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- For the first time in 20 years, more people are leaving Travis County than moving in
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City Charter
Ethics Review Commission weighs in on potential charter changes
In the midst of discussions about soccer stadiums, CodeNEXT and the 2018 bond, the Charter Review Commission is asking citizens to consider one more thing: changes to the city charter. At its June 13 meeting, members of the Ethics Review…
City Charter • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 19, 2018
Changes ahead for Planning Commission?
At this week’s meeting, City Council is scheduled to consider changes to how members of the city’s Planning Commission are selected. The city attorney’s office has offered two alternative approaches – one of which could have a radical impact on…
City Charter • By Jo Clifton • Apr 23, 2018
Should the auditor’s office be exempt from municipal civil service?
Having an independent auditor’s office is integral to running a city where checks and balances fulfill their intended function. Independence, however, is not always easy to maintain, and in Austin, the Office of the City Auditor is working to balance…
City Charter • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 19, 2018
Post Prop 1, city begins community conversations about citizen petitions
In a dark room usually reserved for musical performances in South Austin’s Strange Brew coffee shop, four Austin residents met on Monday to talk about the process of citizen petitions — the most recent of which resulted in Proposition 1…
City Charter • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 14, 2016
Too many land-use professionals?
At Monday’s City Council Audit and Finance Committee meeting, Council members rejected the idea of allowing the Environmental Commission to have five land-use professionals among its 11 members. The current rules governing membership on the Environmental Commission allow for only…
City Charter • By Jo Clifton • Apr 14, 2016
Austin Monitor Radio: Council Member Don Zimmerman
Austin City Council Member Don Zimmerman joins Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about abstentions, annexation, and the rest of his term-so-far. Sponsored by Austin Water. Post is embedded below.
City Charter • By Michael Kanin • Apr 11, 2016
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Austin Monitor Radio: The (early) impact of 10-1
Khotan Shabazi-Harmon of Leadership Austin’s 2015 Essential Class joins Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about her impressions of the City of Austin’s new 10-1 system and the Leadership Austin report on geographic representation. The program is embedded below.
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Nov 30, 2015
Austin Monitor Radio: Council Member Greg Casar
Austin City Council Member Greg Casar looks back at his first months in office, including his efforts as chair of Council’s Planning and Neighborhood Committee. The program is embedded below:
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Nov 10, 2015
Casar proposes ADU policy revision timeline
Amid a public outcry for more available housing, City Council is reconsidering restrictions on accessory dwelling units such as granny flats and garage apartments. Council Member Greg Casar has proposed an approach to that review that considers related issues, including…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 27, 2015
Council to decide on X Games funding application
The Austin City Council is considering whether to endorse the application of the Circuit of the Americas for funding from the Texas Major Event Trust Fund for the summer X Games this year and in 2016 and 2017. The Major…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Apr 1, 2015
For Austin's City Manager, change is a constant
This week, Marc Ott celebrates his seventh anniversary as Austin’s city manager. The Austin Monitor sat down with him to talk about his tenure, the future and how his office is tackling the myriad changes proposed by the new City…
Budget • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 19, 2015
For Martinez, 10-1 dominated 2014
Council Member Mike Martinez is fresh off a campaign for mayor, one where he did his level best to bring up big-picture issues. Indeed, as many have reported, affordability and transportation became key notes in the campaign. Still, when he…