Minutes of July 07, 2000 VNA Board Meeting

Volente Neighborhood Association (VNA)
Board Meeting – Minutes by Erika Mott
7/5/00
APPROVED 8/1/2000

Board Members Present:
Lonnie Moore (LM)
Sallie McLaughlin (SM)
Jerry Mills (JM)
Catriona Smith (CS)
Erika Mott (EM)
Walt Thompson (WT)
Sam Love (SL)
Anne Cole-Steichen (ACS)

Absent: Leo Slaton

Guests: Bob Tinstman and Mattie Adams

Call to order at 7:15pm.

Lm polled board members for any new agenda topics. None added.

Bob Tinstman and Mattie Adams gave an update on the pursuit of incorporating a “Village of Volente”. Mattie started by informing the board that there have been 6 or 7 informative meetings sponsored by supporters. These have taken place from Joy Rd., to past Riviera Marina. The purpose of the meetings is for supporters to get the facts out, and to define the pros and cons of incorporation. Bob Tinstman noted that the meetings included people who were not in favor of incorporation. They are not asking for signatures on any petitions at this time. Mattie expressed she is very much for incorporation, and is doing what she can to answer questions and gather information.

Bob then told the board that there has been a decision made to go back with the original map that begins out on Lime Creek Rd., ending at about Macks Canyon. Arrowhead Point subdivision has been purposely excluded because there has been expressed opposition in that area, specifically from the meeting at his house with several VNA board members, and that he thought the people in that area want to be in Austin’s city limits. Bob also said the septic systems in that area could become a problem in time. SM interjected that she was at that meeting Bob referenced, and that was not what she got out of it. WT also expressed that no one at that meeting was speaking for anyone but him or herself. He also wanted to clarify that at that meeting he didn’t say he wanted to be in City of Austin (COA). He said he didn’t want to be in COA, but even more, he didn’t want to be part of an incorporated Village of Volente. If he had to choose, he would rather be in COA. WT also expressed that he feels like the VG information meetings are one sided, and he thinks there needs to be a larger meeting where both sides are represented, and residents are given an opportunity to speak.

Bob continued with some more information about where the process is going from their end. He said there has been some discussion of creating a PAC to raise funds for incorporation, but nothing done yet. John Shipley has said he would like to phase out of the incorporation issue, and let the residents continue it without him so he can focus back on his development. SL said he would step in and take over if John chooses to give up the lead role. Bob said there has been no response from COA yet on the letter John wrote. He also said there have not been any signatures requested on petitions yet, to the best of his knowledge, but they are moving in that direction to start that soon. They are working towards the goal of a November, or probably January election. Bob also mentioned that Terry Keel has been on the COA about this issue. After January they feel it will be a useless effort because the legislature will not be in session.

Minutes of the 6/6/00 meeting were reviewed. LM made one correction after verifying it with Mattie and Bob. SL had reported at the last meeting that “They are starting to solicit signatures on petitions asking COA to release designated area from the ETJ” , however that was incorrect, and the sentence was removed. SL made a motion to accept the minutes with correction, and it was seconded by JM. The board voted unanimously in favor.

ACS reported we have $3,930.14 in the account.

JM gave a report for the Lake Travis Committee. Lake Travis Advisory Panel (LTAP) had a meeting, and the board members were asked by LCRA to stay until the end of the year. They have run an ad in the Austin American Statesman to find people to replace the members who are not returning next year. JM said for those interested should contact Suzanne Zarling for more information. There will be another meeting of the LTAP on 7/18/00 at Buchanan Dam to discuss the topic of building 4 reservoirs in that general area. The proposed reservoirs are estimated to cost $800 million to $1 billion dollars. It would be created to increase the water in the Colorado Basin for the farmers and San Antonio. Lake Travis is still estimated to be at 642 by December, it is at approximately 649 right now. Leo has made some calls about the Cypress Creek Marina dry stack addition. He told JM that they have not returned his calls yet. JM said someone told him they have been red tagged twice, and have chosen to disregard the violations. He thinks they will probably continue construction, get the project done, and if no one sues they got what they wanted. Jim Richardson told JM he did not know about the dry stack going in. On another note, LCRA has approved the 30 year extension on the lease with Emerald Point/Carlos N’ Charlie’s land. Also, there has been nothing from the LCRA regarding the marina ordinance committee that was to be formed.

WT asked if there would be a report from the incorporation committee. ASC said since she has been out of town, and the committee has not met outside of the VNA board meetings, they didn’t really have anything to report. There was a meeting at Bob Tinstman’s house on 6/20/00. Those present at that meeting were LM, WT, SM, CS, EM, John Shipley, Mattie Adams and Bob Tinstman. The meeting was to put all the issues on the table, and discuss what was myth, and truth. ACS did report that there have been 7 meetings to be exact, and that there have been less than 50 people in attendance between them. WT added that there have been 3 meetings of residents who are opposed, there have been more than 20 in attendance at each of those, but probably less than 50 different people all together. WT also said with or without the VNA, he favors holding a larger meeting to inform people of the down side of incorporation.

