ZacCast

On this episode, we talk about: Timestamps 00:22 - New TeamZac member 01:32 - Setting hiring policy on the podcast 02:55 - Generations Z and Alpha 03:51 - The difference between Pat and Chad 06:09 - The most expensive public restroom 14:31 - Can we incorporate staff accountability for getting a project done? 16:18 - The Purple Slip 19:38 - Can we just empower employees? 28:16 - Houston is broke 39:36 - On urban highway expansion 48:03 - McKinsey on the benefits of autonomous vehicles 57:47 - 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 AmericaHouston mayor says the city is brokeHere's the real reason Houston is going brokeAutonomous Driving's Future: Convenient and ConnectedSmart 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 states 19:26 - The Urban CRE Doom Loop: What is it and how to avoid it 34:04 - How should we compare and evaluate downtowns? 35:45 - Vibe-Oriented Development 43:51 - On Fire Departments Links Many Cities Fear the 'Doom Loop'Why the CRE Urban Doom Loop May Still Be ComingOn Fire Departments

In this episode, we talk about: 00:30 - April Fool's Day Recap 04:30 - No Soap Radio 08:45 - Amazon Lockers and auditing remote sales taxpayers 25:19 - Changes to Appraisal District board composition 46:18 - Zoning reform is coming to Texas Links Y'allitics Episode 267Dunning-Kruger EffectTexas Tribune article on prospective zoning reforms

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 - Intro 00:42 - Spring Break activities 03:09 - Paw Patrol Live (and other such shows) 05:25 - Kids YouTube 08:00 - Bozo The Clown, Homie the Clown, and Dougie the Whale 10:45 - Paw Patrol revisited 13:20 - Disney plot holes 14:56 - What are we watching? 16:34 - Rents are falling in Austin 19:08 - Population surge in the Texas Triangle 21:52 - Moneyball for cities: yea or nay? 30:00 - Baseball's back 35:33 - College vs Pro Sports in the DFW region 37:19 - Mowing szn 38:20 - 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.

In this episode: (01:20) Sales tax momentum has been slowing for some time now. We dig in to the numbers and issue a red flag warning as cities head into mid-year budget amendments and next year's budget cycle. Sales tax momentum continues to slow in Texas(10:10) An episode of WSJ's The Journal podcast piqued Patrick's interest, so we discuss the UK post office scandal and lessons to be learned for city managers. The Computer Glitch That Caused Nearly 1,000 Convictions(29:30) We wrap up with an unplanned chat about the need for a city working group to define software interoperability standards so that cities can wrest power back from ERP and other software vendors.

Pat and Chad are back for the first episode of 2024. After some throat-clearing chit chat, we discuss: Although the title might suggest it, there is no explicit content in this episode!

In this episode, Patrick and Chad talk about softening retail sales figures and changes to the retail real estate landscape. We finish with a March Madness style Christmas movie showdown. The American Store is Shrinking

On today's episode, Pat and Chad talk about the holidays, from retail sales forecasts to planning holiday events to the appropriate time to start decorating. And because we can never seem to get through a fall episode without it, stick around for a spirited college football discussion. Timestamps 00:32 - Holiday retail sales forecasts 13:12 - The joys of public events at the holidays 23:23 - Are we cool with decorating before Thanksgiving? 33:48 - Gratuitous college football razzing

Newest TeamZac member Maria Skrut joins the show as we talk about a recent NY Times article on the future of drive-throughs. Where does the drive-through rank on the hierarchy of good urban design? Is the rise of the drive-through a result of growing anti-social behavior, as the article suggests? And what is the drive-through's impact on walkability, community development, and social capital? Hungry (but Not for Human Contact), Americans Head for the Drive-ThroughTaylor Swift Meme

Household savings skyrocketed during the pandemic. Now that they're falling back to Earth, will retail sales come down with them? What other headwinds might stand in the way of the significant growth we've seen since 2020? Also, is Trunk-or-Treat a harmless Halloween innovation or a sign that we have given up on creating safe, walkable neighborhoods? Timelines 00:00 - Throat clearing 05:15 - What's up in retail? 14:18 - Headwinds for 2024-2025? 23:45 - Is Trunk-or-Treat a symptom of bad walkability? 42:30 - College football and third places Links Nicolas Cage FilmographyWhy retail stocks are sufferingWhere did Trick-or-Treating come from?Peaches SongMike Leach on Halloween Candy

Come for the best natural segue Patrick has ever managed... stick around for a discussion about the Texas Legislature's current struggles with property tax reform and how it may impact cities.

A bill in the Texas Legislature could have a chilling effect on the home-rule status of Texas cities; SB2's property tax reforms could have significant implications for certain economic development mechanisms; and our thoughts on the 15-minute city and the brewing controversy around the topic. Links How the Texas GOP became the party of big governmentHB 2127The 15-Minute City: Where urban planning meets conspiracy theoriesThe Last Utopia: The 15-Minute CityOrder Without Design

Patrick and Chad discuss a proposed Costco/apartment complex in South LA, how multi-family can be better integrated into suburban areas, and give an update on the 2023 Texas Legislative Session. Costco wants to build a different kind of store in South L.A.HB 1465HB 1513SB 546SB 547Local sales and use tax on residential use of gas and electricity

Not a Stranger, Not a FriendInternet of S***ChatGPT

First Errands (99% Invisible)This Way and That Way

3:00 - Local control and California's housing programs The Rise of the Single-Family Home27:25 - Strong Towns podcast on customer service What Customer Service Should Mean for a City46:20 - Quick return to California 4630 - reels clip 57:40 - Cities preparing for recession US Cities are Preparing for RecessionUS Cities Prepare for RecessionAll the (Unemployed) Young Dudes

Creed's Thanksgiving Day performance, November 2001Why does the Four Chord Pop Song sound so good?Axis of Awesome - 4 Chord SongThe Rise of the Single Family HomeWhat Customer Service Should Mean for a City

Pat and Chad talk about what it means for cities to be profitable, and why it matters.