TipSheet: Travis County, 4.24.18

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.

7. Set a public hearing on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, to receive comments regarding the issuance of a mass gathering permit for Copa Univision to be held on June 2–3, 2018, at 15500 Sun Light Near Way, Pflugerville, Texas 78660 (Northeast Metropolitan Park). (Judge Eckhardt & Commissioner Travillion)

8. Consider and take appropriate action regarding the issuance of a mass gathering permit for Finding Euphoria to be held on May 12–13, 2018, at 9507 Sherman Road, Austin, Texas 78742. (Judge Eckhardt)

9. Consider and take appropriate action regarding the issuance of a mass gathering permit for Lone Star Jam to be held on May 26–27, 2018, at 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin, Texas 78724. (Judge Eckhardt & Commissioner Travillion)

Monitor’s Take: The drama over the county’s mass gathering permit process has long been settled, so unless something pops up from left field, none of these upcoming events should face a ton of peril. We just felt like noting them because the sudden spike in permit requests reminded us that we’re truly entering the festival season. Have fun, everyone!

10. Consider and take appropriate action on a resolution affirming support of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) in Travis County, Texas, in compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive #5, Management of Domestic Incidents. (Commissioners Shea & Daugherty)

Monitor’s Take: From spring festivals to disaster continuity planning, you can always count on the Commissioners Court agenda to provide a little Tuesday morning whiplash. This foreboding item is a request from the city’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the court to recommit to NIMS, a program created in the wake of 9/11 that outlines a consistent framework for governments at all levels to respond to disasters and emergencies. According to the backup documents, the county appears to have got a little loose on NIMS over the years as new officials, both elected and appointed, have cycled through the door.

24. Consider and take appropriate action regarding the County Executive of Operations Management. (Commissioners Travillion & Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: The county has long been looking to hire a county executive of operations management under which to consolidate control of certain departments. According to a memo from Tracey Calloway, director of the Human Resources Management Department, the search will continue for the foreseeable future. As it stands now, Calloway says, the county can’t even find an executive search firm to look for candidates. So in the meantime, Calloway is recommending that the county start shaking other trees while also engaging a consultant to review county practices and management responsibilities to determine if adjustments could be made that might abrogate the need for the position in the first place.

30. Consider and take appropriate action on request by Contract Compliance Program to adopt recommendations for implementation of the Travis County Better Builder Program – Phase 1: Public Works. (Commissioner Daugherty)

Monitor’s Take: Commissioner Gerald Daugherty requested last Tuesday to postpone this item for a week. Word on the street though is that it could be delayed for another week or two yet as the county seeks that good-old-fashioned stakeholder input.

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