CMs seek feedback on district transportation priorities

City Council members are turning their attention to the quarter-cent fund, which was created in the early 2000s by an interlocal agreement between the city of Austin and the Capital Metro Transportation Authority. Much of the fund has been spent, but the remaining portion – $21.8 million – is to be divided “equitably across all districts” on transportation and mobility improvement projects, per a Council resolution passed in June. District 4 Council Member Greg Casar posted a message on the City Council Message Board announcing the results of a survey soliciting feedback on residents’ preferences for spending in the district and explaining that after receiving those results, “We block-walked and phone-banked residents in the areas where the improvements would take place, completing more than 200 surveys.” He also noted that his team had received more than 100 RSVPs for a Sept. 30 community meeting about the matter. Meanwhile, District 1 Council Member Ora Houston has requested more time for public outreach in her district. According to a message posted by her policy aide, Christopher Hutchins, she wants 30 more days to gather input and hopes to postpone an Oct. 17 town forum on the matter so that District 1 neighborhoods can discuss the issue first, during their October meetings. Hutchins did not suggest a new date for the forum.