* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [1. Conduct a community input session to receive public comment on the City of Austin Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Proposed Budget.] [00:00:29] COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY. YOU WANT TO MAKE A YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. UM, I JUST WANTED TO WISH MY DAUGHTER WHO'S HERE WITH US TODAY. A VERY HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY. I AM NOW OFFICIALLY THE MOTHER OF A TEENAGER AND SHE IS VERY GRACIOUSLY SPENDING HER BIRTHDAY WITH US TODAY AS WE GO THROUGH THIS BUDGET HEARING. SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REBECCA, I'M PROUD TO BE YOUR MAMA. WELL, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AT BOY. DOES YOUR MOM KNOW HOW TO SHOW YOU A GOOD TIME COLLEAGUES? FORTUNATELY FOR IVANKA, THIS IS NOT GOING TO LAST ALL DAY TODAY. IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ABOUT, UH, 31 SPEAKERS. SO WE'RE GOING TO GO THREE MINUTES TO SPEAKER. WE'RE GOING TO START WITH, UH, SPEAKERS SPEAKING, UH, REMOTELY, UH, AND THEN WE'LL CALL THE, UH, SPEAKERS THAT ARE HERE IN PERSON. UH, THIS IS THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL. THIS IS A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING UP PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE BUDGET. UH, TODAY IS JULY 27TH, 2022. UH, THE TIME IS 10 0 8 AND WE WILL COMMENCE WITH THAT PUBLIC TESTIMONY. TODAY IS NOT THE DAY FOR US TO DELIBERATE, UH, NOR IS IT THE DAY FOR US TO VOTE ON ANYTHING, BUT TO REALLY TAKE IT. AND, UH, THE COMMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY, UH, UNLESS ANYBODY HAS ANYTHING WE'LL START RIGHT AWAY. YES, A VERY PRO TERM. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT FOR NEXT WEEK. WHEN WE HAVE THIS HEARING, WE ARE GOING TO ADD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE DISCUSSION TO DO THAT FOR NEXT WEEK'S HEARING, WE WILL ADD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE DISCUSSION SO WE COULD MAKE USE OF THE TIME. AS WE DISCUSSED YESTERDAY, WE WERE REGARDED TO NOTICE THAT ON THE MEETINGS AND, UH, DEBRA TELLS US THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED. WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, CLERK, IF YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND START CALLING THE REMOTE SPEAKERS. OKAY. FIRST SPEAKER MARSHALL SUNNI. GUH. YEAH. HI, THANK Y'ALL FOR Y'ALL'S TIME. UM, MY NAME IS MARSHALL. I AM A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, UM, BORN AND RAISED IN AUSTIN. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO IMPLORE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DEFINITELY AMEND THE BUDGET COMING UP. UM, I THINK SHOULD DEFINITELY GIVE THE 75 MILLION THAT DOES 30 ORGANIZATIONS IN THAT ONE COALITION TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF GIVING WHITE 178 MILLION TO INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGET. UM, YOU KNOW, AFTER YOU'VE ALL DAY AND AS AN ORGANIZER, YOU CAN'T HELP, BUT PUT YOURSELF INTO LIKE THOSE SHOES. I HOPE THE TEACHERS AND THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS, AND LIKE IF YOU'RE COMING FOR ME AND MY KIDS AND YOU'RE TRYING TO HURT THEM, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME. AND IT'S JUST ASTONISHING SEEING ALL THOSE PICTURES AND VIDEOS OF COPS, JUST STANDING AROUND TEXTING, GETTING HAND SANITIZER. I JUST THINK THAT POLICE JUST MAKE OUR COMMUNITY LESS SAFE AND JUST RUINED PEOPLE'S LIVES. AND I THINK THAT THE PROPOSITION FROM THE 30 ORGANIZATIONS, UM, WITH THE REQUEST OF $75 MILLION TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL NOT ONLY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF WHAT THE MILLION PLUS PEOPLE HERE NOW. UM, BUT IT WILL ALSO MAKE EVERYBODY SAFER. IT'LL PREVENT MORE LIKE SHOOTINGS, LIKE YOU'VE ALL DAY. IT WILL JUST COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONIZE THE CITY. AND SO I JUST, UH, I JUST REALLY ASKED THAT IT ALL THOUGH, WITH EMPATHY AND HUMANITY AND MORALITY AND NOT WITH FEAR OF THE COPS OR THE COP UNION, OR, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY HAS TO STAY AT THAT TO THE BAD BOYS. AND I THINK THAT Y'ALL HAVE A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, REALLY DO SOME GOOD IN THIS, IN THIS COMMUNITY. UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I I'M DONE SPEAKING. THANK YOU, RACHEL. SHANNON. [00:05:05] GOOD MORNING. MAYOR AD LEARNED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS RACHEL SHANNON, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE FOR 21 YEARS. I SPEAK TODAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE COALITION WHO BUILT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. I WAS SO THANKFUL TO SEE SOME OF THE PIECES OF THE COMMUNITY BUDGET, INVESTMENT BUDGET, ADOPTED AND FUNDED, AND THE HARD WORK OF LOCAL ORGANIZERS BEGINNING TO BE REALIZED, UM, THAT THIS BUDGET SITS AT THE HEART OF OUR COLLECTIVE PROCESS AND OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUITY AND RACIAL INTERESTS THAT SHOWS UP IN THIS DOCUMENT. AND OFTEN I REALLY DESERVE A FULLY FUNDED COMMITMENT TO THAT GOAL. OUR COMMITMENT IS REFLECTED IN THE LOWEST PAID CITY STAFF, INCLUDING CONTRACT PART-TIME AND SEASONAL WORKERS WHO DESERVE LIVING WAGES THAT ALLOW THEM TO LIVE DECENTLY IN THE CITY. THEY SERVE IT'S REFLECTED IN INVESTMENTS FOR PROGRAMMING, FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES THAT ARE PARTS AND MAINTENANCE. THAT'S REFLECTED IN OUR SUPPORT OF UNDERSTAFFED, UNDERPAID PARAMEDICS, PROVIDING CARE TO ALL AUSTINITES IT'S REFLECTED IN THE BREADTH OF OUR COMMITMENT TO HOUSING SECURITY, RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND EVICTION PREVENTION. DURING ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING INTERSECTIONS OF RENT GROWTH AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP OR CITY HAS SEEN A REALLY BELIEVE THAT 6% OF THE GENERAL REVENUE IS A REASONABLE COMMITMENT TO INVEST IN A ROBUST FUTURE FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND I IMPLORE YOU TO ACT COURAGEOUSLY IN SUPPORT OF THAT FUTURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, LAUREN OR TOW. HI, MY NAME IS AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE. I'M THINKING TODAY AND SOLIDARY WITH THE COALITION OF LOCAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZERS WHO BUILT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND SUPPORT OF THE NUMEROUS AUSTINITES WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE IN OUR CHANGING CITY. IT'S BEEN HEARTBREAKING TO SEE HOW MUCH SUFFERING PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING, BUT I BELIEVE WE CAN CHANGE THAT. I'M EXCITED TO SEE SOME PIECES OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET FUNDED, BUT WE KNOW THAT THE FULL PACKAGE IS WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE AUSTIN A MORE EQUAL, EQUITABLE CITY FOR EVERYONE WHO LIVES HERE, COMMUNITY HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELLBEING, RELIANT ON FULLY FUNDING, THESE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN THE FINAL BUDGET, PLEASE REVISIT THE THOUGHTFUL PIECES OF THIS PROPOSAL AND AMEND THE BUDGET OF PROPOSED TO INCLUDE ALL SUBJECT $4 MILLION. WE'RE READY TO SEE YOU MAKE THIS IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN OUR CITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SARAH. HEY, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SARAH HAY. I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND A VOLUNTEER WITH THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION. UH, I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO PROVIDE MY COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED CITY BUDGETS. I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WHICH WOULD HAVE THE CITY SPENT $74.8 MILLION OF THE GENERAL FUND ON ITEMS THAT COMMUNITY HAS BEEN CALLING