NACA GENERAL MEETING
Thursday March 20, 2008 Wooldridge Elementary 1412 Norseman Terrace
Greetings & Introductions: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm by Eleanor Langsdorf.
Announcements: The February meeting minutes were distributed and approved.
Kate Smallwood with the Capital Area Food Bank discussed the process of making donations. There are several donation drives that you can participate in. Kids Café is a program that 61 percent of AISD students take advantage of. On April 12th , you can put nonperishable food items on your doorstep that the Boy Scouts will collect. On May 10th, place nonperishable foot items in a bag by your mailbox for the US Post Office to collect. Go to www.austinfoodbank.org for more information on all their programs. Healthy cereal, chili, tuna and peanut butter are needed by the food bank.
Anthony Williams asked for volunteers to pass out information and document code enforcement violators on Rutland.
April 22nd Tuesday, Keep Austin Beautiful will arrange for volunteers to clean up Quail Creek Park and Birdcreek and Fieldwood.
Program: Texas DPS Trooper Robbie Barerra: New State Laws
Trooper Barrera serves as with the Public Information and Safety Education Department with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The following laws are effective Sept 1st.
You can’t cover the word “Texas” on your license plate by over one half.
You can’t take defensive driving class with offenses over 95 mph.
Approved cameras to detect red light offenders at intersections. The maximum penalty will be $75.
Fleeing or evading arrest is now a State Jail Felony.
The Jessica Law involves a 25 year minimum sentence for sexually violent offenders against children under the age of 14.
Cyber bullying is now a 3rd degree felony.
Lillian’s Law requires dog owners to properly secure their dogs on their property with a fence or leash.
A person has the right to bear arms during a declared emergency.
The Castle Doctrine removes the requirement to retreat before you are able to defend yourself.
You may carry a weapon on your premises or directly en route to a motor vehicle that you own. A violation occurs if the weapon is in plain view or if you are engaged in criminal activity or if you are a member of a criminal gang.
Katie’s Law requires that drivers 85 years or older must pass a vision test every two years. Once you are 79 you cannot renew your license electronically.
All buses purchased after 2010 must have lap and shoulder belts.
A National Criminal History Check on all certified public school employees is required.
All Peace Officers must have personal identification card that has a 1-800 number.
Peter Marsh, Traffic Calming Survey Update
This process is limited to residential streets with residential property frontage. Arterial streets with less than 300 vehicles per day are not eligible for traffic calming.
Speed cushions can only be installed on primary response routes. Traffic calming will not have an effect on emergency response times.
A Working Group is established including ten to fifteen neighborhood volunteers. They will attend four to five meetings. They try to get geographical representation throughout the neighborhood. A draft plan is developed by the working group and city staff. Once the plan is developed then a survey is sent out to all residents in the neighborhood. They must receive 60% positive response from the surveys for the plan to be approved.
Asphalt speed cushions, traffic circles, chicanes, semi-diverters, diagonal diverters and medians with speed cushions can be installed to achieve traffic calming.
You can contact Peter Marsh with comments, suggestions at 974-7021 or via email at
[email protected]
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52pm