Apr 04, 2023 Urban Transportation

[00:00:07]

TRANSPORTATION

[CALL TO ORDER]

IT'S APRIL, TUESDAY, APRIL 4TH AT 5:04 PM UM, I THINK WE HAVE A VERY FULL AGENDA TODAY, SO WE'RE GONNA TRY TO MOVE QUICKLY THROUGH OUR ITEMS. SO, UM, WE FIRST HAVE ON OUR LIST PUBLIC COMMUNICATION GENERAL.

THIS WOULD BE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SPEAKING ON AN ITEM THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY.

SO IF THERE'S ANYONE, I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS HERE.

UH, UM, SOME OF YOU MAY BE SIGNED TO SPEAK ON OUR, I THINK MANY OF YOU ON THE, ON THEIR FIRST ITEM, WHICH IS THE ZILKER PARK.

SO IF ANYONE IS HERE TO SPEAK, NOT ON ZILKER, PLEASE MAKE US AWARE OF THAT SO WE CAN CALL YOU NOW.

OKAY.

SCENE, SCENE.

NO ONE.

WE'LL MOVE TO, UM,

[1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Transportation Commission REGULAR MEETING on March 7th, 2022.]

UM, BOARD MEMBERS, YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT IN YOUR BACKUP, UH, PAPER OR EMAIL, UM, DEPENDING ON THAT.

UM, DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR THE MINUTES? UH, MOVE TO AMEND .

MOVE TO AMEND.

OKAY.

SO YOU'RE GONNA MOTION TO APPROVE WITH AN AMENDMENT.

YOU'RE GONNA MAKE AN AMENDMENT APPROVE WITH AN AMENDMENT.

OKAY.

COOL.

CAN YOU, CAN YOU LET US KNOW WHAT THAT AMENDMENT IS PLEASE? AND THAT'S THE ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ATX WALK BIKE ROLL RECOMMENDATION.

WE ACTUALLY PASSED A RESOLUTION, SO IT WASN'T JUST POSSIBLE THE ACTION.

WE DID TAKE ACTION.

OKAY.

SO HERE'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

SO YOU'VE MO YOU'VE MO MOTION, YOU'VE MOTION TO APPROVE.

I NEED A SECOND ON THAT.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? AND THEN WE'RE GONNA AMEND.

I'LL, I'LL SECOND THEN.

OKAY.

THANK YOU SAM.

UM, AND SO, UM, NOW YOU'RE GONNA MAKE YOUR MOTION TO AMEND.

OKAY.

ON, UH, ITEM FOUR.

OKAY.

TO REFLECT ITEM ITEM FOUR, TO REFLECT THE FACT THAT WE ACTUALLY PASSED A RESOLUTION AT THE LAST MEETING, NOT JUST TOOK ACTION.

I DON'T HAPPEN TO HAVE THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION.

I KNOW THAT CHRISTOPHER HAS IT, IT DOESN'T, AND THAT THE EXACT TEXT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE IN THE NOTES.

WE JUST NEED, I THINK IT IS GOOD TO REFLECT THAT WE MADE A RE A RESOLUTION ON THAT.

SO I WILL SECOND THAT AMENDMENT.

UM, SO WE SHOULD VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.

ALL THOSE WHO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

AYE, AYE.

AYE.

ANY NAYS OR ABSTENTIONS? ANY NAYS? OKAY, GREAT.

SO WE'VE NOW AMENDED THAT AND WE'RE COMING BACK TO THE BASE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE.

OKAY.

ANY OPPOSED? OKAY, I THINK WE'RE THERE.

CECILIA, WHAT WAS YOUR, I CAN'T SEE YOU.

CAN YOU, CAN YOU LET ME KNOW IF YOU'RE YES.

ON THAT IS, THAT'S OUR QUORUM.

YOU'RE ARE YOU YE YES.

ON BOTH.

SORRY, TAKING A MINUTE HERE FOR THE THING TO TUNE IN, BUT YES.

OKAY.

UH, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THAT HELPS US.

OKAY.

SO WE'RE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVING THOSE MINUTES WITH AS AMENDED.

OKAY.

AWESOME.

ALL RIGHT, SO THAT

[2. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to consider the Transportation and Mobility recommendations in the Draft Zilker Park Vision Plan. Presenter: Greg Montes, Parks and Recreation Departmen]

UM, CHRISTOPHER, DO WE, WE WANNA TAKE THE PU CITIZENS FIRST ON THIS ONE, PROBABLY.

YES.

I APOLOGIZE ON THE ZILKER PLAN.

YOU WANT ME TO TAKE THE CITIZEN COMMUNICATION FIRST? CORRECT.

I'VE GOT THAT IN CHARGE OF YOU.

COOL.

I'LL CALL THE PUBLIC.

I'LL CALL PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS NOW.

UM, FOR THE ZK PARK ITEM, I WILL CALL THOSE IN PERSON FIRST, AND THEN IF WE HAVE ANY OF THAT ARE VIRTUAL, I'LL CALL THEM.

PERFECT.

SO FIRST SPEAKER, UM, IF I COULD HAVE MIKE AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES, SIR.

YOU CAN SEE THAT ONE OF INDIAN ONE OF THOSE.

YES, SIR.

JUST PUSH THE BUTTON.

BUTTON.

THERE YOU GO.

GREETINGS, URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR, UH, TAKING OUR TESTIMONY TODAY.

I'M, UH, HERE AS A 50 PLUS USER OF ZER PARK, AS WELL AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE BARTON SPRINGS CONSERVANCY AND, UH, THE ADVOCACY CHAIR FOR FRIENDS OF BARTON SPRINGS POOL.

UH, REGARDING THE UTC PURPOSE THAT Y'ALL HAVE FOR TRANSPORTATION RELATED MATTERS, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT SOME OF THE VISION PLANS, ACCESSIBILITY, UH, PROVISIONS, WHICH, AND NOT MY UNDERSTANDING, AND IN OUR ORGANIZATION'S UNDERSTANDING WILL MAKE ZER PARK A MORE WELCOMING PLACE FOR ALL OF AUSTIN.

I DID TRY TO SHARE WITH YOU A SLIDE SHOW THAT MAYBE GOT TO YOUR INBOX, MAYBE YOU DIDN'T.

AND IF YOU WANT, I WILL TRY TO WALK THROUGH SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT WE ENJOYED SEEING IN THE VISION PLAN.

ONE IS, IT'S GOING TO SLIDE THREE THAT I SENT YOU.

IT'S GONNA INCLUDE FIVE NEW BIKE AND PED BRIDGES THAT WOULD PROVIDE MORE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACCESS TO THE

[00:05:01]

IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE AN IMPRESSIVE AND APPEALING NATURE OR LAND BRIDGE CROSSING OVER BARTON SPRINGS ROAD TO SAFELY CONNECT THE TWO PARKS PARTS OF THE PARK TOGETHER.

UH, IT INCLUDES AN EXTENSIVE TRAIL SYSTEM WITH ALMOST SEVEN MILES OF NEW TRANSPORTATION TRAILS IN ZER PARK.

MORE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES THERE.

THE SITE PLAN ALSO INCLUDES A ROBUST AND EXCITING TRANSIT PLAN.

UM, I THINK THERE WAS, UH, IMPROVEMENTS TO CAP METRO SERVICE INTERNAL CIRCULATORS, IMPROVED WALKING, MICRO MOBILITY AND BIKE CONNECTIONS, AND ALSO EXTERNAL SHUTTLE OPTIONS LISTED THERE.

