Austin, Monitored: Zilker Cafe and a potential new fee to help parks

Parks Board recommends vendor for Zilker Café, while voicing concerns about lack of local presence

From Amy Smith:

Unlike the city’s 2021 request for proposal, the new Request for Proposals (RFP) specifically outlawed the sale of alcohol on site, saving PARD from having to seek a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission, which denied the request.

Board member Kim Taylor noted that many food trucks in Austin are able to remain successful without alcohol sales, and that the last vendor to operate the Zilker Café did not sell alcohol and still managed to remain onsite for about 10 years.

In the end, the board voted 6-1 to recommend City Council approval of the vendor, with Ted Eubank dissenting and four board members absent. The issue will go to Council in July or August.

Ellis Calls for Parks Maintenance Fee Amid Tight Budget Outlook

As City Council begins early discussions on the 2025–2026 budget, Councilmember Paige Ellis has proposed consideration of a new parks maintenance fee to address growing funding gaps for the city’s parks and recreation system. Citing state-imposed caps on property tax revenue, Ellis posted on the Council message board that, without new funding sources, the city risks further declines in park quality, pointing to a recent ten-place drop in the city’s national ParkScore ranking.

Ellis, who serves as vice chair of the Council’s Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee, is proposing a modest fee added to the city’s monthly utility bills, with revenue dedicated solely to park maintenance and improvements. She emphasized that the fee should supplement existing parks funding and suggested exempting the low-income households enrolled in city assistance programs. Ellis said the idea builds on recommendations from a working group established by Council last year and has support from groups like the Austin Parks Foundation. The city manager’s proposed budget is expected in mid-July.

— Chad Swiatecki

City Expands Participation in Energy-Saving Demand Response Program

In response to a City Council directive issued in April, Austin Energy has significantly expanded the number of city-owned buildings participating in its Commercial Demand Response Program ahead of peak summer electricity demand. According to a recent memo, 154 additional city facilities have been enrolled, bringing the total to 195 buildings with a combined demand reduction potential of 6.37 megawatts. “Demand response” events occur during periods of high grid stress, when Austin Energy requests participating facilities to temporarily reduce their energy use.

As part of the program, departments will receive end-of-season scorecards to track building performance and incentives earned, while Austin Energy will provide training and annual coaching to improve participation strategies. The city has also begun outreach to other government entities within the Austin Energy service area, with 100 external accounts already contributing an additional 1.8 megawatts of potential load reduction.

— Chad Swiatecki

ACME office exploring impacts, future funding to offset federal arts cuts

The city lacks the funding and ability to step in and assist local artists impacted by recent federal cuts to creative groups. In a recent memo, the Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME) confirmed that at least 49 local organizations were affected by rescinded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, with award amounts ranging from $10,000 to $60,000. Some grants were canceled before payment, while others were terminated midstream, creating budgetary gaps for recipients.

While the city is not currently able to establish a dedicated emergency fund to address the shortfall, ACME staff are taking steps to track the impacts and pursue alternative support. That includes working with the Texas Commission on the Arts and other stakeholders to assess the financial toll, and integrating the issue into broader planning under “The Creative Reset,” a framework aimed at long-term sustainability. Staff are also exploring partnerships with philanthropic and corporate entities to help stabilize Austin’s arts ecosystem and offset future funding volatility.

— Chad Swiatecki

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ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

As an update to the robotaxi launch, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now involved, after several alarming videos captured their erratic behavior.

The Texas Tribune talks to our old friend Greg Casar about his vision for the Democratic Party.

Austin will have to end it’s decades-long sister-cityship with Xishuangbanna, China this fall, according to a new state law.

And, apparently, there’s something called a “Liver King” and he’s been arrested in Austin following threats to Joe Rogan.

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