ZacCast TeamZac

On this episode, we talk about:
The world's most expensive bathroom, the regulations that led to it, and how can we be better in our own cities?Houston is broke, but why? McKinsey suggests automated vehicles will induce continued population expansion into outer ring neighborhoods and rural areasTimestamps00:22 - New TeamZac member01:32 - Setting hiring policy on the podcast02:55 - Generations Z and Alpha03:51 - The difference between Pat and Chad06:09 - The most expensive public restroom14:31 - Can we incorporate staff accountability for getting a project done?16:18 - The Purple Slip19:38 - Can we just empower employees?28:16 - Houston is broke39:36 - On urban highway expansion48:03 - McKinsey on the benefits of autonomous vehicles57:47 - Could AVs eliminate the need for parking?60:15  - AV cabs as public transportation: worst of both worlds?62:04 - Special announcement time
Notes
A Close Examination of the Most Infamous Public Toilet in America (NY Times)Houston mayor says the city is broke (Fox 26 Houston)Here's the real reason Houston is going broke (Strong Towns)Autonomous Driving's Future: Convenient and Connected (McKinsey)Smart Bumps

In this episode, Chad and Pat debrief from the Utah City Managers Association conference and talk about differences in management cultures among these United States. We talk about the growing concern of a doom loop cycle in urban commercial real estate, what is a doom loop, why do they happen, and how can cities mitigate their impacts or avoid them altogether. We follow up with a conversation about how to compare and evaluate the quality of your downtowns. Finally, we chat about a recent think piece on fire departments.
00:20 - Debrief from the Utah City Managers Association Conference and differences in management culture among states19:26 - The Urban CRE Doom Loop: What is it and how to avoid it34:04 - How should we compare and evaluate downtowns?35:45 - Vibe-Oriented Development43:51 - On Fire Departments
Links
Many Cities Fear the 'Doom Loop' (WSJ - The Journal)Why the CRE Urban Doom Loop May Still Be Coming (Odd Lots)On Fire Departments (Thesis Driven)

In this episode, we talk about:
The sales tax implications of Amazon lockers and whether remote taxpayers should be subjected to detailed audits to verify that their tax payments are accurate;Recent changes to Appraisal Board composition and various other property tax topics a recent Y'allitics episode stirred up; andZoning reform measures likely headed to Texas in the next legislative session.00:30 - April Fool's Day Recap04:30 - No Soap Radio08:45 - Amazon Lockers and auditing remote sales taxpayers25:19 - Changes to Appraisal District board composition46:18 - Zoning reform is coming to Texas
Links
Y'allitics Episode 267Dunning-Kruger EffectTexas Tribune article on prospective zoning reforms (Texas Tribune)

Fresh off of Spring Break and without a lot of hard hitting topics to discuss, Pat and Chad bounce between friendly and city topics.
00:12 - Intro00:42 - Spring Break activities03:09 - Paw Patrol Live (and other such shows)05:25 - Kids YouTube08:00 - Bozo The Clown, Homie the Clown, and Dougie the Whale10:45 - Paw Patrol revisited13:20 - Disney plot holes14:56 - What are we watching?16:34 - Rents are falling in Austin19:08 - Population surge in the Texas Triangle21:52 - Moneyball for cities: yea or nay?30:00 - Baseball's back35:33 - College vs Pro Sports in the DFW region37:19 - Mowing szn38:20 - Signing off

In this episode, Pat and Chad talk about a couple of big reversals. First, March sales tax allocations in Texas appear to have unwound all of the audit adjustments from last month. Pat and Chad talk about the impacts and how we can put Humpty Dumpty back together moving forward. 
Then, in the wake of Tuesday's primary elections, we discuss what "local control" means and if our conventional view of the concept might need its own reversal. When should cities have autonomy? Are there first principles we can lean on to identify when a problem should be addressed at a regional or state level instead? A difficult devil's advocate conversation ensues, and we'd love to keep the conversation going with you!

A major sales tax audit adjustment hit cities across the state of Texas in February. Chad and Patrick talk about the adjustment and some issues it highlighted. We follow up with a discussion on the recent performance of downtowns versus power centers, and the under-appreciated role that downtowns play in differentiating your city.