Volente Voice
The Newsletter of the Volente Neighborhood Association
August 2001
County Precincts to Change
If the current Travis County redistricting plan stays in effect, Volente
and other parts of northwest Travis County will have a different County
Commissioner as of January 1, 2002. The redistricting plan, which was approved
by a majority of County commissioners, moves a large number of voting precincts,
including Volente's, from the jurisdiction of Precinct 2 Commissioner Karen
Sonleitner to that of Precinct 3 Commissioner Todd Baxter.
While Volente's commissioner precinct would change, the plan does
not change the Precinct 2 boundaries for Justice of the Peace or Constable.
Thus, Volente will still be Precinct 2 for JP and Constable functions,
but will be Precinct 3 as far as representation on the Commissioners' Court.
It is possible that the Republican Party may mount a legal challenge
to the redistricting plan, but no such challenge has been announced. So
it appears likely there will be a new commissioner representing Volente
in January.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Todd Baxter has wasted no time in learning
about his new territory. He has already visited Volente twice, first touring
the area by vehicle and by boat and later attending the August meeting
of our Emergency Services District at the fire hall. Commissioner Baxter
has also offered to be the special guest speaker at the next VNA general
membership meeting (date not determined). You can learn more about Commissioner
Baxter on the Volente web site at www.volente.org/docs/baxter.html.
Volunteers Needed To Help Volente Community
By Lonnie Moore, Committee Member - Community Relations and Business
/ Development
As a former VNA board member and past president, I know how important
the contributions of individual residents can be. If you have just a little
spare time, an interest in your community, and perhaps a pet neighborhood
project you would like see taken on or your are "mad-as-heck-and-not-going-to-take-it-anymore",
please contact one of the board members listed below. If your interest
falls into a particular area, please contact the appropriate committee
chair.
LCRA Update
There is a new dispatch # for the LCRA rangers:
1 866 LCRA COP (1-866-527-2267).
Use this number to report any concerns you might have to do with
activities on Lake Travis (speeding, unsafe boating, noise etc).
Private Dock Regulations
LCRA is currently taking comments and suggestions from lake residents
for proposed Private Dock Standards. You can send comments to LCRA's Jim
Richardson via email (jim.richardson@lcra.org) or just give him a call
at 512-473-3200, ext.7637.
A tentative schedule for the private dock standards includes the
formation of a work group (contact Jim if you’re interested in joining
this). He anticipates the production of 2-3 drafts with plenty of opportunity
for public comments and then taking the final version to the LCRA board
in about 10 months.
Some of the items that will be discussed in the work group include
a registration system for private docks (NO fee involved!); an educational
program (optional) in conjunction with the registration, covering things
like the use of Ground Fault Interrupters (GFIs); a proposal that existing
docks will be grandfathered – with a phase in time for coming up to standard
(but remember these are just guidelines).
LCRA has indicated that the registration program will be phased-in
lake-by-lake, so that they have time to work out any database glitches
they might encounter and so that folks don’t inundate them with registrations!
They will ensure that any standards that are developed will be closely
tied to an identified problem, so that it is easy for folks to understand
why they are being proposed.
Boat Noise
LCRA has received a legal opinion regarding the issuing of tickets for
noise violations. The opinion is that LCRA has the authority to issue a
ticket that would be equivalent to a Class 3 misdemeanor.
The noise guideline for the Highland Lakes is 92 decibels, NO TOLERANCE.
LCRA is currently taking input on this standard based on the results of
two years of data.
In 2000, they tested 29 boats voluntarily and all passed (some after
a little modification). They had 18 noise complaints, and tested 14 boats
“involuntarily”, all of which passed.
In 2001 (so far), they have tested 5 boats voluntarily, all of which
passed, had 10 noise complaints and tested 12 boats “involuntarily”, all
of which passed.
So LCRA is asking the question, “Is the standard strong enough?”
At a Lake Travis Advisory Panel meeting in August, panel members
agreed that the 92 decibels should
remain the same, with no tolerance, but the test should be applied
to ALL engines simultaneously (currently they only test one engine). There
is generally about a 3-decibel difference between running 1 or 2 engines.
If you have any comments about this please contact Cat Smith by email to
lakecat@flash.net or call 250-0108 and leave a message.
Lake Clean-up
LCRA/Travis County Lake Clean Up is scheduled for Sunday, September
16 form 8 AM until noon. Travis County will provide trash bags, armbands
and T-shirts. A barbecue is planned at Emerald Point following the
clean up (optional). If you would like to help in the clean up of
Volente’s Wharf Cove lake access or Sandy Creek Park, please contact:
Erika Mott
258-6901 Emott@austin.rr.com
Walt Thompson 249-5802
navajopass@aol.com
County Park In Volente?
