Council members want answers to boil-water incident by end of week

City Council members responsible for monitoring Austin Water service said they expect to receive a complete report by the end of this week explaining the cause behind the boil-water notice that went into effect on Saturday night. The Austin area…

Small business forced to pay thousands on zoning 'technicality'

The Zoning and Platting Commission Tuesday blamed the city’s complex code after hearing the case of a landscaping business being forced to rezone its property at a cost of thousands of dollars.  The 1.7-acre property at 13561 Pond Springs Road…

Vision Zero initiative brings second rollout of speed limit reductions

City Council slipped a number of roadway changes through its brief, sentimental meeting this past Thursday, passing several ordinances that will lower the speed limit on a number of roads in Southwest, Southeast and Northeast Austin. Prioritized sections of Convict…

Austin's legal bill to oust operator of airport's South Terminal approaches $1 million

The cost of Austin’s legal fight to reclaim and demolish the airport’s South Terminal — where people catch Allegiant and Frontier flights — just grew to $847,000. The Austin City Council today approved paying corporate law firm Winstead PC another $600,000 on top of $247,000 it…

Council eyes new protections for renters

City Council passed two resolutions Thursday aimed at protecting renters from eviction and granting them more organizing rights.  “With the escalating housing costs that we see and with the daily emergencies that we know so many families face, it’s clear…

Council takes first vote to declare warehouse historic

On a vote of 7-2-2, City Council on Thursday approved on first reading a request for historic zoning for the property at 301 San Jacinto St. downtown. Council members Pio Renteria and Paige Ellis voted no and Greg Casar and…

Subscribe to our newsletter

front of City Hall

Council committee assignments offer few surprises

By the looks of the new City Council committee assignments approved Thursday, the mayor and most Council members will continue serving in their same appointments – with a few changes. Incoming Council Member Chito Vela, who will be sworn in…

Future of El Mercado Uptown uncertain following approval of demolition permit

Nearly five decades of serving frozen margaritas and enchilada plates at 1700 Lavaca Street may be coming to an end in the near future. Finding insufficient support for historic zoning, the Historic Landmark Commission approved an application for 1700 Lavaca Street’s demolition in…

Vaccine effort continues in Travis County with focus on first doses

The Travis County Commissioners Court held a regular briefing Tuesday on the county’s response to Covid-19 and its ongoing vaccine distribution efforts. Several representatives spoke on behalf of independent and governmental organizations, including Central Texas Allied Health Institute, the County…

Council meeting will be delayed, may be canceled

If you’re planning to speak at today’s City Council meeting, don’t go to City Hall. That’s the word from Mayor Steve Adler, who announced on the City Council Message Board that today’s meeting will have a delayed start time of…

Why doesn't Austin pre-treat its roads for ice?

State highways are being sprayed with magnesium chloride to lower the temperature at which ice can form. The Texas Department of Transportation has finished pre-treating major roadways and is now focusing on stretches of secondary roads where ice could form,…

TipSheet: City Council 2.3.22

Given the prediction of some pretty wild weather, today’s City Council meeting may be canceled. However, since that decision won’t be made until 10 a.m. (and since this TipSheet was already written), here are our predictions for today’s Council meeting,…