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.”

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Austin chapter will host its next Building Equitable Communities Exchange from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 506 Congress Ave. The event is free and open to the public, aiming to connect professionals in the built environment industry with initiatives supporting equity and inclusivity. The series, organized by ULI Austin’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Steering Committee, highlights projects and programs that foster equitable outcomes across Austin. The event will feature presentations on the Palm School, Equidad ATX, Colony Park and the Mexican American Heritage Corridor. Attendees will have opportunities to interact with project leaders during a networking session following the presentations. The DEI Steering Committee’s mission includes amplifying diverse voices, building a pipeline of young leaders, fostering a culture of inclusiveness and empowering allies through partnerships. By providing a platform for community-driven projects, the Exchange aims to increase awareness and collaboration, encouraging Austinites to participate in shaping a more inclusive city. For more information and to register, visit the ULI Austin website.

The city of Austin is set to salute New Year’s Eve with a free celebration at Auditorium Shores featuring Third Eye Blind, local bands, food and fireworks. This year, the event will be part of the “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen” broadcast on CNN. “Austin’s New Year is back and bigger than ever, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate at Auditorium Shores,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement to the press. “This City is no stranger to hosting world class events, so it’s no surprise CNN is returning to count down to the new year in the Live Music Capital of the World.” More information about the schedule, parking, food and road closures can be found here.

Throughout the month of January, the Lower Colorado River Authority is accepting applications for community grants of up to $50,000. Twice per year, its Community Development Partnership Program gives to nonprofits like volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, local governments, schools, libraries, civic groups and museums. (The grants are not given to individuals, for-profit entities, professional associations, social service projects or limited-use facilities.) “Applicants requesting more than $5,000 in grant funding must supply matching funds of at least 20% of the total project cost. The projects must benefit or be available to an entire community and improve the value of a capital asset through building, renovating or purchasing equipment,” a news release from the LCRA says. Apply online at lcra.org/cdpp by midnight Jan. 31.

Traffic at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) was down 6.14 percent in October when compared to the previous year. The airport reports 1,915,146 passengers flew this October. However, total air cargo was up 14.72 percent (by weight). From January through October, total passenger traffic was down 1.17 percent, with AUS seeing 18,166,875 passengers in total during that time period.

Construction on the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge before the Longhorn Dam will alter traffic patterns on Pleasant Valley Road starting today. According to a missive from the Transportation and Public Works Department, the traffic configuration will change by:

• Shifting both traffic lanes to the east side of South Pleasant Valley Road to one-way in both directions.
• Rerouting pedestrians and bikers using the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail onto the east side of South Pleasant Valley Road.
• Canterbury Street will continue to serve as a detour for pedestrians and bikers using the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail with one-way traffic heading west.

Supports for the bridge are expected to be completed by the end of the year, with construction on the Pleasant Valley underpass continuing through May of 2025. The project timeline remains on track, with an anticipated completion in the summer of 2026.

In an effort to address parking challenges for students, parking on Stephen F. Austin Drive will be reserved for Austin High School students between Cesar Chavez Street and Veterans Drive from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. The road, which is actually a private street owned by AISD, will still be open to the public on weekends, school holidays and outside of the noted hours. The rule changes go into effect Monday, Jan. 6, and will be enforced by AISD police. A note from the city’s Transportation and Public Works Department warns, “There may be future changes to parking hours and/or days so the public should continue to check signs in the area regularly for allowable hours of public parking.”