Bee Cave City Council Meeting 11.27.12

Maureen Appling- her former husband Dean and her live in the Homestead.  Concerned in the way the City is developing.  Concerned about what might come in the place of the Field of Dreams.   In the 2009 comprehensive plan the City calls for the Field of Dreams to be used as parks and open space.   Mrs. Appling cited the Lake Travis View article from August, 2012 and the challenges facing the city.

Michelle Williams-  A small business person who is concerned that the Council is not listening to the citizens.    She is concerned about morning side and the new towers at the Shops at the Galleria.    She said that based on Zelda’s questionaire she voted for her, but that she won’t vote for her again.  She is very concerned about what we plan to do with the Field of Dreams.    Does not agree that we are a shopping destination.  

George Kennebeck- lives on Overland Pass in the Homestead.  He supports the previous speakers and said they have had a meeting.  He said that this is a very weak Council who has not followed the comprehensive plan.   Does not believe we use the master plan as it is designed to be used.   He said we are elected to represent the people and not the developers.

Shiela Leach-  She and David live in the Homestead.  She sells real estate in the Homestead.  The big concern is what is going to happen with the Field of Dreams.  Big Box?  New neighborhood?  As far as she is concerned the 71 area is getting so “over grown” and that we need to fight to keep this a small Bee Cave community.

Terry Mitchell- Lives in the Homestead.  Thanks us for the opportunity to express free speech.   At one time there was a reputation that it was hard to open a business here and now it seems really easy to get a variance in Bee Cave.   The master plan is the guide to be used and we should start using the comprehensive plan to deny variance requests. 

Carrell Killebrew- From the Homestead.   Concerned that the Council did not listen to the residents first before deliberating at the last session.   He is concerned with Kwik Kar, the Shops towers and the “insta-slum.”  Very concerned about Mr. Mandola’s statement that we are a “shopping destination.”   Highland Mall is a “frickin slum.”    It isn’t a shopping destination is a “developer’s dream!”   Here any developer can come in and ask for anything and get it.    It seems that this is a Council that listens to the boon rather than the citizens.    Soon the City will address the zoning change request coming for the Field of Dreams.   He hears that LTYA is verbally stating that the City of Bee Cave will do whatever the developer wants.   However, Bee Cave can be much more than a developer’s dream.   Appeals to the Council to stick to the plan and usher Bee Cave to the future of what Bee Cave can be.   Put the voices of the citizens paramount.  

Rob Bush-  Also resides in the Homestead and has lived here for a year.    Before this they lived in Southlake, Texas.  No multi-family, but it is a shopping destination.   He knows development is coming….but what will it look like in 10 years. 

Lesli Wood- from the Homestead said she is always “moving up.”  From Houston, to Cuernevaca and now to here.   She knew the place would develop, she saw the Galleria come in.   It would be nice to keep the ambience of what we have here.   I would like to see more bikes, trails and parks.    Link all the green areas with trails.    Concerned about selling off parks to the highest bidder.    She does not want to see this become Cuernevaca.    

Eddy Dick- from the Homestead.      Has lived in Bee Cave a couple of times.    

Jeff Rockwood-  a long time resident of Bee Cave and owns the property where the montessori school is located.   Has seen the changes over the years and is not happy with them.   You created the master plan and then now you pander to the businesses.   

1)   The only item before Council on the agenda was a variance request for the Hanson residence which formerly belonged to Cecil Perkins.  He seeks to build a house inside a water quality buffer zone (creek bottom).    Because he agrees to create further water protection the Council agreed to the variance.    He spent 30,000.00 in order to get this place to make the request.  He said his primary goal is to build the house, but also to improve the water quality treatment.  He realizes there is a precedent setting issue.   He had TP&WD inspect the property and confirm it is an “abused pasture.”    The code limits what can be built in the zone to protect little Barton Creek.     However, the current condition is poor and there is little grass for mitigation.  Additionally, the area is less than 4/10 of 1% of the area.  

Good morning,
On behalf of the Mayor, City Council, and City Staff, we would like to invite you to the Grand Opening of the final section of Bee Cave Parkway. The new section of the parkway connects RR 620 to Hwy 71 at Hamilton Pool Road.
We apologize for the short notice, but the unpredictable  weather and a few bumps in the road, figuratively speaking, have made a final completion date difficult to pin down.  
Please meet us at the large pavilion in the Bee Cave Central Park (enter from Bee Cave Parkway off of RR 620) for refreshments and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November  20, 2012. 
We look forward to seeing you there.

Bee Cave City Council Meeting- 11.13.12

The City is hoping the new Bee Cave Parkway extension will open next week.  

Santa will arrive at the Hill Country Galleria this Thursday, November 15th between 6-9 p.m.   Santa will be lead by a drum line, the police and fire department. 

