The city of Austin has promised voters it would build a wide variety of projects, ranging from roads to affordable housing to parks, libraries and health centers. City financial advisers told the City Council Audit and Finance Committee on Wednesday that the total authorization for public improvement bonds is currently at $3.5 billion. But because […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inFire
Audit shows growth of firefighters’ overtime spending
Firefighters continue to rack up overtime while the Austin Fire Department continues to recruit and train more firefighters as others retire. According to a report presented to the city’s Audit and Finance Committee on Wednesday, the department was on track to spend more than $20 million on overtime for the fiscal year that ended Sept. […]
Posted inWhispers
Hayes retires from city of Austin
Assistant City Manager Rodney Gonzales has announced the retirement of Human Resources Director Joya Hayes, who has been on administrative leave since December. His memo, which praises Hayes for 18 years of city service, says Hayes is retiring effective July 29, three months from now. However, the memo also says that Rebecca Kennedy will continue […]
Posted inCourts
Taxpayers sue City Council over funding plan for Statesman site
Taxpayers Against Giveaways, the Save Our Springs Alliance and three taxpayers – former state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, former City Council Member Ora Houston and Allandale neighborhood homeowner Faye Holland – have filed a lawsuit suit against City Council to stop it from putting tax money into a fund for development of the former Austin American-Statesman […]
Posted inWhispers
Neighbors to drop opposition to bar
Members of the Heritage Neighborhood Association, which met Monday night, have agreed not to oppose the rezoning of property at 3100 Guadalupe St. to allow operation of a cocktail lounge on the site. Jolene Kiolbassa, president of the association, said Tuesday that her group had reached an agreement with the tenant and would no longer […]
Posted inParks
City on track with lifeguard hiring, director says
Great progress has been made in the hiring of lifeguards, Parks and Recreation Department Director Kimberly McNeeley told City Council at Tuesday’s work session. In addition to the $20 per hour salary, McNeeley said those who complete their training and actually work as lifeguards can earn a $750 bonus. And anyone who completes the training […]
Posted inZoning
Neighbors hope for midnight closing, no loud music at new bar on Guadalupe
City Council gave first reading approval last week for a zoning change for property at 3100 Guadalupe St. that would allow the owners to operate a cocktail lounge on the site after getting a conditional use permit to do so. Neighbors have a valid petition against the change, with more than 28 percent of surrounding […]
Posted inPublic Health
City may help Travis County with mental illness and substance use disorder pilot
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a resolution last month to create a diversion center for people with substance abuse disorders and other mental health issues, who would otherwise end up in the county jail. On Thursday, City Council approved a resolution directing the city manager to look into “the feasibility of an interlocal agreement” […]
Posted inLand Development Code
City Council to consider reducing parking spots for bars
At today’s meeting, City Council will consider directing staff to amend the city’s land use regulations to reduce the parking requirements for bars and cocktail lounges. According to the resolution, Texas has seen an increase in arrests for driving while intoxicated, with a total of 2,554 in Austin last year. And in Travis County there […]
Posted inWhispers
Council to talk salaries, arbitration in executive session
Although City Council met with the city clerk, the city auditor and the Municipal Court clerk during an executive session on Tuesday, it took no action on their wages. Those items are on today’s executive session agenda again, but no action is likely. That’s because this week’s evaluation is just part one of a two-step […]
Posted inPublic Health
Sobering center may seek expanded role
The Austin-Travis County Sobering Center, currently in its fifth year of operations, has served more than 8,000 people, according to Jana Ortega, chair of the center’s board of directors. Ortega and Executive Director Laura Elmore addressed City Council at Tuesday’s work session, laying out its current work and possible expansion of its services. The center […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin Energy, emergency management on agenda
Today’s City Council meetings start with the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee at 9 a.m. Mayor Kirk Watson has indicated on the City Council Message Board that Council will immediately go into executive session following the AE part of the meeting. Council members are scheduled to evaluate the performance of the city clerk, the city […]