Travis County is asking the public to weigh in on a new comprehensive parks plan that is currently in the works. The county has 27 public parks totaling 13,000-odd acres, and the plan will cover all of them, guiding investments over the next 10 years. In order to accurately reflect what residents want and need out of county parks, there is an online survey that will be open through Feb. 13, and two virtual community meetings that will take place on Jan. 29 and 30 (more information here). “Community input is crucial in shaping the future of Travis County Parks,” Joanna Wolaver, executive director of Travis County Parks Foundation, said in a statement to the press. “By sharing ideas and priorities, we can help guide decisions that will impact our parks and green spaces for years to come. Together, they can ensure these spaces meet the needs of a growing community – now and in the future.” Questions can be emailed to TCParksCompPlan.2025@traviscountytx.gov.

CapMetro is bringing tap-to-pay to Austin’s buses and trains in March and is seeking community feedback on these upgrades at an in-person meeting at 5:30-6:30 p.m. today, Jan. 14, at Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 2910 E. Fifth St., in the Rosa Parks Boardroom. The proposed changes with new machines will allow riders to tap-to-pay with debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay on buses and trains. The CapMetro app will be retired and riders will be able to use the new Umo app to pay for fares and the Transit app to plan their trips. Selected cards and passes must be swapped for new CapMetro Reloadable Fare Cards starting February 2025. More information is available on CapMetro’s website. “These proposed changes are going through a Title VI Analysis to determine if there would be disparate impacts to the community,” a news release from CapMetro says. “The results of the analysis will be shared with the CapMetro board before they decide to approve the proposed fare payment system changes.” The CapMetro Public Hearing is scheduled for noon Wednesday, Jan. 15. The live stream link and more information on the Public Hearing are available online. The public is encouraged to attend and share their thoughts on the proposed changes. Attendees can take bus Routes 4 and 300 to get to the meeting. Register to attend at publicinput.com/fare-updates.

A new construction industry report finds Austin home prices have risen 85 percent over the past decade. Industry analysts Construction Coverage found that between 2014 and 2024, the median home price in Austin increased from $277,972 to $515,342 – a $237,000 change. Over the same time period across the U.S., home values have increased by more than 95 percent, far outpacing wage growth (44 percent) and inflation (33 percent). While Austin’s growth falls slightly below the national average, it highlights the growing affordability challenges for would-be homebuyers in the region. The report found Austin has a home price-to-income ratio of 6.0, indicating that the median home price is six times the median annual household income. This ratio is higher than the national average of 4.7, suggesting greater affordability challenges for residents. Despite rising home prices, the report noted Austin is among the major U.S. metropolitan areas building more affordable new housing, with an average construction cost of $176,303 per new housing unit, which is lower than many other large metros.

The Downtown Austin Alliance will host an Issues Over Lunch event titled “Our Future 35: Vision to Reality” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Austin Marriott Downtown on East Cesar Chavez Street. The event will focus on the Texas Department of Transportation’s plan to lower Interstate 35, and the city’s plan to cap the lowered highway with parks and public spaces. Speakers at the event include representatives from the city of Austin, TxDOT and the Downtown Austin Alliance, who will provide updates on the progress of the project and address these pressing concerns. The event is free, but registration is required. The discussion comes as City Council recently debated significant budgetary allocations and policy priorities for the I-35 expansion project including questions over how much city funding should go toward realizing elements of the vision for the cap-and-stitch projects that aim to reconnect neighborhoods divided by the highway. Council members have raised concerns about state support, cost-sharing mechanisms and the potential displacement of residents and businesses during the project. More information and registration are available online.

The city’s Development Services Department is inviting residents to a Brown Bag Lunch & Learn session, intended to shed light on the city’s Environmental Inspection processes. Amanda Wyrick from the Environmental Inspections team will discuss erosion and sedimentation controls, tree protection and the inspections needed during development. It’s scheduled for noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr. Registration is open now. For more information, email DSDCommunications@austintexas.gov.

With cold weather and the threat of a hard freeze having descended upon Austin, the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) remains activated and at the ready to coordinate response. The cold weather shelters will be in operation until Friday morning, then reopened for another overnight shift this evening. In addition, Austinites in need of a warm space can access warming centers throughout the day. More information about the shelters can be found by calling 512-972-5055, and general information will be posted at austintexas.gov/alerts and @AustinHSEM social media accounts. Information on preparing for and coping with cold weather can be found at ReadyCentralTexas.org. Officials ask that Austinites refrain from calling 911 unless they are experiencing an emergency. Nonemergency help can be found by calling 311.

