Although the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to have serious economic impacts on the Austin Convention Center for several years, people will still want to gather for face-to-face meetings, according to an expert hired to advise City Council on the planned expansion of the convention center. Tom Hazinski of HVS Convention, Sports & Entertainment told Council […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inWhispers
Central Labor Council makes endorsements
The Central Labor Council of Austin has endorsed city propositions A and B on the November ballot, which are both related to funding transportation improvements of various types, including Project Connect. The labor group met Saturday to consider a wide range of candidates for City Council, Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin Independent School District […]
Posted inElections
Aquifer conservation district: Larsen ‘still not finished,’ Williams ready to start
“After 18 years I’m still not finished,” proclaims Robert (Bob) Larsen, who is running for reelection to the board of directors of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District in November. Challenging Larsen for the Precinct 4 seat is Christy Williams, a water and wastewater consultant who told the Austin Monitor, “I do think it’s time […]
Posted inWhispers
AFSCME endorses Chincanchan, incumbents
The union representing city, county and state employees has endorsed David Chincanchan in the race for Place 2, the seat being vacated by Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza. Longtime AFSCME employee Jack Kirfman told the Austin Monitor that the group was “going with David,” citing his work for Council Member Pio Renteria. “He’s a great […]
Posted inCity Hall
One agency lowers city’s bond rating
Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded city of Austin bonds from Aaa to Aa1 just before the city gets ready to sell $271 million in general obligation bonds. The agency cited Austin’s “high leverage and fixed costs attributable to the city’s pension and other post employee benefit plans” as the reason for the downgrade. Mark Dombroski, […]
Posted inWhispers
New environmental directory is here
The 2020-2021 edition of the Austin Environmental Directory, compiled by Paul Robbins with help from a number of other local environmentalists, presents not only a listing and description of Austin environmental organizations but a compendium of articles about the environment and our interactions with it. From the neurotoxin BPA found on many grocery receipts to […]
Posted inWhispers
Environmental Democrats make endorsements
Austin Environmental Democrats met online last Friday and voted overwhelmingly to endorse the city’s two transportation bonds that will be up for vote in November. The group also made endorsement decisions about Austin Independent School District trustees, voting online with a process allowing voters to remain anonymous, just like when they vote on paper ballots […]
Posted inWhispers
Council OKs small change to aid homeowner
City Council approved a small change to the city’s subdivision ordinance Thursday, allowing the owners of a small home in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood to add on to their 486-square-foot home. Only Council Member Jimmy Flannigan voted no. More than two years ago, Elizabeth Carey and her partner purchased the home at the corner of […]
Posted inCity Council
Council approves funding for isolation hotel
After a brief discussion about the need to continue the search for temporary and permanent housing for Austinites experiencing homelessness, City Council unanimously approved an agreement with the owner of the La Quinta Inn at 5812 N. Interstate 35 Thursday. The agreement gives the city the option to rent 120 guest rooms for emergency housing […]
Posted inWhispers
Pedernales agreement raises questions
When he saw Item 43 on this week’s City Council agenda, consumer advocate Paul Robbins was concerned that the city might be making a costly mistake. The agreement provides for a 10-year extension of the current franchise agreement between the city and the Pedernales Electric Cooperative. The documentation provided by the Office of Telecommunications and […]
Posted inParks
Council won’t vote on Walter E. Long Park plan now
Despite the fact that the vision plan for the nearly 3,700-acre Walter E. Long Park has been in the works for years and has won approval from both the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission, a majority of City Council members expressed reluctance to move forward on the plan at Tuesday’s work session. […]
Posted inZoning
Warehouse zoning hits snag at Council
What seemed like a simple zoning case, with neighbors supporting the proposed zoning change, was embroiled in a philosophical and legal discussion at last week’s City Council meeting. Council voted unanimously to postpone the case after Council Member Jimmy Flannigan questioned whether city staffers had added too many prohibited uses to the zoning change request. […]