Back to Archives

Austin Votes: Electric Rates, Speed Zones, Zoning

Thursday, May 5, 1988 regular
  • Electric Rate Freeze & Community Support:

    A significant resolution was passed to implement a zero rate increase for electric rates. Additionally, grants were accepted to fund essential services for high-risk infants and children, and to support the Zilker Summer Musical.
  • Traffic Safety Concerns on RM 2222:

    The Mayor expressed strong opposition to increasing speed limits on RM 2222, citing concerns about anticipated traffic from the upcoming 3-M facility, although the speed limit increase ultimately stood.
  • Key Decisions Postponed:

    Important discussions and policy decisions regarding new municipal airport planning, design, and construction, as well as recommendations for the Barton Creek Watershed, were deferred to future meetings.
  • Growth, Zoning, & Infrastructure:

    Several significant zoning changes were approved, including for St. Edwards University, reshaping parts of the city. Land acquisition was authorized for the U.S. Highway 183 expansion project, and a major contract was approved for paving and drainage on Grove Boulevard.

Full Transcript

FOUNDER 1039 Austin City Council MINUTES For May 05, 1988 1:00 Ρ.Μ. Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Memorandum To: 1 ! Mayor Cooksey called to order the meeting of the Council, noting the presence of all Councilmembers. MINUTES APPROVED The Council, on Councilmember Humphrey's motion, Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's second, approved minutes for regular meeting of April 28, 1988 and special meeting of April 26, 1988. (4-0 Vote, Councilmember Urdy and Nofziger and Mayor Pro Tem Trevino out of the room) CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Connie John Henneberger discussed new City Housing Policy. Moore discussed permit for compost toilet at 709 Bouldin. Ms. Lori Bible, Mr. David Kruger, Mr. Rich Ellmer and Ms. Diana Waite did not appear. H.P. "Pat" Gillespie discussed convention civic center site selection. URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION & CITIZENS' TRAFFIC COMMISSION Audley Blackburn presented the Infrastructure Maintenance Report for Urban Transportation Commission & Citizen's Traffic Safety Commission and read their resolution. PUBLIC HEARING - APPEAL Mayor Cooksey opened the public hearing set for 1:30 p.m. on an appeal from Mr. Stan Biderman of the Planning Commission's decision regarding Case No. SP-88-0034A People who spoke have their registration cards on file in the City Clerk's office. Motion The Council, on Councilmember Humphrey's motion, Councilmember Nofziger's second, granted an appeal from Mr. Stan Biderman of the C Council Memo 2 May 5, 1988 Planning Commission's decision regarding Case No. SP-88-0034A. (5-0 Vote, Mayor Pro Tem Trevino, Councilmember Urdy out of the room) ORDINANCE RECONSIDERED Council had before them for reconsideration the amendment to the Austin City Code to modify certain speed zones on R.M. 2222. Gabriel Mendenez, Highway Department, District 14, said the increase in speeds is to correct an error of December 18, 1986 and they are correcting the error now in order to comply with their procedure on State highways. Mayor Cooksey said he is concerned with speeds being increased on 2222, especially since 3-M will be opening soon and that will add 1000 cars daily to RM 2222. He asked the Highway Department to restudy their findings and report to him or contact him after the Highway Department has reviewed the speeds. No action was taken on reconsideration of the ordinance so it stands as passed on April 28, 1988. RECESS Council recessed its meeting from 2:55 to 3:04 Ρ.Μ. ITEM POSTPONED Postponed to May 12, 1988 at 2:00P.M. is consideration of approval of the selection of Professional Engineering/Architectural Program Management Services (RFP) for the new City of Austin Municipal Airport planning, design and construction program, C.I.P. No. 88/81-05. ITEM POSTPONED Postponed to May 17 and 19 is consideration of the Barton Creek Watershed recommendations from the Environmental Board. ZERO RATE INCREASE The Council on Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's motion, Councilmember Humphrey's second, adopted a resolution for a zero rate increase for electric rates. (6-0 Vote, Mayor Pro Tem Trevino out of the room) OLD BUSINESS - ORDINANCES The Council, on Councilmember Shipman's motion, Councilmember Nofziger's