Category Archives: Neighborhood News

Travis County Traffic/Roads Meeting
with Pct. 2 Commissioner, Brigid Shea

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 7PM
WB Community Center • 2106 Klattenhoff

Pct. 2 Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea has asked for a meeting with the residents of Wells Branch this coming Wednesday, July 27 at 7pm in the Community Center on Klattenhoff. She and David Greear, TNR Division Engineering Manager, will be on hand to discuss any and all traffic related questions that pertain to Wells Branch. While this meeting is important to all Wells Branch residents, it is essential that those of you living in Willow Run and those from other parts of Wells Branch whose children will be attending Athlos Academy or Joe Lee Johnson Elementary, attend this meeting. Come. Ask questions. Express your concerns over traffic flow when school opens this fall and ask how quickly the County can assess and remedy the situation should they deem it necessary.

Previous Meeting Update: June 27, the WBNA and MUD Safety Committee met with Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, and engineers from TNR Development Services: Christine Connor (road development) and Michael Hettenhausen (case manager for Travesia Subdivision). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with Commissioner Shea the Cadoz extension and weigh the pros and cons: connectivity vs. increased traffic as some residents had expressed concern over the extension.

When asked if there was still an opportunity to get a crash gate installed on Cadoz between Willow Run and Travesia Subdivision, the development team said yes, but it would be difficult as the benefits of the alternative ingress/egress options far out weigh the traffic issues extension may cause. In order to balance traffic flow and give residents as many options as possible, everyone agreed that we need to focus on completion of Grand Avenue through to Bratton Lane as quickly as possible.

There is only one remaining parcel of land preventing the completion of Grand Avenue from Quick Hill Road all the way to I35. All other contributing parcels have been scheduled for development. Commissioner Shea and the engineering team felt that the best route would be to approach the owner of parcel #379473 (land not yet scheduled for development) and suggest they donate or yield right of way to Travis County NOW, before planned development so that they could begin the process. Benefits to the landowner would include not having to pay for road construction upon development, waiver of replatting fees, and increased property value due to easy access with completed (or near completion) roadway once they decide to sell or develop.

A group of WB residents plans to start working on the Grand Avenue issue in the next few weeks. Please note: Even if the property owners agreed tomorrow to turn over the land, we’re still at least two years out on possible punch through, more likely, 3-4 years. Planning for the budget cycle for 2016-2017 Travis County is near completion. Grand Avenue development would have to be included in the 2017-2018 Budget and most likely would depend on a road bond being passed.

Please put forth every effort to attend the upcoming meeting.

A Portrait of Wells Branch
2017 Calendar
Pre-Order Yours TODAY!

fol calendar cover 8 copyA true community collaboration, the Friends of the Library have collected amazing photos from our talented WB photographers and are featuring them in a limited edition, first-ever, Wells Branch Calendar.  Order yours today!

It’s super easy! Just follow the link below –

Pre-Order Your FOL “A Portrait of Wells Branch” 2017 Community Calendar HERE!
https://squareup.com/…/friends-of-the-wells-branch-communi…/

WB Logo Best Version WebFrom Recent MUD Board Meetings

by Debby Thompson, WBNA President

Please remember, the WBNA (Wells Branch Neighborhood Association) and the Wells Branch MUD are two different entities; ours is a volunteer community group, the other, a governmental body.  In the interest of our shared residents, we do our best to report on MUD events and Board meetings in an objective manner so that each of you are aware of current topics and can research those that interest you for yourselves and form your own opinions.  There is a wealth of information on the MUD website:  www.wellsbranchmud.com.  For more information on any of the topics below, please check there first.  Information may be in the form of a featured story or in the MUD Board Meeting Minutes or Board Packets.  If you have difficulty locating what you’re looking for, contact me at info@wbna.us and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.

Regular MUD Board meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month at the newly renovated Rec. Center, 3000 Shoreline Drive, unless otherwise posted.  All residents are invited to attend.  Meetings begin at 5:30pm with citizens communication at 6:30pm.  Agendas are posted the week prior to the meeting at www.wellsbranchmud.com under the “Board” tab or follow the link from the WBNA website calendar.

2016 WB MUD Board of Directors Election

Board of Director elections are held on the uniform election date in November of every even-numbered year.  In 2016, the election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Two of the five Wells Branch Municipal Utility District Director positions are up for election this year:  Place 2,  Joe Petronis and Place 4, Janet Maxey.  The first day to file an application for a place on the ballot for the 2016 Director election is July 23, 2016.  The deadline to file an application for a place on the ballot for the 2016 Director election is 5pm on August 22, 2016.  If you are interested in becoming a Director, please visit wellsbranchmud.com for instructions and more information.

NOW HIRING – Covenants Coordinator

WB MUD is looking for a well-rounded professional to join the team on a full-time (30 hours per week) basis.  The Covenants Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing and administering all aspects of restrictive covenants to help ensure the District maintains property values.  The duties of this position include patrolling District properties, documenting conditions, dispute resolution, data entry, resident interaction, detailed documentation and follow-through.  Past property management experience is desired!  Full-time employees are provided a well-balanced program of benefits.

http://www.wellsbranchmud.com/services/human-resources

No Drought Water Restrictions

WB MUD voted to lift Stage 1 Water Restrictions at the June 21 meeting.  No Drought Water Restrictions are in effect at this time.  Please follow water wise guidelines and conserve where possible.

