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Hancock Neighborhood Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 15, 2017 The Hancock Neighborhood Association met on March 15, 2017 and celebrated Pi Day with pies. Approximately 25 people attended and many delicious pies were provided and joyfully consumed. Much thanks to all you pie bakers. Two staff members from the City of Austin's Economic Development Department discussed the City's pilot program to extend the hours of five music venues located on Red River. The pilot program will last for six months starting in May, 2017 and will extend outdoor music curfew to 12 a.m. on Thursdays, 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturday. During the pilot program, the Economic Development staff stated it will be collecting information from the music venues to see if musicians salaries increase, if the venues increase their revenue and other benefits to the venues. The police department will be collecting data to see if there is increased crime during these extended hours and around these venues. The economic development staff will be monitoring sound from the venues and will place sound monitors in neighborhoods north of downtown and will keep tabs on the number of sound complaints from neighborhood residents. After the six month pilot program, the City Council will evaluate the information collected. After the HNA meeting, Council member Kathie Tovo emailed concerned Hancock residents urging them to call 311 with sound complaints. The HNA board urges you to call 311 with sound complaints. HNA member Robyn Ross asked members to consider other social activities, such as the pie social, which could take place at our meetings; hopefully, she will continue her leadership to incorporate a little more social activities concurrent with our meetings. She will report back on folks' suggestions for activities.
Postscript: CM Tovo amended the original Council's pilot program's length from a year to six months and lowered the extended hours by 30 minutes. During Council's discussion of the pilot program, CM Tovo, CM Alison Alter and CM Delia Garza all vocalized their concern that the quality of life of residents was at risk. On this issue, the Council heard from not only neighborhood residents but also from hotel managers who said sound complaints from their guests had been increasing.
Postscript: CM Tovo amended the original Council's pilot program's length from a year to six months and lowered the extended hours by 30 minutes. During Council's discussion of the pilot program, CM Tovo, CM Alison Alter and CM Delia Garza all vocalized their concern that the quality of life of residents was at risk. On this issue, the Council heard from not only neighborhood residents but also from hotel managers who said sound complaints from their guests had been increasing.