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Council increases CodeNEXT advisory group, ANC still chagrined

The Land Development Code rewrite team is about to get a lot more voices. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to increase the size of the CodeNEXT Citizen Advisory Group at its regular meeting. This resolution, sponsored by Council Member Greg…

City Council • By Sunny Sone • May 25, 2015

Council extends large energy contracts

Following extensive deliberation, City Council voted Thursday to extend long-term contracts for Austin Energy’s two largest customers for six months and permanently revise the way the utility calculates rates for a third major customer. The move effectively keeps rates for…

Energy • By Tyler Whitson • May 22, 2015

Council moves towards higher minimum wage

The city of Austin inched closer to a higher minimum wage for its employees Thursday. City Council members voted to direct City Manager Marc Ott to consider a minimum wage raise when he sits down to craft the coming year’s…

Austin • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 22, 2015

AISD educators ask for $24 million more

Employees from every area of the Austin Independent School District asked for higher wages Monday night. The most popular request came with a $24.5 million price tag. As in past meetings, Education Austin, an AISD teachers union, continued to advocate for an across-the-board 5…

AISD • By Courtney Griffin • May 22, 2015

Council pushes ahead on taxicab contracts, co-op

City Council concluded another chapter in the current taxicab franchise renewal saga Thursday, voting to tentatively renew contracts with the city’s three service providers and amend related regulations. It also directed city staff to explore creating a fourth, cooperative franchise.…

City Council • By Tyler Whitson • May 22, 2015

Economic development proposals going to task force

Mayor Steve Adler pushed for and won more time to consider an economic development plan for East Austin on Thursday. The plan will go along with consideration of an agreement to create PGA-style golf courses at Walter E. Long Metropolitan…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • May 22, 2015

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Property tax system messed up; nobody happy

A property tax appraisal forum hosted by Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea on Tuesday told two sides of the same story: No one is happy with the property tax system. The forum, Shea’s second, included a panel of city officials…

Austin • By Sunny Sone • May 21, 2015

Council prepares for reworked drainage fee

In the wake of last year’s ruling that the city’s stormwater drainage charge is unfair to certain residents, City Council will hold a public hearing today to consider adopting a new fee structure that staff says would be more equitable…

Resources • By Tyler Whitson • May 21, 2015

AISD lunches lead to plea for information

A consent-agenda item to increase school lunch prices held larger implications Monday as the Austin Independent School District strained against projected budget shortfalls in the upcoming year. At their regular meeting, members of the AISD board of trustees agreed to…

AISD • By Courtney Griffin • May 21, 2015

Committee considers density bonus revamp

On Monday, City Council’s Planning and Neighborhoods Committee started the conversations about whether it could change Austin’s Downtown Density Bonus Program to require on-site affordable housing. The Downtown Density Bonus Program allows developers increased entitlements, such as more height, in…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 21, 2015

Council may challenge "undervalued" appraisals

Following the release of a report stating that Austin commercial property in Travis County is “significantly undervalued,” City Council is considering an appraisal challenge that could reduce the burden on residential property taxpayers. Council discussed the potential move at a…

Austin • By Tyler Whitson • May 20, 2015

Houston sees disparity in treatment of parks

Unless the item gets bogged down by a requirement that a master plan for Lamar Beach be completed first, City Council is likely to approve on Thursday a 50-year agreement with the West Austin Youth Association for renovations to three…

Development • By Jo Clifton • May 20, 2015

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