august 2014 newsletter - sunset valley · 2014. 8. 22. · council mee ng on july 16, 2014 agenda...

INS IDE TH IS

I S SUE :

City Council Meeting Notes

2

60th Celebration 3

Smoking Regulations Arts Commission Report

4

4

Summer Teen Program

5

New Business Chief’s Corner PD Blotter City Calendar Things to Do

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The Valley Newsletter A U G U S T 2 0 1 4 C I T Y O F S U N S E T V A L L E Y

T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

Mayor’s Budget Below is an excerpt of the Mayor’s budget le�er. To see the full le�er and budget, please go to the

City’s website www.sunsetvalley.org.

City Council and Ci�zens,

As required by Sec�on 102.005 of the Texas Local Government Code, the a�ached Budget for Fiscal

Year 2014/2015 for the City of Sunset Valley is filed for considera�on by the City Council.

I would like to acknowledge the work of the Budget, Finance and Administra�ve Commi�ee in re-

viewing the budget requests and in assis�ng with the development of the budget. Addi�onally, I

would like to thank residents who par�cipated whether it is through commi�ees, a�ending council

mee�ngs, reaching out to the elected officials or comple�ng the recent city survey.

Every bit of par�cipa�on provides valuable guidance to the elected officials. Thank you specifically

to Rae Gene Greenough, City Secretary and Clay Collins, City Administrator for keeping me on track,

correc�ng me when needed and providing me with the administra�ve assistance a Mayor needs to

get this task done on �me. Our City is incredibly lucky to have the current combina�on of resources

and residents.

This budget represents my preferences based on par�cipa�on and input up to this point from resi-

dents, staff and the Budget and Finance Commi�ee. My hope is that Council will support my pro-

posed budget as I believe it supports the goals of our city, is consistent with ac�ons taken in the

recent years and the voiced desires of our residents in the survey.

Regardless of whether council can support my proposed budget, I encourage them to ac�vely en-

gage and discuss any items that they desire to strike or alter. This budget will be presented and dis-

cussed at City Council on August 19th. A public hearing will occur on September 2nd. Council will

adopt a final budget on September 16th. If needed, I have tenta�vely scheduled an addi�onal work

session on September 9th should council want or need it. Please provide your public input at these

mee�ngs.

The following table show the proposed total expenditures by major opera�ng fund:

General

Fund

Street

Fund

U�lity

Fund

Drainage

Fund

HOT

Fund

Green Tax

Fund

Underground

U�lity Fund

Total

$4,328,205 $1,440,134 $1,735,402 $298,000 $341,613 $1,321,373 $0 $9,464,727

Incumbents File for City Election Three candidates have filed for the three open posi�ons in the City Elec�on. Mayor Rose Cardo-

na and Council Members Walter Jenkins and Mickie Powers submi�ed applica�ons for the posi-

�on they currently serve. Elec�on Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2014.

P A G E 2 T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

Council Mee�ng on July 1, 2014

AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT

* Approval of the minutes from the June 17, 2014 mee�ng.

* Approval of Financial Statements for the month of May 2014.

• Approval of a request by Stouthaus Coffee Pub located at 4715 South Lamar for a Variance from the require-

ments of the Land Development Code Chapter 14 Sign Regula�ons . Approval granted with the condi�on that the

brightness and uniformity of the LED ligh�ng are subject to city approval aFer installa�on and may require modifi-

ca�on at the sole expense of the tenant. All voted yes .

• Public Hearing and discussion on proposed revisions to Chapter 14 Sign Regula�ons of the Land Development

Code . No ac�on taken by the City Council.

• Approval a of a request by Barely Sola located at 4715 South Lamar for a Variance from the requirements of the

Land Development Code Chapter 14 Sign Regula�ons. Approval granted with the following condi�ons: (1) 1 of

the 2 requested signs be moved to the 2nd

entrance of the property; (2) a landscaping plan for the sign areas must

be approved before installa�on, (3) signs shall be 12 feet from the property line, and (4) staff has the discre�on

to approve any subjec�ve changes to the signs. All voted yes.

• Approval of a request by St. Philip located at 4715 South Lamar for a Variance from the requirements of the

Land Development Code Chapter 14 Sign Regula�ons . Approval granted with the condi�on that the brightness

and uniformity of the LED ligh�ng are subject to city approval aFer installa�on and may require modifica�on at

the sole expense of the tenant. All voted yes.

