[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6668153,"mediaKeyId","2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158","parentId",2241224,"title","Resident urges music–neighborhood permit model and lower event fees to ease noise and event barriers","audioSeconds",194,"startMs",291000,"endMs",485000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158&start=291&end=485","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158/thumbnail_291000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6668153/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Resident-urges-musicneighborhood-permit-model-and-lower-event-fees-to-ease-noise-and-event-barriers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668153-eeacd2c6f55bdabc4289bbe1ff4d4d08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770794766&Signature=IDAqMqvjDZKnqRcKZqFBxhRlHVyMvUjEDz-R-9IZxE7hjZEQQeJgnvMw1G-rlh2c4giDL7-joWmtmqC2SZHW0UL56usq9zSAEdNuYjLDcZb1VNZ2hivu3aRZzwQFxvNJEBIankVMjVRKDRdEHwgaxhM8CUFdk754TVjDgCe7kbJMcvBEvQRR0HT4VcdwW5fNMHFnIuQeuz3Ad38ACAxRlElmAbx-k4hXBQId81pA6OOzuT87wsLQk5QedxeBIPjGh6EFyVdKte-mFVqCXO0ZOBHw-gJQBypl8nH3UC-FBYQnXTmf0~~ONzfUeC9GDxMGV829i-DDDv75sk9dqYZSOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","During public communications the commission heard from Ryan Saunders, a resident of the East César Chavez neighborhood and neighborhood board member, who urged the commission to consider permit models that formalize interaction between venues and neighbors and to reduce permitting barriers for community events.

Saunders cited examples from other cities where special-use permits create a framework for ongoing dialogue between bar/venue operators and residents. “The Lower Greenville area in Dallas has a specific use permit, which allows for better interaction between residents and businesses,” he said. Saunders said his neighborhood benefits from a local arrangement with the Scoot Inn that permits dialogue and accommodation between residents and venue operators.

Saunders also described noise-measurement concerns: Austin Police Department meters, he said, measure A-weighted sound and do not effectively capture low-frequency bass that residents report as disruptive. He said outdoor-amplified-sound rules were not consistently enforced at venues that use garage-style openings, and he asked for clearer guidance and enforcement on which establishments are subject to outdoor-amplified sound standards.

He also raised the cost of neighborhood-scale event permits: Saunders described a community alley clean-up and mural project where initial city permitting estimates approached $3,000 to temporarily close one block for cleanup and volunteer activity, which the organizers described as a prohibitive cost for a small community event.

Commissioners acknowledged the issue and encouraged staff follow-up: Commissioners Gold and others agreed the commission should consider the permitting topic under future agenda items. The commission did not take formal action on the request but asked staff to track the issue for possible future consideration and recommended the item be placed on a future agenda for deeper discussion with staff and relevant departments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Music - Feb 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident and neighborhood board member asked the Music Commission to consider permit models that formalize neighborhood–venue relations to reduce noise conflicts and lower event permitting costs for community projects in East César Chavez and similar neighborhoods.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668158,"Convention center demolition to begin this spring; public art and commercial tower plan face changes",284,3591000,3875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158&start=3591&end=3875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158/thumbnail_3591000.jpg","/articles/6668158/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Convention-center-demolition-to-begin-this-spring-public-art-and-commercial-tower-plan-face-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668158-b985323acceb6a76a5f3dc9f68871b3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770794766&Signature=GZNKdi6ZNi9IPWF3RXJkpugyXMC7r-KPAELYGDjV82jL8bJws-5lbxMykOVFTB9l9SP0dYBIUrSvnBzZh-vWqrfkiZjOhgjKXLlBDMQLnYRoOcCBI6j8dWs14uayZMDHfVdr4k6jLiTR7-gAYLsCQLJ0OVeaDaNUtgM04vjdIRNvbPTXd8x8cblh-k86-GQ-PdVKHjH4BGA0kH~c0oKCtxGslwa-tJXNu0KlSDRXzvfZmHclDvAlP-m1N1H-sOjauIlmeBV-nSE~X6gPXnVT~3bhDck1OlfiWxzs2Lk-AqqyzZtTnhzJxDe~Ow~uXRMOn1NYAlfuBBP8BwEcqOFgAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vice Chair Patterson updated the Music Commission on the Austin Convention Center expansion and its implications for arts and the music economy.

The current convention center will be fenced after South by Southwest and demolition is scheduled to begin in May, Vice Chair Patterson said; the 2026 convention schedule will use other venues while construction proceeds. “This will be the last South by Southwest that'll be using the convention the current convention center space,” Patterson said.

Staff said the previously proposed public-private tower on the convention-center footprint — a plan that included a mixed-use tower with hotel or housing — was determined not feasible. “That footprint will still be used for the convention center, but it's not clear right now … what the how that's going to be used,” Patterson said.

