Despite lingering concerns, City Council members moved tentatively forward with a micro unit ordinance at their last meeting, voting to approve the new regulations on first reading only. City Council voted 4-2 to approve the ordinance, but it was clear that questions about the proposed changes remained. Council Members Kathie Tovo and Laura Morrison voted […]
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 inDevelopment
Crestview office project gets initial approval
Changes to a proposed Crestview office project were enough to keep it alive at City Council last week. Currently, the 2.275 acres at Justin Lane and Cullen Avenue are home to a Korean Presbyterian Church. Developer David Kahn is proposing to build a project of just under 70,000 square feet. Though initially the project was […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council debates Red River House designation
Last week, City Council took the first step toward designating a familiar Red River Street house as a historic landmark, despite the owner’s objections. “I dare say that anybody who has ever made a trip around the University of Texas campus or I-35 hasn’t failed to notice this house,” said Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky. […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Austin City Council 10/21 & 10/23
The Austin City Council meets in a work session Tuesday and for its regular meeting Thursday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The City Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its website, here. We’ve posted these in chronological order. Where applicable, however, we’ve paired items that appear […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Council approves amended TNC ordinance
Following an extensive discussion and several amendments, City Council approved an ordinance Thursday that will temporarily legalize transportation network companies such as Lyft and Uber in Austin on final reading. The ordinance directs the City Manager to enter into an operating agreement with TNCs within 30 days of the effective date. Council Member Laura Morrison, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government
City purchase of Bull Creek property a no-go
After getting word that a last-ditch effort to purchase the property was not going to work, and without the funds to purchase the land outright, City Council abandoned plans Thursday to purchase 75 acres at Bull Creek and 45th Street. In a vote of 2-5, a resolution failed that would have signaled the city’s intent […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council to do double-take on ethics complaints
Today’s City Council agenda features two items that deal with the city’s conflict-of-interest policy as it applies to those who serve on the city’s many volunteer boards and commissions. The resolutions — one sponsored by Council Member Mike Martinez, and one sponsored by Council Member Bill Spelman — were sparked by recent allegations against former […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Options limited for acquisition of Bull Creek tract
Staff told City Council members Tuesday that the city has limited options in terms of how it might proceed with the acquisition of a very desirable piece of land located at the intersection of Bull Creek Road and 45th Street. Though Council members were set to potentially act Thursday on a purchase of the tract […]
Posted inTransportation, Uncategorized
Council still far from agreement on TNC ordinance
City Council members demonstrated Tuesday that there is still considerable disagreement about the finer points of an ordinance that would temporarily legalize transportation network companies in Austin, despite its approval on first and second readings, with a final reading on Thursday’s agenda. The conversation at this week’s Council work session revolved almost exclusively around Council […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Martinez’s living wage proposal raises questions
A proposal from Council Member Mike Martinez to tie the city’s living wage mandate to an index that would allow it to adjust with the going rate drew a handful of questions from Council members at their Tuesday work session. There, Mayor Lee Leffingwell worried that extending such a policy to the likes of city […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council seeks answers on Bull Creek purchase
For citizens who want the city to buy about 75 acres of state land at Bull Creek Road and 45th Street, the most interesting part of today’s City Council work session agenda may well take place in executive session. That is where staff may describe what they have found while researching ways to fund purchase […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Council meetings Oct 14 & 16
The Austin City Council meets in a work session Tuesday and for its regular meeting Thursday. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The City Clerk’s office hosts a copy at its web site, here. We’ve posted these in chronological order. Where applicable, however, we’ve paired items that […]