AUGUST 2004 - PFCONA "PFLUGERVILLE 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. If you like what you read or what PfCONA is up to, click here for a PfCONA 2004 Membership Application online (pay by check or PayPal).
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AUGUST 9TH PfCONA "TOWN MEETING"
The Monday, August 9th, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. agenda will include:
1) Panel Discussion/Citizen Input on Cap Metro Long Range Plan (Light Commuter Rail)
and Pflugerville's Downtown Master Plan (Train Depot/Visitor Center)
off E. Pecan in ETJ past Gatlinburg and before Northeast Metro County Park
4) Neighborhood/Community Organization Issues/Announcements
Councilman Pat McCord, Mayor Cat Callen, and City Manager David Buesing are scheduled to be present at PfCONA Town meeting to share information and take questions/comments from those attending. PfCONA Town Meetings are intended for city/ETJ neighborhood leaders and residents. Bring a neighbor, family member, or friend.
August 9th PfCONA Town Meeting will be at Pflugerville Justice Center at 1611 E Pfennig Ln. Purpose: For residents to learn about light commuter rail that Cap Metro may have in mind for the abandoned Mo Kan corridor; 2) to discuss Capital Metro's 30-year plan and Pflugerville's 20+ year downtown master plan (includes a train depot/visitor complex and parking); and, 3) to get feedback on what Cap Metro light rail has to offer the community. Gloria Ohland, a Cap Metro consultant based in California, will lead off a panel discussion that will include: Rick L'Amie, Cap Metro VP of Communications; Kim Williams, whose Austin firm prepared the city's Downtown Master Plan; Sam Archer, Cap Metro Asst. Community Director; John Hodges, Director of Facilities and Design; and, Rob Smith, Planning Director.
Ohland is a Senior Editor for Reconnecting America and is a co-author of New Transit Towns. Click here for a link to her bio. Reconnecting America is a new national organization formed to link transportation networks and the communities they serve. It grew out of the work of the Great American Station Foundation, which was formed in 1995 to assist communities with the revitalization! of historic rail stations as a way to both improve transportation services and bring life back to downtowns. Station projects have tremendous power to link transportation to community revitalization, and are often the first step toward building transit-oriented towns.
September 13th Town Meeting will be at Timmerman Elementary Cafeteria from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will be on the subject of Downtown Master Plan - Gin Tract/Pfluger Tract/Main St. projects. Resident, neighborhood leaders, business owners, and city leaders west of N. Railroad Ave. will be invited to this town meeting as project stakeholders.
September Town Meeting will be repeated on September 20th at Brookhollow Elementary Cafeteria at 1200 N. Railroad Ave. from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m...
Click here for master plan on city website, broken into six parts.
October 11th Town Meeting will resume at Pflugerville Justice Center from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Currently, what is planned is a State Representative Candidate Forum with those running for State District 50, which serves Pfugerville, invited to participate. Democratic Candidate Mark Strama has accepted the invitation and we are awaiting an answer from Republican incumbent Jack Stick's office. Dawnna Dukes, representative of district 46, running unopposed, is also being invited since her district includes a portion of Pflugerville. A suggestion has also been made to invite Congressional District 10 candidates and it is being looked into.
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WHAT'S GOING ON IN PFLUGERVILLE AREA, NEIGHBORHOODS, & PFCONA?
IN RELATION TO THE PFLUGERVILLE AREA...
The August 10th City Council Work Session purpose will be a discussion with interested citizens and developers regarding the change to the Subdivision Code requiring a minimum lot width of 75 feet (an increase from 70 feet). This ordinance was passed on first reading by the Council and is awaiting second reading.
The Austin Jockey Club is requesting an approval of change in location of their racetrack facility in order to build a one-mile Horse Racing Track with parimutuel betting off E. Pecan. The $15.1 million development would be on 200 acres of land past Gatlinburg neighborhood and before Northeast Metro County Park in Pflugerville's ETJ. If approved, permitting of the Austin Jockey Club is expected to take about 6 months and construction should extend for another 9 months. This means that the opening of the track will be in 2005. A 25,000 square foot clubhouse, 2,200 metal grandstand with overhang, 224 initial horse stalls (with room for 1,200) and four barns are included in plan. A hotel has also been mentioned, but is not part of application. It is estimated that 30% of live patrons and about 20% of simulcast patrons will be from outside the Austin area. The first year a total of 20 live thoroughbred race dates are projected and AJC plans to offer simulcasting every day of the year with the exception of Christmas Day. AJC is expected to employ 200 and have a $1.9 million payroll and collection of $173,600 in sales tax.
