the valley newsletter c i t y o f s u n s e t v a l l e y · p a g e 3 t h e v a l l e y n e w s l...

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

City Council Highlights

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New Employee Zoning Review

3

Chief’s Corner PD Blotter

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City Calendar

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The Valley Newsletter M A Y 2 0 1 5 C I T Y O F S U N S E T V A L L E Y

T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

Spring Storms, Flash Flood and Low Water Crossing Safety

The Good News: its raining, but the region is s�ll in

a drought, so please con�nue water conserva�on

efforts. According to the most recent Drought Re-

port, 5/25/2015, from the Texas Water Develop-

ment Board: the Statewide reservoir storage is up,

however, despite all the rain, reservoirs in West

and South Texas and the Hill Country con�nue to

remain well below normal.

The Bad News: With the storms, unfortunately

came the loss of lives and property. At this wri�ng,

there were 17 deaths a/ributed to the storms that

passed through Texas Memorial Weekend. The

stories coming out of Wimberley and across the

state from flash flood events this spring are sad

and heartbreaking.

* In Wimberley, eight people missing a4er the

cabin they were staying in was washed off the

founda�on and floated downstream before

hi5ng a bridge and breaking apart in the raging

Blanco River.

* In Devine, a high school senior died in floodwa-

ters in Devine while driving home from her

prom.

* In DeSoto, a teenage boy and his dog drown in a

flooded culvert.

* In Corsicana, Navarro County, a 23-year old man

died when his vehicle stalled on a flooded

bridge. The driver exited his vehicle, slipped and

fell into the floodwaters.

* In Williamson County, a 4-year-old girl was walk-

ing the dam on Brushy Creek. The child’s father

went out to the dam to get her, and they both

fell in. The father, 38, was able to save his

daughter, but was pulled under water.

* In San Antonio, a woman died in an SUV. Wit-

nesses said the driver drove through two to

three feet of water when the vehicle was swept

off the road and caught beneath a bridge, where

it became fully submerged. The driver had driven

past barricades.

Here in Sunset Valley there are three low water-

crossings that are monitored by the city during

storms. Police and Public Works staff will deploy

barricades once water is over the roadway. Not

only is it unsafe and possibly deadly to drive or

walk through a low water crossing, it is illegal to

drive or walk around a barricaded roadway. Police

Officers will stand by the barricade, as events and

resources allow, to ensure the integrity of the bar-

ricade. Barricades are removed and the roadway is

opened only a4er the it is determined that the

threat has subsided.

As Sunset Valley and Central Texas weather yet

another storm, please stay safe in Sunset Valley,

and wherever you may go. Remember and follow

these �ps:

• Never a�empt to drive through flooded road-

ways.

• Do not a�empt to cross flooded roads or

streams on foot.

• Never allow children to play near ditches and

storm drains.

• Teach young drivers to Turn Around Don’t

Drown.

Low Water Crossing at Lone Oak Drive

P A G E 2 T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

Council Highlights from the April 21, 2015 Mee+ng

Precinct Three County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty presents plans for new courthouse.

Travis County Commissioner Daugherty (pictured right) visited City Council to provide informa�on

on a project to build a new Civil and Family Courthouse. Speaking in support for the project the

Commissioner outlined the need for the facility. A bond elec�on has been called for November

2015.

Proposed Development on Sunset Trail. A developer has requested a zoning change to the City of Aus�n to

allow for construc�on of 48 condominium units on Sunset Trail. The property is south of the Dealer’s Electric

building adjacent to the property owned by Sunset Valley known as “the Uplands”. A4er hearing from residents,

the developer, and representa�ves from adjoining neighborhoods, the City Council voted to send a le/er to the

Aus�n Zoning Commission expressing the City’s concerns: increased density, traffic and water quality; and, as an

adjoining property owner for the City’s considera�on of setbacks for the project. The public hearing was sched-

uled with the Aus�n Planning Commission on April 28th

and a recommenda�on is an�cipated to go to the Aus�n

City Council for considera�on on June 11th .

