Charles Boisseau

Not everyone is happy with the new rules the city adopted last year to clarify the sanctions imposed on prime contractors and consultants who fail to comply with the city’s minority- and women-owned business procurement ordinance.   In a special-called meeting on Thursday, members of the MBE/WBE Small Business Advisory Committee discussed whether to strengthen […]

Most drivers probably pass the old metal building without a second glance.   The gray structure at 3601 West Parmer Lane is occupied by a mix of` mom-and-pops — auto and motorcycle repair shops, a car stereo installation outfit, a mobile steam cleaner, and a fishing gear and tackle place.   However, this ordinary-looking building […]

Mayor Lee Leffingwell told the crowd gathered at city hall Thursday that he hoped to make environmental issues the centerpiece of his administration and to build on the legacy of former Mayor Will Wynn. And the crowd was more than happy to let him know what they expect. Leffingwell was at the EcoChange Exchange , […]

A group of about 20 stakeholders gathered last week for the first public glimpse of an ambitious plan to build a 35-mile regional trail from Barton Springs south into Hays County.   The volunteer steering committee was created in 2000 to advise the Austin Water Utility on ways it could allow public access to its […]

Austin City Council on Thursday unanimously approved two measures requiring more trees be planted or saved during development, but sent city staff back to develop a new plan to protect the city’s most mature trees.   The actions put a spotlight on the value of tree canopies, increasingly viewed as a precious resource that improves […]

The Austin City Council is getting ready to decide how Austin can better protect and cultivate one of the area’s most important natural resources — trees.                         City Environmental Officer Pat Murphy last week outlined several amendments to existing ordinances that would make it more difficult to remove large trees and require more trees in […]

Austin firefighters are considering filing a suit over Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr’s appointment of more assistant fire chiefs than they say the law allows.   On Thursday, City Council granted Chief Kerr’s request to appoint two more assistant chiefs, giving her a total of four. Kerr then immediately promoted two new assistant chiefs: Lt. […]

The Austin City Council postponed a vote Thursday on whether to approve a professional services contract designed to guide how the city manages its waste and recycling operations for at least the next generation.   The contract is seen as a key part of the city’s “green” initiatives, and follows City Council’s adoption in January […]

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services employees are considering joining Austin police officers in renegotiating a pay raise as the city grapples with the city’s projected budget shortfall in the coming year.   EMS workers are operating under a three-year labor contract that is supposed to give employees a 2.75 percent pay increase in fiscal year […]

Developers on Monday won a delay on consideration of variances for a controversial 80-bed rehabilitation hospital at 38th and Jefferson streets after hinting that new plans may not require variances to city codes.   Officials with the proposed Central Texas Rehabilitation Hospital want to build an 80,000-square-foot facility, including a partially below-ground parking garage, at […]

Two sides in a battle over the demolition of Hyde Park house agreed to a temporary cease fire last week in what has emerged as a classic battle over whether a family has the right to demolish its aging homestead despite opposition from neighborhood preservationists.   The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association and the Nohra family […]