Dec 01, 2020 City Council Work Session

THANKS.

ALL RIGHT, GUYS, LET'S GO AHEAD.

AND YES, ALISON, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE UP THE UT ITEM BEFORE THE THREE O'CLOCK.

WE HAVE TO, UM, WORK ON THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP, UH, INTERVIEWS.

UM, OKAY.

LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THAT.

REMIND ME WHEN WE COME BACK FROM LUNCH TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO TAKE THAT UP FIRST.

[1. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20201117-002 ordering the December 15, 2020 runoff election to repeal and replace Exhibits B, C, D, E, and F to adopt the locations of the election day polling places; the list of election day presiding judges and alternate judges; the dates, hours, and locations of the early voting places; the list of central counting station staff; and the list of early voting ballot board members; and declaring an emergency.]

UM, ALL RIGHT.

SO IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE, UH, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING, UH, THE ORDINANCE ORDERING THE DECEMBER 15, 2020 RUNOFF ELECTION TO RE RE REPEAL AND REPLACE EXHIBITS, BCD AND ENF TO ADOPT THE LOCATIONS IN ELECTION DAY, POLLING PLACES THEY LISTED ELECTION DAY PRESIDING JUDGES AND ALTERNATIVE JUDGES, DATES, HOURS AND LOCATIONS OF EARLY VOTING PLACES.

THE LIST OF THE CENTRAL ACCOUNTING STATION STAFF AND THE LIST OF THE NEW PALLET BOARD MEMBERS DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

IS THERE A MOTION MAYOR PRO TEM MAKES THAT MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER COSAR IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION CLARK? IS IT TRUE THAT WE HAVE NO INSIGHT OF SPEAK ON THIS? THAT IS CORRECT.

MAYOR, NO SPEAKERS.

THANK YOU, KATHY.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK, UM, OUR CITY CLERK FOR WORKING TO MAKE THOSE OPTIONS AVAILABLE AND APPRECIATE ALL MY COLLEAGUES, INCLUDING COUNCIL MEMBER, ALL AND OTHERS WHO ARE AT THE LAST SESSION.

UM, RAISE THIS, RAISE THE ISSUE OF, OF MAKING SURE THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAD POLLING PLACES THAT WERE ACCESSIBLE IN ALL OF THE AREAS WHERE WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO BE VOTING IN THE RUNOFF.

SO AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THE CLERK.

I KNOW THAT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN EASY AND IS, IS ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING RIGHT NOW IN THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE SPECIALTY IS CONCERNED.

THE THING THAT I GUESS OUR CLERK HAS SAID IS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE DUTY, UH, TO TRY TO CORRAL THE CATS, TO MAKE SURE ELECTIONS HAPPEN.

UH, WOULD YOU HAVE ANY REALLY WELL BY THE WAY, IN OUR AREA, THANKS TO, TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE, THE OTHER CLERK'S OFFICE, UH, DANA DEBRA VOIR FOR THE WAY THAT OUR ELECTIONS ARE BEING HELD.

UH, ALISON, CAN YOU HEAR ME? I DON'T WANT TO HURT YOU AT THIS AIRPORT.

UM, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT IT'S HER LEAST FAVORITE THING TO FIND POLLING PLACES DURING THE RUNOFF.

SHE DOES A WONDERFUL JOB, UM, SETTING UP OUR ELECTIONS AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE FOR THIS.

LET'S TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM.

PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

THOSE OPPOSED.

I SEE EVERYONE'S HAND RAISED ON A TASHA.

HOW DO YOU VOTE? AYE.

IT'S UNANIMOUS ON THE DYES AND THAT WAS ALL 11 OF US.

UH, UH, MANAGER, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR THE, UH, FOR THE, FOR THE

SO LET'S GO, UH, THEN,

[B1. Briefing on Covid-19 related matters. (Standing staff update)]

[00:05:01]

COVID, UH, BRIEFING.

I WOULD LIKE TO, AGAIN, THANK, UH, DR.

ASCOT AND DIRECTOR BY HAYDEN.

UM, WE WATCH ON THE NEWS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY NUMBERS CONTINUE TO RISE.

UH, THERE ARE PARTS OF OUR STATE THAT, UH, ARE STILL, UH, DEALING WITH REAL GRAVE CIRCUMSTANCES.

UH, GENERALLY SPEAKING, OUR NUMBERS ARE, ARE GENERALLY RISING.

WE DON'T KNOW A LOT WHAT HAPPENED WITH NOVEMBER, UH, WHERE THINGS HAVE PLATEAUED DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S REAL OR IF IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE JUST DON'T LIKE TO GO TO THE HOSPITALS OVER THANKSGIVING.

UH, BUT YOU GUYS ARE VERY, UH, VIGILANT AND INTELLIGENT AND HELPING THIS COMMUNITY AND RELATIVE TO OTHER CITIES, AUSTIN CONTINUES TO DO WELL, WHICH I THINK IS A REAL TRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY ITSELF.

UH, YOU KNOW, THE, IT'S NOT REALLY HOW MUCH WE CAN ENFORCE.

IT'S NOT EVEN THE ORDERS THAT WE ISSUE.

IT'S A COMMUNITY THAT IS SEEING THE NUMBERS AND THE DATA, AND THEN RESPONDING TO IT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.

AND, UH, I THINK THAT IS, UH, AS A COMMUNITY WHERE WE'RE, WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION TO KEEP US SAFE, UH, WITH THAT, UH, MANAGER ALTERNATE OVER TO YOU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A RESTFUL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND, AND, UH, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE ALREADY IN DECEMBER, BUT AS THE MAYOR NOTED, WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AND WE HAVE BOTH A RESPONSIVE COMMUNITY AND INCREDIBLE STAFF THAT ARE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INFORMED AND THAT WE'RE REALLY LEANING INTO THIS IN WAYS THAT ALLOW US TO STAY SAFE.

UH, SO WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

UH, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH DIRECTOR HAYDEN.

SHE'S GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DR.

SCOTT, AND THEN WE'LL PAUSE FOR QUESTIONS, DR.

HAYDEN, YOU'RE STILL MUTED DIRECTORY.

WORK WITH THE SCHOOLS AND PROVIDE THE TESTING WITH THEM, BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE, UM, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY.

UM, I WANT TO START MY UPDATE, UM, BY ENCOURAGING ALL INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY HAVE TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY TO SELF QUARANTINE WHEN THEY RETURN AT LEAST SEVEN TO 14 DAYS.

AND WE ARE REALLY ENCOURAGING FROM THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR, BECAUSE IF YOU MAY HAVE HAD ANY, UM, CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE THAT MAY BE INFECTED WITH COVID-19, WE ALSO, UM, ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT, UM, GO ONLINE TO, UM, OUR ASSESSMENT AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE A TEST, UM, AT ONE OF OUR SITES.

UM, AND WE WANT YOU TO DO THIS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A STUDENT THAT IS, UM, WILL LIKELY GO BACK TO, UM, IN-PERSON SCHOOL, OR YOU HAVE A POSITION WHERE YOU ARE, WHERE YOU WILL BE, UM, IN PERSON, YOU KNOW, AT YOUR JOB.

AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT WE HAVE ENCOURAGED, UM, OUR, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UM, AND CHILDCARE, BUT WE ARE ALSO ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO DO THIS.

WE JUST WANT EVERYONE TO BE, UM, PROACTIVE.

UM, THE OTHER THING, UM, WE ARE GOING TO PARTNER WITH, UM, AISD THIS WEEK AND, UM, UM, WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK, WE'RE GOING TO BE AT BERGER CENTER AND NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL TO, UM, TO TEST THE FAMILIES, AS YOU ALL MAY KNOW, UM, THEY ARE ON VIRTUAL, UM, LEARNING THIS WEEK.

AND SO OUR GOAL IS TO ULTIMATELY, UM, MITIGATE, UM, THE, THE SPREAD OF DISEASE.

UM, THE OTHER THING THAT, UM, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS, IS THAT WITH ALL OF THE, UM, HOLIDAY GATHERINGS AND JUST ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A, A LOW RISK, A, UM, HIGH AND A HIGH RISK TYPE OF, UM, INFORMATION TO YOU WHEN YOU ARE MAKING DECISIONS.

OUR HOPE IS, IS THAT YOU WILL CHOOSE, UM, TO TAKE THE LOWER RISK.

IT IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT, UM, THAT YOU TAKE THE LOWER RISK BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO HELP US AS A COMMUNITY AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

UM, DURING THIS TIME, THE OTHER THING THAT, UM, I WANT TO SHARE IS, UM, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO

[00:10:01]

THE OTHER THING, UM, OUR EPIDEMIOLOGISTS AND OUR SURVEILLANCE TEAM, UM, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, UM, BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY FOLKS THAT, UM, ARE TESTING.

UM, WE DID SEE AN INCREASE IN, AS YOU ALL KNOW WHERE I'M AT STAGE FOUR.

AND SO SINCE WE ARE AT STAGE FOUR, WE ARE ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO ONLY TAKE, UM, ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY.

UM, WE WANT YOU TO REALLY JUST MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS THAT YOU CAN MAKE.

THE OTHER UPDATE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS, IS, UM, WE, UM, TALKED ABOUT OUR VACCINE COALITION, UM, DISTRIBUTION AND TASK FORCE, AND WE'VE HAD THREE MEETINGS OF THAT GROUP.

AND JUST A REMINDER, UM, IT IS A GROUP OF HEALTHCARE, UM, OFFICIALS, UM, AS WELL AS, UM, GOVERNMENT FOLKS, ADVOCATES, NON-PROFIT FOLKS, AND WE ARE, UM, PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO, UM, WITH THAT GROUP, UM, WE ARE GOING TO BE MAKING A SLIGHT BIT OF A CHANGE.

UM, WE'VE HAD ABOUT 138 FOLKS THAT HAVE, HAVE THAT ARE ACTIVE IN THAT PROCESS.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO SMIT, WE'RE GOING TO, UM, CHANGE OUR FORMAT INTO SMALLER GROUPS.

AND SO WITH THE SMALLER GROUPS, WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON FRIDAY, UM, POPULATION ENGAGEMENT, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT OUR COMMUNICATION STRATEGY.

UM, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH OUR VACCINE PROVIDERS, UM, TO JUST MAKE SURE, UM, WITH, WITH THE THROUGHPUT, JUST MAKING SURE WITH, WITH ALL THE PHASES WE HAVE COMING UP.

AND SO THE PHASES THAT WE HAVE WITH THE DISTRIBUTION IS BASED UPON THE PHASES, UM, BASED UPON THE INFORMATION WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES.

AND IT'S ALSO BASED UPON INFORMATION FOR THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL.

AND SO WE ARE WAITING JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IS, UM, FOR DECEMBER, UM, LATER THIS MONTH, DECEMBER, AND OUR HOPE IS, IS THAT, UM, THE FIRST GROUP OF FOLKS WILL RECEIVE THEIR BAGS.

SEE, UM, LATER THIS MONTH, THE OTHER, THE THING ABOUT THE VACCINE, UM, WE HAVE HEARD FROM, UM, DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES THAT, UM, WE HAVE, UM, THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH PFIZER.

AND SO WE ARE AWARE THAT PFIZER IS GOING TO BE, UM, ONE OF THE VACCINES THAT WILL COME, UM, TO THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND SO AS WE GET MORE INFORMATION, OUR PLAN IS TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS WE CAN BE, UM, BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS AS MUCH INFORMATION AS THEY CAN, AS WE CAN PROVIDE, UM, BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THE TRUST OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO, UM, AS YOU MAY REALIZE THAT, UM, OUR TESTING HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY, UM, JUST FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, WE HAVE TESTED OVER 57,000 PEOPLE AS OF NOVEMBER 24.

AND SO, UM, ALL OF OUR SITES, UM, CONTINUE TO REMAIN OPEN OUR DOVE SPRINGS, UM, SITE GIVENS, MONTOPOLIS, UM, WALNUT CREEK, UM, AND FOOD REVEAL SITES ARE OPEN, AND THEN WE STILL HAVE OUR, UM, OUR ST JOHN'S SITE.

A DRIVE-THROUGH PICKUP EVENT, UM, ON DECEMBER 12TH AND WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE, UM, 2000 KIDS TO THE, UM, EMPLOYEES OF THOSE, UM, FACILITIES WHERE THE FACILITIES HAVE SIGNED UP TO SAY, THEY WILL, UM, SHARE THIS WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES.

UM, I'M GOING TO SHIFT TO LONG-TERM CARE, LONG-TERM CARE, UM, INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM.

UH, THEY, UM, OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT 71, UM, NEW CASES IN THE LAST TWO, TWO WEEKS.

UM, WE ARE DEFINITELY, UM, CONCERNED ABOUT THAT OUR TEAM CONTINUES TO, TO MEET WITH, UM, EACH OF THE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THEIR WEEKLY MEETING AND, UM, DISCUSS HOW OUR EPIDEMIOLOGISTS CAN WORK WITH THEM VERY CLOSELY ON, UM, ANY OF THEM, UM, ANY OF THEIR PLANS THAT THEY HAVE.

UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE IT IS, IS WE'RE STARTING TO SEE AN INCREASE, UM, FOR PPE, UM, OVER 274 ORDERS HAVE BEEN RECENTLY PUT IN PLACE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, UM, AS I REPORTED AT MY LAST, UM, BUT THEY, I SHARED WITH YOU THAT WE WE'RE GOING TO, UM, PARTNER WITH THE FACILITIES, UM, THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE A TAKE HOME KIT FOR THEIR STAFF.

UM, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF, OF COMPLETING THAT PROCESS.

UM, OUR STAFF WILL BE WORKING ON

[00:15:01]

UM, WE CONTINUE TO, UM, PROVIDE TESTING AT THOSE LOCATIONS AS WE ARE, UM, AS THEY REQUEST US TO, MOST OF THEM HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE.

AND THEN LASTLY, UM, AS YOU ALL KNOW, UM, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH OUR ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.

UM, THE DEPARTMENT HAS, UM, HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH, UM, OUR COLLEAGUES OVER IN THE CODE COMPLIANCE AUSTIN CODE, AS WELL AS THE, UM, FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE, OUR STAFF, UM, WE'RE BERRY DID SOME SWEEPS, UM, LAST WEEK OVER THE, OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

UM, OUR GOAL IS, IS TO, UM, WE HAVE MOVED PAST, UM, WARNINGS.

UM, WE ARE MOVING AT A PACE OF ENFORCEMENT, UM, AND ISSUING CITATIONS.

UM, SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UPDATES ABOUT THAT AS WE MOVE ALONG AT THIS POINT, I WILL TRANSITION OVER TO BACKREST DR.

SCOTT.

THANK YOU, STEPHANIE.

GOOD MORNING.

UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I CAN ASK, UH, AVA TO PULL UP MY SLIDES WE'LL GET STARTED AREA.

ALL RIGHT, NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THIS IS AN UPDATE OF OUR NEW CONFIRMED CASES IN TRAVIS COUNTY.

UH, YESTERDAY WE REPORTED 332 NEW CASES WITH A MOVING AVERAGE OF 231.

UH, LET'S SAY DECREASE OVER THE PAST SIX DAYS AS, UH, AS MAYOR ADLER MENTIONED IN HIS OPENING COMMENTS.

UH, WE'RE NOT CLEAR IF THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUSTAINED TREND OR NOT.

UH, WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, LEADING UP TO THANKSGIVING, WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE GETTING TESTED AS THANKSGIVING WEEK STARTED, LESS PEOPLE SHOWED UP FOR TESTING AND WANTING TO GET TESTED.

UH, WE, WE ALWAYS SEE THIS, UH, IN THE HOSPITALS AS WELL, IN TERMS OF, OF PEOPLE DESIRING TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL DURING HOLIDAYS.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL PUT OFF GOING AND IN SEEKING CARE, SEEKING, TESTING, SEEKING TREATMENT UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAY.

SO THIS WEEK SHOULD BE VERY TELLING FOR US TO DETERMINE, UH, IF, UH, IF THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE OR NOT.

UH, BUT AGAIN, UH, WE ARE FLATTENING THINGS.

WE'VE BEEN FLATTENED THINGS LAST WEEK, AND WE HOPE THAT TREND CONTINUES.

THAT PEOPLE HEATED THE MORNINGS, NOT ONLY FROM AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, BUT FROM THE CDC AND THE STATE AS WELL.

I SENT A LITTLE LADY, OUR NEW ADMISSIONS HAVE BEEN DECREASING YESTERDAY.

WE REPORTED 35 NEW ADMISSIONS TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A MOVING AVERAGE OF 32.

UH, THAT NUMBER HAS BEEN MOVING BETWEEN 32 AND 37 OVER THE PAST 14 DAYS.

UH, SO AGAIN, UH, WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THIS TREND CONTINUES THAT THIS IS, THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE WARNINGS, THAT THINGS WERE GETTING WORSE LOCALLY AND AROUND THE STATE AND COUNTRY.

UH, AND AGAIN, WE CAN CONTINUE THIS TREND BY CONTINUING THOSE PROTECTIVE ACTIONS, UH, THAT ARE LEADING TO THESE IMPROVED NUMBERS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE IS THIS THERE'S THREE THINGS.

THE BLUE LINE IS THE TOTAL HOSPITAL BEDS BEING UTILIZED FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS IN THE FIVE COUNTY MSA.

UH, THE ORANGE IS THE ICU BEDS, THE GRAY OR THE VENTILATORS BEING UTILIZED HOSPITALIZATIONS YESTERDAY WERE REPORTED AT 218 WITH A MOVING AVERAGE OF TWO 19.

UM, THAT HAS BEEN FLAT OVER THE PAST SIX DAYS, ICU YESTERDAY, 75 ICU BEDS BEING UTILIZED WITH A MOVING AVERAGE OF 76, ALSO FLAT OVER THE PAST WEEK AND VENTILATOR USE YESTERDAY 46 WITH A MOVING AVERAGE OF 45 AND AGAIN, FLAT OVER THE PAST WEEK.

UH, SO AGAIN, WE, TWO WEEKS AGO STARTED CALLING ON, UH, OUR AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY COMMUNITY TO WORK HARDER TO FLATTEN THE CURVE.

THINGS ARE FLATTENING, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO BE PATIENT.

WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE THOSE, UH, INCREASED EFFORTS TO, UH, TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF DISEASE.

AND HOPEFULLY THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT, UH, TRAVEL AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

AND, UH, WE'RE HOPEFUL

[00:20:01]

AND WE'RE PROTECTIVE AS DIRECTOR HAYDEN SAID, IT'S IMPORTANT IF FOLKS DECIDED TO GO TO AS YOU KNOW, LARGE FAMILY GATHERINGS OR SOCIAL GATHERINGS, OR WERE INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES WHERE DISTANCING AND MASKING WERE NOT FOLLOWED, JUST STAY HOME THIS WEEK TO GET TESTED LATER THIS WEEK TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE NOT EXPOSED AND, UH, AND ARE ABLE TO TRANSMIT DISEASE BEFORE THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL OR TO WORK.

OF THE BOTTOM OF, OF, UH, THE, THE, THE CASES PER CAPITA IN THE MAJOR METRO AREAS IN TEXAS.

THAT'S AMAZING COUNSEL.

WHAT I'M SHOWING YOU HERE IS THE UPDATED PROJECTIONS FROM THE NEW TEAM MODEL IN CONSORTIUM.

UM, AND AGAIN, WHAT THIS IS SHOWING IS DECREASING ACTIVITY IN TERMS OF OUR ADMISSIONS TO THE HOSPITAL.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE PROJECTIONS ARE IMPROVING SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SHOWED LAST WEEK AND THE WEEK BEFORE THIS IS WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT DISEASE TRANSMISSION STAYS THE WAY IT HAS BEEN OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO.

SO IF WE LOSE SOME THINGS OUT, IF WE ARE RELAXED, IF WE ARE LESS VIGILANT IN THOSE PROTECTIONS, THIS WILL MOVE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

AGAIN, I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT, UH, THESE PROJECTIONS MAY BE OVERLY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT LESS PEOPLE WERE TESTED LAST WEEK AND LESS PEOPLE, UH, YOU KNOW, MAY HAVE BEEN INCLINED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO SEEK CARE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

SO AGAIN, WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH THESE NUMBERS THIS WEEK, UH, AND, UH, INTO NEXT WEEK.

AND THEN HOPEFULLY THE TREND WILL CONTINUE.

AND WE WILL SAY THIS AS, UH, AS OUR ACTUAL TREND GOING FORWARD HERE IN TRAVIS COUNTY.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, YOU KNOW, WE SEE SIMILAR, UH, AFFECTS ON TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS.

YOU SEE SOME FLATTENING FOR ANOTHER WEEK OR SO, AND THEN A DECLINE IN THOSE HOSPITALIZATIONS PROJECTED.

NOW, NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE ICU PROJECTIONS THAT STAYS FLAT FOR A BIT LONGER BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN THE ICU, UH, TEND TO BE THERE FOR NOT FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

AND YOU CAN SEE A MORE GRADUAL DECLINE IN THOSE ICU NUMBERS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, GOING INTO CHRISTMAS.

AGAIN, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO INCREASE, UH, INCREASE THEIR VIGILANCE, UH, CONTINUE THOSE PROTECTIVE ACTIONS THAT, THAT WE CALLED UPON, UH, FOLKS TO DO OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AND IF THAT HAPPENS, IF THAT CONTINUES, THEN CHRISTMAS IS GOING TO LOOK A WHOLE LOT BETTER.

UH, SO OUR HOPE IS THAT THOSE TRENDS WILL CONTINUE.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THIS IS AN UPDATE OF A SLIDE.

I SHOWED YOU A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IN TERMS OF CASES PER CAPITA.

SO THESE ARE ACTIVE CASES, PER HUNDRED THOUSAND POPULATION IN THE MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS ACROSS TEXAS.

UH, THIS IS BASED ON DSHS DATA, WHICH IS PUBLISHED AND UPDATED WEEKLY ON THEIR WEBSITE.

UH, YOU CAN SEE THAT, UH, AGAIN, TRAVIS, COUNTY'S IN THIS DARK BLUE AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE GRAPH, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT WE'VE FLATTENED DOWN A LITTLE BIT OVER THE PAST WEEK.

WE HAD AN INCLINE, UH, OVER THE PATH OVER A TWO WEEKS PERIOD OR SO, UH, AND THEN A FLATTENING WE'VE BEEN FLAT, UH, FOR ABOUT THE LAST 10 DAYS, UH, WITH TODAY BEING A MOVING AVERAGE OR CORRECTION, A ACTIVE CASES FOR A HUNDRED THOUSAND OF 186, OUR NEXT, UH, UH, CITY OR COUNTY IS BEAR COUNTY, UH, IN SAN ANTONIO, WHICH IS ROUGHLY DOUBLE OUR ACTIVE CASE RATE.

UH, YOU CAN SEE THAT, UH, THE HOUSTON HAD A CHANGE IN THEIR REPORTING, WHICH DROPPED, DROPPED THEM CLOSER TO SAN ANTONIO'S TREND.

UH, THE DANCING, UH, GREEN AND ORANGE LINES THAT YOU SEE ARE, UH, TARRANT IN DALLAS COUNTIES, UH, WHICH HAVE HAD A MORE SUBSTANTIAL UPWARD TREND.

UH, THEY ARE FLATTENING OUT A LITTLE BIT ALSO OVER THE PAST WEEK.

UH, THE LIGHT BLUE LINE IS LUBBOCK COUNTY STILL ON AN INCLINE NOW WITH CLOSE TO 2000 CASES PER A HUNDRED THOUSAND.

AND OF COURSE, EL PASO COUNTY, UH, AT THE VERY TOP, UH, WITH OVER 5,000 ACTIVE CASES PER A HUNDRED THOUSAND, YOU CAN SEE THAT THEY HAVE HAD A SHIFT IN THEIR, IN THE SLOPE OF, OF THEIR INCREASE, WHICH IS FLATTENING OUT A BIT, UH, WHICH IS CERTAINLY GOOD NEWS FOR THEM, UH, STILL FACING CATASTROPHIC SURGE IN EL PASO COUNTY.

SO AGAIN, UH, THIS IS NOT JUST A THEORETICAL THREAT.

WE CAN SEE IT HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, THAT WE CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS HERE SO THAT WE CAN, UH, CONTINUE OUR TREND

[00:25:01]

THIS IS AN UPDATE OF, UH, THE CASES, UH, UH, BY AGE GROUP.

SO THESE ARE OUR INDIVIDUALS HOSPITALIZED OVER THE PAST WEEK.

UH, YOU CAN SEE THAT, UH, THE SORT OF MUSTARD OR MUSTARD YELLOW IS OUR 70 79 AGE GROUP, WHICH ARE OUR HIGHEST, UH, GROUP HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWED BY OUR 60 TO 69, RELATIVELY FLAT OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

UH, THE YELLOW LINE THAT YOU SEE HERE IS OUR 20 TO 29 AGE GROUP.

UM, THEY HAVE HAD A DECREASE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

UH, AGAIN, WE, UM, I'LL NOTE THAT UT HAS GONE VIRTUAL, UH, FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEMESTER, WHICH SHOULD HELP TO, UH, TO FURTHER DECREASE THE TRENDS IN, UH, TRANSMISSION AND HOSPITALIZATION IN THAT 2029 AGE GROUP.

UH, THE GRAY LINE IS OUR 10 TO 19 AGE GROUP, A SLIGHT INCREASE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, UH, BUT, BUT NOTHING DRAMATIC AND CERTAINLY DECREASES IN OUR, OUR YOUNGER AGE GROUPS.

WE ARE SEEING DISEASE, TRANSMISSION AND YOUNGER AGE GROUPS.

WE ARE SEEING SOME HOSPITALIZATIONS, UH, BUT, UH, AGAIN, WE'RE, WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH, UH, WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

THIS IS THE SAME DATA.

HAVE IT BROKEN DOWN AND QUANTIFIED BY EACH OF THE AGE GROUPS, YOU CAN SEE THAT, UH, THAT TWO WEEKS AGO WE HAD 215 INDIVIDUALS HOSPITALIZED IN THE MSA FROM COVID-19 NOT LAST WEEK, 185.

SO I SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS, WHICH IS EXACTLY THE DIRECTION THAT WE WANT TO SEE.

AND WE'VE SEEN DECREASES IN OUR NUMBERS OF OLDER INDIVIDUALS IN THAT 70 TO 79, UH, OUR 80 PLUS AGE GROUP, AND A RELATIVELY STEADY IN SOME OF THE OTHER AGE GROUPS.

SO AGAIN, WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH THESE NUMBERS AND REPORT THEM WEEKLY.

UH, THIS IS AN UPDATE OF OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS BY RACE AND ETHNICITY.

UH, THE, UH, THE GREEN LINE THAT YOU SEE HERE IS OUR LATIN X POPULATION.

UH, THEY REPRESENT 38.7% OF HOSPITALIZATIONS LAST WEEK.

UM, SO, UH, ARE, ARE WHITE NON-HISPANIC AND THE BLUE HAS SURPASSED OUR LATIN X POPULATION IN TERMS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY 8.9%.

UH, SO BOTH, UH, BOTH COMMUNITIES NOW BY MORE ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF THEIR, UH, THEIR COMPOSITION OF OUR COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS.

UH, WE DID SAY, UM, UH, A, UH, A CHANGE IN OUR, UM, UH, NON HISPANIC POPULATION, UH, ALSO DECREASE IN OTHER CATEGORY AND OUR ORANGE CATEGORY, WHICH IS OUR ASIAN AMERICAN 5.7%.

UH, SO FURTHER INCREASES THIS WEEK IN TERMS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS OF OUR, UH, ASIAN AMERICAN POPULATION.

AGAIN, THESE ARE UPDATED AND ALSO LOOK AT OUR DASHBOARD FOR FOLKS TO REFERENCE.

SO AGAIN, TOTAL NUMBERS DECREASING IN TERMS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO, UH, TO REPORT ON THIS WEEKLY AS WELL.

PREVENTING, UH, HOUSEHOLDS SPREAD IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO FURTHER DECREASE THIS POSITIVITY.

UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THIS IS AN UPDATE OF OUR POSITIVITY BY WEEK.

UM, SO THREE WEEKS AGO, WE WERE AT 6.8%, TWO WEEKS AGO, WE DROPPED A 5.9% LAST WEEK.

AND AGAIN, WE STILL HAVE LOTS OF TESTS COMING IN FROM LAST WEEK, BUT SO FAR BACK TO 6.8% FOR LAST WEEK.

UM, SO AGAIN, THIS NUMBER MAY CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS NUMBER YESTERDAY, IT WAS DOWN AT 5.4%, BUT EACH DAY, UH, YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS MORE, UH, UH, TEST RESULTS COME IN.

AND SO THIS NUMBER MAY CHANGE.

UH, BUT AGAIN, WE, WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO REMEMBER THAT WE WANT BEST TO BE BELOW 3% ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND, UH, WE ARE MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT STILL.

SO WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO, BUT THROUGH THAT INCREASE VIGILANCE, UH, THROUGH PEOPLE CHOOSING TO STAY HOME WHEN THEY'RE SICK OR HAVE SYMPTOMS OF ANY KIND.

AND CERTAINLY, UH, THROUGH FOLKS WHO ARE POSITIVE ISOLATING AND

[00:30:01]

IT'S THE SAME DATA FEED, UH, THAT IS BROKEN DOWN BY RACE AND ETHNICITY.

UH, YOU CAN SAY THAT, UM, THAT WE HAVE OUR, UH, LATIN X POPULATION IN THE, UH, DARK AND GRAY AT 10.3% SO FAR FOR LAST WEEK, WEEK 48, UH, OUR, UH, AMERICAN INDIAN POPULATION, UH, AND NATIVE ALASKAN 13.3%, WHICH IS THE BLUE LINE ON THE LEFT AFRICAN-AMERICAN, WHICH IS OUR, UH, THE GREAT BAR 7.6% ASIAN AMERICAN, UH, WHICH IS THE GOLD, UH, IS A 5.7%.

UH, AND OUR WHITE NON-HISPANIC ON THE RIGHT SIDE AT 6%.

UH, SO AGAIN, ALL OF THE RACE METHODS IS ABOVE THAT 5% MARK AND, UH, AND WELL ABOVE THE 3% AND GOAL, UH, THAT WE'VE SAID.

SO AGAIN, MORE WORK TO DO IN TERMS OF DECREASING TRANSMISSION IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS THE SAME BREAKDOWN BY, UH, AGE GROUP.

UH, YOU CAN SEE THAT, UM, THAT WE'RE SEEING INCREASES, UH, IN OUR POSITIVITY IN OUR 40 TO 49, 50 TO 59, 60 TO 69 AGE GROUP, UH, AS WELL AS OUR 70 AND 80 PLUS AGE BRUISE.

UH, THESE ARE, THESE ARE THE GROUPS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE, UH, INCREASES PARTICULARLY BECAUSE INCREASES IN THE OLDER AGE GROUPS, UH, ARE GOING TO RESULT IN INCREASING HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THIS IS PART OF THE REASON WHY WE HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS WEEK.

ANYTIME WE SEE THOSE INCREASES IN THE OLDER AGE GROUPS, WE CAN EXPECT A WEEK LATER, UH, TWO WEEKS LATER TO SEE INCREASES IN HOSPITALIZATIONS.

UH, SO AGAIN, WE DON'T WANT TO BE TOO OPTIMISTIC, UH, GIVEN, GIVEN WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE DO.

HAYDEN MENTIONED, UH, THIS IS AN UPDATE OF OUR DASHBOARD AS A REMINDER, THIS IS ON OUR WEBSITE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.GOV/COVID 1900 DASHBOARDS, 71 OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, 146 OVER THE PAST 28 DAYS.

UH, AND, UH, AGAIN, WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR NURSING HOMES, LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR EFFORTS AT INFECTION CONTROL, INCLUDING PPE CONSULTATION AND TESTING.

WILL GET OUT THERE AND GET THEIR FLU SHOT.

THIS IS AN UPDATE OF OUR SCHOOL'S REPORT.

SO I APOLOGIZE FOR THE SLIDE BEING CUT OFF ON THE RIGHT, UH, BUT, UH, OBVIOUSLY A DECREASE LAST WEEK, UH, WITH MOST SCHOOLS BEING OUT FOR THE WEEK, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 70 CASES BETWEEN STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND OTHER VISITORS TO CAMPUS.

UM, SO AGAIN, WE'VE, WE'VE, UH, WE'VE HAD AISD REMOTE THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE SOME SCHOOLS THAT HAVE, UH, ELECTED TO ALSO GO VIRTUAL THIS WEEK, UH, TO HELP DECREASE THE RISK OF FURTHER SPREAD AT SCHOOLS.

UH, WE WILL CONTINUE TO REPORT ON THIS WEEKLY, UH, AND AGAIN, AS A REMINDER, EACH OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE A MORE DETAILED REPORT BY SCHOOL LOCATED ON, UH, ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES.

THERE ARE LINKS TO THOSE THROUGH OUR AUSTIN, TEXAS.GOV ORG SLASH COVID-19 FOR FOLKS WHO WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THAT NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

AND AGAIN, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, IN ADDITION TO COVID-19 SEASON, AND WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF HOW INFLUENZA SEASON LAST WEEK, 456, UH, FLU TESTS WERE PERFORMED ZERO OR POSITIVE, WHICH GIVES US A 0% POSITIVITY FOR LAST WEEK, WHICH IS, IS GREAT NEWS.

OVERALL, UH, 27 CASES REPORTED I 0.9, 8% POSITIVITY.

UH, SO FOLKS ARE DOING GOOD AGAIN, AS A REMINDER FOR ANYBODY OUT THERE WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A FLU SHOT THIS YEAR.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO DO THAT.

PLEASE DO THAT NOW.

BUT AGAIN, WE'RE SEEING, UM, WE'RE SEEING ONGOING TRENDS OF, UH, UH, VERY, VERY LOW INFLUENCE, UH, TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOSPITAL CAPACITY TO MANAGE SURGES OF BOTH NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

AND THIS IS A GRAPH SHOWING HOW THIS YEAR'S IS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS THREE SEASONS.

AGAIN, WE ARE EXTREMELY LOW IN TERMS OF, UH, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESSES, UH, IN OUR SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE DATA, UH, THAT COMES INTO US.

UH, SO AGAIN, VERY PLEASED WITH THIS AND, UH, WE REALLY DO NEED TO CONTINUE THIS TREND, UH, AND, UH, HOPEFULLY FOLKS

[00:35:01]

UH, THE MASKING, THE DISTANCING IS, IS GOING TO HELP WITH INFLUENCE AS WELL.

FINALLY, MARIN COUNCIL, WE, UH, WE CONTINUE TO BE IN STAGE FOUR, AGAIN, THAT MOVING AVERAGE OF NEW CASES, WHICH ARE OUR KEY INDICATOR FOR TRANSITION IS AT 32.

NOW THE THRESHOLD, UH, BETWEEN STAGE THREE AND STAGE FOUR IS 30.

UH, IF WE CAN CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS, CONTINUE THOSE NOW THAT, THAT VIGILANCE, UH, IN OUR MASKING, OUR DISTANCING IN OUR HAND HYGIENE, UH, IF WE CONTINUE TO STAY HOME, WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO GET TESTED, WHEN WE'RE CONCERNED, WE CAN PUSH THIS BACK INTO THE YELLOW ZONE, UH, WHICH WILL CERTAINLY ALLOW US TO RELAX A LITTLE BIT AND TO CERTAINLY HAVE A BETTER LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS.

WHAT'S THAT ALTERNATIVE TO BACK TO YOU, SPENCER, THANK YOU, DR.

SCOTT, AND NOW WE'LL TURN IT BACK TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR OUR QUESTIONS FOR OUR BACKDROPS SCOTT DIRECTOR, HAYDEN, AND THEN OF THE STAFF THAT ARE ALSO ON THE LINE ON THIS PEN DINNER, DR.

SCOTT, ON THAT SLIDE THAT YOU JUST HAD UP THE COLOR CODED A RISK CHART SLIDE.

UM, UM, YOU USED TO HAVE A COLUMN ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE THAT SHOWED, UH, THE, THE TRIGGERS.

I MEAN, THAT WAS A HELPFUL, UH, LINE AND COLUMN, I THINK, TO HAVE FOR THE COMMUNITY WE'RE IN, WE WERE IN YELLOW.

AND WHEN WE WENT TO 30, THAT MOVED US INTO THE ORANGE ZONE, IS THAT RIGHT? THE STAGE FOUR ZONE THAT'S CORRECT.

AND THEN THE NUMBER TO MOVE US INTO STAGE FIVE.

