District 7 August Newsletter

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Greetings from District 7!

Above: Council Member Pool stands with elected officials and community members at a press conference in support of the new Clean Power Plan.
Below left: Representative Donna Howard, David Foster, Texas Director for Clean Water Action, and Council Member Pool at the Clean Power Plan conference.
Below right: Council Member Pool with Representative Elliott Naishtat at the Allandale 4th of July Parade.

Council Updates

Notes on the Proposed Budget

City Council kicked off the 2015-2016 budget process this month, with City departments appearing before Council to address funding needs. Quality-of-life issues are a major focus for Council Member Pool, as well as increasing funding for historically underfunded departments that benefit all Austin residents. Council will continue to discuss the budget over the next few weeks, before adopting the final budget in September.

Accessory Dwelling Units

At the June 18 Council meeting, Council took its first steps to approve preliminary changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations. There are a range of potential ADU reforms moving forward, so Council Member Casar has proposed considering pending issues with two meetings of Chair Casar's Planning and Neighborhoods Committee (PNC). Public testimony will be welcomed at these meetings. Here's the schedule:

August 17 PNC Meeting (4 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall): Short Term Rental (Type-I &Type-II Regulations), City Financing/Loan Programs, Pre-Approved Designs, and Parking Requirements

September 21 PNC Meeting (4 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall): Lot Size Requirements & Structure Size Regulations, Affordability Requirements & Housing Preservation Incentives, Neighborhood Opt-In and Opt-out, and Sub-Metering/Water Utility Issues

Short-Term Rentals

In June, a Council resolution directed the City Manager to develop a plan for better enforcement of short-term rental (STR) regulations. After soliciting input from community members and stakeholders throughout the summer, Staff will present their recommendations at Monday's Planning and Neighborhood Council Committee. Committee members will also discuss a resolution proposed by Council Member Gallo and co-sponsored by Council Member Pool on STRs at Monday's meeting on August 17 at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers. The committee hearing will be open for public testimony.

Recommendations include establishing occupancy limits and adding a penalty for operating without a license or with an expired license. Council Member Pool is also proposing an amendment that would direct the City Manager to develop and implement a Neighborhood Advocate pilot program designed to strengthen code enforcement, address problem properties, and improve quality of life in neighborhoods.

Bull Creek Road Development Update

This week, Council postponed what would have been its initial vote to determine baseline development standards for the 76-acre Bull Creek Road property. That important decision will be made in the fall. Meanwhile, Council Member Pool will continue working closely with neighborhoods and the developer to ensure that the entitlements granted developer MileStone Communities result in a superior project that offers long-term benefits for the community. Keep an eye out for any updates in your neighborhood newsletters or listservs.

Above: A Council proclamation in honor of Willie Conrad's retirement as Division Manager for the Wildland Conservation division of the Austin Water Utility and Secretary of the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Planning Organization Coordinating Committee. Council Member Pool stands with Mr. Conrad and Daryl Slusher, Assistant Director of Austin Water Utiliity, Greg Meszaros, Director of Austin Water Utility, and Mayor Adler.

Community Events + Resources

September District 7 Town Hall

Join us for the second District 7 Town Hall on Saturday, September 19 at Northwest Recreation Center (2913 Northland Drive) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. City staff and neighborhood representatives will be present to talk about updates in District 7.

Share your recycling insights!

A recent independent study found that more recyclables are going to the landfill than are being placed in residents’ blue carts. The City of Austin wants to learn about recycling in your home. How might we put fewer recyclables in the trash? Submit feedback through August 24 by texting 512-580-7778 or visiting insights.austintexas.gov.

Community Audit Planning

The City Auditor is making a concerted effort to collect as much input as possible from the community as the office develops its 2016 Audit Plan. You can submit your ideas and suggestions here on how the City can provide services more effectively and make better use of its times, efforts and your money.

Call for Artists
The People's Gallery is an annual art exhibition that showcases local artists throughout City Hall. The City's Cultural Arts Division invites artists, galleries, museums and art organizations to apply for the exhibition through October 16. Visit http://tinyurl.com/peoplesgallery for more information.

Urban Forestry & Habitat Steward Series

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and TreeFolks are joining forces to offer a fall training series about drought, disease and habitat degradation and the effect each of these have on our urban forest and the wildlife that call it home.

Participating in classes offers an opportunity to become an Urban Forest Steward or Habitat Steward. Classes begin September 12; find more information on sessions and how to register here.

Our Team

Thank you for reading!

Leslie Pool, Council Member
Amy Smith, Chief of Staff
Katie Halloran, Policy Advisor
Leslie Hethcox, Executive Assistant
Michael Gaudini, Policy Aide
Annie Boggs, Policy Aide