The city’s Communications and Technology Department will be migrating the city’s geodatabases today, so all city apps and tools that use geospatial services will be temporarily offline for about 24 hours, starting Friday at 4 p.m. Applications opened at that time will display a pop-up window explaining that the app is “unavailable due to maintenance.” The city’s map-based tools will not be available to residents during the migration window but will be restored when the migration is complete. According to a news release from the communications department, “This migration is one of the final steps of a yearlong project to transition the city’s GIS technology and software to a more current and more supported system. This project ensures that our GIS users continue to use the most up-to-date tools and resources to support work across the city.”

Downtown holiday festivities will resume in person this year, with social distancing in place “so that everyone can safely enjoy the outdoor celebration,” according to a news release from organizers Downtown Austin Alliance, KUT 90.5 and KUTX 98.9. There are a variety of events planned, kicking off with the annual sing-along and tree lighting this Saturday, Dec. 4, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in front of the Capitol and along Congress Avenue from Ninth to 11th streets. “December in Downtown” continues through the month with a screening of The Grinch at Republic Square, a Frida Friday holiday market, an Austin-centric parade by Bike Zoo, buskers, sidewalk sales, food vendors, and caroling. Find the schedule, details and discounts here.

An annual art contest is seeking submissions to raise awareness of mental health issues. The theme of this year’s Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest is “Why Does Mental Health Matter to You?” Participants have until March 15 to submit their original work in one of three categories: artwork, writing or photography. Dr. Courtney Harvey, associate commissioner of the Texas HHSC Office of Mental Health Coordination, explained the impetus behind the contest. “When people share their perspectives and experiences through art, it can help them process their emotions and kickstart conversations that inspire connection, provide encouragement, and give hope to others facing similar challenges. Those healthy discussions can be the push someone may need to seek support and really start taking care of their mental health, and that can save lives.” The contest is open to Texans of all ages and is judged in four age groups: elementary, middle school, high school and adult. Last year, the contest drew 687 submissions. Find submission details here.

More than 80 languages are spoken in Austin. As part of a new campaign to help Austinites who are more comfortable speaking a language other than English, the city is offering free interpretation and translation of written information to those who request language access services. The initiative, called iSpeak Austin, introduces a range of online resources in multiple languages. Informational wallet cards and posters at local library branches describe how non-English speakers can communicate their needs to English speakers. Jessica King, the city’s interim communications director, explained more about the program. “Whether it’s borrowing a library book, applying for financial support, or seeking a permit, every Austinite has the right to access city of Austin services in their preferred language, and the city has resources available to ensure this happens. Over the coming weeks we will be working to make sure new English learners and immigrant communities are aware of their rights and have the information they need to exercise them.”

Whether you need a first shot, a second dose or a booster, there’s a Covid-19 vaccine distribution event for you. Travis County, Austin Public Health and their community partners are hosting free Covid vaccine clinics in convenient locations across the county such as library branches, community centers, elementary schools and supermarkets. No appointments are required. People receiving their second dose or booster shot should bring their Vaccination Record Card, so it may be updated. Use Travis County’s online calendar and map to find a vaccine event in your neighborhood.

In a move toward more transparency, the city of Austin will begin broadcasting its negotiations for new public safety labor agreements. Streaming on YouTube begins today at 9 a.m. as the city’s Labor Relations Office commences talks with the Austin EMS Association. Negotiations with fire and police unions will begin after the new year, and the dates of those negotiations can be found on the Labor Relations Office website. “While this will be a challenging time to negotiate from both a fiscal and Covid-19 standpoint, we remain committed to transparency and fairness,” Deven Desai, the city’s chief labor relations officer, said in a statement to the press. The three labor agreements that are currently in place are set to expire on Sept. 30, 2022, though there is a provision that will allow for a six-month extension on the APD contract if the parties cannot come to an agreement by that date.

Community members seeking large reclaimed logs for art or furniture-making projects are in luck: The parks department’s Urban Forestry Unit is holding a reclaimed log pickup. It’s not a free-for-all, however; there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Community members must load and haul their own wood, though parks staff will kindly cut logs down to size if needed. Participants must sign a liability waiver, which will be available at the site. And don’t get grabby: one log to a person. Friday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., John Treviño Jr. Metro Park, 9501 FM 969.

The city’s Economic Development Department has been approved for a $500,000 American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts “to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic.” Ann Eilers, NEA’s acting chair, said, “These grants recognize the vital role of local arts agencies and will allow them to help rebuild local economies and contribute to the well-being of our communities.” Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, EDD’s acting director, said, “We are grateful to be approved for this funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Our local arts organizations are critical to the foundation of Austin’s creative culture. We are proud to extend funding through the Cultural Arts Division to support arts education and make a lasting impact towards economic recovery.” The EDD plans to use the $500,000 award to create sub-grants for eligible arts education organizations and teaching artists “with a focus on underrepresented artists and organizations led by and actively serving communities of color.” The money will be distributed in the latter half of 2022.

The city is updating the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, the “comprehensive transportation plan that guides Austin’s short- and long-term projects,” and wants the public to weigh in with their thoughts and opinions about Austin’s street network. You can review the proposed changes here. The city has also set up a short online survey asking for input on three policies that are proposed for the ASMP. According to the Transportation Department, the new policies “were based on recent global and local events, such as transportation resilience, that affect the mobility needs of our community.” The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and is open until Dec. 31. Take the survey. 

In observance of Thanksgiving, the Austin Monitor will be taking Thursday and Friday off. We’ll resume our normal publishing schedule bright and early Monday morning. Joining us on the holiday weekend will be the bulk of the city’s offices and facilities, as outlined in this news release. Notably, trash and recycling pickups originally scheduled for Thursday will slide to Friday. Austin Public Health Covid testing and vaccine sites will be closed Nov. 25-28, and the Covid dashboard will not be updated until Monday. Questions about city services can be directed to 311, which will remain in operation. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Anyone with an interest in smart cities is welcome to attend the Texas Smart Cities Summit, a daylong conference assembling “leaders from local government, industry, academia, nonprofit organizations and more to share information on the leading practices in smart cities efforts, to share ideas and experiences, and to discuss and plan new efforts to accelerate smart cities development in Texas and across the world.” Participants in the summit will discuss successful solutions and “collaborate on how to improve and implement them into our communities.” This hybrid event takes place partly in-person at Austin Central Library at 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. and partly online. Get tickets here. Thursday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.