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Earlier this year, my wife and I, along with several Lakeway friends, received a shingles vaccine shot at the Travis County / City of Austin Health Clinic at 405 W. Stasseney Lane (512-972-5520). Each shot cost $10. The clinic has only a limited supply of the vaccine. They do run out and sometimes do not have it available. It is best to call the number I have listed to check availability and schedule an appointment.
As many of you know shingles is a painful skin rash. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Only someone who has had chickenpox – or, rarely, has gotten chicken pox vaccine – can get shingles. The virus stays in your body and can cause shingles many years later. The shingles is far more common in people 50 years and older. A single dose of shingles is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sign the Beam!
Beginning March 21st, Lakeway Area residents are invited to sign the beam that will be lifted to the very top of the Lakeway Regional Medical Center hospital. The beam will be displayed and available for signing at Lakeway City Hall from March 21, 2011, through March 23, 2011.
After the signing, the beam will be transported to the hospital construction site, where General Contractor HOAR Construction will celebrate an important milestone with a “Topping Out” Ceremony later this month.
The Topping Out Ceremony will provide the opportunity for HOAR Construction and Surgical Development Partners to thank all the workers, subcontractors and management team for the successful achievement of the completion of the major structural components.
Topping Out is a ceremony that is done when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. The last beam to be hoisted is painted white and signed by all workmen, dignitaries, and local citizens. The beam then flies into place and an evergreen tree is placed on top. The Topping Out ceremony dates back to Rome as early as 621 B.C.
The custom came with immigrants to the United States and has become an integral part of American culture in barnraisings and housewarmings. The tree on top of the building ensures fertility of the land and home as well as a good luck charm for the future occupants.
Lakeway City Hall – 1102 Lohmans Crossing
Signing of the Beam (Open to the public):
Monday, March 21, 2011 Noon – Dusk
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 8:00 a.m. – Dusk
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 8:00 a.m. – Dusk
After the signing, the beam will be transported to the hospital construction site, where General Contractor HOAR Construction will celebrate an important milestone with a “Topping Out” Ceremony later this month.
The Topping Out Ceremony will provide the opportunity for HOAR Construction and Surgical Development Partners to thank all the workers, subcontractors and management team for the successful achievement of the completion of the major structural components.
Topping Out is a ceremony that is done when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. The last beam to be hoisted is painted white and signed by all workmen, dignitaries, and local citizens. The beam then flies into place and an evergreen tree is placed on top. The Topping Out ceremony dates back to Rome as early as 621 B.C.
The custom came with immigrants to the United States and has become an integral part of American culture in barnraisings and housewarmings. The tree on top of the building ensures fertility of the land and home as well as a good luck charm for the future occupants.
Lakeway City Hall – 1102 Lohmans Crossing
Signing of the Beam (Open to the public):
Monday, March 21, 2011 Noon – Dusk
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 8:00 a.m. – Dusk
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 8:00 a.m. – Dusk
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Council Workshop on March 1st
The Lakeway City Council will hold a workshop on March 1st starting at 1:00 P.M at the Lakeway City Hall. These workshops are usually very interesting meetings. During these Council workshops, which are normally held once or twice a year, individual Councilmembers or Department Heads have the opportunity to bring to the full Council issues, programs or projects they want to discuss with the entire body. The purpose of the discussions may only be informational. However, more often, the presenter is interested in getting feedback or consensus from the Council in an effort to get support to move a proposal forward. Some of the items turn out to be good informative exchanges of information. Some actually result in agreements to spend additional staff time to develop the proposal more fully. Whatever the result, workshops are usually very interesting. You are certainly welcome (in fact I encourage you) to attend.
The items on the March 1 workshop agenda are:
1. Establish Quorum and Call to Order.
2. 1:00 P.M. Discuss ordinance prohibiting mountain and trail bikes in Hamilton Greenbelt. Sponsored by Councilmember Dennis Wallace.
3. 1:30 P.M. Discuss sale of Rebel and Sailfish Parks. Sponsored by Councilmember Dave Taylor.
4. 1:50 P.M. Capital Improvement Plan/Infrastructure Maintenance. Presented by City Manager Steve Jones and Councilmember Alan Tye.
