TipSheet: Austin City Council, 5.18.23

Once again, this Thursday, Council will convene for their regular meeting. The nitty-gritty of said meeting can be found online, as usual, but we’ve taken some time to read through and make somewhat-educated guesses about what might be interesting today. …

Disability committee wants improved transportation to Austin's major music venues

Improving transportation for the disabled to the Circuit of the Americas and the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park are two of the early goals for members of the city’s committee for the disabled who may opt to serve on an…

Creative Alliance pushes for new city department for cultural affairs

The Austin Creative Alliance has asked the city to create a new department focused on funding and support for the creative economy, and cites changes in how the Economic Development Department handles grant funding for arts groups as the latest…

City still needs more 911 operators

Although the city has stepped up recruiting efforts considerably for filling vacancies in its 911 call center, there are still 49 vacancies among the 104 positions, according to Maria Calagna, director of emergency communications for the Austin Police Department. Calagna…

Travis Audubon gives update on sanctuary and potential environmental peril

Reports of celebration and concern were highlighted at the Balcones Canyonland Conservation Plan (BCCP) Coordinating Committee meeting last Friday.  Nicole Netherton, executive director at Travis Audubon, began by giving a general overview of some of the county’s conservation advocacy efforts…

Austin is opening a temporary homeless shelter in Southeast Austin

In light of a growing need for emergency shelter, Austin is repurposing a city-owned warehouse space in Southeast Austin to temporarily house 300 people experiencing homelessness. In a city memo out late last week, interim City Manager Jesús Garza said a portion…

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Judge will see secret personnel file of Austin police officer charged with murder in Mike Ramos shooting death

Days before the start of the murder trial of the Austin police officer who fatally shot Mike Ramos, a Travis County District Court judge has denied a city of Austin request to keep part of the officer’s personnel file private.…

County and city collaborate on robust mental health program ahead of diversion facility launch

With the wheels officially in motion for Travis County’s Mental Health Diversion Center, City Hall is doing its own work to scale up the mental health services that will be key to its success. In honor of Mental Health Awareness…

Former city employee abused sick leave policy, audit says

A former employee of the city’s Animal Services Department misused city resources by claiming sick leave after getting a new job at Travis County, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor. The audit says Luis Negrete,…

Manager, AFSCME at odds over mandates to return to offices

The Covid-19 public health emergency officially ended on Thursday and interim City Manager Jesús Garza wasted no time in telling city employees that they need to spend a lot more time in the office now – no less than three…

Planning Commission reverses interpretation of environmental rules, allowing housing project to advance

The Planning Commission on Tuesday overruled an interpretation of environmental rules by city staffers, allowing a multifamily project to move forward at the intersection of Ben White and South Lamar boulevards. At issue was a disagreement over how a combination…

State police suspend controversial patrol agreement with Austin

The Austin Police Department says the Texas Department of Public Safety is ending its partnership with the city of Austin to supplement police patrols. APD told KUT Saturday that troopers were being reassigned to the Texas border following the expiration…