Council Member Mike Siegel, District 7

This week we are saying a “goodbye and good luck” to our good friend, coworker, and District 7 Constituent Liaison, Sarah Swallow, as she transitions to a new, exciting role with the City.

And it comes with an appropriate send off: at our final meeting of the spring, Council passed a resolution that aims to tackle one of the first— and trickiest— issues that came across the D7 Constituent Liaison desk.

Several residents reported being woken up late at night or early in the morning, sometimes multiple times a week, from the commercial garbage dumpsters being emptied close to their homes. As most things tend to be, this issue was not as straightforward to fix. Sarah was exhaustive in her search for solutions, which ultimately led us to passing Item 52 on yesterdays agenda, which directs the City Manager to develop recommendations for amendments to City regulations to prohibit dumpster collection activities at unreasonable hours near residential properties.

We are very grateful to have had a constituent advocate like Sarah as a part of our team, and we know she will continue to serve the people of Austin well in her new role! 👏

This Sunday I had the privilege of addressing over 100 graduates from the Harmony Science Academy.

My main message to the students was the importance of connection. How it brings meaning to our life; and how it keeps us safe during difficult times. And that sometimes connection means fighting for someone you’ve never met.

I shared the story of Luis Fernando, the high school student who was arrested by ICE and sat in a detention center for his final weeks of school, and how his community connections came through for him when he needed them most.

I was warmed by the roar of excitement from the students when I told them Luis was now free from detention, ready to graduate from his own high school.

That made me feel these students will continue to create lasting connections to the communities they move into next. And that they are ready to fight for people they don’t know.

Today, Austin City Council voted to authorize the purchase and implementation of additional local, natural gas-powered peaker generation units.

We were not able to stop peaker plants today, but we were able to get assurances that these new peakers will be much more efficient and cleaner running than existing peakers, that emissions from peakers will be capped, and that there will be mitigation strategies to address the impacts to our communities where they are placed.

These assurances will be memorialized through resolutions that will appear on the May 28 Council agenda.

Thank you to everyone who spoke up this week for renewable energy generation and storage, for a just transition, and for a world where we do not have to view energy reliability and climate protection as competing priorities.

I remain committed to working toward a future where we do not rely on fossil fuels for our energy needs. I encourage everyone who came out to speak this week to weigh in on the IFCs next week, and I look forward to fighting alongside you in the days and years to come.

Our statement on the recent shootings at a mosque in San Diego and rising Islamophobia across the country:

This week hate claimed three lives at a mosque in San Diego.

Discrimination against Muslims is as destructive and unacceptable as prejudice against any other group.

So-called leaders of our country and state are trying to normalize Islamophobia as political strategy.

In Austin we hold ourselves to a higher standard. We must confront the rising tide of Islamophobia and consistently affirm our City’s commitment to protect every member of our community, without exception.

We will put action behind our promises of protection so next week our Muslim community can celebrate Eid free from fear.

📣🎉 Luis Fernando Cabrera will soon be released from ICE custody after his release was ordered by a judge.

Luis will be able to graduate high school with his friends and classmates, with his sister and nephew watching from the audience.

I am beyond grateful to hear this wonderful news, and I hope it lifts spirits across Austin. His community is ready for him to come home.

A new quality of life commission, a watershed strategic plan, and more playground equipment! These are some of the agenda items coming to council on Thursday, May 21st

The District 7 office is looking for an intern!

The District 7 Community Engagement Intern will help with some special constituent projects we have planned for the summer, help plan and carry-out events, and get experience supporting a bustling City Council office.
Internship is 10-15 hrs/wk for 8 weeks.

Applications are due 5/22 — link in bio

District 7 is Hiring an Executive Assistant!

Are you:
⭐️ An admin superstar
📞 A professional and compassionate communicator in person, over the phone, & through email
📆A champ at calendar tetris
✏️ Into helping people solve problems
👥 Someone who enjoys engaging with different communities
🤠 Organized enough to organize the organizers
🙌Passionate about serving the people of Austin

Apply by May 18 at the Link in Bio!