Consent Agenda highlights (items approved without discussion)

Posted 11:20 a.m.

• Austin will purchase 27.11 acres of land for no more than $900,000 at 4507 Brandt St.
• City Manager Marc Ott is directed to devise a plan for creating affordable, family friendly housing, especially in the city's urban core, based on recommendations by stakeholder committee groups.
• Create a goal and plan to preserve 20,000 affordable housing units in Austin.
• Stakeholders are directed to deliver recommendations for a living wage policy by March 1.

City Council briefed on potential PGA-quality golf course

(Updated 11:45 a.m.)

Austin Parks and Recreation presented the possibility of a PGA-quality golf course to be built at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park in East Austin.

The city currently owns the land that is zoned as parkland; however, the area is currently fenced off and not used by the public.

Decker Lake Golf LLC has asked to lease the land to construct and operate a golf-course facility. Austin would receive a portion of the revenue made at the course, so even if a profit is not made, the city would still receive money.

Some council members expressed concern that the popularity of golf may be dying, with 160 golf courses closing in the U.S. in 2013, according to numbers the course's developer later clarified.

"There's a golf course closing every other day [because] we over built in the 90s," said Joe Ogilvie with Decker Lake Golf LLC.

No action was taken at the scheduled public hearing. City Council will next take up the item and potentially decide the course's fate at its Oct. 23 meeting.

Uber, Lyft now legal in Austin

After multiple meetings, amendments and votes, Uber, Lyft and other ride share companies have been deemed legal in Austin.

Transportation network companies, or TNCs commonly called ride sharing companies, use smart phone apps to connect riders with drivers and allow the pay scale to fluctuate based on demand.

The ordinance would require ridesharing companies to enter into an agreement with the city to adhere to certain terms that ensure the TNCs provide insurance to drivers, perform background checks and allow background documents reviewed by the city.

Councilwoman Kathie Tovo and Councilwoman Laura Morrison failed to set a cap such on surge pricing, (define), but (result)

Morrison requested to amend the ordinance so the city conducts background checks for drivers. Instead, the ordinance will model current language in Houston law that requires TNC companies to conduct the background check and then verify the results to the city within 30 days.

The effort to legalize the ridesharing services has seen much push back from cab companies that feel TNCs must adhere to stricter guidelines. There has also been support to legalize ridesharing from groups like ATX Safer Streets, which supports more transportation options to prevent intoxicated persons from getting behind the wheel.

The ordinance is not intended to be the final word on regulating TNCs, said Councilman Chris Riley, who sponsored the item. Its purpose is to legalize the services so they can be studied and better laws can be put in place in the future.

Vote: 6 "yes," 1 "no" with Councilwoman Laura Morrison voting "no"

Austin will not own Bull Creek Road property

Due to a lack of funds, City Council chose not to purchase a prime piece of Central Austin real estate from the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT currently owns 75.19 acres at the intersection of Bull Creek Road and 45th Street, and the state agency said it is looking to sell the property.

City Council planned to offer a bid on the land of no more than $28.9 million, but after city staff examined every possible source of funding, it was realized the money was not available.

The possibility of the city partnering with a third party to help provide funding for the land arose in discussions this week, Councilwoman Laura Morrison said during the City Council meeting.

Mayor Lee Leffingwell said doing so would be a waste of the city's time because TxDOT has informed council earlier the same day that the state agency is not willing to wait for a funding partner to be found.

TxDOT will now allow bids from other interested parties.

Vote: 2 "yes" and 5 "no" votes with Councilmembers Riley, Martinez, Spelman, Cole and Mayor Leffingwell voting "no."