IN FACT, SOME OF THE FOLKS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S THE REWILD FOLKS HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS WAS PROBABLY THE TRANSIT PIECE AT LEAST THEY THOUGHT WAS REALLY ROBUST AND EXCITING AND MAYBE EVEN IDEAL.

UM, IN SLIDE SEVEN AND EIGHT, UH, I DID WANNA POINT OUT ONE OF THE TRANSIT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PLAN WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ME, THE METRO RAPID ROUTE 8 0 3 IS IDENTIFIED AS A PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION OPTION FOR GETTING TO THE PARK, PARK ON A HIGH FREQUENCY BASIS.

AND THERE WERE SOME SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PLAN HAD MORE METRO BIKE DOCKS, MEDIUM TO HIGH COMFORT BIKE FACILITIES AND INTERNAL CIRCULATION OPTIONS TO KIND OF CONNECT THAT, THAT METRO 8 0 3 BUS INTO THE PARK AREA.

UM, IN ADDITION TO THE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS, THE PLAN PROVIDES 92 ACRES OF NEW ECOLOGICAL UPLIFT TO THE PARK.

THIS IS A BIG GREENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE PARK TO MAKE IT MORE SUSTAINABLE.

IT ALSO REDUCES IMPERVIOUS COVER BY NINE ACRES BY ROLLING BACK SOME OF THE SURFACE PARKING AREAS AROUND LNE ROAD, FOR EXAMPLE.

UM, IT ALSO ADDRESSES CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION BY IMPROVING THE CARBON CAPTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE PARK BY 28% OVER WHAT IS CURRENTLY THE SITUATION AT ZILKER.

UM, NOW HOW IS ALL THIS ECOLOGY POSSIBLE? UH, THE PLAN RECOMMENDS THAT THE, THE PARKING ARRANGEMENT THAT'S CURRENTLY KIND OF SCATTERED ALL OVER THE SURFACE PARKING BE CENTRALIZED AND CONSOLIDATED INTO ANYWHERE FROM ONE TO THREE PHASED PARKING STRUCTURES AND A MORE COMPACT FOOTPRINT.

UH, THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO INCREASE THE OVERALL ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE PARK, BUT IT MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF THE GARAGES DOESN'T NEED TO BE THREE.

IT COULD DEPEND ON THINGS THAT HAPPEN NEARBY THE PARK WITH ADDITIONAL EXTERNAL SHUTTLES OR MAYBE PARKING OPTIONS THAT ARE NEARBY.

AND THEN WE CAN HAVE LESS OF A PARKING GARAGE SCENARIO DEVELOP.

UM, IN ADDITION, THE PLAN RECOMMENDS MOVING PARKING FROM THE POLO FIELD AND THE BUTLER LANDFILL AREA.

EVERYBODY IS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

UM, AND THE VISION PLAN ALSO WOULD PREVENT A LOT OF THE INFORMAL PARKING AROUND LOU NEFF.

IF YOU GO DOWN THERE NOW, NOT ONLY DO THEY PARK ON THE STREET AND IN THE SURFACE PARKING, THEY'RE INCREASINGLY POPPING UP OFF THE CURB AND PARKING UNDER THE TREES THERE.

SORRY.

STOP.

THAT'S FINE.

I'LL STOP THERE.

I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE PLAN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER IS BOBBY RIGNEY.

HI, I'M BOBBY RIGNEY, AND, UH, I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE REWILDING OF ZILKER.

I THINK IT OUGHT TO BE, UH, CLEAR THAT THERE'S A LOT MORE GOING ON, AND IN THE, WE HAVE A DIVISIVE NATURE, AND A LOT OF THIS HAS, WHOSE NARRATIVE ARE YOU GONNA BELIEVE ON ALL SORTS OF ISSUES.

AND THE ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT THE FACTS OUGHT TO COME OUT AND BE FACT CHECKED BY SOMEBODY WHO EVERYBODY SHOULD TRUST.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, THE, UH, PROBLEMS WITH, UM, THAT WE'VE COME UP WITH ABOUT THE IMPERVIOUS COVER IS THAT THE, THE, EVEN THE PLAN AS IT'S SHOWN, THE THE MATH DOESN'T WORK OUT THE, UH, IT'S JUST SIMPLE MATH, AND THEN WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY GOT THE NUMBERS FROM ANYWAY.

SO WE THINK THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO GET, UH, THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO DECLARE WHAT THE IMPERVIOUS COVERS OF THE DIFFERENT AREAS ARE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BOTHERSOME FOR ME IN PARTICULAR IS TO HAVE A HUGE, WHERE YOU HAVE A, A WIDE OPEN SPACE OF ZILKER PARK AND WHO, WHO'S THE PARDON MISSION IS AMONGST OTHER THINGS IS, UM, IS TO, UM, TO PROTECT WHAT YOU HAVE.

UH, THAT DOESN'T MEAN NO IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THAT MEANS YOU PROTECT THE BASIC THINGS.

AND WE HAVE USERS, AND EVERYBODY AGREES ON THIS, ZILKER IS BEING USED TO DEATH.

AND WE HAVE 11 METRO PARKS, UH, FIVE OF WHICH BESIDES ZILKER HAVE COMPARABLE TO ZILKER OR SOME KIND CA IN ONE CASE OVER THREE AND A THIRD TIMES THE AMOUNT OF ACREAGE.

SO OBVIOUSLY IF YOU

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I MEAN, TH IT REALLY IS, UH, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EQUITY.

THAT'S, UH, AN OBVIOUS THING.

BUT TO, UM, TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO ZILKER AND ENCOURAGE FURTHER OVERUSE WOULD BE TO PUT A, A PARKING GARAGE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE, ESPECIALLY IT'S UNDERGROUND.

AND SPEAKING OF FACT CHECKING, I ASKED CLAIRE ABOUT DURING A NOVEMBER MEETING IF IT WAS THAT, UH, WHO WAS IT THAT, WHAT DID THEY SAY ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY OF, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING DOWN DEEP INTO CAR LIMESTONE, CLOSE TO THE POOL, CLOSE TO BARTON SPRINGS.

AND, UH, AND SHE SAID, WELL, IT WAS TOLD TO US THAT IT WAS FEASIBLE.

WHAT ENGINEER WAS THAT? AND WHAT ENGINEER ON EARTH WOULD EVER DECLARE THAT WITHOUT A STUDY AND WITHOUT CORE SAMPLES? AND IT GOES DOWN, LET'S SAY SEVERAL, JUST EVEN TWO STORIES DEEP IN CARS.

AND THEN YOU GOTTA HAVE THESE PLANTS AND THE STRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS, UH, CAR PARKING GARAGE.

IT, THAT'S, THAT'S DEEP.

AND THAT'S, ANYWAY, THAT'S JUST PLUS, I MEAN, JUST THE MERE FACT THAT THEY'RE PUTTING IT RIGHT WHERE THE, UM, UH, A MIDDLE OF WIDE OPEN SPACE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE LOOK AT WHEN WE DRIVE INTO ZUCKER FROM EITHER DIRECTION ON BARTON SPRINGS ROAD.

IT'S, UH, YOU SEE A WIDE OPEN SPACE.

