Though it was widely (and weirdly) reported last week that Council Member Greg Casar was the heir apparent to the largely ceremonial title of mayor pro tem, it looks as though that may not be happening after all. According to rumblings at City Hall and a post on the City Council Message Board, Casar’s once-certain victory may be threatened by a push to elect a female mayor pro tem “from a West Austin district,” which is rumored to be Council Member Alison Alter. In a Monday night post on the message board, Casar addressed the potential change in direction. “Let me be clear, if the interest amongst my colleagues is to ensure greater female representation, you have my support. But we cannot cave into right-wing pressure from the wealthiest parts of town, simply because our Council has voted to affirm Black Lives Matter, advance labor victories, and to protect the civil rights of our homeless population. We must make it clear that we are not willing to back down if we truly believe what we are doing is right for Austinites … I say all this, because I’ve received phone calls indicating that I should back out so that we can choose a mayor pro tem from a West Austin district. I believe we are sending the wrong message in this critical time if we choose to select our mayor pro tem from one of the whiter and wealthier districts, rather than from the Eastern Crescent.” Casar goes on to say he would be happy to support a mayor pro tem from Austin’s Eastern Crescent. Council will elect the new mayor pro tem at its Jan. 6 meeting.

Along with an announcement that the state might take over police operations in Austin, there was more normal news from the Capitol yesterday. Namely, the Texas Capitol will reopen on Jan. 4 after being closed since March due to the pandemic. The office of Gov. Greg Abbott explained that, “In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, health and safety protocols have been put in place to allow for the Capitol’s reopening while maintaining a safe environment for all visitors, lawmakers and staff.” As for what this means for the upcoming legislative session: “Preparations to safely conduct business in the Texas House and Senate are ongoing, and each chamber will vote upon their respective rules and protocols at the start of the legislative session.”

The Austin Transit Partnership is the independent organization created to oversee the implementation of the Project Connect transit plan. The board of directors overseeing ATP is composed of one Austin City Council member, one Capital Metro board member and three community experts in the areas of finance, engineering and construction, and planning and sustainability. The nominating committee reviewed over 36 applications for the community expert positions and ultimately approved the following candidates: Tony Elkins, community expert in finance; Veronica Castro de Barrera, community expert in engineering and construction; and Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, community expert in planning and sustainability. Find more information about each position at AustinTransitPartnership.org. You may also review candidate bios and background information in the joint meeting backup.

This year the city’s Community Tree Preservation Division released its Community Tree Priority Map, an interactive tool available for everyone from arborists to developers to community members. The map has a variety of uses, according to the news release, which notes that “tree canopy data helps uncover disparities in historically under-canopied areas. This enables people to decide where activities like planting, tree care and community outreach could occur around Austin.” The red areas on the map indicate higher-priority areas where more tree-planting and tree stewardship is needed. Check out the map to see if your neighborhood needs more trees.

Deena Estrada, who previously served as chief of staff for Council Member Paige Ellis, has joined the staff of Travis County Judge Andy Brown. Estrada told the Austin Monitor, “I’m serving as (Brown’s) deputy chief of staff for policy – handling policy and coordinating the agenda. It’s been a very fun transition.” Amy Everhart, who has worked for Mayor Steve Adler, former Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Hahn Public Communications, and the Austin Board of Realtors, will be taking over as chief of staff in Ellis’ office today. Everhart also recently worked for Council Member Jimmy Flannigan in his reelection campaign.

Austin Independent School District leadership will begin a review of staffing plans for six campuses today. The schools – Cunningham and Padron elementary schools, Burnet and Covington middle schools, Bowie High and Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders – are to be part of a pilot program that will accommodate alternate work arrangements. According to a Saturday press release about the program, “Teachers, in collaboration with their principal, at the pilot campuses proposed plans to serve students while internally covering the roles of staff who may want alternate work arrangements. … Once approved, the pilot will run for three weeks to collect data before reviewing options to scale the program. All plans are fluid and will be altered to meet student or campus needs as in-person attendance increases.” According to the release, AISD schools have established conditions in which all staff will return to campus. Those conditions include vaccines being available to educators, Austin-Travis County being in Stage 3 risk-based guidelines, and “An increase in on-campus student attendance that requires additional in-person teachers to maintain safe classroom environments.”

The state comptroller’s office is encouraging Texas food banks to check the agency’s outstanding unclaimed property website, ClaimItTexas.org, to claim funds that may be owed to them. According to a news release from the comptroller’s office, “An initial check of some notable Texas food pantries shows that they’re owed thousands of dollars in unclaimed property.” The San Antonio Food Bank recently claimed more than $19,000 in unclaimed property – enough to provide its clients nearly 140,000 meals. “It’s a bit of a Christmas miracle to get a gift of unclaimed property via the state comptroller’s office,” San Antonio Food Bank President Eric S. Cooper said. The release explains that outstanding unclaimed property reserved for food banks “includes items such as utility deposits, uncashed checks, refunds from vendors and more. Businesses generally turn property over to the unclaimed property program after it has been considered dormant for one to five years.” A list of potential unclaimed property for food banks is available via the hunger-relief organization Feeding Texas, which partners with 21 food banks across the state.

