Agendas for Highland Lakes governments are posted 72 hours before a meeting so are not always ready by the time this story is published. Check the links for more information.
Monday, Aug. 4
Llano County Commissioners Court
9 a.m. special meeting
Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Courtroom, 752 Andy Taylor Drive in Llano
The agenda was not posted online by the time of this story’s publication.
On the agenda:
approval of an audit of the Llano County Hospital Authority Board
approval of an interlocal agreement with Horseshoe Bay for on-site sewage facilities
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
Ark of Highland Lakes was one of the first organizations to jump into action after the Fourth of July weekend flood, and its job of assisting victims of the natural disaster is still far from over.
The nonprofit Ark, formerly known as the Highland Lakes Crisis Network, was founded in the wake of the October 2018 flooding of the Llano and Colorado rivers to help residents recover and rebuild. The organization is continuing its original mission, following up on at least 433 identified cases of long-term assistance needed after the most recent disaster.
“It’s still pretty chaotic around here, but we’re getting into a rhythm,” Ark Executive Director Kevin Naumann told DailyTrib.com. “(The flood was) a devastating and terrible thing, but it’s also the time you see the best in people.”
Flooding was at its worst on the morning of July 5, which triggered an immediate response from Ark. The nonprofit draws upon a list of over 3,000 registered volunteers, most of whom pitched in immediately when disaster struck.
Some numbers of note:
At least 840 individual volunteers completed 5,690 hours of muck-out work on flooded homes and properties.
Ark provided emergency shelter to 24 displaced residents immediately following the flood.
At least 18,300 meals were distributed by Ark from July 6-25 to volunteers, first responders, and anyone else who needed hot food.
Ark’s multi-agency resource center helped 527 residents from July 11-18.
The nonprofit handed out $39,490 worth of gift cards to help residents with flood recovery from July 11-18.
Work is still underway, with The Ark Warehouse at 800 Industrial Boulevard in Marble Falls serving as the primary donation hub for most of the Highland Lakes. Flood victims can visit the warehouse for food, supplies, and even furniture and clothing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The 433 long-term cases identified by Ark range from a property owner who needs a fence replaced to residents who lost their homes.
Naumann estimates the organization could be providing assistance in these cases for the next two years, which is similar to what happened in the 2018 flood.
Work crews are in the field on a daily basis, making repairs, clearing debris, and praying for those who lost something in the flood.
Some homes can be renovated to fix damage, but others cannot. Many RVs and trailers that served as the primary residence for some flood victims were completely destroyed and need to be replaced.
“On a pretty conservative estimate, I think we are looking at a $3 million or more project to get our little community back to some sense of normalcy,” Naumann said. “This high cost, paired with the main focus of attention being in other areas of the state, has us scrambling to try to raise as much as possible.”
Resources
To volunteer at The Ark Warehouse, sign up at this link.
To learn more about volunteering for debris cleanup or construction projects, or for other volunteer opportunities, click on this link.
To make a monetary donation online, visit this link.
Individual or small supply donations can be dropped off at The Ark Warehouse from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but a call to 325-423-3662 is requested for large-scale donations.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
Kingsland leaders want to hear what’s on residents’ minds during a town hall meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Kingsland Branch Library, 125 W. Polk St.
Llano County Precinct 3 Commissioner Brent Richards and Precinct 3 Constable Tim McLean will host the event. Precinct 3 is almost entirely made up of Kingsland, which, as an unincorporated community, has very little government representation other than its elected commissioner and constable.
“(The town hall) is just a way to get our constituents to tell us what they want,” Richards told DailyTrib.com.
The meeting is open to Precinct 3 residents and does not require a formal sign-in process. Just show up and make your voice heard.
Richards said the town hall is not a formal occasion, so it will not be bound by the rigid rules, including speaker time limits, of a typical Llano County Commissioners Court meeting.
According to Richards, some of his top priorities are managing trash and debris issues in the Kingsland community, but he wants to know what matters most to residents.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
UPDATE: When this story was originally published on July 31, Firefly Aerospace had shared its initial common stock price as “$35-$39.” On Aug. 4, the space firm filed an amendment to its registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, adjusting its initial common stock price range to $41 to $43. With this adjustment, Firefly could raise $664.2 million to $696.6 million selling its proposed 16.2 million shares of common stock. This is significantly higher than the previous estimates of $567 million to $631.8 million at the original share price.
