Stories by Michael Mmay

Boathouse redesign leaves rowing club in limbo

The boathouse that sits at the mouth of Waller Creek on Ladybird Lake has been home to the Austin Rowing Club for more than two decades. But the construction of the Waller Creek tunnel means the boathouse will have to…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • Sep 17, 2009

Council passes ‘permanently slimmed’ FY 2009-10 budget

The City Council unanimously passed the Fiscal Year 2009-10 city budget on all three readings, breezing through the votes in record time – the meeting lasted less than an hour – with all the Council members taking the time to…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • Sep 15, 2009

City Council briefed on water conservation program

Austin’s water conservation programs are saving more water then was initially expected, Council members learned at a briefing at yesterday’s meeting. The city projected saving 1.18 million gallons per day by now, but is actually saving between 6.4 and 10.4…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • Jul 24, 2009

City can be pawn in conflicts between neighbors

Last week’s Board of Adjustment meeting provided a window into how city codes can be used as a weapon by neighbors who have other disagreements with each other — a practice that is tacitly encouraged by the city’s inconsistent code enforcement…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • Jul 20, 2009

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Recession is hitting local social service providers

As Austin and Travis County officials consider budget priorities, they’re facing smaller budgets and a significant increase in demand for social services. And this doesn’t simply affect city and county programs. The local governments provide significant funding to nonprofit…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • Jul 2, 2009

Austinites discuss creating great public spaces

The Austin chapter of the Congress for New Urbanism held a forum last week where city leaders (including Council Members Randi Shade, Chris Riley and Bill Spelman), academics, planners and activists discussed ways to create new public open space in…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • Jun 29, 2009

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NAACP discusses police shooting, AFD hiring

Austin NAACP President Nelson Linder spoke with members of the organization Tuesday at Ebenezer Baptist Church, first about the fatal police shooting of 18 year-old Nathaniel Sanders II, and then about the City Council’s postponement of a decision to allow…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • May 27, 2009

Bicyclists show up to support bike plan; one neighborhood has concerns

The City Council held a hearing on the updated bike plan on Thursday, but could not vote on it due to some technicalities. Still, the excitement over the plan gave the council meeting a celebratory feel. It was evident before…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • May 26, 2009

Parks and Recreation Board questions cost of the Trail of Lights

The Parks and Recreation Department has been asked to cut its budget by 4 percent in 2010 – on top of the 4 percent it had to cut from this year’s budget. And at last night’s meeting, the Parks and…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • May 21, 2009

After hearing firefighters’ complaints, Council postpones decision on chiefs

Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr appeared before city council yesterday to ask for approval to hire five assistant fire chiefs. The department has been making do with only three chiefs since last year, although the department is already authorized to…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • May 15, 2009

Board of Adjustment denies hospital variances

The Board of Adjustment on Monday denied a request by developers planning to put a rehabilitation hospital at 1600 West 38th Street. The developers requested five variances to increase the height of the buildings and build closer to single-family homes…

Uncategorized • By Michael Mmay • May 13, 2009

Early Voting numbers indicate low city turnout

The early voting numbers are in, and, unless there’s a huge turnout on Election Day, it seems likely that fewer voters will make it to the polls than have in the past two City Council elections. And here’s why.…