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Whispers
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Is your RSS feed missing something?
Don’t forget: You can get your Austin Monitor Radio fix anytime by RSS feed. To subscribe through iTunes, click on “File” and “Subscribe to Podcast,” then input this URL: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:99749768/sounds.rss. If you’re old-school, you can also just listen to KOOP Radio, 91.7FM, on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. to get your deep-dive into local government and politics.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
RideScout adds shuttles to downtown route
Transportation app RideScout is expanding its downtown circulator service, which offers free rides along a fixed route from the Convention Center to Republic Square Park, running west on Eighth and Sixth streets and returning east on Fifth and Second streets. Although the route is fixed, the stops are not. Riders can flag down RideShare vehicles anywhere along the way. Currently in its pilot phase, the service initially provided rides in open-air electric cabs – now, through a partnership with R&R Limo and Bus, it will be adding air-conditioned 20-passenger shuttles in order to accommodate more riders. The shuttle runs every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays during the three busiest times of day: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Working group foresees equitable development of ‘Eastern Crescent’
On Monday, Mayor Steve Adler posted an update on the City Council Message Board regarding a new working group that was formed to “develop a holistic, equitable economic development plan” for East Austin. The group was created in the wake of Council’s postponement in May – prompted by Adler – of a decision regarding development of a PGA-style golf course at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. In his post, Adler writes that the group plans to develop short- and long-term goals that will “address equity, access and the economic segregation” in Austin and “redress historic, systemic inequities and benign neglect in the ‘Eastern Crescent’ of our city.” Along with Adler, the group includes Council Members Ora Houston of District 1; Pio Renteria, District 3; Leslie Pool, District 7 and Ellen Troxclair, District 8. Adler writes that although the group has not strictly defined the Eastern Crescent’s bounds, it “certainly includes parts of the following Districts: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7.” So far, Adler wrote, the group has held two meetings, one of which involved more than 50 people, and it is now preparing for a broader community meeting on Sept. 12. Ahead of that meeting, the group is reaching out to “200+ people who represent neighborhoods, education, nonprofits, faith communities, business and government” with a set of questions. To weigh in on those questions or to learn more about the working group, see Adler’s post.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
KittyPalooza breaks records, melts hearts
Last weekend’s KittyPalooza oversaw a record-breaking number of cat and kitten adoptions at the Austin Animal Center. In its eighth year, the event – like any Austin festival worth its salt – lasted through the weekend with temperatures approaching 100 degrees. These conditions didn’t deter die-hard fans, who were apparently content that in lieu of waving lighters, there would be waiving of adoption fees. Adoptive parents showed up prepared with KittyPalooza Backstage Passes to expedite the adoption process, and according to an announcement from the city of Austin, 196 animals went home with new families.
Monday, July 20, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Backseat auditors welcome
The mysteries of auditing will soon be made clear thanks to a public information session hosted City Auditor Corrie Stokes. She will explain why audits happen and how they affect the city of Austin and its residents. As the newly appointed city auditor, Stokes will also be sharing her goals for the department — of which she is a 15-year veteran — fielding questions and seeking input about citizen priorities for the 2016 Audit Plan. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 21, at City Hall, in the Boards and Commissions room, 11 a.m. to noon. Those who can’t make it to the meeting are also welcome to submit ideas online about which city departments or activities should be audited and which city programs need improvement.
Monday, July 20, 2015 by Courtney Griffin
CapMetro contracts point to growth
The Capital Metro Planning, Safety and Operations Committee did a good deal of foreshadowing July 13 regarding its future projects. Committee members unanimously placed $8.3 million in professional services contracts on the July 27 consent agenda. CapMetro’s two-year, $2 million pending contract with Freese and Nichols Inc. and Aken Industries is for construction observation work. According to Dottie Watkins, vice president of bus and paratransit services, CapMetro utilizes independent observers to better ensure that its construction projects comply with federal, state and local codes. CapMetro also introduced a $5 million engineering services contract for design and general infrastructure improvement work on its railroad and other transportation projects. HNTB Corp. and Huitt-Zollars Inc. are recommended for the five-year contract. A $1.3 million contract for professional real estate services is in the works as well. Board members will soon consider a two-year base contract modification with HDR Inc. for real estate services. The services will go toward CapMetro’s Plaza Saltillo development, an 11-acre site just east of I-35 in downtown Austin. This is CapMetro’s largest development project and could result in as many as 800 apartments as well as shops and a grocery store on the now-vacant lot that surrounds a MetroRail stop.
