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[Call to Order]
THE, UH, AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING, UH, BEING HANDLED HERE, UH, VIRTUALLY, UH, IT IS, UH, 10 OH FIVE GOING TO BEGIN OUR[Consent Agenda (Part 1 of 2)]
MEETING.LET ME FIRST READ INTO THE RECORD, THE, UH, UH, CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS, UH, ITEM NUMBER 20 IS BEING POSTPONED TO, UH, FEBRUARY, UH, 18, UH, ITEM NUMBER 21 IS, UM, UH, WITHDRAWN, UH, ITEM NUMBER 34.
THE ENDING DATE ON THE TERM IS SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024, NOT 2023.
ITEM NUMBER 34 ON JANUARY 19, 2021 WAS APPROVED BY THE AUSTIN ROSEWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NUMBER FIVE-O VOTE WITH BOARD MEMBER BURNS ABSTAINING FROM THE VOTE ITEM.
NUMBER 40 IS WITHDRAWN ITEM NUMBER 54.
UH, THE SPONSORS FOR ITEM NUMBER 54 SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, WENT THIS CAPTAIN MAYOR.
UH, THERE'S ACTUALLY AN AMENDED CHANGES IN CORRECTION.
THAT SHOULD BE ITEM 57 AND NOT 54.
OKAY, SO THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE 57.
THE COSAR IFC, IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY.
SO OUT OF 57 COUNCIL MEMBER POINT, THIS IS THE NOTED AS A SPONSOR, UH, MAYOR.
I HAVE THOUGHT IN OUR AGENDA THAT WAS POSTED THAT, UH, THAT WAS COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MEDICINES ITEM.
I WONDERED IF THERE WAS AN ERROR ON THE CHANGES IN CORRECTIONS.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S BEEN FIXED ON THE NEWEST ONE, BUT THE ONE THAT WE GOT LAST NIGHT HAS ITEM 54 AND IT SHOWS COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR, BUT IN OUR AGENDA THAT WAS COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MEDICINE.
I THINK 57 IS TO IMPROVE TRASH COLLECTION, WHICH IS THE COSAR.
SO THAT'S SO THAT'S THE CHECK.
SO OUR CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS SHOULD SAY 57, RIGHT? THAT'S ALL THE SPONSORS TO CORRECT.
I THINK WE HAVE WHAT TWO PULLED ITEMS, ITEM 13 TOVO AND ITEM 31 KELLY, IS THAT CORRECT? BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM 25.
SO CONSISTENT WITH THE WAY WE WERE LAYING OUT SPEAKERS, UM, BECAUSE WE HAVE MULTIPLE SPEAKERS TO SPEAK ON THE, UH, ON THE HOTEL ISSUES.
WE'RE GOING TO PULL ITEMS 27 TO, UH, WHAT DOES THE 27 TO 32, UH, GETTING PULLED 27 TO 32 GETTING PULLED.
UH, THERE IS SOMEONE PULLING ALL OF THOSE 27 TO 32.
SO I'M JUST PULLING UP A HOTEL THINGS TOGETHER.
I'M SORRY, I MISSED WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT SPEAKING THAT'S OKAY.
WE'LL TAKE SPEAKERS ON THOSE 27 TO 32 AT 3:00 PM.
UH, IT'LL BE A MINUTE EACH FOR THE SPEAKERS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO DO THIS NOW OR WHEN YOU FINISH.
UM, BUT I WANTED TO, I HAVE ITEM 58, WHICH IS A RESOLUTION THAT I AUTHORED AND I WOULD LIKE TO POSTPONE THAT FOR ONE WEEK TO FEBRUARY 4TH VIA THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE'S SOME FINAL DETAILS THAT THE APPLICANT NEEDS TO WORK OUT, WHICH CAN BE COMPLETED BY OUR NEXT MEETING.
THIS IS RELATED TO THE CHAMPION'S PREP DAYS, 58 BEING POSTPONED TO FEBRUARY 4TH.
ACTION TO THAT POSTPONEMENT HEARING.
NO, NO, WE'LL STAY ON THE CONSENT, BUT IT'S POSTPONED IT TO FEBRUARY 4TH.
I WANTED TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHO IS SPEAKING ON THE ITEMS RELATING TO THE HOTEL.
THAT ITEM 32 IS THE HOTEL PURCHASE BEING RECOMMENDED.
UH, WE, UH, CONDUCTED SOME PRETTY EXTENSIVE, UH, COMMUNITY, UH, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH AND ANSWERED
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A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS.AND, UM, EXCEPT THAT THIS HAS CLOSED FOR SPEAKERS.
I HAD EXPECTED THIS TO BE APPROVED ON CONSENT TODAY.
AND SO I WANTED TO LET FOLKS KNOW IF THEY WERE PLANNING TO HANG AROUND WITH US UNTIL THREE O'CLOCK TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS, THAT I FULLY ANTICIPATE THAT THIS WILL PASS.
UM, AND, UH, AND WE CAN GIVE YOU YOUR TIME BACK, UM, UH, FOR, UH, OTHER OTHER ACTIVITIES, BUT I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THIS HOTEL.
UM, UPPER MADISON HAS NOTICED AN AMENDMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 56, UM, IS HAD AMENDMENT, UH, UH, ACCEPTABLE TO COUNTER BEFORE THIS, OR SHOULD WE NEED TO PULL THIS ITEM? UH, YOU KNOW, I DESK MY REMARKS, I'D LIKE TO DAVE MAYER.
I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT ON CONSENT AND I DO PLAN TO ACCEPT THE AMENDMENT, UH, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SOME REMARKS ON IT.
SO WHENEVER IS A GOOD TIME FOR THAT.
WE'LL GIVE EVERYBODY A CHANCE TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS, BUT IF THE SIX ON CONSENT INCLUDES THEN THE HARPER MADISON, THEN YES.
UM, AGAIN, COLLEAGUES CONVERSATIONS ON THE POLL ITEMS AND THE LIKE HAPPY MAYOR.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR STAFF ABOUT WHY 4D IS BEING WITHDRAWN, BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO, AS I INDICATED IN THE WORK SESSION, I NEED TO CLARIFY, I NEED TO OFFER SOME CLARIFYING LANGUAGE FOR MY IFC NUMBER 55.
SO, UM, WE CAN LEAVE IT ON CONSENT AND THAT CAN OFFER THAT CLARIFYING LANGUAGE OR I CAN PULL IT AND DO IT QUICKLY.
UM, WHATEVER YOUR LET'S SEE IF WE CAN DO THAT ON CONSENT, KEVIN OF IT TURNS INTO TWO PEOPLE WANT TO TALK ABOUT, THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND PULL IT.
SO IF, IF I COULD JUST ASK STAFF MAYOR, WHY NUMBER 40 IS BEING SUGGESTED FOR WITHDRAWAL.
WE'LL GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT.
CAN I JUST FOLLOW UP CITY MANAGER OR BILL TO GET US, UM, SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THAT BEFORE THE DAY IS OUT? I JUST WANT TO BE SURE BEFORE, I GUESS WE ALWAYS HAVE NEXT WEEK TOO.
IT'S JUST, IT'S AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM AND I JUST WANT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THE IMPACT IS OF WITHDRAWING IT TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM NUMBER 42, PLEASE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ITEM 42.
SO SPEAKERS THAT ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TO US THIS MORNING, UM, AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO SPEAK THE CONSENT AGENDA.
COLLEAGUES IS ITEMS ONE THROUGH 60 ITEMS THAT I HAVE BEEN PULLED RIGHT NOW ARE 13, UM, 27, 28, 29, 30 31 32.
I'D PUT THAT ON THE WRONG LINE.
I HAVE, AGAIN THAT PULLED I A CONSENT AGENDA IS ONE THROUGH 60 PULLED ITEMS. RIGHT NOW ARE 1325, 27, 28, 29, 30 31 AND 32.
AND ITEM 42 PROBABLY SHOULD BE READY TO HEAR FROM SPEAKERS JUST BY WAY OF GOING THROUGH THE DAY HERE REAL QUICK, REAL QUICKLY, WE HAVE A SPEAKERS THIS MORNING ABOUT 23.
THEY'RE GOING TO SPEAK FOR THREE MINUTES EACH WE'LL, UH, THEN, UH, UH, CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I CONSIDER COLD ITEMS IF WE CAN.
UM, UH, WE ALSO HAVE, UH, UH, AT NOON FOR SITCOM, UH, SPEAKERS AT, UH, NOON.
UH, THERE'LL ALSO BE THREE MINUTES EACH AT 2:00 PM.
WE WILL TAKE THE 19 SONY SPEAKERS, UM, AT THREE MINUTES EACH, UH, AND THEN AT 3:00 PM, WE'LL TAKE THE, UH, SPEAKERS ON ITEMS 27 AND 30 TO ONE MINUTE EACH.
WE'RE ALSO WANTING TO HAVE SPACE FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON A MAY ELECTION.
UH, AT SOME POINT DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY, LET'S SEE HOW THIS IS, UH, HOW THIS IS, UH, UH, ROLLING OUT.
UM, AND, UH, I HAVE A, UH, UH, UH, COVID CALL AT NOON, UH, THAT I'M ON A NEED TO GO TO, UH, AT, UH, AT NOON.
UM, SO IF THE CLERK IS AVAILABLE TO US AND CAN CALL, UH, AS KATHY, REMEMBER, BEFORE WE HEAR THIS
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GIRL, I JUST WANTED A COUPLE OF WORDS IF I MAY, ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH.UM, SO JANUARY IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH.
AND TYPICALLY IN THE COURSE OF OUR COUNCIL MEETINGS, WE PRESENT PROCLAMATION BECAUSE WE'RE VIRTUAL IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT.
WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT MY OFFICE HAS, HAS PREPARED A PROCLAMATION FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS THAN I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT IT TODAY.
UM, OVER YOU SAY IT, WE HAVE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR CITY THAT ARE DOING REALLY IMPORTANT WORK, AND THIS ONE IS SAFE CARES, WHICH IS, IS ONE OF SEVERAL GREAT PROGRAMS ENTITY THAT PROVIDES TRAUMA INFORMED SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS OF EXPLOITATION.
AND ACCORDING TO SOME OF THE INFORMATION THEY SHARED, UM, MANY VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING MAY NOT SELF IDENTIFY DUE TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATE AND THAT'S USED BY TRAFFICKERS.
AND SO COMMUNITY MEMBERS MAY NOT EASILY RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
SO I ENCOURAGE, I ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SEEK OUT THAT INFORMATION AND TO INFORM THEMSELVES.
SO IT'S REALLY CRITICAL THAT WE RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS AROUND THIS ISSUE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR TRAINING FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO IDENTIFY AND TO SUPPORT OUR VICTIMS AND TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE QUALITY MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN PLACE FOR OUR SURVIVORS.
SO THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE, ARE WORKING TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TO PROVIDE SOURCES TO THOSE SURVIVORS.
IS THE CLERK WITH US? WE'RE READY.
UM, BY THE WAY, JUST REAL FAST THERE'S LAKE BACK UP IN ITEMS, 10, 12, 25 31 32 34 53 65, 66 67 68 71 AND 83 CLERK.
[Public Comment (Part 1 of 4)]
MORNING SPEAKERS, THEY EACH HAVE THREE MINUTES.UM, SORRY, NOT USED TO BEING FIRST ONE ON THE COUNCIL DAY.
I'M MONICA GUZMAN POLICY DIRECTOR FOR GABA THOUGH.
OFTEN BOTTOM WAS OFTEN SPEAKING ON ITEMS, 1356 AND 57 ON ITEM 13.
I HAD A BRIEF CONVERSATION WITH JOHN GUTMAN, BUNK ASPEN HEIGHTS BACK IN, UH, BEFORE THE HOLIDAY BREAK ABOUT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT I AM.
UH, AND THIS IS MORE FROM A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE.
UM, I AM CONFIDENT THAT, UM, THE DEVELOPMENT IS THE RIGHT MOVE.
IT ALLOWS HER FAMILY FRIENDLY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, VERY MUCH IN THE URBAN CORE DOWNTOWN FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK DOWNTOWN, THEY CAN BE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OR RIDE A BUS INSTEAD OF HAVING TO CROSS TOWN AND DEAL WITH MULTIPLE TRANSFERS AND JUGGLING CHILDCARE AS WELL.
UM, AND WHEN HOPEFULLY COUNCIL APPROVES IT, THAT, UM, ASPEN HEIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, AS WELL AS UNITED WAY AND PARTNERS FOR ANY CHILDHOOD, UH, ONSITE CHILDHOOD OR NEARBY FOR THE RESIDENTS ITEM 56.
UM, GABA WANTS TO UNDERSCORE THE COMMENTS BY SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORS WHO YOU ARE HEARING FROM EITHER ALREADY BEFORE TODAY, OR YOU WILL BE HEARING LATER DAY TO ENSURE THIS RESOLUTION IS MORE THAN SYMBOLIC.
AND MORE THAN A REVIEW OF REGULATIONS, WE URGE YOU TO PUT STRONG BENCHMARKS IN PLACE THAT WILL ENSURE YOU'RE MAKING THE COMMUNITY SAFER.
EVEN WHEN THE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT IN THEIR IMMEDIATE AREA.
THERE NEEDS TO BE LOOKING AT A TIMELINE AS THE DEVELOPMENT INCREASES, NOT ONLY HOW WILL IT IMPACT THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT IS, BUT COMMUNITIES DOWNSTREAM, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH A HISTORY OF A DISASTER RELATED LOSSES, BOTH IN PROPERTY AND LIFE.
I AM 57 AND I SPEAK IN A DISTRICT FOUR RESIDENT CAPACITY.
I VERY MUCH SUPPORT THIS ITEM AND CONSIDERING THE HISTORY OF FAMILIES LIVING IN FOURPLEXES WHO DO NOT HAVE INDIVIDUAL TRASH PINS INSTEAD, THEY HAVE, WE DON'T A DUMPSTER FOR A FOURPLEX.
IT'S AN INVITATION TO ILLEGAL DUMPING IN 2015, AS PART OF RESTORE RUNDBERG, THERE HAD BEEN MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN RESIDENTS RESTORE, RUNDBERG CITY, COMMUNITY LEADERS, UH, ENGAGED WITH, UH, WITH CONVERSATIONS AND ACTION WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AS WELL AS AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY CAMERAS WERE SET UP.
THEY HAD FOUND TWO VEHICLES THAT WERE COMING IN FOR LEGAL DUMPING, BUT IT JUST DOESN'T REALLY SEEM TO DROP OFF.
NEVER KNEW WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT.
THERE HAD BEEN CONVERSATION AT THAT TIME ABOUT REPLACING THE DUMPSTERS WITH INDIVIDUAL TRASH BINS.
AGAIN, THAT JUST SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR.
SO I AM VERY HAPPY THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CAUSE ARE MY REPRESENTATIVE ON COUNCIL
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IS PUTTING THIS, UH, ITEM FORWARD.AND, UH, ME AND MANY OTHER DISTRICT FOUR RESIDENTS, AS I'M SURE, ESPECIALLY THOSE ON BROWNIE DRIVE AND OTHER AREAS LIKE THAT, WE'RE HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT.
WE VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE THAT CHANGE.
AND, UM, IT'S GOOD TO SEE ALL OF Y'ALL.
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTIN EMS ASSOCIATION.
AND I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 25, WHICH IS THE CREATION OF EFC 17, WHICH IS A PFLUGERVILLE FIREFIGHTER INITIATIVE, CREATING A TAXING ENTITY ON PRIMARILY PFLUGERVILLE RESIDENTS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THE PFLUGERVILLE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR VERY HARD.
UM, IT IS A BULLY MOVE ON THEIR PART TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL TAX ONTO THE AUSTIN RESIDENTS AND THE ETJ.
THEY HAVE THREATENED PFLUGERVILLE CITY, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND NOW THEY'RE THREATENING AUSTIN.
MOREOVER, THEY HAVE LIED ABOUT OUR SERVICE AND HAVE LIED ABOUT A SECRET PLOT OF AN AUSTIN TAKEOVER.
WHY ARE THEY SPREADING THESE LIES ABOUT AUSTIN AND PFLUGERVILLE CITY COUNCIL? THE REASON IS, IS THAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR A NEW TAX TO BE MANAGED BY A BOARD OF UNELECTED OFFICIALS.
THEY WANT AUSTINITES TO VOTE ON THIS, BUT NEVER COULD BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THE GOVERNANCE.
AGAIN, AUSTINITES IN THE ETJ ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR ONE EMS TAX, THE TAX.
THEY PAY TO TRAVIS COUNTY AND THEY ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR A SECOND EMS TAX IN THE FORM OF HIS SALES TAX TO THE FIREFIGHTERS.
IF THIS NEW TAX PASSES, AUSTIN ICE WILL BE TRIPLE TAXED FOR EMS. THIS IS THE TRUTH THAT THEY ARE DESPERATE TO HIDE.
I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE ME.
I'M ASKING YOU TO LISTEN TO THE LAST FEW PFLUGERVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
AND IN FACT, LAST NIGHT, PFLUGERVILLE CITY COUNCIL POSTPONE THIS ITEM FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS.
I'M ASKING YOU TO SPEAK WITH YOUR PFLUGERVILLE COUNTERPARTS AND UNDERSTAND THEIR STRONG RESERVATIONS BEFORE VOTING ON THIS AS THEY ARE THE EXPERTS ON THIS.
AND IT ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY AFFECTS THEM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
UM, BUT I WANTED TO COMMENT BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NO INTEREST AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM BE A PART OF A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
UM, THIRD ON THE MARKET RATE UNITS PER UNIT THAT COULD BE RESERVED FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK YOU'D BE, WOULD GO FOR THE MARKET RATE UNITS HERE.
ONE BIG REASON AS IN TO HELP WITH PHASING ISSUES ON THE BRACKENRIDGE TRACT, WHICH HAS BEEN TIED TO MARRIED STUDENT HOUSING.
IF THEY TAKE THOSE OUT AND THE COLORADO BRECKENRIDGE APARTMENTS, THEY HAVE A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF NEW VETERAN UNIT, TWO BEDROOM UNIT.
THERE'S ONLY 20 OUT OF A HUNDRED UNIT, WHICH HASN'T BEEN BUILT YET.
AND THEY CAN'T JUST REDO THAT WAY.
AND IN GREATER CAPACITY WITHOUT THE FACT, THE FACT THAT THEY NEED MORE HOUSING IN GENERAL, UM, HAVING AN EXTRA 202 BEDROOM UNIT, WHICH BY THE WAY, ISN'T THE, DURING THE DOCTOR'S REPORT 150 AT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE THE KIDS NOT EVEN ABOUT A, YET THAT LAND IS GOT AN ESTIMATED BY MY FRIEND AT AROUND 30 MILLION A YEAR.
SO THEY HAVE A BIG FINANCIAL INCENTIVE NOT USED TO NOT HAVING ADDITIONAL.
UM, SO THANK YOU ANA, PLEASE BE SURE TO UNMUTE.
MAYOR ADLER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS
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DISTRICT TWO.I ALSO CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION AND I'M NOT SPEAKING OR REPRESENTING THE COMMISSION IN ANY MANNER.
I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM 56, APRIL JACKSON, LOWER ONION CREEK 31, AND HER SON J EIGHT MONTHS, LOWER ONION CREEK, TWO MEALS, LOWER ONION CREEK VALLEY, AND AMANDA'S JR 37 DEL VALLEY, 67 SOUTHEAST TRAVIS COUNTY.
THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THOSE TICKETS FROM OUR COMMUNITIES DURING THE 2013 HALLOWEEN IN 2015, OCTOBER FLOODS FLOOD RISK NEED TO INCLUDE LOCALIZED FLOODING TO THE CREEK FLOODING ISSUES.
THE PORT
IN REGARDS TO EQUITY, THE COMPLETE BREAKDOWN NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED ON FLOOD, ANY ROSHAN MITIGATION EFFORTS AND NOT CREEKS AND HOW THOSE MITIGATION EFFORTS DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS.
IT IS ALSO CRITICAL COLLABORATION EFFORTS WE CONTINUED OR INITIATED WITH TRAVIS COUNTY OFFICIALS AND COUNTIES THAT STREAM OF ANY QUICK WATER SHIFTS SUCH AS BLANCO AND HAYES COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES UPSTREAM OF OTHER LARGE WATERSHEDS EDC, IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO REINFORCED, MAINTAIN, OR ADD CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS BRIDGES, DAMS, DETENTION IN RETENTION, PONDS, AND OTHER DRAINAGE SHEPHERD UPSTREAM TO ADDRESS INCREASED RUNOFF.
THE SOUTHEAST COMBINED NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CONTENT TEAM VOTED DURING THEIR AUGUST, 2020 MONTHLY MEETING.
THAT LED ME TO
VIPER STOPPED LETTING NEEDS TO PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES, ENDER AND OR THEIR PROPERTIES ARE AT RISK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN WOMEN IN HOUSING AND A MEMBER OF THIS VOCAL PHYSICAL COMMUNITY, A LEADER FOR CENTRAL TEXAS INTERFACE, AND ALSO A MEMBER FOR THE LADIES OF CHARITY.
THE LADIES MAKE HOME VISITS AND SERVE THE FOUR IN NEED WITH HELP BY PAYING THEIR RENT AND UTILITY BILLS.
I HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR THE POOR FOR MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE.
I AM TAKING THIS MOMENT TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE PUT YOURSELVES AND OUR POOR FAMILIES TO THE FAMILIES.
I VISIT WORK TWO OR THREE JOBS TO BAIT ME.
THEY MAKE A MINIMUM WAGE OR LESS AND HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE AND LIVE IN SUBSTANDARD HOUSING.
THERE MAY BE TWO OR THREE FAMILIES LIVING IN AN APARTMENT, SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY PURCHASED THE HEALTH SOUTH PROPERTY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE 2018 COUNCIL RESOLUTION DESCRIBES THE HEALTH SOUTH PROPERTY AS AN AREA OF HIGH OPPORTUNITY AND INCREDIBLY RARE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY FOR LOWER INCOME HOUSING HOUSEHOLDS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THE HOUSING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT DID NOT ISSUE THE SOLICITATION FOR THE HEALTH STYLE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL IT AS AN EVEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, RATHER THAN AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FRAUD KIT.
WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAS A VERY SMALL PIECE OF THE PROJECT INSTEAD OF A MAJOR FOCUS.
THIS EXPLAINS WHY THE PROJECT BEFORE YOU DOES NOT ACHIEVE THE MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE RESOLUTION IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE HEALTH SOUTH SIDE NEEDS MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AND UNITS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES AT OR LOWER 30% OF THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME.
THE MAJORITY OF THE FAMILY, THIRD BY THE LADIES OR CHARITY OR PEOPLE OF COLOR FOLKS, LIKE SOME OF YOU ON THE DYES AND LIKE ME, I VOTED FOR YOU AND HOPE THAT YOU WOULD NOT ONLY REPRESENT US, BUT ALSO AS AN ADVOCATE, I WANT YOU TO BE THE CHAMPION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY RESIDENT OF BOSTON WHO FEELS THIS WAY.
THE CITY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO SERVE OUR FAMILIES WITH FAITH, DECENT HOUSING THAT RESPECTS THEIR DIGNITY.
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MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER.ONLY YOU HAVE THE POWER TO PUT HEALTH SOUTH PROJECT ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
AND I PHRASE IT JUST FOLLOW COUNCIL MEMBER.
TOTAL'S LEAD TO TAKE STEPS TO MAXIMIZE THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS PROVIDED.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR ADLER COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS LARRY GRAHAM AND I'M A BOARD MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN ED FUND.
AND I'M CALLING THIS MORNING IN REFERENCE TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 41.
I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THE, UH, INNOVATIVE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THE AUSTIN ED FUND, THE AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND SEVERAL RESTAURANT VENDORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE CAREGIVER MEAL PROGRAM.
BEGINNING IN EARLY MAY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN SUPPORTED THE EXPANSION OF AISD MEAL SERVICE SPLIT THAT CAREGIVERS RECEIVE HEALTHY MEALS PREPARED BY LOCAL RESTAURANTS, ALONGSIDE STUDENT MEALS.
THESE FUNDS WERE AWARDED TO THE AUSTIN ED FUNDS CRISIS SUPPORT FUND AND HAVE BEEN SUPPLEMENTED BY COMMUNITY DONATIONS TO THE CRISIS SUPPORT FUND.
AS OF LAST WEEK, JANUARY 21ST OVER 1 MILLION MEALS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO CAREGIVERS ON AVERAGE RESTAURANT VENDORS, EASY TIGER HENBIT EMMER AND RYE, GOOD WORK, AUSTIN AND OTHER RESTAURANTS SUCH AS LOCA.
THE ORO COLLEGE KITCHEN, CONTIGO ROSEDALE KITCHEN, AND THE HILLSIDE PHARMACY HAVE ALL PROVIDED 27,000 MEALS PER WEEK.
THE CAREGIVER MEAL PROGRAM HAS NOT ONLY HELPED FEED AUSSIE FAMILIES IN NEED.
IT IS ALSO PROVIDED MORE THAN 100 RESTAURANT WORKERS.
THE ABILITY TO STAY EMPLOYED AND KEEP BELOVED LOCAL RESTAURANTS OPEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.
THIS AFTERNOON, YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT WITH THE AUSTIN ED FUND, AND WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS AMAZING PROGRAM AND THE IMPACT IT HAS HAD ON SO MANY FAMILIES AND AUSTIN.
THANK YOU, GREG ANDERSON, BRAND NEW COUNCIL MAYOR.
HOW HAS EVERYONE DONE? SO I'M CALLING IT A DOWNTOWN RESIDENT AND AFFORDABILITY ADVOCATES IS ALL SUSTAINABILITY ADVOCATE AND REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE HEALTH SOUTH OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU GUYS LOOKING AT TODAY.
I REMEMBER 13 500 HOMES ON AMAZING MIXED USE COMMUNITY VIBRANT USE FOR AN AREA THAT REALLY NEEDS A VIBRANT USE.
THAT THAT'S KIND OF ONE OF THE MORE QUIET AREAS, OUR CITY, AS YOU WELL KNOW.
UM, ALSO GOOD REMEMBER THAT THE TAXABLE VALUE OF THIS CITY SOLD PROPERTY WILL THEN GO INTO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND.
AND, YOU KNOW, SO IT, YOU KNOW, IF WE, IF WE PURCHASED TO PUT MORE AFFORDABILITY HERE AND THE PURCHASE PRICE BY THE, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL BUYER GOES DOWN, THEN WE'RE, WE'RE QUITE REALLY, WE'RE TAKING MONEY FROM ONE POCKET AND PUTTING INTO THE OTHER POCKET.
SO, UM, I ALSO DO WANT TO CAUTION AGAINST LAST-MINUTE RE-TRADING, YOU KNOW, TO INTRODUCE, UH, YOU KNOW, A FAIRYTALE LIST, UM, IS REALLY BEST DONE.
AND THE RFP PROCESS REALLY IN THE BEGINNING, UM, LATER ON, IF WE ADD, HEY, WE ALSO WANT THIS AND WANT THAT, THAT KIND OF DEVALUES THE CITY'S POSITION IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE GO TO SELL OTHER CHECKS.
SO JUST THINGS TO THINK THROUGH, UM, AND THEN ITEM NUMBER 56, THIS IS A REALLY CRITICAL ISSUE.
GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING AT THIS.
UM, AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON A DEVELOPMENT DOWN THERE OVER AFFORDABLE, UH, OVER A 100 AFFORDABLE HOMES, UM, UNDER THE CURRENT LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WE WERE REQUIRED TO PUT IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PARKING FOR SIX-YEAR-OLDS PARKING THAT WE DON'T EVEN NEED.
AND I THANK YOU PREVIOUS COUNCIL FOR AFFORDABILITY ON LOCK THAT HAS GONE AWAY FOR US, BUT MARKET RATE DEVELOPERS DOWN THERE IN DISTRICT TWO, AND THEN ALL THESE OTHER DISTRICTS, THEY STILL HAVE TO BUILD TOO MUCH PARKING AND THEY CAN'T BUILD TALL ENOUGH, UM, HIGHER DENSITY DEVELOPMENT AND EXISTING.
OUR AREAS IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO BRING DOWN THAT FLOOD RISK.
AND SO I JUST REALLY HOPE THAT THIS HAS LOOKED AT COMPREHENSIVELY WITH WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT DEVELOPMENT IN THE FUTURE IS SUSTAINABLE AND EFFECTIVE.
AND WE'RE NOT JUST TAKING THIS PIECEMEAL SO EXCITED THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS, BUT ALSO REALLY EXCITED TO GET BACK TO THE NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE THAT WE'RE ALSO DESPERATE FOR PRETTY SORRY, EXISTING WHEN IT'S OLDER THAN THE MAJORITY OF AUSTINITES AND OVER A THIRD OF YOU GUYS, SO GOT TO GET THERE AND EXCITED TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS DO ON THAT FRONT.
[00:30:15]
HI, YES.I WAS TRYING TO UNMUTE MYSELF.
UM, ARE WE SPEAKING ON THE, ON, UM, ITEM 61 ALREADY? OKAY, GO AHEAD.
UM, WELL, UM, GOOD MORNING, UH, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
UM, I, I'M JUST CALLING IN TO SPEAK ON ITEM 61 ABOUT THE ELECTION FOR MAYOR PRO TEM AND TO EXPRESS MY PERSONAL SUPPORT FOR COUNCIL MEMBER, NATASHA HARPER MADISON, UM, HAVE BEEN SEEING SOME OF THE DEBATE OVER, UM, OUR NEXT MAYOR PRO TEM, AND JUST WANTED TO VOICE MY SUPPORT, UM, FOR, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON.
UM, I, AS I'M SURE MANY OF Y'ALL ARE TO BE DEEPLY TROUBLED BY, UM, OUR HISTORY IS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN THE CITY AND HOW WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THAT PLAY OUT IN, IN CURRENT VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.
UM, AND I THINK THAT IS FOR ONE, ONE REASON WHY IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO HAVE REPRESENTATION, UM, ESPECIALLY IN A POSITION THAT'S LARGELY CEREMONIAL, UM, FROM OUR COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN AT LEAST REPRESENTED IN HISTORICALLY.
UM, I THINK HAVING SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS THE EAST AUSTIN COMMUNITY, UH, WHO CAN SPEAK TO THE CONCERNS OF THE EAST AUSTIN COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY AGAIN NOW WHEN, UH, YEAR THAT HAS BROUGHT OUT, UM, THE, YOU KNOW, REALLY INEQUITIES THAT HAVE EXISTED FOR A LONG TIME, BUT ARE NOW EVEN MORE APPARENT IS JUST REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.
I THINK HAVING SOMEONE AS A, AS A WOMAN OF COLOR MYSELF, I THINK HAVING SOMEONE IN, UM, IN THE CEREMONIAL POSITION WHO CAN, UM, YOU KNOW, REALLY, REALLY REPRESENT, UM, THE, AND, AND VOICE THE CONCERNS OF, UM, HER SPECIFIC COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO SERVE AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR ALL, UM, YOU KNOW, WOMEN OF COLOR IN AUSTIN, UH, I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
AND IT JUST SO IMPORTANT THAT OUR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN OF COLOR CAN SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED IN THESE HIGHER PROCESSES.
I KNOW WE'RE SEEING THAT A LOT.
I WON THE NATIONAL LEVEL AS WELL RIGHT NOW.
UM, AND YEAH, I JUST, I REALLY ADMIRE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, AND TASHA HARPER MADISON, UH, WORK ON THE COUNCIL AND REALLY WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR HER AS PRAYER, MUCH AS MAYOR PRO TEM.
UM, AND AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF Y'ALL, UH, AND, YOU KNOW, WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR EVERYONE WHO'S RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION.
UM, AND JEFF, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ME ORMAN HI THERE, CITY COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR, UH, GIVING US THE CHANCE TO SPEAK.
UH, AND, AND, UH, AND THERE ARE OTHER, UH, THIS IS ADAM ORMAN WITH LUCHADORA RESTAURANT AND GOOD WORK, AUSTIN SPEAKING FOR ITEM 41.
UM, WE WANT TO, UH, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR, UM, FOR SUPPORTING THE NISD CAREGIVERS PROGRAM, UH, BECAUSE IT IS FINALLY, UH, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN EXTENDED FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT IT HAS.
WE'RE ABLE TO BRING IN NEW RESTAURANTS AND MAKE AN IMPACT ON MORE, UH, MORE PEOPLE ACROSS THE AUSTIN.
UM, WE'VE USED 15 OVER 15 RESTAURANTS AND EMPLOYED OVER 280 PEOPLE WITH LIVING WAGE JOBS, UH, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC THROUGH OUR WORK WITH, UH, WITH THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN.
UM, WE'D LIKE TO ALSO THANK YOU FOR EXTENDING THE EAT INITIATIVE, UM, THROUGH THE END OF APRIL, UH, BECAUSE OF THOSE EXTENSIONS, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING ON, UH, PROBABLY FOUR MORE RESTAURANTS WHO WILL HAVE NOW PREDICTABLE, CONSISTENT WORK, UM, AND BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN IN SAFE WAYS, UM, AND KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES SAFE.
AND, UH, AND, AND DO, HEY, PAY OUR RENT WITHOUT ASKING PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND, UH, AND, AND RISK TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS.
UM, WE HOPE THAT YOU'LL CONTINUE WHENEVER THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THE COURT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THIS WAY, UM, AND TO PUT, UH, PUT SAFETY FIRST AND TO LOCAL BUSINESSES FIRST, UM, THAT YOU'LL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND, UM, HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR DAY.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10.
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF NOT NATASHA HARPER, MADISON FOR MAYOR PRO TEM OR ITEM NUMBER 61, LIKE MANY LIKE MANY AUSTIN BECAME MY ADOPTED HOMETOWN WHILE I WAS IN COLLEGE.
AS PROGRESSIVE AS MOST BELIEVE AUSTIN TO BE PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE OFTEN STILL OVERLOOK.
ONLY ONE NEED TO LOOK TO THE EVENTS OF LAST SUMMER AS AN EXAMPLE, IT IS WHY I'M URGING THE COUNCIL TO ELECT NATASHA HARPER, MADISON AS MAYOR PRO TEM ELECTRIC COUNCIL,
[00:35:01]
WOMAN HARPER MADISON SENDS THE RIGHT SIGNAL TO THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE BLACK COMMUNITY THAT AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO MEANINGFUL, PRAGMATIC, COLLABORATIVE.IT CAN ONLY MAKE AUSTIN BETTER FOR ALL OF US.
WHILE IN GENERAL, WE BASKED IN THE GLORY OF OUR VIBRANT ECONOMY, MUSIC SCENE AND HIPNESS BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE SEE A DIFFERENT AUSTIN.
WE ARE SEGREGATED WHERE WE SEE A SEGREGATED AUSTIN.
WE SEE A CITY WHERE WE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE STOPPED BY POLICE.
WE SEE OUR MODEST NEIGHBORHOODS GENTRIFIED, AND WE'RE FORCED OUT OF OUR OWN HOME FOR TOO LONG.
MANY HAVE LOOKED THE OTHER WAY.
INSTEAD OF FACING THOSE INEQUITIES TODAY, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO A POSITIVE STATEMENT BY ELECTING THE TASHA HARPER MADISON IN HER STATEMENT TO COUNSEL COLLEAGUES ANNOUNCING HER INTENT TO SEEK ELECTION, TO BE MAYOR PRO TEM COUNCIL, WOMAN HARPER.
MADISON SAID, I SEE NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO FINALLY RESOLVE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES IT'S SPENT DECADES DANCING AROUND.
THIS REMINDS ME OF THE WORDS OF ISABEL WILKERSON IN HER BESTSELLING BOOK CASE, THE ORIGINS OF OUR DISCONTENT CHOOSE NOT TO LOOK HOWEVER AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
THE OWNER OF AN OLD HOUSE KNOWS THAT WHATEVER YOU ARE IGNORING WILL NEVER GO AWAY.
WHATEVER IS LURKING WILL FESTER.
WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO LOOK OR NOT, IGNORANCE IS NO PROTECTION FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION, WHATEVER YOU ARE WISHING AWAY WILL NOT YOU UNTIL YOU GATHER THE COURAGE TO FACE WHAT YOU WOULD RATHER NOT SEE TO YOU.
MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL GATHERED THE COURAGE TO ELECT NATASHA HARPER, MADISON MAYOR PRO TEM.
HELLO, MS. WATSON LEAD ORGANIZER WORKING GROUP FIVE ONE TWO.
UM, I HAD A FEW ITEMS TO SPEAK TO TODAY AND I'M NOT QUITE SURE OF THE, UH, THE FORMAT HERE.
IT'S A BIT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'VE KNOWN, BUT, UH, I'D LOVE TO SPEAK TO ITEM 61.
LET ME TELL YOU A FEW THINGS THAT YOU ALL DON'T KNOW ABOUT NATASHA HARPER MADISON IN OCTOBER, 2018, WHILE SHE WAS RUNNING FOR COUNCIL, HER AND HER DRUNK HUSBAND.
A FIREFIGHTER ASSAULTED ME AT FULL CIRCLE BAR ON 12TH AND CHICAGO.
AND WHILE I WAS GETTING TAKES A DIAZ, I DID NOT HIT THEM BACK.
SO I HEAR ALL THESE COLORFUL TAYLOR STRAIGHTENS ON THE PARTIAL HOPPING MADISON.
IT'S JUST, IT'S, IT'S THAT GUY.
WE'RE NOT GONNA TALK ABOUT, UH, ALLEGATIONS LIKE THAT IN THIS, IN THIS DISCUSSION HERE TODAY.
SO IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK MORE GENERALLY ON THIS ISSUE, THAT'S FINE.
I'M SPEAKING TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE CANDIDATE, THE INTEGRITY OF THE CANDIDATE, STEVE AND I HEAR IN THE NEXT MONTH, THIS SEC, THE SAME INDIVIDUAL, THE SAME INDIVIDUAL SAID THAT I THREATENED HER AT HER CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS.
I DID NOT EVEN KNOW SHE HAD A CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS AND THOSE ALLEGATIONS FOLLOWED ME INTO COURT THE NEXT YEAR.
SO AGAIN, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE INTEGRITY OF CANDIDATES BEFORE WE AMPLIFY THEIR, THEIR SPECIAL POWERS.
SHE IS NOT WORTH ANY CONSIDERATION FOR MAYOR PRO TEMP.
WE HAVE BETTER CANDIDATES ON THE DIETS.
I WOULD RATHER MACKENZIE KELLY BE A MAYOR PRO TEMP.
AND I SAY THAT GRUDGINGLY, PLEASE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THIS IS CODY COLLINS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT, A WORLDWIDE CULTURAL TOURISM DESTINATION FOR AUTHENTIC LIVE MUSIC, FOOD, AND DRINK EXPERIENCES IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.
ITEM 13 FINAL DECISION HAS DIRECT IMPACT TO THE RCDS MAKEUP IN TERMS OF DESIRABILITY, LIVABILITY, AND PUBLIC BENEFIT.
DURING THE PANDEMIC, OUR DISTRICT HAS PERMANENTLY LOST OVER 25% OF OUR 2019 MERCHANTS, INCLUDING THREE OF OUR LIVE MUSIC VENUES, A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC VENUE ON A LONGTERM AND AFFORDABLE GROUND LEASE INSIDE OF THE HEALTH.
SOUTH DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE AN HISTORIC SHIFT TOWARDS THE BEST TYPE OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT CREATES LIVE MUSIC PRESERVATION AND HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED NOT ONLY IN COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS AND THE 2017 R CD ULI TAP REPORT, BUT ALSO AS A HIGH PRIORITY OPPORTUNITY PROJECT FOR THE NEW AEDC
[00:40:02]
THE PARTNERSHIP WITH ASPEN HEIGHTS THAT HEALTH SOUTH PRESENTS THE FIRST REAL WORLD OPPORTUNITY TO PILOT THESE MUSIC EFFORTS.NOT ONLY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE REALM OF MUSIC ECONOMY, BUT ALSO TO RETAIN OUR CITY'S BRAND AS A LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD IN OUR INDUSTRIES LATER RECOVERY.
SIMILARLY, THIS PROJECT COULD SERVE THE DISTRICTS AND GREATER DOWNTOWNS MUSIC, SERVICE, HOSPITALITY, AND CREATIVE SECTOR STAFF NEEDS THROUGH ITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPONENT.
FOR FOLKS WHO ARE LARGELY LOW INCOME WAGE WORKERS, CREATING HOUSING OPTIONS AND MOBILITY BY VIRTUE OF LOCATION AND PROXIMITY TO WORK WORLDS TODAY, THE DISTRICT WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY ENDORSE THE STAFF'S WORK ON THIS ITEM AND SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER.
TOGO'S MOVE FOR AN APPROVAL OF ITEM 13 TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT WITH THE ASPEN HEIST PARTNERS AND TO INCLUDE PUBLIC BENEFIT THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH A THRIVING, CULTURAL TOURISM DISTRICT LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND A DEDICATED, AFFORDABLE, AND LONG-TERM GROUND LEASE FOR LIVE MUSIC VENUE.
AND YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT DAY FRANCIS.
I'M A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF DUFF SPRINGS AND I WORK WITH GAVIN GO AUSTIN, BOMBER BOSTON.
I WOULD LIKE TO COMMAND COUNCIL MEMBER FRANTIC FOR THE OUTREACH AND LISTENING SESSIONS SHE'S BEEN DOING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT ITEM 56 TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP STRICT RECOMMENDATION, TO REDUCE FLOODING.
I'M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT OUR CONTINUOUS LIVED EXPERIENCES WITH FLOODING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO I'M JUST GOING TO ASK THAT YOU DEVELOP A PLAN FOR STRONG REGULATIONS RESTRICTING ANY DEVELOPMENT ALONG AND IN CREEK AND WILLIAMSON CREEK TO MITIGATE FLOODING AND PREVENT DEATH AND MORE LOSSES.
AND THAT YOU WORK WITH OTHER COUNTIES UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM TO DO THE SAME.
I'M ASKING THAT YOU WORK ON A PLAN TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS THAT INCENTIVIZE RESIDENTS OR ANY FLOOD OR HEAT MITIGATION IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MOST IMPACTED BY CLIMATE STRESSORS AND THAT YOU PUT IN PLACE STRICT REGULATIONS FOR LOCALIZED FLOODING, SUCH AS PREVENTING INCREASE IN INCREASING IN PREVIOUS COVER IN NEIGHBORHOOD AREAS OR IN ANY REDEVELOPMENT, TRIBUTARY WATERWAYS, THE LAND HAVE HAS LIED DOWN, THEREFORE NOT SERVING THEIR PURPOSE CAUSING FLOODING IN BACKYARD AND IN HOME, WE NEED MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS IN PLACE TO ALLOW THE, THE WATER FLOWS WITHIN THE STREAM.
I ALSO URGE YOU TO PUT IN PLACE A RESOLUTION FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER, DOING ANY CONSTRUCTION IN THE CBD TO PREVENT RESIDENTS SUFFERING OR THEIR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE SURROUNDING OF THAT SURROUNDING IN HOW THEY, THEIR DECISION AFFECTS, UH, OUR RESIDENTS.
WE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY RESIDENTS THAT, THAT LIVES AROUND THE CONSTRUCTION BECAUSE OF THEIR LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS WATERSHED WITH PUBLIC WORKS OR PUBLIC WORKS WITH WATERSHED OR ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT.
I ASKED THAT YOU INCLUDE RESIDENTS IN YOUR DECISION-MAKING PROCESS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF GETTING FLOODED OR SEEING OUR NEIGHBORS LOSING THEIR BELONGINGS.
WE ARE THE EXPERIENCE AND YOUR GREATEST ALLIES.
THIS IS MICHELLE ONE-INCH WITH METCALF WALL.
UM, I'M JUST THE AFRICAN NON-CONSENT.
I DON'T NEED TO SPEAK TO MUCH NEED FOR QUESTIONS.
AND TODAY I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 13, REPRESENTING MYSELF AND AUSTIN WOMEN IN HOUSING AND NETWORK OF WOMEN WORKING FOR AND CONCERNED ABOUT ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN AUSTIN.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR GIVING THIS PROJECT SO MUCH OF YOUR ATTENTION.
