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A neighborhood’s request to build a private park draws concern over policing

Last week the Planning Commission heard a surprisingly controversial debate among neighbors in East Austin’s Senate Hills over whether to allow the construction of a new neighborhood park. Though the commissioners all sided with those in favor of the park,…

Planning • By Jonathan Lee • May 20, 2021

Ethics commissioners dismiss complaint against Harper-Madison

An ethics complaint against Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison was automatically dismissed Wednesday, May 12, after the Ethics Review Commission failed to reach a majority six votes on a motion to postpone or a separate motion to dismiss.  The latter…

City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 20, 2021

Early list of potential campsites for the homeless causes stir

City Council weighed in Tuesday on an initial list of 45 city-owned properties that could potentially serve as campsites for people experiencing homelessness, embarking on the logistically and politically fraught process of deciding whether to establish a campsite in each…

City Council • By Jonathan Lee • May 19, 2021

Austin, Travis County move down to stage 2 risk level of coronavirus restrictions

Lea esta nota en español The chief medical director for the city of Austin said Tuesday the area is now at stage 2 of Austin Public Health’s risk-based guidelines. The change is effective immediately. Dr. Mark Escott said the decision…

Public Health • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • May 19, 2021

What's the plan for American Rescue Plan money?

After seeing a rough outline of how city staffers plan to spend $143.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to house the homeless, address food insecurity, and provide affordable child care and job training, City Council still had a…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • May 19, 2021

Report pushes local philanthropies to help solve housing crisis

Austin Community Foundation is encouraging local philanthropic organizations to get more involved in addressing the housing affordability crisis in Central Texas, considered the root cause of the area’s growing homeless population. A recently released report, “Housing Affordability in Central Texas,”…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • May 19, 2021

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Piecemeal shelters during winter storm highlight need for better coordination

At a meeting Monday to discuss the city’s response to Winter Storm Uri, City Council highlighted one of its biggest priorities to prepare for future disasters: strengthening Austin’s network of disaster shelters.  Though Council members praised the community and city…

Austin • By Jonathan Lee • May 18, 2021

City waives permit fees for food charities

Effective immediately, City Council has voted to waive permit fees, fines and other charges for charitable feeding organizations like food banks and soup kitchens that distribute food to vulnerable populations and increase access to healthy foods in the community. The…

Public Health • By Sumaiya Malik, Reporting Texas • May 18, 2021

Zero Waste Advisory Commission talks through logistics of Prop B

With the passage of Proposition B earlier this month, Austin residents voted to reinstate local laws establishing prohibitions against sitting, resting and camping in public in certain parts of the city. Opponents of the proposition argued that in addition to having…

Austin • By Sean Saldaña • May 18, 2021

Our decisions shape the community

I previously described elections as a “high-stakes civic intersection between information and action” – in other words, right in the Austin Monitor’s wheelhouse. When it comes to turnout, this recent special election had numerous factors stacked against it: mid-year (not…

Mission Note • By Joel Gross • May 18, 2021

A beloved post office in Hyde Park is closing. The Austin neighborhood wants to know why.

Barbara first heard the rumor from the mailman. Deaton learned the news from her neighborhood listserv. Michele saw the gossip on Facebook. And it was true: The post office that’s sat at the corner of 43rd and Speedway in Hyde…

Austin • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • May 17, 2021

Water conservation items move to Council, but not without debate

The City Council committee overseeing Water Forward, Austin’s long-range water resource plan, approved two resolutions last week containing code amendments that would both underscore and expedite the work required to conserve and reclaim water for reuse. One resolution, brought by…

Water • By Amy Smith • May 17, 2021

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