PfCONA TIDBITS - COMMUNITY ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS/NEWSBYTES (pass on to pfriends/neighbors)

MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING TO MAKE PFLUGERVILLE A BETTER PLACE:

Neighborhoods can help by sharing this E-mail (e.g., leaders/block captains/contacts) and by posting on their web pages or putting in newsletters. Also, collaborate with other neighborhoods, churches, community organizations, and city services. If you want to be part of PfCONA's 40-neighborhood plus network, go to: www.pfcona.org/HowTo.htm.

March 29th - PfCONA Special Event - School Board Candidates Forum

Wednesday Forum from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm or so at Brookhollow Elementary Cafeteria at 1200 N. Railroad Ave. Candidates will introduce themselves and their platforms. Questions will come from participating residents, neighborhood leaders, sponsors, and moderators. Jo Eubanks and Elva Gladney have filed for Place 1 and Dr. Cynthia Graves and Kenneth Thompson have filed for Place 2. Forum will be videotaped for showing on Cox Cable. Ch. 10 and a copy will be made available at the Library.

March 30th - PfCONA Special Event - Council Candidates Forum

Thursday Forum from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm or so at Brookhollow Elementary Cafeteria at 1200 N. Railroad Ave. Candidates will introduce themselves and their platforms. Questions will come from participating residents, neighborhood leaders, sponsors, and moderators. One candidate has filed for Place 3, John Welton. Two candidates have filed for Place 5, Sidney Hacker and Victor Gonzales. Forum will be videotaped for showing on Cox Cable. Ch. 10 and a copy will be made available at the Library.

March 30th - 2^nd Annual Caregivers Classic Golf Tournament

Thursday, March 30 at 1:30pm (tee off) at Star Ranch Golf Course is the annual Golf Tournament for Faith in Action Pflugerville Caregivers. Pflugerville Caregivers is a non-profit program to assist older adults (60 & over) in Pflugerville community to help with transportation and in home support. All proceeds will help them continue their work. Call 538-1152 for information or see www.main.org/pfcaregivers.

March 30th - Pflugerville Parkway Dedication

Your are especially invited to an 11:00 am at Pflugerville Parkway East and Mammoth Cave Blvd, the City of Pflugerville, Greater Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce, and the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation, will host the groundbreaking of Pflugerville Parkway East, a four-lane divided roadway that will be the second major east-west arterial for Pflugerville linking SH 130 and IH35 in the north-central section of Pflugerville's rapidly growing community. Pflugerville Parkway East will extend the existing Pflugerville Parkway from Railroad Ave East to FM 685 at Pflugerville Parkway (formerly Pfluger Ln).

April 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th - American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR, First Aid, and AED Certifications

Classes at pool at 700 N. Railroad Ave from 9am-5pm. Full attendance is required for certification. Pre-registration is required. Must be 15 years old by course completion. Contact Katie at 251-5082 for information.

April 3rd - Planning & Zoning Public Hearing

Will hold a public hearing at Council Chambers at 100 E. Main St., Suite 500, for the following purpose: To receive public comment on an application to change the zoning from Agriculture/Conservation (A) to General Business (GB) for approximately 41.71 acres out of the John Davis Survey, Abstract No. 13, Travis County Texas, to be known as 3M Farm Rezoning.

The property is located southeast of the intersection of Kelly Lane and FM 685. Consideration of this matter is being made at the request of the owners, Mary Ann Meigs, Montgomery Meigs, Mathew Meigs, William Meigsn, Larry L. Mellenbruch, Nancy Mellenbruch, David Mellenbruch, and John Mellenbruch. All interested persons are encourage to attend and participate in the deliberations on this hearing.

