Our city employees are hard-working and smart

My first report from the CityWorks Academy was more like a meeting report, and in my own opinion maybe not all that lively and interesting. This, my second report, will talk more about what I have learned in general in the second and third academy meetings.

The big take-away for me at this point is that the city of Austin employs smart, dedicated, and involved employees. I haven't heard from a single department head who sounded burned-out or bored with his/her job. It is clear that they are aware of what is happening in other cities around the United States (and sometimes further away in Europe and Asia) and they are always looking outside Austin to find innovative solutions to the problems they need to solve.

On September 14th we heard from the department chiefs of our library system, economic growth and development office, and small and minority business resource office.

The big news is that planning is beginning for a new main downtown library near Lady Bird Lake. The hoped-for completion date is 2015, so keep your eyes and ears open on news about that. The current main library will become the Austin History Center which has needed expanded space for some time. The old Austin History Center (once our main library) will become a venue for meetings and exhibits.

The economic growth and development department works to bring new business to Austin without giving away the bank. The cultural arts division within the economic growth and development division works to promote the arts in Austin. I was not aware that for instance the Mueller airport redevelopment program was part of this department. Also the local success of the Mueller project has brought people from around the United States and Europe who want to learn more about how Austin succeeded in this cooperative effort between city and private business interests.

The last presentation on Sept. 14th was from the Small and Minority Business Resource department. The are many ways this department can help Austin residents. If you want to start a small business or own a small business that you want to improve, get in touch with these people. They will help you! Also if you know anyone who owns a minority business, this is the department to contact. They'll tell you how to become qualified for city, state, and federal projects.

This week, on September 21st, we met in south Austin near the intersection of Ben White and I35. That's the site of one of seven public works facilities. While we munched on pizza and cookies, we viewed a spiffy, cheerful, short video on what the public works department does. This is a huge department with over 400 employees. The department manages over $300 million dollars in large capital projects, for example the new City Hall or the new library. It also takes care of all the streets and bridges in Austin, works to integrate bicycles into the transportation system, and works to see that sidewalks are built. This budget is around $60 million per year. The public works department tries to see that at least 10% all roads in Austin are repaired and/or upgraded annually - no small task! They are trying out surfaces that will weather better and last longer.

The public works department works closely with the Austin Transportation Department. This is a new department for the city - but it is working hard to become the best transportation department in America. I don't need to write about congestion in Austin - that is a fact of life in our city. I can say that the department is working to develop relationships with the county, Texas Department of Transportation (our beloved TxDOT) and federal enteties to see that our traffic problems can find solutions. A good example is the new fly-overs that will be soon under construction at Ben White and I35 and Mopac and 71. Watch for those! Oh, and by the way, all the parking meters downtown have been replaced and are working well. And the department is also upgrading traffic lights.

Please let me know if you have questions about any of the areas I've covered. I'm barely scratching the surface - but I can tell you, I don't regret a minute I've spent at the CityWorks Academy.