What is going on in Lakeway?
City Manager Resigns
Julie Oakley recently resigned as City Manager, effective Sept. 2. She has taken a position at a top national accounting firm, after over a decade serving the city as Financial Director, Assistant City Manager and City Manager. I hate seeing her go, but I wish her well and completely understand her career move—especially in light of the ugliness she endured here the last couple years. She was hounded, attacked, investigated and followed by private investigators, all organized and funded by several former officials and the rest of our rabidly backward Old Guard, determined to regain control over Lakeway. This group recently filed a lawsuit against Julie and the City of Lakeway.
The long-term harassment would have made anyone look elsewhere for work, and it demonstrates Lakeway’s increasingly toxic atmosphere. I got a taste of it during the recent Council election, which is non-partisan per our City Charter; the same far-right extremists funded a PAC that flooded tens of thousands of dollars into the campaigns of 2 other candidates, with no concern for experience, competence or integrity. Arrogant bullies, they are determined to drag Lakeway back to the good old days when they ran City Hall for their own financial gain and glory, terrorized residents via abusive police and BDS practices, and killed deer just because they could.
This is another shameful chapter for Lakeway. What happened to Julie Oakley was horrific. Who will they go after next?
An Impact article is here: https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/city-county/2022/07/06/lakeway-city-manager-julie-oakley-announces-resignation-in-september/
MISSING DOGGIE—Help Find Leia the Mini Labradoodle
Leia is still missing. She disappeared June 26 from a dog sitter’s care in Stoney Creek condos on Lakeway Blvd. (just below Lakeway Drive, near Chandon and backing Live Oak Golf Course). Her humans and her litter mate, Luke, miss her terribly. There is a REWARD.
Leia is a 1.5 year old spayed female, weighing 16 lbs., with green eyes, a pink nose, and a red/brown coat. She is microchipped. She was wearing a light blue harness.
Here is the owners’ website, with full info. You can contact them with any sightings, as well as make a donation. https://findleia.com/
Lake Travis Community Library
Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange
On Thursday, July 21, 4-5:30PM, bring your used puzzles (in good shape with ALL the pieces) and swap them with other puzzle lovers. Email librarian@laketravislibrary.org or call (512) 263-2885 with any questions.
Art Exhibit
July’s art exhibit is a curated collection of pencil and charcoal drawings by Lakeway artist R.G. Rives. In addition, he is donating ALL PROCEEDS of art sold to the library.
FREE Frozen Treats
On July 25, 3:30-5PM, an outdoor event will offer free summer treats from Kona Ice–Tiger’s Blood, Blue Raspberry, Monster Mango and more fun flavors.
Taking Applications for Teen Volunteers
Teens interested in volunteering at Lake Travis Community Library this fall need to apply by the July 31st deadline. Mature, dependable, and at least 13 years of age, volunteers commit to one weekly shift (2 or 3 hours). Email Teen Volunteer Coordinator Beth Yoder for more information: byoder@laketravislibrary.org Apply here: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/34033728
Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Composer/Pianist Maxwell Milliano Talai, Jr. will present a free concert at LAC (105 Cross Creek) on Sunday, July 24, 4PM. More info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series
Summer Movies in the Park
This summer’s family movie night series concludes on Friday, August 5, with a showing of Shark Tale at 6PM in City Park (502 Hurst Creek). Bring blankets and folding chairs to get comfy on the lawn. Craig O’s Pizza will be available at concessions. No pets or alcohol allowed at this FREE event, with treats, music and yard games provided.
Lake Travis Film Festival
On September 15-18, the 2022 LTFF will host films and events at pop-up locations in Lakeway and Bee Cave (Hill Country Galleria, High5, ContraCommon, La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham Lakeway, Star Hill Ranch, Goga, Bee Cave City Hall, and more). In addition to film screenings, there will be a screenwriter workshop, live script readings, filmmaker meet and greets, parties and gatherings of all sorts. Volunteers are still needed! Go here for info and to sign up to be part of the fun: https://www.laketravisfilmfestival.com/
DONATE Blood
As always, I had a great experience donating blood today at the Lakeway Activity Center. It was well organized, clean and friendly; I was done and out the door in under 30 minutes. It is an important cause and helps countless people. Plus—FREE JUICE AND COOKIES!
