Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s South Austin boyhood home is one step closer to Historic Landmark status. Last week, the Planning Commission sent a positive recommendation to City Council for 910 Christopher Street in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood to be rezoned as a landmark, as did the Historic Landmark Commission before them. “I’m kind of surprised,” said […]
Local Politics
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics
Commissioners approve new county parking plan
After a long and sometimes emotional hearing Tuesday, a divided Travis County Commissioners Court approved a new parking program that did not include a “loyalty” zone reserved mainly for long-term employees. Under the new plan, many employees would lose their reserved spaces, but all would have access to a specific parking zone. The court voted […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Firefighters issue four Council endorsements
The Austin Firefighters Association began announcing its endorsements for City Council Tuesday, beginning with two of its own, Council Member Mike Martinez, who is running for mayor, and District 2 candidate Delia Garza. The group also chose Council Member Chris Riley for District 9 over fellow incumbent Kathie Tovo and Ora Houston, the apparent front-runner […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Few speakers return for delayed budget hearings
Affordability and equity topped the list of concerns that citizens raised Friday during public hearings on the budget, tax rate and utility rates for Fiscal Year 2015. The majority of citizens who had signed up to speak during the hearings were not present, likely because City Council had originally scheduled the hearings for Thursday’s regular […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics
AG’s opinion could revive battle over bag ban
A Texas attorney general’s opinion issued late Friday could revive a long-running battle over the banning of single-use plastic bags from stores in Austin and a handful of other cities in Texas. An opinion signed by Attorney General Greg Abbott states that an ordinance like the one in effect in Austin could be in violation […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Update: Council motion to reconsider fails, business group reacts to new mandate
Late Friday afternoon, Council Member Bill Spelman asked his colleagues to reconsider their actions on a resolution by Council Member Chris Riley that instructs Austin Energy to greatly increase their renewable resources — specifically solar — and work toward eliminating the Decker Creek Power Plant as a result of the city’s concern about greenhouse gas […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety
Acevedo predicts changes to deportation program
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo told the Monitor on Thursday that he believes the focus of the federal Secure Communities Program could change by the end of 2014. Speaking after he briefed the Council on a proposed new city booking facility, Acevedo added to comments he made to Council members. “What’s happening right now is that the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Butler Park Pitch and Putt stays in family
Though the terms have yet to be hashed out, the Kinser family will continue operating Butler Park Pitch and Putt, as they have for the past 64 years. “Shame on us for letting it go so long without raising the issue of having a fair return,” said Council Member Laura Morrison. “On the other hand, my […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics, Resources
Riley resolution passes in chaotic Council finish
Update: An Austin Energy official told the Monitor early Friday morning that they had left Council chambers for home after Council members passed a resolution to recess the meeting until noon today. A twisting, chaotic end to Austin City Council’s Thursday meeting resulted in fast passage of two Austin Energy-related items — one that had […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics, Transportation
Candidates talk transportation at mayoral forum
Though Austin residents can only vote for one Council member to represent their geographic district this Election Day, everyone in the city gets a say in who becomes the next mayor. Five of those in the running showed up for the Civic Summit Mayoral Candidate Forum, Wednesday, presented by KLRU, Austin’s PBS station and the Urban […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Austin Monitor Radio, Show 13: 10-1
Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin talks Austin City Council districts and the many many candidates now vying to represent them with longtime political operative Peck Young. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/165064622″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety
Council gets update on Rundberg Project
The work of restoring the Rundberg neighborhood is well underway. A briefing on the Restore Rundberg Project’s progress at City Council’s Tuesday work session prompted at least one Council member to ask: Could it be better? The Restore Rundberg Project is a result of a $1 million, three-year grant to fund innovative solutions for areas […]