Neighborhoods Council endorses mostly challengers for May election

The mood at the Austin Neighborhoods Council candidate forum was distinctly anti-incumbent on Wednesday night as the group did not endorse incumbents Lee Leffingwell, Mike Martinez and Bill Spelman.   The only sitting Council member to get a nod from…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Mar 30, 2012

Shea on defensive as conflicting information surfaces on city contracts

Austin Mayoral candidate Brigid Shea found herself in explanation mode on Thursday after a report surfaced that detailed more than $500,000 in contract work she’d done in conjunction with a host of City of Austin water projects. Included in the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 30, 2012

Commission holds first of three hearings on Comprehensive Plan

The Zoning and Platting Commission had its chance to weigh in on the city’s Comprehensive Plan Tuesday night, and will send their written suggestions to the Planning Commission by the end of this month.   While the commission thanked staff…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 29, 2012

Texans for Accountable Government endorses Council challengers

Monday’s Texans for Accountable Government City Council candidate forum – the group’s first – was a spirited affair, if ultimately unfriendly for the two incumbents brave enough to attend. Their bravery of Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and Council Member…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 29, 2012

Capital Metro to hire consultant to study fare structure

Capital Metro officials are preparing to hire a firm to conduct an analysis of its rate structures. According to CapMetro President and Chief Executive Officer Linda Watson, the transit authority will adopt a new fare policy based on the recommendations…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 28, 2012

City management moving Austin Energy’s legal staff to City Hall

City management has ordered Austin Energy’s in-house attorneys to relocate from the utility’s headquarters on Barton Springs Road to City Hall. In a memo obtained by In Fact Daily, Austin Energy General Manager Larry Weis announced the change to the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 28, 2012

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Council incumbents defend choosing Chase Bank over credit unions

Less than a week after Council voted to approve a three-year depository services contract with JP Morgan Chase, much to the disappointment of the Occupy Austin movement, Council members up for re-election have been busy defending their votes at candidate…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 28, 2012

Council approves MUDs set up under new policy regulations

City Council has approved consent agreements with two groups of proposed Municipal Utility Districts in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.  The consent agreements are the first under the city’s new MUD policy which was approved in February 2011. There will be nine…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 27, 2012

Congress Avenue businesses protest loss of parking for sidewalk dining

Though it passed on consent, City Council still heard opposition to a new pilot program that will take away precious downtown parking spaces on Congress Avenue.   The program is intended to transform parking into public space, advancing the ideals…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 27, 2012

Downtown advocates concerned over Marriott’s plans for Great Streets

Two downtown planning advocates expressed concern to Council members that hospitality giant Marriott International may not follow Great Streets design standards when it constructs the Austin version of its J.W. Marriott luxury hotel chain. Architect Girard Kinney, who played a…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 26, 2012

University Dems make no endorsements in Place 5 and 6 races

Saturday was a good day for Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Mike Martinez as they won endorsements from both the Central Austin Democrats and University Democrats at a forum held on the University of Texas campus. That means the…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 26, 2012

Council briefed on Green Treatment Plant redevelopment status

Proceeds from the proposed sale of the former Green Water Treatment Plant grounds to a development group that includes national firm Trammell Crow, locals Perry Lorenz and  Constructive Ventures would net the City of Austin $42.4 million. However, that amount…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 23, 2012

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