City Council last week reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Austin’s homelessness crisis, pledging to use a recent data-driven report to guide housing and services investments over the next 10 years. City officials will work with Travis County, service providers and other regional partners to finance upward of $350 million to strengthen the local homelessness response […]
Austin City Council
The Austin City Council is the body with legislative purview over the City of Austin. It offers policy direction, while the office of the City Manager implements administrative actions based on those policies. Until 2015, the body contained seven members, including the city’s Mayor, all elected at-large. In 2012, City of Austin residents voted to change that system and as of 2015, 10 members of the Council are elected based on geographic districts. The Mayor continues to be elected at-large.
Posted inPreservation
Council OKs historic zoning for east side house on first reading
On Thursday, City Council approved on first reading only a historic designation for the Romo-Johnson House at 900 Spence St. in East Austin. However, three members of Council abstained from the vote, making it seem unlikely that it will finally gain historic zoning. When the item returns for second and third reading, it will require […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Council to consider a resolution to examine response to mental health-related 911 and 311 calls
One item on the hefty agenda for the first regular City Council meeting of 2025 will explore how the city responds to mental health-related incidents. This resolution, authored by Council Member Chito Vela, directs the city manager to prepare a report and recommendations on responses to mental health-related 911 and 311 calls and service requests. […]
Posted inFire
Proposals to address wildfire dangers face opposition
Two items on today’s City Council agenda related to wildfire prevention have raised alarms among at least two community groups – the Save Our Springs Alliance and Community Not Commodity. The agenda indicates that the first item would allocate nearly $200,000 for a study of wildland fire fuels by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. […]
Posted inTipSheets
TipSheet: Austin City Council 1.30.25
After a long holiday break, it’s time to turn our eyes back to local politics, with the first regular meeting of City Council in 2025. It’s also the first meeting for Council members Marc Duchen, Mike Siegel and Krista Laine. Fun! For those who want the full experience, the City Council agenda is posted online […]
Posted inAustin
Austin scrambles to assess local impact of federal grant freeze
President Donald Trump issued a directive on Monday ordering a sweeping freeze on federal grants, including money to state and local governments. This action caused an immediate uproar, as well as lawsuits to put the order on hold. A federal judge stayed the order just before it was slated to take effect but legal wrangling […]
Posted inCity Council
Council to consider first widespread changes to parking rules in 15 years
City Council will consider a series of amendments to the city’s parking and mobility regulations on Thursday that would represent the first citywide changes to parking management in 15 years. The proposed changes to City Code chapters 12-3 and 12-5 include updates to the definitions of parking meters and parking spaces, adjustments to rules governing […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Task force delays decision on possible 2025 environmental bond package
The Bond Election Advisory Task Force has postponed making a recommendation on a potential 2025 bond election focused on environmental projects, citing the need for additional preparation and clarity from city staff. The decision to table the discussion until February came during the task force’s Monday meeting, where members expressed uncertainty about the scope of […]
Posted inPlanning
Neighbors seek reversal of site plan approval for Bull Creek office building
It’s a case that never ends. The Champion sisters filed suit against the city in 1994 and again in 2004 over what they could and could not do with their property. At least one slice of that property is still the subject of argument. City Council is set on Thursday to hear an appeal from […]
Posted inElections
Laine, Ganguly to see no penalties for ethics violations over election filings
The Ethics Review Commission found that two candidates in last year’s City Council elections violated the city’s financial disclosure requirements, but commissioners opted to not pursue penalties for either infraction. At Wednesday’s meeting, the commission held final hearings for two similar cases: a complaint filed by new District 10 Council Member Marc Duchen against his […]
Posted inCity Hall
Memo highlights needs, gaps in achieving city’s climate goals by 2040
The city still has to rework or commit more funding and resources toward the majority of the goals involved in implementing its Climate Equity Plan, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. A recent staff memo from Chief Sustainability Officer Zach Baumer outlines the challenges and next steps involved in realizing the […]
Posted inCity Council
Council Member Krista Laine opts to discontinue District 6 field office
As she prepares for her first City Council meetings later this month, newly elected District 6 Council Member Krista Laine will represent residents of Northwest Austin and a portion of Williamson County without the use of a satellite office that has been available for constituent relations for 10 years. After her November win over former […]