Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
Commission looks into how Austin creates street crossings
There’s a simple explanation for why Austinites may have noticed more signaled crosswalks in recent years: There are more. A recent discussion on the state of pedestrian hybrid beacons in the city caught up Urban Transportation Commission members on the…
Transportation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 12, 2023
Austin firefighters have new contract in place
After years of heated negotiations, and about a year without a contract in place, Austin firefighters finally have an agreement with the city in place. The contract, which is effective immediately, comes from an three-member arbitration panel. Unlike a normal…
Fire • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 11, 2023
Garza announces more changes at City Hall
A new memo outlines yet another shake-up at the city courtesy of interim City Manager Jesús Garza. City Council reappointed Garza interim city manager in February, following a vote that fired City Manager Spencer Cronk from the position. Since then,…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 5, 2023
Council approves push to make air conditioning a requirement in Austin
This summer, a stretch of hot, dry weather in Austin has tested everyone’s patience. The record-high heat has also posed a danger to those not lucky enough to feel the relief of air conditioning. A new City Council resolution looks…
City Council • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 1, 2023
TipSheet: City Council, 8.31.23
Thursday’s City Council agenda has a variety of things going on – a tour of city issues, if you will. We’ve done our best to pick the highlights from the agenda but, as always, the entire thing is available online for…
City Council • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 31, 2023
Parks board to take an (ever-so-brief) pause on Zilker Park plan
Given the sudden collapse of the Zilker Park Vision Plan earlier this month, it’s little surprise that the city’s Parks and Recreation Board has disbanded its working group for the plan. However, the board did so this week with a…
Parks • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 30, 2023
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Council committee gets drought update
Austin Water Utility officials didn’t promise any miracles during a briefing on the city’s drought response and water supply at last week’s Austin Water Oversight Committee meeting. As of Aug. 14, the city was in exceptional drought conditions that pushed…
Water • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 28, 2023
Ethics commission reprimands Velásquez
City Council Member Jose Velásquez has been found to be in violation of city code by the Ethics Review Commission, which voted Wednesday to issue a letter of admonition over failures to identify income and board tenure. Following Velásquez’s recusal…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 25, 2023
Site plan appeal reveals city tech failings at ZAP
Though an appeal to a site plan extension failed at the Zoning and Platting Commission’s most recent meeting Aug. 15, the case exposed what happened after mayoral declaration to help development held up by the pandemic went into effect. In…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 24, 2023
TipSheet: City Council, 7.20.23
Today, City Council returns from its summer break with a hefty 196-item agenda that may test the startling efficiency of Mayor Kirk Watson. Of course, not all of those items will warrant a discussion (or coverage), but we’ve done our…
City Council • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 20, 2023
Animal Services chief addresses overcrowded shelter after alarm from Kelly
Weeks after City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly expressed alarm at finding “dogs housed in temporary crates at the truck port” behind Austin Animal Center with scorching temperatures on the way, Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland has responded. A subsequent…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 28, 2023
East Austin demolition forces landmark commission to grapple with higher powers
Though their comments held no official weight, Historic Landmark Commission members had things to say about a state law that prohibits the city from intervening in the demolition or relocation of buildings owned by religious organizations. Kalan Contreras of the…
