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War on the Warren Compound The Voice of Juárez’s Murdered Women Big Bill Unleashed P.16 P.20 P.44 n g ai p m ca The Search r ea for Good m h Bagels c s in Austin BY VERONICA MEEWES P.28 VOTE! 2017-18 Music Poll Finalists on p.43 JANUARY 12, 2018 VOLUME 37, NUMBER 20 austinchronicle.com CONTENTS JANUARY 12, 2018 VOLUME 37, NUMBER 20 PUBLISHER Nick Barbaro EDITORIAL EDITOR Kimberley Jones NEWS Chase Hoffberger ARTS Robert Faires FOOD Jessi Cape SCREENS Richard Whittaker MUSIC Raoul Hernandez WEB James Renovitch CALENDAR LISTINGS MANAGER, CLUB LISTINGS Mark Fagan ARTS LISTINGS & MEAL TIMES Wayne Alan Brenner SPECIAL SCREENINGS, SHOWTIMES, & COMMUNITY LISTINGS Josh Kupecki GAY PLACE & CIVICS LISTINGS Sarah Marloff STAFF WRITERS Kevin Curtin, Nina Hernandez, Michael King, Mary Tuma CONTRIBUTING WRITERS FILM Marjorie Baumgarten FAR FLUNG CORRESPONDENCE Emily Beyda MR. SMDAAYR TTYR IPPASN GTeS rRa.ldU .E S. tMeicnLbeeordg 28 COVER STORY: Perfect Circle COVER BY JASON STOUT/THINKSTOCK PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR Jason Stout 4 FEEDBACK 32 SCREENS PRODUCTION MANAGER Chris Linnen WEB DIRECTOR Brian Barry GRAPHIC DESDIGIGNIETRASL ZSeTkReA TBEaGrYb aMroic,h Jaeeffl BGaarmtnmeitltl 32 SPLIT DECISION FOR AFCA Get Out, The Shape of Water STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS John Anderson, Jana Birchum, 6 NEWS top local critic awards BY RICHARD WHITTAKER David Brendan Hall PROOFREADERS Kat McNevins, Greg Stitt, INTERNS Ben Dickerson, Alyssa FDroasnti,e Clleh rWisthiintae 6 POINT AUSTIN 32 Garcia, Savannah Opre, Monserrat Sanchez, BY MICHAEL KING Bailey Shelden ADVERTISING 8 PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Cassidy Frazier BY NICK BARBARO SENIOR ACCOUNBTo EbXbEyC LUeTaIVthE,S EJleizraalbde Ctho rNdietzr,, CIVICS 101 Carolyn Phillips, Lois Richwine ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES David Kleppe, 9 Naked City; Marisa Mirabal Morrison for 16 LEGAOL PNEORTDAIITCGIEIOTSNA JSLe CCKsOOsriiOOscRRtaiDDn NIIeNNe TAAsoTTbfOOittRRet MaMnoadyn oeKrya?;m ;D Caenoa;rt ehCs olapb 34 FKeILy,M P aLdISdiTnIgNtoGnS 2 T, hPeh aCnotmomm uTtherre, aHdo,s Ttihlees P, oInsstidious: The Final Tamar Price Watch; Bonds; and 39 SPECIAL SCREENINGS MARKETING DIRECTOR/PR Sarah Wolf Nooses MARKETING MANAGER Karena Rogers 40 SHOWTIMES LUV DOC/CIRCULATION/SPECIAL EVENTS Dan Hardick 16 NIGHT AT THE MUSE-UHM Does anybody besides Rick STREET TEAM Kelsey Baker, Sommer Brugal, Anna Warren want the Warren Wildlife Gallery in Bouldin Creek? Cherian, Andrea Dane, Andrea Fuentes, Daniela Garcia, Orchid Garcia, Sandra Gisi, Lisa Gossett, BY NINA HERNANDEZ 42 MUSIC Ashley Greenstein, Jenna Herrington, Elias Huerta, Will Josma, Allen Martinez, Patricia May, Bobby JMoincakse yS, pCiraam, iClloek Ma oTrreelvl,in Aon, dArlelyw W Oasreregni, 18 CALENDAR 42 PLAYBACK BY KEVIN CURTIN (88N8AT/I2O7N8A-L9 A8D6V6E,R wTIwSwIN.vGm Vgoaicdev eMrteidsiinag G.croomup) 43 MUSIC POLL BALLOT OFFICE MANAGER/SOUBSFCCORFNIPTIRTCIOOLNELSE RCS LairTzr iFeAr aYonFuknlFing 19 SNAPSHOT 44 BpuIGnk BsI fLiLn aFllrye aukn leash 46 CREDIT MANAGER cindy soo first LP ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT Chelsea Taylor BY LIBBY WEBSTER INFO DESK Zach Pearce SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOPRU PBPraEnRdNoICnK WELa Htkainnks 20 ARTS & CULTURE 46 FSRHEOET SW SEtEaKr PLaIrVkEs, CIRCULATION Abram Shook, Mélat, Tom LFeatiirccihai ldde, Rlau bVeegna F, loPreersry, JDornaiknea, FJaoreel-dS Eosmqmuievresl,, 20 A HAUNTING IN and more Andrew Gerfers, Suzette Johnson, Kevin Kinkade, CIUDAD JUÁREZ 48 RECOMMENDED Eric McKinney, Grant Melcher, Paul Minor, THE AUCSHTEICNK C OHURTO NICLE RosalMin edNl aoFnramiGierr eReHsgea, euBDdpeoC,t eu,N tgORis c,yFk arRN eRnoe obHTms eBeaRnmrnen,az eICnsBsB,nhsr yZyreUi,aese Jnbt,a i TnSZScaiakorO k mmGCe armlRHbarecavueriScrastrh,,,, TwfoGWihnnooaesdmmy t maaeeSg nzhuv’e esroo d iifSpcne pJel raIue osyádka r eTae hcze DmpTTelHeuarsrskIySt er J soAoW ylsaleehE rnc ’ERso, K inADtf tleaeesnjra,s nBiodenrjoa, r Restaurant Melany Jean, Veronica Meewes, Lance Myers, BY ROSALIND Escovedo, Jeffrey Rachel Rascoe, Marc Savlov, Jonelle Seitz, Lewis, Aimee Mann, Guide Kahron Spearman, Tim Stegall, Beth Sullivan, FAIRES Poi Dog Pondering, Michael Toland, ToSmh aTonmono rWroewa,v Jear,y LTirbabcyh tWenebbestregr, 22 ARTS LISTINGS Asleep at the Wheel, FEATURING AN Lazy Lester, …And The Immigrant, ESSENTIAL GUIDE Juana: First (I) You Will Know Us by TO AUSTIN DINING, Dream, and 20 the Trail of Dead, Paul Oakenfold, Coyu, FIRST LOOKS, “Practical Acts of and much more Perception” REMCEINNIT-G RUEIVDIEESW,S, 23 GAY PLACE BY SARAH MARLOFF 49 VENUES AND MORE. 26 COMMUNITY LISTINGS 50 ROADSHOWS + CLUB LISTINGS DAY TRIPS BY GERALD E. MCLEOD 27 SOCCER WATCH BY NICK BARBARO BACK 30 Tbhye T Ahues Atiuns tCinh rCohnrioclnei c(lIeS SCNo:r p1o0ra7t4io-0n7 w4e0e)k ilsy p5u2b ltiismheeds 28 FOOD 57 THE LUV DOC per year at 4000 N. I-35, Austin, TX 78751. COMIX 512/454-5766 ©2013 Austin Chronicle Corp. Subscriptions: One year:A l$l 1ri1gh0t s2 nreds ecrlvaesds.. 28 COMING FULL CIRCLE Bagel culture is expanding in MR. SMARTY PANTS Half-year: $60 2nd class. Austin BY VERONICA MEEWES POPSeTrMiodAiScTaElsR :P oSsetnadg ea dPdarieds as tc Ahuasntgine,s T tXo. 30 FAR FLUNG CORRESPONDENCE Hit the Spot Cafe 58 CLASSIFIEDS The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 4189, BY EMILY BEYDA austinchronicle.com/ Austin, TX 78765. 