Council: Race to the Finish

Brian Manley

December brings a City Council bonus: There's a regular meeting today, Dec. 1, followed Tuesday, Dec. 6, by a special-called meeting to discuss the Grove at Shoal Creek planned unit development (the only action item, and coincident with or following that morning's work session). The regular Dec. 8 meeting is heavy with postponed zoning cases, and barring surprises, the final regular meeting of 2016 is scheduled for Dec. 15, featuring the return of the Austin Oaks PUD – nearly as embattled as the Grove.

We previewed today's meeting in the Nov. 25 issue – here are a few Items of interest:

• The confirmation of Assistant Chief Brian Manley as interim chief of the Austin Police Department (appointed by Interim City Man­ager Elaine Hart) – speechifying is in order.

• A revision of city personnel policies on discrimination and harassment (the legislative outcome of the notorious "Women Leading in Local Government" training session last March), expected to expand the recourse for employees claiming discrimination and strengthen enforcement.

• A supplemental construction contract for the new Central Library (only $5.5 million, but providing an occasion for more dais finger-waving over the ultimate cost of the facility).

• An agreement to establish a public plaza and permanent Downtown rail station on Fourth Street, between Trinity and Red River streets, and to begin the process of putting two-way traffic on Fifth Street between I-35 and Brazos.

• The oft-postponed appeal by neighbors of the Scoot Inn outdoor music venue permit has been postponed again, to Dec. 15.

The proclamations feature, among other worthy causes, Roll and Stroll Day, Colony Park Sustainable Initiative Day, and Shop Local for the Holidays Month, and musical honorees are ukulele-and-guitar duo Folk Uke (just what it sounds like), who will undoubtedly make the flowers grow.