At today’s meeting, the City Council Mobility Committee will discuss the Mobility Annual Plan, a document that explains how mobility bond funds are used citywide. The meeting is part of a larger annual effort to incorporate public feedback into the city’s mobility efforts. The Mobility Committee does not vote on a new MAP each year; […]
2021
Posted inPublic Health
Top doc Escott defends decision to vaccinate state legislators
Interim Austin-Travis Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott doubled down yesterday on his conviction that state legislators should receive priority vaccinations, even if it means young and healthy lawmakers receive the vaccine ahead of more at-risk people. Citing both the in-person legislative session and the risk of a superspreader event potentially impeding the lawmaking process, Escott […]
Posted inWhispers
Save Austin Now files anti-camping petitions
Save Austin Now, the group collecting signatures to put a camping ban on the May ballot, announced Tuesday that it had collected more than 30,000 signed petitions and submitted more than 24,000 valid signatures to City Clerk Jannette Goodall. Petitioners need at least 20,000 valid signatures in order to place the item on the May […]
Posted inEnergy
Consumer advocate seeks audit of Austin Energy program
Consumer advocate Paul Robbins, who has argued for years that Austin Energy is wasting money and inadequately screening participants in its Customer Assistance Program, is asking City Auditor Corrie Stokes to audit the program for wasted expenditures. The program, which serves low-income customers of Austin’s electric, water and drainage utilities, provided more than $15.3 million […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Commission hears preview of complaint against Voices of Austin in truncated meeting
An audio problem during last week’s meeting of the Ethics Review Commission cut short what was promising to be a contentious hearing for a complaint against a local nonprofit. Political consultant Mark Littlefield, who also brought a complaint against Save Austin Now, alleged that Voices of Austin, a 501(c)(4) organization, sent a political mailer that […]
Posted inWhispers
Webinar unveils TCM redesign
Several city departments, outside agencies and design professionals have been working with Austin Transportation staff for the last couple of years on updates to the city’s Transportation Criteria Manual. The TCM, as it’s known, is an important document that “defines the rules, requirements and technical guidelines for building mobility infrastructure in Austin.” At the initial […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit shows problems with city pagers
According to a report issued by the Office of the City Auditor, the city is not effectively managing many of the 1,600-plus pagers issued to city employees. The result, auditors say, is unnecessary spending and the possibility that the lack of oversight is “impacting the city’s ability to communicate in an emergency.” The city formed […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Ethics commissioners request more evidence in complaint against Save Austin Now
Save Austin Now, the nonprofit that is gathering signatures to reinstate the city’s ban on homeless camping, faced an ethics complaint at last week’s Ethics Review Commission meeting. The complaint, brought by political consultant Mark Littlefield, alleges that the organization overstepped the bounds of its 501(c)(4) status by engaging in unauthorized political activity and failing […]
Posted inResources
Zero Waste Advisory Commission reassembles C&D ordinance subcommittee
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Zero Waste Advisory Commission discussed the Construction and Demolition Recycling Ordinance, a law that went into effect in 2016. The ordinance mandates that building permits with more than 5,000 square feet of new, added or remodeled floor area divert at least half of the construction project debris from the […]
Posted inWhispers
Join the community conversation
If you haven’t had a chance to add your two cents to the ongoing city conversation known as reimagining public safety, there are still many ways to participate. Share your thoughts on police reform in Austin this Saturday, Jan. 23, from 11 a.m-1 p.m. at a public meeting open to all. RSVP here.
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy touts its weatherization program for limited-income customers
Sarah Chatterjee, the new director of energy efficiency services for Austin Energy, presented the utility’s new weatherization programs for low-income customers before the Electric Utility Commission on Jan. 11. The program is aimed at providing weatherproofing modifications, optimizing energy efficiencies and reducing energy use at little to no cost to customers. The program is available both to […]
Posted inWhispers
Explore fungi with BCP
The last installment in Balcones Canyonlands Preserve’s Forest Restoration Series delves into the fascinating world of fungi and the critical role these organisms play in keeping natural systems in balance. This exploratory class led by Louis San Miguel “will cover what fungi are, their classifications, and how we can use them in our restoration efforts.” Monday, Jan. […]