April 6th - Final PISD Dress Code Community Forum

A final community meeting presenting dress code information will be held on Thursday, Arpil 6th from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm at PHS Fine Arts Center. At this meeting, all feedback gathered from the community concerning the standardized dress code and the revised dress code will be shared along with potential recommendations that will be made to the school board on April 20th. Any input received until April 2nd will be included in the presentaiton. [Source: Pflugerville Pflag]

Note: Public comments may also be E-mailed to butch.felkner@pflugervilleisd.net or mailed to 1401 W. Pecan, Pflugerville, TX 78660.

April 8th - The 8th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk

Scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 a.m., kicking off from the Burger Stadium (3200 Jones Road, Sunset Valley). If you are interested in participating, please go to http://www.servicedogs.org/news/dogwalk2006.htm for more information and online application. Event benefits Texas Hearing & Service Dogs: http://www.servicedogs.org/. [Submitted by Pflugerville area resident]

April 10th - PfCONA Neighborhood Leader Roundtable

To be held at Justice Center at 1611 E. Pfennig Ln. on 2nd Monday from 7pm to 8:30pm. A representative of each of the 40 homeowner/neighborhood/property owner associated organizations affiliated with Pflugerville Council of Neighborhood Associations is asked to attend in order to review and make recommendations on pertinent city and organization issues as well as dialogue and network with one another.

Note: See www.pfcona.org/Meetings-Minutes.htm for past town meeting and roundtable agendas/minutes.

April 11th - Chamber Chatter - Candidates Forum

Tuesday, April11, 11:30am, The Rib BBQ, 15803 Windermere Dr, Suite 300. This Chamber Chatter will be a Candidates' Forum with the candidates for City Council and for PISD Board of Trustees. Cost is $12 to attend and includes a delicious barbeque lunch. All no shows will be invoiced. Cancellations will be taken on Monday, April 10 until 11:00 am, or you can send someone in your place. Please RSVP by Friday, April 7, 2:00 pm to the Chamber Office at 251-7799 or gpcc@sbcglobal.net. In times past, this special Chatter has sold out so RSVP early. [Source: GPCC Weekly Wire based]

April 11th - Wildfire Preparedness for Homeowners Workshops

At 6:30 pm at Pflugerville Fire Station #2, 15300 Bratton Ln, the Emergency Services District #2 is partnering with FireCAP, Inc. and the Texas Forest Service to present a free workshop about the danger of wildfire and how to prepare homes and property to survive a possible wild land fire. Reservations are required. Please call the fire station at 251-2801or call 517-1416 or 321-2471.

April 13th - Last Day to Register to Vote for City Council/PISD Board Election

April 22nd - Goals Fitness Center - Kids Count 5K Walk and Kids 1K

Is scheduled for April 22, 2006 during Child Abuse Prevention Month at Gilleland Creek Park. Goals Fitness Center, Old Town NA, and Parks & Rec are cosponsors for the walk. OTNA is seeking the support of organizations/neighborhoods to ensure a successful walk. Register online at: www.angelheartshelter.org. Registration forms available at Parks & Rec Center, RunTex, and Goals Fitness Center. For more info E-mail: walkquestions@yahoo.com.

April 28th - American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

An overnight event from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am at Parkcrest Middle School Football Field at 1500 N. Railroad Ave. Relay For Life is an overnight team event in which walkers or runners compete against each other to raise the nost money and to travel the most miles. Participants alternate, ensuring that one member of the team is on the track at all times. While off the track, team members camp out, enjoy live entertainment, food, fames and camaraderie.

Gather 8-15 people. Contact 919-1800 to receive a local event packet. When you receive your team packet, fill out and return the form with the team commitment fee. Encourage your team to raise money -- each participant must raise a minimum of $100 to receive an event t-shirt. Come to Relay For Life and have a great time!

May 1st - 9th - City Council/PISD Board Early Voting

Pflugerville and PISD voters will be able to vote at any Travis County Early Voting location due to City and PISD contracting with county. For polling locations and other info call Travis County Elections Division at 238-VOTE or go online at: www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election.