I SIGNED UP AS AGAINST THE ITEM, BUT I HOPE THE COUNCIL WILL REQUIRE MORE IMPROVEMENT AND MODIFICATION SO THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THE CITY CONTRACTS WITH ASPEN
[00:45:01]
HEIGHTS PARTNERS.I'D LIKE TO SEE AT LEAST HALF OF THE UNIT TO BE AFFORDABLE AND TARGETING GO DEEPER THAN WHAT WAS INITIALLY PROPOSED.
THE HEALTH SITE SOUTH SITE IS SUCH A SPECIAL SITE AND SERVED IN IT AS AN IMPORTANT PRECEDENT IN HOW AUSTIN TREATS ITS PUBLICLY HELD PROPERTY.
I SUPPORT INCREASING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS THAT WILL BE INCLUDED TO BETTER REALIZE THAT STRATEGIC KALBI, BLUEPRINT, CITY ESTABLISHED AFFORDABLE HOUSING GOALS, BUT FOR THE NUMBER, UH, BOTH FOR THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, AS WELL AS THE USE OF CITY LAND, I SUPPORT ALLOWING PUBLIC VOUCHER, INCLUDING TENANT PROTECTIONS, INCLUDING A LONG-TERM LEASE RATHER THAN SELLING THE PROPERTY OUTRIGHT.
I SUPPORT INCLUSION OF FAMILY FRIENDLY BEDROOM CONFIGURATION RESERVATION OF SOME UNITS FOR THE HOMELESS AND THE INCLUSION OF CHILDCARE DURING DAY NIGHT AND WEEKEND HOURS.
WE HOPE THIS PROJECT WILL BENEFIT THOSE WHO TOIL SO HARD DOWNTOWN AND ARE VERY MODESTLY PAID, FINDING DIFFICULTY TO LIVE IN AUSTIN.
AUSTIN WOMEN IN HOUSING ARE ARDENT SUPPORTERS OF DEEPLY TARGETED AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE LOWEST INCOME LEVELS POSSIBLE AND TO THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF UNITS POSSIBLE.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME AND CONSIDERATION YOU'RE GIVING THIS PROJECT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, DAVE ANDERSON.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ITEM 12, BUT ONLY NEED TO SPEAK IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS THAT, UH, YOU MAY OR THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE.
HELLO? CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? YES.
UM, FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF GO UP AND VAMOS AUSTIN IN SUPPORT OF ALL OF THE RESIDENTS AND ORGANIZERS YOU'VE HEARD FROM SOUTHEAST AUSTIN AND JUST UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS RESOLUTION.
UM, TAKING US BEYOND ANY KIND OF SYMBOLIC GESTURE TOWARD ADDRESSING FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE, FLOOD MITIGATION, AND ACTUALLY MAKING ALL OF THE CHANGES THAT YOU ALL INTEND TO, UH, PURSUE, WHETHER IT'S IN CRITERIA MANUALS IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO ALL OF THAT.
UM, I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL THAT YOU CAN STRONGLY STATE, AS I BELIEVE THIS RESOLUTION DOES YOUR INTENTION TO LIMIT, UH, DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD WORSENS FLOODING AND YOU CAN DO SO WITHOUT EXPLICITLY BANNING ANY KIND OF INCREASES IN IMPERVIOUS COVER THAT WOULD CALL ATTENTION TO NEGATIVE BACKLASH FROM THE STATE OR OTHERWISE.
I THINK IT'S STILL WELL WITHIN YOUR PURVIEW AS COUNCIL MEMBERS TO USE YOUR DISCRETION AND STATE YOUR INTENTION TO RESPONSIBLY MANAGE DEVELOPMENT IN THESE SENSITIVE WATERSHEDS.
AND WE'RE HERE AS A COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT YOU TO DO THAT.
SO JUST AGAIN, UNDERSCORING, THE COMMENTS YOU ALL HEARD AND CONTINUE TO HEAR, AND THE FEEDBACK YOU CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS IN THOSE MOST IMPACTED AREAS.
UM, AND THEN AT SEPARATELY AS A CITIZEN AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOGO'S AMENDMENTS TO THE HEALTH SOUTH ITEM ITEM 13, AND ALSO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THAT.
UH, FOR SOME OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE UNDERSCORED IN COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON'S ADDITIONAL POSTS TO THE MESH MESSAGE BOARD.
UM, THE AFFORDABILITY ASKS ARE GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS ISN'T ANY REGULAR DEAL.
THIS IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY AS A PUBLIC ASSET IN DOWNTOWN.
THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT AND THERE'S NO SUBSIDY LIKE LAND.
SO PLEASE, UM, GO HARD ON THIS ONE.
UH, WE NEED TO SET A STRONG EXAMPLE AND WE NEED TO TAKE A STRONG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM SO MANY ADVOCATES.
UM, PLEASE BE SURE TO INCORPORATE THOSE AMENDMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER TO-GO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND BEST OF LUCK IN THIS YEAR AHEAD.
[00:50:01]
I'M AS AN OBA.JOSEPH, MAY I HAVE A TECHNICAL QUESTION BEFORE YOU START MY TIME? IF I MAY.
WHAT'D YOU GOT, UM, WHEN AN ITEM IS WITHDRAWN AND THEIR SPEAKERS THAT SIGNED UP, IS THE POSITION STILL MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM OR DOES IT JUST DROP OFF AS WELL? I THINK ALL THE SPEAKERS HAVE SIGNED UP, CONTINUE TO SPEAK CLERK.
IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY, THANK YOU.
SO, UM, THE ITEM THAT I'M REFERRING TO SPECIFICALLY IS NUMBER 20.
IF THE CLERK COULD CHANGE MY POSITION FROM AGAINST A NEUTRAL, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ROSIE TRUELOVE YESTERDAY.
IT WAS ABOUT SIX MINUTES BEFORE SPEAKER REGISTRATION CLOSED, AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION TO BASE MY, MY OPPOSITION ON.
SO SHE'S GETTING MORE INFORMATION.
UM, SO SPECIFICALLY I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE SAMSUNG ITEM AND ALSO TO THE $6,000 ON ITEM 55 FOR THE BANNERS ON THE CONGRESS STREET, THE CONGRESS BRIDGE, I WOULD JUST SAY FOR DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE, IT IS A LITTLE PECULIAR TO ME IS 51% OF THE FUNDS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FOR ORGANIZATIONS OF COLOR.
I WOULD ASK THEM TO PARTNER WITH AN ORGANIZATION OF COLOR.
UM, THE ANN RICHARDS FOUNDATION IS A PARTNER ON THAT ITEM.
I UNDERSTAND REACTIVATING DOWNTOWN AS IT RELATES TO SAMSUNG.
I OPPOSE THAT PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF TRANSIT.
AND I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO, UM, NUMBER 61, WHICH IS ABOUT YOUR MAYOR PRO TEM.
UNFORTUNATELY, NATASHA HARPER MADISON DOES NOT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE IN THE FAR NORTH AUSTIN AREA OF THE DISTRICT.
AND SHE HAD CALLED THIS AREA FAR-FLUNG SAMSUNG ON DECEMBER 10, 2020 WHEN SHE SPOKE ON COOP AND CIVIL RIGHTS AND WRONGS.
AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HOUSE BILL 28, 40 SPECIFIES A GOVERNMENTAL BODY MAY NOT PROHIBIT PUBLIC CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY, INCLUDING CRITICISM OF ANY ACT OMISSION POLICY, PROCEDURE PROGRAM, OR SERVICE.
AND WHILE I CERTAINLY CANNOT CONDONE ANYTHING THAT ANYONE ELSE HAS SAID, I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO KEEP THAT IN MIND, AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO TRANSIT MAYOR, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW IT'S A THREE MILE WALK TO SAMSUNG.
SAMSUNG HAS GOTTEN $65 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX REBATES, BUT PROJECT CONNECT ACTUALLY ELIMINATED THE TRANSIT, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN METRO RAPID BETWEEN APPLE AND SAMSUNG.
AND SO I WOULD JUST ASK SAMSUNG RATHER THAN SEEKING ENTITLEMENTS TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY TRANSIT DEPENDENT TAX PAYERS ACTUALLY PAY TAXES TOO, AND THEY'VE GOTTEN NO RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT.
THERE ARE OVER 139 COMMENTS IN THE BACKUP MATERIALS, AT LEAST 139 PAGES.
I WOULD ASK COUNCIL TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT WHAT THE PEOPLE SAID THERE, OTHER THAN IT WILL LIMIT THEIR ACCESS.
I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A 425 ACRE DEVELOPMENT EAS VILLAGE, WHICH IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM SAMSUNG AND ALL THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AS WELL.
AND LASTLY, AS IT RELATES TO THE $150,000 PEOPLE FUND, IF THAT IS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO, UM, THE ANTI-D MITIGATION, UH, DISPLACEMENT MITIGATION, THAT'S SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO PROJECT CONNECT.
I WOULD JUST ASK MS. TRUELOVE TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT WHEN IT COMES FORWARD.
AND LASTLY, THAT FUN ACTUALLY STATED IT WOULD ACTUALLY HIRE SIX INDIVIDUALS IN LOW INCOME CENSUS TRACKS.
SO IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING HOW $150,000 CAN HELP MITIGATE THE DISPLACEMENT AND ALSO HIRE INDIVIDUALS.
THE LAST THING I'LL TELL YOU, THERE'S A GENTLEMAN NAMED
AND SO PLEASE KEEP HIM IN MIND AS YOU MOVE FORWARD.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL GLADLY ANSWER THEM AT THIS TIME.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE SPEAKERS.
[Consent Agenda (Part 2 of 2)]
WE'RE NOW BACK TO THE, UH, AT THE US WE'RE HERE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA RIGHT NOW OUTSIDE.IT WAS ONE THROUGH 60 PULLED ITEMS ARE 1325, 27, 28, 29, 30 31 AND 32 ALSO NUMBER 42.
UM, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION COLLEAGUES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? UH, COUNCIL MEMBER
I JUST WANTED TO OFFER SOME COMMENTS ON ITEM 56, WHICH IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND IS ALSO MY FIRST IFC THAT I GET THE HONOR AND THE PREP AT THE END.
UH, FIRST I WANT TO THANK, UH, OUR FORMER MAYOR PRO TEM AND NOW COUNTY ATTORNEY DAHLIA GARZA, UH, FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND FOR BLAZING A TRAIL SO THAT SOMEONE
[00:55:01]
LIKE ME CAN SUCCEED HER AT THE LATINA ON AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.AND PART OF THE WORK THAT I GET TO DO IS TO CONTINUE HER WORK WHEN IT COMES TO FLOOD MITIGATION AND REDUCING RISKS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND, UH, SO MY FIRST RESOLUTION IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO, TO OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S UM, AS YOU HEARD FROM THE COMMENTS TODAY FROM, FROM RESIDENTS, UH, THE FLOOD CATASTROPHIC HISTORICAL FLOOD EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN DISTRICT TWO IN 2013 AND IN 2015 HAS CLAIMED LIVES AS DISPLACED FAMILIES AND AS DAMAGED HUNDREDS OF HOMES.
AND SO SINCE THEN, THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS SPENT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN THE BUYOUT PROGRAM.
AND MANY OF OUR FORMER RESIDENTS HAVE HAD TO SEEK HOUSING OUTSIDE OF CITY OF AUSTIN BECAUSE OF THE UNAVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS.
AND SO WE KNOW THAT CENTRAL TEXAS IS DESIGNATED AS FLASH FLOOD ALLEY, AND THAT WE ARE EXPECTED TO SEE AN INCREASE IN EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.
AND OFTEN MY COMMUNITY WE TALK ABOUT, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF THE NEXT BIG FLOOD HAPPENS, IT'S WHEN THE NEXT BIG FLOOD HAPPENS.
AND SO THIS, UH, RESOLUTION, UM, IS, IS A NEXT STEP IS A FIRST STEP IN THAT PROCESS.
AND IT WOULD CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT AND REPORT AND ASK STAFF TO REPORT BACK ON AUSTIN'S CURRENT FLOOD MANAGEMENT APPROACH.
AND, AND IT ALSO, UM, DEVELOPS A SCOPE OF WORK AROUND BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENT AND EQUITABLE WAY.
UM, I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE CO-SPONSORS ON THIS ITEM.
UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE.
IT REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND APPRECIATE ALL THAT WORK THAT WE'LL BE DOING, UM, TO ENSURE FLOOD PROTECTION AND FLOOD RESILIENCY OR COMMUNITY.
UH, I DO ACCEPT THE AMENDMENT THAT COUNCIL MEMBER TO TASHA HARPER MADISON PROPOSED.
UH, IT WAS A BIT OF A LAST MINUTE.
SO THE LAST FEW HOURS ARE HECTIC FOR ME, BUT, UM, WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH STAFF AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE, THAT THE AFFORDABILITY IMPACT STUDY IS ALREADY STANDARD PRACTICE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT STAFF DOES ANY TIME THEY BRING FORTH RECOMMENDATION, SO IT WILL NOT IMPACT OUR TIMELINE OR THE INTENTION OF OUR RESOLUTION.
SO WITH THAT, I JUST WANTED TO OFFER A FEW COMMENTS ON IFC ON ITEM 56.
AND, UH, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
I WOULD LIKE FOR THE RECORD TO SHOW THAT I'M VOTING NO ON ITEM NUMBER 50, THE EXECUTIVE COACHING OF $750,000 TO 15 CONTRACTORS, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT WE WOULD SPEND THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS IN TAXPAYER MONEY TO KEEP COACHES ON RETAINER DURING A TIME WHEN WE HAVE REALLY LEAN BUDGETS, IT JUST SEEMS EXCESSIVE.
UM, ESPECIALLY AS QA SHOWS THAT THEY WERE ONLY USED SIX TIMES LAST YEAR.
SO THAT'S A NO ON ITEM 50 FROM ME ON ITEMS 15 AND 17.
I'D LIKE TO ABSTAIN FROM BECAUSE I FEEL THAT WELL IS INCREASINGLY AN INTERNATIONAL CITY.
OUR FOCUS IN FUNDING SHOULD REMAIN LOCAL, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID ALSO ON ITEMS 14 AND 15.
I WILL BE ABSTAINING FROM, I MEAN, 14 AND 16, EXCUSE ME, WHILE I APPRECIATE STAFF RESPONSES TO MY QUESTIONS.
I STILL CONTINUE TO QUESTION THE USE OF SUBCONTRACTORS FOR GRANT PROGRAMS USED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN RESIDENTS AND WHAT METRICS THEY HAVE IN PLACE AND MEASURES ON HOW THEY WILL TRACK THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THOSE PROGRAMS. THANK YOU.
RECORD WE'LL NOTE THAT, UH, HER KITCHEN.
I WANT TO, UH, THANK COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, WHEN TO SEND HER, UH, CO-SPONSORS FOR BRINGING THE ITEM RELATED TO, UM, FLOOD MITIGATION.
I THINK IT'S VERY, UH, TIMELY AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CO-SPONSOR.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, ADD A REQUEST TO THE CITY MANAGER, UH, THAT, UM, AS THE WORK PROCEEDS, UH, WITH REGARD TO, UH, BOTH THE NEAR TERM, BRINGING BACK THE NEAR TERM RECOMMENDATIONS AND AS WELL AS THE WATERSHED PROTECTION STRATEGIC PROCESS THAT OUR STAFF CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE MADE BY THE, UM, BLOOD MEDICATION TASK FORCE.
THERE'S A FINAL REPORT FROM MAY OF 2016.
UM, AND THAT WAS THE TASK FORCE THAT THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATED ON, UM, AFTER THE, UM, AFTER THOSE CATASTROPHIC FLOODS.
AND SO A NUMBER OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT ALREADY BY STAFF, BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER ONES THAT, UM, THAT, UM, I THINK SHOULD BE EXAMINED AND POTENTIALLY POTENTIALLY INCLUDED, UM, IN THE, UM, THE WORK GOING FORWARD.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, THERE, THERE WAS, AND, AND THANK YOU, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, HOVER MADISON FOR YOUR, UM, AMENDMENT, BUT THERE WERE SOME FOUNDATIONS THAT DO RELATE TO LAND USE LAND DEVELOPMENT, CODE CHANGES.
[01:00:01]
UM, AND I THINK WE HAD A SPEAKER, UM, WHO'S WHO SPOKE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING AT THE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT ON FLOODING.UM, AND THERE WERE ALSO RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT RELATED TO THE USE OF EFFECTIVE USE OF THE RCMP.
THERE ARE SOME OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO MY ASK, UH, CITY MANAGER, I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS A, UM, AMENDMENT IS JUST THAT, THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THAT TASK FORCE REPORT BE, UM, CONSIDERED BY OUR STAFF AS, AS THEY'RE RESPONDING TO, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER QUINTUS, UM, UH, UM, RESOLUTION AND BRINGING BACK INFORMATION.
UM, IT CAN YOU, CAN YOU, IS THAT ACCEPTABLE SPENT, UH, MR. CROCK I'LL DEFER TO COUNSEL? MY REQUEST THOUGH, IS THE AUTHOR CAN MAKE SURE THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE'S NODDING AND THAT WON'T BE A PROBLEM FROM STAFF TO INCORPORATE THAT FEEDBACK AS WELL.
I KNOW THAT, UM, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE INCLUSION OF ALL THE WATERSHEDS IN THIS, UM, FOR DISTRICT FIVE OR DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED FLOODING IN UPPER ONION CREEK, UM, AS WELL AS, UH, WILLIAMSON PRECARIOUS AND OTHER AREAS.
THANK YOU, JOSEPH NUMBER ALTAR.
UM, FIRST I WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER
I THINK IT BUILDS REALLY NICELY ON THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE ON RESILIENCE AND THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY.
AND I THINK IT IS TIME FOR US TO, UM, TAKE SOME ADDITIONAL STEPS.
AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE OF MOVING FORWARD WITH MANY OF THOSE PIECES.
UM, I HAVE SEVERAL WATERSHEDS THAT ALSO FLOOD, AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THIS WORK.
I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT.
UM, AND THEN I WANTED TO JUST MAKE A BRIEF COMMENT ON ITEM THREE, UM, WHICH IS THE ITEM ITSELF AS THE APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS FOR ABEL.
UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT, UM, THIS HOTEL IS A PUBLIC ASSET AND THAT THE DECISIONS BY ABEL CREATE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE CITY.
SO I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THESE APPOINTMENTS TODAY.
UM, IT IS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT I WOULD LIKE COUNCIL TO EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS UNDER THE BYLAWS TO REVIEW AND APPROVE ANY NEWER EXTENDED AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO, UM, BY ABEL.
SO I WOULD JUST MAKE NOTE OF THAT, UM, FOR THE CITY MANAGER, UM, AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA COUNCILOR TO-GO.
I HAVE SOME CLARIFICATION, AS I INDICATED, UM, TO, TO MY RESOLUTION THAT I'M GOING TO GET TO HERE IN A SEC, BUT I JUST WANTED TO START ALSO ADDING MY VOICE.
I'VE THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBER OF FRONT FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS REALLY IMPORTANT INITIATIVE REGARDING FLOODING.
I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THAT MOVE FORWARD.
I ALSO WANTED TO JUST GIVE A SHOUT OUT BOND FOR THEIR WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS IN AISD DISTRICT HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL DURING THIS REALLY CHALLENGING TIME.
AND IT JUST AN EXTRAORDINARY PARTNERSHIP THAT THIS DAY HAS FORGED WITH THEM TO SUPPORT THE CAREGIVER MEALS.
SO THANK YOU TO THE SPEAKERS THAT WE HAD TODAY TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE IMPACTS OF THAT PROGRAM, THE 1 MILLION MEALS THAT HAVE BEEN FED TO CAREGIVERS AND FAMILIES OF NEED IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE A HUNDRED JOBS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESERVED IN THIS, THIS PERIOD WHERE WE NEED BOTH.
UM, AND SO THANK YOU, THAT'S REALLY, AND THANK YOU COUNCIL FOR SUPPORTING THAT, UH, THE INITIATIVES THAT CAME FORWARD INITIALLY AS A RESOLUTION, UM, THAT MY OFFICE BROUGHT FOLKS AND THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR FINDING THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING WHEN THEY HEARD THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO CONTINUE THAT THROUGH SEPTEMBER.
I ALSO WANT TO MENTION JUST FOR THE PUBLIC'S BENEFIT THAT THE COUNTY, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS, UM, THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS ALSO PROVIDING SUPPORT TO DEL VALLEY ISD FOR CAREGIVER MEALS, AS WELL AS MAYNOR ISD FOR CAREGIVER MEALS.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I, I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT WORK, CONTINUING.
I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO DURING THIS PERIOD OF PANDEMIC, AND IT'S A CRITICAL INVESTMENT OF OUR FUNDING.
SO THAT TAKES ME AROUND TO THE AUSTIN, UH, TO THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN, UH, UM, INITIATIVE.
I WOULD LIKE JUST TO CLARIFY CITY MANAGER, WE TALKED EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT, THERE WAS SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
WE HAVE THE ACTUAL WAIVER OF THE BANNERS, UM, ESTIMATE ONLY INCLUDED CONGRESS, CONGRESS BRIDGE, AND WE REALLY INTENDED FOR IT TO INCLUDE CONGRESS AVENUE AS WELL.
SO I WOULD REQUEST THAT YOU COME BACK TO US NEXT WEEK OF POSSIBLE WITH A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT CLARIFIES THE WAIVER, WHICH SHOULD REALLY BE FOR $29,000.
THIS IS JUST MONEY THAT THE CITY IS NOT TAKING IN FOR ITS BANNER FOR BANNERS
[01:05:01]
ALONG THOSE POLLS.BUT ALSO, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, I KNOW THIS WAS SOMETHING I, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT WITH A FEW PEOPLE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS.
I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS RESOLUTION TOO WILL PROMPT A BUDGET AMENDMENT OF $30,000 FOR OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE STREET PERFORMER PROGRAM, AS WELL AS OTHER INNOVATIVE, UH, DOWNTOWN ACTIVATIONS.
I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
THE RESOLUTION ALSO DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO PULL TOGETHER AN INNOVATIVE TEAM TO WORK WITH THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO COME UP WITH SOME OTHER IDEAS ABOUT ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE COVID SAFE, UM, THAT CAN HELP BRING PEOPLE DOWNTOWN IN A SAFE MANNER.
UM, DURING THIS PANDEMIC TIME, I ALSO THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT, A GREAT PILOT, UM, AND WE'LL DEVELOP SOME, SOME REPLICABLE IDEAS FOR OTHER PARTS OF TOWN.
SO I THINK THIS IS, UM, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO, TO SUPPORT THE WORK THAT THAT WAS ALREADY ONGOING AT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION.
AND AGAIN, JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THOSE TWO PIECES FOR, FOR THE CITY MANAGER, THAT SAME DOABLE COUNCIL MEMBER, AS YOU KNOW, UM, FEE WAIVERS CAN ONLY COME FROM COUNCIL.
SO WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE TO BRING THAT FORWARD FOR THE NEXT, UH, UH, CYCLE.
AND WE CAN PASS THIS AND, AND, AND DO EXACTLY AS YOU WERE SAYING FOR CONGRESS AVENUE AND THEN, UH, TO DO THE SUPPLEMENTAL WORK, I WILL REQUIRE ANOTHER P WAIVER.
AND SO WE'LL WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT GETS ON THE AGENDA.
BY THE WAY, THE RECORD SHOULD REFLECT, THERE'S ALSO LAID BACK UP AND ITEM 13 AND THEN ITEM 56 IN THE LATE BACKUP IS AN ITEM 82, NOT 83.
AS I EARLIER SAID, FURTHER COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, CUSTOMER KITCHEN.
I WANTED TO ALSO, UH, COMMENT ON, UM, ITEM NUMBER THREE AND, UM, AND, UH, THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR FOR HER COMMENTS.
UM, I DO SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE HOTEL AND I, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STAFF WILL BE BRINGING US, UM, SOME CHANGES, UH, TO THE BYLAWS IN FEBRUARY.
AND I WANTED TO, UM, SINGLE MIND TEND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNCIL HAS APPROPRIATE, UH, OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY AS PART OF THOSE BYLAWS.
THAT'S I REMEMBER ALTAR, I THOUGHT THAT'S, I THINK PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING DIDN'T DIDN'T, UM, NOTE IT, UM, BUT FOR ITEM NUMBER 58, I WOULD LIKE TO DISPEL THAT ON TOWN FEBRUARY 4TH, PLEASE CHAMPION ITEM.
AND THAT'S HOW IT APPEARS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
DID YOU, ARE YOU RAISING? YEAH.
UH, MAYOR, JUST NOTE ON ITEM 42 STAFF IS GOING TO REQUEST WITHDRAWING THAT FOR TECHNICAL REASONS, AND IT WILL ALSO GIVE US TIME TO FURTHER ADDRESS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.
AND SO I PUT THAT AS A RECOMMENDATION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATIONS, JUST WITHDRAWN ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THIS IS THE, UH, UH, PURCHASING FOR MOVING SERVICES.
UM, THAT'S WHERE KELLY, YOU ADDED ONE THAT POOL, I GUESS THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN HAVING IT WITHDRAWN.
UH, SO, UH, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND KEEP THAT WITHDRAWN, UH, ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UM, COLLEAGUES, ANYTHING ELSE
AND ESPECIALLY MY CO-SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING THE RESOURCE RECOVERY EQUITY WORK.
IT IMPACTS SEVERAL OF OUR DISTRICTS, BUT MINE, ESPECIALLY.
I WANT TO ALSO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR WHAT COUNCIL MEMBERS, KITCHEN AND ALTAR MENTIONED RELATED TO, UH, THE ABLE BYLAWS COMING BACK TO US.
UH, AND THEN FINALLY, UM, THANK YOU AND COUNCIL MEMBER, FLINT, DEZ FOR CONTINUING THE IMPORTANT WORK LOG ON FLOODING.
I I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THAT WORK TODAY AND, AND MOVING FORWARD.
ANYTHING ELSE? CONVERSATION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND I TELL YOUR ATTORNEY, JUST SO THE RECORD IS CLEAR, THE AMENDMENT THAT COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, UM, BROUGHT ON ITEM 56, JUST WAITING TO READ THAT INTO THE RECORD, THE, THE AMENDMENT.
I HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME, HAPPY TO DO THAT.
IF THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO ANYBODY ITEM NUMBER TWO, UH, GOES ALONG AS IT, AS IT DOES UNTIL LATER THAN APRIL 30TH, 2021 COMMENT, INCLUDING WHETHER THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD INITIATE AMENDMENTS
[01:10:01]
TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO A B, C OR THE SAME D READS ANALYSIS OF PROJECTED IMPACTS OF ANY RECOMMENDED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS RELATED TO FLOOD MITIGATION ON HOUSING CAPACITY AND AFFORDABILITY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO ADDRESS ANY OF THOSE IMPACTS.AND JUST BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MAKE IT INTO THE LIGHT BACKUP, WE NEEDED TO READ IT FOR THEM.
THAT WAS ALSO POSTED ONTO THE MESSAGE BOARD.
FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT 51 THAT I, I DIDN'T GET INTO THE Q AND A IN TIME THAT I NEED TO ASK STAFF ABOUT IF WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT PRETTY QUICKLY AFTER THE CONSENT.
UM, YOU WANT TO ASK ABOUT THAT AFTER WE VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? YEAH, NO, NO.
COULD WE PULL IT AND THEN I, I I'M JUST SIGNALING TO YOU THAT IT SHOULDN'T, IT SHOULDN'T BE A LENGTHY CONVERSATION.
I JUST, THE MONDAY WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE JUST HAS ME A LITTLE BEFUDDLED AND I HAD SOME QUESTIONS, SOME VERY QUICK QUESTIONS FOR STAFF DO, JUST WANT TO ASK HIM RIGHT NOW.
AND I DON'T KNOW THE NATURE OF THE QUESTIONS WE CAN.
WE PULL IT IN, MAYBE TAKE IT UP RIGHT AWAY IF THAT WORKS FOR YOU.
FOR THE COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE'RE AT 30.
I CAN'T HEAR YOU STILL CAN'T HEAR YOU.
ON ITEM 34, WHICH IS A NON-INDIAN CENTER, UH, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME MORE INFORMATION ON HOW MUCH, HOW MANY MORE YEARS DO WE HAVE ON THE, ON THE LOAN AND WHETHER THE, UM, THE, UH, FUNDING THAT WE'RE GIVEN, UH, THE 600 AND, UH, PLUS, UH, $680,000.
IS THAT ALSO GOING BACK TO THE LOAN OR IS IT GOING TO HELP THEM OPERATE THE CENTER? YOU KNOW, THE CENTER HAS A HISTORY OF BEING, UH, HAVING, UH, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PRODUCE OR EARN ENOUGH MONEY ON THAT TO PAY FOR THE LOAN.
SO THIS IS COMING OUT OF OUR DIRECT FUNDING FROM, UH, HOUSING.
SO, UH, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME INFORMATION, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO PULL IT RIGHT NOW THOUGH.
DO YOU WANT THAT INFORMATION NOW, OR DID YOU WANT STAFF TO REACH OUT TO YOU? I WOULD LIKE IT.
I LIKE THE STAFF TO JUST REACH OUT TO ME BECAUSE IT WOULD OPEN UP TO A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION.
THEN I DON'T WANT TO DELAY THAT MEETING TODAY, MANAGER, IF YOU COULD FOLLOW UP WITH COUNSEL ABOUT READ THROUGH YET COUNCIL MEMBER, HOPPER, MADISON.
AND IF I MAY A COUNCIL MEMBER RECTORY, I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU ALSO, IT'S A, IT'S A LONG, COMPLEX STORY, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.
UM, AND WE'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO IT PRETTY CONSISTENTLY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
SO I'LL, I'LL TELL YOU AS MUCH AS WE KNOW AS WELL.
WELL, I'LL BE HAPPY TO, UH, YOU KNOW, I, I WAS PART OF THE CDC WHEN THAT WENT INTO EFFECT.
SO I HAD A LOT OF CONCERNED ABOUT, UH, USING, UH, GETTING A GO INTO A LONG-TERM LOAN USING OUR HOUSING MEDIC.
SO I UNDERSTAND HOW TO GET YOU CAUGHT UP ON OUR END AND STAFF, UM, DO THEIR PART AS WELL.
ANYTHING ELSE? COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? JUST ONE THAT I CONGRATULATIONS ALSO TO COUNCIL MEMBER QUITE THIS FOR THE FIRST IFC AND IMPORTANT TOPIC, AND THEN SOMETHING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE, WE GET RESOLVED AND MOVE FORWARD ON.
UM, WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE SIX YEARS AGO, IT SEEMED LIKE THE ONLY THING PEOPLE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT AT THAT POINT WAS FLOODING DOWN IN, IN YOUR DISTRICT.
MY HOW TIMES CHANGE STILL A REAL CRITICAL ISSUE, UH, BUT THEN ALSO PROUD PROUDEST SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER, HARBOR MADISON ON THE EAST AUSTIN WORK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA ON REACTIVATING DOWNTOWN, UH, AND THE RESOURCE RECOVERY, UH, IFC FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SIR, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? UH, CAUSE OUR HARPER MADISON MAKES THE MOTION TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALICE SECONDS.
UH, AGAIN, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEM ONE THROUGH 60.
THE POLLED ITEMS ARE 1325, 27, 28, 29, 30 31 32 AND ALSO, UH, 51 IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
WE'VE HAD SOME COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN READ INTO THE RECORD THAT WAS IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, THOSE OPPOSED GENETICISTS ON THE DYESS WITH EVERYBODY PRESENT AND VISIBLE.
[61. Election of the Mayor Pro Tem.]
LET'S TAKE UP A FEW, UH, UH, OF THE, UH, ADDITIONAL ITEMS I'M GOING TO CALL UP FIRST ITEM NUMBER 61, WHICH IS THE MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, ISSUE.[01:15:01]
AND I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION.UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, UM, UH, JUST AN ABUNDANCE OF TALENT ON THIS, UH, UM, DYESS, UH, UH, CERTAINLY TO HAVE BEEN, UH, TALKED ABOUT HERE AT THE END OF THAT PROCESS.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER, MADISON, AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR, BOTH OF WHOM, UH, DESERVE AND WOULD BE GREAT.
UH, MAYOR'S PRO TEMP, UH, IN THIS BODY.
UM, I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT TO THE DEGREE THAT WE CAN, THAT WE, THAT WE MOVE TO TOGETHER AS A, AS A UNIT, UH, ON THE, ON THE DIOCESE.
UM, IT'S, UM, EITHER ONE OF THEM COULD, COULD BE, IT'D BE GREAT IN THIS ROLE, BUT MY EMOTION, UH, TO, TO HAVE US MOVE FORWARD IS THAT, UH, WE, UH, ELECT, UH, BOTH OF THEM FOR SUCCESSIVE ONE-YEAR TERM, UH, SAID DIFFERENTLY.
I WOULD MOVE THAT WE ELECT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER, MADISON AS MAYOR PRO TEMP, UH, FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR AND THEN BEGINNING OF NEXT CALENDAR YEAR, UH, THAT, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ALTER, UH, BECOME THE, UH, THE, THE MAYOR PROTECH.
UH, AND I THINK THAT, UH, THAT WOULD SERVE OUR COUNCIL.
UH, WELL, IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER POOL SECOND TO THAT MOTION, RIGHT? DISCUSSION COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER, MADISON.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SENTIMENT TOO, ESPECIALLY THE PART WHERE YOU SAID, UM, YOU KNOW, US AS A BODY WHAT'S BEST FOR US AS A BODY BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WAS BEST FOR US AS A BODY IS WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CITY.
WE'RE LOOKING AT, UH, THE SELECTION OF OUR MAYOR PRO TEM IN A WAY THAT WE WANT TO PUT OUR, OUR BEST ASSET FORWARD FOR THE TIME.
UH, I DON'T HAVE TO TELL ANYBODY HERE TODAY.
I MEAN, EVEN JUST THE TESTIMONY WE'VE RECEIVED SO FAR, THIS IS A DIFFICULT JOB.
THERE'S A LOT IN THE OF EXPECTATION AND SCRUTINY.
AND FRANKLY, THE PEOPLE WHO, UM, TRUSTED US ENOUGH TO, TO BE IN THESE POSITIONS, THEY DESERVE OUR BEST AT ALL TIMES.
AND SO I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY, UM, MY DISTRICT AND BEYOND, AND THE SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES.
I LOVE THAT, UH, MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR, AND I GET TO SPLIT THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY.
UM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, UM, WHO WE AS A COUNCIL SELECT AMONG US AS OUR MAYOR PER TIM REALLY IS A POWERFUL PIECE OF SYMBOLISM.
I THINK ONE OF OUR, UM, ONE OF OUR CALLERS SPOKE TO THAT EARLIER.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A TEAM SPORT.
I KNOW THAT EACH OF US ARE FULLY IN IT TO WIN IT, UM, AND WIN IT FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.
THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART AT THE END OF THE DAY, UH, FOR THIS PARTICULAR PLAY, I REALLY DO FEEL LIKE I'M UNIQUELY EQUIPPED TO CARRY THE BALL.
UH, THIS YEAR COUNCIL WILL TAKE ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST UNSETTLED ISSUES IN OUR CITY.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELESSNESS.
AND I THINK THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT WE ALL RECOGNIZE ARE LARGELY ROOTED IN INSTITUTIONAL RACISM.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD ON US, TAKING ON THOSE ISSUES, CONTINUING, RATHER TO TAKE ON THOSE ISSUES.
I THINK BY SELECTING SOMEONE WHO IS BORN AND RAISED AND EAST AUSTIN, UH, TO TAKE THIS ROLE AT THIS MOMENT, UH, SOMEONE WHO CAME FROM POVERTY, WHO HAS EXPERIENCED IT FIRSTHAND, UM, THE STRUGGLES THAT DISCRIMINATION, UH, PRODUCE AND WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS BY GETTING RID OF AND OVERCOMING THOSE DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES IN OUR SYSTEMS, UH, WE SIGNAL TO OUR CITY THAT WE REMAIN DEDICATED TO PRIORITIZING EQUITY AND JUSTICE IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT.
AND I KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS THAT THIS, LIKE WE POINTED OUT SYMBOLIC VOTE, UM, ON WHAT IS OTHERWISE A CEREMONIAL TITLE, WE STILL HAVE A TON OF ACTION TO TAKE, YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW THAT WE WILL ALL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I'M HONORED BY EACH VOTE OF SUPPORT THAT THEY'VE OFFERED ME TODAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK IN WITH YOU ALL AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COLLECTIVE BODY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS CITY IS THE BEST IT CAN POSSIBLY BE.
UM, SO AGAIN, MY SINCERE THANKS TO YOU ALL AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I NEGLECTED TO SAY, OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A RESOLUTION OF THIS, WHICH IS ATYPICAL, PROBABLY UNPRECEDENTED.
UH, AND I THINK, UM, UH, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY QUESTIONS OR CONVERSATIONS COULD, COULD BE HAD OVER WHETHER OR NOT, UH, THIS IS, UH, EVEN AN ACTION THAT, UH, THAT THE COUNCIL CAN TAKE IN AN ENFORCEABLE WAY.
[01:20:01]
I THINK THAT, THAT THOSE ARE QUESTIONS THAT, THAT WILL BE DECIDED BY THE COUNCIL A YEAR FROM NOW.UH, BUT, UH, I BELIEVE, UH, AND I THINK THAT WHEN WE TAKE THIS VOTE, WE'RE TAKING THIS VOTE WITH A, UM, MORAL COMMITMENT TO, TO, TO ABIDE BY HOW WE VOTE HERE.
AND I RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE WILL BE MAKING PLANS, UH, ACCORDINGLY.
UH, SO I WOULD HOPE AND TRUST THAT, UH, THIS, THIS, UH, UH, CARRIES FORWARD AND ENDS UP BEING EXECUTED IN THIS PATTERN.
UH, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION, COUNCILMEMBER ALTAR.
AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MY COLLEAGUE TATA HARPER, MADISON, I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLE.
I'M VERY EXCITED, UM, TO, UM, HAVE THE SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES, UM, TO SERVE IN THAT ROLE MYSELF AND, UH, 2022.
UM, I THINK THAT, UM, WE, AS A COUNCIL, AS A CITY HAVE MANY, MANY CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF US AND IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, UM, THAT WE WORK TOGETHER, THAT WE WORK IN UNITY AND THAT WE COLLABORATE, UM, AND, UM, MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
I FEEL LIKE THIS IS REALLY, UM, SHOULD BE CANCELED MEMBER HIPPER MADISON'S, UM, DAY.
SO I'M NOT GONNA MAKE LENGTHY REMARKS AT THIS POINT.
I WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, UM, EARLY IN 2022, IF I CHOOSE.
SO, UM, CONGRATULATIONS, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM HARBOR MADISON, ASSUMING WE VOTE ON THAT.
UM, AND, UM, THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
UM, MOVING FORWARD, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, THIS MAY SEEM OBVIOUS, BUT I WILL NOT AGREE WITH EACH OF YOU FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR ON EVERY SINGLE ITEM.
THERE WILL IN FACT BE GRAVE AND SERIOUS DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT PARTICULAR ISSUES AMONG US, BUT OUR WORDS, OUR COUNCIL MUST CONTINUE IN A NEIGHBORLY WAY, EVEN DESPITE THOSE DIFFERENCES.
AND I SUPPORT THIS COMPROMISE AND LOOK FORWARD TO ALL THE GREAT WORK WE'RE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER.
UM, I JUST WANT TO THANK BOTH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, ALTAR AND COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON FOR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE TO SERVE IN THESE ROLES.
UM, IT'S NOT EASY TO DO THAT, AND I WANT THEM BOTH TO KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT, UH, THEIR SERVICE AND THE TALENTS THEY BRING TO THE TABLE.
AND, UM, I'M THANKFUL, APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THEM BOTH, UM, AND, UM, AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TALENTS THAT THEY HAVE OFFERED.
ANY OTHER THING COUNTS OVER CAUSE SAR.
AND I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU BOTH, UH, LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYONE HERE AND ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLES FIRST YEAR, NATASHA, THIS YEAR, AND THEN ALLISON, UH, NEXT, BECAUSE CLEARLY THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO, RIGHT? OKAY.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER.
THE CHARTER ALLOWS, OF COURSE, THE COUNCIL TO APPOINT ONE MEMBER TO BE THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
UH, THE MAYOR PUTS HIM, SERVES AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL AND, UH, SO THE YOU'LL HAVE ONE PERSON AT A TIME.
AND THEN I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SIGNALING IS THAT YOU WILL TAKE ANOTHER VOTE, UH, AT THE END OF THIS YEAR TO HAVE, UH, ANOTHER MAYOR PRO TEM.
WELL, CERTAINLY THE COUNSELOR CAN DO WHATEVER IT WANTS TO AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THE MOTION I AM BRINGING, UH, THAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON, UH, IS TO, UH, ELECT, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON AS OUR MAYOR PRO TAB FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR.
AND THEN FOR COUNCIL MEMBER ALTERED TO BE MAYOR PRO TEM BEGINNING, UH, THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR.
UM, I WOULD CERTAINLY HOPE AND EXPECT THE COUNCIL WOULD, WOULD TAKE STEPS TO IT, TO ENDORSE THAT ACTION, UH, AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
AND WE CAN DISCUSS ALL THOSE THINGS, BUT, AND I RECOGNIZE THAT BY RESOLUTION, WE CAN'T EXTEND ANY POWERS THAT OTHERWISE EXIST WITH THE COUNCIL THAT SAID, THAT'S THE, THAT'S THE MOTION I'M MAKING ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION AND LET'S TAKE A YES CANCER POOL.
AND THANKS FOR UNDERLINING AND EMPHASIZING THAT THE VOTE WE'RE TAKING TODAY, SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATES, UM, UH, FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR AND ONE PERSON FOR NEXT CALENDAR, THAT THAT IS OUR INTENT.
AND I JOINED MY COLLEAGUES ON THE GUYS AND HOPING, AND, UH, UM, EMBRACING THAT INTENT AND LOOK FOR US TO ACT IN THAT FASHION, UM, THE WAY WE'VE SET IT FORTH AND, AND THANKS FOR ALL OF THE ADMONITIONS THOUGH, UH, FROM OUR CITY ATTORNEY, WE APPRECIATE THAT.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU SAID THAT AND THAT WE ARE SUPER, SUPER CLEAR ON WHAT OUR INTENTIONS ARE WITH,
[01:25:01]
NOT JUST THE MOTION THAT THE MAYOR HAS MADE, THAT I SECONDED AND ALSO OUR INTENTIONS GOING FORWARD AND GOOD LUCK TO OUR, TO TWO VIEW, UM, THIS YEAR, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, HARPER, MADISON, AND NEXT YEAR, UM, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, ALTAR.AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH BOTH OF YOU GUYS IN THESE SPECIFIC ROLES AS WELL.
SO HERE'S TO US, THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA MIRA.
UM, AS, AS A FORMER MAYOR PRO TEM, FOR TWO TERMS, I'VE APPRECIATED THE CONVERSATIONS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ABOUT, ABOUT HOW WE VIEW THAT POSITION.
I CAN ASSURE YOU HAVING, HAVING SERVED IN THAT ROLE FOR TWO TERMS, IT IS NOT JUST CEREMONIAL.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, REAL RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ATTEND TO THAT POSITION.
AND I KNOW THAT THAT BOTH COUNCIL MEMBER SOON TO BE MAYOR PRO TEM HARPER MEDICINE AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR ARE REALLY UP TO THAT LEVEL OF SERVICE.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING SENIOR LEADERSHIP IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN THAT ROLE.
I ALSO THINK THAT THE MAYOR PRO TEM HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN, IN TERMS OF SETTING A TONE ON THE CITY COUNCIL IN OUR MEETINGS.
AND AGAIN, I BELIEVE BOTH OF YOU ARE REALLY UP TO OUR, UP TO THAT TASK OF MAKING SURE THAT AS WE, AS WE BEGIN THIS NEW YEAR WITH OUR NEW COUNCIL, WE ARE, WE ARE WORKING EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE.
I HOPE IN A MUCH IMPROVED FASHION TO REALLY, UM, TO WORK TOGETHER AS A COUNCIL, YOU KNOW, IN THE, IN THE COURSE OF THE CONVERSATIONS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ABOUT WHO WOULD SERVE IN THIS ROLE.
