The Austin City Council convenes again today, considering a heady, 61-item agenda. If this weekly preview is beginning to sound like a broken record, that鈥檚 because council keeps slogging through several controversial topics: Austin Energy鈥檚 embattled rate increases, contentious cab issues and the disposable bag ban. Luckily, debate over extending Capital Metro鈥檚 rail service will keep things fresh.
Electric Rate Redux: A public hearing on Austin Energy鈥檚 raising electricity rates is scheduled for 6 p.m. The changes haven鈥檛 received much acceptance from . Joining the ranks of to the rate proposals are Laura Morrison and , who prior to the meeting鈥檚 10 a.m. start will 鈥渁nnounce a proposed alternative to Austin Energy鈥檚 recommended rate increase.鈥�
Red Line Coming to the Weekend?: An agreement may be reached today on to the weekend. Cap Metro would essentially fund the expansion to Friday night and Saturday out of money it already owes the city. The cost of the service 鈥� estimated at $4.5 million over two years 鈥� and whether it鈥檚 the best use of funds as the city , will likely spark some lively discussion today.
Bag It!: Austin鈥檚 proposed disposable bag ban has received its fair share of attention, including . At a 10:30 a.m. briefing, Austin Resource Recovery director Bob Gedert will deliver a briefing on the proposed single use bag ordinance. As the proposal has changed numerous times, you can read .
More Cab Changes Coming: The ever contentious topic of taxi regulation returns to council chambers today. Council is considering the issuance of additional permits: 30 to Lone Star Cab, and 15 Austin Cab. The last time council discussed issuing more permits to existing franchises, companies seeking to enter the city-regulated market used it as a chance to pitch their own services.
Council will also consider changes to the number of passengers a single cab can serve, tying it to the number of seats with seat belts. Currently, the number is capped at a flat four passengers.
And lastly, the 鈥渧omit fee鈥� for passengers that get sick in cabs returns. The item calls for a $100 clean-up fee if a fare befouls a cab鈥檚 interior 鈥渨ith bodily fluids or solids.鈥� (Can we just say: ewww.)
Two options for enforcement were discussed: adding the fee to a fare, with police issuing a ticket against passengers should they not pay; or the cab driver collecting reimbursement from the city鈥檚 Ground Transportation department. It鈥檚 unknown which option the council will go with, should they elect to implement the fee.
