-CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Called Council Meeting July 28, 1980 7:00 Ρ.Μ. Burnet Junior High School Cafetorium 8401 Hathaway The meeting was called to order with Mayor McClellan presiding. Roll Call: Present: Mayor McClellan, Councilmembers Cooke, Goodman, Himmelblau, Mullen Absent: Councilmembers Snell, Trevino Mayor McClellan stated that this was a Special Called Meeting for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the Proposed 1980-1985 Capital Improvements Program. The main reason for the hearing was to hear citizens' concerns over what should be in the program or what should be deleted from the program as proposed. The Mayor then introduced Ms. Lee Thomson, Budget Director who presented a brief overview of the program. Ms. Thomson said that the Planning Commission and the City Manager had reviewed the 1980-85 Capital Improvements Program and recommended fiveyear program to the Council. The following criteria were considered during the review: 1. Compliance with the Master Plan and established Council goals and policies, 2. Commitment to investment-oriented projects to minimize the impact on the operating budget, and 3. Size of the program in relation to bonding authority and to the City's ability to finance future capital costs. _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS July 28, 1980 Both the City Manager and the Planning Commission had recommended a five-year CIP totalling $591.3 million. The primary difference between the two recommendations was the scheduling of the projects and the timing and size of the bond elections. The City Manager had recommended a one-year bond program totalling $107.5 million, with $52 million in new bond authority. General government would require $16.9 million, while utilities would require $35.1 million, both for 1980-81. The Planning Commission recommended a threeyear program totalling $280.6 million. Of that program, $170 million would be required in new bonding authority. General government would require $72.6 million, while utilities would require $97.4 million. The Planning Commission and City Manager recommended that in conjunction with new capital projects long range plans be developed in such areas as fire facility location, decentralized police centers, studies on the feasibility of combining those facilities with other City facilities, studies in the water and wastewater area, a new Master Plan for water and wastewater, a study of the environmental impact of development in the Williamson Creek Watershed, continuation of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan which would be available early next spring and future planning for the hospital. Some of the highlights of the programs in the early years of the two recommended CIP's were: 1. Public Works Emphasis on street and drainage improvements to meet present and projected needs in the rapidly growing perimeter of the City and to use developer cost participation to a greater extent. 2. Airport - Improvements to be covered by revenues from airlines and air passenger users which would be transferred to repay GO bonds so that the GO bonds would be backed by airport users rather than the tax base. 3. Parks & Recreation 1980-81 program includes $9 million which was approved by the voters for projects primarily for land acquisition. Later year programs would conform to the parks master plan. 4. Public Health & Safety More EMS stations, fire stations renovations, health center and hospital equipment, along with an accelerated traffic signalization program and other projects. 5. Electric Department Improvements for conventional, non-nuclear projects recommended primarily to maintain the electric system capacity and current level of reliability for electric customers. 6. Water & Wastewater Long range studies as mentioned previously. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS July 28, 1980 Mayor McClellan then opened the hearing to discussion from the audience. MR. STEVE A. City had annexed his his house 14 times. WALKER, 10609 Macmora Road, stated that since the area and rebuilt the road, there had been water in He asked the City to correct the problem. Mayor McClellan asked Mr. John German to get a full report on the drainage problem and come back. MRS. MARY GONTAREK, 10611 Macmora Road, stated that she had gotten seepage into her house, but not to the extent as Mr. Walker had. Drainage in the area was poor. MR. JAMES SPINN, 10608 Macmora Road, stated that he had had water in his house several times. He asked that curbs and gutters be considered in any project for the area. MR. DAVID CARSON, 1023 Wisteria, and President, Heritage Hills Neighborhood Association, an area between