The Bee Cave Public Library was awarded a five star award by the Library Journal.  

The Second Annual Bee Cave Police Benevolent Foundation will be held on  3/22/13 at Star Hill Ranch.  

1)  The Development Plat for Kwik Kar was approved.    

2)  Ordinance #132 consent to the annexation of property located in Spanish Oaks to MUD #6 was approved.

3)  A sign variance for the Bee Cave Baptist Church was granted as to size and moveable sign parts but not as to transloucent lighting.   The Council also voted to reimburse the $150.00 variance fee with Bill Goodwin voting “no.”

4)  The Council approved a “pedestrian countdown” crosswalk at Bee Cave Parkway and the Galleria where the trail crosses.   The move continues the City’s efforts to create a trail system.  

5)  The Shops at the Galleria sought an amendment to the comprehensive sign package seeking to build tower structures and add signs on the back of the building facing Highway 71.    

Paul Kardarella- FH West- supports the change in signage so that our retailers can continue to fund the low tax rates.  

Mike Murphy- (Against) Negotiated the sign package in 2004.    He is not against development, but is concerned about placing signs above the roof.   Disagrees with the economic argument because the Shops sales are up 11% when national rate is 4%.   

Alan Burgoine- (Supports) FH West-  has lived here for 1 1/2 years and part of the draw is the shopping.  He has noticed some empty stores and watched in New Orleans as companies pulled out of malls and left the area desolate.  Believes the community should protect its assets.

Teri Mitchell-  (Against) Suggests using your Iphone to find stores, not signs.   Doesn’t think the signs will increase sales.   

Eddie Kane (Supports)   FH West-    Thinks the towers would be good and questions why we wouldn’t want them.  Questions why we wouldn’t want to increase reveenue.  

Fred Butts (Supports)  FH West-  works for the Shops at the Galleria, but also resides in the City.     He believes that anything that effects the sales tax effects his bottom line.   The Shops has greater retail square footage than the Galleria and the numbers should be higher.    Because of the bankruptcies, the national retailers can pick and choose where they want to go.   If you don’t have decent exposure, they go to the next location.  

Carol Killebrew-  (Against) Homestead- Is against a variance.   Believes that these people knew what they were buying into and need to abide by the agreement.    Doesn’t agree that signs will drive more business.   The rationalization that economic growth should drive change is neverending.  He likes the way the City looks, new towers, new signs…will fundamentally change the look.   The City would be wise to stick to its plan.  

Tracy Hopkins- (Supports)  owns Austintacious blinds and shutters.   They get the traffic because of referrals and return customers.   When they say they are in the Shops at the Galleria, people don’t know where they are talking about.   As a small business owner they fight all the time to keep their doors open.    

Adrian Overstreet- (Supports) The retailers do much more than the City requires. The retailers pay for Christmas at the Galleria, the fountain, the parades, the concerts.    Provided the signs are limited to the tenants in those buildings, he supports the signs.   

Damian Mandola- (Supports)  Is owner of Mandola’s at the Shops at the Galleria.   The Christophers are great local owners.  They put a lot of money in to the project.   This is not your grandma’s Bee Cave.  We are in 2012.   

The Council approved the item with the colors as proposed, towers accepted as proposed, one sign per tower with a tentant occupying that building and that the sign can be maximum 175 square feet.   The motion carried with Councilman Goodwin voting against. 

6)   (Bella Colinas)  —-  Masonwood Development Plan was approved with carriage garage doors, 100% masonry downstairs and 75% upstairs, No drive-through restaurants in the neighborhood services area and the convenience store will match the area decor and they want 50 foot lots as a smaller percentage.  Removing the multi-family and replacing it with single-family reduces the density to 2.95 units per acre rather than the “in-excess” of 4 units per acre in the prior approval.     Erin Giddings is the Project Manager and was questioned regarding how he protects fuel from running off into the Barton Creek Contributing Zone.  The gas station is at issue.    The motion carried with Bill Goodwin voting against. 

7)  The pouring of a cement drive entrance was approved for the Skaggs tract.  

8)    Additional damages to the City building were discovered to the extent of $232,000.00.    The Council approved the repairs to include leakage of air conditioning into the exterior walls and the lack of pans under the tile of the upstairs restrooms.  

9)  A request was made by a resident to cover the small playscape to protect the kids from heat during the summer.    Staff will look in to costs for placing such a cover over the area.  

10)  There was a discussion on exterior construction and design requirements specifically related to masonry requirements and standards.    The more stringent the requirements the higher the value of the house and the size of the lot.      Issues were the use of concrete walls or Hardi-board as masonry siding.  

11) The Council voted to vote for Tom Buckle for TCAD Board of Directors. 

