In the latter matter, the council approved a resolution recommending the site of the unfinished Intel Corp. building. The site, at the corner of Fifth and San Antonio streets, currently is home to the steel frame of a 10-story office building Intel intended to build. It is one of three sites the federal General Services Administration is considering.

The council's resolution carries no legal weight, but it does reflect the sentiment of the Downtown Austin Alliance and others who would like to see the Intel skeleton disappear. GSA officials have said they hope to reach a decision soon and move ahead with replacing the existing courthouse, which they say is too small.

Also Thursday, council moved to the next phase of construction of Austin's new city hall by naming Greeley, CO-based Hensel Phelps as construction manager. The city and Hensel Phelps will now negotiate a set fee and maximum cost for the project. Work is expected to begin in March. The underground parking garage was completed in August.