FOR FOR YEARS. THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO HURT OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS, TENANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES GAVE BRENT ESSENTIAL ASSISTANCE. THE TWO PHRASES AND THE CURRENT HEAT WAVE WE'RE EXPERIENCING IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF AN ONGOING CYCLE OF WEATHER DISASTERS. THE CITY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE, WE NEED INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTERS IN PLACE. EMS AND CITY WORKERS DESERVE A WAGE INCREASE FOLKS ON THE GROUND WHO DO HARM REDUCTION NEED SUPPORT FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE NATIONWIDE OPIOID CRISIS. OUR PARKS AND LIBRARIES NEED SUPPORT. THIS BUDGET COULD FUND A TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE. AS OUR KIDS HAVE BACK TO SCHOOL, THIS BUDGET COULD GIVE MONEY FOR PARENTAL SUPPORT SPECIALISTS. CITY BUDGETS ARE MORAL DOCUMENTS. IT'S HOW THE CITY TELLS US WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM. OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES DESERVE TO BE PRIORITIZED. IF AUSTIN'S GOAL IS TO TRULY BE A CITY THAT EVERYONE CAN LIVE AND WORK IN, IT SHOULD, BUT IT SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE THINGS WE FUND THROUGH THIS BUDGET. NO MORE SCRAPS. THANK YOU, PHIL HOWERY. UH, YES. I APPRECIATE THE TIME. IF WE'RE TALKING TO THE COMMENTS I'VE HEARD HERE ABOUT FAIRNESS AND EQUITY. NO, ONE'S TALKING ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAX PAYERS THAT PAY THE TAXES FOR THIS BUDGET. AND WHAT I WAS WONDERING IF THE CITY OF AUSTIN AT THE CITY COUNCIL OF AUSTIN WANTS TO BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE, WHY DON'T THEY TAKE THE BUDGET? WHY DON'T THEY SUBMIT IT TO AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY AUDIT? THAT'S NOT, THAT'S A STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANY LEGITIMATE BUSINESS, WHETHER IT'S A TAX EXEMPT ENTITY OR NOT. AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT PROPERTY OWNERS AND TAXPAYERS IN THIS CITY ARE BEING TOTALLY ROBBED BY THE, BY THE CITY THROUGH THE RATE STRUCTURE. I MEAN, WHY, DON'T, WHY DOESN'T AUSTIN ENERGY SUBMIT THE RATE STRUCTURES TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC [00:10:01] UTILITY COMMISSION AND LET THEM REVIEW THAT AGAINST LIABLE AND UNALLOWABLE EXPENSES IN THE RATE STRUCTURE, THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS POWER PLANTS. THE ENERGY THAT'S PRODUCED BY THE S BY THOSE POWER PLANTS GOES TO ERCOT, GOES INTO THE GRID. PEOPLE THAT USE THAT ELECTRICITY IN THE ROOM AND IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THAT PART OF THAT GRID, THEY HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HAVING TEXAS PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OR, UH, REVIEW THE RATES OF THE COMPANIES THAT CHARGE THEIR ELECTRICITY RATES. WHY DOESN'T THE CITY OF AUSTIN? WHY DON'T TAXPAYERS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAVE THAT BENEFIT? NOW, JUST ONE MORE THING. I WAS, UH, WAS ON THE COMMISSION, THE AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY COMMISSION, AND THAT, THAT BUDGET WHEN I WAS ON THAT COMMISSION WAS $95 MILLION SERVICING JUST UNDER 200,000 HOUSEHOLDS BY COMPARISON, THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE SOLID WASTE RECOVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THEIR TRASH SERVICE HAS A BUDGET OF $84 MILLION SERVICING 423,000 HOUSEHOLDS. IT'S CLEARLY THAT THIS BUDGET, THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S BUDGET NEEDS TO NEEDS A THIRD PARTY, INDEPENDENT AUDIT. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE CITY COUNCIL OR ANYONE IN THE CITY WOULD BE AGAINST THAT. IF YOU, IF YOU'RE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT FAIRNESS AND EQUITY, THAT I JUST, I DON'T FIRMS WHEN YOU'RE TOTALLY ABUSING THE TAXPAYERS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN ON TOP OF THAT AUSTIN ENERGY, AUSTIN WATER AND WASTEWATER CONTRIBUTE $200 MILLION A YEAR TO THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH IS NOTHING BUT A TAX THAT'S BEING TAXED FROM THE RATE PAYERS. AND I JUST DON'T SEE THE FAIRNESS OF THAT. SO, AND I, I WOULD JUST PLEAD WITH THE CITY AND CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE SOME SORT OF EMPATHY FOR THE PROPERTY TAX PAYERS IN AUSTIN. THANK YOU, PRESTON MANIS. NO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MY NAME IS PRESTON MADISON MAY CITIZEN AND PROPERTY TAXPAYER IN DISTRICT SIX. I AM CALLING TO SUPPORT ALL SNOW EQUITIES, COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGETS TO THE FULL $74 BILLION OR SO. AND I'M ALSO REQUESTING A TO DEPRIORITIZE FUNDING. THE POLICE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TIED YOUR HANDS TO AN EXTENT ON THAT MATTER, BUT THERE IS NO REASON TO GIVE THEM MORE MONEY THAN IS NECESSARY. I AGREE THAT MUCH. IT IS A REFLECTION OF PRIOR OF OUR PRIORITIES, AND I PREFER TO SEE MORE MONEY GO TOWARDS THINGS LIKE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT, BUDGET, AND LESS MONEY GO TOWARDS THINGS LIKE VOICE. THANK YOU. I YIELD THOUGHTS ABOUT TIME. THANK YOU. SORRY. I WAS MUTED. HI, THIS IS SENECA BOY AND WE'RE RESIDENTS. UM, DISTRICT FOUR, UH, AND CALLING IN, UM, IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT BUDGET. I THINK IT'S A REFLECTION OF WHAT ARE NOW LONG STANDING VALUES IN AUSTIN. UM, OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THIS COUNCIL HAS DONE WORK THAT HAS BEEN EXEMPLARY IN TERMS OF ALLOCATING BUDGET WAYS TO ACTUALLY SAVE LIVES, TO MAKE A BRIEF COMPARISON, ROUGHLY FIVE TIMES AS MANY PEOPLE DIED OF COVID IN TARRANT COUNTY THAN IN TRAVIS COUNTY, RIGHT? AND THAT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE, RIGHT? THERE ARE MORE AT RISK PEOPLE IN TRAVIS COUNTY, LOWER INCOME, MORE LIKELY TO HAVE DIABETES, UH, OLDER AS A GENERAL RULE. AND YET SOMEHOW WE HAD A FIFTH, THE NUMBER OF DEATHS. SO LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF LIVES. AND WHAT DID THAT WAS PALSY ALLOCATIONS. THIS COUNCIL MADE COURTS PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THOSE INVESTMENTS HAVE TO CONTINUE. WE WANT TO CONTINUE SAVING LIVES, RIGHT? PUTTING CONTEXT A LITTLE OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME WHERE WE HAD, YOU KNOW, NEWS BEING MADE FOR, YOU KNOW, ROUGHLY 70 HOMICIDES THOUSAND PEOPLE DIE OF COVID IN AUSTIN, RIGHT? MANY TIMES OVER HIS HEAD, 80 DIED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN AUSTIN. AND SO WHAT CAN SAVE THOSE PEOPLE'S LIVES, RIGHT? WHAT CAN SAVE THOSE LIVES ARE THE ISOLATION CENTERS THAT WE SET UP INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND SORELY NEEDED IN EMS RIGHT NOW, THE BIGGEST RISK TO YOUR LIFE. IF YOU LIVE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS IS THAT WHEN YOU GET IN A CAR PASS WHERE YOU CAN TRACK MONKEYPOX [00:15:01] AND YOU'RE AN ELDERLY PERSON THAT NO ONE IS GOING TO GET TO YOU IN TIME FOR HEALTH EMERGENCY, RIGHT? WE'RE SORELY UNDERSTAFFED IN YOUR MESS. AND THAT IS GOING TO COST PEOPLE LIVES. I'VE HEARD TALK TO THE EFFECT THAT WE CAN'T INCREASE EMS WITHOUT HAVING THE BUDGET TO DO THE SAME FOR COPS. I THINK THAT'S ULTIMATELY GOING TO PIA A RUIN HIS LOGIC FOR US, RIGHT? WE HAVE THE HIGHEST PAID CITY SERVICE. I THINK IT'S A VERY MODEST ASK THAT OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY SERVANTS GET PAID IN PARITY WITH THOSE THAT ARE ALREADY GETTING PAID THE BEST, RIGHT, AS CLOSE AS WE CAN, BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT RETENTION, WHEN YOU GET IN A CAR WRECK AND THERE ARE GOING TO BE MORE CAR WRECKS, BECAUSE THE POPULATION IS INCREASING AND THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS NOT GOING TO SCALE UP FOR ALMOST A DECADE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE. SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT SAFETY, RIGHT, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CONCRETELY