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MAY 5TH, 2022 AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.UH, WE ARE IN THE CITY COUNCIL.
CHAMBERS READING IS ALSO BEING YOUNG, VIRTUALLY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, TOVO AT HARPER MADISON, UH, ARE ON THE SCREEN.
COUNCIL MEMBER POOL IS ON A TRIP THAT, UH, IS A RESCHEDULED COVID TRIP.
SO SEVEN, UH, PRESENT, UM, TO REMOTE.
UH, THAT MEANS WE HAVE, UH, NINE AND TWO GOD.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS CHANGES AND CORRECTION, UH, FOR, UH, TODAY.
ITEM NUMBER FIVE WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE WATER WASTEWATER COMMISSION ARTISTS 7 1 1 VOTE COMMISSIONER MORIARTY VOTING.
NO, AND CHEERLY RECUSING COMMISSIONER FISHER ABSENT ONE VACANCY.
I HAVE NUMBER SIX, ROCK APRIL 13, 22 IS RECOMMENDED BY WATER, RACE, WATER COMMISSION, NORTHERN IDAHO VOTE, COMMISSIONER FISHER, ABSENT ON VACANCY ITEM NINE.
UM, I ON APRIL 13TH, 2022 WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE WATERWAYS WHERE COMMISSIONER NINE O VOTE COMMISSIONER FISHER ABSENT ONE VACANCY.
I HAD A NUMBER 40 TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION REPORTING, UH, KAVITA GUPTA AND JOHN UMPHREY'S.
I THINK HIS LAST NAME WAS MISSING AS COMMISSIONERS, THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL COURT COMMISSION FOR THREE YEAR TERM.
I HAVE A 65, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS ELLIS AND READ THE AREA I'VE BEEN ADDED AS A CO UH, SPONSORS, UH, ITEM NUMBER 22 PULLED ITEMS. UH, I'D REMEMBER, 22 IS GOING TO BE TAKEN UP, UH, AFTER, UH, EXECUTIVE, UH, SESSION, UH, COUNSEL ITEM NUMBER 35 WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
UH, KELLY, UH, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE HER TODAY, BUT I'M GOING TO LEAVE THIS POLLED, UH, CASE FOR WHATEVER REASON WE HEAR FROM HER OR SHOWS UP AND WE CAN VOTE ON THAT RIGHT AFTER THE CONSENT AGENDA IS, UH, IS ACTED ON LATE BACKUP ON ITEMS 20 21 32 33 34 35, 42 47, 48, 49, 50 51 58 AND 60.
UH, CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEMS ONE THROUGH 41 AND ITEM 63 AND 66 ITEM 67, UH, IS THE, UH, ITEM, UH, THAT IS JUST THE DISCUSSION ON, UH, ON, UH, LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
OTHER THE CHANGES WE CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE, UH, UH, HOUSING SUPPLY, SPECIAL SPECIALTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUPPLIER ON CORRIDORS.
WE PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION ONLY, UH, THIS TODAY IN CASE THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WANTED TO DAYLIGHT SOMETHING, UH, IN ADVANCE OF, UH, TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.
UH, OBVIOUSLY YOU COULD DAYLIGHT STUFF ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AND OTHERWISE, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING THEY WOULD THE DAYLIGHT, UH, AT THIS POINT, UH, THAT THAT'S WHERE OUR KITCHEN? UH, NO, I DON'T.
I JUST WANTED TO REMIND FOLKS THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT REALLY HAVING A DISCUSSION ON THE 17TH OR THE 19TH, IF I'VE GOT THOSE DATES, RIGHT.
AND THAT WE HAD POSTPONED THE ITEM TO JUNE 9TH FOR ACTION.
SO, UH, SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 17TH AND THE 19TH.
AND ALSO I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER OF ALA HAD, UH, RECOMMENDED THAT WE SET A DEADLINE FOR OURSELVES FOR POSTING, UM, PROPOSALS.
AND SO I FIGURED WE COULD TALK ABOUT THAT ON THE 17TH, IF I'VE GOT THE DATES, RIGHT.
AND THAT'S THE WORK SESSION, I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.
AND I THINK THAT THERE'S A SUGGESTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER VALLA WAS EVEN PRIOR TO THE 17TH, UH, FOR THAT DISCUSSION OR THE 17TH AND PEOPLE COULD POST THINGS, UH, AHEAD OF THAT, THAT WOULD BREAK THAT WORK SESSION DISCUSSION, UH, A BUNCH OF BETTER HAD YOU'RE RIGHT.
THERE WAS A, UH, A DAY THE VW TWO ITEM WAS POSTPONED TO JANUARY, TO JUNE 9TH.
UH, WE ALSO HAD THIS ITEM THAT WAS SET FOR BROAD DISCUSSION, UH, AND, UH, THAT DISCUSSION WAS SET, UH, FOR THIS WEEK AND HAS BEEN ON THE AGENDAS, UH, SET FOR THE WEEK OF THE 17TH AND 19TH AS WELL.
I JUST WANTED TO CALL IT UP TODAY TO SEE IF ANYBODY HAD ANYTHING, IF NOT, I'M GOING TO CROSS THAT OFF THE AGENDA FOR TODAY.
UH, EVERY WE'LL HAVE COVERED THAT HERE TODAY.
CAN I ASK A QUESTION TO MAKE SURE THE RECORD IS CLEAR? SO WHEN WE COME BACK ON THOSE
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DAYS IN JUNE, WE WERE GOING TO POST BOTH THINGS, THE VENUE TO THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE ITEM PLUS THIS LANGUAGE, CORRECT? BECAUSE THE DISCUSSION.AND I THINK WE HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY.
AREN'T OPEN GOVERNMENT, RIGHT.
UM, I'D LIKE TO BE LISTED AS A CO-SPONSOR FOR ITEM 65 COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN'S ITEM REGARDING BINDING ARBITRATION AND RESPECTING THE WILL OF AUSTIN'S VOTERS.
HOW MANY ANSWER SPEAKERS THAT S OH, I'M SORRY.
REP RECOGNIZE A YOU EARLIER FOR NOTES RIGHT HERE.
I WANTED TO WELCOME ISABELLA MATORY WHO SERVES AS A MEMBER OF THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT, ISABELLA, FOR YOU WANNA, UM, SHE REPRESENTS THE CITY OF MANNHEIM IN THE PARLIAMENT.
UM, SHE'S ALSO A MEMBER OF THE MANHEIM CITY COUNCIL.
SO YOU IMAGINE DOING BOTH JOBS, UM, SHE'S HOSTED BY THE FRIEDRICH
AND SHE'S JOINED BY MICHAEL SAGALA AND KNUTE DEF LISTEN FROM THE FRIEDRICH ABRAHAM SHIFTING.
UM, THEY'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING SOME OF OUR COUNCIL MEETING THIS MORNING, AND THERE'LL BE GOING TO THE CAPITOL THIS AFTERNOON AND MET WITH, UM, REPRESENTATIVE DOGGETT AND THE GERMAN AMERICAN SOCIETY, UM, YESTERDAY.
I'M SURE YOU'LL FIND AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO BE BRUNCH FOR RIVETING AND EXCITING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
[Public Comments (Part 1 of 2)]
SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO, UH, SPEAK, UH, I THINK A LITTLE OVER 50.UH, SO THE, A SPEAKER SPEAKING OF THIS MORNING WAS SPEAK FOR WHAT HE DID EACH.
I THINK THERE WERE 15 SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK THIS AFTERNOON, OUR ZONING.
SO WE'LL DO THREE MINUTES A SPEAKER THIS AFTERNOON.
WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN THE SPEAKERS TODAY WITH FOUR REMOTE SPANISH SPEAKERS.
UH, SINCE WE HAVE, UH, AN INTERPRETER HANDY AND WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK IN AND ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THE SPEAKERS THAT ARE HERE, PRESENT PHYSICALLY, UH, AND THEN WE'LL DO RETURN TO THE REMAINDER OF THE REMOTE SPEAKERS IF THEY'RE ALREADY.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS MYRNA RODRIGUEZ.
MY NAME IS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF AUSTIN HAS TO GUARANTEE THAT NO FAMILIES ARE LEFT BEHIND IN THIS LOW RECOVERY PATH AFTER THE PANDEMIC AND AFTER THE STORM
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AND THE, UH, CRISIS OF AFFORDABLE LIVING HERE IN AUSTIN HAS IMPACTED MANY FAMILIES PROFOUNDLY.PLEASE ASK HER TO CONTINUE TO CONCLUDE HER CANDIDATES.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MANUAL JOYA.
HEY, YO, LET ME, UH, UH,
I WAS IN THAT PROGRAM DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND IT HELPED ME VERY MUCH DURING COVID TIMES
AND I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS PAYING RENT.
I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF MY FEET AND I WISH THIS COULD COME BACK AGAIN SO HE CAN HELP MANY OTHER FAMILIES AS WELL.
AND YES, I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT PROGRAM.
AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THAT PROGRAM
THOMAS AND I AM IN AGREEMENT FOR ALL THAT, TO BE APPROVED, TO HELP ALL OUR KIDS
AND I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH ALL THE HELP OF ARTICLE 21.
NEXT SPEAKER IS ON ITEM 21 AS WELL.
MANY PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO PAY RENT.
OTHERWISE IT COULD NOT HAVE, UH,
THIS WILL BE IN THE AND THINGS TO THIS ARTICLE 21, IT WOULD HELP FAMILIES THAT ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY PAYING RENT AND ALSO WOULD HELP THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST JOBS.
SO INDEED IT WOULD HELP MANY FAMILIES.
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WELL, THAT'S ALL I AM IN FAVOR.NEXT SPEAKER ITEM 21, ELENA RODRIGUEZ.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
MY NAME IS ELENA RODRIGUEZ SPRINT
COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE WAS.
SHE SAID, I AM A RESIDENT OF DOVE SPRINGS.
SO YOU NOTICE YOU, THEN I AM A RESIDENT OF THOSE SPRINGS.
SHE, SHE IS IN FAVOR OF OUR, UH, UH, AGENDA ITEM 21 BECAUSE IN PANDEMIC TIME
AND SHE'S IN FAVOR OF ARTICLE 21.
G THAT CONCLUDES REMOTE SPANISH-SPEAKING ON TWO IN-PERSON PLEASE.
ON ITEM SEVEN OF
UH, I WAS A SINGLE MOTHER AT 17 AND WAS STRUGGLING, UH, TO BE WELL, UH, WHEN I ARRIVED HERE IN AUSTIN AND IT WAS THANKS TO INVESTMENTS MADE IN MY FUTURE THAT I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE GRADUATE SCHOOL.
I WORKED NOW FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I COMPLETED, UH, A PHD AND I AM SERVING MY COMMUNITY BACK.
THIS IS JUST BELIEVING THAT PEOPLE WILL LIFT UP AND GIVE BACK WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN THEM.
SO PLEASE SUPPORT ITEM 21 IN THE AGENDA.
I CAN TRUST THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION, A GOOD FISCAL DECISION.
MA'AM DEVIN CRIED, BUT YOU GOT MY FIRST NAME, RIGHT? USUALLY PEOPLE GET IT WRONG.
UM, SO MY NAME IS DEVIN CARLY I'M IN SUPPORTIVE ITEM 21.
AND, UH, THE REASON FOR THAT IS BACK DURING THE ICE STORM.
UM, MY HOUSE, MY, A PLACE GOT REALLY RAMMED, BUT REAL BAD AND THINGS GOT PIPES, FROZE, WATER WENT EVERYWHERE.
UM, THEN AFTER THAT I FOUND OUT I HAD HIV AND, UM, MADE MY LIFE A LOT HARDER.
AND I HAD, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING THROUGH ALL THIS STUFF AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN WAS GOING TO FEMA, ASK THEM FOR HELP.
THEY KEPT DENYING MY APPLICATION, KEPT KICKING IT BACK, TELLING ME THAT, UH, I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION AND JUST COULDN'T GET IT IN TIMES.
AND THEN, UH, OUT OF NOWHERE UP TOGETHER SHOWED UP AND, UH, MAN, THEY SAVED ME.
THEY SAY, THEY SAY TO ME, AND THEY TOOK
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A LOT OF STRESS OFF ME.AND THEN THE FACT THAT ALL THE STUFF THAT I WAS GOING THROUGH IN THE ALREADY, AND I'M A SINGLE FATHER, I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE CUSTODY OF MY TIP, MY 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.
AND IF IT WASN'T FOR UP TOGETHER, I WOULDN'T BE HERE ABLE TO TELL YOU THIS.
I BROUGHT MY DAUGHTER, PUPPY AND CPS, YOU KNOW, SHE'D PROBABLY, GOD KNOWS WHAT, BUT YOU KNOW, THEY STEPPED IN AND THEY DID WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DIDN'T.
SO I'M ASKING YOU ALL, THANK YOU.
SO YOU NEED TO KEEP OUT OF 20, 21 TAKE YOU AND MR. CARLY, MR. CARLY, NO ONE KNOWS.
IT'S THE GOVERNMENT WORKING WITH UP TOGETHER.
JUST WANT TO LET YOU, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT, THAT YOUR COMMUNITY AND THE TAXPAYERS WE'RE HELPING.
I GET THAT, BUT FEMA SHOULD HAVE.
I MEAN, I, I GOT DETAILED, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT HAPPENED AND THE SITUATION, I MEAN, I'VE GOT FILES AND I JUST KEPT KICKING IT BACK OVER TECHNICALITIES AND FILING.
WOULDN'T TAKE IT AND THEN HAVE TOGETHER CAME IN.
SO, I MEAN, I GET UP TOGETHER AS A, AS A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE MAIN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.
I KNOW FRUSTRATING, BUT I'M HAPPY.
I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH DISTRICT FIVE FOR BLACK LIVES.
WE HEARD MAYOR ADLER, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, AND THE CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE TO SUPPORT ITEM 21 ITEM 21 WILL PROVIDE CRUCIAL EMERGENCY FUNDS TO 85.
WE KNOW THAT A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF BLACK OF AUSTIN, BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES LIVE IN POVERTY AND HOUSING INSECURITY.
ITEM 21 IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO AUSTINITES AT RISK OF EVICTION.
IT'S MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED THAN IT IS TO TRY TO HOUSE THEM.
WHEN THEY'RE ALREADY LIVING ON THE STREETS, PROVIDING THIS DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE WILL BE PEOPLE'S LIFELINE FOR FOOD RENT AND OTHER NECESSARY COSTS TO LIVE ITEM 21 IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN COMMITTING TO RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
NEXT IS KATHLEEN MITCHELL WITH RICHARD SMITH ON DECK RICHARD SMITH WITH ANDREA BLACK.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT AND I OPPOSED AGENDA ITEM 21 BECAUSE OF ITS USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS NOT A TEST TUBE FOR CONDUCTING SOCIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
BASED ON PERSONAL IDEOLOGIES, AUSTIN TAXPAYERS PROVIDE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGH FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS.
INDEED, MANY OF THE PRIOR GBI PILOTS WERE SUPPORTED BY NONPROFITS, SUCH AS THE HOPEWELL FUND SPRINGBOARD TO OPPORTUNITY AND START SMALL.
I'M PERSONALLY FAMILIAR WITH THE ST VINCENT DEPAUL ORGANIZATION THAT DOES PROVIDE IMMEDIATE CASH, IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF ELECTRIC BILLS.
AND IT DOES RESPOND TO PEOPLE ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS.
THE TAX DOLLARS OF AUSTIN RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR THIS MATTER.
I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT I'M SURE MOST OF YOU KNOW, A PROGRAM LIKE THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF UNDOING WHITE SUPREMACY, AUSTIN.
I WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE.
WE'RE INVEST RE-INVESTMENT WORKING GROUP THAT REP RECOMMENDED THE $12 MILLION, UH, GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME PROGRAM.
UM, I ASKED, PLEASE DO NOT DELAY THIS $1 MILLION PILOT.
THE CITY COUNCIL MUST TAKE VOTE BOLD AND VISIONARY ACTION TO HELP AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS STAY AND MAKE IT AN EQUITABLE CITY WHERE EVERYBODY CAN THRIVE.
SIMILAR PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN TESTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH REMARKABLE SUCCESS.
FRANKLY, MANY OF THE QUESTIONS AND CRITIQUES ARE ROOTED IN WHITE SUPREMACY.
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FOR THEIR POVERTY.WHEN WE KNOW IT AS A RESULT OF MULTI-GENERATIONAL SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION, THE QUESTION, THE LEADERSHIP OF UP TOGETHER, A PEOPLE OF COLOR LED ORGANIZATION, DESPITE ITS TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS HERE IN AUSTIN AND ELSEWHERE.
YOU ALL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE THIS PROGRAM A YEAR AGO AND APPROPRIATED FUNDS.
PLEASE DON'T LISTEN TO THE NAYSAYERS.
THE LAYING SOWING DOUBT, ASKING FOR MORE RESEARCH NITPICKING DETAILS ARE TRIED AND TRUE TACTICS OF WHITE SUPREMACY TO UPHOLD THE STATUS QUO.
PLEASE KEEP THE FAITH AND VOTE FOR THIS PILOT PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE A CRITICAL STEP TOWARDS ADDRESSING THESE CHALLENGES.
POWERLESS SYLVESTRI WITH ASHLEY HAMILTON ON DECK.
MY NAME IS
THAT PILLAR THAT FOCUSES ON FINANCIAL STABILITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
I CREATED THE FIRST GUARANTEED INCOME PROJECT IN AUSTIN, WHICH PROVIDES $6,000 A YEAR ASSISTANCE WITH CHILDCARE CONNECTION TO BASIC NEEDS, ADVISING, TUTORING, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN A LEARN, BE AN INTERNSHIP IN APPRENTICESHIPS.
THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM IS NOT NEW OR AS A TEREK SINCE 1982, ALASKA HAS GIVEN EACH CITIZEN, UM, AN ANNUAL CHECK FOR JUST TO BE ALIVE, EFFECTIVELY WIPING OUT EXTREME POVERTY THEY MONEY, WHICH CAN RANGE FROM AROUND $2,000 PER PERSON TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS COMES FROM THE ALASKA PERMANENT FUND S STATE ON INVESTMENT.
WE FIND THAT SHOW REVENUES OR THE REVENUES ECONOMISTS INVESTIGATOR, WHERE THE PAYMENT WAS LEADING PEOPLE TO WORK LESS AND FOUND THAT THE DV THEN HAD NO OFFENSE EFFECT ON EMPLOYMENT.
OVERALL, ANOTHER LONG RUNNING PROGRAM HERE SPRINGBOARD OFF OPPORTUNITY IN JACKSON.
MISSISSIPPI HAS PROVIDED A THOUSAND A MONTH TO HUNDREDS OF BLACK FAMILIES SINCE 2018, THE RESULT 66% INCREASE IN PAYING BILLS ON TIME WITHOUT SUPPORT 48% MORE LIKELY TO HAVE MONEY SAVED FOR EMERGENCIES.
I CAN LIST THIS FOREVER HERE IN AUSTIN OR PROJECT WITH ACC.
WE HAVE SEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PILOT THAT 96% OF PARTICIPANTS ENROLLING THE NEXT SEMESTER VERSUS ONLY 68% OF OTHER STUDENTS, A 20% HIGHER GPA TIME HAS EXPIRED.
UM, PLEASE, UM, THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH FII IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LOW BARRIER.
ON 9 21, GUARANTEED INCOME OFFERS THE BEST HOPE TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES, TO MAKE IMPORTANT LIFE CHOICES THAT EVERYBODY WANTS.
THANK YOU, ASHLEY HAMILTON WITH CHRIS HARRIS ON DECK.
MY NAME IS ASHLEY HAMILTON AND DISTRICT ONE RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.
THIS PLACE SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO GENTRIFICATION, I'M A BLACK SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO.
I'M HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 21 GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.
ALTHOUGH 1 MILLION IS JUST THE START.
WE NEED TO HONOR THE ORIGINAL ASK OF 12 MILLION IT'S TIME TO GET RID OF THE NARRATIVE.
ARGUING THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING POVERTY SIMPLY NEED TO WORK HARDER AND MAKE BETTER PERSONAL CHOICES.
I TOO AM A RECIPIENT OF THE UP TOGETHER FUND.
IN FACT, THE CITY HAS LONG HISTORY OF POLICIES AND LAWS THAT CREATE AND PERPETUATE POVERTY AND RACIAL INEQUITY.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS WHAT OUR NATION IS BUILT ON CENTURIES OF RACISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY CONTRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S HYPER POVERTY RATE, SPECIFICALLY BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES WHO FACE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT BENEFITS SUFFER HIGH RATES OF POVERTY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
IT IS SAID THAT BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MANAGE THEIR FINANCES.
IN REALITY, IT IS SYSTEMIC RACISM THAT HAS ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET FOR WHITES WHILE DESTROYING IT FOR BLACKS.
WE ARE TAUGHT TO SPEND NO MORE THAN 30% OF OUR INCOME ON RENT.
NOT ONLY IS IT UNREALISTIC BUT IMPOSSIBLE WHEN THERE'S NO THERE'S NO RENT CONTROL AND NO INCREASE IN WAGES, GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS HELP ADDRESS THE INCOME DISPARITIES.
THIS PROGRAM WILL ALLOW BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES, THE ABILITY TO BREATHE AND LIVE IN ORDER TO MAYBE ONE DAY BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH START BUSINESSES, OR FOR SOME LIKE ME JUST ENJOY THEIR CHILDREN.
SO HERE, THOSE SAY THINGS LIKE THEY AREN'T GOING TO WORK AND THAT THEY JUST WANT TO HAND OUT TO COLLECT MONEY.
SOME OF US ARE HAVING TO WORK TWO AND THREE JOBS JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET, AND THEN WE'RE BEING PENALIZED FOR NOT BEING WITH OUR KIDS.
AGAIN, I ASK THAT YOU ALL DO THE RIGHT THING AND APPROVE THIS AND GET 12 MILLION TOWARDS THE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.
THANK YOU, CHRIS HARRIS, CYNTHIA VASQUEZ ON DECK.
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THE DIRECTOR OF POLICY AT THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU THIS MORNING.
UH, I'M HERE, UH, IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 21.
UH, I WILL, UH, FIRSTLY, UH, ECHO THE COST FOR, UM, FOR AN EXPANDED PROGRAM.
UH, THAT WAS PARTICULARLY, THAT WAS CONTAINED WITHIN THE REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE.
UH, WE, WE, WE GO TO THOSE CALLS AGAIN WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT BUDGET SIGNED ON BY A GROWING GROUP OF MORE THAN 30 ORGANIZATIONS, UH, ENCOMPASSING A WIDE SWATH OF SOCIAL, UH, UH, OF THE, UH, CIVIL SECTOR HERE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY WE'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE, UM, YES, UM, THE CONSTERNATION THAT YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS PROGRAM THAT SOME HAVE EXPRESSED ABOUT, ABOUT HOW IT WORKS.
UM, THESE ARE WHAT COME ALONG WITH ULTIMATELY WHAT IT MEANS TESTED PROGRAM.
AND THAT'S WHY THE IDEA BEHIND THE UBI IS THAT IT IS UNIVERSAL.
AND SO, SO THOSE SAYING, YOU KNOW, HOW IS THIS STRUCTURED? AND IT SHOULDN'T JUST BE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
BUT WE HAVE A CRISIS RIGHT NOW IN OUR CITY, A CRISIS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED AND WE'RE HERE NOW AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.
OUR FAMILIES CAN'T WAIT, UH, THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY CAN'T WAIT, PLEASE ACT NOW AND APPROVE ITEMS. WOULDN'T WANT TO.
CYNTHIA VASQUEZ WAS SUE GABRIEL ON DECK.
HI, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA VASQUEZ.
I'M A NATIVE EAST AUSTIN CHICANA AND DISPLAY.
SO FOR, FOR, DURING THE PANDEMIC, I WORKED AS AN ORGANIZER FOR GABA GO AUSTIN, VAMOS AUSTIN.
AND I WAS ABLE TO MAN GIVE CASH CODES FOR DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE TO OVER 20 FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THAT WAS A PRIVILEGE AND IT DAMN SURE FELT LIKE AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO CALL WILLIE AND TELL HIM I GOT $500 TO HELP HIM OUT WITH RENT.
IT ALSO FELT GOOD TO CALL JEANETTE WHO LIVES IN FOUR, FOUR AND WAS DISPLACED TO NORTH AUSTIN, ABOUT 15 MILES AWAY FROM HER HOMESCHOOL.
IT FELT GOOD TO BE ABLE TO CALL HER AND TELL HER I HAD $2,000 TO HELP HER OUT WITH RENT.
I WAS ABLE TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN 4, 4, 4 5 5 2 5 8 5 6.
THIS MONEY HELPED OUR FAMILIES MAKE IT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.
AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT COULD DO FOR OUR FAMILIES TO GET THEM OUT OF POVERTY OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
THIS $1 MILLION IS A PIECE OF WHAT WAS INITIALLY ASKED.
I'D LIKE TO REMIND YOU ALL WHO ARE QUESTIONING THAT.
I QUESTION YOUR, YOUR MORALE, YOUR MORALS, NOT THE MORALS OF PEOPLE IN POVERTY PASS ITEM 21.
SUE GABRIEL WITH EVELYN JOHNSON, NICHOLS ON DECK.
UM, SO GABRIEL WITH COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED, UM, FOR ITEM NUMBER 21, THE REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT STATES THAT THE CITY WILL OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENT IMPLEMENTATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF A GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM IN THE FORM OF DIRECT RECURRING CASH PAYMENTS TO TOTAL $12 MILLION ANNUALLY.
THIS MONEY MUST BE USED AT THE RESIDENTS DISCRETION CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND NO ONE ELSE HAS THE RIGHT TO QUESTION WHERE THE POOR PEOPLE CAN BE QUOTE UNQUOTE RESPONSIBLE WITH THE FUNDS.
IT IS PAST TIME FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO EXAMINE YOUR OWN RECORDS OF ADDING TO THE OVERLOADED AB APD BUDGET YEAR AFTER YEAR, GIVING TAXPAYERS MONEY TO CORPORATIONS AND DEVELOPERS.
THEY'RE ERADICATING NEIGHBORHOODS, GIVING TAXPAYERS MONEY TO UNNECESSARILY INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, PLEASE VOTE FOR NUMBER 21.
EVELYN JOHNSON, NICHOLS WITH JEREMY GARS ON DECK JEREMY GARZA.
HOW DO YOU ALL, MY NAME IS JEREMY GARZA AND I LIVE IN SOUTHEAST AUSTIN AND DISTRICT NUMBER THREE IN HERE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 21.
AND I URGE YOU TO PASS AND FUND THIS PILOT PROJECT.
AND EVENTUALLY THE FULL $12 MILLION SPECIFICALLY, I WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE OPINION ARTICULATED BY SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS MEMBERS THAT ARGUE THAT THE RECIPE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NOT THE LOCAL CITY GOVERNMENT TO FUND AND IMPLEMENT A GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT.
I FELT THAT THAT COMMENT WAS A GASLIGHTING SLAP IN THE FACE THAT REALITY OF OUR FEDERAL POLITICS, I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN AUSTIN AND SPENT MONTAGE MOMENTS MY ENTIRE LIFE HERE.
AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN REPRESENTED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OTHER THAN THE STAUNCHEST OF CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS THAT HAVE NEVER REFLECTED
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MY VALUES.WHEN THIS COUNCIL MOVED TO THE CURRENT 10 DISTRICT MODEL, I FELT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, MY VALUES COULD, COULD BE FINALLY REFLECTED IN AT LEAST ONE OF MY ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I IMPLORE YOU TO PUT YOUR ACTIONS WHERE YOUR PURPORTED VALUES ARE AND ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING TO HELP POOR PEOPLE, TO HELP STOP DISPLACEMENT.
BECAUSE IF IT'S NOT YOU, IT WILL NOT COME FROM ANYWHERE ELSE.
THIS PROGRAM IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO TO UPLIFT TO THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE.
AND I WANT YOU ALSO TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT THE WAY THAT POOR PEOPLE ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THE PRESS AND THOSE WHO AGAINST IT, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PASS THIS MEASURE.
ANA
I'M HERE BEFORE YOU AND SUPPORTIVE ITEM 21 FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT I WAS HERE SUPPORTING THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESSNESS.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE I KNOW AND HAVE SEEN THAT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, THE PEOPLE THAT I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF BEFORE THIS BODY FOR YEARS NOW, BENEFIT DEEPLY WHEN THEY HAVE ACCESS TO HAVING THEIR, THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS MET.
I EXPECT OPPOSITION FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
I EXPECT MUCH MORE FROM, FROM THIS BODY.
UM, THIS IS A PLACE WHERE WE CAN SET NEW STANDARDS AND THIS PILOT IS A WAY TO MODEL THE LEADERSHIP THAT IS SO BADLY MISSING FROM THE CAPITOL.
RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE 33 OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE DONE THIS.
I ASKED THAT IF YOU'RE CONCERNED WITH FINDING SAVINGS, YOU LOOK FOR THEM ELSEWHERE AND NOT ON THE BACKS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS AN EXCITING DAY, A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO IMPLEMENT WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET SOMETIME AGO.
THANKS FOR THE CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
PAUL ROBBINS WITH MONICA GUZMAN NEXT MONICA GUZMAN.
CAN YOU HEAR ME THROUGH MY MASK? OKAY, GOOD.
I'M MONICA GUZMAN POLICY DIRECTOR AT GABA.
DIDN'T EXPECT TO GET CHOKED UP THIS EARLY.
UM, I WAS A MEMBER OF THE REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE AND A DISTRICT FOR RESIDENT.
EVERYTHING I HAVE TO SAY FROM THIS POINT FORWARD IS MY THOUGHTS AND MINE ALONE.
SO IT DOES NOT REFLECT IN ANY WAY ON MY EMPLOYER OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
THIS PROGRAM IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE CITY.
I, THERE WAS A TIME IN MY LIFE.
WHEN MY PARENTS SPLIT, MY MOTHER HAD SIX CHILDREN.
SHE WORKED A FULL-TIME JOB FOR THE STATE, WENT TO SCHOOL AT NIGHT.
HER PARENTS WERE AROUND TO HELP TAKE CARE OF US.
IT TOOK HER 20 YEARS TO GET THROUGH COLLEGE, BUT SHE DID IT.
SHE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT.
IF IT WEREN'T FOR PROGRAMS AND FAMILY IN PLACE, THERE WAS NO GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM.
