Date: 13 Dec 1999 05:59:55 -0000
To: rosedale@onelist.com
From: Jeff Archer <jarcher@austin.rr.com>
Subject: [rosedale] Message from the (new) President of RosedaleNeighborhood Association
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
December 12, 1999
Hello and happy holidays. As you may know, I have taken theRNA baton from Chris and Gina Allen (who have a new appreciationfor the term limit movement) as president for the next year.We all owe Chris and Gina immense thanks for all their hard workthe past 2 years.
By popular demand, the regular December RNA steering committeemeeting, which was scheduled for Monday, December 20, is CANCELED. We will resume our regular monthly meetings on January 17, 2000(assuming public meetings are still permitted under martial lawthat will be imposed to quell the Y2K riots). Our regular meetingsare held on the third Monday of each month, at 7 p.m. Weíllusually meet at the Yarborough Library.
The December meeting will be replaced by the ANNUAL HOLIDAYPARTY IN RAMSEY PARK to be held Sunday evening, December 19, 6-8p.m. Meet at the tennis courts.
For those of you who missed the RNA's annual meeting on November6th at the Yarborough Library, here's a brief summary:
(1) RNA elected the following officers for 1999-2000:
President: Jeff Archer
Secretary-Treasurer: Karen McLinden
Other Members of the Steering Committee:
Chris and Gina Allen (immediate past presidents)
Phyllis Warren and Ernest McKinney
Mark and Joyce Brown
Mark Brucks
John Burgess and Sarah Cunningham
Ron Moss
Mary Wolf
John and Karen Pozdro
Aletha Reppel
(2) Robert Heil, principal planner of the City of AustinísUrban Core Neighborhood Planning Program, outlined this neighborhoodplanning initiative established in 1997. Rosedale is assignedto a planning area that includes several adjacent areas as well(bordered by Lamar, Hancock, MOPAC, and 35th St.). Plans developedfor the areas established under the program will be used by thecity in future policy and financial decisions by the city, includingdecisions affecting land use, development, urban design, and transportation. Sometime in the next few years, our area will form a NeighborhoodPlanning Team to help the city develop a plan for the area. Helpingdevelop the plan could be one of the most important functionsof the RNA over the next few years.
(3) Farhad Medani from the Aquatics Division of the city'sParks and Recreation Department stated that Ramsey Pool improvementsare still on the front burner. Funding is a constant struggle,but Farhad's presentation sounded very promising. Among the improvementsin the works are installation of a new pump and filtering system,a new gutter system, upgraded restrooms (meeting ADA standards),a water fountain, a portable ladder to help those with limitedmobility to get into and out of the pool, and possibly a waterslide of some sort for small children. The new gutter/filtersystems will also include an irrigation system that uses drainwater from the pool to water the grass around the pool. RNA willbe working closely with the city to help save Ramsey Pool onceand for all.
(4) RNA agreed to support the efforts of Curba and Alan Lampersand the Ad Hoc Committee to Redesignate Shoal Creek Boulevardto encourage the Capitol Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (CAMPO)to redesignate Shoal Creek Boulevard from 45th St. to Foster Lane(just south of Anderson Lane) from its current status as an 'arterial'street (like Lamar Blvd and Burnet Road) to a 'residential collector'. Shoal Creek Boulevard south of 45th St. is already designatedas a residential collector. The change would help neighborhoodefforts to get the city to calm traffic on Shoal Creek. (NOTE:Since the November RNA meeting, the committee has already circulateda survey to every household on the affected portion of Shoal CreekBoulevard and received a strong show of support for the change). Contact me if you want to help.
(5) We discussed the Heart Hospital noises affecting the southpart of Rosedale. The helicopter problem is somewhat better,but we need to continue to work with both the Heart Hospital andSeton Hospital if problems persist. The air handler noise hasbeen reduced by the installation of mufflers, jackets, and a higherparapet around the handlers on the roof. However, the noise persistsunder some conditions, and is still a horrible nuisance at thepark in Central Park. We are considering our options.
Thanks for caring about our neighborhood. This stuff is notalways fun, but it's too important to ignore.
Let me know if RNA can help you with anything.
Jeff Archer
4103 Rosedale
453-3571
jarcher@austin.rr.com