Posted: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:32 PM - 12,832 Readers

By: statesman.com

At its meeting Thursday, the Austin City Council:

Agreed to enact a plan to invest aggressively in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Approved a $905,353 construction contract to improve and widen bike lanes on the south and north sides of Lake Austin Boulevard, from Exposition Boulevard to Red Bud Trail.

Agreed to spend $700,000 on an environmental impact study for a possible urban rail line.

Hired a firm for $1.3 million to restore areas of Pease Park, such as eroded shoreline and compacted soils.

Approved a policy under which the council will consider developers' requests to form municipal utility districts.

Directed city staffers to enter into discussions with the Austin school district to identify possible operational efficiencies and partnership opportunities.

Voted down a proposal by Council Member Bill Spelman that would have directed city staffers to seek information from Austin's congressional delegation about the risks and benefits associated with advanced imaging technology devices at airports.