5. 2:30 P.M. Bond Issue supporting Capital Improvement Plan. Presented by City Manager Steve Jones and Councilmember Alan Tye.
6. 2:50 P.M. Break
7. 3:00 P.M. Hospital Construction Status – Economic/Traffic Impacts. Sponsored by Councilmember Alan Tye.
8. 3:15 P.M. Comprehensive Plan. Presented by Deputy City Manager Chessie Blanchard.
9. 3:30 P.M. Security Camera System. Sponsored by Mayor Dave DeOme/Police Chief Todd Radford.
10. 4:30 P.M. Trail on Lakeway Boulevard. Sponsored by Mayor Dave DeOme and Parks And Recreation Director Andra Streety.
11. 4:45 P.M. Ideal Strategies for Resolving Use of Exxon Station Property. Sponsored by Councilmember Alan Tye.
12. 5:00 P.M. Wrap-Up.
13. Adjourn.
The items on the March 1 workshop agenda are:
1. Establish Quorum and Call to Order.
2. 1:00 P.M. Discuss ordinance prohibiting mountain and trail bikes in Hamilton Greenbelt. Sponsored by Councilmember Dennis Wallace.
3. 1:30 P.M. Discuss sale of Rebel and Sailfish Parks. Sponsored by Councilmember Dave Taylor.
4. 1:50 P.M. Capital Improvement Plan/Infrastructure Maintenance. Presented by City Manager Steve Jones and Councilmember Alan Tye.
5. 2:30 P.M. Bond Issue supporting Capital Improvement Plan. Presented by City Manager Steve Jones and Councilmember Alan Tye.
6. 2:50 P.M. Break
7. 3:00 P.M. Hospital Construction Status – Economic/Traffic Impacts. Sponsored by Councilmember Alan Tye.
8. 3:15 P.M. Comprehensive Plan. Presented by Deputy City Manager Chessie Blanchard.
9. 3:30 P.M. Security Camera System. Sponsored by Mayor Dave DeOme/Police Chief Todd Radford.
10. 4:30 P.M. Trail on Lakeway Boulevard. Sponsored by Mayor Dave DeOme and Parks And Recreation Director Andra Streety.
11. 4:45 P.M. Ideal Strategies for Resolving Use of Exxon Station Property. Sponsored by Councilmember Alan Tye.
12. 5:00 P.M. Wrap-Up.
13. Adjourn.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Marina at Graveyard Point
In December, the Lakeway City Council unanimously approved a development agreement for the construction of a marina at the end of Hurst Creek road in Graveyard Point. This area is now in the City of Lakeway’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
This project has had a long history. In fact, the precursor to the current proposal received a permit from the LCRA and the City of Austin back in 1987. This was when the area was in Austin’s ETJ. Over the years, the proposal evolved into a project which included a public boat ramp, restaurant and music venue. The City of Lakeway’s position has always been that such offerings would significantly increase the traffic through Lakeway and were therefore unacceptable.
About two years ago, a new developer acquired the land at Graveyard Point where the original marina project was proposed to be built as well as the project’s “entitlements”…namely the Austin permit. The City of Lakeway challenged the validity of the decades old Austin permit. With the prospect of legal action by both the developer and the City, the parties entered into negotiations aimed at avoiding a prolonged and potentially costly legal battle. I don’t know what the developer’s motivation was for entering these negotiations. However, now that the developer has signed the agreement, I would like to outline to the citizens of Lakeway, the city’s motivation.
The City attorney advised Council on a number of occasions that she believed the City would have a good probability of establishing in court that the Austin permit was no longer valid. However, she worried that we could not simply refuse to grant a City of Lakeway development permit for the marina project. Under Texas law, such a refusal may have resulted in the developer successfully arguing in court that the City of Lakeway had “taken” the use of his land by not allowing him, under any condition, to use it as he had intended. If the developer had brought such a “taking” claim to court and won, the City may have ended up with a sizable liability. Translate that to mean your taxes would have gone up to pay the award. Maybe significantly.