31 MEAL TIMES 62 CROSSWORD restaurantguide Ulnimsoitliecdit teod asrutbicmleisss, iaorntsw o(irnkc,l updhiontgo gbruatp nhost, FREE WILL ASTROLOGY and résumés) are not returned. 2 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 12, 2018 austinchronicle.com austinchronicle.com JANUARY 12, 2018 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 3 FEEDBACK LETTERS & COMMENTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR must be signed with full name and include daytime phone number, full address, or email address. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Letters may not be edited, added to, or A FALSE DICHOTOMY changed by sender once we receive them. Dear Editor, General email address: [email protected] You published an article titled “‘A Bitter Pill’: Letters online: austinchronicle.com/feedback APD begins life under Chapter 143,” [News, Mailing address: The Austin Chronicle, Jan. 5] which described Austin City Council’s PO Box 4189, Austin, TX 78765 decision to reject the most recent draft of its meet-and-confer agreement with the Austin negotiations or violate the contract, but this Police Association (APA). The article portrayed implication is a false dichotomy. Council’s decision in a very negative light, imply- If the APA had been willing to adequately ing that the decision was hasty and uninformed, address the community’s calls for transparency and failing to give Council credit for representing and oversight, there’s no reason further prog- and supporting the needs of the community. The ress couldn’t have been made. And finally, author observed that in the days following the while depicting Council as naive and solely vote, council members explained their decision, responsible for the contract’s demise, the arti- expressed disappointment in the APA’s choice to cle failed to highlight the immense relief and leave negotiations, and suggested the possibili- hope Council’s vote provided to many in the ty of an interim contract that would serve some community. While there are clearly drawbacks needs of both parties. However, instead of to reverting back to Chapter 143, there is also praising Council’s transparent communication a lot to be gained from investing our resources and openness to compromise, the author dis- into other community initiatives. Whether the missed these actions as efforts by council APA and Council come back to the table and members to “save face” after having made a achieve a truly progressive contract, or whether decision without “considering the consequenc- Council chooses to reallocate those funds es.” The article also implied that Council was toward mental health services, substance abuse pushing the APA into treacherous legal territory treatment, programs for the homeless, or other by suggesting further negotiations, noting that crime-reduction projects, many Austinites are the APA could not extend negotiations if the very happy about Council’s decision, viewing it two sides were no longer making progress. This as a step forward for our community. implies that the APA’s only options were to leave Mandy Blott UPDATED DAILY AUSTINCHRONICLE.COM/POSTMARKS COMING SOON to BookPeople AUSTIN’S COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE since 1970 CALL FOR speaking & signing GIRLS IN THE PICTURE 7PM speaking & signing IRON GOLD 7PM SXSW needs photographers to help tell the story of FRI 1/12 7PM TUES 1/23 7PM MELISSA HARTWIG - WHOLE30 FAST & EASY ERIC BRYANT - NOT LIKE ME our two March 2018 events: SXSW (March 9-18) and FRI 1/19 7PM THURS 1/25 7PM SXSW EDU (March 5-8). HELEN THORPE - THE NEWCOMERS GARY P. 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BOOKSELLER OF THE YEAR “Best bookstore in the country” To learn more and apply online, go to: photocrew.org www.bookpeople.com 6th & Lamar 9 AM - 11 PM everyday 512-472-5050 4 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 12, 2018 austinchronicle.com MARCH 9–18, 2018 WRISTBANDS ON SALE Purchase online to get the best rate. wristbands.sxsw.com/2018 SXSW MUSIC FESTIVAL MARCH 12 – 18 For $169, experience seven nights of music at 90+ venues featuring 2,000+ showcasing artists. Don’t miss your chance to see a mix of brand new, up-and-coming, international, and legendary artists. New for 2018: SXSW Gaming Expo access now extends to Music Festival Wristbands. *Music Festival wristbands provide entry to all official showcases, and always enter after SXSW Platinum & Music Badges, based on capacity. SXSW FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 9 – 17 For $95, experience 400 screenings over 9 days, without further ticket fees. The AFS Cinema is back as a satellite venue for 2018 (specifically for Austin locals)! *Admission to all theaters is subject to legal capacity and many screenings will fill up. Film Festival wristbands provide entry to all screenings in the Secondary Access Lines. Secondary Access Lines include SXSW Film Wristbands and SXSW Music and Interactive Badges. follow @sxsw T austinchronicle.com JANUARY 12, 2018 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 5 NEWS QUOTE WEEK of the “If we are arguing over individual parcels, we are doomed.” – Planning Commission Chair Stephen Oliver, advising colleagues on their CodeNEXT recommendations to Council HEADLINES THE SPECULATION ENDS Former City Council member Laura Morrison announced her mayoral campaign, as the first challenger to incum bent Mayor Steve Adler. Will there be more? Filing period doesn’t end until Aug. 20, plenty of time to get your hopes up …. See p.10. SPENCER CRONK will begin work as Austin’s city manager on Feb. 12. AISD’S BOARD