Of three options for the future design of Sixth Street downtown, Austin recommends "Alternative 3" It's the only plan without protected bike/scooter lanes and got majority opposition in a public survey. The city cited "essential" wide sidewalks to support local business & safety

As Southwest expands its Austin footprint, CEO Bob Jordan says the airline will open a new crew base in town in March as it brings thousands of new jobs Aiming to secure 18-20 gates at AUS, 200 daily flights (up from 130) "We ain't going nowhere"

Gov Abbott speaks on this deal to bring 2,000 new Southwest jobs to Austin's airport Says Texas is also chipping in $14M, including $375K to support veteran hires

Austin officials to join Gov. Abbott & Southwest's CEO for an economic announcement at the airport tomorrow, after today's council vote for a city incentive deal with the airline It's projected to generate thousands of local jobs and millions in revenue:

AFA membership will be voting on the new labor deal next Monday-Wednesday Mayor Watson has requested a special council meeting next Thursday to approve the agreement. That'll get it into place before the current deal expires on the 29th, after today's extension

Next up council OKs dozens of property disannexations along Lake Austin, a process facilitated under a new state law. More on this update:

CM Alter votes against $100K legal services for the DoJ's discrimination investigation And CM Duchen against editing a West Campus Homestead Preservation District established last month, citing uncertainty about income calculations there:

Council passes the consent agenda, with CMs highlighting items like: -Southwest economic development package -CM Siegel's SB 8 compliance resolution (gender inclusive facilities) -Funding for mobility and homelessness housing + services

Also, council will vote to temporarily extend the city's current labor contract with the Austin Firefighters Association pending approval of a new agreement later this month:

🧵 for the last (regular) #atxcouncil meeting of 2025. Some items on the agenda: -Southwest Airlines incentive agreement -Lake Austin disannexations -Funding for city/county food plan implementation -Apple TV series incentive -Tourism revenue transfer to homeless fund

Mayor Watson shares intent for Austin to launch new "institutionalized" service reviews that council could vote to implement in February: "We need a performance audit process that is city- and system-wide" A campaign for an auditing charter amendment election is also underway

Lake Austin property owners move to disannex under a new state law, after years of dispute over their taxing and public services The process will also pull nearly $300M of taxable value from Austin's rolls. Council voted to resume taxing the sites in 2019

Today, Austin Energy celebrated the 1st private solar project built under its new commercial incentive program The city's also now racing to start installing solar at dozens of public facilities before federal renewable energy tax credits expire next year

Austin's ramped up enforcement of public encampments this fall cost ~$840K over 3 weeks City crews visited 669 sites & cleared almost 1.5M lbs of debris Of over 1,200 people visited: -181 moved into shelter -109 returned to camp -87 connected to services -Dozens cited, arrested

Austin is seeking feedback on what to do with the closed-off "Old" Red River Street next to Waterloo Park: https://t.co/8g01YwbxZt Council recently renamed this downtown public plaza area to honor fmr. state rep and tech/economic leader Pike Powers

Petitions by: -Austin United to adjust HOT/stall convention center project -Save Austin Now to require city efficiency studies both come after voters rejected HOT changes, city audits in 2010s Austin United's was rejected by the city this month, SAN's campaign just starting up

When calling Prop Q election, Mayor Watson said it was time to trust Austin voters with the result. Tonight: "We trusted the voters, we heard the voters and we reacted to the voters. But I want to say thank you to the voters for engaging in the election and sending the message."

CMs then approve the amended tax rate of $0.524017 per $100 valuation, this year's voter-approval rate and a 5-cent decrease from the original rate under the failed Prop Q (still an increase from last year)

With those changes, council OKs Austin's amended FY25-26 budget in an 11-0 vote

CMs unanimously accept a consolidated budget amendment combining staff's original suggestions with council priorities: https://t.co/tOv3AjryRK Several direction items related to contracting processes, public dashboard of city audits/reports, and board/commission engagement added