Today, I sat at my business Phil's Ice House 78750 from 7 a.m to 3:30 p.m. waiting for my building inspector to give me a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy and open my business to the public. During the day, we had a Moms group come early bringing 20 or so kids in tow to catch lunch and ice cream afterwards at Amy's Ice Creams, also our business.When the first mom poked her head in, I had to inform her we were waiting for the "blessing" from the City of Austin to open and sell hamburgers. Did I say hamburgers, and ice cream? Yes, this is not a nuclear power plant or a puppy mill, it's ice cream and hamburgers, America's favorite. It was difficult to turn away all those paying customers. Meanwhile my staff, ready for the "blessing" has cleaned everything in the place 27 times, they keep polishing...
Around 3, the staff has resigned itself that we are not opening today. My inspector, who is a good guy and reasonable usually, did not return any of my pages. I truly hope he is okay, but wonder why a phone call couldn't have saved a whole lot of people some grief.
Backtracking, why a "Temporary" Certificate of Occupancy? Well, here's how it works, when you build on raw land, you have to get a "Site plan". Which in the City of Austin costs about 100K for a small parcel, so a bunch of engineers; civil, landscape, structural, mechanical electrical and plumbing, an arborist, a geologist can tell you how and what to build on your land. Free Country hah! This all takes about a year and then you can submit plans which they may or may not approve. Finally after all the "blessings" of the City you can start building......No wait! You might be on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Call the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, we are going to need to approve your plans...Oh, your going to need to keep a book that tells you what to do in case there is an environmental problem... A Water Pollution Abatement Plan and a Storm Water Pollution Plan ... More tomorrow... I haven't even broke ground.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Friday, January 8, 2010
Lessons learned in 2009
I decided to finish out 2009 and leave the negative behind; the pseudo friends, the bad taste in my mouth from the Hog Island Guys, the negative experiences with the City of Austin.... 2010 is a new year. We hope it will bring the completion of the Austinville project; Strut, Amy's Ice Creams, RunTex and Opal Divines and the exciting opening of a Phil's Ice House 78704. We purchased some property at the corner of Barton Skyway and South Lamar for the new Phil's Ice house/Amy's Ice Creams combination. the plans are in the final stages and we should submit to the City pretty soon. It will include a playscape and a family friendly area to gather from, the great neighborhoods; Barton Hills, Zilker, Bouldin Creek, Galindo and Dawson. We hope that it will be as successful as the other Burnet Road location and will be closer for our friends in South Austin, Circle C, Oak Hill and Sunset Valley to come.
We are also working on the little Shopping Center to the North, we like to call Austinville 78704. Never fear Thundercloud is staying, Ga Ga, a childrens store is coming, Hey Cupcake is coming to the little kiosk and Azul tequila is going to open a taqueria next to Thundercloud. it should be a little slice of everything GREAT in Austin; breakfast tacos, cupcakes, sandwiches, ice cream, burgers and local business at its BEST! Here's to you 2010, this is going to be a good one!!!!
We are also working on the little Shopping Center to the North, we like to call Austinville 78704. Never fear Thundercloud is staying, Ga Ga, a childrens store is coming, Hey Cupcake is coming to the little kiosk and Azul tequila is going to open a taqueria next to Thundercloud. it should be a little slice of everything GREAT in Austin; breakfast tacos, cupcakes, sandwiches, ice cream, burgers and local business at its BEST! Here's to you 2010, this is going to be a good one!!!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Lessons learned in 2009 (to be continued)
I figured I would sit down and jot down some of the lessons I have learned in 2009. Hopefully, history will not re4peat itself and I have learned from some of the mistakes of 2009. i don't think I am alone in saying 2009 sucked!
First lesson I learned in 2009 is to only take on partners if everything is in writing and the money is put up front! We danced with the Hog Island Guys for about seven months about being our partners in Austinville. They took a strong interest in being an equity partner and a tenant in our locals only shopping center. Four days before closing, they bailed out. They said it was too risky! Absolutely ridiculous! We were bearing 80% of the risk and we were letting them in at our initial cost. Fools! Shame on you Carlo and Steve Di Marco for not being up front and running up 10K in legal bills for nothing.
