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Whispers
Thursday, July 30, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
City hosts meeting on Wooten Park Drive improvements
The Austin Transportation Department is seeking input on potential improvements to a short stretch of road on Wooten Park Drive, near the Wooten Neighborhood Park in North Austin. Upcoming routine maintenance – repaving and restriping – of the section from West Anderson Lane to Mullen Drive presents an opportunity for further improvements, such as installation of bike lanes. The Transportation Department is hosting an open house tonight to solicit input before finalizing any plans. The meeting will be held at North Village Branch Library, 2505 Steck Ave., from 6-7 p.m.
Thursday, July 30, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Council tackles city budget today
Today, City Council is set to tackle its budget process in earnest. Starting at 9:30 a.m., Council will hear the official budget forecast from the city’s Budget Office. Look for a special Austin Monitor budget story at 10:30 a.m. During this work session, Council will hear an overview of the General Fund Budget and discussion of major utilities and enterprise departments. Following that, budget staff will review the Capital Budget, tax rates and utility rates.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 by Courtney Griffin
AISD trustee Robert Schneider passes away
Austin Independent School District officials announced the death of school board member Robert Schneider, who passed away surrounded by his family Tuesday morning. Schneider was one of the longest-serving trustees on the current school board. He was elected to the board of trustees in 2002 and dedicated 13 years of service as the District 7 trustee. He served as chair of AISD’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee for Policy and Process Review for Site-Based Decision-Making. In 2013, he was elected to represent AISD as a member of the board of directors of the Texas Association of School Boards. Schneider retired from the University of Texas at Austin after 30 years of research in parallel computing systems. He was actively involved in the community, serving on numerous neighborhood, environmental and school committees and task forces. His primary interests included promoting academic achievement and studying models of board governance, according to a district press release. “AISD students and families were served well by Trustee Schneider’s vision and passion. Our school community has lost a great leader,” said AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz. Schneider is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and his four children, who graduated from AISD schools.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
Ethics Commission appoints officers
At their first meeting, Ethics Review commissioners opted to stick with what worked in the past and unanimously voted to elect Commissioner Austin Kaplan as chair and Commissioner Peter Einhorn as vice chair on Tuesday. Both Kaplan and Einhorn served in those capacities on the previous incarnation of the commission, and those who worked with them vouched for their continued service to the new members of the commission, who now make up a majority. “It’s not an easy job,” said Commissioner Donna Beth McCormick. “I think that all of you new members, your time will come. But you kind of need to see how it works.”
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
HLC punts officer elections
Like all of the incoming commissions, the Historic Landmark Commission took up the issue of officers at its first meeting Monday. But depleted ranks on the dais mean that it will do the same in the near future. Commissioner Arif Panju suggested that commissioners hold off on electing an official chair until all the members of the commission are appointed and present. The commission is currently two members short, and at Monday’s meeting, only six of the nine appointed members were present. Commissioners Terri Myers, Michelle Trevino and Grace McKenzie were absent. After a brief discussion, Panju’s fellow commissioners unanimously appointed returning commissioner Mary Jo Gallindo as acting chair for their first meeting, and they will address the matter again at the next meeting. As Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky pointed out, “You don’t know. Whoever is appointed acting chair tonight may never want to be the chair of this commission.” Commissioners also elected Commissioner David Whitworth as acting vice chair.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
PUD workshop this Thursday
This Thursday, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development will hold a work session to discuss proposed amendments to the city’s Planned Unit Development Density Bonus Program. The work session is an opportunity for staff to work with stakeholders and one another on addressing the affordable housing part of the PUD Ordinance and considering how it might change to require affordable housing to be on-site. The city asks that participants come prepared to draft recommendations at the meeting. More info about staff recommendations and the information from the first meeting can be found here. Thursday’s meeting will take place at 11:30 a.m. at 1000 East 11th St., Room 400A. RSVPs to the meeting can be emailed to Jessi Koch at jessi.koch@austintexas.gov.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Why aren’t you recycling more?
