There are traditional rodeos with bucking broncos and calf roping (not that we approve of that) and then there’s a whole different kind of rodeo that involves animated discussions about land use and development standards. Yee-haw! Bastrop is holding a Building Bastrop Code Update Rodeo, a final opportunity for its citizens to weigh in before the city crafts its draft development codes for review by the Planning & Zoning Commission. According to the announcement, “These discussions will ultimately lead to the adoption of new land-use regulations that are locally made, geographically sensitive and fiscally sustainable.” All are welcome. Thursday, May 9, 3-8 p.m. at the Bastrop Opera House, 711 Spring St., Bastrop.

Transportation lessons from Austin’s past can shine a light on the mobility challenges of today. That’s the focus of “Off the Rails: Austin’s Commuter Future,” a summit hosted by the Austin History Center and featuring a panel of transportation experts including Austin Transportation, Austin Energy, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Air Central Texas and Commute Solutions. Participants will discuss the transportation challenges Austin faces and present possible solutions. The event is part of the History’s Center’s exhibit on the history of the streetcar in Austin. As the center’s press release says, “Issues that may seem as modern as conflict with ride-hailing companies, electric light rail, mobility and transportation can find their origins in the story of the streetcars. The historical narrative provided by this exhibit will offer a depth of context for a conversation featuring the organizations providing the services and structure that support mobility in our city.” Saturday, May 11, 2 p.m., at the Austin History Center, 810 Guadalupe St. RSVP on Facebook.

Today’s the day! The final results of an investigation into the public health impacts of dockless electric scooters will be announced at 10 a.m. The investigation is the result of a collaboration between Austin Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those who cannot wait for our coverage can watch the press conference live on Facebook.

Today, Austin City Council will reconvene at a special called meeting to continue (and hopefully, finish) the discussion on the Land Development Code rewrite. The discussion is a continuation of the one that began last Thursday – Council members are now deciding on the direction the new code rewrite will take in terms of scope, housing capacity, housing types, compatibility standards, and parking requirements. Council will meet at 1 p.m. today at City Hall. According to a post by Mayor Steve Adler on the City Council Message Board, “As we’re picking up where we left off last week, and may only have three or four hours to complete our work, I would not anticipate taking any public testimony on Thursday, unless it is the will of the Council otherwise.” New amendments proposed can also be found on the message board, and items flagged for discussion, maps and more can be found here.

It’s springtime and the air is balmy, so there’s really no reason not to dust off your bicycle, pump up the tires, buckle on a helmet, and pedal off into the wild blue yonder. For those who may need additional encouragement, May is Bike Month and Austin Transportation has dreamed up a multitude of ways to get those human-powered wheels turning:

• Organize a group of friends to ride to school together for Bike to School Day, May 8.
• Commute to work on two wheels for Bike to Work Day, May 17. Bike Austin hosts this event, sponsored by the city, that features 40 fueling stations offering free coffee and munchies.
• Want to meet like-minded folks? Smart Trips Austin is trying to reduce drive-alone trips by encouraging groups of people to bike and use public transit together. Because everything’s more fun when you do it with a buddy.
• Check out the city’s online bike map to help plan bike-friendly trip routes.

The Austin Independent School District has become the first school district in Texas to commit to buying food that is healthy, equitable and sustainably grown. In February, the district adopted the Good Food Purchasing Program, a framework of five core food system values that include strong local economies, environmental sustainability, worker rights, animal welfare and nutrition. Anneliese Tanner, executive director of food services, said, “With the Good Food Purchasing Program we saw the potential for helping the district advance its mission of supporting the achievement of all students by expanding food access, serving healthy tasty meals, and providing learning opportunities about nutrition, cultural food-ways, and the food system.” AISD serves up to 75,000 meals a day and has a $13 million annual food budget. The program will positively impact students, staff, food vendors, farmers and other stakeholders in the system.

The House State Affairs Committee is scheduled to take up a series of bills that threaten paid sick leave ordinances. Senate bills 2485, 2486, 2487 and 2488 are expected to be taken up in the morning. The bills’ opponents – including Council Member Greg Casar – have planned a rally on the west steps of the Texas Capitol (weather permitting) in support of paid sick time legislation recently passed in both Austin and Dallas. More information about the rally can be found here.

