Today’s meeting of the Citizen Review Panel has been canceled. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Boards and Commissions room. For additional information, Austinites can contact the Office of the Police Monitor at 512-974-9090.

The city is moving forward with the restoration of the historic Covert monument at the top of Mount Bonnell today. The restoration process is expected to take about two weeks. It will be completed with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Texas Historical Commission’s Certified Local Government Program and the continued efforts of the West Point Society of Central Texas. The restoration even has its very own website these days.

Yesterday, City Council unanimously and officially approved the appointment of Corrie Stokes as the new city auditor. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo praised Stokes, who has worked in the Office of the City Auditor for the past 16 years. “She’s served that department and this community deeply and well, and is highly respected among her peers — not just in the city of Austin, but also nationally,” Tovo said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with Ms. Stokes and I believe she is really an asset to the city of Austin. Her references were glowing. They spoke to her passion for the field, and the respect and the trust and the admiration that others have for her.” Stokes has filled the position of auditor since the departure of former Auditor Ken Mory. She will receive a salary of $145,000 annually, beginning June 1.

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s Board of Directors awarded its largest design-build contract to date for the Bergstrom Expressway/US 183 South project on Wednesday. The project was recently cleared by the Texas Department of Transportation’s Environmental Division to move into the final design and construction phase. The board unanimously approved a motion to award the $581.5 million design-build contract to Colorado River Constructors (CRC). The total cost of the project is estimated to be between $750 and $800 million. “The Bergstrom Expressway will be the largest roadway project in Central Texas since the construction of SH 130,” said Mobility Authority Executive Director Mike Heiligenstein, in a statement to the press. “The Board’s approval of this contract represents a huge milestone – not only for the Mobility Authority, but for our entire region. Offering a non-stop, signal-free route to the airport while preserving and enhancing the non-tolled frontage lanes is a win for all Central Texas motorists.” Construction along the 8-mile stretch of US 183 is scheduled to begin in early 2016 and expected to last just over four years. The construction will take place in phases, with the first phase of improvements, between US 290/290 Toll and Bolm Road, expected to be complete in late 2019. The second phase will open to traffic about a year later.

Because flood cleanup can increase the risk of wounds, it’s important to ensure you’re up-to-date with tetanus vaccinations before embarking on cleanup. To help with that, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department’s Shots for Tots/Big Shots clinics are offering free Td/Tdap vaccines for anyone affected by or assisting with cleanup. Adults need a tetanus booster every 10 years. The clinics are open Monday through Friday and the first and third Saturdays of each month. The Far South Clinic is located at 405 West Stassney Lane, 78745. The St. John Community Center Clinic is located at 7500 Blessing Ave., 78752. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 512-972-5520. Additionally, the city has launched an online flood assistance center for impacted residents, property owners and businesses, and has created a consolidated list of volunteer and donation opportunities, which can be found here.

Working with disaster relief organizations around the country, the city of San Marcos and Hays County have opened two Flood Victims Resource Centers to help those impacted by the area’s recent devastating floods. Representatives will be on hand to assist anyone needing information about housing, health care, mental health, insurance and other aid. Information about the centers and a list of agencies represented will be kept up-to-date at www.sanmarcostx.gov/smtxfloodservices. Both centers will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30. Wimberley Flood Victims Resource Center is at the Community Center at 14068 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, Texas 78676, and the San Marcos St. John’s Catholic Church Center is located at 624 E Hopkins St., San Marcos, Texas 78666.

Travelers passing through the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport this summer will be greeted by G.I. Joe, Barbie and other vintage toys on display as part of the new 20th Century Toys exhibit curated by the Austin Toy Museum. The collection features classic toys and iconic figures, including a Kewpie doll from 1925 and Simpsons dolls from 1991. The exhibit showcases 100 years of technological diversity and advancement, with highlights including the “cast metal figures and wind-up mechanical toys” of the early 20th century along with the electric trains and “bendable ‘Mego’ action figures” that were produced later. Located between Gates 7 and 11 (beyond the security checkpoints), the exhibit will remain on display through Aug. 4, accessible to all ticketed passengers looking for a diversion from their 21st-century toys.

TomorrowToday’s City Council meeting won’t start until 11 a.m. – after the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee meeting, which starts at 9 a.m. Enjoy the extra sleep or the extra meeting! Or follow along, from the comfort of wherever, via Austin Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin’s Twitter feed.

The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has an answer – though not necessarily a very satisfying one –  for Hays County residents wondering when they can stop boiling well water: “It depends.” During last weekend’s storms, the county issued a “boil water” notice to residents who rely on wells for drinking water. Boiling is recommended because flooding can wash contaminants into the groundwater system. The safety measure remains in effect until “further notice.” In the meantime, BSEACD cautions that well owners cannot always rely on a change in taste, smell or appearance to signal that a well has been contaminated. Instead, well owners eager to stop boiling water can determine the well’s safety by collecting water samples and having them tested in a lab for about $20. For more information, BSEACD recommends the following links:

• EPA: Private Drinking Water Wells
• EPA: What to Do After the Flood
• Texas Well Owner Network: Solving Water Quality Problems in the Home
• Texas Well Owner Network: Fact Sheets
• Hays County: Emergency Information

Yesterday, City Manager Marc Ott sent a memo detailing the toll recent weather has taken on Austin. The memo, which is embedded below, includes some statistics about departmental impacts, including: Austin Energy dealt with 30,000 power outages, 37 pole replacements and 147 downed wires; Emergency Medical Services responded to 29 water-related rescues and evacuations; Austin Fire Department responded to 187 flood-related incidents; Austin Resource Recovery responded to about 200 calls for storm debris removal; the Austin Code Department responded to more than 120 requests for storm-damage inspections; and the Public Works Department received 436 customer-service requests and removed more than 90 trees and limbs.

Download (PDF, 35KB)

Though most of the floodwaters receded quickly, the city was hard at work Tuesday getting everything back in order. After temporarily closing due to flooding on Monday, the Austin Animal Center reopened Tuesday for adoptions and fostering, as well as for those reclaiming lost pets. Today, at 11 a.m., the center will reopen for intake. As of yesterday, the city’s parks were still being evaluated for safety. An updated list of parks and park facility closures can be found here. Austin Resource Recovery can be contacted via 3-1-1 for residents who need removal of large tree limbs or household items damaged by flooding. The department asks that customers request pick-up only for storm damage. Information about city facilities experiencing wastewater overflows – and what customers should do if impacted – can be found here. Additionally, a watercraft ban on Lady Bird Lake and all creeks within city limits has been extended through today, May 27, at noon. More information about the city’s response to the Memorial Day weekend weather and floods can be found on the city’s website.

In the wake of the Memorial Day floods in Austin, the city sent out a reminder that it offers disaster recovery resources for small businesses through the Get Back in Business recovery program. Information about what to do after a disaster, along with other resources, can be found on the Get Back in Business website.