May 7th - 3rd Annual World Golfing Championship of Pflugerville

Registration at Noon. Shotgun start at 1:00pm (4-person scramble). Cost is $95/player. Prizes, awards, & goody bags, free green fee at Star Ranch, free fajita supper provided, and more. $3,000 in prizes were given away last year. Hole in one prize is an ALINER DL camper worth $15K from Princess Craft in Pflugerville. Proceeds will help support Pflugerville Heritage House. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Carolyn Graf at 251-8869, Duane Blakeslee at 251-5611, or Randy Duncan at 762-8123.

May 8th - PfCONA Town Meeting on Re-engaging Citizens in Public Life (Democracy Challenge)

Come on Monday, May 8, 2006, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Pflugerville Justice Center at 1611 E. Pfennig Ln., for an evening with Texas Forums (from LBJ Library) moderators. This is the chance to get Pflugerville citizens discussing how to their voice is important and encourage leaders to listen to the voice of the community.

This event is free and open to the public and is one of a series of forums on the issue “Democracy’s Challenge” in the greater Austin area. RSVP will soon be available for this particular PfCONA Town Meeting via the Texas Forums website: www.texasforums.org where you can also learn about the various resources on this subject.

Note: Some current and past PfCONA board members have been through Texas Forums moderator training and are volunteers for Texas Forums. Click here for info on The Deliberative Democracy Handbook. Click here for Richard Harwood book, Hope Unraveled: The People’s Retreat and Our Way Back.

Click here to participate in online forum. Click here for a Podcast with a view of what it means to be a citizen (playing an active role/having some responsibility) and dysfunctional consumer model mentality.

May 9th - City Council Public Hearing

Will hold a public hearing at Council Chambers at 100 E. Main St., Suite 500, for the following purpose: To receive public comment on an application to change the zoning from Agriculture/Conservation (A) to General Business (GB) for approximately 41.71 acres out of the John Davis Survey, Abstract No. 13, Travis County Texas, to be known as 3M Farm Rezoning.

The property is located southeast of the intersection of Kelly Lane and FM 685. Consideration of this matter is being made at the request of the owners, Mary Ann Meigs, Montgomery Meigs, Mathew Meigs, William Meigsn, Larry L. Mellenbruch, Nancy Mellenbruch, David Mellenbruch, and John Mellenbruch. All interested persons are encourage to attend and participate in the deliberations on this hearing.

May 13th - City Council/PISD Board Election

Pflugerville and PISD voters will cast their vote at their designated Travis County Election Precinct location. For polling locations and other info call Travis County Elections Division at 238-VOTE or go online at: www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election.

May 17th - Downtown Planning Committee Meeting

Starts at 7pm at City Council Chambers at 100 E. Main. Click here for agenda that is posted on city website by 5pm the Friday before meeting.

Note: PfCONA has been involved in this diverse committee for the past 2 years and plans to continue to be represented, as is the Old Town Neighborhood Association, in order to help revitalize downtown on behalf of neighborhoods and businesses. Groups with reps involved in this committee effort are: Planning & Zoning, Board of Adjustment, Pflugerville Community Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, Pflugerville Downtown Association, and Architectural Review Board. City Manager's Office and Building Inspection are involved when necessary as resources to committee.

May 19th - 21st - 31st Annual Deutschen Pfest

May 21st - Deutschen Pfest Pfun Run

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Click here for March City Newsletter, "Pflugerville Pfacts", and past ones on city website. Current issue stories include: Fun Times on Lake Pflugerville, Softer Water is Ahead, Calendar of Events, Water Treatment Plant is Complete, and Numbers to Know.

Click here for other meeting/event dates listed on City Calendar on city website. E-mail request to communitycalendar@cityofpflugerville.com to place your school, non-profit, HOA/NA, or church events on calendar.
Click here for events at library.
Click here for public notices on City website.
Click here for city council and other boards/commissions/committee agendas and minutes on city website.
Click here for Community Calendar sponsored by PfCONA.(ask how to put something on it)
Click here for info to consider when buying a home in Pflugerville.
Click here for Latest Map showing properties signed up for ETJ expansion

Click here for 2006 Upcoming Elections dates on Secretary of State website.

