Despite not having a formal definition of “equity” available to the public, the Austin Public Library insists that it uses equity as a guiding principle in all decisions. The city’s public library system challenged a report presented last week at City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee meeting claiming that its performance-measure data, particularly in the […]
Alex Dropkin
Posted inWhispers
Wildflower Center taps Trinity Aquifer
Looking to wean itself off municipal water, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center approached the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District for a pumping permit in March. The aquifer district approved the 6.7 million gallon-per-year permit Thursday night, waiving a rule disallowing new pumping to start under drought conditions for the Wildflower Center. Though the […]
Posted inTransportation, Uncategorized
Report: Drivers delayed 26 million vehicle hours
If you think you are spending a lot of time sitting on Austin’s roads going nowhere, you are right. In fact, you are contributing to the city’s 26 million vehicle-hours a year of traffic delays, according to a Texas A&M report. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Board reviewed the latest congestion report […]
Posted inWhispers
BSEACD extends permit for ‘wake park’
The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District unanimously approved an extension Thursday on a well drilling permit for an artificial lake at an amusement park. The board had previously issued a 2 million gallon permit for Quest ATX, a recreation park that offers cable wake boarding and other activities. However, the park’s operators say that […]
Posted inPublic Safety
APD Communications hard-pressed to handle calls
As the Austin metropolitan area population grows over the next couple of decades, officials say city services will be hard-pressed to keep up with the demand. But that future is now for Austin Police Department’s Emergency Communication Division, whose leaders say they are already falling behind. Julie O’Brien, commander of the Emergency Communication Division, listed […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
District 9 challenger says no to rail proposition
Erin McGann, a challenger to two current City Council members vying for the District 9 position, made her stance clear as early as possible on Monday night. The forum in the Ballot Boxing series was sponsored by the Monitor with partners KUT, the Austin Chronicle, KXAN and Univision, and hosted at KUT’s Studio 1a. “I’m the only candidate […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Government, Resources
LCRA approves Water Plan changes and reservoir
The Lower Colorado River Authority’s board members unanimously voted to accept several key amendments to their its 2012 Water Management Plan Wednesday. The board also voted to build the LCRA’s first new reservoir since the 1940s. The vote was the final step in getting the Water Management Plan ready for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality […]
Posted inWhispers
BSEACD chooses Sledge Fancher lobby firm
The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District moved to negotiate a contract with lobbyist firm Sledge Fancher to represent its interests in the upcoming Texas legislative session. District board members approved the firm on a 3-1 vote, as they were both attracted by and wary of lobbyist Brian Sledge’s reputation as a “gunslinger.” Sledge already represents […]
Posted inWhispers
BSEACD postpones Habitat Conservation Plan vote
The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District delayed its vote on approval of a draft habitat conservation plan for two additional weeks Thursday night. Board members made the move in response to comments during a public hearing. The postponement will give the district’s staff time to address concerns and the opportunity to make changes to […]
Posted inEnvironment, Resources
Committee seeks to create zero emissions plan
A recent study by climate scientists predicts dire consequences for the Austin region if it does not act to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly over the next 20 to 30 years. The National Climate Assessment says temperatures in Central Texas could rise by an average of 3 to 4 degrees and average rainfall rates could […]
Posted inWhispers
Tech panel wants more money for grants
In his budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2015, Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Chair Lemuel Williams told Council members Wednesday he would like to see more money in the Grants for Technology Opportunities Program. Williams asked the Council to increase annual funding from $200,000 to $300,000 to help boost the competitiveness of the grant funding […]
Posted inWhispers
Library wants funding for ‘bikemobile’
As part of its budgetary wish list given to the city’s Emerging Technology and Telecommunications Committee, Austin Public Library is hoping to get $3,000 for a bikemobile, a greener alternative to the commonly used bookmobile. The bikemobile would include a custom bike with a Wi-Fi hot spot that could both check out books and issue […]