Austin City Council

UPDATE (2:36 p.m. CST 3/5/15)


The creation of the Parkland Events Task Force was approved on the consent agenda during the March 5 Austin City Council​ meeting.

Austin City Council will meet March 5 with an unusually short agenda that includes the potential creation of a task force that examines parkland uses.

The Parkland Events Task Force would examine how existing events might impact city parkland. The group would also make recommendations about how park space can best be utilized as a neighborhood asset, according to a draft resolution that council members will consider.

The proposed task force would consist of 17 members, 11 of which appointed by council—one from each council member and the mayor. The remaining members would be appointed by the  Parks and Recreation Board, Music Commission Environmental Board and the Open Space and Environmental council committee—in this case, there would be three appointments.

Any task force recommendations would be due to the Open Space and Environment council committee no later than June 5.

Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo initiated the task force proposal, which stems from her concern about how major events impact city parkland such as Zilker Park, Auditorium Shores and Festival Beach.

There are 35 items on the March 5 agenda, including 27 items on the consent agenda.

Consent agenda highlights



  • Create an Austin Promise Zone that focuses on revitalizing high-poverty communities in the Rundberg, St. John's, Colony Park, East Central, and Dove Springs areas by working with Austin ISD. Approved with 8 "yays" and 3 "nays" from Councilwoman Houston, Councilwoman Troxclair and Councilman Zimmerman.

  • Approve council calendar, including the addition of more City Council meetings to the schedule. Approved unanimously with Councilman Casar off the dais.

  • Approve buyouts for homes in the Onion Creek floodplain area for no more than $60 million. Pulled from the consent agenda during March 5 meeting.

  • Allow installation of a traffic-control device to prevent vehicle usage of a planned extension of Aldwyche Drive. The control device would still allow usage by pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles. Approved with 7 "yays" and Council members Houston, Garza, Casar and Renteria abstaining from the vote.


Non-consent agenda highlights



  • Approve a development deal for proposed pro-quality golf course at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park in East Austin. A proposal from Decker Lake Golf LLC to build a professional-quality golf course facility at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park in East Austin was sent to Economic Opportunity, Technology, Innovation & Creative Industries committee and Open Space, Environment & Sustainability committee. Vote to send item to these council committees had 9 "yays," 1 "nay" from District 1 Councilwoman Ora Houston and 1 abstention from District 2 Councilwoman Delia  Garza. These committees must report back to the full council by end of April.