Austin Interfaith will hold the first of two accountability sessions today, with candidates for mayor and Travis County judge. Though the organization does not endorse candidates, members do endorse a set agenda. At accountability sessions, the group keeps track of how candidates respond to that agenda with a promise to hold them to their word. This year, they have asked candidates to join them in the fight against “an economy of exclusion and inequality,” and in turn make efforts to support greater equality and inclusion. A news release from Austin Interfaith said the focus of the event will be on the child poverty crisis in the region and the reduction of poverty and income inequality. The accountability session, which is traditionally one of the most lively and well-attended of the election season, will take place at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth Shalom, 7300 Hart Lane.

Hays County wants your opinions on the realignment of a five-mile section of FM 150, and it is holding an open house next week to accomplish that. Hays County, TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration are considering an alignment of the road between Arroyo Ranch Road and I-35 in order to “enhance safety and mobility.” The project now has route alternatives, which attendees will be able to see and comment on at the open house. There will be no formal presentation, and attendees are welcome to ask questions and submit comments. The meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23  at Wallace Middle School, at 1302 West Center St. in Kyle. Those unable to attend may submit comments by Oct. 3 via email or by snail mail at P.O. Box 5459, Austin, TX 78763.

The original version of our story “South Austin development threatens Heritage Trees” , published Sept. 9, listed an incorrect number of protected trees slated for removal by the developer. Developers are proposing to remove 15 protected trees, not 50 as was originally reported. The story has been corrected.

A group calling itself “Red White & Bulldozed” continues to fight the AustinOaks Planned Unit Developments. The group is encouraging like-minded anti-PUD activists to attend City Council candidate forums with leaflets explaining PUD and why, in particular, the AustinOaks PUD is worth fighting. The proposed AustinOaks development is located at MoPac Boulevard and Spicewood Springs Road. Though still in the early stages, developers Twelve Lakes LLC have asked for a 225-foot maximum height to build about 610 town homes, 850,000 square feet of office space and 100,000 square feet of retail space on approximately 31 acres in Northwest Austin.

The political action committee for the Network of Asian-American Organizations has announced endorsements for several more City Council district races. These include Jimmy Flannigan for District 6 and Jeb Boyt for District 7. This group’s endorsement is probably more important in those two districts because of the growing Asian-American population in that area. For example, District 6 had an Asian-American population of more than 13 percent as of 2010. This is the largest percentage among the districts. District 7’s Asian-American population is also growing, and was reported to be 9.6 percent as of 2010. Flannigan seems to be getting a majority of Democratic club endorsements, but he will have stiff competition from one or more Republicans in the race. Boyt also faces an array of qualified opponents, with the Asian-American group singling out Melissa Zone for praise as well. The PAC also endorsed Dewayne Lofton in District 1 and Delia Garza in District 2. Earlier, the group endorsed Steve Adler for mayor, Fred McGee for District 3, Gregorio Casar for District 4, Ann Kitchen for District 5, Eliza May for District 8, Kathie Tovo for District 9 and Mandy Dealey for District 10.

A complaint has been lodged against District 10 City Council candidate Robert Thomas. According to a campaign finance report filed with the Austin City Clerk on July 15, Thomas loaned his campaign $100,000 in June. The rules require that any expenditures from personal funds of $25,000 or more must be reported within seven business days. Democratic precinct chair Steve Speir filed a complaint against Thomas on Wednesday for failing to report his expenditures within the required time frame. Thomas loaned himself the money June 19. He had numerous, relatively small expenditures during May and June. However, on July 1, he paid Stampede Consulting $30,684, which was not reported until Aug. 15, according to  the city website. Speir told the Monitor that failure to follow the rules “gives an unfair advantage to one guy, and I don’t think it’s in the spirit of the 10-1 program, (which was) passed to diminish the impact of large amounts of money.” Speir does not live in District 10 and said he does not have a preferred candidate in the race. Thomas did not return a call requesting comment.

District 7 candidate Melissa Zone took on the proposed office development at the Crestview Korean Church this week. In a news release about the proposal, Zone wrote that the case is an example of a process problem in Austin, where city staff sides with the developer “despite vocal and active protest from the community.” Zone attached a letter to City Council that asks members to reject the developer’s rezoning request and plan amendment. If you need a refresher on the case, check out our story about the item’s review at Planning Commission last month.

The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District moved to negotiate a contract with lobbyist firm Sledge Fancher to represent its interests in the upcoming Texas legislative session. District board members approved the firm on a 3-1 vote, as they were both attracted by and wary of lobbyist Brian Sledge’s reputation as a “gunslinger.” Sledge already represents a number of groundwater conservation districts, and district members said Sledge claimed that not a bill passes that he doesn’t want passed — conversely, not a bill is killed that he doesn’t have a part in killing. Craig Smith, the lone dissenting vote, said, “That didn’t sit very well with me … Is he going to work for us or work for himself?”

The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District delayed its vote on approval of a draft habitat conservation plan for two additional weeks Thursday night. Board members made the move in response to comments during a public hearing. The postponement will give the district’s staff time to address concerns and the opportunity to make changes to the draft. Save Our Springs Alliance submitted a letter Thursday urging the delay. The alliance was concerned about the draft’s distinction between lethal and nonlethal take. Laurie Dries, of the Habitat Conservation Plan Management Advisory Committee, expressed similar concerns.

The board of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District will hold a hearing tonight on adoption of a habitat conservation plan designed to ensure a minimum flow of water to Barton Springs for the endangered salamanders that live there, even during a record drought. According to General Manager John Dupnik, the plan has been in development over the past 10 years and includes “a program and system of conservation measures designed to avoid, minimize and mitigate for any adverse effect” that pumping from the aquifer might have on the salamanders. Dupnik added that the board might adopt the plan tonight, but more likely it would postpone action until the next meeting on Sept. 25. Board member Craig Smith, who was hospitalized over the weekend, has returned to work and plans to attend tonight’s meeting. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the aquifer district offices, 1124 Regal Row in Manchaca.

Consultant Greyhill Advisors will present a report Thursday on the economic impact of the 2014 South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals on the City of Austin. SXSW officials say the 2014 impact analysis represents the eighth consecutive study to fully assess the nature of the festival and its beneficial economic effect on the city. SXSW Interactive Director Hugh Forrest will present the findings, and Michael Rollins with the Austin Chamber of Commerce will offer remarks. SXSW officials say the festival has brought more than $1 billion to the Austin economy over the past five years. In 2007, SXSW’s economic impact was measured at approximately $95 million, and by 2013,  that number had grown to $218 million. The presentation will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday on the second floor of the Long Center.

The Zero Waste Advisory Commission canceled its regular meeting set for Wednesday this week. The agenda had included discussion and action on proposed revisions to the Private Hauler Program, as well as discussion about proposed revisions to City Collection Services. Both of these items involve revising language in City Code. City Council has postponed its consideration of both items until Nov. 6 in order to allow for an expanded stakeholder process. Texas Disposal Systems’ Adam Gregory sent an email to the Zero Waste commissioners Wednesday, also requesting that they postpone action on the two items “until after the stakeholder process that Council discussed …  actually occurs.” The next ZWAC regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 8.