The group We are Blood is at LAC every 2 months. (Upcoming dates are Sept. 17 and Nov. 19.) Other locations nearby include Rough Hollow Yacht Club and BSW Hospital in Lakeway. Once you get started, it is super easy to be on the schedule for regular blood donations at the location of your choice. While walk-ins are welcome, those with appointments have priority. You can see upcoming dates and make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here– https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/
Travis County: Community Spread of Monkeypox
Health officials confirmed that we have multiple local cases confirmed now, among people who have not traveled out of the county recently. Monkeypox is spread by contact with bodily fluids–through sex, touching skin lesions or handling items (sheets, utensils, etc.) that have been exposed to the infection. Symptoms include a pimple-like rash, fever and chills. Illness lasts around 3 weeks, and monkeypox is fatal in 1% of cases. A vaccine is available for people exposed to the virus. Austin Public Health advises residents to take precautions as monkeypox cases rise 7/14/22 https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/2022/07/14/austin-public-health-advises-residents-to-take-precautions-as-monkeypox-cases-rise/
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
The mayor gave a live update on July 14. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/3283185875334021
ZAPCO met on Wednesday, July 6, reviewing view protections in Old Lakeway.
The most consequential item on the Agenda was review of the View Protection Conditional Overlay ordinances for Old Lakeway. View blocking determinations are handled by the City Building Commission (CBC), but the controlling zoning ordinances are ZAPCO’s jurisdiction. City staff and CBC suggested changes be made to clarify and limit view protection, in order to streamline the administrative process and ease the burden on residents trying to build new homes or renovate existing homes. Suggested changes included limiting view protection to lake views ONLY and limiting it to properties within 500 feet of the lake (the BLUE area in the image). Many residents objected, via citizen participation testimony demanding that ALL views (golf course, vista, sunset, etc.) be protected, and that all properties within the overlay zone (the RED area in the image, as well as the blue area) continue to be eligible for protection. Considerable discussion on the dais indicated the commissioners agreed that all views should be protected, any distance limitation should be considerably more expansive than 500 feet, regulation of views being blocked by vegetation/cedars should be reviewed, view channeling could help, and the trick is to balance property owners’ rights to build with neighbors’ rights to preserve their views. They voted to create a joint subcommittee with CBS to review the matter in depth and work with city staff, then present proposals at ZAPCO’s Oct. 5 meeting, with the goal of recommending ordinance changes for Council’s Oct. 17 meeting.
View the Meeting Packet (scrolling down to ZAPCO documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the July 6 meeting (advance to Item 6 for the view protection discussion): https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/176689
Council’s Special Meeting on July 11 covered aviation committee update, parks proposals, transportation project overview, and more.
RESULTS
ITEM 3: Update on Aviation Zoning District Study Committee.
Following 7 Committee meetings to date, Chair Ron Massa presented an UPDATE on its conclusions:
–FLYING CLUBS to be allowed but subject to a special use permit from Council;
–COMMERCIAL FLIGHT to be limited and better defined;
–PRIMARY FLIGHT TRAINING to be restricted to the plane’s owner/family members (rentals not allowed); and
–NIGHT OPERATIONS to be prohibited (with better/enforceable definitions).
The committee plans to present full recommendations to ZAPCO on Aug. 3. Assuming ZAPCO then sends the matter on to Council, Council would hear it on Aug. 15.
Note that the Committee is not making recommendations as to enforceability of ordinances. Per the Mayor, the City Prosecutor is making recommendations there. In addition, the aviation attorney the city hired for this project will provide guidelines for the Special Use Permit required for Flying Clubs. All that should be available at Council’s Aug. 15 meeting.
