Jan/Feb 2020 Window on Rental Housing by Austin Apartment Association

ON RENTAL HOUSING

JAN FEB 2020

THIS ISSUE:

2019

Austin Apartment Association

AAA Strategic Plan 26 Doc & Gayle Young 30 Food Drive AAA Holiday Gala 40

T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E

Austin Apartment Association

Professional of the Year

Winners

PG.

GOOD FOR YOU GOOD FOR RESIDENTS GOOD FOR AUSTIN

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CONTENTS J ANU ARY / FEBRU ARY 2020 ISSUE

FEATURES 20 2019 Professional

of the Year Winners Presented at AAA Holiday Gala

IS NOT JUST MAKING IT PRETTY

26 AAA Strategic Plan

AT CAMP, YOU KNOW IT’S ALWAYS DONE RIGHT

30 Community Connection

AAA’s 3-year roadmap

Food Drive & Brady’s Bridge

TAA & NAA Highlights Featuring Kristan Arrona’s Lifetime Achievement Award

2020 Dues Remember to renew your membership

Maintenance Huddle Celebrating our maintenance superheroes

512.394.1111 // CAMPCONSTRUCTION.COM

Holiday Gala, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown, Thursday, December 12, 2019

Apartment industry and residents contribute $33B to Austin’s economy 2019 Hoyt Advisory Study Highlights

Important Dates 2020 events you don’t want to miss

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 E X E C U T IV E CO MMIT T E E

2019-2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Austin Apartment Association

Kris Burleson, CAS, Gage Multifamily Services Kimberly Faulkner, Greystar Travis Fowler, Century A/C Supply Michael Garcia, CAM, CAPS, Capstone Real Estate Services, Inc.

2019-20 2 0

Adrian Garcia, CAM, CAPS, Bluebonnet Commercial Management, LLC Desiree Golden, CAM, CAPS, Foundation Communities

Sandy Eckhardt CREA Management

Stephani Park Roscoe Properties

President

President-elect

Ryan Harmon

Christy Sanchez

CAS

CPM, CAM

Camp Construction

Shannon Green, Weinstein Properties Lyndsay Hanes, CPM, Topaz Asset Management

Alliance Residential, LLC, Secretary/Treasurer

Vice President

Meagan Johnston, CAPS, Roscoe Properties Chelsea Kneeland, CAS, J Turner Research Sam Levassar, CAS, Camp Construction

The Official Publication of the

Stephanie Naylor, CAS, Flooring Warehouse

A USTIN APARTMENT A SSOCIATION

Christi Pyle, CAM, CAPS, LDG Development

8620 Burnet Road #475 Austin, TX 78757 P: 512.323.0990 F: 512.323.2979 www.austinaptassoc.com

Communications Advisory Committee Chairs Danielle Archuleta (844) 433-3824 Stephanie Naylor (512) 335-8138

Publishing Director Emily Blair, CAE

Editor

Terri Needham, CAS, PS Landscapes, Inc. Toni Rackley, Flooring Warehouse

IN EV E RY I S S U E 5 6 8 9 10

Leadership

Haydee Scott, CAS, BG Multifamily Amanda Seamans, CAS, Texas Materials a CRH Company

12 14 18 44 48

Letter from the EVP Calendar President’s Perspective Market Report

Diamond Sponsors

Emily Blair, CAE Executive Vice President, emily@austinaptassoc.com

Amber Collins, Director of Marketing & Communications,

amber@austinaptassoc.com Jeanette Gonzalez, Receptionist, Administrative Assistant,

jeanette@austinaptassoc.com

Carl E. Beck (88) Kim M. McGregor (89)

Jim Eichelberger* (66)

Ted Hendricks* (78)

Beth Holt (90)

Andy Wagner* (67)

Hank Guerrero* (79)

David Stapleton, CPM (91)

Ray Littlefield* (68)

Don Tait (80)

Sheri Gallo (92)

George Nalle* (69)

Ray Head (81)

Gina Roberts (93)

Don Jackson (70)

Ed Norton (82)

Carol Martine, CPM (94)

Gene McGregor* (71)

Bob Benson (83)

Keith Warner (95)

Ed Hamel (72)

Jimmy C. Elliott (84)

Michael R. Hill, CPM (96)

Barry Gillingwater* (73)

Joe Sharp (85)

Vicki L. Sharp, NALP, CAPS (97)

James Raper (74)

Dick Obenhaus (86)

Kim M. McGregor (98)

Rich Ellmer (75)

Susan Melton (87)

Anna Kelley* (99)

Law in Order

A&A Wrecker Camp Construction

23 Maintenance Supply Headquarters

47 Cruise4Two

51 Ameristar

Lisa Berman Director of Membership Development

lisa@austinaptassoc.com Event Photos by David Cox

www.davidcox.org

Design by Graphic Engine Design Studio

www.GraphicEngine.net

/ WINDOW ON RENTAL HOUSING

Missy Sterns, CAPS, LDG Development Bill Warren, Warren Law Firm

Bill Roland, CPM, CCIM (00-01) Tami Martin, NALP, CAMT, CAM, CAPS (01-02) Carol Martine, CPM (02-03) Joy Lamb, CPM (03- 04) John Raper (04-05) Debi Wehmeier, CPM (05-06) Renee Clark, CAM, CAPS (06-07) Sherry Perrin (07-08) Jana Ellis (08-09) Kara Garst, CAPS (09-10) Sarah Thompson, CAM, CAPS

Brooke Mahoney-Livesay CAPS (11-12)

Membership A-Team

Products & Services Council

Of Counsel

Robyn Riley Carrie Thomes, CAM

Bill Warren, Warren Law Firm

Ryan Harmon, CAS Joshua Nichols

Ryan Harmon, CAS, Chair Rene Flores, CAS, Chair-elect Toni Rackley, Vice Chair Terri Needham, CAS, Immediate Past Chair

Next Gen Committee

PSC Members at Large

Tiffany Blankman John Claybrook Brooke Ludwig

Kris Burleson, CAS Brian Hackworth Chelsea Kneeland, CAS Shay Mickler, CAM, CAS Ashley Pruden, CAS Robyn Riley Anna Samaratunga, CAS Haydee Scott Carol Taylor

Sandy Eckhardt (12-13) Colleen Grahn (13-14) Robbie Robinson, CAM, CAPS, ARM (14-15) Gus Villegas (15-16) Theresa Ebner (16-17) Dwayne Stewart (17-18) Renee Zahn, CAM, NALP, ARM, CPM (18-19) *deceased

(10-11)

2 0 1 9 - 2 0 2 0 CO M MIT T E E C H A IRP E R S O N S

IBC Charter Furniture OBC Integrity Paving

Director of Education

Lynne Williams, Accounting Manager, lynne@austinaptassoc.com

Tracy Slappey-Scott, Pinnacle An American Mgmt. Co.

Greystar

Steve Colella (77)

Amy Lydic, CAE amyl@austinaptassoc.com

Immediate Past President

Greystar

Jim Solt* (76)

43 Austin Estate Gate

35 Compound Security

VP at Large

Frank Montgomery* (65)

19 BG Multifamily

13 Century A/C Supply

VP at Large

John Harrison* (64)

IFC Austin Energy

7 Ameristar

NALP, CAM, ARM, CPM

Education Opportunities

AD VE RT I S E R I N D EX

29 Austin Resource Recovery

CAM

A A A PA ST P RE S ID E N T S

Paul Cauduro, Director of paul@austinaptassoc.com

Renee Zahn

New Members

Dana Bolz, CMP Director of Events/Meetings, dana@austinaptassoc.com Government Relations,

Katya Watson

Industry Update

Amber Collins

Association Staff

Stephanie Petersen, CAM Bluebonnet Commercial Management LLC

The advertising and article submission deadline for the March/April 2020 issue of Window on Rental Housing is January 30, 2020. The advertising and article submission deadline for the May/June 2020 issue of Window on Rental Housing is March 15, 2020. All material submitted is subject to review and approval of the Austin Apartment Association. The publisher assumes no responsibility for care and return of unsolicited material. The Austin Apartment Association is affiliated with the Texas Apartment Association and the National Apartment Association. For questions concerning advertising, articles or subscriptions, call (512) 323-0990. Window on Rental Housing is published bi-monthly by the Austin Apartment Association, 8620 Burnet Road #475, Austin, Texas 78757, (512) 323-0990, (512) 323-2979 fax.

Austin Supervisors Council

Kimberly Faulkner Meagan Johnston, CAPS Shanna Pope Communications Advisory Committee

Education Foundation Board President

Brooke Mahoney-Livesay, CAPS Food Drive

Danielle Archuleta Stephanie Naylor, CAS

Stephanie Naylor, CAS Terri Needham, CAS Paige Russell

Community Outreach

Investment Committee

Taryn Merrill Toni Rackley

Stephanie Petersen, CAM Ben Wells, CAS

Education Advisory Council

Legislative Committee

Dedra Bouffard, CAM Krista Washbourne

Meagan Johnston, CAPS Lyndsay Hanes, CPM Stephanie Petersen, CAM

Membership M-Team

Political Action

Theresa Ebner, CAM, CAPS, CPM Gus Villegas

Texas Apartment Association

512-479‑6252 National Apartment Association

703‑518‑6141

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

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Letter from

Serving the Apartment Industry Exclusively Since 1989

THE EVP REFLECTING ON MY FIRST YEAR AT AAA

As I write this, I have just wrapped up my last “first” with the Association. In other words, my first Holiday Gala… which followed the other “firsts” this year such as the first Property of the Year, first hire, first Food Drive, etc.

s you know, any first year on the job is filled with lots of learning and connecting the dots. Day 1 starts with what I call the “file find” – aka getting your hands on all the essential paperwork and files. Then as the year progresses, of course the sophistication of tasks also progresses. No longer are you learning how to make coffee – which by then that is a task anyone can master (ignore the fact weeks prior you may have struggled there) – rather, your attention turns to things like strategic planning! In the midst of all of that though, was connecting with the people of this association. I am lucky to have made some amazing connections in my first year with the Association. The people in the Austin Apartment Association truly are what makes this organization stand out from the crowd. The desire to have the new members and newcomers like me become a part of the family of AAA, is the most prevalent and wonderful characteristic of this association. I have seen firsthand, not only are you hoping to make connections and grow your own network – but our members desire to help make that happen for their fellow member too! What a great strength that represents – and I am proud to be this Association’s Executive. Now that I have hit my first anniversary, I am sharing some of my favorite pics from 2019 here. I am so grateful for all the connections I have made so far – and I look forward to meeting many more of this amazing membership. I look forward to serving you in the coming year. Cheers,

Emily Blair, CAE

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

President’s

PERSPECTIVE

Calendar of

EVENTS

Sandy Eckhardt

CREA Management 2019-2020 President

RESOLUTIONS FOR THE COMING YEAR

JANUARY 2020

What was your last New Year’s resolution? Have you made one for this year? How quickly did it come together?

