BG Reads | News You Need to Know (October 29, 2021)
The Pennybacker Bridge, West Austin
[MEETING/HEARINGS]
Special Called Meeting of the Austin City Council - Agenda (Today at 10AM)
Joint Meeting with Captial Metro Board of Directors and Austin Transit Partnership Board of Directors
Regular Meeting of the Austin City Council - Agenda (11.4.2021)
[AUSTIN METRO NEWS]
Parks board unhappy with PARD’s handling of parkland fee dustup (Austin Monitor)
In mid-September, the Parks and Recreation Board heard a briefing from staffers that included a video extolling the benefits of the city’s Parkland Dedication Ordinance, which requires developers to dedicate on-site parkland or pay a fee-in-lieu toward the acquisition and development of parks.
But that rosy picture of the ordinance was overshadowed at Tuesday’s meeting by board members’ frustration with PARD leadership’s role in the potential undoing of the parkland fee structure because builders say they were unaware of the hike.
Board members were particularly unhappy that PARD Director Kimberly McNeeley took the park fee issue directly to City Council, first with an Oct. 8 memo, then with an item on Council’s Oct. 21 agenda, recommending delaying the new fees and reopening a stakeholder process. (The item was postponed indefinitely.)
“Last month we heard a presentation on parkland dedication so we could learn about the value of the ordinance and how crucial it is to the parks department,” Chair Dawn Lewis said. “And then this month we got an (internal) email with a copy of a newspaper article that mentioned that staff had decided to ask to delay the fees and to revisit the funding process because there was concern about developers being unhappy.”
Board Member Rich DePalma, who participated in the 2015-16 stakeholder process with developers’ representatives and parks advocates, expressed skepticism that the new fee increase took the development community by surprise. He said anyone who does business with the city is always checking the fee structures.
“You’re looking to see how your business is going to be impacted,” DePalma said. “That’s just good business. And I frankly don’t know anybody in the … industry who does public sector work that doesn’t check this out.”… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Gaylord Texan owner buys block that includes Austin City Limits venue for $260 million (Austin American-Statesman)
A deal has been revived for Austin-based Stratus Properties to sell its high-profile downtown Austin city block — home to the “Austin City Limits” music venue and the Austin W Hotel & Residences — to Nashville-based Ryman Hospitality Properties for $260 million, the companies said Tuesday. In December 2019, Stratus had announced an agreement to sell Block 21 to Ryman for $275 million. That agreement was terminated in May 2020 by Ryman due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the termination, Ryman forfeited $15 million of earnest money to Stratus. On Tuesday, however, Ryman announced once again that it plans to buy the mixed-use Block 21 project from Stratus. The $260 million deal is expected to close later this year. Ryman is best known for its ownership of the Gaylord resorts, including the Texan in Grapevine.
The purchase price includes the assumption of about $138 million in existing mortgage debt. In addition, Ryman will receive about $11 million of existing cash reserves, according to the companies. “We are pleased to again have the opportunity to add this one-of-a-kind asset to our growing entertainment portfolio,” Colin Reed, chairman and CEO of Ryman, a lodging and hospitality real estate investment trust, said in a written statement. A division of Ryman Hospitality Properties also owns and operates the Grand Ole Opry. “Much like Nashville, Austin’s leisure and hospitality industry is recovering and is well-positioned for growth in the years ahead,” Reed said. “This acquisition allows us to have a meaningful presence in two of the most dynamic music cities in this country and presents many opportunities to showcase the unique music cultures in each city to millions of fans through our Circle TV network.” The Block 21 complex includes Austin’s ACL Live at the Moody Theater venue, where the Austin City Limits television series is filmed, as well as the Austin W Hotel & Residences. Beau Armstrong, Stratus’ chairman and CEO, said the Ryman team will be “the ideal stewards for Block 21 and ACL Live in the future.”… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Out of 10 major tech hubs, Austin sees greatest year-over-year rent increase, report says (KXAN)
A report using September data shows out of the 10 biggest tech cities in America, Austin has seen the largest year-over-year rent increase, beating out metros like Los Angeles and New York City.
