Long introduced Shannon Noble and Valinda Bolton, co-chairs of the July 4th Parade and Celebration. Wells Fargo has agreed to be a sponsor. The chairs described the planned events, encouraged neighbors to volunteer for judging, bringing watermelons and cookies, and to help with clean-up. They said it will go on rain or shine (last year’s event was rained out).

Eric Beckers of the Texas Forest Service gave a presentation on Oak Wilt, which has been identified in pockets throughout our neighborhood and affects all types of oaks. It often attacks through roots from neighboring trees although trees with cuts or wounds that are not painted are also in danger. Beckers cautioned neighbors to not injure trees from February through June, and always paint the wound. If red oaks are infected, they die. The post oak is resistant, and live oaks can fight back.

Treatments for oak wilt are difficult and expensive. These include injecting a fungicide (such as Alamo) into the tree and trenching to isolate roots from other trees. A diseased red oak must be destroyed. Call the Forest Service to check on any tree you have concerns about – they will split the difference if any treatment or removal is required. Find out more at www.texasoakwilt.org, or www.texasforestservice.tamu.edu, or call 473-3517.

Warren Struss, Acting Director of Austin Parks and Recreation, and Jay Stone, Assistant Director, discussed the issue of newly implemented charges for weekend parking in the Barton Pool lot on Robert E Lee. Struss said charges were imposed mainly to control dangerously crowded conditions; the charge was only to pay for staff and resources for this purpose. Parking for this lot, called the South Lot, will remain free on weekdays and weekends until 11 am, beginning in mid-March until Labor Day weekend. The pool is free until 9 am. The revenue raised by these additional charges is estimated to be $40-45,000 per year. The cost of staffing and other expenditures will be about $28,000, for a net gain of $12-17,000 per year.

Struss acknowledges that park visitors were now parking along Robert E Lee and Barton Hills Drive. For this reason, the city is now placing orange cones along these streets, which are marked as no parking. Neighbors at the meeting were concerned that the cones not only blocked bike lanes but also pushed determined drivers deeper into the neighborhood, creating unsafe conditions and blocking bike lanes further. Neighbors debated alternatives including raising fees for the pool, instituting a shuttle program, posting signs with information on where to find free parking, and ticketing drivers who park illegally. Struss said that PARD is considering a program to allow holders of the $180 seasonal pool pass to park free when parking is available.

In response to the complaint that there is trash left behind when park visitors park in the neighborhood, Struss promised to have a crew out on Monday morning to pick up any trash.

Long encouraged neighbors to get involved and learn about the city’s budgeting process and begin a debate about the larger issue of user fees. Struss and his assistant, Jay Stone, were thanked by members for coming to explain this policy and to listen to neighborhood concerns. It was agreed that Struss and BHNA would continue this dialogue and explore other solutions.

Scott Johnson presented a proposal to restrict parking in bike lanes. Currently, there are no restrictions against parking in bike lanes in Barton Hills. Some neighborhoods, including Hyde Park, have worked with the city to restrict parking on certain streets with bike lanes. He asked for support to approach the city to do the same along Barton Hills Drive.

Robbie Botto raised concern about the need for parents to park near the school and said he felt there are complex issues that need to be examined by a committee before taking action.

Mary Ann Neely moved to form a committee that can report back prior to the October meeting. The motion was seconded and carried. Johnson will head the committee, which will include Cindy Bogard and Robert Botto.