Austin City Council discusses COVID-19 impact on 4th of July celebration, outdoor pool and flower basket program at Monday meeting

The Austin City Council discussed the city’s 4th of July celebration with City Clerk Ann Kasel in a work session following their regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening via teleconference because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  KAUS spoke with Mayor Tom Stiehm during the “Meet the Mayor” segment on “Wright Here, Right Now,” and he stated that there will be no 4th of July celebration at Bandshell Park this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, but he added that the city is working on a socially-distant fireworks plan and will provide additional information as it becomes available…..

The announcement did not include the parade. The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce will make the decision for the 4th of July parade at a future date.  Mayor Stiehm went on to state that the council also discussed if and when the outdoor pool will open during  the work session with Parks and Rec Director Kevin Nelson…

Mayor Stiehm stated that the council also discussed such issues as the city’s flower basket program for 2020, cutting projects deemed non essential at this time out of the city’s budget and personal protective equipment, or PPE’s for employees of the City of Austin and Hormel Foods…

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Austin City Council will be held on Monday, May 4th at 5:30 p.m.