Stories by Mina Shekarchi
After a close race, Bledsoe and Siegel share perspectives on runoff results
After what looks to be a narrow victory in Saturday’s runoff election, Mike Siegel will serve as the next representative for North Austin’s District 7. Cinching the win over opponent Gary Bledsoe by around 200 votes, Siegel will be the…
Elections • By Mina Shekarchi • Dec 15, 2024
Reflections and celebrations with outgoing City Council members
The city honored outgoing City Council members Mackenzie Kelly, Leslie Pool and Alison Alter with a special event in advance of their final Council meeting this Thursday. City staff, former Council members, local elected officials, plus family and friends gathered…
City Council • By Mina Shekarchi • Dec 12, 2024
Housing and Planning Committee discusses sustainable building design, Land Development Code amendments, and Northeast Planning District
City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee held its final meeting of the year on Tuesday, when members heard updates from city staff on proposed amendments to the Land Development Code, the Northeast Planning District, the city’s Comprehensive Density Bonus analysis…
Development • By Mina Shekarchi • Dec 5, 2024
Siegel and Bledsoe face off for District 7 seat
Early voting is underway to determine the next City Council member who will serve North Central Austin’s District 7. In November, none of the six candidates earned more than half of the vote, so the top two candidates are now…
Elections • By Mina Shekarchi • Dec 3, 2024
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Council adopts Equity-Based Preservation Plan
After a public hearing on Thursday, City Council approved the Equity-Based Preservation Plan – a new strategy for preserving historic buildings that prioritizes diversity and cultural heritage. The plan was adopted as an ordinance amending the larger Imagine Austin Comprehensive…
Preservation • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 26, 2024
Council approves updated Water Forward, Conservation and Drought Contingency plans
On Thursday, City Council approved updates to Austin’s Water Forward Plan and to the related Conservation and Drought Contingency plans. Water Forward, Austin’s 100-year integrated water resource plan, was first adopted by the city in 2018, after the record-breaking, nearly…
Water • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 22, 2024
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Council will consider new parks funding and management strategies
On Thursday, City Council is slated to approve a resolution from Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool that directs the city manager to explore new parks funding strategies; to consider a regional approach to parks funding, acquisition and maintenance; and to…
Parks • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 21, 2024
Travis County voters supported a tax rate increase to expand access to affordable child care. What happens now?
Last week, approximately 60 percent of Travis County voters approved Proposition A – a property tax increase that will expand access to affordable child care and after-school/summer programs for lower-income families. The tax increase ($0.025 per $100 valuation for a…
Bonds & Propositions • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 15, 2024
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Siegel, Bledsoe headed for a runoff in District 7
In a crowded race to represent North Central District 7, none of the six contenders managed to snag 50 percent of the vote. As a result, Mike Siegel and Gary Bledsoe will face off in a runoff next month. Siegel,…
Elections • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 6, 2024
Council slated to approve updates to Water Forward Plan and to Austin Water’s Conservation and Drought Contingency plans
This month, City Council will vote on proposed updates to Austin’s Water Forward Plan and to the related Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plans. During a briefing on Oct. 22, Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson presented an overview of…
Water • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 5, 2024
City shares update on parks-nonprofit relationships
During a special called meeting of City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee on Oct. 9, three speakers stated their concerns about the relationship between the Parks Department and its nonprofit partners, specifically regarding special events and the Trail of Lights.…
Parks • By Mina Shekarchi • Oct 29, 2024
Part II: District 7 candidates share views on climate action, housing, public safety
This is Part II of a two-part series profiling the candidates running for Austin City Council’s District 7 seat. Read Part I here. Adam Powell Adam Powell, a former union organizer and state employee, believes that most of the impactful…
