Austin City Notice Roundup: Council Work Session and Barton Springs Closure

Austin City Council Work Session Agenda

The Austin City Council convenes today, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, for a scheduled Work Session beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Austin City Hall. The session includes several significant items for discussion prior to the upcoming regular meeting. Key highlights from today's agenda include:

• Vehicle Engine Noise Ordinance: Council will review Item A038, a proposed ordinance to amend City Code Chapter 12-1. The amendment seeks to create a new offense related to excessive vehicle engine noise as part of a city-wide initiative to address urban noise pollution.
• Homeless Strategy Briefing: David Gray, Director of the Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations Office, is scheduled to provide a comprehensive briefing on the strategic plan for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (Item B001).
• Climate Pollution Reduction Grant: Item A046 involves the authorization of an additional $5,000,000 in funding for an interlocal agreement with the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This funding is part of a federal grant aimed at implementing climate pollution reduction strategies.
• Parks Management Infrastructure: The Council is considering a $2,000,000 contract with RecTrac, LLC for a new recreation management software system to be used by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Barton Springs Pool Maintenance Closure

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department officially closed Barton Springs Pool yesterday, February 23, for an extensive two-week maintenance period. The pool is scheduled to remain closed through Friday, March 13, 2026. The primary focus of this closure is the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project, which addresses environmental and safety concerns regarding the aging 1940s-era infrastructure. During this time, Watershed Protection staff will be onsite to monitor the project to ensure the protection of the endangered Barton Springs salamander habitat.

Public Safety and Transportation Notices

The City Clerk has issued several official notices regarding transit safety and public service examinations:

• Roadway Safety: Temporary construction zone speed limits are now active for Ross Road and Pearce Lane. Motorists are urged to follow all posted signage to protect construction crews working in these areas.
• EMS Examinations: Notices have been posted for upcoming written examinations for the rank of EMS Clinical Specialist (Field and Communications). These exams are part of the Civil Service Commission’s current promotional cycle.
• Event Cancellation: The "Coffee with a Cop" event for the Adam Sector, originally scheduled to take place today at the Capitol One Cafe in Northwest Austin, has been cancelled.

Community Reminders

While most city parks and year-round facilities remain open, residents should note that seasonal entry fees for municipal pools, including Deep Eddy, are slated to begin on March 14, 2026. Additionally, Givens Recreation Center remains closed for major facility enhancements. For real-time updates on park playscape closures due to maintenance or repairs, residents are encouraged to monitor the city's official facility dashboard.