• Tabled to the next City Council mee�ng. Public hearing and considera�on of amendments to Chapter 1 Defini-

�ons and Chapter 2.801 Zoning Regula�ons of the Land Development Code recommended by the Zoning Commis-

sion; considera�on of an Ordinance amending Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances to add a provision for the

Council to make addi�onal Commi�ee appointments to fill a vacancy or to add addi�onal member(s) or alternate

(s); and, considera�on for the crea�on of an Administra�ve Commi�ee or other changes to Chapter 31 of the

Code of Ordinances.

• Referred to the Zoning Commission a request to recommend changes to the Land Development Code to provide

for regula�ons applicable to places of worship that are permi�ed under applicable State and Federal law. All vot-

ed yes.

Council Mee�ng on July 16, 2014


* Approval of the minutes from the July 1, 2014 mee�ng.

* Approval of a Temporary Special Use Permit for Home Depot to conduct a Bath Remodeling Promo�onal

event in the parking lot at 1200 Home Depot Boulevard from July 30, 2014 to August 29, 2014.

* Approval of the purchase of 2015 Ford F-450 Super Duty Dump Truck in the amount of $51,734.86.

* Approval of a bid award to replace the split rail fence along Lovegrass Lane.

* Approval an Ordinance calling for a City Officers Elec�on for November 4, 2014 to elect the Mayor and two

(2) Council Members.

• Approval to accept the 2012-13 Annual Financial Audit by DARILEKBUTLER. All voted yes and the mo�on car-

ried. All voted yes.

• Approval of the loca�on next to the Farmers Marker on the street and not on the Uplands property the loca-

�on to hold the 60th

Anniversary Celebra�on. All voted yes.

• Public Hearing regarding a Planning Process to determine the use of the 7.6 acre tract known as “the Up-

lands” located on US Hwy 290. AFer public hearing and discussion, staff was directed to prepare a �meline of

phases for this planning process .




(con�nued) Council Mee�ng on July 16, 2014

• Approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 1 Defini�ons, with changes, and Chapter 2 Zoning Regula�ons of

the Land Development Code. Council approved recommenda�ons by the Zoning Commission for new defini�ons

for “Barber or beauty shop” and “Personal service establishment” and amend Sec�on 2.801 to include “Personal

service establishment” to the list of permi�ed uses in the Neighborhood Commercial District. All voted yes.

• Council went into Execu�ve Session to discuss performance of the City Administrator.

Council Mee�ng on August 5, 2014


* Approval of the minutes from the July 15, 2014 mee�ng.

* Approval an Interlocal Agreement with Travis County for Emergency Dispatch Services.

* Approval of a Temporary Special Use Permit for PetSmart to conduct a pet adop�on event in the parking lot

of the Homestead Shopping Center from September 12, 2014 to September 14, 2014.

• Approval of an Ordinance amending Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances. Amendment adds a provision for

the Council to make Commi�ee appointments to fill a vacancy or to add addi�onal member(s) or alternate(s).

All voted yes.

• Presenta�on on proposed revisions to Chapter 13 Landscaping of the Land Development Code. Staff was di-

rected to draF an ordinance and bring it back to Council for considera�on.

• Discuss and consider the U�lity Rate and Cost of Service Study and recommenda�ons provided by Com-

miCees. No ac�on taken by the City Council.

• Presenta�on on a draD Wildlife Management Plan. No ac�on taken by the City Council.

• Discussion of proposed revisions to Chapter 14 Sign Regula�ons of the Land Development Code . No ac�on

taken by the City Council.

Sunset Valley will celebrate its 60th year

of incorpora�on in September. To mark

the occasion, the City will host an out-

door fes�val featuring live music, local

food and family ac�vi�es. Everyone is

invited to a�end this celebra�on.

Live Music Performances

Adult and Kids Food Demonstra�ons

Omar Rodriguez, St. Philip

Kid Design and Build

presented by Jay Hargrave Architecture

Old Navy Fashion Show

Pony Rides

Sunset Valley Businesses

and Ar�san Vendors

P A G E 4

Council Amends Smoking Regulations At the June 17th City Council

mee�ng, the City Council ap-

proved amendments to the

smoking regula�ons proposed

by the Planning and Environ-

mental Commi�ee.

