Transportation plan survey online; city interviewing city marshall candidates

Business owners located near the (reconstructed junction) intersection are concerned about customers being able to find their business locations both during and after construction

Note: City Hall Briefs, written and edited by Bob Flocke to inform the citizens of Wimberley about city activities, is neither an official nor an authorized publication of the City of Wimberley. City Hall Briefs is distributed by email to anyone who wishes to receive it. Anyone who wishes to be added to the distribution list should send their email address to Mayor Flocke (below). The RoundUp has edited the Briefs for length and style.

Send your comments and questions to roundup.editor@gmail.com, to Mr. Flocke at rflocke@austin.rr.com, 512.847.5421, or click on the "comments" at the bottom of the report

Hays County transportation plan survey available on line

The first Hays County Transportation Plan Workshop drew more than attendees who provided the plans development team with good feedback for this early first stage. All of the input will be evaluated and incorporated into the process for developing the county transportation plan

Those who could not attend the workshop may complete the survey below and send any comments. Public involvement is an important part in the development of a successful countywide transportation plan, and planners are still reaching out to residents and businesses in the county for their input.

The HCTP Transportation Priorities Survey can be accessed on the project web page through Sunday, January 15, 2012. Please complete this survey if you have not already done so and/or forward this link to anyone that may be interested in the Plan.

www.co.hays.tx.us/transportationplan

The next public workshop will be in late winter/early spring 2012 and the last in summer 2012. At each of these workshops, attendees are urged to give their input and participate in the planning process.

To sign up for email updates or submit comments, please contact us at: haystransportationplan@gmail.com or contact Cathy Howell at 512-533-9100 ext 10.

The Meadows Foundation Grants Friends of Blue Hole $150,000

Friends of Blue Hole received a $150,000 grant from The Meadows Foundation of Dallas for Blue Hole Regional Park acquisition and development.

Believing that their lives had been richly blessed, Virginia and Algur H. Meadows established the Foundation in 1948 to benefit the people of Texas. In doing so, they stipulated that the Foundation’s philanthropy would continue in perpetuity under the guidelines of family members and trusted advisors. The Meadows legacy has contributed greatly to enriching the lives of countless Texans in areas of arts and culture, civic and public affairs, education, health, human services, mental health, and the natural environment.

Friends of Blue Hole, Inc. is a not for profit organization whose mission is to promote, protect, preserve, and sustainably develop the Blue Hole Regional Park owned by and located in Wimberley, Texas.

Peter Way, President of Friends of Blue Hole, said: “This very special grant from The Meadows Foundation will go a long way toward reaching our goal of finishing the initial development of Blue Hole Regional Park. I want to thank The Meadows Foundation for the generous help in this effort.”

Wimberley Mayor Bob Flocke added: “Private foundations throughout Texas have recognized how special this Blue Hole project is and have been especially impressed with the grassroots effort of the citizens of Wimberley to make this happen. Thank you to The Meadows Foundation and their Board of Directors.”

Algur H. Meadows established General American Oil Company of Texas in 1939 and led it to become one of the nation’s most successful independent oil and gas production companies. Since its inception, The Meadows Foundation has dispersed in excess of $750 million in grants and direct charitable expenditures to over 3,000 Texas institutions and agencies. Grants have been awarded in large urban areas and small rural communities and in every Texas county.

The acquisition and development cost for the park is $7,423,500 of which $6,533,500 has been funded. In addition to the Meadows Foundation grant, the Blue Hole Regional park project has been awarded $2.7 million from Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond Fund, $1.9 million from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund administered through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, an additional $500,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, $785,000 from Friends of Blue Hole, $200,000 from the Lower Colorado River Authority, $160,000 from the Burdine Johnson Foundation, $100,000 from the Brown Foundation, $55,000 from the Greater Houston Community Foundation, and $25,000 from the Austin Community Foundation.

October sales tax revenue up for Wimberley

Wimberley's December sales tax revenue check from the state comptroller's office was in the amount of $37,388.08. That total is a nine percent increase from the same period last year. The December check represents sales in the city during October.

Interviews begin for city marshal position

Wimberley has received applications for the newly recreated city marshal position from more than 50 persons, and according to City Administrator Don Ferguson, they are still coming in. A panel began interviewing applicants last week and will continue during the next few weeks. Ferguson said that he would like to name the finalist on January 6.

December 15 Wimberley City Council actions

– Unanimously approved application for a conditional use permit to allow the construction of a second residential structure on a four-acre tract of land located at 400 Hillview. The property is properly zoned for such a structure and is owned by Jeffrey and Cynthia Anderson. The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval of the CUP.

– Discussed possible remedies for businesses located at the Junction that have seen a reduction in the number of customers since construction began on the new intersection of RR 12 and FM 32. Business owners located near the intersection are concerned about customers being able to find their business locations both during and after construction. At this time, Wimberley officials are working with the Texas Department of Transportation in conjunction with Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley to find a solution. If TxDOT abandons the triangle of land at the newly-created intersection to the city, city council members brought up several possible solutions to improve passer-by recognition of the businesses' locations.

– No action was taken on the agenda item regarding the proposed development of requirements relating to rainwater harvesting for new commercial and residential development in Wimberley. Mayor Pro Tem Steve Thurber brought up the issue and led the discussion. Council members agreed to continue the discussion at later meetings.