Council Highlights from the May 6, 2015 Mee+ng

Recogni+on and resigna+ons of two long standing commi�ee members. The City Council acknowledged the

contribu�ons of Margaret Bentley and Rob Harrison in their acceptance of their resigna�ons. Rob Harrison was

currently serving on the Finance Commi/ee. His previous service to the City included volunteering on the Long

Range Financial Planning Commi/ee and the Public Works Commi/ee. Margaret Bentley resigned from service

on the Zoning Commission. She also volunteered on the Planning and Environmental Commi/ee for many years.

No pigs in Sunset Valley. Sec�on 94.07, approved by the City Council will prohibit hogs and pigs, with the ex-

cep�on of pot-bellied varie�es. Long �me residents and/or those familiar with Sunset Valley history may have

come to believe that this was always the case. According to minutes taken at the first City Council mee�ng held

on February 2, 1955, there was a mo�on made to draw up a ordinance to prohibit “hog ranches; goats & sheep,

poultry and etc.”; however, city records do not show that there was any follow up ac�on and that ordinance or-

dered in 1955 was ever approved. Un�l now.

Council Highlights from the May 19, 2015 Mee+ng

Animal Care and Scoop the Poop Regula+ons Reviewed. The City Council reviewed recommenda�ons from the

Planning and Environmental Commi/ee on proper care of animals and defeca�on by animals or as commonly

known as “Scoop the Poop” regula�ons. The provisions for the proper care of animals provide regula�ons to en-

sure that animals are provided with shelter, food, and care and the Scoop the Poop regula�ons would require

animal owners to pick up a4er their animals while not on their own proper�es. Carolyn Meredith, Environmental

Services Manager, presented the recommenda�ons of the Commi/ee and the Council took no ac�on at the

mee�ng. An ordinance with proposed changes will be presented to Council for considera�on.

T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

Watch the City Council, Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment meetings live over the inter-

net during the meeting or after. Go on the SunsetValley.org website and follow the video link on the

right sidebar. After the meeting, the recording is saved to the website by meeting group and date.

T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

P A G E 3 T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

Officer Robinson, Sunset Valley Police Department

Officer Salem Robinson III was hired on December 12, 2014. Sunset Valley Police Officers perform rou-

�ne police and traffic patrol along with community outreach efforts and various community contacts

including service calls, complaints, and requests for a range of issues. Officers also perform various

tasks in the criminal inves�ga�on process including: preparing reports, interviewing witnesses, vic�ms

and suspects, and interac�ng with other local and state law enforcement agencies.

“What I like most about working for the Sunset Valley Police Department is the close community contact and interac�on

that we are afforded with the local residents. I am proud to join the Sunset Valley Police Department and believe posi�ve

community rela�ons are essen�al in effec�ve policing. I value my opportunity to con�nue to make Sunset Valley a safe

and prosperous community.”

Before becoming a police officer with the city Sunset Valley, Officer Robinson worked for the Texas Department of Trans-

porta�on for nearly 8 years. When not spending �me with his wife and three young children, his hobby is music. He loves

to play the keyboard, drums, and guitar and enjoys singing.

Employee Spotlight

Mayor Cardona at the grand opening and ribbon cu4ng at Total Wine and

More on May 20, 2015.

ZONING COMMIS S ION TO REV IEW

HOME OCCUPAT ION REGULAT IONS The Zoning Commission will begin a review of the regula�ons for “home occupa�ons”. The referral came in to discus-

sion at the April 21st City Council mee�ng in reference to proposed changes to the animal control regula�ons. The

Planning and Environmental Commi/ee made recommenda�ons to add new regula�ons concerning the commercial

use of animals. The proposed language states: “The use of animals, for profit or commercial purposes, in single

family residen�al districts shall comply with all applicable sec�ons of Sec�ons 2.517 and 2.601 (e) of the Land Devel-

opment Code.”

Sec�ons 2.517 and 2.601(e) are regula�ons applicable to home occupa�ons, along with a defini�on for home occupa-

�ons found in Chapter 1. These provisions have not been updated since 1997. Zoning Commission will begin review at

the regularly scheduled mee�ng in May.

Grand Opening for Total Wine and More

Photo: Chris Coley

Mayor Cardona officially opened and welcomed

Total Wine and More to Sunset Valley at an impres-

sive Grand Opening hosted by the company on May

20th.

A4er no�ng that Sunset Valley Council worked

quickly to allow the company to come to the City,

Mayor Cardona acknowledged them for following

through on their inten�on to give back to the com-

munity.

