The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center is expanding its facilities, and community members are invited to share their input to “help shape welcoming, inclusive spaces that reflect our community’s diverse cultural heritage and vision,” according to the city. Updates are listed in the Facility Expansion Plan, which City Council approved in 2021. According to the city, “Phase 1a will explore relocating the administrative area to a new upper level to expand the available area for community-centric programming near the main entry” and “Phase 1b focuses on outdoor spaces and site improvements that include outdoor classrooms, renovations of existing public restrooms, and a new flexible event lawn with a covered pavilion.” Austin Parks and Recreation will host an online kickoff community meeting 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, on Zoom (register here), and an in-person meeting is planned for 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Center, located at 1165 Angelina St. To keep up with project updates, sign up here.

Voters in City Council District 7 and those living within the boundaries of the Austin Independent School District will have the opportunity to vote early beginning today. The runoff election for the Council race and AISD at-large position 8 will be held on Dec. 14, but those who wish to cast their ballots early will be able to vote at any voting center in Travis County through Dec. 10. There are 20 early voting centers, which will each have a “Vote Here/Aqui” sign displayed, and they will be open today through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The final day of early voting is Tuesday, Dec. 10. For a list of early voting locations as well as election day voting centers, check the Travis County Clerk’s website. The District 7 race is between Gary Bledsoe and Mike Siegel. The AISD race is between Lindsey Stringer and Fernando Lucas de Urioste.

City Manager T.C. Broadnax has appointed Jesús Aguirre as the city’s new parks head. Aguirre was formerly the CEO of Waterloo Greenway and serves as chair of the National Recreation and Park Association and the Children and Nature Network. Aguirre previously worked for the parks and recreation departments of Seattle and the District of Columbia, and his hiring is the result of a national search. “I’m honored to join the Austin PARD team as we work to inspire Austinites to connect, protect, learn and play,” Aguirre said. “Austin is at a pivotal moment of growth and change, and parks and recreation are essential to ensuring our communities remain healthy, vibrant and inclusive. I am excited to work with our community members to create spaces where everyone can thrive.” He will start on Jan. 12.

The city has entered the design phase for the second phase of the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) improvements, focusing on a new pavilion in the great lawn area. The project, led by Capital Delivery Services and the Parks and Recreation Department, is intended to enhance the center’s role as a cultural and community hub. The pavilion will provide space for performances, programs and gatherings and offer the community a year-round venue for cultural and educational activities. Key features include a performance area, accessible facilities and infrastructure to support diverse events. A schematic overview of the pavilion will be presented to the city’s Design Commission on Dec. 9 to ensure alignment with the city’s Urban Design Guidelines and sustainability standards. The project is set to move from design to bidding and permitting in spring 2025, with construction anticipated to begin in winter 2025 and continue through summer 2026.

City business will slow this week while Austin administrative offices and other municipal facilities close Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29, in observance of Thanksgiving. For full details, click here. For questions about city services or information, call 3-1-1. You can also submit service requests from the Austin 3-1-1 mobile app.

Austin Resource Recovery
Trash, recycling and composting collections for Thursday and Friday will slide forward one day. Thursday collections will be picked up on Friday, and Friday collections will be picked up on Saturday.

Austin Public Health
Environmental Health Services at the Rutherford Lane Campus, Office of Vital Records, all WIC and Shots for Tots clinics, and Neighbor Centers will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Parks and Recreation Facilities
Austin Parks and Recreation offices, museums and cultural centers, recreation centers and senior centers will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, and remain closed Thursday and Friday. Zilker Botanical Gardens and Austin Nature & Science Center will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed through Thursday. Austin Nature & Science Center will remain closed on Friday. Zilker Botanical Gardens will reopen on Friday. Tennis Centers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day only. On Thanksgiving Day, final Golf ATX course reservations will be issued at 12 p.m. Visit AustinTexas.gov/Department/Golf-ATX for complete facility information. All Aquatic Facilities will be closed on Thanksgiving Day except Barton Springs Pool, which will operate unguarded.

Austin Municipal Court
All Austin Municipal Court locations will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Austin Public Library
All Austin Public Library locations will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Austin Animal Center
The Austin Animal Center will be closed Thursday and Friday. Normal hours resume on Saturday, Nov. 30.

City of Austin Utilities
The City of Austin Utilities Customer Care Call Center will be closed Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 1. Additionally, all City of Austin Utility Customer Service Centers will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Customers can make utility payments at coautilities.com or by calling 1-833-375-4919 for a Quick Payment. To report a power outage, text OUT to 287846, visit outagemap.austinenergy.com or call 512-322-9100.

Austin Water
Administration offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, but the 24-Hour Customer Service Contact Center at (512) 972-1000 will be available.

