CITY& COUNTY
News from Austin, Travis County & Williamson County
HIGHLIGHTS WILLIAMSON COUNTY Officials broke ground on a 15,000-square- foot expansion to the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center in Georgetown on Feb. 11, despite construction costs for the project increasing by 78.2% since 2019. The facility, which will be connected to the existing WCCAC in Georgetown, will be home to crisis services, forensic interviews, family advocacy rooms, a multidisciplinary hub and outdoor play area. AUSTIN Jose “Chito” Vela was sworn in as Austin City Council’s newest member for District 4 on Feb. 7 following his Jan. 25 special election win. Vela, an immigration lawyer, comes to council with a political background including experience as a South Texas city manager. He replaces Greg Casar, who left council to run for the 35th U.S. congressional district. TRAVIS COUNTY Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 15 to approve a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month. Commissioner Jeff Travillion, who represents much of the eastern county, said the proclamation follows resistance to teaching Black history from the state Legislature. Austin City Council meets March 3 and March 24 at 10 a.m. at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Austin. 512-974-2250. www.austintexas. gov/department/city-council Travis County Commissioners Court meets March 1, 8 and 22 at 9 a.m. at the Travis County Administration Building, 700 Lavaca St., Austin. 512-854-9020. www.traviscountytx.gov Williamson County Commissioners Court meets March 1, 8 and 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Williamson County Courthouse, 710 Main St., Georgetown. 512-943-1100. www.wilco.org MEETINGSWE COVER
OutgoingAustinWater director discusses boil-water notice before City Council
RISING TURBIDITY TIMELINE
The boil-water notice was issued after turbidity levels, a measure of water clarity, rose Feb. 4 into Feb. 5.
BY BEN THOMPSON
measure of water clarity that can signal harmful organisms—at Ullrich Water Treatment Plant late Feb. 4 into Feb. 5. While Meszaros said employee failures likely led to the turbidity spike, he and the council said the purpose was not to vilify staff. Meszaros also said while process mistakes likely were made, the issues did not stem from total carelessness at the hands of plant operators. “This was really about our operations of the plant. How we communicate, how we make decisions, how we respond to alarms, how we escalate. Those
AUSTIN Outgoing Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros appeared before City Council on Feb. 15 to answer lingering questions about the agency’s response to the early February operational errors that left Austin in its third citywide boil-wa- ter notice in recent years. The situation prompted Meszaros’ resignation. Austin Water is likely to be audited by an independent investigator at the request of council while it continues its own internal analysis. The citywide boil notice came about as a result of rising turbidity—a
TURBIDITY LEVELS IN ULLRICH BASIN 6:
10 P.M. FEB. 4: “Very, very low” 2 A.M. FEB. 5: “Starting to have some problems” 6 A.M. FEB. 5: “Totally out of control”
SOURCE: GREG MESZAROS, AUSTIN WATER/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
are all within our control, and ... ultimately preventable,” Meszaros told council.
Cityofficials, communitymark oneyear sinceWinter StormUri
6-12 weeks of paid family leave under consideration 5,000 Travis County employees
PAID LEAVE POLICY
A subcommittee will draft a paid family leave policy for county employees. SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
BY BEN THOMPSON
AUSTIN City leaders gathered Feb. 15 for a ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of Winter Storm Uri, recognizing Austin community members and first responders and honoring the more than two dozen area residents who died during the storm. Following his colleagues’ thanks for the community’s response last February, newly elected District 4 Council Member Jose “Chito” Vela went on to express frustration at the market system that contributed to blackouts and the profits of energy companies in the state during the freeze. “Last year’s storm was a tragedy, but it was also a crime. Our people deserve better than to freeze in the dark, to fear for their lives, and to lose friends and loved ones,” he said.
TravisCountymovesaheadonestablishing paid family leave for all of itsemployees
BY GLORIE MARTINEZ
of paid family leave. County Judge Andy Brown and Commissioner Jeffrey Travillion sponsored the resolution. County employees currently have access to unpaid family and medical leave, but cannot take extended paid leave following the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, or to care for a family member.
TRAVIS COUNTY Com- missioners moved closer to establishing paid family leave for all county employees at their Feb. 8 meeting. Commissioners approved a resolution that directs a subcommittee to return to the court in 60 days with proposals for a policy that guarantees all county workers six to 12 weeks
YOUR WEIGHT-LOSS TEAM IS READY FOR YOU ! Supervised meal replacement plans Personal health & dietitian guidance Bariatric surgery
L EARN MORE ARChealthiness.com
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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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