[00:00:04]
IN ON THE DIES AND WE HAVE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SHOW, AND I SEE, UH, YOUR BLOCK, BUT I DON'T SEE YOU, YOU WITH US.
AND THEN, UH, ALICE SAID, I THINK IS YET TO JOIN US, BUT THAT DOES GIVE US A CORUM.
SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
I CALLED TO ORDER TODAY, THE, UH, SPECIAL CALLED, UH, MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2021.
UH, THIS, UH, IS TO HANDLE BUDGET ITEMS. UH, WE ALSO HAVE, UH, AN, A DEVO WITH A HOTEL ITEM AND I ALSO HAVE, UH, TODAY, UH, NOT A PART OF THIS BV, BUT WE HAVE, UH, MUELLER AND A LOSS OF HOUSING, FINANCE, UH, CORPORATION, UH, AND THEN A SERIES OF, OF BUDGET RELATED, UH, ITEMS.
[BUDGET PUBLIC COMMENT]
UH, SORRY TO, UH, BEGIN TODAY WITH THE, UH, SPEAKERS I'M GOING TO, THESE ARE SPEAKERS SPEAKING ON EVERYTHING WE HAVE TODAY.UH, WE'RE CALLING, UH, ALL SPEAKERS TO SPEAK.
UH, I'M GOING TO ASK, I'M GOING TO GIVE TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE IN PERSON, THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK SO THAT, UH, THEY DON'T HAVE TO STAY HERE IF THEY DON'T WANT TO, SINCE IT'S IN PERSON, THEN WE'LL GO TO THE FOLKS ON THE TELEPHONE.
AT THE END OF THE TELEPHONE, I WILL COME BACK AND ASK IF ANYBODY SHOWED UP THAT DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT THE BEGINNING.
AFTER WE HAVE ALL THE SPEAKERS, IT'S THE GENERAL INTENT TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, TO DISCUSS THE, UH, HOTEL PATTER, HAD TO DISCUSS THE BALLOT LANGUAGE.
UH, HOPEFULLY WE CAN COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THEY'D TAKE ACTION IF ANDY ON THOSE, UH, ON THOSE, UH, ITEMS, UH, AND THEN IT WILL LEAVE US THEN THE, THE BUDGET ITEMS TO DEAL WITH GENERALLY FOLLOWING OUT OF THE PROCESS WE HAVE ON THE MESSAGE BOARD, UH, BUT WHAT WE GET WITH THE STAFF AND IT APPEARS, UH, THAT THE CHOICES WE BAKE THEIR, THEIR BABY, A SUFFICIENT FIVE, JUST TO BE ABLE TO GIVE TO TAXPAYERS, EVEN MORE RELIEF THAT THE MANAGER HAD PROPOSED AND STILL HIT THE, UH, THE, UH, PRIORITIES THAT HAD BEEN INDICATED BY COUNCIL.
BUT WE'LL SEE IF IT ACTUALLY PLAYS OUT THAT WAY.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION THAT I WOULD HAVE THE CLERK THAT THEY HAD, UH, UH, IF IT'S OKAY, I HAVE A LIST OF THE IN-PERSON SPEAKERS AND I WOULD BEGIN BY, BY, BY CALLING THEM, OKAY, WE ALL SET.
THESE ARE INCLUDE, UH, SPEAKERS BEING CALLED OR ALL ITEMS WE HAVE TODAY, INCLUDING ITEMS ONE THROUGH FIVE, WHICH ARE BUDGET FEES.
THE CLASSIFICATION ORDINANCES ITEM SIX, WHICH IS TO RATIFY THE INCREASE OF THE TAX RATE FOR THE BUDGET ITEM 11 AND 12 TO THE ITEMS FOR ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, THE MUELLER LOCAL GOVERNMENT, UH, CORPORATION.
I THINK WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO CALL THOSE MEETINGS TO HOLD THOSE MEETINGS.
WE'LL GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT THAT POINT, UH, AS, AS WELL.
CAN YOU TELL US HOW MANY SPEAKERS WE HAVE AND HOW MUCH TIME EACH PERSON HAD RECOGNIZING THAT IT'S POSSIBLE THAT DIFFERENT CATEGORIES HAVE DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF TIME? WE, UH, UH, ANNOUNCED THAT ALL SPEAKERS WOULD HAVE WHAT BID IT.
WE HAD 110 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SIGN UP TO SPEAK, I THINK 24 IN PERSON.
SO WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE SPEAKERS.
LET'S BEGIN WITH THOSE THAT ARE IN PERSON WHO ARE HERE, I'LL CALL YOUR NAME AND THEN WHY DON'T YOU COME ON DOWN IS, UH, UH, ROBERT MCBRIDE HERE, BRIDE.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, UH, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE CAYMAN, WHAT SUITES PURCHASE, UH, WHICH IS ITEM 13.
AND I'M ASKING PAIGE ELLIS, WHO'S MY COUNCIL MEMBER TO VOTE AGAINST THE PURCHASE OF THE CANDLEWOOD SUITES, REALLY FOR MULTIPLE PURPOSES, ONE IT'S IN A HIGH RESIDENTIAL AREA, TWO IT'S IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA, THREE, IT INFRINGES UPON THE BUSINESSES THAT SURROUND THE CANDLEWOOD SUITES, AND THEN THE IDEA OR THE NOTION TO TURN IT INTO A, UH, SHELTER FOR,
[00:05:01]
UM, FOR WOMEN, UH, SEEMS A LITTLE MISGUIDED THEN THAT THE SHELTER WILL THEN BE OUT IN THE OPEN.IT WILL BE IN PUBLIC AND IT WILL DO NOTHING FOR THE SECURITY, THE LADIES OR THE FAMILIES THAT WILL BE USING THIS SHELTER IN THE FUTURE.
YOU SIR, IS, UH, CARRIE ROBERTS, SORRY, CARRIE.
CARRIE ROBERTS CORBY GESTURAL IS ON DECK.
UH, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M CARRIE ROBERTS, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GREATER AUSTIN CRAM COMMISSION AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT.
WE APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSAL TO FUND TWO POLICE CADET CLASSES, BUT EVEN WITH TWO CLASSES FULL CLASSES, WE KNOW THAT DEPARTMENT STILL HAVE A NET LOSS AT THE CURRENT ATTRITION RATES.
SO, YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET RIDER TO AUTHORIZE A THIRD MODIFIED CLASS SIGNALS, THE CITY'S INTENT TO AGGRESSIVELY TRAIN AND RECRUIT OFFICERS, BUT AS COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, AND MANY OF YOU KNOW, IT ALSO PRESENTS SOME CHALLENGES BECAUSE THREE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS ARE USING A FACILITY THAT WAS BUILT MORE THAN A DECADE AGO AND DESIGNED FOR EXPANSION THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.
SO WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO IMPROVE RETENTION, LOWER ATTRITION AND SCALE THE TRAINING.
AND WE KNOW THAT THAT TAKES TIME AND MONEY.
NO ONE OF COURSE COULD HAVE FORESEEN THE EVENTS OF THE LAST TWO YEARS AND NOTABLY THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THAT STILL THREATENS US.
BUT SOME OF THE ISSUES WE STRUGGLE WITH ARE THE CONSEQUENCES, UNINTENDED AND OTHERWISE OF POLICY DECISIONS.
AND THERE WAS NOTHING ANYONE COULD DO ABOUT A PANDEMIC, BUT THE POLICE STAFFING CROSSES WAS SELF-INFLICTED.
SO WITH RISING CRIME AND SLOW RESPONSE TIMES, I BELIEVE ALL OF US WERE SUPPORTED.
THE HARD CHOICES YOU MUST MAKE TO KEEP OUR CITY SAFE.
THANK YOU, MR. JESS DROUGHT CALL CUTOFF IS OUR DECK MORTY MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10 AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE MOST CRITICAL RESPONSIBILITY OF CITY GOVERNMENT CITY MANAGERS.
KROC'S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING FOR TWO POLICE CADET CLASSES.
THE ONLY WAY TO LOWER CRIME AND REDUCE RESPONSE TIMES IS TO KEEP RECRUITING AND KEEP TRYING TO NEW OFFICERS.
COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY'S BUDGET BOUGHT HER AUTHORIZED AND A THIRD MODIFIED CADET CLASS IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO CATCH UP REPORTS FROM THE ONE 44TH CADET CLASS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING YOU TO CAT THE ACADEMY.
STAFF WORK HARD TO OVERHAUL TRAINING, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMUNITY AND CONSULTANTS I MET IN.
I MET MANY IN THE CURRENT CADET CLASS EARLIER THIS SUMMER AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED.
AUSTIN HAS A HIGH RECRUITING STANDARDS.
THAT'S GOOD, BUT ALSO A CHALLENGE.
WE ARE MOVING TO A COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS ITS POLICE FORCE.
WE MUST CONTINUE CADET CLASSES TO ADDRESS THE STAFFING CRISIS IN AMBIVALENT POLICE REFORM AND FIND WAYS TO PROVE INTENTION APPROVING THIS BUDGET IS A VOTE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
THANK YOU, MR. CARTER IS A SUSAN SPATARO HERE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND A POLICY ANALYST FOR THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION.
AS CARRIE SAID, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FACES A STAFFING CRISIS AND THE TWO CADET CLASSES AND THE CITY MANAGER, CROCS PROPOSED BUDGET ARE A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN ADDRESSING THIS CRISIS.
AND AS OUR COMMUNITY PLANS FOR POLICE STAFFING IN THE FUTURE, THESE DISCUSSIONS SHOULD BE INFORMED BY A DATA-DRIVEN MODEL AND NOT OUTDATED METRICS.
RESEARCHERS FROM TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN ARE DEVELOPING MACHINE LEARNING MODEL THAT COMBINES CALLS FOR SERVICE DATA WITH SURVEY RESEARCH ABOUT COMMUNITY VALUES AND EXPECTATIONS.
THIS POLICE STAFFING MODEL WILL HELP DETERMINE THE OPTIMAL RESPONSE TIME TO CALLS FOR SERVICE AND THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS IT'LL TAKE TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS.
THE RESEARCHERS SHOULD HAVE EARLY DATA IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS TOOL WILL HELP THE CITY MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT HOW MANY OFFICERS WE NEED TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, UH, FOR YEARS TO COME.
AND WE HOPE IT WILL GROUND A FUTURE BUDGET CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POLICE STAFFING IN EMPIRICAL DATA.
YOU'LL BE ON DECK AFTER THE SPEAKERS OVER.
UM, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE POLICE BUDGET AND I GUESS AS AN ACCOUNTANT, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT DON'T MAKE THIS AN ACCOUNTING ISSUE OR A BUDGET ISSUE.
YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE SERVICES, THE CRIME, THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS.
WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY SAFE.
WHEN I LOOK AT THIS PAGE IN YOUR BUDGET, THE PERSONNEL SUMMARY BETWEEN THE
[00:10:01]
2018 BUDGET AND THIS YEAR IT'S FOUR YEARS BACK.EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT HAS AN INCREASE IN STAFF EXCEPT FOR THE POLICE.
THE POLICE IN SWORN GO DOWN 6% AND NON-SWORN 7%.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET, THE ACTUAL BUDGET, YOU NOW HAVE TRANSFERS OUT BEING 20% OF THE POLICE BUDGET.
YOU NEED TO PLEASE LOOK AT THAT.
I AM ASKING YOU DON'T PLAY A GAME WITH THE STATE.
DON'T PLAY A GAME ON STANDING.
LOOK AT OFFICER'S RESPONSE, TIME SAFETY.
THEY DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS ANYMORE.
IF I CAN HELP ANY OF YOU WITH THAT, I WILL BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
THE ANSWER IS, UH, UH, PEPPER PADILLA HERE, SIR.
WHAT YOU COME TO HAVE IS PEPPER BEDINA HERE IS AMY CRAZE BEEN HERE? NO.
UM, IS, UH, UH, CAROLINE RYAN HERE? NO.
WHAT ABOUT, UH, MATTHEW CHORD? WHAT ABOUT, UH, BILL SPELMAN? YOU'LL BE ON DECK.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M A RESIDENT 45 YEAR RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX.
I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE AGAINST ITEM AGENDA, ITEM 13.
I'M A RESIDENT OF ANDERSON MILL FOR 45 YEARS AND LIVED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE CANDLE WOOD HOTEL.
THE REASONS FOR ASKING THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO VOTE AGAINST OUR, THERE IS NO PUBLIC BUS.
THERE IS NO LOCAL AND THE, THERE IS NO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.
AND ALONG WITH OTHER MEMBERS, NEIGHBORS, PARDON ME? WE HAVE EXPERIENCED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND THE YARDS AGAINST THE FENCE LINE BEHIND THE OAKWOOD SUITES AREA, CANDLEWOOD SUITES.
PARDON ME? CONCERNS ARE UNWANTED INTERACTIONS WITH CHILDREN AT THE SCHOOLS AND THE NEIGHBORING PLAYGROUNDS.
WE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY FIRST APPROACH TO SOLVE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE.
IT WAS MR. SPELLED WHERE THE COMPANY TOWN IS, UH, LYDIA WOODROFFE HERE.
WHAT ABOUT, UH, UH, BIANCA RAMIREZ? YOU'LL BE ON DECK, MR. SPELLMAN.
WELCOME BACK TO THE HALLS OF GOVERNMENT HERE.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN YOU'VE BEEN, IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK MAYOR.
UH, I'M UH, SCHEDULED TO SPEAK ON ITEM 10.
IS THAT AN ORDER RIGHT NOW? YES, IT IS.
WELL, TO KEEP IT TO ONE MINUTE, UH, IT HAS BEEN SOLD THAT IT'S AUSTIN, TEXAS HAS A HOMICIDE PROBLEM.
IT HAS BEEN SOLD OF THIS HOMICIDE PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OFFICERS.
THAT IS THE FURTHEST THING FROM THE TRUTH.
THE ISSUE IS NOT THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OFFICERS.
IT IS THAT HOMICIDE RATES HAVE INCREASED BY BETWEEN 30 AND 35% IN CITIES ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.
IF YOU LOOK AT CITIES WITH SMALL, MEDIUM OR LARGE NUMBER OF OFFICERS PER THOUSAND OFFICERS, AUSTIN IS IN THE MIDDLE GROUP.
IT TURNS OUT THE SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY INCREASED BY JUST ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT BETWEEN 30 AND 35% ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
IF YOU LOOK AT TEXAS, YOU FIND THAT THE BIGGEST CITIES IN TEXAS INCREASED BY 30 TO 35%, THE REST OF TEXAS INCREASED BY 38%.
THAT INCLUDES SMALL TOWNS OR RURAL TEXAS.
WE HAD A HUGE INCREASE IN HOMICIDE RATES THAT TRANSCENDED THE AUSTIN'S BORDERS.
IF WE INCREASE THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS, THIS WILL DIVERT ATTENTION FOR WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET THE HOMICIDE RATE DOWN.
IT WILL BE PUTTING MORE AND MORE OF OUR ATTENTION, DIVERTING OUR ATTENTION TO MORE OF THE SAME.
WE KNOW FROM AN EXPERIENCE THAT MORE OF THE SAME GETS US MORE OF THE SAME.
IF WE WANT TO ACTUALLY REDUCE THE HOMICIDE RATE, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT DOES THAT MEANS WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM AND WHAT SPECIFICALLY WE OUGHT TO DO TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT THAT I THINK I'VE EXTENDED MY TIME IN TERMS OF, IN TERMS OF ABSOLUTELY.
HANG ON A SECOND, HANG ON A SECOND.
I SEE YOU AND YOU'LL BE I'LL CALL ON YOU JUST A SECOND IN TERMS OF ABSOLUTE NUMBERS.
HOW IS THE, THE, THE CRIME, UH, HOMICIDES IN AUSTIN AS COMPARED TO OTHER? WE ARE ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AS WE HAVE BEEN FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.
UH, 80% OF CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE A HOMICIDE RATE HIGHER THAN OURS THAT'S AFTER THE LARGE INCREASE OF 2020, AND THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF 2021.
[00:15:01]
COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.SO I JUST WANTED TO, TO THANK, UM, UH, MR. SPELLMAN, I REALLY, UH, APPRECIATE THE EXPERTISE YOU BRING TO THIS SUBJECT.
AND I WOULD JUST ASK IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, IF YOU WOULD EMAIL US, UM, AND SEND US THE INFORMATION THAT YOU JUST SHARED WITH US, IT'S VERY HELPFUL COUNCIL MEMBER.
I HAVE A THREE MINUTE PRESENTATION ON POWERPOINT, WHICH I WILL HAPPILY SEND TO ALL OF YOU.
UM, SO THIS IS THE ITEM FOR US TO EITHER ADOPT TO THIS ORDINANCE OR TO, OR TO NOT ADOPT IT.
WHAT'S, WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON THAT? AND, AND I WOULD NOT ADVISE IT.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL US? DECIDEDLY? NO, ON ITEM NINE, THAT'S THE ONE TO ADOPT THE, UH, UH, SUGGESTED BALLOT PROPOSITION.
YOU HAVE NO CHOICE OF COURSE, EXCEPT TO VOTE.
IT HAS TO GO BEFORE THE VOTERS IS THAT'S BEEN DULY SIGNED BY ENOUGH PEOPLE, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOUR VOTERS TO VOTE FOR IT.
I WOULD SINCERELY URGE YOU TO VOTE, TO TELL THE VOTERS TO VOTE AGAINST THIS.
IT'S DIVERTING ATTENTION TO WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO BE SPENDING OUR TIME ON, WHICH IS IDENTIFYING WHAT KIND OF A HOMICIDE PROBLEM WE HAVE AND WHAT VERY SPECIFIC RESPONSES THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY NEED TO MAKE IN ORDER TO SOLVE THAT HOMICIDE PROBLEM.
NICE TO SEE YOU BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU, AS YOU WERE WRAPPING UP, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, I MEAN, WE'RE ALL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISING HOMICIDE RATE AND YOU WERE WRAPPING UP, I BELIEVE WITH SOME COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT MIGHT, WHAT MIGHT BE SOME GOOD AVENUES TO INVESTIGATE FOR PREVENTION OF HOMICIDE.
SO IF YOU COULD GIVE US A COUPLE OF MINUTES OR FOLLOW UP, I HAVE ACTUALLY WRITTEN IT DOWN AND I WILL SEND IT TO YOU, BUT HERE'S THE SHORT VERSION.
IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC REASON FOR THE HOMICIDE RATE GOING UP AND THERE IS, THEN WE CAN IDENTIFY WHAT THE REASON IS AND WORK OUR WAY BACKWARDS TO THE PRECURSORS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
IF IT TURNS OUT THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES ARE DUE TO PEOPLE GETTING DRUNK IN BARS AND THEN TAKING IT OUTSIDE, GETTING INTO FIGHTS AND SHOOTING EACH OTHER, WHICH IS TRUE FOR A LOT OF PLACES, IT MAY BE TRUE FOR US, MAY NOT.
IF IT'S DUE TO FIGHTING IN AND AROUND BARS, THERE'S STUFF WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT.
UH, CALGARY, ALBERTA, NEW SOUTH WALES, A WHOLE BUNCH OF AUSTRALIAN PLACES HAVE IDENTIFIED THIS AS BEING A HUGE PROBLEM IN AUSTRALIA.
THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.
AND MOSTLY INVOLVES WORKING WITH THE BAR OWNERS TO CHANGE THE RULES, TO THREATEN THEM SOMETIMES WITH HAVING THEIR LICENSES PULLED.
IF THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE, UH, DRINKS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY INEBRIATED AND AGGRESSIVE, THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO WORKING WITH BARS IS A WAY OF DEALING WITH FIGHTS IN AND AROUND BARS.
IF YOU'VE GOT A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROBLEM, THERE ARE A BUNCH CITIES.
THE DULUTH MODEL IS THE FAMOUS CASE.
HIGH POINT NORTH CAROLINA IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE CASE OF WORKING WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.
OTHER CITY AGENCIES WITH FAMILIES DIRECTLY WITH CHURCHES TO TRY AND PREVENT DOMESTIC HOMICIDES, IDENTIFY THAT A HOMICIDE IS IMPENDING OR THAT THE, UH, LEVEL OF VIOLENCE IS RATCHETING UPWARDS.
AND THAT THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO INTERVENE TO PREVENT THAT FROM GOING AS FAR AS HOMICIDE.
UM, IN HIGH POINT NORTH CAROLINA, THEY, UH, TOOK A PROBLEM WHICH HAS PRODUCED 17 DOMESTIC HOMICIDES OVER FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, IMPLEMENTED A PROGRAM INVOLVING CHURCHES, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND FAMILIES DIRECTLY, AND REDUCE THAT FROM 17 TO ONE HOMICIDE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
YOU CAN'T DO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.
UM, IF THE PROBLEM TURNS OUT TO BE CHRONIC OFFENDERS OF BOSTON, UH, BOSTON'S OPERATION CEASE FIRE GIVES US A REALLY GOOD MODEL TO WORK WITH.
AS FAR AS CHRONIC OFFENDERS IS CONCERNED, BASICALLY THEY TOLD ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO THEY THOUGHT WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCREASE IN VIOLENCE IN BOSTON.
WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE, WE KNOW WHAT YOU DID, AND WE GET A WHOLE BUNCH OF HANDLES ON YOU THAT WE'RE NOT USING, JUST BECAUSE WE'RE NOT USING THEM ALL, BUT WE CAN TOW YOUR CAR.
IF WE SEE IT, BECAUSE IT'S, IF IT'S IN PROPERLY PARTS, WE HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF PROBATION RESTRICTIONS WE CAN PUT ON YOUR HOPES AND PAROLE RESTRICTIONS WE CAN PUT ON YOU AND SO ON.
AND BY PULLING ALL THE LEVERS WE NEED TO, IN ORDER TO GET YOU TO CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR, WE CAN GET YOU TO CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR.
IT TURNS OUT IT WORKS BY IDENTIFYING IN ADVANCE, WHO THE CHRONIC OFFENDERS WERE TELLING THEM WHAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO DO, DOING IT IN A MEASURED WAY.
THEY WERE ABLE TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AMONG THOSE CHRONIC OFFENDERS AND CITYWIDE BY 68%.
SO IF WE'VE GOT A CHRONIC OFFENDERS PROBLEM, WE GET, WE CAN GO A BOSTON ROAD.
IF WE'VE GOT A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROBLEM, WE CAN GO INTO LUTH AND HIGH POINT ROAD.
IF IT TURNS OUT WE'VE GOT A FIGHTING INSIDE BARS PROBLEM, WE CAN GO IN A NEW SOUTH WALES ROUTE THERE'S SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY POLICE DEPARTMENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ALL OVER THE ENGLISH SPEAKING WORLD, THAT ADDRESS VERY SPECIFIC PROBLEMS, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT SPECIFIC PROBLEMS WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH YET.
THAT'S WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE SPENDING OUR TIME ON.
I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT NONE OF THESE SOLUTIONS FOCUS ON PATROL OR RESPONSE TIME.
[00:20:01]
THAT'S NOT A BAD THING.IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE MORE CONTROLS.
IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE FASTER RESPONSE TIMES, BUT THAT'S NOT THE CORE OF ANY OF THESE SOLUTIONS.
AND IN FACT, THERE'S NO REASON FOR BELIEVING THAT JUST HAVING MORE CONTROLS OR JUST HAVING MORE FASTER RESPONSE TO THE MYRIAD CALLS THAT WE HAVE IS GOING TO HAVE ANY EFFECT AT ALL ON HOMICIDES.
WELL, I REALLY APPRECIATE THOSE THREE EXAMPLES, AND I THINK THOSE ARE GREAT ARE GREAT ONES FOR OUR OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COORDINATION WITH OUR OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING AP DATA TO TAKE A LOOK AT.
I RECALL THIS IS KIND OF THE AREA THAT YOU WORK IN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.
IT VERY MUCH IS ALTHOUGH I NO LONGER WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, I RETIRED IN MAY.
SHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS TO MY STUDENTS WILL NOT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH MY CALCULUS CLASS ANYMORE.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER QUESTIONS IF YOU, SORRY.
I WAS GOING TO, UM, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SPELMAN ON HIS RETIREMENT.
UM, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE ENGAGED WITH US AS WE TRY TO ADJUST TO THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU'VE IDENTIFIED TODAY, UM, IN YOUR RETIREMENT.
UM, I DID WANT TO JUST ADD, UM, FOLLOW ON TO COUNCIL MEMBER TOMOS COMMENTS ABOUT THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
UM, AS I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS NOWADAYS WE HAVE UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW ARE PRECISELY TO IDENTIFY, UM, THE VERY SPECIFIC CAUSES OF THE VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY THE GUN VIOLENCE, UM, BUT YOU KNOW, THE VIOLENCE IN GENERAL IN OUR CITY, UM, THIS WORK DOES NOT HAVE TO ONLY BE DONE BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL.
UM, AND SO I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSCORE THAT AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING IN LEARNING WITH YOU ON THESE ISSUES, COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE EXPERIENCE OF CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY SHOWS YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
THE BEST WORK IS DONE WHEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKS CLOSELY WITH OTHER CITY AGENCIES, OTHER LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, OCCASIONALLY EVEN WITH THE FEDERAL AGENCIES AND PARTICULARLY WITH THE BUSINESS SECTOR, WITH THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, WITH CHURCHES, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED.
UH, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR AND, AND TOBO AND OTHERS.
UH, THAT WAS MY GOING TO BE MY NEXT QUESTION.
ARE WE WORKING ON THE ANALYSIS THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBER HAS PROPOSED? IT SOUNDS TO ME COUNCIL MEMBER ALTRA FROM WHAT YOU SAID, THAT THAT ANALYSIS IT'S UNDERWAY, I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND BETTER, YOU KNOW, NOT RIGHT THIS MINUTE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE SCOPE OF THAT ANALYSIS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE STAFF THAT'S WORKING ON THOSE ANALYSIS TO PLEASE CONSULT WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SPELLMAN, UM, AS THEY PROCEED WITH THAT ANALYSIS.
SO WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION AT A LATER TIME ABOUT THAT.
UH, BUT I REALLY, UH, APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE, YOU'VE, UH, YOU PROVIDED GREAT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR ON THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE.
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF WHAT'S BEING, UH, PURSUED BECAUSE, UM, I'M HEARING COUNCIL MEMBER SPELMAN REALLY APPRECIATE HIS ADVICE AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BOTH FOLLOW IT AND THAT WE ENGAGE HIM IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT.
I'M HAPPY TO WORK WITH ANYBODY WHO'S WILLING TO INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THIS ISSUE.
I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 40 YEARS AND WOULD LOVE TO KEEP DOING IT.
ANYONE ELSE? COUNCIL MEMBER PAUL? WELL, I DIDN'T WANT TO PASS UP THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY HELLO TO AN OLD FRIEND.
HOW, HOW GREAT IT IS TO SEE YOU, UM, IN CHAMBERS COUNCIL MEMBER SPELLMAN.
AND, UM, ALSO I THINK YOU ARE MY, UM, MY ADVISOR UP AT THE LBJ SCHOOL MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.
SO IT'S GOOD TO YOU AND I HAVE APPRECIATED YOUR GOOD COUNSEL ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE MATTERS IN THE PAST.
IT HAS BEEN, UH, ALWAYS INSIGHTFUL, NOT ONLY, UH, WHILE I'VE BEEN ON THE DAYAS, BUT BEFORE I WAS ON THE DIVE.
AND, UM, UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION WITH YOU, UM, GOING FORWARD, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
I HOPE MY ADVICE WAS GOOD MIRACLES.
SO ALSO ON THIS ITEM THAT YOU'RE TESTIFYING ON, THERE'S MULTIPLE PROVISIONS.
ONE IS TWO OFFICERS PER THOUSAND, BUT ANOTHER IS A 35% UNCOMMITTED TIMES SOMETIMES KNOWN AS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME.
AND SO WHILE THE PRESS HAS OFTENTIMES COVER THIS AT TWO OFFICERS PER THOUSAND, OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR BUDGET OFFICE HAVE SAID, IT'S LIKELY CLOSER TO 2.1, IF NOT 2.35, GIVEN THAT THAT 35% ON COMMITTED TIME MIGHT BE MORE.
COULD YOU SORT OF TALK US THROUGH YOUR, UM, YOUR SENSE OF WHETHER OR NOT IT MIGHT BE MORE THAN TWO PER THOUSAND, GIVEN THE 35% FIRST, THE PROPOSED LAW, UH, ASKS THE POLICE CHIEF, WHOEVER THE POLICE CHIEF IS THE TIME WHEN THE LAW IS PASSED TO IDENTIFY WHAT THEY MEAN BY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME.
[00:25:01]
ART THAT HAS A FIXED MEANING.AND SO THE POLICE CHIEF HAS A LOT OF FREEDOM TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS IN AND WHAT IS OUT OF THAT BOX.
IF THEY ARE RESTRICTIVE IN THEIR MEANING OF WHAT IS IN THAT OUT OF THAT BOX.
IF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME IS SOMETHING FAIRLY, FAIRLY NARROW.
THAT MEANS WE MIGHT NEED A LOT OF POLICE OFFICERS TO BE ABLE TO GET A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, TIME UP AS HIGH AS 35% MORE IMPORTANT.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT 35% IS NOT GOING TO BE ON TOP OF OUR CONTINUING TO DO EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN DOING EXACTLY THE WAY WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN DOING IT.
IF YOU HAVE MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREET, WE KNOW FROM PARKINSON'S LAW WORK EXPANDS TO FILL THE TIME AVAILABLE.
IF YOU'RE RUSHING FROM CALL TO CALL ALREADY, YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBILITY.
YOU WILL BE DOING LESS RUSHING, AND YOU MAY SPEND A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME ON THE CALLS THAT YOU'RE TAKING.
NOW, THAT'S GOING TO REDUCE THE CAPACITY FOR, UM, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME IN AN UNPREDICTABLE WAY.
THAT MEANS IT MIGHT BE BEYOND 2.2 OR 2.3.
IT MIGHT BE THREE OR LOWER, OR EVEN MORE OFFICERS PER THOUSAND BEFORE WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THAT MAGICAL 35% NUMBER, THE BIGGER ISSUE IT SEEMS TO ME.
SO I THINK WE DON'T REALLY KNOW, AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO PREDICT HOW MANY OFFICERS WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO HIT THAT 35%.
I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE IS WHAT DO WE MEAN BY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT? IF WE ARE JUST READING AND WAVING AND GOING TO MEETINGS.
SO IT'S SHOWING THE FLAG, THAT'S ONE THING.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THEY MEAN BY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF COMMUNITY POLICING MEANS IN PRACTICE.
WHAT IT OUGHT TO MEAN IS ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY WITH A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE.
IT COULD BE TALKING TO BAR OWNERS.
IF WE HAVE A BAR PROBLEM, IT COULD BE TALKING TO CHURCHES AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.
IF WE HAVE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROBLEM AND SO ON, AND THE MORE PRACTICAL PURPOSE WE CAN PUT INTO THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME, THE MORE EFFECTIVE IT'S GOING TO BE.
SO AGAIN, I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS PROPOSITION IS DIVERTING ATTENTION FROM THE PRACTICAL PURPOSE AND THE PRACTICAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PURPOSE, UH, AND DIVERTING IT TOWARDS JUST MORE MASS, MORE OF THE SAME, BUT WE CONTINUE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING SOONER OR LATER, WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH OFFICERS TO REDUCE OUR HOMICIDE PROBLEM.
AND WE'LL TALK LATER ABOUT AT 2.35, OUR CALCULATION IS THAT COULD BE $120 BILLION A YEAR, UH, WHICH WOULD BE QUITE A BIT, UH, AND JUST AS A POINT OF INFORMATION, AS WE CLOSE OUT HERE, I THINK WE DO HAVE AMENDMENTS TO, TO INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR OUR FAMILY VIOLENCE SHELTER, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU BROUGHT UP, UH, TO INCREASE THOSE SORT OF GUN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, UH, THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED HERE AND OTHER WORK HERE IN THE BUDGET.
SO THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR ADVICE YOU DO.
AND I WOULD FULLY SUPPORT YOUR PROPOSAL TO INCREASE, TO, UH, ADD TO COMMUNITY, TO ACADEMY CLASSES OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
WE DO NEED THE OFFICER'S BACK.
WE'D SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO A STANDARD OF 2.0 GOING FORWARD FOREVER, BUT WE DO NEED MORE OFFICERS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER.
HI, IS, UH, LYDIA WOODRIFF HERE? I BROUGHT DOWN LADY WOODRUFF YESTERDAY.
MARK, WHILE YOU'RE COMING DOWN IS BIANCA ROBERTO'S HERE? YES.
IS, IS, IS LYDIA WOODRUFF HERE? NO.
AND JUST BEFORE YOU SPEAK, MR. RAMIREZ, UH, IS, UH, UH, RUPAUL SHATARA YEAH.
I LIVE NEXT TO CANDLEWOOD WITH MY BOYS AND HOPE TO FOSTER TO ADOPT IN THE FUTURE.
I GREW UP BELOW POVERTY LINE AND SACRIFICE.
SO THEY EXPERIENCED BETTER YET.
YOU MAY VERY WELL CHANGES ENVIRONMENT FOR MANY ETHNIC MINORITIES, STRIVING TO DO THE SAME FROM THE BEGINNING.
YOU BLINDSIDED US BY FAILING TO NOTIFY US AND WE'LL KILL ABOUT THE PURCHASE.
YOU DID IT AGAIN BY OBSCURELY REMOVING ALL PSH TERMINOLOGY FROM THIS ITEM SAFE, WHICH IS STOP ABUSE FOR EVERYONE.
URGE COUNCIL, NOT TO BUY IT SINCE IT IS IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
AND DOESN'T AFFORD THE SAME PROTECTIONS AS TRAVIS COUNTY.
MANY OF YOU CLAIM TO BE AGAINST SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION OF DISENFRANCHISED COMMUNITIES ARE BUILDING UP THE MIDDLE-CLASS YET CITY PLACES, THESE HOUSING UNITS IN THOSE SAME EXACT PLACES WITH DENSE MINORITY POPULATIONS WHO ARE STRUGGLING, WHY ARE YOU WILLING TO HAPHAZARDLY CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO NAVIGATE OR MAINTAIN A LOBBY LIVELIHOOD? THE NORMS RECREATE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WILL BE THE PRIMARY TRAJECTORY OUR CHILDREN WILL FOLLOW.
WHY HAVEN'T YOU WALKED THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO MEET WITH PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THIS DECISION.
YET WE WILL SEE MANY OF YOU ATTENDING FC SOCCER GAMES WITHOUT MASS OR MASK UP TO MEET WITH OTHERS OR MARCH FOR CERTAIN CAUSES.
WE HAVE VALUE EVEN IF WE ARE BEING DISREGARDED OR TREATED AS THOUGH WE DON'T.
COME ON DOWN IS, UH, UH, FREE TO CHECK HERE.
IS, UH, UH, MARSHALL WATSON HERE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND AS YOUR PRESENT STOP CANDLEWOOD
[00:30:01]
GROUP, I'M OPPOSED TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 13.EVEN IF THE NOTION OF BATTERED WOMEN SHELTER SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.
CANDLEWOOD DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA OF BUILDING DIGNITY, EVEN SAFE AUSTIN, WHICH IS THE CITY'S DOMESTIC WIDENS PREVENTION COALITION STRONGLY RECOMMENDED AGAINST THE PURCHASE OF CANDLEWOOD.
THE LOCATION IS FAR AWAY FROM SOCIAL SERVICES THAT CATER TO WOMEN'S SHELTER.
THE PROCESS, THE PROCESS, THIS PROCESS IS BROKEN.
THERE HAS BEEN NO TRANSPARENCY, WHICH IS DIFFICULT WITH REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.
WE UNDERSTAND, BUT CONSIDER ALSO THE PUBLIC NATURE OF THIS PROPERTY AFTER SO MUCH CONTROVERSY.
IT SHOULD BE EASY TO COMMUNICATE WITH US BY NOT NOW WITH NO WORRIES ABOUT LEAKING ANY SENSITIVE OR PROTECTED INFORMATION.
COMMUNICATION IS BROKEN AT AUSTIN CITY HALL.
NO ONE FROM CITY HAS REACHED OUT TO US REGARDING ITEM 13, NOT TO ANY OF THE NEIGHBORS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND OR WILLIAMSON COUNTY ALONG NEAR PECAN PARK BOULEVARD.
IT WAS DRAWN FOR AUSTIN EIGHT MONTHS AGO, AND IT'S STILL WRONG TODAY, REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER COAT OF PAINT, YOU TRY TO SLAP ON IT.
THANK YOU, MARSHALL WISELY COME RIGHT UP WHILE YOU'RE COVERING UP HIS JOB, PAUL CAUDALIE, OR YOU'LL BE ON DECK.
MY NAME IS MARCIA WATSON, DISTRICT SIX WILCO.
WE, THE PEOPLE AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE AGENDA 13 OPPOSED OF THE CANDLEWOOD HOTEL.
SO FIRST THIS WAS GOING TO BE A SHELTER FOR COVID HOMELESS.
COVID HOMELESS THAN A SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS AND NOW A SHELTER FOR WOMEN.
IF YOU WATCHED HER HEARD OUR COUNTY JUDGE CARVEL YESTERDAY IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY COURT, HE AND WILCO, WE, THE PEOPLE AND MANY OTHERS ARE NOW AWARE THAT THIS NEW DIRECTION TO HAVE CANDLEWOOD BECOME A WOMEN'S SHELTER IS SIMPLY JUST A BAIT AND SWITCH MAYOR ADLER.
OUR COUNTY IS FULLY PREPARED TO FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
IF THIS GOES FORWARD AS DISCUSSED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST SEVEN TO EIGHT MONTHS, PURCHASING THIS HOTEL FOR NINE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN SPENDING ANOTHER COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS RENOVATING IT WILL NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF THESE PEOPLE.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE HOMELESS STOP WASTING OUR TIME.
MR. CAUDALIE, WHILE YOU'RE COVERING DOUBT IS BOB BARNES HERE.
YOU'LL BE UP NEXT, MR. CODLING.
GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JOEL PAULO CONNOLLY.
I IN DISTRICT NINE AND I AM THE ORGANIZING DIRECTOR FOR THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION THIS MORNING.
UM, I BELIEVE YOU RECEIVED A LETTER FROM AJC AND PLANNING OUR COMMUNITIES IN STRONG SUPPORT OF MOVING FORWARD WITH ITEM 13, WHICH IS THE ACQUISITION OF THE SITE CURRENTLY KNOWN AS CANDLEWOOD SUITES, UM, THAT WE SUPPORT THIS FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS THAT WERE OUTLINED IN THE LETTER.
I DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, BUT THE KIND OF OPPOSITION THAT WE ARE SEEING TO THIS IS NOT UNLIKE THE OPPOSITION.
WE HAVE TO ANY FAIR HOUSING ISSUE IN THIS CITY OR ANYWHERE IN AMERICA.
IT'S ALSO AN OPPOSITION THAT WE SEE TO THE APPLICATION OF AMERICANS.
THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
WE KNOW THAT 69% OF AUSTIN'S HOMELESS POPULATION LIVES WITH A DISABILITY.
WE KNOW THAT ALMOST 40% OF AUSTIN'S HOMELESS POPULATION IS BLACK.
SO IT'S HARD TO SEPARATE THIS ISSUE FROM A FAIR HOUSING ISSUE.
THERE'S NO REASON WHY SOME DISTRICTS IN THE CITY SHOULD HAVE TO, UH, SHOULD HAVE SHELTER AND HOUSING SPACE FOR THE HOMELESS.
WHILE OTHER DISTRICTS CAN SORT OF THROW A FIT AND TURN IT DOWN.
THAT'S NOT, UM, HOW WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN TAKE LEADERSHIP ON THIS.
THIS IS THE MOMENT FOR LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP APPLIES WHEN YOU HAVE, WHEN YOU'RE FACED WITH TOUGH CHOICES AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST MAKING DECISIONS OF POLITICAL CONVENIENCE.
THE BARNES IS COVERING DOWN IS A SATURDAY OR BUREAUS MCCALL HERE.
YOU'LL BE UP NEXT, MR. BARNES.
I'M PRESIDENT OF IBC BANK AUSTIN.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON, ON BEHALF OF THE CHART, HARDY FAMILY AND THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE PENDING PURCHASE OF THE CANDLEWOOD SUITES HOTEL.
THE CHART ALREADY FAMILY OWNS THE TWO ADJACENT HOTELS TO THE CANDLEWOOD SUITES, THE HAMPTON INN AND THE, AND THE HOMEWOOD SUITES, THE FAMILY BANKS WITH IBC AND IBC AS A LENDER ON THE TWO ADJACENT HOTELS.
IF YOU'VE EVER VISITED THE SITE, YOU WOULD SEE THAT ALL THREE HOTELS SHARE A COMMON ENTRANCE.
THE HAMPTON INN IS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO AN APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET FROM THE CRANK CANDLEWOOD SUITES.
A REAL CONCERN TODAY IS THE CURRENT PROCESS.
AFTER MONTHS OF DISCUSSION IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CANDLEWOOD SUITES.
WE ARE SEEING ANOTHER 10TH BY THE CITY
[00:35:01]
TO PURCHASE THE HOTEL WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSION OR INPUT CONCERNING THE NEWLY PROPOSED USE AGENDA.ITEM 13 FIRST APPEARED ON COUNCIL AGENDA SATURDAY, AND NOW FOUR DAYS LATER, UH, IT IS COMING UP FOR A VOTE ON COUNCIL.
I WOULD ASK AT A MINIMUM THE PORT COUNCIL TO POSTPONE ANY VOTE ON THIS TODAY AND ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY INPUT.
CHAD, ARE YOU HERE? YOU'LL BE UP NEXT.
HOW TO SPEECH READY FOR YOU ALL THIS MORNING, REFERENCE TO AGENDA ITEM 13.
I'M A VERY STRONG OPPOSITION IN REASONS OF THIS TERRIBLE IDEA, INCLUDING THE SAFETY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS. WE'RE SURPRISED THOUGH, WE GET ANOTHER KICK IN THE BUD BY CITY OFFICIALS AND INTERIM CHIEF CHECON TO PLACE HOMELESS ON MY MCKINNEY FALLS PARK.
AND ALSO EMMA LONG PARK IS NOT A SOLUTION.
HOW WILL THEY PAY TO GET IN BY THE WAY, AND GET THERE WITH MORE OF MY AND OTHER TAXPAYERS MONEY.
IT IS APPALLING FOR YOU, MAYOR, WHO I STRONGLY SUPPORTED AT ONE POINT AND BELIEVED IN WHEN WE TALKED TO COMMUNITY FIRST VILLAGE FOR SOLUTIONS THAT YOU CARED AND THAT YOU MEANT IT ALSO DISRESPECTFUL FOR CM QUINTUS AT THE SERVICE ON MONDAY FOR OFFICER TRAILER, WHEN SHE STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE DEFUNDING OF OFFICER'S SAFETY FIRST FOR ALL IS NON-PARTISAN THE WOKE ISN'T PANDERING AND POSTURING.
THANK YOU, MACKENZIE KELLY FOR SUPPORTING ALL OF US, WHAT OUR CITIZENS TRULY WANT AND TO SERVE.
THANK YOU FOR CRANK FOR MR. CONK FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND DON'T LET THEM PASS THE POTATOES, THE POTATOES TO YOU, SIR.
STAND WHAT, WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR CITIZENS FOR ALL OF US, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE SUFFERING IN OUR STREETS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH IS A GOOD ONE COFFEE RIDE DOWN, SIR.
WHAT'S YOUR STORY IS, UH, IS A PEPPER MUDITA HERE.
MY NAME IS SUNDAY CHADRI AND I'M AGAINST AGENDA ITEM 13.
