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TipSheet: Travis County, 8.29.17

Tuesday, August 29, 2017 by Caleb Pritchard

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.

1. Receive comments regarding the resolution of no objection for the proposed McKinney Falls Apartments to be located at 6609 McKinney Falls Drive, Austin, Texas 78744. (Action Item 16) (Commissioner Gómez)

16. Consider and take appropriate action regarding the resolution of no objection for the proposed McKinney Falls Apartments to be located at 6609 McKinney Falls Drive, Austin, Texas 78744. (Public Hearing 1) (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: Location, location, location. While affordable housing is generally a slam dunk, the address of this proposed low-income development – along a high-speed roadway in a section of town whose name isn’t West Austin – has raised some eyebrows. But since the Travis County Housing Finance Corporation’s board of directors approved the financial tools to back the project, it’s a pretty safe bet that the court won’t withhold its support as well. (Hint: That’s because the court is the the finance corporation’s board of directors.)

15. Consider and take appropriate action on the following: a. Setting Calendar Year 2018 Sheriff’s and Constables’ Civil Fees b. Setting fees for Transportation and Natural Resources – Travis County Parks c. Setting fees for Transportation and Natural Resources – Sale of Printed Material (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: Remember the reservation regimen at Hamilton Pool the court passed last year? The one that requires an RSVP to get into the park between May and September? Well, that period could get stretched to include March through October. Other proposed changes include a new $200 fee for annual camping passes for non-county residents (compared to the existing $100 fee for the pass today) and brand-spanking-new reservation and camping fees at the newly renovated Arkansas Bend Park.

21. Consider and take appropriate action regarding an electrical utility easement and vault agreement on Travis County property to the City of Austin to provide permanent power to the new Ronald Earle Building. (Commissioner Gómez)

Monitor’s Take: Full disclosure: We’re not entirely clear what exactly this item is, but it seems like a good excuse to remind our readers that construction on the new headquarters for the District Attorney’s Office continues apace. As of this writing, workers have already begun to install the windows through which our fearless public prosecutors will keep watchful eyes on the city around them. There’s also a Mediterranean joint going in next door.

27. Approve contract award for Disaster Pouches (Body Bags) and Autopsy Gowns, IFB No. 1702-007-CW, to the lowest responsive bidders: a. EMS Innovations, Inc.: Lines 1702-007-CW–01-01 and 1702-007-CW–01-03 b. Salam International, Inc.: Lines 1702-007-CW–01-02 and 1702-007-CW–01-04 (Commissioner Travillion)

Monitor’s Take: Ew.

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Key Players & Topics In This Article

Travis County Commissioners Court: The legislative body for Travis County. It includes representatives from the four Travis County Precincts, as well as the County Judge. The County Judge serves as the chair of the Court.

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