Music in EMLK Parks

We have 4 fantastic parks/nature reserves in EMLK area - we would like to explore some options to have music festival in our parks but in a low key laid back way like Austin use to be

Some conditions

1. Musicians will  be local (in east side we have lot of musicians - this will be their venue)

2. Musicians will get paid and we will collect that money somehow (don't know how)

3. Locals will walk or bike to the park so we get to know more people (that's how communities are built)

4. The entire families can come to the event (they will 2 or 3 or 4 hours)
 ​

I will request Maria to advice us with the permits etc that may be needed.

EMLK contact teams and NAs will help but there has to be a seperate body to manage this (may be there is one already in some other capacity)

Rodeo Austin is doing a tremendous job in bringing musicians to east side​ - we can take advantage of that and do something in small scale - something which is relaxed and low key. We can start something in very small scale from this year itself

thanks

Pinaki

2018 bond money for EMLK hike and bike trail

Hello Everybody,

Ali and I recently spoke at the Urban Transportation Commission. We asked for 5.5 Million dollar for EMLK Hike and Bike Trail. UTC recommended funding for the EMLK Hike and Bike Trail through 2018 bond though they did not mention any amount. This is what we asked for

1. The La Loma Trail - $2 million
2. Hike and bike trail through Morris Williams Golf Course - $1 million
3. Little Walnut Creek Nature Reserve - $ 2 million
4. Connectivity to Springdale Park - $500,000

This is what Austin Monitor reported

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2018/03/utc-calls-council-fund-east-side-urban-trails/#.WqaZJo0DtOR.email

I think this is a pocket change compared to what we pay in taxes and compared to what we really need (considering we do not have hospital , grocery, pharmacy).

This is as far as we can take it as a contact team - the council members have to do their jobs and get this funding so please make your voice heard before the election.

Pinaki Ghosh

Watershed inputs for codenext from meeting on Feb 19th , 2018

We had an excellent meeting on the implications of run-off from codenext vs. current situation. Currently our run-off mitigation measures in existing code are negligible and I believe this is where code-next offers us the more value (we will get density we like it or not). We will see engineered solution of run-offs which will help flood mitigation.  (instead of just calling code-next bad let's read what it can do for us better - the car you drive today is a million times better than the one your grandfather drove - so there is value to engineering)

all item in red have links

here are few details from Matt Hollon's presentation

here is a summary of all drainage and environmental components of CodeNEXT (denoting those new to Draft 3). The engineering certification IS new to and included in Draft 3! And here is the FULL TEXT of all env. and drainage code sections. Go to 23-10E-3030 Engineer’s Certification Required for Certain Alterations and Improvements for the new provision for single-family, duplex, and 3-6 unit “missing middle” (<=45% impervious cover, etc.) projects built with Building Permits (p. 10 of this code text document).

23-10E-3030 Engineer’s Certification Required for Certain Alterations and Improvements

(A)   The director may not accept any plan or specification for a proposed alteration or improvement of a bed or bank of a waterway unless the plan or specification is accompanied by a certificate bearing the seal of an engineer certifying that:

(1)    The hydraulic and structural design is adequate; and

(2)    The proposed alteration or improvement complies with the ordinances of this City,the Drainage Criteria Manual, and the laws of this state.

(B)   Subsection (A) does not prohibit the director from accepting a plan or specification for a minor alteration or improvement that, in the judgment of the director, does not require certification by an engineer.

the LOCAL FLOOD modeling recently (PowerPoint here from this past Wednesday’s Env. Commission meeting; see slides 19-26).

Here are few very important links from Mr. Ruven Brooks who is also a wizard with GIS to get maps and data from city GIS

http://www.austintexas.gov/floodpro/  Floodpro shows flood plains throughout the City.  I'm always amazed at the number of structures that are actually within flood plains.

https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/permit/public-search-other?reset=true If you enter a street name in upper case and select a street type from the pulldown, this site will give you all of the building permits open along that street.

https://austin.civicinsight.com/  This is a newer site.   Click on Show Options to choose between Code Enforcement and Building Permits.  Click on the Austin dropdown to zoom in on a council district.   Click on the Load More button to see all of the hits; there can be thousands. Click on the red dots to see information about the particular case.

Come join us to discuss CodeNEXT proposals and implications for impervious cover and drainage (Feb 19th)

Come join us to discuss CodeNEXT proposals and implications for impervious cover and drainage. CodeNEXT is the City of Austin’s proposed overhaul of the Land Development Code. 

