BHNA - October 2001 Newsletter

Barton Hills-Horseshoe Bend Neighborhood Association Newsletter October, 2001
Neighborhood Association Meeting Agenda	Neighborhood Association Meeting Tuesday, October 23, 2001 Social Hour and BBQ Dinner 6-7 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2128 Barton Hills Drive Agenda 6-7 P.M.: Social hour Barbecue dinner will be served, catered by Green Mesquite, for $5 per plate. This includes 2 meats and 2 side dishes. $1 for cobbler desert. 7 P.M.: Business Meeting 1. Call to order & Welcome to New Members 2. Approve Minutes of June 26, 2001 3. Treasurer’s Report 4. Nominations Committee Report and Election of Officers 5. Discuss Proposed Bylaw Amendments and take appropriate action. 6. Presentations: - Kati Achtermann, Principal, Barton Hills Elementary School "What’s going on at Barton Hills School?" - Joe Gieselman, Executive Manager, Travis County "November 6 Travis County Bond Election" 7. Environmental/Beautification Committee Report – Craig Smith "Environmental and Beautification Guidelines for Neighborhood" 8. Safety and Transportation Committee Report – Carl Newsome "Proposal for One-way Traffic on Homedale Adjacent to School" 9. Report from Delegate to Austin Neighborhood Council 10. Other Business 11. Adjourn
Travis County Bond Election	Travis County is seeking voter authorization on November 6th to issue $184,955,000 in bonds to pay for major capital projects such as roads, bridges, sidewalks, drainage projects, and right of way for State highways. The election ballot will have four propositions: Proposition #1: Local Roads, Drainage, Bridges, and Pedestrian ways, $57,430,000 Bonds will construct four-lane arterial streets in the urbanizing area, reconstruct substandard bridges, construct two pedestrian ways, and two major drainage projects. Road projects include Anderson Mill Road, Howard Lane, Blake Manor Road, Grand Avenue Parkway, Heatherwilde Boulevard, Wells Branch Parkway, Elroy Road, McKinney Falls Parkway, Hudson Bend Road, General Williamson Road, Flint Rock Road Extension, Westbank Drive, and Travis Cook Road. Proposition #2: County Park Projects, $28,600,000 Bonds will add ball fields, soccer fields, picnic areas and related infrastructure to Southeast Metropolitan Park east of Del Valle and to Northeast Metropolitan Park east of Pflugerville. Bond funds will also acquire land and develop two new metropolitan parks in southwest and east Travis County, locations to be determined. Proposition #3: State Highway 45 North and FM 1826 Right of Way, $32,725,000 Bonds will provide funds for the acquisition of right of way for State Highway 45 North between Anderson Mill Road and FM 685 within the unincorporated area of Travis County and for FM 1826 between Slaughter Lane and US 290 West. Proposition #4: State Highway 130 Right of Way, $66,200,000 Bonds will provide funds for the acquisition of right of way for State Highway 130 within the unincorporated areas of Travis County. Bond funds will be restricted to the eastern alignment of SH 130 as generally described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement approved by the Federal Highway Administration. The Commissioners Court reconsidered and removed from the ballot a separate proposition to construct Frate Barker Road in southern Travis County. If all propositions pass, the average homestead in Travis County will pay an additional $35 per year.
State Constitution Amendments	The election also includes 19 propositions to amend the Texas Constitution. The amendments cover a broad range of purposes and potential bond issue amounts. Harris County cocoa and coffee, Bastrop land titles, and firefighting equipment donations to underdeveloped countries are all addressed by the propositions. Prop 6, a result of the last presidential election, would require the governor to call a special session for the appointment of presidential electors under certain circumstances when there’s not enough time for the electors to meet. Prop 11 would allow current and retired school teachers or administrators to be compensated for serving on local governing bodies. Several amendments would authorize general obligation bond issues. Prop 8 would provide up to $850 million for construction and repair projects by certain state agencies, including the Parks and Wildlife Department and the School for the Deaf. Prop 15 would create the Texas Mobility Fund to support state highways, turnpikes, toll bridges, and other mobility projects. This new funding source could affect planning for Loop 1 North, and State Highways 45 and 130. Prop 19 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to issue bonds up to $2 billion. Although the board has $490 million remaining in its bond authorization, proponents argue that it will need additional bonding authority for future state water needs. Waiting two more years to seek voter approval for additional authorization could jeopardize the board’s ability to finance long-term projects. Opponents argue that the projects should be studied further before additional bonds are authorized. Another notable amendment, Prop 12, would amend 30 sections of the Texas Constitution, and repeal or relocate other sections to improve the clarity, organization, and consistency of the document. Since the constitution was adopted in 1876, the legislature has proposed 567 amendments and voters have approved 390 changes. The Texas Legislative Council and the House Research Organization have each developed detailed information, including supporting and opposing arguments, for each proposed amendment. This information is located on the Secretary of State’s web site at: http://www.sos.state.tx.us. Early voting starts October 22 and ends November 2.