AND, AND MANY OF THOSE HAVE TRANSPIRED IN A WAY THEY HAVEN'T BEFORE.
NOT THAT THEY HAVEN'T TRANSPIRED BEFORE, BUT HAVE TRANSPIRED, TRANSPIRED IN A MUCH MORE PUBLIC FASHION THIS YEAR, LARGELY ON OUR MESSAGE BOARD.
UM, MANY OF US HAVE EXPRESSED OUR INTEREST IN, IN HAVING A MORE COLLABORATIVE TONE ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN AMONG THE MOST DIVISIVE I HAVE SEEN ON COUNCIL.
AND SO OFTEN I'VE REFLECTED BACK ON, ON SOMETHING THAT JOY HARDEN WHO MANY OF YOU KNOW, NOW NOW DIVISION DIRECTOR IN OUR PLANNING, PLANNING DEPARTMENT, JOY HARDEN, AND IN HER FIRST JOB INTERVIEW BACK IN 2011, MADE A COMMENT TO ME THAT I'VE NEVER FORGOTTEN ABOUT HER BELIEF AND HER PHILOSOPHY THAT THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE RESPECT IN THE DISAGREEMENT.
AND THAT IS SO TRUE OF THE WORK THAT WE DO.
AND SO COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, YOU SPOKE TO THIS AS WELL.
WE ARE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO AGREE, EVEN IF WE'RE MOSTLY ALIGNED, WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES THAT WE DISAGREE ABOUT, BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO REMAIN RESPECTFUL IN THAT DISAGREEMENT IN DOING SO.
I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO FORGE BETTER DECISIONS IF WE'RE LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER AND REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE IDEAS AND THE CONCERNS THAT OTHERS ARE BRINGING FORWARD.
UM, AND I THINK WE SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW TO, HOW TO WORK TOGETHER TO FORGE BETTER SOLUTIONS.
SO AGAIN, I'M, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER, MADISON.
UM, YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THAT ROLE FOR THIS NEXT YEAR COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER THE SAME FOR 2022 COUNCIL MEMBER HOLTER.
UM, I JUST WANT TO, TO, TO CLARIFY SINCE WE'RE USING THE SHORTHAND OR 2021 AND 2022, UM, THAT MY TERM WILL GO UNTIL WE APPOINT THE NEXT MAYOR PRO TEM, WHICH WILL BE IN 2023.
I DON'T WANT US TO BE WITHOUT A MAYOR PER TIME AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE'RE DOING A TRANSITION TO, TO MAYOR.
SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD THAT, UM, CLARITY, WHICH WAS IN, UM, MAYOR ADLER'S, UM, MOTION, BUT THROUGH THE COURSE OF CONVERSATION.
AND I DIDN'T WANT TO GET THAT, UM, CONFUSED.
HEY, THANKS FOR, FOR, FOR THAT EMPHASIS.
UH, THE MOTION IS FOR A COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON, TO BE MARRIED PRO TEM FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR, UH, 2021, AND THEN FOR A COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER THAT COMPANY, OR, UH, LET'S TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.
THOSE OPPOSED A UNANIMOUS DECISION BY THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR PRO TEM, CONGRATULATIONS, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM HARPER, MADISON HAD A MINUTE OR TWO BEFORE NOON.
I'M GOING TO BE TURNING THE, UH, A CHAIR OVER TO YOU SO THAT I CAN GO DO THAT.
UH, AT THAT MEETING MY COLLEAGUES, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN RESOLVE SOME OF THE MATTERS THAT ARE FOREST COUNCIL
[51. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20201203-039 to set a fee schedule for temporary use of right-of-way fees related to the construction of phase one of the 2016 Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan. (Part 1 of 2)]
MEMBER TOVA YOU HAD SOME QUESTIONS.WHAT WAS, WAS IT ON WHICH SIDE OF THANK YOU ON ITEM 51, THIS IS THE ITEM TO WAIVE FEES FOR THE TEXAS CAPITOL COMPLEX MASTER PLAN.
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES HERE IS THAT IT'S BEEN GOING ON A LONG TIME AND I, THE UPSHOT OF MY QUESTION IS, CAN YOU PLEASE CAN STAFF PLEASE HELP US UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO TODAY? IT IS WE'RE AMENDING THE FEE SCHEDULE,
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BUT I CAN'T, I CAN'T REALLY BACKUP INFORMATION.I CAN'T REALLY TELL WHAT THE IMPACT IS OF, OF DOING SO, AND THE REASON I'M PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN IT IS BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, WE, THIS YEAR, WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING THE SAVES RESOLUTION, WE EARMARKED RIGHT OF WAY FEES THAT ARE IN EXCESS OF THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR FOR SAVES FUNDING.
AND SO I WANT TO BE PARTICULARLY, I'M PARTICULARLY LOOKING AT ALL OF THESE RIGHT AWAY FEE VACATIONS, BECAUSE I THAT'S AN IMPORTANT, THAT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF FUNDING POTENTIALLY FOR OUR, FOR OUR SAVES VENUES AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS A TECHNICAL QUESTION ON JUST THE EDITS THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE TO THE FEE STRUCTURE, BUT I WILL ASK OUR STAFF TO CONFIRM THAT FOR YOU HERE, I BELIEVE ARE STAFF FROM A LOT OF PERMANENT LINE AND AS WE'RE WAITING FOR THEM TO GET ONLINE, IF THEY WOULD ALSO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHETHER THERE ARE ANY ACTUAL FEES THAT WE'RE RECEIVING, OR IF THEY'RE ALL WAIVED FOR THE TEXAS CAPITOL COMPLEX MASTER PLAN.
REMEMBER, WE'RE GETTING SOMEONE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
OH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, ON ITEM ON THE ITEM, I BELIEVE THERE WAS A TYPO AND, UM, WE ARE, UH, WITHDRAWING THAT ITEM SO THAT WE CAN REPOST IT WITH THE CORRECT, UM, WITH THE CORRECT NUMBER, YOU'RE SAYING 51 51.
OH, UM, MS. THOMAS, I, I HAD ASKED A QUESTION EARLIER ABOUT AN ITEM THAT I WONDERED ABOUT THE WITHDRAWAL AND I HAVE GOTTEN THAT INFORMATION BACK.
I THINK THAT BESIDE THEM 40, UH, THAT THEY'RE REPOSTING IT NEXT WEEK.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE CONFUSION.
THIS ONE IS, UM, 51 WITH REGARD TO THE RIGHT OF WAY FEES FOR THE TECH, FOR THE STATES, UM, TEXAS CAPITOL COMPLEX MASTER PLAN.
WE'RE GETTING THAT QUESTION FOR YOU GETTING THAT ANSWER FOR YOU, MARY, DO YOU WANT TO, JUST TO JUST COME BACK TO, YES, LET'S COME BACK TO THAT.
SO WE'LL PUT, UH, 51 ASIDE HERE FOR JUST A SECOND.
[25. Approve a resolution consenting to the creation of Travis County Emergency Services District No. 17.]
UP.UM, UM, UM, WE HAVE TIME, DO YOU THINK TO DO HEALTH SOUTH, OR SHOULD WE GO TO, UM, UM, UH, ITEM 20 MAYOR? WE COULD DO 25 QUICKLY.
I, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE ITEM 25 TILL NEXT WEEK.
UH, MY CONCERN IS THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, AN ITEM 25 RELATES TO THE, OUR CONSENT TO, UM, CONSENT RELATED TO, UH, UH, A ESD 17, WHICH PRIMARILY IMPACTS THE PFLUGERVILLE AREA.
THE, THE, UM, UM, WE HAD TESTIMONY EARLIER FROM OUR EMS ASSOCIATION PRESENCE RELATED TO THIS.
AND, UM, I HAVE HAD SOME, SOME OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH, UM, ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM PFLUGERVILLE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH THEIR PROCESS AND THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND CONFUSIONS OR CONFUSION AROUND THIS AT THIS POINT.
AND I THINK IT WOULD BE MOST APPROPRIATE AT THIS POINT.
I THINK IT WOULD BE MOST APPROPRIATE TO, UM, TO ALLOW, UH, PFLUGERVILLE TO TAKE THEIR ACTION FIRST, SINCE THEY'RE PRIMARILY IMPACTED.
BUT REGARDLESS OF THAT, I THINK WE NEED ADDITIONAL TIME TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL SCOPE OF THE QUESTIONS RELATED TO THAT.
[01:35:01]
EMAILS FROM, UH, FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE BOTH FOR AND AGAINST THIS.SO AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I THINK IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE FOR US TO ALLOW MORE TIME, UM, TO, TO UNDERSTAND, UH, CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE IS PROCESS AND I'M NOT PREPARED TO VOTE ON IT TODAY.
UH, COLLEAGUES, I AGREE WITH THE POSTPONEMENT FOR ONE WEEK, UH, RECOGNIZING THAT IN ONE WEEK, IT'S OUR KIND OF OUR DROP DEAD DATE TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.
SO, UH, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO, ANYTHING WE DO NEXT WEEK WILL BE OF CONSEQUENCE.
UH, BUT I, I SUPPORT THE, UH, THE MOTION TO POSTPONE, UH, ANY FURTHER CONVERSATION COUNSELOR POOL AND THEN COUNTS.
THAT WAS THE POINT I WANTED TO MAKE.
HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE? SO WE REALLY ONLY HAVE UNTIL FEBRUARY 12, I THINK.
UM, AND IF WE'RE HOPING THAT PFLUGERVILLE WILL ENLIGHTEN US, MAYBE THEY CAN DO IT PRETTY QUICKLY, BUT I THINK WE WILL NEED TO, UM, TAKE OUR VOTE IN TIME FOR, UH, FOR THIS TO BE PUT ON THE MADE ALLEN AND I, AND IT'S, IT'S, IT AFFECTS A SMALL PORTION OF MY DISTRICT AND THEN THE REST, MAYBE IN SOME DISTRICT ONE, BUT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF DISTRICT SEVEN THAT'S IN THE FAR CENTRAL NORTH PART OF THE CITY THAT IS EFFECTED BY THIS.
AND GENERALLY SPEAKING, I DO SUPPORT, UH, UH, PUTTING, UH, PROPOSALS PROPOSITIONS TO THE ELECTORATE SO THAT THEY CAN GIVE IT A THUMBS UP OR A THUMBS DOWN SO THAT THEY CAN DETERMINE FOR THEMSELVES, UM, HOW THEY'D LIKE TO SEE A PARTICULAR, UH, PROPOSAL, UM, HAPPEN, UH, BECAUSE THEY WILL BE AFFECTED BY IT.
SO GENERALLY SPEAKING, I WOULD BE VOTING IN SUPPORT OF PUTTING THIS ON THE BALLOT TODAY, BUT I'LL SUPPORT THE REQUEST FOR POSTPONEMENT AS LONG AS WE DON'T DO ANYTHING TO DAMAGE THE FACT THAT, THAT WE DO HAVE A TIMELINE THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH.
I THINK ALSO, UH, COUNTERPART POOL THAT, UH, I THINK THAT THEY MAY BE FEBRUARY 8TH, UH, 60 DAYS AFTER THE DAY WE RECEIVED THE PETITION IN CASE ANYBODY FROM PFLUGERVILLE IS WATCHING.
BUT OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING PRIOR TO THAT DATE IS ANTICIPATED TO BE FEBRUARY 4TH.
SO IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SEND US ANY KIND OF SIGNALS OR ACTIONS WE NEEDED PRIOR TO, PRIOR TO THAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT WE'VE ALSO HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER SHAY AND COMMISSIONER IN, UM, IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM.
UM, I AM OPEN TO THE ADDITIONAL TIME.
I KNOW THAT I HAVE NOT YET HAD A CHANCE TO CONNECT UP WITH FOLKS AT THE PFLUGERVILLE COUNCIL AND WOULD DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO DO THAT.
UM, I DO WANT TO KNOW FOR MY COLLEAGUES THAT THIS ITEM IT'S, THEY'RE INTERRELATED, BUT THEY'RE NOT INTERRELATED.
SO THAT IF WE VOTE IS UNDERSTANDING AND STAFF CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
UM, IF WE VOTE IT DOESN'T OBLIGATE PFLUGERVILLE.
AND IF PFLUGERVILLE VOTES, IT DOESN'T AFFECT US.
THESE ARE, THIS WILL STILL MOVE FORWARD POTENTIALLY ON THE BALLOT.
UM, YOU KNOW, EVEN WITHOUT A VOTE FROM PFLUGERVILLE FOR IT, IT WOULD JUST BE A SMALLER SECTION OF THE ESD THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM, UH, THE TAX COLLECTIONS.
IF THE VOTERS APPROVE IT, UM, THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN SOME THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE WITH FIRE WHERE EVERYONE HAS TO APPROVE IT OR NOTHING HAPPENS.
UM, I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS A INTERESTING DIFFERENCE THAT I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND SO THAT OUR VOTE DOESN'T ACTUALLY OBLIGATE PFLUGERVILLE TO DO SOMETHING THAT THEY DON'T WANT.
UM, BUT IT WOULD, UM, PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY IF WE SO CHOOSE FOR OUR VOTERS TO VOTE, WHETHER THEY WANT, UM, THESE ADDITIONAL SERVICES OR NOT.
UH, I THINK LET'S SEE, I DON'T THINK COUNSELOR ELLIS HAS HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK YET.
I CAN SUPPORT THIS POSTPONEMENT.
UM, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS THEM LOCALLY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.
UM, AND I KNOW THERE THERE'S A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WHAT IS THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S ENDORSEMENT OR SUPPORT AND WHAT IS THE CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE.
UM, AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONERS SHEA AND TREVELYAN FOR, UH, PROVIDING THEIR INPUT, ESPECIALLY IN BACKUPS SO THAT WE ALL HAVE THAT TO REFERENCE.
SO I WILL SUPPORT THE POSTPONEMENT TODAY KNOWING THAT, UH, WE'LL NEED TO GET SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND MOVE FORWARD NEXT WEEK, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
UM, AND A COUPLE OF CLARIFICATION'S FOR STAFF, NOT FOR RIGHT NOW, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND BETTER AND, AND, UH, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR FOR THE CLARIFICATION ON THE IMPACT OF THIS.
AND THAT'S ANOTHER REASON I WOULD LIKE SOME MORE UNDERSTANDING.
AND JUST TO CLARIFY FOR EVERYONE, THIS IS A PETITION, THIS IS NOT A, THE SAME TYPE OF PETITION THAT WE'VE BEEN, THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH REGARD
[01:40:01]
TO THE OTHER PETITION ITEMS IN FRONT OF US.THIS IS NOT THE PETITION THAT REQUIRES BEING PLACED ON THE BALLOT.
IT'S NOT A STATEMENT OF POSITION FROM ME, BUT I DO WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT ON OUR CITY OF AUSTIN RESIDENTS FROM A, UM, FROM A TAXING STANDPOINT.
UM, AND ALSO, UM, SINCE THEY, I BELIEVE THAT OUR RESIDENTS, I WOULD WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT TO WHICH OUR RESIDENTS ARE ALREADY RECEIVING THESE TYPES OF SERVICES.
UM, AND SO, UM, I'M NOT CERTAIN THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR THEM.
WE MAY BE, AND I JUST DON'T KNOW.
UH, BUT THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF QUESTIONS THAT I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY, UH, BEFORE NEXT WEEK.
I GOT A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE RAISED ANY FURTHER ON THE SITE BEFORE WE APPROVE THE POSTPONEMENT SAKE, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE POSTPONEMENT FOR ONE WEEK TO FEBRUARY 4TH, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I'M SEEING EVERYBODY VOTING IN FAVOR.
THIS ITEM IS POSTPONED TO FEBRUARY 4TH.
[51. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20201203-039 to set a fee schedule for temporary use of right-of-way fees related to the construction of phase one of the 2016 Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan. (Part 2 of 2)]
TO HEAR ON ITEM 51 COUNCIL? YES.THIS IS ROBERT SPILLER DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION.
I BELIEVE I CAN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AND THEN LAW, MAYBE YOU NEED TO HELP ME, UH, MY UNDERSTANDING THERE'S TWO QUESTIONS, ONE, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TAVO PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
UH, IS, UH, DOES THIS, UH, REVISION CHANGE THE TOTAL AMOUNT WAIVED, UH, IN TERMS OF FEES FOR THE CAPITOL COMPLEX? AND THE ANSWER IS NO, THERE WAS AN ERROR IN THE FEE SCHEDULE, WHICH WAS AN ATTACHMENT.
UH, THE ACTUAL NUMBER THAT WAS CALCULATED FOR THE TOTAL WAIVER WAS CORRECT.
UH, AND SO MY ADVICE IS THAT WE NEED TO GET CORRECT, UH, UH, THROUGH COMING BACK TO COUNCIL, UH, THE DETAIL THAT WAS, UH, IN THE BACK OF THE FEE WAIVER.
UH, AND THEN I BELIEVE THERE WAS A SECOND QUESTION.
ARE WE, UH, COLLECTING, UH, THE ACTUAL FEES FOR SERVICE PART OF, UH, THE RIGHT OF WAY FEES FROM THE CAPITAL COMPLEX? AND THE ANSWER IS YES, WE ARE, UH, RECOUPING FINES NECESSARY TO COVER OUR ACTUAL COSTS.
UH, BUT WE'RE NOT CHARGING THEM RENTAL FEES, UH, PER THE WAIVER EARLIER ITEM.
THANK YOU, DIRECTOR OF SPILLER.
SO, SO THE LARGEST PART OF WHAT WE TYPICALLY COLLECT IN TERMS OF FEES HAS, HAS IT BEEN WAIVED? I MEAN, IT HAS BEEN WAIVED, NOT IN EFFECT BEEN WAIVED.
I MEAN, MOSTLY WE'RE NOT COLLECTING PIECE, WE'VE WAIVED MOST OF THE FEES ON THESE FOR THE STATE PROJECTS IS OKAY.
I'LL HAVE TO REFRESH MY MEMORY ABOUT WHETHER THAT GOES ON THE LEDGER OR NOT, BUT THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTIONS.
IT DOES, I BELIEVE COUNTS MEMORY GOES ONTO THE LEDGER.
I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL WE CAN ACCESS THE MANY DOLLARS ON THE LEDGER TO USE FOR CITY PROJECTS.
COLLEAGUES, LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON ITEM 51, THEN, UH, THOSE IN FAVOR, RIGHT? OR 51, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UH, 51 IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE DIOCESE.
AS I WAS TAKING, THE ONLY THINGS LEFT IN FRONT OF US, ARE THEY HEALTH SOUTH CONVERSATION? THE, UH, THE, THE ITEMS 27 THROUGH 32, WHICH RELATES TO HOTELS, I WILL TAKE UP AFTER SPEAKERS AT THREE O'CLOCK AND ZONING, WHICH WILL TAKE UP AFTER SPEAKERS AT TOO.
IF, UM, IF JERRY'S GUESSING CORRECTLY, THERE'S ONLY ONE OF THOSE ZONING ITEMS AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE A DISCUSSION.
UH, SO, UM, I, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF THE ZONING SPEAKERS ARE GOING TO WANT TO, TO, TO, TO SPEAK.
UM, UH, CERTAINLY EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP HAS THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT WE'D BE NOT TAKE US THAT LONG TO GET THROUGH ZONING.
THEN WE'LL HAVE THE HOTEL SPEAKERS AND THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE, UH, ITEMS. UM, UH, WE HAVE HEALTH SOUTH, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
IT IS NOW 10 MINUTES TILL NOON.
I THINK WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL, WE'LL CALL THE HEALTH SOUTH AND TRYING TO KIND OF LAY THAT OUT, UH, WITHOUT THE EXPECTATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THAT WE HAVE CITIZEN COMMUNICATION SPEAKERS AT NOON.
UM, MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE AT NOON.
UH, MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THAT WE, UH, UH, TAKE A LUNCH BREAK AT THAT POINT WHEN YOU CONVENE AN HOUR AFTER CITIZENS, COMMUNICATIONS IS OVER IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, HAVE THE CONVERSATION, UH, ABOUT THAT, IF THAT, UH, IS DESIROUS OF PEOPLE.
[01:45:01]
UH, AND THEN COME BACK OUT TO THE, TO THE DAY OR JUST COME BACK AFTER THE HOUR TO THE DAY IS TO FINISH OUT, UH, OUT SOUTH AND THEN GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.[13. Authorize negotiation and execution of an exclusive negotiation agreement with Aspen Heights Partners, for terms governing a master developer contract for the redevelopment of 1215 Red River and 606 East 12th, the former HealthSouth tract. MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program. For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established in this solicitation phase, but will be negotiated in the contracting phase. (Part 1 of 2)]
UH, ITEM NUMBER 13, WHICH IS A HEALTH SOUTH.UH, AND I'M GOING TO ASK, UH, COUNCIL OF A HARPER MADISON TO, TO MAKE A MOTION, UH, LAY OUT HER MOTION, UH, SINCE THIS IS IN HER DISTRICT.
UH, AND THEN AFTER HER MOTIONS LAID UP AND I'M RUNNING TO RECOGNIZE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO, UH, AND THEN SHE CAN TAKE US THROUGH, UH, HER SUGGESTIONS, UH, AS, AS WELL.
OBVIOUSLY SHE'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT FOR A LONG TIME TO COUNSEL OF OUR HOPPER MADISON.
DO YOU WANT TO LAY OUT YOUR MOTION? I DO.
I'LL TRY TO KEEP MY COMMENTARY PRIOR TO THE MOTION BRIEF, GIVEN THEIR LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE HAVE.
AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO EVEN PRIOR TO MY, YOU KNOW, TWO YEARS HERE, UM, HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS.
SO I APPRECIATE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO JUMP IN FOR MY DISTRICT.
UM, YOU KNOW, THE, THE TRUTH IS FACTS ARE FACTS.
AND ONE OF THE MOST UNDENIABLE FACTS, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY'S BEEN LOOKING AT REAL ESTATE LATELY, BUT IT IS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL.
ONE OF THE MOST UNDENIABLE FACTS IS THAT WE HAVE A MASS, A MASSIVE HOUSING SHORTAGE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND I THINK THAT'S EVEN MORE TRUE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, BOTH IN CENTRAL AUSTIN, BUT EVEN MORE SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOWNTOWN, UM, ADD UP ALL THE NEW TOWERS AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST DECADE, ONLY TWO PROJECTS DELIVERED MIXED, UH, MIXED RATHER OF MARKET RATE AND INCOME RESTRICTED UNITS IN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.
UM, I USED OUR OWN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ONLINE SEARCH TOOL.
IF YOU HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THAT YET, REALLY ACTUALLY VERY, VERY GOOD.
WE SOURCE OUR OWN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ONLINE SEARCH TOOL THAT WE LAUNCHED BACK IN NOVEMBER TO LOOK IT UP, UH, OF THE 491 INCOME RESTRICTED BUILDINGS IN THE CITY INVENTORY ONLY TO OUR DOWNTOWN AND ABOVE 30 3067 INCOME RESTRICTED UNITS SUBSIDIZED BY THE CITY CITY ONLY C2 OR IN ANY OF OUR DOWNTOWN TOWERS.
UM, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE RESTRICTED AT THE TIME LOOSEST LEVEL OF 80% OF THE MEDIAN, UM, UH, MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME.
SO WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US IS A PROPOSAL TO ADD 87 NEW RENTAL UNITS AT 50 TO 60% OF THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME, UH, THAT MORE THAN DEVILS THE AFFORDABLE RENTAL STOCK IN THE ECONOMIC HEART OF OUR CITY.
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE CAN BRING SOME CITY BACKED OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP IN THIS AREA AND ALL IN ALL A PROJECT THAT IS THE EPITOME OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
WHEN WE SAY COMPLETE COMMUNITIES, UM, PEOPLE OF ALL INCOME LEVELS, BEING ABLE TO LIVE NEXT TO JOBS, UH, WORLD-CLASS PARK RIGHT ON THE UPCOMING, BUT, UH, BUS RAPID TRANSIT AND FUTURE LIGHT RAIL LINE, A BLOCK AWAY FROM A HOSPITAL UNIVERSITY, CHURCHES, MUSEUMS, UH, PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT, YEAH, I'VE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO TRULY CONNECT EAST WEST.
YOU KNOW, I KNOW THERE'VE BEEN SOME CONVERSATIONS AROUND AQUATICS INFRASTRUCTURE HERE REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THEN THAT LESS THAN A MILE AND A HALF AWAY, RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD, THERE'S TWO POOLS AND GREAT PARKS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORLD-CLASS POOLS AFTER THEY GET THE UPDATES THAT THEY'RE DUE, UM, COMING UP, UM, ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT LEAVING ANYTHING ON THE TABLE.
MY MINDS, I THINK WE CAN START MAKING THE MATH, UM, REALLY WORK WHEN WE CONSIDER THE OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED TO US BY THE APPROVAL OF PROJECT CONNECT.
UH, WE KNOW THAT PARKIN CAN BE A BIG CHUNK OF THE PROJECT COST AND W AND ONE, FRANKLY, THAT GETS PASSED ON TO FUTURE RESIDENTS.
SO NOW THAT WE KNOW THAT THE GOLD LINE IS GOING TO BRING NEW MOBILITY OPTIONS, JUST ONE BLOCK AWAY FROM THIS SITE, I HOPE WE CAN REASSESS, UM, THE, WHAT THE PARKING NEEDS ARE HERE.
THAT'S ONE MORE CONSIDERATION AND WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN UTILIZE TOOLS SUCH AS THE DECOUPLING, UM, SUCH AS RATHER DECOUPLING SO THAT WE CAN PRIORITIZE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE INSTEAD OF FOR CARS.
UH, IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT VOTING TO APPROVE THIS ITEM TODAY DOES NOT, UM, LOCK US INTO A FINAL OUTCOME.
IT SIMPLY AUTHORIZES STAFF TO NEGOTIATE TERMS OF A PROJECT AND TO BRING THOSE TERMS BACK TO US FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION.
SO I'M CONFIDENT THAT, UH, WE'LL SEE SOMETHING, UM, UH, UH, THAT THOUGH IT MIGHT, UH, REPRESENT A SMALL DROP IN THE CITYWIDE BUCKET, UH, SOMETHING THAT WILL FRANKLY MAKE A BIG SPLASH AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST OPPORTUNITY AREAS THAT WE HAVE.
AND SO WITH THAT, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ITEM 13 TO NEGOTIATE
[01:50:01]
AND, UM, EXECUTE AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT WITH ASPEN HEIGHTS PARTNERS AND TO INCLUDE TERMS IN THE EVENTUAL MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE LEASE AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER HEALTH STAFF TRACT, AND TO RETURN TO COUNSEL PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, THE CITY MANAGER SHOULD KEEP, UH, COUNCIL APPRAISED AS TO THE STATUS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND RETURN FOR FURTHER DIRECTION.IF SUBSTANTIAL CONCERNS ARISE IN THIS NEGOTIATION CITY STAFF IS DIRECTED TO EXPLORE THE INCLUSION OF THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS IN THE TERMS OF THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT CREATED PENTHEUS TO FREE UP FUNDS, TO PROVIDE MORE ON-SITE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND OR DEEPER LEVELS OF AFFORDABILITY, SUCH AS THE REASSESSMENT OF PARKING NEEDS AND THE UTILIZATION OF TOOLS SUCH AS DECOUPLING PARKING FROM THE RESIDENTIAL UNITS, A COMMITMENT TO ADHERE TO THE TENANT PROTECTION PROVISIONS WITHIN THE RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, GUIDELINES, PROGRAMMING, AND A LIVE MUSIC VENUE SPACE THAT COULD BE LEASED TO A LIVE MUSIC VENUE OPERATORS, UM, PRIORITIZING OPERATORS REPRESENTING HISTORICALLY DISENFRANCHISED MUSICIANS, THE INCLUSION OF A HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE, UM, UH, CHILDCARE ALTERNATIVE CROSS SUBSIDIZING OPPORTUNITIES IN LIEU OF, OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMMERCIAL OFFICE TOWER SPACE, AND LASTLY, IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY BY TAKING AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO RESTORE THE ORIGINAL DOWNTOWN STREET GRID AND ENSURE ALL PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY IS PEDESTRIAN ORIENTED WITH GROUND LEVEL ACTIVATION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT MOTION, SIR.
SECOND TO THIS MOTION, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO SECONDS, THE MOTION.
UM, WE HAVE, UH, THREE MINUTES BEFORE WE GO TO THE, THE CITIZEN COMMUNICATION.
UM, CATHERINE HAD IT MAKES SENSE FOR YOU TO EVEN START WITH THREE MINUTES.
WELL, PERHAPS THERE'LL BE AN UNANIMITY ON THE AMENDMENTS AND THEN WE'LL ACCOMPLISH IT, BUT IT'S UP TO YOU.
I MEAN, I CAN JUST, UM, EITHER WAY.
YEAH, I THINK WE PROBABLY NEED JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CONVERSATION JUST TO TRUE IT UP, BUT I'M SUPPORTIVE OF, OF THE THRUST OF YOURS AS WELL.
I THINK WE SHOULD GET AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
UM, LET'S JUST TAKE A, CAN I JUST, UM, THING OUT FOR LOGISTICS.
SO ALEX, I JUST WANT TO SAY I DID SEND OUT, UM, OR KATIE POWERS HAS SENT OUT TWO MOTION SHEETS FROM LAST NIGHT.
THERE'S JUST ONE SLIGHT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.
UM, AND THAT IS THE INSERTION OF SOME LANGUAGE EARLY ON THAT SAYS ATTEMPT TO AND ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN THAT WAS LAW'S REQUEST.
AND SO THE MESSAGE BOARD REFLECTS, UM, THE FIRST VERSION OF NOT THE SECOND, BUT THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT ADDITIONAL, THOSE ADDITIONAL TWO WORDS.
AND JUST, UM, JUST AS A, AS A GLOBAL POINT, I'LL SAY THIS IS IN THE MAIN, VERY, VERY SIMILAR TO THE MOTIONS AND THE AMENDMENTS, THE AMENDMENTS THAT HAD BROUGHT FORWARD IN DECEMBER, THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL LENS.
AND IF IT'S USEFUL TO ANYBODY, I'M HAPPY TO WALK THROUGH WHAT THOSE ADDITIONAL ONES, BUT IT IS, IT IS RESTRUCTURED.
SO IT'LL LOOK DIFFERENT, BUT A LOT OF THESE AMENDMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT I BROUGHT FORWARD IN DECEMBER.
AND, AND SEVERAL OF THEM ARE, ARE VERY CONSISTENT, ARE REFLECTED ALSO IN COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADAM MAYOR, PRO TEM, MAYOR PRO TEM HARPER MADISON'S MOTION AS WELL.
AND SO I THANK HER FOR, FOR HER, UM, MOTION.
THAT INCLUDES SOME OF, SOME OF THOSE REALLY CRITICAL ELEMENTS.
MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE THAT WE GO TO CITIZENS COMMUNICATION RIGHT NOW.
I'M GOING TO TURN THE CHAIR OVER TO THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE THAT WE TAKE A LUNCH BREAK FOR AN HOUR AND WE'LL COME BACK TO THE GENERAL SESSION LET'S DISPOSE OF AND, AND RESOLVE, UH, HOW SOUTH, UH, AS I, I FEEL NEED A CUP OF TEA, JUST TO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PRIORITIES.
I LIKE THE PRIORITIES THAT ARE IN COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER MADISON'S, UH, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK WE SHOULD BE GOING, YOU KNOW, TAKING A LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER IT IS.
WE CAN TAKE A GAP, UM, BUT TO TAKE A LUNCH BREAK FOR AN HOUR, COME BACK, WE'LL DEAL WITH HOW SOUTH, THEN WE'LL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, UH, THEN COME BACK OUT TO HEAR SPEAKERS AND THEN RESOLVE THIS QUESTION.
UH, SO WITH THAT HERE AT, UH, UH, 1159, I'M GOING TO, TO, TO TURN THE TIME, UH, AND I'LL SEE YOU GUYS, WHEN WE RECONVENE AFTER, AFTER LUNCH MAYOR PRO TEM YOUR GAVEL.
[01:55:01]
MA'AM UM, KATHY, MAYBE YOU CAN CONFIRM FOR ME WHETHER OR NOT AT LEAST THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES YOU HEAR THAT YOU FEEL A LITTLE GIDDY.AND WE MAY ALL SLIP SLIP A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT YEAH, IT IS A WELL-DESERVED TITLE.
SO IT'S LOOKING LIKE WE'RE GONNA, UM, NOW HEAR CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS AFTER WE'VE DONE, UH, AFTER WE'RE DONE, RATHER THAN CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS.
I THINK THE INTENT AS THE MAYOR STATED IS TO TAKE A RECESS AND COME BACK AROUND ONE AND GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE'LL COME BACK AT TWO TO TAKE A BITE RELATED TO ZONING.
UM, IN WHICH CASE AT CLERK, ARE YOU READY TO HEAR CITIZENS
[Public Comment (Part 2 of 4)]
COMMUNICATIONS? YES.THE FIRST SPEAKER IS AMY CRAVEN.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? I LIVE IN COUNCIL, UM, AREA NINE DITCH OF NINE, AND I'M CALLING IN FAVOR OF ARTICLE 30 AND 31, UH, FOR HOUSING AND PURCHASE OF A HOTEL.
AND I HAVE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS REGARDING THE USE OF, UM, ACT TEAMS SERVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH, FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO BE HOUSED IN THE POSSIBLE HOME NEW PURCHASE OF A HOTEL.
I'M, I'M COMPLETELY IN FAVOR OF THAT, BUT ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE INTENSIVE SERVICES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN STREET HOMELESS FOR A LONG TIME OR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
IT'LL ALSO HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS AND PROBABLY A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF ACT, AND I'VE WORKED ON ACT TEAMS IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AND I'M ALSO A, AS FAR AS HOUSING FIRST MODEL.
I THINK THAT IT'S AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS, BUT IT ALSO NEEDS TO BE IN TANDEM WITH, UH, INTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND, UH, SERVICES FOR, UH, FOR THE INDIVIDUALS AND ALSO WITHIN A HARM REDUCTION APPROACH.
UM, UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE SOME SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
BUH-BYE NEXT SPEAKER IS MOSLEY HOBSON.
SO THE MAYOR OF AUSTIN, THE HONORABLE STEVE ADLER TO, UH, MADAM MAYOR PRO TEM TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING MY REQUEST TO SPEAK TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO OFFICIALLY INTRODUCE MYSELF.
I AM THE PASTOR OF THE GREATER ST JOHN'S CHURCH OF GOD AND CHRIST LOCATED AT 72 10 PROVIDENCE AVENUE IN THE HEART OF THE ST JOHN'S COMMUNITY AND A PART OF DISTRICT FOUR.
I ALSO HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SERVING THE NEWSLINE HILL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, LOCATED IN SMITHVILLE, TEXAS.
MY SERVICES PASTOR TO ONE OF THE GREATEST CONGREGATIONS IN AUSTIN COMES ON THE SHOULDERS OF LEADERS WHO SERVICE OR, UH, WHOSE SERVICE SPANS OVER THE LAST 71 YEARS, WHICH THEY HAVE LEFT A LASTING IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE ARE A PART, THE MOST RECENT LEADER BEING PASTOR ANTHONY, VAN DOK, MONROE, WHO TOOK HIS ARRESTING GAIN HEAVILY WINGS IN AUGUST OF 2020, MR. MAYOR, AS A NEW PASTOR AND THE GREATER AUSTIN COMMUNITY, WE ENDEAVOR TO BE VISIBLE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
HELPING SERVE A HOMELESS SUPPORT ARE LESS FORTUNATE THROUGH SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AND TEACH BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST THAT HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM LIVES ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING AND MAKING OUR COMMUNITY BETTER DAY BY DAY.
WE HOPE THAT WE CAN SHARE IN CITY RESOURCES THAT WILL HELP MAKE OUR MISSION AND VISION POSSIBLE.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY COUNCIL MEMBER COSAR KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT SITTING IDLE, BUT WE ARE AN ACTIVE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY ALREADY PARTNERING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO DO WORK WITH FIRST LADY ABAS, GRACE INITIATIVE, AS WELL AS OTHER FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THAT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES FACE.
I'M NOT ABLE TO NAME ALL OF THE AREAS OF INTEREST FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, BUT SOME AREAS INCLUDE HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DIVERSITY EQUITY, AND INCLUSION FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES THAT HELP MINISTRY SUPPORT COMMUNITY HEALTH, EDUCATIONAL, AND WORKFORCE DISPARITIES, AND EVEN COVID-19 VACCINE AND INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITIES MOST EFFECTED BY THIS DEADLY VIRUS.
MR. MAYOR, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF MY CONGREGATION FOR THE STEPS YOU HAVE TAKEN TO PROTECT AUSTINITES WE RECOGNIZE THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK AHEAD, BUT PLEASE KNOW THE MEMBERS OF GREATEST ST.
CHURCHES ARE PRAYING FOR YOU DAILY.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO POSSIBLE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU AND THE COUNCIL IN THE FUTURE.
I JUST LIKE TO THANK PASTOR
[02:00:01]
ROOM.WE'LL BE REACHING OUT TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT OUR WORK TOGETHER AND WE HOLD PASTOR MONROE'S MEMORY CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
I LIVE IN SOUTH AUSTIN ON SOUTH FIRST, JUST SOUTH OF LADY BIRD LAKE.
AND MY QUESTIONS ARE AROUND THE HOMELESS SITUATION THAT WE ARE ALL TRYING TO PROCESS HERE IN AUSTIN.
I HAVE SOME INFORMATION I'D LIKE TO SHARE FOR PHYSICAL YEAR THAT ENDED IN SEPTEMBER.
IT APPEARS THAT AUSTIN APPROPRIATED $73.4 MILLION FOR HOMELESS RELATED SERVICES.
THAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT'S THE MOST EVER IN THE CITY AND 54.4 MILLION OF THAT WAS FROM LOCAL FUND WHILE 19 WAS FROM FEDERAL.
HOMELESSNESS COALITION IS THE LEAD AGENCY TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY-WIDE STRATEGIES.
AS YOU KNOW, THEY DO A YEARLY HEADCOUNT AND IN 2020, THAT WAS 2,506 INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY.
SO BASED ON THAT, THIS AMOUNT IS JUST OVER 29,000 BEING SPENT PER PERSON AND DOES NOT INCLUDE STATE FUNDING.
THAT'S PROVIDED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WITH THE BILL THAT THEY RECENTLY PASSED.
49.4 MILLION IS APPROPRIATED NEARLY TO THE NINE LARGEST IN TEXAS, AS YOU KNOW, AND THEN THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL 3 MILLION IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION EARMARKED FOR YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
AS I TALK ABOUT ALL OF THESE THEY'RE VERY LARGE AMOUNTS, 74,000,049 MILLION, 3 MILLION, AND ALL THE WHILE I AM HEARING LOCAL LEADERS RUN CAMPAIGNS ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE I'M SEEING OUR WATERWAYS AND OUR ESTUARIES AND OUR ROADSIDES AND PARKS BEING INCLUDED BY TRASH CAUSED BY THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT, THOSE AROUND CESAR CHAVEZ, AS I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW ARE GROWING EXPONENTIALLY.
LADY BIRD LAKE IS POLLUTED WITH TRASH AND DEBRIS COMING FROM DOWN THE HILLSIDE.
I EXERCISE AROUND LADY BIRD AND I FEEL I HAVE FELT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, MY SAFETY IN JEOPARDY, BECAUSE THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE EXPERIENCING SUBSTANCE ABUSE OF SOME KIND, WHICH WE NEED TO ADDRESS AS A COMMUNITY, HOWEVER THEY'RE APPROACHING WITHOUT MATH.
AND THAT IS ALSO A CONCERN FOR THE CITIZENS BECAUSE WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH, AS YOU ALL KNOW, COVID AT THIS TIME, MY QUESTION IS REALLY VERY SIMPLE.
WHAT IS THE MONEY BEING SPENT ON NOW? AND HOW DO WE, AS THE TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY KNOW THAT WE'RE GETTING WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR? IS THERE ANY INSIGHT INTO PERHAPS ESTABLISHING EMPLOYEES THAT WOULD CLEAN UP THE TRASH AND THE DEBRIS THAT'S AROUND THESE ENCAMPMENTS, AS WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION AND PERHAPS HAVE OFFICERS STATIONED IN THE PARK AREAS SO THAT IF A CITIZEN FEELS THAT THEY'RE IN JEOPARDY, THEY CAN GET A QUICK RESPONSE AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO DIAL NINE ONE ONE.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE, THE SITUATION IS NO LONGER THERE TO RECAP.
I JUST WOULD LOVE TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IF, IF THERE'S ANY TALK AROUND AN IMPROVEMENT OF CLEANUP OF THESE AREAS, BECAUSE IT IS GETTING QUITE BAD.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY CONCERNS.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR THOUGHTS AROUND SOLUTIONS.
I'M THE PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF OUTDOOR EVENTS ASSOCIATION.
UM, OUR ORGANIZATION HAS JUST EXPANDED INTO THE AUSTIN MARKET AND IT'S ABOUT TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH WITH A NEW SUITE OF ADVERTISING PRODUCTS, NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
AND THESE CONSISTS OF, UH, SEVERAL THINGS THAT I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU ALL A HEADS UP.
UM, WE INVENTED A CHAIR MADE OF CARDBOARD RECYCLED CARDBOARD THAT SUPPORTS 485 POUNDS, AND IT'S ALL COMPLETELY DIGITAL PRINT BRANDING.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE SEEING THESE POPPING UP ALL OVER THE CITY.
UM, ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE WORKED WITH MANY MIS MUNICIPALITIES, UM, TO SUBSIDIZE SANITATION SOLUTIONS, UM, THROUGH ADVERTISING CHANNELS AS WELL, BASICALLY CREATING MURALS, ADVERTISING MURALS ACROSS ROWS OF PORTABLE TOILETS, PROVIDE SANITATION SOLUTIONS ACROSS THE CITY.
AND ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.
UM, I'M REQUESTING PERMISSION TO PUT TELEVISION SCREENS ON THE ROOF OF FOOD TRUCKS ACROSS THE CITY ON A 30, 70 SPLIT ON AIRTIME FOR PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT.
UM, MANY BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING, AS WE ALL KNOW, AND ADVERTISING IS THE DRIVER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND SO THAT ADVERTISING BEING SO EXPENSIVE, I'M REQUESTING THAT WE ALL THINK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY ON HOW BUSINESSES CAN BOUNCE BACK, YOU KNOW, ONCE COVID STARTS TO DISSIPATE.
[02:05:01]
UM, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR FEEDBACK AND THEN CITIZENS COMMUNICATION.I THINK I MAY HAVE MISSED CALLED THE ORDER.
WE SWITCHED IT UP A LITTLE BIT.
SO, UM, IT LOOKS LIKE, UM, AT 1210, WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, UM, ACTUALLY COME BACK, UH, HERE AROUND ONE TO TAKE UP, HELPS OUT, THEN THEY'D GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SO THANK YOU AGAIN, THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES AND ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AT THIS POINT, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A RECESS AND COME BACK AT 1:00 PM.
IN WHICH CASE I WILL CALL US, UM, AND RECESS AS A 12, 10:00 PM ON ONE 27, 2021.
THIS MEETING IS BEING HANDLED REMOTELY.
[13. Authorize negotiation and execution of an exclusive negotiation agreement with Aspen Heights Partners, for terms governing a master developer contract for the redevelopment of 1215 Red River and 606 East 12th, the former HealthSouth tract. MBE/WBE: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program. For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established in this solicitation phase, but will be negotiated in the contracting phase. (Part 2 of 2)]
UH, PULL BACK UP THE, UH, UH, HEALTH SOUTH, UH, ITEM, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER 13.UM, IF YOU DIDN'T ADVANCE THAT BALL, UH, THEN WE'RE AT A PLACE NOW WITH A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER FROM MAYOR PRO TEM, HARPER, MADISON, UH, AND, UH, THEN WE RECOGNIZED, UH, KATHY, UH, FOR, UH, AMENDMENT, UH, YES, HANG ON ONE SECOND.
AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME CONFUSION ABOUT MY MOTION.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO BE CLEAR THAT THE MOTION WAS TO NEGOTIATE AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT WITH ASPEN HEIGHTS PARTNERS.
I THINK I SAID NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE DURING MY COMMENTS.
