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City Council Highlights Sunset Valley Garden News

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2015 National Night Out

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Chief’s Corner

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City Calendar

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The Valley Newsletter O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 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

Meet the Candidates—October 27, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M. Meet the Candidates is a public forum for residents to ask ques�ons and meet candidates running

for City Council. Meet the Candidates is scheduled for one hour and will follow a structured format

moderated by Mayor Cardona. Residents are encouraged to par�cipate, ask a ques�on or just

come and listen. On the panel will be Marc Bruner and incumbents Council Member Jeff Burde#

and Rudi Rosengarten. The City Council mee�ng will begin at 7:00 P.M. following Meet the Candi-

dates.

Committee, Boards and Commission Volunteers

The City is accep�ng applica�ons for residents interested in an appointment to serve on the City’s

standing commi#ees. Enclosed in this newsle#er is the applica�on. On the back of the form is a

descrip�on of typical ac�vi�es of each commi#ee. All interested residents must complete and sub-

mit an applica�on to be considered for an appointment, even if you are a current regular or alter-

nate member of a commi#ee. Applica�ons are due Friday, November 20, 2015. The City Council

will make appointments in December. The City Ethics policy is available for review on the City’s

website at www.sunsetvalley.org. Please note, no appointments will be made to the Zoning Com-

mission this year. Members of this Board serve a two year term that began in November 2014.

Do You or Someone You Know Have Concerns About Falling? This December, A MATTER OF BALANCE, an award-winning program designed to manage falls and

increase ac�vity levels will be offered in Sunset Valley. This program emphasizes prac�cal strate-

gies to manage falls and is proven to maintain independ-

ence for older adults. In this class you will learn to: view

falls as controllable, set goals for increasing ac�vity, reduce

fall risks at home, and learn exercises to increase strength

and balance.

The class is open to anyone who is aged 60 and older and taught by cer�fied instructors. If you are

concerned about falls, interested in improving your balance, flexibility, and strength, have fallen in

the past, have restricted your ac�vi�es because of concerns about falling, please consider joining

the class. The class will meet a total of 8 days on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning December 1st,

from 9 AM to 11 AM. Snacks will be provided and there is no fee for the course. There are only 12

seats allowed for the class, so please call to reserve your space.

To register or should you have ques�ons, please contact Penny Cedel at (512) 773-1655 or Sara

Wilson at City Hall (512) 892-1383, or email Sara at swilson@sunsetvalley.org.

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

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

S UN S ET VA L L E Y COMMUN I T Y

GA RD EN N EWS

Gardening in the Winter? Yes, Texas actually has TWO growing sea-

sons and a Fall garden is great for “cool weather” plants that wilt in

our summer heat. Le#uce, spinach, carrots, beets, kale and chard are

some favorites in the Sunset Valley Community Garden. Plant them

now and enjoy them through the winter and into the early spring.

We had a Garden Work Day on Friday, October 16th, to get the beds

ready for the cooler growing season. Several gardeners gathered to

clear the summer leLovers and plant fall plants and seeds. We hope

that the garden flourishes in the cooler weather.

There is room for YOU in the garden! For just $20 each year, you can

use one of the garden spaces, filled with soil, to grow vegetables,

herbs and flowers. There are several Master Gardeners and other ex-

perienced folks in the Sunset Valley community who are happy to give

advice and assistance to any interested new gardeners and point out

resources to help.

FALL SPECIAL—GARDEN SPACES CAN BE USED FOR FREE UNTIL THE

END OF 2015! Would you like to join us? Contact Mary Jo Light -

512.892.6661- to get started!

Council Highlights from the October 13, 2015 Mee�ng

Council approves annual appointments and contracts. At the first mee�ng of the fiscal year, the City Council re-

viewed annual contracts and appointments. While most of these rela�onships have existed for many years, for some, it

is a requirement to reappoint and/or renew contracts annually. The full list of contracts approved is on the website.

City Proclaims November 7, 2015 as Sunset Valley Arbor Day. Sunset Valley will celebrated Arbor Day and plant

trees. More informa�on about Arbor Day ac�vi�es will be distributed closer to the event.

Staff presenta�on on a proposed Wildlife Management Plan. Over the past year the Planning and Environmental

Commi#ee reviewed and updated the Wildlife Management Plan. Carolyn Meredith, Environmental Manager present-

ed an overview of the proposed plan to the Council for review and comment. No ac�on was taken by the Council.

The Wildlife Management Plan is available for review on the city website and provides a framework for managing hu-

man-wildlife interac�ons. The goals of this plan are to protect and enhance wildlife habitat; promote environmental

educa�on; promote volunteer involvement in wildlife and habitat protec�on and enhancement projects; and, promote

internal educa�on and consistency in Department ac�ons. The Wildlife Management Plan includes species specific

management plans for several vertebrate and invertebrate species. Each of these species specific management plans

includes biological informa�on and management ac�ons to be carried out by City staff and volunteers.

