1. REGULAR MEETING of the TOURISM COMMISSION BOARD November 13, 2024, at 2:30 pm City Hall Chambers Room 1001 301 W. Second St Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Tourism Commission Board may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Felicia Ojeda, 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Daniel Ronan, Chair, D9 Aileen Bazan, D1 Christian Tschoepe, D3 Bishop Chappell, D6 Stefani Mathis, D8 Anna Panossian, Mayoral Ed Bailey, Vice Chair, D5 Greg Chanon, D2 Allison Moujaes, D4 John Riedie, D7 District 10 (vacant) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Tourism Commission Board Regular Meeting on October 9, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS Staff briefing from Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda, regarding the vacancy and newly appointed members on the board and updates on city policy for commissions. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Presentation by Katie Edwards, Executive Director of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum regarding the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, and its tourism impact & future. Presentation by Cara Bertron, Program Manager of the City of Austin- Planning Department, regarding a follow-up regarding the Equity-Based Preservation Plan & its connection to tourism. Presentation by Stephanie Helfman, Manager, Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention Program, Austin Public Health Department regarding the impacts of vaping and e-cigarettes in public spaces impacting tourism. Presentation by Alec Puente, Government Relations Director, Texas, American Heart Association, regarding the impacts of vaping and e-cigarettes in public spaces impacting Tourism. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action to recommend to the Austin City Council to adopt the Equity-Based Preservation Plan. Approve the 2025 calendar for the Tourism Commission Board. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from the Short-Term Rental Working Group on any new reports regarding the STR’s new focus and efforts for recommendations. FUTURE AGENDA …
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. WORKING DOCUMENT: Tourism Commission Road Map November 2024 – December 2025 Agenda Topics, Potential Speakers & Community Presenters Note: All meetings take place on Wednesdays from 2:30pm-4:30pm in City Council Chambers (unless modified by venue availability) December 11, 2024 – Proposed: Tourism Commission Work Session January 2025 – A New Year for Tourism – Convention Center & HOT Taxes February 2025 – Revenues for Tourism – Revisiting STRs & Bonds for Tourism Destinations March 2025 – The Austin Film Industry April 2025 – The Economic Impact of Austin Tourism/Athletics & Tourism May 2025 – Celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week June 2025 – Festivals, Food & Fun July 2025 – Parks & Greenspace August 2025 – Proposed: No Meeting September 2025 – Museums & Tourism October 2025 – Historic Preservation & Tourism November 2025 – Tourism Snapshot – Where we are and where we’re going December 2025 – Tourism Commission Work Session
Smoke-Free Community Policy Alec Puente TX Government Relations Director Why is Clean Air Important? Review of the Research around Smoke-Free Air • US Surgeon General: Secondhand smoke linked to disease and premature death and those who do not smoke. • Children at higher risk for SIDS, acute respiratory problems, ear infections, asthma attacks, and slowed lung growth • Adults suffer cardiovascular effects, coronary heart disease, and lung cancer • No risk-free level of exposure, regardless of ventilation systems • No adverse impact on hospitality industry • Centers for Disease Control: risk of myocardial infarction and heart disease increases rapidly at relatively small doses, such as those from secondhand smoke • Secondhand smoke is particularly hazardous to elderly people, individuals with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with impaired respiratory function, including asthmatics and those with obstructive airway disease. 2 Business Impacts • Data, surveys, and qualitative research all indicate that smoke-free policies are popular and do not have an adverse effect on economic activity. • The North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study (issued by J.D. Power and Associates) found that, “Nearly nine of 10 guests (89%) say they prefer a smokefree hotel environment in 2008.” • World Health Organization: “smoke-free policies often have a positive economic impact.” • Data shows no effect on bar or restaurant employment. • University of Florida: no negative effect on hotel, restaurant, or tourism revenue or employment; small positive effect on restaurant revenue. • Smoke-free policies have positive effects on profitability, productivity, maintenance costs, and insurance rates. 3 Electronic Smoking Devices & Secondhand Aerosol E-cigarettes, vaporizers, an other new products • ESDs heat and vaporize a solution typically containing nicotine. These are now the most commonly-used form of tobacco by youth in the US. • Not emission-free; the aerosol contains volatile organic compounds, ultrafine particles, heavy metals, and flavorings linked to lung disease and cancer. • May exacerbate respiratory ailments like asthma, or constrict arteries leading to a heart attack. of nicotine. environments. • Non-smokers exposed to cigarette smoke and ESD aerosols absorb similar levels • ESDs have gained competitive advantages in part because of loopholes and gaps in regulation that have allowed them to be used in typically-smoke free • Exposure is declining, but more than 20% of nonsmoking adults are still exposed to secondhand smoke. 4 Policy Solutions Comprehensive Smoke-Free Air Ordinances • National best practice states that an ordinance should apply to smoking …
