Monday, June 20, 2011
Arboretum event pavillion design
The design for the Arboretum event pavillion was carefully refined over many months by several groups. It will be one of the larger facilities in the area, able to accomodate approximately 350 seated guests. The design is provided below. (click on image to expand)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Results of the June 13th meeting
Mayor Bill Weber opened the meeting at 5:30 pm and asked Councilman Scott Giddings to do the invocation. Then Yard of the Month presentations were made (see photo below).
Mayor Bill Weber (left) and June 2011 Yard-of-the-month awardees.
Agenda item 2 was to hear from visitors, but no one chose to speak.
Item 3 was a presentation by MTTS Granite (Tim Hicks) regarding a proposed design for construction of a granite-countertop business along Hwy 84. At issue were small deviations from the ordinance specifying various parameters. Its not clear why some of the figures in the ordinance had been chosen, so the consensus was that the City staff should look into whether changes in some parameters would not be in order.
Item 4 was discussion and possible approval of a $4.56M General Obligation Refunding bond issue to refinance City debt. This was presented by Jason Hughes of First Southwest. It turns out that by doing this, the City can save a good deal of money, given that the bonds can be had at something like 1.8% interest, saving the City something close to $300K. And this was done without extending any of the payoff dates for the existing debt. These terms were helped by Woodway having the third-highest credit rating possible (AA). Mayor Weber paused to thank the previous City Councils and City Manager Yost Zakhary for the City having such good credit ratings. The proposal was approved unanimously.
Item 5 was also regarded issuance of Certificate of Obligation bonds, these for the Arboretum expansion project ($1.8M). These were at about 3.58%, and will be repaid by hotel occupancy tax revenues. Neither of the bond issues are expected to result in property tax rate increases. This was also approved unanimously.
Item six was a proposed bid to microsurface about 20 Woodway streets, at total cost of $265K.
Item 7 involved acceptance of an application for an office/retail development near the Woodway Best Western (adjacent to Hollywood Theaters). The Council was impressed with the design, and voted to send this to P&Z for further study.
Item 8 was the "consent agenda", the most interesting thing being a proposal that some items being replaced in the Public Safety renovation, like light fixtures, be declared "excess" and thereby available for donation to Habitat for Humanity, for example.
Item 9 was approval of the consent agenda, unanimous.
Item 10 was presentation of a preliminary 2011-12 budget. This is very preliminary document, and subject to revision until final adoption in August or September. Item 11 was setting of a date for a public hearing on the budget (August 15).
After a brief City Manager's Report, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
Mayor Bill Weber (left) and June 2011 Yard-of-the-month awardees.
Agenda item 2 was to hear from visitors, but no one chose to speak.
Item 3 was a presentation by MTTS Granite (Tim Hicks) regarding a proposed design for construction of a granite-countertop business along Hwy 84. At issue were small deviations from the ordinance specifying various parameters. Its not clear why some of the figures in the ordinance had been chosen, so the consensus was that the City staff should look into whether changes in some parameters would not be in order.
Item 4 was discussion and possible approval of a $4.56M General Obligation Refunding bond issue to refinance City debt. This was presented by Jason Hughes of First Southwest. It turns out that by doing this, the City can save a good deal of money, given that the bonds can be had at something like 1.8% interest, saving the City something close to $300K. And this was done without extending any of the payoff dates for the existing debt. These terms were helped by Woodway having the third-highest credit rating possible (AA). Mayor Weber paused to thank the previous City Councils and City Manager Yost Zakhary for the City having such good credit ratings. The proposal was approved unanimously.
Item 5 was also regarded issuance of Certificate of Obligation bonds, these for the Arboretum expansion project ($1.8M). These were at about 3.58%, and will be repaid by hotel occupancy tax revenues. Neither of the bond issues are expected to result in property tax rate increases. This was also approved unanimously.
Item six was a proposed bid to microsurface about 20 Woodway streets, at total cost of $265K.
Item 7 involved acceptance of an application for an office/retail development near the Woodway Best Western (adjacent to Hollywood Theaters). The Council was impressed with the design, and voted to send this to P&Z for further study.
Item 8 was the "consent agenda", the most interesting thing being a proposal that some items being replaced in the Public Safety renovation, like light fixtures, be declared "excess" and thereby available for donation to Habitat for Humanity, for example.
Item 9 was approval of the consent agenda, unanimous.
Item 10 was presentation of a preliminary 2011-12 budget. This is very preliminary document, and subject to revision until final adoption in August or September. Item 11 was setting of a date for a public hearing on the budget (August 15).
After a brief City Manager's Report, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Agenda for the June 13 meeting
The agenda for the upcoming meeting has been posted on the City website here. There are two major financing issues being discussed and voted on, one for the Arboretum expansion project ($1.85 M) and one that I believe is to refinance existing City debt ($4.56 M).
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Arboretum Event Pavillion groundbreaking
The groundbreaking reception and ceremony (photos below, second one thanks to Gil's daughter Jennifer) attracted many Woodway residents as well as some local news services. The members of the Arboretum Board (headed by Dean Haun) were all present, as were Arboretum staff Janet and Megan, and nearly all of the City Council members. City Manager Yost Zakhary introduced Mayor Bill Weber and Arboretum Board Chair Dean Haun to speak briefly on the significance of the project. Then a group of City staff and Council members donned hard hats and shovels to break ground (actually a nicely packed sand pile made just for the event). Most or all of the crowd stayed for the second of the Midsummer Nights concert series (the Elephants), though I had to leave.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Waco Trib article on Arboretum groundbreaking
The Waco Tribune Herald has a story today on the upcoming Arboretum groundbreaking here, but it might require a subscription to read.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Midsummer Nights with The Morticians
The first midsummer nights concert tok place tonight, featuring The Morticians. It was a beautiful night, if a bit warm at 91° and no breeze. Mayor Bill Weber opened the event by welcoming the crowd, estimated at over 400 by one source. Mayor pro tem Gil Lillard was also present. Mayor Weber noted that last year this same event was essentially rained out (see my report here). Then Mike Tambrella of the Arboretum Board invited everyone to next week's new Event Pavillion groundbreaking, saying that this will result in the Arboretum becoming "a destination spot in central Texas", and I agree.
The Morticians are an oldies group, one of the best in the area. They played Old Time Rock and Roll (Bob Seger), Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), Desperado (the Eagles), Long Cool Woman (the Hollies)...you get the idea. The crowd was clearly enjoying the music, with one couple dancing at the front. Some photos below.
Next week: Event pavillion groundbreaking and The Elephants.
Mayor Weber welcomes the crowd.
Arboretum Manager Janet Schaffer and husband Troy.
The Morticians are an oldies group, one of the best in the area. They played Old Time Rock and Roll (Bob Seger), Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison), Desperado (the Eagles), Long Cool Woman (the Hollies)...you get the idea. The crowd was clearly enjoying the music, with one couple dancing at the front. Some photos below.
Next week: Event pavillion groundbreaking and The Elephants.
Mayor Weber welcomes the crowd.
Arboretum Manager Janet Schaffer and husband Troy.
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