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Seat capacity is down at AUS, but new federal rule entitles travelers to refunds for canceled flights
During the Airport Advisory Commission meeting July 10, Deputy Chief of Air Service Jamy Kazanoff updated commissioners on a slight drop in seat capacity for August – so maybe start booking those late summer vacations now. Plus, when a new…
Transportation • By Lina Fisher • Jul 15, 2024
Commission resolution aims to slow down sale of district chilling system
City Council is scheduled to consider hiring J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to advise on the potential sale of Austin Energy’s district cooling system, but not everyone thinks that is a good idea. The Resource Management Commission will likely ask Council…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Jul 12, 2024
Community groups await fate of nearly $80M in budget recommendations
A coalition of more than 40 community groups is hoping the new city manager has found room in the next city budget for nearly $80 million of spending to address homelessness, economic insecurity and an assortment of other progressive causes.…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 12, 2024
After decades on the back burner, revitalization efforts at historic Black cemetery are in full swing
After an uphill battle for recognition, things are looking up for Bethany Cemetery, with a vote at this month’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting initiating the site’s historic zoning process. The cemetery, founded in 1893 by and for Black Austinites, houses…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jul 12, 2024
Mayor reports big campaign fundraising numbers, but his challengers push on
Monday is the deadline for all City Council candidates to turn in their campaign finance reports for the period that ended on June 30. Politics watchers expect Mayor Kirk Watson to raise far more than his opponents as he has…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Jul 11, 2024
Justice advocates rebuke county plan for $300 million juvenile jail expansion
At its June 27 meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court considered spending $250 million to $300 million to expand the county’s juvenile detention complex in South Austin. A united front of more than 50 justice advocates voiced unanimous opposition to…
Public Safety • By Lina Fisher • Jul 11, 2024
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Gun violence report will help city leaders craft intervention and prevention strategies
For a city of its size, Austin has a low rate of homicides from gun violence, averaging four per 100,000 residents over a 15-year period. But an “alarming” spike in shooting incidents following the Covid-19 pandemic – from January 2021…
Public Safety • By Amy Smith • Jul 11, 2024
Disability committee asks Council to address group homes in land use code
Changes to city code that could affect the regulation of group homes for seniors and people with disabilities prompted a request for City Council to make further adjustments to the Land Development Code. The Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 11, 2024
For one city employee, Facebook posts lead to an impossible process
A city department head who disapproved of her employee’s social media posts about city management has filed a human resources complaint against him, an unusual move that gives her the power to validate her own complaint and field any appeal…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 10, 2024
Arts, music commissioners want new convention center to support Austin creatives
Members of the Music Commission and Arts Commission have assembled a list of 31 recommendations detailing how the reconstructed Austin Convention Center could best support the local creative community. The recommendations from the Urban Core Land Use Working Group, which…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 10, 2024
Animal Advisory Commission wants pets allowed in cooling centers
The Animal Advisory Commission is urging the city to allow pets inside designated cooling centers as summer heats up. The commission unanimously passed a recommendation that urges the city to identify “a number of cooling centers throughout the City of…
Austin • By Dylan Ebs • Jul 10, 2024
Downtown Commission wants updated downtown plan draft in six months; Council vote next summer
The Downtown Commission wants the city to approve an updated version of the Downtown Austin Plan by next summer, with a draft document expected early next year to allow the commission to make needed budget recommendations next spring. At a…