I WAS A SINGLE PARENT AND THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM NOW A SURVIVOR, BUT A VICTIM STRUGGLING TO FIND MY FINANCIAL FOOTING.
I WAS BACK INTO THE ROOM WITH MY MOTHER, AS WELL AS ANOTHER FAMILY, THREE FAMILIES INTO THE SAME ROOF.
EVEN AS I STRUGGLED TO FIND MY OWN FINANCIAL FOOTING, I WAS HELPING PAY MY MOTHER'S PASTOR UTILITY BILLS.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY, YOUR CONSTITUENTS, WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO INFANTILIZE THEM AND EXPECT TO KNOW WHAT THEY SPEND IT ON MEANS YOU DON'T TRUST ADULTS WHO KNOW WHAT THEY NEED BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE.
EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
DITTO, WHAT EVERYBODY WHO HAS SUPPORTED THIS BEFORE ME AND WILL COME UP AFTER ME TO SAY IT.
THANK YOU, TAYLOR LANE WITH ANY FLOM ON DECK.
THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME SOME EXERCISE.
I'VE FIRST ENCOUNTERED GUARANTEED INCOME AS A CONCEPT.
WHEN I WAS DOING MY UNDERGRADUATE IN APPLIED SOCIOLOGY, I THOUGHT IT WAS A DISGUSTING IDEA BECAUSE I WAS RAISED TO BELIEVE THAT HANDOUTS, BEGET, LAZINESS, AGAIN, ALL THIS OTHER STUFF I DID THE READING FOR Y'ALL FOR YOUR CONCERNS.
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CAUSED PEOPLE NOT TO WORK, NOT ACCORDING TO STANFORD UNIVERSITY OR THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS OR A HUNDRED OTHER INSTITUTIONS THAT I COULD TALK ABOUT.MY MORALS DIDN'T HAVE ANY IMPORTANCE.
DIDN'T HAVE ANY PLACE IN SCIENCE.
THIS EMPOWERS THE, THE, THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WHOLE CITY.
PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO FIND MORE MEANINGFUL WORK.
THEY SMOKED LESS BECAUSE THOSE ARE, UM, THOSE ARE SYMPTOMS, NOT CAUSES.
THANK YOU, ANNIE PHLOEM WITH WALLACE.
MAYOR ADLER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND THE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR INCOME MOVEMENT, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING FOR BASIC INCOME POLICY.
IN MY WORK, I'M A CONSTANT WITNESS TO THE TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECTS OF GUARANTEED INCOME PILOTS PROGRAMS IN CITIES, FROM STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA TO JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI HAVE SHOWN THAT DIRECT CASH IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAYS TO LIFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY WHILE PRIORITIZING THE RECIPIENT'S DIGNITY AND AGENCY TO DECIDE HOW BEST TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS.
THE DATA CONSISTENTLY SHOW THAT GUARANTEED INCOME DRAMATICALLY IMPROVES JOB PROSPECTS, FOOD SECURITY, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND THE OVERALL WELLBEING AND MENTAL HEALTH OF RECIPIENTS.
AND THIS ISN'T JUST A BAND-AID SOLUTION.
WE LIVE IN A TIME OF CRISIS FROM PANDEMICS TOWARDS TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND CRISES REQUIRE CASH TO WEATHER.
THE ECONOMIC SHOCKS THAT COME WITH THEM.
MAYOR SHAWN PATTERSON, HOWARD, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE MAYOR'S FOR GUARANTEED INCOME COALITION ALONGSIDE MAYOR ADLER HAS A GREAT WAY OF PUTTING IT.
I URGE YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE URGENCY.
SO MANY AUSTINITES ARE FEELING AND SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.
I THINK IT'S TIME TO PUT THIS OFF UNTIL THE ELECTION.
THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ELECTION AND PRETTY SOON PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE GOING TO WORK EVERY DAY AND PAYING TAXES, OR HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE.
I HAVE THE LUXURY OF COMING DOWN HERE AND TALKING.
THEY DON'T HAVE A STATEMENT HERE.
THIS IS NOT A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME.
ACCORDING TO MAYOR ADLER, OUR MARCH 4 21 AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, COMMITTED TO ACKNOWLEDGING AND CORRECTING THE CITY'S SYSTEMICALLY RACIST PRACTICES AND ERADICATING THE EFFECTS OF THE CITY'S SYSTEMICALLY RACIST PRACTICES IN RESOLUTION 2 0 2, ET CETERA, AND GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS ALSO SERVE AS A FORMER FOR A, FOR THE HISTORIC AND STRUCTURAL ECONOMIC INEQUITIES THAT BLACK INDIGENOUS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE FACED FOR YEARS NATIONALLY.
SECONDLY, THE, UH, UH, LOST A PERMANENT BOND WAS QUOTED AS A GREAT PLACE TO FOUND MISS ALASKA FACES HUGE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BUDGET PROBLEMS. AND THE PERMANENT FUND IS THAT CENTER OF BOTH.
THANK YOU FOR ITEM 33 JOA POWER LAW CONNOLLY.
UM, I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE BASIC INCOME PROGRAM, ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE TO QUICKLY JUST ADD MY VOICE IN SUPPORT.
I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET THAT DONE.
I HOPE WE CAN GET IT DONE TODAY.
ONLY BY STARTING WITH THIS PILOT PROGRAM.
CAN WE LEARN AND IMPROVE AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT RIGHT? SO IF WE JUST KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT, WE'LL NEVER FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT RIGHT.
UM, BUT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
UM, THE ATX MOBILITY COALITION SENT YOU ALL AN EMAIL ABOUT OUR CONCERNS ABOUT, UM, THE AUSTIN, UM, THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, UM, CHANGING THE BOARD STRUCTURE FOR ATP.
AND I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY OF YOU WERE ABLE TO READ THAT EMAIL, BUT I JUST WANTED TO KIND OF RESTATE A FEW OF THE KEY CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE.
UM, CHANGING THE BOARD STRUCTURE IS A SERIOUS DEAL.
IT HAS MAJOR POTENTIAL EQUITY IMPLICATIONS IN TERMS OF WHO IS REPRESENTED ON THAT BOARD, HOW MUCH INDEPENDENCE THAT BOARD HAS AND HOW MUCH OF A COMMUNITY VOICE IS ON THAT BOARD.
[00:45:01]
SO WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT CHANGING IT WITHOUT A PROPER AND THOROUGH PROCESS.AND THAT PROCESS SHOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE KINDS OF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE MADE BY THE, YOU KNOW, CENTER REPORT TO THE ATP.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME ON ITEM 35, NICOLE NETHERTON GOOD MORNING.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TRAVIS AUDUBON.
I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY, WHICH TAKES PLACE ON MAY 14TH.
WE HAVE SOME HONORED GUESTS PASSING THROUGH OUR CITY THAT MANY OF US DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE OF EVERY YEAR.
ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE BIRDS THAT MIGRATE THROUGH THE UNITED STATES WILL PASS THROUGH TEXAS GUYS AT NIGHT.
THAT'S NEARLY 2 BILLION BIRDS, MANY JOURNEYING, THOUSANDS OF MILES.
IT'S WONDERFUL TO IMAGINE ALL THOSE BIRDS IN FLIGHT, BUT I KNOW THAT THE COUNCIL HAS MANY OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES TO CONSIDER TODAY.
SO WHY IS MIGRATION IMPORTANT? THESE ARE JUST LITTLE BIRDS AFTER ALL.
THIS IS A TRICK QUESTION BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NO LITTLE THINGS IN NATURE.
BIRDS MAY BE SMALL, BUT THEY ARE CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING ELSE.
THEY ARE THE UMBRELLA SPECIES FOR ALL THE LOWER ORGANISMS IN THE SYSTEM, AND THEY NEED THE SAME THINGS THAT HUMANS DO, CLEAN AIR AND WATER ENOUGH FOOD TO GET THROUGH THE DAY AND SAVE QUIET PLACES TO MAKE SHELTER AND PROTECT THEIR YOUNG THREATS TO BIRDS ARE WARNING FOR WHAT BECOME THREATS TO HUMANS.
BIODIVERSITY DESERVES PROTECTION.
THANK YOU FOR AMPLIFYING THE IMPORTANCE OF MIGRATORY BIRDS WITH THIS RESOLUTION AND FOR WORKING WITH TRAVIS AUTOBON AND OUR PARTNERS TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY IN THE CITY AND ITEM 63, ALEXANDER STRINGER.
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 63 AND THE NEED TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE GREATEST EMERGENCY WE ARE FACING IS COVID.
AND THAT IS WHY I AM WEARING A MASK.
AND THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO REINSTATE THE MASK MANDATES CASES ARISING, AND A NEW VARIANT IS GOING TO COME OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION.
SO WE NEED TO GET A HEADSTART ON THIS THING.
I'M WEARING THIS MASK TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I TAKE COVID SERIOUSLY, BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN SCIENCE AND BECAUSE I WANT TO PROTECT YOUR GRANDMOTHER.
AND I REFUSE TO ALLOW ANOTHER PERSON TO DIE.
AN ACCOUNT OF THESE COVID DENYING ANTI-VAX TRUMP SUPPORTING RIGHT WING EXTREMISTS, JOE BIDEN, THE GREATEST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.
HE'S CREATING A DISINFORMATION BOARD AND WE HAVE AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD ON THIS ISSUE.
AND THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO PUT THESE MEGA HAT WEARING SCIENCE DENIERS IN REEDUCATION CAMPS.
IMMEDIATELY, THERE IS NO GREATER THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY THAN WHITE SUPREMACY.
AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WEAR A MASK AND GET VACCINATED, THEN YOU ARE A WHITE SUPREMACIST AND YOU NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM SOCIETY AT ONCE.
FURTHERMORE, THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A U S CITIZEN TO VOTE IS ROOTED IN RACISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY AS WELL.
LISTEN, GUYS, I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, VLADIMIR PUTIN AND THOSE RACIST JUDGES ON THE SUPREME COURT.
AND ITEM 67 DANIEL KOPPELMAN, THAT CONCLUDES IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.
DOES ANYBODY ELSE SHOW UP IN PERSON THAT WE WENT THROUGH? THEY WERE NOT HERE TO STAND UP.
YOU'RE WITH WENT DOWN TO THE CLERK.
AND I USUALLY AM HERE ON KIND OF OTHER TOPICS.
UH, I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF EQUITY ACTION.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A COMMUNITY BUDGET THAT INCLUDES THIS ITEM AMONG MANY OTHERS AS PRIORITIES THAT WE HOPE YOU WILL BE CONSIDERING FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.
AND I'M SORRY THAT WE'RE HAVING TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED FROM THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE.
AND I GUESS I JUST WANT TO ADD SOMETHING PERSONAL.
UM, THERE'S, UH, THERE'S A LOT OF IDEOLOGY THAT SEEMS TO BE SPARKED BY THIS ISSUE, BUT I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO SOMETHING REALLY FUNDAMENTAL, UM, PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADEQUATE INCOME AND WEALTH, WHEN A THING HAPPENS TO THEMSELVES OR THEIR CHILDREN, INCLUDING THEIR ADULT CHILDREN, THEY PAY FOR IT.
IF YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN AND IT COSTS $700,
[00:50:01]
YOU PAY FOR IT.IF YOU ARE NOT MAKING IT, IF YOU ARE NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY AND YOU HAVE NO WEALTH.
AND I WANT TO REMIND YOU OF THOSE CHARTS THAT WE'VE SEEN RECENTLY FLOATING AROUND, DESCRIBING THE INCREASED GAP BETWEEN THE BOTTOM 50% AND THE TOP 0.01%.
IF YOU ARE IN THAT BOTTOM 50%, YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR THAT $700 CAR REPAIR FOR THAT UNEXPECTED MEDICAL BILL.
AND AT THAT POINT, YOUR LIFE IS IN CRISIS.
AND TO ME, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
FAMILIES THAT DON'T AFTER 40 YEARS OF MASSIVE REDISTRIBUTION OF THE WEALTH FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP, WE HAVE HALF OF OUR AMERICAN FAMILIES WHO CAN'T DEAL WITH ONE BAD THING THAT HAPPENS.
AND SO FOR ME PERSONALLY, TO YOU PERSONALLY, I WANT US TO REMEMBER THAT WE'RE TRYING TO WALK DOWN A PATH AND WE'RE TRYING TO STAY THE COURSE AND BE WHO WE ARE AS A CITY.
AND THIS IS THE MOMENT WHEN WE CAN SHOW THAT AND THEN WE CAN TAKE ANOTHER STEP IN THE NEXT MOMENT.
ANYONE ELSE HERE? WE DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO RECOGNIZE, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE PROPOSED SPEAKERS AND ITEM 20 ONES NOW HALL PATEL.
MY NAME IS
UM, I STRONGLY SUPPORT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 21 BUNNY, A GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT.
UH, IN ADDITION TO THE $1 MILLION IN ITEM NUMBER 21, WE NEED AT MINIMUM TO 12, $12 MILLION ALLOCATED TO THIS PILOT AS WAS OUTLINED IN THE REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS AT LEVI GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT, THAT DIRECTLY DIRECT INCOME TO THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MADE MOST VULNERABLE.
AND AS BERKELEY UNDERSERVED PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RELIABLE INCOME STREAM THAT WOULD HELP RECIPIENTS RESPOND TO THEIR NEEDS AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION.
YOU KNOW, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED IN AUSTIN, WE HAVE A VERY SIGNIFICANT WEALTH IN, UH, YOU KNOW, WEALTH GAP AND THERE'S SIGNIFICANT INEQUALITY.
AND THIS DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE SOCIAL DETERMINES OF HEALTH, THAT INFLUENCE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND A GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM LEADS TO SUBSTANTIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AS WELL AS COST SAVINGS IN HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURES.
WE SAW THIS WITH THE RISE BONDS THAT ENABLED FAMILIES TO FACE THE HEALTH AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC DECREASING THE RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, DECREASING FOOD INSECURITY AND HEALTH CRISES, AND ULTIMATELY SAVING MONEY FOR THE CITY.
SO WELL-FUNDED GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM ENABLES HOUSING STABILIZATION AND IT IMPROVES INDIVIDUAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND IS A STEP TOWARD REPAIRING STRUCTURAL HARM AND IMPROVING.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR ADLER.
SHANNON BEGAN AS A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND A MEMBER OF UNDOING THE AUSTIN, ERIC, THE COUNCIL MAYOR
I'M ASKING THAT THE TAX COUNSEL ACTUAL SYSTEM IT'S FULL YEAR 2022 BUDGET WRITER, WHICH IS CIVICALLY NAMED UP TOGETHER FOR THIS PILOT.
I GUARANTEE HE DIDN'T COMPILOT HELP.
CITY OF AUSTIN ADDRESS MULTIPLE FACTORS FOR RESONANT COMMUNITY STABILITY, INCLUDING OUTDOOR INSTABILITY, FOOD INSECURITY, ECONOMIC INSECURITY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH BECAUSE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM, BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ARE HIT HARDEST BY THESE CHALLENGES IS BEYOND TRYING TO SHOW UP WITH MEANINGFUL COMMITMENTS TOWARDS RACIAL EQUITY.
YOU'VE HEARD THE WISDOM OF FOLKS DIRECTLY AFFECTED TODAY.
WE CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OFTEN AS GARNERING, WHY WORLDWIDE ATTENTION OR I'LL DO PRICES CAN BE DESPERATE.
WE NEED LOCAL LEADERSHIP IN THE INTEREST OF ALL OUR RESIDENTS.
THE CITY HAS THE SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES OF WORKING WITH US TOGETHER THROUGH THE RISE OF BRIDGE DIRECT FUNDING PROGRAM.
THE GOAL OF THIS PILOT IS TO LEARN THROUGH THE SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION HERE IN AUSTIN, SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT THE COP TOGETHER HAS A DOCUMENTED RECORD OF SUCCESS.
NATIONALLY, THIS IS A BOLD MOVE TOWARDS EQUITY, NOT AN OVERLY RISKY ONE.
DO NOT WAIT TO INVEST IN A MORE EQUITABLE AUSTIN.
I AM A FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT IN DISTRICT NINE AS A SINGLE COLLEGE STUDENT.
[00:55:01]
I HAVE VERY MUCH FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING, SO I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO STOP THEM.WHAT IT IS LIKE TO TRY AND FEED AN ENTIRE FAMILY.
WHEN I AM STRUGGLING TO PAY MY OWN RENT.
UM, IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD TO ACCESS A FEDERAL PROGRAM, YOU WOULD KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS AND HOW MUCH RED TAPE IS INVOLVED.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS A CHANCE TO REALLY SHOW THAT WE PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH.
IT OFTEN CLAIMS TO BE THIS PROGRESSIVE FORWARD THINKING CITY.
YET HERE WE ARE SPENDING SO MUCH TIME DEBATING AN ITEM THAT IS PROVEN WITH DATA THAT IT, THAT IT WORKS.
SO I PLEASE ASK THAT YOU VOTE YES.
ON ITEM 21 AND HELP CLOSE THAT GAP.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I HAVE TO CALL IN TODAY.
MY NAME IS MIKA ARNOLD NIKA ARNOLD.
I'M A BLACK SINGLE MOTHER IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UM, I WAS A PART OF THE WORKING GROUP OR RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND I AM A RECEPTIONIST WITH SEPARATE TENT OF THE RISE UP PROGRAM.
AND MIND YOU, IF I WOULD HAVE NEVER RECEIVED THOSE SONGS IN THE TIME OF ME, I, BY MYSELF, THE FOUNDER OF THE HEALING PROJECT, WHAT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO MOVE 4% OF THE UNHOUSED POPULATION BY MYSELF, NO HELP FROM ANY OTHER CITY WORKERS OR FROM THE CITY, IF ANYTHING, I HELPED THE CITY THAT DAY.
SO IMAGINE, IMAGINE HOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN POURING INTO THESE PEOPLE.
POWER IS BLACK AND BROWN BLOOD THAT MAKE THIS CITY GROWTH PERIOD AND Y'ALL NEED TO DO WHAT Y'ALL NEED TO DO FOR US.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TO COME AND EXPRESS MYSELF.
IT'S OTHER RED LINES BUREAUCRACY PROGRAMS THAT DON'T GIVE US ANYTHING THAT WANT OUR SOCIAL SECURITY.
THAT'S LIMITED TO A HOUSEHOLD THAT WON'T ALL OUR INFORMATION AND WE STILL DON'T GET APPROVED FOR FUNDING.
LOOK AT THE DATA, LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WE ARE NOT TEST DUMMY.
UM, I'M A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT ONE IN CENTRAL EAST AUSTIN FOR NOW.
I MIGHT MOVE OUT OF THIS DISTRICT BECAUSE MY RENT IS INCREASING MORE THAN 20%.
UM, SO I PROBABLY WON'T RENEW MY LEASE.
UM, AND I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE FOLKS WHO BROUGHT UP IDEOLOGY AND THE CONCERN FOR FISCAL CONCERNS WITH ITEM 21 AS A POTENTIAL HANDOUT.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO AVOID THAT FRAMING AND IT THINK OF IT AS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S A COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE FAILURE WHEN WE HAVE ENOUGH MARGINALIZED PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE BRINK OF ANOTHER EMERGENCY TO LEAD TO EVICTION AND OTHER, UM, CONCERNING EMERGENCY ISSUES.
SO I KNOW BETTER THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LIKE, UM, PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY ARE EXTREMELY RESOURCEFUL, ARE EXTREMELY RESILIENT AND IT'S TOO LONG.
NOW THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING THAT LEVEL OF RESILIENCE JUST FOR MERE SURVIVAL.
SO I THINK THIS INVESTMENT WILL LEAD TO REALLY GREAT THINGS IS FOR FOLKS WHO ARE LESS MOVED BY THE IDEA OF JUST HUMAN DIGNITY AND HAVING FOLKS, FAMILIES, BEING ABLE TO BREATHE AT CHILDREN, BEING ABLE TO EAT, UH, THINK THE, THE FINANCIAL RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS WILL BE REALLY POSITIVE IN TERMS OF, UM, HIGHLIGHTING AREAS OF NEED OF HOW WE CAN BETTER IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM.
UH, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
I'M CALLING FROM LESLIE POOLS DISTRICT TO URGE TO VOTE.
ALL OF US HERE ARE ENTIRELY TOO AWARE OF THE GOOD THAT A GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS CAN DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
ESPECIALLY AS IT BECOMES MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE JUST TO LIVE HERE.
COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE BUDGET WRITER, ESPECIALLY SPECIFICALLY NAMING UP TOGETHER TO DO THE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.
AND NOW IT'S JUST UP TO US TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON ADMINISTERING THE FUNDS, THE PROJECT, HONESTLY, IT'S KIND OF WILD TO ME THAT THERE COULD EVEN BE ANY PUSHBACK ON THIS UP TOGETHER HAS DOCUMENTED A RECORD OF SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION.
AND ON TOP OF THAT, WE ALL KNOW THAT THE PENNIES THAT WILL COME FROM THIS PROGRAM WILL GO STRAIGHT TO FOOD AND RENT.
[01:00:01]
IF IT IS A HANDOUT, IT'S A HANDOUT THAT DOESN'T EVEN LAST.IT GOES STRAIGHT TO FEEDING PEOPLE SO THEY DON'T START AND STRAIGHT TO RENT.
SO THAT THEY'RE ON THE STREETS.
WHY DO WE NEED TO POLICE THAT? WHY DO WE NEED TO QUESTION THAT IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT SHOULD BE DEBATED? IT'S THE FACT THAT THE BILL IS TOO LOW.
I WOULD OWN THE TASK FORCE, LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE ALL TODAY AND 12 MILLION IS WHAT WE ASKED FOR.
THIS IS THE PENNIES IN COMPARISON.
AND YET WE STILL HAVE TO BEG FOR PENNIES.
PLEASE APPROVE THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM.
ANYTHING LESS THAN 12 MILLION IS SPENT IN THE FACE OF THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE CITY, BUT IT'S THE LEAST YOU COULD DO.
MY NAME IS BEVERLY LAVAR AND I REPRESENT DISTRICT EIGHT, THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND UNDOING WHITE SUPREMACY, AUSTIN.
AND I AM SUPPORTING THE GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM.
AS I BELIEVE IT WAS A SPRINGBOARD FOR FAMILIES TO REACH ECONOMIC STABILITY FROM OUR PROGRAMS ACROSS THE US HAVE SHOWN THAT AFTER 12 MONTHS OF EXTRA INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE A LEVEL OF STABILITY AND SAVINGS THAT ALLOW THEM TO MOVE OFF OF ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS LIKE THESE OVER THE ROUTINE OR HISTORY OF GUARANTEES INCOME PROGRAMS, THEY HAVE DISTRIBUTED OVER $135 MILLION TO 200,000 HOUSEHOLDS.
THOSE HOUSEHOLDS REPORT A 200 TO 300% INCREASE IN MONTHLY SERVINGS AND RETIREMENT SAVINGS.
PERCENT OF FAMILIES REPORTED IMPROVEMENT IN CHILDREN'S GROUPS, WHICH I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN AS A RETIRED TEACHER AND A 36% DECREASE IN THE USE OF SUBSIDIES LIKE SNAP, MUCH OF THE IMPACT INFORMATION I JUST REFERENCED COME DIRECTLY FROM UP TOGETHER, WHICH AUSTIN ALREADY HAS DIRECT EXPERIENCE WITH UP TO BROTHER WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF YOUR SUCCESS PROVIDING WAS THAT TIME.
HI, MY NAME IS FRANCIS
AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.
I ALSO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING OUR TRANSLATE, UH, OUR RESIDENTS THAT LEAD TRANSLATION FIRST BECAUSE THEY TAKE THEIR TIME FROM, UH, THEIR WORK OR, OR THE, THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE DOING.
SO THEY COULD BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS ISSUE.
I'M ASKING THAT YOU VOTE YES FOR ITEM 21.
IT GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I THINK BEFORE THE APPROVED FUNDS DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH UP TOGETHER WHERE RESIDENTS RECEIVED DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM RICE FUNDS AND WHICH HELPED MANY OFTEN FAMILIES REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES.
GOD KNOWS MANY OF THE MANY FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM BENEFITED FROM, FROM THEM.
I MUST SAY I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING RESIDENTS THROUGH MY JOB WITH THIS FUND.
I ASKED THAT YOU CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT NO FAMILY IS LEFT BEHIND ON A SLOW ROAD TO RECOVERY FROM ALL OF THESE CLIMATE DISASTERS IN THE AUSTIN HOUSING CRISIS THAT HAS THESE PROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED AUSTIN EASTERN CRESCENT COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU, LISA BLACKWELL ITEM 21.
HI, MY NAME IS LISA BLACKWELL.
I MAY, I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO AND I'M CALLING IN FAVOR OF ITEM 21, THE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.
I BELIEVE IT WOULD BENEFIT OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHILE BOOSTING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR AUSTIN AS A WHOLE, I FEEL THIS WAY PROTECTS PEOPLE MOST MARGINALIZED BY OUR STATE LAWS AND THE GUARANTEED INCOME HAS BEEN SHOWN IN OTHER COMMUNITIES TO REDUCE INCOME VOLATILITY, IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELLBEING AND REDUCE ANXIETY AS WELL AS CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOAL SETTING, CHOICE, RISK, TAKING SUCH AS EDUCATION AND STARTING BUSINESSES.
AND SELF-DETERMINATION, I BELIEVE IN LIGHT OF AUSTIN'S AFFORDABILITY CRISIS AND ATTACKS ON OUR MOST MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
IT'S TIMELY THAT WE CONSIDER MEASURES SUCH AS THIS TO PROTECT THE FAMILIES THAT BUILT OUR CITY INTO THE GREAT PLACE THAT IS WHERE EVERYONE ELSE WANTS YOU.
[01:05:06]
HELLO.HI, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
I WORK WITH THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, AND I WANT TO START BY SAYING THAT EVERYTHING I HAVE TO SAY IS OF MY OWN OPINION.
UM, I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 21 AND THE PUSH FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM.
IT'S STATISTICALLY PROVEN THAT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED THE WORST DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, FROM THE LOSS OF JOBS THAT WEREN'T PROVIDING A LIVING WAGE TO BEGIN WITH.
SO EXPERIENCING THE WORST OF MEDICAL RACISM WHILE SEEKING TREATMENT OR LACK THERE OF SKYROCKETING HOUSING CRISIS ALREADY REDLINED NEIGHBORHOODS, EXPERIENCING ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM.
IT'S CRUCIAL THAT WE TAKE CARE OF OUR MOST MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP SO MUCH OF THE LABOR FORCE IN THE CITY OUTSIDE OF THE, UM, HIGHLY WHITE SECTOR.
UM, THAT IS THE TEXT AID THAT'S TAKING OVER.
PEOPLE ARE BEING PUSHED OUT OF THEIR HOME.
THE COST OF FOOD AND GROCERIES IS ON PAR WITH EATING AT RESTAURANTS AND FOLKS ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE.
THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN EFFECTIVELY TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE IS BY MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE MEANS TO KEEP THEIR LIGHTS ON AND TO KEEP THEIR WATER ON.
WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE? HOW WOULD AUSTIN CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE OF THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY BY REFLECTING AS SUCH IN GROWING AND BOOMING CITIES WITH SO MUCH MONEY AND SO MUCH WEALTH TO PRIORITIZE THE WELLBEING OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT OUT OF THE WAY BY, THROUGH HISTORIC LEGISLATION IN THE CITY.
UM, SO I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 21.
I BELIEVE THAT BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS, THIS IS THEIR RIGHT TO LIVE.
HI, UH, DRAW, I JUST HAVE A QUICK COMMENT ON THE LIGHTING SITUATION.
AND ALSO THE ROAD SAFETY FEATURES LIKE SAFETY LIGHTING.
THERE'S THIS TERRIFYING PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK AT FOURTH STREET AT 9 35 WITHOUT SIGNAGE OR A SIGNAL.
UH, I'VE SEEN PEOPLE RUN ACROSS IT AND GET LUCKY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S A CROWD OF COMMUTERS WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, BUT IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE THE CARS ON THE 35 FEET OR AREN'T SEEING THE CROSSWALK OR THE PEOPLE, BECAUSE THERE'S JUST, THEY'RE GOING FAST.
UM, LIKE I'VE HAD TO RESORT TO HOLDING LARGE HEAVY OBJECTS IN FRONT OF ME, UM, TEND TO STOP, BUT IT, IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL SAFE.
UM, WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE THIS INTERSECTION SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS? AND CAN WE COMMIT TO PRIORITIZING THIS IN ADDITION TO THE LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE? THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER REMAINING.
AND SO SPEAKING REMOTE, THEY WILL SPEAK IN PERSON ON ITEM 21.
ZENOBIA JOSEPH THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL.
I'M ZENOBIA JOSEPH, ACTUALLY, I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 33 AS WELL.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY TO COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, TO REMEMBER THAT 2.9 BOARDINGS AN HOUR IN CONVICT HILL DOES NOT MAKE FOR AN EQUITABLE SYSTEM.
THEREFORE I OPPOSE INCREASING THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP MEMBERSHIP FROM FIVE TO NINE.
YOU CAN REMOVE THE SLIDE AS IT RELATES TO ITEM 21 MAYOR.
I APPRECIATE THE CONCEPT OF GUARANTEED INCOME, BUT AS YOU KNOW, I OPPOSE THE PROCESS AND WOULD REMIND YOU THAT A FAMILY INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE ACTUALLY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND.
AND YOU ACTUALLY CHARGED THE RISE OF FUND THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE IMMIGRANTS DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE CARES ACT.
SO THIS IS A MATTER REALLY FOR THE TREASURY INSPECTOR GENERAL TO REVIEW, AS IT RELATES TO 25, 26 AND 27, THOSE ARE THE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH CONTRACTS.
I WOULD JUST ASK THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR SOME MEASURABLE OUTCOMES.
ONE OF THE, UH, CONTRACTS IS FOR OMELET FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH.
AND I CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR THE YOUTH TO HAVE, UH, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, BUT THIS IS A TWO YEAR CONTRACT AND IT DOESN'T SHOW ANY OF THE MEASURABLE OUTCOMES.
UH, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL GLADLY ANSWER THEM AT THIS TIME.
THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC SPEAKERS, ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, UH, THAT WE GET TO ALRIGHT, COLLEAGUES THAT BRINGS IT BACK TO US ON THE DAY
[Consent Agenda]
AS AGAIN, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEM 1 41 THROUGH 41 AND 63[01:10:01]
AND 66.UH, SO WE CAN CONSIDER IT FIRST IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO PULL 35, UH, AS WE SAID, WE WOULD, UH, THAT WAS REQUESTED BY, UH, KELLY.
