TipSheet: Travis County, 7.17.18

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.

2. Receive comments regarding a resolution of no objection for Grand Station to be located at approximately 16000 Bratton Lane, Austin, Texas 78728. (Commissioner Shea)

8. Consider and take appropriate action on a resolution of no objection for Grand Station to be located at approximately 16000 Bratton Lane, Austin, Texas 78728. (Commissioner Shea)

Monitor’s Take: A public hearing will precede the court’s discussion of a proposed 216-unit affordable housing development way, way, way up north near Interstate 35 and Grand Avenue Parkway. We’re guessing the proposal, which would reserve 216 units for households at or below 60 percent of the area median income, won’t draw much opposition from the neighborhood, which is mostly industrial and business parks. If the court doesn’t object, the project will be one step closer to securing the 4 percent tax credit financing it needs to start construction.

13. Consider and take appropriate action regarding a request to set Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 10 am as the date and time for the dedication ceremony of the new Ronald Earle Building. (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: Re-mark your calendars. Last month, the court voted to set the dedication ceremony for the District Attorney’s Office new HQ for Sept. 21. For reasons that aren’t elaborated upon in the backup, the Facilities Management Division is now requesting to push that date back a week to Sept. 26.

16. Consider and take appropriate action regarding a request from Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority to provide a letter of intent for a federal Transit-Oriented Development Planning Grant. (Commissioner Travillion)

Monitor’s Take: Wheels continue to turn on the Green Line. Capital Metro is apparently shopping for a grant from the Federal Transit Administration via the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, also known rather cutely as MAP-21. Applications are due by July 23, and the award could be as high as $2 million, a chunk of change that could fund further planning studies of the proposed commuter line connecting Austin and Manor. To beef up its chances, the transit agency is asking for letters of support from those two cities as well as from Travis County. Expect at least a few words of polite opposition from Commissioner Gerald Daugherty.

28. Consider and take appropriate action on appointments to the Sobering Center Board of Directors. (Judge Eckhardt)

Monitor’s Take: The thing hasn’t even opened its doors yet (soon, though!) but several of the Sobering Center’s shepherds are nearing the end of their terms. Nonetheless, criminal defense attorney Jana Ortega and the Downtown Austin Alliance’s Bill Brice are asking for at least one more spin on the center’s board of directors. As such, staff is recommending the court grant their requests and keep them on through 2022.

The Austin Monitor’s work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.