(Credit: KLBJ staff)
For the second time since last month, the Downtown Austin Alliance will host a town hall meeting to address ongoing concerns surrounding homelessness, as well as recent changes enacted by the Austin City Council which relaxed enforcement of ordinances regarding camping, sitting, and lying in public. Wednesday morning’s meeting will also be the first time Mayor Steve Adler and a handful of city council members will make an appearance at one of these events since the relaxed enforcement took root.
Roughly 1000 people are expected to attend the event, many of whom are hoping to get answers from city leaders. Downtown Austin Alliance Vice President Bill Brice told KLBJ he expects the mayor and council to give a much more in-depth explanation regarding their long-term vision for addressing the crisis in Austin.
“On the rationale behind the policies, but also, more importantly, I think, the direction moving forward,” Brice said.
Mayor Steve Adler and the Austin City Council have faced plenty of backlash for having chosen to skip two previous town hall meetings, including the first event hosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance in July. Hundreds of people hoping to get answers about a South Austin homeless shelter were also left frustrated earlier this month when the mayor and council failed to attend a forum related to that location, leaving Austin Chief of Police Brian Manley as one of the lone city leaders to field audience questions.
Wednesday’s panelists will include:
- Mayor Steve Adler
- Council Member Kathie Tovo
- Council Member Ann Kitchen
- Council Member Greg Casar
A moderated discussion will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Austin Convention Center, followed by questions from the audience.
