Southwest Austin - Community Impact Newspaper

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16 | February 2009 Community Impact Newspaper • Southwest Austin Edition City Council Notes Recent news City Manager Marc Ott City of Austin hiring freeze City Manager Marc Ott announced a hiring and salary freeze for city employees, to save $3 million in order to avoid layoffs and pay cuts due to anticipated declines in tax revenues. The freeze does not apply to public safety personnel. Ott has also asked departments for suggestions on how to shave an additional $15 million off the total city budget. In the first two months of the fiscal year, sales taxes dropped 4 percent, he said. City elections set for May 9 The city council approved holding a general municipal election May 9 to elect the mayor and city council members for places 2, 5 and 6. A special election will be held at the same time to fill the unexpired term of place 1, which is being vacated by mayoral candidate Lee Leffingwell. Candidates must file for the place 1 special election by March 3. The filing deadline for the general election is March 9. Zero waste A 40-year Zero Waste Initiative was approved by Austin City Council on Jan. 15. The goal of the initiative is to increase the amount of waste recycled in the city from 40 to 90 percent by 2040. The city has already made headway on the initiative with programs such as streamline recycling which was introduced in Oct. 2008, giving residents 90-gallon carts for collecting all recyclables. Austin Lady Bird Lake boardwalk City staff members are expected to bring the Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake up for discussion during the Feb. 26 city council meeting. The proposed boardwalk, which would stretch for more than a mile on both sides of IH 35, would connect existing trails on the south side WC of ad-Comm the river. Impact 1/15/09 11:00 PM Page 1 RELAX HEAL EAST BOULDIN CREEK MEDITATE Mayor Will Wynn held a news conference Jan. 22 to ask citizens for their thoughts on the initiative. Citizens can share their input through a survey at www.austinrecycles.com. Barton master plan approved The city council approved the Barton Springs Pool Master Plan, which calls for comprehensive improvements to the pool’s grounds, water and facilities. City wants public input The Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office will host two public hearings in March on the city’s five-year consolidated plan, which will be effective from 2009 to 2014. The City of Austin planned to hold five meetings in all, beginning Jan. 27. A draft of the plan will be submitted in June, followed by a 30-day period to allow the public to comment. The final two meetings take place at 6 RIVERSIDE DR. I-35 Visit our new LocAtion! 4701 West Gate Blvd, Building C, at the corner of West Gate and Western Trails (across from the theater and Central Market South.) 20% OFF purchase and 1/2 OFF AOMA clinic visit at our new location. WHITE CRANE HERBAL mEDICINE & GIFTS 4701 West Gate Blvd. 512.693.4372 2700 W Anderson Ln. 512.323.6720 AOMA is now accepting transfer student applications for April start. See www.aoma.edu Largest laser tag arena in Texas LADY BIRD LAkE p.m. March 5 and 9:30 p.m. March 9 at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St. Call 974-3100 or visit www.ci.austin. tx.us/housing/conplan_09-14.htm or more.impactnews.com/3146. Solar panel array The city council will vote March 5 on an ambitious plan to build the nation’s largest solar panel array in east Austin. The city has been negotiating with San Francisco, Calif.-based Gemini Solar Development Company over a $250 million contract for 30 megawatts of solar power, over 25 years, at $10 million per year. The Gemini bid was selected out of 15 proposals. City auditor retiring City Auditor Steve Morgan is retiring Feb. 28 from the position he has held since 2000. The auditor reviews the performance of city departments and is a watchdog for integrity violations. At its meeting Feb. 12, the council approved a LAkESHORE BLVD. Proposed Lady Bird Lake boardwalk Compiled by Eric Pulsifer resolution naming Taylor Dudley as acting city auditor. Don’t feed the wildlife Council approved an ordinance to prevent the intentional feeding of deer within city limits. The ordinance makes it a Class C misdemeanor carrying a fine of $75-$125. Many residents came forward opposing the ordinance. A representative with the Austin Sierra Club said that most who feed deer use food unhealthy to the animals. He encouraged those who are concerned about the deer to plant “a big garden.” Upcoming Austin City Council meetings March 5, 12 and 26 Sessions begin at 10 a.m. 301 W. Second St. Meetings are broadcast on municipal TV cable channel 6 and on 88.7 FM radio, starting at 1:30 p.m. Meetings are streamed live on the channel 6 website, www.ci.austin.tx.us/ channel6. Visit www.ci.austin. tx.us/council for more information, including transcripts, schedules, agendas and archived video. BALLROOM • LATIN • SALSA • COUNTRY • SWING Gift Certificates Available GROUP CLASSES * PRIVATE LESSONS * WORKSHOPS 71 290 290 1 William Cannon Dr. Located at the “Y” in Oak Hill 7010 W. Hwy. 71 Suite 165 • Austin, TX 78735 512.215.0093 • www.RhythmicMotion.com Blazer Blazer Blazer Blazer Blazer Tag...An Tag...An Tag...An Tag...An Tag...An Out Out Out Out Out Of Of Of Of Of This This This This This World World World World World Adventure! Adventure! Adventure! Adventure! Adventure! Stress-free birthday parties Call 462.0202 to book your event today! Stocked redemption center 2 for 1 laser tag games Buy one game at regular price and get a second game free! 1 coupon per person per day Arcade with 50+ games 1701 W. Ben White Blvd Austin, TX 78704 512-462-0202 blazertag.com
