ATX PULSE 8/22/24: Power Outage Shuts AISD Central Office // Power Restored to 7K E. Austin Residents // Kealing M.S. to Re-open Mon // Hays County Places $440M Road Bond on Nov Ballot // Batrop County Proposes Lower Tax Rate

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We aim to build the broadest and strongest community effort in city history.

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Today’s Weather: H: 106° / L: 80°. Another scorcher. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shields here.

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TOP NEWS

“Austin power outage: Austin ISD Central Office closed,” Fox 7 Austin’s Jessica Rivera — “The Austin Independent School District says its Central Office is closed today (8/22) due to the power outage last night that left thousands without power on the hottest day of the year.

The entire building, located at 4000 S. I-35 Frontage Road, lost power and its backup generator has failed to provide an alternate power source, officials say. Badging services and employee onboarding will be rescheduled.

AISD asks families to go to their campus for enrollment assistance. In-person enrollment support will be offered on school buses in the Central Office parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Calls to the district main line or the enrollment support line will be unable to be received at this time.” Fox 7 Austin

“Power restored to over 7,000 East Austin residents after AE substation equipment failure,” CBS Austin’s Stephanie Becerra — “More than 7,000 Austin Energy clients were affected by a power outage Wednesday night in East Austin.

The outages were first reported after 5:30 p.m. and later restored at around 9 p.m.

Austin Energy said this was a local issue, not an ERCOT grid outage.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson later said on social media that he stayed in contact with AE and said the outages were related to high energy usage which caused Austin Energy's substation equipment to trip offline.” CBS Austin

“Classes at Kealing Middle School to resume Monday after fire,” KVUE’s Morgan McGrath — “An East Austin middle school will be closed for the rest of the week after a fire on Monday night, Aug. 19. Classes will resume on Monday, Aug. 26.

At approximately 10:40 p.m. on Monday, the Austin Fire Department (AFD) said crews were called to the scene at Kealing Middle School, with smoke on the second floor and an electrical burning smell.

The incident was second-alarm with fire in the wall. Crews used drones to assist with finding "heat signatures" and an aerial view of the scene.

Just after 11 p.m., the fire was under control. No injuries were reported. Fire crews worked to remove smoke from the building, airing out the building by utilizing fans. 

The school provided an update on Tuesday morning, saying that investigators had determined an overloaded outlet sparked the fire. The fire was isolated to the orange hallway with both upstairs and downstairs sustaining damage from the fire, smoke and water, Austin ISD said.

Classes were canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday and, in an update on Wednesday evening, Austin ISD said classes will be canceled for the rest of the week for repairs.” KVUE

THE BLOTTER

~ “Austin man faces charges after threatening couple with knives outside their home,” CBS Austin’s Tara Brolley – “A man was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly threatening a couple with kitchen knives outside their southeast Austin home on Sunday night.

According to an arrest affidavit, Julian Aaron Baez, 24, was taken into custody without incident after deputies responded to a disturbance call at the house on Cecil Drive at 10:48 p.m.

The incident began when a couple exiting their property on bicycles was reportedly confronted by Baez, who approached them aggressively on foot. The couple retreated behind their property gate and Baez allegedly messed with it, trying to get in.

After the couple threatened to retrieve a gun, which they later clarified was an airsoft gun, Baez allegedly left but soon returned wielding multiple kitchen knives. The couple said Baez waved the knives above his head, shouting threats to stab and kill them.

Upon arrival, deputies found Baez. He was detained at gunpoint without resistance.

The victims, who remained on their property throughout the incident, stated they feared for their lives and have pressed charges.

Baez is now facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to online records, he remains in the Travis County Jail on a cumulative $40,000 bond.” CBS Austin

~ “WilCo deputies investigate after attempted child abduction FM 1325, suspect at large,” CBS Austin’s Azul Beltran – “The Williamson County Sheriff's office responded to a possible attempted child abduction on Wednesday morning.

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on the 16000 block of FM 1325.

A 16-year-old female reported being grabbed while waiting at the bus stop. The teen managed to break free from the subject and was able to return home unharmed, according to officials.

The victim describes the suspect as a tall, black male, chunky, with a bald head, with a missing eye. The suspect has not yet been identified.