MY FAMILY OWNS AND I MANAGE THE TWO HOTELS IN DISTRICT SIX THAT CANDLEWOOD SUITES SHARES THE DRIVEWAY WITH.
WE HAVE BEEN OPPOSED TO THIS PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE THE KENDALL WITH SWEETS SINCE JANUARY 25TH, FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS, LACK OF NOTICE, LACK OF COMMUNITY INPUT, LACK OF ANSWERS TO OUR QUESTIONS, LACK OF SERVICES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE AREA.
FURTHERMORE, THE LANGUAGE IN THE RESOLUTION IS VERY VAGUE AND BROAD.
THIS SEEMS LIKE A BAIT AND SWITCH.
WE HAVE BEEN OPPOSED TO A HOMELESS HOTEL FOR SIX MONTHS.
IT'S SAD TO SEE A WOMAN'S SHELTER BECOME POLITICIZED.
LASTLY, ACCORDING TO SAFE, THEY PREFER TO WORK WITH TRAVIS COUNTY.
SECONDLY, WILLIAMSON COUNTY DOES NOT AFFORD THE SAME PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS THAT TRAVIS COUNTY DOES.
THOSE WERE ALL THE SPEAKERS THAT WE HAD IN PERSON.
WE'RE GOING TO NOW GO TO THE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE CALLED THE N THE END OF THE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE CALLED DAD.
WE'LL GO BACK TO THE SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN PERSON.
DID YOU OUGHT TO COME DOWN AND SPEAK NOW, HAD YOU SIGNED UP, DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK, COME ON DOWN AND THEN WE'LL MOVE TO SPEAKERS ON THE, UH, SPEAKERS ON THE PHONE.
UH, IF I HAVE TO TURN THE CHAIR OVER TO THE MAYOR PART TAB, UH, WE WERE PRETENDING TO TAKE OVER, WE HAVE ONE MORE LIVE SPEAKER AND THEN JUST LET THE CLERK START CALLING THE SPEAKERS ON THE PHONE AND I'LL GET BACK HERE JUST AS QUICKLY AS I CAN.
SO TWO SPEAKERS INSIDE CATHY MITCHELL IS ABOUT TO SPEAK.
ED, WHAT IS IT, DAVID? THE OTHER SPEAKER.
SO THERE'LL BE TWO SPEAKERS IN HERE TO SPEAK, UH, UH, THE GROUP, UH, VERY PRO TAB.
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE CHAIR.
HI, MY NAME IS CATHY MITCHELL.
I'M ACTUALLY HERE TODAY ON MY OWN BEHALF.
UH, I HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING ACTIVELY IN THE, UM, ACADEMY REVIEW PROCESS.
AND I WANT TO SAY THAT, UH, THE PROCESS HAS PROVEN TO BE BOTH VERY FRUITFUL, VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT AND WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR DONE.
AND I THINK THAT, UM, ALL OF THAT KIND OF COMES TOGETHER TO SAY THAT THE WHATEVER HAPPENS
[00:40:01]
AFTER THIS CLASS, UH, I REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAREFULLY LOOK AT WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH DURING THE ONE 44TH THAT WE CONTINUED TO ACCOMPLISH.UH, AND, UH, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT THAT IS THAT WE ARE NOT REVIEWING MOST OF THE CURRICULUM.
AS YOU KNOW, WE STARTED VERY LATE.
UH, WE STARTED RIGHT BEFORE THIS CLASS BEGAN.
UH, WE, OKAY, SO ANY QUESTIONS THAT'S REMEMBER ALTAR AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, MS. MITCHELL.
WE'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK A LOT OVER THE LAST COUPLE DAYS, BUT, UH, CUDA TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO CONTINUE IT.
YOU WANT TO JUST SAY, CAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR MY COLLEAGUES AND THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, UM, WHERE, WHERE WE'VE AT, WHERE WE'RE AT, UM, WITH THE ACADEMY REVIEW.
SO, UM, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REVIEW AND I WENT BACK AND ACTUALLY COUNTED ALL THE ITEMS. WE'VE REVIEWED SIX UNITS.
UH, THERE'VE BEEN MANY, MANY UNITS THAT WE HAVE NOT REVIEWED BECAUSE WE ARE, UH, ABLE TO DO AN EVERY TWO WEEK MEETING.
UH, WE TALK ABOUT THE UNIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND THEN THERE'S OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS THE ABILITY TO MAKE A FEW OF OUR CHANGES.
UH, AND THEN A LOT OF WHAT WE WANT TO SEE HAPPEN IS LIKELY TO BE A LONGER CONVERSATION.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, UH, WE HAD A BRIEF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE U S CONSTITUTION UNIT.
IT WAS NOT ON OUR REVIEW LIST, UH, BUT WE BROUGHT IT UP AS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND THE SEARCH AND SEIZURE UNIT, RIGHT? LIKE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S BEING TAUGHT ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S BEING TAUGHT ABOUT SEARCH AND SEIZURE.
AND SO THAT RAISED SOME ISSUES, BUT THAT UNIT HAD ALREADY BEEN TAUGHT.
AND SO I, YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST THE PRACTICAL REALITY OF THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE IN.
UH, I HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR, I HOPE WITH ALL OF YOU AND OUR WHOLE GROUP, THAT WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY GOOD PROCESS, BUT IT MUST CONTINUE THAT WE DO SEE THINGS THAT NEED TO CHANGE IN EVERY UNIT THAT WE REVIEWED.
WE HAVE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS EVEN ON THE UNIT THAT IS BASICALLY ABOUT HOW TO USE YOUR COMMS EQUIPMENT.
UH, SO I, I SAY THAT TO SAY THAT WE REALLY, UH, WE, MY GROUP, THE GROUP, THE VIDEO REVIEW PANEL AND THE ACADEMY REVIEW PANEL WROTE YOU ALL A LETTER THIS WEEK THAT I HOPE THAT YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT.
AND IT WAS BASICALLY TO SAY THAT THE PROCESS FOR EVALUATING IN BETWEEN THESE LIKE 1 44 AND 1 45 IS SOMETHING WE HOPE YOU WILL REALLY TAKE SERIOUSLY.
AND WE DON'T WANT TO JUST BE A CHECKBOX ON A LIST, RIGHT.
SO WE'RE, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITY FOLKS WERE A LITTLE LIKE NERVOUS.
I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KITCHEN WAS NEXT COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
UM, KATHY, I, UH, MITCHELL, I APPRECIATE YOUR, UM, PARTICIPATION THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
UM, WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS AS YOU KNOW, AND, UM, I AM BRINGING JUST FROM MY COLLEAGUES, I'M BRINGING FORWARD BUDGET DIRECTION THAT RELATES TO, UM, COMPLETION OF THE CURRICULUM REVIEW PROCESS BEFORE BEGINNING THE NEXT, UM, UH, UH, CLASS AS WELL AS COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR AUTHORIZATION BEFORE BEGINNING THE NEXT CLASS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER, UM, ASPECTS OF THAT DIRECTION THAT RELATE BACK TO THE RESOLUTION THAT WE PASSED PREVIOUSLY.
UM, I, UH, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION, MS. MITCHELL, AND ALSO FOR KEEPING US ABREAST OF, OF WHAT YOU WERE EXPERIENCING AND WHAT YOU WERE RECOMMENDING.
UM, I THINK IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROCESS THAT WE NEED TO GET, RIGHT.
UM, AND THAT WE NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE, UM, UM, WE FULLY COMPLETE AS INTENDED BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR NEXT, UH, CADET CLASS.
I REALLY THAT, AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH US ON THE LANGUAGE OF OUR, OF THE DIRECTION.
ANY OTHER COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I DO.
IS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY? IT IS.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY, MS. MITCHELL, I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF MY STAFF WOULD BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO YOU TO FOLLOW UP ON SOME OF THOSE ITEMS. I WOULD LOVE THAT.
[00:45:01]
OUT TO DR.CREAGAN AS WELL TO HELP SORT OUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO LIGHT HERE AND GET THE PERSPECTIVES OF THE OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS WELL.
YOU GUYS SEE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL'S HAND, AND IF YOU'RE ON THE DICE, I CAN'T QUITE SEE THE DAY.
SO YOU JUST HAVE TO KIND OF HOLLER UP.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK MS. MITCHELL.
I DIDN'T HAVE A QUESTION FOR HER, BUT I DID WANT TO SUPPORT, UH, THE, UM, THE COMMENTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY JUST MADE.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE ALSO TALK WITH DR.
CRANKIN TO, UM, MAKE SURE WE GET SOME REALLY GOOD PERSPECTIVES ON WHAT'S GOING ON BECAUSE IN THE US, WE WANT TO HAVE THE BEST CURRICULUM THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, I'M SORRY.
I CAN'T REMEMBER MRS. MITCHELL.
I SAW THAT YOU TESTED SIDE OF THE TESTIFY ON THE BUDGET, AS WELL AS ON, UH, ITEM 10, THE BALLOT MEASURE.
DO YOU HAVE COMMENTS ON THAT OR ARE YOU DEFERRING TO OTHERS? YES.
SO, UM, I DID, I DID SIGN UP ON ITEM 10.
UH, I AM, UH, HOPE THAT YOU OPPOSE ITEM 10, UH, ITEM.
THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE IS ONE OF THOSE COSTS TOO MUCH COSTS TOO MUCH.
THAT'S KIND OF THE, WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT.
UH, I THINK THAT IT WILL BE INCREDIBLY HARMFUL FOR OUR WORK TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM.
THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT YOU HEARD FROM DR.
SPELLMAN ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ASKING FOR AND ARE REALLY WHAT A LOT OF WHAT YOU DID LAST YEAR WAS ABOUT ADDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS, ADDING, UH, PARAMEDICS, ADDING TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM, THE RANGE OF SERVICES THAT ARE WHAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY NEED AND IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMS THAT UNDERLIE THOSE NINE 11 CALLS SO THAT WE CAN SOLVE THEM.
SO PLEASE DO NOT MOVE FORWARD IN.
I KNOW YOU HAVE TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, BUT I HOPE THAT YOU ALL ARE AGAINST IT.
REMEMBER THAT WAS ALL MARRIAGE WITH HIM.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, COLLEAGUES, I ACTUALLY WOULD ALSO LIKE ECHO MY COLLEAGUES APPRECIATION FOR ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
WHO'VE TAKEN THEIR TIME, VALUABLE TIME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROCESS.
UM, I'VE HEARD SOME THINGS THAT SOUNDED PROMISING.
I'VE ALSO HEARD SOME THINGS THAT MAKE ME REALIZE THAT WHILE WE THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A TEMPORARY PROCESS, I BELIEVE THIS KIND OF COMMITTEE MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO HAVE, UM, IN PERPETUITY.
UM, AND I JUST WONDER, UH, UH, MS. MITCHELL, WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ON, HOW LONG WILL THE COMMITTEE NEED TO BE IN EXISTENCE OR IS THIS, DO YOU AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT THAT WE MIGHT JUST NEED TO ALWAYS HAVE A COMMITTEE REVIEWING OUR CURRICULUM? UM, AYE.
WE CERTAINLY, AS A COMMITTEE, UH, HAVE SAID THAT THE PROCESS NEEDS TO CONTINUE UNTIL WE HAVE REVIEWED THE CURRICULUM, TO THE EXTENT THAT A CURRICULUM IS A LIVING, UH, AND CHANGING AND SHOULD BE A LIVING AND CHANGING PROCESS THAT BY WHICH WE LEARN AND RE YOU KNOW, IMPROVE WHAT WE ARE TEACHING.
I ABSOLUTELY THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
UM, I CERTAINLY COULDN'T SPEAK FOR ANY OF US AS TO LIKE BEING PERMANENTLY DOING THIS.
I WOULD, THAT WAS CERTAINLY NOT MY IMPLICATION.
I HAVE ONE LAST QUESTION THAT I'M GOING TO DEFER TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS YOU SAID, WE'RE, WE'RE NOT REVIEWING MOST OF THE CURRICULUM, WHICH GIVES ME PAUSE.
YOU'VE ONLY REVIEWED SIX UNITS, SIX UNITS OUT OF HOW MANY, UH, I HAVEN'T COUNTED, BUT, UH, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVEN COMPLETED WEEKS.
I THINK WE ARE IN EIGHT WEEKS, WE REVIEWED ONE UNIT THAT WAS A WEEK LONG AND ALL THE OTHER OF THE SIX, THE OTHER FIVE WERE EITHER FULL ONE DAY OR SHORTER.
SO THAT SORT OF A WAY TO MEASURE IT WITHOUT MY EYE.
THERE'S MANY SHORT ONES AND SOME LONGER ONES.
UH, BUT WE HAVE NOT REVIEWED MOST OF THE TIME, THE MATERIAL BEING SEEN BY STUDENTS DURING THE TIME THEY HAVE BEEN THERE.
WE'VE PROBABLY REVIEWED TWO WEEKS OUT OF SEVEN OR MAYBE TWO AND A HALF WEEKS OUT OF SEVEN.
THAT'S HELPFUL FOR PERSPECTIVE.
[00:50:01]
TO FLAG THAT WHEN WE HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET RIDERS, UM, RELATED TO THE ACADEMY, UM, AND I'M A, CO-SPONSOR ON COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHENS.UM, I THINK WE DO NEED SOME CONVERSATION, UM, AMONG THE DIOCESE TO SURFACE SOME THINGS.
UM, I HAVE SPENT A COUPLE OF HOURS THE LAST FEW DAYS TALKING WITH CHIEF CHACAN AND, AND DR.
UM, AND I HAVE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS.
UM, I THINK THAT OUR BUDGET RIDERS, UH, DRESS THOSE CONCERNS TO THE DEGREE THAT WE CAN AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
UM, BUT I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT OUR INTENTIONS AND OUR GOALS ARE AS A COUNCIL, AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE CADET CLASSES TO PROVIDE THE OFFICERS THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED.
UM, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT AND, AND BE CLEAR ABOUT THE GOALPOSTS.
UM, NOW, UM, SO I JUST WANT TO FLAG THAT WE WILL NEED TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATION, NOT BECAUSE I'M NECESSARILY TAKING ISSUE WITH THE BUDGET RIDERS, BUT I THINK WE DO NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
I APPRECIATE THAT MS. MITCHELL, WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN TO CITY HALL.
I HEARD THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER IN-PERSON SPEAKER, BUT WHAT I DIDN'T HEAR WAS THE NAME.
CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME WITH THAT PART PLEASE? AMY, MY NAME IS AMY KREISMAN AND THEN YOU'RE ON DECK.
UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM NINE.
AND I ALSO, UM, ADAMANTLY AGREE WITH KATHY MITCHELL.
I WAS ACTIVE IN THE QUOTE UNQUOTE, DEFUNDING THE POLICE.
UM, AND I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THERE ARE, UM, VERY DELIBERATE, INTENTIONAL DECEPTIVE TACTICS IN GETTING THOSE SIGNATURES FOR THAT PETITION.
I AM EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT IT WAS COMING OUT OF THE LIBRARY WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, JU A GENTLEMEN ASKED ME IF I'M INTERESTED IN TALKING ABOUT DEESCALATION OF POLICE AND ALSO MENTAL HEALTH.
DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT SAID, SAVE AUSTIN.
NOW, BANNER ARE, ARE ON THE VEST, BUT I, I SIGNED IT.
I THEN SENT THEM A EMAIL AND A LETTER SAYING, PLEASE, I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH ALL THESE POINTS ADAMANTLY.
AND WE TAKE THAT OFF THE, YOU KNOW, MY NAME OFF THAT PETITION.
I CAN'T, IF THERE'S A BUZZER GOING OFF, I CAN'T HEAR IT.
SO MY APOLOGIES IF THAT'S TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION.
I CAN'T REMEMBER BECAUSE I HAVE, DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION? YES.
I JUST WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER.
WHAT, WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? AND JUST TELL A LITTLE BIT MORE OF YOUR STORY FOR US PLEASE.
UM, YOUR QUESTION WAS WHAT TO DO NEXT? WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? I HAVEN'T HAD A RESPONSE, BUT I DID LOOK, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T FILL OUT AN AFFIDAVIT IN A TIMELY MANNER.
DO I COLLECT PETITIONS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES? I, TO SAY THIS PETITION, THIS, THESE TACTICS ARE DECEPTIVE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BOGUS IN MY OPINION.
AND I'M NOT SAYING, I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT TO BE SAID ABOUT THAT AND I WISH I COULD, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE, BUT I HAVE, I HOPE I HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE, BUT THE AWARENESS THAT THE LETTER THAT I RECEIVED FROM SAVE AUSTIN NOW, THE RHETORIC WAS ATROCIOUS.
THE, ALL THE POINTS ON THERE, I AM OPPOSED TO IT.
I CAN GO INTO REASONS AND RATIONALE OF WHY I AM OPPOSED TO ALL THEIR, BOTH THE POINTS, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW, BUT I DO SEE THAT THERE IS A POWER PLAY FOR MONEY AND IT'S NOT, IT'S IN, IT'S UGLY.
AND IT'S NOT WITH THE MIND SET OF WHAT IS SAFE FOR THE PUBLIC.
IT'S A POWER DYNAMIC THAT IS REALLY, AND I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
I REALLY DON'T, BUT I HOPE THAT I WOULD, I WOULD TALK TO THEM THE, THE ORGANIZERS OF THAT AND SAY, HOW MUCH DID YOU HIRE THIS PERSON TO REPRESENT YOU? MISREPRESENT YOU TALK IN SUCH TERMS THAT IS COMPLETELY NOT ON THAT PETITION PETITION.
AND TO THEM, I MEAN, I WOULD, I WOULD, I WOULD HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, BUT I DO SEE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF FEAR DRIVEN RHETORIC THAT IS COMPLETELY NOT FACTUAL.
AND IT'S ALSO DIVISIVE AND DIRECTED TOWARD MAYOR ADLER.
AND OF COURSE YOU, AND IT'S, IT'S REALLY SADDENING.
I MEAN, IT'S, IT'S FRUSTRATING.
MA'AM THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.
DID I SEE YOUR HAND? THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.
I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE SHE HAD A MOMENT TO FINISH HER, HER STATEMENT.
UM, BUT I'M ALSO CURIOUS, DID YOU, DID YOU EMAIL THEM AND ASK THEM THAT YOU WANTED YOUR NAME REMOVED AND HAVEN'T HEARD BACK? I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD THAT.
[00:55:01]
YES, YES I DID.AND THEN I ALSO, I KNOW THAT I NEED TO FILL AN APHID DATED WITHIN A TIMELY MANNER, ALL THAT I, AND, AND THERE'S BUREAU IT'S BUREAUCRATIC AND I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO TAKE MY NAME OFF BECAUSE I I'M EMBARRASSED THAT I WAS DUPED BY THIS.
AND IT'S, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT IF YOU UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING TO BE DIFFERENT THAN, THAN WHAT IT WAS.
UM, YOU KNOW, IT, ISN'T IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS SIGNING PETITIONS TO READ THEM, BUT THIS THAT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.
UM, I'M, I'M CURIOUS TO SEE IF YOU HAVE THAT EMAIL AND CAN FORWARD IT TO ME.
UM, I DO UNDERSTAND THAT AFTER, YOU KNOW, ONCE THE PETITIONS ARE SUBMITTED, THERE'S NO WAY TO REMOVE THEM.
UM, BUT THAT IS CONCERNING TO HEAR.
AND I'M VERY SORRY THAT THAT HAPPENED TO YOU.
NO, BUT YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
I WAS GOING BY AUDITORY CUES AND THEN IT HIT MY GUT IN A CERTAIN WAY BECAUSE I HEARD DEESCALATION.
I JUST DIDN'T EVEN THINK I FELT KIND OF SIDESWIPED OR HOODWINKED BY AT ALL.
I AM VERY SORRY THAT HAPPENED TO YOU.
UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS TODAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING DOWN.
I BELIEVE THAT WAS OUR LAST IN-PERSON SPEAKER AND THAT WE CAN MOVE OVER TO THE FOLKS WHO ARE ON THE PHONE.
UM, WE DID HAVE TWO REQUESTS FOR A SPANISH INTERPRETATION.
UM, THE COLORS ARE NOT ON THE LINE, SO WE WILL WAIT A FEW MORE AND THEN RELEASE THE INTERPRETER IF THEY DON'T CALL IN.
SO THE FIRST SPEAKER IS THAI
IS IT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE THAT MESSAGE IN SPANISH SO THAT THEY CAN CALL IN? IF THEY'RE WATCHING? I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.
IF THEY ONLY SPEAK SPANISH, THEY WON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN CALL IN NOW TO GET ON, TO GET THE INTERPRETER.
SOMEONE WHO'S BETTER AT SPANISH THAN I AM IF THEY COULD JUST PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION.
THE INTERPRETER IS ON THE LINE.
IF SHE CAN MAKE THAT, UM, THAT COMMENT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT JACQUELINE KNOWS WHAT WE'RE ASKING.
JACQUELINE, CAN YOU PLEASE INFORM THE VIEWERS THAT IF THEY REGISTERED TO SPEAK REQUESTING A SPANISH INTERPRETER, UH, TO PLEASE CALL IN OR, UM, WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES.
SO THE FIRST SPEAKER IS TAI LANKY.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.
UH, THIS TYPE OF BANKING FROM A DISTRICT FIVE, I'M CALLING IN, UH, OPPOSITION TO ITEM 10, UH, AND UM, BASICALLY I URGE THE COUNCIL TO, UH, TAKE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY WE'RE IN, UH, WE'RE INVESTING MORE IN COMMUNITY, UH, SUPPORT, UH, INITIATIVES, SUCH AS THE ONES PRO PRESENTED BY GCU COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED OR AUSTIN JUSTICE COUNCIL OR COALITION.
UH, THE PROPOSED MEASURES IN TOP 10 ARE FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE, PASSIVELY TO BUDGET CUTS AND ELIMINATION OF LIKE SENIOR FACILITY, MENTAL HEALTH CARE PARKS, ET CETERA.
AND THEN IT JUST LEADS MORE TAX INCREASES, UH, HAVING MORE POLICES, JUST A SOCIETAL BANDAID THAT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE ROOT CONDITIONS THAT EVENTUALLY LEAD TO CRIME.
RIGHT? SO DESPERATION BEGETS PRIMES.
UM, SO THE MORE SERVICES WE HAVE, THE MORE WE CAN THEORETICALLY HITS THE ROOTS, THE CAUSES OF THESE ISSUES, RATHER THAN SLAPPING ON A BAND-AID AND HOPING THAT OH, HAVING MORE PATROL OFFICERS ARE HAVING MORE FAST RESPONSE TIMES WOULD DO THE TRICK.
I THINK, YES, THOSE ARE GREAT METRICS, BUT ULTIMATELY NOT THE THING THAT SOLVES THE REAL ISSUES.
UM, AND I KIND OF WANT TO ASK YOU THIS BY ALSO WAS MISTAKENLY DUPED INTO SIGNING THE PETITION AS WELL.
LIKE I WAS PRESENTED WITH KIND OF MISLEADING LANGUAGE OF, HEY, THIS WILL BE THE SPEAKER.
I BELIEVE YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED, BUT LET ME CHECK BEFORE, UM, CLICK, BEFORE WE LET THAT SPEAKER GO.
LET ME CHECK TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT NONE OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THAT SPEAKER COLLEAGUES.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY, THANK YOU SPEAKER FOR YOUR TIME.
[01:00:01]
LIKE WE CAN PROCEED AMANDA WHEELER.HI, MY NAME IS AMANDA WHEELER AND I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION OF AGENDA ITEM 13 FOR THE PURCHASE OF CANDLEWOOD OFF OF THE CAR PARK BOULEVARD.
NOT ONLY HAS THIS, ONCE AGAIN, NOT BEEN PROPERLY COMMUNICATED WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BUSINESSES AND HOMEOWNERS ALIKE.
IT IS STILL AN UNFIT LOCATION FOR THOSE IN NEED OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND WALKING DISTANCE RESOURCES.
ON TOP OF THAT LOCATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH BASIC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUILDING REQUIREMENTS.
SO I'LL CONCLUDE WITH THIS QUESTION FROM MS. PURCHASE, WHO IS ULTIMATELY BENEFITING.
SORRY, PLEASE PROCEED COMING RIGHT UP.
UM, MY NAME IS MICHELLE
AND I AM HERE URGING YOU TO ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD.
LET'S ELEVATE THE TEACHERS, THE CENTER DIRECTORS, THE HOME-BASED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, THE NANNIES, THE FAMILIES, THE CHILDREN, CHILDREN, OUR FUTURE, AND THEY CAN NOT BE ON OUR BACK BURNER AND THE CITY THAT DEEMED ITSELF, FAMILY FRIENDLY, WE CAN DO WAY BETTER.
I URGE YOU ALL TO BE CREATIVE AND RETHINK CHILDCARE.
HOW CAN WE CREATE ALTERNATIVES THAT ELEVATE THIS CRITICAL CARE WORK TO MAKE IT WORK FOR ALL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES? HOW CAN WE HELP CHANGE THE HIGH TURNOVER NARRATIVE THAT IS FUELED BY BURNOUT AND LOW WAGES? ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES THAT OUR CITY CAN BUILD TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT THE CITY OF SELF CONFRONT I APPRECIATE THAT THERE WAS A TRUE EFFORT ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ENGAGING IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CONVERSATIONS.
THIS TIME AROUND, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IT, THAT THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO SO MUCH MORE FOR THIS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PIECE.
THAT IS THE FOUNDATION THAT IS FOUNDATIONAL TO A WORKING IN THRIVING CITY.
AND SO DO THOSE THAT CARE FOR THEM DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
I'M MONICA GUZMAN POLICY DIRECTOR FOR GOVERNOR GO AUSTIN LEVELS OFF.
THEN WE URGE COUNCIL TO BUDGET FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH, STABILITY, AND EQUITY IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS MOST EFFECTED BY THE CHALLENGES WE FACE BY RENEWING AND INCREASING AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING FOR PARENTS, FOR SPECIALISTS IN TITLE ONE AISD SCHOOLS, THE CITY MUST ENSURE TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO CARE FOR OTHERS.
FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE RPS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS AND EQUITABLE REINVESTMENT REGARDING RESILIENCE.
HAVE THEIR RESPONSE TEAM PRIORITIZE USE OF THE 300 MILLION ANTI-DISPLACEMENT FUND TO ENSURE RESIDENTS AREN'T DISPLACED DUE TO DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY STRATEGIES INCLUDE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, HOUSING REPAIRS, AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
AND THAT'S 400,000 IN THE EQUITABLE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO ACHIEVE CONCRETE, EQUITABLE STRUCTURES AND RACIALLY EQUITABLE OUTCOMES.
INVEST IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE SUPPORT FOR THE PARKING BENDER EFFORTS TO COMPENSATE COMMUNITY HERE FOR THE CONTRIBUTION TO PARKS, EQUITABLE PLANNING EFFORTS INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD TO CREATE INFRASTRUCTURE, SYSTEMIC SUPPORT, TO BUILD PARENT AND PROVIDER LEADERSHIP INCREASED VISIBILITY FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE HOMES.
SO FAMILIES CAN FIND QUALITY, RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE CARE THAT MATCHES CULTURAL VALUES AND HOME LANGUAGE COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY TO INNOVATE, DELICIOUS INCREASE, EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE.
IT'S YOUR FAMILY, STABILITY AND HEALTH.
I'VE OWNED MY HOME IN DISTRICT ONE FOR 20 YEARS.
I'M GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECKLESS DIRECTION OUR CITY BUDGET IS BEING TAKEN TO ON THE HEELS OF ALL THE COLLECTIVE RESEARCH WORK AND LEARNING OF THE PAST YEAR.
WE AREN'T SEEING A COMMITMENT TO THE KIND OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE THREE MAGIC PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE HAS EXHAUSTIVELY RESEARCHED, COMMUNICATED WITH OTHER CITIES ABOUT AND PROPOSED IN DETAIL, ADDING $10 MILLION TO THE POLICE BUDGET OVER WHAT HB 1900 REQUIRES IS WORKING IN AN INEFFECTIVE DIRECTION.
AND I UNDERSTAND, AND I APPRECIATE THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF AUSTIN.
HOWEVER, IGNORING THE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION WE HAVE ABOUT HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE TOGETHER IS NOT THE ANSWER.
THE PUBLIC SAFETY WE NEED IS BEYOND POLICING SCALING THAT POLICE TRAINING DOES NOT HAVE TO EQUAL LAWS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE'RE ADDING NEW POLICE OFFICERS WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, PANIC, THOSE FEARS RATHER THAN ADDRESS THE ROOT AND REALITIES OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
I KNOW WE HEARD TODAY FROM THE REVIEW PANEL WE'VE HEARD IN THE PAST AND, UM, THE ACADEMY AND REVIEWS PANEL, AS WELL AS HEARING ABOUT THE MISFRAMING AND MISPERCEPTIONS
[01:05:01]
IN RELATION TO OFFICE HOMICIDE, NOTHING SCOTT CARSON.I AM A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX AND, UH, AUSTIN, I LIVE DIRECTLY IN BETWEEN, UH, RIGHT ON PECAN PARK IN BETWEEN THE CANDLEWOOD SUITES HOTEL AND THE HOUSING AND THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT DOWN OFF OF 180 3 AND LIQUIDY PARKWAY.
I'M ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO YOUR SESSION 13 THAT YOU'RE VOTING ON TODAY, DO NOT DO THIS.
LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATIONS ARE TELLING YOU THAT THIS IS NOT A GREAT LOCATION.
UH, YOU'D HAVE TO ALMOST BE AN IDIOT TO HAVE PEOPLE TELL YOU IT IS NOT THE RIGHT LOCATION FROM YOUR ORGANIZATIONS AND THE FUNDING, AND THEN STILL PROCEED WITH IT.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN KITCHENS FOR COMING OUT AND DOING THE HOTEL AND IDENTIFYING THAT IT IS NOT WHAT YOU SOLD.
THAT I'M ON A THICK COPLIN KELLY FOR BEING A, UM, ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE HOMEOWNERS HERE IN THE AREA IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS ALONE, I'VE HAD MY TRUCK BROKEN INTO TWICE FROM HOMELESS PEOPLE HERE IN THE AREA.
THIS IS NOT THANKS SAYING SO GOING TO BE A WOMEN BETTER SHELTER.
AND OTHER HOUSING IS JUST SLAPPING A LABEL ON SOMETHING, TRYING TO SQUEEZE IT THROUGH AND TURN IT INTO SOMETHING ELSE.
I'M ATHLETE POSED, LISTEN TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
IT WAS THE VOICE THAT YOU ARE NOT DOING.
I COAUTHORED THE AUSTIN GUN VIOLENCE TASK FORCE REPORT IDENTIFYING WHITE SUPREMACY AS THE PRIMARY ROOT CAUSE OF OUR GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC.
WE WARNED COUNCIL THAT THE CITY WAS GOING TO REACH A BREAKING POINT AS THE PANDEMIC POLICE VIOLENCE AND POLITICAL FEAR-MONGERING FUELED THE RISK FACTORS FOR VIOLENCE.
WE HAVE SEEN THAT PLAY OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY OVER THE PAST YEAR TODAY, THOSE SAME ISSUES ARE PUSHING US BACKWARD TOWARD A CRISIS OF CONSTITUTES CONSTITUTIONALITY AND OF CONTENT.
THE NEED HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER FOR ANTI-RACIST POLICIES BASED ON THE BEST AVAILABLE EVIDENCE AND THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.
THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE COULD NOT BE FURTHER OFF BASE SAVE AUSTIN MELDS WEBSITE CLAIMS THAT THE TWO TO 1000 RATIO IS QUOTE AND NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SAFE CITY STANDARD AS DEFINED BY THE US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT END QUOTE, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS NO SUCH STANDARD FURTHER IN 2004, THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEF OF POLICE DECLARED THAT SUCH RATIOS ARE TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE AS A BASIS FOR STAFFING DECISIONS.
WE KNOW THAT THE PRESENCE OF A GUN IN ANY SITUATION IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RISK FACTOR FOR GUN INJURIES AND DEBT FLOODING.
OUR STREETS WITH ARMED OFFICERS HAS NEVER BEEN.
THE COLLUSION HAS EXTENDED IS NOT TODAY.
HI, MY NAME IS TERRY ALBERT AND I AM AGAINST ITEM 13.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS STILL PLAYING GAMES WITH CANDLEWOOD.
THE LATEST PLAN BY THE MAYOR AND THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS IS TO EXPAND CANDLEWOODS USE CASES TO INCLUDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOUSING, OR SHELTER OR SOCIAL SERVICES.
MOREOVER, THE COUNCIL HAS BROADENED A LANGUAGE TO THE POINT THAT THE FACILITY COULD BE USED FOR VIRTUALLY ANYTHING.
NOT ONLY IS THIS NOT SAFE FOR NEIGHBORS, BUT IT SETS A TERRIBLE PRECEDENT FOR THE CITY TO PURCHASE WHATEVER THEY WANT, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE, WITHOUT ENGAGING, IMPACTED NEIGHBORS AND BUSINESSES, OR EVEN NOTIFYING THEM THE CITY TIME.
AND AGAIN, LISTEN LISTS HOW IMPORTANT COMMUNITY INPUT IS, BUT NEVER IMPLEMENTS IT.
I AM EQUALLY SKEPTICAL ABOUT EXPANDING THE LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE ANY SHELTER, HOUSING, OR SOCIAL SERVICE.
THIS SPEAKS TO THE CITY, NOT HAVING A DEFINED VISION FOR HOW TO PROCEED.
THE CITY SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM PROP B HOW IMPORTANT COMMUNITY INPUT IS URGE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO OPPOSE THE PURCHASE.
AND IF YOU MUST PURCHASE, USE THE FACILITY FOR A NARROW WELL-DOCUMENTED PURPOSE THAT IS IN LINE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS AND INCLUDES COMMUNITY INPUT.
THE NEXT SPEAKERS WILL SHOW A VIDEO.
UM, SO IT'S MONDO FLORES AND CHRISSY O'BRIEN HEY THERE.
MY NAME IS HAWAIIAN MONSOON, THE CITY OF AUSTIN SILVER PARK GROUNDS.
[01:10:01]
MOLINA.I'M A DISTRIBUTION ELECTRICIAN SUPERVISOR WITH AUSTIN ENERGY.
MY NAME IS LAUREN ISLEY AND I'M THE NINE 11 CALL TAKER AT AUSTIN COMMUNICATIONS.
AND I'M AN EMERGENCY PLANS OFFICER WITH AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.
I WORK FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND THE STREET AND BRIDGE DIVISION.
I'VE WORKED FOR THE CITY OF BOSTON SEVEN YEARS, SIX OF THOSE AS A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE, I'M FINALLY ELIGIBLE FULL-TIME BENEFITS AND AN ANNUAL PAINT.
I FOUND OUT MY EMPLOYEES AND MYSELF, HOW CRITICAL OR CENTRAL ROLE WE PLAY IN THE CITY DURING THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC, THE WINTER STORMS IN THE SUMMER STORMS AND DROVE THROUGH.
WE REALIZED THAT NO MATTER WHAT WAS GOING ON IN OUR HOMES AND OUR PERSONAL LIVES, THAT WE STILL HAD A DUTY TO PROVIDE SAFETY, PROVIDE ENERGY TO OUR CUSTOMERS.
WE ANSWER THE CALLS FOR OUR CITIZENS AND WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE HELP THEY NEED.
WE PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND OUR OFFICERS IN FEBRUARY WITH THE SNOWSTORM.
WE TOOK 8,600 CALLS IN ONE DAY.
ME AND MY COWORKERS, WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND ALSO THE SNOW AND ICE STORM.
DURING THAT TIME WE, WE RISKED, WE WERE STILL LOGGED WITH REST.
IT'S BEEN WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VACCINES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
UH, AND MY COLLEAGUES AND I, BOTH MANY CITY DEPARTMENTS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, ALL COMING OUT TO REALLY ENSURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING AS ACCESSIBLE OF A SERVICE AS POSSIBLE.
AND I CAN PROUDLY SAY THAT DUE TO ALL OF THOSE EFFORTS, WE VACCINATED IN THE CITY, UH, OVER 300,000 PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
UM, SO WE NEED TO REALLY SHOW LOVE YOU SHOW RESPECT, UM, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN GET THROUGH THIS.
UM, FOR ALL OF OUR CITY, WE'RE ASKING NEW COUNCIL FOR MEANINGFUL PAY RAISE, UH, AS WE DESERVE IT, CITY COUNCIL, PLEASE HELP US GET A SIGNIFICANT WE'RE ASKED THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A MEANINGFUL PAY INCREASE.
NEXT SPEAKER IS ROBERT FOSTER.
HELLO, I'M ROBERT FOSTER DISTRICT NINE RESIDENT.
AND, UM, I'M JUST HERE TO URGE YOU TO EITHER VOTE, UH, GIVE 10 OR AT LEAST SHOW SOME AMOUNT OF PUNISHMENT FOR THEIR TACTICS THAT THEY USE.
I WAS SPEAKING TO AN EXTREMELY MISLEADING, UH, LETTER THING THAT I SHOULD FIND THEIR NEW PETITION BECAUSE I SIGNED THE ORIGINAL PETITION.
I DID NOT SIGN THAT ORIGINAL PETITION.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT'S LIKE LEGAL, BUT, UM, I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO ENSURE THAT ANTICS LIKE THIS DO NOT CONTINUE BECAUSE IT'S JUST PUTTING THE, YOU KNOW, THE FISCAL HEALTH OF OUR CITY AND ALSO JUST THE POLITICAL HEALTH IN JEOPARDY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, NATASHA BENTON.
HI, MY NAME IS NATASHA BENTON.
IF MY COUNCILPERSON, I SEND NEEDS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
I'M AGAINST ARTICLE 10, THIS MEASURE, PRIORITIZES POLICE AND GUARANTEES THAT AUSTIN WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO FUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE NEED TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY AND SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY ROLES THAT HEAL AND GET TO THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME TO ACTUALLY SUPPORT AND HEAL.
NEW LAWS ARE NEEDED FOR POLICE REFORM.
THIS WILL DO THE OPPOSITE BY ADDING HUNDREDS OF NEW POLICE OFFICERS WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
IF PAST THIS WOULD BE TO BUDGET CUTS AND ELIMINATION OF CITY FACILITIES LIKE PARKS, LIBRARIES, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND MORE.
THIS WOULD ALSO LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT TAX INCREASES FOR HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS OF WORKING AUSTINITES.
WE NEED TO HIRE ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAFF FROM PARK RANGERS, EMS, AND PERSONNEL.
AND IF THIS MEASURE PASSES, THIS MEANS CUTS TO THOSE DEPARTMENTS.
I'LL JUST GIVE SOME GENERAL COMMENTS TODAY.
UM, FIRST REGARDING THE BUDGET, I WANT TO REMIND YOU ALL TO PLEASE STAND BY YOUR SUPPORT TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY BEYOND POLICING.
I'M JUST REMEMBERING THAT MOVING ROLES OUT OF THE ARENA OF SLEEP IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I MEAN, YOU CAN KEEP FINDING OTHER WAYS TO HANDLE SUCH MATTERS WITH PARCC MENTAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE ATTENTION YOU'RE PUTTING INTO THE CADET TRAINING AND JUST WANT TO KEEP YOUR MENTALITY, UM, MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AWAY FROM POLICING.
UM, AND THE AUSTIN POLICE NEED MORE ACCOUNTABILITY RATHER
[01:15:01]
THAN MORE MONEY.UH, SECONDLY, REGARDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOTELS, JUST GENERALLY, I GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR EFFORTS TO BUY AND UTILIZE HOTELS AND OTHER SPACES FOR SHELTER AND HOUSING.
UM, I KNOW THAT EVERYWHERE YOU TRY TO DO THAT, YOU, YOU FACE OPPOSITION FROM PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY.
UM, I WAS HERE IN DISTRICT FIVE AND, UM, I'M HOPING TO FIND WAYS TO GET NEIGHBORS INVOLVED IN, IN TRYING TO WELCOME NEW HOUSING, UM, AND MORE DENSITY SO THAT WE CAN HOUSE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS.
UM, LASTLY, REGARDING SAVE OFTEN NOW IT'S HARMFUL BALLOT INITIATIVES, MOSTLY POLICING AND ITEMS NINE AND 10 ON YOUR JUG.
I EXPECT TO SEE IF I SQUEEZE AS HARD AS WE CAN IN WHATEVER WAYS WE CAN.
UM, THIS IS COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
I DIDN'T CATCH THE WOMAN'S NAME.
WHO'S SPEAKING FROM DEEPA, BUT I THINK I RECOGNIZE HER, BUT COULD THIS REPEAT OR CAN YOU REPEAT HER NAME? ELIZABETH REEN.
MY NAME IS RICHARD SMITH, MY WIFE, KATHLEEN, AND I HAVE SERVED THE HOMELESS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
I OPPOSE THE PURCHASE OF CANDA, WHICH SUITES IN FEBRUARY.
I APPEAR TODAY TO STATE MY OBJECTION TO THE COMPLETE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE ITEM 13 RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU, MY CONCERN IS ABOUT THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS WILL LIVE AT CANDLEWOOD.
WILL RESIDENTS OF CANDLEWOOD BE PERMITTED TO RENT OUT THEIR ROOMS FOR PROSTITUTION OR ENGAGE IN OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS THE SALE OF DRUGS, WILL POLICE OFFICERS BE ALLOWED TO WALK THE HALLS AND ENFORCE THE LAW TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS OF CANDLEWOOD.
THE RESOLUTION STATES THAT IS COST OF PURCHASING CANDLEWOOD, BUT DOES NOT STATE THE ONGOING COST OF MAINTAINING CANDLEWOOD OR THE COSTS INCURRED BY PENDING AND FUTURE LITIGATION.
THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN ARE ONTO THE REUSE OF INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE USE OF CANDLEWOOD AS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER, BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD EVER PUBLICLY RELEASED THE ADDRESS OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER.
WHERE IS THE TRANSPARENCY? THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN DESERVE A BETTER THANK, UH, CITY MANAGER.
MAY I ASK THE CITY MANAGER A QUESTION CITY MANAGER? UM, I'M NOT SURE IF THAT WAS JUST A RHETORICAL QUESTION OR A REAL ONE, BUT CAN YOU JUST ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT LIKE ANY OTHER CITY FACILITY, THE CITY WOULD NOT TOLERATE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN PLACE IF THE CITY WERE TO PURCHASE THIS FACILITY, BUT CAN ABSOLUTELY GET THAT CONFIRMATION.
MY NAME IS BRANDON
I'M CALLING TODAY IS STRONG OPPOSITION.
I INTEND THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD LOCK THE OFFICE IN BUDGET TO INCREASE IN APDS FUNDING YEAR OVER YEAR, DEPRIVING VITAL SERVICES, AND FIRST RESPONDERS.
THOSE THAT NEED IT, UH, FUNDING FORCING US TO HIRE MORE AND MORE POLICE OFFICERS WILL NOT MAKE US SAFER.
THEY WILL SIMPLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN POWER TO ENACT VIOLENCE, WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY ON OUR STREETS, EMS, FIREFIGHTERS, PARKS, LIBRARIES, SOCIAL SERVICES, HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS, BILL HEALTH CARE, ALL THESE THINGS.
THEY ALSO A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND ARE FAR MORE DESERVING OF OUR TAX DOLLARS.
THIS EXPENSIVE AND FEELINGS BASED PROPOSAL IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE NEED.
INSTEAD, FOCUS ON SOLVING THE PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE.
CHADRI UH, GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS
I OWN TWO HOTELS THAT SHARED A DRIVEWAY.