POSTPONED a vote on Monday to rename five area schools named after Confederate figures. Trustees will vote on Feb. 26. ATTORNEY CHARLES POPPER, who’d filed to challenge Judge Brenda Kennedy for her seat on the 403rd District Court, has suspended his campaign. A representative from his law office said Popper has no comment on the decision. CAPITAL METRO’S BOARD was supposed to vote on a new president and CEO on Tuesday, but punted the decision to Friday. Board members will accept feedback until then via email: feedback@cap metro.org. Four candidates are vying for the position. N O S THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION R is kicking E People gathered at the Frisco Shop on Burnet Road on Tuesday D out nearly 200,000 people from El Salvador who AN to gather signatures for a CodeNEXT petition that would put have been allowed to live and work legally in the HN the pending land use rewrite up for a vote in May. Organizers O U.S. The Temporary Protected Status program Y J need 20,000 signatures to force a vote, and Ed English shielded mostly undocumented Salvadorans, flee S B (center) said they’d gathered 200 that night. O T ing a deadly earthquake in 2001. The Department O H of Homeland Security announced the program will P end in September 2019. Beyond Fire and Fury MLK DAY PUBLIC TRANSIT Capital Metro bus service will run on a Saturday schedule on Mon day. There will be no MetroRail, UT Shuttle, or EBus. TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE FOLLIES OBSCURE A DEEPER TRAIL OF CORRUPTION AUSTIN STATE HOSPITAL has received I haven’t yet read the hot new D.C. White been abundantly obvious from Day 1 – detail the corrupt background of Trump’s $15.5 million for a campus redesign. Dell Medical House exposé, Michael Wolff’s Fire and when Trump brazenly lied about the size of rise to wealth, prominence, and power, I School will lead the mental health facility’s trans Fury. It only seems that I have, since all the his inaugural crowd – or indeed during his recommend instead Luke Harding’s Collu formation, which will include a center for brain juicy bits of the inside-gossip book have utterly shameless campaign, and it hasn’t sion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and health. The plan is part of the Health and Human been reported ad nauseam gotten any better. The book’s How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win. Services Commission’s release of $47.7 million to elsewhere. The Trump title trivializes Trump’s begin improving the state hospital system, a por admin istration has simulta- vicious threat to annihilate The List of Suspects tion of the $300 million allotted by the Texas neously accused Wolff of POINT North Korea, a country of 25 Harding is a reporter for The Guardian, Legislature last session for that purpose. writing fiction and violating million people, not to men- with a particular expertise on Russia, where AUSTIN privacy (self-contradicting tion another 50 million South he spent four years as Moscow bureau chief AFTER ATTORNEY GENERAL Jeff Sessions charges); would-be Imperial BY Koreans, our nominal allies. until he was expelled for reporting the announced he’d roll back an Obamaera policy Consigliere Steve Bannon MICHAEL More recently, like a dement- regime deemed unfavorable. His latest restraining federal prosecutors from going after has been denounced and de- ed juvenile, he’s boasted book features the breezy style common to KING marijuana cases in legalized states, Austin’s first Breitbarted; Trump toady about the size of his nuclear British journalism, but its relentless accu- cannabis dispensary said they remain committed to Stephen Miller, blasting “big button.” mulation of detail compiles the damaging growing CBD medicine. Compassionate Cultivation Bann on and the book, told It would be laughable, yes, record of Trump’s dubious business and CEO Morris Denton predicts DOJ will focus on states CNN’s Jake Tapper that if it weren’t so murderous. If political dealings. Does it demonstrate, if with liberal pot legalization. “We’re not Color ado, POTUS is indeed a “genius,” and (in Wolff’s reading Wolff’s sensational confirmation of not prove, “collusion” with the Russian gov- and we’re not California. We’re Texas. We’re conser arithmetic) “100%” of Trump’s sycophantic the insider version of what is in fact com- ernment and Russian sources? Consider vative, and we’re set on doing this right,” he said. official circle is convinced that he’s an idiot. mon knowledge helps eventually to put an just a few highlights. “I thought everybody already knew this,” end to the Trump era, by all means enjoy • Carter Page – Trump’s former “leading IT’S CEDAR FEVER TIME! Pollen from ashe Wolff has been telling interviewers, and the the read. But if you’re looking for a book of Rus sia expert” although both American and juniper (aka cedar) trees began peaking to annual truth is, we did. The national disgrace has more substance, that recounts in great CONTINUED ON P.8 highs this week, expected to be steady until late winter. ONLINE//CITY COUNCIL | NAKED CITY | BREAKING NEWS |AUSTINCHRONICLE.COM/NEWS 6 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 12, 2018 austinchronicle.com 300+ CLASSES A WEEK. 4 STUDIOS. 