Stories by Jo Clifton
Council likely to tweak rules for public speakers
City Council informally decided during Tuesday’s work session to change one of the rules for City Council meeting speakers. Starting at the July 28 meeting, speakers who sign up to address Council remotely about non-zoning items will be allowed to…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jun 15, 2022
Neighbors argue over East 11th and 12th street plan
After months of delay, City Council took the second of three steps needed to update the Urban Renewal Plan for the East 11th and 12th Street Neighborhood Conservation Combining District. The vote Thursday was unanimous, but Council members Kathie Tovo…
Planning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 10, 2022
City must raise wages to $22/hour, working group says
Members of the city’s living wage work group urged City Council Tuesday to raise the city’s living wage to $22 an hour for the upcoming fiscal year. They said the wage should apply to all regular and temporary city employees…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Jun 8, 2022
Bird pays its bill
Although the city of Austin apparently enjoys a good working relationship with the scooter company Bird, the same could not be said for Travis County. Bird Rides Inc. appeared at No. 7 on Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant’s list of…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jun 8, 2022
Vela plans resolution to prevent police from investigating abortion
In light of a likely U.S, Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision legalizing abortion, City Council Member Chito Vela is working on a resolution that tells Austin police they should not investigate or solicit information…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jun 1, 2022
No historic zoning for experimental air-cooled house
With no City Council member willing to make a motion for historic zoning that was sure to fail, the push to preserve the Chrysler Air-Temp house at 2502 Park View Drive died quietly at last Thursday’s Council meeting. Owner Hugh…
Preservation • By Jo Clifton • May 24, 2022
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Council puts off fixing environmental rules for east side
At the urging of Mayor Steve Adler and Council Member Paige Ellis, City Council postponed voting on a resolution Thursday that would begin to equalize environmental regulations in Central and East Austin with protections that have long been standard in…
Environment • By Jo Clifton • May 20, 2022
Judge rejects voting rights suit against city
In a brief letter Tuesday, Travis County District Court Judge Lora Livingston ruled in favor of the city of Austin and against plaintiffs who argued they were being denied their right to vote as a result of redistricting. The plaintiffs…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • May 18, 2022
Environmental regulations finally set to move forward
City Council is considering directing city staff to revise some of the city’s environmental regulations this week, with an eye to protecting the city from the growing threat of industrial discharges, flooding and the heat island effect so common in…
Environment • By Jo Clifton • May 18, 2022
Former Capital Idea head running for ACC board
Three spots on the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees – places 4, 5 and 6 – will be up for election this November. Steve Jackobs, the founder and longtime executive director of Capital Idea, stepped down from the…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • May 17, 2022
Judge hears arguments on Council election lawsuit
After a hearing Thursday, Travis County District Judge Lora Livingston told attorneys for the city and for plaintiffs seeking to force the city to hold City Council elections in all districts this fall that she would make a decision on…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • May 13, 2022
City collisions cost more than $8 million over three years
City Council approved a payment last week of $82,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by Sherri Davis against the city and Austin Energy employee Stephen Tucker. Tucker is identified in the lawsuit as the driver of a city vehicle that struck…