I believe the negotiations with the developer were very successful for the citizens of Lakeway. The City was able to negotiate a marina development agreement which, among other things, does NOT allow a public boat ramp, does NOT allow a restaurant and does NOT allow a music venue. By eliminating these options from the project, City Council believes that the marina will not be a “nuisance” to its neighbors or the citizens of Lakeway in general. In fact, for many Lakeway residents that own a boat, they now have another slip option available to them!
This project has had a long history. In fact, the precursor to the current proposal received a permit from the LCRA and the City of Austin back in 1987. This was when the area was in Austin’s ETJ. Over the years, the proposal evolved into a project which included a public boat ramp, restaurant and music venue. The City of Lakeway’s position has always been that such offerings would significantly increase the traffic through Lakeway and were therefore unacceptable.
About two years ago, a new developer acquired the land at Graveyard Point where the original marina project was proposed to be built as well as the project’s “entitlements”…namely the Austin permit. The City of Lakeway challenged the validity of the decades old Austin permit. With the prospect of legal action by both the developer and the City, the parties entered into negotiations aimed at avoiding a prolonged and potentially costly legal battle. I don’t know what the developer’s motivation was for entering these negotiations. However, now that the developer has signed the agreement, I would like to outline to the citizens of Lakeway, the city’s motivation.
The City attorney advised Council on a number of occasions that she believed the City would have a good probability of establishing in court that the Austin permit was no longer valid. However, she worried that we could not simply refuse to grant a City of Lakeway development permit for the marina project. Under Texas law, such a refusal may have resulted in the developer successfully arguing in court that the City of Lakeway had “taken” the use of his land by not allowing him, under any condition, to use it as he had intended. If the developer had brought such a “taking” claim to court and won, the City may have ended up with a sizable liability. Translate that to mean your taxes would have gone up to pay the award. Maybe significantly.
I believe the negotiations with the developer were very successful for the citizens of Lakeway. The City was able to negotiate a marina development agreement which, among other things, does NOT allow a public boat ramp, does NOT allow a restaurant and does NOT allow a music venue. By eliminating these options from the project, City Council believes that the marina will not be a “nuisance” to its neighbors or the citizens of Lakeway in general. In fact, for many Lakeway residents that own a boat, they now have another slip option available to them!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Capital Improvement Program
At the City Council meeting on Monday October 18th, the City Manager requested funds ($25,000) to contract with an engineering firm to provide cost estimates to be used in developing a Capital Improvement Program. The initial list of projects provided by the City Manager includes the following projects:
Road Related Projects:
1. Asphalt overlay on Lohman’s Crossing & Hurst Creek Drive
2. Irrigation & landscape improvements on Lakeway Blvd. East
3. Walking trail on Lakeway Blvd.
4. Rehabilitation of walking trail on Lakeway Blvd. West
5. Rehabilitation of Brooks Hollow Drive.
Parks Related Projects
1. Footbridge on trail over Hurst Creek at the Justice Center
2. Swim Platform at City Park
3. New Bathhouse at City Park
4. Sports Fields
5. Bathroom and Parking Lot extension at Hamilton Greenbelt
6. Bathroom at Canyon Land Trail
7. Rehabilitation of Bathroom at Dragon Park
Facilities Related Projects
1. New Police Headquarters
2. Municipal Court
3. Parks and Recreation – Addition to Activity Center
4. Public Works Addition
5. Animal Shelter
This is a preliminary list of projects developed by City staff. We are a long way from having a concrete proposal. However, I thought you would like to be informed as to what projects were on the preliminary list. The City will be soliciting public opinion later in the Fall via a survey on the City’s web site. Your opinion as to the desirability of the listed projects or suggestions regarding additional projects would be greatly appreciated.