TIME

AAA OFFICE CLOSED

Legislative Committee

AAA

9:30am

Fair Housing with Attorney Bill Warren

AAA

8:30am-12pm

AAA

9am

M-Team Committee

AAA

10am

Education Advisory Council

AAA

12pm

11-14 CAM Slam! Part One

Leadership Committee

AAA

10am

CAS Slam! Day One

AAA 8:30am-4:30pm

A-Team Committee

The Local Post

3:30pm

Leasing 101

AAA 8:30am-11:30am

Next Gen Committee

AAA

12pm

NextGen Committee

AAA

Association 101 for New Members

AAA

9am

Community Information Exchange

AAA

9am

Community Outreach Committee

AAA

9am

AAA Executive Committee

AAA

11:30am

AAA Board of Directors

AAA

5pm

/ WINDOW ON RENTAL HOUSING

AAA 8:30am-4:30pm

FEBRUARY 2020

14 Communications Advisory Committee

29-30 CPO Certification Two-Day Course

PLACE

DATE EVENT

Legislative Committee

PLACE

AAA

TIME

9:30am

AAA 8:30am-4:30pm

12pm

19-21 TAA Winter Board Meeting Houston 19

Goal Setting

25-28 CAM Slam! Part Two

AAA 8:30am-11:30am AAA 8:30am-4:30pm

CAS Slam! Day Two

AAA 8:30am-4:30pm

AAA Executive Committee

AAA

11:30am

AAA Board of Directors

AAA

5pm

CAS Slam! Day Three

AAA 8:30am-4:30pm

50’s BOWL-A-RAMA

Main Event

6pm-10pm

shutterstock (x2)

DATE EVENT

or my resolutions, they tend to come together pretty quickly since it is usually something light and easy – like going to the pool more often with the grandkids or packing less shoes when traveling (which that shoe thing is harder than you think)! But what would you say if it took someone a year to form a resolution? Either they need to lighten up…or it could be argued that their resolution was carefully crafted, right? Essentially, by going through a strategic planning process – whether it is you in your business or us here at the Association – resolutions are being made. Well, our resolution is to connect. Our brand-new strategic plan has connection written all over it – because, really for this association, that is what it all boils down to. We want to connect with you –to understand our members better and make the experience of being a member all that much better. We want to connect more with the community – specifically as it relates to where people rest their head. We want to connect you with opportunities in our community to make a meaningful difference on things like homelessness or apartment fires.

We also want you to connect more with one another. We will be looking at our networking events and committees and making sure we are making the most of those – for your benefit. I sincerely hope you resolve this year to connect more with the Association – this is YOUR organization after all. As a professional in the multifamily and rental housing industry - this is the place to be! Happy New Year!

Our brandnew strategic plan has connection written all over it – because, really for this association, that is what it all boils down to.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

Market Comparison Overview AUS Reg. - 4th Quarter 2019 Conventional Housing

Unit Mix Summary

Overview This report provides a statistical analysis of the specified target area. Included is information on current and historical rent and occupancy rates, unit mix and amenity information per property, current and future construction for the specified area,

BEDROOM(S)

Rentable Units

% TARGET

AVG

MKT

SIZE

$/SF

$/MO

Avg. Rent/Mo.

Concession Value

New Units Added**

% Occ

100%

3,500

90% 80%

3,000

70%

2,500

60%

2,000

50%

1,500

40% 30%

3.3% 55.6% 36.4% 4.4% 0.4%

482 717 1,048 1,348 1,780 861

6,509 109,716 71,792 8,685 799 197,519

$2.26 $1.67 $1.40 $1.32 $1.29 $1.53

$/MO

$1,090 $1,193 $1,468 $1,775 $2,303 $1,320

6.24% 6.30% 5.78% 3.28% 3.64% 5.78%

36.4% 55.6%

Amenity Comparison AMENITY

% TARGET MKT

AMENITY

% TARGET MKT

AMENITY

% TARGET MKT

Fitness Center

73%

Business Center

56%

Parking Garage

15%

Media Room

20%

Pool

97%

Attached Garages

19%

Game Room

25%

Mixed Use

Detached Garages

30%

1,000

$1.74

221

67,050

34%

946

366

68,814

35%

Overall Mkt Total

816

197,519

DECADE

PROPS

4Q19

3Q19

2Q19

1Q19

4Q18

$1,547

1.3%/ $20

93.2%

7.25% 3.45%

Net Unit Change*

5,034

2,000

$1.42

$1,345

0.4%/ $5

96.3%

7.57% 1.95%

New Units Added*

5,040

1,500

756

$1.45

$1,092

0.4%/ $4

96.6%

4.91% 2.02%

Units Absorbed*

9,838

1,000

861

$1.53

$1,320

0.7%/ $9

95.4%

5.85% 2.62%

# OF

% OF

AVG

UNITS

SIZE

$/SF

$/MO

%/$ CONC

AVG OCC %

ANNUAL CHANGE $/PSF

OCC %

1960s

5,000

736

$1.53

$1,124 0.4%/ $5

96.2%

3.56%

0.10%

1970s

101

17,127

766

$1.46

$1,121 0.4%/ $5

96.0%

4.54%

2.06%

1980s

203

40,821

21%

732

$1.44

$1,053 0.4%/ $4

96.9%

5.62%

2.22%

1990s

24,023

12%

907

$1.45

$1,314 0.2%/ $3

96.5%

5.40%

2.19%

2000s

162

48,735

25%

962

$1.43

$1,379 0.4%/ $5

96.2%

6.49%

1.19%

2010s

223

61,380

31%

885

$1.72

$1,524 1.2%/ $19

93.6%

5.16%

4.76%

2020s

433

918

$1.52

$1,399 9.5%/ $147

29.3%

0.00%

29.33%

Overall Mkt Total

816

861

$1.53

$1,320 0.7%/ $9

95.4%

5.85%

2.62%

197,519

2,500

*Past 12 mo. *Net unit change is the change in rentable units due to new units added, down units or property type change *New units added include additions from new development *Information is still being gathered for the quarter.

500 0 4Q19

888

___________________________________

3Q19

31%

OCC %

2Q19

61,655

$/PSF

1Q19

229

# OF

OCC %

4Q18

CONS.

CONC

3Q18

$/MO

3,000

2Q18

$/SF

22,575

1Q18

SIZE

Under Construction

3,500

AVG

4Q17

UNITS

9,209

%/$

3Q17

UNITS

Proposed

4,000

2Q17

PROPS

CLASS

ANNUAL CHANGE

1,704

1Q17

AVG

Approved

4Q16

AVG

19,215

Net Unit Change**

3Q16

AVG

Submitted

Units Absorbed 4,500

2Q16

% OF

#UNITS

1Q16

# OF

STATUS

4Q15

# OF

3Q18

2Q18

1Q18

4Q17

3Q17

2Q17

1Q17

4Q16

3Q16

2Q16

1Q16

4Q15

3Q15

2Q15

1Q15

3Q15

Target Area Construction

2Q15

500

10%

1Q15

20%

Target Area Sales #PROJECTS

# UNITS

AVG $/UNIT

AVG $/SF

# LISTED FOR SALE

12,712

$162,807

$192.60

*Sales figures are reported for the previous 12 months. **Information is still being gathered for the quarter.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein was obtained from our industry sources and other third parties, and we have used commercially reasonable efforts to gather, verify, analyze and report such information. NONETHELESS, WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. All information should be independently verified by the user of this report. Reproduction of this report in whole or part is prohibited without prior written consent of Austin Investor Interests. LLC.

Date Produced: 09-Jan-2020

Page 1 of 2

0 1 2 3 4+ Overall Mkt Total

Change

historical absorption figures and a sales analysis.

Historical Occupancy, Rental Rates & New Units Added

Annual

/ WINDOW ON RENTAL HOUSING

Page 2 of 2

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

Industry UPDATE TIME TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED By Paul Cauduro, AAA Director of Government Affairs

T The 2020 census will be the first time that households can respond to the census online.

he once-a-decade count of the nation’s population is set to begin, and apartment owners and managers will play an important role in making sure the count is complete and accurate. The count is mandated by the Constitution, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and include every person living in the U.S. — regardless of citizenship or immigration status. The 2020 census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790 and will be the first time that households can respond to the census online. Participating in the census is required by law, and an accurate count of the Austin area is critical. Federal funding allocations, school planning efforts, business location and expansion decisions and more rely on census data. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as to draw state legislative districts. Currently, Texas has thirty-six congressional seats, but most expect that the census results will add three more seats for Texas. States with declining populations and slower growth, like Pennsylvania and West Virginia, stand to lose congressional seats. The state and federal re-

districting process begins in earnest after the counts are sent to the states by March 31, 2021. The census count’s accuracy is also very important. Federal tax money from Texas sent to Washington comes back to Texas based on census numbers. The federal funds received by Texas are used to support housing, transportation, education, and other services we use. It is estimated that a population undercount as small as one percent could cost Texas $3 billion in federal funds over ten years. With 25 percent of Texans living in hard-tocount areas, our state is at particularly high risk for a significant census undercount. Census Day is April 1, 2020, but most households will receive questionnaires and instructions by midMarch. Each household can respond by phone, by mail, or as mentioned online for the very first time. Not returning a questionnaire or submitting a partially filled-out questionnaire may result in a follow-up phone call or visit from a census worker. Most of the questions will be similar to what census forms have asked for in recent counts such as: the number of people living or staying in the home; whether the home is owned with or without a

mortgage, rented or occupied without rent; the name, sex, age, date of birth and race of each person in the home; and the relationship of each person to a central person in the home. Any and all census data collected is kept private and secure. The U.S. Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies until 72 years after the information is collected. Of course, they can release population and demographic information at a level as detailed as a neighborhood. Apartment owners and managers can help facilitate a complete and accurate count. Through your community’s social media efforts and other communication outreach efforts to your residents you can encourage your residents to participate. If your properties have hard-to-count populations living in your community, your role is particularly important in encouraging a questionnaire response. These populations include very young children,

immigrants, people of color, rural residents, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. To help encourage apartment resident participation, the U.S. Census Bureau has graphics and other collateral material available at www.2020census.gov. To get a better understanding about the census effort and discuss other resources available, you can speak to a census representative in the Dallas Regional Census Center by calling 972-5101800 or send an email to Dallas.rcc. partnership@2020census.gov. If an apartment community achieves a high enough response rate it is unlikely that a census worker will have to walk the property to collect questionnaire responses. However, starting in May 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin following up in person with those that have not responded to the census. These census field workers, called “canvassers”, are also sent out to simply collect and verify addresses or confirm that the number of units that exist on the ground matches the bureau’s files. To see the identified workload areas more prone to fieldwork by a census canvasser, type “2020 Census: In-Field Address Canvassing (IFAC) Viewer” into your favorite internet search engine. If a canvasser visits your property to collect information for the 2020 census you can verify their identity by making sure that they have a valid ID badge containing their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce wa-

termark, and an expiration date. If you still have questions about their identity, you can contact the Regional Census Center to speak with a U.S. Census Bureau representative. The numbers to call are 800-923-8282 or locally at 737-207-4146. Please know that the U.S. Census Bureau will never ask for a social security number, bank account or credit card numbers or solicit money or donations. If you suspect fraudulent census workers call the police and also call the U.S. Census Bureau using the numbers provided. If you have any questions or need additional information contact paul@austinaptassoc.com or call 512-323-0990.

volunteers also provide care packages that include snacks, toiletries, warm socks and hats. To join this year’s count, go to www.austinecho.org/PIT Before participating, all volunteers must attend a mandatory training, either in person or online.

