GRANITE SHOALS — The third time’s the charm.

After two previous City Council meetings left members with a few more questions, all those blanks were answered today as the members approved an agreement that will bring a 1,500-acre mixed-use development to the Granite Shoals area.

"I think this is going to be an unbelievable moment for Granite Shoals and even Burnet County," said Todd Fox, a member of Barnett Rances LLC, which brought the development plan to the city.

The council held the meeting at a new municipal building at 2221 N. Phillips Ranch Road. Official dedication for the building will be 11:30 a.m. April 24.

During the meeting, the five council members in attendance agreed and gave the development, annexation and utility agreement a thumbs-up. Council members Bessie Jackson and Merilyn Nations were absent.

"It’s a true win-win situation for the city," Mayor Frank Reilly said.

The city also gave its consent for the creation of Burnet County Municipal District No. 3 for the area within the proposed development.

The proposed development encompasses land on the north and south side of RR 1431 just east of Phillips Ranch Road. Another segment wraps around the new city’s municipal building on Phillips Ranch Road before coming back up to RR 1431 between Granite Shoals and Highland Haven. The third parcel is on the north side of RR 1431 along CR 120 toward Oxbow Trail.

Most of the land in the development is within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The concept plan calls for both single-family, multi-family and commercial areas as well as a golf course and greenbelt.

The creation of the MUD will also allow the city to pick up the pace on building a wastewater facility, the mayor said. But whether or not the development or MUD builds the wastewater plant, the city would do it down the road.

Council member Calvin Chamness stressed that the current residents of Granite Shoals won’t be included within the MUD, so they won’t fall under its jurisdiction. They also wouldn’t have to pay to hook up to the wastewater facility.

"I want to make it clear that it is my understanding that the MUD won’t cost the city of Granite Shoals anything," he said.

Council member David Dittmar and members of the city’s airport advisory committee asked that the developers consider including space for a possible airport runway extensions in their plans.

Bob Sylvester of the committee said the current grass strip is 2,000 feet long but they would like to add another 2,000-3,000 feet onto it. If the Federal Aviation Administration approves the expansion, Sylvester said, the federal agency would kick in 90 percent of the cost, leaving the city with the remaining 10 percent.

But the extension could force developers to reconsider the current conception of their plan.

"We wanted you guys to at least take it into consideration at this time," Dittmar said.

Chamness pointed out that this plan was just a concept at this time, but reminded the council that it’s a starting point. One, he said, that will make a significant impact on the city

"I’m extremely passionate about this project," he said.

Even though it spreads out over 1,500 acres, Chamness said, it provides a realistic plan for "moderate growth."

daniel@thepicayune.com

HORSESHOE BAY — A new floodplain map that could have alter some residents’ flood-insurance rates is available for public review at City Hall.

The document, submitted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is used to define which areas could potentially be threatened by floodwaters during heavy rains, according to the study.

The entire document is available on the city’s Web site, www.horseshoe-bay-tx.gov.

The new map could shift floodplains in the city, with an impact on some residents’ flood or homeowner insurance rates, Development Services Manager Eric Winter said.

The new maps could also will involve changes to city policy. Under federal law, the city must set ordinances governing construction in flood-prone areas.

Without an ordinance, the city wouldn’t be eligible for some types of federal assistance following disasters, officials said.

Residents wishing to appeal the floodplain maps can do so at Horseshoe Bay City Hall, 1 Community Drive off FM 2147.

For information, call (830) 598-9970.

COTTONWOOD SHORES — City leaders are looking for ways to pay for a new Lower Colorado River Authority water contract without passing the expected cost increase to low-income residents.

The council on March 25 held off on making a decision on the proposed rate changes, which officials said could appear on residents’ April bills. The issue will be discussed again at the next council meeting April 5.

Some council members said they want to explore ways to spare residents any increases on their bills.

“We cannot do this to these people in this community,” Councilwoman Janet Taylor-Carusi said. “These little old ladies who are retirees get $600-$700 dollars per month, and they cannot stand this increase.”

City Treasurer Rick Copple said the city is in negotiations with LCRA to reserve up to 650 acre-feet of water per year for the city’s use, a considerable increase over the current contract for 138 acre-feet per year.

An acre-foot is enough water to cover an acre of land to a depth of one foot, or 325,851 gallons. An average household uses about 2,000 gallons of water per month.

City Administrator Karrie Cummings said the city for the last several years has exceeded the 138-acre-foot limit, forcing Cottonwood residents to foot the bill for penalties charged by the LCRA.