Since 1991, the City has pro-

hibited smoking in public plac-

es. A public place has been

defined as an indoor area used

by the general public or a place

of employment. Under the

new regula�ons, the Council

expanded the defini�on of

public places to include out-

door space used by the general

public. These outdoor places

include outdoor ea�ng areas and

pa�os, parks, green spaces, con-

serva�on areas and playgrounds.

The new rules add the prohibi�on

of smoking on any city facility and

within 15 feet of an entrance or

window of a public place.

So where can a person legally

smoke in Sunset Valley? In your

home or car, in or on a residen�al

property, more than 15 feet from

any window, entrance, or exit of a

public space, in a hotel room des-

ignated as a smoking room (please

note, Holiday Inn is currently a

non smoking hotel where 100% of

the rooms are non-smoking), at a

retail tobacco store, in a fa-

cility operated by a fraternal

organiza�on for a charitable

or educa�onal func�on if the

premises is controlled by the

organiza�on, or in the parking

lot of a city facility.

Last, the new regula�ons do

not differen�ate between

tobacco smoking and vaping

(e-cigare�es). Use of these

products in public places are

also prohibited.


ARTS COMMISSION REPORT By John Frick

HAPPY 60th

BIRTHDAY SUNSET VALLEY!! The Arts Commission is pleased to play a part in honoring

the founding families who wanted wide open spaces to raise their horses and the freedom to ride

like the wind whenever they pleased. Thankfully, they also had the foresight to find well water, to

incorporate as a city and to volunteer their �me to govern. In �me, it became a vibrant city and

the residents of today s�ll enjoy their horses and volunteer their �me on commi�ees and commis-

sions to keep things running smoothly.

When Council and the Community and Economic Development Commi�ee asked if we

would like to par�cipate, the two commi�ees met and we decided that the Arts Com-

mission would throw an old fashioned 50’s birthday party for the residents (something

like the Spring Fling) on Friday night, and CED would put on a outdoor music and food

fes�val with live music, local food and family ac�vi�es on Saturday aFernoon for resi-

dents and the general public.

So, please bring the whole family to City Hall on Friday September 19

th, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00

p.m. for a rousing 1954 -style birthday bash. Between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. the popular

Peached Tor�lla food truck will serve tacos with mac and cheese sides, and our own James Hart

will be grilling hot dogs, followed by cake and ice cream. If you’re fairly sure you can make it, we

would appreciate a RSVP call to Ma� Lingafelter at City Hall (512) 892-1383 to help es�mate the

food order.

We’ll have some rockin’ 50’s “sock-hop music” playing, historical SSV photos and newsworthy

1954 events displayed, a big “45 record” backdrop for group and “selfee” pictures, and on the big

screen, a running loop of video-taped interviews and comments giving personal perspec�ves and

recollec�ons of a few residents, events for kids and door prizes. Please mark your calendars to

come out and reminisce with old friends, make new ones, and celebrate all the joys of living in our

wonderful li�le city. And remember to make �me for the even bigger party on Saturday, the 20th

.

by Irena Huerta

Teen Program 2011, 2012, 2014

The clock on the wall reads 7:56 A.M. as teens start gathering in the garage behind the Pub-

lic Works building. A sleepy yawn escapes as someone tries to fill their water bo�le without

dropping ice. The day is just beginning for the Sunset Valley Teen Program. This is the first

summer job for several of the teens par�cipa�ng in the program, star�ng at 14 years old

and returning summer aFer summer un�l 18 or 19. Even though a paying job is what keep

par�cipants coming back year aFer year, the teens involved receive more than just a

paycheck.

A certain degree of maturity is needed while working the first year; it is difficult being

thrown into a group with older teens who already know the ropes you need to learn. There

are skills that are learned quickly like learning how to stain wood and how to handle brush

pick up, and are there are life lessons that learned even faster, like the need to stay hydrat-

ed and that a good night’s sleep is a necessity. But it takes more than perseverance to come

back the next year. It requires growth and maturity. At first, teens are trusted with nothing

more complex than a paintbrush and a hammer, but as years pass they are expected to be

responsible enough to handle string trimmers, power tools and even the off-road u�lity ve-

hicles. Later, they may even become responsible for some of the younger teens.

