South River City Citizens (SRCC): draft agenda for meeting of general membership, December 6, 1010

South River City Citizens (SRCC): draft agenda for meeting of general membership, December 6, 1010 return to SRCC home page

MEETING OF THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP OF SRCC
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2010
7:15 PM
GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
205 E. MONROE, AUSTIN, TEXAS

AGENDA

CALL TO ORDER/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. 7:15 Room setup, meeting procedures, etiquette, welcome newcomers.
Presenter throughout: Sarah Campbell, President, unless otherwise noted.

2. 7:20 Membership & voting announcements.
Presenter: Carol Martin, Membership Chair

3. 7:25 Approve meeting minutes
from 10/4/10 and 11/01/10; posted at www.srccaustin.org.

OLD BUSINESS
4. 7:30 Norwood House/Property -- Approve letter to the City of Austin/Parks and Recreation Department for finally giving attention to the Norwood parkland (see attachment).
5. 7:40 The Park PUD #C14-2008-140 Barton Springs Rd where The Filling Station used to be -- wants PUD status for upzoning against PUD's own rules.

NEW BUSINESS
6. 7:45 Noise problems associated with outdoor sports at St. Edwards University.
Presenter: Elloa Mathews, Area 5 Co-Coordinator

7. 8:00 Lower Colorado River Authority water plan.
Presenter: Russell Fraser, member
8. 8:10 Letter to City's Parks & Recreation Department re: killing of very old grapevine at Little Stacy Park.
Presenter: Marty Christman, Co-Chair for Environment, Parks Schools & Environment Committee
9. 8:15 Time to renew our ANC Membership -- $35 due by January 26, 2010.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
10. 8:20 Report on the of the Ad Hoc Committee on Financial Policy & Procedures for SRCC.
Presenter: Sam Martin, Chair
11. 8:30 Meeting on South Congress Improvement Project (SCIP): Wednesday, Dec 15, 6-7:30 pm, City Hall to discuss safety and mobility improvements, and moving forward with the project.
12. 8:30 Special called meeting of ANC to discuss Imagine Austin Comprehensive Planning process: Wed, Dec 8, 7-8:00 pm, Austin Energy, 721 Barton Springs Rd.

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Draft letter to Parks & Recreation Department re: Feasibility Study of Norwood Property.

ATTACHMENT TO SRCC AGENDA 12/6/10 -- DRAFT

December 6, 2010

Sara Hensley, Director
Parks and Recreation Department
City of Austin, Texas

RE: NORWOOD PROPERTY FEASIBILITY STUDY

Dear Ms. Hensley,

After 25 years of neglect by the City of its Norwood property, and after nearly as many years' efforts by various community groups and individuals to call attention to the property for purposes of renovating it, SRCC is very pleased that PARD has recently stepped up to the plate.

The Norwood Property Feasibility Study, as we understand it, will evaluate a range of options for future use and development, including complete removal of all vestiges of the once showcase estate, at one end, to complete renovation at the other end. Ideally, this Study will set the stage for future bonds & grants for the best development of the parkland.

SRCC officially has always supported renovation of the estate, and still does. After all, the Norwood Posse -- the most recent community group pushing the City for renovation under the energetic leadership of Wolf Sittler -- is an SRCC Ad Hoc committee. Our MAJOR CONCERN is that after all this work, the Study will somehow recommend removal of the house.

While we are grateful for the financial attention Norwood is now getting, we will work for renovation as the recommended outcome. We know the house has "good bones" and status among the historic community. We know Council supported us with its recent Resolution #_______ passed on _____, 2010. We do not think a better option to renovation will surface from the Study; it will have to be one heck of an idea heretofore unconsidered by the many individuals involved to date.

Finally, we realize that although Norwood is our direct neighbor, it is a citywide resource that should have wide appeal. SRCC thinks, once again, that renovation best serves both the neighborhood and the broader user groups. SRCC looks forward to your careful and sensitive guidance of the Study toward the best use of valuable dollars and the best end use of the parkland. Thank you for your attention to this long-neglected jewel of a public resource.

Sincerely,

Sarah Campbell, President
South River City Citizens (SRCC) Neighborhood Association
Copies to PARD staff, City Council Members, CM & ACM, Landmark Commission

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return to Norwood on agenda

Agenda prepared by Sarah Campbell, 462-2261
Items not necessarily taken in order above.

return to SRCC home page