On March 19, Austin City Council discussed various items on its March 21 agenda including downtown alleys, comparing public utilities and negotiating a contract to outfit Austin Police Department's helicopter.
On Item 40, a resolution to for City Manager Marc Ott to provide options and a time frame for a study into the use of downtown alleys, council members discussed whether any council action should be taken regarding loading and unloading in the alleys while the study and other options are being considered.
"I think, in general, there are many ways that you can actually continue to make good use of alleys even while you allow them to be used for loading and unloading," Councilman Chris Riley said at the work session. "In fact, some of the most appealing alleys downtown are the ones that are frequently used for loading and unloading."
Another item on the agenda—Item 41—deals with a resolution to compile a report evaluating the performance of Texas and national public utilities governed in some way by an independent board. Mayor Lee Leffingwell said he wanted to minimize any delays to the process of establishing an independent governing board for Austin Energy, but Councilwoman Kathie Tovo said time to understand the issue is important.
"I think we need to take the time to make the right decisions," Tovo said.
Ott said the ordinance outlining independent governance for Austin Energy that was supposed to come back to council March 21 will be delayed until about mid-April.
Regarding the police helicopter, which council approved in August, the city is considering a contract with Metro Aviation Inc. to outfit the vehicle with equipment, including a thermal imager, a searchlight, a moving map and night-vision goggles. David Carter, Austin Police Department chief of staff, said that "speed is of the essence" for the department right now and joint training has already begun.
"If council chooses to pass this motion here, then we expect the aircraft to be ready sometime this summer," he said. "Our hope is as soon as possible, but it might not be until mid- to late summer."
Other issues the council is expected to consider at the March 21 meeting include:
Second and third readings on an ordinance pertaining to downtown off-street parking and loading requirements
A contract with RunTex Foundation to produce Trail of Lights for five years
A professional services agreement with one of the responders for the Land Development Code revision
A public hearing to clarify definitions, standards and regulations pertaining to bicycle parking
Austin City Council will meet at 10 a.m. March 21 at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St. For more information on items City Council is expected to consider, visit www.austintexas.gov/department/city-council/council-meetings.
