Vice President Carolyn Spock called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. Steve Rogers made a motion to approve the minutes from the January meeting. Jim Bedrich seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

Treasurer Marilyn Rogers reported that we have a bank balance of $2890.98 with no bills outstanding. Our recent income is due to selling advertisements for the newsletter.

Vice President Spock thanked those who had helped with writing and delivering the January newsletter, including Betsy Thaggard, Marilyn Rogers, Sarah Gregory, and Joshua Merritt. Steve Rogers said that he thought the previous newsletter is one of the best ever and had some good information about the Neighborhood Watch.

Burton Anderson, the head of the Neighborhood Watch committee, reported on recent activities. The Neighborhood Watch Kick-Off meeting was on February 20. The meeting was well-attended with twenty eight people in attendance.

On Tuesday April 3rd at 7 pm there will be a training meeting for neighbors who would like to be Block Captains or Patrol volunteers. This meeting will be in the Redeemer Lutheran School cafeteria.

Also, Anderson has recently met with our district police representative, Chris Megliorino, as well as representatives from the Allandale Neighborhood Watch and Krimelabb.

Anderson discussed upcoming plans to purchase and install Neighborhood Watch signs. Steve Rogers suggested that Anderson and his committee create an ordered list of the top 20 locations for Neighborhood Watch signs. Then, if any property owners object to having a sign in their yard, their location would be skipped and the next person on the list would be considered. Because the funding for approximately 15 signs has already been approved by WNA, we do not need to wait until the next WNA meeting to purchase signs. President Merritt asked that Anderson and his committee create this ordered list and email their proposal to the listserv before purchasing. Anderson committed to finishing the map and proposal by the beginning of April. After the signs are ordered, we should expect to wait 6-7 weeks for installation.

Marilyn Rogers pointed out that Anderson has spent a lot of his own money to make copies for the kick-off meeting and for future trainings. LaVerne Stouffer made a motion to reimburse Anderson for up to $200 of the cost of copies and miscellaneous expenses related to neighborhood watch meetings and trainings. Melissa Winans seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Anderson will keep receipts in order to be reimbursed.

Anderson brought up his plan to purchase magnetic car signs for the neighborhood patrol. President Merritt proposed that we buy one sent of community signs. If members of the patrol chose to buy their own signs, we could offer to buy them back if they ever chose to leave the patrol.

Anderson talked about his plans to bolster communication about suspicious activity in the neighborhood. He likes the idea of phone trees and Facebook, but he is exploring the possibility of developing a texting network. He will keep us posted on that.

Marilyn Rogers mentioned that she really liked the information that was shared at the Neighborhood Watch Kick-Off on how to make your home safer for $1 by replacing the screws in the front door striker plate with 3 inch screws. This prevents door kick-ins. She said, “Wouldn’t be nice if WNA bought packages of 3 inch screws and local handymen volunteered their time to install them?” President Merritt suggested that she put this idea on the listserv to see if local handymen would be interested in volunteering for this.

Vice President Spock reported that there was a tree planting hosted by Sustainable Neighborhoods last Sunday. Treelings were planted at 8 bus stops in the Wooten and Allandale area. Tire-sized water boxes were installed to condense and collect water for the seedlings. The idea is that the seedlings will be “self-watered.” President Merritt mentioned that Sustainable Neighborhoods is a nonprofit organization that uses its resources to help our neighborhood as well as surrounding neighborhoods. He is involved in the organization and does not want to make a motion that WNA make a donation; however, he would support donating money to them. Also, he encourages WNA members to volunteer their time to help Sustainable Neighborhoods or to make individual donations.

Vice President Spock reported on upcoming community workshops hosted by the city. There will be a series on Bond Development. The announcement states: ‘This workshop will provide residents with the opportunity to learn about potential bond projects. “Spend the City’s Money” in a fun group exercise and interact one-on-one with City staff.’ It will be held at 6:30 on Tuesday March 20 at the First Evangelical Free Church. There will be additional workshops on March 21 at Gus Garcia Recreation Center, March 26 at the Dove Springs Recreation Center and on March 31 at Anderson High School.

