20210802-2b: to allocate $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) funds to music — original pdf

Recommendation

Date: Subject: MUSIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20210802-2b August 2, 2021 Recommendation to allocate $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to music as specified by Council Member Fuentes resolution approved on May 20th Vice-chair Patterson Seconded By: Commissioner Reynolds Motioned By: Recommendation Music Commission recommends council budget support of Council Member Fuentes’s May resolution providing $10M over 2 years in funding for the music economy. Description of Recommendation to Council The Music Commission directs City Council to invest $10 million ($5M per year) from any and all sources, including American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, in Austin’s live music economy for fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-2023, as specified by Council Member Fuentes’ resolution approved by Council on May 20th. Rationale: • Live music, like tech, is a major industry in Austin and investment in this industry will promote economic growth, increase tourism, and encourage hospitality spending in Austin by live music fans from Austin and the surrounding areas. Music is part of our brand as a city. • The ongoing pandemic has jeopardized Austin’s live music scene with economic hardship and uncertainty. • Increasing unaffordability in Austin has created a crisis for both venues and music industry workers. Less expensive housing in surrounding towns coupled with the increase in the number of music venues outside the city means that we are losing performers and music events to our suburbs. Vote: For: 9 (Chair – Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone, Vice-chair – Anne-Charlotte Patterson, Secretary – Oren Rosenthal, Parliamentarian – Graham Reynolds, Gavin Garcia, Lauryn Gould, Christopher Limon, Nagavalli Medicharla, Stuart Sullivan) Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 (Patrice Pike) Attest: Kim McCarson, Liaison 1 of 2  2 of 2