Electric vehicles are getting a new boost in visibility within the city now that Uber is working with Austin officials on the city’s Smart Mobility Roadmap and bringing its electric vehicle pilot program to town. Uber will now provide information in their drivers’ newsfeed about Austin Energy’s Plug-In EVerywhere network of charging stations available throughout the city. […]
Jessi Devenyns
Posted inEnergy
Where are Austin Energy’s generation metrics?
For three years, the Electric Utility Commission has not received an annual performance report from Austin Energy. Concerned about the lack of the familiar financial and operational reporting format, Commissioner Michael Osborne has repeatedly discussed its merits and requested its return at commission meetings. At the July 16 meeting, he finally received an answer as […]
Posted inWater
Commissioners: Water bills should be overseen by Austin Water
Following the water bill fiasco from last fall, Austin Energy and Austin Water teamed up on a working group to uncover the puzzling reasons behind the unusual spikes. Although the group started off with one question, Commissioner Mickey Maia reported back to the Water and Wastewater Commission at its July 11 meeting that, “as we […]
Posted inWhispers
After 12 months, Austin Energy’s software contract needs a 50% increase
After entering into a $12 million software contract with Sirius Computer Solutions Inc. in May of last year, Austin Energy returned to the Electric Utility Commission at its July 16 meeting to ask for an increase of $5,898,463, for a revised contract amount not to exceed $18,225,143. “A little after 12 months later you come […]
Posted inAustin
The cats are alive and well at the Austin Animal Center
After a significant dip in live outcomes for cats in April, the Animal Advisory Commission began to seriously consider how it could reverse that trend to allow more animals to survive their stay as a guest at the Austin Animal Center. As a result of the concentrated efforts, this month the live release rate for […]
Posted inWhispers
Larry Tucker is leaving the Animal Advisory Commission
Since 2006, Larry Tucker has served on the Animal Advisory Commission, and after years of advocating for the animals of Austin, the July 9 meeting was his last. Although they were sad to see him go, his fellow commissioners commended his productive 11-year tenure. “He was here when we effectively got rid of the sale […]
Posted inPreservation
Three Congress storefronts will soon be dismantled
For over a decade, three properties at 907, 909 and 911 Congress Ave. have stood vacant as they awaited a plan to restore their original facades. In September of 2006, two of the properties were approved for dismantling, but now the owner, Dalton Wallace, has approached the Historic Landmark Commission to ask that all three […]
Posted inPolice
APD continues to push toward community-focused policing
Since the Austin Police Department made its switch to a more community-oriented focus last year, it has continued to plow forward in its efforts to reorient its policies and position APD more as a force for the people. In a presentation to the Public Safety Commission on July 2, Police Chief Brian Manley updated commissioners on the […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission fails to approve variance based on traffic concerns
In a subdivision, how much density is too dense? Although not typically a question the Environmental Commission considers, it is one that became the crux of the discussion around a variance request at its June 20 meeting due to the traffic concerns that new development would create. Although the city limits street crossings across critical […]
Posted inPreservation
West Campus home pushes for relocation to pay property taxes
As time passes, things change, and like all things in Austin, neighborhoods are feeling the effects of the city’s evolution. Once an area with stately homes, West Campus has become the de facto residence for students who share their neighborhood with offices and restaurants that occupy the grandiose homes of yesteryear. However, the stately home […]
Posted inUncategorized
Austin brings community health into the community
Last summer, after city officials called on the Austin Police Department and other public safety departments to address issues attributed to homelessness, a coalition of public safety and social services groups began working to increase support for this vulnerable population. One of the programs taking the lead on this effort is the Homeless Outreach Street […]
Posted inWhispers
Unexpected triplets require more room to live
It’s only natural that when families grow, you need more space to live. However, when you live in a tiny 1945 bungalow like Craig Carter, and suddenly you have triplets, size becomes a serious issue seriously quick. Carter, who lives at 1402 Mohle Drive, presented his solution to the problem to the Historic Landmark Commission […]