A proposed urban trail that is as wide as a city street became an issue Wednesday, after residents voiced concern about the pathway’s design. During an April 1 meeting, Environmental Board members heard an update on the Upper Boggy Creek Trail design. The Public Works Department is gathering input from the city’s boards and commissions on […]
Environment
Posted inCity Council, Energy
Council pushes Austin Energy on solar solicitation
To RFP or not to RFP? According to City Council, the answer is yes, and ASAP — or at least by April 15. Council voted Thursday to impose the deadline for Austin Energy to issue a request for proposal, or RFP, for up to 600 megawatts of utility-scale solar power generation and require that the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Environmental Board gives nod to Lake Austin tram
A homeowner hoping to build a tram to Lake Austin continued his quest through the city’s boards and commissions last week. Chris Pacitti, who owns the home at 70 Pascal Lane, had more luck at the Environmental Board, which recommended his variance request. The Board of Adjustment denied a different request for the same tram […]
Posted inCity Council, Parks
Open Space panel urges better communication
At its first official meeting, the Council Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee urged city departments to keep residents better informed of changes to the Walnut Creek Hike and Bike Trail. Parks and Recreation Department project manager Marty Stump gave the committee an update Wednesday, sitting adjacent to a handful of angry neighbors who said […]
Posted inParks
Parks Board asks for moratorium on naming parks
Without rules, they won’t name. That is what the Parks and Recreation Board decided Tuesday night when members considered an item to rename the Quick Start Tennis Courts on Johnny Morris Road. The board voted not to recommend the item, and in a 4-0 vote (Members Michael Casias, Hill Abell and Susan Roth were absent), […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Energy, Resources
AE to seek new solar contracts by mid-April
Since City Council adopted a set of goals last year that will shape Austin’s future energy portfolio, most discussion has focused on how to fill a 500-megawatt power gap in the plan. This week, the focus shifted to a goal that gets the city to shop for large solar investments. Responding to a request by […]
Posted inAustin, Parks, Resources
Council weighs in on Parkland Events Task Force
Some City Council members say the naming of a public parks task force will finally bring action on discussions the city has been having for years about the strain special events place on the city’s parkland. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo said the creation of a Parkland Events Task Force, passed unanimously at Council’s March […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Parks
No progress at committee on Decker Golf proposal
Those interested in progress on the proposed license agreement between the city and Decker Lake Golf LLC for the development and management of a world-class golf course at Walter E. Long Lake were probably disappointed in the outcome of Monday’s meeting of the City Council Committee on Economic Development. Committee Chair Ellen Troxclair told Economic […]
Posted inEnergy, Resources
EUC pushes for generation plan’s solar component
The Electric Utility Commission passed a resolution Monday urging that City Council direct Austin Energy to issue a request for proposal for 600 megawatts of utility-scale solar energy by April 15. “I feel like Austin Energy, in making their agreement to go forward with the generation plan as it was, owes the community the RFP,” […]
Posted inAustin, Budget, Energy, Resources
Explainer: The Austin Energy-CoA funds transfer
The Explainer takes a deeper look at stories we have been following. This week, we tackle the annual transfer from Austin Energy to the City of Austin’s General Fund. The annual transfer of what has historically been many millions of dollars in cash from the coffers of Austin Energy to those just across the river […]
Posted inCity Hall, Energy
Austin Energy payments to city keep growing
Even though City Council froze the transfer from Austin Energy to the city’s general fund at $105 million in 2012, the amount the utility pays for support services has continued to grow. For the current fiscal year, the utility will fund more than $20 million for support services as well as to departments that may or […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature, Water
Austin Water reports on water-related legislation
As Central Texas continues to face its worst drought on record, state legislators are considering several bills this session that could affect water supplies in Austin and throughout the state. Austin Water Utility Legislative Coordinator Heather Cooke briefed the Water and Wastewater Commission Wednesday about some of the water-related bills making their way through the […]