UH, WE DEPEND ON WHICH SUKI IS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE ORDER TO GET PAUL HOMELESS HOUSING AND NOW, OR WOMAN'S SHELTER OR ANY OTHER SHIP PUBLIC, BECAUSE HE'S ALREADY STRUGGLE WITH PUBLIC SAFETY CHALLENGES, POST TRASH TAP NEEDLES, WIRELINE, UH, EPISODES AND WAXED
DADDY, NO HOSPITAL THERE, YOU SINGLE BUS LINE, HALF A MILE AWAY.
IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THE FULL UNDERSTANDING AS STAYING AT THE KENDALL WILL GET THE TREATMENT THEY NEED.
THIS ALSO APPLIES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR MOST USES OFTEN PULL DOWN.
OKAY, LET ME GET THE ACCESS, JENNIFER LYON.
[01:20:01]
LYON.I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
I WAS ASKED TO SIGN A PETITION.
I WAS TOLD TO FUND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.
I WAS HAPPY TO SIGN THE PETITION AND TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MODEL ACTIVISM AND REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE OF POLICE, ACCOUNTABILITY TO MY CHILDREN WHO WERE THERE WITH ME.
UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT READ WHAT I WAS SIGNING AND NEVER WOULD HAVE, WOULD HAVE HAD I KNOWN WHAT IT WAS, WHICH ENDED UP BEING ANOTHER TEACHABLE MOMENT.
I WAS EMBARRASSED AND ANGRY TO FIND I'D BEEN PURPOSELY MISLED BY THE CANVAS TO GET ME TO SIGN THE SAVE.
OFTEN NOW PETITION BY USING LANGUAGE THEY KNEW WOULD INTENTIONALLY DECEIVE ME.
I AM PRESENT TODAY TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO THE SAVE.
NOW SAVE AUSTIN NOW PETITION I SUPPORT FUNDING, COMPREHENSIVE POLICE REFORM IN AUSTIN.
I WANT AUSTIN TO INSTEAD INVEST IN OUR EMS FIRE PERSONNEL AND GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TEAMS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
HELLO? YOU CAN HEAR ME, CORRECT? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS, UH, PURE INTERNET.
I HAVEN'T HEARD MANY OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS.
UM, I JUST WANT TO SAY WE REALLY EXPECT COUNCIL TO STAND BY YOUR VOTES LAST YEAR AND REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY.
UM, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, OFTEN NEEDED A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
THIS MEASURE LIFTS UP ONE CON ONE KIND OF PUBLIC SAFETY WORKER OVER ALL OTHERS IN GUARANTEES AND OSTEO WILL BE ONLY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I AM IN AGREEMENT AND APPRECIATE, UH, WITH SNEERING, ANYONE HEARING THIS EARLIER, UM, AND UH, ON THE CADET CURRICULUM, UH, IN QUEUE KITCHENS AND KELLY FOR ASKING QUESTIONS AROUND THAT, UM, IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.
THE TIME IS NOT STAMPED COMMUNITY IT'S RIGHT NOW.
THIS WILL DO THE OPPOSITE BY GOING WITH, UH, UH, 10 THE SCHOOL DO THE HUNDREDS OF POLICE OFFICERS WITH NO TIME HAS EXPIRED.
MY NAME IS MARIE CHAUDHRY, OWNER OF HAMPTON AND HOMEWOOD DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO CANDLEWOOD.
I'M STRONGLY AGAINST ITEM 13 CITY UNDER GUISE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER NOW.
SO THIS IS THE REASON TO WANT TO PURCHASE FIRST.
YOU SHOULD NEVER REVEAL ADDRESS AT THAT LOCATION.
SECOND OFTEN NEVER INFORMED US AND OUR WILCO AND CANDLEWOOD SHARES OUR DRIVEWAY.
AND WHY A CYNTHIA LONG WELCO COMMISSIONER'S LETTER NOW NOT ATTACHED TO AGENDA IN 2019 AND KITCHEN SAID, CITY WON'T BUY HOTELS IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
WHY IS CITY NOT KEEPING THEIR WORD? WE'VE BEEN HARASSED BY HOMELESS WITH TRESPASSING, VANDALISM, AND THREATS.
WHO'S PROTECTING OUR JOBS HOMES AND LIVELIHOODS OFTEN.
YOU'RE MAKING A VERY HASTY, NOT THAT OUT DECISION IT'S IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND PUSHING SERVICES ONTO THEM OFTEN NEEDS A LARGE HOMELESS COMMUNITY LIKE COMMUNITY.
FIRST MAYOR ADLER, YOU EVEN CALLED ALLEN.
GRANDMA'S SAYING BE AN INNOVATOR.
BUILD OUR OWN SUCCESSFUL HOMELESS COMMUNITY.
WE WILL FIGHT THIS TO THE END.
PLEASE STAY ON THE PHONE FOR A SECOND.
WELL, MAYOR AND THANK YOU, MS. CHAUDHRY FOR CALLING IN IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE LETTER FROM MS, UH, OR COMMISSIONER LONG HAD NOT BEEN POSTED AS BACKUP TO THE AGENDA, BUT I HAD THAT CORRECTED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES.
SO IT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR TO REVIEW.
AND IF I MAY JUST SAY THAT I, UM, I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WASN'T IN THE BACKUP, BUT I KNOW WE RECEIVED IT LAST NIGHT FROM ONE OF THE CITY STAFF.
I MEAN, I RECEIVED A DIRECTLY FROM ONE OF COMMISSIONER LUNG'S STAFF MEMBERS, I ASSUME THAT'S WHO SENT IT, BUT WE ALSO, I BELIEVE RECEIVED IT FROM THE AGENDA OFFICE AS WELL.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE JUST RECEIVED THE UPDATED MEMO AT 1129.
SO WE WERE POSTING THAT UPDATED MEMO, BUT IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES.
NEXT SPEAKER, SOY LUNA, SOY LUNA, PLEASE UNMUTE
[01:25:09]
EMILY SAWYER.I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR, SAVE AUSTIN NOW'S BALLOT MEASURE IS NOT NEEDED AND WILL NOT MAKE US SAFER.
I LIVE HERE, WORK HERE, PAY TAXES ON A MORTGAGE HERE.
I ALLOW MY KIDS TO RIDE THEIR BIKES AND WE USE OUR PUBLIC PARKS, POOLS, LIBRARIES, AND OTHER AMENITIES.
I UNDERSTAND THAT MURDERS HAVE RISEN AND EVERY MURDER IS A TRAGEDY.
AND I ALSO KNOW THAT AUSTIN'S MURDER RATE IS THE ENVY OF EVERY OTHER TEXAS CITY OF OUR SIZE AND RECENT INCREASES IN SOME CRIMES ARE PART OF A NATIONAL TREND.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT CHANGES IN RATES FOR PARTICULAR CRIMES, EITHER UP OR DOWN ARE RELATED TO BUDGET DECISIONS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I DO BELIEVE THAT SAVE AUSTIN NOW AND THE POLICE UNION ARE TRYING TO MAKE US ALL AFRAID.
AND FOR THAT, THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED.
I IMAGINE MY DAY, IF THIS MEASURE WERE TO PASS AND ALL WE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO FIND AGAIN IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND I SEE POLICE CHECKING OUT MY KIDS' BOOKS AT THE LIBRARY AND A POLICE OFFICER STANDING NEXT TO THE SWIMMING POOL WITH A GUN AND A LIFE VEST.
I SEE POLICE OFFICERS EVERYWHERE.
INSTEAD OF MAKING ME FEEL SAFER, IT WILL MAKE ME FEEL LESS SAFE AND LESS FREE.
THAT IS NOT THE WORLD I WANT MY KIDS TO GROW UP IN.
HI, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE GOODMAN, DISTRICT SIX, AND I'M AGAINST THE PURCHASE OF CANDLEWOOD ITEM 13.
THIS NEW DRAFT LANGUAGE SAYS THE PROPERTY IS TO BE USED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR OTHER SHELTER, HOUSING OR RELATED SOCIAL SERVICES THAT ALLOWS CANCEL THE TURN, THIS BUILDING INTO ANYTHING YOU WANT.
IT WAS A SHELTER THEN PSH, NOW A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER.
HE CHANGED THE NAME OF THE THREE TIMES NOW.
AND YOU THINK THAT POSITION BECAUSE YOU LIE, NO ONE TRUST YOU IN THE COMMUNITY.
YOU STILL WON'T EVEN ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY.
WE KNOW THAT THEY'VE OFTEN ALREADY TOLD YOU CANDLEWOOD DOESN'T MEET THE NEEDS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER AND RECOMMENDED A DIFFERENT HOTELS.
WE THOUGHT THE LETTER, BUT YOU WON'T SHARE THAT WITH THE PUBLIC.
WHY NOT? OUR COMMISSIONER LONG ALSO WROTE TO YOU IN JUNE ABOUT CANDLEWOOD TO NOTE THE LACK OF STUDENT OR SAFETY SERVICES TRANSIT.
IT'S LESS THAN A THOUSAND FEET FROM SCHOOLS.
A HUNDRED FEET FROM HOMES AND 40 FEET FROM MINORITY WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES AND VIOLATE THE DEED RESTRICTIONS AND THE ZONING ORDINANCES, WHICH SETS A VERY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR US, BUT CONVENIENT FOR YOU.
THAT LETTER WAS UP ON SUNDAY, BUT WAS REMOVED.
WHY YOU KEEP SHUTTING OUT OUR VOICES, BUT ESTEEM ORGANIZATIONS ARE TELLING YOU THE SAME THING AND NO INSTANCE OF CANADA WOULD AN APPROPRIATE PURCHASE.
AND YOU WERE LYING TO EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY PAINTING IT AS IF IT IS, PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS KENDRA GARRETT.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR AND I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT ITEM 13.
THE PURCHASE OF CANDLEWOOD SUITES HOUSING IS STABILITY.
IT CAN BE A PUBLIC COST SAVINGS OF MORE THAN $10,000 ON PREMISES USED PER PERSON PER YEAR HOUSING.
ESSENTIALLY, ALL THING HOMELESSNESS IS THE RESULT OF MANY INTERSECTING FACTORS LIKE WHEN WE'RE LIVING IN THE WORST HOUSING CRISIS AND THE WAGES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO SUPPORT RENT AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS, PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS THAT CREATE AN EQUITABLE SYSTEM.
AND MOST OF ALL, PUBLIC ATTITUDES ABOUT WHO DESERVES SUPPORT AND WHERE THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD LIVE.
HOMELESSNESS IS A SOLVABLE PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES TAKE RESOURCES AND POLITICAL WILL.
CANDLEWOOD SUITES IS A TWO YEAR OLD DEVELOPMENT AND IT WILL INCLUDE ROBUST SOCIAL SERVICES, SPORTS RESIDENCE.
WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS LIVING ON HOUSING UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY FALL ON HARD TIMES AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHAT'S NEEDED FOR OUR FELLOW, UM, HUMANS, OUR NEIGHBORS CHOCOLATE MAKE GREAT STRIDES IN HOUSING PEOPLE, UM, LIVING IN A CAMPUS THROUGH PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE HEAL INITIATIVE AND SUCH INITIATIVES IN THEIR EXPANSION CAN NOT BE POSSIBLE.
IF WE DO NOT CONTINUE TO CREATE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND VICTIMIZED DIGNIFIED SHELTER OPPORTUNITIES IN ALL PARTS OF TOWN, IT IS CRITICAL FOR CALCUTTA TO CONTINUE TO LEAD ON THEIR MOST PRESSING EMERGENCY IN OUR CITY.
AND IN OUR TIME, YOUR TIME HAS A GOOD WAY TO SUPPORT OTHERS.
I WORK AS A LIFEGUARD AT BARTON SPRINGS.
I'VE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY ON PAYROLL AS A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE.
I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT AN AMENDMENT HAS BEEN ALTERED TO INCLUDE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES AND THE STIPEND.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THE AMENDMENT ON SKYPE, EVERY EMPLOYEE RECEIVING A SKYPING, IT'S THE SAME PEER AMOUNT BASED SOLELY ON HOURS AND NOT DIFFERENT TO, BY THEIR STATUS AS REGULAR EMPLOYEES OR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THE LIMIT.
I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY WHAT THE DOES A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE, MOST COUPLES IN THE HEART BIBLE.
[01:30:01]
THE ONESO BOTH OF THEM WORKED ON 5, 9, 3, 4, AND FIVE.
AS WE ARE IN NOW, OFTEN SOMEONE SHOULD BE FOUND TO PROVIDE STRIPING FOR THOSE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES, YOUR WORKERS SUBMIT, BUT WHO WILL GO OFF HER ROLE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.
AND THEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, NO TIPPERS WHO WERE INCLUDED IN THE, ACROSS THE BOARD, 2% PAY RAISE LIMITED TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES DURING THE WINTER STORM BECAUSE THEIR HOURS WERE USED.
UM, ALEXANDER DIMITRIS ALEXANDER, PLEASE UNMUTE ANTHONY MURRAY.
I MEAN ANTHONY MARY RESIDENT IN DISTRICT ONE FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS I CALLED IN TODAY, HOPEFULLY DISSUADE THE CITY COUNCIL FROM SUPPORTING SAVE AUSTIN AS DECEPTIVE APPROACH TO TRYING TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.
THE IDEA THAT ADDING TWO FOOT SOLDIERS TO THE OCCUPYING FORCE ALREADY HERE FOR EVERY THOUSAND CITIZENS WILL MAKE US SAFER.
THE EVIDENCE IN GLARINGLY, OBVIOUS THAT COPS DO NOT PREVENT CRIME.
THE THINGS THAT STOP CRIME IS HEALTHCARE, FOOD, SECURITY, EDUCATION, AND SHELTER.
WE NEED TO STAND UP TO APD BULLYING AND THEIR SUPPORTERS MISDIRECTION.
WE NEED TO REDIRECT FUNDING TO FIRST RESPONDERS THAT DESERVE OUR APPRECIATION AND TAXPAYER MONEY, EMS, FIRE PARK, RANGERS, CITY, AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS THE FOUR THINGS I MENTIONED EARLIER.
PLEASE STAND WITH YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS WHO WANT TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORS SAFE AND ATTORNEY OF APD AND VOTE AGAINST INCREASING THEIR BUDGET AND MANPOWER.
BEFORE YOU CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER COLLEAGUES, IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED THAT WHEN WE'RE DONE WITH SPEAKERS, UH, WE HAVE STAFF JUST LAY OUT REALLY QUICKLY.
THEY'RE FIVE PAGES, I THINK ON THE BUDGETS.
IT'S JUST SO THAT WE LAY THAT OUT AND WE GIVE COUNSEL AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUICK TECHNICAL QUESTIONS OF OUR STAFF THAT MIGHT BE NECESSARY FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO FINE TUNE THEIR PROPOSALS OVER LUNCH.
NO DISCUSSIONS OF MERITS, NO NEED TO LAY ANYTHING OUT.
JUST WE'LL HAVE STAFF HERE FOR A SECOND.
IN CASE PEOPLE HAVE REALLY QUICK QUESTIONS AND THEN WE'LL BREAK.
THE INTENT IS AGAIN TO DO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON, UH, ON THE HOTEL AND ON OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE, THAT ARE SET WITH RESPECT TO THAT BALLOT LANGUAGE AND TO COME OUT, RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES.
UH, IF PEOPLE WANT TO RESOLVE THEM OUT HERE AND THEN CONTINUE ON WITH THE BUDGET.
UH, SO A PREDATOR, IF THAT WORKS, IF STAFF COULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THAT QUICK RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS, ALL RIGHT, CLARK, LET'S GO BACK TO THE SPEAKERS ABOUT 30 LEFT.
THIS IS LOUIS MALLE FARROW ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN, VOICES FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I'M SPEAKING THIS MORNING AND SUPPORTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER TABOS BUDGET AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS, COORDINATORS.
AS YOU KNOW, AUSTIN VOICES HAS BEEN WORKING WITH OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND FAMILY RESOURCE STAFF TO SUPPORT FAMILIES VIRTUALLY AND THROUGH FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENTS THROUGH THE WINTER STORM AND PANDEMIC, WE'VE BEEN ORGANIZED TO BE RESILIENT BECAUSE WE'VE BUILT COMMUNITY-WIDE SYSTEMS THAT ARE CONNECTING PARENTS, FAMILIES, AND SCHOOLS TO SERVICE PROVIDERS.
WE'RE NOW IN THE MIDST OF THE SUMMER HEALTH CAMPAIGN, FOCUSED ON GETTING KIDS READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND COVID CLINICS.
AUSTIN VOICES IS REQUESTING YOUR SUPPORT FOR COUNCIL MEMBER TOGO'S BUDGET AMENDMENT TO FUND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, COORDINATORS THAT WE WILL FIELD IN FOUR TARGETED PARTS OF THE CITY TO LINK COMMUNITY PARTNERS, SCHOOL CAMPUSES, PARENTS, AND GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER WITH OUR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS.
WE'RE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT ALL SCHOOL FAMILIES HAVE A LINK TO A RESILIENCE HUB USING OUR SCHOOLS, NOT ONLY FOR PHYSICAL SAFETY.
UM, MY NAME IS FRANCIS LIKE, WELL, YEAH, MY LONG TIME, UH, RESIDENT, UH, FROM THOSE THINGS AND THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMUNITY LEAD ORGANIZER FOR GABA CO-OPS AND BUMBLE THAT I HAVE SENT YOU AS SPREADSHEET WHERE I PUT TOGETHER THAT MANY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT RESIDENTS EXPRESSED ABOUT FLOODING AND BRAZILIANS HAVE
[01:35:01]
SOME OF THAT INFORMATION I TOOK FROM OTHER CITIES AND OTHER STATES FROM WHAT THEY ARE DOING, UH, FOR FLOOD MITIGATION.I HAVE SEEN RESILIENCY IN RESIDENTS EVERY DAY AND IN EVERYDAY LIFE RESIDENTS ARE LEARNING ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE.
THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT HOW TO BUILD EMERGENCY KIT.
THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND TO A DISASTER.
I HAVE LISTENED TO THEIR CONCERNS, THEIR FEARS, AND WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO PREPARE FOR A DISASTER.
I URGE YOU AS A RESIDENT AND AS AN ORGANIZER THAT YOU ALLOCATE FUNDING FOR TIME LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE FIXES GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR REAL ASSESSABLE INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT REACHES CULTURES VALUES AND HUMANITY.
YOU MUST HAVE HEARD IN FOUR STANDING ORDERS FOR RESILIENCE HAVE SUCH AS CASE MANAGERS, PEERS, WORKERS FUNDED, FULL PAY COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, FOOD, WATER, TOILETRIES, ELIANA RUBIN, ELIANA RUBIN.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
UM, I'M ASKING THAT CITY COUNCIL, UH, AMEND THE CITY BUDGET TO BETTER REFLECT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS 1.9 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY PREP.
UH, POLICE CRIME SITUATION AROUND THE CRIME IS ADEQUATE HOUSING, FOOD AND HEALTH NEEDS MET EXCEPT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
THIS IS WHAT THE REIMAGINE TASK FORCE COMMITTED TO IS NO ONE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT POLICE WERE NEVER DESIGNED TO PROTECT BIPAP COMMUNITIES.
UM, THESE AMENDED BUDGET TO REALLOCATE THE EXTRA 10.5 MILLION FROM ATP TO THE RPS TASK FORCE, UH, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS ACTUALLY BOLSTER THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADDIE RILEY.
HI, MY NAME IS MADELINE RILEY AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX.
I'M HERE TO VOICE MY OPINION THAT OUR BUDGET SHOULD BE AMENDED TO FOCUS ON COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TO THE SOURCES OF CRIME.
INSTEAD OF ASKING OUR POLICE TO BE THE BANDAID ON FAILED POLICIES.
AND OFTEN WE'RE SEEING A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN THE OF INCOME INEQUALITY AND THE RISE OF VIOLENT CRIME IN DISTRICT SIX, HOMEOWNERS ARE BEING PRICED OUT OR BECOMING A HOUSE FOR, FROM PRICES THAT ROSE AT 52% IN A SINGLE YEAR.
NOT ONLY SHOULD WE KEEP POLICE FUNDING MINIMAL, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE WRITE IN FLEXIBILITY IN THE POLICE BUDGET, CREATE COMMUNITY SOLUTION RATHER THAN SPENDING OUR MONEY ON OVER-POLICING.
WE ARE BEING FORCED TO DIVERS, TO PLEASING, TO WORK WITH OUR DEPARTMENT, TO DEVELOP DIRECT AID PROGRAMS, HOUSING PROGRAMS, ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AND FOOD PROGRAMS AND OTHER INITIATIVES THAT REDUCE THE STRESS AND POVERTY AND ARE SHOWN TO LEAD TO THAT HIGHER RATES OF VIOLENT CRIME, THROWING MORE MONEY AT A SINGLE SOLUTION BY INCREASING THE FLOOR OF THE POLICE BUDGET WILL NOT SOLVE, BUT WE KNOW OUR COMMUNITY WIDE INTRINSIC PROBLEMS, NOT ONE MORE MILLION NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE NUMBER WE'RE DERIVING FROM THE 2019 BUDGET TO COMPLY WITH HB 1900.
LET'S STICK TO WHAT WE KNOW WE'RE EXPANDING OWN UP TO OUR PROMISES FROM LAST YEAR.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.
I'M LISA HUFFMAN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT I'M AGAIN, ITEM 13 AND URGE THE COUNCIL TO OPPOSE THE PURCHASE OF CANDLEWOOD ON PECAN PARK BOULEVARD.
I HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS AND WOMEN'S SHELTERS.
THE HOTEL IS NOT A SUITABLE FACILITY FOR A WOMEN'S SHELTER.
IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THE NONPROFIT SAFE GUIDELINES THAT A SHELTER NEEDS TO BE CLOSE TO MEDICAL AND ADDICTION TREATMENT FACILITIES, BUT STOPS AND GROCERY STORES.
THE HOTEL CAMPUS HAS VULNERABILITIES AND DOESN'T PROVIDE SUITABLE PROTECTION THAT WOMEN NEED IN A SHELTERED ENVIRONMENT.
SHELTERS ARE OFTEN TARGETED BY THE BULLIES THAT THESE WOMEN HAVE ESCAPED FROM.
ALSO, THERE ARE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE, SOME CANDLEWOODS AND IT'S WITHIN A TWO MILE RADIUS OF FIVE SCHOOLS WITH THE WESTWOOD HIGH PLAYING AND PRACTICE FIELDS ONLY YARD THE WAY LET'S KEEP THIS NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE AND COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION FOR OUR WOMEN NEEDING SHELTER.
I'M COMPLETELY OPPOSED TO THIS PURCHASE, BUT HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRICE TAG WILLIAMSON COUNTY RECORDS SHOW THE HOTEL APPRAISED VALUE AT 2.5 MILLION, BUT THE CITY IS OFFERING 9.5 MILLION.
WHY WOULD THE CITY OFFER TRIPLE EVALUATION WITH BUDGET ADOPTION
[01:40:01]
AND THE TEMPTATION TO APPROVE AS MUCH BENDING AS POSSIBLE? CAROL GUTHRIE? HI.UM, I'M SPEAKING ON THE BUDGET ITEM AND ITEM CAM.
UM, AND HE SAW THE VIDEO, UH, ANYWAY, CAROL CATHERINE BUSINESS MANAGER FOR AFRICAN LOCAL 16.4.
UM, WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU SUPPORT THE EMPLOYEES AND GETTING THIS ADDITIONAL SMALL COMPENSATION.
THEY HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY PRE VACCINE POST VACCINE.
UM, PRE-STORM POST-STORM THEY HAVE BEEN THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THEY NEED YOUR HELP.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE PAY RAISE THAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE BASE BUDGET.
AND I MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE MY CONCERN ON ITEM 10 IS THAT THERE WILL BE MASSIVE LAYOFFS ITEM CAN THEN SAVE AUSTIN.
NOW BALLOT MEASURE IS FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL STAND OPPOSED TO IT.
THIS WON'T BANKRUPT OUR CITY, AND WE WILL HAVE MASSIVE LAYOFFS.
YOU WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE WHICH PUBLIC SAFETY YOU WANT.
YOU WANT BUYER BANK, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE LAY OFF THE EVENT.
GOOD MORNING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MANILA NETTLE, UH, PARENTS OF A CHILDREN AND THE GRANDCHILDREN
I'M HERE TO SPEAK OF SUPPORTIVE OF COUNCIL MEMBER TOWABLES BUDGET, AMENDMENT, COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATORS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE US WAS THIS LEGISLATION IN YOUR EMMA SINGLE BEN, WHO HAS BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE MY CHILDREN ATTEND.
WHAT WAS THAT COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND THAT COMMUNITY, UH, LIKE COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
I HAVE A CHANCE TO BE ON THE PTA BOARD TO THE BOARD AND INCLUDED IN THE PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING THAT HAPPEN AROUND MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL.
WHEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS CLOSED, MY SON AND DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL A FEW YEARS AGO, PARENTS LIKE ME, WHO DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL, GOT TOGETHER TO KEEP THIS SCHOOL UP WITH THEM.
WE WERE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE WE FOUND A WAY TO MAKE US FEEL BETTER, BUT STILL DIDN'T START A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
WHEN COVID HIT THE SCHOOLS IN OUR CITY CLOSE FIRST IN-PERSON LEARNING OR COMMUNITY WAS IN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS RUN BY THE VOICE THAT HAS STRONG TIES TO
SPEAKING ON ITEM ONE ON BEHALF OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.
AT A MOMENT WHEN WE HAVE A PROJECTED FIVE-YEAR DEFICIT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO FUND $10 MILLION OF ANYTHING THAT CAN NOT BE DECREASED SUCH AS THE POLICE BUDGET UNDER THE CONSTRAINTS OF HB 1900, THREE YEARS FROM NOW, YOU COULD BE IN A PLACE WHERE YOU CANNOT RAISE REVENUE AND SENDING HIS RUN OUT FOR INITIATIVES.
YOU WILL HOPEFULLY FUND TODAY BY WOULD YOU TIE YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK BY ALLOCATING FUNDING THAT CAN NEVER BE SHIFTED TO MEET THE CURRENT PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITIES.
THE GOVERNOR HAS SET A TRAP WITH HB 1900 TO DEPRIVE CITIES THAT THE RESOURCES AND INVESTMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR GROWING CITIES TO BE AFFORDABLE SPACES FOR ANYONE THAT THE WEALTHIEST RESIDENTS INCREASING APD FUNDING IS WALKING RIGHT INTO IT.
IF WE CANNOT FIND COMMUNITY NEEDS, NO AMOUNTS OF POLICING CAN COMPENSATE FOR CREATING A FUNDAMENTALLY UNLIVABLE CITY THAT FORCES INCREASING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE TO SURVIVE BY WHATEVER MEANS AVAILABLE.
WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THIS REALITY AND YOU MUST ACT NOW TO REVERSE IT.
THERE ARE $60 MILLION OF APD DIVISION SET TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY TASKFORCE IDENTIFIED AS HARMFUL.
THAT COULD BE CUT AND REALLOCATED TODAY.
I'M A RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER AND DISTRICT TWO.
AND I'M CALLING IN ABOUT THE ITEM NUMBER NINE AND 10, THE SAVE AUSTIN.
YOU'VE HEARD FROM OTHER PEOPLE, UH, THAT THIS MEASURE WOULD SEVERELY CUT CITY SERVICES.
AND I AGREE THAT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND MAYBE LONGER, THE CITY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE HOW DEEP THOSE CUTS SHOULD BE BY
[01:45:01]
GUARANTEE.IT'LL NEVER BE ENOUGH TO MEET DEMANDS FOR MORE AND MORE POLICE MONEY FOR THE CITY WILL HAVE TO ALSO DECIDE HOW MUCH TO RAISE TAXES, JUST BEING REALISTIC HERE EVERY YEAR CITY COUNCIL WILL FUND MORE CUTS AND WE'LL HAVE TO SAY NO TO CRITICAL DEPARTMENTS LIKE EMS. AND EVERY YEAR THE CITY WILL HAVE TO INCREASE TAXES FAR MORE THAN WE'VE SEEN BEFORE.
IF YOU HAVE TO RING ANOTHER $100 MILLION A YEAR OUT OF TAX PAYERS TO FUND HUNDREDS MORE POLICE WHILE PRESERVING SOME SEMBLANCE OF AN EMS AND FIRE SYSTEM, THAT JUST SOUNDS LIKE A RECIPE FOR REAL TAX INCREASES THAT WILL NEVER END.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE BALLOT PROPOSITION LANGUAGE THAT SAY BOSTON NOW WILL DRAFT WELL, LIKE MOST OF YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
HI, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN HERE IN SOLIDARITY WITH BOSTON CITY FOR ONE TO SPEAK AGAINST AGENDA ITEM 10.
I VOTED FOR COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT SHE AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL VOTE NO ON THIS INFLAMMATORY IRRESPONSIBLE AND INEFFECTIVE MEASURE.
I'M STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF DEFUNDING AND ABOLISHING.
THE POLICE PUBLIC SAFETY IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO ME, BUT I KNOW THAT POLICE DO NOT PREVENT HARM FROM OCCURRING AND ABSOLUTELY DO NOT KEEP US A MURDEROUS INSTITUTION WAS DEEPER THAN AND ENDURING CONNECTIONS TO SLAVERY.
AND ANTI-BLACK RACISM IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE SOLUTION.
THE ESSENTIAL CHALLENGE OF PROVIDING FOR THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.
WE NEED AS MANY SPEAKERS AS THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH CENTERS, NOT THE NAIVE APPROACH OF CRIMINALIZING POVERTY, BUT RATHER THAN MUCH MORE STRATEGIC EFFECTIVE, AND JUST APPROACH OF CHANGING THE CONDITIONS WHICH ENABLE HARM TO.
SO I URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THIS DANGEROUS MEASURE, WHICH LEVERAGES PEOPLE'S WORST FEARS AGAINST THEM AND CONTINUE YOUR WORK WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO KEEP US SAFE BY PROACTIVELY MEETING OUR NEEDS, LIKE HOUSING, MEDICAL CARE, FOOD ACCESS, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CATHERINE WRIGHT MEYER.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.
MY NAME IS KEVIN WRIGHT MEYER.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT SIX NEAR THE CANDLE WOOD HOTEL, AND, UH, I'M OPPOSED TO THE PURCHASE OF THE CANDLE, WHICH HOTEL BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO USE AS A HOUSING SITE, BECAUSE THOUGH IT'S CALLED A SHELTER FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RIGHT NOW DOES, COULD BE, AND PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE SWITCHED OUT IN THE FUTURE.
CANDLEWOOD, UM, BACKS UP TO A STABLE NEIGHBORHOOD IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY, NOT TRAVIS COUNTY.
THERE ARE FIVE SCHOOLS NEAR CANDLEWOOD AND THE, THE, UM, UH, LONG AND CIRCUITOUS AND HAZARDOUS BOTH BY ALICIA SEMI.
I AM A DISTRICT SIX AND A AGAINST ITEM 13, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS.
THERE SHOULD BE NO KIND OF SHELTER WHATSOEVER IN A HOTEL NAME, CANDLEWOOD.
THIS HOTEL IS WAY TOO CLOSE IN PROXIMITY TO RESIDENTS, SMALL BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND CHILDREN.
WE WILL THEN BE FACED WITH THE SAME ISSUE SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY, THEFT, DRUGS, AND CRIME.
IT IS NOT A PROPER LOCATION IN THIS DISTRICT, ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S GUIDELINES.
THESE HARDWORKING MIDDLE-CLASS RESIDENTS WHO SPENT MOST OF THEIR LIVES, WORKING HARD TO BUILD A COMMUNITY, TO KEEP THEIR FAMILIES SAFE.
IF WE'RE HONEST WITH OURSELVES, MOST OF US WILL NOT LIKE THIS HAPPENING TO ALL FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY.
YOU CAN DO BETTER AND FIND A MORE APPROPRIATE LOCATION IN DISTRICT SIX, TO SUPPORT THESE INDIVIDUALS COME OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE HOTEL.
WOULD YOU WILLIAMSON COUNTY HEARS US AND WE'LL FIGHT AND VOTE AGAINST ITEM 13.
AND WE ASK THAT YOU DO THE SAME.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, THE KENZIE KELLY FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO SUPPORT ITEM 13, BUT IS NOT IN DISTRICT SIX OR IS NOT DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY FIRE, PLEASE VISIT US AND HEAR US FIRST BEFORE YOU EXPRESSED AN OPINION.
COULD I PLEASE REQUEST THAT WE CALL BACK THE PREVIOUS COLOR MRS. WRIGHT MEYER, BECAUSE I BELIEVE SHE WAS CUT OFF OR THE CALL DROPPED.
WE, UM, DO CALL EVERY SPEAKER THAT GETS DISCONNECTED, BUT A LOT OF THEM, WHEN WE RE WHEN WE DO REACH THEM, THEY DISCONNECT.
SO IT'S, WE'RE REACHING OUT TO HER ZONA GALLERY.
[01:50:02]
UH, HI, AS A PROUD RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE INCREASE IN APD FUNDING AND STAFFING LEVELS.THIS PROPOSED BUDGET IS AN INSULT WHEN WE HAVEN'T BEGUN TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR DEESCALATION OR ANTI-DISCRIMINATION TRAINING, WHEN THERE'S NO INDICATION, WE'VE UPGRADED THE DEEP CULTURE OF ABUSE AND MILITARISM IN THE ACADEMY, WHEN WE CAN, WHEN WE CAN LEGALLY NEVER REDUCE THE POLICE BUDGET WHEN IT PROVES TO BE THE MISTAKE THAT IT IS.
AND AT A MOMENT WHEN LIKE PETULANT CHILDREN FACING DISCIPLINE FOR THE FIRST TIME, SWORN OFFICERS ARE FLAGRANTLY ALIGNED TO AND MANIPULATING THE AUSTINITES WHO CALL THEM FOR HELP AND ARE TOLD NOTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE APD WON'T HA DON'T HAVE THE STAFF AND OUR PROSECUTORS WON'T ENFORCE THE LAW.
THE OXFORD COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER.
WE HAVE BETTER WAYS TO SPEND THIS MONEY BETTER WAYS TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. THANK YOU, CATHERINE.
UH, YES, I THINK I WAS CUT OFF.
UM, I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS HEARD BEFORE OR NOT.
UM, MY NAME IS KATHERINE REITMEYER, I'LL START IT OVER.
AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT SIX, NEAR CANDLEWOOD.
I'M OPPOSED TO THE PURCHASE OF ANY BOSTON TO USE AS A HOUSING SITE, BECAUSE THAT WAS CALLED A SHELTER FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
RIGHT NOW, IT PROBABLY WOULD BE SWITCHED OUT IN THE FUTURE TO SOMETHING ELSE.
CANDLEWOOD, UM, BACKS UP TO A STABLE NEIGHBORHOOD IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
AND THERE WERE FIVE SCHOOLS NEAR CANDLEWOOD.
THE WALK TO THEM BY CHILDREN WHO MIGHT BE IN THE HOTEL WOULD BE LONG AND HAZARDOUS.
AND IT'S YOUR CUTE CIRCUITOUS.
AND, UH, IT WOULD POSE A PROBLEM FOR BOTH MOMS AND CHILDREN, WALKING DOWN THE PANTS AND SIDEWALKS.
THE LOCATION IS BAD FOR ADULTS BECAUSE SHOPPING FOR ADULTS IS ONE TO TWO MILES AWAY.
UH, THEY WOULD HAVE TO WALK ALONG, UM, SH 45 DASH SIX 20, AND THAT IS HAZARDOUS BY ALL THE TRAFFIC AND HAVING TO WALK THROUGH OR BY EXTENDED HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS TO WALMART AND WALKING.
THE ALTERNATE ROUTE IS KIND OF REMOTE IN A WAY AND HOPE WOULD BE HARD TO FIND WALKING ALONG THAT A MORE ISOLATED PLACE AND PAST ENCAMPMENTS OF HOMELESS THERE'S UM, UM, FOR THE NEIGHBORS, IT'S A BAD SITUATION BECAUSE OF THEIR BACK FENCE PROXIMITY.
BEFORE YOU CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER COLLEAGUES, THERE'S PROBABLY ABOUT 20 SPEAKERS LEFT.
SO I'M GOING TO AMEND MY RECOMMENDATION TO YOU.
I THINK YOU SHOULD HIT CAUSE I'M GOING TO NEED TO STEP OFF.
UM, SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE HEAR THE SPEAKERS, UH, HERE THERE'S TWO SPEAKERS THAT ARE GOING TO SPEAK BOTH IN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION OF THE COUNCIL.
SO YOU'LL DO THAT CONVENING AGAIN AND THEN TAKE A BREAK FOR LUNCH.
WE'LL LET STAFF LAY OUT THE BUDGET TO ASK TECHNICAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU NEED TO FINE TUNE YOUR PROPOSALS.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET OR THE BARRETT'S OR ANY OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.
AND THEN WE'LL RECESS TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND TO THE MAYOR PRO TEM, OR I'M GOING TO HAND THE CHAIR BACK TO YOU.
UM, MY NAME IS MARY RAJA AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10.
I'M ALSO ONE OF THE TREASURES OF THE CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN PROCESS BEING LED BY THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY.
I'M HERE TO OPPOSE ITEMS NINE AND 10, FOR MANY OF THE REASONS YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD THE PETITION TO PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT.
YOU SET THE TACTICS, ADDING POLICE BUDGET WON'T NECESSARILY REDUCE CRIME.
AND THESE ITEMS COMPLETELY IGNORE THE WORK THAT THE REIMAGINED PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE HAS BEEN CARRYING OUT.
THE CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN, PROPOSES MANY ALTERNATIVES TO INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY THAT ALSO HELP MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
AND I SUGGEST THAT THIS MONEY GOES TOWARDS THOSE SOLUTIONS.
INSTEAD, FINALLY, POLICE HAVE BEEN PROVEN OVER AND OVER TO BE A THREAT TO PEOPLE OF COLOR, ESPECIALLY BLACK FOLKS.
EVERY TIME I SEE NEWS OF POLICE SHOOTINGS, I'M REMINDED THAT AUSTIN IS NOT SAFE FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.
OUR OVER-INVESTMENT IN POLICING CLEARLY SIGNALS THAT WE DO NOT VALUE OUR CITIZENS OF COLOR.
I GOT TO AT THAT POINT WHAT'S THAT? WHAT'S THAT WHAT'S THAT I'LL START MY TIME.
UH, I'M SEVIS WATSON BUSINESS OWNER IN DISTRICT 10 CERTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
SAFETY IN AUSTIN IS NOT MEASURED BY MORE POLICE PATROL OR MORE POLICE OVERSIGHT.
BUT AS THE GENTLEMAN SAID EARLIER, AND AS MALCOLM X SAID, BY APPEALING TO THE ROOT OF ISSUES AND NOT THE CONDITIONS, IF TAPPING THIS WILL SAY SEARCH AND SEIZURE UNITS, AREN'T BONDED BY FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND REMEDY.
[01:55:01]
LABOR WAS EPISODES OF ACQUIRING CANDLEWOOD SUITES HAS BEEN RECEIVED SUCH DISDAIN FROM ITS NEIGHBORS.WE DIDN'T FIND OURSELVES WITH A ROOF ISSUE.
AND THUS THE ROOT BEING FOUND WITHIN DIRECTLY IMPACTED PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR CONTINUES TO BE NEGLECTED.
THE VERY ONES THAT HAVE SACRIFICED LIVELIHOODS TO ORGANIZE EFFECTIVELY AND BRING REAL SOLUTIONS TO THIS DIET.
THIS ENTIRE BUDGET IS AGAINST THE PEOPLE'S NEEDS AND WHO ARE REALLY IN SIMPLY SURVIVING AFTER THE COVID DONALD AND DELTA PANDEMIC, BILL HOUSING IS NEEDED, BUT WITH THE PAINTABLE AND PRACTICAL PRACTICES, I ASKED LAST YEAR FOR $500,000 A WEEK SERVICES TO PEOPLE ABOUT IT.
BUT THIS YEAR THAT MONEY WILL GO TO SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T HAVE A SERVICE OVER FOR, FOR ME, WHEN I WAS A FELON RETURNING FROM PRISON LAST YEAR, WHITE SUPREMACY IS STILL EMBEDDED IN ALL ANGLES OF THIS BUDGET.
AND ONCE THEY GET ANSWERS, THAT'S THE FAMILY AND
BUT I'VE GIVEN OVER 6,000 HOURS TO YOUR DECISIONS AND DIVIDED CONCEPT TACTICS.
I CAN NOT INDEPENDENTLY ON ME TOO.
UM, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MIKAYLA AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE AND I'M SPEAKING IN ITEM 10.
I AM LATINO AND I LIVE LESS THAN A BLOCK FROM HOLT'S WORK DRIVE OR MY PROMISE.
AND ALLISON UNFORTUNATELY LOST THEIR LIVES.
THE HANDBOOK, WHEN I DRIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I AM ANXIOUS AND SCARED.
I WORRY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT I, OR ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS BEING IN THE WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME.
OUR NEXT TO HAVE THE VARSITY OF AN OFFICER WHO HAS COMPETENCY, DEESCALATION ANTI-DISCRIMINATION OR MENTAL HEALTH DRINK, ITEM 10, WHAT INCREASED APD BUDGET WITHOUT MEANINGFUL COMMITMENTS TO TRAINING FOR THE THEORIES THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO ACTUALLY HELP THE COMMUNITY.
INSTEAD I'M 10 PROPOSALS THAT 35% OF AN OFFICER'S TIME IS DEDICATED TO UNDEFINED.
INDEED, AS A RIVERSIDE RESIDENT, I PROMISE YOU THAT MY COMMUNITY DOES NOT EAT IN THE ENGAGEMENT FROM APD.
THE RESOURCES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH CARE, HOUSING AND EMS. I AM 10, 10, IT'S FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.
AND TO LEAD THE BUDGET AND THE ELIMINATION OF THESE EXACT COMMUNITIES.
I AM PAPER WHEN COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE ADEQUATELY FUNDED.
OFTEN IT'S SAFER WHEN OUR POLICE OFFICER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR BUDGET IS NOT BLOCKED FUNDING ATD AT THE EXPENSE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
LIKE I HAD 10, I, AFTER THE COUNCIL LISTENS TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE AUSTIN, JUST BASED ON YOUR TIME HAS PUBLIC SAFETY.
UM, MAYOR, UH, MAYOR PUT 10 CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE MANAGERS, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
UM, BUT I WILL ADD THIS WITH KEN, THE, THE STOPS IN CONSERVANCY AND I'M A DISTRICT THREE RESIDENT, AND I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR DILIGENT FOCUSED ON EFFORTS TO ADDRESS DISPLACEMENT.
I SUBMITTED BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS.
SO PLEASE LOOK TO THOSE TWO MORE DETAILS FIRST OUT HERE THAT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT YOU STOPPED IN CONSERVANCY HAS SECURED COMMITMENTS OF OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY.
AND WE ASKED FOR YOUR HELP TO BUILD ON THAT SUCCESS.
A FOCUS OF MY TIME ON WHAT'S MARKET'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE DOCUMENT I SHARED, WHICH IS THE IDEA OF DEVELOPING RESOURCE CENTERS OR HUBS DESIGNED TO BRING STABILITY FOR RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE IN MOST NEED OF ASSISTANCE IN TIMES OF CRISIS.
THESE ARE ALSO THE COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE TO DISPLACEMENT.
WE NEED TO BE ON THE GROUND ON AN ONGOING BASIS IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, NOT JUST IN TIMES OF DISASTER EMERGENCY BECAUSE THE NEEDS IN THESE AREAS DON'T GO AWAY.
WHEN THE DISASTER EMERGENCY PASSES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSALS HAVE REFERRED TO THE ACTION COALITIONS PROPOSAL ON COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTERS AND THE EQUITY INVESTMENT COMMUNITY WORK GROUP.
AND I STAND PREPARED TO HELP IN ANY WAY I CAN.