Firefly Aerospace, the space and defense technology firm with strong footholds in Burnet and Williamson counties, plans to go public.
According to an Aug. 4 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the private space company will offer 16.2 million shares of its common stock for purchase, with an initial price range of $41 to $43. At the proposed rates, Firefly could raise $664.2 million to $696.6 million.
According to a July 28 media release, the funds would be used to repay debts, unpaid dividends, and for “general corporate purposes.”
The Central Texas space firm came to international prominence in March, when it completed the first-ever fully successful commercial moon landing.
Firefly is currently in a “roadshow” phase of its initial public offering, during which executives and underwriters are drumming up interest and support for the impending public launch. The company has not yet shared a timeline for when it will go public, but it will go by “FLY” on the Nasdaq global market ticker.
DailyTrib.com will provide updates on how this change in corporate structure could impact the Highland Lakes as details are made available.
Firefly in Burnet County
Firefly Aerospace is headquartered in Cedar Park but has a massive manufacturing and testing facility in Briggs, an unincorporated community in northeast Burnet County. The 200-acre site is known as “Rocket Ranch.”
Aside from Firefly’s space exploits, the company was a Burnet County buzz topic in April, when the Commissioners Court was seriously considering a partnership with Williamson County in the creation of the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corp. The SDC would have a special board tasked with growing and facilitating further space industry development in the two counties.
The Burnet County Commissioners Court ultimately decided to take no action on the project as several rural landowners expressed concerns about water use, eminent domain powers, environmental impacts, and potential disturbances from increased rocket testing.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
A 15-year-old girl is in critical but stable condition after being hit by a vehicle on RR 1431 in Marble Falls on July 30.
According to a Marble Falls Police Department media release, the teen was riding a bicycle across RR 1431 at the Avenue G intersection east of U.S. 281 at around 11:40 a.m. when she was struck by a pickup truck.
Based on information gathered at the scene, law enforcement believes the truck had the right of way when the accident occurred.
The girl was flown by helicopter to Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, where she is being treated for her injuries.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
Reconstruction of the RR 1431 bridge over Cow Creek is on schedule, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The bridge was completely destroyed on July 5 amid hellacious flooding across the Hill Country. TxDOT hopes to finish the project by Sept. 19.
A July 31 construction update from TxDOT stated that crews are pouring concrete support columns.
A $4 million emergency contract was awarded to Hunter Industries on July 18 with incentives for finishing the job ahead of schedule.
“The contractor is expected to work around the clock, when possible, to accelerate construction,” reads a July 16 media release from TxDOT.
With the bridge out, Marble Falls drivers heading east have to take Texas 29, Texas 71, or a combination of smaller roads off of RR 1431 to reach Lago Vista, Cedar Park, and north Austin.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
A woman was killed in a head-on collision on Texas 71 on Sunday, July 27. The accident happened near the CR 306 intersection in southeast Llano County.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a 2009 Dodge truck traveling westbound on the highway drifted over the center lane into eastbound traffic and collided with two vehicles. The truck sideswiped a Hyundai Santa Fe before hitting another Santa Fe head on.
The driver of the second Santa Fe, Maria Tinoco, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Law enforcement have notified her next of kin, and an investigation into the crash was still open as of July 29.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
The Highland Lakes community came together Tuesday, July 29, in the Marble Falls High School auditorium to memorialize Michael Phillips, who many called a hero. The Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department chief was lost in the line of duty while responding to a distress call July 5 during the devastating flooding that impacted the Texas Hill Country.
Following a procession through Marble Falls, hundreds of area residents and first responders from across the state filed into the auditorium at around 3 p.m. Tuesday. The room was mostly silent in between emotional testimonies from those close to Phillips, but the solemn tension was often cut by laughter after a good memory of the chief was shared or the occasional cooing of a baby in the crowd.
During the ceremony, a short clip of an interview with Phillips from 2012 played for the audience. At the time, he was the volunteer department’s assistant chief.