SO THEY'RE IN THE PLAN, THEY TAKE THE, UH, LU F ROAD AND THEY'RE PULLING OUT ALL THAT ASPHALT AND THEY'RE SWITCHING IT.

THEY'RE CLAIMING THE, UH, A LOT OF PARKING IS RESTORED BY HAVING PARALLEL PARKING ON A PRODUCTION IN LANES, YOU KNOW, OF ONLY TWO LANES IN PARTON SPRINGS ROAD.

PARDON OF ME, SIR.

I APOLOGIZE.

YOU TIME WAS EXPIRED.

OKAY.

ANYWAY, SO IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO HAVE TO SWITCH IT OFF.

THANK YOU, SIR.

THE NEXT SPEAKER, NEXT SPEAKER IS TANYA PAYNE.

UH, CAN I DONATE MY MINUTES TO MARK MAY? UH, MARK MAY IS ALREADY ASSIGNED AS A SPEAKER.

WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO DONATE MEETINGS, MA'AM, BUT WE'RE NOT SUPER ORGANIZED TODAY.

REAL QUICK CLARIFYING QUESTION.

WHOSE PRESENTATION IS THIS? THAT IS MARK MAYS.

OH, OKAY.

IT'S NOT MINE.

NOT THAT ORGANIZED TODAY.

, UH, MY NAME IS TANYA PAYNE AND, UM, I'M ASKING, UH, YOU TO ADD RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PLAN.

UH, THE CURRENT VISION PLAN IS REALLY A COLLECTION OF THINGS AND ITEMS REQUESTED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE.

AND TO ME IT'S A VISION OF THE PAST.

IT'S A PAST THAT'S CAR-CENTRIC WHERE YOU HAVE TO HAVE GARAGES TO PARK IN AND INSTEAD, UH, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO ALIGN, UH, TO ENCOURAGE THE VISION PLAN TO ALIGN CLOSER WITH OTHER PROJECTS GOING ON WITH AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION, SUCH AS, UM, PROJECT CONNECT AND EVEN ALIGNING THE BARTON SPRINGS ROAD WITH THE BARTON SPRINGS BRIDGE PROJECT AND KEEPING THOSE ALL TOGETHER.

UH, ONE OF THE UNUSUAL THINGS ABOUT THE PROJECT TO ME IS HOW, UH, THEY DO CLAIM THIS ECOLOGICAL UPLIFT.

BUT WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN LOOKING AT THE PLAN IS THERE'S ACTUALLY HONEST TO GOODNESS ARITHMETIC ERRORS.

AND SO REALLY WHAT WE'RE DOING WAS WE'RE PAYING PROBABLY, UH, I THINK IT WAS $60 MILLION TO GET RI TO INCREASE, UH, OPEN LAND.

BUT THEN WHAT HAPPENS IS WE PAY AGAIN TO COVER IT BACK UP WITH 10 EXTRA, UH, ACRES OF CONSTRUCTION AND THEN USING THEIR OWN NUMBERS, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO ARGUE THOSE, BUT USING THEIR OWN NUMBERS, THEY GET UNDER TWO ACRES ACTUALLY WITH WHEN YOU ACCOUNT FOR THEIR ARRHYTHMIC ERROR.

AND FURTHER, THEY HAVE UP TO THREE DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS OF THE AMOUNT OF OPEN ACRES IN THE, UH, PLAN.

THEY, UH, VARY DEPENDING ON WHAT AREA THEY'RE LOOKING AT.

AND SO, UM, IN GENERAL, I, UM, ASK YOU TO HAVE THEM ALIGN THE PLAN AND VALIDATE THE PLAN AND MAKE SURE THAT THE NUMBERS ARE CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE PLAN SO THAT WE CAN ALL HAVE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOVE AND ENJOY.

THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER IS MARK MAY.

ALL RIGHT.

HI.

UM, YOU KNOW, SO I'M ACTUALLY MARK, MARK, MAY, I DON'T, I DON'T WANNA BE HERE, BUT I'M, UH, COMPELLED TO BE HERE.

IT'S LIKE AN ULTIMATE, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, YOU KNOW, GUY, GUY OF THE PARK.

UM, I LOVE THE PARK, BUT I REALLY HATE BEING LEFT OUT OF THE PROCESS AND SEEING WHAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY, UH, PROPOSING.

WHAT WE'RE TOLD IS THAT THE PARK IS BEING LOVED, UH, TO DEATH.

SO I'M LIKE, YEAH,

[00:15:01]

WELL LET'S HEAR WHAT LIKE THE ANSWER IS.

WELL, THE ANSWER IS TO MOVE THE HI HILLSIDE THEATER TO A NEW HILL.

WE JUST, THAT WE JUST BUILT AND MAKE IT BIGGER.

THE NEXT ANSWER IS TO ADD A CONCRETE, UH, YOU KNOW, WELCOME CENTER.

UH, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD THREE MORE PARKING, UH, GARAGES AT, AT LIKE A COST LIKE 60 MILLION MILLION THAT HAPPEN TO BE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR A BUNCH OF WEDDING VENUES.

AND SO WHILE WE'RE AT IT, WE'RE GONNA SHRINK THE ROAD TO THE PARK, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE OUT THE FREE SURFACE PARKING ON LUNA ROAD.

SO IT'S HARD TO GET THROUGH THE PARK AND HARD TO PARK THERE.

SO WE'RE FORCED INTO THE PARKING, UH, GARAGES.

SO THE ANSWER DOES NOT MATCH THE PROBLEM.

SO WHAT I NEED YOU TO DO IS PICK ONE OF THESE SILLY ASPECTS OF THE PLAN AND VOTE FOR THEM TO CHANGE IT.

THIS IS YOUR MOMENT.

NEXT, NEXT PAGE.

I KNOW YOU'RE ASKING MARK, DOESN'T THE PLAN IMPROVE THE IMPERVIOUS COVER? HARDLY ANY.

AND I WILL SHARE THE SLIDE WITH THESE, YOU KNOW, FOLKS AFTERWARDS, BUT THEY HAVE A BASIC MATH ERROR.

THE IMPERVIOUS COVER IS ONLY 30, 34 VERSUS NOW IT'S, UH, 30 36.

AND IF YOU LOOK IN DETAIL AT WHAT THEY'RE DOING, LIKE MY, LIKE MY LOVELY WIFE SAID, THEY'RE, THEY'RE HAVING US PAY TO REMOVE IMPERVIOUS COVER FROM PARKING, AND THEN WE'RE PAYING FOR THESE PET PROJECTS TO ADD IT BACK NEXT, NEXT PAGE.

AND THEN YOU WANNA LOOK AT, LOOK AT, UH, MONEY.

THE TOTAL MONEY OF THE PLAN IS 175 MILLION.

IF YOU JUST LOOK AT THE TOP FIVE, IT'S 136.

WE'LL LOOK AT THREE OF THE TOP FIVE.

THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH FIXING THE PARK.

THEY'RE ALL PET PROJECTS FOR THESE NON UH, PROFITS.

LOOK AT THE ONES NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST.

$900,000 FOR TREE, TREE CANOPY, BATHROOMS, PLANTS, TRAILS.

THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE SPENDING MONEY ON, NOT THESE PET PROJECTS.

SO THIS IS YOUR MOMENT.

PICK ONE OF THESE THINGS THAT'S CRAZY AND VOTE AGAINST IT.

THIS IS WHY YOU'RE IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

THIS IS YOUR MOMENT.

