Allandale Neighbor

Apply Now for 2013 CityWorks Academy

If you have an interest in understanding how the city processes work, getting up close with city directors and staff, and eventually becoming an effective part of the citizen input process (through city committees or even neighborhood associations), then CityWorks is for you! Information is below, with a link to the application.

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Dear Austinite,

We opened the 2013 application process for the 5^th annual CityWorks Academy.  If you are interested in participating in this year’s academy, please see http://austintexas.gov/news/apply-annual-cityworks-academy-june-4-july-29-2013-0.

Thank you for your continued interest in the City of Austin.

Best

Patricia Fraga

512-974-2969

Austintexas.gov

Communications and Public Information Office

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Citizen Volunteers for Invasive Plant Monitoring

INVASIVE PLANT MONITORING ON CITY OF AUSTIN LAND: Training and Volunteer Opportunity

The City of Austin and the Invaders of Texas Program have partnered to train local volunteers on invasive plant species identification and monitoring. These efforts are in support of Austin’s Invasive Species Management Plan, the first plan of its kind in Texas and the second municipal plan in the nation. Volunteers will work with city staff to develop a base map of where invasive plant species are located on City lands, and that information will be used to prioritize sites for treatment or removal of invasive plant species.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is hosting workshops during the spring and summer of 2013. The goal is to train 180 “citizen scientists” willing to volunteer time this summer (starting June 10). Volunteer events will occur throughout the city and you can sign up for weekday or weekend shifts. Visit http://www.austintexas.gov/invasive to learn more about the project and find dates that work for you!

Attend a Training Workshop: Date: June 8 or June 9 Time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Location: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 4801 La Crosse Ave. Austin, TX 78739

Registration: Available through http://texasinvasives.org/invaders/workshop_results.php

This workshop is open to the public and free of charge. Lunch will not be provided, please bring a sack lunch or money to purchase on-site at the cafe.

Upcoming Cemetery Stakeholder Meetings

Dear Cemetery Stakeholders:

 

The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) will soon address long-term planning for the City's municipal cemeteries. PARD will solicit Request for Proposals for a Cemetery Master Plan in September 2013 for all five City of Austin cemeteries. Once a contract has been successfully awarded, the master planning process is projected to begin in January 2014.

 

PARD plans to host a series of cemetery stakeholders meetings in June 2013 with cemetery advocates and surrounding communities. The objective of stakeholder meetings for the Cemetery Master Plan Request for Proposal process is to educate the community about the master plan process, highlight the history of City of Austin cemeteries, provide information about existing cemetery conditions and gather community input and recommendations for the scope of work for the Cemetery Master Plan.

 

Introductory Community Meetings (two locations)

 

The meeting agenda will include the following three objectives: 1) offer a presentation on the history of Austin's municipal cemeteries, 2) provide an overview of the Master Plan process and timeline and 3) seek input or recommendations from the cemetery stakeholders about the master plan process. Following is a schedule for the two Introductory Community Meetings:

 

•             Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 2:00-3:30PM @ Carver Branch Library Meeting Rooms 2 & 3 (1161 Angelina Street, Austin TX 78702)

 

•             Wednesday, June 12, 2013 from 6:00-7:30PM @ Northwest Recreation Center Meeting Room 1 (2913 Northland Drive, Austin TX 78757)

 

Community Engagement Meetings (two locations)

 

The meeting agenda will include the following two objectives: 1) provide a review of existing conditions of each cemetery property and 2) seek additional community input for the scope of work for the Cemetery Master Plan. Following is a schedule for the two Community Engagement Meetings:

 

•             Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 9:00-11:00AM @ Northwest Recreation Center Meeting Room 1 (2913 Northland Drive, Austin TX 78757)

 

•             Thursday, June 27, 2013 from 6:00-8:00PM @ Carver Branch Library Meeting Rooms 2 & 3 (1161 Angelina Street, Austin TX 78702)

 

Kim McKnight, Project Coordinator and Cultural Resource Specialist, will be coordinating the meetings along with PARD Cemetery management staff. For questions or comments, please email cemeterymasterplan@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9478. A website has been established with information about the Cemetery Master Plan process:  http://austintexas.gov/department/cemetery-master-plan.

 

PARD looks forward to a great planning process.

