The East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood (ECC) has announced that the Austin City Council approved two agenda items pertinent to the organization's initiatives during its meeting on October 10.
According to an October 16 press release, the city council authorized funding to expand the Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team (HEART). This team conducts homeless outreach and responds to non-emergency calls in parts of Downtown Austin. Staffed by Urban Alchemy and managed by the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA), this funding will allow DAA to extend HEART's operations into areas of East Austin, including the entire East Cesar Chavez neighborhood.
The council also supported a resolution directing the city manager to identify and define leadership roles and responsibilities. This includes collaboration with co-partners to implement the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, considering current funding and planning for the next fiscal year. Members of the community had sent a letter to Mayor Kirk Watson, City Manager T.C. Broadnax, and the city council requesting immediate support for the ECC neighborhood. The letter was endorsed by several small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Additionally, according to ECC, the city council passed a resolution calling for a study and recommendations related to regulating noise pollution from machinery at 1515 E. Cesar Chavez. It also aims to address commercial noise issues throughout the city.