An old-fashioned Barnraising may take place on August 14th and 15th at Heritage Park from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Date and times are tentative. Call Parks and Recreation at 251-5082 for updated information.
Lunch with Cat: Behing held the First Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pflugerville restaurants. The luncheons are designed to provide a forum for the public to present questions and concerns about the city of Pflugerville to Mayor Callen. Pflugerville restaurants are invited to host a "Lunch with Cat" in the months ahead. Call Jack and Sandra Cochrun of AAA Storage, who are hosting the luncheons, at 670-0265, for location or to serve as a host facility. [Source: Pflugerville Pflag]
Travis County Emergency Services District #2 is taking over Pfluger Hall from the Pflugerville Volunteer Fire Department. Pfluger Hall may become a training center and perhaps Austin Community College classes may come to this center. Stay tuned. There are no definite plans at this time. PfCONA is trying to find out the details on this.
IN RELATION TO PFLUGERVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS...
National Night Out on August 3rd involved 63 block parties of all shapes and sizes and 4,500 people in all corners of Pflugerville. Block parties occured in: Blackhawk - 9; Falcon Pointe - 1; Bohl's Place - 1; Gatlinburg - 3; Mountain Creek Estates - 1; Cambridge Estates - 1; Old Town - 4; Creekside - 1; Mountain Creek - 1; Settlers Ridge - 2; Wellspoint - 3; Chisholm Point - 1; Parkview Estates - 1; Skyview Manor - 1; Windermere - 7; Springbrook Enclave - 1; Springbrook Glen - 1; Heatherwilde - 1; Parkcrest - 1; Brookhollow - 1; Katymead - 1; Saxony - 5; The Ridge at Steeds Crossing - 1. Other block parties occured but did not pre-register. NNO had state and local elected officials, city staff, fire, EMS, police (officers, deputies, constables), Citizens on Patrol, Victim Services, and McGruff going from party to party to discuss safety issues and community concerns. Creekside NA did a voter registration drive during its National Night Out and both Bohls NA and Saxony HOA each did a NNO Pool Party.
Neighborhoods with any photos/video, flyers used to promote or record their events should contact Cpl. Mike Clowdus at 670-5512. He will be submitting a scrapbook to National Town Watch, which recognizes cities for their efforts and participation. [Source: Crime Prevention, Pflugerville Police Department]
The following subdivisions have NWatch on the following number of blocks in their area: Blackhawk - 1; Bohl's Crossing - 7; Bohl's Place - 7; Club at Wellspoint - 1; Creekside - 15; Gatlinburg; 2; Katymead - 3; Meadow Park South - 9; Mountain Creek - 7; Park Place at Heatherwilde - 5; Row Lane Estates - 3; Saxony - 11; Springbrook - 6; Springbrook Glen - 5; and, Ridge at Cambridge Heights - 1. [Source: Crime Prevention, Pflugerville Police Department]
On another note, Blackhawk is conducting a food drive on September 18th on behalf of The Storehouse run by Jack and Sandra Cochrun. The Storehouse is located at AAA Storage off FM 685 and has served 2,000 individuals since it opened. Go to: www.thestorehouseofaustin.org for more info. E-mail thestorehouse@sbcglobal.net on how your neighborhood can help. They can also send you an Emergency Need List. Remember that the PfCONA Food Drive project is meant to involve neighborhoods on a rotating basis in helping area food pantries. If you wish to signup your neighborhood for this project as others have done, let us know.
IN RELATION TO PFCONA...
PfCONA is preparing for upcoming Town Meetings on the subject of Downtown Master Plan and State Representative Candidate Forums. It is also preparing to continue its Pflugerville VOTES! effort as Presidential Election draws near. Neighborhoods are invited to encourage neighbors to register to vote and to get out and vote.
PfCONA is being scheduled to speak as early as the August 18th at the Rotary Club Meeting. The Rotary Club had Jeff Coleman with State Farm and a Rotary Club Member, come to last PfCONA Town Meeting to discuss a possible "...of the Year" persons' Awards Banquet that the Rotary Club is considering sponsoring and is seeking input from local groups on the subject. It would include those who have been recognized at awards banquet throughout the year by other organizations such as PPD, GPCC, City, etc.
