Well, the show must go on. After a momentous election Tuesday that will also see new Council members in Districts 6, 7 and 10 and probably the return of Mayor Kirk Watson, City Council members are dusting themselves off and getting back to business with a regular meeting today. As usual, we’ve attempted to highlight […]
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 inElections
Siegel, Bledsoe headed for a runoff in District 7
In a crowded race to represent North Central District 7, none of the six contenders managed to snag 50 percent of the vote. As a result, Mike Siegel and Gary Bledsoe will face off in a runoff next month. Siegel, who generated the most funding and endorsements during the general election, claimed about 40 percent […]
Posted inWater
Council slated to approve updates to Water Forward Plan and to Austin Water’s Conservation and Drought Contingency plans
This month, City Council will vote on proposed updates to Austin’s Water Forward Plan and to the related Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plans. During a briefing on Oct. 22, Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson presented an overview of the changes to the plans, which Council will consider on Nov. 21. Water Forward, Austin’s […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Austin Watershed Protection Department proposes code updates to further protect the Colorado River
The Austin Watershed Protection Department held a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Montopolis Recreation and Community Center to discuss proposed code updates regarding the Colorado River. In 2022, City Council passed a resolution directing the city manager to “address the equitable protection of the environment throughout the City of Austin as part […]
Posted inElections
Incumbents have fundraising edge in districts 2 and 4
Looking at fundraising in the final two City Council races not considered in previous reporting in the Austin Monitor, we see two reasonably popular incumbents with every reason to be optimistic about Tuesday’s election. Regardless of policies, an incumbent almost always has a fundraising advantage. And in races for districts 2 and 4, that continues […]
Posted inElections
New reports show PACs at work in Austin Council races
As everyone is keenly aware, there’s an important election coming up next week. Not just the federal contest, but also City Council races. The candidates have now turned in their final campaign finance reports before the Nov. 5 election. These reports indicate not only how successful they have been in raising money but also who […]
Posted inCity Hall
Report finds slashed site plan review times, with further improvements on tap
An analysis of the city’s ongoing work to improve its widely criticized permitting process for building within the city shows substantial improvements in turnaround times for the main types of reviews, with further gains expected as the city moves forward with later phases of its plan. The site plan review process applies to any type […]
Posted inHousing
Report shows more ways for city to help residents become homeowners
Although the city of Austin offers help for low-income residents who wish to become homeowners, that assistance is limited to buyers who earn at or below 80 percent of the local Median Family Income, or MFI, which is currently $97,800 for a family of four. At the request of City Council members Vanessa Fuentes and […]
Posted inZoning
New zoning would allow huge building on South Congress
At the last meeting before the Nov. 5 election, City Council spent more than 11 hours in chambers, with most of their time being devoted to the contract with the Austin Police Association, which they approved. But with a barely noted vote at the end of the meeting, they also approved on first reading a […]
Posted inCity Council
City Council moves to complete purchase of combined public safety headquarters
The city is moving ahead with the planned purchase of a combined public safety campus located in four existing office buildings on South MoPac Expressway in District 8. Late during Thursday’s City Council meeting, after several hours of public comment ahead of the approval of a new contract with Austin Police Association, three items passed […]
Posted inHousing
Council approves initiative that aims to protect renters from hidden fees
Over opposition from the Austin Apartment Association, City Council passed a resolution Thursday designed to protect renters from unexpected fees tied to lease agreements. The agenda item, sponsored by Council Member Ryan Alter, directs the city manager to work with relevant stakeholders in preparing an ordinance that would apply to landlords owning five or more […]
Posted inPolice
Austin City Council passes new police contract
Austin City Council approved a five-year, $218 million contract with the city’s police union Thursday. The deal passed on a 10-1 vote. The approval came after hours of impassioned testimony from scores of Austinites. Supporters argued the contract is necessary to stem years of attrition at the police department and address crime throughout the city. […]