City government grows considerably under Ott’s management

Austin City Manager Marc Ott has overseen the creation of at least eight new city departments since the start of his tenure in 2008. Over the same period of time, Ott has also added to his managerial staff with the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Aug 12, 2013

Council denies White Lodging’s request for prevailing wage rule changes

Early Friday at the end of a lengthy hearing, the Austin City Council decided unanimously to enforce the prevailing wage agreement originally made with White Lodging two years ago without either a motion or a vote.   Council Member Mike…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Aug 9, 2013

Council members OK Lady Bird Lake area PUD on first reading only

After about two hours of testimony, City Council approved the Planned Unit Development at 211 South Lamar on a vote of 5-2 last night. Council Members Kathie Tovo and Laura Morrison, unsurprisingly, voted against the PUD that sits at the…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 9, 2013

City Council approves $62 million expansion of terminal at ABIA

With little to no turbulence whatsoever, Austin City Council members Thursday authorized more than $62 million for expanding the Barbara Jordan Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Passengers will foot some of that bill, but will likely benefit from shorter wait…

Uncategorized • By Charlotte Moore • Aug 9, 2013

Support growing for another Affordable Housing bond election this year

Council support is coalescing around a major November bond initiative that would, if approved by voters, raise somewhere in the neighborhood of $65 million for the city’s affordable housing programs. At the Tuesday work session, Council Members Mike Martinez, Laura…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Aug 8, 2013

Task forces urges increased safety, better pay for construction workers

Travis County must do more to ensure the safety of and fair compensation for its construction workers. Those are unquestionably the biggest issues facing construction workers today according to the Economic Development Task Force the county formed to study this…

Uncategorized • By Charlotte Moore • Aug 8, 2013

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Audit results push Austin Energy to make changes in Efficiency Program

Austin Energy is promising to change the way that it does business after an audit of its  Efficiency Program revealed serious flaws.   The program offers $50 to $2,000 rebates to customers who install high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. Those…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 8, 2013

Council to consider study of expedited development permit process

Skepticism emerged Tuesday over a plan by Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole to establish an opt-in, pay-extra expedited permit process for select projects in the City of Austin. Two major issues stood out: Whether a study that could kick off…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Aug 7, 2013

County to spend $1.8 million to fund slimmed-down Public Integrity Unit

Travis County taxpayers will help breathe life into the state’s nearly defunct Public Integrity Unit after Commissioners Court Tuesday voted 4-1 to dedicate nearly $1.8 million in funding to the department. Pct. 3 Commissioner Gerald Daugherty – the only Republican…

Uncategorized • By Charlotte Moore • Aug 7, 2013

AE manager argues against expanding utility’s goals for solar power

A fight is brewing over Austin Energy’s solar energy goals.   In a memo sent to Council Tuesday, utility General Manager Larry Weis preempts a rally set for noon today at City Hall. Weis says that gathering called by solar…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Aug 7, 2013

Public Safety Commission discusses EMS System structural issues

The Public Safety Commission waded into ongoing issues surrounding Travis County Emergency Service Districts on Monday afternoon. And while the commission postponed taking an in-depth look at the problem, it could be the beginning of engagement with an issue that…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 6, 2013

Travis Commissioners to discuss funding DA’s Public Integrity Unit

Judge Sam Biscoe put the future of the state’s Public Integrity Unit firmly in the hands of the Travis County Commissioners Court last week. In the wake of Gov. Rick Perry’s line-item veto of a $3.5 million appropriation for the…

Uncategorized • By Charlotte Moore • Aug 6, 2013

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