August 31, 1978 CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Called Council Meeting August 31, 1978 7:00 Ρ.Μ. Council Chambers 301 West Second Street The meeting was called to order with Mayor McClellan presiding. Roll Call: Present: Mayor McClellan, Mayor Pro Tem Mullen, Councilmembers Snell, Cooke, Goodman, Himmelblau, Trevino Absent: None Mayor McClellan called the meeting to order, stating that this was a Special Called Meeting for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the 1978-83 Capital Improvements Program budget, with a projection of $562,984,000 for the five years. The Mayor then called upon representatives from City Boards and Commissions to present any report they might have regarding CIP requests. BARRETT GARRISON, Member, Parks & Recreation Board, presented the Board's most recent recommendations which followed the Planning Commission's recommendations. Originally, the Board had requested funding of $32,126,000. The follow- ing revisions were made: 1. Delete $1,000,000 Planning Commission recommendation for purchase of land for Wilderness Park along Blunn Creek south and west of Travis School. 2. Delete $100,000 from the playground acquisition renovation project in 1979-80. 3. Include $100,000 for pool design at Walnut Creek District Park in 78-79 and include $700,000 for pool construction in 1979-80. 4. Enlarge tennis center scheduled for 1979-80 to 16 courts increasing costs by $300,000. 5. Supported recommendation of Golf Advisory Board requesting use of both surcharge and bond funds to support recommended golf capital improvements. = CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS August 31, 1978 6. Reinstate $460,000 for four softball fields to be located at Creed Softball Complex in 1978-79. The recommendations would increase the need for $693,000 in additional bond funds for the first three years and totaling $7,934,000. In response to Councilwoman Himmelblau's question regarding the Waller Creek Project, Mr. Garrison said that it was discussed, but because of the cost it was felt that the private sector might carry on the development. JEFF WILLEY, Chairman, Golf Advisory Board, Parks & Recreation Department and member, Austin Golf Association, requested bond to match the golf surcharge fee. The present bond program recommended by the Planning Commission provided for no money for golf capital improvements for the next three years. He stated that Austin golfers would find it hard to support a bond issue if there were no funds in it for golf capital improvements for the next three years. At that time Mr. Willey asked members of the audience who supported his position to stand. MAURY HOOD, member, Citizens Board of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, requested the Council to consider the following recommendations and comments during their review of the 1978-83 CIP: 1. Delete the $175,000 for engineering design of the Barton Skyway Bridge because there was no environmental assessment of the project. 2. Purchase additional park lands before they become unavailable or are much higher priced. 3. Complete hike and bike trail system on the north side of Town Lake especially the bridge at the foot of Waller Creek. 4. Endorse the Planning Commissions's recommendations on public works, especially improvements in the core area. 5. Took exception to the Planning Commission's recommendations in the water and wastewater CIP. Recommended deletion of 73/59-07 (Onion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant) to the 5th year of the CIP. 6. Did not take exception to the Planning Commission's report on the Electric Utility's CIP and did not review the fuel capitalization proposal as a specific item. Speaking as a citizen, he recommended that the CIP process be changed to fund it for two years, rather than having to review it annually. In response to Councilwoman Himmelblau's question regarding the Onion Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mr. Hood said that based on information he had, the project would be need in the future, but could be pushed back to the 5th year. He said that there was adequate treatment capacity within the system. WILLIE KOCUREK, representing the Austin Ethnic History Association, asked the Council to consider installing permanent electrical services and any other services that might make the west side of Fiesta Gardens useful for different groups in Austin. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS August 31, 1978 DAVID YOUNG, President, North Oaks Neighborhood Association, made the following request: 1. Adopt plans to speed up conversion of US Highway 183 to a 6-lane, controlled-access highway. 2. Locate the proposed Northwest library branch (79/85-01) on the north side of Loop 360 and south of US Highway 183 in the general vicinity of the Great Hills subdivision. 3. Scheduled immediate installation of sidewalks under the School Sidewalk Program (78/75-02) for Danwood, Carlwood, Oak Knoll and other streets leading to the new North Oaks Elementary School. 