AND OBVIOUSLY YOU MAKE A, YOU KNOW, A JUDGMENT AT THAT POINT BASED ON THE SPEED AND OTHER FACTORS, BUT 50 IS THE, THE, THE TRIGGER THAT TAKES US INTO STAGE FIVE GENERALLY, IS THAT RIGHT? AND NEXT WEEK I CAN, UH, WE HAVE TWO VERSIONS, ONE WITH, AND ONE, WITHOUT THOSE TRIGGERS, I'LL CERTAINLY, UH, MAKE SURE TO SHARE THE ONE NEXT WEEK, THE TRIGGERS, OKAY, THAT'D BE HELPFUL.

AND THE NUMBERS THAT WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW FOR THE SEVEN DAY RUNNING AVERAGE IS 32.

WE HAD GOTTEN UP TO LIKE A 37 OR 38 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND COME BACK DOWN WITH EITHER THE GOOD NEWS LAST WEEK, CAUSE WE WERE WEARING MASKS AND RESPONDING TO ORANGE OR PEOPLE JUST WEREN'T GOING TO A HOSPITAL OVER THANKSGIVING SO THEY CAN SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

UH, BUT THAT'S THE NUMBER THAT WE'RE TRYING TO STAY BELOW AS A COMMUNITY AT 50, BECAUSE THAT GIVES US THE BEST CHANCE TO KEEP BUSINESSES OPEN AND KEEP, UH, KEEP, KEEP SCHOOLS OPEN.

I GET ASKED THE QUESTION NOW, UH, IF, UM, UH, WE'RE CONTEMPLATING OR LOOKING AT, UH, THE KIND OF, UH, A CURFEW, UH, THAT DEL PASO IS, HAS PUT IN AND EVEN SAN ANTONIO HAS PUT IN WHERE I'M NOT TRYING TO SAY NINE O'CLOCK OR 10 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT.

AND, UH, IT, UH, IS MAINLY INTENDED TO GET PEOPLE HOME FROM SOCIAL EVENTS, UH, EARLIER STILL ALLOWS PEOPLE TO TRAVEL FOR ESSENTIAL KINDS OF THINGS.

BUT AS PEOPLE GOING HOME EARLIER, WE HAVEN'T DONE THAT YET.

UH, A CURFEW LIKE THAT.

UH, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE IN OUR FUTURE? HOW WOULD YOU, HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THE CONCEPT OF CURFEW, UH, MAYOR? UH, RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY BECAUSE WE'RE IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION AND YOU CAN, YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING.

THE PUBLICAN CAN SEE CLEARLY THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS GOING ON IN, UH, IN THE JURISDICTIONS, TEXAS.

UH, SO THERE'S A LOT OF HETEROGENEITY IN TERMS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW.

UH, I THINK RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE LISTENING AND, AND WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS RESPONDED EVERY TIME THAT CALL TO ACTION.

UH, I THINK IF WE GET TO STAGE FIVE, THEN WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER OTHER STEPS, INCLUDING THE CURFEW TO HELP CURB THIS SPREAD FURTHER.

PEOPLE GET SICK THAT GO TO A HOSPITAL THAT IMPACT OUR ICU IS NOT JUST FOR COVID, BUT FOR SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE IN A CAR ACCIDENT OR HAVE A HEART ATTACK, WE NEED TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

AND THEN MY LAST QUESTION, THEN I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MY, TO MY COLLEAGUES.

IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE CHART THAT YOU HAVE JUST PRIOR TO THIS ONE THAT HAD THE FLU INFLUENZA CHART, UH, THERE'S KIND OF A BASELINE AT ABOUT 1% THAT WE HIT, UH, AND WE'VE STAYED THERE, HOW RELATIVE TO PAST YEARS WHERE THE NUMBERS INCREASE AND WHERE THAT FLU IS IMPORTANT IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T, THIS WHOLE THING WITH THE VIRUS IS NOT ALL ABOUT WHO GETS IT AND WHETHER THEY GET SICK, WHETHER THEY DIE OR WHETHER THEY GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

I HEAR SO MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT.

I'M NOT GOING TO WEAR A MASK BECAUSE I'M WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK WITH MY OWN HEALTH.

UM, AND THAT'S JUST NOT IT, I MEAN, IT IS, IT IS NOT ACCURATE OR FAIR OR TRUTHFUL TO ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD BE PUTTING ON MASS BASED ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE WILLING TO ASSUME THAT RISK FOR YOUR YOURSELF.

UH, WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM IN THIS CITY.

IF SO MANY

[00:40:01]

SO THAT THERE'S SPACE FOR THOSE KINDS OF PATIENTS.

AND TO A LARGE DEGREE, THAT'S WHAT WEARING MASKS ARE ABOUT KEEPING SPACE IN THE ICU FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT THERE.

THAT HAPPENED.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE IDENTIFIED EARLY IN THE COMMUNITY WAS WE FELT OPERA HOSPITALS LAST YEAR ON INFLUENZA PATIENTS.

SO IF WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE OF KEEPING THE SPACE IN ICU, WE NEEDED THAT TO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH FLU GOING INTO IT.

IT LOOKS LIKE A COMMUNITY.

SO YOU'RE REALLY, REALLY GOOD JOB OF THAT.

DO YOU KNOW HOW OTHER CITIES ARE ALSO DOING WITH RESPECT TO INFLUENZA? UH, ARE THEY SEEING THE SAME KIND OF PATTERN THAT WE'RE SEEING? YOU KNOW, MAYOR WE'RE CERTAINLY, UH, I HAVE THE S THE STATE WHERE MY DATA AND WE'RE CERTAINLY SEEING, UH, FAVORABLE TRENDS ACROSS THE STATE IN TERMS OF INFLUENZA THIS YEAR AS COMPARED TO OTHER YEARS.

UM, BUT I'LL SAY, AND, AND EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF MASKS WEARING, UH, IT IS HELPING US, UH, I THINK THAT, THAT WE CAN SEE THAT IN THE COVID-19 DATA, WE CAN SEE THAT IN THE INFLUENZA DATA AND YOU'RE RIGHT TO POINT OUT, IT'S NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH RISK YOU WOULD WANT TO PERSONALLY TAKE IT'S ABOUT HAVING FOR LIFE AND HOW FRAGILE IT CAN BE FOR OTHER PEOPLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, I, I, I THINK THIS IS THE TIME WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH A SIMPLE ACTION TO PROTECT OTHERS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND IT IS NOT ASKING A LOT TO PUT ON A MASK TO KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM OTHER PEOPLE.

UH, AND, YOU KNOW, WE CAN ONLY HEAR US.

WE CAN ALL BE LIFESAVERS, LIKE DOING THAT SIMPLE, SIMPLE ACT.

AND I WOULD CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO DO THAT.

GREAT.

UH, COLLEAGUES, ANYBODY HAVE A QUESTION? UH, KARA NATASHA, THANK YOU.

I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR HAYDEN, ACTUALLY.

UM, DURING THE CONVERSATION AROUND PPE, I'VE ACTUALLY HAD A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PPE FOR MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENCES, ESPECIALLY THOSE INCOME RESTRICTED MULTI-FAMILY WITH THE PPE AND DISABILITY.

UM, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AROUND THAT.

AND THEN LIKE, AS FAR AS THE REQUESTS THAT YOU ALL ARE RECEIVING, WHERE'S THE NEED, YOU KNOW, WHO IS IT AND WHERE ARE THEY, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ASKING, I THINK YOUR UNIT DIRECTOR, HAYDEN.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

UM, WE ARE RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM, FROM SEVERAL ENTITIES.

UM, WE HAVE, WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH, UM, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND THEY ARE, UM, PROVIDING, UM, THEY ARE PROVIDING THE, UM, THE EQUIPMENT OUT IN LIKE THE RURAL AREAS, LIKE THE TRAVIS COUNTY AREAS, BUT THEY ARE ALSO PROVIDING IT IN OTHER ZIP CODES THAT HAVE A HIGHER POSITIVITY RATE.

WE ARE RECEIVING REQUESTS FROM, UM, CHILDCARE FACILITIES, UM, LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

UM, WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED SOME REQUESTS FROM HOUSING AUTHORITY, UM, AS WELL AS, AND I'M GOING BY MEMORY.

UM, AND WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED, UM, SOME REQUESTS FROM NON-PROFITS THAT THE CITY HAS CONTRACTS WITH AND, UM, MEMBERSHIP OF ONE, BUT ONCE.

AND SO, UM, SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT, UM, AS WE CAN, WHENEVER COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE HAVING, UM, AN EVENT IN THE COMMUNITY, UM, WE DO LIMIT IT TO, UM, 1000 TOTAL OF WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE ONLY BECAUSE WE ARE PROVIDING IT ACROSS OUR WORK.

THAT'S HELPFUL.

UM, I THINK I'LL CONNECT WITH YOU OFFLINE TO SORT OF FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN, UH, REALLY FORTIFY THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH HAKA AND THE TRAVIS COUNTY HOUSING.

UM, YEAH, LIKE I SAID, I'M GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT AP EVENT.

THAT'S ON 12, 12, THE 2000 KIDS AT YELLER, BUT THE DRIVE-THROUGH IS THERE A, IS THERE A SPECIFIC SOMETHING PEOPLE SHOULD GO TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE DETAILS OR DO YOU HAVE A FLYER THAT WE COULD SHARE WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS AND OUR NEWSLETTER? MAYBE I THINK WHAT WILL BE BETTER, UM, IS THAT WE, BECAUSE THOSE ARE FOR FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING IN LONG-TERM

[00:45:01]

CARE FACILITIES ONLY.

UM, AND SO WHAT WE, UM, HAVE DONE IS, IS THAT WE'VE SHARED THAT WITH ALL OF THE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY PARTNERS THAT OUR TEAM MEET WITH WEEKLY, UM, WE HAVE A MAILBOX ADDRESS THAT SET UP LONG-TERM CARE, UM, AND AUSTIN, TEXAS.GOV.

SO THEY CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO THAT, UM, OR THEY CAN CALL OUR MEDICAL LINE OR THREE, ONE, ONE, MAYBE JUST EASIER FOR FOLKS TO CALL AND SAY, YOU KNOW, PLEASE CONNECT ME TO THE, THE, UM, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICAL LINE, AND WE'LL GET THEM CONNECTED.

I THINK THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE AROUND PPE IS, UM, JUST RECOGNIZING HOW WE HAD TO SCRAMBLE THE LAST TIME, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST TIME, RATHER, I JUST WONDER IF WE'RE BETTER POSITIONED THIS TIME OR RECOUNT THAN WE WERE BEFORE IN TERMS OF AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS TO, AND YEAH, I GUESS I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT HOW WE'RE, HOW WE'RE POSITIONED AND IF WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, PLACE TO, WE HAVE PLANS TO REALLY SUPPORT THAT EFFORT MORE SUBSTANTIVELY.

WELL, WE ARE, UM, WORKING ON NOW IS WORKING ON A PLAN, UM, THAT WILL TAKE US FROM JANUARY THROUGH SEPTEMBER OF NEXT YEAR, UH, WHERE WE WILL, WE WE'VE ASKED OUR PARTNERS, YOU KNOW, HOW MANY EVENTS DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE? SO WE CAN PLAN FOR THAT.

UM, WE'VE AT ALL OF OUR SITES AND THE CITY ACCOUNTING SITES, WE ACTUALLY PROVIDE LIKE, UM, NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS.

WE PROVIDE PPE TO OUR CLIENTS AND THEN THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND FOR TRAVIS COUNTY, THEY PROVIDE PEOPLE EAT.

SO ALL OF US ARE PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR ABOUT HOW MUCH PPE WE WILL NEED, AND WE'RE GOING TO ORDER THAT.

UM, AND YOU KNOW, TRAVIS COUNTY HAS BEEN VERY GRACIOUS TO ALLOW US TO STORE IT THERE.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM TO STORE OUR PEOPLE NEED ELABORATIVE WITH THE COUNTY OUT AT THE EXPO.

ALISON, GOOD MORNING.

UM, MY QUESTION MAY BE FOR, UM, MS. FRANCO.

I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S ON THE LINE.

UM, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE LAST WE'D HEARD THERE WAS ABOUT $5 BILLION AT THE STATE LEVEL LEFT IN CARES MONEY, UM, IN MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE BELIEVE THERE'S SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 1.5 AND 3.7 BILLION THAT'S LEFT ON SPENT.

UM, DO WE HAVE ANY SENSE OF WHAT THE, AND IS, UM, FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR THOSE FUNDS, WHICH NEED TO BE SPENT BY DECEMBER 31ST? UM, AND AT A TIME WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DESPERATE NEEDS, WHETHER IT'S FOR PPE TO GET FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR PEOPLE TO PAY RENT, TO KEEP OUR BUSINESSES, OUR VITAL INDUSTRIES ALIVE.

UM, I'M REALLY FRUSTRATED THAT THE GOVERNOR IS JUST SITTING ON THAT MONEY.

UM, DID HE HAVE ANY SENSE OF THE NEXT STEPS ON THAT AND THE PLANS AND I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW WHO OF STAFF CAN ANSWER THAT.

IF THERE IS AN ANSWER COUNCIL MEMBER OF DIRECTOR, FRANCO'S NOT ON THE LINE.

SO SHE CAN'T ANSWER THAT DIRECTLY.

I'LL SEE IF OUR HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE ANY UPDATES FROM THEIR DEPARTMENTS THAT THEY WORK WITH AT THE STATE, BUT AT A MINIMUM, WE'LL GET YOU A RESPONSE AND THEN MEMO COURT REGARDING ANY UPDATES THAT WE HAVE FROM THE STATE ON THE USE OF THOSE FUNDS.

BECAUSE I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR ABBOTT HAS THESE RESOURCES.

UM, WE HAVE A DEADLINE OF DECEMBER 31ST AND WE NEED TO SPEND THAT MONEY BEFORE WE HAVE TO GIVE IT BACK, UM, TO WASHINGTON, WE NEED TO SPEND IT WISELY AND WHAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS.

FLATTENING BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING FOR, UH, DIRECTOR HAITI? I PRESCOTT, RIGHT? IT IS.

UM, IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME, IT'S ALARMING TO SEE THE NUMBERS IN PLACES LIKE EL PASO AND LUBBOCK, OF COURSE, AND THE DAMAGE DONE THERE.

IT IS USEFUL TO SEE HOW OUR COMMUNITIES RESPONDED TO KEEP OUR NUMBER, UM, ALTHOUGH TO HIGH, RELATIVELY LOW.

UH, SO I HAD NOT SEEN THAT GRAPH BEFORE, SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT, DR.

I SCOTT, WITH THE FLATTENING THAT WE SAW IN THE LAST FEW DAYS THAT WE'RE NOT SURE WHETHER IT HAPPENS BECAUSE IT'S A REAL FLATTENING OR BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL STAY AT HOME DURING THE HOLIDAY OR JUST DIDN'T GO TO THE HOSPITAL DURING THE HOLIDAY.

[00:50:01]

COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, MOST OF THE JURISDICTIONS SELLS AND FLATTENING OVER THE PAST WEEK.

UM, I THINK THERE'S BEEN SOME COMMENTS FROM, FROM CDC AND, AND, UH, AND DR.

FOWCHEE ON THE CHALLENGE WITH DATA OVER, OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEK.

UH, SO GIVEN, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS FOR THE NEXT OR TWO UNTIL WE CAN DETERMINE IF THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY FURTHER IMPACT FROM, FROM THAT HOLIDAY.

I THINK THAT'S HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THAT, UM, THAT WE SAW THAT HAPPEN IN LOTS OF PLACES ACROSS THE STATE.

AND SO THAT SHOULD MAKE US EXTRA CAUTIOUS AS TO NOT, UM, I THINK THAT, THAT TOO, BECAUSE IT MAY BE OBSCURING WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON.

SO THAT'S VERY HELPFUL TO KNOW THERE'S ALSO APART FROM THE CURFEW QUESTION THAT THE MAYOR RAISED, I'VE ALSO GOTTEN QUESTIONS ABOUT, UM, UH, HOW WE, WHETHER I SEE WHETHER THERE, THE CHUNK OF THE PROBLEM COMING FROM, UH, UH, ALTHOUGH BARS HAVE BEEN CLOSED, UH, THAT THERE ARE SOME NUMBER OF, OF, UH, BARS THAT MAY BE SELLING A SMALL AMOUNT OF FOOD, BUT THAT, UM, HAVE REPORTEDLY REALLY CONTINUED TO FUNCTION AS BARS WITH PEOPLE, UM, DANCING OR BEING CLOSE TOGETHER, NOT WEARING MASKS IN A, IN A BAR ENVIRONMENT.

UH, I DON'T KNOW IF, IF, IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY FURTHER ACTION TAKEN TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE, OR IF THAT MAY BE SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO, IF THINGS GET WORSE, BUT CAN, THEY'LL SPEAK TO ON TOP OF THE CURFEW, UH, QUESTION, WHETHER WE'RE SEEING ANY SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CASES COMING FROM PEOPLE GATHERING AT WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A BAR.

WHAT DO YOU W WE, WE CERTAINLY ARE SEEING CASES ASSOCIATED WITH, WITH RESTAURANTS, WHICH IS WHAT THESE BARS ARE NOT CLASSIFIED AS, UM, BUT AS DIRECTOR OF HAYDEN SAID THAT WE HAVE SEEN, UH, SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH COMPLIANCE AT SOME OF THOSE SITES, UH, AT A SPOT CHECK ON SATURDAY, UH, COMPLIANCE WAS 60%.

UH, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CITATIONS ISSUED, AND I WOULDN'T BE VERY CLEAR TO RESTAURANTS AND, AND FORMER BARS THAT ARE NOW, UH, RESTAURANTS.

UH, IF THEY DO NOT CLEAN THINGS UP, IF THEY DO NOT SHOW A PATTERN OF COMPLIANCE, WE WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION INCLUDING CLOSURE.

UH, WE, WE SIMPLY CANNOT TOLERATE, UH, BAD BEHAVIOR AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE REALLY STRUGGLING TO KEEP BUSINESSES OPEN.

WE WANT BUSINESSES TO BE OPEN.

WE WANT RESTAURANTS TO BE OPEN, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE IN ORDER TO STAY OPEN, NOT ONLY FOR THEMSELVES TO STAY OPEN, BUT FOR ALL RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES TO STAY OPEN.

SO IT REALLY IS UP TO US AS A COMMUNITY AND UP TO THEM AS A BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO REALLY ENFORCE THEMSELVES AND ENSURE THAT, THAT THOSE BAD ACTORS THAT ARE BEING CALLED OUT AND, AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, DR.

SCOTT, I, I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT WE WANTS TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE BUSINESSES CAN STAY OPEN AND OPEN FURTHER, AND THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THAT AS PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE RULES.

I ALSO KNOW THAT IT IS HARD TO STAY OPEN WITH, UH, UH, CAPACITY LIMITATIONS AND THE OTHER ISSUES, BUT, UH, IN PART, THAT'S WHY I'M GLAD IN THIS WEEK, WE'LL BE VOTING ON, ON FURTHER AID TO, TO OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, TO THE INDUSTRIES THAT ARE HURTING.

THAT'S WHY I JOINED WITH COUNCILMEMBER ALTAR AND THE MAYOR AND EVERYONE ELSE AROUND HOPING THAT THE GOVERNOR SPENDS THOSE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO AID PEOPLE IN SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE STRUGGLING INTO FURTHER ON PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS.

UH, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, EVERYONE DOES NEED TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND, AND IT SHOULD APPLY TO INDIVIDUALS JUST LIKE IT APPLIES TO, UH, THOSE, THOSE, UH, THOSE BUSINESSES THAT WE'RE FINDING ARE BREAKING THE RULES.

SO THANK YOU.

FORWARD BASED UPON THEIR EFFECTIVE RATE, UM, PFIZER AND MADONNA, MADONNA, UM, OR ACTUALLY WE'LL HAVE A FIVE FOR THE EAU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

UM, COULD ONE OF YOU SPEAK TO ANY UPDATES ON THE VACCINE TRIALS OR, UM, ANY EXPECTED TIMELINE OF THOSE TO ROLL OUT AND WHAT PEOPLE IN AUSTIN COULD EXPECT WHEN SOMETHING IS APPROVED, HOW WOULD PEOPLE BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT? UM, AND WHAT KIND OF TRIAGES THERE OF MAKING SURE OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS HAVE ACCESS TO GOOD, AND THEN OUR REGULAR, UM, OUR REGULAR RESIDENTS.

UM, YES.

UM, WHAT WE KNOW RIGHT NOW, IT'S PFIZER, MADONNA AND ASTRAZENECA ARE THE THREE VACCINES, UM, THAT ARE HER ARE MOVING

[00:55:01]

UM, THERE IS GOING TO BE A PUBLIC MEETING THAT WILL, UM, YOU KNOW, REVIEW THE PROCESS FOR THAT WITH THE FDA IS, UM, THE GOAL IS FOR THAT TO BE APPROVED.

UM, THE ONLY REASON BASED UPON INFORMATION WE RECEIVED FROM CDC THAT SAYS THAT, UM, A VACCINE MAY NOT BE APPROVED, THE RISKS OUTWEIGH THE BENEFITS, AND SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THAT INFORMATION.

UM, AND THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE LAST INFORMATION WE RECEIVED THAT IT'S SLATED AROUND SOMETIME LIKE DECEMBER 10TH IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN TOLD.

WELL, THAT MAY BE SUBJECT TO.

UM, AND SO WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE VACCINE, UM, UM, DISTRIBUTION, UM, COALITION TASK FORCE IS, IS THAT WE'VE SHARED WITH THEM ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE THUS FAR.

UM, THERE IS STILL SOME INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED.

UM, AND WE'RE OUR HOPE IS TO RECEIVE THAT, UM, AFTER THEY PASS THE FDA APPROVAL.

UM, ONE OF THE THINGS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR, OUR, OUR PLAN IS IS THAT, UM, PROVIDERS MUST ENROLL AT THE STATE LEVEL TO BE A PROVIDER.

AND SO, UM, THE CITY OF AUSTIN RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE, UM, OR EACH SITE, WE HAVE FOUR, UM, PROVIDERS KIND OF WITHIN OUR, YOU KNOW, CITY OF BOSTON, FOR EXAMPLE, UM, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REGISTER HER LOCATION.

SO WE HAVE, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, TWO SHOTS, WE'LL TAX CLINICS AND A MOBILE TEAM.

SO EACH OF THEM HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE BEYOND THAT, UM, OTHER PROVIDERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND ALSO, UM, REGISTERED TO PROVIDE THE VACCINES, UM, LATER ON NEXT YEAR, UM, THEY ARE GOING TO BE ALSO WORKING WITH PHARMACISTS.

UM, AND SO IT'S LIKE YOUR ATB IS WALGREENS, WALMART, ALBERTSONS, ET CETERA.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, THAT WIDELY AVAILABLE.

AND WHAT WE ARE CALLING IS CALLING PHASE TWO.

SO WHAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING THE FIRST PHASE OF IT, UM, WHICH WILL HAPPEN SOMETIME THIS MONTH, WE DON'T HAVE A DATE OR TIME, BUT THAT VACCINE WILL BE SHIPPED FROM PFIZER.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, WE'LL COME STRAIGHT TO THE PROVIDER.

UM, WE'RE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS FIRST RESPONDERS, UM, UM, HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD.

UM, BUT WE ALSO, UM, UMS, UM, IS, IS ON THAT LIST AS WELL.

AND SO, UM, OUR HOPE IS, IS THAT THERE MAY BE SOME WHO ARE IN LONG-TERM CARE AS WELL DURING THE STAGE ONE, AND THEN PHASE TWO OPENS UP A LITTLE BROADER.

UM, AND SO EVERY MONTH, OUR HOPE IS, IS THAT WE CAN OPEN UP AND THERE'LL BE MORE PROVIDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WERE, THAT CAN PROVIDE IT TO EVERYONE.

AND SO THAT PROVIDES KIND OF A SUMMARY TO YOU.

THAT'S GOT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANY LEAD TO THAT.

UH, THE ONLY THING I'LL SAY IS THAT THE STRATEGY IS REALLY FOCUSED ON, UH, TARGETING, YOU KNOW, SECURING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE LOTS OF REDUNDANCY.

AND AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR MONTHS NOW, WE DON'T HAVE REDUNDANT THINGS IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL AND FIRST RESPONDER PERSONNEL.

SO I THINK THE GOAL IS TO SHORE THAT UP AND THEN TO ALSO TARGET THOSE WHO ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK.

SO ARE INDIVIDUALS OVER THE AGE OF 65 AND THOSE WITH HIGH RISK CONDITIONS, UM, YOU KNOW, THE, BASICALLY THE YOUNGER IN THE HEALTH AREA THAT YOU ARE THE LONGER TIMELINE IS GOING TO BE FOR, FOR VACCINATION, UH, BEING OFFERED.

UH, AND THAT MAKES SENSE, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S THE REALITY OF, OF THE, OF THE SITUATION.

UH, AGAIN, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A GREAT FEAT TO, TO BE AT DECEMBER, UH, WITH THIS VIRUS IDENTIFIED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, AND TO BE EVEN TALKING ABOUT A DISTRIBUTION POINT FOR VACCINE.

UM, SO WE'VE GOT TO BE PATIENT IN TERMS OF THE ALLOCATION OF THOSE VACCINES ACROSS THIS COMMUNITY.

IT'S GONNA TAKE SIX OR NINE MONTHS, UH, FOR US TO HIT, YOU KNOW, HAVE BROAD PENETRATION OF A VACCINE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND TO THAT LAST POINT PAGE, I THINK THAT IN THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I'VE SEEN THESE FOLKS HAVING, UH, THE ESTIMATE FOR GETTING IT OUT TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WANT IT, UH, RANGES FROM GOING INTO THE SUMMER

[01:00:01]

TO THE FALL.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S REAL UNCERTAIN, CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT.

I KNOW WE'RE ALL HOPING TO GET SOMETHING APPROVED SOON SO THAT IT COULD ROLL OUT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS WELL AS POSSIBLE.

HEY, PEDRO QUESTIONS FOR LUCKY SOCKS GO.

I'M, I'LL LET YOU GO.

UH, DR.

HAYDEN DOCTOR HAS SCOTT.

UH, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MARY SPENCER, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS? NOPE.

I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK OF OUR ENTIRE STAFF, THE PARTNERS THAT WE COOPERATE AND COLLABORATE WITH, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, UH, THE SUPPORTS AND GUIDANCE FROM THIS COUNCIL.

UH, IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE AS WE CONTINUE TO BATTLE THIS PANDEMIC.

SO THANK YOU.

GREAT.

TO THE, UH, CHAPTER THREE 80, UM, UPDATE AND THE SAVES GUIDELINE.

UH, SPENCER, LET'S GO

[B3. Update regarding the revised Chapter 380 Guidelines and SAVES Guidelines. (Staff update related to agenda items).]

I THINK IT'S THE SAME GROUP OF PEOPLE.

YUP.

OKAY, GREAT.

I'LL JUST KICK THIS OFF.

UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AS YOU KNOW, SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, WE'VE REALLY FOCUSED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF RESOURCES AND STAFF TIME TOWARDS PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND CARING FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE VIRUS.

YOU KNOW, IN CONCERT, WE FOCUSED OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY, WHICH HAS ALSO AT TIMES ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO HAVE BEEN FINANCIALLY IMPACTED AS A RESULT OF THIS PANDEMIC EARLY ON, WE CREATED A CHIEF ECONOMIC RECOVERY OFFICER POSITION, WHICH IS LED BY OUR DIRECTOR, VERONICA , SHE'S WORKED CLOSELY NOT ONLY WITH OUR MANY CITY DEPARTMENTS, BUT ALSO RENOWNED ECONOMISTS OUR COMMUNITY EXISTENCE, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS, AND DIRECTLY WITH EACH OF YOU.

UH, WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'VE WORKED WITH COUNCIL TO IDENTIFY AN ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION THAT COULD BE TARGETED TOWARDS VITAL ECONOMIC SECTORS, WHICH INCLUDE LIVE MUSIC VENUES AND LEGACY BUSINESSES.

ON OCTOBER 15TH, THE COUNCIL ADOPTED AN INITIAL SET OF PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR THE SAVING US AND VITAL ECONOMIC SECTORS PROGRAM OR SAVES AS WE ALL CALL IT.

UH, THE DESIRE BY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 15TH WAS FOR STAFF TO RETURN WITH THE ENHANCED THAT SPEAK TO THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY BUSINESSES THAT ARE SEEKING ASSISTANCE TODAY.

UH, CHIEF ECONOMIC RECOVERY OFFICER DECENNIAL WILL REVIEW THE PROPOSED ENHANCED GUIDELINES TO BE CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 3RD, MS. WILL ALSO REVIEW PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CHAPTER THREE 80 PROGRAM, WHICH COULD FURTHER ASSIST BUSINESSES WHO ARE FINANCIALLY IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, MR. SAMUEL WILL BRIEFLY REVIEW THE CONCERTED, UH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY EFFORTS THAT HAD BEEN INITIATED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO DATE.

UH, SO WHAT THAT I'LL TURN IT OVER TO OUR CHIEF ECONOMIC RECOVERY OFFICER, UH, VERONICA PERCENT NOW, GOOD MORNING AND COUNCIL, I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY TO PRESENT TO YOU.

AS A SPENCER MENTIONED THE SAVES, UH, ENHANCED GUIDELINES, AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CHAPTER THREE 80 AGREEMENT.

AND IF I COULD ASK ABBY TO QUEUE UP OUR PRESENTATION, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

AND WHILE THEY ARE DOING THAT, I WOULD BE REMISSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE STAFF.

YOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY ON THIS PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE, UM, THAT WE PUT IN PLACE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

UM, WE'VE ALSO RELIED ON QUITE A BIT OF INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FROM THE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE.

SO A HUGE THANK YOU TO EDD STAFF AND CITY OF AUSTIN STAFF.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO TODAY WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH WHAT WE'VE ALREADY DONE IN TERMS OF COVID-19 SECOND COMIC RELIEF PROGRAMS, THE TIMELINE OF THE SAVES GUIDELINE DEVELOPMENT, THE CHILDCARE PROVIDER RELIEF GRANT UPDATE, WHICH IS A PART OF THE STATE'S PROGRAM.

AND THEN AN OVERVIEW OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ON DECEMBER 3RD, THIS INCLUDES THE CHAPTER THREE 80 PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS, THE ENHANCED GUIDELINES FOR THE AUSTIN LED MUSIC PRESERVATION FUND, AND THEY ENHANCED GUIDELINES FOR THE AUSTIN LEGACY BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO JUST AS A REVIEW, UM, AND WE JUST, JUST ACKNOWLEDGED IT IN THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN UNDERWAY IN A MERE MATTER OF MONTHS.

WE STARTED DOWN THIS PATH IN MARCH.

UM, AND SINCE THEN WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED NINE PROGRAMS IN NINE MONTHS.

UH, SINCE THAT INITIAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND MARCH OF 2020, WE INTEND TO LAUNCH THREE MORE PROGRAMS THIS MONTH.

AND JUST AS A POINT OF REFERENCE DURING THE NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, UH, WE USUALLY TAKE ABOUT SIX TO 12 MONTHS TO LAUNCH A NEW PROGRAM.

SO THIS IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT THE STAFF HAS DONE IN A RECORD

[01:05:01]

AMOUNT OF TIME.

THE IMPACT THAT WE'VE HAD, WE'VE HAD, UH, WE WERE AWARDED A TOTAL NUMBER OF FUNDS OVER AT ABOUT 20, JUST OVER $27 MILLION.

THIS MEANS, UH, ABOUT 20 TO $22.4 MILLION TO BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS, AND ABOUT $0.8 MILLION TO INDIVIDUALS, THE IMPACTS TO THE LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY, OR, UM, ARE IMPORTANT AS WELL.

THE NUMBER OF LIVE MUSIC VENUES THAT HAVE RELEASED HAVE RECEIVED COVID-19, UH, GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE 34, THIS, UH, RESULTS IN A TOTAL ABOUT $861,000.

AND THIS, THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE IN THESE PAST FEW MONTHS HAS SERVED AS A MODEL FOR OTHER CITIES.

WE HAVE BEEN ASKED BY OTHER CITIES, UH, PARTICULARLY ABOUT HOW WE'VE PROVIDED RELIEF TO OUR LIVE MUSIC COMMUNITY AND OUR ARTS IN GENERAL.

UH, YOU'VE SEEN THIS CHART BEFORE, BUT THIS SHOWS THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS STARTING IN APRIL WITH THE, UH, THE ECONOMIC INJURY BRIDGE LOAN PROGRAM, UH, CONTINUING ON IN JUNE WITH TWO PROGRAMS, ONE FOR CREATIVE SPACE AND ONE FOR MUSIC DISASTER RELIEF.

THEN IN JULY, WE LAUNCHED THREE PROGRAMS, THE SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM, THE NON-PROFIT RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM CHILDCARE PROVIDER RELIEF PROGRAM.

AND THEN IN AUGUST, WE HAD THE SECOND ROUND OF THE MUSIC DISASTER RELIEF FUND, THE CREATIVE WORKER RELIEF FUND.

AND IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAD THE RELAUNCH OF THE NON-PROFIT RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM.

NEXT SLIDE NOVEMBER.

UH, WE HAVE INITIATED THE WELLNESS SUPPORT LINE AND YOU WILL BE RECEIVING A MEMO SHORTLY.

UM, HOPEFULLY TODAY WITH MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.

AND ON DECEMBER, WE'RE PLANNING ON THE HEALTHCARE ACCESS PROGRAM FOR LOCAL MUSICIANS, THE SECOND ROUND OF THE CHILDCARE PROVIDER RELIEF PROGRAM, A LIVE MUSIC RELIEF GRANT AND THE LEGACY BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS, EXCELLENT, AND SPECIFIC TO SAVES.

THIS IS A RECAP OF THE TIMELINE OF WHERE, HOW WE GOT TO BE HERE TODAY.

UH, THE YELLOW MARKINGS ON THESE CALENDARS ARE THESE PAST TWO MONTHS ARE WHEN STAFF MADE PRESENTATIONS TO COUNCIL AND THE BLUE MARKINGS OR THE COUNCIL ACTION.

SO SPENCER MENTIONED ON OCTOBER 1ST, UH, COUNCIL ALLOCATED THE $15 MILLION FOR THE STATE'S PROGRAMS ON THE 15TH COUNCIL APPROVED THE INITIAL PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND DIRECTED STAFF TO DEVELOP ENHANCED GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RETURNED TO COUNCIL.

AND HERE WE ARE TODAY WITH THE ENHANCED GUIDELINES AND ON THE THIRD, YOU ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION ON THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.

COMPONENT OF IT, AND A DETERMINATION TO GET WORK DONE SOONER.

AND THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT TO THAT, UH, THAT TIMELINE, BUT WE CAN GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL THERE.

AND THEN THE FOLLOWING SLIDE AFTER THAT, I THINK YOU GO ONTO THE NEXT SLIDE AND GO THROUGH THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

SO, UH, OH, I'M SORRY.

WENT BACK.

AWESOME.

CHILDCARE.

THE PR THE SALES PROGRAM INCLUDED THREE BUCKETS OF MONEY.

THE ONE OF THE BUCKETS WAS FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

WE ARE THE PROCESS OF PUTTING FORWARD THAT PROGRAM.

UH, THE GUIDELINES FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE THE SAME AS THE CHILDCARE PROVIDER GRANT PROGRAM THAT WE ADMINISTER OVER THE SUMMER.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO ROLL THIS OUT, UM, RECUR, SO WE'VE EMPTIED OR THE POTENTIAL THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATORS, WE'VE SELECTED A UNITED WAY FOR GREATER AUSTIN AS OUR THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THIS PROGRAM.

AND THIS IS THE, UH, PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAD WITH THE FIRST ROUND OF THIS PROGRAM AS WELL.

WE ARE WORKING ON FINALIZING THE SCOPE OF WORK, A PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS THE APPLICATION SYSTEM AND THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN.

AND WE ANTICIPATE HAVING APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING WITHIN THE NEXT 14 TO 21 DAYS.

NEXT SLIDE, IN REGARDS TO THAT LIVE MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND AND THE LEGACY BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT.

SO THE INITIAL PROGRAM GUIDELINES WERE ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 1ST, ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO, UH, COUNCIL, UH, STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION OF, FOR THIS ONE OF A KIND PROGRAM BALANCES THE NEED FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE WITH COUNCIL'S DIRECTION TO ENSURE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF AUSTIN'S VITAL ECONOMIC SECTORS.

OUR GOAL IS TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE SHORT-TERM GRANTS.

