Austin City Council will address several controversial issues during its first meeting of the new year, including short-term rental and a ride-hailing regulations. Here is an overview of the Jan. 28 meeting agenda:
Item 56. Ride-hailing regulations
City Council will consider an ordinance that incentivizes fingerprint-based background checks for drivers employed by ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft. The ordinance will be considered separately from council's response to a petition signed by those opposing mandatory ride-hailing regulations, which were passed in December. Mayor Steve Adler said the council will not address whether fingerprinting background checks should be mandatory but will likely extend the effective date of December's approved ordinance past Feb. 1 as previously planned.
Item 86. Parkland dedication requirements
A public hearing will be conducted before council members consider on 2nd and 3rd whether to approve an ordinance that would amend city code related to parkland dedication. The proposed amendments establish a method for determining how much in parkland dedication fees, or a payment in lieu of dedicating space for parkland, should be required before approving major new developments, according to the City Council agenda.
Item 91. Short-term rental use
Council will conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance related to short-term rentals, or STRs. Proposed changes to existing STR policies include a three-year renewal inspection requirement and no STRs within at least 1,000 feet of each other.
Austin City Council is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St. A full agenda can be found
here.