TipSheet: Travis County, 7.05.2016

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.

8. Consider and take appropriate action on the following: a. Setting a public hearing on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, to receive comments on a petition to create the Turners Crossing Public Improvement District b. Publishing notice of the public hearing c. Mailing written notice of the hearing to affected parties (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take:  PIDs are happening. Earlier this year, the Commissioners Court made it possible for developers to develop public improvement districts. By our count, this is the first time since then that anyone has taken advantage of the offer.

10. Consider and take appropriate action on the Civil & Family Courts Capacity Project. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Lest we oversell this item, please allow us to encourage the reader to cool his or her jets. Last week, we learned that Judge Sarah Eckhardt puts a civil courthouse item on the agendas as a matter of contingency. Unless some breaking developments occurred over the holiday weekend, it’s very possible that Eckhardt will dismiss this particular piece of business without any discussion.

13. Consider and take appropriate action on the recommendations of Travis County’s Bicycle Safety Task Force. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: Even as the City of Austin’s 2014 Bicycle Master Plan sits on the shelf waiting for piecemeal funding that could come from Mayor Steve Adler’s proposed $720 mobility bond package, the county is poised to commission its own similar planning effort. The staff recommendation on this item also includes the creation of a senior planning position to guide the county’s active transportation program.

20. Consider and take appropriate action on potential violations by Austin Park, LLC at Navarro Creek Road, Texas 78617, of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 341 and Travis County Code Chapter 61A. (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: This item appeared on last week’s agenda but Eckhardt pulled it off at the last minute due to the unavoidable absence of the county attorney who is working on the case. This week, it’s back on the agenda but, tantalizingly, it’s slated for executive session. Will diligent Travis County watchers ever enjoy proper closure on the surf park soap opera? Tune in to the Austin Monitor this week to find out.