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Pool reflects on housing and environmental progress as she closes 10 years on Council

Leslie Pool faced something of a quandary nearly two years ago, when she considered running for the office of tax assessor-collector for Travis County. Knowing that her time as a City Council member would expire in 2024, she saw the…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 30, 2024

Mike Siegel plans to balance ‘big goals and broad ambitions’ with pragmatism during his first year on Council

After winning a close runoff election on Dec. 15, incoming District 7 City Council Member Mike Siegel told the Austin Monitor he is feeling “tired, busy and excited.” Siegel, a former assistant city attorney and organizer with Ground Game Texas,…

City Council • By Mina Shekarchi • Dec 30, 2024

As she exits Council, Kelly sees police contract passage among highlights of 2024

While cleaning out the District 6 satellite office that was opened to give residents in Williamson County and far Northwest Austin easier access to their City Council member, outgoing D6 seat holder Mackenzie Kelly took time to reflect on her…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 27, 2024

From Round Rock's school board to City Hall, District 6 newcomer Krista Laine gives conservatives a run for their money

If, in the days leading up to 2020, you had asked Krista Laine where she saw herself halfway through the decade, she likely would have told you she’d be back in the world of commercial real estate, where she’d made…

City Council • By Kali Bramble • Dec 27, 2024

Council Member José Velásquez seeks to reframe local representation

As Council Member José Velásquez tackled a wide array of issues in 2024, he has remained focused on the three tenets that guide his work and decision-making: “affordability, accessibility and action.” Pursuing these principles has pushed him to redefine the…

City Council • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Dec 26, 2024

Vela reflects on his first term and looks to the future

Chito Vela is about to complete his first term as District 4’s City Council member. Vela was re-elected in November for a second term, running on the issues of housing, transit and public safety. While reflecting on his first term, the…

City Council • By Hunter Simmons • Dec 26, 2024

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Ryan Alter looks back on accomplishments of 2024

District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter is proud of City Council’s many accomplishments in 2024, starting with what is obviously one of his favorite topics: housing. “I think first and foremost, we as a Council made some really important strides…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 26, 2024

Natasha Harper-Madison looks forward to planning progress for her district

With two years left on her term of office, Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison is looking forward to helping move the Northeast Planning District toward the bright future she envisions for it. That’s “really at the top of my list” of…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 23, 2024

After a busy 2024, Fuentes looks to take on more leadership roles

With her first term and a smooth reelection behind her, Vanessa Fuentes returns to the dais in January with a fresh to-do list and aspirations of becoming the next mayor pro tem – a symbolic yet highly sought-after position. Taking…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Dec 23, 2024

Bond task force sees timelines, budget constraints for possible elections in 2025 and 2026

The Bond Election Advisory Task Force will have to decide by very early 2025 if the city should move forward with a possible climate change and sustainability bond package next fall, in a process and timeline that would see no…

Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 20, 2024

Neighbors join forces to halt plans for new office space in Pecan Springs-Springdale

A proposal to upzone a residential cul-de-sac is ruffling feathers in the Pecan Springs-Springdale neighborhood, with a crowd of neighbors joining the Planning Commission meeting last week to voice their disapproval. The request originally sought to rezone 6102, 6106 and…

Development • By Kali Bramble • Dec 20, 2024

How Austin ISD is lowering its chronic absenteeism rate, which more than doubled during the pandemic

When Austin ISD students Jonnell and Layth started middle school a few years ago, their attendance was on the spottier side. Jonnell said she didn’t like going because it wasn’t easy to get along with some of her classmates at…

AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Dec 19, 2024

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