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Council faces decisions on how to spend budget surplus

Austin Council members are set to make some hard decisions about what to do with a $14.3 million 2012 budget surplus as part of tomorrow’s work session. Staff has identified $12.3 million in one-time funding needs and another $3.5 million…

Uncategorized • By Jo Clifton • Feb 11, 2013

Auditor continues to push for diversity among 10-1 panel candidates

City of Austin Auditor Ken Mory on Thursday continued his push for a more diverse pool of applicants for two panels that will help determine the city’s political future. Mory announced several events and partnerships designed to bring more minority…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Feb 8, 2013

Leave it to the beavers: ZAP denies appeal of expired site plan

It was man versus nature at the Zoning and Platting Commission this week, where commissioners pondered extending an expired site plan for a Wells Branch property. A colony of beavers has foiled the careful plans of engineers, building a pond…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 8, 2013

Officials say providing housing is critical for mental health services

The fallout from the failure of $73 million worth of affordable housing bonds in November 2012 continues to ripple through city organizations and bodies. The latest concern comes from a group of officials who came before Austin’s Public Safety Commission…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Feb 7, 2013

Commissioners approve bond money for affordable housing project

The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved issuance of up to $27 million in multifamily housing revenue bonds from the Strategic Housing Finance Corporation on Tuesday in order to help fund a 228-unit multifamily project. The Paddock at Norwood will be…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 7, 2013

Workers group: Marriott in breach of development pact with city

Officials with the Workers Defense Project this morning unveiled affidavits from construction workers and other evidence they say illustrates a breach by White Lodging of a fee waiver agreement between the hotel company and the City of Austin for the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Feb 6, 2013

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Travis commissioners approve creation of two new criminal courts

After several months of deliberation, Travis County Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to move forward with the process needed to create two new criminal courts. Only Commissioner Margaret Gomez was opposed.   Though the Texas Legislature will ultimately need to approve…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 6, 2013

Leffingwell to push for Austin Energy board, urban rail, Innovation district

Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell laid out two major objectives in his annual state of the city speech Tuesday. First, that he will offer a resolution to create an independent governing body for Austin Energy; and he will push for a…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Feb 6, 2013

Council lands on different sides of managed growth agreements

Two very different requests for managed growth agreements produced two very different Austin City Council responses last week. In so doing, Council members outlined just how far they were willing to go in using the rarely invoked development tool.  …

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Feb 5, 2013

Barton Springs aquifer district moves forward with Legislative plans

(Note: This story has been corrected to name correct sponsors of legislation.)   The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is diving into the current session of the Texas Legislature. Having recently voted to endorse two bills and with a…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 5, 2013

Spillar says federal rail money could help fund affordable housing

The renewed push to bring an urban rail system to Austin comes with an added bonus, according to city transportation head Robert Spillar, who says federal funds for rail construction could be linked to the city’s ability to secure affordable…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Feb 4, 2013

Council rejects much-maligned plan for Congress Avenue hotel

The ongoing saga of The Hotel of Austin came to an end last week at City Council – at least in this incarnation. After more than a year of postponements and presentations at the city’s various boards and commissions, City…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 4, 2013

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