Council takes no action on move to remove Leffingwell from BCCP

Activists opposed to State Highway 45 Southwest lost a battle at Thursday’s City Council meeting when a motion died to replace Mayor Lee Leffingwell as chair of the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan’s Coordinating Committee.   Council Member Kathie Tovo moved…

Environment • By Jenny Blair • Jun 27, 2014

Under fire, Council approves $1 billion Strategic Mobility Plan

Austin City Council members unanimously approved what city staff is calling the Strategic Mobility Plan Thursday. The plan, which contains roughly $1 billion in various transportation projects, includes $600 million for a potential urban rail line.   The approval of…

Transportation • By Michael Kanin • Jun 27, 2014

Heated discussion ensues at West Lake Hills over ethics complaints

Accusations flew during Wednesday’s meeting of the West Lake Hills City Council, where ethics complaints against a former city employee and former council member continue to fester.   The city is in the midst of an investigation into a formal…

Local Government • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 27, 2014

Council approves funds for buyout of 140 more homes in Onion Creek

Though some relief is on the way for Halloween Flood survivors, the fact that nearly 15 percent of the funds could be spent on consultants raised some eyebrows at City Council Thursday.   Council members approved all four items related…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 27, 2014

Council members ponder high cost of Highland area renovations

There was widespread support at Tuesday’s work session for the renovations already underway at Highland Mall. But the hefty price tag that will most likely accompany that redevelopment had some City Council members concerned that the city could be overextending…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 26, 2014

Ott pulls Austin Energy building plan from City Council agenda

Austin City Manager Marc Ott plans to remove a controversial item from today’s agenda that would authorize the design of a new Austin Energy headquarters. Speaking from the dais at Council’s regular Tuesday work session, Ott noted the need for…

Development • By Michael Kanin • Jun 26, 2014

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Water task force recommends finding more ways to save water

After months of tedious and lengthy meetings, the city’s blue ribbon task force assigned to make recommendations on how Austin should deal with an ever-shrinking water supply unanimously approved a report to City Council Wednesday.   The major message from…

Environment • By Jo Clifton • Jun 26, 2014

Council members look for ways to shorten weekly meetings

Mindful of citizens forced to wait long hours to testify – and perhaps hoping to catch at least a few hours of sleep themselves – Austin City Council members hashed out ways Tuesday to end this Thursday’s meeting a little…

Local Politics • By Jenny Blair • Jun 25, 2014

City in line for flood buyout reimbursements from Corps of Engineers

Austin City Council members got a bit of good news with regard to buyouts in the Onion Creek floodplain. The city’s governmental relations officer, John Hrncir, told Council members during Tuesday’s work session that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Jun 25, 2014

Leffingwell clashes with Morrison, Tovo on his position on SH45 SW

A testy exchange between Mayor Lee Leffingwell and several members at Tuesday’s Austin City Council work session put deep divisions about the proposed State Highway 45 Southwest on full display.   Leffingwell found himself in the hot seat when colleagues…

Environment • By Jenny Blair • Jun 25, 2014

Public Integrity Unit investigating former West Lake Hills city planner

The Travis County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit has opened an investigation into allegations surrounding a former city planner for West Lake Hills who is now in private practice as an architect.   Assistant District Attorney Greg Cox confirmed the…

Local Government • By Jo Clifton • Jun 25, 2014

Council presses Austin Energy for details of proposed new building

Austin Energy staff walked through their proposed plan to build a high-priced East Austin headquarters Monday morning. The proposed plan has come under criticism by City Council members and commercial real estate brokers, who are worried about the added burden…

Development • By Beth Cortez-Neavel • Jun 24, 2014

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