People interested in serving on the Community Development Commission – a 15-member board that “advises (City Council) in the development and implementation of programs designed to serve the poor and the community at large with emphasis on federally funded programs,” according to a press release – can apply for a role on this board with Austin Public Health. Applicants must be 18 or older, live within the geographic area assigned for that seat and want to serve people living in poverty. Seven members of the board are nominated by a Council committee and appointed by Council, and eight are democratically selected to represent low-income people who are eligible to be served under the Community Services Block Grant. Applications will be accepted for representatives in the following areas:

• North Austin – Gus Garcia Recreation Center – 1201 E Rundberg Lane, Austin, 78753
• St. John – St. John Community Center – 7500 Blessing Ave., Austin, 78752
• Colony Park – Turner-Roberts Recreation Center – 7201 Colony Loop Drive, Austin, 78724
• Rosewood-Zaragosa/Blackland – Givens Recreation Center – 3811 E. 12th St., Austin, 78721
• East Austin – East Austin Neighborhood Center – 211 Comal St., Austin, 78702
• Montopolis – Montopolis Recreation and Community Center – 1200 Montopolis Drive, Austin, 78741
• South Austin – South Austin Recreation Center – 1100 Cumberland Road, Austin, 78704
• Dove Springs – Dove Springs Public Health Center – 5811 Palo Blanco Lane, Austin, 78744

Each election site will have paper ballots available with the names of the candidates for each area.

State and local officials have confirmed bird flu has been found in a wild bird in Travis County. As a result, Austin Public Health has issued a public health advisory warning residents to avoid direct contact with wild birds and other animals. To limit exposure, APH advises:

• Do not touch sick or dead animals or their droppings, and do not bring sick wild animals into your home.
• Keep your pets away from sick or dead animals and their feces.
• Avoid uncooked food products such as unpasteurized raw milk or cheeses.
• If you experience illness after contact with sick or dead birds, please contact your health care provider for evaluation.
• Providers can also contact APH at 512-972-5555 for additional information on testing and treatment.

Sick and dead poultry can be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242. Five or more sick and dead waterfowl can be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Spills and Kills Team closest to you or the TPWD 24 Hour Communications Center. And ill or dead birds that are kept as pets should be reported to your veterinarian.

Ashika Ganguly, who narrowly lost the District 10 City Council race in November, will succeed Bill McCamley as the executive director of Transit Forward. A press release from Ganguly says she plans to focus on expanding public engagement, ensuring legislative protections for Project Connect and ensuring that transit solutions prioritize accessibility, environmental sustainability and affordability. “I am honored to take on this leadership role at Transit Forward,” Ganguly said. “Public transit is a cornerstone of equity and sustainability. As Austin grows, we have an opportunity to create a transit system that connects communities, reduces traffic congestion, and addresses the climate crisis. I’m excited to work with our partners, elected officials, and community leaders to turn that vision into reality.”

The Downtown Austin Alliance has named Davon Barbour as its new president and CEO. Barbour comes to Austin via New Orleans, where he has served as president and CEO of the city’s downtown development district. According to a press release from DAA, Barbour plans to focus on “key opportunities like transformative mobility and infrastructure projects while addressing pressing challenges, including affordability, office vacancy rates and safety concerns. Barbour will also serve as the primary advocate for downtown’s stewardship and promotion, representing the interests of the Downtown Austin Alliance’s members and stakeholders.” In a statement to the press, he said, “I am thrilled to plant roots and call the City of Austin my home, a community well regarded for its culture of inclusiveness, innovation and creativity. … The next few years represent a significant amount of investment from both the public and private sectors. Harnessing this momentum to benefit all Austinites, while carefully managing growth is paramount.” Barbour’s first official day in the role will be Feb. 20.

City Council has a new mayor pro tem: Vanessa Fuentes. Fuentes, who will serve in the position for 2025, was elected unanimously by her colleagues at Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony, with Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison absent for the vote. “I appreciate the trust that you’ve placed in me to serve as your mayor pro tem for this year,” Fuentes said. “I am grateful for it, and I’m looking forward to our work together.” In the same vote, Council Member Chito Vela was elected to succeed Fuentes and serve as mayor pro tem for 2026.

Austin Energy will receive $15 million in federal funding to significantly expand the city’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The funding, secured through the 2021 Infrastructure Law and announced by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, aims to install more than 200 new publicly accessible EV charging ports across neighborhoods, community centers, public schools and other facilities. The funding will double the number of fast chargers in Austin. By strategically placing chargers throughout the city, the initiative seeks to encourage more residents to adopt electric vehicles, reduce dependence on gasoline-powered cars and contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment. “This $15 million grant is a game-changer for Austin’s transition to an electrified transportation system that prioritizes accessibility and equity for everyone in our community,” Mayor Kirk Watson said in a prepared statement. “Austin has already established itself as a leader in electric vehicle adoption, and this investment in charging infrastructure will ensure our city remains at the forefront of clean transportation innovation.”