“Some people have money, some people have patience, some people have a lot of gifts, but my gift is that I like to work hard, and if something in that work can help somebody else pull through the worst day of their life, that is the reward I get out of that,” he said in the interview.
Phillips was born in Del Rio in 1958. He and wife Cecilia were high school sweethearts who married shortly after they graduated and had been together ever since. He is survived by daughter Megan and her husband, grandchildren Paxton and Ryker, and sister Deborah. His grandchildren called him “Super Pop.”
Phillips was a U.S. Airforce veteran with eight years of service, worked for the Marble Falls Independent School District for over 20 years, and started volunteering with the Marble Falls Area VFD in 1995, shortly after moving to the Highland Lakes from Austin.
“On that fateful morning, when his final call came, he answered it just like he always had: without hesitation and with his whole heart,” reads his eulogy.
“When I think about Michael, I think about three things: family, pride, and generosity,” said MFISD Superintendent Jeff Gasaway, who worked with the chief for nine years.
“Mike, today we salute you as a chief for a job well done and as a friend. It is adios for now and see you soon,” said friend Terry White. “Comb your hair and stand by and stand fast because there are a few of us that may need a wall breached to get us into heaven.”
“As horrible as his loss is, I give thanks that when it was dark, it was storming, and it was raining, the call went out and the chief answered,” said John Brantley, reverend of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Marble Falls. “I am upset he didn’t get to come home, but I give thanks because that is the purest example of God’s incredible grace.”
“As a person, he was textbook, good as gold,” friend and fellow firefighter Thomas Jacobs told DailyTrib.com. “He is going to leave a hole in the world. The world lost a legend. On July 5, the world lost a legend.”
The memorial ended with the ceremonial ringing of the bell three times for the lost chief, a reading of the Fireman’s Prayer, and a song by the Austin Firefighter’s Association Honor Guard.
dakota@thepicayune.comThis display sat on a table outside of the Marble Falls High School auditorium, showing missing fire chief Michael Phillips in a photo with his constant companion, Maddie.Members of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department pose in front of one of their engines at Marble Falls High School following a memorial for their missing chief, Michael Phillps.he Austin Firefighters Association Honor Guard closed out the memorial ceremony for Chief Michael Phillips.Following the memorial for Michael Phillips at Marble Falls High School, hundreds of attendees reminisced outside before departing.A firefighter rings a bell three times for Michael Phillips while first responders stand at attention during the missing volunteer fire chief’s memorial. The ringing of the bell is a firefighter tradition known as ‘the last alarm.’ The Rev. John Brantley of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Marble Falls shares a prayer and powerful words for missing volunteer fire Chief Michael Phillips.Hundreds of people filled the Marble Falls High School auditorium for the memorial of missing volunteer fire Chief Michael Phillips.Cecilia Phillips prepares to walk through the doors of the Marble Falls High School auditorium for the memorial dedicated to her husband, Michael Phillips.First responders and friends of Michael Phillips wait in line for a ceremonial entrance to the Marble Fall High School auditorium for a memorial for the missing Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department chief.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
The Marble Falls City Council recently approved a few amendments to a proposed 253-acre development on Manzano Mile, allowing for drive-thru commercial space, shortening driveway setbacks, and changing the ratio for lot sizes.
The original development agreement between the city and developer Rockspring was approved Feb. 4. With these new amendments, the project is one step closer to reality.
As proposed, the development would run along 1.8 miles of Manzano Mile from RR 1431 to Colt Elementary School. Current plans allow for single-family homes, townhomes, commercial lots, and multi-family spaces on largely undeveloped land on the east side of the road.
An exact number of homes has not been determined, but the development would include roughly 1,500 living unit equivalents’ worth of utilities. An LUE is the average amount of utilities needed to support a standard home with 3.5 occupants.
“We go through negotiations to ensure that the amendments comply with our code of ordinances and adopted plans we have for the city,” explained Marble Falls Development Services Director Scarlet Moreno to DailyTrib.com. “Allowing amendments ensures that the developer is bringing in products to meet the needs of the growing city.”
While no hard timeline for construction and completion has been shared, the next step in the development process is to get zoning approval before work gets underway.
Even with an agreement in place, the project and current plans are not 100 percent guaranteed.
