If approved later this month, the Austin Police Department will have a new way to manage some of the 30,000-odd tows it handles every year. Detective Robert Loosier presented the plan for a new managed towing program to the Public Safety Commission last week. The program, which will handle the tows needed as a result […]
Austin
Posted inAustin, Development
Sign Board postpones confounding variance case
After calling the plan “confusing” and “difficult to follow,” the Sign Review Board voted unanimously Monday to postpone consideration on a variance package to allow larger signs at an Austin hospital. The sign plan sought multiple variances for four signs at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, 12221 N. MoPac Blvd. However, after discussing the […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Local Politics
Fate of Crestview land parcel remains in limbo
Though the fate of an Austin Energy-owned parcel of land in the Crestview neighborhood remains uncertain, there was an update about 6909 Ryan Drive last month. Planning and Development Review Department Director Greg Guernsey wrote the Dec. 10 memo that provided an update on the land, though nothing will be done without City Council initiating action. […]
Posted inAustin, Preservation
New preservation district on hold after staff error
The Bluebonnet Hills preservation district will be returning to the Historic Landmark Commission this month, after a determination that the city did not give proper notice for the hearing. When the district was before the Historic Landmark Commission in November, neighbor Arif Panju raised an objection to the short notice he had received and asked […]
Posted inAustin, Environment
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. Watershed Protection salamander biologist Tom Devitt told the Environmental Board that the plan includes a […]
Posted inAustin, Public Health, Travis County
Court looks to limit rise in TravCo health care costs
With annual cost overruns projected to be more than $7 million this fiscal year, Travis County Commissioners are looking at ways to curb the skyrocketing cost of providing health care for employees and retirees. According to figures prepared by county staff, health care expenses for the first three months of FY2015 put Travis County on a projected […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Explainer: D6 & D10 — elections and the future
Each week, the Explainer offers Monitor readers a closer look at stories we have been following. New City Council Members Sheri Gallo (District 10) and Don Zimmerman (District 6) represent two-thirds of what is perhaps the most interesting twist in the new 10-1 district system: a chance for Republican voters in the western part of […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
New Council plans change to meetings, committees
Wasting no time, Austin’s newly inaugurated City Council launched into a proposal Thursday to change its meetings and committee structures. The changes, members say, will make for a more efficient, more transparent city government. For now, the details of the change remain tentative. Council will hold a public hearing Jan. 22 to discuss the change […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Adler wants group to study campaign finance rules
New Austin Mayor Steve Adler wants a group of reform-minded citizens to consider whether Austin needs to tweak its campaign finance rules. He has already talked to attorney Fred Lewis about helping with the project. Lewis, with a background in campaign finance reform, is the leader of Texans Together, which works to foster grass-roots activism. […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Leffingwell says new Council will face challenges
Lee Leffingwell has now retired after serving for four years on the Austin City Council and nearly six years as mayor. The Austin Monitor recently asked him to talk about his favorite part of the job. “I tell people all the time the best part of the job is representing the city of Austin,” he […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Courts, Local Politics
Zimmerman libel suit against Bulldog dismissed
Less than 24 hours after being sworn in to office as the new District 6 representative, City Council Member Don Zimmerman had his lawsuit against the Austin Bulldog dismissed and was ordered to pay court costs and attorney’s fees. Zimmerman filed the lawsuit in October, alleging libel in an article published by the Bulldog written by […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
District 8’s Troxclair vows to be accessible leader
New City Council Member Ellen Troxclair won the District 8 seat by less than half a percentage point. Now, fresh from vacation, she said she’s ready to hit the ground running. “I’m so humbled to be in the position I am and to have the support and faith of the people in District 8,” she […]