Austin firefighters and city officials formally agreed to a new labor contract Dec. 18, capping off months of negotiations.

The details: The new collective bargaining agreement between the city and Austin Firefighters Association, estimated to cost $63 million over four years, was unanimously approved by City Council and backed by 72% of AFA members. It'll result in a new scheduling format with reduced hours for city firefighters, pay raises, and adjustments to hiring and promotional processes.

The deal also ends a dispute over fire department operations and city finances that had prompted the AFA to launch a petition campaign for a possible May election. Fire department engines and stations will now remain in service unless the city reaches a point of financial crisis, at which point Austin and AFA representatives will convene to chart a path forward.

Quote of note: "We gave management the flexibility they need to really manage a crisis properly, and we get the promises that those won’t be executed or used unless we’re in dire need," AFA President Bob Nicks said.

Coffee space and bar Cosmic has reimagined its South location with its first major renovations.

What’s changed: Renovations include:

• An expanded covered patio
• A double-sized deck
• A new traditional seated bar
• Upgraded bathrooms
• An added walk-up service window
• New landscaping
• A reimagined chicken coop
• Green spaces

• 121 Pickle Road, Austin

Safety improvements along routes to Zilker Elementary School are now complete, according to city of Austin officials.

The details: City officials said the upgrades aim to improve safety for students and families walking and biking to and from campus. The work included a curb extension at Rundell Place and Ann Arbor Avenue and three flashing solar-powered school zone beacons installed near Zilker Neighborhood Park, along Rundell Place near Bluebonnet Lane, and near Ann Arbor Avenue.

Additional improvements include six new pedestrian crossing islands along Bluebonnet Lane at Ashby Avenue, Ford Street, and Anita Drive, Arpdale Street and Meadowridge Drive, as well as a midblock crossing across from Zilker Neighborhood Park. A protected two-way bike lane was also added along Rundell Place between Bluebonnet Lane and Rabb Road.

The project was funded through the city’s 2016 and 2020 mobility bond programs and is part of Austin’s $27.5 million Safe Routes to School, Pedestrian Crossings and Bikeways initiatives, according to city documents.

Central Texas counties could begin receiving up to $1.25 million each in state funding for flood warning sirens in the coming weeks and months, officials announced Dec. 16.

The overview: The funding comes less than six months after historic flooding hit parts of Central and West Texas over the July 4 weekend, killing at least 137 residents and visitors. During special legislative sessions this summer, state lawmakers approved requirements that 30 counties included in a July disaster declaration install flood warning systems with the help of $50 million in state grants.

Zooming in: Each county is expected to receive up to $1.25 million from the Texas Water Development Board. Counties seeking more money will need their requests approved by the three-member board.

Counties are required to submit detailed project plans to the TWDB and can use the grants to install physical infrastructure such as sirens, rain gauges, flood gauges and solar panels to power the warning systems. The money can also be used for local flood education, outreach and training programs, TWDB staff said.