PfCONA
Pflugerville Council of Neighborhood Association Minutes for
March 9, 2009
7:00 pm – 8:45 pm
PfCONA Chair Kevin Kluge opened the meeting at 7:00. At least 17 individuals were present, representing 10 neighborhoods. (The sign-in sheet was set up late, so additional individuals and neighborhoods were not accounted for.) Travis County Constable Adan Ballesteros (Precint 2) and two of his officers introduced themselves and expressed their interest in working with neighborhoods and all residents in Precinct 2 to address issues of safety.
1. Neighborhood Watch Success Story
Royal Pointe is a new neighborhood with approximately 160 residences in Pflugerville, located off New Meister Rd. between Schultz and Heatherwilde Blvd in north Pflugerville. The neighborhood is on the verge of being completely certified as an official Neighborhood Watch Community.
With the assistance of Cpl. Mike Clowdus, the Royal Pointe Neighborhood Watch Chairman Gene Leavelle described how the most recent push by residents over the last year has lead to this success. Leavelle was joined by two of the Block Captains, Craig Reinecke and Adam Brunson.
Leavelle became NW Chairman in May 2008. Following that it was a series of persistent outreach efforts:
•7 residents signed up for the NW Committee in early 2008,
•early efforts were not successful,
•a door-to-door effort signed up about 25% of Royal Pointe,
•at Royal Pointe’s first National Night Out about 50% of resident signed up
•Leavelle held 5 block meetings in November to organize the block residents and elect block captains, and
•in early January 2009, the block captains began their own outreach and Cpl. Clowdus began block meetings with the residents of each block.
Gene’s suggestions to others interested in organizing Neighborhood Watch programs: large doses of commitment and patience, use an HOA list of homeowner contact info if possible, involve Cpl. Clowdus early, make hand-outs brief, ask for help from neighbors, expect set-backs, look for sponsors, and Don’t Get Discouraged.
The power point and notes that Leavelle and Clowdus put together and include more information on their process in Royal Pointe can hopefully be posted on the PfCONA website soon. Otherwise, please contact Kevin Kluge at for copies of the files.
2. Pflugerville Code Enforcement
Pflugerville Code Enforcement Officer Kenneth Jirasek presented information regarding some of the most common activities for code enforcement and answered audience questions.
The most common reasons for the Code Enforcement involvement:
• Height limit for grass and weeds is 8 inches,
•Storage of items in yards that are not made to be outdoors, especially if accumulations are evident,
•Structures whose condition allows habitat for rodents, especially if rodents are evident,
•The new fence ordinance requires all fences to be well maintained with no missing or broken boards and not leaning more than a foot,
•The protection of any trees in a street right of way, ally or public place or park, as well as the roots beneath the canopy.
•Home occupations in residential zones must have no evidence of a business, such as signs, window displays, outdoor display of products, or observable retail trade. Home day care in a residential zone is limited to 6 unrelated children.
•Garage sale signs not removed after the sale is over,
•Any sign advertising any For-Profit events, products, or service placed in any public or private property or in any street or ally right of way.
The following work requires a city permit (generally when it will cost more than $200): water heater replacement, new water softener, yard irrigation or sprinkler system installation, accessory buildings larger than 160 sqft, in home remodeling, air conditioner replacement, any electrical work, curb cuts and driveway addition. A yellow permit must be visible from the street prior to beginning work.
3. Pflugerville’s 4th High School Planning
Mark Kinkaid, PISD’s Executive Director of College and Career Readiness spoke to the attendees about the school district’s 4th high school that will need to be built in the next several years. PISD currently has three ‘comprehensive’ high schools, where each school offers all of the traditional types of activities. District administration is now considering making the 4th high school a College and Career High School.
Characteristics of a College and Career High School include:
o School of choice
o 10th – 12th grade
o 1500 to 1800 student capacity
o Extra-curricular participation at home high school
o Early College Start center
o Fully integrated career and academic instructional focus
o Multiple alternative learning opportunities (PACE)
o Student Transportation
Mark and PISD now want your questions and input regarding such a high school concept. Although a copy of Mark’s PowerPoint should be attached to this email much of what he conveyed is not given full life in the slide. Please contact him for questions or when he will be presenting the information next.
Mark Kincaid, Executive Director College and Career Readiness
512.594.0150
4. Future Pflugerville Activities
•March 28th - City-Wide Clean Up – see www.cityofpflugerville.com for more information.
•April 6th – Multi-Family Residential Design Guidelines presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
•April 13th - Possible PfCONA Candidate Forum
•May – Election of 2 Pflugerville City Council seats
•May 22-24 – DeutchenPfest