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

New proposals on table as Council begins negotiations on AE panel

With Austin City Council members set this morning to begin the parlay phase of their debate over Austin Energy governance, In Fact Daily has learned that Council Members Bill Spelman and Chris Riley are working on proposals that could result…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 23, 2013

Travis County OKs agreement with Sunset Valley to hand over ETJs

The City of Sunset Valley will begin overseeing subdivisions in its own extra-territorial jurisdiction. The change essentially means that Travis County is handing over subdivision review in Sunset Valley to the city.   The move is a result of an…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 22, 2013

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Panel rejects plan for businesses to lease parking space in city parks

A Planning Commission committee firmly rejected the idea of leasing excess parkland parking spaces to surrounding businesses, an idea they labeled “the Casa de Luz” problem at a meeting on Tuesday night.   Casa de Luz’s issues began back in…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Apr 22, 2013

Council kicks off budget process grappling with affordability issues

With their first swipe at the city’s prospective fiscal year 2014 budget, Austin City Council members took aim Thursday at local affordability issues, the Austin Police Department’s force strength, and the city’s apparent inability to offer 3 percent raises to…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 19, 2013

ZAP backs Steiner Ranch project variance over staff objections

Going against the advice of staff, the Zoning and Platting Commission narrowly recommended a cut and fill variance request for a Steiner Ranch project Tuesday night.   The commission voted 4-3 to recommend the approval of the variances for a…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 19, 2013

Budget writers wrestle with tax rates, raises, public safety costs

Early estimates for the FY2014 City of Austin budget project a potential $6.50 monthly increase in property taxes on the average homestead, which the city lists at $189,027. That figure is a rough estimate based on the highest possible tax…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 18, 2013

Planning Commission backs Cirrus Logic plans for downtown expansion

Despite other battles company officials might be facing concerning plans for their downtown  campus, Cirrus Logic found support at the Planning Commission last week.   The commission voted in favor of a zoning request for some of the company’s downtown…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 18, 2013

Two Austin non-profits vie for same chunk of city budget

Two non-profits, Austin Playhouse and Skillpoint Alliance, ended up fighting each other last week for the same city funds. But city staff is working on a solution that may allow them to share.   Last week, Mayor Lee Leffingwell introduced…

Uncategorized • By Ramon Ramirez • Apr 18, 2013

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