Ed Van Eenoo, who has served the city of Austin for the past 11 years – eight of them as deputy chief financial officer – is stepping into a new role this week as chief financial officer. As CFO, Van Eenoo will have the “fiduciary responsibilities for administrating all financial proceedings of city government, except for the assessment and collection of taxes,” according to a city announcement. “I’m honored to have been chosen to lead the city’s Financial Services Department,” said Van Eenoo. In his previous role as deputy CFO, Van Eenoo “was responsible for the development, presentation and subsequent monitoring of the city’s $4.2 billion annual operating budget and $1.0 billion annual capital budget,” which has been a “perennial winner” of awards. Van Eenoo is also known for his award-winning community engagement campaigns. He replaces Elaine Hart, who retired this year.

Recognizing the need for expanded behavioral health resources for individuals experiencing homelessness in Austin, City Council members at their last meeting approved a resolution directing the city manager to support a partnership between Downtown Austin Community Court, the Homeless Outreach Street Team and Integral Care. Council Member Kathie Tovo sponsored the bill, along with co-sponsors Mayor Steve Adler and Council members Natasha Harper-Madison, Ann Kitchen and Pio Renteria. The partnership enables the Downtown Austin Community Court and HOST to identify and refer individuals experiencing homelessness to a new team that will provide resources to individuals to address behavioral health, substance use disorders and primary care health needs along with intensive case management and housing navigation support. Integral Care will manage the team, providing services out of its clinic at 3000 Oak Springs Drive as well as anywhere they are required. The team anticipates serving 150-175 people per year with intensive case management and behavioral treatment and services. “Integral Care is excited to strengthen our collaborations with the City of Austin and Downtown Austin Alliance to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to services that rebuild their mental and physical health and support recovery,” said Ellen Richards, Integral Care’s chief strategy officer, in a press release announcing the partnership. Downtown Austin Alliance has pledged funding for half of the first year’s costs. The resolution also directs the city manager to identify funding no later than Dec. 10 and to explore ­sources for potentially expanding the program.

The Hill Country Alliance holds a yearly photo contest encouraging photographers to capture memorable images of the diverse wildlife and stunning rural landscapes of the Texas Hill Country.

The Grand Prize photograph this year, Green Heron, was taken by Tricia Daniel. This heron, usually standing at the edge of shallow water waiting for its next meal to swim by, is a common sight among Hill Country birders. The other three winners are as follows:

• 1st Place: Fall into the Frio by Mike Jones
• 2nd Place: Hiding in Plain Sight by Carol Serur
• 3rd Place: Male Vermillion Flycatcher by Kimberlee Smith

The four prize photographs were selected by a panel of judges from over 400 entries. In addition, the public was able to to view the photo contest entries and vote for their favorites. Steger Chapman won this People’s Choice Award for his impressionistic image of a glassy river titled Wimberley Reflection. All of the winners will be featured in the alliance’s 2021 Hill Country Calendar, along with photographs by other contestants. The calendar is available for purchase on the Hill Country Alliance website.

With election day rapidly approaching, candidates have been beating the bushes for donations for their final contribution and expenditure reports. In the past, those reports were due in the Office of the City Clerk at 5 p.m., eight days before the election. But because the reports are all now submitted electronically, they were not due until midnight last night. At 4:30 p.m. on Monday, the Austin Monitor found just one eight-day report, submitted by the Stonewall Democrats of Austin. The group reported contributing $250 each to City Council members Alison Alter and Jimmy Flannigan. Both contributions were made on Nov. 14. In a different type of filing, the Austin Police Association PAC, which opposes Flannigan and Alter, reported spending more than $105,000 with Guardian Public Strategies. The expenditure, which was made on Nov. 17 and reported Nov. 30, was for digital and social media advertising and mailers “promoting endorsed candidates for Austin City Council runoff” election. The group endorsed Jennifer Virden, Alter’s opponent, and Mackenzie Kelly, Flannigan’s opponent.

Runoff elections to decide two Austin City Council seats – District 6, representing Northwest Austin, and District 10, representing West Austin – will be held Tuesday, Dec. 15. Two slots on the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees are also up for grabs: District 5, covering sections of Southwest/Central Austin, and Position 8, an at-large seat covering the entire school district. Only voters who live within AISD District 5 and City Council districts 6 and 10 may vote for those respective seats. Anyone who lives inside AISD boundaries may vote on the at-large AISD position. Early voting is now underway and ends this Friday, Dec. 11. Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday. Ballots can be cast at any of Travis County’s 15 early voting centers: find a list of addresses here. Not sure what City Council district you live in? Check here.