Cindy Walker, Mary Black, and

Sam Cantu admire the fall

plan�ngs in Mary's bed.

Sandy and Art Williams cleaning

out their bed.

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

P A G E 3 T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

National Night Out - October 6, 2015

Thank you to everyone who came out to 2015 Na�onal Night Out and to those who helped make this a wonderful commu-

nity event. Na�onal Night Out is the �me for recogni�on of both the officers and the community members that they serve.

Ci�zen Awards went to Mayor Rose Cardona, Public Safety Commi#ee (PSC) Chair and Council Member Jeff Burde#, and

PSC members Frank Williams, Art Williams, and John Bellanca. Many of the Sunset Valley police officers received awards.

Most notably, Officer Steve De Avila- Rookie of the Year and a Life Saving Award. Sgt. Tyler Early— Supervisor of the Year

and Officer Jeremy Pierce— Officer of the Year. Lt. Andreucci and Shanna Neubauer received the Extra Mile Award.

Pictured below: 1. NNO 2015; 2. TEXSAR K-9; 3. Chief Ford, Council Member Jeff Burde#, Mayor Cardona and Bryn Burde#;

4. Be#y Grubbs with Officers Early, Gill, Morales, Andreucci, Francese, Robinson and Saucedo; 5. Future Police Officer?; 6.

SVPD; 7. Chief Ford, John Bellanca, and Mayor Cardona; 8. Art Williams and Shanna Neubauer; 9. Travis County Constable

Hernandez and Chief Ford; 9. TEXSAR; 10. NNO 2015.

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CHIEF ’ S CORNER S . M . F O R D , M P A

Community Members,

As many of you have commented to me, or are aware of, over the last year, our department along with many other law en-

forcement communi�es, have experienced a larger amount of sorrow and sadness due to the loss of more officers across

this na�on, some closer to home than others, in tragic violence against the police. The one thing many agencies and law

enforcement leaders have had to combat internally and within their ranks, is the feeling of misdirec�on and the lack of ap-

precia�on by individual officers and their families given the nega�vity a#ached in some areas related to policing in America.

As many know, this is not the majority feeling, and most police officers serve honorably and without issue or concern.

As with anything nega�ve or sensa�onalized, it can be overwhelming and some�mes challenging to understand the pulse of

a community. The SVPD leadership has been able to combat this locally, thanks to many of your kind comments, special

treat deliveries, and many cards or notes during tough �mes. I must say it is moving to get a le#er or email out of the blue

from a resident just taking a moment to say they appreciate the daun�ng tasks and job that our officers do daily, or to thank

them for responding to a call for need. For that, I thank you immensely for taking that �me to do so!

I am going on my 25th year in the law enforcement profession, over twenty of those as a police officer in the field. My cur-

rent responsibility is to form and mentor the future leaders of the Sunset Valley Police Department. This is vitally important

for the community so that it never has to skip a beat should the leadership change. I can tell you that I am focused on en-

suring that the community of Sunset Valley has a strong, professional, and caring police department who doesn’t just say

they do community policing, but in fact live the ideology. That forma�on of values and the mission live through well-

structured partnerships within the community which help to make this city and its police department one of the best places

to serve and live in. The officers at SVPD love their community and strongly believe in their mission and values. The officers

and ci�zens alike, know each other and take care of one another. This is a value that has been lost in many communi�es and

I truly believe it increases the success of both the PD and the Sunset Valley community as a whole.

Every day as the current leader of this organiza�on, I come to work proud of the fine men and woman who value their com-

mitment and oath to serve, even under the increasing responsibili�es, expecta�ons, and na�onal scru�ny of their du�es in

the policing profession. Luckily our agency is not experiencing the intense amount of nega�vity and/or deple�on of com-

munity partnerships that is being highlighted by the media in so many other areas of the na�on. We luckily have the sup-

port of our community, and I believe that is something earned and not just given. Thank you for entrus�ng the department

with that responsibility.

The recent Na�onal Night Out was not just about recognizing the men and women who put the uniform on, but it was also

about the officer's families. The wives, husbands, children, partners, and significant others that con�nue to support their

loved ones when they step out their door every day to serve are the silent heroes. Our officers families know that their

loved ones are appreciated by the wonderful community of Sunset Valley. This in some ways, minimizes that uneasiness

they have, seeing their loved one put on his or her badge and duty belt every day, as they leave to serve the community of

Sunset Valley. I know the officers embrace the rela�onships with the ci�zens, as I do when I have formed strong bonds

with many a community member here in Sunset Valley. The SVPD thanks you for that opportunity.. It is a partnership

earned and solidified by the increasing trust within the community. In today's world of law enforcement, it is more appreci-

ated then you may know.

