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Stories by Jo Clifton
No historic zoning for experimental air-cooled house
With no City Council member willing to make a motion for historic zoning that was sure to fail, the push to preserve the Chrysler Air-Temp house at 2502 Park View Drive died quietly at last Thursday’s Council meeting. Owner Hugh…
Preservation • By Jo Clifton • May 24, 2022
Council puts off fixing environmental rules for east side
At the urging of Mayor Steve Adler and Council Member Paige Ellis, City Council postponed voting on a resolution Thursday that would begin to equalize environmental regulations in Central and East Austin with protections that have long been standard in…
Environment • By Jo Clifton • May 20, 2022
Judge rejects voting rights suit against city
In a brief letter Tuesday, Travis County District Court Judge Lora Livingston ruled in favor of the city of Austin and against plaintiffs who argued they were being denied their right to vote as a result of redistricting. The plaintiffs…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • May 18, 2022
Environmental regulations finally set to move forward
City Council is considering directing city staff to revise some of the city’s environmental regulations this week, with an eye to protecting the city from the growing threat of industrial discharges, flooding and the heat island effect so common in…
Environment • By Jo Clifton • May 18, 2022
Former Capital Idea head running for ACC board
Three spots on the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees – places 4, 5 and 6 – will be up for election this November. Steve Jackobs, the founder and longtime executive director of Capital Idea, stepped down from the…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • May 17, 2022
Judge hears arguments on Council election lawsuit
After a hearing Thursday, Travis County District Judge Lora Livingston told attorneys for the city and for plaintiffs seeking to force the city to hold City Council elections in all districts this fall that she would make a decision on…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • May 13, 2022
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City collisions cost more than $8 million over three years
City Council approved a payment last week of $82,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by Sherri Davis against the city and Austin Energy employee Stephen Tucker. Tucker is identified in the lawsuit as the driver of a city vehicle that struck…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • May 12, 2022
Council looks at changes to transit partnership board
City Council has tentatively agreed to consider changes to the membership of the board of the Austin Transit Partnership, with just a small change now, and the possibility of a larger and more controversial change in the future. Council approved…
Transit • By Jo Clifton • May 11, 2022
Two candidates sign on for City Council races
District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison is hosting her reelection kickoff party at Mr. Catfish, 1144 Airport Blvd., at 5:30 p.m. tonight. Harper-Madison was first elected to the northeast Austin seat in 2018. So far, her only announced opponent is…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • May 10, 2022
Council moves forward with income pilot program
City Council members attending Thursday’s meeting approved a $1.1 million pilot program to study the impact of providing $1,000 a month to 85 families for a year, with an emphasis on families facing eviction. Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter voted…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • May 6, 2022
Guaranteed income pilot program likely moving forward today
Despite the misgivings of at least two City Council members, some members of the public and criticism from the Austin American-Statesman editorial board, Council seems poised to move forward today with a contract to set up a guaranteed basic income…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • May 5, 2022
Lobby ordinance needs revision to cover virtual meetings
City auditors have found that, while the city’s registered lobbyists are largely complying with city regulations, there is one significant gap in the reporting requirements. Although lobbyists are required to report their in-person meetings, no such requirement exists for virtual…
