ATX PULSE 7/25/24: Lake Travis Could Rise 5 Feet This Week // APD Labor Contract Nears // APD Increases Downtown Patrols // Jugging Suspect Arrested Within Hours // 2 Murders Occur in Same Complex in Same Week (2024)

ATX Pulse

Everything YOU NEED TO KNOW about Austin.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

By Matt Mackowiak

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Today’s Weather: H: 83° / L: 72°. Scattered showers. Latest forecast from Fox 7 Austin’s Zack Shieldshere.

TOP NEWS

~ “Lake Travis could rise over 5 feet by the end of this week,” KXAN’s Sam Stark – “After heavy rains throughout Central Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority said Lake Travis could rise by over five feet by Friday.

On Wednesday, an LCRA spokesperson said the lake rose by around 1.5 feet over 24 hours. She said by the end of Wednesday, it could rise an additional 4.5 feet and could rise even more throughout the rest of the week.

As of Wednesday, Lake Travis is 43% full, per LCRA.

As of Wednesday morning, flood gates at the Wirtz and Starcke dams are open to release storm runoff into Lake LBJ from the Llano River. Water flows through the Starcke Dam from Lake Marble Falls into Lake Travis, according to the LCRA.” KXAN

THE BLOTTER

~ “APD arrests jugging suspect within hours of incident,” KXAN’s Julianna Russ – “The Austin Police Department said a man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a jugging incident in east Austin.

According to APD, 22-year-old Christopher Phillips “surveilled bank customers and targeted an 80-year-old, Austin community member.”

APD said Phillips followed the victim to the 7300 block of Inspiration Drive and attacked him as he attempted to go inside his home.

“Believing the victim withdrew a large amount of cash, Phillips stole the victim’s wallet and damaged his doorbell camera,” APD said.

According to police, Phillips was arrested within hours of the robbery taking place.” KXAN

~ “2 murders happen within a week at same Southeast Austin apartment complex,” Fox 7 Austin’s John Krinjak – “Austin Police are investigating the second homicide at the same Southeast Austin apartment complex in less than a week.

Police rushed to a disturbance call around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, at the Array Apartment complex on Burton Drive between Oltorf Street and Woodland Avenue.

"I didn't hear any gunshots or anything," said Kelly Anderson, a resident at the complex. "Iheard from my roommatethat he saw some guy lying in the street."

Police found a man injured in the parking lot and tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. It's unclear how he was killed.

"The deceased individual is being described as a Hispanic male in his 20s," said Cpl. Jose Mendez of the Austin Police Department. …

If you have any information on either homicide, you're urged to call the Austin Police Homicide Tip Line at (512) 974-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at (512-472-8477.” Fox 7 Austin

~ “APD: Investigation underway after body found with ‘obvious signs of trauma’ in southeast Austin,” KVUE’s John Diaz – “Austin police say they don't believe the incident is connected to a recent deadly shooting at the same apartment complex.

According to Austin police, officers were called out to a disturbance at the Array Apartments on Burton Drive around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

When they arrived, police found a man in the parking lot and began performing life-saving measures. However, the man was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

Police described the victim as a Hispanic man in his 20s and said that they believe they have detained "everyone involved in the incident." Police are working to determine if the man lived at the apartment complex, but added that there's no threat to the public.

It's the second homicide investigation at the complex in less than a week after 39-year-old Jose Ramon Lizarraga Boca Negra was killed on July 18. Police added that the apartment complex is in a "very well known" high crime area, but they don't believe the incidents are connected.

Anyone with information on Wednesday's incident is asked to contact the APD Homicide Unit Tip Line at 512-974-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.

According to police, the people detained in Wednesday's incident are fully cooperating.

The incident is being investigated as Austin's 36th homicide of 2024.” KVUE

CITY HALL

~ “Austin, police union closer to finalizing contract but still differ on Prop A compliance,” Austin American-Statesman’s Skye Seipp – “The city and the union representing Austin police officers came closer to finalizing a contract on Wednesday, with both sides showing they are about ready to compromise on most provisions related to police oversight — a key point of contention during this year's negotiations in light of voters increasing oversight last year.