The new contract is intended to reserve enough water for 40 years, taking into account some growth estimates that expect the city’s population increase to more than 10,000  by 2050.

However, Cummings said those extra water reserves will come at a cost.

“We will pay for the water that we use, then a 50 percent reservation fee for the rest (up to the 650 acre-foot limit),” Cummings said. “We wanted to reserve enough water for Cottonwood Shores for the next 40 years.”

Figures provided by the city show an expected cost of about $27,005 for water under the new contract, with a series of stepped rate increases based on water usage to cover the cost.

Under the new rate, the average monthly utility bill for a customer using the minimum of 2,000 gallons or less will increase by $2.25 to a total of $30.40, Copple said.

Residents using more than the 2,000 minimum would pay an additional fee per 1,000 gallons used, with charges increasing depending on the amount, officials said.

The cost of the increase will be offset by recent revelations that the city’s solid waste-pickup contractor, Austin-based IESI, had incorrectly allowed the city to pay a sales tax to the state for its services.

Copple said that mistake has been corrected, adding the garbage contractor will pay the city $20,000 to cover some of the back taxes paid by the city.

“From this point on, we’ll be deducting that amount of of (residents’) bills,” he said. “We’ll be able to lower our solid-waste rates.”

The city also could use some of the extra $20,000 to cover a portion of the increased water costs, minimizing the impact on residents for at least a year, Copple said.

One of the suggested solutions included additional rate increases to residents using more than 2,000 gallons per month, while leaving the minimum cost the same.

Resident Donald Orr said additional cost decreases could be achieved by encouraging residents to conserve water.

“I recommend decreasing usage to 75 gallons per person per day,” Orr said. “If we implement a conservation program, I believe we can get close to 75 gallons.”

Councilwoman Martha Logan said future water rates could encourage conservation through fiscal means.

“We can encourage you to decrease your usage,” she said. “Those who use below (the minimum) amount, will be rewarded by a lower rate.”

The council voted to table the discussion until a later meeting. The next council meeting is set for 6 p.m. April 5 at the Public Library 4111 Cottonwood Drive.

chris@thepicayune.com

Video: Watch Mike Steel’s interview
now playing on ElderCare Online

MARBLE FALLS — While it’s a bit early to offer an exact count, officials with the Highland Lakes Health Partnership said this year’s Elder Care Fair was the ‘biggest ever’ in the event’s five-year history.

The partnership organizes the annual Elder Care Fair, a free event offering health screenings, wellness information, assisted living information and more.

“I think it was the biggest one we’ve ever had,” said partnership board President Mike Steele. “It certainly had the most vendors. When I was there, it was packed.”

READ MORE …

Change is difficult.

I’ve been reminded of that during the last two weeks after the weekday Daily Tribune went online only, even though The River Cities Sunday Tribune and our weekly Picayune remain in print.

But based on the calls, letters and conversations I’ve had, many of you are upset  about the Tuesday-Friday move to online. Several miss the routine of reading a paper in the morning while sitting down to coffee. Others feel like they were being forced to find their news on a computer.

We had no idea that some in the community would react this way to the change. So I want you to know we’re listening. Your comments are helping us create a better product.

And we are making many of the changes you asked for, starting today in the print Sunday Tribune.

• The crossword puzzle is back in the Sunday paper (and online every day).

• All of the week’s obituaries that were online are now in print, too, on Sundays.

• Your favorite comics have returned to the Sunday print edition.

• The television guide remains in the Sunday print edition, which is actually delivered on Saturday so the listings are current.

I know how hard change can be. I am a very traditional newsman. I can’t even program my cell phone.

I started in the news business in 1979, pecking away on an electric typewriter and laying out pages with an X-Acto knife and glue pots. Then came video-display terminals and pagination systems; today, it’s online newspapers, interactive Web sites and social media. Sometimes it makes me dizzy just trying to keep up.

And like many of you, I grew up reading a newspaper first thing in the morning, turning the pages and catching up with the past day’s events. I even threw newspapers from my bicycle as part of a route when I was a delivery boy.

I understand about a reader’s connection to the printed page. I have had to adapt, too. It hasn’t been easy.

So I’m asking, as your neighbor and your editor, for your patience and understanding.

It has only been two weeks since we made the transition.  As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and we’re still learning our way.

But understand this: What we did was the result of a business decision. Rack sales and subscriptions don’t pay the bills.

If we wanted to remain a healthy company while still delivering the news our readers count on, this was the only way to go.

Meanwhile, print and distribution costs are rising, not to mention the cost of newsprint (the paper the ink is printed on).

