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City Hall
Council approves flood resilience resolution ahead of anniversary of devastating floods
As Austin’s southernmost districts remained under flash flood warning last Thursday, City Council took further steps toward flood resilience measures designed to better prepare the city for natural disasters. Led by District 2’s Vanessa Fuentes, Council unanimously adopted a resolution…
City Council • By Kali Bramble • Oct 18, 2021
New report underscores inequities for Latinos in Central Texas
Systemic and racial barriers have made it harder for the Latino community to excel in Central Texas, according to a new report from the Hispanic Impact Fund of the Austin Community Foundation. Building a Thriving Central Texas: Advancing Latino Futures takes…
Austin • By Willow Higgins • Oct 18, 2021
Downtown business report finds problems for daytime demand, music venues
A new report on Austin’s downtown economy finds that there is a persistent weakness in weekday business, and that entertainment businesses concentrated around East Sixth and Red River streets have been slow to recover from effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 15, 2021
City adopts resolution to expedite supportive housing for homeless
City Council adopted a resolution in September establishing an expedited review and prioritization program for residential developments that provide housing for the homeless. Mayor Steve Adler sponsored the resolution, along with Council members Kathie Tovo, Ann Kitchen, Pio Renteria, and…
City Council • By Andrew Logan • Oct 15, 2021
Study reveals positive developments for LGBT Austinites
On Tuesday, Austin’s LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Commission presented its first ever LGBTQIA+ quality of life study to City Council. Overall, the report paints a nuanced but optimistic picture for LGBT Austinites. The report, which has been in the works…
Austin • By Sean Saldaña • Oct 14, 2021
Airport continues to enhance accessibility for all travelers
There’s a lot more to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport than wheelchair access. Last Thursday, City Council’s Mobility Committee was briefed on how travel to and from Austin is – or sometimes isn’t…
Austin • By Willow Higgins • Oct 13, 2021
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Cultural trust RFP expected as new EDC considers handling Live Music Fund
The city’s new economic development corporation could issue its first call for development partners next month, with the goal of preserving or creating spaces that can be used by local musicians and arts groups that are increasingly being displaced. At…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 11, 2021
Homeless Strategy Office gears up to launch second phase of HEAL initiative
Following the success of its pilot program this past summer, Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office is moving forward with its four-part plan to tackle the city’s homelessness crisis. Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey briefed the Public Health Committee last Wednesday on…
Austin • By Kali Bramble • Oct 8, 2021
In one-time move, county restores funding to social service group
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court granted a $200,000 funding request for one year from Asian Family Support Services of Austin. While the resolution was passed unanimously, several commissioners and lamented the lack of procedure of the motion, given…
Budget • By Seth Smalley • Oct 8, 2021
How much would more remote participation cost the city?
Since March 2020, when Gov. Greg Abbott suspended certain requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act to allow city officials to hold virtual meetings, the public has been allowed to participate by phone. Austin residents have participated in remote testimony…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Oct 7, 2021
With public comment procedures in flux, two dozen zoning cases postponed
City Council heard many fewer zoning cases than expected last week after city staff decided to postpone the cases because of a surprise reinterpretation of public meeting participation rules. When staffers originally gave public notice for 24 zoning cases scheduled…
City Hall • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 6, 2021
Park rangers get funding for six additional staff members
For months, the Parks and Recreation Department has been pleading for additional park ranger staffing resources. Finally, the city has answered its prayers with $615,000 in increased funding for the department’s Park Ranger program. In a memo sent to Mayor Steve Adler and City…