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Bring this in for $100 off tuition on any 200-Hour Teacher Training program. (offer expires 2/28/18) (offer expires 1/31/18) austinchronicle.com JANUARY 12, 2018 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 7 NEWS ARTS & CULTURE FOOD SCREENS MUSIC POINT AUSTIN CONTINUED FROM P.6 The Devil’s in the Details Russian sources routinely describe him as an “idiot” – made several trips to Russia seeking both business deals and political intelligence, and was told that Russia held AND OF COURSE, NO ONE WANTS TO WRESTLE WITH THE DEVIL compromising information on both Hillary Clinton and Trump. AIA Austin, the local architects’ associa- all champion. AIA Austin continues to support code for the next 50 years, because city • Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national tion, released their CodeNEXT Charrette 2 the CodeNEXT process and we appreciate leaders lack the political will to add another security adviser, repeatedly spoke with Report last week: 92 pages of very detailed the opportunity to provide input.” six months of actual useful work, onto a pro- Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak dur- analysis of the code’s impact on seven spe- Regarding one issue that’s going to be cess that they’ve ignored and allowed to spin ing the electoral transition, allegedly dis- cific sets of properties around Austin – rang- contentious, the AIA report notes that its its wheels in a ditch for most of the last cussing removal of Ukraine-related eco- ing from Low-Density Residential through members don’t like compatibility stan three years? Indeed, that’s the way it appears nomic sanctions against Russia. (Flynn Mixed-Use, Corridors, Regional Centers, and dards on principle, and that they “strongly at the moment. Happy New Year. was fired, ostensibly for lying to Vice up to Downtown – testing what the draft two believe that the compatibility of scales and President Mike Pence, and has since plead- code would mean on the ground for those uses could be satisfied by thoughtful, context There’s been a lot of talk in Austin about ed guilty to lying to the FBI, in lieu of sites. Bear in mind, these are architects, so sensitive mapping in lieu of code.” That’s missing middle housing, such that it has heavier charges.) their inclination is going to be that they get almost certainly true, but on another front become shorthand for all of the things Austin • Trump has been courted by Russian gov- to build whatever they envi- this week, Planning is missing in its housing market. In fact, how- ernment and business sources (virtually sion, with as few restrictions Commission Chair Stephen ever, Missing Middle Housing is a proprie- indistinguishable) for decades, and specific as possible. So it’s not sur- Oliv er stated in no uncertain tary term, coined by the CodeNEXT consul- Trump transactions smell of favoritism if prising that the large majority PUBLIC terms that he wants tants as a marketing tool, shortly not outright illegality. Notably, in 2008, oli- of their recommendations his team to have before they landed Austin as a cli- NOTICE SO, WHAT’S garch Dmitry Rybolovlev paid an inflated (and there are almost 200 of no part of that sort ent. The phrase was “coined by price for a Trump Florida property – “$95 them in all) pertain to loosen- BY of context-sensitive IT GOING Daniel Parolek of Opticos Design, million, leaving Trump … with a $50 mil- ing restrictions, and doing NICK mapping, saying Inc. in 2010 to define a range of TO BE? lion profit.” (Perhaps Rybolovlev was a fool, away with what they see as they’re “doomed” if multi-unit or clustered housing BARBARO or perhaps something else was at stake.) overly prescriptive standards they get into that types compatible in scale with sin- on building design and place- level of detail (see “Quote of gle-family homes that help meet the growing A Trail of Corruption ment. (See the report at www. the Week,” p.6, and demand for walkable urban living.” The mar- Those are just the tips of a very large aiaaustin.org.) “CodeNEXT,” p.10). So, what’s ket demand web page at www.missingmiddle iceberg, and Harding constructs a narra- Repeatedly, the AIA testers point out provi- it going to be? The PC and Zoning and Plat housing.com defines the market as “Singles, tive of Trump’s Russian connections (and sions of the code text that could create prob- ting Com mission appear to be under strict childless couples, and empty nesters,” and those of son-in-law Jared Kushner). lems, or undesirable outcomes, when applied orders to deliver their recommendations to goes on to define the market segments as Perhaps his most damaging chapter is to lots with non-standard shapes or natural Council in pretty short order. And to do that, “Millennials, Baby Boomers, Diverse “The Strange Case of the German Bank,” features such as trees and slopes. Those as Oliver says, they’re going to have to punt Households, and Unsat is fied Suburbanites.” i.e. Deutsche Bank. Trump had defaulted are the sorts of issues, of course, that the hard decisions upstairs to City Council. on a $330 million debt to the bank, and require waivers and variances and City Hall At which point … what? Do we think Council Confidential to City Managerelect Spencer Cronk: when it sued for payment, Trump counter- meetings – and as you may recall, one of the is going to want to wrangle with the hand-to- Ever heard of the Zucker Report? You should read it. sued for $3 billion – on the grounds that the very specific goals of the code rewrite was to hand, block-by-block combat that is context- www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=230625. bank had helped cause the Great Recession. simplify the code, and reduce the need for sensitive zoning? To debate whether the veg- The court threw out Trump’s frivolous such exceptions. In