Alter resolution seeks to prevent another Champion fiasco

In November, District Judge Scott Jenkins ruled that City Council’s vote in favor of a controversial zoning case in November 2016 violated the Texas Open Meetings Act because key details of the zoning change were not publicly posted ahead of the vote. While city staff had posted information about the case, the posting had not stated that the proposal would make changes to the Hill Country Roadway Ordinance and the Lake Austin Watershed Ordinance, two facts the judge deemed essential. Council Member Alison Alter said during a Tuesday work session that she wants to prevent similar mishaps in the future, so she has authored a resolution that Council will vote on Thursday that instructs the city manager to “prepare recommendations regarding notice requirements and agenda posting language for site-specific settlement agreements.” Alter said that she would like staff to examine “best practices” for posting language.