November Ballot Propositions —Julie Woods, DNA President

Austin voters will be voting in the November 2 election on two propositions that may be of interest. Proposition A will require the city to spend more money hiring police officers, as a solution to an increase in violent crime. Proposition B is about a proposed land deal in East Austin.

Prop A is, in my opinion, a hot mess. The long article in the Oct 10th Statesman provides good background on the organization that’s pushing the proposal and their founder’s motivations, which are more about politics and less about what’s good for the city. More importantly, the proposal would require that the city spend A LOT of money on police hiring while, at the same time, the legislature has passed laws that 1) forbid cities from increasing taxes above a fairly limited threshold and 2) forbid cities from DECREASING police funding. The effect is that other services will have to be cut to pay for the increased hiring AND the city will be stuck with that increase FOREVER, or at least until the legislature changes its mind.

Here’s the ballot language, with analysis.

Here’s information about the firefighters’ opposition to Prop A, since it would be likely to result in a reduction in their budget.

Prop B is a bit of a mystery to many of us, so here’s a quick summary, based on an article in the Oct, 10th Statesman: the city owns a piece of land near the Oracle campus on Pleasant Valley Road where they park trucks and store supplies for the parks department. A private individual owns a large parcel of land to the east, north of the Colorado River, where a racetrack is currently located. The proposal is that Oracle will buy the large racetrack parcel and swap with the city for the parcel near Oracle’s campus. The local Democratic Party, which has endorsed the measure

The Austin Monitor also covered Prop B.

The biggest objections to the proposal are about the details:

  • The ballot language doesn’t REQUIRE the city to sell nor does it REQUIRE Oracle to transfer
  • The neighbors would be pleased if that parcel itself were made into a smaller, more convenient park.
  • The usual decision-making process in the city, with a lot of staff-involved analysis and vetting, didn’t happen

PropB Map

Next Meeting

Monday, Oct 11, 6:30
Online meeting

Agenda: Neighborhood Association

  1. Approval of minutes
  2. Update on mosaic project
  3. Updates on projects in the neighborhood
  4. Officer nominations

Agenda: Plan Contact Team

  1. Old business
  2. New business:
    1. Nomination for New volunteers for DNPCT Officers
    2. New City Permit for Demolitions
    3. It’s My Park Day Fall 2021

We meet on the 2nd Monday of February, April, June, August, October, and December.

Plan Contact Team Nominations

Time to nominate new DNPCT Officers.

There is presently only one continuing officer into next year.

Volunteers are asked to sign up for a two year service to allow for projects that continue over into the next year. Voting in will take place at the December meeting and members actively start the next year.

Newsletter Editor:
Eliot Kimber, drmacro@gmail.com

DNA email distribution:
GroupIO page (sign up!)

 

 

 

Thanks to our sponsor!

Dawson Elementary School

My Park Day, Gillis Park

It’s My Park Day, Gillis Park November 4, 2021 Austin Parks is asking for volunteers to follow City CDC Covid Procedures (mask wearing and social distancing). This will mostly be a mulching event, but trash pick-up is also slated. To volunteer, go to:

Volunteer!

South Austin Neighborhood Center Mosaic Art Project

The project committee met with the City of Austin Neighborhood Partnering Program (NPP) to clarify requirements and timelines for submitting an application. The NPP encouraged us to apply by the October deadline. They clarified that because of the interactive nature of the project we did not need a final design or even a significant number of tile designs. Rather, a reference to the existing Rosewood Zaragosa mosaic was sufficient, along with a detailed description of the general project.

The committee completed its application and submitted it to the NPP. The NPP said to expect a decision around the end of the year, which, if approved, should allow us to proceed next spring.

Because of the relatively small budget of the project and the intent to have a significant part of the work done through community workshops, Dawson neighborhood expects to meet all our contribution requirements through volunteer hours, both during the art project execution and up to two years afterward (the neighborhood can count approved community support activities, such as It’s My Park Day, toward the cost of the art project for up to two years after the completion of the project itself).

For more information, see the art project page on the DNA web site.

Dawson Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes, August 9, 2021

(Virtual meeting via Zoom)

Julie Woods, President, called the meeting to order.

  1. Meeting attendees introduced themselves.
  2. Project Connect representatives discussed plans for the Orange Line light rail to be completed in 10 years. Congress will have rail, car lanes, bike paths, and pedestrian walkways with trees. Abby Tomlinson, Jackie Nirenberg, and Isis H. described St. Ed’s station plan options, a split platform vs. central platform. Trains every 10 min. South of Alpine to Krebs, rail will transition to raised rail. $300 million in budget to combat displacement of current residents due to gentrification related to rail. A study will be conducted to assess the impact of train noise and vibration on the environment. https://capmetro.org/newsletter-signup/
  3. Minutes 6-14-21 approved.
  4. A mixed-use development is proposed at S. 1st and Cumberland (NW corner). Traffic is likely to be a concern.
  5. Lessin Lane development is progressing per updates on austintexas.gov
  6. Mosaic Project is ongoing. Dawson Elementary student involvement might involve art teachers.
  7. City Council District 3 redistricting meetings are opportunities to voice opinions.
  8. Per group vote, Andrew McCann and Eliot Kimber will update DNA website.
  9. Meeting adjourned.
Minutes of Dawson Neighborhood Plan Contact Team 9 August 2021

(Virtual meeting via Zoom)

  1.  Meeting held virtually on Zoom.
  2. Mention was made of parks blue green algae toxin in the water as dangerous to dogs.
  3. A Keep Austin Beautiful volunteer day on August 14, 2021 9-11am, “Love Where You Live Day”, was held to get individuals and small groups to beautify the areas around their homes and neighborhoods.
  4. A Homeless camp clean up at Ben White and S. Congress, near the shell station, was done by the city
  5. The East Bouldin Creek homeless site at the spillway and underneath Alpine Road was cleaned up by neighbors.
  6. BOA for 2806 Brinwood withdrawn. Another house sold next door. Being demolished now. The BOA sign not gone but laying on ground. BOA application was about size of lot not size of bldg, but houses on either side were the same making this a huge dwelling on a small lot. house development would have dwarfed them. The original house looked nice and modern in “for sale look” on site.
  7. There was update on Lessin and Lindseys. It is slated for later this year at the time.
  8. 205 Dunlap, a small split lot that may be soon developed on. And 4 of 8 houses on Dunlap possibly for sale
  9. City says road re-pavement has started.
  10. Meeting adjourned.