SO TAKE IT.

THERE ARE LARGER QUESTIONS AT PLAY HERE.

WHO OWNS THE PARK? IS IT THE ULTIMATE PLAYERS AND THE DOG WALKERS AND ALL THAT? OR IS IT THE PEOPLE THAT RENT OUT THE VENUES AND GET TO CHARGE FOR ALL, ALL THIS STUFF? THIS IS YOUR MOMENT.

TAKE IT.

NEXT SPEAKER IS KAREN BLIZZARD.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M KAREN BLIZZARD.

I AM SPEAKING TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE ZILKER COLLECTIVE IMPACT WORKING GROUP.

IT'S A GROUP OF 16 ORGANIZATIONS THAT OPERATE WITHIN AND ADJACENT TO ZILKER PARK, PROVIDING PROGRAMS, AMENITIES, EVENTS AND SERVICES TO AUSTINITES ALL OVER AUSTIN.

AND MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR DECADES.

UM, WE HAVE BEEN GIVING INPUT THROUGH THE VISION PLAN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.

OUR OVERARCHING VISION IS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION THROUGHOUT THE PARK, BALANCED WITH EQUITABLE ACCESS AND A WELCOMING PARK ENVIRONMENT FOR PARK VISITORS FROM ALL OVER AUSTIN.

WE SUPPORT THE GOALS AND GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE VISION PLAN.

OUR GROUPS HAVE NOT GOTTEN EVERYTHING THEY WANTED, BUT WE FEEL THAT COMPROMISE IS IMPORTANT IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

UM, THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT WE STILL BELIEVE NEED FURTHER DISCUSSION, SUCH AS THE NARROWING OF BARTON SPRINGS ROAD.

WE DON'T HAVE CONSENSUS AROUND THAT.

UM, BUT I WANNA TALK ABOUT THREE THINGS.

WE DO SUPPORT THAT RELATE TO TRANSPORTATION, ACCESSIBILITY, AND IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE PARK.

ONE IS THE LAND BRIDGE, WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY 74% OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS.

IT WOULD CONNECT BOTH SIDES OF THE PARK AND IMPROVE SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE CROSSING BARTON SPRINGS ROAD.

THERE ARE GREAT EXAMPLES OF THIS IN HOUSTON AND SAN ANTONIO.

UM, WE ALSO HAVE ASKED TO MAKE THIS NATURAL IN KEEPING WITH ZUCKER'S ECOLOGY AND AESTHETIC AND MINIMIZE THE USE OF CONCRETE WHERE POSSIBLE WHILE STILL MAKING IT WHEELCHAIR INSTALLER ACCESSIBLE.

ANOTHER ASPECT IS IMPROVED CIRCULATION AND ACCESSIBILITY THROUGHOUT THE PARK AND CONNECTIVITY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS AND THOSE COMING FROM THE STRUCTURED PARKING AREAS.

A THIRD ASPECT IS THE INTERPRETIVE PLAN IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

UM, AND AGAIN, THERE WE'VE ASKED FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING AND PERVIOUS COVER WHERE POSSIBLE.

AT THE, UM, EN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WELCOME CENTER TAKEN TOGETHER, WE THINK THAT THESE THREE ITEMS, UM, THE LANDBRIDGE CONNECTIVITY, IMPROVEMENTS AND INTERPRETATION WILL ENCOURAGE SAFETY, MOBILITY, GREATER EXPLORATION OF ALL AREAS OF ZILKER TO LEARN ITS HISTORY AND ITS CULTURE, AND ALL THE ASPECTS THERE ARE IN THE PARK.

A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST GO TO THEIR SAME AMENITY

[00:20:01]

SO, UM, WE THINK THE VISION PLAN HAS A HOLISTIC LAYOUT, UM, THAT WILL PROVIDE VISITORS WITH A SENSE OF BELONGING AND THE FEELING THAT THEY ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER IS KAREN BRIBE.

GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING TO CITIZENS.

UM, I'M KAREN BRUMBLE.

I'M FROM THE BARTON SPRINGS CONSERVANCY.

AND, UH, PUBLIC PARKS ALLOW ALL CITIZENS TO RECREATE AND ENJOY NATURE.

WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH ZURE, YOU HEAR MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

SEE PEOPLE OF MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENTLY ABLED.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF THE VISION PLAN.

PARK IMPROVEMENTS LIKE ENHANCED BIKE, PEDESTRIAN TRANSIT AND VEHICLE PARKING BENEFIT, A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF PARK USERS.

THE VISION PLAN MAKES THOSE IMPROVEMENTS WHILE ALSO IMPROVING THE NATURAL ECOLOGY OF THE PARK WITH AN IMPROVED OKER PARK DESIGN.

THE VISION PLAN PROVIDES ACCESS TO NATURE, PARKLAND AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DENSE DOWNTOWN URBAN ENVIRONMENT.

THE PLAN PROMOTES HEALTH FOR RECREATIONAL USERS IN THE PARK AND NATURE SPACE WITH NUMEROUS PARK AMENITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN UNDERREPRESENTED.

EVERYONE CAN ENJOY RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS RUNNING, SWIMMING, DISCO, SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL, KAYAKING, BASEBALL, OUTDOOR GRILLING, PICNICKING, AND THE TRAILS.

THE PLAN HELPS PRESERVE AND SUPPORT HISTORICAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE ENGAGED ALL COMMUNITIES SUCH AS THE AUSTIN SUNSHINE CAMP.

FOR THE PAST 94 YEARS, AUSTIN SUNSHINE CAMPS HAS PROVIDED FREE FUN-FILLED OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS IN ZILKER PARK FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE GREATER AUSTIN AREA.

THEY STARTED IN 1928 AND LAST SUMMER SERVED 525 CAMPERS.

ALL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR KIDS WHO ARE ON THE FREE OR REDUCED SCHOOL, UH, MEAL PROGRAM OR WHO ARE IN FOSTER CARE.

SINCE 1960, THE AUSTIN NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER HAS PROVIDED HANDS-ON NATURE EXHIBITS, EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHERS AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES.

THEY INCREASE THE AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

THE AUSTIN NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER IS DEDICATED TO THE EXPLORATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD BY ALL AUSTINITES.

THE VISION PLAN PROMOTES HERITAGE ASPECTS AS ZORE PARK.

THE NEED TO BE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE VISITING PUBLIC, NOT LESS ACCESSIBLE.

THANK YOU.

CHRISTOPHER.

GOT A QUICK QUESTION FOR MRS. FOR MS. BLIZZARD? YES.

YOU SAID THERE'S 16 GROUPS.

UM, CAN YOU JUST GIVE US A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THOSE GROUPS? UH, YES.

MS. BLIZZARD, IF YOU COULD, THANK YOU.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN RATTLE OFF IF YOU DON'T, YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMEMBER ALL 16, JUST I'M WONDERING WHAT THE MIX.

OKAY.

AUSTIN SUNSHINE CAMPUS, AS SHE JUST MENTIONED, UM, THE GIRL SCOUTS OF CENTRAL TEXAS, THE GIRL SCOUT CABIN BACK THERE IN THE WOODS.

UH, BARTON SPRINGS CONSERVANCY, FRIENDS OF BARTON SPRINGS POOL, AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION, WATERLOO DISC GOLF, UM, UH, SCIENCE NA AUSTIN NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER, ZUCKER BOTANICAL GARDENS, UM, HILLSIDE THEATER, ZUCKER HILLSIDE THEATER.

