City Council heard from about two dozen speakers Tuesday, the majority of whom urged Council members to put more money into the upcoming budget for community services such as helping the homeless, helping people pay their rent and building more affordable housing. A number of speakers urged them to increase wages for city employees, particularly […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inPreservation
Council rejects historic zoning for East Seventh Street house
Lacking the nine votes needed to overcome the property owner’s objection, City Council denied a request last week from the Historic Landmark Commission to designate “a good example of folk Victorian architecture” as historic. The Carlson-Colunga house at 902 E. Seventh Street was built between 1903 and 1906 by Swedish immigrants Victor and Carl Carlson, […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Council OKs bidder for low-income and homeless housing
Although the city’s housing staff expressed a great deal of enthusiasm for an Austin Housing and Finance Corporation contract to provide affordable multifamily housing on city-owned property at 3515 Manor Road, several neighbors urged City Council Thursday to reject the vendors chosen by staff. NHP Foundation, Capital A Housing and their partners propose to build […]
Posted inWhispers
Council members hold budget meetings in their districts
Anyone who wants to attend and/or speak out about the city budget will have a variety of opportunities in the near future. Districts 3, 5 and 9 are holding such discussions this Saturday. District 8 is holding a budget town hall on Monday. Both are accessible online. District 1 is holding its meeting next Wednesday, […]
Posted inCity Council
City faces tough choices in managing homeless shelter
City officials were not satisfied with the way the nonprofit organization Front Steps was running the homeless men’s shelter at 500 E. Seventh Street commonly known as the ARCH. Officials notified the organization that all contracts with Front Steps would be discontinued by Sept. 30, according to a city spokesperson. After deciding to end its […]
Posted inWhispers
Leffingwell recovering from surgery
Former Mayor Lee Leffingwell reports that he is doing well following surgery for an aortic aneurysm. He described the condition as a weak spot in the aorta, the body’s largest artery. Leffingwell, who currently lives in Driftwood, said he is doing well and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Because of […]
Posted inWhispers
Morgan memo warns of rising Covid risk
As Council took its noon break from the public work session Tuesday, Mayor Steve Adler announced he would be wearing a mask for the afternoon session in response to a memo from acting City Manager Anne Morgan, who is covering the duties while Spencer Cronk is on parental leave with a new baby. Morgan wrote […]
Posted inBudget
Budget season begins with arguments over ‘riders’
It’s budget time again. Mayor Steve Adler got the ball rolling at Tuesday’s City Council work session by noting that staff had expressed concerns about the number of budget riders Council members might be bringing forward. He also said staff members were concerned about the timing of those directives from Council. Budget riders are generally […]
Posted inWhispers
Firefighters endorse Watson for mayor
Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks announced Monday that the group was endorsing Kirk Watson for mayor. Watson, a former mayor and state senator, also has the endorsement of the city’s EMS Association PAC. The Austin Police Association has not made an endorsement in the race. Ken Casaday, president of the APA, told the Austin […]
Posted inElections
Watson had help from bundlers, but not that much
In his campaign to become Austin’s next mayor, Kirk Watson has already gained the title of the city’s most prodigious fundraiser for a political race. He raised more than $997,000 in time for the July 15 report. Although he had some help from a dozen “bundlers,” people who collect funds on behalf of a candidate, […]
Posted inWhispers
More candidates enter race in districts 8 and 9
Kimberly Hawkins entered the City Council District 8 race with the filing of a campaign treasurer appointment on July 11. She was not required to file a campaign finance report last week because she joined the race after the filing deadline and she has chosen a modified reporting option by promising not to collect or […]
Posted inThe Code
Divided Board of Adjustment rejects site plan appeal
A divided Board of Adjustment on Wednesday rejected a site plan appeal organized by the Windsor Park Neighborhood Association related to the redevelopment of the Windsor Village shopping center at 5900 Westminster Drive. What was once a small shopping center offering neighbors a chance to walk to shops and restaurants will now be transformed into […]