The working group flagged arts-specific impacts: public artworks installed at the current facility will be removed and staff said some pieces will be repurposed while others may be too costly to salvage. Patterson specifically noted a large mosaic by artist John Yancey that likely cannot be saved within available budget. She encouraged arts and restoration professionals to volunteer or advise on preservation options.

Parks, tourism and hospitality impacts were also discussed. The commission noted the multi-year disruption for downtown festivals and for South by Southwest attendees, and asked how hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) revenues and the convention budget will be affected. Vice Chair Patterson said convention staff told the commission that servicing costs were included in the project budget, but maintenance and long-term cost questions remain.

Commissioners urged the convention center team to hold targeted outreach sessions — including a public session focused on arts and music uses for the ground floor — and to share plans for pedestrian circulation and retail uses. Patterson said convention staff planned community outreach after a council presentation scheduled for later in the month.

No formal action was taken. The commission asked that staff coordinate notice of any public meetings and urged arts and music leaders to participate in outreach.","Commissioners were briefed on the Austin Convention Center expansion: demolition will begin in May, the previously proposed public-private tower (hotel/office) is no longer considered feasible, and public-art treatments at the current center may be removed or repurposed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668163,"City briefing warns state bills could affect Austin music, events and DEI programs",1037,608000,1645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158&start=608&end=1645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158/thumbnail_608000.jpg","/articles/6668163/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-briefing-warns-state-bills-could-affect-Austin-music-events-and-DEI-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668163-c82603ae60fe5ebd018a02b92cb41e2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770794766&Signature=i3RGhxXbBJSHmJbo5QG8oeSFeel-wOObQAE4yEBAi7balMU0UGqtc61Xusqz2zv0D7QojbnL05ioChy1saBAQ8nX-MFqpyoPhsHZLNNTB3gOHcJJT~C5lg8hrPktJ3rb8ANQXjj0jrbrorrpJoX7ssxiPWEHHKuxaVEavjpmCdSqa3uazsNcXzyxduVJqAz6bOPIMWPqS-xM5zWNzXL498qOoqZRsjhnnxQQwm8zL3odoQeukZa9D-7bAJNwundNJk3nXZn0s34wbFqUpA8ndsLnxsOg~8btcxVVLAbSMBCI8xwWFfkYoqAi2fy3KeaSkcNl-RhynO9n-1dwf8eZSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rick Ramirez, deputy Intergovernmental Relations officer for the City of Austin, briefed the Music Commission on key bills filed in the Texas Legislature that city staff will monitor during the 80th session.

Ramirez framed the session as “politically charged,” noting a new speaker of the Texas House and a larger freshman class. He urged the commission to track measures that could directly affect municipal authority, the hotel and events economy and programs funded locally.

Several bills Ramirez highlighted would have direct implications for live music and city-run events. He described proposals that would restrict local hiring of lobbyists and cap local expenditures, and a bill he said would restrict event organizers from prohibiting firearms at events held on government property. “If it is an event that's held on city or government property … the event organizer cannot prohibit the use of firearms on there,” Ramirez said, adding that the change could affect where out-of-state event organizers choose to hold festivals.

Ramirez also called attention to a set of bills on diversity, equity and inclusion that would, in his words, prohibit a governmental entity from maintaining a DEI program and — in one filed bill — bar city officials from using a list of listed terms in official positions and materials. He said staff are reviewing those measures for impacts on grant programs and other funding tied to local offices.

Other items Ramirez mentioned included bills on annexation and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), municipal debt restrictions, data-sharing for homelessness services and an early-stage artificial intelligence bill. He urged the commission to rely on staff for updates: “When you see articles that say it passed the House or it passed the Senate, it just passed that house. Until you read an article that says it is a new law, that's when you know the bill has finally made the final hurdle,” he said.

Commissioners asked for clarification on timing and impact. Ramirez said effective dates vary by bill and that the Intergovernmental Relations Office will notify departments and attempt to seek extensions to compliance deadlines if a bill's effective date would make city compliance impracticable.

The briefing underscored several themes of concern for music and events stakeholders: potential restrictions on local contracting or spending, the possibility that event rules would change for government property, and uncertainty about how state-level directives could affect city-funded arts and cultural programs. Ramirez offered to send the commission follow-up materials and to serve as a contact for further questions.

