Stories by Josh Rosenblatt
Staff recommends hiring highest bidder for Austin Energy contract
This Thursday, city staff will recommend to Council the priciest of six bids for a two-year service contract for the transmission and distribution of electrical services. A representative from one of the other five companies told In Fact Daily that…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Dec 6, 2010
Parks Board approves Lake Austin wave-abatement resolution
At a special called meeting Tuesday, the Parks and Recreation Board contributed their two cents to the discussion on how best to handle shoreline erosion on Lake Austin without infringing on property rights. It’s a conversation Council has been having…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Dec 3, 2010
Fire union leader lauds arbitrator’s decision, questions chief’s motives
The head of the Austin Firefighters Association said Monday that an arbitrator’s decision against Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr in favor of captain passed over for a promotion could indicate that politics creeping into the promotions process. Kerr’s decision…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 30, 2010
City Environmental Officer Pat Murphy to retire after 25 years
After more than 25 years, Environmental Officer and Assistant Director of Watershed Policy Pat Murphy will be retiring from city government at the end of January. Murphy, a lifelong Texan who came to Austin after college, worked his way up…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 29, 2010
Urban Renewal Agency unable to stop apartment revitalization project
A special called meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency to address concerns about a proposed plan to revitalize the Marshall Apartments on East 12th Street ended with far more fatalism than it began Monday night. By the end of the three-hour…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 24, 2010
Despite stiff opposition, Council OKs Hyde Park district on first reading
After many years in the making, the proposed Hyde Park Local Historic District came before Council last week, but consideration was barely got under way when members learned of a possible valid petition opposing the measure filed by a group…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 22, 2010
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City alters standards for animal behaviorist position but fills several others
Helping the city move forward with its no-kill animal services implementation plan and the construction of the new Levander Loop Shelter, set to open in November, 2011, staff announced this week the filling of several positions crucial to the completion…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 19, 2010
Neighbors bristle at proposed east side apartment revitalization
A proposed plan to revitalize a dilapidated apartment complex on the eastside brought the concern, and eventually ire, of several home and business owners in the area at Monday’s meeting of the Urban Renewal Board. The property in question is…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 18, 2010
Animal Services Officer hopefuls grilled by staff, stakeholders, public
Candidates for the city’s new Chief Animal Services Officer got a thorough going-over on Monday. Early in the day, the four candidates – chosen as finalists from a group of almost 80 applicants – interviewed with the city’s executive…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 10, 2010
Austin approves bond package for roads, sidewalks, trails
On Tuesday, Austinites voted to move forward with Proposition 1, the $90 million transportation bond package, with 56 percent voting yes. Proposition 1 will fund about 70 road, pedestrian, and bicycle projects and is considered a prelude to a…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 3, 2010
Election Day worries for local Democrats, and a pro-Prop.1 rally
Election day is upon us and it’s shaping up to be a big one for Republicans. Pundits and politicos from across the ideological spectrum are predicting a Republican wave that could trump even the election of 1994, when that party…
Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Nov 2, 2010
Council wants to hear more on Lake Austin bulkhead restrictions
After hearing a presentation by the Watershed Protection Department yesterday, Council voted unanimously to delay making a decision on new restrictions on bulkheads, docks, and shoreline access on Lake Austin. Watershed staff believe those restrictions could help protect the lake…
