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Austin Monitor
Garza pauses changes for Civil Rights, Equity offices until after budget passage
The controversial plan to reorganize the offices of Civil Rights and Equity and two others is being put on hold and will be evaluated after City Council concludes its work to finalize and approve next year’s budget. At Tuesday’s budget work session, interim City Manager Jesús Garza said criticism...
Austin Police Department Training Academy attrition remains high amid reforms
An Austin Police Department audit revealed high attrition rates among recent cadet classes amid ongoing reforms and persistent staffing shortages. Police leadership reported the inaugural audit’s findings – based on the 147th cadet class, which graduated in May – to the city’s Public Safety Committee on Monday.
Lake Austin marina project is a step closer to new docks
The marina construction project at 1703 N. River Hills Road is charging ahead after a vote from the Zoning and Platting Commission last week. Following the recommendations of the Environmental Commission, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved the easing of dredging restrictions for the Lake Austin project, which will bring modifications to an existing marina that used to be a music venue and the site of the Pier restaurant.
City Council puts controversial Zilker Park Vision Plan on hold
City Council will not move forward this month with a controversial plan to revamp Zilker Park, Mayor Kirk Watson said Monday. The announcement comes after Council members Paige Ellis, Ryan Alter and Zo Qadri released a joint statement saying that while there’s some consensus around the Zilker Park Vision Plan, there are other elements that have divided the community too much.
Live music proponents express optimism, caution at potential expansion of venues
Boosters in the local music and creative communities are optimistic, if cautious, about the potential for new music venues and art spaces to open throughout Austin, now that the land use code is set to include formal definitions for both building types. After years of discussion and debate on the...
Fleet Mobility Services working to fix air conditioning in fire trucks
In late July, City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly wrote a memo pointing out that 20 trucks within the Austin Fire Department’s fleet “are currently lacking functioning air conditioning systems.” Not only is that a risk for firefighters, she wrote, but it also “jeopardizes the department’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies.”
State Theatre slated for head-to-toe renovation project
The State Theatre, the smaller sibling space of the Paramount Theatre and one of Austin’s oldest operating venues, will soon undergo a 21st-century upgrade. Emily Little of Clayton Korte Architects stopped by last week’s Historic Landmark Commission meeting to share details on the upcoming project, which will include a new rooftop lounge, streamlined access to the next-door Paramount and an updated version of the spot’s iconic art deco sign. The project is the first to tackle the aging venue, also known as Stateside at the Paramount, since an interior remodel in 1998.
Equity Action slams budget proposal as ‘throwback to the ’90s’
Some community advocates are decrying interim City Manager Jesús Garza’s budget proposal as a “throwback to the ’90s.”. Garza released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 in July. The $5.5 billion budget represents what Garza calls a “Back to Basics” approach to city government that focuses on core city services and reorganizes the city’s departmental structure in a bid for “long-term stability.”
Nash Hernandez Building still among four sites considered to host senior, child programs
The city is continuing work to establish a community center for seniors and young children in East Austin, with sites under consideration including the Nash Hernandez Building. A memo released last week discloses the latest progress related to a December 2022 resolution from City Council. The resolution called for a...
Capital Metro quietly rolls out money-saving app and payment card months late
With little fanfare, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority launched a new app and payment card last week – months behind schedule. The card and app can save users money on train or bus rides. The transit agency is also rolling out cheaper fares for people with lower incomes but is not planning to publicize it widely until a marketing campaign this fall.
Environmental Commission can’t agree on Polo Fields parking solution
After a lengthy discussion, the Environmental Commission this week tabled an item that would recommend the Parks and Recreation Department end vehicle parking on the Zilker Park Polo Fields. The discussion happened at the commission’s Aug. 2 regular meeting, and the recommendation was written by Commissioner Richard Brimer. As the...
Austin Water and Watershed Protection Department seeking small rate hikes
Neither Austin Water nor the Watershed Protection Department have asked for an increase in their rates in many years, but both are doing so in the upcoming budget. Austin Water has not asked for an increase in its rates since 2017, but this year, the utility is seeking City Council approval to increase the typical water user’s monthly bill by about $2.65. One reason for that: Austin Water, like many other departments and private companies, is facing rising costs for the chemicals it uses in water and wastewater treatment processes.
Housing costs analysis endorses changes in lots sizes, compatibility requirements
City staff and researchers at the University of Texas looking to reduce housing costs have published their recommendations on policies for City Council to consider. A memo published last week offers a broad overview of the current state of affordability and development costs in Austin. The analysis by the Development Services and Housing departments and UT’s LBJ School of Public Affairs was initiated following a 2021 resolution that directed the city manager to determine the causes of and possible solutions to Austin’s increasing housing costs.
Austin’s I-35 plans revised to include new cap and a $25 million boardwalk
The Interstate 35 expansion through Central Austin is undergoing significant revisions as local officials try to negotiate improvements to the $4.5 billion project, aimed at widening the highway that’s cut through downtown since it opened in 1962. Adjustments to the once-in-a-generation project include the possibility of covering larger sections...
Federal court rules Austin’s short-term rental rules unlawful
Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra on Tuesday issued a ruling that overturns Austin’s short-term rental ordinance adopted in 2016. The plaintiffs, Robert Anding and his wife, Roberta, filed suit against the city after attempting to register one of their properties as a short-term rental. Because they did not occupy the property as their homestead, the city denied their application.
Proposed police budget increase sparks community pushback
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza’s Fiscal Year 2023-24 city budget proposal would increase the Austin Police Department’s operating budget by $31.7 million, or slightly more than 7 percent, prompting pushback from police reform advocates. Some of the major cost drivers include:. A 4 percent base wage increase...
Travis County to set pay raises for elected officials in line with all county workers
Travis County is in the preliminary stages of raising pay for its elected officials by 5 percent. The news came during the Tuesday session of the Travis County Commissioners Court. Todd Osburn, the assistant director of total rewards with the county, explained that this is just an initial step, and the pay raise is not final. According to procedure, notice declaring the increase would first run in a local paper. It would be finalized at an Aug. 29 meeting at the Commissioners Court.
Real estate leaders see hope in smaller lot sizes as demand for housing remains strong
“In Austin, you don’t have enough housing for the demand in the pipeline. … I can’t say it simpler. We all agree we have increased inventory, but with the demand coming down the pipeline, and then you had two quarters where builders weren’t building at all – we don’t have enough product.”
Garza says reorganization ‘will in no way diminish’ offices of Civil Rights, Equity
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza has clarified his plans for reorganizing a handful of city offices, including the Equity and Civil Rights offices, which will be located in different buildings despite being part of the newly created Community and Business Equity Department. In a memo released Monday, Garza said...
Disability advocates raise safety, accessibility concerns with Cap Metro board
A member of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Access Advisory Committee is calling for monthly safety briefings from the board after the organization failed to address multiple instances of sexual harassment on the part of a MetroAccess driver. Audrea Diaz was appointed to the committee in January 2019. She requested...
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