Volunteer for the 2020 Point in Time Count Volunteers are needed for the annual Point in Time Count (PIT) of the homeless population in Austin and Travis County. The effort involves more than 500 volunteers who fan-out into the community on the early morning of January 25, 2020 to try to count all those who slept outside the night before. This annual effort is coordinated by the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO), and this year volunteers will use an efficient new digital survey system. The data collected helps measure progress towards ending and preventing homelessness as well as help direct federal funding and other critical resources. In addition to performing the count,

Read about AAA’s current advocacy issues at austinaptassoc.com/currentissue.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE SUPPORTS OUR INDUSTRY The Austin Apartment Association established a general-purpose political action committee (PAC) fund to have greater participation in the local and state political process. A general-purpose PAC is devoted to a point of view not a political party, and the AAA PAC’s devoted point of view is that a free enterprise housing market works best when private property rights are honored and rental property owners can operate without burdensome taxes, regulations and fees.

Christy Sanchez

John Burleson

Josh Nichols

Haydee Scott

Chelsea Kneeland

Marisse Nixon

Amanda Seamans

Alyssa Lacy

Maricruz Ortiz

Jacqueline Sirna

David Lardner

Lindsey Osborne

Brian Skulski

Mike LeBlanc

Stephani Park

Tracy Slappey Scott

Eric Leonard

Daniel Pena

Leonice Souza

Cheryl Leonard

Stephanie Petersen

Ronny Stephens

Sam Levassar

Jay Piersall

Missy Sterns

Brooke Mahoney-Livesay

Michelle Powell

Carol Taylor

Amy Maples

Christi Pyle

Shonna Marquis

Toni Rackley

James & Linda Thompson

Carol Martine

Deborah Ray Vogel

Cristian Martinez

Cindi Reed

Steve Matcha

Chris Rhodes

Mark Mathis

Robyn Riley

Kim McGregor

Marie Rodriguez

Shay Mickler

Don Rogers

Erica Miller

Bill Roland

Stephanie Naylor

Gabor Mark Ronaszeki

Terri Needham

Jon Roseberry

Greg Newell

Anna Samaratunga

Ty Thompson Lauren Tuma Kelsea Vernon Gus Villegas Robert Walters Ben Wells Renee Zahn

DONOR LEVELS

T O L E A R N M O R E about the PAC and give back to the industry by making an investment go to the “Advocacy” tab of the AAA website at www.austinaptassoc.com and click on Apartment PAC Austin.

Danielle Archuleta

Paul Cauduro

Gina Frazza-Stowers

David Arnold

Chris Chavez

Adrian Garcia

Johnny Atkinson

Danielle Courtney

Ken Garst

Wilmar Basson

Grant Dodson

Braden Gore

Beau Bastian

Joslyn Domel

Colleen Grahn

Ashtynn Bennett

Lindsay Doud

Gary Greene

Cindi Bewley

Theresa Ebner

Brian Hackworth

Dedra Bouffard

Sandy Eckhardt

Lyndsay Hanes

Beverly Boyd-Miller

Gilbert Escobedo

Ryan Harmon

Cody Brunkenhoefer

Kimberly Faulkner

Rebecca Harris

Nikki Burleson

Sherri Faust

Jimmy Harvey

Kris Burleson

Emily Fenner

Greg Hill

John Burleson

Rene Flores

Blair Holden

Connie Calix

Travis Fowler

Rick Hubbard

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Jou NG-Wurster

contributing to the PAC is an investment in the apartment industry and that their contributions help keep the apartment industry thriving and free from burdensome taxes, regulations and fees.

Apartment PAC Austin is Austin Apartment Association’s Political Action Committee providing an opportunity for members interested in the welfare and future of the free enterprise rental housing market to support candidates for local and state office who believe and have demonstrated their beliefs in our industry’s point of view.

DONATE ONLINE: AustinAptAssoc.com/apartment-pac-austin shutterstock

n 2019, many AAA members made a contribution to the PAC fund by either attending our exclusive annual Thank You Reception, participating in the Spring Golf event at Top Golf, or the Larry Neiman Fall Golf Tournament. Whatever you decide to attend, contributions to the PAC are very much appreciated and always welcome. Listed below are the investors that made contributions to Apartment PAC Austin in 2019. These members know that

Jarrett Isbell

SPECIAL NOTE ON PAC DONATIONS: Texas law prohibits corporate contributions to PACs. PAC donations cannot be paid with corporate checks or corporate credit cards. Your AAA account cannot be billed. Personal, sole proprietor or partnership checks should be made payable to “AAA PAC”, or you may use your personal, sole proprietor or partnership credit card for PAC contributions, but no corporate cards can be accepted. Texas law also requires political action committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual contribution. Contributions to Apartment PAC Austin are for political purposes and will be used as political contributions for candidates favorable to the rental housing industry. All contributions are voluntary.You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Guidelines are merely suggestions; you may contribute more or less than the suggested amounts. Donation questions? Contact Paul at 512-323-0990 or paul@austinaptassoc.com

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

Odor Control

New MEMBERS

Ecolo Odor Control, Inc. Louvenia Foster 5829 W Sam Houston Pkwy N, Suite 610 Houston, TX 77041 713-357-6295

AAA welcomes these new members who joined the association between August 1, 2019 and November 30, 2019. When deciding where to make your next purchase for your property, please consider an AAA supplier member.

Start the New Year with a Complete Team!

Parking Lot Maintenance & Marking RDC Paving

Kim Wheeler 120 A Iron Horse Drive Hutto, TX 78634 512-917-5602 www.rdcpaving.com

TEMPORARY • TEMP-TO-HIRE • DIRECT HIRE • SMART HIRE • RECRUITING

Certified & Lead Maintenance Technicians

Stripe-it-up Skylar Traskos

NEW PROPERTY OWNERS/ MANAGEMENT COMPANY MEMBERS

Whisper Oaks Holdings LLC

AM Hayden Properties

X3Property Management LLC

Sarita McCarty Lake Oswego, OR 240 Units

Catex Acquisitions Kristi Duvall Giddings, TX 60 units

College Houses

Kimberly Garmany Austin, TX 532 units

HG Fenton Texas Alex Winborn San Diego, CA 524 units

JLB Residential Jim Morrissey Dallas, TX 274 Units

Kader Properties

Mohamad & Mary Abdulkader Austin, TX 7 Units

South Austin Properties Robert Wills Austin, TX 18 units

The Leholm Group, LLC Christopher Filley Austin, TX 12 Units

Weller Management Peter Ramos Boca Raton, FL 458 units

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Anthony R. Garrant Georgetown, TX 42 units

Kerri Slobodnik Austin, TX

NEW SUPPLIER MEMBERS A/C-Systems Service & Repair Grande Air Solutions LLC

Petra Lugo 303 Axis Deer Trl Hutto, TX 78634 512-677-4424 www.grandeairsolutions.com

Collections, Renter Insurance, Security Deposits

Assurant

Patrick Regan 11222 Quail Roost Drive Miami, FL 33157 877-277-4811

Construction - General

Gemstar Construction & Development, Inc.

Benjamin Miller 21707 Inverness Forest Blvd Houston, TX 77073 281-821-1195 www.gemstarconstruction.com

Lanyard Construction Services Kyle Cox 303 S Jackson Ave, Suite 100 Wylie, TX 75098 469-543-1001 www.lanyardcs.com

Sawhorse ATX LLC Tara Bizzocchi PO Box 1885 Kyle, TX 78640 512-577-3796

Xpert Design & Construction Harald Heer 6300 La Calma Drive #520 Austin, TX 78752 512-969-2571

Drain & Sewer Cleaning, Plumbing Contractors Extreme Hydro-Jetting and Pipe Inspection

Derril Peralez 2031 County Rd 105 Hutto, TX 78634 512-574-5345 www.extremehydrojetting.com

Insurance-Property, Insurance-Renter C1 Insurance Group Helen Edwards 1601 Lost Creek Blvd Austin, TX 78746 512-784-6748 www.c1ig.com

Internet Listing Service Zumper

CassidyBower 49 Geary St San Francisco, CA 94108 580-736-5110 www.zumper.com

Landscape Installation & Maintenance Cutters Landscaping

Zach Brashear 9312 Margaret Jewel Lane Austin, TX 78748 512-461-1003 www.cutterslandscape.com

River Rock Lawn and Landscaping LLC. Brant Dickerson 2105 west Howard Lane Austin, TX 78728 5126334085 www.rrlltx.com

Make Ready Technicians Groundskeepers & Housekeepers

11675 Jollyville Rd Austin, TX 78759 512-351-1782

Experienced Leasing & Bilingual Consultants

Paint-Contractors, RoofsContractors, Siding-Contractors

Tomorrow's Talent Leasing Graduates Community & Assistant Managers

Peritus Construction

Tim Reding 12400 W Highway 71 Suite 350 Austin,TX 78738 512-887-5189 www.peritusconstruction.com

Weekend Employee Coverage Available Administrative Support & Package Management Student Housing Turn Executive Placement Search Package Assistance www.bgmultifamily.com.

Pest Control Service

The Termite Guy

Alex Del Toro 824 Bluebird Canyon Lane Laguna Beach,CA 92651 949-500-4370

CONTACT YOUR AUSTING TEAM TODAY: AUSTIN.ORDERS@BGMULTIFAMILY.COM

Pool Compliance, Pool Equipment/Sales/ Supplies/Maintenance Platinum Pool and Spa Rene Flores 2913 Wadsworth Way Austin, TX 78748 512-897-4866

Printing & Graphic Service

Jericho DFW

Mike Guggenbickler 3416 Enterprise Dr, #645 Rowlett,TX 75030 972-375-2575 www.jerichodfw.com

Real Estate - Consultant Collins Properties

1801 S MoPac Expy, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746 512-814-7169 www.zanecollins.com

Recycling Services, Valet Trash, Valet Waste Pick Up UpKeep

Justin Behrmann 111 Joe Wimberley Blvd #1865 Wimberley, TX 78676 1-800-956-9642 www.weareupkeep.com

Roofs-Cleaning, RoofsContractors Roof Rescue of Texas John Berlet 18604 FM 1431 Jonestown, TX 78645 512-431-0802 Roofmaxx.com

Tree-Insect & Disease Control, Tree-Maintenance Service

The Urban Foresters Esteban Padilla 12703 Stafford Rd Stafford, TX 77477 855-255-5212

Windows-Coverings

Marietta Drapery and Window Coverings Elizabeth Gray 22 Trammell Street Marietta, GA 30064 770-428-3335 ext 1146 www.mariettadrapery.com

Security Guard/Patrol Service

Special Response Security, LLC Lee Caldwell 2541 S. IH-35 200 Round Rock, TX 78664 866-288-5400 www.TexasOfficer.com

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

INDEPENDENT RENTAL OWNER

2019 Austin Apartment Association

Professional of the Year

David & Leslie Shippy Shippy Property Management David and Leslie Shippy are Independent Rental Owners and founded Shippy Property Management in 2011 to operate their properties. They are dedicated to providing excellent customer service, resident retention through community events, and high-quality maintenance with fast turnaround. They also have a company initiative called #ShippyGivesBack which is committed to providing both money and volunteers for many charitable organizations and events around the state.

s r e n n i W d r a Aw Congratulations to the winners of this year’s prestigious Professional of the Year award!