IS SAVING PEOPLE'S LIVES AND WHAT WE HAVE NOW, YOU KNOW, IN THE FORM OF THE REINVESTMENT BUDGET, BUT FUNDAMENTALLY IN TERMS OF PAYING OUR EMS OF FAIR AND LIVING WAGE TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE LIVES ACROSS, AND THAT REFLECTS WORK, THAT YOU'VE ALREADY DONE. YOU KNOW, THIS REINVESTMENT BUDGET DIDN'T JUST SPRING OUT OF NOWHERE, IT REFLECTS THE WORK THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS ALREADY DONE AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO. I BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL PLEASE THEM IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE THE PRIORITIES AND PUBLIC SAFETY THAT WILL SAVE THE LIVES MOST DESPERATELY NEEDED TO SAVE. THANK YOU, SAM KIRSCH, MAYOR ADLER, FROZEN ALTAR STEAM COUNCIL MEMBERS. I MISS SAN KIRSTEN. I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE. SOMEONE WHO WAS SHOT IN THE EYE WITH BEANBAG ROUND BY APD. OVER TWO YEARS AGO, I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER WAS ALLOCATED THE FULL $1 MILLION ADVOCATES HAD ASKED FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET FRAMEWORK, TRAUMA INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES ARE SO CRITICAL TO HEALING FOR MANY VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND WEATHER SHELTERING ARE ALSO GOOD STEPS TO HELP MITIGATE THE PAST POLICY FAILURES OF THE CITY, THE STATE, AND THIS COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE THAN TO TRY TO SURVIVE. UNHOUSED, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS ALSO THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD, BUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET FRAMEWORK IS NOT ENOUGH. WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR THOSE PROGRAMS AND CALLING AN $18 AN HOUR MINIMUM WAGE FOR CITY WORKERS. A LIVING WAGE IS JUST COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM REALITY. IT'S NOT A COMPETITIVE WAGE IN THIS CITY. IT'S ROUGHLY 30 TO $32,000 PER YEAR. THE CITY NEEDS HIS WORKERS TO FUNCTION JUST AT ITS BARE MINIMUM AND THEY TO GET PUSHED OUT OF THE CITY. SO WHY SHOULD THEY CARE ABOUT HOW WELL THEY DO THEIR JOBS IF THEY CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO LIVE HERE ANYMORE? ADDITIONALLY, OUR PARAMEDICS ARE THE LOWEST PAID PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS, AND THEY ARE THE MOST CRITICAL FOR FIRSTLINE HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE. AND WE'RE ASKING SO MUCH OF THEM. WE'RE ASKING THEM TO RESPOND TO INTENSE HEAT AND COLD CONDITIONS. COVID-19 DRUG, OVERDOSES ACCIDENTS, AND SO MUCH MORE, AND THEY DESERVE SIGNIFICANT WAGE INCREASES. UM, YOU KNOW, SO I'M DEMANDING THE CITY ALLOCATE THE FULL $75 MILLION ASKED FOR BY WELL OVER 30 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. AND I'M COMPETENT THAT THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL CAN FIND THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE FULL DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET OR REALITY. THIS IS REALLY A SMALL DROP IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND. SO THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONTROVERSIAL. THIS IS CRITICAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YIELD MY TIME. FRANK NASHER. UH, MY NAME IS FRANK AND RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT ONE. I'M SPEAKING ABOUT THE BUDGET TODAY BECAUSE I AM ECHOING EARLIER STATEMENTS THAT I'VE HEARD ABOUT. UH, WE HAVE, WE ARE, OVER-FUNDING THE POLICE AGAIN, A REMINDER BECAUSE OF THE STATE LAW, WE WILL, ANY DOLLAR THAT WE PUT INTO THE POLICE, WE WILL NEVER GET BACK OUT. AND SO WHAT YOU WERE ESSENTIALLY SAYING, IF YOU CANNOT GRANT THE CITY AND BOYS WHO'VE BEEN CALLED HEROES, WHO'VE BEEN WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF FOR US FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS THROUGH VERY DIFFICULT WORKING CONDITIONS, UH, THAT THEY CAN'T GET PAID A LIVING WAGE. NOW YOU'RE SAYING THAT YOU WILL NEVER GIVE THEM THAT MONEY BECAUSE THAT MONEY WILL ALWAYS BE PRETTY APD. SO RATHER THAN, UH, TACKLING THINGS THAT AFFECT MY LIFE, THINGS LIKE, UH, MY POWER GOING OUT ONCE A MONTH, THINGS LIKE, UH, THINGS LIKE EMPS, NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH PEOPLE FOR OVER HALF AN HOUR, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY REASON OTHER THAN THEY DON'T HAVE THE STAFF OR THE AMBULANCES. SO WHAT I'M ASKING IS THAT YOU INVEST IN YOUR CITY [00:20:01] AND INVEST IN YOUR PEOPLE AND PROCEED WITH THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND MEET OUR NEEDS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY, ALIYAH. HELLO, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ALIA THE MAT, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR. I'M CALLING TODAY AS A PART OF THE GRASSROOTS COALITION BEHIND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WHILE IT FELT SIGNIFICANT TO WITNESS THE PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. UM, JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, SOME COLLEAGUES ON COUNCIL TO INCLUDE ALL $74 MILLION IN RECOMMENDATIONS OR THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND THE MOST MINIMAL IMPLEMENTATION OF FUNDING TOWARDS ATD. WE SAW IN THE CRAWL REPORT PUBLISHED THIS YEAR, THAT ATD TARGETS AND BRUTALIZES BLACK AND BROWN BOOK, AND THAT IT WAS $442.8 MILLION IN BUDGET TRAINING AND VIRTUALLY INFINITE ACCESS TO RESOURCES. IF YOU CAN'T GET BETTER WITH $442.8 MILLION, I PAUSED, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU COULD POSSIBLY IMPROVE LEAVES. I WAS SAYING COMMUNITY, BUT MAYBE BORN AND RAISED HERE. WE'RE BEING PUSHED OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND VERY LITERALLY INTO THE WOODS TO BE OUT OF SIGHT FOR AFFLUENT AND WHITE AUSTINITE, PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR HOMES STOLEN. I'M A LITTLE BIT EVEN ABLE TO GATHER FOR THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED WITH POLICE SUITES OF CAMPS, OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE COSTING THE CITY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. EACH TIME THAT FUNDING COULD SIMPLY BE REDIRECTED TOWARDS GETTING BOOKS, HOME, AND RESOURCES. AND DESPITE THE RESEARCH PROVING THAT A HOUSING FIRST STRATEGY LEAVES LEADS THE POSITIVE LONG-TERM POSITIVE FRUITION FOR BOTH THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY AND THE CITY AS A WHOLE. WE'VE YET TO SEE IT HAPPEN ON A LARGER SCALE FOR DECADES, IF NOT CENTURIES, THE MOST MARGINALIZED IN THIS COUNTRY AND IN THE CITY HAVE HAD THE SENSE FOR THEMSELVES AND FIGHT OVER SCRAPS TO KEEP THEIR LIGHTS ON FOOD ON THE TABLE AND CLOTHES ON THEIR BACKS. THERE'S SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR AUSTIN TO BE THE CITY THAT IT CLAIMS TO BE THERE. YOU KNOW, FOR A LOT OF FOLKS WHO HAVE MOVED HERE, WE'VE HEARD THAT, YOU KNOW, KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD AND KEEPING AUSTIN UNIQUE, BUT YOU CAN'T DO THAT WHEN THE VERY PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE CITY WHO BRING THE CULTURE AND THE FLAVOR AND, AND PROVIDE NECESSARY, UH, SERVICES LIKE EMS WORKERS, WHEN THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO STAY IN THE CITY, WHEN THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE, WHEN THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO FEED THEMSELVES FOLKS, THEY'RE BEING PUSHED OUT. AND I SUPPORT FULL FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, BECAUSE IT MEANS A MATERIAL DIFFERENCE FOR THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE IN AUSTIN, WHO HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FLOURISH BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM THEM. SO PLEASE CITY COUNCIL COPY TO YOU AS A PLACEMENT OF A HUMAN TO ANOTHER HUMAN THING THAT PEOPLE NEED, THAT PEOPLE NEED A LIVABLE WAGE. PEOPLE NEED PLACES TO STAY. PEOPLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, EVERYONE WHO'S SITTING AT THE CITY COUNCIL WANTS THAT FOR THEMSELVES. AND WHY NOT ENSURE THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THAT THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR YOU, WHO ARE IN THIS CITY WHO NEED IT, WHO HAVE SUFFERED THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THROUGH THE NEW WAVE THAT ARE COMING MONKEYPOX IN ALL OF THIS, HOW, WHAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE AND MAKE THIS CITY WHAT IT CLAIMS TO BE AND WHAT IT TRULY CAN BE AT ITS ABSOLUTE BEST. