Jul 20, 2023 City Council Meetings

I'M TOLD I OUGHT TO WAIT AND I'LL WAIT.

I'LL KEEP Y'ALL IN SUSPENSE.

IT'S REALLY BIG.

UM, OKAY WITH THAT, THE ITEMS MEMBERS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE PULLED FROM THAT ARE, I'M LISTING AS NON-CONSENT ITEMS ARE ITEMS 1 11, 1 28, 1 29, 1 48, I THINK ONE 90, BUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO LET ME KNOW FOR CERTAIN.

AND 1 95.

THOSE ARE THE ITEMS THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE PULLED.

UH, I WILL WAIT TILL AFTER WE HAVE SPEAKERS TO ASK IF ANY OTHER ITEMS NEED TO BE PULLED.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER, UM, DID YOU SAY 1 48? CUZ THAT'S THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.

THAT'S NOT ON CONSENT.

IT'S NOT ON CONSENT.

AND THAT WAS, IT'S A COMMITTEE ITEM? YES, IT'S ONE COMING FROM THE COMMITTEE.

AND SO I THOUGHT YOU JUST SAID IT WAS PULLED.

1 11, 1 28, 1 29, 1 48, 1 90, AND 1 95.

NO, I'M, I'M, I'M PULLING IT SO WE CAN DO THAT AS A SPECIFIC ITEM.

OKAY, SO LEMME SAY THAT AGAIN.

WITH THAT WE WILL GO TO, UH, THE CONSENT AGENDA.

BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA SPEAKERS, I WANT TO CALL UP THE LAW DEPARTMENT, UH, TO GIVE US A BRIEFING UNDER THE LAW RELATED TO S ITEMS THAT ARE SETTLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS.

FOR THE RECORD, I ALSO WANNA RECOGNIZE THAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES IS JOINING US REMOTELY.

A SPECIAL COMMISSIONER'S AWARD.

GOOD MORNING MAYOR.

MAYOR PROAM COUNCIL, I'M HERE TODAY TO RECOMMEND FIVE SETTLEMENTS, UH, THAT ARE UP HERE ON YOUR AGENDA.

AND I'M GOING TO TAKE THEM OUT OF ORDER AND REFERENCE THE AGENDA NUMBERS AS WE GO.

FIRST, WITH RESPECT TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 86, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE A PAYMENT OF 1.2 MILLION TO SEND, SETTLE THE BEMAN BARTON VERSUS CITY OF AUSTIN LAWSUIT.

THIS LAWSUIT ARISES OUT OF THE MAY, 2020 PROTESTS INVOLVING THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE MR. BARTON SEEKS PAYMENT FOR HIS INJURIES STEMMING FROM HIS ATTENDANCE AT THE PROTESTS.

IN EXCHANGE FROM HIS PAYMENT, A PLAINTIFF WILL RE RELEASE ALL HIS CLAIMS AGAINST BOTH THE CITY AND ANY OFFICERS, UH, STEMMING FROM THE MAY 20, MAY 30TH, 2020 INCIDENT.

AND HE WILL ALSO DISMISS HIS LAWSUIT WITH PREJUDICE THAT IS CURRENTLY FILED IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT.

NEXT, ITEM NUMBER 87.

I RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE A PAYMENT OF $112,000 TO SETTLE THE VELASQUEZ RULE ROAN VERSUS CITY OF AUSTIN LAWSUIT.

THIS LAWSUIT IS RELATED TO A JUNE, 2019 CAR ACCIDENT WHERE PLAINTIFFS CHRISTOPHER VELASQUEZ AND MARY ROAN SOUGHT PAYMENT FOR INJURIES THAT THEY SUSTAINED AS PART OF THE ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVES A BUILDING SERVICES VEHICLE.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS PAYMENT, THE CITY WILL OBTAIN A FULL AND FINAL, UH, AGREEMENT FROM BOTH PLAINTIFFS TO RELEASE THE CITY AND ITS EMPLOYEES, AND THE PLAINTIFFS WILL DISMISS THEIR LAWSUIT.

ITEM NUMBER 90, UH, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE A PAYMENT OF $97,500 TO SETTLE THE VIA VERSUS CITY OF AUSTIN LAWSUIT.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PAYMENT, THE CITY WILL OBTAIN A FULL AND FINAL AGREEMENT FROM THE PLAINTIFFS AS, AND THE PLAINTIFFS WILL DISMISS THE LAWSUIT THAT THEY HAVE ASSERTED AGAINST THE CITY.

TO ITEM NUMBER 88, UH, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE A PAYMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL $1,675,000 OVER

[00:10:01]

THAT WAS 6,000,007 $675,000.

THE TOTAL PAYMENT FOR THIS, UH, EMINENT DOMAIN LAWSUIT IS $8,350,000.

THE, THE, UH, EMINENT DOMAIN LAWSUIT IS CITY OF AUSTIN VERSUS 63 15 SPICEWOOD.

IT IS A 2022 CONDEMNATION LAWSUIT WHERE THE CITY OF ACQUIRES PROPERTY INTEREST NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE UPPER BULL CREEK GREEN BELT.

AND OF COURSE, IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS PAYMENT, THE CITY OBTAINS THE NEEDED TITLE AND PROPERTY INTERESTS AND THE DEFENDANT WILL RELEASE ANY REMAINING CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY ON ITEM NUMBER, UH, 88.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE A PAYMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL 307,004 $307,407 OVER THE ORIGINAL COMMISSIONER'S AWARD OF 51,593.

THE TOTAL, UH, PAYMENT FOR THIS EMINENT DOMAIN CASE IS 359,000.

UH, IT IS ENTITLED THE CITY OF AUSTIN VERSUS SFC SOFTWARE PROPERTY.

AND IT'S A 2021 CONDEMNATION LAWSUIT, UH, WHERE THE CITY ACQUIRES THE NECESSARY PROPERTY INTEREST FOR THE SOUTH LAMAR CORRIDOR BOULEVARD PROJECT.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS PAYMENT, THE CITY OBTAINS THE NECESSARY TITLE AND THE DEFENDANTS WILL DISMISS ANY REMAINING CLAIMS. COUNCILOR ALLISON ALTER, CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY WHICH NUMBER ITEM THAT ONE WAS? CUZ I THINK YOU SAID IT WAS 88, WHICH IS THE SPICEWOOD SPRINGS PROPERTY.

OH, I APOLOGIZE.

I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE HAVE IT CORRECT FOR THE RECORD.

SPICEWOOD SPRINGS WAS NUMBER 88, AND THEN THE NEXT ONE WITH THE THREE AND THE LAST ONE, UH, WAS 91.

SPEAKERS AND I'LL ASK THE CITY CLERK TO, UH, PLEASE GO TO THE SPEAKERS IN THE ORDER WE TRADITIONALLY DO.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WITH THAT, WE WILL GO TO

[Public Comment]

THE FIRST SPEAKER IS KAREN FERNANDEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT FOR 92 AND THEN ITEMS 1 26 AND 1 58.

HELLO, COUNSEL.

MY NAME IS KAREN FERNANDEZ AND I'M THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE MATTHEWS LANE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

UM, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CONCERNS ON 92, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S BEEN PULLED, UM, 1 26 AND 1 58.

WE FEEL FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN PARTICULAR, WE HAVE VERY LITTLE INFRASTRUCTURE AS IN NO SIDEWALKS, ROADS, DRAINAGE.

UM, YET THIS LEVEL OF DENSITY IS GOING TO PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON OUR LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE WITHOUT OUR INPUT, WHICH WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

I WOULD LOVE THE IDEA OF ADDING ADUS TO SF TWO S, BUT NOT THIS IDEA OF SMALLER LOTS AND MORE DENSITY.

IT ALSO WORKS AGAINST US AS A NEIGHBORHOOD AS WE HAVE DEED RESTRICTIONS AND WE STILL HAVE NEVER GOTTEN THOSE ADDRESSED BY THE CITY CUZ THEY SAY THEY DO NOT GET INVOLVED YET.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO JUST STAMP, SEND THROUGH QUICKLY ALL OF THIS DENSITY, WHERE DO WE STAND IN OUR LAWSUITS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY HAVING TO PAY FOR IN ORDER TO ENFORCE THOSE DEED RESTRICTIONS? I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE LISTEN TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

SHE WAS SO SUCCINCT, I JUST WANNA SAY DITTO TO WHAT SHE SAID.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER POLICY THAT'S NOT REALLY GONNA HELP THE HOMEOWNERS, THE LONGTIME RESIDENTS.

IT'S GONNA BE AN INCENTIVE TO KNOCK DOWN THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILD THREE NEW HOMES THAT ARE AND COMPLETELY UNAFFORDABLE.

PLEASE TAKE TIME AND LISTEN TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS IN CENTRAL SOUTH AUSTIN ON THIS.

PLEASE, I BEG YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NEXT SPEAKER IS LINDSEY HOLMES SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT TO 92.

HELLO COUNSEL, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.

UM, DO NOT, DO NOT SUPPORT THAT.

UM, SO YES, UH, I'M SPEAKING ON, UM, ITEM 1 25 AS WELL.

UM, JUST A HISTORIC SORT OF CORNERSTONE OF BARTON SPRINGS PROTECTION AND BARTON SPRINGS, UM, WATERSHED.

UM, IT'S BEEN OFFICIAL CITY POLICY FOR 40 YEARS THAT ABSENT SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OR PREEXISTING LEGAL COMMITMENTS THAT WE DO NOT EXTEND CITY UTILITIES TO SUPPORT NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE BARTON SPRINGS WATERSHEDS.

IT'S BEEN A CRITICAL TOOL TO PROTECT BARTON SPRINGS FROM MASSIVE SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT.

UM, PLEASE VOTE NO OR POSTPONE THIS ITEM AND ALSO ITEM ONE 90, UM, THE RESERVE POLICE FORCE OF 75 OFFICERS THAT WOULD SORT OF BE ABLE TO ACT AT THE DISCRETION OF THE POLICE CHIEF SUPPOSEDLY FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.

BUT, UM, IT, THAT, THAT INFORMATION OR THAT SORT OF RESTRICTION IS NOT IN THE DRAFT ORDINANCE AS I UNDERSTAND IT RIGHT NOW.

SO,

[00:15:01]

UM, WE NEED TO SUPPORT IN COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT NOT POLICING AND CONTINUE INDEFINITE FOREVER.

POSTPONEMENT NEVER OF ITEM 92.

NEXT SPEAKER IS KABA WHITE SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT 2 92.

HELLO, THIS IS KABA WHITE.

I WORK FOR PUBLIC CITIZENS TEXAS OFFICE AND I WANNA THANK YOU FOR POSTPONING ITEM 92.

WELL, I KNOW THAT THE EXTENSIVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THAT YOU GET ON MANY ISSUES FROM AUSTINITES MIGHT SOMETIMES FEEL BURDENSOME OR MIGHT SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS OF DECISION MAKING.

I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY HUGE ASSET FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING MORE ENGAGEMENT.

I KNOW THAT MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS TEXAS HAVE MUCH LOWER VOTER TURNOUT AND ENGAGEMENT IN CIVIC DISCUSSIONS THAN WE HAVE HERE IN AUSTIN.

AND I THINK THOSE OTHER PLACES ARE WORTH OFF FOR THAT LACK OF ENGAGEMENT AND WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO EITHER SHOW UP AT CITY HALL AND SPEAK THEIR MIND OR CALL IN LIKE I AM RIGHT NOW TO SHARE THEIR OPINIONS ON THE ITEMS THAT YOU ALL ARE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ARE CONSIDERING FOR OUR CITY.

SO JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR POSTPONING THAT AND I URGE YOU TO NOT BRING IT BACK AT ANY TIME.

NEXT SPEAKER IS DANA HAGER.

DANA, NEXT SPEAKER IS PAT RES SPEAKING ON THE POSTPONEMENT OF 92.

UM, THIS IS PAD VRE AND I CAN BE HEARD.

OKAY, RIGHT? YES.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

UM, MY NAME IS PAD VRE AND I AM, UM, IN SUPPORT OF WHAT THE PREVIOUS SAID ABOUT POSTPONING.

THANK YOU FOR POSTPONING ITEM 92.

UM, AND WHEN YOU BRING IT BACK, PLEASE DO NOT BRING IT BACK IN A METHOD THAT LIMITS, UH, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

UH, WE HERE IN AUSTIN DO MAKE SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR CIVIC PROCESS.

WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT AND WE SHOULD CELEBRATE IT AND WE SHOULD ALLOW IT.

UM, AS YOU KNOW, DEMOCRACY IS UNDER ATTACK ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.

YOU KNOW, THE HIGHER THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, THE MORE ATTACKS THERE ARE AND SO OUR CITY IS A, A BASTION OF DEMOCRACY, SO I HOPE WE CAN KEEP OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES INTACT.

INTO CONSIDERATION THE EXPERIENCES OF THOSE WHO ARE MOST IMPACTED AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DIRECTLY ON THE GROUND WORKING WITH THEM EVERY DAY.

NEXT STEP IS JAY POPHAM SPEAKING ON 92 94, 1 11 AND ONE 90.

HI THERE.

UH, THANKS SO MUCH CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

UH, I WANTED TO FOCUS MY COMMENTS TODAY ON ITEM ONE 11, UH, HAVING TO DO WITH THE DIVERSION OF R P A FUNDS TO A, UH, TEMPORARY CONGREGATE SHELTER HOUSING, UH, BEING BUILT IN THE CONVENTION CENTER, UH, MARSHALING YARDS.

UH, I WANNA SAY THAT, UH, THIS MONEY WOULD BE MUCH BETTER SPENT IN INVESTING IN LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS HERE IN AUSTIN, UH, ALLEVIATING THOSE ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY THAT CREATE HOMELESSNESS AND ALL OF THIS ATTENDANT ILL EFFECT ON OUR CITY.

AND I THINK THAT THE, UH, SPENDING OF THIS ONE TIME FUNDING ON A TEMPORARY SHELTER IS INTENTIONALLY WASTEFUL AND SHORTSIGHTED AND NEEDS TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.

THANKS, IAN STEVENSON SPEAKING ON 92 94, 1 11, 1 27 AND ONE 90.

HELLO.

UM, I'M GOING TO, UH, FOCUS ON ONE, UH, 11 AND THEN ALSO ONE 90.

UM, IN TERMS OF ONE 11, I JUST WANTED TO ALSO, UM, VOICE MY, UM, STANCE AGAINST SPENDING, UM, THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL CONTRACT ON THE, UM, MARSHALING YARD PROJECT.

UM, I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR LIKE A SOLUTION FOR HOMELESSNESS, IT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S LONG TERM.

THAT'S OF COURSE TAKING

[00:20:01]

UM, THIS IS FAR TOO SOON WITHOUT ANY KIND OF, UM, ACTUAL A SOLID PLAN OF WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER, UM, THE LONG LIST OF QUESTIONS THAT COMES ALONG WITH HOUSING 300 PEOPLE IN, UM, ONE WAREHOUSE THAT IT'S NOT AT ALL, AND THE ETHICAL CONCERNS THAT ALSO COME ALONG WITH THAT.

UM, AND THEN, UM, I ALSO JUST WANT TO, UM, TAKE MY STANCE AGAINST, UM, ITEM ONE 90 AS WELL.

THANK YOU GARY STEINBERG SPEAKING ON 92, 1 24 AND 1 26.

OKAY, NOW, OKAY, SO THEY BASICALLY GIVE US A BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TO SEE IF GARY, YOU'RE UP.

YES, I WITH THE SURGERY, I BELIEVE MINE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS JULIA WOODS SPEAKING ON 92 AND 1 26.

FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR POSTPONING ITEM NUMBER 92 FOR THE REASONS DISCUSSED BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.

UM, AGAIN, THANK YOU.

MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 1 26, THE, UH, RESOLUTION TO MODIFY SITE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND MINIMUM LOT SIZE, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DWELLINGS REGARDING SINGLE FAMILY ZONING.

THIS, UM, RESOLUTION IS GOING TO INCREASE OCCASION IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN BECAUSE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION WITH AN HOA THAT REQUIRES, UM, RESIDENTS, OWNERS TO PAY DUES, CAN AFFORD TO CONTEST ANY CHANGES BEING MADE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHEREAS THE OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD, THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE OCCUPIED BY MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WILL HAVE NO DEFENSE WHATSOEVER SO THAT THEIR LOTS WILL BE CHOPPED INTO SMALLER PIECES.

THEIR, UM, PROPERTY VALUES WILL SOAR, THEIR TAXES WILL THEN SOAR, AND YOU'LL FIND MANY OF THE OLDER RESIDENTS PRICED OUT OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THIS IS A GENTRIFICATION PROVISION.

IT WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LUXURY CONDOS AND IT WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT'S A BOONDOGGLE THAT I THINK DEVELOPERS KEEP PUSHING AS A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHEN THAT IS EXACTLY NOT WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO.

DEVELOPERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY WITHOUT THESE KIND OF PROVISIONS.

IF THEY CAN'T, THEY SHOULD GO TO DALLAS OR HOUSTON BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY BEING MADE IN AUSTIN AND THEY CAN DO IT JUST FINE WITH THE LAWS THE WAY THEY ARE.

IT SAYS THINGS LIKE IF IT IS, IF LEGALLY FEASIBLE.

PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THIS PROVISION.

NEXT SPEAKER IS NICOLE MANN SPEAKING ON 92 AND 1 26.

HELLO? AM I BEING HEARD? HELLO? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.

HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME? HI, UH, UM, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR POSTPONING, UM, ARTICLE NUMBER 92.

HOPEFULLY, UM, AS SOME OF THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE SAID, HOPEFULLY IT'S AN INDEFINITE, UM, POSTPONEMENT BECAUSE WE ARE ACTIVE.

I MEAN, WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING, UM, ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN OUR CITY, UM, ORDINANCE CHANGES AND DECISION MAKING AS A COMMUNITY.

UM, AND THEN SPEAKING OF REGARDING ONE OR ARTICLE 1 26, UM, AS A HOMEOWNER, UM, WHO HAS WORKED REALLY HARD TO, UM, BECOME PART OF MY COMMUNITY AND TO TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF MY NEIGHBORS AND MY STREET AND MY HOME, UM, WE ALREADY ARE FIGHTING AGAINST, UM, OVER, UM, PARKING ON THE STREETS BECAUSE I LIVE ON THE STREET WITH A LOT OF, UM, RENTERS, UM, AND A LOT OF, UM, MULTIPLE, UM, A LOT OF STUDENT RENTERS, UM, AND HOUSES ARE BEING RENTED TO MULTIPLES, UM, WHO ARE PARKING ON THE STREET.

UM, SORRY, I'M LIKE SUPER FLUSTERED.

UM, I AM JUST SO AGAINST 1 26.

EVEN THE WORDING IN, UM, THIS DRAFT, I MEAN IT'S,

[00:25:01]

I MEAN THAT IN ITSELF, THE WORDING SUGGESTS IT IS NOT LEGAL, THAT YOU ARE REMOVING RIGHTS INSTEAD OF ADDING TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS RIGHTS, UM, OR RESPECTING THE ONES THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.

IT SAYS, I MEAN THINGS THAT, UM, TO PRESERVE MORE TREE CANOPY WITH EXCEPTIONS.

I MEAN, WE ARE, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT BLANK SLATES, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TAKING OUR HISTORY, THE HISTORY OF THIS CITY AND, AND ERASING IT, AND THEN BUILDING IT FROM THE GROUND UP AT THE COST OF MORE PEOPLE BEING PUSHED OUT.

UM, THANK YOU, YOU SPEAKER, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED ALL OVER THE CITY.

OKAY, WELL THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

RICHARD SMITH SPEAKING ON ITEMS 20, I MEAN 92, 1 24, AND 1 26.

MY NAME IS RICHARD SMITH.

I'M AN ATTORNEY, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND HAVE BEEN IN AUSTIN HOMEOWNER FOR 25 YEARS.

I OPPOSE AGENDA ITEM 1 26.

ITEM 1 26 PURPORTS TO HELP THE MIDDLE CLASS, A VAGUE AND UNDEFINED TERM USED BY POLITICIANS TO SWAY ACCEPTANCE OF SOMETHING.

ITEM 1 26 FAILS TO APPRECIATE BASIC HOUSING MARKET ECONOMICS.

MERELY DECREASING LOT SIZE AND INCREASING DENSITY DOES NOT EQUATE TO A LOWER COST OF HOUSING.

IRO HOUSES ARE THE TYPE DEPICTED DEPICTED ON THE COUNCIL MESSAGE BOARD IN VARIOUS CITIES.

THEY CAN EASILY COST ONE AND A HALF TO $2 MILLION OR MORE DEPENDING UPON THEIR LOCATION.

IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE DEPICTED ROW HOUSES SHOW THE CATASTROPHIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CAUSED BY INCREASING IMPERVIOUS COVER AND REPLACING GREEN SPACES, YARDS, AND TREES WITH CONCRETE.

ITEM 1 26 WILL DECIMATE SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS AND HURT THE SO-CALLED MIDDLE CLASS THE MOST.

THANK YOU, MARIO SPEAKING ON 92 AND 1 26.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.

HELLO, THIS IS MARIO CANTU FROM SOUTH AUSTIN.

UH, I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, RECOGNIZE ITEM 1 26 AND PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.

I CONCUR WITH WHAT THEY ARE SPEAKING ABOUT.

UH, ONE OF THE FOCUSES ON HERE IS THE MIDDLE CLASS.

UH, I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO ALSO LOOK AT THE LOWER CLASS AS WELL.

UM, IF IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE CITY OF AUSTIN COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE, UH, ROUND ROCK WAS DOING A WHILE BACK, UH, AT 30% MFI FOR THE TEACHERS, UH, FOR OUR CITIZENS HERE, THE SENIOR CITIZENS AS WELL.

AS YOU MIGHT KNOW, THAT, UH, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO WALK OVER TO AREAS WHERE THERE'S COMMERCIAL BECAUSE THE COMMERCIAL'S SO EXPENSIVE THEY CAN'T RENT ANY OF THE PLACES OUT.

SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY ACCESSIBILITY, ANY OF THINGS COMMERCIALLY THAT WE NEED WITHIN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND ALSO, UH, THE 9 1 1 SYSTEM IS SUFFERING.

UH, WE'RE HAVING DELAYED TIMES OF FOUR MINUTES.

I CALLED, UH, A COUPLE TIMES WITHIN A WEEK AND HAD A FOUR MINUTE DELAY.

LUCKILY, LUCKILY A HOUSE, UH, WAS NOT BURNING OR ANYBODY WAS IN CARDIAC ARREST.

HAD THAT BEEN, WE PROBABLY WOULD'VE, UH, HAD SOME REALLY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THOSE SITUATIONS.

SO 9 1 1 NEEDS TO BE FIXED FIRST.

OUR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS TO BE FIXED FIRST, AND THIS IS GONNA CAUSE A LOT OF DISPLACEMENT.

WITH WATER IN AUSTIN AND CREEK, MAKING MORE DENSITY WILL CREATE MORE PROBLEMS WITH WATER, SO ESPECIALLY WITH GLOBAL WARMING AS IT'S HAPPENING NOW AND MORE DROUGHT IN THE SOUTHWEST.

NEXT SPEAKER IS GARY STENBERG SPEAKING ON ITEM 92 1 24 AND 1 26.

GARY, PLEASE UNMUTE.

OKAY, WE'LL TRY HIM AGAIN.

UH, MARIANNE OCK SPEAKING ON ITEMS 92 1 24 AND 1 26.

HELLO, THIS IS MARIANNE MELO TALK.

I AM, UH, VERY MUCH AGAINST HAVING ALL MY TIME COORDINATED INTO TWO MINUTES FOR ALL THREE ITEMS I WANNA SPEAK ON.

THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE TO ME.

I DO NOT WANT TO SEE ANY LINES PUT IN THE BARTON CREEK GREENBELT REGARDING 1 25 AND REGARDING 1 26.

IT'S TOTALLY, I'M TOTALLY AGAINST IT AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH ROCK RISING PROPERTY TAXES.

AND THE REST OF IT HAS TO DO WITH WE ALREADY HAVE PROBLEMS

[00:30:01]

SO I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO VOTE NO ON 1 26, NO ON 1 25, NO ON 1 24 AND NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.

92, THANK YOU.

YOU WILL CREATE MORE PROBLEMS WITH NEXT SPEAKER.

IS CHRIS HARRIS SPEAKING ON 92 94, 1 11 AND ONE 90? YEAH.

WANT TO FIRST ECHO, UM, PEOPLE'S OPPOSITION IN 92? UH, IN REALITY, THE THE RULES AROUND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND COUNCIL MEETINGS SHOULD BE GOING THE OTHER DIRECTION.

SHOULD BE OPENING THINGS UP FOR MORE INVOLVEMENT, MORE ENGAGEMENT, ALLOWING MORE TIME TO SPEAK, AND MAYBE IMPLEMENTING A PHONE SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE PEOPLE TO WAIT ON HOLD FOR HOURS.

UM, WITH RESPECT TO ONE 11, I THINK, UM, THE CITY'S EXPERIENCE WITH PARTICULARLY COLD WEATHER SHELTERS SHOULD BE, UH, LOOKED AT HERE.

YOU HAVE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED, UH, WHO DESPITE EXTREME TEMPERATURES CHOOSE NOT TO GO INTO THEM BECAUSE IF, WHEN THEY'RE POORLY RUN, AND THIS IS NOT BECAUSE THEY WOULD PREFER TO BE OUTSIDE IN THE, IN THE COLD, BUT BECAUSE THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE OF THOSE CONGREGATE SHELTERS CAN BE THAT BAD, IF THEY'RE POORLY RUN TO APPROVE THIS RISK, CREATING A BOOM DOGGLE THAT SITS EMPTY OR MOSTLY EMPTY, AND AGAIN, WITH NO PLAN FOR THE OTHER SIDE, NO ACTUAL, UM, UH, UH, ADDRESSING OF THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY.

UM, TO URGE YOU TO, TO POSTPONE OR, OR VOTE NO, UM, IT'S EQUALLY WITH ITEM 71.

I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SWEEPS HERE.

I WANNA REGISTER MY OPPOSITION.

THIS IS NOT, UH, IT ISN'T APPROPRIATE TO ADD THESE BIG CONTRACTS RIGHT BEFORE THE BUDGET CYCLE.

ALL THIS MONEY SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE BUDGET DELIBERATIONS DURING NEXT MONTH.

AND THEN FINALLY, I WANNA JUST SAY, UH, THAT PROVIDED THAT SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED ARE APPLIED TO ITEM 90, I'D LIKE TO DROP MY OPPOSITION TO ITEM ONE 90 IF THERE'S, UH, A BENEFIT HERE TO ENSURING THAT UN UNFORTUNATELY AND ANTIQUATED CITY CODE REQUIRING SWORN OFFICERS BE INVOLVED IN, IN SOME OF THESE SPECIAL EVENTS.

UH, IF IT, IF THAT CODE EXISTS, THEN THERE'S A BENEFIT TO THIS ITEM PROVIDED THAT THERE ARE LIMITS, UH, AND CONTROLS AND TRAINING AND OVERSIGHT OVER THE, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PERFORMING THIS DUTY.

UH, THANK YOU ALL, UH, APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

NEXT SPEAKER IS LAUREN ORTEL SPEAKING ON 92 94, 1 11 AND ONE 90.

HI, GOOD MORNING.

UM, I ACTUALLY PUT IN THE FORM, UM, JUST SPEAKING ON ONE 11, SO THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME.

UH, I DO WANNA URGE COUNSEL TO VOTE NO ON ITEM ONE 11, WHICH WOULD MOVE OVER 9 MILLION AWAY FROM THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM AND PUT PEOPLE IN A ONE YEAR SHELTER FACILITY.

UM, DEFINITELY WHAT WE REALLY NEED HERE IS A LONGER TERM PLAN.

UH, THIS CURRENT PLAN WITH THIS ITEM WOULD CONCENTRATE AND SEGREGATE MORE UNHOUSED FOLKS, A MAJORITY OF WHOM WILL BE BLACK OR BROWN PEOPLE IN AUSTIN'S POOR ZIP CODE.

OTHER CONCERNS HERE, UM, WE'VE GOT GENDER SAFETY, ACCESS TO HYGIENE RESOURCES AND TRANSPORTATION TO THE SITE, UH, AS WELL AS, UH, HOUSING RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WHO WOULD JUST BE PUT IN THIS WAREHOUSE.

UH, IT DEFINITELY FEELS INHUMANE AND I HOPE COUNSEL WILL JOIN US IN TURNING DOWN THIS PROPOSAL TO INSTEAD DEVELOP A LONG TERM HOUSING PLAN THAT IS RESPECTFUL TO ALL AUSTINITE.

TIME THAT Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO CUT OUT.

NEXT SPEAKER IS GARRETT NICK ON 93.

UH, HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR, UH, LISTENING TO EVERYONE TODAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO, UH, AGREE WITH ALL THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS ABOUT ITEM 92 AND DIMINISHING SOME OF THE, UH, OPTIONS AND, UM, TIME AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS TO VOICE THEIR OPINION WHILE ON ISSUES OF GREAT IMPORTANCE.

UM, AND ALSO TO, YOU KNOW, UH, THERE ARE JUST SOME ISSUES THAT ARE GONNA BE MORE CONTROVERSIAL.

SO IF YOU CONTINUE TO BRING EXTREMELY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES TO THE TABLE, THEN YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE SHOW UP TO SPEAK ABOUT 'EM.

AND SO MAYBE BEFORE YOU BRING THOSE ITEMS UP, THEY SHOULD BE DISCUSSED AND VETTED SO THAT THEY DON'T RILE UP THE, UH, THE BASE AND HAVE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO COME IN AND SPEAK UP.

UM, SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE WAY TO AVOID THAT, UM, FROM TAKING UP SO MUCH

[00:35:01]

UH, ASIDE FROM THAT, AS FAR AS THE ZONING, UH, CHANGES, UH, I'M NOT OPPOSED TO DENSITY.

I DON'T THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED BY THE IDEA OF AN A D U, BUT WE NEED TO MAINTAIN OUR ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.

AUSTIN IS IN A SEVERE DROUGHT.

WE HAVE LARGE OAK TREES FALLING OVER EVERY DAY, UH, JUST FROM THE SEVERE CONDITIONS THAT THEY'RE HAVING TO ENDURE.

UH, OUR CREEKS ARE DRY, OUR SPRINGS ARE HISTORICALLY LOW FLOW RATES.

WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING ANYTHING TO DIMINISH THE AMOUNT OF WATER AVAILABLE TO SOAK INTO THE GROUND.

IF IMPERVIOUS COVER LIMITS ARE RAISED, THEN I'M 100% AGAINST IT.

THIS SORT OF DENSITY CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT, UH, FURTHER DEGRADING OUR WATER QUALITY AND OUR SPRING FLOW.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY PEOPLE LIVE IN AUSTIN.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY PEOPLE HAVE LIVED IN CENTRAL TEXAS FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, IS BECAUSE OF AVAILABILITY OF WATER.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO PROTECT.

UH, IT'S AT THE HEART AND SOUL OF THIS CITY.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S THE REASON WHY BARTON SPRINGS FLOWS.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PROTECT THAT, UH, AS YOU LOOK AT WAYS TO INCREASE DENSITY.

BUT IT'S NOT, WE DON'T NEED TO TRADE THOSE, UH, THINGS AWAY IN ORDER TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE LIVE HERE.

UH, THIS CAN BE DONE RESPONSIBLY AND I THINK YOU, UM, ALL KNOW THAT AND YOU CAN DO IT.

UM, JUST DON'T, THANK YOU, THANK SPEAKER YOUR TIME WITHOUT TAKING THIS INTO EFFECT.

THANK YOU GARY STENBERG.

LET'S SEE IF THIRD TIME'S A CHARM.

YES, THIS IS GARY STEINBERG.

SO I WANTED TO SPEAK ON, UH, JUST SEVERAL ITEMS. I, I BASICALLY AM JUST GONNA AGREE WITH WHAT THE GENTLEMAN JUST SAID ABOUT AVAILABILITY TO, UH, SPEAK AND NOT CUTTING THE, UH, THE TIME LIMIT FOR INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS FROM THREE MINUTES TO ONE MINUTE.

THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.

ALL, ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED BEFORE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.

MY PRIMARY INTEREST IS IN SPEAKING AGAINST ITEM 1 26 AND ALSO THE ISSUES OF NO, UM, PARKING ACCOMMODATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ITEM 1 26 IN EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'M JUST GOING TO, UM, DRILL DOWN INTO MY SPECIFIC EXAMPLE.

I LIVE IN THE WEST CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD IN SOUTHWEST AUSTIN, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED AROUND 19 79, 19 80.

THE FIRST HOUSES BUILT THERE, UM, USING A BLANKET ZONING CHAINS TO ALLOW, UM, HIGHER DENSITY AND HALF THE LOT SIZE ALL OVER, UH, THE GREATER AUSTIN AREA EXEMPTING, OF COURSE, THE WEALTHIER PEOPLE AROUND LAKE AUSTIN AND THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL LOTS WHO GET TO KEEP THEIR MORE THAN ONE ACRE LOT SIZE AND ARE HAPPY CAMPERS.

UH, THESE SUB SUBDIVISIONS WERE DEVELOPED BY SUBSTANDARD DEVELOPERS AND HAVE ONGOING PROBLEMS IN THE DENSITY THAT THEY HAVE.

CASE IN POINT, MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS RECURRING POWER OUTAGES EVERY TIME WE GET WINDY OR HAVE A BAD STORM BECAUSE OF THE OVERHEAD POWER LINES AND THE CURRENT DEMAND PLACED ON THE GRID.

UH, THEY ALSO GET THE STREETS CUT UP, UH, PIECEMEAL, UH, SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR BECAUSE OF SUBSTANDARD WATER LINES THAT WERE PUT THERE.

IF YOU LIKE, DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE DENSITY OF THE PEOPLE IN THERE ON THOSE SAME ALL WATER LINES, THEY'LL JUST HAVE THE STREETS TORN UP ALL THE TIME.

THIRDLY, THERE ALREADY IS MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING IN, UH, ONE END OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE STREETS ACCOMMODATE THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE WIDER AND THERE'S MORE ROOM FOR OFF THE STREET PARKING, BUT THE STREETS THAT DON'T ACCOMMODATE THE AREA OF SET ASIDE FOR THAT KIND OF ZONING.

SPEAKER.

YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

OKAY, SO MANDY BLOTT SPEAKING ON ITEM ONE 11.

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL RISKS TO THE PEOPLE IT'S MEANT TO SERVE.

I'M SPEAKING ON ONE 11.

UM, WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT CONGREGATE SHELTERS, IT WASN'T IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS TO ME WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE, BUT IT TURNS OUT A LOT WAS LEARNED ABOUT THEM DURING THE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING THROUGH SOME FORMAL RESEARCH STUDIES.

AND WE NOW KNOW THAT THESE SHELTERS FACILITATE THE SPREAD OF DISEASE AS WELL AS PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

UNLIKE NON CONGREGATE SHELTERS, WHICH INCREASED SAFETY, STABILITY, HEALTH PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT, AND ABILITY TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

AND THAT'S NOT EVEN CONSIDERING THE BENEFITS OF RESOURCES OTHER THAN SHELTERS SUCH AS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WHICH OUR CITY SO DESPERATELY NEEDS.

SOME OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS MAY ASSUME THAT ANY SHELTER IS A POSITIVE STEP, BUT ANYONE WHO TAKES EVEN A BRIEF LOOK INTO IT WILL SEE THAT THIS WOULD BE A STEP BACKWARDS FOR AUSTIN TO INVEST IN A TYPE OF SHELTER THAT'S NO LONGER CONSIDERED SAFE OR HUMANE.

AND AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, I BELIEVE IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK INTO THIS ON BEHALF OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND TO VOTE NO ON ANY APPROACH THAT MAY LOOK GOOD ON THE SURFACE, BUT ACTUALLY POSE BOTH

[00:40:01]

KIRSTEN BROOKS, SPEAKING ON ONE 11.

I JUST WANNA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TIME, UH, TO SPEAK.

UM, TODAY I'M CALLING TO, UH, EXPRESS MY DISAPPROVAL FOR THE MARSHALING YARD.

I BELIEVE THAT IT RAISES SEVERAL CONCERNS THAT CANNOT BE OVERLOOKED.

UM, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S BEEN, UM, A REDIRECTION OF, UH, 3 MILLION AWAY FROM PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, UH, THAT UNDERMINES THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF HOUSING 3000 INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THREE YEARS.

UM, I FEEL LIKE IT'S CRUCIAL TO PRIORITIZE PERMANENT SOLUTIONS INSTEAD OF A TEMPORARY SHELTER FACILITY, UM, BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS.

UH, FEEL LIKE ALSO THERE'S BEEN A LACK OF CONSULTATION WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS SITUATION, INCLUDING THE PEOPLE WHO DO TAKE SO MUCH TIME TO, UH, ASSIST WITH HOMELESSNESS, OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS IN THE CITY.

UM, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S ALSO A LACK OF, UH, CARE, UM, AND A SAFETY RISK THAT IS POSED FOR THE 300 PEOPLE THAT'S GONNA BE HOUSED IN THIS TEMPORARY SITUATION.

UM, IN CONCLUSION, I DO FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR HOMELESSNESS.

UH, REALLY GET DOWN TO THE ROOT OF WHY IT'S HAPPENING AND INSTEAD OF DEDICATING $9.1 MILLION TOWARDS TEMPORARY HOUSING, UH, LOOK AT, UH, MAYBE WHAT DENVER IS DOING TO, UH, ERADICATE HOMELESSNESS IN THEIR CITY.

UH, THEY'RE DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS TO NOT ONLY, UH, PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH HOUSING, BUT TO TRANSITION THEM INTO, UH, THE WORKFORCE AND ULTIMATELY GIVE THEM A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TIME AND I HOPE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS AND PROVIDE LONGER TERM SOLUTIONS FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN AUSTIN.

ANTHONY PAN PANINO ON ONE 11.

UH, GOOD MORNING COUNSEL.

I AM, UH, UH, SPEAKING AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED AL IN YARD FOR, UH, INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTIN.

THERE IS, UH, AN URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS, UM, OUR LACK OF SHELTER FOR, UH, UNHOUSED PEOPLE, BUT I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT PROPOSAL HAS SIGNIFICANT FLAWS.

FIRSTLY, EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT CONGREGATE SHELTERS, UM, ARE INEFFECTIVE AND THEY FAIL TO PROVIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE.

THE, UH, ARRANGEMENT LACKED PRIVACY LEADS TO INCREASED STREET, UH, STRESS LEVELS AND A LACK OF SAFETY.

AND, UH, IT'S DISHEARTENING TO POTENTIALLY, UH, FURTHER TRAUMATIZE INDIVIDUALS IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AND, UH, HINDER THEIR PROGRESS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE PROPOSED LOCATION OF THE YARD IS DEEPLY CONCERNING.

UM, DISPLACING PEOPLE TO AN AREA FAR OUTSIDE THE CITY WITHOUT RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IS UNTENABLE.

IT WILL ONLY SERVE TO ISOLATE INDIVIDUALS FURTHER FROM E ESSENTIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES.

UM, IT'LL CREATE SURMOUNTABLE BARRIERS TO ACCESS, UH, TO THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND IT'LL JUST HELP TO PERPETUATE THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS RATHER THAN OFFERING A GENUINE OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY AND SECURE TIVE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WHICH IS WHAT'S NEEDED.

UH, FURTHERMORE, THE LACK OF CLARITY REGARDING ONSITE SERVICES SUCH AS CASE MANAGEMENT IS, IS DEEPLY TROUBLING.

UH, WITHOUT THESE ROBUST SUPPORT SERVICES, INDIVIDUALS WILL STRUGGLE TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THEIR HOMELESSNESS AND, UH, WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

SO IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT ANY SHELTER PRIORITIZES COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE IN A SEAMLESS TRANSITION INTO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

UM, SO THERE'S SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS MARSHALING YARD.

UH, LASTLY, IT'S DISHEARTENING TO LEARN THAT THE MARSHALING YARD DOES NOT ADHERE TO FEDERAL GUIDELINES.

UM, IT WASN'T PRESENTED DURING ANY COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

UM, TRANSPARENT AND INCLUSIVE DECISION MAKING IS PARAMOUNT TO ENSURING THAT THE, UH, NEEDS OF THESE PEOPLE ARE, ARE BEING ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED.

THANK YOU, SPEAKER.

YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

I DIDN'T PROCEED WITH THIS PLAN.

IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT THE A BE.

THANK YOU, UH, INVOLVED.

[00:45:01]

SANDRA MUELLER ON 1 22.

HI, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THIS IS SANDRA MUELLER FROM D ONE ON ITEM NOW 1 92 AS NEUTRAL.

I WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER BRIAN ALTER FOR NOMINATING A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION WHO DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH AUSTIN PETS LIVE.

I HOPE THIS NEW NOMINEE AND RECENT NEW MEMBERS CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS REGARDING ALL ANIMALS IN AUSTIN.

IT'S BEEN REALLY NICE TO HEAR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE AQUARIUM AND ZILKER PARK AT RECENT MEETINGS.

IF YOU ALL DON'T KNOW, YOUR ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS A HOTBED OF CONTROVERSY.

THE CLERKS HAD TO SIT IN ON MEETINGS FOR A WHILE TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMISSION WAS CORRECTLY FOLLOWING PROCEDURES.

AND RECENTLY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER HAYDEN HOWARD, HAS INSTRUCTED THEM TO ATTEND A RETREAT TO INCREASE COLLABORATION.

ADDITIONALLY, A RECENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON BOARDS.

SO THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION HAD THREE INCONCLUSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AND ONE ENTIRELY OUT OF SCOPE RECOMMENDATION.

SO I'D JUST LIKE TO REMIND YOU ALL THAT THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION IS COMPRISED OF 13 MEMBERS AND SEVEN CONSTITUTES QUORUM.

SO CURRENTLY IT HAS SIX AFFILIATES OR SUPPORTERS OF APA.

SOPHIA HAD ADDED BACK A SEVENTH APA SUPPORTER.

IT WOULD'VE CREATED A SUPER MAJORITY AND WOULD BE ENTIRELY UNFAIR TO THE CITY, AND MOST OF ALL THE STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND ANIMALS AT AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER.

SO THANK YOU FOR GIVING CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO YOUR NOMINEE.

WE NEED A BALANCED COMMISSION AND NOT ONE THAT PROVIDES AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE TO ONE ANIMAL WELFARE NONPROFIT IN AUSTIN.

THE CITY DOESN'T NEED ANOTHER MEMBER SKEWING THE BOATS AND RUBBER STAMPING ANYTHING APA WANTS.

SO I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON AND, AND IN THE FUTURE I HOPE AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY WILL HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

AND, AND THANKS FOR POSTPONING AT 92.

ISAAC COHEN SPEAKING ON 1 24, 1 26 AND 1 58.

HI, UM, THE MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

MY NAME IS ISAAC COHEN.

MY WIFE AND I ARE THE OWNERS OF A VERY CHARMING 91 YEAR OLD, 740 SQUARE FOOT HOME ON A LARGE LOT IN GOLDEN CREEK DISTRICT NINE.

OUR HOME IS THE TYPE THAT EVERYONE LOVES TO LOOK AT IN TELEHEALTH.

THEY THINK IT IS.

IT'S ALSO THE TYPE THAT GENERALLY GETS TORN DOWN AND REPLACED WITH SOMETHING LARGER IN AN EFFORT TO BUST A TREND, WE HAVE CHOSEN TO PRESERVE THIS HOME AS IT IS RIGHT-SIZED FOR US AND IN THE AREA WE WANT TO BE IN.

WE DID SO KNOWING THAT THIS CHOICE WAS BAD FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT AND ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF OUR PRIVILEGE WE DID.

SO KNOWING THAT TO DO SO WOULD ACTIVELY DENY US ACCESS TO THE FULL ENTITLEMENTS THAT COME WITH OUR LIVES.

IT SHOULD NOT TAKE PRIVILEGE AND SACRIFICE TO LIVE IN A MODEST HOME AND WHAT IS TRADITIONALLY A WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOOD OF MODEST HOMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS AMPLE LAND AVAILABLE IN CAPACITY FOR MORE HOMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PRIMARY BLOCKER TO THE EXISTING OF MODEST HOMES IS MANMADE LAWS AND NOT SOME PHYSICAL LIMITATION.

I AM HERE TO PROVIDE MY FULL THROATED SUPPORT BEHIND ANY EFFORTS TO INCENTIVIZE A GREATER NUMBER OF SMALLER HOMES TO EXIST IN OUR LIMITED WALKABLE LAND IN CENTRAL AUSTIN.

THESE CHANGES WOULD ENABLE US TO PRESERVE OUR EXISTING STRUCTURES WITHOUT BEING PRICED OUT OF THE HOME AND NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WE LOVE.

I WOULD LOVE A RETURN OF GOLDEN CREEK TO A WALKABLE COMMUNITY OF MODEST HOMES ACCESSIBLE TO THE MIDDLE CLASS, EVEN IF IT REQUIRES IFICATION AS THAT ACTUALLY IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON THIS TOPIC.

THANK YOU FOR INITIATING CHANGES THAT WILL ALLOW SMALL HOME LOVERS TO PRESERVE THEIR STRUCTURES.

THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING FOR A FINANCIALLY VIABLE PATH FOR PEOPLE AGING IN PLACE IF THEY WANT TO, LIKE MYSELF AND MY NEIGHBORS, THANK YOU FOR WORKING TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF HOMES IN OUR PRIME WALKABLE LOCATION IN ORDER TO MANAGE BOTH THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFLATION AND INFLATIONARY CHALLENGES AND PUTTING DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON HOUSING CRISIS AS WE FACE THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.

AS WE ALL KNOW, UH, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IN OUR CITY AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO IS BUILD MORE HOUSING FOR ME.

DEREK ENSIGN SPEAKING ON 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

UM, I JUST WANTED TO, UH, THANK COUNSEL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND, UM, JUST ONE SECOND PLEASE.

SORRY.

I WANTED TO THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AND THE COUNCIL AT LARGE FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON MOVING US FORWARD IN HOUSING AND AFFORDABILITY.

[00:50:01]

ITEM 1 26 IS A VERY EXCITING, LARGE STEP FORWARD IN TAKING THE STEPS TOWARD MORE AFFORDABLE AUSTIN.

WE MUST DO WHAT WE CAN TO PRESERVE THE CULTURE OF OUR CITY THAT MAKES IT SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO IS TO ALLOW THE AMAZING PEOPLE THAT HAVE MADE THE CITY WHAT IT IS, UH, HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO AFFORD TO LIVE HERE FOR THE LONG TERM.

ON TOP OF AFFORDABILITY, CREATING DENSER TRANSIT-ORIENTED, WALKABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE.

AUSTIN'S LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE IS NEARLY 40 YEARS OLD, ROOT FOR A CITY WITH A POPULATION OF 392,000 PEOPLE WE'RE, WE ARE WELL OVERDUE FOR DRAMATIC CHANGES IN WHAT KIND OF HOUSING IS ALLOWED IN THE CITY, AND I'M PROUD OF COUNSEL FOR TAKING THIS STEP FORWARD.

AND I URGE YOU TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 1 26, 1 24, AND 1 58.

THANK YOU SUSAN WHITTLE ON ITEMS 1 24 AND 1 26.

MY NAME IS SUSAN WHITTLE.

I LIVE IN CONGRESS, UH, NOT CONGRESSMAN, UH, COUNCILMAN ALTERS DISTRICT.

UM, I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT 1 24 AND 1 26, MANY OF WHICH HAVE BEEN SPOKEN ABOUT.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WATER AVAILABILITY, THE INFRASTRUCTURE, HOW WALKABILITY IMPACTS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON STREET PARKING, OUR IN INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH INCLUDES SIDEWALKS, ROAD MAINTENANCE, WATER AND SEWER LINES, TRASH PICKUP DENSITY.

I HAVE VERY LARGE CONCERNS ABOUT THE EXISTING TREE CANOPY BEING LARGELY AT RISK.

UH, IT'S CURRENTLY BEING DECIMATED BY STRIPPING OF THE LOTS THAT ARE DONE AS A RESULT OF CONSTRUCTING MAC MANSIONS ALL OVER THIS PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT INCREASING THE DENSITY IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOW IT'S GOING TO RESULT IN, UH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE.

IS IT GOING TO RESULT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING? THAT'S, UH, A VERY LARGE QUESTION.

ALSO, PROPERTY TAXES ARE GONNA CONTINUE TO INCREASE AND WILL DRIVE THE ELDERLY EDUCATORS AND THE WORKING CLASS AWAY FROM THE CITY IN FAVOR OF MORE AFFLUENT PEOPLE WHO CAN COME IN TO OCCUPY THESE HOMES REGARDLESS OF THEIR SIZE, BECAUSE THEIR VALUES ARE GONNA GO UP.

SO I DO APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE, UH, SUBMITTED MY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU JACK RAINEY ON 1 24 AND 1 26.

UM, YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME PLEASE? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.

UM, ONE, I'D LIKE TO MAKE NOTE THAT THE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF 1 26, UH, OUR DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE LESLIE POOLE NO LONGER EVEN LIVES IN DISTRICT SEVEN.

SHE LIVES IN A DIFFERENT DISTRICT IN A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS HIGH DENSITY AND THAT WAS HER CHOICE.

UM, I THINK 1 24 GOES AGAINST PERSONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AS WELL.

DOES 1 26.

1 26 WILL CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS.

UH, PEOPLE WHO, UM, ARE IN A AND PEOPLE WHO ARE IN ADJACENT AND SURROUNDING PROPERTIES WILL HAVE NO CHOICE AND HAVE NO RECOURSE TO KEEP THE CHARACTER OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

UM, 1 24, YOU KNOW, WITH RESPECT TO 1 24, UM, PEOPLE, PROPERTIES THAT ARE IN A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, UH, WOULD IT WOULD IF YOU CHANGE THE NOTIFICATION, UH, PARAMETERS, UH, PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL IMPACTED BY A SPECIFIC PROJECT WOULD HAVE NO VOICE OF AND, AND ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PETITION PROCESS.

UM, I'M AGAINST NUMBER ONE, FOUR AND NUMBER 1 26.

UM, MAYOR.

UM, THIS SPEAKER, AND IF THE CITY CLERK COULD TELL ME THE SPEAKER'S NAME PLEASE HAS MENTIONED ME, SO I'D LIKE TO RESPOND.

SEVEN, DAVID PHELPS, SPEAKING ON 1 24 AND 1 26.

THANK YOU JACK RANNEY.

MR. RANNEY, I, I HEAR YOU SAY, UH, PUBLICLY THAT I DO NOT LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.

THAT IS A COMPLETE UNTRUTH.

I STILL LIVE IN MY MODEST LITTLE HOME ON SHOUL CREEK BOULEVARD, JUST NORTH OF THE INTERSECTION OF 45TH STREET.

I WELCOME YOU TO COME BY IF YOU'D LIKE.

UM, AND SAY HELLO.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT

[00:55:01]

HELLO, COUNSEL.

MR. MAYER, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

MY NAME IS DAVID FOU AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF REPRESENTING DISTRICT TWO ON THE ZONING AND PLATING COMMISSION, AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR ITEMS 1 26 AND 1 24.

THESE ITEMS WILL HELP MORE FAMILIES STAY IN THE CITY.

YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN STAYING IN THE CITY AND HAVING A FAMILY.

I LIVE ON A SMALL LOT THAT IS ONLY ALLOWABLE BECAUSE I LIVE IN A P U D WHERE THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS.

I'M NOT WEALTHY BY ANY MEASURE, BUT THIS PROPERTY GIVES ME A GREAT QUALITY OF LIFE WHERE I CAN RAISE MY FAMILY.

I'M, I AM THE MIDDLE CLASS PERSON WHO COULD BUY A HOME BACK IN 2020 BECAUSE THERE WAS A SMALLER LOT I COULDN'T AFFORD THE LARGER LOT SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE OF THE SMALL LOT.

I AM A HOMEOWNER, SO I ASK WHY IS THIS ILLEGAL? AND MOST OF THE CITY, HOUSTON REDUCED ITS MINIMUM LOT SIZES AND IS THE MOST AFFORDABLE MAJOR CITY IN THE COUNTRY.

ALLOWING MORE INFILL HEALTH HOUSING HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL BY REDUCING THE DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE ON THE, THE NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL LAND AROUND OUR CITY.

MITIGATING URBAN SPRAWL IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS WE CAN DO TO PRESERVE LAND AND REDUCE EMISSIONS.

WHAT WE DON'T ALLOW HERE IN AUSTIN WILL GET BUILT OUT IN GREENFIELDS AND SUBURBS AND SUBURBS WHERE THERE'S MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OPPOSE ITEM 1 26 BECAUSE NEW HOMES WILL NOT BE SUBSIDIZED, BUT IT IS THE CONTINUING RESTRICTIONS ON NEW HOMES THAT WILL ONLY EXACERBATE THE LACK OF AFFORDABILITY.

DISPLACEMENT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING, NOT WHEN YOU ADD MORE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, KALU JAMES SPEAKING ON 1 25.

AS A HOMEOWNER ON A2 700 SQUARE FOOT LOT THAT WAS SPLIT FROM A LARGER LOT PRIORITY AND POSITION TO THE CURRENT MINIMUM LOT SIZE.

UM, KALU JAMES, UH, NORTH AUSTIN CITY ORGANIZER WITH GAVA READING THE DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF OPPOSITION TO ITEM 1 25.

DEAR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER, STRONGLY OPPOSE ITEM 1 25, WHICH WOULD CHANGE CITY CODES TO NO LONGER REQUIRE THE CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST WATER AND WASTELAND EXTENSIONS EAST, THE BARTON SPRINGS AND LAKE AUSTIN WATERSHED, AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS SUCH AS NORTHERN BASTROP COUNTY.

BUT INSTEAD LEAVE THAT DECISION TO CITY STAFF.

THE CITY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN GUIDING DEVELOPMENT AS THESE EXTENSIONS REQUIRE DEVELOPERS TO FOLLOW CITY ENVIRONMENTAL AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.

VOTERS WOULD NO LONGER HAVE ANY SAFE AND TERRIBLE DEVELOPMENTS THAT VIOLATE THESE STANDARDS.

THIS WOULD OVERTURN A DECADES OLD CITY POLICY, WHICH DOES NOT EXTEND UTILITY TO DEVELOP IN THE BARTON SPRINGS WATERSHED, IN PARTICULAR, PROTECTING BARTON SPRINGS FROM SPRAWLING DEVELOPMENT.

THIS DIRECT PUBLIC OVERSIGHT HAS BEEN INFALLIBLE IN DENYING THE WORST PROJECTS.

PLEASE DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR CITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS AND REJECT ITEM 1 25.

RESPECTFULLY.

THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

SYDNEY NOKI ON 1 26.

UH, HI, I'M SYDNEY NASKI.

I I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM NUMBER 1 26.

UM, I FEEL THAT LIKE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE AS, AS A CITY RIGHT NOW IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE HERE AND WANT TO MAKE THE CITY BETTER, BUT THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH OPTIONS OR HOMES AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO LIVE IN.

UH, I FEEL THAT LIKE ADDING THESE MULTIFAMILY UNITS JUST INCREASE INCREASES SUPPLY AND ALSO JUST LIKE MAXIMIZES THE USE OUT OF, UH, THESE LIMITED NUMBER OF LOTS THAT WE HAVE.

AND I FEEL LIKE, UH, UH, IT'S AN INSANE RESTRICTION THAT THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE FAMILY PER HOUSE.

AND I FEEL THAT INCREASED, LIKE ADDING MORE FREEDOM TO, UH, BUILD MORE TYPES OF HOMES AND JUST INCREASING SUPPLY ALL AROUND IS A GOOD THING.

UH, THANK YOU FOR, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

RILEY PATTERSON ON 1 26.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS RILEY PATTERSON.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10 AND I LIVE IN TERRYTOWN.

UM, I'M SEEKING IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 1 26, DECREASING MINIMUM 2,500 SQUARE FEET

[01:00:01]

I SUPPORT THE CREATION OF MORE HOUSING OPTIONS IN AUSTIN THAT LOOK LIKE MINE.

MY WIFE AND I WERE THRILLED TO FIND THIS RARE PROPERTY SIZE EXACTLY RIGHT FOR US SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY AND MAINTAIN A LARGER LOT.

WE'D LOVE TO SEE MORE DENSITY AND DIVERSITY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ENABLED BY OTHER SMALL LOTS LIKE OUR OWN AND A VARIETY OF DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS ON THOSE LOTS.

THE COMBINATION OF HIGH LAND COSTS AND A HIGH MINIMUM LOT SIZE IS PUTTING HOME OWNERSHIP OUT OF REEF FOR TOO MANY LOTS NIGHTS, EVEN ON A SMALL LIGHT LIKE OURS.

AND APPRAISAL DETERMINE THE VALUE OF THE LAND WAS HIGHER THAN THE VALUE OF THE STRUCTURE.

