MAY 2004 - PFCONA "TIDBITS" E-NEWSLETTER
Pflugerville Council of Neighborhood Associations Pfolks and Pfriends,
This E-mail initially goes out to PfCONA neighborhood reps, associates, honorary, and pending members*...those interested in neighborhood / community issues...open dialogue...problem-solving...and solutions. Share "Tidbits" with your homeowners / block contacts / captains and affiliated organizations, to give residents something to TALK about (constructive gossip). See books, links, and calendar at bottom (upcoming meetings/events). If you like what you read or what PfCONA is up to, click here for a PfCONA 2004 Membership Application online ($10 by check or by PayPal online). Also, click here for archive of Tidbits, agendas, and minutes, etc.
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MAY 10TH PfCONA MEETING
The May 10th, 7pm-8:30pm agenda will include:
1) Main Topic: Neighborhood Issues - Subdivision Boundaries
Speaker: Matthew Miller, City Planning Department Analyst
2) Neighborhood Survey Questions
3) Downtown Master Plan Update
4) PfCONA Volunteer Opportunities & New Promo Materials
5) Mayor/Councilman/Chief Comments & Questions
6) Neighborhood Community Announcements
*See related newsbrief below.
Councilman David Seeker, Mayor Scott Winton, and Chief David Buesing (also interim City Manager) should be present at meeting to share information and take questions/comments from those attending. PfCONA meetings are intended for city/ETJ neighborhood residents and leaders. Bring a neighbor, family member, or friend.
Click here for past minutes of meetings. Meetings are always held on second Monday of the month.
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WHAT'S GOING ON IN PFLUGERVILLE AREA, NEIGHBORHOODS, & PFCONA?
In relation to the Pflugerville area...Deutschen Pfest time is here--Pflugerville's 29th Annual German festival. It is held every third weekend in May. See related information on the city's website.
It is also voting time. If you have not already voted or encouraged your neighbors to vote, then please early vote by May 11 or vote on Election Day on May 15th. Go to www.pfcona.org for voter reference and links to voting locations.
Spring Market Days ended up being cancelled due to the weather, but that doesn't mean that Pflugerville residents can't keep shopping at downtown businesses and those in the rest of the area. The latest news by the way on Periwinkles is that it will not completely close down, it will become Periwinkles and Friends, with multiple vendors and a new owner.
In relation to Pflugerville neighborhoods...everyone has been busy having garage sales including Mountain Creek neighborhood association in April, Parkcrest NA and Gatlinburg NA in May, and others. Also, at least 50 residents in Old Town recently met to discuss forming a neighborhood association and to discuss the Downtown Master Plan. Saxony HOA is signing up its residents as well as interested Pflugerville residents for its June 1st-May 31st pool season.
In relation to PfCONA happenings...The School Board and City Council Candidate Forums were held on May 3rd and 5th. Participants expressed that they were a success and each forum had a great turnout. They are already being shown on Cox Cable Ch. 10. See Ch. 10 for current schedule. Thanks go to all who assisted with preparation, setup, and takedown, including: Carolyn Graf, Pflugerville Downtown Association (PDA); Jacki Robertson, PfCONA/PDA; Carolyn Buckley, PDA; Bretta Herzog, PDA; W.C. and Barbara Kolinek, Jean Garlick, PDA; PDA; Retha Jackson, PDA. Also, thanks to the following for video production: Clay Leben, Gatlinburg; Louis deCuir, Willow Creek; and Michael Cohen. Special thanks to Carolyn Graf and Helen Mary Marek (Creekside Neighborhood Association), for serving as co-hosts for the evening on behalf of their sponsoring organizations.
The PfCONA Volunteer Pamphlet is done. You may have seen it at recent candidate forums and will at future meetings and booth opportunities. There are some at the Parks and Rec kiosk they have in their lobby. more neighborhoods, individuals, and businesses are becoming affiliated with PfCONA. Newest members are Gene Freudenberg, FM 685; Chris Re of Fairways of Blackhawk; and, Melynda Olivares and Steve Monfrini of Ridge at Steeds Crossing.