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Pflugerville Animal Control (PAC) Division

Click here to read about the division, staff, animal adoption, how rescue groups can apply to work with PAC (click here for application) and adopt animals themselves (click here for application), and how people can be PAC volunteers (click here for application).

If you have an animal complaint, an animal bite or scratch, or see an animal loose contact the PAC Division at 251-4004 or via E-mail by clicking here.

Please contact the staff with any questions on animals in the shelter, Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm excluding holidays or the police department communications personnel at 251-4004 all other times 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

2006 Pflugerville Citywide Cleanup a Success

Keep Pflugerville Beautiful saw the best turn out of volunteers ever on March 4th. More than 170 citizens signed up to help clean up the town. Bohl's Place, Creekside, Katymead, Saxony, and Westpark/Parkplace Homeowners/Neighborhood Associations organized the clean up teams. Saxony and Katymead joined forces with 21 comprising its group that cleaned trails between their neighborhoods and Gilleland Creek along Railroad Ave. The Boy and Girl Scouts also cleaned up in great numbers. One troop had 55 volunteers. Citizens on Patrol and Police Department helped KPB with dumpsters and sign-up area; plus, City of Pflugerville Street Dept., Parks and Rec Director Glen Holzer and his staff, and IESI employees were part of the team.

Gatlinburg Neighbors Donate Repairs to Entrance Sign
E-mail from Clay Leben (Gatlinburg): The next time you drive by the Dove Haven [street] Gatlinburg entrance sign, notice that the rock wall has been repaired. It was about two months ago when a car (nobody knows exactly) crashed the SW corner rock wall, knocking stones everywhere.

Several years ago when another Gatlinburg entrance sign was extensively damaged it cost $500 to fix. Fortunately, this time Gatlinburg Neighborhood Association (GNA) found Justin Espinoza, owner of Espinoza Foundation and a resident on Quail Run. His business donated labor and expertise to rebuild the stone wall as good as new on Saturday, March 4, 2006. GNA purchased the mortar for a nominal amount.

Mark Flatness, a neighbor of Espinoza, is also donating his time to repairing and repainting the "Gatlinburg" letters that he originally designed 18 years ago. Its a credit to Gatlinburg that both their entrance signs were designed, built, financed, and repaired several times entirely by volunteer contributions from residents.

So if you, or someone you know, requires foundation, pier and beam, slab, and other concrete work, GNA recommends that you call Espinoza Foundation at 512-791-6125. And say thanks too.

Police Department Holds Annual Awards Ceremony

Dan Griffith, aka Officer Dan, was awarded the Officer of the Year award. He received it for unselfishly and continually helping children, fellow officers, volunteers and citizens. He has taught many Pflugerville area children about D.A.R.E. program. Lifesaving awards went to Sgt. Darrin Fairchild, Officer Stefan Sarre, Office Mike DelaRosa, and Office Myron Dixon. Special recognition for these Lifesaving Awards will be done at March 28th City Council meeting by Chief of Police Chuck Hooker.

Police Commendation Bars were awarded to Detective Chet Vronka, Lts. Rick Mouser and Laura Wilkes, Sgts. Bill Anderson, Darrin Fairchild, and Aaron Hawkins, Dispatchers Sally Jasek and Amanda Wood, and Officers Steve Glimp, Robert Kauff, Mike Mirelez, Patrick Patherbridge, Cristal Reven, Larry Reven, Mark Richardson, Stefan Sarre, and Mike Trammel for displaying courage, teamwork, care, safety, and quick thinking in the face of danger.

