[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6592140,"mediaKeyId","2939472-56d5f63d875cabb797a59aa4c1397526","parentId",2939472,"title","Lago Vista discussion opens on using tree-mitigation fees for parks, and lowering protected-tree size","audioSeconds",241,"startMs",502530,"endMs",744240,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939472-56d5f63d875cabb797a59aa4c1397526&start=502&end=744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939472-56d5f63d875cabb797a59aa4c1397526/thumbnail_502530.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6592140/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Lago-Vista-discussion-opens-on-using-tree-mitigation-fees-for-parks-and-lowering-protected-tree-size","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592140-0393142267eda65a1be68e9820863916/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145982&Signature=cWtc1uuFDOlYoNTGejvgpajtJMKWC9XvB0JyoVgq0a7ZgEuZcOEUY7Ax1g1KO~1G9QFRuxZHrkacrZaItKOkJ7z2lamwv42aUQz5M-Bj~EmFeJf00mgJNhKxrNHlJeykQOP7XRZp9Km~MiUW1bRMZ2LbF8llNI9H7WHHjq-agfOh~7Gbo9-gw2T2GwHsEGlTCj1VZRbP7uSTzHfWqwyzQL-2Qbl41VEJ0JUZ6APk71S~ChFnnfvQfhnSrv-lkRCOl6abdasUSWczN-~z8-K14rhSJXTBFIZyrS9X2Nw3ybjIgsY19iQBKahO0uJNAkLfxbHO~Uod8tH8Lv76RJIKtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lago Vista","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","Councilmember Paul Roberts told the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee the city has been collecting tree-mitigation fees for several years and the sums now warrant discussion about whether the funds should be more directly available to parks work.

Roberts said the fees historically were booked into a general-fund bank account and that accounting for them specifically began in fiscal year 2021. He summarized incoming revenues for recent years, saying fiscal year 2021 showed about $117,000, fiscal year 2022 about $484,000 and fiscal year 2023 about $191,000, and estimated roughly $900,000 had accumulated across those years (not counting the current fiscal year). \"Yes, this money while premised with the name pre mitigation fund, it actually is from a bank account balance. It's in the general fund,\" Roberts said.

Why it matters: Committee members framed the discussion as a potential way to direct money toward visible, local park projects (trails, pocket or neighborhood parks, planting and maintenance) instead of leaving the account under general-fund control. Members emphasized that any redirection would need to respect the city's required cash reserves, and that a large one-time appropriation could affect the city's 90-day reserve target.

Details from the ordinance and options discussed

Roberts read the ordinance language that governs how mitigation fees are to be used: collected fees \"shall be placed in a special fund\" and be restricted to planting of greenery, development or improvements of trails, and the development or improvement of pocket parks as determined by the city council. He noted residential properties are subject to a separate residential cap: the ordinance limits tree-mitigation charges for single-family residences to a maximum of $10,000; there is no analogous cap in the ordinance for nonresidential properties.

Committee members asked for several clarifications and possible changes:
- Reduce the caliper threshold for a protected tree (the current ordinance protects trees 10 inches in diameter measured 40 inches above ground). Committee members discussed other cities' thresholds (6'8 inches was mentioned as common) and requested staff research.
- Consider broadening the ordinance wording from \"pocket parks\" to allow use for \"city-owned parks\" or \"neighborhood parks\" so funds can be used for both small new parks and improvements to existing parks and linear trail work.
- Provide a concrete list of low-cost, high-impact projects (mulch trails, picnic tables, small ADA adjustments, trail maintenance, vegetation plantings) that could be candidates for funding in 2025 and 2026.

Technical replacement rules noted

Roberts summarized replacement ratios noted in the ordinance: trees between 10 and 36 inches require replacement at a 1:1 inches-for-inches ratio using replacement trees of at least a 3-inch caliper; if replacement trees are smaller than 3-inch caliper the replacement ratio changes (1.5:1). For trees above 36 inches, the replacement ratio increases (the ordinance text was referenced; committee members asked staff to provide exact statutory language and citations).