4. Install bikeways on the same streets mentioned in item 3 under the Bikeway/Sidewalk Ramps Program (73/97-02). 5. Allocate near-term funds for the creation of at least one neighborhood park in the area. Suggested that the Parks and Recreation Department enter into discussions with the Round Rock School Board regarding the North Oaks Elementary School as a possible site. The School was in the Round Rock School District, but was also in the City limits of Austin. 6. Provide more police protection for the neighborhood. Councilman Cooke suggested that under item 1, that the neighborhood write to the Austin Transportation Study because they would be deliberating the item in September. BOB DAVIS, a member of the Allandale Neighborhood Association, asked that people in the audience who were present on the Great Northern Boulevard and creek issues to stand. He referred to a recent memo from Joe Ternus which indentified three possible locations where Great Northern Boulevard could be blocked off permanently. The memo also indicated the possibility of relocating the bike lane out of the street, thereby widening the traffic lanes and enhancing the safety of the bike lane. The memo further indicated that the items could be funded under the proposed CIP. However, the entire Association had not reviewed and taken a position on the proposals. He repeated that the entire neighborhood opposed the extension of Great Northern Boulevard, BILL KIMBROUGH, 6704 Lexington Road, opposed extension of Great Northern Boulevard because it would destroy the value of the neighborhood. TAMMY BAKER, 3003 Silverleaf Drive, opposed extension of Great Northern Boulevard because of safety factors. LYNN KRAUSE did not appear to be heard. BRUCE MORRISON, 3104 West Terrace, opposed any compromise regarding the extension of Great Northern Boulevard which would make Foster Lane merely a loop in an expressway interchange. STEPHANIE BUTLER stated that Great Northern was great for bikers and joggers but she did not want to increase auto traffic by extending Great Northern Boulevard. place _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS August 31, 1978 LLOYD HAMILTON, a retired engineer, stated that he had lost most of his vis sion. He was required to walk a lot, and the bike lane on Great Northern was good for him until a lot of traffic was put on it. He opposed extension of Great Northern to Anderson Lane. TERRY LEIFESTE & CHUCK CROFT yielded their time to Phillip Lowell. PHILLIP LOWELL, 6307 Shoal Creek West, a member of the Allandale Neighborhood Association stated that he had been working with the City's Water and Wastewater Dept. for about 2½ years on the problem of the Upper Shoal Creek Waste water Interceptor. He agreed that the line was needed, but did not want it placed in Shoal Creek. Mr. Lowell showed some slides of the Creek to indicate what he was trying to preserve. The Citizens Board of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality and the Planning Commission had recommended placing the line outside the Creek's greenbelt area. City officials had no objection to that recommendation, and it was financially feasible. Funds were presently available to take a street option up to Northland Drive where it could be tied into an existing 24" line. He asked the Council to reinforce the recommendation of the Planning Commision which stated: "The interceptor shall not be located in the creekbed. In- stead, it shall be placed outside the creek's green area." JOHN TIMMONS, 803½ West 24th Street, showed a series of slides of the West 24th Street area and recommended the following improvements: 1. Installation of hexagonally shaped pillars (kiosks) in convenient places along 24th Street for leaflets, posters, and information of community interest. 2. Conversion of above ground power and telephone systems into an underground cable system which would tremendously improve and enhance the area's aesthetic qualities. 3. Repair of all sidewalks and ramping at all corners in the area. 4. Installation of lighted pedestrian traffic signs at the corners of 24th and Rio Grande and 24th and San Gabriel. 5. Installation of trash containers in appropriate places along 24th Street. 6. Installation of modern street lighting along 24th Street. 7. Develop the Wheatville Building located at 24th and San Gabriel as a public museum. MANUEL MENA, speaking for East Town Lake Citizens Association, spoke on the beautification of Festival Beach area for the use by all citizens of Austin. Such a park would be an asset to the community and something which the neighborhood could feel proud of. Festival Beach was in a high priority area, and most of the Planning Commission's recommendations in the proposed CIP were from high priority areas. He stated that the proposed project would have a low. operating cost. Mr. Mena stated that very little City money was being spent on CIP projects in low income areas. He felt that any Federal funds used in such areas should ✔ supplement and not take the of City funds. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS August 31, 1978 Mr. Mena stated that 78/86-12 (Improvements to Fiesta Gardens in 1981-82) was not among Planning Commission recommendations. His organization requested that the project be funded for 1978-79. HORTENSIA PALOMARES, 82 San Marcos, presented the proposal of the East Town Lake Citizens Association for development of a park in the Festival Beach area. Major points of the proposal were: (copy on file in City Clerk's Office) 1. Construction of a fishing pier 300 feet off the north bank of Festival Beach. 2. Additional trees, picnic tables, barbeque pits and shrubbery. 3. Restroom facilities. 4. Amphitheatre. 5. Irrigation system. 6. Children's playground. 7. Other priorities. VERNELL LEE, representing the Montopolis Neighborhood Resource Center Advisory Board, made the following requests for the Montopolis area: 1. Two stop lights on Montopolis Drive one on the corner of Larch Terrace and Montopolis Drive and the other on the corner of Ponca Street and Montopolis Drive. 2. Build Grove Boulevard. 3. Build bus shelters with benches at Del Monte and Montopolis Drive (east side), Larch Terrace and Montopolis Drive (west side) and at Vargas and Riverside Drive (east side). 4. Stop light at Vargas and Ponca. 5. Neighborhood Tennis Courts for Montopolis. 6. Greenbelt Acquisition in FY 78-79 for a park. - CIP 77/86-06 consider tennis courts CIP 75/86-13 - Acquire Colorado River land 7. Montopolis Recreation Center Improvements - CIP 79/86-02 - Build restroom on second floor for senior citizens. 8. Montopolis Neighborhood Center - CIP 78/98-04 - Neighborhood requests to be consulted as to site selection and design. 9. Montopolis Community Health Clinic CIP 76/91-04 - Ensure that suffi- cient funds are available for primary health care, not just public health services. 10. Median and Right-of-Way Beautification CIP 75/86-32 - Beautify island on Montopolis Drive south of Del Monte and north of Crumley. Place a 3' by 4' redwood sign reading "Welcome to Montopolis"in the middle of the island with the lettering facing north. Landscape the island with low bushes or shrubs. BILL MILLER, also representing the Montopolis Neighborhood, distributed maps to the Council and commented on some of the recommendations presented by Ms. Lee. In response to Councilman Cooke's question regarding beautification of the median, Mike Segrest thought that it was a State median, but he would check into it. SHELIA BECKETT, representing the Racquetball Association, requested 12 courts at a cost of $450,000, with minimal operating costs for indoor courts and no operating costs for the outdoor courts. She presented a petition showing supAugust 31, 1978 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS port for the sport and stated that it was the sport of the future. DON JELLISON, also with the Racquetball Association, stated that now was the time to build the courts and not wait until the demand was high. BOB HUNTER and DICK PETERSON yielded their time to Larry Deuser. LARRY DEUSER, representing the Mesa Park Civic Association, spoke in regard to the deletion of Balcones District Park from the CIP (78/86-13). He requested that $2.3 million be returned to the CIP. He suggested that cuts be made to the CIP as follows: - 1. 79/86-15 Downtown Revitalization and Beautification ($800,000). Transfer funds to greenbelt acquisition. 2. Martin Hill Reservior ($9.1 million plus $3.7 million for 30" transmission main). Scale down project to meet only needs of today's Austinites and new subdivisions which have an annexation commitment. Reduce by about $10 million. 3. Arena ($6.7 million) and Exhibit Hall ($13.7 million) Mr. Deuser stated that the latter two projects could save the City $30 million by being deleted and the $2.3 million for Balcones District Park could easily be restored. THELMA GALYEAN, 4002 Edgefield Court, speaking for Austin's senior citizens, stated that the parking was inadequate for the Senior Citizens Center at 29th and Lamar. Parking was available for 43 cars. There also was a problem with the steps which were difficult for many people to traverse. She asked the Council to try to improve conditions at the Center. ANNE SHIRRIFFS, 1107 East 32nd Street, spoke with regard to the Senior Citizens Activity Center and furnishings for the Center. Of the approximately 40,000 senior citizens in Austin, only about 5,000 (6 organizations) were using the Center. She requested that a full-time supervisor be assigned to the Center She invited everyone on the Council to attend a big opening of the Center at 2:00 P.M. on September 13th. JIM MARROQUIN did not appear to be heard. JEFF LINDSEY, speaking for the Association of all Austin Soccer Leagues, the Flag Football Association, the Rugby Association and the LaCrosse Associa-. tion. He referred to CIP 77/86-13 (Multi-purpose Athletic Field) and the reduction of funds for the field. There were about 6,000 soccer players in Austin and about 1,000 players in the other Associations he was speaking for. The Zilker facility was in constant use on weekends and some players were unable to use the field. He thought that the Pleasant Valley facility would have room for four multi-purpose