Citizens Speak to Grounds Improvement Plans
[ October 17, 2011; 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. ] At the Monday, Sept 19th meeting in City Hall of the Joint Committee (PARD, Forestry and Environmental Board), the citizen communication portion was attended by about 20 people, more than 10 of whom spoke or gave their time to others. All spoke to the “grounds improvement” presentations.
Some of the key points made were:
- Continue with projects that everyone agrees on but put a hold on others, especially the south lawn area: moving the south gate; the 6ft wide sidewalk across the south lawn; the ADA path as is currently designed.
- The back gate area parking lot plan is not functional or practical.
- Even though there have been many public process meetings the general feel of the speakers was that there was not enough outreach and available information to the public in the process so far. Including Eliza Springs and snack bar in the scope of the front gate project. No one could answer how, who or where the “scope” originated.
- The Joint Committee was reminded of the successes we had over the past few years, when the public process lead to collaboration on the trees and bypass tunnel issues by stakeholders . The committee recognized that public input yielded good results before and so, they requested an onsite meeting on October 17, 5 pm to review not moving the gate to the east, the distance of the ADA path, and the dirt parking lot. (Date/time to be confirmed)
- 27 trees were saved from the plan to remove them that was proposed in the Barton Springs Pool Master plan and supported by the Friends of Barton Springs Pool
- Repairs for the bypass tunnel were estimated at $4 million before redesign, $2.4M after redesign–that’s $1.6 Million less, saved to the tax payers, because of public input. The $2.6 million that the bypass tunnel will cost now does NOT include the engineering costs paid to the first contractor, whose design will not be used. The redesign involved the Watershed Director hiring a second contractor to re-do the plan done by the first contractor, all initiated by public input and an independent review by Wateshed engineers. The result is a much improved plan that will not damage the pool. Many citizens continued to address the boards and the BSP Joint Committee to the point of bringing the issue to the attention of Watershed Director, who formed a special group with her engineers, based on the citizens input, to review the bypass tunnel project. This independent review caused the hiring of a second contractor who designed a plan that will cost $2.4M. Those citizens did that in spite of the continuous opposition from FBSP, which all the while, kept on trying to push the $4M plan forward. These numbers are construction costs estimates. The total cost of the bypass tunnel will probably be higher once you include that the original design was not used, but the first contractor was paid for his design. But, no matter what, the total cost comparison remains the same: The total cost will be $2.4M + X, vs. $4M + X before.
- South lawn area is a passive recreation area and it is important to keep it that way – all great parks have great lawn.
The Joint Committee recognized that public input yielded good results before and so, they requested an onsite meeting to review moving the gate to the east, the length of the ADA path and the dirt parking lot.
The committee talked about having an on-site meeting on the same day as the regular mtg – Oct 17th at 5pm – - but that is not yet confirmed. It will most likely be at the back gate on Oct. 17th at 5pm.
The Introduction of Arts in Public Places Artist portion was postponed.
POOL TO CLOSE 2 1/2 MONTHS in 2012
A presentation was given on Bypass Culvert Repair and Inlet Grate Projects by Johnnie Price. Construction will begin in 2012 and will be in 3 phases. Inlet Grate Construction will begin Feb 2012 and the Bypass Repair will begin Oct. 2012 assuming Fish allows them to do that because of the drought (since the original start up date was put back because if the drought). Pool will be closed during phases 2 and 3 for 2 ½ months of the 5 month project.
There was a short update on Urban Forestry Program’s Tree Treatment Plan.
Mary Gay Maxwell suggested everyone read the short term projects document that will address some of the speakers concerns view it here: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/shorttrm.pdf. It was also made available at the meeting.
Last Public Input Bypass Tunnel Parks Meeting 3/22/11 6 pm
[ March 22, 2011; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Bypass tunnel last presentation before proceeding to design phase (official public input phase will be closed tonight)
Tonight 3/22/11 at Parks Board meeting aa6pm at City Hall, B&C room
___________________________________________________________________
Updated presentation bypass tunnel for tonight, by Johnny Price Watershed COA
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/edims/document.cfm?id=149575
eng report, itemized cost page 6
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/drftrpt.pdf
report appendices:
repair sketches
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/apdx-a.pdf
site drawings
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/apdx-b.pdf
field survey info
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/apdx-c.pdf
appendix d part 1
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/apdx-d1.pdf
appendix d part 2
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/apdx-d1.pdf
appendix d part 3
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/apdx-d3.pdf
calculations
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/apdx-e.pdf
appendix f
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/downloads/apdx-f.pdf
ByPass Tunnel Repair Report
Select the following links to download the December 2010 Draft Preliminary Engineering Report by AECOM on the Bypass Culvert.
