The Lower Colorado River Authority announced Wednesday that, based on preliminary data from last year, it now considers the drought that has been afflicting Central Texas since 2008 to be the worst on record. LCRA Executive Vice President of Water John Hoffman delivered the news to the public utility’s board of directors at a committee […]
Tyler Whitson
Posted inCity Council, Parks
Council reopens debate on downtown park events
In the wake of public outcry related to a national cyclocross event at Zilker Park earlier this year, City Council has rekindled a long-running debate about the use of urban parks for special events. “I think it is incumbent on us to make sure that we’re not impacting the same places of work, the same […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Resources, Water
Developers propose brackish water for Decker Golf
In a major shift, Decker Lake Golf LLC representatives have proposed a new plan they say would not use reclaimed water to irrigate a PGA-class golf course proposed for Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. The company’s vice president, Warren Hayes, told the Water and Wastewater Commission on Wednesday that he and his associates would pump […]
Posted inCity Council
Homestead tax exemption moves forward
City Council kick-started a process Thursday that could lead to the city giving homeowners an increased tax exemption on their property tax bills later this year. Council unanimously adopted a resolution that directs city staff to complete a study on the potential tax incidence and impacts of implementing a 20 percent exemption over the course […]
Posted inCity Hall
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 go to public art at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as the “ultimate blank check.” “I […]
Posted inCity Council
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 work session that would direct staff to analyze the impact the exemption would have on […]
Posted inCity Council, Water
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, told Council at the policy workshop that the conversation about water scarcity is coming at […]
Posted inWhispers
Downstream interests form Lower Brazos River Coalition
A group of downstream Lower Brazos River interests announced in a Monday press release that they formed the Lower Brazos River Coalition in mid-January. “Prolonged drought and rapid population growth in the Brazos River Basin have prompted grass-roots parties to form a coalition aimed at ensuring that lower basin interests are protected as competition for […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Planning
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 major issues, including the relationship between the plan and the city’s many official neighborhood plans, […]
Posted inEnvironment, Resources
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 soliciting applications from consultant firms to review the costs and benefits of constructing a 500 […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics
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 to City Council and city staff on Friday concluding that, as of 2013, citywide combined […]
Posted inDevelopment, Transportation
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 mitigating the issue. The PAC voted Monday night to send a memo to the Transportation […]