Charter Revision Committee seeks public input

The 2012 City of Austin Charter Revision Committee has established several ways to engage the community as it considers possible charter recommendations including geographic representation through districting, term limits and the authority for City Council to make certain appointments. The Committee website, www.austintexas.gov/charter, lists the various ways people may participate and stay informed. Those include:

• Joining the online conversation at SpeakUpAustin, at http://austintexas.icanmakeitbetter.com
• Calling the 2012 Charter Revision Committee Hotline with questions or comments at (512) 539-0070
• Signing up for Austin Notes to get email updates at www.austintexas.gov/news/notes/index.cfm

In addition to the phone and online participation, all Committee meetings are open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend. The public may sign up for Citizen Communication, a time designated for the public to address the Committee. Meetings are being conducted throughout Austin to better reach various segments of the community, but you don’t have to live in the meeting area to participate. All meetings start at 6 p.m. Meetings include:

Nov. 17, 2011

Austin Community College, Pinnacle campus

7748 U.S. 290 West

Dec. 1, 2011

George Washington Carver Library

1161 Angelina St.

Jan. 5, 2012

Mexican American Cultural Center

600 River St.

Jan. 19, 2012

Site to be determined

For more information about the 2012 Charter Revision Committee go to the Committee website, www.austintexas.gov/charter. The site includes all of the resolutions the Committee is reviewing.

Agenda for November Steering Committee Meeting

If you are a member of the Brentwood Neighborhood Association, you are welcome to attend the Steering Committee's regular monthly meetings. Our annual General Membership meeting will be held in February 2012 at which we will elect new Officers and SC Members. If you have an issue that you want added to the agenda, please contact us at: brentwood.austin@gmail.com

Mobility Corridor Study on Burnet Road

The Transportation Department is starting a mobility corridor study of Burnet Road from Koenig Ln to Mopac. There will be an upcoming open house for this corridor study on September 22nd from 6:30-8:30 PM at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2140 Allandale Rd.. More information about these corridor studies can be found at http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/news/entry/mobility-corridor-studies-under-way and http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/corridors/.

Imagine Austin Release Party

The Austin community is invited to learn about innovative ideas in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan and the Airport Boulevard initiative, while celebratingAustin’s future with live music and local grub.

The Imagine Austin Release Party on October 1 will feature local food trucks and an impressive line-up of live music. Performances will include the Marmalakes, Suzanna Choffel, Son Y No Son, hip hop duo Riders Against the Storm, and Roy Lozano Ballet Folklorico de Texas.

Imagine Austin Release Party

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center

1165 Angelina St.

Facebook.com/ImagineAustin

Twitter.com/ImagineAustin

Food vendors on site will include Emily’s Dive, Love Balls, Baltimore Ballers and Hey Cupcake. Come early for free re-usable water bottles, earth-friendly totes andT-shirts printed out of an El Camino!

There will be opportunities for the public to give input on the plan.

Protect Brentwood's Trees

If you've been following the Brentwood's e-group lately, you've likely seen a whole of discussion about protecting the trees planting in the 1990's along Arroyo Seco (and Goodnight too). The drought is taking it's toll on yards, gardens and especially our trees. Stressed trees are more prone to disease and damage -- so if you value the shade and beauty they provide, see the attached flyer (from the City's Urban Forester, Keith O'Herrin) about how you can protect this valuable asset in Brentwood (including the trees in your own yard)!

Citizen Participation Study

Jasmine Griffin-Ives, a graduate student in Public Administration at Texas State University at San Marcos, has presented this study as part of her Applied Research Project, which is required for the Master of Public Administration degree. The study is based on survey information gathered from neighborhoods in Austin. The purpose of her study was to explore how neighborhood associations view city efforts to increase citizen involvement in policy making. If you are interested in viewing her results, you can see the entire report by clicking on this link.

Airport Blvd. Redevelopment Meeting; Sept. 13th

Please see the attached flyer for more info about redevelopment of Airport Blvd. Let your ideas and voice be heard on this important project! Click on link to flyer for more information.