A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office criminal investigation Division.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Williamson County Sheriff's office at 512-943-1311.” CBS Austin

~ “Austin Uber driver arrested for sexually assaulting passenger: affidavit,” via Fox 7 Austin – “An Austin Uber driver faces a sexual assault charge after a passenger says he inappropriately touched her.

Police arrested 38-year-old Victor Legon-Frias in August for an incident that happened back in May.

According to arrest paperwork, on May 4, the victim had requested an Uber to take her to a friend's apartment in central Austin. The victim told investigators she had been drinking that night, fell asleep in the Uber, and woke up to Legon-Frias sexually assaulting her.

She managed to get out of the vehicle and call for help.“ Fox 7 Austin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

~ “Austin faces lawsuit for providing financial support to people seeking out-of-state abortions,” KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano – “The City of Austin is being sued for a provision in the budget providing money to people seeking out-of-state abortions.

City Council last week approved $400,000 to fund travel — including airfare, gas, hotel stays and food — for people seeking the procedure, which is banned in Texas.

Former City Council Member Don Zimmerman, who filed the lawsuit Tuesday, argued it is against state law to “spend taxpayer dollars on abortion-assistance activities."

“Any use of taxpayer money inside Texas to procure a drug-induced abortion violates [state law], even if the abortion is being procured outside the state,” the lawsuit states.

The suit states it is illegal to knowingly use taxpayer dollars to help people seeking these procedures. It also argues the city cannot enact rules that are inconsistent with state law.

The lawsuit names Mayor Kirk Watson and City Manager T.C. Broadnax as defendants, in addition to the city.

This isn't the first time Zimmerman has sued Austin for using city money to fund these types of needs. In 2019, he sued to stop an effort to help low-income women obtain abortions, but a Travis County district judge ruled against him.” KUT

BUSINESS NEWS

~ “Hyatt to pick up some popular Austin spots,” Austin Business Journal’s Melanie Faz – “Hyatt Hotels Corp. will likely take the reins soon of some of Austin's trendiest boutique hotels, including the often star-studded Hotel Saint Cecilia, the posh Hotel San José and the Old Austin icon known only as Austin Motel.

The Chicago-based hospitality giant plans to acquire Standard International, the parent company of Austin-based hospitality firm Bunkhouse Group. The deal is expected to close later this year.

A Bunkhouse representative confirmed in an email that the acquisition includes Bunkhouse's entire portfolio, including the iconic Austin coffeeshop Jo's Coffee. Jo's and much of the Bunkhouse empire were born from the mind of Liz Lambert, often credited with turning South Congress Avenue from a seedy strip to a place to be when she renovated what's now Hotel San José.

Bunkhouse’s holdings span across Texas, California, Kentucky and Mexico. In Austin, it's responsible for local gems such as the Austin Motel, Carpenter Hotel, Hotel Saint Cecilia, Hotel San José and Hotel Magdalena. Its Austin hotels are among the most profitable in the state, according to data in ABJ's list of boutique hotels below this article.” ABJ ($)

~ “Two Central Texas cities file lawsuit to stop development near residential neighborhood,” KXAN’s Sarah Al-Shaikh – “Two Central Texas cities are joining forces to put an end to a development near residential neighborhoods.

The cities of Lakeway and Bee Cave are filing a lawsuit to stop the construction of a distribution center. It is near the intersection of Highway 71 and Serene Hills Drive.

Leaders with Bee Cave City Council told KXAN the property is actually in Bee Cave’s extra-territorial jurisdiction, despite the proximity to the city of Lakeway.

Online plans show the property would have three buildings with 80 docking bays that could hold big rigs, warehouse space and offices.

KXAN received drone footage of the site from Real Estate Broker Ed Neuhaus.

But officials want to stop the project.

On Monday, the Bee Cave City Council voted to file a lawsuit blocking the development of the KBC Service Center Distribution Facility.

Lakeway City Council voted to join the lawsuit on that same day.” ABJ ($)

2024

~ “Hays County calls for $440M road bond election to keep up with future growth,” KVUE’s Lauren Petterson – “Hays County voters will see funding for road improvements on their November ballot this year.

The county commissioners put a $440 million road bond on the ballot. The money would go towards a list of projects already being worked on, as well as future improvements.

It would add a total of 2 cents per every $100 of property valuation to the current county tax rate, which is recommended at 35 cents per $100.