Willow Bend Park

The MUD has engaged a design team to explore expansion of the children’s play area at Willow Bend Pool to include interactive water features, add permanent shade features to the adult pool area, redesign the play area and replace the existing playscape at Willow Bend Park, convert the existing baseball field to a dog park, add a pathway from Willow Bend Park to the Rec. Center and design a Skate Park adjacent to the Rec. Center.  Tentatively, these features will be done in phases with the children’s play area at Willow Bend Pool having top priority so that it may be completed during the off season.  Watch for updates as they become available.

4th Fest! Celebrate Independence Day the WB Way!

Roll out the Red, White & Blue!  If you haven’t decorated yet, you better get busy!  Let’s show our Wells Branch Spirit.  Hang your flags out NOW.  Let everybody know that you’re ready to celebrate!  Meet in front of the community center at 9:30am.  The parade takes off at 10am.  If you’ve never been to one of our parades before, then you should probably know we have decorated bikes, wagons, trailers, DOGS, KIDS, hats, motorcycles and floats.  It’s a grand event!  If you wish to include a float in this year’s parade, please contact the MUD Rec. Staff at 512- 251-9814. Continue reading 4th Fest! Celebrate Independence Day the WB Way! →

Memorial Day Weekend Events

Dice (2)Memorial Day Casino Night

Saturday, May 28 • 6-9pm • WB Rec. Center • 3000 Shoreline Drive

We have a winner!   It’s Wells Branch!  From 6-9pm, the MUD presents an adults-only evening of gaming for our residents ages 21 and up ONLY; IDs will be checked at the door.  Join your neighbors at 3000 Shoreline Drive as the MUD transforms the Recreation Center into a casino using professional tables and dealers.  Stick around following the gaming for more fun and the opportunity to “spend” your winnings on a variety of prizes. 

lifesaverSplash Day!

Sunday, May 29 • Noon-4pm • KF Pool • 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

Wells Branch is kicking off the summer with our second annual Splash Day at the KF Pool. Come out from noon to 4 pm for swimming, pool games and water safety education. Admission is free and the MUD will have giveaway items for children.

Join us for the Wells Branch Garden Guild’s 6th Annual Garden Tour!

Raspberries! (at the WB Community Garden)
Raspberries at the Community Garden

Sneak a peek behind the fences and see some of the best and most interesting gardens in Wells Branch.  Take a look at how neighbors are planting to create an oasis in the shade or a sunny paradise.  We’ll visit both vegetable and flower gardens and take away lots of great ideas.  Meet THIS Saturday, May 21, 8:45am at the Rec. Center, 3000 Shoreline Drive,  to carpool.  Departure is 9:00am.  Plan on spending approximately 20 minutes at each garden, have some discussions, then travel to the next location.  If you’re running late, jump in and join the tour at the next site.

Order of Tour:

  1. View new landscaping at the Rec. Center while gathering to carpool to gardens
  2. Tracy Simon • 15036 Babbling Brook • “Improvement”
  3. Patsy Nelson-Farmer • 2302 Rick Whinery • Eclectic, native plants, container and veggies
  4. Elaine Betterton • 14939 Doria • Ecoscape and vegetable garden
  5. Vicky Insalata • 14975 Doria • Bird and butterfly friendly native plants
  6. Jennifer Higgins • 14901 Bescott • Large rock patio, disappearing stream, doggie
    corral
  7. Shelley Palmer • 1709 Gaylord • Unusual natives
  8. Cheryl Gaffaney • 2141 Cervin • Native plants, open back yard with lots of pavers
  9. Don Harrell • 14533 Donald Drive • Xeriscape sun in front, Xeriscape shade in back
  10. Rachel Lebansky • 14904 Yellowleaf Trail • Bee and butterfly attracting flowers
  11. Community Gardens • Corner of Town Hill & Single Trace • Vegetable gardens

Please join us for the Wells Branch Garden Tour!!

Click HERE for MAP and ROUTE.  *Please note: typo in map legend – correct address is 14939 Doria Drive. 

Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar Training THIS Thursday, May 19! 

It’s an election year and we need to get ALL of our Wells Branch neighbors registered!   In order to accomplish this, we need volunteers.  It only takes an hour of your time to get certified and you can be as involved (or uninvolved) as you’d like.  Training enables you to be a resource to new neighbors, at community events, school, church, and social groups.

If you’d like to be a part of this effort (however big or small), we have a training session set for Thursday, May 19, at 6:30pm at the Rec. Center, 3000 Shoreline Drive.  We need an approximate head count so that Travis County can bring adequate supplies.  Please reserve your spot at vote@wbna.us.  Questions? Call 512-656-0654.

Vote - Be Counted Color