second, passed through second/third readings of ordinances amending Chapter 13-2A of the Austin City Code (Zoning Ordinance) to cover the following changes: (6-0 Vote, Mayor Pro Tem Trevino out of the room) Council Memo (1) (2) MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH C14-85-288.93 3 May 5, 1988 7416 Hwy. 71 West Prom "I-RR" to "GO" First reading on April 16, 1986, (5-0). Mayor Pro Tem John Trevino, Jr. and Councilmember George Humphrey absent. Conditions have been set as follows: Restrictive Covenant incorporating conditions imposed by Council has been executed. HASKELL HUDSON AND JERRY DIXON By Cary D. Jones C14-85-288.858 8200-8240vy. 290 West From "I-RR" to "LO" First reading on April 16, 1986, (5-0). Mayor Pro Tem John Trevino, Jr. and Councilmember George Humphrey absent. Conditions have been net as follows: Restrictive Covenant incorporating conditions imposed by Council has been executed. (3) SOUTH AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH (4) By Myer, Lytton, Allen & Whitaker C14-87-165 7913 Manchaca Road From "DR" to Tr. 1 "SF-3" Tr. 2 "SF-2" First reading on January 28, 1988, (7-0). Conditions have been met as follows: Development restricted to that shown on the Site Plan attached as an exhibit to the ordinance. ST. EDWARDS UNIVERSITY By Anne S. Vynne C14-86-300 3200-3624 South IB-35 401-1201 Blocks of St. Edvards Drive 100-1400 Blocks of Woodward Street and From Tr. 1 "SF-3" Tr. 2 "SF-3" Tr. 3 "SF-3" Tr. 4 "SF. 3" Tr. 5 "SF-3" Tr. 6 "SF-3" Tr. 7 "5-3", "GO" First reading on July 2, 1987 (7-0). Conditions have been met as follows: Restric- tive Covenant incorporating conditions imposed by Council has been executed. 2801-3317 South Congress To Tr. 1 "GR" Tr. 2 "GR" Tr. 3 "GO" Tr. 4 "MF-3" Tr. 5 "LO-MU" Tr. 6 "LR" Tr. 7 "GO-MU" Tr. 7A "GO-MU-E" Tr. 8 "RR" Tr. 9 "RR" Tr. 10 "RR" Tr. 11 "RR" & "CS" Tr. 7A 'SP-3" Tr. 8 F-3" Tr. 9SF-3" Tr. 10 SP-3" Tr. 1 "SF-3" Council Memo CONSENT ORDINANCES 4 5/5/88 The Council, on Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's motion, Mayor Cooksey's second, waived the requirement for three readings and finally passed the following ordinances all in one consent motion: (5-0 Vote, Mayor Pro Tem Trevino and Councilmember Urdy out of the room) North Austin MUD District No. 1 Approved an amended land plan for that certain 177 acre tract within the boundaries of the North Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1, approving an assignment of the North Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 Consent Agreement to San Antonio Savings Association and authorizing the execution of the second amendment to the North Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 Consent Agreement. (5-0 Vote, Mayor Pro Tem Trevino and Councilmember Urdy out of the room) License Agreement Approved an amendment to Ordinance No. 850627-2 for a License Agreement to allow the encroachment of underground fiber optic cable into the public right-of-way from the West side of the AT&T Building at 9th and Colorado Street; South on Colorado to the North side of East 3rd Street; South side of I.H. 35 Overpass; South side of East 4th Street; East side of San Marcos Street; North side of Willow Street; East side of San Saba Street; North side of East 3rd Street; West side of Broadway Street; North side of East 5th Street and continuing along the existing out-of-town route. (Request submitted by AT&T Communications) Speed Zone Modification Amended the City Code of Austin, 1981, to modify the following speed zone: Section 11-2-99(b) 20 mph Add: Hogan Avenue from Montopolis Drive to Grove Boulevard Election Polling Places Amended Ordinance No. 880310-J relating to the location of election polling places. Health Grant Authorized acceptance of a grant from Texas Department of Health in the amount of $89,974.00, appropriating to the AustinTravis County Health Department the grant amount and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract amendment with the Texas Department of Health for the provision of case management services for high-risk infants and children. Council Memo CONSENT. RESOLUTIONS 5 5/5/88 The Council, on Councilmember Shipman's motion, Councilmember Nofziger's second, adopted the following resolutions all in one consent motion: (6-0 Vote, Mayor Pro Tem Trevino out of the room) Release of Easements Authorized release of the following easements: a. An Electrical and/or Distribution Line Easement of record in Volume 659, Page 