“Our residents utilize roads daily and they continue to be one of the top issues of concern,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said. “It is also important to have an open process to allow our residents to determine if this is a need they are willing to fund. I believe it is important to be conscientious about this bond's financial impact on our families.”

The projects will address “substandard” roads to improve safety and increase capacity, the county said. With the population of Hays County expected to grow 267% by 2045, the aim is to increase commuter safety, ease congestion and create better regional connectivity.

Hays County said 2016 road bond projects that have been developed will now be built with this 2024 program. More project development will also be part of the 2024 program to set up projects to be “shovel-ready” for future state and federal funding opportunities.

The county will hold open houses on the measure ahead of Election Day.” KVUE

~ “Candidacy filings show all Round Rock ISD board races contested,” Community Impact’s Brooke Sjoberg – “Six candidates have filed applications for a place on the ballot in the Nov. 5 Round Rock ISD board election.

The filing window to apply for a place on the November ballot closed at 5 p.m., with six applicants listed for a total of three board seats.

All seats are at-large and those elected to serve on the board will fill them for a four-year term on the district's board of trustees.

The following applications to appear on the ballot were received before the deadline:

Place 1:

• Joshua Escalante

• Estevan Jesus "Chuy" Zárate (Incumbent)

Place 2:

• April Guerra

• Melissa Ross

Place 7:

• James Steele

• Mingyuan "Michael" Wei

Place 2 Trustee Mary Bone and Place 7 Trustee Danielle Weston did not file for re-election, district staff confirmed Aug. 19.

When reached for comment, Weston cited ongoing litigation, student enrollment and academic standards as reasons why she chose not to file for re-election, adding the district "is in steep decline and things are only getting worse..."

Community Impact also reached out to Bone regarding the matter, but did not receive a response before publication time. This article will be updated if one is received.” Community Impact

OTHER NEWS

~ “Bastrop ISD property values up 10%; lower tax rate proposed,” Community Impact’s Amanda Cutshall – “The proposed 2024-25 tax rate for Bastrop ISD is $0.002 lower than last year, despite property values growing more than 10%.

Dina D. Edgar, Bastrop ISD chief financial officer, presented the drafted tax rate to the Bastrop ISD board of trustees during a meeting Aug. 20.

“Upon adoption of the 2024 tax rate, we will have lowered the [maintenance and operations] tax rate by $0.37 since 2018, all while maintaining a debt service tax rate of $0.40 and passing and issuing bonds in 2021 and 2023,” Edgar said.

The proposed tax rate is $1.0679—down from $1.0702 in 2023-24.

The breakdown includes:

• $0.6669 for maintenance and operations

• $.04010 for interest and sinking

This comes despite property values in the district climbing from $7.7 billion to $8.5 billion since 2023, and doubling over the past five years.

A public hearing for the proposed tax rate is set for the next regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts, 1401 Cedar St. in Bastrop.” Community Impact

SPORTS

~ TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Former SMU running back Velton Gardner plans on joining Texas football team,” Austin American-Statesman’s Danny Davis — “The Texas football team has apparently added some much-needed depth to its backfield.

On Wednesday night, former Kansas and SMU running back Velton Gardner announced on his Instagram account that he is joining Longhorns football. Gardner had revealed in February that he was entering the transfer portal.

The news about Gardner's plans was first reported on Wednesday by On Texas Football.

Earlier this week, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was asked if he would consider grabbing a running back out of the transfer portal in the wake of the season-ending injuries suffered by CJ Baxter (knee) and Christian Clark (Achilles). Sarkisian replied, "We definitely have a (roster) spot that we can utilize. A lot of times this late in the game, that's probably not a traditional transfer, maybe more of a graduate transfer, something of the sort. We're kind of looking at all of our options there. We just don't want to take a body to take a body. If it's someone that can help us in some capacity, maybe limited role, bigger role, whatever that is, we are looking at all options that way."“ AAS ($)

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ COFFEE: ”Sensational Coffee Truck Desnudo Expands into Downtown Austin” Austin Eater

~ DINING: ”The 17 Most Underrated Restaurants in Austin” Austin Eater

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ FILM: Steel Magnolias (25th anniversary): Paramount Theater (downtown). Doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm. Tix for $12 here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~ Communications Director: State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin). Salary $60-80k. Info / apply here.