Research from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab shows that cities that have protections for renters, such as Austin, have seen far fewer evictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the news release, “Of America’s larger cities, Austin and Minneapolis saw some of the lowest levels of eviction filings.” Tenants who cannot pay their rent due to economic losses caused by the pandemic are protected from eviction in Austin and Travis County, although evictions from other circumstances, such as violence or property damage, are allowed to proceed. City Council Member Greg Casar said, “As we continue to find ways to get Austin families the support they need, I hope other cities and counties adopt similar protections. Eviction is not just a condition of poverty, but a cause of it. No one should lose their home because of the pandemic, and we have to do right by Austin families.” Princeton’s eviction tracker shows seven eviction filings in Austin last week, compared to 69 in Boston and 159 in Fort Worth, Texas.

As has been widely reported, the first shipment of Pfizer vaccines will arrive in Austin mid-month, if the vaccine is granted an emergency use authorization by the FDA on Dec. 10. Austin Public Health reported Friday that the Austin area will receive 13,650 initial doses according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. “We are still gathering information about the first vaccine shipment to our area,” said interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott. “We are excited for our hospital systems partners to begin vaccinating our front-line hospital workers against this virus. By protecting our health care system personnel we can ensure that we are able to meet the needs of Covid and non-Covid patients in our community. We are looking forward to vaccine shipments continuing in the weeks and months to come so that, in future phases, we can offer vaccines to those at high risk for severe disease as we progress down the path of community-wide vaccination.” The press release goes on to explain that Austin Public Health and community partners have formed a coalition to plan the distribution in a way that will get Austinites vaccinated in a phased approach. The coalition is focusing on identifying priority populations to be vaccinated, distribution channels, vaccine management and community education. More information can be found at a virtual town hall held last week as part of a series from the Travis County Medical Society and Dell Medical School.

Along with the massive project of “reimagining public safety” comes a massive amount of information, a lot of which the city has continued to post on its website dedicated to the issue. Of particular note is the page laying out the scheduled public conversations on the topic, along with ways to communicate with the city. In addition, the city introduced a new blog last week that aims to “provide insight on the latest developments in the City of Austin’s RPS initiative. The blog is also designed to help you navigate this website and the wealth of information it offers.”

It’s almost the season of eggnog, latkes and candy canes, but the Austin Code Department is thinking ahead to summertime and implementing new inspection procedures for residential air-conditioning systems. While there’s no code requirement that says dwellings must be air-conditioned, if there is air conditioning in a residence, the International Property Maintenance Code says the system “needs to be properly installed and maintained in safe working condition and capable of performing the intended function”– to keep the inhabitants from melting in the broiling Texas heat. Malfunctioning A/C is also a public health issue, as interim Assistant Director Daniel Word explained in an announcement about the new inspection program: “Hot, humid summers and poor ventilation can lead to dangerous conditions. Those conditions can also lead to mold growth which is harmful for residents with underlying respiratory conditions.” Tenants who are experiencing problems with their A/C should tell their property managers or landlords. Potential code violations may be reported by calling Austin 311. The inspection program covers central air only, not window units or mini-splits.

The deadline is fast approaching for Austin renters who have experienced a loss of income related to Covid-19 to apply for assistance through the city’s Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) program. The city urges applicants to apply before the last random selection of applications on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 11:59 a.m. Housing Authority President and CEO Michael Gerber said in a news release from the city, “The RENT program has helped thousands of local families to avoid eviction for non-payment of rent, allowing them to stay in their homes where they can be safe during the pandemic. We strongly encourage any low-income Austin renters who need rental assistance or are at risk of eviction to apply for this program by Tuesday, December 8th at noon.” To learn more and to submit an application, visit the city’s RENT application portal.

The Economic Development Department is inviting local artists to participate in Art in Public Places TEMPO 2021, the city’s annual temporary public art exhibition. TEMPO’s mission, according to the announcement, is “to promote tourism, cultivate curiosity, spark imagination, engage the community in a meaningful dialogue about public art, foster work by local artists, and cultivate exploration of Austin.” Sylnovia Holt Rabb, acting director of the EDD, said, “We are continuing our commitment to support the next generation of public artists. The TEMPO exhibition provides the community with a deeper appreciation of public art through thought-provoking installations that enhance city-owned sites across Austin.” At least 10 artists will be selected and their work will be exhibited at library branches throughout the city. Submit a proposal by Thursday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m. via PublicArtist.org/AustinAIPP. Interested artists may register on Eventbrite to attend a virtual information meeting on Dec. 15, noon-1 p.m.

Austin’s Economic Development Department has partnered with Health Alliance for Austin Musicians “to provide access to affordable health care for Austin’s low-income, underinsured working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness through the Healthcare Access Program,” according to a press release from the city. HAAM’s Healthcare Access Program is enrolling musicians in insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act until Dec. 15. The nonprofit offers support in paying monthly premiums, navigating the system and connecting musicians with community resources. “The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to limit the earning potential of Austin musicians, resulting in chronic stress that impacts musicians’ mental wellness,” notes Veronica Briseño, the city’s chief economic recovery officer. “Partnering with HAAM to expand the Healthcare Access Program supports musicians by offering year-long comprehensive coverage that includes access to mental health care.”