PfCONA will have a Deutschen Pfest parade entry on May 15 composed of a couple of classic cars with Get Out the VOTE effort signs and banners, including distributing leaflets to citizens along the route to encourage them to vote. Thanks go to Sally Gannaway and her husband as well as Rene and Eva Maldonado for use of their classic cars. PfCONA will also encourage people to vote via distributing information at the Police Department Deutschen Pfest booth. Regarding voting, PfCONA still has some Pflugerville VOTES! signs left for neighborhood leaders/residents to put out in their yards to encourage people to vote ($2 donation, if possible). About 50 signs are currently around town in various neighborhoods ($92 in donations has been collected) including: Arbor Creek, Bohl's Place, Brookhollow, Club at Wellspoint, Creekside, Gatlinburg, Katymead, Parkcrest, Saxony, and Willowcreek.
As stated before, PfCONA is requesting a supply of brochures from all city community organizations, including contact information, in order to make this information part of its Community Kiosk Project. Brochures would be displayed in kiosks around town and at booths at community events. As a result of the process of collecting contacts and brochures, PfCONA hopes to compile a list of all the Pflugerville organizations and is interested in calling a meeting (roundtable) of all organization leaders or their designates, as early as June 5th or 12th or during the Fall. This type of meeting could take place at least once a year or on an emergency basis. A timely topic is the revitalization of downtown pflugerville and Pflugerville's rapid growth.
Note: Send correspondence to PfCONA via: info@pfcona.org. Also, visit our www.pfcona.org website. PfCONA has had more than 18,000 visitors to its website since it was started.
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DID YOU KNOW...
...Immanuel Lutheran Church is celebrating 130 years...
...TxDOT has scrapped three general aviation airport site finalists...the Hutto, Manor, and Taylor sites are no longer in consideration. TxDOT will go back to the drawing board.
...Heritage Park Pool should open by July...
...Hutto has a gin site, too and its council race is about trying to diversify its tax structure...plans for an 18 1/2-acre town center may showcase the cotton gin and grain silos that remain on the land. "It's the jewel of our community", said a Hutto city council candidate in a May 6 Austin American-Stateman article. Other related comments by candidates included: "Hutto must diversify its tax structure. A city can't support itself with rooftops"..."We have to have commercial and retail business here to take that burden off taxpayers"...Hutto needs larger home lots to attract more expensive homes"..."A $100,000 home is not going to carry its weight" in property taxes"..."We're losing people because they have to move out of Hutto to get something besides a starter home."...It's our responsibility to build a community that can support those businesses and help them thrive. It's also our responsibility to build a community that the people of Hutto will enjoy living in."
...Leander council race is about how to bring new business into the city...Either you support loosening some rules to allow more flexibility for developers and businesses, or you support controlling growth through conservative zoning and development rules is what the candidates are speaking about according to an April 29 Austin American-Statesman article.
...Cedar Park election is about growth and taxes...candidates are talking about how to attract business; improve transportation, recreation and city services; and keep property taxes in check...thee council members in Cedar Park also have successfully opposed putting council members on boards and commissions according to an April 29 Austin American-Statesman article.
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UPDATE: DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN STUDY
Asst. City Manager Charles Simon, who spoke at a May 2nd Saxony HOA meeting, said the Downtown Master Plan will be on the city website by mid-May for citizens to review. Since the council approved of the master plan last month, the Downtown Planning Committee has met and is having its members divide into subcommittees to begin tackling at least four out of the eight concept projects that the plan is composed of. These would include the Pflugerville Branding Study portion of the project and the Gateway portion. Also, various individiduals have been appointed to the Pflugerville Downtown Planning committee as of the April 13th council meeting, including: Chuck Lesniak and Martin Martin, residents of Old Town; Sally Gannaway, Bohl's Place and P4 Grant Group; Carolyn Graf of Pflugerville Downtown Association; and, PfCONA Chair, Rod Reyna. Others include: Wayne Redd, Ron Sandford, Blake Overmyer and Chief David Buesing.
