In October, City Council passed a resolution aimed at improving the city’s sound regulations when it comes to things like air conditioners and landscaping equipment. Until Dec. 20, the Development Services Department is looking to gather feedback on Austin’s current mechanical equipment noise regulations and has invited anyone with information or personal experience to share it through a survey.  Additional questions can be directed to dsdcommunications@austintexas.gov.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 10 and 11, residents can get help preparing for emergencies with information, demonstrations and giveaway items at the north and south locations of the City of Austin Utilities Customer Service Centers. The city is providing meter keys, hose bib covers, hand-crank flashlights, solar-powered device chargers, emergency preparedness kit materials and winter preparedness tip sheets. A number of city departments are getting in on the effort: Austin Energy will provide free solar phone chargers and info on staying safe during a power outage; Austin Water will have free water shutoff keys or insulated faucet covers help avoid property damage caused by freezing temperatures; and the Austin Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will help folks build emergency preparedness kits. The city advises arriving early because quantities are limited.

UCSC — North
8–11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, or while supplies last
8716 Research Blvd., Suite 115

UCSC — South
8–11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, or while supplies last
1901 W. William Cannon Dr., Suite 100

For more information on preparing for emergencies, check out ReadyCentralTexas.org. The city also reminds people to tune in for emergency alerts by:

• Downloading the Ready Central Texas mobile app.
• Signing up for Emergency Alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org.
• Registering for Austin Energy’s Outage Alerts by texting REG to 287846
• Bookmarking COAUtilities.com, austinwater.org, austinenergy.com and outagemap.austinenergy.com.
• Signing up for Austin Water’ My ATX Water customer portal.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area is hosting a Mobility & Infrastructure Hiring Event on Dec. 11 at the organization’s branch on North Interstate 35. The event offers the chance to explore career paths in the rapidly growing transportation industry as well as major infrastructure projects needed to complete multibillion-dollar efforts such as Project Connect, and the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. With projections of 10,000 new jobs needed annually in the next 15 years, the event is intended to fill positions that are seen as essential for the local economy. Transportation stakeholders encourage attendees to learn about positions ranging from bus operators for the upcoming Capital Metro 800 and 837 Rapid lines to skilled trade opportunities vital to building the city’s infrastructure. Admission is free, with registration available online.

An open call for exhibit proposals for the Dougherty Art Center’s Julia C. Butridge Gallery is now active, with applications being accepted through Jan. 26, 2025. Exhibit proposals for the 2026 gallery season can be submitted online now. Exhibits at the gallery are five to eight weeks long and include an artist reception and talk, with gallery demos and workshops available to exhibiting artists. There is no fee to submit a proposal, and all exhibits are free and open to the public.

Travis County, the city of Austin and Greater Good Charities are combining forces this week to host free spay and neuter clinics for dogs and cats Dec. 5-7. Though the clinics are free of charge, pet owners must show proof that they are residents of Austin or Travis County. “This is an excellent opportunity for Austin and Travis County residents to provide their pet important healthcare at no cost. Spay and neuter surgeries can cost pet owners hundreds of dollars,” Travis County Health and Human Services Division Director Ana Almaguel said in a statement to the press.“The procedure can extend your pet’s life and help control the dog and cat population in our area.” The clinics will be held at 1817 W. Braker Lane, Building F, and operated on a first-come, first-served basis with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. each day until 10 a.m. or capacity is met. There is no limit on pets per person, though they all must be at least 2 pounds and two months old and cats must be in secure, individual carriers with a working door.

Voters in City Council District 7 and those living within the boundaries of the Austin Independent School District will have the opportunity to vote early beginning today. The runoff election for the Council race and AISD at-large position 8 will be held on Dec. 14, but those who wish to cast their ballots early will be able to vote at any voting center in Travis County through Dec. 10. There are 20 early voting centers, which will each have a “Vote Here/Aqui” sign displayed, and they will be open today through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The final day of early voting is Tuesday, Dec. 10. For a list of early voting locations as well as election day voting centers, check the Travis County Clerk’s website. The District 7 race is between Gary Bledsoe and Mike Siegel. The AISD race is between Lindsey Stringer and Fernando Lucas de Urioste.

