As a result of two bills sponsored by Rep. Donna Howard and Sen. Kirk Watson, both Austin Democrats, the city of Austin will soon have an easement on state property that will allow for construction of a pedestrian-bicycle bridge connecting Shoal Creek Boulevard to the Grove. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bills – House Bill […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inDevelopment
‘Shot clock’ bill resets development review time
As Austin city leaders had their attention focused on the 3.5 percent tax cap that moved through the Texas Legislature, legislators were busy approving a bill that could have a serious impact on the city’s efforts to regulate development. The Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, which supported the bill, calls it the “shot clock” […]
Posted inCity Hall
Tovo envisions changes to Second Street parking
With budget season approaching, Council members are thinking about what they can do to cut costs and increase revenues in their final budget with an 8 percent tax cap. Because of legislative action, next year’s tax cap will fall to 3.5 percent unless Council goes to voters to seek their approval of a larger increase. […]
Posted inWhispers
Kinder Morgan wins in fight with landowners
Opponents of a natural gas pipeline that will stretch from West Texas through the Hill Country to the Texas Gulf Coast have lost their court battle to keep Kinder Morgan Inc. from making its own decisions about where to build the pipeline. Construction of the pipeline, which is estimated to cost $2 billion, is slated […]
Posted inZoning
Council rezones nine mobile home parks, sometimes defying neighbors
Council passed two resolutions last year directing city staff to identify all mobile home parks or other properties being used for mobile homes but not zoned as such. The next step was to initiate the appropriate zoning so the properties would continue to serve the low-income Austinites residing in mobile homes and recreational vehicles. On […]
Posted inCity Council
Council votes to tax Lake Austin homes
After hearing from a handful of residents who have never paid city property taxes on their Lake Austin homes, Council voted unanimously on Thursday to repeal an ordinance that exempted about 400 such properties from city taxes. Council also approved a resolution directing the city manager to look at ways the city might spend an […]
Posted inWhispers
New Planning Commissioners named
At the end of Wednesday’s special called meeting, Council approved appointments to several commissions, including the Planning Commission. Mayor Steve Adler said, “Volunteer service to this commission is critical and we’re fortunate to have a group of individuals who are willing to volunteer their time. The city charter recognizes that Planning Commission members who are […]
Posted inCity Council
Council wants to look at 380 agreements again
A $165,000 economic development agreement between the city of Austin and Austin Community College to help the college provide and maintain what is described as “leading edge” technology equipment for ACC’s fashion incubator could be an early casualty of Council’s drive to save money in the face of the legislatively mandated 3.5 percent revenue caps. […]
Posted inWhispers
Many City Council meetings next week
Gear up, Council watchers! Since next week’s Council meeting will be the final one before the traditional July break, we will be treated to the usual Tuesday work session, plus a special called meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the regularly scheduled Thursday Council meeting, and possibly an additional meeting on Friday. Mayor Steve Adler posted a […]
Posted inCity Council
Nonprofit funds OK’d despite Flannigan questions
In spite of Council Member Jimmy Flannigan’s effort to postpone the vote, Council last week approved adding $319,000 to a contract with Capital IDEA for funds to train young adults for entry into the workforce. The total for the six-year contract is now pegged at more than $10.6 million. As Flannigan explained to the Austin […]
Posted inWhispers
Committee picks Eisenbrey for Civil Service Commission
The Council Audit & Finance Committee on Thursday recommended Rebecca Eisenbrey, staff attorney at the Equal Justice Center, for a seat on the Municipal Civil Service Commission. Eisenbrey has considerable experience in labor law, including serving as co-chair for the State Bar of Texas’ Employment Law Task Force. Members of the committee went into executive […]
Posted inAustin
Appraisal board lets June 4 decisions stand
The Travis Appraisal Review Board voted Wednesday to confirm property appraisal decisions that their individual panels made on June 4, in spite of an attempt by Board Chair Betty Thompson to have all of those decisions nullified and new hearings scheduled. Changes to procedures this year – particularly the elimination of in-person informal discussions between […]