Levy’s PAC for Chavez runs afoul of campaign finance rules

A Political Action Committee funded by outspoken former Texas Monthly publisher Mike Levy has failed to file required campaign expenditure documents with the office of Austin City Clerk Shirley Gentry. The organization, a specific-purpose committee called Dominic Chavez for Austin…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 26, 2012

Parks Department struggles to keep up with demand for services

Although the city as a whole seems to be in better financial shape than it has been in years, the Parks and Recreation Department is still struggling. PARD Director Sara Hensley presented her department budget to City Council last week,…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 25, 2012

City reports few complaints registered over short-term rentals

An audit requested by Council Member Bill Spelman that investigates a host of questions about short-term rentals in the City of Austin has revealed that only a fraction of the city’s 911 (0.2 percent) and 311 (0.4 percent) calls have…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 25, 2012

Latino leaders express anger over violation of ‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’

In a show of support for Council Member Mike Martinez, leaders of the Austin Latino community held a press conference yesterday to denounce what they see as a violation of the so-called gentlemen’s agreement by white candidates running for seats…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 24, 2012

Design Commissions reviews plans for Downtown office high rise

The Design Commission has some inviolable rules, and plans for the new 30-story high-rise office tower at Third and Colorado appear to violate several of them.   Third and Colorado, if it is built, would be the first office tower…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Apr 24, 2012

Elaine Hart appointed CFO for Austin

City Manager Marc Ott has appointed Elaine Hart to be the city’s Chief Financial Officer. She has served as acting CFO since Leslie Browder retired in February. Prior to taking the City Hall post, Hart served as Senior Vice President…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 23, 2012

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Council approves changes to rules governing pedicabs on city streets

The Austin City Council has approved a number of changes to the rules that govern the city’s fleet of pedicabs. In general, the changes attempt to better define pedicab street operation. Though the idea of formal guidelines for driver compensation…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 23, 2012

EUC still concerned over relocation of Austin Energy’s legal staff

The relocation of Austin Energy’s attorneys continued to ruffle feathers at the Electric Utility Commission meeting last week. The commission, whose members are appointed by the City Council, requested an explanation for the move from the city’s management, though representatives…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 23, 2012

Personnel costs, needs drive public safety FY2013 budgets

City budget officials project an estimated $24.5 million in unmet departmental needs for the FY2013 budget. The city’s three public safety agencies, which collectively report roughly $15 million in unmet needs, account for more than half of that figure.  …

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 20, 2012

Six-year battle over South Congress Café deck continues

A six-year war over the deck at the South Congress Cafe continued last week at Planning Commission, with the neighborhood winning this round as the commission rejected the café’s argument over the need for more parking.   After years of…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 20, 2012

Court moves forward with conservation easement guidelines

The Travis County Commissioners Court appears ready to adopt a set of guidelines for purchasing land under a new state statute that offers counties new authority to use bond money for land conservation easements. However, a question about whether court…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 19, 2012

Planning Department boss says staff is overworked, underfunded

Despite the improving fiscal picture for the city as a whole, during Wednesday’s budget work session Director Greg Guernsey of Planning and Development Review painted a picture of a department that is overworked, overwhelmed, and underfunded.   Guernsey told the…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 19, 2012

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