12)  The Council considered moving the annual elections to November instead of May in accordance with recent legislation passed by Governor Perry.   Austin recently voted to move the elections to November, while the LTISD and Lakeway still have May for the next election.  The entities have until December 31, 2012 to make the decision.     

Bob Dorsett, Jr.
Bee Cave City Council
Dorsett Johnson & Swift, LLP

Bee Cave City Council Meeting 10.9.12

1)   Chad Bockius made a presentation on behalf of the Bee Cave Arts Foundation
suggesting the creation of a Bee Cave Sculpture Park.    The suggestions he received were the creation of a business plan and further details for a timeline.  It was clarified that this would need to be a City project and not one the Foundation can manage on its own.    The Foundation was seeking guidance from Council as to general acceptance and whether to move forward.  Councilmember Auslander, Brasch and McKool nodded in favor.   Mayor Murphy suggested the Foundation give an update to the Council at the beginning of the year when funding options can be discussed.   

2)  The completion of the water quality pond   on the Skaggs agreement was delayed due to weather and the City currently hopes to open the Parkway on 11/9/12.   The parties agreed to work through the contract to the mutual benefit. 

3)  Tim O’Conner appeared from the Backyard seeking the construction of a split rail fence adjacent to the Bee Cave Parkway as opposed to the currently planned 5 band barbed wire fence.    Mr. O’Conner said he was appearing in a blazer and slacks tonight as opposed to his usual ball cap and t-shirt because he wanted to convey the importance of his partnership with the City.  

4)  LTISD approached seeking variances for two signs soliciting new bus drivers.  The Council approved the variances for extended time for the signs and further waived the $150.00 for each variance request.

5) Item five was the continued discussion regarding bicycle safety on Bee Cave Parkway.   Casey Sledge with Sledge Engineering made the following recommendations:

a)   “do nothing” option;
       b)   add a five foot wide lane, creating vehicle lanes that are 10’3″.  This would cost approximately 25k and would need to reduce speed to approximately 35 mph;
       c)   instead of dedicated lane, create a shared lane that is 14′ wide; and 
       d)   building a dedicated, separate bike lane away from the existing road with a cost of approximately 500k.  

Mr. Sledge confirmed there likely is enough space in the right-of-way.  While Councilmember Auslander raised concern about the power poles in the right-of-way.   The option was raised regarding the potential use of federal funding options which have a deadline of November 16th, 2012.   

Tim Diven appeared again to discuss the options.  He did not have the opportunity to review Mr. Sledge’s report, but said, in general, that they don’t generally use winding, meandering lanes.    He further said that the best option he heard tonight was the larger, shared lane.    He also said that he wouldn’t suggest lowering the limit below 40 mph.  

I suggested that we take a look at Anderson Mill Road because it is 40 mph and carries many vehicles from 620 to 183 and includes a bike lane.   Item 17 was also opened and it was determined to examine options for funding next year.  

The beautification option also was discussed at length regarding potential options for the medians on Highway 71 and the Parkway.   Staff and Zelda Auslander agreed to meet with TxDOT prior to the next agenda item. 

6)   The next item was a change order for the Parkway extension.    The change order was to add “no parking” signs on the Parkway.  Additionally, MANY drivers, turn right from both lanes where the Parkway meets Highway 620.   This will be re-striped and drivers will only be allowed to turn right from the right lane only.   The concern is that this will back traffic up coming from the southside of the City to the high school and middle school.      They will be striping the road lanes in late October.

7)    Revival appeared before Council seeking the extension of a permit for two tents through mid-November.    They are requesting the use of five tents for “revival-fest” on October 18-21st.     The Council voted to extend the permit through the maximum period of time allowable, 12/23/12.   Councilmember Auslander abstained from the vote.    The extension allows the Revival to hold Revivalfest and Holiday Revival from January 11, 2012- January 23, 2012.  

8)   The main access drive at Spring Creek Estates to Foxfield Lane and Foxfield Cove. The purpose of the name change is for emergency use as the roads currently follow Hamilton Pool Road. 

9)  The issue of handicap doors at the library was raised by several patrons.  The Council voted to approve the installation of a battery operated door opener on the library door and then add electric doors on the east and west doors of the building.    The doors inside the Council building leading to the library will also be equipped for access.   

10)  A 1992 mutual aid agreement was terminated as it was leading to difficulty in services obtaining reimbursement.  

11)  The Council adopted a resolution creating a financial investment policy.

12)  The Council nominated Jack McKool to serve on the Board of Directors of the Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD).  

Bob Dorsett, Jr.
Bee Cave City Council
Dorsett Johnson & Swift, LLP

Bee Cave City Council Meeting- 9.25.12

1)  The Council approved a site plan amendment for the Hill Country Galleria where the Galleria owners seek to build a new office building on the northwest side of Galleria.