Steve Rogers reported on the Wooten Neighborhood Plan Contact Team (WNPCT). They will be meeting next Monday at 7 pm at ShuShus. Steven Zettner of Sustainable Neighborhoods will be presenting his “white paper” which includes a statement of support for both the Burnet and Lamar Corridor improvement projects. He feels that it’s important not to pit Burnet Road improvements against those improvements being proposed on Lamar and that North Austinites will benefit from improvements to both Burnet and Lamar. He would like WNA to sign a resolution stating their support. His goal is to collect similar signed statements from neighborhood associations throughout North Austin. He will present these statements to city council. Steve encourages all neighbors to attend.

President Merritt made a motion to approve Sustainable Neighborhood’s “white sheet” which will show our support for improvements to the Burnet and Lamar corridors. Vice President Spock seconded the motion, and all members were in favor.

Kevin Luke wondered if a formal bond proposal had been developed for the Burnet Corridor improvements. President Merritt explained that there is a formal proposal, but the bond has not been approved yet. Also, there are no specific designs yet (as far as time frame and exact cost).

Steve Rogers reported that the WNPCT had met with Kevin Weir, the chair of the development committee in the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association. North Shoal Creek had held a special meeting to discuss the pending development on 8100 Burnet Road. They wanted special stipulations, including reserving a 300 square foot area, restrictions on lighting, and access to Ashdale. Their main concerns were traffic, especially during rush hours. WNPCT planned to support the North Shoal Creek proposal.

Last Tuesday the city Planning and Zoning Commission approved the MF6 zoning for 8100 Burnet Road. The agreement included additional overlays to limit the development to 300 units and to develop a maximum of 75 units/acre. Steve Rogers and others spoke against the MF6 zoning at the meeting; however, Steve was pleased that the developers agreed to North Shoal Creek’s stipulations. The developers agreed to contribute money towards traffic calming, an urban trail, and 20% of the cost of a light at Burnet and Teakwood, if the city agrees to install one there.

Vice President Spock said that this zoning change will be officially considered at an upcoming city council meeting on April 2nd. After the developers receive official approval, President Merritt expects the ground breaking to happen within the year.

Steve Rogers reported that according to WNPCT by-laws, the committee will need to elect a new chairman and secretary this fall. The Chair’s position has a term limit of 2 years. Anyone interested in these positions should speak with Steve Rogers or attend the upcoming WNPCT meeting (Monday, March 19 at 7 pm at ShuShu’s).

Vice President Spock reviewed some of the necessary conditions in order to get approval for traffic calming (speed bumps, etc.). President Merritt has submitted an application for Mullen/Teakwood. However, it has been rejected twice. The first time because he lives on Mullen and would not be authorized to include Teakwood in his request, and the second time because it was submitted via fax instead of mail. He has re-submitted it again for Mullen, and he will keep us posted on the progress. Spock reports that an application that includes private funding may expedite the process of getting approval for traffic calming. Usually, it is a very long process to get approval.

President Merritt re-addressed the topic of the dangerous crosswalk conditions on Anderson Lane near Lacks and Genuine Joe’s. In the past, KXAN filmed Susan Westbrook crossing while cars zipped by. She has spoken with Steve Ramirez, a city traffic planner, but he has not taken any initiative on this issue. Reg Westbrook plans to re-submit a proposal for a pedestrian crossing light at this crosswalk, and he would like to include WNA’s endorsement. President Merritt will reach out to Crestview NA and get their endorsement as well. Marilyn Rogers recommended that he include endorsements from Sustainable Neighborhoods, Enchiladas y Mas, and Genuine Joe’s. She also recommended that the Westbrooks send a copy of the application to the city ADA Coordinator.

Melissa Winans moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm. Steve Rogers seconded the motion, and all were in favor.

Click on a red star to view the existing neighborhood watch sign at that location. Green stars indicate current proposed locations for new signs; grey stars indicate post with sign missing.

Here’s the handout.

In this edition: Neighborhood Watch kickoff, Burnet Road improvements and changes, and useful trash talk.

Social
• Wooten newsgroup: Discuss topics from crime to new businesses to lost pets to garage sales
• Wooten on Facebook: Posts from neighbors about neighborhood stuff
• Wooten Meetup: Get together at nearby spots

Safety
• Region 2 police district homepage: our APD district and crime information
• krimelabb.com: Searchable, mappable database of reported crimes by neighborhood
• CLASP: Citizen-Led Austin Safety Partnership, addressing crime and safety on the neighborhood level

Other resources
• Crestview For Sale: Items for sale, fundraisers and services offered in our North Austin neighborhoods
• Crestview Gardeners: What’s growing and how we grow it in the neighborhood
• Wooten weather station forecast (look for “Allandale North/Wooten”)
• Austin Neighborhoods Council: Citywide umbrella organization to support neighborhood interests
• copLogic: an online reporting system for filing non-emergency, low-priority reports—the kind you’d call 311 for

Read tips and info here.

