It’s no secret that Austin city pools are on life support. Last month, City Council put off a vote on the dense and troubling Aquatic Master Plan. Instead, Council members created a task force to take a closer look at a plan that was nearly four years in the making. The task force will be […]
Jessi Devenyns
Posted inParks
Whose job it is to provide recycling in Austin parks?
Austin’s Universal Recycling Ordinance mandates that by Oct. 1, all commercial properties in Austin will be required to provide recycling. However, open spaces, including public parks, are not included in the current ordinance, which leaves the Parks and Recreation Department wondering how it will provide recycling to the 20,000 acres that it manages. For Fiscal […]
Posted inWhispers
Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District improving data management
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors is vetting third parties to help it develop an integrated groundwater data management and reporting system. Since March, the board has worked to narrow down the candidature from nine applicants to two firms that could be granted in-depth interviews. The first round of interviews took place […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin will soon become stronger and healthier
Austin’s underserved communities are about to become healthier. Stronger Austin is a health initiative that strives to offer equitable access to services that promote health within historically marginalized communities. Districts 1 through 4 are the first on the list to receive services from this program. Although the program has not yet launched, Baker Harrell, the […]
Posted inCity Hall
Equity Office asks city to look through a new lens
In the fall of 2016, the city of Austin readjusted its rudder and straightened itself on a course toward equity. Ten months ago, Brion Oaks stepped in as the chief equity officer of the newly established Equity Office, which is a dedicated city-funded effort to eradicate disparities in Austin. The Equity Office stems from City […]
Posted inEnvironment
Concerned citizens and commissioners display disapproval at SOS amendments
On Wednesday night, it was standing room only at the Environmental Commission meeting as concerned citizens gathered to express their dissent over the Watershed Protection Department’s seven proposed amendments to the current Land Development Code. Six of these stand-alone amendments were part of a collection of 47 amendments to the development code that were presented […]
Posted inWhispers
Barton Springs may get new flood controls in the near future
Mike Cannatti, who is part of the Barton Springs Conservancy Capital Campaign Steering Committee, addressed the Environmental Commission to alert them that the city is nearing a junction at which point they will need to address a long-term plan to improve water flow at Barton Springs Pool. As part of the 2008 Barton Springs Master […]
Posted inEnvironment
Watershed Protection reports on youth outreach successes
Just as it does every year, the Watershed Protection Department came to present a summary of its Youth Education outreach program to the Environmental Commission. Susan Wall, who is the department’s conservation program coordinator, on Wednesday updated the commissioners on what she considered an impressive school year. The department reached out to 109 of the […]
Posted inWater
Austin Water will not be raining down new rate increases in 2018
For the first time in 15 years, Austin Water Utility will not be increasing its rates. On Aug. 9, Austin Water presented its $614.8 million Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget proposal to the Water and Wastewater Commission for approval. Joseph Gonzales, the utility budget and finance manager at Austin Water, began on a high note when he […]
Posted inEnvironment
City puts environmental inequity under the lens
Austin’s first chief equity officer has hit the ground running. Last year, Brion Oaks took the position as head of the new Equity Office, and he is now hard at work introducing an “equity lens” intended to focus city departments and commissions on serving all of Austin’s populations effectively and fairly. In April, when the […]
Posted inEnvironment
City discusses the future of Austin waterways in the face of zebra mussel infestation
The city needs to batten down the hatches and get ready for the zebra mussel invasion, according to Liz Johnston, environmental program coordinator for the Watershed Protection Department. On Wednesday, Johnston brought the Environmental Commission up to speed on the forecasted consequences of the new zebra mussel population found in the waters of Lake Travis. […]