City Council ties that Mayor John Cook has broken with his vote
The City Council ties Mayor John Cook has broken with his vote.
Police/fire pension fund, Tuesday, April 9, 2013: In a split vote, with the mayor breaking the tie, council decided to push legislation in Austin that will allow the City to increase its contributions, if it chooses.
San Jacinto Lagartos; Oct. 2011: City Reps. Susie Byrd, Emma Acosta, Eddie Holguin Jr. and Dr. Michiel Noe voted to keep the statue in the middle. The rest of City Council voted to put it on one side.
Restoring domestic partner benefits; June 15, 2011: After more than 20 speakers, the emotionally charged decision came down to a tie-breaker from the mayor. Voting for the benefits were Byrd, Rachel Quintana, Beto O’Rourke, and Steve Ortega. Voting against restoring the benefits were Acosta, Ann Morgan Lilly, Carl Robinson, and Holguin.
Project Arriba; Nov. 8, 2011: Project Arriba asked City Council to drop a requirement that forces them to match City-issued funds with private sector donations. Council granted Project Arriba’s request. Lilly, Byrd, Noe, and Robinson voted for the funding, along with Cook, who broke the 4-4 tie. Acosta, Holguin, Ortega and Cortney Niland voted against relaxing the matching funds requirement.
Tax increase; Aug. 23, 2011: Mayor Cook broke the tie for the tax increase. In fiscal year 2011, taxpayers paid the City about $653 a year if they had a home valued at $100,000. For 2012 that meant paying an additional $4.70.
Billboard ordinance; May 4, 2010: Representatives Acosta, Robinson, Quintana, and Holguin voted for the ordinance. Cook voted for the ordinance, breaking the tie. What the ordinance entails: If a business wants to put up a billboard – they have to take another one down. If that billboard is on I-10, Mesa, Dyer, Alameda or Montana they’ll have to take two others down, instead of just one. Also, new billboards cannot be less than 1500 feet from each other. And all signs must be registered with the city, to make sure they’re in compliance.
Source: ABC-7 archives
