Although the city has stepped up recruiting efforts considerably for filling vacancies in its 911 call center, there are still 49 vacancies among the 104 positions, according to Maria Calagna, director of emergency communications for the Austin Police Department. Calagna told the Public Safety Commission Monday that the city also still needs to add two […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inCity Hall
Former city employee abused sick leave policy, audit says
A former employee of the city’s Animal Services Department misused city resources by claiming sick leave after getting a new job at Travis County, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor. The audit says Luis Negrete, a former animal health technician, took time off from his job in December 2021 and […]
Posted inCity Hall
Manager, AFSCME at odds over mandates to return to offices
The Covid-19 public health emergency officially ended on Thursday and interim City Manager Jesús Garza wasted no time in telling city employees that they need to spend a lot more time in the office now – no less than three days a week for most and five days a week for executives. Garza sent a […]
Posted inBudget
Community groups propose community investment budget
Representatives of more than 30 community groups, led by Equity Action, will release their proposal for what they call “long overdue investments in public safety,” including higher wages for EMS workers and 911 call takers, at a press conference at noon today at City Hall. In addition to Equity Action, representatives from the Austin Area […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Neighborhood groups warn of bill to limit, kill city regulations
Members of two neighborhood coalitions have been contacting members of the Texas House to alert them to what they perceive as an especially dangerous bill, one that could strip cities throughout the state, as well as counties and special districts, of their ability to protect citizens from a variety of dangers. The bill is scheduled […]
Posted inZoning
Rezoning on Anderson Mill won’t allow for used car lot
City Council last week rejected a rezoning request from the owners of property on Anderson Mill Road that would have allowed them to open a used car lot on the property. However, Council Member Mackenzie Kelly offered to help Ramin and Jennifer Zavareh come up with a request Council could support by its next meeting […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council votes to get rid of parking requirements
City Council on Thursday directed city staff to eliminate parking requirements from the city’s land use regulations outside the central business district. The city eliminated downtown parking requirements, except for spaces for those with disabilities, in 2013. Thursday’s resolution would not change Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. District 9 Council Member Zo Qadri was the […]
Posted inWhispers
City settles two lawsuits, including one over injuries to demonstrator
At Thursday’s meeting, City Council voted to settle two lawsuits filed against the city. Assistant City Attorney Megan Reilly described payments she was recommending the city make to settle the lawsuits. Saraneka Alexander will receive $100,000 from the city, and in exchange she will release all claims against the city or claims she could have […]
Posted inCourts
Central Health, Ascension Seton trade barbs
The lawsuits between Ascension Texas, formerly known as the Seton Healthcare Family, and Travis County’s Central Health continue with little prospect of progress in the near future. Seton and Central Health have been at loggerheads since at least 2020, and each filed suit against the other in January. As in many lawsuits, it all boils […]
Posted inBudget
City Council hears mixed news on financial future
Austin Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo gave City Council both good and bad news at Tuesday’s briefing on the city’s financial forecast. Van Eenoo said General Fund revenues, especially sales tax proceeds and interest earnings, have put the city in a position where staff can recommend increasing the city’s reserve fund to 60 days, […]
Posted inCourts
Environmental groups sue FAA over SpaceX damage to Boca Chica
In response to the massive explosion of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket at Boca Chica in South Texas, the Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy, the Surfrider Foundation, Save RGV and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas Inc. sued the Federal Aviation Administration on Monday for failing to fully analyze and mitigate the environmental harms […]
Posted inWhispers
Audubon Society opposes bill to cut city regulations on trees
Members of the Travis County Audubon Society plan to gather on the grounds of the state Capitol at 8 a.m. today to pass out fact sheets to members of the House about the dangers posed by House Bill 2239 by state Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Austin. The bill is scheduled to be considered by the House […]