A variety of issues were discussed at the Jan. 25 Capital Metro board meeting, which ranged from fielding calls from disgruntled constituents to discourse surrounding the election of new officers to the board of directors and the somewhat contentious prospect of removing current ones. Ultimately, the board postponed the election of 2021 officers for another […]
2021
Posted inWhispers
First redistricting commission members selected
The first eight members of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, which is tasked with redrawing the boundaries of the 10 City Council districts for the 2022 election, have been selected by City Auditor Corrie Stokes via a random drawing. The eight members are Prabhu Kannan, Brigham Morris, Errol Hardin, Eugene Schneider, Erin Dempsey, Luis Gonzalez, […]
Posted inWhispers
City launches LGBTQ survey
As part of Austin’s LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study, the city has launched a community survey to “help inform the city and its LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission about the quality of life of Austin’s LGBTQIA+ communities.” The survey is designed to “provide a better understanding of the community’s strengths and diversity, as well […]
Posted inDevelopment
Environmental Commission unanimously votes to advance Goodnight Ranch zoning change
A proposal to amend zoning requirements for a South Austin residential development was discussed and subsequently approved by the Environmental Commission at its Jan. 20 meeting. Goodnight Ranch is a master planned unit development that covers 695 acres encompassing the area on the east side of Old Lockhart Road between Nuckols Crossing Road and Capitol View […]
Posted inWhispers
Longhorn Dam bridge improvements begin soon
The Austin Transportation Department is set to begin work this month on interim improvements to the Longhorn Dam bridge. The construction, taking place on South Pleasant Valley Road (Cesar Chavez Street to Elmont Drive), will “reconfigure the street space over the bridge to a single northbound traffic lane and two southbound lanes between the south […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 1.26.21
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. To help our readers stay informed, each week we offer a selection of interesting items from the voting session agenda. The entire agenda is available at the Travis County website. The meeting will be streamed live on the Travis County website and the Travis County YouTube channel. Special […]
Posted inCity Council
Council proposes focus on four encampments in HEAL resolution
The city will focus on four encampments as the first phase of a plan to reduce the growing homeless population by providing housing and support services. The resolution, called the HEAL (Housing-Focused Homeless Encampment Assistance Link) Initiative and slated for the Feb. 4 City Council meeting, directs city staffers to develop a strategy for quickly moving people […]
Posted inRoads
Mobility Commission hears plea not to widen I-35
“BE IT RESOLVED,” read Urban Transportation Commission Chair Mario Champion, “the UTC urges TxDOT in the strongest possible way not to widen I-35.” This recommendation, along with many others from the Urban Transportation Commission, amounts to the city’s first official rebuke of the Texas Department of Transportation’s plans to widen Interstate 35 through Austin. At […]
Posted inWhispers
City expands network of bicycling streets
Cyclists and pedestrians will be happy to hear that the Cherrywood Neighborhood Bikeways project, which is designed to connect the All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Network between Interstate 35, Airport Boulevard and East 38th ½ Street, is moving forward. According to Austin Transportation, the design includes “new pavement markings (‘sharrows’) to alert people driving to […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Environmental Commission discusses its role in political advocacy
The Jan. 20 meeting of the Environmental Commission addressed a resolution that would support the city’s 87th State Legislative Agenda, a City Council resolution that passed in September of last year. According to the city, the agenda – which has no formal policy directives or fiscal impact – “is used to communicate (local interests) to the […]
Posted inWhispers
Redbud lane closures begin this week
The city is conducting geotechnical studies as part of its preliminary report for the Redbud Trail Bridge roadway and bridge project. According to the city, “The work will provide important design information for future bridge foundations.” During the study, lanes will be closed near the Redbud Trail Bridge for three weeks, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays. (Red Bud Isle Park will still be accessible.) The […]
Posted inBudget
Central Health operating revenues, expenses down
Over the past fiscal year, Central Health’s operating revenues – consisting of lease revenues from the Central Health Downtown Campus and the Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas – have dropped by 10 percent. Meanwhile, its nonoperating revenues, which are obtained mostly through property taxes, rose by about an equal percentage. Those […]