AMIDST A HOUSING CRISIS LIKE WE HAVE HERE IN AUSTIN, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP THE CURRENT REQUIREMENT OF OVER TWICE AS MUCH LAND AS MY LOT, UH, AS THE MINIMUM PRICE OF ENTRY FOR UNIT OF HOUSING IN MUCH OF AUSTIN'S LAND.

UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR BRINGING THIS MUCH NEEDED MINIMUM LOT SIZE TO PERFORM FORWARD AND TO ALL COUNSEL FOR CONSIDERING ROBERT NASH SPEAKING ON 1 26.

HELLO, THIS IS ROBERT NASH AND AS THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE NORTHWEST AUSTIN CIVIC ASSOCIATION, I NO LONGER SPEAK FOR ANYONE BUT MYSELF, BUT I CAN SHARE WITH YOU THE PULSE OF MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS.

AND THAT IS WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED TO INCREASE, UH, HOUSING AND EVEN IN OUR AREA.

WE'VE EVEN WORKED WITH DEVELOPERS TO APPROVE HOUSING, UH, DENSE HOUSING THAT HAD AN AFFORDABLE, UH, ASPECT.

HOWEVER, WE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BLANKET OF ZONING, UM, REDUCING LOT SIZES TO 2,503 UNITS PER.

UM, WE IN OUR AREA IS VERY, VERY TREAT, UH, HERITAGE LIVE OAKS AND ALMOST, UH, AND TO, TO DO THE KIND OF UPZONING YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WOULD BE JUST DEVASTATING WITH TREE CANOPY.

AND THERE'S SO MANY OTHER ISSUES THAT OTHER FOLKS HAVE, HAVE, UH, MENTIONED.

UH, WE REALLY SUPPORT WHAT THE MAYOR RAN ON IN THIS CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS THAT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION IS NOT THE WAY TO GO.

AND, UH, MOVING FORWARD ON LAND DEVELOPMENT, THERE SHOULD BE DISTRICT TAILORED SOLUTIONS THAT ACKNOWLEDGE THE DIFFERENCES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF AUSTIN.

MICHAEL RETA ON 1 24, 1 26 AND 1 58.

HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.

HI, UH, MY NAME IS MIKE RETA.

UH, IT'S MY FIRST TIME EVER CALLING INTO A COUNCIL MEETING, UM, AND I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT 1 26 AND, UH, THE OTHER, UH, UH, NOTED PROPOSALS, UH, TO INCREASE DENSITY.

UM, I HAVE LIVED IN AUSTIN SINCE 2006.

I'VE SEEN, UH, SO MANY FRIENDS, UH, AND NEIGHBORS, UH, DISPLACED BY THE RISING, UH, HOUSING COSTS.

UH, THIS IS ALL COMING FROM CITY COUNCIL AND THE REGULATIONS THAT YOU PLACE ON, UH, ON ZONING AND THE ABILITY OF, OF PROPERTY OWNERS TO BUILD AND PROVIDE HOUSING TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT AND NEED IT.

UM, WE'RE TURNING INTO A TOWN THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE AND AND SUPPORT THE CITY, WORK FOR THE CITY, ET CETERA, ARE COMING IN FROM GREAT DISTANCES THROUGH THESE HIGHLY ZONED AND REGULATED NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR THE CENTER, UH, WHERE THEY WORK AND CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE.

UH, IT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU, UH, CHANCE TO, UH, GIVE THE PEOPLE MORE HOUSING.

UH, YOU KNOW, THAT THE, THE MAJORITY SUPPORTS IT.

AND YOU'RE JUST HEARING FROM ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, HAVE A LOT OF FREE TIME, CAN SPEND AN HOUR ON THE PHONE AS I JUST HAVE, UH, TO SPEAK.

UM, UH, A LOT OF US WHO SUPPORT, UH, DENSITY DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF TIME.

AND, UH, I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO SHARE MY POSITION.

SO THANKS FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SUPPORTING, UH, GREATER DENSITY IN AUSTIN.

CATHERINE SHAMBLEY ON 1 26.

AND, AND, AND IN DOING SO BY INCREASING IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE AND REDUCING SIDE SETBACKS.

YES, I'M GONNA APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE.

SOMETIMES MY RECEPTION AT MY OFFICE WHERE I WORK, UH, IS, UH, IN, IN REFERENCE TO THE LAST GENTLEMAN.

UH, I, I WORK IN ORDER TO SUPPORT AND PAY FOR THE HOME THAT I PURCHASED.

UH, I'M SEEKING OPPOSITION TO ITEM 1 26.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN IN CRESTVIEW.

I WANT TO AGREE WITH THE PERSON WHO SPOKE EARLIER IN REGARDS TO DIFFERING, UH, UH, THERE SHOULDN'T JUST BE A BLANKET, UM, A BLANKET STATEMENT FOR ALL OF AUSTIN ALLOWING FOR DENSIFICATION

[01:05:02]

I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ON MY 1952 BUILT HOME SMALL LOADER, THE GROUND HOME, THAT WHEN THE TWO HOMES ALSO SMALL HOMES ON EACH SIDE OF ME WERE BULLDOZED.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS ALL THE WATER SURFACE WATER RUNOFF FROM THOSE HOMES WAS SHIFTED ONTO MY LOT.

THAT'S BECAUSE THOSE BOTH BUILDINGS WERE BUILT.

UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY TORE DOWN THE SMALL HOME, THEY BUILT OUT TOWARDS ALL THE WAY TO THE LOT OR THE, UM, FIVE FOOT SETBACK ON EACH SIDE.

AND THEY TOOK UP THE ENTIRE IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE ALLOWANCE, UH, AND, AND SHIFTED ALL THE WATER TOWARDS ME.

AND WHAT HAPPENED WAS I ENDED UP HAVING TO PUT IN $7,200 WORTH OF DRAINS DOWN ONE SIDE OF MY HOME.

AND I HAD TO ESSENTIALLY, UH, STR, THREATEN STATE, STATE SANCTIONS FOR SURFACE WATER REDIRECTION ON THE OTHER DEVELOPER BECAUSE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AT THAT POINT AND I WAS ABLE TO MYSELF FORCE HIM ESSENTIALLY TO PUT IN MORE DRAINAGE ON HIS SIDE.

NOT EVERYONE IN AUSTIN HAS THAT ABILITY, HAS THAT LEGAL KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING BY BLANKETLY ALLOWING FOR INCREASED IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE AND REDUCED SIDE SETBACK, YOU ARE, YOU ARE, UH, AFFECTING OTHER PEOPLE'S HOMES IN THE LAND THAT THEY PURCHASED.

UH, THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS THAT IN CRESTVIEW, WE ALREADY HAVE A ELECTRIC THANK YOU SPEAKER.

YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED ISSUES EVERY TIME THE WIND BLEW.

ANTHONY LUSARDI SPEAKING ON 1 24, 1 26 AND 1 58.

UH, YES, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR COUNCIL AND COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ.

MY NAME IS ANTHONY.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

THESE ARE BILLS THAT WILL WITHOUT A DOUBT INCREASE HOME ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY IN AUSTIN.

I'M ALSO SPEAKING BECAUSE I GREW UP, GREW UP PRETTY BROKE BEFORE I WAS 18, I MOVED CONSTANTLY AND I LIVED IN NO LESS THAN A DOZEN DIFFERENT RENTALS.

HOUSING WAS ARTIFICIALLY CONSTRAINED FOR US AND THEREFORE EXPENSIVE.

I ACTUALLY DON'T LIKE TALKING ABOUT THIS PART OF MY LIFE.

SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE THAT PART AT THAT.

TODAY I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO OWN MY OWN HOME IN AUSTIN, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I DON'T HAVE TO MOVE ANYMORE.

AND SO I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE ALLOW OTHER PEOPLE ACCESS TO THIS OPPORTUNITY, THE OPPORTUNITY TO A STABLE AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE IN AUSTIN WHERE THEY LIVE IN WORK.

DON'T LET THEM BE KEPT OUT BY ANTIQUATED IN CLASS LAWS THAT RESTRICT WHAT A HOMEOWNER CAN DO WITH THEIR PROPERTY.

SUPPORT ITEMS. 1, 2, 4 1 2 6 AND 1 5 8.

MAKE HOME OWNERSHIP MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.

ITS MIDDLE CLASS AS ITS YOUNG FAMILIES, ITS SERVICE WORKERS AND DAY LABORERS, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, SPARE THEIR CHILDREN THE KINDS OF EXPERIENCE THAT I HAD GROWING UP.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR SPONSORING AND CO-SPONSORING THESE RESPECTIVE BILLS.

THANK YOU FOR WORKING TIRELESSLY TO PRODUCE BILLS TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.

AND THANK YOU FOR SERVING AS A MODEL FOR CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS OUR GREAT COUNTRY.

CITY LONG TERM, BE ABLE TO AFFORD HOME OWNERSHIP, AS WELL AS HAVE THE OPTION OF HAVING A, YOU KNOW, SMALLER HOUSE IN THE CITY INSTEAD OF HAVING TO DRIVE 20 MILES TO WORK EVERY DAY FROM THE SUBURBS.

BARBARA EPSTEIN ON 1 24 AND 1 26.

BARBARA SKAR NALU ON 1 24, 1 26 AND 1 58.

UH, GOOD MORNING.

UH, MAYOR, MAYOR, CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS SHIKA NURI.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.

UM, LIKE MANY PEOPLE, I CAME TO AUSTIN TO GO TO SCHOOL HERE AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CITY.

WANTED TO STAY HERE WHEN I WAS GRADUATING SCHOOL.

I TALKED TO MY UNCLE BECAUSE HE BUILT HIS OWN HOME HERE, UH, YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE, BACK IN THE EIGHTIES AND NINETIES.

AND HE WANTED TO HELP ME DO THE SAME SO THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE TO KEEP PAYING RENT.

BUT WHEN WE LOOKED AT WHERE WE COULD DO THAT, UH, ALL THE EMPTY LOTS THAT WERE AVAILABLE WERE REALLY BIG, WHERE I COULDN'T AFFORD, YOU KNOW, HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO BUY THAT LOT.

SO WE THOUGHT, WHAT IF A COUPLE OF FRIENDS AND I WENT IN TOGETHER AND DECIDED TO BUILD, YOU KNOW, TWO OR THREE HOUSES NEXT TO EACH OTHER, BUT WITH THE CURRENT REGULATIONS, UH, IN PLACE, THAT'S NOT ALLOWED, UH, IN MOST OF THE CITY.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK, UH, YOU KNOW, THE SPONSORS OF THESE RESOLUTIONS FOR BRINGING THESE FORWARD BECAUSE I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL HELP, UH, PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO, UH, STAY IN THE

[01:10:01]

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THESE RESOLUTIONS FORWARD.

UH, AND THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

CHRIS HARSHBERGER ON 1 55 AND 1 64.

UH, MY WIFE AND I OWN A SMALL BUSINESS IN AUSTIN, AS WELL AS SOME OFFICE SPACE THAT'S LOCATED IN THE DOWNTOWN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.

UH, I FEEL CERTAIN MY OBJECTIONS THIS MORNING WILL LIKELY FALL ON DEAF EARS, BUT THIS IS THE ONLY OPTION I HAVE THAT'S REASONABLY AVAILABLE.

UH, SPECIFICALLY OUR BUSINESS WILL DERIVE LITTLE OR NO BENEFIT FROM THE MONEY TO BE SPENT.

UH, SINCE WE'RE NOT A RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT AND, UH, SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND THE LOSS OF OUR ABILITY TO USE THE OFFICE, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO SELL IT WITHOUT ANY LUCK.

UH, THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENT IS ONLY GOING TO MAKE THAT PROCESS HARDER.

UH, GENERALLY, UH, I FIND IT OBJECTIONABLE THAT THERE IS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN HOW THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT.

UH, THE MATERIALS PROVIDED BY THE CITY TALK IN TERMS OF NON-SPECIFIC EUPHEMISMS LIKE ACTIVE URBANISM, PUBLIC SPACE EXPERIENCE, AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

UH, OTHER EXAMPLES, UH, APPEAR INTENDED TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE CITY'S OWN POLICIES, UH, LIKE SAFETY AND HOMELESSNESS.

UH, IT'S UNCLEAR TO ME WHY 43% OF THE 217 MILLION TO BE SPENT OVER THE 10 YEAR LIFE OF THE PROGRAM, UH, WILL BE SPENT ON THESE TWO ITEMS, UH, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN THE CASE OF HOMELESSNESS, THE CITY ALREADY SPENDS TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY, OR IN THE CASE OF SECURITY, UH, THE CITY'S REPEATEDLY REJECTED, UH, AND OR DEFUNDED THIS ITEM.

UH, AND IN THE CASE OF HOMELESSNESS, PARTICULARLY, NONE OF THE ADDITIONAL MONEY, UH, FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS GOING TO BE SPENT, UH, OR EARMARKED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS.

FINALLY, THERE'S A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE MONEY SPENT.

UH, MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES BEING PROPOSED CAN'T CURRENTLY BE MEASURED.

LINE ITEMS SUCH AS ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING, AND COMMUNICATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH PROVIDE NO QUANTIFIABLE TANGIBLE BENEFIT TO THE TAXPAYERS IN THE DOWNTOWN.

SPEAKER.

YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED, UH, DESPITE CONSUMING 32% OF THE PROGRAM BUDGET.

DAVID KING SPEAKING ON 1 56.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22ND, 2018.

UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY COMMENTS TODAY.

PLEASE SUPPORT ITEM 1 56 TO SAFE FENCING CODE AMENDMENT.

IT WILL HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURIES AND DEATHS TO PEOPLE AND ANIMALS FROM IMPALMENT AND ENTRAPMENT WITHOUT DECREASING SECURITY FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES, AND WITHOUT IMPOSING NEW PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE REQUIRE HISTORIC PROPERTIES TO COMPLY WITH THE SAFE FENCING REQUIREMENTS.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE SAFE FENCING CODE AMENDMENT UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE AMENDMENT WILL HELP PREVENT AND REDUCE INJURIES AND DEATHS DUE TO DANGEROUS FENCING.

I DEDICATE MY COMMENTS AND SEND MY CONDOLENCES AND LOVE TO JULIE DAMIEN AND HER FAMILY, WHOSE SON KATE DIED FROM ASPHYXIATION ON A SPIKED FENCE.

PLEASE UNANIMOUSLY PASS THE STATE 10 STATE ORDINANCE.

PLEASE VOTE NO ON ITEMS 92 1 24, 1 25, 1 26, 1 28, 1 58, AND 1 59.

THANK YOU, JULIE DAMIAN ON ITEM 1 56.

HELLO, MY NAME IS JULIE DAMIAN.

I NEVER CONSIDERED THE SIGNIFICANCE, IMPORTANCE, OR EVEN THE NEED FOR LAWS ABOUT FENCING.

I ASSUMED FENCE WAS A FEATURE IN A COMMUNITY THAT JUST EXISTED AND HAD BEEN DESIGNED BY EXPERTS WHO CONSIDERED THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE, ANIMALS, AND COMMUNITIES THE PRODUCT WAS SOLD TO.

SADLY, I FOUND OUT THIS IS FAR FROM THE CASE.

AFTER OUR MIDDLE SON, CADE DIED ON A NEIGHBOR'S LOW EXPOSED PICKET FENCE.

CADE DIED LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES AFTER HAVING A P BJ SNACK AT THE KITCHEN TABLE AFTER SCHOOL WITH HIS BROTHERS.

IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES, OUR LIVES WERE CHANGED FOREVER.

CADE'S HEAD AND NECK BECAME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PICKETS AT THE TOP OF THE FENCE.

HIS FEET WERE UNABLE TO TOUCH THE BOTTOM RUNG OF THE FENCE AS HIS HEAD WAS TRAPPED.

HIS LEGS CAME OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HIM, AND HE HANGED FENCES THAT HAVE A SIMULTANEOUS HAND AND FOOTHOLD ARE EASILY CLIMBABLE.

[01:15:01]

STUDIES SHOW THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN OF CLIMBING AGE CAN CLIMB TO THE TOP OF A FOUR FOOT FENCE WITHIN 30 SECONDS, SOME IN LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS.

THAT IS THE TIME IT TAKES TO FILL A ONE AND A HALF LITER BOTTLE.

THE STUDY ALSO STATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN NEEDED ASSISTANCE TO GET DOWN OFF THE FENCE ONCE THEY CLIMB TO THE TOP.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHILD IS NOW PRESENTED WITH AN OPEN OR EXPOSED PICKET FENCE IN THE STUDIES IMAGES OF THE CHILDREN SHOW THEM CLIMBING WITH THEIR HEAD AND TORSOS OVER THE TOP BAR OF THE FENCE.

THE STUDY ALSO STATED THAT CHILDREN DO NOT PERCEIVE THE HAZARD OF THE PICKET LIKE ADULTS WOULD AS A DANGER.

THE SAME IS TRUE FOR A ANIMAL, ESPECIALLY YOUNG ANIMALS EXPOSED PICKET FENCES HAVE BEEN DEEMED DANGEROUS IN MANY COMMUNITIES AND BANNED SOME, MAKING THIS CHANGE YEARS BEFORE CAVE'S DEATH.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES OF LAKEWAY, B CAVE ROLLINGWOOD, AND SUN CITY HAVE MADE THESE CHANGES.

IMPALMENT IS A BRUTAL, GRUESOME WAY TO DIE.

ANIMALS TYPICALLY STRUGGLE TO GET FREE AND WILL RIP THEIR INSIDES IN THE PROCESS.

THEY DO NOT DIE QUICKLY.

EVERYONE WHO HEARS ABOUT CADE SAYS THE SAME THING.

I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

AND GUESS WHAT? THERE DID WE? THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY ASKING YOU TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HELP PREVENT FUTURE INJURIES AND DEATHS WITH VERY MINOR BUT IMPACTFUL CHANGES SINCE COMPANIES HAVE SAID THANK YOU.

FIGURE YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

AND UNTIL FOR DAY FORBID, MAYOR, MAYOR, IF I MAY, YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

I JUST, UM, WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO JULIE.

DAMIAN.

THANK YOU MS. DAMIAN FOR CALLING IN TODAY.

SHE LOST HER BEAUTIFUL SON CADE IN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT ON AN UNSAFE FENCE, AND JULIE HAS BEEN BRINGING AWARENESS TO COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL TEXAS AND BEYOND ABOUT THE NEED FOR SAFER FENCE DESIGN TO PREVENT FUTURE TRAGEDIES AS WELL AS UNNECESSARY INJURIES TO PETS AND WILDLIFE.

AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU, JULIE, FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO SAVE OTHER FAMILIES FROM THIS TRAGEDY.

COUNCIL MEMBER NEXT SPEAKER IS BARBARA EPSTEIN SPEAKING ON 1 24 1 26.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.

YES, MA'AM.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? OKAY? THANK YOU.

AND, AND THE AND THE SOUNDS.

UM, I'M SPEAKING PERSONALLY, BUT I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

I THOUGHT I GOT TWO MINUTES, ONLY GOT ONE.

SO I'VE SHORTENED MY PRESENTATIONS AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL BOTH FIT.

YOU HAVE PROOF WE'RE TRYING TO A POST THIS WEEK, 12 AND 800 PEOPLE SAID THEY WANT YOU TO FIX INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS SMALL TO LARGE AND LOWER PROPERTY TAXES TO MAKE AUSTIN AFFORDABLE.

DO YOU KEEP SAYING THAT SIMPLY BUILDING MORE CREATES AFFORDABILITY, BUT YOU NEVER GIVE US THE NUMBERS TO PROVE IT? NOW YOU'RE PROPOSING TO LIMIT ZONING CHANGE NOTICES.

WHY DON'T YOU WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO THEM? IF YOU TELL A LIE BIG ENOUGH AND KEEP REPEATING IT, PEOPLE WILL EVENTUALLY COME TO BELIEVE IT.

THAT SAYING THAT HAS BEEN FLOATING AROUND WITH COINED BY JOSEPH BELS IS OUR DEMO, IS OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

NOW ONLY OBFUSCATION AS MARK TWAIN REPORTEDLY QUIPPED DOESN'T REPEAT ITSELF, BUT IT RHYMES AS TO THAT WAS FOR 1 24 FOR ITEM 1 26.

I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THE TOWNHOUSES AT 1812 WEST 35TH STREET WERE AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO UGLY APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

BUT COUNCIL MEMBER POOL SMALL LOT PROPOSAL WILL ONLY BENEFIT DEVELOPERS.

THE GROVE WAS SUPPOSED TO GIVE US AFFORDABLE TOWN HOMES, BUT THE LEAST EXPENSIVE ONE I'VE FOUND COSTS NINE $919,900.

WHY IS IT STILL ILLEGAL TO TURN A SINGLE STORY DETACHED GARAGE INTO AN ADU POOLS PLAN? IGNORES OUR AGING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CAN SUPPORT GREATER DENSITY AND WILL DISPLACE OLDER HOMEOWNERS WHO WILL THEN NO LONGER BE ABLE TO LEAVE A CHERISHED HOME TO A YOUNGER GENERATION.

YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON DIVERSITY AND WHAT MADE AUSTIN PLEASANT TO LIVE IN, IN THE FIRST PLACE INSTEAD OF OBLITERATING IT.

TO QUOTE JANE JACOBS WHO INSPIRED NEW URBANISM, WE EXPECT TOO MUCH OF NEW BUILDINGS AND TOO LITTLE OF OURSELVES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

OH, AND UH, ITEM NUMBER 180 6, I DID NOT GET NOTICE OF IT, IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT.

I'VE GONE BACK AND FORTH WITH HER STAFF, ALTHOUGH I'VE BEEN ON THE REGISTRY SINCE JANUARY.

THEY SENT IT TO THE PAST PRESIDENT AND HE DID NOT NOTIFY ME.

AND NEXT SPEAKER IS ZENOBIA JOSEPH SPEAKING ON ITEMS 11 16 60 92 AND ONE 14.

THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNSEL, I'M ZNO JOSEPH.

MAYOR, BEFORE YOU START MY TIME, I DO HAVE A TECHNICAL MISTAKE THAT I MADE IN REGISTRATION.

IF I CAN ASK THE CLERK, IT'S ITEM ONE 14.

IT WAS, I REGISTERED TWICE, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE 14 AND

[01:20:01]

ONE 15.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCREEN, YOU'LL SEE THAT I, WE'LL, WE'LL MAKE SURE IN THE SUMMARY HAVE ONE 15.

WE'LL MAKE SURE THE RECORD SHOWS THAT YOUR TIME WILL START NOW.

AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO ITEM 92, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU LOOK AT HOUSE BILL 28 40, THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT, AND RECOGNIZE THAT WHEN WE SPEAK BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, WE MUST SPEAK ON ONE BILL AT A TIME.

AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT AS A PRECEDENT FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK ON ONE ITEM AT A TIME BEFORE COUNSEL AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO ITEM 85.

I DIDN'T REGISTER FOR IT, BUT I DID SEND YOU COMMENTS AS IT RELATES TO THE 2023 ACTION PLAN.

AND I'VE ASKED HUD TO ACTUALLY REQUIRE YOU TO DO ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING AS IT RELATES TO ITEM 60, I AM NEUTRAL THAT 17.8 MILLION FOR I BELONG IN AUSTIN.

I WOULD ASK YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT AS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER MENTIONED DURING THE WORK SESSION THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE HOMELESS THAN AUSTIN.

GIVING ALL THE MONEY TO EL AND SAMARI IS, UH, DISINGENUOUS BECAUSE AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE LEAST LIKELY TO GO THERE FOR ANY TYPE TYPE OF SUPPORT.

I WOULD ASK YOU TO GIVE THEM SOME OF THE FUNDING AS IT RELATES TO THE, I BELONG IN AUSTIN PROGRAMING AS NEEDED TO CURTAIL EVICTION, BUT I WOULD ASK YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT PERHAPS HALF OF THE FUNDING COULD GO THERE AND THEN YOU COULD SOLICIT A BLACK CHURCH OR PERHAPS THOSE WHO ACTUALLY TARGET THAT POPULATION TO CURTAIL, UH, THE HOMELESS ISSUE.

AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO 11, I AM ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO JOHN LANE MOORE'S APPOINTMENT.

IT VIOLATES THE, UH, AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP ARTICLES IN CORPORATION ARTICLE THREE 13 RATHER, AS YOU ARE AWARE, HE WAS AT THE CAPITOL TRYING TO KILL HOSPITAL 38 99 THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR ITEM 16.

I WOULD JUST ASK FOR THE PEOPLE'S GALLERY THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THERE'S A CONFLICT AS RELATES TO VOTING, AND THERE IS, IT'S AN AUTHOR AUTHORITARIAN POLICY, UH, FOR THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND IS UNLIKELY TO, UH, HAVE VERY MANY BLACK ARTISTS AS RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO ONE 14.

THAT'S THE ILA WITH CAPITAL METRO $5 MILLION.

AND I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO PRIORITIZE THE HIGH SPEED ROADWAYS LIKE MICHAEL MOORE AND FN 9 69, WHERE PEDESTRIANS CONTINUE TO BE KILLED AND SPECIFICALLY HAVE.

YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED ITEMS FOR 9 69 MEETING.

THANK YOU IF YOU MAYOR, THAT CONCLUDES THE REMOTE SPEAKERS.

MS. JOSEPH WILL REMAIN ON THE LINE AS SHE HAS REGISTERED FOR THE A H F C ITEMS, BUT I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.

AND FOR THE, FOR FOLKS THAT ARE PAYING ATTENTION, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS, UH, WAIT ON THE AHF, UH, RECESSING THIS MEETING, WE'LL WAIT AND THEN WE'LL GO TO THE AH, H F C AFTER WE HAVE FINISHED ALL THE SPEAKERS, UH, SO THAT WE MAKE SURE WE'RE, WE PAY ATTENTION TO THE FOLKS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP, UH, FOR THESE ITEMS. SO THANK YOU.

IF YOU'LL GO TO THE IN-PERSON SPEAKERS, I'D APPRECIATE IT.

OKAY, THE FIRST SPEAKER IS GUS PENA SPEAKING ON ITEMS THREE AND 12 ON DECK IS JEFFREY BOWEN SPEAKING ON 5 9 15 92, 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 44.

IF YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.

HE COMING FORWARD, AS HE'S COMING FORWARD, WHAT THE CLERK WILL DO IS SHE WILL CALL TYPICALLY AT LEAST THREE NAMES AT A TIME TO TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE, YOU'RE, YOU'RE COMING UP.

WE WOULD ASK THAT WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND TAKE ONE OF THESE FRONT ROW SEATS SO THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO, UH, IMMEDIATELY STAND UP AND SPEAK.

AND THAT WAY, WE'LL, WE'LL ALLOW THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT WANNA SPEAK, WE WON'T HAVE THEM, UH, WAITING QUITE AS LONG.

SO THANK YOU, SIR.

TEAR DOWN MY EXISTING HOUSE, WHICH I'M CONSIDERED PROBABLY MIDDLE INCOME, BUT THAT WILL NOT ALLEVIATE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE HIGHEST OR BEST USE TAXES THAT WILL BE IMPENDED ON, ON MY PROPERTY.

UM, PRIMARILY BASED UPON THE TIMEFRAME, I'M JUST GONNA KIND OF CONDENSE DOWN TO 1 26.

I, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER FOR HER STATEMENTS LAST NIGHT AT THE WORK SESSION.

UH, I WATCHED THE VIDEO AND I FOUND OUT TO BE VERY, UM, UH, VERY IMPORTANT THAT, AND THOSE WARNINGS NEED TO BE HEATED BECAUSE OF, OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT YOU TOOK TO BRING OUT THE CONSEQUENCES AND WHAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH.

UM, THE, THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES PROBABLY ALSO NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THE INTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

WHAT IS THIS GOING TO DO TO OUR PROPERTY VALUES AS SOMEBODY THAT'S NOW AT THE AGE OF BEING ABLE TO BE, UH, RETIRED? SO WHAT, BUT STILL HAVING TO WORK, WHAT IS THIS GOING TO DO TO MY PROPERTY TAXES, MY 6,000 SQUARE FOOT LOT? I COULD SPLIT IT, PUT IN ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT, AND

[01:25:01]

NOT ONLY MINE, BUT OTHER MIDDLE INCOME CLASS PEOPLE, SINGLE FAMILY OWNERS ACROSS THE CITY.

UM, YOU TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY, I'M STILL TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, AND I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION BEFORE, AFFORDABLE TO WHO OUR AFFORDABILITY IN THIS TOWN CONTINUES TO GO UP AND UP AND UP.

YET IN THE 32 YEARS I'VE LIVED HERE, I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT, WE KEEP RUNNING EVERYTHING UP AND YET WE COMPLAIN ABOUT AFFORDABILITY.

SO, UM, THE IMPACTS ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU SIX HOUSES ON WHAT USED TO BE ONE LOT.

NOW TWO, WHERE'S THAT ALL GONNA GO? WE'RE GONNA END UP WITH MORE SEWER ISSUES.

WE JUST HAD A REPORT OF 6 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER LEAKING, WHICH SUPPOSEDLY IS ACCEPTABLE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT TALKS ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF LEAKAGE FROM OUR EXISTING SEWAGE SYSTEMS, LET ALONE THE IMPACTS TO OUR POWER.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER FOR YOUR SU STATEMENTS.

NEXT SPEAKER IS WILLIAM BUNCH, SPEAKING ON 6 92 94, 1 25, 1 26, 1 37, 1 44, AND 1 58.

ON DECK IS BOBBY LAVINSKY AND ANGELA GARZA.

GOOD MORNING MAYOR.

COUNCIL MEMBERS BILL BUNCH WITH SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.

IF I UNDERSTOOD THE MAYOR CORRECTLY, I'D LIKE TO CONFINE MY COMMENTS RIGHT NOW TO A CO FEW OF THE ITEMS AND SPEAK WHEN THE OTHERS ARE CALLED UP.

IS THAT PULLED? WHAT I SAID IS, IF I ITEMS ARE PULLED AND NOT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, THEN YOU'LL HAVE, PEOPLE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT THAT TIME.

IS OUR 1 25 AND 1 26 PULLED NO.

SO I HAVE TO ADDRESS ALL THOSE ISSUES TOGETHER IN TWO MINUTES AS BEST YOU CAN.

YEAH, I, I WOULD JUST RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT TO THE LAWYERS ON COUNSEL, INCLUDING OUR MAYOR, THAT THAT FUNDAMENTALLY VIOLATES THE MEETINGS ACT.

THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN ADDRESS THESE ISSUES EFFECTIVELY.

DO YOU, DO YOU WANNA ADDRESS THAT DURING YOUR TIME OR DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES? MR. I, I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAID BECAUSE OF THE, BECAUSE THE PAUSE.

UM, WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IS THAT YOU ADDRESS THE ISSUES YOU WANT TO ADDRESS AND WE'LL, WE'LL, AT SOME POINT WE'RE GONNA TRY TO REVISIT ALL OF THE RULES TO MAKE SURE WE DO OUR BEST AND, AND ALLOWING AS MANY PEOPLE AS WANT TO, TO HAVE THE TIME TO TESTIFY.

UM, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU GOING AHEAD AND TESTIFYING ON THE ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TESTIFY ON.

I DID EMAIL Y'ALL ON A, A LETTER WHICH, UH, ADDRESSES 1 25 AND 1 26 PRIMARILY.

I HOPE YOU GOT IT.

IF YOU DIDN'T, I CAN GET IT TO YOU.

I ASK YOU ALL TO AT MINIMUM PULL THOSE ITEMS SO I CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK TO THEM.

UH, RIGHT NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS FIRST ITEM SIX, WHICH IS A SERVICE EXTENSION REQUEST INTO THE BARTON SPRINGS WATERSHED OUT ON TWO 90, ABOUT 36 ACRES.

UH, WE'RE NEUTRAL ON THAT.

WE HAVEN'T COMPLETELY STUDIED IT, BUT WE DID NOTICE THAT THE STAFF MADE SURE THAT MOST OF THAT PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO THE SOS ORDINANCE AND IT'S NOT A HUGE AMOUNT OF ACREAGE AND IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S GONNA COST THE CITY A BUNCH OF TAXPAYER MONEY SUBSIDIZING SPRAWL UNDER THE WATERSHED.

SO THIS IS, UH, EXACTLY THE WAY THIS PROCESS SHOULD HAPPEN.

UH, THAT WOULD BE RUINED BY 1 25.

SO SIX IS A GOOD, GOOD TO GO, UM, ON 92.

THANK YOU FOR THE POSTPONEMENT AND RESPONDING TO THE COMMUNITY.

UM, WE SUPPORT THAT POSTPONEMENT.

I HOPE IT NEVER COMES BACK AND I HOPE THAT LIKE OTHER SPEAKERS, UH, YOU'LL GO THE OTHER WAY AND PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN YOUR PROCESS.

WE OPPOSE 94 CUTTING OFF, UH, INPUT ON THE CITY BUDGET.

UM, I BELIEVE THE ZONING MATTERS THAT INCLUDE THE S O S AMENDMENT ON BRODY OAKS WILL COME UP LATER.

UM, IS THAT CORRECT? UH, UH, IF YES, IT, THE ZONING IS LATER.

ZONING IS LATER AND THOSE WILL BE BROUGHT UP AT THAT TIME.

YOU CAN TESTIFY NOW IF YOU WANT, OR YOU CAN TESTIFY AT THAT TIME.

OKAY, I WILL, I WILL HOLD OFF ON THOSE ITEMS. UM, SO I WILL HO RESERVE MY RIGHT TO SPEAK ON 1 25 AND 1 26

[01:30:01]

IF THEY'RE PULLED.

IF THEY'RE NOT, WE ARE VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO BOTH OF THOSE AS STATED IN MY LETTER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MAYOR.

THAT'S NOT AFFORDABILITY.

COUNCIL MEMBER, I'D LIKE TO PULL ITEMS 1 25 AND 1 26.

UH, THANK YOU MAYOR.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER, COULD I ASK YOU TO PULL THE SERVICE EXTENSION REQUEST, UM, AT THE SAME TIME, CUZ THOSE ARE ALL INTERRELATED ITEMS AND THEY'RE REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT ENTIRE DISCUSSION TOGETHER.

SIR, WOULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME? SORRY.

BOBBY LEVINSKY WOULD SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.

YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S, UH, ITEMS, UH, SEVEN, EIGHT, AND NINE.

IT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT TO HAVE 1 25 WITH SEVEN, EIGHT, AND NINE, BUT I CAN SPEAK RIGHT NOW IF I NEED TO.

SIR, SIR, WE NEED YOU TO DO IS SPEAK AS OPPOSED TO GOING ASK THAT FOR THAT KIND OF THING.

I'LL JUST SPEAK TWICE THEN.

ON ITEM 7, 8, 9, UM, THEY'VE JUXTAPOSED REALLY WELL TO ITEMS, UH, 1 25 BECAUSE IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ENVIRONMENTAL INEQUITIES IN OUR SYSTEM.

YES, WE HAVE DRINKING WATER PROTECTION ZONE.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE'RE DOING SERVICE EXTENSION REQUESTS THAT WE'RE PROTECTING OUR CRITICAL WATER BODIES THAT SERVE OUR DRINKING WATER.

BUT IN THAT, WE'VE ALSO CREATED A SYSTEM THAT PRIORITIZES WEST AUSTIN OVER EAST AUSTIN, AND THAT IS THE TRUE PROBLEM IN THE PROCESS.

IT IS NOT HITTING THE DELETE BUTTON.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ON THESE SERVICE EXTENSION REQUESTS.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT ITEM EIGHT, HOW IT'S CITED, IT GOES THROUGH TWO CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONES.

IT SERVES A SITE THAT IS A WETLAND AND SPEAKS ABOUT, UH, SERVING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S POSTED FOR MIXED USE, IT HAS ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS THAN AN ITEM.

AND TYPICALLY IT WOULD JUST GO SAIL THROUGH THE PROCESS.

BUT IT'S ON A COUNCIL AGENDA, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT.

IT, IT, IT HAS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS OUR CITY FINANCES, EVERY INVESTMENT THAT WE MAKE, AND WE'RE JUST TOLD TO WAIT TO THE SITE PLAN PROCESS WHERE DEVELOPERS USE VESTED RIGHTS, GRANDFATHERING, THEY USE VARIANCES TO GET AROUND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.

THE PUBLIC REVIEW PROCESS ENSURES THAT SOMEBODY IS LOOKING AT THESE ISSUES, DO NOT HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.

ADD TO IT, ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY IS TAKING ACTION.

WE NEED THIS ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WATERSHED PROTECTION HAS THE ABILITY TO DO THEIR JOB.

TO LOOK AT THESE SITES RIGHT NOW, THAT PR THAT THAT ITEM JUST GOES THROUGH THE AUSTIN WATER UTILITY.

THEY'RE GREAT, THEY HAVE GREAT STAFF MEMBERS, BUT TYPICALLY THEIR MISSION IS TO GET MORE CUSTOMERS.

IT'S NOT TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

PLEASE DO NOT DO THAT.

NEXT SPEAKER IS, EXCUSE ME, ANGELA GARZA MAY, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY WITH MR. LAVINSKY, WHICH THE ITEMS WERE, I THINK THAT NINE IS THE AVIATION DEPARTMENT, 6 78.

THAT'S MY, YOUR HONOR, YEAH.

MAYOR, IF I COULD PLEASE PULL SIX, SEVEN, AND EIGHT.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER IS ANGELA GARZA, SPEAKING ON 7 32 45, 71 95, 1 0 2, 1 0 8, 1 11, 1 29, 1 30, 1 37, AND 1 26 ON DECK IS LEAH ZIEGLER.

AND IF YOU CAN PLEASE STATE WHETHER YOU'RE SPEAKING ON THE ITEMS THAT WERE JUST PULLED, IF YOU'RE SPEAKING ON THEM NOW OR IF YOU WILL BE SPEAKING AT THEM DURING THE ITEM.

WHEN THE ITEM IS PULLED, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND HANDLE EVERYTHING AT ONCE.

FIRST OF ALL, WE WANNA THANK VANESSA FUENTES IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR TEACHING US THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING LISTENING SESSIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THE BIG REASON WE'RE IN THIS SITUATION IS WE'RE NOT FINDING CONSENSUS WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND LISTENING TO THEM.

WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO GET OUR COMMUNITY READY TO SPEAK AND REDUCING THEM FROM THREE MINUTES TO TWO MINUTES TO ONE MINUTE.

WE DON'T FIND THEM OUT THE DAY OF IS A LOT OF WORK WHEN I'M TAKING A WEEK TO TWO WEEKS TO TAKE A VACATION DAY TO COME IN HERE.

SO I UNDERSTAND IT FROM THEM.

THE OTHER THING THAT I WANNA SAY IS, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE, LESLIE, I GET IT.

BUT IF YOU LOOK UP AND YOU GOOGLE A ROW HOME IN THE MUELLER, IT'S $700,000.

YOU JUST CAN GOOGLE THAT AND FIND THAT TODAY.

UNLESS YOU HAVE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN WRITING THAT'S GOING TO GUARANTEE THAT FAMILIES WILL HAVE ENTRY POINTS, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND THAT'S WHY THE COMMUNITY HAS LOST FAITH IN ALL THIS.

WE, WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME AND I GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK.

I CONSIDER A LOT OF YOU FRIENDS.

I SIT DOWN WITH YOU TO

[01:35:01]

TRY TO GET FEEDBACK, ENCOURAGEMENT, MENTORSHIP, AND HOW TO HANDLE THE COMMUNITY.

I'VE SAT DOWN WITH THE LIKES OF STACY SUITS, WHO HAS CON GIVEN ME INFORMATION.

BRIDGET SHEA, ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE I'VE SAT DOWN TO BE MENTORED BY BECAUSE WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.

I'M A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL WHO DOES NOT ACT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF AN INJURY.

YOU WILL GET A LOT OF RICH REAL ESTATE PEOPLE, BUT UNTIL YOU GIVE THAT CONFIDENCE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WE'RE GONNA GET AFFORDABILITY, YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TO THEM.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE NAACP SIT DOWN WITH MY MAYOR WHO ENCOURAGED US AS WELL AND GET SOME KIND OF CONSENSUS TOGETHER.

WHEN I SEE THOSE TWO MEN SIT DOWN TOGETHER, I'M GONNA KNOW, HEY, WE'VE GOT SOMETHING GOING ON THAT ACTUALLY CAN WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE DO A TON OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES AND WE DON'T SHOW YOU THAT.

WE DON'T WANNA BE ON THE PHONES OR BE ON PHOTO, UM, PHOTOGRAPHS JUST TO SHOW YOU THAT WE'RE DOING THAT WORK.

WE REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

I WANNA THANK THE MEDIA.

I CONTACTED A BUNCH OF YOU LAST YESTERDAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

LEE ZIEGLER SPEAKING ON 2192.

1 24, 1 26, 1 58.

ON DECK IS VICTOR ECHEVARRIA AND WALLACE LUNDGREN.

TODAY, ALONG WITH MANY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO REFINE AND ENHANCE THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS.

THAT'S 1 24 RESIST LOT SUBDIVISION FOR DENSITY WITHOUT NECESSARY CHECKS AND BALANCES.

1 26.

AND DO NOT DELEGATE TO STAFF PROJECTS REQUIRING SEW CONNECTIONS WITHOUT COMPREHENSIVE CASE EVALUATION IN THE E T J.

THAT IS ITEM 1 25.

REGARDING ITEM 1 24 NOTIFICATION, I SEE IMPROVEMENT IN THE MOST RECENT CONDENSED NOTICE DATED JANUARY, JAN, UH, JULY 17TH.

DESPITE THE AUDITOR'S REPORT, PLEASE MAKE A BETTER EFFORT TO SEND NOTICES TO THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND CONTACT TEAMS AND CONSIDER PROVIDING A STANDARD AND SECURE ONLINE PLATFORM FOR FURTHER DISTRIBUTION FROM NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND CONTACT TEAM BOARDS REGARDING ITEM 1 26.

DO NOT PERMIT LOT SUBDIVISIONS TO 2,500 SQUARE FEET WITH MORE ALLOWABLE UNITS AND AN ELIMINATION OF SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS.

CHANGES IN LAND USE SHOULD NOT CREATE ADDITIONAL CONFLICT WITH THE ROLE OF CURRENT NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS.

THE PHLO AND PARTICULARLY EXISTING DEEDS, HOA RESTRICTIONS AND LEGAL PRIVATE AGREEMENTS RESPECT THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE, RETAINED BIODIVERSITY, AVOID CONSEQUENTIAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND ESTABLISH AN INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE PLAN.

IT IS CLEARLY INAPPROPRIATE TO SET A GOAL FOR SUCH DENSITY.

COUNSEL APPEARS TO HAVE LOST SIGHT OF THE NEED FOR ANY LIMITATION UPON DEVELOPMENT AND DENSITY F A R OR EXPANDING IMPERVIOUS COVER.

FINALLY, REGARDING ITEM 1 25, SHOULDN'T INCREASED REPORTING AND SUPERVISION BE EXISTING, UH, FOR EXISTING T C E QMS BE REQUIRED RATHER THAN SUPPORTING LESS CONTROLLED SCRS, UH, APPROVED EASILY AND ELIMINATING CON COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.

NEXT SPEAKER IS VICTOR RIA SPEAKING ON 25 AND 26 ON DECK IS WALLACE LUNDGREN AND JESUS GONZALEZ.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED AND READ YOUR NAME INTO THE RECORD.

SASHA ROSE, VICTOR ECHEVERIA, WALLACE LUNDGREN.

JESUS GONZALEZ.

I AT LEAST SEE MR. LUNDGREN.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN VEHICLES TO, TO PARK AND SLEEP.

UH, MY NAME IS JESUS GONZALEZ.

UM, HOLD ON.

LEMME GET MY, AND REALLY, MY NAME REALLY ISN'T THAT IMPORTANT.

WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS MY EXPERIENCE.

I EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES IN SEVEN PLUS DIFFERENT CITIES.

UH, DENVER, COLORADO, DALLAS, TEXAS, AUSTIN, TEXAS, SAN ANTONIO, CORPUS MACALLEN, AND BROWNSVILLE AND HARDEN.

JEN, I EXPERIENCE, UH, ANY TYPE OF SHELTER YOU CAN PROBABLY, UH, THINK OF.

SO I WANT TO QUICKLY SHARE ABOUT WHAT WE DON'T HAVE HERE IN AUSTIN.

HERE IN AUSTIN.

WE DON'T HAVE SAFE PLACES

[01:40:01]

WE DON'T HAVE ANY OVERFLOW SHELTERS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE JUST GOT KICKED OUT OF THEIR BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND'S HOUSE TO SPEND THE NIGHT.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY, UH, SHELTERS WHERE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE, UH, LIVING WITH, UH, SEVERE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, UH, TO GET LIVING ASSISTANCE.

UM, AS FOR THE MARSHALL CENTER, I FIND IT REALLY, UH, INCONSIDERATE TO ASK FEEDBACK OF A SHELTER THAT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT.

NOW I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON FLOOR PANS UP, UH, UP SERVICES AVAILABLE BEFORE WE CAN PROPERLY GIVE, UH, FEEDBACK.

SO I AM NEUTRAL ON THAT AS I GOT THANK WALLACE LUNDGREN, VICTOR, RIA.

JANICE BOOKOUT AND MICHAEL KENT.

I LEFT Y'ALL, I LEFT Y'ALL ALL A PACKAGE THAT HAS A FEW ITEMS IN IT AND, UH, IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, IF YOU COULD READ THAT AND IF YOU DO READ IT AND YOU STILL VOTE TO PASS ITEM 71 WITHOUT LOOKING AT TWO OF THE BIDDERS, THERE'S NOTHING MUCH LEFT I CAN DO.

THANK YOU ROSE SASHA ON DECK.

HI, MY NAME IS SASHA ROSE.

I'M WITH AUSTIN MUTUAL AID.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, WE HAVE ACTUALLY STEPPED INTO BECOMING SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.

UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 71.

ITEM ONE 11.

UM, I'VE DONE THE MATH.

IT'S, UH, 9.2 MILLION ON, UH, THE MARSHALING SHELTER AND, UH, 20 MILLION ON CAMP CLEANUPS.

UM, I WANNA REALLY SPEAK CANDIDLY ABOUT THESE CAMP CLEANUPS.

UM, I ACTUALLY SAW ONE HAPPENING ON THE WAY IN HERE.

THESE ARE INCREDIBLY HARMFUL TO OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.

IT'S ALSO INCREDIBLY HARMFUL TO US AS SERVICE PROVIDERS.

WE SPEND WEEKS, MONTHS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE THEIR DOCUMENTATIONS, TRYING TO HELP THEM GET ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND, UH, AND THEN THEY'RE JUST THROWN AWAY.

SO THAT'S INCREDIBLY HARMFUL FOR, UH, NOT ONLY OUR, OUR MA OUR NEIGHBORS, BUT AS WELL AS US.

UM, I ALSO WANNA SPEAK TO, THAT'S 9.2 MILLION ON THE MARSHALING YARD.

UH, WE THREW 6.2 MILLION AT THE SALVATION ARMY AND 20 MILLION ON THE CAMP CLEANUPS.

THAT'S 35 MILLION IN ONE YEAR ON VERY TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS.

AND I'M GONNA CALL THE MARSHALL AND YARD, WHAT I FEEL IT IS.

IT'S A DISPLACEMENT PROJECT.

IT'S JUST MEANT TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE EYES.

IT'S THE KEEP AUSTIN PRETTY INITIATIVE.

MAYOR WATSON, I HEARD YOU RECENTLY SPEAK THAT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO SOLVING HOMELESSNESS.

UM, BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT ONE OF WHAT YOUR FOCUS SEEMS TO BE IS MORE ON CLEANING IT UP.

UH, THE TRASHINESS AROUND US, I ACTUALLY THINK IT'S TRASHIER FOR US TO BE INVESTING IN THESE BAND-AID SOLUTIONS ON THIS GAPING WOUND OF HOMELESSNESS.

WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE ROOT PRO PROBLEM.

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR INHOUSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE NOT PROBLEMS FOR YOU TO SOLVE Y'ALL.

THEY'RE ESPECIALLY NOT WITHOUT CONSULTING THEM.

THEY ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS NEIGHBORS.

AND FOR SOME OF US, THESE ARE OUR COWORKERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

CREATING SOLUTIONS FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WITHOUT CONSULTING THOSE MOST IMPACTED IS INEFFECTIVE AND IRRESPONSIBLE.

THIS IS AN IRRESPONSIBLE USAGE OF FUNDS.

UH, A STUDY CAME OUT THAT SAID TO A HUNDRED DOLLARS INCREASE IN MEDIUM RENT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 9% INCREASE IN THE ESTIMATED HOMELESSNESS.

WE'RE NOT INVESTING IN HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION, WE'RE NOT INVESTING IN ACTUAL SOLUTIONS HERE.

WE'RE JUST INVESTING IN STOP GAPS.

IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE USAGE OF FUNDS.

AND THE 9.2 MILLION, BY THE WAY, WOULD BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE PROJECT IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE'LL BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE UNITED STATES FOR A ONE YEAR PROJECT THAT REALLY DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING, BUT KEEP AUSTIN PRETTY.

THANK YOU JANICE.

BOOKOUT ON DECK IS MICHAEL KENT AND JENNIFER MYERS.

ASSIGNED UP TO SPEAK REGARDING ITEM 94.

UM, GOOD AFTERNOON OR GOOD MORNING.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR, DIRECTOR OF EARTH DAY AUSTIN AND CO-FOUNDER OF COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TRUST, WHICH IS A MULTIRACIAL COLLABORATIVE, ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY, UH, CRISIS AND DISASTER RESPONSE.

MAYOR WATSON, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER GARZA, I WANNA FIRST EXPRESS MY TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR YOU AS PUBLIC SERVANTS.

UM, I HAVE WORKED WITH YOU TO SUPPORT THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY AT OUR MOST, UH, AT-RISK RESIDENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC, THROUGH THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, THROUGH THE FORMULA CRISIS, DURING STORM URI AND EVERY WINTER RESPONSE SENSE.

UM, YOU KNOW ME AS SOMEONE WHO TRULY STANDS BEHIND THE IDEAS OF A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL.

AND YOU KNOW THAT DESPITE MY OWN FAMILY, I DO ALL THIS DESPITE MY OWN FAMILY BARELY CLEARING 50 MFI AS A MUSICIAN AND AND CONTRACTOR.

SO THANK YOU FOR POSTPONING ITEM 92.

THIS GIVES US A CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THIS CHANGE, TO OUR ABILITY TO SPEAK AT COUNSEL AND RESPOND ESPECIALLY TO THE CHANGE THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO MOVE TO A CONSENT ITEM, SOMETHING TO A CONSENT ITEM, EVEN IF MULTIPLE SPEAKERS ARE

[01:45:01]

PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE DATE OF THE BUDGET MEETINGS, THE TIME CERTAIN YOU'VE ALREADY PROVIDED IS MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR FOLKS EXPERIENCING LOW INCOME AND OTHER CONSTRAINTS.

AND PLEASE, EVERYONE, THIS IS FOR EVERYONE.

CHECK ON YOUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, PLEASE BRING THEM WATER AND COOLING TOWELS AT THE VERY LEAST.

IT'S VERY HOT OUT THERE.

YES, YES, YES.

NEXT SPEAKERS ARE KENT, ARE MICHAEL KENT, JENNIFER MYERS, BRENT THOMAS AND BEN THOMPSON REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT FOR ITEM 92.

OKAY, ROY WHALEY REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON 92.

1 24, 1 25, 1 26, AND ONE 50.

DAVID WEINBERG ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT FOR 92.

ON DECK IS BETHANY CARSON 92 AND 94.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME WHEN YOU'RE READY TO SPEAK, AND IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED.

HI, MY NAME'S BEN THOMPSON.

I WAS JUST ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'M OUT OF TURN OR NOT.

UH, I WAS, UH, ON THE, I SIGNED UP ACTUALLY TO SPEAK ON 92 AND ALSO 180 4 AND 180 5, WHICH ARE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE CASES.

I'VE GOT A SICK CHILD AT HOME, HE VOMITED RIGHT BEFORE I LEFT.

I'D APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, UH, THIS MORNING ON 180 4 AND 180 5 IF IT'S OKAY WITH THE MAYOR.

UM, JUST BRIEFLY, UH, SINCE THIS I ON 92, I'M ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT OF PRIOR SPEAKERS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE POSTPONEMENT AND RETHINKING OF THAT WHOLE PROCESS.

I'M GONNA MOVE ON TO 180 4 AND 180 5, WHICH ARE ZONING AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT, UH, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT CASES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN DISTRICT TWO.

UH, I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ARMADILLO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

I'M NOT HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, BUT I AM IN CONTACT WITH, UH, MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS ON THIS QUESTION.

UM, AT SOME POINT I LIKE TO COME UP TO THIS PODIUM ON A ZONING CASE AND TELL YOU THAT MY NEIGHBORS FULLY SUPPORT AND ARE HAPPY ABOUT THE PROPOSED CHANGE.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THAT THE APPLICANT AND THE STAFF AND OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE HAD A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION AND DISCUSSION AND THAT WE ARE ALL COMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW PLAN, A PLAN THAT WE HAVE MADE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT ZONING IS NOT THE MOMENT WHEN WE FINALIZE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT, UH, SITE DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

UM, BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THAT I'M CONFIDENT THAT AS A CASE MOVES THROUGH THOSE PROCESSES, THAT MYSELF AND MY NEIGHBORS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A VOICE IN THAT PROCESS.

CURRENTLY, ZONING IS THE LAST MOMENT WHEN NEIGHBORS ACTUALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE THIS BODY ABOUT ANY GIVEN CASE.

I WANNA BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THAT COMPROMISES HAVE BEEN MADE.

I WANNA BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THAT THOSE COMPROMISES WEREN'T JUST BY THE APPLICANT, BUT PERHAPS BY NA BY MY NEIGHBORS, PEOPLE WHO MAYBE CAME IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT WITH A KNEE JERK REACTION TO DEVELOPMENT.

THE REALITY IS THAT NONE OF THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THIS CASE, AND I ASK YOU TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

MICHAEL KENT, JENNIFER MYERS, BRENT THOMPSON.

DAVID WEINBERG SPEAKING ON NINE, UH, 92.

BETHANY CARSON IS ON DECK AND MISAEL RAMOS, I HEARD YOU CALLED MY NAME.

AND PARTICIPATION, UH, INCLUDING LACK OF ACCESS, TECHNOLOGY, TRANSPORTATION, UM, HAVING HOURLY WORK WITH LACK OF ADVANCED NOTICE FOR THEIR SCHEDULES AND THE LIST GOES ON.

HI, I'M BETHANY CARSON.

SHOULD I GO AHEAD AND PLEASE? OKAY.

UM, HI, MY NAME IS BETHANY CARSON.

I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TODAY, UH, AS WELL AS MYSELF.

UM, AND SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO ITEMS 92, UM, THAT THANK YOU FOR POSTPONING, UM, BUT STILL WANNA ADDRESS, UH, AND AS WELL AS 94 AND ONE 11.

UM, SO AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR DISMISSING ITEM 92.

I DO HOPE IT DOESN'T COME BACK, BUT I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT WE NEED TO BE MOVING IN THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AS THAT ITEM THAT WAS BROUGHT UP SO THAT ALL RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH, UM, MEMBERS OF OUR ORGANIZATION WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEMS WHOSE VOICES NEED TO BE AT THE TABLE, BOTH AT THESE BUDGET HEARINGS IN ITEM 94 AND OTHER ITEMS THAT WILL BE CONSIDERED AT FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS.

THEY FACE NUMEROUS BARRIERS AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION

[01:50:01]

SO WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN OUR MEMBERS' AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ITEMS THAT IMPACT THEM THAT COME UP BEFORE THIS COUNCIL.

BUT WE NEED YOU TO STOP REALLY SHUTTING DOWN THEIR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS.

UM, ALL OF THE MEETINGS ON THE BUDGET SCHEDULE ARE SCHEDULED TO HAPPEN AT 10 IN THE MORNING WHEN MOST RESIDENTS WORK.

NOT ONLY OUR MEMBERS, BUT ALL, YOU KNOW, RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN USUALLY HAVE JOBS IN, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.

SO, UM, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S NOT GONNA BE ACCESSIBLE FOR THEM.

UM, AUGUST 3RD ALSO HAD BEEN ON THE CALENDAR FOR MONTHS AND NOW WE'RE CHANGING IT TO, UH, AUGUST 1ST.

UM, IN GENERAL, THE NEW RESTRICTIONS, UH, ON COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE, UM, REALLY INACCESSIBLE AND UNNECESSARILY PREVENT PEOPLE WHO WORK DURING THE DAY OR HAVE OTHER MORNING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD.

I'VE BEEN AT COUNCIL MEETINGS WHERE, UM, YOU KNOW, PREVIOUSLY IT WAS ALLOWED TO REGISTER FOR AN ITEM ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL, UH, IT ALL THE SPEAKERS WERE EXHAUSTED.

