The Natural Unnatural, an installation by Clark | Richardson Architects, was one part of the Waller Creek Conservancy’s “Creek Show” last week. When Waller Creek’s tunnel project is complete, it will carry 3.7 million gallons of water per minute. Natural Unnatural “highlights the flabbergasting scale of this endeavor.” Credit: Photo by Jana Birchum

City Council meets today (Nov. 19) with a housing-heavy agenda, including revised rules on “accessory dwelling units,” public hearings on homestead preservation districts, a look at the density bonus program for planned unit developments … and plenty more. See “Council: ADUs Coming to Your Neighborhood?,” Nov. 20.

Navigant Consulting released its review of Austin Energy‘s 2014 Resource Plan, and it’s a mixed bag: Navigant supports Council’s recent decision to acquire nearly 500 MW of solar power, but also supports construction of a new natural gas plant as limiting risk while providing sustainable power.

The City Auditor‘s report on the affordable housing programs of the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development department, released this week, concluded that the NHCD does not have an “effective strategy” to meet the city’s affordable housing needs – that there need to be clearer timelines, targets, and information-monitoring to be able to evaluate program success.

UT‘s Faculty Council approved a resolution calling for the banning of guns in classrooms, offices, residence halls, and “other spaces of education” on the university’s Austin campus Tuesday. UT president Gregory Fenves said the resolution will receive consideration from his campus carry working group, with recommendations for reasonable rules to qualify Senate Bill 11 expected in Decem­ber. The law goes into effect next August.

Julie Kocurek continues her recovery from injuries suffered during an attempted murder outside her home two weeks ago. On Wednesday, the sitting judge in the 390th District Criminal Court announced she’s filed for re-election. A family representative also said Kocurek plans to return to work “as soon as is practicable.”

Bergstrom is back in business: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is running at normal capacity as the Federal Aviation Authority moved back into the air traffic control tower after the Oct. 30 floods damaged electrical systems.

Texas abortion providers are officially taking their fight against draconian abortion restrictions to the U.S. Supreme Court. On Friday, Nov. 13, SCOTUS agreed to take up the challenge to two provisions of 2013’s House Bill 2: a requirement mandating clinics convert to ambulatory surgical centers and a rule that forces abortion doctors to obtain nearby hospital admitting privileges. The high court has until June 2016 to issue a ruling.

Austin Resource Recovery now accepts Styrofoam at its Recycle & Reuse Dropoff Center.

This article appears in November 20 • 2015.

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