2)  Council considered amending the zoning of the Tuscany/ Mountain Laurel Planned Development Neighborhood Services District.  In short, the amendment calls for the “Silverado Senior Living Facility” and the “Meridian Skilled Nursing Community”.  There were multiple amendment requests to the PDD, but a major issue was the increase in square-footage  regarding the senior living facilities from 35,000 to 45,000 and 55,125, respectively.    Bill Walters spoke on behalf of the developers and the PDD Amendment passed unanimously.  

3)  A site and nps plan were discussed and approved for Design Office Building Center on Juniper Trace near Coachworks.  

4)  The City entered a franchise agreement with Texas Gas Service, a division of ONEOK, INC.   The agreement will provide for gas services within Bee Cave for 15 years.   Not all neighborhoods will be served with natural gas.  The currently serve over 200,000 customers in the Austin area and approximately 630,000 statewide.   They plan to build a 13.2 mile pipe line to get to Bee Cave in the Ladera subdivision.    They are tying in just north of 290 on Fitzugh Road, then up Crumley Ranch, then east on Hamilton Pool, to 71, then Bee Cave Parkway to serve Ladera and west to cover Sweetwater.    A Texas Gas representative said that natural gas may be an option within propane communities, but it depends upon the existing infrastructure and their ability to negotiate the purchase from the current providers.   I obtained a copy of the Texas Gas Service Company Rate Structure for Bee Cave beginning September, 2012.

5)  The Council approved Ordinance 125 amending the fiscal budget for the Economic Development Board.    The Board’s ending fund balance on 9.30.12 was 2,610,063.00 and based on current forecasts, an additional 94,000 will be deposited into the fund balance on 9.30.12.

6)  The Council approved Ordinance 126 adopting the budget for Economic Development Corporation.   The 15,000 line item is in place for the purchase of the Falconhead West primitive parkland.  

7)  The Council adopted Ordinance 127 which is the final budget amendement for fiscal year 2012.    The final amendment is used to balance departmental expenditures, sales tax revenues and development revenues. 

8)  The Council discussed amending the City’s fee schedule.  Specifically, fees were discussed regarding electrical inspections, plan review fees for residences in excess of 5000 square feet, a pool fine of $350.00 and a special event application review fee of $100.00.

Bob Dorsett, Jr.
Bee Cave City Council

Bee Cave City Council meeting 9.11.12

The Council held a moment of silence for the victims of 9/11/01.

1)  A license agreement was granted to a homeowner who accidentally built a pool structure 6″ into a public utility easement.

2)  The Council agreed to a license and improvement agreement with the Hill Country Galleria to extend the hike and bike trail from the Galleria to Highway 620 at City Park.    The Galleria will solicit the bids.   The trail will be 5′ wide and made of crushed granite.   The agreement is that the Galleria will build the trail and the City will waive fees in the future to an amount commensurate with the construction cost.     Construction on the trail will begin in 30 days.

3)  Hill Country Galleria Monument Signs-  The Galleria has requested permission to install a new monument sign and has agreed to add “City of Bee Cave” as an addition to the sign for purposes of identifiying the location.    The Council, except Councilmen Goodwin and McKool, voted in favor of the sign to include the “City of Bee Cave.”

4)  A pre-concept plan was introduced for the Old Backyard seeking input on several elevations.     Dr. Mark Baluth would like to use the space as an office and a restaurant.  Dr. Baluth said that he would like to maintain the spirit of the Old Backyard and his design engineer said the intention was to keep some of the history of the building, while also creating a new building.     

5)  The Council renewed its inter-local agreement with Public Health Services between the City of Austin and the City of Bee Cave for services to our restaurants and various food establishments.  

6)  The Council approved an inter-local agreement between Lakeway for dispatching services and agreed to purchase a dispatch console.

7)  The Council voted on members to serve on the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool Board of Trustees.    The Council voted in favor of Greg Ingram; Gary Gilley; Michael Nyren on Place 14.  However, the Council abstained from voting on the places in which no candidates were known.  

8)  The Council analyzed and approved its 2012-2013 annual budget.  The issue discussed at length tonight was wage/salary increases and what criteria should be used:  merit/salary survery from other cities across the state, or a combination thereof.    

9)  The Certified Appraisal Roll for the City was approved and the Ad Valorem tax rate for debt service was approved.    The Council voted to maintain the maximum tax rate of 0.02 per $100.00 valuation which it has maintained for the past 5 years.   

10)  The Council agreed to allow the City Administrator to approve and allow temporary special event permits rather than having each one come before Council.

Bob Dorsett, Jr.
Bee Cave City Council
Founding Partner
Dorsett Johnson & Swift, LLP
Hill Country Galleria
Bee Cave, Texas