Speaking of shitty partners, age does not make us immune. My father's partners, the Moody's have screwed up their land developments so bad that they are doing everything to keep from sinking under water. Of course, Chuck has only been friends and partners with the Moodys for about forty years.
Another lesson I have learned in 2009 is that I will never be able to figure out teenage girls... Go figure. My two are fourteen going on 30 and twelve going hormonal. All I can figure out is that if you want them to do something don't mention it, have an opinion or make a suggestion because it won't happen unless they read about it on the net or there friends tell them it's cool. Are you reading this Olivia and Emma? This makes it official it is on the net.
More later... I have lots of lessons learned in 2009
First lesson I learned in 2009 is to only take on partners if everything is in writing and the money is put up front! We danced with the Hog Island Guys for about seven months about being our partners in Austinville. They took a strong interest in being an equity partner and a tenant in our locals only shopping center. Four days before closing, they bailed out. They said it was too risky! Absolutely ridiculous! We were bearing 80% of the risk and we were letting them in at our initial cost. Fools! Shame on you Carlo and Steve Di Marco for not being up front and running up 10K in legal bills for nothing.
Speaking of shitty partners, age does not make us immune. My father's partners, the Moody's have screwed up their land developments so bad that they are doing everything to keep from sinking under water. Of course, Chuck has only been friends and partners with the Moodys for about forty years.
Another lesson I have learned in 2009 is that I will never be able to figure out teenage girls... Go figure. My two are fourteen going on 30 and twelve going hormonal. All I can figure out is that if you want them to do something don't mention it, have an opinion or make a suggestion because it won't happen unless they read about it on the net or there friends tell them it's cool. Are you reading this Olivia and Emma? This makes it official it is on the net.
More later... I have lots of lessons learned in 2009
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Chairman Wynn Dances?
Why would ANYONE question our City's leadership?
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1460868124/bclid1463333939/bctid1844687199
Enjoy, I did, lot better than a face plant at the Rolling Stones.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1460868124/bclid1463333939/bctid1844687199
Enjoy, I did, lot better than a face plant at the Rolling Stones.
GREENWASH!
GREENWASH is when you put lipstick on a pig. It is the selling of "green" ideas when in fact they actually are more damaging and destructive to the environment. Case in point, the City of Austin is now pushing the single stream recycling for all areas of Austin. Multi family, Apartments and Businesses are required to participate in this and thousands, if not millions have been spent on new containers and a marketing/propaganda campaign. The GREENWASH? The City of Austin does not have a single stream recycling plant and is transporting the recyclables by diesel truck to San Antonio. What?
We are sending tons of materials to San Antonio by truck. The trucks that pick up the recyclables kick off diesel emissions, the trucks transporting the tons of materials kick off diesel emissions the plant, I am sure has a carbon foot print Sounds like a lot of lipstick for that pig.Does this really make any sense? Chairman Wynn explain this to us.
Never fear the GREENWASH is everywhere if you take a long look at it. Let's not forget Cap Metro with its fume spitting buses, or the Cap Metro over sized, oversized person movers. That is one I have never figured out. $70,000.00 vans to move one or two people at a time. How about just spring for a cab? I cannot wait to see these trains and what a significant impact they are going to have on traffic on Mopac. I love my tax dollars paying for Leander and Cedar Park people to commute downtown. All 2000 of them at a cost of $192 million...and rising.
Lastly, one of my favorites is the water saving dual flush toilet. The City decided that if you have a button (number 1) for urinary flushes and a second button (number 2) defacatory (not sure it is a word) people will push number 1 and half the water will be used and number 2 for a full load. These are required by the Green builder rogram. These toilets are expensive, around $375 and hard to find. Problem? They do not work. Why? The human element. First the button are on top of the tank and people are used to a handle on the side. Result; No flushy. Side effect; Large loads. Side effect #2, no pun. Button number 2 cannot move the shit down hill. So what to do? We put up signs with instructions, ended up with diapers in the toilets and had to call a plumber a dozen times. People finally just hit the #2 button all the time several times. Net result, MORE water used, more expensive toilet that had to be replaced and lots of money in the plumbers hands. GREENWASH!