I THINK YOU'RE ON YOU, BUT I JUST, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER AUTHORIZE FOR COMING AND SPEAKING WITH US.
UM, IT'S REALLY GREAT TO HAVE YOUR INPUT, UM, THIS YEAR AND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
SO I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO DROP OFF THE LINE WITHOUT SAYING THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
LIKE I SAID, WE'RE HERE TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN, THESE ARE DIFFICULT ISSUES AND CAN THE CONSERVANCY AND I, MYSELF PERSONALLY, WILL DO WHATEVER'S NEEDED TO HELP YEAH.
JUST, I KNOW THAT STEPHANIE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH YOU ON THAT THIS YEAR AND, AND, UH, PLEASE CONTINUE REACHING OUT.
WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE BECAUSE WE ARE, UH, WITH YOUR HELP.
AND YOU'RE, YOU'RE A NONPROFIT WHERE WE'LL BE ABLE TO SAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT SENIOR AND SAID, I LIVE IN AND, UH, ON, ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET AND BARELY SURVIVING AND BE ABLE TO EVEN STAY IN THEIR HOME AND, AND WITH YOUR HELP, UH, YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.
[02:00:01]
COULD EVEN MAKE IT EVEN BETTER AND IMPROVE IT EVEN BETTER THROUGHOUT WITH OUR HELP.YEAH, I THINK GREAT POTENTIAL TO DO MORE.
AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'LL HEAR MORE FROM ME IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SPEAKER, JENNIFER MCPHAIL.
HI, UH, THIS IS JENNIFER MCPHAIL.
I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH THEM.
AND I WANTED TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY, UH, IN PARTICULAR ABOUT THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
UM, A FEW YEARS BACK, WE, UH, COMPLETED A PARKS MASTER PLAN, UM, AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED IN THE MASTER PLAN THAT $27 MILLION GET SPENT ON ADA IMPROVEMENTS FOR A THREE-YEAR PERIOD TO, UM, MAKE PARKS ACCESSIBLE AND THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY IMPLEMENT THROUGHOUT THE CITY ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL.
UM, AND WE'RE WAY BEHIND SCHEDULE.
THE CITY WAS REQUIRED TO BE FULLY ACCESSIBLE IN EVERY ASPECT OF COMMUNITY LIFE AND BY 1995.
SO WE'RE VERY, VERY, VERY FAR BEHIND SCHEDULE.
AND, UH, WE JUST WANTED TO GET ON RECORD TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE WANT TO DO MORE WITH YOU TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE ACCESS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
BUT IF YOU DON'T DEDICATE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FUNDING, THEN ALL THE GOOD INTENTIONS IN THE WORLD DON'T MATTER.
AND THERE HASN'T BEEN IMPROVEMENT, BUT, BUT SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS BATHROOMS GET LEFT OUT.
UM, SO I'M JUST GOING TO REQUEST OF YOU THAT WE, WE MEET WITH YOU AND, OR YOUR STAFF TO TALK IN MORE DETAIL BECAUSE THE, THERE IS THE, IS THAT CALLER STILL ON THE LINE? YES.
IF WE ALLOWED HER TO TIP TO FINISH YOUR STATEMENT, PLEASE.
IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND FINISHING YOUR STATEMENT AND THEN I HAVE ONE QUESTION.
UM, I WAS JUST GONNA WRAP UP BY SAYING THAT THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THE LONGER IT TAKES US THE MORE IT'S GOING TO BE, UH, DIFFICULT TO CATCH UP BECAUSE THE CITY DOESN'T STOP GROWING JUST BECAUSE WE PUT THINGS OFF.
SO, UH, ADA COMPLIANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS ANYTHING ELSE.
AND DURING THE PANDEMIC, MENTAL HEALTH HAS SUFFERED, UH, FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL.
BEING ISOLATED IS VERY DIFFICULT ON EVERYONE, UM, INCLUDING US.
I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THAT PERSPECTIVE WITH US AND I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO ELABORATE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.
AND I, I WONDER IF YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT YOU SHARED WITH US AND MAYBE MORE THAT WE SHOULD BE INFORMED ABOUT, UM, THAT WE, YOU KNOW, CAN HELP TO INFORM OUR DECISIONS MOVING FORWARD.
DO YOU HAVE THAT COMPILED OR IS THAT SOMETHING YOU COULD PUT TOGETHER FOR US TO REVIEW? YEAH.
WE INTENDED TO HAVE SOME WRITTEN COMMENTS FOR YOU AND I CAN TRY TO TRACK DOWN COPIES OF THE MOST RECENT VERSIONS OF THE MASTER PLANS.
YOU HAVE BOTH A SIDEWALK MASTER PLAN AND A PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MASTER PLAN, UM, THAT SERVICE ADA TRANSITION PLAN, UM, WHEN THEY, WHEN THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT PASSED IN 1990 CITIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE WHAT'S CALLED A TRANSITION PLAN, IT'S BASICALLY A BATTLE PLAN TO, UH, FIGURE OUT WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO MEET BENCHMARKS, BUT YOU WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE ALL THOSE BENCHMARKS MET AND THE COMPLIANCE ACHIEVED BY 1995 AND YOU'RE FAR BEHIND, BUT I'LL GET YOU, I BELIEVE COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU AS WELL.
SO, SO BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT WE HAVE HAVEN'T ALLOCATED ADDITIONAL DOLLAR, UH, SUFFICIENT DOLLARS TO MAKE PROGRESS, UM, ON THE 18TH, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
SO THAT WOULD BE PART OF GOOD START.
I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY PART OF THE PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY FOR THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT, IN THAT IT CONTINUES TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY AND DO GOOD THINGS, BUT IT LEAVES THE EXISTING PROPERTIES THAT HAVE NEEDED ATTENTION FAR BEHIND.
WE KEEP ACQUIRING NEW CITIES WITHOUT ANY, UM, REAL APPROACH TO THE EXISTING PROJECTS.
[02:05:02]
THANK YOU FOR BREAKS ATTENTION.I WORK IN DISTRICT SIX, I'M AGAINST THE AGENDA ITEM 13.
THE IDEA THAT THE CITY COULD USE THE HOTELS CAUSE THAT'S REALLY ANY KIND OF HOUSING MAKES NO SENSE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S WORK MORNING, QUARANTINING PEOPLE FOR COVID HOUSING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN THE FAMILY OR THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, HOMELESS.
THESE ARE ALL COMPLEX CHALLENGES THAT HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED THOUGHTFULLY AND CAREFULLY GIVING YOU THE CARDS.
UM, LAST WEEK, WHEN AND HOW DO YOU THE HOTEL, IT MAKES LITTLE SENSE THEN, OR THEY SPEND MILLIONS FOR A SERVICE ONLY TO FAIL AND DECIDE TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
SO IT'S NOT MAY TURN NOT TO BE A POOR FIT FOR ANY PURPOSE THEY HAVE IN MIND.
BUT THE LATEST PLAN IS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER.
THEN WHY DOES DO ONE WE RECOMMEND AGAINST USING THE FACILITIES AND WHY DOES THE HOTEL HAVE NONE OF THE SECURITY AND OTHER SERVICES? THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER REQUIRES ALL THIS.
ONCE AGAIN, POINTS TO THE CITY, NOT HAVING A PLAN AND THEN THE OPT-IN FOR THE PLAN ONE AS MUCH FLEXIBILITY, THE EXPENSE OF THE COMMUNITY'S INTERESTS.
WE ALL FOLLOWED WORKING CAP THINGS, BUT WITH QUESTIONS ON BAILEY'S CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR RECKLESSLY BLOWING THROUGH MONEY WITHOUT A PLAN.
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR 15 YEARS AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
APART FROM THE THREAT OF COVID.
I HAVE FELT SAFER IN AUSTIN OVER THE LAST YEAR THAN I EVER HAVE BEFORE, BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WERE FINALLY ON A PATH TO REDUCE POLICE SPENDING.
LAST YEAR, WE WERE PROMISED A SHIFT IN THE WAY THAT WE APPROACH PUBLIC SAFETY.
YET HERE WE ARE, AGAIN, FIGHTING TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS FOR VITAL SERVICES AREN'T RIPPED AWAY IN FAVOR OF DEEPLY UNNECESSARY AND INEFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPANSION.
PLEASE HEAR WHAT THE MAJORITY OF AUSTINITES WHO REALLY WANT DON'T INFLATE THE POLICE BUDGET.
DON'T PUT OTHER VITALS BUDGETS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AT DMS AT RISK INSTEAD, DO WHAT YOU PROMISED A YEAR AGO AND PURSUE ACTUAL EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES FOR KEEPING US SAFE.
MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SERVICES THAT KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER THAT MAINTAIN BEAUTIFUL SPACES TO ACTUALLY BUILD COMMUNITY IN.
AND HOW HAS OUR LESS FORTUNATE NEIGHBORS USE YOUR POWER TO HELP US MOVE FORWARD? NOT BACK.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO AND I'M ASKING COUNSEL, PLEASE, TO NOT DIRECT MORE BUDGET DOLLARS TO AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT THAN ARE NEEDED TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE BILL 1900.
IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BE MOVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF WHAT YOU WISELY VOTED TO BE A STAND FOR LAST YEAR.
AND IF YOU GO FORWARD WITH THIS FUNDING FOR APD, YOU'RE REINFORCING INVESTMENT IN WHAT HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IS IN FACT ACTIVELY HARMING MANY PEOPLE.
SO YOU'VE RECEIVED MANY REPORTS ON THE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS WITHIN APD AND NOW BY OVER-FUNDING ABD, YOU WILL BE SUPPORTING THE CONTINUATION OF THAT HARM.
SO INSTEAD, PLEASE DIRECT FUNDING THE EXTRA $10 MILLION TO THE RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCES, INNOVATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS, SUCH AS FIVE NEW NEIGHBORHOOD HUBS FOR ADDRESSING GAPS IN SERVICES, MORE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AND FUNDING FOR THE EQUITY OFFICE REVIEW AND OVERSIGHT PROCESS.
SO PLEASE FUND THESE COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVES AND DO NOT INCREASE FUNDING FOR POLICE.
MY NAME IS LAURA TEMPLETON LIVE IN DISTRICT 10, AND I'M OPPOSED TO ITEM 13, THE PURCHASE OF CANDLEWOOD SUITES, HOTEL TO SHELTER, VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
FOR THE SAME REASON, I WAS OPPOSED TO THE PURCHASE BY THE CITY TO POTENTIALLY HOUSE OUR HOMELESS THERE SIX MONTHS AGO.
ACCORDING TO A STUDY CONDUCTED BY SAYING CANDLEWOOD FAILS TO COMPLY WITH BASIC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUILDING REQUIREMENTS SAY RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL BUY HOTELS IN TRAVIS COUNTY, WHERE THEY HAVE BUILT STRONG AND TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PROTECTIVE ORDER SYSTEMS. THEY WOULD NOT HAVE THESE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
THEY ALSO THREATENED WILLIAMSON COUNTY WILL NOT AFFORD THE SAME LENIENCY AND PROTECTED SERVICES TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.
ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.
PLEASE GIVE UP THE FLAWED IDEA OF BUYING CANDLEWOOD AND FIND BETTER LONG LASTING VIABLE
[02:10:01]
SOLUTION FOR OUR CITY'S MOST DISADVANTAGED CITIZENS.HI, ANNA STEWART, THE STRICT ONE.
UM, I WANT TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 10 AND, UH, ASPECTS ANY MONEY, UM, BE DIVERTED TO RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS.
I ALSO WANT TO ECHO, UM, THE, THAT SAN IS EFFECTIVELY BULLYING AND MANIPULATING AND PUPPETEERING OUR CITY NOW WITH ABSOLUTELY DECEPTIVE TACTICS.
AND I WANT TO ASK THAT THE CITY DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, BUT SOME EXTRA SCRUTINY FOR THOSE PETITIONS.
UM, IN ADDITION TO WHATEVER SCRUTINY IS BEING DONE, UM, VERIFYING THROUGH ONE WAY OR ANOTHER EACH OF THOSE SIGNATURES.
UM, SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DUPED INTO VOTING FOR SAN POLICY AND ALSO JUST AUSTIN AS A WHITE AND RESOURCE PERSON.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS TO ME TO SAY THAT AUSTIN IS NOT SAFE AND NEEDS MORE POLICING.
UM, AND IT'S YEAH, IT'S, IT'S POLICING IS NOT SAFE FOR THE UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES AND FOR BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE WHO ARE TERRORIZED BY POLICE.
SO PUT THE MONEY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITIES THROUGH REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY, TASKFORCE RECOMMENDATIONS AND DOCUMENTING EXPIRING BULLIED.
MY NAME IS SEAN TAYLOR, AND I'VE BEEN A DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER SINCE 2015.
UM, I'M SPEAKING TODAY AGAINST AGENDA ITEM 10.
AND TO ASK YOU TO AMEND THE UPCOMING BUDGET TO FUND COMMUNITY SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, HUBS, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, AND AN EQUITY REVIEW OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WOULD ALL BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN POLICING.
I URGE YOU TO STAND BY YOUR BUDGET BUDGET VOTE LAST YEAR AND COMMIT TO RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY BEYOND POLICING THIS YEAR TO, FOR OUR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY MEMBERS, NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST YEAR.
PEOPLE TARGETED BY POLICE AND LEFT BEHIND BY THE CITY ARE BEING HARMED AS MUCH OR MORE NOW, AS THEY HAVE TESTIFIED REPEATEDLY, YOU'VE RE YOU'VE HEARD THE RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCES RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET FUNDS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT 10 MILLION MORE THAN HB 1900 REQUIRES THOSE MILLIONS COULD INSTEAD SUPPORT THE TASK FORCE REC TASK FORCE FORCES RECOMMENDATIONS.
SHOW US YOU ARE SERIOUS IN YOUR LANDMARK BUDGET LAST YEAR, PLEASE SHIFT FUNDING TOWARD THE RPS RECOMMENDATIONS.
UM, HEY, Y'ALL JUST SAYS MORE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS UP AND JUST, AND YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT TOO MUCH OF WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID, BUT I REALLY HOPE THAT THERE'S SOME WAY TO, UM, REMOVE THE EXTRA 10 MILLION THAT THAT IS ON TOP OF, UM, THE REQUIRED REFUND OF HOW THE 1900.
AND I REALLY HOPE YOU ALL LISTEN TO THE, THE, THE SLEW OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME ON AND SAID, THEY'D BEEN DUPED BY THE SAVE LOTS AND NOW PETITIONERS TO SIGN THIS THING.
AND, UM, IF THERE'S A WAY TO POSTPONE IS AND GO BACK AND VERIFY SIGNATURES, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GREAT MOVE.
UM, YEAH, AND I, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO CONTINUE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS THAT ARE NOT EASY AND THAT ARE NOT STATUS QUO AS WE CONTINUE TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO, UM, AS ALWAYS, I'M HERE TO SUPPORT YOU ALL AND AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY WHENEVER, UM, IF YOU ALL WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, SO PEOPLE WOULD BE YOUR WORK, JEN MCGILLIS, GOOD AFTERNOON.
THIS IS JEN MARGOLYES FROM DISTRICT ONE TIME.
AND AGAIN, FROM LAST SUMMER, YOU'VE HEARD COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS PLEADING WITH YOU TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR RESOURCES, TO INCREASE HEALTH AND WELLBEING AND DIVEST FROM POLICING THAT CONSISTENTLY HARMS BLACK AND BROWN AUSTINITES AND PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG TOO MANY OTHERS.
NOW, BEFORE YOU FIX SOME INTERIM INCREMENTAL STEPS TOWARDS THE GOALS OF REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT IT LEAVES INTACT THE OVERFUNDING OF POLICE AND UNDERFUNDING OF SO MANY OTHER NEEDED RESOURCES.
THIS BUDGET DOESN'T CHANGE THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN TELLING YOU.
[02:15:01]
BY HARMFUL POLICING AND SYSTEMATIC NEGLECT BY FUNDING APD OVER THE AMOUNT REQUIRED BY HB 1900, THE CITY MOVES BACKWARDS FROM THE PROGRESS YOU COMMITTED TO.THERE'S STILL TIME FOR YOU TO CHANGE THIS DEFUND.
ERIC DON'T BUDGET FOR A THIRD CADET CLASS MOVIE, ADDITIONAL $10.5 MILLION IN THE POLICE BUDGET TO RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITIES AND LOOKING FORWARD.
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FIGHT THE SANBALLAT INITIATIVE AS HARD AS YOU CAN.
THE LAST THING WE NEED IS A MANDATE FOR HUNDREDS, MORE POLICE ON OUR STREETS THAT WE PAID FOR BY DECIMATING AUSTIN'S BUDGETS AND SACRIFICING THE PEOPLE OF OUR CITY.
I AM A HOMEOWNER AND RESIDENCY DISTRICT ONE AND A MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA INDOCTRINATE.
I AM CALLING AGAINST, UH, ITEM 10.
UH, SAVE AUSTIN NOW HAS LIED TO TOO MANY PEOPLE FOR THIS TO PASS, AND I AM NEUTRAL ON ITEM ONE.
HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD ONLY FUND APD HAS THE MINIMUM THAT IS REQUIRED BY HB 1900, BECAUSE THOSE DOLLARS ARE DOLLARS THAT WE WILL NEVER GET BACK.
AND AS WE'VE SEEN, AUSTIN PD CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO DO AS WE'VE SEEN WITH THEIR ENFORCEMENT.
AS IN STANDING, UH, I'M ALSO ASKING THAT YOU VOTE YES.
UH, WE SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING.
UH, SOMEHOW STICK VIOLENCE SURVIVORS ARE, UH, PROBLEMS FOR THEM.
UH, HOWEVER PEOPLE NEED HOUSING EVERYWHERE AND SEGREGATING HOUSING IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE ANYBODY'S PROBLEMS. SO I'M ASKING THAT YOU FUND THE SERVICES ACCORDING TO THE REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, AND YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AS WAS REQUESTED BY YOU LAST SUMMER.
HI, THIS IS FILA LUNA FROM DISTRICT FIVE AND SECOND OF COORDINATOR FOR AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION SPEAKING AGAINST ITEM 10, UH, SAVE AUSTIN NOW BALLOT MEASURE, AND WILL PREVENT AUSTIN FROM PROVIDING THE SERVICES WE ACTUALLY WANT NEED.
THE COUNCIL DID NOT HAVE AN EXTRA 3 MILLION THIS YEAR TO HIRE MUCH NEEDED PARK RANGERS.
THE ANIMAL SHELTER NEEDS ADDITIONAL STAFF, EVEN JUST ONE OR TWO COULD HELP.
THERE ARE SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE AREN'T ABLE TO FIND THE FUNDS FOR JUST A HANDFUL OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.
IF WE CONTINUE TO FUND THE APD, THAT'S VIRTUALLY GOING TO MEET TO BE IN THAT THERE'S NO MONEY FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
UM, I HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, UH, WITH APD WHEN I WAS, UH, SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THE LAST THING YOU NEED WHEN YOU'RE AT YOUR ABSOLUTE WORST IS TO BE HANDCUFFED AND ESCORTED IN THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR.
IT WAS JUST PROCEDURE, TEENAGER, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY HAD TO DO.
AND SO I'M JUST ASKING THAT YOU CONSIDER FUNDING MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND HOUSING AND VIRTUALLY EVERY OTHER THING INSTEAD OF YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
KRISTEN DURHAM, HELLO, I'M A SEVEN YEAR RESIDENT OF AUSTIN LIVING IN DISTRICT FOUR.
AND I ALSO LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR FOUR YEARS IN THE LATE 1990S, OFTEN AS BY FAR THE SAFEST CITY I'VE EVER LIVED IN AND I'VE LIVED IN AT LEAST 10 MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE US, THE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T SAFE AND OFTEN ARE UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS AND OTHERS LIVING IN NEGLECTED COMMUNITIES.
WE DON'T NEED TO INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGET.
WE NEED MORE MONEY AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS.
WE NEED MORE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, PARKS, SERVICES, LIBRARIES, TRANSIT CHILDCARE, THINGS THAT ENHANCE COMMUNITIES AND RAISE ALL OF US UP AND MAKE AUSTIN A NICE PLACE TO LIVE FOR ALL OF US.
WE CAN'T JUST THROW MORE POLICE AT OUR PROBLEMS. IT DOESN'T WORK.
WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY HELP PEOPLE, ALL PEOPLE, NOT JUST WEALTHY PEOPLE AND PROPERTY OWNERS.
I ALSO WANT TO TESTIFY THAT I WAS LIED TO BY SAVE OFTEN NOW CANVASSERS ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS ONCE AT THE TRAVIS COUNTY TAX OFFICE AND ONCE AT THE FARMER'S MARKET AT MUELLER ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE CANVASSER SAID THAT THE PETITION WAS TO INCREASE TRAINING FOR AUSTIN POLICE, AND HE ONLY HAD THE PORTION OF THE PETITIONS THAT TALKS ABOUT TRAINING AVAILABLE TO VIEW AS YOU KNOW, THE PETITION CALLED NUMBER.
MY NAME IS VANESSA HART AND I SERVE ON THE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF PLANNING OUR COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK
[02:20:01]
HERE TODAY.AS WE'VE MENTIONED EARLIER, PLANNING OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION SENT IN A LETTER EARLIER TO ALL OF COUNCIL ASKING THEM TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEM 13, NEARLY 40% OF AUSTINITES FACE WITH HOMELESSNESS, IDENTIFY AS BLACK AND NEARLY 70% ARE OFF SITES WITH A DISABILITY AS A COMMUNITY.
IT IS INTEGRAL THAT WE PROVIDE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UNHOUSED THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, THE AUSTIN STRATEGIC HOUSING BLUEPRINTS, THAT'S THEIR GOALS FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY DISPERSED AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES IN ORDER TO SUPPORT SUCH COMMUNITY GOALS AND TO MEET OUR COMMITMENTS TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING, WE MUST SUPPORT THE CREATION OF SUCH HOUSING IN DISTRICT SIX AND WEST AUSTIN ON A FOURTH WIND LOAD.
I WANT TO SAVE THAT I AM A FREQUENT PATRON OF THE BUSINESSES IN THIS AREA.
I OFTEN GO TO THE PAKISTANI INDIAN AND HAWAIIAN RESTAURANTS OR SOUTH ASIA, AND I REALLY ENJOY THE FOOD.
AND I WANT TO SAY, TO SAY THAT SOMEHOW THE PATRON, I WILL STOP GOING THERE BECAUSE I FEEL UNSAFE BECAUSE OF FUN HOUSE NEIGHBORS IS DISINGENUOUS.
THIS WILL NOT GET BACK ON SAFETY.
IF ANYTHING, IT WILL ENSURE THAT THOSE
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TODAY.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL MOMENTS THAT I DON'T ENVY YOU, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR, YOUR ENDURING PRESENCE TO HEAR ALL THE CITIZENS WHO ARE CONCERNED AND SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.
I'M HERE TO REFERENCE, UH, FIRST OF ALL, I LIVE IN DISTRICT KNIVES, BUT I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF MULTIPLE PRIORITIES.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, UH, THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO YOU FROM THE GABA COALITION AND INFORMED BY RESIDENTS ALL OVER THE EASTERN CRESCENT, ESPECIALLY IN NORTH AND SOUTH AUSTIN, UM, REGARDING A NUMBER OF PRIORITIES, BUT I'LL FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON THE RESILIENCE HUBS.
AND THESE ARE VERY PARALLEL AND IN LINE WITH MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU SEE AROUND NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS IN RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY'S, UH, TASKFORCE RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO LIKE MANY OTHER SPEAKERS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEAN IN WHEREVER YOU CAN TO ALIGN AND FIND RESOURCES FOR THOSE THINGS.
FINALLY, I JUST WANT TO SAY, UM, WELL WAIT, SORRY.
I HAVE ANOTHER POINT BEFORE THAT YOU'LL ALSO SEE US EMPHASIZE THE NEED TO CONTINUE SUPPORT VIA AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH FOR OUR PARENTS SUPPORT SPECIALISTS.
AND I CAN'T DO IN THIS BUDGET.
PEOPLE FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN NEXT TIME FINALLY, UH, JUST SUPPORT THAT PUBLIC SAFETY REALLY COMES FROM INVESTMENT OVER TIME HAS EXPIRED ABIGAIL JONES.
HI, ABBY JONES HERE, DISTRICT FIVE, SPEAKING AGAINST ITEM 10, WE WANT POLICE REFORM, BUT DAN TOLD PEOPLE THAT ITEM 10 WOULD DO THAT, BUT IT WON'T.
THIS MEASURE ADDS 40 HOURS OF TRAINING.
A LOT OF MISINFORMATION HAS ALREADY BEEN SPREAD THAT THIS TRAINING IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS ASKED FOR, BUT IT ABSOLUTELY NOT.
ONE OF THE MANY MISREPRESENTATIONS TO THE PETITION SIGNERS WAS THAT OFFICERS WILL GET DEESCALATION TRAINING.
INSTEAD THE MEASURE DIRECTS TRAINING TO QUOTE, EQUIP THE OFFICERS TO HANDLE EVOLVING FLUID, DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AND ENHANCE THEIR OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF THE PUBLIC AND QUOTE.
AND THEY SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE QUOTE, INTERMEDIATE WEAPONS, PROFICIENCY, ACTIVE SHOOTER SCENARIOS, AND HATE, AND, UM, HASTY REACTS TEAM REACTION AND QUOTE.
IN OTHER WORDS, MORE OF THE, THE KIND OF TRAINING THAT CREATES FEAR IN OFFICERS THAT ANY PERSON CAN BE A DANGEROUS SHOOTER AND THAT THE SOLUTION IS MORE WEAPONS TRAINING.
NONE OF THIS IS REFLECTIVE OF THE CONCERNS OF CONCERNS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT POLICE, THAT THEY OVERREACT THAT THEY'RE TOO QUICK TO SHOOT THAT THEY BELIEVE PEOPLE OF COLOR TO BE MORE DANGEROUS.
ZENOBIA JOSEPH EQUIP THE OFFICERS TO HANDLE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.
THIS IS A NOVIA JOSEPH, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT A TECHNICAL ISSUE.
FIRST, THE SPEAKER REGISTRATION ACTUALLY SHOWED THE 11TH AND THE 13TH, BUT ONLY PERMITTED SPEAKERS TO SIGN UP FOR MUELLER FOR THE 13TH OF AUGUST.
SO IF YOU COULD JUST BE CLEAR ABOUT WHEN SPEAKERS CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK ON THE BUDGET AS OPPOSED TO POSTING EXTRA DATES.
IF WE CAN'T SPEAK, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO MY OPPOSITION, AS IT RELATES TO THE BUDGET, I JUST WANTED TO CALL TO YOUR ATTENTION, MY OPPOSITION TO PROJECT
[02:25:01]
CONNECT FUNDING OF THE FULL TIME EQUIVALENT.THERE ARE 18 POSITIONS, 2.4 MILLION THAT'S SPECIFIED IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENT, BUT THERE WERE 12 FTES, AUGUST 5TH, 2021.
AND THE MOBILITY COMMITTEE REQUESTED EITHER WAY.
I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU TWO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES.
JACKIE NUREMBERG SALARY WENT FROM $90,000 TO $250,000 AS THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT UNDER ATP UPS AND TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP, YON BANKS.
HIS SALARY WENT FROM $49,000 TO $96,000 UNDER AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP.
PUBLIC TIME HAS EXPIRED, BUT A FEW WE'LL STAY ON THE LINE.
WE WILL TRANSITION OVER TO THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE COMMITTEE OR CORPORATION MEETING.
SO, UM, AT 1235, WE'RE GOING TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND, UM,
[Austin Housing Finance Corporation]
AND BEGIN THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING MS. JOSEPH, THAT WAS ONE AND TWO EXHIBIT A, BOTH OF THEM ACTUALLY DON'T SHOW ANY INVESTMENT IN HOME OWNERSHIP.AND SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE COMMENT THAT I'M LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHERE IT'S JUST A DASH.
IF YOU LOOK AT OWNERSHIP, HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, THERE'S NONE GEO BONDS.
AND THEN IF YOU LOOK AT THE OTHER, UM, EXHIBIT A, YOU WILL SEE ONLY ABOUT 25 PEOPLE AS IT RELATES TO THE HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE.
AND I JUST WANTED TO CALL THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE AS YOU ARE AWARE, WHEN YOU APPROVE THE, UH, THE ST JOHN'S 19 ACRES, THERE WAS NO HOME OWNERSHIP INCLUDED IN THAT.
AND SO I JUST, LASTLY, WE'LL SAY THAT THE SAME ARGUMENTS THAT YOU KEEP HEARING ABOUT THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND CANDLEWOOD APPLIES TO A SPARROW RUTLAND, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AS WELL.
AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE MEMO THAT I SENT TO YOU GUYS FOR ITEM ONE 18 FOR CO COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO LAST WEEK, IT'S STILL RELEVANT TODAY.
AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LISTENING, PANDEMIC OVERSIGHT.GOV IS WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY FILE A FRAUD WASTE OR ABUSE COMPLAINT AS IT RELATES TO THESE PANDEMICS FUNDS.
UM, AND I JUST, I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT HAS EXPIRED.
AND IF YOU THANK YOU AND CLERK, I'D LIKE TO JUST CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD.
I SAID, ADJOURN, THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 1235, WE NEEDED TO RECESS THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 1235 IS MY APOLOGIES FOR THAT OVER SAY, UM, I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN IN-PERSON SPEAKER FOR THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.
I DON'T BELIEVE THEY OR SHE IS PRESENT.
WELL GIVE ME JUST A MOMENT CAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE NO, WE DON'T.
SO, UM, WITH THAT, UM, I AM GOING TO RECESS THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING AT 1237 AND GO BACK TO THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
SO AT 1237, WE'RE GOING TO RESUME THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME REMAINING IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.
UM, IF THAT LAST SPEAKER IS SIGNED UP AS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS, IN WHICH CASE, THE NEXT IN-PERSON SPEAKER IS CAROLINE RYAN, SHE IS NOT PRESENT.
IN WHICH CASE OUR NEXT IN-PERSON SPEAKER IS MATTHEW CORN.
IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE CHAMBERS.
I CAN'T SEE THAT THE PODIUM AT ALL, THEY ARE NOT PRESENT.
I APPRECIATE YOU OFFERING ME THAT VALIDATION.
UM, LYDIA WOODRIFF NOT PRESENT, AND THEN LASTLY, THERE'S FREE TO CHANG NOT PRESENT.
SO IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BEFORE THE MAYOR LEFT THE DIASTAT, THE LAST INSTRUCTION WE HAD WAS THAT, UM, WE'D GO AHEAD AND RECESS FOR LUNCH.
UM, WE DIDN'T DISCUSS HOW LONG WE DO.
SO IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG DAY FOR US COLLEAGUES.
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT HOW LONG YOU'D LIKE TO GET 30 MINUTES, 45? I'D SAY AT LEAST 45.
UM, IT, UH, IS ANYBODY OPPOSED TO 45 AND PREFER AN HOUR 45 IS GOOD.
AND THAT CASE, IF THERE'S NO FURTHER QUESTIONS AT 1239, I'M GOING TO RECESS THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A 45 MINUTE LUNCH.
[02:30:01]
SEE YOU GUYS BACK HERE.SO IT LOOKS LIKE THE MAYOR IS GOING TO BE JOINING US AGAIN LATER.
UM, NATASHA ARBOR, MADISON, WHERE IN CHAMBERS AND VIRTUAL ON AUGUST THE 11TH, 2021, WE'RE GOING TO RESUME THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
[1. Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance adopting the City of Austin Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, beginning on October 1, 2021, and ending on September 30, 2022.]
AT 1 43 WITH THE STAFF BUDGET PRESENTATION.AND THEN AFTER THE PRESENTATION, UM, WE'LL TOSS A FEW QUESTIONS, BUT YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY BEING MINDFUL OF THE TIME STAFF, ARE YOU READY TO DO THE BUDGET PRESENTATION? YES.
UM, MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL, CARRIE LANG INTERIM BUDGET OFFICER.
AND I JUST ASKED THAT THE PRESENTATION BE PUT UP NEXT SLIDE.
SO WE'LL START THE STAFF, UM, PRESENTATION WITH THE STAFF AMENDMENTS FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
UM, AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS IS THE, UM, PROP THE REVENUE BASED ON THE PROPERTY TAX.
AS WE MENTIONED IN LAST WEEK'S WORK SESSION, UM, THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE BUDGETED HAS DECREASED 2.4 MILLION.
UM, THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, THE STAFF AMENDMENT REP, EXCUSE ME, THE STAFF REPPERS, THE STAFF AMENDMENT REPRESENTS THIS DECREASE WITH A NEW PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE OF TWO POINT 281.6 MILLION.
UM, LIKEWISE, THE, UM, THERE IS AN INCREASE IN THE PROPERTY SALES TAX FOR OUR CURRENT YEAR ESTIMATE.
THIS, THIS INCREASE IS A $5.8 MILLION INCREASE FOR THE CURRENT YEAR AND A PROJECTED $3.1 MILLION INCREASE FOR FISCAL YEAR 22 FOR SALES TAX REVENUE.
UM, THE NEXT AMENDMENT THAT I'M GOING TO DISCUSS IS THE TRANSFER FROM, UM, THE, THE HR DEPARTMENT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
THERE WAS A TRANSFER OF TWO CIVILIAN POSITIONS TO THE HR DEPARTMENT.
UM, UPON FURTHER REVIEW OF THE TASK OF THOSE TWO POSITIONS, BOTH DEPARTMENTS DETERMINED THAT THE, UM, PROPER CHAIN OF COMMAND AND THE PROPER FIT FOR THOSE POSITIONS WAS, WAS CLOSER TO THE ACADEMY STAFF.
AND SO THOSE, UM, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING MANAGER AND THE RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR WILL ACTUALLY REMAIN IN THE APD D DEPARTMENT, THERE IS A NET ZERO IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR THIS AMENDMENT.
AND THEN NEXT IS THE, UM, FISCAL YEAR 22 MAYOR AND COUNCIL BUDGET CARRY OVER THE $843,000 BASED ON SAVINGS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
UM, SO, AND THEN, UM, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THEY WERE ACTUALLY GOING TO RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE VICTIM OF CRIME ACT, UM, GRANT, AND IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, WE MOVED SEVERAL POSITIONS INTO THE GENERAL FUND WITH THE THOUGHT THAT THAT GRANT WOULD NOT BE CONTINUED IN FISCAL YEAR 22.
WITH THIS NOTIFICATION, WE ARE, UM, INCREASING THE GRANT AUTHORIZATION FOR THE VOCA GRANT AND MOVING SIX VICTIM SERVICES COUNSELORS INTO THAT GRANT FUND THAT DOES, UM, END UP FREEING UP ABOUT $519,000 IN THE GENERAL FUND, UM, WITHIN, UM, VICTIM SERVICES AND THEN PROJECT CONNECT BASED ON THE PROPERTY TAX CHANGES.
UM, WE ARE ANTICIPATING A SMALL DECREASE IN THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE FOR THE PROJECT CONNECT FUND, AND WE ARE ALLOCATING $152.8 MILLION FOR EXPENDITURES, WHICH ARE BASED ON THE AGREEMENT WITH CAPITAL METRO.
AND WE'LL GO TO, TO THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP.
THE AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO, UM, CONTINUE THEIR SERVICES WITH THEIR EXPEDITED BUILDING PLAN REVIEW UNIT.
AND THIS IS A POSITION THAT, UM, BOTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE REQUESTED DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
WE'LL, UM, WE'LL FUND THIS POSITION FOR THIS SUPPORT.
AND SO THERE'LL BE A NET ZERO INCREASE TO THE GENERAL FUND TO CONTINUE WITH THE SERVICES TO REVIEW ARCHITECTURAL PLANS.
AND THEN THERE ARE 11 POSITIONS THAT WE ARE PROPOSING FOR THE HOUSING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
THESE ARE GENERAL FUND POSITIONS THAT WILL BE COMPLETELY REIMBURSED BY THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP GRANT WITH A ZERO IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THE NEXT THREE SLIDES ARE JUST DISCUSSING THE FEE SCHEDULE CHANGES.
UM, WATERSHED PROTECTION IS ADDING LANGUAGE TO THEIR FEE SCHEDULE TO ALLOW FOR SOME EXCEPTIONS IN THEIR WATERSHED, REGIONAL STORMWATER
[02:35:01]
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FEES.AND IT, THIS SLIDE JUST DETAILS.
THOSE CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ADDED IN THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, THE AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IS, UM, INCREASING FEES RELATED TO THEIR VALET SERVICE PROGRAM WITHIN THE, WITHIN THEIR PARKING MANAGEMENT FUND.
AND THIS IS BASED ON A COST OF SERVICE ANALYSIS THAT WAS COMPLETED IN THIS FISCAL YEAR.
UM, THOSE CHANGES JUST WERE NOT UPDATING THE FEE SCHEDULE PRIOR TO PROPOSE.
SO THIS IS A CORRECTION OF THOSE, THOSE INCREASED, THOSE NEEDED INCREASES.
AND THEN FINALLY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE, UM, DELETING A COUPLE OF FEES RELATED TO THE RESIDENTIAL PLAN REVIEW.
UM, AND THESE FEES ARE ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE.
SO THAT'S WHY THOSE ARE BEING DELETED.
THEY'RE DELETING SOME WORDING, UM, IN, IN THEIR, UM, RESIDENTIAL MISCELLANEOUS FEES.
AND THEN THEY'RE ADDING A FEE, UM, FOR THE AMOUNT OF 1 47 THAT WAS INADVERTENTLY MISPLACED IT ONCE THEY DID THE RENAMING OF THE ZONE COMPLIANCE LETTER.
SO THIS IS THE CORRECTION OF THAT FEE BEING LEFT OFF INADVERTENTLY.
THOSE ARE ALL THE CHANGES, THE PROPOSED CHANGES FROM STAFF AMENDMENTS.
AND I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
COUNCIL, COUNCILMEMBER KITCHEN.
I CAN'T SEE THE DICE AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SKIP YOU ALSO, IF YOU JUST WANT TO HOLLER HER OUT IF I MISS YOU.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JUST ASKING QUICK QUESTIONS AND IF WE HAVE ANYTHING TO DISCUSS FROM A SUBSTANCE, WE'LL DO THAT LATER.
WE UNDERSTOOD IT WAS WE DO THE QUICK QUESTION SUBSTANCE LIKE YOU'RE AND ALSO THE TECHNICAL COMPONENTS AFTER THE QUICK QUESTIONS.
WELL, THIS MAY COME AFTER MY QUESTION REALLY IS, UH, AT SOME POINT I'LL WANT TO HEAR FROM THE BUDGET STAFF ON THE IMPACT ON TAXPAYERS OF THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF TAX OF A, OF OUR TAX RATE THAT WE MAY BE CONSIDERING.
SO I GUESS THAT'S CONTEMPLATED RELATOR.
SO, UH, UH, UH, INTERIM DIRECTOR LANG UM, CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU CONSIDER APPROPRIATE NOW, OR SHOULD WE SAVE THAT WHEN WE DEEPER INTO THE TECHNICAL CONTENT? I THINK WE CAN HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WHEN WE GET DEEPER INTO THE TECHNICAL CONTENT.
DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? NO.
UM, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, UM, YOU SAID THAT THE, THE REVERSION OF THE POSITIONS BETWEEN HR AND APD HAD KNOWN, HAD A NET ZERO IMPACT ON THE GENERAL FUND, DOES IT CHANGE THE REVENUE, THE BUDGET FOR APD? IT, DOES IT CHANGE THE BUDGET FOR APD? YES, IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE BUDGET FOR APD.
SO I HAVE NO QUESTIONS ON THE PRESENTATION I HAD REQUESTED FROM THE MAYOR THAT WE HAVE THAT SPEED ROUND OF QUESTIONS FOR STAFF THAT HELP US, UM, KIND OF PREPARE FOR THE VOTING LATER.
SO I'M, I'M NOT SURE IF THAT WAS THE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU REFERRED TO OR, OR WHAT, BUT I HAVE, I HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS TEED UP WHENEVER THE APPROPRIATE TIME IS.
SO YEAH, I THINK THE INTENT WAS AT THIS POINT, NOW THAT WE'VE HAD THIS PRESENTATION TO GIVE COUNSEL AND FRANKLY, THEIR STAFFS, THE ABILITY TO ANSWER TECHNICAL QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE WORKING ON WHILE WE'RE BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, DEALING WITH SOME OF THOSE OTHER THINGS.
SO IT'S NOT THE TIME TO DEBATE MERITS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT IF YOU HAVE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS, SO IT'S YOUR STAFF AND YOU CAN, THAT'D BE GREAT.
I'LL RUN THROUGH THESE AND THEN I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN COPY FOR WHICHEVER STAFF, UM, NEED IT.
LET ME JUST PREFACE THIS BY SAYING, YEAH, I'M SORRY.
I HATE TO INTERRUPT, BUT BEFORE THE MAYOR CAME BACK, I SAID, YOU KNOW, WE DEFER TO THE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS LATER AND I THINK THEORETICALLY COUNCILMEMBER KITCHEN HAD WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A TECHNICAL QUESTION.
SO IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, CAN WE START WITH HER SINCE I SKIPPED OVER HER, I GUESS THE CHAIRS BACK STEPS.
OH, THAT'S A REQUEST THAT TRANSPIRED WHILE YOU WERE AWAY.
I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL OUR KITCHEN AS YOU WERE GOING TO DO.
YEAH, I THINK AT THIS POINT, UH, I KNOW THAT WE'LL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT THIS POINT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY LATER TO, AS WE START TO TALK THROUGH OUR BUDGET AMENDMENT, UH, AND START TO CONSIDER WHAT LEVEL OF TAX RATE WE ALL, EACH OF US MAY BE INTERESTED IN.
I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND AT THAT POINT, THE IMPACT,
[02:40:01]
UM, ON THE, THE, UM, SAVINGS FOR OUR, UH, OUR TAXPAYERS.BRINGING THAT UP LATER IN COUNCIL MEMBER, THE, UM, WE CAN RESCIND IF, IF NEED BE WE, WE SENT OUT A DOCUMENT, I BELIEVE ON MONDAY EVENING WITH A LIST OF EVERY TAX RATE OPTION UP TO THE 8% WITH THE IMPACT TO THE HOMEOWNER AND THE TYPICAL HOMEOWNER AND THE TYPICAL SENIOR DISABLED HOMEOWNER.
IF THAT'S THE INFORMATION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, I THERE AT THE, UM, ONE OF THE, THERE ARE SOME AREAS WHERE WE CAN HIGHLIGHT IF THERE'S SOMETHING IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU WANT US TO, TO IDENTIFY.
WELL, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD BUDGET PRESENTATIONS IN THE PAST WITH A SLIDE THAT SHOWS TAXPAYER IMPACT THAT SHOWS THE NET IMPACT TO THE TAXPAYER GIVEN, GIVEN THE FEES AND THAT SORT OF THING.
I'M REALLY JUST LOOKING FOR AN UPDATE TO THAT SLIDE.
WE CAN GET THAT UPDATE OUT TO THE COUNCIL, UM, IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT, UH, WHAT THE, THE COUNCIL OBVIOUSLY HASN'T HAD THE DISCUSSION YET OR DECIDED WHAT RIGHT.
WE ALL, WE ALL WANT TO LAND AT.
I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT AS PART OF THAT CONVERSATION, WE WILL KNOW WHAT THE IMPACT IS OF WHAT OUR DECISION IS.
IF YOU COULD RECEIVE THAT EMAIL OUT FOR SOME REASON, I MISSED THAT EMAIL.
IT WAS MONDAY AT EIGHT 50 AND THEY GAVE US A VERY EXHAUSTIVE.
YOUR ANSWER KITCHEN COUNCIL MEMBER.