Still on the subject of incorporation, we moved on to the subject of the newsletter. LM asked what forum it should be in, questions and answers, or what. CS said she didn’t really care for the questions and answers format because the two sides don’t have the same pros and cons. LM asked her what she would prefer, and she said she liked the idea he had earlier of having both sides be allowed equal space to provide their position. SL asked who would write such entry, and CS said she would volunteer to do that. SL said he was opposed to that because he didn’t want someone who can’t vote in the US, (because she is not a US citizen), to publish an opinion for the VNA board. EM expressed that she didn’t think CS writing a piece for the newsletter was to be representative of the opinion of the entire board. SL said that was his opinion, that she should not write it because her opinion was too emotional on the subject. LM suggested we use information from John Clary on the process of incorporation, as a lead in to the issue, and have 2 guest speakers submit editorials to be published, one for and one opposed to incorporation. WT and SL are going to find people to write these pieces, and they are to be submitted to LM within 10 days. LM will provide other articles to go along with those.

It was discussed that a general meeting was needed to allow residents to ask questions in a public forum. It is estimated that a meeting will be scheduled in mid August, possibly at the Precinct 2 office by the dam, or the VVFD. LM suggested inviting John Clary, and 2 spokespeople to speak and take comments and questions in a timed manner. LM added possibly putting a straw pole ballot on the bottom of the newsletter for residents to send back and give their position on incorporation, SL said no.

SL gave a report for the Business and Development Committee. He said he met with Randy Redmond (Rick Redmond's brother and reportedly a principal in the organization) at Volente Beach to discuss the conflict between the residents and Rick Redmond. He is planning on having a meeting with Rick Redmond soon, and will report back to the VNA board. LM asked SM to attend as well, as a committee member.

LM reported 89 paid members.

EM reported back for the Roadways and Safety Committee on a problem mentioned by SL at the last meeting regarding the traffic light at the intersection at 620 and Volente Rd. She spoke with Bubba Needham at Travis County, and he said they are monitoring the traffic light there, and are doing all they can to improve that intersection. WT reported the potholes mentioned at a previous meeting have been repaired. He asked that his phone number be put in the newsletter for anyone with a question in the area of road issues. He also reported that FM 2769 would be resurfaced by the end of the month according to Travis County. WT is going to look into the Randolph street issue to find out whether it is going to be paved or not by the county. WT also informed the board of the signs on FM 2769 that mark the alleged area where the COA limited purpose annexed area boundary line is. Tim Davis put up the signs, and he told WT that they were installed as part of "an educational process". WT spoke with the state about it, and was told they are illegal, and it is a class C misdemeanor for anyone putting up signs in the ROW of a state road. This person also told WT they would be removed as soon as possible. SL reported the signs have been moved, were on private property, and would not be removed. Some board members disagreed with that, and WT said he would verify who’s property the signs are on, and if they would be removed or not. (Since this meeting on 7/5/00, the signs were removed on 7/6/00). WT suggested getting the community involved in a trash cleanup effort on the side roads in Volente. LM said he would put something in the newsletter if WT would put some information together. It will be posted on the internet, and SL said he would help WT organize the effort.

WT reported on the VVFD. There were 3 small brush fires over the July 4th holiday; all were started by fireworks. Lm reported that the commissioners have received a 5 year budget from the VVFD, and he thinks it is likely a tax increase will be pursued.

ACS reported that some residents have told her they want to see the “Volente” park be renamed the “Cy Adams” park. The park location is beside VJ’s, running along side Reed Drive. To get the park renamed the VNA, the VVFD and the ESD have to all agree, and send resolutions to Commissioner Sonleitner’s office. ACS made a motion that the VNA send a resolution stating “Volente Park”, part of the Reed Drive right-of-way deeded to the county in the platting of Lake Travis subdivision No. 4, July 1, 1939, be renamed as a memorial to Cy Adams who was a lifetime fireman in Austin and a longtime supporter of the VVFD.” SL seconded the motion. LM suggested we wait to vote on this until we hear what the VVFD and ESD decide because they are closer to the issue than the VNA. ACS withdrew her motion.

LM received a letter from Rick Redmond’s attorney, asking for an apology and payment of attorney’s fees for the distribution of an e-mail written by Roe Fleenor, and for asking residents for their opinion on the subject of Volente Beach. Two law firms have said they will take up the matter pro bono. LM’s attorney has written a letter back to the VB attorney, and does not expect it to go further than that.

WT asked what the intent of the VNA is when someone brings an issue to the board. SL said he thinks the role of the VNA is to be a sounding board and a conduit. He thinks it is to provide information, and point the people to the authority to contact. EM Mott said she thinks the VNA does what it can, but that is limited. She also said in some cases, such as with Roe Fleenor and Tran Thiet, that the way they pursued their issue was not in a manner she wanted to be involved with. LM said he has asked Roe to rethink his approach. He told Roe it would probably be better if he stuck to the specific issues at hand. He thinks if Roe takes this advice that it will help his case.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.

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