UH, WE'LL VOTE ON IT RIGHT AFTER IT GETS PULLED.
I MEAN, I WRITE A FREE VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I HAVE 23, UH, ITEM NUMBER 23.
IS THERE A PRESENTATION THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE ON THAT? SO I CAN STAY ON TO CONSENT.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, MEGAN RILEY, ON BEHALF OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT, I'M HERE TO RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE A PAYMENT OF 82,500, UH, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER 23 ON YOUR AGENDA.
IT'S RELATED TO A CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING AUSTIN ENERGY.
THE NAME OF THE CASE IS SHERRY DAVIS VS THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
THE RECORD WILL REFLECT THAT NUMBER ON THAT ITEM OR THE DISCUSSION.
MAY OR NOT ON THE ASSIGNMENT IS GOING TO, UH, ASK TO PULL A 33.
WE'LL PULL ANYTHING ELSE GUYS BEFORE THIS? YES.
I'D LIKE TO PULL ITEM 13 JUST FOR A FEW QUESTIONS FROM STAFF.
CASPER TOVO I HAD SUBMITTED A FEW ITEMS TO PULL THIS MORNING, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE I MAY NOT HAVE MADE THEIR WAY TO YOU.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO PULL, OR I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT 18 AND THEN THERE, I HAVE A COUPLE, UM, SLIGHT AMENDMENTS TO 21 THAT I THINK WILL BE FRIENDLY TO READ THEM INTO THE RECORD.
W FOUR, YOU WERE PULLING, WHAT WAS THE OTHER ONE? 18.
I JUST HAVE A FEW EXTRAORDINARILY QUICK QUESTIONS.
AND THEN WHAT WAS THE AMENDMENT ON? UH, FOR, UH, AMENDMENT WAS ON 21.
UM, AND THIS WOULD BE AN AMENDMENT TO YOUR MOTION SHEET MAYOR, UM, AT THE SECOND BULLET, WHERE ARE YOU TALK ABOUT? THE SELECTION CRITERIA IS TO BE MADE BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE, I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST ADDING THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE COMMA, THE DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION DIVISION COMMENT AND THE INNOVATION OFFICE.
YOU'RE ADDING ADDITIONAL ENTITIES.
I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT SAY, BUT ANY OBJECTION TO THAT BIG ADDED HAIRY DOOR THAT'S ON THE FACE MOTION ON A CONCERNED I'M AN EFFICIENT OFFICE MAY SOUND LIKE AN UNUSUAL CHANGE, BUT IN ADDITION, BUT THEY'VE, AS YOU KNOW, JOHN LUTZ, ALYSON IS AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS LEADING TO HOMELESS HOMELESSNESS AND THE MEMO FROM BRIANNA, FROM BRIAN OAKS ON MAY 2ND, CITES THEM AND, AND THEIR WORTH.
MY SECOND EDIT, UM, AMENDMENT WOULD BE THE LAST BULLET ON PAGE ONE, ASKING, EXCUSE ME, ASKING THE MANAGER TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL UPON COMPLETION OF THE 12 MONTH PERIOD.
I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT HE CHECK IN WITH US AT THE THREE AND SIX MONTH MARK AND JUST PROVIDE US WITH A VERY SHORT, UM, MEMO OR COMMUNICATION, LETTING US KNOW THE PROGRESS.
I ALSO DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT INTIMIDATED QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT MANAGERS THAT, OKAY, THAT'S FINE.
ANY OBJECTION, COLLEAGUES, INCLUDING THAT HEARING NONE.
THAT'S ALSO INCLUDED TO THE BASE.
I ENDED UP ON CONSENT AND I THINK THAT'S IT, YOU KNOW, THE LANGUAGE THAT HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN IN THE BUDGET RIDER WAS ADDRESSING HOUSING INSECURITY AND HOMELESSNESS.
AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT, THAT THIS, THAT MOST OF THE FUNDS ARE REALLY GOING PREVENTION.
AND I WANTED TO SEE IF THAT'S KIND OF HOW YOU SEE IT AS WELL, THAT MOST OF A LOT OF THE IMPETUS FOR THIS PROGRAM IS TO, TO HELP THOSE FAMILIES WHO ARE ON THE VERGE OF DISPLACEMENT AND, OR THE VERGE OF HOMELESS NESS TO STAY HOUSED.
I THINK THAT THAT WAS THE INTENT OF THE ACTION WE TOOK LAST SUMMER.
AND THAT, AGAIN, AS WE WERE SETTING UP THE BUDGET, UH, BY WAY OF DIVERTING PEOPLE FROM HOMELESSNESS, UH, I THINK IS REALLY, WHICH IS WHY I THINK THAT THE EQUITY OFFICE WAS TALKING ABOUT FOCUSING ON, UH, PEOPLE ABOUT TO FACE EVICTION OR THAT KIND OF THING.
[01:15:01]
COLLEAGUES, ANYTHING ELSE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA COUNSELOR? WHAT THIS MAKES THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER IN 30 SECONDS THAT HEY, DISCUSSION, I HAD JUST BEEN CAUGHT ON CONSENT ITEMS FOR 13, 18 22 33 AND 35, UH, CASUAL HER KITCHEN.I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING, UM, ADAM 21 AND FOR YOUR, UH, DIRECTION ON THE MESSAGE BOARD.
UM, I THINK THAT I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A, UM, YOU KNOW, VERY IMPORTANT, UM, ITEM TWO, DIRECTED AT PREVENTION AS COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO MENTIONED.
AND AS YOU HAVE MENTIONED, UH, WE REALLY NEED TO SEARCH FOR ALL WAYS WE CAN IN OUR CITY, UH, TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM LOSING THEIR HOMES, UM, AND BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
SO, UM, SO I APPRECIATE THE DIRECTION THAT YOU BROUGHT FORWARD.
I THINK THAT ANSWERED THE CONCERNS THAT I HAD, UM, AND MY, UM, REASON FOR WANTING TO POSTPONE, WHICH WE DID LAST TIME.
UM, FIRST COLLEAGUES WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON MY ITEM ITEM, NUMBER 34 REGARDING TAKING THE NEXT STEP AND DOUBLING OUR PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY FOR CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES.
I AM SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE EFFORT AND IT IS A LONG TIME COMING.
IT'S A POLICY THAT I THINK MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AND THAT WE'RE SEEING MOVEMENT ON ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS CITY OF HOUSTON HAS GONE TO A FULL PAID 12 WEEKS PARENTAL LEAVE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
UH, TRAVIS COUNTY, JUST A FEW DAYS AGO, UM, ACTUALLY SURPASSED CITY OF AUSTIN'S POLICY BY ADOPTING AN EIGHT WEEK PAID PARENTAL LEAVE AND MADE, UH, ELIGIBILITY AT THE SIX MONTH MARK VERSUS THE ONE YEAR MARK, WHICH IS WHERE OUR CITY OF AUSTIN POLICY STANDS.
AND SO THIS POLICY WE HAVE, UM, THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD TODAY.
WE'LL TAKE THAT NEXT STEP AND DOING A, A COST STUDY.
AND I, LET ME BE HONEST, I'VE RECEIVED LOTS OF FEEDBACK THESE LAST FEW DAYS OF WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER STUDY? CAN'T WE JUST DO IT ALREADY.
AND I AM VERY MUCH OF THE MINDSET THAT WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND EXTEND OUR PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY TO FULL 12 WEEKS.
AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS A WILL ON THIS COUNCIL TO DO THAT.
AND SO, UM, HAVING THIS INFORMATION CERTAINLY WILL HELP VALIDATE WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW.
IT'LL AFFIRM THE, UH, THE RECOMMENDATION THAT CAME OUT OF THE, UH, ASSESSMENT FAMILY-FRIENDLY ASSESSMENT AND REPORT THAT WAS CONDUCTED BACK IN, UH, 2019 AND RELEASED IN 2020.
UH, SO I'M EXCITED TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP FORWARD ON ITEM AND THANK YOU TO MY CO-SPONSORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON ITEM 21.
WANT TO GIVE A BIG THANK YOU TO THE ADVOCATES WHO SHOWED UP TODAY TO TESTIFY AND SHOW SUPPORT FOR INITIATING OUR GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM HERE IN AUSTIN.
UH, THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME FOR US.
AND LIKE MANY OF YOU SAID SO ELOQUENTLY, IT IS, UH, MUCH NEEDED, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS HOUSING CRISIS THAT WE'RE IN.
AND MANY OF YOU ALL GAVE MOVING TESTIMONIALS ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM WOULD HAVE IN OUR AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
SO I JUST WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE FOR SHOWING UP TODAY.
I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS POLICY MOVE FORWARD.
I KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE BY HAVING THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME FOR OUR COMMUNITIES IN NEED.
AND CERTAINLY WE KNOW THAT THIS IS AN EFFECTIVE MODEL THAT WORKS.
UH, KELLY IS NO LONGER ASKING FOR HER TO PUT 35 TO BE POSTPONED.
SO WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PUT 35 BACK ONTO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
HOWEVER, ALICE, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANTED TO SPEAK BRIEFLY TO ITEM NUMBER 21.
UM, THERE ARE MANY STRATEGIES THAT WE USE TO HELP ENSURE THAT HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTIN IS RARE, BRIEF, AND NON-RECURRING AS A CITY, WE INVEST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE BIGGEST CRISIS THAT WE FACE AS A COMMUNITY, INCLUDING AFFORDABILITY DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS.
LAST SUMMER, WE APPROVED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SOCIAL SERVICES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS, CRISIS RESPONSE, HOUSING STABILIZATION, THE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT WAS ONE ON ONE LINE ITEM.
IN THAT FUNDING PACKAGE, WE'VE INVESTED MILLIONS INTO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE EXPERTS IN HELPING LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE FACING POVERTY.
SOME OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ARE MOBILE LOAVES AND FISHES COMMUNITY.
FIRST VILLAGE, THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION, FAMILY, ELDER CARE, CARITAS, SALVATION, ARMY ECHO, AND INTEGRAL CARE.
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THE TOOLS WE HAVE AS A CITY TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS WHO ARE AT RISK OF NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD AND HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.
I AM OPEN TO RESEARCHING AND EXPLORING ALL OF THE
[01:20:01]
TOOLS WE POSSIBLY CAN TO HELP FACILITATE ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR FAMILIES.AND THIS ITEM TODAY DOES NOT COMMIT FUTURE FUNDING DEPENDING ON THE ANALYSIS OF SUCCESS THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET BACK AFTER THIS PILOT, I BELIEVE IT TO BE A WORTHY INVESTMENT, NOT JUST BECAUSE IT WILL HELP INDIVIDUALS DIRECTLY, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE VALUABLE RESEARCH AND RESULTS THAT WE WILL GAIN FROM EXPANDING THIS EFFORT.
FOR THOSE REASONS, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM TODAY.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALSO THE PAID LEAVE ITEM.
THANK YOU, VANESSA FONTEZ FOR INCLUDING ME ON THAT RESOLUTION.
I THINK WE, AS THE CITY OF AUSTIN ARE A GREAT EMPLOYER AND I THINK THERE'S MORE THAT WE CAN DO.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE A LEADER IN FAMILY, HELP POLICIES.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN EXPAND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY SEE NECESSARY ON THE TIMELINE THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEM.
SO I'M GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THAT ITEM AS WELL TODAY.
THANK YOU, MARY AND MATT, I'M ALSO GOING TO BE SUPPORTING ITEM 21 IS A PERSON THAT GREW UP HERE IN EAST AUSTIN IN A TWO, TWO ROOM HOUSE WAS 12 OF US LIVING IN IT.
AND WE DIDN'T HAVE GAS IN THAT IN THE HOUSE.
WE HAD AN ODD OUTDOOR RESTROOM THAT WE HAD TO WALK OUT THERE.
AND IN THE STRUGGLE THAT WE WENT THROUGH, YOU KNOW, WE, WE DID, THERE WERE NO SUCH THING AS FOOD STAMPS BACK THEN, IT WAS COMMODITIES THAT YOU HAD TO SURVIVE ON A, A YEAR OF COMMODITY.
MY MOM HAD TO STAY HOME AND TAKE CARE OF THE KIDS.
AND IF IT WASN'T PROGRAMS LIKE, UH, CARITAS THAT WAS ABLE TO HELP US SUPPLEMENT TO PAY OUR RENT, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HOMELESS.
AND, UH, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE DID GET IT, PICKED IT OUT.
AND IF IT WASN'T FOR AWHILE LOOP NEIGHBORHOOD CORPORATION AND HELPED US FIND A RENTAL HOUSE, A LOW-INCOME RENTAL HOUSE WITH A RESTROOM INSIDE, YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S HOW I WENT.
I GREW UP THROUGH, AND AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, I WORKED FOR AN AGENCY CALLED EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAW THE POTENTIAL POTENTIAL IN ME AND WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE AND PAY FOR MY CONTINUOUS EDUCATION AND WHERE I AM NOW.
AND I WAS SO THANKFUL FOR THAT ADDED HELP THAT I RECEIVED TO MAKE ME A SUCCESSFUL CITIZENS HERE, AUSTIN AND A TAXPAYER.
AND, UH, SO YOU KNOW, THIS IS A KIND OF PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE AND YOU WILL GET IT BACK.
IT'S NOT A GIVEAWAY WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE OUT, OUT OF PROPERTY AND OUT THERE BEING PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.
NOW THAT YOU HAVE SAVED A LOT, NOT ONLY NOW THIS ISN'T A WORKING PERSON IF PROVIDING TAX MONEY BACK FOR YOUR INCOME TAX AND YOUR SALES TAX.
SO THIS IS WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED.
WE'RE SPENDING HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLION DOLLARS, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO GET HOUSING FOR HOMELESS, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S, IT'S SO SAD BECAUSE, UH, YOU KNOW, I BOUGHT MY HOUSE 43 YEARS AGO FOR 21,000 AND NOW THE MARKET RATE IS 947,000.
I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW ANYBODY GOING TO SURVIVE IN EAST AUSTIN WITH THOSE KINDS OF PRICES.
I THINK THERE'S ONLY FOUR NEIGHBORS THAT ARE STILL THERE SINCE I'VE MOVED IN.
AND, AND YOU ALWAYS WONDER, WHERE DID THEY GO? THEY'RE NOT IN AUSTIN.
LET THE EARLY ON, THEY WENT TO DOVE SPRINGS, BUT, UH, NOW THEY'RE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE HAVING TO LEAVE CITY AND PROVIDING THE, THEY THEY'RE LOSING OUT ON ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THE CITY DOES PROVIDE YOU'RE OUT IN THE COUNTY FURTHER AWAY.
YOU DON'T HAVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OUT THERE.
YOU HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH YOUR CLINICS.
THERE'S NO FOOD, GROCERY STORES NEARBY.
YOU NEED A VEHICLE AND YOU'RE STILL LOW INCOME.
YOU'RE MAKING MINIMUM WAGES AND YOU'RE EXPECTED TO SURVIVE.
BUT WHEN THE STATE RESTRICTS YOU FROM BEING ABLE TO NX PROPERTY OUT THERE AND, UH, YOU CAN'T PROVIDE THE SERVICE ANYMORE.
SO THIS IS WHAT WE'RE FACING, BUT, YOU KNOW, TH THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE HERE IN AUSTIN ARE THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY IN THE LONG RUN IS GOING TO SAVE US MONEY.
YOU MAY, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT FOR THE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY.
REMEMBER HOPPER BAD AS IT IS, HAD HER HAND UP, I'M GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE CHAIR TO HAVE YET TO HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK COUNSEL HARPER PRE-MEDICINE YOU'RE MUTED.
[01:25:05]
I APPRECIATE THAT.I JUST SAID, UH, I APPRECIATE BEING RECOGNIZED.
AND I ALSO WANNA SAY THAT I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD.
UM, AND I APPRECIATE THE INTENTION BEHIND THIS TEMPORARY PILOT, UH, AND THE DIRECTION THAT'S BEING PROVIDED.
LORD KNOWS THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF NEED ACROSS OUR COUNTRY AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
UH, BUT SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T GROW UP AROUND A LOT OF MONEY, GENERATIONAL WEALTH, UM, WE'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT MORE THAN JUST MONEY, UH, THINGS THAT WE ALL TAKE FOR GRANTED.
SOME OF US RATHER TAKE FOR GRANTED, LIKE KNOWING HOW TO SET UP A BANK ACCOUNT OR BALANCE A CHECKBOOK.
UM, THESE ARE BASIC THINGS THAT CAN BE COMPLETELY BORING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR ECONOMIC LADDER.
I THINK PROVIDING THOSE KINDS OF FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS ALSO COSTS MONEY.
UM, SO IF WE REALLY WANT TO INSTITUTE A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM BASED ON THIS PILOT, UH, ON A CITY-WIDE SCALE, I THINK WE NEED TO BE PREPARED TO MAKE SOME VERY, VERY DIFFICULT BUDGETARY DECISIONS.
UM, THIS UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE IS ALREADY GOING TO BE DIFFICULT ENOUGH, THANKS TO STATE LAWS THAT LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO RAISE ENOUGH REVENUE, UM, TO JUST MAINTAIN THE SERVICES AND SALARIES WE ALREADY PROVIDE.
I ABSOLUTELY RECOGNIZE THE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
UM, I THINK WE HAVE TECH BILLIONAIRES AND MILLIONAIRES, YOU KNOW, LOOKING DOWN FROM THEIR SHINY TOWERS AT 140,000 PLUS RESIDENTS LIVE IN BENEATH THE POVERTY LINE.
UH, THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INEQUALITY ECONOMICALLY IN OUR CITY AND ACROSS OUR SOCIETY.
FRANKLY, I HOPE THAT ONE DAY THAT OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THIS KIND OF ACTION, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A GREAT START IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, UM, THEY HAVE TO TAKE ACTION TO INVEST IN OUR COUNTRIES, RESIDENTS.
AND AUSTINITES INDEED, UH, BECAUSE THIS, IN MY OPINION, FRANKLY, IS A PROBLEM THAT IS TOO BIG FOR US AS ONE MUNICIPALITY TO SOLVE ALONE.
UM, SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING SOME HELP AND US WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE VARIOUS BRANCHES OF OUR GOVERNMENT TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEED.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY ITEM 34, THE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE STUDY AT THAT IT, UH, WE HAVE VERSION TWO UPLOADED IN THE BACKUP.
AND WHAT VERSION TWO DOES THAT IS DIFFERENT IS THAT WE INITIALLY SET OUT TO TAKE A LOOK AT, UM, ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEES AT SIX MONTHS, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
YOU KNOW, IF WE KEPT IT, IF WE LEFT IT AT ONE YEAR, WHAT WOULD THE COSTS BE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT? SO IT'LL JUST, YOU KNOW, UH, EXPAND THE, THE ASSESSMENT THAT COMES BACK TO US.
ALSO, WE HAD WRITTEN SOME DIRECTION, UH, AROUND INCLUDING OUR SWORN PERSONNEL, UM, AS PART OF THAT COST STUDY.
AND AS YOU ALL KNOW, AND I KNOW THIS DIOCESE IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT WE GET COSTS BACK FOR, FOR OUR SWORN PERSONNEL ON EXPANDING TO 12 WEEKS.
UM, IT IS OUTSIDE OF THE CAPTION THAT WAS POSTED WITH THE POLICY.
AND SO, UH, CITY MANAGER, IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THAT HERE IN A SECOND, THAT'D BE GREAT.
UM, ALSO AS PART OF, UM, WHAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT IN WHAT I'VE, I'LL SEND TO OUR DIRECTOR, UM, DIRECTOR HAYES, UH, IS THAT THERE IS, UM, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS A MICROSIMULATION MODEL ON WORKERS LEAVE.
AND IT'S AN OPEN SOURCE TOOL THAT IS FOR POLICY MAKERS, UM, AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS.
AND IT'S A GREAT, UH, TOOL FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH WORKERS LEAVE.
AND SO I'LL BE SURE TO SEND YOU THAT LINK SO THAT YOU'RE ABLE, UM, TO WORK WITH OUR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ON, ON THAT ASSESSMENT AND WANTED TO THINK, UH, MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBERS, ELLIS TOBO ALTAR AND KITCHEN FOR CO-SPONSORING THIS PAID PARENTAL LEAVE EXPANSION STUDY.
AND LASTLY WANTED TO THANK SARAH BARGE WITH MY TEAM WHO HAS BEEN SO INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING BRING THE SPORTS.
ALSO WANTED TO GIVE HER A SHOUT OUT.
THANK YOU, BECAUSE WE'RE AFRAID.
DOES I REALLY LIKE YOUR ITEM NUMBER 34 AND WOULD ASK ALSO TO BE LISTED AS A CO-SPONSOR, UH, ON, ON THAT, UH, I THINK THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF THING WE SHOULD BE TAKING A LOOK AT IT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT STUDY COMING BACK JUST TO KIND OF THING THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.
UH, I BOUGHT A GO AHEAD COLLEAGUES, AND JUST SAY, NOW THAT I'M GOING TO BE COMING WITH, UH, AN ADDITIONAL ELEMENT OF THAT STUDY ON AN IFC AT THE NEXT MEETING, UH, THAT, UH, ASKED US ALSO TO TAKE A LOOK AT, UH, FAMILY BUILDING BENEFITS, UH, FERTILITY AND, UH, ADOPTION, UH, SUPPORT, UH, SO THAT WE CAN ALSO GET THE ASSESSMENT OF, OF, OF THAT, BECAUSE I THINK THAT FAMILIES ARE STARTING TO COME TO US IN LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
UH, IT, UH, WE SHOULD BE A CITY THAT'S FAMILY
[01:30:01]
SUPPORTIVE, UH, ALTOGETHER.THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.
UH, AND I FORGOT TO FOLLOW THAT LEADERSHIP, UH, UH, AUGMENTED JUST A LITTLE BIT, WHICH WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO NOW BECAUSE OF THE POSTING LANGUAGE.
UH, WE WOULD, UH, SO WE'LL JUST, UH, PICK THAT UP.
UM, THIS'LL BE THE THIRD TIME.
I THINK THAT WE VOTED TO OVER THE LOG.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENED WITHOUT, WITHOUT THOUGHT.
UH, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES WE FACE IN THIS CITY ARE, ARE PEOPLE THAT TENTS OUT ON OUR STREETS.
AND THEN THERE'S THOSE, WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF TENTS, UH, TO HOPES BACK INTO, TO LIVES.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SHOWED UP TO SPEAK, UH, HERE TODAY.
AND, AND, AND THE PEOPLE THAT, UH, SPOKE ON THE, UH, UH, REMOTELY HERE TODAY AND QUITE FRANKLY, HAVE A GOOD WORK AT, ON THIS ISSUE NOW FOR, FOR, FOR YEARS.
UH, WE ALL KNOW AS A COMMUNITY IT'S REALLY EXPENSIVE.
UH, ONE SOMEONE ENDS UP IN A TENT ON YOUR STREETS TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM, UH, GET BACK INTO A SAFE PLACE, TO GET BACK INTO A HOME, TO GET BACK INTO HOUSING, TO GET BACK INTO A LIFE AND A SITUATION.
UH, HOPEFULLY WE'RE, WE'RE WE'RE FOLKS ARE, ARE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES WITHOUT SUPPORT.
WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF WE WERE ABLE TO STOP A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE BEFORE THEY ADOPT YOUR TENTS? UH, THAT ELEMENT OF PREVENTION OF DIVERSION IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON AS WELL.
IT'S A LOT LESS EXPENSIVE IF WE CAN FIND BOTTLES OR SYSTEMS OR PLANS OR TOOLS THAT WILL MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
AND, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT, UH, IS INTENDED TO SEE, YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, IT COULD BE FUNDED BY LOTS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
I DON'T KNOW, BUT SOMETIMES IT, IT TAKES CITIES AS, AS INCUBATORS OF INNOVATION, UH, TO STEP FORWARD AND TO, UH, HELP US, UH, AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY, TO, TO, AS A WORLD, UH, TO ADVANCE THESE ISSUES.
WE DID THAT AS A CITY ON THINGS AS FAR, RAGING IS AS RENEWABLE ENERGY, UH, IS ONE OF THE FIRST INVESTORS IN SOLAR AND WIND POWER, UH, AS A, AS A CITY, AS A COST OF THAT TECHNOLOGY, UH, THROUGH PARTICIPATION LIKE THAT WAS ABLE TO COME DOWN.
SOMETIMES I THINK THAT THAT IS ALSO THE ROLE OF THE CITY.
I AM, UH, DISCOURAGED BY HEARING THAT THE RHETORIC ABOUT THIS BIG, A GIVEAWAY, AND I, AND I FEEL THAT WAY, WHATEVER.
I HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, AS, AS GIVEAWAYS PEOPLE REFER TO THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM AS A GIVEAWAY, THEY REFERRED TO HELPING CHILDREN GET A FREE EDUCATION AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, UH, UH, AS, AS, AS A GIVEAWAY, THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, UH, THAT JUST BROUGHT, UH, TENS OF BILLIONS OF CHILDREN.
AND THEY'RE OUT OF, OUT OF POVERTY REFERRED TO AS A, AS A, AS A GIVEAWAY.
I JUST THINK THAT'S SO MISLEADING, IT'S SO WRONG.
AND IT DEMONSTRATES, UH, JUST, JUST A LACK OF THE UNDERSTANDING AND REALIZATION THAT COMMUNITIES DO THAT THROUGH INVESTING IN THEMSELVES, THEY'RE INVESTING IN THEIR PEOPLE.
UH, THEY'RE, THEY'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO GET COLLECTIVELY TO A PLACE WHERE, OR A BORE OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE, HAVE THE ACCESS OF THE OPPORTUNITY, THE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THAT'S THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S VIRTUALLY ALL OF THEIR GOAL.
THEIR GOAL IS NOT TO, TO GET SUPPORT, BUT SOMETIMES YOU NEED SUPPORT.
UH, WE HEARD FROM A SPEAKER OF THE SPORTING LADDER WHO WAS TALKING ABOUT, UH, HOW THIS HAND UP, UH, WAS SOMETHING THAT, THAT WAS SO HELPFUL TO HER FAMILY, UH, AS PART OF THE RISE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DIED AS A CITY, UH, THERE ARE OVER 50 CITIES IN THE COUNTRY DOING A PROGRAM LIKE THIS, AND WHY WE WOULD PICK THIS PROGRAM OUT TO SAY THAT THIS IS A GIVEAWAY.
YOU KNOW, THE CONCEPT BEING TESTED IS WHAT, IF YOU ACTUALLY TRUST PEOPLE, TRUST PEOPLE TO, TO GET A DOLLAR HAD THEY HAD TO BE ABLE TO SPEND IT IN A WAY THAT IT'S GOTTA BE POST BEADING FOR, FOR THEIR FAMILY.
WHEN THE TRUTH IS, WE COULD SAY THAT YOU ONLY GET THE DOLLAR.
IF YOU SPEND IT ON THIS, OR SPEND IT ON THAT ONE, IT'S A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE PROGRAM TO ADMINISTER BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE TO ADMINISTER THE REGULATIONS THAT YOU'VE JUST ADOPTED.
SO RIGHT OFF THE BAT, THERE'S DOLLARS STARTED GOING TO PEOPLE THAT COULD GO TO PEOPLE, BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE TO ENFORCE THE RULES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM THAT YOU SET UP,
[01:35:01]
BUT I'D BE WILLING TO WAGER THAT IF YOU GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY UNIFIED PEOPLE JUST BEFORE THEY END UP ON OUR STREETS AND INTENSE, AND YOU SAID, OKAY, HERE'S MIGHTY, BUT YOU HAVE TO SPEND IT ON FOOD.THAT'S GOT TO WORK FOR SOME PEOPLE, OR SOME PEOPLE IT'S GOTTA BE RENT.
AND SOME PEOPLE IT'S GOTTA BE MEDICINE.
AND SOME PEOPLE IT'S GOTTA BE SOMETHING ELSE THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO STAY OUT OF A TENT.
AND OFF OUR STREET, YOU COULD DESIGN A PROGRAM THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT GETS FOOD TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED FOOD AND READ TO THE PEOPLE WHO RENT AND MEDICINE TO THE PEOPLE WHO DID GREG HAD THE BEST WAY PROBABLY TO DO THAT IS TO GO TO THOSE PEOPLE AND SAY, HERE'S A DOLLAR, SPEND IT WHERE IT IS MOST NEEDED TO HELP KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY OFF THE STREET.
AND WE OUGHT TO SEE IF IT WORKS.
WE OUGHT TO TEST IT ALONG WITH THE OTHER 50 PLUS CITIES IN THE COUNTRY THAT ARE WORKING THROUGH THIS.
WE'RE ALERTING FOR EACH OTHER.
AUSTIN IN A CITY WITH HOUSING PRICES IS OFF THE CHARTS, OR THE HOMELESSNESS CHALLENGE WE'RE TRYING TO RESOLVE AUSTIN SHOULD BE PART OF THAT COHORT OF CITIES THAT ARE DOING THIS GOOD WORK.
THEY, A COUNCIL HAS ASKED ME TO POINT THAT THAT, UH, CASPER KELLY IS NOT WITH US.
SHE STOPPED PARTICIPATING REMOTELY.
SO SHE DID NOT PULL THE ITEM THIS MORNING.
UH, I WAS ACTING TO DO THAT, UH, UH, SO THAT IF SHE HAD CONCERNS, YOU WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE THEM.
UM, BUT THAT'S ME TAKING THAT ACTION AND TO THAT ED, UH, AND BECAUSE I'VE ENCOURAGED BY HAVING A COUNCIL THAT IS JODY TOGETHER TO TRY AND MAKE EVERYTHING WE DO AS, AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE COUNSELOR.
UH, UM, UH, KELLY HAS ASKED IF, IF WE WOULD CONSIDER, UH, I WOULD CONSIDER OFFERING AN AMENDMENT TO A, THIS ITEM NUMBER 21, UH, THAT WOULD PROVIDE TWO ADDITIONAL DIRECTION.
AND IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION FROM COUNSEL, THEN I WOULD DO THAT.
IF THE RESULTS OF THE PILOT PROGRAM SUGGEST A MORE LONGTERM PROGRAM BE IMPLEMENTED AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM HAD OFFICIAL CITY OF AUSTIN, RFP SOLICITATION PROCESS WOULD BE ISSUED FOR ALL VENDOR SELECTION RELATED TO THE PROPOSED FUTURE PROGRAM.
