Marc Ott

Austin American-Statesman sues city of Austin over city manager secrecy

2017-11-01T02:33:58-05:00

By Philip Jankowski and Elizabeth Findell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 31, 2017 The American-Statesman has sued the city of Austin after officials denied requests under the Texas Public Information Act to disclose the identities of finalists for city manager. The Statesman filed the suit Tuesday in a Travis County district court as the Austin City Council began the first of two days of interviewing finalists. The lawsuit seeks disclosure of the city manager candidates’ names. The Statesman has independently confirmed the identities of four of the candidates. “The residents of Austin will be paying the salary for a new city manager, [...]

Austin American-Statesman sues city of Austin over city manager secrecy2017-11-01T02:33:58-05:00

Austin vs. Watauga? City claims competition to keep city manager candidates secret

2017-10-30T16:34:04-05:00

By Elizabeth Findell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 27, 2017 Austin can’t allow the public to know who might become its next city manager because it’s in competition with Watauga, Sachse and other small Texas cities for the best candidates, an assistant city attorney argues in a letter to the Texas attorney general. Austin begins interviews Tuesday in its nationwide search to replace former City Manager Marc Ott, who resigned more than a year ago. In March, City Council members voted unanimously to try to keep candidates for the job — even finalists — secret until they make a final decision. The council [...]

Austin vs. Watauga? City claims competition to keep city manager candidates secret2017-10-30T16:34:04-05:00

Activist sues Austin over housing deal, claims Open Meetings Act violation

2016-02-11T15:15:02-06:00

By Andra Lim Austin American-Statesman Originally published Feb. 10, 2016 A judge should void an affordable housing deal, in which several Austin City Council members said they unknowingly waived up to $106.3 million in city fees, because the lack of public notice violated the Texas Open Meetings Act, said a lawsuit filed Wednesday by civic activist Brian Rodgers. Rodgers started asking questions last month about the deal, which was approved in December and negotiated by the offices of Mayor Steve Adler and Council Member Delia Garza. The deal requires the developer of Easton Park near Southeast Austin to place an amount [...]

Activist sues Austin over housing deal, claims Open Meetings Act violation2016-02-11T15:15:02-06:00

Depositions expose Austin public information flaws

2015-11-10T19:41:07-06:00

By Ken Martin The Austin Bulldog Originally published Nov. 9, 2015 “The City of Austin is committed to an open and transparent government. I believe this is an integral part of maintaining a vital and robust democracy.” — City Manager Marc Ott Marc OttOtt published this oft-repeated pledge in an April 8, 2015, memo titled “City of Austin Open Data Initiative 2.0.” Yet, the City has failed to consistently live up to that commitment. By actual performance the City has demonstrated that it receives and routes public information requests to departments or offices thought to have the applicable records but fails [...]

Depositions expose Austin public information flaws2015-11-10T19:41:07-06:00

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