The city’s hazardous waste collection center is open:
- at 2514 Business Center Drive, Austin, TX 78744
- Tues & Wed 10am-6pm
- Saturday 7am-noon
- map
While you’re there, check out the facility’s Reuse Store, which stocks free donated paint, cleaning products, fertilizer, automotive fluids and other chemicals.

But wait; there’s more!
Household hazardous waste information

Bulk pickup information
Note that there are three categories that should be separated for most effective pickup (metal, tires, non-metal).

First and foremost we need all of you to step up your neighborhood watch programs and keep your neighbors safe. This means really watch cars and people that go by and report any suspicious activity going on. If there is, PAY ATTENTION and write things down. Write down license plate numbers, description of people from head to toe, the time and place would be extremely helpful if some crime was committed. If you do see something out of the norm and it’s occurring at the time, you need to call 911. If the person or car is already gone but you still saw something suspicious, please call 311 and have the call takers document this. What you think may not matter may be the key to crack a case wide open. As much as we would like to have an officer posted in your neighborhoods for close patrol, we don’t have the manpower and will not be able to be there as much as we would like. This is why we are asking the folks that live there to watch out for one another. Besides, you live there and know much better than us what is “normal” for your neighbors. You will have less tolerance for suspicious activity than we would.

Another suggestion would be to not display your valuables from the street. There is nothing I used to love to see more than a beautifully displayed lit Christmas tree in the front window of a home with lots of colorful presents under the tree. It always reminded me of how blessed I was and how wonderful it will be to visit with my family. It saddens me to say that the times have changed and you will be putting yourself in a situation that may end up with someone else having a great Christmas and not you. Please keep your blinds and curtains closed if at all possible. This may keep you from getting burglarized.

Let’s talk about burglaries involving vehicles…Many people make it so easy for someone to break into their cars when it only takes a minute or less to drastically lower your chances of being a victim. I can’t tell you how many cars we randomly check for exposed valuables and the number that fail. We see purses, wallets, backpacks, shopping bags with receipts inside, watches, IPods, GPS, Radars, cash, Laptops, clothes, blankets, electronic chargers left in the plugs, and even personal mail. WHY do we leave our hard earned things out in the open for everyone to see and for some burglar to take? If you’ve had something other than your stereo taken from your car, you really need to ask yourself if you did everything you could to LOCK, TAKE and HIDE you things. If you didn’t, the only person you failed is yourself. PLEASE, clean out your cars, place things in your trunks or lock things up in your compartments. Burglaries will only continue if the opportunity presented to them.

On another note, burglaries do get higher during the holiday season due to all the shopping we do. Every year we have increased patrol at shopping centers and malls but we can only do so much. All that I ask you shoppers to do is hide your shopping bags and don’t leave your receipts inside your bags. We all have done it…we take our heavy shopping bags to the car, lock them up and walk back to the stores to shop some more, right? What you my not realize is that there are burglars watching you do this and see an opportunity to take what you’ve just purchased! If you tend to leave the receipts in your bag, the criminals can get cash for your returned purchases.

The best thing you can do is to get into your car after your first round of shopping and simply move it to another parking lot or space away from where you just were. I know it’s a bother but at least that person that has watched you will think that you left all together and they will focus on another target and not you! Do not leave empty gift boxes out on the streets on trash days. Cut up or crush boxes and place them in bins or bags so as not to be seen. An empty TV box tells the crook that you have a recently purchased TV inside your home. Help us stop crime one person at a time, starting with you!

This warning goes out to you with a heavy heart. The goal of this article is to keep you as safe and victimless as possible. No one wants to have the holiday cheer stolen from them, so let’s all work together and have a wonderful season!

Happy Holidays to all!

Central West District Reps

Officer Kelly LaHood
974-5833

Rolando Gutierrez Jr. #4404
Office 974-5998

January 9, 2012

President Joshua Merritt called the meeting to order at 7 pm.

