City Council Meeting - Apr. 20, 2022 - Recap by Councilmember Hines
Below is a Recap of the Special Council Meeting 4.20.2022
Submitted by Councilmember Debra Hines and approved by Mayor Jeff Rasco
Mayor Jeff Rasco was absent.
Mayor Pro Tem Aurora LeBrun led the meeting in his absence.
Consent Agenda: passed unanimously as written.
Regular Agenda:
Item 7: Presentation with Q&A on Woodcreek wildlife by Blake Hendon from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Mr. Hendon has been working in this area for Texas Parks and Wildlife for 14 years. His presentation centered around nuisance or risk species, such as mountain lions and coyotes. Since record keeping began in 1983 there have been NO confirmed sightings of mountain lions in Hays County. Male mountain lions are known to roam the entire State of Texas and so it is feasible they pass through this area. In the event of an emergency, contact the Sheriff or game warden. If you suspect rabies, contact Animal Control. Signs of sickness in a wild animal: wandering around dazed, not concerned with human presence, and them being out during the day if they are normally nocturnal. Mr. Hendon provided a response flow chart, information on wild coyotes, and a handout about mountain lions. Mayor Pro Tem LeBrun expressed interest in getting these handouts posted for the public. Texas Parks and Wildlife encourages anyone who believes they have sighted a mountain lion to contact your local wildlife biologist with detailed information and pictures if possible (in a NON-emergency situation). Citizen, Pat Rawlings, expressed concerns over how feeding deer and increasing their numbers encourages natural predators to linger in the area, and Mr. Hendon confirmed that this is a legitimate concern. Councilmember Grummert asked for a PSA on baby deer and the correct procedure when you see them alone in the wild. Mr. Hendon explained that this is natural and that they should be left undisturbed. The public should only be concerned if the baby deer is approaching them, wandering around, or there has been no sign of the mother for days. In that event, it is important to contact a wildlife rehabilitator. No action was taken as this was a discussion only item.
Item 8: Appointing volunteer members to the City of Woodcreek Traffic Task Force passed unanimously. This task force is under the supervision of Councilmember Brent Pulley. Mr. Pulley presented information on the procedures and record keeping of this task force. They will be keeping a regular record of the sheriff’s activity and reports. Mr. Pulley highlighted how this effort, along with others Council has taken, will enhance community awareness and involvement in our efforts to reduce speeding and enhance safety in Woodcreek. It was stated that citizens interested in helping in this effort can contact Mr. Pulley and allow their driveways to be temporarily utilized by officers while on patrol. If you have a non-emergency and would like to report an issue to this task force, contact Mr. Pulley. His email can be found on the City website. Please call 911 in the event of an actual emergency.
Item 9: Council unanimously supported Mayor Rasco’s proclamation to support the International Lights Out Effort to protect migratory birds. Residents are encouraged to turn off non-essential lights between 11pm-6am every night March 1st through June 15th and again August 15th through November 30th. This effort is to reduce hazards for birds who migrate overnight; lights can attract and disorient the birds. This effort is especially important for Central Texas as about 1/3 of the national population of birds move through this area each year. Other benefits for residents include saving money on the electric bill and reducing light pollution, thus supporting the Dark Skies community effort.
Item 10: Continuation of the agreement between the City of Woodcreek and the Capital Area of Texas Regional Advisory Council (CATRAC) passed unanimously. Councilmembers inquired as to how long Woodcreek has been participating in this, what risk and/or benefit for the City this agreement presents, and what level of involvement it requires of the staff. The City has been a part of this agreement since before City Manager Brenton Lewis was on staff, there is minimal engagement required from staff but a member can sit on the CATRAC board, and there is some financial risk to the City. In the event of an emergency, and a shortage of resources, CATRAC can pass a small portion of matching federal funds requirements down to cities. To learn more about this agreement, you can read the full document in the agenda packet: https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/woodcreek-pubu/MEET-Pack...
Item 11: Discussion about the Parks and Recreation Board request to spend $60,000 to begin developing parks as an “in-kind match” for the POSAC grant occurred. Council did not approve to spend the money at this time and instead moved that the Parks and Recreation Board get new quotes for work and equipment, get confirmation in writing that an in-kind match would be acceptable, create a priority list for projects to be completed and a plan for how to place the playscape on the Creekside property. The Parks and Recreation Board was encouraged to phase projects out to be completed in steps as funding becomes available. Concerns expressed by Council included comments from Councilmember Brizendine that spending these funds was potentially premature considering the funds were meant to be a donation match and we have not received adequate confirmation that an in-kind match would be accepted. Councilmember Hines stressed the need for the Parks and Recreation Board to focus on things to do, making the parks more accessible and useable, and in particular a playscape since that was a high priority for the city in the Comprehensive Plan Survey results. Further suggestions and alterations were provided on specific POSAC grant items. Councilmember Grummert clarified the limitation on procurement for items like a playscape and stressed the importance of natural play areas and things that blend well into our natural landscape.
Item 12: Building across adjacent lot lines owned by a single owner was discussed. Council received a recommendation back from the Planning and Zoning Commission on an item covering this topic. After discussion and edits, Council unanimously agreed to request that City Staff draft the document into ordinance form to be presented at a subsequent meeting. The document can be accessed in the agenda packet and the following changes were unanimously approved by Council:
-Reinstate #2 striking pool house, carport, setting a maximum square footage for an accessory structure at 400 sq ft, and defining non-permeant structures as those NOT on a concrete slab but built on the ground or as a pier-and-beam structure.
-Reinstate #3 and adjust it to say ALL lot lines (including interior lot lines)
-Reinstate #5
-Correct any typos