Monday, July 20, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
TxDOT seeks input on project at I-35 and Riverside Drive
The Texas Department of Transportation is hosting an open house on Tuesday, July 21, to share information and gather input about improvements proposed for the intersection of I-35 and Riverside Drive. Several projects are under consideration, including widening of the I-35 bridges over Lady Bird Lake, the addition of collector-distributor lanes under the Riverside Drive bridge, construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, replacement of crossings at Riverside Drive and Woodland Avenue, and other modifications. Among the projects’ goals are increased safety and improved traffic flow during peak hours. The meeting will be held in the Martin Middle School cafeteria, 1601 Haskell St., from 5:30 to 7 p.m. All public commentary submitted by Aug. 3 will be part of the official record. More information is available here.
Monday, July 20, 2015 by Courtney Griffin
CapMetro to redo ACL agreeement
At Tuesday’s Planning, Safety and Operations Committee meeting, members reviewed an upcoming agreement to provide charterlike bus services to Auditorium Shores during the 2015 Austin City Limits Music Festival. The $400,000 agreement uses CapMetro buses and services with assistance from Transco Livery Services Inc. According to the agreement, CapMetro will charge ACL event producers its full operating cost, which is $110 per vehicle hour. Dottie Watkins, vice president of bus and paratransit services for CapMetro, said the agency will no longer be in charge of volunteers. In the past, it has trained and offered volunteer support to the event shuttles. In sad news for some volunteers, CapMetro also will not provide free event tickets to compensate volunteers for their services. Watkins said the transportation entity usually is not allowed to offer charter services because of Federal Trade Administration laws regulating public/private competition. It has for years, however, because of lack of interest from the private sector. The contract is set for final approval at the board’s July 27 regular meeting.
Friday, July 17, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Gallo campaign finance report available
City Council campaign finance reports were due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, but as the Austin Monitor reported yesterday, not all reports appeared on the city’s website right away. Today, the report from District 10 Council Member Sheri Gallo became available, and according to its time stamp – at 4:14 p.m. – it was filed on time. The report shows that Gallo tallied $2,831.22 in total political expenditures, with $174 coming from personal funds. She has $7,471.90 remaining in her campaign account. As of Thursday evening, the report from District 5 Council Member Ann Kitchen had yet to appear on the city’s website. See yesterday’s story for more on the other Council members’ campaign finance reports.
Friday, July 17, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
City election clerk Ann Franklin leaves position
After 14 years with the city of Austin, elections clerk Ann Franklin will be leaving her position. Friends and colleagues planned a cake-and-punch gathering at City Hall yesterday afternoon to bid adieu to the city veteran. According to an email from Myrna Rios of the Office of the City Clerk, Franklin “played a key role in coordinating with outside entities on Elections, prepared Council meeting minutes, and managed Mayor and Council and Executive financial reporting.” Those who could not make it to yesterday’s gathering still have time to say goodbye. Franklin’s last day will be July 24.
Friday, July 17, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Search ensues for missing cobra
Following the death on July 14 of an 18-year-old man suspected to have been bitten by a cobra, a team of herpetologists will be joining with the Animal Protection Office to conduct a search for the snake. “We felt we needed to organize and conduct a proactive search in the interest of public safety,” said Animal Protection supervisor Mark Sloat. Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday morning, the team will be searching the area near the Lowe’s home improvement store at 13000 N. I-35. Although there have been no reports of the snake on the Lowe’s property, the store’s garden center will be closed during the search. According to a media advisory from the Austin Animal Center, the snake is “highly aggressive” with a “distinctive circle on its back and a tan underbelly.” Anyone who finds a snake of this description should avoid approaching it and instead call 911. Anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding this case or about the snake in particular, which reportedly belonged to the young man who died, is encouraged to call the APD Homicide Unit at 512-974-5210.
Friday, July 17, 2015 by Nora Ankrum
Shoal Creek Boulevard construction to divert traffic
North Austin travelers can expect significant traffic delays beginning on Saturday due to several detours and closures along Shoal Creek, between Allendale Road (FM 2222) and White Rock Drive. The route will be closed entirely to northbound traffic, which will be diverted to Burnet Road, and a press release from the Austin Water utility recommends that drivers and cyclists avoid the area altogether if possible. A 4,700-foot wastewater pipe buried under Shoal Creek Boulevard is to blame for the road closure. Austin Water will be rehabilitating the pipe and expects the project to last about three weeks. In the meantime, area residents will have access to neighborhoods along the route, according to AW, and there will be no disruption to water and wastewater service.