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR LISTENING. UM, TAKE CARE ELENA SITE AND GLEN'S BOSE, GOOD MORNING, UH, MAYOR ADLER AND OUR MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. UH, MY NAME IS ELENA SUN GLANCES, AND I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT FIVE. AND, UH, I AM ALSO IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND, UH, SPEAKING TO KEY PRIORITIZE FUNDING EQUALLY IN AUSTIN. UM, PERSON WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR FUNDING FULLY FUNDING, THE IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY WORK THAT'S BEING DONE AT A, UH, TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER. UH, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE NECESSARY, UH, NECESSARY NEWNESS OF FURTHER FUNDING, BOTH RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND WEATHER SHELTERS, AS WE HAVE ALL SEEN IN RECENT YEARS, WE'RE LIVING IN INCREASINGLY UNPRECEDENTED TIMES METEOROLOGICALLY SPEAKING. AND I BELIEVE WE CANNOT ACT AS THOUGH SANCTUARY IN THIS TIME WHERE WE WERE FACING A HEAT WAVE OFTEN ON THE SCENE BY EVEN TEXTING, [00:25:01] UH, WHILE WE'VE BEEN AT REGULAR RISK OF LOSING POWER THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO, UM, OVERWHELMINGLY FUND SOMETHING THAT IS TAKING AWAY RESOURCES FROM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. UM, IT'S SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIST UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO US RECENTLY, UM, WITHOUT THE RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THE BUDGET AND TO BE, AND OBVIOUSLY MANY OTHERS ON THE CALL, UH, FULLY FUNDING THIS, UH, PROPOSED BUDGET IS THE VERY LEAST THAT COULD BE DONE. AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD MAKE SENSE GIVEN RECENT THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED AND MOVES TOWARDS MAKING OUR CITY A SANCTUARY FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN AUSTIN, BUT ALSO PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN TEXAS AS A WHOLE AND LEADING THE MOVEMENT FORWARD TOWARDS A NEW WAY OF THINKING ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US PROVIDE THOSE RESOURCES TO THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK AND CONTINUING TO FUND, UH, SUGGEST THAT FUNDING THE POLICE ASTRONOMICALLY OVER INVESTING IN THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO INJURE OUR POPULATION. THANK YOU. I YIELD GOOD REST OF MY TIME, RYAN PAWLAK UH, THANK YOU, COUNSEL. AND THERE, THIS IS RYAN POLICH. I'M A MEMBER OF IBW LOCAL FIVE 20 AND THE AUSTIN CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL. UH, PARTICULARLY SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHO'VE WORKED IT FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND OUR EMS SERVICES. I IMPLORE YOU TO INCREASE FUNDING IN OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS IN FOR EMS. UH, I'VE BEEN A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF THE CITY, 15 YEARS NOW. I WOULD REALLY PREFER TO BE ABLE TO GET EMERGENCY SERVICES WHEN I NEED THEM, OR IF MY NEIGHBORS NEED THEM, RATHER THAN US INVESTING IN A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM THAT IS PROVEN NOT TO WORK AND WILL ALSO BE USED TO, UH, LIKELY, UH, HUNT DOWN, UM, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO GET AN ABORTION AS THIS HAS BEEN OUTLAWED IN THE STATE. NOW, EVEN THOUGH WE'VE DECRIMINALIZED IT HERE IN AUSTIN, TO GET EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS, UH, THE IMPLICATIONS OF, OF SUCH A SYSTEM THAT THE LAST THING WE WANT HERE IS INCREASED SURVEILLANCE AND LESS PRIVACY. NOBODY IN AUSTIN WANTS THAT. UM, ALSO INCREASING FUNDING FOR THE POLICE WHEN WE ALREADY KNOW THE STATE HAS, HAS BARRED US FROM EVER DECREASING ANY FUNDING THAT THEY DO GET TO INVEST SO MUCH MONEY IN A PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE IS JUST LUDICROUS. NOBODY WANTS US IF THEY, IF THEY WANT TO BETTER THEIR PUBLIC RELATIONS, THEY COULD TRY BEING HELPFUL, BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. SO THIS IS A TERRIBLE INVESTMENT OF OUR MONEY OF OUR FUNDS. THAT COULD BE BETTER USED TO ACTUALLY INCREASE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AROUND HERE, INCREASE OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY IN REAL PROVEN WAYS. UM, SO I IMPLORE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT AND TO BE ABLE TO, UH, INCREASE FUNDING FOR EMS FOR THE CITY, BECAUSE WE'RE IN DIRE NEED AND WE'RE LOSING EMPLOYEES. AND FOR BASIC CITY SERVICES, I WOULD RATHER NOT LIVE IN A POLICE STATE. I WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE THAT IS ENJOYABLE AND THAT IS THRIVING WHERE I CAN GET, YOU KNOW, BASIC SERVICES AND WHERE WE CAN ALL HAVE NICE THINGS. UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I YIELD MY TIME, CLIFF CAPLIN. HI, MY NAME IS CLIFF KAPLAN. UH, I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT FIVE FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS. UM, I'M ALSO CALLING IN SUPPORT OF, UH, OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. UM, I THINK THE COUNCIL HAS TAKEN A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT IT NEEDS TO DO A LOT MORE, UM, UH, YOU KNOW, THE FUTURE OF THE CITY REALLY DEPENDS ON IN, UM, KEEPING IT A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL INCOME LEVELS THAN ALREADY. UM, AND , UH, INVESTMENT IN THE RESOURCES AND SERVICES THAT PEOPLE IN THIS CITY NEEDS AS A MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT IN REALLY WELL, UM, OUTLINED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. AND, UM, I THINK THAT THE CITY GOVERNMENT, UM, OH, THE DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO ALL OF THE WORK THAT THE COALITION BEHIND THE BUDGET, UM, HAS PUT INTO TO COME TO THAT GOAL. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. AND, UH, AND I HOPE THAT THE SEA WILL STRETCH A LOT FURTHER. AND THEN BETH, [00:30:01] JUST THE 6% OF THE OVERALL BUDGET, UM, THAT IS PROPOSED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. THANK YOU, BEVERLY LASER. YES. HI, MY NAME IS BEVERLY ZAR AND I REPRESENT DISTRICT EIGHT AND THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION. UH, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO BEGIN BY SAYING THAT WE ARE OVERPAYING APD AND WE NEED TO MINIMIZE THEIR BUDGET. WE'RE ASKED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INROADS AND FUNDING SERVICES THAT SUPPORT ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND CREATE GREATER EQUITY IN OUR CITY. WE BELIEVE WITH YOUR HELP. YES, WE CAN. THANKS TO A UNIFIED EFFORT OF MONEY ORGANIZING AND ADDED ADVOCACY GROUPS IN THE CITY, 10,023 CITY OF AUSTIN DRAFT PROPOSAL BUDGET RELEASED RECENTLY IS A GOOD BEGINNING. THAT MEANS THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY'S NEEDS BY INCLUDING A NUMBER OF INVESTMENTS IN BASIC CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE AREAS, INCLUDING RENTAL ASSISTANCE, RIGHT? THE COUNCIL IN CLIMATE WEATHER, SHELTER, YOUTH HOMELESSNESS SERVICES AND MOBILITY, MANY OF WHICH ARE FIRST TIME ALLOCATIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROPOSED BUDGET ALLOCATIONS FELL FAR SHORT OF THE TRUE SCALE OF THE COMMUNITIES CORE NEEDS. IN MANY OF THESE KEY AREAS, THE FUNDING NEEDS TO BE MADE MUCH HIGHER TO ADDRESS THE SCARE OF OUR CITIES STEEP CHALLENGES. IF WE ARE TO MITIGATE SPENDING TO INCREASE