SO I LOOKED AT THAT IT WAS, IT WAS TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT, CORRECT.
WITH, WITH THE STAFF COMING BACK BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY NEGOTIATED A CONTRACT.
THAT'S THE PART WHERE I WANT IT TO BE CLEAR.
WAS THAT THE DIRECTION WAS TO NEGOTIATE WITH STAFF COMING BACK TO COUNCIL? CORRECT.
I THINK THAT'S STILL, WE CAN CHECK WITH STAFF.
I THINK THAT STILL HAS THEM ENTERING INTO AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING CONTRACT NOW WITH THE ASPEN HEIGHTS PARTNERS, BUT THEY, BUT THEY HAVE TO COME BACK BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY WOULD SIGN A DEAL, I THINK THE, TO, TO SELL OR THESE OKAY.
I'D LIKE TO ADVANCE THE AMENDMENTS AS DESCRIBED ON MY MOTION SHEET VERSION TWO, PLEASE.
IS THERE A SECOND TO COUNCIL MEMBER COBOS, UH, MOVING FORWARD WITH HER MOTION SHEETS, SECONDED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER IN 30.
TOVO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IT ANY FURTHER? UM, NO, I HAVE SOME GENERAL COMMENTS, BUT I'LL, I'LL LET MY COLLEAGUES ASK ANY QUESTIONS AND THEN I DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE ELEMENTS AT THIS STAGE.
COLLEAGUES, ANY DISCUSSION ON THE TOBO ISSUE, COUNCIL MEMBER
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY COURSE FROM THE COMMERCIAL USE OF THE AD COUNCIL MEMBERS.
TOTAL BROUGHT UP ON OUR Q AND A FIRST QUESTION AND ANSWER, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THE DACA RELOCATION FUND COULD HAVE OFFSET THE FINANCIAL IMPACT WITH THE PLAN TO DO THAT.
THE LEASE THAT THEY WERE PLANNING TO DO WITH AN OPTION TO BUY, AND THAT'S GOING TO COST US SOMEWHERE AROUND $21 MILLION, BUT US AND WE WOULDN'T OWN THE BUILDING.
AND I THINK THAT TODAY, YOU KNOW, WE COULD DO A AT LEAST OPTION WHERE'S THE HEALTH, UH, YOU KNOW, AND ALSO WOULD LIKE TO, TO, UH, SAY THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THE CENTER WOULD BE IN THERE WOULD BE, UH, YOU KNOW, THE BEST PRACTICE FOR, TO USE THE, UH, BUILDING SENTENCE NEXT TO THE, THE CENTER.
AND, UH, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S THE KIND OF TYPE OF SERVICE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE VERY NEARBY 12.
SO THIS WILL GIVE US A BIG, A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
YOU KNOW, I REALLY WANNA THINK TROUBLE FOR, FOR HER WORK ON THIS.
AND, AND, UH, I THINK THAT THIS IS, COULD BE A PLUS PLASTIC.
I MISS THE CITY STAFF HAS ALREADY DETERMINED, HAVE FOUND OTHER OPTIONS, BUT I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF BOSTON
[02:10:01]
TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT.SO AS TO HAVE THE, UH, COMMUNITY COURT, UH, TO THE LIST OF THINGS, IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT AMENDMENT, TO THE AMENDMENT AS A MEMBER KITCHEN SECONDS, THAT AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT.
SO LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION NOW ABOUT THE COMMUNITY COURT, THAT'S THE ISSUE IN FRONT OF US AND IF, AND IF STAFF, UH, I COULD MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE HERE, UH, I HAVE SOME, SOME, SOME QUESTIONS AS WELL.
UM, SO A MANAGER, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED TO PULL THEM UP, UH, AND WHILST THAT'S COMING UP, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO RAISE ON THE COMMUNITY COURT? NO, I WAS JUST GOING TO, UH, SUPPORT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER RENTERIA.
I THINK IT'S, UM, MAKES SENSE TO, TO EXPLORE THAT AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, UM, AND, UH, WANTED TO SUPPORT THAT IT LOOKS LIKE STEPS ARE I HAVE, UH, I HAVE, UH, IF I COULD, UM, YEAH, DIRECTOR
THAT IS A HELPFUL AND USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE.
UM, I KNOW THAT THERE WAS KIND OF A, A MEMO THAT YOU SENT OUT TO, TO US, WHERE THERE WERE CERTAIN GUARD RAILS THAT YOU WANTED US TO, TO OPERATE WITHIN, UH, THAT WOULD ENABLE THIS PROCESS TO PROCEED WITHOUT HAVING TO REISSUE AN RFP OR, OR CHANGE THE PROCESS.
UM, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I THINK THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THIS DEAL.
UM, DON'T THE COUNCIL DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT THE, WITH WHAT WHAT'S REALISTIC AND WHAT MIGHT NOT BE, UH, WITH THE PROPERTY, WHAT IS ACHIEVABLE AND WHAT'S NOT ACHIEVABLE.
AND PART OF THAT IS THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT YOU, THAT, THAT YOU HAVE.
UM, THERE'S A, A LIST NOW, UH, THAT'S, THAT'S STARTED WITH WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER MADISON'S DEAL COUNCILLOR TOVO RENAMED THEIR PRO TEM HERBERT MADISON'S DEAL, UH, ADDED TO BY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TAVO, UH, AND NOW, UH, THE ADDITIONAL ELEMENT OF THE, OF THE COMMUNITY COURT.
UH, AT SOME POINT WE ASKED FOR SO MANY THINGS THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH IN THE DEAL FOR THE DEVELOPER TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE, WHERE THOSE THINGS ARE.
AND I DON'T KNOW, UH, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE ADDED BY IT WOULD BE ADDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER TEBOW'S AMENDMENT IS KIND OF COMING BACK TO COUNCIL AS YOU START GETTING A FEEL FOR THOSE ISSUES TO REPORT SO THAT THE COUNCIL CAN GIVE YOU, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION OR DIRECTION AS A PART OF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS, UH, AS YOU GO THROUGH IT.
UM, I WANT US TO STAY WITHIN THE GUARDRAILS THAT YOU, UH, HAVE ESTABLISHED WITH THAT SAID, IF WE WERE TO ADOPT THE, UM, BRENT THREE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND THE TOVO AMENDMENT, UH, DO YOU HAVE STILL A DIRECTION AND A PROCESS THAT ENABLES YOU TO BE ABLE TO PROCEED MERIDEN COUNCIL AND VERONICA
WHAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR STAFF IS WITH THESE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE BROUGHT FORWARD.
IF THEY'RE PRIORITIZED IN A WAY THAT WE KNOW AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH NEGOTIATIONS, WHAT IS PRIORITY FOR COUNCIL? WE ARE WHAT, WHERE WE ARE HERE AND I'M NOT ALONE.
I'VE GOT OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND OUR LOT DEPARTMENT HERE AS WELL TO SPEAK TO THOSE GUARDRAILS, TO UNDERSTAND THE INTENT OF COUNCIL IS NOT TO REBID AT THIS POINT, UM, MARIE ISSUE THE SOLICITATION, UH, BUT TO MAKE THESE AMENDMENTS AND MOVE FORWARD.
AND THEN THE SECOND PIECE I WOULD ADD IS WE WOULD REALLY LIKE GUIDANCE ON WHETHER OR NOT COUNCIL'S INTENT IS TO LEASE OR TO, UM, TO SELL THE PROPERTIES THAT WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL IN THESE DISCUSSIONS.
AND I WILL PAUSE THERE AND SEE IF ANYBODY FROM THE EDD TEAM OR FROM LAW OR PURCHASING WOULD LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT.
RODNEY, DID YOU RAISE YOUR HAND? OKAY.
[02:15:01]
OKAY.SO, UH, UM, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS YOU IN YOUR POSITION.
ARE YOU OFFICER OR YOUR DIRECTOR? I'M NOT SURE I'LL ANSWER TO ANYTHING AMERICAN OPPOSITE RECOVERY, VERONICA.
UM, UH, SO WHAT I GATHER FROM WHAT YOU SAID IS, IS THAT, THAT, THAT CERTAINLY IF, IF THERE'S A DESIRE TO HAVE A COMMUNITY CARD CONSIDERED WHERE YOU LEAVE THAT IN, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR US TO GIVE YOU SOME FEEL WHAT YOU REQUEST TO BE WHEN SOME FEEL FOR PRIORITY AND SOME INDICATION OF WHETHER, UH, WE'RE SUGGESTING A LEASE OR A PURCHASE.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT IS STILL IN FRONT OF US.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOBA, SINCE WE'RE ON A MORE GENERAL TOPIC AT THE MOMENT I WANTED, JUST TO, TO, UM, CLARIFY, I THOUGHT THAT, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM HARPER MEDICINES MOTION WAS TO LEASE.
AND SO I THINK THAT'S WORTH CLARIFYING.
UM, AND, AND JUST AS WE BEGIN TALKING, IF THERE'S A CON, IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS AND WHATNOT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT, UM, AS, AS DIRECTOR
WE ARE, WE ARE WORKING WITHIN THE GUARDRAILS OF THE EXISTING RFP.
AND I'M HAPPY TO, I'M HAPPY TO SAY WHEN WE'RE BACK UP TO THE MAIN AMENDMENT, I'M HAPPY TO SAY A WORD ABOUT PRIORITIES, BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, UM, THAT WE'RE WELL WITH IT.
WE WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH LAW AND TRIED AND PURCHASING AND TRY TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS, UM, AND LANDED ON ONE THAT AS I UNDERSTAND IT AS WELL WITHIN THE GUARDRAILS OF THE NOT NEEDING TO GO BACK AND, AND, UM, REOPEN THE RFP, COMING FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, I DON'T KNOW, THEY MADE THE BASE MOTION FROM, FROM MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, SAYS THAT IT'S FOR THE LEASE AND REDEVELOPMENT.
SO I THINK IF THIS PASSES, THAT GIVES YOU THE DIRECTION ON THAT ISSUE, IF YOU NEED FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON THAT, BUT US KNOW ORLANDO AND TELL US, BUT RIGHT NOW, I THINK THAT PROVIDES A DIRECTION UNTIL THESE.
SO AS I GOOD ENOUGH, SOMEONE FROM STAFF NEEDS TO TELL US WHERE THAT SHOULD BE.
UH, WELL, BEFORE US IS THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT FROM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER AT THE, TO ALSO ADD, UH, CONSIDERATION OF INCLUDING THE, THE COMMUNITY COURT AND THE DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.
I WOULD JUST SAY SINCE IT'S A CONSIDERATION, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD GIVE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER RENTER IS, UM, ADDITION SOME, SOME OXYGEN, UM, AND LET THE STAFF LOOK AT THAT.
AND WE'RE GOING TO, THERE'LL BE COMING BACK TO US WITH SOME, UM, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO THAT'D BE A GOOD TIME THEN TO WEIGH THE PLUS OR THE MINUS ON IT.
SO I'M SUPPORTIVE OF COUNCIL MEMBER RENTER IS AMENDMENT TO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA.
I'M ACTUALLY SUPPORT WITH, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL JUST JUST SAID, BUT I DID WANT TO BE CLEAR AS WE'RE OFFERING CLARIFICATION.
I THOUGHT THAT COUNCIL MEMBER VOTE HOLD CONSIDERATION FROM THE DECK FROM HER AMENDMENT COUNCIL MEMBER.
COUNCIL MEMBER TABOS AMENDMENT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DOWNTOWN.
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY COURT.
AND SO COUNCIL MEMBER RAN THROUGH RENEWABLES, INTRODUCING THEM.
COUNCIL MEMBER 12 A REAL QUICKLY.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO TO THAT.
THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT MAYOR PRO TEM.
AND I, I WOULD, I THINK IT'S, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AMENDMENT.
UM, I WOULD, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN WITH, UM, WE DID HEAR FROM SOME STAKEHOLDERS, UM, WHO WANTED US TO BE AWARE OF SOME, SOME ELEMENTS OF THAT.
SO I, BUT I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO CONSIDER IT, UM, AND JUST WOULD ASK THAT IT BE DONE WITH SOME, WITH SOME OF THE STAKEHOLDERS AND BY STAKEHOLDERS.
I REALLY MEAN SOME OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICES IN OUR HOUSING, UM, INDIVIDUALS.
FOR THE DISCUSSION, THAT'S OVER READ 30.
I BROUGHT UP ALSO, I THINK IT'S A REAL GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE, FOR THE COMMERCIAL PART OF THE, UH, UH, BUILDING THE BUILDING, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S GONNA GIVE THEM A GUARANTEE, A RENT FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, IF WE DO FOLLOW THAT ROUTE.
UH, THE PREVIOUS, UH, UM, SITE THAT, UH, THERE WAS CONSIDERING
[02:20:01]
FOR THIS WAS GOING TO BE A 25, 21,000,000,500 PROJECT FOR 10 YEARS.AND THAT'S THE, JUST THE OPTION BOUNCE AT LEAST WITH AN OPTION TO BUY IT AT THE END OF 10 YEARS.
SO IF WE ARE GOING TO BE, UH, INVESTING THAT KIND OF MONEY INTO OFFICE BUILDING AND WITH THE, UH, WAS IT WITH THE PEOPLE WORKING AT HOME NOW, THERE MIGHT BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR, UH, TO PUT OFF HIS BUILDINGS.
CAUSE I KNOW THAT WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE, UH, VERY LIMITED IN OFFICE SPACE RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVING TO GO INTO THESE REALLY EXPENSIVE LEADS THAT WE NEVER GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT.
SO I THINK IT'S JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT SORT OF SO CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN.
SO, AND THAT'S WHY I WAS, I MADE THAT RECOMMENDATION TO LOOK INTO IT AND SEE IF IT FEASIBLE TO HAVE A LOCATION THERE.
CATHERINE
UH, I ALSO HAVE RECENTLY HEARD FROM SOME OF OUR NEW FOLKS MOVING IN AT THE COUNTY THAT THEY MIGHT WANT TO START CONVERSATIONS WITH US BECAUSE THEIR CONVERSATIONS OVER THERE ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE DROP IN CENTERS AND OTHER TYPES OF SERVICES BEING PROVIDED THAT MIGHT BE IN THIS AREA TOO.
SO I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK INTO IT HERE AT HEALTH, SOUTH AS A CONSIDERATION, BUT JUST TO PUT OUT IN THE AIR NOW, SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT, THAT THE, THAT THE COUNTY INCREASINGLY YOU LEADERS OVER THERE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN COLLABORATING WITH US, UH, FOR THE, FOR THE DECK, ALONG WITH OTHER SERVICES.
SO WE SHOULD JUST BE LOOKING AT BOTH OF THOSE TRACKS, THE DISCUSSION ON THE RICHARD RAY AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, STATE COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
UM, THIS IS RELATED TO THE AMENDMENT IN SO FAR AS A PROCEDURAL QUESTION, I'M JUST A LITTLE CONFUSED AS TO WHEN WE SHOULD BE IN A REAL ESTATE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND WHEN WE SHOULD BE HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS ON THE DIETS, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE VOTES ON CERTAIN THINGS, BUT SOME OF THIS DISCUSSION SEEMS MIGHT BE MORE APPROPRIATE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND I WOULD JUST WELCOME A LITTLE BIT OF CLARITY OVER.
NO ONE ELSE IS WONDERING THAT IF THEN IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THAT, HOW MUCH DIRECTION DID WE GIVE YOU AN OPEN SESSION? HOW MUCH DIRECTION SHOULD WE BE GIVING YOU AN EXECUTIVE SESSION? TO THE EXTENT THERE'S, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS CONFIDENTIAL, THEN I KNOW THAT VERONICA AND THE OTHERS WILL SIGNAL THAT AND LET YOU KNOW THAT WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT PUBLICLY, BUT THESE DEALS YOU'RE ASKING VERY PUBLICLY TO, FOR THE DEAL TO INVOLVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
AND I THINK THAT WE NEED THAT PUBLIC DIRECTION.
UM, I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS, THE EMPLOYEES AT EDD AND ET CETERA ARE ASKING FOR IS PUBLIC DIRECTION ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT IN THE, AS WE MARCH FORWARD THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION COUNTS, REMEMBER AUTHOR? YES, IT DOES.
IT DOES ALSO UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE EDTECH SET UP FAST.
UM, THAT'D BE THE AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, UM, CONTINUING, UH, WITH, UH, REMEMBRANCES TO OUR FORMER COLLEAGUE, UM, FURTHER, UH, DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE RENTER REIA MEMBER, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
HERE'S BE UNANIMOUS ON THE DYESS.
THAT'S ADDED AS WELL, GETS US TO THE TOVO, UH, AMENDMENT, UH, AS, UH, AS AMENDED, UH, DISCUSSION.
UM, I REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING THIS LAID OUT ON THE MESSAGE BOARD IN A WAY THAT WE CAN TAKE OUR TIME TO KIND OF GO THROUGH EACH OF THE BULLET POINTS.
UM, I AM GOING TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT AND I'M SORRY, IT IS STILL BEING UPLOADED TO THE MESSAGE BOARD.
UM, BUT IN COUNCIL MEMBER TABOS, UM, MESSAGE BOARD POSTS AT, TOWARD THE END, WHEN IT TALKS ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO, I WANTED TO SLIGHTLY AMEND THAT TO SAY, ENSURE THAT AT A MINIMUM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AND THEN IT GOES ON WITH WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO SAID, FINANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF REAL ESTATE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ADDS IN AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, UM, AND HOUSING AND PLANNING ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED AND ENGAGED IN THE NEGOTIATION OF THE TERMS OF THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
SO THE ONLY CHANGE IN THAT FIRST SENTENCE IS ADDING IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
AND THEN THE SECOND SENTENCE INSTEAD WOULD READ THE HOUSING AND
[02:25:01]
PLANNING DEPARTMENT SHALL IN PARTICULAR HAVE THE CENTRAL ROLE IN NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPONENT OF THE PROJECT, JUST TO SPECIFY, YOU KNOW, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE WITH HOUSING AND PLANNING TO DISCUSS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.UM, BUT ALSO UNDERSTANDING THAT, UM, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE LEAD DEPARTMENT THROUGH THESE DISCUSSIONS AND JUST TRYING TO BALANCE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION, BUT MAKING SURE THAT HOUSING AND PLANNING, I KNOW PAGE BROOMS, I THINK WE GOT GOOD.
THE GIST OF WHAT SHE WAS SAYING.
I HATE TO HAVE SOME COMMENTS, BUT I'LL, I'LL WAIT TILL SHE RETURNS.
LET'S GIVE HER A CHANCE TO COME BACK WHILE YOU'RE DOING IT WHILE WE'RE WAITING ON THE COUNCIL MEMBER.
COULD YOU POINT ME TO COUNCILLOR TOBER PERHAPS POINT ME TO WHERE SHE, WHERE COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS WAS TRYING TO AMEND YOUR EMOTION SHEETS, WHAT PAGES IT IS PAGE FOUR.
THE FIRST BULLET POINT UNDER THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO
UM, IT ARE WORKING TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
HEY, WHO'S READY TO BE BACK IN PERSON.
I WASN'T ABLE TO GET ON ATX THEN FOR A SECOND.
SO I APPRECIATE Y'ALL TAKING A PAUSE FOR A MOMENT.
UM, THE LANGUAGE AS LAID OUT, I WAS ABLE TO GET ALL OF MY WORDS IN, UM, JUST WANTING TO MAKE SURE HOUSING AND PLANNING IS, UM, OBVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPONENT.
UM, AND THIS PARTICULAR LINE IS THE FIRST BULLET POINT IN COUNCIL MEMBER TEBOW'S DIRECTION WHERE THE SUBHEADING IS, THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO.
SO THAT'S, UM, AT THE END OF HER, UM, LONGER MESSAGE BOARD POSTS WHERE IT HAS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SUBHEADINGS.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS TO A MAN THAT PART OF COUNCIL MEMBER COBOS AMENDMENT, UH, WHICH ADDS THE AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AS A DEPARTMENT TO BE CONSIDERED MADE TO BE INVOLVED.
IT LISTS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE INVOLVED AND IDENTIFIES THE HOUSING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT OF HAVE A PARTICULAR ROLE.
UH, BUT IT DOES NOT DIRECT, UH, WHO IS THE PRIMARY LEAD? IS THAT CORRECT? COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE.
AND I WILL ALSO NOTE IT HAS NOW BEEN UPLOADED TO THE MESSAGE BOARD, UM, DIRECTLY UNDER COUNCIL MEMBER TO-DOS IF THE OTHER COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE A CHANCE TO SEE IT IN WRITING.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THE, UH, UH, THE ELLIS AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, THE MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, ANY DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT COUNCIL MEMBER TOBA? YEAH, I, I CAN ACCEPT AND WILL SUPPORT, UM, THE ADDITION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
CLEARLY THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, INVOLVED IN IT AND WHICH IS, I THINK WHY WE DIDN'T CALL THEM HERE.
THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
I HAVE NO PARTICULAR CONCERN ABOUT THEM BEING NOTED HERE, BUT THE TRANSPORTATION PIECE, IT SOUNDS LIKE HAS HAPPENED WITH THE RIGHT A, WITH ALL THE RIGHT OF WAY CONVERSATIONS GOING ON AROUND RED RIVER.
SO I'M NOT SURE, I'M NOT SURE THAT THERE IS A ROLE IN REALLY HAMMERING OUT WHAT POINTS THAT ARE CONTAINED WITHIN, WITHIN THIS.
BUT, UM, BUT I THINK THAT'S FINE, ESPECIALLY AS, AS THIS VERSION NOW INCLUDES SOME PRETTY DIRECTIVE, UM, IS DIRECTING SOME,
[02:30:01]
AS I'M TALKING IT THROUGH AND APOLLO JUST TALKING IT THROUGH.CAUSE I HAVEN'T, I WASN'T AWARE OF THIS PIECE UNTIL JUST THIS MINUTE TRANSPORTATION.
IT SEEMS TO ME AS APPROPRIATE TO GIVEN THE LANGUAGE ABOUT THE ALLEY AND SOME OF THE OTHER WORK.
BUT I DO WANT TO, WE WANT TO SAY THAT LAST SENTENCE REALLY DOES CHANGE THE MEANING OF, OF WHAT I'VE BEEN GOOD HERE.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE LEAD ON THIS PROJECT.
AND, UM, ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AS A COUNCIL AND MAY DO IT IN A WORK GROUP FORM, OR MAY JUST DO IT, WORKING WITH SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS TO BRING FORWARD AN IFC.
BUT I, I DO THINK WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THIS IS SOMETHING I'M INTENDED TO TALK ABOUT QUITE QUICKLY IN MY CLOSING COMMENTS, BUT I'LL MENTION IT HERE SINCE IT'S RELEVANT.
I THINK AS ACCOUNT OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WE HAVE MULTIPLE PATHS FOR CITY OWNED TRACKS TO TAKE.
AND WE, AS A COUNCIL SHOULD SET SOME POLICY GUIDELINES IN PLACE FOR WHICH, WHICH ENTITIES SHOULD TAKE LEAD ON DIFFERENT KINDS OF LAND.
AND SO, YEAH, WE HEARD A COMMENT EARLIER ABOUT FROM ONE OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT THIS PROJECT BEING LED BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AND NOT BY HOUSING AND, UM, INDICATED I THINK THERE WOULD HAVE, IT WOULD HAVE, IT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE, UM, WE MIGHT'VE HAD LESS AMENDMENTS ON THIS SHEET.
HAD IT BEEN APPROACHED, UM, FROM PROJECT WITHIN THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, FOR EXAMPLE.
SO WE, WE DO HAVE DIFFERENT PATHS.
I THINK AS A COUNCIL, WE NEED TO SET SOME POLICY GUIDELINES FOR WHICH PATH A PROJECT SHOULD TAKE.
THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED AS A HOUSING PROJECT, NOT AS A MIXED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
AND I'M HAPPY TO, TO, UM, YOU KNOW, TAKE MORE TIME AND BORE EVERYBODY BY GOING BACK TO THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTIONS, BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GONE BACK TO IT MULTIPLE TIMES.
IT WAS INTENDED TO BE A HOUSING PROJECT WITH A SIGNIFICANT, UM, AND THE PRIMARY PURPOSE BEING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO I FEEL REALLY, QUITE STRONGLY ABOUT LEAVING THE LANGUAGE AS IT IS, UM, BECAUSE I DO WANT DO WANT HOUSING AND PLANNING TO BE DRIVING THE CONVERSATION SO THAT WE CAN GET, WE CAN REALIZE THE GOAL OF HAVING AS MANY AFFORDABLE UNITS AS POSSIBLE.
I THINK THAT MOP, YOU KNOW, IF, IF THAT IS INTENDED, IF THAT IS CENTRAL, UM, I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS OTHER ELEMENTS WILL FALL INTO LINE.
AND I WOULD JUST OFFER, YOU KNOW, AS WE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE RIGHT OF WAY CHARGE BEING CHARGED TO THE PROJECT AND TO THE DEVELOPERS AND THEN THE TAXES, WHICH WOULD, I MEAN, THE BOND COSTS, WHICH HADN'T YET, YOU KNOW, WE WERE ABLE TO IN CONVERSATION NOT ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL $6 MILLION, UM, FROM, FROM THIS PROJECT.
AND AGAIN, I THINK IF THE DRIVING PURPOSE IS TO GET AS MUCH AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THIS TRACK AS POSSIBLE, THAT WE'LL END UP WITH A REALLY AN EVEN BIGGER SUCCESS THAN WE'RE CURRENTLY DISCUSSING.
SO I DO WANT THE LANGUAGE IN THE END.
SO ANYWAY, I'LL ACCEPT THE FIRST PART.
AND I WOULD ASK, UM, COLLEAGUES THAT WE NOT AMEND THAT WE NOT AMEND THE LANGUAGE TO MAKE HOUSING JUST IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, THAT'S THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY GET US THE AFFORDABLE, THE PRICE.
IT DOESN'T REALLY KEEP THE PRIORITY ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE PROJECT OVERALL.
UH, ALICE, UH, I REMEMBER ALICE, THANK YOU MAYOR.
UM, AND I DO AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE ON, UM, A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF WHICH DEPARTMENTS ARE TAKING THE LEAD AND HOW WE WORK THROUGH SOME OF THESE PROJECTS THAT WILL INVOLVE MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS.
UM, I THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, UP TO THE CITY MANAGER IT'S BEEN HANDLED IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SO FAR.
I HAVE EVERY FAITH IN DIRECTOR
UH, WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW THESE DEPARTMENTS DO GREAT WORK.
UM, I THINK, YOU KNOW, FOR ME AT THIS POINT, IT'S, IT'S BEEN AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT MAYBE AS A COUNCIL, WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT HOW, HOW WE TASK DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WITH WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS.
UM, BUT I THINK FOR THIS ONE, IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO KIND OF FALL IN LINE WITH HOW THE CITY MANAGER HAS DONE IT SO FAR SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE, UM, A GOOD PROJECT DELIVERY IN THE END.
I'M GOING TO, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IF THIS AMENDMENT, UH, ERA HAD A COMMENT, OH, I'M SORRY, AND I'LL COME TO YOU NEXT.
YOU'RE LIKE, UH, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS, THIS AMENDMENT.
UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD BECAUSE ALL THESE P ALL OF THESE PIECES HAVE TO INTERPLAY WITH ONE ANOTHER, THE ABILITY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET HOUSING MORE OF IT.
AND MORE DEEPLY OF IT DEPENDS TO A LARGE DEGREE ON THE MIXED USE NATURE
[02:35:01]
OF THE PROJECT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT FUNDS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BOTH NUMBER AND DEPTH.THAT'S WHAT PAYS FOR POTENTIALLY ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE LIST OF THINGS THAT WERE, THAT WE'RE ADDING, UH, ABSENT THOSE ELEMENTS OF IT.
I MEAN, WE COULD TAKE THIS PROPERTY, JUST SAY, WE'VE GOT TO PUT IT TO THE PUBLIC USES, BUT THEN, THEN WE PAY FOR IT.
UH, IF THE GOAL IS TO TRY TO USE THE LOCATION OF THIS PROPERTY TO PAY FOR THESE THINGS, AND THEN, THEN THOSE THINGS HAVE TO EXIST THAT RAISE THE PROFIT AND, UH, AND THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO, TO, TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
SO ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS NEED TO BE WEIGHING IN.
UH, AND JUST FROM A STRUCTURAL STANDPOINT, I GUESS, UM, I THINK IT'S KIND OF IN THE MANAGER'S PREROGATIVE TO DECIDE WHO IT IS THAT IS, THAT IS LEAD ON THIS AND, YOU KNOW, MANAGER, YOU CAN CERTAINLY WEIGH INTO THIS DISCUSSION TOO, IF YOU WANT TO, YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT, BUT, UM, I MEAN, WHO IT IS THAT ACTUALLY TAKES THE LEAD MAY DEPEND ON INDIVIDUALS OR PERSONALITIES OR WORKLOAD, BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE TO BE WORK IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO, TO, TO MAXIMIZE IT.
SO, UM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, ALLISON, I'M GONNA SUPPORT, UH, THE, THE CHANGE YOU PROPOSE A COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
UM, I JUST WANT TO RESPOND TO, UH, CAUSE I THINK IT'S PART OF THIS CONVERSATION, UM, TO DIRECTLY PRESENT IDEAS, UM, ASK OF US ABOUT PRIORITIES AND JUST WANT TO REITERATE SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS IN LINE WITH WHAT MANY OF US HAVE BEEN SAYING IS THAT, THAT, UM, THAT THE HOUSING ASPECT OF THE CITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ASPECT OF THIS IS WHAT IS THE DRIVER FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
AND, UM, IT, I AM HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL BE VIEWED THAT WAY.
THAT'S WHAT, EXCUSE ME, SORRY GUYS.
THAT'S WHAT MY FOCUS IS, IS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UM, ASPECT OF THIS.
AND I AM WANTING TO SEE FROM OUR, OUR STAFF AND ANALYSIS THAT THE FOCUS IS THROUGH THAT LENS.
AND WHEN INFORMATION COMES BACK TO US, I WANT US TO BE UNDERSTANDING, UH, FROM A MORE INDEPENDENT VIEW FROM OUR STAFF, WHAT IT IS THAT MAKES SENSE THAT, UM, CAN BE AFFORDED THIS, AFFORDED IT AT THIS LOCATION.
UM, I'VE, I'VE, YOU KNOW, I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, AND I KNOW SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS, BUT AS A COUNCIL, WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS POSSIBLE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF HOUSING AND FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE FROM STAFF, NOT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DEVELOPER, UM, OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A COMPONENT THAT HAS TO BE CONSIDERED BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT, UM, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, BUT THE LENS THAT I WANT TO BE LOOKING AT THIS THROUGH IS MY LENS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITY TO OBTAIN AS MUCH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UM, AS WE CAN.
SO, UM, SO THAT'S WHAT I WOULD, UH, OFFER, UH, IN TERMS OF EMPHASIS AND PRIORITY, UM, AS PART OF ALL THIS DIRECT, OKAY.
IN FRONT OF US, IS THE ALIS AMENDMENT ANY FURTHER SKETCH BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE? THOSE IN FAVOR? YES.
I JUST NEED TO, TO ECHO WHAT YOU JUST SAID A MINUTE AGO.
I MEAN, I TRYING TO HONOR OUR CHARTER AS WE DO, AND I KNOW THAT, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO IS, IS CERTAINLY CAREFUL ABOUT THAT.
UM, I THINK ON THIS SITUATION, YOU WOULD WANT TO BE GIVING THE POLICY DIRECTION THAT THESE, YOU KNOW, WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT THAT YOU WANT IT TO FOCUS ON HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD DIRECT THE MANAGER OF SPECIFICALLY WHICH DEPARTMENTS IN WHICH PEOPLE TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT.
SO TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN, UM, STEER IT IN THAT DIRECTION, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A MORE IN HONOR OF OUR CHARTER.
A COUNSELOR FOR HALL IN LIGHT OF THAT CONCERN.
UM, I WOULD ASK THEM THAT WE ALTER THIS LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE, UM, THE ECONOMIC, THE INSERTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
UM, AND SAY, AND PERHAPS THE LANGUAGE COULD SAY, UM, THE MANAGER, WELL, LET'S JUST STRIKE THAT LAST.
THE CENTRAL USE OF THIS TRACT IS INTENDED TO BE HOUSING SPECIFICALLY HOUSING, AND THEN CUT THE PART THAT TALKS ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE LEAD.
SO INCORPORATING, INCORPORATING PAGE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, LSS, INSERTION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, BUT THEN END MY LAST SENTENCE AFTER AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
[02:40:01]
THE, THIS WOULD BE IN THE NATURE OF AN AMENDMENT TO AN AMENDMENT, TO AN AMENDMENT, WHICH WE CAN'T DO QUITE IN THAT FORM BECAUSE THAT STRINGS IT OUT TOO FAR.BUT IN THE, IN THE INTEREST OF MOVING FORWARD HERE, I THINK THAT PASSOVER TOBO IS SUGGESTING ADDING THEIR CURRENT TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
UH, AND THEN HER FIRST PART OF HER FIRST SENTENCE, IT SAYS, JUST TAKE OUT THE ADS.
IT JUST SAVE AS CENTRAL USE OF THIS DRAGS THAT TENDED TO BE HOUSING, PUT A PERIOD THERE.
UH, AND, AND IT, AT THAT POINT, AND THEN LET THE MANAGER EFFECT THAT IS THAT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU.
I AM TRYING TO THINK OF IT IN A WAY OF, WE KNOW THAT THESE DEPARTMENTS HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN THEIR MARCHING ORDERS.
UM, SO MAYBE WE COULD HAVE THAT, BUT SAY TO THE EXTENT IT IS IN LINE WITH PREVIOUS INTENT BY THE CITY MANAGER, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT SHIFTING GEARS SO MUCH CONFUSED.
UNDERSTANDING IS CATHERINE YOUR TABLA SUGGESTING TO OMIT HER LANGUAGE TALKS ABOUT WHO IS THE PRIMARY LEAD OR NOT THE PRIMARY.
SO THERE WOULD BE NO DIRECTION TO THE MANAGER ABOUT IT AS THE LEADER, NOT THE LEAD, THE MANAGER TO CONTINUED TO HANDLE THIS.
HOWEVER HE WANTS TO, HE JUST IS TO HOLD BOTH THE ECONOMIC DRIVER CORPORATION AND POSITIVE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENTS IN IT.
AND REMEMBER THAT HOUSING IS, IS THE CENTRAL USE.
AND JUST TO CLEAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, I THINK YOU SAID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THERE WAS NO ONE THERE I'M I'M OKAY WITH THAT GOING IN THAT WAY.
UM, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPONENTS TO THIS, OBVIOUSLY TO MAKE SURE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAPPENS.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT BEADING THEN THE AMENDMENT COUNCILMEMBER KITCHEN.
DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING YOU'RE WEIRDED? GOOD QUESTION.
I THOUGHT I REMEMBER TOBAR STOP HER SENTENCE AFTER SPECIFICALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING SO THAT IT READS AS THE CENTRAL USE OF THIS TRACK IS INTENDED TO BE A HOUSING COMMA, SPECIFICALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PERIOD.
AND I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
I DIDN'T INCLUDE THAT PHRASE, BUT YOU'RE CORRECT.
SO THAT SECTION WOULD READ, ENSURE A MINIMUM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, OFFICER REAL ESTATE AND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
ALSO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND HOUSING AND PLANNING ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED, ENGAGED IN THAT NEGOTIATION.
IN TERMS OF THE MASTER PLANNING AGREEMENT, THE CENTRAL USE OF THIS TRACK IS INTENDED TO BE HOUSING COMMERCE, SPECIFICALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PERIOD.
THAT'S WHAT THIS SECTION WOULD SAY.
HEY, BUT ANY OBJECTION TO THAT? I THINK THAT HITS EVERYBODY'S INTENT.
THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE IT.
THAT IS THE M A AMENDMENT OR WITHOUT OBJECTION TO
AND CONSIDERING TOVA AS A MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER EVERY YEAR, I JUST GOT WORD THAT THEY'RE HAVING TRASH.
THAT IS NOT THE, UH, THE PUBLIC CANNOT SEE WHAT'S BEING SHOWN ON IT'S COUNCIL MEETING.
ARE WE HAVING SOME TECHNICAL PROBLEMS TRANSMITTING THAT OUT TO THE PUBLIC? THANK YOU FOR RAISING THAT CAMERA.
OUR STAFF CONFIRM WHETHER WE'RE OUT ON KTX N OKAY.
WE'LL LOOK INTO THAT AND GET BACK TO YOU VERY QUICKLY.
AND SHOULD WE STOP AND WAIT UNTIL WE FIND OUT THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, MAYOR? YES, PLEASE.
AND I CAN SEE IT ON THE WEBSITE.
AND WHAT WAS THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION? IF WE'RE NOT BEING BROADCAST, WOULD WE NEED TO WAIT AND FIX THAT YOU'RE MUTED IF IT'S NOT BEING BROADCAST, LET'S JUST WAIT A MINUTE AND SEE IF WE CAN'T GET ON THIS.
I JUST TRIED TO PULL IT UP IN MINE IS SPINNING.
COUNCILMEMBER KELLY, ARE YOU STILL ABLE TO SEE IT? OKAY.
OR JUST, I'LL JUST HAVE EVERYBODY OUT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER.
YEAH, I CAN SEE IT ON MY COMPUTER AS WELL.
WE'LL, WE'LL WAIT FOR ATX SENDER CONFIRM.
WHILE WE ARE, UM, UM, WAITING FOR THIS, I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE HAD THE SPEAKER
[02:45:01]
EARLIER TODAY, UH, THAT, UM, UH, I INTERRUPTED IN, IN THE ASKED HIM TO, TO, TO MOVE ON TO A DIFFERENT THING.UH, UH, HE WAS, UH, CUTOFF BY THE CLERK, UH, AND THEN EMAILED BACK AND SAID I HAD SOME MORE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT.
SO I HAD BOTH MY OFFICE AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE REACH OUT TO HIM AND INVITE HIM TO COME BACK TO SPEAK TO US THIS AFTERNOON AS PART OF THE, THE TWO O'CLOCK SPEAKERS.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE HEARD FROM HIM YET, BUT WE WILL GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK, UH, ON, ON THE, UH, THE OTHER, UH, ITEMS, UH, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT EVEN THOUGH WE'VE TAKEN A VOTE, PERHAPS ON SOME OF THOSE, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO RECONSIDER THEM.
UH, SO EVERY ONE OF THEM WOULD STILL BE IN PLAY.
BUT WHILE WE'RE HERE, UH, UH, KIND OF TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE, UH, THE CLERK, THE, THE, I'M SORRY.
SO HE'S INVITED TO COME BACK AT TWO O'CLOCK TO SPEAK.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE HEARD FROM HIM OR NOT BY WAY OF THE RULES.
OUR RULES SAY THAT, UH, UH, EACH PERSON AND COUNCIL MEMBER ATTENDING COUNCIL MEETINGS SHOULD OBSERVED CORUM AT A PERSON OR COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD NOT SPEAK OUT OF TURN, USE DISPARAGING OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, OR MAKE THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ANY OTHER PERSON.
DURING A COUNCIL MEETING, I HAVE ASKED OUR COUNCIL TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT DOES USE DISPARAGING LANGUAGE MI AS WE APPLY THAT AND TO GIVE ME RULES AND UNDERSTANDING AS I GO FORWARD IN, IN, IN HOW I APPLY THAT LANGUAGE.
BUT THAT WAS THE SECTION THAT I WAS, UH, UH, RELYING ON.
UH, BUT I, I RECOGNIZE THAT, UH, UM, I'M JUST ASKING FOR FURTHER DIRECTION, AND THEN WE, AS A COUNCIL WILL GET THAT.
AND IF YOU COULD JUST GET BACK TO US AND GIVE US A FEEL FOR WHERE THAT QUESTION AT SOME POINT TO THE FUTURE, THAT'D BE HELPFUL.
ARE WE, ARE WE BROADCASTING? OKAY, WE ARE BROADCASTING.
UH, SO I THINK WE WERE BACK TO THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT BACK TO TOBO AMENDMENT.
WAS I, THAT I JUST RECOGNIZED SOMEONE, OKAY.
THAT GETS US BACK TO THE TOBO AMENDMENT IS THE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE TOVO, UH, AMENDMENT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE ADDRESS THE, LIKE, THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED FROM, FROM OUR STAFF.
UM, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ALL THESE THINGS ON THERE, BUT THERE'S GOTTA BE A LIMIT TO WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE, UH, UNLESS WE'RE WANTING TO JUST SUBSIDIZE THE ENTIRE PROJECT.
IF WE'RE WANTING THE PROJECT TO BE WHAT DRIVES THE SUBSIDY, UH, THEN THERE'LL BE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS.
AND I CERTAINLY WANT OUR STAFF TO BE MAXIMIZING OUR POSITION AND NOT THE DEVELOPER'S POSITION, UH, ON THIS.
UM, AND ULTIMATELY IT'S PROBABLY JUST A QUESTION OF MATH.
UM, FOR ME, THE PRIORITIES ARE, ARE HOUSING AS MUCH HOUSING AS WE CAN GET AS DEEP AS WE CAN GET IT, UH, CHILDCARE, UH, AND THE, UH, MUSIC COMPONENT AND, UH, KINDA THE LABOR COMPONENT, UH, WOULD BE LIKE KIND OF THE, THE GENERAL PRIORITIES FOR, FOR ME.
UM, AND IF OTHER PEOPLE FELT COMFORTABLE INDICATING PRIORITIES, WE COULD PROBABLY DO THAT IF OTHER PEOPLE WERE NOT, THEN WE GIVE GIVEN ALL THE STAFF AND SEE WHAT THEY DO.
UM, I THINK I ALREADY MENTIONED THAT MY PRIORITY IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I WOULD JUST SAY THAT THAT INCLUDES, UM, THE COMPONENTS RELATED TO ABOUT YOUR HOLDERS AND COC, UH, UNITS.
UH, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROVISIONS RELATED TO A PUBLIC SESSION.
I REALLY, UM, UH, I WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO FOR BRINGING THAT, UH, INCLUDING THAT IN HER, UH, AMENDMENT.
WE HAVE HEARD FROM OUR HOUSE, WE WOULD REALLY LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND BETTER WHAT'S POTENTIALLY, UM, ON THE TABLE AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK MORE SPECIFICALLY, UM, ABOUT THE PROPOSAL.
[02:50:01]
CUSTOMER AS WELL AS ALL OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT YOU'VE MENTIONED.FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE TOBO AMENDMENT THAT'S EVER TABLEAU.
UM, I WANT TO JUST TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE PRIORITIES.
I, I, YOU KNOW, I REALLY LET ME JUST ALSO BACK UP AND SAY, I REALLY APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THE SUPPORT IN FROM MY COLLEAGUES AND POSTPONING.
THIS ITEM THAT'S ALLOWED US TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, A RICHER CONVERSATION AMONG OURSELVES, AS WELL AS WITH THE COMMUNITY.
AND, AND FRANKLY, JUST TO, TO HAVE THE TIME TO REVIEW THE PROPOSAL MORE CAREFULLY, UM, IN TERMS OF PRIORITIES, IT DOES SOUND AS IF WE HAVE SAYS THAT HOUSING IS THE PRIORITY AND, AND THIS MOTION SHEET, ONE OF THE REASONS I RESTRUCTURED IT IS TO REALLY EMPHASIZE THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CREATING FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOUSING IN THIS SPACE IS THE PRIORITY.
AND FROM THERE, THE OTHER, UM, ELEMENTS SUPPORT THAT.
AND SO I HAVE TRIED TO INDICATE THROUGH THROUGH LANGUAGE LATER ON, I, ONE THING THAT WE WILL SEE IS THAT SOME OF THE CHANGES WE'RE ASKING FOR WITH, UM, PARKING AND THE KIND OF PARKING MAY INDEED IMPACT THE ECONOMICS OF THE PROJECT.
AND SO THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT WE MAY NEED TO TALK ABOUT AS A COUNCIL.
UM, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH THE PARKING WAS SUBSIDIZING SUBSIDIZING SOME OF THE HOUSING.
SO AGAIN, GAIT REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT.
IT REALLY, AND, UM, UM, WAS REALLY GLAD TO SEE A MAYOR PRO TEM HARPER MEDICINE, UM, THE PIECE ABOUT CHILDCARE AND SOME OF THE OTHER, THE OTHER ELEMENTS IN YOUR MOTION AS WELL.
THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS.
AND I THINK THIS IS, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS A PUBLIC TRACT AND HAS, HAS, AND WE, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO ON THIS TRACT.
UM, WHAT WE'RE ALWAYS ASKING THE PRIVATE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO DO MORE OF MORE HOUSING, MORE MULTI BEDROOM UNITS FOR OUR FAMILIES, MORE AMENITIES THAT ARE APPEALING TO DIVERSE HOUSEHOLDS.
AND, UM, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF, OF HAVING I'LL SPEAK TO THE POOL JUST BECAUSE IT'S CAUSING CONCERN.
I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE ONE, UM, AND THE OTHER LANGUAGE ABOUT SIGNAGE AND THINGS OF THAT SORT, I THINK IS VERY CONSISTENT WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING WHAT I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE CODIFY SOME ELEMENTS OF PUBLIC ACCESS, GIVEN THAT IT IS A CITY PROJECT, UH, A CITY, A PROJECT ON CITY LAND.
AND JUST TO KIND OF COMPLETE THE RECORD, I AGREE ALSO WITH THE HOUSING AND THE APPRECIATE DOCUMENTS, NUMBER 12 ALSO MENTIONED THE CHILDCARE.
I THINK WE'VE DEMONSTRATED THAT'S A PRIORITY WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE WITH RESPECT TO THE MUSIC.
I'M CONCERNED THAT SOME OF THE MUSIC VENUES THAT WE HAVE IN THAT RED RIVER AREA BETWEEN NINTH AND 11TH, WHICH IS A BIG COMPONENT OF MAINTAINING THAT, THAT, UH, LIVE MUSIC, UH, UH, CULTURE IN OUR CITY, UH, MAY OVER THE LONGER TERM PHASE DIFFICULTIES BEING THERE JUST CAUSE I'M CONCERNED THAT THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF THOSE PROPERTIES MAY HAVE THOSE KINDS OF VENUES TAKEN DOWN AND TALL BUILDINGS BUILT.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS MUSIC GENERALLY IN THIS LOCATION.
UH, THIS MAY BE OUR, OUR LAST BEST CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO PRESERVE THAT, UH, WHICH IS WHY I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT PART OF THE MAYOR PRO THAMES, UH, UH, BASED MOTION AND WHY, SO A PRIORITY OF MINE IN FURTHER DISCUSSION COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR THERE.
UM, SO, UH, THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS DONE SO MUCH WORK ON THIS OVER THE YEARS ON STAFF AND ON, ON COUNCIL.
UM, I WANTED TO JUST HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS AND NOT TO NECESSARILY EXCLUDE OTHERS, BUT I THINK THAT THEY, UM, WE'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT LESS ABOUT THEM TODAY.
UM, ONE THING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE WAS THE CHANGE WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY, AND THAT ALLOWING US TO GET MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO VERY HIGH PRIORITY FOR ME IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CAPTURING THAT CHANGE, UM, IN THE PROPOSAL THAT, UM, COMES BACK.
UM, AND THEN I THINK THAT THE, I BELIEVE THIS VERSION HAS, UM, YOU KNOW, REQUESTS THAT, UM, WE HAVE PROFIT SHARING, UM, PROVISIONS IN THERE.
SO IF WE GO BEYOND A PARTICULAR RATE OF RETURN WITH THE DEVELOPER, THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CAPTURE SOME OF THAT PROFIT KIND OF, UM, DOWN THE LINE,
[02:55:01]
MOVING FORWARD.UM, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE CHILDCARE OP OPPORTUNITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN THAT AREA.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING TO WORK DOWN THERE AND, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY CHILDCARE AT ALL.
UM, AND I SHARE, YOU KNOW, I, I BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST PROPOSAL DOES HAVE MUSIC AND A PIECE OF THAT, WHICH I WAS EXCITED TO SEE KIM COLLEAGUES, ANYONE ELSE WERE TO, UH, PRESS THE SUBJECT.
WE HAVE THE TOVO AMENDMENT IN FRONT OF US.
YOU READY TO TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE TOVO AMENDMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I SEE THAT AS BEING UNANIMOUS AS WELL.
THE TOBO AMENDMENT GOES ON, UM, AS, UH, AS AMENDED, UH, FURTHER DISCUSSION NOW ON THE, UH, BASE MOTION AS AMENDED.
THEN LET'S TAKE A VAPE COUNCILOR, PIXAR MAYOR TO MAKE SOMETHING REALLY CLEAR FROM THE MUCH EARLIER IN THE DISCUSSION WHEN THE TWO OF YOU AND THE MAYOR PRO TEM, WE ARE MOVING TO NEW TO EXECUTE A, A, A NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT, BUT NOT TO EXECUTE A MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.
ARE THERE DISCUSSION STAFF? DO YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE FROM US OTHER THAN WHAT YOU'VE GOTTEN TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU MADE YOUR REQUEST? IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE ON THIS? WE UNDERSTAND HOUSING TO BE THE PRIORITY.
ANY OTHER GUIDANCE ON ANY OTHER PRIORITIES WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, BUT WE CERTAINLY HEAR THAT HOUSING IS THE PRIORITY FROM THE MAJORITY OF THE DONORS.
I SHOULD ADD TO THAT AS WELL AS CHILDCARE AND MUSIC VENUES AS WELL.
THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION IS AMENDED.
THAT WAS OPPOSED TO ANATOMISTS ON THE DIOCESE ITEM PASSES.
I JUST WANTED TO OFFER A FEW THANK YOU'S.
I'VE ALREADY THANKED YOU MY COLLEAGUES FOR GRANTING ME THE TIME TO REALLY WORK, WORK ON THE DETAILS OF THIS.
I WANTED TO THANK, UM, FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER OR A HOUSTON HOOPER THIS FORWARD.
UM, I WAS REALLY GLAD TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH HER ON THOSE INITIAL DILUTIONS.
AND I HOPE THAT THAT, UM, THAT WE ARE LIVING OUT THE VISION, UM, THAT, THAT, UM, IS AN IS.
AND I BELIEVE WE ARE FORMS OF THAT INITIAL WORK.
UM, I WANT TO THANK MAYOR PROTECT ARBOR MADISON FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND INCORPORATING THOSE IMPORTANT PROVISIONS, UM, AND THE WORK OF HER STAFF MEMBER LAUREN, ON THAT AS WELL.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR, I NEGLECTED TO MENTION THAT THE, THE MOTION SHEET INCLUDED AN ADDITION FROM YOU, MAKING SURE TO CALL OUT THAT CUSTODIAL STAFF WOULD BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE LIVING WAGE PROVISION.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT ADDITION.
I REALLY NEED TO JUST PAUSE AND THANK OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF FOR SPEARHEADING THIS PROJECT OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND, AND GET TO THE POINT.
IT'S VERY EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THIS REDEVELOPED CITY TRACKS.
UM, RON, PIGGOTT FROM LAW AND SEAN WILLETT.
WE'RE WONDERFUL WORK WITH, THANK YOU.
AND, AND, UM, AS I WAS EXPLAINING, I THINK TO THE CITY MANAGER, I DIDN'T ALWAYS, I WASN'T ALWAYS EXCITED ABOUT THE INFORMATION THEY BROUGHT ME BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT MEANT I WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PLAN I HAD, BUT THEY WERE ALWAYS REALLY JUST TERRIFIC AND RESPONSIVE AND GREAT TO WORK WITH.
THOSE DYNAMITE STAFF MEMBERS, WE HAD SOME VERY GOOD FEEDBACK ALONG THE WAY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS FROM STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE WOMEN IN HOUSING, WHO WE HEARD FROM TODAY, CENTRAL TEXAS INTERFAITH ASKED THAT I MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL SAW THE LETTER THAT THEY PROVIDED.
THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO SIGN UP THAT THEY WERE IN SUPPORTIVE OF THE DIRECTION OF THESE AMENDMENTS.
AND MY STAFF HAVE WORKED ON THIS AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE FOR A LONG TIME.
SHE WAS ON THE FIRST TOUR TEAM RIGHT AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS PROPERTY.
AND SOME STAFF FROM CITY HALL WENT OVER TO SEE IT AND WE TOURED IT.
WE'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE.
SO THANKS SHANNON FOR YOUR WORK.
UM, AND ASHLEY RICHARDSON ON MY STAFF HAS, HAS REALLY WORKED TIRELESSLY ON THIS PROJECT.
AND SO THANK YOU, ASHLEY, FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS WORK ON IT TOO.
THIS IS JUST AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO GET WHAT WE REALLY NEED DOWNTOWN, WHICH IS AFFORDABLE.
HOUSING AND HOUSING IS FAMILY FRIENDLY AND WHAT AN AMAZING LOCATION TO HAVE IT RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE WATERLOO, GREENWAY AND INSIGHT OF THE CAPITOL, AND SO CONNECTED TO TRANSIT AND SO MANY OTHER AMENITIES.
SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A REAL SIGNATURE PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AND I HOPE SET SOME REALLY IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS TO THE PRIVATE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT WE
[03:00:01]
CAN DO, WHAT WE CAN DO IN, IN HIGH RISE DEVELOPMENT.IT IS, UH, WE'RE NOW PAST TWO O'CLOCK.
SO WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE SPEAKERS TO SPEAK ON ZONING.
EACH ZONING SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
I THINK THERE ARE EIGHT, UH, SIGNED UP IN ADDITION AND SEPARATE FROM THAT.
I'M GOING TO CALL, UM, UH, UH, CHEF'S WATSON FIRST, UH, AND GIVE HIM THREE MINUTES TO, TO SPEAK MR. WATSON, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD THE DISCUSSION EARLIER ON THE LINE.
UM, IT WAS NOT, UH, UM, MY INTENT OR THE CLERK'S INTENT TO CUT YOU OFF.
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAD MULTIPLE THINGS THAT YOU WANTED TO BE ABLE TO, UH, DISCUSS.
UM, AND, AND YOU WERE CUT OFF.
I'M HAPPY WE WERE ABLE TO MEET YOU AND YOU COULD COME BACK.
IF YOU ADDRESS ANYTHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN VOTED ON THAT.
NO, THAT THIS COUNCIL STILL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK AND CHANGE ANY OF THOSE MODES.
SO ALL THOSE THINGS ARE STILL NOT STILL IN PLAY AND AS CONCERNS, THE, UH, THE INITIAL PRODUCT CONVERSATION WE'VE ASKED OUR, UM, UH, LAWYER TO, TO GET BACK TO ME WITH, AND TO THE COUNCIL WITH, UH, ADDITIONAL DIRECTION ON, ON OUR ORDINANCE AND, UH, WHAT IS, AND IS NOT ALLOWED UNDER THE LANGUAGE OF OUR WORK.
[Public Comment (Part 3 of 4)]
UM, BUT I APPRECIATE, UM, MR. WATSON COMING BACK, UH, AND LET IT, SORRY, CLARK, IF WE CAN, LET'S BEGIN WITH M UH, IF HE HAS SIGNED UP ALSO TO SPEAK ON ZONING, THEN HE GETS TWO SLOTS.UH, BUT LET'S BEGIN WITH MR. WATSON, IF HE'S ARMED RENAULT CHEVYS, WATSON.
AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THIS MORNING, NO NEED FOR THE APOLOGY.
AGAIN, I'M CHEVYS, WATSON LEAD ORGANIZER OF WORKING GROUP FIVE ONE TWO.
I DO APPRECIATE THE CLERK'S OFFICE IN REGARD TO ITEM 34 AS AN ADVOCATE AND AN ORGANIZER IN THE EAST AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
I THINK I APPRECIATE ANY CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE OF THE MILLENNIUM, BUT I'D LIKE THERE TO BE.
AND I KNOW HIM PROBABLY A LIGHT IN A ROOM FULL OF DARKNESS.
I WOULD LIKE THERE TO BE THIRD PARTY OVERSIGHT THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN AGREE ON FOR ANY MONEY THAT GOES INTO THE, THE PROGRAMS AND THE INITIATIVES BEFORE THE GOOD FOLKS AT THE MILLENNIUM GET TAUGHT TO DO THINGS THAT ARE AGAINST OUR CORE VALUES IN EAST AUSTIN.
AGAIN, BEFORE I WAS CUT OFF, UM, WE ALSO GOT ITEM 50 ITEM 50.
WE DEFINITELY NEED LEADERSHIP COACHING SERVICES, AND I'M GLAD THIS IS ON THE DYESS.
HOWEVER, I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE, ESPECIALLY WITH, WITH GREG ON THE, ON, ON, ON, UH, GREG AND LESLIE AND ALISON, I THINK WE NEED, WE NEED TO OBSERVE JEDI PRACTICES, PURELY JEDI PRACTICES.
OBVIOUSLY YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THAT STANDS FOR JUST AS BEING THE FIRST PART OF THAT ACRONYM.
WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT JEDI PRACTICES ARE PUT INTO THESE LEADERSHIP COACHING SERVICES SO THAT WE DON'T A YEAR LATER, I HAVE TO SAY THERE WAS NO OVERSIGHT TO THIS, TO THIS CONCEPT.
I DID HEAR WHAT WAS SAID EARLIER.
I DON'T WANT TO BE SO REDUNDANT.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME THE CHANCE TO RETURN.
UM, IN, IN REGARDS TO APDS GRANT, I THINK WE MADE IT VERY CLEAR.
APD SHOULD GET NO EXTRA FUNDING, WHAT SOEVER, ANYTHING THEY NEED TO DO PROJECT BASED.
THEY NEED TO DO IT OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS LIKE WE DO IN OUR COMMUNITY TO SURVIVE WITHOUT RISE FUNDS, SOUTH POLE, STOP LETTING A GREG AVID RUN RUN AUSTIN.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME SEAN ABBOTT.
THEY'RE EITHER IN COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THIS IS SEAN ABBOTT FROM ARBUS BROWN.
UH, I SERVE AS GENERAL COUNSEL TO TRAVIS COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
NUMBER 20, I'M HERE TO DISCUSS AGENDA ITEM, NUMBER 71, RELATING TO THE REZONING AND APPEAR PROPERTY.
AS A REFRESHER WATER DISTRICT 20 PROVIDES A FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE ROCK SIDE DIVISION, JUST WEST OF THE CITY, THE SOURCE OF THE WATER SUPPLIES LAKE AUSTIN IN DISTRICTS, WHERE ALL WATER INTAKES ARE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET FROM THE BOAT DOCKS AT THE PIER.
OUR PRIMARY CONCERN WITH REZONING IS THE POTENTIAL FOR GASOLINE SALES WITH PURE PROPERTY.
FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE.
THE DISTRICT ENGINEER HAS STUDIED THE
[03:05:01]
ISSUE, AND WHILE HE CAN'T PROVIDE A SPECIFIC CALCULATION RELATING TO THE PROBABILITY OF A CATASTROPHIC EVENT, HE HAS CONCLUDED IS SUCH AN ADVANTAGE.GASOLINE SALES WERE TO OCCUR AT THE PIER.
WHAT COMPOUNDS OUR CONCERN IS THAT IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO TEST FOR BENZENE CONTAMINATION AND DRINKING WATER IN REAL TIME.
THUS, IF A SIGNIFICANT SPILL WERE TO OCCUR, THAT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY REPORTED.
THE DISTRICTS DRINKING WATER COULD BE IN DANGER OF BEING CONTAMINATED.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PREVIOUS VOTE TO PROHIBIT GASOLINE SALES ON THE PROPERTY AND WOULD REQUEST THAT THE PROHIBITION BE INCLUDED IN ANY FINAL ORDINANCE THAT IS CONSIDERED THE DISTRICT.
ALSO HAS REGULATORY CONCERNS RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF BOAT DOCKS WITHIN A THOUSAND FEET OF OUR RAW WATER INTAKES WHILE THE DISTRICT FACILITIES WERE PROPERLY PERMITTED IN THE 1980S AT THE TIME OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION, MUCH HAS CHANGED IN TERMS OF HOW THE DRINKING WATER QUALITY IS ANALYZED SINCE THE FACILITIES WERE ORIGINALLY PERMITTED.
SO I KNOW WHETHER REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT ENFORCEMENT COULD OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE BOAT DOCKS AT THE PEER REOPENING, WHICH IS A CONCERN FOR THE DISTRICT AND SOME THE DISTRICT, AS OPPOSED TO THE REZONING OF THE PIER, BASED UPON THE PREVIOUSLY STATED HEALTH AND SAFETY AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS.
TO THE EXTENT THE REZONING REQUEST IS APPROVED, THE DISTRICT WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR INCLUSION OF THE PROHIBITION ON GASOLINE SALES AT THE PIER PROPERTY.
I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 71 CONCERNING THE PURE PROPERTIES REZONING REQUEST.
I'M PRESIDENT OF TRAVIS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT.
THE DISTRICT HAS AN EXTENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDING DRINKING WATER SINCE THE MID 1980S TO ALL THE ROB ROY AREA NEIGHBORHOODS HART DISTRICT NOW HAS 375 WATER CONNECTIONS.
THAT MEANS THAT OVER 300 FAMILIES AND A DOZEN OR SO BUSINESSES DEPEND ON OUR DISTRICT FOR CLEAN DRINKING WATER.
OUR DISTRICT ALSO HAS EMERGENCY INTERCONNECTS TO SHARE DRINKING WATER WITH FIVE OTHER WATER DISTRICTS AND THOUSANDS.
ADDITIONAL CUSTOMERS LIKE AUSTIN IS A SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER FOR THIS EXTENSIVE WATER SYSTEM.
WE OPERATE OUR TWO WATER INTAKES RIGHT ACROSS FROM EMMA LONG METROPOLITAN PARK.
I'M SURE THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL IS WELL AWARE OF THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF CENTRAL TEXAS IS FRESH WATER SUPPLY.
WE'RE VITALLY CONCERNED ABOUT A REFURBISHED MARINA AT THE PAYER'S PROPERTY, AS IT WOULD BE LOCATED WITHIN 1000 FEET OF OUR WATER INTAKE.
ALSO, WE ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT GASOLINE SALES OCCURRING AT THIS LOCATION.
IN THE EVENT, THE COUNCIL APPROVES THIS REZONING REQUESTS AND APPEARS OWNERS OPERATE A NEW MARINA LIKE BOSTON RECAP.
WE DO, WE DO NOT WANT THE DOCS TO BE PLACED IN THE OPERATION AT THE PIER.
AND IF THE COUNCIL DOES APPROVE THE PIERS REQUESTS, WE DO NOT WANT THE SALE OF GASOLINE PRODUCTS TO RESUME AT THE PIERCE LOCATION.
THANK YOU, MALCOLM, MALCOLM GATES, IF YOU ARE NEEDED, PLEASE UNMUTE.
YES, I WAS, UH, GOING TO BE SPEAKING ABOUT THE MANLOVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT.
I BELIEVE THAT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
IS THAT CORRECT? I BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN, THAT WAS POSTPONE 79.
WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT YET, BUT I THINK IT'S GOTTA BE RECOMMENDED.
UM, STAFF IS, IS 79 80 BEING RECOMMENDED TO BE POSTPONED MAYOR.
THEN IT HAS BEEN POSTED, RIGHT? SO BOTH THE IRAQ CONTACT TEAM AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS SUPPORT THE APPLICANT'S DESIRE FOR A POSTPONEMENT.
AND THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY ON THIS THEN.
UH, I WAS GOING TO SPEAK ON ITEM ON NUMBER 82, BUT I RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT THAT WAS POSTPONED.
IS THAT CORRECT? TILL MARCH 4TH?
[03:10:01]
IT'S BEEN RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE POSTPONED.THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RACHEL AND MCCLAIR YES.
I WAS CALLING ABOUT, UH, ITEMS 79 AND 80, AND I ALSO SUPPORT, UH, THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST TO POSTPONE, UM, BUT ULTIMATELY WANTS A CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR TO VOTE AGAINST THIS VERY BAD IDEA.
HI, THIS IS GREG
NUMBER FOUR, SPEAKING ON ITEM 71.
UM, UNCOMMONLY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD HAD A BUSINESS CONFLICT TODAY, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS COUNCIL.
SO MY COMMENTS WILL REFLECT HIS, UH, THE DISTRICT HAS A WATER INTACT WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE DOCKS ON THE PIER PROPERTIES ON CASE 71.
UH, WE'VE GOT GREAT CONCERNS OF THE POTENTIAL OF A GAS BILL.
IF GUESTS SERVICES PERMITTED ON THE PURE PROPERTY ON THE LAST READING, UH, GUEST SERVICE WAS, UH, PROHIBITED BY CONDITIONAL OVERLAY.
SO WE WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THE ZONING GOING FORWARD WITH THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY, PROHIBITING GAS SALES.
MY NAME IS DAVID
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ADDRESS YOU ONE.
I REPRESENT BOTH WARD DOES YOUR 20 AND TRAVIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT.
NUMBER FOUR AS A DISTRICT ENGINEER.
I BELIEVE WE'RE NOW ALL AWARE OF THAT.
THE DISTRICT OPERATES THAT THE DISTRICTS OPERATE AND MAINTAIN IN THE IMMEDIATE, THE SANTEE OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS OX WITH APPROVAL OF THIS APPLICATION.
THE DISTRICT WILL BE IN VIOLATION OF CORTEZ, UH, WITH WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE TCEQ STAFF IS UNDERSTOOD.
THE APPLICATION INCLUDES REQUESTS FOR INSTALLATION OF GAS DISPENSING FACILITIES BASED ON MORE RECENT RESEARCH, THE, AN AGENCY AS WELL AS THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION HAVE EXPRESSED INCREASING CONCERNS OVER THE SITE AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF BENZENE AND OTHER GASOLINE WRAPPED COMPONENTS IN SOURCE WATER, MARINE, POTABLE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, EARLY DETECTION WITHIN THE TREATMENT PROCESS TO PREVENT INGESTION IS REALLY IMPRACTICAL.
IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, IT'S BUILT THE OF THE PRESENCE OF DANGEROUS GASOLINE DERIVED PRODUCTS IN THE DISTRICT.
DRINKING WATER SUPPLY WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF GASOLINE DISPENSING WHILE I AM OPPOSED TO THE APPLICATION IN GENERAL, ONLY TO THE COST LEGAL AND SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE DISTRICTS.
I FULLY SUPPORT THE PROBATION OF GASOLINE DISPENSING FACILITIES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE DISTRICT SAYING, TAKE STRUCTURES, RIGHTLY ENHANCE THE GESTURES ABILITIES TO CONTINUE TO TREAT AND DISTRIBUTE A SAFE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY TO THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS AND CITY OF AUSTIN NEIGHBORS LIKE YOU.
UM, IS THERE ANY CHANGE IN NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT FOR 1100 MANLOVE, WHICH IS 79 AND 80? UM, ALTHOUGH I DO SUPPORT THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST TO POST THEM, THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE SPEAKERS TO BUSTER WATSON.
I THINK HE SAID HE ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK UP AS EVERY PITCH.
UH, COLLEAGUES, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS THAT WE HAVE BEEN, UH, THAT GETS
[Zoning Consent Agenda]
US TO, UH, UH, ZONING, UH, JERRY, YOU WANT TO TAKE US THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA? SURE.MAYOR JERRY, REST OVER WITH THE HOUSING PLANNING DEPARTMENT OR ITEMS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL TODAY.
OUR ITEM FIRST ITEMS, ITEM 86 CASE NPA 2019 ZERO ZERO ZERO 3.01.
I COULD OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL.
[03:15:01]
IS ITEM 66, CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO ONE ZERO FIVE AND ALSO OFFER THIS FOR CONCENTRA APPROVAL.ON SECOND AND THIRD READING ITEM 67 K C 14, 2020 ZERO ONE ZERO SIX.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL.
ON SECOND AND THIRD READING ITEM 68 IS KC 14, 2020 ZERO ONE ZERO SEVEN.
I COULD OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON SECOND AND THIRD READING I DIDN'T 69 IS CASE NPA 2020 ZERO ZERO ONE 6.03.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON SECOND AND THIRD READING ITEM 70 IS CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO, ZERO 83.
OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON SECOND AND THIRD READING ITEM 71 IS THE PURE PROPERTY.
IT'S CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO, ZERO 63.
I UNDERSTAND THAT COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS APPROVED ON THIRD RING.
IT'S ALREADY PASSED FIRST AND SECOND WITH THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY PROHIBITING THE SERVICE STATION BEING REMOVED.
HOWEVER, I WOULD NOTE THAT THE SERVICE STATION USE IS A CONDITIONAL USE WITHIN THE CR ZONING CATEGORY.
I DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND THAT LET'S COME BACK TO THAT WHEN WE'RE FIGURING OUT WHAT'S ON CONSENT, RIGHT? OKAY.
WILL DO MA'AM UM, ITEM NUMBER 72 IS CASE NPA 2020 ZERO ZERO 27.01.
THIS IS A STAFF POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO FEBRUARY 24TH RELATED ITEM ITEM 73 CASE NPA 2020 ZERO ZERO 27.01.
THIS IS ALSO A STAFF POSTPONEMENT TO FEBRUARY 4TH, ITEM 74TH CASE NPA 2020 ZERO OH ZERO ONE 4.02.
THIS IS ITEM AS A STAFF POST FROM REQUEST TO FEBRUARY 4TH.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE ON THIS ITEM, THERE WAS AN ERROR IN THE POSTING FOR TODAY'S AGENDA.
THE REQUEST TO CHANGE IN LAND USES FROM INDUSTRY TO MIXED USE.
IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT NOT BY THE STAFF.
SO WHEN WE POST IT FOR NEXT WEEK, WE'LL HAVE THE CORRECT POSTING ITEM 75 K C 14, 2020 ZERO ONE ZERO ONE.
THIS IS THE STAFF POSTPONE REQUEST TO FEBRUARY 4TH, ITEM 76 CASE NPA 2020 ZERO ZERO ONE 6.01.
THIS GUY SECOND OFFER FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS RELATED ITEMS, 77, C 14, 2020 ZERO ONE 26.
ALSO CONSENT OR APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS AND ITEM NUMBER 78, K C 14, 2020 ZERO ONE ONE SIX.
THIS IS A CASE ON OLD SAN ANTONIO ROAD.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON FOR 3D.
HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT THE APPLICANT AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF VACANCY HIGH SCHOOL ARE CONTINUING THEIR DISCUSSIONS RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION AND PEDESTRIAN RELATED ISSUES.
ITEM NUMBER 79 IS HIS NPA 2020 ZERO ZERO 21.02 MANLOVE CASE.
IT IS ABOUT POSTPONE A REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT TO MARCH 26 RELATED MAN CASES, ITEM 80 14, 2020 ZERO, ZERO 81.
ALSO A POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT THROUGH MARCH 25TH.
ONE IS CASE 14, 2020 ZERO ONE 11.
THIS IS THE POST-CALL REQUEST BY THE STAFF TO MARCH TO FEBRUARY 4TH AND ITEM 82 CASE B 14, 2020 ZERO, ZERO 90.
THIS ISN'T A RE POSTED, UH, SORRY.
PLUS FARMER REQUESTED BY THE APPLICANT TO MARCH 4TH.
DID I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY THAT I AM 79 AND 80 BOTH BEING POSTPONED TO MARCH 25TH? THAT'S CORRECT.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE PURE PROPERTY QUICKLY? YEAH.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE KIND OF WERE ALTERED.
DO YOU SPEAK TO THAT OR WANT JERRY TO SPEAK TO IT FIRST? UM, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT'LL ALLOW HIM TO SPEAK TO IT, BUT, UM, IT WON'T TAKE LONG.
I DON'T THINK AT LEAST TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER WE NEED TO PULL IT FROM CONSENT OR NOT.
WELL, THANK YOU, UH, JERRY FOR WORKING WITH ME ON IT.
UM, CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM IF THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY PROHIBITING SERVICE STATIONS USE IS REMOVED THEN UNDER CR ZONING, THAT USE WOULD BE A CONDITIONAL USE, NOT A PERMITTED USE BY, RIGHT.
WHICH MEANS IF WE DID THAT, IF THE PROPERTY OWNER WANTED THE SERVICE STATION USE, THEY WOULD NEED TO OBTAIN A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
CAN YOU DETAIL FOR US WHAT ALL NEEDS TO BE SUBMITTED TO OBTAIN A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND WHAT THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE? ARE THERE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND IT CAN BE, IT CANNOT BE APPEALED TO COUNCIL.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO FILE A SITE PLAN.
JUST LIKE ANY CASE, WOULD THE DIFFERENCES THAT THE SITE PLAN WOULD NOT BE APPROVABLE BY THE STAFF? THE SITE PLAN WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL.
THERE WOULD BE A NOTICE, UH, MAILED OUT AT A PUBLIC HEARING, HELD AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
UM, IF THE PLANNING COMMISSION COULD DECIDE TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE THE SITE PLAN, UM, AND EITHER WAY AN AGGRIEVED PARTY WOULD BE AT THE APPLICANT OR ANYBODY ELSE COULD APPEAL THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, IN WHICH CASE THE, UM, THE ISSUE WOULD BE TOSSED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR, THEIR DECISION.
SO IN SUMMARY, IF WE WERE TO MOVE THE PROHIBITION IN ORDER TO GET SERVICE STATION USE, THEY WOULD NEED TO FILE A SITE PLAN, COME BEFORE THE LAND USE COMMISSION AND GO THROUGH A THOROUGH VETTING WITH OUR STAFF.
AND IF ANY PROBLEMS EVER CAME UP AFTER THE CONDITIONAL
[03:20:01]
USE PERMIT WAS ISSUED, COUNCIL COULD REVOKE THE PERMIT.IS THAT CORRECT? UM, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE AFTER IF IT WERE APPROVED, WHETHER IT WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OR BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, UM, THEY WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THAT SITE PLAN.
AND IF THERE WERE ISSUES REGARDING YOUR COMPLIANCE WITH THAT SITE PLAN, THAT WOULD BE HANDLED BY THE, UH, THE CODE DEPARTMENT AND THEY'D BE ISSUED CITATIONS.
UM, MY POINT EARLIER WAS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE DECISION TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE IT'S THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT THAT DECISION IS APPEALABLE TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
SO, UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IN ORDER TO EVER GET SERVICE STATION USED, THE PROPERTY OWNER WOULD NEED A THOROUGH VETTING FROM OUR STAFF FOR SALE FROM COMMISSIONS AND IT'S SUBJECT TO APPEAL TO COUNCIL.
UM, AND WE COULD, UM, YOU KNOW, ADDRESS ANY VIOLATIONS OF THE PERMIT IN THE FUTURE.
MY PROPOSAL WAS TO LEAVE THIS ON CONSENT AND APPROVE IT ON THIRD READING, BUT WITH THE ORDINANCE AMENDED TO REMOVE THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY IN PART TWO AND RENUMBER THE REMAINING PARTS ACCORDINGLY, THIS IS EQUIVALENT TO WHAT STAFF AND DOES APP ORIGINALLY RECOMMEND IT AS MY UNDERSTANDING.
THAT OBJECTION THAT'LL STAY THAT WAY ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, MAYOR, I, I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION THAT, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR JUST HAD WITH MR RUSS AND UNDERSTAND AND UNDERSTAND THE PROVISION AND THE PROTECTIONS THAT LIE AND IN THAT DIFFERENT PROCESS.
BUT I DO WANT TO JUST VOTE AGAINST THAT PARTICULAR PIECE OF IT.
SO I'M HAPPY FOR IT TO STAY ON CONSENT AS LONG AS WE REGISTER AN OBJECT.
MY OBJECTION TO THAT PARTICULAR CHANGE.
I'LL WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE A MOTION.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH BY THE WAY INCLUDES ALL OF THE ITEMS FROM 65 THROUGH 82, COUNCILMEMBER KITCHEN MAKES THE MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LS, A DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, COUNCIL MEMBER TOA.
SO I JUST, IF YOU WOULD JUST CARRY OVER WHAT I JUST SAID TO THIS PORTION AND KNOW, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, BUT I ALSO MAY OR NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF, UM, ON ITEMS 2079 AND 80.
WE'RE JUST DISCUSSING THEM FOR A POSTPONEMENT TODAY, BUT I'M, I'M RECUSING MYSELF FROM THE DECISION TO POSTPONE THEM IN ANY FUTURE DISCUSSIONS OR DECISIONS RELATED TO THAT.
AND I HAVE A FILE, UM, AFFIDAVIT.
I HAVE AN AFFIDAVIT ON FILE WITH THE CLERK, WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE FOR TODAY.
SO NOTED AGENDA COUNCIL MEMBER LS.
MINE IS JUST A CLARIFICATION ON ITEM 82.
IT'S BEING POSTPONED TILL FEBRUARY 4TH.
AND JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT THE APPLICANT HAS AMENDED THE REQUEST TO MARCH 4TH, MARCH 4TH.
THANK YOU FOR THAT DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
JUST GO AHEAD AND TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS ALL ITEMS 65 THROUGH 82, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I SEE IT AS BEING UNANIMOUS ON THE DESK.
I'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK, RIGHT? JERRY, TAKE CARE.
[Executive Session]
HAVE LEFT IN FRONT OF US ARE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT ITEMS 27 TO 32.WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONSIDER 27 TO 32 UNTIL WE HEAR THE SPEAKERS AT THREE O'CLOCK.
SO THAT GIVES US A CHANCE NOW TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE COME BACK OUT TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS AT THREE.
SO WE'RE NOW GOING TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO TAKE UP ONE ITEM PURSUANT TO FIVE, FIVE, ONE OH SEVEN.
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT CODE WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS RELATED TO ITEM 63, THE MAY, 2021 ELECTION, AND THE OBJECTION TO GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WHEN THEY HAD HIM ANNOUNCED.
I HAVE NO OBJECTION, BUT, UH, DO WE NEED TO HAVE US TAKE ABOUT A FIVE MINUTE BREAK? SO DEBORAH CAN GET DOWNSTAIRS WITHOUT BREAKING A LEG.
SO WE'LL MEET THERE AT, UH, TWO 40, UH, AND WITH THAT, UH, COUNCIL, WE'LL NOW GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I WERE BACK IN GENERAL SESSION.
[Public Comment (Part 4 of 4)]
THE, UH, UH, ITEMS 27, 28, 29, 30 31 AND 32 IN FRONT OF US.WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE EACH SPEAKER ONE MINUTE.
UH, AND THEN WE WILL ENTERTAIN EACH OF THESE ITEMS. UH, LESLIE, THANKS.
I WANTED TO, UM, MENTION, UM, AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT I SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR MEETING TODAY ABOUT ITEM 32, WHICH IS THE HOTEL PURCHASE THAT'S IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
I HAD EXPECTED THAT THIS ITEM WOULD BE ON CONSENT
[03:25:01]
FOR APPROVAL AT THE TOP OF THAT, OUR DAY HERE TODAY.I KNOW IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED AND PULLED SPEAKERS WHO ARE SPEAKING.
I'M ASSUMING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO ENCOURAGE US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ITEM AND WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I FULLY ANTICIPATE THAT WE WILL APPROVE IT.
AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO, UM, JUST GO WITH THAT BACK THE TIME.
SO RIGHT ON THE LINE, UH, TO TALK ABOUT THAT ONE, I THINK THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
WE COULD ACTUALLY GET TO QUICKLY, UM, I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS IS STUCK IN, SHE'S NOT BEING ALLOWED IN.
ANYWAY, THAT'S ITEM 32, WHICH IS, UH, IN DISTRICT SEVEN BURNETT ROAD AND THE ONE 83, UM, ACCESS ROAD.
SO JUST URGING PEOPLE, IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE ON THE PHONE TO TALK ABOUT THAT ITEM THAT I THINK WE WILL BE PASSING THAT.
SO YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE TO STAY ON THE PHONE FOR THAT.
UH, THANKS TO COUNSELOR APPROVAL FOR YOUR, I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT THEY'RE CONSISTENT SUPPORT FOR THAT ITEM.
I THINK IT LEAVES FOR FOLKS ON THE PHONE WHERE THERE'S TWO SEPARATE, UH, PURCHASES, UH, FOR US.
UM, UH, ONE THAT THAT IS LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL JUST MENTIONED THAT IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT PASSED THE SECOND, WHICH I KNOW THERE IS A DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD NOW OR WHETHER FOR THERE TO BE, UH, POSTPONEMENTS.
AND SO, UM, I JUST DIDN'T WANT THAT YOU MENTIONING THAT TO, TO HAVE FOLKS THINK THAT THERE IS, THERE IS NOTHING UP FOR DEBATE TODAY, AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE'S STILL DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE SECOND HOTEL TODAY OR NOT.
AS I SAID IN WORK SESSION, MY POSITION REMAINS THAT I THINK IT'S, UH, OR MY VOTE REMAINS THAT IT'S BEST TO MOVE FORWARD ON BOTH TODAY, BUT DULY NOTED A COUNSELOR POOL ABOUT, UM, IT SEEMS THAT THERE'S CERTAINLY CONSENSUS ON ONE AND POTENTIAL DEBATE ON THE SECOND ONE COUNCIL MEMBER.
COUNCIL MEMBER CASARA AND COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
I JUST LIKE TO CLARIFY ALSO THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WE DID TALK AT WORK SESSION ABOUT POSTPONEMENT IN ORDER TO ALLOW TIME FOR OUR NEWEST, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, TO TALK WITH HER CONSTITUENTS JUST AS COUNCIL MEMBER POOL WAS ABLE TO DO WITH HERS.
SO IN TERMS OF DEBATE, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER IT'S APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW THAT ADDITIONAL TIME.
I JUST WANTED TO THINK COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR LISTENING TO THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'RE GETTING AND FOR BEING OPEN TO THE IDEA OF POSTPONEMENT ON THIS ISSUE, WHILE I'M ABLE TO TALK WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT IT AND RESET THEIR EXPECTATIONS, WE'LL DISCUSS FURTHER AFTER WE LISTENED TO THE CITIZENS PLUMMET.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET THE SPEAKERS UP.
AND WE'VE ALREADY, UH, 30 MINUTES LATE IN CALLING HIM.
UH, WE WERE IN EXECUTIVE, UH, UH, SESSION.
UM, SO WE HAVEN'T, WE WE'VE BEEN WORKING, UH, MYRNA.
YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND CALL THE SPEAKERS ONE MINUTE EACH? SURE.
SARAH HOME, MY NAME IS SARAH HAY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 10 AND A VOLUNTEER WITH THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.
I VOLUNTEER FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S EATING APART TOGETHER PROGRAM I'M IN FULL SUPPORT.
VITAM 31 AND 32 ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA SINCE THE EARLY SUMMER OF 2020, ME AND A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS DEDICATE MULTIPLE DAYS A WEEK, HANDING OUT BAGS OF FOOD AND WATER TO UNHOUSED FOLKS.
THIS PROGRAM WAS PUT TOGETHER IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC, BUT THIS GLOBAL CRISIS HAS ONLY EMPHASIZED THE ALREADY INEQUITABLE SYSTEMS IN PLACE.
AND AUSTIN'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
YET THIS COUNCIL HAS MADE BOTH BOLD STEPS IN THE PAST TO SOLVE HOUSING INSTABILITY BY PASSING THE RESOLUTION TO DECRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS.
AND MOST NOTABLY WE ALLOCATE FUNDS FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT PURCHASING THESE TWO HOTELS WILL ALLOW US TO PULL HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FROM THE STREETS.
THINK SHUNNED ENCAMPMENTS ARE INEFFECTIVE AND ONLY PROLONG A CRISIS THAT'S PERSISTED IN AUSTIN FOR YEARS.
THE ONLY WAY TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS IS THROUGH HOUSING.
I'M REMINDED EVERY WEEK THAT THESE FOLKS HAVE NAMES, WIVES, STORIES, LEFT ONES IN OUR HUMAN BEINGS, DESERVING OF THE RESOURCES THE CITY CAN SURVIVE.
[03:30:01]
JUSTIN GREEN.HI, MY NAME IS JUSTIN GREEN, A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND A MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA.
AND I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER COZAAR FOR LEADING THE CHARGE ON THESE HOTEL PURCHASES, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WERE PRESENT LAST SUMMER TO TAKE THE INITIAL STEP AND REALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, A PREREQUISITE FOR THIS CURRENT OPPORTUNITY AND HOUSING, OUR HOMELESS POPULATION RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE SANCTION ENCAMPMENTS ENCAMPMENTS THAT SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE CONSIDERING AS A SOLUTION, DO LITTLE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC, SIMILAR TO THE PUBLIC CAMPING BAN.
THEY ONLY CREATE THE ILLUSION THAT HOMELESSNESS IS REDUCED BY HIDING IT FROM PUBLIC VIEW.
MEANWHILE, THE PURCHASE OF THESE HOTELS WOULD PULL HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS FOR YEARS TO COME SHAME ON COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY AND SAVE AUSTIN NOW FOR ATTEMPTING TO CRIMINALIZE OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE.
ALSO THE COMFORT OF THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO BE CONFRONTED WITH THE END RESULTS OF OUR BROKEN ECONOMIC SYSTEM.
I URGE THE REST OF CITY COUNCILS TO MAKE THE COMPASSIONATE CHOICE AND INVEST OUR RESOURCES AND OUR MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR HOMELESSNESS, ALI HOFFMAN, ALI HOFFMAN, PLEASE UNMUTE TY, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
YEAH, I'M TYPO OF FROM DISTRICT FIVE, CALLING IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32, UH, THIS HOUSING WOULD PROVIDE THE STABILITY NEEDED FOR HOMELESS TO REHABILITATE AND FIND WORK THAT WITHOUT CONSISTENT SHELTER, THE TRAUMA AND DANGER THEY FACE ON THE STREETS MAKES RECOVERY FROM MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ADDICTION, VERY UNLIKELY, UM, OR LIKE A PERMANENT ADDRESS, LIKE HAVE ACCESS TO SHOWERS AND PETERS IMPEDES THAT ABILITY TO GET A JOB.
MEANWHILE, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN SUBSTANCE USE FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO WERE PROVIDED HOUSING.
AND ONE EVEN FOUND THAT THERE WAS 3.4 TIMES LESS LIKELY TO RELAPSE AFTER THE PROGRAM COMPARED TO PARTICIPANTS IN TREATMENT FIRST PROGRAM, UH, WHILE IT MAY SEEM EXPENSIVE UPFRONT HOUSING, THE HOMELESS SAVES TAXPAYER MONEY.
UH, IN DENVER IN 2006, IT WAS FOUND THAT INPATIENT COSTS WERE REDUCED BY 66% INCARCERATION COSTS BY 76%, UH, WHICH IS 13 K SAVINGS PER PERSON IN SEATTLE IN 2009.
THIS APPROACH SAVE TAXPAYERS A TOTAL OF $4 MILLION OVER THE FIRST YEAR AND SAY 2,449 PER PERSON THAT WAS HOUSED PER MONTH.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE AND I'M CALLING IT SUPPORT ITEMS, NUMBER 31 AND 32.
I'VE SEEN THE GROWING PRESENCE OF HOMELESSNESS, INNER CITY.
I WORKED AND LIVED NEARBY HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, WHETHER UNDER BRIDGES OR NEAR YOGA STUDIOS, OF COURSE IT'S REALITY.
IT'S CONCERNING FOR MANY REASONS AND ADD A PANDEMIC INTO THE MIX ARE EGREGIOUS WEALTH AND INCOME INEQUALITY IS ON FULL DISPLAY.
POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS ARE NOT ISSUES.
WE CAN KEEP TURNING A BLIND EYE TO.
AND THE REALITY THAT WE CONTINUE TO TRY AND PUSH THEM OUT OF OUR SIGHT AND INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, LITERALLY VIOLATES THE RIGHTS OF OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS.
NOT ONLY DOES IT HAMPER ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR REHABILITATION, IT COSTS OUR CITY AND TAXPAYERS MORE MONEY.
SO LET THIS BE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REAL CHANGE AND AVENUE FOR HOUSING FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE HOMELESS NEED HOMES, NOT HANDCUFFS.
THIS IS ABOUT HUMANITY AND FOR ANYONE WHO DOES NOT SEE THAT NOW IS THE TIME I SUPPORT A HOUSING FIRST MODEL, NOT IN SHINING REFUGEE CAMP OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN CITY LIMITS.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING AND NOT TO STONING ITEMS. 31 AND 32 AND JULIA WARD.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE EVERY WEEK.
