Stories by Amy Smith

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

The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Ethics commission dismisses Watson and Greco cases and sets hearing on two other complaints

The city’s bruising election season comes to an end Saturday with a runoff in the District 7 City Council race, but the Ethics Review Commission’s work continues as it considers another round of the season’s ethics violation complaints. So far,…

Elections • By Amy Smith • Dec 13, 2024

Public safety departments show progress in recruitment efforts

White males continue to make up the majority of Austin sworn public safety personnel, but police, fire and emergency medical services appear to be making strides in recruitment and diversification efforts. That was the assessment of some Public Safety Commission…

Police • By Amy Smith • Dec 6, 2024

Subscribe to our newsletter

Former PARD Director McNeeley resigns from top post at The Trail Conservancy

In a surprising turn of events, Kimberly McNeeley has resigned from her position as CEO of The Trail Conservancy after less than six months on the job. McNeeley had previously served as director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department…

Parks • By Amy Smith • Dec 5, 2024

Council approves added protections for birds and trees in new construction

Birds and the trees that serve as their habitats gained renewed attention from City Council on Thursday with the approval of two measures calling for enhanced protections for both. For the birds, a resolution sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Leslie…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Nov 22, 2024

Ethics complaint against Watson campaign still unsettled after hearing

The question of whether Mayor Kirk Watson’s reelection campaign violated the city’s campaign finance rules remained unsettled last week following a hearing before the Ethics Review Commission. The commission recessed shortly after 10 p.m. after deadlocking on one motion to…

Elections • By Amy Smith • Nov 18, 2024

City’s new travel policy aligns with best practices used in other cities

The city’s travel reimbursement process for employees appears to be working well since the policy was updated early this year, according to an audit of the new policy presented Tuesday to City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee. While the audit…

Austin • By Amy Smith • Nov 13, 2024

Special fund could help Council members respond to neighborhood needs

Under a proposal approved Thursday, City Council members may have the ability next year to fund projects in their districts without following the usual planning and budgeting processes. The resolution, sponsored by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, directs the city manager…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Nov 8, 2024

Council approves initiative that aims to protect renters from hidden fees

Over opposition from the Austin Apartment Association, City Council passed a resolution Thursday designed to protect renters from unexpected fees tied to lease agreements. The agenda item, sponsored by Council Member Ryan Alter, directs the city manager to work with…

Housing • By Amy Smith • Oct 28, 2024