The primary reason for the master plan study called for by the City Council was to synthesize various past planning efforts and build on them in order to revitalize downtown and economic development. Because Pflugerville is at a crossroads, the master plan will focus on specific actions that are critical for the positive development of Pflugerville's downtown business district over the next 10-20 years. The implementation of the plan could produce a new City Hall complex, gin site redevelopment, former MoKan railroad site use, Pfluger Tract development, as well as interest in various private sector retail and office projects. Smaller projects could spin-off from larger projects.
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LIBRARY LOOKING FOR PFCONA REP TO HELP WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING IN FALL 2004
Bob Spoonemore, on behalf of the library board, has asked for PfCONA to seek out out someone who may assist the library with strategic long-term planning via four meetings in the fall of 2004. Anyone interested should contact PfCONA Chair by Tuesday, 5/11, or express their intentions at 5/10 PfCONA meeting, to serve in such a capacity on PfCONA's behalf.
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SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY COUNCIL RACE VOTING LOCATIONS
See www.pfcona.org main page for links to voting locations and reference sheets, including candidate Q&A on main page done by Pflag, Creekside NA, and PfCONA.
Candidates. Early voting ends on May 11th. Election Day is Saturday, May 15th.
City Council Race:
Mayor: Ron Beyer vs. Cat Callen
Place 1: Kurt Reece vs. Dick Batten
School Board Race:
Place 3: Paul King vs. Bob Settsinger
Place 4: Vernagene Mott vs. Sydney Parker
Place 5: Perrin Butler vs. Carol Fletcher
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CITY TO LAUNCH NEW WEB SITE
Look for the new web site to debut the week of May 17th. The new site will have many features designed to make it as convenient as possible for residents and other site visitors to get the information they need. Information regarding city services provided to residents, items being considered by the city council, and various ways to contact city departments and staff members will be easily accessible on the site. The new site will have many more city-related forms available for download than is available on the current site.
A new feature that will become available on the new site is the ability to accept online payments--so that payments to city court, utilities, and other departments can be performed over the internet. [Source: Pflugerville Pfacts - May 2004 City Newsletter]
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DEUTSCHEN PFEST AT-A-GLANCE
Deutschen Pfest opens at Pfluger Park at 5:00 p.m. on 5/14. The Czech Melody Masters will play from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Somewhere in Texas will play from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight. Admission for adults and children over 6 is $3. Children 6 and under are pfree. Bring the pfamily and enjoy the carnival, food booths, and live music! Deutchen Pfest information is available on the city web site at www.cityofpflugerville.com. Call 251-5082 to volunteer to help with this event.
Deutschen Pfest will be open at Pfluger Park on 5/15 from 10:30 a.m. to Midnight. Park at the Pflugerville High School and take the shuttle to the front gate of the Pfest. Admission for adults and children over 6 is $4.00. Children 6 and under are pfree. Wearing an official 2004 T-shirt will also serve as an entry ticket.
Deutschen Pfest Splash Saturday, 5/15, at the Pflugerville Pool from 12:15 to 8:00 p.m. Admission is Pfree! Bring your bathing suit and cool off at the pool!
Deutschen Pfest Pfun Run and Walk on 5/16 at 8:00 a.m. from Pflugerville High School. The 5K course is TAC Certified and open to runners, walkers, joggers, and strollers. Refreshments and pizza at the finish line. Late registration and Race Day registration are still available for $20.00. Register at the Pflugerville Recreation Center, Run-Tex (Riverside or Round Rock) or on-line at www.active.com. T-shirt is included with the registration fee.
2nd Annual Kids 1K Pfun Run & Walk on 5/16 at 9:00 a.m. for ages 8 and under. Late Registration is still available for $20.00. Call Parks and Rec at 251-5082 for information.