THIS CALENDAR YEAR CONTINGENT UPON SELECTING A THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR IDENTIFYING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS IN DEVELOPING PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND I WILL SAY THAT WE ARE WORKING ON ALL OF THESE POINTS RIGHT NOW, AND HOPE TO MEET THIS DEADLINE OF HAVING THE PROCESS UNDERWAY BY THE END OF THE YEAR, IF COUNCIL ADOPTS THE PROPOSED ENHANCED GUIDELINES ON THE THIRD, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK, UH, WORK AND WITH A TARGET OF FULL LAUNCH OF ALL COMPONENTS BY FEBRUARY 21ST, THIS MEETING, THE ENHANCED

[01:10:01]

SO THE KEY PROGRAM COMPONENTS, WE'RE LOOKING AT IMMEDIATE AID, TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT, UH, THAT ARE QUALIFIED HAVE GRANTS UP TO $20,000.

AND THE, THE INCLUDED PARTS OF ASKING THESE INDIVIDUALS TO COMPLETE A LEGAL AND FINANCIAL EVALUATION, UM, AND ALSO TO ATTEST TO THE IMMEDIATE RISK OF CLOSURE.

SO WE'RE DEFINING THIS AS CLOSURE WITHIN THE NEXT 30 TO 60 DAYS.

THE INITIAL LEGAL AND FINANCIAL EVALUATION WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, TO LOOK AT, UM, KIND OF A TRIAGE APPROACH OF WHAT WILL BE NEEDED IN TERMS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, IF ANY IS NEEDED AFTER THAT POINT, THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMPONENT, UM, THIS CAN INCLUDE PROGRAM ORIENTATION.

IT CAN INCLUDE A COHORT STYLE OF COURSE, OR CAN INCLUDE ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

SO THIS AGAIN WILL BE PART OF THAT INITIAL EVALUATION OF WHAT THAT, THAT, UH, THAT PLAN FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORK LOOKS LIKE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION FOR THE LIVE MUSIC VENUE FUND.

THE APPLICANTS MUST ALSO COMPLETE AN EQUITY STRATEGY, STRATEGIC PLAN DURING THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PHASE.

AND WE ARE WORKING TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH HOW TO DEVELOP AN EQUITY STRATEGIC PLAN.

WE REALIZED THAT THIS MIGHT BE NEW, UH, FOR SOME, FOR SOME VALUE BENNY.

SO WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THE ASSISTANCE IN THAT REGARD AS WELL, WHERE THEY ENHANCED FUNDING.

THIS IS GRANTS OF UP TO $40,000 PER MONTH FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, NOT TO EXCEED $140,000.

UM, AND THESE APPLICANTS WILL COMPLETE THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

IF THEY ARE RECEIVING THE ENHANCED FUNDING, WE TRY TO MAKE THIS AS NIMBLE AS POSSIBLE, REALIZING THAT EACH, EACH VENUE AND EACH LEGACY BUSINESS IS IN A UNIQUE POSITION.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDING THAT WE'RE PROVIDING IS ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM AND MEET THEM WHERE THEY'RE AT IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

UH, APPLICANTS WILL BE EVALUATED USING A SCORING MATRIX FOR THIS IMPORTANT NEXT SLIDE.

SO SOME ADDITIONAL DETAILS, APPLICANTS WHO RECEIVED CARES ACT FUNDING ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THESE PROGRAMS, BUT APPLICANTS WHO RECEIVE OTHER SAVES FUNDING WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AUSTIN LEGACY BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT APPLICANTS.

AND I BELIEVE IT'S WITH MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE OPERATIONS MAY ONLY APPLY FOR THE AUSTIN LEGACY BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT ONCE THE APPLICANT'S MAXIMUM POSSIBLE ENHANCED PROGRAMS SUPPORT FOR GRANT AMOUNT IS BASED ON ELIGIBLE EXPENSES FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS OF 2019 AND 2020.

THIS CAN INCLUDE RENT AND MORTGAGE UTILITIES, PAYROLL TECHNOLOGY, SOFTWARE, SANITATION, CLEANING SERVICES, PPE BUSINESS, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, INSURANCE PERMITS, REGULATORY FEES, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, AND PROPERTY TAXES.

SO THIS IS DETAILING THE STEPS OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THESE PROGRAMS. UM, THE FIRST PART IS THE APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY AND SHORT-TERM GRANT AWARDS.

THE FIRST STEP WOULD, UH, ASK APPLICANTS TO COMPLETE APPLICATION FORMS AND HOW THE THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR TO REVIEW THE MATERIAL AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE APPLICANTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

THE SECOND STEP, ALL ELIGIBLE PROGRAM APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE $20,000.

IF THEY MEET PROGRAM CRITERIA, AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN A LEGAL AND FINANCIAL EVALUATION AND A TEST TO FINANCIAL NEED.

STEP THREE, ALL APPLICANTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN AN ORIENTATION OR A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EVALUATION.

THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL OCCUR VIRTUALLY IN A CORE COHORT STYLE FORMAT.

UH, BUT WE WILL ALSO HAVE ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE.

WE ARE ENSURING AS WE'RE DEVELOPING THIS PROGRAM THAT NO PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED WITH THE CITY, BECAUSE WE WANT TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT, UH, INDIVIDUALS, UH, OR BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENTS ARE NOT A PART OF THE CITY.

UH, CITY'S POSSESSION STEP FOR APPLICANTS WHO COMPLETE THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENT, UH, CAN GO ON TO APPLY FOR THE ENHANCED FUNDING.

WE, UH, ALSO HAVE A NOTE AGAIN ABOUT THE EQUITY STRATEGIC PLAN DURING THIS PROCESS.

AND WE WILL ASSIST WITH THAT, THAT PLAN IS I REALLY WAS SEIZED.

STEP SEVEN IS A THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL AWARD THE ENHANCED FUNDING BASED ON THE SCORING MATRIX, WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED BY EDD.

SO STEP FIVE, THIS IS PART TWO, AND THIS IS THE ENHANCED GUIDELINES PART OF IT.

AND STEP FIVE, THE APPLICANTS, UH, WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO APPLY FOR AN ENHANCED GRANT OF UP TO 40,000 PER MONTH FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, NOT TO EXCEED $140,000.

STEP SIX.

THE GRANT AWARDS ARE DETERMINED ON THE SCORING MATRIX, THAT ACCOUNTS FOR SPECIFIC FACTORS, SUCH AS YOURS IN BUSINESS TERMS OF THE LEASE AND SO FORTH.

[01:15:01]

THE THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR DISTRIBUTES THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO THE AWARDED APPLICANTS.

STEP EIGHT, THE CITY WILL OFFER ONGOING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PROGRAM APPLICANTS, NEXT SLIDE.

SO I'M GONNA SWITCH GEARS A BIT TO THE CHAPTER THREE 80 PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS AS ARE YOU ALSO HAVE ON YOUR AGENDA OR RESOLUTION THAT WOULD, UH, FIRST APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CHAPTER THREE 80 PROGRAM FOR TWO YEARS TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC RECOVERY ASSISTANCE FOR THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC AND SECOND EXEMPT THESE CHAPTER THREE 80 PROGRAMS FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESOLUTION, UM, NOTED HERE ON THIS SLIDE, THERE ARE SEVERAL KEY PROGRAMMATIC ELEMENTS IN THE CURRENT CHAPTER THREE POLICY THAT WOULD BE MODIFIED TO ALLOW FOR DEVELOPING, UH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROGRAMS. AND THESE INCLUDE THE SCHOOL IMPACT PROPERTY TAX APPEALS, LIVING WAGE, EMPLOYER BENEFITS, THE MBE WBE ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS AND PREVAILING WAGE.

SO TO GO INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL OF THAT, HERE ARE THE, WHAT IS LISTED IN YOUR EXISTING POLICY AND HOW WE WOULD RECOMMEND MOVING FORWARD.

THE FIRST ONE IS THE FISCAL IMPACT.

UM, THE EXISTING POLICY SAYS THE CITY MUST GET A BENEFIT THAT IS ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO WHAT IS SPENDING.

SO WE WANT TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBILITY HERE BECAUSE WE REALIZE THAT IN THIS TIME BUSINESSES ARE IMPACTED BY, UH COVID-19.

AND THAT IS THE DESIRE TO ADDRESS WITH THIS PROGRAMMATIC CHANGE.

THE NEXT ITEM IS THE PRO PROPERTY TAX APPEALS.

THE CURRENT POLICY STATES, IF THE BUSINESS SUCCESSFULLY PROTESTS AND LOUVERS IS PROPERTY TAX EVALUATION, THE REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE CITY MAY BE REDUCED PROPORTIONATELY.

WE REALIZED THAT AGAIN, THAT THIS IS IN THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC, THE WE'RE RECOMMENDING A DEVIATION FROM THIS POLICY BECAUSE SO MANY BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, WELL LIVING WAGE COMPONENT.

UM, AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE, THE, THE POLICY CURRENTLY INCLUDES THE, UH, THE, THE LIVING WAGE, UH, POLICY FOR, FOR THE BUSINESSES THAT RECEIVE FUNDS.

AND WE'RE ALSO RECOMMENDING SOME DEVIATION FROM THIS POINT AS WELL.

WE'RE DOING THIS AGAIN FOR THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE IMPACT OF COVID NEXT SLIDE, EMPLOYER BENEFITS.

SO THE POLICY ALSO INCLUDES THE REQUIREMENT OF, OF HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

UM, WE HERE ARE RECOMMENDING, AGAIN, THE DEVIATION FOR THE REASONS, UH, GIVEN ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE TO ALLOW FOR THE FLEXIBILITY, WITH THE IMPACT OF COVID SIMILARLY AT THE MBE WBE ORDINANCE, THE CURRENT POLICY, UM, INCLUDES THAT THE INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS WILL ADHERE TO THE MBE WBE ORDINANCE, UH, TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE.

AND WE ARE ASKING FOR DEVIATION HERE AS WELL FOR THAT FLEXIBILITY.

WE ALSO, UH, HAVE AN EXISTING APOLOGY, UH, POLICY, UH, THE INCLUSION OF PREVAILING WAGE.

AND LIKEWISE, WE'RE ASKING FOR DEVIATION ON THIS PART AS WELL.

SO THAT CONCLUDES THE SPECIFIC AREAS WHERE WE'RE AT, WE'RE WHERE THE PROPOSED POLICY WOULD HAVE DEVIATION FOR THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE APPLYING TO THE CHAPTER THREE 80, UM, BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF COVID, UH, WHILE THESE, ALL OF THESE AREAS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CITY AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE CITY AND FOR US AT EDD, UH, WE REALIZE THAT WE ARE IN UNUSUAL TIMES AND WANT TO PROVIDE, UH, PROVIDE THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE RELIEF AS EASILY AS POSSIBLE.

SO WE'VE, UH, PREPARED GUIDELINES FOR TWO CHAPTER THREE 80 RECOVERY PROGRAMS OR RECOVERY LEASE INCENTIVE PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAX REIMBURSEMENTS TO PROPERTY OWNERS IN EXCHANGE FOR RENEGOTIATING LEASES, WITH SMALL BUSINESSES AND TARGETED ECONOMIC SECTORS TO ADDRESS AREAS AND LONG-TERM AFFORDABILITY IN ORDER TO RECOVER FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC.

AND THEN OUR RESTAURANT RELIEF PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS FOR DIVABLE LOANS TO AUSTIN-BASED RESTAURANTS, EXCLUDING FRANCHISES.

THIS PROGRAM WOULD OFFER LOANS WITH DEFERRED REPAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES AND ONE FORGIVENESS FOR COMPANIES MEETING HIGHER STANDARDS OF EMPLOYEE COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

I WOULD NOTE THAT THERE'S CURRENTLY, UM, IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET, THERE IS NOT AN ALLOCATION FOR THIS PROGRAM.

SO WE WOULD BE LOOKING TO IDENTIFY FUNDING.

UM, IF COUNCIL, UH, WOULD LIKE TO, TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM, HOWEVER, WE DO RECOMMEND THAT THE CHANGES TO THE POLICY ARE MADE TO ALLOW US THAT FLEXIBILITY TO, UH, ADHERE THIS BIRD, IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM, IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED OR ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS MOVING FORWARD.

SO IN CONCLUSION, UH, SINCE COUNCIL DIRECTION ON OCTOBER 15TH, STAFF HAS WORKED QUICKLY, CAREFULLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY TO PREPARE PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION.

[01:20:01]

UH, OUR RECOMMENDATIONS BALANCE STAKEHOLDER NEEDS STAKEHOLDERS NEED FOR IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL AID WITH COUNCIL'S DIRECTION TO ENSURE A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.

AND I WILL POINT OUT ON THIS.

UM, WE HAVE RECEIVED STAKEHOLDER INPUT THROUGHOUT.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING MEETING REGULARLY WITH, UH, WITH STAKEHOLDER ENTITIES IN THE LIVE MUSIC COMMUNITY AND IN OUR LEGACY BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

UH, AND THAT PREDATES COVID.

WE HAVE A MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT DIVISION THAT IS VERY ENGAGED IN OUR, IN OUR LIVE MUSIC COMMUNITY.

UH, AND WE HAVE CERTAINLY YOUR BED UP IN COVID TIMES BY HAVING FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS, ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS AND, UM, AND GROUP MEETINGS, AND JUST REALLY HEARING THE FEEDBACK FROM OUR STAKEHOLDERS, TRYING TO ADHERE TO THAT AND BUILD THAT INTO THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE HERE BEFORE YOU STUFF HAS CURRENTLY, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO OFFER SERVICES.

WE EASILY PIVOTED INTO A PANDEMIC TYPE OF ASSISTANCE OF PROVIDING WEBINARS TRAINING AND ONE-ON-ONE COACHING TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND OUR LIVE MUSIC VENUES AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT GRANTS, LEGAL AID, FINANCIAL COACHING, AND MORE THROUGH OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY WEBPAGE, WHICH IS, UH, ATX RECOVERS.COM STAKEHOLDERS THAT HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROGRAMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO EMAIL ATX RECOVERS AT AUSTIN, TEXAS.GOV.

WE ARE CHECKING THAT EMAIL DAILY AND WE ARE RESPONDING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE REALIZED THAT THE NEED IS GREAT IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE WANT TO BE A RESOURCE FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN OUR LIVE MUSIC COMMUNITY.

UH, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT HEARING THAT AS THE COMMUNITY WAS THINKING THAT THERE WAS NO CHANCE OF THAT BEFORE FEBRUARY, AND THAT WAS SCARY PEOPLE.

OKAY, WELL THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, RIGHT? I HAVE A CUP PAUL, I'M SORRY.

MEASURE, UM, WITH RESPECT TO THE MORON, UH, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE STAFFER FOR CREATING A PROGRAM OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH IN AN INCREDIBLY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

UH, AND THIS SAVES PROGRAM IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE HAVE IMPLEMENTED THAT ARE JUST PURE GRANT PROGRAMS, WHERE A POOL OF MONEY IS DIVIDED AND YOU CUT IT UP INTO UNFORTUNATELY, TWO SMALL PIECES.

UH, AND SOMETIMES IT'S, UH, JUST A LOTTERY, UH, TO SEE WHO GETS FUNDING.

UH, THIS PROGRAM HAS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL WAS DIFFERENT THAN THAT, THAT IT WAS INTENDED TO PROVIDE MORE, TO TAKE LIMITED RESOURCES.

AND INSTEAD OF GIVING IT JUST BY GRANT POTTERY, AS BROADLY AS POSSIBLE, IT WAS TO ACTUALLY TRY TO CREATE OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH PROCESS TO REALLY MAXIMIZE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOLLARS THAT ARE GIVEN, RECOGNIZING THAT THAT'S GOING TO LEAD.

ULTIMATELY, DO THEY DO SOME HORRIBLY DIFFICULT CHOICES ON WHO GETS FUNDING? UM, UH, BUT, BUT, BUT TRYING TO USE THIS AS AN EXERCISE TO ALSO MAKE AVAILABLE TO, UH, SOME OF OUR LEGACY, UH, BUSINESSES, UH, EXPERTISE WITH RESPECT TO LAW AND ACCOUNTING, THAT THEY MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A MORE EQUAL FOOTING AS THEY'RE NEGOTIATING WITH, UH, PERHAPS LANDLORDS, UH, THAT, UH, UH, UH, MAY HAVE, YOU KNOW, GREATER EXPERIENCE AND RESOURCES TO SPEND BEFORE THAT KIND OF COMPETENCY, THAT KIND OF PROGRAM AND MAKE THAT KIND OF PROGRAM WORK.

UH, THAT'S BEEN, UH, SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE CREATING NEW TAKES TIME TO, TO DO TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

AND IT'S MOVING REALLY QUICKLY.

AND I, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

UM, UM, I, I HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY, SOME PEOPLE SAYING, HEY, WE RECOGNIZE THAT, LIKE, THAT PROCESS WANT TO ACTUALLY GET THIS SUBSTANTIVE HELP THAT WILL ENABLE US NOT ONLY TO DEAL WITH COVID, BUT IN A WAY THAT, THAT ALSO ADDRESSES THE CHALLENGES WE HAD GOING INTO COVID SO THAT WE COULD USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST SUSTAIN THE INDUSTRIES.

UM, BUT I HAVE A MORE IMMEDIATE ISSUE.

I NEED TO SURVIVE LONG ENOUGH IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE OUT OF THE EMERGENCY, UH, DOLLARS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE, UH, YOUR HOPE, UH, THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO WORK IT OUT OKAY.

WITH, UH, UH, UH, ENTITY TO, TO GET THAT MONEY OUT TO PEOPLE THAT NEEDED, UH, BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

UH, THAT WOULD BE A GREAT, UH, UH, HOLIDAY THING TO HAVE HAPPENED, UH, AS STAFF IS ALSO TRYING TO WORK ON THIS AS THEY MOVE INTO HOLIDAYS.

[01:25:01]

I ALSO THINK THAT IN TALKING TO SOME OF THOSE FOLKS THAT WHILE THEY THINK THAT THEY'RE FACING A CLIFF AND IN A MATTER OF OF WEEKS, UH, AND SOME OF THEM ARE NOT NOW BECAUSE THERE ARE IN FACT WITH THE LITTLE THINGS THAT THEY CAN BE DOING, UH, TO, TO GIVE THEM GREATER TIME TO PUT TOGETHER A MORE EXTENSIVE PACKAGE.

UH, AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT THIS PROGRAM OFFERS IS THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO ASSESS THOSE NEEDS AND TO SEE IF THERE ARE TOOLS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

SO I APPRECIATE YOU GETTING THAT AS PART OF THE INITIAL DOLLARS THAT ARE, THAT ARE GOING OUT.

SO AGAIN, GENERALLY THINK HE, TO, TO, TO STAFF, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO ON THE CHAPTER THREE 80 PROGRAM OR ASSOCIATED WITH SAVES, UM, UH, THERE'S THE CHAPTER THREE 80 CHANGES THAT ARE BEING MADE THAT NEED TO BE MADE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS LIKE THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE MAKING THAT AVAILABLE GENERALLY TO RESTAURANTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE.

THERE'S NO FUNDING FOR THAT AT THIS POINT.

UH, SO WE WOULD BE, UH, TO, TO SEE IF HOPEFULLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMES IN, WHICH WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLE USE FOR THE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

AND THEY KEEP PROMISING US THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE RELIEF FOR RESTAURANTS.

AND, UM, AND I I'M SHARING THE FRUSTRATION THAT SO MANY HAVE, CAUSE IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN.

HOW IN TALKING TO THE FOLKS IN THE PRESIDENT OF LIKE TRANSITION STAFF, UH, THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT THAT'S A REALLY HIGH PRIORITY OF THEIRS AND ARE GONNA TRY TO PUT PRESSURE ON THAT EVEN BEFORE THEY COME INTO THE OFFICE THAT SAID, I'M HAPPY YOU'RE DOING THE THREE 80 AGREEMENT NOW WITH THE AMENDMENTS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE IS FUNDING TO DO THE CHAPTER THREE OF THE AGREEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE LEGACY ESTABLISHMENTS AND THERE'S $10 MILLION THERE.

SO ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT IS PRESENTLY, WHAT, AS SOON AS YOU MAKE THIS CHANGE, ONE OF THE TOOLS YOU CAN OFFER TO THE APPLICANTS THAT, UH, UH, ARE ELIGIBLE IS THE USE OF THAT THREE 80 TOOLS.

AND THE FUNDING FOR THAT, UH, UH, IS ALREADY PROVIDED IN THE SAVES DOLLARS.

UH, I MEAN, IS THAT ISN'T THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN CONSIDER AS A TOOL TO BE USED IN THAT CONTEXT? SO THE SAVES FUNDING CERTAINLY COULD BE APPLIED TO THIS CORRIDOR.

THAT IS, UH, THE ABILITY OF COURSE, THAT WOULD JUST REDUCE THE REMAINING FUNDING, BUT THAT IS CERTAINLY AN OPTION, RIGHT? AND IT'S NOT NECESSARILY JUST A REDUCTION.

IT MAY BE THAT THE LEGACY GROUP THAT COMES IN, THAT'S THE RELIEF THAT THEY NEED.

ONCE THEY TALK TO THE LAWYERS AND ACCOUNTANTS, MAYBE THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED.

YOU HAVE THE TOOL, IT JUST BECOMES ONE OF THE DOZENS OF DIFFERENT TOOLS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN SAVES TO BE FUNDED BY THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE.

AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WEREN'T OVERLOOKING THE USE OF THAT TOOL IN THAT CONTEXT, BECAUSE THAT FUNDING IS ALREADY ALREADY PROVIDED.

UM, WITH RESPECT TO THE GUIDELINES, I SAW THAT THE, UH, UH, THE DOLLARS SAY THAT IT'S, UH, UP TO $40,000 A MONTH, UH, FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, UH, TOTALING 140.

UM, I ALSO SEE THAT IN THE GUIDELINES THAT YOU PROVIDED TO US, THAT THERE'S AN ALLOWANCE FOR THAT NUMBER TO GO UP BEYOND THAT, UH, IF, AS A RESULT OF THE, UH, EVALUATION, THEN THE COUNSELING OR THE, THE AVAILABILITY OF, OF COUNSELORS, UH, LEGAL COUNSEL AND FINANCIAL COUNSEL AT THAT LEVEL, UH, FOR PEOPLE APPLICANTS, TO BE ABLE TO SAY TO THE, TO THE CITY OR TO THE, TO THE, TO THE AGENT, UH, THIS IS WHAT WOULD REALLY GIVE US SUSTAINABILITY FOR FIVE, 10, 15 YEARS.

IT'S MORE THAN THAT ABOUT, BUT WE THINK THIS WILL BE A CREDIBLE RETURN FOR THE DOLLARS, THE GUIDELINES THAT YOU'RE PRESENTING ALSO ALLOW FOR US, FOR SOMEONE TO EXCEED THAT IF THEY CAN GET, MAKE THE CASE FOR THAT, THAT CORRECT.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

MARY.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE THIS WITH AS MUCH FLEXIBILITY AS POSSIBLE, KNOWING THAT WHEN YOU START, UH, WHEN WE HAVE THAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMPONENT AND THEY'RE WORKING ONE-ON-ONE WITH THEIR, WITH OUR LEGACY BUSINESSES AND THEIR LIVE MUSIC VENUES, AND THEN REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT THE NEEDS ARE OF THAT INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS, WE PROPOSE THAT WITH THE INTENTION OF FLEXIBILITY.

THE ENTERTAINING THAT WE ALL DO, THE FLEXIBILITY WILL BE IN PLACE TO REALLY HELP THAT BUSINESS.

AND THEN THE, UH, UH, UH, THE, THE FUNDING THAT PEOPLE HAVE, IF SOMEONE COULD STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THIS, IF THEY MAY HAVE RECEIVED A SMALL AMOUNT FROM OTHER CARES FUNDING, BUT YOU CAN ONLY PARTICIPATE IN THE SAFES PROGRAM ONCE.

IS THAT THE 10, THAT RULE, FRANKLY, THAT IS CORRECT WITH

[01:30:01]

UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M, THAT I'M INTERESTED IN, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT IT NOW, OR TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT IT LATER, CAUSE IT RELATES TO, TO ITEM 23, UM, UH, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE, THE STEPS OF THE ENHANCED GUIDELINES OF PROGRAM FUNDING, MY HOPE IS, IS THAT THE EDC GETS BROUGHT INTO THIS POTENTIALLY AS WELL, THAT ONE OF THE TOOLS, UH, THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE USED, UH, IN ADDITION TO THE THREE 80 USE IS A TOOL TO USE THE $10 MILLION FOR THESE TWO PROGRAMS IS THE EDC THAT, UH, IN THAT CONCEPT OF STANDING IT UP IN AN INTERIM WAY BEFORE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THE BOARD OF, OF 20 OR 25, UM, STANDING UP THE EVC MORE QUICKLY, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT WITH, UH, INTERIM STAFF OR INTERIM LEADERSHIP, UH, SO THAT IT COULD MOVE MORE QUICKLY AND I'M ON A HOLD.

THE QUESTION IS ABOUT, UH, HOW WE'RE DOING IN STANDING UP THE EDC HERE, AS FAST AS WE'RE STANDING UP THESE OTHER PROGRAMS UNTIL WE GET THE POLL ITEM TO THE, FOR, FOR, FOR 20, UH, FOR, FOR 23.

UM, AND THOSE WERE ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE.

I THINK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS IN FRONT OF COUNCIL.

NOW THREE TIMES AS WE'VE TAKEN ACTION, UH, ACTUALLY TAKING ACTION.

YOU'VE ALSO GIVEN REPORTS TO THE COUNCIL, BOTH WRITTEN AND OTHERWISE, AT LEAST A HALF DOZEN TIMES ALSO, UH, OVER THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF.

UH, BUT YET I READ IN THE NEWSPAPER OR SOME OF THE MEDIA, UH, SOME OF THE VENUES THAT STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A QUICK GRANT PROGRAM, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S ACTUALLY INTENDED TO PROVIDE A REAL MATERIAL, SIGNIFICANT RELIEF, UH, ALSO PART OF WHAT WAS THE ISSUES GOING INTO IT.

AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT OTHER THAN TO MAKE THE SUGGESTION THAT MAYBE THERE'S LIKE A TOWN HALL MEETING THAT YOU DO WHERE YOU JUST SCHEDULE IT A DAY.

AND THAT WAY, THAT ALL THE BIG GUY WITH BIG ZOOM CALL THAT LET ALL THE VENUES KIND OF COME IN.

CAUSE I THINK SOME OF THEM JUST NEED TO HEAR THE QUESTIONS THAT OTHERS ASK.

AND I KNOW YOU REACHED OUT A LOT, BUT THE MEMOS TO US ARE NOT BEING HEARD BY THE COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK THAT, UH, INTO THAT VACUUM PEOPLE ARE, ARE SUPPOSING THE WORST.

UH, BUT YET IN THIS YOU'RE GETTING THE MONEY OUT QUICKLY.

UH, THERE ARE NO HURDLES FOR PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH THAT ARE POINTLESS HURDLES FOR PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH.

UH, BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING HERE REAL AND SUBSTANTIAL TO REALLY PRESERVE THE, THESE LEGACY BUSINESSES THAT LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN OUR CITY FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.

AND THAT WOULD BE A HUGE WAY, UH, TO, TO, TO WEATHER AND TO COME OUT OF THIS BED.

AND SO I THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'RE DOING ON THIS PROGRAM AND MERIT.

I THINK THAT I AGREE WITH YOU ON THE COMMUNICATIONS.

AND WHEN WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN REALLY HAVE A DEEPER REACH, UM, WE HAVE STARTED BY MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE EVERY LIVE MUSIC VENUE IN OUR DATABASE, UH, SO THAT WE'RE COMMUNICATING DIRECTLY WITH THEM AS A DEPARTMENT AND WE'RE OPEN TO, UH, ADDITIONAL IDEAS ON HOW THOSE COMMUNICATIONS HAPPEN.

UH, BUT WE DO REALLY WANT TO HAVE THAT DEEP REACH AND THAT DOOR IS OPEN TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

RIGHT.

UM, AND, AND THEN GREG, UM, THANK YOU.

UM, I HAVE QUESTIONS ALSO, WHICH I'LL HOLD ON.

UM, MAYOR, I THINK THE EDC RELATED ONE IS ITEM NUMBER 10, BUT WHEN WE GET TO THAT AND I THINK IT'S BEEN PULLED WHEN WE GET TO THAT, I'LL HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THERE, BUT, UM, LET ME START WITH THE THREE 80 AGREEMENT AND JUST MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING.

SO, UH, THE THINKING THERE IS THAT THERE ARE TWO NEW PROGRAMS, THESE ARE NEW PROGRAMS, RIGHT? NOT INSTEAD OF THE EXISTING PROGRAM, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, IS THAT RIGHT? VERONICA? THAT IS CORRECT.

AND SO THE NEW PROGRAMS, ONE OF THEM IS A LOAN FORGIVENESS.

UM, UH, I DON'T KNOW IF I GOT THE NAME RIGHT, BUT THE IDEA THERE IS, IS, IS LOANS, UM, RIGHT.

OR GRANTS.

UM, AND THEN THE SECOND ONE IS RECOVERY LEASE AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH, UM, THE PROPERTY TAX.

DID I CHARACTERIZE THOSE TWO? RIGHT.

I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU DID AND THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF WOULD BE WHAT THE, THE, UM, HAVING THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PROPERTY OWNER AND LIEUTENANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TENANT.

APOLOGIES, I'M FLIPPING BACK AND FORTH.

AND SO THE, THE ONE AND THE ONE THAT THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT DOLLARS FOUR IS THE LOAN FORGIVENESS.

ONE, NOT THE RECOVERY LEASE ONE,

[01:35:01]

SO THE ACTUALLY WITH, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PROPERTY TAX, UM, EARLY IMPROVEMENTS, WE DO ALSO, WE HAVE A BUDGET FOR THAT AS WELL.

SO WE'RE LOOKING TO, WE'D WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT IN OUR BUDGET AS WELL.

SO RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT SPECIFIC FUNDING OTHER THAN ANY INTERACTION THEY MAY HAVE WITH THE SAVES FUND, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, THERE'S NO SPECIFIC FUNDING FOR THESE, FOR THESE TWO NEW PROGRAMS, IS THAT CORRECT? AND ARE THESE REIMBURSEMENT PR ARE THEY BOTH REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS WHERE PEOPLE ARE REIMBURSED LATER? THAT'S HOW WE'VE TRADITIONALLY DONE THREE EIGHTIES.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PLAN.

YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

IT WOULD BE, UH, THE PLAN WOULD BE REIMBURSEMENT EXCEPT HOW WOULD THE ONE WORK IS THAT ONE DESIGNED TO GIVE SOMEONE ALONE? THAT IS FORGIVEN.

THAT WAS THE IDEA.

AND I'M NOT, I'VE GOT 80 CREW ON THE CALL.

AND SO I'M GOING TO ASK US NOVIA AND DAVID GRAY TO CORRECT THAT MISTAKEN ON THAT.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THAT ONE WOULD BE MORE OF AN UPFRONT ONE AND THEN THE OTHER ONE WOULD BE MORE REIMBURSEMENT.

THAT'S WHAT I'M JUST, I'M TRYING TO GET.

I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE TIMING FOR WHEN THE ENTITY SEE THE FINANCIAL BENEFIT UNDER THOSE TWO.

WELL, THE MORNING COUNCIL MEMBER, DAVID GREY WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

SO UNDER THE RESTAURANT RELIEF PROGRAM, WHICH IS A LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY FOR RESTAURANTS, UH, THAT ONE WOULD BE EDD OR THE CITY OF AUSTIN OFFERING LOANS.

IT WOULD BE AN UPFRONT LOAN.

AND THEN THERE WOULD BE TERMS TIED TO THE LOAN THAT WOULD MAKE THEM IRRITABLE OVER TIME.

THAT MAKES SENSE.

AND THEN THE OTHER ONE, THE OTHER ONE WOULD BE REIMBURSEMENT AFTER THE FACT, IS THAT RIGHT? CORRECT.

THE OTHER ONE FOLLOWS OUR MORE TRADITIONAL CHAPNICK RATING MODEL.

SO THE BUSINESS WOULD PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES AND THEN AFTER THEY DEMONSTRATED, UH, ACHIEVING CERTAIN PERFORMANCE METRICS THAT WOULD THEN QUALIFY FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT.

SO THAT ONE WOULD BE MORE OF A REIMBURSEMENT.

AN ADDITIONAL TOOL THAT COULD BE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IF THEY NEEDED IT.

UM, I I'LL TRY TO LIMIT MY QUESTIONS CAUSE I KNOW OTHERS HAVE QUESTIONS TOO.

SO, UH, SO MAYOR, I CAN SEE SOME INTERACTION PERHAPS BETWEEN THE SAVES POT OF MONEY AND THE LOAN FORGIVENESS, SEE THAT INTERACTION WITH, UH, YOU KNOW, WITH THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

ALTHOUGH I'M HAPPY TO GIVE THE STAFF FLEXIBILITY, WHICH I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

UH, THEY SHOULD USE WHATEVER FLEXIBILITY THEY HAVE, BUT I DO, I DON'T WANT TO OVER PROMISE TO THE COMMUNITY, CAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $5 MILLION THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED.

WELL, 10, I'M SORRY.

THERE'S TWO PUFFS, TWO BUCKETS THAT THERE THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SO FAR.

SO I REALLY DON'T SEE THESE.

I, I APPRECIATE THE, UM, I APPRECIATE THE FLEXIBILITY.

THAT'S THE, UH, SAVES, UH, GUIDELINES TO ALLOW FOR LARGER GRANT AWARDS, BUT ANY, UH, BUT WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT ANY LARGER GRANT OR WORDS OR LONGER TERM SUSTAINABILITY WOULD TAKE DOLLARS AWAY FROM THE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER BUSINESSES.

UM, AND SO I DON'T WANT TO OVER PROMISE PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS A, I DON'T THINK THIS IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR OUR CONTINUED WORK ON LOOKING AT LONGER TERM, UH, SUSTAINABILITY FOR OUR ICONIC BUSINESSES.

SO I JUST, JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

I THINK IT'S HELPFUL TO HAVE A FLEXIBILITY, BUT, BUT I, I SEE THESE PRIMARILY AS, AS USEFUL TO HELP PEOPLE GET OVER THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE HAVING WITH SAVES RIGHT NOW.

SO I DON'T SEE THEM AS, AS BEING A SOLUTION FOR WHAT SOME OF OUR, A FEW OF OUR OLDER ICONIC BUSINESSES HAVE DEALT WITH IN TERMS OF RISING PROPERTY TAXES AND THE ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR, UH, KEEP THEIR LAND AND KEEP THEIR PLACES.

I DON'T, I DO NOT SEE THIS AS ADDRESSING THAT.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

UM, THE OTHER THING, THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE THEN IS A, UM, IT GOES BACK TO, AND THEN I'LL, UH, SEED TO SOMEONE ELSE.

I, I DO HAVE CONCERNS I'LL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IN TERMS OF THESE THREE 80 AGREEMENTS WAIVING THE, UM, LIVING WAGE REQUIREMENTS, THE HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS AND THE PREVAILING WAGE REQUIREMENTS.

I HAVE, I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT MORE, UM, PARTICULARLY FOR THE RE THE, UM, THE PROPERTY TAX RELEASE.

UH, BUT LET ME, JUST MY QUESTION, I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO IS THE SAVES.

SO IF IN FUNDRAISING THOSE CORRECTLY, UH, AN ENTITY HAS TO PARTICIPATE IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BEFORE THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF OR THE, OR BEFORE THEY CAN APPLY FOR THE LONG TERM RELIEF.

I'LL HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I HAD BEEN SEEING THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AS, UM,

[01:40:01]

I'M NOT SURE THAT ALL THESE BUSINESSES WILL NEED IT.

UM, THE CRITERIA REQUIRES THAT ONLY THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN, UM, FOR SAVES ANYWAY, THE ONLY THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 20 PLUS YEARS ARE ELIGIBLE.

AND SO THESE ARE BUSINESSES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING COVID RIGHT NOW.

IT'S, IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE, UH, THEY MAY HAVE WE'VE, WE'VE GOT BUSINESSES THAT HAVE SURVIVED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

AND MY GUESS IS THAT A GOOD NUMBER OF THEM ARE, ARE TECHNICALLY ASTUTE, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF THEIR, THEIR BUSINESS.

SO I LIKE THE IDEA, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MAKING IT SOMETHING THAT A THRESHOLD THAT THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE BEFORE THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR DOLLARS.

AND THE REASON I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT IS BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE WHILE TO GET PUT IN PLACE.

IT MIGHT BE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE'RE NOT TALKING UNTIL ABOUT, UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY.

