City of Austin Council Message Board

Colleagues, one of my Austin friends sent along a link to this September WaPo article that discusses a growing body of research that documents the psychological and physical health benefits of spending time in natural settings - forests or parks - especially for people who live in urban areas. We re...

All, here's the schedule for Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee meetings for next year. I plan to have eight total meetings, with no meetings in the months of March, July, August and December. The November meeting will be held on the third Wednesday that month. It's possible agenda...

Colleagues, I’d like to clarify some areas of concern that have been raised about my proposal to update the city’s lobby registration ordinance so that it more closely mirrors state law. First, simply meeting with staff on a discretionary issue does not constitute lobbying in and of itself. Under my...

Preservation Austin has announced its awards for 2015 and, along with Merit Award winners Paramount Theatre, Covert Monument on Mt Bonnell, and the Seaholm Power Plant, Bluebonnet Hills Local Historic District is listed for Special Recognition. Read about it on the organization's blog here :: https:...

Colleagues, thought you'd be interested in this event :: The Texas Center for the Book is moving to the Texas State Library. First Lady Cecilia Abbott opened the short ceremony earlier today at the Archives and Library Building just east of the Capitol, including a book signing and refreshments. The...

As an update, and to give everyone plenty of advance notice, I'm advised the Council typically does not have Council meetings until the third week in January. A draft 2016 calendar is in the works for Council to consider on October 15 that shows our first work session on Jan 26 and first Council mee...

All, at our work session this morning I offered a schedule of meetings for us to consider for November, December and the new year. Traditionally, work tapers down during the holiday season to allow all COA employees to spend well-deserved time with their family and friends. I propose the following: ...

Colleagues, what if Austin were a test city for permeable concrete? https://www.facebook.com/techinsider/videos/419013808296981/ From an asphalt industry site: Porous Asphalt: “When it pours, it’s porous.” http://www.asphaltpavement.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=359&Itemid=863 Por...

Colleagues, my office continues working on a draft resolution to return the Adelaide Opal to its home city. I thought you'd like to read the letter from the Adelaide City Council, signed by Stephen Hains, Acting Chief Executive Officer, formally requesting its return. I have co-signer signals from M...

Mayor, thanks for moving forward on this initiative, and it's early enough for us to be able to spend some time thinking about structure and content. The four areas you list sound great. Couple items I'd add: - monitor legislative activity during the interim, with our Governmental Affairs staff keep...

Colleagues, on Tuesday, at some point during our budget discussions, I will request this information from staff: 1. What is the estimate of our unexpended balance going into the end of FY15, and 2. Are Certificates of Obligation a feasible way to pay for body-worn cameras? Hope everyone is enjoying ...

All, it's terrific that Austin is recognized and Margo is appointed to such a prestigious panel! I would support moving the issue of body cameras forward with two considerations: 1. Consider scoping our timeframe to align with and make the best use of recommendations that may come from this national...

All, I'm happy to advise my staff and I were able to lower the dollar costs for some of my initiatives. Please make note the following updates to the Excel workbook posted earlier tonight by Mayor Adler and I'll make these changes formally when the items are called on the dais: 1.53 :: reduce funds ...

MPT Tovo, this is a very good process suggestion and I look forward to working through our budget amendments on Tuesday and Wednesday. If anyone else has a suggestion, I'm glad to consider but absent another approach, I would be happy to follow this.

Leslie

CM Zimmerman, are you requesting these projects for funding from the quarter-cent Cap Metro allocation to District 6?

All, as you're probably aware, many in Austin are concerned over the City's campaign finance and ethics rules. Both the City's Commission on Ethics Review and the League of Women Voters, as well as many other parties, have been working on updating and enhancing these rules. A press conference is set...

Mayor,

I think this week we need a second "plus-one" and I would be glad to join in this effort.

Thanks.

All, as we're considering parks budget items, please let me know what projects in your district that you'd like added to the Concepts list for staff to cost out. Since we're in the plus-one phase, I am happy to be your plus-one on specific asks for parks or pools in your district. I will ask staff f...

All, at our Council meeting Thursday I supported postponing the Grove at Shoal Creek PUD baseline setting to October 8. It wasn’t until Friday that I realized I’m going to be out of town on Oct. 8. I emailed the mayor to let him know and suggest that we move the item to October 15, or another date, ...

all, CM Houston (via Christopher!) raises a great question; a few months back my office asked staff to provide all of us with a list of Council resolutions that are unfulfilled or in process - staff shorthand for this is CUIR. We did receive some information at one point, but am pretty sure more was...

Colleagues, we touched on this task force in discussion of the final item on our Aug 6 Council agenda. To refresh our intent, the Task Force is made up of two appointments from each Council office, and the deadline for making nominations is September 1 for posting to our first council meeting in Sep...

Colleagues, relating to our plan to review the City's policies on flood buyouts and permitting development in flood plains, and knowing FEMA officials are in Austin responding to the Memorial Day 2015 floods, I'm copying below some details from today's Statesman to keep in mind about NFIP and FEMA p...

all, I note that EMS & Fire item on our Public Safety Committee agenda today appears to have caught the affected departments unaware. I would suggest that we table the item, and will make that motion if no one else does. Here is an excerpt from Chief Rodriguez's weekly newsletter: “Both the EMS and ...

CM Gallo, I would like to work with you and CMs Houston, Kitchen, and Troxclair on the proposed homestead exemption benefiting seniors and people with disabilities.

Thanks.

Leslie

Portions of two primary watersheds north of the river run through District 7. Shoal Creek jumped its banks where it always does .... and Walnut Creek was running high. I would be interested in joining the conversation. I went out to check the creeks a couple times today and one positive take-away wa...