.com/
https://agrilife.org/urban-ipm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanIPM/
Instagram: urbanipm, Twitter: @UrbanIPM
This work is supported by Crops Protection and Pest Management Competitive Grants Program [grant no. 2017-70006-27188 /project accession no. 1013905] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Send us your comments (letters!) and thoughts on any other neighborhood issue for our "Letters to the Board" section.......let's work together
Email us at WANG-BOARD@WESTAUSTINNG.COM
Click on the link (bar) above or on event below for more info of everything happening around Austin !!!!
- Boy Scouts of America Parade - Feb 2
- Cupid's Undie Run - Feb 9
- Austin Marathon - Feb 17
- Texas Independence Day Parade - March 2
- Spring Festival Season (including SXSW) Mar 8 - Mar 17
- ....and more
Austin Half Marathon 5K
February 17, 2019 * 7am Sunday
The Austin Marathon time limits are set to provide the safest and most positive race day experience. Participants in all distances will need to be able to maintain the average pace per mile in order to stay ahead of the streets being re-opened.
Austin Marathon = 7 hours (16 minute pace)
Austin Half Marathon = 4 hours (18 minute pace)
5K = 1 hour (19 minute pace)
These times make sure that runners are protected from vehicular traffic and have the support they need to successfully complete the race. Review the traffic guide and map for estimated times of roads reopening.
Athletes will be notified of event changes via email and social media. The Official Austin 2019 Marathon event mobile app will be released before the event date.
Emergency Numbers:
Fire......................................................911
Ambulance (EMS) .............................911
Police Dept.......................512-975-5000
SCHOOLS:
Casis Elementary School.............512-414-2062
Austin High School.......................512-414-2505
O.Henry Middle School...............512-414-3229
Utilities:
Texas Gas Service.............................1-800-700-2443
Grande Communications...................512-220-4600
AT&T (new service)...........................1-800-464-7928
Time Warner Cable (Cust. Svc)...........512-485-5555
Austin/Travis Hazardous Waste.........512-974-4343