AND SO WHY CAN'T THAT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN? WHAT IS THE REASON FOR SHUTTING DOWN THAT KIND OF PARTICIPATION? BECAUSE I ALSO WANNA SAY THAT EVERY TIME THAT SOMEBODY SHOWS UP, IT IS A TRAVESTY FOR THEM NOT TO GET TO SPEAK BECAUSE THEY LOSE FAITH IN THIS PROCESS.

SO PLEASE MEET WITH US, DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE THIS PROCESS ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL RESIDENTS.

ROY WHALEY SPEAKING ON 92, 1 24, 1 25, 1 26, AND ONE 50.

PLEASE STATE WHICH ITEMS YOU'LL BE SPEAKING ON.

HOW DO Y'ALL, MY NAME IS ROY WHALEY.

I'M THE CONSERVATION SHERIFF FOR THE, UH, AUSTIN REGIONAL GROUP OF THE SIERRA CLUB.

AND I WANT THANK YOU FOR PULLING AND POSTPONING ITEM NUMBER 92.

NOW, IF YOU WOULD, LET'S DO A DRACULA ON THIS THING AND DRIVE A WOODEN STAKE THROUGH ITS HEART.

NEVER EVER SAY WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM THE CITIZENS.

AND LET'S GO BACK TO HAVING THE THREE MINUTE ENGAGEMENT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU SWAM AT BARTON SPRINGS, BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DO, YOU ARE WELCOME BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY GOT UP ON ITS HIND LEGS AND KEPT COUNSEL HERE ALL NIGHT LONG AND CHANGED A VOTE THAT I WILL SAY PRESERVED BARTON SPRINGS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S AN OVERSTATEMENT, SO NEVER EVER SAY WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM THE CITIZENS.

THE OTHER THING IS ON, ON, UH, ITEM 26.

I'M SURPRISED THAT, UH, YOU DIDN'T REACH OUT TO US COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AND TALK WITH THE, THE COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THIS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL IS IN INVOLVED.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT, UH, IMPERVIOUS COVER, HERITAGE TREES, UH, WATER CAPTURE AND REUSE, STORMWATER RUNOFF.

IT WOULD BE A LOT EASIER TO KNOW WHAT TO SAY AND DO IF WE HAD HAD THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST.

WE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTERS OF YOURS, AND SO IT IS MORE THAN JUST SLIGHTLY INSULTING THAT YOU DID NOT REACH OUT TO US AND HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BEFOREHAND SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW WHERE WE STAND TODAY AND WHERE TO GO FORWARD.

THAT'S DISAPPOINTING AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

AND AFTER THAT, I'M GOING TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEVER STOP LISTENING TO THE CITIZENS, AND I WILL BE SEEING YOU LATER TODAY.

ROY, BEFORE YOU GET TOO FAR TOWARD THE BACK OF THE CHAMBER, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE STARTING TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH THIS ACTION HERE TODAY, AND I THANK YOU FOR, UM, FOR ALL OF YOUR, YOUR WORK IN THE PAST.

I VALUE THAT WORK AND THE ALIGNMENT WE HAVE HAD, UH, ON MANY ISSUES.

AND, UM, WE WILL BE HAVING ADDITIONAL.

THESE ARE HARD CONVERSATIONS.

I THINK WE ALL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND THIS IS NOT OVER.

THIS IS BEGINNING.

AND, AND THAT IS SOMETHING I, I APPRECIATE YOU THAT THESE ARE NOT EASY CONVERSATIONS AND HARD CONVERSATIONS STILL HAVE TO BE HAD.

YES, SIR.

AND SO HOPEFULLY YES, SIR SIERRA CLUB.

DEFINITELY IS IS AN ANTI SPRAWL.

WE HOPE THAT THAT WILL LEAD TO THIS.

CONCERNED ABOUT ALL THE OTHER ITEMS. DAVID WEINBERG, THANK YOU.

ON DECK IS MIS RAMOS FOLLOWING IS DAVID JOHNSON, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND THE ITEMS YOU ARE SPEAKING ON.

[01:55:08]

ALL RIGHTY.

ARE THOSE FOLKS IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY? MISAEL RAMOS, DAVID JOHNSON.

DANIELLA SILVA, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

UH, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS DAVID JOHNSON.

I'M WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND I AM A CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT IN A HEALTHY AND THRIVING CITY.

THE VOICES OF ITS PEOPLE SHOULD BE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR.

IT IS THROUGH ACTIVE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THAT WE CAN ADDRESS PRESSING ISSUES LIKE THE ONES THAT FACES TODAY AND CONTINUE TO FACE US THROUGH THE YEAR, FIND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND ENSURE THAT THE DECISIONS MADE REFLECT THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER, THE PATH TO MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SEEMS TO BE FACING OBSTACLES.

UNFORTUNATELY, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS MAKE AN INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING FOR ORDINARY SITTI, ORDINARY CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS TO ENGAGE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

SOME CITY COUNCILS ARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE BY MANIPULATING SCHEDULES AND LIMITING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY.

THIS APPROACH, SHOULD IT BE ONE THAT THIS COUNCIL SEEKS TO SUPPORT IS ANTITHETICAL TO FOSTERING A HEALTH AND SUSTAINABLE CITY.

WHEN THE VERY PROCESSES DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BECOME EXCLUSIVE AND UNWELCOMING, THEY ERODE THE TRUST BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.

BY RESTRICTING PUBLIC TESTIMONY, WE SILENCE THE VOICES OF COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS WITH VALUABLE INSIGHTS AND FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVES.

OUR CITY'S FUTURE CANNOT BE SOLELY DICTATED BY A SELECT VIEW WITH VESTED INTERESTS.

TRUE PROGRESS COMES FROM CONSIDERING THE NEEDS OF EVERYONE FROM THOSE LIVING IN AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED COMMUNITIES AND THOSE WHO ARE UNHOUSED THAT OFTEN BEAR THE BRUNT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS.

WHEN THE PRIORITIES OF BUSINESS INTERESTS CONSISTENTLY OVERSHADOW THOSE OF THE RESIDENTS LIKE LAND DEVELOPER INTERESTS COMMONLY DO IN AUSTIN, WE NEED TO ONLY LOOK AT GENTRIFICATION AND EAST OF 35 AND WEST OF 35.

AND THE BIG DIFFERENCE TO REMEMBER IT, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT A CITY IS NOT JUST A COLLECTION OF BUILDINGS.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO LEAD TO AN UNBALANCE AND UNSUSTAINABLE CITYSCAPE.

IT'S NOT JUST BUSINESSES.

IT IS A LIVING, BREATHING ENTITY.

THE CITY IS IT, IT'S THRIVING BECAUSE OF THE COLLECTIVE HUMANITY OF ITS RESIDENTS.

WE HAVE SEEN THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF PRIORITIZING BUSINESS INTERESTS OVER INDIVIDUALS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

SUCH AN APPROACH ONLY EXACERBATES INCOME INEQUALITY DISPLACES COMMUNITIES AND UNDERMINES THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF OUR CITY.

LET US RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO FOSTERING A COMMUNITY DRIVEN CITY.

WE MUST HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE AND YOU MUST HOLD YOURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AND DEMAND AND PROVIDE FOR US ACCESS.

THANK YOU SIR.

ACCESSIBLE WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO WHAT WE ELECTED YOU TO DO AND NOT WITH THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED HEAVILY TO YOUR CAMPAIGNS HAVE PAID YOU TO DO.

RECOMMIT TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS AND INVESTING IN INTERVENTIONS AND SERVICES THAT ARE ROOTED IN, IN CARE AND COMPASSION.

DANIELA SILVA.

ELI CORTEZ, SHAMAN PERKIN, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

GOOD MORNING CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS ELA CORTEZ.

I AM AN ORGANIZER AT TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE, WHICH IS LOCATED IN DISTRICT THIR, DISTRICT THIR THREE.

AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.

UM, SO I WANNA START OFF BY SAYING THAT WE ABSOLUTELY DO NEED SHELTER.

UM, ACTUALLY I'M GONNA START WITH THE ITEMS I'M TALKING ABOUT.

UM, I'M HERE FOR ITEMS 1 27 AND AGAINST 92 94 1 11 1.

WHAT USED TO BE ONE 90 AND NOW 71.

UH, SO I WANNA START BY SAYING WE ABSOLUTELY DO NEED SHELTER, BUT WE NEED SHELTER THAT HAS PATHWAYS TO HOUSING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND CLEAR TRANSPORTATION PLANS LAID OUT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STAYING THERE.

WITHOUT IT, WE'RE CONTINUING TO PUSH THE, OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY TO THE MARGINS TO HIDE THE ISSUE, UM, TO FURTHER OUR POLITICAL CLOUT.

UM, BUT WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING TO MEANINGFULLY SUPPORT PEOPLE EXITING HOMELESSNESS TO VOTE TODAY ON A 9 MILLION INVESTMENT IN A WAREHOUSE WITHOUT THESE ITEMS PLANNED OUT AND CLEARLY LINE LIKE, UH, DETAILED OUT, UM, WITH ONLY FUNDS TO LAST A YEAR IS IRRESPONSIBLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S PARTIALLY FUNDED FROM PER FROM THE CAPITAL FUND THAT WAS INTENDED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

WE'VE BEEN BUILDING, UM, IN AUSTIN WITH OUR COMMUNITY TOWARDS MEETING PEOPLE WITH CARE SERVICES AND COMPASSION AND AWAY FROM PUNISHING AND PERSECUTING POVERTY AND SUBSTANCE USE.

CUTTING THE HOMELESS STRATEGY DIVISIONS BUDGET BY 30% WHILE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASING THE POLICE BUDGET BY 30 MILLION IN THE BASELINE BUDGET AND VOTING FOR 20 MILLION TODAY FOR ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS AND BUILDING A RESERVE POLICE FORCE FOR CITY HALL.

THOSE ARE NOT IN LINE WITH THE VISION AND THE RESOURCES WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING TO BUILD IN AUSTIN.

YES, SIR.

AND REFLECTIVE OF THE LACK OF AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY INPUT PROCESSES WITH OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY, WE URGE YOU TO

[02:00:01]

AND YOU CAN DO THAT TODAY BY SUPPORTING ITEM 1 27 FOR TWO NEW PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS.

NEXT SPEAKER IS SHAMAN PERKIN.

PAULETTE TANI.

HI CITY COUNCIL AND UH, MAYOR.

GOOD TO, UH, BE HERE AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

COULD YOU, MY NAME IS SHAMAN.

I'M A LEADER OF THE HARM REDUCTION ALL TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.

AND UH, THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.

MY, I USED TO BE HOMELESS, BUT I'M SUCCESS STORY OF THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM.

ECHO HAS STATED THAT P S H IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM.

I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THEY'RE, THEY'RE CORRECT.

THEY'RE RIGHT.

IN MY TIME AND SHELTER EXPERIENCE, I'VE, UH, EXPERIENCED THEFT, VIOLENCE AND EVEN BEDBUGS WHEN I HAD TO STAY AT THE ARCH AS A PLACE WHERE I HAD TO STAY, UH, TO, TO GET MY HOUSING.

I HAD TO LIVE WITH THAT TO GET MY HOUSING.

AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.

I MEAN, AND AT THIS DAY AND AGE, I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT I'VE BECOME A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

I PAY MY TAXES.

I, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A, I PAY MY PORTION OF THE RENT BILLS, WHATEVER.

IT'D BE A LOT BETTER TO HAVE A BUNCH OF PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

PAULETTE SULTANI EIGHT TRACK.

MONICA GUZMAN ARE ON DECK.

HI, UH, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY.

MY NAME IS PAULETTE SULTANI AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZING AT THE TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.

FIRST, I WANNA STATE ON THE RECORD OUR OPPOSITION FOR ITEMS 92 94 AND 70 AND OUR SUPPORT FOR ITEM 1 27.

I'LL BE SPEAKING AGAINST ITEM ONE 11.

YES, WE NEED ACCESS TO SHELTER IN AUSTIN.

NO, WE DON'T NEED SHELTER.

THAT TAKES AWAY RESOURCES FROM PERMANENT HOUSING.

NO, WE DON'T NEED PROPOSALS THAT ARE FORMED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

NO, WE DON'T NEED RUSHED, RECKLESS, SHORTSIGHTED SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PLANNED OUT.

WELL, WE'VE SEEN HOW THAT RESULTS IN AUSTIN OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH SHELTERS.

GIVEN THE CITY'S HISTORY WITH ROLLING OUT SHELTERS AND THE CHAOS WE'VE ALL WITNESSED MOST RECENTLY WITH THE SALLY DOWNTOWN, IT'S THE COUNCIL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE ASKING THE CRITICAL QUESTIONS AND ENSURING THAT THE CITY HAS STANDARDS OF CARE AND OPERATION THAT PROVIDERS MUST FOLLOW BEFORE OPENING UP A SHELTER MUCH, LET ALONE ONE THAT IS THIS SIZE AND WITH THIS MUCH MONEY.

HOW ARE SH HOW WILL SHOWERS BE SET UP? HOW WILL THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT GENDER IDENTITIES BE CONSIDERED? HOW MANY CASEWORKERS WILL STAFF THE SHELTER? WHERE WILL THERE BE HARM REDUCTION SERVICES OFFERED TO PREVENT OVERDOSES? YES.

HOW WILL OVERSIGHT LOOK DIFFERENT THAN IT DID IN THE SALVATION ARMY BEFORE IT'S CLOSING? HAVE ANY OF YOU EVEN STEPPED FOOT IN THE, IN THE MARSHALING YARD TO EVEN UNDERSTAND HOW IT WILL BE SET UP? HOW WILL AIR CONDITIONING RUN THROUGH THIS MASSIVE BUILDING, THIS MASSIVE WAREHOUSE? I'M ASKING, ARE THESE DETAILS CLEAR TO YOU? I'M REALLY ASKING YOU, DOES ANYONE KNOW? DOES ANYONE KNOW? ARE THESE DETAILS CLEAR TO YOU? BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT CLEAR TO PEOPLE THAT ARE GONNA BE RESIDENTS OF THE SHELTER.

AND IF THEY'RE NOT CLEAR TO YOU AND THEY'RE NOT CLEAR TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T HAD A VOICE IN THIS PROCESS WHATSOEVER, THEN I REALLY URGE YOU TO STOP RUSHING THIS PROPOSAL FORWARD.

THAT IS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT TAKES AWAY RESOURCES FROM PERMANENT HOUSING AND ACTUALLY GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT AND SOME TIME SO THAT UNHOUSED AUSTINITES CAN HAVE A VOICE IN THE PROCESS.

PEOPLE CAN HAVE A VOICE IN THE PROCESS TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT.

PLEASE CONSIDER STOPPING THIS, DELAYING THIS.

THIS IS, DOES NOT NEED TO BE RUSHED THROUGH.

NEXT SPEAKER IS EIGHT TRACK.

MONICA GUZMAN IS ON DECK.

CHRISTIAN CHOP.

IN, THIS IS DESTINED TO FAIL AND IT WILL BE A WASTE OF 9 MILLION.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK THIS MORNING.

MY NAME IS EIGHT TRACK.

I'M A MEMBER OF TEXAS HARM REDUCTION LEADERSHIP TEAM.

I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF STREET FORUM AND I HAVE BEEN UNHOUSED ON THE BEAUTIFUL STREETS OF DOWNTOWN AUSTIN FOR OVER SEVEN MONTHS.

THE MARSHALING YARD PROJECT IS THE BEGINNING OF A GOOD IDEA, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S ALL THAT IT IS THE BEGINNING OF A GOOD IDEA.

THERE ARE NO ASSURANCES WHATSOEVER THAT WILL, THERE WILL BE SERVICES PROVIDED.

THERE IS NO EXIT STRATEGY.

YOUR FEARLESS LEADER, THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER, IS ON RECORD SAYING, HEY, I'M GONNA BE WATCHING THIS ON TV WHEN IT'S DONE.

GOOD LUCK.

IF THAT'S THE ATTITUDE GOING

[02:05:01]

AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN WILL BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE NATION.

NOT ONLY ARE THE EYES OF TEXAS UPON YOU, BUT THE EYES OF THE NATION AS WELL.

YES SIR.

LET'S PUMP THE BRAKES AND PLAN THIS.

RIGHT.

THIS CAN WORK IF WE ACTUALLY HAVE A PLAN PUT IN PLACE.

IF THERE IS A ROADWAY TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AT THE END OF THIS MARSHALING YARD PROJECT, I WILL BE THE FIRST TO SIGN UP.

BUT THERE HAS TO BE A PLAN PUT IN PLACE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

NEXT SPEAKER IS MONICA GUZMAN.

ON DECK IS CHRISTIAN SHOW AND MICHAEL CURRY.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND THE ITEMS YOU ARE SPEAKING ON.

UM, TOO MANY ITEMS. LONG LIST.

I THINK YOU'LL BE ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT BASED ON WHAT I SAY.

I APOLOGIZE.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR COUNSEL.

I'M MONICA GUZMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR GAVA, GO.

AUSTIN, VAUS AUSTIN.

YOU HAVE CREATED AN AN UNREASONABLY LONG AGENDA MAKING IT MORE CHALLENGING FOR US TO SPEAK ON MOST OR ALL OF THE ISSUES WE WANT TO ADDRESS.

IN ADDITION, YOU HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO LIMIT OUR TIME TO SPEAK, BUT I DIGRESS.

THANK YOU FOR POSTPONING ITEM 92 INDEFINITELY, ALLOWING TIME FOR A ROBUST COMMUNITY CENTERED, LANGUAGE ACCESSIBLE DISCUSSION TO ENSURE A TRULY INCLUSIVE PUBLIC PROCESS.

GAVA IS OPPOSED TO LAND DEVELOPMENT CODES, UM, UH, AMENDMENTS TRACKING, EXCUSE ME, LACKING ASSURANCES OF TRULY, DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FAILING TO PROTECT VULNERABLE RESIDENTS FROM POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL DISPLACEMENT.

WE'RE OPPOSED TO THREE TO FOUR UNIT DEVELOPMENTS BEING EXEMPT FROM THE SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS, REDUCING ZONING CHANGE, NOTIFICATION ZONES, AND THOSE LEADING TO SUBDIVISION OF LOTS.

DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY THINK MORE HOUSES, MULTI, MULTI-FAMILY ON SMALLER UNITS DOES NOT EQUAL AFFORDABILITY.

AND IN CASE YOU FORGOT, BUILDING ADUS DOESN'T LEAD TO AFFORDABILITY OR STABILITY EITHER.

IT IS OBVIOUS YOU HAVE NO QUALMS IN SILENCING THE VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE WHEN MOVING FROM THE PUBLIC PROCESS OF COUNCIL APPROVAL TO ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS, INCREASING ENTITLEMENTS AND NO PUBLIC PROCESS.

WE'RE ALSO OPPOSED TO WHAT APPEARS TO BE GRANTING THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER THE AUTHORITY TO INITIATE CODE AMENDMENTS WHEN PER CITY CHARTER.

ONLY YOU, THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING AND ZAP COMMISSIONS HAVE SAID AUTHORITY TO DO SO IN FRONT OF US.

THE PUBLIC.

IT MAY BE PIECEMEAL, BUT YOUR DECISIONS ARE CODE NEXT 3.0 IN VIOLATION OF JUDGE SOYER'S COURT RULING, WE OPPOSE ITEMS 94 AND ONE 46 CENTS AS WE LAST HEARD.

THERE'S NO LONGER AN AFTERNOON TIME CERTAIN FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET LIMITING OR PREVENTING ACCESS TO FRONTLINE WORKERS AND VULNERABLE RESIDENTS WHO DON'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO ADJUST WORK SCHEDULES TO COME TO CITY HALL OR SIT IN A QUEUE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME WAITING FOR THEIR NAME TO BE CALLED.

CHRISTIAN CHOP ON DECK IS MICHAEL CURRY AND MARK DUGAN.

BUT BEFORE YOU START, THAT'S THE SECOND TIME I'VE HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT NOT HAVING AN AFTERNOON, UH, TIME TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET.

UH, AS I ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION, WE PURPOSEFULLY CREATED TWO DAYS FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT SO THAT THERE COULD BE A MORNING TIME AND THERE COULD BE AN AFTERNOON TIME.

UH, I SAID THAT CLEARLY YESTERDAY AND I WANNA MAKE SURE WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA TODAY SOLIDIFIES THAT.

UH, THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING, UH, ON THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR AUGUST 16TH AT 20 ON 2023 AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE BUDGET AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

ITEM 1 46, IF IT PASSES, WILL SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR AUGUST 1ST, 2023 AT 3:00 PM AT THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

SO THAT WAS PURPOSEFULLY DONE SO THAT PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO BE IN THE MORNING COULD BE THERE IN THE AFTERNOON.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSED AT LEAST SOME FOLKS TO HAVE CONFUSION ON THAT, BUT I WANNA, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S CLARIFIED.

JULY 26TH MEETING, AND THAT'LL BE AT 10 O'CLOCK.

COUNCIL MEMBER AL ALTER.

MAYOR, I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU TO CLARIFY THE FIRST DATE, CUZ I THINK YOU SAID, UH, AUGUST DATE AND I THINK YOU MEANT A JULY 26TH DATE.

YOU SAID AUGUST 16TH BE A PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 16TH.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 16TH.

I'M SURE YOU'RE, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT, THAT YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE THE FIRST TIME WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE AT 10 O'CLOCK, NOT PUBLIC, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

LIKE WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE ON THE BUDGET WILL BE, UH, THE JULY,

[02:10:03]

WE WILL ALSO HAVE ONE ON AUGUST 1ST, THAT'LL BE AT THREE O'CLOCK.

AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE ON AUGUST 16TH AT 10 O'CLOCK AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

SO YOU'RE, YOU'RE CORRECT AND I APPRECIATE YOUR CLARIFYING THAT.

THANK YOU FOR CLARIFICATION.

I GOT MY PERMISSION FROM A BUDGET OFFICER.

WELL, SO YOU APPRECIATE ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION BEING PROVIDED.

I NOT AS MUCH AS I DO, OBVIOUSLY, .

PLEASE, I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE.

YEAH, NO PROBLEM.

HOW TO COUNCIL, UH, I'M CHRISTIAN CHAPE WITH, UH, I LIVE IN DISTRICT 10.

UM, I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF ITEMS 1 26 AND 1 58 CHAMPIONED BY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER LESLIE POOLE, AMONGST OTHER GREAT COUNCIL MEMBERS.

UM, I DON'T WANT AUSTIN TO BECOME SAN FRANCISCO.

I DON'T WANT AUSTIN TO BECOME A CITY FOR THE RICH WHILE LEAVING EVERYBODY ELSE OUT TO DRY.

I LOVE D 10 AND I LOVE THE NICE BIG HOUSES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

YET WE HAVE CHRONICALLY UNDERBUILT STARTER HOMES FOR OUR LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASSES.

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH TOWN HOMES, COTTAGE HOMES AND CONDOS FOR THOSE WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT.

AND THESE ARE OFTEN BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS.

THIS PAST WEEK I'VE MADE A POINT TO GO AROUND AUSTIN TO ENVISION WHAT OUR FUTURE NEIGHBORHOODS WOULD BE LIKE.

CLOSE, TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITIES OF ALL RACIAL BACKGROUNDS AND INCOME CLASSES.

NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE MUELLER ARE BEAUTIFUL IF THIS IS WHAT THE OPPOSITION IS SCARED OF.

COUNSEL, YOU SHOULD BE PROUD TO PASS ITEMS 1 26 AND 1 58.

ALLOW STARTER HOMES FOR ALL SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE.

SUPPORT YOUNG FAMILIES.

ALLOW STARTER HOMES FOR ALL.

MICHAEL CURRY.

NECK ON DECK IS MARK D UCHIN AND FRANCIS UNA.

UH, THANK YOU.

MY NAME'S MICHAEL CURRY.

APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TODAY.

UM, I WANT TO FOCUS MY REMARKS ON ITEM ONE.

26.

UM, I OPPOSE ITEM 1 26 FOR THE REASON STATED IN MY EMAIL, BUT I WANT TO FOCUS TODAY ON A PROPOSED COMPROMISE.

AND I HAVE A QUESTION.

IF THE PURPOSE OF, UH, UH, RESOL THE RESOLUTION THAT ITEM 1 26 IS TO PROVIDE, UH, HOMEOWNERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL LOT DEVELOPMENT, THEN A BETTER APPROACH THAN BLANKET REZONING, UM, THEN THERE IS A BETTER APPROACH THAN BLANKET REZONING THAT, UM, COVERS, UH, ALL SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO CREATE SMALL LOT OPTIONS RESPONSE IN, IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, A NEW ZONING DISTRICT COULD BE CREATED ALLOWING 2,500 SQUARE FOOT LOTS, AND A PROPERTY OWNER COULD THEN APPLY FOR THAT ZONING THAT, UH, UH, THAT ZONING CATEGORY HIGHLIGHTING THEIR SPECIFIC PURPOSE, THEIR SPECIFIC, UH, PROPOSAL, UH, FOR THAT LOCATION AND USING THE EXISTING PROCESS.

AND THAT WAY ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVOLVED IN THE DECISION.

SO THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO HAVE SMALL LOTS AND INVOLVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WITHOUT BLANKET REZONING.

FAMILIES WANT TO KNOW WHEN THEIR HOMES ARE THE SUBJECT OF A PUBLIC HEARING, UH, AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO CHANGE THE REGULATIONS ON THEIR PROPERTY AND ALL OF THE PROPERTY AROUND THEM.

SO I CAME HERE WITH A QUESTION WHEN IT COMES TO PASS AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE, ARE YOU GOING TO DIRECT THE CITY WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT'S REQUIRED BY, UH, LAW OR NOT, TO SEND INDIVIDUAL WRITTEN NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING, UH, AS A MATTER OF FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS AND DEMOCRATIC DUE PROCESS? I THINK THE FOLKS HERE ON EVERY SIDE OF THE ISSUE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO SEND THAT INDIVIDUAL NOTICE, THINK THE FOLKS LISTENING AT HOME WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU'RE GONNA SEND THAT INDIVIDUAL NOTICE WHEN IT COMES TIME, UM, FOR, UM, UH, THE CODE AMENDMENT.

AND, UM, APPRECIATE HEARING YOUR ANSWER.

1 24, 1 25, 1 26, 1 31, AND 1 44.

MARK CHEN SPEAKING ON 92, 1 24, 1 25, AND 1 26.

FRANCIS UNA IS ON DECK ON 92.

FOLLOWING IS BARBARA MACARTHUR SPEAKING ON 92, 1 24, 1 25, 1 26, AND 1 58.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.

[02:15:03]

JEFF DICKERSON.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL.

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON 1 25 AND 1 26 SINCE THEY WERE PULLED LATER.

AND ON 1 25, I'D LIKE TO GIVE MY TIME TO BILL BUNCH.

SORRY.

YOU WANNA DO THAT ONE? BRING IT UP LATER? YEAH, WE'LL TALK, WE'LL DO THAT AT A LATER POINT IN TIME.

CAN, DO YOU WANNA SPEAK NOW? YEAH.

SO WHAT I'M GONNA SPEAK ABOUT NOW, I'M GONNA SPEAK ABOUT 1 25 AND 1 26 LATER.

RIGHT NOW I'M GONNA JUST TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT 1 24 AND 1 58.

CAN I DO THAT OR NOT? NO, NO.

WELL, I WAS GONNA SAY, JUST GO AHEAD AND WE'LL, WE'LL, WE'LL SORT IT OUT WHEN WE GET TO 1 25 AND 1 26.

CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME? YEAH, BARBARA MACARTHUR.

JUST PLEASE GO AHEAD.

ON 1 24, I JUST WANNA SAY, UM, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU'RE NOT THAT, THAT, UM, INSTEAD OF MINIMIZING TRANSPARENCY, YOU SHOULD MAKE MAKING SURE THAT NOT ONLY DO PEOPLE GET NOTICE OF CHANGES THAT, BUT THAT LARGE VISIBLE SIGNS ARE PLACED ON THEIR PROPERTIES.

NONE OF THE NINE ACRES IN MY TINY PART OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER THE REZONING PROCESS HAVE ANY SIGNS AT ALL.

SO NO ONE KNOWS THE RADICAL CHANGES TO MF SIX ZONING FROM SMALL RESIDENCES.

THERE'S NO SIGNS, SO PLEASE INCREASE RATHER THAN DECREASE ON 1 58.

MY TECHNICAL CONCERN IS THAT ONCE YOU GO BEYOND TWO UNITS, BUILDING FALLS UNDER THE I B C, NOT THE R B C, AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN YOUR PROPOSAL THAT WILL KEEP THE CITY FROM MIXING THOSE THINGS UP.

THE IBC IS THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, WHICH IS VERY PRESCRIPTIVE AND FOLLOWS STRICT RULES FOR THE SAFETY WHEN YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE LIVING IN A BUILDING, SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, THINGS LIKE THAT, THIS MUDDLES IT UP, THE RBC HAS A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY AND A LOT LESS SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

SO I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT, I HOPE YOU LOOK AT THAT AND I'LL BE BACK LATER.

THANKS, FRANCIS UNA.

JEFF DICKERSON.

JOE HOWARD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

UH, HI.

UH, MY NAME IS FRANCIS ACUNA.

UH, FIRST I WANTED TO ASK IF THE A H F C ITEM NUMBERS, I CAN SAY I'M NOW OR I, OR LATER ON, AH, HSC AND IT'S MORE CONVENIENT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.

PLEASE GO AHEAD.

IT'LL BE PART OF YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW.

CAN I FINISH? WELL, IF YOU, IF YOU'RE FINISHING A THOUGHT, YOU JUST FINISH YOUR THOUGHT.

UH, MY NAME IS FRANCIS UNA.

I'M A CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMUNITY LEAD ORGANIZER WITH GAVA GO AUSTIN BAO AUSTIN, AND I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO.

I'M AGAINST ITEM 1 24, A NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.

PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS 250 UH, FEET.

IT'S THE END OF MY BACKYARD, SO MY NEIGHBORS NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

IF I DECIDE TO PUT FOUR BUILDINGS IN THERE, UH, I'M AGAINST ITEM 1 26 AN INCREASING THE NUMBER OF UNITS IN A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.

SO IF I PUT, UH, TWO MORE HOMES IN MY LOT, UH, THEN AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I, MY NEIGHBORS BEHIND, THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND 250 FEET WON'T DO THAT, IS JUST GONNA COVER THE TWO, UH, HOMES THAT I PUT IN MY BACKYARD.

SO, UM, LEAVING THE 500 FEET, AT LEAST IT REQUIRES, IT CAN, MY NEIGHBORS IN THE BACK, UH, STREET ARE ABLE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY BACKYARD.

UH, I'M AGAINST ITEM 1 25.

UH, WE HAVE THE CITY PASSING OR HALF PLANTS OF PASSING WATER, UH, WASTEWATER ON EAST WILLIAMSON CREEK, WHICH TOUCHES WITH ONION CREEK AND COLORADO RIVER.

THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN FOR THIS REASON.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STAFF HAS, HAS A POSTED, IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG WITH, UH, THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT CONTAMINATION OF THE WATER, UH, FOR SWIMMERS AND ANIMALS, AND THE ITEM, AH, UH, FC 0 0 2.

I ASK THAT YOU PICK, UH, JCM AND I ASK THAT YOU PUSH TO EXPEDITE THE NACO CROSSING BRIDGE, UH, RECONSTRUCTION TO MITIGATE FLOODING, UH, FOR RESIDENTS THAT ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING, UH, FLOODING IN THAT AREA.

UH, THE EAST WILLIAMSON CREEK.

UM, I MEAN,

[02:20:01]

UH, THE KNUCKLES CROSSING B BRIDGE IS PLANNED FOR RECONSTRUCTION ON 2025, AND, UH, AND THAT'S ONLY THE, THE, UM, STUDIES.

SO WE NEED TO THANK YOU, DO THAT BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT.

JEFF DICKERSON SPEAKING ON 1 24 AND 1 26.

JOE HOWARD, 1 24.

1 26 ANNA AGUIRE, ITEM 95.

IF YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.

SAM MARTIN SPEAKING ON 1 24 AND 1 26, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

I SIGNED UP FOR MORE THAN JUST ITEM 1 95.

SO STATE, WHAT'S YOUR, OKAY, STATE YOUR NAME AND STATE, WHAT'S YOUR, YOUR DESK? GOOD MORNING MAYOR.

UM, WATSON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS ANA AGUIRE.

I'M THE IMMEDIATE PASTOR OF THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOODS COUNCIL AND THE IMMEDIATE PASTURE OF THE SOUTHEAST COMBINED NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CONTACT TEAM.

BUT I'M ONLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AS THE DISTRICT TWO RESIDENT, UH, IN DO SPRINGS.

I'M IN OPPOSITIONS TO ITEMS 1 24, 1 25, 1 26, 1 46, 1 58, 1 59, AND 1 95 FOR EVERY RE RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE L LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHICH THE COUNCIL IS WATERING DOWN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REGULATIONS, WE DEMAND A SEAT AT THE TABLE IN REAL TIME.

SO FAR, WE HAVE BEEN TREATED AS THE NATURAL THOUGHT, TRUE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MUST BE DEMONSTRATED REGARDING ITEM 1 24.

YOU SHOULD MAINTAIN THE CURRENT RULES AS INFORMED RESIDENTS CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

AS A RESIDENT IN A HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED NEIGHBORHOOD, I CAN TELL YOU THERE IS NO EQUITABLE JUSTICE, PARTICULARLY REGARDING ITEMS 1 25, 1 26, AND 1 58.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, ITEM 1 26 IS, WILL PUT GENTRIFICATION IN EAST AUSTIN IN FULL THROTTLE.

HOW IS THIS NOT SYSTEMIC RACISM? THERE IS A FUNCTION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND LAND USE COMMISSION SERVE WHEN THEY PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL AND YOU APPROVE OR REJECT VARIANCE REQUESTS.

THIS PROCESS ALLOWS FOR PUBLIC INPUT.

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED WILL EXACERBATE CREEK AND LOCALIZED SLEDDING, FURTHER COMPROMISE OR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, DRAINAGE ISSUES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY FOR SAFETY, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH ALL THE PROPOSED DENSITY, I SEE NO PLANS TO ADDRESS FIRE SAFETY.

THE CUMULATIVE LACK OF MEETING TRADITIONAL SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS AS CURRENTLY DONE WILL RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC PUBLIC SAFETY CONSEQUENCES.

NO ONE CARES ABOUT REGULATIONS UNTIL SOMEONE SUSTAINS DAMAGE TO THEIR PROPERTY, LOSES THEIR PROPERTY, AND OR SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR EVEN WORSE, SOMEONE DIES.

THIS IS FLASH FLOOD ALLEY.

WE, IN THE LOWER, LOWER ONION CREEK, CAN ATTEST TO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO A PROPERTY AND LOSS OF LIFE.

I KNOW NO ONE ON THE S WAS HERE IN OFFICE WHEN THE 2013 CATASTROPHIC ONION CREEK FLOOD HAPPENED.

THE PROPOSED POLICY DOES NOT MATCH OUR REALITY.

THE UNIN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES IF YOU CONTINUE WITH THIS SECTION, CAN ONLY BE INTERPRETED THANKS AS INTENTIONAL HARM.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY CHANGE NOT ONLY THE NEIGHBOR NATURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN OUR CITY.

JEFF DICKERSON.

JOE HOWARD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

MY NAME IS SAM MARTIN.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

I SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO 1 26.

I'M SADDENED AND DISAPPOINTED THAT THE COUNCIL HAS ABANDONING THE TYPE OF OPEN PROCESS THAT YOU HAD WITH CODE NEXT PROCESS.

INSTEAD, YOU'RE HAVING THE, UH, THIS TYPE OF PROCESS WHERE WE FEEL THERE'S VERY LITTLE OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT AND REALLY NO OPPORTUNITY FOR INPUT AT THIS POINT.

THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN THIS RESOLUTION.

WE CON I CONSIDER TO BE STUNNINGLY, UH, DRAMATIC FOR THE CITY.

UM, IF MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS SPLIT THEIR LOTS INTO 2,500 SQUARE FEET UNITS AND THEN BUILD TWO TO THREE UNITS ON EACH OF THOSE 2,500 SQUARE FEET PROPERTIES, THEN MY WIFE AND I WILL BE SITTING IN A TUNNEL ESSENTIALLY, BECAUSE YOU'RE ALSO SAYING IN THE PROPOSAL THAT YOU WILL REMOVE OR AT LEAST ADJUST THE SIDE FRONT AND BACK MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS, SETBACK REQUIREMENTS, AND YOU'LL ALSO IGNORE THE MCMANSION PROTECTIONS WITH THOSE KIND OF DIRECTIONS.

I THINK THE CITY'S STAFF IS BEING GIVEN

[02:25:01]

I THINK THERE MUST BE SOME OTHER WAY TO COME AT THIS THAT DOES SO LITTLE, SO MUCH LESS DAMAGE.

I ALSO WANTED TO ADDRESS ITEM 1 24 BRIEFLY AND SAY I'M OPPOSED TO THAT.

I THINK THAT THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO ASK ITSELF WHY ARE, DO WE WANT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOTIFIED ABOUT ZONING REQUIREMENTS? WHY IS IT THAT AUSTIN SHOULD TRY TO GO DOWN TO AT LEAST AS LOW OR EVEN LOWER THAN SOME OF THE CITIES IN, IN STATE AND THE NATION? WHY SHOULD AUSTIN NOT BE MORE INCLUSIVE IN ITS NOTIFICATION TO PEOPLE REGARDING ZONING CHANGES? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU CARMEN.

GIANNIS POLITO, MEGAN MEISENBACH, KATE C LOGI.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WATSON.

MAYOR PRO TEMAN COUNCIL.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME IN PERSON ADDRESSING YOU ALL HERE.

UM, FIRST I WANNA SAY I'M, I'M CARMEN GIANNIS.

UH, I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GO AUSTIN BAUS AUSTIN.

I'M A DISTRICT NINE RESIDENT, A SECOND GENERATION COMMUNITY ORGANIZER FROM HERE AND A FORMER LAND USE COMMISSIONER.

I WANNA SAY THAT I'M GRATEFUL FOR PEACE RIGHT NOW THAT WE CAN STAND UNDER THIS ROOF TOGETHER.

AND EVEN IN THE DEEPEST DISAGREEMENTS THAT DO AFFECT OUR LIVES AND OUR LAND THAT WE LIVE ON, WE'RE HERE IN PEACE.

I'M CHOOSING TO SPEND MY TIME ON 1 26.

IT'S RELATED TO 1 25.

OF COURSE, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIME, AS MANY HAVE SAID.

UM, SOMEBODY JUST COMMENTED ABOUT WANTING TO SEE MORE STARTER HOMES, SMALL HOMES FOR ALL THE PEOPLE, AND THIS IS REALLY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WITH ACCESS TO A QUARTER OR HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN CAPITAL OR CREDIT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD THESE UNITS.

AND THEY'RE NOT SMALL UNITS.

YOUR AMEND AMENDMENT IS INCENTIVIZING.

UH, WE DON'T GET SMALL STARTER HOMES.

THEY'RE SMALL STARTERS FOR RICH PEOPLE.

THEY'RE L THEY'RE LUXURY.

IT'S A PROPOSED GIVEAWAY, IT'S A DEREGULATION, IT'S A WINDFALL TO PROPERTY OWNERS, BUT ONLY THE ONES THAT CAN ACTUALLY INVEST AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

IT'S NOT TENANTS, IT'S NOT SMALL HOMEOWNERS RENTING TO THOSE TENANTS AFFORDABLY.

IT'S NOT WORKING CLASS AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO HAVE OBTAINED HOUSING IN THIS CITY OR HELD ONTO WHAT THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS BUILT AND CLEANED UP IN THE EAST SIDE AND THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH SIDE.

PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T EVEN GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL, PEOPLE WHO WERE, WHO WERE EXILED FROM ALL THE RICHES OF AUSTIN, BUT MANAGED TO CARVE OUT COMMUNITIES.

HERE YOU HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHAT TEAR DOWNS ARE DOING, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE.

THESE EXPERIMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONDUCTED IN EAST AUSTIN.

WE'VE SEEN THE WAY GIVEAWAYS OF ENTITLEMENTS COMPLETELY ENCOURAGED DEVELOPMENT THAT FLIPPED CLASS AND RACE OF BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS, AND IT'S BEING DONE TO THE WHOLE CITY.

NOW.

WE ARE NOT THOSE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO STAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE.

I THINK SOMEWHERE IN YOUR HEART YOU STILL MEAN WELL.

BUT THIS IS A LET THEM EAT CAKE POLICY.

THIS IS FOR THOSE WHO CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE BECAUSE THE LAND VALUE WILL HAVE SKYROCKETED.

MOST OF US WILL HAVE TO SELL AND WE'LL HAVE TO SELL TO A DEVELOPER, NOT A FAMILY.

WE HAVE ECONOMIC THEORY THAT CAN BACK THIS UP.

WE HAVE SOLUTIONS THANK YOU, BUT WE NEED YOU TO ACTUALLY LET US IMPLEMENT THEM, NOT DEREGULATE THE MARKET AND LET IT EAT US ALIVE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS MEGAN MEISENBACH.

KATE SIGGY.

PATRICIA BOBBECK.

DANIEL GIANNIS, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

HI, I'M MEGAN MEISENBACH AND THANK YOU FOR HEARING THE PUBLIC TODAY.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN AUSTIN.

THEY HAVE EXPERTISE THAT YOU COULD BENEFIT FROM YOUR STAFF COULD BENEFIT FROM HEARING FROM THOSE WHO KNOW HOW TO BUILD THOSE WHO KNOW HOW TO DESIGN PRACTICALLY, AND THOSE WHO ARE, UH, EDUCATED VERY WELL AT ENGINEERS AND TEACHERS.

AND SO ITEM 92 I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT, UM, YOU ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE TO SPEAK AND NOT ONLY IN THIS VENUE, BUT ALSO PERSONALLY ONE-TO-ONE OR IN SMALL GROUPS.

I'D LIKE TO SPEND MOST OF MY TIME ON ITEM 1 26.

I THINK THERE WAS SOME GOOD THOUGHT, UH, IN THE BEGINNING WITH THIS, BUT NOW IT SEEMS TO, THE REASONS FOR IT SEEM TO HAVE CHANGED A LOT.

I FEEL THAT IT'S A GOING TO MAKE A BURDEN ON THE NEIGHBORS BECAUSE THE PROPERTY VALUE WILL GO UP SO MUCH.

I KNOW FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY HAVE HOMES AROUND THEM

[02:30:01]

THE SAME SIZE.

THEY'RE PAYING $8,000 A YEAR IN PROPERTY TAX.

WHERE'S THE ONE WHERE THE AD ADU IS PAYING $22,000? THAT THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

BUT TIMES THREE, FOR ALL OF THESE LOTS, WHEN ONE SELLS THE, UM, THE TAXING AUTHORITY WILL DIVIDE THIS AMOUNT AND SAY, OKAY, WELL THEY HAVE THIS ENTITLEMENT.

YOU DO TOO.

SO WE'RE GONNA VALUE YOUR, YOUR LOT VERY HIGH.

AND THEN YOU'LL HAVE HIGHER PRO PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE REST OF YOUR TIME THERE.

I THINK THAT, OH, THE HOMEOWNERS ARE NOT GONNA CAPITALIZE ON THIS.

I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE BUILDERS WHO HAVE THE MEANS THEY HAVE, UM, $400,000 AND NO LOAN TO BUILD SOMETHING AND WAIT AROUND TWO YEARS FOR IT TO BE BUILT AND THEN RENT IT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU AGAIN.

MISAEL RAMOS, KATE SIGGY, PATRICIA BOBBECK, DANIEL YIANNIS, UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL MAYOR WATSON.

MY NAME IS KATE CHILE.

I'M A NATIVE SOUTH AUSTINITE, UH, WORKING MOM AND THE ARTS COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT ONE.

UM, FIRST I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT SHOWED UP TO SPEAK.

YOU GUYS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 1 25.

AFTER DECADES OF ENTRUSTING CITY COUNCIL TO PROTECT OUR WATER, THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR CITY, IT IS DISTURBING TO THINK THAT THIS CRUCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COULD BE HANDED OVER TO CITY STAFF AWAY FROM YOUR EYES AND OUR VOTES.

WE COLLECTIVELY ELEVATED ALL OF YOU NOT CITY STAFF TO LOOK OUT FOR AUSTIN'S HIGHEST AND BEST LONG-TERM INTERESTS.

SEVERAL, SEVERAL OF YOU WERE ELECTED BASED ON YOUR POSITIONS CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

MOST OF MY FRIENDS, AND I CAN'T REALLY AFFORD TO LIVE HERE ANYMORE, BUT WE STAY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE MOVE TO AUSTIN EVERY DAY.

BUT WHY DO THEY STAY? WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE THIS PLACE? DESPITE THE FACT WE'RE BEING DISPLACED? I CAN'T SPEAK FOR EVERYONE, BUT I REMAIN HERE BECAUSE OF THE WATER.

WHATEVER POTENTIAL BENEFIT THERE IS TO SHUFFLE THIS AUTHORITY AWAY FROM THE LIGHT OF DAY IS EXTREMELY SHORTSIGHTED.

NO AMOUNT OF TIME OR MONEY IS WORTH FORFEITING THE WATER THAT MAKES OUR CITY UNIQUE AND ACTUALLY LIVABLE IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS WE ARE IN.

I URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST OR POSTPONE ITEM 1 25, WHICH WOULD BE A GREEN LIGHT TO UNBRIDLE CONTAMINATION OF OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE WATER.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

HEY Y'ALL, MY NAME IS, UH, MISA RAMOS OR MAAL RAMOS.

UM, SO I'M ACTUALLY ON MY LUNCH BREAK.

I JUST CAME TO JOT DOWN SOME THINGS AND JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW THINGS, BUT, UH, ON SOME OTHER POINTS AND ITEMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UP ON AGENDA.

SO 92 94 I AM AGAINST, UH, 1 25, 1 26.

I'M ALSO AGAINST, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, UH, AT A TIME WHERE OUR SEVERAL LIBERTIES AND OUR CIVIL RIGHTS AND COMMUNITIES ARE BEING SILENCED.

OUR CITY NEEDS TO CONTINUE BEING A BEACON OF HOPE AND A MODEL OF WHAT'S RIGHT.

WE ALL KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE ALL KNOW IT'S ALSO HAPPENING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, BUT AUSTIN CAN'T MOVE BACKWARDS OR BACK TO A TIME BECAUSE SOME FOLKS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH SOMETHING NEW.

AT THIS TIME, WE SHOULD BE DOUBLING DOWN ON THE INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE HELPING US MOVE FORWARD IN AN EQUITABLE WAY, CONTINUE MAKING OUR GOVERNMENT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE AND REINVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO HELP LIFT UP THOSE THAT NEED THE MOST.

SO BASICALLY, I JUST CAME HERE AS A CITIZEN TODAY TO URGE AND REASSURE OUR CITY COUNCIL THAT FOLKS HAVE YOUR BACK.

AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP.

UM, YOU CAN BE THAT BEACON OF HOPE AND WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE Y'ALL REPRESENT US.

CHRISTIE STEVENS, BECKY DAVIS.

SORRY, THIS IS A LOT OF PAPERWORK.

UM, PATRICIA BOBBECK, DANIEL, MADELINE MATHIS, NATALIE FRIENDLY.

[02:35:05]

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE.

I'M NATALIE FRIENDLY.

I LIVE IN D SEVEN MORNING.

UH, FIRST OF ALL, UH, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO 1 26 AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER, I WANT TO THANK YOU.

I DON'T BELIEVE SHE'S HERE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR AIRING YOUR ASTUTE POLICY CONCERNS IN YESTERDAY'S WORK SESSION.

ITEM 1 26 HAS INSTIGATED COMMUNITY CONFLICT BY FAILING TO LISTEN TO AND EMPATHIZE WITH THE ENTIRE SCOPE OF PUBLIC CONCERNS.

HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH 1 26.

IT TREATS INFRASTRUCTURE, SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHY AS AFTERTHOUGHTS INSTEAD OF REAL LIFE PARAMETERS ON DENSITY PLANNING.

AUSTINITES HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REMINDED IN PAINFULLY HARD WAYS THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE FOUNDATION FOR WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF DENSITY LIMITS.

YOU CANNOT DENY OUR LITERALLY PAIN PAINFUL LIVED EXPERIENCES OF ENDURING INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATION COLLAPSE DURING WINTER STORM YURI.

AND THEN ON THE WATCH OF THIS COUNCIL'S AUSTIN ENERGY UTILITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, EXPERIENCING IT ALL OVER AGAIN DURING MARA, VERY HARD LESSONS LEARNED.

TO BE CLEAR, AUSTINITES, ESPECIALLY MYSELF, WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO DENSITY AS LONG AS IT IS PLACED IN AREAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THAT CONCENTRATION OF PEOPLE.

HOWEVER, THE CURRENT BUILT OUT IN ENVIRONMENTS OF EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY AREAS IN AUSTIN ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR RETROFITTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT ITEM ONE 20 SIX'S AIMS. WE KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT CRAMMING DENSITY ON INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE CREATES MISERY AUSTINITES DON'T DESERVE.

BY NOW, AUSTIN'S DENSITY INFRASTRUCTURE CYCLE IS FAMILIAR, INCREASED DENSITY, DENSITY OVERWHELMS EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND SO FORTH.

WE NEED AFFORDABILITY PLANNING, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, 1 26 IS NOT IT.

DOES NOT EQUAL AFFORDABILITY.

PATRICIA BOBBECK ON DECK IS DANIELS MADELINE MATHIS, MADELINE MATHIS, CHRISTIE STEVENS, BECKY DAVIS.

CRAIG NAZER AFTER CRAIG NASER IS ANDY BROWER.

HELLO CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS UH, CRAIG NASSER.

UH, I AM THE PRESIDENT OF AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS AND I'M THE CONSERVATION CHAIR OF THE STATE CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB.

UH, FIRST I WANNA MAKE A STATEMENT FOR AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS.

AUSTIN ENVIRON DIM ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT THREE MINUTES FOR EACH SPEAKER SPEAKING IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL AND VOTED FOR SOME SYSTEM OF DONATING TIME TO ANOTHER SPEAKER.

PERSONALLY, UH, THE STATEMENT WE HAD EARLIER, THE FIRST CITY COUNCIL MEETING I EVER CAME TO WAS THE ALL NIGHT CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN 1990.

EVERYBODY GOT THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.

IT'S LITERALLY WHY I STILL LIVE IN AUSTIN WHEN I COME HERE AND I HEAR ALL THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE SPEAK AND TELL YOU WHAT THEY FEEL THAT'S GOOD FOR OUR CITY.

I SENT YOU EMAILS CUZ I KNOW I DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME.

I WANNA THANK MCKENZIE KELLY FOR RESPONDING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RESPONDING TO MY EMAIL.

THAT WAS VERY GOOD.

READ THOSE EMAILS ON ITEM, UH, 1 25.

UH, I WAS AT THE STATE CAPITOL ALL SPRING WITH THE SIERRA CLUB, T C E Q.

FORGET IT.

UM, THEY'RE GONNA, THEY'RE TRYING TO JERK AWAY OUR CONTROL OF THE E T J.

I DON'T SEE WHY WE WOULDN'T KEEP THAT, UH, UH, TOOL TO COERCE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DRINKING WATER PROTECTION ZONE TO BE BETTER EVEN IF WE CAN'T STOP 'EM.

AND THAT PRO THAT ALLOWS A CONVERSATION HERE AT CITY COUNCIL.

SO I'M OPPOSED TO 1 25 ALSO.

ITEM 1 26, UH, DENSITY

[02:40:01]

IT NEVER HAS AND IT NEVER WILL.

I LIVED ON MANHATTAN ISLAND, IT'S THE DENSEST PLACE.

I GOT NEWS.

IT'S NOT AFFORDABLE, AND IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE.

UH, OKAY, I'M OUT OF TIME.

PLEASE READ MY EMAILS.

I WENT INTO SOME GREAT DETAIL.

I THINK YOU MIGHT ENJOY THAT.

THANKS, ANDY BROWER, SARAH CHEAT CHEATHAM XO, POWELL CONLEY.

HELLO, MY NAME'S ANDY BROWER.

I AM THE MISSION COORDINATOR AT CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.

SO I OVERSEE THE HOMELESSNESS, UH, THE HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM.

THERE I AM FOR ITEM ONE 11.

I, UM, SUPPORT THE SHELTER, THE MARSHALING THE YARD.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR MORE SHELTER IN THIS CITY.

WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON WAIT LISTS.

NOW, IS IT IDEAL? NO, IT'S NOT.

UM, IS IT AN IDEAL LOCATION? NO.

WOULD PEOPLE PREFER, UH, AN APARTMENT OR HOUSING? YES, THEY WOULD.

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO HOUSE 5,000 PEOPLE? NO, WE DON'T.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT, UH, OPENING A NEW SHELTER IS THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO WAIT AND BE ON THE STREETS.

UM, WE HAVE NO EFFECTIVELY NO EMERGENCY SHELTER IN THIS CITY RIGHT NOW.

IF SOMEBODY, I HAVE COME PEOPLE COMING TO THE CHURCH EVERY WEEK, THEY'RE DISABLED.

THEY'RE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

THEY ARE ELDERLY AND THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT MENTAL DISABILITIES AND THERE'S NOWHERE TO REFER THEM.

WE HAVE NO EMERGENCY SHELTER.

AND WE ALL KNOW THAT EMERGENCY SHELTER IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF EN TO END HOMELESSNESS STANDARDS.

UM, I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE'S CONCERNS ABOUT IT, UM, BUT I THINK WE CAN DO IT RIGHT.

I THINK WE CAN ROLL IT OUT, RIGHT? LET'S HAVE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE AND PROVIDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE LOW BARRIER, UM, HOUSING FOCUSED SHELTER.

UH, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT HAS BEEN, THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE INACCURACIES TODAY SAYING THAT THE COMMUNITY WAS NOT CONSULTED.

I KNOW THERE WAS A SHELTER TASK FORCE BY THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE.

THEY CONSULTED PEOPLE FOR MONTHS.

PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE.

I WAS ABLE TO GIVE INPUT.

THERE ARE ALSO SOME ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE SHELTER, THAT IT WON'T BE TRAUMA-INFORMED.

THAT THERE WON'T BE ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT, UM, THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT, UM, YOU KNOW, HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

BUT IT'S ALL ASSUMPTIONS.

WE HAVEN'T STARTED IT YET.

WE CAN MAKE THIS WHATEVER WE WANT IT TO BE IF YOU PUT ENOUGH EFFORT AND MONEY INTO DOING IT RIGHT, LIKE OTHER CITIES DO.

UM, DENVER WAS REFERRED TO HERE.

I I SUPPORT A VARIETY OF SOLUTIONS AND I DO SUPPORT THE, THE, UM, THE MARSHALING YARD AND HOPE YOU'LL VOTE TO SUPPORT IT TODAY.

SARAH CHEATHAM, JAL CONLEY OR LINDA JACKSON.

I THINK YOU'RE AHEAD.

OH, HELLO.

MY NAME IS SARAH CHEATHAM.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE, NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE.

GLAD YOU CAN SEE ME TODAY.

UM, I TOOK THE DAY OFF WORK TODAY BECAUSE I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT, I DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES ON EITHER.

I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MARSHALING YARD PROJECT, UM, AS SASHA CALLED IT, THE KEEP AUSTIN PRETTY INITIATIVE.

IT'S REALLY TO HOUSE OUR UNH, OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS AND AS AN UNHOUSED ACTIVIST, UM, IT'S AS AN UNHA.

I WAS WITH AN UNHOUSED UH, NEIGHBOR AND WE WERE TALKING TO THE LEGISLATION THIS PAST SEASON AND HE SAID, WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE BUSHES AND DIE IN THE BUSHES.

THIS PLACE, I WENT BY IT YESTERDAY, IT'S IN THE BUSHES.

THERE IS NOTHING AROUND.

THERE ARE NO STORES.

I MEAN, MAYBE THERE'S GONNA BE SHUTTLES, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE SHUTTLES ARE.

THE ONLY THING THAT'S OVER THERE IS THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION, WHICH IS A GATED COMMUNITY AT THIS POINT.

AND THEN SOME SORT OF LIKE HOMELAND SECURITY KIND OF, UH, VEHICLES.

LIKE, THERE'S NOTHING OVER THERE.

UM, IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS TO THESE 300 RESIDENTS AND THEY NEED TO GET THROUGH TRAFFIC TO GET TO, UH, TO EMERGENCY FACILITIES OR TO GET THEIR MEDICINE OR ANY OF THAT STUFF, THEY'RE NOT GONNA GET THROUGH.

IT'S PROBLEMATIC.

IF YOU HAVEN'T GONE BY THAT SITE, YOU NEED TO GO CHECK IT OUT.

YES, WE NEED MORE SHELTERS.

LIKE, IT'S HARD TO COME UP HERE AND SAY THAT I'M AGAINST THIS AND SPEAKING TO THE LAST SPEAKER, WE NEED RESPONSIBLE SHELTERS LIKE WHO'S GONNA BE IN THESE SHELTERS? WOMEN AND CHILDREN WILL NOT BE SAFE THERE.