However, a "curveball" at the end of the day could slow things down a bit more.

Going into Wednesday's session, the Austin Police Association had expected to present its wage proposal, which will be the final hurdle to finishing the contract. But that didn't happen after a tense exchange near the end of the day about one final provision related to oversight.

The police union hasn't presented its wage proposals because both sides had to get over the large obstacle of complying with the Austin Police Oversight Act, formerly known as Proposition A, which voters approved last year.

Wednesday's session, which was the first in months, indicated that both sides seem to have found a compromise on how to comply with the ordinance and "protect officer rights," said Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association.

The final complication related to Prop A is related to how officers are questioned by the Office of Police Oversight during an internal affairs investigation, namely the venue where the questioning happens, Bullock said.

He said the city's language, which was added at the last minute, would allow officers to be summoned anywhere and by anyone for questioning, threatening some of their legal rights.

"We're very close," Bullock said. "And just a last-minute curveball kind of derailed things on a provision that we'd already been talking about when we've already removed the barriers to Prop A."

One of the most largely discussed provisions related to the Austin Police Oversight Act was the elimination of the "G-file," a confidential personnel file held by the Police Department for each officer that holds unsubstantiated complaints lodged against officers.

Last year's ordinance called to get rid of this file. The Austin Police Association worried getting rid of this file would harm officers by releasing those unfounded complaints.

Both sides have agreed there will not be a G-file moving forward and unveiled how that new system will work during Wednesday's session.

Essentially, any materials that are in an officer's G-file before the contract is signed will not be releasable to the public. However, G-file materials filed after the contract is ratified will be open to the public.

Understanding the entirety of what both sides agreed to on Wednesday was complicated by the fact that the city and the union are not sharing draft versions of the contract as they've done in previous years.

However, once both sides have an agreed-upon contract, a draft version will be shared with the public before it's ratified by the Austin City Council.

The city and the union first returned to the table to work on a long-term contract in March. They have been without a long-term contract for over a year.

Negotiations also come as the Police Department continues to face high vacancies. Currently, the department is short about 340 sworn officers. Reaching a long-term contract is seen as a key way to help boost the department's recruitment and help with retention.

The city and association are set to meet again next week on July 31.” AAS ($)

~ “Downtown Austin safety team increases patrol in response to APD staffing shortage,” KUT’s Lucciana Choueiry – “Austin has been grappling with a serious police understaffing problem, making patrolling the downtown area harder. In an effort to fill that gap, the Downtown Austin Alliance created a new safety team to hit the streets.

The DAA, a nonprofit organization that manages the Downtown Public Improvement District, began the effort in May and has tripled the size of the team since its launch.

What does the safety team do?

First things first. Members of the safety team are not police officers, but they do collaborate with the Austin Police Department. You can identify members of the safety team by their black and yellow uniforms.

“You’ll see them riding throughout the public improvement district on bikes and generally in pairs, one on either side of the street,” said Brandon Fahy, director of Public Space Experience for the DAA.

The team had 14 members as of July 1. From 6 to 10 p.m., the officers patrol the PID from the Texas Capitol to Lady Bird Lake.

Their main focus is low-level violations – specifically class C misdemeanors, such as public intoxication and lying on a public sidewalk – that Fahy says are on the rise downtown.

If the team sees someone in violation, their first step is to ask the person to change their behavior and comply with the law. Because they are not law enforcement, they cannot arrest or physically remove someone from the situation. Fahy said that the DAA safety team is successful about 86 percent of the time when using this tactic.

“Our goal is not to penalize people violating the class C ordinances, but to help them understand the nature of the ordinance,” Fahy said.

If people continue not to comply with their requests, the safety ambassadors call APD. The responding officers are part of APD’s overtime patrols and intervene when the DAA safety team needs help. The DAA pays two APD officers overtime to focus solely on downtown, without worrying about being called away to other parts of the city.

APD faces an ongoing staffing shortage

APD Cmdr. Craig Smith said 23 percent of police positions in the area that DAA patrols are vacant.

