The Daily Hustle: 4/20/10

The city readies two ecological campaigns for blast-off this morning, as the mayor and an intergalactic friend of his announce campaigns to lessen your impact on this planet. Plus: How can we miss you if you won't go away, Water Treatment Plant No. 4?

… This morning sees the announcement of two programs in line with the city's zero-waste goals: eco awareness campaign One Green Step, and the Green 30 Challenge, encouraging citizens to compost.

One Green Step, to be trumpeted this morning by Lee Leffingwell and gaming guru-slash-citizen astronaut Richard Garriott, encourages citizens “to commit to small, personal green steps to help make Austin a cleaner and greener place to live.” To that end, the city is hosting an event at the Pan Am Recreation Center, 2100 E. Third, May 1, 2-4pm, with informational booths, music, a talk by Garriott and more.

The Green 30 Challenge is designed to cut down on the amount of food waste entering landfills, not to mention consumers’ trash bills. Solid waste customers who use a 30 gallon trash bin – the smallest size – or downsize to one, will be eligible for a 75% rebate on a composting bin, up to $100, after completing a one-hour class on composting fundamentals. While a pilot program, Solid Waste Advisory Commission co-chair Rick Cofer says $100,000 is budgeted, with $75,000 earmarked for rebates. The first composting class occurs at the Austin Green Living Expo, April 24.

… The public works project that takes a licking and keeps on dripping, Water Treatment Plant No. 4, is up for discussion in another open house tonight. The topic this time is the transmission mains, specifically the routes for the Forest Ridge and Jollyville mains. The event is happening at Concordia University, Building A, Auditorium, 11400 Concordia University, at 6:30pm.

What the hell else is happening?

A sampling from the city calendar: Council's Public Health and Human Services Committee meets in the Board and Commission room at City Hall, 310 W. Second, 3pm. Items include an update and possible action on mobile food vendor regulations, including farmers market food sampling.

The Resource Management Commission meets takes over the B&C room at 6:30. They receive their monthly report on Austin Energy “demand side management” and solar incentives, a monthly report on Austin Water Utility conservation, and a quarterly report on the Austin Climate Protection program.

The Zoning and Platting Commission meets in Council Chambers, 6pm. They've got 16 zoning, rezoning, amendments and applications before them.

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