Although there are no identifying signs, the small triangle of land
across from the Fire Station and adjacent to VJs Cafe and bordered by Reed
Drive and FM 2769 is actually a Travis County Park. There are two
picnic tables and a recently installed trashcan provided by the County
at the site. The area is generally overgrown, unkempt, and usually littered
with trash. The VNA Board discussed options for improving the park
with Travis County Park Rangers in early August. The Rangers explained
the County’s park adoption program. The Board and the Rangers agreed
adoption of the park could improve its appearance and functionality.
The VNA Board would like to formalize the park adoption in September, 2001.
The short-term goal of adopting the park would be to improve its
appearance with a joint effort of Volente residents and businesses.
Tree trimming, trash removal, and general clean-up could be done in a day
of manual labor by individuals with a few rakes, loppers, and a chain saw.
In the long term, the VNA Board could coordinate with the County
in naming the park, seeking improvements such as landscaping and perhaps
dedication of the park to the many folks in Volente who have provided substantial
community service through formal organizations like the Fire Department,
Fire Board, Women’s Auxiliary, VNA Board, Fire Commissioner, etc.
Park Rangers are committed to assisting the effort and may even allocate
some money.
The VNA can assist but it will take individuals, groups, and businesses
to make the park something pleasing and useful. If you would be willing
to lead this effort or participate in planning or executing the work involved,
please contact one of the following Roadways/Safety/ Common Areas committee
members:
Erika Mott
258-6901 Emott@austin.rr.com
Walt Thompson 249-5802
navajopass@aol.com
Volente Beach Rumors
There have been rumors circulating that the water park at Volente Beach
was sold or leased to Wet & Wild. As of August 24, 2001, Rick Redman
stated that nothing at Volente Beach had been sold or leased.
Litter - Help Wanted
Litter is a problem in Volente. As you drive the Volente thoroughfare
(FM 2769/Lime Creek) and residential streets, you do not have to look hard
to find litter on the right-of-ways adjacent to roads. The State
does a pretty good job of picking up litter along 2769 on a regular basis.
The County occasionally may do some litter removal on Lime Creek.
However, the County does not pick up litter on residential streets in Volente.
Some concerned citizens pick up specific areas, however there is
no community effort. VNA Board members unanimously support establishing
a more wide-spread community-structured approach to removing litter from
common areas, including county roads/right-of-ways.
The simplest solution is to have a volunteer litter-pick-up coordinator
for each residential street in Volente. Coordinators would solicit
participation by their neighbors and determine the most suitable litter
removal method and the frequency for THEIR STREET. Coordinators’
names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses would be posted by
street names on the VNA web site. Long roads like Lime Creek could
be divided between several coordinators. The VNA Board would sponsor
an initial meeting with “coordinators” to discuss details and arrange litter
disposal with Travis County, if volume was more than could be added to
residents’ trash pickup. While the initial effort would obviously
take more time, a routine weekly or by-monthly litter removal effort might
be adequate.
The VNA Board welcomes all suggestions or comments in the subject.
If we do nothing, the volume of litter will remain the same or increase.
A little effort by some community-minded residents can improve the appearance
of Volente. The VNA Board would love to have a resident volunteer
as the overall coordinator of this effort with the Board in a supporting
role. Anyone care enough to do this?
Please address your comments to:
Erika Mott
258-6901 Emott@austin.rr.com
Walt Thompson 249-5802
navajopass@aol.com
Regular Monthly Meeting Notices
VNA holds board meetings on the first Tuesday
of each month at 7:00 PM at VVFD. Meetings are open to all residents and
participation is invited. Dates and times sometimes change, so check with
a board member or www.volente.org for the latest meeting information.
The VVFD Board of Directors meets on
the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
The ESD #14 Commissioners meet
on
the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
Fire Training - first and third Monday
of each month at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
EMT Training - fourth Monday of each
month at 7:00 PM at the fire hall.
VVFD Ladies Auxiliary meets on the
second Wednesday of each month - September through April only - at 7:00
PM at the fire hall.
Anderson Mill Gardeners hold Open
House at the Anderson Mill Museum on the fourth Sunday of each month, March
- October, 2-5PM, weather permitting:
Oct 28 will be the annual quilt display
Signage
In Volente, as elsewhere around Austin, there appears to be an increase
in the number of signs stuck on poles and in the ground near public roadways.
The signs advertising weight loss, easy income, patio construction, etc.,
are installed without permission from the city, county or state.
On 2769, maintenance crews remove the signs and send letters to the sign
posters requesting they pay the State a fee for removing the illegal signs
from the right of way.
The story is different for other roads in Volente. Travis
County maintains most of our roads and has no established routine for sign
removal. However, the sign posting along county roads’ right- of-way
(between 40-60 feet wide) is also illegal. If illegally posted signs
clustering Volente roadways bother you, call the number on the sign and
request its removal and express concern with this illegal practice.