Do you see examples of GREENWASH around you. Chime in, love to hear it. Don't get me wrong, I am the guy that xeriscapes, rain collects and flushes the toilet once in the morning. I just want it to be for the right reasons.
We are sending tons of materials to San Antonio by truck. The trucks that pick up the recyclables kick off diesel emissions, the trucks transporting the tons of materials kick off diesel emissions the plant, I am sure has a carbon foot print Sounds like a lot of lipstick for that pig.Does this really make any sense? Chairman Wynn explain this to us.
Never fear the GREENWASH is everywhere if you take a long look at it. Let's not forget Cap Metro with its fume spitting buses, or the Cap Metro over sized, oversized person movers. That is one I have never figured out. $70,000.00 vans to move one or two people at a time. How about just spring for a cab? I cannot wait to see these trains and what a significant impact they are going to have on traffic on Mopac. I love my tax dollars paying for Leander and Cedar Park people to commute downtown. All 2000 of them at a cost of $192 million...and rising.
Lastly, one of my favorites is the water saving dual flush toilet. The City decided that if you have a button (number 1) for urinary flushes and a second button (number 2) defacatory (not sure it is a word) people will push number 1 and half the water will be used and number 2 for a full load. These are required by the Green builder rogram. These toilets are expensive, around $375 and hard to find. Problem? They do not work. Why? The human element. First the button are on top of the tank and people are used to a handle on the side. Result; No flushy. Side effect; Large loads. Side effect #2, no pun. Button number 2 cannot move the shit down hill. So what to do? We put up signs with instructions, ended up with diapers in the toilets and had to call a plumber a dozen times. People finally just hit the #2 button all the time several times. Net result, MORE water used, more expensive toilet that had to be replaced and lots of money in the plumbers hands. GREENWASH!
Do you see examples of GREENWASH around you. Chime in, love to hear it. Don't get me wrong, I am the guy that xeriscapes, rain collects and flushes the toilet once in the morning. I just want it to be for the right reasons.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Trash? A Public Utility?
The City of Austin has a proposed ordinance to declare the commercial collection of waste and recyclables a public utility and to require every hauler of commercial waste and recyclables within the City of Austin to enter into a franchise agreement under Article XI of the City Charter.
Seriously? A Public Utility? The City is not worn out its welcome in our energy and water taxes/rates so now they want to be in the trash business. As we all know, besides how economically well governments run businesses (NOT!) a single choice for trash service and no competition means high rates and poor service. The City sets the rates? I am sorry this is another tax. It will be a hidden tax on small business. The minimum will be 4% on small businesses and non-profits for the collection of commercial waste and recyclables. The City would confiscate the business rights of commercial solid waste collection companies like Texas Disposal System, who have huge stakes in equipment and landfills and have given back to Austin ten fold. The TDS recycling program is modeled countrywide. Their landfill is a model in eco-friendly systems that work in harmony with nature. The owners of TDS have given back to the community over and over with the donation of money and their facilities for fundraising efforts. Is this how we pay them back? I only speak of TDS because they are the only locally owned trash company I know of. Even the nationally owned companies have invested millions into recycling and landfills. Socialized trash? Our GREEN Mayor is starting to look more like Chairman Mao Wynn.
Let's not forget my good friends in "code enforcement", the sign police, the solid waste department is where they pick up their paychecks. Makes sense huh? See my previous blog about the sign police. Wake up people! We need to take back Austin!
