The revised 10-1 Council makes its 2017 debut

The second edition of Austin’s 10-1 City Council had its first regular public meeting this week. Freshmen council members—District 10’s Alison Alter and District 6’s Jimmy Flannigan–received an accurate idea of what to expect from the dais moving forward. The meeting, which started 10 minutes late, eventually kicked off in energetic fashion as the packed council chamber participated in a five-minute jazzercise routine, filled with upbeat music and awkward lunges. Thirteen hours later, with the room nearly empty, the mayor called the meeting adjourned. In between, Alter received a solid education on the details of zoning cases, and Flannigan had his Environmental Commission appointee emphatically objected to by District 7 Council Member Leslie Pool and eventually postponed against his will by the majority of council.

Changes may be on the way at the Historic Landmark Commission

Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo has been leading the charge to salvage the “historic fabric” that she said is depleting because of how seemingly easy demolition permits are released by the city. At the 11-member Historic Landmark Commission, a supermajority–two-thirds, or eight votes–is needed to overrule a property owner’s objection to zoning the property as historic, effectively blocking the possibility of demolition. However, the HLC has been plagued with attendance issues, making the supermajority difficult to obtain. On Thursday, Austin City Council passed a Tovo-sponsored resolution to initiate a code amendment that would eliminate the supermajority requirement. A code amendment will now be drafted, and council will soon revisit the issue to see if it makes sense to change the commission's voting requirements.

City Council slashes half of its committees in push for increased efficiency

During Tuesday’s work session, the mayor and council tentatively agreed to eliminate nearly half of the council committees in an apparent overhaul aimed at increasing efficiency for council and staff. Council agreed to cut the Public Utilities; Public Safety; Open Space, Environment, and Sustainability; and Economic Opportunity committees. However, official action requires a rewrite of the city code, which, according to city attorney Anne Morgan, will not be ready until Feb. 9.

Council begins mission to help the struggling music economy

Mayor Steve Adler has called the current state of Austin’s music industry a “crisis” that needs to take priority in 2017. On Thursday, in its first opportunity for action in 2017, Austin City Council passed two resolutions directly aimed at assisting the music industry. The Red River Cultural District Extended Hours Pilot Program initiates a program to allow for music to be played later at some outdoor venues within the district. The program comes in direct response to venue owners who claim the midnight weekend curfew limits revenue that ultimately helps musicians and keeps up with skyrocketing rent costs. Council also unanimously passed the Music and Creative Arts Ecosystem Omnibus resolution, which authorizes staff to begin taking action on 10 recommendations that seek to preserve Austin’s creative economy.

Austin receives a “big jump” in the prospect of bicycle ridership

On Tuesday, Mayor Steve Adler announced that Austin was chosen as one of 10 “Big Jump Cities” by PeopleforBikes, a Colorado-based organization that aims to help encourage bicycle use in cities. While the designation doesn’t provide any funding, nor any policy changes, Adler said Austin will receive help in implementing its Bike Master Plan and double its bicycle ridership in the city’s downtown area.

Renovation plans for three parks get the thumbs up

On Tuesday, the Parks and Recreation Board approved plans for major upgrades to three parks: Wooldridge Square Park, Bull Creek District Park, and Emma Long Metropolitan Park. At Wooldridge Square Park, preliminary plans include ADA accessibility to the historic gazebo at the park’s center and the addition of a Moonlight Tower to the northwest corner. The focus at Bull Creek District Park will be on trail upgrades, and Emma Long may experience campsite infrastructure improvements.