The Animal Advisory Commission is voting on a recommendation Monday for Austin to adopt a decentralized, foster home-based approach to animal services. Although the Austin Animal Center is considered an essential service by city ordinance, the shelter has had difficulties managing its continued intake of animals with fewer staff members and adopters. To combat this […]
Savana Dunning
Posted inWhispers
Downtown Commission adds seat for Public Safety commissioner
The Downtown Commission is amending its bylaws to add a member of the new Public Safety Commission to its roster. The Downtown Commission actually voted for this change in July, originally intending for the Public Safety commissioner to fill the long-empty seat set aside for a representative of the Music Commission, but the motion did […]
Posted inBudget
Animal Advisory Commission asks Council to unfreeze hiring for animal protection officers
The Animal Advisory Commission unanimously approved a recommendation for City Council to unfreeze hiring for certain Animal Services staff Monday. Currently, 12 full-time positions that had been budgeted for in the 2020 budget remain vacant in the Animal Services Department. Four of these are animal protection officers, who are responsible for protecting animals from abusive […]
Posted inAustin
Economic Development Department outlines plans for $12M creative space bond, creation of Austin EDC
The Economic Development Department outlined its plan for a $12 million creative space bond and a city-owned economic development corporation that could help it along at a joint meeting of the arts and music commissions Friday. The city launched a request for information on Aug. 27 as the first step in an effort to create city-owned creative […]
Posted inCity Council
New RISE 2.0 relief program offers $10M to individuals in Austin, Travis County
The city of Austin has expanded its original Covid-19 relief program and will be distributing a total of $10 million to individuals experiencing hardships in Austin and Travis County. Applications open Sept. 14 online and over the phone for the new Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) 2.0 program. Each household will be selected via […]
Posted inAustin
Music Commission asks city to recognize African American Cultural Heritage District, add multiuse arts theater
The Music Commission unanimously voted in support of a proposal to direct the city to formally recognize and develop amenities within the state-designated African American Cultural Heritage District in East Austin. The commission approved of the main bullet points of the drafted resolution. At the heart of the proposal is the establishment of a music […]
Posted inEnvironment
The Office of Sustainability releases draft Climate Equity Plan
The Sustainability Office released its new revised Climate Equity Plan for public comment Wednesday, with hopes to submit the plan to City Council in October. The 97-page document, which is available through the city’s engagement portal, outlines the Sustainability Office’s plans to decrease the city’s impact on the climate. The original plan, which was called […]
Posted inWhispers
Parks board member presents idea for multi-use skate parks
Parks and Recreation Board Member Rich DePalma presented an idea for the parks department to use spare park space, stormwater maintenance structures and freeway underpasses for wheeled sports parks. The concept marries the department’s long-range goal to invest in non-traditional sports such as skateboarding, derby, bocce ball and ultimate Frisbee, while potentially working to meet […]
Posted inParks
Municipal golf courses to phase out BYOB policy, negotiating concession vendor contracts
The Parks and Recreation Department announced it will be eliminating its bring-your-own-beer policy for municipally run golf courses, starting Oct. 1. PARD’s Golf ATX Division quietly updated its website and Twitter on Aug. 21 with a public notice informing golfers that municipal courses will slowly transition away from the BYOB policy in favor of offering […]
Posted inPublic Health
New Austin Public Health plan addresses Covid-19 disparities in Hispanic/Latinx community
Austin Public Health has revealed a new draft strategic plan to tackle disparities in Covid-19 cases in the city’s Hispanic/Latinx community. The plan, developed by the Hispanic/Latinx strike team within APH’s new Social Services Branch, is divided into four strategic goals: Outreach, Prevention, and Communication; Testing and Contact Tracing; Access to Quality Clinical Resources; and […]
Posted inTransportation
City adjusts underpass cleanup program in light of homeless displacement concerns
In light of concerns around homeless displacement, the Public Works Department is making adjustments to their underpass cleaning program. City Council approved an amended $575,000 contract with Relief Enterprises Inc. to clean underpasses and bridges at its July 29 special called meeting. Relief Enterprises originally did the work under the Texas Department of Transportation before […]
Posted inParks
Carver Museum expansion project enters planning process
The Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center is moving forward into the planning stages of an expansion project that’s been 22 years in the making. Austinites voted to approve the bond to fund updates, construction and expansion on the East Austin museum in 1998. The plan for the building process is broken into three […]