WESTCREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIION
QUARTERLY MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2005
Approximately 35 Westcreek residents attended. Also present were Executive Committee members Jan Boswell, Ben Coughran, Karen Gregory, Judy Jefferson, Alicia Ortiz, Kim Sherman, and Bob Shrader.
Guest speakers attending: Austin Police Dept. Officer Adam Masters, Melissa Fowler of Austin Partners in Education, and Gary Gentry, Real Estate Agent and former WNA President
Bob Shrader, President, called meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Jan Boswell submitted Treasurer’s Report. Total cash available is $11,666.85.
Ben Coughran reported on the 9/15/05 OHAN meeting with Paul Turner, AISD. Topics included: 2004 Bond Election was for $519 Million. Groundbreaking ceremony on 10/5/05 for a southwest elementary (no name yet) on the west end of LaCrosse Ave. opens 2006/2007 school years. A Southwest Middle School scheduled for 2010/2011 or sooner if demographics dictate. Improvements for Patton Elementary scheduled for Summer 2009. Small Middle School security enhancements are still in the development stages. Southwest Area Roundtable for the Bowie and Austin HS attendance areas and feeder schools scheduled for October 6, 2005, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at Mills elementary, 6201 Davis Lane. Purpose is to get public input for the 2004 Bond Implementation Program. Neighborhood Planning Meeting of September 27th at 7:00 p.m. will be at the SW Hills Community Church. City of Austin will be soliciting stakeholder input for a Neighborhood Plan for Southwest Austin. Also Cruise ‘n’ Blues on October 8th noon to 7:00 p.m. at SW Hills Community Church.
Karen Gregory spoke about the WNA Picnic scheduled for, Sunday, October 23rd from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Activities include 24’ inflatable slide, Incredibles Moonwalk, face painting, decorating pumpkins, and Westcreek trivia contest. It will be Pot Luck! We will be having a contest to select a Motto for Westcreek. We now have an online store for Westcreek products…cafepress.com.
Det Adam Masters spoke on the Burglary of Residences and Vehicles, also, Criminal Mischief complaints of vehicle and mailboxes. Det. Masters informed members to keep valuable items out of sight in our vehicles and keep garage doors closed. The number of Auto Theft is high for West creek (4). There’s been an increase in Burglary of Residences for the Southwest part of the city, but subjects are caught quickly and usually the same group. Motorcycle patrols still in planning stage. The man-hours spent in Westcreek last month 100 hours and 119 tickets were issued. The program for motorcycle cops will divide the city into five areas to patrol neighborhoods.
Det. Masters handed out flyers of a convicted sex offender, Margarito Michael Rosales who is living at 6102 Hill Forest, Apt 301, near Patton Elementary School. Rosales is convicted of Indecency with a Child in 1995. He served 10 years in prison. According to DPS website, his victim was five years old. Discussion on contacting State Legislators and bringing pressure on apartment owner.
Still no replacement selected for Det. Masters. He did not know if we would be getting one of the two new officers or an old vet - maybe Fred Rodriguez.
Melissa Fowler of Austin Partners in Education spoke on how Katrina has impacted our Austin Schools. Patton and Small are receiving children displaced by Katrina. Austin had 700 students placed in shelters. She also spoke on volunteer programs, mentoring and tutoring and investing in the success and future of our students. You only have to meet on campus one hour a week. Washington Mutual has set up a fund - Investing in the educational life of these kids. You can pick the location of the school and the age of the child.
Bob Shrader said no formal response yet from the dispute with City Manager’s office. Talked about Bike striping on Brush Country; bikes lanes act as calming device for automobiles. Still don’t know names of local restaurants that will be built in Arbor Trails.
Gary Gentry, former past president of WNA and who had lived here for 14 years, spoke on how to keep our property values up. Realtors with clients who want to live south and with house price ranges of $150-160K always come to Westcreek. He stressed the importance of an active neighborhood association.
Resident Randy Williams from Cana Cove won the door prize - a Westscreek Tote Bag!
Adjournment - 8:30 p.m.