ATX PULSE 10/23/24 (free) (sponsored by TX Flyover): Equity Action Sues to Block Council Vote on Police Contract // ABIA Sets Passenger Traffic Record Monday // Driver Hits Pedestrian, Food Truck // Police Seek Help Identifying Driver in I-35 Hit-and-Run // Trump to Visit Austin Friday to Tape Rogan Podcast

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2024

Compiled by Matt Mackowiak

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YOU’RE INVITED: Mackenzie Kelly fundraiser TONIGHT in central Austin.

TODAY’S WEATHER

H: 90° / L: 66°. Hot October continues. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

TOP NEWS

“Equity Action sues City of Austin, claims proposed police contract threatens transparency,” CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley— “Equity Action has filed an amended lawsuit against the City of Austin, seeking to block a vote on a proposed police contract that they say threatens voter-approved transparency measures.

The advocacy group claims the proposed contract would undermine the Austin Police Oversight Act (APOA), which passed with 79% voter support in May 2023. The group is requesting an emergency hearing ahead of City Council's scheduled vote on Thursday.

The lawsuit specifically targets the city's continued use of a secret personnel file system known as the "g file," which the APOA explicitly banned. In August, a Travis County District Court judge ruled that the city had violated the ordinance by maintaining these files.

"The changes we have requested are simple and would make the words on the page of the agreement match the words in the mouths of the city staff," said Chris Harris, Equity Action's board president.

The organization argues that the proposed contract's language is ambiguously written and could allow an arbitrator to nullify key transparency provisions of the APOA. The lawsuit also alleges that the Office of Police Oversight has failed to implement several mandated functions, including conducting misconduct investigations and making disciplinary recommendations.

The Austin Police Department has been operating without a contract for 17 months. City officials and the Austin Police Association have not yet commented on the lawsuit.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the contract Thursday.” CBS Austin

“Austin airport sets new record with over 44,000 passengers in one day,” CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley— “Austin-Bergstrom International Airport shattered passenger records Monday as Formula 1 fans and college football spectators departed the city, with 44,043 travelers passing through TSA checkpoints.

The surge following Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix and Saturday's Texas-Georgia football game marked the busiest day in the airport's history. The previous day saw 39,380 passengers screened, ranking as the fifth-busiest day on record.

Number of passengers:

• Thursday, October 17 - 33,880

• Friday, October 18 - 31,293

• Saturday, October 19 - 20,970

• Sunday, October 20 - 37,859

• Monday, October 21 - 44,043

Airport officials had anticipated the record-breaking numbers, projecting more than 44,000 passengers would travel through the facility on Monday. A typical day sees fewer than 30,000 departing passengers.

The convergence of international racing enthusiasts and SEC football fans created unprecedented demand at the airport, which had already experienced higher-than-normal traffic in October due to the Austin City Limits music festival earlier in the month.” CBS Austin

BUSINESS NEWS

“Travis Club kicks off Phase 2 with 48 new homesites,” Community Impact Austin’s Grace Dickens— “Private community Travis Club has reached its next phase of development, allowing for the predevelopment sale of 48 new homesites within the 1,500-acre master-planned community.

Prices for the new homesites range from $700,000 to $3.4 million, while size spans from 0.43 acres to 3.87 acres, according to a news release. Infrastructure work is expected to begin on Phase 2 homesites next spring.

Some of the new sites are located at one of the highest points of the property, and the development itself features stair-step topography to allow every homesite to have a view of the Hill Country, Lake Travis or the golf course, the news release states.

Tours are available for the Phase 2 homesites, according to the release, and there are some Phase 1 homesites still available as well. Developers recently announced more than $90 million in residential sales, according to the news release.

