Mike Newman presented the results of a study by his department, which outlined improvements to the stormwater drainage systems in the Rosedale and Ridgelea neighborhoods. The study was undertaken because over the last few years several Rosedale residents have experienced residential and yard flooding during major storms and have reported that flooding to the City of Austin Watershed Department.
The improvements included adding additional storm water systems, upgrading existing systems, and enlarging inlets, as well as adding additional inlets. The study is the first phase of the process, which is to be followed by the design of the new system. Money for the design phase has already been appropriated.
The final step of the upgrade in the stormwater system would be the construction of the recommended and designed improvements. Although Rosedale and Ridgelea are in the top 10 out of 400 future projects, funding for these improvements comes out of the drainage utility fee paid monthly by all city residents. Mike could not commit to a timeframe but said the upgrade could happen within the next five years.
It is very important that residents report each and every future residential and yard flooding incident to the Watershed Protection Department at 974-3366.
It was a pleasure for residents at the meeting to meet Joseph O'Hara, a Boy Scout with Troop 410. Joseph was at the meeting presenting his plan for a community project to add benches, tables, and landscaping to the Ramsey Pool area for his Eagle Scout project.
Joseph shared some information about himself and his troop and then outlined his design for the improvements to the pool area. He also presented some ideas for fundraisers to finance the materials that are needed for the project. You may look at Joseph's plan at http://rosedale-na.org/projects/Joseph-eagle/
The Steering Committee agreed to send a letter of support for Joseph's project to the officials that Joseph would be working with.
The Steering Committee will schedule a meeting with the City, Capital Pediatric and RNA representatives to continue the discussions about the preservation and remodeling of the house onsite and the description of the parking situation. Further info will be forthcoming.
Join us for all of the festivities on July 4th! We will begin the celebration by having decorations for bikes, trikes, wagons, strollers and all other parade participants available at 9:30 a.m. at the northwest corner of the park. The festive parade around the park begins at 10:00 a.m. Following the parade we will have watermelon and then the annual water balloon toss! The children's carnival will follow these festivities. Tracy Gossard is coordinating the carnival and more information will follow in the newsletter.