All board members present
Visitors: Ann and Bob Steichen.

Update on VNA/Volente Sign (Ann Cole-Steichen) - Finding a home for the sign (Sun Signs provided logo idea w/ boat and sunset). CS discussed conversation with Anderson Mill Marina (Henry) and will be meeting with him this week to show him the sign and find location on his property.

Poll members for additional agenda items:
· Potential for Todd Baxter (new commissioner for Precinct 2) meeting with Volente neighborhood.
· SOV neighborhood association.

Minutes of previous board meeting (CS).
WT update on responses for minutes approval. Leo, Connie, Jerry, Walt approved on-line. If no email within 5 days then do we assume that member approves? If majority of board approves then they will be posted on-line.
CS will change from draft to approved on web-page.

Treasurer’s report
$4,158.60.
WT made a motion and KB seconded that board fund $50 for putting up sign.

Standing Committees – reports

1. Lake Travis Committee – CS (chair), JM, LS
Update on lake drawdown issues – CS has no update other than LM emails and info on www.volente.org. WT briefly described current and proposed lake drawdown procedures. VNA position would be that we support the dual drawdown proposal. LCRA are currently taking comments so should VNA write supporting opinion? JM noted that LCRA board is made up of several rice farmers and some who live in Bastrop and so might not be amenable to proposed drawdowns. JM also wants to add comments that LCRA speed up building of off-river reservoirs. KB made motion (JM seconded) that WT write letter to LCRA expressing our opinion. All in favor.

Lake Drawdown Procedures – LCRA Water Management Plan: March through September each year when the rice farmers are calling for releases of water from storage to provide the large volume of water needed for crop irrigation.

Traditionally, the rice irrigation releases have been satisfied by first drawing down Lake Travis. Then, in mid to late July, irrigation releases are taken from Lake Buchanan. The reasons for this procedure include LCRA internal financial considerations, such as keeping Travis low in order to catch rain events on the Llano or Pedernales and thereby avoiding a spill.

The policy of drawing down Travis first does not consider the effect of low water conditions on the lakes themselves. In 1993, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a study, partially funded by LCRA, of boating visitation to the Highland Lakes, that found three things to be true;
(1) Boating visitation to the Highland Lakes contributed $266 million each year and 3,300 jobs to the state's economy,
(2) most of this economic activity took place on Lake Travis, and
(3) low water conditions reduced boating visitations and their economic benefits by some 45%.

The value of the lakes' boating recreation economy has grown to at least $300 million since 1993, and that growth has been concentrated on Lake Travis, which currently has fifty public marinas.

Representatives of Lake Travis on the WMP advisory group are proposing that the drawdown procedure be changed. Their proposal is that LCRA draw down both reservoir lakes at the same time, so that neither lake must suffer the adverse consequences of low water conditions for the entire boating season.

2. Business/Development Committee – LS (chair), KB, & Lonnie Moore

Twin Creeks update – LM email of 10/2/01

1) the developer continues to refuse to return my calls, faxes, etc. requesting  a meeting of my engineer with his engineers;
2) the developer launched ahead with construction of the main detention pond - I believe the reason is he wants to start/complete construction to make it harder to do anything about the fact that the design is faulty;
3) I attended the PLTA board of directors September meeting and brought them up to date. Bob Vann, PLTA President, had previously asked the PLTA attorney to research the issue of LCRA "delegating" its authority via interlocal agreements to entities such as City of Cedar Park. The has
not rendered any opinion at this time. At the board meeting, Bob Vann asked the board for their support for having the PLTA attorney continue to pursue the issue as it has implications even beyond Twin Creeks. After the meeting, one of the board members had me e-mail him more information, but I have not heard anything further from anyone.
4) Nothing has moved forward with Travis County regarding using fiscal sureties to ensure BMP compliance - it will be up to me or someone to continue to pursue this issue. Karen Sonleitner made it clear that anything done would not be retroactive and would not have an effect on Twin Creeks.
If this idea is worth pursuing, I am hoping PLTA will pick up on it as it affects every new  development in our watershed

Results of Volente business review – LS email to WT saying that business list on web was not advertisements, but informational links; discussion is whether the businesses listed are physically located in Volente or not. Does this increase “usefulness” of volente.org? Board has no further issues with the business list. CC wanted to know how to add her business to the list – she will contact LM.

3. Membership Committee – EM (chair), EG, CC
103 paid memberships.
Comments on members concerns on the forms slips were varied – development density, water quality, trash pick-up.
EM is re-formatting the spreadsheet. Discussion on how many members we should have and what our mailing list is. WT described recent changes to the Route 3 mailing which eliminated some addresses on the upper end of Lime Creek and all on Travista. Since VNA uses saturation mailing on Route 3, he sent the Aug. newsletter only to paid members in the   eliminated area. The Board agreed to cover the additional postage for those residents in the affected area. Commissioner Baxter has been added to mailing list.
The 34 residents outside of Janice’s route will be bundled and mailed for a little more $.

