Women swimmers are unhappy w/ the proposed 2024 rehab of Barton Springs Pool Bathhouse. Learn more.

 

$105.2 million Capital Construction Grant, I35 Cap and Stitch project, visit OurFuture35.com.

AUSTIN, Texas – The City of Austin has been awarded a $105.2 million Capital Construction Grant as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program (NAE), funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The City will use this grant funding to construct a 5.3-acre freeway cap over I-35 between Cesar Chavez and Fourth Street as part of Our Future 35: Austin’s Cap and Stitch Program.

The City’s ‘Our Future 35’ initiative aims to construct caps and stitches, otherwise known as platforms or lids, over portions of I-35 in Central Austin being reconstructed as part of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Capital Express Central Project.

The City's cap and stitch project provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the landscape of Central Austin by building public space and amenities that celebrate and connect all Austinites.

“A primary goal of pushing and pushing to get I-35 lowered was so that we could have the potential for not only reducing the divide it created and continues to perpetuate, but so that we might have caps and stitches that allow for far better connections,” Mayor Kirk Watson said. “This federal award will better enable Austin to realize that vision, and I’m really excited about the opportunities that lie ahead to work together to create a more complete city. And thank you to our Congressional delegation who worked to bring home this critical funding.”

The City applied for the grant in September and identified the freeway cap between Cesar Chavez Street and Fourth Street as a strong candidate project due to the enhanced connections it will provide residents of the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood to downtown previously cut off by the original construction of I-35, including a potentially uninterrupted walking and biking corridor across I-35 at Third Street that requires no frontage road crossings.

“These are the first three blocks of what could eventually be additional benefits through additional capping along I-35 with help from UT, the City and other interested parties,” U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) said in a media release.

“Crossing I-35 on foot doesn’t have to feel like an uncomfortable game of Frogger,” Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) said. “We’re bringing federal dollars home to Austin, reconnecting East and West Austin, and creating dynamic spaces for all of our residents.”  

The City will contribute a $45 million local match to the project and will coordinate with TxDOT on the design and engineering of the cap structure and anticipates a robust public process to determine the design of amenities on top that will be constructed after the structure is built.

The City continues to explore funding and phasing strategies for other caps and stitches, including additional grants, philanthropy, and other sources.

To learn more about the Cap and Stitch project, visit OurFuture35.com.

About Austin Transportation and Public Works Department

Austin Transportation and Public Works is a highly reliable organization that builds and maintains mobility infrastructure for our community. Visit AustinTexas.gov/TPW.

The City of Austin and Austin Police Association Meet and Confer Negotiations Scheduled

Formal negotiations on a new long-term contract between the City of Austin and the Austin Police Association (APA) are set to begin on March 13, 2024.   

All parties agree that a long-term contract is in the best interest of the community and are committed to finding a resolution. The goal is for any agreement reached between the APA and the City’s bargaining team to address community concerns, navigate current legal challenges, and garner Council approval.   

The APA and the City will meet to negotiate the terms of the Austin Police Department Meet and Confer Agreement on the following dates which can also be found on the City’s website at: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/labor-relations-office 

City of Austin and Austin Police Association - Meet and Confer: 

March 13, 2024 10 a.m. 

Human Resources Department (LRC)  

5202 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin, Tx. 78741 

Room 204 (Auditorium), Suite 500 

March 20, 2024 10 a.m. 

Location TBD  

The meetings will be live streamed and can be accessed here: 

https://www.youtube.com/@cityofaustinlaborrelations1584/streams 

The meetings are open to the public, but attendees will not be able to speak or engage in the negotiations. The meetings will also follow state law Texas Local Government Code Section 143.305 which states that the agreement and any documents prepared and used in connection with the agreement are available to the public only after the agreement is ratified by the City Council.

Deep Eddy Pool Reopens in Time for Spring Break; Lifeguard Training and Hiring Can Be the Start of a New Career

Photo Courtesy of Progressive Commercial Aquatics

Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave., will reopen just in time for spring break. The Deep Eddy lap pool will be open for normal operating hours on Monday, March 11, with the shallow side opening for recreational swim the next day, Tuesday, March 12. Find hours of operation at AustinTexas.gov/Pools.

Deep Eddy Pool was closed temporarily since Monday, January 8 for maintenance improvements including replacement of a damaged bulkhead and upgraded deck lighting. This maintenance project was made possible in part by funding from the Austin Parks Foundation.

