Austin, Monitored: An appeal to ICE and doggy daycare drama

Travis County calls for ‘constitutional and humane’ treatment of immigrants

From Lina Fisher:

Last week, amid nationwide protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, Hays County passed a resolution affirming its support for the “constitutional and humane treatment of migrants.” Travis County followed suit in its meeting this week, passing a resolution that reaffirms what the U.S. Supreme Court has already affirmed in cases such as Plyler v. Doe in 1982, which granted undocumented children the right to attend public school: “That constitutional rights extend to all individuals in the United States, regardless of their immigration status.”

The resolution focuses on the manner in which people are detained, urging that any agency involved in the “transfer or detention” of people in Travis County “must wear body cameras, display clear name identification and agency affiliation, and refrain from concealing their faces, unless required for health related reasons.”

Planning Commission settles on recommendation in controversial doggy daycare zoning case

From Miles Wall:

After a truncated question-and-answer session, Commissioner Imad Ahmed introduced the successful motion to adopt staff’s recommendation and approve the rezoning, with a tweak that would add back many more uses into a conditional use overlay applied to the site.

“I understand that there’s a lot of passionate opposition to this business, but there’s a lot of folks who are very much supportive of this business,” Ahmed said. “I do think it’s not our job as commissioners to punish or reward specific businesses, but to opine on the best possible use of a property.”

“And I do believe that a less restrictive zoning is more appropriate both now and in the future, and would overall benefit the community,” he continued.

FEMA will help Austin with money for storm debris removal

The City of Austin will receive $1,690,848.66 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in reimbursement for costs related to cleanup operations related to Winter Storm Mara in early 2023, according to a memo from Intergovernmental Relations Officer Carrie Rogers. This represents 75 percent of the total cost of debris operations following the storm.

As the after action report from Austin Resource Recovery stated: “Winter Storm Mara was a natural disaster with a historic amount of freezing rain and the actual ice accumulation measured approximately .71 inch – the most in Austin’s history. The weight of the ice caused trees, limbs, communications infrastructure, wires, and poles to sag or snap resulting in additional ‘hurricane level’ damage.”

Rogers’ memo notes that city crews and contractors “undertook substantial debris removal and monitoring operations, including: The clearance of approximately 7,400 cubic yards of vegetative debris; removal of 270 cubic yards of hazardous trees, and extraction of 3,411 hazardous stumps from roads and public rights-of-way.” Cleanup of the storm had a financial impact that was felt during the city’s budget process.

— Jo Clifton

City tech grants underway

The city’s Technology Commission received an update on the city’s Grant for Technology Opportunities Program, which saw strong applicant turnout for its “mini” and “capacity” pathways that closed to submissions on May 30. GTOps Capacity, a microgrant program administered in awards up to $2,500, supports tech upgrades and staff development for organizations with under $1.5 million in annual revenue. It received 22 submissions, 19 of which were eligible. GTOps Mini, focused on direct client services in digital inclusion, offers $5,000 to $10,000 grants and attracted 20 applications, with 17 qualifying under its $2 million revenue cap.

Reviewers are now evaluating submissions through mid-June, with final scores due June 25 and award announcements expected June 30. Economic Development Department staff noted an encouraging mix of returning applicants and new participants, many of whom improved applications based on past feedback. The growth in applicant volume was credited to expanded marketing and outreach efforts. Commissioners also acknowledged the program’s role in boosting grassroots digital equity work across Austin.

— Chad Swiatecki

City, Monitor closures for Juneteenth

Like us, the city of Austin will be taking a pause Thursday in observance of Juneteenth. City administrative offices and municipal facilities will close, with normal business resuming on Friday. However, utility payments, curbside collection and city parks will not be impacted by the holiday. If you are looking for something to do with all that time you’d otherwise be spending at municipal facilities, the 27th Annual Juneteenth Celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. Thursday with a parade. The festival that follows runs through 9 p.m. and ends with fireworks. More information on the parade and festival can be found here.

See you back here Friday!

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ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

CapMetro has unexpectedly closed its downtown Red Line station on Thursday due to the nearby, ongoing demolition of the Convention Center.

The Austin Business Journal has a more positive story about the new Convention Center — here’s a focus on the designs.

In case you missed it, Texas Chili Parlor owner Scott Zublin has died, putting a big question mark over the future of the iconic establishment.

And CultureMap speaks to the city’s demographer about Austin’s expanding income gap and what could be its cause.

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