WE ALSO INCLUDE UMLA.

THEY ARE ADJACENT TO THE PARK.

THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY IN THE PARK.

AND WHO ELSE? CONSERVANCY WHO? HILL COUNTRY.

CONSERV HILL COUNTRY CONSERVANCY.

THE VIOLET CROWN TRAILHEAD IS THERE IN THE PARK.

UM, OH, AND THE TWO BOAT VENDORS.

SO THE REST ARE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND IN ADDITION, THERE ARE TWO BOAT VENDORS, ZILKER BOATS AND, UM, ROWING DOCK.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

SURE.

OKAY.

AND THAT, THAT'S ALL OUR SPEAKERS? YES.

WE, WE HAVE ONE MORE.

I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE HER BECAUSE WE, I RECOGNIZE THAT SHE'S BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY LOGGING IN.

UH, MS. KAREN KREPPS WANTED TO SPEAK TODAY.

UM, I WANTED TO APOLOGIZE PUBLICLY TO HER.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO CONNECT HER VIA WEBEX.

WE'RE JUST HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AND I'LL BE SURE TO FOLLOW UP WITH C T M AND CITY HALL TO TRY TO CORRECT THAT.

UH, BUT I DID WANT TO SHARE AND COMMISSIONERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAD ONE MORE SPEAKER.

SHE WASN'T ABLE TO PRESENT OR SPEAK DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

AND I'LL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT.

YEAH, IF THERE'S ANY CHANCE, I MEAN, WE COULD ALWAYS HEAR HER AFTER WE HEARD THE, THE IT, THE PRESENTATION FROM STAFF, IF SHE CAN KEEP TRYING, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE MAYBE Y'ALL HAVE EXHAUSTED OPPORTUNITIES, SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO TRY, BUT, OKAY, COOL.

YEAH.

OKAY.

UM, SO I THINK THAT TAKES US THROUGH OUR SPEAKERS THAT ARE HERE IN THE ROOM THAT ARE ABLE TO SPEAK.

IS THAT RIGHT? THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND, CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, I'LL CALL ON OUR STAFF PRESENTATION THEN.

ALL RIGHT.

COME TO THE FLOORS.

GREG MONTE,

[00:25:08]

GOOD EVENING.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? IS THIS SIGN? YES.

GOOD, GOOD EVENING.

I'M GREGORY MONTE WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

I AM THE, UH, PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE ZOLA PARK VISION PLAN.

JOINING ME IS CLAIRE HAMPEL WITH DESIGN WORKSHOP.

SHE'S A PRINCIPAL AT THE FIRM AND ALSO JUSTIN SCHNEIDER, WHO WORKS FOR PARKS AND RECREATION AS A COMMUNITY, UH, ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST.

UM, JUST BEFORE WE GET INTO THE PRESENTATION, I THOUGHT I'D JUST KIND OF PROVIDE SOME OPENING REMARKS AND SOME BACKGROUND BASED ON, UM, YOUR FAMILIARITY WITH OUR VISION PLAN AND THE PARK ITSELF.

THE CITY DID, UM, THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, GO THROUGH, UH, THE HIRING OF, UM, DESIGN WORKSHOP TO ASSIST THE CITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS VISION PLAN FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.

UM, WE ESSENTIALLY HAVE NEVER, EVER DONE A COMPREHENSIVE VISION PLAN FOR ZILKER PARK.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND FOR THIS PARK.

WE DID HAVE SOME, UM, EFFORTS IN PAST DECADES WHERE WE AS A DEPARTMENT TRIED TO DEVELOP KIND OF A FRAMEWORK AND GUIDE, UH, TO THE DEVELOPMENT ENHANCEMENT OF THE PARK, BUT IT WAS NEVER TO THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL.

SO I WANTED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT THIS WAS A, A HUGE, UH, ENDEAVOR FOR OUR DEPARTMENT TO EMBARK ON THIS.

UM, AS YOU KNOW, ZER PARK IS OUR FLAGSHIP PARK FOR OUR PARK SYSTEM.

IT IS KIND OF THE CROWNING JEWEL.

IT HAS A LOT OF HISTORY WITHIN OUR CITY, AND AS WE HAVE SEEN OUR CITY CONTINUE TO GROW, AND ESPECIALLY OUR DOWNTOWN TURN INTO AN URBAN CENTER, WE HAVE SEEN THAT GROWTH SPILL OVER INTO THE PARK.

UM, WE REALIZE THAT, UM, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO KIND OF GUIDE HOW WE MANAGED THE PARK, THAT HAS LED TO SOME SERIOUS ISSUES.

AND ON ANY GIVEN DAY, IF YOU GO TO THE PARK, YOU CAN EXPERIENCE AND SEE THOSE ISSUES, WHETHER YOU'RE WALKING ALONG THE CREEK OR, UH, OTHER VEGETATED AREAS OR WHEN YOU'RE GETTING TO THE PARK, TRYING TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO PARK.

SO IT REALLY, WITH ALL OF THOSE ISSUES, IT WAS TIME FOR OUR DEPARTMENT TO REALLY COMPREHENSIVELY SIT DOWN AND SAY, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PLAN.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR, UH, TONIGHT, IS TO SHARE SOME OF THE, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THIS PLANNING EFFORT.

WE HAVE BEEN IN THIS PLANNING AREA FOR TWO YEARS, AND, UH, WE HAVE HELD A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

WE HAVE, UH, DEVELOPED A VISION BASED ON PRINCIPLES AND GOALS, AND WE HAVE DONE THAT THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SO TONIGHT, UM, WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL GAIN A RECOMMENDATION FROM THIS COMMISSION, UH, FOR OUR TRANSPORTATION MOBILITY, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE LAID OUT IN THE PLAN.

AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT, UM, WE DID PRESENT TO THE, UH, PEDESTRIAN AND ADVISORY COUNCIL AND THE BIKE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND DID GAIN A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR THE PLAN, JUST SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT.

UM, BUT, BUT WITH THAT, I'LL GO AHEAD AND HAND HER OVER TO CLAIRE SO SHE CAN START THE PRESENTATION, AND THEN AFTERWARDS WE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS.

UM, I DID WANNA RECOGNIZE THAT JONATHAN MISERO OF NELSON NYGARD IS ON THE, THE CALL FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT COME UP.

THEY'RE OUR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FIRM.

UM, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF ZILKER METROPOLITAN PARK VISION PLAN.

MY NAME IS CLAIRE HEMPEL, AND AS PRINCIPAL AT DESIGN WORKSHOP, I HAVE BEEN SERVING AS THE LEAD CONSULTANT WORKING WITH PARD ON THE ZER PLAN SINCE IT OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF IN FEBRUARY, 2021.

I ALSO SERVE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT I AM NOT REPRESENTING THAT BODY HERE TONIGHT.

I WILL SPEND ABOUT 15 MINUTES PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW OF THE DRAFT PLAN IN THE PROCESS, AND WE'LL ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.

UM, WHERE AM I POINTING THIS? OH, SHOULD I JUST TELL YOU? TRY ONE.

NEXT SLIDE.

THERE WE GO.

OKAY.

