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.