Priorities
Preserving our rural character
As more money flows into West Lake, new residents’ expectations of the type of residential construction they can embark on often conflict with the code and the desires of long established neighbors. At our core, at least on the portion of our city with large lots, we strive to preserve rural character and natural beauty in accordance with our Master PLan. We have to do two things to manage growth successfully - better enforce our code and update it to align with commonly issued variances (deviations from code authorized by City Council). On code enforcement, we’ve spent the last year updating our practices and are now fully staffed. I will formalize the recommendations of Mayor Pro Tem Gordon Bowman to ensure that illegal work is halted promptly, preventing violations from spiraling out of control and that all parties involved in egregious violations are held accountable. On the subject of variances, the process is cumbersome and can be discouraging for well meaning residents. In many instances both in ZAPCO and Council we’ve seen cases where most of the applicant’s neighbors had grandfathered in structures violating current code (i.e. fences, hvac equipment, or pool decks in a setback), no neighbors opposing the applicant’s variance request, and yet the applicant still must endure the process. It’s stressful and time consuming, in such instances we should update our code to allow such projects to receive administrative - i.e. city staff - rather than Council approval.
Controlling costs at city hall
In order to hire and retain city staff, Council provided significant raises across the board for fiscal year 2024. I hadn’t previously realized the gravity of the problem, West Lake Police had four vacancies for three months and only two applicants. You cannot expect a top notch police department when the open seats outnumber the applicants. You cannot expect building rules to be respected with open positions at building officer and code enforcement. As a result of the raises, we have now filled our open positions in both city administration and the police department. However, with the exception of our staff budget, I am digging in to see where we can optimize. Private industry - software, contractors, and general vendors - often view the government as easy pickins. Those are the costs I believe we can drive down to maintain our fiscal position and our low tax rates.
Completing the new municipal complex on time, with minimal change orders
The new municipal complex will be a tremendous asset to the community. Police access to Bee Cave road makes Eanes schools and especially Eanes Elementary more secure. Currently 65% of all reported incidents occur on Bee Cave road. Our policemen on patrol can get to the incident, get back to file a timely report, and quickly return to keeping us safe. In our current facility, neighbors wishing to speak confidentially with police in person must do so in the lobby. This occurs multiple times on a weekly basis. In our new facility neighbors will have a private, comfortable area for such discussions. The facilities also provide a number of quality of life upgrades for the police force essential to recruiting. When I was serving on the Bond Committee, Lakeway and Sunset Valley had just opened new facilities. None of our force can afford to live nearby - we have to be worth the commute. We will begin the process for community input on potential after hours uses for the new city council chambers as well as lobby. It’s my hope that the chambers will be a gathering point for book clubs, boy scouts, rotary groups, and whomever else might need a formal, centrally located spot with plenty of parking to get together. On the subject of costs, over the last year City Council has taken the appropriate steps to secure funding for the project while maintaining a strong fiscal position into the future. Fortunately, projected costs are in line with similar projects in more rural parts of Texas, which I had expected would get a better deal than a locale in greater Austin. Unfortunately, inflation has driven us past where we wanted to be. Looking ahead, architects, engineers, and our general contractor have been collaborating throughout the process so we expect that while change orders always happen, they will be minimized.
Replacing the low water crossing before the next school year
We will be bidding out our drainage projects in February. The highest priority project, elevating Camp Craft, should be commenced when school lets out and operative when school resumes. When voters passed our drainage bond, this was a leading motivation. The crossing must be passable at all times. Council, the City Administrator, and I won’t let the deadline slip.
Leading the sale of 911 Westlake Drive
We’ll soon vacate our current municipal complex and it’s time for the community to decide the replacement. We’re beginning the RFP process in the first quarter of 2024. I’m not sure what the site ought to be, I just hope it doesn’t end up as one single family home. We’ve got plenty of parking and a central location to our residents in the hills. Could it be something similar to Flo’s in Tarrytown without any of the parking problems? What would neighbors think about a sit down restaurant? I’m looking forward to public comment - it’s a fantastic opportunity we shouldn’t miss to improve the amenities of an underserved area relative to Bee Cave Rd.