The union representing Austin firefighters filed a motion in U.S. District Court Friday seeking to intervene in the pending settlement between the City of Austin and the U.S. Department of Justice. Seeking a consent decree, the city and the Justice Department filed an agreement in federal court June 9 to settle allegations of race-based discrimination […]
Local Politics
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Council OKs measure to have Austin Energy collect all line fees
The Austin City Council unanimously Thursday approved an item that directs Austin Energy officials to collect full reimbursement for the cost of line extensions. The measure, long supported by veteran Electric Utility Commissioner Shudde Fath, would allow the utility to recoup millions. Just before Council members approved the item, consumer advocate and utility watchdog […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics, Resources
City Council orders restaurants to compost organic waste by 2018
Austin City Council members Thursday approved changes to city ordinances that will require food service permit holders to begin composting organic waste by 2018. Under the measure, full enforcement of the new rules will not come until a year later. Council members’ actions came over the objections of Skeeter Miller, representing the Greater Austin […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Council votes to cut Seton’s fee waiver request by more than half
Those opposed to offering the future Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas a bundle of fee and requirement waivers can take heart after the Austin City Council cut the total value of the waivers from over $2.4 million to $902,000. The Council voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance waiving some fees […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council removes covenant but postpones Lake Austin zoning case
Council members dispensed with at least one aspect of the 2208 Lake Austin Boulevard zoning case Thursday. While members postponed the main zoning case indefinitely, Council unanimously voted to remove a restrictive covenant on the property. Alice Glasco, representing the property owners, asked for the postponement in order to talk to the neighborhood, in […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council meeting going strong well past midnight
Despite severe weather Thursday night that left thousands of Central Texans without power, Austin City Council members were still in session with several major items still on the agenda shortly after midnight. The Monitor will have coverage of these issues in Monday’s edition.
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics, Transportation
Riley, Cole continue to oppose SH45 SW in CAMPO’s 2040 Plan
Austin Council Member Chris Riley and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole voiced continued opposition to State Highway 45 Southwest toll road project at the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board meeting Monday. Riley and Cole opposed including SH45 SW in the CAMPO 2040 Plan. Riley was carrying Council Member Bill Spelman’s proxy and […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Tovo, Martinez disagree with Mayor over rejection of incentive deals
After learning Monday that National Instruments and Dropbox terminated economic incentive agreements with the city, Austinites learned Tuesday that a third company, U.S. Farathane, also ended its participation in the program which gives companies tax breaks or fee waivers in return for promises of good wages and other benefits for new employees. For Mayor […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Resources
Council members grill Austin Energy over plans for new building
City Council members expressed concern at Tuesday’s work session over the transparency of the route taken by Austin Energy officials in search of roughly $9 million to design a new headquarters building in East Austin and an additional $5.2 million for what was described as upgrades to a system that may, when it’s all done, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
West Lake Hills’ planner’s actions under ethical spotlight
Actions of a former West Lake Hills City Council member and former city planner are raising ethical and legal concerns since it appears he is representing a client he may have begun a business relationship with while still employed by the city. Davin Fillpot, who now works as a private architect, is representing Keller […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government, Local Politics
Austin Monitor Radio, Show 2
Travis County Chief Appraiser, Austin City Council Member Kathie Tovo, and Travis County Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator Deece Eckstein join the Monitor‘s Mike Kanin and Beth Cortez-Neavel to talk property tax appraisals. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/154218203″ 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 inDevelopment, Local Politics
National Instruments nixes expansion; Mayor calls incentive rules onerous
National Instruments, the Austin-based high-tech firm with a global reach, has opted out of an estimated $7.4 million economic development deal with Austin, Travis County and the State of Texas. The deal, struck in mid-2013, would have brought as many as 1,000 new, high-paying jobs to Austin over the next decade. Mayor Lee Leffingwell […]