TipSheet: Travis County 6.2.15

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:

2. Consider and take appropriate action on continuation of Order of Disaster Declaration due to flooding. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: This would ratify the temporary disaster declaration Judge Sarah Eckhardt signed after last week’s floods. That order will expire on Thursday without a majority of commissioners endorsing it. The declaration is the first step in opening up channels of disaster funds to help individuals and government agencies rebuild.

3. Consider and take appropriate action regarding response to flooding in and around Travis County. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Eckhardt has asked for a briefing on the performances of several key county agencies during and after last week’s floods. Emergency Services County Executive Danny Hobby has invited representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, Health and Human Services, and Transportation and Natural Resources to address the Court. This won’t be the comprehensive post-mortem for each agency; rather, it’s aimed to provide the commissioners with a good idea of the current state of the ongoing response.

6. Consider and take appropriate action on the proposed Civil and Family Courts Complex Project update, including: Community Focus Committee New Members. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Staff is recommending the confirmation of four new appointees to serve on the Civil and Family Courts Complex Community Focus Committee. The advisory group is working with the county and its consultant to help develop plans for the proposed courthouse in Downtown Austin. The new nominees are HAND of Central Texas Executive Director Nancy Crowther; attorney Stephen Nagle; Peoples Community Clinic CEO Regina Rogoff; and real estate broker VIk Vad.

17. Approve contract award for Elroy Road at FM 812 improvements project, IFB No. B154-004-LP, to the lowest bidder, Jordan Foster Construction, LLC. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Jordan Foster Construction has offered to expand Elroy Road for $709,106.80 and staff is urging the commissioners to take the offer. The project would widen the road near the Circuit of the Americas by 19 feet and reconstruct drainage ditches and driveways.