- DRAFT REPORT
- Appendix A – Repair Sketches
- Appendix B – Site Drawings
- Appendix C – Field Survey Information
- Appendix D – Part 1
- Appendix D – Part 2
- Appendix D – Part 3
- Appendix E – Calculations
- Appendix F
The plans say that the bypass tunnel could be repaired without complete replacement. There are two proposed plans, at best, it may cause the pool to be closed for up to two and a half months.
Presentation on the Bypass Culvert Repairs — presented at the January 10, 2011, meeting of the Joint Committee (pdf format; posted January 12, 2011.)
Why Pool is Being Closing Extra Early Thurs Aug 12
The following exchange between Peter Steinhardt, a BSP swimmer and Tom Nelson, head of the Aquatics Dept for Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department follows. Please read bottom up for correct chronology and to learn about the money interest that will be announced at the press conference on Thursday.
From: Nelson, Tom [tom dot nelson at ci dot austin dot tx dot us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 11:12 AM
To: Peter Steinhardt
Cc: McNeeley, Kimberly
Subject: RE: safety signsI understand your concerns. However, the company performing the testing will be brining in equipment that morning. We want to make sure that they have unimpeded space to mobilize the equipment. I am sorry for the inconvenience, but we will resume with our regular schedule for the next Thursday clean. Have a great day.
Tom Nelson
Division Manager, Aquatics & South District
City of Austin, Parks and Recreation
(512) 974-9337
tom dot nelson at ci dot austin dot tx dot usFrom: Peter Steinhardt [peter at steinhardt dot us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 11:08 AM
To: Nelson, Tom
Subject: RE: safety signsTom,
Is there a safety factor that affects swimmers that does not affect press conferences regarding the rock anchor testing? My curiosity is active.. what is the deal about preparing for the rock anchor testing that would not allow swimming for the regular schedule?
P
Peter Steinhardt
Steinhardt & co
4518 Apache Pass
Austin, Texas 78745From: Nelson, Tom [tom dot nelson at ci dot austin dot tx dot us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:56 AM
To: Peter Steinhardt Cc: McNeeley, Kimberly
Subject: RE: safety signsIt is also to facilitate the rock anchor testing as well.
Division Manager, Aquatics & South District
City of Austin, Parks and Recreation
(512) 974-9337
tom dot nelson at ci dot austin dot tx dot usFrom: Peter Steinhardt [peter at steinhardt dot us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:55 AM
To: Nelson, Tom
Subject: RE: safety signsTom,
Thanks for the info.. but why close the use of the pool an hour early… it would make no difference to the press conference but a big difference to the public who use it everyday.. especially on Thursdays??
p
Peter Steinhardt
Steinhardt & co
4518 Apache Pass
Austin, Texas 78745From: Nelson, Tom [tom dot nelson at ci dot austin dot tx dot us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:46 AM
To: Peter Steinhardt
Cc: McNeeley, Kimberly
Subject: RE: safety signsPeter
Thank you for your email. We are closing the pool an hour early to facilitate both the council clean and to allow for setting up equipment for the rock anchor testing that will also occur on Thursday. We are excited to be able to continue the testing on the bypass in order to develop the most appropriate repair. During the event, Senator Kirk Watson will be presenting a check to the Friends of Barton Springs that will be utilized for the repair of the inlet grate on the bypass. These funds will be held by Austin Parks Foundation. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Thanks
Division Manager, Aquatics & South District
City of Austin, Parks and Recreation
(512) 974-9337
tom dot nelson at ci dot austin dot tx dot usFrom: Peter Steinhardt [peter at steinhardt dot us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 9:53 AM
To: McNeeley, Kimberly
Cc: Hensley, Sara
Subject: safety signsKimberly,
Good morning.. As I was entering the pool today I saw a group of school children (Hates School District) who had come to swim with their coach. Just as I entered I saw 3 kids and the coach standing on the “RED Painted Stripe” ( the one we talked about not having any lettering), they were moving over from where the “no diving” sign was to the red bar to jump into the pool. I called to them to stop, just as another regular swimmer rushed up to them to stop them and to point out the submerged pipe. We stopped them and they were glad we did. It was obvious at that time that they had read the no diving but did not understand the “red bar” as meaning even more dangerous. And a question… why are we closing the pool an hour early on Thursday when it is already a short day and the pool is so busy in the morning? It seems to me the press conference could wait an hour until the normal use of the pool is complete. Many of the swimmers were taking notice of the announcement today and expressed irritation with the situation. Why not just move the press conference to the 9:am pool closing time? And another… Are you aware that Senator Watson is giving the FBSP/City money for the “bypass”? Where is this money from? Will the money go to PARD or Watershed?