WAGES FOR THE LOWEST PAID WORKERS, 35 EMS AND OUR PARAMEDICS HELP PEOPLE AT RISK OF EVICTION ADDRESS, GUN VIOLENCE AND THE RISING OPIOID DEATHS CRISIS, WE NEED TO REBALANCE OUR BUDGET IN FAVOR OF ALL OUR COMMUNITIES. I EMPLOY YOU TO PASS A BUDGET THAT KEEPS STRUGGLING FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES AS RENT SKYROCKET, AND LIFT WAGES FOR OUR LOWEST PAID WORKERS. THANK YOU ARE YOU OF MY TIME? HI, THIS IS MEGAN DAY. I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT KEN, AND I'M ALSO CALLING IN TODAY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. UM, AS MANY OF MY FELLOW AUSTINITES HAS MENTIONED, THIS BUDGET REALLY PROVIDES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SERVICES THAT OUR COMMUNITY DESPERATELY NEEDS AND WOULD NOT GO TOWARDS FUNDING THINGS THAT WOULD ACTUALLY HARM OUR COMMUNITY. UH, FOR INSTANCE, THIS BUDGET HAS EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND EVICTION PREVENTION, AS WE'VE ALL SEEN RENT SKYROCKETING IN OUR CITY. UM, AND THAT ESPECIALLY HURTS BLACK AND BROWN INDIVIDUALS IN OUR CITY. UM, HOUSING IS THE FOUNDATION FOR FAMILY SECURITY AND SAFETY, AND WE'VE SEEN A MAJOR UPTICK IN, UM, UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS IN OUR CITY. SO WE REALLY DO NEED THIS PROTECTION RELATED TO THAT CRISIS. WE DO NEED INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTERING. OUR CITY HAS SEEN SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS. THIS PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAS BEEN, UH, SKYROCKETING TEMPERATURES AND WE'VE HAD SEVERE FREEZES. UM, THIS REALLY HARMS, ESPECIALLY OUR UNHOUSED PEOPLE AND NEIGHBORS AND OUR COMMUNITY. UM, IN ADDITION, THIS BUDGET PROVIDES SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS. UM, I AM A LAW STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SPECIALIZING IN IMMIGRATION LAW. AND SINCE IMMIGRATION IS OFTEN CONSIDERED CIVIL PEOPLE, DON'T ALWAYS GET THE REPRESENTATION THAT THEY DESPERATELY NEED, WHICH DENIES OUR FELLOW OFF NIGHTS DUE PROCESS RIGHTS THAT THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE. SO THIS BUDGET PROVIDES IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME IMMIGRANTS IN OUR CITY SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE REPRESENTATION WHEN SEEKING DEPORTATION PROTECTIONS. UM, THIS BUDGET ALSO PROVIDES, UH, ABORTION SUPPORTS. UM, I'M A WOMAN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE AND I NOW HAVE FEWER RIGHTS THAN MY SISTER IN NEW YORK. I HAVE FEWER RIGHTS THAN MY MOTHER HAD AT MY AGE. I HAVE YOUR RIGHTS. AND MY GRANDMOTHER HAD, UM, AT MY AGE AND I FEEL THAT THIS BUDGET CLEARLY DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH TO GIVING ME THOSE RIGHTS BACK, BUT IT AT LEAST DOES SOMETHING TO ALLEVIATE THIS TERRIBLE TRAVESTY THAT WOMEN AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO GIVE BIRTH ARE FACING TODAY. THESE FUNDS WILL HELP PEOPLE, UH, WITH TRAVEL COSTS, REIMBURSEMENTS, UM, AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED TO IN ORDER TO GET THE HEALTHCARE THAT WE DESERVE. UM, IN ADDITION, I AM BORE US NOT TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDING TOWARDS THE SURVEILLANCE STATES, AS [00:35:01] I THINK SOME FELLOW AUSTINITES HAVE MENTIONED ON THIS CALL THAT, UH, INCREASING SURVEILLANCE BUDGETS WOULD SEVERELY HARM THOSE OF US WHO ARE OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE AND ARE SEEKING HEALTHCARE. UM, SO I IMPLORE YOU ALL TO CONSIDER THIS COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND IT HAS HAD, UM, SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT FROM VARIOUS COALITIONS ACROSS THE CITY AND HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE IN OUR CITY. SO THANK YOU. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, JASON. FRITCH GOOD MORNING. UH, MY NAME IS JASON. I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN. I'M A NATIVE TEXAN AND HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF AUSTIN FOR ALMOST A DECADE NOW, UH, IT'S NO SECRET THAT OUR CITY'S GROWING. IT'S ALSO NO SECRET THAT THE COST OF LIVING HAS GONE UP AS WELL AS TEXANS AND AS AUSTINITES, WE SHOULD REALLY, UH, STRIVE TO LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER. THE CITY HAS SHOWN THAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF DOING THAT BY ALLOCATING $1 MILLION FOR THE CREATION OF TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER. I'M ASKING THAT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK OUT FOR AUSTINITES BY ALLOCATING THE FULL $75 MILLION ASKED FOR BY MORE THAN 30 COMMUNITY ADVOCACY GROUPS. WHEN YOU THINK OF THE PHRASE, LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER, FIRST RESPONDERS MAY COME TO MIND, ARE CITIES, EMS, EPITOMIZE LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER. AND WE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR EMS BY GIVING THEM THE PAY INCREASE THEY DESERVE. WE'VE GOT VACANT EMS POSITIONS THAT NEED TO BE FILLED BY INCREASING EMS WAGES. WE'LL BE TAKING CARE OF OUR EMS FOLKS AND HOPEFULLY FILLING THOSE VACANCIES WITH THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES. WE SHOULD ALSO LOOK OUT FOR OUR CITY EMPLOYEES SO WE CAN DO SO BY INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 22 AN HOUR. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY. HE BRINGS HOME ALMOST $23 AN HOUR AND IS PAID EVERY TWO WEEKS, WHICH IS LIKE TWO TIMES A MONTH. ALMOST ALL OF, ONE OF THOSE CHECKS IS SPENT ON RENTING A ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT UP OFF FARMER, EAST OF 35. HE PRETTY MUCH DEPENDS ON OVERTIME TO GET BY. UH, IF THIS WAS MY FRIEND'S LIFE, IT ALMOST 23 AN HOUR. IMAGINE THOSE THAT ARE PAID LESS. WE NEED TO BUMP UP THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES TO $22 AN HOUR, AND WE NEED TO FULLY FUND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. CIAO, PALO CONLEY. HELLO. UM, UH, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M THE ORGANIZING DIRECTOR AT THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, BUT ALSO CALLING YOU TODAY IN MY CAPACITY AS CO-CHAIR FOR THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF THE AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO A LETTER THAT WE SENT YOU ON THE 14TH OF JULY, UM, WHICH IN MANY WAYS, REITERATED CONCERNS AND REQUESTS THAT WE RAISED IN THE LETTER SENT TO YOU IN FEBRUARY. UM, IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS LETTER, PLEASE SEARCH YOUR INBOXES FOR IT. I WON'T BE ABLE TO READ THE ENTIRE LETTER, BUT IT IS ABOUT THE URGENT NEED FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER AND OUR SYSTEM. AND I WILL READ SOME OF THE KEY POINTS THAT WE MAKE IN THIS LETTER. THIS YEAR'S BUDGET CYCLE OFFERS A KEY OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION AND ADDRESS A NUMBER OF THE SYSTEMIC GAPS THAT WE HAVE THE NEED FOR IMPROVED RESPONSE. OPERATIONS TO INCLEMENT WEATHER HAS LED US TO FORM A WORKING GROUP, TO EVALUATE OUR CURRENT SYSTEMS AND GATHER INPUT FROM THOSE CLOSEST TO THE GROUND. IN TIMES OF CRISIS, AS FRONTLINE VOLUNTEERS, OUTREACH AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS, EXPERIENTIAL EXPERTS, AND STAKEHOLDER GROUPS REPRESENTING A WIDE AUSTIN CONSTITUENCY. WE URGE YOU TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS WITH INTENTION AND FORESIGHT TO SAVE LIVES. THIS COMING WINTER, AND THIS ALSO APPLIES TO EXTREME HEAT IN SUMMER. UM, ONE INSURED, TRULY ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER IN LINE WITH THE REQUESTS AND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. WE URGE YOU TO COMMIT NO LESS THAN $3 MILLION TOWARDS INCLEMENT WEATHER RESPONSE AND SHELTER. THIS MUST BE TREATED AS A BUDGET PRIORITY TO PREVENT FURTHER UNNECESSARY, TRAGIC DEATHS AMONG OUR UNSHELTERED NEIGHBORS MOVE TOWARD A CALENDAR BASED RESPONSE TO COLD WEATHER SHELTER INCREASE THE QUALITY OF SHELTER ACCESS AND AVAILABLE SHELTERS CREATE PAID, CREATE