For a second time in as many months, the Historic Landmark Commission has endorsed the creation of the Bluebonnet Hills preservation district. Though the commission already voted to recommend the district in November, there was a noticing error for that hearing, and commissioners were asked to hold the hearing a second time. On Monday, they […]
City Hall
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Council members debate public input plan
The future of public input at City Council meetings remains unclear ahead of possible action Thursday, as Council members continue to discuss whether and how to limit it in favor of moving it to committee meetings. During a Tuesday work session, Council members reacted to the public feedback they received during and after last Thursday’s […]
Posted inAustin, EMS, Public Safety, Travis County
Suicides highlight rift between EMS staff, managers
A second suicide by an Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services first responder within the past seven months has heightened visible tensions between the department’s leadership and its employees. And while multiple EMS first responders took to Facebook earlier this month to blast the departmental leadership following the suicide of a medic, Austin-Travis County EMS Association […]
Posted inAustin, Public Safety
Police Monitor says citizen complaints up in 2013
The Office of the Police Monitor, which works to improve relations between the Austin Police Department and the public, is preparing to issue a report showing that citizens filed more complaints against police officers in 2013 than in 2012. Police Monitor Margo Frasier told the Austin Monitor on Friday that 2012, which had fewer overall complaints […]
Posted inAustin, Budget, Local Politics
Price of Council changes still unknown
Though there are no hard numbers yet, Austin’s budget office has begun to review the potential fiscal impacts associated with proposed changes to City Council’s committee and meeting structures. According to a Jan. 23 memo from Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo, the review has included consultation with the Office of the City Clerk, […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Planning Commission 1-27
The City of Austin Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday. In the interest of saving space, we will not publish the entire agenda here. It is available on the City’s website. Items of interest include: D1. New Business: Discussion and possible action to rescind action taken on January 13, 2015, regarding case # SPC-2014-0175A […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Travis County Commissioners 1-27
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in regular session. In the interest of space, we have decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office posts a copy at its website. Items of interest for Commissioners Court include: Consider and take appropriate action on the dedication of a […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Land Development Code
When is a carport a garage? Ask the BOA
At its last meeting, the Board of Adjustment considered whether staff had made an error by issuing a building permit at 904 Jessie St. David King, on behalf of the Zilker Neighborhood Association, made the appeal. In the end it all came down to carports and ongoing problems with the McMansion Ordinance carport exemption in […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Austin City Council 1.27 & 1.29
The brand new 10-1 Austin City Council has its first major agenda to deal with this week. At 52 items, this one doesn’t even register on the immediate past Council’s major agenda radar. Still, concerns from at least one Council office over what might previously have been considered routine purchasing items and, what late Friday […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Council hears feedback on restructuring proposal
The new City Council tested out a lot of ideas at Thursday’s meeting, giving members of the public the opportunity to comment on proposed legislative changes via Twitter, call-ins and online polls in an environment evocative of a television program. Though feedback varied on a lot of issues, the overall message from citizens was that […]
Posted inAustin, Local Government, Transit, Transportation
Lone Star Rail kicks off environmental study
A decade-old project to build a passenger rail line between the San Antonio and Austin areas picked up steam Wednesday with a public meeting of the Lone Star Rail Project. The meeting served as the kickoff to the project’s environmental impact study, which Lone Star Rail Director Joe Black called a “major, major point in […]
Posted inAustin, Budget, City Council, Local Politics
Council postpones salary debate until next week
On Thursday, City Council temporarily backed away from a plan that could have members voting to reduce their own salaries. Council members voted 11-0 to postpone action on the resolution until their Jan. 29 meeting. The resolution directs the city manager to change the current office budgeting structure to allow Council members to decrease their […]