A preliminary map drawn by the members of Austin‘s charter election-born Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is now not the only proposed single-member district Council outline drawing criticism. A map dubbed by its architects as a “Compact District Map” emerged over the past week and quickly drew fire from the group behind the election-day passage of […]
City Hall
Posted inAustin, City Charter, City Council, Elections
Neighborhoods mostly unhappy with first map of Council districts
Though some may have worried that breaking Austin up into 10 Single-Member Districts would divide the city, that hasn’t proven to be true so far. Monday night, Austinites from across the city united in expressing their discontent with the initial map drawn by the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The complaints emphasized two main points […]
Posted inCity Council
City Manager’s 2014 compensation becomes issue
Austin City Council Member Bill Spelman took the unusual step of abstaining Thursday on a vote over FY2014 compensation and benefits for City Manager Marc Ott. The move came as tension appears to mount between at least two Council offices and the City Manager. In remarks delivered just before his colleagues voted to approve […]
Posted inCity Council, Development
Split Council OKs settlement with Jeremiah Venture for development
After a contentious 6-year battle, Austin City Council members reached a settlement agreement Thursday with Jeremiah Venture LP. It came on a reluctant 4-3 vote. With the agreement, the group gets city support in a permitting process that could result in 1,000 single-family homes on the environmentally sensitive Edwards Aquifer. The deal gives […]
Posted inCity Council, Environment, Planning
Council to implement Lake Austin Task Force’s recommendations
Fresh off a presentation from the Lake Austin Task Force, Council members are set Thursday to consider a directive to City Manager Marc Ott that would be the first step in implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. While some Council members expressed concerns at Tuesday’s work session over the ideas, they appeared ready to move […]