I PREPARE AROUND 30 MEALS IN MY KITCHEN AND I GO OUT AND HAND DELIVER THEM TO MY NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE UNDER THE
WE CURRENTLY HAVE, UM, A PERSON LIVING UNDER THAT OVERPASS WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID PEOPLE NEED HOUSING.
[03:35:01]
MY NEIGHBORS SINCE THIS SUMMER AND HAVE DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.I HAVE SEEN THE SWEEPS COME THROUGH AND HAVE PROPERTY BEING DESTROYED, AND I'VE SEEN THE MENTAL HEALTH TOLL THAT NOT HAVING STEADY HOUSING TAKE.
UM, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS ITEMS 31 AND 32 SWIFTLY.
THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT I HOPE WILL BE ACTIONS TOWARDS THE COMPASSIONATE CARE OF BRIAN PORTO.
UH, I'M BRIAN FROM DISTRICT SIX HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY THAT WOULD BE USED TO HOUSE INDIVIDUALS FROM HUSTON HOMELESS POPULATION.
I LIVE IN THE AREA NEAR THE PROPOSED SITE.
AND WHILE I'VE LIVED IN MANY CITIES WITH A SIZEABLE HOMELESS POPULATION, THAT OF AUSTIN IS ESPECIALLY EXPOSED IN THIS AREA ON A SHORT WALK.
YOU CAN SEE MANY SIGNS OF HUMAN HABITATION ALONGSIDE MAJOR ROAD IN THE FORM OF DISCARDED ITEMS, SHOPPING CARTS, AND TENTS.
IT'S NOT THE VISIBILITY, THAT'S THE PROBLEM, BUT THAT PEOPLE FORCED TO CAMP.
THANKFULLY, RECENT REPORTS FROM VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS SAY THAT MORE OF AUSTIN HOMELESS POPULATIONS SUCCESSFULLY FINDING SHELTER EACH YEAR AND HAVING MORE SHELTERS INCREASES OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SHELTER.
WE MUST DO MORE FOR THE HOMELESS OF THIS CITY AS OXEN POPULATION GROWTH.
UH, I'VE HEARD THAT THERE'S ANXIETY ABOUT THE DECISION, PARTLY BECAUSE, UH, WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM NEARBY RESIDENTS AND THAT'S WHY I HELP YOU TO JUST SPEAK.
I LIVE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM ONE OF THESE SITES, AND I WANT TO SAY THAT A NEW HOMELESS SHELTER, UH, CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.
UM, PLEASE VOTE IN FAVOR 31 TO 32.
UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M ALI HOFFMAN AND I'M A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM DISTRICT NINE AND A VOLUNTEER WITH THE MUTUAL AID GROUP STREET FORUM TODAY.
THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND TO BEGIN TO MAKE UP FOR PAST MISS GOALS.
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN, MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I LOVE THIS CITY DEARLY, BUT THE WAY THE CITY FAILS TO HOUSE PEOPLE, IT CAN BE EMBARRASSING, BUT IT'S NOT OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
UM, POLICE OFFICERS HARASSING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS NOT DIFFICULT TO FIND HERE, UNFORTUNATELY.
UM, AND THIS SUMMER PEOPLE HAD GATHERED IN THE STREETS TO PROTEST IS VERY SYSTEM OF CRIMINALIZATION.
THERE'VE BEEN NUMEROUS STUDIES ON THE BENEFIT OF HOUSING PEOPLE AS A MEANS TO REDUCE CRIME, WHICH FURTHER INDICATES OUR CURRENT SYSTEM IS EXTREMELY INEFFECTIVE.
REALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE POLICE FORCE TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WOULD TACKLE THE ROOT OF THE HOUSING CRISIS AND POLICING.
AND IT WOULD BE A START IN BUILDING A SAFER, MORE CARING OFTEN WHEN I'D BE PROUD TO REPRESENT.
I AM IN DISTRICT ONE, CONGRATULATIONS TO MY NEW MAYOR PRO TEM.
UM, AND I ALSO WANT TO, I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE ITEMS 31 AND 32.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT ANY PROCRASTINATION IS NEEDED.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A REALLY DIRE NEED FOR, UM, FOR THERE TO BE MORE SHELTER FOR OUR HOMELESS CITIZENS.
AND I BELIEVE THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY THAT WE SHOULD TAKE UP AND I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TO POSTPONE.
MY FAMILY OWNS THE TWO REPUTABLE HOTELS IN DISTRICT SIX, BUT WE DO A BOTH ITEM 31 AND 32.
IF YOU ALL HAVE SURVEYED, BUT CANDLEWOOD IS LOCATED, YOU WOULD KNOW IT'S NOT SUITABLE FOR HOMELESS HOUSING.
IT IS MISSING FEW IMPORTANT PAIR OF METERS.
THERE'S NO ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THERE'S NO HOSPITAL NEAR NO HEALTHCARE FACILITY.
THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES HERE ARE LIMITED WITH RESPECT TO COMMUNITY.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST THE HILLS IS SCANDAL, WHICH HAS DRIVE INTO EXISTING BUSINESSES.
HOW WOULD ANYONE SEPARATE HOMELESS HOUSING FROM OUR REGULAR HOTEL BUSINESSES? THERE IS RESTAURANT AT JASON CANDLE BOARD, AND THERE ARE RESIDENTS THAT SAYS IT'S 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE HOMELESS HOUSING.
THERE ARE A LOT OF SENIORS THAT JUST CAN'T MOVE THAT PROPOSED HOUSING IS ALSO JUST FEW BLOCKS FROM THAT FOOT HIGH AND SCHOOL AS
[03:40:01]
A MIDDLE SCHOOL, YOU HAD SERGEANT FABIAN SECURITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.IT IS A FACT THAT STATISTICS SUPPORT THAT TRIES TO GO UP AROUND HOMELESS HOUSING.
SO HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO FEEL SAFE IN THE COMMUNITY, HAVE A CITY PLANNING.
HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT DEAL THEY LIVE IN.
COME UP WITH THE PROPOSAL HOTEL, UH, PURCHASE, UH, PARKED AT THIS LOCATION, THE COUNCIL MEMBER.
HEY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING X BIGGER.
MY NAME IS TIFFANY HART AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
I NEVER IMAGINED AFTER FIVE YEARS IN COLLEGE STUDYING TO BECOME A SOCIAL WORKER COMMITTED TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS THAT I TOO WOULD FIND MYSELF HOMELESS AND STRUGGLING WITH HOUSING STABILITY DUE TO A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO THE LAST 10 YEARS I'VE SERVED IN SEVERAL ROLES IN OUR COMMUNITY, COMMITTED TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS, STARTING AS A CASE MANAGER AT THE ARCH, AND NOW WORKING ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, HELPING COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR COUNTRY TO DISRUPT RACIST SYSTEMS AND POLICIES TO BUILD EQUITABLE, FAIR, AND JUST RESPONSES TO HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS, I CAN FINALLY SAY THAT I HAVE SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING.
THAT'S NOT TRUE FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS.
WE KNOW BLACK FOLKS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED IN HOMELESSNESS AND AUSTIN.
THE DATA DOESN'T LIE AND THE GUIDANCE FROM THE EXPERTS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERTISE, THE CDC AND HUD OR CLEAR SANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS.
AND IT CAN'T MAKE CLEANUPS ARE NOT THE ANSWER NOR ARE THEY THE SAFEST OR MOST APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS DURING THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC HOUSING IS ONE EITHER ALLOWS RACIAL INEQUITIES TO PERSEVERE AS A RACIST OR CONFRONTS RACIAL AND EQUITIES AS AN ANTI-RACIST
THE CHOICE IS YOURS, OR IF I COULD RESPOND, UM, I APPRECIATE TIFFANY, UH, DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT.
I WANT HER TO KNOW, UM, AS I MENTIONED TWICE ALREADY TODAY, I, I AM FULLY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 32 OF THE, UH, HOTEL THAT THE CITY IS LOOKING AT PURCHASING FOR HOMELESS HOUSING THAT IS IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
AND I THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY TO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT FOR IT TOO.
I JUST WANTED TO BE REALLY CRYSTAL CLEAR.
UM, CAUSE I GUESS IT GOT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY SOMEHOW THAT I DON'T SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF THAT HOTEL.
AND, AND I DO, AND I HAVE SO HELP HELP ME PLEASE, UH, TO CORRECT THE MISAPPREHENSION, THE COMMUNITY.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA AND LIVE IN DISTRICT 10.
UH, I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE, UH, BUYING AND REINVESTMENT FUNDS OF THE HOTELS AND ITEM NUMBER 31 AND 32.
THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT HOUSING FIRST MODEL IS SIMPLY THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH HOUSING, UH, WITH THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, AS WELL AS WE SAW IN CONSERVATIVE UTAH, UH, THEY DECREASED THE HOMELESS POPULATION AND HOW IS 90% OF THEIR UNHOUSED RESIDENTS WITHIN A SPAN OF A FEW YEARS AND THE PROGRAM ONLY BACKSIDE BECAUSE THEY STOPPED FUNDING IT.
SO NOW WE HAVE A CLEAR EXAMPLE THAT IF YOU PUT MONEY INTO HOUSING PEOPLE, IT'S GOING TO DECREASE HOMELESSNESS IN THE LONG RUN.
IF YOU TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THAT, IT'S GOING TO INCREASE IT.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS HERE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OH, THERE'S A RESTAURANT NEARBY AND SO ON.
AND I REALLY THINK THIS UNDERSCORES HOW THE SPEAKERS WITH NO OFFENSE SEEM TO NOT VIEW HOMELESS PEOPLE AS PEOPLE WHO, IN MY OPINION, AT LEAST HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO TO WHATEVER RESTAURANT THEY WANT TO WALK AROUND FREE CITIZENS OF THIS WORLD.
AND THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN ALTAR.
MY NAME IS SALVADOR ESPINOSA, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND MEMBER OF BOSTON BSA CALLING INTO SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32.
THE EASIEST WAY TO REDUCE AUSTIN HOMELESSNESS AND EMPOWER AUSTINITES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS TO GIVE THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HOMES BECAUSE HOUSING FIRST ALLOWS PEOPLE TO FINALLY HAVE ENOUGH SECURITY AND STABILITY IN THEIR LIFE TO ADDRESS THE SERIOUS ISSUES THAT KEEP PEOPLE WALKED IN THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS AND CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE IT ADDS TO THOSE BARRIERS.
HOMELESSNESS ALREADY PRESENTS AND MAKES LIFE HARDER, HARDER TO GET OFF OF DRUGS, HARDER TO STAY SAFE, HARDER TO GET A HOME, HARDER TO GET ANYTHING.
IN FACT, A LOCAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION HAS JUST FOUND THAT OVER A HUNDRED AUSTIN PROPERTY MANAGERS WON'T ACCEPT INDIVIDUALS WITH A FELONY IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, FOUR MISDEMEANORS IN THE PAST THREE WITH OUR COMPETITIVE HOUSING MARKETS.
THESE PROPERTY MANAGERS HAVE NO INCENTIVE
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TO CHOOSE A CLIENT WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS OVER QUOTE, UNQUOTE, MORE STABLE TENANTS.IF SOMEONE'S HOMELESS, THE CONTENTS ARE LIMITED, BUT IF THEIR OPTIONS ARE LIMITED TO THE POINT OF A DEPENDENCE, SO IF THEY HAVE A HOME THOUGH THEIR OPTIONS OPEN UP, IT'S THE MUCH EASIER ROUTE TO TAKE POSITIVE STEPS.
ONCE YOU'VE GOT ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS SOLVED AND IT'S THE MORAL PROBLEM.
WE AS A CITY CONSULT, AUSTIN CAN LEAD THE WAY.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CRYSTAL MAR CRYSTAL.
MY NAME'S CRYSTAL AND I'M CALLING IN SUPPORTIVE ITEMS, 31 AND 32.
I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN DSA AND A DISTRICT TWO RESIDENT.
I'M ALSO A PROUD MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN SERVICES DURING HAVE BEEN FOR CLOSE TO 12 YEARS.
AND I'M SURE AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY UNSTABLE INDUSTRY, WHICH WILL LEAD TO, IF I HAVE ONE BAD MONTH, I COULD POSSIBLY BE UNHOUSED IN 2020.
I WATCHED EVERY SINGLE LEVEL OF THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING CITY COUNCIL ABANDONED MY INDUSTRY.
I ALSO WATCHED MANY OF MY COMRADES BECOME UNHOUSED FOR ALL THAT LACK OF SUPPORT SOME TODAY, STILL LIVING IN THEIR VEHICLES AND SOME HAVE ANY DON'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH FUNDS TO GET A VEHICLE PROVIDING HOUSING THROUGH THESE HOTEL PURCHASES WILL ALLOW MY FULL AND COMRADES TO REMAIN SAFE WHILE THEY GET BACK TO THEIR FATE AND USING THESE FUNDS REALLOCATED FROM APD IS THE PERFECT USE OF THIS MONEY GROUPS LIKE SAVE OFTEN NOW HAS SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS LYING TO OUR COMMUNITY TO DEHUMANIZE OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS BEGINNING HOW CLOSE MANY OF US ARE TO BEING IN THIS SITUATION.
I URGE CITY COUNCIL TO PASS THIS RIGHT, THESE RESOLUTIONS TODAY BECAUSE DELAYING THE VOTE BECAUSE MEMBER COUNT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, MACKENZIE KELLY, DIDN'T DO THEIR HOMEWORK IS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AND CONTINUES TO PLAY POLITICS WHILE OF COMMUNITY OUT WELL AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS SUFFER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
HI, MY NAME IS CHRIS HANSON AND I'M A MEMBER OF DSA AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE CALLING INTO SUPPORT ITEMS 31 AND 32.
BUT A FEW YEARS AGO, I LIVED IN A HOUSE, A BLOCK AWAY FROM A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING COMMUNITY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN AUSTIN SEEM TO FEAR LIVING ALONGSIDE SUCH COMMUNITIES.
SO I WANTED TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW EASILY WE CAN SHARE NEIGHBORHOODS.
EVERY DAY, I WAITED AT THE BUS STOP WITH THE RESIDENTS, SHARED SIDEWALKS, CONVENIENCE STORES, AND BUS BENCHES WITH THEM AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENED.
STUDIES, INCLUDING FROM HUD SHOWS THAT THERE'S NO DATA TO BACK UP CLAIMS THAT SHELTERS CAUSE A SPIKE IN CRIME IN THE SURROUNDING AREA COUNCIL MEMBER, KELLY, YOU'VE DELAYED THIS BOAT TO GET COMMUNITY INPUT, BUT I THINK HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF INPUT YOU'RE GOING TO GET.
THERE'S AN ATTEMPT IN AUSTIN TO CREATE HOUSING.
I APPRECIATE THE STEPS THAT COUNTY COUNCIL HAS TAKEN SO FAR TO CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS AND REALLOCATING FUNDS FROM APD TO FUND PROJECTS.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE HOTEL AND YOUR DISTRICT.
AND I URGE THE REST OF COUNCIL TO CONTINUE TO RESPOND WITH COMPASSION AND NOT WITH CRUELTY TO THIS CRISIS AND TO VOTE YES.
MR. RIVERA, ARE YOU THERE? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE.
IT'S LIKE A STATE OF MY NAME IS RUBIN RIVER
I DO AGREE WITH BOTH ITEMS, EVEN THOUGH I SAW THE NEWS THIS MORNING, LAST NIGHT, THE RECORDED THERE.
I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RESIDENTS THAT SURROUNDED AROUND THE WHOLE TOTAL PURCHASE.
AND I'M JUST HOPING THAT, UH, THAT WE HAVE SOME, SOME KIND OF A MINIATURE POLICE STATION THERE FOR THE SECURITY, FOR THE SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS AROUND THOSE WHOLE TOW PURCHASES.
I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU, CONLEY.
THIS IS, UH, JOHN PAULO CONNOLLY ON, I WORK WITH THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION ON OUR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM.
AND I'M JUST CALLING IN TODAY TO SAY THAT I SUPPORT ITEMS 31 AND 32.
UH, WE BADLY NEED TO INCREASE THE CITY'S SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS.
THIS IS A CLEAR OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
AND SO WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IT A LONG TIME AGO.
WE DON'T NEED A STALL FOR MORE TIME AND WE DO NOT NEED TO SPINELESSLY APPEASE THE EXCLUSIONARY SENTIMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY IN THE
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CITY.UM, WE NEED TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO OUR MOTIVATIONS AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WE CAN'T JUST TRY TO HIDE THE PROBLEM.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT NEW HOUSING WE PROVIDE ALLOWS FOR DIGNITY AND AUTONOMY AND ACCESS TO TRANSIT AND RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
SO YES, WE NEED TO PURCHASE THE HOTELS.
THE HOTELS CAN NOT BE SEEN AS A WAY TO DISAPPEAR THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE TO BE SEEN AS ONE IMPORTANT PIECE OF A MUCH LARGER PUZZLE THAT IS MOVING US TOWARDS THE BIGGER PICTURE OF CREATING A SOCIETY WHERE WE DON'T TREAT PEOPLE AS DISPOSABLE TRASH.
SO LET'S NOT POSTPONE ANY LONGER.
HI, I'M AMBER MILKS FROM DISTRICT THREE.
I'M THE NEW TEXAS AUSTIN ADVOCACY ORGANIZER.
OUR WORK IS CENTERED AROUND BUILDING POLITICAL POWER AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN TEXAS.
OUR ORGANIZERS STOOD IN SOLIDARITY FOR BLACK LIVES ACROSS THE STATE.
WE WERE INVOLVED IN DIVEST INVEST CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER CITIES, BUT INTEND TO HAVE A PRESENCE IN AUSTIN AS WELL.
THERE'S A COMMON ARGUMENT THAT DEFUNDING THE POLICE MEANS THAT CRIME WILL INCREASE.
HOWEVER, POVERTY, POVERTY OFTEN DRIVES WHAT WE KNOW AS CRIME AND CRIME IS CONSTRUCTED BY FAILING TO SEE THE CLAUSES AND ONLY TREATING THE SYMPTOMS. THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE.
PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS MORE THAN JUST COPS.
IT MEANS A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD, FOOD SECURITY, YOUTH PROGRAMS, ET CETERA.
AND OFTEN THERE ARE MORE THAN 1600 YOUTH EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS.
SOME OF WHICH I'M SURE ARE UT STUDENTS WHO WE WORK WITH THAT MOVE.
IT IS TIME THAT WE REIMAGINE AND EXPAND PUBLIC SAFETY BY SUPPORTING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AS FAR AS INITIATIVE BY PURCHASING THESE TWO HOTELS FOR YOUNG, FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY, YOU WERE TAKING THE RIGHT STEP.
I ARGUED ABOUT YES, ON THIS INITIATIVE TODAY.
UM, I'M CALLING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF, UH, USING FUNDS TO HELP HOUSE PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOUSELESSNESS.
UM, I THINK THAT THIS IS A GOOD STEP, BUT I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE A POPULATION OF OVER 2000 PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED IN OUR CITY, WHICH GROWS EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THAT WE CANNOT OFFER CRUMBS.
IF WE CAN GET $12 MILLION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMESENSE HOMELAND SECURITY FOR THE RIVERSIDE TOGETHERNESS PROJECT, WHICH HAS LED TO THE MURDER OF MIKE RAMOS AND OF ALEX GONZALEZ, JR.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MORE FUNDING TO DO MORE THAN JUST PROVIDE HOUSING FOR 150 PEOPLE AT A TIME.
WHENEVER THERE'S 2000 PEOPLE WHO DESPERATELY NEED HOUSING.
WE ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THE LOCATION, UM, OF THESE HOTELS IS TAKING PEOPLE OUT OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THE FRIENDS THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY'VE MADE ON THE STREET WITH THE, WITH THE LOCATIONS, THE RESTAURANTS AND PLACES THAT KNOW THEM.
UM, SO WE WANTED TO, UM, SUGGEST THAT, UH, INSTEAD OF, UH, TAKING EVERYBODY, UM, WE WANT TO HAVE, UH, UH, VOUCHERS THAT ARE GIVEN TO GET ACCESS TO HOTEL ROOMS, UM, FOR THE PEOPLE.
AND WE DON'T WANT ANY COPS AT THE HOTEL BECAUSE IT'S A REFLECTION OF THE CARCERAL STATE.
UM, AND THESE PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED ENOUGH POLICE VIOLENCE LIVING ON OUR STREETS.
I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT FOUR AND ALSO A PROUD MEMBER OF THE DSA.
UH, AND I'M THINKING, I'M THINKING IN FAVOR OF THE SWIFT PASSAGE OF ITEMS, 31 AND 32 IN REGARDS TO THE INHUMANE HOUSING CRISIS, WE ARE CURRENTLY FACED WITH A CHOICE, GO BACK TO BE THE SHAMEFUL.
IT SOUNDS TO REINSTATE THE CAMPING BAN FROM SAVE AUSTIN NOW AND COUNCIL MEMBER, MACKENZIE KELLY.
THIS WILL ONCE AGAIN, LEAD TO UNNECESSARY SUFFERING AND DEATH, OR WE CAN TRULY BECAME THE HARD WORK OF SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF NOT JUST HOUSING, BUT IF THE CURRENT HEALTH CRISIS, WE ALSO FIND OURSELVES IN BECAUSE RIGHT NOW TODAY, PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY DYING IN THE STREETS.
PURCHASING IS PURCHASING THESE HOTELS AS A STEP TOWARDS THE SECOND CHOICE AND A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
AND IT'S ALSO A STEP THAT LINES UP VERY NICELY WITH AUSTIN'S CURRENT PLANS OF SOLVING HOMELESSNESS.
I AM YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS TO NOT ONLY MAKE THE MORAL AND COMPASSIONATE CHOICE, BUT ALSO THE LOGISTICAL AND PRACTICAL CHOICE.
AND AGAIN, TO SWIFTLY ITEM 31 AND 32.
I AM A RESIDENT OF CIRCLE C IN SOUTHWEST AUSTIN AND A CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT.
I TESTIFIED TODAY IN SUPPORTIVE ITEMS, 31 AND 32.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE WITHOUT ANY DELAYS.
I BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY WAY FOR A PERSON TO RECOVER FROM HOMELESSNESS IS
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THROUGH HOUSING.ONCE IN HOUSING, A PERSON WITH SUPPORT CAN WORK TOWARDS LONG-TERM STABILITY.
PLEASE ALLOW ME TO SHARE MY STORY AND EXPERIENCE AS TO WHY I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN THE PURCHASE OF THESE HOTELS.
I VOLUNTEER MANY DAYS A WEEK HELPING OUR HOMELESS COMMUNITY.
LAST SUMMER, I MET A YOUNG, DISABLED HOMELESS MAN.
AFTER ANOTHER ADVOCATE ASKED ME TO TAKE HIM THROUGH TO PRO LODGE.
HE HAD JUST GOTTEN OUT OF A THREE WEEK HOSPITAL, STAY FOR COVID.
IT BEGAN WITH ME JUST TAKING HIM FOOD, BUT I STARTED ASKING HIM QUESTIONS IN DEVELOPING A FRIENDSHIP.
DID HE HAVE A CASEWORKER? WHAT OBSTACLES WERE IN HIS WAY TO GETTING HOUSING? SURELY A PERSON WITH THE SEVERITY OF HIS DISABILITY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR HOUSING.
I THOUGHT HE QUICKLY LOST HIS ROOM AT PRO LODGE.
HE FOUND HIMSELF BEING EXPLOITED AND STOLEN FROM ON THE STREET.
HE KEPT TRYING TO DO WHAT HIS CASEWORKER WANTED, BUT IT WAS ALL JUST IMPOSSIBLE WHILE BEING HOMELESS, PENNILESS, AND IN A WHEELCHAIR.
BY THE END OF DECEMBER, HE WAS IN SUCH A STATE OF DESPAIR THAT HE PLEADED WITH ME TO FIND HIM ANYWHERE TO GO.
I HAD ALREADY BEEN TRYING THE SALVATION ARMY AND ALL OTHER RESOURCES.
I COULD FIND AN AUSTIN TO NO AVAIL.
I ACTUALLY HAD SHELTERS TELLING ME THAT THEY WEREN'T ADA COMPATIBLE.
I OFFERED HIM A PROGRAM IN HOUSTON THAT WOULD PROVIDE HIM WITH A ROOM AND A RECOVERY PROGRAM.
HE IMMEDIATELY ACCEPTED AND WE DROVE TO HOUSTON THE SAME DAY SINCE BEING THERE, THE STABILITY HAS ALLOWED HIM AND I TO SOLVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS, CLOTHING, FOOD, EMERGENCY SURGERY, PAIN MANAGEMENT, FIRST CERTIFICATE REPLACEMENT, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD REPLACEMENT, TEXAS STATE ID REPLACEMENT, SNAP REPLACEMENT, BANKING ISSUES, MEDICAL SAVINGS PLAN, APPLICATION, MEDICAID APPLICATION, AND BEST OF ALL, AN APPOINTMENT TO APPLY FOR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING.
THIS FRIDAY LET'S BLISS IS NOT INCLUSIVE AND WE ARE STILL MAKING PROGRESS IN OTHER AREAS, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY OBSTACLES THAT HAVE BEEN SOLVED OR ADDRESSED BY THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE IS SAFE OFF THE STREETS WITH AN ADDRESS.
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING HOTEL ROOMS, THE CITY'S PROGRAM MUST INCLUDE CELL PHONES, SOCIAL WORKERS ON SITE, AND THE ADDITION OF A CLOSE BY STOCK PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES MUST BE ABLE TO EASILY GET TO THE BUS STOP.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE QUICKLY AND WITHOUT DELAYS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ITEMS 31 AND 32.
HI, MY NAME IS CARRIE
I'M OBVIOUSLY IN FAVOR OF USING THESE HOTELS AS HOUSING, WE ARE AT A POINT OF CRISIS WHERE ANY SOLUTION THAT GETS PEOPLE INTO SAFE HOUSING IS A GOOD SOLUTION.
HOWEVER, THIS SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A BARGAINING CHIP FOR THE CRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESSNESS.
THAT IN ANY FORM IS A VILE AND SELFISH ACTION.
AND THE ONLY BENEFIT IS THAT THE WEALTHY LEADERS IN AUSTIN CAN AVOID A DAILY REMINDER OF HOW THEY REPEATEDLY FAILED THEIR COMMUNITY.
THE PROBLEM IS NOT HOMELESS PEOPLE.
THEY'RE ONLY A SYMPTOM OF THE SELFISHNESS AND CORRUPTION IN OUR SYSTEM.
THAT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BENEFIT THE WEALTHY AND KEEP THE LESS FORTUNATE DOWN I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE WAYS IN WHICH OUR STATE GOVERNMENT HEMORRHAGES MONEY IN THE NAME OF PROVIDING SUBPAR SOLUTIONS TO OUR CRISIS.
FOR EXAMPLE, I KNOW THAT A HEALTHY HOT MEAL CAN BE PROVIDED IN A COMPOSTABLE BOX FOR LESS THAN $3 PER PERSON.
FOR SOME REASON, THE STATE MONEY TO PROVIDE PLASTIC WRAPPED CRACKERS AND JUICE BOXES AND MOVE MEALS.
$16.2 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY AND IT COULD GO A LONG WAY AND PROVIDING JOBS TO LOCAL BUILDERS TO BUILD HOMES AND HOUSING STRUCTURES THAT WOULD HAVE EVEN MORE PEOPLE MORE EFFICIENTLY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND I LIVE NEAR ONE OF THE HOTELS POTENTIALLY BEING PURCHASED.
UH, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT IN FAVOR OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNSELING PURCHASING THE TWO HOTELS TO TURN INTO PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
NO ONE SHOULD BE HOMELESS IN A JUSTICE SIDE.
WELL, HOMELESSNESS IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM.
IT'LL GIVE THEM IT WILL GIVE THEM A SPACE TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET SO THEY CAN BUILD THE LIFE THEY WANT.
I ENCOURAGE COUNCILMAN BOOK, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL TO VOTE, TO PURCHASE THE HOTELS AND CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE OXTON.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TIME TRAVIS WARD.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN DEMOCRATIC
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SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA.I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT FOR AGENDA ITEMS, 31 AND 32 REGARDING THE HOTELS AND HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO USE THE FREED FUNDS FROM THE BUDGET TO ACTUALLY HELP OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, AS WE ALL KNOW, POLICING DOES NOT HELP THE HOMELESS.
I BELIEVE THAT HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT, AND THIS IS ONE STEP TOWARDS REALIZING THAT IN AUSTIN.
UH, I DID WANT TO KNOW THAT, UM, THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T TURN THESE PLACES INTO MANY PRISONS.
UH, WE NEED TO HAVE A VERY SMALL IF NO POLICE FOOTPRINT, UM, PUTTING A HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE IN THESE COMPLETELY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF DECRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS.
UM, ALSO WANTED TO STAY IF THIS IS DELAYED TO VOTE UNTIL NEXT WEEK, I WILL.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? OH, THANK YOU.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF AURA, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ITEMS, 31 AND 32, AND THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE PASSED THAT DELAY, THE SIMPLEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IS BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE TO HOUSE PEOPLE.
IF YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO HAVE STABLE EMPLOYMENT, THEY NEED AN ADDRESS TO PUT DOWN.
IF YOU WANT TO HELP THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, TO HAVE A REAL CHANCE OF GETTING TREATMENT, THEY NEED TO HAVE A SAFE AND STABLE PLACE TO RECOVER.
AND HE WANTS TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF THE CORONA VIRUS.
PEOPLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GO TO A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN SELF ISOLATE IF HE WANTS TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEN HOW PEOPLE SAID THERE ARE FEWER TIMES THAT THE POLICE WILL BE CALLED OUT TO CHECK ON OUR CITIZENS WHO HAVE TO LIVE OUTSIDE.
THERE ARE MYRIAD REASONS WHY ACQUIRING THESE PROPERTIES AND USING THEM TO HOUSE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS THE BEST USE OF OUR RESOURCES.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT IS THE MORALLY RIGHT THING TO DO.
IT'S JUST THAT OUR CITY CAN DO MORE THAN PRONOUNCED VALUES AND INCLUSION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE BY ACTING ON THEM THAT WE EMBRACE THE MOST MARGINALIZED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
NOT AS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE HIDDEN OR BETTER POLICED.
BUT IF PEOPLE WHO HAVE WHO WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO HELP, BECAUSE WE HAVE CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WITH FEWER AND FEWER WAYS FOR THEM TO LIVE.
OTHERWISE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THESE PROPERTIES WILL HAVE ACCESS TO JOBS, PROGRAMS, HEALTHCARE, AND ARE TRANSIT CONNECTED.
AND IT'S A GREAT WAY TO HELP PEOPLE TRANSITION RESIDENTS TO PERMANENT STABLE HOMES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING.
I'M A 12 YEAR OLD DISTRICT NINE.
I WANT TO THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER QATAR FOR BEING A CHAMPION ON THIS ISSUE.
AND I'M HERE TO ASK COUNCIL TO VOTE FOR ITEMS 31 AND 32 AS ELECTED OFFICIALS.
UH, I BELIEVE IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS BODY, UH, TO HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, WE SHOULD STRIVE TO BE A JUSTICE SOCIETY, A COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY, AND A CARING SOCIETY.
SO, UH, I CALL IT ALL OF YOU GUYS, UH, ESPECIALLY COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO IS MY CITY COUNCIL WOMAN.
UH, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND VOTE FOR ITEMS 31 AND 32.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND I'VE WORKED IN DISTRICT SIX FOR YEARS.
I'M CALLING FOR, UM, TO PASS RIGHT NOW TODAY, UH, ITEMS 31 AND 32.
I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES IN NEW YORK CITY, DENVER, VIRGINIA, AND WASHINGTON, DC.
THAT SHOW THAT CRIME DOES NOT STATISTICALLY GO UP AROUND PERMANENT HOUSING AREAS.
THAT IS JUST A VICIOUS LIE THAT IT'S BEEN PERPETUATED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID.
AND DON'T SEE ON HOW PEOPLE AS PEOPLE IN AUSTIN, WE HAVE FAMILIES.
WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE HOMELESS.
WE HAVE THE DISABLED, THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT DANGEROUS AND THEY DESERVE A PERMANENT HOUSING, NOT SHELTERS, NOT TRANSITIONAL, BUT A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN SET UP ROOTS AND HAVE TIME TO GET BETTER AT OTHER THINGS.
PSYCHOLOGY SHOWS US THAT MASSIVE BOB'S TRIANGLE THAT WE, THEY NEED SHELTER AND FOOD FIRST, NOT TO GET ALL THESE HIGHER LEVEL YOUR GENERATIONS BEHIND IN GETTING HOUSING.
I'M A SOCIAL WORK EDUCATOR, THE DISTRICT 10 RESIDENT, AND I'VE BEEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEMS, 31
[04:05:01]
AND 32.OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFER WHEN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE THE RESOURCES TO SUCCEED AND HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.
ESPECIALLY IN AUSTIN, WHERE IT'S BEING GENTRIFIED OVER POLICING DOES NOT DO ANY BENEFIT FOR OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.
CRIMINALIZATION FURTHER DETRIMENTS THEM IN A NEVER ENDING CYCLE THAT THIS WAY ANYONE CAN BE ONE STEP AWAY FROM EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
BY IMPLEMENTING THE HOUSING FIRST MODEL, IT GIVES A SENSE OF SECURITY.
ONCE BASIC NEEDS ARE MET, MORE COMPLEX NEEDS CAN BE FOCUSED ON SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AND JOB SECURITY SECURING YOU THAT INTO HOTEL INFRASTRUCTURES.
AS A START OF BY IMPLEMENTING THESE ARE IN THE HOUSE.
SELF-SUFFICIENCY I WORK WITH MANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SERVING INDIVIDUALS, EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND THEY DESERVE THE BASIC NEEDS THAT WE OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED FOLLOWING HOUSING.
WE NEED WRAPAROUND SERVICES SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH CARE SO THAT COMMUNITY LEVERAGE CAUSE THEY HELP.
WE NEED THESE HOTELS TO BE CONVENIENTLY PLACED WHERE HOMELESSNESS HAS BENT THE ELIMINATING.
THE BARRIER OF TRANSPORTATION MEANS THAT HE COUNCIL DO THE RIGHT THING AND HELP OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS REACH A LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY.
MY NAME IS RYAN POLLOCK AND I COME TO YOU TODAY AS A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA, A DELEGATE TO THE AUSTIN CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL, A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT AND A 14 YEAR OFF TONIGHT.
I'M ALSO SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY AS A HUMAN BEING WHO HAS HAD ENOUGH WITH WATCHING MY FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS, NEEDLESSLY LANGUISH ON THE STREETS.
WE HAD THE RESOURCES TO HOUSE THESE PEOPLE YET TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE'RE HELD UP BY BAD FAITH ACTORS WHO FEIGNED CONCERN FOR THE UNHOUSED WHEN THE REALITY IS THAT THEY SIMPLY DON'T WANT TO SPEND THEIR OWN RESOURCES AND EXTEND EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF COMPASSION.
COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY'S CALL TO CONSULT LOCAL BUSINESSES IS NOTHING BUT NAKED CONCERN, TROLLING, AND AN ATTEMPT TO TABLE.
THE HOUSING OF THE UNHOUSED INDEFINITELY.
NIMBYISM GETTING IN THE WAY OF HELPING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS.
NONE OF US, NONE OF US WANT PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS, BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO TRULY PERMANENTLY SOLVE THE ISSUE.
AND THAT'S TO PERMANENTLY PROVIDE THESE PEOPLE WITH UNCONDITIONAL HOUSING.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF PURCHASING THESE HOTELS AND NOT TO DELAY RELIEF FOR UNHOUSED RESIDENTS ANY LONGER.
HI, MY NAME IS MADELINE DETLEF.
UH, I'D LIKE TO THINK THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR TIME.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA.
I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32 TODAY.
UH, SIMPLY BECAUSE THE MINIMUM WAGE IS SEVEN 25 AN HOUR.
THE AVERAGE RENT IS ABOUT 1400 A MONTH, MORE THAN A FULL-TIME, UM, MONTH ON MINIMUM WAGE WORK.
I'M SURE MS. KELLY HAS PLENTY OF REASONS WHY WORK OR WHY THE CITY OF BOSTON CAN'T DIRECTLY INTERVENE TO MAKE THAT MATH ADD UP RIGHT NOW.
UH, SO THE POVERTY IS BAKED INTO THE SYSTEM AND UNTIL THAT CHANGES, ALL OF US WILL BE SURROUNDED BY IT.
IT'S A FARCE THAT WE CAN FIND SOME PERFECT ISOLATED LOCATION TO SO HOMELESS PEOPLE AWAY.
LET'S BUY THESE HOTELS, DO THE RIGHT THING.
I'M DONE PICK HOUSING FROM THE RICH ANA STEWART.
MY NAME IS ANNA STEWART AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AS WELL AS HOMES, NOT HANDCUFF ABOUT THE SEATS IN STREET FORUM.
I SUPPORT PURCHASING BOTH HOTELS IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT THIS PONANT, I'M CONFUSED BY MACKENZIE KELLY'S CALL TO POSTPONE THE VOTE FOR THE HOTEL AND HER DISTRICT.
AS SHE JUST RECENTLY SAID ON HER TWITTER, I DON'T FEEL ANYBODY IN AUSTIN WANTS TO SEE OUR NEIGHBORS WHO EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THE CONDITIONS THEY'RE IN.
UH, IT STANDS TO REASON THEN THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS WOULD WANT TO SEE PEOPLE HOUSED AS WELL.
OR IS IT THAT YOU WANT THE PROBLEMS TO GO AWAY, BUT NOT SHOULDER ANY OF THE WEIGHT OF IT IN YOUR DISTRICT? I WANT TO ADD THAT, UM, HOTELS ARE A TRANSITORY SOLUTION FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE IN AUSTIN AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS AN EXCUSE IN ANY WAY TO RE CRIMINALIZE BEING HOMELESS.
MOST HOTEL ROOMS DO NOT HAVE KITCHENS AND ARE NOT A SOLUTION FROM A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE HOUSING.
WE DON'T WANT POLICE PRESENCE AT THE HOTELS.
AS WE'VE SEEN WITH COVID LODGING SENSEI HAS BEEN ERECTED
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IN SEVERAL PLACE ON SITE 24 SEVEN, MAKING PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY'RE INCARCERATED THERE.WE ALSO DEMAND TO STOP THE INHUMANE SWEEP INSTEAD OF SPENDING MONEY ON REMOVING THE BELONGINGS OF UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS AND FORCING THEM TO UNNECESSARY EXPOSURE DURING A PANDEMIC, ADEQUATE PARTICIPATION, KATIE TRACKER.
I AM KATIE CALLING FROM DISTRICT NINE AND I DEFINITELY SUPPORT PASSING ITEM 31 AND 32, BUT HERE'S THE THING.
AND IT'S NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
WE CAN NOT STUCK PEOPLE INTO HOTELS AND THINK WE ARE FINISHED OUT OF SIGHT.
AND OUT OF MY IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE PLAN FOR HUMAN LIFE.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU PLAN TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THESE PEOPLE.
STAYING IN THE HOTELS, INCLUDING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE.
HOW DO YOU PLAN ON TRANSITIONING THEM TO PERMANENT HOUSING WHILE YOU'RE AT IT? STOP ASLEEP.
THERE'S VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THEM RIPPING DOWN TENTS AND POURING OUT THEIR WATER.
WHAT GOOD DOES THAT DO INSTEAD OF WASTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON DESTROYING THE BELONGINGS, COMPASSIONATE PROGRAMS SHOULD BE FUNDED TO ADDRESS THE INEQUALITIES PRESENT IN THE CITY THAT CAUSED HOMELESSNESS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I CHALLENGED COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY MEMBER KELLY TO GET TO KNOW SOME OF HER UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, ONES THAT LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICT, NOT FOR A PRESS OFFICE, BUT FOR YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, BRING THEM A MEAL AND ASK WHAT THEY NEED.
TRY HARDER TO MEET US WHERE WE LIVE AND MEET US WITH LOVE DECENCY, HUMANITY, AND RESPECT.
I'M CALLING REPRESENTING THE MANAGEMENT OF, UH, TEN EIGHT HUNDRED COMPARABLE LAVARD AND THE DISTRICT SIX AND OUR HEARTS BREAK FOR THOSE THAT ARE WITHOUT HOMES AND LIVING ON THE STREETS OF AUSTIN.
WE ACKNOWLEDGED THIS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
THE CITY NEEDS TO FIND A WAY TO APPROPRIATELY HOUSE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THESE PEOPLE.
WITH THE EMPHASIS BEING ON PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THESE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, THE COMMUNITY IS NOT BEEN APPROPRIATELY EDUCATED IS AS FAR AS HOW THEY'LL BE HOUSED AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT TO THEM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A WHOLEHEARTED SOLUTION AND HELP THESE PEOPLE.
THE CITY NEEDS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE APPROPRIATELY THERE'S APPROPRIATE SAFETY SUPPORT, AS WELL AS BUY-IN MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED.
HOW WOULD ASSESSABILITY BE OPERATED? WHAT SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED, WILL FOOD BE PROVIDED? MOST HOTELS DON'T HAVE KITCHEN.
HOW WILL THEY TRANSITION, UH, OCCUPANTS TO PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS AS THE DISTANCE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AS WELL AS THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN CONSIDERED CONSIDERED FOR THIS LOCATION.
AS THE DISTANCE FROM PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BEEN CONSIDERED AS WELL.
WE WANT TO FOCUS ON PROVIDING A WHOLEHEARTED SOLUTION AND THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN.
WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED MANY QUESTIONS FROM OUR TENANTS WHO HAVE VERY SIMILAR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GREAT EXAMPLES.
HI, ALL CAPS, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
MY NAME IS KYLE KEPES AND I AM A 25 YEAR, UH, AUSTIN METRO RESIDENT, AND A CURRENT RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX REGARDING ITEM 31 AND 32.
I AM IN FAVOR OF THE IMMEDIATE PASSAGE, UH, CONCERNING DEVELOPING HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
I BELIEVE THE TIME TO MOVE FORWARD IS ALWAYS NOW.
WE WELCOMED THIS DEVELOPMENT IN MY DISTRICT AS TO CONCERNS.
I'VE HEARD SOME VOICE ABOUT THE FUNDING ALLOCATION PER PERSON FOR HOMELESSNESS.
THE COST IS NOT ACTUALLY ALL THAT MUCH, CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF A ONE-TIME DEVELOPMENT COSTS INCLUDED.
UM, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX AS WELL, AND I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR ITEMS 31 AND 32.
UM, I'D ALSO LIKE TO STATE THAT I AM OPPOSED TO ANY EFFORTS TO CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS BY REINSTITUTING, A CAMPING BAN.
UM, I'M TALKING TO YOU MAYOR AND MY DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, ADDITIONALLY GO AHEAD AND FIRE CHIEF MANLEY, THANKS HAVEN TRAN HAVEN, TRAN PRESTON MANIS.
[04:15:02]
MY NAME IS PRESTON MENACE.I AM A MEMBER OF THE DSA AND A 15 YEAR RESIDENT AT DISTRICT SIX, CALLING AND SUPPORTIVE 31 AND 32.
I BELIEVE THE COUNCIL SHOULD VOTE IN FAVOR OF THESE ITEMS. AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE COUNCIL IS SPEAKING ABOUT THOSE WANTING TO VOTE.
UNTIL RECENTLY I LIVED AT LAKELINE EAST APARTMENT COMPLEX, NEAR LAKELINE MALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE CANDLEWOOD SUITES HOTEL OFF OF PECAN PARK BOULEVARD.
MY EMPLOYER'S CURRENT OFFICE SPACE OFF OF PINE MEADOW DRIVE IS ALSO WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THIS HOTEL.
THERE ARE SEVERAL HOMELESS CAMPS NEARBY, INCLUDING SOME RIGHT OFF OF PECAN PARK BOULEVARD.
SO I THINK THAT THIS LOCATION IS PERFECT FOR HELPING THE HOMELESS, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DIRECTLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY IT.
I THINK THAT A COMMUNITY CENTERED HOUSING FIRST APPROACH IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO TACKLE HOMELESSNESS.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A GOOD USE OF CITY FUNDS AND WHY I'M SKEPTICAL OF THE APPROACH AT HAND, HAVING PRIVATE ENTITIES MANAGE THE PROPERTY.
