december 2014 newsletter - sunset valley › vertical › sites...december 6, 2014 in the homestead...

INS IDE TH IS

I S SUE :

City Council Meeting Notes

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Swearing In Child Safety Seat Program

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Guest House Regulations Committee Appointments

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Chief’s Corner PD Blotter City Calendar Elected and Appointed Officials List

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The Valley Newsletter D E C E M B E R 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

Council Amends Animal Control Regulations The City Council has amended the animal control regula�ons for the City. The new regula�ons update

rules that have been in place in Sunset Valley with regard to keeping animals in motor vehicles and

feeding deer and other wildlife; and, for the first �me, the City has adopted the requirement for re-

straints, also known as a leash law, in specific areas of the City. A short summary of the regula�ons in

these areas follows.

Restraint and Confinement of Dogs. The new regula-

�ons require that dogs must be under direct control at

all �mes. Direct control can be through confinement,

hand held leash or lead (held by a person of appropri-

ate age and ability to control the dog) or competent

voice control. In the areas defined by the map (right),

a leash or lead is required. Specifically, these areas

where a dog is required to be on leash are: in all the

Commercial Areas, the South Hills Conserva�on Area,

Gaines Greenbelt, Indian Grass Prairie Preserve, and

the Sunset Valley Nature Area. Dogs are allowed off

leash in the Cougar Creek Greenbelt and surrounding

area near City Hall, on your private property, and on

residen�al streets.

Animals in motor vehicles. The new regula�ons rein-

force the prohibi�on of keeping an animal in a motor

vehicle where the animal’s life is endangered by tem-

perature or inadequate ven�la�on. Under the new

code, an animal being transported in a vehicle will ei-

ther be enclosed in the passenger area, but away from

the driver, or if in an unenclosed area, such as the

back of a pickup truck or conver�ble, the animal must

be in a pet carrier or confined so that the animal can-

not fall from the vehicle or jump out and be injured.

Feeding Deer and Other Wildlife. It is unlawful to purposefully feed wild deer, raccoons, coyotes,

opossum, skunks, ringtail cats and foxes. (For you newsle3er archivist, an ar�cle in the July 2011, sub-

mi3ed by Council Member Arnold outlines why feeding deer harms the environment and the deer.)

Although the ordinance takes effect immediately any viola�ons will be handled with warnings to pro-

vide educa�on and to encourage compliance. Signs will be posted in on leash areas. The full text of the

ordinance will be posted on the city's website.

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 November 11, 2014

AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT

* Approval of the minutes from the October 28, 2014 mee�ng.

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

* Approval of a request from Michael Melinger, for an excep�on to the 60 day reserva�on policy for the use of City

Hall for an event on Saturday, May 9, 2015.

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

the Home Depot parking lot from November 16, 2014 to December 16, 2014.

* Approval of a Temporary Special Use Permit for Home Depot to conduce a Christmas Tree Sale in the Home Depot

parking lot from November 17, 2014 to December 17, 2014.

* Approval of a Temporary Special Use Permit for PetSmart to conduct a Pet Adop�on event in the parking lot at

5207 Brodie Lane from November 14, 2014 to November 16, 2014.

* Approval of a Temporary Special Use Permit for the City to conduct the Majic of Christmas promo�onal event on

December 6, 2014 in the Homestead Shopping Center.

• Public Hearing and approval of a Special Use Permit for alcoholic beverages sold in a restaurant for on-premise con-

sump�on by ATX Restaurant Partners, LLC dba Dickey’s Barbeque. All voted yes.

• Public Hearing and approval to amend the Land Development Code in Chapter I to add a new defini�on for

“Growler” and Chapter 2 Zoning, Subsec�on 2.501(a) for the addi�on of Alcoholic Beverages Sold in Restaurant for

Off-Premise consump�on in growlers. All voted yes.

• Discussion of proposed revisions to Chapter 94 of the Code of Ordinances regarding Animal Control Regula�ons. No

ac�on taken.

• Discussion on the status of the subdivision and annexa�on of city owned property at 3717 Country White Line

(Kennedy Property). No ac�on taken.

• Approval of a Water Source Planning document submiCed by the Public Works CommiCee. All voted yes.

• Council Execu�ve Session to discuss real property acquisi�on for water quality protec�on and City Administrator

performance evalua�on.

