Executive Committee 09.08.08 Meeting Minutes

Present: All executive committee members

Mantissa developers:
Heidi from the Land Use Committee introduced Mantissa developers (office at 2008 W. Koenig Ln., 373-3888, contact – James Bridges) who have multiple projects going throughout the neighborhood (currently on Justin and Watson). They explained the way they do business and expressed a desire to work with the neighborhood [rather than going through the city as an intermediary via the issuing of fines]. They are approached by customers/investors for desired projects, and 80% of their properties are built for investors. They are from Houston and recently parted ways with their construction manager who, apparently, was responsible for a number of decisions on previous jobs that resulted in complaints (no front doors, worksite cleanliness, etc.). Heidi volunteered to work with them by offering suggestions at the design stage for maintaining neighborhood compatibility and providing feedback from the neighborhood on ongoing development.

Financials:
August +$460 ($10 new member, $450 advertising). Current balance: $7304.
Jerry requested that Tim provide the list of the current advertisers that were paid up at the end of each month in a particular spreadsheet format and Tim agreed to do so.

Bylaws:
Mike recommended that the executive committee read the current version of the bylaws that he e-mailed out and provide feedback to him.

NOTE: Eddie mentioned that he has not been receiving e-mails. His old personal e-mail does not work anymore. Use his gmail account for future correspondence.

Justin Lane Status:
Jonathan sent an email to City staff at NPZD to proceed with the amendment to downgrade Justin Lane from a minor arterial to a neighborhood collector in the Austin Metropolitan Area Transportation Plan (AMATP). Don pointed out that the existing neighborhood plan has a recommendation to downgrade Justin from a 4-lane minor arterial to a 2-lane minor arterial. Hopefully, this improper language will not be propagated elsewhere.

VMU Status:
The VMU application was revised and resubmitted following unanimous executive committee approval last meeting. Jonathan will call a meeting in next couple of weeks with the VMU committee to discuss the presentation to planning commission.

Survey Status:
Pam has not yet tabulated the results of the survey from residents in the neighborhood regarding the pedestrian and bicycle path along the Lamar side of the rail track. She indicated that she would have it done this month. Jonathan has met with the Bicycle Advisory Council and the League of Bicycle Voters, who support the trail.

Morrow Street Status:
City staff (the Station Area Plan (SAP) Council) is recommending to City Council that a study be conducted to investigate the opening of Morrow Street to west-bound traffic across Lamar [but NOT left turns off of Lamar]. Eddie volunteered to head the effort to meet with City Council to explain why the neighborhood is against re-opening up Morrow to westbound traffic. Steve and Dave agreed to assist.

Neighborhood Planning Contact Team Status and priorities:
A motion was passed to request that the Land Use committee list the top 10 priorities from among the recommendations listed in Crestview-Wooten’s combined neighborhood plan (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/wooten.htm) by the next executive committee meeting. Jonathan agreed to send soft-copies of the spreadsheet listing the recommendations to the executive committee members to review in advance. Don compared the spreadsheet with the plan and found a few discrepancies.

Future General Meeting Topics:
The possibility of a volunteer fair was discussed, or an “education day” where people can ask the various Crestview committees what issues they are working on. It was eventually proposed to have a future newsletter article listing the various unaddressed issues that face the neighborhood and request volunteers there.
Jonathan or Eddie will approach Mark Ott (the new city manager) or Laura Morrison (new city council member) to speak in October.