Many City Council meetings next week

Gear up, Council watchers! Since next week’s Council meeting will be the final one before the traditional July break, we will be treated to the usual Tuesday work session, plus a special called meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the regularly scheduled Thursday Council meeting, and possibly an additional meeting on Friday. Mayor Steve Adler posted a notice on the City Council Message Board to let everyone know what to expect next week. On Wednesday afternoon, Council will take up all the consent items as well as non-consent items not specifically set on Thursday. On Thursday, Council will take up zoning and public hearings, as well as the six purchasing items specifically postponed from the June 6 meeting, and the proposal to start charging property taxes to homeowners living along Lake Austin. Those property owners have not been charged with taxes paid by everyone else in the city because of a 1986 ordinance exempting them. At the time, those properties got little in the way of city services. But that has changed, and the city says it needs the money. On Thursday, Council will also consider an item directing the city manager “to provide options regarding use of city property taxes to fund initiatives regarding homelessness,” and similar initiatives. Also Thursday, Council will consider the controversial Butler Pitch & Putt golf course contract. If they don’t get done on Thursday, there is, according to the mayor’s memo, the possibility that they will return Friday to finish the agenda. Stay tuned to find out plans for the agenda addendum.