Lifeguard Training and Hiring

The City of Austin offers lifeguard certification year round. The StarGuard lifeguard program is an internationally-recognized certification with a curriculum that teaches trainees how to act in the event of an emergency.

Anyone interested in applying to be a lifeguard can stop by the Aquatic Office, 2818 San Gabriel St., for free pizza during Lifeguard Hiring Open Hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, April 5.

Everyone must complete the job application and hiring paperwork before registering for training. Applicants should bring ID and social security card to get their paperwork completed.

Lifeguards earn $20.80 per hour with no experience. Ages 15 and up can apply. Free bus pass if hired. Learn more about lifeguarding at LifeguardAustin.com.

About Austin Parks Foundation
Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is dedicated to partnering with the community to enhance people’s lives by making public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support. APF has invested over $80 million in Austin parks since its inception in 1992, and its annual flagship volunteer event, It’s My Park Day, results in an average of $650,000 in volunteer labor each year. APF also fosters unique partnerships, is a presenting partner and beneficiary of the Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Metropolitan Park, and empowers neighbors all over the city to create a park system that serves their needs. For more information, please visit www.austinparks.org.

City of Austin 2024 Spring Festival Event Operations Center, media hotline active

The City of Austin has activated the Event Operations Center (EvOC) to coordinate public safety and transportation operations for the 2024 Spring Festival Season, including the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference & Festivals.

Media requests regarding City operations related to Spring Festival Season can be directed to the EvOC media line at (512) 974-9280 or ACEPIO@austintexas.gov. The line will be operational from approximately 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. through March 12, and from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. March 13-16. The EvOC closes at 3 a.m. on March 16.

For the most up-to-date information about City operations and traffic conditions, monitor the City of Austin's social media (@austintexasgov) and #SpringFestATX. The City of Austin also posts mobility, safety and useful Spring Festival information at austintexas.gov/SpringFestivalATX.

Local Leaders Celebrate International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month, and Texas’ First Female Dean of the Senate

 

AUSTIN, TX –On Thursday, March 7th, Council Member Alison Alter, Assistant City Manager Veronica Briseño, and the women of the Austin City Council marked International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month at City Hall. Over 100 attendees, including representatives from Austin’s state legislative delegation, the Travis County Commissioners Court, Austin ISD, Austin Community College, and the judiciary, joined the female Council majority and ACM Briseño for a ceremony in Council chambers, followed by a reception. “Annually, we gather with local elected women and our executive and departmental leaders at City Hall to celebrate our achievements and progress. We also reflect on the barriers to gender parity that we’re still fighting and commit to helping one another,” said Council Member Alison Alter. “I am proud that we have a female majority on the Austin City Council, the Travis County Commissioners Court, our local state legislative delegation, the ACC and AISD boards of trustees, and other bodies.” “At the City, about 6,383 of our employees, including 81 City executives, are women,” said Assistant City Manager Veronica Briseño. “In particular, I'm a proud co-founder of the City's Woman to Woman affinity group…We now have over 400 active members, many of whom attribute the relationships and connections they’ve made to Woman to Woman. When we include, empower, and invest in women, we accomplish so much more as an organization and community.” Additionally, Council Member Vanessa Fuentes and Mayor Kirk Watson sponsored a proclamation honoring Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini, who was named the first female Dean of the Texas Senate on December 31, 2023. “Dean Zaffirini’s trailblazing accomplishments, work ethic, and relentless tenacity are worth celebrating,” said Council Member Fuentes. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to honor her legacy, which continues to inspire and empower women across our state and country.” “Succeeding 24 men who have served as Dean of the Texas Senate since 1909 is an important milestone. We rejoice in shattering that ceiling, but are saddened and disappointed it took almost 180 years to do so. Equally important, how long will it take for a second woman to assume the title?” said Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini. “Our progress has been slow, but our pace clearly is quickening. I look forward to the day we no longer have to celebrate women’s ‘firsts,’ thereby giving us more time to celebrate our impact and accomplishments.” “Gathering with these women has become one of my favorite traditions at City Hall, and it’s especially fitting for us to honor Senator Zaffirini’s historic achievement as part of Women’s History Month,” Council Member Alter added. “The theme of International Women’s Day this year is ‘Invest in women, accelerate progress.’ We know that when more women enter leadership roles, our entire community thrives.”

