Stories by Tyler Whitson
CTRMA issues notice of default on MoPac project
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority issued a notice of default Thursday to CH2M Hill – the contractor that has been working on the MoPac Improvement Project – over delays that have caused work to continue far beyond the $200…
Transportation • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 18, 2015
Council debates concerns about "ward politics"
Inspired by a vote set for today on how to spend the $21.8 million in transportation dollars remaining in the “quarter-cent fund,” City Council debated at a Tuesday work session about whether the proposed approach sets a precedent that could…
Transportation • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 17, 2015
Council talks TNC regulations ahead of vote
After months of deliberation, City Council will consider a slew of new regulations Thursday for transportation network companies including Uber, Lyft and Austin’s newest arrival, Dallas-based Get Me. Council talked through the proposals – including a fingerprint background check requirement…
City Council • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 16, 2015
Council narrowly supports COTA tax incentive bid
Following a contentious debate about the nature of tax incentives, a fractured City Council voted Thursday to endorse applications for funds from the Texas Major Events Reimbursement Program for upcoming events at the Circuit of the Americas. Both items –…
City Council • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 11, 2015
City releases police body camera solicitation
The Austin Police Department moved closer to kicking off its highly anticipated body camera pilot program on Monday, when the city quietly released a solicitation for contract bids online. The contracts would be for the “purchase, implementation, and support” of…
Police • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 10, 2015
Committee backs low-income energy savings ideas
Low-income Austin Energy customers may receive some additional help in lowering their bills in coming years, based on a recommendation that a City Council committee made on Thursday. The Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee, which consists of the full Council…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 4, 2015
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MoPac South public comment results pour in
Comments from the MoPac South public input period and open house are being tallied, and based on their projected volume, the proposal appears to have galvanized the community. The City Council Mobility Committee discussed the project and preliminary results on…
Transportation • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 3, 2015
County ponders first Public Improvement District
The Travis County Commissioners Court held a public hearing on Tuesday about a petition to create the Wildhorse Ranch Public Improvement District, which, if approved, would be the first development of its kind created by the county. Commissioners also provided…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 2, 2015
County applies for police body camera grant
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve an application submitted by the Sheriff’s Office for a new statewide police body camera grant for a county body camera pilot program. The measure passed on a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner…
Public Safety • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 2, 2015
APD outlines body camera policy in forum
Amid calls for increased scrutiny of law enforcement across the nation, City Council has decided that the city should purchase body cameras for the Austin Police Department in the coming months. What that rollout and the policies that govern it…
Public Safety • By Tyler Whitson • Dec 1, 2015
Police monitor talks body cameras on task force
As the Austin Police Department prepares to roll out a body camera pilot program in the coming months, city Police Monitor Margo Frasier and law enforcement experts from across the nation are tackling the ethical and legal questions that come…
Public Safety • By Tyler Whitson • Nov 30, 2015
Cap Metro asks for more transit in spending plan
As City Council considers a plan to disperse the “quarter-cent fund” among transportation projects around the city, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority – the agency that initially contributed the funding to the city – is asking Council to prioritize more…