This is part of a larger problem for APD. Smith said that since 2017, a shortage has been looming over APD staff. Now, they have 351 officer vacancies that have impacted the types of calls they can respond to, and class C misdemeanors fall to the bottom of the priority list.

“With the vacancy, we’ve had to adjust our call volume. … So if it’s not an actual crime in progress or violent crime, we are not really going to those as much,” Smith said. “So with DAA, they have built in to help with those class C’s – those quality-of-life issues.”

Smith said Austinites in a nonviolent situation can now call the DAA first to see if they have the means to help before dialing 911. Folks can dial 512-937-7422 to contact DAA.

APD does receive a monthly report from the safety team that includes the number of calls received and which ones they responded to.

The DAA safety team will enter its final roll-out phase in October and will have 23 safety ambassadors.” KUT

~ “Staff lays out public safety budget choices for City Council,” Austin Monitor’s Jo Clifton – “Looking ahead to a tough budget year, City Council will have to choose between spending on firefighters, emergency medical services, parks maintenance, homeless outreach and improving animal services, among others. Wednesday’s budget presentation did nothing to alleviate budget concerns, with some explanations only highlighting the city’s need to spend money to continue basic services and improve conditions for city employees.

Without an election to raise taxes higher, the state-imposed 3.5 percent cap on property tax increases – coupled with the end of federal Covid-19 dollars – the budget will be tight.

For example, Austin firefighters continue to work overtime, even when they need to rest. Mandatory four-person staffing for fire trucks continues to be the primary driver of overtime spending, according to Budget Officer Kerri Lang. Fire Chief Joel Baker noted the department has seen a considerable increase in injuries, with one cause being the increased number of hours firefighters are required to work. The current vacancy rate at AFD is 5.6 percent.

According to Lang’s data, the Fire Department overtime budget is about $15.8 million, but the projected overtime expense for the current year is about $20.8 million. So the department will need an infusion of cash to close the gap. Council Member Alison Alter asked questions about why there were so many more injuries this year than in the past. Baker explained simply that firefighting is a dangerous job.

Council Member Mackenzie Kelly said she remembered sponsoring a resolution to fund more aerial trucks and firefighters for those trucks. AFD confirmed to the Austin Monitor that it has one or more of those. But Bob Nicks, president of the Austin Firefighters Association, noted that they are not being used regularly because of a lack of staff.

Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool is hoping firefighters will get to reduce their workweek from the current 52 hours to 51 hours. However, that will require more firefighters. Nicks told the Monitor that four firefighters have died by suicide in the past few years, including one just two weeks ago. He attributed those deaths to the stress of being a firefighter and having to work so many hours. Baker told Council the department is working to help firefighters with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Baker told Council the Fire Department is once again seeking personnel, with two cadet classes in progress. But when Kelly asked Nicks for his thoughts, he said the city should add a third class in order to fill department vacancies and alleviate the need for so much overtime. He said that would cost about $1.75 million to start the class right away and he encouraged them to do that.

Nicks told the Monitor one problem that firefighters face is denial of medical services by the city’s Human Resources Department. He said many firefighters would be able to go back to work sooner if their treatments were authorized sooner. Lang told Council they were recommending a pilot program with a third-party vendor to help firefighters get medical attention more quickly.

At the police department, Lang noted that high vacancy rates are leading to increased overtime spending, not a new problem. The sworn officer overtime expense in 2020 was $23 million, she said. That number has fluctuated over the years but now stands at nearly $48 million, and the APD vacancy rate is nearly 19 percent. Representatives from APD’s sex crimes unit reminded Council of their obligation to pay for training, detective staffing, volunteer compensation and other items following a lawsuit settlement related to the department’s failure to adequately investigate and prosecute sex crimes. The unmet need projected for 2025 is about $408,000, according to Lang.

EMS Chief Robert Luckritz is championing a new command district downtown to respond to higher call volumes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. He explained that under the current regime, ambulances are called from other parts of town to the entertainment district. On many occasions, the person does not need an ambulance and may just need to go to the Sobering Center, he said.