SO I WOULD SAY I'M GOING TO THINK ABOUT THIS MORE, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THINKING ABOUT A WAY TO MAKE THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE, BUT NOT A THRESHOLD IN ALL INSTANCES.

SO COUNSEL, WE, UM, THE CUSTOMER, THE ENHANCED GUIDELINES, UH, THE COUNCIL APPROVED, UH, ADDED THAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PART OF IT.

WE, UM, WANT TO HAVE THAT AS NIMBLE AS POSSIBLE.

AND HOPEFULLY WHEN YOU READ THE LANGUAGE, WE CRAFTED IT IN A WAY THAT GIVES THAT FLEXIBILITY.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT NOT EVERY BUSINESS WILL NEED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EACH BUSINESS, IF A BUSINESS DOES NEED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, IT WILL BE A VERY, UM, OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IF YOU WILL.

SO THAT IS WHY WE BUILT IN THERE THAT INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EVALUATION.

UM, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THE IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY, UH, COMPONENT OF IT.

THE EMERGENCY COMPONENT IS AN AGREEMENT THAT THEY WILL AGREE TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE THAT EVALUATION.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE ON FOR THE ENHANCED COMPONENT AT THAT EVALUATION, WE'RE REALLY LOOKING TO THAT THIRD PARTY TO GIVE GUIDANCE AS TO IF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED.

AND IF SO, TO WHAT EXTENT AND HOW MUCH.

SO WE WANT THAT TO BE AS FLEXIBLE.

SO LET ME UNDERSTAND THAT.

SO I READ THAT MAYBE I, AND I GUESS I READ IT WRONG THAT THE EMERGENCY SUPPORT GRANTS, THEY HAD TO AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AFTER THEY RECEIVED THE ASSISTANCE, IS THAT RIGHT? CORRECT.

AND THEN THE MANDATORY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SAYS THAT THEY HAVE TO PARTICIPATE BEFORE THEY CAN APPLY FOR THE ENHANCED SUPPORT GRANTS TO GO THROUGH THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

BUT YOU'RE W WHAT YOU MEAN BY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS JUST A CONSULTATION.

IS THAT RIGHT AND EVALUATION? SO WE'RE CALLING IT AN EVALUATION OR AGREEING TO SIT DOWN FOR THAT INITIAL EVALUATION, UM, CAUSE WE NEEDED, UH, UH, UH, OF WAY TO, UH, ENSURE THAT WE'RE APPLYING THAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IF NEEDED, BUT WE DO GET THE, NOT EVERY BUSINESS WILL NEED THAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

DAVID, IF YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING TO THAT HISTORIC DIRECTOR SO PART OF THE CONVERSATION FROM THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING WAS COUNCIL FELT LIKE NOT ALL BUSINESSES WILL NEED THE ENHANCED FUNDING.

THAT HELPS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

UM, IT STILL CAUSES ME A LITTLE PAUSE.

THAT'LL HAVE THINK ABOUT, I THOUGHT THAT MY THOUGHT ON WHAT WE VOTED ON PREVIOUSLY IN OCTOBER WAS, WAS A IMPORTANT TOOL TO INCLUDE IN A VERY HELPFUL TOOL IN TERMS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

BUT I DIDN'T SEE THAT AS A REQUIREMENT.

SO, UM, SO I WOULD JUST, I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A CONSULTATION, YOU KNOW, AN EVALUATION OR CONSULTATION THAT'S AN HOUR OR TWO OF SITTING DOWN WITH ONE-ON-ONE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MIGHT BE USEFUL.

I CAN CERTAINLY SEE THAT AS A THRESHOLD, IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN EVALUATION PROCESS THAT IS MORE IN DEPTH, THAT TAKES WEEKS, UM, THEN THAT I THINK IS, UH, I WOULD SEE THAT AS PROBLEMATIC, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF, UH, OF REQUIRED A THRESHOLD.

SO THAT, THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I'M TRYING TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN.

SO, WHICH ARE, WHICH WAY ARE, Y'ALL SEEING THIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE, UH, FOR THE ENHANCED SUPPORT GRANT, I THINK, AND I, IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO JUMP IN FROM THE EDD SIDE, I APPRECIATE IT.

I THINK IT'S HARD TO SAY WITHOUT KNOWING, WITHOUT REALLY SITTING DOWN.

SO THIS, THIS REALLY IS A UNIQUE PROGRAM ON THE MIRROR, SPOKE TO IT WELL, ON THE FRONT END, UM, WE LOOKED ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THIS AND WE DID NOT, I COULDN'T FIND ONE.

SO WE'RE REALLY CONSTRUCTING SOMETHING THAT IS VERY, I APPRECIATE THAT.

SO WITHOUT HAVING THAT PAST EXPERIENCE, I THINK WE WILL KNOW BETTER WHEN THAT PROCESS KICKS IN WHEN THE EVALUATION HAPPENS, UM, AS TO WHAT THAT, WHAT THAT, UH, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ENTAILS AND HOW LONG IT WOULD IT WOULD TAKE.

I, MY INSTINCT IS IT WILL VARY, UM, UH, BUSINESS BY BUSINESS BASIS AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THOSE STEPS.

AND I SEE DAVID AND

[01:45:01]

UH, COUNSEL'S COMMENTS WERE THAT CERTAIN BUSINESSES MIGHT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND THROUGH THE TA, THEY COULD HAVE THEIR ISSUES RESOLVED, WHETHER THAT'S ASSISTANCE RESTRUCTURING, THAT OR NEGOTIATING A MORE FAVORABLE LEASE OR SOME OTHER OUTCOME DOES NOT REQUIRE A LONGER TERM, UH, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

SO THE WAY THAT WE'VE CONSTRUCTED THE PROGRAM IS IF YOU APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM AND YOU MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND YOU PARTICIPANT WHO AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TA EVALUATION, THEN YOU RECEIVE $20,000 IMMEDIATELY AND THAT'S YOUR MONEY OR WHATEVER YOUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS ARE.

AND THEN WHEN YOU DO YOUR EVALUATION, YOUR EVALUATOR MIGHT SAY, WE CAN RESOLVE ALL YOUR BIGGER ISSUES THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ALONE.

NOW IT'D BE GREAT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, UH, BUT THERE WILL BE A SUBSET OF BUSINESSES AND VENUES WHO WILL NEED THE LONGER TERM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

AND SO THAT'S WHY THE ENHANCED FUNDING COMES AFTER THE TA.

IT'S REALLY MEANT TO BE A WAY FOR US TO SORT OUT WHICH BUSINESSES CAN HAVE THEIR ISSUES ADDRESSED THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, UH, AND WHICH BUSINESSES NEED BOTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS SOME RECURRING FUNDING TO HELP BRIDGE THEM FOR THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX MONTHS.

UM, OKAY.

UH, THE SECOND THING THAT I WANTED TO TO RAISE IS WHILE IT'S, WE CURRENTLY ARE SAYING THAT THE THREE 80 PROGRAM ISN'T FUNDED, I WOULD LIKE THE MANAGER AND MAYBE THE CFO TO LOOK AT WAYS FOR US TO, UH, ACTUALLY, UH, SAY THAT IT IS FUNDED AND START PROVIDING SOME OF THAT RELIEF ABOVE AND BEYOND THE SAVES DOLLARS.

I'LL, I'LL THINK ABOUT IT A BIT MORE AND I'LL TURN OVER TO, TO OTHERS, GOT SOME OTHER QUESTIONS MAYOR, UM, AFTER YOU, EVERYONE ELSE GETS A CHANCE TO ASK IT SOUNDS GOOD.

AND THEN, AND JUST REAL QUICKLY YOU HAD, UH, THE QUESTION THAT I HAD ASKED EARLIER ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CHAPTER THREE 80 AGREEMENT FOLLOWED FROM A, FROM A KIND OF TOWN HALL THAT, UH, UH, KATHY TOVO AND I PARTICIPATED IN WHERE ONE OF THE VENUES, UH, DOWN IN OUR RED RIVER AREA THAT OWNED THEIR OWN PROPERTY, UH, SAID, I APPRECIATE, UH, ALL THE DIFFERENT TOOLS THAT YOU HAVE AVAILABLE.

THE ONE NEED WE HAVE IS HOW WITH OUR PROPERTY TAXES, UH, WE DON'T HAVE INCOME THAT'S COMING IN.

AND IS THAT GOING TO BE A TOOL UNDER THE THREE 80 AGREEMENT THAT WHEN WE GO IN FOR THE SAVES ENVIRONMENT, IF THAT'S THE TOOL THAT WE NEED, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED? AND IT WAS TO ADDRESS THAT, UH, WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO NOT HAVE THAT TOOL AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE CHAPTER THREE 80, EVEN IF THAT'S THE BEST THING THAT, THAT WE COULD DO FOR THEM.

BUT I HAD JOINED WITH YOU ENTIRELY THAT WE HAVE REAL, WE HAVE MUCH MORE, WE HAVE MUCH GREATER AND BIGGER ISSUES, UH, WITH RESPECT TO THE, TO THESE, THIS INDUSTRIES, UH, IN OUR CITY.

AND LONG-TERM, WE NEED TO FIND BETTER AND MORE HELPFUL ANSWERS, BUT THAT'S WHERE THAT CAME FROM.

I WAS ALMOST JUST RE ASKING THAT QUESTION, RIGHT? SO I HAVE TWO THINGS I WANT TO RAISE ONE PROBABLY PRETTY QUICK.

THE OTHER ONE, WHICH MIGHT REQUIRE A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK, THE QUICK ONE IS ON THE HEALTH CARE LIVING WAGE AND, UH, AND PREVAILING WAGE REQUIREMENTS INVOLVED BEFORE COMING ON COUNCIL AND IMPLEMENTING THAT.

AND THEN REIMPLEMENTING IT.

WHILE ON COUNCIL, WHEN THOSE WERE DESIGNED, IT REALLY WAS DESIGNED WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PRIMARILY MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES COMING FOR MULTIMILLION DOLLAR, UH, GRANTS OR RELIEF.

UH, THIS IS A, A DIFFERENCE IN SEPARATE PROGRAM.

AND SO IN CONSULTING WITH BOTH THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WOULD BE RECEIVING THIS AID WITH MANY OF THEM, AND THEN WITH ANY OF THE WORKERS' RIGHTS GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS, IT SEEMS LIKE, UM, MOVING THOSE FROM REQUIREMENTS TO, UH, TO PRIORITIZATION WOULD BE A GOOD SOLUTION.

I'VE SPOKEN WITH A DIRECTOR OF RESENTFUL ABOUT THIS, WHERE THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND AND PAYING THEIR WORKERS MORE THAN THE INDUSTRY TRADITIONALLY WOULD PROVIDING CARE IN AN INDUSTRY THAT TRADITIONALLY WOULDN'T THAT WE SHOULD, UH, TRY TO PRIORITIZE AND RECOGNIZE THAT WORK.

BUT IF WE JUST SET IT AS A BASELINE REQUIREMENT, UM, THEN YOU'RE WHERE WE'D BE APPLYING RULES, UH, THAT WERE REALLY DESIGNED FOR BIG COMPANIES MOVING HERE TO, UH, TO RESTAURANTS THAT MIGHT BE RIGHT ON THE VERGE OF CLOSING THAT JUST WOULD WORK.

AND IT WOULDN'T SUCCESSFULLY RAISE WAGES FOR THE RESTAURANT WORKERS.

ANYWAYS, UH, IF THAT RESTAURANT WAS ABOUT TO CLOSE AND WASN'T ABLE TO PAY ITS EMPLOYEES IN DOLLARS AN HOUR, DENYING THEM A GRANT, ISN'T GOING TO GET THOSE RESTAURANT WORKERS THEY RAISED.

SO I THINK THAT THERE IS MY UNDERSTANDING AND MY HOPE IS WE'LL GET A LETTER EMAIL TO THIS, THAT MANY SMALL BUSINESSES AND THOSE WORKERS RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE COME TO SOME, SOME LEVEL OF AGREEMENTS ON THAT ISSUE SO THAT WE CAN MOVE THROUGH IT.

SO JUST WANTED TO SIGNAL THAT FOR EVERYONE TO SAVE PEOPLE, SOME OF THAT POTENTIAL WORK.

UM, THEN,

[01:50:01]

THE WAY I THINK WE DO THAT.

UH, BUT I WOULD LOVE MANAGE THE MANAGER AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.

SELF-HARM IT IS THAT ANY THREE 80 AGREEMENT THAT WE EXECUTE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES EARLY ON NEXT YEAR, THAT OBLIGATION WOULD NOT INCUR TO THE CITY UNTIL THE JULY 22 BUDGET, RIGHT? THAT WE WOULDN'T BE REBATING THOSE TAXES UNTIL DECEMBER OR JANUARY.

THAT UNTIL THEY WERE DOING DECEMBER, JANUARY, WHICH ISN'T IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, IT'S IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

AND AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, I THINK WE SHOULD BE EXPECTING STIMULUS.

BUT IF WE WAIT UNTIL THE STIMULUS GETS TO US, THEN WE MIGHT HAVE SOME BUSINESSES MIGHT'VE CLOSED THAT WE WANTED TO GET THAT MONEY TO.

SO MANAGER, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT A WAY FOR US TO AUTHORIZE EITHER ON THURSDAY OR ON DECEMBER 10TH, SOME REASONABLE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO GO INTO THE THREE 80 PROGRAM THAT WOULDN'T BE AN FYI 22 OBLIGATION TO BE CLEAR, THAT WOULD BE RELIEF.

WE COULD PROVIDE IN FYI 21 TO BUSINESSES NOW, BUT WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, IF WE TOLD THE LANDLORD, PLEASE CUT THE RENT OF A SMALL BUSINESS AND WE WILL GET YOU RELIEF, UH, IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY WHEN YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL COMES DUE.

WE CAN ESSENTIALLY PROVIDE THAT RELIEF NOW WHEN PEOPLE NEED IT AND THEN PAY FOR IT WITH THE STIMULUS THAT WE KNOW IS COMING.

SO IT'S A GOOD WAY TO FRONT THE MONEY.

UM, AND SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS SOME UNCERTAINTY ABOUT EXACTLY THE SIZE OF THE STIMULUS AND HOW QUICKLY IT WILL COME, BUT, BUT I THINK IT'D BE FAIR TO START PROGRAMMING IN, I DON'T KNOW THE RIGHT AMOUNT, BUT SOME NUMBER OF DOLLARS, 2 MILLION, $3 MILLION, KNOWING THAT THE STIMULUS SHOULD BE LARGER THAN THAT, AND IS, AND HAS TO COME BEFORE F Y 22.

UM, AND SO, SO I, I, I KNOW THAT IT'S PUSHING IT A LITTLE BIT, BUT, BUT IT WOULD, BUT I WOULD HATE TO WAIT FOR THE STIMULUS AND THEN WAIT A MONTH, DEVELOP THE PROGRAM.

AND I TAKE A MONTH WORTH OF APPLICATIONS.

IF WE CAN START PROVIDING SOME RELIEF THROUGH THE THREE OF THESE NOW AND PAY FOR IT WITH THE STIMULUS THAT COMES OR, OR DEAL WITH IT IN THE FY 22 BUDGET.

UM, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN GIVE DIRECTION ON ON THURSDAY, OR IF YOU'D HAVE TO BRING US BACK ANOTHER ITEM ON DECEMBER 10TH, BUT I WOULD WANT THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY STAFF TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ALL THE TOOLS AND ALL THE PIECES OF HELP ON THE BREAK AND TRUST AND OPT TO COME BACK IN JANUARY AND DO THAT.

SO I HAD ASKED THE STAFF THINK ABOUT HOW TO GIVE COUNCIL THAT OPTION IF THERE'S A VOTE NEEDED.

UM, I KNOW THAT IT, THAT WE AREN'T BUDGING IT FOR THIS YEAR, BUT WE WOULD JUST BE INCURRING IN OBLIGATIONS IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

SO THAT'S CLEAR TO EVERYONE, UH, BUT IF ANYBODY'S GOT QUESTIONS, YOU CAN ALSO CALL ME BACK COUNCIL MEMBER, WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU TO JUST CLARIFY THAT, SEND WHAT WE WENT THROUGH A FEW MONTHS AGO, JUST TO IDENTIFY THIS $15 MILLION.

WAS IT DIFFICULT EXERCISES? YOU KNOW, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE SOME TOOLS, BUT THEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, GET THE FEEDBACK FROM YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT WHERE THOSE FUNDING, WHERE THAT RIGHT, AND TO BE REALLY CLEAR, THERE WOULDN'T BE SCRAPING DOLLARS FROM THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

SO IT WOULD BE PROMISING YOU BUDGET DOLLARS AND FYI 22, WHICH I THINK WOULD BE MUCH.

SO THAT'S TO BE REALLY CLEAR.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD ASK FOR FOLKS THAT ARE COMING UP, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY ENTIRELY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VOLKER.

THANKS REAL QUICK.

UM, I, I LIKE THE, UH, THE IDEA THAT GREG IS, UH, PRESENTING, UM, AND I THINK IT WOULD HELP US KIND OF GET A JUMPSTART ON, UM, LINING UP WITH ENTITIES WOULD BE RECEIVING THE THREE 80 FUNDS, KNOWING THAT THERE'S, THAT, THAT LAG TIME.

UM, SO IF THERE, WE, YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS 800 AND FOR THE LEGACY AND THE ICONIC VENUES, YOU, YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS, UM, 800 AND SOME THOUSAND THAT WAS ALREADY PROVIDED.

UM, I THINK WHEN WE START TO TALK ABOUT THE LEGACY BUSINESSES, IT'S LARGER THAN THAT.

AND CERTAINLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RESTAURANTS AND VENUES TOGETHER, IT'S MORE ON THE ORDER OF 4 MILLION PLUS.

UM, SO I THINK IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION IF WE CAN ON THOSE NUMBERS, BECAUSE OUR PREVIOUS SMALL BUSINESS GRANT DID REACH SOME OF THEM, THE PROBLEM WAS THERE JUST WASN'T ENOUGH MONEY AND THERE WAS SO MUCH DEMAND FROM THE BUSINESSES.

UM,

[01:55:01]

SO IF YOU COULD PROVIDE THAT, UM, IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL, UM, FOR THE LEGACY ITEM ON NUMBER 12.

UM, CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE EXCLUDING NON-PROFITS IF THEY MEET THE OTHER QUALIFICATIONS? UH, SO IT COUNTS ONE MORE TO ADDRESS YOUR FIRST POINT WHERE YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN PROVIDE THAT.

IN THE MEANTIME, I, I JUST WOULD BE REMISS TO MENTION THAT OUR WEBSITE ATX RECOVERS.COM.

IF ANYBODY'S LOOKING FOR THAT INFORMATION SOONER THAN LATER, WE HAVE DASHBOARDS THAT DISSECT ALL THE GRANT PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AND LIST, UH, UH, INFORMATION ON ALL THE, THOSE PROGRAMS. SO IT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT NOW, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO RESPOND WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ON THAT TOO.

UM, IN REGARDS TO NONPROFITS AND DAVID GRAY, WELL, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THAT WAS, THAT WAS PART OF THE INITIAL ITEM THAT CAME FORWARD, UH, FROM COUNCIL.

UM, BUT I, UH, DAVID, IS THAT CORRECT? OR AM I MISTAKEN IN MY MEMORY? NOPE, YOU'RE, YOU'RE CORRECT.

THAT WAS PROBABLY THE INITIAL ITEM THAT CAME FORWARD FROM COUNCIL.

AND IT'S TOTALLY WITHIN COUNCIL'S PURVIEW TO, TO MAKE THE MODIFICATION IF THEY WANT, WE WERE TRYING TO BE RESPECTFUL OF COUNCIL'S INTENT UNDER THE VERY FIRST SAY'S DIRECTION THAT WE RECEIVED BACK THEN IN SEPTEMBER, WHICH WAS REALLY CLEAR TO LOOK AT BUSINESSES IN THE SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES.

AND SO THAT SUBSEQUENTLY WHY YOU DID NOT INCLUDE NON-PROFITS AS PART OF THE DEFINITION.

DIRECTION WE RECEIVED FROM COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ALSO BUILDING AN INCENTIVES, UH, THAT HELP POSITION BUSINESSES FOR LONGER TERM SURVIVABILITY, AS OPPOSED TO, UH, GIVING OUT IMMEDIATE GRANTS.

I'M GOING TO, I'M GOING TO THINK THAT THROUGH BEFORE, UM, THURSDAY, I THINK THAT THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, UM, SOME ARE GALLERY MUSEUMS THAT WOULD, UH, FALL UNDER THE LEGACY BUSINESS ITEM, UM, DEFINITIONS, BUT, UM, WOULD BE NON-PROFITS, UM, AS OPPOSED TO FOR-PROFIT.

UM, SO I MAY, I MAY LOOK INTO THINKING ABOUT THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S A HUGE NUMBER THAT MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE, BUT I THINK THERE MAY BE A FEW, UM, LIKE CONTEMPORARY OR LIKE, UM, MEXICANOS DAY THAT MIGHT FALL IN THAT CATEGORY.

UM, SO I WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

AND THEN, UM, IN, I THINK BOTH OF THE GUIDELINES, THERE'S THIS SECTION CALLED COMMERCIAL TENANTS, AND, UM, WOULD LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT SECTION MEANS AND REQUIRES.

UM, WE HAD SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT IT IN A PREVIOUS ONE OF OUR SESSIONS, UM, AND IT SAYS AS PART OF THE MANDATORY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, APPLICANTS WHO RENT OR LEASE THEIR PROPERTY SHOULD ATTEMPT TO DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT FROM THEIR PROPERTY OWNER TO ENTER INTO A MORE FAVORABLE AND OR MORE LONG-TERM RENT OR LEASE AGREEMENT OR SALE AGREEMENT WITH THE APPLICANT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS IN PRACTICE? SURE.

I'M HAPPY TO TAKE A PASS AT IT AND ENCOURAGE MY OTHER EDD COLLEAGUES TO CHIME IN.

IF I MISSED THE SO FAST INTENT HERE WAS TO ALIGN WITH THE COUNCIL'S, UH, INFINITE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THE LONG-TERM SURVIVABILITY OF THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.

UM, ONE ITEM THAT WAS, THAT HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY REFERENCED IN CONVERSATIONS, AS WELL AS IN SOME OF THE PAST LEGISLATION, HASN'T BEEN THIS PIECE AROUND LONGTERM LEASES AND SPECIFICALLY RENEGOTIATING LEASES THAT ARE MORE FAVORABLE TO THE TENANTS TO HELP THEM SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC, UH, IN CONVERSATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS, BOTH TENANTS, AS WELL AS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS.

UM, WE LEARNED A LOT OF REASONS ABOUT WHY PEOPLE WOULD AND ARE ABLE TO RESTRUCTURE THEIR LEASES AND ALSO WHY PEOPLE CAN'T ARE UNLIKELY, RESTRUCTURE THEIR BUSINESSES.

AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO MANDATE THAT A TENANT SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATES A NEW LEASE IF THE PROPERTY OWNER WAS UNWILLING TO DO SO, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT TO PENALIZE THE TENANT OR THE BUSINESS OWNER WHO MIGHT BE IN BUYER NEED OF SOME TYPE OF HELP FROM THE CITY.

UH, AND SO THE WAY THAT WE PROGRAM THIS IS EXACTLY HOW YOU READ.

WE WOULD REQUIRE APPLICANTS FOR ENHANCED FUNDING TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY, UH, ATTEMPTED AND REALLY MADE A, A SOLID EFFORT TO INFERENCE TO A MORE FAVORABLE RENT OR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER.

UM, WE USED A NUMBER OF STRATEGIES IN THE PAST TO, UH, REALLY MAKE THESE, THESE DEMONSTRATION PROCESSES, EASY, EVERYTHING FROM ALLOWING PEOPLE TO UPLOAD COPIES OF EMAILS.

SO THEIR PROPERTY OWNER, WHERE THEY'VE TRIED TO NEGOTIATE A MORE FAVORABLE LEASE OR SOME OTHER KIND OF WAY OF DOCUMENTING, UH, THE CONVERSATION THAT HAD HAPPENED.

UH, WE DO THAT THEN, AND WE'RE GREAT.

UH, BUT WE AT LEAST WANT TO, UH, HAVE IT BE, UM, SOMEWHAT OF A REQUIREMENT THAT, UH, THAT THERE IS A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE TENANTS AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS ABOUT MORE FAVORABLE LEASE.

UH, AND WE FELT LIKE THIS SECTION REALLY ALIGNED WITH, UH, THE

[02:00:01]

AND THEN THE BUSINESS SUBSEQUENTLY CLOSES IN 30 TO 60 DAYS.

UH, SO THAT THAT'S THE PURPOSE AS WELL AS HOW YOU MIGHT IMPLEMENT, UH, THAT PARTICULAR PIECE OF THE GUIDELINES FOR THESE TWO.

AND DAVID, THAT WAS GREAT.

I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT, THAT THE UNIQUENESS OF THIS PROGRAM IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE TECHNICAL SYSTEMS, IF THE BUSINESS IS HAVING DIFFICULTY IN THAT NEGOTIATION, THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PIECE IS SOMEWHERE WHERE WE COULD HOPEFULLY PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

THAT, THAT PART, I, YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND, I, UM, APPRECIATE DAVID'S, UM, EXPLANATION AND IT ACTUALLY, TO ME RESONATED MORE THAN THE WAY THAT IT'S WORDED IN HERE.

AND I THINK THAT THE, THE, THE CHALLENGE I'M HAVING IS WITH THE WORD, THE TEMP DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT RATHER THAN SHOULD DEMONSTRATE AN ATTEMPT TO SECURE A COMMITMENT, WHICH TO ME, THOSE ARE VERY DIFFERENT PHRASINGS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ASKING.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT I NEED TO, I DON'T KNOW, DO I NEED TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE THAT KIND OF THING, BUT I THINK IT REALLY, UM, YOU KNOW, I HAD LAST ASKED STAFF IF I NEED TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT IT, IT JUST, IT REALLY CHANGES WHAT IS COMMUNICATED TO SOMEBODY WHO'S JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, UM, WHAT THIS MEANS.

AND HASN'T BEEN DEEP IN THE CONVERSATIONS COUNCIL MEMBER.

I AGREE.

LET US IT A LITTLE BIT OF THOUGHT, AND WE WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU BEFORE THURSDAY TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE AMENDED IT IN OUR PROPOSED GUIDELINES, OR IF WE WOULD LIKE THAT.

THE WAY DAVID SAID IT A FEW MINUTES AGO, THAT LITTLE SWITCH REALLY DOES, I THINK, UM, COMMUNICATE MORE CLEARLY.

AND THEN, UM, I SAW IT, YOU HAD SAID EARLIER THAT THE, THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS A MANDATORY EVALUATION.

UM, AND THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A MANDATORY PROGRAM.

AND I, AND I JUST, AGAIN, I THAT'S, THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IN LINE WITH WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

AND SO, I DON'T KNOW.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN AGAIN, THE DIFFERENCE, BECAUSE I THOUGHT I'D UNDERSTOOD THAT YOU SAID THAT WE WERE REQUIRING THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT FOR THE IMMEDIATE NEED, BUT FOR THE OTHER, THAT THEY HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE AN EVALUATION.

AND THEN THE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO DO MUCH MORE THAN THE EVALUATION, BUT IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO DO MORE THAN THE EVALUATION, THEY CAN STILL TRY TO APPLY FOR MORE ENHANCED STUFF, BUT THEY HAVE TO SIT THROUGH AT LEAST THE EVALUATION, IS THAT CORRECT? IT COMES FROM THE WAY THAT YOU'RE EXPLAINING IT IS, IS CORRECT, AND WILL BE MORE CLEAR IN OUR MARKETING AND OUR COMMUNICATIONS COLLATERAL ABOUT THE PROGRAM, PART OF THESE, UM, KIND OF GRAMMATICAL THINGS THAT YOU'RE PICKING UP ON IS MORE A CONSEQUENCE OF STAFF TRYING TO MOVE REALLY QUICKLY TO, TO DELIVER SOMETHING TO COUNCIL IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUT THE WAY THAT YOU'RE EXPLAINING IT IS THE WAY THAT WE INTEND TO OPERATE IT.

AND SO WE'LL BE MUCH MORE CLEAR, UH, IN THE WEBSITE THAT TALKS ABOUT THE PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR BETTING ON HAVING AN ORIENTATION, TO WALK PEOPLE THROUGH THE GUIDELINES AND THE PROCESS.

AND SO WE'LL, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT, UH, WE'RE MUCH MORE CLEAR, UM, AS WE BEGIN TO ROLL OUT AND IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM, RIGHT.

AND I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR, I'M NOT ASKING THESE QUESTIONS AS A CRITICISM.

I KNOW THIS IS CHALLENGING, AND YOU'RE, YOU'RE DOING THIS VERY, VERY QUICKLY.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON AND WHAT WE'RE ASKING OF FOLKS, AND THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHERE CONFUSION MAY PREVENT PEOPLE FROM APPLYING.

WHEN IN FACT WE WANT THEM TO APPLY AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP, AND WE WANT THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, UM, AND BE OPEN TO THAT.

BUT WE WERE NOT TRYING TO ADD, YOU KNOW, SORT OF ADDITIONAL, UM, HURDLES, UM, MOVING FORWARD.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

HAVE YOU COULD JUST LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS STUFF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF EITHER APPROPRIATELY IN THE COLLATERAL OR IN THE GUIDELINES.

UM, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

WHEN THEY, WHEN THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN THESE CONVERSATIONS, THAT IF THEY WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE RENT THAT COMES WITH THIS PROGRAM, HOW THERE'S AN INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE AS WELL, THEY MAKE FOR A MORE ATTRACTIVE ULTIMATE PACKAGE, UH, IN THE, IN THE PRESENTATION.

AND I GUESS IN A, IN A, IN A PROGRAM LIKE THIS, YOU'RE TRYING TO, TO, TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES, NOT ONLY FOR THE VENUE, BUT FOR THE VENUES LANDLORDS AS WELL.

UH, AND I AGREE WITH ALISON AND WITH DAVID VERONICA, THAT THE INTENT OF THIS WAS NOT TO REQUIRE A LANDLORD TO PARTICIPATE IN ORDER FOR THE VENUE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE ULTIMATELY DECIDING HOW TO SPEND LIMITED DOLLARS, IF A LANDLORD STEPS UP AND IS WILLING TO OFFER THAT LONG TERM OR LONGER TERM LOWER RATE LEASE, IT'S MORE LIKELY THAT THEN THAT PACKAGE IS SOMETHING THAT WILL GET FUNDED.

UH, AND, AND LANDLORD SHOULD KNOW THAT, UH,

[02:05:01]

ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS ITEM? YES.

PAGE.

UH, ITEM, THE DILEMMA IS WHERE ANY TYPES OF REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE ADDED FOR THE USE OF THE TOOL THAT WE TYPICALLY WOULD MONITOR SUCH AS LIKE WAGES OR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, ET CETERA, THOSE WOULD COME AFTER THE FACT.

AND I, I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT ENCOURAGING LANDLORDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS.

IT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT.

SO I'M ENJOYING ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ABOUT THAT, UM, DIRECTOR, VIRGINIA, CAN YOU TELL ME BETWEEN SAVES AND THE CHAPTER THREE AP, WHICH OPTION MIGHT BE MORE FLEXIBLE FOR YOUR TEAM TO WORK WITH? YOU KNOW, ONE IS IDENTIFIED FUNDING, BUT THE OTHER HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A LONG-TERM IMPLICATION OF SUCCESS FOR A BUSINESS.

CAN YOU TELL ME IF ONES ARE FLEXIBLE OR EASY TO ADMINISTER, UH, QUICKLY, UH, CHELSEA ROSE? AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

I, UM, WE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD THE LUXURY TO THINK ABOUT THAT QUESTION.

I, I WOULD SAY BOTH POSE DIFFICULTIES.

SO IT'S REALLY, UM, IT'S REALLY A TOUGH GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING.

SO NOVIA AT NOT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT MISSPEAKING ON BEHALF OF STAFF.

I THINK BOTH HAVE THEIR CHALLENGES.

UM, I LIKED THE IDEA OF, AS I'VE REFERRED TO IT, A TOOL CHEST OF, OF TOOLS THAT PROVIDE RELIEF.

UM, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S THE IMPORTANT GOAL GOING FORWARD.

NOBODY DID YOU WANT TO ADD DIRECTOR PER SE? YOU ARE CORRECT.

UM, THIS IS GOING TO BE A FIRST AND JUST THE OPTIONS OF THESE TOOLS AND THE FLEXIBILITY WILL GO FURTHER.

AND SO, YEAH, COUNCIL MEMBER, THIS IS ROBIN AND GONZALES.

I JUST WANTED TO MENTION, OF COURSE, WITH THE USE OF THE THREE 80 PROGRAM, HISTORICALLY, WE'VE USED IT AS A PERFORMANCE SPACE TOOL, MEANING THAT THE BUSINESS HAS TO DEMONSTRATE PERFORMANCE BEFORE THEY RECEIVED SOME FORM CAST PAYMENT.

AND I THINK WHAT MAY BE DISCUSSED HERE IS PERHAPS THE CASH PAYMENT COMING AHEAD OF PERFORMANCE.

AND WE JUST HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF HOW WE'VE USED THE TOOL PREVIOUSLY, CURRENTLY THE GUIDELINES IN THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE PUT FORWARD OUR GRANT PROGRAMS. UM, THERE IS SOME, THERE ARE SOME REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE, BUT THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO MONITOR, LIKE WHAT WE DID WITH CHAPTER THREE 80 PROGRAMS IN GENERAL.

AND SO WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE USE OF THE HISTORICAL USE OF THREE 80.

WE'VE LOOKED AT IT AS A PERFORMANCE-BASED TOOL.

AND SO THAT MAY NOT LEND ITSELF TO THE FLEXIBILITY THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE WITH OTHER PROGRAMS. I'M SORRY, GO AHEAD.

GO AHEAD.

I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I CAN, I CAN APPRECIATE THAT THEY MAY BOTH HAVE THEIR OWN STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.

UM, AND A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION TO THAT, AS I KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW, HOW TO FUND THE THREE 80, UM, AND I HAVE INITIAL RESERVATIONS ABOUT COMMITTING TO OTHER BUDGET CYCLES.

UM, IT'S JUST SOMETHING I'D HAVE TO KIND OF ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT AND THINK THROUGH, TO SEE IF, IF THAT'S THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY TO COME UP WITH IT, OR DO WE HAVE AN IMAGE OF HOW MUCH MONEY WE WOULD BE TRYING TO LOOK FOR TO, TO FUND THE THREE 80 AND, UH, PART OF MY DISCUSSION WITH COUNCIL MEMBER COSAR I THINK THAT WE WILL, WE NEED TO TAKE THESE, UH, THOSE NEXT DAY OR TWO TO, TO GIVE AN ESTIMATE OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

UM, I DO THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT THAT AMOUNT IS, SO THAT WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION OF, UM, HAVING KIND OF AN OPEN CAN OF, OF OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO PROVIDE THAT RELIEF.

I WOULD WANT THOSE GUARD RAILS IF YOU WILL.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO WHAT THAT, THAT NUMBER WOULD LOOK LIKE, UM, AND, AND WENT BACK TO YOU FOR CONSIDERATION.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL, UM, ESPECIALLY IF WE GET TO ANOTHER BUDGET CYCLE AND WE'D WANT TO KNOW KIND OF WHAT IF WE'RE GOING TO FUND SOMETHING ELSE EARLY, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THAT NEXT BUDGET CYCLE? SO I'D WANT TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ON THAT BEFORE PROCEEDING, BUT THAT, THAT WRAPS UP MY QUESTION.

SO THINKING BACK TO THE MAYOR, OKAY.

AND JUST REAL FAST, RODNEY, I THINK THAT THE CHAPTER THREE 80 AGREEMENTS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST, IF I'VE BEEN, AS YOU SAID, PERFORMANCE BASED, AND THAT WAS KIND OF THE QUID PRO QUO.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS, IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE CHAPTER THREE 80 AGREEMENT NOW IS WE'RE DECOUPLING THE THREE 80 PARTICIPATION FROM THE PERFORMANCE.

WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS SURVIVAL IN THIS ENVIRONMENT OF THIS INDUSTRY IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

SO SURVIVAL ITSELF BECOMES THE, THE, THE PERFORMANCE.

SO IT'S A TOOL WE CAN USE WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN YOU HANG IN THERE.

ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT I HEAR COUNCILS SAYING, WHICH IS THAT THE SURVIVAL,

[02:10:01]

AND IT COULD BE THAT WE GIVE DOLLARS UP FRONT, AND THEN WE DO THE MONITORING ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE PERFORMANCE WASN'T THERE AND THEN WE'RE IN A PLAYBACK SITUATION AND WE'VE NEVER HAD TO DO CLAWBACKS BECAUSE WE REQUIRE PERFORMANCE UPFRONT.