Advertisers moved to our Sunday Tribune and weekly Picayune, making those publications stronger than ever but leaving the weekday papers anemic.

I’m pleased that we can still offer two printed newspapers a week to readers.

Nearly all the callers and letter-writers, whether they agree with the transition or not, have said the same thing: The Daily Tribune is the best newspaper around.

Thank you. That still holds true, whether you’re reading the Sunday Tribune or getting it online. We have a great staff dedicated to delivering the best information products to our readers and advertisers.

But don’t think we’re going backward. We’re dedicating our resources to new ventures, and we’re moving forward. These are exciting times.

Finally, I want to personally say I would never do anything to chase away readers. My ancestors helped settle Burnet and Blanco counties. My family’s ties to this region span three centuries. Because of that connection, I feel a deep commitment to serve the people of this area. I would never betray that responsibility, nor would the staff or the owners of The Daily Tribune.

So stick with us. We’re not going anywhere. And if you don’t like something, call me. My straight line is (830) 693-7152 extension 127 and my e-mail is editor@thepicayune.com.

I am listening.

Edwards is the editor for news content at Victory Publishing Co. Ltd., the parent company of The Daily Tribune.

COTTONWOOD SHORES — Residents who signed up to speak on a proposed city park instead left a City Council meeting in disgust Thursday after a councilwoman’s procedural sleight-of-hand cut them off.

“You just don’t want to hear any input,” said Donald Orr, just prior to a vote by the council. “We signed up to talk.”

The by-the-numbers special meeting exploded into outrage after Councilwoman Janet Taylor-Carusi “called the question” — that is, called for the vote — before residents who were signed up to speak on the issue could voice their views.

Taylor-Carusi said comments made by residents Orr and Roger Wayson against the new park at an earlier meeting were “erroneous,” adding she was unable to attend that session due to health reasons.

Orr, a former councilman who is running again, has been a frequent critic of city leaders.

In the wake of Taylor-Carusi’s action, which effectively stopped discussion on the issue, the council voted unanimously to combine three city-held lots off Lakeview Drive and dedicate them for use as the proposed Aspen Athletic Park.

In earlier meetings, some residents voiced concerns that turning the land over for use as a park would hurt the city’s chances of obtaining government grants in the future.

The park issue dominated debate at the March 18 council meeting, where Councilman William Plumley’s motion to dedicate the parkland died for lack of a second.

“Being absent last Thursday night from the council meeting, thankfully I wasn’t able to hear all the same tired, erroneous statements, unsubstantiated accusations, felonious arguments and acrimonious carrying-on that have accompanied any discussion of this,” Carusi-Taylor said Thursday. “So in answer to all those statements numerous times and the accusations of spending money by one council or another and the argument made as to why we should or should not secure (the park lots) … I think it is time to consider the citizens of this community.”

Taylor-Carusi said earlier protests by Orr and Wayson represented only a small portion of Cottonwood Shores’ residents, adding the dedication of the parkland would serve voters and nonvoters alike.

“Just because people aren’t registered to vote doesn’t mean their voice shouldn’t be heard or taken seriously,” she said. “But unfortunately, we are led by a small number of voters from one particular area of this town, and most of those don’t really have any idea of the issues or the leadership they have put in place. In a voice that cannot and will not be denied, I will call the question.”

Mayor Bentley Martin recognized Taylor-Carusi’s motion, allowing Plumley to second. A vote was held seconds later.

Some residents tried to speak before the unanimous vote was cast, but Martin said parliamentary rules prohibited further discussion.

In many cases, residents are permitted to speak before a governing body’s final vote on an issue. However, under parliamentary rules, a vote must be taken immediately once a council member calls the question, provided that motion is recognized by the chair.

Orr, Wayson and resident Keith Patschke, who had signed up to speak, left the council chambers in disgust.

Orr said the park property represented the city’s last real-estate asset, adding the value of the property could have been used as emergency collateral for future loans.

Because the property has been dedicated for use as a park, the land’s value is essentially off the table when it comes to future grants and loans, he said.

“Are you trying to imitate the irresponsibility of our federal Congress by mortgaging our grandchildren?” he asked in a written statement turned over to The Daily Tribune. “The only difference between you and the federal Congress is that by law you cannot deficit finance and you can’t print money.”

Wayson also opposed the vote.

“We cannot give our largest liquid asset away without getting something in return,” he said in a statement intended for the council. “Remember, it is almost impossible to go back once dedicated. We have no other matches to offer.”

Wayson said other environmental issues tied to burning by the city on the park site also warranted concern.