Emergency Messaging in American Sign Language Aims to Keep Deaf Community Informed

 

HSEM ensures accessible language access resources are available

In an emergency, having accessible information from a reliable source can save lives. The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) established the Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS) to serve members of the community who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or deaf-blind or have limited literacy.   “HSEM is committed to providing equitable access of emergency information. When we engage with disability advocacy groups, we learn how to better serve members of our community who are sometimes left out of the conversation,” said Ken Snipes, Director of HSEM. “Our goal is to make sure organizations in the disability advocacy space have access to us and can see themselves represented in emergency plans.”   As part of the City’s emergency warnings process, HSEM sends emergency messages to registered users in American Sign Language (ASL) through the Accessible Hazard Alert System. AHAS issues a message with the information in video form and English voice and text. The video is of a person signing the emergency information in American Sign Language. Users receive these messages on internet and video capable devices such as computers, cell phones, smart phones, tablet computers, and wireless Braille readers. This information is also linked to the Emergency Alerts webpage, austintexas.gov/alerts, where emergency information can be found in 14 languages.   Anyone who finds this service helpful is encouraged to register for emergency alerts in American Sign Language on the AHAS website or by texting AHAS to (737) 241-3710.

ATXN Launches New Music Show "Sound ON!" Featuring Austin's Hottest Musicians, March 8 at 7PM

 

Kicking off the series premier is Chief Cleopatra, Brother Thunder, Moving Parnoramas, and Tomar & the FCs.

AUSTIN, TX – March 6, 2024 – ATXN, the City of Austin government access channel, is thrilled to announce the premiere of its newest music series, "Sound ON!".  This groundbreaking show follows in the footsteps of ATXN’s Emmy-award winning series "Notes in Time" and promises to be a captivating experience for music enthusiasts.      "Sound ON!" brings Austin’s vibrant music scene to the forefront, showcasing the city's hottest musicians with live performances and in-depth interviews. The series spotlights both established and up-and-coming artists across genres and generations, celebrating the diverse musical landscape that makes Austin a renowned cultural hub.     A collaboration between ATXN, Ice Cream Factory Studio, and the City’s Music & Entertainment Division, "Sound ON!" reflects the city's commitment to nurturing and promoting its vibrant music culture. This body of work promises to be a must-watch series, capturing the essence of Austin's musical spirit and contributing to the city's legacy as a cultural powerhouse.   “We are excited to introduce 'Sound ON!' to our viewers, offering a front-row seat to the extraordinary talent that defines Austin's music scene,” said Burton Fitzsimmons, station manager at ATXN. “It’s a real treat to capture these electrifying performances and share with the world.”  On March 8 at 7PM, tune into ATXN.TV and ATXN’s YouTube channel for the “Sound ON!” premiere featuring Chief Cleopatra.    New episodes will drop at 7PM every Friday throughout March, showcasing Brother Thunder, Moving Panoramas and Tomar & the FCs.

The City of Austin and Austin Police Association Announce Formal Negotiations on Long-Term Contract Set to Resume

Both the City of Austin and Austin Police Association (APA) are excited to announce that formal negotiations on a new long-term contract are set to resume on March 13, 2024.  
 
“I have been saying for some time now that it was critical for the City to get back to the bargaining table with the Austin Police Association,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. “I’m pleased we’ve agreed to a date to begin those negotiations.  Our police officers need to know that they’re supported, we need to fill vacancies, and the best way to show support and fill positions is by getting a long-term contract.”
 
All parties agree that a long-term contract is in the best interest of our City and the officers who protect it. Over the years, the stability of the Meet & Confer process and resulting agreements have faced numerous challenges. The time has come to face these challenges and find a way to move forward for the betterment of Austin.  

“I’m grateful to Mayor Watson, city management, and those on the City Council I’ve had the opportunity to speak with for their efforts and commitments to finding a path forward so we can resume formal contract negotiations. The only way we are able to move forward is by working together as this is one community,” said APA President Michael Bullock. “I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making and hope that we will be able to move through this process in a way that benefits all involved, most of all the community we serve.”
 
As we enter these negotiations, both sides recognize the significance of resuming this process. Negotiations are never perfect, but all agree there is a path forward to help us begin to turn around the public safety crisis we’re currently in. Similarly, we recognize one of the benefits of the Meet & Confer process is it is voluntary and for the mutual benefit of all involved. 
 
Much work is still to be done – but both the APA and City are committed to finding a mutually acceptable and beneficial resolution. We are confident any agreement reached between the APA and the city’s bargaining team will address community concerns, navigate current legal challenges, and be approved by Council.  
 
