ATLANTA -- MLS commissioner Don Garber said that conversations with the city of Columbus "are ongoing" to determine a path forward should Columbus Crew SC relocate to Austin, Texas.

Garber, speaking to media following the unveiling of a new soccer "mini-pitch" at Atlanta's Anderson Park, was asked for his thoughts on the current state of the Crew, whose owner Precourt Sports Ventures (PSV) is attempting to move the team to the Texas capital. The Austin City Council has scheduled a vote for Aug. 9 in order to determine if the city will accept a deal with PSV to build a privately financed, $200 million, 20,000-seat stadium at McKalla Place.

"There's obviously an important vote on Aug. 9, and there's not much we can really say or do until the city council determines their view," said Garber. "I would hope [for] their approval on working with [PSV] on the McKalla site."

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the City of Columbus are also in litigation regarding an Ohio state law that would require PSV to give notice of six months before it can move as well as give local investors the opportunity to purchase the team.

But Garber added that he has sent MLS deputy commissioner Mark Abbott to Columbus on multiple occasions to see if there was a way forward. An MLS spokesman added that Abbott's most recent visits took place "in the last 4-6 weeks."

"[Abbott has] met with the city to talk about what we might do together should the Crew leave Columbus," said Garber. "Those conversations are ongoing. I'm hopeful that we'll come up with a resolution that's going to be good for the city, good for ownership, good for the Crew and good for the fans."

It would appear that Garber's characterization of Abbott's visits refer to meetings with the Columbus Partnership and not the City of Columbus itself.

"Mark Abbott has not met with any members of Mayor [Andrew] Ginther's administration," a spokesperson for Mayor Ginther's office told ESPN FC. "He has met with the Columbus Partnership to explore options for private investors and local investors to keep the Crew in Columbus. To my knowledge there were no conversations about the Crew leaving Columbus."