3 outgoing Austin City Council members honored with speeches, reception

AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin formally said farewell to three city council members on Tuesday afternoon at Austin City Hall. 

They were honored with speeches from their colleagues and personalized gifts, followed by a reception with the community whom they have spent years serving. 

"Too often, we don't take a moment and pause and say thank you to people for what they do in public service," said Mayor Kirk Watson. 

A large group of people came to send off the council members and express their gratitude to Mackenzie Kelly, Alison Alter, and Leslie Pool. 

Kelly served a four-year term for district 6 and was the only conservative council member. She wished the next elected officials the best of luck and said her work serving the area where she grew up is not over. 

"Our council is going to be a full Democrat council," said Kelly. "I've always believed in the need and balance for our different opinions and values in government. I don't know when we'll get back to that, but I will be watching closely as the City Council makes decisions in the future."  

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Alter held the council position for District 10 for eight years and said her plans for the future would start after she took what she described as 'a large creative pause.'  

"This has truly been the hardest and most rewarding job yet in my life," said Alter. "I am so grateful to the residents of District 10 who put their faith in me." 

Pool has a decade to look back on working for Austin and was known for her environmental, transit and energy efforts. 

"There are some things I didn't get to, and that's okay; That's how these things work, and it's there to do for y'all who will still be here or who are new to counsel, and I'll be rooting for you," said Mayor Pro Tem and District 7 Council Member Leslie Pool.