I THINK THAT WOULD HAPPEN AS A MATTER OF COURSE, IT DOES AFFECT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM.
SO I'M OKAY INCLUDING IT AS A DIRECTION HERE, AND THEN SECOND DIRECTION, THE CITY MANAGERS DIRECTLY TO BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PROGRAMS, SCALABILITY, IDENTIFY FUTURE FUNDING SOURCES AND FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP CONTINGENCIES.
I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT THOUGH.
IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD WANT THE PILOT TO BE TAKING A LOOK AT.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, I WOULD BE OFFERING THOSE CHANGES TO EITHER TO OUR 20.
ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS HEARING? NONE OF THOSE ARE ADDED TO THE BASE.
I HAD HEARD OVER 20 WHAT, UH, JUST PROUD TO BE PART OF THE COUNCIL.
UM, FIRST I WANT TO SPEAK TO ITEMS 34 35 AND 21.
UH, FIRST I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER OF LANTIS FOR BRINGING FORWARD, UH, THE PARENTAL LEAVE, UM, STUDY.
I'M PROUD TO CO-SPONSOR THIS, UM, YOU KNOW, WHEN I HAD MY CHILDREN, I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE.
AND I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, UM, FOR CITY WORKERS TO BE ABLE TO, TO ACCESS THAT BENEFIT AT A LEVEL THAT REALLY MEETS THE NEEDS OF WHAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING AS A NEW PARENT.
UM, SECONDLY, I WANTED TO JUST CONFIRM THAT 35 IS BACK ON FOR PASSAGE, CORRECT.
[35. Approve a resolution recognizing Saturday, May 14, 2022, and every second Saturday of May annually, as World Migratory Bird Day in Austin, and supporting the pursuit of local certification with the Bird City Texas Program.]
TO ITEM 35, WHICH RECOGNIZES NEXT SATURDAY, MAY 14TH, AND EVERY SECOND SATURDAY OF MAY ANNUALLY AS WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY IN AUSTIN.UM, THIS RESOLUTION ALSO SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL PURSUIT OF CERTIFICATION WITH THE BIRD CITY TEXAS PROGRAM.
UM, AUSTIN IS THE ONLY MAJOR CITY IN THE CENTRAL FLYWAY.
THAT IS NOT AN OFFICIAL BIRD CITY, DALLAS HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO PLUS GALVESTON AND BASTROP WERE RECENTLY CERTIFIED.
UM, WE THOUGH HAVE A STRONG HISTORY OF CONSERVATION AND BIRDS AND ECOSYSTEMS THAT THESE OTHER CITIES DON'T HAVE.
AND SO THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP ALONG THAT WAY.
EACH YEAR, MORE THAN 2 BILLION BIRDS TRAVEL THROUGH TEXAS ON THE WAY TO THEIR SUMMER OR WINTER NESTING GROUNDS, MIGRATORY BIRD HABITATS ARE DECLINING AROUND THE U S BUT WE NEED THESE BIRD POPULATIONS IN TEXAS TO HELP WITH PEST CONTROL ECOSYSTEM STABILITY AND RECREATIONAL TOURISM HERE IN AUSTIN, WE HAVE HORNSBY BEND, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BIRDING DESTINATIONS IN THE STATE AND RUN BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
UM, RAISING OUR CONSERVATION PROFILE WITH THE BIRD CITY CERTIFICATION WILL HELP BRING MORE BIRDING TOURISTS TO OUR CITY.
MY HOPE IS THAT AUSTIN WILL BECOME A LEADER IN URBAN NATURE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.
FINALLY, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AND OUR STAFF FOR
[01:40:01]
THEIR WORK WITH THE TRAVIS AUDUBON TO HELP BRING THIS CONCEPT FORWARD.SHE'S THE WAY, UM, TODAY, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HER SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION IS ALSO, UM, ACKNOWLEDGED.
UM, AND WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO TURN TO ITEM
[21. Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract with FII-National d/b/a UpTogether to administer a guaranteed income pilot program, for a term of one year in an amount not to exceed $1,180,000.]
21.UM, AS I LOOK AT THE VARIOUS ISSUES AND CHALLENGES, UM, BEFORE ME, I SEE WE CAN'T OPEN OUR SUMMER POOLS BECAUSE WE CAN'T HIRE ENOUGH LIFEGUARDS IN PART, BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO OFFER THEM A SUFFICIENTLY COMPETITIVE WAGE OR BENEFITS PACKAGE.
WE HAVE ALARMING STAFFING SHORTAGES WITH OUR 9 1 1 DISPATCH STAFF IN PART, BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO OFFER THEM A SUFFICIENTLY COMPETITIVE WAGE OR BENEFITS PACKAGE.
WE HAVE OUR VICTIM SERVICES COUNSELORS WHO DON'T HAVE VEHICLES FOR THEIR UNITS, WHICH IMPACTS THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES JUST YESTERDAY.
MY STAFF IS SPEAKING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM VOLUNTEER GROUPS, TRYING TO FIND HOUSING FOR AFGHAN FAMILIES WHO WERE ASKING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE CITY TO HELP THOSE FAMILIES STAY IN THEIR HOUSING.
WE ARE EXTREMELY CHALLENGED TO MEET THE REQUESTS FROM OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHER WORKERS ON WAGES AND BENEFITS FROM OUR EMS WORKERS TO OUR ASMI MEMBERS AND THE CAMPAIGN FOR 20 TO $22 AN HOUR, TAKING ALL OF THAT TOGETHER AND LOOKING AT THESE REAL FUNDING CHALLENGES, UM, THAT WE HAVE TODAY, I CANNOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEM 21, AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON THIS ITEM.
UM, IT'S NOT A DECISION THAT I'M TAKING LIGHTLY.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT WE DO NEED TO INVEST IN PEOPLE AND THEIR BASIC NEEDS.
UM, BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TODAY, GIVEN WHERE WE ARE, UM, AT THIS POINT IN TIME WITH THIS VOTE IN, IN VOTING, NO, THIS IS NOT TO DISPARAGE ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES AND THIS ISN'T TO DESPISE THE FACT THAT FAMILIES WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM.
FAMILIES IN AUSTIN WILL BENEFIT.
AND VERY OBVIOUSLY OUR CURRENT MARKET, OUR WORKERS IN THEIR FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS.
BUT I, WHEN I LOOK AT ALL OF THE LEVERS THAT I HAVE TO HELP FAMILIES MEET THESE BASIC NEEDS, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REACH THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS INVESTMENT AT THIS TIME IS THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO RESPOND TO THOSE NEEDS.
HI, WAVE TWO SPEAKERS, COUNCIL ARBOR, TOVO AGRI COUNCIL, BARBARA AVAILA.
HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK YET? JUST A VERY QUICK COMMENT ON ITEM 34.
UH, I STRONGLY SUPPORTED IN WIDGETS ASK COUNCIL MEMBER POINT THIS TO ALSO LIST ME AS, UH, A CO-SPONSOR, UH, AGAIN, I MEAN, AS A FATHER OF THREE, UH, PARENTAL LEAVE IS JUST ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.
I DID, UH, WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE BORN, HAVE, UH, LEAVE, UH, FROM MY EMPLOYER THAT I WIPED OUT, UH, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO STAY HOME AFTER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD.
AND OF COURSE, AS YOU ALL KNOW, YOU KNOW, THEN THERE'S THE ILLNESSES AND THERE'S LITTLE PROBLEMS THAT COME ALONG AND IT'S VERY STRESSFUL AND DIFFICULT.
YOU KNOW, OUR SALARIES ARE UNDER WHERE THEY SHOULD BE HERE IN THE CITY.
AND, UH, THIS IS I THINK, AN IMPORTANT, UH, UH, INCENTIVE TO, UH, RETAIN AND RECRUIT A TALENTED EMPLOYEES.
AND I 100% SUPPORT THE FULL 12 WEEKS.
HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET THERE OF A PARENTAL LEAVE.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A TOTAL, UH, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANT GOING TO SPEAK FIRST TO 21.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE HAD UP UNTIL TODAY AND THANK YOU TO THE, TO THOSE WHO CAME AND TESTIFIED, UM, TODAY AND SHARED THEIR STORIES.
I ALSO THINK THAT THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, UM, TO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TELL THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE CRITERIA THAT WE'RE AT, THAT ARE GOING TO BE USED, UM, AND, AND MORE SPECIFIC DETAIL AROUND IT.
SO I APPRECIATE MAYOR YOU TAKING TIME TO, TO REALLY ARTICULATE WHAT I KNOW WAS THE INTENTION, UM, THAT OUR EQUITY OFFICE HAD, YEAH.
OFFICE HAD IN TERMS OF HOW THOSE PHONE FUNDS WOULD BE ADMINISTERED.
SORRY, I'M A LITTLE ARTICULATE TODAY.
UM, I ALSO WANTED TO SAY, I THINK HOW WE TALK ABOUT THINGS SOMETIMES CREATES CONFUSION.
SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF, AS I LOOKED THROUGH SOME OF THE EMAILS, RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, SOME OF THEM, I THINK MIGHT, MIGHT HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT AS A GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME.
I THINK IT'S NOT AS CLEAR AS TALKING ABOUT IT IN THE WAY THAT YOU JUST DID MARRIAGE.
IT REALLY IS AN INVESTMENT IN FAMILIES.
SO IF WE HAD CALLED IT SOMETHING LIKE FAMILY SUPPORT GRANT, WHICH IS REALLY MORE ACCURATE OR FAMILY INVESTMENTS GRANT, I THINK IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTAND HOW WE'RE INVESTING THOSE DOLLARS IN REALLY SUPPORTING, SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO REALLY NEEDED AS YOU AS COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND TEREA SHARED, THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF REASONS FOR DOING THAT, INCLUDING IN MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS AN ABILITY TO THRIVE, BUT IT'S ALSO AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC INVESTMENT BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THE COSTS ARE WHEN, WHEN, UM, WE DON'T SUPPORT FAMILIES OR WHEN FAMILIES FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS OR WHEN THEIR
[01:45:01]
STUDENTS HAVE TO MOVE FROM ONE HOUSE TO ANOTHER AND LOSE TIME AND HAVE TO SHIFT SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOW OUT OF THEIR ATTENDANCE.AND WE KNOW THE IMPACT THAT HAS ON, ON KIDS AND ON STUDENTS IN TERMS OF THEIR ACADEMIC, UM, ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.
SO I CERTAINLY INTEND TO SUPPORT THAT TODAY.
I ALSO WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON PARENTAL LEAVE ON PAID PARENTAL LEAVE.
I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL THE REASONS YOU ALL HAVE, HAVE TALKED ABOUT COMING UP UNTIL THIS VOTE.
UM, IT'S VERY, VERY CLEAR THAT WE NEED TO SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES.
AND WE KNOW THAT PAID LEAVE IS A MEANINGFUL RESEARCH-DRIVEN PRACTICE THAT HELPS NOT JUST THOSE FAMILIES AND THOSE CHILDREN BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT IT ALSO IS A HUGE BENEFIT FOR EMPLOYERS.
AND OF COURSE, UM, AS SOMEONE WHO, WHO BUILT HER FAMILY THROUGH ADOPTION, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THE CONTINUED FOCUS IS ON HOW WE SUPPORT FAMILIES OF ALL TYPES.
AND I LOOK FORWARD MAYOR TO YOUR RESOLUTION COMING FORWARD AS WELL.
UM, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER FONTEZ TO YOUR STAFF, SARAH BORAGE, AND, AND OTHERS FOR THEIR WORK.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ASHLEY RICHARDSON.
I ON MY STAFF WHO ALSO, UM, CONTRIBUTED WORK TO IT AND THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THAT AND INCORPORATING IT WITHIN THERE.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAD, WE HAD SOME GREAT WORK HAPPENING AT THE COUNTY AS SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE MENTIONED.
AND SO I KNOW ASHLEY AND SOME OTHERS WHO WERE INVOLVED WITH
AND I WANT TO COME DOWN TO OUR KITCHEN, OUR COMMISSIONERS FOR, FOR MAKING THAT IMPORTANT STUFF FOR THE COUNTY AS WELL.
IT'S GREAT FOR US TO ALL BE IN SYNC IN SUPPORTING, WORKING FAMILIES IN THE SKY.
I'M, I'M ALSO PLEASED TO SUPPORT THE, UM, THE, UM, THE BILL THAT THE RESOLUTION THAT WE'VE BEEN ABOUT FOR, FOR FAMILIES IN, IN THINK, UM, COUNCILMAN WINTER'S FOR BRINGING THAT, UM, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING A RESOLUTION.
I, WELL, I DON'T REMEMBER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MAYBE A BIT FOCUSED ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY SIDE OF IT.
SO I'M REALLY PLEASED THAT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT EMPLOYEES AS A WHOLE, UM, SO THINKING I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS.
LET'S TAKE A VOTE TO CONSENTED.
SO I KNOW THAT WE'RE APPROACHING OUR PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS TIME AND I DON'T WANT OUR STAFF TO HAVE TO WAIT THROUGH, UM, OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION, WHICH MIGHT BE LENGTHY TODAY.
SO I'M GOING TO PUT WITH YOUR PERMISSION, CAN I PUT, I THINK I PUT FOUR AND 18.
CAN I JUST MAKE MY COMMENTS, RAISE MY QUESTIONS AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON FROM THAT, LET ME START
[18. Authorize award of a contract with ALEON Properties, Inc. for graffiti removal services, for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $1,150,000.]
WITH 18.SO THIS IS A GRAFFITI REMOVAL CONTRACT, AND WE GOT, AS, AS ALL OF US PROBABLY DO LOTS AND LOTS OF CONSTITUENT COMMENTS, EMAILS, CALLS ABOUT GRAFFITI.
AND I, I AGREE, AND I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT IT BECAUSE GRAFFITI IS HAPPENING IN ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
IT'S ESPECIALLY PREVALENT IN OUR CENTRAL AREAS THAT I REPRESENT, AND IT DOES, UM, CONTRIBUTE TO, UH, UH, UH, FELT PERCEPTION OF, UM, LACK OF SAFETY AND LACK OF CARE.
AND SO I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE THIS INVESTMENT FOR OUR PUBLIC FACILITIES.
I THINK SOMETHING THAT, THAT WE ARE ALWAYS ANSWERING FOR OUR PRIVATE, FOR THOSE WHO ARE WRITING IS WHAT HAPPENS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
AND AS I UNDERSTAND THE, WHAT CAN HAPPEN ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IS REALLY LIMITED BY STATE LAW, THAT WE CANNOT ASK PRIVATE POLICY.
WE, AS THE CITY CANNOT ASK PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS TO CLEAN UP THEIR GRAFFITI, UNLESS WE FIRST OFFERED TO DEAL WITH IT FOR THEM.
AND I, I FIND THAT COMPLETELY WACKY.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T AS THIS BACKGROUND BACKUP INFORMATION FOR TODAY SAYS GRAFFITI IS GROWING FASTER HERE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE CITY CAN PROVIDE SERVICES ON OUR OWN PROPERTY.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD, I WOULD WELCOME, UM, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ADVOCACY ON THIS ISSUE.
I THINK THAT THIS TO ME, UM, THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE WE REALLY NEED SOME STATE, SOME LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AT THE STATE LEVEL, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT'S AN UNFUNDED MANDATE FOR THE CITIES TO HAVE TO CLEAN UP, CLEAN UP GRAFFITI ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
AND I ALSO WOULD ASK OUR CITY LEGAL TO REALLY LOOK AT, AT WHAT POINT DOES THAT KIND OF GRAFFITI, WHICH IS REALLY, REALLY PROBABLY AN UNCERTAIN BUILDINGS.
AT WHAT POINT DOES THAT BECOME, UM, A DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT OR A NUISANCE, A PUBLIC NUISANCE, OR SOME OF THE OTHER LEGAL CATEGORIES WHERE WE DO HAVE AN ABILITY TO SAY, HEY, IT'S YOUR PROPERTY.
SO THERE'S THAT ON THAT LINE? I'M ON FOR,
[4. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20210811-005 to increase the number of Commander-Communications positions in the Emergency Medical Services Department.]
I, I CAN'T FOLLOW, I CAN'T FOLLOW THE DESCRIPTION OF, OF, UM, OF THIS THREE OF THE FOUR COMMANDERS PROVIDING SHIFT OVERSIGHT, ONE HAVING BEEN ALLOCATED THE RESPONSE AND THE Q AND A, I JUST CAN'T FOLLOW.I DON'T, I DON'T, UM, I DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE FOURTH POSITION IS, IS GOING TO DO.
I, I GUESS IT'S GOING TO PROVIDE THAT FOURTH COMMANDER THAT WE NEED FOR THE SHIFTS THAT IT'S, THE RESPONSE IS JUST UNCLEAR TO ME AND MANAGER.
[01:50:01]
I WAS REALLY STRUCK BY, BY THE RESPONSE TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR, THAT ONE OF THE POSITIONS HAD ACTUALLY BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.AND I WOULD ASK HERE IN THIS FORUM THAT, THAT YOU, UM, MAYBE NOT HERE TODAY, BUT I DO THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THE PROCESS IS.
IF THERE ARE, UM, OFFICES THAT NEED ADDITIONAL HELP, THAT NEEDS TO BE, UH, A PROCESS AND A PROGRAM THAT'S AFFORDED TO EVERYBODY.
AND, YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND WE ONLY HAVE FOUR FTES THAT THAT CAN CREATE A CHALLENGE.
EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO SOMETIMES TO HIRE STAFF.
SOMETIMES YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT IN A COUNCIL OFFICE, AS I DID LAST YEAR, UM, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BOOKS IN THOSE FTES.
SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE SITUATION WAS HERE, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN EQUITY ACROSS THE COUNCIL IN TERMS OF HOW WE'RE STAFFING, HOW WE'RE STAFFING, UM, INDIVIDUAL OFFICES AND HOW OTHER CITY RESOURCES ARE BEING BROUGHT TO THAT ON THE LAST ITEM COUNSEL.
ARTAVIS MY UNDERSTANDING, CAUSE I ASKED QUESTIONS WELL, UH, THAT, UH, THERE WAS A GRANT SOMEWHERE IN THE CITY'S PASS FOR A COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER, UH, THAT WAS GRANTED.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A, UM, BLOOMBERG GRANT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER, UH, WHEN THEY'RE GRANTING, UH, RAN OUT, UH, THE CITY FUNDED THAT, UM, COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER, UH, WITH THAT POSITION OR THAT FTE AND FT IN EMS THAT WASN'T BEING USED.
UH, AND THEY, UH, ASKED, UH, THE, THE MAYOR THEN LEFFINGWELL, IF THAT PERSON COULD SIT IN HIS OFFICE AND, AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT LEFFINGWELL ALLOWED.
UM, SO I CAME IN, I THINK I INHERITED THAT SITUATION, UH, WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER, UH, THERE, UH, WE COULD CERTAINLY SUPPLY YOU THE, UH, UH, THE, UH, THE LIST OF, OF ACTIVITIES OR THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER, UH, DID WHEN THAT PERSON LEFT THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE CITY DID NOT RENEW THAT, UH, UH, POSITION.
UM, SO, SO THAT THAT'S NOT THERE.
I RE I REMEMBER BEFORE I WAS ON COUNCIL OF THE CREATION OF THAT POSITION, IT WAS A GRANT THAT WAS ONLY AVAILABLE TO A POSITION THAT WOULD SIT WITHIN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.
UM, AND I'VE FORGOTTEN ALSO, I THINK IT MIGHT'VE BEEN BLOOMBERG, BUT SO I REMEMBER THE HISTORY OF IT.
I JUST, I THINK, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I JUST WOULD ASK THAT WE HAVE, UM, THIS, THIS PROBABLY INSPIRED AND A BUDGET CONVERSATION WASN'T MADE COMBINATION TO ME.
I DIDN'T INITIATE THAT, OR I UNDERSTAND THAT IT WAS YOU'RE RIGHT.
WELL, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THAT PERSON HAD TO BE IN ORDER TO GET THOSE FUNDING.
AND I THINK THAT REQUIREMENT JUST CONTINUED.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM ONE THROUGH 41 AND ITEM 63 THROUGH 66 WITH THE POLLED ITEMS BEING, UM, 1322 AND 33.
COUNSELOR I'M HARPER, MADISON YOU'RE MUTED.
YOU'RE YOU'RE MAKING THE MOTION.
I REMEMBER HARPER, MADISON COUNCIL.
REMEMBER READ THERESA SECOND SET AND DISCUSSION FURTHER.
LET'S TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, THOSE OPPOSED TO MANDAMUS, UH, OF THOSE THAT ARE PARTICIPATING WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, KELLY, AND PULL OFF OF THE DAS WITH THE COMMENTS THAT PEOPLE, UH, ADDED, UH, WITH RESPECT TO INDIVIDUAL VOTES.
UM, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT WORK.
THANK YOU ALL FOR, FOR BEING WITH US HERE TODAY.
WE'RE GOING TO GO THEN TO, UM, UH, THE, UH, UH, COMMUNITY, UH, SPEAKERS, PUBLIC SPEAKERS, UM, OH, BY THE WAY.
SO WE CAN LET OTHER STAFF GO, AUSTIN, UH, AUDIT AND FINANCE IS MAKING US SOME, UH, MUNICIPAL SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS.
DID I LOSE YOU GUYS REMEMBER ALL THIRD? DID SHE ALREADY WALKED OUT? WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THOSE REAL FAST, THEN YOU TAKE CARE OF THOSE, SORRY.
LET ME JUST MAKE SURE I HAVE THE, WHAT WAS THAT NUMBER? UH, IT WAS A 42 AND I THINK IT'S ALL A RECORD.
SO YOU COULD JUST MOVE PASSAGE IF ITEM NUMBER 42.
UM, SO I MOVE PASSAGE OF ITEM 42, WHICH APPOINTS, UM, KAVITA GUPTA
[01:55:01]
AND JOHN, UM, PRESS FOR TERMS BEGINNING, MAY NINE TO THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AND, UH, RECOMMENDS DESIGNATING ANDY MORMON AS CHAIR OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.IS THERE A MAIN PART TIME? I SAID MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? COUNCILMEMBER ELLIS SECONDS.
THAT MOTION, ANY DISCUSSION THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED UNANIMOUS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, UH, POOL OF KELLY OFF THE, UH, DALLAS HIGH COLLEAGUES.
THAT'S GOING TO GIVE US PULLED ITEMS 1322 AND 33.
EVERYTHING ELSE WE'VE TAKEN CARE OF OTHER THAN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND, AND SONY.
[Public Comments (Part 1 of 2)]
THAT WE TAKE THE, UH, THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS NOW AT THE END OF THAT, WE'LL DO, UH, UH, MUSIC, UH, BACK IN THE, UH, UH, CHAMBERS, UH, AND THEN CONVENE FOR, UH, EXECUTIVE SESSION AT TWO O'CLOCK.UH, WE HAVE, UH, UH, ABOUT 15 SPEAKERS, UH, THREE MINUTES EACH THAT, UH, IDENTIFIED AND NEED TO COME IN.
SO DEPENDING ON HOW QUICKLY WE CAN MOVE HERE, I'M ANTICIPATING PROBABLY EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE ONE 30 TIMEFRAME THAT WOULD BE REMOTE.
UH, AND THEN WE WOULD COME BACK AFTER THAT DOWN HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, UH, I'M SORRY.
YOU PROBABLY SAID THIS, BUT THE PULLED ITEMS, DO YOU HAVE A THOUGHT ON WHEN WE'LL TAKE THOSE OR, UH, YOU KNOW, BY, I WOULD ANTICIPATE TAKING THEM PROBABLY RIGHT AFTER WE DO THE CONSENT AGENDA IN ZONING, IN A PERFECT WORLD.
WE DO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT ONE 30, WE'RE OVER IT TO NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT WE CAN MAKE A DECISION AT THAT POINT OR WHETHER WE COME BACK OUT OR NOT PROBABLY SHOWED ABOUT TO, UH, TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS OF WE DO THAT.
WE CAN THEN HANDLE THE CONSENT ZONING AGENDA, AND THEN WE'LL MAKE A CHOICE ABOUT WHETHER TO HANDLE THE PULLED ITEMS OR WHETHER TO GO BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ALL RIGHT, GUYS, BARBARA TOBA, I NEED TO CLARIFY, DID YOU SAY YOU THOUGHT WE WOULD BE STARTING EXECUTIVE SESSION AROUND ONE 30 OR WOULD BE BY ESTIMATE? YES.
SO, UH, SUBJECT TO, UH, WELL, LET'S, LET'S CALL THE, THE, THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS NOW BREAKOUT IN PERSON.
WE HAVE A RICHARD VICTOR IN MAYOR COUNCIL MANAGER, FORMULA ONE, PUBLIC FUNDS, TACK COLLECT TAX COLLECTION, SIPHONED TO THE CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICANS OVER 200 MILLION SINCE 20 12, 217 0.5 MILLION TO THE TEXAS BILLIONAIRE RED MCCOMBS, AND A HEDGE FUND PROFIT CAPITAL FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY.
THE STADIUM DEAL FOR SPORT SPORT, WHICH DID NOT EXIST IN TEXAS.
THE MAJOR EVENTS REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM OPERATED FROM ACCOUNTS CALLED FUNDS HELD OUTSIDE THE TREASURY FUNDS WITH NO BUDGETARY CONTROL AT THE AWARD LEVEL FUNDS WITHOUT BUDGETARY CONTROL AT THE FUND LEVEL IN FEBRUARY, THE CIRCUIT SIGNED A NEW FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH F1.
CONSEQUENTLY, WE BEGAN AGAIN, OUR WORK AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND PROBLEMS IN COMMUNICATING WHAT WE FOUND TO THE CITY MANAGER, WHO WAS NOT HERE IN 2011, WHEN COUNCIL VOTED MEMBERS, SPELMAN TOVO MORRISON AND COLE TO DENY THE CIRCUIT, THE CITY'S PORTION OF THE CONTROLLERS, INFLATED, INFLATED, INFLATED, INFLATED TAX YIELD FROM THE EVENT.
I REPEAT THE WORD INFLATED FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THERE WERE FOUR CLASSES OF ERROR AND THE COMPTROLLER'S ESTIMATE, WHICH WAS TWO THIRDS WRONG INFLATED, 200% THINK OF A MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE BALLOON.
AS OF THIS READING THAT VOTE RETAINED FOR AUSTIN'S REVENUES, $35 MILLION, WHICH WOULD TODAY BE PARTNERSHIP, PROFITS AND CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS TO THE CIRCUITS INVESTORS, A HEDGE FUND, AND A TEXAS BILLIONAIRE.
WHEN WE RE-ENGAGED OUR WORK IN FEBRUARY, WE INFORMED THE MANAGER AND THE CIRCUIT EVENTS, LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE ABOUT PAYMENT CLOSE TO $20 MILLION FOR THE 2021 RACE HELD WITHOUT LOCAL ENDORSEMENT AUSTIN'S EVENT.
SUPPORT CONTRACT HAD EXPIRED TWO MONTHS EARLIER.
WE'VE NOT HEARD FROM MANAGER CRONK, WHICH WAS THE PATTERN WE EXPERIENCED IN 2011 FROM MARK OD.
LAST WEEK, WE WENT TO THE OPEN RECORDS WINDOW TO ASK WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR WORK.
THIS REPEATS THE PATTERN FROM 2011 AND 2012 AND 2013
[02:00:01]
IN 2015, WHEN MANAGER AUGHT PLAYED HIDE THE BALL AND DUCK AND COVER AND CATCH US.IF YOU CAN CIRCLING THE WAGONS IN DEFENSE OF CONTINUED MISAPPROPRIATION AND MALFEASANCE, AS WE MONITORED THE WARD AND ITS CALCULATIONS LAST YEAR, THE CIRCUIT EVENTS LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MET TWICE.
THE C LOCK IS THE FINANCIAL CONDUIT FOR TRANSFERRING MONIES FROM THE STATE TO THE TRACK.
NEITHER MEETING WAS REPORTED TO THE CITY CLERK, AND ONE WAS A COMPLETE OPEN MEETINGS VIOLATION BECAUSE IT WAS NOT POSTED TO TRAVIS COUNTY TO REPEAT THE CIRCUIT EVENTS.
LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE HELD A PUBLIC MEETING WITHOUT NOTICE, WITHOUT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TO PROCESS A REQUEST FOR $20 MILLION TO RECEIVE PUBLIC TAX COLLECTIONS.
WE SEEK YOUR SUPPORT FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY AND DISCLOSURE FROM THE CITY MANAGER.
THANK YOU, ZION, JEFF AND MOV WITH DORIAN ROY ON DECK.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTIN.
UM, I'VE BEEN OUT HERE FOR A WHILE AND, UM, I'VE SEEN THE DISCONNECT THAT AUSTINITES HAVE FOR THE UNHOUSED.
UM, THIS IS A REALLY SMART CITY.
I LOVE, I LOVE AUSTIN, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO INNOVATIVE IDEAS OR COMPASSION FOR OTHERS, IT SEEMS LIKE AUSTIN PETS ALIVE.
THAT DOGPOUND, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S MORE ORGANIZED.
AND THE WAY WE ORGANIZE, UH, THE HOMELESS, UM, THEY HAVE THREE SERVICE PLACES OR RESOURCE CENTERS ON THE SAME CITY BLOCK, DOWNTOWN AUSTIN, AND THEY ALL BID FOR THE HIGHEST GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
AND THEY'RE BASICALLY A BANDAID ON A HOMELESS SITUATION TO GET PEOPLE OFF OF THE STREETS OR OUT OF SIGHT.
AND THEY SIT IN A NINE MONTH PROGRAM TO A YEAR PROGRAM WITHOUT ANY OPPORTUNITIES.
AND, UM, THE HOUSING MARKET IS SO EXPENSIVE HERE.
IT'S $1,400 FOR AN AVERAGE APARTMENT IN AUSTIN.
SO THEY GIVE PEOPLE VOUCHERS AND THE VOUCHERS DON'T EVEN COMPETE WITH THE HOUSING MARKET.
SO A PERSON IS GENERALIZED OR THEY ARE THEY'RE SUBJUGATED TO LOW INCOME HOUSING AND LOW INCOME HOUSING OR HIGH DRUG AREAS.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY WE USE THE WORD LOW-INCOME HOUSING ANYMORE.
LIKE, UM, THE WORLD ISN'T SEGREGATED WITH COLORED, IT'S SEGREGATED WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU HAVE, AND THEN THE CLASS THAT YOU'RE IN.