Each year the Austin Apartment Association recognizes outstanding individuals who achieved excellence and is a leader in their field. Winners were announced at the Holiday Gala, December 12 at the Hyatt Regency Austin on Lady Bird Lake.

ASSISTANT PROPERTY MANAGER

Camille Guimond, CAM The Boulevard at Town Lake, Greystar Camille has a passion to help others and always goes above and beyond, inspiring her team to do the same. Camille excels at resident relations and knows how to motivate a team which has helped her progress in her multi-family career from a leasing consultant through her recent promotion to a property manager. Camille has previously been awarded the James E. Solt Scholarship, which she used to achieve her CAM credential. In addition to Camille’s active participation in the Austin Apartment Association’s NextGen and Community Outreach committees, she has also served in her community as a Big Sister providing mentorship and direction to an at-risk child through Big Brother Big Sister of Central Texas.

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LEASING PROFESSIONAL

Front Row: Adrian Garcia, Leslie Shippy, Camille Guimond, Jodee Lauffer; Back Row: Shay Mickler, David Shippy, Kilish Shackles, Rolando DeHoyos

DOC YOUNG SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

Shay Mickler, CAM, CAS The Liberty Group Shay is an exceptional manager who puts the needs of her employees and clients first to deliver the best possible product. She continues to look for solutions to her clients’ needs and strives to ensure her team has the resources so they can provide quality candidates at the highest level. Her team will tell you, “Shay converts our mistakes into lessons, our pressure into productivity and our skills into strengths. She really knows how to bring out the best in her team.” Shay is also very invested in her community and the Association; she gives tremendous amounts of her time and energy giving back to the community by sponsoring and volunteering for charities like Ronald McDonald House and the Doc and Gayle Young Food Drive. Combining her professional talents and personal passions makes Shay an exceptional leader in the multifamily industry.

Kilish Shackles, NALP AMLI Eastside, AMLI Residential Kilish began his career with the apartment industry almost 9 years ago. At his first property over three years ago is where he gained all his knowledge about the apartment industry. While at his second property, Kilish reached his first goal of obtaining his NALP after winning the Solt Scholarship from the Austin Apartment Association. Within his first year with AMLI, Kilish achieved a goal hitting two million dollars in sales; and has achieved that each year since. Kilish has demonstrated through the years, that he is a fundamental part of the leasing team. His calm nature and ease of talking with people is such an important characteristic that makes him successful in his career. Kilish’s optimistic personality, dedication, and work ethic proves why he is consistently the top leasing professional in the Austin region for AMLI.

MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONAL

Rolando DeHoyos, CAMT Skyline at Barton Creek, Roscoe Properties Rolando began his career in 2003. In 2017 he decided to continue his career as a service manager and join the Roscoe team at his current property, Skyline at Barton Creek. Rolando is

a self-starter, team player, and his knowledge and organizational skills have allowed him to gain his CAMT this year. His dedication and ambition to grow are key to his success - and a few of the many reasons he was nominated for Maintenance Professional of the year.

PORTFOLIO SUPERVISOR

Adrian Garcia, CAM, CAPS Bluebonnet Commercial Management Adrian Garcia is a Regional Manager who has supervised properties in Austin and San Antonio for Bluebonnet Commercial Management since March of 2018. He is extremely passionate about his craft, and dedicates personal time to advocate for the multi-family industry and support the Austin Apartment Association at every opportunity possible. Adrian has managed over 4,000 units in his thirteen-year career ranging from class C value-add to class A high rise assets with more than $8,000,000 in renovations. He is an accomplished leader with a wealth of industry knowledge and credentials including the CPO, CAM, CAPS, and IREM ARM.

PROPERTY MANAGER

Jodee Lauffer, CAPS The Green at Plum Creek, Capstone Real Estate Services Being passionate about creating a unique, high-caliber resident experience makes Jodee Lauffer, property manager at The Green at Plum Creek, a valuable part of the Capstone Real Estate Services team for the last 11 years. Under her leadership, her team creates an extraordinary backdrop for residents to recuperate and enjoy their daily lives. Inspired by her three high-spirited kids and with the unrelenting support of her husband, Jodee’ strives every day to do what is right, not what is easy.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

Committee

CHAT

Robyn Riley

PROJECT PAK ® REINVENTING RENOVATIONS ONE ORDER. ONE DELIVERY. ONE INVOICE.

A-TEAM CHAIRS: Robyn Riley of Valor Fire & Security Carrie Thomes of Rasa Floors

New for 2020 – in each issue, we will feature one of the Austin Apartment Association’s Committees – so you can get to know the Chair(s) leading these volunteer groups, and all the great work they are doing!

Labeled by unit number, each Project PAK® is delivered with everything needed to renovate one unit. For more information contact our dedicated Project Support Team at project_support@supplyHQ.com or call 888.632.6747 proud member of

Carrie Thomes

supplyHQ.com

@MSupplyHQ

Phone: 866.630.6747 | Fax: 866.631.6747 | Español: 888.281.0255

THIS ISSUE, WE FEATURE THE A-TEAM. The A-Team – otherwise known as the Association Ambassador Committee, is a group of volunteers who’s charge is to visit properties to promote the association’s benefits, events, and professional development opportunities. If you are NEW to the association, being an Ambassador is a great way to meet other members and learn the benefits of AAA. When do they meet? Monthly on the 2nd Wednesday at 4pm at The Local Post on Burnet Road. How can I get involved or join the committee? A-Team is open to all types of members. An application is required and can be found on the AAA website.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Robyn Riley of Valor Fire & Security Carrie Thomes of Rasa Floors Tell us about where you work and how long you’ve been there? RR: Valor. I’ve been there a little over 2 years, and I am the Account Rep and in Business Development.

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CT: Rasa Floors. It will be 2 years on Jan 1st, and I am a Sales Rep for the Austin market. What do you love most about your job? RR: Getting to plan events like trade show and networking events. CT: Flexibility. I went from being on site to not having to be on site, and still get to be involved in the same industry. I love the fact that I came from on-site to now a vendor company. I have the flexibility and availability to get involved more. How did you get involved with the Association? RR: I first got involved with a previous company who was heavily involved in the Association. And I got plugged in because of Toni Rackley and Eric Watson. CT: Moving here and starting with Rasa, they didn’t have anyone on the team involved with the Association. In other markets they had that involvement with the Association, so it was just getting our team established with the Austin market. How long have you been involved? RR: A little over 3 years. CT: 2 years.

What do you like most about AAA? RR: I have really enjoyed the networking aspect – not only on a company and our corporate goals level, but also on a personal level. I have been able to expand my personal network and friend network with the AAA. CT: Because I came from onsite, I really never had the opportunity to network with the variety of members like I do now! A ton of my friends now are from my connections with the AAA. What do you like most about being a Committee Chair? RR: Being able to get more involved on the ground level, and make changes happen. Have the inspiration for the change and then help implement it; rather than being someone who implements another’s idea. CT: I am very grateful to have this opportunity. I would like to see it GROW – it has a lot of potential, and I would like to be a part of that growth. What was your first job? RR: I was a nanny! CT: Chick-Fil-A!

What was your favorite subject in school? RR: Math and Yearbook CT: Math, but I was a rebel.

What is your favorite drink? RR: Titos and water….and wine. CT: Water all day long, and then red wine. And whisky!

What inspires you? RR: I volunteer with a nonprofit [Altrusa] that helps women and children with a focus on literacy. So for me, that inspires me on a regular basis, to try to continue to live my life and be grateful for what I have. To see they have nothing…it is great perspective. CT: LIFE. To be successful – happy, healthy, to be successful in career, family and friends.

What is your favorite family tradition? RR: During the holidays we have family jam sessions – because they are all musicians. I don’t play, but I sing. CT: I feel like we don’t have as many holiday traditions anymore…we are trying to keep our Christmas Dinner tradition going. For a while, one of our family members made everything…and then when they stopped, we realized how much work it is! Haha.

What is your leadership style? RR: Probably Bossy! CT: I guess I just want everyone to know they are welcome. I want to support those involved. What do you do in your free time? RR: I barely have free time – but fantasy football and planning parties! It is a LOT. CT: I relax, I work out, I watch TV…good food and good drinks!

What is 1 thing people would be surprised to know about you? RR: Hmm I don’t know…I am double jointed in my arms and legs. CT: We had land growing up…so we had animals, including my brother who had a lion!

If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs— such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you? RR: Deodorant and my facewash – but let’s share! CT: Toothbrush and carmex! What would your super power be? RR: Reading people’s mind…but I feel like it would really help me in the dating world to be able to read the situation better. CT: Flying! Or travel instantly…like teleporting to get to places. Or time travel! I guess I can’t decide. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title would be? RR: I think mine would be “Bossy Bitch, But Kind Heart” CT: “Teenage Mom Gone Right” – I have a 23 year-old! Which no one believes.

To find out more, contact Lisa Berman at lisa@austinapptassoc.com

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

TAA & NAA

NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION ASSEMBLY OF DELEGATES – NOVEMBER 2019

Austin Delegates and friends of the Association gathered in Greenville, SC for the November Assembly of Delegates meeting and to celebrate Kristan Arrona’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Association Executives.

HIGHLIGHTS

This Fall, TAA & NAA Delegates gathered in Arlington, TX for the Quarterly Board Meeting and Greenville, SC for the Assembly of Delegates

It was announced at the meetings that the National Apartment Association now represents over 10 MILLION units! The Apartment Association of Greater Dallas was recognized as a winner of the Membership Growth Challenge – with an increase in over 21,000 units year over year – congratulations to our Dallas affiliate.

