MACC Board takes heat from constituents over pending land deal

The advisory board for the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center received a slight verbal lashing from two community activists at its meeting Wednesday night, a result of rising frustration over the fate of a prime parcel of city-owned…

Uncategorized • By Charlotte Moore • Sep 6, 2013

Travis Commissioners working their way through FY2014 budget

There were a couple of surprises among the routine motions Wednesday as Travis County Commissioners Court began the tedious three-day process of going through and approving each line of the county’s Fiscal Year 2014 preliminary budget. But County Judge Sam…

Uncategorized • By Charlotte Moore • Sep 5, 2013

Council looking carefully at possible cuts to FY2014 budget

A portion of city staff’s latest budget pitch to Council members could result in rate increases for Austin Water Utility customers. The staff proposals are designed to help the Council cut some $7 million from the proposed FY2014 General Fund …

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Sep 5, 2013

ZAP approves reduced site plan extension for Westlake Bible Church

The Zoning and Platting Commission approved a generous 20-year site plan extension for a Southwest Austin church congregation last month, though the original request was trimmed back a bit.   Westlake Bible Church was asking for a 25-year site plan…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 5, 2013

Council debates cost, reason for cutting water service for non-payment

Council members Tuesday continued exploring costs of disconnecting Austin Energy and Water Utility customers for non-payment of utility bills. Their discussion revealed a just-completed cost-of-service analysis that puts the cost of disconnection and reconnection at just over $70 per ratepayer.…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Sep 4, 2013

Last-minute horse trading underway as Council nears final budget

Austin City Council members are lining up for an epic bartering session over the city’s FY2014 budget. At the final work session before three Council meetings set to approve the budget and the FY2014 tax rate next week, Council members…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Sep 4, 2013

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Council members grill staff over pace of Open Government Initiative

City of Austin staffers were on the defense Wednesday in the face of an audit that criticizes the city’s efforts toward electronic open government. In a lengthy presentation delivered to members of the Council’s Audit and Finance Committee, Assistant City…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Sep 3, 2013

Environmental Board backs variances for Board of Realtors building

Sympathetic to site constraints and satisfied with the mitigation offered in return, the Environmental Board put its stamp of approval on a number of variances for a far West Austin tract last month.   The five-acre property is slated to…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 3, 2013

Split Council OKs settlement with Jeremiah Venture for development

  After a contentious 6-year battle, Austin City Council members reached a settlement agreement Thursday with Jeremiah Venture LP. It came on a reluctant 4-3 vote. With the agreement, the group gets city support in a permitting process that could…

City Council • By Charlotte Moore • Aug 30, 2013

Study: Urban rail could add $31 billion to Austin economy by 2030

A staff-produced study of the potential economic impact of a complete urban rail system for the City of Austin concludes that a layout that includes rail service along South Congress Avenue and East Riverside Drive could result in $31 billion…

Transit • By Michael Kanin • Aug 30, 2013

City Manager’s 2014 compensation becomes issue

Austin City Council Member Bill Spelman took the unusual step of abstaining Thursday on a vote over FY2014 compensation and benefits for City Manager Marc Ott. The move came as tension appears to mount between at least two Council offices…

City Council • By Michael Kanin • Aug 30, 2013

PARD Board postpones decision on banning tubes on Colorado River

Bucking the Parks and Recreation Department’s recommendation to regulate tubes on the eastern leg of the Colorado River, the Parks and Recreation Board voted Tuesday to give the outright banning of inner tubes on the eastern Colorado River more thought.…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 29, 2013

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