Total Wine has commi/ed to donate a por�on of

their proceeds over the first three weeks to local

non- profit organiza�ons: the Long Center, Capital

Area Food Bank, and Hill Country Conservancy.

CHIEF ’ S CORNER S . M . F O R D , M P A

The Police Department has begun is prepara�on for the summer transi�on as it relates to the slight changes related to

the job du�es of officers. Officers will be providing more coverage in the conserva�on and green areas of the City. In

addi�on, officers will be performing bike patrols in the commercial areas. Officers will concentrate on providing a pres-

ence both for criminal deterrence as well as to assist those visi�ng our city with direc�ons and informa�on as needed.

The summer months tend to bring more criminal opportunist into our City, so the police department asks that residents

both in the commercial zone as well as when in their neighborhoods, report any criminal ac�vity or suspicious behavior

that they may observe.

The Department is preparing for the annual in-service training that will be

occurring during the month of June. All officers in the Department, along

with officers from the Pct. #3 Constables Office, will be a/ending the

training. This training will focus on providing educa�on and physical in-

struc�on on ac�ve shooter situa�ons, felony interac�ons and other vio-

lent encounters with suspects as these incidents appear to be increasing

in our country, State and individual communi�es. This training which is

now a partnership through the State and Federal agencies, will assist in

providing officers first -hand learning poten�al that could one day save

lives of ci�zens and officers, as well as insure a be/er response if ever

needed to address such situa�on.

At the end of April and beginning of May, officers from the Department

a/ended several community events (See pictures). Officers met with

community members at a resident's home for a neighborly event and an-

swered ques�ons. Officers Brownlow and Pierce enjoyed their visit and

forged some great dialogue with residents.

In another case, a tour was provided to a another Cub Scout group who

were working on their badge. Officer De Avila con�nues to work with

Sunset Valley Elementary School providing a contact for both the school

faculty and administra�on, as well as for the children that a/end. Lunch

visits and simple hall presence by Officer De Avila and Brownlow has as-

sisted in opening a posi�ve dialogue with those children who in some cases,

have not had posi�ve experiences with the police. These con�nued commu-

nity events and interac�on with our younger residents as well as those who

visit our community, increase the posi�ve rela�onship among police and ci�-

zens. We urge others interested in visi�ng with our officers for events or

tours, to contact my office directly and submit your request. Thank you to

those ci�zens who have opened their homes to the officers on patrol, as I

have received some con�nuous great feedback from them.

P A G E 4 T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

April 2015

Police Blo�er

Accidents 23

Alarms 16

Animal Related 3

Assist Others 42

Burglary of Vehicle 1

Criminal Mischief/Trespass 1

Disturbances/Other 4

DWI/PI/Drugs 5

DWLI 1

Harassment 1

Nature Unknown 17

Open Door / Window 1

Reckless/Aggressive Driving 2

Robbery Assault 1

Suspicious/Check Welfare 23

The4s 11

Traffic Related 170

Viola�on of City Ord./Parking 14

Warrant Arrest 1

Criminal Inves+ga+on Unit (CID)

Ac+on

New Cases 9

Pending Cases 196

Ac�ve Cases 67

Closed Case 10

Block Party in

the Villas

P A G E 5 T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

T H E V A L L E Y N E W S L E T T E R

J U N E 2 0 1 5

Tuesday, June 2nd 6:00 P.M.

City Council City Hall

Wednesday, June 3rd 6:00 P.M.

Community and Economic Development Committee City Hall

Thursday, June 4th 6:30 P.M.

Planning and Environmental Committee City Hall

Wednesday, June 10th 7:00 P.M.

Board of Adjustment City Hall

Thursday, June 11th 4:00 P.M.

Administrative Ad Hoc Committee City Hall

Thursday, June 11th 7:00 P.M.

Public Works Committee City Hall

Thursday, June 11th 7:00 P.M.

Budget, Finance and Administration Committee City Hall

Tuesday, June 16th 6:00 P.M.

City Council City Hall

Monday, June 22nd 6:00 P.M.

Public Safety City Hall

Wednesday, June 24th 7:00 P.M.

Zoning Commission City Hall

Thursday, June 18th 4:00 P.M.