ITEM 4: Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan—Review of proposed projects, as to details and costs.
Parks and Rec Director Andra Bennett SUMMARIZED TOP PROJECTS that were highlighted at the recent Town Hall.
Council discussed the pros and cons of the projects, just a first step in creating a plan to improve the city’s park system over the next 10-15 years. Staff was asked to proceed according to these PRIORITIES:
–Activity Center exterior play area;
–Live Oak Tennis and Pickleball Courts (in a configuration not yet decided);
–Smith Greenbelt (possibly only as to a parking area adjacent to Sailmaster, in order to accommodate the existing pickleball courts there);
–Butler Park (1 or 2 fields/Ninja obstacle course yet to be determined);
–Serene Hills (balancing unexpected resident concerns about privacy/noise/safety with the benefits of an ADA compliant play area for families);
–Heritage Center (with further review of options, including expanding the monument in place and moving the museum building across the street);
–Swim Center (likely with only urgently needed improvements made currently and the rest phased for later on); and
–City Park (also likely done in phases).
Note that funding would be partially from the city’s Parkland Fund (largely money that developers contributed per ordinance). The large projects would likely require a bond.
ITEM 5: Transportation project update.
Members PRIORITIZED THESE PROJECTS as possibly included in an upcoming bond or bonds:
–620 widening (Lakeway’s share of right of way costs);
–resurfacing Lohmans, Lakeway Dr., and Lakeway Blvd.:
–signals at Lohmans and Main St., Flint Rock and Wild Cherry, and Flint Rock and Medical Parkway;
–culvert repair on Lakeway Dr. and Top O’ the Lake;
–Main Street ($4.2 million earmarked for the Stratus portion of Main St. with a bridge, in case the developer continues to stall on construction);
–Delsie extension (in some form); and
–Serene Hills widening.
ITEM 6: Presentation on potential bond projects.
After discussion, the consensus was to MOVE FORWARD to call a transportation bond or bonds for the Nov. 8 election, at the Aug. 15. Council meeting.
ITEM 7: Potential projects to be funded by Lakeway’s $4M share of the American Rescue Plan Act.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED $713K for Building and Development Services (including computers and software system) and Activity Center (front doors) expenditures.
ITEM 8: FY 2023 Budget Work Session
City Manager Julie Oakley presented an OVERVIEW OF PROJECTED REVENUE AND EXPENSES for the coming year, based on a no new revenue property tax rate of 0.1281. She noted the city is in excellent financial shape. Suggested expenditures NOT included in the proposed budget total just over $1M and include COLA and merit raises for staff, 2 new positions, 3 vehicles, and new chairs and camera system for Council Chambers. Mayor Kilgore asked for numbers on increasing the over 65 homestead exemption from the current $15K to $25K or $30K (to help offset the county’s increase in assessed values). Details and charts on all the financial info are in the Presentation; go here and scroll down to City Council Meeting Presentations: : https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
ITEMS 9 and 10: Executive Sessions covering pending litigation against the city (Christopher W. Levy v. City of Lakeway) and legal issues re: the Cherry Knoll litigation settlement and development agreement. NO ACTION TAKEN.
ADJOURNED: 1:01AM
View the Meeting Packet And Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/176922
Council has TWO Meetings on July 18: Budget Session at 2PM and Regular Session at 6:30PM (covering day care home businesses, golf carts, accessory structures, and more)
The afternoon BUDGET meeting includes budget requests from 4 committees—Arts, Economic Development, Heritage, and Wildlife. The City Manager will also guide Council through the next step in setting a property tax rate and adopting the 2023 budget.
Consequential items for the evening REGULAR meeting include:
ITEM 9: Citizens’ Participation.
ITEM 11: More changes to the HOME OCCUPATION ordinance, including a new separate section governing DAY CARE businesses operating in the home.
ITEM 12: Proposed revisions to the city’s CODE OF ETHICS.
ITEM 13: Proposed revisions to GOLF CART ordinances (first reading).
