Crestview Neighborhood Association

Capital Metro Terminates Rail Contract with Veolia

2009-12-10T13:12:00.001-06:00

December 9, 2009

This morning Doug Allen, interim CEO, authorized the termination of Capital Metro’s rail contract with Veolia Transportation. At the Board meeting later today, we will be asking the Board to approve two new contracts— one with Herzog Transit Services, Inc. for MetroRail operations and rail maintenance, and the other with Watco Companies, Inc., to continue operating the freight line as a direct contractor to Capital Metro.

This change in contractors will not affect our estimated timeline to begin MetroRail service in the first quarter of 2010 and does not affect our other contract with Veolia for fixed route bus services.

With Board approval, the new contractors will be ready to begin work immediately to ensure a seamless transition. Herzog staff will be at the North Operations facility tomorrow, and the ongoing programming work that is necessary to finish the project will continue without interruption. There also will be immediate opportunities for Veolia rail employees to continue employment with the new contractor.

This change was made to finish the remaining work to open the Red Line. We are bringing on a highly qualified passenger rail operator to provide the quality service that is on par with the quality bus and paratransit service we currently run. A copy of the news release is attached.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Gerardo Castillo
Manager, Community Involvement
Capital Metro
(512) 369-6227
gerardo.castillo@capmetro.org

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Austin, Texas – Capital Metro terminated its rail operations and maintenance contract with Veolia Transportation today.

At this afternoon’s Board of Directors Work Session and Board Meeting, staff will present for approval two new contracts:
1) Herzog Transit Services, Inc. for MetroRail operations and rail maintenance
2) Watco Companies, Inc. for freight rail operations

Herzog Transit Services is prepared to begin work immediately to complete the remaining steps in the MetroRail project. This change will not affect the estimated timeline for beginning passenger service in the first quarter of 2010. Capital Metro made this decision to ensure the timely completion of the MetroRail project and a successful launch of the system, and to meet existing freight obligations.

Herzog currently operates passenger rail systems in Dallas-Fort Worth (Trinity Railway Express), Albuquerque, NM (Rail Runner), Stockton, CA (Altamont Commuter Express), and Oceanside, CA (Coaster), and has been in the railroad industry for 40 years.

Watco has been operating Capital Metro’s freight line since October 2007, and runs a total of 22 short line railroads on more than 3,500 miles of track in the United States.

During recent contract negotiations, Veolia demanded changes to the terms of the existing contract as a condition for completing the remaining work. Capital
Metro could not agree to these changes because they would have exposed the Authority and the community to additional costs and risks. Capital Metro immediately took the responsible step of considering other options which included securing agreements with Herzog and Watco.

This action is a responsible business decision in the best interest of not only Capital Metro but the Central Texas community.

Midtown Commons Grand Opening Party: Dec. 2, 6:00 pm

2009-12-02T09:56:00.002-06:00

See how Cap Metro's All Systems Go! is touting the new Midtown Commons here.

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Capital Metro has been partnering with Trammell Crow to help make this transit-oriented development a great success and we would love to see you at the party!

This will be a fun event hosted by Rare Magazine featuring live music, a scavenger hunt, and lots of giveaways, including the chance to win six months of free rent. Capital Metro will also have a table inside one of the live/work spaces to share information about our future MetroRail service and extensive bus services that converge at this location.

Please join us!

Midtown Commons Grand Opening Party
Wednesday, December 2nd, 6:00 pm
Midtown Commons at Crestview Station, 810 W. St. Johns Ave. (at Lamar and Airport)

RSVP at www.rareaustin.com/midtown

Tina Bui
Capital Metro
512.369.6554

Free Outdoor Movie Night - Dec 12th

2009-11-19T11:06:00.002-06:00

Light up your holiday spirit, bring the kiddos and join your neighbors for a free outdoor movie night featuring the original 1966 classic version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Complimentary hot chocolate from Genuine Joe’s and free popcorn will be served. You are welcome to bring your own
snacks, too. Lawn chairs and blankets also are encouraged.

’Tis the season for giving, and new unwrapped toys will be accepted to benefit the Toys for Tots drive. Put your name in the free raffle and win local gift certificates and an iPod, too!

This free community event is thanks to Shelly Roark (Supreme Lending), Eric Reily and Shaun Hncir (Austin Custom Tops), Kyle Nunnallee (Nunnallee Inspections) and Tiffany Peters (Moreland Properties). We hope to see you there with Jingle Bells on!