Certificate of Merit was awarded to Captain Jim McLean, Detectives Oscar Lopez, Mike Wilson, Lts. Rick Mouser and Laura Wilkes, and Officers David Hover, Brian Miller, Mayo Neyland, Jason Smith, and Tracy Whitehead for handling difficult problems successfully. Dot Preusse and Stacy Pyle were awarded the civilian of the year award. Civilian service award was given to Kelly Atkinson for being a good samaritan. Andrew Hoskings Award was given to Cpl. Mike Clowdus for his kindness and compassion. [Source: Pflugerville Pflag based]

Pflugerville Library Hires New Director

Debra Lewis is the new director of Pflugerville Community Library as of March 1st. Plans for the future include examination of space and logistics inside the library with the help of consultants provided by the State Library and Central Texas Library System. Updating computers and increasing the collection are also part of the plan. She feels that the possibilities are endless with such a supporting community and sterling staff. [Source: Pflugerville Pflag based].

City Commercial Development Negotiations Policy to be Discussed at March 28th Council Meeting

Click here for latest draft by Mayor to be discussed by Council at March 28th Council Meeting. This draft is after a recent meeting Council requested between Mayor, City Manager, and PfCONA* and then Council's discussion regarding said March 8th meeting (click here for Council's draft minutes of their discussion, item 11C). Click here for initial draft of policy Council considered on Jan. 10th. This first draft was presented at Feb. 13th PfCONA Town Meeting and more than 80% present had reservations about policy and rest were totally against it in its form.

Click here for Part I of video of discussion at Jan. 10th Council Meeting. Click here for Part II of video of Jan. 10th discussion. Click here for minutes of discussion that took place at Feb. 13th PfCONA Town Meeting. Click here for Part I of video of discussion at Feb. 28th Council Meeting. Click here for Part II of Feb. 28th discussion. Click here for Mayor's notes of March 8th meeting. Click here for video of March 14th Council discussion.

Interested residents/parties should attend March 28th Council meeting and listen to what is said on the above subject and feel free to make comments or recommendations on policy.

*Two interested residents participated in this March 8th meeting. PfCONA Chair is concerned that a request by meeting participants and Mayor to have Council improve the public hearing process to include an interactive/dialogue-type public hearing is not in this policy second draft. Also, there is no mention of requests made over this past year by some neighborhoods and PfCONA executive committee, including mention at meeting by PfCONA Chair on their behalf, to have initial notification regarding proposed development be at least 15 days in advance instead of 10 days. There is also no mention of notification of neighborhood leaders in advance either via neighborhood registration with city or notification of a third party (e.g., PfCONA who maintains such a list and has been asked by city staff to help in this way before) to notify neighborhood leaders of proposed development. The Mayor has supported these types of proposals (when discussed at PfCONA Town Meetings), and PfCONA has advocated for on behalf of neighborhoods before Council and P&Z and with city staff. Some Council Members have recently stated that public hearing process is adequate and there are many residents who have said that hearing and notification process is not. PfCONA Chair bases all of the above on his experience and comments gathered this past year at Council meetings, PfCONA town meetings, PfCONA neighborhood workgroups, and P&Z meetings. See links above for some of the discussion on these issues. [Note: Tonights Council meeting may have alleviated some of these concerns. See Council video to follow by March 29th posted late in day on city website.]

City Strategic Planning Meeting Results

On March 7th at a work session, the City Council convened representatives of all city boards, commissions, and committees to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in relation to city and its operation and came up with items that were then categorized and turned into goals and objectives, and are being used by Council to develop a vision statement, which will be especially utilized during the budget process. Click here for related draft minutes to read in more detail what was discussed on March 7th. Click here for March 14th follow-up work session to develop a City Council vision statement.

Chamber says "Come Home to Shop"

Greater Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce's new slogan to encourage Pflugerville citizens to shop in Pflugerville and keep sales tax dollars in the community, so that 60 cents cents of every sales tax dollar does not leave the city to neighboring cities. For chamber info, or to see their latest newsletter or business directory, go to: www.gpcc.pflugerville.tx.us/.