“Is there lead, (chemicals) or asbestos left over from the home-material burning and dumping? We don’t know,” Wayson said.

Plans for the new park call for a soccer practice field, picnic tables and an open area for playing, hiking and more, according to city officials.

City Public Works Director George Perry said earlier his department is planning on creating street-side parking for the new park, adding he expects to spend no more than $1,000 to upgrade the space.

Also on Thursday, the council discussed possible water-rate increases tied to recent efforts to negotiate a new water contract with the Lower Colorado River Authority. No action was taken.

The next council meeting is 6 p.m. April 1 at the Cottonwood Shores Public Library, 4111 Cottonwood Drive.

chris@thepicayune.com

While enjoying a St. Patrick’s Day theme, the staff at Kingsland Hills Care Center recently threw an employee recognition party to honor workers for their years of service. Managers recognized those who have been an employee for one, three or five years. They include licensed vocational nurse Dee Beaty (left), 26 years of service; medical aide Beverly Wyatt, 23 years; registered nurse Beverly Hester, 12 years; and director of nursing Sarah Josslett, 12 years. The center is located at 3727 RR 1431 in Kingsland. Courtesy photo

Video: Watch it on
the 3-26-10 newcast
on ThePicayuneTV.com

Crews Thursday prepare the former chapel of the Marble Falls Church of Christ for demolition at its Broadway and Avenue H location Thursday. The 30-year-old building is scheduled to be completely torn down soon, but a new chapel and buildings have already been constructed on the same property. Staff photo by Chris Porter

Video: Watch it on the 3-24-10 newcast on ThePicayuneTV.com

BURNET — Road, water and parks projects will top the City Council’s to-do list in 2010, Mayor Alan Smith said Wednesday — though finding ways to fund the projects could resemble a circus “balancing act,” he said.

Smith made the comments at his annual “State of the City” address at the Burnet Community Center, where more than 100 residents and local officials gathered to hear the latest on projects ranging from water meters to airports.

The council is looking for ways to fund all of the planned projects without resorting to a tax increase, Smith told the audience.

“For every $1 million we spent, that would result in an additional 3 cents on your property tax bill,” he said. “But we’re looking to find other means (to pay for the projects), and that is the challenge of this council. I think that we as a council and in previous councils have stretched dollars as far as they will go.”

Most of those other funding methods include state and national grants, such as $300,000 in federal recovery funds that have been earmarked for a citywide sewer survey, Smith said.

The event marked the second State of the City address given by Smith.

“This is to let you guys know what’s going on in the city to benefit all our citizens,” Smith said to listeners. “Last year (the address) focused on the new strategic plan the council worked on. I think we’ve come a long way, and a lot of that is as a result of that strategic plan.”

Smith said city leaders continue to work on projects such as a proposed wastewater treatment plant, which he said is nearing a resolution despite an uproar from other cities and groups over plans to pump treated effluent into a creek leading into Lake Travis.

“It has been a long and sometimes arduous process, but I believe we’re coming to the end,” the mayor said.

The new plant will allow the city to handle the needs of anticipated population growth, he added.

Also, Smith said the city will continue to participate in a regional water study that could eventually result in a water system serving residents in Burnet and Llano counties.

“The goal of this is to study and plan for water availability on a regional basis,” he said. The city will contribute cash and in-kind services to the study, which officials said is expected to begin sometime this year.

Business growth during the economic downturn is another topic city leaders are working to address, Smith said, adding that officials are taking a cautious approach.

“The reality of this financial situation is that the best economic development is to prepare for the future,” he said. “We are working to ensure our policies will help us prepare for future growth.”

A recent $2 million street bond project that’s nearing completion will help, Smith added.

“We got eight miles of new streets from that project,” he said. “The success of that program goes to the hard work of the men and women of the Street Committee that identified the streets that were repaired, and of course the Public Works employees.”

Smith said the road program also created some beneficial side effects, adding residents and businesses are beautifying their spaces to keep pace with the high-quality streets.

“If you drive around town, I think you see a sense of pride and ownership in the city,” the mayor said.

Other projects include planned re-pavings of U.S. 281 and Texas 29, scheduled to begin in spring 2011. Smith said the projects will give the city a chance to upgrade utility lines buried along those roads.

The city also will work to complete the 51-acre Haley-Nelson park on the city’s west side.

In the meantime, he asked residents to continue to stay involved with their government.

“We thank our citizens for the trust they’ve placed in us to represent them,” he said. “We pledge to continue working to make Burnet the best it can be.”

chris@thepicayune.com