Cameron Road and IH 35, bounded on the south by Anderson Lane and on the north by Little Walnut Creek, commented that the area was in the preferred growth corridor, but was being neglected in the provision of City services. He felt that it was appropriate to have a park, bicycle lanes and paths to the park and a branch library. There was discussion over the possible donation of some land for park purposes by Mr. Bill Milburn for a park in the area. Councilmember Goodman said that he had checked out the subject tract (which contained about 2.5 acres). There was some question with regard to whether or not there was a swimming hole on the property. His question was how it would fit in with other acquisition plans along Little Walnut Creek and the cost of those acquisitions. City Manager Davidson stated that the City would accept dedications or donations of land. In the case of small parcels, it was necessary to make sure that they would tie in with the plan for the park so that it was an asset rather than a liability adjacent to a larger park. He would have answers on the specific parcels soon. Mr. Carson next commented on the limited number of boards and commissions members who lived north of Anderson Lane and east of IH 35. He felt that there should be a greater dispersal throughout the City. Mayor McClellan and Councilmember Goodman agreed with Mr. Carson. MR. JOHN CAMP, representing the Milwood Homeowners Association, presented the following fact sheet and proposal for the development of the Balcones District Park. (See following two pages.) He then reviewed the survey and proposal for the Council. PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BALCONES DISTRICT PARK PREAMBLE This C.I.P. proposal is presented by five Northwest Austin neighborhood associations, to wit: Northwood, Walnut Crossing, Milwood, Angus Valley and Mesa Park. The associations would like to reorder priorities, advance funding dates and suggest a proposed bond election for January 1981 to provide funds for the Park's development. C.I.P. EXISTING C.I.P. REFERENCE (5 YEAR PROGRAM) X PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM X X FY 82-83 FY 81-82 X 81/86-17 Picnic Units $10,000 X 81/86-11 X Maintenance Complex $25,000 X Construct Maintenance Complex (to serve Balcones & other nearby parks) $25,000 81/86-18 Playground Development $50,000 X Construct Restroom Shelters $50,000 X FY 82-83 X Pool Design $100,000 81/86-09 X Landscaping $50,000 FY 82-83 X X FY 83-84 Construct 50 Meter Pool $900,000 X 81/86-21 Restroom Facilities $50,000 X FY 83-84 X FY 83-84 X Landscaping 21/86-23 X 4 Lighted Tennis Courts $1.60,000 Playground Development $50,000 $50,000 X X FY 83-84 FY 84-85 X 81/86-05 50 Meter Pool No Cost Given 4 Lighted Tennis Courts $160,000 X (Design Only) X FY 85-86 X X Picnic Area Development $10,000 X X X Estimated Funds Needed for Park Development $1,345,000 X XXX FACT SHE: Report of Area Survey During 19-24 July 80, the Milwood Subdivision was surveyed by its neighborhood association to see how the area's residents wanted the Balcones District Park developed. Approximately 147 families (453 people) provided input for the survey. The residents wanted priority of construction ordered as follows: a. Pool development (a clear first) b. Playground c. Tennis courts d. Picnic facilities e. Jogging/bicycling paths On 24 July 80 the other neighborhood associations involved in this proposal adopted the results of the Milwood survey as representing the feelings of their members. Area Construction Projection (8-12 years) Subdivision 1. Angus Valley/Whispering Oaks 2. Balcones Woods 3. Milwood 4. Walnut Crossing 5. Northwood 6. Mesa Park TOTAL # Homes Current # Homes Future # Homes Total 300 100 400 400 N/A 400 228 (7/15/80). 2,202 2,723 293 (7/15/80) 200 N/A 491 100 1,912 2,402 200 591 4,314 Neighborhoods who are concerned with the development of the Balcones District Park: a. Milwood b. Mesa Park c. Walnut Crossing d. Angus Valley e. Northwood Whispering Oaks Valley and Dorsett Oaks are currently under development. _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS July 28, 1980 Councilmember Cooke commented that in a one-year bond proposal if the proposed plan were adopted, then only the maintenance complex and pool design would be covered. Construction of the pool would not be included in the one-year program. He wanted to be sure that the neighbor- hood associations understood that fact. Mr. Camp felt that the residents of the area understood, and if necessary, would agree to the putting of the pool construction in the next bond election. In response to Councilmember Goodman's question, Mr. Camp said that the question of interim usage had been worked out among the neighborhood groups. MR. RON ALLEN, President, Balcones Civic Association, had the following comments: 1. Thanked the Council for the $120,000 for park road development in the 80-81 and 81-82 CIP, but hoped that it would not be complete and opened until Spicewood Springs Road between Mesa Drive and Loop 360 was completed. 