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Offering insurance for fertility treatments could cost city $1 million

Including fertility treatments in the city’s employee insurance plan “would have a significant ongoing fiscal impact” on the benefit plan, according to a memo from acting Human Resources Director Rebecca Kennedy (who took on the role of department head at…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jan 17, 2023

Commission wants to add disabled business owners to minority contracting pool

Advocates for the city’s disabled community are pushing for people with disabilities to be added to the preferred class of vendors considered for contracting opportunities as part of the Minority-Owned Business Enterprise and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Program. At last week’s…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 17, 2023

Amid flooding concerns, Planning Commission OKs rezoning off South Congress

The Planning Commission voted last Tuesday in favor of a rezoning that would allow construction of a 90-unit multifamily development near South Congress and U.S. Highway 290.  The rezoning concerns a 2-acre tract at 406 and 428 E. Alpine Road.…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 17, 2023

Multifamily composting is next step in Austin’s goal to be a zero-waste leader

Austin could be the first Texas municipality to establish composting access for residents who live in multifamily properties.  Austin Resource Recovery, the city’s waste management utility, is turning its efforts to reach multifamily complexes, in which more than half of…

Environment • By Andrea Guzman • Jan 13, 2023

Want to know how the city enforces density bonus agreements? Read on.

This week, the Community Development Commission learned more about how the city ensures the reduced-rent housing units created through its density bonus programs go to people who meet the income eligibility requirements. At the commission’s Jan. 10 meeting, Commissioner Karen…

Housing • By Nina Hernandez • Jan 13, 2023

Commission chair accuses member of ‘pattern of bullying'

The chair of the Community Development Commission is pushing the city to conduct an investigation into the behavior of another commission member that led a presenter at a December meeting to say she felt threatened and intimidated and request a…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 13, 2023

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Windsor Park multifamily rezoning fuels heated discussion at Planning Commission

After a controversial discussion, the Planning Commission recommended a rezoning in Windsor Park that would allow a 34-unit multifamily project to move forward.  The project sits on a 0.86-acre vacant lot at 6305 Berkman Drive. The property owner requests a…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 13, 2023

UT report offers 'roadmap' for changes at Austin Water

In the wake of five incidents between 2018 and 2022 related to water quality problems, including three boil-water notices and a zebra mussel invasion, Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros resigned and City Council asked the city auditor to identify a group…

Water • By Jo Clifton • Jan 12, 2023

County nixes license plate surveillance cameras on public land

A minor debate flared up at Tuesday’s Travis County Commissioners Court meeting about installing Flock, a license plate surveillance system, on public lands in the county – specifically Rob Roy, a private residential neighborhood in Austin. Members of the homeowners…

Public Safety • By Seth Smalley • Jan 12, 2023

Pflugerville FD, city residents raise alarm about tax rate petition

Officials from the Pflugerville Fire Department and city residents fired back against an initiative petition they say would slash the department’s budget and force layoffs if approved by voters.  “Without that revenue, we would not be able to maintain and…

Fire • By Emma Freer • Jan 12, 2023

TxDOT’s I-35 plans for Austin are out. You had questions, and we have answers.

The Texas Department of Transportation is getting ready to expand the busiest section of the busiest highway in Central Texas. Interstate 35 from Ben White Boulevard to U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin will get two high-occupancy vehicle lanes in…

Roads • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 11, 2023

Public Safety Commission raises questions about proposed tow fee increases

The city’s Public Safety Commission wants more information before recommending an updated non-consent towing fee schedule for the Austin Police Department. Commissioners voted to recommend City Council reject the study and send it back for additional work. The item went…

Public Safety • By Nina Hernandez • Jan 11, 2023

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