Tovo, Morrison reject upzoning in two downtown cases

Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo are Council’s two most neighborhood-centric allies, but the pair stood against neighborhood wishes, and their colleagues, on two downtown zoning cases at last week’s Council meeting.   Tovo’s choice to pull a zoning case on…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Aug 1, 2011

Commission warns city on Austin Energy non-energy expenditures

Is the City of Austin using Austin Energy as its own version of an ATM?   This week the advisory Electric Utility Commission (EUC) once again came out strongly against the City Council’s use of millions of dollars of Austin…

Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 1, 2011

Council members balk at proposal to close two recreation centers

A proposal by the City of Austin‘s Parks and Recreation Department to cut the funding for the Austin Recreation Center at 12th and Lamar and the Dottie Jordan Recreation Center on Loyola Lane in Northeast Austin will run into questions…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Aug 1, 2011

Council members balk at proposal to close two recreation centers

A proposal by the City of Austin‘s Parks and Recreation Department to cut the funding for the Austin Recreation Center at 12th and Lamar and the Dottie Jordan Recreation Center on Loyola Lane in Northeast Austin will run into questions…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Aug 1, 2011

Urban Board a no-show for meeting with Planning Commission

A meeting between the Planning Commission and the Urban Renewal Board, more than two years in the making, failed to materialize last week since there is currently no strategy for East 12th Street.   The non-meeting meeting was placed on…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Jul 29, 2011

Contractors seek to link Formula 1 participation to OSHA training

Council members approved a resolution Thursday mandating 10 hours of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training for all construction workers participating in city projects as well as a 30-hour OSHA approved safety training requirement for all construction supervisors working…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Jul 29, 2011

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Council votes 5-2 to analyze cost of stopping water plant construction

The drama over whether to build Water Treatment Plant 4 continued this week as if it had not be planned, discussed, promoted and opposed for the past 35 years.   On Thursday, the Austin City Council passed a resolution that…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Jul 29, 2011

Study indicates nitrate levels on the rise in Barton Creek watershed

Nitrate levels are rising in Barton Springs, but the problem’s cause – and solution –remains unclear.   A recent study conducted by the City of Austin in cooperation with other local agencies and the U.S. Geologic Survey, shows that nitrate…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 28, 2011

Courthouse evaluation panel waiting for more information

Travis County continues to grapple with a decision over a potential private-public partnership, as it inches forward with plans to construct a new civil and family courthouse at 308 Guadalupe Street.   The Travis County Commissioners Court approved measures Tuesday…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 28, 2011

Council members spar over police staffing at budget briefing

City Council members got their first look at the proposed FY2011-12 budget yesterday, a budget City Manager Marc Ott said “reflects the priorities and values of the Council, of staff, and the community.” (See In Fact Daily, July 27, 2012.)…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jul 28, 2011

Austin budget: More police, 2 percent employee pay raise proposed

The city’s Budget Office and City Manager Marc Ott presented their proposed FY2012 budget to City Council this morning, and it shows once again that Austin has one of the strongest economies in the country.   While many local governments…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Jul 27, 2011

Commissioners back changes in pay schedule for Sheriff’s officers

Big changes are afoot at the Travis County Sheriff’s Department.   The Travis Commissioners voted on Tuesday to change the way officers in the Sheriff’s Department will be paid. Their action, which will cost the county $3.5 million, returns the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Jul 27, 2011

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