About the Author
Mark Richardson is a multimedia journalist, editor and writer who has worked in digital, print and broadcast media for three decades. He is a nationally recognized editor and reporter who has covered government, politics and the environment. A journalism graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, he was recently awarded a Foundation for Investigative Journalism grant and has three Associated Press Managing Editors awards for excellence in reporting.
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TipSheet: Travis County Commissioners Oct. 14
Monday, October 13, 2014 by Mark Richardson
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 for Commissioners Court include:
10. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE UPDATED SPACE PROGRAM, JUDICIAL FORECAST AND UPDATED BUILDING CONCEPT BASED ON THE 2035 SPACE NEEDS FOR THE NEW CIVIL AND FAMILY COURTHOUSE. (Backup)
Monitor’s take: Commissioners will hear an assessment on the space needs, a judicial forecast and an updated building concept by the design-build contractors for the proposed Civil and Family Court House project. They could make changes or accept the report. Coverage on this is here and here.
12. APPROVE CONTRACT AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE, RFQ NO. Q1402-008-AG, TO THE MOST HIGHLY QUALIFIED FIRM, SMITHGROUPJJR.
(Backup)
Monitor’s take: After last week’s clash between Commissioner Ron Davis and County Judge Sam Biscoe over postponing the item, there a chance that it could go quietly this week. Or there could be more fireworks. Our coverage is here.
21. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A REQUEST TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AND TO ENTER INTO AN ADVANCE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ROADWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ON HAMILTON POOL ROAD FROM 0.31 MILE WEST OF SH 71 TO CUEVA DRIVE AND AT THE INTERSECTION OF HAMILTON POOL ROAD AND CRUMLEY RANCH ROAD.
(Backup)
Monitor‘s take: This project will widen existing Hamilton Pool Road with 6-feet wide paved shoulders to the existing 11’ to 12’ travel lanes that have no paved shoulder. The agreement will allow Travis County to partner with Texas Department of Transportation for sharing of
environmental, design and construction costs.
25. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON TRAVIS COUNTY APPOINTMENTS TO THE CENTRAL HEALTH BOARD OF MANAGERS. (THIS ITEM MAY BE TAKEN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER THE CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY EXCEPTION.)
(Revised Backup)
(Revised Backup)
Monitor‘s take: One Central Health Board member’s term expires at the end of 2014 while another is resigning at the end of the year. Commissioners will name their replacements.
A1. ADDED ITEM: RECEIVE LEGAL BRIEFING REGARDING COUNTY AUTHORITY IN SITUATIONS INVOLVING VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVER, INCLUDING POWER TO CONFINE AND QUARANTINE, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. 1
(Backup)
(Backup)
Monitor‘s take: Commissioners added this item to their executive session agenda late Friday. It appears to be a briefing from attorneys regarding the legalities of quarantining people who have infectious diseases such as Ebola.
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