OWANA - Old West Austin Neighborhood Association

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is the principal governing and policy recommending body of OWANA. Its actions are governed by the will of the membership as expressed at annual, regular, and special meetings. It is elected annually at the December General Membership meeting.

The Steering Committee generally meets the first Monday of each month when General Membership meetings are not held (i.e., March, June, September, December). All are welcome to attend the Steering Committee meetings. Contact the Chair forspecifics on time and place.

2009 Steering Committee Members

Paul Seals, Co-Chair
Jean Stevens, Co-Chair
Larry Halford, Vice Chair [e-mail]
David Applewhite, Treasurer [e-mail]
Kurt Sauer, Secretary

Beverly Brooks [e-mail]
Christine Buendel
Tracen Gardner
Sara Kennedy [e-mail]
Linda MacNeilage [e-mail]
Richard McCown
Laura Porcaro [e-mail]
Christopher Rankin [e-mail]

Other OWANA Committees

Audit Committee

Chair: Wayne Orchid

The Audit Committee reviews the finances of the organization on a yearly basis and reports by April of each year.

Bylaws Committee

Chair: TBD

The Bylaws Committee forms when needed to make recommendations to the General Membership concerning possible amendments to the OWANA Bylaws. The Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed by a two-thirds vote at any meeting of the membership, provided that the exact wording of the proposed change is included in the agenda of the required notice of the meeting.

In 2004, the Bylaws Committee recommended modifications. The General Membership approved the recommendations at the December 7, 2004 meeting.

Design Committee

Chair: Steven Moore 494-1371

The Design Committee reviews projects within the OWANA area and offers comments to residents and developers on varied aspects of their designs.

The General Membership adopted the OWANA Design Guidelines in January 2003, as recommended guidance for development within OWA, in order to encourage appropriate design in any new construction or re-development of existing properties.

Historic Preservation Committee

Chair: Randy Hankamer

OWANA supports the Historic Preservation goal of the OWA Neighborhood Plan: to preserve and enhance the unique historic identity of the neighborhood. A major project The Historic Preservation Committee has undertaken a major project, to acquire the designation for OWA on the National Register of Historic Districts.

Other ongoing efforts of the committee include liaising with organizations on city-wide issues, doing research necessary to protect historic assets for example, when structures are threatened with demolition, and supporting historic zoning of properties within the neighborhood.

Membership and Fundraising Committee

Chair: Bob Peck, OldWestAustin@gmail.com

In addition to maintaining the OWANA membership roll and dues, this committee conducts major fundraising efforts that bring significant monies to projects that enhance the character and life in OWA. Expansion of the business membership is also a focus of efforts, enhancing ties between residents and commercial endeavors in our area.

Nominating Committee

Contact: TBD

Each year, the Nominating Committee forms to identify willing candidates for positions on the Steering Committee for the upcoming year. The slate of candidates is presented in the Fall Newsletter. Nominations are also taken from the floor of the December General Membership meeting, where a vote elects the Steering Committee for the following year.

Parks and Greenspace Committee

Chair: Not currently filled.

The parks in Old West Austin, West Austin Park and Mary Baylor Park, provide recreational amenities all residents. The Parks and Greenspace Committee focuses on improvements and maintenance issues for our parks.

The activities of the Committee include implementing enhancements to landscaping and park facilities, as well as grant development and fundraising to support the enhancements.

Public Safety and Transportation Committee

Chair: Not currently filled.

This committee serves to address issue that arise in the areas of public safety and transportation within the neighborhood.

Zoning and Land Use Committee

Chair: Jean Stevens, 236-1626

OWANA supports the Land Use goal of the OWA Neighborhood Plan: to protect existing residential property and encourage the development of new residential property by supporting mixed-use development in certain areas of the neighborhood.

Due to the pressures on our urban-core neighborhood, the Zoning and Land Use Committee is never at a loss for projects. Much work revolves around opposition to demolition of historic properties and upholding of compatibility standards. Activities include meeting with property owners to discuss plans for new developments or re-developments, analyzing and recommending positions on zoning changes, conditional use permits, variances and waivers to the OWANA membership, representing OWANA positions at City hearings.at the City Council, Commissions and Board of Adjustments, and monitoring building and development plans to ensure proper zoning and permitting has been acquired.

501c3 Application Committee

Chair: Not currently filled.

In 2004, the OWANA General Membership voted to establish this committee in order to investigate the requirements and benefits of OWANA’s becoming a non-profit organization.

OWANA Representatives to Other Organizations

Austin Neighborhoods Council (ANC) Representative

Linda MacNeilage 478-7069

Richard McCown 461-0201

The Austin Neighborhoods Council acts as a coordinating body for the efforts of Austin area neighborhood groups, serves as a clearinghouse for information, gives guidance in all matters of concern to individual neighborhoods and/or the City of Austin, and strives to make a positive contribution to Austin through the betterment of neighborhoods and the promotion of civic awareness.

As a neighborhood association, OWANA belongs to the ANC, and is represented at monthly meetings by the OWANA ANC Representative.

ANC meetings, open to all, present speakers and discussions of interest to all Austin neighborhoods, and are generally held the 4^th Wednesday of each month, at the Austin Energy Headquarters at 723 Barton Springs Rd. More information can be found on the ANC website at http://www.ancweb.org/.

OWA Neighborhood Plan Contact Team (NPCT) Representative

Laura Morrison 494-8702

Saralyn Stewart 471-4378 (Alternate)

In June 2000, the City Council approved the Old West Austin Neighborhood Plan, which addresses Land Use, Transportation, Parks and Green Space, and Historic Preservation in the neighborhood. The NPCT is a conduit from the neighborhood to the City of Austin and serves to respond to requests to amend the OWA Neighborhood Plan and to initiate plan amendments.

The NPCT is composed of representatives of OWANA, the Clarksville Community Development Corporation (CCDC) and the West End Austin Alliance (WEAA).

West End Austin Alliance (WEAA) Representative

Laura Morrison 494-8702

The West End Austin Alliance (WEAA) is an organization that includes stakeholders in the “west end” area of downtown Austin: business owners, property owners, and neighborhood associations. OWANA holds a seat on the WEAA Board, filled by the OWANA WEAA Representative, which generally meets monthly.

OWANA’s participation on the WEAA Board affords regular contact and discussion with the business and commercial community in our neighborhood.

Updated 10/19/08 Contact webmaster: redwassenich@gmail.com