Seriously? A Public Utility? The City is not worn out its welcome in our energy and water taxes/rates so now they want to be in the trash business. As we all know, besides how economically well governments run businesses (NOT!) a single choice for trash service and no competition means high rates and poor service. The City sets the rates? I am sorry this is another tax. It will be a hidden tax on small business. The minimum will be 4% on small businesses and non-profits for the collection of commercial waste and recyclables. The City would confiscate the business rights of commercial solid waste collection companies like Texas Disposal System, who have huge stakes in equipment and landfills and have given back to Austin ten fold. The TDS recycling program is modeled countrywide. Their landfill is a model in eco-friendly systems that work in harmony with nature. The owners of TDS have given back to the community over and over with the donation of money and their facilities for fundraising efforts. Is this how we pay them back? I only speak of TDS because they are the only locally owned trash company I know of. Even the nationally owned companies have invested millions into recycling and landfills. Socialized trash? Our GREEN Mayor is starting to look more like Chairman Mao Wynn.
Let's not forget my good friends in "code enforcement", the sign police, the solid waste department is where they pick up their paychecks. Makes sense huh? See my previous blog about the sign police. Wake up people! We need to take back Austin!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Sign police
The City of Austin has a new jobs program. They are looking for angry, power hungry types searching for a way to assert themselves while working towards a pension. Job Title: Code Enforcement. Your job will be exciting! You'll get to harass business owners that are trying to make it in a tough economy! You get to write tickets for Austin icon, Mangiazilla for sitting on the wrong roof! You'll get to search out and find the evil doers that build illegal decks in their own back yards! Don't be distracted by the fact that you will be working under the solid waste department it is the only place we could squeeze the bucks out of! All applicants excepted as long as you can pull your ticket weight!
Todays rant is short and sweet. We have a sign police. They are usually retiring civil servants, ex police or sheriffs and they work out of solid waste. Appropriate. I know about them because a few of the iconic businesses in town have been getting tickets for their signs. Yes, signs! One of the cool things about Austin is some of the art that has been created in signs; the Hyde Park Fork and Knife, The Hyde Park Gym arm, the Mangiazilla, the Amy's Rockin' Cows, the Northwest Body and paint car crashing through the fence, the Gomi kitties. All beautiful pieces of art and SIGNS. Each one would be illegal today with the sign police. First, you can have one hang out over the street or sidewalk.(Right of way violation) Second, it cannot move or flash and Lastly, it cannot be on somebody else's building. (even if it is across the street from your business)
Come on City the ass end of City Hall hangs over 2nd street. These signs are art! Do we want the standard Dallas reverse channel letters everywhere? NO! Let us Keep Austin Weird not Keep Austin Standard!
Back to the Sign Police... It took a special proclamation by the Mayor to save Mangiazilla from being removed from Wheatsville Coop. Gomi kitties, kicked to the curb.... Instead of closing libraries send the code enforement to the the dump... Where solid waste belongs. Peace
Todays rant is short and sweet. We have a sign police. They are usually retiring civil servants, ex police or sheriffs and they work out of solid waste. Appropriate. I know about them because a few of the iconic businesses in town have been getting tickets for their signs. Yes, signs! One of the cool things about Austin is some of the art that has been created in signs; the Hyde Park Fork and Knife, The Hyde Park Gym arm, the Mangiazilla, the Amy's Rockin' Cows, the Northwest Body and paint car crashing through the fence, the Gomi kitties. All beautiful pieces of art and SIGNS. Each one would be illegal today with the sign police. First, you can have one hang out over the street or sidewalk.(Right of way violation) Second, it cannot move or flash and Lastly, it cannot be on somebody else's building. (even if it is across the street from your business)
Come on City the ass end of City Hall hangs over 2nd street. These signs are art! Do we want the standard Dallas reverse channel letters everywhere? NO! Let us Keep Austin Weird not Keep Austin Standard!
Back to the Sign Police... It took a special proclamation by the Mayor to save Mangiazilla from being removed from Wheatsville Coop. Gomi kitties, kicked to the curb.... Instead of closing libraries send the code enforement to the the dump... Where solid waste belongs. Peace
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