Meet the Candidates for Public Commissioner this MondayThe Park Springs Neighborhood Association held its monthly meeting this evening and hosted representatives from the county who discussed the recent bond election as well as wild fire mitigation around the home. An update about the latest attempt to build a septage facility in the neighborhood was also given, as was the pending approval of an additional parcel of land that could be sold to the county for the purpose of conservancy.
Steven Manilla, Travis County Executive, Transportation and Natural Resources, gave a thorough presentation reviewing in detail the 28 road projects included in Proposition 1 including the Wild Horse, Blake Manor connectors and Blake Manor road improvements. Manilla explained that the projects are not even in the design phase as the county is still negotiating with developers on planned projects south of Manor to put money into an escrow account before the process can start. The expansion will be to the West of Blake Manor to minimize impact on existing homes and driveways.
Concerns were voiced about the last upgrade to Blake Manor and the effects construction equipment and the drought has had on the road. Manilla explained a group of engineering consultants have been brought together by the county to come up with a design that will work on the soils on the east side of town, whether the county can afford it or not will determine what will be used. Until then Blake Manor will be patched as needed. Manilla was confident that as the Wild Horse, 973,, Blake Manor projects enter the planning phase the county will host public meeting to receive feedback from the community.
Plans for Park and Land conservation were also discussed with the bulk of that proposition going to purchase land along the Pedernales river and acquisition of conservation easements.
Travis County Commissioner Ron Fowler was present and introduced Travis County ESD #4 Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator Kenneth Humphries and County Chief Solis who gave a very informative presentation introducing the Fire Wise community efforts that seek to educate home owners to the importance of maintaining a 30 foot home ignition zone around your house to increase the chances of your home surviving a fire similar to the Bastrop fire.
An engaging presentation and video was shown that graphically illustrated the speed at which a wildfire can spread.
Three houses fully involved in less than 6 minutes, this video was used to illustrate the speed at which a houses can be fully engulfed in flames.
Humphries also took the time to explain how the Emergency Notification System (ENS) works to notify residence in case of an emergency in your neighborhood. The system works best with a standard land line but is compatible with VoIP and cell phones. Registered users can set up multiple numbers to be called in case of an emergency notification. The service is free and can be subscribed to at the following site. http://wireless.capcog.org/ENS/Intro.aspx (http://wireless NULL.capcog NULL.org/ENS/Intro NULL.aspx)
The Chief also explained the free chipping service being offered to communities. This program brings a wood chipper and cadets to neighborhoods to help dispose of brush to help reduce the fuel that gathers around the home.
To learn more about ESD #12 you can visit their site here, http://www.tcesd12.com/home.htm (http://www NULL.tcesd12 NULL.com/home NULL.htm).
The PSNA voted unanimously to strongly recommend that the county commissioners court approve the purchase of the 244 acre tract of land known as the Doerfler Ranch as Conservation Easement. The property is adjacent to the Brockenbrough Ranch which was the first property that had its development rights purchased by the Hill Country Conservancy. John Williams will represent the PSNA at the hearing to be held tomorrow at the Commissioners Court located at 11th and Guadalupe. Learn more here, http://www.hillcountryconservancy.org/land-projects/private-land-preservation/wilbarger-creek/ (http://www NULL.hillcountryconservancy NULL.org/land-projects/private-land-preservation/wilbarger-creek/)
An update on the planned Septage facility on Littig was given, tomorrow is the last day that the property owner has to submit his formal plans for the facility. If submitted the TECQ will then have two weeks to review and then make a copy of the submittal publicly available. A public hearing will be held but has yet to be scheduled.
The PSNA meeting adjourned at 9:45 after discussion of general business was completed.
The purpose of PSNA is to “improve and maintain the quality of life for residents and protect members from environmental hazards within the boundaries of the Association”, as specified in the Association By-Laws (http://www NULL.parkspringsna NULL.org/files/Bylaws_2_12_07 NULL.rtf).
Join PSNA! Annual membership fees are $20/family, due in June. Download the membership application (http://www NULL.parkspringsna NULL.org/files/membership_form NULL.html) and mail it with your check to the address on the form. Or you may pay at a general meeting. Dues or updates to phone, email etc. may be sent to PSNA, P.O. Box 1008, Manor, TX 78653.
Thanks for the article. I wasn’t able to attend last night’s meeting. Happy to have this information.