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Austin Energy shifts money away from apartment weatherization program

Every year, Austin Energy pays contractors to make apartment buildings more energy-efficient. They put in place new duct sealant, solar screens and attic insulation, which helps tenants reduce their energy consumption and lower their utility bills. This year, however, the…

Energy • By Jack Craver • Sep 6, 2018

Fewer Austin residents are burdened by housing costs, but many still struggle

Austin is slowly making progress toward becoming a more affordable city, according to a new analysis, but many residents are still finding it difficult to pay for housing. The report released Wednesday by the nonprofit HousingWorks Austin finds that compared…

Housing • By Syeda Hasan • Sep 6, 2018

Office of the Police Monitor looks to revamp complaint process

According to a recent study by the Office of the Police Monitor, for many in Austin, being seen is being heard. At the Sept. 4 special called meeting of the Public Safety Commission, Police Monitor Farah Muscadin explained that many…

Police • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 5, 2018

Travis County gets slow start to $185M bond program

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt isn’t ready to hit the panic button, but she is expressing concern about the amount of time it’s taking for the county to get going on the $185 million of projects that voters approved in…

Bonds & Propositions • By Jack Craver • Sep 5, 2018

Austin City Hall front

Chamber groups' funding would become leveled under proposed process

Austin’s Economic Development Department is in the beginning stages of restructuring how local chambers of commerce are funded by the city, with the goal of making the funding more equitable and available to more groups. A recent memo from interim…

Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 5, 2018

Powell Lane

Powell Lane apartments win first-round OK

City Council last week unanimously approved on first reading a zoning change for 8 acres in North Central Austin with just a few questions and little discussion. The developer’s representative, Alice Glasco, said the magic words – affordable housing –…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 5, 2018

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Despite owners' wishes, historic zoning advances

Staff won a preliminary victory in its quest to zone a 1923 West Austin house historic against the owners’ wishes last week. The City Council vote was 6-3, but with two members off the dais and not voting, the final…

Preservation • By Jo Clifton • Sep 4, 2018

City of Austin considers opioid strategies

The city of Austin is aiming to develop a coordinated effort with Travis County, law enforcement and health agencies to fight opioid addiction. An Aug. 30 memo to City Council from Stephanie Hayden, director of the Austin Department of Health…

Public Health • By Jack Craver • Sep 4, 2018

Bloomberg awards let arts groups focus on growth, and affordability

More than two dozen small and mid-sized arts organizations in Austin have been awarded two-year grants totaling more than $1 million from the Bloomberg Philanthropies foundation, with the promise of comprehensive training and other tools to help in their future…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 4, 2018

Austin Monitor Radio: Fair chance hiring

This week, Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard sits down to talk about the ins and outs of fair chance hiring with Gail McCant and Rochion Gregg, who work in the city’s Equal Employment and Fair Housing Office. Austin Monitor Radio…

Radio • By Austin Monitor • Sep 4, 2018

Austin Monitor Radio: Cap Metro's Randy Clarke

This week, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Randy Clarke sits down with Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk Remap, ridership, apps and Project Connect. To hear it all, tune in below. Austin Monitor Radio is…

Radio • By Austin Monitor • Sep 4, 2018

Council approves plan to revamp incentives, with small businesses in mind

City Council voted Thursday to approve the framework for a restructuring of the city’s economic incentives programs, with the goal of increasing small business growth and improving job opportunities for lower-wage and middle-skill workers. The 9-1 vote saw Council Member…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 31, 2018

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