 

Best regards,

Kim McKnight

Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training Available

Bruce Elfant, Tax Assessor/Collector-Voter Registrar for Travis County will offer Volunteer Deputy Registrar training/deputization on each Saturday from April 20 to May 11 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, whose Social Action Committee is sponsoring this event.  This is a great service to our community since so many people who would like to get deputized do not have the opportunity to go to the trainings at the Travis County offices during the week. Only one Saturday training is required.

Come get deputized to register people to vote!

    Austin Voter Deputization Trainings
    First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
    4700 Grover Avenue
    Austin, TX 78756

Grover dead-ends at the church. Park in the south side parking lot and follow signs to the office. Each week, someone will be at the office to show you where to go. Training should last approximately 1 hour, depending on Q&A.

    April 20, 2013 - 10A
    April 27, 2013 - 10A
    May   4, 2013 - 10A
    May 11, 2013 - 10A

PLEASE CHOOSE THE SATURDAY WHEN YOU CAN ATTEND AND SIGN UP SO THAT MR. ELFANT CAN BRING PLENTY OF PACKETS!

SIGN UP BY PROVIDING THE INFORMATION BELOW AND EMAIL TO: volunteerdep.registrartraining@gmail.com

Saturday you choose to attend (April 20th or 27th; May 4th, or 11th)
Name
Email address
Phone #

Thank you!

Informational Meeting on Curbside Organics Pilot Project

The Austin Resource Recovery department will be holding an informational meeting on the Curbside Organics Pilot project Thursday, February 28, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Old Quarry Branch Library (7501 Village Center). A postcard with more information about the meeting will be sent to everyone participating in the program however anyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The map shows the boundaries of the pilot project. The Allandale homes in the project are north of White Horse Trail and east of Shoal Creek. You can find more information about the program on the Resource Recovery's website here.

Information sessions on 10-ONE redistricting process

For immediate release:

Jan. 15, 2013

Contact:  Office of the City Auditor, (512) 974-2805

City Auditor to host public application information sessions for the 10-ONE redistricting process

Austinites interested in serving on one of two panels that will impact how the city is sliced into 10 new districts can attend some upcoming informational sessions.

The City Auditor will host five application information sessions this month to address questions about serving on a Citizens Redistricting Commission charged with creating 10 geographic single-member districts, and an Applicant Review Panel, which will review applications submitted for serving on the Redistricting Commission.

Each session is open to the public and attendees can obtain information about how to complete the applications and clarification on any portion of the applications. Attendees can also submit applications to the Office of the City Auditor at each of the sessions. Applications are due by Feb. 22.

Austin Energy Tree Pruning in Allandale

Austin Energy is back in Allandale pruning and removing trees near electric lines. This work is necessary to ensure reliable service. However, property owners should also be aware of their rights.

Before Austin Energy performs any work they will attempt to contact affected property owners. According to a letter sent to ANA, Austin Energy and their contractors will try to work with each property owner to reach an agreement on the work that will be done. However, I was told this evening about a situation where the city's contractor apparently pressured someone to sign a work agreement without fully disclosing the amount of work that was going to occur. After the resident complained, it sounds like the city it going to back off and work with them but I would urge you to be fully aware before you sign anything.

More information about this process can be found at:

http://www.austinenergy.com/Customer%20Care/Other%20Services/Tree%20Pruning/treePruningFAQs.htm

If you have questions about the process contact Craig Stoughton with Austin Energy at 505-7546 or Ray Henning at 322-6930.

David Mintz
ANA President

10-ONE districting website

City Auditor Kenneth J. Mory launches "10-ONE: Austin's districting portal" website

If you want to keep up with the City's redistricting process, check out the City Auditor's "10-ONE: Austin's Districting Portal". You can also get updates via Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustinAuditor and/or Twitter (@AustinAuditor). 

Imagine Austin: The Way Forward

From: webapp@austintexas.gov [mailto:webapp@austintexas.gov]
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 4:17 PM
To: sarah.lambert@austintexas.gov
Subject: Imagine Austin: The Way Forward

Imagine Austin: The Way Forward
Special invitation to partner with the City

How do we keep Austin affordable and prosperous? How can we better connect our community with healthy lifestyle options and easier ways to get around town?

