Austin’s Convention Center, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, Waller Creek, Rainey Historic District, Brush Square and Palm School have all been topics of (sometimes fierce) discussion over the years. Now, according to a City Council Message Board post from Council Member Kathie Tovo, they might be part of a planning process that will […]
Elizabeth Pagano
Elizabeth Pagano is the editor of the Austin Monitor.
Posted inUncategorized
In line with state law, D6 project moves forward without traffic analysis
The Zoning and Platting Commission threw its full support behind development plans for about 100 acres near Highway 183 North and Ranch Road 620 at its most recent meeting. But an unusual state law – that could soon change – ties the city’s hands when it comes to traffic mitigation on the tracts. Alice Glasco, […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy buys biomass plant for $460M
Austin Energy will, in fact, be purchasing the Nacogdoches Generating Facility for $460 million. Buying the East Texas biomass power plant is the city-owned utility’s way out of a controversial $2.3 billion contract that has been under intense scrutiny over the past few years. The 20-year contract has lost Austin Energy an estimated $54 million […]
Posted inWhispers
Texas Senate passes property tax bill
An altered Senate Bill 2 advanced through the Texas Senate Monday with a slightly higher election trigger than originally proposed. The bill now would allow municipalities to increase property taxes by 3.5 percent, instead of 2.5 percent, before voter approval is required. In the current version of the bill, school districts would be held to […]
Posted inWhispers
Adler and Flannigan endorse Buttigieg
When Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg announced his candidacy on Sunday, two Austin City Council members were on hand to endorse the bid. Mayor Steve Adler introduced Buttigieg in South Bend, Indiana, as “my friend, my colleague as a mayor, and my mentor.” He continued, “In a day where government is so dysfunctional at a […]
Posted inWhispers
LDC and me, and you
Last week, City Council officially dove back into the rewrite of the city’s Land Development Code. Though no longer called CodeNEXT, the rewrite is a restart of that failed effort, being executed in the hope that this time around, the outcome might be different. To that end, those hoping to follow along should keep their […]
Posted inWhispers
ASMP review
After years of discussion, City Council will likely vote on the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan at today’s meeting. It’s a lengthy document, with lots of moving parts, and it’s expected that Council members will have a number of amendments to the transportation plan. Those unwilling to wait can check out the City Council Message Board, […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: City Council, 4.11.19
Welcome to this week’s TipSheet. Austin City Council is back again for its regular Thursday meeting and we’ve taken a stab at the items that might garner the most discussion. A few programming notes: Council does not have an executive session planned today, which means the noon lunch break will likely be shorter than normal. […]
Posted inWhispers
Equity Office awards grants
Austin’s Equity Office has awarded 10 “mini grants.” According to an April 5 memo from Chief Equity Officer Brion Oaks, “The awardees were selected by a community review panel composed of one representative from each of our four Quality of Life Commissions: African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latino, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. Interest, and participation, […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Natasha Harper-Madison
Austin Monitor editor Elizabeth Pagano sits down with Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison this week to talk about her first few months in office, District 1, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, NOTCodeNEXT and more. Catch up on city issues before our next Council meeting! Austin Monitor Radio is produced in partnership with KOOP 91.7 FM. The […]
Posted inWhispers
Coming soon: State of the City
Mayor Steve Adler will deliver this year’s State of the City at a familiar venue: Austin City Hall. Adler will deliver his speech on Wednesday, April 17, from 5-6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but those hoping to catch the action live should reserve a ticket. Those OK with watching […]
Posted inWhispers
2020 census effort launched
Yesterday, the city of Austin and Travis County launched a campaign to ensure an accurate 2020 census. A press conference about the effort noted that undercounting Texas residents by 1 percent could result in at least $300 million in lost federal funding determined by the census. A press release explained, “This year campaigners are concerned […]