Vice-president Carolyn Spock made a motion to approve the minutes from the November meeting. The motion carried.

Steve Rogers, chair of the Wooten Neighborhood Plan Contact Team (WNPCT), updated us on notices concerning ordinances that his committee has received from the city. First, we discussed the Restricted Lawn Parking Ordinance, which makes it an enforceable offense for neighbors to park in their front yards outside of the driveway. After discussion, Burton Anderson made a motion that we opt in for this ordinance. Seventeen members voted to opt-in, and six members voted to opt-out, so the motion carried. Also, Steve told us about the Mobile Food Vending Restrictions Ordinance which limits the hours of operation for mobile food vendors in the neighborhood and the distance that they must maintain from homes. Betsy Thaggard moved that we continue to stay opted in for this ordinance, and the majority of members agreed. The motion carried. Also, Steve agreed to either post details of these ordinances on the wootenna website or bring the particulars of these ordinances to the next WNA meeting.

Steve Rogers encouraged WNA members to come to the next WNPCT meeting on Monday, January 16 at Genuine Joe’s at 7 pm. At the meeting, the committee will opt in for both the Restricted Lawn Parking and Mobile Food Vending Restrictions ordinances, as decided by the WNA voting members. Also, the WNPCT will be discussing the application to change the zoning at 8100 Burnet Road and the possible development there. Finally, the WNPCT will electing a new chairman and secretary by September. The chairman will serve as a liaison with the city regarding any issue related to zoning and will need to commit to a 2 year term. Steve encouraged anyone interested in this position to attend the upcoming meetings.

President Merritt shared a bulletin that he had received from the city regarding local street closures during the upcoming “Get Your Rear in Gear” race on Sunday, March 4. Several streets, including parts of north Shoal Creek and Burnet Road, will be closed between 8 and 10 am. He offered to scan the map of street closures and upload it onto the wootenna website.

President Merritt spoke about possible development at 8100 Burnet Road. This is the 5 acre area that houses Ross and the now-vacant Chuck E. Cheese. Joshua was invited to a meeting with the board of the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association, Steve Zettner of Sustainable Neighborhoods, a representative from Alliance Residential, a development company, and an attorney who represents Alliance. Alliance Residential has filed an application with the city to change the zoning of 8100 Burnet. They have applied for Multi-Family 6 (MF6), which has no density cap. They plan to build wood-framed, 3 story apartment buildings with a total of 270-300 units (ranging from efficiencies to 3 bedroom units) and a large parking garage. Alliance describes the apartments as “upscale” and “slightly higher end.” Efficiencies would start in the mid-600s/month. The developers intend to sell a small area on the corner of Ashdale and Burnet for retailers to develop 2 street-front shops. The development would not be “mixed-use” because the shops would be separate from the apartment buildings.

Joshua and the other community leaders had the opportunity to voice concerns at the meeting. Joshua and the North Shoal Creek neighborhood representatives shared their concerns about the increase in traffic and the change in traffic patterns. Apparently, the Alliance Residential representatives cited a study that claims that the number of trips in the area would actually decrease. Also, the neighborhood leaders expressed concern about the density of the apartments, which is unlimited under MF6 zoning.

Adam Turner questioned the developer’s choice of MF6 zoning over VMU (Vertical Mixed Use). Joshua explained that it’s more difficult for developers to get funding for VMU as opposed to MF6. Also, VMU would require the developer to use steel infrastructure instead of wood, increasing the cost of the building materials. Joshua understands that developers increasingly push for MF6. Once an area is zoned for MF6, it is difficult to change the zoning.

Steve Rogers wondered if there is a way that we could request that the developers limit the density of the apartment buildings. Joshua assured us that the developers would put in writing the number of units and exact height of the buildings before they began construction.

Joshua explained that Sustainable Neighborhoods has a stance which they are currently drafting. Because our interests are similar, he suggested that we band together with Sustainable Neighborhood and the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association. Even if we have additional concerns, he feels that we share many concerns. Steve pointed out that North Shoal Creek does not have a neighborhood plan, which makes them more vulnerable to developers. Adam Turner agreed that North Shoal Creek has been good to us. A few years ago, they helped us work with a business owner who wanted to install a massive LED sign in a business park near 183 and Burnet.