I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN NOTHING MORE EFFECTIVE THAN CRIMINALIZING THE HOMELESS OR THE CAMPING BAN MORE EFFECTIVE THAN SEGREGATING THE HOMELESS INTO SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL, SANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS, AND MORE EFFECTIVE THAN RELYING ON APD TO POLICE THE SYMPTOMS, THE HOMELESS PARTICULAR CONCERNS.
PLEASE THROW SOME FAVORITE ITEMS. 31 AND 32.
MY NAME IS AMANDA CABASA WEEMS. I AM A 28 YEAR AUSTIN RESIDENT, MY WHOLE LIFE, AND I'M A CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT.
WHY I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF URGENTLY PASSING ITEM 31 AND 32.
I'M SURE MANY OF YOU ALL WOULD LOVE TO REFRAME TODAY'S DEBATE, BUT LET'S BE CLEAR.
COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY CAMPAIGN ON RE CRIMINALIZING OUR AS NEIGHBORS.
SO ANY CLAIMS THAT SHE HAS MORE TIME TO TALK TO HER CONSTITUENTS ON THIS ISSUE ARE DISINGENUOUS AT BEST TO THE REST OF COUNCIL.
WE ARE WATCHING YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR PARTNERSHIPS ON THIS ISSUE, AND WE EXPECT YOU TO HONOR THE OVERWHELMING COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR POOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE AUSTINITES.
MY NAME IS HAVENS, RIGHT? MY NAME IS HAVEN TREY HAN, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE AND I'M CALLING IN FULL SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32.
I THINK THE ONLY WAY TO HELP END THE HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM IS TO GIVE PEOPLE HOUSING.
FURTHERMORE, I DO NOT THINK I LIKED THE IDEA OF THE HOTELS, BUT I THINK THESE ARE TOO FAR AWAY.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES OUT AWAY FROM THEIR RESOURCES.
AND I THINK MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE CLOSER TO THE CITY CENTER.
AND I LIKED THE IDEA OF REALLOCATING THE FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO PUT THOSE FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN REALLOCATED OVER THE SUMMER.
AND I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THAT DONE.
AND WE'D LIKE TO FIRST, THOSE THAT ARE STILL OPPOSED THIS TO RECONSIDER AND KINDNESS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, FRANK NASHER.
I AM A MEMBER OF DISTRICT ONE AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA AND STREET FORUM.
AND I AM CALLING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32.
JUST WANT TO GIVE A QUICK HISTORY LESSON.
UH, TWO WEEKS AGO, UH, THE POLICE, THEY CAME OUT, THE POLICE TRAINING INDICATED THAT POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD HARASS PEOPLE WHO ARE CAMPING IN ORDER TO GET, UH, QUICK CITATIONS.
SO WE DO NOT NEED POLICING AT THESE HOTELS.
I ALSO WANT TO GIVE IT ANOTHER QUICK HISTORY LESSON.
UH, KENZIE KELLY HAS BEEN CAMPAIGNING ON THIS ISSUE FOR MONTHS AND DOES NOT NEED TO TALK TO HER CONSTITUENTS ANYMORE.
UH, IN ADDITION, UH, PLENTY OF DISTRICT SIX PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CALLING INTO THIS SPECIFIC MEETING.
SO WE DO NOT NEED TO DELAY THIS VOTE ANY FURTHER.
AND FINALLY WE, UH, REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIFICALLY TO FUND HOUSING IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS.
AND THIS IS A PROMISE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MADE TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
LINDSAY LAGRANGE, HELLO, DISTRICT THREE HERE I WORK IN HOMELESSNESS FOR THE TEXAS BALANCE OF STATE COC, AND I WANTED TO OFFER MY SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32 WITHOUT DELAY.
I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE COUNCIL MEMBER WHO RAN ON OPPOSING PUBLIC CAMPING IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO POSTPONE PERMANENT HOUSING.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE PUBLIC CAMPERS AND YOU HAVE TO HOUSE THEM ONLY A MONSTER WOULD OPPOSE BOTH.
AND I'M HOPING THAT'S NOT THE COUNCIL MEMBER YOU CHOOSE TO BE COUNCIL.
THERE IS A TON OF DATA THAT SUGGESTS
[04:20:01]
NO LINK BETWEEN HIGHER THAN AVERAGE CRIME.AND PSH, PLEASE DISREGARD THE FEAR-MONGERING FROM CALLERS WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT PSH IS.
ALSO SWEEPING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND TO SANCTION.
CAMPGROUNDS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
THE CDC RECOMMENDS AGAINST A BIG SANCTION CAMPGROUND BECAUSE THEY BECOME HOTSPOTS FOR COVID.
AND IT'S ALARMING THAT SO MANY OF YOU WANT TO SPEND OUR LIMITED RESOURCES ON THIS INSTEAD OF KAYLA, BUT TODD, HI, MY NAME'S CALEB TODD.
I'VE WORKED DIRECTLY WITH PEOPLE IN CAMPS, WRITING, UM, ADVOCACY, SUPPLIES AND FOOD FOR EIGHT MONTHS.
I'M HERE CALLING IN SUPPORT OF 31 ITEMS, 31 32 BEING TASKED IMMEDIATELY NOT DELAYED.
THE NEED FOR HOUSING IS A CRISIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
NIGHT'S BEEN AWARE OF IT FOR A LONG TIME.
I'LL ASK NAN, SHE'S KNOWN THAT THIS NEEDS ACTION FOR A LONG TIME.
THERE'S NO NEED TO DELAY IT FOR A WEEK AND TALK ABOUT IT.
IF YOUR FAMILY MEMBER WAS OUT OF A HOME, YOUR FIRST PRIORITY WOULD BE GETTING THEM UNDER A ROOF IMMEDIATELY.
THEN YOU'D FIGURE THE REST OUT.
YOU WOULDN'T DELAY FOR A FEW WEEKS TO DISCUSS.
UM, THERE ARE OLD FOLKS THERE WHO CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT THEMSELVES.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, PEOPLE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT AND MANY WOMEN ARE FLEEING ABUSIVE SITUATIONS.
UM, THE REAL ISSUE IS THE THREAT OF CRIME AGAINST THEM BECAUSE THERE'S A LACK OF PHYSICAL SAFETY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND POLICE LARGELY TARGETED THEM.
UM, YEAH, SO FIRST I THINK, UM, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE ON
SO LET'S TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO THINK ABOUT THAT AND FEEL THAT OKAY.
UH, SO YEAH, I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32.
IT IS A REALLY GOOD FIRST STEP.
AND UH, YEAH, I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
HI, I'M CHELSEA LUIS FROM DISTRICT NINE.
I'M TESTIFYING IN FAVOR OF ITEMS, 31 AND 32.
OFTEN RESIDENTS SPOKE LOUDLY AND CLEARLY IN FAVOR OF DIVERTING FUNDS FROM APD TO REINVEST INTO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH, HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
TODAY COVID CASES CONTINUE TO BREAK RECORDS AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS HAVE NO SHELTER IN WHICH TO SHELTER IN PLACE.
MEANWHILE, COUNCILWOMAN KELLY JOINED THE TRAVIS COUNTY GOP CHAIR IN LYING TO RESIDENTS FOR PETITION SIGNATURES TO CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS, TO THE DETRIMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THE FUNDING APD WAS NEVER AN END GOAL.
IT WAS STEP ONE AND IT'S PAST TIME FOR FURTHER ACTION.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TAKE CRITICAL ACTION TO DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE WELLBEING OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT YOUR COMMITMENT TOWARDS LIKE EQUALITY AND HOPE HAVE TANGIBLE MEANING OUTSIDE OF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.
WE MUST NEED THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN TO IMPLEMENT THE ONLY DEMONSTRATED SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS HOMES.
HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN.
I LIVE IN COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA 31 AND 32 TO BUY TWO HOTELS TO HOW THE INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF REINVESTMENT THAT WAS IMAGINED WHEN THE COUNCIL MADE THE BOLD MOVE TO DECREASE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
THIS MOVE WILL CHANGE THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF AUSTINITES FOR YEARS TO COME PULLING FOLKS CURRENTLY WITHOUT HOUSES OFF THE STREETS, BY GIVING THEM HOUSES, NOT CRIMINAL RECORDS, CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ONLY MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO FIND HOUSING, SECURE A JOB, OR GET HEALTHCARE IN THE FUTURE RE CRIMINALIZING CAMPING DOESN'T
[04:25:01]
HELP US SOLVE THE ISSUE OF RAMPANT HOMELESSNESS.IT ONLY SWEEPS IT INTO THE SHADOWS, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO BE CONFRONTED BY IT EVERY DAY.
THIS MIGHT MAKE IT EASIER TO IGNORE, BUT IT IS NOT A SOLUTION.
ONLY HOMES CAN SOLVE HOMELESSNESS.
PLEASE REINVEST THESE FUNDS BY PURCHASING THESE HOTELS.
I AM A COMMUNITY MEMBER OF DISTRICT SIX, UM, REPRESENTING PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROUP.
UM, I'M CALLING IN REGARDS TO ITEM 31 ON THE AGENDA AND WOULD, UH, ASK THE COUNCIL TO DELAY THE VOTE TODAY SO THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TIME TO BE EDUCATED ON THE PLAN.
UM, MANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, UH, DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PLAN ON THURSDAY LAST WEEK AND BELIEVE THAT, UH, AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO A SERIOUS AND SENSITIVE PROBLEMS SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS REQUIRES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY INPUT, AND, UM, JUST A FULL, FULLY THOUGHT OUT PLAN.
SO WE JUST ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE, UM, DELAY THE VOTE UNTIL THAT EDUCATION IS ABLE TO BE ACHIEVED.
THE NEXT SPEAKER HAS REGISTERED AS A NON-US AND SO THEIR FIRST THREE DIGITS OF THEIR NUMBER IS SEVEN, EIGHT, FIVE.
UH, I OPPOSE ALL HOTEL EXPANDED IN PRESENCE, STANDING IN AUSTIN.
HOTELS SHOULD NOT BE, UH, HEAVILY POLICED AND TURNED INTO POLICE STATIONS OR BE USED LIKE PRESENT, CAUSE LIKE THE PRESENT CONCENTRATION CAMPS FOR COVID I WOULD APPROVE OF AN INCLUSIVE, WELL THOUGHT OUT PLAN.
HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IN HOUSING FIRST PERMANENT ASSISTED HOUSING, I AM CHRONICALLY HOMELESS IN AUSTIN.
I KNOW TONS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE, AND PEOPLE DON'T WANT TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS IN BAND-AID AND THEY DON'T WANT SHELTERS AND CONCENTRATION CAMPS.
UM, I DON'T THINK THAT I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY COUNCIL.
THE CITY COUNCIL HAS NOT BEEN INCLUSIVE AND AGAIN, NOT GOTTEN ALL THE, UH, NOT TALKED TO AT THE METIS WHERE WE ARE.
UM, I THINK THAT THIS IS THE WAY I READ THE, THE PROPOSAL IS WE'RE GOING TO CRIMINALIZE THE POOR AND IN FUTURE CAMPING BAN, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 150 PEOPLE OUT OF 20,000, THERE ARE 20,000 OR MORE HOMELESS IN AUSTIN, 150 PEOPLE THAT MANDATE SOLUTION Y'ALL NEED TO CONTACT US BACK.
AND WE NEED TO BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION.
UM, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT YOU GUYS, I THINK THERE'S A WASTE OF, HEY, UM, ANTHONY SHOULD BE LEAVE MCCRUMB HI, MY NAME IS LEE MCCRUMB.
I'M CALLING SUPPORT LINES 31 AND 32.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR, THUMB, SPRING TERRACE, THE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER.
AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN CLUBHOUSE WHERE THERE'S A FOUNDATION.
COMMUNITIES HAS A LONG WAITING LIST AND ALL THE PROPERTIES AND LIKE MANY PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE, I HAVE A SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS.
AND WHILE I DON'T DEFINE MYSELF BY MY DIAGNOSIS, I KNOW IT HAS TO BE MANAGED.
I'VE SEEN PEOPLE IN MOVE INTO HOUSING, GO FROM SURVIVAL MODE TO GETTING THEIR DIGNITY.
AND I WOULD HOPE THAT OTHER BROTHERS, SONS, FATHERS, DAUGHTERS, SISTERS, MOTHERS, VETERANS, FORMER UX, SOFTWARE DESIGNERS, ARTISTS, NEIGHBORS, AND FRIENDS, SUCH AS MYSELF GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.
MY NAME IS SALLY VOLESKY AND I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF ITEMS, 31 AND 32.
ONE OF THESE ITEMS IS LIKELY TO PASS.
HOWEVER, I DO NOT THINK THE OTHER ITEMS SHOULD BE POSTPONED.
WE CAN'T PUT THIS OFF DURING THESE TIMES OF COVID.
OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS DESERVE RESPECT AND SAFE HOUSING.
AND SINCE THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, THERE SHOULD BE AN EASY DECISION.
HOMELESSNESS AS LONG BEEN AN ISSUE IN AUSTIN.
AND I KNOW THERE ISN'T A SIMPLE ONE TRACK SOLUTION, BUT THIS WOULD DEFINITELY BE A GREAT START.
I'D LIKE TO ADD THAT I OPPOSED REINSTATING THE CAMPING BAN.
IF THESE WERE TO PASS, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND PASS BOTH ITEMS 31 AND 32 SWIFTLY.
HI, MY NAME IS
[04:30:01]
AT DISTRICT ONE.AND I'D FIRST LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW MAYOR PRO TEM HOVER MADISON, AND I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32, LIKE MANY AUSTINITES.
I DON'T WAIT TO SEE SO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND RESIDENTS LIVING IN TENTS ON THE STREETS.
AND AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY SAID, THE SOLUTION IS TO BUY HOUSING, NOT REPROMOTE AND RE CRIMINALIZATION AS SAFE.
AUSTIN NOW IS ADVOCATING FOR THE POLICE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE PAST DECADE.
AND THERE'S NO REASON TO THINK THEY WILL DO SO IN THE FUTURE, FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST, THE COST OF HAVING PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET AND HIGH, THE COST OF ARRESTING AND JAILING, OUR NEIGHBORS IS HIGH.
AS PER SAFETY, PROVIDING THESE FOLKS A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE IS WHAT WILL INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY.
THEY, TWO HOTELS CAN PROVIDE HUNDREDS.
IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, HOMES, WE NEED TO STOP THINKING OF PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES AS A PROBLEM, BUT AS HUMAN BEINGS WHO DESERVE A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE, AND WE NEED TO HELP HER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND NOT ALLOW DELAY TACTICS OR NIMBYISM.
THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP IN SOLVING AUSTIN'S HOUSING INEQUITIES, AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.
HI, MY NAME IS DON VALLEY AND I'M CALLING FROM DISTRICT THREE.
I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF SUNRISE MOVEMENT AND I AM FULLY IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32, THE PURCHASE OF THESE HOTELS AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELTER FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO EXPERIENCE A LEVEL OF STABILITY THAT WOULD HELP THEM BEGIN TO REHABILITATE THEIR LIVES.
I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH INSIDE OF THE LARGE ENCAMPMENT OF PEOPLE, EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND PASSING BY THERE EACH DAY, LEAVES ME ANGRY AND DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE CITY'S LACK OF ACTION AND PROVIDING ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
THIS ENCAMPMENT GROWS AS THE, AS A PANDEMIC HAS PROGRESSED AND THAT'S MORE OF OUR RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY, JOBLESS AND HOMELESS.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT I HAVEN'T EVER FELT UNSAFE WALKING OR RIDING MY BIKE BY THE ENCAMPMENT, THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF PUBLIC CAMPING AS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
AND THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY IS NO LONGER FORCED TO HIDE THE REST OF THE CITY MUST BE FORCED TO WITNESS THIS INJUSTICE AND THEN PRIORITIZE A WAY TO PROPERLY SOLVE IT.
THE PASSAGE OF ITEMS, 31 AND 32, IT'S ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE REALLOCATION OF FUNDS FROM POLICING TO HOUSING, THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OVER POLICING, THE HOMELESS DOES NOT MAKE AUSTIN SAVER PROVIDING HOUSING FOR ALL THESE HOTELS WITHOUT A POLICE PRESENCE WOULD BE A GREAT FIRST STEP IN SHOWING COMPASSION AND EMPATHY IN SOLVING HOMELESSNESS.
WE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR ALL.
HI, MY NAME IS CHRIS HARRIS WITH
IT PULLS YOUR UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL WHO LIVE IN COMFORT IN THIS UNJUST STATUS QUO AND ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT BENEFIT MOST FROM IT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS.
AND AS B6 RESIDENTS WILL ATTEST HOMELESSNESS EXISTS EVERYWHERE.
SO THE SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS MUST EXIST EVERYWHERE AS WELL.
AND FINALLY, WHILE PROPONENTS OF DELAY DISMISS IT AS JUST A WEAK CYNICALLY HIDING THEIR TRUE INTENTION TO KILL THIS PROJECT, I SINCERELY DOUBT THEY WOULD SPEND JUST A WEEK LIVING OUTDOORS VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS HOUSING.
TODAY IS ONE LESS WEEK THAT UPWARDS OF 150 FOLKS WHO HAVE TO LIVE ON SHELTER.
IT'S ONE LESS WEEK OF TRYING TO SURVIVE THE ELEMENTS AND THE CONSTANT PERIL ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING OUTDOORS.
PLEASE VOTE YES TODAY AND WITHOUT DELAY.
HI, MY NAME IS BECKY BULLARD AND I LIVE IN COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO DISTRICT.
THANK YOU COUNCIL FOR YOUR TIME.
I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT PASSING ITEMS, 31 AND 32 TODAY.
I SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TODAY, ACTUALLY ON BEHALF OF MY SIX-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, SHE IS A SOLUTION ORIENTED KID.
AND FOR THE LAST MANY MONTHS BETWEEN LEARNING TO READ AND PULLING BOX SPORTS, SHE'S BEEN COMING UP WITH LOTS OF CREATIVE WAYS TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE THEM TO HER.
IT IS SHOCKING AND UNACCEPTABLE THAT WE ADULT HUMANS ALLOW OTHER HUMANS TO LIVE ON THE STREET.
AS I SAID, SHE'S, SOLUTION-ORIENTED, SHE'S HOPING TO EITHER UPGRADE HER BUILDING SKILLS TO THE LEVEL OF BUILDING HAS US SELL OUR OWN HOUSE FOR A DOLLAR, JUST SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A HOME OR BUY A HOTEL AND LET ANYONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A HOME LIVE THERE, PERHAPS OPTIONS LEARNED YOU COULD HAPPEN SOMEDAY.
AND WHILE I DON'T PERSONALLY HAVE THE FUNDS TO PURCHASE A HOTEL MYSELF, THE CITY OF AUSTIN DOES, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE ALONG THE ROAD TO ADULTHOOD, SOME OF US LOSE THE COMPASSION FOR ALL HUMANS THAT WE ALL HAVE AS CHILDREN,
[04:35:01]
BUT I HOPE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL WILL ACCESS THAT COMPASSION TODAY AND VOTE.OUR CHILDREN ARE WATCHING WHAT WE DO IN THIS MOMENT MIRROR.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO ASK THE LAST SPEAKER TO PLEASE EXTEND MY THANKS TO ONE OF MY YOUNGER CONSTITUENTS IN THE DISTRICT FOR HER, FOR HER COMPASSION, FOR HER NEIGHBORS AND HER CREATIVE THINKING.
UM, LET HER KNOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO, TO MOVE FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT THE CITY IS WORKING TO END HOMELESSNESS.
SO AGAIN, GIVE HER MY, GIVE HER MY THANKS.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER TIP.
AND I'LL PASS ON YOUR MESSAGE.
MY NAME IS ALICIA ROCK WEIGEL.
I AM A DISTRICT NINE RESIDENT WAS REAPPOINTED TODAY AS COUNCIL MEMBER.
CASAREZ HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER AND I'M SPEAKING IN FULL SUPPORT OF ITEMS, 31 AND 32.
I WANT TO START BY AFFIRMING THAT DELAY IS A VERY COMMON TACTIC USED BY AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO STALL AND ULTIMATELY HALT MUCH NEEDED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THIS CITY.
AS THE FOLKS IN CONSIDERATION WITH THESE ITEMS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOUSE.
THAT MEANS EXPOSED TO DANGER WEATHER, LACK OF SANITATION, ET CETERA.
DELAY IS NOT SOMETHING THEY CAN AFFORD.
AND AS MOST OF THE FOLKS IN THIS CURRENT DISCUSSION ARE HOUSED THE INCREASED SPREAD OF COVID AND OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT ARE CAUSED BY LONG-TERM ENCAMPMENTS DURING A PANDEMIC OR NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN AFFORD.
AUSTIN HAS VOTED CONSISTENTLY TO EXPLORE ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS SINCE 2019 IT'S TIME TO COMMIT TO A TRIED AND TRUE HOUSING FIRST MODEL, BUT IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CITIES THROUGHOUT THE U S FROM DENVER TO SALT LAKE CITY.
AND FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF UPHOLDING HUMAN RIGHTS AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, WE NEED TO ACT TODAY AND TAKE OFF A CONTINUAL EFFORT TO SOLVE THIS CRISIS IN OUR CITY.
I AM THE POLICY DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS GREAT OFFENSE PROJECT, AND I WANT TO SPEAK IN FULL SUPPORT OF PASSING ITEMS, 31 AND 32 TODAY, AND TWO, NOT POSTPONE EXPERTS.
AGREE THAT HOUSING IS THE WAY THAT YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT AND REDUCE HOMELESSNESS.
THESE ITEMS WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES.
UM, THE TIMING ALSO COULD NOT BE MORE URGENT AS THE PANDEMIC HAS DRIVEN MORE PEOPLE INTO HOMELESSNESS AND AT A TIME WHEN CONNECTING WITH SERVICES WHILE ON HOUSE IS MORE DIFFICULT THAN EVER.
I ALSO JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT'S SAD THAT SOME OF THE RHETORIC TODAY HAS IMPLIED THAT PEOPLE WITHOUT HOUSING ARE DANGEROUS.
UM, THIS IS FALSE INSTEAD, THEY ARE FAR MORE VULNERABLE AND LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE THAN, UM, THAN HOUSE PEOPLE, UM, AND CRIMINALIZATION AND POLICE MAKE THEM EVEN MORE VULNERABLE, BUT PERMANENT HOUSING IS A REAL SOLUTION, BUT THANK YOU.
AND PLEASE VOTE TO PASS THESE ITEMS TODAY.
UH, YES, STEPHEN WYATT DISTRICT ONE, UH, WHILE I AM CALLING AND SPORT OF I'M 2031 AND 32, UH, AFTER, ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO SOME OF THE MEASURES PUT FORTH BY SAFE BALANCE.
AND NOW THEY'RE CONSERVATIVE ALLIES TALKING TO SOME OF MY FRIENDS WHO DO WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE HOUSES COMMUNITY.
I DO HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE, UH, I THINK IN THE MIDST OF A MASSIVE ECONOMIC HEALTH AND HOUSING PRICES AND WITH AUSTIN SOCIO HOUSELESS POPULATION GROWING BY THE DAY 150 HOTEL ROOMS. SO SIMPLY NOWHERE, NEARLY ENOUGH THOUS OUR NEIGHBORS AND THE REPORT AT TWO YEARS TO PREPARE THESE HOTELS IS SIMPLY FAR TOO LONG.
UH, I DO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THESE HOTELS ARE SO FAR IN NORTHWEST AUSTIN, UH, FAR FROM MANY OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS CURRENTLY RELY ON, AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY'VE DEVELOPED A, I WONDER WHY THE BUDGET IS ONLY $10 MILLION SURPLUS, UH, THAT WAS YOU'RE DIRECTING TO THESE SAME ISSUES.
UM, EVEN IF YOU HOTELS COULD BE OPENED UP TO MONDO, THESE ARE SIMPLY NOT A LONG-TERM HOUSING SOLUTION.
UH, I THINK A BUTTERFLY SOLUTION, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SARS PUT FORWARD PREVIOUSLY BE, UH, SOMETHING MORE ALONG THE LINES OF HOUSING VOUCHERS.
UH, THESE WOULD MAKE A LOT MORE SENSE IN THE SHORT-TERM TO BE DISTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO HOUSE INDIVIDUALS.
THEY HAVE A HOUSE, MORE PEOPLE, AND LET THEM STAY CLOSER TO THE RESOURCES THEY'VE ALREADY COME TO RELY ON.
[04:40:01]
AND THE COMMUNITY TIES THEY'VE ALREADY ESTABLISHED.UH, SO IN SHORT, I DO SUPPORT THESE MEASURES, BUT I THINK THAT OUR CITY, UM, AND OUR NEIGHBORS CAN DO A LOT BETTER THAN JUST THIS MEASURE.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX.
UH, I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF BOSTON FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW, BUT, UM, I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA AND I VOLUNTEER EVERY SUNDAY THROUGH AUSTIN HUMANISTS AT WORK ON THE CITY SEAT INITIATIVE, UH, TO DELIVER BAGS OF SHELF, STABLE FOOD, WATER, AND MATERIALS TO HOMELESS CAMPS IN AUSTIN, INCLUDING OUR NEAREST ONE AT LAKE CREEK IN 45.
I MET A WIDE VARIETY OF FOLKS IN DOING THE SERVICE OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, AND I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN CAMP SIZES.
UM, ALMOST TRIPLE IN THAT PERIOD.
UH, I'VE SEEN ONE GO FROM FIVE TO 14 OR EVEN 18.
UM, HOUSING IS THE BEST SOLUTION AS PROVEN BY RESEARCH TO HOMELESSNESS AND NOT ANY OF THE OTHER RECENT OPTIONS PUT FORWARD THAT WOULD CRIMINALIZE ALL OR PART OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
THE ACTIONS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 31 AND 32 WOULD GIVE US 150 UNITS TO HOUSE AT LEAST 150 HOMELESS AND MORE IF UNITS ARE GIVEN TO FAMILY UNITS AND THEN EVEN OVER TIME, POTENTIALLY MORE AS THOSE FOLKS ARE ABLE TO TRANSITION INTO MORE PERMANENT HOUSING AND WE COULD BRING ADDITIONAL ONES IN.
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT PROPOSAL TO USE REINVESTMENT FUNDS TO MAKE A TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENT TO THE HOMELESS ISSUE IN AUSTIN.
SO I IMPLORE YOU TO SUPPORT 31 AND 32 WITH YOUR VOTES AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME MACKEY BROOKSHIRE.
HI, I'M A DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENT FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS AND A MEMBER OF AUSTIN VSA AND I SUPPORT PASSING ITEM 31 AND 32 WITHOUT DELAY.
PLEASE DO NOT LET THE PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD HERE.
UH, THIS IS A GOOD STEP TO TAKE AND SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WITH FUTURE ACTIONS, HELP OUR NEIGHBORS AS LONG AS IT IS NOT FOLLOWED WITH FUTURE CAMPING BAN OR CRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESSNESS.
UM, THE MONEY IS THERE FOR THIS PURCHASE.
AND PREVIOUS LATELY, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHARING CASE STUDIES THAT HAVE ALREADY SHOWN THAT THE HOUSING FIRST SOLUTION HAS WORKED ELSEWHERE.
SO WHY NOT HERE? UM, HOMELESSNESS CAN HAPPEN TO ANY OF US IN OUR CURRENT ECONOMIC SYSTEM, AS WE'VE SEEN WITH COVID.
SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BECOME HOMELESS RECENTLY.
IMAGINE IF IT WAS YOU, WOULD YOU WANT COUNCIL TO VOTE FOR HUMAN DIGNITY TODAY HERE? OR WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR CITY COUNCIL CATERING TO THOSE WHO ARE PREJUDICE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A HOUSE WHO DON'T HAVE RESOURCES? UM, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND THANK YOU, JACKIE CALLAWAY.
HI, I'M FROM DISTRICT FIVE AND I THINK POSTPONING ITEMS, 31 AND 32 IS CRUEL AND UNNECESSARY WHEN THERE'S REAL PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING DAY IN AND DAY OUT IN CONDITIONS THAT ARE DANGEROUS AND UNSANITARY, I'M ALSO AGAINST ANY FORM OF CAMPING BAN BECAUSE IT'S INEFFECTIVE TO PENALIZE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE OTHER OPTIONS.
AND THEN WE CAN'T JUST CREATE A HEALING INITIATIVE TO ASK PEOPLE, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING PERMANENT HOUSING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK IF THERE'S NOWHERE TO HOUSE THEM.
SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW THE HOUSING FIRST MODEL AND STOP TREATING PEOPLE WHO HAVE FALLEN ON HARD TIMES AND THEN HARASSED BY POLICE LIKE THEY'RE DANGEROUS OR SUBHUMAN.
I ALSO THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ADVOCATING TO DELAY THE VOTE IN ORDER TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ARE REALLY JUST SAYING NOT IN MY BACKYARD.
AND EVEN IF A SITE ISN'T 100% PERFECT, IT'S BETTER THAN A SLEEPING BAG AND AN OVERPASS.
AND THEN AS A BLACK WOMAN, IT PARTICULARLY HURTS ME THAT BLACK AUSTINITES ARE ALMOST FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE IN HOUSE.
SO EVEN IF YOU HAVE CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE AFRAID OF EATING IN A RESTAURANT WITH SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO BE A HOUSE, I WANT YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
AND THOSE THAT HELP THE PEOPLE WHO NEED YOUR HELP THE MOST, NOT THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO BE FINE EITHER WAY.
UM, I ALSO, FROM LISTENING TO OTHER CALLERS AND HOUSING DOCTORS WOULD BE A GREAT ADDITION.
AND I WANT TO COUNCIL MEMBER, THANK YOU, LAURA JORGENSEN.
HI, I AM A MEMBER OF DSA AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN, NOT FAR FROM ONE OF THESE SITES.
AND I'M CALLING IN FULL SUPPORT OF PASSING OUT I'M 31 AND 32 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND CONTINUING TO SEEK HOUSING FIRST AND HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS TO HOUSE OUR NEIGHBORS.
SO I SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE STREETS DOWNTOWN AND INTERACT OFTEN WITH PEOPLE THERE.
AND I WANT TO SHARE JUST ONE RECENT EXPERIENCE.
I BOUGHT LUNCH A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR A MAN ON THE STREET AND HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIS CHILDHOOD GROWING UP ON THE EAST SIDE OF AUSTIN, VISITING MOUNT BANO ON HIS FIRST BOY SCOUT TRIP.
AND, UH, JUST AFTER LEAVING HIM AND SAYING GOODBYE, I RAN INTO A SEABACH TO NOW CANVASSER WHO SNEERED AT ME FOR FEEDING HIM STRAIGHT FEEDING THE STREETS.
[04:45:01]
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY COUNCIL.IT IS IN YOUR HANDS TO ENSURE THAT THE CAMPING BAN IS NOT REINSTATED, UM, THAT OUR HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS ARE PROVIDED WITH REAL SOLUTIONS.
AND THAT OFTEN DOESN'T REMAIN THE KIND OF CITY WHERE A LIFELONG RESIDENT CAN LIVE IN A TENT NEXT TO A TECH TRANSPLANT IN A LUXURY CONDO THAT IS UNCONSCIONABLE, AND IT'S NOT WITHIN THE VALUES OF OUR CITY.
SO PLEASE MOVE FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THIS AND ALL OTHER HOUSING FIRST LOOK TO SOLUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE THE CITY THAT WE SAY THAT WE ARE.
THANK YOU, JORDAN MIDDLEBROOKS.
HELLO? ARE YOU ABLE TO HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE AND I'M ASKING YOU ALL AS WELL AS MY REPRESENTATIVE, NATASHA HARPER MADISON, UM, TO BE IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 31 AND 32, I PREVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN IN COACHING CONVERSATIONS WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED REDEMPTIVE WORK, WHICH HELPS TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION AND SOLUTIONS TO P ON HOUSE PEOPLE IN AUSTIN.
UM, THE SYSTEMIC ISSUES ARE STILL OPTIONS THAT WE NEED TO DO MORE ON.
UM, I AGREE THAT THIS WAS NOT A PERFECT SOLUTION, BUT LET'S NOT LET THAT HOLD UP.
MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS BETTER SOLUTION THAN SOMEONE SLEEPING UNDER I 35.
UM, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE UNHOUSED, AND I THINK THIS WAS A GREAT FIRST STEP.
AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN FUTURE RESOURCES AND FUTURE INITIATIVES TO HELP OUR UNHOUSED PEOPLE HAVE A SUSTAINABLE LIFE TO TAKE ACTION AND ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO FIND JOBS, GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED RATHER THAN BANDAID SOLUTIONS THAT CONTINUE TO HOLD THEM DOWN AND SUPPORT OUTLOOKS AND VIEWS.
THAT REALLY ARE JUST AFRAID AND DO NOT VIEW THESE PEOPLE AS EQUAL.
LET'S MOVE FORWARD AND PLEASE TAKE ACTION FOR THIS AND MOVE FORWARD IMMEDIATELY.
HI, MY NAME IS
AND NOW AS A HOMEOWNER, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTHUSIASTICALLY OR TO COUNCIL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ITEMS 31 AND 32, BECAUSE CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS COSTS MONEY TOO.
AND WE MAY WELL BE SPENDING THE MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM.
I KNOW FOLKS WHO LIVE IN MY DISTRICT, RANCHERS AND OWNERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FOLKS CAMPING AROUND HERE, BUT NONE OF US HAVE NONE OF US HAVE THE TOOLS TO SOLVE IT AND DELAYING TRYING TO SOLVE IT.
IT'S Y'ALL THE COUNCIL THAT HAS THE POWER.
AND I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEM.
AS HOUSING IS GOING TO GROW AS AN ISSUE.
AND SECONDLY, THE FOCUS ON NEXT DOOR ULTIMATELY DEVOLVE INTO THE MOST MEAN RACIST AND ANTI POOR COMMENTS WHEN DISCUSSING THESE THINGS, IT IS DISGUSTING, WHICH IS TO SAY, WE CLEARLY CAN'T FIGURE THIS OUT ON OUR OWN.
WE NEED LEADERS LIKE YOURSELF TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.
AND I THINK THIS WAS A GREAT FIRST STEP AND I URGE YOU ALL TO TAKE ACTION.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE, REPRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, FIELD NVIDIA, AND I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT IN FAVOR OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, PURCHASING TO HOTELS AND TO PERMANENT HOUSING FOR, UH, UNITS, FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
I THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED RESOURCES TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.
AND WE CANNOT PASS UP THIS OPPORTUNITY AND SPELL IT FOR ANY LONGER.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO COUNCIL TO VOTE, TO PURCHASE THE HOTELS.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO AND I'M, I WOULD HAVE BEEN BORN IN AUSTIN.
I'VE BEEN RAISED IN AUSTIN, MY WHOLE LIFE OR 19 YEARS OR ALMOST 19 YEARS.
AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ITEMS, 31 AND 32 ON THE AGENDA.
I BELIEVE EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE AND NOT GOING THROUGH WITH THIS PLAN WILL LEAD TO A LOT OF UNNECESSARY DEATHS AND SUFFERING FROM ANY AUSTINITES WHO COULD NOT EVEN MAKE THEIR WHITFORD ON THESE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY SINCE COVID MANY HAVE LOST THEIR INCOME AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE PUNISHED FOR THAT.
[04:50:01]
HAVE SO MUCH HAPPENING AVAILABLE.THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO RESORT TO LIVING IN THE STREETS WHILE A SURPLUS OF HOUSING, BE IT HOTELS OR OTHER PLACES THAT ARE EMPTY.
SO THE MORAL UNHEALED PEOPLE ARE OVER POLICED WHILE THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE.
WE NEED TO BUILD PERMANENT SOLUTIONS AND MAKE AUSTIN A SAFER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE PLACE.
AND THIS IS A GREAT STARTING POINT.
MY NAME IS JASON TERROR SIENNA, AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS MUSIC WORKFORCE COALITION AND MUSIC INDUSTRY WORKERS AT LARGE URGING THE CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEM 31 AND 32.
AND LET'S GO AHEAD AND SAY A BIG, NO ON THE HEAL INITIATIVE ALREADY STOPPED.
THE MUSIC HAS BEEN DECIMATED AND WE DON'T DOUBT THAT MANY OF OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ON THE EDGE OF LOSING THEIR HOUSING, IF THEY ARE HAVING ALREADY ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT GO TOWARDS PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING, THE ITEMS 31 TO 32 PROVIDE IS A WASTE OF TIME, MONEY AND LIES.
WE ALSO KNOW TAKING SUPPOSE THAT EXTRA TIME TO TALK IS ALWAYS USED TO EXTINGUISHED INITIATIVES.
WE NEED ACTION YESTERDAY AND NOT A WEEK FROM NOW.
THIS IS AN EMERGENCY SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.
WHEN YOU'RE ASKED, WHAT DID WE DO DURING THE PANDEMIC? WHAT WE BE ABLE TO SAY, WHAT WILL BE THE TRUTH THAT YOU ADVOCATED AND VOTED TO HOUSE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DURING THE WORST HOUSING, HOMELESS CRISIS AND US HISTORY, OR WILL YOU LIE AND SAY, I PROVIDED THE ILLUSION OF SAFETY FOR MY COMMUNITY THAT CAME AT THE EXPENSE OF THOSE WHO ALREADY HAD NOTHING.
I WANT TO SAY THAT WE, AUSTIN GOT OUR ACT TOGETHER.
AND THAT WAS PART OF THE COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO CHOSE TO LIVE IN TRUTH AND ACTUALLY SOLVE PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF PERPETUATING THE DENIAL THAT BROUGHT US TO BEGIN WITH TO SAY THAT WE ARE A PART OF THE CHANGE AND THAT, THAT WE ARE LITERALLY DYING FOR.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY MAKE THAT TRUE BY VOTING FOR ITEM 31 32.
MAY I? THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE SPEAKERS.
[Items 27 - 30 & 32]
UH, COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE, I THINK, UH, WE HAVE ITEMS, UM, 27, 28, 29, 30 31 AND 32.I'M NOT SURE THERE'S ANY OPPOSITION TO 27, 28, 29, 30 AND 32.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE FIVE ITEMS? JOHNNY I'LL DO THAT.
PAUL MAKES THAT MOTION OR SECOND CAUSE REMEMBER ALTER SECONDS THAT, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THOSE FIVE ITEMS? THAT'S OUR KITCHEN.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, UM, UM, THANK COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR THE WORK THAT SHE DID ON, UM, ITEM NUMBER 32, AND I'M EXCITED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ALL OF THESE.
IT BUILDS ON THE HOTEL MOTEL STRATEGY THAT WE STARTED IN 2019, UM, AND ADDS ADDITIONAL HOTELS AND MOTELS TO THE ONES THAT WE PURCHASED.
KEL SWIMMING POOL HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THESE FIVE ITEMS. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED UNANIMOUS ON THE DYESS.
UH, COUNSELOR, NATASHA HARPER, MADISON.
I JUST DIDN'T GET MY CAMERA ON IN TIME TO VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
ALRIGHT, UNANIMOUS UNDER THE DICE.
[31. Authorize the negotiation and execution of all documents and instruments necessary or desirable to purchase in fee simple approximately 2 acres of land and a building containing approximately 47,355 square feet out of Lot 1-A, Block B, including a non-exclusive joint use access easement over and across 0.081 of an acre of land, more or less, being a portion of Lot 10-A, Block B, both of the Amended Plat of Lot 1 and a Portion of Lot 2, Resubdivision of Lots 7, 8 &9, Block B, Pecan Park, according to the map or plat thereof, recorded in Cabinet Y, Slides 205-207, Plat Records, Williamson County, Texas; known locally as 10811 Pecan Park Blvd, Bldg #2, Austin, TX 78750 from Apple Pie Hotels, LLC., A Texas Corporation for a total amount not to exceed $9,500,000, including closing costs.]
MOVE TO ITEM.NUMBER 32 COUNCIL, OUR POOL 31 31.
I HAD A NUMBER 31 DISCUSSION NUMBER KELLY.
I'D LIKE TO ASK FOR THE SUPPORT OF MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR A BRIEF POSTPONEMENT ON THIS ITEM FOR ONE WEEK, JUST TO ALLOW FOR THE MEN, THE MOST MINIMAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT WE WILL HAVE TAKE PLACE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
I REMEMBER KELLY MOVES TO POSTPONE FOR ONE WEEK, BRINGING IT BACK ON FEBRUARY 4TH.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? COUNCILOR POOL SECOND THEN MOTION.
I JUST WANT TO SAY IT'S NOTABLE.
HOW ITEMS 31 AND 32 GOT LUMPED TOGETHER.
I THINK THIS IS INDICATIVE OF HOW WE SOMEHOW, AS A CITY HAVE TAKEN A BROAD BRUSH APPROACH TO THE ISSUE.
THESE ARE VERY DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
EACH HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL MAY HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND EACH NEIGHBORHOOD AND AUSTIN IS ALSO SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO THE VARIETY OF PLACES AND PEOPLE AFFECTED BY SOLVING OUR HOMELESSNESS ISSUES.
THE CITY IN A LOT OF WAYS HAS LOST THE TRUST OF THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE HOMELESS SITUATION.
AND WE AS LEADERS IN OUR CITY DESERVE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH TRANSPARENCY RELATED TO THE PLANS TO THE HOTEL AND ALLOW INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY.
I WANT CLEAR HERE I AM IN SUPPORT OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS BECAUSE IT'S WHAT'S NEEDED AND WHAT WE'RE DOING CURRENTLY
[04:55:01]
FOR THE HOMELESS SITUATION.WE HAVE THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY HERE TODAY TO POSTPONE THE VOTE, TAKE A FRESH AND FRIENDLY APPROACH TO THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THE CITY HAS WITH THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE HERE, BOTH THOSE HOUSED AND UNHOUSED.
WE CAN FOSTER POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE HOUSE COMMUNITY AND THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE HOMELESS CRISIS, BUT TREATING EVERY PROPOSAL AS AN OUT OF CONTEXT, EMERGENCY IS NOT GREAT POLICY AND SILENCES STAKEHOLDERS.
THE QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY CONTINUE IN IT'S OUR DUTY AS LEADERS IN THE CITY TO PROVIDE BOTH TRANSPARENCY AND EDUCATION REGARDING THIS PURCHASE.
WE NEED TO PROVIDE HOUSING TO THE UNHOUSED, BUT WE CAN DO SO IN A WAY THAT CREATES GOOD FEELINGS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
THE CONVERSATIONS IN MY DISTRICT HAVE ALREADY STARTED AND I'VE ASKED CITY STAFF TO HOLD TWO TOWN HOLDS RELATED TO THIS PURCHASE.
WE WANT TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT AND CONTINUE TO GET FEEDBACK.
THERE ARE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE HOTEL PURCHASE AND HOMELESSNESS IN GENERAL.
MY HOPE IS THAT BY POSTPONING, WE WILL BE ABLE TO CLEAR UP MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE USE OF THE HOTEL AND OPEN UP HEALTHY LINES OF DIALOGUE AMONG STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE SPEAKERS WHO TOOK TIME TO CALL IN TODAY, REGARDLESS OF YOUR SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION.
I WOULD HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WERE ABLE TO VIEW THE BACKUP DOCUMENTATION ARE SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT SIX.
I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION AND OUTCOMES ON THIS IMPORTANT INITIATIVE.
AND FINALLY, I ALSO HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER IN A RESPECTFUL WAY.
EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE ON AGENDA ITEMS, WE ALL BRING UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES TO THE COUNCIL AND THE WORK WE DO HERE AS FAR TO CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER'S VIEWPOINTS IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER.
AND THIS INFORMATION IN THE COMMUNITY IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THIS COUNCIL OR CITY NEEDS MORE OF, OF, AND HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL WORK TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE TO COMBAT MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS FROM THE START.
THANK YOU COLLEAGUES, FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE.
MOTION TO POSTPONE FOR ONE WEEK.
UM, I I'M WILLING TO SUPPORT A POSTPONEMENT OF ONLY ONE WEEK.
UM, I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS TODAY, BUT, UH, WE'LL INDULGE A ONE WEEK POSTPONEMENT FOR FURTHER CONVERSATION, UNDERSTANDING FROM THE CITY STAFF THAT THIS WON'T AFFECT ANY OF THE DISCUSSIONS GOING ON IN THE BACKGROUND ON, ON THEIR END FOR THE TIMELINE COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND THANK YOU, MEMBER KELLY FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS.