The background

Located in Spicewood, Travis Club is a years-long endeavor by owners and developers Haas & Haynie and Castle Hill Partners. According to previous Community Impact reporting, upon completion, site plans include:

• 274 single-family lots

• 223 villa units

• An 18-hole golf course

• 10,000 feet of Lake Travis frontage

• 30 miles of private hiking and biking trails

• A lakefront clubhouse with dining

• A private marina with 40-60 boat slips, event lawn, pool and racquet center

The big picture

Phase 1 is still underway, including 106 homesites, and developers anticipate homebuyers can begin building their homes by mid-2025 with move-in slated for 2026 or 2027. Planning is underway for the first phase of the Travis Club Marina and the Golf House, a social outlet, with plans to open in 2026, according to the news release.” Community Impact Austin

“Austin founder lands investment on ‘Shark Tank’ debut,” Austin Business Journal’s Brent Wistrom— “Sometimes, probably most of the time, your mom's advice is the best advice.

Just ask Destin George Bell.

Bell was almost frozen in place after pitching his gamified running app, Card.io, and getting an investment offer on the first episode of ABC's "Shark Tank."

He had asked the sharks for a $150,000 investment for 5% of his Austin-based startup, which he valued at $3 million.

But after a couple sharks declined, longtime shark Daymond John and guest shark and venture capitalist Rashaun Williams countered with $150,000 for a 15% stake.

Bell said he had one question: "Can I go talk to my mom?"

The hosts invited her to the stage and she said 'take the deal.'

And with that, Bell landed a handshake deal for the $150,000 investment. Such deals aren't official until well after the show is recorded, but the impact of getting that broad exposure on a popular primetime show is often enough to launch a startup into the limelight and drive hundreds or thousands or even millions of visitors to their websites and apps.

The deal on "Shark Tank" brought to fruition one of Bell's nearly lifelong dreams of being on the show and having his mom with him.

"What is that thing that's inside of you that's really pushing you?" one of the sharks asked earlier in the episode.

Bell said it was his mom, who was sitting back stage. She had encouraged him to watch the show when he was 10 years old. Bell, at the time, had a strong lisp and stuttering issues. His mom wanted him to see how people present under pressure.

"I watched it every Friday and Sunday... at 16 is when I first really started getting the business," Bell told the sharks. "And I told my mom, 'we're gonna be on this show one day, mom, and I'm gonna bring you.' She's back there waiting for me to give her a deal. I love that I'm creating generational wealth, and I want my kids to have something, so I'm here to do that. And I told my mom I [would] walk out of here with a deal."“ ABJ ($)

THE BLOTTER

“Driver hits pedestrians, food truck in Southeast Austin,” via Fox 7 Austin — “Police are searching for the driver who hit several pedestrians with her car, then crashed into a food truck, causing it to catch fire in Southeast Austin.

Austin-Travis County EMS said on Tuesday, Oct. 22, around 5:13 p.m., they received a call about several pedestrians being hit by a car at 2538 Elmont Dr.  The car then hit a food truck that caught on fire.

Four people were injured in the crash. Two adults were taken to local hospitals, and two others had minor injures.

Austin police said at 4:30 p.m., a 911 caller reported her phone was stolen. A report was taken by the officer. 

Shortly after, officers responded to the hit-and-run crash in Southeast Austin.

Police said they believe the driver was upset with the person she thought stole her phone. The driver then ran over that person, hitting three other pedestrians nearby.

The father of the driver's child is believed to have taken her phone, police said.

The driver is not in custody, and police are actively searching for her. 

If you have any information on the incident, call the Austin Police Department.” Fox 7 Austin

“Austin police seek public’s help in fatal I-35 hit-and-run,” CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley — “Austin police are seeking the public's help in identifying a hit-and-run driver who fatally struck a pedestrian on I-35 earlier this year.

It happened around 5:04 a.m. on March 23 in the 5000 block of North I-35 northbound, near Bentwood Drive.

The Vehicular Homicide Unit is searching for a dark-colored SUV. The driver fled the scene without stopping to render aid, police said.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Austin Police Department's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-TIPS.

A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest.” CBS Austin

“Kyle Police: Mother, son found safe,” KXAN’s Erica Pauda — “A mother and son who were previously reported missing Monday were found safe, according to the Kyle Police Department.

Kyle PD previously posted on social media that the mother and son were last seen Monday morning.

