City Council will consider what is hoped to be the final spending increase for the long-in-the-works Austin Central Library on Thursday, with the total price tag for the project set to fall somewhere just under $126.6 million. The agenda item asks Council to authorize spending $5.5 million that was included from three different sources in […]
City Hall
Posted inCity Council
Adler, Renteria in Mexico on trade, climate mission
Mayor Steve Adler and City Council Member Pio Renteria are on a two-pronged mission to Mexico this week – strengthening Austin’s economic ties with Mexico and championing efforts to combat climate change. In a prepared statement, Adler said, “Economic growth and environmental stewardship enhance one another in Austin. We thrive because we prioritize both.” Renteria […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 11.28.16
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. 2. Approve proclamation honoring State Representative Elliott Naishtat for his service to the people of Travis County. (Judge Eckhardt) Monitor’s Take: […]
Posted inAustin
Virtual reality expected to help city attract billions in foreign investment
Through the use of virtual reality, the city of Austin is turning to the thriving local video game industry to help attract overseas investors and billions of dollars in new economic development money. The hope is that local developers can create a mobile app that will utilize virtual or augmented reality technology to showcase some […]
Posted inThe Code, Uncategorized
BoA postpones interpretation case, disappoints developer
During a special called meeting on Nov. 21, the Board of Adjustment voted to postpone an interpretation case to its next meeting on Dec. 12. Leah Bojo, a senior manager at Drenner Group representing PSW Real Estate, cried “No!” from the audience as Chair William Burkhardt announced that there was time left only to make […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit finds misuse of city resources
Two employees of Austin Water are facing possible disciplinary actions after an investigation by the Office of the City Auditor found that they used city computers for work on their secondary employment. Reports from both investigations demonstrate how difficult it may be for city employees with demanding jobs who have other jobs or careers to […]
Posted inAustin
City investigates whether spay/neuter clinics are reaching the people who need them
The city of Sunset Valley is leading other Austin-area locations in taking advantage of free spay/neuter clinics – a surprise, since these clinics are usually used more heavily in poorer neighborhoods. City staff is working to better understand who is using spay/neuter clinics in Austin at a neighborhood level, although the numbers are still incomplete. […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 11.22.16
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. 6. Consider and take appropriate action on request from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office for a cooperative agreement between Travis and […]
Posted inCity Hall
Auditors find waste, cover-up at Fleet Services
Employees of the city’s Fleet Services Department made mistakes in ordering a new pursuit vehicle for the Austin Police Department, receiving instead an SUV that neither APD nor any other department wanted. That error ending up costing the city approximately $45,000, according to a special report by the Office of the City Auditor. In addition […]
Posted inCity Hall
ZAP approves Robert’s Rules training
A resolution to provide city staff and assistant city attorneys with training on Robert’s Rules of Order – and to make that training available to all members of boards and commissions – met with animosity from Commissioner Susan Harris at Tuesday’s meeting of the Zoning and Platting Commission. The resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Betsy Greenberg […]
Posted inCity Hall
Mayor announces task force to dismantle institutional racism
Flanked by city colleagues and leaders in both academia and the nonprofit world Wednesday, Mayor Steve Adler introduced the city of Austin to its newest task force: a group that will combat “institutional racism.” The group will be made up of local community leaders in education, immigration and housing. Adler said the point is not […]
Posted inAustin
Is Austin a sanctuary city? Good question.
Attempts to eliminate so-called sanctuary cities has begun anew with another Texas legislative session and new national leadership that has singled out these municipalities. And while Austin is often labeled a sanctuary city, it’s not clear that the city indeed is one. Elissa Steglich, law professor with the University of Texas Immigration Clinic, said there […]