TEXAS APARTMENT ASSOCIATION FALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING – OCTOBER 2019

Delegates from around Texas met in Arlington in October for the Board of Directors meeting, including Austin Apartment Association Delegates. Here are some of the highlights: • TAA briefed the members on four strategic initiatives in the association’s strategic plan for the next three years • The NextGen education session featured renowned speaker Joel Zeff • The TAA Affordable Housing Committee decided to support the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, currently pending in Congress • The Legislative Committee discussed trends in local ordinances, with Austin Apartment Association staff Paul Cauduro presenting about key issues of advocacy such as tenant protections and the homelessness issue

• It was announced that Food Network Star Guy Fieri will be the featured guest at the General Opening Session for the TAA Education Conference

SAVE THE DATE! TAA EDUCATION CONFERENCE & LONE STAR EXPO

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Other important items discussed at the NAA Meetings include: • Potential Housing Affordability Assessments and Dues Changes coming • Industry Mobilization Fund requests and updates regarding strategies on housing affordability advocacy

APRIL 22-24, 2020

Fort Worth, TX

February 19-21, 2020 TAA Winter Board Meeting Houston, TX

Below: Kristan Arrona with Charles Stroud, of Multifamily American Technologies, Inc. – another NAA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in November 2019.

NAA Recognizes Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Upcoming Texas Apartment Association meetings:

Above, left: TAA Lyceum Class shows what they learned from their public speaking training

Above: Renee Zahn, Stephanie Naylor, Stephanie Petersen and Christy Sanchez on their way to meetings

NAA announced improvements and NEW categories for the Excellence Awards, including: • Best Places to Work Award • Diversity & Inclusion Award • Outstanding Service to an Affiliate Award • 2 NEW Innovation Awards: • Technology Innovation Award • Sustainable Living Innovation Award • Supplier Sales Professional of the Year

Above: TAA hears from State Senator Beverly Powell

Kristan Arrona spent nearly three decades at the helm of the Austin Apartment Association (AAA). In that time, she accomplished many things. She was a tireless advocate, a champion for education and a passionate community servant. She was both the TAA and NAA Association Executive of the Year in 1999. She was also the TAA Association Executive of the Year in 2010. AAA won the NAA Community Service Excellence Award three times as well as the Affiliate Communication, Education and Membership Awards. Arrona worked hard to ensure Austin was successful in the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. The city was one of 29 communities to be recognized nationwide and housed 682 veterans. She always made sure her members and volunteers fulfilled their commitments at every level: state, local and national. Her passion and energy were contagious, which inspired her members and volunteers. Arrona’s high expectations, organization, professionalism and commitment to NAA and the rental housing industry make her a deserving recipient of NAA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

STRATEGIC PLAN

5 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2020 - 2023 The AAA will focus on 5 connected priorities. The organization will: Enrich the Member Experience. Consistently enhance our members’ engagement and satisfaction with the Association. AAA is a member-driven organization. Commitment to the organization and one another are the glue that will sustain membership in the context of competing interests and a dynamic and challenging environment. Members’ touchpoints with AAA will be engaging and relevant. Becoming an engaged member will be compelling and easy.

The Austin Apartment Association (AAA) is kicking off the new year with a brand-new roadmap for the next 3 years – the strategic plan!

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Increase Community Impact. The AAA will engage proactively and collaboratively with government, business, and community groups. The organization’s value to its members is derived from its clear and strategic voice on behalf of members’ shared interests. Some political and community forces in the local community impede the interests of the organization and its members; left unchecked, they threaten members’ business-

AAA’S NEW MISSION STATEMENT

Develop the Brand. AAA’s brand image and value support its growth in membership and community impact. Awareness of AAA is low in some important sectors of the rental housing community as well as local government(s) and civic opinion leaders. A strong and aligned brand is essential to promoting the organization’s mission and strategic priorities. Ensure Financial Sustainability. Increase AAA’s financial resources commensurate with the needs of the growing rental housing industry and professionals it serves. The organization’s ability to serve and expand its membership in a rapidly growing and dynamic rental housing market will require increased financial resources. As some sources of revenue will likely shrink (use of the lease, in particular), others must not only replace that revenue but support expanded efforts to advance the mission as reflected by the strategic priorities.

The Austin Apartment Association advances the expertise and collective community impact of the rental housing industry.

INTRODUCING AAA’S VISION People will thrive where they live.

AAA’S CORE VALUES AAA will manifest integrity and commitment to its values in all it says and does. The organization will be: • Purposeful (relevant, intentional, disciplined) • Inclusive (of all persons and organizations that share the mission) • Collaborative (fostering connectivity among members, the industry and community) • Influential (impactful, professional, respected) • Vibrant (forward looking, dynamic)

shutterstock

hroughout 2019, The Board of Directors, with the leadership of Renee Zahn, formed a new strategic plan for the Austin Apartment Association. It is through that process that it became clear that the AAA has great opportunity for growth and increased relevance that is unmatched in the organization’s history. The strategic plan that follows is the manifestation of an organization that enjoys many strengths including, but not limited to: dedicated volunteer leadership, and a core group of engaged members eager to seize and create opportunities that will infuse the organization’s future with increased relevance and value to the professionals, organizations, and community it serves. On behalf of President Sandy Eckhardt and the Board of Directors - not only are the new strategic priorities being presented, but also a new Mission Statement, and introducing the AAA’s core values and vision.

Expand the Membership. Increase membership size, breadth and diversity, and benefits. Diversifying membership to include a broader representation of the residential rental housing sector will increase the size of the membership base and expand its relevance and community impact. The opportunity to reconceptualize membership categories and bundle associated benefits enables the organization to grow its size and offer meaningful engagement for an increasingly diverse sector.

es. Elected officials and decision makers can influence policy that creates or limits members’ opportunities in the future. Pivoting from a rather reactive approach to a more strategic and proactive approach to government affairs/public policy discussions will expand the organization’s impact, enhance its brand, and better position the rental housing sector.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

2020 SPONSORS

FILL OUT YOUR RECYCLING PLAN BEFORE FEBRUARY 1! WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

SPONSOR SUPPORT MAKES 2020 AAA EVENTS POSSIBLE Companies with logos spent $4,000 or more on 2020 sponsorships for AAA events.

ALN Data

The City of Austin requires all multi-family property owners/managers to provide their employees and tenants convenient access to recycling and to fill out a recycling plan every year by February 1. Typically, the responsible party is the person who oversees the trash and recycling contract or program.

SUBMRITE BEFO

FEB.1

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

Austin Energy

1. 2. 3. 4.

BELFOR Property Restoration BG Multifamily Century AC Supply Complete Landscapes, Inc. Contractors inc

Go to austintexas.gov/uro Choose the Business or Property that describes you and click Log in and choose “Recycling Plan” Fill in your recycling plan. You will need: A bill from your waste hauler Real Property ID (on letters and emails from Austin Resource Recovery)

HAVE YOU ALREADY SUBMITTED YOUR PLAN?

CORT

Set a calendar reminder to fill out your recycling plan on October 1 every year!

Cotton Commercial

For more information, visit: austintexas.gov/uro

Dixie Carpet Flooring Warehouse H.G. Fenton Company

NEW AAA EVENT

Hines Pool and Spa Inc. Impact Floors

or y h re r i i p h re priori y

Kings III Emergency Communications Maintenance Supply Headquarters Mohawk Industries

PermaLast Coating Systems Rasa Floors Redi Carpet

SAVE THE DATE

Tri-Supply UCS Valor Fire Protection

April 3 • 12pm-4pm

Vamvoras LTD Vima Decor Visual Marketing WASH

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www.austinaptassoc.com/sponsorship

Team Buildi ng •Games • Competition • Loads of Fun

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

Basilio Voutselakos

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

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$3, 476

Anonymous Donations

Comm Fit Crystal Clear Pools & Spas

Chastity Hinojosa

The Boulevard at Town Lake

Cindi Reed

The Liberty Group

Ashtynn Smith

The Park at Estancia

Becca Ramati

The Steam Team

Behr Pro

UCS

Brenda Madero

Valor

Centex

Dedra Bouffard

Centex Construction

Derek Wallace

Century A/C Supply

Warren Stoker

Emily K Blair

Century Apartments

Eric Leonard

Chadwell Supply

Westlake Home & Commercial

Fidus Construction

Contractors Inc

Flooring Warehouse

CORT

Gus Villegas

Courtland Audain

Heather Russell

Cover The Earth

Hire Priority

David Arnold

Impact Floors

Deborah Ann Ray

Jim Elliott

Desiree Golden

Stephanie Petersen

JMI Contractors

Dick Obenhaus

Wilson, Tindall, & Associates

Johnny Atkinson

Fast Signs

Kelsea Vernon

Flooring Warehouse

Ken Garst

Gage Multifamily

Amanda Eckhardt

Kris Burleson

Gary C. Greene

Ann Poehl

Lauren Tuma

George Naylor

Benjamin H. Wells

Mary Lynn Oberg

Carpet Warehouse

McMahan’s Flooring Inc.

Guardian Construction

Martine Properties, Inc.

$500 -$999

Charles and Kimberly Faulkner

Highmark Residential LLC Hunter Hicks James and Beverly Miller Post Investment Group-Avonmora Post Investment Group-Fort Branch

Pro Valet Trash

Post Investment Group-Mountain Ranch

Terri Needham

Robyn Riley

Topaz Asset Management

Stephanie Sluyter Theresa Ebner

Bill Warren

A&A Recovery

Carol Taylor

ACT Security Group

First Communities Management

Adrian Garcia

Gables Residential Services

Ashley Pruden

Ben Weinstein Chelsea Cutrer Christi Pyle Christine Duran Christine Heffran Dana Bolz Demarcus Lloyd Derek Legendre Dwayne Stewart Haydee Scott John Burleson Megan Gino

Rene Flores

Infinite Capital Construction

Samantha Sandoval

Ryan Harmon

Kay C. Sachs

Sandy Eckhardt

Kristan J. Arrona

Scentair

Leyla Martin

Sean Andrew

Lyndsay Tuckner

Shay Mickler

Marisse Nixon

Sheri Gallo Stephani Park

Nancy and Michael Hill

Stephen Colella

Paul A. Cauduro

Melissa Plunkett Sarah Thompson Taryn Merrill Tina Blanc

Danielle Lemieux Darci Heald David Nanson Dawn Aiello Debra Yarbrough Denise Morris Edna Martinez Edward Schultz Ermelinda Vargas Giovanna Frazza Global Brokers Ins. Services LLC. Hesron Gomez Irene Padkowsky James Shahan Janet M. Overstreet Jennifer Rodriguez Jordan Gregory Josh Nichols Julie Hudson Karla Urbina Katya Watson Kaylon Page Kimberly Faulkner Layilah Nasser Lisa Simpson Luis Gutierrez Maricruz Ortiz Matthew Friede Meagan Johnston Michael Chavez Missy Sterns Nicki Granberry Quenesha Boykins

Up To $49

Alejandra Villegas

Renato Guedes Cunha

Amanda Masching

Renee Zahn

Amanda Seamans

Robin Solis

Texas Materials

Rachael Bostick

Ana Wright

Ryan Lundeen

Travis Fowler

Retreat at Barton Creek

Anna Samaratunga

Sam Levassar

Anne Schultz

Samantha Ellis

Benjamin Sandmann

Stephen Bankosh

Brenda Jones

Susana Perez

Brooke Ludwig

Tiffany Angelle

Sherwin Williams Company

Candice Guzman

Timothy Turner

Texas Materials, a

Carrie Thomes

Waste Consolidators Inc

$200 -$499

Alice Dalby

Infinite Capital Construction

Tri-Supply

$1,000 -$1,999

Alessandra Correa

Matt Polcari

PS Landscapes

Granite Properties of Texas

$50 -$99

Karen Huaulme

Nikki Burleson

Danielle Archuleta

Jennifer and David Cox

Beau Bastian

CRH company

Value Waste Services

Lauren Hudler

$2 ,000 -$3,000

Appliance Warehouse

Christopher Toliver

Ellen Voutselakos

THANK YOU 2019 DONORS!