Next steps and caveats

Committee members and staff agreed to take several next steps: (1) staff will survey other cities for typical caliper thresholds and replacement standards; (2) the committee will draft a short list of projects that could receive mitigation funds; and (3) the committee will request that the item be placed on a future city council agenda for policy direction. Paul Roberts and several committee members emphasized that any spending must preserve required general-fund reserves and that the money currently sits in the general fund, not in an unconstrained separate account.

Ending

Committee members asked staff to return with suggested ordinance language, comparative examples from other cities, a prioritized list of candidate projects, and accurate revenue totals for FY24 so discussion before any council referral is fact-based and precise.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lago Vista - Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee - Apr 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmember Paul Roberts told the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee significant sums have accumulated in Lago Vista's tree-mitigation account and asked whether some of that money should be available for parks, trails and neighborhood improvements.","taxTitle","Lago Vista, Travis County, Texas","taxId",69620,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6592132,"Parks staff reports repairs, pool schedule and LagoFest logistics; trail grant moves to contracting",2689,1239340,3928760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939472-56d5f63d875cabb797a59aa4c1397526&start=1239&end=3928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939472-56d5f63d875cabb797a59aa4c1397526/thumbnail_1239340.jpg","/articles/6592132/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Parks-staff-reports-repairs-pool-schedule-and-LagoFest-logistics-trail-grant-moves-to-contracting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592132-b3f3880e4a7a67350487799608be5ee5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145982&Signature=jcOpJbwLO~N6EJsyBG59DDnyNEbEOJ865u5tTu3V~8MgoSQrwZErBGDjryu~i6h8WnohQVH12432pfwKm~xVl8O8xlx6xC9SmVtDDJfGGnc0U6mFS8i4eF4SxEXOmGZc9kQJGcINIV~68BaV5WahdBkawLVNEmZfnIgXOq1mj7v6YJiyfA0NoxStG-8k5uZP85N4fCksEPdpyAjZFSbRFmjE5YxoctETjOD4v0PhIK6T0mkkxNiCEUh6ajNvGwSnlAPxayT8ikOqvq1rLsXWGcMc1JN8f21UUZGAv8rZCvrDvqAl3UFRGfXSLi-ZiCOds0r0OjmGWE1xG7illB2rWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks & Recreation staff reported a set of routine operations and event items at the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, including repairs at Sunset Park, the pool schedule for summer, pavilion rental fees, LagoFest logistics and progress on a trail grant.

Sunset Park and pool operations

Katie said the septic work at Sunset Park is complete and the bathrooms are now open; portable toilets remained in place temporarily while additional work is completed. She said the pool is scheduled to open May 24 (staff noted maintenance tasks remain) and that the pool fence repairs are complete. Katie said swim lessons staffing is being finalized and that pavilion rentals remain an option for groups who want parties outside normal pool hours. She reported pavilion rental fees of $20 for two hours and $40 for four hours.

LagoFest and park events

Katie promoted LagoFest (identified in the meeting as April 26, with activities from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.), said volunteers were still needed, and listed vendors and bands scheduled. The event will offer bus pickup at the high school and an on-site parking fee of $20 (staff said buses are free and that the $20 parking fee applies to vehicles, motorcycles and golf carts parking inside event lots).

Trail grant

Staff reported that the trail grant award has been received by the city and that staff are soliciting contractor bids; because pricing has increased since the grant application, staff said they may seek additional bids to meet the grant'imposed budget constraints. Katie said she was hiking the trail with a builder and expected to collect final contractor quotes soon so the project can move forward on schedule.

Other maintenance and community items

Committee members discussed maintenance items at several neighborhood sites (bluebonnet areas near marina and Dawn Drive), golf-tee changes already made, and concerns about weeds and leaving native plants (milkweed) in place. Firewise work on a steep hill parcel and potential small-scale Firewise cleanup projects were suggested as candidate uses for mitigation funds and for future work planning.

