Michael Kanin

Locally based waste handler Texas Disposal Systems is considering an ambitious plan to explore desalinization of water from the saline zone of the Edwards Aquifer. If undertaken, the project could also provide scientists and other interested parties a look at a possible alternative water source for a rapidly growing – and drying – region.   […]

Clearly frustrated with the direction taken last week by City Council members over the governance of Austin Energy, the city’s Electric Utility Commission passed yet another resolution last night urging Council to move toward a powerful independent governing board.   For six commissioners, the issue remains one of utility control. “Something shifted over the last […]

Council members Thursday approved a contract with Allied Waste Services for the company to handle a selection of class 2 non hazardous Austin Energy waste. By the time the 5-1 vote was recorded, however, the agreement was about much more than waste handling.   Over two Council debates, a Zero Waste Advisory Commission hearing, and […]

Austin City Council members Thursday passed on first reading an ordinance that would create an independent board for Austin Energy but it remains unclear exactly what powers that board might have. The events kicked off the first segment of debate over the creation of that board – and brought recognizable figures and arguments together at […]

Officials with the Lower Colorado River Authority have once again rearranged the organization’s management structure. The new set-up comes with the departure of longtime executive Kyle Jensen.   Jensen retired from the organization earlier this month. When he left, Jensen was the organization’s Executive Manager of External Affairs. However, Jensen is also the former manager […]

A bill from state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, would allow the long and hotly debated creation of a homestead preservation district in East Austin to move forward without funding participation from Travis County. If approved, the measure would circumvent – for the moment – repeated objections to the district, primarily from Pct. 4 County Commissioner […]

An ordinance change brought forward by Council Member Chris Riley and Mayor Lee Leffingwell would extend the amount of time before a demolition permit expires from six months to two years in most cases. The change is set for a Thursday vote.   Council members appear likely to discuss the idea at this morning’s work […]

An ordinance prepared by City of Austin legal staff to be the starting point for a change in governance for Austin Energy leaves the authority to hire and fire the utility General Manager in the hands of City Manager Marc Ott.   That news comes as Council members begin a week of deliberations that will […]

Fees for youth programs run by the Parks and Recreation Department continue to come in at a rate far below program costs. This news comes despite comprehensive efforts by PARD staff to analyze and reconfigure fee structures.   “Right now, the entire city gets a 65 percent subsidization – so they are only paying 35 […]

A report from TXP economist Jon Hockenyos suggests that, though the City of Austin‘s food industry already contributes a substantial amount to the local economy, it has plenty of room for growth. This, according to the study, could include substantial focus on local food.   In a presentation delivered Thursday to Council members, Hockenyos said […]

City of Austin budget season kicked off Monday with a return to a familiar battle over the question of how many police officers the city really needs.   Council Member Bill Spelman expressed his frustration over a report in the Austin American-Statesman explaining that the Austin Police Department would ask for 116 more officers.   […]

City Council members instructed city staff Thursday to proceed with the codification of a fast-tracked version of the Downtown Density Bonus Program. The move came over the vocal objections of Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Chris Riley, who worried that the idea would compromise a fuller version of the program.   Council Member Mike […]