After 14 years with the city, Austin transportation director Robert Spillar has announced that he’s taking a new job in the private sector. In a memo to department staff, Spillar noted that since he came on board, the Transportation Department has expanded from one person to 425 employees. Among his many accomplishments cited, the first was creating a “mobility first-focused department that operates without tax-funded support,” and the second was leading successful bond elections for local and regional mobility investments in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020, totaling $1.5 billion. Spillar’s last day in the office will be June 4. He said he intends to take a vacation for the next month and officially leave city employment on July 8. Although Spillar did not name the firm he’s going to work for, he said in the memo, “I will be helping to lead a national practice in smart cities, joining a private advisory firm that allows me to stay in the Austin area.” ATD has four assistant directors: Anthony Segura, Jim Dale, Jason JonMichael, and Anna Martin.

Big Stacy Pool is getting ready for its close-up – its maintenance close-up, that is. The pool will be closing on Tuesday, May 10 so Aquatics Division staff can give it a good deep-cleaning. Big Stacy will return to its regular schedule the following day. Swimmers who can’t go a day without being immersed in water may get their fix at one of the city’s other year-round pools, such as Bartholomew, Barton Springs or Deep Eddy. Check out the city’s full list of swimming pools and their hours of operation here.

The airport, like the universe and most Austin things, continues to expand. As part of the airport’s expansion plan, there are new renderings of a three-gate expansion that will take place on the west side of the terminal. Currently, the expansion is in its design process, with construction expected to begin by early 2024. A press release notes that AUS will also be renovating Gate 13 and putting it back into service and (eventually) adding a new, midfield concourse that will have at least 10 new gates. At any rate, here are the renderings of the three future gates:

João Paulo Connolly bid farewell to the Planning Commission Tuesday after a year and a half of service. Connolly, an organizer with Austin Justice Coalition, signed off with a speech reflecting on the Planning Commission’s role in housing and land use debates. “All too often this commission becomes a proxy space for the city’s unresolved political tensions, battles and contradictions,” Connolly said. “And this commission’s endless attempts to design, micromanage and control the built environment often reflect this untenable position.” Connolly urged commissioners to think of people who don’t often show up to hearings: working-class people of color, renters, young people, LGBTQ people, and people experiencing homelessness. “If all we can succeed in doing is defending the status quo, then these populations I have listed will not stand a chance in Austin,” he said. Greg Anderson, who works for Habitat for Humanity, will take Connolly’s place on the commission.

It’s true that the pandemic is slowly receding into the background, for the most part. Yet people who are unvaccinated are still at risk of contracting the coronavirus, getting seriously ill and spreading the disease to others. That’s why Travis County, Austin Public Health and their community partners continue to urge community members to protect themselves – and others – by getting vaccinated at one of the free, convenient Covid vaccine distribution events that are scheduled throughout the week. No appointments are required. Simply visit the online calendar or map to find the date, time and location of a nearby vaccine event. Austin Public Health sites offer the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, including third doses for the immunocompromised and booster shots. Those who are receiving second or third doses or boosters should remember to bring their vaccination cards so they can be updated.

After two years of cancellations due to the obvious (a global pandemic), Eeyore’s Birthday will return to Pease Park this weekend, on April 30. The 57th annual celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. and goes until dusk. Notably, there’s no parking at Pease Park, so organizers encourage everyone to take the free shuttle bus that runs every 10 minutes from 17th and Colorado, bicycle, walk, take another bus, or use a ride-share option. The fest’s website has more information on transportation options. The website also has general information on the event, but trust us, it’s not that complicated.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport continues its growth streak with an announcement that passenger traffic for March 2022 was up 146.07 percent compared to March of last year. A record-setting 1,809,262 travelers passed through the airport this March, “setting a new record for busiest month ever at the airport,” according to AUS officials. Since there’s every indication that this trend will continue, travelers should make sure to arrive extra early for departing flights out of AUS.

Seven partnership projects will receive $1.24 million in Urban Forest Grants to “help grow and protect the community’s healthy tree canopy and provide more trees where they are needed most,” according to a news release from the city. Austin Independent School District, Partners for Education, Agriculture & Sustainability, Austin Parks Foundation, Fruitful Commons, the Contemporary Austin, Ecology Action of Texas, Inc. and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy will use the money to plant and care for trees, restore native landscapes, engage the community and create educational initiatives, among other projects. Denise Lucas, director of the Development Services Department, which administers the grants, said, “We are very excited about the opportunity to support these projects, which will benefit our community’s urban forest by planting and caring for trees and provide community stewardship and educational opportunities.”

Residents who have surplus prescription medications piling up in their medicine cabinets will be pleased to learn that Travis County is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration “to allow the public to safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs” on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Simply bring the medications to constable precincts 1, 2, 4 or 5 and drop them off in the collection box. No questions will be asked and the service is free and anonymous. Find out what items are accepted here. Travis County residents may also dispose of unwanted prescription medications year-round in the drop-off kiosk in the lobby of Travis County Pct. 5 Constable Carlos B. Lopez. According to the DEA, improper disposal of unwanted prescription drugs “is a growing problem nationwide and threatens local water supplies.”

After some debate, City Council has approved the appointment of Greg Anderson to the Planning Commission, once again. Council voted on the appointment following an executive session where they discussed whether Anderson’s presence on the board would invite another lawsuit from the Texas attorney general. Texas AG Ken Paxton has sued the city more than once over a provision in the city charter that requires that “a minimum of two-thirds of the (commission) shall be lay members and not directly or indirectly connected with real estate and land development.” Anderson, who works for Habitat for Humanity, was named in both suits as a real estate professional. Despite that, Council Member Chito Vela, who made the appointment, maintained he was not and pointed to Anderson’s application as proof. “He is a lay member within the meaning of the charter,” he said. “I don’t want the city of Austin to be bullied by the attorney general of Texas into deciding who we can or can’t appoint. I just think that we should stand up for the independence and judgment of the citizens of Austin.” Council Member Ann Kitchen, who voted against the appointment, said she respected Vela’s position, but could not support the nomination. “We were involved in a lawsuit before, and this particular individual was named in that lawsuit,” she said. “From my perspective, it’s too much of a risk, and I don’t want to move forward with this.” Anderson’s nomination was approved in a vote of 6-4, with Council members Kitchen, Kathie Tovo, Mackenzie Kelly and Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter voting in opposition. Council Member Leslie Pool was absent.

Starting today, Austinites will get a chance to cast their ballots for (or against) decriminalizing weed and banning no-knock warrants under the petition-driven Proposition A. Early voting starts Monday and will run through Tuesday, May 3. Election day is May 7. Travis County residents may cast a ballot at any early voting location – all of which are listed on the county’s clerk’s website – from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. A number of elections are taking place in the area. The League of Women Voters Austin Area has put together a guide detailing those contests and outlining what voters should (and shouldn’t!) take to the polls.

Those looking for summer lifeguarding jobs in Austin now have an even greater incentive to slap on the sunscreen: a bonus of up to $1,250. Temporary summer camp staffers are in line for up to $750 in bonuses, depending on the position. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is hoping the offer of extra money will tempt “teenagers, college students, teachers on summer break, and retirees looking for a fun way to earn extra money,” as the announcement says. The pay starts at $15/hour for entry-level positions and increases with experience. Paid sick leave, free bus passes and flexible scheduling are also part of the package. You’ll find all the info you need about the jobs and the bonuses here.