Public Notice: Emergency Preparedness and City Commission Updates

Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety

Austin Energy is hosting an Emergency Preparedness Pop-up event today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The session will take place from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Menchaca Road Branch Library, located at 5500 Menchaca Rd. Residents are encouraged to attend to receive information on preparing for winter weather, power outages, and other local hazards. This event is part of the city's ongoing effort to improve community resilience following recent weather alerts.

Public Meetings and Governance

The Downtown Commission will hold its regular meeting this evening, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The commission will discuss updates regarding urban development and infrastructure within the downtown district. Citizens interested in city planning and downtown revitalization are invited to review the agenda via the official city portal.

Parks, Recreation, and Facility Alerts

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has issued several active maintenance and closure notices:

• I-35 Pedestrian Bridge: The pedestrian bridge crossing Lady Bird Lake on the east side of I-35 remains closed as of February 9, 2026, due to the TxDOT I-35 Capital Express project. Trail users are advised to use the South Congress bridge to cross the lake. This closure is expected to persist through 2029.
• Barton Springs Pool: While currently open, the pool is scheduled for a significant maintenance closure starting next week, February 23, for the Barton Springs Skimmer Bypass Project.
• Playscape Closures: The playscapes at Springdale Neighborhood Park and Bartholomew Park remain closed until further notice for repairs and maintenance.

Public Health Advisory

Austin Public Health (APH) continues to urge residents to remain vigilant during the current allergy and flu season. Health officials recommend obtaining a flu vaccine if you have not already done so. APH also notes a continued need for food assistance and encourages eligible residents to visit local neighborhood centers for support services and mental health resources.

Business and Procurement Notices

The City of Austin Finance Office has several active solicitations with deadlines today, February 18, 2026. Submissions for Battery Chargers and the Distributed Energy Resource Management System are due by 2:00 PM. The solicitation for the Identity Access Management (IAM) Solution closes at 5:00 PM. All offers must be submitted electronically via the eResponse system.