ITEM 14: More changes to ordinances covering ACCESSORY STRUCTURES on residential lots, including airplane hangers and courtyard structures in front of primary homes.
ITEM 15: Special Use Permit (50 years) for expansion of the CubeSmart storage facility at 15616 Stewart Road.
ITEM 16: Special Use Permit (30 years) for a liquor store at 2418 620 South.
ITEM 17: Approval of Final Plat for The Enclave at Lohmans, being 15 acres known as Phase 2 and part of Phase 1 (including town homes, Main Street, Lohmans Spur, roundabout) of the 59 acre Square at Lohmans approved PUD.
ITEMS 26 and 27: Executive Sessions on litigation (Christopher W. Levy v. City of Lakeway) and filling the City Manager position.
View the Meeting Packet and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later): https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Daring Mighty Things
NASA’s Webb deep-space telescope was launched on Christmas Day, 2021. It is now parked 1 million miles from Earth, at Lagrange point 2. This was its first official image, peering 13 billion years into the past to find the earliest stars. Just looking at Webb’s images makes you a time traveler. Go here to see more stunning images: Behold! The James Webb Space Telescope’s stunning 1st science images are here. 7/12/22 https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-1st-photos The Daily podcast from July 15 explains it all. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/podcasts/the-daily/webb.html
The Saturn V rocket will be featured on Alabama’s dollar coin. To be issued in 2024, the coin honors the rocket created at NASA’s Huntsville, Alabama, facility to take America to the moon. NASA’s Saturn V moon rocket to launch onto 2024 US dollar coin 7/8/22 https://www.space.com/saturn-v-rocket-alabama-innovation-2024-coin
with liberty and justice for all … except women
Across the country in backward states (with Texas leading the motley pack), feckless Republican officials are now drafting legislation to block the right to travel, trapping women in no-abortion states. Also, they vow to interfere with the mail, so that abortion pills cannot be delivered. The latest threats involve using phones to track locations and internet searches and social media posts to monitor pregnancy and abortion discussion/planning, with criminal repercussions.
This article and the underlying tragedy of a 10 year old girl demonstrate the current sad state of affairs. A 10-Year-Old Endures the Predictable Result of an Abortion Ban 7/14/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/14/opinion/10-year-old-abortion.html
Is this the America we signed up for?
Back to me….
Our fawns are growing fast. And, that means they are running around more, including on or near roads. Plus, late fawns are still being born. PLEASE slow down and drive carefully. Lakeway Blvd., Lakeway Drive, Lohmans Crossing and Hurst Creek Road are all high danger areas, but our herd and its most vulnerable members roam all over Old Lakeway. SLOW DOWN! If you see a doe, assume there is a fawn with her; if you see one fawn, watch for another.
Want your own FAWNS AT PLAY sign? Displaying a sign in your yard helps remind drivers to slow down and watch for these precious babies. These signs were created in 2021 by a local artist, Victoria Waite. She sells them for $20 to cover her costs of getting them printed at Stokes. She is on Next Door and Facebook and can be contacted those ways. Or, email her: victoria.waite.art@gmail.com
Here are recent photos I took of our sweet fawns.
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, 12.2 billion shots have been given, with 62% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated.
The World Health Organization warned last week that COVID-19 is “running freely” through Europe.
China continues to experience Covid outbreaks scattered all across the country. Macau remains locked down, and 3 mainland cities recently followed suit, with businesses closed and widespread mandatory testing. Even Shanghai, newly freed of most restrictions after 3 months of harsh lockdown, is seeing a surge of cases; residents are stocking up on food, medications and other essentials, in case they are again confined. With all the business shutdowns and the cost of massive testing, China’s economy has faltered during the pandemic. This, in turn, triggered uncertainly and product shortages that negatively impacted just about every other country’s economic health, including the US.
Bangladesh reports a surge in cases, linked to recent religious holiday celebrations.