SO LOW-INCOME HOUSING IS A 70 YEAR OLD WAY OF SEGREGATING A COMMUNITY.
UM, IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE SOMEONE A VOUCHER TO GET OFF OF THE STREETS, UM, THERE NEEDS TO BE NEW THINGS IN AUSTIN THAT MAKE A PERSON IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.
IF THEY HAD OPPORTUNITIES, THEN THEY COULD TRANSITION A LITTLE BIT EASIER INTO AN APARTMENT.
I SEE THAT YOU GUYS PURCHASED THE MOTELS AND THE MOTELS, UM, WERE A WAY TO GET RID OF THE CAMPSITES, BUT THERE'S, THERE'S 4,000 PEOPLE ON THE STREETS AND CASE MANAGEMENT IS UNDERFUNDED.
THEY'LL HAVE THREE CASE MANAGERS THAT, UM, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO CASE MANAGE A HUNDRED PEOPLE.
THAT'S VERY UNDERFUNDED AND CASE MANAGEMENT IS WHAT'S NEEDED BEFORE YOU TRANSITION ANYONE BACK INTO HOUSING, BUT I'M ASKING THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO OPEN THEIR EYES AND PLEASE LISTEN TO A CHANCE FOR OPPORTUNITIES.
I BELIEVE I HAVE A SOLUTION TO END HOMELESSNESS FOR GOOD IN AUSTIN, AND I'M VERY CONFIDENT WITH IT BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE OF BEING ON THE STREETS HERE.
IF PEOPLE WERE EQUALS, THEN THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A REASON TO CIRCULATE BACK TO THE STREETS.
UM, I DIDN'T REALLY NEED THE THREE MINUTES, BUT I'D REALLY LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT SOLUTIONS, NOT THE PROBLEM.
SO THANK YOU, DARWIN ROY WITH PAUL ROBBINS ON DECK PAUL ROBBINS.
UH, THERE'S NO PROMPT FOR THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION THERE.
I THINK YOU CAN JUST ASK HIM TO FORWARD IT VERY WELL.
[02:05:01]
THAT WHEN YOU ARE UP TO YOUR NECK IN ALLIGATORS, YOU FORGET YOUR ORIGINAL INTENTION WAS TO DRAIN THE SWAMP.UH, CAN I HAVE THE SLIDE CITY STAFF IS WITHHOLDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT HAS FORMERLY BEEN MADE PUBLIC FOR MANY YEARS, THAT WOULD REVEAL EXORBITANT PROPERTY.
WELL, OF SOME OF THE PROGRAMS PARTICIPANTS SUCH AS THIS ONE, UH, THE STATE WITH ABOUT 7,500 SQUARE FEET AND THE TENNIS COURT AND A SWIMMING POOL.
UH, WHILE I MAINTAIN THAT THERE ARE WAYS THAT THIS INFORMATION CAN BE MADE PUBLIC.
I HAVE A LARGER GOAL THAN WANTING TO REGALE YOU WITH PHOTOS OF MANSIONS, GETTING POOR PEOPLE'S MONEY FOR THE NEXT DECADE.
MY GOAL IS TO REPAIR THE PROGRAM BY INCOME, INCOME QUALIFYING CUSTOMERS.
SO THIS FAILURE CEASES WHEN A NEW PROGRAM IS CREATED IT'S STANDARD PROCEDURE TO, FOR RESEARCH, TO BE CONDUCTED AS TO WHAT SIMILAR PROGRAMS EXIST IN ORDER TO LEARN HOW THINGS MIGHT BE DONE.
MORE EFFICIENTLY CURIOUS, I SENT AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST TO AUSTIN ENERGY ASKING TO SEE IF THE UTILITY HAD CONDUCTED SUCH RESEARCH.
WHEN IT SET UP THE FLAWED AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT PROCESS, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RESPONSIVE INFORMATION TO UNDERSCORE A PROGRAM SPENDING ABOUT $16 MILLION A YEAR, ANOTHER 1.4 MILLION FOR THE PROCESS, PLUS SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN STAFF, UH, A YEAR, UH, THEY'VE NEVER DONE FORMATIVE RESEARCH.
YOU WOULD EXPECT, UH, YOU EXPECT PEOPLE RUNNING THE PROGRAM TO BE YOUR EXPERTS, BUT YOUR EXPERTS HAVE NOT DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE.
SLIDE SACRAMENTO, MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT HAS A ROBUST BILL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT ENROLLS ABOUT 50,000 MORE CUSTOMERS THAN AUSTIN SAN ANTONIO'S MUNICIPAL UTILITY ENROLLS ABOUT 22,000 MORE THAN AUSTIN.
THESE ARE ESTIMATES OF COURSE.
UH, NEXT SLIDE, UH, IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGE OF CUSTOMERS, SACRAMENTO, UTILITY, UH, MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT IS TWICE AS HIGH AS AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO IS ALMOST AS HIGH IN SAN ANTONIO'S CASE.
QUALIFICATION IS 125% OF POVERTY COMPARED TO AUSTIN'S 200% OF POVERTY.
SO IF SAN ANTONIO CHANGED ITS QUALIFICATIONS, IT, THE PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION WOULD LIKELY EXCEED AUSTIN COUNCIL.
LET'S USE THE RIGHT CASE AS A SPRING BOARD TO FIX THIS BROKEN PROGRAM.
THANK YOU, RAY CAMPOS WITH STACY WILLIAMS, ON-DECK STACY WILLIAMS, KLAUS SCHWAB.
DID YOU CALL PETTY CISMA HELLO, CITY OF AUSTAN.
ON, HE RUNS A LITERAL SIN CALLED NEVADA ECONOMIC FORUM.
HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS? HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS? UH, VERY GOOD SPEAKERS ARE HAPPENING AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AT DAVOS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE MAY 22ND TO 26 OF 2022 FOR YOU IN SWITZERLAND.
MY FATHER SENT A CLOUD SCHWAB HELP KISSING YELL, DICK CHENEY'S OR SLEE, OR FOR LIZARDS OWNS.
THE TOPIC FOR DAVOS IS LOVE IS NOT REAL.
SO LOTS OF INTERESTING INFORMATION FOR YOU.
UM, THERE'S DISINFORMATION ABOUT THIS.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN VERY SOON IS THE FALSE AURA, THE FALSE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION VEILS.
EVERY SING OWNS THE PEASANTS WERE ON NASA.
WE WERE ON, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CAR IN YOUR DRIVEWAY RIVER ON
I REALIZED THAT I WILL OWN ZOFIA TISH INTRO
[02:10:01]
PLACE OF YOUR VIVE WOUND.AS IT BELLS INTO MY NEW VERB AUTEURS, I WILL PUT THE CHIP IN YOUR BABY'S BRAIN TO CALCULATE IT'S WORTH OF MY OWNERSHIP.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING AT DAVOS? WHY IS THE VALUE I PARK A UFO WAS ZERCHER CASA DRACO REPTILIAN ON THE MEZZANINE OF, UH, THIS.
SO I NEED VALIDATIONS FOR THIS, BUT, UM, UH, THANK YOU FOR THIS.
EVERYONE'S FAVORITE ORLA JOCK.
WE HAVE PATTY CESSNA REMOTELY HI, GOOD AFTERNOON.
UM, MAJOR ADLER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS PATTY
I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF MY IDENTIFICATION THAT I'M REALLY REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITIES OUT THERE THAT URGENTLY NEED YOURSELF.
WAS HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO TO DISCUSS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ISSUE, TECHNOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.
HE PROVIDED INFORMATION AND EVEN SHARED REPORTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE WORKING TO ELIMINATE MAJOR ADLER OUT OF HQ TEAM IS IN FACT WORKING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED A LONG TIME AGO.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS EVOLVED INTO A TECH HUB AND IT SHOULD NOW BE EASIER TO ASSIST UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND FIND THEM BETTER JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
SO DURING THE REMAINING TIME OR MINUTES THAT I HAVE TO SHARE, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT VERY, VERY VALUABLE TIME.
AND JUST GIVE IT BACK TO YOU TO ANSWER THIS ONE QUESTION.
WHAT DOES QUANTUM HQ NEED TO DO TO RECEIVE THE SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY 5,000 BUDGET? EXCUSE ME, WE HAVE REQUESTED SO THAT WE CAN RUN OUR PAPER SUCCESS MODEL TO BECOME THE EXCLUSIVE SOURCE OF PROVIDE, TO PROVIDE JOBS TO THE COMMUNITIES, TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.
AND THIS IS AN ACTUAL QUESTION, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'VE SIGNED UP THREE MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.
AND THAT'S THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU GET.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL PUBLIC COMMUNICATION FOR THE NOON.
IS ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK IN NEW COMMUNICATION THAT WE DID NOT GET TO? OKAY.
COLLEAGUES REGARDING TO, UH, NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO LISTEN TO SOME LIVE MUSIC.
UH, SO, UH, I'M GOING TO SAY THE
[Executive Session]
CITY COUNCIL AND I'LL GO INTO CLOSED SESSION, SUBJECT TO THAT LIVE MUSIC IN CLOSED SESSION.WE'LL TAKE UP FOUR ITEMS PURSUANT TO 5, 5, 1 0 7, 2 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS REAL ESTATE MATTERS RELATED ITEM 46 AND PURSUANT TO 5, 5, 1 0 7 OF THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS LEGAL ISSUES RELATED ITEM 43, 44 AND 68 LAWSUITS INVOLVING, UH, APD PROTESTS, UH, THE LAWSUIT WITH DATA FOUNDRY AND ALSO OUR OPEN GOVERNMENT MATTERS THAT OBJECTION, THEN COLLEAGUES WE'LL TAKE A BREAK HAIRED OUT, UH, WITH, UH, MUSIC WE'LL CONVENE AT ONE 30, UH, REMOTELY FOR, UH, UH, EXECUTIVE THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SEE YOU THEN IF WE COULD AVOID THAT TODAY.
I HAVE TO ASK YOU TO STEP UP A LITTLE BIT AND
[02:17:31]
ARE WE RECORDING? THIS IS THIS, YOU SAID IT, AND YOU NEED ME CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE.
SO PEOPLE GET LIKE YOUR US AND GO LIKE, SO THIS IS EXCITING FOR US BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE JUST HOW IMPORTANT MUSIC IS TO THIS CITY AND TO KIND OF OUR CULTURE AND, AND, AND, AND WHO WE ARE.
I CAME HERE AS A STUDENT IN THE LATE SEVENTIES AND LIKE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE PASSING THROUGH THIS TOWN WITH NO INTENTION TO STAY ENDED UP EVER LEAVING.
AGAIN, FOR ME, ONE OF THE BIG REASONS WAS THE MUSIC YOU WAS GRABBING THE BEER, GO TO THE CLUB AND BEING ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE, TO THE BANDS PLAY.
AND WE KNOW WE ALWAYS TRY TO CELEBRATE KIND OF THE, UH, THE ECLECTIC ABUSING THAT EXISTS IN THIS JUST PHENOMENAL MUSICIANS AT LOTS OF DIFFERENT, UH, AREAS.
AND, UM, SO IT'S, IT'S A REAL IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO AND, AND EXCITING TODAY TO SEE THAT WE WOULD BE RECOGNIZING YOU, UH, AS A MUSICIAN.
UM, YOU LOVE, I, UH, BORN ON THE BORDER TOWN OF DEL RIO, TEXAS, UM, DJ PHOTOGRAPHER ON MIGUEL ON HAVE, HAS FORMED FORGED ONE OF THE STRONGEST BRANDS IN AUSTIN'S ENTERTAINMENT, NIGHTLIFE, NIGHTLIFE SCENE WITH MENTIONS IN VICE AUSTIN, CHRONICLE ATTRACT BAYSA CULTURE MAP AUSTIN 360 FOR HIS PERSONAL SENSE OF STYLE, CURATORIAL CHIC REPUTATIONS FOR PARTY ROCKIN AS A MARINE VETERAN.
UH, HIS, UH, DJ PARTIES ARE KNOWN AS SOME OF THE HOTTEST TICKETS IN, UH, IN AUSTIN,
[02:20:01]
UH, WITH RESIDENCIES AND PRESTIGIOUS, DOWNTOWN NIGHTCLUBS, LIKE, UH, UH, BARBARELLA ANDHARD TO MISS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
SO IF, UH, FOLKS WHO WANT TO HEAR YOU, UH, AND HEAR YOU, UH, SENT THIS OUT, WHERE WOULD THEY GO? I WOULD TELL YOU THAT IN THOSE PLACES THAT I MENTIONED RIGHT THERE, UM, BOLSTERED MY LOVELY THE IN SOUTH CONGRESS HOTEL, WHERE MY BROTHER ON SATURDAY, SATURDAYS, WHERE YOUR NEXT, UH, TONIGHT THAT'S HOW CONGRESS HOTEL.
AND I BOTH SAID FOR THE SINGLE MOM PARTY.
UH, SOCIAL IT'S JUST ULA, ALIBI.
SO YOU LIVE OUT AN INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, EVERYTHING.
SO, ALL RIGHT, WELL, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION INTERVIEW.
HE HAD KNOWN THAT, WHEREAS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS IS BLESSED WITH MANY CREATIVE MUSICIANS WHOSE TALENTS EXTEND TO VIRTUALLY EVERY MUSICAL GENRE.
AND WHEREAS OUR MUSIC SCENE THRIVES BECAUSE AUSTIN AUDIENCES SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC PRODUCED BY LEGENDS, OUR LOCAL FAVORITES AND NEWCOMERS ALIKE.
AND WHEREAS WE ARE PLEASED TO SHOWCASE AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ARTISTS.
NOW, THEREFORE I, STEVE ADLER MAYOR THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL TOGETHER WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL TO HEREBY PROFANE, MAY 5TH OF THE YEAR, 2022, AS YOU LOVE I DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, TAKE A PICTURE STEP OVER HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO GET IN THERE.
I TRIED NOT TO LAUGH AT THE END OF THE
SO REALLY IT'S ALL LAID OUT, BUT, UM, YEAH, BUT FIRST TIME I'VE DONE THAT BEFORE.
WELL, THIS NEXT ONE WILL BE SEVEN PEOPLE.
WE ARE OUT OF CLOSED SESSION WHILE WE WERE IN CLOSED SESSION WE DISCUSSED REAL ESTATE MATTERS RELATED TO ITEM 46.
WE DID NOT GET TO ITEMS 43, 44 AND 68.
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK IN AND DO THOSE.
UM, BUT WE ARE NOW BACK AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING CONTINUES TO BE MAY 5TH, 2022.
UH, TIME IS, UH, TWO, UH, UH, 53.
[Zoning Consent Agenda]
UH, I THINK WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS THAT ARE SET TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY ON, UH, THE ZONING CASES BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE ZODY CALLERS.UH, ARE THERE ANY POSTPONEMENTS THAT THEY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OR OTHERWISE THEY KNOW THAT TODAY MIGHT NOT BE THEIR DAY TO MAKE THEIR BARRETT'S PROPOSAL ARGUMENTS.
SO BEEN WITH THE HOUSING PLAN DEPARTMENT? UM, YES, SIR.
IT'S SLATED FOR AN INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT.
UM, IN ADDITION, LET'S SEE ITEMS NUMBER, UM, 61 AND 62 HAVE A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY BOTH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE APPLICANT TO MAY 19TH.
AND I'M SORRY TO GO BACKWARDS, BUT ONE MORE ITEM, NUMBER 48 AS A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT TO MAY 19TH.
SO THOSE THOSE FOUR THEN 47 48 61
[02:25:02]
AND 62 I'LL HAVE POSTPONEMENT MY REQUESTS.AND IS THERE AN AGREEMENT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE, UH, UH, UH, OPERA HOUSE TRACK AT ACADEMY ACADEMY? YES, MA'AM.
THAT'LL BE READING INTO THE RECORD WHEN WE DO CONSENT FOR BOTH.
UM, UM, LET'S SEE, THAT IS ITEMS 57 AND 58.
SO IT'S LOOKING TODAY, LIKE EARLY DISCUSSION CASE WILL BE A 51, BUT WE'LL GET TO THAT.
WHEN WE DO THE, THE AUDIO, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'LL BE 50 WIDE, BUT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE PHONE RIGHT NOW, OR OTHERWISE WANTING TO SPEAK, UH, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE'S ANYTHING TO BE DECIDED TODAY WITH RESPECT TO THE ACADEMY CASE.
UH, IF SPEAKERS, WHAT, UH, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE HERE, THEN THAT'S THAT TIME OF THE EVENT THAT, THAT THINGS ARE WORKED OUT.
UH, BUT THE, UH, TOBACCO, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD DECIDED TO SPEAK ON THAT.
DOES THAT SEEM TO BE THE SAME KIND OF PRESSING IMMEDIATE ISSUE, UH, POSTPONE OR 47 48 POSTPONED ON 57 AND AB POSTPONEMENT ON 61 62, IT LOOKS LIKE THE ONLY DISCUSSION IS GOING TO BE ON 51.
SO I JUST WANT THE SPEAKERS TO ALL KNOW THAT AS WE, AS WE RECOGNIZE SPEAKERS.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL THE SPEAKERS FIRST IN PERSON AND THEN, UH, OUT MAYOR.
HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE? HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE? ABOUT 15, SORRY, OR OVER THE PHONE? NINE, THE PERSON FOUR ON THE PHONE.
WHAT? THREE MINUTES? THREE MINUTES.
SO LET'S BEGIN WITH THE NINE THAT ARE A PERSON SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT OF 47 SHARON SKOGLAND.
NEXT SPEAKER, AN ITEM'S 57 AND 58.
LAURA TOOPS GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS LARA TOOPS AND I'M A RESIDENT OF FAIRVIEW PARK.
I'M A MEMBER OF SRC AND I'M THE CHAIR OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CONTACT TEAM.
THAT'S WORKED ON THE CASE AT 200 ACADEMY.
I COME TO YOU TODAY, UH, ALSO WITH THE PERSPECTIVE OF BEING A CIVIL ENGINEER AND PLANNER, AND HAVING WORKED FOR 35 PLUS YEARS IN THE CITY ON A NUMBER OF MIXED USE PROJECTS, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS NOT OPPOSED THE MIXED USE NATURE OF THIS PROPOSAL.
WE'D ACTUALLY LIKE TO SEE SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THIS PROJECT.
WE'D SUPPORT THE OFFICES, THE RESTAURANT RECORDING STUDIO, AND OTHER SORT OF SUPPORT BUSINESSES.
BUT WHAT WE DON'T SUPPORT IS A 1200 PERSON VENUE THAT IS ACCESSED OFF OF A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET ACADEMY.
THIS IS NOT COMPATIBLE PLANNING, IT'S NOT GOOD PLANNING.
AND IT ALSO CREATES SAFETY, UH, ISSUES, NOT ONLY FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT THE ADJACENT BUSINESSES.
THIS IS PUTTING SOMETHING THE SIZE OF THE PARAMOUNT THEATER, WHICH IS DOWNTOWN ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET.
SO PLEASE SUPPORT A MUCH SMALLER VENUE WHEN WE COME BACK TO THIS, UH, THE VOTE ON THIS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT.
AND ITEMS 57 AND 58, STEVE WERTHEIMER, MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, MY NAME'S STEVE WERTHEIMER AND I AM THE OWNER OF BOTH THE CONTINENTAL CLUB AND SEE BOYS HEART AND SOUL, WHICH ARE BOTH WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM WHAT WAS FORMERLY THE AUSTIN OPERA HOUSE.
AND I DO APPRECIATE SOME FOLKS FREE WILL USING MY CLUBS AS FINE EXAMPLES OF WHAT THEY THINK SHOULD, UH, LAND ON THAT PROPERTY.
BUT I ALSO FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT I HAVE THESE BASES TOTALLY COVERED WITH MY VENUES.
UM, I THINK WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN HERE IS A LARGER CAPACITY THAN YOU WERE BANDS THAT I'VE NURTURED AND HELPED AND GROOMED OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS, ALONG WITH ROAD SHOWS HAVE A MUCH LARGER SPACE TO PERFORM BACK IN THE DAY WHEN THE OPERA HOUSE WAS OPEN.
AND I WAS AT THE CONTINENTAL, UH, I'VE BEEN THERE SINCE 87.
UM, YOU KNOW, I ATTENDED MANY GREAT SHOWS THERE AND, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS ALWAYS A, UH, POSITIVE WINDFALL FROM
[02:30:01]
THE PATRONS THAT WERE AT THOSE SHOWS.AND ALSO MANY OF THE BANDS WHO PLAYED THERE HAVING A LEGENDARY SMALL CLUB AROUND THE CORNER TO HEAD TO AND SUPPORT SOME OF THE SMALLER LOCAL BANDS THAT WE FEATURE NIGHT IN AND NIGHT OUT.
AND I SEE THAT CONTINUING OUR SPACES AND ENHANCING WHAT WE'VE WORKED SO HARD TO CREATE.
IF THE LARGER CAPACITY VENUE CAN COME BACK ON BOARD.
I THINK THE SYNERGY BETWEEN A LARGE 1200 CAP VENUE AND SMALL CLUBS LIKE THE CONTINENTAL AND SEE BOYS IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER IS ESSENTIAL TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT AND KEEP THE MUSIC AND SPECIAL NIGHTS GOING.
AND I SUPPORTING APPROVE THE REMOVAL OF THE NCC D AT 200 ACADEMY AND HOPEFULLY PROVIDE FOR A LARGER CAPACITY VENUE.
LISA FLETCHER WITH FRED FLETCHER ON DECK.
Y'ALL I'M LISA FLETCHER WITH ARLYN STUDIOS.
WE'VE BEEN AT 200 ACADEMY SINCE 1984.
CHRIS WALLEN IS THE FIRST PROPERTY OWNER WHO DOESN'T WANT TO MOW DOWN THIS BUILDING AND CREATE MORE HIGH RISES IN RETAIL.
HE'S THE FIRST, THE FIRST TO REALIZE THAT THE HISTORY OF THIS PROPERTY IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO SAVE.
PLEASE HELP US DO THIS ONE NEIGHBOR WHO HAS CHOKED OUR AREA WITH CONSTRUCTION ON A ONCE HISTORICAL HOME FOR LONGER THAN ALL OF THE SOUTH CONGRESS, CONSTRUCTION COMBINED SHOULD NOT SPEAK FOR LONGTERM AUSTIN.
THE ALTERNATIVE TO OUR PLAN WILL BE FAR WORSE FOR OUR BELOVED NEIGHBORHOOD.
PLEASE GIVE US THE TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PRESERVE OUR HISTORY.
RETAIL AND HIGH RISES CREATE CONSTANT TRAFFIC.
DURING PEAK TIMES, MUSIC DOES NOT RETAIL AND HIGH RISES DO NOT SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FLEDGLING ARTIST MUSIC DOES WE DO RETAIL AND HIGH RISES DO NOT ATTRACT THE MOST RESPECTED NAMES IN OUR BUSINESS MUSIC DOES WE DO.
PAUL SIMON DID NOT RECENTLY COME TO AUSTIN TO SHOP.
HE CAME TO RECORD HIS RECORD AND FILM HIS DOCUMENTARY.
FRED FLETCHER WITH BRIAN BD ON-DECK HELLO, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
I'M FREDDIE FLETCHER, FOUNDER OF ORLAND STUDIOS.
MY LATE MOTHER, BOBBY NELSON PLAYED PIANO IN THE SUMMER HOUSE RESTAURANT IN THE SIXTIES.
THAT WAS THE TERRORIST CONVENTION CENTER THAT LATER BECAME THE AUSTIN OPERA HOUSE.
MUSIC LINE IS A STREET THAT BORDERS THE OPERA HOUSE, THE AUSTIN REHEARSAL COMPLEX AND MUSIC LINE RESTORED OR RECORDING STUDIOS.
WITH THE REASON FOR THE NAME, THE ARCHANGELS WERE BORN THERE.
IT WAS A PLACE FOR MUSICIANS TO WORK.
SADLY, TODAY, THERE IS NO MUSIC ON MUSIC LINES, THE ARM, ADELA, LIBERTY LUNCH, THREADGILL'S SOAP, CREEKS LOAN, THE OPERA HOUSE TO NAME A FEW ARE ALL GONE.
THE BROKEN SPOKE HAS BEEN STRANGLED.
ARLEN'S LEASE WILL SOON BE UP IF IT WASN'T FOR GARY KELLER, THE SAXON PUB WOULD BE GONE.
THE CONTINENTAL CLUB COULD BE THE LAST MAN STANDING PEOPLE COME HERE BECAUSE THEY LOVE MUSIC.
MUSIC HAS BEEN THE SOUL OF THIS CITY AND WITHOUT THE SOUL LIST, JUST ANOTHER CITY.
WHAT WE ARE SIMPLY TRYING TO DO IS PRESERVE WHAT GAVE THIS CITY IT'S IDENTITY.
BRIAN BD HELLO, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
UM, JUST BRIEFLY TO ADDRESS THE, I MEAN, I'VE, I'VE WORKED WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE BEFORE AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALL PEOPLE WHO DO SUPPORT AUSTIN MUSIC.
UH, STEVE'S CONTENTION THAT THIS SMALL CLUBS WOULD COMPETE WITH.
HIS IS ONLY IF THEY BOOKED THE SAME STYLE OF MUSIC.
AND I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY THAT WOULD NECESSARILY HAPPEN.
UH, SO I JUST, MY, UH, ANYWAY, I'M BRIAN BD, A LONG TIME AUSTIN MUSICIAN RECORD PRODUCER.
MY HOUSE IS ON A SINGLE FAMILY, LOT STEPS AWAY FROM THE ONLY EXIT TO THE PROPOSED REVAMPED OPERA HOUSE AT 200 ACADEMY, HALF OF THE PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO US ARE VERY SMALL ONE FAMILY, LOTS, BUT WE ARE ALSO NEXT DOOR TO A SMALL APARTMENT COMPLEX.
WE ARE THE TRANSITION ZONE BETWEEN OUR HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD FAIRVIEW PARK AND THE ENCROACHING CITY.
THE 200 ACADEMY PROPERTY HAS BEEN PART OF THIS
[02:35:01]
TRANSITION ZONES SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN 1964 AND THE BUILDINGS 58 YEARS OF EXISTENCE, IT'S NEVER OPERATED IN A WAY THAT OFFENDED THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR CAUSE LEGAL AND SAFETY PROBLEMS. EXCEPT DURING THOSE BROKEN APART 12 TO 15 YEARS, WHO WAS USED AS A LARGE CONCERT HALL, I SAW A NUMBER OF GREAT ARTISTS PLAY IN THAT BUILDING.I PLAYED THERE AND MANY OTHER AUSTIN, LEGENDARY AUSTIN CLUBS THAT NO LONGER EXIST.
NOW I'VE LIVED NEARBY FOR YEARS AND I'M REAL FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA.
UH, THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON THE WEST SIDE OF SOUTH CONGRESS AROUND ACADEMY HAVE BROUGHT THE NEW URBAN AUSTIN TO OUR DOORSTEPS, THE NEW LINE OF BUILDINGS ACROSS FROM THE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, STILL CONFUSED OLD AUSTIN DRIVERS LOOKING FOR THE ENTRANCE TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT THEY'RE HANDSOME.
AND WELL-MADE, UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'VE ALSO COMPLETELY BLOCKED ANY POSSIBILITY OF 200 ACADEMY HAVING DIRECT ACCESS TO SOUTH CONGRESS.
ANY PLAN TO DEVELOP THAT PROPERTY MUST TAKE INTO THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
AND THE LARGE EVENT HALL IS THE ONLY PART OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT THAT WE WERE OBJECTING TO.
WE WOULD EMBRACE ONE OR EVEN TWO SMALL CLUBS WITH STAGGERING START AND FINISH TIME SCALED TO THE SIZE OF THE SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD FEEDER ROAD, A LARGE CLUB.
AND THIS LOCATION WOULD BE A GREATER RISK TODAY THAN IT EVER WAS.
SO PLEASE DON'T FORCE THAT MISTAKE ON US AGAIN ON ITEM 58, ERIC VAN HIKED WITH NATALIA JAMISON ON ON-DECK FOR ITEMS 59 AND 60 AND A TANYA JAMISON.
GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE MAYOR, STEVE ADLER AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL ST.
LOUIS HOUSE PROVIDES STABLE HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO SINGLE MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION, WE HAVE AGREED TO SERVE AS AN AFFORDABILITY PARTNER TO MONTOPOLIS ACRES, LPN, AND STRONGLY SUPPORT THE LAND OWNERS REZONING REQUESTS FOR 20 YEARS ST.
LOUIS HOUSE HAS PROVIDED PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS TO THE HIDDEN HOMELESS WHO ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO OFTEN AREN'T COUNTED IN A PIT COUNT HIDDEN FROM THE POINT OF POINT IN TIME COUNTS, CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES, MOVING FROM UNSTABLE LIVING SITUATION TO ANOTHER VISIBLE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IN OUR SCHOOLS.
AND AS YEARS OF INSTABILITY IN CHILDHOOD, CREATE A PIPELINE FOR HOMELESSNESS INTO ADULTHOOD ST.
LOUIS HOUSE EMPOWERS TWO GENERATIONS, MOTHERS, AND CHILDREN TO DEVELOP ECONOMIC SECURITY FROM GENERATIONS TO COME 90% INCREASED SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND MAINTAIN STABILITY AT ST.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM OUR MULTI FOUR YEAR PROGRAM, CITY OF AUSTIN HAS SUPPORTED US AS WE'VE GROWN INTO 46 APARTMENT HOMES.
WE HAVE PROVIDED OVER 200 FAMILIES AND 470 CHILDREN IS SPRINGBOARD.
SO ECONOMIC MOBILITY, WE HAVE A WAITLIST CURRENTLY OF 60 TO 80 FAMILIES.
THEREFORE WE MUST GROW COLLABORATION WITH THE MONTOPOLIS ACRES.
LP REPRESENTS A PATHWAY TO EXPANSION, ALLOWING US TO QUICKLY PROVIDE HOME AND PARTNERSHIPS AND MORE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IN AUSTIN.
IT WILL LEVERAGE THE DIVERSITY AND THE RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN EACH COMMUNITY PROXIMITY TO THE NEW CITY RECREATION CENTER.
THE PARK, THE CHURCH AND SCHOOLS PROVIDE THE EXTREMELY LOW INCOME DIVERSE ST.
ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT ST.
LOUIS HOUSE FAMILIES ONCE EMPOWERED BY STABILITY AND SUPPORT, WE PROVIDE BECOME ACTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ADVOCATE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING OUR SUPPORT FOR THE REZONING REQUEST.
