The city of Austin has proposed changes to its labor contract with the Austin Police Association that its bargaining team said would improve the transparency of administrative investigations and other disciplinary decisions involving police officers. The police union’s bargaining team pushed back, saying the changes were too broad and infringed upon officers’ rights to due […]
2022
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy ramps up outreach for proposed rate changes
Austin Energy has entered the public hearing phase of its base rate review process, following its proposal to raise service costs. The monthslong dialogue with stakeholders and city staff, slated for resolution by City Council in November, has surfaced predictable conflicts over the price hike. Released late April, Austin Energy’s proposal includes an overall base […]
Posted inWhispers
APH now offering Covid vaccines for kids and babies
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that kids 6 months through 5 years get vaccinated for Covid, Austin Public Health is expanding its vaccination program to include this age group. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, said in a news release, “This vaccine expansion comes at a critical time when we’re […]
Posted inTransit
Why high gas prices aren’t hitting Capital Metro … yet
As gas prices hover near record highs, taking a big chomp out of many household budgets, the region’s public transit agency is sending hundreds of buses into the streets every day topped off with diesel costing less than $2 a gallon. Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority burns through some 4.5 million gallons of diesel per year […]
Posted inWhispers
Overcrowded shelter waives adoption fees
In a desperate bid to get animals out of the overcrowded shelter and into their forever homes, the Austin Animal Center is waiving its adoption fees “until further notice.” The space crisis at the shelter, which has 1,081 dogs and cats currently in its care, has become so dire that 23 dogs don’t even have kennels […]
Posted inCity Council
Austin endorses tax exemption for menstrual products
City Council members approved a resolution Thursday endorsing the removal of sales tax for menstrual products and diapers. As the resolution states, “Menstrual products and diapers are necessary to daily life for millions of Texans, and these taxes create an undue and inequitable burden on those who purchase them.” The approval by Council means that […]
Posted inLand Development Code
East Austin townhomes move forward with relaxed compatibility
A plan to build townhomes in the Chestnut neighborhood is moving forward with the unanimous blessing of the Planning Commission, which granted permission to build closer to nearby homes than would normally be allowed. Developers of the project at 1400 Cedar Ave. won a waiver from the commission to build 18 feet from the west […]
Posted inEnvironment
Incoming code amendments will set higher bar for watershed protections
Following a direction passed by City Council earlier this month, the Watershed Protection Department has kept busy refining a number of Land Development Code amendments to further the city’s environmental goals. Deputy Environmental Officer Liz Johnston stopped by the Environmental Commission meeting last week to give a high-level briefing on the department’s progress. Staff hopes […]
Posted inWhispers
LCRA offering grants for community projects
The Lower Colorado River Authority is inviting a wide swath of community organizations to apply for grants from its Community Development Partnership Program. While most of the grants are for $25,000 or less, there are several grants of up to $50,000. “Eligible organizations include volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, local governments, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums and other […]
Posted inPublic Health
STI testing unit to get location in downtown Austin
City Council members approved a resolution Thursday designating a parking spot for mobile STI testing and other sexual health care services, to be located in downtown Austin to make the testing easily accessible to city residents. The resolution comes shortly after Austin Public Health approved the Mobile Vaccination Program as part of the effort to […]
Posted inWhispers
Rejoice! For a free shuttle service has come upon the land
Most Austinites have learned the bitter truth that parking at Barton Springs on the weekend is nigh on impossible. So the news of a free weekend shuttle service, starting this Saturday, June 25, should cause great jubilation within the populace. The shuttle bus – a pilot program from Parks and Recreation – will run every […]
Posted inPlanning
City to study Fleet Services site for housing
In the continuing effort to find ways to create more affordable housing, City Council directed City Manager Spencer Cronk last week to assess the site that currently houses Fleet Mobility Services as a possible location for housing. The department at 1190 Hargrave St. provides service to about 7,000 city vehicles in 25 departments, from the […]