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City Council
Memo outlines 'downtown puzzle' progress headed into 2018
Work on Mayor Steve Adler’s “downtown puzzle” policies package will be almost certainly put on hold until the spring when newly hired city manager Spencer Cronk will be able to study and work on how to execute the proposal. That…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 21, 2017
Council plans to take up sick leave ordinance in February
Over the past month, the city of Austin has tried to gather community input on the issue of paid sick leave and whether the city should require employers to provide it. Unsurprisingly, many employers aren’t happy about the idea. In…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Dec 21, 2017
Resolutions could change how demolitions are done in Austin
On Thursday, City Council approved two resolutions that direct the city to take a look at the literal and figurative cost of demolitions in Austin. Each could lead to increased fees for the growing number of building demolitions in Austin.…
City Council • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 18, 2017
24 Diner, Parkside win airport contract
Despite the angst it expressed over not making a spot at the airport for longtime Austin restaurant Threadgill’s, City Council voted to award the contract for new airport restaurant concessions to HMSHost, the company whose bid included the 24 Diner…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 15, 2017
In unanimous vote, Council rejects police contract, sends back to negotiations
City Council members voted unanimously to send a five-year contract between the city and the local police union back to the negotiating table late Wednesday. The contract, which dictates pay, discipline and oversight of Austin Police Department officers, is negotiated…
City Council • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Dec 14, 2017
Austin's two city manager finalists: Howard Lazarus and Spencer Cronk
The seemingly interminable search for Austin’s next city manager has finally been winnowed down to two applicants for the job. On Thursday, Stephen Newton of consulting firm Russell Reynolds Associates, which City Council hired to lead the candidate search, recommended…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Dec 8, 2017
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Changes proposed for Chapter 380 agreements
During Tuesday’s City Council work session, David Colligan, the manager of global business expansion in the Economic Development Department, and economist Jon Hockenyos presented an outline of their plans to revamp the city’s incentive policy for recruiting businesses under the…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 6, 2017
Council reveals six finalists for city manager position
After getting heat for keeping candidates’ identities secret and evading reporters, City Council has released the names of six finalists for the city manager position. Mayor Steve Adler published the names and biographies to the Council Online Message Board Monday…
City Council • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Nov 21, 2017
Public to meet manager candidates after all
After months of insisting on keeping the names of all city manager candidates secret, Steve Newton of Russell Reynolds Associates announced during Thursday’s City Council meeting that the names of the finalists would become public on either Friday or Monday.…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Nov 10, 2017
2nd Street gets another five years of free parking
For at least another five years, patrons of businesses located in the downtown Second Street District will continue getting two hours of free parking in the City Hall parking garage. After a lengthy debate Thursday, City Council voted to renew…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Nov 10, 2017
Council members question free parking for Second Street stores
Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo isn’t sure whether shoppers on Second Street should get free parking courtesy of the city of Austin anymore. At a City Council meeting last week, Tovo questioned city staff about its recommendation that Council renew…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Oct 26, 2017
Council issues stern warning to ZACH Theatre
Is management at ZACH Theatre interfering with employee efforts to unionize? The answer could cost them $272,500 from the city. The money in question is part of the city’s annual cultural arts contracts. Though more than $8.4 million in contracts…