Road Related Projects:
1. Asphalt overlay on Lohman’s Crossing & Hurst Creek Drive
2. Irrigation & landscape improvements on Lakeway Blvd. East
3. Walking trail on Lakeway Blvd.
4. Rehabilitation of walking trail on Lakeway Blvd. West
5. Rehabilitation of Brooks Hollow Drive.
Parks Related Projects
1. Footbridge on trail over Hurst Creek at the Justice Center
2. Swim Platform at City Park
3. New Bathhouse at City Park
4. Sports Fields
5. Bathroom and Parking Lot extension at Hamilton Greenbelt
6. Bathroom at Canyon Land Trail
7. Rehabilitation of Bathroom at Dragon Park
Facilities Related Projects
1. New Police Headquarters
2. Municipal Court
3. Parks and Recreation – Addition to Activity Center
4. Public Works Addition
5. Animal Shelter
This is a preliminary list of projects developed by City staff. We are a long way from having a concrete proposal. However, I thought you would like to be informed as to what projects were on the preliminary list. The City will be soliciting public opinion later in the Fall via a survey on the City’s web site. Your opinion as to the desirability of the listed projects or suggestions regarding additional projects would be greatly appreciated.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Council meeting - September 20, 2010
We have our regularly scheduled Council meeting tonight. There are some items on the agenda that should spark some interest. The first set of items involves wrapping up the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget. This includes a final discussion and vote on the budget. The proposed tax rate is 19.96 cents per $100 of property valuation. This rate is up from 19.29 cents this year. However, since the average homeowner saw a drop in property value (unfortunately), the average homeowner will essentially pay the same amount in total tax as they paid last year.
We will also be discussing an “Interlocal agreement” with the Village of the Hills which will pave the way for the City of Lakeway to annex a small group of 30 homes called the Villas of the Hills that has been in the Village’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction for over thirteen years and during that time the Villas' property owners have not paid property taxes to either the Village or the City of Lakeway.
The Council will also be discussing a Special Use Permit for a fast food restaurant called P Terry’s Burger Stand located at 3311 RR 620 South. The Special Use Permit is to operate a drive-through facility.
We will also be discussing a proposal to increase the base rate for trash and recycling collection.
Hope to see you there! The Council meeting is held the third Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at the Lakeway City Hall Council Chamber at 1102 Lohmans Crossing, Lakeway , Texas.
We will also be discussing an “Interlocal agreement” with the Village of the Hills which will pave the way for the City of Lakeway to annex a small group of 30 homes called the Villas of the Hills that has been in the Village’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction for over thirteen years and during that time the Villas' property owners have not paid property taxes to either the Village or the City of Lakeway.
The Council will also be discussing a Special Use Permit for a fast food restaurant called P Terry’s Burger Stand located at 3311 RR 620 South. The Special Use Permit is to operate a drive-through facility.
We will also be discussing a proposal to increase the base rate for trash and recycling collection.
Hope to see you there! The Council meeting is held the third Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at the Lakeway City Hall Council Chamber at 1102 Lohmans Crossing, Lakeway , Texas.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Goodwill Store
There have been a number of people that have approached me with the question, "How could the City allow a good will store to be built in Lakeway?"
There is no restriction in the City’s Zoning ordinances against a business such as the Goodwill store. The City does have restrictions on the size of a retail store. Nothing over 100,000 square feet. It also requires a "special use permit" for certain businesses. The best example is an establishment with a drive thru window (which could create traffic issues) requires such a permit. A special use permit requires approval by the Zoning and Planning Commission and the City Council. The Goodwill store is much smaller than 100,000 square feet and has no drive thru aisle. Please be aware that the management of Goodwill at the highest levels has been informed that their operation will have to follow all the Health, Safety and Welfare ordinances of the City of Lakeway. This building and the business operation will be different from other Goodwill stores as the result of strict Lakeway ordinances. The City has not given Goodwill any variances to any ordinances.
There is no restriction in the City’s Zoning ordinances against a business such as the Goodwill store. The City does have restrictions on the size of a retail store. Nothing over 100,000 square feet. It also requires a "special use permit" for certain businesses. The best example is an establishment with a drive thru window (which could create traffic issues) requires such a permit. A special use permit requires approval by the Zoning and Planning Commission and the City Council. The Goodwill store is much smaller than 100,000 square feet and has no drive thru aisle. Please be aware that the management of Goodwill at the highest levels has been informed that their operation will have to follow all the Health, Safety and Welfare ordinances of the City of Lakeway. This building and the business operation will be different from other Goodwill stores as the result of strict Lakeway ordinances. The City has not given Goodwill any variances to any ordinances.
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