The City of Austin’s General Fund ended fiscal year 2013 with a $14.2 million surplus. That figure amounts to a roughly 1 percent variance from projections made by city staff. Despite the positive figure, Austin’s Chief Financial Officer Elaine Hart told members of the Council’s Audit and Finance Committee Wednesday that management was not […]
Elections
Posted inLocal Politics
Task Force meets to determine future of boards and commissions
With just one meeting under its belt, the city’s commission on commissions is diving into the work ahead of them. First on the agenda? Maybe fewer commissions. The Boards and Commissions Transitions Task Force met Wednesday evening, and began work on the daunting task ahead of them: addressing Austin’s upcoming switch to single-member […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council rejects bid to remove restrictive covenant on east side lot
City Council members shot down a bid to remove a restrictive covenant on an east side property last week, sending developers back to the drawing board. Hector Avilia was asking for termination of a restrictive covenant at 1120 Tillery Street. Currently, the 3.5 acre lot is home to Ted’s Trees, and zoned for that […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics
Gun show a no go with background checks in contract
Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to offer the promoters of the Saxet Gun Show a new contract containing language requiring background checks on all gun sales, even private transactions. However, show promoter Todd Beiter said late Tuesday that he will not accept the new contract. Commissioners voted 3-0 to offer a contract with the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Little Woodrow’s on Burnet survives two-year fight to serve alcohol
It certainly wasn’t easy, but the Little Woodrow’s bar on Burnet Road now has the right to serve alcohol. The City Council granted an appeal late Thursday, permitting liquor sales and a waiver that allows parking closer to residential buildings than otherwise allowed. After a lengthy discussion the Council approved that appeal in a […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Conservatives, others see opportunities in new City Council districts
With single-member districts soon to become a reality, Austin City Council candidates are already lining up to crowd what promises to be a very full November ballot. Austin’s political insiders and outsiders alike are trying to get a handle on an election that promises to shape the city for years to come. Roger Borgelt […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Some complain of ‘packing’ Democratic clubs for endorsements
There was an unusually fierce internal battle at Saturday’s endorsement meeting of the Central Austin Democrats. Essentially, the argument was over the fact that numerous members of the University Democrats had joined Central Austin Democrats, ostensibly so they could vote in Saturday’s endorsement elections. This is not the first time this sort of thing […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs building regulations to enhance disabled accessibility
After multiple tries, Austin City Council members finally OK’d a series of new regulations designed to make new construction in the City of Austin more accessible to the disabled. The rules, collected under a visitability ordinance, are set to take effect July 1, 2015. They mandate, among other items, that most entrances and bathrooms be […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council OKs measure to consider city’s income growth with budget
Austin City Council members Thursday approved requiring staff to come up with an affordability benchmark to give both staff and themselves more information when making decisions about the city’s budget. Council Member Bill Spelman authored the proposal. The figure represents how much Austin residents have seen their income increase, on average, over the past […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Split Council passes economic incentive deal for Athenahealth
City Council members approved on a 5-2 vote an incentives package aimed at bringing Massachusetts- based Athenahealth to the city. The move came as Council Members Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo continued to question the appropriateness of the city providing incentives during times of economic success, and voted against the measure. Ultimately however, their […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Canceled work session leaves several Council issues hanging
Austin City Council members were prepared to discuss new visitability regulations, an agreement between the City of Austin and the University of Texas that would have allowed for an $85,000 study of the Project Connect effort, and the Holly Shores Master Plan, among other items, had Tuesday’s work session not been canceled due to weather. […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics
Rapidly developing winter storm catches city officials off guard
A relatively quick and unexpected change in weather conditions early Tuesday morning resulted in a considerable scheduling confusion in the Central Texas region. Among other changes, Austin City Council members found themselves suddenly without a work session Tuesday morning. Travis County Commissioners, meanwhile, delayed the start of their proceedings until 10:30am. City employees are […]