the end, they conclude etative buffer on a particular size of parking Subject Lines So Good, You Don’t Want to Spoil lawsuit, and in 2010 Trump settled the that, “Much like the first draft, … the second lot, opposite a particular width alley, ought to Them by Opening the Email: “TX: Driving study finds debt, by borrowing more money … from draft proved to have many limiting and con- be two feet wide, or perhaps two and a half? Texans like to honk, throw objects.” n another wing of Deutsche Bank, creating fusing regulations. … Ultimately it was Those are rhetorical questions. The answer Send gossip, flame-retardant singlets, and other another massive debt of which $300 million unclear how these would effectively meet the is: No, they are not. useful grist to [email protected]. remains unpaid, by the sitting president. goals and priorities of Imagine Austin.” Still, So does that really mean that we’re going Simultaneously with that loan, reports they look forward to “a third draft that we can to live with a half-baked land development Harding, “The bank was laundering money. Russian money. Not small amounts but CIVICS 101 DUTY NOW FOR THE FUTURE many billions of dollars.” The bank was heavily fined (early last year) – but has declined to respond to U.S. inquiries about THURSDAY 1/11 SATURDAY 1/13 MONDAY 1/15 WEDNESDAY 1/17 the money-laundering trail, which could include major loans to Kushner. PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY SAFE BABY ACADEMY For expectant families, MLK MARCH & FEST IV- CODENEXT LIVE City staff will COUNCIL MEETING The PAC parents, and caregivers of kids under a year. 9am. Seton AL Meet at UT, march to the answer questions on affordable hous- Harding’s epilogue summarizes what we advises Austin on all matters relat- Northwest, 11113 Research. Free. www.austintexas.gov. Capitol for a short program ing via Facebook. Follow and post know of the Robert Mueller investigation, ing to walking. 6pm. Austin City Hall, TOGETHER WE RUN to raise funds for the Austin before continuing on to Huston- your questions! 12:15pm. www.fb.com/ including the indictments of Paul Manafort 301 W. Second. Justice Coalition. 10am-1pm. 2100 Barton Springs Rd. $15. Tillotson. Central Texas Food austincodenext. and his associate Rick Gates, and the curi- 2018 CITY BOND: Task Force www.austinjustice.org. Bank will collect nonperishable DOWNTOWN COMMISSION oGueso rrgoele Poafp Tarduompopu “lofosr, eailgsno pinodliiccyt eadd v–i saenrd” L8ipsmte. nYainrbgo rSoeusghs iLoinbr a(srye, e2 2p0.10 0H)a.n 6c:o3c0k-. HPaOrtyM tEo LheElpS SHP PPAETRX IcOolDle cPt RmOenJsEtrCuaTl hAygTieXn eR eplraoudnucchts wfowowd. mitlekcmelse.b r9aatmio-n3.cpomm. . 3M0E1 EW.T SIeNcoGnd .5 w:3w0wp.mau. sAtuinstteinx aCsi.tgyo Hv.all, www.austintexas.gov/2018bond. for homeless folks. 11am-2pm. Carver Library, 1161 Angelina. BROWNIE PARK Resid ents FREE CHICKEN-KEEPING as a cooperating witness, likely to confirm FRIDAY 1/12 www.fb.com/hppatx. can help PARD develop a mas- CLASS Attend, and apply for a $75 ac a mWneepx acuiagsn n oe afn njcodoy Rn tthuasecs tsisca hnba eidntewtneelfelrinegu etdnhece eo .fT Wruhmitpe RAASSCOIACLI AETQEUSI TACYC ’s Dr. BdoanEtlyeE –aR nbSda rTF eruOdl eRCsr .uB 2zE -3oT:p3pO0op nmAe. lnTivht eeB sLetirbteoea rOtmy,’ R1oo6f1 uS8rke½en .aE 2.t eS1 i xc&tah n.u d pi- tpweawrrw kp..al au3ns-t5 ifnpotmer x.t a1hs0i.sg0 o0nv0.e iBgrhobwonrieh oDor.d rTwewwbiwna .Oateua skotsin nL tieabx racashr.yig,c o1kv8e/0cnh0 ic cSok. oeFnpifk!te h6e. -p 7inpgm.. Stephanie Hawley leads a conversa- House leaks about Trump’s TV viewing tion about ACC. 9-10am. 1709 E. 12th. www.betofortexas.com. TUESDAY 1/16 2018 CITY BOND Task Force List- hnaebssit, sh, ish iigs nsohroarntc ea,t theins tcihonee ssepbaunr, gheirss . lBazuit- TthOe GCoEmTmHuEniRty WAdvEa nCcAemNe nJto in CDoYuAntNy DAe mLI MPaOrtyN C-hMaiEr cRaCndAidDaOte. M2e1e &t tuhpe oTrnalvy.i s4 -6pm. CRUECLTIPUIRENATL SF ULeNarDn IhNowG eMnil ilnengn Siuems sCioomnp (lesxe, e1 1p5.16 0H)a.r g6r:a3v0e-.8 pm. Harding’s book methodically confirms a Network to look back at 2017 The White Horse, 500 Comal. www.dyanaforchair.com. to complete the FY 18 Final THURSDAY 1/18 long-reported history of apparent corrup- w4-i6npsm a. nCden ftorarwl Laibrdra troy, 721001 W8’.s C egsoaar ls. SUNDAY 1/14 Rofefipceosr,t 2. 071p mE.. SCeucltounrdal. Arts Division LUPE VALDEZ A morning convo tion and yes, collusion, with a foreign gov- Chavez. Free. MAYOR ADLER RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN www.austintexas.gov. with the Democratic candidate for eUr.nSm. eelnect tsieoenk, ianngd c ervimenintuaal lilnyf ltuheen pcree osivdeern a- rUaiNseDr OtoI NspGon RsoAr CpaIrStiMcip Faunntsd’- KSaiceknogeffr rpuandrtey ,H walilt, h1 6m0u7s Sica nf rJoamcin Dtoa. wFrne e&. wHwaww.mkaeyso.r a2d-4lepr.mco. m. LLGIFBET AQD QVUISAOLRITYY C OOFM - gBoravzeorsn. oFrr.e e7.: 3w0w-w9.atmex.a Csatrpibituanl eF.aocrtgo.ry, 701 ccyo.m Wpele ctaen t hoen lsyto hroy.p e M u e l l e r i s a l l o w e d tno UAsumngdaglo.a di nFoognu aRntidaoacnti.i sowmnw, w1t.r0aa0ui6nst iiSnn.gj uE.s ig7tih-c1teh0.o.p r$mg2.. 0 OJCuhUsatiiRrc ec R aCnEodVaidliOatitoLensU .h T4o-sI6Otp maN . f,Io BLrEuUWmT UL fo,o cPra DlT 5rAa2-Cv0ies, 4n C8To1E8.X ,DE a.e Bnmed n PA Waurhstiyttie n. 3M70pmI1S .W A S.u SIsOeticnNo nC diMt.y oHnatlhl, l y meeting. 