Electronic Cigarettes ST E PHA NIE HE L F M A N AU ST IN P U BL I C HEA LT H M A N AGER, C HRON I C DI S EASE A N D I N JURY P R E V ENTION P ROG R AM What Are Electronic Cigarettes? •“E-cigs,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems” •Produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals that is inhaled. Source: CDC The Evolution of Electronic Cigarettes Source:: Sherburne Substance Use Coalition Truth Initiative Vaping Lingo Dictionary: https://truthinitiative.org/sites/default/files/media/files/2020/06/Truth_Vaping_Lingo_Dictionary_FINAL.pdf “Consumers have no way of knowing the doses they are inhaling, the types or concentrations of potentially harmful chemicals, or if e-cigarettes are safe for their intended use.” -2009 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) E-Cigarette Facts • Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine • Long-term effects are still being learned • Secondhand aerosol, or vapor, is NOT harmless water vapor. • E-cigarette aerosol degrades indoor air quality. “Youth use e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product” -Centers for Disease Control and Prevention E-Cigarettes and Youth Use of E-Cigarettes, By Grade Texas Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023 20% 14% 12% 8% 8% 4% Grade 6 Grade 9 Grade 12 Past Month Lifetime 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Substances in E-Cigarette Aerosol Photo credit: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html Disposable Vaping Devices •Most popular type of e-cigarette with youth •Disposable e-cigarettes were exempt from federal restrictions on flavors. •Following exemption, disposable e-cigarettes increased in popularity about 1,000% among high school e-cigarette users. Photo credit: Truth Initiative Vaping and Mental Health MYTH: Nicotine can help relieve stress Nicotine can increase feelings of anxiety and depression and increase stress. Source: Truth Initiative Emerging Products: Oral Nicotine Pouches Contain nicotine power instead of tobacco leaf May be marketed as “tobacco-free” Come in flavors such as fruit and mint Second most common tobacco product among middle school and high school youth Photo credit: Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids Laws & Regulations Federal Laws ◦ Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (2009) ◦ FDA regulation of cigarettes, smokeless, and roll-your-own tobacco ◦ FDA regulates all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and vape pens. (2016) ◦ Tobacco 21 Law (2019) ◦ Raised the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years ◦ Policy on Flavored E-cigarettes (2020) ◦ FDA Limits flavors for specific e-cigarette devices ◦ Menthol exemption ◦ Disposables …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE EQUITY-BASED PRESERVATION PLAN WHEREAS, Austin’s existing plan to guide historic preservation policies, programs, and activities was adopted in 1981; and WHEREAS, both Austin and the historic preservation field have changed substantially in the past 43 years; and WHEREAS, the Historic Landmark Commission initiated the development of a new preservation plan for Austin in 2021; and WHEREAS, the resulting Equity-Based Preservation Plan (the preservation plan) was developed by a community working group with members from across Austin bringing diverse lived experiences as well as professional and community expertise; and WHEREAS, broad, inclusive outreach and engagement around the draft preservation plan reached more than 2,500 people throughout the city to review and comment on the plan’s goals and recommendations; and WHEREAS, the Tourism Commission received a briefing on the draft preservation plan at its April 2024 meeting; and WHEREAS, the community working group and Historic Landmark Commission revised and finalized the preservation plan based on public feedback; and WHEREAS, the preservation plan aligns with and furthers the goals of the Tourism Commission, particularly recommendations related to moving forward the incentives for placemaking and preservation that provide incentives for creating tourism destinations in Austin. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN TOURISM COMMISSION: The Austin Tourism Commission recommends that City Council adopt the Equity-Based Preservation Plan and support its timely implementation.