fields, but now understood that it had been cut substantially. Mr. Lindsey asked the Council to consider the cost per recreational hour for the four fields requested and asked that parking spaces be reduced. ROSEMARY KAUFMAN, 1404-B West 12th Street, also spoke in regard to the four fields requested at Pleasant Valley. She distributed copies of that item from the last two CIP budgets. It was budgeted for $100,000 for FY 79-80 and $90,000 for FY 80-81. The current CIP recommended $115,000 for parking, restrooms and irrigation for athletic multi-purpose fields to be built this year. She expressAugust 31, 1978 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS ed concern that the Council might think that the fields already existed. Some grading had been done for one field, but not enough to cover the need for fields There was no irrigation and no grass on the fields. MART HOFFMAN, 11 Scott Crescent, speaking for several neighbors and himself, spoke with regard to flooding on Johnson Creek. He requested the follow- ing action: 1. Clean up the creek. 2. Replace bridges at Tower Drive and Margranita Crescent. 3. Push entire project to completion. 4. Don't channelize creek. BILL SNOW, representing the Austin Softball Association, requested that the four-field softball complex be reinstated in the CIP and fund it so that the construction contract could be let no later than 1979 to make the fields available for play in the spring of 1981. HOWELL CHAMP, 3302 McElroy, felt that Great Northern Boulevard should be extended to Anderson Lane. The extension would make accessibility from his area to other parts of town better, and would not put more traffic into the neighborhood. He further requested that a bike lane and jogging tract be built along MoPac in his area. PANCHO LOPEZ did not appear to be heard. STEVE HANSON, 204 West 44th Street, representing the Sierra Club, spoke in regard to park land acquisition. He urged the Council to fund the full $500,000 recommended by the Planning Commission for major park land acquisition this year. He showed slides of the proposed wilderness park area along Blunn Creek. LOUIS JANOSEK, 2713 Friar Tuck, spoke in favor of the wilderness park. MARJORIE JANOSEK and JEAN MATHER yielded their time to Margret Hofmann. TRAVIS BROWN did not appear to be heard. JOHN JAMES, 24 Margranita Crescent, did not appear to be heard. LIZ COLLINS, 26 Margranita Crescent, did not appear to be heard. SONIA ASHWORTH, representing "We Care Austin," spoke in support of CIP 79/86-15 (Downtown Revitalization and Beautification) and 75/62-09 (Congress Avenue Improvements). SALLY SHIPMAN did not appear to be heard. KEN MANNING, representing the Sierra Club, stated that overall he agreed with the CIP proposals in wastewater collection from the Planning Commission, particularly advancement of the Boggy Creek South line (Phase I). The Sierra Club recommended that in the future the Water & Wastewater Department be required to provide a written analysis of departmental proposals to explain how the individual elements fit into an overall scheme of City needs. He referred to the Camp, Dresser and McKee Report and stated that the document did not conAugust 31, 1978 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS sider growth management concerns. There were 7 specific water projects in the proposed CIP which he would address in writing. He suggested that the Council re-examine the scope of the projected Water Treatment Plant #4 on Lake Travis. He thought that a different water supply system should be considered to conform with growth management desires. SANDY BRINKMAN yielded her time to Ken Manning. LARRY SILER, 9200 San Juan Pass, did not appear to be heard. DON FREEMAN, representing the North Austin Civic Association, asked the Council to complete Walnut Creek Park. The olympic pool should be funded now. Referring to CIP 77/86-09 for a wading pool and tennis courts at Cook Park, he asked that those items be restored to the proposed CIP. He thought that lighted tennis courts at Cook Park should be considered. JOSEPHINE HUNTLEY, 1105 West 10th Street, yielded her time to Dorothy Richter. DOROTHY RICHTER, representing the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, spoke with regard to the widening of 38th Street. She asked that the neighborhood be involved in the study of the widening. TINA AVALOS did not appear to be heard. ZEKE UBALLE did not appear to be heard. BILL MARTIN, representing the Balcones Civic Association, spoke in favor of two projects which would improve Spicewood Springs Road, one from MoPac to Mesa Drive and from Mesa Drive to Loop 360. He also stated that funds had been scheduled for park land acquisition for this area. His Association was willing to relinquish those funds if they could be combined with the Spicewood Springs park funds for a larger park. In response to Councilman Mullen's question as to the location of the Park Mr. Martin indicated that it should be in the vicinity of Spicewood Springs Road, even south of the road. There was an area behind Safeway which might be used. Councilman