EMS is seeking $993,000 for three sworn officer positions and $816,000 for vehicles and equipment for the new station.

According to Luckritz, ambulances are the most expensive type of vehicle EMS employs. He suggested that the city could “basically geofence the downtown area, like we do during SXSW,” and utilize small Polaris-type vehicles to treat up to four patients at a time. He said they would be like mini ambulances that could be placed, for example, on Sixth Street and Rainey Street.

Pool wanted to know whether a similar program could be used for the Domain, which she noted is becoming like a second downtown. Luckritz said that could also happen. Pool seemed enthusiastic about the idea, as did Council Member Zo Qadri.

Council also heard about the needs of Austin Public Health, the Parks and Recreation Department, Animal Services, Human Resources and the Homeless Strategy Office on Wednesday before hearing from members of the public. They will continue hearing about budget options and hear community input on Aug. 1. There will be more budget work sessions on Aug. 6 and 8. Budget readings and tax rate hearings are set for Aug. 14-16.” Austin Monitor

BUSINESS NEWS

~ “Exclusive: Tesla leases space in RCR Taylor Logistics Park” Austin Business Journal’s Justin Sayers – “Tesla Inc. plans to take a 183,000-square-foot, rail-served building in the RCR Taylor Logistics Park that is being built by Houston-based Partners Real Estate.

It marks the latest example of the electric vehicle manufacturer's growing footprint in the Austin suburbs. The Elon Musk-led company has more than 1 million square feet combined in Kyle, Hutto and now Taylor that offer ancillary support to its massive gigafactory in eastern Travis County, which spanned 10 million square feet of floor space at last count.

Company officials said at the time that the new building was pre-leased but declined to share additional details, citing a non-disclosure agreement. But rumors have persisted over the last several weeks that Tesla intended to lease the site, which is near the auto ramp the company has used to ship its finished models by rail. The lease was confirmed by Aquila Commercial LLC based on market research shared with the ABJ.

It's unclear how Tesla will use the location. Both Tesla and Partners did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tesla, like all of Musk's companies, typically operates under a veil of secrecy —even disbanding its media department in 2020 —and requires companies it works with to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Regardless, the project is being celebrated as a win for Taylor and Williamson County.

Dave Porter, executive director of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership, said Tesla's addition to the RCR Taylor Logistics Park is helping establish Williamson County, including Taylor, as a hub for manufacturing and logistics.

It was reported last year that a trio of companies with ties to Samsung had purchased land in the park: South Korea-based chemicals company Soulbrain Holdings Co. Ltd., and two other logistics companies that operate in both Korea and the United States: HTNS America Inc. and ENC Inc. Texas Materials Inc. is also building materials plants at the site.

"Williamson County is grateful for a company of the caliber of Tesla to expand into our community," Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said. "We're deeply grateful for their commitment and excited about our future together."“ ABJ ($)

~ “No more ‘A’ group? Southwest Airlines plans to switch to assigned seating, other changes,” Austin American-Statesman’s Alexis Simmerman — “After more than50 years, Southwest Airlines is getting rid of its open seating policy. The Dallas-based airline announced Thursday it would be scrapping its open seating policy in favor of assigned seating. The shift more closely aligns with the changing consumer preferences.

The implementation of assigned seating is just one among the handful of changes Southwest detailed in its recent press release. Here's what we know.

Southwest Airlines introduces assigned seating policy

In apress releaseThursday, Southwest acknowledged "preferences have evolved with more customers taking longer flights where a seat assignment is preferred." The airline hopes moving to assigned seats and revamping its boarding process will broaden Southwest's appeal to both new and existing customers: Research found 80% of current Southwest customers and 86% of potential customers prefer assigned seating.

The airline did not provide an exact date for the switch.

Changes to 'enhance customer experience, improve financial performance'

In addition to assigned seating, Southwest is also rolling out premium seating options on all flights, and introducing red-eye flights.

"While specific cabin layout details are still in design, Southwest expects roughly one-third of seats across the fleet to offer extended legroom, in line with that offered by industry peers on narrowbody aircraft," the airline said.