AND SO AS WE TALK ABOUT THE THREE 80 TOOL, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T SET UP BUSINESSES THAT ARE RECEIVING THESE PROGRAMS, THAT WE'RE NOT INADVERTENTLY SETTING THEM UP FOR FAILURE IN, IN THE FORM OF LIKE WE'RE DOING A MONITORING AFTER THE FACT OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY HAVEN'T MET.

AND THEN THEY'RE HAVING TO COME BACK AND PAY THE INSTALLER, RIGHT.

AND IN THIS CASE IT WOULD JUST BE MEASURED BY THE SURVIVAL, DEPENDING ON WHAT ACQUIREMENTS YOU, YOU PLACED WITH THAT.

AND THEN THE ASSURANCE THAT THE CITY GETS HERE AND NOT IN THE NORMAL THREE 80 IS THE, IS THE, IS THE EVALUATION ELEMENT WITH THE, UH, WITH THE TECHNICAL TEAM.

UH, THAT'S LOOKING FOR EXACTLY THAT KIND OF CRITERIA AS PART OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE USE OF THE TOOL TO START OFF WITH.

SO I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME TRADE-OFFS, THERE WAS BLACK, LET'S SAY IF THOSE ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COUNCIL, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, SURVIVABILITY SOMETHING THAT'S A LOW THRESHOLD.

UM, IT MAY NOT BE AS MUCH OF AN OBSTACLE.

IT, WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS THE TRADITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE IMPOSED ON CHAPTER THREE 88, RIGHT.

AND IN THIS CASE, I THINK WE WERE, WE WERE SAYING, JIM, THE QUESTION THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ASKED MY COUNCIL BACK IN THE FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER, WAS CAN WE USE THIS TOOL WHERE THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT IS SURVIVAL, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER, MADISON, THANK YOU, MAYOR.

AND I, AND I THINK AS, AS IT PERTAINS TO THE THREE 80 CONVERSATION, THIS MAY BE NEITHER HERE NOR THERE, BUT I THINK IT, IT IT'S WORTH SAYING, UM, I HAVE SOME CONSTITUENTS AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SOME FOLKS OUTSIDE OF DISTRICT ONE WHO HAVE SMALL BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH BRCA BORDER WHO HAVE MANAGED TO STAY AFLOAT, BUT MANAGED TO IMPLEMENT SOME CREATIVE, UM, TACTICS AND PIVOT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TAP INTO THEIR PERSONAL SAVINGS, ET CETERA, UM, AND STAY AFLOAT WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANY ASSISTANCE WITHOUT APPLYING FOR GRANTS.

UM, AND I FIND MYSELF WONDERING WHAT INCENTIVES CAN THE CITY OFFER THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES WITHOUT LIMITLESS RESOURCES, UM, THAT HAVE MANAGED TO STAY AFLOAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PER SE, BUT SOMETHING IN THE WAY, A PERMITTING OR SOMETHING, IS THERE, IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US AS A BODY TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT WE CAN OFFER IN TERMS OF INCENTIVES FOR THOSE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE FOUGHT THEIR WAY TO SURVIVING THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THIS PANDEMIC, UM, AND DON'T HAVE LIMITLESS RESOURCES.

UM, I THINK IF WE'RE ACKNOWLEDGING PERFORMANCE, IF WE'RE ACKNOWLEDGING SOMETHING IN THE WAY OF PROFICIENCY BY WAY OF MANAGING IT, YOU KNOW, YOUR, YOUR BUSINESS TO WHERE YOU WERE ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT, I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US AS A BODY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AS WELL, IF I COULD RESPOND THAT'S NEXT ON POINT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON, AND I BELIEVE ON DECEMBER 10TH, UH, COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE SHOP TO BLOCK, WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT WAS DEVELOPED THAT, UH, IS NON-FINANCIAL IN NATURE THAT ASSIST OUR SMALL BUSINESSES WITH EXPANDING THEIR OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE REVENUE.

AND SO WE THINK IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM.

THANK YOU COUNCIL FOR ADOPTING IT.

UM, IT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTED WITH GREAT SUCCESS AND IN THAT REGARD, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS LOOK AT VARIOUS WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP OUR BUSINESSES INCREASE THEIR REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES, UH, WHETHER THAT'S EXPANDING THEIR FOOTPRINT IN A WAY THAT THAT IS DOABLE, THAT DOESN'T CAUSE MUCH, UH, CONSTERNATION OR TO YOUR POINT, YOU KNOW, ENSURING YOU THAT OR CONSTANTLY, UH, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE RESPONDING ON A TIMELY BASIS FOR PERMITTING, ET CETERA.

AND THAT'S FAR WE HAVE BEEN.

UM, AND, UH, SO WE JUST WANT TO ALWAYS HELP AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE SUFFERING.

AND RODNEY, IF I COULD ADD TO THAT, UM, ANOTHER PIECE OF THIS DISCUSSION IS OUR OVERALL ECONOMIC RECOVERY FRAMEWORK, UM, UH, PATH THAT WE SIT ON MONTHS AGO OF LOOKING AT WHAT IS OUR OVERALL ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN AS YEAH, AS COUNSELOR, AS YOU'RE AWARE THAT HAS INCLUDED, UM, COUNSEL SUB PANEL DISCUSSIONS, UH, EXTENSIVE FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS, UM, WORK WITH CITY STAFF AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO LOOK AT, UH, WHAT CAN WE DO CREATIVELY FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY? AND WE'RE ROLLING ALL THAT INTO AN OVERARCHING PLAN RIGHT NOW, I'M WORKING WITH OUR SISTER DEPARTMENTS TO LOOK AT

[02:15:01]

DIFFERENT AREAS THAT DO IMPACT, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

UM, BUT WE'RE, THAT WILL ALL COME TO SOMETHING THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD AS A WRITTEN DOCUMENT, AND HOPEFULLY PROVIDE SOME OF THAT CREATIVE RELIEF TO THOSE THAT MIGHT NOT BE IN THE SAME SITUATION.

YEAH, IT'S ANNE MORGAN.

AND JUST TO CLARIFY, THE SHOP, THE BLOCK ITEM IS ACTUALLY ON THIS WEEK, IT'S ITEM SEVEN, SO YOU'LL HAVE IT THIS WEEK.

AND I WANTED TO, TO JUST ECHO SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS HAD SAID, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER COSTAR'S IDEA ABOUT LOOKING TO THE FUTURE TO FUND SOMETHING, UM, IS AN INTERESTING IDEA THAT WE'LL WANT TO THINK ABOUT, BUT IT DOES RUN INTO THE PROBLEM OF, WE WOULD NEED A SINKING FUND TYPICALLY TO FUND SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE, WHICH IS DOLLARS THAT COME OUT OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

SO I HEARD YOUR IDEA AND WE JUST NEED TO THINK ABOUT IF THERE'S A WAY WE CAN GET THERE.

UM, SINCE WE WERE ON THE TOPIC ABOUT THE ITEM THAT'S ON THE AGENDA, HELPING EXTEND THAT THE HELP THAT WE PROVIDED FOR BILLY, LIKE CAFES AND STUFF.

UM, WE'VE, I MEAN, IT'S VERY SPECIFIC AND I'M HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT, ABOUT THIS, BUT IT BUSINESS THAT I'M DOING STUFF CLASSES OUTSIDE NOW TO BE SAFE, BUT THEY HAVE AMPLIFIED, UM, MUSIC.

AND I THINK BECAUSE OF THEIR ZONING ISSUE, UM, THEY, THERE, THEY HAD A NEIGHBOR THAT WAS UPSET ABOUT IT.

AND SO IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WERE REFERRED TO PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MAYBE BECAUSE OF THE ZONING ISSUE AND THE NOISE ISSUE IS, IS THERE A CHANNEL FOR THEM? AND NOW THEY'VE, I KNOW THEY'VE REACHED OUT TO MY OFFICE AND I BELIEVE THE MAYORS AS WELL.

IS THERE A CHANNEL, IS THERE A WAY TO WHEN THAT KIND OF STUFF HAPPENS, BECAUSE THEN THEY'RE JUST TOLD, SORRY, YOU CAN'T DO THIS, UM, TO DIVERT THEM TO, YOU KNOW, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MAYBE THERE'S A LIAISON THERE THAT CAN PROVIDE SOME OPTIONS FOR, UM, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE TRYING TO STAY OPEN AND PROVIDE, I THINK IT'S A DANCE STUDIO.

UM, IS THERE A PROCESS IN PLACE TO, TO, TO GET FOLKS TO OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, UM, ADVICE, BECAUSE I'M SURE GOT TO THEIR COUNCIL OFFICES, PEOPLE CONNECTED KNOW TO REACH OUT TO THEIR COUNCIL OFFICES, BUT NOT ALL SMALL BUSINESSES.

NO.

OF CREATIVE PROGRAM GUIDELINES THAT WE DRAFTED, IF WE WERE TO EXECUTE THOSE PROGRAMS, THERE ARE CERTAIN PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ARE BASICALLY A LADDER OR REWARDS.

REMEMBER WE, OH, SORRY.

WE'LL BE GLAD TO TALK WITH YOU OFFLINE.

AND THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE ACTUALLY MOVED MUSIC ENFORCEMENT FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

AND THAT MIGHT'VE BEEN THE SHIFT.

UH, BUT YEAH, CERTAINLY ERIC PLAYED CHALET IN THE MUSIC OFFICE AND HER TEAM HAD HELPED WITH SMALL BUSINESSES TO TRY TO CONFORM WITH THE SOUND ORDINANCES BY, UH, DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE PRACTICES AND TECHNIQUES, IF YOU WILL, THAT CAN MINIMIZE SOUND DISRUPTION, BUT WE WOULD BE MORE THAN GLAD TO TALK WITH YOUR OFFICE ONLINE AND TO CONNECT WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS.

IT WAS COUNSELOR FOR MADISON'S COUNSELOR.

NO ARE PROMOTED SINCE SECOND DOVER.

THANK YOU FOR THE CLARITY.

UM, UH, I'M SURE Y'ALL WILL SORT IT OUT.

MY THOUGHT IS, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE HIRE A STAFF PERSON IN THE BUDGET, UH, BUT IT'S IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS OF BUDGET, WE DON'T BUDGET FOR THE WHOLE SALARY.

WE DEAL WITH THE SALARY FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

SO, OR WHEN WE SIGN A CONTRACT FOR MID-YEAR, WE DON'T BUDGET HAVING US DURING THE BUDGET, THE WHOLE YEAR'S WORTH OF THE CONTRACT.

SO SOMETHING TO, TO THINK ABOUT AND THEN TO, UM, RODNEY, TO YOUR QUESTION OR POINT, AND I KNOW MAYBE ONE OF THE PROGRAMS WOULD REQUIRE UPFRONT MONEY, BUT I SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS PROGRAM TO NOT HAVE TO PAY THE THREE 80 PROGRAMS AND NOT HAVE TO PAY SOME OF THOSE FUNDS UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR WITH A LANDLORD REDUCING THE RENT IN THIS YEAR.

SO THAT'S JUST KIND OF MY THOUGHTS ON IT.

AND THEN THE LAST THING THAT I WANTED TO KICK OVER TO NEW, AGAIN, TO MAYBE THINK ABOUT BETWEEN HERE AND KICKING OFF THE THREE 80 PROGRAM IS HOW ARE WE DEFINING SURVIVABILITY? IF SOMEONE WERE TO LAY OFF ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, YOU KNOW, IS THAT SURVIVAL, UM, IS, UH, ISN'T MAYBE SOMETHING WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL.

UM, BUT, BUT SOMETHING POTENTIALLY FOR US TO THINK ABOUT IS HOW DO WE, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THE, IF OUR, IF OUR GOAL IS TO BOTH RETAIN JOBS AND RETAIN THE BUSINESS, HOW DO WE DO THAT WITHOUT SETTING UP TOO COMPLICATED OF A BARRIER FOR THOSE BUSINESSES TO EVOLVE COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR? IF I COULD JUST RESPOND TO THAT BRIEFLY AS PART OF THE, UH, TYPE

[02:20:01]

UH, SO IF YOU DO RETAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES, LET'S SAY YOU'RE A RESTAURANT.

IF YOU DO RETAIN A HUNDRED PERCENT OF YOUR EMPLOYEES AND YOU GET A GREATER REWARD THAN A RESTAURANT THAT MIGHT ONLY PROTECT, RETAIN MAYBE 20% OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

SO WE'VE TRIED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE SURVIVABILITY LOOKED LIKE.

AND ALSO HOW DO WE INCENTIVIZE BUSINESSES TO NOT ONLY STAY OPEN, BUT ALSO KEEP PEOPLE EMPLOYED, KEEP THEM PAID AT LEAST AT THEIR CURRENT LEVEL OF PAY AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SERVICE TO THE CITY.

BUT I DO THINK THE QUESTION THAT YOU'RE ASKING AROUND WHAT THE SURVIVABILITY LOOK LIKE IN A COVID CONTEXT, THAT'S A CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE WORKSHOPPING WITH PEER CITIES ACROSS THE NATION, AND REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SAY SURVIVABILITY IN A, IN A POST COVID ENVIRONMENT.

UH, BUT AT LEAST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE THINKING THROUGH SOME OF THOSE THINGS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE STRUCTURING THE INCENTIVES IN A WAY THAT, UH, REALLY ENCOURAGED THE BUSINESSES THAT MIGHT RECEIVE, UH, SUPPORT FROM THE CITY TO KEEP PEOPLE EMPLOYED, TO KEEP PAYING THEM, AT LEAST THEIR CURRENT PAY, MAYBE EVEN OFFER THEM MORE PAY, UH, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

WELL, THANKS.

I SCANNED THE MEMO, THE RECENT MEMO.

I DIDN'T SEE THAT MAYBE I WAS IN THERE OR IN THE PREVIOUS ONE, BUT THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN ELEGANT SOLUTION.

SO THANK YOU.

AND, UM, THIS ACTUALLY SPEAKS TO, UH, WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR BROUGHT UP AND, AND, AND A QUESTION THAT I HAVE ABOUT, UM, UH, I GUESS, UH, WHAT ARE REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS? SO, UH, I LIKE THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO OFFER SUPPORT NOW, AND THEN REPAYMENT LATER.

I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE GUARANTEE OF STIMULUS, UM, BOTH BY WAY OF THE AMOUNT AND BY WAY OF THE TIMING.

SO I JUST HOPE THAT DURING THE COURSE OF THAT CONVERSATION, UM, UH, SOMEBODY CAN MAYBE HELP TO GIVE ME A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT SORT OF GUARANTEES WE HAVE THERE, BECAUSE IT DOES, IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S ANY GUARANTEE IN WHICH CASE I THINK THE QUESTION I WOULD HAVE THEN WAS ULTIMATELY, IF WE DIDN'T GET THE AMOUNT WE HAD ANTICIPATED AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE ANTICIPATED, WHAT'S THE COURSE OF ACTION.

I MEAN, WHAT'S OUR RECOURSE THEN IF YOU KNOW, WE OPERATE, EXPECTING TO GET A THING THAT WE DON'T HAVE YET.

I JUST WORRY ABOUT THE, THE LACK OF CERTAINTY THERE.

WHILE ALSO GETTING THAT IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE VENUES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU, KATHY.

UH, I HAD A, UM, QUICK COMMENT THAT REALLY HEARKENS BACK TO SUCH AN EARLIER PERIOD OF THE CONVERSATION THAT IT MAY MAYBE NOT WORTH MENTIONING.

AND THEN I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A GENERAL COMMENT, UM, WITH REGARD, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I WAS LISTENING, UM, TO THE, TO THE SOUND ORDINANCE PIECE OF THE CONVERSATION, UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE GUIDELINES AND IN THE MEMO AS WELL.

UM, ANY BUSINESSES USING THE SHOP, THE BLOCK ARE, ARE REQUIRED TO ADHERE TO OUR CURRENT GUIDELINES REGARDING, REGARDING, UM, SOUND POLICIES.

AND WE ASKED SOME QUESTIONS IN THE Q AND A TO JUST CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE WE HEAR PROBABLY EVERY WEEK FROM INDIVIDUALS ABOUT THE SOUND ORDINANCE AND, AND, UM, I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE SHOP, THE BLOCK CONTINUES TO BE REALLY WELL SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITY AS IT HAS BEEN BEFORE.

AND DON'T WANT, DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IN SOME WAYS WE'RE WAIVING THOSE REQUIREMENTS OR BUSINESSES, UM, WE ARE ABSOLUTELY GONNA, YOU KNOW, DO WHAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES.

AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT, THAT ALSO KEVIN, YOUR MUSIC, I MUST HAVE HIT THE BUTTON.

NO, NO, WHERE I MUTED MYSELF.

BUT ANYWAY, I THINK I'VE MADE THAT JOURNAL POINT, SO.

OKAY, GREAT.

THE OTHER, THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS JUST, I WANT TO UNDERSCORE, WELL, ONE BEFORE WE MOVE ON FROM THE SHOP, THE BLOCK, I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL'S LEADERSHIP ON THAT THAT IS REALLY HAS TURNED OUT TO BE JUST A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.

AND I APPRECIATE OUR STAFF'S WORK ON THAT AS WELL.

I CONTINUE TO GET GOOD FEEDBACK ABOUT FROM BUSINESSES ABOUT HOW THAT'S REALLY ENABLED THEM TO OPERATE WELL DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME AND TO, TO HELP, UM, HELP THEM BETTER BALANCE THEIR FINANCES, WHICH ARE SO VERY CHALLENGED RIGHT NOW.

AND ON THAT FRONT, I WANT TO UNDERSCORE SOME OF WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER PITCH-IN AND OTHERS HAVE SAID.

I THINK IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THIS MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF THE VENUES THAT ARE STRUGGLING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

AND THANK THE STAFF OR FOR WORKING TOWARD WAYS THAT YOU CAN, UH, BOTH COMPLY WITH THE COUNCIL DIRECTIVE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT MAY HELP WITH MORE SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM CHANGE AND SUCCESS

[02:25:01]

AND SO IF THERE WERE OTHER WAYS TO REALLY EXPEDITE THAT PROCESS, I KNOW THAT YOU'RE COMMITTED TO DOING SO.

UM, SO AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR STANDING FOR GETTING THESE PROGRAMS UP AND RUNNING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MANY INDIVIDUALS AND VENUES WHO HAVE WRITTEN TO US AND ASK AN URGE GREETED, UM, THAT, THAT MONEY JUST AVAILABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE'VE, WE'VE HAD GOOD SUCCESS WITH VARIOUS OTHER KINDS OF RELIEF, UM, THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC, BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE VERY QUICKLY WITH AS LITTLE, UM, GUIDELINES OR AS LITTLE, UM, CERTAINLY BY UPHOLDING A SET OF STANDARDS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE VERIFYING INFORMATION THAT AS A CITY THAT WE NEEDED TO VERIFY, BUT ALSO WITH A PRIORITY ON SPEED.

AND I, I KNOW WE CAN DO THAT FOR OUR VENUES AS WELL.

HEY, ALEX, AND I WANT TO RETURN IF WE CAN, UM, VERONICA TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ISSUE, AND THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND BREAK FOR LUNCH.

UH, UH, AFTER THE COLLEAGUES ADDRESSED THIS TO, UH, ABC, UH, UH, PROVIDED US THE, THE HOPE OR POTENTIAL OF BEING ABLE TO ACT MORE NIMBLY AND QUICKLY, UH, THEN, UH, COUNCIL AND THE CITY CAN OTHERWISE, UH, UH, ACT.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE STAFF BRINGING IN SPORT AND ACTUALLY TAKING COUNCIL MEMBERS TO LOOK AT EDCS, UH, LAST FEW YEARS, UH, AS WELL AS, UH, UH, COUNSELING RETOS, UH, CONTINUED PUSH TO, TO HELP US REALIZE THIS.

AND IT'S GOOD THAT IT'S HAPPENING.

UH, I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

AND THE FIRST ONE RELATES TO THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE ON THE TRACK WE'RE ON, HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN, YOU KNOW, THE BOARD WE'RE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS SEPARATE FROM THAT PROCESS.

WE HAD TALKED ABOUT ACTUALLY STANDING THIS THING UP IN AN INTERIM WAY REAL QUICKLY WITH INTERIM CEO, INTERIM SMALL BOARD WITH, UH, STAFF AND COUNCIL QUICKLY, UH, SO THAT WE COULD MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WE COULD USE THE EDC TO LEVERAGE, UH, THE, THE BOND MONEY, UH, FOR EXAMPLE, UH, THAT THEY WERE ALREADY WORKING ON THAT FOR VENUES, OR WE HAD SPECIFICALLY, UH, ADDRESSED IT WITH RESPECT TO HOW THE RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY COUNCIL AND MAKING IT AVAILABLE AS A TOOL TO HELP LEVERAGE PERHAPS THE SAVES DOLLARS, UH, OR TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL CAPITAL IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SOMEBODY'S PROPOSAL REALLY WORK OR REALLY, OR REALLY POP.

UM, SO MY QUESTIONS ARE, HOW ARE WE DOING ON THAT? HAVE WE SET UP THE INTERIM BOARD, UH, HAS IT BEEN MEETING, HAS IT HIRED COUNSEL? UH, DOES IT, DOES IT HAVE IT STAFF HOW'S, HOW'S IT FUNCTIONING, MARY WE'LL SWITCH HATS AND ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS AS YOUR INTERIM CEO AND PRESIDENT OF THE ADC.

UM, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FAST IN THAT REGARD AND I'LL ALSO SWITCH DAVID'S.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT COLLAGEN ON THE LINE THAT IS OUR INTERIM COO OF THE ENTITY, AND IS FULLY COMMITTED TO STANDING UP THE EDC.

WE, UM, WE HAVE COUNCIL TOOK ACTION.

OH GOSH, I'M GOING TO CONFUSE MY DAYS, BUT I BELIEVE IN OCTOBER TO APPOINT AN INTERIM BOARD.

SO WE DO HAVE OUR INTERIM BOARD MEMBERS IN PLACE.

THEY CONSIST OF THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED AS BOARD MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE CHAIRS OF THE MUSIC AND THE ART COMMISSION.

THE BOARD HAS YET TO MEET.

WE'VE BEEN MEETING ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS.

HOWEVER, WE HADN'T RECEIVED OUR, UM, LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE ACKNOWLEDGING THE CREATION OF THE EDC AND, UH, THE FILING OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND THE BYLAWS.

WE RECEIVED THAT LETTER ON WEDNESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THOSE NEXT STEPS OF HAVING THE, THE BOARD, UH, THE INTERIM BOARD TO SCHEDULE A MEETING.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR CONSULTANTS AND NOW CONSULTANT TEAM AND LOOKING AT THE PROJECTS THAT COUNCIL IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE REPORT AS THE PRIORITY PROJECTS TO START LOOKING AT, WE ALSO, UM, IN, IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CONSULTANT ON IDENTIFYING, UH, LEGAL REPRESENTATION, AS WELL AS WORKING ON, UH, IDENTIFYING A SEARCH WARRANT FROM, TO START THE STAFFING COMPONENT OF THE, THE PERMANENT STAFFING COMPONENT OF THE EDC.

DAVID.

UH, AM I MISSING ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO SOME OF THOSE STEPS THAT THEY'VE TAKEN THIS PAST COUPLE MONTHS? NO, THAT WAS A PRETTY STRONG UPDATE.

SO RYAN, WE HAD TALKED TO, UM, ACTUALLY WE WERE DOING THIS AND HE HAD, WE HAD THOUGHT THAT YOU HAVE TO STAFF IT, YOU HAVE TO STAFF IT LONG-TERM, UH, THE CONSULTANTS HAD INDICATED BACK THEN THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO JUST HELP STAFF IT, LIKE RIGHT AWAY, UH, WITH PEOPLE

[02:30:01]

THAT HAD ALREADY DONE THIS KIND OF THING AND HAVE EXPERIENCE IN IT SO THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE A SEARCH FOR ME.

I SEE THE SEARCH FIRM AND ALL THAT STUFF FOR THE PERMANENT THING.

UH, BUT I, BUT I'D REALLY LIKE TO BE HEARING NOW, UH, WHAT THE EDC THINKS THEY CAN BE DOING WITH RESPECT TO SOME OF THESE VENUES.

I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BE HEARING FROM THE EDC NOW WITH RESPECT TO, UH, ITS THOUGHTS OR SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO LEVERAGE THE, UH, THE, UH, THE BOND, UH, CREATIVE SPACE, UH, BOND FUNDS.

UM, I MEAN, I WOULDN'T MIND HEARING FROM THE EDC RIGHT NOW WITH RESPECT TO HIS IDEAS OR THOUGHTS ON THAT ON THE SOUTH CENTRAL, UH, UH, WATERFRONT.

AND I KNOW THAT THAT ENTITY WILL WORK INDEPENDENTLY OF THE CITY, UH, MEAN WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE SO TIED TO THE, TO THE CITY THAT IT JUST BECOMES, YOU KNOW, UH, AN EXTENSION OF THE CITY THAT WAY.

AND, AND, AND WORKING WITHIN THE TIME CONSTRAINTS THAT THE CITY WORKS IN.

UH, THE EDC, I THINK, UH, INDEPENDENTLY STAFFED AND STOOD UP QUICKLY, UH, WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY MAYBE TO, TO PUSH OR PROD OR MOVE THINGS FASTER THAN THEY, THAN THEY WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE.

UH, YOU KNOW, I, I, I DON'T THINK THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME KIND OF RFP PROCESSES.

THEY CAN GET THEIR COUNSEL, LIKE YOU GET THAT IN ON BOARD.

THEY COULD BRING IN THE CONSULTANTS, COULD BRING IN THAT KIND OF INTERIM TEAM TO GET IT GOING.

AND I'M REAL ANXIOUS TO HEAR.

I WAS HOPING WE WOULD HEAR BY BEFORE WE LEFT, UH, YOU KNOW, FOR THE, FOR THE WINTER BREAK, UH, FROM THE EDC.

MY HOPE IS, IS THAT WE HEAR FROM EDC WELL BEFORE IN THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY, UH, WITH RESPECT TO, TO THE INTERIM, NOT THE LONG-TERM ONE, THE INTERIM ONE ON, ON, ON WHAT KIND OF PATHS.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE, THE, THE, THE, THE EXPECTATION.

UM, I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PERMANENT ONE, UH, THAT OUR BOARD IS GOING UP TO 20 OR 25 PEOPLE, HOW WE HAVE KIND OF A BYLAW CHANGE THAT ACTUALLY HAS A, UH, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR SOMETHING THAT CAN ACT MORE NIMBLY THAT, AND THE, THAT THE BOARD AS IT'S NOW GROWING TOO, BUT BE INTERESTED IN SEEING AN AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS THAT ALLOW FOR THAT.

THERE MAY BE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE WITH RESPECT TO BYLAWS GOVERNANCE.

UH, BUT THE MAIN PERSON WHEN I'M RUNNING RIGHT NOW IS, UH, WHEN WE WERE ALL TOGETHER AND WE ASKED THE CONSULTANT, COULD YOU STAFF THIS THING FROM PEOPLE THAT DO THIS AND HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING AND WORKING RIGHT AWAY? HE SAID, YES, I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT.

AND WE'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE A MORE THOROUGH REPORT.

WE DO HAVE THE, OUR CONSULTANT HAS ENLISTED A TEAM OF CONSULTANTS THAT ARE, ARE STANDING UP AND WORKING IN THAT REGARDS THEY'RE HAVING OR TACKLING AGAIN, THOSE PRIORITIES THAT COUNCIL HAD SET.

UM, SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT YOU MENTIONED NEAR, UM, AND WORKING IN THAT DIRECTION, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE A MORE THOROUGH REPORT ON THE ESTIMATE.

IF, IF, IF BEFORE WE LEAVE FOR THE DECEMBER BREAK, THAT GIVES US NOW TWO WEEKS, IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE US A REPORT ON, ON HOW THAT'S LOOKING AND HOW THAT TEAM OF CONSULTANTS WHO ALREADY HAVE EXPERTISE IN THIS CS, UH, AND PROGRESS MADE AND HOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

AND, UM, YEAH, SO VERONICA, I THINK THAT REPORT WILL HELP, UM, IN THAT REPORT, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE DATE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO US, THE, UM, THE, UH, CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE EDC ON THE CREATIVE SPACE BOND PROJECT, WHERE WE'RE ACTUALLY LATE AGAIN ON PROCEEDING WITH THAT PROJECT LATER THAN WAS PROPOSED.

SO IN THIS NEXT PHASE, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THE RFI THAT WAS DONE IN COMPLETED, BUT I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED SINCE THEN, AND THAT'S BEEN DONE FOR AWHILE.

SO, UH, THE REPORT NEEDS TO ADDRESS THAT.

UM, AND WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT IT OFFLINE ALSO.

UM, I ALSO, UM, I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTOOD YOU CORRECTLY.

SO THE CONSULTANTS, ARE THEY NOW ACTING AS STAFF? ARE THEY, IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE, IS THAT RIGHT? YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE, THEY ARE, BUT THEY ARE BEGINNING THAT, THAT, THAT INITIAL WORK, UM, OF THE EDC TO GET IT UP AND RUNNING, UM, WORKING CLOSELY WITH, UH, MYSELF AS THE INTERIM CEO AND PRESIDENT AND WITH DAVID COLLAGEN AS THE INTERIM COO.

SO, OKAY.

AS ACTUAL STAFF PEOPLE IN, ON AN INTERIM BASIS.

BUT DO THEY HAVE SPECIFIC POSITIONS OR ACTUALLY YOU CAN PUT THAT IN THE MEMO TOO, IF YOU WOULD KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE WORKING ON AND IN WHAT POSITION.

SO, BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS CONSULTANTS ACTUALLY COMING IN AS INTERIM, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD HAVE AN INTERIM COO, YOU COULD HAVE AN INTERIM CEO, YOU CAN HAVE AN INTERIM PROJECT MANAGER OR WHATEVER THE TITLES ARE, UH, NOT SO THAT THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ACT

[02:35:01]

SO THAT, THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND, UH, AS PART OF THE REPORT.

AND I ALSO WOULD THINK THAT AT SOME POINT, I, YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS ARE STRETCHED SO THIN AND I, AND I WANT TO GO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS BEEN SAYING, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF HOW, HOW MUCH WORK HELL HAVE BEEN DOING, AND PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

SO I'M, I'M NOT CERTAIN HOW YOU, HOW YOU, HOW YOU GUYS CAN BE BOTH AN INTERIM STAFF FOR STANDING UP A NEW START-UP ENTITY, LIKE THE ED EDC, AND ALSO DO ALL THE WORK YOU'RE HAVING TO DO AS STAFF PEOPLE FOR THE CITY.

SO I THINK YOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THEM AN AN N C O O AND AN INTERIM CEO WHO ARE CONSULTANTS IS I JUST DON'T, I DON'T SEE HOW YOU CAN DO THAT WORK QUICKLY.

SO I JUST ASKED YOU GUYS TO, TO, TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

UM, AND THEN, UM, AND MAYBE PUT THAT IN YOUR REPORT.

I JUST, I JUST, I DON'T SEE HOW IT CAN HAPPEN.

UM, AND THEN, UM, I JUST WOULD URGE YOU AGAIN BECAUSE, OH, THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS ABOUT, UM, ITEM NUMBER 10, THE, UH, WHAT'S PROPOSED FOR THE, UM, FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS.

IT LOOKS GOOD.

I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

UM, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE EDC, I'M NOT USED TO SEEING THEM AS VOTING BOARD MEMBERS THAT USUALLY SETS UP A CONFLICT WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR CEO AND ACTUAL VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD THAT HIRES AND FIRES THEM.

SO I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER IF JUST TO HAVE THAT AS A POSITION THAT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S FINE TO HAVE IT AS A, UM, YOU KNOW, EX OFFICIO POSITION, ALTHOUGH YOU DON'T EVEN REALLY NEED THAT.

BUT, UM, BUT I DO THINK IT SETS UP A CONFLICT TO HAVE THEM AS A VOTING MEMBER.

SO I WOULDN'T HAVE THEM.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IT NOT BE DONE THAT WAY.

AND THEN FINALLY, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT, AND I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT I, I LIKED THE, I THINK THAT YOU'VE GOT A GOOD BREADTH OF TEAS, UH, IN TERMS OF MAKING NOMINATIONS, BUT I CONTINUE TO SEE A LACK OF REPRESENTATION BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.

SO I SEE THAT YOU'VE GOT THE ALLIANCE OF CHAMBERS.

I SEE THAT YOU HAVE THE GREATER AUSTIN CHAMBER, UM, AND I, AND, UH, OTHER ENTITIES TOO.

AND IT JUST FEELS LIKE AN OVERSIGHT TO NOT ALSO ADDRESS THE SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE THEY ARE, THEY ARE IMPACTED BY THESE, UM, BY THESE, UM, ACTIVITIES IN THE EDC.

SO, UM, I WOULD NOTE THAT, SO PERHAPS THAT JUST, JUST AN IDEA, WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT MORE, BUT PERHAPS THAT POSITION THAT YOU HAVE FOR THE PRESIDENT AND CEO IS A VOTING MEMBER, COULD BE REPLACED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THAT'S AIBA OR SOMETHING ELSE.

CAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING THE NEEDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

I JUST DON'T SEE THAT POSITION, UH, REFLECTED.

SO I'M JUST, AND THE REASON I'M GOING THERE IS BECAUSE I SEE AND KNOWLEDGEMENT FOR THE, THE, THE BREADTH OF THE REST OF THE CHAMBERS.

I THINK THEY'RE ALL THERE.

I'M NOT SURE IF THE, UM, IF ALL THOSE CHAMBERS ARE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE THREE THAT I MENTIONED.

SO IF, IF WE'RE LEAVING OUT, IF WE'RE LEAVING OUT, UM, ANY OF THOSE CHAMBERS, I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY, SO THAT, THAT'S WHAT, UM, I SAW, BUT, UM, MAYBE MISSING ONE.

SO, UM, OKAY.

UM, SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.

UH, ITEM NUMBER 10, UH, COUNCIL NUMBER TWO, ADDRESS YOUR FIRST QUESTION, THE PRESIDENT, HE IS AN EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER.

THEY CANNOT HAVE RUNNING MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

THE FIRST CONCERN REGARD TO THE SMALL BUSINESS REPRESENTATION.

THE THOUGHT WAS THAT THE, THE MBE 80 SPOT OR THE MECCA CHAMBER REPRESENTATION WOULD HAVE THAT SMALL BUSINESS VIEW AS WELL.

BUT CERTAINLY YOUR, YOUR MESSAGE.

AND, UM, I, I JUST DIDN'T PROPOSING THE BOARD AS IT IS STRUCTURED.

IT IS A LARGE BOARD ALREADY.

AND SO WE'RE JUST, UH, COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS BOARD IS, IS ABLE TO MOVE EFFECTIVELY FORWARD.

SO, UM, BUT CERTAINLY HERE THE THOUGHT OF WANTING TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS REPRESENTED WELL, I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT WE HAVE, WE'VE SEEN, WE CONTINUE TO SIGNAL OUT SIGNAL OR SINGLE OUT, UM, ALL THE CHAMBERS EXCEPT FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESS CHAMBER.

AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CONTINUE TO LEAVE THEM OUT.

SO THAT MAY BE A LONGER CONVERSATION TO HAVE, BUT, UM,

[02:40:01]

THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE TO ME.

ALL ALONG BECAUSE I, AND I, YOU KNOW, WHERE I'VE GOTTEN TO A LEVEL OF COMFORT IS IN THAT IDEA OF HAVING SPINOFF ADVISORY BOARDS OR POTENTIALLY EVEN WORK PROJECT GROUPS THAT, THAT WE WILL NEED AN OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.

AND IT COMES FROM, AGAIN, I JUST, I WANTED TO JUMP IN AND ADD AS A COMMENT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT PEOPLE LISTENING TO THINK THAT THEY DON'T, THAT WE HAVE REPRESENTATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS, BECAUSE I KNOW FOR, FOR THE LATINO, THE HISPANIC GREATER AUSTIN, HISPANIC CHAMBER, I BELIEVE THE PARTY OF THEIR, OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP IS, IS SMALL BUSINESS, UM, AS, AS WELL FOR THE, UH, BLACK CHAMBER.

SO I JUST, I DON'T WANT FOLKS TO THINK, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, COUNSELOR KITCHEN.

UM, THERE'S ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE A SEAT, BUT THERE IS SMALL BUSINESS REPRESENTATION.

UM, WITH THE, I KNOW WITH THE LATINO AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBERS, THOSE ARE FLAT AGAIN, THANK YOU, MAYOR.

