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Stories by Mina Shekarchi

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

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…

Elections • By Mina Shekarchi • Oct 15, 2024

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Part I: District 7 Council candidates talk public safety, climate resilience, land use

This is Part I of a two-part series profiling the candidates running for Austin City Council’s District 7 seat. Read Part II here. Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool, who has represented North Central Austin since the creation of the district-based…

Elections • By Mina Shekarchi • Oct 14, 2024

Community-based public safety program reaches out to overlooked and underserved Austinites

Urban Alchemy, a national nonprofit, has been awarded a $2 million federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The grant will expand an initiative to create a replicable model to reduce crime and bolster resilience through community intervention. As part…

Public Safety • By Mina Shekarchi • Oct 8, 2024

Council work sessions slated to resume, with some changes

It looks like City Council work sessions may be resuming soon. After three consecutive cancellations, there was some speculation that work sessions might be eliminated, or only utilized for necessary Council briefings. However, today, Council will vote on a proposal…

City Council • By Mina Shekarchi • Sep 26, 2024

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