Staff scrambles to update real estate records after audit finds problems

An audit of the City of Austin’s Office of Real Estate Services reveals that at least some recent real estate transactions have not been recorded by the city’s Financial Services Department. As a result, according to the audit, the city…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 30, 2013

Ruling could eliminate benefits for partners of city employees

According to Attorney General Greg Abbott, the state constitution prohibits political subdivisions, such as cities, counties and school districts, from offering benefits to the domestic partners of their employees.   Abbott issued his opinion on the question yesterday, in response…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 30, 2013

Affordable housing advocates upset with focus of density bonus

Some affordable housing advocates are far from happy with Council’s dictated affordability levels in the proposed Downtown Density Bonus.   City Council had urged staff to move more quickly on the density bonus, which was part of the Downtown Plan…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Apr 29, 2013

Cirrus Logic downtown campus takes another step towards approval

Inching ever forward, Cirrus Logic is one step closer to obtaining the zoning it needs to expand their downtown campus.   Last Thursday, City Council approved a request to change zoning at 800 West Sixth Street and 602-702 West Avenue…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 29, 2013

Council votes to bring more businesses under city recycling ordinance

Council members Thursday approved a series of amendments to the city’s Universal Recycling Ordinance. Those changes, known collectively as phase II of the ordinance, bring a host of commercial businesses, including area restaurants, under regulations that will eventually be part…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 26, 2013

Council members begin in-depth examination of affordable housing issue

Austin continues to pick up the pieces from the failed $78 million affordable housing bond this past November. Yesterday, City Council members took a closer look at the problem, in the first of three briefings that will address the issue.…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 26, 2013

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CAMPO group wants urban rail issue placed on November 2014 ballots

As part of a wider discussion about a pending interlocal rail agreement, Council members received an urban rail update during their Tuesday work session. There, Mayor Lee Leffingwell detailed imminent plans from CAMPO’s Transit Working Group, which he chairs. “Informally…

Uncategorized • By Ramon Ramirez • Apr 25, 2013

Council to pass judgment on tax exemptions for historic properties

As part of the ongoing city budget process, Austin City Council members will take a look at a list of historic properties today, and consider which will be granted a partial tax exemption for the coming year. In total, 448…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 25, 2013

Audit Committee muted by questions over posting, integrity policies

Members of the Council’s Audit and Finance Committee and city audit staff engaged in a bizarre exchange Wednesday with Assistant City Attorney John Steiner over what, exactly, they could discuss as part of a posted item that appeared as though…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 25, 2013

Travis County slow to pull trigger on building new Civil Courthouse project

Approval of a final plan for a new Travis County Civil and Family Courthouse continued its crooked momentum on Tuesday.   Travis County Commissioners were asked to authorize contract negotiations with the highest-ranked firm, URS Corporation. But they balked at…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 24, 2013

Spelman, Riley plans for new Austin Energy board gain traction

Consensus appeared to build Tuesday around a pair of Council members’ proposals that would create an independent governing body for Austin Energy. The proposals, brought forward by Council Members Bill Spelman and Chris Riley, would more or less divide management…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 24, 2013

ZAP recommendation moves Estancia Hill Country PUD/PID project forward

Plans for the Estancia Hill Country Planned Unit Development/Public Improvement District sailed through yet another commission last week.   The Zoning and Platting Commission recommended the zoning change for the development 7-0, following the lead of the Environmental Board, which…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 23, 2013

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