PEOPLE WITH COMPLICATED GENDER IDENTITIES WILL NOT BE SAFE THERE.

IF YOUR IDEA OF ADDING MORE POLICE IS GONNA KEEP THESE FOLKS SAFE, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, YOU'RE MISGUIDED AND THE OTHER IS JUST GONNA MAKE IT A MINI POLICE STATE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OVER THERE.

AND I'M ALSO VERY STRESSED OUT ABOUT YOU TAKING 3 MILLION OUT OF OUR SUPPORTIVE PERMANENT HOUSING.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.

IF YOU ARE GONNA COMMIT TO SOMETHING, MAKE IT FOR LONGER THAN A YEAR.

WE DO NOT NEED TO BE SPENDING THE MOST MONEY THAT WE HAVE SPENT ON THIS.

AND ANYONE IN THE NATION THAT HAS SPENT ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR ONE YEAR WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO, WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN AFTER

[02:45:01]

THEM.

LIKE, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, BUT THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER SAID HE'LL BE ON HIS COUCH.

LIKE HE WON'T BE WATCHING IT.

HE WON'T BE UP THERE.

LIKE HE'S NOT, HE'S SAYING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING, BUT HE DOESN'T FEEL THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT HE NEEDS TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JOE PAL CONLEY.

WHAT CAN I SAY IN A FEW MIN, I'M THE, UH, CO-CHAIR OF THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, ALSO TRAVIS COUNTY, AND I'VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT, WHAT COULD I SAY IN A FEW MINUTES, , THAT THIS COUNCIL WOULDN'T HEAR IN A FEW HOURS OR EVEN A FEW DAYS OR A FEW MONTHS.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK IF YOU VOTE TODAY TO APPROVE THE MARSHALING ARTS SHELTER, YOU WILL VOTE TO APPROVE THE SINGLE LARGEST CONGREGATE SHELTER CONTRACT IN THE NATION.

AND THERE'S A REASON WHY NOBODY IN THE NATION IS DOING THIS KIND OF LARGE SCALE CONGREGATE SHELTER TO USE DATA FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS IN DEFENSE OF CONGREGATE SHELTER IS SO INSULTING TO THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE THEY DON'T RECOMMEND CONGREGATE SHELTER IN ANY INSTANCE.

SO THERE'S, THERE'S A DEEPLY MISLEADING MESSAGE BEING PUSHED ON YOU TODAY, WHICH IS THAT THERE ARE ONLY, THAT THERE'S ONLY ONE OPTION.

THAT YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHOICE, IT'S THIS OR NOTHING.

AND THAT IS NOT TRUE BECAUSE YOU CAN DO BETTER HUMAN SCALED, RIGHT-SIZED DIGNIFIED SHELTER AS OPPOSED TO STUFFING 300 INDIVIDUALS IN A WAREHOUSE.

THE HISTORY OF THIS CITY IS MARKED BY BAD SHELTER CONTRACTS, UNACCOUNTABLE SHELTER CONTRACTS, FRONT STEPS AT THE ARCH, THE SALLY, YOU NAME IT.

THERE ARE SO MANY BAD SHELTER CONTRACTS IN THIS CITY BECAUSE HOMELESS PEOPLE, PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE SYSTEM ARE CONSISTENTLY IGNORED IN THESE DECISIONS.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD ADDRESS THIS COUNCIL TODAY, AND I THINK I'M GOING TO ADDRESS INSTEAD A FUTURE COUNCIL.

I'M GOING TO ADDRESS A FUTURE COUNCIL THAT ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT UNHOUSED PEOPLE AND DOESN'T JUST SEE THEM AS A PROBLEM TO BE HIDDEN AWAY.

AND TO THAT COUNCIL, I WILL SAY THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY TAKING THE TIME TO SIT DOWN, WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY, WORK WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, WORK WITH THE MOST IMPACTED, AND GET THE POLICY RIGHT TO THAT FUTURE COUNCIL THAT ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

I WILL SAY THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO PUT HUMAN DIGNITY AT THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR DECISION MAKING AND POLICY MAKING TODAY.

YOU KNOW, IN ONE YEAR WHEN COUNSEL COMES BACK TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU'RE GONNA FIND ANOTHER 9 MILLION TO KEEP THIS THING OPEN, JESUS GARZA WILL BE WATCHING THAT FROM HOME AND IT WON'T BE HIS PROBLEM AS HE STATED ON RECORD IN WORK SESSION YESTERDAY.

YES, SIR.

THEY ARE INFREQUENT BUT DO OCCUR.

THANKS CARS, I APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS COUNSEL.

BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO MANAGE TIME AND WE WERE AT A TIME CERTAIN, UH, 48 MINUTES AGO, WHAT I'M GOING TO DO AND IT'S, AND IT'S TO RECOGNIZE ALL THE SPEAKERS AND MAKE SURE WE CAN GET EVERYBODY THAT WANTS TO SPEAK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

SOME PEOPLE GOT HERE FOR THE 12 O'CLOCK TIME, CERTAIN SPEAKING, SO WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS GO TO THE ASK THE CLERK TO CALL THOSE WHO ARE ON THE TIME CERTAIN THAT WE SET ASIDE, UH, EVERY WEEK AT 12 O'CLOCK FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND, AND FINISH WHAT WE'RE DOING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THEN MOVE THROUGH THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS.

SO I'LL ASK THE CITY CLERK TO GO TO THE 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN AND THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK.

FIRST SPEAKER IS MICHELLE ESTRADA ON DECK IS NICHOLAS JOHNSON.

HI, MICHELLE ESTRADA, DISTRICT 10, AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IS ABOUT TO INSTALL NINE SPEED HUMPS ON GRAYSTONE DRIVE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY SPEED STUDY MEASUREMENT THAT CONTRADICTS FOUR OTHER MEASUREMENTS ON THE SAME STREET.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SPEED AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IS ASKING FOR A NEW SPEED TEST TO BE TO DETERMINE IF THIS STREET TRULY MERITS SPEED HUMPS USING ACCURATE DATA CHART ONE SHOWS FIVE SPEED MEASUREMENTS OF GRAYSTONE DRIVE.

EACH LINE SHOWS HOW MANY CARS WERE DRIVING AT EACH SPEED RANGE MOST IN THE 25 TO 35 MILE PER HOUR RANGE.

NOTICE ALL FOUR DOTS ARE IN THE SAME GENERAL SPEED RANGE, WHILE THE SOLID BLUE LINE HAS SHIFTED ABOUT SIX MILES PER HOUR FASTER, A HUGE DIFFERENCE THAT FAR EXCEEDS NORMAL SPEED VARIATIONS AND THERE IS NO PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ROAD TO EXPLAIN THIS LARGE DIFFERENCE IN SPEED.

ALL ENGINEERING DEVICES HAVE FAILURE MODES.

[02:50:01]

FOR EXAMPLE, SPEED STRIPS ACCIDENTALLY PLACED 10 AND A HALF INCHES APART RATHER THAN 12 INCHES APART WOULD CAUSE THE RESULT HERE.

CHART TWO ONLY SHOWS MEASUREMENTS TAKEN FROM THE SAME LOCATION AND DIRECTION.

THESE SHOULD MATCH, BUT THEY DON'T.

ONE USES RADAR SPEED SIGNS SHOWING NINE DAYS OF DATA OVER A YEAR AND CONSISTENT WITH THE OTHER MEASUREMENTS, BUT DIFFERENT FROM THE OUTLIER.

SOLID BLUE LINE SHOWING ONE DAY OF DATA EGREGIOUS SPEEDING ABOVE 40 MILES PER HOUR IS A KEY INPUT TO ATDS SPEED MANAGEMENT SCORING.

LOOK AT DATA.

A D S D D DATA SHOWS EGREGIOUS SPEEDING AT 0.8% OR 11 CARS PER DAY.

WHILE THE SPEED STUDY SHOWS 13.4%, 209 CARS PER DAY, NEARLY 200 CARS MORE THAN ANY OTHER SPEED MEASUREMENT BASED ON FOUR OF FIVE SPEED MEASUREMENTS.

GRAYSTONE DRIVE DOES NOT HAVE AN EGREGIOUS SPEEDING PROBLEM AND SHOULD NOT BE GETTING SPEED HUMP FUNDING YET THE ONE OUTLIER DATA SET HAS DICTATED SPEED HUMPS FOR THE WHOLE ROAD.

DATA B SHOWS THAT GRAYSTONE DRIVE OUTRANKED OTHER STREETS WITH HIGHER CRASH SCORES ONLY BECAUSE OF THIS INCORRECT MEASUREMENT AT D IS ABOUT TO MAKE A HUGE MISTAKE BY INSTALLING SPEED HUMPS ON THE WRONG ROAD.

WE REQUEST A NEW SPEED TEST AT THIS LOCATION AND RECALCULATE THE SCORES.

A DECISION OF THIS MAGNITUDE SHOULD BE MADE USING DATA THAT IS NOT FAULTY.

IT'S A 24 HOUR SPEED TEST.

NEXT SPEAKER IS, UM, I'M SORRY.

NICHOLAS JOHNSON ON DECK IS JAMIE HAYNES.

HELLO, NICK JOHNSON, CITY OF AUSTIN, RESIDENT VOTER AND CITY EMPLOYEE.

I'M A FINANCIAL ANALYST FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.

I HAVE A MASTER'S IN ACCOUNTING.

I'M ELIGIBLE TO SIT FOR THE CPA SEVEN YEARS WITH THE CITY AND OVER A DECADE OF FINANCE EXPERIENCE.

I'M CURRENTLY ON PTO TO BE HERE TODAY.

UH, THIS IS SOME BASE DATA.

THE AVERAGES ARE FROM MULTIPLE INTERNET SITES.

I TOOK ALL CITY POSITIONS AND PULLED THE ONES WITH HR, IT AND FINANCE RELATED TITLES.

UH, THOSE 1600 POSITIONS, WE DO OUR ENTIRE JOB ON ONE OF THESE LAPTOPS.

UH, THERE ARE OTHER POSITIONS THAT ARE FULLY CAPABLE OF REMOTE WORK.

I JUST DON'T KNOW THOSE VARIOUS TITLES.

SO 1600 IS ON THE LOW END.

UH, LET'S START WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.

CARS GENERATE 9,000 GRAMS OF CO2 PER GALLON OF GAS.

BASED ON MY RESEARCH, IT COST A GALLON OF GAS EACH WAY TO COMMUTES.

THIS WORKS OUT TO FIVE METRIC TONS OF CO2 PER CAR PER YEAR.

8,000 METRIC TONS FOR 1600 EMPLOYEES.

ACCORDING TO GOOGLE, THE AVERAGE AMERICAN GENERATES 14.2 METRIC TONS OF CO2 PER YEAR.

SO OUR COMMUTE IS 35% OF OUR ADMISSIONS.

UM, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE MOST, THEIR TIME AND THEIR MONEY.

THE AVERAGE COMMUTE IS 25 MINUTES ONE WAY AND IT TAKES 30 MINUTES TO GET READY FOR WORK.

MEANING COMMUTING TAKES 14 DAYS OF YOUR LIFE EVERY YEAR OR 10 YEARS OF LIFE FOR 1600 EMPLOYEES.

UH, THE AVERAGE COMMUTE IS 21 MILES ONE WAY.

THAT'S 10,000 MILES PER YEAR.

ALTHOUGH YOU CAN'T CLAIM YOUR COMMUTE ON YOUR TAXES, THE IRS SAYS IT COSTS 66 AND 5 CENTS A MILES COMMUTE.

THAT'S $7,000 PER YEAR OR $11.2 MILLION FOR 1600 EMPLOYEES.

REMEMBER, 1600 IS THE LOW END.

UH, LOOKING AT ME, UH, IN MY PROFESSION, THE STANDARD WORK WEEK IS 50 HOURS IN PRIVATE SECTOR OR I COULD SPEND 40 HOURS WORKING AND 10 HOURS COMMUTING FOR YOU AND NOT HAVE ACCESS TO MY PRIVATE BATHROOM AND FULLY STOCK KITCHEN REMOTE WORK IS HERE TO STAY, ESPECIALLY FOR MY PROFESSION.

LOOKING AT SALARY, YOU GUYS PAY ME $80,000 A YEAR.

WITH MY EXPERIENCE AND CREDENTIALS, I CAN GET A HUNDRED K IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR PRETTY EASILY.

THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER WANTS TO LIGHT $7,000 OF MONEY ON FIRE OF MY MONEY ON FIRE, AND I JUST GOT NOTICE THAT THE BUDGET OFFICES INCREASING THE RANK OF MY PENSION BY 2%, ALTHOUGH THEY DELAYED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT BY CUTTING IN HALF.

HOWEVER, VERY SOON I'M GONNA BE MAKING EIGHT AND A HALF THOUSAND DOLLARS LESS THAN I'M MAKING TODAY.

THE CITY VACANCY RATE IS ALREADY VERY HIGH.

THIS MEMO IS EFFECTIVELY CUTTING MY PAY, HURTING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR WHAT BENEFITS.

WHY WOULD I OR ANYONE IN MY PROFESSION WORK FOR YOU WHEN THE ANALYSIS SHOWS IT DOESN'T ADD UP, PLEASE DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER UNTO THE INTERIM CITY MANAGERS IRRESPONSIBLE.

MAY 11TH MO.

GREETING ASSIST TEAM COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR.

[02:55:04]

MY NAME'S JAMIE HAYNES, FORMER STAFFER FOR CMIA PROUD D ONE RESIDENT.

I'D LIKE TO FIRST RECOGNIZE THE TREMENDOUS WORK BEING DONE TO EXPAND PEDESTRIAN BIKE AND TRAFFIC CALMING INFRASTRUCTURE.

I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WHO ARE ENDURING THIS RECORD HEAT TO GET AUSTIN ONE STEP CLOSER TO REACHING VISION ZERO.

I SIGNED UP FOR TODAY BECAUSE ON MAY 15TH, ONE OF OUR HERITAGE PECAN TREES WAS ILLEGALLY DESTROYED.

IN THE SECOND SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE ONE OF OUR OLD NEIGHBORS, BAYA BAYA AND ALL HER COUSINS AUNTS, UNCLES HIT MINYA PINATA HUNG FROM THIS TREE.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, SHE HAD SCHOOL OUTSIDE UNDER THE TREE.

FOR GENERATIONS, THIS TREE STOOD PROUDLY OVER MAPLE AVENUE SURVIVING TWO ICE STORMS WITHOUT LOSING A BRANCH.

UNTIL THAT FATEFUL DAY, DSOC CODA SHARES THAT THE DESERTIFICATION OF THE PLANET CORRESPONDS TO THE DESERTIFICATION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

IN OTHER WORDS, DROUGHT, DECLINE AND DESTRUCTION ARE A REFLECTION OF A KIND OF SPIRITUAL AND MORAL DROUGHT WHERE JUSTICE IS SUPPLANTED BY THE LIKES OF GREED AND FOOL FOOLISHNESS.

THE TRACTOR ARRIVED IN THE MORNING.

I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH OF IT, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THEY HAD A SKIFF BECAUSE THE HOUSE HAD ALREADY BEEN DEMOLISHED AND REMOVED.

WE WERE JUST COMING OUT OF A FEW DAYS OF TERRIBLE THUNDERSTORMS, WHICH I LEARNED IS OFTEN USED AS COVER FOR THAT TYPE OF CLANDESTINE TREE REMOVAL.

AROUND 5:00 PM I HEARD A LOUD CRACK AND POP.

AS THE TRACTOR BEGAN BREAKING THE LIMBS OFF THE TREE.

I ALSO HEARD BANGING ON MY ROOF AS LIMBS CRASHED DOWN ON OUR FENCE.

INCORPORATE HERITAGE TREES INTO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS.

I CALLED THREE 11 AND OUR NEIGHBORS CALLED 9 1 1.

BUT EVEN THOUGH A SERGEANT RESPONDED, THERE WAS NOTHING EITHER COULD DO.

CODE CAME OUT THE NEXT DAY TO CALL AND SAID THEY CANNOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF A TREE REMOVAL.

AND THEY HAD DEMOLITION PERMITS.

THE WORKERS HAD USED A HYDRAULIC JACKHAMMER TO REMOVE THE TRUNK AND ROOTS BEFORE COVERING THEIR TRACKS.

HE DID REFER ME TO THE CITY ARBORIST, WHO INVESTIGATED AND IN FACT FOUND THE TREE WAS REMOVED WITHOUT A PERMIT, PLACED A STOP WORK ORDER ON THE PROPERTY, CALLING FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

I CONTACTED DORIS'S DEVELOPMENT OUT OF SAN JOSE.

I SHARE WHAT I WAS CALLING ABOUT AND THAT THEIR PROPERTY ON MAPLE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.

HE BROUGHT UP THE TREE AND SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT WAS CUT DOWN AND THAT HE WAS GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

I ASKED HOW HE KNEW THE TREE WAS CUT DOWN IF THEY HAD NOT ARRANGED IT.

HE TOLD SOMEONE HAD CALLED HIM ABOUT IT THE DAY BEFORE AND TRIED TO PUT HIM ON THE PHONE WITH THE WORKERS TO TELL THEM TO STOP, BUT HIS SERVICE HAD CUT OUT.

I RESPONDED THAT I DID NOT GET HIS PHONE NUMBER UNTIL THE NEXT DAY, SO I ASKED WHO CALLED AND HOW DID THEY HAVE HIS NUMBER? HE PROMPTLY HUNG UP ON ME AND DID NOT ANSWER SUBSEQUENT CALLS.

IN EAST AUSTIN, WE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO GREEN BELTS AND SWIMMING HOLES AS THE WESTERN PARTS OF THE CITY.

ALL WE HAVE TO DEFEND AGAINST THIS CRAZY HEAT IS OUR TREES, PARTICULARLY THOSE HERITAGE TREES LIKE THE ONES WE LOST.

NOT TO MENTION THAT COUNTLESS BIRDS, SQUIRRELS, AND OTHER CRITTERS USING IT FOR NESTING OUT-OF-STATE FIRMS LIKE DOORS DEVELOPMENT DON'T CARE ABOUT HERITAGE TREES.

OUR GOAL OF CARBON NEUTRALITY OR WHAT SHADE MEANS WHEN IT'S 107 DEGREES OUTSIDE, THEY CARE ABOUT PROFIT AND ARE DRIVEN BY GREED.

PUNITIVE MEASURES DO NOT DETER THEM CUZ THEY'LL MAKE IT UP IN THE LONG RUN.

AND MY PROPERTY TAXES GO UP AND UP WHILE THE QUALITY OF LIFE GOES DOWN AND DOWN.

THEREFORE, I'M ASKING COUNSEL TO CONSIDER TWO IDEAS.

FIRST, PROVIDE INCENTIVES SUCH AS DENSITY, BONUSES AND LESSENED HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR LOTS THAT CREATIVELY INC.

SECOND, CREATE A PSA INFORMING RESIDENTS OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO STOP ILLEGAL TREE REMOVALS.

MY NEIGHBORS AND I WANTED TO INTERVENE BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW OR IF WE WOULD BE IN THE WRONG 3 1 1 AND 9 1 1 DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EITHER.

SO THIS TYPE OF EDUCATION COULD PROVE VALUABLE FOR PREVENTING FUTURE CRIMES AGAINST SOME OTHER NATURE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

THE REMAINING SLIDES ARE JUST PICTURES OF THE AFTERMATH, INCLUDING A BUSTED UP SIDEWALK.

PAUL ROBBINS ON DECK IS LAURA COOK COUNCIL.

I AM PAUL ROBBINS, AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST AND CONSUMER ADVOCATE.

I CURRENTLY SERVE AS VICE CHAIR OF THE CITY'S RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION.

TWO DAYS AGO WE PASSED A RESOLUTION ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO EXPAND OUR PURVIEW.

UH, WE WANT TO ADVISE COUNCIL ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO NATURAL GAS UTILITIES THAT SERVE AUSTIN.

UH, THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION IS REQUESTING THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO ALLOW THE COMMISSION TO STUDY ISSUES AND ADVISE ON POLICY RELATED TO FAIR NATURAL GAS RATES, BETTER FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS, CLEAN ENERGY, UH, AND AFFORDABLE AFFORDABILITY FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME RATE PAYERS.

DESPITE AUSTIN'S OWNERSHIP OF ITS ELECTRIC AND WATER UTILITIES, IT HAS NEVER MUNICIPALIZED ITS GAS SERVICE LIKE SAN ANTONIO AND CORPUS CHRISTI.

AS SUCH POLICIES AND BENEFITS THAT ARE DERIVED FROM MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP SUCH AS LOWER RATES, CLEAN ENERGY POLICIES, AND FAIRER TREATMENT OF LOW INCOME CUSTOMERS ARE LARGELY ABSENT.

UH, UH, THERE'S ONLY, UH, OKAY, THANK, THANK YOU.

BOTH ARE WATER AND ELECTRIC UTILITIES HAVE DISCRETE CITY COMMISSIONS THAT ADVISE COUNCIL, BUT THE GAS UTILITIES

[03:00:01]

HAVE MUCH LESS SCRUTINY.

UH, SINCE 2008, RATES FOR TEXAS GAS SERVICE ARISEN ABOUT 100% ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.

THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE THREE GAS COMPANIES SERVING AUSTIN IS ABOUT 34% OF AUSTIN'S, UH, COAL AND GAS PLANTS.

HOWEVER, UNLIKE AUSTIN ENERGY, TEXAS GAS SERVICE, ATMOS AND CENTER POINT HAVE NO COMPREHENSIVE CLIMATE PROTECTION PLAN.

THESE UTILITIES HAVE ALSO HAVE POORLY FUNDED INADEQUATE BUDGET TO HELP LOW AND MODERATE INCOME CUSTOMERS.

COUNCIL SHOULD TAKE.

ALSO TAKE SPECIAL NOTE THAT THE EXISTING TEX TEXAS GAS SERVICE FRANCHISE IT'S LICENSED TO OPERATE, UH, EXPIRES IN 2026 AND NEGOTIATIONS COULD START AS SOON AS THIS YEAR.

UH, THIS IS A ONCE IN A GENERATION CHANCE TO OBTAIN LONG NEEDED REFORMS. IN CLOSING, I URGE YOU TO STRONGLY CONSIDER OUR OFFER.

UH, I ALSO ASK YOU TO PLEASE APPOINT THREE LONG-STANDING VACANCIES TO OUR COMMISSION, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO FUNCTION AT FULL CAPACITY.

THERE ARE WELL QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN AUSTIN WILLING TO SERVE.

ALSO FOR FOLKS THAT I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE ON ONLINE, SO WE'RE MAINTAINING A QUORUM.

BUT THE OTHER THING I WANNA MENTION IS IF SOMEBODY, IF A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL IS BACK, UH, FOR EXAMPLE, EATING SOMETHING OR DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WE HAVE EVERYBODY WHAT EVERYBODY'S SAYING IS ON THE SCREEN.

THEY CAN WATCH THIS EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT SITTING ON THE DIET RIGHT NOW.

BUT THANK YOU.

NEXT IS LAURA COOK.

ON DECK IS ANDREA DIAZ DIAZ AND MONICA GUZMAN.

MS. GUZMAN, IF YOUR NAME'S CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND IF YOU'RE NOT THE ONE SPEAKING, PLEASE TAKE A SEAT UP FRONT SO THAT WE CAN MOVE, UM, EFFICIENTLY AND THAT WAY RESPECT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALSO WANTING TO TESTIFY AFTER YOU.

OH, MY NEXT, YOU'RE THE THIRD.

NO, WAIT, HANG ON.

I'M THE THIRD ONE, BUT YEAH, YEAH, WHATEVER.

WHATEVER'S EASIEST IF, IF, IF, IF A HANDHELD MICROPHONE IS EASIER.

LET'S ALLOW THAT.

PLEASE, PLEASE HAND YEP.

THE TIME.

I DON'T HAVE ALL RIGHT.

GIMME A QUICK SECOND.

PLEASE GO AHEAD.

GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL MEMBERS.

FOR THOSE THAT DON'T ALREADY KNOW ME, MY NAME IS ADRIA DIAZ.

I AM THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF CAP METRO'S ACCESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

I RELY ON METRO ACCESS, A DISABLED COUNTERPART TO THE FIXED ROUTE BUS AS MY MAIN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS.

WITHIN THIS TIME, I HAVE BEEN SUBJECT AND

[03:05:01]

WITNESS TO MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF HARASSMENT BY THE DRIVERS.

THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE RANGED FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT, INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING, CATCALLING, STALKING, AND MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

I HAVE COME HERE TODAY NOT ONLY TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE IN ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE CITY AND CAP METRO, BUT TO DEMAND IT IN A CALL TO ACTION.

I WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT AN APOLOGY OR THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY BECAUSE I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENTS OF HER HARASSMENT FROM DRIVERS ON AND OFF THE BUS THAT WERE SO FRIGHTENING.

IT LED ME TO CONTACT CAP METRO CEO DOTTIE WATKINS DIRECTLY.

AS A RESULT, I WAS TOLD CAP METRO IS NOW WORKING ON AN INITIATIVE FOR METRO ACCESS TO BECOME A DESIGNATED SAFE SPACE.

AND SO I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE CAP METRO BOARD AND CALL FOR TIME TO BE SET ASIDE WITHIN EACH BOARD MEETING FOR SAFETY BRIEFINGS ON HOW THIS WILL IN FACT COME TO LIGHT PHYSICALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

I CANNOT GET AROUND THE CITY FOR THE MOST PART WITHOUT METRO ACCESS.

LET THIS STAND AS EVIDENCE FOR HOW INACCESSIBLE THE TRANSIT SYSTEM IN AUSTIN TRULY IS.

AND AS TO WHY MANY TIMES I FELT FORCED TO LIVE OUT MY TRAUMAS ON LOOP, TAKING THE SERVICE THERE ARE KIND PEOPLE WORKING FOR CAT METRO THAT CARE, BUT THAT DOESN'T NEGATE THE INHUMANE UNHEALTHY AND ABUSIVE TREAT AND ABUSIVE TREATMENT THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED AS A WRITER.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY SO THAT THIS SUFFERING WON'T BE IN VAIN.

THIS PAIN HAS CAUSED ME DEEP DISTRESS AND ANXIETY AND HAS BEEN AN EXTREMELY HEAVY BURDEN TO BEAR.

BUT I WILL BEAR IT NO LONGER BECAUSE IT IS NOT MY BURDEN TO BEAR.

NOR IS IT MY FAMILIES, MY FRIENDS, OR MY COMMUNITIES COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THOSE ON THE CAT METRO BOARD.

I HAVE COME HERE TODAY TO RESPECTFULLY SAY THIS VERY CLEARLY AND ON PUBLIC RECORD THAT THIS BURDEN IS YOURS TO BEAR UNTIL YOU CAN SEE TO IT THAT IT STOPS.

I RAISE MY VOICE ON PARATRANSIT SAFETY AND EQUALITY CONTINUOUSLY BECAUSE I UTILIZE THE SERVICE AND I DEPEND ON IT.

METRO ACCESS SHOULD BE A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM FOR THE RIDER DRIVERS AND DISPATCHERS ALIKE AS A SOLID RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE TO HELP NAVIGATE THEIR LIVES.

HOWEVER, MY LIVED EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN A MIRROR TO HOW POORLY SOME OF YOUR MOST VULNERABLE CONSTITUENTS, THE DISABLED COMMUNITY, CAN BE TREATED IN THIS WORLD.

AND IT IS YOUR DUTY TO HELP PROTECT US ALL.

YES, CHANGES ARE BEING MADE FOR THE BETTER AND MY ADVOCACY WORK IS BEING HEARD AND TO ADDRESS THE COUNSEL AS A WHOLE.

I NEED YOUR HELP TO ENSURE THAT THESE CHANGES WILL LAST BECAUSE I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR SAFETY WITHIN A SERVICE.

I SHOULD ALREADY BE PROTECTED ON.

I HAVE SAID THIS SENTENCE TO CAP METRO ON RECORD.

HELP ME NOT TO HAVE TO SAY IT AGAIN.

I WILL BE SURE TO FOLLOW UP WITH CITIZEN COMMUNICATION AT THE NEXT CAP METRO BOARD MEETING WITH A MORE DETAILED VERSION OF THIS STATEMENT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS NOW IF YOU HAVE ANY.

MAYOR PROAM, I DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS, BUT I JUST WANNA SAY I APPRECIATE GETTING TO SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT THE SITUATION EARLIER.

UM, RIGHT.

AND MY TEAM'S BEEN FOLLOWING UP, SO WE'LL MAKE SURE WE LOOP BACK AND, AND TRY TO ASSESS THE SITUATION FOR YOU.

YES MA'AM.

AND SO THAT'S ON THE 24TH, RIGHT? UH, I CAN DOUBLE CHECK.

I'M NOT SURE I HAVE MY CALENDAR OPEN ON HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

IT SHOULD BE.

OH, I'M SORRY.

I THOUGHT YOU WERE DONE.

I APOLOGIZE.

I GOT MY CALENDAR REAL FAST.

GOOD.

YOU DID.

YOU BETTER THAN I WOULD'VE EVER DONE.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON HAD HER HAND UP.

UH, THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION MAYOR.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT AUDRA IS A CONSISTENT FORCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND AS A PERSON WHO ALSO IDENTIFIES AS DIFFERENTLY ABLED, I WANNA RECOGNIZE THAT SHE HAS OFFERED ME THE OPPORTUNITY ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS NOW TO RECOGNIZE OUR, OUR CITY IS INFREQUENT WITH OUR A D A COMPLIANCE REGULATIONS.

UM, I WON'T NAME THE ESTABLISHMENT, BUT THERE WAS ONE THAT WAS STORING BICYCLES IN THE ELEVATOR, IN WHICH CASE SHE COULDN'T ACCESS THE FACILITY.

UM, AND SHE LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY.

AND SO I JUST WANNA THANK HER FOR CONTINUED ADVOCACY.

UM, I FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT YOU SAID YOU DON'T WANT US TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, BUT I I DO WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.

I THINK IT'S CRITICAL THAT ME AND MY COLLEAGUES AND THE CITY MANAGER HEAR YOUR TESTIMONY.

IT'S CRITICAL.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE EXPERIENCING.

UM, THANK YOU FOR BEING VULNERABLE AND SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES.

AND I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO APOLOGIZE IF THAT'S THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU'RE HAVING IN THE CITY THAT YOU LIVE IN.

UM, I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S A CRITICAL VOICE.

AND IF WE DON'T KNOW, WE DON'T KNOW.

SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT INFORMATION WITH US.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.

UM, AND THANK YOU.

I I ALSO WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, BUT YOU, YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE THAT'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.

YES, YES SIR.

THANK Y'ALL.

GUZMAN FOLLOWING IS KURT BURDO OR BURDO.

I THINK THE NEXT SPEAKER, MONICA

[03:10:01]

GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR COUNCIL AND INTERIM CITY MANAGER GARZA.

I'M MONICA GUZMAN, NATIVE AUSTINITE AND DISTRICT FOUR RESIDENT.

WHILE I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO WATCH THE ENTIRE BUDGET WORK SESSION, I SAW ENOUGH TO SPEAK ON WHAT I DID HERE.

FIRST, THE THOUGHT OF GETTING BACK TO BASICS IS ABSURD BECAUSE THOSE BASICS INCLUDED UNMANAGED GROWTH, GENTRIFICATION AND SYSTEMIC RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION.

WHEN COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES ASKED FOR THE RATIONALE ON COLLAPSING THE EQUITY OFFICE AND THREE OTHER KEY OFFICES MANAGER, GARZA'S RESPONSE BEGAN WITH WHAT HAPPENS IN AN ORGANIZATION.

WHEN YOU HAVE OFFICES THAT ARE RELATIVELY SMALL, IT'S HARD FOR THOSE OFFICES TO GET AIRTIME.

I CAN TELL YOU IN THE SIX MONTHS I'VE BEEN HERE, NOTHING COULD BE TRUER THAN THAT.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE GRAVITY TO BE ABLE TO PUSH AN AGENDA THAT NEEDS TO GET DONE WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION, UNQUOTE, COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT.

THE WHITEBOARD AS HE CALLED IT, BEING INVERTED.

THAT'S TRUE.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN.

IT'S ABOUT CENTERING THE IMPACTED COMMUNITY AND FOLLOWING THEIR LEAD.

AUSTIN SORTED RACIST HISTORY DIDN'T HAPPEN IN SIX MONTHS, SO IT'S UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT IT TO BE FIXED IN SIX MONTHS.

EXPECTING QUICK RESULTS IN SIX MONTHS IS A CORPORATE MENTALITY.

AS ARE ADDING MORE LAYERS OF BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE AND SILENCING THE VOICES OF KEY STAFF WHO ARE THE HEART AND MORAL COMPASS OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

THE EQUITY OFFICE HAS BEEN OFF THE TURF FROM THE GET GO WITH INCREDIBLE VISIBILITY.

THEIR ACCOMPLISH ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO.

IN COLLABORATION WITH THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER OF 2023, BLACK DIS DISPOSSESSION STUDY, THE CITY'S EQUITY NETWORK SUPPORTING AND HOSTING CITIZEN CLINICS AND NATURALIZATION CEREMONIES, PARTNERING AND ADVOCATING FOR THE ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD PROGRAM, THE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM, CO-LEADING ON RACIAL EQUITY, ANTIS DISPLACEMENT TOOL, ACTIVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DURING ORI AND MARA IN COVID 19, LEADING THE RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE OF WHICH I WAS HONORED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE 2 MILLION IN RISE DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE.

THAT'S JUST THE TOP.

I CAN'T EVEN GO IN DEPTH.

MR. GARZA, THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL MORALS OR ETHICS.

IT'S ABOUT, IT'S ABOUT THE BACKWARD FACING TUNNEL VISION OF EXECUTIVE STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.

YEAH, I CLOSE WITH MARGARET MEADS QUOTE, NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

IN FACT, IT'S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS.

THANK YOU, KURT OL AND THEN FRANCIS UNA.

HELLO, I'M KURT BURDO, A DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENT AND 31 YEARS HERE IN AUSTIN.

I KNOW THERE'S LOTS OF MOVING PARTS TO ALL OF THESE, BUT HERE IT GOES.

LET'S KEEP ZILKER PARK A PARK.

THANK YOU MAYOR WATSON FOR WEIGHING IN ON THAT SOME AND POSTPONING FOR LITTLE DELAY HERE TO THINK ABOUT THAT SOME MORE.

ANDREW ZILKER WOULD BE LIVID IF HE SAW ACL FEST ON HIS DONATED PROPERTY.

70,000 PEEPS ON THE GREAT LAWN, SIX DAYS A YEAR, FENCES BLOCKING MOST OF THE PARK FOR OVER A MONTH.

THAT LAND WAS DONATED FOR ALL TO USE ALL DAYS, NOT FOR A CORPORATE ENTITY TO MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR.

WE DO LIKE THE PARTS AND RECREATION GETTING A FAIR CHUNK OF THAT, BUT WHAT THE HECK KEEPING, UH, BARTON SPRINGS ROAD TWO LANES EACH WAY IS IMPORTANT.

I KNOW THAT'S IN THE ZILKER, UM, VISION PLAN.

IT ORIGINALLY IT WAS TO GO TO ONE LANE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY NOT BE.

WE NEED THAT FOR COMMUTE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DOWNTOWN AND NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUTERS WHO USE IT.

ALSO, THE, UH, VISION ZERO PILOT STUDY THAT'S ABOUT TO START UP ON BARTON SPRINGS ROAD BETWEEN ASIE MORTON ROAD AND SOUTH LAMAR.

THE, UH, THEY'RE GONNA MERGE IT DOWN TO ONE LANE EACH WAY FOR A WHILE.

THEY'RE GONNA IMPROVE AND MAKE MUCH SAFER.

THE BIKE LANES, THUMBS UP TO THAT.

BUT REDUCING THE SIZE OF LANES FROM TWO TO ONE EACH WAY IS GONNA PUT DRIVERS IN FRUSTRATING POSITIONS AND THEY'RE GONNA BE CRUISING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS TO UNSUSPECTING CHILDREN AND PEDESTRIANS.

SO I THINK THAT VISION ZERO PLAN OF NO DEATHS OR INJURIES FROM AUTO AND PEDESTRIAN, UM, ACCIDENTS IS PROBABLY GONNA FAIL IN THAT REGARD.

PLEASE TRY TO GET US AN ONLINE VERSION OF THE, UH, SPEAKER LIST FOR THESE MEETINGS.

UM, IT'D BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO CHECK ON OUR PHONES ABOUT WHEN WE'RE COMING UP.

I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON.

I WAS TOLD TO BE HERE A LITTLE

[03:15:01]

BEFORE 12, BUT IT'S ALL GOOD.

UM, AUSTIN, UM, POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I THINK WE DO NEED DPSS HELP TO REGAIN SAFETY AND THE ABILITY TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCY CALLS ON THE RESIDENTIAL ZONING CHANGES PROPOSED ON, UH, WHAT ITEM 2126.

I THINK, UH, WE NEED TO TAKE A PAUSE ON POTENTIALLY ALLOWING SINGLE FAMILY LOTS TO GO TO THREE OR FOUR UNITS.

I'M OKAY WITH OVER URBAN INFILL AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE CENTER OF TOWN ARE, BUT WE'RE NOT OKAY WITH A LIFESTYLE DEVASTATION.

AND I DON'T FEEL, AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE NUMBERS BACK UP THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT GONNA PRODUCE ANY NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND, UM, HERE'S A TOUGH ONE.

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO TRY TO REDUCE OUR LONG TERM PROPERTY TAX RATE OR WHAT WE PAY SURE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

I, I KNOW THAT'S THE BIGGEST OF ALL PROBLEMS TO SOLVE.

THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH.

FRANCIS ACUNA ON DECK IS CYNTHIA MCMILLAN MILLION.

UH, HELLO.

UH, MY NAME IS FRANCIS ACUNA.

I'M A CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMUNITY LEAD ORGANIZER AND A RESIDENT OF DUST SPRINGS.

UM, I'M HERE, UH, TO SPEAK ON THE RESILIENCE HUBS, THE COOLING CENTERS, WARMING CENTERS.

AS YOU KNOW, EMERGENCIES NEVER GIVE HEADS UP AS TO THE INTENSITY AND IMPACT.

THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO BE READY TO RESPOND TO THE WORST CASE SCENARIOS.

I'M THANKFUL FOR THE RESILIENCE HUBS AS THEY DO PROVIDE SOME CLIMATE IMPACT MITIGATION.

BUT IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS CLIMATE DISASTER THAT WILL REQUIRE EXTENDED STAY, THE CITY'S NOT READY FOR THE RESILIENCE HUBS.

YOU NEED TO EXTEND THE, THE HUB HOURS ON THE TIMES THAT THE HEAT AND THE COLD WEATHER ARE THE AT, AT THEIR WORST.

UH, WHERE SOMETIMES IT'S 9:00 PM 10:00 PM WHEN IT'S STILL VERY HOT.

UH, SOME, UH, WATER PARKS, NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, UH, TREE PRESERVATION IS CRUCIAL FOR HEAT AND HEALTH MITIGATION FOR THE EXTENDED STAY, THE NEED TO HAVE BUILDINGS READY TO BE OPEN WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE RIGHT PR PROTECTION TO USE THE BUILDINGS TO SHOWER, COOK, AND SLEEP.

THE RESILIENCE HUBS HAVE NO PLANS RIGHT NOW.

THE HUBS DOESN'T HAVE THE PLANS FOR THOSE ISSUES.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN WINTER STORM URI, WE HAD RESIDENTS COMING FROM HOSPITALS WITHOUT MEDICATIONS, UH, RESIDENTS NEEDING EMERGENCY SHOWERS.

I HAD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE BUILDING DIDN'T HAVE THE, THE LIABILITIES ON SITE FOR IN CASE ANYTHING HAPPENED.

WE HAD THE UNHOUSED PEOPLE WITHOUT MEDICATIONS AND NO FUNDING FOR COPAYS.

WE, UH, NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE LIABILITY ISSUES BEFORE THE NEXT, UH, WINTER STORM OR BEFORE THE NEXT FLOOD.

WE NEED TO HAVE FUNDING FOR, TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS WITH COPAYS.

WE NEED TO HAVE, UH, THOSE SPACES EQUIPPED WITH THE RIGHT BASIC NEEDS AT TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY.

UH, GOING IN INTO THIS SPACE WITH WHERE WE HAVE HOUSED AND UNHOUSED AND FAMILIES, WE NEED THE RIGHT SPACE FOR THOSE, UM, FOR THOSE EMERGENCIES.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO TAKE CARE OF.

LIKE TAKING THE RESIDENTS FROM LET'S SAY, DOVE SPRINGS OR MON OR THE, UH, NORTH AUSTIN TO THE DOWNTOWN HUB HUBS IS VERY HARD.

AND SOMETIMES YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TRUCKS OR BUSES OR, YOU KNOW, TO, SO RESIDENTS COULD BE ABLE TO BE TRANSPORTED.

WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE PLACES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SO UH, RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.

UM, THAT EXTREME TRAUMA AND EVERYTHING GOES BACK TO THE, YOU KNOW, THAT TRAUMA THAT THEY GET WITH EACH, UM, DISASTER.

ENTIRE CAREER IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MANAGING APARTMENTS IN AUSTIN.

CYNTHIA MCMILLIAN.

HELLO, UM, MAYOR WATSON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME TODAY.

MY NAME IS CYNTHIA MCMILLIAN AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF DISRUPT MANAGEMENT AND I'M HERE TODAY TO REPRESENT THE OWNERS OF ARRAY APARTMENTS THAT'S LOCATED ON BURTON DRIVE.

UM, THE NEXT SLIDE.

SO I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON ON BURTON DRIVE.

WE HAVE A HOMELESS ISSUE, WE HAVE ILLEGAL ACTIVITY THAT'S HAPPENING.

WE HAVE GRAFFITI, WE HAVE VANDALISM, WE HAVE CRIME, AND WE HAVE ABANDONED VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT GETTING ADDRESSED.

UM, I'VE SPENT MY

[03:20:01]

UM, I'VE MANAGED APARTMENTS NORTH AUSTIN 180 3 AND MOPAC.

I'VE MANAGED APARTMENTS ON MOPAC AND BARTON SKYWAY 35 IN STASSNEY, AND THEN EAST 180 3 KIND OF TRAVIS AREA.

BUT, UM, I'VE ALWAYS FELT LIKE MANAGING APARTMENTS, UM, IS A WAY TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH QUALITY, LIVING A CLEAN PLACE TO LIVE.

AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE HIGH RISES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE MID RISES, BUT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE QUALITY LIVING.

AND ALL OF THE YEARS OF MANAGING IN AUSTIN, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW ON BARTON DRIVE.

SO THE NEXT SLIDE AND ONE MORE WE'LL GO.

SO I'M REALLY NOT TRYING TO SAY IT'S JUST THE HOMELESS.

THERE IS A HOMELESS ISSUE THAT'S HAPPENING ON BARTON DRIVE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE OTHER STREETS.

THERE'S NOT, BUT BARTON DRIVE AND OLD TUR TORF AS YOU GO DOWN, WE, UM, ARE HAVING VACANT APARTMENTS THAT ARE BROKEN INTO.

WE'RE HAVING OUR LAUNDRY ROOMS THAT ARE BROKEN INTO ALL OF THE APARTMENTS THAT ARE DOWN THE STREET.

THERE'S PROSTITUTION THAT'S HAPPENING.

THERE'S DRUG, I MEAN, ON THE STREET, BROAD DAYLIGHT, THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH CASH.

I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'RE SHOOTING DICE OR SHOOTING DRUGS, BUT IT'S HAPPENING IN FRONT OF ALL OF THESE APARTMENTS.

AND I JUST, WE NEED HELP.

YOU KNOW, THIS AUSTIN GETS THEIR REVENUE OFF THE VALUE OF BUSINESSES LIKE THE APARTMENTS, AND THEN THE INCREASED VALUE WILL INCREASE THE DOLLARS FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

WE CANNOT GET PEOPLE.

YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS THE GRAFFITI, AND THIS IS PUBLIC PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

THIS IS A MAILBOX THAT'S ON THE CORNER OF BURTON DRIVE AND OLD TUR.

THIS IS A ELECTRICAL BOX WRITTEN ON AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 1 0 1.

YOU ALLOW GRAFFITI AND GANG ACTIVITY TO HAPPEN.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

AND SO THE, NOBODY'S REMOVING IT SO IT'S RAW ON THAT SIDE OF THE STREET.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S, I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS.

I JUST KNOW IT'S, THERE'S A BUS STOP THAT'S THERE.

I MEAN, THERE, THERE'S A PROSTITUTE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS HER NAME.

IT'S AMBER THAT WALKS UP AND DOWN THE STREET.

SOMETIMES SHE HAS A BLONDE WIG ON.

SOMETIMES SHE DOESN'T, SOMETIMES SHE'S HALF DRESSED.

NOBODY DOES ANYTHING.

THE POLICE SHOW UP.

THERE'S NOBODY THAT'S SIDED.

THERE'S NOBODY THAT'S ARRESTED.

AND SO THE CRIME IS CONTINUING, SO WE NEED HELP.

I DON'T, IT'S IF IT'S POLICE PRESENCE, UM, I, SOMETHING NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S HAPPENING NONSTOP, SO I WAS NOT GONNA BE THE BUZZER PERSON.

DANG IT.

SO ANYWAYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, MAYOR.

THAT CONCLUDES THE NOON PUBLIC COMMUNICATION PIECE.

IF YOU WILL NOW GO BACK TO, UH, THE CONSENT AGENDA, SPEAKERS, WE WILL, UH, GO BACK AND START TAKING THAT UP.

NEXT SPEAKER IS LINDA JACKSON SPEAKING ON ITEM ONE 11.

ON DECK IS BARRY JONES.

FOLLOWING AMY RASMAN, PLEASE BE SURE TO STATE YOUR NAME WHEN YOU ARE AT THE PODIUM WITH THE COUNSEL'S PERMISSION.

BARRY JONES HAD TO GO TO A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT WITH THE COUNSEL'S PERMISSION.

BARRY JONES HAD TO GO TO A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT.

HE HAD TO TAKE THE BUS.

THEREFORE, IT TAKES AN EXTRA LOT OF TIME.

HE HAS HIS STATEMENT WRITTEN AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ HIS STATEMENT, IF THAT'S OKAY.

FINALLY, THE CAPACITY OF THE SHELTER NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

AS LONG AS IT'S WITHIN THE, THE TWO MINUTES, IT, IT WILL BE WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME, I PROMISE.

GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS BARRY JONES.

I'M A VOLUNTEER LEADER WITH TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.

I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING TO MY TESTIMONY.

I HAVE BEEN LIVING OUTSIDE FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS.

DURING THAT TIME, I HAVE PRETTY MUCH SEEN THE WORST OF HOMELESSNESS, BEATINGS, ROBBERY, ABUSE, AND I'VE HAD A FRIEND WHO WAS MURDERED IN HIS SLEEP.

FEW PEOPLE WANT TO SEE MORE HOMELESS SHELTERS THAN I DO.

HOWEVER, I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH SHELTERS AND I KNOW THEIR PROBLEMS. WHAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE IS A SHELTER THAT COSTS MILLIONS YET IS UNDERUTILIZED.

LOOK AT THE ARCH BUILT FOR 250.

FOLKS CURRENTLY SHELTERING ABOUT 50 ISSUES THAT NOT NEED TO BE.

ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE THE QUESTION OF OUTCOME.

IS THERE TO BE A PATH TO PERMANENT HOUSING IN THE PLAN TO HOUSE SOMEONE FOR A YEAR ONLY TO TURN THEIR BACK TO THE STREET? ONLY TO TURN THEM BACK TO THE STREET IS FRANKLY CRUEL.

A PATH TO PERMANENT HOUSING IS ESSENTIAL.

SECOND TRANSPORTATION.

MANY UNHOUSED PEOPLE HAVE JOBS AND OFTEN AT NIGHT, BUS SERVICE HAS TO BE ADEQUATE TO SERVICE THIS POPULATION.

[03:25:01]

ASK HOMELESS PEOPLE AND THEY'LL TELL YOU, THE MORE YOU PACK, THE MORE PEOPLE YOU PACK INTO A SMALL PA.

THE MORE YOU PACK PEOPLE INTO A SMALL PLACE, THE MORE THE PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO ARISE EXPONENTIALLY.

BY ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES, THE COUNCIL HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE STRUGGLE TO SOLVE HOMELESSNESS.

AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME READ THAT.

I, I'M, I'M TOLD THAT SOME PEOPLE HANG, HANG ON ONE SECOND.

I'M TOLD THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE ASKING ABOUT ITEMS 1 25 AND 1 26.

THOSE WERE PULLED OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SO WE'RE GONNA GET THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE'RE GONNA HEAR FROM ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE WILL VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND THEN WE WILL COME TO THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SO I JUST WANNA BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE TIMING IS.

MAYOR, A QUICK QUESTION ON THAT.

WHATEVER'S CONVENIENT FOR YOU.

DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO HOLD THEIR COMMENTS FROM THIS AND SPEAK? THEY DON'T HAVE TO, BUT SOME PEOPLE WANTED TO SPEAK SEPARATELY AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, UH, PULLED THOSE ITEMS SO THAT THEY WOULD'VE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO SPEAK ON 1 25 AND 1 26, ALTHOUGH WE'VE, WE'VE, THEY'RE SEPARATED OUT, RIGHT, SO THAT IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DO THAT.

NOW, UM, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO SPEAK ON 1 25 AND 2126, AND THEY'RE CALLED AS PART OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, FEEL FREE TO DO THAT.

YOU WILL NOT BE CALLED AGAIN ON 1 25 AND 1 26.

THEY WERE PULLED AND CAUSE THEY WERE PULLED, WE WILL TAKE THOSE UP AS SEPARATE ITEMS. SO ONE OR THE OTHER? YES.

BARRY JONES.

THEY, HE, THEY JUST SPOKE.

UH, LINDA JACKSON, AMY RASMAN, AND JJ RAMIREZ.

JJ OH, JJ, LET'S GO.

JJ.

OH, JJ.

UM, AGAIN, AS A REMINDER, I DON'T WANNA INTERRUPT JJ, BUT AS AS A REMINDER, UM, IF SHE CALLS YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME DOWN BECAUSE THAT WAY YOU'RE, IT'LL BE MORE RESPECTFUL FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE FOLLOWING YOU AND WOULD LIKE TO, TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK AS WELL.

SO, SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU.

THAT'S FINE.

ALL RIGHT, COUNSEL.

MY NAME'S JJ RAMIREZ.

I'M AN ORGANIZER AT THE TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.

I'VE LIVED IN DAWSON SINCE I WAS 15 OUTSIDE OF SMALL HONORABLE STINT, SIX YEARS IN THE NAVY.

I'VE BEEN HERE MOST OF MY LIFE.

UM, I'M SPEAKING AGAINST, UH, THE MAR YARD ITEM ONE 11.

UM, WE'VE HEARD MANY TIMES IN THIS COMMITTEE TODAY FROM HOUSE'S NEIGHBORS ABOUT THEIR ISSUES BEING CLOSE TO THEIR NEIGHBORS IN THEIR HOUSE.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SENDING 300 PLUS PEOPLE OUT TO, UH, WHAT HAVE, WHAT MEMBERS HAVE CALLED A HOMELESS CONCENTRATION CAMP.

THESE ARE, THESE ARE PEOPLE IN THE THIS STREET THINKING ABOUT THIS, LIKE PEOPLE AND, UH, SOME MEMBERS, SOME PEOPLE SPOKE BEFORE SPEAKING ON SHELTER.

PEOPLE AT 20 DEGREES WEIGH WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO GO TO THE WEATHER SHELTER BECAUSE OF THE TRAUMA AND ISSUES THAT HAPPENED THERE.

AND THEY THINK, AND THEY WEIGH LIKE, CAN I SURVIVE? THAT'S RIGHT OUTSIDE AT 20 DEGREES, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SENDING THEM TO THIS MARSHALING YARD.

WE HAD SOME PEOPLE SPEAKING IN FOUR OF IT, IN, IN FAVOR OF IT.

AND I, I KNOW THEY'RE COMING FROM A GOOD PLACE.

THEY'RE SAYING WE NEED SHELTER.

WE DESPERATELY DO.

BUT ALL THESE WISHES AND DREAMS AND HOPES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN SOLIDIFIED, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT AT LEAST ONE OFFICE, AND I'M SURE MANY MORE DIDN'T EVEN GET THE WINNING R F P IN THEIR OFFICE AT FOUR O'CLOCK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

BUT YET WE ARE THINKING ABOUT VOTING ON THIS NOW, RIGHT? SO LIKE, THERE'S, THERE'S, THERE'S A DESPERATE NEED TO, AT BARE MINIMUM POSTPONE THIS VOTE AND THINK ABOUT, YES SIR, WHAT THINGS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS? WHAT'S THE SHELTER LIKE? MY, LIKE MY PARTNER BARRY HAD TO GO TO HIS DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT.

HE HAS TO GET ON THE BUS.

THERE'S NOT A BUS OUT THERE.

THERE'S SOMETHING LOOSELY WRITTEN ABOUT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AS SHUTTLE SERVICE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY HOW MANY, HOW OFTEN, WHAT'S THE TIME, WHAT'S THE CAPACITY? WILL THERE SHUT OFF? MEMBERS BEHIND ME IN THE AUDIENCE WORK, THE CONCERTS, THEY WORK AT NIGHT.

THE, THE SHELTER'S ALSO NOT, NOT 24 HOURS SHELTER.

YOU CAN'T WALK TO IT.

I KNOW THAT MANY SERVICE PROVIDERS, HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE CITY CLOSE AT 1:00 PM WHERE ARE PEOPLE GONNA GO TO GET THERE? LIKE, WHAT, WHAT ARE THESE QUE DO HAVE THESE QUESTIONS BEEN THOUGHT ABOUT AND ANSWERED? I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK THIS IS VERY MUCH A VERY QUICK WHAT'S WELL, WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING.

THE SALVATION ARMY CLOSE.

WELL, IT'S BACK OPEN FOR ONE YEAR, I SHOULD SAY.

SO REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE, RIGHT? YES, SIR.

BARE MINIMUM POSTPONE.

NEXT UP IS DANIEL.

ON DECK IS AMY RAISMAN, SONYA RIVERA, AND FRAN TATTOO CLERK.

JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, DID YOU SAY DANIELLE YIANNIS IN THE LIST? YES.

OKAY, PERFECT.

I KNOW HE WASN'T HERE EARLIER, BUT I SEE HIM NOW.

[03:30:01]

I'D LIKE TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT BARRY SAID AND JJ AS WELL.

I'M COMING FROM A REGISTERED NURSE STANCE, UH, BIG FAN OF HARM REDUCTION, UH, WORKED IN ACT TEAMS IN NEW YORK CITY, DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN.

AND I REALLY WANNA URGE AND RECOMMEND THAT THIS 9.1 MILLION FOR A TEMPORARY SHELTER WITH UTILIZING FAMILY ENDEAVORS TO NOT BE CONSIDERED.

AND I HAVE MANY REASONS FOR THAT.

FAMILY ENDEAVORS, ALTHOUGH I'M SURE THEY DO, THEY DO GREAT WORK IN SAN ANTONIO.

THIS DOES NOT SEEM COMPREHENSIVE AND IT SEEMS LIKE A DECISION DONE IN SILO.

WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE FOR THAT? ARE, IS THERE CONSULTATION BETWEEN I THOUGHT THERE WAS A HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, A CONTINUITY OF CARE SYSTEM, PEOPLE THAT WORK HERE, PEERS THAT LIVE HERE, THAT I, I WANT TO KNOW THAT YOU LISTEN TO THEM.

AND IF YOU LISTEN TO ME AND I HAVE, I'M SOMEONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED HOUSING INSECURITY, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT FAMILY ENDEAVORS NOTHING AGAINST FAITH-BASED OR CHRISTIAN-BASED.

THEY'RE COMING FROM AN ABSTINENCE STANCE POINT OF VIEW.

AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO EMBRACE TRANSFORMATIVE AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES THAT INCLUDE HARM REDUCTION.

THEY'RE GONNA EXPECT ABSTINENCE HARM REDUCTION IS REALISTIC.

IT'S MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT AND IS ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF EACH PERSON.

SO WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE FOR ITEM ONE 11? WHO DECI WHO DECIDED THAT THIS IS TEMPORARY? THIS IS 9.1, AND THIS IS DONE IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T SEEM IN LINE WITH LISTENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AND LISTENING TO PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH HOUSING INSECURITY OR WHO ARE HOMELESS.

THIS SEEMS LIKE A BUSINESS DEAL THAT'S DONE AT HOME FROM THE COMFORT OF SOMEONE'S HOME.

AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE, AND IT'S NOT A BOLD DECISION.

I THINK AUSTIN, THE PEOPLE HERE IN AUSTIN DESERVE BOLD DECISIONS AND NOT THESE KIND OF 9.1 UTILIZING SOMETHING THAT PRE-EXIST.