RACHEL, MCCLURG SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT OF 61 62.
SO I'M NOT SURE THAT I NEED TO SAY SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.
UM, I'M HERE, UM, BECAUSE WE WERE NOT IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT.
UM, THE PETITIONERS AND THE APPLICANTS THIS MORNING, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NOW IN AGREEMENT AND WE ALL AGREE TO POSTPONE.
THE CASE BASICALLY IS NOT READY YET.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT.
WE HAVEN'T, UM, RECEIVED APPROVAL.
IF THAT'S ALL I NEED TO SAY, I'LL SIT DOWN NOW.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO REMOTE TO SPEAK.
[02:40:08]
YEAH.IT'S THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS WHOLESALE LENNY MARIANO, AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING MY BOSS JAGER, SEE A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER WHO ALSO OWNS THE TWO PROPERTY.
THEY IMMEDIATELY, NORTH OF THESE TWO PARTS SELLS THE PROPERTIES ARE CUSTOMER GARCIA'S ROAD AND THE BIGGER PROPERTY AROUND IT.
UM, WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE ZONING BEING PROPOSED AS WE FEEL THAT OUR PROPERTIES ARE ALREADY BEING INFRINGED UPON AND WILL BE MORE SO OF THIS GETS GRANTED.
WE NOTIFIED THE STAFF DURING THE PLANNING MEETINGS THAT CASA GARCIA'S ROAD IS NOT A PUBLIC ROADWAY THAT WAS NEVER ACCEPTED BY THE COUNTY 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.
WE HAVE AN ENGINEERING COMPANY LOOKING AT THAT, LOOKING AT ALL THE TITLE WORK, ET CETERA.
BUT, UH, THIS PROPOSAL USE WOULD USE OUR, OUR ROAD, WHICH IS A PRIVATELY MAINTAINED ROAD AND WE PAY PROPERTY TAXES ON IT.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE OPPOSED TO THAT.
UM, ALSO THERE'S AN ACT OF THESE MEN IN THE BACK THAT WE ALLOW THEM TO USE.
THEY WOULD, UH, THIS PROPERTY WOULD USE THEIR INTERNAL DRIVE TO GET THERE, AND IT DOESN'T SUPPORT WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO RIGHT NOW.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, WE, WE, UH, SUBMITTED OUR PR OUR OBJECTIONS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
FEW DAYS LATER, WE GOT A CALL FROM THE AGENT FOR, FOR THIS PROPERTY THREATENING US FOR COMING FORWARD.
SO WE, UH, JUST DON'T WANT AN ACRIMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP, BUT WE FEEL THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TALK AS TO OUR INTERESTS AND NOT, NOT FEEL THREATENED BY IT.
WE JUST ASK THAT YOU NOT PASS A PROPOSED, UH, ZONING CHANGE JUST AS IT FAILED WITH THE ZONING COMMISSION.
OH, WHAT A, WHAT ITEM IS THIS? WHAT NUMBER? I DON'T KNOW IF THE 1 51.
AND THAT'LL BE OUR DISCUSSION ITEM FOR TODAY.
ANYONE ELSE? WE BROUGHT DOWN, SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT FOR ITEM 1547.
I'M ZENOBIA JOSEPH, AS IT RELATES TO IT'S ITEM 47, 1000 ECA GUR LANE.
I JUST WANTED TO PLAY A VIDEO CLIP SO THAT YOU COULD SEE THE CONTEXT AND THE JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY I ACTUALLY SUPPORT SUPPORT THE INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT.
A WOMAN REACHED OUT TO US TONIGHT SAYING IT WAS HER SON WHO WAS HIT AND KILLED HERE ON EAST YEAGER LANE.
HE WAS HIT AND KILLED SATURDAY NIGHT ON THIS BRIDGE, RIGHT BEHIND ME.
POLICE INITIALLY REPORTED THAT HE WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD, BUT THE WOMAN WHO REACHED TO US AS HER SON WAS 15 YEARS OLD, HAD AUTISM AND WAS NONVERBAL.
SHE ALSO SAYS THE DRIVER WHO HIT HIM, STAYED ON SCENE TO HELP HIM.
WE'RE STILL WORKING TO CONFIRM ALL OF THIS WITH POLICE, BUT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE ROAD WHERE THIS PERSON WAS HIT DID NOT HAVE A SIDEWALK.
THE SIDEWALK ACTUALLY ENDS RIGHT WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW.
AND THERE ARE SOME STREETLAMPS NEARBY AS WELL, BUT THERE ARE NONE ON THAT BRIDGE.
THERE'S PEOPLE, CHILDREN, AND ADULTS THAT WALK UP AND DOWN THIS ROAD EVERY DAY, KINGSLEY COPPINGER LIVES NEAR EAST JAEGER LANE AND SAYS, THIS AREA IN PARTICULAR IS UNSAFE, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
SO WHEN HE HEARD ABOUT THE TRAGIC NEWS SATURDAY, IT'S HEARTBREAKING, BUT IT'S NOT SURPRISING A SCENARIO WHERE PEDESTRIANS PROBABLY SHOULD NOT BE IN ANY CASE AT ANY TIME OF DAY IT'S, IT'S NOT, UH, AS NO CROSSING AREA, IT HAS NO SIDEWALK.
AND COPYING HER SAYS, PEOPLE WALK ALONG THE STRETCH OF ROAD EVERY DAY.
SO SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE IT, JUST A SIDEWALK, THIS WHOLE STRETCH OF YEAGER IN NORTHEAST AUSTIN, LOUISE, SEALY OWNED KVU NEWS.
UM, AS THESE CASES COME BEFORE YOU, AND SPECIFICALLY ON YEAGER AND MAYBE THE CITY MANAGER CAN ANSWER THIS, THEY'RE ACTUALLY, UH, PUTTING SIDEWALK, UH, IN THE AREA NEAR TECH RIDGE BOULEVARD, BUT I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE AREA THAT HAS THE RAVINE, HOW TO MAKE THAT, UM, ADA ACCESSIBLE.
AND SO IF YOU COULD JUST WORK WITH THE CONSTRUCTION CREW TO SEE IF THEY COULD ACTUALLY DO THE ENTIRETY AND NOT JUST THE APARTMENT AREA, UM, AND JUST, UH, LASTLY, I WILL JUST SO THAT YOU HAVE THE DATE THAT WAS JANUARY, UM, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2019, AND THEN TWO YEARS LATER, ANOTHER
[02:45:01]
15 YEAR OLD WAS ACTUALLY HIT ON YEAGER LANE AND HAD, UH, TWO SURGERIES, BRAIN SURGERIES.AND I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT JUST BECAUSE THERE'S A BUS STOP THERE, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S SAFE FOR PEDESTRIANS.
AND FOR CONTEXT MAYOR JUST, UH, A POINT OF REFERENCE.
WHEN I STOOD BEFORE YOU WOULD 574 PETITION SIGNATURES.
AND IT WAS ACTUALLY TO SAVE ROUTE 3 92, WHICH IS THE ROUTE THAT YOU SAW THAT BUS PASS ON JAEGER LANE.
AND SO I ASKED YOU TO HELP US, THEN I APPRECIATE THE POSTPONEMENT TODAY.
AND THAT THOSE ARE THE GIST OF MY COMMENTS, BUT I JUST WANTED TO REMIND YOU, UM, IT'S UNSAFE AND, AND PLEASE ASK THEM TO KEEP SOME OF THE TREES WHEN THEY START WITH THE, THE DEVELOPMENT.
THAT'S A DENSE AREA, BUT TODAY IT'S BECOMING A CONCRETE JUNGLE.
AND SO I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO MAKE MY COMMENTS AND THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER.
IT'S GOT US TO REMOTE SPEAKERS.
DO YOU MIND IF I, YES, GO AHEAD.
I JUST WANTED TO, TO DAYLIGHT SOMETHING, UM, THE, THE IT'S TINTED AND I'D HAVE TO BE THIS MONTH.
NEW PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG A ONE MILE, RIGHT IN NATURE.
AND IN SHORT BOARDING PEOPLE, I THINK WE'VE FROZE UP ON COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER MEDICINE.
UH, SHE GETS BACK ON AND WE'LL TRY TO, TO, TO GET, GET WHAT SHE WAS TRYING TO SAY.
WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND CALL THEIR BOAT SPEAKERS ON ITEM 52 FRANCIS A KONYA WE GET BY THE POST BEFORE THE PROPOSED PROJECT AT THE SITE.
AND SO I'LL JUST RE REPEAT AND LET ME KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN HEAR ME MORE CLEARLY.
SO I WAS, I WAS WANTING TO DAYLIGHT, UM, THAT TENTATIVELY BEGINNING THIS MONTH, NEW PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG A ONE MILE STRETCH OF ECA.
YOUR LANE, BETWEEN NATURE'S BEND AND JORDAN'S CROSSING BOULEVARD.
UH, THE SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE AN EIGHT TO 10 FOOT SHARED USE PATH ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF ECA, YOUR LANE, A NEW PHYSICALLY PROTECTED BIKE LANE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF EAST, YOUR LANE CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS AND THE FILLING OF SIDEWALK GAPS AT SHROPSHIRE BOULEVARD, TOMPKINS, DRY COPPERFIELD DRIVE AND COPPERFIELD PARK, AND THE IDEAL PUBLIC SCHOOL'S DRIVEWAY.
UM, THE ANTICIPATED DURATION OF CONSTRUCTION IS 12 TO 18 MONTHS AND WILL THEREFORE BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE PROPOSED PROJECT AT THE SITE WOULD BREAK GROUND.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL HER SPEAKERS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DUFF SPRINGS AND I'M FOR AND SLASH NEUTRAL FOR ITEM 39 AND 52.
I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING AROUND US WITHOUT TAKING IN CONSIDERATION THE ADVERSE IMPACT THAT IT CAUSES DOWNSTREAM.
IN MY PERSONAL VIEW, LOCALIZED FLOODING IS GETTING WORSE.
WE DEVELOP IN HAPPENING IN EVERYWHERE IN AUSTIN AND IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS BEING GREATLY AFFECTED.
I ASK THAT WHEN YOU MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AND VOTE FOR THIS ITEMS, THAT YOU PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALREADY, WE HAVE A BIG SENIOR DEVELOPMENT THAT IS HAPPENING ON WILLIAM CANNON IN THE WILLIAMSON CREEK GREENBELT.
THAT WILL CAUSE MORE FORCE TO THE WATER FLOW IN THE CREEK.
AND THAT WOULD CAUSE MORE EROSION.
THE MORE DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE CREEKS, THE MORE CONTRIBUTION TO EROSION AND FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.
WE ALSO HAVE A SUPERMARKET THAT IS BEING DEVELOPED NOT FAR FROM THE SAME THING YOU'RE DEVELOPING AND WILL CONTRIBUTE TO MORE WATER, UH, RUNOFF WATER TO THE CREEK AND MORE LOCALIZED FLOODING.
THE FLOOD WALL WE HAVE ON CREEK BANKS WON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO HOLD THE WATER COMING FROM WILLIAMSON CREEK.
AND A CDS PLAN TO UPDATE IS IT'S FAR FROM A FEW YEARS.
THE BEACONS INFRASTRUCTURE IN A BREADSTICK
[02:50:01]
WOULD, WOULD TAKE ABOUT FIVE YEARS, UH, MORE IN MORE OR LESS.AND MEANWHILE, I'M NOT SURE, UH, WHERE THE PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT WILL BRING.
IF THE, UH, PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT WOULD BRING ANY RELIEF TO THE FLOODING, WE ALREADY HAVE IT.
SO PLEASE TAKE CONSIDERATION OF, UH, THE IMPACTS THAT WE ARE FACING WHEN A DEVELOPMENT IS PROPOSED AND, UM, AND APPROVED.
AND ITEM 53, MARIANNE WILLETT, GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS MARIANNE WILLETT AND I AM HERE TO OPPOSE.
I DON'T REMEMBER 53, THE MARIELLA TO DEVELOPMENT.
IT WOULD RUN ALONG MY FENCE LINE UP TO IT.
I ALREADY HAVE A CHURCH BEHIND THERE, AND THEY'RE PLANNING TO BUILD A DAYCARE.
I HAVE A STRIP MALL THAT CAN SEE INTO MY YARD.
AND IF THIS GOES IN, I WILL HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PRIVACY, NO PEACE OF MIND, NO SANCTUARY, NO SAFETY, STRANGERS HAVE ACCESS TO MY YARD.
I'M A FRONT BRIDGED UPON, AND THIS HAS CAUSED ME A GREAT DEAL OF ANXIETY AND STRESS.
I'M 65 YEARS OLD INTEREST RATES ARE UP.
AREN'T GOING TO BE IN LINE WITH EVERYBODY.
ELSE'S IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, CRAMMING PEOPLE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.
DOESN'T MAKE FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.
YOU'RE CRAMMING THEM IN AND YOU'RE SQUEEZING THEM OUT.
AUSTIN IS FOR THE WEALTHY NOISE AIR AND TRAFFIC POLLUTION IS JUST GOING TO SKYROCKET.
I BELIEVE I HEARD TO PUT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX IN DOWN THAT STREET.
WE DON'T HAVE DRAINAGE HERE ON MY STREET OR ON VILLA PARK.
WHERE'S ALL THAT WATER GOING TO GO IN NORTHWEST WOODS.
WE STILL HAVE DEED RESTRICTION.
WE CAN'T EVEN BUILD TWO STORY HOMES AND THEY'RE PUTTING IN TWO AND THREE STORY CONDOS THERE.
THE NEIGHBOR THAT'S SELLING THAT PROPERTY TO THEM SUED MY OTHER NEIGHBOR BECAUSE THEY TRY TO PUT IN A PRE-FAB LITTLE HOUSE.
THEY SUED THEM AND THEY WON THE DEED RESTRICTIONS.
YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THIS IN YOUR BACKYARD, NOR WOULD YOU WANT IT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
JERRY WILL TAKE US THROUGH THE CONSENT OR JOY, WHICHEVER AND POINTED OUT TO ME THAT I CALL ON YOU.
I TRY TO KEEP YOU ON YOUR TOES.
UM, JERRY RESTAURANT AGAIN, UH, THE CONSENT AGENDA TODAY.
WELL, FIRST ONE WILL BE ITEM NUMBER 47, KC 14, 2020 1,991.
THIS IS AN INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT ITEM NUMBER 48, CASEY 14, 2020 1 0 1 55.
THIS IS A POST-MILITARY REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT TO MAY 19TH ITEM NUMBER 49, KC 14, 2020 0 0 8 0.
THIS CASE I CAN OFFER FOR CONSENT APPROVAL AND ALL THREE READINGS ITEM NUMBER 50 KC 14, 2020 0, 0 79.
YOU KNOW, FOR THIS CASE FOR CONSENT OR APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS ITEM NUMBER 51, UM, WILL BE A DISCUSSION CASE ITEM NUMBER 50 TWOS, CASEY 14, 2020 2 0 0 1 2.
AND OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT OR APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS ITEM 53 IS KC 14, 2020 1 0 1 0 3.
I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS ITEM NUMBER 54, KC 14, 2020 1 0 1 59.
I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS AND IN 55 NPA, 2021 ZEROS OR ONE 6.01 POINT SH OFFERED FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS RELATED ITEM IS A 5,614 2020 1 0 0 2 2 ZERO.SH CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS ITEM NUMBER 57.
THIS CASE NPA 2019 0 0 22 0.001.
[02:55:01]
A AMENDMENT TO GO WITH THE 200 ACADEMY.I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT APPROVAL.
AND THE RELATED ZONING CASE IS ITEM NUMBER 58, KC 14, 2020 0 1 47.
UM, I'VE BEEN ASKED TO READ INTO THE RECORD A STATEMENT BY THE, UM, UH, BOTH THE APPLICANT AND THE NEIGHBORS, UM, WHICH IS AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL ALLOW THIS CASE TO MOVE FORWARD.
UH, THE PARTIES AGREED TO MOVE FORWARD ON SECOND READING WITH WHAT THE COUNCIL APPROVED ON FIRST READING, WHICH IS THAT, WHICH THEY FEEL, UM, DOES NEED SOME WORK WITH REGARD TO THE, UM, WHAT'S WRITTEN IN THE ORDINANCE.
UH, SPECIFICALLY THEY HAVE TWO POINTS.
ONE, THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGED THAT FURTHER DISCUSSION AND INVESTIGATION WILL OCCUR BEFORE THIRD READING AND CONNECTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROVISION, WHICH RESTRICTS THE BUILDING HEIGHT WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE OF S3 PROPERTY.
ON FIRST READING CONSOLE PROVED 75 FEET.
THE APPLICANT WOULD LIKE 65 FEET.
THE, UM, THE PARTIES INVOLVED WOULD LIKE SOME MORE TIME TO DISCUSS THIS POINT.
AND I AM TOO, IS THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON THE VENUES MOST APPROPRIATE CAPACITY AND PUTTING IT INTO A CONDITIONAL OVERLAY.
THEY WOULD LIKE TO RETURN ON JUNE 9TH FOR THIRD READING.
SO WITH THAT READ INTO THE RECORD, I COULD OFFER BOTH ITEMS NUMBER 57 AND 58 FOR SECOND READING, ONLY ITEM NUMBER 59.
THIS CASE NPA 2020 0 0 0 5 0.01.
I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS RELATED ZONING CASE IS ITEM C 14, 2020 0 0 29.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON THIRD READING WITH NOTATION THAT IT WOULD BE FOR THE, UM, PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION OF
UH, STAFF RECOMMENDED BY THREE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED ABOUT FOUR AND BOTH THE APPLICANT AND THE STAFF ARE OKAY WITH THAT, UM, CHANGE AS WELL.
SO THAT WOULD BE FOR MFR AND P THE PLANNING COMMISSIONER RECOMMENDATION ON ITEM NUMBER 60, ITEM NUMBER 61, THIS CASE NPA 2020 ZEROS, 0 21 0.02.
THIS IS THE POSTPONE REQUEST BY BOTH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE APPLICANT TO MAY 19TH.
AND THE RELATED CASE, I DIDN'T REMEMBER.
62, CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO HUNDRED 81.
THIS IS ALSO POSTPONE REQUESTS BY BOTH THE APPLICANT AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO MAY, 1959 IS CONSENT TO PROVE ON ALL THREE RATINGS.
GOT IT, JERRY, FOR 60, IT WAS MFR N NPM.
HOW MANY READINGS? YES, THE STEM ED FOR NP IS WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED, AND THE APPLICANT HAS AMENDED THE REQUEST TO MATCH THE FINDING MR. RECOMMENDATION.
AND THE STAFF HAS A GROUP OF THAT AS WELL.
AND HOW MANY READINGS WERE YOU SUGGESTING? I'M SORRY.
ALL THREE READINGS IS READY FOR ALL THREE READINGS, BUT IF YOU'D LIKE, OKAY, I LOVE MR. VENDOR.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I HEARD, RIGHT.
UH, ON, UH, ON ITEM A 60 AND 61, I WOULD, I MEAN, ON ITEM 59 AND 60, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE APPLICANT A QUESTION.
ONE IS THAT ALL Y'ALL COMMITTED TO PROVIDE 20% AFFORDABILITY HOUSING, HOUSING, AFFORDABILITY, RAPE.
CAN YOU SAY, WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT KIND OF AFFORDABILITY YOU'RE OFFERING? UM, YES, UH, VICTORIA HASI WITH THROWER DESIGN ON BEHALF OF THE LANDOWNER.
UM, SO THE PROJECT IS OFFERING 20% TOTAL OF THE RENTABLE LEASEABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE AND THE PROJECT TO, UH, INCOME RESTRICTED UNITS OR INCOME RESTRICTED SPACE FOR ST.
LOUIS HOUSE TO USE AS THEY, UH, FOR THEIR PROGRAM NEEDS.
SO IT'S BASED OFF OF SQUARE FOOTAGE AND NOT OFF OF NUMBER OF UNITS.
SO IT'S 20% OF THE ENTIRE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE PROJECT.
AND AS FAR AS AFFORDABILITY LEVELS, 10% WILL BE RESERVED FOR FAMILIES AT 80% MFI OR LESS.
AND THEN 5% WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES AT 60% MFI OR LESS.
AND THEN ANOTHER 5% WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES AT 30% MFI OR LESS.
AND CAN YOU PROMISE ALSO THAT IF THE DEAL FALLS DOESN'T FALL THROUGH FROM ST.
LOUIS, THAT YOU WILL KEEP THIS 20% LEVEL AT, AT WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED? ABSOLUTELY.
SO THE AGREEMENT THAT HAS BEEN CRAFTED AND REVIEWED BY LEGAL COUNSEL, UH, BY BOTH THE LANDOWNER AND ST.
LOUIS HOUSE DOES HAVE PROVISIONS IN IT THAT WOULD PROTECT IN THAT TYPE OF INSTANCE.
MAY I LIKE TO KEEP IT AT, UH, MY COLLEAGUE HAS ANOTHER QUESTION.
CAN I TELL HER ALL HER, THANK YOU.
I KNOW THAT MY STAFF HAS SPOKE WITH YOU BEFORE.
[03:00:01]
THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE ADDITIVE.YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH THE OTHER 5% NUMBERS FOR THE EXTREMELY LOW INCOME AND THE LOW INCOME JUST BY HAVING AND THE 10% AT THE SAME TIME.
SO IT IS ADDITIVE THAT THERE WILL BE 20 20%, CORRECT? YES.
AND, UM, UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE CONCERN IS.
WE WILL MODIFY THAT LANGUAGE AND BRING IT BY THE COUNCIL OFFICE SO THAT YOU CAN SEE IT BEFORE WE EXECUTE THE FINAL.
AND, AND THERE IS A WAY TO READ IT.
IT, IT'S NOT FULLY CLEAR THAT IT IS ADDITIVE.
THERE IS A WAY THAT THE LANGUAGE READS IS ADDITIVE, AND THERE'S A WAY THAT IT COULD BE CONFUSED.
SO I APPRECIATE ANY CLARITY THAT CAN BE OFFERED THERE.
SO, AND I APPRECIATE, UM, I APPRECIATE YOU THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN DELIVER HIGHER LEVELS OF AFFORDABILITY AND PARTNERING WITH A GREAT PARTNER.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU.
WHO'VE WORKED ON IT AND IT COMES TO MEMBER RENTERIA.
I THINK I'M FAMILIAR WITH LOUIE'S HOUSE OF THEY HAVE A LOCATION ON, UM, AND CHAKA AND DISTRICT FIVE.
UM, AND, UM, I THINK THAT, UM, IT, IT'S, IT'S A, IT'S A FABULOUS PROGRAM AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THEM TO, UH, PARTNER ON THIS, ON THIS, UH, PROPERTY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE, UH, CONSENT, UH, ZONING, WHICH IS ITEMS 47 THROUGH 62, UH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 51, UH, AS STATED IN RENDER THE RECORD COUNCIL I'VE EVER READ, THE RHEA MAKES THE MOTION COUNCIL, THE MAYOR PRO TEM SECONDS.
ANY DISCUSSION LET'S TAKE A VOTE.
I HAVE DISCUSSION I'M RECUSING MYSELF ON 61 AND TO THE MAMMOTH CASES.
RECORD ALSO NOTE, FURTHER DISCUSSION.
LET'S TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I SEE IT AS YOU'VE ADDED THIS HUG DIES WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, KELLY AND POOL OFF.
UM, ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE, UH, ITEM 51 THAT WAS JUST PULLED.
WE HAVE THE, UH, UH, PULLED ITEMS FROM, UH, THE SPORTY, UH, AGENDA.
AND WE HAVE THE THREE EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, ITEMS. UH, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE, WE CAN PROBABLY WORK THROUGH THE ZONING CASE.
DO THAT ONE FIRST, THEN WE'LL DO THE THREE PULLED ITEMS, AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ALL RIGHT, JERRY, OR LAY OUT FOR US.
[51. C14-2021-0187 - Menchaca Road - Calvo - Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 by zoning property locally known as 11530 Menchaca Road (Slaughter Creek Watershed). Applicant’s Request: To zone from interim-rural residence (I-RR) district zoning to commercial-liquor sales (CS-1) district zoning for Tract 1 and general commercial services (CS) district zoning for Tract 2. Staff Recommendation: To grant commercial-liquor sales-conditional overlay (CS-1-CO) combining district zoning for Tract 1 and general commercial services-conditional overlay (CS-CO) combining district zoning for Tract 2. Zoning and Platting Commission Recommendation: To forward to Council without a recommendation due to lack of an affirmative vote. Owner/Applicant: Manchaca Holdings, LLC (Antonio Calvo). Agent: Land Answers, Inc. (Jim Wittliff). City Staff: Wendy Rhoades, 512-974-7719.]
UM, JERRY RESTAURANT AGAIN FROM HOUSING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT.UM, I AM 51 IS KC 14, 2020 1 0 180 7.
A MAN CHECK ROAD SLASH KALBA WITH THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 1 1 5 3 0 MANCHAC ROAD.
UH, THE EXISTING ZONING IS INTERIM RURAL RESIDENTIAL.
THE PROPERTY WAS ANNEXED IN 2016 INTO THE CITY AND HAS THAT INTERIM DESIGNATION, UM, THE APPLICANT HAS APPLIED TO, UM,
THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS TO GRANT
THE FOLLOWING USES ADULT ORIENTED BUSINESSES, AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BAIL, BOND SERVICES, CAMPGROUND DROP-OFF RECYCLING COLLECTION, KENNELS, OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT, OUTDOOR SPORTS, AND REC AND SERVICE STATION.
UH, THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION HEARD THE CASE.
THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE AT THE ZONING PLANNING COMMISSION WAS THE CS ONE PORTION OF THE PROPERTY OF THE REQUEST, UH, FOR THE COCKTAIL LOUNGE OR BAR, UH, THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION WAS UNABLE TO, UM, MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON THIS CASE.
SO THEY AFFORDED IT WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION.
SO AGAIN, THE STAFF IS RECOMMENDING IT AND, UM, I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
UH, JERRY SAID, MAN, CHECK CHAKA, MAN CHECK.
YOU HAD SOME MEMBER, A KITCHEN.
SO JUST, JUST A FEW QUICK QUESTIONS, JERRY.
SO, UM, THE, THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US, I THINK.
AND THAT'S THE ONE THAT INCLUDES THE, THE CO RELATED TO THE TRACK WHERE THE, UM, CONCERN IS ABOUT THE COCKTAIL LOUNGE.
SO THE COCKTAIL LOUNGE TRACK WOULD BE CS ONE TRACK TO THE FURTHER OFF OF, UH, MACHACA WOULD BE, UM, UM, CS.
UM, WE WOULD HAVE THE, UM, THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY ON BOTH PROHIBITING.
THOSE USES THAT I READ, BUT ON TRACK ONE WOULD ALLOW FOR A COCKTAIL LOUNGE.
I WOULDN'T NOTE THOUGH THAT THE CALCULATIONS WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT PROCESS PRIOR TO BEING APPROVED.
[03:05:01]
UM, AND THEN, UM, IS THE APPLICANT HERE? I JUST QUICK QUESTION FOR THE APPLICANT.I THINK YOU'D LIKE TO DO A PRESENTATION AS WELL.
SHOULD WE DO THAT? LET'S GO AHEAD.
AND I, UH, I DON'T NEED THAT, BUT IF HE WANTS TO PRESENT THAT, I JUST HAVE, YEAH.
I THINK ARCTICA TEST A CASE LIKE THIS FIRST THING WE'LL DO IS WE'LL ALWAYS GO TO THE APPLICANT FIRST AND GIVE THEM FIVE MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF, UH, ANTONIO CALVO, THE OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY.
UH, BEFORE I BEGIN A BRIEF PRESENTATION, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO INFALLIBLY DENY THE STATEMENT FROM MR. ARIANO EARLIER THAT I THREATENED HIM.
UH, MANY OF YOU HAVE KNOWN ME A LONG TIME.
I HAD ONE PHONE CONVERSATION WITH THEM, AND IN FACT, I EVEN SUGGESTED, HE SAID, WELL, YOU GUYS DON'T PAY FOR MAINTENANCE.
I SAID, LET'S SET UP AN AGREEMENT, BUT HE, HE SAYS THAT THIS IS THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY.
IT IS THEIR PROPERTY, BUT WE DO HAVE, OH, I BROUGHT A COPY WITH ME OF THE LEGAL ACCESS HE HAS SPENT THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR PROPERTY.
IT'S A FIRE LANE THAT GOES BACK THERE.
AND, UH, SO THIS IS AN EIGHT ACRE PROPERTY, AS JERRY SAID, IT WAS, IT WAS BUILT PRIOR TO BEING ANNEXED INTO THE CITY.
IN 2016, IT'S BEEN ZONE INTERIM RR ALL THIS TIME, IT'S IT, IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE CORRECTLY ZONES ZONED.
UH, WE CAN'T DO WLO BECAUSE SOME OF THE BUILDINGS ARE TWO STORIES AND W O L O LIMITS YOU'D HAVE ONE STORY.
I WORKED CLOSELY WITH WENDY ROADS, THE CASE MANAGER, UH, AT WENDY SUGGESTION, WE CUT THE SIZE OF THE COCKTAIL LOUNGE DOWN TO ONLY THE FOOTPRINT OF THE BUILDING, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT A, IT CAN'T BE EXPANDED.
AND B THERE CAN'T BE ANY OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT THERE.
IT WAS MY SUGGESTION TO ADD THE NO OUTDOOR MUSIC I DID MEET WITH THE NEAREST NEIGHBORHOOD CANTERBURY CANTERBURY TRAILS NEIGHBORHOOD.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE ALSO ON THE PHONE.
EVERY PERSON THAT WAS THERE IN PERSON WAS EITHER STRONGLY IN FAVOR OR NEUTRAL.
THERE WAS ONE PERSON ON THE PHONE THAT HAD, UH, HAD SOME QUESTIONS AND SAID, EH, HOW DO WE KNOW ALL THESE PROMISES ARE GONNA COME TRUE? AND, UH, UH, AND THEN, UH, THERE WAS A LADY THAT TESTIFIED AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
I ACTUALLY WROTE HER A LETTER THAT LETTERS IN YOUR BACKUP MATERIAL.
AND, UH, SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT.
THIS IS COMPARED TO ALL THE OTHER PLACES UP AND DOWN THE STREET.
IT'S NOT AN OUTSIDE MUSIC VENUE.
THERE WILL BE NO NOISE AND TRAFFIC, UH, CONCERNS ABOUT PARKING.