Deutschen Pfest will be open at Pfluger Park from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park at the Pflugerville High School and take the shuttle to the front gate of the Pfest. Admission for adults and children over 6 is $3.00. Children 6 and under are pfree. Wearing an official 2004 T-shirt will also serve as an entry ticket.
Deutschen Pfest Splash Sunday, 5/16, at the Pflugerville Pool from 12:15 to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Bring your bathing suit and cool off at the pool! [Source: City E-Newsletter]
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QUOTE(S)
"The whole purpose of democracy is that we may hold counsel with one another as not to depend on the understanding of one person but to depend on the counsel of all.
- Woodrow Wilson, 1912.
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NEW LINK(S) GOING ON PFCONA WEBSITE, ETC...
Texas Forums: www.texasforums.org. Texas Forums is a network of individuals and organizations working to revitalize the civic spirit of Texas and improve civic discourse.
See www.pfcona.org for other links available. Also, click here for "Tidbits" e-newsletter archive. Since the website is developing many helpful links, they will be split into categories in the near future.
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BOOK(S) YOU MAY WANT TO REVIEW...
Getting to Peace: Transforming conflict at home, at work, and in the world by William Ury: (1999).
Book description: Author of Getting to Yes. In every dispute there are not just two sides, but an untapped third side that can transform destructive conflicts into profitable cooperation. Peace is the defining issue of our time. If you have ever wondered what you could do to transform conflict as a parent or politician, manager or teacher, community leader or neighbor, this book can help. Our happiness at home, our performance at work, our very lives depending on getting to peace.
Click here for archive of past books recommended.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
PISD Community Forum on Next 5-Years Strategic Plan: Thursday, May 13th, 7p-9p at Connally High School cafeteria.
Deutschen Pfest: Friday-Sunday, May 14-16, Pfluger Park. See above for related info, including Pfun Run.
Deutschen Pfest Parade: Saturday, May 15th, down N. Railroad Ave to Main St., 11am (Children's Parade at 10:45 am)
City Council Election: Saturday, May 15th (during weekend of Deutschen Pfest) at 100 E. Main, Ste 500 (City Council Chambers behind City Hall).
U.S. Soccer Southern Regionals: Thurs-Wed, June 24th-30th at Travis County Northeast Metro Park off E. Pecan. To bring many teams and visitors to Pflugerville. For more info go to: www.2004southernregionals.com.
Pflugerville Downtown Association 1st Annual Golf Tournament: Sunday, June 27th. For info E-mail: duane@io.com.
Pflugerville Professional Firefighters Association 1st Annual Golf Tournament: Saturday, July 10th. For info call 848-9983 or E-mail drodrig104@aol.com.
Cox Cable Ch. 10 -- City Council Work Sessions, 6:00 p.m. on Wed., Fri., Sun.
City Council Meetings, 7:00 p.m. on Wed., Fri., Sun.
Note: See Pflugerville Pflag, City Newsletter, Cox Channel 10**, Pflugerville Library, or Bulletin Board outside City Hall for more Pflugerville news, event, and city council information. Also, see PfCONA website which also has current events and NewsBYTES on home page and other archived info. Or, subscribe to weekly Weekly City E-Newsletter by E-mailing city secretary at: webmaster@cityofpflugerville.com. City website is www.cityofpflugerville.com (city website will have a new look in the future).
**regularly updated unless there is a technical glitch
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Rod Reyna, PfCONA Chair/Communications Committee
info@pfcona.org
www.pfcona.org
PFCONA Member Notes: E-mail neighborhood happenings to PfCONA for sharing with others (or share at upcoming meetings). Neighborhoods are also encouraged to send stories to the Pflag.
*For those wishing to join or with memberships pending, $10 yearly dues (from January to December) can be sent to (checks made out to PfCONA): Attn: PfCONA Chair, c/o Pflugerville Police Department, PO Box 679, Pflugerville, TX 78691. Or, drop off to Michelle Pundt at PPD. Dues were initiated in January 2003 and renewals are for 2004 year.
posted by PfCONA @ 5/10/2004 02:12:00 PM
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