District 2 council member Vanessa Fuentes works to be a voice for Austin
Council woman Vanessa Fuentes spends most of her time at city hall working to enact lasting change and be a voice for her community. It is a job she says she takes seriously every day especially during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Austin City Council resolution hopes to improve APD transparency
Amid growing concerns that Austin police are being overwhelmed due to ongoing staffing shortages, a new resolution from the Austin City Council hopes to make the department's statistics available to the public. Council member Chito Vela joins FOX 7's Mike Warren to discuss.
Austin City Council to vote on APD Open Policing Data Release resolution
Austin City Council is expected to vote on a resolution regarding the expansion of police data. The resolution directs the city manager to come up with a plan for the APD Open Policing Data Release.
APA! signs agreement to build on property, expand to others
The City and Austin Pets Alive! have signed an agreement allowing APA! to rebuild on its current property and expand to other properties.
City of Austin evaluating homeless response following resignation of strategy officer
The City of Austin is responding to additional personnel changes this week after a homeless strategy officer, Dianna Gray, announced her resignation following two years in the position. District 6 Council member Mackenzie Kelly spoke on the resignation.
City agrees to new contract with Austin EMS Association
City Council member Alison Alter says it's a four-year contract that will give well deserved raises to medics.
Council member Mackenzie Kelly speaks on Austin's public safety, fire prevention concerns
It's been a busy week for the Austin City Council. From a big announcement on personnel changes at the Austin Police Department, to major steps to address fire danger.
The Hole in the Wall signs 20-year lease with help from City
The legendary music venue The Hole in the Wall has signed a 20-year lease with help from the City of Austin.
City of Austin adopts $5.5B FY 2023-24 budget
Council’s approval comes after several months of stakeholder engagement, including town halls, community budget input meetings, and a public survey.
Austin City Council members present amendments to address staffing crisis at 911 call center
According to the city budget staff, there are several applications in process to fix that staffing issue. The goal is to be fully staffed in 7–8 months.
Zilker Park Vision Plan not to be presented to city council
After major backlash on the potential approval of the Zilker Park Vision Plan and the release of a 17-minute documentary against it called Zilker Inc., the mayor released a statement revealing the plan had been shelved.
Advocates call on Austin City Council to add more community investments to proposed budget
Activists also say progress on permanent support housing isn't being prioritized. They say the budget adds $32 million to the police department, which they say isn't effective at addressing homeless and drug use.
FOX 7 Focus: How will decreasing minimum lot sizes affect the Austin housing market?
In this week's FOX 7 Focus, we speak with Austin Board of Realtors president Ashley Jackson about the City Council's recent decision to recommend decreasing the minimum lot size for homes, and how that will affect the Austin housing market.
Austin firefighters face heat dangers due to lack of air conditioning in fire trucks
Austin City Council member Mackenzie Kelly joined FOX 7 Austin in studio to discuss the recent report that many Austin fire trucks lack air conditioning in extreme heat.
Austin city budget: Where is the money going?
The Austin City Council recently heard from concerned citizens wanting the city budget to include funding for areas of need across the city. Mayor Pro Tem Paige Ellis joins FOX 7 Austin's Mike Warren to discuss.
Residents voice concerns about police funding at Austin council work session
Many public speakers at Wednesday's Council work session had issues with items in the proposed budget, including the funding set aside for the Austin Police Department.
New fence safety regulations to go in effect July 31
The new regulations ban certain fences and decorative elements in an effort to improve safety for children and wildlife in the city of Austin.
Austin's 'We All Belong' initiative gives residents a tool to report hate crimes
Austin's assistant city manager Veronica Briseño says the 'We All Belong' initiative is more than just a slogan. the city is committed to ensuring Austin remains a place where diversity is celebrated, and hate is not tolerated.
Austin City Council takes on affordable housing, homelessness and police shortage
Austin City Council member Mackenzie Kelly joined FOX 7 Austin to talk about the recent agenda items discussed in this week's meetings, including an affordable housing measure, homeless issues and the ongoing police shortage.
Austin City Council hears over 5 hours of public comment on homeless shelter, affordable housing
Hot button items included creating a temporary homeless shelter and the idea of turning single-family lots into smaller lots for affordability.