BHNA - June 26, 2001 General Meeting Minutes

Barton Hills-Horseshoe Bend Neighborhood Association General Meeting Minutes June 26, 2001
Call to Order	President Joe Gieselman called the meeting to order at 7:10. Sharon Slagle read minutes from the April 24th meeting, and approximately 35 neighbors in attendance adopted them.
4th of July Parade Committee Report	Noël Holmes, Committee Chair, reported that neighbors will assemble at the Barton Hills Market at 8:30 on the 4th, and the parade will start at 9:00. Dignitaries have been lined up—Sara Hickman will sing the national anthem, and Martha Schroeder, Barton Hills Elementary Star Teacher of the Year, will be honored--and most arrangements are in place. Noël circulated a sign-up sheet for volunteers to bring cookies and watermelon, and to act as parade helpers.
Report from State Representative Ann Kitchen	Ann Kitchen, District 48 state representative, reported on accomplishments from the recent legislative session of particular interest to the neighborhood, as detailed in three handouts attached to these minutes: her June 5th “Capitol News”, “List of Bills Vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry”, and “Actions of the 77th Legislature that Will Affect Many Texans”. Her recap included an update on her work to improve regulation of the Longhorn pipeline: bills that Ms. Kitchen submitted, which were supported by BHNA, were dead in committee; however, a number of provisions were added to the agency sunset bill. Ms. Kitchen expects the next legislative session to address safety issues associated with pipelines. She also provided an update on legislative redistricting work, which will produce a new district for Travis County: the Legislative Redistricting Board is meeting now to produce a plan expected in mid- to late-July. Ms. Kitchen expects Barton Hills to stay with District 48.
Report on City of Austin Water and Wastewater Improvements	Craig Bell and Jan Atkinson from the City, and Jim Meara from PBS&J reported on three city water/wastewater projects of interest to BHNA: Barton Creek Rightsizing Project—down-sizing of the interceptor that runs along the hike-and-bike trail. A liner is being installed now. The trail will remain open throughout work, which is expected to conclude by the end of September. Thousand Oaks Interceptor Project—improvement of flow from the Bee Caves Lift Station to the Treemont Lift Station and on to Zilker Park. Conceptual plans for work in the park are expected in mid-July. Robert E. Lee Interceptor and Barton Creek Lift Station—rehabilitation of the interceptor, which was installed in the 1950’s and is now deteriorating, and reduction of flow to the Barton Creek Lift Station and force main, which were built in 1977 as a temporary structures and do not meet current City standards. Three alternatives are under consideration now, including replacement of the Lift Station. Only one of the alternatives includes open trenching, which would affect neighborhood mobility.
Additional Committee Reports	Environment and Beautification: Craig Smith, Chair, announced a committee meeting scheduled for June 28th at his house to work on a handbook on advice related to neighborhood environmental and building codes, and he solicited volunteers. Transportation: Carl Newsome, Chair, reported on as-yet-unsuccessful efforts of the City, the Zilker Neighborhood Association, and BHNA to agree on a plan for traffic calming on Robert E. Lee. After general discussion, Mary Ann Neely moved that BHNA invite a city staff member to the next BHNA general meeting to describe traffic calming options and schedules and plans for getting full neighborhood feedback. Concern was voiced that this issue affects the entire neighborhood, not just Association members, and our next newsletter, which will announce a guest speaker on this topic, is not scheduled for distribution to the entire neighborhood. Robin McKeever offered a friendly amendment stipulating distribution of the next newsletter to the full neighborhood. Sandy Nichols seconded the motion, which was then approved. In other Transportation Committee news, Joe Gieselman advised that the paving of Barton Skyway will be delayed because of the need for replacement of water lines. Austin Neighborhood Council (ANC): Kay Killen, Chair, reported on ANC interest in affordable housing in Austin, plans for National Neighborhood Night Out, and a recently approved plan to improve city-wide transportation, and plan that includes the possibility of widening streets like South Lamar.
New Business	Joe Gieselman announced the resignation from the BHNA Executive Committee of Kay Killen, who needs more time to spend on her new business. Peter Hess will act as ANC representative until the next election of BHNA officers. Joe also announced that elections of new BHNA officers is scheduled for the October general meeting. He will appoint a 5-member Nominations Committee to draft a slate of candidates for that meeting.
Adjourn	The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Slagle Recording Secretary

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