Victor Engel wondered about the impact of the new apartments on the older apartment complexes in our area. Joshua said that the developers addressed this issue at the meeting. They believe the area is “up and coming” and that development is sure to coming to the area soon. Joshua sees their point that development is inevitable; however, he would like to see that the development be well-made and well-managed. He pointed out the current Ross store and abandoned Chuck E. Cheese is not ideal. Adam agreed that he would like to see responsible development. Opie Gonzalez expressed concern about the condition of wood-frame apartments 10 years from now.

Victor also wondered if neighbors would experience a loss of privacy with the added height of the apartments. Joshua replied that the proposed 3 story buildings would not be significantly taller than most homes.

Joshua agreed to continue discussing this potential development with North Shoal Creek and Sustainable Neighborhoods. He will continue to keep us informed. At some point, there will be a public hearing that we can all attend, but he has not received notification yet. Also, he suggested that we invite an Alliance Residential representative to an upcoming WNA meeting.

Next, Burton Anderson, the chair of the Neighborhood Watch Committee, updated us on his committee. He has been leading committee meetings at Genuine Joe’s over the past month to gather resources and ideas for increasing safety in the neighborhood. Burton is planning a lunch with John Luther, who leads a patrol program in the Barton Hills neighborhood. Burton invited anyone interested in becoming a Neighborhood Watch Captain to attend the “Train the Trainer” program. The next training sessions will be Saturday, January 31 and February 28. He has also invited Officer Chris Megliorino, our district police representative, to attend. Also, Burton plans to include a recruitment piece for Neighborhood Watch Captains in the upcoming newsletter. Also, Burton announced that the upcoming Commanders’ Forum will be on February 7 at 6:00 pm in the McCallum High School cafeteria; this meeting will provide community members an opportunity to communicate with police. He also plans to attend the upcoming Citizen Led Austin Safety Partnership (C.L.A.S.P.) meeting.

Chris Gregory reported on Neighborhood Watch signs. We can order “Crime Watch” signs that are personalized with Wooten Neighborhood Association name. These signs are 24” x 18” and cost $494.25 for 15 signs (about $33 per sign). This does not include the cost of posts. Patty Colligan has created a map of the locations of all the existing Neighborhood Watch signs; many are old and rusty. She has also starred areas on the map where she feels crime watch signs would be good to have (such as near entrances to the neighborhood). Marilyn Rogers reported on sign installation procedures. The city must install any signs; we cannot dig up or install new signs on our own. There is a grant (Neighborhood Partner Program) that will cover the cost of installation. The city wants to install all the signs at once and needs permission from the adjacent property owners in order to install or replace signs. Without the grant, the cost of installing a new sign would be $80 and the cost of replacing a sign is $50.

Adam Turner suggested that we cover the signs with clear contact paper in order to protect them from graffiti. He made a motion that we approve up to $600 on signs and that we pursue the grant to cover the cost of installation. Victor seconded the motion, and all members voted in favor of the motion. Joshua pointed out that we can re-address the motion if the committee has additional fiscal needs. He also encouraged the committee to make the map of potential signs public so that everyone can have input on where the signs will be installed.

Next, Joshua opened up the meeting to community concerns. Suzanne expressed concern about the dangerous crossing conditions at the crosswalk that goes across Anderson near Genuine Joe’s. She has taken video of herself crossing while cars are zipping by. She has already filed a complaint with the city, but they have not followed up. She requested a flashing pedestrian light, but the city claimed that this would “impede traffic.” Adam wondered if she had spoken with the owners of Genuine Joe’s. He feels that they might be able to help her advocate for safer crosswalk conditions with the city. Joshua promised to bring up this issue at the next Sustainable Neighborhoods meeting and to follow-up with us at the next WNA meeting.

A WNA member wondered if Joshua had been in contact with the Crestview Neighborhood Association regarding the families who had been displaced due to the recent gas fire. Joshua agreed to contact the Crestview NA president later tonight.

Adam Turner wondered if we had considered holding a Wooten Festival of some sort, such as a kite festival. Joshua said that we had discussed the possibility of a neighborhood barbecue in Wooten Park. BJ Golden had agreed to chair this group, and Joshua will follow-up with BJ. In the meantime, Adam will contact Violet Crown to see what kind of permitting is needed in order to plan this type of event.

Betsy Thaggard moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm. The motion carried.