New council member outlines priorities
Amy Pattillo plans to focus on police department and transportation upgrades.
With only a few months before a special election Nov. 6, Rollingwood City Council member Amy Pattillo says she plans to focus on transportation improvements and the city’s police department while serving on the council.
Pattillo, who served on the council from 2013 to 2015 and is a former member of the parks commission, was appointed to the council in June to replace Bobby Dillard Jr., who resigned his position to retire.
“My primary interest (in serving on the council) was looking at ways to serve the community and understand the transportation issues that were happening in the area,” Pattillo said. “I wanted to help problem-solve ways for the city to engage with (the Texas Department of Transportation) and other entities to try and solve some of those issues.”
In the coming weeks, Pattillo said her focus will be on the budget. The council is expected to adopt a budget in September, which would take effect Oct. 1.
“(The council) and staff are submitting proposals for exceptional items, items to add to the budget beyond what is needed to keep the city running throughout the year,” Pattillo said.
Pattillo said the MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) South project is on the council’s radar — and as part of the budget, she is suggesting adding another advisor who specializes in traffic engineering.
“(The goal is to) work together toward solutions for MoPac South,” Pattillo said. “Currently, the budget includes several things related to that. We’ve also had an advisor over the last few years that has helped us work on this. My suggestion to council for (the next budget cycle) is adding a second adviser with traffic engineering expertise.”
The Bee Cave Road Improvement Project is also a priority, Pattillo said.
Proposed improvements include adding a center turn lane through Rollingwood, installing and adding more sidewalks in pedestrian areas and raising the bridge that crosses Eanes Creek near Montebello Road that lies in a low-water crossing. Pattillo said those improvements are key factors to improving the safety of all drivers and pedestrians in the area. She said installing some additional warning signs could also help.
“(Bee Cave Road) is a main access point from western Travis County to Austin,” Pattillo said. “Having a low-water crossing in middle of a major arterial roadway is not ideal.”
As the Police Department liaison for the City Council, Pattillo said she is working with Chief Max Westbrook to get what the department needs to be successful. They have been looking at some items to propose as part of next year’s budget, mostly dealing with upgrades to technology.
Pattillo and Westbrook are also working on updating the departments manuals and policies.
Pattillo will serve through November, when a special election is expected to be held by the city. She said she plans on seeking re-election and has submitted her paperwork to do so.