A public survey about the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) will be open until this Sunday, Nov. 24, so anyone with opinions on the plan is advised to head on over to the Virtual Open House to register them now. The initiative, which is expected to use $22 million in 2020 mobility bond dollars for its initial phase, includes a series of changes to Congress between Cesar Chavez and 11th streets that aim to make the street a “more human-centered, multimodal, complete street with a clear and attractive identity.” The project is expected to run about $130 million total, with funding for its entirety not yet established. Right now, the city is looking to move forward with the funded first phase that proposes a protected bikeway and transforming the area into a pedestrian plaza. The survey, and more information on the plans, can be found here.

Each month, the city hosts an Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up event in a different district, and this month’s is planned for 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina St., Austin, TX 78702. It’s a chance for folks to learn how to prepare for emergency situations like harsh winter weather, extreme heat, flooding or wildfires. Representatives from Austin’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management and others involved in emergency response will provide tips, information and supplies. The first 25 attendees will receive an emergency supply kit, with a limit of one per household. “Kits include items that can value over $100 including a backpack, lanterns, glow sticks, battery powered chargers, NOAA weather radios, Neighborhood Preparedness Guides, and items for kids and pets,” a news release from city states. For more information including a full event schedule, visit ReadyCentralTexas.org.

At a free event that is open to the public, new Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis will share her “100-day plan” on addressing Austin’s safety issues. Attendees can participate in a Q&A session following her presentation. The discussion – to be held from 7:30-9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at St. David’s Episcopal Church at 301 E. Eighth St., Austin, TX 78701 – will be hosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance. A complimentary breakfast will be provided. Because space is limited, RSVPs are encouraged. Registration is open via Eventbrite.

Austin residents are invited to a special “Climate ‘Train’ing” event on Nov. 16, hosted by Transit Forward, Environment Texas, the city of Austin’s Office of Sustainability and other partners. The event begins at 11:15 a.m. at Downtown Station and includes a train ride, educational presentations and a community discussion on climate change and its effects on the Austin area. Originally scheduled for September, the event aims to engage Austinites in climate action and sustainable transit solutions. Dev Niyogi, a professor at the University of Texas’ Jackson School of Geosciences, will deliver a presentation on the impacts of climate change in Central Texas and strategies for mitigation, emphasizing public transit’s role. Attendees will board the train at 11:34 a.m. and travel to Crestview Station, where a moderated discussion will follow at Black Star Co-op, concluding at 1 p.m. Capital Metro is offering 30 free train passes for participants, though attendees are responsible for their own fares and lunch. Registration is encouraged, and additional details are available by emailing bill@transitforward.org.

Former Mayor Steve Adler and Miguel Arellano, TxDOT’s deputy district engineer for the Austin area, will be among the locally focused speakers presenting during the Smart Cities Connect fall conference that will take place Dec. 3-5 at the JW Marriott Austin hotel downtown. The conference will feature more than 150 panelists and experts involved in breakout sessions, keynotes and innovation challenges, with much of the programming focused on four key topics: digital transformation, urban operations, urban infrastructure and community engagement. Registration is available online.

Austin Chamber’s annual Economic Outlook luncheon will look at the business prospects – including larger businesses – for the Austin region following the recent presidential election, and will also look at the city’s ongoing affordability issues. The featured speaker will be Alan McKnight, executive vice president and chief investment officer for Regions Bank. The affordability panel discussion will include Monica Medina, president and CEO of Texas Housing Conservancy, and Ann Huff Stevens, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 2 at Four Seasons Hotel Austin. Registration is available online.

Austin has unveiled the three finalists for the new director of its Parks and Recreation Department and is holding a meet-and-greet event Wednesday, Nov. 13, so that Austinites can meet them in person. The finalists, whose full bios can be read here, are:

• Jesús Aguirre, who has served as CEO of the Waterloo Greenway, and currently serves as board chair of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and the Children and Nature Network (C&NN). Aguirre has a background in education and has also worked as “a middle school science teacher, a public charter school co-founder and co-director, a school district level administrator, and ultimately as chief state school officer for the District of Columbia,” according to a press release from the city.
• Oscar Carmona, who most recently served as COO for Houston’s Hermann Park Conservancy and has also worked as the director of the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and assistant director for Dallas’ Park and Recreation Department. According to the press release from the city, he “currently serves as chair of the board for the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and the chair of the board of the Children and Nature Network (C&NN) and is a member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. ”
• Angela Means, who is the current interim director of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department and has additionally held executive-level jobs at Austin’s Housing, Development Services, and Code departments. “Means’ professional journey also includes significant contributions to the City of San Diego, where she held pivotal roles in the Department of Finance and the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst,” according to the press release.

The meet and greet will take place at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30) at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Center, located at 808 Nile St., Austin, TX 78702.