SO JUST COLLEAGUES TO, TO FRAME SOME OF MY COMMENTS, UM, SOME OF MY QUESTIONS RELATE TO THINGS THAT I NEED TO UNDERSTAND BEFORE VOTE ON SOME OF YOUR AMENDMENTS.
SOME OF THEM ARE AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY SOME ADDITIONAL ONGOING FUNDS.
UM, IF YOU LOOK AT 17 AND I'LL JUST PROVIDE A ONE SENTENCE FRAMING FOR THIS, IF YOU LOOK AT QUESTION 17, IT OUTLINES, IT OUTLINES THE POSITIONS THAT, UM, WILL BE COMING IN IN HOUSE.
UH, WE HAD A WORK GROUP OF THIS COUNCIL AND COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR AND COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, AND I, AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FLANAGAN SERVED ON IT.
AND, AND THEN I BROUGHT FORWARD A RESOLUTION THAT THIS COUNCIL SUPPORTED TO PHASE IN POSITIONS THAT ARE OF CONSISTENT USE HERE AT THE CITY OF BOSTON.
THINGS LIKE SECURITY GUARDS AND CUSTODIANS WHO ARE, ARE, UM, FILLING A CONSTANT ONGOING NEED, BUT WE FILL THOSE THROUGH CONTRACT POSITIONS VERSUS THROUGH VERSUS HIRING THEM AS CITY EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THERE, AND WHEN WE GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF IT, UM, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A COST ISSUE AND IT WAS A PRIORITY OF THIS COUNCIL TO MAKE THOSE POSITIONS, PERMANENT CITY OF AUSTIN POSITIONS, RECOGNIZING THAT, THAT OUT OF FAIRNESS, UM, AND REALLY EFFICIENCY FROM A TAXPAYER PERSPECTIVE, IT MAKES BEST SENSE FOR THOSE CONSTANT, FOR THOSE, FOR THOSE POSITIONS THAT ARE FULFILLING, ONGOING NEEDS TO BE CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES, I HAD HOPED WE WOULD, WE WOULD BE FACING MORE OF THOSE POSITIONS IN DURING THIS BUDGET.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO US IN THE COURSE OF, OF THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, UM, DO AN ADDITIONAL CHUNK OF THOSE, EVEN IF IT'S JUST, UH, THOSE PROPOSED FOR THE CITY LIBRARY, WHICH IS FIVE SECURITY GUARDS DOING THAT IS GOING TO, AND I HAD MENTIONED THIS IN SOME OF OUR EARLIER CONVERSATIONS AND DOING THAT IS GONNA, IS GOING TO REQUIRE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
SO SOME OF, SOME OF MY QUESTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO FOLLOW ARE AN ATTEMPT TO SEE BASED ON THE REALLY GREAT BUDGET QUESTIONS THAT WE ALL HAVE ASKED, WHAT OF THOSE ARE VIABLE OPTIONS.
NOW I'LL JUST SPEED THROUGH THEM.
UM, IN NUMBER 36, 4, I HAD ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT NONMEDICAL INCENTIVES, WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT $200,000.
I HAVE A LIST OF WHAT THOSE ARE, BUT I'M ASKING THE STAFF, WHETHER THERE ARE ANY, THEY BELIEVE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE THIS, THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF, OF, UM, OUR ONGOING PANDEMIC, OR ARE THERE ANY THAT CAN BE ELIMINATED WITHOUT, UM, CAUSING LOTS OF UPSET AMONG THE STAFF IN 21 AND ONE 16? I DO TOO.
I HAVE A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR, OUR HERITAGE SPENDING WITHIN THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX.
AND THAT'S PROBABLY JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A SHORT BACK AND FORTH WITH OUR STAFF.
WE ARE APPROVING THAT BUDGET AND THE ESTIMATED ALLOCATIONS AND AMONG OTHER THINGS, I WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE ASSUMED, UM, THE ANSWER IN 1 62 TALKS ABOUT AN ASSUMED ACQUISITION, HISTORIC ACQUISITION OF $10 MILLION.
AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE FUNDS THAT WERE NOT EXPENDED BECAUSE I THINK THEY WERE SET ASIDE FOR ONE OF THE ACQUISITIONS THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE, BUT AS A PRIORITY OF THIS COUNCIL, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE ARE NOT BEING REDISTRIBUTED INTO OTHER, OTHER AREAS.
ALSO, I WOULD LIKE A BETTER EXPLANATION IN 21 OF WHICH OF THOSE POSITIONS CURRENTLY EXIST AND WHICH ONES
[02:45:01]
WOULD BE NEW FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR BECAUSE OUR SALES TAX, BECAUSE OF OUR HOTEL, OCCUPANCY TAXES HAVE DROPPED.I WANT TO REALLY MAKE SURE WE'RE, WE'RE SETTING ENOUGH ASIDE FOR THOSE, UH, COUPLE ACQUISITIONS THAT WERE, THAT WE'RE STILL PURSUING IN 90 AND SIX QUESTIONS, 90 IN 64, A DEAL WITH THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
AND THANKS TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO ASKED THESE QUESTIONS, IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME WHY ACE THE CENTER FOR RENT EVENT IS NOT COVERING ITS COSTS THROUGH FEES.
UM, THE DEVELOPMENT, THESE ARE BOTH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS NOW AN ENTERPRISE FUND.
AND I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, YOU HAD ASKED 90 ABOUT WHAT, WHAT, WHAT AND WHY FUNDS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED FROM THE GENERAL FUND INTO DSD IF IT'S AN ENTERPRISE FUND.
AND SO ONE SUCH TRANSFER IS ACE.
UH, AND I JUST ASKED MY QUESTION ABOUT THAT ONE SUCH TRANSFER IS LISTED AS URBAN FORESTRY AND THE CITY ARBORIST AND ASKING SOME FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.
IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CITY ARBORIST IS COVERED THROUGH FEES.
I'M NOT CLEAR ON WHY URBAN FORESTRY IS NOT.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER, UM, DSD IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN A FUND BALANCE.
I E ROLL OVER FUNDS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR AS OTHER ENTERPRISE FUNDS CAN DO.
AND IF SO, HOW MUCH IS BEING ROLLED OVER, UM, 1 23 DEALS ALSO WITH FUNDS FUND COMMITMENTS, UM, $300,000 ON ONGOING, UH, ANNUAL FUND COMMITMENT TO THE LUNG CENTER IMPROVEMENTS.
I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WAS A COMMITMENT MADE IN 2014.
I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE END TIME IS AND WHAT THE, WHAT THE PERIOD OF TIME OF THE CONTRACT IS.
AND THEN IF STAFF WOULD, WOULD CLARIFY FOR US, SAME, SAME QUESTION 1 23, THE $7.5 MILLION IN THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE RESERVE FUND.
ARE THESE, ARE THESE DOLLARS ALL SPOKEN FOR MEETING, UM, OF, UH, PROVIDING THE INCENTIVE TO THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE ALREADY MET THOSE METRICS BACK WHEN WE FIRST STARTED, UH, UNDER THE TEN ONE COUNCIL, THERE WAS A POLICY OF FINANCIAL POLICY OF PAYING FORWARD, LIKE PAYING THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS OF ECONOMIC INCENTIVES OF CHAPTER THREE 80 INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.
AND I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THAT 75 IS JUST WHAT WE EXPECT TO PAY OUT THIS YEAR AND NOT IN FUTURE YEARS.
AND IF IT IS, UH, PRE-PAYING SOME OF THOSE, IF YOU WILL, I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH THAT IS, BECAUSE THOSE WOULD BE ONGOING FUNDS.
UM, I HAVE A LEAVE IT THERE FOR THE MOMENT.
UM, WELL, 1 52, THERE'S NO SCOPE YET.
AS I UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION WHEN 52, THERE'S NO SCOPE YET FOR THAT POSITION, OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S GOING TO HELP EXPEDITE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.
BUT I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND HOW LONG WHETHER THAT POSITION WILL COME ONLINE THIS YEAR AND 1 49 AND 180 9, BOTH DEAL WITH THE TOD STUDY AND THE NORTHEAST.
LET ME LEAVE THAT FOR NOW, BECAUSE I MAY HAVE SORTED THAT OUT.
I HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THAT $1.1 MILLION FOR THE ETOD STUDY AND THE GEOGRAPHIC PLAN IS BEING COVERED OR IS NOT TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND MAYOR PRO TEM, THE AMENDMENT YOU'RE BRINGING FORWARD.
I THINK I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT.
SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE THOSE QUESTIONS FOR NOW.
AND IF I HAVE ANY REMAINING, I'LL ASK THEM AT THE TIME WE TAKE UP YOUR QUESTION.
I MEAN, YOUR AMENDMENT, UH, 24, UH, WELL, I'LL LEAVE THAT FOR NOW, UNLESS I NEED THAT MONEY.
NUMBER, NUMBER 12 REFERS TO, TO THE ARPA ALLOCATION, NOT INCLUDING A POSITION TO BE, TO ASSIST WITH THE CASE MANAGER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
AND IT INCLUDES IT, THERE'S A LINE IN THE X AND THE ANSWER TO 12 THAT TALKS ABOUT, WELL, THE ARPA ALLOCATION DIDN'T INCLUDE A POSITION AND I'M NOT, I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT EXACTLY.
CAUSE IT WAS A PRETTY GENERAL ALLOCATION.
SO I JUST WANT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND IF IT CANNOT, IF IT CAN NOT HAVE A POSITION FOR SOME REASON, FOR SOME REASON I'M NOT CLEAR ON.
BEFORE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER TECHNICAL QUESTIONS THEY WANT TO, TO ANSWER? YES, I GUESS WHAT WE'RE ALTAR.
UM, WE'VE ALREADY ASKED STUFF, BUT I'M JUST GONNA FLAG THIS CAUSE WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE AN AMENDMENT, UM, IN THE CAPITAL REHABILITATION FUND, THERE'S SOME FUNDING FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER THAT I THINK COULD BE FUNDED WITH KAOS.
UM, AND I WANT TO STILL DO THAT, BUT I WANT TO ADAPT FINANCE THAT AND THEN MOVE THAT MONEY INTO PARTS, PORTION OF THE CAPITAL REHABILITATION FUND.
SO WE WOULD STILL, UM, SATISFY OUR POLICY WITH RESPECT TO CAPITAL REHABILITATION, BUT WE'D BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE NEEDS OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER, UM, AS WELL AS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO PART IN THEIR
[02:50:01]
VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE BACKLOG.SO WE'RE EXPLORING WHAT PORTION OF THAT 400,000 CAN BE, UM, USED IN CHAOS.
UM, AND THEN I'M ALSO, THIS IS MORE OF A FLAG FOR MY COLLEAGUES.
UM, THE NONPROFIT ARTS GRANT, UM, HAS GONE THROUGH ITS PROCESS AND THEY WERE ABLE TO, THEY'RE GOING TO BE AWARDING A HUNDRED GRANTS.
UM, BUT THERE WERE 219 APPLICANTS.
THOSE APPLICATIONS ARE ALREADY IN AND SCORED.
UM, SO DEPENDING ON, YOU KNOW, IF I WOULD PREFER TO STAY LOW ON THE TAX RATE, BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO GO UP, I WILL, UM, BE SUGGESTING THAT WE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING INTO THAT GRANT FUNDS SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 50 OR SO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE IN NEED OF FUNDING RIGHT NOW WITH COVID, UM, SO THAT THEY CAN THRIVE AS ARTS ORGANIZATIONS INTO THE FUTURE.
UM, BUT WE'RE WAITING ON CONFIRMATION ON SOME NUMBERS.
COUNSEL BAREFOOT, THIS THANK YOU.
AND CONCERT FOR ALTERNATIVES WANTED TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO A AMENDMENT THAT I HAVE PROVIDED AND POSTED ON THE BUDGET BOARD.
I MEAN, ON THE MESSAGE BOARD, IT'S A POLICY DIRECTIVE REGARDING CULTURAL ARTS FUNDING THAT WOULD ASK THAT WE ALLOCATE MORE FUNDING INTO THE CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAMS. IT'S A, UH, NET REVENUE NEUTRAL, A POLICY DIRECTIVE, AND IT'S JUST ASKING THAT WE GET MORE MONEY OUT THE DOOR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
AND SO I WOULD DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THAT POSTING ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AS WELL.
WAS THAT SOMETHING YOU POSTED THIS MORNING? YES.
EVERYTHING ELSE POURED OUT TECHNICAL.
THERE, THERE ARE A BID SEVERAL, UH, UH, BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT, UH, COUNCIL'S BRINGING THAT I AM REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF, UM, THAT IDENTIFY A PARTICULAR VENDOR TO DO A PARTICULAR TASK.
UH, AND I CAN'T KNOW, AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE BEST VENDOR TO DO THAT TASK IN MOST CASES.
CAUSE I, I KNOW THE VENDORS THAT I KNOW THEY'RE DOING PHENOMENAL WORK AT THE SAME TIME.
THERE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE REACHING OUT THAT ARE SAYING YOU BET, BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY AWARDED TO THOSE VENDORS, THERE MIGHT BE SOME BACKGROUND THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL ON REPORTING ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE ARISEN IN THE PAST THAT A FUTURE CONTRACT ENABLES US TO BE ABLE TO FIX OR RAISES EQUITY ISSUES IN TERMS OF MAYBE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO, TO ALSO BUILD SOME, SOME ADDITIONAL CULTURAL CAPACITY AND THE CONTRACTS.
SO I'VE ASKED MY STAFF TO PULL TOGETHER AN OVERALL RIDER THAT SAYS THAT TO AGREE THAT, HEY, THE AMENDMENTS HAVE IDENTIFIED A PARTICULAR VENDOR TO DO SOMETHING, UH, THAT, UH, THE, THE COUNCIL SHOULD SEE THAT AS A STATEMENT OF INTENT OR THE STATEMENT OF ADORES, BUT OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT'S DOING REALLY GOOD WORK.
UH, BUT ULTIMATELY, UH, THE, UH, STAFF, UH, HAS THE DISCRETION TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENT, UH, IS BEING FULFILLED IN THE FAIREST JUST MOST EFFICIENT AND BEST WAY.
UH, SO I, WE MAY NEED YOUR HELP IN FIGURING OUT HOW TO ACTUALLY WORD THAT, UH, OVERALL, UH, WRITER.
ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
UH, YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TALK YET, SO I'LL COME BACK TO YOU AND THEN WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
UM, I JUST, UH, UH, THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THE, UM, UH, THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU'RE, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BRINGING FORWARD AS PART OF THAT.
I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL JUST FOR CLARITY PURPOSES TO DESIGNATE WHICH, UM, AMENDMENTS THAT APPLIES TO, JUST TO AVOID ANY, UM, CONFUSION OR LACK OF CLARITY FOR THE STAFF ON WHICH ONES IT APPLIES TO.
SO WHEN YOU PUT THAT TOGETHER, UH, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL, UH, TO UNDERSTAND WHICH ONE IT APPLIES TO, WHICH ONES TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
I MEAN, THERE WERE THE WORDS THAT, THAT IDENTIFIED A PARTICULAR VENDOR TO DO STUFF.
I WAS PICK YOUR ORGANIZATION TO, TO, TO DO SOMETHING.
AND IT COULD BE THAT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT CHARITY TO DO WHATEVER IT IS.
UM, BUT I'LL TRY TO CATCH THEM ALL.
YEAH, NO, I, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
I JUST WANNA, I JUST, I KNOW THAT THERE'S ALWAYS POSSIBILITIES FOR, UH, FOR LACK OF CLARITY OR CONFUSION, AND I WANT TO JUST HELP OUR STAFF UNDERSTAND WHAT, WHAT IS MEANT BY THAT.
UM, I THINK WE HAVE TWO ORGANIZATIONS LISTED IN FOR THE FINANCIAL MONEY AS PART OF THE VICTIM SERVICES, BUT THOSE WERE WRITTEN TO BE ILLUSTRATIVE, NOT OF WHAT THE PROGRAM WAS NOT TO, TO, UM, SAY WHICH ORGANIZATION WOULD BE GETTING IT.
AND I THINK IT'S WRITTEN THAT WAY.
UM, AND THEN I ALSO WANTED TO JUST, UM, BRING ATTENTION TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE ARE NOT BRINGING AN AMENDMENT TO ADD FUNDING FOR THE MINORITY, UM,
[02:55:01]
ETHNIC CHAMBERS.UM, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM ON A GREAT PLAN THAT I THINK IS GOING TO HELP US TO, UM, BETTER ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE FOR THOSE CHAMBERS IN OUR CITY INVESTMENTS.
UH, BUT IT IS AT THIS POINT BUDGET NEUTRAL.
SO WE'RE NOT ADDING ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THE BUDGET.
I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING, AND I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE CHART THAT YOU SET OUT WITH PROPERTY TAX RATES.
WELL, THAT'S HOW, IF I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE RATE SHOULD BE TO STILL DELIVER ALL OF THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF THAT THE MANAGER HAD PROPOSED, IS THAT POINT MARKED ON OUR PAGE? IT IS.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT THAT RATE WAS IF IT'S NOT MARKED OR HIGHLIGHTED, BUT IT'S, IT'S INCLUDED IN THE, IN THE REPORT.
WHAT AT $9 AND 3 CENTS PER YEAR, I'M SORRY.
$9 AND 3 CENTS PER YEAR, $9 AND 3 CENTS A YEAR.
THERE'S A, THERE'S A CORRESPONDING RATE.
GOT TO REMEMBER TAVO DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE? YES, MAYOR.
I NEGLECTED TO SAY THAT I'M GOING TO BE CIRCULATING IF I HAVEN'T ALREADY A, AN AMENDMENT RELATED TO CODE AND SOME DIRECTION RELATED TO, UM, A VARIETY OF AREAS FROM RESILIENCE HUBS TO THE D UH, DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT AND SOME OTHER AREAS, BUT I WOULD REALLY WELCOME AND ENCOURAGE AND ASK BOTH THE STAFF'S HELP.
AND YOU, AS MY COLLEAGUES HELP IN SEEING IF WE CAN IDENTIFY SOME FUNDING, SOME ONGOING FUNDING FOR THOSE POSITIONS DESCRIBED IN 17, OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT AGAIN, IF WE COULD MAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE PROGRESS TO BRINGING IN SOME OF THOSE JOBS, THAT'D BE HELPFUL.
[Executive Session]
I THINK WE'RE READY TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.UH, SO DO YOU WANT TO PAY ATTENTION? WE'RE GOING TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION BY THE WAY, THIS WILL BE ENTIRELY REMOTE.
SO NO ONE WILL BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I THINK THAT WAS A WAY WE SAW THAT THESE BEBE'S KIDS COULD BE HANDLED BEST.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO WITH CLOSED SESSION TO TAKE UP POSSIBLY FOUR ITEMS. UH, ITEM NUMBER 16, WHICH WAS THE EMPLOYMENT DUTIES EVALUATION MANAGER HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FOR TODAY.
UH, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5, 5, 1 0 7 1 AND 5.072 OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.
WE'VE GOT TO DISCUSS LEGAL ISSUES, UH, ADD REAL ESTATE MATTERS RELATED TO ITEM NUMBER 13, WHICH IS THE, UH, UH, APPLE PIE HOTELS BATTERED, UH, PURSUANT TO 5, 5, 1 0 7.
ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO IDA NUMBER ONE, WHICH IS THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET TO DISCUSS LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE FIVE BIG OF STAFF FOR THE ANTI-DISPLACEMENT TO MEASURE NUMBER 14 LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE POTENTIAL NOVEMBER 2ND, 2021 ELECTION, BASICALLY BALLOT LANGUAGE.
I THINK ITEM NUMBER 15 LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE COVID, UH, RESPONSE.
UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL, UH, ALL RETIRE TO OUR OFFICES, I THINK ARE WHERE WE ARE AND GIVE US FIVE MINUTES.
AND THEN WE'LL ALL BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TOGETHER.
UM, WE ARE OUT OF CLOSED SESSION IN CLOSED SESSION.
WE DISCUSSED REAL ESTATE AND LEGAL MATTERS RELATED ITEMS. ONE, UM, 13, ACTUALLY WE DISCUSSED REAL ESTATE LEGAL MATTERS RELATED TO ITEM 13.
WE DISCUSSED LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO ITEMS ONE 14 AND 15, AND NOW WE'RE BACK OUT COLLEAGUES.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN, UH, TAKE CARE OF THE NON BUDGET STUFF THAT WE HAVE.
I THINK WE CAN VOTE ON EIGHT, UH, CONSIDER NINE IF WE WANT TO 10.
SO WE ADOPT BALLOT LANGUAGE AND PROPOSITIONS A AND B.
UH, WE CAN ALSO DO ITEM NUMBER 13, UM, WHICH WOULD BE THE, UH, HOTEL, UH, ISSUE, UH, AND, UM, IT'S 5 0 5.
IT COULD BE THAT THAT TAKES US TO, UH, OUR DINNER BREAK.
UM, THE FIRST THING WE'LL DO IS JUST TO LET EVERYBODY GO THROUGH AND EXPLAIN THEIR, UH, AMENDMENTS, UH, IF PEOPLE WANT TO.
AND THEN I THINK PROBABLY WE SHOULD HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE THINK THEY MIGHT BE WITH RESPECT TO A TAX RATE, UH, BECAUSE THAT MIGHT HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND KIND OF THE PARAMETERS WITHIN WHICH WE NEED
[03:00:01]
TO, TO, TO, TO FIT.UH, I THINK WE NEEDED TO TAKE A DINNER BREAK, UH, ROUNDABOUT SIX.
I THINK WE SHOULD, UH, HAVE THOSE KINDS OF PRELIMINARY STUFF THAT I THINK AT LEAST FOR TONIGHT, PROBABLY TAKING A BREAK TONIGHT, MAYBE EIGHT, NINE O'CLOCK NO LATER THAN THAT, IF WE CAN, UH, AND THEN COME BACK, WE'LL RECESS THE MEETING AND COME BACK TOMORROW AND SEE IF WE'RE ABLE TO, UH, TO KNOCK IT OUT.
SO THAT WORK COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, UM, JUST TO BE CLEAR.
SO YOU'RE, YOU'RE SUGGESTING THAT WE GO TO EIGHT OR NINE O'CLOCK TO NIGHT, UM, AND THAT WE START THE BUDGET PROCESS JUST BY EXPLAINING AND THAT'S AS FAR AS WE GET, IS, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING? YEAH, YEAH.
TO THE DEGREE THAT, THAT, THAT PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO, WE CAN ALSO TALK ABOUT, UH, WHERE PEOPLE'S TOLERANCES MAY BE ON THE TAX RATE ISSUE, BECAUSE LIKE THAT KIND OF TELLS US KIND OF THE ENVELOPE WITHIN WHICH WE MAY BE WORKING WELL, I WILL CERTAINLY DO WHAT OTHERS ARE INTERESTED IN, IN DOING, I WOULD PREFER TO NOT GO LATE TONIGHT.
UM, I THINK GETTING THROUGH THE ITEMS WE HAVE TO VOTE ON TONIGHT, WE'LL MAKE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.
AND THEN I THINK WE CAN TAKE UP THE BUDGET IN THE MORNING.
UM, SO I WOULD BE HAPPY TO NOT COME BACK AFTER DINNER, BUT OF COURSE WE'LL DEFER TO WHAT OTHERS THINK.
WE HAVE A LONG DAY TOMORROW POTENTIALLY.
AND I THINK IF WE CAN KIND OF LAY OUT A FRAMEWORK EVEN OF JUST FOR AN HOUR OR SO TO, I THINK I MIGHT VERY WELL HELP US A LOT TOMORROW.
I'M NOT REAL SURE WHAT TO WORK ON TONIGHT UNTIL WE'VE HAD THAT, THAT PRELIMINARY STUFF.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE, BUT LET'S GO AHEAD.
AND YOU WANT TO GUYS WANTED TO DECIDE THAT NOW ARE PEOPLE COMFORTABLE GOING TO EIGHT? O'CLOCK LIKE PAIGE? YES.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET AS FAR AS WE CAN TONIGHT.
UM, JUST MY 2 CENTS ON HOW, HOW OUR PROCESS IS GOING.
WE, UM, HAVE A LOT TO GET THROUGH AND SO I REALLY WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IF WE WENT AS FAR AS WE COULD AND THAT HAD LESS ON OUR PLATE FOR TOMORROW.
I SUGGEST THAT IF WE KEEP OUR DINNER BREAK TIGHT, WHILE STILL ACKNOWLEDGING SOME PEOPLE'S NEED TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.
AND THE, LIKE, IF WE DID DINNER FROM SAY SIX TO 6 45, THEN MAYBE WE COULD GET AN HOUR AND 15 AND BEFORE EIGHT COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.
I DON'T WANT TO GO MUCH PAST EIGHT AND THEN WE'LL RECONVENE TOMORROW AT 10.
IS THAT RIGHT? THAT'S THE POSTING FOR TOMORROW.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND PROCEED THAT WAY AND SEE WHERE YOU MAKE THAT WORK.
UH, LET'S BEGIN WITH, UH, ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, WHICH I THINK IS NOW POSTED.
I THINK YOU MEANT TO START WITH NIGHTMARES.
I THINK YOU MEANT TO START WITH NINE PROP A RIGHT.
WE'RE STARTING WITH, UH, WITH PROP A, LET ME SEE IF I CAN FIND THAT IT'S LIKE THE PARKLAND IS EIGHT AND THE, UM, NINE, IT'S THE, UM, SAY BOSTON NOW PETITION, DO YOU HAVE EVERYBODY HAVE AN EXTRA HEART? IF I LOOK AT THEM RIGHT SCREEN, ACTUALLY IT'S NINE AND 10, I GUESS NINE IS THE PR SAYS ADOPTING THE ORDINANCE AND 10 IS SETTING THE ELECTION.
SO EIGHT AND 10 ARE THE TWO ELECTION ITEMS AND NINE IS THE ADOPTION ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY.
I THINK THE LINES HAVE BEEN FILLED IN ON THE ORDINANCE FOR PROP AND PROP B.
SO I'M GONNA GO TO THE COMPUTER STREETS AND BACKUP, WHICH I CAN TAKE A LOOK AT, BUT THEN I CAN'T SEE ANYBODY.
UH, OH, THE COMPUTER AMERICAN.
YOU REMIND US ALL WHERE THE BACKUP IS ON THIS.
IF YOU GO TO AUSTIN, TEXAS.GOV, CLICK ON GOVERNMENT, GO TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING INFORMATION ON EIGHT 11.
THERE IS THE, UM, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
[03:05:08]
MAYOR.IF IT HELPS, I CAN EMAIL, I COULD EMAIL THESE OUT.
I THINK, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHERE THESE DOCUMENTS ARE POSTED ON THE COUNCIL MESSAGE AROUND THAT COUNCIL WEBSITE AS ALL OTHER BACKUPS, BUT I CAN EMAIL THEM OUT AS WELL.
AUSTIN, TEXAS.GOV, GO TO GOVERNMENT.
THAT'S ONE OF THE, DROP-DOWNS GO TO, UM, A CITY COUNCIL MEETING INFORMATION.
UH, WHEN YOU GO TO COUNSELOR MEETING INFORMATION, THE FIRST THING THAT'S LISTED THERE AS THE EIGHT 11, THE BUDGET ADOPTION READING OF CITY COUNCIL, THERE'S AN AGENDA BUTTON OFF TO THE RIGHT OF THAT CLICK ON THAT, THAT GETS YOU TO TODAY'S, UH, UH, AGENDA.
AND I THINK THE NUMBER FOR US TO START WITH HERE IS THE PROPOSITION,
[9. Adopt a citizen-initiated ordinance, if the supporting petition is certified as sufficient, to amend the City Code regarding funding, staffing, training, and oversight of the Austin Police Department.]
BUT WHEN PEOPLE WILL BE PROPOSITIONED, HEY, WHICH ARE ON OUR AGENDAS ITEMS, UH, NINE AND 10, I THINK, I THINK, UH, NINE IS THE RESOLUTION.IF WE REGARDING TO, UH, ADOPT THE CITIZEN INITIATIVE, THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL TO, TO, TO DO THAT IN LIEU OF DOING THAT, THEN WE, WE SET IT, UH, FOR, UH, AN ELECTION.
SO IF YOU CLICK ON ITEM NUMBER 10, THAT GETS YOU TO ITEM NUMBER 10, WHICH IS THE WORK PAPERS AND THE LIKE ACTUALLY MAYOR.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF ADOPTING THE PETITION AS IS.
I JUST WANT THAT ON RECORD, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL MAYOR IN THAT CASE, WOULD COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY MAKE A MOTION? SHE CERTAINLY CAN.
OR SECOND, DOES ANYBODY WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT ITEM NUMBER NINE? OKAY.
THAT'S WHATEVER KELLY MAKES THAT MOTION.
WAS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION? OKAY.
[10. Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held in the City of Austin on November 2, 2021 to submit to the voters a proposed citizen-initiated ordinance, if the supporting petition is certified as sufficient, regarding funding, staffing, training, and oversight of the Austin Police Department; providing for the conduct of the special election, including authorizing the City Clerk to enter into joint election agreements with other local political subdivisions as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of the election; and declaring an emergency.]
FOR WHATEVER SECOND.UH, WE'LL MOVE NOW TO ITEM NUMBER TWO.
ITEM NUMBER 10 IS IN FRONT OF US.
UH, THAT IS, UM, AND RUN IT BY US.
DOES THIS HAVE THE LANGUAGE FOR THE PROPOSITION IN IT? YES.
UH, SO WE'VE BEEN PRESENTED WITH AN ORDINANCE, UM, THIS ITEM HERE, UH, WHICH IS, UH, ITEM NUMBER 10.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM? NUMBER 10, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY MAKES THE MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS MOTION? I CAN DO THAT.
WE'LL LET YOU SECOND THAT COLLEAGUES WE'VE BEEN PRESENTED, UH, WITH A, UH, AN INITIATED ORDINANCE SINCE WE'RE NOT GOING TO ADOPT IT.
UH, WE HAVE TO SET THIS ON THE, UH, ON THE BALLOT.
THE, UH, INITIATED ORDINANCE HAS A CAPTION, UH, ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, THAT WAS CIRCULATED WITH THE PETITION.
UH, AND, AND SOME HAVE ARGUED, UH, THAT OUR CITY CHARTER REQUIRES THE COUNCIL TO USE THE CAPTION IN THE CIRCULATED PETITION AS THE PROPOSITION THAT'S PLACED ON THE, ON THE BALLOT, UH, FOR A, FOR OR AGAINST VOTE, THE CAPTION LANGUAGE, UH, IN, UH, ARTICLE FIVE OF OUR CHARTER, UH, THAT, UH, THESE PROPONENTS 0.2 HAS BEEN THERE ESSENTIALLY IN THAT IDENTICAL FORM FOR NEARLY 70 YEARS, SINCE I THINK 1953, I'M NOT AWARE OF A, UH,
[03:10:01]
AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL EVER ADOPTING A PETITIONS CAPTION AS THE, UH, PROPOSITION, UH, LANGUAGE, UH, BASED ON, UH, LEGAL ADVICE THAT THIS IS WHAT IS REQUIRED BY THE CHARTER.I'M ALSO NOT AWARE OF ANY COURT HAVING RULED THAT, UH, THAT'S WHAT A COUNCIL HAS TO DO, EVEN IF THE CHARTER MIGHT OTHERWISE BE INTERPRETED TO REQUIRE SUCH AN APPROACH.
THE COUNCIL CANNOT TAKE THAT STEP.
IF THE PETITIONS CAPTURED IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED UPON US BY STATE LAW, UH, AS TO HOW OUR PROPOSITION HAS TO BE STATED.
AND WE KNOW THAT IT IS THE COUNCIL'S, UH, UH, DUTY OR COLLECTIVE DUTY UNDER THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE TO ADOPT APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE FOR THE PROPOSITION THAT PUTS AN INITIATED MEASURE MEASURED IN FRONT OF THE VOTERS, UH, FOR UPPER DOWN VOTE THIS DUTY AS ARTICULATED BY THE COURTS.
UM, DOES IT COMPEL US TO BLINDLY ADOPT THE CAPTIONS LANGUAGE AS THE PROPOSITION, IN FACT, STATE LAW FOR BIDS OF THE COUNCIL FROM DOING SO IF TAKING SUCH STEPS WOULD NOT PRESENT A FAIR PICTURE OF THE INITIATED ORDINANCE TO THE VOTERS.
AND THIS MAKES SENSE BECAUSE, UH, OTHERWISE THOSE CIRCULATING A PETITION COULD JUST ADD A CAPTION THAT DOESN'T MATCH WHAT THE INITIATIVE IS ASKING THE CITY TO DO OR TO CHANGE OR TO, TO ADD A REMEDY THAT WOULD HAVE US REJECT A PETITION THAT WAS SIGNED BY PEOPLE WHO INTENDED FOR THAT PETITION TO BE PUT ON THE BALLOT TO REJECT IT BECAUSE A CAPTION, UH, WAS INSUFFICIENT TO GIVE A FAIR PICTURE, UH, UH, CLEARLY WOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT I THINK THE PUBLIC WOULD ACCEPT, UH, NOR WOULD IT, I THINK BE, UH, UH, FAIR, EFFICIENT, PROPER RUNNING OF GOVERNMENT.
SO IF THE CHARTER LANGUAGE IS NOT THE GUY THAT WHAT ARE THE RULES, WE HAVE TO BE GUIDED BY WHEN WE'RE PICKING LANGUAGE, UH, AND WE REFER THEM TO STATE LAW AND DIRECTION.
THE CAPTIONER PROPOSITION CANNOT CONTAIN AN AFFIRMATIVE MISREPRESENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE AND THE PROPOSITION OR CAPTION CAN NOT LEAVE OUT KEY FEATURES OF THE INITIATED ORDINANCE.
WE CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT IGNORE IT REGARDLESS OF WHAT OUR CHARTER MIGHT BE INTERPRETED TO SAY.
SO COMPARING THE SUBSTANCE OF THE INITIATED ORDINANCE WITH THE CAPTION THAT ACCOMPANIED IT WHEN THE PETITION BEING CIRCULATED BASED ON THE DISCUSSION THAT WE'VE HEARD SINCE, UH, THE INITIATED A PETITION WAS CERTIFIED BY THE CLERK I FIND.
AND I, AND I THINK OTHERS OF US ARE THE DAY IS HAVE FOUND SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADMISSION OF KEY FEATURES.
THE CAPTION OMITS, THE FOLLOWING KEY FEATURES OF THE INITIATIVE.
I THINK THAT IN SOME RESPECTS, THAT IS THE MOST SALIENT KEY FEATURE OF THIS RESOLUTION.
UH, THIS RESOLUTION, UH, IS, IS IT ESSENCE, UH, ORDERING A, A BUDGET ACTION, UH, IT'S, IT'S ORDERING A SPECIFICS SPAN AND IT IS A HUGE SPEND, UH, BUT YET, UH, THE FACT THAT, UH, THE VOTERS VOTING FOR THIS WOULD BE, UH, POTENTIALLY INCURRING, UH, SUCH A SIGNIFICANT, UH, COST AND LIABILITY IS NOT MENTIONED AT ALL IN THE, UH, PETITION CAPTION.
THE PETITION CAPTION DOES NOT REFERENCE THE MINIMUM POLICE STAFFING LEVELS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN PART TWO OF THE INITIATED ORDINANCE, WHICH IS PROBABLY THE SECOND MOST SALIENT FEATURE OF THIS, UH, UH, PETITION BECAUSE IT SETS A VERY SPECIFIC, UH, STAFFING LEVEL.
THE PETITIONS CAPTION DOES NOT REFERENCE MINIMUM LEVELS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIRED OF THE POLICE FORCE, WHICH IS A KEY FEATURE THAT'S FOUND IN PART TWO OF THE INITIATED ORDINANCE.
THERE IS NO REFERENCE TO TRAINING MANDATES FOUND IN THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AT ALL.
SO BASED ON THESE ADMISSIONS, UH, IT'S, UH, IT'S MY VIEW, UH, THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD NOT BE FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE AND REQUIREMENTS OF STATE LAW.
IF WE SIMPLY ACCEPTED THE, UH, EXACT
[03:15:01]
LANGUAGE OF THE PETITIONS CAPTION AND CHOOSING THE LANGUAGE OF THE PROPOSITION THAT IS TO BE ON THE BALLOT, THEREFORE, UH, THIS, UH, MOTION, UH, CONTAINING THE, THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE, UH, THAT ACTUALLY PROVIDES A FAIR PICTURE, UH, OF THE, UH, PROPOSITION AND CONTAINS THE KEY FEATURES WOULD READ SHALL AND ORDINANCE BE APPROVED THAT AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $271.5 MILLION TO 598.8 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS REQUIRES THE CITY TO EMPLOY AT LEAST TWO POLICE OFFICERS PER 1000 RESIDENTS AT ALL TIMES REQUIRES AT LEAST 35% OF PATROL OFFICER TIME, BE UNCOMMITTED TIME.OTHERWISE KNOWN AS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME REQUIRES ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INCENTIVES, UH, FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS REQUIRE SPECIFIC KINDS OF TRAINING FOR OFFICERS AND CERTAIN PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN THEIR STAFFS, AND REQUIRES THERE BE AT LEAST THREE FULL TIME CADET CLASSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT IS STILL UNTIL STAFFING LEVELS REACH SUCH A, A SPECIFIC LEVEL LIKE THAT'S WHAT'S BEFORE US RIGHT NOW, THIS RESOLUTION, THIS ORDINANCE IN FRONT OF US WOULD IDENTIFY THIS MATTER.
THAT WOULD APPEAR ON THE PROPOSITION ON NOVEMBER 2ND, UH, HAS, UH, AS PROPOSITION, EH, COLLEAGUES FURTHER DISCUSSION ON, ON THIS ITEM, UH, BARE PRO TEMP FREE TO REDIRECT IF, UH, IF AFTER WE, UH, AFTER WE'RE DONE DISCUSSING THE ITEM IS THE MORE APPROPRIATE TIME, BUT HAD MULTIPLE COLORS EARLIER, OU MADE REFERENCE TO THE ITEM AND HAD CONCERNS.
AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WE AS A BODY COULD DO ABOUT, ABOUT THEIR ADDITION CONCERNS.
SO DO YOU SUPPOSE NOW, OR, OR AFTER WE DISCUSSED THIS ITEM IS THE TIME FOR US TO SEE IF STAFF CAN COME UP AND TALK TO FOLKS ABOUT WHAT ARE OPTIONS EITHER WHEN YOU CERTAINLY HAVE STAFF COME UP.
IF YOU WANTED TO HAVE STAFF COME UP TO SPEAK TO THIS NOW, I THINK IT'LL BE BRIEF.
JUST A MATTER OF THE CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS PETITION.
I JUST WANT FOLKS TO KNOW THAT WE, WE JUST CAN'T DO ANYTHING.
AND I THINK, UH, HAVING THAT PROFESSIONAL SPEAK TO IT WOULD BE GREAT.
UM, MARIN COUNCIL, JEANETTE GOODALL.
I WILL TRY TO ADDRESS THAT QUESTION UNDER STATE LAW.
UM, ONCE A PETITION HAS BEEN CERTIFIED, UM, COUNSEL HAS THE OPTION OF EITHER ADOPTING IT OR ORDERING AN ELECTION, AS FAR AS THE QUESTIONS REGARDING, UM, WANTING TO HAVE THEIR SIGNATURES REMOVED FROM THE PETITION.
UM, STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT AN AFFIDAVIT BE FILED WITH MY OFFICE PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE PETITION.
ONCE THE PETITION IS FILED, UM, THE, ANY AFFIDAVIT THAT WOULD GET FILED AFTER THAT DATE WOULD BE INVALID UNDER STATE LAW.
UM, FOR THIS PETITION, WE DID RECEIVE, UH, CALLS AND EMAILS REGARDING THE PROCESS FOR HAVING THEIR NAMES REMOVED.
UM, ANY OF THOSE THAT WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE FILING, WE PROVIDED THEM WITH THE AFFIDAVIT FORM AND INSTRUCTIONS, BUT WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE PETITION.
IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION, IF NOT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW VERY MUCH.
AND I THINK THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY IS IF YOU COULD JUST CONFIRM, SO WE, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO WANT US TO IT'S IT'S DONE WHAT COULD BE DONE IS DONE.
COUNSEL HAS TWO OPTIONS, UH, AND LAW CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M INCORRECT, UM, EITHER TO ADOPT OR TO PLACE THE MEASURE ON THE BALLOT AND THEN THE VOTERS, I'M SORRY.
I WAS REFERRING TO THE PETITION SPECIFICALLY, BUT, UH, THANK YOU.
I, I, I THINK YOU ANSWERED THE QUESTION.
UH, THE ONLY OPTIONS YOU WOULD HAVE WOULD BE TO DISCUSS, UM, PUTTING FORTH CHARTER AMENDMENTS, UM, ON THE PETITION PROCESS FOR FUTURE PETITIONS.
I THINK WE'LL DEFINITELY LOOK INTO THAT.
MY TEAM, MY STAFF, AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT BRIEFLY.
I'M HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THOSE.
I'D APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.
[03:20:01]
OKAY.FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM, MAYOR, UH, BECAUSE THE, UH, THE BALLOT LANGUAGE INCLUDES THE RANGE OF COSTS.
I WOULD LIKE, UH, MR. VINO, TO, TO JUST VERY BRIEFLY, UH, TALK ABOUT HIS MEMO TO US ON THE, THAT RESULTED IN THE COST OF THAT IS PUT ON THE BALLOT.
SO I KNOW YOU HAVE A LONGER, UH, I KNOW AS OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, YOU HAVE A LONGER MEMO ON THE, ON THE COST, BUT WILL YOU LAY OUT FOR US, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT HAS SOMETIMES BEEN SAID THAT THIS IS A, ABOUT TWO OFFICERS PER THOUSAND, BUT YOUR MEMO LAYS OUT THAT IT COULD INDEED BE MORE, UH, AT A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER COST.
SO IF YOU COULD WALK US THROUGH THAT, THAT'D BE GREAT.
SO THE, THE, UH, PROPOSAL, UM, DOES CALL FOR TWO OFFICERS PER THOUSAND EMPLOYED.
AND SO TO HAVE TWO OFFICERS PER THOUSAND EMPLOYED AT ALL TIMES, WE WILL ESSENTIALLY NEED TO OVER HIRE BECAUSE OF THE WAY OUR CADET CLASSES RUN.
UM, IF WE WANTED TO ENSURE THERE WERE ALWAYS TWO OFFICERS PER THOUSAND EMPLOYED OR HIGHER THAT NECESSITATES US TO OVER HIRE.
UM, ANOTHER PARAMETER IS THE 35% UNCOMMITTED TIME SOMETIMES CALLED, UH, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME, PROACTIVE TIME, UM, ACHIEVING THAT TARGET AND IN CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR POLICE RESEARCH TEAM, UM, WE BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GO BEYOND TWO OFFICERS PER THOUSAND EMPLOYED IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A 35% UNCOMMITTED, UM, OR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TIME, UM, WITHOUT HAVING UNACCEPTABLE IMPACTS TO OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES.
UM, THAT NUMBER COMES OUT TO MORE LIKE 2.3, FIVE EMPLOYED WITH SAME CAVEAT TO GET TO 2.3, FIVE EMPLOYED WE WOULD NEED TO OVER HIRE, UM, BEYOND THAT AMOUNT.
AND IF WE WERE AT A POPULATION OF ABOUT A MILLION, 2.35 COMES OUT AT 2350, WHICH IS ROUNDLY ABOUT 600 MORE OFFICERS THAN WE HAVE EMPLOYED TODAY, MORE OR LESS, UM, MORE OR LESS.
UM, AND THEN WE ALSO LOOKED AT IT OVER, YOU KNOW, TAKING A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE, OF COURSE, UM, BASED UPON POPULATION GROWTH, WE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO ADD OFFICERS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THOSE RATIOS.