Details about the negotiations are still being finalized.  Once location and time of that discussion is available, a follow-up news release will provide those details and the information will be posted on the City’s main website at austintexas.gov as well as shared via social media.

Partnership Provides Nutritional Options for Emergency Shelter

 

The City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, Endeavors, and the Central Texas Food Bank are announcing a new partnership to provide healthier and nutritious meals at the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter. Under the agreement, the Central Texas Food Bank will deliver three meals each day to the shelter five days a week. The daily meals and snacks will meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines while providing a variety of offerings that will accommodate dietary restrictions.   "This partnership represents a pivotal moment in our collective dedication to holistic and compassionate care for our clients," said David Gray, City of Austin Homeless Strategy Officer. "By combining the expertise of the Homeless Strategy Office, the commitment of our shelter operator Endeavors, and the expansive resources of the Central Texas Food Bank, we are poised to transform the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter into a beacon of hope and support, providing not just sustenance but nourishment that fosters long-term well-being." The partnership is designed to create meal offerings with nutrition in mind, reflecting best practices in dietary health and nutritional education by incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into the daily menus. The aim is not only to meet the immediate needs of the shelter clients, but also to foster long-term health benefits and education on the importance of balanced eating habits.   "Our dietary approach is rooted in research that underscores the critical role nutrition plays in overall health, including physical and mental," said Sari Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. "The nutritious and diverse menus are intended to foster a sense of dignity and contribute to the holistic well-being of those we’re serving, supporting them in leading healthier lives."   The collaboration between the Homeless Strategy Office, Endeavors, and the Central Texas Food Bank provides the ability to procure food and supplies in an incredibly cost-effective way, guaranteeing that resources are utilized in the most efficient manner possible. The allocation of financial resources to a leading local non-profit service agency strengthens the local service community and reinvests funds in Austin’s local economy.   The Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter is a temporary homeless shelter serving up to 300 clients daily. In addition to providing meals, clients can access hygiene facilities, laundry service, medical care, case management, coordinated entry, transportation, pet accommodations and social enrichment. The shelter serves guests 24 hours a day, seven days a week.   To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness

Hill Country Alliance’s Night Sky Program Manager Dawn Davies Gives Eclipse Talk at Barton Springs Full Moon Swim

 

The Austin Nature and Science Center invites you to learn about the upcoming eclipse with expert and educator Dawn Davies during Full-Moon Swim on Monday, March 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the south entrance of Barton Springs. A Hill Country Alliance’s Night Sky Program Manager Dawn Davies has over a decade of astronomy outreach and dark sky preservation experience. She has served on the board of the Austin Astronomical Society and as a volunteer advocate for the Internationals Dark-Sky Association. Bring your binoculars and telescopes to gaze at the moon. Other astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts will be on hand to help you explore the night sky with a telescope and participate in fun hands-on learning activities. Free eclipse glasses will be distributed at the event. The schedule will be as follows: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hands-on, family-friendly activities 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eclipse presentation and Q&A  8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Night sky viewing with a telescope About the Total Eclipse On April 8, 2024, Austin will experience a once in a lifetime total solar eclipse in the path of totality. Austin won’t be in the path of totality again for another 319 years. Learn more about the Total Eclipse 2024. Free eclipse glasses and bookmarks (limit four per person) are available while supplies last beginning March 11 at the following Austin Parks and Recreation locations:  Austin Nature and Science Center Community Recreation Centers Senior Centers Cultural Centers Learn more about How To View the Total Eclipse Safely.

Spring Festival Season Begins this Week

The City of Austin formally welcomes Austinites and visitors to Spring Festival Season 2024. Events kick off with the SXSW Conference and Festival beginning Friday, March 8. Before excited attendees from around the globe make their way to Austin, City leaders gathered Monday at Butler Park to discuss ongoing preparations and how community members and guests can safely enjoy Spring Festival Season.

“SXSW – the festival that made Austin famous across the globe – is right around the corner and will again draw thousands to our city from the fields of education, technology, film, television and – of course – music,” Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool said. “I want you to know that Austin is prepared, and we ask for patience and partnership from our residents as we navigate the by-products festivals and events bring with them.”

Spring Festival Season continues to be successful because of the positive relationship between event organizers and the Austin community. City leaders emphasized a neighborly approach of respectfully monitoring the physical impact and noise level events have on nearby residents and businesses.

Watch a replay of Monday’s press conference on ATXN.