PAID POSITIONS FOR STAFF TO ADEQUATELY OPERATE, COORDINATE AND MANAGE SHELTERING SITES PROVIDE CULTURALLY COMPETENT TRAINING INFORMED BY LIVED EXPERTISE FOR ALL SHELTER STAFF ON CRISIS RESPONSE DEESCALATION, AND ANTI-RACISM ADA COMPLIANCE AND HARM REDUCTION. BEST PRACTICES CREATE A PLAN THAT SUPPORTS AND COORDINATES WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND GRASSROOTS OUTREACH EFFORTS AND ADEQUATELY PROVIDE SHELTER SITES WITH MEALS, DRINKING, WATER, HYGIENE, HARM REDUCTION, [00:40:01] AND FIRST AID SUPPLIES. I WON'T READ THE REST OF THIS LETTER, BUT I WILL NOTE THAT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS OF 2021 AND 2022, THE BURDEN OF RESCUING, SUPPORTING, AND CARING FOR THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF UNSHELTERED AUSTINITES FELL LARGELY UPON THE SHOULDERS OF VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WHO BRAVED SNOW AND RAIN OPENED THEIR CARS, HOMES, AND BANK ACCOUNTS. IN ORDER TO COVER FOR THE GAPS CREATED BY A SYSTEM NOT ADEQUATELY DESIGNED OR FUNDED TO WITHSTAND THE STRESSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE. WE ARE IN SUPPORT AND IN SOLIDARITY WITH ALL THE GROUPS, SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WE SUPPORT THE FULL APP FOR THE $74 MILLION. AND WE ALSO REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE THIS LETTER SERIOUSLY AND, AND, AND ASK THE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ASKED ABOUT THE PROPOSED CURRENT FUNDING AND THE PROPOSED BASELINE BUDGET. UM, THE FUNDING DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH. IT DOES NOT MEET THE REQUESTS AND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET ACT. AND THERE IS A SERIOUS LACK OF CLARITY ABOUT WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED RIGHT NOW. IT SAYS FOR THE EXTENSION OF TWO CONTRACTS FOR COLD WEATHER SHELTER, WE'RE NOT SURE WHO THOSE CONTRACTS WILL GO TO. AND WE'RE NOT SURE THAT ANY OF WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY THIS NEED. MOVING ON TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS. FIRST IS ALEXANDER FULTON ON DECK CHA CHASSE MORE PERFECT COUNSEL AND MEMBERS. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. LET ME, UH, TAKE THE TIME TO TALK TO Y'ALL REAL QUICK. UM, I'M IN DISTRICT SEVEN REPRESENTATIVE POOL I'M IN OUR DISTRICT. I'VE TRIED TO CALL YOU COUNTLESS TIMES IN YOUR OFFICE. YOUR PHONE IS CONTINUOUSLY GOING TO VOICEMAIL, OR IT GETS ME AN AUTOMATED MACHINE THAT CAN ACTUALLY CONTACT REDIRECTS YOU BACK TO PEOPLE IN THE CITY. UM, WHICH BASICALLY PUTS ME ON A CONTINUOUS LOOP. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES. PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN HERE FOR DECADES. HERE'S HERE ARE THE ORIGINAL AUSTINITES, THERE'LL BE IN CHASED OUT OF THE CITY BECAUSE OF PROPERTY TAXES. THERE'S NOTHING THAT I'VE READ IN THIS BUDGET THAT SHOWS ME THAT Y'ALL ARE DEDICATED TO ACTUALLY SAVING THE CITY, THE CULTURE AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF PEOPLE, NOT BASED ON COLOR, CREED IDEOLOGY, BUT YOU'RE CHASING THEM OUT OF THE CITY. THEY'RE GOING INTO THE SUBURBS AND IN TURN, LOSING THAT REVENUE IN THE CITY, I ASK THAT Y'ALL LOOK DEEPLY INTO THE PROPERTY TAX AND FIND WAYS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RELIEF. MY FIANCE AND I HAVE LIVED IN OUR HOME IN AUSTIN, OUR FIRST HOUSE. WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY, BUT EVERY YEAR NOW WE CRINGE WHEN WE SEE OUR PROPERTY TAX BILL, AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS THAT ADDITIONALLY, WE GET THE APPRAISAL FOR OUR HOME, WHICH ALSO NEEDS TO BE FIXED GOING INTO THE PROPERTY TAX AND THE WHOLE, AND THE APPRAISERS ARE PUTTING DIFFERENT ELEMENTS INTO OUR HOME. THAT QUITE FRANKLY DO NOT EXIST. ACCORDING TO THE CITY APPRAISER, I HAVE A FIREPLACE IN MY HOME. I WISH I DID WHEN THE POWER WENT OUT 2020, THAT HAD BEEN GREAT. 20, 21. I APOLOGIZE THAT HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS. BUT I DO ASK THAT Y'ALL SERIOUSLY LOOK INTO THIS. AND IF YOU DO WANT TO EXPAND THE PROPERTY TAX PARAMETERS, PUT IT TO A VOTE TO THE PEOPLE, WHAT THE STATE ALLOWS YOU TO DO. AND I FEEL THAT EVERY TIME THE NEW BUDGET ROLLS OUT IN THE CITY, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE PUTTING IT JUST UNDER THE CAP, JUST ENOUGH TO SLIDE OUT OF THE RUG AND HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE DON'T IDENTIFY AND REALIZE. SO I ASKED YOU FOR THE 2022 AND 23, RAISE IT ABOVE 3.5, 3.7% AND PUT IT TO A VOTE TO THE PEOPLE. LET'S SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN ACTUALLY WHAT THEY THINK AND IF IT PASSES. SO BE IT PUT IT IN PLACE. BUT I DO IMPLORE YOU ALL TO TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY BECAUSE YOU'RE CHASING PEOPLE THAT MADE THIS CITY SO GREAT AND SO AWESOME. AND A REASON WHY PEOPLE OF MY AGE, I'VE TRAVELED ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO LIVE HERE, ARE MOVING OUT OF THE CITY AND GOING TO DIFFERENT AREAS. AND I KNOW YOU ALL KNOW THIS, BUT WHEN YOU LOSE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY, YOU'LL LOSE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR, SIR, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. YOU COMING DOWN. I THINK THAT ONE OF THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF [00:45:01] THE BUDGET THAT WAS PROPOSED BY THE CITY MANAGER HERE IS THAT IN THIS YEAR'S PROPOSAL, THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAXES TO BE PAID BY THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER IN THIS CITY GOES DOWN BY ALMOST A HUNDRED DOLLARS. UH, SO PLEASE TAKE A, TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, THAT, AND I DID LOOK INTO THAT AND IT MAKES SENSE. AND I'M SEEING THAT, AND I'M SEEING THAT Y'ALL ARE MAKING A CONSCIOUS EFFORTS, UM, TO DO THAT. I JUST WOULD, WOULD, I WOULD LIKE TO IN A PERFECT WORLD TO DO THIS, GO TO A VOTE TO THE PEOPLE AND LET US HAVE OUR VOICE BE HEARD. I DON'T, I JUST, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TAXATION AND NOT GETTING WHAT WE, THE PEOPLE ACTUALLY NEED OUT OF THIS CITY. UM, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THAT, MR. MAYOR. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. YES, SIR. CAN YOU, UM, REPEAT YOUR NAMES SO I CAN ALEX ALEXANDER FULTON. OKAY, GREAT. MR. FULTON. THANKS. MY STAFF WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU. I'M PRETTY SURE WE HAVEN'T HEARD YOUR MESSAGES, BUT WE'LL GIVE YOU, I CAN'T ACTUALLY LEAVE A MESSAGE ON YOUR RECORDING. UM, IT LOOPS YOU BACK WHEN YOU HIT OTHER OPTIONS TO TALK, IT LOOPS YOU BACK INTO THE FOLD AND AT TIMES YOU OUT. SO I CAN ACTUALLY LEAVE YOU A MESSAGE. AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THAT SIR IS, IS BECAUSE OF A PANDEMIC AND NOT BEING IN THE OPPOSITE AT ANY RATE YOU'RE HERE TODAY. AND MY TEAM WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU. ALISON, I WANT TO AFFILIATE WITH ON HOW THE, UH, THE APPRAISALS ARE DONE ON YOUR HOME. IT IS NOT A FUNCTION OF THIS BODY OR THE CITY OF AUSTIN. IT'S AN INDEPENDENT BOARD, BUT IF THERE ARE INCONSISTENCIES WITH HOW YOUR HOME IS BEING DESCRIBED, WE CAN CONNECT YOU UP WITH THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR AND ALSO WITH THE TRAVIS COUNTY CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT SO THAT YOU CAN GET THOSE, UH, FEATURES CORRECTED. YES, MA'AM. AND WE'LL, WE'LL, WE'LL TRY TO GIVE YOU A HAND, MR. COLTON TO TALKING TO YOU. AND ALSO IF YOU EVER WANT TO SEND AN EMAIL, ALL OF US ARE FIRST NAME DOT LAST NAME AT AUSTIN, TEXAS. I'LL SPELLED OUT.GOV. EMAIL IS A REALLY GREAT WAY TO BE IN TOUCH WITH ALL OF US HERE BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES WITH THE PHONE SYSTEMS AND SO FORTH. YES MA'AM. I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. CHAZ MOORE ON DECK COPS GOT KATHY MITCHELL AND WE DON'T SEE HIM YET. UH, SO GO AHEAD AND SCOTT, SO MY NAME IS SCOTT COP. OREGON'S A LIFEGUARD. UM, I JUST