TEXAS CI TIES WI TH A COMPREHENSI VE SMOKE-FREE ORDI NANCE ANTHONY EL PASO HORIZON CITY SOCORRO SAN ELIZARIO ABILENE SAN ANGELO 107 CITIES AS OF JUNE 2024 12.5 MILLION+ CITIZENS PROTECTED FROM SECONDHAND SMOKE VERNON BURKBURNETT WICHITA FALLS DENTON LITTLE ELM HIGHLAND VILLAGE FLOWER MOUND SOUTHLAKE FORT WORTH BENBROOK DUNCANVILLE DENISON MCKINNEY PLANO UNIVERSITY PARK IRVING DALLAS ARLINGTON MESQUITE LANCASTER DESOTO SEAGOVILLE ENNIS GRANBURY RED OAK WAXAHACHIE MARSHALL LINDALE TYLER HENDERSON NACOGDOCHES LUFKIN WACO LACY-LAKEVIEW ROBINSON COPPERAS COVE NOLANVILLE BRYAN HUNTSVILLE HORSESHOE BAY AUSTIN COLLEGE STATION PRAIRIE VIEW BROOKSHIRE SPRING VALLEY BEAUMONT MONT BELVIEU HOUSTON BAYTOWN MISSOURI CITY PEARLAND DEL RIO UNIVERSAL CITY EAGLE PASS SAN MARCOS NEW BRAUNFELS SCHERTZ SAN ANTONIO VICTORIA PORT LAVACA BEEVILLE CORPUS CHRISTI LAREDO EL CENIZO LA GRULLA LA JOYA PENITAS SULLIVAN CITY PALMVIEW RIO GRANDE CITY FALFURRIAS LA VILLA ROMA EDINBURG ALTON EDCOUCH ELSA SAN PERLITA RAYMONDVILLE LYFORD PALMHURST PHARR ALAMO SAN JUAN COMBES SANTA ROSA RIO HONDO DONNA MISSION MCALLEN HIDALGO WESLACO MERCEDES PROGRESO ESCOBARES BROWNSVILLE HARLINGEN SAN BENITO LAGUNA VISTA PORT ISABEL
Tourism Commission Board Meeting Month Day/ Date Time Location January Wednesday / 8th 2:30pm - 4:30pm February Wednesday / 12th 2:30pm - 4:30pm March Wednesday / 12th 2:30pm - 4:30pm April May June July Wednesday / 9th 2:30pm - 4:30pm Wednesday / 14th 2:30pm - 4:30pm Wednesday / 11th 2:30pm - 4:30pm Monday / 9th 2:30pm - 4:30pm August No Meeting Set September Wednesday / 10th 2:30pm - 4:30pm October Wednesday / 8th 2:30pm - 4:30pm November Wednesday / 12th 2:30pm - 4:30pm December Wednesday / 10th 2:30pm - 4:30pm Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 Council Chambers Room 1001 This was approved at the November 13, 2025, meeting with Commissioner Panossian’s motion to approve the 2025 dates for the 2nd Wednesdays of each month at 2:30pm- 4:30pm. Commissioner Chanon’s seconded the motion. The approval passed with a unanimous vote 9-0. Tourism Commission Board 2025 Meeting Schedule
