City Council members took a significant step Tuesday toward revising the way they conduct meetings as well as the time frames for scheduling business on the agenda in the hope that they can reduce the number of hours spent sitting on the dais. They also indicated a desire to cut back on the hours of […]
City Council
Posted inCity Council
Group says Champion tract vote broke rules
City Council is facing yet another possible lawsuit over a vote it took that may not have complied with the Texas Open Meetings Act. City Attorney Anne Morgan confirmed Monday that she plans to discuss the matter with Council in executive session today. Attorney Bill Aleshire, representing the Lake Austin Collective, a group of citizens […]
Posted inPremium Types
TickTock: Austin City Council meeting 4.13.2017
TickTock is the sortable transcript of @austinmonitor Tweets from the most recent Austin City Council meeting. ITEMS 2 9 10 14 19 22 24 25 26 36 39 40 41 TickTock for Friday, April 14, 2017 Participants: austinmonitor 118 BuckBaccus 1 jareha 1 taygoldenstein 1 DanKeshet 1 MKanin 1 Thursday, April 13, 2017 9AM All […]
Posted inCity Council
City approves Merck incentives, waits for decision on IT hub
Austin will provide up to $856,000 in economic incentives to pharmaceutical giant Merck Sharp & Dohme if the company chooses Austin as the site for a proposed information technology hub. By a 7-3-1 vote, City Council approved a Chapter 380 agreement that will pay the company $85,600 a year through 2026 – based on $200 […]
Posted inCity Council
Pharma giant’s proposed incentives draw questions in first review
City Council members have tended away from using incentives packages in recent years, averaging one approval per year to lure large employers to the area. Based on questioning and feedback from an initial discussion last week, it appears that 2017’s approval could go toward a proposed information technology hub for the pharmaceutical and biosciences giant […]
Posted inCity Council
Council OKs waiver of anti-lobbying ordinance
City Council on Thursday approved a temporary waiver of the city’s anti-lobbying ordinance for companies and individuals who wish to talk to the Council working group on solid waste issues. The vote was 7-1-1, with Council Member Ellen Troxclair voting no, Council Member Ora Houston abstaining and Council members Greg Casar and Alison Alter absent […]
Posted inCity Council
Here’s how Austin wants to solve institutional racism
In November, Mayor Steve Adler announced the formation of a group of local leaders tasked with suggesting city policy that could begin to ensure equity throughout the city. On Tuesday, the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Equities published its nearly 70-page final report. Co-chaired by Austin Independent School District Superintendent Paul Cruz […]
Posted inCity Council
Troxclair’s legislative speeches criticized
During a legislative briefing at Tuesday’s City Council work session, Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo criticized Council Member Ellen Troxclair for testifying against the city’s position on three hot topics at the Texas Legislature. “I need to express my grave disappointment that a member of this body would go to the Legislature and ask that […]
Posted inCity Council
Construction of new Central Library overdue, again
City Council members learned last week that the completion of the new downtown public library has been hit with delays, again. “I do think that it is getting very close, but I don’t have a specific date that I can give you quite yet,” Toni Lambert, interim director of Libraries, told Council members at a […]
Posted inAustin
Council clashes over changes to Austin Oaks plan
City Council members struggled to find common ground on changes to the Austin Oaks planned unit development Thursday. Spire Realty Group’s proposed 1.19 million-square-foot mixed-use project would create a “meaningful employment center” on 31 acres away from downtown Austin, said Michael Whellan, the company’s rep. In addition to the residential, retail and office space, the […]
Posted inCity Council
Thornton Road developer nixes zoning request
Developer PSW Real Estate on Wednesday withdrew its request for a change to multifamily (MF-4) zoning for 2413 Thornton Road in South Austin, as well as its application to the neighborhood housing department for participation in the city’s Smart Housing Program. The zoning change is on today’s City Council agenda for third reading. The property […]
Posted inCity Council
Auditor’s report: Affordability data incomplete
According to a special report from the Office of the City Auditor, information about city programs and initiatives that affect affordability for Austinites is inconsistent, may be unreliable or incomplete and may not be readily accessible. In addition, auditors found that city programs “may have unanticipated effects on affordability” and that the city has historically […]