The Ethics Review Commission, which was scheduled to consider a complaint against former interim City Manager Jesús Garza, adjourned without action Wednesday night. Although five members of the commission were present and ready to hear the complaint regarding alleged violations of the city’s standards of conduct rules, the commission’s rules require six members to convene and take action. The complaint was filed by Brian Molloy, chief of investigations at the Office of the City Auditor, following an Austin Chronicle article outlining what the writer alleged was a violation of city regulations related to how much money a manager can authorize spending without City Council approval. Garza hired two former city employees – Laura Huffman and Joe Canales – to deal with city crises, which he said were unprecedented. Garza has denied any wrongdoing, telling the Austin Monitor, “In early 2023, the City of Austin faced an emergency – with multiple unprecedented crises and challenges highlighted in 2021 and 2022 City Auditor reports, including the aftermath of recent winter storms, issues with our 911 call center and the need to restore public confidence in city departments. It was essential to have the right expertise, so in the essence of time, I brought two highly skilled former City of Austin employees to address and solve these issues effectively.”

In addition, Garza said, “I believe this report and the allegations unfortunately overlook the urgency of the situation, and the valuable work done by these dedicated professionals.” Molloy said Thursday that he hopes the complaint will be heard at the next Ethics Review Commission meeting, which is slated for March 26.

Former District 7 City Council candidate Adam Powell has been named as the new executive director of the Austin History Center Association. According to a press release about the appointment, “Powell brings a unique blend of community engagement and digital storytelling to the role. His appointment also marks a historic milestone as AHCA’s first Black Executive Director.” Powell focuses on Austin history on TikTok and has served on the North Shoal Creek Association and the board of the SAFE Alliance. Powell will oversee the operations and community engagement of the association in his new role and focus on expanding its digital presence. “I am honored to join the Austin History Center Association as Executive Director,” said Powell in a statement to the press. “Austin’s history is a tapestry of diverse stories, and I look forward to working with the community to preserve and share these narratives. Together, we will ensure that the past continues to inform and inspire our future.”

An opportunity to provide feedback on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) examining the potential for negative impacts of Project Connect’s planned light rail expansion on the city’s citizens, critters and environment ends March 11. The DEIS was previously reported on by the Austin Monitor and reporting partner KUT. Jennifer Pyne, executive vice president for planning, community and federal programs with the Austin Transit Partnership, encouraged Austinites to submit comments before the deadline during a presentation to the Mobility Committee of Council on Feb. 20. Residents interested in submitting comments can call the ATP at 512-710-2100., email input@atpx.org or use the online portal. The ATP is obligated by law to reply to all comments.

The phone number in this whisper has been corrected. 

In about a month, Deep Eddy Pool will close for its annual spring cleaning and maintenance to get ready for the summer. The pool will be closed from Saturday, March 29, through Friday, April 18. Luckily, Austinites can visit Big Stacy, Bartholomew, Springwoods or Barton Springs pools during Deep Eddy’s hiatus from the public. For information about operating hours, visit AustinTexas.gov/Pools.

Austin ISD has formed a new Girls Flag Football League, which is set to take the field this spring, with a little help from the Dallas Cowboys. According to a press release from the district, each AISD high school will have a team in the league, and AISD is one of 11 districts to partner up with the Cowboys. A championship will take place in May at Frisco’s Ford Center. “The life lessons and values these young ladies will learn from the game of football extend well beyond touchdowns and teamwork,” said Dallas Cowboys co-owner and chief brand officer Charlotte Jones in a statement to the press. “We are also thrilled that with girls’ flag football becoming an emerging sport at the collegiate level, the game can now provide these young women a path to continuing their education at a higher level as well.”

Mayor Kirk Watson is recommending a delay on new short-term rental regulations, pending action at the state Legislature on the topic. “In my view, we are not ready to make some of the key decisions and won’t be by Thursday. For me, I want us to be in consistent dialogue with leaders at the Capitol regarding the best approaches to addressing regulation of STRs. Additionally, I would like to see the City moving on licensing improvements and making the cost more in line with peer cities before instituting a new regulatory scheme. And, there are legal concerns that I would like answered,” wrote Watson in a post on the City Council Message Board. To that end, he recommends that Council move forward with a vote to move STR regulations from the Land Development Code with changes to the actual policy on hold for the meantime, leaving current regulations in place while details are worked out with the state. As for the related item on Hotel Occupancy Tax collection, Watson was agnostic and open to moving forward or pushing for a delay on Thursday.