At the last City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza took offense to Council Member Leslie Pool’s invocation of flooding concerns in an email Pool had sent to her constituents about the Land Development Code rewrite. Yesterday, Pool released a series of amendments addressing her concerns more precisely, to be discussed at this Thursday’s special called meeting that will continue work on the rewrite. Pool’s three amendments tackle impervious cover, flood plain regulations based on the Atlas 14 study and direction to the city manager to report on how code revisions “affect existing environmental regulations, understanding that the goal of the Council is to preserve, or increase, our current level of environmental protections.” They can be read in their entirety here.

The Central Texas chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar International has conferred its 2018 Woman of the Year award on Dee Anne Heath, director of external affairs at the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority. Heath was recognized for being an “outstanding role model and having contributed to the advancement of women and minorities in the transportation industry,” according to the press release. Each year, WTS celebrates one woman “who exemplifies the mission and values of furthering equality in the workplace for women, and advancing women in transportation across all disciplines. WTS recognized Dee Anne with this award based on her leadership and contributions, and her efforts to advance the reputation and credibility of women in transportation.” Under Heath’s guidance, Mobility Authority launched MoveFWD, a Workforce Collaborative of Central Texas, a program that advances “the unemployed, underemployed, women, and minorities, while filling critical employment gaps.” Said Heath, “This award is such an honor and meaningful achievement in my career. I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing women and men throughout my career who have provided me with access to opportunities, mentoring, and guidance. I endeavor to provide that same support to the individuals I work with, in the hopes of continually creating an environment that fosters the growth and success of strong women.”

Each year, the Austin Chamber honors businesses that excel in a dozen categories, from the fundamental (Customer Experience) to the novel (Homegrown Consumer Packaged Goods) to the distinctive (Uniquely Austin). The winning businesses are selected by an independent panel of judges (except for the Uniquely Austin winner, which is selected by public voting from a list of finalists chosen by the judges). The deadline for nominations for the 19th Annual Greater Austin Business Awards is Friday, May 24, and the award ceremony, which is open to all nominees, finalists and the general public, is held Aug. 21 at the JW Marriott Austin, 110 E. Second St. To learn more about the 12 categories or to nominate your business, visit the chamber’s website.

Two conservative think tanks have sued the city of Austin for paying leaders of public safety unions to do union business on city time. The Texas Public Policy Foundation in Austin and the Goldwater Institute, based in Phoenix, joined by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, will seek a summary judgment in their favor in Travis County District Court on Wednesday. They argue that the city’s agreement with the Austin Firefighters Association violates the Texas Constitution. By extension, that argument would apply to leaders of the Austin Police Association and the Austin-Travis County EMS Association. The Goldwater Institute tried unsuccessfully to stop Phoenix law enforcement officers and other public safety union representatives from receiving payment for their union work. However, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the “release time” provisions in their collective bargaining agreements were not a violation of that state’s constitution. In Texas, the plaintiffs are retired attorney Mark Pulliam and Jay Wiley, who made an unsuccessful bid for the District 47 House seat and for City Council District 6. Craig Deats, who represents the Austin Firefighters Association, noted that any decision made Wednesday will ultimately wind up at the Texas Supreme Court.

The city’s Music and Entertainment Division will be taking applications next month for a new grant program dubbed “Tip the Band.” All local performing musicians are encouraged to apply to the new program, which aims to address affordability concerns for the community. According to a press release from the city, “Through the use of new technology – a digital tipping vessel – artists can collect digital tips from fans using a debit and/or credit card within seconds …. The Music & Entertainment Division will grant 10 local musicians or bands with one tipping vessel through a competitive application and panel review process. Grantees will utilize the vessels to collect digital tips at live performances for a six-month period, for all local and traveling shows. Selected musicians will be required to market and promote their use of the ‘Tip the Band’ program alongside a promotional campaign by the Music & Entertainment Division. Following a six-month evaluation period, and upon submitting a final report, the band may continue utilizing the vessel to collect tips.” Applications should be submitted by May 31 and selected artists will be announced on June 14. More information and applications can be found on the city’s website.