At the Capitol Local representatives speak out on tight budget Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin 463-0652 www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist47/ bolton.php “Transportation remains a huge issue in Southwest Travis County. When the comptroller forecasted a $9.1 billion general revenue shortfall, our legislative possibilities narrowed. Anticipating dire news, I’ve drafted legislation with little or no costs attached. Unfortunately ... the price tag attached to any roadway project is enormous. So, I’ve already met with TxDOT to determine what, if any, projects within my district are shovel ready and eligible to receive part of the federal stimulus package.” “During these tough financial times, giving homeowners some relief from rising property taxes is important to me. I’ve filed a bill that doubles the Homestead exemption and links it to the appraised value. If the appraisal goes up, so does your exemption.” Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs 463-0647 www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist45/ rose.php “The Texas economy is in better shape than that of other states, in large part because of our constitutional requirement to balance our budget. It is important that every state agency look to increase efficiencies, and that we invest in programs that will create jobs. As the Texas House debates the budget, I will look for ways to support small business owners and manufacturers across our state.” impactnews.com February 2009 | 17 State budget revenue estimates fall 10.5 percent State of the State Texas’ general revenue funds for the 2010-2011 biennium are 10.5 percent lower than for 2008-2009, Comptroller Susan Combs reported in January. That is a $9.1 billion decline, from $86.2 billion to $77.1 billion. Combs cited the main reasons for the shortfall as $3 billion reserved for property tax relief and projected declines in 2010-2011 tax revenues. The state’s Rainy Day Fund is forecast to contain $6.7 billion at the end of 2009, Combs said. In mid-January, lawmakers filed budgets that would draw from that reserve. The House Budget would take $3.3 billion, and the Senate Budget would require $3.7 billion in Rainy Day funds. However, $1.4 billion from the Permanent School Fund might also become available for spending. Southwest Austin’s state representatives said the following about the comptroller’s report: Important dates March 13 • 60th day, deadline to file major bills without suspending rules May 22 • Last day for House to consider local House Bills June 1 • “Sine Die,” the last day of the 81st Regular session Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin 463-0668 www.house.state.tx.us/ members/dist49/naishtat.htm “My fear is that the Legislature will attempt to cut services to vulnerable populations, like we did in 2003. That’s when we had a $9.9 billion shortfall ... We have the Rainy Day Fund, and it’s intended to assist the people of Texas in times of financial crisis. I would hope that the Legislature would seriously consider using the Rainy Day Fund to pay for necessary health and human service programs. This is not the time to hit people, especially children and the elderly, who will be hit the hardest in a down economy, by hitting them again through cutting safety net services.” Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin 463-0674 www.house.state.tx.us/ members/dist51/rodriguez.htm “It doesn’t change what I’m going to file, what I’m not going to file. It’s one of those things where you don’t know what you’re going to get until you ask for it. It’s going to be tougher, but if I need to find money from another place to pay for it, that’s what I’ll do. It’s not going to change my attitude toward filing bills; we’re elected to do all we can for our district and do what is right for Texas. Just because something costs money, it doesn’t mean don’t do it.” WWW.ATFCU.ORG 512.302.5555 Free Checking 14 Locations 200+ Free ATMs June 21 • The last day for Gov. Rick Perry to sign or veto bills HOME EQUITY LOANS Plus No Closing Costs!** 4.90 % APR* 5.25 % APR* 5.45 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 15 YEARS 4.65 % AUTO LOANS APR* % APR* 5.15 UP TO 66 MONTHS 72 MONTHS % % APY APY 2.52 **** 2.68 **** 2.93 % APR* CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT Regular 1 APY **** 6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 24 MONTHS % By Patrick Brendel Gov. Rick Perry 463-2000 www.governor.state.tx.us Gov. Rick Perry delivered his State of the State speech to lawmakers Jan. 27. The biannual address is an opportunity for the governor to declare his legislative priorities for the Legislative Session. Some of Perry’s main goals include: using state incentives to attract new businesses, requiring ultrasounds for women seeking abortions, funding adult stem cell research, requiring voters to show photo ID, freezing college tuition rates for entering freshmen, expanding teacher incentive pay and giving motorists in polluted areas $5,000 toward buying hybrid vehicles. If Texas freezes public college tuition rates, the state should invest more into funding higher education, said state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin. “Going into tough economic times, one thing we must not cut back on is education funding,” said state Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown. Aug. 31 • Date that bills without specific effective dates become law COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOANS 5.89 % *** 6.19 CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT Jumbo 2 % % APY APY 2.68 **** 2.83 **** 3.14 % APY **** 6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 24 MONTHS *Annual Percentage Rate. All rates are expressed “as low as”. Actual rate may vary depending on credit qualifications. **Austin Telco will pay all standard closing costs on Home Equity loans below $100k. Additional non-standard fees will be the responsibility of the member. ***Rate applies to 1st lien commercial real estate loans with a loan to value of 80% or less; construction/development loan rates/terms may be different. No Pre-payment penalty. ****Annual Percentage Yield. Penalties for early withdrawal may apply. 1Regular - A minimum deposit of $1000 is required. 2Jumbo - A minimum deposit of $95000 is required. All APRs, APYs and terms are subject to change without notice. Please call for details. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. % *** 6.39 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 15 YEARS 2.12 % APY **** 2.38 $25,000 to $74,999 MONEY MARKET % 2.58 % *** % APY APY **** **** $75,000 to $125,000 and $124,999 ABOVE
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