Stories by Tyler Whitson
For Council, Art is a $3 million word
Prompted by about $3.1 million worth of art-related contracts on today’s meeting agenda, City Council had a far-reaching discussion about art, spending and the local economy on Tuesday. Council Member Don Zimmerman referred to $3 million in contracts that would…
City Hall • By Tyler Whitson • Feb 12, 2015
Council considers homestead exemption timeline
Picking up on one of the most hotly debated campaign issues of the past election, City Council is grappling with what could be the first step in enacting a 20 percent homestead tax exemption. Council discussed a resolution at Tuesday’s…
City Council • By Tyler Whitson • Feb 11, 2015
Council discusses water scarcity
With the current central Texas drought showing no signs of abating, City Council sat down with staff and water experts on Monday to discuss the severity of the issue. Sharlene Leurig, who chaired the Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force,…
City Council • By Tyler Whitson • Feb 10, 2015
Council discusses future of Imagine Austin
Since its launch, Imagine Austin has inspired debates about affordability, growth, neighborhood autonomy and more. City Council continued this tradition Thursday in a special meeting with city staff and housing stakeholders about the comprehensive plan. The discussion touched on several…
City Council • By Tyler Whitson • Feb 6, 2015
Austin Energy adds new language to gap study
In a move that could influence the city’s future energy portfolio, Austin Energy has added energy efficiency, water quality and emissions analysis to the scope of work for an upcoming gap study. The utility posted a revised request for proposal Wednesday…
Environment • By Tyler Whitson • Feb 5, 2015
City's 2013 sustainability goals hit 60 percent
Although sustainability efforts are notoriously difficult to measure, Austin’s Sustainability Office has outlined 10 targets and concluded that the city is making substantial progress within its operations, but has room for improvement. Chief Sustainability Officer Lucia Athens sent a memo…
Environment • By Tyler Whitson • Feb 4, 2015
Subscribe to our newsletter
Pedestrian advisors seek to clear rights of way
Austinites who frequent downtown know the frustration of navigating past construction that can block the right of way. The Pedestrian Advisory Council has done a survey of such obstructions and is bringing the results to city staff with hopes of…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Feb 3, 2015
Council adopts sweeping procedural changes
After a full week of debate about transparency, efficiency and public input, City Council has adopted a new set of meeting procedures and a committee structure that will overhaul the legislative process. Council members voted unanimously at their first regular…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 30, 2015
Austin Energy to clarify gas plant study request
Austin Energy will update its call for consultants to conduct an independent study of a proposed gas plant and renewable alternatives, following a Monday request from the Electric Utility Commission. Gage Loots, supervising senior buyer for the utility’s purchasing office,…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 29, 2015
Council members debate public input plan
The future of public input at City Council meetings remains unclear ahead of possible action Thursday, as Council members continue to discuss whether and how to limit it in favor of moving it to committee meetings. During a Tuesday work…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 28, 2015
Police Monitor says citizen complaints up in 2013
The Office of the Police Monitor, which works to improve relations between the Austin Police Department and the public, is preparing to issue a report showing that citizens filed more complaints against police officers in 2013 than in 2012. Police…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 27, 2015
New agriculture commissioner calls water top issue
Recently elected Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said Wednesday that he plans for the agency to play a more active role as it relates to water. “We’re going to have a water department, and we’re going to be…
