Laura Pressley tells the Austin Monitor that she is disappointed but not discouraged by $100,000 in sanctions imposed on sheher and her attorney. The unsuccessful city council candidate added that the ruling awarding nearly $100,000 in damages to her former District 4 Council opponent–and current Council Member–Greg Casar will not end her drive to challenge the […]
Austin
Posted inAustin, Local Government, Music & Entertainment, Travis County
County says state law trumps late-night concerts
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is brushing off concerns that a plan to reform outdoor concert regulations in the county could potentially violate state law. The Travis County Commissioners Court is currently weighing a decision that would streamline the permitting process for mass gatherings in a way that would include a tougher stance against loud […]
Posted inAustin, City Council
Adler, Tovo still have heavy debt to themselves
Mayor Steve Adler reported Wednesday that his campaign still owes him more than $418,315. Adler’s campaign finance report indicates that he paid himself back $31,077 in January. However, the campaign has no money remaining to repay the rest. Other mayors in the same situation, such as former Mayor Lee Leffingwell, have relied on fundraising after […]
Posted inAustin, City Council
Casar finance report shows new supporters
District 4 City Council Member Greg Casar, who is locked in a legal battle with his former opponent, Laura Pressley, raised $35,785 to help pay legal expenses between Jan. 1 and June 30. Casar’s report, filed Wednesday, shows a wide range of support, even from people and organizations who did not contribute to his campaign […]
Posted inAustin
City seeks to “empower” Red River district
With news spreading about the struggles of several music venues in Austin’s Red River Cultural District, many have raised concerns about the future of the area’s identity. Meanwhile, the city is rolling out a new plan that could help give a collective voice to stakeholders in the RRCD. Officially dubbed the Soul-y Austin Business District […]
Posted inAustin
Shelter dogs to get playgroups, not paid dog walkers
Austin’s new Chief Animal Services Officer, Tawny Hammond, said Monday she will institute part of a City Council recommendation intended to deal with concerns that dogs in the city’s shelters were not getting out of their cages enough. Hammond said the city will not hire paid dog walkers, like the resolution recommended, but will instead […]
Posted inAustin
Griffin School variance delayed once again
The Board of Adjustment once again postponed a crucial variance for the Griffin School on Monday. Though some residents of the surrounding Hyde Park neighborhood continue to oppose the variance, board members expressed hope that the details of a compromise could be hammered out before their next meeting. Board Member Michael Von Ohlen led the […]
Posted inAustin
Code working weekends on STR problems
Members of Austin’s Code Compliance Department are working overtime on weekends trying to deal with complaints about short-term rental properties that are making life unpleasant for people in surrounding neighborhoods. However, a memo from department Director Carl Smart shows a great deal of effort resulting in little enforcement. According to Smart, during the first weekend […]
Posted inAustin
New Chief Animal Services Officer stresses adoption
Austin’s new chief animal services officer says the city’s no-kill status was what persuaded her to take the job. But Tawny Hammond told the Austin Monitor on Tuesday that for Austin to sustain its no-kill status, more people need to be adopting shelter and rescue animals. “If the city of Austin and the community of Austin wants […]
Posted inAustin
City to temporarily strengthen STR enforcement
This month, the city will launch a pilot program for enhanced code enforcement for short-term rentals. The stepped-up enforcement is a response to increased complaints about short-term rentals and growing concerns about their regulation. During the pilot program, members of Austin Code, Police and Fire departments will team up with Austin 3-1-1 to perform “proactive […]
Posted inAustin
Future of 64 Rainey remains unknown
The future use of a small city-owned plot of land butting up against the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is no closer to being known. Members of City Council’s Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee heard from neighbors and a local developer last week about a proposal recommended by the MACC Advisory Board […]
Posted inAustin
AISD funding requests dominate joint meeting
It is no secret that the Austin Independent School District is in tough financial straits, and requests for additional monetary help from the Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court dominated the recent joint subcommittee meeting. Representatives from all three entities met to discuss matters of mutual interest — an event that occurs roughly […]