SO TO START OFF OUR OVERVIEW TONIGHT, WHAT YOU WILL SEE ON THIS SLIDE ARE THE RESULTS OF A QUESTION ASKED BY A THIRD PARTY UNRELATED TO OUR PLANNING PROCESS, ASKING WHAT PEOPLE THINK THE MOST CRITICAL IMPROVEMENT TO ZILKER PARK SHOULD BE.

THIS WAS PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 15TH, 2023.

AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE ANSWERS ARE SPLIT, AND THERE IS NOT ONE RESOUNDING RESPONSE OR IDEA ABOUT WHAT THE MOST CRITICAL IMPROVEMENT SHOULD BE.

AND THIS IS THE CHALLENGE FACING THE CITY WITH ZUCKER PARK TODAY.

IT IS A BELOVED SPACE WITH MANY DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT HOW IT SHOULD BE USED AND IMPROVED.

Z BARK HAS BEEN A DRAW FOR GENERATIONS OF AUSTINITES AND THOSE THAT LIVED HERE BEFORE.

IT IS A HOME OF ECOLOGICAL TREASURES, GATHERING SPACES, PLAY AREAS, AND HOME TO MANY BELOVED FACILITIES AND EVENTS.

EARLY IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, EVEN BEFORE THE CONSULTANT TEAM WAS UNDER CONTRACT, THE FIRST SURVEY TOOK PLACE AROUND THE

[00:30:01]

NATURAL AREAS AND TRAILS ARE SOME OF THE CURRENT ELEMENTS OF THE PARK THAT MEET PEOPLE'S NEEDS.

BUT PARKING ISSUES, CROWDING ISSUES, AND ACCESS WERE INDICATED AS PROBLEMS TO SOLVE FOR.

OTHER ISSUES ARE EVIDENT AS ONE WALKS AROUND THE PARK, SOME OF WHICH ARE PICTURED HERE, LIKE AREAS THAT SEE INTENSE STORM DRAINAGE AND EROSION PROBLEMS, AND INACCESSIBLE AREAS ALONG THE CREEK.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS A HANDFUL OF THE HUNDREDS OF COMMENTS FROM THE INITIAL SURVEY FOCUSED ON MULTIMODAL ACCESSIBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY TO AND WITHIN THE PARK.

THE CHALLENGE IS HOW TO BALANCE THESE INITIATIVES WITH THE OTHER GUIDING PRINCIPLES AROUND EQUITY, THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND HISTORY AND CULTURE.

THERE HAVE BEEN VISION PLANS DONE FOR DISCREET ELEMENTS IN FACILITIES IN ZUCKER PARK, LIKE GREG MENTIONED, SUCH AS THE NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER, BARTON SPRINGS POOL, AND THE SUNKEN GARDENS.

BUT THIS IS THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DONE FOR ZILKER PARK AS A WHOLE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS VISION PLAN IS INTENDED TO BE.

IT WILL OUTLINE THE LONG TERM, DECADES LONG VISION PRINCIPLES, GOALS, AND STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCEMENT MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE PARK.

THE VISION PLAN DOES NOT SERVE AS DETAILED DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION PLANS, PLANS FOR DAY-TO-DAY PARK MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE, NOR DETAILED BUDGETING FOR PARK ENHANCEMENTS.

THIS IS HELPFUL TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE GO THROUGH THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE DRAFT PLAN.

THE ZILKER METROPOLITAN VISION PLAN, ZILKER METROPOLITAN PARK VISION PLANS MADE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE A VISIONARY FRAMEWORK TO DIRECT THE PRESERVATION, FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AND CARE OF ZILKER PARK.

ZILKER PARK NEEDS A VISION PLAN TO MAKE SURE IT IS A VIABLE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

IT INVOLVES IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR RECREATIONAL AMENITIES, RECOMMENDING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARK'S, CURRENT FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS, AND PUTTING AN EMPHASIS ON PRESERVING THE HISTORIC, CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

SUSTAINABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, NATURE, ECOLOGY, AND HISTORY AND CULTURE ARE THE FIVE GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE GOALS.

THE BEGINNING OF OUR PLANNING PROCESS INCLUDED ESTABLISHING THESE GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND GOALS AND PULLING FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONTEXT FROM AFFILIATED CITY ADOPTED PLANS SUCH AS THE URBAN AUSTIN URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES, CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN, THE STRATEGIC STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN, THE LONG RANGE PLAN, AND MORE.

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE PLAN ALIGN CLOSELY WITH MANY OF THE MOBILITY GOALS FROM THE AUSTIN STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN, ESPECIALLY INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY.

SO YOU CAN SEE ON THIS SLIDE HERE AT LEFT ARE THE, THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE PLAN, AND THEN WE TRIED TO KEY THEM TO THE MOBILITY GOALS FROM THE AS.

S M P.

THE TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE VISION PLANNING PROCESS SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2021.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO THE PROCESS THROUGHOUT THE TWO YEAR TIMEFRAME, WHICH PROVED ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING DUE TO COVID ERROR RESTRICTIONS.

DURING THIS TIME, OUR TEAM HAS CONDUCTED OVER A HUNDRED POP-UPS, DOZENS OF SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP MEETINGS, FIVE VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETINGS, AND IN-PERSON, OPEN HOUSE, SIX COMMUNITY SURVEYS, AND ADDITIONAL WORK WITH THE PARKS BOARD WORKING GROUP.

TONIGHT'S HEARING IS ONE TOUCHPOINT IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THE PROJECT WITH OTHER FORTHCOMING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HEARINGS CONCLUDING WITH CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION BY CITY COUNCIL LATER THIS SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER.

THE CITY USES THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SPECTRUM OF PARTICIPATION AS A GUIDE TO FORMING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY.

FROM THIS STRATEGY, THE PLANNING TEAM USED DIFFERENT METHODS OF OUTREACH TO REACH DIFFERENT GROUPS BASED ON THE SPECIFIC GOAL FOR THE LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT AS SHOWN ON THIS SLIDE.

THE DRAFT PLAN WAS RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 15TH, 2022.

THE PLANNING TEAM HELD A VIRTUAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, AND AN OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 10TH.

THERE WERE 148 VIRTUAL MEETING PARTICIPANTS AND 130 OPEN HOUSE ATTENDEES AT THE OPEN HOUSE.

THERE WAS A REPRESENTATION FROM ALL 10 COUNCIL DISTRICTS WITH ABOUT A QUARTER OF ATTENDEES FROM DISTRICT FIVE.

ALMOST 300 WITTEN WRITTEN COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED AT THE OPEN HOUSE, AND ALL WERE DIGITALLY DOCUMENTED THROUGHOUT THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

FOR THE FINAL COMMUNITY SURVEY NUMBER SIX, THERE WERE NEARLY 27,000 VIEWS OF THE DOCUMENT WITH NEARLY 3000 PARTICIPANTS COMMENTING ON THE DOCUMENT.

AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS, 2300 PEOPLE LEFT COMMENTS, AND ABOUT 30% OF THE COMMENTS ARE FROM THE ZIP CODES, 78, 704, AND 78 7 4 5, WHICH ARE THE AREAS CLOSEST TO THE PARK.

THE TEAM ALSO RELEASED A SEVEN MINUTE VIDEO TO EXPLAIN THE PLAN IDEAS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WITH MORE THAN 6,800 VIEWS TO DATE.