4. Roadways/Safety/Common Areas Committee – WT (chair), LB, EM
Decision on Park adoption – WT discussing Adopt-a-Park program materials left by Ranger Dan Chapman. Only requirement is for at least one service project for the adoption period to be completed. Cleanup, tree trimming, permanent beautification project or similar etc.
Adopt-a-Park coordinator – Dan will act as our field coordinator.
Travis Co. Parks will have a sign made to state that Park has been adopted by VNA.
VNA newsletter asked for volunteers from neighborhood for park work – so far have had a couple of volunteers.
VNA could probably do landscaping, brush cutting, litter pick-up and erosion control. Bulmaro cut brush at park when he cleaned up VVFD property. LB and KB will organize volunteer efforts.
LB asked whether we would be able to expend some money for plants etc. WT suggested VNA and VVFD ladies auxiliary might be willing to donate some. Also contact Anderson Mill Garden club to get advice etc.
LB motion that we adopt the park, set aside $300 minimum for native drought-resistant plants, and community relations committee will take stewardship of park. KB seconded. All in favor.

WT will call county on deterioration of Lime Creek Road edges through erosion etc. Safety issue. LB wants to clarify that Debbie and Davy were not repaved as indicated in SOV newsletter, they just filled potholes etc. They are supposed to be repaved in November but this is tentative and has not been confirmed by county.
 

5. Community Relations Committee – LB (chair), EG, CS, & Lonnie Moore
Next newsletter topics – WT suggestion that VNA need to put in significant business developments as information for community (e.g. VBC, The Crossings, condo developments etc.). WT wants to ensure that views are not slanted to come across as pro or anti incorporation. SB 873 was passed this last session, is effective 9/1/01 and it empowers county to do certain minor things re: road connections etc. JM will get copy and research what counties’ authority now extend to. Possibly put it on website. WT suggesting a theme for next newsletter which covers local developments.

Café Bleu called LB to ask if there was somewhere they could put up an advertisement for help wanted. LB suggested website, but general feeling was that this was not appropriate. CS suggested that it could be put up on a notice board in the new Volente Park. Community relations committee will address.

LB questioned whether she was to get updates on crime stats. WT noted that LM had given LB name and she should be getting those and get them to Lonnie to put on web.

EM update on Frank Carter’s property with trailers. Blue trailer at back of lot will stay and be rented, brown trailer at front is being moved to another property. KB asked if they were going to move trash pile, but no word on that right now.

EM stated Highland Lakes marina is up for sale still.

Any Additional items
· Potential for Todd Baxter (new commissioner for Precinct 2) meeting with Volente neighborhood.
WT has called Baxter’s office to see if he is agreeable to come and talk to residents of Volente. Baxter has already indicated that he will come and talk to the VNA. JM/KB suggested that we invite Baxter and co-host with SOV. Goal should be to get the highest attendance possible from the community. Board agreed that Nov. 13, 14 or 15 would be potential days to invite Todd Baxter to talk to the neighborhood. KB will inform/invite Mattie. WT will call Baxter to extend an invitation.

· SOV neighborhood association.
LS talked to Mattie Adams, SOV, and she did not want to come to an adversarial meeting. LB noted that VNA wanted to collect information and provide her with questions beforehand. LB suggested that we address questions to the Volente Wave and perhaps they will answer them. LB commenting that for example, VNA have not done much as far as checking that VBC comply with impervious cover requirements etc. LB wants VNA to support SOV’s pursuit of VBC and the planning/expansion issues. EM noted that Mattie has not been “attacked” by VNA board. She and Bob Tinstman have met with VNA board and were asked questions. EM noted that if they were representing the neighbors, they should be prepared to answer questions. LS point is that Mattie does not have to answer to the board. WT's intent in sending invitation to Mattie was to find out about the creation of another neighborhood association issue be addressed (see Mattie’s letter to Alpha Parks on www.volente.net), and for the VNA Board to learn about Todd Baxter’s earlier visit to Volente, which SOV sponsored. WT said he talked to Comm. Baxter prior to this meeting. Mr. Baxter explained the nature of his previous visits with SOV and ESD 14 representatives and he expressed a willingness to meet with other groups to get a better feel for the concerns and issues in the community. EM noted that VNA originally tried to stop VBC from getting a liquor license, and that is why Mr. Redmond feels strongly about not working with VNA. JM also  noted that VBC originally did not make any effort to communicate with VNA.

Adjourn 8:40pm