Friends of Brentwood Park Workday - Dec 5th

2009-11-13T08:51:00.002-06:00

The Crestview Green Neighbor Initiative is starting a new offshoot group, Friends of Brentwood Park (FOBP). This new group has signed an Adopt-A-Park agreement with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Our first work day is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th from 9 am to noon. Our task will be simple but important: spreading mulch! We will mulch several bare areas under large trees where the soil has been compacted by lots of use, and around newly planted young trees. We will also mulch the informal “trail” that links Yates to Arroyo Seco, which turns into a mud pit during the rain. Friends of Brentwood Park needs lots of new friends to make the work quick and fun! All park users from the surrounding neighborhoods are invited and encouraged to participate too.

If you are interested in joining FOBP, or just volunteering for the work day, please email Hedrich. The Parks and Recreation Department will supply the mulch, and the Austin Parks Foundation will lend some of the tools we’ll need. If you are able, please bring a rake, shovel or wheelbarrow to make sure we get the job done quickly. Also come prepared with work gloves, a hat and sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle.

FOBP is now accepting donations for future park improvement projects. Go to the Austin Parks Foundation website and make your donation under the Gifts to Special Funds section and select “Brentwood Park, Friends of.” Thanks friends!

By Hedrich Michaelson

Crestview Station Co-op Brew Pub Unveiling - Nov 14

2009-11-12T10:32:00.003-06:00

Black Star Co-op

11.09.2009 CNA General Meeting Minutes

2009-11-10T12:45:00.003-06:00

Kat, Heidi - 2nd absences
Paige - 1st absence

Officer Gutierez from APD presented on Neighborhood Watch and home security. He is the representative for the Central West Area Command, District 3. District 3 encompasses the region from 183 to 2222 and Mopac to I-35, which contains 8 neighborhoods including Crestview. There are 8-10 officers assigned to patrol the entire Central West Area Command, which includes three other districts besides District 3.

Officer Gutierez has seen a rash of burglaries, primarily in North Shoal Creek, although there have been some in Highland, Crestview and Brentwood. There have recently been approximately 5 burglaries per month since he became the District 3 rep. 5 months ago. He suggests that people call 9-1-1 at the first sign of any suspicious activity, no matter how seemingly minor. There is typically a 5-15 minute response time on calls, unless a shortage of manpower requires them to respond to a higher priority call outside the district.

Officer Gutierez has an electronic document containing information on forming a Neighborhood Watch and what the duties of block captains are that he will forward on to the Neighborhood Association. More information can be found at www.nnwi.org

Writers Meeting for the Neighborhood Newsletter - Nov. 1st

2009-10-27T10:05:00.003-05:00

Hi Neighbors,

I'd like to invite you all to our first Writer's Meeting, this coming Sunday evening, November 1st, 6-7 pm, at Genuine Joe Coffee.

The purpose of the writer's meeting is to generate new content ideas for the neighborhood newsletter, and to get a few more folks on board to submit articles on a more frequent basis. Whatever your passion or your area of interest is, we would love to hear about it and see how to incorporate your ideas into the newsletter.

Please feel free to share this invitation with your neighbors who are not on this email group who might like to be an occasional writer for the newsletter. Neighbors of all ages, from school age on up, are welcome to join us. Our neighborhood is very diverse in terms of age and race, and we would like our newsletter to be more reflective of this diversity.

Please call or email with any questions. I hope to see you there!
kat

Kat Correa
CNA Newsletter Editor
cnanewsletter@gmail.com

Chicken Keeper Meet Up - Oct. 24

2009-10-20T09:28:00.001-05:00

If you have chickens, would like to meet chicken sitters or would like have your own backyard flock one day, come meet other chicken people in the neighborhood at Genuine Joes 2001 West Anderson Lane this Saturday 10/24 at 11am. The get-together will be in their meet-up room.

Pictures from the Pumpkin Carving Pizza Party

2009-10-19T17:32:00.001-05:00

Crestview Pumpkin Carving and Pizza Party - October 2009

Here are some pictures taken of our CNA October general meeting.

North Austin Coalition of Neighborhoods meeting - Oct. 21st

2009-10-19T14:13:00.001-05:00

Meeting - This Weds, Walnut Creek Library (6-8pm?)

Team,

I am going to guess the October and November meetings are going to be the most important meetings we will have this year.

October:
We are going to sit down and talk, informally, about what we feel North Austin's critical needs are, what NACN's goals are, and what we are going to do in 2010 and 2011 to make things happen.

November:

We are going to discuss how we can get our 501c status and we will vote on a formal list of needs to present to the City.

We will not be having a December meeting.