FOLLOWING THE FINAL PHASE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, THE PLANNING TEAM WAS WORKING THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JANUARY TO UPDATE THE PLAN BASED ON

[00:35:01]

THIS SLIDE HIGHLIGHTS A FEW OF THOSE UPDATES, INCLUDING MOVING THE SPORTS AREA AND REDUCING ITS FOOTPRINT, LEAVING DISC GOLF IN ITS CURRENT CONFIGURATION AND THE INCLUSION OF A DISC GOLF WARMUP AREA.

THE ROWING DOCK WILL REMAIN IN ITS CURRENT LOCATION, AND ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PARK, THE SIZE OF THE PLACE GATES WILL REDUCED TO KEEP THE MONKEY TREE LAWN SIZE INTACT.

TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PLAN.

FIRST, THE EXTERNAL SHUTTLE, AS SHOWN ON THIS SLIDE, IS CRITICAL TO SUPPORT THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN ZILKER VISITORSHIP AS THE CITY'S POPULATION GROWS IN THE FUTURE.

THE TWO PROPOSED LINES WILL CONNECT TO THE PARK, CONNECT THE PARK TO TRANSPORTATION HUBS AND EXTERNAL PARKING GARAGES, LIKE ONE TEXAS CENTER FOR REPUBLIC SQUARE AND CITY HALL.

A SHUTTLE WAS PILOTED LAST SUMMER WITH AROUND 500 RIDER GETTING FREE LISTS FROM THE GARAGE AT ONE TEXAS CENTER TO ZILKER REGARDING VEHICULAR CIRCULATION.

THE PLAN RECOMMENDS HOLDING THE NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES WITHIN THE PARK AS THERE ARE TODAY, BUT BY CONCENTRATING PARKING AND GARAGES, IMPERVIOUS COVER IS REDUCED FROM 36 ACRES, ABOUT HALF THE AREA OF A LARGE SHOPPING MALL TO 27 ACRES ABOUT THE AREA OF CHICAGO'S MILLENNIUM PARK.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE WILL BE AN INTERNAL SHUTTLE CIRCULATOR AS SEEN IN THE ORANGE LINE, AN EXPANSION OF THE ZILKER EAGLE TRAIN ROUTE TO THE NORTH, AS SEEN IN THE TEAL COLOR TO SERVE BOTH AS A RECREATIONAL ELEMENT AND A WAY TO GET AROUND THE PARK.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PLAN SERVE AS A COMPREHENSIVE WAY TO ADDRESS ACCESS AND MOBILITY WITHIN THE PARK, INCLUDING HIGHLIGHTING SHARED PARKING SOLUTIONS, CAPITALIZING ON PARKING GARAGE INVESTMENTS ADJACENT TO THE PARK LIKE THE DOWTY ART CENTER, AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES FROM THE NORTH AND EAST INTO THE PARK FOR EASIER, SAFER ACCESS.

TODAY, BARTON SPRINGS ROAD DIVIDES THE PARK AND PRESENTS CHALLENGES TO SAFETY AND ACCESS TO ALL PARTS OF THE PARK.

THERE IS SUPPORT FOR SLOWING VEHICLES AS THEY TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE PARK.

THE AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN REPORTED ON JANUARY 12TH, 2023 THAT IN 2022, AUSTIN BROKE ITS TRAFFIC DEATH TOLL RECORD THAT WAS SET ONLY A YEAR EARLIER.

IN FACT, THERE WAS A PEDESTRIAN DEATH DUE TO A NAVICULAR ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON BARTON SPRINGS ROAD AND AZ MORTON.

IN 2022, THE PLANNING TEAM WORKED WITH THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT ON WAYS TO SLOW SPEEDS AND PROMOTE PARK CONNECTIVITY.

THIS CONFIGURATION AS SHOWN HERE, WHICH IS ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION WITH PROTECTED BIKE LANES AND PARALLEL PARKING AND SHARED USE PASS ON EACH SIDE IS BEING CONSIDERED, BUT ONLY AFTER A TRAFFIC STUDY AND PILOT PROGRAM IS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND PROVE TO BE SAFE AND BENEFICIAL.

THIS CONFIGURATION WORKS WITHIN THE EXISTING PAVEMENT SECTION OF BARTON SPRINGS ROAD AND DOES NOT INCREASE IMPERVIOUS COVER REGARDING PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE CIRCULATION.

THE PLAN ENHANCES AND INCREASES TRAIL CONNECTIVITY, INCREASING CONNECTED TRAILS BY 55% WITH THREE TRAIL HEADS.

THE VIOLET CROWN TRAIL HEAD IS ALREADY EXISTING, AND FIVE CROSSING POINTS ALONG BARTON SPRINGS ROAD, INCLUDING THE LAND BRIDGE.

A SIXTH BRIDGE, CONNECTS THE FUTURE MOPAC SHARED USE PATH OVER BARTON SPRINGS ROAD AS YOU HEAD TO OR FROM THE LAKE.

NOW WE'LL ZOOM IN FOR A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS, AND YOU'LL NOTICE SMALL ICONS ON THE DESIGN ELEMENTS TO LINK HOW THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND GOALS ARE SUPPORTED.

THE NORTHERN AREA OF THE PARK IS MOSTLY UNTOUCHED WITH THE ZILKER NATURE PRESERVE AND THE AUSTIN NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER REMAINING IN PLACE.

THE LANDFILL ON EITHER SIDE OF MOPAC CLOSE TO THE LAKE IS RESTORED TO NATURAL AREAS TO BETTER CONNECT VISITORS TO THE WATER.

AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THE ROWING DOCK REMAINS IN ITS CURRENT LOCATION WITH PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS FROM ENS CREEK UNDER STRATFORD TO CONNECT THE AUSTIN NATURE SCIENCE CENTER AND TRAIL USERS TO THE WATER, THERE IS A TRAILHEAD FOR THE BUTLER HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL.

BESIDE THE PARKING GARAGE LOCATED UNDERNEATH MOPAC AND STRATFORD DRIVE IS REALIGNED TO PARALLEL MOPAC AND LEAVE ITS FORMER ALIGNMENT DEDICATED TO BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS.

THIS IS A VIEW FROM THE MOPAC INTERSECTION WITH A ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN LOOKING OUT TOWARDS DOWNTOWN IN LADY BIRD LAKE WITH A RESTORED NATURAL AREA IN PLACE OF THE BUTLER LANDFILL.

THE CENTRAL PART OF THE PARK INCLUDES AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE CONNECTED TO THE LAND BRIDGE THAT ALLOWS FOR SAFE PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE CROSSING OVER BARTON SPRINGS ROAD.

THE SPORTS AREA IS NOW MORE CLOSELY LOCATED TO THE POLO FIELD LAWN, AND THE DISC GOLF AREA REMAINS IN ITS CURRENT CONFIGURATION.

THE ZER HILLSIDE THEATER IS LOCATED AT THE NORTH END OF THE LAND BRIDGE.

THIS IS A VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE LAND BRIDGE LOOKING TOWARDS THE GREAT LAWN.

AND DOWNTOWN ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE PARK.

LU NEPH ROAD IS CLOSED TO EVERYDAY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.

THERE ARE NEW PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE CONNECTIONS ACROSS THE LAKE AND BARTON CREEK TO BETTER CONNECT EXISTING AND FUTURE PARKING AREAS AND RELIEVE PARKING NEEDS INSIDE THE PARK.

THE PARK BOUNDARIES.