Council Mee�ng on December 2, 2014

Presenta�on to Bill Ashbaugh for service as Municipal Judge from 1981 to 2014. AFer remarks from Mayor Cardona and

Judge Johnson, Judge Ashbaugh was presented with a plaque and a giF in apprecia�on of his service to the City of Sunset

Valley. Judge Ashbaugh made a brief statement and thanked the City Council.

AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED ON CONSENT

* Approval of the minutes from the November 11, 2014 mee�ng.

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

* Approval of an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 140603-A amending the City of Sunset Valley Budget for Fiscal

Year 2013-2014.

* Approval of moving the 2nd

Council mee�ng in December from Tuesday December 16th

to Wednesday December

17th

to allow City Hall to be used as a polling place for the General Runoff Elec�on.

• Elec�on of Mayor Pro tem as required by Sec�on 22.037 of the Texas Local Government Code. Council Member Wal-

ter Jenkins was nominated. All voted yes.

• Assignment of Councilmembers to Standing CommiCees under Sec�on 31.16 of the Code of Ordinances. Mo�on

made for Council Member to remain on current assigned commi3ee. All voted yes. (Commi3ee assignments listed on

back page of this newsle3er).

• Discussion of possible revisions to Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances rela�ng to Boards, Commissions, and Com-

miCees. No ac�on taken.




Mayor and Council Members Sworn In At the November 11th, City Council mee�ng, Mayor Rose

Cardona began a second 2 year term as Mayor. AFer being

sworn in, Mayor Cardona swore in Council Members Wal-

ter Jenkins and Mickie Powers to their second consecu�ve

term on Council.

Child Passenger Safety Program—Texans in Motion Coming to Sunset Valley A child passenger safety seat fiJng sta�on will be at the

Sunset Valley Buy Buy Baby store star�ng January 24, 2014

from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm by appointment only. Families

can call 512-310-4751 to set up an appointment to have

their car seat checked by a Cer�fied Child Passenger Safety

Technician. The program also provides car seats for fami-

lies that cannot afford to purchase one.

Guest House Regulations Sunset Valley’s zoning regula�ons do not allow for mul�-

family housing. This means there can be no apartments,

duplexes or garage apartments within the city. The only

excep�on is that each residen�al lot is allowed a “guest

house” which must meet the following criteria:

• a living unit separate from the primary residence

• less than 600 square feet

• has a bathing facility and a toilet.

• is not rental property

There are other regula�ons on accessory structures (such

as a limit on total square footage) and also watershed reg-

ula�ons that may not allow for addi�onal impervious cov-

er to be added to your property, but if you do have a guest

house on your lot, please be aware of the limita�ons that

it is only for the use of your family or guests and is not in-

tended to be used as rental property. If you have ques-

�ons about this or other Zoning Regula�ons, contact Clay

Collins, City Administrator at 512 892-1383.

Committee and Commission Appointments During the December 17th City Council mee�ng, the City

Council appointed dozens of residents to serve on the

City’s volunteer commi3ees and commissions. The updat-

ed list of these appointments is on back page of this news-

le3er.

HOLIDAY KICKOFF EVENT On Saturday, December 6th, the Community and Economic

Development Commi3ee hosted the 4th Annual Holiday

Shopping Kickoff Event. Teri McCormick from Majic 95.5

FM and Santa were in Sunset Valley giving away prizes and

visi�ng with families. Pictured below, Santa took pictures

with all in the holiday spirit, tradi�onal pictures with chil-

dren and even a potbelly pig in a Santa hat.

(con�nued) Council Mee�ng on December 2, 2014

• Approval of an agreement with Wiginton Hooker Jeffry Architects for a comprehensive development plan for new

Police and Public Works Facili�es in the amount of $52,820 plus reimbursable expenses. All voted yes.

• Discuss of the crea�on of an Ad Hoc Administra�ve CommiCee under Sec�on 31.21 of the Code of Ordinance. No

ac�on taken.

• Presenta�on and Discussion on the Open Mee�ngs Act and City Council Procedures.

• Discussion of possible development of a “Dog Park” on city owned property. AFer discussion the City Council agreed

to postpone addi�onal discussion about the development of a dog park for now.

• Discussion of proposed revisions to Chapter 94 of the Code of Ordinances regarding Animal Control Regula�ons.

Staff was directed to bring back an ordinance at the next mee�ng.

• Council Execu�ve Session to discuss acquisi�on of real property for water quality protec�on or other public purpos-

es. No ac�on taken.