October 21st agenda:

1. Discuss Goals for North Austin

2. Discuss Goals for NACN

3. Discuss Sponsor Appreciation for 2009

4. Discuss November meeting - is Nov.16th good for everyone?

5. Discuss Nov 7th Clean Up

Regards,
Mary Rudig
Gracywoods Rep for NACN
http://www.main.org/nacn/

Neighborhood Planning Contact Team meetings

2009-10-19T13:53:00.002-05:00

Crestview is in the process of deciding what our planning contact team will look like. We're a long way from elections. The Team can be as few as 4 or as many as 2000. That all has to be decided through the writing of the by laws, which is what we are starting the work on, and will determine everything concerning the Team. Now is the critical time to contribute your input. Once it's established it will be difficult to make substantive changes especially if we weren't a part of the initial process.

Tuesday the 20th 6:30pm in the PEC building of St. Louis Catholic Church, room 201
Tuesday Nov. 3rd same time and location.

Rumpelstiltskin - October 17, 5pm

2009-10-14T11:24:00.003-05:00

Violet Crown Community Theater presents a FREE, interactive performance of Rumpelstiltskin at Brentwood Elementary School/Park (between pool and school) [Rainy day backup: First Cumberland Presbyterian Church]. Bring your friends and family and enjoy this classic story while supporting local community theater at this unforgettable event. Enter a raffle to win a gift certificate to Birds Barbershop!

Please bring a canned good donation for First Cumberland Presbyterian Church's food bank.

Crestview Garden Tour - October 18th

2009-10-12T15:14:00.000-05:00

10:00-10:45 a.m.
Anne-Charlotte Patterson - 1305 Richcreek Rd.
Large number of native & drought-tolerant plants, big compost pile, small veggie garden. Always in progress.

11:00-11:45 a.m.,
Danielle Davidson - 1212 Richcreek Rd
Solar panels, rain collection, grey water & a hackberry stump eradication experiment. Beyond that, the yard is a renovation & design in progress. Ideas welcome!

12:00-12:45 p.m.
Martha King - Cullen, SE corner of Woodrow and Cullen

1:00-1:45 p.m.
Paige Hill - 1115 Taulbee
1000 s.f. front yard vegetable garden supplying Crestview's CSA shares through Urban Patchwork. Microbial composting system. Stone work and new "fencing".

CNA General Meeting Agenda - Oct 12, 2009: PARTY!

2009-10-12T11:02:00.006-05:00

On Monday night, October 12th, from 7pm-8:30pm the Crestview Neighborhood
Association will be sponsoring a Halloween Pizza Party! Bring pumpkins, kids and
neighbors for Halloween treats, pumpkin carving and pumpkin drawing for the little
ones. Carving supplies, pizza and treats will be provided by the CNA. The party
will be held instead of the General meeting and located in the PEC building at the
St. Louis Catholic Church, instead of the usual Wozniak Hall location. See the school map for details.

Boo!

City of Austin Notice of Proposed Road Closure

2009-10-10T14:39:00.002-05:00

The City of Austin has proposed running the 3M Half Marathon on January 24, 2010, 6am - 11am, down Northcross Dr. and then south down Burnet Rd. This will result in these streets being closed for the duration. A poll has been started (bottom right column of this web page) to solicit feedback from the neighborhood regarding the proposed closure. The poll will close on Nov. 5th 2009.

Austin Dog Fair - Oct. 17th

2009-10-06T10:15:00.000-05:00

On October 17th (Saturday) at Brentwood Park, 2-5pm we are going to host local vendors (vets, trainers, supplies) and help dogs make new friends! We did this in the spring and it was a lot of fun.

Help us get the word out and if you know any vendors that want to host a table just let us know...its all free.

Go to www.austindogfair.com for more details...

Thanks!

Posted by Michael Dennis

Crestview Garden Tour - October 11th

2009-09-28T11:13:00.001-05:00

Sun. Oct. 11

10:00-10:45 a.m.
Michele Holt
1515 Ruth @ Ruth & Arroyo Seco
Yard with almost no grass. Heavy use of recycled materials. Outdoor shower and hot tub in progress. Small pond. Yard still in progress.

11:00-11:45 a.m.
Paige Hill
1115 Taulbee

12:00-12:45 p.m.
Caroline Alexander
1718 Madison
We finally made some progress in the backyard but we need some advice on how to maintain the decomposed granite paths.

National Night Out - October 6th

2009-09-28T11:12:00.001-05:00

Hi Neighbors,

Just wanted to remind you about National Night Out, which is Tuesday, Oct 6, 6-9 pm.
Put your porch light on, go for a walk, and meet your neighbors! There will be block parties throughout the neighborhood, one being at our home from 6-8 pm at 1204 Cullen Avenue. Feel free to drop by and make an appearance! This is a family-friendly event where the kids (and adults!) can meet the local police and firefighters.

