Stories by Tyler Whitson
Council hears feedback on restructuring proposal
The new City Council tested out a lot of ideas at Thursday’s meeting, giving members of the public the opportunity to comment on proposed legislative changes via Twitter, call-ins and online polls in an environment evocative of a television program.…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 23, 2015
City plans to repair cyclo-cross damage at Zilker
City staff has revealed a one-year plan that they hope will remediate tree and turf damage related to a national cyclo-cross championship held in Zilker Park earlier this month. Watershed Protection Department Environmental Officer Chuck Lesniak told the Environmental Board…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 22, 2015
City orders study on bag ban that state may toss
Amid concerns that state leadership will take steps to limit city ordinances such as Austin’s plastic bag ban, the Zero Waste Advisory Commission has instructed city staff to study the ban in time to send the results to the state…
City Hall • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 16, 2015
Waller Creek Conservancy announces CEO, plans
New Waller Creek Conservancy CEO Peter Mullan said Wednesday that he plans to join the city in “pushing the envelope on what is possible” for the ambitious Waller Creek redevelopment project. At a news conference announcing his selection, Mullan addressed…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 15, 2015
EUC members concerned about gas plant study
While the future makeup of the city’s energy portfolio potentially rests on an upcoming independent review of a proposed natural gas plant, members of the Electric Utility Commission continue to vocalize their concerns about the study. Vice Chair Karen Hadden…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 14, 2015
Watershed Protection touts wildfire plan progress
Watershed Protection Department staff told the Environmental Board on Wednesday that they have begun to implement an intergovernmental plan designed to help prevent catastrophic wildfires in the future. Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist Ryan Hebrink stressed that the Austin/Travis County Community…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 13, 2015
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Watershed Protection outlines salamander plan
Watershed Protection Department staff dived into the details of the city’s Habitat Management Plan on Wednesday. The plan will protect the Barton Springs salamander and the Austin blind salamander, two federally endangered species known to live exclusively in Barton Springs.…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 12, 2015
Pool excited to tackle a wide array of issues
As a longtime managed growth advocate, District 7 City Council Member Leslie Pool has developed a succinct metaphor to explain her position on the issue. “I have likened Austin’s economic development since the last recession to trying to drink water…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 7, 2015
Kitchen says Council meeting reform is top priority
Though District 5 City Council Member-elect Ann Kitchen ranks affordability, transportation and growth management as her top citywide issues this year, she believes that the new Council should start by streamlining its legislative process. “My first priority is to change…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 6, 2015
EUC wants 'fair shake' in gas plant study
After much discussion about the scope of work for an independent review of Austin Energy’s proposed combined-cycle natural gas plant, the Electric Utility Commission voted Monday to organize a working group and provide the utility with official comments by Jan.…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 18, 2014
Council approves 2025 Austin Energy gen plan
Following a several-months-long stakeholder process, City Council approved an update to the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan with goals to 2025 for the new Council to take charge of next year. Council members made several amendments before…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 12, 2014
Source of income rule OK'd, lawsuit threatened
Starting in mid-January, Austin property owners will be barred from discriminating against potential renters based on their source of income. The Austin Apartment Association plans to file a lawsuit to block the new policy. City Council unanimously passed the ordinance…