Again, thanks to all of you, for the support of this police department not just at Na�onal Night Out, but throughout the

years. We value our rela�onship with you and understand that it is a trust placed into our hands, for us to serve you re-

sponsibly and respecWully. I look forward to the future and what it may bring to all of us within the community of Sunset

Valley!

As always, should anyone wish to speak to me, feel free to contact me via email @ sford@sunsetvalley.org or call my office

at 512-892-1384, to schedule an appointment.

Chief Ford

P A G E 4 T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

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

P A G E 5 T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

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

O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5

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

Public Safety Committee City Hall

Tuesday, November 3rd Election Day

Tuesday, November 10th 6:00 PM

City Council City Hall

Wednesday November 11th 6:00 P.M.

Community and Economic Development City Hall

Wednesday, November 11th 7:00 P.M.

Board of Adjustment (if needed) City Hall

Thursday, November 12th 7:00 PM

Budget, Finance and Administration City Hall

Monday, November 16th 6:00 PM

City Council City Hall

Thursday, November 19th Public Works Committee City Hall

Thursday, November 5th 6:00 P.M.

Planning and Environmental Committee City Hall

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

for updates.

JDRF One Walk Sunday, November 1st Event Opens: 8:30 AM Walk Starts: 10 AM Toney Burger Center

Each year, JDRF One Walk™ brings together thousands of people to change the futures of everyone living with type 1 diabe-

tes (T1D). Join the Sunset Valley Team before Monday, October 26th to receive free Team t-Shirt. Sign up on-line or contact

Sara Wilson, Assistant City Administrator at City Hall at 512-892-1383, or email swilson@sunsetvalley.org.

Giant Yard Sale Saturday, November 7th 9 AM to 1 PM Sunset Valley Elementary

Mark your calendars for one of our school's biggest fundraisers - please come by and shop on Saturday November 7th from

9 A.M. to 1 P.M.! We will also eagerly accept your dona�ons! Suggested dona�ons include toys, baby gear, clothes, furni-

ture, sports/outdoor equipment, housewares, home decor, and books and music. The SSV PTA will collect dona�ons the

week before the sale in front of the school office. Unsold merchandise will be donated to Easter Seals aLer the sale. All do-

na�ons are tax-deduc�ble. You may also rent your own booth to sell your own wares. Volunteers are also welcome! Please

contact alicexd@yahoo.com with any ques�ons.

Veteran's Day Program

Tuesday, November 11th @ 9 AM

The Sunset Valley Elementary School will honor veterans from our armed forces. All veterans are invited to join the students

on Tuesday, November 10 at 9:00am for a special program, to be followed by a recep�on.

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

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

Board of Adjustment

Commi;ee Members

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

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

Commi;ee Members

Rudi Rosengarten, Council Representa�ve John Bellanca Melissa Gonzales Marc Bruner J.R. Esquivel Michael Francis ************************************ Community & Economic

Development Commi;ee Members

Mickie Powers, Chair, Council Representa�ve Penny Cedel Rudi Rosengarten Karen Flournoy Sandi Williams ************************************ Zoning Commission

Commi;ee Members Robert Skewis, Chair Miguel Huerta, Vice Chair Susan Durso John Frick Brant Boozer—alternate Cynthia Nelson Bridget Robinson—alternate

Rose Cardona, Mayor

rcardona@sunetvalley.org

Walter Jenkins, Mayor Pro tem

wjenkins@sunsetvalley.org

Forrest Arnold, Council Member

farnold@sunsetvalley.org Jeff Burde;, Council Member

jburde#@sunsetvalley.org Mickie Powers, Council Member

mpowers@sunsetvalley.org Rudi Rosengarten, Council Member

rrosengarten@sunsetvalley.org

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

Commi;ee Members John Frick, Chair Walter Jenkins, Council Representa�ve James Hart Karen Medicus Erika Montero Sasha Russell Ma# Young Be#y Dunn- alternate Cat Quintanilla - alternate Kim Moncus—honorary member SV Elemen-

Planning & Environmental

Commi;ee Members

Forrest Arnold, Council Representa�ve Helen Besse Terry Cowan Edward Grimes Lucy Hairston Zoe Treiff Karen Medicus *********************************** Public Safety Commi;ee Members

Jeff Burde#, Council Representa�ve Pam Bellanca Ruth Dawson Erwin Haddon Ketan Kharod Art Williams Frank Williams John Bellanca—alternate *********************************** Public Works Commi;ee Members

Walter Jenkins, Council Representa�ve John Bellanca Mary Black Marc Bruner Melissa Gonzales Randy Machemehl Ken Schroeder Richard Leigh —alternate