I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING THAT IF WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER, REALLY LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER, NOT FROM THE CONFERENCE OF OUR OWN HOME, BUT ALSO GOING TO WHERE PEOPLE LIVE ON THE STREETS OR IN THE SHELTERS, THAT IS IMPORTANT.

AND THAT'S IT.

SONYA RIVERA AND FRAN TATTOO, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED ON BLA, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS SONYA RIVERA, HOMEOWNER, H O A BOARD MEMBER TAXPAYER AND REGISTERED VOTER FROM RIVERSIDE MEADOW SUBDIVISION IN DISTRICT THREE.

I AM HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS OF MY COMMUNITY TO STATE OUR STRONG OPPOSITION TO ITEM ONE 11, WHICH IS WITHIN PUTTING THE MARSHALL YARD OR THE HOMELESS SHELTER WITHIN 500 FEET OF OUR HOMES.

NO CONSIDERATION TO OUR SAFETY INSECURITY HAS BEEN TAKEN SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ESPERANZA SHELTER ACROSS THE FIELD.

WE HAVE HAD A DISTURBED WOMAN THREATEN TO TAKE AN 18 MONTH OLD FROM THE FRONT OF HIS HOME.

WE HAVE HAD A DRUG INDUCED MAN INTO THE HOME WHERE AN ADOLESCENT FEMALE WAS HOME ALONE.

WE HAVE HAD TO PAY TO CLEAN UP ENCAMPMENTS ON HOA PROPERTY.

WE HAVE HAD STOLEN PROPERTY FOUND AT ESPERANZA, AND I HAVE BEEN ACCOSTED BY A VAN LIVING BEHIND THE FENCE LINE WHILE UNLOADING MY CAR.

WE ARE CONCERNED WHAT WORK HAD HAPPENED WITH THE SHELTER BEING PLACED CLOSER TO CLOSER TO US.

YOU HAVE GIVEN THE ILLUSION OF THE MARSH YARD WOULD BE USED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER.

WE NOW KNOW THE CONVENTION CENTER IS GONNA BE TORN DOWN.

AFTER, UH, SPENDING 1 MILLION IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, YOU NOW GIVE THE ILLUSION THAT THE EMERGENCY SHELTER IS TEMPORARY FOR ONE YEAR.

YET AUSTIN WILL NOT HAVE A GUN SUSPENSION CENTER UNTIL 2029.

NO COMMUNICATION TO US OF YOUR INTENTIONS WAS INITIATED VIA MEL DO HANK'S EMAIL OR TO OUR H O A MANAGEMENT COMPANY.

YOU HAVE SHOWN MORE CONCERN FOR THE UNHOUSED THAN YOU DO FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO VOTED YOU IN AND PAY THE TAXES FOR YOU TO USE FOR PROGRAMS TO HELP THE UNHOUSED.

YOUR DECISION IN THIS MATTER WILL KILL OUR PROPERTY VALUE THAT WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO INCREASE AND MAINTAIN, AS WELL AS OUR SENSE OF SECURITY AND SAFETY.

WE URGE YOU TO FIND ANOTHER LOCATION FOR YOUR EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER.

HOW ABOUT LAKEWAY, TERRYTOWN OR CIRCLE C? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, DANIEL.

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS MUST NOT BE SACRIFICED AT THE EXPEDIENCY OF BUREAUCRATIC, UH, UH, STREAMLINING.

I'M NA GIANNIS AND YOU ALL KNOW MY POLITICAL PEDIGREE.

UM, GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE DEMOCRACY IS SLOW.

MUST INCLUDE EVERYBODY.

SO, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, MY POLITICAL PEDIGREE, BUT AT THE FOUNDATION OF THAT, I'M A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND I HAVE A RIGHT TO PETITION TO AS TO ASSEMBLE AND PETITION MY GOVERNMENT, UH, 92 AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS.

AND WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW IS GOING BACKWARDS IN DEMOCRACY.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN AUSTINITE BECAUSE WE ARE GOVERNMENT.

THE PEOPLE ARE THE GOVERNMENT.

YOU SERVE US.

[03:35:03]

SO ALL OF THESE, ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE, THAT ARE TRYING TO LIMIT THE PARTICIPATION OF, OF US AS GOVERNMENT, WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT.

THOSE PEOPLE ARE THE GOVERNMENT.

YOU INDIVIDUALLY ARE THE GOVERNMENT, BUT COLLECTIVELY YOU WORK FOR US.

AM I WRONG? WOW.

, I'M NOT WRONG.

AND SO, UM, ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING ARE SENDING US BACKWARDS.

AND NOW I'M GONNA ADDRESS THE CURRENT THING THAT, THAT, UH, MONICA GUZMAN TALKED ABOUT, ABOUT THE CONSOLIDATION AND, AND THE DIMINISHING OF THE EQUITY OFFICE.

THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS MOVING AWAY FROM ITS RACIST LEGACY AWAY FROM IT.

YOUR ATTEMPT TO STREAMLINE FOR THE SAKE OF BUREAUCRATIC EXPEDIENCY IS, IS FLYING IN THE FACE OF THAT MAYOR WATSON.

UH, UM, UM, CITY MANAGER GARZA, I CHALLENGE YOU TO TAKE THE UNDOING RACISM TRAININGS BECAUSE UNDOING RACISM TURNED AWAY LONG BEFORE YOU, YOU GOT BACK HERE AND NOW IT'S A DIFFERENT DAY.

SO THE U R A WILL MAKE WILL REACH YOUR OFFICES AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH YOU TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT.

THAT THANK YOU.

SPEAKER TIME.

HAS EXPIRED FRANTA, SUSAN SPATARO AND ERIN HYMAN.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

SCOTT STRICKLAND, CHLOE WILKINSON.

UH, MY NAME IS SUSAN SPATARO AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT.

UM, FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW ME, WHICH IS MOST OF YOU, UH, I SERVED AS A TRAVIS COUNTY AUDITOR FOR 24 YEARS.

SO I HAVE A REAL COMMITMENT IN THIS COMMUNITY TO THE RULE OF LAW AND SERVICE TO CITIZENS, AND THEN INCLUDES THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, I WISH THE CITY MANAGER WERE HERE CUZ I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO HIM.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT HE IS HAVING TO FACE AND THE MESS IN THIS CITY THAT HE IS TRYING TO, TO FIX.

UM, IT'S, IT'S BEYOND THE PALE, TO BE HONEST.

UM, THE FOUR ITEMS I WANNA DISCUSS ARE I SUPPORT ONE 11 BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED A SHELTER.

I THINK IT'S HEARTBREAKING TO SAY WE CAN'T HAVE A SHELTER WHERE PEOPLE ARE SAFE.

THAT IS A FAILURE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE RUNNING THE SHELTER.

SO I SUPPORT IT, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE SAFE.

1 24.

UM, I OPPOSE BECAUSE WE NEED MORE TRANSPARENCY RATHER THAN LESS.

ONE 90 IS THE RESERVE OFFICERS.

I THINK, UH, IN A PERFECT WORLD WE WOULD HAVE A POLICE FORCE THAT COULD HANDLE THAT, BUT WE DON'T ANYMORE.

I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD SOLUTION.

WE GET A LOT OF MONEY FROM THESE SPECIAL EVENTS AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE THEM HERE IF WE CAN'T PROVIDE THE PEOPLE WHO COME WORK FOR LIVE HERE SAFELY.

SO I THINK THIS IS A IS IT PERFECT? NO, BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD SOLUTION.

I WANNA SPEND MOST OF MY TIME ON 1 26 AND THAT IS WHEN ALL OF THIS FEEDS TOGETHER.

I THINK THE CITY HAS MADE SOME HORRIBLE DECISIONS ON MAJOR THINGS THAT HAVE IMPACTED PEOPLE'S LIVES.

I SIT HERE TODAY AND LISTEN TO THAT.

NO ONE FEELS SAFE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS ANYMORE.

WHETHER YOU'RE HOMELESS, WHETHER YOU HAVE A HOME THAT IS TERRIBLE.

IT WASN'T LIKE THAT FOR A LONG TIME, BUT IT IS NOW.

IT'S SOMETHING YOU NEED TO ADDRESS.

CHANGING ZONING TO BASICALLY DIMINISH SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IS A TERRIBLE IDEA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

ERIN HYMAN, CHAZ MOORE AND ERIC LACK.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.

HELLO, MY NAME IS CHLOE WILKINSON, MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PRO TEMP ELLIS AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

UH, I'M HERE TODAY AS A RESIDENT OF AUSTIN, BUT I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF AURA.

I RECENTLY MOVED FROM D 10 TO D NINE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I COULD NOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN D 10 WITH THE RISING RENT PRICES.

I SUPPORT ITEMS

[03:40:01]

1 26, 1 24, AND 1 53 FOR THE FACT THAT WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO BRING DENSITY AND BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SO WE CAN GET CLOSER TO THE GOAL OF A 10 MINUTE CITY.

AND I THINK THAT IT REALLY SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, THAT ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE SUPPORT THIS ITEM.

WE ARE THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT OUR CITY IS NO LONGER A SMALL TOWN.

WE ARE GROWING AND WE KNOW THAT THE POTENTIAL OF THIS CITY HAS TO BE MATCHED WITH AN ITEM AND A RESOLUTION THAT ACKNOWLEDGES OUR GROWTH.

UH, MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE LEGALIZED THROUGHOUT AUSTIN, AND WE KNOW THIS TYPE OF HOUSING WORKS.

YOU CAN FIND IT IN HYDE PARK AND MUELLER, AND IT'S WORKED TO GREAT SUCCESS AND FANFARE WHEN PEOPLE BRING UP THE PRICE.

UH, THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF IT.

SO WHEN PEOPLE SEE IT, THEY BUY IT UP.

WE NEED THE HOUSING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRETY OF AUSTIN FOR THIS PROGRAM TO WORK.

AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO'S PUT THIS MOTION FORWARD, UH, ESPECIALLY MY COUNCIL MEMBER, SO AS WELL AS LESLIE POOLE, UH, PAIGE ELLIS, AND ALSO, UH, RYAN ALTER, WHO IS NOT CURRENTLY UP HERE.

BUT I THANK YOU ALL FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS EMOTION AND I THANK YOU ALL TO ANYONE WHO SPONSORED THIS, UH, ITEM.

THESE ITEMS, THEY ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED IN OUR CITY.

COUNCIL MEMBERS.

ERIN HYMAN.

ERIN LACK ON DECK IS CHAZ MOORE.

UH, GOOD MORNING.

UH, AFTERNOON.

MY NAME'S AARON LACK.

I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE MUSICIANS UNION, UH, AFM LOCAL 4 33 HERE IN AUSTIN.

UH, I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO, UH, ITEM NUMBER 1 23, 1 23, UM, THAT BECAUSE IT, IT'S NOT WHAT THE MUSIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDED LAST YEAR, UH, IT'S BEEN BEEN ALTERED.

UM, THE RATE STRUCTURE PROPOSED IN THIS RESOLUTION IS CONTRARY TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND UNDERMINES EXISTING CONTRACTS AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS FOR MUSICIANS.

IT IS STANDARD ACROSS THE INDUSTRY FOR A SCALE SUCH AS THIS TO BE SPECIFIC TO A TYPE OF PERFORMANCE VENUE TO INCLUDE DOUBLE SCALE FOR THE LEADER AND TO ADD A CONTRACTOR AT DOUBLE SCALE.

UH, WHEN A LARGER NUMBER OF MUSICIANS IS REACHED, OTHER FEES ARE ADDED AS THE ENSEMBLE INCREASES IN SIZE AND COMPLEXITY LIKE MUSIC PREPARATION, ORCHESTRATION, ARRANGING, COPIOUS COSTS, ET CETERA.

THE BASE RATE DOES NOT INCREASE, OR I'M SORRY, DOES NOT DECREASE.

UH, AS IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO PRESENT A LARGER ENSEMBLE, NOT LESS DIFFICULT.

UH, THERE IS CERTAINLY NO CAP AT WHICH THE EMPLOYER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING MORE MUSICIANS AS DESCRIBED IN THE CURRENT AGENDA ITEM.

UM, I I, I BELIEVE THAT THE RESOLUTION SHOULD BE, UH, UH, NOT, YOU KNOW, REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION.

UM, SETTING AN EXPECTATION THAT A LARGER GROUP OF MUSICIANS WILL ACCEPT A LOWER WAGE PER MUSICIAN WILL HURT ALL OF THESE BELOVED AUSTIN MUSICAL GROUPS.

AND THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST.

UH, BETO ELOS FAIRLANES, EIGHT MUSICIANS, KAK NINE MUSICIANS, AUSTIN SYMPHONY, 86 MUSICIANS, HARD PROOF, 10 MUSICIANS, MOTHER FALCON 17 MUSICIANS, GRUPO FANTASMA, NINE MUSICIANS, AUSTIN COMMUNITY STEEL DRUM BAND, UP TO 25 MUSICIANS, THE COPA KINGS 10 MUSICIANS, AUSTIN OPERA ORCHESTRA, 56 MUSICIANS, JOHN MILLS TIMES 10, 10 MUSICIANS, OBVIOUSLY.

UH, ALL THE JAZZ BIG BANDS THAT HAVE HAD TROUBLE SINCE THE ADVENT OF ROCK AND ROLL, UH, INCLUDING THE NOW JAZZ ORCHESTRA, THE TONIC BIG BAND, THE NACHO BIG BAND, UH, NAS, BIG BAND ARE ALL 10 TO 18 MUSICIANS.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

LET'S DO BETTER TOGETHER, PLEASE.

AARON HYMAN, CHAZ MOORE.

SCOTT STRICKLAND.

THAT WAS HIM.

WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND COME UP, SCOTT.

THERE WERE, THERE WERE NAMES THAT WERE CALLED BEFORE MINE.

YEAH, I'M FREE.

APOLOGIZE ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

UM, ALL RIGHT, MAYOR, CITY MANAGER.

I'M MAYOR PRO 10.

UM, COUNSEL, THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME HERE.

ELLIS AS A MUSIC COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT EIGHT.

UM, MY NAME IS SCOTT STRICKLAND.

I'M A CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ARTIST.

I'M A BUSINESS BUSINESS OWNER.

360 6 DAYS AGO, UH, I DID PLAY ACLS BLUES ON THE GREEN.

I RELEASED MY FIRST FULL LENGTH ALBUM.

I'M A FULL-TIME ARTIST, UM, TOURING ARTIST, STUDIO ARTIST, RECORDING ARTIST.

I HAVE AN AGENT.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT, AND I SERVE AT THE ASCENA PLEASURE OF MS. PAGE

[03:45:01]

I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ITEM 1 23, ADDRESSING THE $200 PER HOUR, UM, PER MUSICIAN.

UM, UM, I ITEM THAT IS, THAT IS BEFORE YOU ALL TODAY.

I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS.

I, I, I DID NOT, IT WASN'T MY INTENTION TO, UM, SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF IT.

MY INTENTION WAS TO ENCOURAGE THAT YOU ALL OBVIOUSLY WOULD SUPPORT IT.

UH, THE AR AARON LACK IS, IS, IS IS A FRIEND OF MINE.

HE WAS HERE SPEAKING BEFORE.

THIS IS A, UM, THE, THE, THE CLAUSE IN THE CONTRACT.

THE CLAUSE IN THE AGREEMENT BASICALLY STATES THAT, UM, IF THERE'S 10 OR MORE MUSICIANS, THAT WE MOVE THE SCALE TO MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR AN ACT TO BE ON THE STAGE.

UM, THESE ARE INITIAL AGREEMENTS.

THESE, THIS IS A, THIS IS A FIRST TIME THING THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

AND SO, UM, I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOVING FORWARD AND WORKING THIS OUT WITH MY BROTHER AARON, AS WE, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, UM, THAT'S MOST OF MY TIME.

SO ONE, ONE THING THAT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT IS, IS IN A, UM, IN A COUNTRY WHERE THINGS ARE MOVING COMPLETELY BACKWARDS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH, UM, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY ENCOURAGING AND MOVING FORWARD.

I, UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LIVE MUSIC FUND THAT WE JUST, UH, ROLLED OUT AND, UM, I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE WOULD HAVE, UM, IN ADDITION TO THIS ITEM.

ON ITEM 1 24, 1 25, 1 26, 1 46, AND 1 58.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER IS ANNA AGUIRE.

ON DECK IS NANCY BE ON 1 24 AND 1 26.

AND CAROLINE REYNOLDS, WE'LL MOVE ON TO 1 24.

PLEASE COME FORWARD.

GO AHEAD AND PLEASE COME FORWARD.

YOU WON THE RACE.

I'M SORRY YOU WON THE RACE, SO YOU GET TO GO FIRST.

PLEASE, JUST PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF.

UM, MY NAME IS NANCY BESSON, AND, UM, I, UM, WANTED TO, UM, SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO 92.

I, I UNDERSTAND IT'S POSTPONED.

I'M, I HOPE THAT EVENTUALLY SOME OF IT WILL BE WITHDRAWN.

UM, I, UH, IT'S THE SUDDEN WIDESPREAD CHANGE IS SIMPLY THE UNANNOUNCED DEREGULATION OF OUR COM, UH, COMMUNITIES.

UM, I OPPOSE ALSO OPPOSE 1 24, UM, FOREGOING PUBLIC NOTIFICATIONS OR REDUCING THE NOTIFICATION RADIUS, UM, FOR ZONING CHANGES, SIMPLY POSTPONES PROBLEMS, PROTESTS, AND OBJECTIONS, UM, THAT WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT TO ADDRESS AFTER CONSTRUCTION HAS STARTED.

UM, I ALSO OPPOSE ITEM 1 26, UM, WHEN A LARGE SINGLE FAMILY HOME WAS BUILT NEXT DOOR TO MINE SOME YEARS AGO.

THE FOUNDATION ALONE COMPLETELY DISRUPTED THE NATURAL DRAINAGE.

UM, ALMOST A THIRD OF MY LOT, WHICH I SELECTED BECAUSE IT WAS ON THE HIGH GROUND, UH, FLOODED TO ABOUT MID CALF EVEN DURING SMALL REIGNS.

UM, I WAS FORCED TO PERSONALLY HIRE A HYDRAULIC ENGINEER TO EXPLAIN TO THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, UM, HOW THEY NEEDED TO FIX IT.

IF THEY HAD NOT DONE WHAT HE SUGGESTED, I PROBABLY WOULD'VE HAD TO GO TO COURT MYSELF.

AND I'M NOT A NATURALLY LITIGIOUS PERSON.

UM, I FAILED TO SEE HOW HAVING THAT LOT COVERED BY THREE NEW HOUSES INSTEAD OF ONE WOULD'VE IMPROVED THE SITUATION.

UM, I I ALSO, IT SOUNDS LIKE THESE PROPERTIES WOULD HAVE TO BE MULTIPLE STORIES, WHICH MA WOULD MAKE THEM LESS USEFUL TO ELDERLY AND, UH, HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T BE ABLE, WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GO UP AND DOWN REALLY NARROW SINCE STEEP STAIRS.

UM, MA'AM, YOUR, YOUR, I SENT AN EMAIL.

YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED.

I'M SORRY? YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I EMAILED ALL OF YOU.

UH, GREAT.

MORE DETAIL.

I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON, UH, ITEM 1 26.

CAROLINE REYNOLDS SPEAKING ON 1 24 AND 1 26.

AUSTIN TALBERT IS ON DECK AS WELL AS MARY ENGLE.

[03:50:01]

UH, AS I SEE PEOPLE ON THE DIAZ JOINING UP WITH COUNCIL MEMBER POOL ON, UH, SPONSORING THIS I ITEM, IT REMINDS ME OF ICARUS STANDING UP ON THE PARAPET ABOUT TO JUMP INTO THE ABYSS.

UH, THERE ARE NOT THOU HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MOVING TO THIS TOWN.

THE LAST, THE CENSUS DATA FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS SAYS THERE'S LIKE LESS THAN A THOUSAND A YEAR.

THE OTHERS ARE BABIES BORN HERE.

THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE GETTING A HOUSE.

UH, IN FACT, THE WATER AND SEWER PIPES IN CENTRAL AUSTIN WERE DESIGNED IN 1930 TO 1950 FOR A TOWN OF LESS THAN 100,000 PEOPLE, 58,000 ACTUALLY IN 1930.

IT IS AT CAPACITY TODAY.

THEY ARE, THEY HAVE JACKED THE PRESSURE UP TO ALMOST TWICE THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE LIMITS BY THE NATIONAL, UH, AUTHORITIES, JUST SO THEY CAN GET WATER UP TO THE FIFTH FLOOR ON BURNETT ROAD IN GUADALUPE.

SO THOSE PEOPLE CAN FLUSH THEIR TOILETS AND BRUSH THEIR TEETH IN THE MORNING.

UM, YOU KNOW, DESPITE THE WISHES AND THE CHUTZPAH INFORMED OPINIONS OF CO COUNCIL MEMBERS, QUADRI AND VELA AND POOL, THE 14 INCH LINE PIPE DOWN THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE CAN ONLY PASS 4,200 GALLONS PER MINUTE.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO JUMP THE DENSITY IN THAT PART OF TOWN BY 4000%, NOT 400%, 4000%.

I HAVE LOTS ON MY BLOCK WITH 20,000 SQUARE FEET.

THEY CAN PUT EIGHT UNITS ON THERE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELIEVE IN SCIENCE AND GRAVITY AND ENGINEERING, BUT IT WILL SERIOUSLY AFFECT YOUR JUMP WHEN YOU JUMP FROM THE PARAPET, WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT IN OR NOT.

AUSTIN TALBERT SPEAKING ON 1 24 AND 1 26.

MARY ENGLE, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP IF YOU ARE HERE.

I THINK SHE'S SIGNALING SHE'S NOT GONNA SPEAK.

UM, MATT BARTHOLOMEW, ROBERT BOWLER, MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN.

ROBERT IS REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

MY NAME IS ROBERT BOWLER.

I'M HERE AS A HOMEOWNER IN WINDSOR PARK, UH, AND A DISTRICT FOUR A, UH, 12 YEAR AUSTINITE AND A LIFELONG TEXAN.

UM, I ASK THAT Y'ALL SUPPORT ITEMS 1 24.

UH, I KNOW IT'S BEEN MOVED, BUT 1 26 AND 1 56.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THOSE AS A MODEL.

UH, TOGETHER THESE ITEMS WILL REDUCE UNDUE CONSTRAINTS ON WHAT HOMEOWNERS CAN DO WITH THEIR OWN PROPERTY.

I SOUGHT OUT A HOME WITHOUT A HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION, BUT CURRENT CONSTRAINTS ACT AS A KIND OF CITYWIDE H HOA.

UH, ASSUMING SOUND, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY CONSTRAINTS, PEOPLE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO USE THEIR LAND AS THEY LIKE.

THIS IS TEXAS.

AFTER ALL, UH, IN THE EVENT OF A REDEVELOPED NEIGHBORING LOT, I WOULD RATHER HAVE THREE NEW MIDDLE CLASS NEIGHBORS IN ROW HOMES IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT, UH, THAN ONE NEW NEIGHBOR IN A LUXURY MCMANSION.

I ALSO HAVE SEVERAL AUSTIN BORN FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT TOWN.

THEY ARE TEACHERS, UH, NOW THAT THEY WANNA MOVE BACK HOME.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO AFFORD IT.

UH, I WOULD LOVE FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T WORK IN TECH OR IN FINANCE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BE MY NEIGHBOR.

UH, MY THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBERS POOL ALTER AND ELLIS FOR BRINGING THESE FORTH, UH, CHEETO FOR WORKING TOWARD AFFORDABILITY AND LIVABILITY IN AUS IN DISTRICT FOUR, AND THE WHOLE COUNCIL FOR WORKING TO KEEP AUSTIN AN AFFORDABLE, BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

MATT BARTHOLOMEW, WOLFGANG BURST, KAI GRAY, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND THE ITEMS YOU ARE SPEAKING ON.

HELLO.

OR STATING AUSTIN'S HISTORY IS THAT THEY'RE GONNA CHANGE THE CULTURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

MY NAME IS WOLFGANG BUR SPEAKING ON 1 26, 1 58 AUSTIN'S HISTORY.

UH, THE, ALL THE, ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE AGAINST THIS BILL

[03:55:01]

MOST AUSTIN SUBURBS THAT ARE ORIGINALLY ORIGINATED, UH, WERE CAR, WERE NOT CAR-CENTRIC.

THEY'RE WALKABLE LIKE WE CAN THINK AT HYDE PARK AND TERRYTOWN, LOTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSING.

UM, AUSTIN IS NOW A CITY WHERE IT COSTS $700,000 FOR A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.

WE CAN LOOK, WE CAN SAY THE ENVIRONMENT IS GONNA BE MESSED UP, BUT WE CAN LOOK AT CITIES LIKE MANHATTAN.

WE CAN LOOK AT CITIES LIKE LOS ANGELES WITH DENSITY THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS AUSTIN.

AND THEY, THEY FARE JUST FINE.

AND, AND CALIFORNIA HAS LOTS OF WATER ISSUES AND THEY'RE STILL DOING OKAY.

DENSER.

CITIES ARE MORE EQUITABLE AND THE DENSE AREAS OF THE CITY ACCOUNT FOR 80% OF THE GDP OF THE CITY.

I'D RATHER, LIKE ONE OF THE GUYS SAID BEFORE, I'D RATHER HAVE NEW NEIGHBORS WHO ARE LOWER CLASS STUDENTS LIKE ME.

I COME HERE TO REPRESENT PEOPLE WHO AREN'T OLDER, WHO CAN'T AFFORD HOMES.

YOU KNOW, WE GO TO SCHOOL, WE WORK HARD, AND WE GET A SIX FIGURE JOB.

AND EVEN WITH THAT, YOU'RE NOT AFFORDING A $700,000 HOME.

WE CAN LOOK TO CITIES LIKE HOUSTON, WHICH HAS CHANGED THEIR ZONING LAW, AND THEY'RE VERY AFFORDABLE.

WE CAN LOOK TO CITIES LIKE MINNEAPOLIS, WHICH HAVE DONE THE SAME THING, CHANGED THEIR ZONING LAW, AND IT COSTS $300,000 FOR AN AVERAGE HOME MINNEAPOLIS.

WE KNOW THAT THIS IS TRUE.

WE KNOW THERE'S NO FACTS BASED ON ANYTHING THEY'RE SAYING.

I'M BRINGING ACTUAL FACTS.

AND WHAT YOU SAID BEFORE, THERE'S 116 PEOPLE MOVING TO AUSTIN EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND THAT IS FROM THE US CENSUS.

EVERYTHING THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING IS NOT BASED IN FACTS.

SOMEONE MENTIONED MANHATTAN EARLIER.

MANHATTAN HAS THE EXACT SAME RULES ON A BIGGER SCALE THAT LIMIT, LIMIT HOW MUCH YOU CAN BUILD AND THAT'S WHY IT'S EXPENSIVE.

THIS IS A, THIS IS A WORLD, THIS IS AN AMERICA WIDE PROBLEM.

AND WE CAN BE A CITY THAT DECIDES THAT WE'RE GONNA DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND WE'RE GONNA ALLOW PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOMES.

IF YOU WANNA HAVE A SINGLE FAMILY HOME, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DO THAT.

IF I BUY A HOUSE AND I WANT TO PUT MULTIPLE LOTS ON IT, MULTIPLE DIFFERENT HOUSES TO SUPPLEMENT MY INCOME OR TO HELP OUT, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING.

NEXT IS KAI GRAY, SPEAKING ON 1 24, 1 26 AND 1 58, AS WELL AS EDGAR HANDEL AND KELSEY HUGHES.

HI, MY NAME IS KAI GRAY.

I'M ON THE BOARD OF THE AUSTIN INFILL COALITION AND I'M THE CHAIR OF THE THREE UNIT PER LOT WORKING GROUP.

UM, I WANNA TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TO GO BACK IN TIME, A LITTLE BIT LIKE 10 YEARS AGO.

BASICALLY, I WENT TO THE CITY AND I HAD A LOT AND I WANTED TO BUILD MULTIPLE SMALL HOUSES IN THERE.

BASIC, THEY SAID, THAT'S ILLEGAL.

YOU CAN ONLY BUILD ONE LARGE HOUSE.

AND I'M LIKE, I DON'T WANNA DO THAT.

I WANNA BUILD MULTIPLE SMALL HOUSES, CUZ THAT JUST MAKES MORE SENSE.

UM, IT MADE SO LITTLE SENSE THAT I WAS LIKE, THIS HAS TO GET FIXED FAIRLY SOON.

AND YOU KNOW, HERE WE ARE 10 YEARS LATER, BUT I WANNA THANK THIS COUNCIL FOR MAKING THIS COURAGEOUS RESOLUTION TO FINALLY CHANGE THAT.

UM, THERE'S ALSO BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT BUILDERS AND HOW WE SHOULD FOCUS ON BUILDERS WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

I, I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

UM, THIS MIGHT SOUND REALLY SURPRISING, BUT BUILDERS ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY BUILDING LARGE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

UM, SO IF THE GOAL IS TO WORRY ABOUT BUILDERS, THEY'RE GONNA BE FINE EITHER WAY.

YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

UM, IN FACT, THE MOST FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL BUILDERS BUILD LARGE, VERY EXPENSIVE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THAT, I THINK WE SHOULD FOCUS ON WHAT KIND OF CITY WE WANNA HAVE.

WE, WHEN WE TAKE A LOT, DO WE WANT A CITY THAT HAS MORE LARGE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON THAT LOT THAT ARE GONNA BE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE? OR DO WE WANNA SHARE THAT LOT WITH THREE SMALLER HOMES? THAT'S A QUESTION FOR Y'ALL.

LIKE, WHAT DO WE WANNA HAVE MOVING FORWARD? IF WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF VERY LARGE HOMES, MAYBE WE SHOULD KEEP MAKING IT ILLEGAL TO BUILD SMALLER HOMES, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S OUR ISSUE.

UM, THE OTHER THING AS FAR AS LOOKING AT PRICING, I LOOKED AT IN CRESTVIEW AND BRENTWOOD AND I LOOKED IN THE LAST 1200 DAYS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, BASICALLY 10% OF THE SALES WERE HOUSES ON SHARED LOTS.

SO A FAIRLY SMALL NUMBER, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE 10 CHEAPEST HOUSES, EIGHT OF THEM WERE ON SHARED LOTS, WHICH KIND OF GOES TO SHOW THAT YEAH, SHARED LOTS DO MAKE STUFF CHEAPER.

THE OTHER TWO HOUSES WERE IN THE FLOODPLAIN.

SO BASICALLY IF YOU WANTED TO GET IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AT A FAIRLY LOW PRICE, YOU EITHER HAD TO LIVE ON A SHARED LOT OR YOU HAD TO LIVE IN THE FLOODPLAIN.

THOSE ARE YOUR ONLY OPTIONS.

AND LASTLY, I WANNA TALK A LITTLE BIT, UM, I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION, BUT WE'RE ALSO IN SUPPORTIVE OF AN ADDITIONAL PRESERVATION BONUS.

EDGAR HANDEL, KELSEY HUGHES.

MR. HANDEL.

I UNDERSTAND YOU GOT SEPARATED FROM YOUR WIFE AND CHILD ON AND SIGNUPS, HUH? SORRY, SAY THAT AGAIN.

I UNDERSTAND YOU GOT SEPARATED FROM YOUR WIFE AND CHILD AND SIGNUPS.

OH YEAH.

IS THAT YOUR WIFE? UM, WHERE IS SHE? HOLD ON.

UM, YEAH, BUT GET, GET GET THIS QUESTION RIGHT.

, I SAID TO FIND, I WOULD NOT WANT THAT RECORDED.

YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

IN CASE YOU DIDN'T SEE HE, HE WAS LOOKING FOR YOU WITHOUT OBJECTION.

I WOULD HOPE THAT WE COULD, THEY GOT IT SEPARATED AND THEY'VE GOT THESE YOUNG KIDS AND SO THEY MIGHT LEAVE.

NO, DON'T TOUCH PLEASE.

[04:00:01]

UH, OKAY.

SORRY.

UM, MY NAME IS, UH, OH.

SAY HI.

MY NAME IS EDGAR HANDEL.

I LIVE IN, UH, GO VALLEY IN DISTRICT THREE, AND I CAME HERE TO SUPPORT ITEMS 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

UM, I WANT MY TWO CHILDREN TO GROW UP WITH THRIVING SCHOOLS AND AS THE SON OF HONDURAN IMMIGRANTS, I'D ALSO LOVE FOR THEM TO GROW UP IN A DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD.

ABUNDANT DIVERSE HOUSING WORKS TOWARDS BOTH OF THESE HOPES.

BY SUPPORTING TEACHERS AND MIDDLE INCOME AUSTINITES, IT'LL ALSO HELP MY CHILDREN HAVE HOMES OF THEIR HOMES OF THEIR OWN IN THE FUTURE AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

SO PERHAPS THEY CAN HAVE A CITY WITH A LIVABLE CLIMATE.

UM, I'D LIKE TO GIVE MY SINCERE THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER LESLIE POOLE, UM, AND MAYOR PROAM, PAGE ELLIS, AND ALL THE CO-SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING THESE CRUCIAL OKAY, , I AM, UH, CO-SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING THESE CRUCIAL HOUSING REFORMS. I HOPE COUNCIL PASSES THESE ITEMS TODAY AND MOVES QUICKLY TOWARDS ALLOWING DIVERSE HOUSING OPTIONS THAT ENHANCE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROTECT THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY AND ITS SCHOOLS.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, COUNCIL MEMBER BEFORE YOU BEGIN.

OKAY, I'LL, I'LL LET HER FINISH.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME SO THAT WE HI.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME JOIN HIM.

UH, MY NAME IS RAZ.

UM, I LIVE IN GO VALLEY IN DISTRICT THREE WITH TWO OF MY KIDS AND PARTNER.

I'M HERE IN SUPPORTIVE ITEMS 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER LESLIE POOLE AND MAYOR PROTE, PAGE ELLIS AND THE CO-SPONSORS FOR BRINGING THESE ITEMS. AS A CLINICAL SOCIAL SOCIAL WORKER, I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THAT THERE'S NOT ONLY A HOUSING SHORTAGE, BUT ALSO A SHORTAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO USE INSURANCE OR CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BUILDING.

MIDDLE INCOME HOMES MAY NOT SOLVE THIS MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ALONE, BUT IT COULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS AND THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE AND WORK IN AUSTIN.

THESE ITEMS WILL MAKE IT MUCH EASIER TO BUILD DIVERSE HOUSING ALL ACROSS AUSTIN HOUSING, MORE ATTAINABLE TO SOCIAL WORKERS, TEACHERS, AND MANY OTHER PROFESSIONS CRITICAL TO THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY.

I HOPE COUNCIL PASSES THESE ITEMS TODAY AS A STEP TOWARDS A DIVERSE AND HEALTHY AUSTIN.

THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE.

COUNCILMAN REVELLA.

MAYOR, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, UH, THANK YOU AND MY DEEP APPRECIATION TO TWO YOUNG PARENTS DRAGGING THEIR KIDS DOWN HERE TO, TO I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S TESTIMONY AND COMMENTS, BUT THAT TAKES, UH, REALLY, UH, A LOT OF EFFORT AND, UH, ALL I'LL RESPECT Y'ALL.

MY DADDY DRUGGED ME TO A POOL HOLE.

SO NEXT UP IS KELSEY HUGHES.

ON DECK IS FELICITY MAXWELL, EACH SPEAKING ON 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL.

MY NAME IS KELSEY HUGHES.

I AM A RENTER IN DISTRICT FIVE.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF 1 24, 1 26, 1 27, 1 58, AND I'M ALSO AGAINST 92 94, 1 11 AND ONE 90.

UM, FIRST I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR ITEM 1 26.

I LIVE IN A LARGE MULTIFAMILY APARTMENT ON SOUTH LAMAR AND I LOVE LIVING THERE.

I HAVE NEIGHBORS ABOVE ME, BELOW ME ON, ON EACH SIDE OF ME.

I ALSO PLAY THE VIOLIN, THE VIOLA, AND THE GUITAR FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR A DAY.

SO I'M SURE MY NEIGHBORS DO NOT LOVE HAVING ME AS A NEIGHBOR.

I CANNOT AFFORD A HOME IN CENTRAL AUSTIN.

IDEALLY THOUGH I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN A SMALL HOME WITH NO YARD, NO PARKING BECAUSE I RIDE THE BUS AND I DON'T DRIVE.

HOWEVER, THIS TYPE OF PARKING IS EXTREMELY LIMITED AND FROM WHAT I KNOW, IT'S EXPENSIVE AND HAS TO GO THROUGH A LOT OF RED TAPE IN ORDER TO BE BUILT.

I SUPPORT REMOVING THESE ZONING REGULATIONS AND GIVING PROPERTY OWNERS THE RIGHT TO HOUSE MORE PEOPLE ON THEIR LOTS.

AND IF ANYONE HERE WOULD LIKE TO BUILD A TINY HOME IN THEIR BACKYARD AND RENT IT OUT TO ME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW BECAUSE I CAN PLAY YOU SOME IRISH TUNES ON MY FIDDLE IN THE BACKYARD.

ALSO AN EXCELLENT COMPLIMENT TO THE ITEMS BROUGHT TODAY BY SU COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AND COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTAR, HOLISTICALLY ELIMINATING DEVELOPMENTAL RED TAPE FOR SMALL UNIT REDEVELOPMENTS LIKE THIS WILL BREED MUCH NEEDED DIVERSITY TO OF HOUSING OPTIONS TO OUR CITY.

FELICITY MAXWELL ON DECK IS INDEL OBREGON.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PROTON ELLIS AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS FELICITY MAXWELL AND I'M A D FIVE RESIDENT.

I WOULD HERE TO SPEAK TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSING, HOUSING ITEMS NUMBER 1 24, 1 25, AND ITEM 1 58.

I WOULD SPECIFICALLY LIKE TO ADDRESS, UM, ITEM 1 58 SITE PLAN LIGHT PART ONE AND THANK MAYOR PRO TEM ELLIS AND FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS ITEM AND FOR CITY STAFF ON THEIR WORK, FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.

WE KNOW THAT THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CURRENT SITE PLAN PROCESS HAS DISCOURAGED THE CREATION OF MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING IN AUSTIN.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THESE REVISIONS WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN OFFERING ALTERNATE OPTIONS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AND DEVELOPERS.

WE KNOW THAT ALLOWING THREE TO FOUR UNITS TO USE THE SAME RESIDENTIAL BUILDING REVIEW WILL INCREASE GENTLE DENSITY IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT IMPROVES OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT'S

[04:05:01]

IN ZILKER, MY NEIGHBORHOOD ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME, A 9,000 SQUARE FOOT LOT WAS REDEVELOPED AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PROPERTY MARKET JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.

IT'S BECOME A 4,000 SQUARE FOOT SINGLE FAMILY HOME WITH A POOL CABANA AND IS NOW UNLISTED FOR 3.49 MILLION.

IT SAT AND SOLD FOR MONTHS AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IF WE'D HAD OPTIONS LIKE THE SITE PLAN EXCEPTION YOU ALL CONSIDERING TODAY, WE WOULD'VE HAD, IT WOULD'VE OFFERED DIFFERENT AND BETTER REDEVELOPMENT OPTIONS FOR THAT LARGE LOT THIS FALL.

WE COULD HAVE TWO OR THREE MORE FAMILIES ENROLLING IN ZILKER ELEMENTARY USING OUR BIKE LANES, JOINING SOUTH LAMAR, AUSTIN LITTLE LEAGUE, OR SWIMMING IN BARTON SPRINGS POOL.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF OUR SITE BAND PROCESS, THE EXPENSE OF LAND IN ZILKER, WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BUT EMPTY MCMANSION THAT IS UNAFFORDABLE TO MOST EVERYBODY IN THIS CITY, HOPEFULLY.

BUT HOPEFULLY WITH YOUR SUPPORT TODAY OF STREAMLINING REGULATION AROUND SMALL REDEVELOPMENTS IN THE FUTURE WE'LL SEE MORE NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE DENSITY AND BE ABLE TO WELCOME MORE AUSTINITES INTO THE WONDERFUL ZIP CODE OF 78,704.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD FINALLY THAT I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE SECOND ROUND OF SITE PLAN REVISIONS FOCUSED ON FIVE TO 16 UNITS COMING BEFORE THE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT ITEM AS WELL.

AN OBREGON ON 1 24, 26 AND 1 58.

FOLLOWING IS LUIS OLUGO AND ANUS MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PRO TEON, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS AN OBON.

I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH A A R P, BUT I'M HERE AS A 36 YEAR RESIDENT OF AUSTIN.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT, UH, 10.

I'M HERE TO SUPPORT, UH, 1 26 SPONSORED BY LESLIE POOL.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOL 1 24 SPONSORED BY MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER AND 1 58 SPONSORED BY BY MAYOR PRO TEMPE.

TOGETHER THESE THREE PROPOSALS WOULD MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE TO LIVE IN AUSTIN.

THOSE PROPOSALS WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE, MORE AND SMALLER HOUSES AND INCREASED A THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOMES.

PEOPLE CAN BUILD DUPLEXES AND TRI TRIPLEXES THAT FIT WITH A CHARACTER OF A SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD.

SUCH NEIGHBOR, SUCH HOUSING CAN GENERATE PASSIVE INCOME OR ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS TO LIVE TOGETHER AND CARE FOR EACH OTHER WHILE HAVING THEIR OWN SPACES.

IN MY CULTURE, LIVING WITH OR NEAR PARENTS IS COMMON.

THAT'S GETTING EXTREMELY HARD TO DO IN AUSTIN.

WE HAVE ROOM IN OUR LOT FOR A GRANNY HOUSE, A K A GRANNY FLAT, BUT WE CANNOT BUILD ONE.

MY HUSBAND AND I COULD SOMEDAY LIVE IN THAT GRANNY FLAT AND ONE OF OUR CHILDREN COULD LIVE IN THE HOUSE AND GET MARRIED AND RAISE A FAMILY BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY THEY COULD DO THAT OTHERWISE.

NOW, WHILE WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN, IT DOES GET CROWDED.

HAVING FOUR ADULTS IN ONE HOME, WHOEVER STAYS IN OUR HOUSE COULD CHECK IN ON US.

IT'S BEEN GREAT HAVING THE TWO OF THEM WITH US.

SINCE I FELL TWO YEARS AGO AND BROKE MY ELBOW, I'M STILL TRYING TO RECOVER THEY COOK AND CLEAN HOUSE AND HELP ME KEEP MY GARDEN ALIVE IN THIS DROUGHT, IN EXTREME HEAT, WHEN WE KICKED THE PROVERBIAL BUCKET, OUR CHILDREN COULD RENT OUT THAT GRANNY HOUSE AND GENERATE INCOME TO HELP PAY PROPERTY TAXES.

PEOPLE FEAR THAT DUPLEXES AND TRIPLEXES DECREASE THE VALUE OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, BUT WE CANNOT MAINTAIN PROPERTY VALUES IF YOUNGER PEOPLE CAN TO BUY THOSE HOMES.

THANK YOU FOR OFFERING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS.

THANK YOU LUIS LUGO SPEAKING ON 1 24, 1 26 AND 1 58.

FOLLOWING IS ANUS ANUS IAN AND NEXT IS JUDAH RICE ALI VERANI.

EMMA KININGER ON DECK IS RYAN AND I CANNOT PRONOUNCE THE LAST NAME, BUT IT STARTS WITH A PETE.

IF YOUR NAME WAS CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

HI, MY NAME IS EMMA INGER.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

I, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND I WANTED TO SAY THAT I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE, UM, AND A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE EAST CESAR CHAVEZ NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CONTACT

[04:10:01]

TEAM.

BUT I'M HERE IN A PERSONAL CAPACITY.

UM, I SUPPORT ITEMS 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

I HAVE LOVED LIVING NEAR DOWNTOWN.

IT PROVIDES MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WALKING AND BIKING WITHOUT DIVERSE HOUSING OPTIONS.

LIVING IN DISTRICT THREE IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT.

UM, WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO A DIVERSE, UM, SET OF INCOME LEVELS.

THE CURRENTLY OWNING AND RENTING A HOME IN AUSTIN IS ONLY REALISTIC FOR THOSE WITH A HIGHER INCOME.

ADJUSTING THESE ZONING LAWS TO SUPPORT REDUCED LOT SIZES WILL INCREASE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND SUPPORT A WIDER VARIETY OF INCOMES.

I SUPPORT MORE AFFORDABLE AND DIVERSE HOUSING OPTIONS IN AUSTIN.

THE LUIS OTA, LUGO ANUSH, IAN JUDAH, RICE, ALEEM, ANI AND RYAN.

RYAN, PETE, GO AHEAD AND COME FORWARD.

JUST STATE YOUR NAME PLEASE.

HI, I'M RYAN PKI.

SAY THAT AGAIN.

WHAT'S THAT? SAY THAT AGAIN, PKI.

OKAY, WE GOT IT.

UM, GOOD MORNING MAYOR, OR GOOD AFTERNOON NOW.

YEAH, MAYOR OF COUNCIL.

UM, I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR ITEM 1 26.

WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT OUR HOME EARLY LAST YEAR, WE THOUGHT WE WERE PRETTY LUCKY TO HAVE FOUND A NEWISH HOUSE WITHIN SPITTING DISTANCE OF DOWNTOWN.

BUT I STARTED TO WONDER WHY WERE BIG HOUSES WITH BIG YARDS STILL GETTING BUILT SO CLOSE TO THE CITY CENTER, WOULDN'T SUCH VALUABLE LAND HAVE BEEN BETTER SUITED TO HOUSING MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST TWO GUYS AND THEIR DOG? THIS SENT ME DOWN A RABBIT HOLE LEARNING ABOUT AUSTIN'S LAND USE CODE.

WHAT I LEARNED WAS THAT THE CODE EFFECTIVELY MANDATED LOW DENSITY IN LARGE HOUSES AND NEIGHBORHOODS ADJACENT TO DOWNTOWN.

I REALIZED THAT OUR LUCK WAS THAT WE COULD AFFORD WHAT THE CODE ALLOWED.

LUCK IS NOT A SOLID TO FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD BROAD-BASED PROSPERITY.

IN AUSTIN, A THRIVING CITY REQUIRES A THRIVING MIDDLE CLASS.

WE WILL HAVE NEITHER IF WE MAINTAIN A CODE THAT MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO BUILD HOMES AT MIDDLE CLASS PRICE POINTS.

TODAY'S RESOLUTION IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS BUILDING A FUTURE THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN JUST THE LUCKY FEW, AND IT'S ALSO THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE FOR SPONSORING THIS AND AS WELL AS MY COUNCIL MEMBER, NATASHA HARPER MADISON AND THE MAYOR AND ALL OTHER CO-SPONSORS OF THIS RESOLUTION.

THANKS SO MUCH.

WE FIND A PATH FORWARD, NOT JUST IN THEORY, BUT IN PRACTICE.

JULIO AGUILA SPEAKING ON 1 24, 1 26 AND 1 58.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED AND THE PODIUM IS AVAILABLE, PLEASE MAKE, UM, YOUR WAY THERE.

UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, MAYOR, MAYOR PRO, UH, MAYOR, UH, WATSON, MAYOR PRO ELLIS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

I AM, UH, LUIS OLUGO, UH, LOCAL HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS, AND I WANTED TO THANK, UM, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE PUTTING FORWARDS ITEM 1 26, 1 24 AND 1 58.

OH NO, 1 24 AND 1 58 ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HELP GET OUR, UH, HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TO NOT JUST BE GOOD IN THEORY, BUT ACTUALLY BE USABLE AND DOABLE IN PRACTICE.

AND IN REGARDS TO, UM, 1 26, I WANTED TO, UM, PERSONALLY THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR PUTTING THIS FORWARD AS IT'S THE KIND OF GENTLE DENSITY THAT IT'S REALLY NICELY INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT MAKES A HOME OWNERSHIP A VIABLE REALITY FOR AUSTINITES, LIKE, JUST LIKE REGULAR EVERYDAY AUSTINITES.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S, UH, YOU KNOW, REALLY CLOSE TO HOME FOR ME.

I IMMIGRATED FROM, UH, A POOR OUT OF SORT OF POWER FAMILY IN VENEZUELA, YOU KNOW, ESCAPING THE DICTATORSHIP THERE.

AND WE WORKED VERY HARD AND I WAS THANKFULLY SP THANKFULLY BECAUSE OF MY COMMUNITY, I WAS ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM AND WE WERE LIKE RIDING HIGH, ME AND MY PARTNER HAVING TIME OUR LIVES.

AND THEN WE MADE THE GRIEVOUS MISTAKE OF LOOKING AT THE HOUSING MARKET HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, UH, THE CITY THAT WE WERE FALLING IN LOVED WITH AND REALIZED THAT LIKE, OH WOW, YOU KNOW, WE COULD GET EVERYTHING RIGHT.

WE COULD DO THIS AND THIS AND THIS, YOU KNOW, WORK 16 HOUR DAYS, START A BUSINESS AND STILL YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK COMPLETELY.

UM, AND WHILE MAYBE SOME PEOPLE WOULD PREFER TO HAVE A BIG LAWN, I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO HAVE A DUPLEX IF THAT MEANS I REALLY GET TO BUILD A LIFE HERE IN AUSTIN.

YOU KNOW, ME AND MY FRIENDS, WE, WE JOKE ABOUT ALL THE TIME THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, OH, IF WE'D WANT TO BUILD A LIFE FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS IN AUSTIN, WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IS GET A TIME MACHINE, GO BACK TO THE EARLY TWO THOUSANDS AND BUY A HOME, THEN .

UM, BUT YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, ITEM 1 26, UM, IT MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE, FOLKS.

SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND THE CO-SPONSOR AND THAT

[04:15:01]

GOOD MORNING COUNSEL, OR I GUESS I SHOULD SAY GOOD AFTERNOON NOW.

I, WHEN I WROTE THIS, IT WAS GOOD MORNING, BUT, UM, GOOD MORNING COUNSEL.

MY NAME IS ALAN VERANI.

UM, I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF AURA AND EVEN PROUDER RESIDENT OF BEAUTIFUL MUELLER.

I'M SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR ITEM 1 26, 1 24, AND 1 25.

UH, THESE CRITICAL POLICIES REFLECT THE ESSENCE OF WHAT MAKES MUELLER SO GREAT, THE DIVERSITY OF HOUSING OPTIONS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OF MUELLER.

A NEIGHBOR IS A NEIGHBOR IS A NEIGHBOR, IRRESPECTIVE IF THEY LIVE IN AN APARTMENT, IF THEY LIVE IN A TOWNHOUSE, IF THEY LIVE IN A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.

EVERYONE IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES MUELLER SO GREAT.

AND THAT'S WHAT COULD MAKE AUSTIN SO GREAT AS WE ALLOWED THE DIVERSITY OF HOUSING OPTIONS.

I ALSO WANNA SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY PERSONAL STORY.

MY FAMILY, MY PARENTS MIGRATED, UH, TO NORTH AMERICA AT MONTREAL, UM, AS REFUGEES.

AND THEY FIRST LIVED IN A DUPLEX, UH, IN A TOWNHOUSE ACTUALLY.

UM, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THEY'RE ABLE TO THRIVE IN MONTREAL AND THEY WERE ABLE TO THRIVE ON WORKING CLASS SALARIES AND WORKING CLASS JOBS.

UM, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I'M ABLE TO SPEAK HERE AND SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.

SO I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE WONDERFUL POLICIES.

NEXT SPEAKER IS JULIO AGUILAR, ANDREA CLIPPER FOR 1 25 CAROL PENNINGTON ON ITEM 1 25.

MY NAME IS CAROL PENNINGTON.

I CURRENTLY DO NOT LIVE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ALTHOUGH I DID GROW UP HERE BEGINNING IN 1966.

I CURRENTLY LIVE JUST SOUTH OF AUSTIN, A MILE FROM THE TRAVIS HAYES COUNTY LINE OFF OF STATE HIGHWAY 45 SOUTHWEST.

MY SUBDIVISION AND ALL OF THE LAND ALONG 45 SOUTHWEST IS OVER THE EDWARDS AQUIFER RECHARGE ZONE.

APPROVING AN S E R IS A MAJOR DECISION THAT COULD, SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

I DON'T MEAN ANY DISRESPECT TO THE CITY STAFF, BUT WITH IT REQUIRING A CITY COUNCIL VOTE, YOU'RE ENSURING SOME LEVEL OF CONTROL OVER DEVELOPMENTS AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH CITY CODES AND ORDINANCES AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.

IF THIS PASSES, IT WILL ALSO TAKE OUT THE PUBLIC INPUT PART ON THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING OUT ABOUT HAYES COMMONS, WHO HAS AN S E R APPLICATION IN-HOUSE FOR OVER TWO YEARS, MAKING SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES THIS DEVELOPMENT FACES BECAUSE IT IS OVER THE EDWARDS AQUIFER RECHARGE ZONE.

I AM WAITING FOR MY CHANCE TO SPEAK TO THIS CITY COUNCIL WHEN THAT APPLICATION IS ON YOUR AGENDA.

WITHOUT IT COMING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MY VOICE WOULD NOT BE HEARD.

THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

SCRS HAVE A GREAT IMPACT THAT AFFECT NEIGHBORS THAT NEED TO HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

WE ALSO SPEAK UP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THAT CAN'T SPEAK FOR ITSELF UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE AND IRREVERSIBLE.

OUR ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALL OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS ARE ALL ON PRIVATE OR COMMUNITY WELLS.

THIS IS OUR DRINKING WATER.

WE NEED TO ENSURE IT STAYS SAFE TO DRINK.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC AND OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT.

PLEASE DO NOT PASS THIS AMENDMENT TO REMOVE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR SCRS FROM THE CITY CODE.

THANK YOU ANDREW HEROD, AND MAYOR, BEFORE WE'RE MOVING ON TO ITEMS, THE MAJORITY OF ITEM 1 26.

UM, WE'VE RECEIVED ONLY ONE REQUEST TO SPEAK WHEN COUNSEL TAKES UP THE ITEM.

ALL THE OTHERS HAVE REQUESTED TO SPEAK NOW, SO I WILL CALL THOSE NAMES AND IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

SO THE NEXT SPEAKER SPEAKING ON 1 25 AND 1 26 IS ANDREW HEROD.

ON ON DECK IS JANICE RANKIN, FOLLOWING WITH GREG ANDERSON.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE, PLEASE COME FORWARD SO THAT YOU'LL BE READY.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

[04:20:01]

UH, HI THERE, ANDREW HEROD, UH, I'M GONNA JUST SPEAK ON 1 26.

UH, SO, UH, I'M, I'M, I'M AN ENVIRONMENTALIST.

I'M, YOU KNOW, MORE OF AN URBANIST THAN A PRESERVATIONIST AND I, THE WAY I WAY I SEE IT, UH, I'M ALL FOR, UH, TURNING MORE TIFYING THE URBAN CORE.

UH, BUT I WANNA SEE IT DONE RIGHT.

AND, UH, IF WE GET RID OF THE TREE ORDINANCES AND THE IMPERVIOUS SERVICE COVER, UH, REGULATIONS, WE'RE, WE'RE JUST GONNA MAKE A CONCRETE JUNGLE.

UH, CLIMATE CHANGE IS, UH, PRESSING ISSUE.

WE'RE, WE'RE FEELING IT MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY.

AND, UH, I JUST FEEL THAT IF WE DO THIS, UH, WE'RE NOT GONNA DO IT.

RIGHT.

SO, UM, I'M AGAINST, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

JANICE RANKIN.

GREG ANDERSON, YOU, YOU HAVE THE MIC.

GO AHEAD.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

UH, MAYOR PROAM AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M JANICE RANKIN.

I'M A DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT, HAVE BEEN SINCE 1992.

I, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU TODAY TO RECONSIDER YOUR VOTES ON ITEM NUMBER 1 26.

THERE ARE MANY REASONS.

UH, IT, IT CONTEMPLATES DEVELOPMENT IN AN AREA LIKE MUELLER THAT WAS NOT ALREADY PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A NEW KIND OF STRUCTURE FOR HOMES TO BE BUILT IN SMALLER, LOTS, SMALLER PLACES, SMALLER SIZES.

THIS PROPOSAL SEEMS TO ADDRESS, UH, LAND USE AND DEREGULATE OUR ESTABLISHED COMMUNITIES.

WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE AND WITHOUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTEST, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY COUNCIL MEMBER LESLIE POOLE.

AND I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON AL ALTER FOR HER THOUGHTFUL RESPONSE TO MY EMAIL, WHICH I SENT TO ALL OF YOU ON TUESDAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO, UH, ASK YOU TO BUILD UP COMMUNITIES AND NOT DESTROY THEM.

WHAT WE HAVE HERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSTITUENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS, AND THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN DUE REGARD IN CONCERN TO RESIDENTIAL VOTERS.

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK, UH, FOR A DECLARATION OR AN EXPLANATION OF YOUR LEGISLATIVE INTENT.