Ending

No formal action was taken on these operational items. Staff said they will continue to prepare contractor bids for the trail grant, finalize swim staffing and return with any budget requests for council review.","Parks staff updated the advisory committee on Sunset Park repairs and pool opening, pavilion rental fees, LagoFest logistics and an awarded trail grant now moving into contractor selection.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6592136,"Committee hears proposal to replace nets and lighting at pickleball courts amid golf-range safety concerns",322,2123200,2445870,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939472-56d5f63d875cabb797a59aa4c1397526&start=2123&end=2445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939472-56d5f63d875cabb797a59aa4c1397526/thumbnail_2123200.jpg","/articles/6592136/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Committee-hears-proposal-to-replace-nets-and-lighting-at-pickleball-courts-amid-golf-range-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592136-2a36723e2eeb87c9f31ef029061e1720/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145982&Signature=NdbHSxP8zWnWNDPdf3ADRsP04dnkuHbMWzYjgdYzH9pd7XplCePFJtOaqoymhpW-gR7SdBL51ml7kNFZlgybi32HnOoYR7ySefj4Q2z1uBxrTIribGemfEUbW-E0lrOQbSztt0QFgKB-9poKhOPu71R22tj-FPsRk04gp2qrojm7PQrhXY-K5ffNvvX9R2wRULnMjkhG3371eDQ9dfeC8CeivXlTio6WPisV6qUptI~j89LgRj6OphVp3o2mMHkm1KtAdLUhDHc52TN9NcwWiVAcArRRK9-dc6GBPyK51qrh4Nllg3qcwVxIWnOW86qkc64~fM~sKxDOP8580DETKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks staff told the advisory committee they have proposed a 2025'26 budget project to replace existing lighting, poles and netting at the tennis/pickleball area to reduce risk from golf balls and lower long-term maintenance costs.

Why it matters: Committee members and staff discussed safety incidents, the visual impact of tall netting near the golf clubhouse, and whether moving tee boxes or installing taller netting at the edge of the driving range would be preferable. The committee acknowledged the issue overlaps parks and golf-course operations and said final decisions would likely come from council in consultation with golf-course management.

What staff proposed

Katie, Parks & Recreation staff, described a capital proposal that would replace four poles, upgrade all fixtures to LED, and install taller netting (she said the proposal contemplated 35-foot netting instead of the current 25-foot net), with a 10-year warranty on the new system. Staff said replacing lights also reduces maintenance time: currently replacing one light can take multiple staff-hours, and the existing fixtures are becoming obsolete and harder to source.

Discussion points

- Netting placement: committee members suggested alternatives including moving nets closer to teeing areas, installing nets nearer the driving range, or changing location of tee boxes to reduce balls traveling toward courts.
- Jurisdiction and decision-making: the committee noted that if netting or tees are moved onto golf-course property the golf operations manager (named in the meeting as Greg Saul) and council would be central to the final decision.
- Aesthetic concerns: members said tall nets can be an \"eyesore\" when visible from clubhouse dining areas; that concern must be balanced against safety and cost.

Next steps

Staff will refine the cost estimate, include the item in the 2025-26 budget proposal, and coordinate with golf management (Greg Saul) and city council for final direction. Committee members asked for quotes and maintenance-cost comparisons so council can weigh visual impacts against safety and long-term savings from LED lighting.

Ending

No final action was taken; the proposal will return as a budget item and staff will seek input from golf operations before council consideration.","Parks staff described a proposal to replace pole-mounted lighting, poles and netting at the tennis/pickleball area to improve safety after golf balls have reached courts; options include taller netting, new LED lighting and relocating tee boxes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lago Vista discussion opens on using tree-mitigation fees for parks, and lowering protected-tree size

Parks staff reports repairs, pool schedule and LagoFest logistics; trail grant moves to contracting

Committee hears proposal to replace nets and lighting at pickleball courts amid golf-range safety concerns