Austin Water discussed efforts to address its staff shortage at Wednesday’s Water and Wastewater Commission meeting. The discussion about recruiting and retaining employees was part of the department’s presentation on its 2022-23 budget, which was unanimously approved by the commission. As interim Director Robert Goode said in his introduction to the presentation, the city manager […]
2022
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Advocates, Council members rally behind affordable housing bond
Support for a potential $300 million affordable housing bond is growing. On Thursday, housing advocates and politicians launched a campaign to support the bond, which they say is needed to address Austin’s housing crisis. “If we’re going to protect what is special and magical about this city, we have to protect and preserve the people […]
Posted inWhispers
Watson reveals housing platform
Former state Sen. Kirk Watson, who is currently running for mayor, announced his housing platform Thursday in a seven-point plan that has some very specific ideas for the future. Echoing past sentiments, Watson has vowed to “scrub Austin’s development review process” and “use every tool in the toolbox to expand housing options” in pursuit of […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin City Council votes to decriminalize abortion
The Austin City Council has approved a resolution that will effectively decriminalize abortion in Austin. The resolution, called the Guarding the Right to Abortion Care for Everyone (GRACE) Act, was proposed by Council Member Chito Vela. It asks law enforcement agencies to make prosecuting abortion-seekers and providers their lowest priority. The resolution will also stop the […]
Posted inWhispers
Donation stations and free furniture coming to West Campus
Next weekend, the city and UT Austin will join forces once again to accept donations from students who have unwanted furniture, clothing, (unopened) food, and other household items discarded during the moving process. The annual MoveOutATX event will have six donation stations throughout West Campus that will operate from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. from […]
Posted inPlanning
Memo brings questions about affordability, public benefits for Statesman redevelopment
A new memo that forecasts significantly higher costs for affordable housing and other public benefits proposed by the city for the largest development project in the South Central Waterfront has raised a number of questions as the planned unit development process moves forward in the coming weeks. City Council was scheduled to conduct the second […]
Posted inTransportation
Trouble finding a parking spot on South Congress Avenue? The city is working on it.
Those of us who have braved the journey to find parking on South Congress Avenue during peak hours know it is not for the faint of heart. You might be circling, searching for an open spot for what feels like hours. Euphoria fills your spirit when you think you have finally found that perfect spot. […]
Posted inWhispers
Plant milkweed for monarchs
This week brought the depressing news that monarch butterflies are now an endangered species, with estimates that their population has declined between 22 percent and 72 percent over the past decade (depending on how it is measured). Those looking for a way to help are encouraged to add native, butterfly-friendly plants to their landscapes and […]
Posted inHousing
Mobile home park residents challenge developer after receiving 60-day notice to vacate
Dewain Willmore calls his home in the Congress Mobile Home and RV Park a “sanctuary.” “Once you get off the street in here,” said Willmore, who has lived in the park for 21 years, “everything just slows down.” Over the past two decades, Willmore has become a leader in this close-knit community on South Congress […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commission recommends floodplain redevelopment changes
Despite lingering concerns, the Planning Commission on July 12 recommended a tweak to floodplain regulations that would allow existing businesses within the floodplain to rebuild without special permission from City Council. The rule change would give city staffers the power to approve redevelopment of existing commercial buildings in the floodplain if they are rebuilt to […]
Posted inWhispers
District 2 budget meeting tonight
Council Member Vanessa Fuentes will host a District 2 meeting to discuss the upcoming adoption of the city budget tonight. The meeting, which is aimed at garnering feedback on budget priorities from constituents, will take place 6-7:30 p.m. at the Southeast Branch of the Austin Public Library. Spanish interpretation, food and drink will all be […]
Posted inAustin
Animal shelter workers demand better conditions in wake of vote of no confidence
The Animal Advisory Commission discussed improvements needed at the Austin Animal Center at its July 11 meeting. The discussion came after the commission’s vote of no confidence in AAC Director Don Bland on June 13. The meeting began with comments from AAC staff and volunteers stating that the vote was not enough to fix ongoing […]