IS IT YOUR INTENT TO EXEMPT LOTS THAT HAVE RESTRICTIVE DEED COVENANTS BAKED INTO THE OWNERSHIP RIGHTS, IS IT, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT IN TERMS OF YOUR DELIBERATION.

THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO FORCE PRIVATE CITIZENS LIKE MYSELF TO ENFORCE THOSE RESTRICTIVE DEED COVENANTS IF THE CITY CONTINUES TO ISSUE BUILDING PERMITS, INCONSIST CONSISTENT WITH THE ZONING AND INCONSISTENT WITH THE DEED COVENANTS.

LORRAINE ATHERTON, CAROL BAKER.

GREG ANDERSON ON DECK.

LORRAINE ATHERTON, FOLLOWED BY CAROL BAKER AND TINA BARRETT.

AFTERNOON, MAYOR.

COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME'S GREG ANDERSON.

I'M WITH AUSTIN.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

AUSTIN'S MINIMUM LOT SIZES INCREASED TO 5,750 IN 1946 WHEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 PEOPLE RECALIBRATING SINGLE FAMILY ZONING IN 2023 WHEN OUR POPULATION IS 10 TIMES OF WHAT IT WAS.

MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

MANY PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE IN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, BUT OUR OUTDATED REGULATIONS MAKE THIS UNACHIEVABLE FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF AUSTINITE.

THE SKYROCKETING PRICES OF OUR SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS IS ONE OF THE MAIN DRIVERS OF AD'S, TEACHERS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES.

INABILITY TO LIVE HERE.

LEADING TO A CONTINUOUSLY SHRINKING ENROLLMENT, ALLOWING MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS TO OUTBID SINGLE HIGH INCOME EARNER IS GOOD POLICY.

AND I PROMISE YOU, THE HIGH INCOME EARNER'S STILL GONNA BE OKAY.

THEY'RE GONNA FIND HOUSING, UH, CITY MANAGER SHOULD THIS PASS.

I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU CAN BRING THIS BACK WITH URGENCY AND GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF SLIDES REAL QUICK.

UH, UH, THIS IS A RAW PIECE OF DIRT, A BLOCK, NOT EVEN A BLOCK, FEET FROM HOUSTON TILLISON, NO HOME ON IT, NOTHING.

SO ADD TO THIS 400 SQUARE, UH, $400 PER SQUARE FOOT, HOWEVER MANY SQUARE FEET YOU WANNA BUILD, AND THAT'S WHAT CAN BE BUILT HERE.

ONE HOME, MAYBE TWO IF YOU'RE REALLY LUCKY.

BUT I THINK THERE'S A HERITAGE TREE NOT LETTING YOU BUILD THE SECOND ONE TODAY WHERE IT IS WITHOUT, UM, THIS RESOLUTION, WE KNOW WHERE THIS GOES.

IF WE DON'T ALLOW FOR MORE HOMES TO BE BUILT WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE, THEN BY DEFAULT, YOU'RE ONLY GONNA ALLOW THE TOP 5% OF INCOMES EARNERS TO LIVE HERE.

SO WITH THAT COUNSEL, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS UP AND REALLY DO HOPE THAT YOU APPROVE THIS ITEM.

GOOD LUCK.

[04:25:03]

JOYCE BASCIANO.

MICHAEL CONNOR, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME WHEN YOU, IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

MY NAME IS TINA BARRETT AND I'M A BUILDER.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'M A RESIDENT OF ROSEDALE IN COUNCIL MEMBER POOLS DISTRICT SEVEN, AND I AM FOR RESOLUTION ITEM 1 26.

AS A BUILDER, I KNOW I'LL BE OKAY.

BUILDING MULTIMILLION DOLLAR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN CENTRAL AUSTIN.

THAT'S EASY.

AS A 24 YEAR RESIDENT OF ROSEDALE, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND EQUITY FOR LESS.

FORTUNATE AUSTINITES, THE PROPOSAL FROM COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL TO INCREASE DENSITY ON SINGLE FAMILY LOTS WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY WITH ALL OF THESE, BUT EQUITY IS ON MY MIND TODAY.

A LITTLE OVER A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, IN A MAJOR ADVANCE FOR HUMAN DIGNITY, THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN A RACIAL ZONING LAW IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY THAT PROHIBITED NON-WHITES FROM MOVING INTO HOMES IN MAJORITY WHITE AREAS.

BUT THIS HARDLY ENDED RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING AS WHITE HOMEOWNERS ADOPTED BIASED POLICIES LIKE EXCLUSIONARY ZONING THAT BANNED APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN AREAS DESIGNATED FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, OFTEN ADDING MINIMUM LOT SIZE REQUIREMENTS TO, IN FACT, JUST A FEW YEARS LATER, IN A 1926 SUPREME COURT DECISION ABOUT ZONING IN A SUBURB OF CLEVELAND, THE COURT REASONED THAT AN APARTMENT BUILDING CAN BE A MERE PARASITE CONSTRUCTED IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPEN SPACES AND ATTRACTIVE SURROUNDINGS CREATED BY THE RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER OF THE DISTRICT.

I'M SO VERY GRATEFUL TO THE COUNCIL THAT THE COUNCIL NOW RECOGNIZES THAT NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER IS REALLY JUST A RELIC CODE WORD OF THAT AGE MEANT TO KEEP THE POOR AWAY FROM THE PRIVILEGED.

MY HOPE IS THAT MY ROSEDALE NEIGHBORS WILL ALSO REALIZE THAT PEOPLE WHO CAN ONLY AFFORD A TOWNHOME OR A UNIT IN A TRIPLEX ARE WORTHY OF BEING OUR NEIGHBORS.

SUCH CHARACTER ONLY ADDS TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, NOT DETRACTS AS MANY SEEM TO THINK.

I AGAIN WANT TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL, AND ESPECIALLY TO COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR THEIR FORWARD-THINKING OUTLOOK AND FOR SPONSORING THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE-CHANGING RESOLUTION.

LORRAINE ATHERTON, CAROL BAKER, JOYCE BASCIANO.

MICHAEL CONNOR, ROBERT CRUMP.

FOLLOWING IS JAMES DELI.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH.

AND STATE YOUR NAME.

HELLO, MY NAME IS ROBERT CRUMP.

I'M A FIFTH GENERATION AUSTINITE, CURRENTLY, UH, RESIDING IN D ONE.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, I LIVED IN CHICAGO AND I'VE SEEN HOW ENTRENCHED SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS CAN AFFECT THE CITY AND HOW HARD THEY ARE TO, TO REVERSE THIS RESOLUTION.

UH, ITEM 26, 1 26.

THIS RESOLUTION PRESENTS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AUSTIN MORE LIVABLE LONG TERM.

I APPLAUD THE COUNCIL FOR WORKING IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN BY BRINGING THIS ITEM TO A VOTE, THE POOR AND WORKING CLASS PEOPLE OF THE CITY HAVE BEEN SUFFOCATING, A AS A RESULT OF OUR OUTDATED LAND USE POLICIES.

THIS RESOLUTION PROVIDES A MEASURE OF MUCH, MUCH NEEDED RELIEF IN REGARDS TO MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO.

WE, WE'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE, OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS IN AUSTIN AND EVERY CITY ACROSS THE WORLD.

I COMMEND THE COUNCIL FOR TR FOR TRYING TO MAKE A SEQUEL WORTHY OF THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK AND TRYING TO AVOID MAKING TROLL TWO.

JAMES DALLY, MARY FARROW.

AND FIGHT HOMELESSNESS AT THE ROOT CAUSE.

MY NAME IS JAMES DALEY.

I LIVED IN DISTRICT NINE FOR FOUR YEARS.

I'VE COME TO TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR ITEM 1 26, WHICH WILL ALLOW AUSTIN TO BUILD SMALLER AND MORE DIVERSE HOUSING.

THERE ARE THREE PERSPECTIVES FROM WHICH THIS RELU, THIS RESOLUTION HAS EARNED MY SUPPORT AS A RENTER, AS A NEIGHBOR, AND AS AN AUSTINITE, AS A RENTER.

INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING WILL LOWER THE COST OF LIVING FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME, MAKING IT EASIER FOR US TO MAKE AUSTIN OUR HOME.

AS A NEIGHBOR AND FRIEND OF HOMEOWNERS, IT WILL INCREASE THE FREEDOM OF MY FRIENDS TO BUILD WHAT THEY WANT ON THEIR LAND.

AND AS A PROUD AUSTIN KNIGHT, IT WILL HELP OUR CITY GROW, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY USING RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY

[04:30:01]

EVER SINCE, LEARNING HOW RESTRICTIVE THE CURRENT LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE IS, UH, WHEN I WALK AROUND A NEIGHBORHOOD, I SEE EMPTY SPACE AND WASTED OPPORTUNITIES.

THIS RESOLUTION WILL START TURNING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND INTO REALITY.

THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR BRINGING FORTH THIS ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION.

I'M MARY FARROW FROM DISTRICT SEVEN.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

I WISH THIS WAS A AND ALL OF YOU.

I WISH THIS WAS A PROPOSAL FOR, UH, TO GUARANTEE LOW INCOME HOUSING THAT I COULD SUPPORT, BUT IT'S NOT, UM, I DON'T SEE THIS AS SOMETHING THAT WILL BRING GENTLE DENSITY TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

UH, AND IN FACT, UH, AS COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER MENTIONED IN HER REMARKS, YESTERDAY'S WORK SESSION, I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CONSIDERED.

UM, I DON'T TAKE ANY COMFORT IN THINKING ABOUT FUTURE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BECAUSE BASED ON MY INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION DRIVEN BY CONSULTANTS, UM, I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE, THE MANY VOICES, UH, REALLY ARE BROUGHT FORWARD.

UM, UH, FEELS LIKE A PRECONCEIVED NOTION THAT THAT, UH, FINDS A WAY TO GET RUBBER STAMPED.

UM, SO WE'RE CONTINUING THIS HEADLONG RUSH.

UH, ONE THING WE KNOW IS THAT DEVELOPERS ARE GONNA CONTINUE TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

UM, HOWEVER THIS WORKS OUT.

UM, THERE ARE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, TREE CANOPY ISSUES, FLASH FLOODING, AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID.

UM, I, I WANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I THINK THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES.

I THINK ONE PERSON EARLIER SAID THAT YOU COULD COME UP WITH THE SAME CONCEPT, BUT HAVE IT COME FORWARD ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

UM, I THINK THAT WOULD PERHAPS BE MORE REASONABLE IN TERMS OF PRESERVING NEIGHBORHOODS.

I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.

I DO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A DIRE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

UM, I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THIS, UM, BROAD, UM, CHANGE TO THE CITY, UH, IS, IS, IS THE WAY TO DO IT.

AND, UH, IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A LEGAL LOOPHOLE, UM, AROUND THE CODE NEXT, UH, ISSUES THAT WE DEALT WITH A FEW YEARS AGO.

SHARON GILLESPIE, BETSY GREENBERG, AND KRISTY GREEN.

OKAY, PERFECT.

I'M SHARON GILLESPIE, SPEAKING AGAINST 1 26 6.

IMPLEMENTING THIS PROPOSAL WOULD DECIMATE LAND USE COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS, DEGRADE AND DESTABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND GIVE A WINDFALL TO DEVELOPERS, ALL WHILE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ABDICATES RESPONSIBILITY FOR SITE-SPECIFIC APPROPRIATENESS.

DEVELOPERS HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO PASS ON PROFITS OR MAKE NEW HOMES AFFORDABLE AND THEY WON'T OR CAN'T, AND WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS WILL BE THE FIRST TO SUFFER DISPLACEMENT, THE LEAST AFFLUENT.

WHERE LAND CAN BE HAD MOST CHEAPLY, THE COST OF MATERIALS TO BUILD IS STILL PROHIBITIVE.

FURTHERMORE, THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL INDUSTRY WITH ITS BUILD RENT MODEL IS BURGEONING AND WEALTHY INVESTORS WILL COMPETE FOR ANY AND ALL NEW HOUSING.

MORE IMPERVIOUS COVER IN NEIGHBORHOODS WILL EXACERBATE FLOODING, PUSHING EXISTING WATER PROBLEMS ONTO ADJACENT AND DOWNSTREAM PROPERTIES, AND REPLACE TREES AND GREEN SPACE THAT TEMPER HEAT IN OUR BURNING CITY.

ALLOWING DEVELOPERS TO TEAR DOWN HABITABLE BUILDINGS IS A TRAGIC MISMANAGEMENT OF PRECIOUS RESOURCES, NOT ONLY DESTROYING VI VIABLE HOUSING, BUT ALSO PROMOTING CONSTRUCTION WASTE AND CONTRIBUTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

MORE THAN 35% OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE, ONE OF THE TOP SOURCES OF POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IS SENT TO LANDFILLS.

THIS DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPER ENRICHMENT SCHEME PERPETRATES A FRAUD ON OUR COMMUNITY AND PROMOTES FALSE HOPE TO THOSE SEEKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

[04:35:02]

FOLLOWING IS CHRISTY GREEN MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

MY NAME IS BETSY GREENBERG.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND I'M OPPOSED TO ITEM 1 26 AND 1 58.

1 26 PROPOSES TO REDUCE THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE AND SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICTS TO 2,500 SQUARE FEET, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY AMEND THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS TO ALLOW AT LEAST THREE UNITS PER LOT ON SINGLE FAMILY ZONING AT THE SAME TIME WITH LESS SITE PLAN REVIEW PROPOSED FOR MY HOME AND MY NEIGHBORS.

THIS MEANS THREE LOTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THREE UNITS ON EACH LOT.

SO NINE UNITS.

IN ORDER TO MAX OUT DEVELOPMENT, YOU'LL HAVE TO THROW OUT IMPERVIOUS COVER LIMITS, TREE PROTECTIONS, SETBACKS, AND WAIVE STANDARD FEES.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOLS SAYS THIS IS A SIMPLE AND ELEGANT WAY TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE BEING PRICED OUT TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

SHE MAY EVEN BELIEVE IT, BUT I DON'T, I KNOW THAT PUTTING NINE UNITS ON A SINGLE FAMILY LOT IS A JOB FOR AN INVESTOR, NOT A MIDDLE INCOME HOMEOWNER.

IF MY NEIGHBORS DO THIS, I WOULD LEAVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I HAVE ENJOYED FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

I OPPOSE CHANGES THAT WOULD GET RID OF IMPERVIOUS COVER LIMITS, TREE PROTECTIONS, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS WHILE RECORD HEAT AND FLOODING ARE KILLING PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE PLANET.

BEFORE YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS RESOLUTION, I SUGGEST YOU TAKE A WALK OUTSIDE TO ENJOY TODAY'S HEAT, OR YOU CAN STAY ON YOUR COMFORTABLE CHAIR IN THE AIR CONDITIONING AND PRETEND THAT THIS IS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS YOU DESTROY PEOPLE'S HOMES AND OUR PRECIOUS ENVIRONMENT.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

KRISTY GREEN.

KRISTY GREEN, AND ON DECK IS DELAY.

S HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

UH, MY NAME IS DELEE HERMES.

I'M A TEXAS REALTOR AND I'M ALSO ON TWO COMMITTEES ON THE AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS, AND I'M IN FAVOR OF, UH, 1 26.

SO I WORK WITH A LOT OF BUILDERS AND WHENEVER PEOPLE, WHEN BUILDERS ARE LOOKING FOR LOTS, THEY'RE LOOKING AT ALL THESE THINGS LIKE TREES AND ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY CAN'T, UM, CHANGE TO BUILD.

BUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW IS THAT THEY HAVE TO BUILD THREE TO THREE AND A HALF TIMES THE AMOUNT.

UM, THEY HAVE TO SELL THEIR PRODUCT FOR THREE TO THREE AND A HALF TIMES THE AMOUNT, UM, OF THE LOT.

SO IF THE LOT COSTS $600,000, THEY HAVE TO SELL THEIR PRODUCT FOR A HUNDRED, 1.8 MILLION.

AND WE HAVE SO MANY, UM, WE HAVE SO MANY HOMES LIKE THIS ALREADY.

WE DON'T NEED THE MORE 2 MILLION HOMES, BUT IF WE CAN HAVE LOTS WHERE WE HAVE THREE HOMES ON EACH ONE THAT ARE $400,000, THEN THE BUILDERS ARE STILL GETTING THE SAME, ALMOST THE SAME AMOUNT OF INCOME THAT IT TOOK THEM TO BUILD.

UM, AND WE'RE GETTING, WE'RE GETTING OUR WORKFORCE BACK IN AUSTIN BECAUSE I HAVE SO MANY CLIENTS RIGHT NOW WHO HAVE TO GO TO KYLE OR GEORGETOWN OR BASTROP.

AND I USED TO LIVE IN LAKEWAY, UM, BECAUSE IT WAS ACTUALLY LESS EXPENSIVE AT THE TIME FOR ME, UM, AND TO, TO PURCHASE.

BUT MY WORK IS HERE.

MY WORK IS IN AUSTIN, SO I MOVED BACK TO AUSTIN AND I HAVE TO RENT HERE, AND I WANT MY CLIENTS TO BE ABLE TO BUY A $400,000 HOME OR A $350,000 HOME IN AUSTIN.

AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS FOR THE BARTENDERS.

THE, THE FIREFIGHTERS PEOPLE THAT ARE OUR MAIN WORKFORCE DESERVE TO LIVE IN AUSTIN.

ITEM 1 26 IS HUGE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY.

KRISTY GREEN, HEATHER HUBS FOLLOWING IS TAYLOR JACKSON AND CHRISTINE JONES.

HI, I'M HEATHER HUBS AND I'M A UT PHYSICS STUDENT.

I WORK WITH THE CAMPUS CHAPTER OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, AND WE GET THE AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO HELP BUILD HOUSES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN NEED.

SOMETIMES WE ARE ALLOWED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE BUILD HOUSES FOR, AND I MET AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN WHO COULD NOT AFFORD TO HOUSE HER AND HER DAUGHTER ANYWHERE NEAR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

[04:40:01]

SINCE AUSTIN EXPERIENCED A HOUSING BOOM IN 2021.

SO MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INTEGRAL TO OUR CITY HAVE EXPERIENCED HARDSHIPS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ACQUIRE HOUSING OR SIMPLY HAVE NOT ACQUIRED HOUSING AT ALL.

MANY INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING FIRST RESPONDERS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND TEACHERS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED TO NEARBY CITIES.

DUE TO THE EXTREME LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR CITY.

APPROVING THIS ITEM WILL ALLOW ACCESS TO HOUSING FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHOSE LIVES, UM, OR WHO SAVE LIVES AND INCREASE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF AUSTIN CITIZENS.

WHEN DEBATING THIS ITEM, TAKE THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION OF YOUR CITIZENS INTO CONSIDERATION.

AND WITH THE SHORT TIME THAT THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I HAVE LEFT, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THE ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SINGLE YOUNG PERSON WHO HAS SPOKEN IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 1 26.

I PLAN TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION TO A DOCTORAL LEVEL, AND I WOULD PREFER FROM MY FUTURE TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION SO I DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE WITH MY PARENTS AGAIN, PLEASE THINK ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE OR THE FUTURE.

TAYLOR JACKSON.

YOU KNOW, YOUR PARENTS WILL GET TO SEE THIS, RIGHT? I DON'T.

I DON'T.

YEAH, THERE YOU GO.

TAYLOR JACKSON, CHRISTINE JONES, KIMBERLY OZ, AND LYNN LANGLEY.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR PROTI, MAYOR PROTI AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M TAYLOR JACKSON, THE C E O OF THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER AUSTIN AND A CONSTITUENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

THE VISION OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND OUR MEMBERS IS FOR ALL PEOPLE TO LIVE IN HOMES THAT ENABLES THEM TO THRIVE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION BELIEVES ITEM 1 26 IS A VITAL STEP TOWARDS THAT GOAL.

THE COST OF LAND IS THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO THE PRICE OF A HOME.

FOR EVERY $1,000 A HOME PRICE INCREASES.

MORE THAN 1100 FAMILIES ARE PRICED OUT OF BUYING A HOME.

PUTTING THIS INTO EVEN MORE PERSPECTIVE, 73% OF AUSTINITE ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE MEDIAN PRICE OF AN AUSTIN HOME.

OWNING YOUR OWN HOME IS, UH, NUMBER ONE WAY TO BUILD WEALTH FOR FAMILIES, AND 73% OF OF AUSTINITES SHOULD HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

I COMMEND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THEIR WORK AND DEDICATION, ADDRESSING HOUSING FOR OUR WORKFORCE AND OUR COMMUNITY.

INSTEAD BUILD 15 HOMES WITH A PROFIT OF $7 MILLION WITH THE AVERAGE DOLLAR PER SQUARE FOOT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

CHRISTINE JONES, KIMBERLY COAS, LYNN LANGLEY, AND JESSICA LEHMAN.

KIMBERLY LEVINSON.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH A PODIUM.

YEAH, PLEASE JUST COME FORWARD.

HI, I'M KIMBERLY KHAS.

UM, JUST WANNA GET MY TIMER GOING.

THANK YOU FOR THIS TWO MINUTES.

AND, UH, MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR HEARING EVERYBODY SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF AND AGAINST A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT ITEMS. I JUST WANNA SAY I REALLY AM THANKFUL FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN OUT, BOTH IN SUPPORT AND AGAINST ITEM 26, UH, 1 26.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND BORDER DISTRICT FIVE, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT BOTH ZOE AND RYAN ARE IN THE ROOM.

UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE CITY THAT I'VE LOVED FOR 39 YEARS.

I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO'S SPOKEN OUT AND YES, MAKE AUSTIN MORE AFFORDABLE, BUT NOT BY RUINING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

MORE DENSITY DOES NOT EQUAL MORE AFFORDABILITY.

I AM AN ARCHITECT AND A REALTOR, AND I'M GUESSING THAT THOSE IN SUPPORT OF REDUCING LOT SIZE TO 2,500 FOR THREE HOMES AND ELIMINATING SITE AND BUILDING COVERAGE SIMPLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT.

WHILE I WOULD PERSONALLY BENEFIT GREATLY FROM THE PASSAGE OF 1 26, I'M AGAINST IT BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT IT'S GONNA HAVE ON AUSTIN.

LESLIE, I WOULD LOVE TO COME VISIT YOU AT YOUR HOME.

UH, I NOTICED THAT NEXT DOOR AT 45 0 5 SHOAL CREEK, TWO HOMES HAVE BEEN BUILT AND ARE ON THE MARKET.

AND FROM MY MATH, THE OWNERS WILL PROFIT BY MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS.

UM, WHEN BOTH 3000 SQUARE FOOT HOMES SELL EASILY, THIS COULD BE ANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS PROFITS PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT WITH YOUR AMENDED RULES AND SIZE OF THE LOT.

THOSE OWNERS NEXT DOOR TO YOU COULD NOW TEAR DOWN WHAT THEY SPENT TWO YEARS BUILDING, AND

[04:45:01]

EACH HOME WOULD SELL FOR WELL ABOVE THE VERY UNAFFORDABLE $750,000.

WHO WINS EVERY HOME ON YOUR STREET BETWEEN 45TH AND 46TH? IF EVERYONE INCREASED THEIR DENSITY AS YOU PROPOSE, YOUR STREET WOULD GO FROM 11.

THAT WAS NOT TIME.

YOUR, YOUR, YOU'RE, UH, SHOOT.

HELLO, I'M KIMBERLY LEVINSON.

I AM THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

I'M A CURRENT DOWNTOWN COMMISSIONER FROM DISTRICT NINE AND, UM, THE CHAIR, WELL, THE VICE CHAIR OF THE PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COUNCIL.

AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF 1 26 BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I'VE GOT MINE ALREADY, I KNOW TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO HOPE RIGHT NOW OF EVER GETTING THEIRS.

I'VE GOT TWO NEPHEWS, ONE OF WHOM HAS A THREE-YEAR-OLD SON, AND THEY'RE BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE HERE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND A 350 TO $400,000 HOME IN A DISTRICT WITH A DECENT SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THEY'RE REALLY HURTING AND TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE HURTING.

AND AS FOR THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW OR OTHER, UH, WE'RE GOING TO HURT THE ENVIRONMENT BY INFILL, IT'S EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE.

SPRAWLING OUT OVER THE AQUIFER IS GOING TO CAUSE A LOT MORE HARM TO OUR ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S GONNA CAUSE A LOT MORE IMPERVIOUS COVER TO BE BUILT THAT'S GOING TO CAUSE, UH, WATER USAGE PROBLEMS TO EX ACCELERATE EVEN MORE.

SO WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE IN DENSE, WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS SO THAT THEY CAN RIDE PUBLIC TRANSIT, GET OUTTA THE HORRIBLE AUSTIN TRAFFIC, AND ACTUALLY GET BACK TO HAVING SOMETHING OF A LIFE.

SO I APPLAUD ALL OF YOU HERE WHO ARE SUPPORTING THIS NOTION, AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JULIO AGUILAR.

LYNN LANGLEY.

THANK YOU COUNSEL AND MAYOR WATSON.

MY NAME IS JESSICA LEMAN.

I'M THE SENIOR ASSOCIATE STATE DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY FOR A A R P TEXAS.

AND WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF ITEM 1 26, AS WELL AS 1 24 AND 1 58.

WE FEEL THESE WILL LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN HOUSING STOCK AS WELL AS HOUSING DIVERSITY FOR MIDDLE INCOME RESIDENTS.

ALLOW THESE MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS TO LIVE IN THE CITY RATHER THAN OUTSIDE OF THE CITY, COMMUTING IN FURTHER TAXING OUR ROADS AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

IT WILL ALLOW OLDER ADULTS TO DOWNSIZE SHOULD THEY WISH TO WHILE AGING IN THEIR COMMUNITY, WHICH THE OPTION TO DO THAT IS PRACTICALLY NON-EXISTENT TODAY.

AND IT ALLOWS OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OPPORTUNITIES TO STAY IN AUSTIN AGING WITH THEIR FAMILY.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I HAVE AN 18 YEAR OLD WHO IS STARTING COLLEGE AND ABOUT A MONTH.

AND WHEN I ASK WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, HE WANTS TO BE A HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER, BUT HE SAID THAT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE BECAUSE HE ALSO WANTS TO STAY IN AUSTIN AND HE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT IF THAT WAS THE PROFESSION HE CHOSE.

AND I DON'T WANNA AGE IN A CITY WHERE MY CHILDREN HAVE NO PLACE HERE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

JULIO AGUILAR, LYNN LANGLEY, BILL MORRISON.

RYAN NIL.

NICOLE SEK, BEN OVAR.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

THAT HAS A CITY OF 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO THRIVE IN HOUSTON.

MY NAME IS NICOLE SEK.

GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS NICOLE AND I'M THE CHAIR AND FOUNDER OF TEXANS FOR REASONABLE SOLUTIONS.

WE ARE STRONGLY IN SUPPORT OF 1 26, WHICH REDUCES LOT SIZES.

I'M ALSO IN SUPPORT OF 1 58.

WE ARE A NONPROFIT THAT BELIEVES THE AMERICAN DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP SHOULD BE ATTAINABLE TO HARDWORKING TEXANS.

IN AUSTIN, THE AVERAGE AUSTINITE SPENDS 48% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING.

THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

THE ANSWER IS ENTIRELY SIMPLE, LEGALIZED SMALLER LOTS.

THIS HAS HISTORICALLY WORKED IN HOUSTON.

IN THE LATE NINETIES, HOUSTON ENACTED A LAW ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE ONE IN FRONT OF YOU RIGHT NOW, AND THAT THAT LOT SIZE BROUGHT BROUGHT THE MINIMUM REQUIRED LOTS FROM 5,000 SQUARE FOOT TO 1400 SQUARE FOOT.

UNSURPRISINGLY, HOUSTON'S MEDIAN HOME PRICE TODAY HOVERS AROUND $350,000.

[04:50:03]

AUSTIN'S IS $528,000 MEDIAN HOME PRICE.

ALSO, OUR, OUR, UH, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN AUSTIN ARE NOT NEARLY AT THE LEVEL OF HOUSTON.

AT ABOUT 1 MILLION, THERE IS A CLEAR, THERE IS A CLEAR PARALLEL BETWEEN LOT SIZES AND THE COST OF HOMES.

LET ME GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

WESLEY KILLS, WHICH IS ONLY 10 MINUTES FROM HERE, THE MEDIAN HOME HOME PRICE OF WESTLAKE KILLS IS ALMOST $3 MILLION.

AND THEIR MINIMUM LOT SIZE IS UNSURPRISINGLY ONE ACRE.

YOU HAVE A FEW FOLKS HERE THAT ARE TRYING TO TELL YOU THAT THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOT SIZE AND MEDIAN HOME PRICE, AND THAT IS FACTUALLY INACCURATE.

IN THE SOUTH OF THE US LAND COSTS 40% OF THE PRICE OF A HOME.

THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE FOLKS.

WE SEND OUR TODDLER TO A PRESCHOOL WHERE HIS FORMER TEACHER MAKES BETWEEN 50 TO 60 K AND HAS TO DRIVE ONE HOUR IN JUST TO MAKE IT.

JULIA AGUILAR, GO AHEAD.

GO AHEAD.

STATE YOUR NAME.

UH, JUST STATE NEW YORK.

YES, I'M BEN OVAR.

UM, I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE, UM, AND I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 1 26.

UM, I SUPPORT THIS CHANGE BECAUSE IT ALLOWS A GREATER VARIETY OF HOUSING ACROSS ALL NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE CITY, UM, WHICH MEANS A GREATER VARIETY OF, UM, OF INCOME LEVELS, LIFESTYLES, AND FAMILY TYPES CAN LIVE TOGETHER IN NEIGHBORHOODS.

UM, I'M LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE IN HYDE PARK CURRENTLY.

UM, AND IF ANYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEIR LA NEIGHBORHOOD MIGHT LOOK LIKE UNDER THIS CHANGE, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DRIVE THROUGH HYDE PARK, UM, A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, DUPLEXES, FOURPLEXES AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS, UM, ALL LIVE IN HARMONY TOGETHER, UM, AND IS A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

UM, AND ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOODS IN AUSTIN.

UM, UH, LIKE THE PREVIOUS LADY POINTED OUT, UM, AUSTIN HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST, UM, MINIMUM LOT SIZES IN TEXAS, UM, 5,700 SQUARE FEET COMPARED TO HOUSTON'S 1400.

AND UNDER THIS CHANGE, IT WOULD STILL BE ALMOST DOUBLE HOUSTON'S MINIMUM LOT SIZE OF 1400.

UM, AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT, UH, THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER LOSING THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER.

UM, IT'S MY BELIEF THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER COMES NOT FROM THE BUILDINGS THAT EXIST IN THE CITY, BUT FROM THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE.

UM, AND EVERY DAY THAT, THAT AUSTINITE HAVE TO LEAVE THE CITY TO FIND CHEAPER HOUSING, WE'RE LOSING THAT NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER FROM THE PEOPLE.

UM, SO THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT THIS, UH, THIS CHANGE.

THE BUILDERS, THE REALTORS AND THE COUNCIL.

BILL MORRISON.

RYAN NIL.

HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

UH, MY NAME'S RYAN NIL.

I AM A HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT FOUR, BUT PREVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN DISTRICT SEVEN FOR, I DON'T KNOW, UNTIL THEY REDISTRICTED IT LAST WEEK, MOST RECENTLY.

UM, SO I, WE HAVE TWO UNITS ON MY PROPERTY AND SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, WE'VE HAD A ROOMMATE AND SOMEONE ELSE IN THE SECOND UNIT, WHICH I THINK IT WOULD'VE BEEN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE HOME OWNERSHIP IN AUSTIN WITHOUT HAVING THE ABILITY TO HAVE ROOMMATES AND OTHER FOLKS WHO LIVE WITH ME.

AND YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A 10,000 SQUARE FOOT LOT, UM, IN A YARD THAT'S MUCH BIGGER THAN I WANT TO DEAL WITH.

UM, SO FOR MANY YEARS I LIVED IN COOPERATIVE HOUSING, AND SO I JUST HAVE A MUCH GREATER PREFERENCE FOR LIVING WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAN ALONE IN MY SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE.

UM, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER OL FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION TO ALLOW ME FOR, TO EITHER BUILD SOME MORE UNITS OR MAYBE CARVE OFF SOME OF THIS HUGE LOT SO I CAN SELL IT, SO I CAN REMAIN IN AUSTIN, UH, FOR AS LONG AS I WISH.

UM, SO ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR, UH, BRINGING THIS PROPOSAL AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.

MARK OVERSTREET.

I THINK WE ALSO HAVE A GENTLEMAN IN THE FRONT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY CALLED.

YES, JULIO, YOU CAN GO NEXT.

Y'ALL CAN ROCK PAPER SCISSORS FOR IT.

, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I'M MARK OVERSTREET FROM DISTRICT THREE, AND I OPPOSE 1 26.

AS WITH MANY THINGS INVOLVING GOVERNMENT IN THIS INSTANCE, FOLLOW THE MONEY, THE DEVELOPERS,

[04:55:01]

ASIDE FROM ANY FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY HAVE WITH DEVELOPERS, BUILDERS, AND REALTORS, IF 1 26 IS ADOPTED, PROPERTY TAXES ON THE LOTS IN QUESTION WILL INCREASE AND CRAMMING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE SAME AMOUNT OF SPACE.

ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS WILL INITIALLY MEAN MORE CARS ALONG WITH MORE TRAFFIC, PRESUMABLY REVENUE GENERATING PARKING METERS ON RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS, MORE MONEY FOR THE COUNCIL TO SPEND ON PAINTING THE NAMES OF ACTIVIST ORGANIZATIONS ON THE STREETS, BUT NOT TO FIX POTHOLES.

HOWEVER, FOLLOWING THE MONEY IS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG HERE.

1 26 IS REALLY ABOUT THE C 40 CITIES PROGRAM, THE LETTER C AND THE NUMBER 40 ONTO WHICH THE COUNCIL HAS SIGNED.

AND THERE'S THE 15 MINUTE CITIES PROGRAM.

THESE PROGRAMS ARE PREMISED ON THE DISCREDITED IDEA THAT THERE'S A CLIMATE EMERGENCY.

THEIR EVENTUAL GOAL IS TO ELIMINATE FOSSIL FUEL VEHICLES, THEN ALL PERSONAL VEHICLES TO FORCE PEOPLE TO WALK OR RIDE A BICYCLE, NEVER GOING ANYWHERE BEYOND 15 MINUTES FROM THEIR HOMES.

IN WHICH CASE OF 1 26 WOULD BE LITTLE BOXES CRAMMED ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER ON SMALL LOTS.

THIS WON'T, UH, APPLY TO COUNCILWOMAN KELLY AT LEAST, BUT I ENCOURAGE RADICAL LEFT COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SET ASIDE THEIR IDEOLOGY, RESPECT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE IN TRADITIONAL SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS AND WITHDRAW OR OPPOSE 1 26.

THANK YOU, SIR.

WHY DON'T YOU COME UP? CAN I WAIT FOR MS. KELLY TO COME BACK? WHY DON'T YOU COME UP .

UNFORTUNATELY, THE WELL-INTENTIONED, THESE ARGUMENTS ARE MAL INFORMED.

WELL, HI, MY NAME IS JULIO ROJAS AGUILAR.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT FIVE AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT, UH, ITEMS 1 24, 1 26, AND ONE, UH, 58.

I'M MR. AL ALTER.

THANKS FOR BEING MY DISTRICT.

UH, SO, UH, OUR CITY IS AT A CROSSROADS AND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE IMPACT OF OUR DECISION ON THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE, WE CAN FOSTER A MORE VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE AND ECONOMICALLY PROSPEROUS ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

YOU HAVE HEARD A WIDE RANGE OF, UH, ARGUMENTS AGAINST THESE ITEMS FROM ECONOMIC TO ENVIRONMENTAL.

AT THE HEART OF THE ISSUE LIES THE PRESENT, A STIFLING OF MARKET FORCES INFORMED BY ECONOMIC SIGNALS AND HUMAN FORCES THAT MAKE UP AND IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY.

AS WE RESTRICT THE CONSTRUCTION OF MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING, WE INADVERTENTLY SUPPRESS THE VERY PRINCIPLES THAT DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND HUMAN FLOURISHING.

ON THE ECONOMIC SIDE, HOUSING PRICES IN AUSTIN ARE SKYROCKETING.

WE SEE SMALL RUNDOWN HOUSES IN OUR IN AND AROUND DOWNTOWN GOING FOR 1 MILLION PLUS AND SIMILAR RUNDOWN HOUSES IN FURTHER SURROUNDING AREAS NOT BEING ANY CHEAPER.

WHAT THAT SAYS IS THE LAND ITSELF IS THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO HIGH COSTS.

OUR PRESENT REGULATIONS RESTRICT WHAT A HOMEOWNER CAN DO WITH THEIR OWN LAND AND SEVERELY REDUCE THE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR NEW HOME BUYERS.

THE PRESENT HOMEOWNER WILL BE PUSHED OUT AS THEY NO LONGER CAN AFFORD TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES ON THEIR LAND.

AND THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN AFFORD TO CONTINUE THAT CAN AFFORD TO BUY THE PROPERTY WILL BE THE AFFLUENT.

IF WE CONTINUE WITH OUR PRESENT SYSTEM, ONLY MILLIONAIRES WILL BE HOMEOWNERS IN AUSTIN.

AND ALL OUR PRINCIPLES AND ADVOCACY FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND CHAMPIONING OF THE COMMON MAN WILL NOT BE, UH, WILL BE FOR NOT AS A COMMON MAN IS PUSHED OUT OF AUSTIN IN AN UNOBSTRUCTED SYSTEM.

A LANDOWNER COULD DIVIDE HIS LAND UP, THEREFORE DIVIDE UP THE COSTS AND SELL IT TO A WIDE RANGE OF BUYERS AND MAYBE KEEP A PORTION FOR THEMSELVES TO LIVE IN THEIR GOLDEN YEARS.

I STRONGLY, UH, PUSH THE WANT YOU GUYS TO SUPPORT THIS MOVEMENT.

JUSTIN POSES, ADAM POWELL, ALEXANDRA SIV, LOVE BEFORE YOU SPEAK, LET ME, UH, FOR THOSE THAT ARE, GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE, UH, THOSE WONDERING HOW WE'RE GONNA GO FORWARD.

WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO HEAR SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA UNTIL, UM, THAT OR EVERYBODY'S EXHAUSTED.

AND THEN WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

UH, AT THAT POINT, MY INTENTION WOULD BE TO GO TO THOSE ITEMS THAT WERE PULLED, THEN WE WILL GO TO ZONING, THEN WE WILL GO TO, UH, AH, HSC, NO, I'M SORRY, WE WILL GO TO ZONING.

THEN WE'LL GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT ARE SCHEDULED.

THEN WE'LL GO TO, AH, HSC.

SO IF YOU'RE TRYING TO ORGANIZE YOUR TIME, UH, FOR ANY PART OF THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S HOW WE'LL PROCEED.

[05:00:01]

UH, MY NAME IS ADAM POWELL.

I'M A DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT AND I'M HERE TO STRONGLY SUPPORT ITEM 1 26.

AND THE MAIN REASON WHY IS BECAUSE THE REASON THAT I CAN BE A DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT AND HAVE BEEN A DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT FOR YEARS NOW IS BECAUSE I'M A RENTER AND A TOWNHOUSE THAT IS PART OF A THREEPLEX.

AND I'M SO EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THAT'S ALLOWED ME TO INVEST IN MY COMMUNITY, TO LOVE MY COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD, TO SIMPLY BE ABLE TO EXIST THERE.

AND IT'S THE SIMPLE REALITY THAT ACROSS AUSTIN RIGHT NOW, MOST NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE MINE ACROSS THE CITY DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE TYPE OF LIVING SITUATION THAT I'M IN RIGHT NOW.

AND IT HURTS MY HEART TO KNOW THAT OTHER AUSTINITES WHO COULD USE THIS HOUSING OPTION, THIS MEANINGFUL HOUSING OPTION TO EXIST IN, TO LOVE IT, TO EX TO INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, DON'T HAVE THIS OPTION.

SO I'M EXTREMELY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 1 26 AND COUNCIL MEMBER LESLIE POOLE, I'M PROUD TO BE REPRESENTED BY YOU AS YOU'RE LEADING ON THIS ISSUE.

ALEXANDRA SILAB, AUSTIN STO.

JIM TEMPLETON, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

UH, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

UH, MY NAME IS ALEXANDRA SLO.

I'M A MEMBER OF AURA, BUT I'M HERE TO SPEAK AS A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE IN THE WINDSOR HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'M IN SUPPORT, UM, OF ITEM 1 26, REDUCING THE REQUIRED LOT SIZES FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES BECAUSE WE HAVE MIDDLE IN, UH, MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING THAT IS GREATLY NEEDED.

THIS WOULD BRING, UM, MUCH NEEDED HOUSING OPTIONS TO THE RESIDENT OF RESIDENCE OF AUSTIN.

FIVE YEARS AGO, I BECAME A PROUD OWNER, A PROUD HOMEOWNER.

AS I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW MY NEIGHBORS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS HERE FOR DECADES, I'VE COME TO ADMIRE THEIR STRONG WORK ETHIC IN DIVERSE RANGE OF PROFESSIONS.

THEY REPRESENT FROM TEACHERS TO PLUMBERS AND OTHER MIDDLE INCOME WORKERS.

HOWEVER, TODAY THE REAL REALITY IS A TEACHER WOULD BE PRICED OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WOULD NEED TO LOOK BEYOND THE CITY LIMITS TO FIND A COMPARABLE HOME.

AS PEOPLE MOVE AWAY FROM THE CITY, THEIR RELIANCE ON CARS BECOME GREATER AND RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL BURDEN AND AS WELL AS INCREASING POLLUTION AND, UH, CLIMATE, UH, CLIMATE CHANGE.

UM, BY IMPLEMENTING THOUGHTFUL POLICIES AND INVESTING IN SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE, WE CAN CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING TEACHERS, CAN FIND HOMES WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS WITHOUT SACRIFICING THEIR FINANCIAL WELLBEING OR EXACERBATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

I THINK INACTION IS NOT THE SOLUTION.

THIS IS JUST ONE STEP IN MANY STEPS IN ORDER TO CREATE MORE HOUSING IN AUSTIN.

THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR LISTENING.

AUSTIN STOLE JIM TEMPLETON, SCOTT TURNER.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

HAS YOUR NAME BEEN CALLED? SIR, SIR, HAS YOUR NAME BEEN CALLED? YES, I'M, BUT AUSTIN COMES THEN ME, I'M SORRY.

SOMEBODY NAMED AUSTIN WAS ON THE DECK BEFORE.

YEP, GO AHEAD.

HE OKAY.

YOU, YOU BEAT HIM TO THE PODIUM.

IT'S ALL YOUR, I HAVE, I HAVE SOME SLIDES TO SHOW.

UM, MY NAME IS JIM TEMPLETON.

I'M IN DISTRICT FOUR.

I'M A REALTOR.

AND YOU KNOW, ON THE SURFACE, THE INCREASED HOUSING DENSITY IS, YES, I GET MORE HOUSES TO SELL AT A HIGHER PRICE, BUT IF YOU SCRATCH THE SURFACE, THAT'S NOT REALLY WHAT'S GOING WELL.

IT IS WHAT'S GOING ON FOR REALTOR'S PERSPECTIVE, BUT AS A CONSUMER'S PERSPECTIVE, THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE AT PLAY.

UM, I TOOK A LOOK AT, UM, SIX ACTUALLY TOOK A LOOK AT ALL, BUT I'M HIGHLIGHTING SIX, UM, OF THE, UM, MULTI-UNIT HOMES THAT REPLACED SINGLE HOMES IN THE AUSTIN URBAN CORRIDOR.

YOU CAN SEE THE MAP THERE.

THOSE DOTS SHOW WHERE THE HOUSES I LOOKED AT ARE.

WE ARE DESTROYING IN A FEW AFFORDABLE UNIT AND WE ARE CREATING TWO HIGHER END UNITS THAT, YEAH, I'VE SOLD A BUNCH OF THESE FOR SURE, AND I, THAT'S WHY I MAKE MY MONEY.

LOOKING AT THE LAST SIX HOMES THAT WERE TO REPLACING ONE, I MADE A PLOT SHOWING EACH OF THE HOMES IN GREEN.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE ORIGINAL PRICE OF THE HOME ON THAT LOT WAS.

AND THEN IN ORANGE, IN RED, YOU CAN SEE THE AB UNITS, THE ONE, TWO UNITS AND HOW THEY WERE PRICED AT A MINIMUM.

YOU SEE THE PRICE INCREASE WAS 50% AT A MAXIMUM, YOU SEE OVER 300%.

NOW I HAVE DEVELOPERS WHO ARE CLIENTS AND I FULLY SUPPORT THEIR BUSINESS MODEL, AND I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO EARN, UH, THEIR PAYCHECK.

HOWEVER, AGAIN, AS A HUMAN AND AS A RESIDENT OF THIS AREA, I HAVE TO DIVULGE THAT WE ARE NOT CREATING TWO NEW AFFORDABLE UNITS.

[05:05:01]

BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WE'RE NOT CREATING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER LOOK AT THE, THE SAME DATA, BUT ACTUALLY SHOWING WHAT THE LISTING PRICES WERE.

THE LAST SHOW, A COMPARISON OF THE SELL PRICES.

AND YOU CAN SEE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT VERY EXPENSIVE HOMES.

UM, 700 TO 1.4 MILLION.

I HAD MORE, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

AND WE HAVE YOUR EMAIL.

OH, GOOD.

AUSTIN STOLE SCOTT TURNER ON DECK IS SUZANNE VALENTINE.

UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I'M SCOTT TURNER.

I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM 1 26.

I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THIS ITEM BUILDS ON OTHER RESOLUTIONS, PRIOR RESOLUTIONS, UH, SUCH AS REGULATIONS AROUND PARKING AND SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS THAT ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER ALONG WITH THE 5,000 PAGES OF THE OTHER PARTS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE IN ORDER TO SUCCEED AT GENERATING MORE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE AUSTINITES.

UM, AS Y'ALL CERTAINLY KNOW, AND AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, OUR HOUSING PROBLEMS ARE BIGGER THAN JUST THIS ONE ITEM AND IT'S GONNA TAKE A LOT MORE WORK, PROBABLY A LOT MORE PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND A LOT MORE RESOLUTIONS, UH, AND SOME HARD BUT NECESSARY DECISIONS ON Y'ALL'S PART, UM, TO REALLY GET THE HOUSING THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED.

UM, BUT THIS ITEM IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

UM, IT'S A BOLD STEP, UH, AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY.

IT'S A HARD STEP.

UM, BUT IT REALLY IS A STEP THAT I WANNA APPLAUD YOU FOR TAKING BECAUSE IT IS A VERY NECESSARY STEP IF WE WANT OUR FRIENDS AND OUR FAMILIES AND OUR FELLOW AUSTINITES.

UH, MANY OF YOU'VE HEARD FROM HERE, YOU KNOW, MOMENTS AGO TO BE ABLE TO BUY A HOME, BUILD WEALTH AND RAISE A FAMILY HERE IN AUSTIN.

AND THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT MANY OF US IN THIS ROOM HAVE HAD.

BUT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT MOST AUSTINS TODAY DO NOT HAVE, AND THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY WILL NEVER HAVE WITHOUT CHANGES LIKE ITEM 1 26.

SO I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM AND FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO, TO REALLY CREATE SOME MORE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

SUZANNE VALENTINE, DAVID WHITWORTH, BARBARA WILLIAMSON, LISA WIMBERLEY, SHAWN MCCARTHY.

JUST MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM, PLEASE.

HELLO.

UM, GOOD AFTERNOON.

UH, MY NAME IS LISA WIMBERLEY.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF 1 24, 1 26, AND 1 58.

I HAVE LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR 27 YEARS, ALL OF THEM IN ROSEDALE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.

JUST LIKE ALL OF YOU.

I'VE WATCHED OUR CITY BECOME LESS AFFORDABLE AND OUR SUMMERS GET HOTTER WITH MORE THAN A HUNDRED DEGREE DAYS, UM, WITH MORE THAN A HUNDRED DEGREE DAYS.

WHILE MY KIDS ARE MAKING DECISIONS TO LIVE HERE IN AUSTIN TO BE NEAR FAMILY, I'M WORRIED NOT JUST ABOUT THEM BEING ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE HERE, BUT WHAT THE SUMMERS AND THE WINTERS WILL LOOK LIKE FOR THEM IN THE YEARS TO COME.

I'M HERE TODAY TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AUSTINITES.

IT'S NOT JUST THAT THIS MAY GIVE MY ADULT ADULT KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUY HOME NEAR CENTRAL AUSTIN, BUT MAYBE WHAT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, THIS IS ALSO A GIANT STEP TOWARDS RESPONSIBLE CITY GROWTH.

GIVEN THE STATE OF OUR CLIMATE, THERE ARE MULTITUDES OF STUDIES FROM VARIOUS UNIVERSITIES, THINK TANKS, AND EVEN THE UN WHICH SHOW THAT DENSITIES HAVE PROFOUNDLY POSITIVE EFFECTS ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

ONE SUCH STUDY, FOR EXAMPLE, BY RESEARCHERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, SHOWED THAT LOW DENSITY HOUSING PRODUCES NEARLY FOUR TIMES THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS OF ITS HIGH DENSITY ALTERNATIVES.

I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THIS TOPIC BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THESE FINDINGS, BUT INSTEAD I JUST WANT TO GIVE HUGE KUDOS TO COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR CITY AND FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

I'M SO IMPRESSED AND REALLY GRATEFUL.

SUZANNE VALENTINE, DAVID WOODWORTH, BARBARA WILLIAMSON, SHAWN MCCARTHY, CHRISTINE MULLEN, LINDSAY DARRINGTON.

UM,

[05:10:01]

MS. DARRINGTON HAD TO LEAVE, SHE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PRESERVATION AUSTIN.

SHE HAD TO LEAVE TO TAKE HER DAUGHTER TO A PEDIATRIC APPOINTMENT.

SEAN MCCARTHY, SELENA SI.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

I'M PROBABLY NEXT.

SELENA, SAI ON DECK IS JUAN RA JUAN RAYMOND RUBIO.

HI, MY NAME IS CHRISTINE MOLINE.

UM, I AM SEEKING OPPOSITION FOR ITEM 1 26.

UM, I'M A TAXPAYER REGISTERED VOTER HOMEOWNER AND ONE OF AUSTIN'S 20,000 REALTORS.

SO MY POSITION IS POSSIBLY FINANCIALLY SHOOTING MYSELF IN THE FOOT.

I'M AN 18 YEAR RESIDENT OF THE BRENTWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD, A MEMBER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION STEERING COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN COMMITTEE AS A DISTRICT SEVEN CONSTITUENT.

I AM REPRESENTED BY LESLIE POOLE.

I'M ALL FOR DENSITY, UM, AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE.

UH, THE BLANKET PROPOSAL HAS THE POTENTIAL IN ITS CURRENT FORM TO POTENTIALLY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

UM, IN MY EXPERIENCE, I'VE RARELY WITNESSED DEVELOPMENT IN THIS CITY TO BE ALTRUISTIC FROM THE CITY.

I'VE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED RED TAPE FOR EXISTING AND POTENTIAL HOMEOWNERS.

AND THE SEEING THE RED CARPET ROLLED OUT FOR DEVELOPERS THREE YEARS AGO, I WAS HARD PRESSED TO FIND A BUILDER TO BUILD A HOUSE FOR ME FOR UNDER $400,000.

AND THAT'S ON A LOT THAT I ALREADY OWNED.

UM, SO I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED WOULD BE ENFORCED.

UM, AND SPEAKING TO THE HARM, I'M NOT GONNA ADD ANYTHING MORE TO INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT QUITE A BIT OR AFFORDABILITY BECAUSE WHO'S GONNA ENFORCE THAT? WHAT I WILL SPEAK TO IS SOMETHING THAT WAS MENTIONED IN THE FIRST HOUR, AND THAT IS, UM, SUBSTANDARD DEVELOPERS.

UM, SO I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE CITY COUNCIL TO LOOK TO SINE, I BELIEVE MAYBE LAREDO AND ONE OTHER CITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT REQUIRES BUILDERS TO BE LICENSED.

UM, I RECEIVED MY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR THE SECOND HOUSE THAT I BUILT IN AUSTIN, UM, LAST MARCH AND NINE MONTHS LATER, TRAVIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT, UM, DETERMINED THAT MY HOUSE WAS 56% COMPLETE.

SO RIGHT NOW I'M LIVING IN A TEAR DOWN AND I THINK MORE PEOPLE WOULD EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE IF THIS ISN'T MONITORED A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOSELY.

THANKS, MAYOR WATSON.

JUAN RAYMOND RUBIO.

HELLO, MY NAME IS JUAN RAYMOND RUBIO.

I WORK WITH THE PRESERVATION ARCHITECTURE FIRM IN TOWN.

I ALSO SERVE ON THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION, ALTHOUGH THESE OPINIONS DO NOT REFLECT THAT COMMISSION AT ALL.

THESE, UH, TODAY I'M COMING TO YOU AS A BOARD, UH, MEMBER FROM PRESERVATION AUSTIN.

WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT UNCHECKED, THIS RESOLUTION WOULD FURTHER CONTRIBUTE TO DEMOLITION OF HISTORIC AGE HOUSING AND CAUSED FURTHER DISPLACEMENT OF LONGTIME RESIDENCE.

WE'RE ASKING YOU ALL, UH, TO DIRECT STAFF TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE 2022 URBAN LAND INSTITUTE'S TAP REPORT, U L I, WHICH, UM, DISCUSSES AUSTIN'S HISTORIC AGE HOUSING PRESERVATION.

THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WAS CO-SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND PRESERVATION AUSTIN.

THIS REPORT INCLUDES POLICY SOLUTIONS TO PRESERVE HISTORIC AGE, AGE HOUSING, MAINTAIN AFFORDABILITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND STEMMING DISPLACEMENT, INCLUDING HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS. AND THERE'S ALSO A PRESERVATION IN INCENTIVE PROPOSED BY AUSTIN INFO COALITION IN THERE.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO IMPROVE HOUSE RELOCATION INITIATIVES BECAUSE THIS IS GONNA CAUSE MORE DEMOLITIONS.

WE ALSO ARE, ARE PUSHING FOR A DECONSTRUCTION AND SALVAGE ORDINANCE.

UH, THAT WOULD HELP US, YOU KNOW, REUSE HISTORIC MATERIALS.

THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD ALSO LOOK INTO USING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS TO CREATE PROGRAMS THAT KEEP THESE HISTORIC HOUSES INTACT AND ACTUALLY HELP HOMEOWNERS PUT ADUS IN THEIR BACKYARDS.

LET'S BUILD THOSE GRANNY FLATS.

LET'S HELP CONVERT THOSE GARAGES INTO UNITS.

UM, WE, WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT SO THAT DEVELOPERS DON'T DISPLACE PEOPLE.

THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BEING DEMOLISHED LEFT AND RIGHT WITHOUT YOUR DIRECTION.

WE FEEL THAT STAFF WILL APPROACH THIS POLICY AS IF THEY'RE DEALING WITH A CLEAN LOT.

SO, YOU KNOW, MOST OF OUR, A LOT OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS, MAJORITY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS IN PRESERVATION AUSTIN ARE MILLENNIALS.

SO, UM, ARE THE STAFF AT PRESERVATION AUSTIN.

SO THIS IS NOT JUST A OLDER VERSUS YOUNGER GENERATION THING.

UM, WE ARE A MAJORITY MILLENNIAL ORGANIZATION AND WE DO, UH, WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE, THE PRESERVATION IS AN OPTION THAT YOU ALL JUST LOOK AT THAT U L OLI REPORT.

MANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE IT.

UH, JUST

[05:15:01]

LOOK AT THOSE SOLUTIONS.

I'M, I'M GLAD TO SEE ANOTHER, AN ARCHITECT HERE.

SO PLEASE LOOK AT THAT REPORT.

NEXT IS ANN LER.

FOLLOWING IS OIS AZAR BENJAMIN CHEN.

MY NAME IS ANN DINKLER.

THANKS FOR LISTENING AND YOUR SERVICE.

I'M OPPOSED TO 1 26 AS WRITTEN.

UM, I THINK IT'S MISINFORMATION TO SAY SINGLE FAMILY, UM, IS BEING ELIMINATED, BUT I ALSO THINK IT'S DISINGENUOUS TO SAY THIS BEGINS THE DISCUSSION WHEN THE SOLUTION IS PRESCRIBED.

VOTED ON DURING THE HOLIDAYS, LIMITS TESTIMONY AND ESTABLISHES ONE ZONING CATEGORY BY WRIGHT.

THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT LIKELY TO HELP THE MIDDLE CLASS.

IT'S UPWARDS OF TWO $12,000 TO SUBDIVIDE A LOT ADD DEMOLITION COSTS AND CONSTRUCTION, UH, COSTS FOR NEW HOMES.

MOST MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES IN AUSTIN WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE UPFRONT COSTS.