If the sign owner does not remove the sign, the State prefers residents
NOT remove signs on State roads. The County has no problem with resident
intervention to include sign removal. Additional information is available
on right-of-ways and sign removal by calling TXDOT Road Maintenance at
331-5361 or Travis County Road Maintenance at 266-3314. We are not
advocating removal of realty signs that assist residents renting or selling
their homes or property.
VNA Membership
Ever wonder what the Volente Neighborhood Association
(VNA) is all about? Well, it was founded in 1988, and the purpose
of the organization is to implement, promote, or coordinate with other
agencies and programs for the protection, safety and enhancement of the
Volente Community. Annual dues are only $15 per family. This
money goes toward the cost of the quarterly newsletter and other expenses.
The biggest expense of the organization is the newsletter, which is sent
out to 600 mailboxes. All of Volente receives a newsletter, in an
attempt to inform residents about what is happening in Volente. Join
together with your neighbors, and be part of Volente’s community organization.
VNA applications are found on most newsletters and at www.volente.org.
VNA BY-LAWS
The by-laws for the Volente Neighborhood Association are available on
the Web at http://www.volente.org/
or you may contact any board member and they would be
happy to see that you receive a copy.
If you have not paid your dues for 2001, please
do so now. Help cover the cost of newsletter production and postage. Make
checks payable to Volente Neighborhood Association.
Name(s)
Street
City, State, Zip
Home Phone
Work Phone
E-Mail Address
2001 Dues Enclosed
($15/yr)
Issues/Comments:
Send to: Volente Neighborhood Association Erika Mott,
Treasurer 7407 Navajo Pass Volente,
Texas 78641
Make sure we have your e-mail address so we can notify you of meetings
and other happenings
Please visit our web site at http://www.volente.org/
Cafe Bleu Opens
Cafe Bleu is a new Mediterranean restaurant that has outdoor seating
on a large covered patio overlooking Lake Travis on Lime Creek Road.
The atmosphere is elegantly casual with soft music playing while you sit
overlooking Lake Travis and the sunset. The menu has something
for every taste with a full service bar and a large wine selection.
They are open every evening for dinner and lunch on weekends.
There is parking off Lime Creek Road or you can go by boat and moor your
boat at their dock.
Twin Creeks Development
Many Volente residents have been noticing the effects of large earth-moving
equipment on the upper portion of Cypress Creek north of FM 2769. The developer
has received most or all of the required permits from Cedar Park and Travis
County and has begun construction for an 18-hole golf course and hundreds
of homes. Concerned residents who live along Cypress Creek hired an independent
engineering firm to review the developer's plans for pollution remediation.
That engineering report shows that the current design will almost certainly
fail to properly control pollution. Herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers
from the golf course, as well as the polluted runoff from the housing,
will be washed downstream towards Lake Travis. VNA has repeatedly requested
a meeting between its engineer and the engineer for the developer to review
the findings, but has not received a positive response.
ESD Tax Rate Considered
On Wednesday, September 19, 2001, the Emergency Services District 14
Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting at 7:00PM at VVFD,
during which they will set the tax rate for 2001. The ESD taxes fund the
fire fighting and emergency medical functions provided by the VVFD. The
commissioners will consider lowering the actual tax rate from $.07 to $.06
per $100 valuation. Due to the higher property tax valuations this year
by the appraisal district, lowering the actual rate to $.06/$100 will be
an effective tax increase of 4.8%. The public is invited to all ESD meetings
and comments are welcomed.
Roger Shull Retires As Fire Chief
Roger Shull served as the Volente Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief
for 2½ years and put his organizational and administrative skills
to work for the department. He attended numerous meetings with other
fire fighting organizations, keeping us informed and up to date.
Roger will continue as a fire fighter for Volente, continue to contribute
his administrative skills to the department, and continue as a First Responder.
In his spare time, Roger hopes to put the finishing touches on the home
he and Jeanne started building before he became Chief and to have the time
to spend with their family.
Their daughter Kate, her husband David, and baby Sam are relocating
to North Carolina so we are certain that travel is in the Shulls' future.
Thank you, Roger for all you have done now and in the future!
Lou Fryler Retires
Lou was an Emergency Medical Technician, sometimes referred to as a
First Responder, for the Volente Volunteer Fire Department for over 14
years. He was truly a first responder, no matter what time of day or night,
no matter where, Lou was first to respond and offer aid. It was rumored
that he must sleep in his truck. Lou gave tirelessly to our community
and we all miss seeing his truck zip down the road. Now it's time
for Lou and Lois to take some time for themselves (maybe Lou can even start
sleeping in the house and not in his truck).
Lou - Good Luck and Thank you for all the years.
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