Stories by Jo Clifton
City to consider selling its district cooling system
City Manager T.C. Broadnax has notified City Council that staff will be seeking approval during the July 18 meeting to hire J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to provide “strategic advice about the potential sale of Austin Energy’s district cooling system.” The…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Jul 9, 2024
Traffic headaches to get worse before they get better
The city’s Capital Delivery Services Division is getting ready to start two major construction projects that are designed to make it easier to get around in South Austin and Southeast Austin. But there will be considerable disruption of traffic while…
Roads • By Jo Clifton • Jun 25, 2024
Judge rejects appeal in Central Health lawsuit
Judge Amy Clark Meachum has rejected a request by plaintiffs suing Central Health to take an immediate appeal to the 3rd Court of Appeals over the agency’s transfer of $35 million per year to the University of Texas Dell Medical…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Jun 20, 2024
Attorney general files appeal before rail trial begins
The Texas attorney general’s office filed an appeal to the 3rd Court of Appeals on Monday morning after Judge Eric Shepperd told a packed Travis County courtroom that he would not rule on a challenge to the jurisdiction before hearing…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Jun 18, 2024
Project Connect lawsuit likely headed to appeal before trial
The Project Connect lawsuit expected to go to trial Monday appears destined for appeal instead. Assistant Attorney General Alyssa Bixby-Lawson, whose office opposes efforts by the city of Austin and the Austin Transit Partnership to validate voter-approved bonds for constructing…
Transit • By Jo Clifton • Jun 14, 2024
Project Connect lawsuit finally headed to court Monday
Although the matter has been postponed in the past, it seems likely that Monday will be the trial date for the Austin Transit Partnership and the city of Austin lawsuit to validate voter-approved bonds for Project Connect, combined with the…
Transit • By Jo Clifton • Jun 13, 2024
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Staff shortages are still a problem at APD
Before a scheduled briefing on the Austin Police Department’s community policing program, members of the City Council Public Safety Committee heard a pitch from Ethan Cheramie of On Scene Services proposing that his company take over the duties of officers…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Jun 11, 2024
Kathie Tovo kicks off mayoral campaign criticizing Kirk Watson
Kathie Tovo, who served on City Council from 2012 to 2023, including four years as mayor pro tem, is running for mayor – and she’s not shy about explaining why she wants to replace Mayor Kirk Watson. At her campaign…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Jun 7, 2024
Council approves 90-foot building for South Congress neighborhood
Facing a valid petition from the neighborhood, City Council provided the bare minimum of nine votes to approve zoning changes in the South Congress and Red Bird Lane neighborhood last week that will allow for development of 90-foot, 275-unit apartment…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 6, 2024
Commissioners urge Council to increase public safety budgets
Members of the city’s Public Safety Commission voted unanimously on Monday to recommend that City Council adopt a budget this summer that will support needs outlined by representatives of the Austin Fire Department, Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Police…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Jun 5, 2024
Council adopts new two-minute rule for speakers
Though City Council moved forward with new two-minute time limits, several speakers at Thursday’s Council meeting urged them to adopt a rule giving each speaker three minutes per item, the amount prescribed by Judge Madeleine Connor in April and Judge…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • May 31, 2024
Council to honor former member by naming a bend in Shoal Creek trail
At 1 p.m. today, City Council will consider and most likely approve an ordinance honoring former Council Member Chris Riley, who has spent years advocating for Austin’s trails and greenbelts, as well as for the safety of those who use…