PRETEND WE'RE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT I HAD IN MY MIND.

UH, THAT'S FOUR CHAMBERS THAT MAKE UP THE MECCA ALLIANCE, BLACK CHAMBERS BANK, GENERATION CHAMBER, AND LGBT CHAMBER, ALL OF WHICH ARE PRIMARILY SMALL BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE.

UH, AND THAT WAS IN THE CHAMBER ANALYSIS THAT, THAT IS NOW BEING POSTPONED TO BOTH NEXT WEEKEND TO JANUARY.

YOU CAN EVEN SEE THE MOST RECENT ANALYSIS HAS BEEN DONE IN THOSE CHAMBERS.

UM, YOU KNOW, IT IS, I'M, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE KIND OF COMPROMISED LAYOUT THAT THE STAFF HAS PUT TOGETHER, BECAUSE IF WE START DIGGING INTO, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF REPRESENTATION? AM I A HUNDRED PERCENT COMFORTABLE WITH ALL FOUR OF THOSE MEGA CHAMBERS HAVING ONE SEAT ON THIS BOARD? I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M A HUNDRED PERCENT COMFORTABLE WITH KIND OF THE EQUITY SIDE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ONLY HAVING ONE SEAT AND THEN ADDING ANOTHER SEAT FOR WHAT EVEN STAFF CALLS THE NON-EQUITY SIDE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

SO I'M COMFORTABLE WITH WHERE THE STAFF IS AT.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES FOR AIBA AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE WORK EVOLVE WITH STAFF IS IT'S NOT A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BECAUSE IT RESTRICTS ITS MEMBERSHIP TO CERTAIN OWNERSHIP TYPES.

SO IT'S, IT IS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TYPE OF ORGANIZATION, ONE THAT THAT HAS VALUE.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT'S WHY THERE'S REALLY GOOD WORK TO BE DONE THROUGH WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY DIRECTED STAFF TO DO AND EXPLORING THAT AND THE OTHER CHAMBER.

SO, UM, YEAH, I I'M, I MEAN, I, I, I WOULD BE MUCKING WITH IT TOO, BUT I THINK THE STAFF'S REACHED THE RIGHT MIDDLE POINT.

THAT'S WHERE KITCHEN KITCHENS DID.

THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION MAYOR, TIM AND A COUNCIL MEMBER PLANNING.

AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO IMPLY THAT THERE WASN'T A SMALL BUSINESS REPRESENTATION.

SO, UH, SO THAT WAS A GOOD POINT TO, TO MAKE, UM, IN COUNCIL MEMBER PLANNING.

AND I GET YOUR POINT ALSO, YOU DON'T HAVE A BIT OF A CONCERN ABOUT THAT, THAT TO DO WITH ALL FOUR OF THOSE CHAMBERS HAVING ONE REPRESENTATIVE.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S DIFFICULT TO COME UP WITH SLOTS LIKE THIS BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY LEFT OUT.

UM, I JUST, AND SO I'M RAISING SOMETHING THAT I'M HAPPY TO HAVE AS A LARGER CONVERSATION IN, IN DIFFERENT THAT IMPACTS DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THIS.

I THINK I CAN GO FORWARD WITH THE AEDC THIS WAY, BUT, UM, BUT I CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED.

I, I DON'T SEE THAT AN IBA IS NOT A CHAMBER.

UM, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I'LL, YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S PROBABLY A LONGER CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE, THEY DO REPRESENT, UM, SOME THEY DO REPRESENT LIKE THESE OTHER CHAMBERS DO A PORTION OF OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

SO THAT'S A LONGER CONVERSATION WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT, BUT I REALLY DON'T.

UM, I, I'M CONTINUING TO CONCERN AND I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING, UM, IN THE WHY WE CONTINUE TO, TO LEAVE THEM OUT.

SO, UM, LIKE I SAID, I'M WILLING TO LET IT GO FOR THIS ONE, BUT I DO NEED TO HAVE THAT LONGER CONVERSATION WITH STAFF AND AT THE RIGHT TIME, THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, I THINK TOO ABOUT THE NUMBER AGAIN, IT'S GETTING TO BE PRETTY BIG.

SO I THINK IT NEEDS TO HAVE KIND OF A NIMBLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THAT CAN, THAT CAN OPERATE.

UH, I DID NOT THAT IT DIDN'T HAVE AS A MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE AND THE EDC ORIGINALLY STARTED, UH, IN THE, UH, UH, DOWNTOWN, UH, AUSTIN PLAN.

UH, SO, UM, WE'LL TALK TO STAFF OFFLINE TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT THAT PARTICULAR EXPERTISE, UM, MAYBE ACTUALLY, UH, WOULD PARTICIPATE IN PROJECTS.

UM, AND SOME OF THE PROJECTS BEING DONE IN THAT AREA, IT MIGHT BE THAT THE DA SHOULD EVER REPRESENTED TOMO.

YEAH, THIS IS, THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE CHALLENGES REALLY THINKING THROUGH WHO SHOULD BE ON THE BOARD

[02:45:01]

WE ARE, OUR EDC WILL NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PULL IN POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, MULTIPLE, UM, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY.

IF WE HAVE AN INITIATIVE, IF THE EDC, UM, HAS AN INITIATIVE THAT IS RELATED TO HOUSING OF THE SAME WITHIN THE ARTS AND CULTURAL SPACES AND, AND OTHER PROJECTS.

AND SO I ABSOLUTELY THINK, THINK THAT THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO HAVE A STRUCTURE AS TIME EVOLVES, TO HAVE A STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS FOR THOSE ADDITIONAL VOICES AND THOSE ADDITIONAL STAKEHOLDERS TO BE BROUGHT IN, TO WORK IN, IN A CONCERTED AND FOCUSED FASHION ON SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT REALLY DEMAND MORE EXPERTISE THAN WE MAY HAVE ON THE BOARD.

UM, WITH REGARD TO THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE, I KNOW THAT THEY, THEY HAVE REACHED OUT AND EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN BEING INVOLVED.

AND I CERTAINLY HOPE AND EXPECT THAT THEY WILL BE, I THINK, I THINK THEY'LL BRING GREAT VALUE TO IT.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

AND SO YOU'RE GETTING A WAVE.

UM, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

AND SO I THINK ANOTHER, ANOTHER THING FOR THE, OUR EDC TO THINK THROUGH IS HOW THAT, HOW DA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CAN WORK IN PARTNERSHIP ON THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE DOWNTOWN.

AND THAT MAY BE THE BEST WAY TO DO ENGAGE IN THAT, ENGAGE THEM.

ANYTHING ELSE ON HIS LIMIT? 52, WE READY TO BREAK FOR LUNCH.

I THINK THOSE WERE MONICA.

YOU AND YOUR STAFF.

I THINK THOSE WERE ALL THE EDD ITEMS. THANK YOU.

OH, I TELL YOU, YOU GUYS ARE LIKE, YOU'RE LIKE EVERYTHING IS BEING DONE RIGHT NOW AT THE CITY, RODNEY.

AND SYNOVIA AND EVERYBODY THAT'S WORKING ON THIS, UH, UH, NATASHA, DID YOU RAISE YOUR HAND? I DID.

I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT TODAY IS GIVING TUESDAY.

UM, IT'S A GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR EVERYBODY TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, SHOW SOME GENEROSITY AND SOME KIND OF THING, COMPASSION.

UM, SO WHEN, AND IF YOU'RE ABLE TO GIVE WHAT YOU CAN TO, UM, THE EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES THAT YOU SEE FIT, UM, AND THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN MONETARY GIVING.

SOMETIMES IT'S AN ACT OF KINDNESS.

UM, AND SO I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT FACEBOOK IS MATCHING UP TO $7 MILLION IN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GIVING TUESDAY.

SO IF YOU FIND YOURSELF, UM, SCROLLING ON YOUR LUNCH BREAK, UM, YOU MAY VERY WELL MAKE A CONTRIBUTION THAT THEY'LL MATCH.

UH, THIS, UH, COUNCIL BABY, UH, AT ONE O'CLOCK WE'RE GOING TO, UH, UH, CONVENE IN THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, UM, MODE OF THIS, UH, WHERE WE WILL, UH, PURSUANT TO FIVE, FIVE, ONE OH SEVEN TWO IN THE GOVERNMENT CODE.

COOL.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND ALSO THANK YOU TO DAVID'S.

UH, DAVID COLLAGEN AND DAVE RAY ALSO ON THIS CALL, UM, SUSANA CARL HALL AS WELL.

EVERYBODY'S WORKING ON 80 DIFFERENT THINGS AT ONCE.

IT IS 1153, WE'RE GOING TO RECESS,

[E. Executive Session]

WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS REAL REAL ESTATE MATTERS RELATED TO , UH, WHICH IS, UM, UH, HEALTH SELF-TRACK, UH, UH, EXCHANGE LEASE VALUE SALE EPISODE, THE FIVE FIVE ONE OH SEVEN ONE.

WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS ITEMS E TWO LEGAL MATTERS, BUT YOU TOO, WHICH IS THE FED POWER PROJECT FOR THE AUSTIN, UH, TOURISM PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.

HE WANTS A BIT WITHDRAWN WITHOUT OBJECTION.

I'LL SEE YOU GUYS ONE O'CLOCK IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION CHANNEL.

SEE YOU THERE.

UM, WE HAVE A QUORUM PRESENT, UM, WHILE WE WERE IN A CLOSED SESSION, WE CONSIDERED, UH, LEGAL MATTERS RELATED TO ITEM E IN THE STATE MATTERS RELATED TO ITEM THREE.

WE DID NOT CONSIDER FRIDAY AND THURSDAY RATHER LET'S GO TO A POLL

[A. Pre-Selected Agenda Items]

ITEMS, GIMME THE UT ITEMS, WHICH I THINK IS A NUMBER 63.

I'VE TRIED THE HIPPO AS QUICKLY CAUSE THERE'S TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT, UH, THANK YOU, MAYOR.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH A QUESTION OF, WELL, IT'S JUST MORE OF A PROCESS QUESTION.

I WAS REALLY THROWN OFF BY SEEING A STAFF PLACE, A RESOLUTION, DIRECTING THE MANAGER TO DO SOMETHING ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA.

THAT'S NORMALLY SOMETHING COUNCIL MEMBERS DO.

SO THAT WAS PART WAS CONFUSING TO ME, BUT ALSO A RESOLUTION THAT INITIATED A ZONING PROCESS WITHOUT SAYING WHAT THE ZONING IS, AS OPPOSED TO SAY A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS OR A PUBLIC.

YOU MEAN IT'S NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE INITIATING, BECAUSE NORMALLY WHEN WE SAY COUNCIL DIRECTS

[02:50:01]

MANAGER TO INITIATE ZONING, WE SAY WHAT THE ZONING IS WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

SO MANAGER OR, OR, OR PLANNING STAFF.

CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT, WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY INITIATING TODAY AND WHAT THE STEPS IN THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE MOVING FORWARD? THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, WE DO HAVE STAFF FROM OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND PLANNING ON LINE.

THEY'RE GOING TO GET MOVED OVER, BUT THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF A DISCUSSION THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH COUNCIL.

AND THIS IS AN ITEM AS A FOLLOW-UP FROM SOME OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD WITH COUNCIL, UH, BRINGING THE SAND IN FORWARD.

BUT IF YOU JUST WAIT FOR ONE MINUTE, WHILE WE GET STAFF TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, HI, MARIAN CONSOLE.

THIS IS JERRY REST OVEN MANAGER, UM, CUSTOMER REFINING IN, UM, YOU'RE CORRECT THAT IT'S NOT VERY COMMON FOR AN ITEM SUCH AS THIS TO BE ON THE AGENDA.

UM, THAT BEING SAID, UH, WE HAVE DONE SIMILAR TYPE ITEMS BEFORE WHERE WE DID NOT SPECIFY THE ZONING RATHER THAN WE WERE ASKED FOR THE STAFF TO GO OUT AND GO THROUGH THE NORMAL ZONING PROCESS IN THE SENSE THAT, UM, WE'D GO OUT, SEEK STAKEHOLDER INPUT.

UM, WE WOULD REVIEW IT WITH THE STAFF, WITH ALL THE VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS.

WE WOULD THEN FORMULATE A STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND GO THROUGH THE BOARDING COMMISSION PROCESS AND THEN EVENTUALLY BRING IT BACK TO THE CITY COUNSEL.

SO W W SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, IF I'M TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, STAFF IS GOING TO GO DO A PROCESS.

WHAT IS, WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL? THAT'S BECAUSE SOMETIMES I HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED WHERE ZONING'S COME TO COUNCIL AND WE'RE HAVING TO, WITHIN A TIGHT WIND MAKE CHANGES.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT A PROCESS THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE CLEAR HOW THE COUNCIL IS ENGAGED, BUT YET WE'RE GOING TO BE, AS WE OFTEN ARE PRESSURED TO APPROVE WHATEVER THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS.

AND I REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND BETTER WHAT PROCESS YOU'RE GOING TO USE.

SO THIS IS A VERY UNIQUE AND SPECIAL SCENARIO THAT WE'RE IN, WHERE YOU HAVE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES, IT'S STATE OWNED.

YOU KNOW, THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN A VERY CLOSE AND FREQUENT PARTNER ON A LOT OF MATTERS, BUT NORMALLY WHEN THERE'S A ZONING REQUEST INITIATED, THERE'S A STARTING POINT.

AND SO LIKE, GIVE ME SOME DATES, JERRY.

I MEAN, I WANT TO HEAR, I WANT SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE CONCRETE.

LIKE WE'RE GOING TO, WE'RE GOING TO DO PUBLIC MEETINGS IN, IN FEBRUARY.

WE'RE GONNA COME BACK AND DO A WORK SESSION.

WHAT DOES THAT, WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO DO? UM, WHAT KINDS OF REMEMBER, I'M SORRY, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY DATES RIGHT NOW.

UM, OBVIOUSLY IF THE CONSOLE PASSES THIS AGENDA ITEM, WE'RE GOING TO START EMBARKING UPON THAT PROCESS.

I IMAGINE IT'S GOING TO TAKE, UM, MINIMUM SEVERAL MONTHS TO GET THROUGH THIS.

THESE ARE SOME PRETTY HIGH PROFILE TRACKS WITH A LOT OF PUBLIC INTEREST.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE'D GO, OF COURSE INTEND UPON HAVING, UM, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC MEETINGS, STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS, UH, WE'LL MAIL OUT NOTICES.

UM, WITH REGARD TO THE NOTICE, IT WILL BE AN UNUSUAL NOTICE BECAUSE, UH, USUALLY WE MAIL OUT THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST.

UH, BUT THERE IS NO APPLICANT REQUESTS IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE.

SO WE'LL SEND OUT A NOTICE STATING THAT THE, UH, THERE HAVE BEEN A ZONING CASE INITIATED ON THIS PROPERTY AND INVITING PEOPLE TO THE NUMEROUS STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS THAT WE INTEND TO HAVE, BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE THE NOTICE REQUIRED UNDER THE NOTICE OF PETITION RIGHTS, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT RIGHT, CORRECT.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT'S JUST A COURTESY NOTICE.

BUT WE NEED A WAY OF, YEAH.

BUT WE NEED, WE NEED A WAY OF LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE KNOW.

YEAH, THAT'S FINE.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH COURTESY NOTICE.

I MEAN, THAT'S GREAT.

BUT THEN THERE WILL STILL BE A SECOND NOTICE AT WHATEVER POINT THE PROCESS THAT STAFF FIGURES OUT WITH THE PUBLIC THERE WILL THEN BE A ZONING CLASSIFICATION DECIDED, AND THEN OFFICIAL NOTICES GO OUT, EVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR USUAL ZONING PROFITS.

IS THAT RIGHT? YES.

THAT'S A WAY TO MAKE THAT NOTICE AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW THE COUNCIL AS MANY OPTIONS AS POSSIBLE.

THAT IS HELPFUL.

CAUSE IT JUST WASN'T, IT'S JUST NOT A PROCESS WE'VE DONE.

WE'D, HADN'T BEEN BREACHED BRIEFED ON THIS AT LEAST MAYBE, MAYBE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE IN PRIVATE, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE ITEMS ON THE THANKSGIVING WEEK ARE SOMETIMES CHALLENGING TO GET ON PEOPLE'S SCHEDULES.

SO THANKS FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

I'M CERTAINLY FINE TO LET THIS MOVE FORWARD.

UM, BUT I, I REALLY HOPE THAT MANY OF US GET TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PUBLIC PROCESS AS WELL, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TH TH IT'S JUST REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THIS RIGHT.

AND I WOULD HATE FOR US TO FIGHT THREE TIMES WHEN WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO JUST ALL WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE RIGHT.

THE FIRST.

IS A CONTINUATION OF, YOU KNOW, OF WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN CONVERSATIONS WITH UT.

I APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTIONS, MR. FLANAGAN.

UM, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF, UM, THIS

[02:55:01]

UM, BEEN WORKING WITH UT TO, WE THINK THE PARTNERSHIP, WE THINK THE RELATIONSHIP AND, UM, UT CANNOT INITIATE A ZONING PROCESS BECAUSE THEY DON'T BELIEVE THEY HAVE TO ADHERE TO ZONING.

AND SO IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS BROADLY, UM, AND INITIATE ALL OF THE PUBLIC PROCESSES THAT NEED TO HAPPEN BEFORE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, UM, THIS WAS THE NEXT STEP.

UM, BUT ALL OF THOSE PROCESSES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND THIS ALLOWS US TO DO THAT MORE OPENLY.

IT ALLOWS COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ENGAGE IN IT, UM, IN A DIFFERENT WAY WHERE IT'S NOT SOLELY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

UM, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL ALLOW US TO, UM, MOVE FORWARD, UM, IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS FOR WIN-WINS FOR THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE CITY.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS, UH, ITEM 16.

TO BE IN PUBLIC SPACES, UH, IN PART, BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO BE SOMEWHERE THAT IS NOT IN THE WOODS AND IN THE STREAMS. UH, BUT WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY CAMPING OR FORCED TO CAMP OR TENSE AROUND CORNERS OR UNDER HIGHWAYS.

AND WE'VE TAKEN CARE OF ITEM 16, WE'VE TAKEN CARE OF ITEM 10.

UH, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR THE STAFF MAKE A PRESENTATION ON, UH, ON HEALTH STAFF FOR, WE DO Y'ALL KNOW THE OTHER ITEM, I THINK THAT WAS PULLED IS ITEM 23, WHICH IS THE DOWNTOWN COURT.

UH, IT SEEMED TO STAFF HAS WITHDRAWN THE SIGNER FOR CONSIDERATION THIS WEEK.

IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.

MIRROR.

A MEMO WAS SENT BY, UH, ACM CONSULTANTS AND THIS TEAM ARE REQUESTING NOW WITHDRAWN MANAGER.

I JUST WANT TO, I WANT TO STAY FOR, YOU KNOW, JUST TO, TO DISCUSS THAT, YOU KNOW, I'VE RECEIVED AS, AS I THINK A LOT OF COUNCIL OFFICES HAVE RECEIVED AND A LOT OF COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, UH, ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO PUT THE COMMUNITY COURT OVER ON THE SIDE, UH, JUST EAST OF, OF FIVE 35, UH, AND I'VE SEEN THE PRESENTATIONS ON IT.

AND, AND I KNOW THERE ARE ALWAYS PROS AND CONS AND PROS AND CONS OF PROPERTIES LOCATED, UM, UH, WEST OF .

UH, THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS WHY, UH, THIS, THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL MAKES SENSE, UH, AS, AS PRESENTED BY THE STAFF, UH, TO BE, UH, TO BE CONSIDERED.

UM, BUT IT'S PRETTY CLEAR.

I THINK THAT, THAT THE APPROPRIATE THING TO DO IS TO WITHDRAW, UH, AT THIS TIME, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT, THAT IT CAN MOVE FORWARD.

MY CONCERN IN THAT ASSOCIATED WITH THAT IS I THINK THAT A LOT OF THE CONCERN ASSOCIATED WITH THE COURT, UH, UH, BEAR MAY NOT BE ABOUT THE COURT OR ITS OPERATIONS OR, OR ABOUT THE, THE NEED FOR THE SPACE OR THE OPERATIONS.

IT GETS LOST IN THE, THE OTHER CONVERSATION IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT, UH, HOW IT IS THAT WE'RE MANAGING SHARED SPACES AND WHETHER OR NOT, UM, UH, WE'RE, WE'RE HOW WE'RE DOING WITH RESPECT TO DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGE OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY.

UH, I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE RELOCATION OR A NEW LOCATION OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY COURT ARE ASKING THE QUESTION, WHAT IS THE PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS? UH, IS IT A TWO YEAR PLAN, OR IS IT A FIVE-YEAR PLAN OR A 10 YEAR PLAN? I MEAN, HOW MANY YEARS IS IT? AND, AND ONE OF THE BENCHMARKS THAT WE'RE LOOKING ALONG THE WAY TO SEE IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL, I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS WILLING TO, AND READY TO, TO, TO, TO REALLY FIND WAYS TO END HOMELESSNESS AND TO, AND TO HOUSE, UH, UH, THESE FOLKS RATHER THAN HIDE THEM AND SEND THEM BACK TO THE WOODS AND THE FORESTS OR WHEREVER THEY WERE FORCED TO GO BEFORE, UH, IN REALLY UNSAFE AND UNSANITARY CONDITIONS.

I THINK OUR COMMUNITY IS, IS READY TO SPEND THE RESOURCES AS EVIDENCED BY THE, THE SUPPORT THAT THE COUNCIL HAS GOTTEN AND THE FACT THAT WE'VE MADE IT THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.

UM, I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS WITH US IN THE DESIRE TO HOUSE PEOPLE, BUT WHAT'S MISSING IS WHAT IS THE PLAN? WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES, HOW ARE WE GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE? HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE? HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE'RE SUCCEEDING ALONG THE WAY? UH, AND I, AND I FOUND AS I WAS TALKING TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN COURT LOCATION, UH, SOMETIMES I COULDN'T GET PAST THAT CONVERSATION BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THAT AREA.

AND WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARY IN THAT AREA.

I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING US TO DO A BETTER JOB OF MANAGING THE SHARED PUBLIC SPACES THAN WE ARE DOING.

THESE ARE, THESE ARE PUBLIC SPACES TO BE SHARED AND AVAILABLE TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT MEANS EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY.

UH, WE, WE CANNOT TRACK PEOPLE OFF FROM BEING ABLE

[03:00:01]

WE WANNA, WE WANT TO HOUSE FOLKS AND GET THEM INTO BETTER, SAFER PLACES.

UM, AND I KNOW THAT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME FOR US TO DO, AND I KNOW THAT THE CHALLENGE GETS EXACERBATED IN PROVAT.

UH, AND WE, AND WE CAN'T PUT PEOPLE INTO SHELTERS BECAUSE I CONGREGATE LIVING, UH, IS SOMETHING THAT THE CDC SAYS YOU SHOULD AVOID.

AND, AND WE'RE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB AND NOT HAVING OUTBREAKS IN OUR POPULATION, OUR COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT, UH, ENDANGERED THEM IN A DANGER TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY THAT SAID, I DO NOT THINK THAT WE ARE DEMONSTRATING TO THE PUBLIC, THAT WE, THAT WE HAVE A PLAN TO, TO MANAGE SHARED PUBLIC SPACES IN A WAY THAT REFLECTS THAT, THAT IT SHOULD BE SHARED AND AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY.

UH, AND, AND, AND IN OUR, THE, OUR INABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE IN WAYS THAT PEOPLE IN C, UH, THAT WE, THAT WE, WE HAVE PLANS FOR SHARING PUBLIC SPACES AND DOING THAT, UM, BECOMES THEN THE SECOND CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TALK TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND AROUND THE CITY ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE COMMUNITY, THE COURT, I MENTIONED THIS BECAUSE I THINK THIS COMMUNITY'S ENTITLED TO HAVE A PLAN.

THAT'S OKAY, WHAT IT IS AND HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE AND WHAT THE BENCHMARKS ALONG THE WAY AND WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST, AND WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES AND PATIENTS I MENTIONED, BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY IS ENTITLED TO SEE IN A SHORT-TERM MANNER, A BETTER MANAGEMENT OF SHARED PUBLIC SPACES IN OUR CITY.

UH, AND, AND I DON'T SENSE THE, THE, THE URGENCY, UM, UH, TO GET BOTH OF THOSE THINGS, UH, DONE AND OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, UH, THAT, THAT I'M FEELING.

AND THAT, UH, THE, THE PEOPLE THAT I TALKED TO IN THE, UM, ARE EXPRESSING TO ME, YES, WITHDRAWING A PROPOSAL FOR A RELOCATION OF A DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY COURT, THAT IF WE WERE NOT FACED WITH WHAT WERE, WHAT WERE YOU'RE FACED WITH, IF THE LIBRARY IN THAT LOCATION, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WOULD BE WITHDRAWING OR POSTPONING THAT, UH, CAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEPARATE THOSE, BUT, YOU KNOW, UM, I'M, MY FEAR IS, IS THAT WE WILL LOSE THE, THE PERMISSION.

I LOVE THE COMMUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ACHIEVED THE ENDING OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

UH, IF WE PROVIDE BETTER ANSWERS AND, UH, WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THOSE ANSWERS, THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ANSWERING THOSE SPECIFICS FOR A LONG TIME.

THEY'RE NOT COMING.

UH, AND, AND I'M, I AM CONCERNED TO SEE THAT WITH THE WITHDRAWAL.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY OTHER CHOICE, BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT WE WERE IN A POSITION WHERE THAT NEEDED TO BE, UH, WITH WITHDRAWN.

UH, AND I URGE AGAIN, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE $65 MILLION ON THE BUDGET LAST YEAR TO DEAL WITH HOMELESSNESS.

UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS, IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ABOUT HALF OF THAT STILL UNSPENT AT THIS POINT.

UH, I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE WHAT IT IS THAT, THAT 30, SOME ODD BILLION DOLLARS IS BEING ALLOCATED FOR.

AND A DETERMINATION MADE WHETHER ANY OF THOSE DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON SOMETHING THAT'S A HIGHER PRIORITY.

THEN, THEN, THEN HOUSING PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, UH, HOTEL VOUCHERS, OR OTHER WAYS TO HOUSE PEOPLE, WHATEVER THEY ARE, WHATEVER IS THE BEST PLAN.

AND WHETHER ANY OF THOSE $30 MILLION, ANY DOLLAR OF THAT IS A HIGHER PRIORITY THAN, THAN BETTER MANAGING THE, UH, THE SHARED PUBLIC SPACES.

AND I RECOGNIZE THAT SOMETIMES PUTTING RESOURCES AGAINST SHARED PUBLIC SPACES ARE NOT THE RESOURCES THAT ARE, THAT ARE MOST USED TO SOLVE THE LONG-TERM CHALLENGE.

UH, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO SOLVE BOTH OF THESE CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE TO SOLVE THE LADDER IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE COMMUNITY TO DO THE FIRST.

SO I JUST DIDN'T WANT THIS ITEM TO BE WITHDRAWN QUIETLY.

I WANTED TO SAY THAT, AND I W I REALLY WANT TO SEE STAFF COME BACK WITH A PLAN AND A BETTER SHORT TIME, UH, RESOLUTION, OUR HANDLING OF SHARED PUBLIC SPACES.

UH, THAT'S OUR FLAT AGAIN, MAYOR, I WANT TO, I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING THAT YOU SAID, BECAUSE IT IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF CONFUSION FOR THE COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING A PLAN AND IMPLEMENTING THAT PLAN IN A TIMELY FASHION.

AND IT HAS BEEN MADE PRETTY CLEAR TO ME THAT THERE, THERE, THERE IS A PLAN.

THERE IS A LOT OF PLANS.

IN FACT, WHEN WE HAD THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING IN OCTOBER,

[03:05:01]

THE STAFF CAME AND LAID OUT THE PLAN AND IT WAS UNBELIEVABLY COMPREHENSIVE, BUT WHERE WE STRUGGLE, WHERE WE FAIL IS NOT IN THE LACK OF A PLAN.

IT'S NOT IN THE LACK OF FUNDING, EVEN IT'S TWO, I THINK YOUR CORE POINT WE'VE ALLOCATED THE FUNDS, BUT YET THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE GETTING SPENT.

AND IT IS TAKING FAR LONGER THAN ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WANTS IT TO TAKE.

NOT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T MADE IT A PRIORITY, NOT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T, UH, MADE IT A TOP LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET, BUT FOR SOME REASON THERE'S A BARRIER ON THE IMPLEMENTATION SIDE.

AND THAT COULD BE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

IT COULD BE A LOT OF IT, I THINK IS PANDEMIC RELATED.

AND A LOT OF THINGS HAD TO GET SHIFTED OVER TO ADDRESS THE UNFORESEEN REALITIES OF 2020.

SOME OF IT IS IN NEGOTIATING WITH NEIGHBORHOODS AND LANDOWNERS ABOUT WHERE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE CITED, WHICH IS NOT A NEW CHALLENGE FOR ANY CITY THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO BUILD EVERYTHING FROM HIGH-END HOMES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TO SOLUTIONS FOR HOMELESSNESS.

AND WE'RE HAVING THAT CHALLENGE HERE.

SO I DON'T, I DON'T WANT THERE TO BE A, A NAME IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I OFTEN HEAR.

AND I DON'T WANT US TO REINFORCE THIS RIYADH, THIS, THIS NOTION THAT THERE IS NO PLAN, THERE IS AN UNBELIEVABLE, IT IS A SPECTACULAR PLAN.

IT COVERS EVERYTHING FROM HOUSING TO SUPPORT SERVICES, TO MENTAL HEALTH, TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE, TO PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT, TO CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND WE WENT THROUGH ALL OF THAT STUFF IN OCTOBER.

AND I INTENTIONALLY WANTED US TO GO THROUGH THAT STUFF IN OCTOBER, BECAUSE IT WAS SO CLEAR TO ME THAT WE KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT MANAGER, I THINK WHAT MANY OF US ARE CONTINUED TO BE FRUSTRATED WITH IS WE HAVE, WE HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD IN MULTIPLE BUDGETS NOW TO PRIORITIZE THESE FINANCIAL ALLOCATIONS.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE THING TO TELL THE PUBLIC WELL, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES A YEAR TO BUILD A FACILITY THAT'S FAIR.

AND I CAN POINT TO A FEW OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE'VE APPROVED, BUT THERE'S STILL MONEY SITTING IN THE CORNER WAITING TO BE ALLOCATED.

AND THAT IS PRIMARILY MY CONSTANT SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION.

AND AS FAR AS THE DAC IS CONCERNED, ME, I WAS THE CHAIR OF THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE BEFORE WE UPGRADED IT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

AND SO I, AND MY, MY, UH, FELLOW COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VICE CHAIR COSAR AND THE MAYOR PRO TEM AND MADISON SPENT A LOT OF TIME WORKING ON THE MUNICIPAL COURT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS, WORKING IN THE DAC.

AND IF THIS LOCATION THAT WAS PROPOSED WAS THE RIGHT LOCATION, THEN I THINK IT WOULD BE WORTH PUSHING IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

BUT IT WAS ALWAYS A REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE COMPROMISE BECAUSE IT IS A GEOGRAPHICALLY CENTERED WHERE THE DAC REALLY NEEDS TO BE GEOGRAPHICALLY CENTERED.

SO I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE DELAY, NOT BECAUSE OF, OF THE REASONS WHY FOLKS HAVE FRICTION, WHICH, WHICH THERE IS FRICTION AND SEEING THE TORONTO'S LIBRARY AND SEEING THAT AS YOU, AS THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S A CHALLENGE, BUT I'M WILLING, I'M WILLING TO LET THIS GO BECAUSE I WAS ACTUALLY NEVER COMFORTABLE MOVING IT THIS FAR EAST.

AND I HOPE THAT THIS MOMENT WILL GIVE US SOME RENEWED FOCUS TO MAYBE SOME ALTERNATIVES, MAYBE SOME GREAT PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COUNTY.

UM, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT THIS GIGANTIC LEDGER WITH THE TEXAS FACILITIES COMMISSION, WHICH THIS WEEK WE ARE ADDING MORE MONEY INTO.

AND I HOPE, UH, REPRESENTATIVE RODRIGUEZ, WHO IS ASKING US TO MOVE THIS BACK DOWNTOWN MIGHT BE AN ALLY AND TALKING TO THE TEXAS FACILITIES COMMISSION TO TAP INTO THAT LEDGER, TO HELP US ADDRESS WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A DOWNTOWN PROBLEM.

SO ALL THAT, ALL THAT BEING SAID, UM, I THINK WE ARE IN AGREEMENT, BUT I THINK THE WORDS GET TRIPPED UP IN THE COMMUNITY SOMETIMES.

AND AT LEAST A FEW OF US ARE HAVING SOME PRETTY REGULAR AND PASSIONATE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT AT THE MOMENT.

I BET YOU'RE HAVING A LOT OF THEM.

UH, AND, AND TO BE CLEAR AND TO RECONCILE WITH WHAT YOU SAID, THERE'S NO QUESTION, BUT THAT OUR STAFF ISN'T DOING TONS OF THINGS.

AND WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS THAT HAVE IDENTIFIED ALL THE ELEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

AND IT'S A VERY COMPREHENSIVE LIST, BUT WHAT I HAVE NOT SEEN IS THE CHOICES ABOUT WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO FIRST AND WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS.

WE CAN SEE NO WORDS, WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES THAT ARE BEING SET? THAT'S, THAT'S THE, MAYBE IT'S AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, UH, THAT THEN TAKES ALL THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS AND SAYS, THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE.

THESE ARE BENCHMARKS ALONG THE WAY.

SO WE CAN MEASURE WHETHER WE'RE BEING SUCCESSFUL OR NOT.

WHETHER WE'RE MOVING MORE QUICKLY THAN WE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD, OR IT'S TAKING US LONGER THAN WE THOUGHT THAT, UH, THAT I THINK IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR AT THIS POINT.

UH, AND THAT'S WHAT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE.

SEE, THAT'S WHAT I'VE TOLD THEM.

UM, TACO SOMETHING YOU JUST SAID, YOU'RE MUTED.

THEY'RE PROBABLY, YOU'RE GOOD.

YOU KNOW, I, I THINK PROBABLY MY OFFICE HERE'S

[03:10:02]

AS MUCH, IF NOT MORE, UM, FEEDBACK ABOUT ISSUES RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS THAN THAN MANY OTHER COUNCIL OFFICES.

UM, IT IS, UH, A CRITICAL PRIORITY AND HAS BEEN FOR MY OFFICE TO FIND RESEARCH, TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES AND TO ADVANCE INITIATIVES.

AND, AND I'M, I'M SO VERY GLAD, UM, THAT THE COUNCIL HAS MADE THAT A TOP PRIORITY.

I DO ALL OF US WANT TO SEE REALLY IMMEDIATE ACTION, BUT I JUST WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF, OF HOW HARD OUR STAFF IS WORKING.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, I THINK WE HAVE A LOT, SO IN ACKNOWLEDGING I WANNA WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, YOU KNOW, I, AGAIN, I HEAR FROM A LOT OF, A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE US HAVE A BETTER BALANCING OF PUBLIC SPACES I AM AWARE OF AND SUPPORTIVE, ABSOLUTELY.

OF, OF, UM, ACHIEVING THAT BETTER BALANCE WHILE ALSO IDENTIFYING THOSE PERMANENT HOUSING RESOURCES.

HAVING SAID THAT THOUGH, I JUST WANT TO APPRECIATE OUR STAFF FOR A MOMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE PLACED ENORMOUS DEMANDS ON THEM.

AND IT IS, YOU KNOW, AS I LOOK AROUND AND READ ABOUT HOW OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE RESPONDED TO THE PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW, ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE REALLY STRUGGLING TO MEET THE TREMENDOUS NEEDS THAT ARE, HAVE BEEN ON OUR, THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENT, BUT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR STAFF HAVE, HAVE RESPONDED SO AMAZINGLY IN TERMS OF HOW THEY HAVE LOOKED OUT FOR, AND TRIED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE UNSHELTERED.

AND SO IT IS, YOU KNOW, IT IS, UM, I SHARE THE INTEREST IN HAVING A REAL TIMELINE, A CONCRETE TIMELINE, UH, AND INFORMATION ALL IN ONE PLACE ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT CITY RESPONSES.

