The second meeting of the city’s new Tourism Commission saw the group vote down a possible $3 million marketing campaign for local live music, while also dusting off the long-running debate about public safety expenses for the South by Southwest festival and again failing to elect a chair. Last Tuesday’s meeting saw a brief reprise […]
City Hall
Posted inAustin
Citing historical lessons, Environmental Commission opts for mitigation rather than preservation
It’s not often that a variance to remove heritage trees comes before the Environmental Commission. But when it does, the decision is no walk in the park. “Trees like this are one of the challenging cases for us,” City Arborist Keith Mars said at the Sept. 5 meeting of the commission. He acknowledged that it is […]
Posted inBudget
Mental health team faces funding crisis
Mental health professionals accompany police officers to all SWAT calls in Houston and Seattle, but Austin’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, which operates alongside the Austin Police Department, does not accompany officers on high-risk calls, such as when a weapon is involved. In addition, Austin’s crisis outreach team does not work at night, when many mental […]
Posted inBudget
Council members talk about the budget
As City Council begins its final work session on the budget this morning in preparation for next week’s budget setting meetings, the Austin Monitor asked Council members to tell us the most important aspects of the Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget. Both Mayor Steve Adler and Council Member Greg Casar said increasing the minimum wage for […]
Posted inBudget
Chamber groups’ funding would become leveled under proposed process
Austin’s Economic Development Department is in the beginning stages of restructuring how local chambers of commerce are funded by the city, with the goal of making the funding more equitable and available to more groups. A recent memo from interim EDD Director Rebecca Giello details the options for opening a stakeholder process that would convene […]
Posted inAustin
Bloomberg awards let arts groups focus on growth, and affordability
More than two dozen small and mid-sized arts organizations in Austin have been awarded two-year grants totaling more than $1 million from the Bloomberg Philanthropies foundation, with the promise of comprehensive training and other tools to help in their future growth. In all, 26 local groups were named in the latest round of grants that […]
Posted inCity Council
Council approves plan to revamp incentives, with small businesses in mind
City Council voted Thursday to approve the framework for a restructuring of the city’s economic incentives programs, with the goal of increasing small business growth and improving job opportunities for lower-wage and middle-skill workers. The 9-1 vote saw Council Member Ellen Troxclair object, with Council Member Alison Alter absent, to the package of three resolutions. […]
Posted inCity Hall
Council reluctantly approves Fred McGhee to commission
City Council on Thursday voted to approve the appointment of local activist Fred McGhee to the Community Development Commission but also condemned McGhee for sexually charged comments he made to a city staffer as a member of the commission last year. McGhee was elected to the position by members of the Montopolis Neighborhood Association and […]
Posted inCity Council
Council will try a new tactic to rid Austin of plastic bags. Asking nicely.
City Council is taking up a resolution Thursday encouraging local stores to keep honoring the city’s “bag ban.” It’s the latest response to a state Supreme Court ruling this year that found Texas cities and towns could not enforce regulations of single-use plastic bags. After the ruling, a lot of people in Austin wondered if […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: City Council, 8.30.18
Welcome to this week’s TipSheet. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda, but here are the items we have our eye on today. The Office of the City Clerk posts a copy on its website, here. Item 20: Approve an amendment to an interlocal agreement with the Austin Independent […]
Posted inAustin
Council considers which strings to attach to corporate incentives
After postponing action earlier this month, on Thursday City Council will again consider establishing new rules regarding economic incentives for businesses. Council members plan on considering a number of amendments to the proposal aimed at ensuring that public dollars are only used to support good corporate citizens. The proposed new policy seeks to refocus city […]
Posted inCity Hall
Council to consider changes to Community Development Commission
The city of Austin may be dealing with yet another headache over who gets to sit on a city commission and who should or can be removed. The Community Development Commission is responsible for overseeing the implementation of projects funded by two federal programs: the Community Development Block Grant and the Community Service Block Grant. […]