High energy usage brought on by months of severe summer heat caused Austin Energy to spend far more than the utility forecast through the end of the last fiscal year, with a forthcoming rate increase likely to help restore its cash reserves. At Tuesday’s meeting of City Council’s Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee, AE representatives […]
2023
Posted inCity Council
Council to consider eliminating nonresident library card fees
City Council will consider an item this week directing the city manager to amend the fee and fine ordinance to do away with the nonresident library card fee for residents of the city’s limited-purpose and extraterritorial jurisdictions. Currently, Austin residents can get a free library card only if they live within what’s called the full-purpose […]
Posted inWhispers
Downtown Austin Community Court selected as a learning site for federal program
Austin is one of 10 communities picked to participate in a federal program to help people with behavioral health needs in the criminal justice system. The Downtown Austin Community Court is an inaugural partner for the Criminal Justice Mental Health Learning Site Program, operated by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Free […]
Posted inEnvironment
Bald eagle sightings appear to be on the rise in Austin
A slew of bald eagle sightings in Austin has excited birders and nonbirders alike. The iconic raptors are not particularly common in the area, but, according to reports by citizen scientists, their numbers appear to be on the rise. The first well-publicized recent sighting took place over Lake Austin in the Tarrytown neighborhood late last […]
Posted inWhispers
Youth climate equity group names new class
Austin’s Youth Climate Equity Council has a new cohort. Recently, 33 youth leaders were named to the council, which was established to give younger climate activists a chance to engage in and influence local initiatives. This year, students will focus on the city’s Climate Equity Plan, looking at initiatives on sustainability and implementation of the […]
Posted inCourts
Court signs order overturning three zoning ordinances
On Monday, Travis County District Court Judge Jessica Mangrum released her official ruling in Acuña v. City of Austin, finding that City Council violated prior court orders and state law when it approved three major zoning ordinances in 2022. The court also found that one ordinance challenged by plaintiffs is still valid because of a […]
Posted inRoads
Council set to commit $15.4 million for design work on I-35 caps and stitches
City Council plans to move forward with adding four plaza-like caps and four “stitch” crossings to portions of the reconstruction of Interstate 35. A memo released yesterday from Transportation and Public Works Department Director Richard Mendoza updates Council and Mayor Kirk Watson on the timeline and funding options involved in the cap-and-stitch effort, which is […]
Posted inWhispers
APD’s No Refusal Initiative will run through the holiday season
To reduce injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers this holiday season, the No Refusal Initiative will take place every night between Dec. 14 and Jan. 1. That’s when officers are allowed to obtain blood search warrants during certain hours when an arrested driver refuses to submit to a blood alcohol test. During the rest […]
Posted inWhispers
AISD superintendent search may near an end
Following a Dec. 7 closed session, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees is one step closer to choosing a new superintendent. The position was posted in November and is currently filled by interim Superintendent Matias Segura, who was previously the district’s chief of operations before assuming the role in January. A message from […]
Posted inWater
Austin declared new drought restrictions in August. Water use stayed the same.
Lee esta historia en español On Aug. 15, Austin was 39 days into its longest triple-digit heat wave ever recorded. The extreme heat had created a “climate feedback loop,” locking in the worst drought the city has seen in 113 years. By mid-August, reservoirs on the Colorado River – which provide the city with water […]
Posted inCity Hall
Planning Commission to allow time donation once again
In a return to prepandemic form, speakers at the Planning Commission will once again be able to donate and amass time in order to allow presentations of up to 10 minutes. As of today, in-person speakers can receive donated time that is about double what they would normally be allotted. That means primary speakers will […]
Posted inWhispers
Brown reacts to federal rail decision
A trio of county judges expressed disappointment over recent news that the Austin, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth corridor will not be included in a federal push to expand rail in Texas. Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins released a statement Friday in reaction to […]