Stories by Josh Rosenblatt
Council approves hotel fee waivers with timeline, wage restrictions
Council approved waiving $3.8 million in development fees Wednesday for a 1,000-room hotel on Congress Avenue between Second and Third streets, a hotel many say is badly needed in order to increase city tourism. In return for those waivers, White…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 30, 2011
Martinez steps aside, Cole becomes new Mayor Pro Tem
If there was an unofficial theme to Tuesday’s City Council inaugural ceremony, then it was surely reconciliation. Following several divisive months at City Hall, highlighted by nasty emails and a split over endorsements in the Place 3 race, nearly every…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 29, 2011
Aramark’s financial statements clean despite audit ‘oversight’
Nearly two months after the City Council Audit and Finance Committee learned that the company responsible for the Austin Convention Center’s catering and concession services had not been providing required annual audit reports, an independent auditor has issued an unqualified,…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 28, 2011
Revised slate of social service contractors wins approval
Last night, the City Council unanimously directed City Manager Marc Ott to negotiate contracts with 31 social service providers for the coming year. That’s 15 more than were originally recommended by staff but still a significant reduction in the number…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 24, 2011
Divided Council to consider downtown hotel development offer
Nearly three years after a heated dispute over the fate of Las Manitas ended with the beloved downtown Mexican restaurant closing its doors, the City Council is split over how best to handle the development of the site where it…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 22, 2011
Council members review maps for proposed urban rail system
Council members got their first look Tuesday at route options for a proposed light rail system as part of a projected expansion of mobility options in Austin’s congested urban core. Austin voters could see an urban rail bond issue on…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 15, 2011
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Proposed Council districts could hamper African-American representation
Council members got their first look at what a city map might look like if a new single-member district proposal wins voter approval next November. And what it showed is just how difficult it would be to ensure African-American Council…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 10, 2011
Council committee approves changes to social service contract process
Facing a tight budget and vocal criticism from some quarters, the Council Public Health and Human Services Committee voted yesterday to change the city’s social service Request for Proposal process. Those changes will go before City Council on June 23.…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 8, 2011
Motion reveals officials’ roles in alleged Fire Department discrimination
Attorneys for former Austin firefighters Don Smith and Greg Nye have filed a motion for partial summary judgment in their racial discrimination case against the Austin Fire Department. According to those attorneys, the motion, which contains portions of the depositions…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 2, 2011
Council approves Mueller site for AISD performing arts center
The Mueller development will soon be home to a 1,200-seat performing arts center. At their meeting Thursday, City Council members voted unanimously to approve the sale of a 4.5-acre parcel at the corner of Mueller Boulevard and 51st Street by…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jun 1, 2011
Under criticism, Council approves $550,000 for at-risk youth services
With criticism rising among some social service providers that the city isn’t concentrating enough on prevention in its assessments of prospective social service contracts, City Council approved a resolution Thursday transferring a total of $550,000 from the sustainability and general…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • May 31, 2011
Council to study moving call center staff from temp to permanent
In an effort to create more full-time city jobs, Council voted last week to limit the length of a contract between the city and an employment agency to provide temporary staffing services for two of the city’s call centers. Staff…