No other details were released by police Tuesday.” KXAN

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Austin City Council discussed police contract one final time ahead of Thursday vote,” CBS Austin’s Jahmal Kennedy — “Austin City Council is just two days away from voting on the proposed APD contract. Members held a work session Tuesday to hear public comments and share their own final thoughts.

Some members of the public are still opposed to the contract for multiple reasons. Some feel the money should be used in other government departments, while some see the new contract as undermining the voter-approved Austin Police Oversight Act.

“They’re under duress and yet we’re going to be giving them more money,” said one caller during the public comment period.

Some Austinites are asking the council to either hold off on the vote or vote “no.”

“Passing this contract, this deal undermines not just our ballot measures, but the values of truth, democracy, transparency, justice, good governance, and the public good,” said Chris Harris.

Harris co-authored the Austin Police Oversight Act. He is urging the council to vote “no” Thursday, saying the current proposed contract doesn’t have the correct language to hold police officers accountable.

District 4 Councilmember Jose “Chito” Vela understands what’s at stake with this vote.

“It’s kind of a red line where we know we’ve got to get the transparency and accountability that Austin voters have been demanding. If they’re not getting that, I think we’re done,” he said to his colleagues.

Many Austinites who spoke during the public comment period shared Harris’ concerns over language regarding oversight and accountability. Some would like to see this money return to city-funded programs.

“Just last year we funded a number of programs with a one-time allocation of $11 million, there’s clearly a need for us to continue to maintain these investments,” said District 2 Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes.

If approved, the police budget will take up 36 percent of the city’s overall budget for the next five years.

“It’s just not clear the return on investment. What we’re getting for what we’re giving APD this much of the budget,” said someone else.

Bill Brice with Downtown Austin Alliance says it is time to press forward.

“We recognize that police alone don't make a community safe, but they are the core to a safe community,” he said.

DAA released a statement Tuesday supporting the proposed contract.

“We believe that the city negotiated in good faith, as did the APA, but on the city, side to ensure that a contract was also was one, something the city could afford, but two, also to ensure that all the elements approved by the voters in May of 2023 are included in this contract,” said Brice.

As it stands right now, APD has been without a contract since March 2023.” CBS Austin

“City of Austin looking at $130M project to improve Congress Avenue,” KVUE’s Matt Fernandez — “One of the most iconic streets in Austin could be getting a makeover. The plan to revamp Congress Avenue comes with a price tag of $130 million.

"A plaza from Seventh [Street] north to the Capitol – we really took inspiration from what the state did on the north side of the Capitol. Give more space for pedestrians, allow for uses like café zones – really enjoy the heart of Congress Avenue," said Anna Martin with Austin's Transportation Department.

Martin said this would allow businesses to expand as well. Car traffic and 90 parking spaces from Seventh to Eleventh streets would be removed, but vehicles would still be allowed to go eastbound and westbound.

Brianna Huberty is the general manager of Capitol Café, right off Congress Avenue. Huberty loves the idea of making the area more pedestrian-friendly so more people can enjoy the view. She said it would also help businesses up and down Congress Avenue.

Huberty said having no northnound and southbound traffic would also increase safety for pedestrians.

"We also see people wanting to take photos in front of the Capitol but always dodging cars to get that, so it would be an even better opportunity of professional photo shots down here," she said.

The plans also would make improvements to the Congress Avenue Bridge, putting a barrier between cars and people riding their bikes or walking.

The city of Austin held an opportunity for the community to give input on the rendering on Tuesday. The city will also be taking input online until November as plans move forward.

Construction wouldn't start until 2026.” KVUE

“City looks to reduce lead time on approved bond projects ahead of expected 2026 proposals,” Austin Monitor’s Chad Swiatecki — “City staffers hope to dramatically shorten the early lag in approved bond projects that typically add a year to construction and acquisition schedules, which can also increase costs or reduce the scope for proposed projects.

Last week’s meeting of the Bond Oversight Commission included an update on progress for Parks and Recreation Department projects included in the city’s 2018 bond package. Because of a number of factors, including delayed vendor selection and the city’s budget cycles, some projects approved in bond packages from 2006 and 2012 are still headed toward completion.