Camille Guimond Carl E. Beck

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countless hours volunteering their time making phone calls, sending emails, and planning the many FUNdraising events throughout the season, beginning in early September. A very special thanks to our three Food Drive Chairs: Stephanie Naylor of Flooring Warehouse, Terri Needham of PS Landscapes, and Paige Russell of Gables Residential for their amazing leadership. We are so very thankful to EVERYONE who donated their time and money to make this year’s Food Drive another great success. See you in 2020!

BG Multifamily

Amy S. Magnuson

Camp Construction

The 33rd Annual Doc & Gayle Young Food Drive Feeds 1,350 Austin Area Families

uesday, Nov 26, 2019 marked the 33rd year of the annual Austin Apartment Association’s Doc & Gayle Young Food Drive, raising over $50,000 and feeding 1,350 Austin area families and individuals. Once again, partnering with HEB to purchase 34 tons of food and assemble 1,350 Thanksgiving food packs, our Food Drive Crew, along with more than 100 AAA member-volunteers helped load and unload food packs onto delivery trucks from seven of our AAA supplier members including CORT, Charter Furniture, HD Supply, Century A/C Supply, Maintenance Supply HQ and Two Men and a Truck. Hand deliveries were made to the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services - Rainbow Room, SAFE Austin and Foundation Communities. Families receiving the food packs were chosen by these four agencies. 100 percent of the proceeds went toward the food drive fund, making this givingback effort truly unique. Each food pack contained enough food to feed a family of five for Thanksgiving – and for a few days after that. But we’re not stopping there – The food drive fund will make additional donations to food pantries in our 10 surrounding counties this Spring. Congratulations to the entire 2019 Doc & Gayle Young Food Drive Crew, who spent

$100 -$199

We Do Trash

Riata Roseann Clark Sarah and Wesley Aldridge

Carly Emery

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

Helping Brady’s Bridge Spread Christmas Cheer & Surpass Their $6,000 Goal Our December Outreach Event was the Brady’s Bridge 8th Annual Christmas Tree Drive. More than 40 AAA members volunteered to package and deliver 100 little Christmas trees and decorations for kids spending the holidays in the hospital this year. Additionally, we hosted a fundraiser at the AAA Holiday Gala, charging to take photos with Santa, played by Ryan Harmon of CAMP Construction. We raised an additional $461, putting them over their goal of $6,000. Thanks to our Outreach Committee chairs, Toni Rackley from Flooring Warehouse and Taryn Merrill from Greystar for making it all happen – and to ALL our amazing volunteers. We couldn’t have done it without you!

AAA’s President, Sandy Eckhardt and Executive VP, Emily Blair were all smiles Each food pack contained enough food to feed a family of five for Thanksgiving – and for a few days after

The late Mary Gonzales* (please see below for note) from HACA, and Food Drive Chair Emeritus, Kim McGregor made a great team coordinating delivery day

Read more about Brady’s Bridge at bradysbridge.org

AAA and HACA personally delivered one food pack to this happy family

Over 100 Food Drive Crew members showed up to help on delivery day

Unwinding at the wrap-up happy hour after another successful delivery day

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HEB’s Raul Medina helped assemble and load the 1,350 Thanksgiving food packs onto the delivery trucks

Volunteers unload 350 food packs at Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Rainbow Room * It is with great sadness to share that Mary Gonzales-Limas of HACA died in a tragic car accident on Saturday, January 4th. She was an integral part of our AAA Food Drive for the past 33 years and will dearly be missed. Please look for a memoriam to Mary in our next issue.

Thanks to our generous AAA supplier members CORT, Charter Furniture, HD Supply, Century A/C Supply, Maintenance Supply HQ and Two Men and a Truck for supplying delivery trucks and drivers for delivery day. JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

James E. Solt James E. Solt James E. Solt Memorial Scholarship Memorial Scholarship Memorial Scholarship 2020 2020 2020 CONGRATULATIONS to our 2020 Recipients: CONGRATULATIONS our 2020 Recipients: CONGRATULATIONS to ourto2020 Recipients: Rebekah Tuckner (NALP) Rebekah Tuckner (NALP) Rebekah Tuckner (NALP) Patrick Mann (NALP) (NALP) PatrickPatrick Mann Mann (NALP) Lukudu Jurkin (CAMT) (CAMT) LukuduLukudu Jurkin Jurkin (CAMT) Brittney Harris (CAM) Brittney Brittney Harris Harris (CAM)(CAM) Sarah Eckman (CAM) Sarah Eckman Sarah Eckman (CAM)(CAM) Kyle Russell (CAM) Kyle Russell Kyle Russell (CAM)(CAM)

A special tradition began in 1987 – thespecial implementation of the James A tradition began in– 1987 – A special tradition began in 1987 E. Solt Memorial Scholarship. the implementation the James the implementation of the of James Mr.Memorial Solt, Memorial a Past President of the Solt Scholarship. E. SoltE. Scholarship. Austin Apartment Association, Mr.a Solt, Past President Mr. Solt, Past aPresident of the of the was an Apartment exemplary role model Association, AustinAustin Apartment Association, with a particular love of themodel skills an exemplary role was anwasexemplary role model required for on-site a particular of the skills with a with particular love oflove themanagement skills andforforon-site education. This fund was required for on-site management required management created to honor his memory for education. Thiswas fund and was and forand education. This fund promote the rental toeducation honor his in memory and createdcreated to honor his memory and housing industry. promote education the rental promote education in the in rental housing industry. housing industry.

THANK YOU to our 2020 Sponsors: THANK YOU to2020 ourand 2020 Sponsors: THANK YOU to our Sponsors: ATX Fenton (CAMT) Hirepriority (CAM/CAS) ATX Fenton (CAMT) and Hirepriority (CAM/CAS) ATX Fenton (CAMT) and Hirepriority (CAM/CAS)

What is YOUR success story? Recipients of thesuccess Solt Scholarship received a financial gift to put What is YOUR story? What is YOUR success story? toward a CAPS, CAM, NALP, CAMT or CAS credential. Recipients of the Solt Scholarship received a financial gift to put Recipients of the Solt Scholarship received a financial gift to put a CAPS, CAS credential. towardtoward a CAPS, CAM, CAM, NALP, NALP, CAMTCAMT or CASorcredential.

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS! CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS! CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS! AUSTIN APARTMENT ASSOCIATION EDUCATION FOUNDATION austinaptassoc.com | 512-323-0990 |EDUCATION amyl@austinaptassoc.com APARTMENT ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION AUSTINAUSTIN APARTMENT ASSOCIATION EDUCATION FOUNDATION austinaptassoc.com | 512-323-0990 | amyl@austinaptassoc.com austinaptassoc.com | 512-323-0990 | amyl@austinaptassoc.com

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CONNECTION MARKETING IT’S TIME TO RENEW YOUR EDUCATION GROWTH FUN 2020 MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT BELONGING Remember to Renew for 2020

You should have received your 2020 renewal notice already. You can pay by check, or go online and pay through your member portal at austinaptassoc.com.

Better Government Fund (BGF)

The BGF is a suggested voluntary contribution amount included on your annual dues statement. Members are free to contribute more, less or nothing at all. AAA’s BGF uses member donations to support our research and legislative goals.

Deducting Dues

For tax purposes, AAA dues are not deductible as a charitable contribution, but may be deductible as a business expense. Because the Austin, Texas, and National apartment associations engage in lobbying efforts, the non-deductible portion of the dues for 2020 is 14%, allowing you an 86% tax deduction.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

CELEBRATING OUR MAINTENANCE SUPERHEROES

Maintenance Huddle

CASH PRIZE WINNER Larry Castillo from Ambrosio Lantower Luxury Living was the big $500 cash prize winner! Presenting the prize are AAA PSC Chair, Ryan Harmon with Camp Construction, and event chair Robyn Riley with Valor Fire & Security.

AAA’s exclusive event for maintenance personnel! December, 2019 at The Water Tank Over 200 AAA maintenance and supplier members signed up to toast our maintenance personnel superheroes at the fifth annual Maintenance Huddle. The event was a casual affair held at the fun and laid-back Water Tank. Attendees were treated with two free beers and a free burger and fries from the P. Terry’s food truck. Cheers to all you hard-working maintenance personnel out there – we look forward to seeing you next year!

PLATINUM MAINTENANCE HUDDLE SPONSORS (left to right): Steve White with Robert Madden Industries, Jennifer Parker with Impact Floors, Ryan Harmon with Camp Construction, Justin Hansen with Century A/C Supply and Dedra Bouffard with The Liberty Group (Not pictured: Austin Energy, Crystal Clear Pools & Spas, Contractors, Inc., UCS and Vamvoras, Ltd)

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

Austin, the apartment industry provides over 160K jobs. Other financial contributions break down as follows: resident spending contributes $23 Billion to the local economy, operations add $1.9 Billion, new construction contributes $3.1 Billion, and renovation and repair adds $620 million. “As demand for apartments continues to grow locally and nationally, the significant contributions to Austin’s economy also increases. Apartments drive our local economy by adding employment opportunities, as well as revenue from resident spending, new construction, renovation and repair, and operations, all of which are positively impacting Austin” said Sandy Eckhardt, President of the Austin Apartment Association. “Apartments are an ideal solution for many, including students, recent graduates, young professionals, families, singles, and empty nesters,” Sandy added. “Therefore, the apartment industry will continue to work with our elected and appointed officials at all levels of government to expand the apartment housing supply to meet demand. We’ll also renovate and repair existing units in Austin to help meet the growing demand, which will enhance our local economy for years to come.” “Austin and its surrounding area consistently rank at or near the top of any job creation, tech innovation or quality of life list. These key housing drivers increase the demand for housing, and specifically rental housing and the apartment lifestyle” says Emily Blair, CAE Executive Vice President for the Austin Apartment Association. “Because the Austin area population is expected to reach nearly four million people by 2030, more housing of all types and all prices points are needed to accommodate the demand. Meeting this demand for housing, either through new apartment construction or renovations at existing properties designed to meet consumer preferences, not only help relieve the market pressures affecting housing costs, but also revs the region’s economic engine by spurring jobs, increasing revenue for businesses and growing the tax base.” Blair added. The study also determined that the apartment industry has a major impact on local, state and national tax economies. Locally, tax payments associated with local apartment operations and their residents contributed more than $33 billion to Austin’s economy. These taxes support schools, improvements to local infrastructure, and other critical services in Austin. Tax payments associated with apartment operations and their residents, contributed more than $40 billion to the national economy.