CHIEF’S CORNER Chief S.M. Ford, MPA

Sunset Valley Police Department Happy Holidays from your friends at the Sunset Valley Police Department. I hope that you and your family had a safe and secure

Thanksgiving with loved ones. The Thanksgiving weekend kicked off the busy shopping season for the City of Sunset Valley and

Police Department officers. The past month has proven to be very busy for police department staff and we expect December to

even be busier for officers. There has been an obvious increase in traffic as well as incidents within the commercial district. This is

something to be expected every year in both November and December primarily based on the increased visitors to our great com-

munity. Officers' have stepped up patrol du�es in the shopping centers and the local streets and highways that surround the com-

munity. Officers will be looking to deter theFs, reckless driving and dangerous traffic infrac�ons in our community.

At �mes, certain events that occur in our City involving law enforcement are worth men�oning. I want to reflect on a recent crimi-

nal incident that resulted in 4 individuals being detained and 3 ul�mately transported to juvenile facili�es facing various criminal

charges. During the weekend of Thanksgiving, Sunset Valley officers were flagged down by ci�zens repor�ng male teenagers waiv-

ing a gun around inside a store near the shopping center on the northwest side of Sunset Valley. Officers with Sunset Valley, Aus-

�n, and Travis County converged on the area around 5400 Brodie Lane at the shopping center. Two of the individuals fled from

Sunset Valley police officers. Addi�onal units responded and Aus�n police air support arrived to assist Sunset Valley officers in the

tracking and search. Ul�mately, officers detained two juveniles immediately who surrendered and tracked down the two that had

fled into the apartment green area between Mopac and the shopping center. Officers were able to take the two remaining indi-

viduals at large into custody without any use of force. The suspects were in pos-

session of air-soF pistols. I must stress that this incident could have tragically

gone a different direc�on due to the ini�al reports to police regarding the sub-

jects in the store brandishing a firearm. Parents and family friends must help to

educate our kids and young adults on the impact and safety concern regarding

the carrying of firearms or those items that resemble firearms in public are-

as. These events occur more oFen than we realize across the na�on and unfortu-

nately, oFen have a devasta�ng result for both the young individual and their

family, as well as officers who respond to the calls. Thankfully, the officers re-

sponded appropriately, professionally and were not placed in a direct confronta-

�on scenario in this specific incident.

For those that have not been closely following the na�onal news, the movement

towards na�onal deployment of "body cameras" to all local policing agencies has

begun due to recent events. Regional / Na�onal Police associa�ons, and various

other organiza�ons overwhelmingly support the deployment of this technolo-

gy. Many industry professionals believe that by the end of 2016, with the help of

the federal grants of $260 million dollars promised by the President, the majority,

if not all local law enforcement agencies will be ouTi3ed with body cameras

throughout North America. Recently, the Aus�n American Statesman picked up

the na�onal story and published an ar�cle featuring agencies ahead of the curve

on this deployment. We are proud to say that the Sunset Valley Police Depart-

ment and the Lakeway Police Department were two of the agencies recognized in

the news media reports for taking the preemp�ve stance on providing this pro-

tec�on and accountability tool to the communi�es they serve as well as the offic-

ers they employ.

The Sunset Valley Police Department has used cameras in vehicles for over 11

years, but the body cameras have been used by officers since the end

of 2013. Officer validated complaints and �mely misconduct inves�ga�ons have

decreased as it appears to be the case in many of the agencies using cameras. In

addi�on, resistance and violent a3acks on officers have also appeared to have

reduced in numbers. Although there was some acclima�on period by both ci�-

zens and officers alike, the adapta�on of the technology has improved and those

using the cameras have voiced strong support for the protec�on the cameras

provide to both the community members and those serving in the police depart-

ment.

November 2014

Police BloCer

Abandon Vehicles 1

Accidents 21

Alarms 22

Animal Related 3

Assist Others 42

Burglaries 1

(Commercial Residen�al and Vehicle)

Criminal Trespass 1

Disturbances 5

DWI/PI/Drugs 9

DWLI 1

Found Property 1

Graffi� 1

Nature Unknown 8

Reckless/Aggressive Driving 6

Suspicious/Check Welfare 25

TheFs 10

Traffic Related 141

Viola�on of City Ord./Parking 14

Warrant Arrest 2

Criminal Inves�ga�on Unit (CID)

