There was a time when just about anyone could get an appointment to the commission that advises City Council on the Mueller development. That time has passed. As part of the city’s commission transition, Council voted Thursday to limit the commission’s membership to residents of Mueller and 24 surrounding neighborhoods. Mayor Steve Adler suggested an […]
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 inBudget
Council mulls smaller homestead exemption
As candidates, many of the current City Council members promised constituents a 20 percent homestead exemption. As Council members, they looked at the numbers Wednesday and weighed the benefits of a more cautious approach. At a budget work session, Mayor Steve Adler advocated for the phased-in approach, which would start with a 6 percent homestead […]
Posted inDevelopment, Planning
Council may revise Mueller Commission eligibility
Though residents of any Austin neighborhood can currently join the commission that guides City Council on the Mueller development, a proposed ordinance would limit membership to those who live in that community and 24 surrounding neighborhoods. Council members debated the merits of such a change at a work session Tuesday as they consider making it […]
Posted inCity Council, Environment, Uncategorized
Zimmerman rejects briefing by climate scientist
Our climate is changing because of human activity. Most scientists, including Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist who studies climate change, agree with that statement, although some do not. Hayhoe, a professor and director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University, was one of several speakers at Monday’s City Council briefing on resilience. After Hayhoe’s […]
Posted inCity Council
Council hits brakes on flood buyout
Last week, City Council voted unanimously to delay a proposed flood buyout in Northwest Austin in order to give members time to learn more about the program. Council is currently considering funding up to $328,000 for the purchase and closing costs of 11701 Charing Cross Road as well as the relocation of the current homeowners, […]
Posted inTransportation
Council considers taxicab agreements
On Thursday, the parking garage at City Hall was filled with taxicabs. The reason was clear: For the first time, City Council members were considering the fate of the city’s three taxicab franchise agreements as a body. Ultimately, they voted unanimously to “pass a placeholder” and extend the current contract, with the understanding that the […]
Posted inBudget, City Council, City Hall
Council wades into 2016 city budget
City Council took its first look at next year’s budget Wednesday and got a glimpse of how its members’ campaign promises might cause some complications. The city forecasts that in 2016, the average homeowner will be paying $6.63 more in property taxes each month. The city’s monthly bill is projected to rise from $81.05 to […]
Posted inCity Council, Transit, Transportation
Taxicab drivers rally for worker-owned co-op
As Austin’s ground transportation service industry faces upheaval due to new competition, taxi drivers are using a looming expiration of the city’s taxicab franchises as an opportunity to push for, among other requests, a cooperative, driver-owned franchise. Dave Passmore, president of the taxicab union Taxi Drivers Association of Austin, garnered attention Tuesday morning when he […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Monitor News & Media, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Mayor Steve Adler
Austin Monitor editor Elizabeth Pagano and publisher Mike Kanin talk with Austin Mayor Steve Adler as he marks his first 100 days in office. Sponsored by Kerbey Lane Cafe. Audio is embedded below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/201319207″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inCity Council, Local Politics
Zimmerman appointments given a rough ride
Following their rejection of two of Council Member Don Zimmerman’s nominees to city commissions, City Council members narrowly approved his appointment to the Historic Landmark Commission Thursday. However, they did not have to go through the painful process of removing Zimmerman’s most controversial appointment, Rebecca Forest, to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. Forest sent a […]
Posted inCity Council, Development
Burnet Road case limps through second reading
With two months more experience under their belts, City Council took up its first zoning case for a second time. Though the results were nearly identical to the outcome in February, Council will take up the Burnet Road rezoning for a third time next week. The developer, C.J. Sackman of Sackman Enterprises, is asking for […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Austin City Council 4.14 and 4.16
This Thursday, City Council will hold its first all-zoning, all-the-time meeting. Much to the disappointment of zoning fans everywhere (we assume they are all here, actually), this week’s agenda looks light on drama. But, as those familiar with city government may have guessed, the first all-zoning agenda will feature more than just zoning. As always, […]