1. Austin Oaks gets second reading
Austin City Council voted, 7-4, to approve the Austin Oaks planned unit development proposal upon second reading during its March 23 meeting. The vote followed nearly six hours of discussion, amendments and emotional public testimony. The controversial 1 million-square-foot PUD at the southwest corner of MoPac and Spicewood Springs now heads to third reading where it will need a nine-vote supermajority on the council.
2. Round Rock ISD bond forums
RRISD began a series of public forums last week to offer information about the district’s May bond election, where voters will decide on three ballot propositions containing dozens of construction projects and facilities upgrades. Together, the three bond propositions total $572.09 million.
Future scheduled forums include:
- Monday, March 27: Round Rock High School, 201 Deep Wood Drive, Round Rock
- Thursday, March 30: McNeil High School, 5720 McNeil Drive, Austin
- Monday, April 3: Westwood High School, 12400 Mellow Meadow Drive, Austin
- Wednesday, April 5: Stony Point High School, 1801 Tiger Trail, Round Rock
Each forum begins at 6:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, here is an interactive map of proposed projects in the bond package.
Project Connect, the regional high-capacity transit plan spearheaded by Capital Metro.[/caption]3. Monday meeting looks at transportation plans
The Northwest Austin Coalition hosts a meeting Monday regarding area transportation plans. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at the Spicewood Springs Library, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin. Monday’s meeting focuses on the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan under development and the relaunch of Project Connect, the regional high-capacity transit plan spearheaded by Capital Metro.
4. Talent Exchange Career Expo
Austin has registered more than 85 employers to participate in the city’s annual job expo Wednesday. The free event takes place from noon-5 p.m. at Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin. Attendees will be able to meet with employers from the private and public sectors as well as temporary staffing agency representatives. More information is available online.
5. ACC gets voter-friendly honor
On March 22, Austin Community College was named a national "Voter-Friendly Campus" by national nonpartisan organizations Campus Vote Project and Student Affairs Administrators of Higher Education. ACC was given the title for its efforts to break down barriers and empower students with information and tools to participate in the political process, according to a news release. ACC's efforts to improve voter turnout include holding voter registration rallies, voter registrar workshops and early voting locations.
