Stories by Jo Clifton
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Courts
AG tells Cedar Park no deal on tax exemption
Attorney General Ken Paxton has ruled that the city of Cedar Park is not allowed to set its minimum property tax exemption at $10,000 but must use the $5,000 minimum set by state law.Last spring, the Cedar Park City Council…
Tuesday, September 25, 2018 by Jo Clifton
City Hall
Health department audit shows flaws in system
Austin Public Health’s contracts with the African American Youth Harvest Foundation do not require sufficient documentation to allow the department to adequately monitor the contracts, according to a draft audit report released Monday.In criticizing the health department’s monitoring of the…
Monday, September 24, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Bonds & Propositions
Environmental group opposes propositions J, K
Austin Environmental Democrats on Friday voted to oppose two propositions placed on the November ballot by citizen petitions.Like a number of other groups, the environmentalists voted to oppose Proposition K, which seeks to have a comprehensive audit of all city…
Monday, September 24, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Zoning
Zoning OK’d for affordable housing
With the recently released University of Texas gentrification study on their minds, City Council members on Thursday gave final approval for a zoning change that will allow construction of 258 apartments – including a few three-bedroom units – in North…
Thursday, September 20, 2018 by Jo Clifton
City Hall
Firefighter wins battle with city
Austin firefighters won their battle to get the city to drop its lawsuit against one of their own, Lt. Carrie Stewart, who filed a claim for workers’ compensation after she was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2015.After meeting…
Thursday, September 20, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Development
Council to put off hearing on tax credit property
At the request of Council Member Delia Garza, on Thursday City Council will likely postpone a scheduled hearing and consideration of whether to give the city’s blessing to 4 percent affordable housing tax credits to a proposed apartment complex for…
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Development
Many, but not all, development fees to climb
Last year, Rodney Gonzales, director of Austin’s Development Services Department, asked Council to fund an additional 50 employees to increase his department’s efficiency in dealing with a multitude of permits, reviews and inspections. Council killed the plan by postponing it.However,…
Friday, September 14, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Bonds & Propositions
Plenty of PACs for November bond election
District 2 Council Member Delia Garza wants to make sure that when Austin voters go to the polls to vote on the city’s $925 million bond package on Nov. 6, they understand how important it is to support Proposition E,…
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Austin
Innovators, Austin lifestyle, UT brought Army here
Lt. Gen. Paul Ostrowski, who serves as director of combat systems for Austin’s brand-new Army Futures Command, said Tuesday that Austin was chosen as the site of the first new Army command since 1973 because Austin has the talent, the…
Tuesday, September 11, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Council endorsement dances have begun
Political season has truly begun, with groups large and small hosting candidate forums and making endorsements.Last Friday, enough supporters of both incumbent District 3 Council Member Pio Renteria and his sister, Susana Almanza, came out to vote at the Austin…
Friday, September 7, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Budget
Mental health team faces funding crisis
Mental health professionals accompany police officers to all SWAT calls in Houston and Seattle, but Austin’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, which operates alongside the Austin Police Department, does not accompany officers on high-risk calls, such as when a weapon is…
Thursday, September 6, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Budget
Council members talk about the budget
As City Council begins its final work session on the budget this morning in preparation for next week’s budget setting meetings, the Austin Monitor asked Council members to tell us the most important aspects of the Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget.Both…
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Zoning
Powell Lane apartments win first-round OK
City Council last week unanimously approved on first reading a zoning change for 8 acres in North Central Austin with just a few questions and little discussion. The developer’s representative, Alice Glasco, said the magic words – affordable housing –…
Tuesday, September 4, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Preservation
Despite owners’ wishes, historic zoning advances
Staff won a preliminary victory in its quest to zone a 1923 West Austin house historic against the owners’ wishes last week. The City Council vote was 6-3, but with two members off the dais and not voting, the final…
Friday, August 31, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Preservation
Council OKs Smoot Terrace Park Historic District
Council gave final approval Thursday to creation of the Smoot Terrace Park Historic District just west of downtown, after neighbors decided to eliminate three properties owned by people who signed a valid petition opposing the historic district.That meant Council could…
Thursday, August 30, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Environment
Some Austin waterways unsafe for swimming
According to a new report from the Environment Texas Research and Policy Center and the Frontier Group, many of the state’s creeks, rivers and beaches are too polluted for swimming or wading – and that includes the Colorado River at…
Tuesday, August 28, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Zoning
Council rejects campgrounds with bar
On a vote of 6-5 last Thursday, City Council rejected a zoning change that would have allowed a developer to put a campground with rental recreational vehicles as well as a bar at the end of a narrow lane in…
Friday, August 24, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Courts
Troxclair brief opposes city’s ballot language
Writing on city of Austin stationery, City Council Member Ellen Troxclair has filed an amicus brief with the Texas Supreme Court in support of a writ of mandamus seeking to overturn the ballot language Council proposes for a proposition requiring…
Friday, August 24, 2018 by Jo Clifton
City Council
Council OKs Shady Lane project on first reading
Council approved multifamily zoning for the Flats on Shady at 1125 Shady Lane on first reading Thursday, with only District 3 Council Member Pio Renteria dissenting. The developers at Barton Creek Capital plan to build about 300 units, with 15…
Thursday, August 23, 2018 by Jo Clifton
Budget
Citizens simply ask for more at budget hearing
A significant majority of those who spoke at Wednesday’s public hearing on the city’s Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget seemed pleased with the money city staff had recommended allocating to their specific interest. Several praised City Council and City Manager Spencer…