Executive Committee Proposes Amendments to BHNA Bylaws	Let’s face it. When it comes to constant communications, you can’t beat CNN or e-mail. The BHNA Executive Committee proposes to use electronic mail (list serve) as yet another way for the Association to communicate with its members. The proposed bylaws amendment (see below) would have the Treasurer initially subscribe newly paid members of the Association to a computer list server, thus allowing them to receive e-mail from the Association or any of its members. Subscription is voluntary and a member can unlist at any time. The subscription list will remain confidential. The electronic mail service will not be used for voting on Association business or for commercial use. These proposed bylaw amendments will be discussed and voted on at the October 23rd Association meeting. VI OFFICERS 4e Treasurer: This officer shall maintain the current roster of Association membership and the subscription list to its electronic mail service. This office shall serve as network administrator to the electronic mail service. VII MEETING AND ORGANIZATION 4. The Association may publish a quarterly newsletter and maintain an electronic mail service. The newsletter may be distributed quarterly to Association members and twice a year to all neighborhood residents. Subscription to the electronic mail service shall be voluntary and limited to Association members. The Executive Committee may adopt protocols necessary to administer the orderly use of the electronic mail service. X PROHIBITIONS 2. The membership roster and the subscription list to the electronic mail service is confidential and may not be released to non-members without permission of the Executive Committee after careful review of requests made thereof. 3. The electronic mail service shall not be used to cast votes on Association business and cannot be used for commercial purposes.
What's Happening At Barton Hills Elementary School	Barton Hills Elementary is a great place to learn! The school has 330 students in grades Kindergarten through Sixth. Last year, construction was completed on a new conference room, counselor’s office, gym office, and after 34 years, air-conditioning was installed in the gym and kitchen. Learning takes place everyday in the 26 classrooms, including Spanish. In addition, thanks to the support from its PTA, the school has a computer lab with 22 new iMacs for its students. The school is looking for volunteers to help. Two of the greatest needs are for mentors and lunchroom monitors. The mentor program promotes positive relationships between community adults and students. Mentors usually meet with students once a week for about an hour. Lunchroom volunteers and monitors are needed on a daily basis to assist the students through the lunch line and during their lunchtime. If you are interested in volunteering, please call 414-2013. Principal Kati Achtermann is excited to be starting her second year as the Principal at Barton Hills. It’s her 12th year with the Austin Independent School District. She has taught in a variety of classroom settings, serving as an intern in an Area Superintendent's Office’ and experiencing the building and opening of a new school as the assistant principal. Ms. Achtermann is a graduate of the University of Texas (two times!) and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. She enjoys the daily opportunities and challenges of working with the school’s excellent students, dynamic staff and supportive community. Upcoming school calendar includes: 10/ 26 Carnival 11/12-16 Children’s Book Week and Book Fair 11/21-23 Thanksgiving Break 12/24-1/7 Winter Break
BHNA Nomination Committee Report	The following candidates are nominated for the BHNA Executive Committee: Robin McKeever – President Mark Gentle – Vice President Rafael Quintanilla – Treasurer Sharon Slagle – Recording Secretary Peter Hess – Delegate to the Austin Neighborhood Council Noel Holmes – Corresponding Secretary
St. Mark's Episcopal Church Expansion Update	September 23 was Kick-Off Sunday for Building on the Sure Foundation, the fund raising phase of the expansion project. A special celebration service, including contribution pledges, is planned for Sunday, November 4th. The architectural model of the project was completed and is on display in the Parish Hall. City of Austin permitting of the site development plan for the project is in the final stages for the master plan endorsed by the Association. Ground breaking for the initial work is scheduled for spring 2002, including a courtyard, new entrance for the Sanctuary, and an expansion of the Parish Hall. Tom Joyce, St. Mark’s Building Committee Chairman, expressed appreciation of Association support for the project. The church will also appreciate the neighborhood’s patience for some noise, dust, and extra traffic during the construction project. Mr. Joyce said they would try to expedite the project and minimize any inconvenience.

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