IN ORDER TO DO THIS, IT MAKES IT MORE LIKELY FOR INVESTORS AND THE RICH TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

UH, IT IS LEGAL TO, UH, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IMPERVIOUS COVER AND OTHER SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

PEER CITIES, REAL PEER CITIES LIKE DALLAS FORT WORTH AND SAN ANTONIO REQUIRE OPEN SPACE SETBACK LIMITS PARKING, BUILDING COVERAGE, UH, LIMITS.

HEIGHT LIMITS ON SMALL, LOTS OF 2,500 SQUARE FEET.

AND THESE ARE GROW CITIES THAT DON'T ALLOW THE DENSITY AS PROPOSED.

WILL STAFF RECOMMEND FEE AND LIEU FOR DRAINAGE WHEN NO LAND OF SIZE IS AVAILABLE IN THE URBAN CORE AND THERE'S NO FUNDING.

IN 2012, ENVIRONMENTAL STAFF IDENTIFIED OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN NEED FOR DRAINAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

FURTHER, OUR FLOODPLAIN MAPS ARE BASED, UM, ON DATA THAT DID NOT INCLUDE CLIMATE CHANGE RECENT, UM, INFORMATION IN THE NEW YORK TIMES.

SO THIS IS LIKELY A 10% UNDERESTIMATION.

PLEASE CONSIDER THESE ISSUES WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS RESOLUTION.

A WISE AS GUARD ON DECK IS BENJAMIN CHEN AND DANIEL KAMAN.

MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBER IS MY NAME IS VES ISAR AND I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 1 26 ON BEHALF OF HOUSING WORKS.

AUSTIN HOUSING WORKS.

AUSTIN IS, UH, MOST OF Y'ALL KNOW IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND WE ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING ALL KINDS OF HOMES IN ALL PARTS OF TOWN FOR ALL KINDS OF FOLKS AND HOUSING CURRENT, UH, HOUSING WORKS EMPHATICALLY SUPPORTS ITEM 1 26 AND THANKS, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AND HER CO-SPONSORS FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS ITEM.

WE BELIEVE THE CHANGES PROPOSED TO THE HOME INITIATIVE POSSESS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR INCREASING ACCESS TO ATTAINABLE HOUSING THROUGHOUT OUR CITY AND AT A RANGE OF DIFFERENT INCOME LEVELS.

INCREASINGLY FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS ARE FINDING IT HARD IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE HOMES AND MAKE A PERMANENT HOME.

HERE.

FOLKS WHO ARE AGING OR LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT HOMES, TRYING TO RESIZE THEIR HOUSEHOLD ARE ALSO INCREASINGLY FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO FIND THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

EXPANDING ATTAINABLE HOME OWNERSHIP THROUGHOUT AUSTIN CAN PLAY A KEY ROLE IN ADDRESSING A LOT OF THESE ISSUES, EXPANDING DIVERSE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND HELPING BUILD INTERGENERATIONAL WEALTH.

AND THAT IS WHY HOUSING WORKS IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ITEM 1 26.

WE ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS AND HER CO-SPONSORS FOR THEIR WORK THAT LED TO BRINGING FORTH ITEM 1 58.

IT ALL GOES HAND IN HAND IN MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE EXPANDING HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU ALL.

BENJAMIN CHEN, DANIEL KAMAN, LISA GRAY.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS DANIEL KAMAN.

I WORK FOR THE NONPROFIT FARM AND CITY AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.

I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 26, 1 26, AND 1 58, WHICH TOGETHER WILL ALLOW FOR GREATER HOUSING OPTIONS, ESPECIALLY AS SMALL HOMES AND TOWN HOMES THAT THE CITY NEEDS MUCH MORE OF.

I'VE ADVOCATED FOR MANY DIFFERENT LAND USER FORMS, BUT THIS WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT ON MY LIFE AND MY OWN PATH TO HOME OWNERSHIP.

MY DREAM LIFESTYLE IS NOT A MASSIVE SUBURBAN HOME AND THREE CARS WITH A HALF ACRE LOT AND A 45 MINUTE COMMUTE.

I THINK A LOT ABOUT BEING CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY AND LIVING CLOSE TO WORK, AMENITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT.

MY IDEAL HOME IS SMALL AND IN A CENTRALLY LOCATED NEIGHBORHOOD, WHETHER IT'S ATTACHED SMALL OR A ADDITIONAL, UH, AUXILIARY UNIT,

[05:20:01]

I DON'T CARE.

UNFORTUNATELY, AUSTIN FOR TOO LONG HAS MANDATED THAT ALL HOMEOWNERS PURCHASE A VERY LARGE PIECE OF LAND ALONG WITH THEIR HOME.

AND AS LAND VALUES HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, HOME OWNERSHIP HAS BECOME OUT OF REACH FOR MANY, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE ME.

BUT WITH THIS PROPOSAL, BUTTRESSED OF COURSE BY THE, UH, PROPOSAL FROM MAYOR PRO TEM ELLIS AUSTIN'S HIGHEST OPPORTUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS CAN NOW WELCOME AND ACCOMMODATE MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE AND FAMILIES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE STATUS QUO POLICY OF LARGE LOTS IS LEADING TO THE TOTAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE REPLACEMENT OF SMALL HOMES WITH EXTREMELY LARGE AND EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE HOMES.

WHAT THIS NEW ITEM MAKES POSSIBLE IS INSTEAD OF A ONE-TO-ONE REPLACEMENT, WE MIGHT SEE AN ADDITION OF AN EDU IN THE BACKYARD OR MULTIPLE SMALLER HOMES ON THE SAME LOT, GENTLY INCREASING THE DENSITY AND GREATLY INCREASING THE AFFORDABILITY.

I LOVE LIVING IN SOUTH AUSTIN AS A RENTER AND NOW IT, IT'S POSSIBLE FOR ME TO CONSIDER BUYING A HOUSE AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD INTO HER CO-SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING.

I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO LUISA AND AHA AND COUNCIL MEMBER POOL'S OFFICE WHO DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB WORKING ON THIS ITEM.

LISA GRAY, MARY KALE, AND SUSAN MCDOWELL.

MY NAME IS LISA GRAY.

I'M A BUILDER.

WE BUILD PRIMARILY ADUS IN SMALLER SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN THE OLDER CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

I AM FOR NOT ITEM 1 26.

I GRADUATED MANY YEARS AGO AND NEVER LEFT.

I STAYED HERE BECAUSE AUSTIN WELCOMES ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE AND THAT, AND SHOULDN'T, THAT SHOULD INCLUDE THE FUTURE POPULATION.

A FUTURE POPULATION LIKE MY DAUGHTER, NIECES AND NEPHEWS, AND ALL FUTURE RESIDENTS ALLOWING FOR MORE UNITS PER LOT WILL, WILL, WILL CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE UNITS.

I KNOW THIS CUZ I DO THIS NOW.

THE COST OF A LOT IS AROUND $500,000 AT THIS POINT.

THAT COST CAN BE SPLIT BETWEEN MANY PEOPLE OR IT CAN BE SPLIT BETWEEN ONE OR JUST BE ONE PERSON.

OUR TWO UNIT PROJECTS HAVE SOLD TO MELMAN BOOKKEEPERS, PROGRAMMERS, TEACHERS, RETIRED MOTHERS WANTING TO BE NEAR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN AND VETERANS.

I ALSO PERSONALLY LOVE HOLDER HOMES AND HOPE THEY WILL BE, HOPE THEY WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO BE PRESERVED WITH AN ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PRESERVATION.

FINALLY, I APPRECIATE CITY OF COUNCIL BEING BRAVE ENOUGH TO FINALLY TAKE THIS DIFFICULT CONVERSATION ON.

HELLO, MY NAME IS MARY KALE.

I CHAIR THE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE OF PRESERVATION AUSTIN.

I'M AN ORAL HISTORIAN AND I'M IN AN IMPROV TROOP THAT PERFORMS IN DIFFERENT THEATERS AROUND TOWN.

SO, BUT I WON'T BURDEN YOU WITH A SHOW TODAY.

UM, I'M HERE TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS ABOUT, UM, ITEM NUMBER 1 26, UM, REGARDING DECREASING LOT SIZE AND I WANNA POINT OUT THE RESOLUTION SITES.

PIER CITY, SAN ANTONIO, UM, SAN DIEGO AND PHILADELPHIA.

SO THE SAN ANTONIO HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE HAS OVER 20 STAFF.

THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE HAS NINE.

UM, I HAVEN'T GOT THE NUMBERS BACK FROM SAN DIEGO.

AUSTIN HAS TWO.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT GOING FORWARD WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION.

UM, I'M ALSO GONNA POINT OUT WHAT MY COLLEAGUE JUAN RAYMOND TALKED ABOUT, WHICH IS THE TAP REPORT THAT THIS UM, UM, CITY, UM, ADMINISTRATION WORKED ON LAST YEAR TO, UM, SUPPORT HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND AFFORDABILITY.

AND SOME OF THE ITEMS THEY TALKED ABOUT WERE HOME REPAIR.

THIS IS HISTORICALLY UNDERFUNDED IN THIS CITY AND UNDER ADVERTISED HOME REPAIR ALLOWS PEOPLE TO STAY IN THEIR OLDER HOMES WHEN THEY'RE INCOME RESTRICTED DISABLED AND HAVE OTHER BARRIERS TO STAYING IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT THAT.

WE ALSO TALKED IN THE TAP REPORT ABOUT COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS.

I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYONE TALK ABOUT THAT TODAY.

COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS CAN SUPPORT HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND KEEP PEOPLE IN PLACE.

THEY'RE PLACE-BASED.

THEY ALSO PREDOMINANTLY FAVOR ENERGY EFFICIENT DESIGN AND BUILDING.

SO, UM, LIKE THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, FABULOUS, FABULOUS ENERGY EFFICIENT, UM, DEVELOPMENT.

SO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE THESE THINGS SUPPORT HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND AND SUPPORT AFFORDABILITY.

THE TWO ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

UM, I ALSO JUST WANNA SPEAK TO ABOUT ITEM 160, UM, THE REDEVELOPMENT OF E SIXTH STREET.

WE AT PRESERVATION AUSTIN THINK IT'S NOT A GREAT PRECEDENT, WE'RE NOT THRILLED.

UM, BUT PLEASE HONOR THE HISTORY OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU MAAM.

YES, COUNCIL MEMBER PU I JUST WANTED TO, UM, LET THE DIOCESE AND YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE PRESERVATION AUSTIN FOR SPEAKING UP AND, AND BRINGING UP AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AROUND THE DEMOLITION OF,

[05:25:01]

UM, HISTORIC AGE HOMES.

AND I'M PLEASED TO BE PARTNERING WITH PRESERVATION AUSTIN ON MEASURES TO MAKE IT EASIER TO PRESERVE HOMES THAN TO DEMOLISH THEM.

WE'LL BE USING THAT TAP REPORT AND THE POLICIES THAT YOU HAVE IN THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING IT TO EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION.

I'LL SPEAK MORE TO THAT LATER.

OKAY, THANK YOU SUSAN MCDOWELL.

WE'RE ALL, UM, WE'RE ON TO 1 27, ITEM 1 27.

UM, ETHAN SMITH, WHAT IS YOUR NAME? OKAY, GOOD, GOOD AFTERNOON.

SO NEXT TIME I REGISTER FOR ITEM 1 32, I'M GONNA REGISTER AS NEUTRAL ON ITEM ONE AS WELL.

SO, BUT UM, I DID LEARN A LOT TODAY AND I HOPE EVERYBODY ON THE DICE LEARNED SOMETHING, DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS.

UM, HERE'S SOMETHING NEW.

THIS IS FROM MY THESIS A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

UH, SO I WAS ADVOCATING AT THAT TIME FOR A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH UT AT HEALTHSOUTH.

UM, AND I STILL THINK THAT IT SHOULD WIND UP AS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, EVEN THOUGH THAT IDEALLY IT COULD BE JUST A DEAL BETWEEN THE CITY AND UT THAT, UH, PRAGMATICALLY IT WOULD PROBABLY END UP AS A P THREE IN SLIDE.

AND THAT, UM, SLIDE PLEASE.

AND THAT THIS IS, UM, A DIFFERENT LEGAL PARADIGM THAT YOU COULD USE HAVING TO DO WITH THE BRACKENRIDGE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.

UM, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PRESERVING A GOLF COURSE FOR RICH PEOPLE IN THIS DOWNTOWN AREA, BUT THIS IS REALLY ABOUT GREEN SPACE AND THIS IS REALLY ABOUT AFFORDABLE STUDENT HOUSING AND IT'S A DIFFERENT LEGAL PARADIGM.

AND THE REASON I'M AGAINST, UM, 1 32 IS BECAUSE IF YOU SPECIFY THAT IT'S GONNA BE 60% MFI, YOU'RE CUTTING UT OUT OF THE DEAL.

AND IF YOU DO SOMETHING WITH UT, UM, YOU'RE GONNA GET AN EFFICACY OF GREATER THAN 100 TIMES WHAT YOU COULD GET IN THIS MFI DEAL.

UM, SLIDE.

AND THIS TALKS ABOUT THE, UH, PROFIT MARGIN IN THE HOUSING AND DINING BUDGET.

WHICH SLIDE, WHICH THE BOARD OF REGENTS SAW FIT TO TURN INTO A PILOT PROGRAM, UH, ASSISTING LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME STUDENTS.

AND THIS IS CONS, THIS IS AMAZING.

THIS IS THE BOARD OF REGENTS AND THIS IS, I MEAN, FOR COUNCIL MEMBER CAUDRY, THIS IS LIKE BERNIE SANDERS AT YOUR HEART OUT SLIDE.

UM, THIS IS MONEY THAT GOES DIRECTLY $1,800 TO, UH, THE STUDENTS FROM FAMILIES THAT MAKE LESS THAN $65,000 A YEAR.

IT'S AFFECTING 3,500 STUDENTS RIGHT NOW.

AND IF YOU CAN PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE HOUSING AND DINING BUDGET, WHICH WILL BE PROFITABLE, THIS IS REALLY GREAT FOR ROBINHOOD REASONS BECAUSE YOU'RE TAKING THAT PROPERTY TAX MARGIN AND YOU'RE COLLECTING IT AT UT AND I THINK YOU CAN LEGALLY SPECIFY THIS IN THE BRECKENRIDGE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT SLIDE.

I THINK THAT'S IT.

UH, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SELENA.

UP NEXT IS JACOB EMERSON, RICHARD SUTTLE AND SWEET GWENDOLYN.

HELLO, MY NAME IS SELENA.

SHE AND I'M PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTIN E M S ASSOCIATION AND I'M HERE SPEAKING FOR ITEM 1 26.

I THANK ALL THE CO-SPONSORS AND Y'ALL FOR BRINGING THIS FOR, UM, THE MAJORITY OF THE MEDICS WHO COME TO WORK FOR AUSTIN COME FROM OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN, AND I DO HEAR FROM A LOT OF THEM AT OUR MEET AND GREET BEFORE THEY START THAT THEY WERE REALLY SURPRISED AT HOW EXPENSIVE, UM, AND UNAFFORDABLE AUSTIN IS FOR THEM TO MOVE HERE.

SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT PLACES IN, UM, HAYES, UH, UP IN WACO.

UM, AND SO IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT 70% OF THE MEDICS DO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE OUTSIDE OF TRAVIS COUNTY BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY CAN AFFORD TO LIVE.

JUST THIS WEEK WE HAD AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE QUIT.

UM, TWO OF THEM QUIT BECAUSE ONE OF 'EM LIVES IN BLANCO AND THE OTHER ONE LIVES IN WACO AND THEY FOUND E M S JOBS THAT WERE MUCH CLOSER TO HOME.

AND THEN THE THIRD PERSON QUIT BECAUSE THEY WANNA STAY IN AUSTIN.

THEY LIVE IN AUSTIN AND START A FAMILY.

BUT, UM, THEY NEED TO MAKE MUCH MORE MONEY, UM, THAN THEY CURRENTLY MAKE AS A PARAMEDIC.

UM, AND SO FOR THESE REASONS, WE'RE REALLY INTERESTED IN OTHER TYPES OF OPTIONS, UM, FOR FOLKS WHO MAKE THE INCOME RANGE THAT THEY DO, UM, TO BE ABLE TO WORK AND, UM, LIVE IN AUSTIN.

ESPECIALLY WHEN AS A FLOATER YOU MIGHT GO, UM, TO A STATION, UM, UP NEAR PARMER, UH, IN MO MOPAC OR ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SLAUGHTER AND YOU DON'T KNOW.

SO IF YOU LIVE IN WACO, IT'S VERY HARD TO GET ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SLAUGHTER AND VICE VERSA.

AND SO TO US, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO HAVE PARAMEDICS THAT LIVE IN AUSTIN.

AND SO WE'RE JUST LOOKING FOR THIS TYPE OF MISSING, UM, HOMES, UM, FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE YOU STAND, BUT THAT'S PROBABLY SMART.

CHASED UP EMERSON, RICHARD SUTTLE.

[05:30:05]

SWEET GWENDOLYN, CHAZ MOORE.

THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE SPEAKERS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

UM, WE APPRECIATE IT.

MEMBERS, WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS

[Consent Agenda (Part 2 of 2)]

NOW, WE'LL, WE'LL VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT LET ME, UH, FIRST TELL YOU WHAT I BELIEVE HAS BEEN PULLED, WHAT I BELIEVE HAS BEEN PUT BACK ON THE, UH, THE CONSENT AGENDA SO THAT WE MAKE SURE WE GET THAT RIGHT.

I'LL THEN ASK FOR ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO PULL.

UH, AND THEN I'LL HAVE A COUPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

THEN WE'LL DO THE, WHAT WE TYPICALLY DO ON ABSTENTIONS AND RECUSALS AND THAT SORT OF THING, AND COMMENTS BY MEMBERS.

UH, ITEM SIX, SEVEN, AND EIGHT WERE PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY CAN BE PUT BACK ON CONSENT.

THAT IS CORRECT, MAYOR.

WE WORKED ON THAT BEHIND THE SCENES AND GOT IT ALL TAKEN CARE OF.

UH, THANK YOU.

SO, UH, FOR THE RECORD ITEM SIX, SEVEN, AND EIGHT ARE BACK ON THE CONSENT.

ITEM NUMBER ONE 11 HAS BEEN PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 1 25, 1 26, 1 28, 1 29.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ITEM 1 32, WHICH WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, HAS BEEN PUT BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

OH, I, I DON'T KNOW THAT I EVER PULLED IT, BUT YEAH, I DON'T NEED IT PULLED.

OKAY, WELL, LEMME JUST ASK.

THAT WAS, THAT WAS MY NOTE ANYWAY.

UM, I'M JUST GIVING YOU CREDIT FOR PULLING AND AMENDING AND EVERYTHING TODAY.

UM, IS ANYBODY ELSE, LET ME, LEMME MAKE SURE IF, DID ANYBODY ELSE PULL 1 32? AND I, I JUST MISSED IT.

ALL RIGHT, SO 1 32 IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ITEM 1 48 I HAD PULLED, BECAUSE IT'S A, AN ITEM FROM COMMITTEE AND I, MY PRACTICE IS TO MAKE SURE WE DO THAT.

SO WE JUST KNOW WHAT'S COMING FROM A COUNCIL COMMITTEE.

ITEM ONE 90 HAS BEEN PULLED, AND ITEM 1 95 IS ALSO AN ITEM FROM COMMITTEE.

SO, UH, THAT HAS BEEN PULLED.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT ANYONE WISHES TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? ALL RIGHT, THEN THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ALL OF THE OTHER ITEMS. MEMBERS.

ONE THING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, UH, YOU HAVE IN LATE BACKUP ON ITEM 1 92, YOU HAVE APPOINTMENTS, UH, AND SOME WERE ADDED IN LATE BACKUP.

I WANNA CALL ATTENTION TO ONE BECAUSE IT WAS, IT'S IN THE LATE BACKUP, BUT I, I DON'T THINK IT MADE IT TILL THIS MORNING.

AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S AWARE.

AWARE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE APPOINTED TO THE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION, MIKE GRANT, AND I'M JUST, I'M JUST HIGHLIGHTING THAT BECAUSE OF WHEN IT CAME ON WITH THAT, LET ME ASK IF THERE'S ANYONE THAT WISHES TO BE SHOWN ABSTAINING OR RECUSING THEMSELVES FROM ANY OF THE CONSENT OF YES, ME PROTI.

I HAVE FILED A RECUSAL ON 1 92.

THE MAYOR PROTI HAS FILED A RECU, A NOTICE OF RECUSAL ON 1 92.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

MAYOR, PLEASE SHOW MY VOTE AS NO ON.

I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT JUST YET.

RECUSALS ARE ABSTENTIONS RIGHT NOW.

ALL RIGHT, MAYOR.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN AS ABSTAINING FROM 17 AND 57, PLEASE.

ANY OTHER ABSTENTIONS OR RECUSALS? AND I, I'M LOOKING AT MY, UH, FOLKS THAT ARE HERE VIA ZOOM.

OKAY, NOW LET'S GO TO VOTES THAT ARE NO COUNCIL MEMBER.

POOLE, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.

UH, PLEASE NOTE MY NO VOTE ON ITEM 1 24 AND 1 27.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE WILL BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON 1 24 AND 1 27.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

MAYOR, PLEASE SHOW ME AS VOTING NO ON 18 24, 54, 57 AND 71 18 24, 54, 57, AND 71.

1 24 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WISHES TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ANY ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ALL RIGHT, SO THE MOTION ON THE CONSENT, THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA SUBJECT TO AN ABSTENTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY ON ITEM 17 AND 57, A RECUSAL BY THE MAYOR PROTI ON ITEM 1 92, NO VOTES BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL ON 1 24 AND 1 27.

ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE? UH, YES, MAYOR.

UM, CAN YOU PLEASE SHOW ME AS VOTING NO.

ON ITEM 71 YOU'LL BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ITEM 71.

ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON AL ALTER, I'D LIKE TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ITEM 1 24, COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER WILL BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ITEM

[05:35:01]

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY WITH NO VOTES ON 18 24, 54, 57, AND 71.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE VOTING NO ON 71 COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER VOTING NO ON 1 24 AND I FORGOT.

AND, AND THE MAYOR BEING SHOWN VOTING NO ON 1 24 AS WELL.

WITH THAT, I'LL CALL FOR A MOTION, BUT BEFORE WE VOTE, I WILL CALL ON MEMBERS THAT WANT TO MAKE BRIEF COMMENTS.

MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE CHANGE WITH THE ABSTENTIONS RECUSALS AND VOTING NO, THAT HAS BEEN CALLED OUT.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL NOW RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR CO BRIEF COMMENTS.

AND I, COUNCIL MEMBER QUENTES, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? YOU WANNA BE RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT, THE ORDER, I'M GONNA GO IN BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO LET ME KNOW IF THEY WANTED TO TALK OR POOL.

ALISON ALTER FUENTES, KELLY HARPER MADISON AND RYAN ALTER YET.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, YOU'LL BE AFTER COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

OKAY, WITH THAT, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR BRIEF COMMENTS.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT ITEM 73, WHICH IS THE RYAN DRIVE, UM, THE RYAN DRIVE PROPERTY EXCHANGE TRANSFER FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO, UM, AH, H FFC.

UM, I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THE INITIAL PROPOSAL FOR THE RYAN DRIVE PROPERTY DIDN'T WORK OUT, BUT CITY STAFF WORKED REALLY HARD TO MAKE THAT PROPOSAL WORK AND IN THE END, THE DEVELOPER ENDED NEGOTIATIONS.

SOMETIMES INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE REAL HOPES FOR DON'T WORK OUT AT FIRST.

I'M HOPEFUL FOR THE RESTARTING OF OUR EFFORT AND THAT SHOULD HAPPEN SOON, AND I HOPE STAFF WILL GIVE US SOME SENSE OF OF THAT TIMING.

I'M EAGER FOR OUR WORK TO RECOMMEND.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANT WORK THE SURROUNDING FOUR NEIGHBORHOODS DID OF WORKING OFFICIALLY WITH CITY STAFF.

AS THE RYAN DRIVE WORKING GROUP, THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE RYAN DRIVE WORKING GROUP REPORT STILL STAND.

THEY WILL CONTINUE AS THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROPERTIES NEXT USE.

I'VE MONITORED THE NEXT USE OF THE OLD AUSTIN ENERGY LAY DOWN YARD FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS, AND IT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL THING TO BE ABLE TO SEE A GROUNDBREAKING BEFORE I LEAVE OFFICE.

COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

NOT WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN OUR DECISION MAKING.

UM, I'D LIKE TO START WITH COMMENTS ON TWO ITEMS THAT I SUPPORT.

UM, ITEM 88 IS THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS TO ACQUIRE CRITICAL TRIAL CONNECTIONS IN PARKLAND ALONG BULL CREEK AND SPICEWOOD SPRINGS ROAD.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS POTENTIAL PARKLAND ACQUISITION MOVE ONE STEP CLOSER TO COMPLETION.

UM, AND I WANNA THANK THE MANY STAFF, INCLUDING MY OWN, THAT HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD, UH, TO MAKE THIS PURCHASE.

UM, ITEM ONE 13 ADVANCES OUR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN OUR AREA.

I VERY MUCH SUPPORT THIS ITEM AND THE RELATED AND FORTHCOMING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INCLUSIVE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ENHANCE PARTICIPATION OF THESE FIRMS THROUGH THESE EFFORTS.

UM, FOR MY COLLEAGUES, I WANNA FLAG ONE FUTURE RELATED ACTION OF NOTE THAT I SET IN MOTION WHEN WE APPROVE THE DISPARITY STUDY LAST FALL, AND WHICH SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO, NAMELY OUR NEW SMALL BUSINESS LOCAL PREFERENCE PROGRAM THAT OUR PROCUREMENT OFFICE WILL ADOPT IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO.

UM, BEFORE I STATE MY COMMENTS ON 1 24, MAYOR, I WANTED TO CONFIRM THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE VOTING NO ON 1 24.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE VOTING DON'T KNOW ON 1 24 OR 1, 2, 3.

UH, THE MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, AND YOU.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

UM, SO AS I MENTIONED A BIT EARLIER, I'M VOTING NO ON ITEM 1 24, WHICH RELATES TO ZONING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.

UM, FOR ITEM 1 24, I COULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH ADJUSTING THE DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR NOTICES, HOWEVER, TO INITIATE THAT REDUCTION IN PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE SAME WEEK THAT THE COUNCIL MAJORITY INITIATES A DRASTIC REGULATORY CHANGE FOR SAM, SMALL FAMILY, SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS, AND TO ALSO INDICATE WE WILL REDUCE PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALMOST THE SMALLEST LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE DISTANCE IS

[05:40:01]

I THINK THIS CHANGED SINCE THE WRONG SIGNAL TO OUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT OUR WILLINGNESS AS A BODY TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE LAND USE DECISIONS WE ARE MAKING ON THEIR BEHALF.

UM, CITY MANAGER.

I HOPE THAT AS YOU BRING THIS FORWARD, IF THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIFFERENT DISTANCES THAN WHAT WAS RECOMMENDED IN THERE, THAT YOU WILL, UM, MAKE US AWARE OF THAT GIVEN THE NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO, UM, ARE INDICATING AT THIS TIME THAT THEY DON'T, DON'T SUPPORT THE ITEM.

COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES FOR COMMENTS.

THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES.

I'M SUPER EXCITED TO SEE THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER CONTRACT ON THIS AGENDA, UH, FOR TODAY'S CONSIDERATION.

AND ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, NO LESS, THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

AND OFTENTIMES WHEN WE HEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY, WE KNOW WHAT ARE WE AS CITY LEADERS DOING FOR, UH, FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME.

THIS IS ONE OF THE TOP THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING AND LEADING ON BY CREATING A TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER, WHICH IS THE, WE ARE THE FIRST CITY IN TEXAS TO DO SO.

WE ARE PROVIDING HOLISTIC TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND THIS IS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR THOSE CUZ WE WANNA ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES CARE FOR FOLKS AFTER THEY LEAVE THE HOSPITAL.

AND FOR SURVIVORS WHO DON'T REPORT CRIME, THIS ALSO PROVIDES HOLISTIC SERVICES THROUGH COUNSELING, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, UM, YOU NAME IT.

AND SO I, AND, UM, I ALSO WANNA GIVE A THANK YOU TO OUR COUNTY PARTNERS BECAUSE, UM, THIS TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COUNTY.

OUR COUNTY IS MATCHING US IN THIS EFFORT.

AND, UH, COMMISSIONER CHE IS A LEADER ON THAT.

AND SO I WANNA EXTEND MY GRATITUDE FOR HER LEADERSHIP ALONG WITH JUDGE BROWN AND COMMISSIONER HOWARD, UM, IN THIS EFFORT.

AND I'M EXCITED TO, TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD.

AND I WANNA THANK OUR COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THIS EFFORT.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

AND MEMBERS, I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER FOR WORKING WITH ME IN MY OFFICE ON ITEM 1 24.

I BELIEVE GOVERNMENT SERVICES SHOULD WORK IN THE BEST AND MOST EFFICIENT WAYS POSSIBLE, AND THAT RESOLUTION DOES THAT.

SO THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME ON THAT IMPORTANT RESOLUTION.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR STAFF'S TIME AS WELL.

I'M ALSO HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL WITH ITEM 1 25 AND BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL HELP CLEAN UP SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WITHIN AREAS IN DISTRICT SIX AND THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE CITY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR STAFF'S WORK AS WELL.

ON THAT ITEM, I WANNA EXTEND MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATED IN TODAY'S COUNCIL MEETING, PUBLIC INPUT, YOUR PRESENCE AND INPUT, REGARDLESS OF WHICH SIDE OF THE ISSUE YOU STOOD, WAS INVALUABLE.

ENGAGING IN OPEN AND DIVERSE DISCUSSIONS ALLOWS US TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES SURROUNDING THE MATTERS AT HAND.

YOUR PERSPECTIVES, CONCERNS, AND IDEAS CONTRIBUTE TO SHAPING MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND THOUGHTFUL DECISIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I WANNA ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME OR MY OFFICE AS WE NAVIGATE THESE CHALLENGES BEFORE US TOGETHER.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING ACTIVE AND PASSIONATE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROCESS.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CITY'S WELLBEING IS TRULY COMMENDABLE.

I HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER UNITED IN OUR EFFORTS TO CREATE A BETTER AND BRIGHTER FUTURE IN AUSTIN FOR ALL.

AND WITH THAT MAYOR I YIELD.

ADVOCACY AND PLANNING ALREADY CONDUCTED BY THE COLONY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD AND ITS COMMUNITY PILLARS.

COUNCIL MEMBER CHAIR RECOGNIZES, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE RECOGNITION, MAYOR.

UM, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NEEDING TO TAKE MY LEAVE THIS AFTERNOON.

I'M NOT FEELING THAT GREAT, BUT MY BRAIN STILL WORKS.

WE'RE GLAD.

I WANTED TO SPEAK ON CONSENT.

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 41, UH, COLLEAGUES, I WANTED TO JUST QUICKLY PROVIDE SOME DIRECTION TO STAFF FOR GUIDANCE REGARDING ITEM 41 ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA.

AFTER SPEAKING WITH CITY MANAGEMENT, CITY LEGAL, AND OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT, THEY'VE ALL AGREED TO HOLD ON SPENDING THE OVER $1 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR THE NORTHEAST AUSTIN PLANNING DISTRICT EFFORT, UM, REFERENCED IN THIS ITEM.

THIS WILL ALLOW FOR REAL CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS WITH TRAVIS COUNTY AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE AREA TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

UM, THE INTENT OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS IS TO POTENTIALLY CREATE AN INNER LOCAL ASSOCIATION AND OR COLLABORATIVE, UM, FUNDING MODEL FOR EFFORTS LIKE THIS ONE, UM, THAT WE'VE ENVISIONED AND COMMITTED FUNDING TO, UH, ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHEAST AUSTIN AREA.

IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE, COUNTY COMMISSIONER JEFF TAVION HAS CHALLENGED THE COUNTY TO INVEST IN ORGANIZED WITHIN EASTERN TRAVIS COUNTY.

THIS EFFORT, THE MARSHALL PLAN, HAS GREAT POTENTIAL IN MY OPINION.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN BRIDGE THE COUNTY'S INITIATIVE WITH OUR OWN DISTRICT PLANNING EFFORTS, UM, GUIDED BY AND CENTERED IN THE DECADES WORTH OF

[05:45:01]

UM, THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF, UH, FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SUPPORT OF THESE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS.

AND THANK YOU TO COUNTY COMMISSIONER ILION AND COUNTY STAFF, UH, FOR YOUR SHARED BELIEF THAT WORKING TOGETHER IN NORTHEAST AUSTIN IS OUR BEST CHANCE NOT TO REPEAT THE MISTAKES OF OUR PAST, UH, COLLEAGUES.

I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE SOME DIRECTION TO STAFF REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 41.

UM, JUST A MOMENT.

CITY MANAGER, CAN YOU PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS DIRECTION AND COMMITMENT TO WORKING WITH THE COUNTY TOWARDS A SHARED INITIATIVE IN THE NORTHEAST AUSTIN AREA IS APPROACHABLE, ACHIEVABLE, SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER WE MET, UH, WITH COMMISSIONER TRIVION AND MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF AND THE COUNTY STAFF AS WELL AS OURS.

AND WHAT WE COMMITTED AT THAT MEETING WAS THAT WE WOULD BEGIN TO LAY THE, GET THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT NEEDED TO GET DONE, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, WHAT I INDICATED TO, TO THE COMMISSIONER THAT THIS WAS APPRO.

UH, THIS WAS AN APPROACH THAT NEEDED A LONG HORIZON TO, TO ADDRESS ALL THE ISSUES THAT WE WERE, UH, UH, TALKING ABOUT ADDRESSING IN THAT SPECIFIC SECTOR OF OUR, OF OUR, UH, COUNTY AND OUR CITY.

AND THE COMMISSIONER COMMITTED THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE OUR FULL PARTNER IN DOING THAT.

AND I THINK, UH, TO THE DEGREE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO MARRY RESOURCES BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE, I THINK THE STAFF IS READY TO GO TO WORK AS PART OF A WORKING GROUP TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE.

I APPRECIATE THAT COMMITMENT.

UM, AND I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING UP THAT'S, UH, THE, THE, UM, THE SUBSTANCE OF MY COMMENTARY.

MEMBER CADRE, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED BY THE, JUST MAKE COMMENTS.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MEDICINE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER FOR COMMENTS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.

UH, I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON A COUPLE ITEMS STARTING WITH ITEM 60.

UH, BLA IS A DISTRICT FIVE ORGANIZATION WITH THE MISSION OF PROVIDING HEALTHCARE EDU EDUCATION AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES, UH, TO AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.

AND THEY HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD, UH, AND DISTRIBUTING ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE RISE AND RENT PROGRAMS. AND I'M JUST, UH, REALLY EXCITED AND WANNA THANK THEM FOR CONTINUING TO FILL THIS VITAL ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

UH, I ALSO WANTED TO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT ITEM 1 23 RELATED TO MUSICIAN PAY.

AND JUST ACKNOWLEDGE OR, OR, OR RECOGNIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS HERE ABOUT AFFORDABILITY THAT AFFECTS A LOT OF AUSTINITES, UH, MUSICIANS BEING ONE OF THEM.

AND MUSICIANS ARE A CRITICAL FABRIC OF WHAT MAKES AUSTIN WHO WE ARE AND SPECIAL.

AND WHAT THIS ITEM IS GOING TO DO IS SHOW THAT WE AS A CITY, TRULY VALUE OUR MUSICIANS AND CREATE A STANDARDIZED PREMIUM RATE, UH, OF AT LEAST $200 WHEN THE CITY IS HIRING THE PERFORMER.

AND WITH MY, IT'S MY HOPE THAT BY DOING SO, THE CITY IS ABLE TO SEND A, A CLEAR MESSAGE TO, UH, THE PUBLIC AND TO THOSE WHO, UH, CONTRACT WITH MUSICIANS THAT THEY ARE WORTH INVESTING IN.

AND I JUST WANNA ALSO TAKE A, A QUICK MOMENT TO THANK ATX MUSICIANS FOR THEIR ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT, UH, ON THIS ISSUE.

I LASTLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT ITEM 1 27 RELATED TO THE COLLABORATIVE PERMANENT SUPPORT OF HOUSING PROJECTS.

I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO SEE OUR STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THESE PROJECTS.

I THINK THEY ARE INCREDIBLY VALUABLE AND GOING TO REALLY HELP, UH, ADDRESS SOME OF THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING NEEDS WE HAVE AS IT RELATES TO THE CONTINUUM OF WHAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS OUR HOMELESSNESS CHALLENGE.

AND I WAS ALSO VERY ENCOURAGED, UH, BY THE DISCUSSION IN THERE, YOU KNOW, A DISCUSSION WE'VE HAD ABOUT, WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE A, A BROADER POLICY DISCUSSION OF, OF HOW WE USE THIS TOOL AND WHERE IT FITS IN OUR TOOLBOX.

AND SO, UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THAT DISCUSSION.

AND I KNOW THERE WERE SOME OTHER, UM, PROJECTS THAT, THAT APPLIED AND, AND WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AND, AND AT THIS TIME ARE, ARE NOT BEING RECOMMENDED.

UM, IN SPEAKING WITH STAFF ABOUT ABILITY TO REWORK AND, AND COME BACK AND, AND TRY AGAIN, UH, THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THAT, THAT THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY, UH, ALLOW FOR US TO CREATE THE DESPERATELY NEEDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT, THAT WE NEED.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT DISCUSSION, UH, MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, COUNCIL

[05:50:01]

THANK YOU, SIR.

UM, YEAH, I WANNA QUICKLY TOUCH ON ITEM 1 23.

UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S VITAL THAT WE AS A CITY, UH, SUPPORT OUR LOCAL CREATIVES WHO MAKE THE CITY, UH, THE BEAUTIFUL CITY.

IT IS THAT THE WEIRD CITY.

IT IS THE, THE, THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

AND I THINK WITH THIS RESOLUTION, WE'RE NOT ONLY SUPPORTING THOSE CREATIVES, BUT WE'RE SETTING A STANDARD OF HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE ACROSS THE CITY.

SO ALL THANKS GOES TO COUNCILOR RYAN ALTER, UH, FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD.

UH, AND THEN TO ALL THE, ALL, ALL MY FELLOW CO-SPONSORS WHO, UH, CO-SPONSORED THIS ITEM.

UH, SO, SO THANK Y'ALL AND, AND THANK YOU TO, TO RYAN'S STAFF FOR, FOR WORKING REALLY HARD ON THIS.

UM, AND THEN I BRIEFLY JUST WANNA TOUCH ON ITEM 1 32, UH, HEALTH SOUTH.

UH, LAST MONTH, AS WE ALL KNOW, THE EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND ASPEN HEIGHTS EXPIRED, WHICH LEFT THE FATE OF OUR HEALTHSOUTH PROPERTY UP IN THE AIR.

UH, I WANTED TO BRING FORWARD THIS ITEM TO REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT AS A COUNCIL, UH, TO LEVERAGE THE SITE FOR MAXIMUM COMMUNITY BENEFITS, ESPECIALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

UH, THE PALM DISTRICT PLAN, WE ARE CLOSE TO APPROVING, EMPHASIZES THE NEED, UH, TO INCREASE HOUSING OPTIONS, UH, ON THIS SIDE OF DOWNTOWN.

UH, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS NEW COUNCIL, UH, HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECALIBRATE OUR SPECIFIC GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE HEALTH SOUTH SITE.

UH, AND THAT'S WHY I'VE ASKED OUR CITY STAFF TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION, UH, ON MARKET FEASIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY SCENARIOS AS WE START FROM A REALISTIC PLACE.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION AT OUR NEXT HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING, UH, IN SEPTEMBER.

UH, AND I WANT TO THANK, UH, MELISSA FROM OUR STAFF FOR WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD ON THIS, UH, FOR THE MANY CONVERSATIONS, UH, YOU KNOW, WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND OTHER FOLKS AND, UH, HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO, UH, FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS AND KITCHEN AND, AND KATHY TOVA, WHO I KNOW ARE PROBABLY WATCHING THIS, I APPRECIATE THEIR, UH, THEIR BACKGROUND ON THIS.

THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? YES, MAYOR PRO TIM, I'LL KEEP IT VERY BRIEF CUZ I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT TO COVER TODAY.

BUT I'M JUST EXCITED ABOUT ITEM NUMBER THREE, WHICH IS SOLAR PANELS FOR A CHURCH IN MY DISTRICT.

I'M REALLY GLAD THEY'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

UM, 10 AND 23 ARE ABOUT BACKUP GENERATORS FOR FIRE AND EMS STATIONS AND A HANDFUL OF OTHER CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES, UM, WHICH ARE REALLY IMPORTANT IN THE CONVERSATION AROUND CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

UH, 15 IS ABOUT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES FOR THE BRIDGE NEAR THE LONGHORN DAM.

AND ONE 19 BEAR CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN MY DISTRICT IS GETTING A NEW SCHOOL ZONE, WHICH I KNOW THE PARENTS AND TEACHERS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR.

UM, AND ARE VERY EXCITED TO SEE THAT COMING, UM, DOWN THE PIPELINE.

CALLS UP I ITEM ONE 11, MADAM CLERK, IS THERE ANYONE THAT WISHES THAT IT WAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ONE 11, WHO HAS NOT ALREADY SPOKEN? NO, SIR.

THANK YOU MAYOR PROAM.

ALL RIGHT, MEMBERS, UH, I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION TO, OH, WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, RYAN ALTER SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD THE COMMENTS, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED WITH THE ABSTENTIONS RECUSALS AND VOTING NO, THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN HIGHLIGHTED.

UH, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED MEMBERS.

WHAT I WOULD INTEND TO DO IS NOW GO TO THE ITEMS THAT WERE PULLED, UM, AND THAT IN, IN THE ORDER OF 1 11, 1 25, 1 26, 1 28, 1 29, 1 48, 1 90, 1 95.

JUST, UM, ALL I'M DOING IS GOING IN NUMERICAL ORDER.

SO THE CHAIR

[111. Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with Family Endeavors, Inc. d/b/a Endeavors, to operate a temporary emergency homeless shelter located at a City-owned facility, for a 12-month term beginning August 1, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $9,140,000.]

VERY GOOD.

IS ALLOWS FOR US TO TRY TO UTILIZE A FUNDING STRUCTURE TO ACHIEVE GOALS.

I'LL, THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM ONE 11.

MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE.

UM, MEMBERS, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

THE CHAIR WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER FOR I'M, I'M SORRY I DIDN'T LOOK UP.

UM, ANYWAY, I, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL LOOK UP IN, IN MAKE SURE IF Y'ALL WANT SECOND OR MAKE MOTIONS.

I'M, I'M PAYING ATTENTION.

UM, THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE MEMBERS.

UH, YOU'VE HAD, UH, UM, A PROPOSED AMENDMENT BEFORE YOU, YOU NOW HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

THAT IS VERSION TWO.

I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO ITEM ONE 11.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, MAYOR.

WELL, I GUESS I'LL JUST MOVE TO AMEND AND THEN I'LL TALK ABOUT IT.

MOTION IS MADE TO AMEND.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED ON YOUR PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

SO WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES IS ENSURES THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE ARE PUTTING, UH, THE APPROPRIATE, UH, ITEMS IN PLACE THAT ALLOW FOR THIS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ENSURING THAT THE PERFORMANCE METRIC ISN'T JUST SPENDING DOLLARS, BUT ACTUALLY GETTING RESULTS.

AND SO WHAT THIS DOES

[05:55:01]

AND THESE ARE GOALS, UH, AS THEY HAVE BEEN PROMISED TO US BY, UH, THE, THE, IN THE ENTITY THAT HAS OFFERED OR, OR RESPONDED TO THIS RFP.

UH, WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN, IN THE UPDATED VERSION ARE JUST A COUPLE OF CHANGES AS, UH, WE TALKED TO LAW, UH, PARTICULARLY DOWN AT THE BOTTOM.

WHAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IS, SHOULD THERE BE FUNDS LEFT OVER? AND IT'S UNCLEAR IF THERE WILL BE OR NOT, BUT SHOULD THAT HAPPEN, THAT THOSE WOULD COME OUT LAST FROM THE PSH BUCKET.

AND SO THIS IS JUST, UM, HOW THEY FELT WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY TO WRITE THAT.

AND, UM, I BELIEVE THAT'S IT.

AND, AND QUARTERLY REPORTING, WHICH WAS IN THE ORIGINAL.

SO WITH THAT, I MOVE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT ONE.

UM, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BECAUSE THE VERSION TWO WAS NOT IN THE BACKUP.

UH, FOR THE RECORD, I'M GOING TO READ, UH, THE, THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE SECOND, IN THE, THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THE ACTUAL MOTION, IT WOULD READ THE CITY MANAGER'S DIRECTED.

AND IT, WHAT IS ADDED IS TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS IN THE PROPOSED CONTRACT CONCERNING THE ONE YEAR OPERATION OF THE MARSHALING YARD.

THEN WE GO INTO BULLET POINTS IN BULLET 0.3, IT SAYS, DURING THE FINAL TWO MONTHS OF THIS CONTRACT, THE CITY AND THE VENDOR WILL, THE WORD LIMIT HAS BEEN STRICKEN.

AND INSTEAD OF THE WORD LIMIT, IT SAYS PRIORITIZE.

UH, SO IT WILL SAY THE VENDOR WILL PRIORITIZE ANY NEW REFERRALS TO CLIENTS WHO ARE LIKELY TO SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE HOUSING PLACEMENT BY THE SHELTER CLOSURE DATE.

IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH, IT WILL READ, THE CITY MANAGER IS FURTHER DIRECTED TO, AND THIS IS WHAT'S ADDED, RETURN ANY UNUSED FUNDS TO THE ORIGINAL SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THIS CONTRACT, WITH A PRIORITIZATION TO PRESERVING ANY FUNDS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR PERMANENT HOUSING CAPITAL EXPENSES.

PERIOD.

THERE'S, WE STRIKE THROUGH THE LANGUAGE REALLOCATE ANY UNEXPENDED FUNDS APPROVED FOR THIS CONTRACT TO FUND CAPITAL FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

THOSE ARE THE CHANGES.

WITH THAT, IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO AMEND COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY? I JUST WANNA THANK, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

UM, OVER THE LAST COUPLE DAYS, I'VE DONE A LOT OF THINKING WE'RE GONNA INVEST 9 MILLION INTO THIS, AND THAT'S WITH THE ARPA FUNDS, WHICH ARE TYPICALLY ONE TIME USE, AND I WANT IT TO BE DELIBERATE, THE OUTCOMES THAT WE GET.

AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS MOTION SHEET BECAUSE I THINK IT'LL ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE VALUE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.

UM, AND THE LAST THING THAT I WANNA HAVE HAPPEN IS US GET TO A POINT WHERE WE ARE INVESTING IN THIS RESOURCE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND WE END UP LIKE THE SALVATION ARMY, WHERE ALL THESE PEOPLE THEN HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

YEAH, IT FEELS LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF A TICKING TIME BOMB IF WE DON'T DO IT VERY, UM, LIKE DIRECT AND RESPONSIBLY.

SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS WITHOUT OBJECTION? AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE BY RYAN ALTER BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER IS ADOPTED.

THAT WILL TAKE US TO PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO, WHICH YOU HAVE JUST BEEN GIVEN, UH, BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

AND I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE ON HIS PROPOSED MOTION TO AMEND.

WITH THAT, I ASSUME YOU REMOVED APPROVAL? YES, SIR.

UH, BEFORE I GET INTO, UH, THE AMENDMENT, YOU KNOW, I WANNA REFLECT ON, ON THE TESTIMONY WE HEARD AROUND THE MARSHALING YARD.

WE HEARD FROM ADVOCATES WHO HELP OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.

WE HELP, WE, WE HEARD FROM OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.

UH, YOU KNOW, I, I DON'T WANT TO ASSUME, BUT, BUT I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THERE'S NO ONE ON THIS DUS WHO HAS, WHO HAS EVER BEEN UNHOUSED OR HAS BEEN, WHO HAS WORKED SO INTIMATELY WITH OUR UNHOUSED, UH, NEIGHBORS.

BUT EVERYONE ON THIS DUS CARES DEEPLY.

AND I THINK THERE'S, THERE'S NO LACK OF EMPATHY ON, ON MAKING SURE WE DO RIGHT.

UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE, THE REASON FOR THIS, UH, AMENDMENT AND, AND A LOT OF THE THOUGHTS THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING IS THAT I WANT TO BE VERY DELIBERATE, UH, AND, AND BE VERY, UH, INTENTIONAL, UH, WITH THIS, YOU KNOW, PROJECT.

UH, BECAUSE AS, AS IT'S BEEN STATED, YOU KNOW, UH, IT, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND, AND, AND THEIR LIVES AT STAKE AND, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DO IT RIGHT, UH, IS, IS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

SO MEMBERS, THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS, WAS PASSED OUT NOT, NOT TOO LONG AGO, WOULD ALLOW THE NEGOTIATIONS TO PROCEED WITH THE CONTRACT, BUT WOULD REQUIRE THE CONTRACT TO COME BACK TO COUNSEL FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

UH, THE ITEM WOULD COME BACK DURING THE BUDGET OR THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST IN A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING.

UH, AND I, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GIVE THE COMMUNITY AND COUNCIL TIME TO REVIEW THE FULL DETAILS OF THIS INITIATIVE AND ALL THE TIME TO REVIEW THE SHELTER ASSESSMENT REPORT.

[06:00:02]

I'M, I'M FOR ADOPTION.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CODRE REMOVES APPROVAL OF ITEM ONE 11.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.

UH, CAUSE THIS WAS NOT IN THE BACKUP.

I WILL READ THE CHANGES.

UH, IN THE AUTHORIZATION PARAGRAPH, IT SAYS, AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATION AND STRIKES THROUGH THE WORDS AND EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT.

IN THE LAST LINE OF THAT SENTENCE, IT SAYS, I'LL READ THE THIRD, THE NEXT LAST LINE, HOMELESS SHELTER LOCATED AT A CITY OWNED FACILITY FOR A 12 MONTH TERM.

AND THEN IT STRIKES THROUGH THE WORDS BEGINNING AUGUST 1ST, 2023, UH, AND, AND GOES FORWARD IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $9,140,000.

SO I, I'VE READ THAT IN THE RECORD.

IS THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENT? COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

I, UH, AS, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS ITEM AND THIS ISSUE OVER THIS WEEK AND AND BEYOND, I, I THINK YOU ALL KNOW, I, I, I VIEW THIS CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, GETTING THEM THE PROPER RESOURCES, UM, IS, IS VITAL AND IT IS AN EMERGENCY.

AND I, WHILE I I FULLY RESPECT THE DESIRE TO, TO DO WHAT IS, IS BEING OFFERED HERE, I THINK AS WE APPROACH THE DEAD HEAT OF AUGUST AND THE NEED TO MOVE THIS FORWARD IN A EXPEDITIOUS FASHION, THAT WE POTENTIALLY LOSE OUT ON THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE SHELTERING AND, AND, AND JUST WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE.

AND SO I'M GOING TO BE VOTING NO ON THIS AND JUST WANT TO KIND OF, IF, IF, IF IT WAS A, A TWO WEEK FROM NOW COUNCIL MEETING, THAT'D BE ONE THING.

BUT AUGUST 31ST IS OUR NEXT MEETING.

AND, AND THAT JUST GIVES ME A LOT OF PAUSE.

SO THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

UH, OTHER COMMENTS.

COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KELLY, THANK YOU.

UM, YOU KNOW, THAT DOES BRING UP A REALLY GOOD POINT.

AND SO I WAS WONDERING IF PERHAPS THE CITY MANAGER OR MAYBE MS. GRAY COULD SPEAK TO HOW LONG IT MIGHT TAKE TO STAND UP THIS SHELTER AND HOW THIS MIGHT IMPACT OPERATIONS IF WE DO ONLY, UM, AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATION AND NOT EXECUTION WELL, AND DIANA MAY HAVE MORE, UH, DETAIL, BUT HERE'S, HERE'S THE, WE, WE, WE WERE, UH, THE RECIPIENT OF A REPORT EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND THAT REPORT INDICATED THAT WE HAD A NEED FOR ABOUT 750 SHELTER BEDS.

UH, WE'VE HAD RECORD HEAT, RECORD HEAT IN THIS, UH, IN THIS REGION FOR NOW, MOST OF THE SUMMER.

AND SO THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE LIVING EITHER UNDER BRIDGES OR IN THE CREEKS REALLY DO NEED TO BE SOMEPLACE WHERE IT CAN, UH, WHERE THEY CAN, UH, UH, HAVE A CONDITIONS THAT ARE CLIMATE CONTROLLED AND NOT HAVE TO SUFFER FROM THIS HEAT.

ANY, AND WE KNOW THIS IS AN EMERGENCY WE CAN'T EVEN ENFORCE, UH, EFFECTIVELY THE NO CAMPING BAN THAT THE VOTERS AUTHORIZED TWO YEARS AGO.

TWO YEARS AGO.

AND WE'D NOT BEEN ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY, UH, ENFORCE IT BECAUSE THEY'RE INSUFFICIENT SHELTER BEDS.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THE ISSUE IS IMPORTANT, AND I KNOW THAT IT'S ONE THAT WE'VE GOTTA SAY LASER FOCUSED WITH.

UH, WE DON'T MIND COMING BACK QUARTERLY AND TALKING TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT HOW THAT IS GOING AND HOW IT'S WORKING.

WE'RE, UH, WE DON'T EVEN MIND SAYING IF THERE'S THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO DO BETTER IN TERMS OF MAKING FUTURE AMENDMENTS, WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT THERE, THIS IS AN EMERGENCY AND WE, THIS HAS BEEN ON TOP OF MIND FOR ALL OF US, CERTAINLY IN THE WHOLE TIME I'VE BEEN HERE.

AND MAYBE, UH, DIANA HAS A LITTLE MORE TO SAY, BUT I THINK IT, THE FASTER WE GET THIS SET UP, THE BETTER WE CAN GET PEOPLE MOVED OUT OF, UH, EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS INTO, INTO SHELTER SPACE.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT IT DIDN'T REALLY ANSWER MY QUESTION FOR HOW LONG IT WOULD STAY YOU, IT'S WAITING, YOU'RE WAITING A FEW MORE WEEKS, AND, UH, THAT MEANS THAT YOU'RE MORE, FEW MORE WEEKS BEHIND.

AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BRING THAT CONTRACT BACK AND WE GET A, UH, A GROUP OF PEOPLE SAYING, WELL, THAT'S NOT QUITE RIGHT.

LET'S GO BACK AND TAKE ANOTHER BITE OF THE APPLE, WHICH WE CAN DO.

RIGHT? AND THEN, AND THEN I, AND THEN THAT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE 21 YEARS AGO WHEN WE WOULD DELAY, DELAY MEANT NOT, NOT DELAY FOR A WEEK OR TWO, IT MEANT DELAY FOR MAYBE A QUARTER, TWO QUARTERS TO MAKE SURE WE GOT ALL THE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

SO I GUESS WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND WE'RE IN AN EMERGENCY AND WE NEED THIS SPACE TO BE BADLY USED FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

BUT IS THERE A WAY THAT WE CAN POTENTIALLY SLOW THE BREAKS DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT SO THAT SOME OF THE COUNCIL CAN SEE THE PLAN AND BE RESPONSIVE TO THE CONSTITUENTS QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO LOOK WITHOUT COMPLETELY SLOWING THE PROCESS TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE IN A TIMELY MANNER? WE, WE'LL BE HAPPY TO BRING BACK THE EXECUTED CONTRACT TO YOU.

THE, THE, THE PROBLEM, ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU HAVE IS WE DON'T MEET AGAIN.

WE WE'RE DOING BUDGET, SO YOU'RE GUARANTEED TO DELAY THIS AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.

[06:05:02]

AND THEN AS AS POINTED OUT, IF THERE'S SOME REASON THAT IT GETS DELAYED MORE, BUT THE, THE, THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF IS IN A POSITION WE, WE'VE GIVEN DIRECTION EVEN TO THE POINT IN THE LAST IN, IN THE AMENDMENT WE JUST ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY, IT GIVES EVEN FURTHER DIRECTION ABOUT SPECIFIC ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE IN THE CONTRACT.

THE R F P LAYS OUT ITEMS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE IN THE CONTRACT.

SO IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS WHERE WE KNOW WE'RE BEHIND ON SHELTER BEDS, UH, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE CONDITIONS WE HAVE, UH, IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO WAIT EVEN A FULL MONTH WHEN YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION LIKE THAT AND YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT CAN NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE CONTRACT, RIGHT? SO IT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE IF THIS AMENDMENT FOR WHATEVER REASON, DOES NOT PASS THAT WE DO GET UPDATES REGULARLY ON THE PROGRESS OF, OH YEAH, THE MARSHALING YARD, BECAUSE I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE CONSTITUENCY, UM, THAT WE REPRESENT AND THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE, SO THAT THEY KNOW THAT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THIS.

