Austin Monitor Radio: Council Member Ora Houston

Austin City Council Member Ora Houston joins Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about her first few months in office, her policy priorities, and much more. Sponsored by Kerbey Lane. Embedded below.

Austin • By Michael Kanin • May 31, 2015

Council moves forward with appraisal challenge

City Council presented a united front yesterday and voted unanimously to file a petition challenging the Travis Central Appraisal District’s valuation of commercial properties this year. On May 19, the city released a report that showed undervaluation of commercial properties by…

City Council • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 29, 2015

Council extends certain hospital energy contracts

Following up on last week’s decision to extend contracts for large Austin Energy customers, City Council voted Thursday to expand the treatment to St. David’s HealthCare and Seton Healthcare Family. The six-month extensions for contracts that were set to expire…

Energy • By Tyler Whitson • May 29, 2015

CapMetro awards $256 million contract

The Capital Metro board of trustees decided at its regular meeting to swap service contractors for a portion of its bus routes Wednesday, despite employee concerns. Board members unanimously approved a $256 million contract with Dallas-based MV Transportation that could…

Transit • By Courtney Griffin • May 29, 2015

Committee reacts to affordable housing study

A new study presented to the City Council Housing and Community Development Committee Wednesday prompted members to question how much the city should regulate rental practices in order to generate more affordable housing and to safeguard renters’ rights. Conducted by…

Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 29, 2015

Climate action plan blows past committee

Climate action advocates can rest assured that a proposed 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emission plan will go before City Council in June, though it will not come with a committee recommendation. Due to a lack of quorum, the Open Space,…

City Council • By Tyler Whitson • May 28, 2015

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Historic District wins Planning Commission support

The proposed Bluebonnet Hills preservation district was back at City Hall this week. This time, it won the support of the Planning Commissioners. On Tuesday, commission members voted 5-1 to recommend creation of the Bluebonnet Hills Historic District, with Commissioner…

Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 28, 2015

Austin General Fund forecast strong

Austin’s sales tax revenue is up 7.2 percent this year compared with the previous fiscal year, and city financial officials are forecasting that the city will bring in $2.1 million more than was budgeted, for a projected annual growth rate…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • May 28, 2015

Library budget talks reveal Council divide

Last week, City Council dug into the Library Department’s budget, and it became clear that there are some deep ideological divides on the dais. As part of their budget work session, Council members grilled Austin Public Library Director Brenda Branch…

Budget • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 28, 2015

Judge dismisses Pressley election contest

Visiting Judge Dan Mills dismissed former City Council candidate Laura Pressley’s election contest lawsuit against Council Member Greg Casar on Tuesday, citing a lack of evidence that would throw into doubt the outcome of the December runoff election for Council’s…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • May 27, 2015

Regional leaders sound off on appraisal challenge

In preparation for tomorrow’s decision, City Council members sat down with leaders from regional taxing entities Tuesday to discuss the pros and cons of challenging the Travis Central Appraisal District’s valuation of Austin commercial properties this year. Those in attendance…

Austin • By Tyler Whitson • May 27, 2015

Snipes resigns

Yesterday, Assistant City Manager Anthony Snipes resigned. Snipes had arranged the March training event designed to help staff deal with the deluge of female City Council members. That training drew national ridicule to City Hall and sparked widespread outrage. In…

City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 27, 2015

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