Stories by Sommer Brugal
Could pocket parks be the new norm?
Grappling with a number of park-deficient areas around the city, various Austin neighborhoods are struggling to find places that could serve as parkland nearby residents can enjoy. This week, members of the Parks and Recreation Board agreed on a possible…
Parks • By Sommer Brugal • May 26, 2017
Parks board embraces plans for Republic Square
Ten years after Austin first announced its vision for the remodeling of Republic Square, the space is finally set to make its debut in the heart of downtown Austin this fall. Mandi Thomas, the partnership and development director of the…
Parks • By Sommer Brugal • May 26, 2017
Costly wastewater expansion gets OK
Only a few commissioners raised questions on various recommendations presented at the Water and Wastewater Commission’s regular meeting May 10. But when it came to the approval of interlocal agreements and costs related to the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System…
Water • By Sommer Brugal • May 17, 2017
Environmental Commission holds off on water quality requirements (again)
Despite the Environmental Commission’s efforts to remove controversial amendments to the Watershed Protection Ordinance at previous meetings, the commission was unable to resolve an amendment relating to water quality control at its regular meeting May 3. Andrea Bates, the environmental…
Environment • By Sommer Brugal • May 11, 2017
Public Safety Commission weighs in on tight city budget
In advance of what promises to be a budget process full of tough choices, the Public Safety Commission received a briefing from the Budget Office on Fiscal Year 2017-18 at its meeting May 1. The presentation included information and findings…
Budget • By Sommer Brugal • May 8, 2017
Public Safety Commission calls for refined counting measures of city's homeless population
Andy Hofmeister, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services division chief, addressed the Public Safety Commission at its May 1 meeting. Hofmeister answered questions of concern regarding the city’s growing homeless population. According to Hofmeister, there were roughly 2,200 homeless individuals in…
Austin • By Sommer Brugal • May 3, 2017
Subscribe to our newsletter
Environmental Commission gets chance with CodeNEXT updates, concerns
CodeNEXT is the talk of the town. So it’s no surprise the main topic of conversation at the Environmental Commission meeting Wednesday evening was no different. The commission heard recommendations from the Watershed Protection Department, but took no formal action…
Environment • By Sommer Brugal • May 2, 2017
Austin Energy proposes Value of Solar for commercial properties
Austin Energy presented a commercial Value of Solar proposal at the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee Monday morning. Danielle Murray, the Solar Energy Services manager at Austin Energy, said the proposed plan would have benefits for both present and future…
Energy • By Sommer Brugal • Apr 25, 2017
Austin Energy Facilities Master Plan looks to relocate key buildings
Austin Energy presented an update of its Facilities Master Plan at the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee Monday morning. The main goal of the plan, according to Mark Dombroski, deputy general manager and chief financial and risk officer at Austin…
Energy • By Sommer Brugal • Apr 25, 2017
Nancy Pelosi discusses impact of Affordable Care Act on Austin
U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Lloyd Doggett hosted a roundtable with a group of Austin-based medical professionals, musicians and technology experts Thursday morning. Discussion at the meeting, held at the Clinical Education Center at Brackenridge, addressed the…
Public Health • By Sommer Brugal • Apr 21, 2017
Austin Energy rebate to help renters
The Electric Utility Commission approved a rebate for the Lodge at Stone Oak Ranch apartment complex on April 17. The rebate, requested by Austin Energy, is meant to help fund energy-efficiency improvements at the complex. The proposed rebate is one…
Energy • By Sommer Brugal • Apr 19, 2017
Barton Springs redevelopment changes hit a wall at the Environmental Commission
The Watershed Protection Department proposed a number of amendments to the Watershed Protection Ordinance at the Environmental Commission’s April 5 meeting. Andrea Bates, the environmental program coordinator at the Watershed Protection Department, said most of the amendments presented were cleanup…