AND WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS, YOU RUN INTO THE VERY REAL DYNAMIC OF WHERE ARE THEY ALL GOING TO BE HOUSED.
AND SO LOOKING INTO, UM, SUBSTATIONS AND CURRENT FACILITY CAPACITY, AND WHERE WOULD WE BE ABLE TO HELP SEATS ADDITIONAL OFFICERS? OF COURSE, THERE'S VEHICLES COSTS AND EQUIPMENT COSTS THAT I'LL HAVE TO GO INTO THAT EQUATION.
SO, UM, AS THE MAYOR, UH, MENTIONED ON THE HIGH END OF THE RANGE FOR THOSE FIRST FIVE YEARS, I THINK FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, THEY MAY NOT, UM, FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY MAY NOT HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS WITHIN OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
A LOT OF TIMES WE HEAR NUMBERS THAT BIG WHEN WE'RE MAKING A ONE-TIME EXPENSE, BUT NOT A YEARLY EXPENSE.
AND SO IF, UM, OUR FRIENDS AT CGM COULD JUST PULL UP THE POWERPOINT, UH, AND MR. VINNIE KNOW, LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING, ANY OF THE NUMBERS HERE SEEM WRONG TO YOU, BUT I JUST WANTED TO COMPARE WHAT THE COST OF THE BALLOT MEASURE IS TO OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS.
SO HERE IS THE, UM, THE COST OF 120 MILLION A YEAR OF THE BALLOT PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF US.
IF YOU'LL HIT NEXT, HERE IS THE COST OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS, IF YOU HIT NEXT.
SO THIS IS EVEN IF WE SHUT DOWN THE ENTIRE CITY PARK SYSTEM, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS.
IF YOU SHUT DOWN THE WHOLE CITY PARK SYSTEM, PLUS THE HOUSING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS THE NEXT ONE, THEN YOU GET CLOSE TO THE COST OF THIS PER YEAR.
OR IF YOU SHUT DOWN THE WHOLE EMS SYSTEM, YOU STILL DON'T GET VERY CLOSE TO THE COST OF THIS.
IF YOU SHUT DOWN THE EMS SYSTEM AND TWO THIRDS OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, THEN YOU GET TO THE COST OF THIS.
UM, THE LAST EXAMPLE I HAVE HERE IS IF YOU SHUT DOWN THE ENTIRE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM AND ON TOP OF THAT 20 EMS STATIONS, AND ON TOP OF THAT 16 FIRE STATIONS
[03:25:02]
ON TOP OF THAT, SHE KEEP CLICKING THROUGH.SO THE COST OF THE BALLOT ITEM IS THE ENTIRE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, 20 EMS STATIONS, 16 FIRE STATIONS, THE ENTIRE ANIMAL SHELTER, WHICH IS NEXT.
AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, ONE MORE, ALL 22 NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS AND BARTON SPRINGS.
SO JUST TO GET MY MATH RIGHT HERE TO GET TO 120 MILLION A YEAR IN THE GENERAL FUND, THE LIBRARY SYSTEM IS 58 MILLION EMS STATIONS COST ABOUT 1.1 MILLION A YEAR TO STAFF.
SO 20 EMS STATIONS AT 22 MILLION FIRE STATIONS COST JUST OVER ONE AND A HALF MILLION TO STAFF.
SO 16 FIRE STATIONS, THE ANIMAL SHELTER COSTS $9 MILLION TO RUN ACCORDING TO ANIMAL SERVICES.
AND THEN ALL 22 NEIGHBORHOOD POOLS.
PLUS BARTON SPRINGS COST ABOUT 5 MILLION TO RUN EACH YEAR.
I HATE TO INTERRUPT, BUT I'M BEING TOLD THAT YOUR S YOUR SCREEN, YOUR SLIDES ARE NOT SHOWING UP, UH, FOR, FOR THE PUBLIC.
I CAN SEE THEM, AND I'M HEARING THAT THEY'RE NOW SHOWING, SO, OKAY.
WELL, WE'LL MAKE SURE TO SHARE THEM OUT.
UM, AND THEN THE LAST EXAMPLE I DID WANT TO SHOW WAS THAT ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WHAT IF WE MADE STAFF REDUCTIONS ACROSS CITY DEPARTMENTS IN THE GENERAL FUND, JUST SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE COST.
SO HERE YOU HAVE A PIE CHART THAT SHOWS NOT SUPPORT SERVICES OR THE ENTERPRISE FUND, BUT OUR GENERAL FUND, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE POLICE BUDGET BECAUSE UNDER HB 1900, WE CANNOT REDUCE THE POLICE BUDGET.
SO HERE YOU HAVE OUR GENERAL FUND.
UH, THE BIGGEST CHUNK IS FIRE.
THE NEXT BIGGEST IS EMS AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH, UM, UH, PARKS AND LIBRARIES, AND THEN HOUSING ANIMAL SERVICES AND THE MUNICIPAL COURT.
THEN YOU CAN SEE NEXT TO IT, THE $120 MILLION, IT WOULD COST, WHICH IS, AS YOU CAN SEE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE GENERAL FUND.
SO WHAT I ASKED WAS IF WE JUST MADE PROPORTIONATE CUTS TO EACH DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE BUDGET THE SAME, UH, WHAT WOULD THOSE CUTS LOOK LIKE? SO IF YOU'LL GO NEXT.
SO, SO WHAT WOULD THIS LOOK LIKE IN STAFF REDUCTIONS? SO THE FIRST BIGGEST, UH, WOULD BE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 40 MILLION.
THAT IS A 400 FEWER FIREFIGHTERS.
UH, BUT THAT 40 MILLION OF COURSE IS JUST A THIRD OF THE COST.
SO THEN YOU'D HAVE TO GO TO THE EMS DEPARTMENT TO MAKE, OR SORRY, PARKS AND LIBRARIES TO MAKE A PROPORTION OF CUT.
I CALCULATED AT 75,000 PER CIVILIAN.
THAT'S THE MEDIAN SALARY AND BENEFIT COST OF CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.
SO IT WOULD BE THOSE 400 FIREFIGHTERS AND THE 400 PARKS AND LIBRARY STAFF AND EMS IS THE NEXT BIGGEST PART OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
PROPORTIONATE CUTS WOULD MEAN 210 FEWER MEDICS.
UH, AND THE, THE FIGURES APPEARING IS THAT IS 210.
UM, THE NEXT CUT WOULD BE TO HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, UM, AT 75 K PER CIVILIAN, THAT IS, UH, 255 FEWER HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE STAFF.
AND THEN THE LAST PIECE WOULD BE 10% OF OUR BUDGET.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS THE COURTS HOUSING AND ANIMAL SERVICES.
FEWER OF THOSE POSITIONS ADDED ALL UP 400 FIREFIGHTERS, 400 PARKS AND LIBRARY STAFF, 210 MEDICS, 255 HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE STAFF.
AND 160 COURTS AND OTHER STAFF TOTALS, THE 120 MILLION A YEAR FOR 1,425 FEWER CITY STAFF POSITIONS.
AND IF YOU HIT NEXT, YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THEM.
SO THAT IS THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS, PARKS AND LIBRARY, STAFF, MEDICS HEALTH, AND SERVICE SERVICE STAFF, AND COURT STAFF THAT IT WOULD COST US TO IF WE JUST WENT AND CUT 120 MILLION A YEAR OUT OF THE BUDGET, UM, OF COURSE SOME OF THIS COULD BE REDUCED.
IF THERE WERE A SIGNIFICANT TAX INCREASE, WE COULD KEEP SOME OF THESE SERVICES.
I DON'T SEE THE FOLKS PUSHING FOR THE PETITION ASKING FOR A TAX INCREASE, BUT THIS IS JUST A SENSE OF JUST HOW BIG AND HOW DEVASTATING IT WOULD BE TO OUR BUDGET.
UM, AND FRANKLY, I THINK ALSO TO PUBLIC SAFETY, BECAUSE I THINK THAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS, OUR MEDICS, OUR PARKS AND LIBRARY STAFF, OUR VIOLENCE PREVENTION STAFF, THAT THEY ALL HELP KEEP OUR CITY SAFE AND RUNNING.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I CHOSE NOT TO VOTE, TO ADOPT THIS ORDINANCE, TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD PASS A BUDGET LIKE THE ONE WE'RE PASSING, WHICH DOES HIRE SOME NEW POLICE OFFICERS, BUT ALSO FIREFIGHTERS, BUT ALSO MEDICS, BUT ALSO PARK STAFF.
WE'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF SERVICES.
[03:30:01]
AND THIS WOULD JUST DEVASTATE OUR EXISTING CITY SERVICES.CAN YOU PUT A COPY OF THAT PRESENTATION TO BACKUP? GIVE IT TO THE CLERK? YES MA'AM.
SO IF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR IT IN THE RECORD, THEY CAN SEE IT.
YOU ALSO MADE REFERENCE TO A, UM, UM, UM, MAMMO, UH, WRITTEN BY, UH, UH, ED AND DINO, UH, AUGUST 10TH, 2021.
IT WAS THE FISCAL, UH, ANALYSIS OF THIS.
CAN YOU ALSO PLEASE POST THAT IN BACKUP? SO IF SOMEONE WANTS TO SEE IT, KNOW HOW TO EASILY FIND IT? YES.
UM, MR. VEINY KNEW MY UNDERSTANDING IS OUR FIREFIGHTERS HAVE CIVIL SERVICE PROTECTION.
SO WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO JUST CUT 400 POSITIONS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OVERNIGHT IN ORDER TO MAKE UP THAT PART OF THE BUDGET.
UM, I WOULD, I REALLY NEEDED TO DEFER TO OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, OUR LABOR RELATIONS OFFICER.
I'M NOT AWARE THAT THERE'S A PROTECTION AGAINST, UM, A REDUCTION IN FORCE IN OUR LABOR CONTRACT, BUT I WOULD REALLY NEED TO DEFER TO THEM.
IF YOU COULD CIRCLE BACK WITH ME ABOUT THAT, THAT'D BE GREAT.
I DO APPRECIATE THE VISUALIZATION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR AND THE WORK AND EFFORT THAT WENT INTO THAT.
BUT I WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S AN ACCURATE STATEMENT.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD SEE, I SURE CAN.
UM, WHILE WE COULD GO AND LOOK AT THE PROVISIONS, AS IT RELATES TO REDUCTIONS IN FORCE, PART OF WHAT I'M VISUALIZING HERE IS NOT, IS NOT LAYOFFS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY I WOULD DO EVERYTHING I COULD TO PREVENT ANY LAYOFFS AT OUR CITY.
WHAT IT DOES VISUALIZE IS IF WE WERE TO MAKE PROPORTIONATE CUTS, WHAT THAT WOULD TAKE IT ALSO VISUALIZES WHAT WE COULD NOT PAY FOR OTHERWISE.
AND SO IN AN ULTIMATE IN ANOTHER WORLD, IF WE HAD 120 MILLION MORE DOLLARS, THAT IS THE KIND OF POSITIONS THAT WE COULD ADD.
SO AGAIN, THIS IS NOT ME MAKING A PROPOSAL TO LAY OFF OUR STAFF.
IT IS JUST SHOWING IF THERE WAS A $120 MILLION IMPACT TO OUR BUDGET AND WE PROPORTIONATELY HAD TO CUT IN EACH DEPARTMENT.
THEN IF YOU TAKE THE SALARY AND BENEFITS THAT OUR STAFF USE TO CALCULATE THOSE POSITIONS, THOSE ARE THE POSITIONS AS THEY APPEAR.
UM, AND THEN THE, UM, AND THEN THE FACT THAT EACH FIRE STATION OR EACH EMS STATION THAT WOULD CLOSE, OR THE WHOLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, OR THE WHOLE PARK SYSTEM THAT IS PULLED FROM THE, UH, ALL FUNDS SUMMARY DOCUMENT IN OUR BUDGET AS PRESENTED TO US IN JULY.
I APPRECIATE THAT CLARIFICATION THERE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO VISUALIZE WHERE CUTS COULD HAPPEN, UM, BUT THEY WOULD COME FROM SOMEWHERE.
AND THEN COUNSELOR POOL, 120 MILLION.
MY GOSH HEARING THAT NUMBER IS JUST STAGGERING.
IT'S A, IT'S A STRIKING NUMBER TO HEAR AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, TO KNOW THAT OUR HANDS WOULD BE TIED KNOWING THAT THAT'S WOULD BE THE SIZE OF OUR ENTIRE LIBRARY SYSTEM AND ALL OF OUR POOLS, YOU KNOW, THE LIBRARY, MY DISTRICT, IT WAS CRITICAL IN, AND DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND CONTINUES TO BE IT'S WHERE OUR COMMUNITY GOES TO GET TESTED FOR THE VACCINE.
AT, AT ONE POINT IT WAS WHERE, UH, OR, SORRY, IT GOES WORK MEETING AT ONE POINT, IT WAS WHERE OUR COMMUNITY WENT TO GET TESTED.
AND NOW IT'S A VACCINE CENTER AND IT HAS BEEN, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE, OUR LIBRARIES ARE THE NUCLEUS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND JUST KNOWING THAT THIS AMOUNT, THIS IMPACT SHOULD THIS PROPOSITION PASS WOULD HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, HAVE AN, OUR ABILITY AS LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH INCLUDES OUR EMS, WHICH INCLUDES OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
UM, IT'S JUST STAGGERING AND I'M, I IS, UM, YOU KNOW, I HOPE OUR, OUR PUBLIC IS TUNING IN AND IS ENGAGING IN THESE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO SEE, UM, WHAT THAT FISCAL IMPACT COULD BE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOW THAT COULD TRANSLATE TO SOME REALLY HARSH CUTS.
IF SO, YEAH, I, I HAVE TO AGREE.
I FIND THIS ITEM TO BE FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE, AND CERTAINLY NOT A VERY CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO, UM, OUR MUNICIPAL BUDGETING.
IT, IT TIES OUR HANDS FINANCIALLY.
AND FOR THAT REASON ALONE, UM, UNCHECKED INCREASES TO FUTURE BUDGETS WHERE THIS COUNCIL AND FUTURE COUNCILS WOULD HAVE NO REAL SAY, UH, FOR THAT REASON ALONE.
I, I, IF I COULD VOTE NO ON ITEM 10 TODAY, I WOULD DO THAT INSTEAD.
I WILL VOTE TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT AND, UM, HOPE TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY SUFFICIENTLY SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND, UM,
[03:35:01]
HOW FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE THIS MEASURES.UM, YES, I WOULD JUST ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID.
UM, THE OTHER THING ABOUT IT IS IT'S NOT EFFECTIVE.
UM, I THINK THAT WE ALL SHARE THE CONCERN WITH OUR COMMUNITY, THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE A SAFE, UH, COMMUNITY, AND WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, WE NEED POLICE OFFICERS TO HELP US BE SAFE.
THE REQUIREMENT FOR TWO OFFICERS POOR 1000 IS, UM, IS NOT HITTING THE BULLSEYE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE NEED, UH, FOR SAFETY.
WE HAD A VERY GOOD CONVERSATION EARLIER THIS MORNING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ACTUALLY ANALYZING WHY WE HAVE VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND DIRECTING OUR, UM, DIRECTING OUR SOLUTIONS DIRECTLY AT THAT.
SO WE CAN BE SURE, UH, AND GET EFFECTIVE RESULTS.
UH, WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT WHY SIMPLY RELYING ON, UM, ON, UH, UH, MEASURES, YOU KNOW, A PER CAPITA TYPE MEASURES FOR OFFICERS IS NOT GOING TO GET US THE RESULT THAT WE WANT.
UM, AND WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT TWO OFFICERS PULLED 1000 IS THE RIGHT NUMBER.
SO I THINK THAT, UM, GIVEN THE HIGH COST OF THIS, THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT, NOT GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE, UM, I CAN'T, UM, I CAN'T SUPPORT IT.
I MEAN, I'VE GOT TO, I HAVE TO GO TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, BUT I HOPE WE HAVE GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY.
LIKE WE HAD THIS MORNING WITH, UM, A FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER, BILL SPELMAN, AND PROFESSOR SPELLMAN.
WHO'S A NATIONAL EXPERT ON, UM, ON HOW WE CAN KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE.
UM, AND AS HE SAID, UH, THIS MEASURE TWO OFFICERS WERE 1000 IS, IS NOT EFFECTIVE.
WE OBVIOUSLY NEED MORE OFFICERS IN THE FUTURE, BUT WE PROVIDED FOR THAT.
UH, WE HAVE FUTURE CADET CLASSES COMING FORWARD AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FOR THAT.
SO I THINK THAT, UH, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, THAT WE CONTINUE AS A SAFE COMMUNITY AS WE'VE BEEN IN THE PAST, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO KNOW THAT WE'RE DOING THAT.
UM, AND BANKRUPTING BANKRUPTING, OUR, YOU KNOW, OUR TYING OUR HANDS, BANKRUPTING OUR BUDGET IN A WAY THAT'S NOT EFFECTIVE FOR SAFETY IS JUST NOT THE WAY TO DO COUNCIL MEMBER, ALTAR COUNCIL MEMBER, ALISON AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
UM, I AGREE WITH A LOT OF THESE SENTIMENTS THAT MY COLLEAGUES ARE SHARING.
I'M ALSO VERY SERIOUSLY CONCERNED THAT WHAT THE TESTIMONY WE HEARD THIS MORNING CLAIMED THAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN MISLED, UM, OR DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE SIGNING.
AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY AT LEAST ONE PERSON SAID THEY ASKED TO HAVE THEIR NAME REMOVED AND WAS, WAS NOT AWARE OF HOW THE CLERK'S OFFICE CAN HANDLE REMOVING YOUR NAME FROM A PETITION.
UM, THAT'S EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE TO HEAR.
AND SO ON TOP OF THE OTHER CONCERNS THAT MY COLLEAGUES ARE SHARING HERE, UM, I REALLY HOPE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T DOING THIS WITH PETITIONS, IF THAT'S THE CASE, CAUSE THAT'S REALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND NOT A PART OF OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, GOT SOBIBOR ALTAR.
SO THIS PETITION IS FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE AS COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR INDICATED IT IS SOCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN HAS MENTIONED.
UM, THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VALIDITY OF THIS PETITION AS COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS HAS RAISED.
AND I WOULD ADD THAT I THINK IT IS ALSO LEGALLY QUESTIONABLE.
OUR CHARTER DOES NOT ALLOW A VOTER INITIATED ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE MONEY.
UM, THAT'S NOT ON THE BALLOT AND WE HAVE TO VOTE TO PUT FORWARD A PETITION IF IT COMES WITH SIGNATURES THAT HAVE BEEN VALIDATED.
UM, BUT I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.
UM, FINALLY I WANTED TO JUST ADD ONE MORE PIECE TO IT.
COUNCIL MEMBER COSAR SAID THE COST, UM, THIS EVENING AND TOMORROW WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE TAX RATE, WHETHER WE WANT TO STICK WITH THE THREE AND A HALF PERCENT CAP OR CONSIDER GOING UP MORE, WE HAVE A CHART THAT WAS SHARED WITH US THAT TELLS US HOW MUCH MONEY WE WOULD BE ABLE TO RAISE IF WE INCREASED FROM THREE AND A HALF PERCENT, IF WE WERE TO GO FROM THREE AND A HALF PERCENT TO 8%, WHICH IS THE MAX, WE CAN GO
[03:40:01]
THE MOST AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THIS YEAR WITH OUR TAX SPACE, AS IT IS, IS A LITTLE BIT OVER $25 MILLION.SO BASICALLY EVERY SINGLE YEAR WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO 8% AND WE'D HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS TO DO THAT TAX RATE ELECTION.
AND IF THE VOTERS DON'T WANT TO GO TO 8% EVERY YEAR, THEN WE HAVE TO DO THE CUTS PLUS, YOU KNOW, SO WE HAVE TO CUT AND THEN WE'D HAVE TO CUT EVEN MORE IF WE COULDN'T GET THE TAX RATE ELECTION.
SO IT'S REALLY FISCALLY VERY IMPACTFUL AND GIVEN ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE'VE SAID, I THINK, UM, I COULDN'T SUPPORT ITEM NINE.
AND I, I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THIS, THIS GROUP THAT BOUGHT THIS PETITIONER SO IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THEM, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST THING THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT AT LIBRARY PARKS OR SWIMMING POOLS, ALL OUR REC CENTERS, UH, AND THAT IS WHAT KEEPING US SAFE, KEEPING THE YOUNG PEOPLE ACTIVE AND WITH ACTIVITIES YEAR ROUND AND TUNING DURING THE SUMMER, AND FOR US TO HAVE TO CUT ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS, UH, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO PUT MORE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS, NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO DO.
I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS GROUP DID NOT DO THEIR HOMEWORK.
AND WHILE SOMETHING LIKE THE INCIDENT, I'VE BEEN THROUGH SOME OF THE SURVEYS THAT THEY PUT OUT THERE, AND THERE'S SO MANY MISLEADING, THEY ASK YOU IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS, AND THEN THEY REVERSED THE QUESTION ON A SECOND QUESTION, AND THEN THEY KEEP DOING THAT AND TO CONFUSE YOU SO THAT THEY CAN GET A GOOD SURVEY OUT THERE.
AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY THAT AUSTIN AND I HOPE I CITIZENS, YOU KNOW, REALLY WAKE UP TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO TO US AND VOTE IT DOWN.
COLLEAGUES BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE, I GUESS, MIRROR.
UM, THANKS TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR, AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO, WHO REALLY ARTICULATED WELL, UH, THE FINANCIAL COSTS OF THIS PETITION, THANK YOU TO MR. VAN, YOU KNOW, FOR LAYING THOSE OUT YOU, THIS DOES, AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, WELL, LET ME START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT IT BEING LEGALLY QUESTIONABLE.
I THINK IT, IT IS IN CONFLICT WITH OUR CHARTER AND WOULD REALLY CAUTION ANYONE WHO'S CONSIDERING VOTING FOR IT TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT, UM, BEFORE THEY CAST THEIR BALLOT, AS ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SAYS, SAID, UM, THIS DOES TIE THE ABSOLUTELY DOES TIE THE HANDS OF THE CITY IN TERMS OF OUR FUTURE BUDGETS.
AND IT TIES US TO UNSUSTAINABLE INCREASES.
ANYONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT VOTING FOR THIS MEASURE SHOULD REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THE CITY BUDGET, UNDERSTAND WELL, THE IMPACT OF BEING TIED TO THIS UNSUSTAINABLE COST AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MEASURE PASSES.
WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT CITY SERVICES ACROSS MOST CITY DEPARTMENTS.
I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT HAVING A SAFE CITY AS, AS WE'VE DISCUSSED.
UM, THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET, THIS, THIS YEAR INCLUDES FUNDING FOR POLICE ACADEMIES.
UM, BUT THIS, THIS BUDGET, THIS PETITION THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD FOR THE VOTERS IS HUGELY, UM, HUGELY UP CONCERN.
AND AGAIN, I THINK IT, I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYBODY WHO IS, WHO IS CONSIDERING VOTING FOR IT REALLY WELL UNDERSTANDS THE BUDGET AND UNDERSTANDS THE IMPACT THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD HAPPEN IN TERMS OF THE CUTS TO CITY SERVICES ACROSS ALL OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS.
ANY OTHER CAR? ALL RIGHT, READY TO TAKE A VOTE.
THIS HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED THOSE IN FAVOR OF NUMBER 10, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UH, I'M SURE WE GOT IT AS BEING UNANIMOUS.
UH, THIS ITEM IS PUT ON THE BALLOT.
[8. Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held in the City of Austin on November 2, 2021 on the question of authorizing the City Council to convey or lease approximately 9 acres of parkland located at 2525 S. Lakeshore Blvd, also known as Central Maintenance Complex, and providing the terms and conditions under which such a conveyance or lease could be made; providing for the conduct of the special election, including authorizing the City Clerk to enter into joint election agreements with other local political subdivisions as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of the election; and declaring an emergency.]
UH, LET'S NOW GO TO ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, UH, WHICH IS, UH, THE, UH, ANOTHER POTENTIAL, UH, BALLOT, UH, ITEM.UM, AGAIN, THIS ONE ISN'T BACK UP THE SAME WAY THAT WE GOT TO THE OTHER WAY.
IT'S MOSTLY A BIG, HE BAILED OUT, UH, COLLEAGUES TO, UH, UH, THOSE OF US ON THE DAY AS IT'S AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
UH, IT BACK UP INTO ASSOCIATED WITH THE AGENDA.
IS THERE AN, A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM? EIGHT COUNCIL MEMBER READ THE RHEA BASED THE MOTION.
[03:45:02]
MAYOR PRO TEM SECONDS, THE MOTION DISCUSSION, UH, ON, UH, THIS ITEM COUNTS MEMBER THREE.YEAH, I'M TRYING TO GET UP TO
TRYING TO GET TO THE WORDING RIGHT NOW.
YOU WANT ME TO READ THE LANGUAGE FOR YOU? OKAY.
UH, THE ORDINANCE ORDERING A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF BOSTON ON NOVEMBER 2ND, 2021 ON THE QUESTION OF AUTHORIZING THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONVEY OR LEASE APPROXIMATELY NINE ACRES OF PARKLAND LOCATED AT 25, 25 SOUTH LAKE SHORE, I PULLED APART ALSO KNOWN AS A CENTRAL MAINTENANCE COMPLEX.
IT PROVIDES AND PROVIDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH SUCH A CONVEYANCE OR LEASE WOULD BE MADE, AUTHORIZING THE CITY CHURCH TO ENTER INTO THE JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT WITH OTHER LOCAL POLITICAL SUBDIVISION MAY BE NECESSARY FOR AN ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THE ELECTRIC AND THE, AND, UH, AND DECLARING, AND THEN EMERGENCY.
I DON'T HAVE THE OTHER WORDING THERE THAT ARE GOING TO BE POSTED.
OR DO YOU HAVE THAT? OR THAT'S THE ONE THAT YES, IT'S PROPOSITION B SHALL THE CITY COUNCIL BE AUTHORIZED TO CONVEYOR LEE'S APPROXIMATELY EIGHT ACRES OF PARKLAND CURRENTLY USED AS THE CENTRAL BATEMAN'S COMPLEX, THE C M C LOCATED AT 25, 25 SOUTH LAKE SHORE BOULEVARD THROUGH A PUBLIC BIDDING PROCESS WHERE THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE VID BID IS EQUAL TO, OR GREATER THAN THE APPRAISED FAIR MARKET VALUE OF CFC IN EXCHANGE FOR AT A BIT OF THEM, ONE, AT LEAST 48 ACRES OF WATERFRONT LAND CONTIGUOUS TO AN EXISTING CITY PARK AND TO THE COST OR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MAINTENANCE FACILITY FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ON OTHER CITY OWED LAND AND THREE PARTIAL OR FULL FUNDING FOR THE REMOVAL OF FIESTA GARDENS, EXISTING MAINTENANCE FACILITY AND RESTORATION OF THAT LAND.
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THIS MATTER.
SO MY UNDERSTANDING OF THIS COLLEAGUES, UH, IS WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, TO BE ABLE TO, TO GET A REALLY DESIRABLE PIECE OF LAND THAT I KNOW OUR PARKS, UH, STAFF HAS INDICATED THAT THEY WANT TO, UH, WHAT, UH, TO, TO GET, UH, SOMETHING THAT THE STAFF, UH, HAS INQUIRED ABOUT IT IN THE PAST, NEVER BEEN ABLE TO, UH, TO ACTUALLY ACQUIRE AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF, UH, RIVERFRONT PROPERTY, UH, THAT, UH, UH, COULD BE USED, UH, RIGHT NOW, UH, FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES ALSO PROVIDES A CONNECTION FOR TRAILS AND PROVIDES A CONTINUITY, UH, IN OUR CITY.
UH, AND, UH, I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT, A COUNCIL MEMBER AT THE AREA IN, UH, HELPING TO BRING THIS FORWARD AND FINALLY PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE IF THE COMMUNITY WANTS, UH, WE CAN MAKE A SWAP OF, OF PARKLAND FOR WHAT WILL BE PARKLAND, UH, BUT AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF PARKLAND.
PLUS GETTING THOSE OTHER TWO THINGS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THAT NEW MAINTENANCE FACILITY FOR PARKS AND RECREATION THAT, UH, WE'VE NEEDED TO DO, AND NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE BUDGET SPACE TO GET IT DONE AS WELL AS SOMETHING I KNOW THAT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEAR TO YOUR HEART.
UH, SINCE, UH, SINCE I'VE KNOWN YOU, I THINK, UH, AND THAT'S BEING ABLE TO, UH, UH, RESTORE AND RECLAIM TO PARKLAND THAT, UH, OLD, UH, MAINTENANCE FACILITY ON, UH, ON FIESTA GARDENS.
HOW ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE TRADING PARKLAND LIKE THIS, MAKING AN EXCHANGE A PARKLAND OBVIOUSLY HAS TO BE VOTED AND APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY TO, UH, TO, TO GET A DOD.
UH, SO THIS NECESSITATES, UH, AN ELECTION, UH, AND THIS WOULD BE PROPOSITION PROPOSITION B ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
IF THIS PASSES ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THIS ITEM, THEY WILL GO AHEAD AND TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM OF OUR KITCHEN.
AND I WOULD, AND I HAD SOMETHING TOO.
I, I THINK THE POOLE HAD HER HAND UP FIRST, I'LL GO AFTER HER.
NOBODY WAS RAISING THEIR HAND.
I JUST WOULD RATHER GO AFTER HER.
[03:50:01]
THAT'S OKAY.I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT THIS IS A PRETTY EXCITING PROPOSAL AND, UH, PROPOSITION FOR THE VOTERS TO, UH, CAST A BALLOT ON.
AND, UM, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE CONNECTION TO EXISTING PARKLAND, UH, HOPEFULLY, UH, WITH SOME WATERFRONT, UH, ACREAGE AND SO FORTH.
AND, UM, IT JUST IS PRESENTING A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR A REALLY NICE EXPANSION OF OUR PARKLAND.
AND, UM, AS MAYOR, I THINK YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, UM, OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT AND OUR PARKS DIRECTOR HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO ACCOMPLISHING FOR QUITE A WHILE.
SO, UM, CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCIL MEMBER, RENTER REHAB FOR BRINGING THIS REALLY GREAT PROPOSAL AND HERE'S TO GOOD SUCCESS IN, UH, IN ITS BALLOT FAST.
I, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, UM, I WANTED TO, TO, TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER RENTERIA AND AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AND OTHER BOOKS AND WORKING ON THIS, UM, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS POSSIBILITY.
AND SO I, I REALLY, UH, UM, UH, PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT PUTTING THIS ON THE BALLOT FOR THE PUBLIC TO CONSIDER.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING COUNCIL MEMBER VICTORIA AND COUNCIL WORK ON THIS.
I THINK THIS IS A CREATIVE, UM, A CREATIVE WAY TO POSSIBLY MOVE FORWARD INTO HAVING MORE PARKLAND AND BEING ABLE TO RECLAIM LAND THAT IS BEING USED AS MAINTENANCE FACILITY AT FESTIVAL BEACH.
UM, SO IT CAN BE MORE USABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
AND I THINK THAT'S A REALLY EXCITING THING FOR US TO DO.
AND, UM, LOOK FORWARD TO THIS, GOING TO THE VOTERS.
ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS AND MOVED AND SECONDED ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS.
THOSE OPPOSED TO MADEMOISELLE THE DIOCESE AND COUNCIL MEMBER I WOULD LIKE TO ABSTAIN OR I'M SORRY.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER UPSTAIRS HAS REMEMBER.
COSAR ALSO ABSTAINING, UH, OTHERS VOTING AYE, COUNCIL MEMBER FOR WIPE THIS OFF THE, OFF THE DAS.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO ON THEN TO THE, UH, TO THE, SO IT TAKES CARE OF THOSE
[13. Approve a resolution amending Council’s previous authorization to negotiate and execute 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 located at 10811 Pecan Park Blvd, Bldg #2, Austin, TX 78750, from Apple Pie Hotels, a Texas Limited Liability Corporation for a total amount not to exceed $9,550,000, including closing costs.]
ITEMS, COLLEAGUES, UH, THAT GETS US TO ITEM NUMBER 13.THIS IS THE, UH, CANDLE WOULD MATTER.
UH, COLLEAGUES, I MOVE A PASSAGE OF ITEM NUMBER 13.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS MOTION? THAT'S I REMEMBER CASAR SECONDS DISCUSSION.
AND THEN I'LL COME STRAIGHT TO YOU.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, UH, THESE, THESE, THESE CAR WHERE WE'RE LOCATED FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY OR MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF AFFORDABLE, DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE, ARE HARD VOTES.
UH, AND, AND WE'VE SEEN THAT, UH, IN SO MANY VOTES AND SO MANY SITUATIONS THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE BEEN IN A PART OF THE PART OF THE ISSUE IS THAT NOBODY, NOBODY LIKES THAT WE HAVE THESE CHALLENGES OF AFFORDABILITY OR HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY, AND EVERYBODY WANTS IT TO BE, EVERYBODY WANTS IT TO BE FIXED.
UH, THIS IS A COMPACT, COMPASSIONATE, UH, COMMUNITY, AND, AND, AND MOST EVERYBODY IS, AND, AND WARDING TERRIBLY TO BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THESE, THESE CHALLENGES.
WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT AS WE RESOLVE THESE CHALLENGES, UH, IT'S REQUIRING US TO RAISE, UH, ISSUES AND CONCERNS, UH, PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE IT IS THAT WE VENTURE FORWARD TO, TO TRY AND FIND GOOD PLACES FOR, FOR, FOR PEOPLE, FOR, FOR PEOPLE TO, TO BE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE PERFECT PLACE.
UH, BUT IN THIS COMMUNITY, RECOGNIZING WE HAVE A CHALLENGE RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO BEAT THIS CHALLENGE, BUT, UH, TO HELP PEOPLE HAVE GOOD AND HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE PLACES FOR THEM TO LIVE, WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO DO THE BEST.
WE CAN EVEN REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.
THIS VOTE IS, IS NO LESS DIFFICULT.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND, UH, A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME OUT OF THE PROPERTY, UH, TO BE ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH NEIGHBORS,
[03:55:01]
UM, UH, LIVING, UH, OR OPERATING BUSINESSES IN AND AROUND THIS PROPERTY.UH, AND I HEAR, AND I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS THAT ARE BE PRESENTED.
I ALSO KNOW THAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT FOLKS, UH, UH, COME IN AND EXPRESS FRUSTRATION ABOUT IS, UH, EXISTING CIRCUMSTANCES, UH, TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT TALKED TODAY, TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE WERE, UH, PEOPLE IN, IN THEIR AREA, UH, OR THAT THEY, UH, FAKE, UH, WERE FOLKS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR, UM, UH, IMPACTS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
THEY THINK THAT CAME FROM THAT COMMUNITY.
THAT'S THAT'S PREEXISTING BEFORE ANYTHING HAS HAPPENED, RIGHT? AND THE BEST WAY FOR US TO DEAL WITH THOSE CHALLENGES ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE AT OUR CITY IS TO HELP PEOPLE GET OFF THE STREETS AND INTO GOOD PLACES TO LIVE.
BECAUSE IF WE CAN DO THAT, THEN WE CAN GET THEM SERVICES FOR, UH, CHALLENGES THAT THEY MIGHT BE FACING SO THAT THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR LIVES.
WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE DO THIS FIVE PEOPLE, PLACES TO, TO BE ABLE TO BE AND HELP THEM GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED, THE IS DOING THAT INTO THIS COMMUNITY ARE 95% SUCCESSFUL IN, IN, IN HELPING FOLKS TO STAY THEIR LIVES.
UH, BUT EVEN STILL, IT'S HARD TO LOCATE THE PLACES FOR, FOR, FOR PEOPLE TO, TO BE.
BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO, UH, MANAGER.
WE HAVE, WE HAVE TALKED, UH, YOU HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE, OF THE COUNCIL ABOUT THIS.
YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND AS WE'RE BEGINNING TO OPEN THESE UP, PEOPLE REMEMBER WHAT THE ARCH USED TO LOOK LIKE, AND EVERYBODY THINKS IT WILL BE, DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
AND WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE AS OUR ABSOLUTE DUTY THAT THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN, UH, AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROGRAM.
AND THAT, THAT IF THIS PASSES THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN, THEY'RE RECOMMENDED TO YOU, THAT YOU CONSIDER PUTTING A FULL-TIME PERSON, UH, OUT THERE TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE FACILITY LOOKS LIKE AN APARTMENT BUILDING, UH, WHICH IS WHAT THESE THINGS SHOULD BE LOOKING LIKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE, TO THE AREA AND NOT SOMETHING THAT'S OF CONCERN OR ULTIMATELY GENERATES FEAR OR ANXIETY.
IT SHOULD BE A BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE HAVE TO PROMISE OURSELVES AND THE COMMUNITY THAT IF THIS PASSES, THIS IS WHAT WE'LL DO HERE.
AS WE WILL DO THIS WITH THE OTHER LOCATIONS IN OUR CITY, WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THESE THAT ARE LOCATED AROUND THE CITY.
WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT FORMERLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT ARE LIVING IN APARTMENTS AND MOTELS ALL OVER OUR CITY, UH, AND IT'S HAPPENING WITHOUT PEOPLE NOTICING THAT IT'S HAPPENING.
UH, IN FACT, THE ONLY TIME IT MOST ESPECIALLY GETS NOTICES IS WHEN YOU'RE ACTUALLY FINDING A NEW LOCATION TO, TO, TO BE ABLE TO, TO OPEN UP.
SO I RECOGNIZE I WORKED, I WORKED THE, THE COMMISSIONER WILLIAMSON COUNTY, THE JUDGE AT WILLIAMSON COUNTY TO KNOW THAT I HAVE ALSO HEARD THEM.
I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THEM ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, UH, ABOUT THIS.
I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS THAT THEY ARE, THAT THEY ARE RAISING.
AND I THINK THAT PROVIDES US EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THAT WE NEED TO DO.
UH, AS WE, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I WANT TO COMPLIMENT OUR STAFF IN, IN, IN BEING ABLE TO RELOCATE PEOPLE FROM THE LIBRARY, JUST EAST OF
WE NEED TO DO THAT IN BORE AND BORE PLACES.
THAT'S NOW, UH, BEING SUPPORTED BY EVERYBODY FROM THE, FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE ALL THE WAY.
THE HOPE IS THAT HANDCUFFS, THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, UH, TO, TO HELP HOUSE 3000 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS IN INCREMENTAL AND ADDITIONAL 3000 PEOPLE TO WHAT WE WERE OTHERWISE DOING.
THAT'S HOW WE GET AHEAD OF THIS CHALLENGE.
WE'RE IN A UNIQUE POSITION IN THIS CITY WHERE WE CAN DO THAT WHILE OUR CHALLENGE IS OF A SCALE THAT WE CAN STILL RESOLVE IT, BUT IT IS OUR DUTY TO DO THAT NOW, BECAUSE IF WE IGNORE THIS CHALLENGE AND DON'T TAKE THE HARD ACTIONS OF A DIFFICULT POSITIONS NOW, THEN IN SIX TO EIGHT YEARS, THIS CHALLENGE WILL BE TOO BIG FOR US TO WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND.
WE'LL BE FACING THE SAME SCALE OF CHALLENGE AS BEING FACED IN SEATTLE AND SAN
[04:00:01]
FRANCISCO OR PORTLAND AND LA AT, WE ARE NOT THERE TODAY, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE TO ACT, RIGHT.I SEE THIS AS A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION, ALBEIT AS, AS, AS, AS HARD AS THIS, WHAT IS, SO I'LL BE VOTING, I'LL BE VOTING FOR THIS, EVEN RECOGNIZING THE ISSUES, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.
MA'AM I REMAIN CONCERNED THAT WE'VE NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED THE CONCERNS OF NEARBY RESIDENTS OR ENGAGED OUR WILLIAMSON COUNTY PARTNERS PER RESOLUTION 2 0 2 1 0 6 1 0 DASH 0 8 5.
THAT WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED ON JUNE 10TH WITH COUNCIL MEMBER COSAR OFF THE DEUS FOR THE VOTE.
FURTHERMORE, A JULY 28TH, 2021 MEMO FROM OUR HOMELESS STRATEGY.
OFFICER DIANA GRAY ADVISE THAT STAFF WOULD NOT HAVE AN UPDATE FOR US REGARDING COLLABORATION WITH OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES UNTIL AUGUST 31ST, 2021, MOVING FORWARD ON THIS ITEM WITHOUT CONSENSUS PUTS US AT A GREATER RISK OF LITIGATION IN IRRESPONSIBLE AND AVOIDABLE USE OF CITY RESOURCES.
TODAY, WE HEARD OVERWHELMINGLY FROM DISTRICT SIX RESIDENTS AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE AGAINST THIS LOCATION.
AND IT'S USED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CALLED AND TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY TO SPEAK.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER LONG AND JUDGE CARVEL FOR SPEAKING AGAINST THIS PURCHASE AND FOR ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF HERE, AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR TAKING TIME TO MAKE THIS DECISION.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER THROUGH THIS OUTCOME.
AS FOR THIS FACILITY BEING USED AS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER, WE HAVE A LETTER FROM SAFE AUSTIN THAT SAYS, THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION IT'S AVAILABLE IN THE BACKUP ON ITEM 13.
I ECHO THAT SENTIMENT IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN THE ADDRESS HAS BEEN SO WIDELY PUBLICIZED THAT I WOULD FEAR FOR THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS.
IF IT IS THE WILL OF THIS COUNCIL TO MOVE THE PURCHASE FORWARD, I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TIRELESSLY AND ADVOCATE FOR EXTENSIVE COLLABORATION AND SET FORTH THE EXPECTATION THAT THIS PROPERTY SHOULD BE AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
THAT IS BOTH AN ASSET TO THE CLIENTS WHO RESIDE THERE AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, YES, I, UM, I WANT TO EXPLAIN THE REASON THAT I CANNOT SUPPORT, UH, MOVING FORWARD WITH CANDLEWOOD.
UM, I HAVE BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER, UH, FOR HELPING FOR THE HOMELESS AND I'VE FOUGHT VERY HARD FOR LOTS OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, UH, AND FUNDING, UM, AND, OR THE HEAL INITIATIVE, WHICH WAS THE EXAMPLES THAT YOU MENTIONED MAYOR.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, UM, I WISH THAT I W I POSITIONED TO SUPPORT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION, BUT I AM NOT.
AND I WANT TO EXPLAIN THE REASONS FIRST OFF.
I DON'T THINK THAT THIS LOCATION IS ABOUT WHETHER WE WANT HOUSING OR NOT, OR WHETHER WE WANT HOUSING FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, OR WHETHER WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY WITH HOUSING FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS.
WE ALL WANT THAT, BUT WE WANT TO DO IT IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY AND IN THE BEST WAY, UH, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS, UH, IS THE LOCATION I'VE BEEN OUT TO SEE IT.
I THINK THERE ARE ISSUES WITH IT, BUT BEYOND THAT, WE PLEDGED TO WORK WITH WILLIAMSON COUNTY TO FIND AN LOCATIONS.
I THINK THAT, THAT THERE ARE OPTIONS POTENTIALLY THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS THAT WE PERHAPS HAVE NOT FULLY EXPLORED.
AND SO I THINK MOVING FORWARD WITH WHAT IS NOT THE BEST OPTION IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR US TO DO TODAY.
AND, UM, I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT WE'RE DOING THAT.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY WORKED VERY HARD TO SUPPORT HOUSING FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND THAT SHE IS WORKING HARD IN DISTRICT SIX, UH, TO FIND THE MOST APPROPRIATE LOCATION.
AND SO, UM, I RESPECT HER JUDGMENT WHEN SHE IS SUGGESTING TO US THAT PERHAPS THIS IS NOT THE BEST LOCATION.