WE HAVE 91 PARKING SPACES ONSITE ALREADY 91.
UH, AS JERRY SAID, WE NEED A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN ORDER TO, UH, BE ABLE TO OPERATE THE COCKTAIL LOUNGE, BUT IT'S BEING DESIGNED.
IT'S BEING DESIGNED AS A NEIGHBORHOOD FRIENDLY BAR.
UH, AND I ATE, THERE ARE NO BARS WITHIN SIX TENTHS OF A MILE.
UH, AND I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY STRONG OPPOSITION.
I WISH I COULD HAVE GOTTEN ONE MORE VOTE AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON CONSENT TODAY, PERHAPS, BUT, UH, DIDN'T HAPPEN.
SO I'M HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, YOU HAD A QUESTION, SO I'LL TURN IT TO YOU.
UM, WELL I THINK THIS IS READY FOR FIRST READING, RIGHT? I'M PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD ON FIRST READING.
UM, WE HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK MY OFFICE IN YOURS, SO WE MIGHT HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU THAT WE'LL FOLLOW UP.
UH, WE DID GET A FEW QUESTIONS FROM NEIGHBORS, BUT, UM, I'M PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND THEN IF WE COULD JUST HAVE SOME CONVERSATION, UM, IF WE HAVE ANY REMAINING QUESTIONS THAT WE NEED TO ASK, I'LL BE HAPPY TO SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH, UH, WITH YOUR OFFICE.
I'M READY TO MOVE PASSAGE ON FIRST READING OF THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.
THERE'S A BIT OF MOTION MOVE FORWARD ON THE STATUS RECOMMENDATION.
FIRST READING ON LAKE COUNCIL MEMBER.
ALICE SECOND SAID ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I'M NOT SEEING ANY RAISED HANDS.
THOSE OPPOSED, UH, COUNCILOR TOVO CASPER HEPATITIS, AND I CAN'T SEE YOU ON THE SCREEN.
I DUNNO IF YOU WOULD TEND TO VOTE ON THIS ONE OR NOT, OR ENOUGH VOTES
[03:10:01]
FOR OTHERWISE TO PASS ON FIRST READING, UH, SWEAR BY OUR PRODUCTS.ARE YOU VOTING I WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL? YES.
UH, SO, UH, UH, IT IS, UH, UH, THOSE PRESENT, UH, PLUS COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER BATESON, UH, NOT VOTING, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, TOVO COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KELLY, YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.
UH, SO THAT PASSES, THANK YOU.
THAT CONCLUDES THAT THE ZONING COMPONENT COMPONENT LET'S
[13. Authorize award of a contract with Traffic Logix Corporation to provide dynamic speed display devices, for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $616,605.]
HIT THEN, UH, PULLED ITEMS. IT'D BE A REGULAR AGENDA.I THINK WE'D BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER 13, UH, COUNSELOR FOR THIS.
I THINK YOU WERE THE ONE THAT PULLED THAT THANK YOU.
SO, COLLEAGUES, I PULLED ITEM 13 BECAUSE I HAD A QUESTION ON THE DYNAMIC SPEED DISPLAY DEVICES.
UM, SEEMS LIKE MANY OF US HAVE QUESTIONS IN THE Q AND A REPORT.
SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO, TO PULL THIS ITEM FOR OUR CONVERSATION AND THANK YOU, DIRECTOR SPILLER FOR, FOR JOINING US.
UM, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER WE HAVE YOU WITH CITY OF AUSTIN, BUT ALSO THANK YOU FOR, FOR YOUR SERVICE.
UM, CAN YOU SHARE HOW MANY, UH, SPEED DEVICES DO WE CURRENTLY HAVE IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CONTRACT WOULD DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF DYNAMIC SPEED DISPLAYS THAT WE WOULD HAVE? UH, YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER, ROBERT SPILLER, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION.
UH, WE CURRENTLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 91 OF THESE OUT, UH, THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
UH, THOSE ARE ON OUR STREETS NOW.
UH, THE CURRENT CONTRACT ALLOWS US TO PURCHASE, UH, UH, ABOUT 125 OVER FIVE YEARS, I BELIEVE.
UH, AND, UH, OUR PURCHASING DIRECTORS HERE AS WELL.
UH, JAMES SCARBOROUGH, AND CAN ANSWER SPECIFICS ABOUT THE PURCHASE IF YOU HAVE.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, I KNOW MANY OF US HAVE HAD, UM, HAVE SEEN OR HAVE EXPERIENCED, UM, INCREASED SPEEDING INCIDENTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.
I KNOW IN MY DISTRICT JUST LAST WEEK, WE HAD A CAR THAT WAS SPEEDING THAT WENT OVER THE CURB AND INTO A NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE.
AND SO I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT HAVING THESE DYNAMIC SPEEDING DISPLAY DEVICES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES WOULD BE AN AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO REDUCE, SPEEDING AND TO CREATE SAFER STREETS.
AND SO MY QUESTION IS, UM, HOW MANY, WELL, TWO QUESTIONS.
SO HOW MANY, UM, HOW MANY STREETS HAVE WE IDENTIFIED THAT ARE IN THE QUEUE FOR A DISPLAY DEVICE? UM, AND WHAT IS THE WAIT TIME FOR, FOR THAT RIGHT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER? I COULDN'T TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW MANY TOTAL NUMBER OF STREETS ARE IN THE QUEUE.
I KNOW A NUMBER OF, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ASS COUNCIL MEMBERS ASKED HOW MANY STREETS IN THEIR, THEIR PARTICULAR DISTRICTS, UH, WERE ON THE LIST.
AND WE'VE TRIED TO PROVIDE THAT AND I CAN PROVIDE, UH, A LONGER LIST TEXTS ABOUT SIX MONTHS, UH, TO GET ONE IN, UH, SIMPLY BECAUSE ONCE THE REQUEST COMES IN AND WE VALIDATE THAT IT'S THE RIGHT TOOL TO GO IN, AND IT TAKES US ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO GET THEM IN.
AND SO WE CAN OBVIOUSLY DO MORE THAN INSTALL MORE THAN ONE AT A TIME.
UH, WE CAN DO THINGS IN PARALLEL, UH, BUT IT TAKES A LITTLE TIME TO GET THEM IN.
UM, YEAH, SO SIX MONTHS IS QUITE A, IT'S QUITE A LONG TIME.
AND WITH THIS CONTRACT, WE WOULD ONLY BE INCREASING OUR ALLOTMENT BY 25 PER YEAR.
SO IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO PURCHASE, YOU KNOW, 50 DEVICES THIS YEAR, SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET OUR, UM, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS WITH THE DEVICE SOONER RATHER THAN HAVING TO WAIT SIX MONTHS? RIGHT.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, I THINK, UH, AND JAMES SCARBOROUGH IS HERE, I BELIEVE.
AND HE CAN ANSWER, UH, THE PURCHASING SIDE OF THAT.
WE CAN PROBABLY INCREASE THE NUMBER WE PURCHASE EACH YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT UPPER LIMIT MIGHT BE.
I THINK A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT IS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S THE RIGHT TOOL TO HELP THE SPEED SITUATION IN EACH INSTANCE WHERE WE'RE IMPLYING THESE, UH, SOME OF THESE WILL BE PORTABLE.
AND SO IN A SENSE, WE'LL BE MOVING AROUND FOR SIX WEEKS AT A TIME.
WE FIND THAT THAT STRATEGY WORKS SOMETIMES, AND SOMETIMES WE PUT THEM IN PERMANENT.
UM, I THINK ONE THING THAT WE'D WANT TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ONLY PURCHASE THE NUMBER THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY GET IN, IN A TIMEFRAME, UH, WITHIN THAT YEAR.
UH, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE'LL PUT THESE IN OUR WAREHOUSE, THE EXTRA ONES WE'LL PUT IN OUR WAREHOUSE, UH, THE WARRANTIES ON THEM START THE DAY WE RECEIVE THEM.
AND SO THE WARRANTY IS ONLY LAST YEAR AND IT WOULD BE, I THINK, UM, UH, NOT A GOOD USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS IF, IF IT WAS ON ITS WARRANTY, WHILE IT SAT IN THE WAREHOUSES,
[03:15:01]
WE WERE TRYING TO GET THEM OUT.AND SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT UPPER LIMIT IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN, UH, W WE KNOW WE CAN DO 25 A YEAR.
UH, IT MAY BE MORE, UH, BUT THAT WOULD BE CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE'D WANT TO LOOK AT, UH, BEFORE WE PURCHASED A WHOLE BUNCH.
SO IS IT A MATTER OF STAFF CAPACITY? CAUSE I KNOW THAT FOR A STREET, IN MY NAME, MY DISTRICT, IT WOULD BE SIX MONTHS BEFORE WE'RE ABLE TO GET, SO ARE THERE DISPLAY DEVICES SITTING IN A GARAGE RIGHT NOW? UM, THERE ARE NOT, WE DON'T HAVE ANY RIGHT NOW.
AND SO THEN ALSO THE DELIVERY TIMES, RIGHT.
SO THE MORE WE PURCHASE, THE, THE MORE COMPETITION WE HAVE WITH OTHER CITIES GOING TO THE SAME MANUFACTURER.
SO, UH, WE WOULD CERTAINLY, UH, TAKE THAT DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL AND GO TO, UH, AND TRY TO, UM, DIAL UP AS, AS, AS FAST A DELIVERY AS POSSIBLE.
UH, OBVIOUSLY IF IT MAKES SENSE TO BUY 30 OR 40, AND THEN WE WOULD DO THAT IF, UM, THE CURRENT, YEAH.
I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO SEE IF IT IS POSSIBLE WITHIN THAT CONTRACT TO PURCHASE MORE.
MR. SCARBOROUGH, ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEAK TO IT? YOU NEED TO CORRECTLY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, JAMES SCARBOROUGH, UH, FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
UH, THIS IS AN INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT.
SO STAFF HAS THE ABILITY TO ORDER UNITS IN ADDITION TO THE AMOUNTS THAT WERE ESTIMATED, UM, IT WOULD ALL DEPEND ON OPERATIONAL ISSUES AND SO FORTH.
SO WE HAVE FLEXIBILITY OF THEIR CUSTOMER.
GREAT, WELL COLLEAGUES, IF IT'S OKAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE THAT DIRECTION FOR US TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF DEVICES THAT WE PURCHASED FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO, UM, ENSURE THAT WE HAVE SAFER STREETS IN A MORE TIMELY MANNER.
AND THEN OF COURSE, IF YOU COULD JUST KEEP US UPDATED, IF IT'S A MATTER OF STAFF CAPACITY AND GETTING THEM DELIVERED TO THE APPROPRIATE SPOTS, WE WILL CERTAINLY DO THAT COUNCIL.
THANK YOU, UH, DIRECTION EVERY NOW.
AND WE'RE STILL ON THIS ITEM NUMBER 13, CAUSE REMEMBER I PART TIME.
AND THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
I THINK, UM, WHAT YOU'RE HEARING, UH, MR. SPELLER, AND YOU CAN MAYBE PASS THIS ONTO YOUR SUCCESSOR IS THAT I THINK AS, AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT CONCERNS ABOUT SPEED.
UM, WE HEAR THAT IN A NORMAL YEAR WITH THE POST PANDEMIC PERIOD OR THE PANDEMIC PERIOD WHERE WE'RE, WE'RE SEEING EVEN MORE SPEEDING ISSUES, UM, WE'VE MADE CHANGES TO SOME OTHER PROGRAMS, SO THERE ARE FEWER, UM, TOOLS AVAILABLE.
UM, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DIRECT OUR, OUR CONSTITUENTS, UM, TO ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES, TO REDUCE SPEED, UM, IN A TIMELY MANNER.
UM, AND I THINK THIS IS ONE, ONE MECHANISM TO DO THAT THAT'S VERY WELCOME AND THAT, UH, PEOPLE RESPOND TO WHETHER OR NOT IT IS THE APPROPRIATE, UM, TOOL IS UP TO YOUR STAFF.
SO, SO I APPRECIATE, UM, THE DIRECTION TO, TO ADD TO IT AND WOULD JUST, AGAIN, UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR US TO CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DIRECT OUR CONSTITUENTS, TO FIND SAFER STREET OPTIONS.
I THINK THIS DIRECTION IS FANTASTIC.
I THINK IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT TOOL THAT WE HAVE TO, TO BE ABLE TO JUST MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE SPEEDS THAT THEY'RE DRIVING.
OFTENTIMES THERE ARE FOLKS THAT GET LOST IN THOUGHT AND JUST DON'T REALIZE THEY'RE GOING WAY TOO HIGH ABOVE THE SPEED LIMIT.
I KNOW THERE WAS A SPOT IN MY DISTRICT WHERE A CAR ALSO JUMPED THE CURB AND ACTUALLY ENDED UP IN A TREE.
SO THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING AND YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE SAY, YOU KNOW, EVEN JUST BEING AWARE OF THEIR SPEED MAY NOT BE ENOUGH.
THEY NEED OTHER OTHER IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE STREETS.
AND I FULLY AGREE WITH THAT TOO.
UM, BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE REALLY JUST LOSE TRACK OF HOW FAST THEY'RE GOING.
AND I THINK ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MITIGATING FOR HIGH SPEEDS AND, AND SAFETY IN OUR, IN OUR STREETS, ESPECIALLY OUTSIDE THE URBAN CORE, I THINK ARE, ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.
AND I KNOW YOUR TEAM'S COMMITTED TO THAT MR. SPELLER, UH, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND I WILL JUST PUT A IN FOR EVERYONE TO LOOK AT THEIR GPS IN THEIR CARS, IF THEY HAVE IT TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A FEATURE THAT ALSO TELLS YOU WHEN YOU'RE FIVE OR 10 MILES OVER THE SPEED LIMIT, YOU CAN SET THAT, UM, SPEED NANNY, IF YOU WILL, UH, ON YOUR GPS TO, TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU'RE GOING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT.
I DON'T THINK I KNEW THAT WAS AN OPTION, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE MAPPING APPS WILL HAVE THE SPEED LIMIT RIGHT THERE ON THE SCREEN, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY HELPFUL IN SITUATIONS WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE THE VISIBILITY OF THE SPEED LIMIT SIGN HAPPENING IN, IN CERTAIN INCREMENTS.
AND SO YOU CAN JUST LOOK DOWN AT YOUR MAP AND SAY, OH, I SHOULD BE GOING THIS SPEED.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM? NUMBER 13, WITH THE CHANGE A COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THIS BASED ON EMOTION MAYOR
[03:20:01]
PRO TEM SECONDS, EMOTIONALLY DISCUSSION, LET'S TAKE A VOTE.THOSE OF EVERYBODY'S RAISE YOUR HAIR, THOSE OPPOSED.
UH, IT'S UNANIMOUS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, TOVO POOL AND KELLY OFF THE, UH, THE DAS.
I THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE SEEN YOU IN SESSION SINCE YOUR MEMO WENT OUT.
AND I KNOW YOU'LL BE COMING BACK FOR AN APPROPRIATE, UH, GOODBYE, UH, PHASE MAKING SURE THAT THAT, THAT THAT HAPPENS.
UH, BUT YOU'VE PRESIDED OVER WHAT I REALLY BELIEVE TO BE KIND OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF MOBILITY IN THIS CITY.
UH, AND, AND WE'RE JUST REALLY PROUD TO HAVE SEEN THE LEVEL OF INNOVATION AND ADVANCEMENT, UH, THAT YOU HELPED BRING FORWARD.
SO THANK YOU THAT WELL, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AND I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT ALL OF YOU ALL AND, AND MANAGEMENT, OF COURSE.
[33. Approve a resolution adopting amendments to the articles of incorporation and certificate of formation of the Austin Transit Partnership to make changes relating to the directors, membership, residency requirements as needed for the board members, and updating the documents as directed by Council.]
ALRIGHT, COLLEAGUES ITEM NUMBER 33.I THINK WE HAD PULLED, UM, YOU GUYS WERE VALID.
I, MY ONLY CONCERN WITH, UH, THE ITEM IS THE TIMING RIGHT NOW WITH THE CEO OF POSITION AT, UH, AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP BEING, UM, CURRENTLY VACANT IS PROBABLY NOT THE WRONG WORD.
AND, UH, THERE'S AN INTERIM CEO, UH, THAT HAS BEEN APPOINTED, UH, SINCE, UH, CAPITAL METRO CEO, RANDY CLARK, UH, STEPPED DOWN.
AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE THE NEW ATP CEO IN PLACE.
GIVE THAT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO KIND OF GET ORIENTED, YOU KNOW, GET FAMILIAR WITH THE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU CAN PUT SOME THOUGHT INTO NEXT STEPS AND THEN GET THAT PERSON'S OPINION ALSO IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE WANT TO DO, UH, WITH THE, UH, UH, WITH THE BOARD.
THAT WAS MY ONLY CONCERN RIGHT NOW.
I'D LIKE TO NOT MAKE CHANGES UNTIL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE NEW CEO ON, UH, AND GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE, UH, UH, ON THAT.
I DON'T HAVE ANY SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES WITH, UH, WITH, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, LOOKING AT A POTENTIAL EXPANSION OF THE BOARD, BUT I DID THE TIMING OF IT CONCERNS ME WITH THE CEO POSITION BEING IN AN INTERIM.
AND I APPRECIATE THAT, UH, THE, THE LANGUAGE OF THE DIRECTION, IT DOES NOT HAVE A, UM, A DEADLINE IN IT OR ANY TIMEFRAME IN IT.
UM, IT, UH, EMPHASIZES CONSENSUS, UH, MEANING THAT, UM, THE COUNCIL AND CAP METRO WOULD NOT VOTE ON ANY, YOU KNOW, EXPANSION OR CHANGES TO THE BOARD, UNLESS, AND UNTIL THERE WAS CONSENSUS THAT IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO US, UM, I THINK A COMPONENT OF THAT IS THE RIGHT TIMING.
SO, UM, I'VE HEARD THE CONCERN THAT YOU'VE RAISED.
UM, AND SO I I'M, I'M CONFIDENT THAT OUR, UM, THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED WILL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, UM, AS THEY BRING, AS THEY, AS THEY WORK ON SOME KIND OF CONSENSUS.
AND I AM NOT EXPECTING THIS TO COME BACK TO US, UH, UNTIL, AND UNLESS THERE'S CONSENSUS.
SO I THINK THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER, WHICH I EXPECT, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT G G UH, GINA
AND, UM, I'M QUITE CERTAIN THAT, UM, CONCERNS ABOUT TIMING OR SOMETHING THAT SHE IS, UH, SHARES AND IS WELL AWARE OF.
SO I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
I DON'T HAVE ANY DISAGREEMENT WITH THAT, AND THAT'S FINE.
I, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT IT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF LITTLE COLLOQUY ON THE ISSUE AND JUST PROVIDE THAT DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER THAT I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT, UH, AT, AT THE ISSUE THAT, UH, THAT COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, UH, UH, IDENTIFIED IN THE, IN THE DIRECTION.
UH, BUT, UH, I WOULD JUST ASK THAT THE, THAT THE CITY MANAGER, UH, LET'S GET THE FIO IN PLACE.
LET'S GET, YOU KNOW, HIM OR HER SOME TIME TO ADJUST TO THE, UH, TO THE ROLE IN, YOU KNOW, GET TO KNOW THE ENVIRONMENT.
AND THEN, UH, WE CAN, I THINK WITH THAT PERSON'S INPUT THEN MAKE FUTURE DECISIONS, UH, REGARDING THE, THE BOARD, UH, W WHAT I HEAR THAT IS, IS SOMETHING, UH, THAT THE, UH, AS PART OF THIS DIRECTION, NOT AS A MUST BE DONE, BUT AS A SUGGESTION AND, UM, AND PART OF CONSIDERATION, THERE'S A LOT OF CONSIDERATIONS THAT THE, UM, UH, I C I C M P IN DACA, OR THE CITY MANAGER WILL HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.
AND I DEFINITELY THINK THAT'S ONE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
[03:25:03]
AND MY COLLEAGUE KITCHEN IS CORRECT, UH, UH, OUR BIG CONCERN AND WHY WE'RE ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.AND IT WAS BROUGHT UP BY THE, OUR PARTNERSHIP ON THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR WAS THAT THERE WAS, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT ONE OF OUR VOTING MEMBERS THAT SITS HERE, WHICH IS THE MAYOR COULD BE OUT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND NOT VEHICLE HAVE, UM, ACCESS TO VOTING.
AND THAT MEANS THAT WE WON'T HAVE A VOICE ON THAT BOARD FELLOW, THAT THAT'S A BIG CONCERN THAT THEY ALSO, YOU KNOW, BROUGHT IT TO OUR ATTENTION, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE'S A POSSIBILITY.
AND THEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR WAS WITH OUR MAYOR OFF, AND THEN THE NEXT PERSON COMING IN THE NEXT MAYOR MIGHT NOT KNOW, AND IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE FOR, HE CAN GET ON BOARD.
SO WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE, UH, UH, THE RECOMMENDATION, WHAT THEY WERE SAYING.
WE WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE A STAGGERED TERM TYPE SITUATION ON THE BOARD, JUST LIKE WE HAVE HERE AT THE COUNCIL WHERE WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, SIX UP FOR RE-ELECTION AND THEN FIVE FOR UP FOR REELECTION.
AND IT'S, IT'S, THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WHY IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION.
WHEN YOU SAY I COULD MISS A LOT OF VOTES, YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING.
YOU'RE JUST SAYING THAT'S A POSSIBILITY JUST CHECKING.
UH, CATHERINE WENT THIS, THANK YOU.
I THANK YOU, CUSTOMER THE IDEA FOR, FOR THAT CONTEXT.
YOU KNOW, I THINK FOR ME, I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, UM, POTENTIAL, OR THIS ITEM IS IF I CAN GET SOME CONTEXT AROUND WAIVING THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND YOU KNOW, HOW THAT'S COME INTO PLAY.
UM, I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ESPECIALLY FOR, UH, FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVE ON ATP, THAT THEY ARE ALSO, UM, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE SERVICE NETWORK OF, OF PROJECT CONNECT.
AND, UM, SO I WANT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE BEHIND, UH, POTENTIALLY OR PROVIDE, UH, OFFERING THE OPTION TO WAIVE A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.
AND THEN ALSO WANTED TO ASK IF THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD BEEN, UM, ENGAGED ON THIS ISSUE, HAVE THEY WEIGHED IN ON THE BOARD EXPANSION AND ANY OTHER CHANGES THAT MIGHT COME WITH THE, WITH THE BOARD STRUCTURE? SO I THINK THAT I WAS THE ONE THAT DRAFTED THE INITIAL, UH, ITEM THAT I CAME FORWARD.
AND WE WERE TRYING TO DEAL WITH SOME IMMEDIATE ISSUES THAT WERE ARISING AT ONE.
AND THERE WERE TWO THAT, THAT ROSE TO THE SURFACE.
ONE OF THEM WAS TO ACCOMMODATE THE TRANSFER OR THE CHANGE IN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHEN WE'D MADE THE DECISION TO, TO THE ORGANIZATION WAS EVOLVING TO THE POINT THAT IT NEEDED ITS OWN INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR THAT LEFT BELOW VOICE FOR THE CAP METRO ON THE BOARDS.
WE WANTED TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.
UH, THERE WAS A REQUEST FROM CAP METRO TO, UH, TO MAKE A, UH, JURISDICTION CHANGE FOR SOMEONE THAT ONE OF THEIR BOARD MEMBERS THAT MIGHT STEP INTO THE ATP BOARD.
THEY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE FROM AMONG THEIR MEMBERS AND ADD ALL THEIR MEMBERS ARE, ARE IN THE AREA.
UH, SO THAT WOULD GIVE THEM THAT, UH, IMMEDIATE, UH, FLEXIBILITY.
UH, THEY WANTED THAT ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT THEMSELVES BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR CHOICE AND THEY'RE REPRESENTED, UH, AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PERIOD OF TIME.
AND IT, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW WE HAVE THE RESIGNATION FROM CAP, UH, FROM PRESIDENT, UH, UH, PIERCE BURNETT, UH, WHO CONCEIVABLY COULD BE BOTH HERE.
AND THEN, UH, UH, OHIO, AS SHE LEAVES A HOUSTON TILLOTSON.
AND IN THE EVENT THAT SHE FINISHES OUT THE YEAR IN OHIO ABOUT HERE, SHE'S GOING TO BE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME HERE CONTINUING TO TEACH AT UT, BUT JUST TO BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THE TRANSITION AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME WHERE WE'RE MAKING PROBABLY SOME OF THE 12 HARDEST COLLECTIVE DECISIONS ARE DESIGNED IN A LIFE.
UH, SO IT WOULD ENABLE US TO BE ABLE TO, TO, TO WAIVE THAT REQUIREMENT, UH, FOR, FOR HER, UH, IF THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WAS NECESSARY, THERE'S A RESTRICTION, UH, IN, UH, STATE LAW AS TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT COULD BE ON THE ATP BOARD, GOD IN THE JURISDICTION.
SO THERE'S A CAP THAT'S SET BY STATE LAW TO, UH, SO WE CAN'T EXCEED THAT NUMBER.
UH, BUT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, TO THE BROADER POINT, UH, MY SENSE IS, IS THAT AS WE OPERATE ON THIS, THERE ARE KIND OF A, UH, A PUNCH LIST OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THIS.
BUT TO ANSWER YOUR OTHER QUESTION, YES, THOSE TWO CHANGES WERE BROUGHT TO THE REPRESENTATIVES AND LEADERS OF THE CAC AND DISCUSSED WITH THEM, AND THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT EDWARD SUPPORT OF MAKING, UH, THOSE TWO, UH, CHANGES BEYOND THAT.
[03:30:01]
UH, I THINK THAT WE, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, A DIFFERENT PROCESS, UH, AND, AND, AND, AND I'LL GO TO ANDREW JUST ONE SECOND, BUT I THINK THAT, UH, IN ADDITION TO THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED, I THINK THERE'S LIKE A PUNCH LIST THAT SOMEBODY SPENT DEVELOPING ON CHANGES TO BE MADE.AND I HOPE THEY COME BACK TO US ALL AT THE SAME TIME, SO THAT WE'RE NOT OFFENDING THIS DOCUMENT EVERY THREE MONTHS OR FOUR MONTHS, UH, WHEN IT'S DONE IN A REALLY DELIBERATIVE AND THOUGHTFUL WAY, I DID A PROCESS THAT BRINGS BACK IN ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS.
THEY ALL HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO, TO, TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH, UH, HEAVY CHANGES THAT ARE MADE, BUT THAT WAS THE BACKGROUND ON THOSE TWO, WITH THE TWO WE FELT LIKE WE NEED TO DO RIGHT AWAY HAS WHEREVER KITCHEN.
AND, AND THE OTHER PART OF YOUR QUESTION, WHICH MAY RELATE TO THE DIRECTION? UM, YES, UH, THE DIRECTION WAS DEVELOPED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CAC, UH, WITH THE CIC LEAD ME WITH THE CIC, UH, LEADERSHIP.
AND SO THIS LANGUAGE WAS LANGUAGE THAT THEY HAVE SEEN AND HELPED CRAFT.
UM, I THINK THAT THE TESTIMONY WE HEARD EARLIER FROM JP CONNOLLY, UM, WAS IMPORTANT AND ALIGNS WITH THIS DIRECTION.
HE HAD, UH, POINTED OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF, YOU KNOW, ANY CHANGES TO AN ATP BOARD WOULD HAVE EQUITY IMPLICATIONS, UH, WHICH IS, UH, WHICH IS WHY THIS DIRECTION NAMES, THE CAC, UM, AS, YOU KNOW, AS ONE OF THE ENTITIES TO BE, UH, CONSULTED WITH, HE HAD ALSO POINTED OUT THAT WHAT, UH, WHAT, YOU KNOW, THEY THOUGHT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT AND WHICH THIS ALIGNS WITH IS THAT THERE'LL BE A, YOU KNOW, A PROPER AND THOROUGH PROCESS FOR CONVERSATION ON, ON CHANGES.
AND THEN FINALLY, UM, SHOULD BE IN LINE WITH, I THINK HE MENTIONED THAT, YOU KNOW, REPORT.
UM, AND I THINK THAT THE, THE, THE OVERARCHING THING IS WE WANT WHATEVER CHANGES, IF THERE ARE CHANGES THAT COME BACK TO US, IF THERE'S A CONSENSUS FOR THEM, THAT THEY, THAT THEY REALLY ARE DESIGNED TO, UM, REALLY CONSIDER THE EIGHT, AS I WROTE, AS WE WROTE IN HERE AT CONSIDER THE ATP BOARD STRUCTURE TO BEST ACHIEVE THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING OUT AND IMPLEMENTING A TRANSFORMATIVE EQUITABLE PROJECT CONNECT, UH, IN COLLABORATION, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CITY KEPT METRO ATP CAC IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO, UM, SO YES, SO JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM 31 WITH THE DIRECTION STATED AT 33, RATHER A COUNCILMEMBER KITCHEN COUNCIL MEMBER AT THE REAR MAKES A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 33, UH, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
UH, THIS INCLUDES THE BASE MOTION, WHICH BY THE WAY, IS THE SAME MOTION THAT CAP METRO PASS.
SO WITH THIS, IT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE SCRIBNER'S CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO, HOW TO MAKE AN OFFICIAL FORMAL, UM, AND THEN MANAGER.
I FORGOT TO ASK YOU AS WE ARE MOVING TOWARD THE VOTE HERE, UH, TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT THERE'S THIS OTHER LIST OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BRING IN.
IF THERE ARE OTHER CONSENSUS SOLUTIONS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BREAK, OTHER THAN THE ONE SPECIFICALLY TALKED ABOUT, THERE'S NO LIMITATION FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO BRING THOSE BACK.
THAT'S YOUR UNDERSTANDING AS WELL? ALL RIGHT.
UH, IS THERE A DISCUSSION, JUST ONE, SORRY, GO AHEAD.
I REALLY, I APPRECIATE THE, THE RESOLUTION AND I, AS, UH, MR. CONNOLLY, UH, MENTIONED EARLIER, I, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THE ATP BOARD IS A COMMUNITY ORIENTED, UH, BOARD, AS OPPOSED.
AND AGAIN, I'M STILL GETTING FAMILIAR WITH ALL MY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, BUT THE CAP METRO BOARD, METRO BOARD IS A MUCH MORE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, POLITICAL, UH, BOARD.
