The Public Safety Commission is urging the Austin Police Department to avoid making a hurried decision about when and how officers will wear body cameras. Commissioners said Monday they would consider adding a resolution on body cameras to next month’s agenda. Police Chief Art Acevedo announced in November department plans to outfit its officers with […]
Audrey McGlinchy, KUT
Posted inWhispers
Parks surprised by MoPac changes
Parks and Recreation Department Director Sara Hensley expressed surprise at the Parks Board meeting Tuesday when several residents brought up the MoPac Improvement Project, and a proposed elevated double-decker bridge over Lady Bird Lake and parts of Zilker Park. Hensley said she had just heard about the plan Monday by “happenchance” when she met with […]
Posted inCity Council, Parks
Open Space panel urges better communication
At its first official meeting, the Council Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee urged city departments to keep residents better informed of changes to the Walnut Creek Hike and Bike Trail. Parks and Recreation Department project manager Marty Stump gave the committee an update Wednesday, sitting adjacent to a handful of angry neighbors who said […]
Posted inParks
Parks Board asks for moratorium on naming parks
Without rules, they won’t name. That is what the Parks and Recreation Board decided Tuesday night when members considered an item to rename the Quick Start Tennis Courts on Johnny Morris Road. The board voted not to recommend the item, and in a 4-0 vote (Members Michael Casias, Hill Abell and Susan Roth were absent), […]
Posted inWhispers
Cyclocross tree repair bill still unpaid
The Austin Urban Forestry Program says it is negotiating with the organizer of January’s Cyclocross event at Zilker Park to ensure USA Cycling bears the cost of restoring 57 trees damaged during the races. At the first meeting of the Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee, Chair Leslie Pool emphasized the importance of finalizing that […]
Posted inAustin, Parks, Resources
Council weighs in on Parkland Events Task Force
Some City Council members say the naming of a public parks task force will finally bring action on discussions the city has been having for years about the strain special events place on the city’s parkland. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo said the creation of a Parkland Events Task Force, passed unanimously at Council’s March […]
Posted inAustin, Texas State Legislature
Animal Commissioners skeptical of vet legislation
Austin’s Animal Advisory Commission decided Wednesday that City Council should investigate whether two bills filed in the Texas Legislature would affect the city’s no-kill agenda. The bills, one of which opponents say threatens the ability of city shelters to care for animals, will be placed on Council’s legislative agenda with recommendations neither for nor against […]
Posted inAustin, Texas State Legislature
Animal Advisory Commission wary of animal legislation
Members of Austin’s Animal Advisory Commission requested more time Wednesday night to consider whether to recommend a bill some say would threaten city shelters’ “no-kill” status. The committee considered two bills filed by state representatives concerning veterinarian practice in city shelters, but because of confusion over what the bills would mean for animal care, it […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Education
Council backs application for Obama Promise Zone
The Austin City Council threw its support behind an Obama administration initiative Thursday when it backed the city’s application to have a large tract of East Austin dubbed a “Promise Zone” by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Council members passed the item after motions to postpone and send it to committee floundered. […]
Posted inAustin, Parks, Resources, Uncategorized, Water
Plans for Decker golf course divide Parks board
A proposed golf course split Austin’s Parks and Recreation board down the middle Wednesday night when members landed undecided on whether to recommend to City Council a 50-year license with Decker Golf LLC to build a high-end golf complex in East Austin. “It goes forward split to the City Council, and they will be making […]
Posted inAustin, City Council
Mayor foresees messy, but effective, City Council
Austin Mayor Steve Adler says in the wake of what he hopes will be a more efficient and more inclusive City Council, don’t be surprised if there’s a little mess. “We have conversations that are out for everyone to see. Sometimes conversations and communications are messy,” Adler told Monitor Publisher Michael Kanin last night at […]
Posted inCity Hall, Music & Entertainment, Parks
Board may amend applications to protect city trees
On paper, Austin protects its trees. City code requires people to get approval from the city arborist before damaging or removing a tree. But representatives from the Austin Heritage Tree Foundation told the Environmental Board on Wednesday that these ordinances are often overlooked, and they urged board members to recommend a process requiring departments that regularly […]