We have a plan for this. Learn how your local government is moving forward aligning City operations and decision-making with the adopted Imagine Austin comprehensive plan. It is a big plan with big ideas and shared goals for our community. The Imagine Austin vision empowers us to work together to solve these issues together. Join us and learn how you can partner with the City as we move forward.

WHO: Austin community leaders, regional and civic partners, and residents

WHAT: Meet-and-Greet with the City of Austin's Priority Program Action Teams. Meet the key players working on 8 priority initiatives and contribute civically to Imagine Austin's shared vision.

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Informational presentations at 6:20 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. Each will cover the same information and last approximately 20 minutes.

WHERE: Austin City Hall Atrium, 301 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin. Free public parking available in the parking garage accessible off Lavaca Street from Cesar Chavez Street. Bicycle racks also available. Capital Metro’s Trip Planner can be used to find public transportation routes.

RSVP: Light refreshments will be provided. RSVPs requested to ImagineAustin@austintexas.gov or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imagineaustin).

Redistricting Application Process Forum – December 4

The City Auditor will host a public forum to identify ways to encourage participation in the Citizens Redistricting process and secure a large pool of qualified applicants that reflect Austin’s diversity.

Input can be provided in person at this forum hosted by the City Auditor on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Road, Room 325.

As required by Proposition 3, which was passed by Austin voters on Nov. 6, 2012, the City Auditor has initiated a process to secure qualified applicants for the Citizens Redistricting Commission, which is responsible for determining the boundaries of future Council districts, and the Applicant Review Panel, which is responsible for selecting a pool of 60 qualified Commission applicants.  This forum is aimed at providing the public an opportunity to provide input on the best ways to encourage participation in Austin’s first redistricting process and how to secure a large pool of qualified applicants that reflect Austin’s diversity.

In addition, the forum will include an opportunity to participate in breakout sessions to determine how to best identify applicant qualifications including relevant analytical skills, the ability to be impartial, and an appreciation for the City of Austin’s diverse demographics and geography.  

Input can also be submitted in writing via email to oca_auditor@austintexas.gov or by mail or hand-delivery at the following address:

Office of the City Auditor
301 W. 2^nd Street, Suite 2130
Austin, TX  78701

Additional information about the redistricting process can be found at the Office of the City Auditor’s website at http://austintexas.gov/page/10-1-citizens-redistricting-process.

ANA asking City Council to delay vote on interlocal agreement with State

ANC members are contacting City Council Members today asking to delay vote on agenda item #54 on today's council agenda. The item has to do with the City approving an interlocal agreement with the State (the Texas Facilities Commission) regarding the development of state-owned property under the State's Public Private Partnership (P3) agreements. This is of particular interest to Allandale because the State-owned tract of land at 45th & Bull Creek, where a proposal for a mixed-used development has already been submitted, is one such P3 agreement. The ANA EC members, and anyone else who so desires, is asking the City Council to delay consideration until after the Legislative session, as it is anticipated P3 agreements will come under scrutiny in the upcoming session.

Agenda Item #54, states: "Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement with the Texas Facilities Commission to participate in the Texas Facilities Commission's master planning efforts for sites located in the City."

You can get background information on this agenda item in an article in today's Statesman, "City wants to negotiate its role on state lands," by Laylan Copelin here. If you would like to join in on efforts to delay the vote, here is a link to a page that allows you to send an email all of your city council members 

Access to information on the City's special election

What follows is an email from the City of Austin with links to information the charter amendments, bonds, and referendum-intiated items on the ballot. You can read the Statesman's plug for the bond package in today's edition (click here).

Early voting ends Nov. 2 for general election, City of Austin special election

Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election and City of Austin special election ends Friday, Nov. 2.

The municipal special election includes 18 City of Austin propositions -- 10 City Charter amendment propositions, one voter-initiated proposition, and seven bond propositions. 

Registered Austin voters may go to an early voting location in the county in which they live to cast ballots.  Early voting and Election Day voting sites can be found at www.austintexas.gov/vote.

To help voters become familiar with the charter amendments, referendum-initiated item and bond propositions on the Nov. 6 ballot, information is available on Channel 6, the City’s government access station, and the City’s website, www.austintexas.gov/elections. For more information about the seven City of Austin Bond Propositions, visit www.austintexas.gov/2012bond.

