Discussions about a proposal from Council Member Ryan Alter to revamp the city’s citizen advisory boards are set to continue. In a City Council Message Board post on Wednesday, Alter provided an update on his December resolution (which Council unanimously approved) directing a review of the city’s boards and commissions, task forces, council corporations and […]
Mina Shekarchi
Posted inPublic Safety
Public Safety Commission discusses and recommends improvements to data transparency on sex crimes
During the Public Safety Commission meeting on Monday, members took several small but hard-fought steps to improve Austin’s response to sexual assault. The commission discussed data related to sexual assault with presentations from the Austin Police Department, the SAFE Alliance and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. Members also approved a recommendation to the City […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Council to consider a resolution to examine response to mental health-related 911 and 311 calls
One item on the hefty agenda for the first regular City Council meeting of 2025 will explore how the city responds to mental health-related incidents. This resolution, authored by Council Member Chito Vela, directs the city manager to prepare a report and recommendations on responses to mental health-related 911 and 311 calls and service requests. […]
Posted inCity Council
Paige Ellis is feeling energized for Council collaboration on parks, climate and mobility in 2025
If Paige Ellis had to sum up City Council’s work this year in one word, she said she would choose “momentum.” Ellis, who represents Southwest Austin’s District 8, has served on Council through a series of challenges that were truly unprecedented – a pandemic, severe winter storms accompanied by sweeping power outages and contentious, generational […]
Posted inCity Council
Mike Siegel plans to balance ‘big goals and broad ambitions’ with pragmatism during his first year on Council
After winning a close runoff election on Dec. 15, incoming District 7 City Council Member Mike Siegel told the Austin Monitor he is feeling “tired, busy and excited.” Siegel, a former assistant city attorney and organizer with Ground Game Texas, beat out runoff opponent Gary Bledsoe by around 200 votes. The two were the top […]
Posted inElections
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 second Council member to represent the area since the creation of the current district representation […]
Posted inCity Council
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 in Council chambers on Tuesday after the work session to celebrate and share remarks. Kelly, […]
Posted inDevelopment
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 and the Planning Department’s long-range planning efforts. Committee Chair Natasha Harper-Madison also invited several local […]
Posted inElections
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 on the ballot again. Mike Siegel, who won just under 40 percent (13,681 votes) in […]
Posted inPreservation
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 Plan, a 30-year document for the city’s growth. The Historic Landmark Commission first launched the […]
Posted inWater
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 decadelong drought in Central Texas that ended in 2016. This plan was designed to incorporate […]
Posted inParks
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 provide an annual report on the city’s Parkland Dedication Fund. The draft resolution lists potential […]