Ac�on

New Cases 5

Pending Cases 177

Ac�ve Cases 76

Closed Case 9



CHIEF’S CORNER (continued) For more informa�on on this or the subject of police worn body cameras and funding, a few links to the media related reports are

found below.

h3p://goo.gl/adGv71

h3p://video.statesman.com/Sunset-Valley-officer-talks-about-body-cameras-use-28217284?playlistId=15517

h3p://www.nbcnews.com/poli�cs/first-read/obama-requests-263-million-police-body-cameras-training-n259161

h3p://thehill.com/homenews/administra�on/225583-obama-to-provide-funding-for-50000-police-body-cameras

REMINDER: We are well into the Christmas season within the City of Sunset Valley. As we all know, the season will bring many

visitors to our community for food, beverages and shopping. With that being said, our inclusion into unavoidable traffic related

issues such as conges�on, accidents and reckless drivers is already predicted. Our officers will be ac�vely working to assist shop-

pers and those visi�ng our community in the retail districts and roadways throughout the City. Visitors not only bring commerce

and business to our community, but at �mes, unfortunately bring criminal opportunists as well. Having recognized this, we ask

that all Sunset Valley ci�zens assist us with providing an extra set of eyes and ears and repor�ng any suspicious ac�vity that may

be observed. Please maintain an awareness of your surroundings at home, in your vehicles while on the roads, and when visi�ng

in our commercial district areas. Remember to call 9-1-1 for any in progress or suspicious ac�vity. If not an emergency, the 9-1-1

operator will then transfer you to the non- emergency line or operators. Officers will readily respond to insure our community

maintains the safe and secure atmosphere that is expected by our ci�zens.

The Sunset Valley Police Department wishes everyone a wonderful Christmas holiday and safe New Year.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

Thursday December 25th Friday, December 26th

City Offices Closed

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Thursday, January 1st City Offices Closed

Tuesday, January 6th 6:00 P.M.

City Council Meeting City Hall

Wednesday, January 7th 6:00 P.M.

Community and Economic Development City Hall

Thursday, January 8th 6:30 P.M.

Planning and Environmental City Hall

Thursday, January 8th 7:00 P.M.

Public Works Committee City Hall


Zoning Commission City Hall

Tuesday, January 20th 6:00 P.M.

City Council Meeting City Hall

Monday, January 26th 6:00 P.M.

Public Safety Committee City Hall


Budget, Finance and Administration City Hall

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

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

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

Board of Adjustment CommiCee Members Thomas Cedel, Chair

Randall Rosengarten, Vice Chair

Steve Borochoff

Richard Hayes

Marshall McHone

Sandy Cox - alternate

Jennifer Fadal—alternate

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

Budget, Finance & Administra�ve CommiCee Members Rudi Rosengarten, Council Representa�ve

John Bellanca Melissa Gonzales

Marc Bruner Robert Harrison

J.R. Esquivel Ketan Kharod

Michael Francis Liz Wright

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

Community & Economic Development CommiCee Members Mickie Powers, Council Representa�ve

Penny Cedel Rudi Rosengarten

Karen Flournoy Sandi Williams

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

Zoning Commission CommiCee Members

Robert Skewis, Chair

Margaret Bentley

Susan Durso

Miguel Huerta

Cynthia Nelson John Frick - alternate

Rose Cardona, Mayor [email protected]

Walter Jenkins, Mayor Pro tem [email protected] Forrest Arnold, Council Member [email protected]

Jeff BurdeC, 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 Representa�ve

James Hart

Karen Medicus

Erika Montero

Sasha Russell

Ma3 Young

Be3y Dunn- alternate

Cat Quintanilla - alternate

Kim Lucas—honorary member SV Elementary

Planning & Environmental CommiCee Members Forrest Arnold, Council Representa�ve

Helen Besse

Mitch Chazan

Terry Cowan

Edward Grimes

Lucy Hairston

Zoe Treiff

Karen Medicus—alternate

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

Public Safety CommiCee Members Jeff Burde3, Council Representa�ve

Pam Bellanca

Ruth Dawson

Erwin Haddon

Ketan Kharod

Art Williams

Frank Williams

John Bellanca—alternate

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

Public Works CommiCee Members Walter Jenkins, Council Representa�ve

John Bellanca

Mary Black

Melissa Gonzales

Richard Leigh

Randy Machemehl

Ken Schroeder

Marc Bruner—alternate

december 2014 newsletter - sunset valley › vertical › sites...december 6, 2014 in the homestead...

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