These responsibili�es are not freely given – they are earned. Once a person finishes all the years of the program, they

cannot help but be proud. As they walk or drive through the city, they will have memories of the summers they spent

swea�ng as they laid rock down for a par�cular trail or put up a certain fence. You can see the work done by the Teen

Program throughout our city since 1995 by the things the teens built. But if you ask their parents and supervisors, they

will tell you the most important things built by the Teen Program are the teens themselves.

Teen Program 2014

Esmerelda Barrientos Francisco Barrientos

Lily Davisson Tessa Draker Lillian Eliaz

Paige Gomes-Green Irena Huerta

Fletcher McHone Zachary Pifer

Sebastian Williams

Intern Dalton Phillips

Summer Teen Program P A G E 5

Tessa Draker spent a day on a ride along with Sunset Valley

Patrol Officer Tyler Early (not pictured)

The Teen Program was started to provide paid summer jobs to Sunset Valley teenagers and to educate the youth about the city and city government, all the while building pride for their community. The teens work on a variety of projects throughout the summer with the Public Works Department. On occasion, teens that have shown interest in criminal justice and law enforcement careers (and are over the age of 18) will request and be assigned to work with the Police Department. Teens interested in the summer work program must complete an application and go through an interview process with their parents before being accepted in the program. For more information, contact Carolyn Meredith in the Public Works Department at (512) 891-9103


from left to right: Irena Huerta, Lillian Eliaz, Esmeralda

Barrientos, Zachary Pifer and Tessa Draker



CHIEF’S CORNER Chief S.M. Ford, MPA

Sunset Valley Police Department

I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer months. I know this summer has

been very busy for the Department and hope everyone has found �me to en-

joy their family and friends. As we move towards the end of summer, we

need to make sure to remember that with the end of something old, comes

the beginning of something new.

School will begin in Sunset Valley and at all AISD campuses on August 25,

2014. Please be cau�ous in the neighborhoods and especially around school

zones recognizing the poten�al for small children walking across the road-

ways. Some of the children may be new to the area and not familiar with

crosswalks and school zone designated areas. Let’s all pay special a�en�on to

our “li�le ones” heading to and from school, as well as playing in the neigh-

borhoods.

With public schooling back in session along with college classes having started

in mid-August, traffic is increasing on the major thoroughfares throughout the

city. The increase in traffic will most oFen be seen during morning and aFer-

noon rush hours or lunch �me in our shopping centers at our fine restau-

rants. Please take into considera�on the increase in traffic which can cause

typical delays during commu�ng. In addi�on, we urge ci�zens to look twice at

red lights and intersec�ons and slightly pause before proceeding

through. Some�mes just a short pause can mean the difference in a cata-

strophic accident occurring because someone ran a red light. If we all can

slow down and be aware of our surroundings during our commutes, we may

all stay a li�le safer and less-stressed.

Finally, I will begin holding “Coffee with the Chief” mee�ngs over the next few

months. Please look for future events and make �me to have a cup of coffee

with me. During these coffee breaks, I look forward to discussing any con-

cerns or topics you would like to make me aware of, or simply discussing the

family and enjoying our Fall and Winter months. As always, you don’t need to

wait for coffee to contact me either by email or phone, but I look forward to

seeing those of you that would like to enjoy a cup of coffee. Have a great Au-

gust and for those of you with children, I hope the first day of school goes well

for them!

July 2014

Police BloCer

Accidents 11

Alarms 17

Animal Related 8

Assist Others 44

Burglaries 1

(Commercial Residen�al and Vehicle)

Criminal Trespass 4

Criminal Mischief 1

Disturbances 1

DWI/PI/Drugs 3

DWLI 1

Fraud/ID TheF 3

Harassment 1

Reckless/Aggressive Driving 1

Resist Arrest 1

Suspicious/Check Welfare 38

TheFs 12

Traffic Related 142

Viola�on of City Ord./Parking 21

Warrant Arrest 1

Criminal Inves�ga�on Unit (CID)

Ac�on

New Cases 8

Pending Cases 168

Ac�ve Cases 60

Closed Case 11

NEW BU S I N E S S I N S UN S E T VA L L E Y 360 Tans is now open in the Village Shopping Center. This latest offering in Sun-

set Valley is located near Firebowl Café next to the arbor. 360 Tans has been tan-

ning in Aus�n since 2005. Their specialty is custom airbrush tanning and body

wraps. All of 360 Tans airbrush tanning technicians have been trained and cer�-

fied by the Natural Glow Training Ins�tute in full body airbrush tanning, using

Natural Glow sunless tanning products, which have become a favorite among

celebri�es, beauty pageant contestants and more. Airbrush tans dry instantly, are odorless, and have a very natural

appearance. For more informa�on, please visit their website at h�p://www.aus�n360tan.com/

A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

Wednesday, August 27th

7:00 P.M.

