Austin City Council Member Ora Houston joins Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about her first few months in office, her policy priorities, and much more. Sponsored by Kerbey Lane. Embedded below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/208125048″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
City Council
Posted inCity Council
Council moves forward with appraisal challenge
City Council presented a united front yesterday and voted unanimously to file a petition challenging the Travis Central Appraisal District’s valuation of commercial properties this year. On May 19, the city released a report that showed undervaluation of commercial properties by an average of 47 percent from 2012 to 2014. Many reason that this disparity has […]
Posted inCity Council
Climate action plan blows past committee
Climate action advocates can rest assured that a proposed 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emission plan will go before City Council in June, though it will not come with a committee recommendation. Due to a lack of quorum, the Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee was unable to vote Tuesday on a recommendation to Council for […]
Posted inAustin, City Council
Regional leaders sound off on appraisal challenge
In preparation for tomorrow’s decision, City Council members sat down with leaders from regional taxing entities Tuesday to discuss the pros and cons of challenging the Travis Central Appraisal District’s valuation of Austin commercial properties this year. Those in attendance included representatives and legal counsel for Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Central Health, Austin Community […]
Posted inCity Council
Council runs up against time-sensitive contracts
While City Council members requested more time to better understand two contracts with city departments Thursday, city staff argued that these agreements were time-sensitive and urged members to avoid further delays. The first item asked Council to approve a contract allowing Austin Energy to service its turbines at the city’s Sand Hill Energy Center in addition to […]
Posted inCity Council
Council increases CodeNEXT advisory group, ANC still chagrined
The Land Development Code rewrite team is about to get a lot more voices. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to increase the size of the CodeNEXT Citizen Advisory Group at its regular meeting. This resolution, sponsored by Council Member Greg Casar, comes after a call for greater geographic and viewpoint diversity in the group, especially […]
Posted inPremium Types
TickTock: Austin City Council Meeting 5.21.15
Tick Tock is the sortable-by-item-number transcript of Monitor publisher Mike Kanin’s Twitter feed from Council day. Simply click on the item number to scroll to the corresponding. Votes are color-coded: Green for yeas, red for nays, et cetera. It’s embedded below. ITEMS 2 3 4 8 12 15 16 19 22 23 25 29 39 […]
Posted inCity Council
Council pushes ahead on taxicab contracts, co-op
City Council concluded another chapter in the current taxicab franchise renewal saga Thursday, voting to tentatively renew contracts with the city’s three service providers and amend related regulations. It also directed city staff to explore creating a fourth, cooperative franchise. While the full Council must make the final decision on the franchise renewals and regulations, […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Austin City Council 5.20.15
The Austin City Council will meet in its regular meeting Thursday. Below is a list of items we’re watching. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The Office of the City Clerk hosts a copy at its website, here. 2. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20141120-014 increasing […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Monitor News & Media, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: D7 Council Member Leslie Pool
Austin City Council Member Leslie Pool (District 7) talks about her first months on Council with Monitor publisher Mike Kanin. Sponsored by Kerbey Lane Cafe. Embedded below: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/206118500″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inCity Council
Zimmerman takes his turn criticizing nominations
City Council Member Don Zimmerman on Thursday doled out criticism usually targeted at his own nominations to boards and commissions, opposing an appointment to the Municipal Civil Service Commission and igniting a conversation about the merits of objectivity when it comes to considering people for volunteer positions. About an hour before Council convened, Zimmerman posted a […]
Posted inCity Council, Texas State Legislature
Council debates city’s state legislative policies
With the 84th session of the Texas Legislature set to end June 1, the city’s Government Relations Office has kicked its lobbying efforts into overdrive. At the same time, City Council has opened a discussion about how the city determines its legislative program and makes decisions on which bills to support or oppose. A legislative […]