Along with new regulations that will make it illegal to park in bike lanes, block an electric vehicle charging station or block special-event rights of way, the city will also be increasing parking fines. Starting March 1, parking in an intersection, parking within 30 feet of a stop sign and nonpayment in metered spaces will earn scofflaws a fine of $75. In terms of the new violations, over the next three months, the city will work on educating the public and will distribute only educational materials and warnings when violations take place.

On Thursday, City Council will consider changes to the city’s short-term rental ordinance, which regulates the temporary rental of homes in the city. The changes, which have already been through the Planning Commission, aim to bring STRs into compliance by making the licensing process easier and enforcement of nonlicensed properties effective. Council Member Mike Siegel posted on the City Council Message Board that he will be bringing forward an amendment that would “cap the percentage of units that can be used for short-term rentals at multifamily residential properties at one STR, or 3% of total units, whichever is greater.” A cap of 25 percent for larger properties with four or more units had previously been considered. “The rationale for this amendment is to prevent displacement of renters at multifamily properties. In particular, my concern, shared by advocates for Austin tenants, is that proliferation of STRs at multifamily properties will lead to rising rents and increased economic pressure on working Austinites,” Siegel wrote. “This amendment is consistent with the proposed findings of fact in support of the STR ordinance … including proposed finding of fact #5: ‘when housing units are utilized solely as STRs, those housing units are no longer available as long-term housing for residents, which can impact housing affordability, neighborhood dynamics, and the quiet enjoyment of one’s home.'”

Matt Mackowiak, who has served as chair of the Travis County Republican Party since 2017, has announced he is stepping down from that post immediately. In a news release, Mackowiak said, “There is a season for everything, and this past weekend my wife Amy and I decided that our most important goals are starting a family and creating financial security. These wonderful opportunities deserve my complete focus and so as we begin a new year, I believe it is a good time for a transition to new leadership at TCRP.” He said the county party raised and spent $250,000 in the 2024 calendar year.

Last spring, Mackowiak threw his hat in the ring to lead the Texas Republican Party, but lost to Abraham George, the right-wing former chair of the Collin County GOP. In fact, Mackowiak endorsed all the other candidates in the race, while specifically naming George as the one person he did not want to see elected. George won that election.

In addition to being TCRP chair, Mackowiak successfully worked to reinstate Austin’s camping ban as co-chair of Save Austin Now. He told the Austin Monitor he would continue as co-chair and noted that his co-chair is Steven Brown, a Democrat. The organization is currently involved in a lawsuit over the city’s enforcement of that ban. The group was not successful in a 2021 attempt to increase the ranks of Austin’s police department.

This weekend is a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the historical museum honoring Susanna Dickinson, one of the few survivors of the Battle of the Alamo and a messenger after its fall. A family-friendly celebration will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at the Susanna Dickinson Museum, 411 East 5th St., with live music and activities focused on Texas history. “The event will honor Susanna Dickinson’s legacy and the stories of Texan women throughout history,” according to a news release from the city. “Visitors can step back in time at an Old West photo booth and spend time at a craft station where attendees can create mini fabric flags inspired by the remarkable women who created historic Texas flags and the ‘Descendants of the Alamo’ quilt.” For more event details, visit the museum website.

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking public input on its Regional Safety Action Plan, a comprehensive effort to enhance roadway safety across Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Travis and Williamson counties. The plan aims to address traffic safety concerns and develop strategies to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities in the region. Residents can share their feedback through Friday, March 14, by participating in an online open house and attending any of the seven upcoming public engagement events. Information on these events and links to related materials are available online. In addition to in-person events, CAMPO is offering an online survey where community members can provide input on roadway safety issues and review key elements of the plan. The survey is available at campo-rsap.com.

City Council is accepting applications for the five-member Municipal Civil Service Commission, which oversees appeals of disciplinary actions for covered city employees. The open position will fill an unexpired term through May 2027, with potential consideration for a full three-year term through May 2028. Commissioners typically commit 20 hours per month to their duties in the volunteer position, with hearings scheduled twice per month and lasting a full business day. To qualify, applicants must be:

• A city of Austin resident
• A qualified voter of the city
• Preferably experienced in human resources, labor relations or labor/employment law

Ineligible applicants include current city of Austin employees and those required to register as lobbyists under city code. Interested candidates can apply online through the city of Austin Boards and Commissions portal. Applications remain open until the positions are filled, and selected candidates may be interviewed by the City Council Audit & Finance Committee. For more information on the Municipal Civil Service Commission, visit the city’s website.