Push for 2021 charter amendments could make Austin a 'strong mayor' city

A new group of community activists and political insiders intends to push for amendments to the city charter that could bring about a change to a “strong mayor” form of government, along with other changes focused on increasing voter turnout…

City Charter • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 21, 2020

Capital Metro to link transit trips with personal payment accounts

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority ticket-based fare system is due for an upgrade. Currently it lacks the flexibility to offer benefits like fare capping while encouraging more points of contact between customers and bus operators than contactless account-based ticketing can…

Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Jul 21, 2020

Austin Energy Covid rates could revert as soon as November

During an Austin Energy budget presentation on Friday, the Electric Utility Commission learned that the rate cuts the utility put into place this spring as part of its Covid-19 recovery efforts will expire at the end of this fiscal year.…

Energy • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 20, 2020

Housing department seeks to move unused home repair funds toward homelessness

The city will likely redirect a $2.6 million unused Community Development Block Grant intended for home repairs to create more housing for the homeless in the next budget year. Last week the Community Development Commission voted 9-2 to approve the…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 20, 2020

Capital Metro to bring fleet electrification experts on board

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority has purchased 12 electric buses this fiscal year, half of which have been delivered to the electric bus yard under construction at the North Operations facility. With the other six scheduled to arrive in the…

Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Jul 20, 2020

Board of Adjustment says maintaining area character is not sufficient hardship

While neighborhood character is an important aspect of design in a historic neighborhood, it is not the only thing the Board of Adjustment takes into account when considering a variance request to modify a home. Architect Ryan Bollom proposed adding a…

Land Development Code • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 20, 2020

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PAC readies to oppose rail bond

The political action committee Our Mobility Our Future, whose backers plan to oppose a proposition on the November ballot to fund the Project Connect transit system, reported this week that they had collected more than $98,000 during the reporting period…

Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Jul 17, 2020

Environmental Commission recommends environmental aspects of COTA PUD

The Circuit of the Americas has been making its way through city boards and commissions on its quest to expand from a concert venue and racetrack into a more residential- and retail-focused development. The 1,153-acre parcel located east of State…

Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 17, 2020

Austin delays releasing video of protester injuries, saying it would affect investigation

The Austin Police Department says it will delay the release of body camera footage from officers who caused serious injuries to demonstrators during the first weekend of protests against police killings and systemic racism in Austin. “In consultation with the…

Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jul 17, 2020

Planning Commission approves rezoning for MLK property despite concerns over process

The Planning Commission voted at its Tuesday meeting to recommend a zoning change for 5201 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. from Family Residence (SF-3) to Multifamily Residence – Medium Density (MF-3). The applicant initially requested Multifamily Residence – Highest…

Zoning • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 17, 2020

City Council candidates file campaign finance reports

Though the results of Tuesday’s election are still being tallied, Wednesday marked the day that campaign finance reports for City Council elections were due. In addition to casting their votes for president of the United States this year, Austin residents…

Elections • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 16, 2020

Capital Metro committee favors contract outfitting transit vehicles with modern surveillance systems

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Operations, Planning and Safety Committee voted Wednesday in favor of a nearly $3 million contract with Luminator Technology Group to install real-time video recording systems on the 272 vehicles not yet using the surveillance system.…

Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Jul 16, 2020

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