Austin City Council has finished its 2025 meeting year, and KXAN has just released the first attendance report from its new tracker.
Tracking Initiative
KXAN began keeping attendance records in 2023 after noting that other cities, such as Dallas, maintain city-run trackers. Austin has not had such a system until now.
Attendance Highlights
The tracker covers all meetings where the full council body is required to attend and vote, including regular city council sessions and special-called meetings like the one that approved the Austin firefighters’ contract.
Council Member Reports
- Mayor Kirk Watson missed one meeting; his team said it was because he was returning from the World Mayors Summit in Brazil.
- D1: Natasha Harper-Madison did not miss any meetings and attended 12 virtually.
“Council Member Harper-Madison is proud to maintain a 100% attendance record for 2025, ensuring District 1 is represented at every single meeting. She utilizes virtual participation-an option available to and used by the entire Council-as a tool to ensure seamless representation. The Council Member remains fully dedicated to her legislative duties and the needs of her constituents, regardless of whether she is seated on the dais or joined via the city’s remote platform.” – Natasha Harper-Madison
- D2: Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes missed one meeting in October; her staff confirmed the absence.
- D3: Jose Velásquez did not miss any meetings but participated virtually once due to illness.
- D4: Chito Vela missed no meetings.
- D5: Ryan Alter missed no meetings.
- D6: Krista Laine missed no meetings.
- D7: Mike Siegel was recorded as missing a meeting in October because the consent agenda vote was taken then. He did attend part of the meeting, calling in to vote on a key item related to the homeless navigation center.
- D8: Paige Ellis missed no meetings.
- D9: Zo Qadri missed one meeting and attended two virtually after taking paternity leave.
“I love having the opportunity to serve my community, and I have only missed one council meeting in my three years on the dais, and that’s because my wife and I welcomed a baby boy.” – Zo Qadri
- D10: Marc Duchen missed no meetings.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 attendance tracker shows full participation, with several members using virtual platforms.
- Only a handful of council members missed meetings, most due to travel or personal reasons.
- The tracker provides transparency and highlights the city’s growing use of remote attendance.
The 2025 attendance tracker now offers a transparent view of council participation, underscoring virtual options and the reasons behind any absences.
