Watershed Protection Department staff told the Environmental Board on Wednesday that they have begun to implement an intergovernmental plan designed to help prevent catastrophic wildfires in the future. Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist Ryan Hebrink stressed that the Austin/Travis County Community Wildfire Protection Plan is “not a regulatory document, but a strategic tool.” Travis County, City […]
City Hall
Posted inAustin, Public Safety, Transportation
City considers big tow change
If approved later this month, the Austin Police Department will have a new way to manage some of the 30,000-odd tows it handles every year. Detective Robert Loosier presented the plan for a new managed towing program to the Public Safety Commission last week. The program, which will handle the tows needed as a result […]
Posted inAustin, Development
Sign Board postpones confounding variance case
After calling the plan “confusing” and “difficult to follow,” the Sign Review Board voted unanimously Monday to postpone consideration on a variance package to allow larger signs at an Austin hospital. The sign plan sought multiple variances for four signs at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, 12221 N. MoPac Blvd. However, after discussing the […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Local Politics
Fate of Crestview land parcel remains in limbo
Though the fate of an Austin Energy-owned parcel of land in the Crestview neighborhood remains uncertain, there was an update about 6909 Ryan Drive last month. Planning and Development Review Department Director Greg Guernsey wrote the Dec. 10 memo that provided an update on the land, though nothing will be done without City Council initiating action. […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Planning Commission 1-13
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: 3. Plan Amendment: NPA-2014-0009.01 — Waller on Swede Hill Location: 908 E. 15th Street, 807 E. 16th Street, & […]
Posted inAustin, Preservation
New preservation district on hold after staff error
The Bluebonnet Hills preservation district will be returning to the Historic Landmark Commission this month, after a determination that the city did not give proper notice for the hearing. When the district was before the Historic Landmark Commission in November, neighbor Arif Panju raised an objection to the short notice he had received and asked […]
Posted inAustin, Environment
Watershed Protection outlines salamander plan
Watershed Protection Department staff dived into the details of the city’s Habitat Management Plan on Wednesday. The plan will protect the Barton Springs salamander and the Austin blind salamander, two federally endangered species known to live exclusively in Barton Springs. Watershed Protection salamander biologist Tom Devitt told the Environmental Board that the plan includes a […]
Posted inAustin, Public Health, Travis County
Court looks to limit rise in TravCo health care costs
With annual cost overruns projected to be more than $7 million this fiscal year, Travis County Commissioners are looking at ways to curb the skyrocketing cost of providing health care for employees and retirees. According to figures prepared by county staff, health care expenses for the first three months of FY2015 put Travis County on a projected […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Explainer: D6 & D10 — elections and the future
Each week, the Explainer offers Monitor readers a closer look at stories we have been following. New City Council Members Sheri Gallo (District 10) and Don Zimmerman (District 6) represent two-thirds of what is perhaps the most interesting twist in the new 10-1 district system: a chance for Republican voters in the western part of […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Travis County Commissioners 1-13, 1-15
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in regular session and at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in a work session. In the interest of space, we have decided not to post the entire agendas here. The County Clerk’s office posts a copy at its website. Items of interest for Commissioners Court include: 3. […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
New Council plans change to meetings, committees
Wasting no time, Austin’s newly inaugurated City Council launched into a proposal Thursday to change its meetings and committee structures. The changes, members say, will make for a more efficient, more transparent city government. For now, the details of the change remain tentative. Council will hold a public hearing Jan. 22 to discuss the change […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Adler wants group to study campaign finance rules
New Austin Mayor Steve Adler wants a group of reform-minded citizens to consider whether Austin needs to tweak its campaign finance rules. He has already talked to attorney Fred Lewis about helping with the project. Lewis, with a background in campaign finance reform, is the leader of Texans Together, which works to foster grass-roots activism. […]