Travis County approves $10M for direct rental and mortgage assistance

On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the allocation of $10 million for direct rent, mortgage and utility assistance. The rental assistance will be available to Travis County residents. This one-time cash assistance was complemented by a $2.4…

Council seeks plan to form conservation corps using federal Covid-19 aid

The city intends to use some of its federal Covid-19 relief money to create an update of the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps that was dedicated to job creation that preserved and enhanced the country’s natural resources. City Council voted…

Austin police confirm what activists believed: Man killed in officer shooting was unarmed

Austin police did not find a gun in or near the car of Michael Ramos, the Austin man who died after being shot at by police last month, Chief Brian Manley said Monday. “We did not locate a firearm inside…

Delwau campground zoning moves forward

A zoning change that would allow property owners to open a campground for recreational vehicles, a convenience store and cafe at 7715 Delwau Lane took the next-to-last step forward last week, as Council approved General Commercial Services-Mixed Use (CS-MU) zoning…

ZAP commissioners recommend zoning change for affordable senior living

The developer DMA Companies hopes to rezone a 4.5-acre site at 6306 McNeil Drive to Medium-Density Multifamily Residence (MF-3) from the existing Interim Rural Residence (I-RR) zoning. The change will allow for the construction of 147 affordable senior living units…

Task force releases initial recommendations on reopening Central Texas

Last week, the Austin Chamber of Commerce sent Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt the initial recommendations of the Opening Central Texas for Business Task Force. The task force, which is made up of 125 members representing…

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Committee IDs employment, accessibility among priorities for next budget

The city board overseeing services for the disabled wants funding for better accessibility at City Hall, improved street crossings and more employment opportunities included in the next city budget. Last week the Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities moved forward…

Scarbrough Building narrowly avoids losing tax relief status

The historic Scarbrough Building had a close call with its tax abatement status when the Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously at its April 27 meeting to remove its eligibility status. When the Velvet Taco restaurant opened a new outdoor seating…

Council approves Healthy Streets program to ease crowding on sidewalks, trails

The coronavirus pandemic has alleviated Austin’s chronic traffic congestion and brought another issue into the foreground: the immediate need for space to walk, bicycle, use a wheelchair or push a stroller at a safe distance from others and from car…

Council wants plan for how to spend $170M in federal aid for Covid-19 relief

Later this month City Council will get the first estimate of how the city can best use just over $170 million in federal funds dedicated to relief from the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the consent agenda Thursday, Council approved…

Council rejects Texas Gas Service rate hike

City Council voted unanimously Thursday to reject new rates proposed by Texas Gas Service. The vote came as no surprise. The decision had strong support from a group of environmental and consumer advocates who wrote a letter to Council last…

Public Safety Commission postpones budget recommendation, calls emergency meeting

Budget recommendations from boards and commissions are due to city departments at the end of May. However, the Public Safety Commission did not feel there was ample review time since its April meeting was canceled, so commissioners postponed their recommendation…