The uniquely spiraled 3,309 lights on the Zilker Holiday Tree will start glowing for the season at the 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony, planned for Sunday, Dec. 1, at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, on the south side of the park. At 5:15 p.m., music by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble will welcome folks, and the ceremony starts at 6 p.m. Expect local entertainment, food and live music, plus ASL interpretation services on stage for the duration of the ceremony. Parking is free and first-come, first-served. Carpooling to the event or taking Cap Metro is suggested.

The Red River Cultural District (RRCD) and Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) are seeking proposals from qualified consultants for their Cultural Currents campaign, designed to showcase RRCD’s history and its role as a hub for music and artistic traditions. The project will focus on the contributions of early Black Texans, German immigrants and generations of artists who shaped the district. Local experts and those passionate about preserving Austin’s cultural heritage are encouraged to submit proposals and contribute to this important effort to honor the city’s musical and artistic history. “RRCD is so excited to dive into the rich and diverse stories that define our Cultural District,” Nicole Klepadlo, interim executive director of the RRCD, said. “By honoring the contributions of early Black entrepreneurs, German immigrants, and generations of artists, this project celebrates the vibrant cultures that make Austin a global destination for music, community, and creativity.” The application deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 30. Details on the application process and project scope are available online.

Austin Public Health is seeking volunteers to join the core coordinating committee for the next Community Health Improvement Plan, which is formulated in partnership with Travis County. The most recent CHIP was completed in 2018 and provided a three-year road map to address health challenges and improve well-being across the community. Its four priority areas were enhancing access to affordable health care, preventing chronic diseases, improving sexual health with a focus on reducing teen pregnancies, and strengthening mental health services. Those interested in joining the working group can email atc.communityhealthplan@austintexas.gov by Nov. 30.

It’s been a few months since City Council approved changes to the Land Development Code known as the HOME amendments, and now a task force focused on improving the process of using those amendments is looking for feedback from the public. The first phase of HOME was approved in December 2023 with the aim of making development of housing easier in single-family neighborhoods. To check in on whether this is actually happening, the HOME task force is seeking firsthand information on the experience of going through the development process. Residents can weigh in in person at a Dec. 14 session that will be held at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. (registration here) or online here. Any questions can be directed to dsdcommunications@austintexas.gov.

This whisper has been changed to reflect the correct date that HOME was approved.

For the fifth year, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department hosts its annual Gingerbread History Heroes Program, from Dec. 2 through Dec. 31. Get creative with free salt dough “gingerbread cookie” ornaments and decorating supplies at the following museums, cultural centers and historic sites across Austin:

• Brush Square Museums (O. Henry Museum and Susanna Dickinson Museum), 409 E 5th St.
• Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road
• Elisabet Ney Museum, 304 E 44th St.
• French Legation State Historic Site, 802 San Marcos St.
• George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St.
• Old Bakery and Emporium, 1006 Congress Ave.
• Park Ranger Station at Zilker Caretaker’s Cottage, 2105 Andrew Zilker Road

“Austinites are invited to decorate an ornament as their favorite figure from Texas history such as Joan Means Khabele, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Selena, Matt Gaines, Elisabet Ney, Barbara Jordan, Doug Sahm, Gus Garcia, Walter Burton, Ann Richards, Lydia Mendoza and Sam Houston,” a statement from the city suggests.

A public survey about the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) will be open until this Sunday, Nov. 24, so anyone with opinions on the plan is advised to head on over to the Virtual Open House to register them now. The initiative, which is expected to use $22 million in 2020 mobility bond dollars for its initial phase, includes a series of changes to Congress between Cesar Chavez and 11th streets that aim to make the street a “more human-centered, multimodal, complete street with a clear and attractive identity.” The project is expected to run about $130 million total, with funding for its entirety not yet established. Right now, the city is looking to move forward with the funded first phase that proposes a protected bikeway and transforming the area into a pedestrian plaza. The survey, and more information on the plans, can be found here.