AND SO I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT HARD AS I HAVE IN THE PAST WHERE LOCATIONS FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR BRIDGE SHIFT FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS.
AND I, I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT APPROACH RIGHT NOW.
AND I, UM, I ALSO AM QUITE CONCERNED THAT WE ARE NOT, UM, ACTING IN GOOD FAITH WITH OUR PARTNERS, UH, IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY.
SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS THAT'S WHATEVER CONCERN THE, THE RESOLUTION TODAY IS TO AUTHORIZE THE SAME PRICE THAT WE VOTED ON SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.
AND I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO NOTE, UM, HOW THE HOTEL STRATEGY CAN, CAN HELP HOUSE PEOPLE WHO BADLY NEED
[04:05:01]
IT.AND ALSO IS A COST-EFFECTIVE STRATEGY.
TARA SAID OAK SPRINGS, WHICH IS A REALLY EXCELLENT, UH, HOUSING INTERVENTION FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT I FULLY SUPPORT.
UH, I KNOW SO MANY ON THE DAYAS DO WHAT COSTS ABOUT $440,000 PER HOME.
UH, THE SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY PROJECTS FOR OUR FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES AND CARITAS, AGAIN, PROJECTS THAT WE REALLY APPRECIATE AND NEED MORE OF COSTS 200,000 TO 250,000 PER HOME.
AND THEY REALLY DO END HOMELESSNESS FOR PEOPLE.
THEY'RE NOT A TEMPORARY SOLUTION.
UH, BUT THE, THE HOTEL HERE BEFORE US IS ABOUT $120,000 A UNIT.
IT MAY COST A LITTLE MORE DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF RENOVATION, BUT THIS IS A RELATIVELY NEW HOTEL.
NOT EVERY PROPERTY IS EXACTLY THE RIGHT PROPERTY, BUT THE RECOMMENDATION FROM OUR HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICER FOR OUR USE OF THIS PROPERTY, UM, IS, IS IMPORTANT TO ME.
AND WE CAN SEE RIGHT NOW HOW WITH THE HOTEL PURCHASED IN MY DISTRICT, THE HOTEL PURCHASED AND COUNCIL MEMBER, AND THAT HE HAS DISTRICT HOW THAT IS BEING USED SUCCESSFULLY TO PULL FOLKS OUT FROM CAMPS AND INTO HOMES.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT STRATEGY, UH, WE CAN SEE IT WORKING RIGHT NOW.
AND, UM, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE SEEING THAT STRATEGY WORK HERE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE VOTE MIRROR? YES.
I WANNA, I WANNA, UM, ECHO MY, THANKS TO OUR STAFF WHO ARE, HAVE REALLY WORKED, UM, DILIGENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, OUR STAFF AND REAL ESTATE, AS WELL AS OUR STAFF AND THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICER TO IDENTIFY PROPERTIES.
I KNOW IT HASN'T, IT HASN'T HAPPENED AS QUICKLY OR AS SMOOTHLY AS, AS ANY OF US ENVISIONED.
UM, BUT THAT'S NOT FOR A LACK OF EFFORT.
AND I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THAT YOU'VE PUT INTO BRINGING DIFFERENT PROPERTIES TO US FOR CONSIDERATION.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.
I KNOW THAT YOU ARE, ARE, UM, REALLY WELL REPRESENTING THE CONCERNS THAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND ARE WORKING PRODUCTIVELY TOWARDS SOLUTIONS AS WELL.
AND AS, AS YOU DEMONSTRATED IN YOUR SUPPORT OF THE HEAL INITIATIVE AND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU PUT INTO THAT, THAT EFFORT THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD BY COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, UM, I AM GOING TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE TODAY FOR THE REASON SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MENTIONED, WE NEED PERMANENT HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO GO.
I LOOK TO THE EXAMPLES THAT FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT I'M MOST FAMILIAR WITH FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES, UM, THAT THEY HAVE SET FOR US.
THEY HAVE SET A HIGH STANDARD OF COMMUNITIES THAT ARE POSITIVE AND REALLY PROVIDE STABLE, SAFE, HEALTHY HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY HOMELESS.
THEY ARE OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE RICH WITH RESOURCES AND PROGRAMMING, AND ARE REALLY AN ASSET TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN WHICH THEY RESIDE AND MANAGER.
I ECHO THE CALL THAT THE MAYOR MADE TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT THE FACILITIES THAT THE CITY OWNS ARE, ARE EVERY BIT, UM, THE ASSETS THAT, THAT SOME OF OUR NON-PROFIT PARTNERS HAVE BROUGHT TO THE CITY.
THEY SHOULD BE, BE PLACES THAT ARE, ARE, UM, WHERE NEIGHBORS ARE INVOLVED.
UM, AND THAT THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT EXTEND BEYOND, BEYOND THE CITY DEVELOPMENT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND JUST THE VERY SAME WAY FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES DOES.
AND THAT WE ARE, ARE REALLY, UM, SETTING A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR THIS CITY.
I THINK, AS I'VE MENTIONED BEFORE, I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT, YOU KNOW, AS WE BEGIN TO TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT KINDS OF STRATEGIES, WE ARE, UM, ALWAYS UP AGAINST SOME OF THE PUBLIC CONCERNS THAT ARE GENERATED BY SOME OF THOSE, UM, SOME OF THOSE AREAS, THE CITY HAS MANAGED NOT WELL AND INCLUDING SOME OF THE OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT AT THE ARCH UNTIL, UNTIL THAT SHIFTED AND INCLUDING SOME OF THE UN-DESIGNATED PUBLIC ENCAMPMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN, UM, THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.
AND SO I WOULD ASK YOU, I WOULD CALL ON YOU TO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT, UM, THAT THIS MEETS EXPECTATIONS, EVERYONE'S EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THOSE WHO WILL, WHO WILL LIVE THERE AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY AROUND IT.
WHO WAS IT? THERE WAS THAT COUNCIL REPORT.
PURCHASE OF THIS PROPERTY HAS NOT BEEN WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT CONTROVERSY, AND THAT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE.
I HAD HOPED THAT WE COULD BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER, UM, AND COME TO A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION THAT WOULD, UM, HEAL, UH, THE DIVISIONS THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL HAS CAUSED.
UM, I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY FOR HER, UM, DILIGENCE
[04:10:01]
IN TALKING WITH HER NEW CONSTITUENTS.SHE WAS DROPPED RIGHT INTO THIS ISSUE, UM, SHORTLY AFTER HER INAUGURATION.
AND THAT IS NOT AN EASY ROAD TO NAVIGATE.
SO KUDOS TO YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE, GETTING UP TO SPEED ON THIS ISSUE AND BRINGING A HIGH LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATION TO YOUR CONSTITUENCY.
AND, UM, IT IS, IT IS NOT AN EASY JOB, UM, TRYING TO, UM, UH, COMMUNICATE BROADLY ON COMPLICATED, UH, TOPICS.
UM, I DO HOPE THAT THIS, UH, SHOULD THIS, SHOULD THIS ITEM PASS TODAY AND THIS PROPERTY RE PURCHASED AND CONVERTED INTO A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR, UM, HOMELESS PEOPLE IN AUSTIN, THAT IT IS, UM, A STELLAR EXAMPLE OF HOW THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND WILLIAMS IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IN THIS INSTANCE ABOUT, FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THAT IS A STELLAR EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN PROPERLY HOUSED PEOPLE, PROVIDE SERVICES TO THEM, HELP THEM GET ON THEIR FEET AND, UM, HELP THEM MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR LIVES AND OUT OF, UM, UH, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IF THEY'RE ABLE TO.
SO I HOPE THAT OUR STAFF AND WHOEVER IS BROUGHT ON BOARD TO HELP WITH THE MANAGEMENT AND THE OPERATION OF THIS SITE, UH, DO THE BEST JOB DARN JOB, UM, THAT ANYBODY'S EVER SEEN.
UM, BECAUSE I THINK WE WENT TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THE HIGH LEVEL OF QUESTION AND CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE HIGH LEVELS OF QUESTIONING AND CONCERN.
SO WE NEED TO PROVE UP THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN CAN IN FACT, OPERATE, UM, AND ADMINISTER AND, AND BRING THESE KINDS OF SERVICES TO ALL PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY, UM, AND DO IT WELL AND SATISFY, UH, THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED.
I ALSO WANT TO REMIND ALL OF US THAT THE HOTELS ARE NOT ENOUGH IN THE HOUSING OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS.
AND FOR THAT REASON, I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FINDING LOCATIONS FOR THE ENCAMPMENT STRATEGY THAT I VOTED FOR, UH, BACK IN JUNE THAT I HAVE NOT ABANDONED THAT POSITION.
I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PRESS FORWARD WITH ALL OF THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO US AND ALL OF THE OPTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
IT'S NOT ONE SIZE DOESN'T FIT ALL.
THERE AREN'T ENOUGH HOTELS IN AUSTIN, AND WE DON'T HAVE, UH, THE BUDGET IN ORDER TO, UH, PURCHASE ALL THAT WE MIGHT NEED FOR, UH, I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT POTENTIALLY GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS COMING TO OUR COMMUNITY, THAT COULD BE THAT WE THEN HAVE OUR RESPONSIBLE TO SERVE AND TAKE CARE OF.
SO, UM, I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM TODAY.
I JOINED MY COLLEAGUE AND OPPOSING IT AND SAYING THAT I WILL REITERATE THAT I REALLY DO HOPE THAT IF THIS DOES COME TO FRUITION AND IT IS PURCHASED AND IT BECOMES, UH, A SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT IT IS THE BEST DARN OPERATION OF THIS KIND, UM, IN OUR CITY.
UM, I DO THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD ON OUR HOTEL MOTEL CONVERSION STRATEGY.
UM, IT SEEMS TO BE ONE THAT IS WORKING WELL FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND AS SOME OF MY OTHER COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, UM, YOU KNOW, WE DO NEED TO INCREASE OUR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING STOCK, AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE SPACES FOR FOLKS WHERE THEY WON'T, THEY WILL BE CLOSE TO SERVICES AND THAT THESE UNITS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE EVEN AFTER PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MOVE INTO THEIR OWN APARTMENTS OR HOMES LATER ON IN THEIR, IN THEIR JOURNEY.
UM, WITH, OR WITHOUT HOUSING, WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE A SAFE, WARM PLACE TO GO SO THAT THEY CAN GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES.
AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.
WE LISTENED TO OUR HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE AND OFFICER, UM, IT SUPPORT THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING AND TO CHOOSE SOLUTIONS THAT IT WILL, UM, HELP PEOPLE EXIT HOMELESSNESS AND GIVE THEM A SAFE PLACE TO GO.
UH, MAYOR PRO TEM, IF YOU BEAR WITH ME, I THINK, UH, WE SENT AN IMAGE OVER IT, THEN I'D LIKE TO SHOW MY COLLEAGUES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
AND I CERTAINLY CAN'T TELL HIM WHEN IT'S AT, I GUESS IT WOULD BE ON THE SCREEN BEHIND YOU ALL
[04:15:01]
HANG OUT A SECOND CLERK.DO WE HAVE THE IMAGE HANG A SECOND WITH AZURE? NO, I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE THE IMAGE CLERKS REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF, OF WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY.
I'LL SEE IF I GET A CHECK CHECK WITH MY TEAM.
THEY'RE GOING TO SEND IT OVER NOW.
WE'RE SENDING IT DIRECTLY TO THE CLERK.
THEY'RE SENDING IT DIRECTLY TO YOU.
WE TAKE A QUICK FIVE MINUTE BREAK.
WITH THAT COLLEAGUES, MAYOR, CAN I ASK REAL QUICK? UM, IS THIS THE LAST ITEM THAT WE'RE TAKING UP? UM, AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A BREAK.
I'M GOING TO BE DRIVING HOME SO I MAY STEP AWAY AND THEN, UH, REJOIN WHEN I GET HOME, UM, AFTER DINNER.
JUST, UH, IF WE'RE REALLY TAKING A DINNER BREAK AND THEN ENDING AT EIGHT, WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE THERE'S, THAT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
SO I WONDER IF IT, IF WE NEED TO EVALUATE THAT PLAN, RIGHT.
IF WE TAKE A 45 MINUTE BREAK, I MEAN, IF THIS, IF THIS DISCUSSION CONCLUDES AT 6 35 AND WE TAKE AN HOUR BREAK, WE'RE BACK AT 7 35 TO WRAP UP BY EIGHT.
SO WE EITHER NEED TO WORK LONGER OR NOT COME BACK AFTER DINNER OR, OR DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
BUT YES, I WOULD, I WOULD RATHER WORK LONGER AND NOT TAKE A DINNER BREAK.
I'M GOING TO NEED A DINNER, WHETHER, WHETHER YOU TAKE ONE OR NOT, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO DRIVE HOME AND REJOIN THE MEETING FROM HOW RATHER THAN STAY HERE LATE TONIGHT.
WHAT ABOUT, OR WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, I'LL GO AHEAD AND GO WITHOUT THE IMAGE.
WELL, I'LL DESCRIBE THE IMAGE FOR YOU.
THE IMAGE WAS OF THE MCCABE CENTER, WHICH IS IN DISTRICT ONE, IT'S JUST OFF THE MLK RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM BENU COFFEE.
IT'S A BIG SQUARE RED, BIG BRICK BUILDING.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, TAKE A TOUR.
THERE WERE SOME FOLKS THAT WERE WORKING ON PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THERE.
SO I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A TOUR AND JUST GOT TO SEE HOW AMAZING THE FACILITIES WERE, FIRST OF ALL.
UM, BUT THE, THE IMAGE THAT I WAS GOING TO SHOW YOU IS AN AREA OF THE MCCABE CENTER.
JUST SO FOLKS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE TO HAVE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN YOUR, IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, UM, JUST TO GET AN IMAGE OF IT.
CAUSE I THINK THAT'S A PART OF THE PROBLEM.
I DON'T KNOW THAT SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE STANDING IN OPPOSITION HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR A SPACE THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY BE WHAT IT IS, UM, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I KNOW THAT I RECENTLY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE UNSHELTERED CAMPING IN MY DISTRICT AND, AND REJECTED IT.
UM, I, IF IT WERE A STRUCTURE AND IT WERE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, I WOULD EASILY UPSET.
UM, I ALSO SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE, I WAS, I WAS GOING TO VOTE NO, ON THIS ITEM.
I WAS GOING TO VOTE NO ON THE SIDE.
UM, FOR LOTS OF REASONS, INCLUDING I LIVED IN FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN IN THAT ANDERSON MILL AREAS.
THEY'RE VERY CLOSE TO THE CANDLEWOOD AND
[04:20:01]
REALLY FREQUENT DEAD FRIEDA'S RESTAURANT RIGHT THERE.AND HAVING HEARD THESE FOLKS TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE TO, THEIR BUSINESSES MADE ME REMEMBER A NIGHT WHERE MY HUSBAND AND I SAT ON THE PATIO AND A GENTLEMAN CAME AND ASKED US FOR MONEY.
IT HAPPENED AT THE GROCERY STORE.
IT HAPPENED IN THE SHOPPING CENTER AT ANDERSON MELON, 180 3.
THERE WERE LOTS OF FOLKS WHO CAN'T.
THERE ARE LOTS OF FOLKS WHO, WHAT THEY CALL FLYING, A FLAG WHO PANHANDLE ALREADY.
AND THAT SAID, I, MY CONCERN WAS THAT IF WE ALLOW FOR A SPACE, THAT'S GOING TO HELP GET PEOPLE ON THEIR FEET.
PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT INCLINED TO ENGAGE IN, LIKE THE GENTLEMAN SAID EARLIER, HIS TRUCKS BEEN BROKEN INTO, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THE FOLKS WHO WILL BE MOVING THERE TO GET THEIR LIVES TOGETHER, TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED ARE, ARE GOING TO BE TARGETED FOR SOME AND ACCUSED OF SOME OF THOSE ACTS.
AND, AND THAT, THAT REALLY SCARED ME.
AND I AGREE MY COLLEAGUES, THIS ISN'T THE BEST LOCATION FOR POOR EFFORT, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
IT'S NOT EXACTLY TRANSIT FRIENDLY.
IT'S NOT WALKABLE, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO REMEMBER THAT A LOT OF OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, THEY ACTUALLY DO HAVE CARS.
MANY OF THEM JUST HAD TO MAKE THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING ABLE TO GET AROUND AND BEING ABLE TO SLEEP OR THE ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.
AND I'M LANDING ON THE FACT THAT WE BADLY NEED HOUSING, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN MY MIND'S EYE IS A GREAT TOOL, VERY MUCH LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER, WHO SAID ALL THE OPTIONS, A SUITE OF OPTIONS, THE WHOLE TOOLBOX, A GREAT TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX TO RESOLVE HOMELESSNESS.
I WANT TO, I WANTED TO BRING UP THAT IMAGE IF FOR NO OTHER REASON, I PASSED BY THAT BUILDING FOR PROBABLY 30 YEARS.
AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS.
AND, AND UNTIL THE MOMENT THAT I WALKED IN, I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THERE.
SO I JUST WONDER IF SOME OF THE FEARS AND ANXIETIES MIGHT BE A LITTLE OVERSTATED AND I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO MUCH.
LIKE I THINK I CAN'T RECALL WHO SAID IT.
I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING SURE THAT WE ENSURE THAT WE OFFER SOME ASSURANCES TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY, THAT WE'LL MAKE SURE TO BE CONSIDERABLY MORE COMMUNICATIVE NEXT TIME, IF THAT SHOULD HAPPEN.
UM, AND ALL NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORKING, BE INDICATIVE.
AND I RECOGNIZE THAT, UM, THAT WOULD CAUSE FRUSTRATION.
UM, THAT SAID, I, I HOPE WE CAN COMMIT TO BEING MORE CONSCIENTIOUS AND CAREFUL IN THE FUTURE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR NEIGHBORING GOVERNMENTAL BODIES AND THE NEIGHBORS.
I, I HAVE MOVED IN THE DIRECTION OF BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM.
READY TO TAKE A VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER 13, THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED VOTING NO COUNCIL MEMBERS, POOL, KITCHEN, KELLY ALTER, UH, THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND JUST TO MAKE SURE THE OTHER'S VOTING.
UH, THE QUESTION IS YOU WANT TO, UH, KIND OF LAYOUT, UH, GO THROUGH KIND OF PEOPLE'S AMENDMENTS HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE THINK THEY GENERALLY ARE ON THE TAX RATE, WHICH I THINK IS AS FAR AS WE COULD, UH, REALLY REALISTICALLY GO.
OR DO YOU WANT TO, UH, TAKE A BREAK FOR DINNER AND COME BACK AND DO THAT? OR DO YOU WANT TO JUST TAKE A BREAK AND COME BACK TOMORROW AT 10 O'CLOCK? I THINK THOSE ARE THE THREE CHOICES.
IF WE, IF WE BROKE FOR 45 MINUTES, I THINK WE COULD BE BACK FOR 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR, BE OUT AT EIGHT OR EIGHT 15, BUT I DEFER TO THE GROUP COUNSELOR EVER ALTER.
UM, I WOULD PREFER THAT WE TAKE A BREAK AND THEN COME BACK AND I DON'T CARE IF IT'S 45 MINUTES OR AN HOUR BREAK AND I'M WILLING TO GO SOMEWHAT PAST EIGHT, BUT NOT PAST NINE.
I COULDN'T QUITE HEAR COUNCILMEMBER ALTAR, BUT, UM, I WOULD PREFER THAT WE GO AHEAD AND TAKE A BREAK NOW AS WE HAD PLANNED.
UM, AND THEN I'M FINE COMING BACK.
I DON'T CARE IF IT'S 30 MINUTE BREAK OR A 45 MINUTE BREAK, THEN WE CAN COME BACK AND TALK THROUGH, UM, AS YOU SUGGESTED.
BUT I HAD PLANNED ON A BREAK RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT AND I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO GO AHEAD AND DO THAT.
I AM ALSO FINE TAKING A BREAK AND COMING BACK SEVEN 15, IF ANYBODY, A COUNCIL MEMBER LS COULD BE OKAY WITH COMING BACK AT SEVEN
[04:25:01]
15, UM, I COULD ALSO GO TO ABOUT EIGHT 30, BUT MAY NOT WANT TO GO BEYOND THAT.IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A RECESS NOW AT SIX 30.
WE'LL COME BACK HERE AT SEVEN 15.
WHEN WE COME BACK IT'S FOR PEOPLE TO KIND OF LAY OUT WHAT THEIR, UH, AMENDMENTS ARE NOT EXHAUSTIVELY.
I THINK WE'VE ALL READ THEM MULTIPLE TIMES.
I THINK WE ALL PRETTY MUCH KNOW, BUT TO GET THROUGH THAT FAIRLY QUICKLY AND THEN SEE IF WE CAN HAVE KIND OF A GENERAL CONVERSATION ABOUT, UH, TAX RATES.
IF WE HAVE MORE TIME, PEOPLE COULD START ASKING QUESTIONS OR TALKING GENERALLY ABOUT THE THINGS THAT THEY LIKE OR HOW THEY WOULD SEE US PROCEEDING.
WE WILL STOP THE MEETING AT EIGHT 30, WE'LL GO FROM SEVEN 15 TO EIGHT 30.
UH, AND THEN WE WILL, UH, TAKE A BREAK FOR TOMORROW.
COME BACK AT 10 WE'RE IN RECESS, SEE YOU ON 7 15, 7 26
[* Additional Item*]
AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.UH, AND WE WILL, UH, WORK UNTIL EIGHT 30.
SO WE HAVE ABOUT AN HOUR TO KIND OF ORIENT OURSELVES AND HELP MAKE FOR AN EFFICIENT, UH, START, UH, TOMORROW.
UH, AND I THOUGHT, WHAT WE DO IS WE GIVE EVERYBODY JUST A QUICK SECOND TO KIND OF RUN THROUGH THE THINGS THAT THEY HAD PUT ON, RECOGNIZING THAT PROBABLY ALL OF US HAVE, HAVE READ THROUGH THEM MULTIPLE TIMES RIGHT NOW.
SO WE PROBABLY KNOW THEM, BUT IF THERE'S STUFF YOU THINK WE SHOULD KNOW THAT WE MIGHT NOT KNOW, BUT IT'S TO DO THAT.
UH, AND THEY'D HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT TAX RATES.
ARE WE GOING OVER AMENDMENTS WRITERS AND DIRECT DIRECTIVES OR JUST AMENDMENTS FOR NOW? UH, I FOCUSING ON THE AMENDMENTS, THE WRITERS PICK UP, BUT I DON'T WANT TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT THIS FIRST, MAYBE THEY CAN IDENTIFY RIDERS.
I SAID EVERYTHING, BECAUSE AT THIS POINT WE'RE TRYING TO KIND OF ORIENT PEOPLE TO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND TOMORROW DOING.
SO I, IF IT'S IMPORTANT, YOU CAN, YOU CAN RAISE THAT AS WELL.
I DON'T WANT TO HOPEFULLY GET A COUPLE MORE PEOPLE HERE, JUST CAUSE I THINK THAT THAT MAKES THIS MOST VALUABLE AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE MISSING JUST A, UH, AN AND UH, GREG MIRA.
I'M JUST UP IN MY OFFICE FINISHING MY MEAL.
HEY KATHY, THIS IS KATHY THAT'S.
SO I THINK WE HAVE A CRITICAL MASS HERE, UH, SARS BACK IN, UM, WE'VE RECONVENED THE MEETING.
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO EIGHT 30, UH, IS A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO KIND OF TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT THEY HAVE WAS SEE IF WE CAN GET THAT DONE HERE IN THE NEXT 15 TO 30 MINUTES, AND THEN START TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S WHERE THEY THINK THEY ARE TOLERANCES FOR TAX RATES.
DOES ANYBODY WANT TO GO FIRST IN, UH, LAYING OUT THEIR STUFF? MAYOR PRO TAMMY, UH, FIRST I ONLY HAVE ONE.
SO, UH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE HEARD US TALK ABOUT A LOT.
UM, IT'S, IT'S AN AMENDMENT FOR, UH, NORTHEAST AUSTIN, UH, EXCUSE ME.
IT'S OUR NORTHEAST AREA DEVELOPMENT AND I, I, WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS.
UH, LAUREN AND MY OFFICE HAS REALLY WORKED EXHAUSTIVELY TO, TO WORK ON THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR NORTHEAST AUSTIN.
UM, WE NEED A ONE-TIME $480,000, UM, UH, INVESTMENT AND THAT'LL COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND SALES TAX AT RECALCULATION.
SO I'M GONNA, UM, JUST SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PROJECT, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
SO Y'ALL REMEMBER FOR THE SAKE OF, OF, UH, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE WATCHING AT HOME LAST NOVEMBER, WE PASSED A RESOLUTION TO KICKSTART THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTHEAST AUSTIN DISTRICT PLAN.
THIS COVERS A WIDE SWATH OF LAND THAT'S EAST OF 180 3, SOUTH OF TWO 90 AND NORTH OF 9 69.
THAT INCLUDES COLONY PARK, LAKESIDE, SENDERO HILLS, ALL THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, AS WELL AS WALTER ILAN PARK AND THE TRAVIS COUNTY EXPO CENTER.
THE GOAL IS TO REALLY GET AHEAD OF THE GROWTH, THIS INCREDIBLE GROWTH THAT'S ALREADY COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE OUT IN THAT FAR EASTERN CRESCENT, WE NEED TO HAVE A COHESIVE, OVERALL VISION FOR WHAT'S BASICALLY UNTIL NOW BEEN KIND OF THE WILD WILD EAST.
IT'S OUR OPPORTUNITY TO STEER INCOMING
[04:30:01]
GROWTH, TO SHAPE COMPLETE COMMUNITIES.I'D LIKE TO REPEAT THAT, TO SHAPE THE COMMUNITIES WITH MIXED INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, MULTIMODAL CONNECTIVITY, AND HIGH QUALITY PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES, BUT TO DO ALL THAT, WE HAVE TO FUND THE PEN, THE PLANNING PROCESS.
SO THIS SUMMER, WE GOT A MEMO FROM HOUSING IMPLANTING THAT PUT THE COST ESTIMATE AT $1.8 MILLION.
MEANWHILE, THE PROPOSED BUDGET ONLY, EXCUSE ME, ONLY EARMARKS JUST OVER HALF OF THAT AMOUNT FOR THE PLANNING EFFORT.
SO MY AMENDMENT JUST FILLS THE GAP AND IT ENSURES THAT STAFF CAN GET TO WORK ON A FULLY FUNDED PROCESS THIS YEAR.
ADDITIONALLY, OTHER OFFICES HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN DOING SIMILAR PROJECTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS.
SO THAT'S WHY I'VE INCLUDED AN ADDITIONAL DIRECTION FOR STAFF TO RETURN THE MID AT THE MID YEAR WITH FUNDING SCENARIOS FOR ADDITIONAL DISTRICT PLANNING EFFORTS BASED ON THE PROCESS MODELED BY THE NORTH, BUT WE'LL CALL IT N E A D P FOR AREAS TO BE DETERMINED BY COUNCIL.
THAT'S THE REPORT, THIS THANK YOU AND COLLEAGUES.
I POSTED A MESSAGE ON OUR MESSAGE BOARD THAT HAS LINKS TO MY AMENDMENTS AND BUDGET WRITERS AND DIRECTIONS, BUT ALSO SOME SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO INCLUDED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD.
SO I'M BRINGING FORWARD TWO AMENDMENTS.
THE FIRST ONE IS FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.
THIS IS FOR A REQUEST OF 957,000.
AND AS YOU ALL KNOW, GETTING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND SO THIS IS ONE WAY FOR US TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE, BY INVESTING IN COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, AN AMENDMENT, YOU WILL SEE THAT WE LAID OUT A KIND OF A BLEND OF NEW, TEMPORARY COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, AS WELL AS THE PROMOTION OF CURRENT STAFF, UH, TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER LEVEL, AS WELL AS AN EXPANSION OF CURRENT OR INITIATE NEW CONTRACTS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT THAT I'M BRINGING FORWARD IS RELATED TO THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY.
AND THIS IS A ONE-TIME INCREASE OF 63,000 AND IT'D BE FOCUSED ON A LAPTOP LENDING PROGRAM, AND THIS WILL HELP ENSURE THAT WE GET SIX MORE LAPTOPS AT EACH LIBRARY BRANCH THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR DIGITAL EQUITY, AS FAR AS BUDGET WRITERS THAT I'M BRINGING FORWARD.
THE FIRST ONE IS CENTERED AROUND DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION AND WOULD DEDICATE STAFF TO CREATE A PILOT DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.
UH, WE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH STAFF IN AND THE DIRECTION FOR THIS ONE, AND IT WILL TAKE ONE OF THE FTES AND HAVE THEM WORK ON THIS PILOT PROGRAM.
THE NEXT AMENDMENT I HAVE IS RELATED TO THE FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE.
THIS IS CENTERED, UH, CONTINUING OUR FOCUS ON FLOOD RESILIENCE AND ASK THAT ONE OF THE FTES BE FOCUSED ON, UH, THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THE TASK FORCE A FEW YEARS AGO, UH, AND HAVING THEM FOCUSED ON NETWORK, THE THIRD AMENDMENT OR THIRD BUDGET WRITER THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD IS AROUND THE GROCERY STORE.
CO-OP, UH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET, UH, SOME, YOU KNOW, SEED FUNDING DURING THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS, UH, CONVERSATION.
AND THIS WILL PUT A DATE IN WHICH WE WOULD LIKE STAFF TO COME BACK AND REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE STUDY.
AND AS WELL AS TO LAY OUT A TIMELINE FOR THE FIFTH, UH, BUDGET WRITER, IT'S FOCUSED ON, UM, A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR US TO ENTER INTO A INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH TRAVIS COUNTY TO PROVIDE OR TO PROVIDE OR WAIVE LIBRARY FEES FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF SIX YEARS OLD.
UH, THIS IS A HUGE NEED IN MY DISTRICT.
I GET, UH, CONSTITUENT REQUESTS ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME, OR FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THE ETJ AND THEY HAVE TODDLERS AND THEY WOULD LOVE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMS, BUT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.
UH, WE HAVE INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT THERE IS A GAP, UH, WITH KIDS UNDER SIX.
AND SO THIS WOULD GIVE US, UM, AN AMOUNT THAT WE COULD APPROACH TRAVIS COUNTY AND ENTERING INTO THE INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT.
UM, AND THEN LET'S SEE THE LAST ONE IS AROUND DIGITAL EQUITY.
THIS, UM, JUST LAYS OUT SOME DIRECTION ON HOW WE WOULD LIKE STAFF TO COME BACK, UM, WITH A BUDGET SPENDING PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, KNOWING THAT, UH, BOTH TRAVIS COUNTY IS INVESTING IN THEIR DIGITAL EQUITY STRATEGIES AND THAT, UH, WE MAY HAVE SOME MORE OPPORTUNITIES WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.
UH, THIS WILL HELP PUT OUT A, A SCOPE AND A FRAMEWORK FOR US TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION AROUND DIGITAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAVE A POLICY DIRECTIVE.
THIS IS, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS A NEUTRAL, A REVENUE NEUTRAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR, UH, FOR INCREASED
[04:35:01]
FUNDING FOR CULTURAL ARTISTS.AND NON-PROFITS AT A TIME WHEN FUNDING IS MOST NEEDED.
UM, THIS TAKES AVAILABLE FUNDING THAT IS IN OUR BUDGET AND JUST ASK STAFF TO ENSURE THAT IT GETS OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, UH, TO DEDICATION OF 6.7 MILLION.
I HAVE ONE AMENDMENT AND ONE, UM, BUDGET RIDER.
MY AMENDMENT IS TO FUND A FULL-TIME PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATOR FOR THE ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THEY CURRENTLY HAVE THAT INDIVIDUAL WORKING THERE.
HE WAS GRANT FUNDED FOR TWO YEARS, WORKING DIRECTLY WITH OUR NEIGHBORS, EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND THEIR NEEDS OF THEIR PETS.
UM, HE'S PREVENTED SHELTER INTAKES, UM, AND BECAUSE OF THE PREVALENCE OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY ANIMAL SERVICES SUGGESTS ADDING A DEDICATED FULL-TIME POSITION TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF THIS FULL-TIME POSITION.
THE 40 HOUR A WEEK POSITION WOULD COST $85,595 IN SALARY AND BENEFITS AND WOULD NEED TO BE ADDED TO THE GENERAL FUND.
UM, MY BUDGET WRITER IS TO, UH, APPROVE A MODIFIED CADET ACADEMY CLASS FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
AND THAT IS UNDER THE, THE IMPRESSION THAT APD WOULD ALREADY HAVE FUNDING FOR IT.
AND IT WOULD NOT ADD ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE BUDGET.
IT WOULD JUST GIVE THEM THE OPTION TO DO THIS CLASS.
IT WOULD ALSO NEED TO INCLUDE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ACADEMY CURRICULUM REVIEW COMMITTEE AND FALL IN LINE WITH THE RE-IMAGINING PROCESS THAT OUR OTHER CADET ACADEMIES HAVE GONE THROUGH.
RIGHT NOW, WE ARE EXPERIENCING, UM, A 90 MINUTE OR MORE RESPONSE TIME TO SOME CALLS, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF VACANCIES AS OF AUGUST 9TH.
THERE WERE 168 POLICE VACANCIES.
AND IN ORDER TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS, I'D LIKE THIS PROVIDED AS AN OPTION.
THANK YOU TO MY CO-SPONSORS ON THAT.
COUNCILOR PIXAR, UH, MAYOR I'VE, I'VE POSTED MY, UH, AMENDMENTS TO PROVIDE THE ADDITIONAL STIPEND FOR, UM, FOR OUR STAFF, ALONG WITH OUR VIOLENCE PREVENTION, UM, ITEMS AND ANTI-DISPLACEMENT ITEMS. UM, AND I APPRECIATE MY CO-SPONSORS ON THAT.
I ALSO POSTED LAST NIGHT, UH, A SPREADSHEET THAT INCLUDES ALL OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT WERE POSTED AS OF LAST, LAST NIGHT IN THE GENERAL FUND, UH, FROM ACROSS THE DIOCESE.
AND JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE DIASEND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAD HAD SEEN THAT IT'S CLEAR TO ME THAT AT, UM, AT JUST 5%, WE CAN HAVE A GREATER SAVINGS FOR THE TYPICAL HOMEOWNER THAN WAS PRESENTED, UH, ON JULY 9TH AS THE ANTICIPATED SAVINGS WHILE STILL ADDRESSING ALL OF THESE COMMUNITY NEEDS.
UH, AND THEY APPRECIATE A COUNCIL MEMBER, KITCHEN, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, FRONT AND COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, LOOKING OVER THAT SPREADSHEET WITH ME YESTERDAY.
I THINK THERE'S STILL A NEED FOR CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE DO ABOUT RECURRING VERSUS ONE TIME FUNDS.
AND OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE NEW AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONAL THINGS FOR US TO DISCUSS, BUT I JUST WANTED TO PUT THIS OUT THERE BECAUSE I THINK IT PROVIDES A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK FOR US RESOLVING THIS BUDGET TOMORROW, BECAUSE I THINK WE CAN INVEST IN ALL OF THESE COMMUNITY NEEDS WHILE STILL REDUCING THE TAX BILL FOR THE TYPICAL HOMEOWNER, EVEN MORE THAN WE ANTICIPATED, UH, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH OR, SORRY.
THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.
UM, I AM BRINGING TWO AMENDMENTS.
UM, ONE OF ONE OF WHICH HAS BEEN REVISED.
I JUST WANT TO BRING EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TO THAT.
UM, THE FIRST ONE'S GOING TO BE FOUR AND A HALF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES FOR FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND THREE FTES FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AT A COST OF $300,000.
THE FIRST LINE ITEM IS $315,000 FOR A TOTAL OF 615,000.
UH, PART IS DELIVERING THE LARGEST VOTER APPROVED BOND PROGRAM TO DATE ACQUIRING NEW LAND AND BUILDING PARK AND FACILITY-BASED AMENITIES.
AND IN MY AMENDMENT SHEET, YOU WILL SEE A LIST OF SOME OF THE IDENTIFIED PROJECTS THAT THEY WOULD BE WORKING ON THAT ARE LOCATED ALL OVER THE CITY, INCLUDING SEAHOLM INTAKE, FACILITY, ZILKER MAINTENANCE BARN, UM, RENOVATING THE ZILKER CLUBHOUSE AND THE FAR TENNIS CENTER DEVELOPING TWO NEW POCKET PARKS, PALMER LO AND SCENIC BROOK, IMPROVING GIVENS DISTRICT PARK VALLEY, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, BROWNIE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, HIGHLAND NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, AND ALDERBROOK POCKET PARK AND IMPROVING TRAILS ALONG HOLLY LAKE FRONT SLAUGHTER CREEK
[04:40:01]
GREENBELT NORTHERN WALNUT CREEK GREENBELT AND CONNECTING THE VIOLET CROWN TRAIL TO THE FELLOW WAY IN DISTRICT DATES.SO THESE ARE, UM, GOOD PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED ON ALL OVER THE CITY.
UM, THE SECOND AMENDMENT I'M BRINGING IS REGARDING PARK RANGERS, WHICH I HAD BROUGHT, UM, AN AMENDMENT LAST YEAR AS WELL ABOUT LOOKING AT THE PARK RANGER PROGRAM.
SO THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT HAS 439,949 ONGOING COSTS FOR SIX, UH, PARK RANGERS.
THE ORIGINAL ASK WAS FOR TWO TEAMS OF SIX, BUT I HAVE LOWERED THAT TO ONE JUST SINCE I KNOW WE'RE ALL TRYING TO MAKE OUR DOLLARS GO AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THOSE WOULD COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND THEN 317,001 TIME DEBT FUNDING TO COVER THE STARTUP EQUIPMENT NEEDS OF, OF ADDING NEW PARK RANGERS.
A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ONE-TIME FUNDING WOULD COVER IT SPRING AND SUMMER SEASONAL STAFF AND 75,001 TIME FUNDING WOULD COVER DEESCALATION AND DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING FOR ALL NEW AND EXISTING PARK RANGERS.
SO THOSE ARE MY TWO AMENDMENTS AND I'M ALSO PROUD TO BE CO-SPONSOR ON ANOTHER, UH, A NUMBER OF OTHER AMENDMENTS THAT PEOPLE WILL BE PRESENTING TONIGHT.
OVER KITCHEN CABINETS OVER POOL.
UM, COLLEAGUES, I HAVE, AS, YOU KNOW, TWO AMENDMENTS, ONE OF THEM HAS TWO ITEMS ON IT.
THE FIRST ONE IS THE ESSENTIAL CHILDCARE AT CITY RECREATION CENTERS.
THIS ONE IS SCALED UP AND, UM, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE, UH, REMINDED ABOUT THE FOUR REC CENTERS THAT, UH, THAT WOULD THE ADDITIONAL CHILDCARE CAPACITY.
IT'S THE DUFFY REC CENTER AND THE TURNER ROBERTS REC CENTER IN DISTRICT ONE DUB SPRINGS REC CENTER IN DISTRICT TWO AND GUS GARCIA REC CENTER IN DISTRICT FOUR.
SO THIS IS THE OUT OF SCHOOL TIME, THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDCARE, THE QUALITY CHILDCARE, THE FACILITY OF ALL SPHINCTER IS SO WELL-KNOWN FOR OFFERING AND THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF DEMAND FOR.
SO FOR EVERY $100,000 IN FUNDING, THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM CAN SERVE 50 STUDENTS EVERY DAY.
AND SO DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO THIS, UH, I'M ASKING FOR, UH, THE MAXIMUM OF $900,000, IT IS SCALABLE.
UH, THE SECOND ITEM THAT BENEFITS, UH, THE, UH, PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT AND THE, UH, QUALITY CHILDCARE CENTERS IS USING OUR CHAOS, OUR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, DEBT TO PURCHASE SIX VANS FOR A TOTAL OF $300,000, WHICH SAVES SOME SIGNIFICANT MONEY AFTER THE SECOND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP.
AND I COMMEND THIS APPROACH TO MY COLLEAGUES, SOME OF WHOM ARE ALSO ADDING SOME NEW VEHICLES IN, RATHER THAN LEASING THEM.
WE MAY WANT TO LOOK CAREFULLY AT A, BUT NOT VARIED.
SO THE TOTAL OR THE ESSENTIAL CHILDCARE AT THE STUDENT REC CENTERS IS 1.2 MILLION NAPS.
AND I WILL ALSO REMIND YOU THIS, YOU KNOW, AS ONE OF, UM, DIRECTOR MCNEALY'S, UH, FAVORITE CHILDREN, UM, I DON'T KNOW A GOOD PLUS WHEN SHE WANTS TO ASK, SHE GETS FROM MOM, HER FAVORITE CHILDREN AND WHICH SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET.
IT WAS THE EXPANSION OF THE OUT OF SCHOOL TIME.
SO THAT'S
WE KNOW THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS, UM, BEEN A SUCCESS.
THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION HAS PIONEERED THIS SUFFERED AND, UM, UH, REALLY, REALLY INTO WORK, UH, ASSISTING WITHIN CAMP AND ABATEMENT IN THE PUBLIC PARKS AND OPEN SPACES.
IT'S A WIN-WIN FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HAVE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT.
THEY HAVE JOB TRAINING, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND ASSISTANCE WITH FINDING HOUSING AND THE CITY GETS MUCH DATED PUBLIC CLEAN UP GOOD MARKET PUPS AND OPEN SPACES.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT THE OTHER ONES FOUNDATION HAS BEEN RIGHTLY KIND OF GRADUATED FOR PIONEER LEADING.
AND, UM, THE, UH, DOLLAR FIGURE THAT IS AFFECTED IS, UM, $141,000, 167.
[04:45:01]
IS COMING FROM THE DRAINAGE UTILITY FONDA AS RECOMMENDED BY WATERSHED PROTECTION, THE OTHER, UH, UH, THREE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT, PARKS AND REC PUBLIC HEALTH, AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY WITH WATER FLAT FUNDING WITH WATERSHED PROTECTION, ADDING 141, A LITTLE OVER A HUNDRED, PROBABLY 1002 TO SEPARATE BECAUSE OF THE, UH, THE BREAK NEED THE VERY GREAT LEAD IN, UM, WATERSHED PROTECTION, UH, AREA, UH, THE LANDS THAT, THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.SO THE TOTAL IMPACT, UH, FOR FISCAL 22, UH, OF THIS FUNDING REQUEST IS THE A HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE, ONE SIXTY SEVEN.
THE OTHER MONIES ARE ALREADY INTO THAT.
UM, I HAVE SIX, UH, AMENDMENT OR SIX AMENDMENTS SLASH WRITERS, UM, AND TOTAL.
UM, AND SO, UH, I HAVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE ICONIC VENUE FUND.
UH, THAT ONE IS 2.5 MILLION OUT OF ONE-TIME FUNDS, AND IT IS, UH, THE INSTALLMENT PAYMENT FOR THIS YEAR, UH, ON THE RESOLUTION THAT WE PASSED IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
IT IS, UH, GOES TOWARDS THE FUND THAT THE AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS, UM, MANAGING, UH, FOR US THAT RELATES TO THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF ICONIC VENUES.
AND SOME OF THOSE ARE MUSIC VENUES.
SOME OF THEM ARE ARTS AND MUSIC VENUES OR RESTAURANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UH, THE SECOND ONE I HAVE IS, UM, UH, THE HEAL INITIATIVE.
THIS IS FOR PHASE TWO OF THE HEAL INITIATIVE.
UH, IT IS $6 MILLION OUT OF THE ARPA, UH, BUDGET.
THEN THE THIRD ONE IS, UM, OH, THE AUSTIN CARES CONTRACT EXTENSION.
AUSTIN CARES BEING THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION.