Transportation and Public Works Department 
Spring Festival Season will be a busy time in and around downtown. Road closures and detours will add congestion in the area and could cause delays for those choosing to drive. Anyone who is able to walk, bike, or take transit during this time is strongly encouraged to do so. For those who can telework, this is a great time to take advantage of that option.

An interactive Spring Festival Season Mobility Guide map is available to see street closures, rideshare staging areas and loading zones, public transit stations and routes, bicycle routes, and more. Festival attendees are advised to take advantage of the City’s downtown mobility options, including the MetroBike bikeshare system, walking, and public transit. 

Attendees choosing to drink at Spring Festival Season events can use the City’s parking ticket waiver program when making the responsible choice to leave their car overnight. Remember to save the receipt from your safe ride home and fill out the waiver form at AustinTexas.gov/GetHomeSafe.

Austin Police Department 
Please drink responsibly and have a plan to get home safely. A no-refusal initiative will begin on March 7 and run evenings and nights through March 17. The Austin Police Department (APD) will be visible downtown to assist with everyone’s safety to ensure all attendees are having a great time and enjoying the vibrant events our City welcomes every year.

With an increase in pedestrians, everyone should double check they are following traffic signals, signage, and officer instructions. Additional officers will be assisting at some intersections to manage pedestrian traffic.

There will be limited parking in certain parts of downtown and many residential areas near downtown require permits. Please do not park in a “No parking / Tow-away” zone as these will be enforced.

Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in crowds. If you see something, say something.

Austin-Travis County EMS 
Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) will have multiple dedicated response units and personnel assigned to the downtown area to respond to calls for service and transport patients who require additional care.

The ATCEMS Patient Collection Point will be in operation from Tuesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 16 from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day.

Austin Fire Department 
The Austin Fire Department’s (AFD) Special Events division works to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all attendees by:

• Performing both public assembly (PA) permit and night inspections.  
• Deploying teams of night inspectors to ensure venues operate safely. The focus will be on inspections for overcrowding as well as general fire- and life-safety issues, including locked, blocked, or obstructed exits, and complaint calls.
• Performing fire watch where necessary due to the complexity or size of particular events and/or variances allowed.

AFD will work with its partners to respond to and investigate complaints, such as overcrowding in bars and other public assemblies, and reports of unpermitted events. 

Austin Public Health 
Spring Festival Season attendees are encouraged to be vaccinated, use hand sanitizer, wash hands often and stay home if they feel sick. 

• Find vaccines near you at vaccines.gov (vacunas.gov en Español). 
• Free mail-order rapid antigen test kits are available once again through covid.gov/tests. Households are eligible for another round of four tests for a limited time.

Austin Parks and Recreation 
It’s important to Leave No Trace so our parks, trails, and green spaces can be enjoyed for Spring Festival Seasons to come. When visiting:

• Be considerate of other visitors. 
• Take trash and leftover food with you when you leave Austin’s green spaces. 
• Plan ahead for appropriate weather. 
• Stay on established trails when walking to events. 
• Bring bags for pet waste and dispose of them in designated areas.

For more information, visit  AustinTexas.gov/LeaveNoTrace.  

Communication During Spring Festival Season 
The City of Austin (@austintexasgov) and Austin Emergency Management (@AustinHSEM) will utilize X to share relevant information using #SpringFestATX. 

The Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police), Austin-Travis County EMS (@ATCEMS), and the Austin Fire Department (@austinfiredept; @AustinFireInfo) will also employ their X feeds for time-sensitive public safety notifications. 

Community members and visitors should call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency – where there is an immediate threat to life or property – and Austin 3-1-1 (512-974-2000) to report a non-emergency situation. 

Details and updates for Spring Festival Season will be posted on AustinTexas.gov/SpringFestivalATX.

About Austin Center for Events
The Austin Center for Events (ACE) is a collaborative assembly of City of Austin departments and agencies designed to streamline special event permitting on public and private property. ACE is anchored by teams from Austin Public Health, Transportation and Public Works, Parks, Music, Police, Fire, EMS, Austin Resource Recovery, Development Services, and partner agencies, and works closely with event organizers to guide them through the special event permitting process.

Brush Square Named a 2024 Lone Star Legacy Park

Austin’s Brush Square, 409 E. 5th St., was one of six Texas parks honored with designation as a Lone Star Legacy Park by the Texas Recreation and Park Society at the association’s annual conference in Galveston on February 29, 2024.

