March 30, 2008 by president.

From the City of Rollingwood (printable copy):

Without rehabilitation of its aging water system, the City of Rollingwood (the “City”) will not be able to guarantee adequate water pressure in the future to protect your home or deliver a safe and adequate water supply for household and irrigation use.

As a result, the Rollingwood City Council is preparing to authorize the issuance of a series of certificates of obligation to the Texas Water Development Board (the “TWDB”) in order to finance the first two phases of required repairs to and rehabilitation of the City’s aging water system. These phases will complete a loop of the water system on the east side of the City, which will allow re-establishment of two pressure zones. The repairs will also include the installation of pressure relief valves and the replacement of certain lines that are substandard in terms of size and/or materials.

• The failure to make the proposed repairs could result in significant fines from the TCEQ in the future.
• This project will not involve the LCRA.

The proposed certificates of obligation will be issued to the TWDB in order to evidence a $2,350,000 loan from the TWDB. The City may repay the loan from ad valorem taxes, the revenues of the City’s water system, or a combination of taxes and revenues. The TWDB loan is being offered to the City under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan program, which provides interest rates that are lower than market rates. The proposed sale of certificates of obligation to the TWDB was chosen by the City Council because it offers the least expensive method of paying for the needed improvements to the City’s water system. In addition, the TWDB program has built in constraints and cost management oversight. The project scope can be reduced, but the amount of money approved for the project by the TWDB cannot be increased.

• The cost of the first two phases of the project will be approximately $282.00 per connection per year.
• By way of comparison, the cost of repairs to the City’s water system in 2006 was $34,291. In 2007, the cost of such repairs was $62,625 or $106 per connection. There were over 20 main line breaks during the past year.

For further information on the proposed financing, contact City Hall at 327-1838 or visit the City’s website at cityofrollingwood.com.

Posted in Government | 1 Comment »

March 30, 2008 by president.

From 3/30 Austin-American Statesman:

Rollingwood comes of age — in a big way

New sewer system has gotten the ball rolling on Rollingwood redevelopments

By Alexandra Richmond
SPECIAL TO THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Sunday, March 30, 2008

It perhaps surprised no one when Gary Keller, the chairman of Keller Williams Realty, bought two lots in Rollingwood, razed the existing houses and built a 7,700-square-foot Italianate estate for his family in 2004.

He could have gone anywhere in the Austin area. But Rollingwood, with its safe, shaded streets and brief commute to downtown, is a hot spot for rebuilding.

…Read the whole article

Posted in In The News | No Comments »

March 28, 2008 by Eric Sparks.

I received this today from the Texas DNC and thought I would pass it on……

Dear fellow Democrat,

In recent weeks, the Texas Democratic Party has seen an unprecedented surge in participation, particularly in our Convention process. Thanks to our two outstanding candidates, Texas saw up to a million people participate in their Precinct Conventions, and we are expecting historic turnout at tomorrow’s County and Senatorial District Conventions.

If you were elected as a delegate or alternate to your County or Senatorial District Convention, make sure to attend tomorrow. You can click here for more information, including a list of convention locations. Thanks to tremendous enthusiasm from grassroots Democrats, I am confident that these Conventions will be an unparalleled success.

Unfortunately, that enthusiasm may sometimes lead people to act irresponsibly. We have heard reports that misinformation is being spread about tomorrow’s County and Senate District Conventions, perhaps using the name of the Texas Democratic Party. Some delegates have reported receiving emails saying that conventions have been cancelled. We have also heard unconfirmed reports that someone is placing robo-calls, claiming to be from the Texas Democratic Party, suggesting that county or district conventions have been cancelled.

The Texas Democratic Party has not been informed that any county or district convention has been cancelled or postponed. If you have heard otherwise, please plan on attending your convention as scheduled unless you receive information from your Democratic County Chair or the official Texas Democratic Party website.

As we begin the next step in the convention process, all eyes are once again on Texas, watching and waiting to see the outcome of our Conventions. I am confident that the vast majority of Democrats will conduct our convention business in the fairest, most professional, and most impartial manner possible, as we work to convert the enthusiasm driving the convention process into Democratic victories from the County Courthouse to the State House to the White House.

