While the future makeup of the city’s energy portfolio potentially rests on an upcoming independent review of a proposed natural gas plant, members of the Electric Utility Commission continue to vocalize their concerns about the study. Vice Chair Karen Hadden and Commissioner Joep Meijer sent a letter Thursday to Austin Energy staff scrutinizing potential underlying […]
Environment
Posted inEnvironment, Transportation, Travis County
Travis seeks delay in BSEACD-TxDOT agreement
Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to ask the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District board for a three-week postponement of a hearing planned this week on an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation over environmental standards for the construction of State Highway 45 Southwest. Commissioners also voted to work with the parties to clear […]
Posted inAustin, Environment, Fire, Public Safety, Resources
Watershed Protection touts wildfire plan progress
Watershed Protection Department staff told the Environmental Board on Wednesday that they have begun to implement an intergovernmental plan designed to help prevent catastrophic wildfires in the future. Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist Ryan Hebrink stressed that the Austin/Travis County Community Wildfire Protection Plan is “not a regulatory document, but a strategic tool.” Travis County, City […]
Posted inAustin, Environment
Watershed Protection outlines salamander plan
Watershed Protection Department staff dived into the details of the city’s Habitat Management Plan on Wednesday. The plan will protect the Barton Springs salamander and the Austin blind salamander, two federally endangered species known to live exclusively in Barton Springs. Watershed Protection salamander biologist Tom Devitt told the Environmental Board that the plan includes a […]
Posted inEnvironment, Roads, Transportation
Aquifer district cancels SH45 meeting with TxDOT
The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District postponed a planned meeting Thursday at which the district’s board planned to consider a controversial agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation regarding construction of State Highway 45 Southwest. Aquifer board officials said they called off the meeting because of a posting error and rescheduled it for next […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Travis County Commissioners 1-6
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in its first meeting of 2015. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office posts a copy at its website. Items of interest for Commissioners Court include: 1. CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON ORDER […]
Posted inAustin, Bonds & Propositions, Courts, Development, Elections, Environment, Local Politics, Public Safety, Resources
2014: An Austin Monitor review
This past year was a dynamic one in Austin, and though the future promises to be just as interesting, at the close of 2014 we invite you to take a trip back over the past 12 months. Though a lot went on in the city and this list is far from comprehensive, from our ever-particular […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Travis County Commissioners 12-30
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in its final session of the year. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The County Clerk’s office posts a copy at its website. Items of interest for Commissioners Court include: 2. RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE ABOLITION […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Local Politics, Resources, Transportation
Riley looks beyond rail bond loss to Austin’s future
Council Member Chris Riley started his look back at 2014 with an examination of the transportation situation faced by the City of Austin. Rather than lock on to the November failure of a $600 million rail bond that would have included promises for $400 million more in road construction, however, Riley looked at the larger […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Resources, Water
Reporter’s Notebook: City cuts ribbon on WTP4
After 30 years, WTP4 finally begins pumping water … Do you remember what you were doing in September 1984? If you lived in Austin and were of voting age, you may have voted “yes” to allow the city to go into debt to build a new water treatment plant to serve the growing northwest part […]
Posted inAustin, Environment, Roads, Transportation, Travis County
County seeks federal guidance on SH45 SW project
Travis County is asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for “guidance” on how to avoid environmental damage to the sensitive Flint Ridge Cave during the construction and operation of the proposed State Highway 45 Southwest toll road. County officials are requesting that representatives from Fish and Wildlife meet in January with the parties responsible […]
Posted inAustin, Bicycles, City Council, Parks, Transportation
Longer hike-and-bike trail hours on the way
As a parting gesture, City Council members finally found a way to keep some of the city’s hike-and-bike trails open a little longer. At their final meeting, Council members unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow the Parks and Recreation Department director to set operating hours to something other than the standard hours, which are […]