Zoning, Fluoride, and Old Hollywood

There's not a lot to add to last week's City Council preview for this Thursday; expect the scheduled approval of the Green Water Treatment Plant master development plan to be a highlight of an otherwise less-than-scintillating agenda. At Tuesday's work session, council members wrestled again with the arcana of how to rearrange the rising rate chairs on the Austin Energy Titanic – there's muttering on the campaign trail about how the whole process is "taking too long" (be careful what you wish for, folks!). But unless some zoning case (Items 71-89) unexpectedly erupts today, there's no obvious minefield in the underbrush.

Both the Austin Pets Alive! matter (Item 62) – at this point just a hearing to be scheduled – and the Hostelling International "Chapter 26" hearing (Item 24, to formally consider keeping the private hostel on its parkland location on Lakeshore Boulevard) could raise sparks. And the third readings of the taxicab ordinance revisions (Items 41 and 42, more permits for Lone Star and Austin Cab companies) could bring some opposition from cabbies perennially tired of indentured servitude. (Generally, ordinances don't move to solitary third readings unless somebody's ox is being gored.)

Citizens Communication will bring the usual dose of anti-fluoride testimony (with some "chem-trails" thrown in), along with a cut-rate mayoral campaign – Richard "Clay" Dafoe's campaign manager, Ronnie Reefer­seed, is signed up to testify on "Peace, freedom, fluoride and our soon to be Mayor Clay Dafoe." The 5:30 proclamations include Wildfire Awareness Week and GreenChoice Subscriber Appreciation Day (pat yourself on the back if you're on the list).

And "Little Jazz Bird" Ava Arenella promises to bring "a classic touch of old Hollywood and just a bit of Paris charm" to the evening's live music performance. Especially on Thursdays, City Hall could sure use plenty of both.