WANTED TO LET Y'ALL KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL ACTUALLY EXAMINE THE BUDGET CLOSELY, BUT, UH, IF IT'S PASSED, AS IT IS WRITTEN NOW, LIFEGUARDS NEXT SUMMER WILL ACTUALLY EARN LESS MONEY THAN WE EARNED THIS SUMMER. THIS SUMMER, THIS STARTING PAY WAS $16 AN HOUR. PLUS WE GOT BONUSES THAT HAVE MATTERED TO FOR THE MOST LIFE GUARDS AT THE HOUSING DOLLARS FOR ONES WITH ENHANCED CERTIFICATIONS AND EXTRA 250. SO IT WAS 16 PLUS 1000, YOU GET THAT 1000. IF YOU WORK OVER 10 WEEKS, WHICH COMES OUT TO $2 AND 50 CENTS EXTRA OVER THAT 10 WEEKS, JUNE 6TH, AUGUST 14TH. SO, UH, STARTING LIFE GUARD THIS SUMMER MADE 16 PLUS 2 50 18 50 NEXT SUMMER. IT'S A STARTING LIVING WAGES 18. THEY GET A CUT OF 50 CENTS. THAT'S NOT GOING TO HELP RECRUIT ALL THE LIFEGUARDS THAT WE NEED TO OPEN ALL THE POOLS RIGHT NOW, 39% OF THE POOLS REMAINED CLOSED. JULY 4TH, 49% OF THE POOLS WERE CLOSED. AND SO I URGE YOU TO RAISE THE LIVING WAGE HIGHER THAN $18. AND IF YOU DON'T RAISE IT TO 22, WHICH IT SHOULD, THEN YOU ALSO NEED TO REINSTATE THE BONUSES THAT WERE IN EFFECT THIS YEAR, THE 500 FOR STARTING JUNE SIX, 500 IN THE SUMMER, TWO 50 FOR OPEN WATER LIFEGUARDS AND OTHER ENHANCED CERTIFICATIONS. OTHERWISE WE FACE A PAY CUT. AND I DON'T THINK THE PURPOSE OF RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 18 IS TO HAVE LIFEGUARDS GET LESS MONEY NEXT SUMMER THAN THEY DO THIS SUMMER. SO ALSO IN THE BUDGET, THERE ARE FOUR POSITIONS BUDGETED FOR FULL-TIME LIFEGUARDS. UH, THAT NEEDS TO BE RAISED SIGNIFICANTLY. YOU ACTUALLY NEED BETWEEN 20 AND 30. UM, ONE REASON WHY BARTON SPRINGS WAS CLOSED FOR MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS FOR TWO MONTHS, JUST BECAUSE WHILE WE HAD 26 WINTER LIFEGUARDS ON A STAFF, MOST OF THEM WERE IN SCHOOL [00:50:01] OR HAVING REDUCED AVAILABILITY ONLY ABOUT FIVE TO EIGHT AT FULL AVAILABILITY. AND WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE FIVE TO EIGHT PEOPLE, YOU CANNOT OPERATE BARTON SPRINGS. AND IT HAD TO CLOSE FOR TWO MONTHS ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS. SO THAT NEEDS TO BE RAISED FROM FOUR UP 20 TO 30 WOULD BE IDEAL, BUT IT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE MORE THAN FOUR. AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALSO RAISE THE LIVING WAGE OR REINSTATE THE BONUSES FOR NEXT YEAR. UM, ALSO I THINK YOU SHOULD, UM, REINSTATE THE COVID EMERGENCY RELIEF. MY FATHER RIGHT NOW HAS, COVID ALMOST EVERYONE HERE IN THIS ROOM IS WEARING A MASK. AND I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO TAKE AWAY THE HEALTH INSURANCE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHOSE HOURS WERE REDUCED BECAUSE OF THE CLOSURE OF THE POLES. AND COVID. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, KATHY MITCHELL ON DECK SARAH CHILD MIRA. IF I MAY, I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE SPEAKER. I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE SPEAKER FOR SHARING THAT DETAIL ABOUT HOW THE, HOW THE PROPOSAL COULD IMPACT LIFEGUARD WAGES BASED ON THIS YEAR'S AND JUST ASK THE CITY MANAGER, UM, IF YOU WOULD CONFIRM, IF YOU WOULD CONFIRM THOSE NUMBERS, WE WILL DO THAT. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND, AND WHILE KATHY IS SETTING UP, UM, PERHAPS WE COULD TREAT THAT AS A BUDGET QUESTION AND PUT IT INTO THE BUDGET Q AND A, SO THAT IT'S PART OF THAT PORTAL. OKAY. HI, I'M KATHY MITCHELL. UH, YOU ALL HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, SO I'M GOING TO KEEP MY COMMENTS VERY BRIEF AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A COPY OF IT. UM, WE BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST STEPS TAKEN BY THE CITY MANAGER IN THE BASELINE BUDGET WERE EXCELLENT. WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO SEE A MOVE TO FUND, UH, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN THIS VERY URGENT TIME. UM, WE ARE HAPPY TO SEE A NUMBER OF THE OTHER INVESTMENTS. WE'RE STILL PARSING HOW THE PARKS STUFF SORT OF MATCHES UP WITH THE COALITION PRIORITIES, UH, BUT ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A GOOD FIRST STEP. WHAT I WANT TO ADD TO THAT IS THAT THE GROUPS THAT GOT TOGETHER INCLUDED HOUSERS AND PARKS AND, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL SERVICES AND ALL THE DIFFERENT FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH, YOU KNOW, AN INTEREST IN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE BOARD. UH, WHAT WE HAD TO DO WAS DISCIPLINE OURSELVES TO TAKE WHAT WE SAW AS THE REAL NEED. SO IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UH, EXPERTS IN HOUSING AND POP, YOU KNOW, WE NEED A CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF RISING RENTS AND BECAUSE OF THE WAVE OF EVICTIONS, UH, UH, AFTER CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION, WE GOT THAT NUMBER DOWN TO 12 MILLION, AND THAT WAS INTENTIONALLY PUT FORWARD AS A NUMBER THAT IS BOTH MEANINGFUL AND DOABLE. SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THE 5 MILLION PUT INTO THAT FROM THE CITY MANAGER'S BASELINE BUDGET, BUT WE URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE 12 MILLION TO BE A FLOOR. THAT IS HOW WE ARRIVED AT IT. AND AFTER CONSIDERABLE WORK, HOW WE KIND OF CAME AS A COALITION TOGETHER TO AGREE THAT THAT WOULD BE MEANINGFUL ENOUGH AND WOULD HELP ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT IF WE DID THAT, IT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT. AND SO WE ASK YOU TO MAKE THESE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS TO FULLY FUND THIS, UM, THIS PROPOSAL. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT, UH, IT ISN'T AS HARD. WE BELIEVE IT'S NOT AS HARD AS IT LOOKS. UM, THE MONEY TO FULLY FUND EMS IS ASK, AND OUR PROPOSAL REFLECTS EMS IS FULL REQUEST FOR INCREASES FOR WAGE INCREASES. UH, THE MONEY TO DO THAT OF COURSE, IS IN THE SET ASIDE, NOBODY KNOWS HOW MUCH IS SET ASIDE FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY CONTRACTS, BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT GIVEN THAT EMS IS THE LOWEST PAID AND SMALLEST OF THE AGENCIES, THAT THERE IS MONEY IN THAT BUCKET TO FULLY FUND THEIR ASK. AND WE REALLY HOPE THAT YOU DO THAT. IF YOU KIND OF SET THAT ASIDE, THEN THE REMAINING MONEY AFTER THE CITY MANAGER'S INITIAL INVESTMENT [00:55:01] IS REALLY ONLY ABOUT 32 MILLION IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS. SO WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL SEARCH DEEPLY AND HARD AND IDENTIFY THAT MONEY. THANK YOU, SARAH CHILD ON DECK, JOEY CHUNG. GOOD MORNING. I HOPE YOU'RE ALL DOING WELL. MY NAME IS SARAH CHILDS AND I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. MY ENTIRE LIFE I'VE LIVED IN THE AUSTIN AREA AND I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE RENTAL ASSISTANCE. AND I'M ALSO HERE TO CONGRATULATE THE MILLION DOLLARS FUNDED TO THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER PERSONALLY. UH, I KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFE. TRAUMA IS A REOCCURRING THING. PEOPLE WHO, UH, FACE TRAUMA AS ADOLESCENTS GO ON TO TYPICALLY GO ON TO BE REVICTIMIZED TYPICALLY. SO HAVING THAT TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER IS A GREAT PLACE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO NOT GO THROUGH ANY MORE PAIN, UH, THIS NOT ONLY WILL THIS HELP THEM PERSONALLY, BUT IT'LL HELP THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES AND HELP THEM BE SOMEONE WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY, UH, AND WHO WILL NOT HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THEIR TRAUMA. UM, ANOTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS THE $5 MILLION TOWARDS RENTAL ASSISTANCE. UH, IT RENT AND UTILITIES HAVE BEEN A STRUGGLE IN MY FAMILY. UH, IT IS UNFORTUNATE TO SAY, BUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, I DO NOT THINK MY FAMILY WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN LIVING IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN. UH, MY