Council votes to extend taxicab franchise agreements to 2015

After listening to testimony Thursday, the Council voted to extend the franchise agreements of Austin Cab and Yellow Cab Company for another five years—overruling recommendations of staff and the Urban Transportation Commission. As part of the action, Mayor Pro Tem…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 23, 2010

Reagan Advertising sues city over billboard fees

Reagan National Advertising on Thursday filed suit against the City of Austin, alleging that the fees it charges for billboard registration are unfair and illegal.   Attorney Russ Horton filed the suit in federal court on the billboard company’s behalf.…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 23, 2010

Council approves Austin Energy’s 2020 Generation Plan

After more than two years of planning, Austin Energy has a Generation Plan for the next decade, approved unanimously by the City Council on Thursday. The new plan builds on the already ambitious mix of renewable energy forecasted for the…

Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Apr 23, 2010

Capital Metro repayment plan spawns more debt for city

The inability of Capital Metro to pay the City of Austin in full for a host of infrastructure improvements is going to leave taxpayers with yet another ancillary cost. As part of its approval of a gradual repayment deal between…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 23, 2010

Budget sessions begin with bleak forecast

The City Council got a less-than-rosy picture of the projected state of the city’s budget at yesterday’s Financial Forecast presentation. But there was hope on the horizon, with clear indications that the worst of the recession may be behind us…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 22, 2010

Controversy brewing over potential new mobile vendor rules

A proposal from the City of Austin’s Health and Human Services Department (HHSD) could dramatically alter the way the city’s growing mobile food vendor industry operates. If enacted, the set of regulations pitched by HHSD and other city departments would…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 22, 2010

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City budget gap: $11 to $28 million

City Budget Officer Ed Van Eenoo told the City Council this morning that city coffers will be down $11.4 million for the upcoming budget year even if the Council increases taxes to the rollback rate. Sticking at the effective tax…

Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Apr 21, 2010

Revitalization Authority board removes two members

Austin Revitalization Authority’s board of directors took the unparalleled action of kicking two members off its board last night, members who also happened to be signatories on a resolution last month that suggested ARA should be removed as the developer…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Apr 21, 2010

New life for disqualified MRF bidders?

Texas Disposal Systems’ (TDS) roundabout bid to take part in the City of Austin’s effort to construct a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) just won’t die. Despite denials of a rebirth for TDS’ proposal from City Hall, at least one insider…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 21, 2010

Commissioners approve new hires, land use division

In a split decision, Travis County Commissioners voted 3-2 to spend money from this year’s allocated funds to hire two full-time employees that would head up a new division within the County Attorney’s Office concentrating specifically on county land use…

Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Apr 21, 2010

Renewal Board urges city to act on East Austin redevelopment

The Urban Renewal Board has given city leaders a gentle, yet firm, push towards a discussion of what needs to happen to build trust and a public process for future development along 11th and 12th streets in East Austin.  …

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Apr 20, 2010

New SWS director outlines plan to bring green industry to Austin

The recently hired director of Austin’s Solid Waste Services department, Bob Gedert, would like to turn the city into a Silicon Valley for green industry. He presented his vision, which calls for a comprehensive local support system for eco-industrial development…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 20, 2010

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