If you are also hosting a party, send me the details and I will compile a comprehensive list to post for the Crestview list-serve.

See you on the 6th!
Ruth and Marc Airhart

Web Tool to Stay Informed on Crime In the Neighborhood: Krimelabb

2009-09-11T09:33:00.003-05:00

Hot spots...find the address with the most crime reports in a zip.

Typically, these addresses coincide with high density (apartment) or high activity (shopping area). But in some cases, residences show up on the list that may have problems.
HINT: click on address for Google Streetview or click count to view a list of all reports

Hot spots nearby (based on address/zip)

Frequent arrestees...find out who is being arrested a lot nearby
This list will have a lot of homeless people who may or may not be problematic for the neighborhood.
HINT: Click on the arrestee name for arrest records.

Arrests by Zip

krimelabb has a lot more functionality behind the scenes. Please let me know if I can demo krimelabb (free) at your neighborhood association meeting. I have done this for a few n'hood assn meetings and it seems to be worthwhile.

Jack Darby
krimelabb
Follow krimelabb on Twitter

CNA Newsletter needs distributors

2009-08-19T10:29:00.001-05:00

The Crestview Neighborhood Association Newsletter is seeking volunteers. We have a few positions that are open:

1. Bulk distributors: bulk distributors receive stacks of newsletters every month and are responsible for counting them out into smaller stacks and delivering them to the street distributors.
2. Street distributors: street distributors receive newsletters from the bulk distributors and hand deliver newsletters to one or two blocks within the neighborhood.
3. Backup distributors: backup distributors cover routes if the street distributor is out of town for a specified month.
3. Distribution assistant: I am seeking out an assistant to help me monthly in various tasks, including things like picking up the newsletters from the printer, counting stacks for the bulk distributors, and contacting all volunteers monthly.

At the moment, the following blocks need delivery coverage:

2000-2400 Cullen
6900 Reese
1300-1500 Morrow
Grover from Morrow to Woodrow
Woodrow from Morrow to Anderson
all businesses on Anderson
all businesses on Burnet
most neighborhood apartment/condo complexes

In addition, almost all of our blocks need backup coverage!

If you are interested in providing this important service to our community, please contact me at cnadelivery@gmail.com.

Susan

City Council Meeting concerning zoning for The Fault nighclub

2009-08-17T09:52:00.004-05:00

Update: The re-zoning was passed on 8/27/09 with a 4-3 vote.

next up: the conditional-use site plan will go before the Planning
Commission and then on to council - and there will be opportunity for
public input at both.
---------------
Update: The result of the second reading - the item passed with a vote of 4-3 (riley, shade and morrison voting no).

---------------

City Council is set to consider re-zoning for the proposed nightclub in the Hobby Lobby shopping center. This will be second and third reading, so there will be no opportunity for public testimony. Essentially, the request is for CS-1 zoning - which allows for liquor sales. The backup is here, and the hearing is set for 4pm on Thursday - though there's no guarantee as to council keeping to schedule.

Here's the posted agenda item:

Subject: C14-2009-0044 - The Fault - Approve second/third readings of an ordinance amending Chapter 25-2 of the Austin City Code by rezoning property locally known as 8002 Research Boulevard Southbound (Little Walnut Creek Watershed) from general commercial services-mixed use-neighborhood plan (CS-MU-NP) combining district zoning to commercial-liquor sales-mixed use-neighborhood plan (CS-1-MU-NP) combining district zoning. First reading approved on July 23, 2009. Vote: 4-3 (Morrison, Riley and Shade voted Nay). Applicant: Anderson Retail, Ltd. (Jim Cotton). Agent: Alice Glasco Consulting (Alice Glasco). City Staff: Sherri Sirwaitis, 974-3057.

CNA 08.10.09 General Meeting Minutes

2009-08-11T10:49:00.006-05:00

Ex Comm Attendance - Paige, Marcus, Tim, Don, Deanna (absent - Kat, Eddie, Tonia, Heidi)

Announcement: There will be a Fall Plant Swap on September 20th, 2-3:30 in Brentwood Park. Pot-luck refreshments. Anything gardening related (books, seeds, plants, tools, etc.).

Alice Nance, coordinator of the Parks and Recreation Wildlife Austin program, gave a talk about turning your yard into a wildlife habitat. Wildlife habitats require 4 thing: food, water, shelter, and a place to raise young. Examples were given for each - water (bird baths, ponds), food (seed-bearing plants for birds, flowers for hummingbirds), shelter (plants providing ground cover, loose stone wall barriers), and places to raise young (dead trees, logs, nest boxes). There is an application to get wildlife habitat certification for your yard. This requires the addition of two sustainable gardening practices (listed on the application) in addition to providing the above 4 necessities. Paige Hill, the CNA Vice-President, is the regional wildlife steward, and she can be contacted for more information. There is currently a Neighborhood Habitat Challenge, an attempt to get as many neighbors as possible to certify their yards as habitats, that ends Nov. 15th.