Lake Buchanan is the latest Central Texas waterway to become infested with the invasive zebra mussel. Scientists working with the Lower Colorado River Authority found zebra mussel larvae in samples taken from three sites around the lake in October, and recent sampling efforts have confirmed the existence of an “established, reproducing population” of the mollusk. Monica McGarrity, a senior scientist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said in a news release, “At this time, the results indicate that the population in the lake appears to be small. However, as we have seen in other Texas lakes, the population is likely to increase rapidly over the next few years.” Researchers warn that nearby Inks Lake, which is downstream from Lake Buchanan, “is likely to become infested in the near future.” Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries regional director, said that zebra mussels are now found in 31 Texas lakes, but their spread can be controlled if boaters obey protocol. “Before traveling from lake to lake, clean, drain and dry your boat and gear,” he said. “Remove plants, mud and debris, drain all the water from the boat and gear, and then open up compartments once you get home and allow everything to dry completely.” This map shows lakes in Texas where zebra mussels have been found.

On Dec. 15, Travis County and the city of Austin extended the Stay Home, Mask and Otherwise Be Safe Order through Feb. 16, 2021. This measure is intended to prevent further spread of Covid-19. Additionally, the Austin-Travis County health authority has extended the Health Authority Rules through Apr. 15, 2021, and included additional updates. The county and city orders extend existing requirements for face coverings, social distancing and limiting gatherings, and add quarantine requirements that are consistent with the updated Austin Public Health quarantine guidelines. Additionally, the rules define “high-risk individuals” and “high-risk settings,” and now include dine-in or indoor food or beverage service requirements. The full text of these orders and rules can be found on the Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Orders and Rules page. Bookmark AustinTexas.gov/COVID19 to stay up to date on the latest Austin Covid-19 information.

Bad news, cold-water enthusiasts: The city has decided that since Austin is currently operating under stage 4 Covid-19 risk-based guidelines, the 2021 Polar Bear Plunge is canceled. Barton Springs Pool will remain closed on Jan 1, 2021. However, in an attempt to keep the spirit of the plunge alive, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department is asking that prior attendees share photos/videos of past events on social media using the hashtag #polarplungeatx. The department plans for the Polar Bear Plunge to return in 2022. For more information on city pool schedules, visit austintexas.gov/pools.

Pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders will be glad to learn that a 1.3-mile section of Congress Avenue, between Riverside Drive and 11th Street, now boasts new mobility and safety improvements that were just completed by the Austin Transportation Department. According to a news release from the department, “The new design improves safety and comfort for everyone traveling in the area, and addresses documented crash patterns on the street.” There are new left-turn lanes at Cesar Chavez Street and Fifth and Sixth streets, and new dedicated right-turn lanes at northbound Cesar Chavez Street, Barton Springs Road and northbound Riverside Drive. Perhaps best of all are the new protected bicycle lanes that create a physical separation between cars and bikes. The changes were inspired after city staffers observed the results of the temporary bike lanes that were installed on Congress Avenue over the summer, after City Council passed a resolution urging the city “to facilitate safe, socially distanced outdoor exercise and active transportation on neighborhood streets.” Transportation Department Director Robert Spillar explained in the release, “Our team moved quickly over the last few months to transition to a street design that works better for everyone using Congress Avenue. The improvements are expected to reduce crashes, improve intersection operations for people driving, offer a protected space for people on bicycle or scooters and create a more comfortable environment for people walking, dining or shopping along the sidewalk.”

Those jam-packed New Year’s Eve parties of yore are strictly off the menu this year – just ask Dr. Fauci. The city of Austin is still putting on its official annual celebration on Dec. 31, but the party will be virtual, featuring performances from eight local bands spanning several genres, including Gina Chavez, BettySoo, Como Las Movies, and Parker McCollum. To add some hometown flavor, the performances were pre-recorded at venues around town such as Mohawk, Cheer Up Charlies, Antone’s Nightclub and others. The party is the city’s way of supporting Austin’s live music culture, City Manager Spencer Cronk explained in an announcement about the event: “Covid-19 has been devastating to our special events and entertainment industry. In 2020, the virtual Austin’s New Year event is able to benefit some of our local musicians and venues. We pride ourselves in being the Live Music Capital of the World, and this event will allow us to experience a little piece of Austin while celebrating safely from home.” Check the city’s website for ways to stream the party into your own living room.