There were some tense moments Thursday as City Council worked through the ramifications of two innocuous-sounding items on its agenda about Council procedures. Two years ago, when everyone on the dais was new to city government except Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, Mayor Steve Adler took on the task of appointing Council committees. That was […]
City Hall
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Council selects search firm to find new city manager
City Council settled on a firm to conduct the search for a new city manager Thursday following a convoluted and unusual process in which each Council member ranked the three firms competing for the contract. Council ultimately voted 7-4 to award the contract to Russell Reynolds Associates, a global firm that specializes in recruiting high-level […]
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Audit: City needs new flood buyout policy
The Office of the City Auditor found that the city of Austin has provided the full cost of replacement housing for people displaced by flooding in the Onion Creek and Williamson Creek flood buyout areas, just as it was directed to do by City Council policy. That policy has proved to be expensive. Members of […]
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TipSheet: City Council, 2.9.17
City Council will hold its regular meeting again today, and below is a list of items we’re watching. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda. The Office of the City Clerk posts a copy on its website, here. 4. Authorize negotiation and execution of a professional services agreement with […]
Posted inAustin
What will Trump mean for Austin?
In addition to bracing for a flurry of laws proposed at the state legislature aimed at constraining the power of local governments, City Council is looking ahead at the first year in a decade in which its majority is at odds politically with every branch of the federal government. At a work session Tuesday, Council […]
Posted inCity Hall
Plan for new city facility faces questions
City Council members Ann Kitchen and Alison Alter along with Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo expressed skepticism at Tuesday’s work session about a staff plan to move the Development Services Department, the Planning and Zoning Department and some staff from other departments from One Texas Center to a new building to be constructed at Highland […]
Posted inCity Council
Council hears funding options for new convention center
Faced with concerns that the city is losing revenue because the Austin Convention Center is too small, City Council heard proposals for convention center expansions that ranged from $400 million to $600 million projects at its work session Tuesday. Carla Steffen, deputy director and chief financial officer of the convention center, presented several proposals to […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit criticizes city’s historic program management
Citing a lack of staff dedicated to the city’s historic preservation program, an outdated fee collection system and inadequate coordination between historic preservation staff and those higher up in the chain of command, the Office of the City Auditor has concluded that the Planning and Zoning Department “is not effectively administering” the historic preservation program. […]
Posted inAustin
Hotel tax increase would fund most aggressive convention center plan
A 2-percentage-point uptick in the city’s hotel occupancy tax appears to be the most favored method of expanding the Austin Convention Center and turning the area around it into a lifestyle and tourist epicenter. That financing option, which would be a key part of a possible $609 million expansion, was one of several discussed recently […]
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TipSheet: Travis County, 2.07.17
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website. 9. Receive update on efforts and progress related to the Palm School Committee. (Commissioner Gómez) Monitor’s Take: It’s hard to believe […]
Posted inCity Council
Curbside textile recycling continues – for now
In the wake of protests from nonprofits including the Salvation Army, Goodwill and the Assistance League of Austin about the impact curbside recycling of textiles is having on their businesses, City Council on Thursday directed Interim City Manager Elaine Hart to come back to the dais within 30 days with ideas on how the city […]
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TickTock: Austin City Council meeting 2.2.17
TickTock is the sortable transcript of @austinmonitor live Tweets from the most recent Austin City Council meeting. ITEMS 4 8 12 40 42 43 45 56 58 59 TickTock for Friday, February 3, 2017 Participants: austinmonitor 178 eraycollins 3 cubbie9000 1 Thursday, February 02, 2017 9AM All Access readers! Get a head start on today’s […]