Administrative Ad Hoc City Hall

Meeting Dates and Time May

Change. Please check the City’s Website

SunsetValley.org for updates.

C H I E F ’ S C O R N E R ( C O N T I N U E D )

The Criminal Inves�ga�on Division hosted the ‘2015 Commercial Business and Retail Loss Preven�on Mee�ng’ on May 5th,

2015, at the Sunset Valley City Hall located at 3205 Jones Road. This mee�ng was the first of a series of regular mee�ngs

for Commercial Retail management and loss preven�on to target retail the4 and preven�on. Several officers have con�n-

ued working on their required state training that is mandated for their licenses. A few officers are working on obtaining

their Intermediate and Advanced Licensing through the State Commission.

Sunset Valley Police, along with the law enforcement agencies in and around Travis County, will be par�cipa�ng in the safe

driving campaign over the Memorial Weekend holidays. This campaign will focus on safe driving to include seatbelts, child

restraints, aggressive and reckless driving, and impaired drivers. All categories listed nega�vely impact the safety for com-

muni�es and those that reside in urban or City areas. We urge all residents to be aware of your surroundings and those on

the road with you, as this holiday unfortunately tends to result in a rise of injury and deaths related to collisions due to im-

paired or reckless ac�ons by drivers.

The 'Coffee with the Chief" occurred Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at the Stouthaus Coffee and Pub. Stouthaus is located in

the 4700 BLK of US Hwy 290 EF just past ERW. The event was successful and more residents a/ended then in the prior

events. The Department enjoyed the discussions with the residents returning, as well as those that were first �me

a/endees. The next date and loca�on of the 'Coffee with the Chief' will be announced over the next couple of weeks.

Please feel free to contact me should you need any informa�on related to the event or wish to host it.

As always, should anyone wish to speak to me, feel free to contact me via email @ sford@sunsetvalley.org or call my office

at 512-892-1384, to schedule an appointment. Have a great start of the summer and stay safe!

City of Sunset Valley Newsletter 3205 Jones Road Sunset Valley, TX 78745

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Board of Adjustment

Commi�ee Members

Thomas Cedel, Chair Randall Rosengarten, Vice Chair Steve Borochoff Richard Hayes Marshall McHone Sandy Cox - alternate Jennifer Fadal—alternate

************************************ Budget, Finance & Administra+ve

Commi�ee Members

Rudi Rosengarten, Council Representa�ve John Bellanca Melissa Gonzales Marc Bruner Liz Wright J.R. Esquivel Michael Francis ************************************ Community & Economic

Development Commi�ee Members

Mickie Powers, Chair, Council Representa�ve Penny Cedel Rudi Rosengarten Karen Flournoy Sandi Williams ************************************ Zoning Commission

Commi�ee Members Robert Skewis, Chair Susan Durso John Frick Miguel Huerta Brant Boozer—alternate Cynthia Nelson Bridget Robinson—alternate

Rose Cardona, Mayor

rcardona@sunetvalley.org

Walter Jenkins, Mayor Pro tem

wjenkins@sunsetvalley.org

Forrest Arnold, Council Member

farnold@sunsetvalley.org Jeff Burde�, Council Member

jburde/@sunsetvalley.org Mickie Powers, Council Member

mpowers@sunsetvalley.org Rudi Rosengarten, Council Member

rrosengarten@sunsetvalley.org

************************************ Arts Commission

Commi�ee Members John Frick, Chair Walter Jenkins, Council Representa�ve James Hart Karen Medicus Erika Montero Sasha Russell Ma/ Young Be/y Dunn- alternate Cat Quintanilla - alternate Kim Moncus—honorary member SV Elemen-

Planning & Environmental

Commi�ee Members

Forrest Arnold, Council Representa�ve Helen Besse Mitch Chazan Terry Cowan Edward Grimes Lucy Hairston Zoe Treiff Karen Medicus—alternate *********************************** Public Safety Commi�ee Members

Jeff Burde/, Council Representa�ve Pam Bellanca Ruth Dawson Erwin Haddon Ketan Kharod Art Williams Frank Williams John Bellanca—alternate *********************************** Public Works Commi�ee Members

Walter Jenkins, Council Representa�ve John Bellanca Mary Black Marc Bruner Melissa Gonzales Randy Machemehl Ken Schroeder Richard Leigh —alternate