2L8ip0smt1e. 8nAC i nCCg I STSoeuYtsh sB, i1oO8n2 N(0s DWee.: STptaa.1sssk0n )Fe. oy6.r:c3e0 - 8 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 12, 2018 austinchronicle.com NAKED CITY FIRE(FIGHTERS) IN THE COURTHOUSE immunity because he was serving at the time in his Two former Austin firefighters will appear in court capacity as a member of a federal task force. (The 5th this month to face charges that they, in separate inci- Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Yeakel’s ruling last dents, used their positions within the department to April.) Moore filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with prey on women. James Baker, accused of invasive SCOTUS last August, seeking clarity on the immunity video recording of female colleagues while they show- that spared Kleinert a trial, and on Monday SCOTUS ered, is due to appear on Jan. 17. Marcus Reed, an denied that request, thereby exhausting Moore’s legal arson investigator who formally retired this week, options. The D.A. called the ruling “a disappointing will appear the following week on Jan. 22, to address result,” but said she’s proud of those who pursued the charges of sexual assault, abuse of official capacity, appeal. “I, and this Office, remain committed to the official oppression, and misuse of official information. pursuit of justice in cases that involve lethal use of A woman has accused Reed of sexually assaulting her force by police officers,” she said. – Chase Hoffberger in his city-owned truck last spring. NOOSE ON WILCO CAMPAIGN SIGN District Attorney Margaret Moore issued a statement Jan. 3 announcing that Reed had turned himself On the way to a meeting last Friday, Dr. Christine in, but offered no further comment. AFD Chief Rhoda Eady Mann’s husband called to tell her there’s a prob- Mae Kerr was similarly mum, suspending the 20-year lem: Someone had draped a noose on her campaign vet without pay and deferring further action until the sign in Leander. The Democratic candidate, vying to case has worked through Moore’s office. Baker retired unseat U.S. Rep. John Carter in CD 31, was stunned. “I shortly after admitting to his misconduct, and his case really didn’t want to believe it,” she said later. “At first I has since served as a benchmark moment at AFD. went the denial route and thought maybe someone Austin Fire Association membership held a press con- misunderstood what happened. When it finally sunk in, ference in December to deride Baker’s actions and I was horrified. It was hard to compute that someone accuse the department of coming up short on its inter- would do something like this.” nal processes. And Kerr has spoken bluntly about the N Baker case, invoking the #MeToo movement, and AN M pointing to policy and workplace equity changes Y D already made. – Nina Hernandez EA E N TI EZRA TAKES OVER FETAL REMAINS CASE RIS H Including last winter’s strikedown of the state’s first C attempt to mandate that women bury or cremate their DR. F fetal remains after abortion, Republican-appointed O Y U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks has in recent past ES T helped block three state reproductive health restric- UR O tions, making him somewhat of an unlikely ally to C abortion providers. And as the state mounts another The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is investi- shot at forcing the fetal burial rule on women (through gating this as a racist hate crime and has provided last session’s omnibus Senate Bill 8), providers have increased patrol around the area. The sign stands out- again asked Sparks to block the anti-choice law. side the home of Jena Recer and wife, Karen, who However, the longtime judge stepped aside last week, have faced anti-LGBTQ taunting and vandalism, includ- and into semi-retirement – or “senior status,” as it’s ing eggs thrown at their house. Mann, who’s white, officially termed – handing over the latest abortion says she has “no idea” who to suspect as the culprit rights case to San Antonio-based federal Judge David but points to possible motives. “My campaign manager Ezra. While the Reagan-appointed judge does have a is African-American,” she said. “I also think people feel history of going against the state on the issue of abor- threatened that a woman is running, and that margin- tion – in 2016, he ruled against (and issued an injunc- alized people are making our voices heard.” Mann is a tion on) Williamson County officials who asked a con- physician and political activist who was inspired to run stable job applicant about his views on the procedure – her first campaign after Trump’s election. She’s made he offers less predictability on the current case before criminal justice reform and voting rights for minorities him, as he’s never ruled on the specific issue before. part of her platform. Court documents filed on Jan. 3 indicate that abortion Mann shortly thereafter fell victim to a similarly providers are asking Ezra to temporarily block the law charged threat on her Facebook page, where she’d from taking effect on Feb. 1 and to eventually rule it posted a picture of the sign and noose. A commenter unconstitutional, as it will place “onerous and medical- identified as “John Clark” wrote: “The only problem I ly unnecessary burdens” on not only abortion-seeking see with this is she’s not at the end of it,” accused her women but also those who miscarry or experience of “using black people to further her communist liberal ectopic pregnancy, in an effort to impose the state’s hate,” and suggested that “there’s nothing a little rope “own moral code” on women. A hearing date has yet won’t fix.” Mann reported the comments to the FBI and to be scheduled. – Mary Tuma WCSO. She says Confederate flags often wave from cars and homes around Leander, and noted that else- SCOTUS DECLINES KLEINERT APPEAL where in the district, which stretches from North Austin Travis County’s efforts to prosecute retired APD to Temple, Ku Klux Klan fliers were passed around a Detective Charles Kleinert for manslaughter are now Bell County neighborhood, where a black county com- over. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to missioner candidate had been campaigning. take up District Attorney Margaret Moore’s appeal of While Mann is taking extra precautions and working the case, which began after Kleinert shot and killed with law enforcement as needed, “this hasn’t scared Larry Jackson Jr. under a bridge along Shoal Creek in me at all. I’m not going to back down,” she said. “We the summer of 2013 and stalled in Judge Lee Yeakel’s have to say we’re not going to tolerate this hate in our federal court in October of 2015 after Kleinert’s attor- community. It’s not going to intimidate us. We need to neys successfully argued he should be granted federal stand up for the values we believe in.” – M.T. austinchronicle.com JANUARY 12, 2018 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 9 NEWS ARTS & CULTURE FOOD SCREENS MUSIC Morrison Announces for Mayor Laura Morrison on Monday, shortly after filing her campaign COUNCIL VET TO CAMPAIGN ON “TRANSPARENCY, treasurer appointment INCLUSIVENESS, COLLABORATION” On Monday, former City Council Member central city, and abandoning policies intend- Laura Morrison made official what has ed to support affordability (e.g., requiring long been speculated – she filed the paper- affordable units in exchange for building work initiating her November challenge to entitlements). She says CodeNEXT is cer- incumbent Mayor Steve Adler. A court rul- tainly “one of the issues that I needed to be ing overturning the city’s fundraising limi- a part of, in trying to make a change.” She tations (formerly six months) has expanded also mentions the decision to include Butler the campaign window. Adler’s official kick- Park among the parcels of land under con- off is this Sunday, and Morrison says she’ll sideration for a potential professional soccer be holding hers in February. stadium: “Whether it happens or not,” she After filing her appointment of a cam- said, “we shouldn’t be considering handing paign treasurer (BookPeople CEO Steve parkland over to private developers.” N Ber cu), Morrison spent Monday afternoon The broader thread running through O S R talking to reporters at the bookstore and its Morris on’s conversation is that she believes E D coffee shop. In her initial press release, she the city’s public processes are breaking AN N said she was running to “reset that path down in preference for backroom negotia- H O that Austin is on, so that our future enhanc- tions with insufficient public input. Before J es the quality of life for the people who live CodeNEXT, her most recent public activism called her emphasis on “transparency, kept apprised of the negotiations [in execu- here, rather than diminishes it.” was in the 2016 fight to preserve city ride- inclusiveness, and collaboration.” tive session], and should have intervened Our conversation began informally with hailing regulations against the demands of She also described the 2012 Council’s earlier to set priorities.” her specific campaign prospects – “I’ve corporate giants Uber and Lyft, when she decision that initiated CodeNEXT – adop- Asked if she thought her explicit empha- done my own research, and I wouldn’t run if opposed the tentative deal worked out tion of the Imagine Austin comprehensive sis on policies aimed at improving the qual- I thought it was not doable” – and then between Mayor Adler and the two compa- plan, and a $2 million budget to rewrite the ity of life for “the people who live here now” moved across a wide range of city issues: nies. “There were two issues when that fight code accordingly – as a holistic project to implies a favoritism toward long-term resi- the (baleful, in her judgment) prospect of an began,” she said. “Public safety, and defend- make the code match the plan. dents over newcomers, or even a genera- Amazon headquarters; the current state of tional divide, Morrison said: “The concern CodeNEXT; what else might be done to THE THREAD RUNNING THROUGH MORRISON’S CONVERSATION is across all ages, and is not generationally increase affordable housing; addressing IS THAT SHE BELIEVES THE CITY’S PUBLIC PROCESSES based. We need to work on solutions that traffic congestion; reducing economic and address all situations and ages.” ARE BREAKING DOWN IN PREFERENCE FOR BACKROOM racial inequality; and more. Serving from In response to Morrison’s announcement, 2008 through 2014 (and the advent of a dis- NEGOTIATIONS WITH INSUFFICIENT PUBLIC INPUT. Adler issued a brief statement: “Austin is a tricted Council), Morrison has the advan- special place that I love, and I am honored tage of having been there before – and the ing city regulations. By the time of the ref- “Instead it went into a black box,” she to be Mayor. Our city has many challenges, disadvantage, since spending time as a pub- erendum [to overturn the regulations], there said, “and is costing $8 million to date.” She and I look forward to getting back on the lic official inevitably means making deci- was a third – the millions spent by Uber and also criticized an overemphasis on “residen- campaign trail and continuing to fight for sions that please some, but displease others. Lyft to push the petition and the vote.” tial density” at the expense