This whisper has been updated to reflect the fact that Robert Brent Dennis is no longer a finalist and Oscar Carmona has taken his place.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area will hold a hiring event focused on area veterans at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex on Hargrave Street in District 1. The Red, White & You job fair has more than four dozen employers and hiring agencies signed up to find candidates for local jobs. Any prospective employers wishing to participate should contact a business consultant via email at wfsbst@wfscapitalarea.com. The event is open to the public from noon to 1 p.m., though veterans will have priority access from opening time until noon. More info is available online.

Those running for office and their supporters will have plenty of venues to chose from on Tuesday night. The Travis County Democratic Party, in collaboration with the Harris/Walz Campaign and local Democratic clubs, will host an Election Night Watch Party from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos St. They are expecting numerous local officials to be there.

The Travis County Republican Party will host an Election Night Watch Party at Golfinity, 12332 N. FM 620, Bldg. B.

Mayoral race

Mayor Kirk Watson is hosting his election watch party at El Arroyo, 1624 W. Fifth St., starting at 7:30 p.m.

Kathie Tovo and her supporters will be gathering at Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd., beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tovo will likely arrive closer to 7:30 because she will be speaking with voters at the polls until they close.

Carmen Llanes Pulido will host a party at El Mesón Tequilería, 2038 S. Lamar Blvd., starting at 6:30 p.m.

Doug Greco and his supporters will gather at BBG’s Sports Bar, 214 E. Sixth St., starting at 6 p.m.

Jeffery Bowen did not return a call from the Austin Monitor.

District 2

Council Member Vanessa Fuentes will be at her own party at Radio/East, 3504 Montopolis Drive, from 7 to 8 p.m. Then she will be joining other Democrats at their party downtown. Her opponent, Robert Reynolds, has not been campaigning.

District 4

Council Member Chito Vela will be hosting a party at Knomad Bar, 1213 Corona Drive, starting at 7 p.m.

Monica Guzmán and her supporters will be watching the election from Taco More, 9414 Parkfield Drive, starting at 7 p.m.

The other candidate, Louis Herrin, has not announced plans for a party.

District 6

Council Member Mackenzie Kelly will be at Pinballz at Lake Creek Mall at 13729 Research Blvd. She told the Monitor she “plans on riding in one of the go kart races while waiting for results.”

Her only opponent, Krista Laine, will host a party at the Avery Ranch Z’Tejas starting at 7 p.m.

District 7

Gary Bledsoe’s party will be at the Hideout Pub at 16164 MoPac Expressway.

Mike Siegel will be holding his election watch party at LaLa’s Little Nugget, 2207 Justin Lane, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Pierre Nguyen will hold a gathering at Le Bleu at 9070 Research Blvd. from 7-9 p.m.

Todd Shaw will be hosting a party at Billy’s on Burnet, 2105 Hancock Drive.

Adam Powell said he will not be having a public party.

Edwin Bautista did not respond to a query about his party.

District 10

Marc Duchen will be at Chinatown North on Greystone Drive starting at 7:30 p.m.

Ashika Ganguly will be at the Santa Rita Cantina, 1206 W. 38th St., starting at 6:30 p.m.

Today is Election Day, which means … a lot of things. One of those things, simply enough, is the suspension of all fares for all Capital Metro services in the hopes of offering easy, free access to the polls, which are open today from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. (and mapped below). To make things even easier, residents looking to use public transit to get to those polls can search out the closest voting location by searching “VOTE” in Capital Metro’s trip planner.

A public comment period will soon be open for the $14 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants awarded to Austin in Fiscal Year 2024. The comments are part of an evaluation of the city’s spending and planning to address the community’s critical housing and community development needs through what is known as a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). Residents can share feedback online, in person or via mail, email, phone or text from Nov. 19 through 5 p.m. Dec. 5. More information on how to access the CAPER and submit feedback can be found here.

Starting today, applications are being accepted for the City of Austin Housing Department’s I Belong In Austin rental assistance program. If you or anyone you know is struggling to pay rent or is at risk of eviction, you can check your eligibility and apply at www.austintexas.gov/rent. The program will be administered by El Buen Samaritano, which will prioritize applicants 50 percent or below AMI and provide financial assistance with rent, moving, storage and relocation costs for tenants at risk of eviction. As part of the 2024-2025 budget, City Council approved $3.6 million in funding for the IBIA program. “Rent assistance for low-income households is one of the first tools that cities can use to prevent displacement and homelessness,” stated Nefertitti Jackmon, the City’s Community Displacement Prevention Office. El Buen will work closely with the City, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA), Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) and Volunteer Legal Services (VLS) to provide eviction prevention support and emergency rental dollars to communities in need. Last year, the rental assistance program served approximately 1,700 households at an average of $5,265 per household, with $11.6 million allocated for the public launch of the IBIA program. As with past programs, recipients will be chosen using a lottery system to ensure equity in access. Residents who have applied for assistance in the past will need to resubmit an application – either online; in person at El Buen Samaritano at 7000 Woodhue Drive, Austin, TX, 78745; or by phone at 737-214-7406.