Japan’s Covid death rate is just one-twelfth that of the US, credited in large part to nearly universal mask-wearing in Japan. While no mandate was ever declared there, masks were and are still are worn in public settings, as a matter of social responsibility.
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the new case rate was up 14%, hospitalizations rose 20%, and deaths increased 8%. We are averaging 130,000 new cases per day. 40,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and an average of 419 people die each day. The national testing positivity rate is 17%.
BA.5 is now the dominant virus in the US and is being termed “the worst of the variants.” It evades immunities built up from past infections and, to some extent, vaccination. It tends to hit the upper respiratory system, nose to throat. Symptoms are similar to Omicron–coughing, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, headaches and muscle pain. However, patients are less likely to lose their senses of taste and smell, or to experience shortness of breath.
Recently, new cases have increased in 38 states. Hospitalizations are up in 43 states. (BOTH are definitely true in Texas; see below.) Many hospitals are experiencing nursing staff shortages, much like during earlier surges. The biggest surges have been in states with the lowest vaccination rates, including Louisiana, Wyoming and Arkansas. Being vaccinated and boosted provides some protection, but there are still break-through cases, and some are serious and even fatal. Consider masking in indoor public areas; use a quality mask that fits tightly, and wear it properly. Look for good ventilation and air filtration. Order take-out and skip sporting events and concerts for now. Delay travel. Test regularly and get treatment promptly if you do test positive.
New York City is experiencing a surge, with testing positivity rates over 15%. Hospitalizations are climbing. Officials and the public alike lack enthusiasm for restrictions.
States are closing public testing sites. As a result, the country’s lab-based PCR testing capacity in July will be only half of what it was in March. Home tests are being used more and more; unlike PCR tests, the vast majority of the positive results from home test kits are not included in official data. Not everyone who gets infected realizes it, and many don’t bother with testing. States are updating results-tracking sites less frequently than previously. Due to all of that, the public and even health experts lack clear and current info on Covid-19. This means trend-spotting is problematic, including warnings on when and where increased precautions should be taken.
Hawaii, the last state to require masks in schools, will drop the mandate as of Aug. 1.
As for vaccinations in the US, 67% of the entire population is fully vaccinated (no change in the last 6 weeks). Over 107 million booster shots have been given. Average shots administered per day dipped to 233,000, in part due to summer holidays.
On June 13, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine. It uses traditional vaccine technology, as opposed to messenger RNA vaccines. Available for people 18 years and older, it requires a two-dose series administered three weeks apart.
Vaccine manufacturers are now updating the 2020 vaccines for the next booster campaign, planned for this fall. The new vaccines will protect us better from the ultra-contagious Omicron subvariants, specifically the recent BA.4 and BA.5. Pfizer and Moderna have indicated that vaccines formulas based on these new forms of the virus will not be ready before October.
In Texas, the positivity test rate continues to rise–currently 30%. In the last 2 weeks, new cases increased 19%, hospitalizations rose 30%, and deaths dropped 6%. We are averaging 12,700 new daily cases, and an average of 15 Texans die each day. As of now, there are 3,600 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19.
Only 62% of all Texas residents are fully vaccinated (no change in the last 6 weeks).
Recent Covid Articles I Recommend
The BA.5 Covid variant is causing US cases to rise – should you be worried? All you need to know 7/15/22 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/15/covid-ba5-us-wave-what-you-need-to-know
Novavax Covid-19 vaccine wins FDA authorization 7/13/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/13/novavax-covid-19-vaccine-wins-fda-authorization-00045707
The ‘worst variant’ is here 7/13/22 https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/13/world/coronavirus-newsletter-intl-07-13-22/index.html
‘Headed in a bad direction’: Omicron variant may bring second-largest US Covid wave 7/8/22 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/08/usa-omicron-variant-covid-wave
What the BA.5 Subvariant Could Mean for the United States 7/7/22 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/07/07/us/ba5-covid-omicron-subvariant.html
Updated Covid Shots Are Coming. Will They Be Too Late? 7/4/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/04/health/updated-covid-vaccines-omicron.html