2. Wanted to be sure that the design of Spicewood Springs Road between Mesa Drive and Loop 360 would be adequate, regardless of whether it was four or six lanes. 3. Expressed his gratitude for improvements along Jollyville Road, such as sidewalks and bikeways. 4. Preferred to have the proposed library for the US 183/Spicewood Springs Road area moved closer to his area. He also asked that library hours be expanded back to where they were originally. An unidentified man stated that he lived out south at the end of MoPac and was a bicycle rider. He asked that the road leading to the hike and bike bridge across Town Lake and underneath MoPac be paved. Mr. Ehrler was to check on the item and report back to Council. MR. GARY VLIET, member, Renewable Energy Resources Commission, stated that all potential solar projects involving City facilities had been deferred to the 4th and 5th years of the CIP with just two exceptions. The Commission had hoped that there would be more solar projects in the next two years. Councilmember Cooke stated that he shared Mr. Vliet's frustrations, but felt that the City was making a good faith effort to incorporate solar into future facilities. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS July 28, 1980 Mr. Vliet felt that more emphasis should be placed on passive solar and suggested that such a project be used in one of the libraries. MS. MARILYN SIMPSON, President, Austin Neighborhoods Council, stated that her group had scrutinized the 1980-85 CIP recommendations and compared them with their past stand on the 1980 bond election and the Metropolitan Roadway Plan. They were surprised and displeased to find the following water and wastewater projects in the proposed CIP: 3. Martin Hill Transmission Main - $2,640,000 1. Davis Lane Pump Station $327,000 2. Texas Highway 71 West Pump Station $71,000 4. Martin Hill Reservior $5,000,000 5. Southwest Distribution Main $1,735,000 6. Preliminary Study and Land Acquisition for Water Treatment Plant #4 $3,165,000 Ms. Simpson felt that the projects should be deleted from the CIP, as well as the limiting of discretionary accounts. No water and wastewater commission had been created, nor was there a water and wastewater master plan. In the Public Works Department, ANC felt that the following projects violated the City's Master Plan and created environmental problems: 1. 2. William Cannon Drive Project from Brodie Lane to US 290 Southwest Quadrant Study Implementation 3. Walsh Tarleton Improvements She asked that the Council not act on those projects until the Metropolitan Roadway Plan had been discussed and adopted. Councilmember Cooke asked Mr. Bill Bulloch, Director, Water and Wastewater Department, how cancellation of the two Martin Hill projects would effect the following neighborhoods: Milwood, Angus Valley and Whispering Oaks. Mr. Bulloch stated that Martin Hill Transmission Main and Reservior would serve primarily Growth Management Area Three to the north of the City and secondarily Growth Management Area Four, which included Milwood, a portion of Angus Valley and those subdivisions that were directly contiguous to the west side of Growth Management Area Three as it moved north of the City. Service in that area would be impacted directly by cancellation of the projects, particularly realizing the growth and buildout to the northwest in Growth Management Area Four and the fact that there were no proposals for that area to spend public money to improve water service. Regarding the water and wastewater master plan, Mr. Bulloch said that during CIP and Operating Budget deliberations the Council would have several options to fund that program either through the CIP, Operating Budget or possibly the ending balance. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS July 28, 1980 Mr. Bulloch said that the Davis Lane Pump Station and Southwest Distribution Main, which would impact Growth Management Area Four in the southwest part of the City had been delayed two years to allow time to deal with policy issues. He had talked extensively with both the Environmental Board and Planning Commission in regard to State Highway 71 West pump station, which would do nothing more than replace an existing pump station with a permanent location which would be more energy efficient and less environmentally intrusive as far as design and noise. Ms. Simpson pointed out that during the last bond election, there was much discussion regarding whether the areas mentioned by Mr. Bulloch should be served by the Martin Hill Reservoir or the Three Points Reservoir She thought that the experts on the other side of the issue had definitely indicated that those areas could be served by the Three Points Reservoir and assorted projects which ANC had not disapproved of. The Martin Hill project was going to open up the Lake Austin Watershed Area for intense development. Regarding the Walsh Tarleton improvements, Councilmember Mullen pointed out that the neighborhood had requested that the project be moved up to 1981-82. Councilmember Cooke asked Mr. Bulloch to clarify whether or not the Three Points Reservoir could serve the neighborhoods represented at the meeting tonight. Mr. Bulloch stated that the Three Points project in the CIP would serve that portion of Growth Management Area Three north of the City but mainly in between Lamar Boulevard and to the east. That project, because of the amount of water line to be laid, coming back down almost to the central city would be much more expensive to the utility rate payers than Martin Hill where there would be very little investment in water line to make that particular project operable. Pressure system changes also entered into the picture, and Martin Hill could serve the Martin Hill and Three Points areas better due to the elevation of the latter. He felt that that consideration should be examined insofar as the financial aspects were concerned. Mayor McClellan stated that she understood that the Martin Hill Transmission Main and Reservoir was not to open up the Lake Austin Watershed, but was simply to handle existing needs, such as Jollyville which was at overload capacity. She asked Mr. Bulloch to elaborate on that project. Mr. Bulloch replied as follows: "I think the only way we could do that with the implication being that by building the transmission main and the Martin Hill Reservoir we could take water that's in the Jollyville Reservoir at the intersection of 183 and McNeil Road and move that water to the south into the Bull Creek Watershed and on further south. By the time, if Council chooses to proceed with the Martin Hill program and the utility rate payers and so forth fund the project, by the time that's built, which is anywhere from three to four to five to six years down the road, the capacity we have, the existing capacity we have at Jollyville will be used on commitments that we've made to existing sub- divisions and to existing utility rate payers in that area. The • _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS July 28, 1980 way to develop additional capacity to accomplish the additional service into Growth Management Area Five into Bull Creek further and on towards the Colorado River and Lake Austin is to build additional storage in the vicinity of 183 and McNeil or further out to the northwest so there's more water there to pump." MS. MARSHA CARRERA, one of the vice presidents of the Northeast Walnut Creek Homeowners' Association, but speaking for herself, asked the City not to annex her area and take funds for that area and apply them elsewhere within the City. MR. RICHARD KLINGNER, member of the board of directors, North Oaks Neighborhood Association, asked what kind of input was needed from the Association to get a neighborhood park for this area, which would be next to an elementary school. Councilmember Mullen agreed with Mr. Klingner over the need for a park in the area. MS. DOROTHY RICHTER, Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, spoke with regard to the following CIP projects: 1. 80/60-02 Alley paving and improvements - Keep in CIP 2. 3. 79/83-02 - Alterations to four fire stations Keep in CIP 81/86-06 Flood Control/Bank Stabilization Asked that exposed trees in Shipe Park creek be saved. 4. 81/86-18 Playground Development Asked for more upgrading for 5. Shipe Park Playground. 73/61-01 Bikeway and Related Facilities Hoped the Council would consider improving the bikeway plan all along. MRS. CAROLYN PANNICK encouraged the Council to leave the Natural Science Center completion in the CIP. MR. SHAWN DOYLE, Northcreed Community Association, encouraged the Council to include in the CIP acquisition of land for an area neighborhood park along with increasing the bike lanes in the City. He asked that CIP 81/62-12 (Public Works To connect Rundberg Lane with Burnet Road) be dropped since it would increase traffic on Rundberg Lane. - CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS July 28, 1980 ADJOURNMENT The Council adjourned its meeting at 8:45 p.m. APPROVED Mayor ATTEST: Grace Monive City Clerk