City Council voted 9-2 early Friday morning to postpone consideration of changes to the controversial Pilot Knob zoning and fee transfer deal. At the same time, Council directed city staff to provide a financial analysis and briefing on the impact of the fee transfer portion of the deal, which would move up to $81.4 million […]
City Council
Posted inCity Council
TNC ordinance heads to Austin voters
City Council late Thursday opted not to adopt an ordinance governing transportation network companies that was proposed through a citizens petition, setting the stage for a city-wide vote May 7. Council Member Don Zimmerman abstained from the vote, and Council members Ellen Troxclair and Sheri Gallo voted to pass the item. All others on the dais opposed […]
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What the TNC discussion may say about Adler’s leadership
Given that it’s in a government building, the painting that hangs outside Mayor Steve Adler’s office is a bizarre choice. It’s a portrait of a cat – its head crowned in what looks like a steel headdress, with an ornate keyhole at its center. Behind the cat’s head, canoes full of sushi float atop a […]
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Pilot Knob deal turmoil continues
At Tuesday’s work session, Mayor Steve Adler launched a discussion on the Pilot Knob planned unit development with a spirited defense of City Council’s now controversial decision to redirect the PUD’s water and wastewater impact fees to the city’s affordable housing trust fund. The fees would normally be paid instead to the Austin Water utility. […]
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Council to vote on TNC petition Thursday
Months of discussion over whether to fingerprint drivers of transportation network companies in Austin are headed for an apex Thursday, when City Council is set to vote on what to do with a citizens’ petition. In December, Council passed an ordinance that goes into effect at the end of February and would eventually require all TNC […]
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TNC speakers: 10 for election, 7 for adoption
City Council could be poised to call for an election for a transportation network company ordinance, as the majority of speakers urged it to do Thursday night. “Based on what we’ve heard, we probably are on our way to a May election,” said Council Member Don Zimmerman as the hour-long hearing ended. The 19 speakers were told […]
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Tale of Winnebago Lane takes new twist
At least one chapter has closed in the saga of 4711 Winnebago Lane, as City Council voted yesterday against the sale of the land to a private buyer for $1.45 million. Council voted 6-5 against the sale of the land to Jimmy Nassour, with Mayor Steve Adler, Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo and Council members […]
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TNC petition is valid, and Adler has a new idea
Almost as quickly as City Clerk Jannette Goodall could say that the Ridesharing Works for Austin petition signatures were valid, Mayor Steve Adler announced that he had a new idea to add to the litany of concepts already proposed for how to govern transportation network companies in Austin. Council was already set to hear public comments at 6:30 […]
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Council ponders changes to committee rules
Last year, when City Council adopted its sprawling and time-consuming committee system, it used a model similar to one used by the Texas Legislature. Council members Ann Kitchen and Ellen Troxclair and Mayor Steve Adler had worked in that system and were comfortable with it. But because it is very time-consuming, it has put considerable […]
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Kitchen petition watch continues
At last word yesterday, the Austin Monitor was still waiting to hear that a petition to recall City Council Member Ann Kitchen had been submitted to the Office of the City Clerk for verification. But, as was the case on Monday, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t news. On Tuesday afternoon, Texans for Accountable Government put out […]
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Kitchen rallies support as recall effort remains in holding pattern
A group shrouded in mystery failed to deliver on its promise of a political blockbuster on Monday, in the process digging up new questions to pile upon a tall stack of older unanswered ones. After teasing a big announcement late last week, the group – known as Austin4All – declared that it had gathered enough […]
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Council member fears lawsuits over new ordinance
It’s no secret that on Tuesday, Austin’s city clerk is expected to tell City Council that she has validated at least 20,000 signatures on a petition to change an ordinance governing transportation network companies. And, it’s clear that her announcement will trigger a requirement for Council – within 10 days – either to adopt Ridesharing Works […]