Zoning Commission

City Hall

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4

Tuesday, September 2nd

6:00 P.M.

City Council Mee�ng

BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING

City Hall

Wednesday, September 3rd

6:00 P.M.

Community and Economic Development

City Hall

Thursday, September 4th

6:00 P.M.

Planning and Environmental

City Hall

Thursday, September 4th

7:00 P.M.

Public Works CommiCee

City Hall

Wednesday, September 10th

7:00 P.M.

Board of Adjustment, if needed

City Hall

Tuesday, September 16th

6:00 P.M.

City Council Mee�ng

City Hall

Monday, September 22nd

6:00 P.M.

Public Safety CommiCee

City Hall


7:00 P.M.

Zoning Commission

City Hall


7:00 P.M.

Budget, Finance and Administra�on

City Hall

Wednesday, August 27th

7:00 P.M.

Budget, Finance and Administra�on

City Hall



Meeting Dates and Time May Change. Please check the City’s Website SunsetValley.org for updates.

Sunset Valley CraD Get Together

1st Sunday of the Month, 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

CraFers meet the 1st Sunday of each month in the City Hall Conference Room.

Old Navy Kids Safety Event

Saturday, September 13th Noon to 4 P.M.

Join Old Navy and Sunset Valley Police Department to help keep our kids safe.

CPR and First Aid Training

Monday, September 15th

Sunset Valley hosts a CPR and First Aid Training Course. Classes begin at 6:30 P.M. at City Hall. Residents can register

and take the class at no cost. Contact Ma� Lingafelter at City Hall to register or email Ma� at mlin-

[email protected]

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Tuesday, October 7, 2014 6:00 PM

Sunset Valley Elementary

City of Sunset Valley Newsletter 3205 Jones Road Sunset Valley, TX 78745

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Board of Adjustment

CommiCee Members

Thomas Cedel, Chair Randall Rosengarten, Vice Chair Richard Hayes Marshall McHone Steve Borochoff Sandy Cox - alternate Jennifer Fadal—alternate

************************************ Budget, Finance & Administra�ve

CommiCee Members

Rudi Rosengarten, Chair Michael Francis, Vice Chair John Bellanca Mary Black Marc Bruner J.R. Esquivel Robert Harrison Melissa Gonzales– alternate Liz Wright—alternate ************************************ Community & Economic

Development CommiCee Members

Mickie Powers, Chair Karen Flournoy, Vice Chair Mary Black Penny Cedel Rudi Rosengarten

Rose Cardona, Mayor

[email protected]

Forrest Arnold, Mayor Pro tem

[email protected] Jeff BurdeC, Council Member

jburde�@sunsetvalley.org

Walter Jenkins, Council Member

[email protected] Mickie Powers, Council Member

[email protected] Rudi Rosengarten, Council Member

[email protected]

************************************ Arts Commission

CommiCee Members John Frick, Chair Walter Jenkins, Council Liaison James Hart Karen Medicus Erika Montero Sasha Russell Ma� Young Melissa Gonzales - alternate Cat Quintanilla - alternate

Planning & Environmental

CommiCee Members

Forrest Arnold, Chair Helen Besse, Vice Chair Mitch Chazan Edward Grimes Lucy Hairston Margaret Bentley—alternate ************************************ Public Safety CommiCee Members

Jeff Burde�, Chair Art Williams, Vice Chair Gregg Bell John Bellanca Erwin Haddon Pam Bellanca Frank Williams *********************************** Public Works CommiCee Members

Walter Jenkins, Chair Randy Machemehl, Vice Chair John Bellanca Mary Black Melissa Gonzales Ken Schroeder Randy Williams Richard Leigh - alternate *********************************** Zoning Commission

CommiCee Members Robert Skewis, Chair Margaret Bentley Susan Durso Miguel Huerta Cynthia Nelson John Frick - alternate

august 2014 newsletter - sunset valley · 2014. 8. 22. · council mee ng on july 16, 2014 agenda...

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