Mullen requested and the City Manager agreed that the staff would look into the matter. MARGRET HOFMANN, 2706 Nottingham, spoke in support of a wilderness park to be located on 38.87 acres of land located between East Oltorf and St. Edward's Drive, just west of Travis High School. The owner, Mr. Lynn Storm of Dripping Springs was asking $2.5 million for the property. The area was well-hidden and not accessible directly by automobile. MERLE MODEN, 6506 Bridgewater Cove, did not appear to be heard. KAREN KOTERAS and MIKE KOTERAS, 2324 Rockridge Drive, did not appear to be heard. PAT SHAW, 1921 Miles Avenue, did not appear to be heard. August 31, 1978 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS BILLIE YANT, 1333 Arena, Apt. #220, did not appear to be heard. BO BOYERS, 3103 Borden Road, representing the Capital Area Tennis Association, commented on the cost effectiveness of various sports facilities. He asked that a 16-court center be built now instead of putting only 12 courts at Pharr Tennis Center. BARBARA CILLEY, 1114 Mariposa, representing the Citizens Budget Task Force stated that the most important goal that could be achieved in the next three years was to reduce the number of vehicle trips into the core area. It could best be achieved by an internal system of transit between the University of Texas, the Capitol and the Central Business District. The CBTF preferred a trol ley stystem. Downtown parking problems could be solved by parking at Municipal Auditorium. She then reviewed certain proposed CIP paving projects as follows: 74/62-01 (Clawson Road) Should be deleted as a part of the Barton Skyway arterial system. If the project is not deleted, then it would include an environmental assessment. Congress Avenue Project There should be no more funding or construction - delays. 72/62-16 (Reconstruction of Streets) - Reconstruction of Red River from 38th to West 41st Street should be delayed until completion of the neighborhood study of widen- ing 38th and 38% Streets. 78/62-01 (Pleasant Valley Road Improvements) - Examine the impact on East Austin first before spend- ing money on Pleasant Valley Road. Ms. Cilley asked if CIP 79/62-07 (Riverside Drive Farms Road) had been deleted from the proposed CIP. Mr. Ternus replied that it had been deleted. JENNIE PEREZ did not appear to be heard. CYNTHIA PEDROZA did not appear to be heard. JOHNNA NICHOLS did not appear to be heard. BRUCE COZAD did not appear to be heard. CATHY BURNS did not appear to be heard. PAMELA MONROE did not appear to be heard. DR. W. R. TURPIN, 1303 Robert E. Lee Road, thought that CIP 78/62-13 was related directly to the Barton Skyway Bridge project and should be deleted until it was known what was to be done about the Bridge. The project's proposed funding was $621,000. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS August 31, 1978 Dr. Turpin was flabbergasted that completion of Brackenridge Hospital was not in the proposed five-year CIP. He thought that the $4 million proposed to build neighborhood health centers should be used to complete the Hospital. He asked the City Manager if Certificates of Need for the expenditures in the community health centers had been acquired. The City Manager replied "No," but said that the City would do whatever was required in accordance with that program. JERRY LOBDILL yielded his time to Jacqueline Jacobson. JOE CRUZ did not appear to be heard. TERRY SCHMITZ did not appear to be heard. ALFONSO ROSALES did not appear to be heard. LEON HOELSCHER did not appear to be heard. LARRY DEUSER yielded his time to Jacqueline Jacobson. JACQUELINE JACOBSON, 201 Skyline Drive, spoke against the Jollyville Water Treatment Plant. The Bureau of Reclamation stated that the safe yield of viel the Colorado River and the Highland Lakes system was estimated to be 650,000 acre-feet per year. Austin currently used 72,000 acre-feet of water per year, which about 65,000,000 gallons per day. The Jollyville Treatment Plant was planned in four stages, each of which could treat twice as much as current Austin usage. If all four stages of the plant were built, 650,000 acre-feet of water could be treated each year. At current usage levels that much water could support a population of 3 million people. MARY LEY, representing Travis Audubon Society, read a statement which questioned the City Manager's "investment oriented" proposed CIP. She felt that more money should be available for park land and greenbelt acquisition. MAURICE DIXON did not appear to be heard. JIMMY WILLIAMS did not appear to be heard. ROY MEDRANO did not appear to be heard. BOB CALDWELL did not appear to be heard. ART BROWN did not appear to be heard. PETER COLTMAN, 4925 Strass Drive, showed slides of the Shoal Creek.area. between Hancock Drive and 49th Street. He spoke against putting the proposed sewer line in the Creek. ROGER HUTH did not appear to be heard. GLEN HOLZER did not appear to be heard. ATTEST: August 31, 1978 _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS ADJOURNMENT The Council adjourned at 11:28 P.M. City Clerk APPROVED Cellen Mayor