Although Austin Water and Austin Energy staff said at a City Council Public Utilities Committee meeting Wednesday that recent audits found the city’s water billing system to be accurate, the Council members who sit on that body said they still have unresolved concerns. The water meter read and testing audit, performed by independent utility consultant […]
Tyler Whitson
Posted inAustin, City Hall
Zero waste commission endorses sale of city land
In a move that may ultimately help the city create a hub for manufacturing companies that use locally recycled materials, the Zero Waste Advisory Commission has endorsed the sale of a piece of property owned by Austin Resource Recovery. Nine commissioners supported the measure at last Wednesday’s meeting, with Commissioner Jose Valera abstaining and Vice […]
Posted inWhispers
PUC issues ruling in Austin Water case
The Texas Public Utility Commission issued a ruling Thursday lowering water and wastewater rates for four municipal utility districts composed of more than 46,000 Austin Water customers. The order comes after the PUC denied, in December, a motion for rehearing that the city filed in response to an October PUC ruling. That original ruling partially […]
Posted inEnergy
Prehearing held in Austin Energy rate review
Austin Energy stakeholders provided feedback Thursday in a prehearing on the rules of a legal proceeding that will kick off later this month as part of the utility’s ongoing rate review. Attorney Alfred Herrera, the impartial hearings examiner in the proceeding, said he would take into account the feedback he heard when providing his opinion […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
City to host “Music Venue Summit” ahead of spring
In preparation for South by Southwest and other spring events, the city’s Music and Entertainment Division will host a two-hour “Music Venue Summit” on Jan. 25 at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. The event will include city staff presentations about how venue owners and managers can best navigate the city’s regulatory landscape […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission to tackle licensing issues
Although the city’s Music and Entertainment Division is billed as “an economic development accelerator and centralized resource center for Austin’s music industry,” program manager Don Pitts says he spends about 70 percent of his time on permitting issues. Aiming to help cut down on that work, the Music Commission has formed a working group to […]
Posted inEnergy
Arguments made in consumer advocate hearing
A Thursday afternoon hearing likely brought the city one step closer to hiring an independent consumer advocate for the ongoing Austin Energy rate review. Attorney Stephen Webb, the independent hearings officer for the case, heard arguments from representatives of Oxford Advisors LLC and the city about whether the energy consultant firm violated the city’s Anti-Lobbying […]
Posted inEnergy
Consumer advocate hearing to take place today
As Austin Energy moves forward on a rate review, one puzzle piece remains missing – an independent consumer advocate for smaller customers. That piece may soon come closer to falling into place. On Dec. 14, the sole remaining bidder for the job brought a protest against the city for its disqualification after an alleged anti-lobbying […]
Posted inWhispers
Adler’s staff clarifies I-35, rail comments
Despite an Austin Business Journal report that ignited a firestorm of speculation Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Steve Adler’s staff says that Adler has not announced plans to propose a bond referendum this year to add managed toll lanes to I-35. In a written statement sent to the Austin Monitor Tuesday evening, Jason Stanford, communications director for […]
Posted inCity Council
Pool looks back at past year, outlines future plans
City Council Member Leslie Pool made the environment, city services and transparency major issues in her 2014 campaign, and based on her look back at the freshman year of Austin’s first 10-1 Council, she remains concerned about those issues. The District 7 representative talked with the Austin Monitor on Dec. 15 about the new Council’s […]
Posted inCity Council
Kitchen reflects on past year, looks forward to next
City Council Member Ann Kitchen has a long list of what she considers to be the first 10-1 Council’s achievements in its first year, but she also has ambitious plans for what she hopes the body will accomplish next year. Kitchen, who represents a central chunk of South Austin by way of District 5, ticked […]
Posted inCity Council
Garza recounts “rookie” year, outlines goals ahead
City Council Member Delia Garza had a busy freshman year on Austin’s first 10-1 Council, working on city issues and serving on bodies with officials from other jurisdictions to take on some of the most pressing issues facing the region. She talked with the Austin Monitor on Dec. 16 about Council’s accomplishments and challenges this […]