Efforts to cut waste in Austin have stalled in recent years, according to Austin Resource Recovery. In fact, more than half of recyclable materials in Austin are still getting thrown in the trash. A new survey from the group aims to find out why. “We recognize that this is a community problem and requires citizens’ participation,” said Austin Resource Recovery Director Bob Gedert in an announcement about the survey. “We are seeking insights from a diverse pool of residents and will report the lessons we learn and actions the City plans to take.” People who wish to participate can take the online survey or simply text their thoughts to 512-580-7778.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015 by Elizabeth Pagano
ADA celebrates 25 years
The Americans with Disabilities Act celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. To commemorate the milestone yesterday, the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services partnered with other Health and Human Services state agencies, stakeholders and community affiliates to host the ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony: “Empowerment, Independence, and Access for All.” According to a press release about the event, “Attendees viewed artwork of students from The Arc of the Capital Area and VSA Texas, and United Access provided demonstrations of modified vehicles and various assistive technologies that allow a person with a disability to drive.” In other ADA news, ADAPT Texas filed 14 lawsuits yesterday against local businesses (and food trucks) for failing to provide adequate access. The story was reported by the Austin American-Statesman, here.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Grant money available for home-repair nonprofits
Nonprofit organizations experienced in providing home repair and rehabilitation services may qualify for a grant from the Austin Housing Finance Corporation. The organization has announced the availability of $1.2 million in funding for nonprofits that participate in the Holly Good Neighbor Program. The program, which is available to low- and moderate-income homeowners affected by the Holly Power Plant, funds home repairs that address a set of issues defined by the program as Healthy Homes Housing Hazards. An individual house can qualify for a grant worth up to $20,000. According to the city of Austin’s announcement about the funding, the program also “seeks to remove logistical barriers between local organizations currently operating home repair programs, reduce or eliminate waiting lists, and build the capacity of local nonprofits to provide these specific types of home repairs for qualified people.” Applications are due on Aug. 10 by 3 p.m., and a meeting for applicants will be held ahead of the deadline at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3 at the office of the Austin Housing Finance Corporation. More information on eligibility requirements and the application process is available here.
Monday, July 27, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Tonight: Beers, Brains, Betterment and Imagine Austin
Austin Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin will moderate a discussion tonight on sustainable development and the role of city code as part of the Beers, Brains, and Betterment series. The panelists will include CodeNEXT Code Advisory Group member Jim Duncan, Austin planning watchdog Jeff Jack, AURA executive board member Steven Yarak and city of Austin CodeNEXT representative Matthew Lewis. The event takes place at the North Door, 502 Brushy St., 6:30-9 p.m. Beers, Brains, and Betterment is a monthly series of free discussions hosted by the Capital of Texas Media Foundation/Austin Monitor. To RSVP, go here.
Monday, July 27, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Entrance and exit trade roles in City Hall garage
Every day is now Opposite Day in the City Hall parking garage. Beginning today, the entrance and exit will be permanently switching roles in order to facilitate better traffic flow around City Hall. All traffic will enter the garage from Guadalupe Street (formerly the employee/contract entrance) and exit onto Lavaca Street. The switch comes after a month of preparation that included changes to the gates, signage, markings and pay stations in the garage. For those who like visual aids, a map of the new configuration is available here.
Monday, July 27, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
TxDOT, CTRMA host public hearing on MoPac improvements
The Texas Department of Transportation and Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority are hosting a public hearing this week regarding proposals for easing congestion on MoPac at the Slaughter Lane and La Cross Avenue intersection. The event – which takes place Thursday, July 30, in the Bowie High School cafeteria – begins with an open house at 5 p.m., followed by a technical presentation and public comment period at 6 p.m. A draft version of the Environmental Assessment of the proposed projects is available for review ahead of the meeting, both online and in print at the offices of TxDOT, 7901 N. I-35, and CTRMA, 3300 N. I-35, Suite 300. Public commentary on the project will be accepted via a virtual public hearing July 30 – Aug. 10.