1. The federal court hearing on the case against Senate Bill 4 will begin Monday in San Antonio
Austin filed a preliminary injunction against “sanctuary cities” bill in federal court on June 19. Mayor Steve Adler said the motion seeks to show that the state of Texas and the federal Immigration Customs Enforcement raids “have collaborated to punish Austin and Travis County.”
2. Austin officially banned electronic cigarettes in all public places, including parks
Use of electronic smoking devices—e-cigarettes and vaporizers—was officially placed under the same restrictions as tobacco cigarettes following unanimous Austin City Council on Thursday. E-cigarettes and vaporizers now fall under the same 2005 ordinance that restricts smoking in all public places, including all parks.
3. Celis Brewery returned to Austin last Friday
The business that brought craft beer to Texas officially returned to Austin Friday night with a new location in North Austin. Located at 10001 Metric Blvd., Austin, the brewery will host its official grand opening on July 11. The beer is available at more than a hundred bars in Central Texas and bottling distribution will launch Aug. 1.
4. Sound On Sound Fest announced its 2017 lineup
The music and comedy festival returns Nov. 10-12. Like last year, the fest will be located at Sherwood Forest in McDade, Texas—35 miles east of downtown Austin. The lineup features the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear, Iggy Pop, the Shins, Blood Orange, Pusha T, Kehlani and Vince Staples. Tickets are on sale now.
5. The public has until July 5 to submit input for the city manager search
At a District 10 town hall meeting last Monday, Northwest Austinites discussed key skills and personality traits they hoped the next city manager would have. Other citizens who wish to do so as well have until July 5 to email feedback to [email protected] or visit www.austintexas.gov/page/city-manager-search.
6. CodeNEXT will get an extra draft but Austin City Council remains strict on April deadline
The CodeNEXT process received an extension on Thursday after Austin City Council voted for the creation of a third draft of the code and zoning maps before it heads to the dais for final deliberations. To make time for the extra draft, the council cut its review time nearly in half.
7. Round Rock ISD will hold forums on July 20 and July 25 to answer questions about potential candidates to replace trustee Paul Tisch
Tisch’s position must be filled by Dec. 7. At the same special meeting held last Tuesday, the school board also approved a budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The new budget is increasingly made up of more property tax revenue and less state funding.