APARTMENT INDUSTRY & RESIDENTS CONTRIBUTE

$33B

TO AUSTIN METRO’S ECONOMY A 2019 Hoyt Advisory Study commissioned by the National Apartment Association (NAA) and National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) reveals that the apartment industry and its residents annually contribute $33 billion to Austin’s economy, $288 billion to Texas’, and more than $3.4 trillion – or $9.3 billion daily – to the national economy. The new report, available at WeAreApartments.org, provides a detailed breakdown of the economic impact nationally, by state, and in 50 metro areas.

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Highlights from the report include:

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• Nationally, resident spending contributes $3 trillion to the U.S. economy, while operations adds $175 billion. New construction contributes $150 billion and renovation and repair adds $69 billion. • All four sectors of the industry have posted very strong growth, punctuated by the construction industry ramping up to meet the unprecedented demand for apartments this cycle – reaching a height of 346,900 new apartments built in 2017, up from 129,900 in 2011. • Previous research by Hoyt Advisory Services demonstrated a need to build an average of 328,000 apartments per year at a variety of price points, which would bring continued economic

activity. This number of apartment completions has only been surpassed twice since 1989. • Hoyt research also found that a significant portion of the existing apartment stock will need to be renovated in the coming years, boosting the renovation and repair sector. “The apartment industry’s contribution is one that has grown in recent years, fueled by increased rental demand overall as population and employment growth continue and renting becomes a preferred tenure choice for millions of Americans,” said Dr. Norm Miller, Principal at Hoyt Advisory Services and Professor of Real Estate at the University of San Diego. “The apartment industry is a very powerful economic engine, making significant and positive contributions at the national, state and local levels in terms of jobs, revenue and tax impact,” said NAA President and CEO Robert Pinnegar, CAE. “This clearly illustrates that the rental housing industry has a tremendous impact on Austin – and across the country – proving that the industry is a valuable partner in every community.” “Driven by historically strong demand and evolving demographic trends, the multifamily industry is providing more housing and spurring stronger economic growth than any point in the last century. This report spotlights the various ways that the industry is making meaningful impacts across the country by contributing financially and creating jobs benefiting families, their communities, and, ultimately, the nation,” said NMHC President Douglas M. Bibby. Visit www.WeAreApartments.org and view the data, which is broken down by state and metro area. Visitors can also use the Apartment Community Estimator (ACE), a tool that allows users to enter the number of apartment homes of an existing or proposed community to determine the potential economic impact within a particular state or metro area. For the purposes of this study, apartments are defined as rental apartments in buildings with five or more units. For more than 25 years, the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA) have partnered on behalf of America’s apartment industry. Drawing on the knowledge and policy expertise of staff in Washington, D.C., as well as the advocacy power of more than 150 NAA state and local affiliated associations, NAA and NMHC provide a single voice for developers, owners and operators of multifamily rental housing. Today, more than one-third of Americans rent their housing and 39 million people live in an apartment home. For more information, please visit www.nmhc.org or www.naahq.org.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

HYATT REGENCY DOWNTOWN

THURSDAY

Holiday Gala 12 DEC 2019

AAA Diamond Sponsors present the big $600 cash prize to Cecilia DuPree with Alliance Residential

ur members celebrated the holidays in grand style at the 2019 Holiday Gala at the downtown Hyatt Regency’s Zilker Ballroom. Supervisors attended a VIP Happy Hour before the main event on the Zilker Terrace. Everyone enjoyed mixing and mingling, dancing, and a lavish buffet. The Community Outreach committee hosted “Photos with Santa” and all proceeds went to Brady’s Bridge. See Community Connection on page 33 for more details. Also during the evening, AAA President-elect Stephani Park and Secretary/Treasurer Christy Sanchez presented the 2019 AAA Professional of the Year awards. See the Professional of the Year winners on pages 20-21 in this issue.

Exclusive Holiday Gala Sponsors

EXCLUSIVE SPONSORS:

Carol Taylor with Centex Construction, Cindi Reed with ApartmentData.com, Toni Rackley with Flooring Warehouse and Roseann Clark with RentPath (Not pictured: Hire Priority)

or y h re r i i p h re priori y 40

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Event sponsors awarded lots of cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

The Residential Perimeter Security Specialists

SALES ★ REPAIR ★ INSTALLATION • Automatic Gates • Telephone Entry • Radio Controls • Video Security • Ornamental Iron

• Wood Fencing • Rails • Refurbishing • Powerwashing • Replacement Remotes

SAME DAY SERVICE AVAILABLE

512-296-2671

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www.austinestategate.com anthony@austinestategate.com

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

Education

OPPORTUNITIES

present

YOUR CHANCE TO GROW AND LEARN

WEDNESDAYS

Visit austinaptassoc.com/education for more class info and to register. Questions? Contact AAA, Director of Education Amy Lydic, CAE at (512) 323-0990.

Association 101 for New Members JANUARY 22 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. AAA - 8620 Burnet Rd., #475 This session will focus on: • What are two challenges your company faces this year? • Panel to address questions • Meet the AAA staff Jumpstart your membership and learn how to gain the most value out of being a part of the AAA. You don’t have to be a NEW member to attend. Even if your company has been a member for a while, you have new employees, or you just want a refresher yourself… make plans to join us. All AAA members are welcome.

CPO Certification Two-Day Course JANUARY 29 AND JANUARY 30

CAM Slam

Leasing 101

FEBRUARY 11-14 AND 25-28

FEBRUARY 18

COURSE GOOD FOR EDUCATION TRACKS:

COURSE GOOD FOR EDUCATION TRACK:

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 PM Presented by: Sue Weston, CAM, CAPS, The Susan Weston Company AAA – 8620 Burnet Rd., #475 $900 per AAA member10% discount for ACE subscribers

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Presented by: Shonna Marquis, CAS, GVA Property Management and Dedra Bouffard, The Liberty Group AAA – 8620 Burnet Rd., #475 $80 per AAA member$70 early bird rate! FREE for ACE subscribers CECs: 3

The Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) course includes industry essentials, financial management, legal, resident experience, risk management, human resources, marketing, and property maintenance.

Jumpstart your new hires to gain confidence and the result will be increased occupancy and resident retention!

CAS Slam

Goal Setting

FEBRUARY 12 AND 25 AND 27-28

FEBRUARY 19

COURSE GOOD FOR EDUCATION TRACKS:

Two day-course meets the requirements of the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) Certified Pool Operators (CPO®) certification.

e ty lin our n o education

JANUARY 15

FEBRUARY 12

2020 Focus – Mastering Your Team’s Energy Through Vision, Direction, and Momentum

Avoid Employee Churn and Burn: How to Keep Your Communities Staffed and Successful

JANUARY 22

FEBRUARY 19

Marketing and Leasing Power-Round of Ideas

The Job of Leasing is Changing! How SelfGided Tours, Smart Home Solutions, and AI Technology Will Change Your Job, Whether Your Community Adopts Them or Not

All Webinars are conducted by www.multifamilyinsiders.com. 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT

Cost $29.99

Enter the code “16AAA” in the coupon field when registering for a discount!

COURSE GOOD FOR EDUCATION TRACK:

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Presented by: Andy Hines, Hines Pool and Spa AAA – 8620 Burnet Rd., #475 $300 per AAA member$70 early bird rate! Not eligible for ACE pricing.

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 PM Presented by: Sue Weston, CAM, CAPS, The Susan Weston Company AAA – 8620 Burnet Rd., #475 $500 per AAA member10% discount for ACE subscribers

8:30 a.m. – Noon Presented by: Cindy Reed, Apartmentdata.com AAA – 8620 Burnet Rd., #475 $80 per AAA member$70 early bird rate! FREE for ACE subscribers CECs: 3

This program is designed as an opportunity for suppliers to hear the everyday challenges faced by the apartment manager customer.

Know your gap areas and find opportunities for improvement.

CALLING ALL MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONALS, from porters to supervisors: save the date for our next Maintenance Round Table to address issues related specifically to your profession. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. THE MAINTENANCE ROUND TABLE IS CLOSED TO SUPPLIERS. AAA OWNER/MANAGEMENT MEMBERS ONLY.

EDUCATION TRACK LEGEND

Wednesday, March 4 | 2pm-3pm | AAA – 8620 Burnet Rd. #475 Q U E S T I O N S ? Contact AAA at amyl@austinaptassoc.com or (512) 323-0990.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

g n i r Sp

BENEFITTING:

GOLF TOURNAMENT

THURSDAY, MARCH MAR CH 26 26 12:30PM - 4:30PM TOP GOLF AUSTIN

2700 Esperanza Crossing Crossing

For More Event Info & To REGISTER, Visit: AustinAptAssoc.com/Top-Golf AustinAptAssoc.co m/Top-Golf

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

The Warren Report WHOA NELLIE! THE SAGA OF A HORSE, AN AGGIE, AND AN EXPENSIVE MESS By William S. Warren, Warren Law Firm

T The Swan v. Bienski case is a classic case where, at best, winning is measured by the extent of who lost the least.

here is never a dull moment in the law. Fortunately, when a case proceeds to trial and is then appealed to an appellate court, we are rewarded with a detailed written opinion. Such opinions are meant to be learned from. At times, we get even greater rewards, like laughter and headshaking. One such case is that of Swan v. Bienski Properties, LP. This is a case from College Station, Texas, located in Brazos County. Its Court of Appeals is known as the Tenth Court of Appeals, located in Waco, Texas. Its Chief Justice is Tom Gray, who has served on the Court for 16 years. In the Swan v. Bienski case, Justice Gray wrote the dissenting opinion. A dissent may be written by a justice who did not agree with the ruling of the majority, and it sets forth what that justice thinks should have been done differently. In the case of Swan v. Bienski, Justice Gray has given us much to think about, and in a very entertaining way. As Justice Gray puts it, the Swan v. Bienski case is a classic case where

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both litigants set out to prove a point, asserting that “it is the principle of it all.” Invariably, he states, such cases develop with much greater complexity of the law, the procedures, and the evidence than anyone anticipated. In the end, he notes, there are no winners. At best, he observes, winning is measured by the extent of who lost the least. Many of you have been to court and have possibly come away thinking the same thing. Perhaps you didn’t feel as if you won; but you did better than the other guy. Justice Gray points out that “… the myriad of case types in which it-is-the-principle that becomes the mantra of the case is virtually limitless; but landlord/tenant disputes are a rich source….” There is no other explanation for what you are about to read. Principles, and indeed very expensive ones, must have been the mantra for the parties you will now learn about. In this case, Alexis Swan (Alexis) was the tenant, and a college student at Texas A&M. Her mother was Ter-

