Based on key recommendations from the Live Music Task Force, the Austin City Council met recently to determine the fate of the Austin Music Department (or Music Office). The department would coordinate with other offices, companies, and venues to maintain the billion dollar industry. The vote on the measure was to be cast last Thursday, June 18 but was delayed due to pressure from Austin police union officials.
The cost of creating the music office was estimated to be $330,000 which angered the union. They disagree with spending the money at a time when the city budget is being trimmed due to a planned shortfall of $30 million, including large cuts in the police budget. The union made it clear to city officials that the creation of the department would jeopardize their offer to defer or forfeit their 2010 pay raises, a move that would save the city $5 million. In response, Council members delayed their votes on the measure so the Council can look at sources of funding for the music department.
The music community heavily supports the creation of the music office. Live Music Task Force member and owner of Transmission Entertainment James Moody called the decision to delay the vote short-sighted.
The delay was approved unanimously by the City Council; they will reconvene on August 6th.
Resources
Austin-American Statesman article
Austin Live Music Task Force recommendations
Austin City Council
The Resolution put forward by the City Council
Opinion of this Examiner
Comments
My view is probably known, but $330,000 is a bargain for something the city desperately needs. Austin may present a good facade of supporting live and local music, but the system is broken. The city barely supports its musicians, many venues find ways to screw bands over, noise ordinances are limiting performances, and two companies are battling for control over the whole scene. I doubt one city office will change everything, but it is a step in the right direction. Live music brings in a billion dollars a year to a city that advertises itself as the Live Music Capitol of the world yet little of that money goes into improving and maintaining that reputation.
I also think the police union wields too much power, but I'm not going to expand on that...yet.
I agree to a degree. But first, "The city barely supports its musicians". The city doesn't support me, the city doesn't support a lot of citizens, nor should they.
I am all for some form of highlighting and cultivating the music industry, as the city itself uses the "Live music capital..." line itself, but the fact of the matter is $330,000 is still a lot, regardless of how much of a bargain it is.
The point is that a husband would not care that the $800.00 purse his wife just bought was on sale from $1,800.00 if they are living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Point blank, at this point and time, Austin is not living "paycheck-to-paycheck". There is a serious deficiency going on right now, and the city needs to pause on some projects -for now.
Once again, I have no problem with any projects such as this, when the timing is better and we do not have police, fire, and EMS and citizens across the city looking at pay-cuts.
Hi Brandon,
I don't mean to imply that I want our musicians to be city-sponsored. The support I am looking for is in the form of goodwill and infrastructure to support the music scene. Specifically, the formation of the music office as designed by the Live Music Task Force.
Why can we put off the music department but not $5 million in police raises? The reality is that we don't have government employees looking at pay cuts. Their raises are contracted and received yearly regardless of economic conditions thanks to their unions. They can choose to defer or forfeit them yearly as a gesture of goodwill or to buy political capital.
I don't really agree with your comparison to the $800 purse. The music office isn't something to look good, it's designed to help manage and improve a billion dollar local industry.
Thanks for the comment; I'm always willing to look at it from different angles even if I don't agree.
Tyler,
The APD police union voluntarily gave up wage increases to assist with the Austin budget and allow a cadet class to replace retirees. The City then proposes new spending proposals. Not a logically consistent position, which is the norm for the Mayor and City Council.
The city has taken a hard stance against collective bargaining and city worker wages, at the same time they increase high paying Administrative jobs. That is what this is about, and I wouldn't expect much change with the creation of Music Department, because Austin is controlled by Real Estate developers. Struggling musicians aren't even on their radar screen although they can bs with the best.
Hi Frank,
I'm in agreement with you but choose to hold out a little bit of optimism for the music department. If we didn't bill ourselves as the Live Music Capitol then the music office would have no chance. But Austin has made it a priority and selling point to be known for live music. If the title fades, then the real estate developers would make less money.
It may be idealistic, but there are semi-powerful people in Austin that care deeply about live music. It's my hope that they can muster enough collective strength to push through something that has a chance to enhance the music scene, despite the economic condition we're in.
yler,
The Austin music scene is a big tourist attraction, and it is realistic to have a couple of City employees coordinating Austin music scene issues. Based upon the City's website (Music area), it looks like that may already be the case, but please correct me if I am wrong.
"many venues find ways to screw bands over, noise ordinances are limiting performances, and two companies are battling for control over the whole scene. I doubt one city office will change everything, but it is a step in the right direction."
I believe what you list there are political issues, that won't be resolved easily. The noise ordinance impact on downtown music has become prominent since the high income downtown high rise condo/apartments that the Mayor and Council support. The contract battle between music companies is another political whose your buddy question, IMO. Again, no problem with City support, but many of the problems you list are City Administration induced.
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