Austin City Council members Thursday approved a resolution from Council members Mike Martinez, Laura Morrison and Chris Riley that instructs City Manager Marc Ott to tie the city’s social service contract spending to the Consumer Price Index. The action, approved by a 5-2 vote, also calls on Ott to increase the budget of Austin’s Health […]
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Posted inAustin, Development, The Code
Cultural icon or not, panel says Airstream is still RV
They may have a dedicated following, but under city code Airstream trailers are still recreational vehicles, and parking one in your front yard comes with the same consequences. Andrew Hutton is asking the Board of Adjustment for a variance from a section of the code that would require him to construct a 6-foot wood or […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Election night is tonight, parties are here
There is only one way to celebrate getting through this long election season, and you might as well celebrate at a party with those who have been in the trenches with you. We have included as many post-election parties here as we could find, below. Mayor Steve Adler Midway Field House (2015 East Riverside Drive) […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Preservation
Council OKs landmark status for Red River house
Those worried that one of Austin’s most beloved houses was destined for demolition could rest easy over the weekend. Despite the owner’s objections, the Austin City Council voted last week to make the Red River International House a historic landmark. Council voted 6-1 to preserve the house, with only Council Member Mike Martinez voting in […]
Posted inAustin, Transportation
City moves to make meters count for businesses
At their last meeting, City Council members endorsed a change that could allow metered parking spaces to be counted toward off-street parking requirements for businesses outside of downtown. However, it will be up to the new Council to decide whether the idea becomes a reality. In a unique voting bloc, Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council […]
Posted inAustin, Local Politics
Reporter’s Notebook: Council gets a big send-off
What was wrong with David Bowie’s “Ch-Ch-Changes”? … Thursday was the last meeting of the current City Council. Maybe it was a case of managed expectations, but given the length of the agenda, when the meeting ended at just past 1 a.m., it seemed almost reasonable. The meeting ended with a burst of good cheer […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Energy, Environment, Resources
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 adopting the plan at Thursday’s Council meeting. They were eventually accepted by Austin Energy staff […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Development, Local Politics
Chapter 380 won’t stop firms from tax protests
City Council Member Kathie Tovo’s attempt to prevent companies that enter into Chapter 380 economic development agreements with the city from appealing their property tax appraisals ended with something considerably less than that Thursday, after Council members heard from a Samsung representative about how such an effort might backfire. Catherine Morse, general counsel and director […]
Posted inAustin, Local Government, Local Politics, Transit, Transportation
Council OKs changes to Lone Star Rail agreement
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a set of amendments to an interlocal agreement with the Lone Star Rail District. The action clears the way for rail district officials to count the city — and funding derived from special taxing districts around eight potential Austin stops — among its support as it moves forward with […]
Posted inAustin, Courts, Development, Housing
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 Thursday after hearing arguments from public speakers for and against it. Proponents believe it will […]
Posted inAustin, Local Politics, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Mayor Lee Leffingwell
Retiring Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell joins Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin and Political Editor Jo Clifton to look back at his terms and look ahead to the new era in Austin politics. The show is posted below: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/181020746″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Austin politics joins world of shadowy PAC action
Even though some political action committees have made a bigger splash in terms of negative messaging during this City Council election season, the Austin Firefighters Association, which has two political committees helping candidates, has spent the most money. Bob Nicks, president of the association, confirmed Wednesday that his two committees have spent close to $250,000 […]