This past year was a dynamic one in Austin, and though the future promises to be just as interesting, at the close of 2014 we invite you to take a trip back over the past 12 months. Though a lot went on in the city and this list is far from comprehensive, from our ever-particular […]
2014
Posted inMonitor News & Media
Publisher’s Note: Hello 2015
This space has mostly been used for incremental updates on a few stats that we feel illustrate our progress. And I’ll get to that. But first, I’d like to offer you all a peek at a few planned content upgrades for 2015. Shortly after the New Year, we’ll roll out a section we’re calling the […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Travis County
Brigid Shea has big ideas for Commissioners Court
In November, Brigid Shea was elected to the Precinct 2 seat on the Travis County Commissioners Court. She sat down with the Monitor earlier this month to discuss her plans, and got right to the point. “I intend to be very, very active,” said Shea. Shea said that part of her decision to run for office was […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Travis County Commissioners 12-30
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in its final session of the year. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office posts a copy at its website. Items of interest for Commissioners Court include: 2. RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE ABOLITION […]
Posted inElections, Local Government, Local Politics, Travis County
Eckhardt embraces new role as County Judge
Sarah Eckhardt is looking forward to her new role as Travis County Judge. When Eckhardt spoke to the Monitor recently, she seemed eager to get back to work. Though she served on the Commissioners Court starting in 2006 and has spent 14 years working with the county, as Travis County Judge she knows her role […]
Posted inAustin, City Charter, City Council, Local Politics
For Martinez, 10-1 dominated 2014
Council Member Mike Martinez is fresh off a campaign for mayor, one where he did his level best to bring up big-picture issues. Indeed, as many have reported, affordability and transportation became key notes in the campaign. Still, when he sat down to talk with the Monitor about the past year, the very first thing […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Sheryl Cole talks about life on the Council
When we sat down with Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole, the first African-American woman elected to the Austin City Council, we asked her what advice she would give to the new Council members. She said, “Respect your colleagues. Value their opinions. Try to understand their position before you attack it. Look for compromise and seek […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Morrison says campaign colored Council in 2014
City Council Member Laura Morrison decided in March that she would not run for mayor. That, of course, did not mean that the decisions by four of her colleagues to seek elected office in 2014 played out far from Morrison’s seat on the dais. Indeed, Morrison told the Monitor that the opposite was true. “For […]
Posted inAustin, Local Politics
Spelman remembers the high points
After three terms on the Austin City Council, first from 1997 to 2000 and then from 2009 to present, Council Member Bill Spelman is retiring from his nonpaying city gig. Professor Spelman, who also teaches courses in applied math and statistics, urban policy and public management at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Local Politics, Resources, Transportation
Riley looks beyond rail bond loss to Austin’s future
Council Member Chris Riley started his look back at 2014 with an examination of the transportation situation faced by the City of Austin. Rather than lock on to the November failure of a $600 million rail bond that would have included promises for $400 million more in road construction, however, Riley looked at the larger […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Development
Audit reveals big trouble with PDR fees
A city audit of the Planning and Development Review Department has found that the Office of the City Auditor “cannot provide assurance that development-related fees are charged accurately and consistently.” In one part of the audit, 40 percent of the fee transactions tracked were incorrect. The audit evaluated 30 transactions, and found that 12 were […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Development
BOA sides with staff on neighborhood appeal
Plans for a home at 2015 Goodrich Ave. will go on after the Board of Adjustment ruled against a neighborhood appeal earlier this month. Before the appeal reached the earlier hearing, three of the neighborhood’s other complaints had been resolved. The remaining issue of the appeal was whether the home’s attic exemption complied with the requirements […]