YOU KNOW, I, I DO HAVE TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE POST COMMENT AT, YOU KNOW, HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY DURING TODAY'S CONVERSATIONS, THE EMAILS THAT WERE RECEIVED AND EVEN THE BACKUP DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU SUBMITTED.
YOU KNOW, I JUST DON'T THINK THAT, UH, A WEEK DELAY WILL CHANGE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'RE ALREADY SEEING BUBBLE UP FROM, FROM THE COMMUNITY.
AND, YOU KNOW, AS YOU MENTIONED, UH, THIS IS BEING ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND TAKE ACTION HAS BEEN SO MUCH OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE SHARED, ESPECIALLY ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.
AND I FEEL THIS URGENT NEED THAT WE DO NOT DELAY A SINGLE DAY TO GET US ON THAT PATHWAY.
AND SO RESPECTFULLY I CANNOT SUPPORT A MOTION TO POSTPONE AND WOULD LIKE FOR US TO, TO MOVE FORWARD AND TAKING ACTION ON THIS ISSUE, COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, UM, I WILL BE, UH, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION TO POSTPONE FOR ONE WEEK ONLY.
I DO PLAN TO VOTE FOR THIS ITEM, BUT I HAVE LEARNED THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE COMMUNITY IS VERY POSITIVE AND IT GIVES EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER, WHICH IS IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE A COMPANY THAT CARES ABOUT HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND THERE'S A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING AND MISCONCEPTION ABOUT WHAT OUR HOTEL MOTEL STRATEGY IS.
UH, I BELIEVE THAT CONVERSATION ADDS TO OUR ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER, REACH CONSENSUS AND, AND, AND CONNECT TO THAT CARING THAT PEOPLE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I BELIEVE OUR COMMUNITY IS UNITED AROUND WANTING TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO HOUSING.
I THINK OUR COMMUNITY IS UNITED AROUND CARING FOR, UH, HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF HOUSING.
I SEE ONE WEEK DELAY AS A POSITIVE WAY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
I DO EXPECT TO VOTE FOR THIS IN ONE WEEK, BUT I AM SUPPORTIVE OF ONE WEEK ONLY, UM, A POSTPONEMENT.
[05:00:03]
SO I'VE REALLY STRUGGLED WITH, WITH, UM, THE QUESTION OF, OF THE DELAY I HAVE, UH, I WANT TO ALWAYS HONOR, UM, WHEN, WHENEVER WE CAN REASONABLE REQUESTS FROM COLLEAGUES FOR A POSTPONEMENT, I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH WE SHOW RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER.AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOMETIMES THERE ARE NEEDS FOR MORE TIME, UM, WHETHER IT'S TO GET MORE INFORMATION OR AS COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS REQUESTED TO GET THE TIME TO, TO MEET WITH HER CONSTITUENTS.
YOU KNOW, WE HAD AN EXAMPLE THIS MORNING WHERE I THINK THE DELAY THAT I REQUESTED, UM, REALLY RESULTED IN A MUCH BETTER PROJECT BECAUSE WE WERE ALL ABLE TO DO SOME MORE THINKING ABOUT IT.
BUT AS I REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE ONE, UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE AN ADVANTAGE, THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN ON COUNCIL NOW AND ARE NOT NEW IN THE POSITIONS, UM, HAVE HAD AN ADVANTAGE THAT WE HAD, UH, WE HAD, UH, WE HAD, UM, SOME KNOWLEDGE OF THE DECISIONS THAT WERE GOING TO COME BEFORE US BECAUSE THE REAL ESTATE, THE REAL ESTATE, UM, BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS REAL ESTATE CONVERSATIONS.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, HAVING, HAVING BEEN IN A POSITION OF REALLY MAKING IT CLEAR TO STAFF MULTIPLE TIMES, THAT WE WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THESE TRANSACTIONS.
I WANT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THAT DECISION IN LOOKING BACK AT HOW WE, HOW WE HANDLED THE PREVIOUS PURCHASES, UM, WITH REGARD TO THE ROADWAY IN, IN COUNCIL MEMBER, RENTER RIAS DISTRICT, AND THE COUNTRY INN AND SUITES AND DISTRICT FOUR, UM, BOTH OF THEM WERE POSTED ON THE AGENDA.
SO THE PUBLIC HAD LESS NOTICE.
WE HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS IN BOTH OF THOSE CASES, I BELIEVE AT LEAST CERTAINLY WITH THE ROADWAY IN REQUEST FOR POSTPONEMENT.
AND WE MADE A DECISION ON THAT DAY AND MOVE FORWARD.
AND I WANT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH, WITH THAT DECISION AS WELL.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, I THINK YOU HAVE MADE A REASONABLE REQUEST, UM, OF, OF YOUR COLLEAGUES FOR SOME MORE TIME.
AND I HOPE THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW TIMES THAT I'M NOT GOING TO RESPECT AND HONOR THAT REQUEST AND VOTING AGAINST YOUR POSTPONEMENT, BUT I, I, I NEED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH, UM, I FEEL THAT I NEED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH, WITH THOSE DECISIONS.
I DO WANT TO, WITH THOSE PREVIOUS DECISIONS OF MINE, IT IN PART, BECAUSE AS WE ALL, YOU KNOW, I SHARE WITH ALL OF YOU, I BELIEVE, UM, A REAL INTEREST IN SEEING THAT HOUSING BECOME AVAILABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
I, I, TO, UM, RE I JUST WANT TO ECHO THAT THESE ARE HARD CONVERSATIONS, THEY'RE HARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE HARD FOR US AS COUNCIL.
AND I, I HOPE THAT WE CAN ALL WORK ON MAKING SURE THAT OUR PUBLIC HAS THE BEST INFORMATION POSSIBLE.
WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF TESTIMONY TODAY OUT THE FACT THAT SHIFTING FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ENABLED US TO MAKE THE PURCHASES THAT ARE ON OUR AGENDA FOR TODAY.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE CLEAR INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.
BOTH OF THESE FACILITIES ARE BEING PROPOSED TO BE PURCHASED WITH BOND FUNDING, GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FUNDING.
AND THIS IS DUE IN PART TO THE VOTERS OF AUSTIN COMING FORWARD AND SUPPORTING AND INVESTING IN HOMES FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS.
AND SO THANK YOU TO THE VOTERS OF THE CITY WHO CAME OUT AND VOTED FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOND FUNDING.
THAT IS HOW THESE FACILITIES ARE BEING PURCHASED.
AND WE CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY FOR SERVICES AND OPERATIONS ARE COMING FROM AND OUT OF WHICH BUDGET.
BUT THE FACT IS WE MADE A COMMITMENT LONG BEFORE WE MADE BUDGET CHANGES.
WE MADE A COMMITMENT THAT WE WERE INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS STRATEGY.
WE PURCHASED AS A COUNCIL, WE AUTHORIZED THE MANAGER TO PURCHASE, UM, A HOTEL MOTEL, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.
SO THIS IS, THIS IS A POLICY ACTION.
THIS IS A POLICY THAT, THAT WE, UM, TOOK ON AS A CITY COUNCIL, MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, WE ARE FUNDING IT THROUGH THE VOTER APPROVED BONDS, WE'RE FUNDING THE PURCHASE OF THESE.
AND I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THESE ISSUES, UM, THAT THESE ARE ON OUR AGENDA TODAY BECAUSE STAFF HAVE BROUGHT THEM FORWARD.
AND I WANT TO APPLAUD OUR STAFF FOR TAKING THAT COUNCIL POLICY DIRECTION THAT WE WANTED TO STAY IN HOTEL MOTELS AND CONTINUING, YOU KNOW, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC.
UM, EVEN AT THE SAME TIME, YOU WERE TRYING TO SECURE LEASES AND HOTEL MOTELS OR PROTECTIVE LODGES TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT YOU WERE ALSO ABLE TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT YOU WERE DOING ON, ON, UM, THE SEARCH FOR PERMANENT HOUSING.
SO I THINK THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DIRECTION.
I APOLOGIZE FOR MERGING ALL OF MY COMMENTS, BOTH ABOUT THE POSTPONEMENT AND ABOUT THE TRANSACTION, UM, INTO ONE, ONE TIME HERE.
BUT, UM, I DO, I THINK THAT I DO PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE, THE ACQUISITIONS COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
[05:05:01]
YOU KNOW, CATHY'S COMMENTS OR COUNCIL MEMBER TOMOS COMMENTS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT COMING FROM FUNDS THAT ARE REALLOCATED FROM THE POLICE BUDGET, BUT IT'S COMING FROM BONDS FUNDING.YOU KNOW, IT WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF MISINFORMATION THAT IS OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
UM, AND I THINK THAT WE DO BETTER WHEN WE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO GET PEOPLE UP TO SPEED.
NOT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS THE BENEFIT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.
NOT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS A BENEFIT OF BEING DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THESE QUESTIONS AND UNDERSTANDING THEM.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT ONE WEEK IS A MORE THAN REASONABLE REQUEST FOR A NEW COUNCIL MEMBER TO MAKE FOR THE KIND OF DECISION THAT IS BEFORE US TO, UM, YOU KNOW, TRY TO HAVE A CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
I TAKE HER AT HER WORD THAT SHE IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE HOTEL AND HOUSING, OUR NEIGHBORS, UM, AND WANTS TO CLEAR UP THE CONFUSION AND THE MISINFORMATION.
AND I THINK THAT THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT, UM, WILL BE MUCH GREATER IF WE CAN HAVE THAT COMMUNICATION AND TIE UP ANY LOOSE ENDS.
I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT WE HAVE, UM, OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO FEEL THE NEED, UM, TO GET MORE INFORMATION AS WELL, AND TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES ACROSS WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND TRAVIS COUNTY WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES, UM, BECAUSE WE NEED THEIR SUPPORT AS WELL AS WE, UM, PROCEED, UM, IF WE WANT THIS STRATEGY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
UM, SO I, I BELIEVE THAT A ONE WEEK, UM, POSTPONEMENT IS REASONABLE AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING THAT.
I BELIEVE WE NEED TRANSPARENCY, UM, AND WE NEED TO TAKE MISINFORMATION ON HEAD-ON.
UM, BUT THAT REQUIRES US DOING THE WORK TO DO THAT.
AND IT'S BETTER TO DO THAT BEFORE THE VOTE THAN AFTER REMEMBER HARPER MEDICINE, MAYOR PRO TEM DIDN'T EVEN OCCUR TO ME.
YOU YET? GIVE ME TILL NEXT MEETING.
UM, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD BECAUSE I'VE SAID IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN, BUT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY IN A HOUSING CRISIS.
I LEARNED, UM, JUST TODAY, ACTUALLY THAT WE CURRENTLY ONLY HAVE 55 THAT'S FIVE, FIVE SINGLE DIGIT, OR I'M SORRY, 55 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, UM, WITHIN THE AUSTIN PROPER LISTED UNDER $1 MILLION.
WE HAVE 55 SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES LISTED IN AUSTIN PROPER THAT ARE LESS THAN $1 MILLION THAT IS SHOCKING AND IT'S DISTURBING AND WE NEED TO TAKE, LIKE, WE NEED TO VERY SERIOUSLY TAKE, UM, TO CONTINUING WITH THE WORK THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE BEEN DOING TO ADDRESS OUR HOUSING SUPPLY CRISIS.
WE'RE EXPERIENCING A HOUSING SUPPLY CRISIS ALL OVER THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ALL AREAS OF OUR CITY.
IT EXACERBATES THE RISK OF HOMELESSNESS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE MARGINS ALREADY.
UM, AND THAT'S PRIOR TO THE CONSIDERATIONS AROUND BEING IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, IF WE CONTINUE TO LET OUR SUPPLY DWINDLE AT THIS CURRENT UNSTABLE PACE, OUR HOMELESS CRISIS WILL ONLY GET WORSE.
WE HEARD IT REFERRED TO A YEAR AGO NOW ALMOST, UM, AS, AS TSUNAMI.
AND I SEE THAT COMING TO FRUITION, I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR THIS TODAY.
UM, BUT I ALSO WANNA ENCOURAGE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY TO KNOW THAT WHEN COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHER DISTRICTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST TOWN HALLS WITH OUR INCREDIBLE HOMELESS STRATEGY TEAM, UM, TO ADDRESS OUTSTANDING CONCERNS FROM CONSTITUENTS, THESE HOTEL PROJECTS JUST GENERALLY HAVE GONE FROM CONTENTIOUS TO AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTED.
SO AS COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY IS NEW TO THE DIOCESE, UM, AND WE HAVE CONFIRMATION THAT THIS POSTPONEMENT WILL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PURCHASE OF THIS HOTEL.
UM, I FULLY RECOGNIZE THE COMPLEXITY OF ASKING FOR ONE MORE WEEK.
UM, BUT I, I DO BELIEVE IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT WE POSTPONE THE ITEM FOR ONE WEEK TO GIVE HER AND HER CONSTITUENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
UM, I, I REALLY CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THE DISTURBING NATURE OF THAT STATISTIC I JUST QUOTED FOR YOU ALL.
UM, SO MY HOPE IS THAT AS WE CONTINUE THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WE, WE
[05:10:01]
REALLY DOUBLED DOWN ON HAVING ROBUST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ADDRESSING OUR HOUSING CRISIS IN OUR CITY.I DID, UM, FIRST TO THE, TO THE QUESTION OF THE PURCHASE OF THE HOTELS AND WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.
UM, I'VE TRIED TO BE VERY CLEAR AS YOU ALL HAVE JUST STATED THAT THE PURCHASE DOLLARS, WHICH ANYBODY CAN SEE IN THE MEMO IS FROM THE HOUSING BOND, WHICH I WORKED ALONGSIDE.
I'VE ALSO BEEN CLEAR THAT, WHICH IS ALSO IN THE MEMO AND IN THE BACKUP THAT THE RUNNING OF THE HOTEL IS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE $6.5 MILLION ADDED, UH, BY, UH, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS HERE TO THE BUDGET.
UM, IT'S HERE IN THE MEMO SAYING FUNDING IS TO BE PROVIDED FROM AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH TO RUN THE PROPERTY DRAWING FROM THE ADDITIONAL 6.5 MILLION ADDED TO THE FYI 21 BUDGET TO ADDRESS HOMELESS.
SO I THINK, UH, THE ACCURATE INFORMATION, UH, WHICH I'VE CONFIRMED WITH THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICERS AND OTHERS IS YES, WE ARE PURCHASING THE HOTELS WITH HOUSING BONDS, BUT WE HAVE NEVER REALLY HAD AS MUCH TROUBLE WITH CAPITAL AS WE HAVE WITH OPERATIONS.
AND THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO MUCH THE LIMITER TO PROVIDING HOUSING FOR FOLKS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN A PERMANENT AND SUPPORTIVE WAY.
UM, AND IT'S THE ONLY REASON WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS LEVEL OF PSH, 150 TO ALMOST 150 ROOMS, UH, IN OUR FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR IS BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT I'M REALLY PROUD OF HAVING DONE ALONGSIDE YOU ALL, UH, RETHINKING OUR PRIORITIES IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET.
SO I THINK THAT THAT IS THE ACCURATE INFORMATION.
YES, BOND FUNDING IS CRITICAL AND WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE LOADERS AND THE BOND, BUT THE SERVICE DOLLARS HAVE BEEN HARDEST TO GET.
AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH OUR RETHINKING OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET.
UH, SO I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST ACCURATE WAY AS FAR AS I COULD TELL, TO DESCRIBE BOTH PIECES TO THE, TO THE VOTE ON, ON POSTPONEMENT.
UM, I RECOGNIZE THAT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S, UH, UH, PRETTY CLOSE AND, UH, BUT WHAT I HEAR FROM THE MAJORITY CERTAINLY IS WE'RE EITHER GETTING IT DONE TODAY OR GETTING IT DONE NEXT WEEK.
AND IN MY VIEW, IF, IF IT'S GOING TO BE DONE, UH, EITHER TODAY OR NEXT WEEK, THEN I WOULD RATHER IT BE DONE.
I THINK THOSE TOWN HALLS AND CONVERSATIONS CAN STILL HAPPEN TO COMBAT MISINFORMATION, BUT IF IT'S GOING TO BE POSTPONED TO NEXT WEEK, THEN WE'D BETTER GET IT DONE NEXT WEEK.
IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.
AND IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.
UH, USUALLY UNDER THE STRATEGIC HOUSING BLUEPRINT, OUR GOAL IS ABOUT A HUNDRED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS A YEAR.
AND SOMETIMES WE DON'T EVEN GET TO THAT 100, THE FACT THAT HERE IN OUR FIRST COUNCIL MEETING, OR FIRST COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEETINGS, WE COULD DO 150, I THINK COULD BE TESTAMENT TO THE REALLY POWERFUL AND IMPORTANT WORK WE CAN DO.
YOU KNOW, I, UM, WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES THAT, UM, THAT ACTUALLY AGREED TO PURCHASE A HOTEL AND, YOU KNOW, IT, WE'RE LUCKY THAT WE DID THAT BECAUSE OF THE COVID, YOU KNOW, IT, IT, IT HELPED US OUT LOUD, YOU KNOW, TAKING CARE OF THE PATIENTS THAT ARE WE'RE RECOVERING, BUT WE'RE DESPERATE NEED HOUSING.
I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, HOMELESSNESS, DALLAS, JUST DOWNTOWN ISSUE, IT'S ALL OVER AUSTIN.
YOU HAVE YOUR CHILDREN OUT THERE ON THE STREETS.
YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT NOT BE YOURS DIRECTLY, BUT IT'S, SOMEONE'S CHILDREN OUT THERE.
AND, AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE FROM THAT COMMUNITY, IF NOT, THERE'LL BE DOWNTOWN, YOU KNOW, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND, AND WHERE WE'RE REACHING OUT THE WAY THAT WE CAN DO IT IMMEDIATELY.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID, WE, WE NEED ALTERNATIVE HOUSING.
WELL, IT TAKES TWO WEEKS JUST FOR, FOR AN APARTMENT TO GET BUILT IN THIS CITY, IF, IF YOU COULD DO IT THAT FAST, EVEN THE TAX CREDITS.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY JUST TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT RIGHT NOW AND PURCHASE THESE HOTEL AND TO CONVERT THEM INTO, YOU KNOW, LIVABLE, PROTECTIVE SPACE.
WE HAVE THESE HOMELESS THERE IN THAT HOTEL AND WE'D BE ABLE TO MONITOR THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE GETTING THEIR SERVICE.
SEEING IF IT'S BEEN DAMAGED IS STILL THERE AND MAKE SURE THEY GET THEIR FIRST AND SECOND INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO OUT THERE IN THE WOODS, TRYING TO SEARCH FOR THEM, YOU KNOW? AND, AND SO, I MEAN, IF I,
[05:15:01]
IF, IF YOU WANTED TO DELAY THAT FOR A WEEK, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S UP TO Y'ALL, I'M, I'M READY RIGHT NOW.SO, UH, BUT, UH, I, I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT WE NEEDED TO TAKE THIS UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HOPEFULLY IT'S TODAY, YOU KNOW, WHERE PEOPLE COME INTO US EVERY DAY, SAY WHERE THERE NOT ENOUGH HOUSING OR NOT ENOUGH FOR, FOR HOUSING.
AND, AND WE KEEP THE LADIES TYPE OF PROJECTS AND, AND WE FALLING BEHIND FURTHER AND FURTHER.
SO, UM, I'M READY TO START, GO FOR IT TODAY.
SO YOU JOINED THE SESAME BEFORE I SPOKE.
UM, UH, I SECONDED THIS, UM, ITEM B OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE REQUEST FROM OUR NEW COLLEAGUES, UH, UH, FROM OUR NEW COLLEAGUE.
UM, IT'S A REQUEST THAT ALL OF US HAVE MADE FROM TIME TO TIME.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE BEEN, UM, ABLE TO SEE OUR REQUESTS APPROVED.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE NOT, WE KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE WHEN WE ARE ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT AND WE DON'T GET IT.
UM, IT'S, IT'S A DIFFICULT THING TO WORK BACK FROM BECAUSE WHEN WE ASK FOR A DELAY, EVEN A SHORT ONE, LIKE THIS ONE IS IT'S BECAUSE WE NEED TO TALK WITH OUR ELECTORATE.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE TRUST, UH, CONTINUES IN OUR CONSTITUENCY.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON, PARTICULARLY IN THIS INSTANCE WHERE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY ONLY JUST WAS SWORN IN THIS MONTH.
AND SHE DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE THAT TO ENGAGE WITH HER COMMUNITY AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, IN ORDER TO HAVE THE TALENT AND, AND TO ASK STAFF TO GO AND HELP HER WITH THE EXPLANATIONS.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE.
THAT'S, THAT'S ONE OF THE THAT'S.
ONE OF OUR BIGGEST AUTHORITIES IS OUR ABILITY ACCURATELY AND TIMELY TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND MOST, ESPECIALLY THE ONES WHO ARE IN OUR DISTRICTS, WE OWE THEM A DEBT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
AND I APPRECIATE, UM, THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO, TO, UM, GIVE THIS SHORT DELAY TO OUR NEW, UH, COLLEAGUE.
I THINK WE HAVE ASSURANCES FROM OUR REAL ESTATE STAFF THAT THE SEVEN DAY, UH, REQUEST IS NOT GOING TO IMPAIR THEIR FORWARD MOTION IN ANY WAY.
I THINK ALL OF US HAVE, UM, ESSENTIALLY INDICATED THAT THIS WILL PASS AND IN THE SPIRIT OF COLLEGIALITY AND COOPERATION, UM, I URGE US ALL TO GRANT THIS REQUEST FOR A ONE-WEEK POSTPONEMENT ON ITEM 31.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT UP, THAT'S FIVE TO FIVE ON THIS ISSUE.
UH, I THINK WE HAD DONE, UH, UH, I THINK I HAD KELLY POOL, KITCHEN ELLISON ALTER, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER.
MADISON ALSO SAID SHE SUPPORTED IS THAT, AND THAT'S DECIDED THAT WAY, NATASHA.
MAYOR PRO TEM OR PER MEDICINE, I WILL GET THAT RIGHT.
I, YES, I, I, UH, OFFERED TO SUPPORT OUR COLLEAGUES REQUEST.
SO I THINK THAT THAT INDICATES THEN AT LEAST THE SIX VOTES TO DO THAT, BUT I DO WANT TO ADDRESS THE, THE, THE POSTPONEMENT, UH, ISSUE.
UH, I THINK IT'S REAL CLEAR FROM THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PURCHASE, UH, WHICH I THINK IS A REAL IMPORTANT THING, BECAUSE I THINK THE MESSAGE WE NEED TO BE SENDING TO THE COMMUNITY IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE WITH GREAT URGENCY TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF TENTS AND OFF OUR STREETS.
UH, AND I THINK THAT THE MOTEL STRATEGY IS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY FOR US TO DO THAT.
AND WE STARTED A YEAR AGO, UH, TO DO THIS AND WE'RE ABLE TO ACQUIRE TWO MOTELS.
AND, UH, MANY OF US WERE ENCOURAGING THE STAFF TO, TO MOVE QUICKLY, UH, TO, TO, TO, TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THAT PORTFOLIO AND IMPORTANTLY TO DO IT, UH, ALL OVER THE CITY.
SO IT WASN'T JUST IN ONE PLACE AND A MANAGER.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE STAFF FOR GETTING THESE ITEMS BACK ON THE, UH, AGENDA.
[05:20:01]
SAY THAT WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT WE DON'T STOP HERE, UH, THAT, THAT, THAT WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE STRATEGY, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO THAT.UM, I WOULD BE, UM, UH, UH, CONCERNED OVER THIS NEXT WEEK, UH, THAT, THAT I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE MISLED WITH RESPECT TO WHAT THIS VOTE TO POSTPONE MEANS.
UH, I THINK THAT IN, IN A VERY REAL SENSE, IT'S KIND OF GOING ALONG WITH THE TENOR OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING TODAY OTHERWISE.
AND, UM, UM, BUT, BUT NO ONE SHOULD BE CONFUSED OR MISLED ABOUT, BUT THE SENTIMENT THAT WAS EXPRESSED BY THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE TODAY, UM, I, I APPRECIATE THE DESIRE, UH, UH, COUNCILMEMBER KELLY TO, TO GO BACK AND VISIT WITH THE FOLKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK THERE'S REALLY IMPORTANT WORK FOR THE NEIGHBORS TO BE DOING, UH, IN THIS CONVERSATION, NOT ONLY THIS NEXT WEEK, BUT, BUT IN THE WEEKS AFTER THAT, BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN ENGAGE AND SHOULD BE, UH, ENGAGING THE CITY ON AND HOW WE DO THIS IN A WAY, UH, THAT, THAT, THAT WORKS BEST WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, UH, TO CONSIDER THINGS LIKE PUTTING IN NO CAMPS AT LOT OF PROVISIONS IN THE AREA AROUND, UH, THIS KIND OF FACILITY, UH, BUILDING, UH, PRIVACY FENCES, OR OTHER KINDS OF THINGS LIKE HAPPENED IN THE PROPERTY THAT WENT IN, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, RENTER, RIAS DISTRICT.
SO FIGURING OUT THE BEST WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, I THINK IS GOING TO BE A REALLY IMPORTANT AND MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION.
AND, AND, AND I, AND I REALLY WELCOME AND INVITE AND HOPE THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD REALLY HELPS WITH THAT, WITH THAT CONVERSATION.
SO WE CAN DEVELOP THOSE BEST PRACTICES.
UH, AS WE, AS WE IMPLEMENT THIS, UH, OVER THE COURSE OF THE, OF THE CITY, I ALSO WANT EVERYBODY TO, TO, TO, TO REALLY THINK, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE SPEAKERS THAT CAME IN TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE NEED, TO GET HOUSING AND TO REALLY PUSH NO ONE WANTS TO SEE ANYBODY IN OUR CITY, INTENSE, CAMPING ANYWHERE IN OUR CITY.
WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE IN HOMES, AND WE KNOW THAT, UH, WE HAVE TO THAT, THAT THE PEOPLE CAN BEST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SUPPORT SERVICES WHEN THEY'RE IN HOMES, A HOME WITHOUT SERVICES, DOESN'T WORK SERVICES WITHOUT HOME, IT DOESN'T WORK AS WELL.
WE REALLY NEED TO COMBINE THOSE TWO, BUT THERE'S A WHOLE CONTINUUM OF HOUSING, UH, THAT THE, THE EXPERTS TELL US THAT WE NEED.
NOW, PART OF THE HOUSING THAT WE NEED IS RAPID HOUSE AND EMERGENCY HOUSING, UH, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE AT EVEN BETTER AND SAFER PLACES THAN THEY ARE, UH, WHEN THEY'RE, WHEN THEY'RE, UH, LYING AND CAMPING UNDER OVERPASSES AND ON OUR STREETS.
AND I HOPE THAT AS A COUNCIL, WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE SAME DRIVE WITH GREAT URGENCY TO DO WHAT IT TAKES, TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF TENTS AND OFF OUR STREETS WITH THE GOAL BA TO GET TO THE PLACE WHERE WE ACTUALLY PUT PEOPLE OR HELP PEOPLE FIND HOUSING, WHERE THEY CAN GET THE SUPPORTING SERVICES, UH, THIS IS WORK THAT WE HAVE TO DO, AND WE HAVE TO DO IT WITH GREAT URGENCY.
UH, SO, UH, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE VOTE.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE, THE POSTPONEMENT IS GOING TO, TO, TO PASS FOR ITS USE THIS NEXT WEEK AS CONSTRUCTIVELY AS WE, AS WE CAN.
UM, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY.
SO WE'LL VOTE TO APPROVE THIS NEXT WEEK.
UH, AND, UM, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I THINK THE COMMUNITY WANTS US TO START, UH, MOVING FORWARD WITH GETTING PEOPLE INTO HOMES AT A GREATER RATE THAN WE HAVE BEEN DOING COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
I WANTED TO, UM, ASK THE CITY MANAGER, IF COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS NOT ALREADY REQUESTED THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT STAFF REACH OUT DIRECTLY TO, UM, COMMISSIONER LONG AND GET HER QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
SO, UM, THAT CAN HAPPEN IN A SWIFT WAY.
AND I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY A GOOD PRACTICE WITH ANY OF THESE HOTELS IN THE FUTURE.
UM, SO THAT WE ARE WORKING HAND IN GLOVE WITH, UM, THESE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, BECAUSE I THINK ADDITIONAL, UM, REGIONAL COOPERATION AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTAL LEVELS IMPROVING THAT, UM, CAN HELP US TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS OF HOUSING HOMELESS.
[05:25:01]
SO I WANTED, I'M NOT SURE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, WHO WILL BE IN YOUR SUB QUORUM ON THIS ISSUE.AND SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I, I MADE MY COMMENTS NOW AND I APOLOGIZE, I FORGOT TO MAKE IT EARLIER.
SO I THINK THAT THERE IS, UM, I THINK THAT I AGREE WITH THE MAYOR THAT, THAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS, THAT THE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU WILL HAVE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT.
BUT I WOULD SAY THE MANAGER CITY MANAGER, I THINK WE, WE REALLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT SOME MECHANISM FOR CONTINUING THOSE CONVERSATIONS, UM, WITH THE COMMUNITY AND, AND THIS MAY ALREADY BE IN PLACE AT ROADWAY, AND WE JUST HAVEN'T RECEIVED A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT IT, BUT I KNOW THAT WITH THE ROADWAY IN, WE, IT IS, IT IS NOT IN DISTRICT NINE, BUT IT WAS JUST OVER THE BORDER.
AND SO I WAS HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS AS WELL.
AND I KNOW ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE THAT DAY ON COUNCIL IS MAKING SURE TO ADDRESS, TO MEET WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AREA AND TO ADDRESS CONCERNS THEY HAVE.
BUT I WOULD GO A STEP FURTHER AND SAY, YOU KNOW, AS WE'RE, AS WE'RE MAKING THIS AN ONGOING STRATEGY CITY MANAGER, I WOULD ASK THAT WE REALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT, HOW BEST TO, HOW BEST.
UM, AND MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME KIND OF GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY.
WE MAY ACTUALLY ALREADY HAVE ONE.
UM, I'VE BEEN SEARCHING MY EMAIL BOX BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S POPPED UP SEVERAL TIMES.
WE'VE BEEN LOOKING THROUGH YOUR MATERIALS THAT YOU CONSTRUCTED.
UM, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A SHELTER ON BEN WHITE, I THINK THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO ALL OF US HAD TALKED ABOUT A GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY, BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING.
AND I THINK NECESSARY TO, TO, TO SET UP A COMMUNICATION, UM, A VERY CODIFIED COMMUNICATION STRATEGY FOR NOT JUST IN THE, IN THE DAYS BEFORE WE MAKE AN ACQUISITION, BUT AFTER THE CITY HAS ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY AND MOVING FORWARD.
SO SOME, SOME BASIC, YOU KNOW, EXPECTATIONS THAT COMMUNITIES WHERE THESE PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED, UM, HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT.
AND, AND, UM, I THINK IT WILL GO A LONG WAY TO, TO HELPING, HELPING NEIGHBORS BECOME MORE INVOLVED WITH THEIR NEW NEIGHBORS ON THOSE SITES.
I WATCHED THIS WITH FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST COUPLE PROPERTIES SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS HAD LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM AND FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES REALLY WORKED WITH, UM, NEIGHBORS TO HAVE THOSE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS, TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEIR COMMUNICATION WAS GOING TO BE LIKE AFTER THEY OPENED.
AND THEY'VE JUST DONE A MARVELOUS JOB, I THINK OF, OF BRINGING, BRINGING THE PUBLIC IN AND OPENING UP THEIR PROPERTIES FOR, FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND ASK QUESTIONS AND GET TO KNOW THEIR NEIGHBORS WHO LIVED THERE.
AND, AND THEN THEY ALSO HAVE LOTS OF PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT FROM SURROUNDING AREAS.
SO I THINK WE, YOU KNOW, WE EMBARKED ON THIS STRATEGY KIND OF QUICKLY.
WE ARE STILL FIGURING OUT WHAT THAT ONGOING ROLE IS.
I THINK, FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES.
SO IT'S NOT, OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT EXACTLY THE SAME MODEL, UM, OF, OF HOUSING.
UM, I D I THINK IS AN EXCELLENT MODEL FOR THE CITY IN TERMS OF HOW WE, HOW WE BE A GOOD NEIGHBORS, UM, IN MANAGING THESE PROPERTIES AND COUNCIL MEMBER ENTRY, I USED, YOU MADE SOME COMMENTS LAST WEEK ABOUT THE ROADWAY IN THAT I KNOW I HAVE, I KNOW SOMEONE WHO LIVES QUITE CLOSE TO IT TOO, AND THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE SAID THE CITY'S OWNERSHIP OF THAT PROPERTY AND MAINTENANCE OF IT AND INCREASE LEVEL OF SECURITY HAS REALLY IMPROVED THINGS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I, I THINK THAT WE, THE MOVEMENT TOWARD A MORE CODIFIED GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY WOULD BE REALLY USEFUL.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER, KITCHEN, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP POINT US TO WHAT YOU THINK THE BEST RESOURCES ARE THAT YOU DEVELOPED FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS, AND THAT WE CAN PULL TOGETHER AND MAYBE DRAW ON SOME OF OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS, UM, TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THESE ARE OUR SUCCESS ARE WONDERFUL PLACES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO, WHO LIVE THERE AND THE WONDERFUL PLACES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AROUND HIM.
UH, CASPER, UH, KELLY COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN WAS FIRST, I THINK, WAS YOUR PROPERTY.
SO I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO SPEAK IF YOU WANT IT.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THAT MAYOR.
UM, AND THANK YOU COLLEAGUES FOR ALLOWING ME TO HAVE THIS POSTPONEMENT OF THE PROPERTY.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOUR WISDOM AND ADVICE ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC THAT WE'RE TACKLING, AND I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO CREATING THOSE POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, KITCHEN.
I JUST QUICKLY WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR AND MENTIONING, UM, OUR, UH, COLLEAGUES FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
UM, THERE'S AT LEAST ONE OTHER, UH, ONE OTHER THAT I SPOKE WITH IN ADDITION TO COMMISSIONER LONG.
AND SO I'LL SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH OUR STAFF SO THEY CAN REACH OUT.
I THINK THAT WAS AN EXCELLENT SUGGESTION.
UM, AND THANK YOU ALSO, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA.
I THINK THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN ONE THINGS THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS
[05:30:01]
THAT WE LEARNED LAST YEAR, AND I KNOW, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER RENTERIA HAS LEARNED IS THAT, UM, HUMBERT EACH ONE OF THOSE GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICIES, UH, REALLY NEED TO BE, UM, CRAFTED, UH, WITH THE SPECIFICS OF THE, UH, WHAT'S IN THE AREA, BUT THERE ARE SOME BASIC THINGS.AND SO I WILL SHARE WHAT WE DEVELOPED, UM, LAST YEAR AND PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, THAT CAN FORM A BASIS FOR MORE FOR FORMALIZING THAT APPROACH AS COUNCIL MEMBER TOPO SUGGESTED.
AND ALSO INCLUDE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF THESE, UH, SHELTERS AND, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UM, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, WE HAVE THAT, THAT HOTEL OR OFFICE BUILDING THAT GOT CONVERTED RIGHT.
AND, UH, AND, AND, UH, IN DISTRICT TWO, WE HAVE, THEY CONVERTED, UH, A RETIREMENT HOME NURSING HOME THERE INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND THEN THE ONE AT NN KITCHENS THERE ON LAMAR, WE'RE NOT HAVING THE KIND OF PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE THINK WE ARE.
I, WE DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF INCIDENT.
HE THINKS THESE LOCATIONS ARE MANAGED, YOU KNOW, VERY PROFESSIONALLY AND THEY DO NOT ALLOW ANY OF THOSE KINDS OF ACTIVITIES TO GO ON IN THEIR LOCATION.
SO, YOU KNOW, I, I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT SO THAT PEOPLE THAT, YOU KNOW, DOESN'T HAVE THE FEAR THAT THAT'S WHAT KIND OF, BUNCH OF CRIMINALS ARE JUST GOING TO MOVE IN AND RUN A DRUG OPERATION OR SOMETHING.
AND I HOPE THAT THAT'S ONE OF THE PRESENTATIONS THAT ALSO GETS DELIVERED TO, TO DISTRICT SIX WHEN THE REACH PROGRAM PROJECT, WHERE A MEETING WITH THEM.
OKAY, THANK YOU, COUNSELOR KELLY.
I THINK THIS IS REALLY IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO HELP US, UH, FOR YOU AND YOUR DISTRICT TO HELP US COME UP WITH WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES HERE ON THE GOOD NEIGHBOR STUFF.
AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE A START AND MAYBE A STAFF CAN HELP US FIND IT.
MY RECOLLECTION IS, IS THAT WE, WE IN FACT, GAVE THE MANAGER THE AGILITY TO JUST, UH, DECLARE, UH, NO SAID NO EYES ZONE IN A CERTAIN DISTANCE AROUND ANYTHING THAT WAS PUT TO, TO THIS KIND OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING USE.
UM, I DON'T REMEMBER THE SPECIFICS OF IT, BUT SOMETHING IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, IN CASE THERE'S ALREADY A START OF HAVING CODIFIED SOME OF THIS FROM THE WORK THAT THAT'S WHERE MY KITCHEN HAD DONE, UH, BACK WHEN WE WERE ON THAT SOUTH LAMAR TRACK EMOTION IN FRONT OF US IS THE MOTION TO POSTPONE.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE BOAT.
THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO POSTPONE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
PEOPLE WHO OPPOSED ARE
UH, COLLEAGUE GETS ALL THAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
UH, SO, UH, WITH THAT, UH, WE'RE GOING TO BE MEETING NEXT TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, TUESDAY WORK SESSION THURSDAY, UH, WE'LL POST, UH, HERE FOR THE, BE SOBER, A DATE FOR A SPECIAL CALL TO GO OVER, UH, UH, PALLET, UH, ITEMS. ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE STOP COUNCIL MEMBER TOA, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER AND 30TH.
YEAH, SOMETHING THAT I, I WISHED I HAD SAID, I'M SORRY, I'VE DONE THIS ALL DAY.
I KEEP THINKING OF THINGS I HAD MEANT TO SAY, BUT I DO THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE, UM, MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY, UM, IS NOT A CRAVING HOMELESSNESS WITH CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, TO THE POINT THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND SEPARATE IT, WHICH NONE OF US HAVE DONE HERE TODAY.
I'M NOT SUGGESTING ANY OF IT AT EIGHT, ANYONE ON THE DIOCESE HAS, BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT TOO IS, IS ONE OF THE REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS THAT, THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL LEARN IN THESE HOTEL MOTEL STRATEGIES THAT, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND I THINK ONE OF YOU MAY HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE WHERE IT WAS A SPEAKER, THE CONNECTION TO CRIME, UM, IS JUST NOT THERE.
SO I JUST FELT NECESSARY TO SAY THAT, OKAY,
YES, MA'AM THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME.
I JUST ANNOUNCED, UH, THAT, UM, MY, MY EDUCATION POLICY AIDE, UH, LIZETTE MENENDEZ, UH, HAS LEFT MY OFFICE.
SHE'S A, UM, YOU KNOW, MASTER'S DEGREE AND, UH, SO SHE IS PURSUING HER CAREER.
[05:35:01]
UH, DENVER, COLORADO, AND I JUST WANT TO WISH HER THE BEST, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS, I, I, BUT I JUST FEEL THAT, YOU KNOW, UH, POLICY AID HAS CAREER ALSO.SO, AND, AND, AND, YOU KNOW, SHE FINALLY FOUND A JOB THAT SHE REALLY WANTED TO PROCEED.
I JUST WISH THE BEST FOR HER IN HER.
UH, SO, UH, ALSO ONE ANNOUNCED THAT STEPHANIE BET IS IT'S GOING TO BE TAKEN HER POSITION.
SO IF Y'ALL NEED TO CONTACT OR ANYTHING PERTAINING TO EDUCATION AND, AND, UH, PARKS AND REC, SHE'S GOING TO BE TAKING OVER THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.
SO THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME ANNOUNCE THAT THERE, WE ALWAYS SHOW YOUR STAFFER THE BEST, AND I'M HAPPY THAT SHE WAS WITH US.
WE ALL HELP EACH OTHER ON THIS FLOOR.
UH, BAYER PROTON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
UM, I, I ALSO WISH LEE SAID GOOD LUCK AND SAFE TRAVELS.
UM, THERE WERE TWO THINGS THAT I WANTED TO BRING UP REAL QUICKLY.
ONE, UM, AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, UM, STRATEGIC PARTNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE THE COMMUNITY BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY THEIR EFFORTS TO HELP HOUSE FOLKS, I THINK THE COMMUNITY FIRST FOLKS WOULD BE A GREAT ORGANIZATION TO TALK TO, UM, FOR NO OTHER REASON ON, ON ONE OF MY TOURS OF THE COMMUNITY FIRST VILLAGE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED WAS WITH THE ANTICIPATION OF THERE BEING, YOU KNOW, PROBLEMATIC ELEMENTS FROM THE RESIDENTS AT COMMUNITY FIRST, WHAT ENDED UP MANIFESTING IN REALITY WAS THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY COMING INTO THEIR COMMUNITY AND CAUSING PROBLEMS. AND SO I THINK IT'S, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING, UM, THE PERSPECTIVE THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER.
ALSO, THERE'S A SPOT JUST OFF OF A MLK IN MY DISTRICT.
THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER 30 YEARS, UM, HELPING FOLKS THROUGH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND EXTENDED PERIODS OF, OF HOMELESSNESS THAT I PROBABLY PASSED BY FOR THE BETTER PART OF 40 YEARS AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.
UM, SO IT REALLY IS POSSIBLE WHEN THINGS GO WELL FOR ALL OF US TO CO-EXIST.
AND I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYBODY JUST ACCEPTING THAT AS OUR REALITY AND MOVING FORWARD, UM, WITH MORE COMPASSION AND ACCEPTANCE.
UM, THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY ON OUR WAY OUT IS, UM, I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE LEVEL OF ENTHUSIASM AND PASSION THAT FOLKS BRING TO THESE CONVERSATIONS.
UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MY OFFICE HAS BEEN GETTING A LOT OF IS SUGGESTIONS, UM, FOR IT HAVING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
UM, AND SOMETIMES THAT SUGGESTION IS IN THE FORM OF PEOPLE'S BUSINESS VENTURES, UM, AND IDEAS AROUND SPECIFIC TECHNICAL COMPONENTS FOR STRUCTURES.
UH, I WILL SAY THIS, UH, I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT INFORMATION THAT YOU SEND TO US AND I'M GOING TO SEND IT TO THE APPROPRIATE PARTY.
SO I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY PUBLICLY, UM, AND MAYBE EVEN AN S IF ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SUGGESTIONS, BUT WE HAVE A HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICER.
I THINK THAT OFFICE IS THE MORE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO DIRECT SUGGESTIONS ABOUT STRUCTURES AND, AND BEST PRACTICES NATIONWIDE, ET CETERA.
UM, I, I REALLY DON'T WANT FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE THEY AREN'T BEING THEIR CONCERNS OR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DIALOGUE AREN'T BEING CONSIDERED, OR, UM, WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, TAKING THEM SERIOUSLY.
OUR OFFICES JUST AREN'T NECESSARILY THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO DIRECT THAT.
UM, CAUSE THEY CAN UNFORTUNATELY KIND OF GET BURIED IN SOME OF, ALL OF THE OTHER STUFF THAT WE, THAT WE DO DO.
UM, SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE FOLKS, IF YOU HAVE IDEAS, IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS THAT YOU'RE WORKING ON THAT IS CREATED SOME MAGNIFICENT, YOU KNOW, COST-EFFECTIVE STRUCTURE TYPE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO OUR HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE AND, AND LET THEM KNOW, UH, ABOUT YOUR IDEAS.
CAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE MORE APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR THOSE SUGGESTIONS TO LAND.
AND WITH THAT FIVE 45 WOULD TAKE CARE OF BUSINESSES.