The Austin ISD Board of Trustees will decide later this summer whether to include a bond package on the ballot in November. A bond allows the school district to borrow money to cover the cost of capital expenditures, such as updating facilities, improving technology and buying new buses. The 2022 bond program may also address […]
2022
Posted inEnvironment
City continues battle against toxic algae, zebra mussels
Despite record high temperatures, crowds are carrying on with Austin summertime traditions, flocking to cool off by Barton Creek and the Colorado River. Brent Bellinger, a reservoir ecologist for the city, stopped by Wednesday’s Environmental Commission meeting to share a brief update on the state of these beloved waterways. Concern over the safety of Austin’s […]
Posted inAustin
Study points to transportation, education needs for disabled community
Preliminary findings from a quality-of-life study for Austin residents with disabilities suggest the city needs to improve transportation options, expand educational opportunities and improve communications with the larger disabled community. Last week, at a combined meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities and the Commission on Seniors, representatives from Boston-based Public Consulting Group […]
Posted inWhispers
Montopolis Pool community meeting tonight
With renovation plans moving forward, the city is holding its first community meeting about the design of the Montopolis Community Pool tonight. Staff will share the project’s budget, schedule, conceptual designs and feedback from a recent community survey about the project. Those interested in participating may attend in person at the Montopolis Recreation & Community […]
Posted inWhispers
Covid level hovering between low and medium
While Travis County’s Community Level is described as low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly update, the numbers are so close that Austin Public Health is asking community members to “err on the side of caution by following medium guidelines if you are at risk in order to drive down the case […]
Posted inHousing
Council OKs first use of Project Connect money for housing
With little fanfare Thursday, City Council, acting as the board of the Austin Housing Finance Corporation, approved using Project Connect anti-displacement dollars for the first time to purchase apartment complexes for low-income residents. The two complexes AHFC will acquire are at 615 W. St. Johns Ave. and 2000 Woodward St. In order to purchase the […]
Posted inCity Council
Amid affordability crisis, Austin could hike hourly minimum wage for city employees to $22
Low-wage city employees could see their pay go up to $22 an hour in October. City Council on Thursday unanimously approved raising the minimum wage for city workers as Austin’s affordability crisis worsens. “$22 is not a lot,” Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, who sponsored the bill, said. “We’re just trying to get up to the base […]
Posted inPolice
Police union proposes pay raises of up to 20% as part of contract negotiation
The Austin Police Association has proposed raises of up to 20 percent over four years as part of its ongoing labor contract negotiation with the city, citing the police department’s long-standing staffing shortages as well as rising housing costs and inflation. Officer Travis Vonholt, a five-year department veteran who serves on the APA Board of […]
Posted inWhispers
City declares a public health crisis
Austin City Council joined Travis County in declaring the opioid overdose crisis a public health emergency on Thursday. The resolution, which was approved unanimously by Council, asks the city manager to invest in harm reduction strategies, including increased access to naloxone kits as well as a comprehensive plan that explores prevention, treatment and services for […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin observes Juneteenth
A number of city offices and public facilities will be closed Monday in observation of the Juneteenth holiday, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas. Monday closures include city rec centers, senior centers, museums and cultural centers; Austin Energy customer service and call centers; Austin Public Health testing and vaccine sites; Austin Public […]
Posted inTransportation
Council approves legal action to close South Terminal
City Council on Thursday authorized city’s legal staff to move forward with eminent domain proceedings against the owner of the South Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. No Council member commented on the item, but the vote was unanimous. Before the vote, Jeff Pearse, CEO of LoneStar Airport Holdings, which operates the South Terminal, predicted that […]
Posted inTransit
Cap Metro courtesy-stop pilot program likely to be codified
After a successful trial run, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority hopes to extend the expanded version of its courtesy stop pilot program, which was started earlier this year. Capital Metro first implemented the initiative to help riders with mobility impairments deboard between stops to make their commutes a little smoother. But earlier this year, the transit […]