The Bee Cave Bee

Local TV station KXAN has posted documents from Austin City Council apperaing to show that they are considering buying Bee Cave's Mountain Lodge Hotel as one of 7 or more hotels that may be used to house the City's homeless.

City officials from Lakeway and Bee Cave have since clarified and updated the situation via our Facebook groups:

Bee Cave Mayor - Monty Parker: "Statement: "Beyond what was reported by KXAN this morning, the City has no knowledge of the City of Austin’s interest in acquiring Star Mountain Lodge. Personally, I was shocked a few months ago when Austin rescinded their camping ordinance allowing the homeless to camp virtually anywhere and we have recently seen a partial reinstatement of the ordinance due to public outrage, law enforcement issues and a general lack of security felt by those who enjoy Austin as a destination. So to hear that Austin would consider exporting the problem they helped create to a small city like ours, with no public transportation or homeless resources, is mind boggling and void of any respect for the homeless population that Austin is so compassionate about."

"the last thing I want to do is take it for granted that the City of Austin will be rational in their thought process and not infringe on our community. It was their list, not ours, and we will not take a "wait and see" approach to a perceived threat."

"Update: Our City Manager, Clint Garza, was able to speak directly to the City of Austin Assistant City Manager, Rodney Gonzales, a few minutes ago, and he confirmed emphatically that Austin will NOT be purchasing the Mountain Star Lodge, and would never consider transferring any of their homeless population to a neighboring city without first having discussions with that city. So the topic that started our day with much trepidation, has now been put to bed."

Bee Cave Council Member and Mayoral candidate Kara KIng: "I just posted the following on my council FB page and thought I would share it here as well.

Update to the KXAN/Mountain Star Lodge/Homeless story: I just got off the phone with Clint Garza, BC City Manager and he just hung up the phone with Rodney Gonzales, Austin Asst City Manger (and in charge of the Homeless). Mr Gonzales stated to Mr Garza that recently, Austin officials tasked a real estate firm with finding Austin Hotel properties that were for sale. their idea, that they had yet to discuss in public session, was perhaps Austin could buy those hotels to help get their homeless off the street. The firm got them a list of those hotels. The Mountain Star Lodge popped up with "Austin" as its city because 78738 sometime shows as as Austin and not Bee Cave. (I think that happens to all of us.) Mr Gonzales caught it and struck it from the list. However, when KXAN did their FOIA request, all they saw was the email with Mountain Star on the list. As Mr Gonzales told Mr Garza, "we are absolutely, unequivocally, not looking at any property in Bee Cave. We would never do that to another jurisdiction." They will be making a quote to the press with that same sentiment.

I appreciate the City of Austin and Mr Gonzales for being responsive to our City Manager. Please let me know if you have additional questions."

Laurie Higginbotham, Lakeway Mayor Pro Tem "Lake Travis Friends: Like many of you, this morning I read a KXAN report stating that the City of Austin was considering purchasing motels to create housing for the homeless, including possibly Mountain Star Lodge on RR 620 S.

First, I confirmed that no Lakeway or Bee Cave City Officials had ever heard of this before the news report. Today I spoke directly to Austin City Council member Jimmy Flannigan this afternoon, and he confirmed that Austin City Council has NOT discussed buying this property, that it would be a “terrible idea” and would not happen - in no small part because we do not have transportation or other public services that could support this population in our smaller cities.

The article says that a real estate agent created a list of all motels for sale in the area and gave it to the Homeless Strategy Officer. This list was NOT compiled by Austin City Council or discussed with the Cities of Lakeway or Bee Cave, and there is NO effort underway for the City of Austin to buy the Mountain Star Lodge"

Local reaction is strong and can be found HERE