Stories by Amy Smith

Environmental Commission hears briefing on 2026 bond election

The Watershed Protection Department would need an estimated $2 billion to solve the city’s most severe watershed problems and other critical needs. A bond package expected to go before voters in 2026 would cover a portion of those costs, if…

Environment • By Amy Smith • Mar 24, 2025

Council adds funding to bolster Integral Care’s mental health efforts

Responding to the need for more mental health workers to staff Integral Care’s Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, City Council on Thursday voted to allocate additional funding to the program. The action will inject more than $1.4 million into the…

Public Health • By Amy Smith • Mar 7, 2025

Council solidifies transparency in labor talks over APA’s opposition

City Council on Thursday approved a resolution reaffirming the city’s transparency policy in labor negotiations, despite objections from the Austin Police Association president. The one-page resolution, introduced by Ryan Alter, reiterates the city’s policy that meet-and-confer and collective bargaining discussions…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Feb 28, 2025

Council will likely delay implementing new STR rules pending legislative action

Austin City Council today will consider an overhaul of the city’s short-term rental regulations but is expected to delay implementing most changes until the summer. At Tuesday’s work session, Mayor Kirk Watson suggested pausing the new rules pending the outcome…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Feb 27, 2025

Audit and Finance seeks more input before voting on board and commission changes

The City Council Audit and Finance Committee on Wednesday deliberated scaling back about two dozen of the city’s boards, commissions and other governmental bodies but ultimately took no action pending further input from the affected groups. The discussion centered on…

City Hall • By Amy Smith • Feb 20, 2025

A streamlined approach to infill housing is set for Council action

City Council members received a preview Tuesday of a proposed infill ordinance, or “site plan lite,” aimed at streamlining the approval process for small-scale residential projects. The proposed ordinance on Thursday’s agenda would apply to developments of five to 16…

Land Development Code • By Amy Smith • Feb 12, 2025

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Encampment cleanup efforts could cost $1.2 million for dedicated team

Austin may establish a dedicated, in-house team to conduct regular cleanups at encampments across the city’s park system. That’s the recommendation laid out in a memo from three department directors in response to a City Council resolution last year calling…

Parks • By Amy Smith • Feb 5, 2025

Council vows to make homelessness a top financial priority

City Council last week reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Austin’s homelessness crisis, pledging to use a recent data-driven report to guide housing and services investments over the next 10 years. City officials will work with Travis County, service providers and…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Feb 3, 2025

Office of Violence Prevention applies public health tenets to help reduce violent crime

Two years ago, following a spate of violent incidents at Givens District Park, the city’s Office of Violence Prevention took action to better understand what was driving crime at the historically significant East Austin park. The OVP partnered with the…

Public Safety • By Amy Smith • Jan 10, 2025

From deep dives to creative thinking, Alison Alter brought an innovative approach to her policy work

When Alison Alter came into office in 2017, her primary issues were parks, climate change and responsible growth. That was just a preview. Over the next eight years, the District 10 City Council member built an expansive policy portfolio that…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Jan 3, 2025

Drawing on his last two years, Qadri hopes to expand his leadership on mobility

After a busy year, Zo Qadri has set his sights on taking on more mobility work in 2025. That seems an apt role for the City Council member who represents District 9, which covers Downtown, the University of Texas and…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Jan 2, 2025

After a busy 2024, Fuentes looks to take on more leadership roles

With her first term and a smooth reelection behind her, Vanessa Fuentes returns to the dais in January with a fresh to-do list and aspirations of becoming the next mayor pro tem – a symbolic yet highly sought-after position. Taking…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Dec 23, 2024

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