Community Business Directory on City Website

The City of Pflugerville continues to grow by leaps and bounds. With this growth, come convenient local businesses ready to serve you each and every day...You will find a listing of the businesses in the city sorted by the service or product they offer at: www.cityofpflugerville.com/index.asp?NID=544. Click on the heading and it will direct you to the business category. [Source: City website]

(If you are a business within the city limits of Pflugerville and would like to be included in this directory, send your information to: kathye@cityofpflugerville.com.)

Note: On a development note, click here for video regarding March 14th Council resolution supporting relocation of Concordia University to Pflugerville.

Residents of Pflugerville on City Committees - 2006

The residents of Pflugerville are represented by board and commission members chosen by the City Council for their expertise and knowledge in selected areas of City service. The following citizens were similarly chosen to serve in 2006 on the following city committees:

Downtown Planning Committee:

David Calabuig (at large member), Efrem Casarez (Planning and Zoning rep), Steve De Rosa (Old Town Neighborhood Association rep), Mark Gladney (Council rep), Victor Gonzales (Old Town Neighborhood Association rep), Warren Jones (Board of Adjustment rep), W.C. Kolinek (Pflugerville Downtown Association rep), Anthony Martin (Parks and Recreation Commission rep), Jeffrey Reeb (Pflugerville Community Development Corporation rep), Rod Reyna (Pflugerville Council of Neighborhood Associations rep), Dave Taylor (Architectural Review Board rep), and

Gloria Wuthrich (Greater Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce rep).

Finance and Budget Committee:

Duane Blakeslee (Councilperson), Bruce Wood (Councilperson), Robert Spoonemore (Citzen Member), Cathy Vance (Citizen Member), Richard Corcoran (Citizen Member), Mike Heath (Citizen Member), and Linda Atkins (Citizen Member).

Note: Previously listed in last Tidbits were residents serving on City Board/Commissions. Keep Pflugerville Beautiful Committee and Deutschen Pfest Committee will be highlighted in next Tidbits.

Family Night Proclamation

On Feb. 28th, City Council approved Mayor's proclamation calling upon all citizens to observe family night. Click here for copy of proclamation. Click here for video of discussion on Feb. 28th Click here for video of initial discussion on Feb. 14th where idea was proposed to Council by a Pflugerville church.

Non-profit Wants to Advertise in Your Neighborhood Newsletter

E-mail From: My name is Marylin Carson, we just recently started a Non-Profit Organization. We will be offering mentoring, tutoring, and sports. We would like information about advertising in you all's newsletter. I can be reached either by email at BYApanthers@aol.com or 461-8015.

Note: In regard to neighborhood newsletters, please consider putting Tidbit items in your newsletter, if not already. You may also consider mentioning that you are a PfCONA member and that PfCONA is celebrating 20 years of service on behalf of the community.

Saxony Neighborhood Pool Memberships Still Available

Quiet, private pool is located at 100 Elm Dr. Fee is $200 by April 30th, and $230 starting May 1st for May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2007 pool year. Pool is open 7 days a week. E-mail Saxony Pool Chair at nyland.mj@sbcglobal.net.

The Storehouse has a New Location, New Hours, and New Manager

Jack and Sandra Cochrun, founders, are happy to announce their very first employee, Ivy Carroll, Food Pantry Manager. She will be onsite all of the opening hours, and will need one or two volunteers every day to help her. A volunteer coordinator is needed as well. Food Drive Coordinator, which neighborhoods may contact, is: Monique Goode, E-mail: 1monique@cox-internet.com.

New location is: The Storehouse, 1202 F.M. 685, Suite C-5 (POP Plaza), 512-989-9989. Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Clients requested to provide: Photo ID and proof of address. No geographic restrictions.

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E-mail from Pflugerville Council of Neighborhood Associations (PfCONA)

www.pfcona.org, info@pfcona.org

PfCONA's efforts include being a clearinghouse of information for the Pflugerville community and to foster collaborative efforts, workgroups, and forums to develop solutions for the community. PfCONA has been working for the community for the past 21 years and counting.