City Council gave final approval Thursday to Downtown Mixed Use zoning for the Delta Kappa Gamma property at 416 W. 12th St. Council Member Kathie Tovo was recused, but all the remaining members of Council approved the zoning on consent. Stratus Properties plans to build a 375-foot residential tower on the site. At one point there was a valid petition opposing the zoning change, but attorney Michael Whellan was able to persuade several neighbors to withdraw their names from the petition, making it invalid. Council may have been persuaded to vote for the increased density because part of the site was already zoned DMU with no height limit. But perhaps the strongest argument for the new zoning was that it would make the entire site eligible for the Downtown Density Bonus program. As a result, Stratus will pay $500,000 to the city for permanent supportive housing and Whellan promised the developer would pay an additional $200,000 to help with the city’s most pressing problem, homelessness. Although a local media report erroneously listed Council Member Leslie Pool as voting against the zoning change on first reading, that was not the case. In fact, as she pointed out to the Austin Monitor, “I actually saved it by making the motion for first reading.”

It’s the merry, merry month of May – and that means it’s time to rev up for city budget meetings for Fiscal Year 2021-22. The city of Austin prides itself on a transparent budget development process, and as it plans for the next budget, it really, really wants to hear from Austinites, “to help the city prioritize services that impact how you live, work, play, shop and more.” You can watch a cheerful 2-minute video that explains more about the actually pretty interesting budget process and also take a short survey while you’re at it.

After 15 years of service to the city, Emergency Medical Services Chief Ernie Rodriguez is retiring at the end of May. Rodriguez was on hand at Thursday’s virtual City Council meeting to hear Council Member Alison Alter, on behalf of Mayor Steve Adler, proclaim May 16-22 as Emergency Medical Services Week. Rodriguez has served as EMS chief for the past 13 years and was deputy chief for the two years prior to that. Alter praised Rodriguez and the EMS for their lifesaving services during the Covid-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri. City Manager Spencer Cronk thanked Rodriguez for his dedication to the city of Austin and Travis County and for “revolutionizing the EMS profession over the time that you’ve been here. You’ve been a remarkable leader who’s really leaned into the innovation and the commitment to serving our residents.” Mayor Steve Adler said, “There’s been a remarkable change in the EMS during your tenure and I want to express my personal appreciation as well.” According to a memo from Assistant City Manager Rey Arellano, Rodriguez improved working conditions and work schedules for his employees, created innovative response programs to address unique challenges, including the motorcycle medic program and the paramedic and mental health crisis teams. Rodriguez was twice named administrator of the year by the Texas Department of State Health Services and EMS manager of the year by the National EMS Management Association. Assistant EMS Chief Jasper Brown has been appointed as interim chief.

Summer is drawing nearer and the parks department’s Aquatics Division still doesn’t have enough lifeguards to staff Austin’s many swimming pools and aquatic programs. The division has 150 lifeguards, which is “only 20 percent of its needed 750 lifeguard force,” according to a news release. The city froze its hiring of lifeguards last year due to the pandemic and only resumed hiring in March 2021. Though training has restarted, it isn’t possible to train in high enough numbers due to the ongoing need for social distancing. The upshot is, “The Aquatics Division does not have enough lifeguards to open all of the pools that would normally open at the beginning of June.” So, pools will “operate with modified hours and capacity” until enough lifeguards “can be trained, certified and hired.” Apply to be a lifeguard here.

The Central Texas Counties Vaccine Collaborative drive-thru clinic is looking for volunteers to help administer the Covid vaccine. The clinic, located at the Travis County Expo Center at 7311 Decker Lane, operates Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Medical experience or fluency in a foreign language is desirable but not essential. Volunteers also help with checking people in, answering questions and observation. Find more information about volunteering here.

Austin ISD is holding a virtual gala to give accolades to district employees and present awards in several categories, including top librarian, counselor and principal. The Salute Awards, an annual awards show co-hosted by the school district and Austin Partners in Education, “recognizes some of AISD’s outstanding team members and volunteers for their continued dedication to students in our schools,” according to the news release. “Outstanding teachers and staff will receive a virtual standing ovation for their continued dedication to student excellence and achievement.” The event will be livestreamed on the Austin ISD Facebook page and AISD.TV. Thursday, May 20, 6:30 p.m.

Michael Gates, who has worked in Austin’s real estate department since 2002, has taken over as interim real estate officer since Alex Gale has accepted a job with the Austin Transit Partnership. Most recently, Gates was the Real Estate Services program manager. According to a memo from Assistant City Manager Rodney Gonzales, “During his time with Real Estate Services, he has successfully managed the acquisition of real estate interests for over $1 billion in capital improvement program projects. Notable real estate projects he has managed include the Austin Clean Water Program, the South IH-35 Water/Wastewater Program, Watershed Protection Department’s multiple Flood Buyout programs, and the 2016 Mobility Program. Under Michael’s management, the real estate acquisition component of the Austin Clean Water Program was recognized as one of the Top 10 American infrastructure projects of the past 75 years by the International Right of Way Association.”

If you’re familiar with the Vision Zero initiative, you know that Austin has been struggling to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes. Now the Vision Zero program has released a report describing its efforts over the past two years as well as “progress made in crash data analysis and management, safety improvements, communications campaigns, local partnerships and next steps for the program.” While any progress in this area is commendable, as the city acknowledges, “there is a long way to go for Austin to reach its goal of zero.” View the report.

Shoal Creek Conservancy and Austin Parks and Recreation are partnering up to create a self-guided audio walking tour of the Shoal Creek watershed. Ivey Kaiser, SCC’s executive director, said in a news release, “We have heard lots of requests for an audio walking tour along Shoal Creek, and with the limitations of organizing group tours over the past year, we decided that it’s a great time to create this free, digital resource for folks who want to see and learn about the historically significant spaces along Shoal Creek without necessarily attending a group event.” SCC is inviting community members to participate and contribute their own stories of the area’s rich history. “We want this tour to represent the diversity of the communities who lived along Shoal Creek and tell stories of the events that happened long before our time,” Kaiser said. “Input from the Austin community will be critical for an interesting, well-rounded tour that amplifies all voices.” If you have family stories or know historic details about Shoal Creek, fill out the Public Input Survey, available through June 7.

Now that the FDA has authorized the Pfizer Covid vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, Austin ISD is encouraging families of sixth- through ninth-graders to get their students vaccinated. The school district is asking families to get the vaccine through their family physician or pharmacy, and if those are not available, at an AISD pop-up clinic. Alexandra Copeland, director of AISD health services, said, “With this authorization, our middle and high school students will be able to walk into their classrooms next year knowing they have the best protection from Covid-19 possible. Vaccines have been the game-changer in our fight against Covid-19, and now more students will have access to this life-saving shot.”

Austin Parks Foundation’s It’s My Park Day is returning this summer as a weeklong hybrid event from June 5-13, giving Austinites the chance to “engage with, learn about and give back to local parks from the comfort of their homes or complete individual, outdoor park cleanups and activities in their neighborhoods.” There are many virtual events planned for the week and a limited number of in-person projects offered on Saturday, June 12, at nearly 30 parks across the city. Volunteers can weed at Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, pick up trash at Walnut Creek Greenbelt or mulch at Zilker Botanical Garden, among other opportunities. Find a full list of projects and a FAQ about the event on the Austin Parks Foundation website.