Emily Wilson discussed the Green Neighbor pamphlet that will be distributed throughout the neighborhood in September along with the neighborhood newsletter. The pamphlet shows practices that neighbors can implement to conserve city resources. If you make 75 points on the pamphlet challenge, you can be registered with the city as a Green Neighbor. Crestview has a neighborhood goal of 500 Green Neighbor residents to be considered a Green Neighborhood. Individuals can get T-shirts or passes to Barton Springs. The neighborhood can receive tree give-aways, free 2-hour landscape designs, and more. Green Garden Update

Paige Hill discussed her Community Supported Agriculture Project, the first non-profit, neighborhood-centric CSA. The movie Food, Inc. is a good summary of the state of our existing food supply (also the books Fast Food Nation, The Omnivore's Dilemma, In Defense of Food) - unsustainable and non-nutritious. The idea is to lease land from residents in Crestview, have farmers raise crops on these plots, and then distribute weekly baskets of produce to share-holders. Neighbors can get to know the farmers and benefit from organically farmed, local food. Chicken coops also supported. The ideal size of the plots would be 1000-2000 sq. ft., ideal length of the leases would be 2+ years (although a 1-year lease might be possible). The price of the lease would be $0 for the first year, as the benefit to the leasor would be the added infastructure and improvement to the soil quality (including soil testing, irrigation, etc.). Afterwards, an annual dividend of $0.25-0.35/sq. ft. is estimated. The cost of a share to receive a weekly produce basket is competitive with the cost of receiving 2-3 vegetables per day from HEB, and can either be picked up from the demo site in the neighborhood or delivered 1/week for $2/week. For the fall, the plan is to have a single plot with 25 share-holders. For the spring, the goal is to have 1/2-acre with 100 share-holders. To participate in the fall season, leasors would need to lease their lots by October. The intention is to remain a non-profit to take advantage of grants. The goal is to eventually be able to provide employment to farmers and researchers, pay dividends to leasors annually, deliver 10% of the produce free to a "neighbor in need" each week. Contact Paige in advance to arrange a tour of the demo lot (1115 Taulbee Ln.).

CNA General Meeting Agenda - August 10, 2009

2009-08-10T14:34:00.000-05:00

Topics this week will help us plan for recovery from the summer heat and plan for fall!

* Attracting Wildlife by Building Inviting Habitat
- Neighborhood Habitat Challenge through the City's Department. Wildlife Austin

* Green Neighborhood Challenge
- Emily Wilson will present about the City's neighborhood challenge and all the prizes and benefits for an entire neighborhood to meet the City's green neighborhood challenges.

* Community Supported Agriculture in Crestview
- Background and Q&A

* What's happening this season
- Veggies, what to plant
- Plant swaps and other events
- Connecting with other Crestview gardeners

The CNA general meeting meets the second Monday of every month at St. Louis Catholic Church in Wozniac Hall at 7pm.

It's Finally Fall Plant Swap! - September 20th

2009-08-10T12:02:00.000-05:00

Sunday, September 20th, 2-3:30pm
Brentwood Park by the Playground
6710 Arroyo Seco

Bag your seeds or get them started in pots.
Divide your tubers, bulbs and rhizomes.
Pot your starters and new sprouts.
Thin your overgrown spreaders.

Gardening related supplies, tools, pots, books and decor can also be traded.

Indoor and outdoor plants, veggies and herbs are all welcome.

You are welcome to invite your gardening friends from other neighborhoods
too.

See you there!

Results of the Crestview Traffic Calming Survey

2009-07-24T17:02:00.002-05:00

The results of the ballot were:

YES 395 (70.5%)
NO 165 (29.5%)
Total Ballots sent: 2,882
Valid Ballots returned: 560 (19.4%)

60% of the returned ballots needed to be in favor for the proposal to pass, so IT PASSED. According to City staff, an almost 20% return is pretty healthy, which may indicate that our neighbors shared our concern that future development will bring increased traffic problems for us.

In the next few weeks traffic engineers will start marking the locations of devices. The speed cushions will be installed and temporary fixtures will be placed to mark the position of the traffic medians and curb extensions. After a 4-6 week study period, engineers will make any needed adjustments and construction will begin to install the permanent devices. Barring any weather delays, construction should be completed by mid-October.