A Lone Star Legacy Park is a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the state of Texas.  To qualify for consideration, the park must have endured the test of time and become iconic to those who have visited, played, and rested on its grounds. Nominated parks must be a minimum of 50 years old and meet criteria related to historic, architectural, and natural significance.

Brush Square was designated as one of four public squares in the 1839 original plat of Austin. Three of the historic squares – Wooldridge, Republic, and Brush Squares – thrive to this day, each reflecting a unique character. Before Brush Square was developed into a park in 1913, it was used as a public market and cotton yard. Three historic buildings are located on the square: The O. Henry Museum, relocated in 1934; Central Fire Station #1, constructed in 1938; and the Susanna Dickinson Museum, relocated in 2001.

“The recognition of Brush Square as a Lone Star Legacy Park came at the perfect time. PARD rehabilitated the O. Henry Museum and completed Phase I of the Brush Square Vision Plan in September,” said Kimberly McNeeley, Austin Parks and Recreation Department Director. “Brush Square is one of the oldest green spaces in the city, and its location in the heart of downtown Austin next to the convention center makes it a special place for both residents and visitors.”

Other Texas Parks recognized in 2024 include Carver Park in Cleburne, Huntsville State Park, Martin Luther King (MLK) Park in San Antonio, Menard Park in Galveston, and White Rock Lake in Dallas. Other Austin parks to previously receive the Lone Star Legacy designation include Parque Zaragoza Neighborhood Park, Pease District Park, Zilker Metropolitan Park, Rosewood Neighborhood Park, Eastwoods Neighborhood Park, Givens District Park, and Pan Am Neighborhood Park.

City Hall Prepares to Host Second Charter Review Town Hall, Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5:30 p.m.

 

The City of Austin’s Charter Review Commission will hold a community conversation on Thursday, March 7 to discuss the ongoing review of the Austin City Charter. The meeting will be hybrid, with opportunities to give input in-person or online.   This town hall is one of the last opportunities for the community to give feedback before the Charter Review Commission 2024 presents their proposed amendments to the City Council.   Charter Review Commission Town Hall Where: 301 W 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701, Boards and Commissions Room When: Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5:30 p.m.   Registration is not required for in-person participants. To register to participate virtually or to request interpretation services, visit:   2024 CRC Town Hall Registration.  *Please note, this registration will open on Monday, March 4 at 10AM.   The Charter Review Commission is eager to hear from community members across Austin on potential revisions to the Austin City Charter, which is the City’s governing document.   Earlier this winter, the Commission conducted an online community survey in English and Spanish. They also hosted a hybrid town hall in early February, where residents learned more about the potential changes to the Charter and provided initial feedback to the commissioners.   With the commission set to provide recommendations to Council by the end of March 2024, they invite the community to please join them for this important opportunity to have their voices heard on changes to the Austin City Charter.   For more information on the Austin City Charter, the 2024 Charter Review Commission, and community feedback opportunities, please visit SpeakUpAustin.org/CharterReview.

March Aquatic Updates: Extra Morning Swim Hours at Two Pools; Lifeguard Hiring Open Hours and Training Certifications

Due to the Deep Eddy Pool and Barton Springs Pool maintenance closures, Stacy Pool will open early for lap swim on Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 a.m. March 2 through March 10. Bartholomew Pool will open at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 6. For the complete hours of operation of other year-round pools during these closures, visit AustinTexas.gov/Pools.

Barton Springs Pool Closure
Barton Springs Pool remains closed through March 8 for routine maintenance. Details of the closure were announced in a press release in February 2024. 

Deep Eddy Pool
Deep Eddy Pool remains temporarily closed for repairs. The reopening date will be announced when repairs are complete. This work was announced in a press release in December 2023.

Lifeguard Hiring Open Hours
Stop by the Aquatic Office, 2818 San Gabriel St., to fill out your application and get free pizza at three upcoming hiring open hours. Bring your ID and social security card to expedite the process. Lifeguard hiring open hours are an easy way to get the paperwork out of the way.

• March 7, 4–8 p.m.
• March 21, 4–8 p.m.
• April 5, 4–8 p.m.

Spring Break Lifeguard Training
Lifeguard training takes place all year, but most seasonal lifeguards in Austin get trained during spring break. Lifeguard training and hiring starts at age 15 and there is no age limit. Everyone must complete the job application and their hiring paperwork before they can register for training. Certification training is free. More information at LifeguardAustin.com.