West Majestic Oaks Remains Open - For Now

It appears the City Council has kicked-the-can down the road for 6 months while a policy is developed for closing city streets. West Majestic Oaks remains open until the new policy is developed and approved. The policy will presumably have a process by which citizens can petition the City to close a street.

Based on prior experience, if anyone wants to have any input to the policy, they need to engage the City staff NOW! By the time the new policy comes to City Council for approval, it will be too late for actionable citizen input.

For those who are masochist, here is the link to the video of the January 23, 2018 City Council meeting.Video

AG Rules ISDs Cannot Use Public Funds for Electioneering

The Texas Attorney General has issued an opinion that school districts cannot provide District transportation to and from poling places for teachers and students.

He also ruled that it would likely be a criminal offense for an officer or employee of a school district to knowingly spend or authorize the spending of public funds for political advertising. A court would likely conclude that the use of public funds to link to an Internet website promoting a specific candidate or measure is itself a communication supporting or opposing a candidate or measure in violation of this provision. AG Opinion

Closure of West Majestic Oaks Heating Up!

The following was posted on the Nextdoor website this morning.

Donna Betts, Sun City27

West Majestic Oaks Closing to All Traffic EXCEPT EMERGENCY Vehicles

We in N-51 of Sun City knew that the safety of our neighborhood residents has been a Political Topic for a long time. We've been fighting "The Badlands" down Pedernales for over 4 years (about 3000 voters in "The Badlands" vs. 200 votes in N-51.) Well now, one week prior to the 2nd reading and vote to Close West Majestic Oaks to all traffic except Emergency Vehicles, thanks to Steve Fought, he's invited ALL OF SUN CITY to get into this fight by posting the item in the NRO Bulletin. The sad part of this posting is that he's asking the majority of Sun Citians (who believe that this is about an Exit into Woodland Park) to get involved in our Neighborhood quest to regain our safety from over 1666 vehicles a day, (at the last city traffic count!!) He doesn't mention that this traffic through our neighborhood is TWICE the maximum traffic limit according to UDC. This fight is NOT about Woodland Park!! This is fight is NOT about another EXIT from Sun City!! Some Sun City Residents are making this issue of their "RIGHT" to cut through our small neighborhood because the route is more CONVENIENT that the one they could take through Rocky Hollow (a drive of 60 additional SECONDS!) This issue is about the "Cut-Through" used by THOUSANDS of drivers through our neighborhood every day - and it's been outrageous since the opening of Randalls, as we predicted it would. Of course Steve Fought didn't mention N-51 and dangerous horrific traffic on our neighborhood streets! He didn't mention that West Majestic Oaks WOULD continue to be available for EMERGENCY VEHICLES if the Ordinance passes the 2nd reading. How did HE get access to email ALL of Sun City through the NRO newsletter? That's some kind of special treatment that doesn't seem fair!! A Sun City councilman who should be more concerned about the SAFETY of Sun City Residents brings in the Entire Sun City Community into an issue that doesn't even affect them!! He's doing everything he can to make sure that someone has to DIE in order for him to protect the citizens SAFETY rather than some residents' CONVENIENCE! Shame on you, Steve! And, yes, I'm using BOLD print because I'm MAD! Donna Betts N-51 Safety Committee

Governer Abbott Proposes Cap on Property Taxes

Launching a new round in a long-running fight in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday unveiled a plan to curb soaring property taxes, calling for a 2.5 percent annual cap on revenue growth from property taxes in each taxing jurisdiction.

 Such a move is expected to face strong opposition from cities, counties and school districts, which in many areas have been raising taxes to cover expanding needs, especially in rapidly growing areas such as Fort Bend County and other parts of greater Houston.

It's a political battle that has huge financial impact for Texas property owners. Gov Abbott Tax Proposal

The Gov’s proposal to cap revenue growth from property taxes at 2.5 percent is a critical step in protecting taxpayers, homeowners, and small businesses.

West Majestic Oaks Lane Closure on Council Agenda

The City Council meets tomorrow evening and the following is on the agenda:


"First Reading of an Ordinance restricting vehicular traffic and closing the intersection of West Majestic Oak Lane and Apache Mountain Lane in the Sun City Subdivision, in the City of Georgetown, Texas -- Rachael Jonrowe, Councilmember District 6 (action required)"

A copy of the proposed ordinance is available at this site.

http://agendas.georgetown.org/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=19331&MeetingID=2364