New PfCONA members this month are: S. Koester off Weiss Ln and the Talley's of Gatlinburg neighborhood, both via GEFCU. Newest Welcome Mug Program Sponsor is Jeff Coleman with State Farm at 15803 Windermere Dr. Please pass on this Tidbits newsletter to people who may wish to become aware of PfCONA efforts and possibly join. Or, pass on contact information to: info@pfcona.org regarding a potential PfCONA member.
s mentioned last month, PfCONA monthly Meetings are now named PfCONA "Town Meetings". Since they are meant for and involve neighborhood leaders, community organization leaders, and residents, along with city council and staff, they are being renamed due to the forums they have become. They are a monthly chance to gather and dialogue on neighborhood and community issues and concerns; especially, things that citizens want city council/staff to be aware of and vice versa. As a result, people get to network, offer input, problem solve, and come up with solutions together. The meetings alternate between community issues and neighborhood issues focus.
Note: Send correspondence to PfCONA via: info@pfcona.org. Also, visit our www.pfcona.org/ website. PfCONA has had 19,000 plus visitors to its website since it was started.
(24) Reduce Property Tax Burden
-Relieve residential emphasis
(24) Improve Community Identity
-Appearance of commercial corridors
(20) Discourage Sprawl
-Require new development to pay for cost of infrastructure
(17) Trail System Connections
(16) Encourage Infill Development
-Incentives for development close to existing infrastructure
(15) School Locations
-Acquire through development process to reduce cost
-Consider traffic safety in deciding on location
(14) Street Connectivity
-Between neighborhoods
(11) Large Lots
(8) Housing Options
-Diversity of sizes of lots and homes
(6) Parkland to population ratio
-Establish and follow
(5) 3-Side Masonry
-Four sides desirable
(4) Wide Streets
(4) Wider Sidewalks
(2) Traffic Calming
-Particularly around schools
(1) Wood (not composite) Siding
-Optional if installed as lap siding
Front Porches
Improve Downtown Parking
TX Racing Commission - Austin Jockey Club. Click here for webpage.
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DID YOU KNOW...
...Round Rock is proposing a 3-cent property tax increase (35.7 cents per $100 to 38.7) or an average of $50 more on next year's tax bill. Round Rock's proposed $98.3 million operating budget includes a 6.2 percent increase and would provide seven more police officers, seven new firefighters, and a new fire station for a population of 80,000 projected to grow to 97,000 in four years. Budget does not include any cuts to city services. A previously approved voter package will help pay for a new police headquaters scheduled to open in 2006; schematic plans for a new city hall complex; ongoing park, trail, and road improvements, and a southwest downtown renovation project [Source: Austin American-Statesman, 7/30/04]...
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) TRAINING
NEW PFCONA BLOG*, ONLINE GUESTBOOK, AND PFCONA NEW MEMBER HANDBOOK
WHAT IS ALL SYSTEMS GO!?
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QUOTE(S)
"...tackling neighborhood problems effectively requires engaged people and communities...neighborhood needs are not limited to the physicial side of revitalization--they also require the human connections, networks and share goals that underscore and sustain strong neighborhoods." - April 21, 2004 Neighborhoods and Community Engagement Forum by National Neighborhood Coalition
[Source: http://www.neighborhoodcoalition.org/]
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NEW LINK(S) GOING ON PFCONA WEBSITE, ETC...
Reconnecting America: http://www.reconnectingamerica.org/. Reconnecting America is a new national organization formed to link transportation networks and the communities they serve. It grows out of the work of the Great American Station Foundation, which was formed in 1995 to assist communities with the revitalization of historic rail stations as a way to both improve transportation services and bring life back to downtowns. These station projects have tremendous power to link transportation to community revitalization, and are often the first step toward building transit-oriented towns. Reconnecting America's three programs are: (1) Reconnecting America's Transportation Networks; (2) Center for Transit-oriented Development; and, (3) Reconnecting Rural America.
ConsumerFed: www.consumerfed.org/. This a source for consumer information! Consumer protection topics covered in this site include: bankruptcy, bioterrorism, terrorism insurance, guns, meat and poultry inspection, genetically modified food, Supreme Beef, drug safety, auto sales and service, electricity restructuring, Microsoft, broadband internet, telecommunications, digital divide, energy policy, energy efficiency, financial services, utilities, playground safety, transportation, health care, food safety, indoor air quality, insurance, savings and credit cards.