For additional information and updates on the Special Election follow the City’s Facebook page.

 

Homes in Allandale included in City's Curbside Organics Collection Pilot

The following is an email sent to ANA's president from Austin Resource Recovery regarding a new curbside organics collection pilot taking place in part of our neighborhood:  

Dear Donna McCormick:

Austin Resource Recovery (formerly Solid Waste Services) is excited to announce that select homes in your neighborhood were chosen to participate in the City of Austin’s Curbside Organics Collection Pilot (see click here to see map to locate your area). In addition to trash and recycling collection, pilot participants will receive weekly curbside collection of food scraps, food soiled paper and yard trimmings. As the primary contact for the Allandale Neighborhood Association, we want to keep you informed on what this means for the selected homes.

*Why an Organics Collection Pilot?*

Nearly half of the materials that end up in Austin’s landfills are compostable!

Collecting organic materials at the curb will keep valuable materials out of our landfills, reduce harmful greenhouse gases and help Austin accomplish Zero Waste by 2040.

*What’s Next?*

In early December, participating homes will receive additional information, including helpful tips and guidelines for the new organics collection service. A green, 96-gallon cart will be delivered to homes between Dec. 26 and Dec. 29. We’ll keep you informed throughout this process and would like to work with you to help make sure residents have the information they need. We’ll be in touch in December with more details.

*Questions? *

Austin Resource Recovery is here to help. I’ll be your primary point of contact, so feel free to contact me at alexandria.bruton@austintexas.gov if you have any questions. By working together we can make this program a success!

Thank you,

Alexandria Bruton
Public Information Specialist/ /Austin Resource RecoveryI City of Austin
Office: 512.974.9216
Pager: 512.802.7617
Email: alexandria.bruton@austintexas.gov
austinrecycles.com

How do you want to vote?

Tom Linehan

There’s a big election coming up November 6. I am referring to the local referendum to decide on, among other things, how we elect our city council. The decision is whether to move to some form of district representation or keep the current at-large system. The two proposals on the ballot, the 10-1 (Proposition 3) and the 8-2-1 (Proposition 4), would increase the number of council members from seven to 10, plus the mayor. A crowd of interested neighbors attended September's Allandale Neighborhood Association General Meeting, where advocates for each made their case. Austin attorney Fred Lewis argued for the 10-1 plan and political consultant David Butts advocated for the 8-2-1 approach. Both Fred and David were on the city's Charter Revision Committee. If neither of the district plans receives greater than 50% of the vote, Austin will continue with its current at-large system. What follows are notes from the meeting with Fred Lewis' points listed first. 

Fred Lewis, in support of Proposition 3, where there would be 10 single-member districts and an at-large mayor:

• The city should move to some form of geographic representation. Austin is the largest city in the US that still has an at-large system.

• The current system is not very responsive. Moving to district representation improves the chances of people seeing their council representative.

Come See the Drawings for the New Central Library

Design Review on the New Central Library

Special Called Library Commission Meeting 

Come See the Drawings for the New Central Library 

Monday, October 1st, 7 p.m.
Austin History Center
810 Guadalupe Street
512/974-7400 

Join the Austin Public Library for a Special Called Meeting of the Library Commission to view the latest drawings for the New Central Library and to take a virtual tour of the public spaces planned for the redevelopment of the Seaholm District and the Lower Shoal Creek area. 

The presentation is free and open to the public.  Light refreshments will be provided. For more information please call 512-974-7400 or visit library.austintexas.gov.   

About the New Central Library    

More than 500,000 customers utilize the resources at the Faulk Central Library each year. However, the current facility cannot be expanded to accommodate Austin's population growth. In November of 2006 voters approved a bond to construct a new Central Library to replace the 110,000 square foot John Henry Faulk Central Library that was built in 1979. On December 11, 2008 the Austin City Council selected the Joint Venture of Lake | Flato Architects and Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott to design our city's New Central Library. On December 9, 2010, the Austin City Council approved an Architectural Building Program and a funding plan of $120 million for the New Central Library. On October 20, 2011, Council approved the Schematic Design (30% complete design) for Austin's new main library. Now this landmark project for our community has successfully reached the end of the Design Development Phase (60% complete design) of the architectural development process.