NSCNA Blog Archive

  • Austin Strategic Mobility Plan Open House, June 17

    Administrator

    Date: Thursday, June 17, 2010
    Time: 4 – 8 pm
    Location: Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street

    The City of Austin is considering holding a transportation bond election this fall. Some of the projects our neighborhood needs, such as sidewalk improvements and the Anderson Urban Trail project (improving the trail alongside the Village shopping center) are on the master “gaps” list.

    Unfortunately, at this time, none of these projects are ranked high enough to qualify for funding.

    The city’s transportation improvement projects will be presented during an open house this Thursday. This is an opportunity to learn more about how the city made its funding decisions.

    Here is the announcement for the event:

    Whether it’s traffic congestion on MoPac or incomplete sidewalks in your neighborhood, transportation is Austin’s No. 1 issue. As part of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, the city is assembling a package of transportation improvements that could go before the voters in a bond election as soon as this November.

    The Open House is another chance for citizens to learn about important short-term and long-term transportation projects and share their ideas. Since December, thousands of Austinites have offered their input to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan at public forums and via the AustinSMP.com Web portal.

    Visuals: Maps, visuals and graphics available for future transportation projects

    Available Sources:
    City staff from the Austin Transportation Department
    Members of the Council-appointed Citizens Task Force
    Members of the City Council may also be present at the Open House

    Project Website: www.AustinStrategicMobility.com

  • Austin Energy Tree Pruning and Removal Underway

    Administrator

    Austin Energy is in the process of pruning and removing trees that are near electric lines in our neighborhood. They maintain the lines to ensure customers’ safety and to maintain reliable electric service. At the same time, trees are beneficial to our quality of life, health and property values, so they should be trimmed with great care. You have rights in this process and so do your large trees.

    We have prepared an information sheet for North Shoal Creek residents, so you can understand the tree maintenance process and what you can do to ensure minimal harm to the trees on your property.

    The Austin Energy tree trimming process is underway now, so please review this information as soon as possible. If you know of any neighbors who have received a tree removal notification, please make them aware of this information.

    Contact Chip Rosenthal at (512) 573-5174 or chip@unicom.com for assistance, or if you know of a neighbor who would like to receive a printed copy of the information sheet.

    Download the information sheet as a PDF: NSCNA Austin Energy Tree Trimming Information Sheet

  • NSCNA Board Meeting, June 14

    Administrator

    The NSCNA Board of Directors will be holding a regular meeting this Monday evening. Members are welcome to attend and observe.

    Date: Monday, June 14, 2010
    Time: 6:30 pm
    Location: North Village Branch Library, 2505 Steck Ave.

  • Summer Reading Program at the Library

    Administrator

    Journey Beyond, the Austin Public Library’s 2010 Summer Reading Program, runs from June through August this year. Participating in the program is easy:

    1. Join either the Adult or Youth program by signing up at an Austin library or online.
    2. Read your books and record them in your reading log/entry form.
    3. Return your completed form to the library and become eligible for prizes.

    The Adult Reading program kicks off at Recycled Reads this Saturday, June 12 at 4 pm.

    For more information, call 512-974-7400 or visit www.austinsummerreading.org.

  • Hazardous Waste Disposal, June 5

    Administrator

    Date: Saturday, June 5
    Time: 8 – 10 am
    Location: In front of Pillow Elementary

    Some kinds of waste, such as paint and oil, should not be disposed of in standard trash cans. These so-called “hazardous wastes” should be brought to a special City of Austin facility for disposal.

    The North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association (NSCNA) has worked with the city to plan a collection of household hazardous waste for disposal. The collection is open to North Shoal Creek neighborhood residents.

    Please Note

    State regulations place strict limits on what we can accept and transport to the waste facility. Please read the following instructions carefully.
    We are doing this event as a trial, with a small number of volunteers. Once the trucks are full, we will close collections and head to the waste facility.
    Your waste materials are going to be transported in the trunk or bed of a neighbor’s vehicle. Please be a good neighbor and ensure all materials are properly boxed or bagged so they do not harm your neighbor’s vehicle.

    What We Can and Can’t Accept

    BOPA Waste

    We can accept as much “BOPA” waste as the trucks can hold. This includes:

    • Batteries (car and household)
    • Oil
    • Latex paint
    • Anti-freeze

    Limited Hazardous Waste

    State regulation prevents us from transporting more than 100 lbs of the following types of hazardous waste. We will accept small amounts of these kinds of waste, capacity permitting. These items include:

    • Thermometers
    • Fluorescent lights
    • Empty containers
    • Other paints and solvents: Solvents, oil-based paint, furniture strippers, paint thinners, etc.
    • Lawn care chemicals: Fertilizers, pesticides, pool chemicals, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.
    • Household cleaning products: Bleach, products that contain bleach, ammonia, ammonia-based products, all-purpose cleaners, furniture polish, spot removers, scouring powder, oven cleaner, bathroom cleaners, bug spray, etc.
    • Other automotive products: Gasoline, lubricants, brake fluid, transmission fluid, car wax, metal polish, etc.

    IMPORTANT: If you want to dispose any of the above items, please separate them from “BOPA” waste so they can be weighed and tallied. We have strict limits on the amount of these hazardous (non-BOPA) waste items we can accept.

    Unacceptable Materials

    The following items cannot be disposed of at this event, because the hazardous waste facility will not accept them.

    • Any waste generated by a business
    • Computers or other appliances
    • Explosive materials
    • Medical waste
    • Radioactive waste
    • Tires

    Instructions

    • Sort and separate BOPA waste from other types of hazardous waste.
    • Place waste in boxes or bags so they can be easily transported.
    • Leaking items will NOT be accepted.
    • Please do NOT accept items for friends who live outside of our neighborhood. We have limited space and want to serve as many neighbors as possible.
    • You will be asked to give your address so we can keep statistics for the waste facility.

    Please drive into the circle drive in front of Pillow Elementary. Collection begins at 8 am. Collection ends at either 10 am or when the trucks are filled, whichever occurs first.

    Our pickup trucks will be lined up so we can take items from your car and place them directly in the truck. After your car has been unloaded, we ask that you promptly leave the drive so the next car can pull in. If there is a wait, form a line by pulling off to the side of the road to make room for through traffic.

    To learn more about the City of Austin Hazardous Waste facility, see: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/residential_hazardous_waste.htm