No formal action was taken; the briefing was informational and the commission recorded questions for staff follow-up.","The City of Austin's Intergovernmental Relations officer briefed the Music Commission on dozens of bills filed in the Texas Legislature that could affect city authority, event permitting and diversity, equity and inclusion programs, including proposed restrictions on municipal lobbying, DEI language and proposals limiting local control.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6668168,"Music Commission approves updated rules for Austin Live Music Fund, prioritizing musicians' career accomplishments",8271,2903000,11174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158&start=2903&end=11174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241224-a6704098d6f219516dafc17a88f11158/thumbnail_2903000.jpg","/articles/6668168/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Music-Commission-approves-updated-rules-for-Austin-Live-Music-Fund-prioritizing-musicians-career-accomplishments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6668168-23e2f7ec6447303b6806349255554d29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770794766&Signature=jGw~IMkbH7uGog-mVvQ6I9PUWwYdLbFzGh6fzSjKLSzt~gnWhPl19u2NtClG3ZXAdcATWHsYihb1PDyt02oDcB7usiztTXBfYLBK7MsqrflfGc0RsRa10taiiOKkpcV4GDijZgiGsC1DDHuQdJfdeKv2l6z2S4-hEbvgrvwjsjRwfBpXrc66B6JLssEGS6VGo5of5~wtEJ6KlOQLQhgd0PQOQt2pdES-hMcfoPVFBMINh1zOoXE1C~QgFgp-4eKBfERT-~cH~97l8poyNjpXpWbwN2aQOpmwaJSRiBn3Vh4Ws92F1BUfx3NLxA6S~GM8-cR1K2-MtJZtw4OwGU5-2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Austin Music Commission approved revised guidelines for the Austin Live Music Fund after months of working-group discussion and public comment.

The commission voted to adopt two grant tiers — $5,000 awards over one year and $20,000 awards over two years — and to prioritize applicants' documented career accomplishments and local economic impact in scoring. The vote passed with a majority of commissioners; one commissioner opposed.

The change is meant to stretch limited hot-tax dollars across more individual musicians and independent promoters while maintaining a separate funding track for live music venues. Erica Shamley, Music and Entertainment Division manager for the city's Economic Development Department, told the commission that the office adjusted the program to reduce administrative burden and to emphasize career-building investments. “We wanted to do higher grants because ... it is a better investment and more focused investment in the careers and businesses of our applicants and awardees,” Shamley said.

Pat Butcher, chief executive officer of ATXM (Austin, Texas Musicians), presented survey findings and urged a structure that reaches more performers with smaller awards. “I'd rather see more musicians get them because $20,000 is a lot. You'd have to be doing this for a long time to know what to do with that,” Butcher said when describing musician feedback favoring smaller, more numerous grants.

The commission’s recommended scoring breakdown gives musician career accomplishments 50 percent of the score, local economic impact 25 percent, marketing (past and future) 20 percent and accessibility features 5 percent. The recommendation removes previously used questions about access to banking and health-care services from the scoring rubric.

Nicole Clopadlo, executive director of the Red River Cultural District, argued the venue stream should stay narrowly defined so that venues whose principal function is live music remain prioritized. “We want to see the evidence then that is uploaded as the grant application support the actual definition of the venue,” Clopadlo said, urging retention of the existing venue definition and the $30,000/$60,000 venue grant tiers.

Commissioner Strickland, who led independent outreach to musicians and promoters outside the formal working group, pressed for stricter verification and project-based awards so funds are tied to public-facing performances and exhibitions. He emphasized residential verification, measurable project outcomes and reciprocity with other cultural grant programs for high-scoring applicants who run out of live-music-fund dollars.

The motion to adopt the recommendations was moved on the floor and seconded; the clerk recorded votes including Commissioner Ray Price (yes), Commissioner Casada (yes), Chair Modi (yes), Vice Chair Patterson (yes), Commissioner Carvalho (yes), Commissioner Blevins (yes) and Commissioner Strickland (no). The motion passed and the commission directed staff to work with the Economic Development Department and Legal to finalize application language for the planned May–June 2025 rollout.

The commission and staff noted operational constraints: more, smaller awards increase administrative workload and reporting obligations. “Each grant equates to a grant agreement that has to be monitored and managed all the way from progress reports to payments,” Shamley said, adding that final reports and receipts are required before final payments are released.

Next steps: staff will draft final application and scoring language consistent with the commission’s direction, coordinate legal review on accessibility and other scoring elements, and publish outreach and application dates. The commission encouraged continued community workshops to help applicants prepare stronger, project-based proposals.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the Music Commission’s recommendations for the Austin Live Music Fund (2025) — Approved (Yes: Ray Price, Casada, Chair Modi, Vice Chair Patterson, Carvalho, Blevins; No: Strickland).","The City of Austin Music Commission voted to approve revised criteria for the Austin Live Music Fund aimed at expanding reach to more musicians and promoters by offering $5,000 and $20,000 grant tracks and shifting scoring weight toward past career accomplishments and local economic impact.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges music–neighborhood permit model and lower event fees to ease noise and event barriers

Convention center demolition to begin this spring; public art and commercial tower plan face changes

City briefing warns state bills could affect Austin music, events and DEI programs

Music Commission approves updated rules for Austin Live Music Fund, prioritizing musicians' career accomplishments