With hot, dry weather in the forecast for the foreseeable future, the Travis County Commissioners Court has decided to issue a burn ban for the unincorporated areas of the county. Travis County Chief Fire Marshal Tony Callaway noted in a press release, “Fire danger is expected to increase significantly over the next 7 to 10 days as humidity levels drop and rain chances remain minimal. We want to do everything we can to minimize the risk of wildfires, and a new burn ban is a tool we can use to keep our community safe.” The burn ban, which will be in effect until Oct. 26, “does not affect prescribed burns conducted under the supervision of a prescription burn manager. It also does not affect outdoor welding, cutting or grinding operations, and outdoor hot works operations,” as long as workers are following the fire marshal’s guidelines. As always, have water nearby when doing any outdoor grilling or barbecuing. In fact, it’s a good idea to have water nearby when you’re doing anything that involves fire.

A chill is (finally!) in the air and the November elections are approaching fast. We’ve teamed up with Austin PBS to clear up any lingering election questions you might have before heading off to the polls. As part of a project with America Amplified, we are answering questions about voting dates, requirements and anything else that might be flummoxing our readers. Submit your questions via AustinPBS.org/elections or by texting “Austin PBS” and your question to (855) 670-1777. With help from Austin PBS and America Amplified, we’ll answer the questions online, on the air and on social media as well as sending an answer directly to you! (If you share your contact information, we may even reach out personally.) Oct. 11 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election. Early voting starts Oct. 24.

We’re putting on a summit and would love for you to join us! On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the Austin Monitor will hold our City Summit at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. We’ll be discussing homelessness and housing policy, and checking in with the people who are aiming to be Austin’s next mayor. Find more information and tickets here. Hope to see you there!

At long last, phase one of the Seaholm water intake facility renovation is complete. For now, that means limited, guided access to the building (led by parks department and Trail Conservancy guides). Soon, the long-vacant building will see public programming such as fitness classes, volunteer events and historical tours. Planning the rehab of the intake facility began in 2016, and the completed phase included restoration of windows, new lighting and roofing. Find more information about the rehabilitation here.

The Austin City Limits Music Festival is right around the corner (Oct. 7-9 and 14-16) and various city departments are battening down the hatches as they prepare for a massive influx of visitors to Austin. Of course, road closures are always part of the fun, so you can check out this handy calendar to find out which roads will be closed and for how long. Crews are already hard at work setting up, so the parks department has closed Zilker Park, effective today. This map shows Zilker Park access during the festival. Of course, parking is always a nightmare; just keep in mind there is no parking at Zilker Park or in surrounding neighborhoods during the festival. For more hot tips on parking, check out ACL’s Twitter feed.

The city is asking for the community’s help in allocating a potential $11.4 million in American Rescue Plan dollars earmarked for the homeless in Austin. Starting Oct. 6, the public can review the revised allocation plan that will be open for comment through Oct. 21. There is also an opportunity to offer public comment at an Oct. 11 meeting of the Community Development Commission, either in person or by emailing the board liaison at jesse.gutierrez@austintexas.gov. According to a press release from the city, Austin’s share of the $5 billion in federal dollars may be spent on:

• Supportive services
• Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelters
• Tenant-based rental assistance
• Development of affordable rental housing
• Nonprofit operating expenses
• Nonprofit capacity building

In an effort to more accurately reflect its official role as the main steward of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, the Trail Foundation has rebranded and will now be known as the Trail Conservancy. To celebrate, the conservancy will be hosting a community event this Saturday, Sept. 24, at Shoal Beach from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will feature Trail Conservancy CEO Heidi Anderson, as well as Mayor Steve Adler, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Catherine Robb as speakers as well as live music, games and merch. “At our core, we’re still the same organization the community has grown to know, love and trust. This new name better aligns with our mission and vision to enhance and protect the Butler Trail,” Anderson said, in a statement to the press. “We remain dedicated to serving this community by building and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces that are accessible to all Austinites. I look forward to reintroducing everyone to the Trail Conservancy and kicking off a new chapter for our organization.”

Members of the city’s Commission on Seniors have asked that their group be renamed the Commission on Aging. Stephanie Hall from the Office of the City Clerk presented the proposed name change to the City Council Audit and Finance Committee, noting that the term “seniors” is falling out of use when describing older adults. The commission says that use of the term “aging” “would be consistent with names of other similar commissions and with the name of local, state and national agencies and organizations addressing the needs of older adults,” according to backup documentation provided to the committee. Council members Leslie Pool and Kathie Tovo indicated agreement with the idea, but the entire Council must agree to the name change.

Roy Kizer Golf Course, which has been closed since early March 2022, will celebrate its grand reopening at the end of the month with a live radio broadcast, music, giveaways, breakfast for everyone, and of course, golf. The golf course had a soft reopening earlier this month and now it’s ready to have a party to show off its newly resurfaced putting green to the public. Thursday, Sept. 29, 7-10 a.m., 5400 Jimmy Clay Drive.

Do you have an opinion on Austin’s urban trails, bikeways and sidewalks? The city is now offering community members a chance to use those opinions to shape the future of multimodal transportation with an open house and survey available through Oct. 23. The virtual open house runs through a couple of different scenarios for building out city infrastructure. After visiting the open house, residents may take the survey online or request it via mail by calling (512) 974-7182 or emailing ATXWalkBikeRoll@AustinTexas.gov.

In some good news for voters, Travis County has extended its early voting hours for the Nov. 8 election. Travis County Clerk Rebecca Guerrero proposed extending early voting hours at select polling locations during two days of early voting, and the county judge and commissioners gave the plan the green light. Guerrero said in a news release, “I appreciate the court’s willingness to help fund these extra hours and am happy we were able to work together to make voting even more convenient in Travis County.” Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 24, at 7 a.m. Five “mega-centers” will stay open until 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, and on the last day of early voting, Nov. 4. The rest of the early voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on those dates. Here is a list of all early voting locations. Check your registration status, download a personal sample ballot and view a list of polling locations at VoteTravis.com.

The city is urging motorists driving on East Stassney Lane to use caution due to construction intended to address pavement heaves and install shared-use paths. The project, which is addressing Stassney between Teri and Burleson roads, is in its first phase and is expected to be complete by fall 2023. A news release from the city’s Public Works Department notes that safety for its team, drivers and pedestrians “has been a concern on the road as some drivers have not complied with the speed reduction, rumble strips, and other traffic control measures.” Currently, Stassney Lane has been reduced to two lanes, which will be the case throughout the project, and sidewalks and some bus stops have been temporarily closed. “Although I’m glad to see the Stassney Lane improvements underway, it should not cost our community workers their safety,” said Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, who urged caution while the project is underway. “To ensure the improvements on Stassney Lane are completed in a safe and timely manner, please watch your speed and look out for construction workers. I look forward to the safe completion of this project so that more Southeast Austinites can experience more secure walking and driving conditions.”