Convention Center finds bright spot despite business downturn

If bad can be good, then the city’s convention business is probably as good as can be expected during an economic downturn that has hit the city and the nation. Council heard budget presentations on Wednesday morning from the Convention…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Aug 27, 2009

Audit shows nearly $300K in telecomm fees going astray

Local telecommunication service providers owe the City of Austin more than $283,000, according to a city audit report. That may not be enough to stave off property taxes and fee hikes, but its money the city sure could use.  …

Uncategorized • By Laurel Chesky • Aug 27, 2009

Environmental Board recommends study of water fluoridation

Led by an environmental activist and a dentist, opponents of treating Austin’s drinking water with fluoride to fight tooth decay got a boost from the Environmental Board last week. Sometimes considered a fringe group, fluoride opponents have appeared before the…

Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 26, 2009

City to investigate ‘alternative’ rail routes for future projects

The city continues to plan for alternative routes for current rail traffic through the area in order to accommodate future light rail and/or streetcar projects. The studies include alternatives to a Congress Avenue crossing over Lady Bird Lake, among other…

Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 26, 2009

Travis grapples with domestic partnerships and health plans

Attempting to remedy “inequality” in the way the county processes open enrollment for domestic partnerships turned out to be a much more contentious task than Pct. 2 Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt had planned. Her item, which would allow domestic partners to…

Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 26, 2009

Heat, recession move city to extend payment plans for utility customers

The city announced a program Monday afternoon to help people who have fallen behind on utility payments amid record summer temperatures.   Responding to concerns that customers would get disconnected this fall because they had run up such large bills…

Uncategorized • By John Davidson • Aug 25, 2009

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Riley, commission push concept of form-based codes

Council Member Chris Riley has spent the last month meeting informally with various groups, such as the Austin chapter of the AIA, to start to gather stakeholders for “test project” on the concept of form-based codes. He hopes to take…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Aug 25, 2009

ZAP OKs Sun Chase subdivision in southeastern ETJ

The Zoning and Platting Commission unanimously approved a 788-lot subdivision in Southeastern Travis County last week. The 457-acre subdivision is located along Pearce Lane, west of Wolf Lane in the city’s five-mile Extra Territorial Jurisdiction and is composed primarily of…

Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Aug 24, 2009

Dog owners poo-poo proposed leash law at Bull Creek park

Concerned about the quality of Bull Creek and the health of the people who use it, city staff has concluded that waste from dogs running free at the park is the likely cause of high bacteria levels frequently found in…

Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 24, 2009

Council members postpone first test of new music venue ordinance

The ATX Sports Bar is a modest establishment on East Sixth Street – a bar that holds no more than 100 and is run by a retired couple – but it has become the test case for the city’s new…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Aug 24, 2009

Questions arise over effectiveness of Stage 2 drought plan

Austin Water Utility Director Greg Meszaros said Thursday the utility would eventually have 15-20 employees working on citation-related activities related to the enhanced water conservation.   But there will only be 10 to 12 water cops ready to start work…

Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Aug 21, 2009

Low flow at Barton Springs threatens endangered salamander

The prolonged drought is a serious threat to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, according to a city staff expert.   “I’m very concerned, but cautiously optimistic that it will rain,” Laurie Dries, biologist at the Watershed Protection Department, told In…

Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 21, 2009

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