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City Hall
Council requests emergency economic development corporation
As part of the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors program, City Council is seeking to expedite formation of the Austin Economic Development Corporation, an entity that may be able to help refine and administer the long-term sustainability component of SAVES.…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 21, 2020
City identifies Downtown Community Court east side location
After considering the available options, the city is ready to make the first move to relocate the Downtown Austin Community Court across Interstate 35 into a planned three-story building at 1719 E. Second St. The city intends to bring a…
City Hall • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 20, 2020
Animal Advisory Commission votes down euthanasia code amendment
The city animal shelter must wait two business days before euthanizing a pet and must give other shelters or former owners the chance to claim the pet. A recent vote by the Animal Advisory Commission will ensure the rules stay…
City Hall • By Jackson Barton • Oct 19, 2020
Zero Waste Advisory Commission recommends city adopt Climate Equity Plan, create climate committee
The Zero Waste Advisory Commission has unanimously recommended that City Council adopt the new Climate Equity Plan. At the Oct. 14 meeting of the Zero Waste Commission, Commissioner Kaiba White presented a resolution from the Joint Sustainability Committee, the group…
City Hall • By Savana Dunning • Oct 19, 2020
Council approves partial start for SAVES
After directing the city to create the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) fund last month, City Council approved initial program guidelines Thursday that will provide some immediate financial relief for local music venues, restaurants, bars and child care centers.…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 16, 2020
Travis County judge won't let bars reopen at 50 percent capacity
Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe said he’s not going to allow bars to reopen at 50 percent capacity Wednesday, citing a memo from the county’s top doctor saying Covid-19 “continues to be a threat.” “In the past ten days, Travis…
Austin • By Marisa Charpentier, KUT • Oct 15, 2020
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Airport officials strive to help employees, concessions
In December 2019, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, or AUS, hosted more than 778,000 passengers, many of whom bought snacks, coffee, lunches and books, as well as gifts for their friends and relatives. By April 2020, that number had plunged to just…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Oct 15, 2020
Council refines SAVES proposal
The city has not yet found the right balance in regards to distributing $15 million in financial assistance under Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES). As City Council prepares to consider allocating $8.5 million in sales tax revenue to the…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 14, 2020
Abbott allows Texas bars to open again
Texas bars will soon be allowed to open at 50 percent capacity indoors at the discretion of the presiding county judge, according to a new order from Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott’s newest executive order applies to areas with “low Covid-19…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 8, 2020
City looks to support waste collection workers amid pandemic stresses
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to keep many people at home more often, Austin Resource Recovery finds itself steadily losing the staff needed to manage the increased volume of household garbage. City Council passed a resolution Oct. 1 to mitigate…
City Council • By Savana Dunning • Oct 8, 2020
Audit: Ex-employee stole $1.3 million from city
Randall Whited, a former employee of Austin Public Library, stole at least $1.3 million from the city by purchasing printer toner with a city credit card and reselling it online, according to an investigation released by the Office of the City…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Oct 6, 2020
Staffers explain how Covid relief funds were disbursed
This summer, City Council rushed to provide economic relief to small businesses and nonprofits shouldering the burden of closures during the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic. On Thursday, as they ratified a contract with the Better Business Bureau…