354, Travis County Deed Records insofar as it affects the Fourth and Fifth Tracts of the Thomas W. Bundick Survey. (Request submitted by Lauretta Dowd, Bryson & Associates, on behalf of Nash Phillips Copus, Inc.) b. An Electric and Telephone Easement of record in Volume 288, Page 69, Deed Records of Williamson County, Texas, located on Lots 1-A and 2-A, Amended Plat of Lots 1 & 2, Block B, Tress Sonesta Subdivision. (Request submitted by Tom Curtis on behalf of the Ford Leasing Development Company) Eminent Domain Proceedings Authorized the filing of Eminent Domain Proceedings to acquire the following: a. 0.328 acre (14,270 sq. ft.) of land out of the George W. Davis Survey No. 15 and the James P. Wallace Survey No. 57 in Travis County, Texas, owned by Anderson Square Properties a partnership composed of W.M. Day, Jr., Patrick Nugent, Alden B. Smith and Sander W. Shapiro for the U.S. Highway 183 Expansion Project. C.I.P. No. 85/62-01 b. 0.153 of one acre of land in fee simple out of a 0.62 acre tract in the George W. Davis Survey No. 15 in Travis County, Texas, owned by Shell Oil Company for the U.S. Highway 183 Improvement Project. C.I.P. No. 85/62-01. Contracts Approved Approved the following contract J.C. EVANS CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. 8217 Shoal Creek Blvd. Austin, Texas - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM Grove Boulevard Phase I, Paving and Drainage, from Riverside Drive to Hogan Avenue, including a 12-inch waterline, Transportation and Public Services Department Total $1,080,516.60 C.I.P. Nos. 81/62-04, 87/23-33, 87/22-39 & 88/17-02 Council Agenda 6 Postponed the following contract to May 12, 1988: EDWARD WECK, INCORPORATED 1728 Liberty Lane Mesquite, Texas License Agreements - 5/5/88 Hemoclips and Appliers, Brackenridge Hospital Twelve Month Supply Agreement Total $125,976.00 BS8-174 Approved entering into the following license agreements: a. To allow construction of a highway overpass structure and the construction of right and left frontage roads over and across the City-owned railroad at Milepost 64.87, Engineer's Station 446+16, all being a part of U.S. Highway 183 improvements by the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation. (Request submitted by the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation) b. To allow the installation of railroad grade crossing warning systems for the right and left frontage roads of U.S. Highway 183 improvements across the City-owned railroad at Milepost 64.87. (Request submitted by the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation) Item Pulled Pulled from the agenda was a resolution to consider disapproval of preliminary plan of Yager Lane Business Park (C8-88-0019) This item did not require Council action. Item Postponed Postponed to May 12, 1988 is consideration of authorizing participation in a research project from the American Water Works Association (estimated net cost: $25,000.00) Zilker Summer Musical Authorized the submission and acceptance of a grant in the amount of $10,000.00 from the T.L.L. Temple Foundation to provide a live orchestra for the Zilker Summer Musical. - ----- Authorized the submission and acceptance of a grant in the amount of $20,000.00 from the Lola Wright Foundation to purchase sound equipment for the Zilker Summer Musical. WATERFRONT ADVISORY BOARD Councilmember Shipman introduced an item to Council to consider redefining the Waterfront Advisory Board. She told Council: : i Council Memo 7 5/5/88 "As you recollect, they appeared before us and asked that they be allowed to continue as an oversight body for the Town Lake Master Plan and also they wanted to continue in their role of review and in making recommendations on site plans in the Town Lake Corridor to the respective boards as an advisory board. I would like to send this proposed resolution to Legal because it would be more appropriate that their reconstitution be incorporated into the model ordinance Council adopted several months ago about boards and commissions. With your support we will send it on." Council agreed. MISCELLANEOUS Council did not hold an executive session, nor did they make appointments to boards and commissions. No action was taken on Gilbane Update of the Civic Center Project or the City Manager Search. The City Manager report on Planning & Growth Management Business Plan was presented at the May 3, 1988 worksession. ADJOURNMENT Council adjourned its meeting at 4:04 Ρ.Μ. ! i