City officials were not satisfied with the way the nonprofit organization Front Steps was running the homeless men’s shelter at 500 E. Seventh Street commonly known as the ARCH. Officials notified the organization that all contracts with Front Steps would be discontinued by Sept. 30, according to a city spokesperson. After deciding to end its […]
2022
Posted inWater
Travis County calls on LCRA to ‘get serious’ about water conservation
The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution July 19 requesting that the Lower Colorado River Authority accelerate a change to its Highland Lakes water management plan. If LCRA cooperates, a “more protective” approach would be implemented to reflect Central Texas’ shrinking water supply and substantially more arid conditions. Commissioners took particular issue with LCRA’s […]
Posted inWhispers
Leffingwell recovering from surgery
Former Mayor Lee Leffingwell reports that he is doing well following surgery for an aortic aneurysm. He described the condition as a weak spot in the aorta, the body’s largest artery. Leffingwell, who currently lives in Driftwood, said he is doing well and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Because of […]
Posted inWhispers
AB+C portal temporarily offline
Due to an upcoming system upgrade being managed by the Communications & Technology Management Department, the Austin Build + Connect portal will be temporarily unavailable. The portal will be offline from 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, to 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 1. CTM explains that the upgrade is needed “to ensure the long-term continuity of […]
Posted inTipSheets
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 7.28.22
After a brief, special called meeting last week, City Council is back in earnest today. How earnest? Well, Mayor Steve Adler joked that there was a betting pool at City Hall about how long the meeting would last, so that’s one sign we’re looking at a robust meeting. Another sign is the 193 items on […]
Posted inPlanning
City considers accreditation program for Sixth Street bars to improve security
City staff is considering an accreditation program for bars and nightlife businesses operating in the Sixth Street entertainment district downtown, pushing for more cooperation and standards for safety planning as part of the evolving plan to address safety concerns in the area. Other strategies under consideration include preventing crowds from gathering in the middle of […]
Posted inTransit
Advocates call for free Cap Metro fares for Austin’s unhoused
On Monday, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved the implementation of a new system that caps the amount riders pay for fares. Another part of the system provides reduced fares for people with lower incomes, called Equifare. But before they voted, some Austinites voiced their concerns saying the reduced fares do not go far […]
Posted inWhispers
Morgan memo warns of rising Covid risk
As Council took its noon break from the public work session Tuesday, Mayor Steve Adler announced he would be wearing a mask for the afternoon session in response to a memo from acting City Manager Anne Morgan, who is covering the duties while Spencer Cronk is on parental leave with a new baby. Morgan wrote […]
Posted inBudget
Budget season begins with arguments over ‘riders’
It’s budget time again. Mayor Steve Adler got the ball rolling at Tuesday’s City Council work session by noting that staff had expressed concerns about the number of budget riders Council members might be bringing forward. He also said staff members were concerned about the timing of those directives from Council. Budget riders are generally […]
Posted inWhispers
Housing bond gets bigger
City Council will likely increase the size of a proposed affordable housing bond set to go before voters this November. On Tuesday, some Council members said they would rather see a $350 million bond – up from a previously proposed $300 million. Council members Leslie Pool, Vanessa Fuentes, Ann Kitchen, and Chito Vela said they would support the bigger bond, […]
Posted inWhispers
AISD gathering input on bond proposals
Austin ISD is hosting two virtual community conversations on Wednesday, July 27, to gather feedback about the draft 2022 bond proposals before trustees vote on a final package Aug. 9. Families and community members are invited to attend one or both sessions to hear about recent updates to the proposals and share feedback for the […]
Posted inPlanning
Workers Defense asks for construction standards on Statesman PUD
In anticipation of one of Austin’s next big construction projects, advocacy group Workers Defense Project demanded Tuesday morning that the redevelopment of the former Austin American-Statesman site at 305 S. Congress Ave. lead to safe and well-compensated construction jobs as well as on-site affordable housing. “This is a big investment that will be many, many […]