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Audit and Finance meeting postponed
Another long work session Tuesday morning led to the first committee meeting of the new City Council to be postponed. Though the Audit and Finance Committee meeting was scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, the work session ran until 4:30 p.m., and Chair Kathie Tovo explained that committee members had other obligations. The committee was set to discuss Mayor Steve Adler's staffing plans, which have been presented as something of an urgent matter. Though Tovo has indicated she is working to have another committee meeting the last week of March, she has also projected that discussion of the plans will require more than one meeting. No date has been set to reschedule Tuesday's meeting. With Council facing several sticky topics, its work session ran longer than was typical under the former Council. It started later, too. Council members were scheduled to convene at 9 a.m. but did not do so until about 9:40, because they were getting their pictures taken.
Council to continue education Friday
This Friday, as part of their tireless search for policy knowledge, City Council members will tackle two more topics. From 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., they will discuss economic development. And from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., they will dive into "Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Austin: Issues and Collaborative Strategies." The morning economic development speakers will be: Rodney Gonzales, deputy director of the Economic Development Department; Jon Hockenyos, economist and principal at TXP; Brian Rodgers, ChangeAustin.org; Meg Wilson, senior lecturer, Executive Master of Science, Technology Commercialization, IC2, UT Austin; Grover Bynum, Austin Technology Council; Martha Cotera, member of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission; Nakia Reynoso, artist and member of the Austin Music Commission; Bob Batlan, Austin Interfaith; Ceci Gratia, Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; Richard Halpin, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin; and a yet-to-be-determined member of the Austin Chamber. In the afternoon, Council will hear from: Ryan Robinson, demographer for the City of Austin; Frances Deviney, Center for Public Policy Priorities; Erica Saenz, Community Action Network; Darryl Horton, African American Quality of Life Advisory Commission; Richard Jung, Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission; Diego Martinez-Moncada, Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission; Dr. Joyceia Banner, Huston-Tillotson University; Teddy McDaniel, Austin Area Urban League; Dan Pruett, Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force; Emily Timm, Worker’s Defense Project; and a speaker from Austinites for Fair Taxes.
City selects People's Choice art project
The City of Austin has announced its People’s Choice selection from the 2014 People’s Gallery exhibition. Mountain Laurel Mandala II, a sculpture by Shalena White (2014), has been added to the permanent art collection at City Hall. Mountain Laurel Mandala II is a site-specific installation that consists of Texas mountain laurel seeds and sewing pins arranged in Fibonacci spiral sequences. Mountain Laurel Mandala II is currently displayed on the second floor of City Hall as part of the 2015 People’s Gallery exhibition. Each year, a purchase is made from the annual exhibition to help build a permanent collection of art for City Hall. The exhibition may be viewed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extended hours Thursday evenings for City Council meetings. For information about the People’s Gallery, go to www.austincreates.com.
'It's My Park Day' set Saturday
The Austin Parks Foundation and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department are hosting the 13th annual “It’s My Park Day” on Saturday. It's My Park Day is held the first Saturday of March, and each year, thousands of volunteers work to improve parks and greenbelts throughout the city. In 2014, there were over 100 projects citywide, over 3,000 volunteers and over 10,000 hours of volunteer labor. By pitching in to help with spring maintenance activities such as spreading mulch, planting trees, clearing trails and painting benches, It's My Park Day participants play a significant role in the management and upkeep of city parks. For information on volunteering, go to the Austin Parks Foundation website.
Latest Headlines for Wednesday, March 4
Austin
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Courts
Commissioners nearly boot plans for DA’s office
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Austin
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Gated neighbors ask Crestview for a change
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City Council
Council plays fast and loose on Garza Tract vote
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City Council
Council debates deregulation of Austin Energy
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City Council
Council approves rezoning on North Lamar lot
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Police
ANC calls for body cameras for local police
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Travis County
TipSheet: Travis County Commissioners, March 3.
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website. Items of interest include: 12. Receive…