The uniquely spiraled 3,309 lights on the Zilker Holiday Tree will start glowing for the season at the 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony, planned for Sunday, Dec. 1, at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, on the south side of the park. At 5:15 p.m., music by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble will welcome folks, and the ceremony starts at 6 p.m. Expect local entertainment, food and live music, plus ASL interpretation services on stage for the duration of the ceremony. Parking is free and first-come, first-served. Carpooling to the event or taking Cap Metro is suggested.

The Red River Cultural District (RRCD) and Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) are seeking proposals from qualified consultants for their Cultural Currents campaign, designed to showcase RRCD’s history and its role as a hub for music and artistic traditions. The project will focus on the contributions of early Black Texans, German immigrants and generations of artists who shaped the district. Local experts and those passionate about preserving Austin’s cultural heritage are encouraged to submit proposals and contribute to this important effort to honor the city’s musical and artistic history. “RRCD is so excited to dive into the rich and diverse stories that define our Cultural District,” Nicole Klepadlo, interim executive director of the RRCD, said. “By honoring the contributions of early Black entrepreneurs, German immigrants, and generations of artists, this project celebrates the vibrant cultures that make Austin a global destination for music, community, and creativity.” The application deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 30. Details on the application process and project scope are available online.

Austin Public Health is seeking volunteers to join the core coordinating committee for the next Community Health Improvement Plan, which is formulated in partnership with Travis County. The most recent CHIP was completed in 2018 and provided a three-year road map to address health challenges and improve well-being across the community. Its four priority areas were enhancing access to affordable health care, preventing chronic diseases, improving sexual health with a focus on reducing teen pregnancies, and strengthening mental health services. Those interested in joining the working group can email atc.communityhealthplan@austintexas.gov by Nov. 30.

Austin Energy is set to open applications soon for its Solar Standard Offer program, aiming to boost solar array installations on commercial properties. Applications open on Dec. 9, with projects potentially operational by February or fall 2025. Property owners or solar developers will receive payments of 11.2 cents per kilowatt hour for arrays under one megawatt and 8.4 cents per kilowatt hour for larger projects. The program is designed to encourage solar installations on tenant-filled properties, where owners previously lacked financial incentives. Property owners can either lease rooftop space to solar developers or receive direct payments for solar energy produced. Each project must generate at least 50 kilowatts, connect to Austin Energy’s grid, and comply with contractor guidelines. The energy produced will contribute to Austin’s community solar portfolio, helping the city align with state energy policies and reduce dependency on ERCOT’s energy market. With an initial cap of 20 megawatts, the program is expected to expand if successful, leveraging underutilized spaces like parking lots and large rooftops.

After a year in place, the Board of Adjustment Applicant Assistance Program, or BAAP, has been deemed a success, serving one applicant in its first year. The program, which provides fee waivers for those that need financial assistance, was created in June 2023 by City Council and launched as a yearlong pilot in October. A memo from Development Services Director José G. Roig explains, “The BAAP has proven successful in its initial phase and was utilized by one applicant. Before the establishment of the BAAP, there was no formal mechanism in place to assist residents with these fees, which can pose a significant obstacle for those seeking necessary zoning adjustments. Maintaining the BAAP plays a role in fostering an equitable environment for Austin residents. The Department will continue to seek reimbursement for expended funds through the General Fund as part of the annual reconciliation process.”

It’s been a few months since City Council approved changes to the Land Development Code known as the HOME amendments, and now a task force focused on improving the process of using those amendments is looking for feedback from the public. The first phase of HOME was approved in December 2023 with the aim of making development of housing easier in single-family neighborhoods. To check in on whether this is actually happening, the HOME task force is seeking firsthand information on the experience of going through the development process. Residents can weigh in in person at a Dec. 14 session that will be held at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. (registration here) or online here. Any questions can be directed to dsdcommunications@austintexas.gov.

This whisper has been changed to reflect the correct date that HOME was approved.

For the fifth year, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department hosts its annual Gingerbread History Heroes Program, from Dec. 2 through Dec. 31. Get creative with free salt dough “gingerbread cookie” ornaments and decorating supplies at the following museums, cultural centers and historic sites across Austin:

• Brush Square Museums (O. Henry Museum and Susanna Dickinson Museum), 409 E 5th St.
• Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road
• Elisabet Ney Museum, 304 E 44th St.
• French Legation State Historic Site, 802 San Marcos St.
• George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St.
• Old Bakery and Emporium, 1006 Congress Ave.
• Park Ranger Station at Zilker Caretaker’s Cottage, 2105 Andrew Zilker Road

“Austinites are invited to decorate an ornament as their favorite figure from Texas history such as Joan Means Khabele, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Selena, Matt Gaines, Elisabet Ney, Barbara Jordan, Doug Sahm, Gus Garcia, Walter Burton, Ann Richards, Lydia Mendoza and Sam Houston,” a statement from the city suggests.