Open-space recycling a challenge to city, says staff

Austin’s recycling requirements are ambitious, but they don’t cover one major area — open spaces. Now, the city is taking steps to make up for it. The Austin Resource Recovery Department recently performed an assessment on Parks and Recreation Department…

Parks • By Tyler Whitson • Jun 15, 2015

Houston comes out against sole-source contracts

At the June 4 City Council meeting, Council Member Ora Houston voted against an Austin Water Utility contract with Austin White Lime that would allow the company to provide about 21.5 tons of lime per year to soften the city’s…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jun 15, 2015

Reporter's Notebook: Swimming with the sharks

Kitchen argues for longer lunch break … City Council Member Ann Kitchen expressed concern Thursday about the length of lunch breaks during Council meetings. When Mayor Steve Adler suggested continuing for 30 minutes after citizen communications closed just before 1 p.m,…

Austin • By Austin Monitor • Jun 15, 2015

Council members sound off on historic district

The proposed Bluebonnet Hills preservation district took its first step forward at City Council on Thursday. But will it be its last? After several hours of public testimony both for and against, Council voted to approve the district on first…

Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 12, 2015

Springdale Farm loses event fight

The question of how an urban farm should be used got heated at a meeting of the Planning Commission on Tuesday when a motion to grant a conditional use permit for outdoor entertainment and off-site parking at East Austin’s Springdale Farm…

Planning • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 12, 2015

Legislature clouds future of jailhouse video-visitation policy

Before the end of their 2015 session, the 84th Texas Legislature passed a bill that could add a new wrinkle to the standoff between the Travis County Commissioners Court and the Sheriff’s Office over the jailhouse video-visitation program. HB 549…

Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Jun 12, 2015

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Plastic bag ban working to an extent, says report

Austin’s single-use bag ordinance is helping residents reduce overall consumption by about 197 million single-use bags per year, but it has had unintended consequences including an increase in the number of thicker reusable bags in the recycling stream. That’s according…

Environment • By Tyler Whitson • Jun 12, 2015

East Cesar Chavez hotel fails at Planning Commission

Residents opposed to a proposed 65-room boutique hotel at 1207 East Cesar Chavez St. told the Planning Commission on Tuesday night that they do not want to see their neighborhood become “another Rainey Street.” At the meeting, several residents held signs…

Development • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 11, 2015

Closed captioning costs city $10,000 per month

Austin’s switch to a 10-1 government is costing the city money in unexpected areas. At a budget work session Wednesday, the city’s Support Services Department forecasted a $131,000 expenditure increase to fund ATXN, the city’s government access channel, as a result of…

City Council • By Sunny Sone • Jun 11, 2015

New lawsuit adds to sour feelings in Swede Hill's Patch House saga

The owners of a controversial house in East Austin’s Swede Hill neighborhood are taking their fight with the city to a Travis County district court. Last week, lawyers for Blake and Toria English filed a suit against the city of…

Courts • By Caleb Pritchard • Jun 11, 2015

CapMetro committee reviews split contracts

Capital Metro’s Operations, Planning and Safety Committee reviewed two major, multimillion-dollar contracts Monday for area rail lines that could increase revenue for the transportation entity. Melvin Clark, vice president of rail operations, said his staff reconfigured contractors’ responsibilities this year…

Transit • By Courtney Griffin • Jun 11, 2015

Report: Housing authority going broke

Two agencies that help provide affordable housing for Travis County’s most vulnerable residents are in dire financial straits, according to a study conducted by the County Auditor’s Office. The report notes that the situation at the Housing Authority of Travis…

Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Jun 10, 2015

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