Public Notice: Public Land for Public Good, v.2: Has Austin lost its groove? A surprising answer. – News

Member of the Council This is Tovo‘s now lengthy-delayed decision, aimed toward making a framework to make the most of town’s actual property portfolio for the general public good (see “Public notice: Public land for the public good?” News, Oct. 28), was delayed final Thursday’s assembly so it might be mentioned at Tuesday’s council work session. And whereas metropolis employees and the mayor expressed a willingness to proceed working with Tovo and her co-sponsors on the measure, she received a wierd response from some Council colleagues.

One notable scratcher was CM Chito VelaHis reluctance relating to provisions to make sure that building tasks on metropolis-owned lands adjust to the Better Builders Certification Program, OSHA-10 coaching and employees’ compensation. In truth, town already requires it in lots of building tasks, and the Worker Protection Project, the place Vela beforehand served as board chairman, helps the decision.

Equally unusual was the CM Leslie Pooleopposition to a provision to set an aspirational objective of 85% inexpensive housing on metropolis-owned land – even supposing that is merely a objective, not a mandate, and that town supervisor would have the flexibleness to decide on a smaller quantity with evaluation and justification (the decision supplies flexibility at each step so long as town supervisor can justify it). Pool later seemed to be making an attempt to quash the complete decision preemptively, saying she thought the dais was already set in opposition to her.

In response, co-sponsor Kitchen Ann cited the significance of the coverage points the decision addresses, stating that she was not able to declare it useless. Co-sponsor Alison Alter additionally famous that issues ensuing from the present inconsistent course of will proceed to return and that the aim of the decision is to save lots of money and time sooner or later by means of a clearer framework for offers involving metropolis-owned land, summarizing: “We have a responsibility to do better.”

On her half, metropolis ​​employees appears to be taking this child gradual, doubtless hoping it’s going to take off as soon as Tovo and Kitchen are open in January. What it is smart: Most of us would like to do our jobs with out pesky outsiders (like our elected representatives) entering into the combo. But pushing again from Council members on points they’ve championed earlier than is more durable to know, particularly on established priorities like inexpensive housing, employees’ rights and dwelling wages.

Anyway, it is again on the Council’s agenda this Thursday, this time as merchandise 84. Stay tuned.

Another initiative employees would like to destroy is a set of proposed adjustments to town’s compliance requirements AND parking necessities (see p.22), that are on the Planning Commission’s agenda for a public listening to on Tuesday, November 8. But metropolis employees shouldn’t be recommending the present draft and has requested for a delay to permit extra time to wrestle with the language. No phrase at press time if the PC will go for a delay, however the employees’s requests are usually accepted.

Why Doug Sahm now?

These are necessary issues we’re speaking about above – not simply technical particulars, however making an attempt to protect the way forward for town all of us love within the face of super financial pressures. When it involves Central Texas tradition, there are few extra perceptive observers than the creator/director Joe Nick Patoski. In a latest interview, he sounded an alarm: With all the expansion and cash pouring into the area, he mentioned, “it raises two very important existential questions: Has Austin lost his habit? And has San Antonio lost its soul? People in both cities are asking these questions. And the answer is Doug Sahm.”

What?

Find out this Sunday, November 6, with the re-launch of Sir Doug and the Genuine Cosmic Texas Groove, Patoski’s largely unseen 2015 documentary, re-launched at this vital juncture by the Texas Music Preservation Society. They’re internet hosting a reception beginning at 5 p.m., that includes reside music and a reside Q&A with Patoski, on the unique South by Southwest Center, 1000 E. 40, co-sponsored by CHRONICLE and the Austin Museum of Folk Culture. Then at 19:09 is the net present occasion; tickets are $20 at sirdougfilm.com.

It’s my Park Day it is this Saturday, November 5; go to austinparks.org/impd to see a protracted record of volunteer alternatives all through town. In our neck of the woods, for instance, there is a large cleanup for Hancock Golf Course and Park beginning at 8 a.m., however you could find your personal journey close to you.

of Austin Tree of the Year Award can also be introduced on November 5, for the primary time in 9 years. Find out who received at 2:45 p.m. on the Dottie Jordan Park Tree & Pollinator Festival, 2803 Loyola, or at austintreeoftheyearawards.org.