AND I THINK EVERYBODY'S FAMILIAR WITH PROGRAM WHAT THIS ONE DOES IS THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO NEW ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR THIS ONE IT'S BUDGET NEUTRAL.
UH, BUT IT'S FOR TWO THINGS, IT'S FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT WITH MEADOWS TO COMPLETE THE WORK THAT SHE STARTED FOR US LAST YEAR, IN TERMS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROGRAM.
UM, AND ALSO FOR, UM, FOR FUNDING FOR OVERTIME, FOR THE CALL-TAKERS TO DO TRAINING BOTH, UH, BOTH OF THESE ITEMS ARE PART, ARE BEING TAKEN OUT OF, UM, UH, SAVINGS FROM DOLLARS THAT WERE NOT, UH, SPENT LAST YEAR.
SO THEIR BUDGET BUDGET NEUTRAL, UH, THEN THE FOURTH ONE, UH, THE REST OF THESE ARE OUR BUDGET WRITERS.
UH, THERE'S A, UH, BUDGET WRITER RELATED TO A CURRICULUM REVIEW, THE CADET, UH, CURRICULUM REVIEW AND THAT ONE SPLIT
I'M GOING TO HERE TO ADHERE TO THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE RESOLUTION THAT WE STARTED LAST YEAR, WHICH MEANS THAT, UM, THE, UH, THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE EVALUATION REVIEW OF OUR CURRICULUM REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE NEXT POINT THAT CLASS, UM, AND THAT'S REQUIRED BEFORE WE START THE NEXT CLIP CADET CLASS ALSO THAT WE WILL BE GETTING A PROGRESS REPORT.
UM, AND THAT ARTHUR FOR THE NEXT CADET CLASS HAS TO COME BACK TO US, UH, BEFORE THEY CAN START IT.
CONSISTENT WITH THE, UM, WHAT WE PASSED IN THE SPRING IN TERMS OF SPECIFYING THE INTENT THAT THE CURRICULUM REVIEW OCCURRED, UH, BEFORE WE BEGIN ANOTHER CLASS.
SO THAT'S, UH, THAT IS A, THERE'S NO DOLLARS THERE.
UM, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE, I ALSO HAVE ONE RELATED TO PARENTAL LEAVE, UH, FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL.
THIS IS ALSO DIRECTION IT'S BUDGET NEUTRAL.
UM, WE DO NOT HAVE A PARENTAL LEAVE IS NOT A PARTICULAR ONLY AS IT RELATES TO CHILDBIRTH IS NOT CURRENTLY, UM, A BENEFIT THAT'S AVAILABLE TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL OR OUR EMS AND POLICE.
AND SO THIS JUST ASKED FOR A DIRECT CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP, UH, OPTIONS FOR US TO EXPAND THE, TO EXTEND THOSE PARENTAL LEAVE BENEFITS IT'S IN, HAVE THOSE OPTIONS COME BACK TO US FOR CONSIDERATION.
UH, SO THAT'S WHAT THAT ONE DOES.
UH, AND THEN FINALLY I HAVE A, UH, AMENDMENT, UH, OR A BUDGET RIDER RELATED TO THE, UM, JOINT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH METRO AND THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP.
I HAVE POSTED A REVISED VERSION OF THAT, WHICH IS ALL IN THE, UM, UH, MESSAGE BOARD NOW, UH, WHICH IS I HOPE CLEAR
[04:50:01]
MO UH, STATES MORE CLEARLY, UH, WHAT MY INTENT IS WITH THAT.IT'S BASICALLY A POLICY STATEMENT, UH, RECOMMEND RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING FUNDING DIRECTLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT AND RECOGNIZING THAT ADDRESSING, UM, EQUITY AND ANTI-DISPLACEMENT IS CENTRAL TO MOBILITY AND THE INTENT OF PROJECT CONNECT TO BENEFIT ALL PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND, UH, JUST DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO COME WHEN, WHEN WE, WHEN WE ALL CONSIDER THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT TO BRING US BACK AN OPTION SO THAT WE CAN CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR FUNDING THE STAFFING TO CARRY OUT THE ANTI-DISPLACEMENT ACTIVITIES UNDER PROJECT CONNECT, TO, UH, FUND THAT IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM PEOPLE DIRECTLY THAT DOES NOT TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM PEOPLE IN THE 300 MILLION.
UM, THAT'S, THAT IS PART THAT WOULD THE 300 MILLION AT A PROJECT CONNECT THAT WAS CONTEMPLATED TO BE GO TO STRATEGIES TO DIRECTLY HELP PEOPLE.
I DON'T WANT TO, I DON'T WANT TO REDUCE THAT AMOUNT.
SO, UM, AND AGAIN, THIS, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT'S A POLICY STATEMENT BECAUSE, UM, UH, BECAUSE THE DECISIONS AROUND ALL THAT WILL BE MADE LATER IN OCTOBER, UH, AND IT'S DECISIONS THAT WE DON'T, WE DON'T MAKE OUR OWN, IT'S A CITY COUNCIL DECISION ACAT, METRO DECISION ATP, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO, UM, MAKE A POLICY STATEMENT ABOUT WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE IN OF COURSE THE LANGUAGE SPECIFIES IT, WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO COME UP WITH, IT WILL HAVE TO LEGALLY ALIGN WITH THE CONTRACT WITH THE VOTERS.
THAT'S SIX OF THEM FOR EVERYBODY WHO MAYBE THAT'LL, I KNOW WE'VE GOT A LOT, EVERYBODY'S, THERE'S A LONG LIST AND IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING FOR FOLKS.
UM, UH, BUT JUST TO CLARIFY FOR, JUST REMEMBER THAT THERE'S, THAT I HAVE SIX AND, UM, ONLY ONE OF THEM, UH, HAS ANY DOLLARS, UH, COMING OUT OF OUR BUDGET NOW.
UM, TWO OF THEM HAVE DOLLARS FROM OTHER SOURCES AND THREE OF THEM ARE JUST OUR BUDGET RIDERS THAT ARE TOTALLY BUDGET NEUTRAL.
ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
UM, I'M GOING TO TRY AND BE BRIEF BECAUSE WE'RE PUSHING EIGHT O'CLOCK HERE.
UM, I AM PUTTING FORWARD FOUR AMENDMENTS.
UM, MY FIRST AMENDMENT IS UTILIZING, UM, SAVINGS 1.5 MILLION OF SAVINGS FROM THE LOOP 360 DAVENPORT FIRE AND EMS STATION DELAYED AS OUR STAFFING SAVINGS TO HELP FUND SPECIFIC AFD AND EMS, UM, TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS RELATED TO RESILIENCE.
THIS WILL HELP TO EXTEND THE, UM, WILDFIRE TRAINING TO THE, TO THE FULL, UH, FORCE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDE FOR SOME ONE TIME RESILIENCE INVESTMENTS IN WILDFIRE EQUIPMENT, UM, BALLISTIC VESTS AND, UM, GENERATORS.
AND THEN THE OTHER HALF OF THE FUNDING THAT GOES TO EMS WILL HELP EXTEND ATTACKER TRAINING TO THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR IMPROVED BALLISTIC VEST.
UM, THE SECOND AMENDMENT HAS THREE PARTS IT'S REALLY FOCUSED ON INVESTING IN MEDICAL SERVICES AND RESPONSE WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, WHICH WE LAUNCHED LAST BUDGET, AS WELL AS WITHIN EMS. SO THIS FUNDS PHASE TWO OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER'S, UM, FUNDS THREE NEW PARAMEDIC PRACTITIONERS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HEALTH ACCESS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE A RELIEF VALVE FOR EMS AND PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THREE DIVISION CHIEFS TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE NEED.
UM, WITHIN EMS, SINCE WE HAVE GROWN GREATLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, I WILL POINT OUT THAT THE, UM, INTERIM CHIEF IS ALSO CHANGING A POSITION INTO ASSISTANT CHIEF.
SO THERE WILL BE, UM, FOUR POSITIONS WITH THAT.
UM, AND THIS IS FUNDED THROUGH A KIND OF CONVOLUTED PROCESS, BUT, UM, AS YOU SAW, WE HAVE THE BILLING SYSTEM FEES.
SO THERE'S SEVERAL FEES THAT WE WILL BE USING TO FUND MOST OF THIS.
UM, AND THEN THERE IS A ONE-TIME FUNDING REQUIREMENT FOR 2 97, 9 51, BECAUSE THOSE FEES WILL ACCRUE OVER TIME.
IT BECOMES ONGOING, AND WE JUST NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THAT A ONE TIME EXPENSE.
AND THEN MY THIRD AMENDMENT IS, UH, FOR VICTIM SERVICES AND THIS UTILIZES FUNDING IN THE VICTIM SERVICES BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN FREED UP BY THE NEW VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT, GRANT MONEY TO FUND NEW POSITIONS.
AND THIS WILL FUND, UM, THIS WILL FUND TWO NEW POSITIONS, UM, PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF FUNDING FOR THE VICTIM SERVICES, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND, AND THEN THE REMAINDER WILL BE ALLOCATED TO IMPLEMENT A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY WORK GROUP, UM, WHICH RECOMMENDED EXPANDING FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY FINANCIAL
[04:55:01]
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. UM, AND THEN MY FOURTH AMENDMENT IS NEW TODAY, WHICH I POSTED EARLIER.THIS WOULD ADD A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE AUSTIN ARTS AND CULTURE NON-PROFIT RELIEF GRANT FUND.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT A $1 MILLION INFUSION INTO THIS GRANT FUND WOULD BE VERY TIMELY TO HELP OUR CREATIVE SECTOR.
UM, THEY'RE JUST ABOUT TO ANNOUNCE THOSE WHO RECEIVED GRANTS.
WE HAD FUNDING FOR ABOUT A HUNDRED GRANTEES.
THERE WERE 217 OR 18 THAT APPLIED, UM, AND OF THOSE OVER A HUNDRED ARE STILL ELIGIBLE AND IN NEED OF THE FUNDING.
AND BECAUSE THE PROCESS IS ALREADY UNDERWAY, THEY HAVE THE APPLICATIONS.
UH, WE BE ABLE TO GET THIS FUNDING OUT.
AS SOON AS THE CITY MANAGER FELT APPROPRIATE TO GET THE MONEY OUT OF THE DOOR, UH, GIVEN THE FISCAL YEAR STARTS OCTOBER 1ST.
THOSE ARE THE FOUR AMENDMENTS THAT I'M OFFERING, AND I HAVE SEVERAL CO-SPONSORS ON ALL OF THEM, WHICH ARE, UH, POSTED, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE, UM, THEIR SUPPORT.
I HAVE THREE BUDGET RIDERS THAT I'M INDIVIDUALLY OFFERING AND I'VE DRAFTED A FEW OTHERS OF COLLEAGUES.
UM, THE FIRST ONE IS A COMPENSATION REVIEW FOR APD NINE ONE ONE CALL TAKERS DISPATCH.
AND FOR VICTIM SERVICES, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE HAPPENING IN THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AND VICTIM SERVICES IN OUR EARLIER CONVERSATIONS.
AND THIS IS A PROCESS THAT WE'VE WORKED OUT WITH HRD TO TRY TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROCESS AND JUST PROVIDE SOME OUTLINE OF SOME ADDITIONAL DIRECTION RELATED TO THIS STUDY THAT THEY HAVE AGREED TO UNDERTAKE.
AND THEN MY SECOND RIDER GOES BACK TO OUR LONG DISCUSSION THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THE DISPATCH EQUITY STUDY AND THE BILLING BACKLOG IN EMS, AND PROVIDES DIRECTION TO ADDRESS THAT BILLING BACKLOG AND PROVIDE PLANS TO IMPROVE THE BILLING SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE, WHICH WILL HELP US GENERATE REVENUE CONDUCT A STUDY REGARDING THE COST TO PROVIDE EMS OSIMO SERVICES SO THAT WE CAN RECRUIT FUNDS, CONDUCT A FULL EVALUATION OF THE OPTIMIZATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE WITHIN THAT STUDY AND EVALUATE.
AND THIS IS IMPORTANT PART, CAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES REALLY WANT US TO MOVE TO A 12 PERSON STAFFING FOR EMS OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
UM, SO THIS SETS UP BOTH THE REVENUE SIDE OF BEING ABLE TO DO THAT BY BEING ABLE TO BRING IN MORE REVENUE AS WELL AS PROVIDES DIRECTION THAT WE WANT TO SEE A PLAN THAT DOES THAT.
AND IN THAT PROCESS TO SEE IF WE CAN HAVE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR DOWNTOWN, IF THAT NEEDS TO BE PART OF IT, ONCE WE'RE STAFFED UP WITH 12 AND THEN THE THIRD RIDER I JUST POSTED, UM, THIS EVENING, THIS IS A DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER TO HIGHLIGHT INVESTMENTS RELATED TO GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS IN OUR CLIMATE EMERGENCY DELAY DECLARATION.
WE HAD ASKED FOR THIS TO BE DONE IN THE BUDGET SO THAT WE COULD SEE, YOU KNOW, THE CARBON IMPACT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.
UM, WE FOUND IN THAT PROCESS THAT IT WAS EASIER TO BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT THE THINGS THAT WE WERE REDUCING.
THEN BE ABLE TO CAPTURE EVERY LITTLE THING WHERE WE HAD A CARBON IMPACT.
UM, THIS YEAR THERE WAS A SHIFT TO RESILIENCE INDICATORS, WHICH IS FINE TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON WITH RESPECT TO THAT GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TO GET US TO THAT.
UM, I'LL JUST KIND OF FLASH FLASH THROUGH SOME OF MY AMENDMENTS AND SOME OF MY BUDGET DIRECTION.
UM, MOST OF WHICH IS, IS UP RIGHT NOW.
I STILL HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE DILEMMA THAT I PRESENTED YOU ALL WITH EARLIER, WHICH IS THE ONE WE ARE INSOURCING SOME OF OUR ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS.
SO YOU'LL SEE AMONG MY, AMONG MY, UH, AMENDMENTS, THERE'S A RANGE FROM CONTINUING TO SUPPORT AND LEVERAGING THE REAL SUCCESS THAT OUR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS HAVE HAD TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING OF PLACING COMMUNITY LIAISONS IN OR COMMUNITY SCHOOL LIAISONS IN SOME ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS SO THAT THEY CAN CONNECT FAMILIES THROUGH THE RESOURCES OF THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS.
THERE IS A VERY SMALL BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW A POCKET PARK, UH, TO BECOME DEDICATED PARKLAND, WHICH HAS A VERY SMALL FISCAL IMPACT, BUT ALSO RAISES A POLICY QUESTION.
I WANT TO ADDRESS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
THERE IS VERY IMPORTANTLY, SOME EQUIPMENT FOR EMS THAT THEY HAVE SUGGESTED WOULD BE, UH, VERY HELPFUL IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, ESPECIALLY, UM, AS WE SAW DURING, DURING THE MASS SHOOTING, IT WAS VERY CHALLENGING FOR, FOR EMS TO GET TO THE SCENE.
AND SO HAVING THOSE SMALL VEHICLES, UM, THAT WOULD GET, GET FOLKS BACK, UM, AND SOME ADDITIONAL MATERIALS ALONG THOSE LINES WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL AND, AND REALLY, I BELIEVE, UH, HELP US SAVE LIVES IN THE FUTURE.
[05:00:01]
THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL SMALL, RELATIVELY SMALL BUDGET AMENDMENT TO IMPLEMENT A RECOMMENDATION THAT WAS BROUGHT TO US BY THE COLLEGE STUDENT COMMISSION.AND WE HAD SEVERAL REALLY, UM, GREAT SPEAKERS ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK.
SO I WON'T, I WON'T REALLY TALK ABOUT THAT.
AND THEN THERE OF AMENDMENTS RELATED TO THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT.
SO LAST YEAR DURING OUR BUDGET AMENDMENTS, I HAD PUT FORWARD A BUDGET DIRECTION THAT ASKED THAT ASKED THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT TO REALLY ASSESS THEIR NEEDS AND THEIR GAPS, AND TO COME BACK TO US WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THEY DID.
SO IN APRIL, UM, THIS MATERIAL IS UP ON THE, ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AS BACKUP TO MY AMENDMENTS.
UM, THEY IDENTIFIED A FEW AREAS FROM VEHICLES RIGHT NOW.
THEY HAVE CASE MANAGERS WHO ARE SHARING VEHICLES AND ALSO ARE LEASING A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES BECAUSE THEY OWN, THEY DON'T HAVE IN THEIR POSSESSION ENOUGH.
UM, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE SUCCESSES OF THE DAC IS THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO REALLY WALK WITH THE INDIVIDUALS THEY'RE WORKING WITH THROUGH THE PROCESS, RATHER THAN JUST KIND OF GIVING THEM A PHONE NUMBER AND AN EMAIL ADDRESS AND SENDING THEM OUT THERE.
THEY'RE WALKING INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE PROCESS AND THAT OFTEN INVOLVES TRANSPORTATION AND THEY DO A RANGE OF OTHER REALLY WONDERFUL SERVICES.
THEY ARE OUR, YOU KNOW, OUR FRONTLINE, UM, DIVERSION COURT.
AND SO THEY'RE DOING GREAT WORK AND I BELIEVE WE SHOULD WORK TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
THEY ALSO, UH, THERE'S ALSO A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN AN AMIDST THE OTHERS, UM, FOR THE DECK THAT WOULD SEEK TO CONTINUE THE INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH, UM, SUPPORTS.
THIS WAS A NEED THAT WAS BROUGHT TO US BY THE DOWNTOWN IDENTIFIED BY THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE.
THERE'S A LONG WAIT LIST OF, OF CLIENTS AT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT WHO HAVE EXPRESSED A NEED AND AN INTEREST IN SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.
UH, AND SO WE HAD PUT IN SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING MID-YEAR TO SUPPORT THAT PILOT PROGRAM, THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE HAS MONEY IN ITS BUDGET TO SUPPORT THIS.
AND SO THIS WOULD EXTEND OUR, OUR, UM, WORK IN THAT, OUR INVESTMENT IN THAT AREA.
UM, AND THEN I BELIEVE THE LAST AMENDMENT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS ONE RELATED TO CODE.
WE HAD A LITTLE DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ON THE DAYAS.
I THINK IT WAS LAST WEEK ABOUT THOSE ADDITIONAL FTES.
AND I WOULD, I WOULD POINT YOU TO SOME OF THE RESPONSES THAT WE'VE GOTTEN.
I THINK THE VERY LAST RESPONSE IN THE Q AND A IS, IS SOME FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION, UM, THAT WILL HELP I THINK, IDENTIFY AND HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE, SOME OF THE ISSUES I AM THAT ARE PROMPTING ME TO, UH, ASK YOU ALL TO, FOR NOW DELAY, UH, CONSIDERATION OF THE, THE RATE INCREASE UNTIL AT LEAST YEAR ASKING THE MANAGER TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULING, TAKE A LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS FOR STAGGERING SCHEDULING AND RELYING LESS ON OVERTIME, AND REALLY LOOKING MORE COMPREHENSIVELY AT OUR AUSTIN CODE DEPARTMENT AND SEEING WHETHER THERE ARE SOME SHIFTS AND OTHER EFFICIENCIES THAT COULD BE MADE TO REALLY BETTER, BETTER PRIORITIZE SOME OF THE AREAS WE WANT TO SEE THOSE OFFICER'S BUDGET DIRECTION RANGES.
MY BUDGET DIRECTION IS ALSO NOW POSTED AT RANGES FROM ASKING THE MANAGER TO LOOK AT WAYS TO EXPEDITE THE WEST CAMPUS LIGHTING, WHICH IS IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, UH, TO INSTALL THE 288 NEW STREETLAMPS THROUGHOUT WEST CAMPUS THAT WERE CALLED FOR IN THE WEST CAMPUS LIGHTING SURVEY TO SOME OTHER, UM, FOLLOWING UP ON SOME OTHER ISSUES FROM NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS TO, UH, RESILIENCE HUBS AND, AND PUTTING IN PLACE SOME MECHANISMS FOR US TO GET MORE REGULAR UPDATES ON SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD IN THE WAY THAT OUR COUNCIL CONTEMPLATED.
AND THEN, UH, ALSO AMONG THE BUDGET DIRECTION THAT I'VE PROVIDED ARE SOME VERY SPECIFIC ELEMENTS RELATED TO THE DAC.
AND I LIKELY WILL FOLLOW UP WITH AN IFC.
I HAVEN'T DECIDED WHETHER TO EMBED THE OTHER ELEMENTS FROM THE IFC THAT I'VE DRAFTED INTO THE BUDGET DIRECTION OR JUST TO DO BOTH.
SO I PROBABLY WILL JUST DO BOTH, BUT, UM, YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE ELEMENTS IN THE BUDGET DIRECTION THAT TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ON TRACK WITH OUR, UH, INTENT OF REDEVELOPING ONE TEXAS CENTER TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MAKING SURE WE'RE SETTING A VERY RIGOROUS DEADLINES FOR IDENTIFYING A PERMANENT HOME FOR THE DAC AND REALLY MAKING PROGRESS OVER THESE NEXT MONTHS AND IN SEEING THAT PLAN INTO, INTO FRUITION.
I HAVE, UH, UH, SEVERAL, UH, FIRST IS THE MAKING SURE WE HAVE STAFFING FOR THE HOMELESS, UH, STRATEGY OFFICE.
SOME OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE, ARE CURRENTLY, UH, THERE, BUT THEY'RE TEMPORARY.
UH, PEOPLE, WE NEED TO MAKE THEM RECURRING.
WE'RE PUTTING A LOT OF INVESTMENTS INTO THIS CHALLENGE, AND THIS IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO HEAR YOU.
UH, I HAVE THREE, UH, UH, BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
[05:05:01]
STAFF, UH, DIANA GRAY WITH A PERMANENT, UH, RECURRING STAFF.UM, SHE HAS SOME STAFF NOW IT'S TEMPORARY, UH, BUT SHE NEEDS TO AUGMENT THAT SHE'S HIRED, UH, THE OFFICE LEAD OF OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, A LOT MORE DOLLARS HEADED THAT WAY.
UH, SHE'S JUST CONSTANTLY WORKING AND WE NEED TO, TO HELP BREAK CAPACITY, UH, TO HER.
UH, I APPRECIATE THE COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE JOINED OUR, THAT FOLKS NOT SIGNED UP FOR IT CAUSE WE'RE LIMITED, BUT WHO HAVE SPOKEN, UH, IN, IN FAVOR OF THAT.
AND I APPRECIATE THAT SECOND WORD IS THE VACCINE, UH, INCENTIVE, UH, WE'RE URGING EMPLOYERS ALL OVER THE CITY TO PROVIDE, UH, INCENTIVES TO THEIR EMPLOYEES, UH, TO, TO RAGE FOR, UH, VACCINATIONS ON SITE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
UH, SO THE, UM, UH, BUDGET OF ADVENT THAT, UH, IS, UH, UH, PRESENTED, UH, WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE A HUNDRED DOLLARS STIPEND FOR ALL CIVILIAN AND SWORN FULL-TIME PART-TIME AND TEMPORARY FOLKS.
SO IT'S EVERYBODY, UH, WHO CAN ATTEST THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN A VACCINE, UH, THERE'S A, UH, UH, A SUPPLEMENTED VERSION OF THIS THAT'S POSTED THAT REALLY JUST INCLUDES THE PHRASE AT ANY EXTRA BODY OR NON DEPLOYED MONEY, BE REINVESTED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN VACCINATION, UM, UH, EFFORTS, UH, ELSEWHERE, UH, IN THE CITY VACCINATION PROMOTION.
UH, AND THEN THE LAST ONE, UH, IS, UM, A GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT.
WE PUT SOMEBODY IN THE, IN THE BUDGET PREVIOUSLY TO DEAL WITH THIS.
UH, THERE WAS ABOUT $250,000, UH, IN LOOKING AT DEPLOYING THAT, UH, UH, IT, IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THE IMPACT FROM HOW IT WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED, UH, WOULD HELP US.
UH, THIS IS A, UH, UH, CONCEPT THAT WE ACTUALLY EMPLOYED, UH, IN A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT WAYS THAT CITY DURING THE PANDEMIC, UH, WITH THE, UH, FINDING THAT WE RISE FRIDAY, THAT WE BROUGHT TO PEOPLE, UH, BUT WE DIDN'T BECAUSE WE WERE TRYING TO GET IT OUT SO QUICKLY.
WE WEREN'T SET UP TO REALLY EVALUATE IT, UH, TO BE ABLE TO LEARN LESSONS FROM IT, TO SEE HOW IT WOULD WORK AS AN ONGOING PROJECT.
THERE IS AN EXISTING PILOT THAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
UH, UH, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WANT TO, UH, UH, JUST EXPAND THAT PILOT.
I LEAVE THAT TO OUR STAFF EXPERTS, UH, BUT, UH, THAT GOES UP TO, I THINK 200% OF, UH, UH, UH, MFI.
WE MAY WANT TO HAVE A PROGRAM THAT, UH, LOOKS LOWER THAN THAT.
SO WHILE I SPOKE TO THE EXISTING PILOT PROGRAM, UH, CONSISTENT WITH THE RIDER, UH, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE GIVE IT TO STAFF AND SAY, UH, FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DEPLOY THIS WITH A FOCUS ON ACTUALLY GETTING DOLLARS OUT TO PEOPLE.
UH, AND, AND LET'S LOOK AT THAT MORE AND MORE CITIES YOU'RE DOING THIS, UH, WITH SUCCESS, UH, AND THIS MIGHT VERY WELL BE A WAY FOR, UH, COMMUNITIES TO MORE EFFICIENTLY AND PRODUCTIVELY, UH, MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY IS BENEFITING FROM, FROM OPPORTUNITY.
UH, A COUPLE OF RIDERS THAT, UH, UH, PRESENTED, UH, ONE WRITER, UM, UH, IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK SEVERAL OF US HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT IN THE PAST.
I KNOW, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, UH, HAS A CHAMPION OF TAKING A LOOK AT, UH, UH, UH, COMPENSATION FOR, UH, FOR COUNCIL OFFICES AND THE LIKE, AND FOR FOLKS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO, TO, TO POLITICALLY, TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH I'M HEADED INTO MY LAST YEAR HERE.
SO IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME FOR ME TO BRING FORWARD A PROPOSAL THAT WE SHOULD ACTUALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THE COMPENSATION LEVELS FOR PEOPLE ON THE, SO IF THIS IS IT, UH, UH, I HAVE SUCH GREAT APPRECIATION FOR, UH, MY COLLEAGUES OF HIS DIOCESE.
NOW HAVING SPENT SEVERAL YEARS RECOGNIZING THAT THIS IS A 24 7 JOB, AND, AND MY COLLEAGUES HAD THEIR STAFFS SPEND TWO, THREE TIMES AS MUCH TIME AND EFFORT, UH, ON THIS JOB THAN ANYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY IS AWARE.
UH, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, UH, WE, UH, AS A COMMUNITY, UH, PROVIDE, UH, COMPENSATION, UH, THAT IS, UH, UH, APPROPRIATE GIVEN THE, UH, AMOUNT OF ATTENTION, UH, TIME RESOURCES THAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS PUT TO THIS JOB, I POINT OUT IT WOULD NOT IMPACT ME, UH, DIRECTLY BECAUSE I DON'T TAKE, UH, THE SALARY, UH, AS OFFERED BY THE CITY.
UH, AND, AND I'LL BE GONE BEFORE THIS WOULD HAPPEN, ANYHOW.
[05:10:01]
PREEMPTIVELY.I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT THERE.
THE LAST RIDER I HAD, UH, I'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT IT.
I'VE GOTTEN SOME, UH, SUGGESTIONS FROM COLLEAGUES SINCE I POSTED IT.
IT IS, UH, JUST WHAT YOU'VE HEARD, RESALE THE DIETS FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, THAT I'M UNCOMFORTABLE ON THE DYES PICKING VENDORS, UH, BECAUSE WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR THAT.
WE HAVE A PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER IT IS THAT IS THE GOAL THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.
UH, THE, THE VENDOR OR AGENCY THAT WE USE IS THE ONE THAT, UH, UH, IS BEST ABLE TO DO THAT.
THERE'S A LOT OF BACKGROUND I RECOGNIZE I DON'T HAVE IN MAKING THOSE DECISIONS IN TERMS OF, UM, UH, INFORMATION THAT MIGHT BE RELEVANT TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
I THINK THE, THE, THE BUDGET, UH, AMENDMENTS WE'VE ALL IDENTIFIED, UH, PROPERLY, UH, AS A COUNCIL FUNCTION, IDENTIFY THE NEED OR THE CHALLENGE THAT WE WANT TO PRIORITIZE AND PUT RESOURCES AGAINST, BUT THE ACTUAL MECHANICS OF PICKING THE, THE, THE VENDOR OR THE, LIKE, THERE ARE BEST PRACTICES FOR THAT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR, UH, UH, PERHAPS, UH, FOR, FOR, FOR GREATER EQUITY OR GREATER OPPORTUNITY, UH, AS, AS WE IDENTIFY WHO THE RECIPIENT IS A FOREIGNS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GET THINGS, UH, UH, DONE.
UH, SO, UH, IT'S A, IT'S A RIDER THAT BASICALLY SAYS, UH, TO THE, TO THE STAFF, PLEASE FOCUS ON WHAT IT IS THAT WE WANT TO GET ACCOMPLISHED HERE.
PLEASE NOTE, UH, THE PARTICULAR ENTITIES OR AGENCIES THAT THE COUNCIL HAVE HAVE IDENTIFIED, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY, THEY, THEY HAVE CONFIDENCE AND MAYBE A TRACK RECORD MAY VERY WELL BE THE ENTITY THAT WOULD BE BEST TO BE CHARGED WITH THAT, BUT DON'T NECESSARILY FEEL BOUND BY THAT.
AND I THINK THAT'S, AS I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR SIX YEARS, AND EVERY TIME I SPEAK ON THIS, I JUST THINK THAT'S THE BETTER, BEST PRACTICE FOR US.
SO I THINK THOSE ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE IN FRONT OF US, HOW WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO STOP.
AND, UM, AT EIGHT 30, UH, THAT IS IN, UH, 18 MINUTES, UH, FROM, FROM NOW.
UM, SO I WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE TALK ABOUT JUST GENERALLY WHERE WE ARE WITH RESPECT TO TAX RATES, AS WE HAD SAID EARLIER, I SEE A COUPLE HANDS HAVE RAISED, UH, BOTH.
UH LESLIE'S AND, UH, AND SO LESLIE, YOU WANT TO GO AND THEN HAND REAL QUICK.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE FOLKS KNEW THAT THE, UM, AND THANK YOU MAYOR FOR MENTIONING ME.
UM, AND WHEN YOU WERE DISCUSSING THE, UM, COMPENSATION PACKAGE AND THE MARKET STUDY OF COUNCIL MEMBER PAY AND OFFICE SUPPORT, UH, THE PIECE THAT I'M, THAT I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST, BEING INTERESTED IN BRINGING WAS NOT ACTUALLY THE, THE INCREASE OF COUNCIL MEMBER SALARIES, BUT IT WAS THE CHANGING OF STATE LAW TO INCLUDE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE CO-CHAIRS RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
THAT'S ALSO ON YOUR LIST, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU MENTIONING THAT.
AND, UM, THAT'S, UH, THAT'S AN INITIATIVE THAT I, I AM VERY INTERESTED IN.
I AGREED THAT THESE CHANGES WOULD NOT HAPPEN PROBABLY DURING MY TIME ON THE DAYAS, BUT I THINK THAT, UM, UH, HAVING AN ADJUSTMENT TO STATE LAW THAT WOULD ALLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES, RETIREMENT SYSTEM WOULD BE A REAL, UH, POSITIVE IMPACT FOR COUNCILMEN FUTURE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
DID YOU RAISE YOUR HAND? WELL, UH, I JUST, OR YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY ANSWERED IT AND I JUST DIDN'T HEAR IT.
I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR PROCESS WILL BE, UH, TOMORROW.
THAT'S ALL, BUT I GUESS BEGINNING A LITTLE AHEAD OF MYSELF, CAUSE YOU WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND DISCUSS WHAT PEOPLE ARE THINKING RIGHT NOW, IN TERMS OF THE, UH, OF THE TAX RATE.
IS THAT WHAT I COULDN'T QUITE HEAR WHAT YOU WERE SAYING NOW? I THINK TOLERANCE WE KNOW FOR, FOR TAX RATE, UH, ISSUES, UH, CAUSE I THINK THAT'LL KIND OF SET A PARAMETER IF WE CAN GET A FEEL FOR WHERE PEOPLE ARE.
UH, I KNOW THAT, UH, I KNOW THAT, UM, UH, WELL, IT'S JUST TIME FOR, FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO COMMENT AT INDICATE I DON'T NEED TO GO FIRST.
I'M HAPPY TO, BUT I CERTAINLY DON'T NEED TO OH, AMERICAN, SPEAK TO THAT IF YOU, IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO FIRST.
WELL, UM, I, THE REASON I, THAT I, UH, WAS, UM, HAPPY TO, UM, TO SIGN ON TO, UM, WELL IT TOOK COUNCIL MEMBER CAUSE SAR HAD PUT FORWARD AND I APPRECIATE HIM DOING HIS OFFICE, DOING THE WORK TO, YOU KNOW, TO PULL OUT, UM, YOU KNOW, THE LIST FOR US, UH, WAS THAT, UM, I FEEL LIKE THAT THE LIST THAT I FEEL LIKE THE, THE, THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS THAT HE INCLUDED ON THAT LIST WERE ONES THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO, UM, UH,
[05:15:01]
WOULD ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A BENEFIT, UH, TO THE PUBLIC IN TERMS OF A REDUCTION IN TAXES.UH, NOT TO MENTION WHAT WE ALREADY DID WITH THE HOMESTEAD AND THE SENIOR EXEMPTION, UH, BUT STILL GET TO A, A LEVEL OF THE PRIORITIES THAT EVERYONE HAS MENTIONED.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT WOULD SET US AT ABOUT A 5%, UH, TAX RATE, UH, WHICH WOULD STILL PROVIDE ALMOST $200, UM, IN SAVINGS FOR SENIORS.
UM, AND I'M NOT QUITE CERTAIN WHAT THE AMOUNT IS, UH, JUST FROM THE TAX RATE, BUT, UH, IT DOES ALLOW US TO, TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE, UH, A SAVINGS FOR THE PUBLIC AND, UH, PARTICULARLY FOR SENIORS.
AND SO I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THAT LEVEL.
SO, UM, WE HAVE 8.9 MILLION AVAILABLE, UM, JUST FROM THE TAX REVENUE CHANGES.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT IF WE PUT SOME WORK IN TO LOOKING CAREFULLY AT SOME OF THE PROPOSALS THAT WE COULD STICK TO 3.5%, UM, WITHOUT A HUGE AMOUNT OF THAT WORK, WE CERTAINLY COULD BE AT 4%.
UM, BUT I THINK WE DO NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO REALLY CAREFULLY LOOK AT EACH ITEM, UM, TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL AND HOW, HOW, HOW FAR ALONG THE IDEAS ARE IN TERMS OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
UM, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, UM, THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY GOOD STUFF AND, AND I, AND I, I UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO DO, TO DO EVERYTHING.
UM, BUT I THINK WE ALSO OWE IT TO OUR TAXPAYERS TO PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION AND TRY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET TO THREE AND A HALF PERCENT, WHICH, UM, I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, UM, TO DO THAT AND ACCOMPLISH QUITE A LOT OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
THAT'S, THAT'S ANOTHER, UH, I AGREE WITH A COPY OF THAT.
I, I CODE SIGN WAS A GREAT CONCERN AND I FELT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WERE TO GO TOO FAR, 3.5.
UH, I, I THINK WE MADE A COMMITMENT AND WE NEED TO KEEP OUR WORDS.
UH, I HAVE, I HAD A COUPLE OF, YOU KNOW, A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF WHAT I NEEDED TO WERE IN MY DISTRICT, BUT I DIDN'T SUBMIT IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE THERE'S BEEN A BIG NEED FOR A CANOPY OVER THE RUDY MENDEZ PARK, WHICH USED TO BE MATT'S, UH, SPLASH POOL THERE.
AND, UH, IT WOULD COST ABOUT 50,000 TO $60,000, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO SUBMIT THAT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER URGENT NEEDS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.
AND, UH, SO, UH, THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T GO THAT ROUTE.
SO I WERE WILLING TO MAKE THAT SACRIFICE IF WE, TO KEEP OUR, OUR RATE AT 3.5.
SO AS I LOOK AT THE, AT THE NUMBERS, UH, I THINK THAT THE MANAGER'S BUDGET, UH, WAS RECEIVED REALLY WELL, UH, AT THE LEVELS THAT WERE PRESENTED, UH, THE MANAGER'S BUDGET AS PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITY, RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN ABSOLUTE TAXES TO BE PAID BY THE TYPICAL HOMEOWNER OF, UH, ABOUT $9.
UH, AND IT KEPT, UH, THE TOTAL YEARLY IMPACT OF NOT ONLY ABSOLUTE DOLLAR IMPACT OF, OF CITY TAXES, BUT ALSO CITY ENERGY FEES, WATER FEES, RESOURCE, RECOVERY FEES, COMMUNITY FEES, CLEAN COMMUNITY FEES, TRANSPORTATION, USER FEES, DRAINAGE, UTILITY, ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER.
THE MANAGER WAS ABLE TO PRESENT A BUDGET, HAD ONLY INCREASED THE TOTAL ABSOLUTE TAX BILL, UH, BY ABOUT $38, UH, OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.
UH, AND IT WAS RECEIVED REALLY WELL.
THOSE NUMBERS BY THE WAY, WERE THE LOWEST INCREASES, UH, THAT, UH, UH, ANYBODY CAN EVER REMEMBER IN RECENT HISTORY OTHER THAN WHAT HAPPENED, UH, THREE YEARS AGO.
UH, BUT THAT TIME AND THIS TIME REPRESENT THE LOWEST, UH, INCREASE IN ABSOLUTE TAXES, UH, THAT, THAT ANYONE CAN REMEMBER.
AND, UH, BEING ONE OF THOSE TWO YEARS, I THINK IS REALLY SPECIAL.
SO I, I THINK THE COMMUNITY SAW THAT, AND I THINK IT CREATED AN EXPECTATION OF HIS COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, UH, THAT WE, UH, THAT WE, FOR ME, IT'S IMPORTANT, UH, THAT WE NOT, UH, THAT WE, THAT WE MAINTAIN AT LEAST THAT LEVEL OF PROPERTY TAX SAVINGS FOR PEOPLE
[05:20:01]
IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ABSOLUTE DOLLARS, UH, AND, UH, AT LEAST THAT LEVEL OF TOTAL YEARLY IMPACT AND NOT INCREASE IT, UH, AT, AT ALL, GIVEN WHERE THE NUMBERS HAVE COME IN, UH, THAT WE'RE, WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT AND STILL GENERATE WITH THE REVISED BUDGET NUMBERS.WE'RE STILL ABLE TO, TO DO THAT, RAISE THE, UH, THE, THE TAX RATE, BUT STILL END WITH A GREATER, ABSOLUTE, UH, TAX SAVINGS, UH, BY GOING UP TO THAT 5% INCREASE IN, IN REVENUE, UH, OF TAXING PROPERTY THAT EXISTED THE YEAR BEFORE THE 5% IS, UH, THERE'S A REALLY TECHNICAL NUMBERS THAT PEOPLE USE IT AS A 5% INCREASE IN TAXES.
AND SOME PEOPLE USE IT AS A 5% INCREASE IN RATES, AND IT'S, IT'S NONE OF THOSE THINGS.
UH, BUT IN ANY EVENT, UH, THAT, THAT WOULD GIVE US A ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO SPEND, STILL BE ABLE TO DELIVER ALL OF THE TAX SAVINGS THAT THE MANAGER HAD IN HIS, WHICH I THINK WE NEED TO DO.
AND WITH THOSE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, I THINK WE COULD TAKE CARE OF SOME INVESTMENTS.
UM, MOST OF THEM, ONE TIME, UH, INVESTMENTS, UH, AND, AND I THINK THAT, UH, THE COMMUNITY WANTS US TO MAKE THOSE KINDS OF, UH, OF INVESTMENTS.
UH, AND I WOULD GO TO THAT NUMBER, EVEN IF WE LEFT SOME OF THE DOLLARS ON DESIGNATED, UH, OR PUT THEM IN A RESERVE, UH, THE, TO HELP CREATE A LARGER BALANCE OF THE RAINY DAY FUND.
I WOULD CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WE SEE IN THE A YEAR OUT, UH, NUMBERS ON OUR BUDGETS, UH, IN A YEAR THROUGH FIVE YEARS WHERE THE DEFICIT IS CONTINUING TO GROW.
I THINK THESE ARE GOING TO BE BUMPY TIMES.
YOU KNOW, I, I PRAY THAT THE COMMUNITY IS NOT GOING TO ADOPT THIS, UM, UH, ANY PROPOSITIONS THAT, THAT PUT US EVEN IN FURTHER, UH, UH, HOLES, UH, IN, IN, IN THEIR ACTIONS.
BUT I THINK WE, WE NEED TO BE PREPARED.
SO I THINK TAKING IT UP TO RAISING THE TAX RATES, STILL MAINTAINING THE TAX SAVINGS THAT THE MANAGER HAD IS A PLACE I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE GOING TO.
UH, SO THAT PERCENTAGE, WHATEVER THAT PERCENTAGE IS, UH, IS A PLACE THAT I WOULD SUPPORT.
I ECHO THE SENTIMENTS THAT YOU JUST LAID OUT AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COST SAVINGS TO THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER, UH, AT A GREATER LEVEL THAN WHAT THE CITY MANAGER PRESENTED, UH, JUST A MONTH AGO IS, IS DEFINITELY NEEDED.
AND I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR PRIORITY LIST OF CRITICAL NEEDS THAT WE STILL HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AS WE ARE IN THIS STAGE FIVE OF THE PANDEMIC, OR, UM, EXACTLY WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING RIGHT NOW, THE NUMBER ONE THING WE CAN DO IS INVEST IN THESE STRATEGIES TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY GET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.
AND SO FILLING THESE UNMET NEEDS ARE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE.
I LOVE THAT WE'RE, WE HAVE A PROPOSAL HERE, UH, TO INVEST, UH, ROBUSTLY IN ANTI-DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION INITIATIVES.
AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, I HOPE TOMORROW WHEN WE HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT UPDATING OUR STRATEGIC DIRECTION, UH, THAT WE CAN INCLUDE, UH, DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION AS ONE OF OUR, AS PART OF THAT STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO I REALLY THINK THAT THESE INVESTMENTS ARE CRITICAL IN NATURE, AND THEY DEFINITELY AFFORD THINKING, UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS AND WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.
AND SO I ALSO SUPPORT US AT THE 5% RATE THAT WOULD GIVE THE TYPICAL HOMEOWNER A COST SAVINGS OF ABOUT $13 ON THEIR PROPERTY TAX PORTION OF THEIR BILL.
AND, UH, AND I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, YOU MENTIONED THAT, UH, UP TO 200 FOR SENIORS.
AND SO I WELCOME THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'LL HAVE TOMORROW ON THIS TOPIC.
YES, KATHERINE KELLY, THANK YOU.
UM, LAST WEEK I VOTED NOT TO, UM, SET THE TAX RATE OR POSSIBLY AT THE MAXIMUM, AND I HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME WITH RAISING IT ANY MORE THAN 3.5%.
IT'S CLEAR TO ME THAT WE HAVE AN AFFORDABILITY ISSUE IN AUSTIN.
THERE ARE A LOT OF HARDWORKING MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE JUST STRUGGLING TO GET BY.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE THE NECESSARY SERVICES THAT WE NEED AS A CITY.
AND SO I WILL NOT BUDGE ON THE NUMBERS, BUT MOST OF YOU PROBABLY