Food Safety: www.foodsafety.gov/. Consumer advice available on: disaster assistance; food handling; problem reporting; children/women/seniors; persons with immune diseases; product-specific and seasonal advice; and other websites.
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BOOK(S) YOU MAY WANT TO REVIEW...
New Transit Towns: Best-Practices in Transit-Oriented Development (12/03) by Hank Dittmar and Gloria Ohland.
Book Description: Transit-oriented development (TOD) seeks to maximize access to mass transit and nonmotorized transportation with centrally located rail or bus stations surrounded by relatively high-density commercial and residential development. New Urbanists and smart growth proponents have embraced the concept and interest in TOD is growing, both in the United States and around the world.
New Transit Town brings together leading experts in planning, transportation, and sustainable design -- including Scott Bernstein, Peter Calthorpe, Jim Daisa, Sharon Feigon, Ellen Greenberg, David Hoyt, Dennis Leach, and Shelley Poticha -- to examine the first generation of TOD projects and derive lessons for the next generation. It offers topic chapters that provide detailed discussion of key issues along with case studies (e.g., Dallas -- Addison Circle) that present an in-depth look at specific projects.
New Transit Town explores the key challenges to transit-oriented development, examines the lessons learned from the first generation of projects, and uses a systematic examination and analysis of a broad spectrum of projects to set standards for the next generation. It is a vital new source of information for anyone intersted in urban and regional planning and development, including planners, developers, community groups, transit agency staff, and finance professionals.
The Regional City: Planning for the End of Sprawl (2001) by Peter Calthorpe, William Fulton, and Robert Fishman.
Book description: Most Americans today do not live in discrete cities and towns, but rather in an aggregation of cities and suburbs that forms one basic economic, multi-cultural, environmental and civic entity. These "regional cities" have the potential to significantly improve the quality of our lives-to provide interconnected and diverse economic centers, transportation choices, and a variety of human-scale communities. In The Regional City, two of the most innovative thinkers in the field of land use planning and design offer a detailed look at this new metropolitan form and explain how regional-scale planning and design can help direct growth wisely and reverse current trends in land use. [Calthorpe and Associates is involved with Envsion Central Texas]
Click here for archive of past books recommended.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
Click here for overall Community Calendar developed by PfCONA.
August 9-12 & 14, 6th CERT Class (aka Community Emergency Response Team). Click here for more information. You only need to attend one week's worth of classes.
Barnraising on August 14th and 15th (tentative date/times) at Heritage Park from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call Parks and Recreation at 251-5082 for updated information.
August 16, 18-21, 7th CERT Class (aka Community Emergency Response Team). Click here for more information. You only need to attend one week's worth of classes.
School Starts: Tuesday, August 17th.
August 23-26 & 28, 8th CERT Class (aka Community Emergency Response Team). Click here for more information. You only need to attend one week's worth of classes.
Lunch with Cat: September 1st. First Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pflugerville restaurants. Call Jack and Sandra Cochrun of AAA Storage, who are hosting the luncheons, at 670-0265, for location.
Fourth Annual Police Department Open House: Saturday, September 25th, 1p-6p, at 1611 E. Pfennig La.
Cox Cable Ch. 10 Programs Scheduled:
City Council Work Sessions, 6:00 p.m. on Wed., Fri., Sun.
City Council Meetings, 7:00 p.m. on Wed., Fri., Sun.
Neighborhood Watch - Getting Started (TBA)
PfCONA September Town Meeting on Cap Metro (TBA)
Travis County Commissioners Court, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Tues., Sat.
Seniorcize with Ruth, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (30 min. - repeated), Mon., Wed., Fri.
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, Tidbits on Blog, Community Calendar, and other archived info. Or, subscribe to weekly Weekly City E-Newsletter by E-mailing city secretary at: webmaster@cityofpflugerville.com. City website is http://www.cityofpflugerville.com/. Also, go to PfCONA Member Listings on website to see what neighborhoods are up to.
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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 M. Pundt at PPD. Dues were initiated in January 2003 and renewals are for 2004 year.
posted by PfCONA @ 8/09/2004 02:39:00 PM
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