Two new council members were elected in 2016 to represent parts of Northwest Austin. Jimmy Flannigan is now the council member for District 6, replacing Don Zimmerman, and Alison Alter replaced Sheri Gallo in District 10. Here are the top 3 priorities for 2017 from the four council members representing North and Northwest Austin.

Greg Casar District 4

Greg Casar Housing affordability: Casar’s “bucket of affordability” includes looking at the city’s land development code rewrite process called CodeNEXT, developing new and rehabbing existing affordable housing sites, and protecting workers’ rights. Public safety and criminal justice: Casar said he wants to ensure the police department’s energy is focused on fighting violent crime, not immigration, and enhance police-community relationships. Casar said the Austin Police Department’s DNA crime lab rape kit backlog need to take center stage. Transportation: He wants to focus on implementing mobility options, including enhancing the reliability of public transportation and pedestrian walkways in his district. He said sidewalk improvements will be among the first mobility bond projects to be taken on by the city in 2017.

Jimmy FlanniganDistrict 6

Jimmy Flannigan Complete the city manager hiring process: Discussion on hiring a search firm for the city manager position will commence at the end of January. Flannigan said the process of hiring a new city manager in 2017 will look to be aligned with the city’s new strategic plan and its desired outcomes. Keep moving CodeNEXT forward: The first draft of the new land development code is set for release Jan. 30, and council is expected to adopt a final version in 2018. Flannigan said his priority is keeping the process moving and avoiding further delay. Improve Anderson Mill Road: The city will begin implementing the $720 million mobility bond this year. Some funding will go toward improving Anderson Mill Road, and Flannigan said he will make sure the implementation is expedient and aligned with the outcomes of the strategic planning process.

Leslie PoolDistrict 7

Leslie Pool Increase the city’s parks and open space: Pool said part of managing growth is not only about providing affordable housing but also making sure new people coming to town have adequate parks and open space. She said the city needs a balance of both open space and affordable housing. Tackling homelessness: Pool said the city needs to continue momentum from last year’s achievement of functional zero veteran homelessness and use available resources to focus on other homeless demographics, namely women and children. Affordability: Pool said she plans to tackle affordability by working to amend the permitting process for demolitions and encouraging residents to replenish structures that are still habitable instead of tearing down older structures to build newer ones for a higher profit margin.

Alison AlterDistrict 10

Alison Alter Leverage residents’ talents: Alter said District 10 residents have talent, experience and eagerness that could benefit the district as a whole, and she also wants to use the district’s leadership to bring people together in order to solve issues collaboratively. Revise the planned unit development ordinance: Alter said the city needs greater clarity on what it means for a planned unit development to be superior. Alter said she also wants to make sure CodeNEXT reflects the values of the community and benefits all Austinites. Oversee implementation of the mobility bond: Alter wants to ensure the mobility bond meets the needs and expectations of taxpayers. She said there is room for interpretation in what projects will be effective, and oversight by council will play an important role.