IT HAS A DIFFERENT KIND OF A VOICE IN PLACE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE AND RESPECT THE FACT THAT ADP HAS THAT VERY STRONG COMMUNITY VOICE.
I THINK THAT, THAT IN AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH PROJECT COMMONALITY, YOU KNOW, A $10 BILLION INVESTMENT, UH, IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE NOT LOSE THAT A STRONG CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY THAT, THAT, THAT PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEIR, YOU KNOW, THEIR NEEDS, THEIR CONCERNS ARE REFLECTED IN ATB BOARD.
UH, SO THAT WOULD BE JUST ANOTHER KIND OF, UH, CONCERN MOVING FORWARD IS THAT WE MAINTAIN THAT KIND OF MAJORITY COMMUNITY, UH, REPRESENTED TYPE OF BOARD, UH, ON, UH, ATP.
BUT, BUT THAT SAID I WILL SUPPORT AND VOTE FOR THE MOTION.
I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION AND APPRECIATE US BEING ABLE TO DAYLIGHT THIS YEAR.
I'M FEELING A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THE LOOP ON THE CONVERSATION.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A FRIENDLY WAY TO DIVIDE IT BECAUSE I DO WANT TO SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S IFC, WHICH I'M A CO-SPONSOR OF.
AND I DO BELIEVE IN, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT THESE IMMEDIATE ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE.
UM, BUT I ALSO WANT TO BE MINDFUL THAT AS WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT ENTITIES, ALL TRYING TO WORK ON VERY SIMILAR LANGUAGE, THAT THEY ALL KIND OF HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME.
SO IF I CAN JUST ABSTAIN FOR NOW ON THE DIRECTION, I THINK IT'S A GOOD CONVERSATION TO HAVE, BUT I'M JUST FEELING OUT OF THE LOOP ON WHAT IT MIGHT TRIGGER AND HOW THAT AFFECTS OUR WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OTHER BOARDS, WHICH IT SOUNDS LIKE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS.
SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S AN ISSUE.
[03:35:01]
I'M JUST FEELING A LITTLE OUT OF THE LOOP ON THIS PARTICULAR CONVERSATION THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.IF THERE'S NOT A PROBLEM WITH DIVIDING THAT QUESTION, UH, UH, AND WE COULD DO THAT, UH, THOSE ARE FAVOR OF THE DIRECTION ITSELF.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, UH, THOSE ABSTAINING.
SO YOU'LL BE SHOWN TO THE RECORDS OF STATING TO THE DIRECTION COMPONENT THOSE IN FAVOR, SORRY, ERIC COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER.
VANTA SAID SHE VOTED, VOTED FAVOR.
UH, AND THEN LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION ITSELF.
SO THE RECORD REFLECT A UNANIMOUS VOTE EXCEPTION OF TOVO, UH, POOL AND KELLY ON THE RESOLUTION ITSELF AND ALL THAT GROUP WITH EXCEPTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, UH, ALICE WHO ABSTAINS, UH, WITH RESPECT TO THE DIRECTION.
[Executive Session]
THE ONLY THING THAT IS LEFT FOR US TO TAKE UP OUT HERE NOW IS ITEM NUMBER 22, WHICH WE CANNOT DO UNTIL WE GO BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.SO LET'S KEEP PLUG IT HERE, FOLKS THAT WE CAN GET PEOPLE HOME MAYBE BEFORE THE STORM STARTS.
UM, SO, UH, AT THIS POINT, UM, COUNCIL'S NOT GOING TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO TAKE UP THREE ITEMS PURSUANT TO 5, 5, 1 0 7, 1 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO ITEMS 43 44 AND 68.
UH, DOES THAT COVER US WITH THE CONVERSATION THAT YOU WANTED TO HAVE ON 22? OKAY.
SO 43 44, BECAUSE IT JUST CALLING IT AGAIN, 43 40 FORDS, 40 IT'S, 43 44 AND 68, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, UH, HERE AT, UH, 4 0 6, UH, LET'S ALL GO IMMEDIATELY, UH, INTO, UH, EXECUTIVE SESSION.
UH, WE WILL HAVE TO COME BACK OUT HERE TO ACTUALLY TAKE A VOTE ON 22.
UH, SO I'LL SEE YOU GUYS AT EXECUTIVE SESSION COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT FOUR
[Proclamation 1]
AND THE, UH, THE SPONSOR OF THE REVOLUTION.AND I JUST, UM, AND LET ME GET US GOING SO WE CAN GET Y'ALL OUT AND BEAT THAT STORM HOME.
AND SO IT IS, UH, IT IS MY TREMENDOUS HONOR TO PRESENT TODAY'S PROCLAMATION FOR Y'ALL MEANS ALL DAY.
THIS IS A DAY FOR CELEBRATION FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITIES, UH, INDISPENSABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CULTURE AND SOCIETY.
AND FOR ALL THOSE THAT HAVE FOUGHT FOR EQUALITY AND INCLUSION, YET, THIS HAS ALSO A SERIOUS DAY, A DAY FOR SOLIDARITY IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST BIGOTRY AND HATE.
UH, WE HAVE A TRADITION OF HOSTING HOMETOWN MUSICIANS AT AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
UH, COVID FORCED US TO SUSPEND THAT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT, UH, WE, UH, UH, BUT I'VE BEEN THRILLED TO SEE THE RETURN OF LIVE MUSIC.
I SHARED A PHOTO WITH, UH, THE DAY'S PERFORMER.
UH, AUSTIN'S A DRAG MY GOD, UH, CALEB TO CASPER.
UH, AND UNFORTUNATELY I WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE FLOOD OF HATEFUL RESPONSES.
SADLY, THIS IS TYPICAL OF THE CLIMATE OF FEAR AND HATE AGAINST THE, UH, LGBTQ COMMUNITY, UH, CLIMATE TOO OFTEN, STOKED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS.
THIS WAVE OF BIGOTRY HAS ALSO TARGETED THOSE MOST IN NEED OF SUPPORT, TRANSGENDER PEOPLE AND OUR, UH, LGBTQ YOUTH, UH, MY HEART BREAKS FOR KIDS TRYING TO FIND THEMSELVES IN THIS CLIMATE.
THESE ATTACKS ON THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY NOW THREATENED A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS, THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY, THE U S SUPREME COURT SEEMS POLO POISED TO OVERTURN ROE V.
THIS WILL NOT JUST AFFECT ABORTION RIGHTS.
THIS WILL AFFECT LGBTQ RIGHTS.
WADE IS PART OF A LONG LINE OF COURT CASES ESTABLISHING OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND BODILY AUTONOMY FROM THE RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION, TO THE RIGHT TO MARRY WHO WE WANT.
WADE PROTECTS OUR MOST INTIMATE CHOICES AND DECISIONS.
IT KEEPS A GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR BEDROOM AND OUT OF OUR SEX LIVES.
IF ROWE FAILS, THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY FACES A REAL DANGER.
WE MUST FIGHT TO PROTECT ROE V.
WADE FIGHT FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY.
[03:40:01]
THE DAY OF CELEBRATION TODAY.WE REAFFIRM THAT AUSTIN IS A COMMUNITY OF LOVE, KINDNESS, AND ACCEPTANCE.
THIS CHAMBER IS FILLED WITH THOSE DEDICATED TO NURTURING, ADVOCATING, AND SUPPORTING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THOSE HERE TODAY AND HIGHLIGHT THE MANY LGBTQ RESOURCES WE HAVE IN AUSTIN WITH SO MANY ADVOCATES AND ALLIES.
I'M SORRY THAT WE CAN'T EVEN NAME THEM ALL TODAY.
WE HAVE WITH US, UM, AYCLIFFE OUR LOCAL LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL, AUSTIN QUEER ASIANS, AND THE AUSTIN PRIDE FOUNDATION, THE AUSTIN LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE AUSTIN LGBT COALITION ON AGING AND FAMILY ELDER CARE, UH, P FLAG, THE KIND CLINIC, THE QUELL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, TG Q SOCIAL AND AUSTIN GAY MEN'S COURSE.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE A STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAID YET ETHER, A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE'S LGBTQ CAUCUS.
SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE TODAY, BUT I GREATLY APPRECIATE HER ADVOCACY IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.
AND I'VE GOT TO THANK ERICA KNICKS AS WELL.
ARTISTS ADVOCATE AND QUEER AND TRANS INCLUSIVE FITNESS GURU.
UH, ERICA, UNFORTUNATELY ALSO COULDN'T BE WITH US TODAY, BUT I GREATLY APPRECIATE HER EFFORTS AND HER ADVOCACY, THANKS TO THE MEMBERS OF APDS LESBIAN AND K PEACE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION FOR JOINING US TODAY.
BUILDING TRUST WITH AND PROTECTING THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY CANNOT HAPPEN WITHOUT INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION.
SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, THE EXPERIENCES OF ONE'S COMMUNITY.
FINALLY, ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN THE LGBTQ SPACE, SUCH AS I'LL GO A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, UH, AUSTIN, BLACK PRIDE, AUSTIN, LATIN X PRIDE, BLACK TRANS LEADERSHIP OF AUSTIN OUT YOUTH AND THE TRANSGENDER EDUCATION NETWORK OF TEXAS.
IF YOU'RE SEEKING SUPPORT FOR YOURSELF, FOR OTHERS, THESE ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO HELP OR POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
MY OFFICE AND I ARE ALSO HERE TO SUPPORT YOU.
AND NOW WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET ME READ THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS A DISTINCT AND UNIQUE CULTURE BECAUSE OF OUR INCLUSIVE VALUES AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.
AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR SOCIAL FABRIC AND AUSTIN'S ART CULTURE AND ECONOMY FROM DRAG PERFORMANCES TO FILM, TO LIVE MUSIC, TO PUBLIC EVENTS AND MORE.
AND WHEREAS THERE HAS BEEN A DISTURBING INCREASE IN ATTACKS ON THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY.
SADLY OFTEN ENCOURAGED BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND IN PARTICULAR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING INDIVIDUALS AND YOUTH.
AND WHEREAS THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL IS COMMITTED TO HONORING AND LIFTING UP OUR LGB LGBTQ PLUS FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS, AND OPPOSES ANY EFFORT TO BULLY SILENCE, OR ERASE THEIR VOICES OR ROLL BACK THE PROGRESS THAT THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY HAS FOUGHT FOR AND SACRIFICED.
NOW, THEREFORE I, STEVE ADLER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 5TH, 2022 AS Y'ALL MEANS ALL DAY.
UH, AGAIN, I KNOW WE'RE, WE'RE ENTERING A, UH, IT'S A TOUGH POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.
I KNOW THAT THAT ALL AROUND US, SOMETIMES THINGS CAN, CAN, YOU KNOW, LOOK BAD AND LOOK TOUGH.
BUT HERE IN AUSTIN, IT'S A PLACE WHERE, WHERE WE AFFIRM EACH OTHER, WHERE WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER, WHERE WE HELP EACH OTHER, WHERE WE STAND WITH EACH OTHER, IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOR DECADES AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THAT WAY.
THIS CITY COUNCIL WILL FIGHT FOR THAT.
AND WITH THIS TYPE OF COMMUNITY, UH, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE AUSTIN A WELCOMING AND BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY THOUGH.
SO, SO, SO MUCH LET'S TAKE A PHOTO AT BELIEVE.
ANYBODY I'LL HAVE Y'ALL COME, COME ON UP.
ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO COME UP FOR THE PHOTO, PLEASE?
[03:48:34]
ALL RIGHT.OUR NEXT PROCLAMATION IS THIS ON? YES, SIR.
CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? OUR NEXT PROCLAMATION
[Proclamation 2]
IS WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK.SO ALL THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, CAN YOU COME AND JOIN ME UP ON STAGE WELL, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CROWD.
[03:50:01]
JOINING US THIS EVENING.THIS WEEK IS PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK, WHICH WAS A SPECIAL TIME TO TAKE A MOMENT AND GIVE THANKS TO ALL OF OUR CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES.
LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
NOW, CERTAINLY WHILE WE CAN'T HAVE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES HERE IN CHAMBERS, WE DO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF OUR DEPARTMENTS STANDING HERE BEHIND ME.
AS YOU KNOW, THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING AND THAT MADE OUR ENTIRE CITY OF AUSTIN FAMILY COME TOGETHER IN SO MANY UNIQUE WAYS.
THESE CHALLENGES IMPACTED US OUR IN OUR WORK AND OUR PERSONAL LIVES, UH, WITHOUT A DOUBT AND OVER AND OVER, I AM SO PROUD TO SAY, AS YOUR CITY MANAGER, I STAND WITH YOU AND WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US, FOR COMMUNITY AND FOR EACH OTHER, YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION HAVE NEVER GONE UNNOTICED.
THANK YOU FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO DELIVER THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE OUR COMMUNITY NEEDED.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE IDEAS THAT KEPT OPERATIONS AND SERVICES GOING.
YOU DID ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE YOU WANT IT TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH EXEMPLIFIES THE HEART OF A PUBLIC SERVANT.
I ALLOW, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO MAYOR ADLER, TO SAY A FEW AND READ A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAYOR.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THE CITY COUNCIL JUST WANTS TO JOIN IT AND ADD TO THE THANK YOUS.
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE TWO YEARS YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN THROUGH.
UH, W I MEAN, WE ALL WENT THROUGH THE TWO YEARS, BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT YOU WERE IN A PLACE UNLIKE ANYBODY ELSE IN THIS TWO YEAR PERIOD OF TIME, BECAUSE IT WAS YOU THAT WERE, THAT YOU, YOU HELPED MAINTAIN LIFE DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.
YOU, YOU MAINTAINED ORDER DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, YOU MAINTAIN CONTINUITY DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, AND YOU DID IT ALL AS, AS, AS, AS SERVICE OF THE PUBLIC IN THE GRANDEST, MOST WONDERFUL SENSE OF THAT TERM.
I MEAN, YOU DO, YOU DO IT ALL THE TIME TOO, BUT THESE LAST TWO YEARS IN THIS ROLE, IN THIS PLACE, UH, FOR ALL OF US, THANK YOU AS WELL.
SO ON BEHALF OF A, OF A THANKFUL COUNSEL AND A THANKFUL CITY, THEY HAD KNOWN THAT WE'RE AS PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK AS A TIME TO RECOGNIZE, AND TO HONOR ALL THE HARDWORKING CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES WHO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND MAKE CRUCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY, ENSURING THAT GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR ALL IN THE AREAS OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE AND LIFELONG LEARNING MOBILITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AFFORDABILITY.
AND WHEREAS FOR THE MANY DEDICATED, LOYAL, COMMITTED EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THEIR PEERS WHO WORK AT THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO PROMOTE THE DIVERSE SERVICES DEMANDED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AT THE LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS, MAKING THE CITY OF AUSTIN, A PLACE, ALL WHAT TO LIVE IN AND TO WORK AND WHERE IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROUDLY RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES WHO OFTEN GO UNRECOGNIZED FOR THEIR SERVICE AND THEIR OUT OF WAVERING CONTRIBUTIONS BY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR DAILY QUALITY OF LIFE IN THIS GREAT CITY.
NOW, THEREFORE I, STEVE ADLER, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY WRIT LARGE DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 5TH OF THE YEAR, 2022 AS PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION DAY IN AUSTIN.
I THINK, I THINK WE NEED A SPECIAL CAMERAS.
I KNOW WE DEFINITELY NEED A SPECIAL CAMERA.
UM, WE'LL TAKE A FEW PICTURES AND THEN PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE FEW MOMENTS, WE'LL HAVE A RECEPTION ON THE THIRD FLOOR.
IF YOU CAN JOIN US IF YOU HAVE SOME TIME, BUT PLEASE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THIS INCREDIBLE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.
[03:55:42]
DO WE, DO WE STILL HAVE SIX COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE ROOM, BUT IF SIX COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN COME UP TO THE DIETS REAL FAST, WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON SOMETHING.IT'LL TAKE US TWO SECONDS TO DO IT, BUT THEN SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO LEAVE.
WE'LL LITERALLY DO THIS IN 10 SECONDS.
SO IF YOU'RE A COUNCIL MEMBER, PLEASE COME FORWARD JUST FOR A SECOND.
I GOT, UM, WE SEE YOU AND, AND KATHY AND NATASHA.
I THINK I'M JUST GOING TO STAY DOWN HERE AND VOTE.
I THINK I ONLY HAVE TWO PEOPLE HERE FOR MY, OKAY.
I JUST HAVE TO READ THEM TO THE, OR FOR THE BOAT.
WE STILL HAVE A COUPLE MORE SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS TO GIVE.
WE'RE GOING TO DO A QUICK VOTING ITEM.
FIRST IS THE CAMERA RUNNING? LITERALLY, THIS HAS GOT TO TAKE A MINUTE, GUYS.
WE SAT, IT LOOKS LIKE EIGHT IS READY.
THEN WE ARE OUT OF CLOSED SESSION WHILE WE WERE IN CLOSED SESSION.
WE DISCUSSED REAL ESTATE ISSUES RELATED ITEMS WERE NOT ALL.
WE DISCUSSED LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO ITEMS 43, 44 AND 68.
UH, AND WE WERE ABLE TO, UH, HANDLE THOSE CONVERSATIONS THAT GETS US BACK HERE OUT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 6 28.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM LEFT TO VOTE AUDITS
[22. Approve a settlement subject to court approval in Maredith Drake v. City of Austin et al, Cause No. 1:20-cv-00956-RP, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas and direct the City Manager to return to Council the necessary documents to finance the court approved settlement.]
ITEM NUMBER 22.YOU WANT TO LAY OUT ITEM 22 FOR US AGAIN, RILEY, ON BEHALF OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT, I'M HERE TO REQUEST THAT YOU PROVE A PAYMENT OF $850,000 TO RESOLVE THE LAWSUIT.
CITY OF AUSTIN, WHICH IS RELATED TO THE MAY, 2020 PROTESTS.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 22 COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION, UH, COUNTS.
UH, IT IS UNANIMOUS ON THE DYES WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, KELLY, AND, UH, PULL OFF.
THAT'S THE LAST PIECE OF ITEM THAT WE HAVE ON OUR AGENDA.
SO AT 6 26 30, UH, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
NOW LET'S GET BACK TO THE PROCLAMATION.
[Proclamation 3]
THANK YOU.MY NAME IS VANESSA
I LIKE TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO ST.
EDWARDS UNIVERSITY FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO AN AUSTIN TRAILBLAZER, AN INSPIRATION FOR WOMEN IN LOCAL POLITICS.
EMMA LOU LINN IS THE SECOND WOMAN ELECTED TO THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
HER ELECTION IN 1975, MARKED A PIVOTAL TIME IN AUSTIN POLITICS OR AUSTINITE TO ENJOY SIXTH STREET OR WHO DRIVE ON MLK SHOP AT THE PECAN FEST FESTIVAL OR APPRECIATE OUR HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
EMMA, LOU LINN, THIS TRAILBLAZING WOMAN HAS INVESTED ALMOST 70 YEARS OF HER LIFE IN SERVING THE PEOPLE,
[04:00:01]
PLACES AND CULTURE OF AUSTIN.ESPECIALLY AT TIMES WHEN THERE WERE VERY FEW WOMEN LEADING THE WAY AS THE MOST RECENTLY ELECTED FEMALE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
IT IS MY HONOR TO RECOGNIZE EMMA LOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT SHE HAS MADE, THE IMPACT THAT SHE'S MADE IN AUSTIN, HER COURAGE, HER TENACITY, HER FIERCE ADVOCACY FOR MARGINALIZED PEOPLE AS A LEGACY, ALL AUSTINITES CAN LEARN FROM.
SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING DR.
EMMA, LOU LINN, WHEREAS EMMYLOU LINN RODEO QUEEN WOMEN'S ATHLETIC COACH UPPITY WOMAN.
SO WHAT IT SAYS RIGHT HERE, I'M JUST READING IT A PECAN STREET FESTIVAL, FOUNDER, HISTORIC BUILDING CHAMPION AND ST.
EDWARD'S UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR WHO GREW UP IN ROCK SPRINGS, TEXAS AND QUICKLY FOUND HER WAY TO AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND WHEREAS AS THE SECOND FEMALE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, THIS UPPITY WOMAN CREATED AN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE THAT INCLUDED AGE, PHYSICAL DISABILITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
AND WHEREAS COUNCIL MEMBER LYNN HELPED WRITE THE FIRST HISTORIC ORDINANCE IN AUSTIN SERVED ON OUR FIRST HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION BROUGHT, BOUGHT RESTORED AND LIVED IN A BUILDING ON SIXTH STREET, WHICH NOW ENJOYS A SPOT ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
AND WHEREAS EMMYLOU WAS HONORED BY THE PECAN STREET FESTIVAL WITH THEIR HERITAGE AWARD, FOR HER ROLE IN HELPING FORM THE OLD PECAN STREET ASSOCIATION.
AND WHEREAS EMMYLOU WAS AND CONTINUES TO BE A COMMUNITY CONVENER WHO SUPPORTS THE VIRGOS IN THE LOCALE BY CELEBRATING THEM THROUGH MUSIC, LIBATIONS AND DANCE AT ANNUAL VIRGO PARTIES.
I THINK I NEED AN INVITE TO THIS NEXT TIME.
LYNN WAS A PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR AT ST EDWARDS UNIVERSITY FOR 50 YEARS AND TAUGHT OVER 5,000 STUDENTS WON MULTIPLE TEACHING AWARDS AND SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS RESEARCHING WITH TEACHING ASSISTANTS, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS THE LYNN FUND TREE.
AND WHEREAS EMMA, LOU HAS CONSISTENTLY AND RELENTLESSLY RECOGNIZED YOUNG PEOPLE'S POTENTIAL MENTORED THEM INTO PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT THEY ARE TODAY.
MUCH OF STUDENT LEARNING CAME THROUGH THE LIVELY DEBATES IN THE HISTORIC MAIN BUILDING OFFICE, OVERLOOKING AUSTIN, AND WHEREAS EMMYLOU COACHED MANY ATHLETES IN THE YEARS AFTER THE PASSAGE OF TITLE IX, SHE ESTABLISHED THE FIRST WOMAN'S ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AT ST.
EDWARD'S UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.
AND WHEREAS EMMA, LOU LYNN HAS CHANGED AUSTIN FOR THE BETTER, THROUGH HER INVOLVEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
EDWARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATES AT THE HILLTOP COMMUNITY IS SO SIGNIFICANT THAT SHE RECEIVED THE LIFETIME HONOR OF PROFESSOR EMERITUS.
NOW, THEREFORE I, VANESSA WENT THIS ON BEHALF OF STEVE ADLER MAYOR.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 5TH, 2022 AS DR.
[04:05:06]
YEAH,YOU MIGHT BE WAITING THROUGH THE WATER TOO.
[Proclamation 4]
PROCLAMATION.WHAT AN EXCITING DAY AND CELEBRATION OF AIR QUALITY AWARENESS WEEK.
I AM HERE TODAY TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION TO MEMBERS OF THE CLEAN AIR FORCE OF CENTRAL TEXAS AND AIR CENTRAL TEXAS ARM OF THE CAPITAL AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
I AM AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, WOMAN, PAIGE ELLIS, AND I SERVE AS THE CITY'S APPOINTEE TO THE CLEAN AIR COALITION AND THE CLEAN AIR FORCE FOR THE YEARS I'VE BEEN WORKING ON CLEAN AIR ISSUES.
IT'S EVIDENT TO ME JUST HOW COMMITTED EVERYONE JOINING ME HERE TODAY IS TO THESE VARIOUS SAME ISSUES.
THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CREATED A MULTITUDE OF COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, SCIENTISTS, ADVOCATES, AND EVEN METEOROLOGISTS.
THIS PROCLAMATION IS FOR ANTON COX OF AIR CENTRAL TEXAS, AND TO BILL GIBBS AND SENATOR SARAH ECKHART, WHO COULDN'T BE WITH US TODAY FOR THEIR WORK ON THE CLEAN AIR FORCE OF CENTRAL TEXAS, WITH APPRECIATION FOR EVERYONE HERE, WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY IN CENTRAL TEXAS.
BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS AIR QUALITY IS CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH OF OUR ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY AND THE RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN.
AND WHEREAS AIR POLLUTION LEVELS IN CENTRAL TEXAS WERE CONSIDERED MODERATE OR WORSE ON 36% OF DAYS IN 2021, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL AIR QUALITY INDEX.
AND WHEREAS CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE WITH LUNG DISEASE AND PEOPLE WITH HEART DISEASE MAKE UP ABOUT TWO OUT OF EVERY FIVE RESIDENTS IN CENTRAL TEXAS AND ARE PARTIALLY AFFECTED AND ARE PARTICULARLY AFFECTED BY POOR AIR QUALITY.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN SUPPORTS PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN LOWER THEIR EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION AND REDUCE EMISSIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO POOR AIR QUALITY, SUCH AS AVOIDING IDLING, TAKING SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION AND USING LESS ENERGY.
AND WHEREAS THE U S EPA HAS DESIGNATED MAY 2ND THROUGH SIXTH, 2022 AS NATIONAL AIR QUALITY AWARENESS WEEK.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE CENTRAL TEXAS CLEAN AIR COALITION AND THE U S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO PROMOTE AIR QUALITY.
NOW, THEREFORE I PAY JEALOUS AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ON BEHALF OF MAYOR ADLER DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 2ND THROUGH 6 20 22 AS AIR QUALITY AWARENESS WEEK.
I BELIEVE, UH, OUR KEEPER STAFF, DR.
LARRY WALLACE SHOULD BE COMING DOWN TO DO I SEE HIM NOW?
[04:10:04]
YES, MA'AM.I SEE, I SEE IF I, THERE IT, KEVIN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
SOMEBODY KNOWS HOW TO CLEAR IT OUT.
[Proclamation 5]
MA'AM ALL RIGHT.I'M REALLY HAPPY AND EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TODAY.
THIS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT I KNOW, YOU KNOW, FIRSTHAND IS, IS DOING, DOING THE FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT AND DOING THE GOOD WORK, UM, ON BEHALF OF, UM, OUR DEEP APPRECIATION AND RECOGNITION FOR VETERANS.
UM, I CAN'T SEE THE, THE BROADER AUDIENCE, BUT I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT ARE ACTIVELY SERVING OUR COUNTRY, UM, AND TO VETERANS AND TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF VETERANS, EITHER ACTIVELY SERVING OUR COUNTRY OR HAVE DONE SO IN THE PAST.
UM, SO VIETNAM AT WHEREAS OPERATION AND DURING RESPECT IS AN AUSTIN BASED NON-PROFIT THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 2010 WITH THE MISSION TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THE MANY WOUNDED MEMBERS THAT OUR ARMED FORCES, I HELPING HEAL THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMAS.
AND WHEREAS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT OPERATION ENDURING, DURING RESPECT HAS TREATED THOUSANDS OF VETERANS TO SPORTING EVENTS RANGING FROM UT LONGHORN GAME, UM, HOME GAMES TO RED RIVER SHOWDOWNS, TO SUPERBOWLS AND MORE.
AND WHEREAS THE NONPROFIT IS ENTIRELY DONATION DRIVEN AND COVERS THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION, TICKETS, FOOD, AND MORE, AND ITS STAFF AND BOARD RECEIVED NO FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR THEIR CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
AND NOW THEREFORE I NATASHA HARPER MADISON COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT ONE.
AND ALONG WITH MAYOR STEVE ADLER AND THE REST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 7TH, 2022 AS OPERATION AND DURING RESPECT DAY
OKAY, EVERYBODY, UH, FIRST ALL, THANK YOU, NATASHA.
I WISH SHE COULD BE HERE EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY.
UH SHE'S UH, SHE'S YOU KNOW, UH, SERVING ON A VERY IMPORTANT MISSION RIGHT NOW.
AND, UH, SO, UH, AND I WANT TO THANK MY FRIENDS THAT CAME AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE ALL OF OUR DONORS.
I APPRECIATE ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE CAPTAIN MICHAEL ARAGON.
HE'S ON OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
HE'S A, YOU KNOW, A, A, A VERY GOOD FRIEND AND A BIG SUPPORTER.
UH, OUR GROUP IS, UH, WE, WE FORMED IT, UH, IN 2010, LIKE SHE SAID, AND, AND REALLY IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE LOVE.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF LOVE TODAY.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE, UH, THAT, AND IT STARTS WITH THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY.
YOU KNOW, THAT WE'RE ALL VERY PATRIOTIC PEOPLE AND WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY.
AND WE THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND WHAT OUR MISSION IS MORE IS SERVING THE ACTUAL PEOPLE WHO WERE COMBAT WOUNDED, UH, OVER IN THE BATTLES OVER IN AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, KOREA, VIETNAM, AND PROBABLY NOT A WHOLE LOT OF WORLD WAR II GUYS LEFT AROUND, BUT FOR THOSE GUYS TOO.
AND SO, UH, AND THEN IT COMES DOWN TO LOVING OUR CITY, CITY
[04:15:01]
OF AUSTIN.YOU KNOW, THAT, UH, I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 75 AND LOVED THE CITY A LOT AND LOVE THE LONGHORNS.
AND, UH, SO HOW DO YOU PUT ALL OF THAT TOGETHER? YOU KNOW, THAT YOU HAVE YOUR LOVE OF COUNTRY.
YOU HAVE YOUR LOVE OF YOUR CITY.
YOU LOVE THE LONGHORNS AND YOU'D WANT TO DO SOMETHING VERY PROFOUND.
WE FORMED THIS ORGANIZATION AND WE COLLECT DONATIONS AND WE TAKE, UH, EVERYBODY OVER TO THE IRON WORKS JUST DOWN THE STREET OVER HERE, HAVE SOME GOOD BARBECUE.
THEN WE TAKE THEM TO THE LONGHORN GAMES.
UH, WE GO TO, UH, OU TEXAS GAMES.
UH, WE GO TO DALLAS COWBOY GAMES.
WE'VE BEEN TO A BUNCH OF SUPER BOWLS AND REALLY IT'S ABOUT GIVING BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO'VE GIVEN SO MUCH.
SO THANKS EVERYONE WHERE THEY WHAT'S YOUR WEBSITE, UH, IT'S UH, IN ENDURING RESPECT.ORG, ENDURING RESPECT.ORG.
EVERYBODY GET ON YOUR PHONE, GO TO FACEBOOK AND DONATE ON FOLKS ON FACEBOOK TOO.
EVERYBODY COME UP FOR A PICTURE.
YOU MIGHT TRAVEL THERE AND DO MY PHONE IN TROUBLE.