Official Website of the City of Horseshoe Bay, Texas

 

Council Comments….. 

 

Tuesday was the day the new Horseshoe Bay City Council took the oath.  As such, it was my first day to join these august deliberations.  One of the first agenda items was the election of the Chief Information Officer.  It turns out that’s a fancy title for the rookie who gets to write the Beacon article once a month.  I have to tell you that while I’m not a published author (Buddy was), I do enjoy putting pen to paper.  While I’m not the “great communicator”, I will try to add a degree of levity to the otherwise serious deliberations of your City Council.

 

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags.  While we all know the first, the latter is a different matter.  Our Mayor was kind enough to provide Councilman Rantzow (the other rookie) and I with a copy of the Texas pledge.  We were thus able to appear both dignified and loyal. 

 

The next items on the agenda included various discussions – zoning amendments, variances and plats - for the most part uneventful except for an amendment for all Escondido Villa lots to allow for garages to have a capacity of not less than one vehicle.  Not controversial, but since Councilman Babcock and I own such a Villa lot, we were recused from voting.  My very first voting opportunity and I don’t get to vote.

 

The only such item that will actually require discussion from both the Council and the interested parties was tabled.  A request for a variance to allow the building of a 2000 sq ft house on a golf course lot (2400 sq. ft. is the minimum) on Slickrock was tabled pending the applicant’s discussion with the HSB architectural Committee and the owners of the neighboring residences.   Alderman Babcock reiterated that such variance will be very much the exception, not the rule.

 

GM Mike Thuss introduced several new city employees:  Jeramy Kennedy, John Morrison and Bobbi Baker.  Also introduced were Jim Fiero, our new Fire Chief, and his fiancée Melissa.  Mike also reported that the city has $8.4 million in all accounts, earning interest at a rate of 5.284%.  These funds represent reserves, debt service, construction funds and revenue accounts.  The new police cruiser is on patrol.  The new police computer is up and running and most important the new radar gun is in use.  Drive carefully (and slowly)

 

Good news from the Waters construction sites.  Island Drive is free of congestion (usually).  Progress has been made on the Cape – but work remains.  In a meeting with residents of the Cape, questions concerning private vehicle parking, food vendors and pedestrian traffic were discussed with Chief Lane and Mike Thuss.  Our City Peddler’s Ordinance has required registration for the food vendors, and one of the two vendors has moved on.    Our police and city employees will remain diligent until construction is complete. 

 

Emergency disaster planning was discussed.  The use of NOAA weather radios and Cable TV announcements were discussed as alternatives to sirens, which are ineffective, in times of weather emergencies (flood, fire, tornado).  They are obscured by rain and wind; and, coverage is limited.  Chief Lane assured all present that our City is prepared in the event of a disaster. 

 

Plans for the February 1 implementation of a Horseshoe Bay municipal court were discussed.  All employees, (judge, prosecutor and clerk) will be part-time and over time, revenues (tickets) should exceed expenses.  Mayor Lambert and Alderman Babcock repeated that Horseshoe Bay has no interest in becoming a speed-trap, but a law-abiding community.

 

The regular Council meeting schedule for 2007 was approved as follows.

 

January 23                              August 28

February 20                           September 18

March 20                                October 16

April 17                                   November 1

May 15                                   November 27

June 19                                    December 11

July 10                                               

 

All meetings will begin at 3:00 p.m.

 

A brief discussion was held concerning the draft City Subdivision Ordinance.  One unique aspect is that parks and greenbelts will be required of all subdivisions and will be required to be maintained by individual POA’s.  More discussion will be held at future meetings.  The draft will be available on the City website.  The target date for completion is early 2007. 

 

Sam Martin made a presentation concerning the Skywater Development.  They intend to break ground in January on roads, sales office and perhaps the much rumored and anticipated “fourth golf course”.  Skywater will be a wonderful addition to our community.  2007 will bring much discussion on plans for this development. 

 

Alderwoman Wines raised a question raised by some citizens concerning Council Perquisites (perks).  As you know the Council receives no compensation.  Neither have we received reimbursements for any expenses.  Simply said, your Horseshoe Bay City Council is perk-free. 

 

Until next month, this is your Chief Information Officer (CIO) signing off.

                                                                        JEFF ROBINSON

 

 

 

 

 

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