Agenda items include:

Analysis of Proposed Impervious Cover Entitlements for CodeNEXT (Matt Hollon, City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department)

(link here to a short report)

 We know that these issues are of interest to a wider audience. People of other Austin neighborhoods are welcome and encouraged to join the discussion. A CodeNEXT representative will be in attendance to answer any technical CodeNEXT questions. 

The meeting is 7pm – 8:30 on Feb 19th, 2018 in the St. James Episcopal Church at 1941 Webberville Rd 78721

road and parking at Little Walnut Creek Nature reserve (Rangoon Road)

Hello Everybody,

I went to take a walk at the Little Walnut Creek Nature Reserve. I discovered that there is now a complete road between 183 and 51st street  through the park which is being used by the contractors for construction. (this area has multiple easements). It is also known as Rangoon road and is Public ROW

As you may know PSSNA is working very hard to develop a master plan for the park. I am requesting all parties (mentioned below) to sign a MOU on the future state of the road and parking. This will facilitate the master plan. 

1.PARD

2.PWD

3.CTRMA

4.EMLK Contact Team

5.PSSNA

6.Watershed

(there may be more groups)

Tracy, Margaret and Geno,

I need help from all three of you to bring this MOU. We must have a plan instead of just "hope" and that plan is to be documented in a MOU . CTRMA has clearly mentioned that they will follow city instructions for the final state. We need to define that final state through a MOU.

thanks

Pinaki

Springdale and MLK crossing (along with Heflin lane)

Hello Everybody,

Thank you all for the excellent presentations - based on the facts mentioned by CTRMA it seems Loyola Lane will be closed for a long time and MLK crossing is the intended crossing for everybody to use as an alternative. This will increase the traffic in MLK dramatically. The most hard-hit crossing will be MLK-Springdale. (Cars will come on Springdale from Loyola and 51st considering 51st street will be closed at 183 to go northbound). Here are few suggestions

1. Relocate the bus-stops which are currently at crossing of Springdale and MLK - on Springdale between 12th street and MLK #300 has 4 bus-stops on each side which is very strange. The corner bus-stop creates more problem because not only it occupies the lane on a green signal (also the right lane where you can only turn right on a green light) but also stops cycles from passing. 

2. We may think of having 2 stops in between 12th and MLK (walking 100 meter extra does not melt a us)

3. The unique challenge created by adding Heflin lane to a high-way intersection probably reduces the throughput efficiency by 50% for that crossing. We are asking local residents to comment on an optimization problem which is rather difficult. (do we ask local citizens for advice if we have a brain surgery?).  When Loyola lane is closed we should think about rerouting Heflin lane traffic through neighborhood.  there is no harm in trying this for a month a see the results. (but transportation engineers can comment on this)

4. The county building already has a entrance from Springdale so that should not be an issue. (again if people have walk extra 50 ft that should not be show stopper for broader optimization)

5. If we do not mitigate this issue - the entire springdale will be clogged when Loyola is closed and streets like Pecan Springs (which are local peaceful neighborhoods will become major feeders). We also have to remember that Springdale is a cycling corridor and with increased traffic we also put the cyclists at risk because the lanes are not protected. 

thanks

Pinaki

(chairman EMLK Contact team)

MLS at Travis County Exposition Center

Hello CM Kitchen and CM Houston,

We from East Austin want MLS (Soccer Stadium) to come to Travis County Exposition Center. We already have Rodeo Austin doing tremendous work to give visibility to this area so along with it MLS will be an economic engine for this area. 

Many soccer fans who will come from Houston, San Antonio or Dallas will either use I 130 or & 71 or 290 to come to the city. If we have the MLS at Travis County Exposition Center then they do not have to come inside the city to clog our already clogged streets. Mueller entertainment district also provides venues for entertainment. There is enough space in 969 area to build other entertainment facilities. 

I believe Travis County Exposition Center is not high on the list for the MLS team but please know that a professional soccer field needs 2 or 3 practice field. The notion that all fans will walk or come in bicycle in laughable. Given enough economic incentive teams will come to Travis County Exposition center. It also means Rodeo Austin, is a big part of east side's cultural identity, will have a partner. 

City provides large incentives to SXSW and ACL but the benefits are mostly in west side. We need some economic boosters in east side so MLS would be perfect for that.

We would prefer an ordinance which all 3 council members (CM Renteria and CM Garza along with CM Houston) also signs and requests Travis County Exposition Center to be the preferred venue. We need it badly.

thanks

Pinaki Ghosh