Southwest said the changes are "designed to elevate the customer experience, improve financial performance, and drive shareholder value" without sacrificing operational efficiency.

The airline reported it had analyzed financial results from the first three months of 2024, as well as product preferences and expectations, to create a comprehensive plan. The airline will share the details of the plan during its Investor Day in late September.” AAS ($)

OTHER NEWS

~ “Evacuations lifted after ‘significant’ gas leak in Pflugerville,” KVUE’s Jeff Bell — “Evacuations have been lifted for some Pflugerville residents on Wednesday night after a “significant” gas leak.

According to the city of Pflugerville, crews are working to repair a gas leak affecting the area between Kelly Lane and Kennemer Drive. The public has been asked to avoid the area.

Evacuations in the area were lifted as of around 9:45 p.m., but the city said the situation was being closely monitored.

“Crews are working diligently to remedy the situation while keeping our community safe,” the city said in a statement.

The leak was reported in the area from Mallard Pond Trail to Hanging Rock Drive, including sections off of Kennemer Drive. As of 8:25 p.m., Kelly Lane and Kennemer Drive were closed to all traffic.

The city has not yet identified the cause of the leak.” KVUE

~ “Person tests positive for West Nile virus in Hays County,” KVUE’s Jeff Bell — “A human has tested positive for West Nile virus in Hays County, the Hays County Health Department (HCHD) confirmed on Wednesday.

The county’s health department said so far this season, two mosquito trap samples have tested positive for the virus, including one on July 19 and another on July 23 in the 78666 ZIP code. There were no positive West Nile virus mosquito pools during the 2023 season in Hays County.”

Symptoms of West Nile Virus

Symptoms of West Nile Virus may include body aches, fever, headache, skin rash on the "trunk of the body" and swollen lymph nodes. Those 50 years old and older and/or with compromised immune symptoms are at a higher risk for severe symptoms, which may include disorientation, vision loss, paralysis, coma, stiffness and, in rare cases, death.

West Nile Virus can't be passed from human to human – infection occurs from being bitten by an infected mosquito.” KVUE

SPORTS

~ AUSTIN FC:“The Verde Report: Nightmare Leagues Cup Draw Exactly What Austin FC Needed,” Austin Chronicle’s Eric Goodman — “Happy Leagues Cup to all who celebrate.

For the second year running, MLS has put a monthlong freeze on its regular season to stage the world’s longest crossover episode, once again teaming up with Mexico’s Liga MX for the tournament-style competition. Bragging rights, along with $40 million in total prize money, are on the line.

Many U.S. soccer fans – including Los Verdes and Austin Anthem supporters groups, locally – have publicly denounced the Leagues Cup in the wake of MLS withdrawing the majority of its teams from the 110-year-old U.S. Open Cup. That is largely unfair.

The Leagues Cup is a creative, forward-thinking enterprise by the two leagues (and particularly by MLS) that accomplishes several things. Number one, it creates unique, attractive matchups, like LAFC vs. Monterrey in last year’s quarterfinals, for example. Number two, it offers an accessible way for casual fans to parachute into North American club soccer during an otherwise barren month of the sports calendar without having to commit to an eight-month season. And number three, it challenges MLS clubs against worthy – if not superior – opponents.

That’s in direct contrast to the Open Cup, which annually pitted MLS teams against second, third, and fourth division clubs in utter mismatches that offered little benefit to the big boys apart from a chance to give minutes to players that typically rode the bench.

Fans of the nostalgia and “tradition” of the Open Cup are certainly fair to wonder why MLS can’t continue to fully participate in both competitions, as it did a year ago. However, if the league felt it could only sustainably keep one of the two in its calendar, the choice was always Leagues Cup, and rightfully so.

Austin FC, meanwhile, barely got a taste of the competition in 2023. Despite drawing a group that included two lower-table Liga MX clubs in Mazatlán and FC Juárez, ATXFC bombed out after two matches.