Thanks for your attention
Peter
Peter Steinhardt
Steinhardt & co
4518 Apache Pass
Austin, Texas 78745
Update on Bypass from Laurie Dries, City Biologist
The following was posted in bartonsprings@yahoogroups.com on 7/25/2010 by Laurie dot Dries at ci dot austin dot tx dot us:
Hi all,
It’s been awhile since I posted anything and, given the the frustration evident in some recent posts, it seems time for a little update on the bypass. I understand it may seem as if there hasn’t been any progress with the bypass, but, in fact, there has been quite a bit. In May we did have a preferred repair design and had submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their review. However, at that time, some of you all (Dan, Peter, Roy, Elizabeth and others) contacted Watershed Protection Department director Victoria Li to express dissatisfaction with an aspect of the preferred design (increasing the thickness of the concrete slab that is both the roof of the bypass and the north sidewalk). In response, Ms. Li and City staff met with these folks and followed up on their suggestion that we get a second opinion on stability of the bypass and repair options. The City has hired another engineering firm (AEComm) to acquire a second opinion. One of the suggested repair options provided by this firm is to use small (3-4-inch diameter) metal cylindrical rock anchors to attache the bypass to the underlying bedrock. To determine if using these anchors is possible, we are in the process of testing whether they will work on the bypass. This examination consists of installing one anchor in three locations along the bypass and testing the resistance of each to movement. If the underlying bedrock is strong enough and the anchors stay in place, we will be able to consider revising the previous repair design. Once AEComm has the results of the rock anchor testing, they will submit a final report to the City staff. Once City staff have that report, there will be more information that can be sent out to you guys.Review of the previous preferred option by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service halted when we decided to acquire a second opinion. Once consideration of the second opinion is finished and a final design is chosen, my colleagues and I can begin to revise the assessment of biological effects on protected species and their habitat. This biological assessment not only requires a final design, but also the detail and material methods to be used during construction as well as a numerical estimate of number of protected salamanders that may be harmed (known as “Take”). When this biological assessment is completed, it will be submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for review. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has 135 days for this review, after which we can continue with scheduling repair.
The first step of testing occurred couple of Thursdays ago and the next step will occur one of the Thursdays in August (hopefully the first couple of weeks, depends on schedules of AEComm and their subcontractors). The testing will be conducted while the Pool is closed for cleaning, so it will not alter access for recreation. Of course, anything disturbed will be restored by the end of the testing day. Their will be little if any visible evidence that testing occurred.
As soon as I know the exact date, I will post it here.
Also, updates on the bypass, hydrodynamic modeling, and pilot projects will be presented at the next Parks and Environmental Boards Subcommittee meeting in August.That’s all about bypass. I will post a separate message regarding plants in the Springs…..
Cheers,
Laurie
Next Joint Committee Aug 16
[ August 16, 2010; 6:15 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Barton Springs Pool Stakeholders:
The next scheduled meeting is Monday, August 16th. It will be held at the Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-6222
A meeting notice will be posted on the Barton Springs Pool Master Plan website (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonspringsmp.htm) at least one week in advance, and the agenda will be posted as soon as it has been approved.
MEETING NOTICE:Parks and Recreation Board / Environmental Board
JOINT COMMITTEE
(open to public)
Monday, August 16, 2010, at 6:15 p.m.
Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River St.
Agenda items will include discussion of the Bypass Culvert Repair project, and a briefing on the Walk-for-a-Day Trail
NOTICE:
The City of Austin will be requesting a site-specific amendment to the SOS Ordinance for access and to repair the Barton Springs bypass.Although the repair design is not final and there are concerns from stakeholders to address, seeking the the amendment now is necessary to meet the schedule to begin construction in November 2010.
This item is currently on the agenda for:
- The April 20th Planning Commission Codes and Ordinance subcommittee
- The April 27th Planning Commission
- The May 3rd Joint Committee of the Parks and Recreation / Environmental Boards
- The May 5th Environmental Board
- The May 25th Parks and Recreation Board
- The May 25th Planning Commission
An additional public hearing will be held at City Council at a date to be determined.The posting is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 25-8-514 OF THE CITY CODE AND GRANTING A VARIANCE TO SECTION 25-8-482 OF THE CITY CODE TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS ROADS AND REPAIRS TO THE BARTON SPRINGS BYPASS IN THE CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE.For more information, call David Johns at 974-2781 or Dennis Crabill at 974-7232.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Gary
Gary Gregson
Project Coordinator
Austin Parks and Recreation
(512) 974-9475
Stairs Restored by Swimmers
Dan Crow today reported on the bartonsprings at yahoogroups.com email list.
May 24, 2010
Hooray for Peter Steinhardt and Wayne Simmons who this morning single handedly reopened the south half of the main pool stairs at no cost to the city. The project was totally engineered by Peter who untied the buoy rope from the stair railing and retied it to the hand rail in the pool where a three foot piece of pvc pipe now keeps it away from the bank. The buoy rope still performs the function of keeping swimmers away from the small plastic sheet on the bottom of the pool that comes out about a foot and a half from the wall, but now, after nearly a year, swimmers can use of the steps again, wonderful.
Barton Springs Weather
