Far East Austin CDC Meeting - March 6, 2025

Attendees: FEA CDC Board and Community Members

Key Topics and Action Items:

1. Water Rate Protest & Quality:

• Current Situation:

  • Water rates have increased, even though the rate case is still under review.

  • Documents for the water rate protest are accepted until the end of March.

  • Decisions on the water rates will be made in April.

• Water Quality Analysis:

  • UT CRESSLE (David & Carlos) will provide data on local water quality within 4 months.

  • This timeline could be extended.

• Legal & Future Options:

  • Franklin will act as an intervener in the water rate case.

  • Lawyer Lynette Cooper will provide legal assistance.

  • We cannot call witnesses for this case.

  • We need to explore long-term solutions:

    • Municipal Utility District (MUD)

    • Public Utility District (PUD)

    • Incorporation into the City of Austin (COA)

    • Rainwater collection systems

    • Look into Tax Increment Financing plans.

  • Investigate the possibility of receiving Austin Water services without incorporating into COA, and thus avoiding city of Austin taxes.

2. Grants & Non-Profit Status:

• Health Center Activities:

  • Connect with Monica to organize crafting and other activities at the Health Center.

• FEA CDC Non-Profit:

  • FEA CDC is now officially a non-profit organization.

  • A bank account will be opened at Greater Texas Credit Union (Manor, TX).

  • Board President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer will be bank signers.

  • Transactions over $1,000 require two board member signatures.

  • A QR code will be created for fundraising.

  • A community resources newsletter is planned.

  • A logo for FEA CDC will be created.

  • Outreach to local construction companies and banks for donations.

  • A link tree will be created to consolidate all social media accounts.

  • Look into participating in Amplify Austin for future fundraising.

  • Note locations with broken streetlights for grant applications.

3. Road Extension Update (Taylor Lane):

• Traffic Increase:

  • Traffic on Taylor Lane will increase when the new Del Valle High School opens in August 2026.

• Road Extension Plans:

  • The road extension will connect to FM 969, not FM 973 (decision made Jan 14th).

  • Public Works Director David Greer estimates a 2.5-year review process, excluding construction time.

  • Information on the road extension has been sent to UT Law for review. UT Law students will investigate.

4. Spay/Neuter Clinic:

• Clinic Setup:

  • A committee for a spay/neuter clinic can be quickly formed.

  • Austin Animal Center handles scheduling.

  • Emancipet provides the mobile clinic services.

  • April (Forest Bluff HOA) will contact Austin Animal Center for scheduling.

  • Austin’s Colony has a trap and release program for feral cats, and does not need the Emancipet van.

5. Illegal Dumping (FM 969 Junkyard):

• Current Status:

  • Laura contacted TXDOT; the issue is between TXDOT and Travis County.

  • The dumping is on private property, not in the right-of-way, so it's not considered a "hazard."

  • Community members should contact the Sheriff's office daily to pressure the landowner to clean up.

6. HEB/Media Updates:

• Media Coverage:

  • KUT reported on the HEB situation; HEB has not commented.

  • Texas Standard posted about the issue, receiving many comments; no further updates.

7. Period Pantry:

• Donations:

  • The Period Pantry needs restocking daily.

  • Other HOAs are interested in supporting the pantry.

  • Donations must be sealed and in packaging.

  • Forest Bluff board members support the Period Pantry.

  • Forest Bluff will look into installing at least one Period Pantry between the two Forest Bluff HOA’s.

Community Notes:

• Community Survey:

  • A survey will be distributed to assess community needs, with a $10 gift card incentive per household.

  • Surveys will be taken in person.

• Grocery Store/Food Co-Op:

  • Drew De Los Santos, Christopher Reyes, and Martha Lujan are working on bringing a grocery store to the community.

  • A food co-op in Del Valle is being explored.

  • Richard mentioned potential land for development.

  • Martha Lujan (UT Austin Community Health worker) can request an emergency meeting with Austin Public Health Commissioners.

  • Del Valle Food Co-Op pilot location will be at Circuit of the Americas (Milo’s Backyard), starting this month.

    • Two shipping containers will serve as the storefront.

    • The pilot will run for 3 years.

    • Membership cost will be $50.

    • The co-op will launch a website and hire staff (full-time pilot manager, part-time worker, one-year coordinator).

• Scouting USA:

  • Explore bringing Scouting USA to the community for after-school activities.

  • Previous troops met at Hornsby-Dunlap, which had restrictions.

  • Investigate starting a traditional troop at the Health Center ($85 annual fee per child).

  • Form a committee to fundraise or apply for grants to offset costs.

  • Scouting USA accepts children aged 5 and up, boys and girls.

  • Ed Grune is the BSA council representative.