“Austin has, in a sense, the honors of being the city with the fastest rent appreciation across the major metros that we track,” said George Ratiu of economic research with Realtor.com.
The report released by Realtor.com says rent in Austin grew 25.3% in September 2021 when compared to September of last year. The next closest city is Seattle, which saw a year-over-year increase of 16.7%.
Ratiu attributes the surge in renters and rent to more than 150 companies moving to the area, bringing more than 15,000 jobs and a low unemployment rate.
“The desire for larger spaces is actually driving a lot of that in this age of remote work. It obviously turns out that most of us want more space,” Ratiu said. “I think Austin absolutely has a clear advantage, as we’ve seen many people from Seattle, from San Francisco, from Los Angeles and even New York relocate to Austin for the local economy, for the quality of life and ultimately the affordability.”
Rent in Austin has even surpassed pre-pandemic numbers, with March 2020 rent prices sitting at $1,367 and September 2021 prices measured at $1,647. That’s an increase of 20.5%, the report says.
Realtor.com also points out Austin didn’t experience too much of a pandemic decline compared to other big tech hubs.
The lowest month for rent in Austin was October 2020, according to the website’s report, and the lowest rent got during the pandemic was $1,300. That’s a 4.9% decrease compared to March 2020… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Planning Commission denies alcohol sales at Zilker Cafe (Austin Monitor)
The Planning Commission Tuesday rejected the latest request to sell alcohol at Zilker Cafe amidst concerns about safety and unruly behavior at nearby Barton Springs Pool.
The decision throws into doubt beer and wine sales at the recently renovated concession stand. While the Parks and Recreation Department – the applicant for the conditional use permit – could appeal the decision to City Council, PARD is currently “reviewing its options,” a spokesperson said.
Previous requests for alcohol sales also faced opposition. The citizen-led parks board, after multiple discussions, recommended in September that the Planning Commission reject the proposal.
Barton Springs staff and other citizens stayed at City Hall until nearly midnight Tuesday to speak before the commission.
“We’re here to beg you, do not introduce more alcohol in the Barton Springs area,” said longtime lifeguard Scott Cobb, who warned that alcohol sales would put people’s lives in danger. Multiple medical and safety experts wrote in opposition, noting that alcohol is involved in many drowning deaths.
Pool staff said dealing with drunk people is challenging and distracts from keeping others safe. “If you want to support city employees, please don’t allow more alcohol,” employee Andria Hill said.
Cashier Adara Hansard said that refusing entry to intoxicated people, who have often waited in a long line, “is a very daunting and difficult task.” Some of them, she said, get verbally abusive.
The only speakers in favor were connected to Spring Fed, the future concessionaire for the revamped cafe. “This is a cafe,” said Rick Garrett, a partner in Spring Fed. “This is not a bar.” Even with the permit, the cafe would not be able to serve liquor… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[TEXAS NEWS]
Texas’ new secretary of state says the 2020 election wasn’t stolen, but his top priority is auditing its results (Texas Tribune)
Texas’ new secretary of state says he wants to “restore confidence” in the state’s elections, despite a background that includes helping former President Donald Trump challenge the 2020 presidential election results in Pennsylvania.
In an interview Thursday, John Scott said there’s no question that Joe Biden is the president and he has “not seen anything” to suggest the election was stolen, as Trump has falsely claimed. There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud last year in Texas or nationwide.
But Scott stopped short of agreeing with a deputy under his predecessor who called the 2020 election in Texas “smooth and secure.” He did not want to get ahead of an election audit of four of Texas' largest counties, which he called his top priority… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Dallas launching new program to curb panhandling (Dallas Morning News)
Dallas is making another attempt to discourage panhandling around the city. A six-month pilot program will launch next month to offer help to people who solicit money and citations to those who refuse aid. The effort will also offer alternatives to giving money to panhandlers. Signs will be placed at nine intersections across Dallas urging people to report panhandling to the city’s 311 non-emergency line and to donate to nonprofits and organizations rather than directly to people asking for money. City marshals and crisis intervention caseworkers will respond to areas where panhandling is reported and provide referrals to homeless service providers and other groups for help with housing, food, mental health or physical ailments.
