The Daily Hustle: 6/21/10

So the council agenda for Thursday has firmed up – and it's still 152 items long. Looks like this might take a while. After the break, a look at the more intriguing items from council.

Highlights from items from council (Items 76-90), on the Thursday, June 24 agenda:

77 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to review all City policies, programs and procedures for servicing and supporting locally-owned businesses and to deliver a report and make policy recommendations within 120 days to City Council to enhance the City's efforts to facilitate the growth of locally-owned businesses. (Mayor Lee Leffingwell Council Member William Spelman Council Member Randi Shade)

Sure, why not? Of a piece with Leffingwell's campaign messaging on local business.

78 . Approve a resolution directing the City Clerk to prepare for a November 2012 election to submit to the voters a proposed amendment to Article V, Section 6 of the City Charter relating to the position of city attorney. (Mayor Lee Leffingwell Council Member Sheryl Cole )

As we've written about previously, a long overdue reform to put more accountability in elected officals' hands.

79 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to determine the cost to Austin taxpayers of processing plastic bags in the waste stream. (Mayor Lee Leffingwell Council Member Chris Riley Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez)

The city's zero-waste mission continues apace, as they seek to expand the questionably effective bag recycling measures in place.

81 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to negotiate with both Texas Disposal Systems, Inc. and Balcones Resources, Inc. for a short-term and long-term agreement for recycling services. Related to Item #29. (Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez Council Member Laura Morrison Council Member Randi Shade)

Watch out for Item 86!

82 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to implement Green Steps policy for the City of Austin. (Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez Council Member Laura Morrison )

Imagine it's related to this (the Green Step program, not space travel).

83 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to work with the Central Texas Federal Congressional delegation to assess the likelihood of obtaining FAA approval to release City airport land for use by the Mobile Loaves and Fishes' Habitat on Wheels program, including the financial impact; to evaluate other City owned property that is available and appropriate for use by the Mobile Loaves and Fishes Habitat on Wheels program; and to report back to Council within sixty days. (Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez Mayor Lee Leffingwell Council Member Randi Shade)

Been down this road once before, without any luck. The Hustle wishes the city better luck this go around.

84 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to establish a stakeholder group to develop a workforce development program that could incorporate classroom learning and on-the-job training in Austin’s small businesses, and apply for appropriate grants to implement a pilot program. (Council Member Chris Riley Council Member William Spelman Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez)

Ditto as Item 77.

85 . Approve a resolution endorsing the CreateAustin Cultural Master Plan and directing the City Manager to implement certain recommendations from the CreateAustin Community Master Plan. (Council Member Laura Morrison Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez )

Our Arts editor can bring you up to speed here.

86 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to negotiate with Balcones Resources, Inc. to provide the City long-term recycling services and to negotiate with Mid-America Recycling, L.L.C., dba Greenstar, for extension to the current recycling and processing contract to continue recycling services until a long-term contract is in place. Related to Item # 29. (Council Member William Spelman Council Member Sheryl Cole )

So the dueling MRF resolutions are still on the agenda, a showdown between Item 86's more cautious sponsors, and Item 81's who wanted to assess TDS' proposal all along.

87 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to develop an ordinance requiring rest breaks and the provision of drinking water for workers at construction sites within the City . (Council Member William Spelman Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez Council Member Chris Riley)

An action predicated on the work of the Workers Defense Project (pictured above), who has been petitioning council for just such a resolution.

88 . Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to provide a description of needs and a financial analysis of a possible November 2012 comprehensive bond package. (Council Member Sheryl Cole Mayor Lee Leffingwell Council Member Laura Morrison)

What could this have to do with?

What the hell else is happening?

On the city calendar: The Community Action Network, Resource Council meets in the Board and Commission room at City Hall, 310 W. Second, 5:30pm.

The Electric Utility Commission meets at AE's Town Lake Center, Conference Room, 1st Floor , 721 Barton Springs, 6pm.

The Urban Renewal Agency meets in the Street-Jones Building, Room 400A, 1000 E. 11th, 6pm.

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