Mental health professionals accompany police officers to all SWAT calls in Houston and Seattle, but Austin’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, which operates alongside the Austin Police Department, does not accompany officers on high-risk calls, such as when a weapon is involved. In addition, Austin’s crisis outreach team does not work at night, when many mental […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inBudget
Council members talk about the budget
As City Council begins its final work session on the budget this morning in preparation for next week’s budget setting meetings, the Austin Monitor asked Council members to tell us the most important aspects of the Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget. Both Mayor Steve Adler and Council Member Greg Casar said increasing the minimum wage for […]
Posted inZoning
Powell Lane apartments win first-round OK
City Council last week unanimously approved on first reading a zoning change for 8 acres in North Central Austin with just a few questions and little discussion. The developer’s representative, Alice Glasco, said the magic words – affordable housing – so regardless of neighborhood objections, Council will likely grant a minimal zoning change when the […]
Posted inPreservation
Despite owners’ wishes, historic zoning advances
Staff won a preliminary victory in its quest to zone a 1923 West Austin house historic against the owners’ wishes last week. The City Council vote was 6-3, but with two members off the dais and not voting, the final decision remains very much in doubt. Council members Greg Casar and Delia Garza were absent […]
Posted inPreservation
Council OKs Smoot Terrace Park Historic District
Council gave final approval Thursday to creation of the Smoot Terrace Park Historic District just west of downtown, after neighbors decided to eliminate three properties owned by people who signed a valid petition opposing the historic district. That meant Council could designate the district without a supermajority of nine votes – which is required by […]
Posted inEnvironment
Some Austin waterways unsafe for swimming
According to a new report from the Environment Texas Research and Policy Center and the Frontier Group, many of the state’s creeks, rivers and beaches are too polluted for swimming or wading – and that includes the Colorado River at Austin, as well as Blunn Creek, East Bouldin Creek, West Bouldin Creek, Waller Creek and […]
Posted inZoning
Council rejects campgrounds with bar
On a vote of 6-5 last Thursday, City Council rejected a zoning change that would have allowed a developer to put a campground with rental recreational vehicles as well as a bar at the end of a narrow lane in District 1. The vote probably would have been different if not for the issue of […]
Posted inCourts
Troxclair brief opposes city’s ballot language
Writing on city of Austin stationery, City Council Member Ellen Troxclair has filed an amicus brief with the Texas Supreme Court in support of a writ of mandamus seeking to overturn the ballot language Council proposes for a proposition requiring the city to hire an outside auditor to audit the entire city. Troxclair, who is […]
Posted inCity Council
Council OKs Shady Lane project on first reading
Council approved multifamily zoning for the Flats on Shady at 1125 Shady Lane on first reading Thursday, with only District 3 Council Member Pio Renteria dissenting. The developers at Barton Creek Capital plan to build about 300 units, with 15 of those units dedicated to people making 60 percent of the median family income. The […]
Posted inBudget
Citizens simply ask for more at budget hearing
A significant majority of those who spoke at Wednesday’s public hearing on the city’s Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget seemed pleased with the money city staff had recommended allocating to their specific interest. Several praised City Council and City Manager Spencer Cronk on their allocations in the preliminary budget. But of course, most of them wanted […]
Posted inPolice
Police union contract includes surprises
The union representing police officers has presented the city with a proposed contract, as well as a study by Angelou Economics challenging the city’s well-worn assertion that Austin officers are paid more than their cohorts in other Texas cities. In addition, the union has agreed with activists that except for the police monitor, that contract […]
Posted inWhispers
Kitchen has no opponent after all
Even though all of her Council colleagues running for re-election have opponents, when the deadline passed at 5 p.m. Monday, District 5 Council Member Ann Kitchen was running unopposed for re-election. Nathan White filed the appropriate paperwork designating himself as his campaign treasurer, but he evidently did not have enough signatures to get on the […]