People who decline help could be issued citations to appear in community court, which handles minor cases like open container infractions and drug paraphernalia possession. People who plead guilty or no contest may be ordered to perform community service. A judge could also require participation in programs for substance abuse, mental health, housing or employment. The citation wouldn’t go on their criminal record, according to the city. If people fight the citation, the case could go to municipal court, where they could face fines and court fees. City marshals will also check for outstanding warrants. The city will keep a database of people who repeatedly solicit on road medians and street corners. The pilot program is Dallas’ latest attempt to crack down on panhandling after some city officials raised concerns about public safety and trash. Some have also questioned why people are asking for money on the street. In 2018, the city launched a similar campaign, “End Panhandling Now” with increased police enforcement at 12 zip codes. Dallas spent more than $400,000, including on advertising and marketing the program that helped less than two dozen people. It included a “Frogger”-inspired ad that ends with an animation of a hat-holding man jumping between traffic lanes and getting hit by a truck…(LINK TO FULL STORY)
San Antonio council members push to expand non-discrimination ordinance to private businesses (KSAT)
At least six San Antonio city council members say it’s time to expand the city’s non-discrimination ordinance (NDO) to include private businesses.
The NDO was most recently updated in September 2013, when gender identity, sexual orientation, and veteran status were added to the list of protected classes within the existing ordinance.
On Thursday, a group of council members led by Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez (D2) submitted a Council Consideration Request to include businesses or private employers with 15 or more employees under the NDO, as well as contract employment. Also signing onto the proposal are Council Members Mario Bravo (D1), Adriana Rocha Garcia (D4), Melissa Cabello Havrda (D6) and Ana Sandoval (D7).
Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran (D3) also attended Thursday’s news conference, signaling that the proposal would ostensibly have majority support to pass if it makes it to a vote.
“Some have asked ‘Why do we need an expanded ordinance?’” McKee-Rodriguez said at the news conference, held on the steps of City Hall. “And the answer is simple. People are still experiencing discrimination.”
The NDO currently protects people from discrimination in the areas of city employment, city contracts and subcontracts, appointments to Boards and Commissions, housing, and public accommodation.
Within those areas, people are protected from discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, familial status, national origin, and age.
However, the city’s website notes that the NDO’s employment protections apply to businesses that have contracts, or are seeking contracts, with the city, but it does not apply to other private businesses or incidents that happen outside of the city limits…. (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[NATIONAL NEWS]
Facebook changes corporate name to Meta (AXIOS)
CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday said the social media giant is renaming its company Meta.
Why it matters: The effort is meant to shift its image from a social media platform to a “metaverse” company that focuses on building virtual work and social communities.
Details: Speaking at Facebook’s annual Connect AR and VR event, Zuckerberg said that Facebook's future "is beyond any one company."
Moving forward, he said, users will not need to log into Facebook to be able to access the company's other apps and features.
"I've been thinking a lot about our identity as we think about this next chapter," he said. "Facebook is one of the most used products in the world. It's an iconic social media brand. but increasingly, it just doesn’t encompass everything that we do."
"Building our social media apps will always be an important focus for us, but right now our brand is so tightly linked to one product that can’t possibly represent everything we do and will be linked to in the future," he added."
The company's corporate structure is not changing. Monday it announced that it would separate its "Family of Apps" financial reporting from Facebook Reality Labs, which is spearheading the metaverse project.
The company intends to start trading under the new stock ticker, MVRS, on December 1. Facebook says it has already reserved that ticker name.
The big picture: The rebrand comes amid one of Facebook's most dramatic public relations crises in recent memory. Over the past week, dozens of news outlets released reports about the tech giant based on leaked whistleblower documents… (LINK TO FULL STORY)