In discussing the execution schedule of most capital projects, Steve Grace, head of support for the Capital Delivery Services Department, said the slow spending immediately after voters approve a bond package is due to the need to finalize designs and detail budgets. Grace said a shift is in place to pre-fund some of those planning and design efforts using funds from prior bond packages, so construction and other improvements can be budgeted ahead of time, with the goal of a faster start and completion within eight years of voter approval.

Grace said PARD projects would benefit from moving toward more of a planning-ahead approach that is already in place for roads and other major city infrastructure work.

“In general, the first year following that bond election is really a developmental year, or it has been in the past where a lot of the scopes are finalized, a lot of the plans are made, execution methods are laid out … we now have the approval, we have the dollars, but we actually have to get dollars appropriated and we have to figure out how we’re gonna go about executing the bond,” he said.

“That’s part of our department and our city’s efforts to reduce the execution time or the delivery time of our capital project, so if we can do that on the front that’ll certainly help condense this to closer to that eight-year average that we’re aiming for.”

Grace and other staff on hand said shortening the delivery schedule for bond projects will be important for carrying out a bond package expected to take place in 2026 that will likely address sustainability needs, parks projects, and resources related to homelessness, among other initiatives. The bond advisory task force charged with assembling that bond package held its first meeting on Monday.

The oversight commission meeting included discussion on two bond proposals from 2018 that provided funding for PARD facilities improvements and land acquisition.

Proposition B, which directed $66.5 million toward improving several of the city’s cultural and arts centers, received heavy attention from the commission, in particular because of the budgetary limbo facing the construction of a new Dougherty Arts Center.” Austin Monitor

2024

“Trump coming to Austin to tape interview with Joe Rogan for popular podcast,” KVUE’s John Diaz — “Former President Donald Trump is expected in Austin on Friday to record an interview with Joe Rogan.

Multiple sources confirmed to ABC News that the interview will take place at Rogan's studio in Austin, where the UFC commentator and comedian hosts one of the most popular podcasts in the world.

The announcement comes after Vice President Kamala Harris announced a rally in Houston on Friday to highlight the issue of abortion rights.

The podcast will be Trump's first appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" after a back-and-forth spat between the two. During an episode in August, Rogan expressed his support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying that Kennedy doesn't attack people and that he was "the only one who makes sense."

Trump responded on social media saying, "It will be interesting to see how loudly Joe Rogan gets BOOED the next time he enters the UFC Ring??? MAGA2024."

Rogan clarified later that he wasn't endorsing RFK Jr., who would go on to drop his presidential bid and endorse Trump.

The two major presidential candidates continue their dueling podcast strategies leading up to the election. Trump recently appeared on Theo Von's "This Past Weekend" and Andrew Schulz's "Flagrant," while Harris appeared on Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" and did an hour-long interview with Howard Stern.

Rogan garners vast listener numbers each week and has also reportedly spoken with Harris about an appearance ahead of Election Day.” KVUE

“Austin ISD superintendent responds to criticism over Proposition A,” KVUE’s Adam Bennett — “Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura revealed what percent of the district's staff will get a pay raise if voters approve Proposition A.

Under the ballot measure, property taxes would rise $34 a month for the typical Austin ISD homeowner who has an estimated home value of $553,493. The tax increase would not affect homeowners with an over-65 exemption.

Segura said 85% of staff would get raises with Prop A passing. A pay scale released by the district on Tuesday showed the more years of experience an educator has, the higher their raise will get, between a 1.4% and 7.3% increase on average.

“You think about bread, you think about fuel, all of these things ... Well compound that given the size of our organization 3-5% every year. That's $30-50 million.” Segura said.

That’s on top of a $92 million budget shortfall Segura and other Austin ISD officials blame on a lack of state funding.

“There isn’t a way to cut your way out of the deficit,” Segura said.” KVUE

“Austin’s Prop A would give biggest pay raises to teachers with over 15 years of experience,” CBS Austin’s Bettie Cross — “Tuesday is day two of early voting and record numbers of people are heading to the polls.

46,000 Travis County voters cast ballots on Monday which is more than cast ballots on the first day of early voting in the past three general elections. That heavy turnout has the Austin Independent School District making another push to get support for Proposition A.