I THINK THAT'S WHEN WE SIT AND TALK ABOUT IT AND, AND WE DID HAVE SOME GREAT MEMOS THAT WERE QUARTERLY, I THINK AT ONE POINT THAT WERE SUMMARIZING ALL THE VARIOUS ACTIONS I UNDERSTAND.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOTTEN SEVERAL OF THOSE DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT HAD BEEN VERY USEFUL AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND THE TIME TO REALLY SIT WITH PEOPLE AND EXPLAIN ALL OF THE DIFFERENT INITIATIVES THAT THE CITY IS ENGAGED IN, AND THESE ARE EFFECTIVE INITIATIVES AND REALLY, UM, EFFICIENT USES OF, OF RESOURCES, PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED BECAUSE THEY DON'T, THEY DON'T ALWAYS SEE ALL OF THOSE, ALL OF THAT COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF HOW THE CITY IS ENGAGED AND HOW WE'RE LEVERAGING OUR RESOURCES AND HOW WE'RE ENGAGING IN PARTNERSHIPS.

SO I CONCUR WITH THE, WITH THE OPPORTUNITY THERE TO COMMUNICATE MORE COMPREHENSIVELY WITH THE PUBLIC AND CRAFT A TIMELINE WITH, WITH SOME EXPECTATIONS.

UH, BUT I DO WANT TO BE SURE THAT OUR STAFF UNDERSTANDS HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE TREMENDOUS WORK THEY'VE DONE, ESPECIALLY DURING PANDEMIC, BECAUSE IT REALLY HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS AS I STARTED TO SAY, AS I LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY AT HOW OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE RESPONDED, I'M SO PROUD OF HOW AUSTIN HAS IN SETTING UP THE ISOLATION FACILITIES AND MAKING SURE AND DOING THE EAT PROGRAM AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAD FOOD, GETTING TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LIVING ON SHELTERED AND SETTING UP HYGIENE STATIONS AND RESTROOMS. I MEAN, I, I WOULD, I WOULD PUT AUSTIN UP THERE AS A LEADER IN HOW WE'VE RESPONDED DURING THIS, THIS PANDEMIC.

AND CLEARLY THAT HAS DELAYED SOME OF THE OTHER EFFORTS.

UM, AT THE SAME TIME, SOME OF THOSE EFFORTS HAVE CONTINUED INCLUDING THE SEARCH FOR THOSE PERMANENT, THOSE HOTEL MOTELS THAT WOULD PROVIDE THAT PERMANENT STRATEGY.

AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO ALSO BE MINDFUL THAT WE SOMETIMES GIVE DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO STAFF ABOUT THAT.

UM, WE WERE, YOU KNOW, ASKING THEM TO MOVE VERY, VERY QUICKLY ON THEM.

AND THEN WE'VE ALSO HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PERHAPS, UM, TAKING A LITTLE MORE TIME ON SOME OF THOSE ACQUISITIONS.

AND SO IT'S, IT'S, UH, IT MUST BE A VERY CHALLENGING THING TO WORK IN THIS AREA AS A CITY OF CITY OF AUSTIN STAFF MEMBER.

AND I APPRECIATE AND COMMEND YOUR EFFORTS.

UM, WHILE ALSO CONCURRING THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THAT PLAN WITH, WITH A, WITH A TIMEFRAME THAT WE CAN PROVIDE TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS CERTAINLY REALLY APPRECIATE THIS FEEDBACK AND THE RECOGNITION OF THE WORK THAT STAFF HAS BEEN DOING AS YOU KNOW, IT'S A TOUGH PRIMARY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FOR THIS COUNCIL AND, AND, AND FOR STAFF, UH, I MIGHT SUGGEST, UH, THIS IS A PERFECT SEGUE INTO DOING A MORE ROBUST WORK SESSION.

AND PERHAPS EVEN AS WE HAD DONE, UH, MAYBE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WITH SOME MORE INTENSIVE, UH, DISCUSSIONS AND KIND OF A STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT, IF YOU WILL.

UH, SO WE WILL LOOK AT THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK NOW'S THE RIGHT TIME TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, BUT CERTAINLY, UH, REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH YOU AND OUR COMMUNITY TO MOVE THIS FALL.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANY KIND OF, UH, TIME TO, TO LISTEN TO, AND TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS ALL ABOUT.

UH, YOU KNOW, THIS, UH, THIS, THIS LOCATION JUST CAME UP TO ME.

[03:15:01]

IT WAS THE DAY BEFORE WORK SESSION.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN STUDYING WHERE TO RELOCATE THE COMMUNITY COURT FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW.

SO THIS IS NOT A LIKE, UH, YOU KNOW, WE, WE HAVEN'T PLANNED AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, WE HAVE A, UH, THIS, THIS LOCATION WAS GOING TO TAKE AT LEAST TWO YEARS, IF NOT MORE JUST TO DEVELOP IT.

IT'S, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEMOLISH A BUILDING THEIR, THEIR WAREHOUSE AND THEN REBUILT THERE AND HAS TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE, YOU KNOW, UH, SITE PLAN AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO IT'S, IF IT WASN'T GOING TO BE COMPLETED FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS, IF NOT MORE.

AND, AND WE A COMMUNITY COURT RIGHT NOW THAT IT'S JUST, UH, I MEAN, THERE'S NO PLACE FOR THEM TO WORK OUT OF.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, UH, A MUNICIPAL COURT HOUSE THAT EMPTY REP NOW THAT COULD BE REHAB AND THEY'RE ALREADY COURTROOM PRESENTER, AN OFFICE IS, AND WE COULD USE $1 MILLION TO, TO REHAB THAT LESS THAN 21 MILLION TO CLEAN UP, UH, AND REMOVE ALL THE, YOUR BEST INSIDE OF THAT BUILDING.

IT PICKS IT UP.

BUT, UH, THAT'S, THAT'S, YOU KNOW, WE WE'RE, OUR COMMUNITY HAS TAKEN A LOT.

I MEAN, BESIDES KATHY, WHERE I'M RIGHT THERE ON THE BORDER AND, AND, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A RODIN HOTEL HOTEL THERE THAT IS BEING BOUGHT THAT WE BOUGHT FOR THE HOMELESS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OPEN ARMS, BUT WE HAVE A SOUP KITCHEN RIGHT ACROSS CATTY CORNER FROM THE LIBRARY.

THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER 30 YEARS, IF NOT MORE.

UH, AND IT, IT ATTRACTS TO THE HOMELESS AND WE'RE ALL THEY'VE BEEN THERE FOREVER.

BUT, YOU KNOW, W WHERE, UH, WHEN WE SEE OUR OWN LIBRARY GETTING DEMOLISHED, I MEAN, WE HAVE WORKED YEARS JUST TO GET A NEW LIBRARY PUT IN EAST AUSTIN.

AND WE FINALLY GOT ONE, WE GOT A BEAUTIFUL KIOSK.

THERE THAT'S A SHELTER RIGHT NOW.

HE CAN'T EVEN SEE THE KIA.

I SAYS, ALL TORN UP AND THE PARENTS AND THE FAMILIES THERE WILL NOT WALK DOWN THERE, THEIR KIDS THERE TO THAT LIBRARY BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID, YOU KNOW, THERE'S THERE.

I MEAN, I, I'VE KNOWN PEOPLE AND EVEN SOME OF THE STAFF, OUR STAFF MEMBERS HAVE GONE DOWN THERE AND SEE HOW AGGRESSIVELY PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, AND I HEARD IT ALWAYS, WE'D BEEN WORKING FOR, WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION, YOU KNOW, HOW'S, THE HOMELESS WAS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROGRAM.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD HOMELESS HOMER, THE HOMELESS GOOSE, AND WE LOBBIED, AND, AND FOR HOUSING SUPPORTS TO HELP THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND EAST SIDE HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPEN HAND, OPEN ARM FOR, TO HELP THESE PEOPLE OUT.

AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING THEM OUT, YOU KNOW, UH, BUT THERE ARE SOME LOCATIONS THAT WE DON'T, WE HAVE A MASTER PLAN AND, AND OUR MASTER PLAN DID NOT INCLUDE A COURTHOUSE, A COMMUNITY COURTHOUSE.

IT JUST, IT WASN'T THERE IN THAT LOCATION.

IT'S GOT A CONDO RIGHT NEXT TO IT.

AND I MEAN, PUBLIC EASE, NOT ALL THE WAY AROUND THAT AREA.

CAN YOU IMAGINE IF WE CAN'T DO A HANDLE THERE, WHAT WE HAVE THERE AT THE LIBRARY WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THERE AND THAT LOCATION, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S THOSE THINGS THAT, UH, THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE HERE ON THE EAST SIDE AND WE WERE VERY COMPASSIONATE AND WE WERE VERY TOLERANT, BUT WE HAVE TO DRAW THE LINES SOMEWHERE.

WE'RE NOT DOWNTOWN, YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO LET THE PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT DOWNTOWN.

WE, UH, WE COMPROMISED AND WE SAID, OKAY, BUSINESS COMMUNITY, YOU CAN TAKE FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH STREET ALL THE WAY OUT TO PLEASANT VALLEY, YOU KNOW, AND WE'LL LET YOU GO AHEAD AND BUILD WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BUILT THERE.

YOU KNOW, AS LONG AS YOU RUN IT THROUGH THE CONTACT TEAM AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TEAM AND WHERE YOU WERE, THAT'S THE WAY WE ARE.

AND THAT'S HOW WE OPERATE.

YOU KNOW, WE, WE DO GET TO LET THE CONTACT TEAM KNOW WHAT'S COMING HERE AND WHY, AND WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF PRIDE, UH, PROGRESS.

I CALLED THROUGH THERE, YOU KNOW, WE GOT HERE, WE WERE OUT, BUT NOW PEOPLE REALLY LOVE THAT LOCATION.

YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE GOT ALL THESE, UH, CHALMERS WITH TRANSFORMING DATA TO BOUGHT HER AN APARTMENTS FOR OUR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF, UH, YOU KNOW, FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR A HOMELESS PEOPLE OR NOT.

YOU KNOW, I JUST, UH, YOU KNOW, WHICH

[03:20:01]

HAS LEAD TO DO A STUDY OF WHETHER WE COULD USE THAT, UH, THE COURTROOM AND IF WE COULD FIX IT UP AND IT WOULD BE A LOT QUICKER, A LOT FASTER THAN BUILDING A WHOLE GRADUATE BUILDING, WHICH HAS GOT TO TAKE OVER TWO YEARS FAIR.

PRESENTATION ON HEALTH SOUTH, AND THAT'LL BE THE LAST THING THAT WE DO.

MAY I JUST ASK A QUICK QUESTION ON MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER? DO YOU MEAN THE, THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING? YES.

HI, COLLEAGUES, LET'S GO NOW TO STAFF

[B2. Briefing on the Health South Request for Proposal. (Staff update).]

THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL.

UH, SO IN ACCORDANCE WITH CITY DIRECTION, THE EDD STAFF ISSUED AN RFP FOR HEALTH SELF, BUT PROPOSALS WERE RECEIVED AND EVALUATED BASED ON SEVERAL FACTORS AS OUTLINED IN THE RFP OF STAFF EVALUATED THE WRITTEN PROPOSALS AND CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS WITH THE PROPOSERS TODAY'S PRESENTATION IS TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM TO BE SELECTED FOR THE HEALTH SOUTH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AND ON ALTERNATE OVER TO OUR PDD STAFF, IT AFTERNOON, PARENT COUNCIL, VERONICA PRESIDIO, CHIEF ECONOMIC RECOVERY OFFICER, UM, ECHO THE SENTIMENTS THAT SPENCER, UH, MENTIONED.

AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MARGARET SHAW, WHO HAS BEEN OUR PROJECT MANAGER FOR THIS PROJECT.

AND, UH, WE'LL SHARE SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

AND THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

I THINK CTA WAS PULLING UP THE PRESENTATION.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

UH, WE'RE COMING FORWARD TODAY WITH A BRIEF PUBLIC PRESENTATION, JUST DESCRIBING THE ACTION THAT WILL BE COMING FORWARD ON THURSDAY.

NEXT SLIDE CTM.

THERE WE GO.

SO JUST TO REVIEW WHERE WE'LL BE TODAY AS THE HISTORY A QUICK, UM, ACTUALLY YOU CAN GO BACK, SORRY, JUST TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE PURPOSE OF TODAY'S PRESENTATION FOR COUNCIL, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC WATCHING.

WE'LL GIVE YOU A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF THIS SITE, THE GOALS THAT COUNCIL STATED FOR THE USE OF THIS SITE, THE PROCESS OF HOW WE GOT TO HERE AND THEN OUR REQUEST FOR ACTION ON THURSDAY, WE'LL GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF RECOMMENDED PROPOSAL, UM, AND THEN A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS AND NEXT STEPS, AS YOU CAN SEE, HERE WE GO.

SO WHILE WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT, THE YELLOW IS THE CAPITAL VIEW QUARTER TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE TWO PROPERTIES OF THE GARAGE AND THE BUILDING.

I'M JUST WAITING FOR CTM.

GO FORWARD.

THIS IS DAVID.

WHAT SLIDE DO YOU NEED? OKAY, THE NEXT SLIDE, WHICH NUMBER? I BELIEVE IT'S THE THIRD.

IT WOULD BE THE THIRD, THE HISTORY OF THE SITE.

HISTORY OF THE SITE.

NO, THAT'S THE SLIDE THAT'S AT MARKET.

AND I THINK MAYBE YOU'RE NOT SAYING WHAT WE'RE SAYING, SO WE'RE ON SLIDE THREE YEARS.

THEN, UH, WE'LL DO THIS BY.

LET ME TRY AND PULL IT UP ON MY SCREEN.

THERE WE GO.

THAT'LL BE.

WE DID ISSUE THAT SITE ON THAT RFP PROPOSAL REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS IN NOVEMBER 18TH OF 2019 DUE TO COVID.

SO JUST A QUICK SUMMARY.

WE'VE HAD A LONG HISTORY WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN WITH THIS SITE, THE SITE ITSELF WAS PURCHASED OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT 25 YEARS FROM THE FIFTIES TO THE SEVENTIES, IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE, UM, BRACKENRIDGE HOSPITAL TO GROW, THERE WERE NO REHAB SERVICES AVAILABLE.

SO THE CITY MADE THIS SITE AVAILABLE TO BRACKENRIDGE THROUGH A GROUND LEASE.

THEY THEN, UM, WE EXECUTED A GROUND LEASE WITH REHAB HOSPITAL SERVICES CORP TO BUILD A REHAB FACILITY.

THEY THEN LEASED THEIR RIGHTS TO A GROUP CALLED HEALTH SOUTH, WHICH BUILT THE PARKING GARAGE AT WIRED AND BUILT THE PARKING GARAGE NEXT DOOR.

AND THEN IN 2016 FOR BUSINESS REASONS, HOW SOUTH DECIDED TO CLOSE THIS FACILITY DOWNTOWN AND OFFERED, CAME BACK TO THE CITY TO SELL BACK ITS LEASE HOLD INTERESTS, WHICH IN, WE DID WITH COUNCIL APPROVAL, THE ACQUISITION WAS COMPLETE.

AND THEN COUNCIL SPENT THE YEAR CONSIDERING SOME REDEVELOPMENT OPTIONS.

AND THEN AN 18 STAFF WAS DIRECTED.

WE'LL GET INTO A LITTLE MORE DETAIL IN A FEW SLIDES TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION, TO REDEVELOP THE SITE WITH THE PRIORITY BEING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

[03:25:01]

WE EXTENDED THAT, UM, CLOSING TO APRIL OF 23RD, WE NOTIFIED OVER 280 DIFFERENT VENDOR CONTACTS, BOTH AFFORDABLE PEOPLE, REGISTERED WITH THE CITY AS INTERESTED IN THIS DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS FOLKS AT BOTH NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, REAL ESTATE, AND OTHER PARTIES KNEW WERE INTERESTED OR COULD BE INTERESTED.

SO IT COVERED THE GAMUT.

WE SENT IT TO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS, AS WELL AS ALL THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CENTRAL HEALTH, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND OTHER PUBLIC ENTITIES WERE ALSO NOTIFIED CENTRAL HEALTH.

OF COURSE.

SO THE RFP CLOSED IN APRIL OF THIS SPRING AND A DIVERSE SET OF PANEL EXECUTIVE, UH, CITY STAFF EXECUTIVES WERE CHOSEN TO EVALUATE THE FOUR PROPOSALS RECEIVED AND SELECTED THE HIGHEST ONE THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL.

SO NEXT SLIDE.

SO THE NEXT SLIDE IS GETTING INTO THE RESOLUTION GOALS.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE THAT I'M STILL ON-SITE HISTORY.

UM, BUT THE RESOLUTION IN 2018, JUST TO RECAP WAS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY WAS PLACED ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING SERVING FOLKS EARNING LESS THAN 60% OF MEDIAN INCOME WITH MULTIPLE BEDROOMS. SO SERVING FAMILIES SITE THE PRIORITY WAS TO PUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THIS SITE.

HOWEVER, IF PROPOSALS HAD OTHER PROPERTIES WITHIN A MILE OF THE SITE THAT COULD LEVERAGE ADDITIONAL GOALS OF THE STRATEGIC HOUSING BLUEPRINT, THOSE WOULD BE WELCOME.

WE ALSO WANTED TO ADDRESS THE CITY'S FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS REGARDING THE SITE.

UH, PROPOSALS WERE WELCOME EITHER FOR A BOUNDLESS OR A PURCHASE.

AND WE ALSO SET A MINIMUM OFFER OF 12.2 MILLION, WHICH INCLUDED 8.7 MILLION FOR THE ACQUISITION, THE OUTSTANDING ACQUISITION DEBT, AS WELL AS UP TO 3.5 MILLION FOR A PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE COSTS TO REDO RED RIVER ADJACENT AND AS WELL AS YOU KNOW, COUNCIL ALSO HAS STANDING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL OF OUR PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

AND THOSE INCLUDE REFLECT MANY OF AUSTIN VALUES SUCH AS OUR MINORITY AND WOMEN OF BUSINESS PROCUREMENT PROGRAMS, THIRD-PARTY AGREEMENTS, UM, BETTER BUILDER STANDARDS AND OTHER THINGS.

WE ALSO ASKED THE PROPOSAL THAT IF IT WAS POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS WOULD BE WELCOMED IN THE LIST YOU SEE, HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT STAFF PUT IN AS AN OFFER, UH, TO GET IDEAS GENERATED FROM ART TO MUSIC, TO FILM, WORKFORCE CHILDCARE, SMALL BUSINESS, AND OTHER SERVICES.

WE ALSO AT THE REQUEST OF AUSTIN ENERGY ENCOURAGED FOLKS, IF THEY COULD TO INCORPORATE A DISTRICT CLEAN PLANT FACILITY FOR THIS QUADRANT OF DOWNTOWN NEXT SLIDE.

SO ONCE THE PANEL HAD FINISHED REVIEWING THE PROPOSALS RECEIVED, AND WE WERE QUITE PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE FROM THE MARKET, GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE WERE UNDER A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND REAL ESTATE, UM, WAS QUITE UP IN THE AIR.

WE RECEIVED FOUR PROPOSALS FROM STRONG WELL-KNOWN PARTNERS, LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY ASPEN HEIGHTS.

INTERCORE DMA COMPANIES, GENSLER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE 2033 HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION AND PENROSE HUNT.

SO WITH THESE PROPOSALS, THE TWO HIGHEST SCORING ASPEN HEIGHTS AND PENN ROSE WERE INVITED TO INTERVIEW WITH THE PANEL.

AND AFTER THE INTERVIEW, ASPEN HEIGHTS WAS THE HIGHEST SCORING SUBMITTAL WITH 101 OUT OF 125 POINTS.

THESE PROPOSALS WERE, THESE SCORINGS WERE RELEASED BY PURCHASING EARLIER LAST MONTH ON NOVEMBER 6TH.

OUR ACTION COMING FORWARD ON THURSDAY IS TO ASK FOR COUNCIL'S APPROVAL TO ALLOW STAFF TO GO C8 AN EXECUTE, AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT WITH ASPEN HEIGHTS PARTNERS.

SO THIS WOULD GOVERN THE TERMS, IT'S AN INTERMEDIATE STEP, AND AGAIN, AS AN INTERMEDIATE STEP THAT OUTLINES, BUT THE TIMELINE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES GOING INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AND NEGOTIATION.

AND THEN WE WOULD GO INTO A MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT NEGOTIATION, WHICH IS FAR MORE DETAILED AND FAR MORE INTENSE.

AND THEN BRING BACK TO COUNCIL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS NEGOTIATED UNDER THE MDA FOR APPROVAL.

JUST A SECOND.

ARE YOU ON PAGE SIX? I'M ON PAGE SIX, BUT MY SCREEN, THIS SCREEN SHOWS ME ABOUT VACATION.

I THOUGHT WE WERE MOVING WE'RE WE'RE ON PAGE SIX NOW.

YOU'RE ON PAGE SIX.

THE REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

IS, IS ASKING FOR COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE STAFF, TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING.

I THINK THAT'S WHEN YOU WERE JUST DOING CORRECT.

CORRECT.

SO JUST TO RECAP, WHAT STAFF'S ACTION ITEM FOR THURSDAY

[03:30:01]

WITH ASPEN HEIGHTS PARTNERS THAT HIGHEST SCORING PROPOSAL, THAT'S THE OUTLINES, THE BULLETS BELOW OUTLINE A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT THAT PROCESS LOOKS LIKE.

SO THE ENA GOES AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL, SOME OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT THE TWO PARTIES.

SO WE NEGOTIATE ONCE THAT'S EXECUTED, WE MOVE INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR THAT MUCH FROM DETAILED MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.

AND UNDER BOTH, WE WOULD SPEAK TO ALL THE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS THAT THE CITY HAS FOR PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT'S MENTIONED.

SO THE NEXT SLIDE I'LL DESCRIBE, OH, ASPEN HEIGHTS PROPOSAL.

SO I'D SAY SEVEN.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THESE RENDERING, IT'S TWO TOWERS.

SO THE CITY SITE, THE SHADED TOWER IS THE PROPOSED HOTEL ON THE FORMER COVEN SITE.

IT'S A SITE YOU CAN ALSO SEE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, THE MURAL THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING FOR THE OFFICE TOWER.

AND THEN IN THIS SIDE, STAY HERE.

UH, YOU SEE WHAT THEY PROPOSE TO ADDRESS THE CAPITOL VIEW QUARTER IS AN INNOVATIVE, ELEVATED PLAZA.

SO PAY.

SO YOU CAN SEE BETWEEN THE TWO TOWERS AND A LITTLE BIT OF THE PLAZA THAT WE'LL SEE ON THAT SLIDE.

SO THERE'S AN OFFICE TOWER AND A RESIDENTIAL TOWER THAT ARE JOINED BY A PLAZA.

SO WE CAN GET TO THE NEXT SLIDE ON NUMBER EIGHT, FLABBY.

COOL.

THEY WERE PROPOSING IT TO ELEVATED PARK PLAZA FOR PROGRAMMING.

UH, SO I'LL WAIT A MINUTE FOR SLIDE EIGHT.

THEN YOU CAN SEE, UH, OUR GROUP OF A PARK WITH INTENT TO HAVE MUSIC AND OTHER ENGAGED FAMILY SETTINGS PLAYGROUND.

THE STAIRCASE SHOWS YOU HOW AN ACCESS POINT TO RED RIVER, THE NEW RED RIVER.

AND AS WE HIGHLIGHT HERE, THE TEAM IS AN AUSTIN-BASED TEAM WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE WORKING IN AUSTIN AND ALSO WITH THE CITY.

SO NEXT SLIDE, SLIDE NINE.

WELL, DESCRIBE SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DETAILS.

IT'S UP MARGARET.

THE TWO TOWERS, UH, AS I SAID, THERE ARE TWO TOWERS, ONE 36 STORY, RESIDENTIAL DENSE RESIDENTIAL WITH 348 APARTMENTS AND 160 CONDOMINIUMS. THE OTHER ONE IS A 15 STORY OFFICE TOWER.

THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS INTEGRATED THROUGHOUT THE SITE.

UM, OVER 25% OF THOSE APARTMENTS WOULD SERVE RESIDENTS AT TARGETING 50 AND 60% OF MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME, AND ALSO OFFERING OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE EARNING 80% OF MEDIAN INCOME.

THEY ALSO PROPOSE AN AGGRESSIVE RETAIL COMPONENT OVER 25,000 SQUARE FEET WITH A FOCUS ON CULINARY DESTINATION, WITH COLLABORATIVE SPACE TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.

THEY ALSO OFFER A ROOFTOP CAFE AND VIEWING TECH DECK THAT WOULD BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH SPECTACULAR SCENES OF WATERLOO PARK, THE CAPITOL AND OTHER THINGS.

THEIR RETAIL IS DESIGNED AND TARGETED TO SERVE, NOT JUST THE RESIDENTS, BUT THE WORKERS, BOTH AT THE CAPITOL UT AND THE INNOVATION DISTRICT AND THE MEDICAL COMPLEX, AND ALSO THEIR VISITORS WHO COME HERE.

OTHER COMMUNITY BENEFITS THAT THEY INCORPORATED INTO THIS PROPOSAL IS A 6,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE THAT MUSIC AND ARTS ORGANIZATION IN TOWN CAN USE.

AS I MENTIONED IN THE MURAL IN THE RENDERING ON THE OFFICE TOWER, THEY'D WORK WITH OUR PUBLIC ARTS PROGRAM TO CHOOSE LOCAL ARTISTS AND GO THROUGH OUR SNUGGER PROCESS FOR THAT THEY ARE SEEKING OUR HIGHEST SUSTAINABILITY RATINGS.

AND AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THEY ARE SOLVING THAT CONDUCTIVITY OF THE TWO TOWERS AND BUILDING COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS CONNECTING TO WATERLOO PARK RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT.

THEY SPEAK TO THE EAST SIDE AND EAST AUSTIN AND CONNECTING, AS I SAID, THE TITLE OF THEIR PROPOSAL WAS TYING AUSTIN TOGETHER AND THAT ELEVATED PLAZA AND ITS PROGRAMMING AND THE RETAIL, OR AN INTENT TO DO THAT NEXT SLIDE, THE NEXT AND FINAL SLIDE WALKS THROUGH JUST THE PROCESS UNDER WHICH WE'VE BEEN ENGAGED FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WE STARTED IN 2018 WITH COUNCIL'S DIRECTION TO SEEK A SOLICITATION OR FINISHED THERE AND BRINGING FORWARD TO YOU THAT HIGHEST SCORING PROPOSAL WE'D MOVE INTO THE EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENTS IN THE NEXT

[03:35:01]

YEAR.

WE EXPECT THAT TO TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS ONCE APPROVED, AND THEN WE MOVE INTO THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS AS WELL.

AND THEN OUR LAST SIDE IS JUST REMINDING EVERYONE THAT WE ARE STILL UNDER THE ANTI LOBBYING ORDINANCE FOR THIS PROPOSAL AND THAT SEAN WILLETT, OUR DEPUTY PURCHASING OFFICER IS THE PUBLIC CONTACT FOR THE SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME.

AND WITH THAT, THAT'S OUR PUBLIC PRESENTATION GRANT.

UM, COLLEAGUES, JUST TO STRAY THOUGHT ON PAGE NINE OF THAT PRESENTATION, YOU TALKING ABOUT 6,000 SQUARE FEET BEING AVAILABLE FOR MUSIC AND ARTS PURPOSES SINCE I HAVE BEEN SO IMMERSED HERE AND, AND IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO ON MUSIC VENUES IN THE LIGHT, THERE ARE A LOT OF MUSIC VENUES IN THAT AREA DOWN THERE, 11TH, NINTH, AND 11TH AND RED RIVER.

UM, I'M NOT SURE HOW EASY IT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THOSE MUSIC VENUES, UH, RELATIVE TO THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF THE LAND THAT THEY'RE ON.

OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IF THE OWNERS OF THOSE PROPERTIES WOULD HELP FACILITATE THAT WE HAVE A PIECE OF PROPERTY HERE, THAT'S IN THAT AREA.

AND IT SURE WOULD BE NICE TO SEE CONSIDERATION IF THAT'S 6,000 SQUARE FEET, MAYBE THAT COULD BE A THREE OF THOSE VENUES OR THREE OF THOSE CLUBS, OR MAYBE THERE'S A WAY TO ACTUALLY HELP US ENSURE THAT THERE'S ALWAYS LIVE MUSIC VENUES.

AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST, UH, UH, A PUBLIC SPACE WHERE MUSIC CAN BE PLAYED, BUT ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT, THAT HELPS SUPPORT AND AS A CORNERSTONE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND SAY SOMETHING I THOUGHT MIGHT BE A WONDERFUL IDEA.

IF YOU WORKED OUT COLLEAGUES, UM, HOW BROADER CONVERSATION ON, ON THIS ISSUE, IT'S GOING TO BE UP FOR US ON THURSDAY.

UH, IS THERE ANYONE WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THE PUBLIC PRESENTATION AT THIS POINT? OKAY, JOHNNY.

OH, THANK YOU.

I HAVE SOME BROADER COMMENTS AND I'VE BET A ZILLION QUESTIONS, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO JUMP AHEAD IF, IF, UM, I CAN'T SEE IF OTHER FOLKS HAVE THEIR HANDS UP.

AND ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE, WHERE WE WOULD, WOULD HAVE REALLY HIGH DOLLAR, UM, WHERE THE HIGH DOLLAR OF THE REAL ESTATE OF THE LAND REALLY PREVENTS THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

UM, COLLEAGUES, I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A CONVERSATION NOW TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY SOME, UM, GUIDANCE ON WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT THIS WEEK.

I AM AND HAVE BEEN KEENLY INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT.

I WORK EXTREMELY CLOSELY WITH COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSTON, UM, WHO BROUGHT FORWARD BOTH OF THE RESOLUTIONS THAT ACTUALLY BEGAN BACK IN 2017 WITH A RESOLUTION AT THAT TIME TO LOOK AT HEALTH SOUTH, UH, AND CONSIDER WHETHER IT COULD BE AGAIN WITH THE INTENT ALWAYS BEING TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THAT SITE WHERE WE HAVE 7,000 PLUS, UM, A NEED FOR 7,000 PLUS.

WELL, LET ME BACK UP.

WE HAVE 7,000 PLUS SERVICE INDUSTRY JOBS DOWNTOWN, UM, AND WE HAVE A AMAZING OPPORTUNITY ON THIS TRACK TO REALLY MEET SOME OF THOSE HOUSING NEEDS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING IN THE DOWNTOWN SPACE.

BUT THE 2017 RESOLUTION ASKED, UM, INITIATED A CLOSE ANALYSIS OF WHETHER THE BUILDING COULD BE REHABBED FOR USE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING USING THE EXISTING ROOM CONFIGURATION.

UM, AND WE GOT BACK SOME USEFUL INFORMATION.

ULI DID THEIR OWN ANALYSIS, UH, LOOKING AT DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT PUBLIC TRACKS, UH, THROUGHOUT THE CITY, UM, THAT ARE OWNED BY THE CITY, UH, AND, AND RANKED THEM IN ORDER OF WHAT THEY THOUGHT OFFERED THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND THAT'S A REALLY USEFUL REPORT IN TERMS OF INFORMING THE POSSIBILITY IS FOR HEALTH SOUTH.

UM, AND THEN, AND THEN WE'RE UP TO THE TIMELINE THAT WAS REFLECTED TODAY HERE WITH THE 2018.

SO THIS HAS BEEN A, UH, A LEADING ENTRUST, UM, OF, OF MINE.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT, THAT WE HAVE A SIGNATURE PROJECT ON THIS PIECE OF PUBLICLY ON LAND THAT IS THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF AS A CITY.

AND THAT CREATES REALLY SUBSTANTIAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THAT SITE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT I, YOU KNOW, LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL A LOT LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL.

WE'VE HAD COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SOME OF THE SAME ONES WHO HAVE ADVOCATED THAT WE USE OUR LAND ASSETS AS A CITY TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE LAND COSTS ARE THE BIGGEST COST, UM, OFTEN OF ANY PROJECT

[03:40:01]

WE HAVE AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY AS A CITY TO CREATE THAT COMMUNITY BENEFIT THROUGH OUR OWN LAND AND THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS.

SO ALL THAT IS TO SAY, UM, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIMELINE THIS MORNING.

WE RECEIVED THE PRESENTATION THAT YOU JUST SAW, UM, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.

I WOULD SAY ONE, I, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AS ROBUST A PUBLIC CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS REALLY SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC PROJECT, UM, AS POSSIBLE.

AND NOT ONLY WOULD IT BE CHALLENGING FOR ME AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER TO ENGAGE IN THAT ROBUST CONVERSATION BETWEEN TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.

IT'S CHALLENGING FOR ME AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT WITH OUR STAFF, UM, SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, AND WE HAD A MEETING AND, AND WENT THROUGH A BIT OF A PRESENTATION.

UM, I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY OF THESE DETAILS WERE IN IT BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ABLE IN THE TIME REMAINING TO GET THROUGH THOSE DETAILS.

UM, I REQUESTED THE POWERPOINT BECAUSE THEY HADN'T MET WITH, UM, THE COUNCIL MEMBER WHO'S DISTRICT IN WHICH THIS FALLS, IT WAS NOT PROVIDED.

WE FOLLOWED UP SEVERAL TIMES.

I ALL THAT IS TO SAY, I GOT THE INFORMATION WHEN THE PUBLIC DID THIS MORNING, WE JUST HAD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHERE WE WENT THROUGH SOME OTHER DETAILS THAT CAN'T BE MADE PUBLIC VERY, VERY RAPIDLY.

UM, I CERTAINLY, AS A, AS A POLICY MAKER, UM, MAKING A DECISION THIS WEEK ABOUT THIS PROJECT AS STEEPED AS I HAVE BEEN IN IT, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN, I HAVE, YOU KNOW, ALONG WITH COUNCIL MEMBER, HOUSTON LED THE EFFORT TO HAVE THIS SITE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE.

UM, I AM NOT READY TO MAKE A DECISION THIS WEEK.

I WOULD NOT BE READY TO MAKE ONE NEXT WEEK EITHER, BUT I CERTAINLY CAN'T COUNT DO NOT FEEL, UM, THAT WE WOULD BE DOING A SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, ASKING THEM TO ENGAGE ON SOMETHING OF THIS IMPORT SO QUICKLY.

AND, AND I, I WOULD JUST, UM, YOU KNOW, I CAN STOP THERE.

IF MY COLLEAGUES ARE IN AGREEMENT, IF THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT A DELAY, THEN I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH EXAMPLES OF, YOU KNOW, THE MANY OTHER PUBLIC PROJECTS THAT HAVE WHERE WE'VE GIVEN THE PUBLIC MORE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT, SEE HOME INTAKE, MCCOLLOUGH PLACE, VARIOUS OTHER PUBLIC TRACKS, CITY TRACKS, UM, WHERE WE'VE, WE'VE AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO PUBLIC TO ENGAGE.

AND I THINK WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S A LOT MORE CHALLENGING IN THIS ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SIGNAL YOUR INTEREST IN DOING SO BY TOMORROW.

I BELIEVE SO.

UM, I LIKE A LOT OF ELEMENTS THAT I, THAT I HEAR IN THIS PRESENTATION.

I I'M REALLY EAGER TO TALK ABOUT WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO TWEAK THE PROPOSAL TO WORK WITH THE DEVELOPER.

AND THEN I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT A LOT, BUT, UM, MULTIPLE QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK TODAY TO GET, TO GET SOME STAFF RESPONSES TO, BUT AS A THRESHOLD QUESTION, I WANT TO ASK COLLEAGUES, WILL YOU SUPPORT OUR REQUEST FOR POSTPONEMENT THIS WEEK? THAT'S IN THE CONSUMER POOL COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER MADISON, THE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

THANK YOU, MARY.

I APPRECIATE IT.

UM, I GUESS I'LL ANSWER THAT, UH, MY COLLEAGUES, LAST QUESTION, THE LATTER QUESTION, AND THEN I'LL, I'LL SAY WHAT I WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO SAY PERSONALLY, I WOULDN'T SUPPORT A POSTPONEMENT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD ON THIS PROJECT.

I, I FIND IT TO BE ABSOLUTELY COMPREHENSIVE AND AMAZING, UM, AND IT ADDRESSES THE NEED AND THE COMMUNITY.

IT ADDRESSES THE NEED IN THAT AREA.

I THINK IT'S REALLY FANTASTIC USE OF THE SPACE.

UM, HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT ALL THE PROPOSALS THAT WERE SUBMITTED.

UM, I AGREE WITH STAFF THAT THIS IS THE BEST PROPOSAL AND THAT IT WILL OFFER US WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AS A MUNICIPALITY.

AND, UM, FOR DISTRICT ONE, I'M VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT IN DISTRICT ONE, UM, AS THE CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBER.

