The Austin City Council faces today. It鈥檚 the last scheduled meeting before a .
They may well need a break, considering what鈥檚 on the agenda.
Sure to be the center of discussion are City Council proposals for geographic representation. As KUT News , Mayor Lee Leffingwell is proposing a hybrid 8-2-1 system 鈥� eight council members representing individual districts, plus two additional members and the mayor running at large. Council member Mike Martinez is proposing a 10-1 system 鈥� 10 council members in single-member districts, with only the mayor running at-large. In its numbers, Martinez鈥檚 proposal is similar to the 10-1 proposal brought forward by , which is wrapping up a signature drive to place the initiative on the ballot.
However, Martinez鈥檚 proposal does away with much of relating to the powers of an independent citizen鈥檚 panel that would ultimately draw the district lines. Martinez says the language is overly broad and could open the city up to legal action; AGR counters that Martinez鈥檚 proposal would politicize the districting process.
The geographic representation proposals, plus other potential items for the November charter election 鈥� relating to the number of signatures required to place a citizen initiative on the ballot, fundraising, and council members鈥� terms 鈥� are all set for a 4 p.m. time certain hearing, meaning they will be heard no sooner than then.
Council members are set to take action on a proposal for , to handle extra flights expected for . The Austin Airport Advisory Commission approved the $5 million dollar temporary customs and immigration processing facility yesterday.
Council members are also considering a contract for the completion of the .
The council is also scheduled to take a second vote on. The changes would affect how many short term rentals can operate in a zip code.
The meeting starts at 10 a.m., and you can .