If voters approve Prop A, the tax hike would generate $41 million. $17 million of that would cover the cost of giving teachers and librarians pay raises.

“For us to ensure that we have the absolute best educators in front of our students we have to be competitive in pay,” said Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura.

On Tuesday, Segura laid out the average salary increase teachers and librarians would get depending on their years of experience.

• 1-5 years - 1.4% avg increase

• 6-10 years - 1.7% avg increase

• 11-15 years - 3.5% avg increase

• 16-20 years - 6.4% avg increase

• 21-25 years - 7.3% avg increase

• 26-29 years - 5.0% avg increase

“This compensation package really intends to increase the slope and allow those educators who have been with us so many years to stay with Austin ISD,” said Segura.

Austin ISD says the passage of Prop A would keep teachers and librarians from jumping ship and going to other Central Texas school districts to get a raise.

“This package is going to put us on the market with our surrounding districts so that we remain if not on the market, even leading the market,” said Brandi Hosak, Chief of Talent Strategy at Austin ISD.

Opponents of Prop A say too little of the money generated by the tax increase would stay in Austin. The majority would be subject to recapture, also known as the Robin Hood Program. Set up by the state, Robin Hood sends excess revenue from property-wealthy districts to those with lower property values. But Superintendent Segura says the focus needs to be on what happens to teacher pay raises if Prop A fails.

“Well, there won’t be any. I think that’s something that needs to be made very, very clear,” said Segura.

If Proposition A passes more than 85% of those who work for Austin ISD will get raises. The 15% who won’t are mainly administrators who don’t have day-to-day contact with students.” CBS Austin

SPORTS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Texas football: 5 things for Longhorn fans to know about the Vanderbilt Commodores,” Austin American-Statesman’s Danny Davis — ”Over the years, Texas football has experienced plenty of success on the field.

The fourth-winningest program in college football history, Texas owns a losing record against just six schools that it has played at least five times. One of those is actually Vanderbilt. Texas is 3-8-1 against Vanderbilt although the two teams last met in 1928.

Coming off a loss at home to Georgia, No. 6 Texas (6-1, 2-1) has a chance to narrow that gap against Vanderbilt (5-2, 2-1) when it travels to Nashville. The Longhorns and Commodores will battle at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday in a game that will be televised by the SEC Network.

Here are five things to know about the Commodores…” AAS ($)

QUICK LINKS

~ 'Nothing else like it, period': Movie on Texas site helps rewrite prehistory of Americas - Austin American-Statesman

~ Travis County residents invited to safely dispose of old medications - Community Impact

~ Liberty Hill ISD prepares to open new 18-plus special education facility - Community Impact

~ Hutto Premier Dentistry to offer free dental services - Community Impact

~ Supportive housing facility for seniors exiting homelessness opens in far Northwest Austin - Community Impact

~ Crash involving multiple semi-trailers, cars shuts down part of I-35 - KXAN

~ Crews respond to Austin train derailment near Sixth Street - Austin American-Statesman

~ Need to request your absentee ballot in Texas? The deadline for mail-in ballots is Oct. 25 - Austin American-Statesman

~ Seven railroad cars on freight train derail in East Austin. See photos from the scene. - Austin American-Statesman

~ WilCo commissioners disagree on proposed district attorney office salary increases - Community Impact

~ Hays CISD considers 4 map options for future Ramage Elementary attendance zone - Community Impact

~ Power restored in east Austin after derailed train hit utility pole, causing outage Tuesday - KXAN

~ Train derailment in East Austin causes CapMetro and traffic disruptions - KUT

~ Residents may get relief from persistent mechanical noises - Austin Monitor

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ COFFEE: The 20 best coffee shops in Austin. Eater Austin

~ TACOS: Austin has 8 spots on Texas Monthly’s 50 best tacos in Texas Culture Map Austin

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ LIVE MUSIC: Don Tolliver. Moody Center. Doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm. Tix $74 and up here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Senior Policy Advisor, Autonomous Vehicles: Tesla. Salary: Competitive. Info / apply here.