William S. Warren, Warren Law Firm

rissa D. Swan (Terrissa), and was also her daughter’s lease guarantor. The landlord was Bienski Properties (Bienski), described by Justice Gray as an active, hands–on operator of a residential rental business which Ms. Bienski owned and managed. For a proper sense of the flair involved with this case, allow me to occasionally quote certain text directly from Justice Gray’s dissenting opinion. For example, “… the property to be rented was unusual. It seemed ideal. It was perfect if you needed to keep your horse handy. Yes; a horse. Yes, Texas A&M University, where almost everyone knows that the “A” stood for “Agricultural.” And, yes, Texas, where many folks still know how to ride a horse.” Perhaps this does not quite sound like the apartment community you work at. No worries. “The property was not the typical student property. It was a three-bedroom, one bath house, on approximately three acres with a barn and some other out-buildings suitable for protecting a horse and necessary supplies from the elements.” Alexis Swan signed two leases with Bienski, one after the other. Alexis also had a horse, and apparently also had at least one dog and one cat. Bienski’s initial problem may have arisen when it neglected to use the animal addendum. While I have not seen the lease, the quoted language from the appellate opin-

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LAW IN ORDER

ion clearly indicates, to this writer at least, that this was a TAA form lease. Its language would look familiar to most of you. As Justice Gray puts it, “for all practical purposes, the relationship must have been satisfactory to Alexis and Bienski. A second one-year lease was signed without much fanfare. As the time to sign a third lease approached, toward the end of the second lease, Tosha Bienski sent a letter and a subsequent text to Alexis Swan. These communications told Alexis that she was a valued resident and that her landlord wanted her to continue as the tenant. For one reason or another, however, Alexis decided she wanted to move on. Her lease was due to expire about 2 ½ months after the landlord invited Alexis to renew her lease. To quote Justice Gray, “… under one view of the evidence, THAT is when the problems began.” Bienski helped Alexis along with her move-out, to put it mildly. By the time that the second lease would have expired by its original terms, Alexis had been evicted and lawyers were engaged by both sides in another lawsuit, filed by Bienski in another court. That second case is the one which ended up in the Texas Tenth Court of Appeals, and its story in this Warren Report. How did it come to pass that Alexis was evicted if she had seemingly been such an ideal tenant? Not that long before her second lease was to expire, Alexis received several lease violation notices plus a written notice to vacate from Bienski. Alexis was advised by her landlord that her lease was being terminated immediately and that she

had 24 hours from the delivery of the letter to vacate the premises. This happened even though Alexis was current in her rent. To paraphrase the conduct-based lease violation notices sent by the landlord, they stated Alexis had an unauthorized occupant, added an alarm system to the premises, changed the locks, had unauthorized animals, improperly refused entry to persons entitled to enter, and disturbed others in or near the dwelling (wait – wasn’t this a small house which sat on approximately three acres with a barn?). Perhaps it was the principle of it all. Bienski promptly filed an eviction lawsuit and Alexis was evicted. The

record does not reflect that Alexis appealed the justice court eviction judgment against her. In fact, she vacated on June 14, 2013. Seven days before she moved from the property, however, on June 7, 2013, Bienski filed another lawsuit against Alexis and her mother in county court at law, seeking damages and attorney’s fees. It was this second case which eventually arrived on the doorstep of the court of appeals. Here is where things really started to go awry. We now begin to see our first evidence of what Justice Gray called the classic case where both litigants set out to prove a point asserting

that it is the principle of it all. We’re about to see another aspect of Judge Gray’s previously referenced conclusion, that being where winning is measured by the extent of who lost the least. Despite gaining possession of the leased premises through the eviction, the blood between the parties was apparently bad enough to motivate a nearly instantaneous and very likely unnecessary second lawsuit being filed by the landlord. Why? That is probably what the jurors asked. The county court at law case resulted in a three-day long jury trial. At the conclusion of the evidence, the jury was asked to privately discuss and answer 30 numbered questions, many of which contained multiple subparts. At least the same five of the six county court jurors, moreover, would all have to agree upon all their answers. WHOA NELLIE! What in the world was that second lawsuit, the one filed very shortly after the filing of the eviction lawsuit, all about? Bienski, who brought the lawsuit, alleged that Alexis breached both the first and second lease contracts, and that she committed statutory fraud. Bienski also claimed that Terrisa, the mother and guarantor, breached the lease contract guaranty in connection with both the first and second lease contracts, and that she committed both common-law fraud and statutory fraud. Not to be outdone, Alexis filed several counterclaims against Bienski in the lawsuit. She claimed that Bienski breached both the first and second lease contracts, committed statutory fraud, retained her security deposit in bad faith, and retaliated against

That second case is the one which ended up in the Texas Tenth Court of Appeals, and its story in this Warren Report.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY /

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Recall that it took three days to try this case to a county court at law jury. The appellate opinion suggests the jury preferred the evidence of the tenant and the guarantor to that of the landlord. The damages which the jury found in its answers to those 30 numbered questions, however, to a large extent seem to have been disregarded by the trial court judge. This was done through the proper procedure and following a hearing on what was called a motion to enter judgment notwithstanding the [jury’s] verdict. After that hearing, the trial court judge apparently signed a judgment with different damages than those suggested by the jury. For example, the trial court judgment awarded damages to Bienski in the amount of $4,673.23, plus attorney’s fees for representation at trial in the amount of $5,000.00. There was also an award of contingent attorney’s fees in favor Bienski in the amount of $3,500.00, for representation through appeal to the court of appeals. There are some very important lessons to be learned here. First, Bienski, Alexis and Terrisa all asked for significantly more monetary damages than they received. Second,

although the jury answered questions and awarded monetary damages to various parties in one amount, those are not the amounts which made it to the final judgment. Third, the trial court judge disregarded many of the jury’s answers (again following a hearing on a duly filed motion asking for that relief ) and came up with the judgment favoring Bienski in the amounts referenced above. Fourth, when the court of appeals made its decision, it reversed the trial court’s judgment and rendered judgment in favor of Alexis. Stated another way, Alexis was the only one who received a monetary judgment in her favor. We can safely conclude, however, that Alexis was far from thrilled about getting a total monetary judgment of $1,000.00 in damages, $2,500.00 in trial court attorney’s fees, and $1,750.00 in Appellate Court attorney’s fees. Alexis (and the other litigants) may have asked themselves, is winning measured by the extent of who lost the least? Recall Justice Gray’s remarks cited early in this article about how “the myriad of case types in which it-is-the-principle that becomes the

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There are some very important lessons to be learned here.

her. Alexis, the tenant, and Terrissa, the guarantor, also asked the Court to award each of them attorney’s fees. Something seems factually haywire here. Wasn’t Alexis asked by the landlord, twice, to renew her second lease? Didn’t Alexis, a full 2 ½ months before her second lease was to come to an end, timely advise her landlord that she did not want to renew? Wasn’t she also properly paying her rent? I don’t want to spoil the ending, but when all was said and done in the county court at law, Alexis recovered judgment from Bienski in the amount of $1,000.00, plus attorney’s fees in the amount of $2,500.00 for representation in the trial court, plus another $1,750.00 for representation through appeal to the court of appeals, plus her costs of court. Those figures are what the court of appeals determined would be the ones included in the judgment. In addition, even though the guarantor, Terrisa, also prevailed in the case because Bienski was unsuccessful on all its claims against her, she was not awarded attorney’s fees or costs. Terrisa wound up owing no money to Bienski; but neither did Bienski owe money to Terrisa.

mantra of the case is virtually limitless; but landlord/tenant disputes are a rich source.” Have you observed that first-hand? If Bienski had not filed its lawsuit in the county court at law on June 7, 2013, just one week before Alexis vacated the premises, would we have had this expensive mess to begin with? Who knows? What we do know, however, is that the landlord jumped from the frying pan of an eviction trial, in which it prevailed against the tenant and was awarded possession, into the fire of a landlord/ tenant lawsuit for the ages. That memorable case contained a security deposit dispute, claims of breaches of two different leases (but with what damages?), allegations of statutory fraud, common-law fraud, breaches of lease guaranty, and retaliation. This case seems to have had it all. But why was it necessary? Assuming the landlord did suffer damages by the end of the lease term, were they substantial enough to merit all of this? Remember, Bienski filed an eviction case in justice court and won there. The judgment there would have awarded Bienski possession, court costs, unpaid rent (if any) and attorney’s fees (if any). Consider the lease violation notices given to Alexis, referenced above: unauthorized occupant, disturbing or threatening others, altering the premises through the addition of an alarm system and the lock change, having unauthorized animals, and denying entry. Those appear to have been valid grounds for the eviction

case in which Bienski prevailed. But was there really a need to proceed with that second lawsuit, the county court at law case? As Justice Gray states, there are classic cases out there where both litigants set out to prove a point while asserting that “it is the principle of it all.” Unquestionably, the final opinion in this case from the Tenth Court of Appeals makes it clear how difficult it is to persuade all of those in the chain of decision-making that your assessment of conduct and

damages is the same one which will ultimately end up in the final judgment. As you begin the new year, let the Swan v. Bienski case remind you, in law as in life, that from time to time the risk is far greater than the reward. Fortunately, we can often determine

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whether to take the risk in the first place. Bienski could have been satisfied with the eviction judgment, and the return of possession of the property, and that would have been the end of it. There may have remained an unaddressed debt, but it quite likely would have been small enough to refer to collections. By deciding to take the litigation risk and seek more, however, Bienski learned that it was not in charge of the ultimate reward. Do yourself a favor. Read this case. It is fun, highly entertaining, mind-boggling and quite memorable. You will recognize, quite possibly from first-hand experience, many of the fact scenarios, the issues, and the twists and turns which the litigation seemed to follow. I will also bet you that after you finish reading the opinions, especially Justice Gray’s dissent, you will have a smile on your face. To read the appellate court decision in Swan v. Bienski, go to this link: https://www.leagle.com/decision/ intxco20180920675.

As you begin the new year, let the Swan v. Bienski case remind you, in law as in life, that from time to time the risk is far greater than the reward.

The year 2020 marks BILL WARREN’s 40th year of practicing law. His law practice focuses on a variety of issues and cases, the majority of which address the concerns of those active in the multi-family industry. He founded and manages Warren Law Firm. In addition, he serves as Of Counsel for the Texas Apartment Association and as Legal Counsel of the Austin Apartment Association. Bill is also a Credentialed Mediator in Texas. He writes and speaks regularly, and as author of Law In Order: The Warren Report he has had over 120 articles published. His topics cover all nature of issues pertaining to rental housing, from onsite to the boardroom to the courtroom. Bill has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 30 years, and is also a Fellow of the College of the State Bar of Texas. He can be reached at Warren Law Firm, 1011 Westlake Drive, Austin, Texas 78746, (512) 347-8777, or through his firm’s website at www.WLFtexas.com.

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