This time around, Austin once again drew one of the two groups to feature a pair of clubs south of the border. Only this time, it’s a pair of giants in Monterrey and Pumas UNAM, two of the most successful clubs in North American soccer history.

“We play two of the very best in Mexico. They’re gonna be about as difficult of games as you can face,” ATX head coach Josh Wolff assessed.

By any measure, it’s a nightmare draw. But in a way, it’s really the perfect draw for Austin at this point and time.

The Verde and Black will be expected to lose both games. Should that indeed happen, the club will quietly shuffle off into a three-week summer break where Wolff will have as much time as he could possibly need to recalibrate for the final nine games of the MLS season. Those nine games aren’t just critical for Austin, they’re critical for Wolff himself as he tries to save his job by leading the club back to the MLS Cup Playoffs (ATX is currently two points below the playoff line).

The break would also grant the club’s three recent acquisitions, Osman Bukari, Mikkel Desler, and Oleksandr Svatok something akin to an abbreviated preseason to get fully up to speed in Austin.

On the other hand, should Austin FC somehow win either matchup, it would immediately go down as the biggest win in the club’s history and could instantly inject the club with a massive dose of momentum.

Austin FC takes on Pumas Friday night and Monterrey Tuesday night, both at Q2 Stadium in what should be tremendous environments. So let’s sit back, relax, and enjoy the magic of the Leagues Cup.” Austin Chronicle

~ TEXAS / TEXAS A&M BASEBALL:“Texas, Texas A&M rankings: Where do Longhorns, Aggies rank in Baseball America top 25?” USA Today’s Austin Curtright — “While college baseball just concluded in June, talk is already being made about the 2025 season.

With rosters starting to be set following the 2024 MLB draft, the transfer portal being open for a few weeks and the coaching carousel largely figured out, teams are starting to come together.

Baseball America released its "way-too-early" top 25 rankings for the 2025 college baseball season on Wednesday, with LSU occupying the top spot. There were also 11 SEC teams ranked inside the top 25, including Texas A&M, the reigning runner-up, and Texas, who hired former Aggies coach Jim Schlossnagle in the offseason.

While the Aggies lost first-round draft pick Braden Montgomery, they do bring back plenty of talent, including Jace LaViolette, Gavin Grahovac, Kaeden Kent and Caden Sorrell. The Longhorns, meanwhile, return last year's Big 12 Player of the Year, Max Belyeu, along with an influx of new talent.

Here's where Texas and Texas A&M are ranked in Baseball America's early top 25 rankings, along with the rest of the teams included:

Where Texas, Texas A&M rank in Baseball America 'way too early' top 25

Texas A&M is the highest-rated team from the state of Texas in Baseball America's top 25, at No. 5 overall. That said, the Aggies are only the third highest-ranked team from the SEC, behind No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Florida.

The Longhorns, meanwhile, come in at No. 19 overall. They are the 10th of 11 SEC teams in the top 25, leading only No. 23 Kentucky. Schlossnagle's new squad trails LSU, Florida, Texas A&M, No. 7 Tennessee, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 11 Georgia, No. 16 Mississippi State, No. 17 South Carolina and No. 18 Vanderbilt.

AUSTIN CULTURE

~ DINING: Predicting Which Austin Restaurants Will Earn Stars in the Michelin Texas Guide. Austin Eater

~ DINING: Austin Modern Mexican Restaurant Bacalar Closes to Make Way for a More Casual Taqueria Austin Eater

WHAT TO DO TONIGHT

~ ART: Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experiences. Former Austin American-Statesman building downtown. Open daily 10am-8pm thru Fri, Sept. 13. $19.99 and up. More info here.

~ FOOD: 22 Very Fine Fries in Austin. Austin Eater

~ ART: Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experiences. Former Aus

~ REVELRY: Music Bingo (every Thursday thru Aug. 1). 7pm. Punch Bowl Social. Free with RSVP. More info here.

COOL JOB ALERT

~SMART MANUFACTURING CONSULTANT: Deloitte, Austin, TX. “Reasonable” pay range: $84,600 to $141,000. More info / apply here.