[00:40:02]

THE THEATER'S CURRENT LOCATION DOESN'T ACCOMMODATE GROWTH OF THE THEATER'S PROGRAMMING AND PRESENTS CHALLENGES FOR ACCESSIBILITY, PARKING, AND UTILITIES.

BY RELOCATING IT TO THE PROPOSED AREA IN THE GREAT LAWN, THE THEATER PRODUCTION CAN BETTER ACCOMMODATE ALL USERS.

AND THIS LOCATION ALSO PROVIDES FOR PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE Z OR BOTANICAL GARDENS AND THE AUSTIN NATURE AND SCIENCE CENTER, SOUTH OF BARTON SPRINGS ROAD.

THE PLAN INCLUDES CONNECTIONS ACROSS BARTON CREEK ON EITHER SIDE OF THE POOL, A WELCOME PLAZA, AND NEW AND ENHANCED PLAY AREAS AT THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND NEAR THE POOL AND NEW PLAY AREAS, PLAY AREAS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PARK.

THE SIZE OF THE PLAYGROUNDS IN THE SOUTH AREA WAS REDUCED TO KEEP THE CURRENT MONKEY TREE LAWN INTACT.

THE PARKING GARAGE AS SHOWN HERE ON AZ MORTON WOULD BE THE LOWEST PRIORITY OF PARKING GARAGES AND MAY POSSIBLY NOT EVEN BE NEEDED AS OTHER PARKING SOLUTIONS LIKE SHARED USE PARKING OPTIONS BECOME AVAILABLE.

THIS IS A VIEW OF THE AREA TO THE EAST OF BARTON SPRINGS POOL, THE SPILLWAY, THIS SHOWS ACCESSIBLE PATHS TO THE WATER'S EDGE RE-VEGETATED AREAS AND DEFINED AREAS FOR WATER ACCESS TO ALLOW FOR HEALING BACK OF THE BANGS.

THE WEST SIDE OF THE PARK FEATURES NEW TRAILS IN THE FORESTED AREA NEAR THE MACBETH RECREATION CENTER IN GIRL SCOUT CABIN.

COLUMBUS DRIVE FROM THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY TO THE VIOLENT CROWN TRAIL HEAD WILL BE CLOSED TO EVERYDAY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, ALLOWING FOR UNIMPEDED ACCESS FROM THE GREEN BELT AND THE VIOLET CROWN TRAIL ACROSS THE LAND BRIDGE TO THE BUTLER HIKE.

AND MY TRAIL.

THIS IS A VIEW OF THE CHILDREN'S PLAY SPACE WITHIN THE SPORTS AREA.

THE REASON FOR HAVING MULTIPLE PLAY AREAS WITHIN THE PARK IS TO BETTER DISTRIBUTE VISITORS ACROSS THE PARK.

THE PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DIVIDED INTO SMALLER PROJECTS TO ALLOW FOR MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH IMPLEMENTATION.

AS FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS GENERALLY FALL INTO THE CATEGORIES THAT ARE SEEN HERE, ADMINISTRATION, ACCESSIBILITY, ECOLOGICAL UPLIFT, AND FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROJECTS MAY BE PRIORITIZED.

THE PLANNING DEEMED TEAM DID A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS BASED ON COMMUNITY INPUT RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT AND DISCUSSIONS WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS ON THIS QUADRANT.

THE HIGHER BENEFIT AND LOWER COST PROJECTS ARE CLUSTERED AT THE TOP LEFT, AND THE LOWER BENEFIT HIGHER COST PROJECTS ARE AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT.

THE PROJECT TIMELINE WAS ESTABLISHED BASED ON THE COST AND BENEFIT ANALYSIS.

HOWEVER, IT IS INTENDED TO BE FLEXIBLE BASED ON AVAILABLE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT IS THE CORRELATION AMONG PROJECTS THAT ARE CO-DEPENDENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION.

FOR EXAMPLE, SURFACE PARKING WILL ONLY BE REMOVED WHEN THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO ACCESS THE PARK, EITHER A PARKING SOLUTION OR MORE FREQUENT TRANSIT OR SHUTTLE SERVICES.

TO CONCLUDE THIS MEETING IS ONE OF A SERIES OF BOARD AND COMMISSION'S PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT THE PLANNING TEAM WILL PRESENT TO, UH, CONCLUDING WITH CITY COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION FOR ADOPTION.

I KNOW I COVERED A LOT OF MATERIAL HERE TODAY.

I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS.

UM, I IMAGINE SURE, YEAH.

I'M SORRY.

I WANTED TO CHECK WITH CTM REALLY FAST TO SEE IF WE COULD POSSIBLY GET KAREN ANDRES ON THE, ON THE LINE.

ABSOLUTELY.

OKAY.

OKAY.

PLEASE DISREGARD.

UM, WE STILL AREN'T ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

UM, COMMISSIONERS, I IMAGINE WE'RE GONNA HAVE A, A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM THIS BODY, AND I CERTAINLY HAVE A, A FEW QUESTIONS.

I DON'T NEED TO GO FIRST.

IF ANYONE, UM, HAS A QUESTION, I THINK IT NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO ASK IT.

UM, I, IF NOT, NO ONE'S PIPING UP.

I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND ASK MY COUP A COUPLE OF MY QUESTIONS.

I GUESS I JUST HAVE A GENERAL QUESTION.

SORRY.

UM, YOU MENTIONED AS FAR AS KIND OF GUIDING HOW, I DON'T WANNA CALL 'EM GUIDING PRINCIPLES, BUT, UM, LIKE WHEN YOU MENTIONED AS FAR AS LOWER PRIORITY THINGS, UM, UH, I'M READING TO THE PLAN AND FORGIVE ME FOR NOT, YOU KNOW, HAVING IT MEMORIZED, BUT ARE THOSE IN THERE? ARE THEY, ARE THEY STRICTLY IN WRITING SAYING, HEY, WE'RE NOT GONNA REMOVE X UNTIL WE DO Y THIS WILL BE THE SEQUENCE OF CERTAIN THINGS.

ARE THOSE IN THE PLAN WRITTEN IN THERE? YES, SIR.

OKAY.

THEY'RE IN THE PLAN.

MM-HMM.

.

SO, SO ONE THING THAT I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT, BECAUSE IT WAS A A A POINT THAT SEVERAL SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT TODAY WAS THAT, UM, IN FACT WE HAD SOME SLIDES WHERE PEOPLE WERE CORRECTING, I THINK IT'S IN OUR DECK.

IT'S THE IMPERVIOUS COVER NUMBERS, IF I CAN FIND IT.

SO THAT WOULD BE, I THINK I'M WORKING THE WRONG WAY.

,

[00:45:02]

GIVE ME A SECOND.

SO IT WAS LIKE 36 AND 27 OR 34, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THERE WE GO.

OKAY.

THAT'S SLIDE 14.

AND SO YOUR, YOUR SLIDE SAYS THERE'S 36 ACRES, UM, AND THEN IT'S PROPOSED 27 ACRES, SO LESS IMPERVIOUS COVER AND SEVERAL, UH, COMU CITIZENS COMMUNICATING TODAY SAID 34 ACRES.

COULD YOU SPEAK TO THAT OR LIKE, AS YOUR UNDERSTANDING, UM, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THREAD, UM, OF HOW YOU ARRIVED AT, AT THOSE NUMBERS, OR, OR WHAT, WHAT THAT'S ABOUT THE IMPERVIOUS COVER.