SISTER UNFORTUNATELY, HAD TO MOVE OUT OF HER APARTMENT WHEN A STORM YURI HIT BECAUSE IT CAUSED BLACK MOLD AND ALSO IT, UH, W THEY WOULD NOT FIX HER APARTMENT. AND SHE HAD TO RELOCATE, WHICH WAS $200 EXTRA IN RENT. AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, THIS PAST MONTH, HER, UH, APARTMENTS TOLD HER THAT HER RENT WOULD BE INCREASED BY $400. AND SHE JUST HAD A KID ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO. AND ALTHOUGH SHE DID, UH, UH, ANTICIPATE RENTAL INCREASE, SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THIS INTO OUR BUDGET. UM, I KNOW THAT Y'ALL CARE ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITIES. YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE IF YOU DIDN'T. AND SO I URGE YOU TO PLEASE SEEK OUT MORE FUNDING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. UM, I THINK THAT WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING IS GREAT. I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT YOU CARE AND, UH, NOT ONLY SHOULD WE PUT MORE MONEY TOWARDS RENTAL ASSISTANCE, BUT ALSO TOWARDS, UH, CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCY. AS I SAID, MY SISTER'S APARTMENT WAS DEVASTATED AFTER STORM YURI HIT. AND AS WE KNOW OF CLIMATE CHANGE, THESE ADVERSE WEATHER EVENTS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. I THINK WE'VE SEEN IT WITH THE INCREASING HEAT, UM, AND, UH, OR THE INCREASE IN COLD. UM, SO THE $1.2 MILLION TO SUPPORT TWO ADDITIONAL SHELTER OPERATIONS IS GREAT. UH, I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANOTHER SHELTER. UM, I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE 2.2 MILLION TO PROVIDE EIGHT NEW POSITIONS, UH, TOWARDS DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES TO IMPROVE CITY RESPONSES TO MAJOR CATASTROPHIC EVENTS WILL BE GREAT BECAUSE AS WE HEARD BEFORE, WHENEVER STORM YOU'RE HIT, MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WERE VOLUNTEERS. UH, AND SO WE NEED MORE OF A CITY RESPONSE TO HELP, UH, PEOPLE, UH, THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE IT, MAYOR. I JUST REALLY QUICKLY WANTED TO THINK SARAH FOR, FOR HER SERVICE, SARAH IS A SUMMER INTERN WITH OUR OFFICE THIS SUMMER, AND IS PART OF THE CITY'S YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAM, UH, WHERE THEY PLACE INTERNS THROUGHOUT OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS. AND SO I JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK SARAH FOR, FOR TESTIFYING AND FOR ALL OF THE HELP AND SUPPORT THAT SHE'S PROVIDED OUR OFFICE THIS SUMMER AND WISHING HER ALL THE BEST. SHE'S A INCOMING SENIOR AT CROCKETT HIGH SCHOOL AND WILL SERVE AS STUDENT BODY PRECEDENT. THANK YOU, SARAH. I'M HERE BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF AUSTIN'S ROLLER DERBY COMMUNITY. MY NAME IS JOKEY CHUNG, AND I'M A MEMBER OF AUSTIN ROLLER DERBY. WE HAVE LEAKS WITH 350 SKATERS FROM SEVEN YEARS OLD TO IN THEIR MID FIFTIES AND HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS, OFFICIALS, AND FANS. WE ARE SO FORTUNATE. THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A PUBLIC ROLLER DERBY TRACK FOR US WITH THIS RECORD BREAKING HEAT WAVE, THOUGH, WE ARE PRACTICING IN 105 DEGREE WEATHER, AND IT'S BECOME A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. I'M FEARFUL THAT WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, WEATHER WILL BE A REOCCURRING CONCERN YEAR ROUND, INCLUDING THE WINTER MONTHS WITH ONE LEAGUE RANKED SEVENTH AND ANOTHER RANKED 16TH IN THE WORLD. IF WE CANCELED PRACTICES FOR A COUPLE MONTHS DURING [01:00:01] THE SEASON, COMPETITIVE TOURNAMENTS WOULD BECOME DANGEROUS FOR OUR SKATERS. I CAME HERE BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. OUR TRACK IS IN DISTRICT FOUR. IT IS 10 BY 10 SQUARE FEET, OR 10 BY 10 FEET IS CONCRETE. AND IN FULL SUN, I'M ASKING THE CITY TO APPLY CAPITAL DOLLARS TO BUILD A SH SHADED STRUCTURE FOR THE OUTDOOR TRACK. WE'VE HAD SKATERS HASS OUT SUFFER FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION. I MYSELF HAVE VOMITED AT MORE PRACTICES THAN I CAN COUNT DURING THIS HEAT WAVE. OUR LONG-TERM GOAL IS AN INDOOR SPACE AS CLIMATE CHANGE MAKES EVEN SHADED OUTDOOR PRACTICE, DANGEROUS, THE PANDEMIC DECIMATED ROLLER DERBY. WE ARE TRYING TO REBUILD THE SPORT THAT WAS BORN RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND RESUME IT STATUS AS A POWERHOUSE IN THE WORLD. THANK YOU. UH, MAN, REAL QUICK IS Y'ALL PRACTICE SEPARATE TOMMY PARK AT THE OFF OF 51ST STREET. OKAY. YEAH, I'M A VERY FAMILIAR WITH, UH, THE, THE PARK AND THAT ATTRACT. AND, UH, LET'S SEE, WE CAN DO ABOUT A SHADE STRUCTURE, HONESTLY. UH, I MEAN, AT THIS POINT FOR OUR CITY PARKS TO BE USABLE FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED, UH, SHADE STRUCTURES, UH, AT THE PLAYGROUNDS AND YOU KNOW, THE DIFFERENT EVENTS. I KNOW THAT THE AT BARTHOLOMEW PARK, THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACTUALLY, UH, DID THE FUNDRAISING TO PUT UP THE SHADE STRUCTURES THAT ARE IN THE, UH, UH, ABOVE THE, THE, THE, THE PLAYGROUNDS THERE. UM, BUT, UH, BUT I APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION AND THE TESTIMONY AND LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. I PROMISE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO FUNDRAISE OUR IN OUR OWN, BUT IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL IF THE CITY COULD HELP. IT'S KIND OF HARD TO WATCH, LIKE SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SKATE IN THE HEAT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, ANDREW HORNIMANN ON DECK TINA MYERS. HI, I'M ANDREW HORNIMANN. TINA'S NOT HERE. OKAY. UH, SO MAYOR ADLER PRO-AM ATLER ISTEAM MEMBER COUNCILS OTHER THAN MY FIRST TIME. UH, MY NAME IS ANDREW HORNIMANN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR AND I'M GOING TO BE FRANK. UH, I AM MOSTLY DREAD TALKING TO ANYBODY WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY. UH, CAUSE I FIND LIKE 70 TO 80% OF THE TIME, LIKE PEOPLE ARE JUST LIKE UPTIGHT AND RUDE. AND THEN I LEARNED THAT LIKE MOST OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN THE CITY, LIKE THEY DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO EVEN LIKE, AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. AND SO IF I PUT MYSELF IN THEIR SHOES, I KIND OF WOULD BE RUDE TO LIKE I W UH, IT IS A HARD TO DO, DO YOUR JOB TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY WHEN YOU HAVE TO LIKE DRIVE OUTSIDE TO EVEN WORK FOR THE CITY. AND IT'S, UH, AND, AND ON TOP OF THAT, LIKE, LIKE THE PRICE IS HIGHER HERE. AND, AND IT'S LIKE, IF YOU HAVE TO, IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE AND THEN PAY FOR YOUR OWN FOOD AND THEN, AND THEN GO BACK TO YOUR OWN HOME, LIKE, I WOULD ONLY WORK ENOUGH NOT TO GET FIRED. AND, UH, AND THE SHOWS WHEN YOU GO TO LIKE THE SHOWS IN ANY GOVERNMENT, LIKE OFFICE, LIKE GO TO THE DMV, PEOPLE, THERE'S NOBODY HAPPY THERE. AND, UH, SO, SO WHAT I'M ASKING, AND I'M SO GLAD THAT I'M NOT LIKE DON'T EVEN NEED LIKE AN EMS WORKER. SO WHAT I'M ASKING IS THAT LIKE CITY WORKERS GET PAID THE MINIMUM OF $22 AN HOUR. SO THERE WOULD BE LIKE A POSITIVE IMPACT, CAUSE YOU CAN JUST FEEL IT HERE. AND, UH, AND I'M ALSO ASKING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL INCLUDE THE $75 MILLION IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, TINA MEYERS, THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS. THANK YOU. UH, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO, UH, UH, THANKS. HEY, SIGNED UP AND WAS NOT CALLED THAT BEING THE CASE. THEN WE'VE WORKED OUR WAY THROUGH OUR AGENDA HERE FOR TODAY. UH, THE NEXT TIME WE GET TOGETHER WILL BE TOMORROW FOR OUR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. SO HERE AT 1111, UH, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE [01:05:01] WHO PARTICIPATED BOTH BY PHONE AND, AND, AND HEAR CORRECTLY. SO YOU ALL TOMORROW * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.