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Austin Monitor
Staff releases expedited timeline for housing code amendments
An updated timeline for implementation of a bundle of city code amendments aimed at increasing housing supply is in the hands of City Council. In a memo dated July 13, Planning Department Director Lauren Middleton-Pratt revealed the updated Schedule of Active Code Amendments chart, which addresses concerns from community groups, the Planning Commission and Council members that the process was moving too slowly.
City IDs $65M in creative space needs for possible 2024 bond package
The city has identified $65 million in critical needs for cultural arts infrastructure projects that will be under consideration for a possible bond vote in 2024. A memo released last week spells out the progress being made on a handful of major creative space projects funded by the city. It also offers a glimpse at the long-term needs for the local arts and music communities.
More Austin ISD students will eat breakfast for free after Texas ups funding for school meals
On a bright, hot July day, students trickle into the cafeteria at Akins Early College High School in South Austin. There, they can grab chicken, grilled cheese sandwiches, carrots and peas, fresh fruit and a roll for free. They’re greeted by Austin ISD employees, like Roland Cortez. Cortez, who...
Commission convenes working group aimed at accelerating airport expansion
The Airport Advisory Commission has formed a working group to look into possible ways the city can support accelerating the expansion of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The commission at its July 12 meeting voted unanimously to form the working group. Commissioner Jonathan Coon will chair the working group, which also...
Austin again suspends its patrol partnership with DPS
The city of Austin says it won’t forge ahead with its partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety to supplement police patrols. The plan was initially rolled out this spring but was met with pushback from Austinites who felt they were being profiled. It was then suspended when troopers were deployed to the border. The city restarted state police patrols on July 2 but announced Wednesday that it would, again, suspend them.
Travis County voting advocates fight for more access for students
University voting advocates on Tuesday took to the Travis County Commissioners Court to advocate for equitable voting access on college campuses on and before election day, specifically at St. Edward’s University and Huston-Tillotson University. Advocates – mostly from voting rights group Texas Rising – included students from the University...
Public Safety Commission recommends guardrails for APD-DPS partnership – or ending it
The Public Safety Commission recommended that City Council establish a plan governing the recently resumed partnership between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety – or discontinue it altogether. Commissioners voted on Monday to approve the recommendation, which calls for “significant community engagement,” as well...
Environmental boards push for telework policy for city employees
Two city environmental panels have approved resolutions asking City Council to direct interim City Manager Jesús Garza to reconsider his proposed policy requiring most employees to do their jobs at the office three days a week. Both the Environmental Commission and the Joint Sustainability Committee have recommended that employees...
Animal Advisory Commission wants limit on public contact with wild animals
The Animal Advisory Commission on Monday voted unanimously to approve a resolution recommending City Council limit public contact with wild animals at for-profit zoos and aquariums. The idea for the resolution came about at the commission’s February meeting, when members of the public raised concerns about the Austin Aquarium and...
Austin Police Department keeps running on overtime
In January 2019, the Austin Monitor reported that APD had 110 vacancies and was making up for those vacancies by paying officers overtime. On Monday, Assistant Police Chief James Mason told the Public Safety Commission the department now has 329 operational vacancies. Just as reported in 2019, and again last year, APD is counting on its workforce to work even longer hours. As a result of the vacancies, the department has spent $28 million on overtime during the current fiscal year, even though budget writers had projected that the department would spend just $7.7 million on that item. Last year, he noted, the department was budgeted for $5.8 million in overtime, but actually spent $22 million.
After years of staffing woes, Austin finally hires enough lifeguards by start of swim season
Austin finally has enough lifeguards. This week, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the hiring of more than 1,000 lifeguards this swim season. That allowed PARD to open all 32 operational pools in its expansive aquatics system and extend hours of operation at Deep Eddy Pool. In recent...
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