of “all the pri- Aus tin.” Considering her chances against a In recent months, Morrison has been most She believes “secretive backroom pro- orities of Imagine Austin,” among them popular incumbent, Morrison said, “This is associated with her opposition to the current cesses don’t work in Austin,” pointing to the “green infrastructure, public health, afford- not a popularity contest, but I have ties to state of CodeNEXT, the ongoing land devel- recent debacle of the “confidential” recruit- able housing … all the critical priorities.” people all across the city, and I have lots of opment code revision currently scheduled to ment search for a new city manager. While Morrison said that recent Council prac- faith and trust in informed voters. There is reach Council this spring. She believes the she was reluctant to criticize Adler or the tice reflects an abdication of responsible lot of anxiety across the city about what the process has gone off the rails – that instead 10-1 Council members by name – a reti- oversight, citing the recent rejection of the future holds, and I will make addressing of distinguishing between “areas of stability cence likely to soften in coming months – Austin Police Association contract. “It that concern a priority.” – Michael King versus areas of change,” the drafts are she said her own “leadership style” differs shouldn’t have gotten in a situation of an See more of our conversation with Laura reflecting “massive upzoning” of the whole from the mayor’s, specifically in what she 11th-hour rejection,” she said. “Council was Morrison at austinchronicle.com/daily/news. Brush Up on Your Bond CodeNEXT: And Soon … Lever Maps The Bond Election Advisory Task Force is holding an addi- The task force’s second goal is to determine if and how much Austini tes Rarely is a Planning Commission meeting not centered around CodeNEXT, tional three public listening sessions over the next week. Formed are willing to invest in those expenses. They’ve held 10 full task force but Tuesday night proved the exception. Chair Stephen Oliver opened by punt- by the City Council in 2016 to develop a potential bond package meetings and more than 50 working groups – all of which were open ing discussion to a special called meeting next Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6pm, though for November’s general election, the task force is expected to put to the public. A city notice issued Jan. 8 reports that BEATF heard from at the end of the night he did confirm that on Monday his working group saw forward its recommendation in March, according to a memo sent more than 1,000 people through a variety of channels last year. Van mapping consultant John Fregonese’s new “lever maps,” designed to help out Jan. 4 by Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo. Eenoo says current feedback shows support for increased funding to model how different kinds of zoning changes might affect different parts of town. Over the next five years, city staff plan to use bonds to address Reinvest ment in Facilities & Assets, Affordable Housing, and Stormwater, He asked fellow commissioners to give the group a few more weeks to better flooding, affordable housing, mobility, parks, libraries, and exist- but “reduced funding” for Transportation Infras tructure, and 58% of the understand how these levers work before introducing the tool to a larger audi- ing infrastructure, needs totaling upward of $3 billion. Last June, 900 survey responses are comfortable with a tax rate increase “if needed, ence, and seized the moment to suggest that colleagues’ recommendations to as a starting point, staff proposed a 2018 bond package of $640 to achieve the desired priorities through a bond package.” City Council focus on broader land policies and not specific properties: “If we are million, split into five areas: Agree or disagree? There’s still time to add your voice. The group will arguing over individual parcels, we are doomed.” Commissioner Conor Kenny $240 million: Reinvestment in Facilities & Assets meet again on Feb. 8, time and location still TBD. In the meantime, there told the group he’s been meeting with Capital Metro to discuss how CodeNEXT $190 million: Transportation Infrastructure are three public listening sessions over the next week, all 6:30-8pm: could impact mobility plans, and noted that CodeNEXT consultant Opticos $85 million: Affordable Housing Thu., Jan. 11, Yarborough Library, 2200 Hancock Design is also the consultant for the city’s Strategic Mobility Plan, itself being $75 million: Stormwater Wed., Jan. 17, Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave readied for a draft release. A larger discussion should come at an upcoming PC $50 million: Parkland & Open Space Thu., Jan. 18, ACC South Campus, 1820 W. Stassney meeting, either next week or Jan. 23. CodeNEXT’s next checkpoint arrives Feb. Van Eenoo noted several key considerations: prior invest- Residents are encouraged to speak, and will be given three minutes 12, when the third and supposedly final draft is supposed to be unveiled. City ments, department priorities, current remaining bond authority, each. To request a Spanish-language interpreter, call 512/974-1380 at staff will give PC and the Zoning and Platting Comm is sion a presentation on and project delivery capacity over a five-to-six-year time frame. least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting. – Sarah Marloff version 3.0 the following night. – S.M. 10 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 12, 2018 austinchronicle.com