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City Council

Facing pressure, flagship Torchy’s drops alcohol waiver request

Anyone who has been to the South Congress Torchy’s Tacos since it opened in January might be surprised to learn that alcohol sales aren’t soon on the way. Since its opening, the restaurant has featured two large bars — one…

Council scrambling to find replacements for Uber and Lyft

City leaders traded accusations of dishonesty over ride-hailing regulations at a meeting Tuesday as they grappled with potential solutions to the transportation void created by the recent departure of Uber and Lyft. The debate was prompted by a resolution proposed…

Council says only three land-use pros on board

City Council voted Thursday to limit to three the number of land-use professionals who may serve on the 11-member Environmental Commission. That is the same number of land-use professionals who were allowed when the commission was only seven members, and members…

Graffiti contract ruffles Council feathers

Austin’s lengthy bidding process and a postponement by City Council to look into what has turned out to be unwarranted allegations has caused the low bidder on a contract for graffiti removal services to withdraw its bid. That withdrawal left…

Council pledges to protect mobile home residents

The majority of City Council members voted Thursday to protect mobile home residents along with other tenants who are displaced by development. In an 8-1-1 vote with Council Member Don Zimmerman opposed, Council Member Sheri Gallo abstaining and Mayor Steve…

Council OKs resolution encouraging high wages for green-biz hub

City Council approved a resolution Thursday prodding companies that seek to participate in a soon-to-be-constructed hub for green businesses to pay good wages and respect the right of workers to unionize. The measure, introduced by Council Member Greg Casar, was…

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Council clarifies public comment procedures

City Council put the final touches on the latest iteration of its committee system on Thursday, voting to define where public testimony will be held and how long that testimony should be. Since the new Council has taken office, the…

Council OKs relief measure for water customers

City Council on Thursday voted to make remediation easier for customers who are accidentally soaked by the local water utility. The resolution brought forth by Council Member Ellen Troxclair directs City Manager Marc Ott to cobble together a set of…

Austin Monitor Radio: Arif Panju

Sometimes-controversial Historic Landmark Commissioner Arif Panju joins Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about historic zoning in the City of Austin. Sponsored by Austin Water. Post is embedded below.

Council debates social service spending

Divisions within City Council over spending on social services were put into sharp relief Thursday as the Health and Human Services Department asked city leaders to approve a 6 percent boost in funding for nonprofit agencies with which the city…

Council votes to retain vacant positions, for now

How big of a problem is an unfilled position in city government? Is it even a problem at all? A brief City Council debate on Thursday illustrated some strong differences of opinion among city leaders on the issue. Prompting the…

Kanin on Council: anti-discrimination, fair hiring ordinances passed in labor-focused meeting

The Austin Monitor‘s Michael Kanin speaks with KUT’s Jennifer Stayton about the Austin City Council’s passage of two labor-centric items – one to bolster anti-discrimination in the workplace and another that would prevent employers from asking prospective employees about their…

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