Your friend and fellow Democrat,

Boyd L. Richie

Posted in Government | No Comments »

March 26, 2008 by president.

The City has made a dozen pair of Zilker Garden Festival tickets available for RW residents. The show is this weekend…March 29 and 30^th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reserve your pair by adding a reply to this post. The first 12 posts get the tickets. You can pick up tickets at the 4900 Timberline Dr (Hirschfeld’s).

3/27 Update: We’ve have 6 takers so far.  We’ve got 5.5 pairs left!

Posted in Government, Events | 7 Comments »

March 25, 2008 by president.

Here is what the T-shirts look like….

There is still time sign up for the 5k run/walk!

Posted in Women's Club, Events | No Comments »

March 25, 2008 by president.

This Sunday, the Park Commission is supervising the spreading mulch at the UPPER PLAYSCAPE at 1:00 PM. They can’t supervise if YOU don’t show up to help - please come by to help improve our parks.

Please bring wheelbarrels, shovels, pitchforks, garden weasels, and rakes.  Wheelbarrows are particularly needed to help move the mulch from a big pile to a neat carpet under the playscape.

The baseball fields and upper playscape are located on Rollingwood Drive. Please try to park in the lots around the ball fields and off the street.

Frank will be there to show us what to do.

We need EVERYONE to help with this event! See you there!!!!

Note: Eanes Elementary’s Pack 66 will be helping with this project.

Posted in Women's Club, Eanes Schools, RNA, Government, Events | No Comments »

March 25, 2008 by president.

City of Rollingwood Public Works crews and contractors will be making various spot road repairs throughout Rollingwood beginning April 7, 2008 through April 18, 2008.  Affected locations are Hatley,  Vale, Inwood, Wallis, Randolph, Laura Lane and Rollingwood Drive.   Affected residents will be notified by door hanger prior to construction activity.  There will be one lane traffic at times.  There will be no street parking allowed in the affected areas during construction periods.  For information contact City Hall at 327.1838.

Posted in Government | No Comments »

March 23, 2008 by president.

We’d like to thank the many volunteers who make our annual Egg Hunt a huge success.  Lisa Serface, our event chair, did a wonderful job.  Randalls and Seattle’s Best Coffee donated food while we were entertained by Mr. Johnny and Sharon and Capital of Texas Zoo. 

Lisa also recruited an army of volunteers: Troye Campbell, Dale Dingley, Cristina Feldott, Laura Hirschfeld, Rob Hirschfeld, Frank Miller, Aimee Petty, Alison Queralt, Olivia Reed, Frana Sadler, Jenny Thomas, Anne Turner, and Christina Wadsworth.  Thank you all!

Rollingwood egg hunters poised to stalk their candy laden prey

Posted in RNA, Events | No Comments »

March 17, 2008 by president.

This Wednesday will be a busy night at City Hall with back to back meetings.

• 6:30 public hearing about proposed changes to Chapter 11 of the building codes.
• 7:00 regular council meeting with an agenda that includes:
  • PRESENTATION OF CITY OF ROLLINGWOOD FY 2007 AUDIT
  • PLANNING & ZONING REPORT FROM CHAIR ON PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED CHAPTER 11
  • DROUGHT CONTINGENCY AND WATER CONSERVATION PLAN
  • Update on Endeavor Project
  • DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON:
    • SANITATION SERVICES CONTRACT
    • CURB CUT VARIANCE REQUEST – 4909 ROLLINGWOOD DRIVE
    • CONTRACTING FOR SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTIONS
    • HOURLY RATE INCREASE FOR CLAIRE GARDNER
    • POSTING SOLICITATION BY PERMIT ONLY SIGNAGE IN THE CITY OF ROLLINGWOOD

Posted in Government | No Comments »

March 17, 2008 by president.

To introduce the candidates, the RNA plans to host a candidate’s forum and corner social approximately 2 weeks before the election.

Posted in Government | No Comments »