“There is room for change based on what those changes are,” Moreno said. “It is a negotiation process with the city and determining whether (the development) meets the (Marble Falls) Development Code and aligns with the vision and plan outlined in our comprehensive plan.”
The council approved three amendments to the agreement at the recommendation of city staff during its regular meeting July 15.
Amendment 1
The development agreement, which previously restricted all drive-thru commercial space, has been amended to allow for a drive-thru as long as the facility is not a standalone building. This means a multi-tenant structure could have a drive-thru attached, similar to Starbucks at 301 Gateway North in Marble Falls, which is in the same building as the Shane Stewart State Farm Insurance office.
According to Rockspring Director of Development Randon McKee, the change was made to accommodate potential vendors that might not set up shop at a location that prohibits drive-thrus.
“We intend to have something that would be a local coffee shop or donut shop,” he said.
Originally, drive-thrus were excluded in the agreement to prevent a fast-food chain from occupying commercial space.
Amendment 2
The original agreement allowed for 35-foot garage and carport setbacks, but this was changed to 30-foot setbacks after the city and developer received consistent feedback from builders and engineers that 35-foot setbacks would not work with the pre-made designs of most tract homes.
“We believe that we are trying to meet the idea and intent of the city to keep it beautiful and keep emergency access, but we needed to make it accommodate the people who want to build here as well,” McKee explained.
The previous setback length would have allowed for more driveway space to help keep street parking to a minimum and give emergency vehicles better access.
According to Rockspring and the city’s Development Services, the Manzano Mile development will have homeowners’ association rules that prevent excessive street parking.
Amendment 3
The third major amendment to the development agreement was a change in the ratio of single-family home lot sizes, decreasing the number of smaller lots.
The agreement allows for 40-foot-, 45-foot-, and 50-foot-wide lots for single-family homes. In the original version, up to 33 percent of the lots could be a 40 feet wide; now, it is 29 percent.
According to McKee, this change more closely aligns with the city’s vision.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
This Content Submission and License Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between Victory Media Marketing LLC (“Company,” “we,” or “us”) and you (“User,” “you,” or “Submitter”) upon your submission of content through our websites’ See it, Share It form.
Submitted Content “Submitted Content” means any news tips, text, descriptions, images, photographs, videos, audio files, recordings, or other materials you upload, submit, or provide to us via the news tips forms on DailyTrib.com, KBEYfm.com, 101highlandlakes.com, or any other websites owned or operated by Victory Media Marketing LLC.
License Grant By submitting any Submitted Content, you hereby grant to Company a worldwide, non- exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, fully sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, display, and otherwise exploit the Submitted Content in any form or medium (now known or hereafter developed), including but not limited to:
Publishing on DailyTrib.com, KBEYfm.com, 101highlandlakes.com, other Company websites, apps, newsletters, and social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, etc.).
Editing, formatting, or combining with other content for news, promotional, archival, or commercial purposes.
Allowing third parties (e.g., affiliates, syndication partners) to use it under the same terms. You retain ownership of the copyright in your Submitted Content, subject to the license granted above.
User Representations and Warranties You represent and warrant that:
You are at least 18 years old and have the full right and authority to grant the rights in this Agreement.
The Submitted Content is your original work or you have obtained all necessary permissions, consents, and releases (including from any individuals appearing in photos/videos or owners of any third-party materials).
The Submitted Content does not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights, privacy rights, publicity rights, or defame any person.
It complies with all applicable laws and does not contain viruses, malware, or prohibited content.
You will not submit false, misleading, or confidential information.
No Compensation You understand and agree that you will receive no compensation for the submission or use of your Submitted Content.
Indemnification You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Company, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your breach of this Agreement or any third-party claims related to your Submitted Content.
Moral Rights and Publicity You waive any moral rights or rights of attribution in the Submitted Content to the extent permitted by law. Company may use your name, username, or likeness in connection with the Submitted Content if applicable.
Termination and Removal Company may, in its sole discretion, edit, refuse to post, or remove any Submitted Content at any time without notice. This Agreement survives any termination.
Governing Law This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts located in Burnet County, Texas.
Entire Agreement This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements. Modifications must be in writing. By submitting content, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement.