UM, I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY, UM, I, I REALLY LOOKED THROUGH, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY, LIKE SOME OF THE PARTICULAR ELEMENTS ABOUT HOUSING IS INCLUDING WHICH I REALLY LIKED, THERE'S THE, YOU KNOW, FOR SALE OPTION.

AND THEN THERE'S THE RENTAL OPTION.

I REALLY LIKE HOW MUCH WE HAVE IN THE WAY OF AFFORDABILITY HERE.

UM, SO HOPEFULLY MY COLLEAGUE AND I WILL, UM, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE COULD BE PROPOSED, UM, THAT WOULD MAKE THESE NUMBERS WORK OUT TO WHERE WE COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH 6,000 SQUARE FOOT OF A SPACE FOR ARTISTS 25,000 SQUARE FOOT PARK.

THAT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

UM, I COULD GO ON, BUT THERE'S SO MANY ELEMENTS OF THIS PROPOSAL THAT I THINK ARE JUST SO AMAZING, UM, THAT I THINK THIS WILL REALLY BE A FANTASTIC ADDITION TO DISTRICT ONE AND OUR ASSETS AS WE

[03:45:01]

MOVE FORWARD THROUGH DOING EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAID IN THE PROPOSAL, WHICH IS TYING AUSTIN TOGETHER, WATERLOO, UH, GREENWAY ALSO MADE A SPECIFIC POINT TO TIE AUSTIN TOGETHER TO TIE THAT EAST AND WEST SIDE OF AUSTIN TOGETHER.

UH, AND, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU PROBABLY RECALL DURING THE COURSE OF OUR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE CONVENTION CENTER, IT'S ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE NEED TO TIE AUSTIN TOGETHER AND STOP HAVING THIS REALLY CLEARLY DEFINED LINE BETWEEN THE EAST SIDE AND THE WEST SIDE OF AUSTIN.

UM, SO, UH, I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK, UM, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN EXTENDED CONVERSATION ON THURSDAY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND JUST, UM, MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I SUPPORT THE PROJECT.

I SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL AND I WOULD PREFER WE DIDN'T POST IT.

SO, UM, I THINK I WAS NEXT, UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE HAD A REQUEST TO DELAY THE, UM, DECISION ON THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT, UM, BECAUSE, UM, THERE HADN'T BEEN SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THAT, UH, THAT PROPOSAL TO BE COMPLETELY VETTED.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE PULLED BACK FROM THAT.

UM, WE PULLED BACK FROM THE, UH, DECISION ABOUT, UM, SOME PARKLAND DEDICATION, UH, SPENDING, UM, I THINK IT WAS OVER, UM, ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN.

I THINK IT WAS KATHY, I THINK THAT WAS IN YOUR DISTRICT.

AND WE DID THAT RECENTLY.

I THINK THAT THE REQUEST FOR A POSTPONEMENT HERE TO ALLOW, I HADN'T HAD THIS PRESENTATION AT ALL UNTIL WE WERE BRIEFED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

AND THEN JUST NOW I'D, I'D LIKE SOME TIME TO, I DON'T THINK WE'RE SAYING THAT THE PROPOSAL THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO US ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS WE WANT SOME TIME TO ASSESS IT AND BE SURE OF THAT.

UM, SO I WOULD SUPPORT, UM, KATHY YOUR REQUEST FOR A POSTPONEMENT.

I THINK IT IS A REASONABLE ONE, ESPECIALLY WITH A PROJECT AS LARGE AS THIS ONE.

I WOULD ASK STAFF, IS THERE A TIMING SENSITIVITY IF WE WERE TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME, UH, TO PUSH THIS OFF FOR A COUPLE OF MEETINGS, UM, WILL THAT HAVE ANY, UM, UM, WILL THAT MAKE FOR SOME DIFFICULTIES OR DOES IT HAVE ANY NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THE RFP PROCESS? I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE MARGARET SHOT TO ANSWER THAT, OR MAYBE, UM, CITY ATTORNEY OR SOMEBODY WITH PURCHASING.

I BELIEVE IT'S PURCHASING.

I WAS JUST CALLING ON SEAN OR THE ATTORNEY.

IT TOOK ME A MINUTE.

UM, THIS IS NOT WHAT I HEARD HER SAYING.

UM, AS FAR AS PURCHASING AND THE PROCUREMENT, THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AS FAR AS THEIR TIMELINES COUNCIL MEMBER FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UH, PERSPECTIVE.

UH, WE DON'T FORESEE ANY, UM, ANY ISSUES WITH, UH, A POSTPONEMENT AT THIS POINT.

THANKS 2%.

UM, AND, AND THANKS TO SEAN AND THIS WILL THAT, SO YES, KATHY, I WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT YOUR REQUEST FOR A POSTPONEMENT YOU'RE MUTED NOW, COUNCIL MEMBER FLAT AGAIN, ARE WE HAVING A MEETING NEXT WEEK? THERE'S A MEETING THIS WEEKEND NEXT WEEK.

HOUSING AND HOW WE'RE NOT SOLVING THEM FAST ENOUGH AND NOW WE'RE CONTEMPLATING GOING SLOWER.

THERE'S NOT AN AGENDA POSTED FOR A MEETING NEXT WEEK, WHICH WOULD NORMALLY HAVE ALREADY BEEN POSTED.

THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING A COUNCIL MEMBER BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY.

UH, WE DID NOT POST IT TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE.

LIKE WE USUALLY DO.

UH, WE'RE STILL POSTING IT ON THIS FRIDAY, BUT YES, THERE IS A MEETING THAT WE'RE HAVING NEXT WEEK.

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE CITY MANAGER OF THE LENGTH OR COMPLEXITY OF THAT AGENDA SINCE WE'LL ONLY HAVE A WEEK TO REVIEW IT? IT IS, I GUESS, ON THE WHOLE LIGHTER THAN THIS WEEK.

UH, BUT AGAIN, IF THINGS GET POSTPONED TO NEXT WEEK, THEN I NEED TO JINX IT.

UM, I, UH, I, UH, AGREE WITH MY HOLLY COMES FROM HARBOR MADISON.

UM, I MEAN, I, I SUPPOSE I COULD STOMACH A WEEK.

UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK PART OF THE REASON I'M REMEMBERING WHY WE SCHEDULED TWO MEETINGS IN DECEMBER WHEN WE DID THAT LAST YEAR, WASN'T PART.

SO WE DIDN'T GET TRIPPED UP OVER A HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

SO I WOULD, I WOULD SUPPORT A ONE WEEK, BUT, YOU KNOW, I, I DO, I DO THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE THE MOMENTS WHEN, YOU KNOW, IT WAS LIKE 30 MINUTES AGO OR, OR LESS THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THESE BIG CHALLENGES ABOUT

[03:50:01]

SO I, I, YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS AS A COMMUNITY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

THIS HAS BEEN A, UH, A REALLY WELL-CONSTRUCTED RFP PROCESS WITH MANY TOUCH TOUCH.

UH CHECK-INS BY THE COUNCIL AND, AND, UM, THESE PROPOSALS ARE PRETTY, UM, NOT JUST REASONABLE, BUT, BUT EXCEED CERTAINLY MY EXPECTATIONS.

AND, UH, I AM, I WOULD CERTAINLY DEFER FOR ONE WEEK, UH, IF THE COUNCIL FELT THAT NECESSARY, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE STAFF LOSE THE TIME BETWEEN NOW AND OUR FIRST MEETING TWO MONTHS LATER, UH, TO HAVE INITIATED THIS PROCESS AND GET IT ROLLING.

I MEAN, THERE'S TWO POINTS TO RAISE HERE.

ONE.

UM, I THINK WE RAN INTO A SIMILAR ISSUE ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITH THE, UH, HFC LAND, AT LEAST ONE OF THEM IN COUNSELING I WROTE INTO HIS DISTRICT IS NOT BOTH, UM, WHERE I THINK WHILE WE CAN SEE THE SEALED PROPOSALS, UM, WHEN IT'S NOT OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, WHY IT IS THAT WE'RE PREFERRING ONE OVER THE OTHER AND IT GETS TOO JAMMED UP AND IT, AND SOMETIMES EVEN FOLKS THAT WOULD AGREE MIGHT FIND THEMSELVES DISAGREEING BECAUSE THE INFORMATION COMES TOO LATE.

UM, AND SO I THINK A WEEK WOULD BENEFIT ALL OF US SO THAT THE INFORMATION COULD GET OUT ABOUT WHY IT IS THE CITY IS, IS, UH, MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT IT DOES OR WHAT THE CITY'S ANALYSIS IS.

I ALSO THINK THAT THERE ARE MOST OF THE OTHER REMAINING REALLY GOOD WORK WILL BE PROBABLY IN THE NEGOTIATION WITH WHOEVER'S CHOSEN, BUT I ALSO WOULD APPRECIATE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO SEE WHAT DIRECTION WE CAN GIVE TO, TO FINISH IMPROVING, PUT FINISHING TOUCHES ON WHAT ULTIMATELY IS, UH, UH, A PUBLICLY OWNED PIECE OF LAND.

I WANT TO REALLY RESPECT COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER, MADISON, UH, NOT WANTING THIS TO GET SLOWED DOWN.

UM, UH, WE ALL, I THINK VOTED TO, TO BUY THIS, THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, WHICH I'M REALLY GLAD WE DID.

UM, I THINK THAT THERE IS, UH, ENOUGH, I THINK THERE'S A REASONABLE PURPOSE AND GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT SOONER.

I WOULD'VE LIKED FOR US TO TRY TO GET THIS OUT SOONER THAN, THAN TODAY, SOME OF THE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION.

SO I THINK WE'LL BENEFIT FROM THAT WEEK.

AND THERE ARE PROBABLY A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE THAT I COULD PROBABLY SQUEEZE IN BETWEEN HERE AND THURSDAY, BUT I THINK EQUALLY HELPFUL CAUSE WHATEVER HARPER MEDICINE I'M COMFORTABLE WITH ONE WEEK, MY ED, I SHOULD BE CLEAR THAT MY, MY CONCERN ABOUT POSTPONEMENT, I THINK, HAS BEEN EXPRESSED BOTH BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLANAGAN AND COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR.

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE WE ARE JUST SO HOUSING DEFICIENT THAT, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I DON'T HAVE THE STATS RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU KNOW, GETTING SO MANY UNITS, ESPECIALLY SO MANY THAT ARE MULTI BEDROOM, SO MANY THAT ARE UNDER 60% MFI, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT PROCESS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AND SO MY CONCERN ABOUT POSTPONEMENT IS IT IS, UH, AN EXTENDED DELAY, BUT I'M COMFORTABLE WITH ONE WEEK COLLEAGUES, KATHY PAGE JUST VERY QUICKLY.

I COULD ALSO SUPPORT A ONE A WEEK JEFFY.

WELL, THANK YOU COLLEAGUES.

IN LOOKING BACK AT THE TESTIMONY THAT WE HAD ABOUT THE LAST RESOLUTION.

I CERTAINLY WILL, UM, ENDEAVOR TO DO THE DUE DILIGENCE THAT I FEEL IS REQUIRED TO REVIEW THIS AND TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK.

I, I A WEEK IS BETTER THAN TWO DAYS, BUT I WOULD SAY A WEEK IS NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR A PROV, A PROJECT OF THIS WORD THAT IS A PUBLIC AT THE END OF THE DAY, A PUBLIC ASSET.

AND, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE NEED AND HAVE REMAINED IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH STAFF.

UM, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO ME TO SEE THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD, BUT IT'S AS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SEE THIS MOVING FORWARD IN A WAY THAT ALSO HAS COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY TRUST.

AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR WITH THE PUBLIC, IN ADDITION TO JUST SEEING THE INFORMATION, THE INFORMATION, UM, FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY IN THAT POWERPOINT FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY IN A VERY, VERY LIMITED WAY, MAYBE 15 MINUTES, UM, TO GET AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, SOME OF THE OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTHER PROPOSALS SO THAT WE COULD COMPARE AMONG THEM.

SO I WANT TO BE REALLY CLEAR IN ADDITION TO OUR INABILITY TO SH AS A CITY TO RELEASE SOME OF THOSE DETAILS.

WE ALSO HAD OUR FIRST CONVERSATION ABOUT THOSE TODAY.

I'M GOING BACK TO AN I, AND THEN I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, UM, FOR STAFF MORE THAN WE CAN PROBABLY COVER HERE TODAY, BUT I'LL GIVE IT A START

[03:55:01]

WE HAD A PRETTY EXTENSIVE CONVERSATION IN THE WORK SESSION.

AND THEN AGAIN, IN THE COUNCIL SESSION, WE WERE REALLY TALKING ABOUT TWO ISSUES.

ONE IS ABOUT LEASE VERSUS SALE.

UM, AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T EVEN TALKED ABOUT HERE TODAY.

THE STAFF HAVE LEFT THAT DECISION UP TO US.

AND SO THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION.

I KNOW.

UM, AND I, I THINK THAT WELL, UM, UH, WE ALSO HAD A PRETTY EXTENSIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHETHER THE HOUSING SHOULD BE THERE OR WE SHOULD KIND OF GET THE BENEFIT OF THAT LAND AND, AND INVEST IN THE HOUSING SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND SO I'M, I'M VERY EXCITED TO HAVE A PROPOSAL THAT IS, HAS ON-SITE HOUSING.

FOR ME, THE QUESTION IS WHETHER LESS THAN 25% OF THE HOUSING BEING ALLOCATED TO AFFORDABLE UNITS, 60% OR BELOW IS SUFFICIENT.

YOU KNOW, SO FREQUENTLY WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT USING A, FOR PUBLICLY OWNED LAND, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT REALLY HAVING THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSING, THAT RESULTS ON A P ON A PUBLIC TRACT BEING AFFORDABLE.

AND I THINK GIVEN, GIVEN THE SURROUNDING CONTEXT OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS DOWNTOWN, THE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE CAN GET ON THAT TRACK THE BETTER.

AND SO I'VE GOT TO REALLY GIVE SOME THOUGHT, I KNOW IT'S 25% OF THE RENTAL UNITS, BUT WHEN YOU ADD IN THE OWNERSHIP, UM, UNITS, IT'S CERTAINLY LESS THAN 25% ON THERE.

HOWEVER, IT'S GREAT THAT IT'S ON SITE.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE THE APPLICANT FOR DOING, FOR HAVING, UM, FOR RECOGNIZING THAT VALUE BACK AT WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE PROCESS, UM, THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION ON THE DIOCESE ABOUT THE PROCESS AND THE PROCESS THAT WAS GOING FORWARD WAS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.

AND, UH, THERE WERE, I THINK AT ONE POINT COUNCIL MEMBER FLANAGAN, YOU ASKED, UM, REBECCA GLO TO TALK ABOUT THAT IT WOULD PROVIDE US, UM, AND THE, YOU SAID, COUNCIL MEMBER PLAN.

AGAIN, I SEE THAT THIS SOLICITATION WOULD PROVIDE COUNCIL WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE MORE PRESCRIPTIVE IN THE FUTURE ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD BE DOING ON THIS TRACT.

UM, AND THEN REBECCA GLO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER CONVERSATION A LITTLE LATER IN THAT CONVERSATION IN THE TRANSCRIPT AGAIN ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT IT WOULD BE A TWO-STEP PROCESS, WHERE THERE WOULD BE A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND IT WOULD COME BACK.

UM, AND THEN WE WOULD, AS I UNDERSTOOD IT, AND I THINK AS OTHERS OF YOU ON THE DAYAS UNDERSTOOD IT, WE WOULD SET SOME REAL, SOME REAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WHAT WOULD BE IN THAT PROPOSAL.

UM, AND THEN WE WOULD GET THE RFP.

SO I, I, TO JUST ASK OUR STAFF TO RESPOND TO WHY THE PROCESS SHIFTED FROM A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

AND THEN I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS THAT WERE PLACED ON THOSE PROPOSALS.

THAT'S MY MOM, I'M GOING TO ASK MARGARET SHOT AND HELPED ME OUT WITH THAT PIECE THAT, UM, THAT INITIAL COUNSEL DISCUSSION PREDATES ME.

SO MARGARET, DO YOU MIND TURNING ON? NO, I'M HAPPY TO, UH, SO YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

COUNCIL MEMBER.

THERE WAS A LONG DISCUSSION BACK AND FORTH ABOUT A TWO-STEP PROCESS AND AN RFI.

HOWEVER, WHAT WAS RESOLVED IN THE RESOLUTION, THE FINAL RESOLUTION WAS TO ISSUE THE SOLICITATION.

AND WE DID PROVIDE MEMOS TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, UPDATING FOLKS ON THAT CHANGE IN PROCESS, RIGHT? YEAH.

THE, THE RESOLUTION SAID SOLICITATION.

HOWEVER, IN THE COURSE OF THAT CONVERSATION, I THINK WE CLARIFIED WHAT THAT SOLICIT SOLICITATION WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

AND THERE WERE AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE HOUSING STAFF CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE, UM, A MORE GENERAL PROCESS.

AND THE IMPRESSION IS THAT THEN WE WOULD SET SOME REAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WHAT WOULD BE IN THAT PROPOSAL.

YOU ARE CORRECT.

AND THAT WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

AND THEN, AND AGAIN, W BOTH RONICA AND I, I WAS NOT, I WAS WORKING ON IT AND THEN NOT WORKING ON THAT CHANGED IN THE PROCESS.

AND SO WHEN THE FINAL SIGNED EXECUTED RESOLUTION CAME OUT, IT WAS A DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER TO ANNOUNCE IT AND INITIATE A SOLICITATION, AND THAT WAS CLARIFIED.

AND I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE IT WITH FOLKS, A MEMO, A SERIES OF MEMOS TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL, WHERE WE WERE UPDATING COUNCIL ON ALL THE DIFFERENT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDERWAY.

RIGHT.

I KNOW WE GOT ABSOLUTELY NO, WE GOT UPDATES SAYING THERE WAS AN RFP PROCESS THAT HAD BEEN INITIATED AND THEN LAUNCHED.

AND THEN THE PROPOSALS THAT CAME IN, I GUESS WHAT I'M ASKING IS WHY IT SHIFTED FROM A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

I BELIEVE.

UM, MARGARET IS SAYING THAT THE FINAL RESOLUTION THAT COUNCIL APPROVED, WHILE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN DISCUSSION ON THE DYESS, WE LOOKED BACK TO THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED AND APPROVED BY COUNCIL, AND THAT SPOKE

[04:00:01]

TO THE SOLICITATION RATHER THAN THE INITIAL DISCUSSION STARTING POINT.

THOSE WERE, THAT WAS, UM, RIGHT BEFORE WE VOTED.

AND IT WAS, I MEAN, I THINK THAT WE INTERPRET THAT DIFFERENTLY.

UM, SO HOW DID, CAN WE TALK A LITTLE BIT, YOU, UM, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AGAIN WITH, WITH, UM, SOME OF OUR EDD STAFF AND HOUSING STAFF AND NOT TO TALK A BIT ABOUT THE REQUIREMENT, THEIR FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT THAT WAS PLACED ON THE PROPOSALS TO INCLUDE A $3.5 MILLION FOR THE PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF COSTS FOR THE REALIGNMENT OF RED RIVER STREET.

AND I THINK IN OUR CONVERSATIONS YESTERDAY, IT WAS MADE CLEAR THAT THAT WAS A REQUIREMENT FROM THE AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

SO BY WAY OF CONTEXT, I UNDERSTAND WE'RE REALIGNING RED RIVER.

UM, WE ARE WAIVING OR BEING ASKED TO WAIVE ON THURSDAY THAT REQUIREMENT THE REQUIREMENT TO PAY THE COST FOR CENTRAL HEALTH OR CENTRAL HEALTH TO PAY THE COST OF THAT RE REALIGNMENT.

SO I'M WONDERING WHY TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, UM, FELT IT NECESSARY TO RECOUP THAT COST FROM A PROJECT ON CITY-OWNED LAND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

SINCE WE HAVE MET WITH YOU EARLIER THIS WEEK, WE HAVE A RECRUIT TO THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND HAVE SOME UPDATED INFORMATION ON THAT.

UM, AND WE HAVE A REVISED RESPONSE REGARDING THAT AT THAT AT THE TIME OF THE RFP BEING RELEASED, THAT WAS, UM, THE UNDERSTANDING.

HOWEVER, AT THIS POINT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THAT RECOUP WILL NOT BE NEEDED, AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE THAT WITH THE, WITH THE, UM, OR, UH, MOVING FORWARD.

HAPPY TO GIVE YOU SOME MORE BACKGROUND ON THAT, UM, UH, AFTER THE MEETING HELPFUL.

AND SO THAT'S IMPORTANT.

I WOULD, UM, ASK MARGARET TO ADD ANYTHING, BUT I, I WOULD ANSWER IN THAT THE, AS A RESPONSE TO THE RFP, THESE WERE PACKAGES THAT EACH RESPONDENT PUT FORWARD.

THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR.

AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE I THINK THEY, IN THE CONVERSATION WE HAD YESTERDAY, IT WAS SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE REQUIREMENT WE'RE MAKING OF ALL OF THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, THIS ISN'T PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE, THE WHOLE POINT OF USING OUR PUBLICLY OWNED LAND TO CREATE THIS KIND OF AN ASSET IS BECAUSE WE HAVE, WE CAN BUILD VALUE FROM IT.

AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT THAT 3.5 IS NOT GOING TO BE REQUIRED IS NOT GOING TO BE ASSIGNED AS A REVENUE REQUIREMENT FOR THIS, OR WHAT IS ULTIMATELY A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

UM, I HOPE THEN, AND SO I THINK IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO KNOW HOW THAT WILL BE RETURNED, WHAT, UM, HOW THAT WILL HELP US GET MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THAT SITE.

AND SO THAT'S, THAT IS A QUESTION I WOULD LIKE, I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME INFORMATION ABOUT, I WOULD ASK TO COLLEAGUES, I THINK THAT THERE ARE, I, I SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY, YOU KNOW, THE WAY WE TALKED ABOUT IT ON THE DIASTAT DAY, UM, SUGGESTED THAT WE WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME IDEAS BACK, COME UP WITH SOME REALLY STRONG THINGS THAT WE WANT TO SEE IN THIS FINAL PROPOSAL, AND THEN MOVE FORWARD IF WE WENT, IF WE, IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS, AS IT IS THAT I HOPE WE CAN IDENTIFY SOME NEGOTIATING POINTS THAT WOULD BE PART OF THAT MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.

UM, SO THAT OUR STAFF CAN COME BACK WITH, WITH A PROPOSAL THAT REALLY ENHANCES SOME OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

I, I, I'M REALLY EAGER TO SEE MORE THAN MORE THAN 25% OF THE HOUSING ON THAT SITE BE AFFORDABLE.

I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE GIVEN THAT THE LAND COST IS, IS ONE BORN BY THE CITY.

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY CHILDCARE, THAT WAS SOMETHING WE CERTAINLY TALKED ABOUT IN TOURS OF THE SITE, AND IT IS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT.

I KNOW THAT WAS PART OF THE RFP.

AND AS WE LOOK AT WHAT DOWNTOWN, YOU KNOW, THE MANY THINGS THAT DOWNTOWN NEEDS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY NEEDS AND HAS BEEN CITED FOR A VERY LONG TIME IS HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILD CARE FACILITIES.

AND WHAT BETTER PLACE THAN A PLACE WHERE I HOPE WE'RE, WE'RE WORKING TO CREATE HOUSING, UM, FOR ALL KINDS OF, FOR FAMILIES, UM, INCLUDING FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY RIGHT ACROSS FROM A PARK.

SO THAT WOULD BE A COMMUNITY BENEFIT I'D LIKE TO SEE.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CHOICE FOR OFFICE TOWER AND WHETHER YOU SEE THAT AS YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOT AS I THINK ABOUT ALL THE PLANNING DOCUMENTS THROUGH TIME THAT HAVE ASKED US TO USE OUR PUBLICLY OWNED LAND TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I DON'T RECALL ANY THAT HAVE SAID THEY REALLY WANT TO SEE, YOU KNOW, ANY PLANNING DOCUMENTS FROM ANY OF THE VARIOUS COMMISSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD LOOK AT AT ISSUES OF CITYWIDE AND PORT.

I DON'T REMEMBER ANY COMING BACK ASKING US TO USE OUR CITY OWNED LAND, TO CREATE OFFICE TOWERS AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT.

SO I, THAT PART OF THE PROPOSAL GIVES ME PAUSE ALSO.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, UH, WHAT, WHAT WE CAN DO TO AFFECT A CHANGE WITH REGARD TO THAT PIECE OF IT.

AND I DON'T, I, I GUESS I WOULD INVITE OUR STAFF TO, UM, RESPOND TO THAT.

[04:05:01]

UM, SO IT WAS A, A PIECE OF THE PROPOSAL THAT THEY CHOSE TO ADDRESS THE, THE SITE AND THE, THE, THE PRIORITIES THAT WE LISTED IN THE RFP IS PART OF THAT PROCESS.

MARGARET, WOULD YOU ADD ANYTHING? NO, I THINK YOU'VE DONE IT.

WELL.

WE ASKED FOR A CATALYST PROJECT WITH AN EMPHASIS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PROPOSAL, PART OF WHAT MAKES THAT ZERO SUBSIDY FROM THE CITY IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE OTHER USES THAT ARE MARKET RATE USES ON THAT SITE.

SO PART OF HOW WE CAN GET TO THAT A HUNDRED UNITS OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL AND AFFORDABLE COMMERCIAL IN ADDITION IS TO BE ABLE TO FINANCE THAT WITHIN THE PROFORMA AND WITHIN THE DEAL.

SO AGAIN, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PROPOSERS INCLUDED DIFFERENT USES MIXED USES, UM, AND THERE WAS NO DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL TO JUST HAVE ONE SOLID CIVIC BUILDING CIVIC PURPOSE USE.

SO I'D SAY IT RESPONDED TO THE CATALYSTS ASPECT OF LEAVING IN AS COUNCIL MEMBER, TASHA HARPER, MADISON MENTIONED WEAVING IN ALL THE DIFFERENT USES FROM RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT TO THE EAST AUSTIN, TO THE INNOVATION DISTRICT AND THE MEDICAL COMPLEX OF HOW IT CAN TIE THOSE DIFFERENT USES IN WATERLOO PARK AND WATERLOO, GREENWAY, UH, TIE TIE.

ALL THOSE DIFFERENT ENTITIES TOGETHER IS REALLY WHAT THE CATALYST ASPECT OF THAT PROJECT WAS INTENDED TO DO.

SO I'M LOOKING BACK AT THE RESOLUTION, THE MOST RECENT ONE, NOT THE EARLIER ONE, WHICH WAS CLEARLY ABOUT HOUSING.

UM, THE RESOLUTION ITSELF JUST SPEAKS TO HOUSING.

AND AGAIN, IN THE COURSE OF CONVERSATION, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OTHER USES THAT WOULD SUPPORT THAT HOUSING LIKE CHILDCARE.

UM, I'M CERTAINLY INTERESTED IN THE IDEA OF HAVING ARTS AND CULTURAL SPACES, ESPECIALLY AT LOW COST.

BUT AGAIN, THE OFFICE TOWER IS NOT, IS NOT, IS NOT, UM, FOLLOWING DIRECTLY FROM THE RESOLUTION AS FAR AS I CAN TELL.

SO WE'RE SEEKING, WE'RE SEEKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ONSITE.

I JUST ASSUME WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS YOUR DRIVE FOR HAVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON SITE.

THE INNOVATION OF THIS PROPOSAL WAS TO BE ABLE TO FINANCE THAT ENTIRELY WITHIN THE PROPOSAL IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN AFFORDABLE MARKET RATE PROJECTS THAT ARE GONNA PROVIDE A REVENUE STREAM UNDER WHICH YOU CAN REACH THAT DEEPER AFFORDABILITY, WHICH IS ABOUT THAT A HUNDRED UNITS.

WE'VE ALSO DONE OUR RESEARCH TO SHOW THAT A HUNDRED UNITS IS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF UNITS FOR AN URBAN TAX CREDIT.

I'LL DEFER TO ROSIE TRUE LOVE OUR HOUSING DIRECTOR, BUT WE DID MARKET THAT THAT'S A PRETTY COMMON COMPARABLE, A HUNDRED UNITS, UM, FOR A TAX CREDIT PROJECT AT 4% IN A DENSE URBAN ENVIRONMENT, AS YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES, JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY AS 135 STUDIO APARTMENTS.

SO THAT WAS ALSO WITHIN THAT RANGE OF WHAT WE GOT FROM, FROM OTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS IN THE AREA OF DOWNTOWN.

AND I KNOW THAT ULI HAD TALKED ABOUT, UM, THE, THE FITNESS OF THIS SITE IN TERMS OF BEING COMPETITIVE FOR A TAX CREDIT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I, I GUESS, I MEAN, I APPRECIATE THAT EVERY DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL COULD HAVE RESPONDED IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT DOES SEEM TO ME THAT THERE ARE, ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO, TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THAT OR HOW TO SING THERE.

UM, CORRECT.

AND YOU ARE CORRECT.

THE ULI AFFORDABILITY REPORT THAT LOOKED AT THE SITES.

WE DID INCLUDE THAT AS AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE RFP.

SO ALL PROPOSALS HAD THAT DOCUMENT.

THEY DID SPEAK TO USING IT AS A TAX CREDIT SITE AND IN THEIR PROPOSAL, THEY'RE LOOKING AT TWO OUT A LITTLE, 200 UNITS.

THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRING ANYWHERE FROM 3 MILLION TO $10 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL SUBSIDY FROM THE CITY TO MAKE THAT WORK.

AND I, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THAT'S, I'M NOT NECESSARILY OPPOSED TO THAT, UM, TO PROVIDING THAT LEVEL OF SUBSIDY.

I THINK IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT, A REALLY IMPORTANT SITE IN TERMS OF OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT.

UM, SO WHAT IS, WHAT WOULD BE, I, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I'LL JUST SIGNAL MAYOR, UM, AND CITY LEGAL.

I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT IN THE TIME IN EXECUTIVE SESSION RELATED TO CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION AND DEBT REPAYMENT

[04:10:01]

REGULATIONS.

UM, SO I'D LIKE TO LIKE TO HAVE AN OPERATOR STATION, BUT I WANT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR OPPORTUNITIES ARE TO LIST OUT THINGS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN A MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.

IF WE, IF WE AGREED FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WE WANT TO SEE, WE WANT TO SEE LESS OFFICE TOWER, MORE HOUSING.

WHAT WOULD A PROCESS LIKE THAT? WHAT WOULD THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE TO DO THAT IN TERMS OF YOUR PROCESS EDD? I MEAN, IF, IF THE COUNCIL CAME UP WITH, AND, AND THIS IS KIND OF THE DIRECTION I'M GOING, THERE ARE CERTAINLY THINGS I WANNA SEE, I WANNA RECOMMEND, UM, RECEI AND THAT MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH REGARD TO THE PROPOSAL THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD AND RECOMMENDED THAT WE WOULD NEED THAT DIRECTION IN THE RESOLUTION THAT COUNCIL HAS TO HAVE US GO DOWN THIS PATH.

UM, I, WE MARGARET MENTIONED IT IN HER PATIENT, BUT REALLY WENT BACK TO THAT PRESENTATION, WENT BACK TO THAT INITIAL MEETING, UM, AND WANTING TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TRUE TO THE DIRECTION THAT COUNCIL ASKED US TO TAKE.

AND WHILE THE COUNCIL DID ASK US TO PRIORITIZE HOUSING, AS WELL AS, UH, A NUMBER OF OTHER, UH, COMMUNITY, UH, BENEFITS, THEY, THERE WAS ALSO THE, IN THAT RESOLUTION.

IT DID NOT SAY WHAT NOT TO BRING FORWARD.

AND SO I, I W I WOULD SAY THAT WE'RE BEING TRUE TO COUNCIL'S DIRECTION AND WHAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD TO YOU.

AND I, I APPRECIATE THAT NIGHT, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ASKED FOR PROPOSALS, IT SAYS, GET THE CREATIVE IDEAS OF THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN IT.

AND SO COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THE, WHAT COMES FORWARD MIGHT NOT, YOU KNOW, WE MIGHT WANT TO TWEAK OR MAKE MAJOR REVISIONS TO.

AND SO, I GUESS I'M WONDERING FROM, FROM THE PROCESS THAT'S BEEN INITIATED IN TERMS OF THE PROPOSALS, HOW MUCH FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THIS FRAMEWORK, DO YOU HAVE, UH, AS STAFF TO GO BACK AND SAY, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THAT MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT? I ASSUME THAT THAT'S ALL COMPLETELY DOABLE BECAUSE THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE NEGOTIATION, CORRECT.

AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN NEGOTIATION COUNCIL TO GIVE US A STAFF DIRECTION ON HOW TO NEGOTIATE, UM, WE WOULD THEN MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE NEGOTIATIONS AND, UH, DEPENDING ON WHERE WE NEGOTIATIONS WITH REPORT CARDS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THAT OPPORTUNITY AND OTHERS IF THEY WANT IT.

ANYTHING ELSE, COUNSEL? MARKETSTAR SO JUST DATING, LIKE WHAT, WHAT I'M THINKING ALSO FOR NEXT WEEK, IF WE'RE READY FOR NEXT WEEK.

UM, I, I THINK THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING POINTS, REWARDED, EACH PROJECT, ONE CAN GENERALLY INFER, UM, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS BEING PROVIDED.

UM, I CERTAINLY EXPECT THAT WE WILL PICK, YOU CAN PICK A PROJECT THAT PROVIDES LOTS OF THE PUBLIC COMMUNITY BENEFITS THAT HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED WHILE PROVIDING, UH, THE MOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UH, BY GROSS NUMBER, UM, UH, THAT, THAT WE CAN GET ANY OF THE PROPOSALS.

AND I THINK, UM, WE COULD ACTUALLY PROVIDE DIRECTION, UM, AS THEY NEGOTIATE THE FINANCIAL DEAL POINTS TO PROVIDE OR UNITS, OR TO PROVIDE DEEPER LEVELS OF AFFORDABILITY.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE SO SPECIFIC AS TO US GETTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NEGOTIATION, BUT I THINK THAT WE CAN, THERE'S STILL SPACE AND TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WE BALANCE THE, WHAT WE'RE GETTING FINANCIALLY OUT OF THE DEAL VERSUS THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT SIDE.

SO I THINK THAT WE COULD PROBABLY PROVIDE SOME MORE DIRECTION, NOT ONLY TO GET THE BEST AFFORDABLE HOUSING OF THE DEALS ON THE TABLE, BUT SO WHICHEVER DEAL WE PICK TO STILL IMPROVE THAT SOME, UM, I ALSO AM REALLY INTRIGUED BY YOUR IDEA OF MAYOR AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE CAN, UH, SAY SO THAT WHOEVER WE'RE IN AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT WITH, AS IN COMMUNICATION WITH VENUES ON RED RIVER, UM, THAT'S A REALLY INTERESTING IDEA, AND WE'D LOVE TO SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN SAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS MEMORIALIZED AS THEY NEGOTIATE.

UM, AND THEN FINALLY, UM, IF EDD STAFF COULD LOOK AT SOME OF THE JOB QUALITY THINGS WE WERE THINKING ABOUT, UH, IN OUR EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT AT THE, UH, AT THE CONVENTION CENTER, I'M GOING TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT AND SEE IF THAT'S, UH, APPLICABLE AS WE THINK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

UM, BUT I JUST WANTED TO DO LIKE THOSE THINGS FOR, FOR NEXT WEEK.

SOUNDS GOOD.

IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT'S GOING TO BE THERE TO POSTPONEMENT ACTION FROM THIS THURSDAY, BUT IT'S ON OUR AGENDA AND WE'LL MAKE SURE KATHY THAT WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AS TO BE HAVING TO GO IN FOR THE TP AT ANYHOW, UH, TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE, TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND SO STAFF WILL GIVE KATHY

[04:15:01]

THANKS.

SHOULD I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT? IF I COULD JUST ALSO ASK OUR STAFF, I, I KNOW THAT THE REQUEST BEEN MADE OF STAFF TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE INFORMATION WE RECEIVED AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO SEE WHETHER ANY OF THOSE ADDITIONAL DETAILS ARE ABLE TO BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC.

UM, SOME OF THE INFORMATION JUST GENERALLY THAT I THINK, UM, AND PEOPLE WILL, WILL WANT TO KNOW IS IF THERE'S, UM, BEDROOM COUNT AND THAT KIND OF THING ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OF THE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS.

SO IF ANY OF THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AND ABLE TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COMMUNITY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT.

YES, COUNCIL MEMBER, THAT IS A PRIORITY, AND WE ARE IN CONVERSATIONS WITH ONE DEPARTMENT ON THAT.