I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER REVELLA.

I, I AGREE WITH YOU, MAYOR.

IN TERMS OF THE AUGUST 31ST, I THINK THE 40 DAY, UH, DELAY IS, IS TOO MUCH.

I KNOW, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE JUST MENTIONED LIKE, IF WE COULD DO A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING ON, UH, OR ATTACHED TO ONE OF THE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS ON, UH, WE HAVE ONE ON AUGUST 1ST THAT GIVES US JUST LIKE, I THINK A, A A ENOUGH OF A WINDOW TO, YOU KNOW, JUST, JUST GIVE IT A SECOND LOOK, MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER, GET IT PASSED WITH RELATIVELY MINIMAL DELAY.

UH, I, I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.

I JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE, THE, THE CALENDAR OR THE TIMELINE FOR, UH, AUTHORIZING AND, AND, AND NEGOTIATING THE, THE, THE, THE CONTRACT ONE PO ONE POSSIBILITY MIGHT BE THAT AT ONE OF THE WORK SESSIONS WE COULD ADD, UH, THIS AS PART OF A WORK SESSION SO THAT WE CAN GET A REPORT ON THE STATUS.

UH, CARE HAS TO BE TAKEN, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THERE'S A NEGOTIATION, THERE MAY BE A NEGOTIATION GOING ON, BUT THAT WAY PROFESSIONAL STAFF AT LEAST COULD GET A FEEL FOR WHERE WE WERE ON THAT.

AND IF THEY NEEDED TO EXECUTE IT, THEY'D BEEN IN A POSITION TO EXECUTE IT, UM, AS THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF RAPIDLY.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, AND COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.

I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS DIALOGUE.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT, UM, BUT ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT, UM, THE TIMELINE, UH, TO COUNCIL MEMBER VELAS POINT.

UH, I ALSO SHARE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE TIMELINE AND REALLY STRONGLY SUPPORT YOU MAYOR, UM, IN TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTACH A SOONER TIMELINE.

UM, AND RESPECTFULLY, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES THIS BODY EXTRAORDINARILY UNIQUE IS OUR DIVERSITY OF LIVED EXPERIENCE.

I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN HOMELESS, UM, BOTH IN MY YOUTH AND IN MY ADULTHOOD.

UM, AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BENEFITS THAT I BRING TO THE BODY.

SO JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO SAY THAT AGAIN ON THE RECORD.

UM, AS A PERSON WHO BOTH IDENTIFIES AS FORMALLY UNHOUSED AND DIFFERENTLY ABLED, UM, A PERSON WHO STRUGGLES WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS, I THINK THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME SPECIAL AND UNIQUE AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.

UM, SO I NEVER WANNA SHY AWAY FROM ACKNOWLEDGING THOSE THINGS THAT MAKE ME UNIQUE.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.

AND, AND WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IS THAT WE ADD IT TO AN AGENDA OF A WORK SESSION WHERE THE, WE WOULD NOT BE BE VOTING ON IT, BUT INSTEAD WE WOULD GET A REPORT BACK SO THAT THE, THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT, UH, IS NEGOTIATING IT WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO HEAR COMMENTS OR THOUGHTS ABOUT IT AT THAT, UH, POINT IN TIME.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, FOR, UM, FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

UM, AND, AND LIKE EVERYONE ON THE DAYS ALSO FEELS SENSE OF URGENCY.

I SAW THAT THE CITY OF DENVER HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR HOMELESSNESS.

AND SO I CERTAINLY WANNA MAKE SURE THAT OUR CITY IS DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN, AND NOT ONLY PROVIDING EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER, BUT ALSO CONTINUING TO INVEST IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

UH, SO, UH, I APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTARS AMENDMENT AND JUST WANNA CONTINUE TO EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF US INVESTING AND NOT LOSING SIGHT OF A HOUSING FIRST APPROACH.

UM, AND, AND I BELIEVE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTARS AMENDMENT AND ENSURING THAT IF THERE ARE ANY UNEXTENDED FUNDS FROM THIS CONTRACT, THAT IT IS REDIRECTED TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

AND, UH, AND AGAIN, UTILIZING THE TOURISM, THE TPI PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR TOURISM AS ANOTHER REVENUE SOURCE FOR HOMELESSNESS, UM, ARE OTHER OPTIONS THAT THIS CITY COUNCIL SHOULD BE

[06:10:01]

CONSIDERING AS IT RELATES TO COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE'S, UH, AMENDMENT, WHICH I AM IN SUPPORT OF, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE CITY WILL BE OPENING THE LARGEST EMERGENCY SHELTER IN THIS CITY AND PUTTING UP SUCH A, UH, A MASSIVE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER SHOULD COME WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SCRUTINY BECAUSE THESE ARE SOME OF OUR, IF NOT THE MOST VULNERABLE AUSTINITES THAT WE HAVE.

UH, SO I DO THINK HAVING THAT ADDITIONAL TIME, JUST THE ADDITIONAL LAYER OF, OF OVERSIGHT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CONTRACT, TO, UM, TO ALLOW FOR, FOR US TO HAVE COMMENTS ON IT, UM, WOULD MAKE SENSE.

AND SO I WANTED TO INVITE MS. GRAY TO SEE, TO HAVE HER EXPERTISE ON THIS, TO LET US KNOW HER THOUGHTS.

I KNOW SHE'S HAD, UH, BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS, UM, ON THE MARSHALING YARD AND WANTED TO SEE HOW SHE FELT, UM, WITH, UH, COUNCILOR CADRE'S AMENDMENT AND, UM, ANY OTHER, UH, FACTORS THAT WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING.

COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, DIANA'S GONNA GIVE YOU THE SAME ANSWER I JUST GAVE YOU.

I MEAN, SHE CAN GET UP AND, AND SAY IT, BUT LET ME, UH, WHEN YOU'RE 71 OTHER WAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOU CAN SAY SOME THINGS MAYBE THAT WOULD BE SEEN AS LITTLE UNPOLITIC.

YOU KNOW, WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF, WE TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT WE DO, WE TAKE PRIDE IN MAKING PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS, AND WE TRY TAKE PRIDE IN SAYING, THESE ARE WHAT, THESE ARE THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER FOR US TO AFFECT POLICY THAT THIS COUNCIL WANTS TO SEE IMPLEMENTED.

WHAT STRIKES ME ABOUT THIS AMENDMENT, IT, IT GIVES SOME IMPRESSION THAT THERE IS DAYLIGHT, THERE IS DAYLIGHT BETWEEN THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, AND THAT IS A SURE FIRE AWAY TO STIFLE PROGRESS BY THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN MAKING PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS.

I WANT THEM TO CONTINUE TO NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT POLITICS, TO, TO LAY IT ON THE LINE THE WAY IT NEEDS TO BE.

AND I UNDERSTAND IF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO COME BACK AND APPROVE A CONTRACT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT DONE, WE CERTAINLY CAN DO IT.

BUT IT GIVES ME, UH, SOME REAL PAUSE ABOUT WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING HERE.

THE ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN SPEAKING ALL DAY LONG ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS WITH THIS, AND I JUST THINK THAT IT, UH, WHAT IT DOES IS IT JUST DELAYS THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE FROM TAKING PLACE FASTER.

AND I THINK, UH, WE, AGAIN, WE'LL, WE'LL FOLLOW WHATEVER THE DIRECTION OF COUNSEL IS, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE THINK WE NEED TO MOVE AS FAST AS WE CAN.

YOU HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION BEFORE YOU, IF YOU WANNA DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, THAT'S FINE.

MS. GRAY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU'RE GOING TO ADD? I BELIEVE THE MANAGER JUST TOLD YOU WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY.

UM, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS MIGHT HAVE.

VERY GOOD COUNCIL MEMBER PUGEL.

I'M SORRY, MAYOR, I STILL WAS.

JUST WANTED TO GET MS. GRAY AND CITY MANAGER TO YOUR, UH, TO YOUR COMMENTS.

I DO VALUE THE EXPERTISE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF, WHICH IS WHY I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MS. GRAY, UM, TO, TO ENSURE THAT, YOU KNOW, AS POLICYMAKERS, AS WE TAKE A VOTE ON THIS CONTRACT, A 9 MILLION CONTRACT THAT WE ARE HEARING FROM, FROM CITY STAFF AND UNDERSTANDING, UM, ALL OF THE FACTORS THAT ARE AT PLAY WITH STANDING UP.

THIS IS EMERGENCY SHELTER.

MS. GRAY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED TO MAKE A COMMENT.

YOU'VE BEEN ASKED A QUESTION BY THE COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER.

UH, TWO QUESTIONS THAT HAVE SPECIFICALLY BEEN ASKED ARE ABOUT TIMELINE.

UH, AND SO JUST BRIEFLY, I WOULD SAY, UM, THAT OUR VENDOR, UM, IS PREPARED TO STAND THE SHELTER UP QUICKLY.

UH, THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY CAN BE OPERATIONAL WITHIN ABOUT 72 HOURS, UM, FOR A NUMBER OF FOLKS, AND THAT WE WERE GENERALLY TARGETING EXECUTION AROUND AUGUST 1ST, IF THAT GIVES YOU ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT, UH, WHERE WE WOULD BE IN THE PROCESS OF A, A WORK SESSION OR OTHER MEETING, WERE DESIRED COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE, THE, UH, THERMOSTAT AND THINK, UM, HOW MUCH HOTTER AND HOW MUCH LONGER IT'S GONNA BE HOT, I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS, UH, CONTRACT WITH OUR VENDOR COMPLETED, EXECUTED, COMPLETELY NEGOTIATED, AND EXECUTED REALLY QUICKLY.

AND FOR THAT REASON, I, I, I'M NOT SUPPORTIVE OF ANY DELAYS.

I APPRECIATE THE, THE REASON BEHIND IT.

UM, BUT I DO THINK WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY IN FRONT OF US HERE.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER.

INTO HOUSING ONCE THEY'RE IN THIS SHELTER? SURE.

UM, FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA THANK ALL THE SPEAKERS THAT CAME.

UM, YOU RAISED A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT, UM, WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT.

AND I'VE HAD SOME RESERVATIONS AND YOU ADDED SOME QUESTIONS, AND I DO WANNA ASK STAFF SOME QUESTIONS BEFORE WE WE VOTE.

UM, CAN YOU TELL US, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR MOVING PEOPLE

[06:15:02]

SO, UM, GIVE A, A VARIETY OF APPROACHES.

SO YOU NEED TO TURN APOLOGIES.

UM, THERE ARE A VARIETY OF APPROACHES.

SO, UM, THE VENDOR HAS PROPOSED, FIRST OF ALL, HAVING A, A CASE MANAGEMENT STAFF AND DOES HAVE A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET FOR, UM, DIVERSION RAPID EXIT, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY OUR SUPPORTS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED FAIRLY LIGHT TOUCH SUPPORTS TO GET BACK INTO HOUSING.

UH, THAT'S IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE FARTHER DOWN ON A WAITING LIST FOR RAPID REHOUSING, A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

REMEMBER THAT IN THOSE AREAS, WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS ALREADY.

UH, WITH ARPA FUNDS IN PARTICULAR, UH, WE HAVE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMMING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO PEOPLE COMING IN, WE'RE GOING TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE ON, UH, IN THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM AND OUR NQ FOR HOUSING, WHETHER THAT BE RAPID REHOUSING OR PSH.

SO I THINK THOSE THROUGH THAT REALLY ARRAY, UH, UM, SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS SOME INTERVENTION FOR EVERYONE WHO COMES IN THE WAITS.

THE WAIT TIMES MAY BE DIFFERENT.

THE OTHER PIECE IS THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND DID IN THE R F P, THAT BECAUSE THIS IS A TEMPORARY FACILITY, THERE WILL NEED TO BE AN ORDERLY DEMOBILIZATION, UH, OF THE PROPERTY.

SO WE WOULDN'T BE AT AT 300 CENSUS, UH, ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SHELTER.

WE'D BEGIN THAT PROCESS, UH, AT LEAST 60 DAYS BEFORE CLOSE OF DIMINISHING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN SHELTER.

UH, AND, AND PLACING THEM EITHER IN PERMANENT HOUSING, UH, PREDOMINANTLY AS THE, THE, THE PRIMARY, UH, RESOLUTION, UH, OR INTO OTHER SHELTERS IF, IF NEEDED.

CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THAT DEMOBILIZATION STRATEGY? SURE.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE, WHEN WE, SOMEONE COMES INTO HOUSING, I THINK I REPORTED ON TUESDAY DURING BRIEFING, THE AVERAGE SHELTER STAY IS 115 DAYS, RIGHT? AND SO SOME, UH, SOME FOLKS DO LEAVE, UH, WITHOUT HOUSING, BUT FOLKS GET PLACED, TYPICALLY, MANY OF THEM DO EITHER SELF RESOLVE, UH, THEY REUNIFY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS, UH, THEY FIND A JOB, UM, THEY, UM, YOU KNOW, OR THEY, UM, GET INTO HOUSING USING ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS. AND SO THE VENDOR'S JOB AS PEOPLE COME IN IS TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE CONNECTED WITH RESOURCES, WHETHER THOSE MORE INTENSIVE RESOURCES, OR WHETHER THEY'RE PROBLEM SOLVING WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS DAY OVER DAY TO RESOLVE THEIR HOUSING CRISIS.

UM, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT, UM, METHODS WHEN WE HAVE A, AN A FACILITY THAT HAS TO DEMOBILIZE IS THAT THERE IS A POINT AT WHICH YOU, UM, IF YOU DON'T STOP INTAKES, YOU SLOW THEM SIGNIFICANTLY SO THAT YOU ARE DECREASING THE CENSUS, UH, IN A, IN A GRADUAL FASHION OVER THE, UH, LAST WEEKS AND, AND, OR PERHAPS COUPLE OF MONTHS OF OPERATION OF THE SHELTER.

SO THEN, UM, IF WE HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE HOMELESS, NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING HOMELESS, HOW DO WE DETERMINE PLACEMENT INTO THIS SHELTER VERSUS OTHER SHELTERS? WE SPOKE THE OTHER DAY ABOUT HOW WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A GREAT COORDINATED SYSTEM, BUT THIS TYPE OF SHELTER MAY NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE, AND I DON'T HAVE A GREAT CLARITY OVER, YOU KNOW, OF THE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS, WHO GETS, WHO, WHO WOULD, WHO WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO INTO THIS SHELTER.

CORRECT.

SO YOU'RE CORRECT THAT ONE OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS OVERALL IS THAT WE NEED A BED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ACROSS THE SYSTEM, CERTAINLY FOR CITY OWNED AND FUNDED, UM, SHELTERS.

AND HOPEFULLY THAT COULD BE SHARED, UM, FOR THIS SHELTER IN THE RFP AND IN THE NEGOTIATION, IT'S BEEN CLEAR THAT, UH, THE VENDOR WILL BE COORDINATED WITH THE HOMELESS STRATEGY DIVISION TO DETERMINE THE REFERRAL PATHWAYS.

UH, SO WE'RE IN THAT PROCESS NOW AS STAFF OF, UM, OF, UH, PLANNING FOR OUR OPTIONS.

AND ONCE WE ARE AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE, WOULD ENTER INTO THOSE CONVERSATIONS EXPLICITLY WITH THE VENDOR.

UM, AND SO WE WILL HAVE REFERRAL PATHWAYS.

THERE MAY BE INDIVIDUALS FOR WHOM THIS SHELTER DOESN'T WORK.

AS YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF OUR OTHER SHELTERS ARE AT CAPACITY, BUT WE HAVE THE ABILITY, WE STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE REFERRALS TO THOSE SHELTERS.

UH, SHOULD WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS FOR WHOM, UH, THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY IS NOT APPROPRIATE.

THE REALITY IS THIS IS GOING TO BE THE LOCUS, THE PRIMARY LOCUS OF AVAILABLE BEDS, UM, IN THE SHORT TERM.

YEAH, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND I APPRECIATE THE ADVOCATES COMING AND, UM, EXPLAINING, YOU KNOW, THEIR PERSPECTIVE AND WHAT THEY SEE AS THE NEEDS FOR THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

WELL, HANG, HANG ON ONE SECOND.

DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? I'M GONNA ASK COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE TO CLOSE ON HIS, UH, MOTION TO AMEND YES.

MEMBER.

IS THAT OKAY? COUNCIL MEMBER? YES, SIR.

MEMBER PROAM.

[06:20:01]

UM, I'M ALSO A BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIMELINE AND THE EXTREME HEAT.

UH, WE DON'T SEE ANY DAYS IN SIGHT THAT ARE GONNA HIT UNDER A HUNDRED.

I THINK THE OTHER DAY PEOPLE STARTED SEEING 99 IN THE WEATHER FORECAST, BUT THEN IT VERY QUICKLY TURNED INTO 102.

UM, SO I'M, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO.

UM, AND I THINK OUR STAFF HAS BEEN REALLY, UM, DYNAMIC IN TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS BEING, BEING SERVED.

UM, SO I'M MORE INCLINED TO, UM, SEE IT RYAN AL ALTER'S WAY AND LESLIE POOL'S WAY, UM, AND TRYING TO MOVE QUICKLY, BUT APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S PERSPECTIVE AND INPUT ON, ON THE I THE IDEAS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

MAYOR PROAM, CHAIR RECOGNIZES, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

I'M SORRY, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK, QUICK QUESTIONS.

UH, I KNOW THE MARSHALING YARD WAS INITIALLY INTENDED AS A SUPPORT FACILITY FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER, GIVEN THAT THE CONVENTION CENTER IS SCHEDULED TO BE DEMOLISHED, I BELIEVE, AFTER SOUTH BY IN 2024, IF THAT'S, IF, IF THAT TIMELINE IS STILL CORRECT, YES.

CAN WE CONTINUE TO USE IT? I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TO FUND IT, AND, AND THAT'S A, THAT'S A BIG OPEN QUESTION, BUT, YOU KNOW, COULD WE POTENTIALLY EXTEND THE TIME? UH, AND, AND, AND SO YEAH, AND ANOTHER PART OF THE ANSWER, AND SOMEBODY CORRECT ME IF I SAY THIS WRONG IN ANY WAY, BUT YES, IT WAS CREATED AS A, A LAUNCHING PLACE, UH, BUT FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER, BUT AFTER ONE OF THE HURRICANES, AND WE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE COME UP AND IT WAS UTILIZED AS A TEMPORARY SHELTER, UH, SOME DECISIONS WERE MADE ABOUT PUTTING IT INTO A, A RETROFITTING IT IN SUCH A WAY WHERE, I MEAN, IT'S GETTING CALLED WAREHOUSE BY SOME, BUT IT'S NOT, THAT'S REALLY NOT THE CASE.

UM, BUT IT'S BEEN DONE IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WAS LIKE, IT IS A, IS A TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR PEOPLE.

UM, IT WILL BE USED AS A TEMPORARY SHELTER.

AGAIN, I SUPPOSE IF WE'RE NOT USING IT FOR THOSE LIVING HOMELESS THAT NEED A SHELTER SPACE, MY GUESS IS IF THERE'S ANOTHER DISASTER WHERE PEOPLE COME UP, IT WOULD BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

I BELIEVE THAT IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT WE NEED TO BE PROVIDING, UH, TO THOSE LIVING HOMELESS, AND I'M, I'M NOT DE-EMPHASIZING IN ANY WAY PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, BUT THROUGH THE CONTINUUM, INCLUDING SHELTER BEDS, WE, WE WILL, IF, IF WE DO THIS, WE'RE ON OUR WAY TO ADDING SOME SHELTER BEDS THAT ARE SO BADLY NEEDED, BUT WE, IF WE CLOSE IT AND WHEN WE CLOSE IT, WE'RE GONNA BE BACK LESS BEDS.

SO WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE RIGHT NOW.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER, WE USED THE, FOR THE MIGRANTS, THE TITLE 42, AND THE CENTRAL AMERICAN LATIN ART, WE, WE THIS SUMMER MM-HMM.

, THAT WAS THE WAY STATION AS WE GOT 'EM TO THE AIRPORT.

SO WE HAVE EXPERIENCE USING IT TO, UH, TO TEMPORARILY SHELTER.

THAT'S RIGHT.

PEOPLE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

UH, AND, AND, AND WITH THAT TOO, I MEAN, AND, AND IT'S, IT'S AGONIZINGLY SLOW.

THE WAY THAT THE, THE PSH IS, IS IS, YOU KNOW, COMING ONTO LINE.

I WISH I COULD SNAP MY FINGERS AND HAVE THEM READY TOMORROW.

UH, THAT SAID, THERE'S A LOT IN THE PIPELINE.

AND I, I, UH, AND I KNOW THERE'S A PROCESS FOR REFERRING PEOPLE TO PSH, AND THERE'S A KIND OF A, A PECKING ORDER.

BUT AGAIN, AS WE DEMOBILIZE AND AS THE P S H COMES ONLINE IN, YOU KNOW, LATER IN 20 23, 20 24, 20 25, CAN WE KIND OF USE THAT ALSO AS A, AS A TRANSITION AREA, AS KIND OF A BRIDGE SHELTER? I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY NOT AT THE SAME AS, AS, YOU KNOW, SOUTHBRIDGE NORTHBRIDGE IS, IS THAT A POSSIBILITY? UH, YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IS NOT THE ONLY, BUT ONE POSSIBLE REFERRAL SOURCE, UM, IS RESERVING BEDS WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN REFERRED INTO A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OR RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM.

UH, UH, BUT THEY EITHER HAVEN'T FOUND THAT UNIT YET, OR THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THEIR PAPERWORK IN ORDER ALLOWS, UH, THEM TO BE IN A STABLE LOCATION AND, UM, SAFE AND WORKING WITH A CASE MANAGER.

SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS FEASIBLE, UM, AS ONE OF THE REFERRAL PATHWAYS FOR OUR SHELTER.

YEAH, AND I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT EMERGENCY SHELTER IS NOT HOW WE'RE GONNA SOLVE HOMELESSNESS.

YOU KNOW, THAT SAID, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, 4,000 TO 5,000 FOLKS ON THE STREETS RIGHT NOW, I MEAN, MY SENSE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, TWO TO 300 EMERGENCY BEDS, THERE'S PROBABLY TWO TO 300 FOLKS OUT THERE THAT, THAT WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

THIS IS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HADN'T SEE A PATHWAY TO A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

UH, SO, UH, SO ANYWAY, THANK YOU.

ON HIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT, AND THEN WE WILL VOTE.

ALRIGHT, CHAIR RECOGNIZES, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE TO CLOSE

[06:25:01]

UH, AND I APPRECIATE THE, THE CONTACTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, UH, AND JUST THE UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE SHE BRINGS ON A, ON A DAILY BASIS TO THE DIOCESE, AND, AND I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR STAFF AND ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DO.

UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHERE I'M COMING FROM IS JUST A POINT OF CAUTION.

AND, UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT ABOUT A LACK OF TRUST.

IT'S ABOUT NOT KNOWING WHAT'S AROUND THE CORNER, UH, AND, YOU KNOW, JUST, JUST THE, THE PURE HUMAN LIVES THAT, YOU KNOW, CAN BE AFFECTED EITHER IN A GREAT WAY OR, OR NOT.

SO GREAT WAYS.

SO THAT, THAT'S THE REASON FOR THIS, UH, FOR THIS AMENDMENT.

UH, SO WITH THAT, I, I MOVE, ADOPTION OF MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED TO ADOPT, UH, THE CADRE.

MOTION TO AMEND ON ITEM ONE 11.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED, UH, I'M SORRY.

UH, HANG ON.

KEEP, KEEP YOUR HANDS UP IF YOU'RE ON THE SCREEN.

I APOLOGIZE.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED, RAISE YOUR HAND.

THEY'RE, UM, LET ME GET THE, OKAY.

THE VOTE IS FIVE IN FAVOR, VELA CADRE, VELAZQUEZ, FUENTES, AND HARPER MADISON.

THE NOSE ARE ALT RYAN ALTER, LESLIE POOLE, THE MAYOR, THE MAYOR PROTI, AND COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY AND ONE ABSTENTION.

AND THAT IS COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER THE MOTION TO AMEND FAILS FOR LACK OF A MAJORITY MEMBERS.

THAT TAKES US BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH IS TO ADOPT ITEM ONE 11 WITH THE RYAN ALTER AMENDMENT.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MAIN MOTION WITH THE RYAN AS AMENDED? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE MAIN MOTION IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE? UH, I WAS GONNA VOTE NO.

OH, OKAY.

UM, SO SHOW, PLEASE SHOW, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE VOTING.

NO, UH, IT, SO THE ITEM PASSES ON A VOTE OF 10 TO ONE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE VOTING? NO, I, MEMBERS, I'M GOING TO, I, I TOLD YOU I WAS GONNA GO IN NUMERICAL ORDER, UH, WHICH WOULD BE 1 25 AND THEN 1 26.

BUT, UM, UH, I'M GOING TO THIS, THIS, THIS IS NOT A DEMONSTRATION.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO IN NUMERICAL ORDER, BUT I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND

[126. Approve a resolution initiating amendments to Title 25 (Land Development) to modify site development regulations, including minimum lot size and maximum number of dwelling units, applicable to development on lots with single-family zoning.]

GO TO 1 26.

UH, AT THE REQUEST OF A COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES IS ON IMPORTANT CITY BUSINESS, AND THIS WILL ALLOW HER TO, UH, BE PRESENT TO VOTE ON THIS.

SO THE CHAIR, UH, BRINGS UP ITEM NUMBER 1 26 AND RECOGNIZES, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE ON THE ITEM.

MAYOR, I MOVE APPROVAL AND I DO HAVE SOME COMMENTS.

YES, TOWARD THE END.

THE MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE.

IT IS SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PROTI TO ADOPT.

LET ME MAKE, HANG ON ONE SECOND.

I WANT TO ASK, DID ANYBODY SIGN UP TO SPEAK THAT WE DIDN'T CALL ON? YES, MAYOR.

UH, SO YEAH, THE SECOND I'M GONNA GET, I'LL GET THE MOTION ON AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM, UH, THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PROTI.

I'M NOW GOING TO GO TO COMMENTS, UH, PUBLIC COMMENTS.

SO, UH, MADAME CLERK, IF YOU WILL CALL THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON 1 26, BUT WERE NOT CALLED DURING THE OTHER COMMENTS.

WE'VE GOT WILLIAM BUNCH ON DECK AS ROY WHALEY WITH BARBARA MACARTHUR.

DAVID KEEN AND MADELINE MATHIS.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.

EVERYONE, PLEASE COME DOWN TO THE FRONT, MR. BUNCH.

PAVE THE CENTRAL WATERSHEDS IN PARTICULAR, BUT ALSO THE, THE SUBURBAN WATERSHEDS AS WELL.

COUNCIL MEMBERS BILL BUNCH WITH SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.

OPPOSING ITEM 1 26, UH, ONCE IN A BLUE MOON, SOMETIMES LONGER, UH, THE COUNT, THE CHRONICLE ACTUALLY NAILS THE TRUTH WITH A COVER.

HELLSCAPE PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM HEAT AND FLOODS ACROSS THE PLANET.

IT'S ONLY GONNA GET WORSE.

YOU'VE, HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE IT'S BEEN UNDER A HUNDRED DEGREES? AND THE EDITOR ASKED THE QUESTION, WHY AREN'T OUR ELECTED LEADERS DOING SOMETHING QUICKLY? WELL, Y'ALL ARE DOING SOMETHING QUICKLY, MAKING IT WORSE.

THE ONLY WAY THIS MATTER GOES FORWARD AND MAKES ANY SENSE IS TO FURTHER

[06:30:01]

UM, THE RESOLUTION AS WORDED, MAKES IT CLEAR YOU WANT TO GET RID OF TREE PROTECTIONS.

YOU WANT TO REDUCE OR GET RID OF IMPERVIOUS COVER LIMITS.

YOU WANNA GET RID OF SETBACKS.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT PRESERVE TREES, SHRUBS, GREENERY.

THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT IS GONNA SAVE THE CITY FROM BECOMING AN URBAN ISLAND.

HEAT HELLSCAPE IN THE FUTURE.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING? THE PREVIOUS COUNSEL DECLARED A CLIMATE EMERGENCY.

DO Y'ALL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT IF YOU ARE ACTUALLY GONNA ACHIEVE SOMETHING IN THE WAY OF CLIMATE, UH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING? WELL, MAYBE WE COULD HAVE A DISCUSSION.

WE COULD FIGURE OUT, WE COULD REASON TOGETHER.

WE COULD LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES LIKE THOSE PROPOSED BY MICHAEL CURRY IN A HEALTHY DIALOGUE.

UH, BUT THIS ISN'T IT.

THIS IS, UH, REVIVING THE STEVE ADLER APPROACH OF CRAMMING IT DOWN THEIR THROATS, US VERSUS THEM.

TALK TO THE STAKEHOLDERS SECOND, AFTER YOU ALREADY DECIDED THE ANSWER.

IGNORE STATE LAW ON ZONING NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.

UH, I HAVE A LOT MORE TO SAY, UH, BUT I KNOW OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE HERE TO SPEAK HAVE GOOD THINGS TO SAY AS WELL.

WE APPRECIATE YOU.

THANK YOU ROY WALEY.

I ATE MY TIME TO MR. BUNCH.

GO AHEAD AND KEEP TALKING.

UM, ZONING IS A QUASI-JUDICIAL EXERCISE UNDER STATE LAW, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO LOOK AT, UH, CONTEXT SENSITIVE AND SPECIFIC LOCATIONS.

AND THERE'S PROBABLY SOME LOCATIONS WHERE THIS, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST THREE UNITS MAKES SENSE, BUT YOU'RE PROPOSING TO SHOVE IT ONTO, UH, OVER A HUNDRED SQUARE MILES OF SINGLE FAMILY, UH, HOMEOWNER LOTS.

AND NONE OF THOSE PEOPLE, UH, GET A SAY SO IN IT AT THE UPFRONT.

THINK OF IT, SOME OF YOU'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

HAVE YOU EVER ONCE EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT FORCING, INITIATING, AND FORCING A ZONING CHANGE ON A DEVELOPER'S PROPERTY EVEN ONCE? MAYBE YOU DIDN'T GIVE THEM EVERYTHING THAT THEY INITIATED AND REQUESTED, BUT YOU WOULDN'T DREAM OF GOING OUT AND SHOVING IT ONTO THEM, AND YET HERE YOU'RE DOING IT TO EVERY SINGLE, SINGLE FAMILY LOT POTENTIALLY IN THE WHOLE CITY.

IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? I THINK THAT THERE IS.

PLEASE, YOU'RE, YOU'RE, THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR AFFORDABILITY IN THE CENTRAL CITY TO WORK TOWARDS IT, BUT LET'S RECOGNIZE THE TRUTH OF THIS SITUATION AS A DEVELOPER, RED WINDER TELLS US SO ELOQUENTLY, WE HAVE A HOUSING DEMAND PROBLEM.

WE'RE ISSUING BUILDING PERMITS FASTER THAN ANY OTHER CITY IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

UM, THIS IS NOT A SUPPLY ISSUE.

IT'S A DEMAND ISSUE.

AND THE, THE LIBERTARIAN TECH BROS WHO WANT TO BLAME IT ON CENTRAL CITY PEOPLE, UH, WHEN THEY ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM BY STAMPEDING THE CITY WITH HYPERGROWTH AND SUPER HIGH PAYING JOBS, SO THAT THE MARKET IS DICTATING THESE SKY HIGH PRICES ON EVERYTHING NEW THAT'S BUILT.

AND YOU SAW THE DEMONSTRATION FROM REALTOR JIM TEMPLETON, THIS IS NOT ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

GIVE ME A BREAK THAT IS A CHARADE, UH, HIDING BEHIND AN AFFORDABILITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ARGUMENT.

THANK YOU, MR. BUN.

BARBARA MACARTHUR, THEN DAVID KEEN AND MADELINE MATHIS.

THIS DEREGULATION MAGNIFIES INEQUITY AND SANCTIONS ENVIRONMENTALLY DESTRUCTIVE POLICIES.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

I'M BARBARA MACARTHUR AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.

THIS EXTREMELY PRESCRIPTIVE RESOLUTION FAILED TO CONSIDER THE INPUT OF RESIDENT HOMES LOCATED ON THE 176,694 LOTS, THAT IT WILL IMPACT THE RESOLUTION.

MAKES CLEAR THAT DEMOLITION OF EXISTING HOUSES IS AOK OR ELSE IN NICE SPEAK WITHOUT REQUIRING EXISTING STRUCTURES TO BE PRESERVED.

THAT FIXED IN INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE STORM DRAINS IS SOMEHOW ELASTIC.

THAT INCREASING IMPERVIOUS COVER BY ABOUT 26,000 ACRES WON'T IMPACT FLOODING OR CONTRIBUTE TO URBAN HER HEAT SINK, THAT REDUCING SETBACKS WON'T ENDANGER TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TREES THAT PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES WOULD SOMEHOW BE ABLE TO AFFORD HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO BUILD ADDITIONAL UNITS.

DEREGULATION IS NOT

[06:35:01]

ORGANIC.

IT IS PREDATORY.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE SOURCE OF THE POLICIES IN THIS RESOLUTION? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN A WEBPAGE AT THE MERCATUS INSTITUTE, WHICH IS CITED IN THE WHEREAS WHICH THE WASHINGTON POST DESCRIBED AS A STAUNCHLY ANTI-REGULATORY CENTER FUNDED LARGELY BY KOCH INDUSTRIES.

THEY'RE IN THEIR WORD FOR WORD.

NOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SOURCE, WHY NOT LOOK AT THE DATA IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON? ALL OF THE DISPLACEMENT OF LOW INCOME PEOPLE OCCURRED IN THE AREAS THAT THEY DESIGNATED FOR SMALLER LOTS.

ONE SUCH AREA, LOW INCOME PEOPLE, POPULATION DECREASED FROM 63% TO 16% AFTER THEY INSTITUTE SMALL LOTS.

THEY MOVED OUT 1,455 LOW INCOME PEOPLE, 938 BELOW POVERTY, 361 PEOPLE OF EXTREME POVERTY, 32 BLACK AND 1,882 HISPANIC PEOPLE, AND REPLACED THEM WITH 3000 HIGH INCOME PEOPLE AND 2,817 WHITE PEOPLE.

PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS.

THANK YOU, MS. MACARTHUR.

DAVID KEEN, FOLLOWED BY MADELINE NAIS.

UH, YEAH, THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS, MY NAME IS DAVID KEEN.

I'M A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF EAST AUSTIN.

I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE WILSHIRE WOOD DELWOOD ONE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

I'M ALSO ON THE SECTION 1 0 6 COMMITTEE FOR THE I 35 CAPITAL EXPRESS PROJECT.

I'M ALSO ON THE SECTION 1 0 6 COMMITTEE OF PROJECT CONNECT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE, UH, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

AND, UM, I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS PROPOSITION.

IT'S, WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING VERY BADLY.

BUT THIS, THIS PLAN IS NOT IT.

THIS IS NOT A WELL THOUGHT OUT PLAN THAT'S BASED UPON STAKEHOLDER INPUT AND IT'S NOT.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS IT'S NOT BASED ON BEST PRACTICES OF OTHER PROGRESSIVE GROWING CITIES LIKE AUSTIN.

IT'S JUST NOT.

UM, AND I HAVE LOTS OF RESEARCH ON THAT FROM PURE CITIES THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE WITH THE COUNCIL AND COUNCIL STAFF.

YOU KNOW, THIS RESOLUTION REALLY IS JUST ABOUT HANDING OUT MASSIVE ENTITLEMENTS, BUT KEY, KEY TO THIS RESOLUTION.

IT'S, IT'S ENTITLEMENTS WITH NO AFFORDABILITY REQUIREMENT WHATSOEVER.

ALSO TOTAL DISREGARD TO PRESERVING EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLETELY OUT THE WINDOW.

AND HOW THIS HAPPENED, I DON'T KNOW, BECAUSE REALLY, I LOOK AT THE LAST 18 MONTHS, 24 MONTHS IN AUSTIN, AND THERE WAS SO MUCH GOOD WORK BEING DONE, BUT BY CITY STAFF, BY, BY COUNCIL, BY SO MANY CIVIC GROUPS IN AUSTIN, SO MANY PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, SO MANY, SO EVEN, EVEN REAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND BUILDERS WERE DOING SO MUCH RESEARCH ON, ON REALLY GETTING ADUS RIGHT.

UH, THERE WAS SO MUCH RESEARCH BEING DONE IN PROPOSALS, EVEN BEING FLOATED ON PRESERVATION INCENTIVES TO, YOU KNOW, TO ALLOW US TO BUILD MORE INFILL INFILL IN THE CITY.

ALL OF THAT IS NOW OUT THE WINDOW.

WHY? I THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU, YOU NEED TO VOTE NO ON THIS RESOLUTION AND COME BACK WITH THE RESOLUTION.

THAT BUILDS ON WHAT WE ACHIEVE.

SEAGRASS BLOOMING BECAUSE, OR NOT SEAGRASS, BUT RIVER GRASS BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN NUTRIENTS AND POLLUTANTS.

IS MADELINE MATH MATHIS? THANK YOU.

HELLO, MY NAME IS MADELINE MATHIS.

I'M AN 11TH GENERATION TEXAS TEXAN WHO WAS BORN HERE IN AUSTIN.

AND I'M ACTUALLY OPPOSED TO AMENDMENT 1 25, NOT BECAUSE I'M OPPOSED TO DENSE HOUSING, BUT I THINK PUTTING IN THIS DENSE HOUSING WITHOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS IN PLACE FIRST WILL CAUSE LONG-TERM ISSUES FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND MAKE THIS A NOT DESIRABLE CITY TO LIVE IN ANY LONGER.

WITH THE INCREASE OF TEMPERATURES AND LACK OF WATER RESOURCES, WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON, UM, GOOD ORDINANCES IN PLACE, SIMILAR TO COUNTRIES LIKE SINGAPORE AND CITIES LIKE PORTLAND THAT ACTUALLY REQUIRE ALL OF THEIR NEW BUILDINGS TO HAVE STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT INCLUDES VEGETATION AND INCLUDES FILTRATION THAT HAS IMPROVED THE RIVER SO MUCH.

THE SALMON POPULATIONS HAVE COME BACK THERE.

GROWING UP HERE FOR 28 YEARS, I'VE SEEN THE LADY BIRD LAKE AND THE COLORADO RIVER REALLY DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF CLARITY WITH A LOT MORE ALGAE,

[06:40:01]

AND WITHOUT FIRST LOOKING AT THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, I THINK THAT WE WILL REALLY LOSE THE QUALITY AND CHARM OF THE CITY.

PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED PLACES LIKE SAN DIEGO AS EXAMPLE CITIES, BUT THOSE ARE COASTAL CITIES, AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO BUILD A DESALINIZATION PLANT.

AND WE DO NOT HAVE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE OR ABILITY TO EVER HAVE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AS WE ARE VERY LANDLOCKED HERE.

IN COMPARISON PLACES LIKE SINGAPORE, THEY USE THEIR VEGETATION.

AND VEGETATION ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTES A LOT TO RAINFALL THROUGH CONVECTION BECAUSE THEY LOSE A LOT OF RAIN THROUGH EVAPOTRANSPIRATION, AND THAT WILL ACTUALLY LEAD TO MORE RAINFALL.

SO CREATING REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE BUILDINGS TO HAVE MORE VEGETATION IN LOTS BEFORE IMPLEMENTING HIGHER DENSITY, I THINK, OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH HIGHER DENSITY, IS WHAT'S REALLY NEEDED TO HAVE A SUSTAINABLE AND ENJOYABLE CITY FOR THE FUTURE.

I MEAN, I AM YOUNG, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO BUY A HOUSE, BUT I ALSO THINK THAT THE, THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

SO DOING IT RIGHT SHOULD COME FIRST AND WE SHOULDN'T RUSH INTO DOING SOMETHING.

THAT CONCLUDES ALL SPEAKERS ON 1 26 MEMBERS.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

THE MOTION IS TO ADOPT ITEM ONE 11.

UH, I'LL NOW OPEN.

I'M SORRY, WE GOT OFF ONE 11, RIGHT? OKAY.

I'M NOT REOPENING THAT RIGHT NOW.

UM, I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT, FOLKS.

1 26.

UM, UH, AND I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE, UH, TO OPEN.

SESSIONS AND THE HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE.

AND I'D LIKE TO THANK MY CO-SPONSORS AGAIN, COUNCIL MEMBERS, VLA AND CADRE MAYOR PROTON ELLIS, MAYOR WATSON, AND THOSE WHO JOINED THIS INITIATIVE ON TUESDAY.

COUNCIL MEMBERS VELAZQUEZ, RYAN ALTAR AND HARPER MADISON.

I AM PLEASED THAT WE ARE ALIGNED IN OUR EFFORTS HERE.

AND MY THANKS AGAIN TO THE STAFF.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR GOOD WORK AS WE GO ALONG.

I WANNA SHARE MY APPRECIATION FOR CITY DEMOGRAPHER LILA VALENCIA, WHO IS OUT THERE BEATING THE DRUM TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY AND THE MEDIA ABOUT THE DIRE HOUSING SITUATION FOR OUR MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES.

A GROUP THAT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE VIABILITY OF OUR CITY AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I'M GRATEFUL TO THE GROUPS AND AGENCIES WHO HAVE ENDORSED HOME HOUSING WORKS, CAPITAL METRO, A A R P, TEXAS AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY EMS ASSOCIATION, LEONA LABORERS INTERNATIONAL UNION, AUSTIN INFILL COALITION, AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, THE REAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF TEXAS AND ENVIRONMENT TEXAS.

MY THANKS FOR GUIDANCE FROM THE FOLKS AT AUSTIN INFILL COALITION, WHOSE MEMBERS DO THIS WORK EVERY DAY FOR HOMEOWNERS.

WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE LEADERSHIP THERE EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR OUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MORE HOUSING FOR MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES, AND THAT'S FOLKS LIKE TEACHERS AS WELL AS CITY EMPLOYEES, FIREFIGHTERS FIRST RESPONDERS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO A QUICK LIST ABOUT WHAT THIS RESOLUTION, WHAT THIS RESOLUTION DOES DO AND DOES NOT DO.

I'LL START WITH WHAT IT DOES NOT DO.

IT DOES NOT ELIMINATE SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICTS.

IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE ZONING ON ANYONE'S PROPERTY.

IT DOES NOT FORCE A REDUCTION OF EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY LOTS.

IT DOES NOT ELIMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS LIKE IMPERVIOUS COVER OR TREE REGULATIONS.

IT DOES NOT ALTER A EFFECT OR PROPOSE TO ALTER OR AFFECT ANY PART OF THE SOS ORDINANCE.

AND IMPORTANTLY, IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TODAY.

WHAT IT DOES DO, IT INITIATES CODE AMENDMENTS AND A PROCESS THAT INCLUDES STAFF ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

IT INITIATES A PROCESS THAT INCLUDES PUBLIC INPUT AND DIRECT STAFF TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REGULAR PUBLIC UPDATES AT COUNCIL WORK, COUNCIL WORK

[06:45:01]

IT PROVIDES MORE ENTITLEMENTS FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERS WHO MAY CHOOSE TO OPT INTO THEM, BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE FORCED TO DO IT.

IT ASKS STAFF TO RECOMMEND ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO SITE DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING IMPERVIOUS COVER LIMITS THAT MAY MAKE THESE PROGRAMS POSSIBLE FOR MORE HOMEOWNERS.

THE WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL ADVISE COUNSEL WITH THEIR EXPERT RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS TOPIC.

IT ASKS STAFF TO PROVIDE WAYS TO ENABLE HOMEOWNERS TO PRESERVE MORE TREES ABOVE AND BEYOND THE TREE REGULATIONS WE ALREADY HAVE.

I I WANNA POINT OUT THAT IN ADDITION TO THE HOUSING AND AFFORDABILITY MEASURES, WE ARE MOVING, WE ARE ALSO MAKING OUR SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE TO MORE PEOPLE.

TODAY WE HAVE ITEM 1 58, WHICH IS PHASE ONE OF THE SITE PLAN LIGHT, WHICH WAS MAYOR PRO TEM ELLIS'S INITIATIVE.

IT EASES THE SITE PLAN PROCESS, AND IT IS A COMPANION PIECE TO THIS EFFORT THAT SHE AND I BEGAN DISCUSSING QUITE A LONG TIME AGO.

IT MIGHT EVEN HAVE BEEN BACK IN 2021.

THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THERE.

WE RECENTLY APPROVED A SIMILAR EFFORT LED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTAR THAT I WAS PLEASED TO JOIN, MAKING THE AMENDED PLAT AND SUBDIVISION PROCESS EASIER AND MORE AFFORDABLE.

AND I'D LIKE TO DAYLIGHT ANOTHER UPCOMING INITIATIVE THAT WILL BE CRAFTED IN COLLABORATION WITH PRESERVATION AUSTIN.

ONE I MENTIONED BRIEFLY FOLLOWING THEIR COMMENTS.

WE SHARE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT INCREASED DEMOLITIONS AS AN AFFORDABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY MEASURE.

WE SHOULD MAKE THE PRESERVATION AND RELOCATION OF A HOUSE SHIFTING IT ON A LOT OR TO ANOTHER LOT EASIER AND CHEAPER THAN A DEMOLITION PERMIT.

WE ARE SHARING THIS WORK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER VELLA AND COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER, AND I'M CONFIDENT WE CAN BRING THAT INITIATIVE THIS FALL AS STAFF MOVES FORWARD WITH HOME.

I'M OPTIMISTIC.

I AM OPTIMISTIC WE CAN ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THIS INITIATIVE WITH A STRONG COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND ENGAGEMENT.

TOGETHER WE WILL TACKLE THE CHALLENGES MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES FACE AND DELIVER TRUE BENEFITS TO THOSE LOOKING TO BUY A HOME AND STAYING IN AUSTIN AS WELL AS THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO WORK TO STAY.

FURTHER DISCUSSION, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE.

UM, I JUST WANNA ECHO ALL THE POINTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, UH, HAS MADE IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM.

UH, AND I ALSO WANNA POINT OUT THAT AUSTIN RECENTLY BROKE THE RECORD FOR CONSECUTIVE DAYS ABOVE 105 DEGREES, AND I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT ALREADY A LOT.

UH, AND WE'RE ON TRACK FOR, UH, TO LOG THE HOT HOTTEST JULY IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY.

UH, THAT WILL BREAK THE RECORD, WE SAID ONLY LAST YEAR.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE ALL REMEMBER, UH, THE TWO HISTORIC ICE STORMS WE'VE EXPERIENCED JUST IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

UH, CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

IT IS HAPPENING AND IT WILL ONLY GET WOR IT'LL ONLY GET WORSE IF WE DON'T TAKE ACTION, UH, TO REDUCE OUR, OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT.

UH, WE CAN'T DO THAT IF WE KEEP OUR PRO SPRAWL LAND USE RULES THAT FORCE OUR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS TO SEEK AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CAR DEPENDENT EDGES OF OUR CITY AND REGION.

THIS, THIS CHANGE IN OUR CODE WILL SUPPORT MORE WALKABLE TRANSIT FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET AROUND ON FOOT BIKES, SCOOTERS, BUSES, AND ONE DAY LIGHT RAIL TRAINS.

IT'S NOT JUST GOOD FOR AFFORDABILITY, UH, IT'S NOT JUST GOOD FOR MOBILITY, IT'S GOOD FOR CLIMATE, UH, AND IT'S GOOD FOR OUR PLANET.

UH, AND AND I JUST WANNA QUICKLY ADD, YOU KNOW, I'M, I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT THE, THE DISTRICT NINE RACE, UH, WASN'T IN 2024, THEN I WOULDN'T HAVE THE, THE PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, UH, ON, ON, ON, ON BIG ITEMS LIKE THIS.

I JUST WANT TO THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR, FOR LEADING.

UH, I FEEL LIKE I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM HER AND HER AMAZING STAFF AND, UH, JUST, YOU KNOW, THANKFUL TO GET THIS HOPEFULLY THROUGH MAYOR PRO TIM.

THOSE ARE BOTH REALLY GREAT COMMENTS.

SO I'M NOT SURE I WANNA REPEAT ANYTHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, BUT I KNOW EVERY TIME WE BRING HOUSING TO THE TABLE AND UP TO THE DIOCESE AND, AND WE WANNA TALK ABOUT WHAT MAKES HOUSING AFFORDABLE OR WHAT IS CREATING, UM, THE LACK OF AFFORDABILITY HERE IN AUSTIN, YOU'RE GOING TO GET OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

I MEAN, THAT'S NATURAL.

THAT'S PART OF WHAT AUSTIN IS ABOUT.

THAT'S PART OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE AHEAD OF US.

BUT I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT IT KIND OF FACTORS INTO A LOT OF FOLKS WHO SAY, I WORKED REALLY HARD.

I'M PROUD OF WHAT I BUILT.

I BUILT A LIFE HERE AND I LOVE MY COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE WHO

[06:50:01]

ARE SAYING, I'M TRYING TO BUILD MY LIFE HERE AND I'M, I CAN'T MAKE IT.

AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE TO CONSIDER IS AS THE YEARS GO BY AND THE DECADES CHANGE AND WE FIND OURSELVES WITH HEAT, UM, EXTREME HEAT, EXTREME FREEZES, WE SEE FLOODING, WE SEE WILDFIRES, WE KNOW THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS HERE AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GONNA BE HERE IN 30, 40 YEARS.

UM, AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE THEY CAN BUILD A LIFE HERE TOO.

WE NEED TO KEEP OUR FIRST RESPONDERS HERE.

WE NEED NURSES AND TEACHERS TO BE HERE.

WE NEED GROCERY STORE WORKERS WHO WERE FRONTLINE WORKERS DURING THE PANDEMIC TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A LIFE HERE.

AND SO WE MAY ARGUE OVER WHAT MAKES THINGS AFFORDABLE WHEN WE'RE NOT COMMITTING, UM, YOU KNOW, TO CERTAIN LEVELS OF MFI FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT IS ACTUALLY INCLUSIONARY ZONING IF WE COULD DO THAT.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER POOL HAS BEEN A VERY VOCAL ADVOCATE AT THE LEGISLATURE TRYING TO SAY, WE WANT TO HAVE THAT TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX.

BUT WHEN YOU FLIP THAT ON ITS HEAD AND WE ONLY HAVE EXCLUSIONARY ZONING, AND YOU LOOK AT, IF YOU WANTED TO MAKE HOUSING MORE EXPENSIVE, WHICH I KNOW NOBODY IN THIS ROOM WANTS TO DO, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? AND IT WOULD LOOK LIKE HUGE LOT SIZES, THE INABILITY TO BUILD MULTIPLE UNITS ON A LOT.

IT WOULD LOOK LIKE BIG FOOTPRINTS, BIG FLOOR PLANS.

UM, THAT'S WHAT CREATES SPRAWL.

THAT IS WHY PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO DRIPPING SPRINGS IN HAYES COUNTY AND CEDAR PARK AND PFLUGERVILLE.

AND THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITIES.

I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES THAT LIVE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND I ENJOY THEM AS WELL.

BUT IF WE WANNA FIGHT SPRAWL AND WE WANNA FIGHT CONGESTION, WE'VE GOTTA GET CREATIVE WITH THE LAND WE HAVE RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN SO THAT WE CAN BUILD THOSE COMPLETE COMMUNITIES WITH WALKABILITY, BIKEABILITY, AND SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL PARK SPACES AND ALL OF THE CULTURAL ARTS AND EVENTS THAT WE HAVE HAPPENING IN, IN THE CENTER OF THE REGION.

SO I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS TODAY.

I APPLAUD LESLIE POOLE'S LEADERSHIP ON THIS CUZ THIS IS A REALLY, UH, MOMENTOUS OCCASION AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU MAYOR PROAM.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY.

THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK, OUR COMMUNITY IS ENGAGED IN CHALLENGING DISCUSSIONS REGARDING HOUSING.

IT IS EVIDENT THAT WE REQUIRE MORE HOUSING A POINT ON WHICH I BELIEVE WE ALL CAN AGREE ON.

BUT BEFORE I PROCEED, FOR THE REST OF MY REMARKS, LET ME STATE UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF PROMOTING MORE HOUSING OPTIONS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AS I CONSIDERED THE MATTER AT HAND BEFORE US TODAY.

I RECOGNIZE SOME ADVANTAGES OF THE PROPOSED POLICY BEFORE US.

HOWEVER, I FIND MYSELF UNABLE TO SUPPORT IT TODAY DUE TO CERTAIN RESERVATIONS SHARED BY BOTH MY CONSTITUENTS AND THOSE THAT HAVE VOICED THEIR CONCERNS BEFORE US TODAY.

THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD HAVE BEEN ENLIGHTENING, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE UNINTENDED AND SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES IF THIS ITEM IS PASSED.

IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT EIGHT CO-SPONSORS HAVE ENDORSED THIS ITEM AND IT REQUIRES SIX VOTES TO PASS, MEANING THAT IT WILL BE APPROVED TODAY.

WHILE I HAVE APPRECIATED FRUITFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO DEEPLY CARE ABOUT AFFORDABILITY AND HOUSING, I STILL PONDER THE POTENTIAL COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS PROPOSAL.

ONE OF MY FOREMOST WORRIES IS THAT THIS ITEM COULD ALLOW DEVELOPERS TO ACQUIRE PROPERTIES AND THEN SUBDIVIDE.

SUCH A SCENARIO COULD LEAD TO INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES, POTENTIALLY DISPLACING HARDWORKING EVERYDAY INDIVIDUALS.

WE SEEK TO ASSIST.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE ON A FINANCIAL RISK BY DEVELOPING THEIR OWN LAND.

THIS MIGHT EVEN MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR A PROPERTY OWNER TO SELL TO A DEVELOPER.

MY CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THIS RESOLUTION WILL ACHIEVE ITS INTENDED OBJECTIVES.

I'D LIKE TO OFFER A VERY REAL WORLD EXAMPLE OF ANOTHER ONE OF MY CONCERNS THAT STEMS FROM MY EXPERIENCE WHEN RIVER PLACE WAS PART OF MY DISTRICT.

NO KITTY.

THROUGHOUT MY TIME REPRESENTING THAT AREA, THE COMMUNITY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LACK OF A FIRE ESCAPE ROUTE IN THE EVENT OF A WILD LAND FIRE AND SUBSEQUENT EVACUATIONS.

WITH THAT IN MIND, WHILE LOOKING INTO THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THIS RESOLUTION AND ITS INTENTION, IT BECAME APPARENT TO ME THAT INFRASTRUCTURE MUST ADEQUATELY BE PLANNED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF RESIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES AND THE POTENTIAL FOR OVERCROWDING IN CERTAIN AREAS WITHOUT EASY EVACUATION ROUTES IS A WORRISOME ISSUE.

ANOTHER CONCERN THAT I FORESEE IS A POTENTIAL ISSUE IS A STRAIN ON OUR PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES.

ANOTHER REAL WORLD EXAMPLE THAT EXEMPLIFIES THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO DENSITY AND A LACK OF PRIOR PLANNING FOR THOSE RESOURCES.

SPECIFICALLY, I'LL POINT TO THE DOMAIN AREA.

I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF AN ONGOING SITUATION WHERE THE INCREASED POPULATION IN THE DOMAIN HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY ACCOUNTED FOR IN TERMS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RESOURCES.

AS A RESULT, E M S UNITS AND RESOURCES FROM SURROUNDING AREAS OF THE CITY ARE BEING DIVERTED TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES IN THE DOMAIN, CAUSING LONGER RESPONSE TIMES IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS.

THIS UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THOUGHTFUL PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR THE IMPACT OF INCREASED DENSITY ON

[06:55:01]

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DISCUSS AN ITEM THAT AIMS TO SUBDIVIDE LOTS AND INCREASED HOUSING.

IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE ADDRESS THESE RESOURCE CHALLENGES PROACTIVELY TO ENSURE THE WELLBEING AND SAFETY OF ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS.

WHILE I AM GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF ENGAGING IN A BROADER CONVERSATION ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

AS OUR CITY CONTINUES TO GROW, I EAGERLY ANTICIPATE THAT DISCUSSIONS THAT LIE AHEAD.

THANK YOU WITH THAT MAYOR I YIELD.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, UH, CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

THEN COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

UM, FIRST I WANNA START BY THINKING ALL OF THE AUSTINITES WHO TESTIFIED TODAY EMAILED AND CALLED US, WHETHER IN FAVOR OR AGAINST ITEM 1 26, YOUR VOICE DOES MATTER AND YOUR PARTICIPATION IS A BEDROCK OF OUR DEM DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

I KNOW THAT ALL OF US ON THIS DS SHARE THE GOAL OF WANTING ALL US TONIGHTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS.

BUT AS I MENTIONED WHEN WE DISCUSSED THIS ITEM ON TUESDAY, I HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS WITH THIS ITEM.

WHEN WE ALLOW MINIMUM LOT SIZES TO BE REDUCED TO 2,500 SQUARE FEET WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ALLOWING THREE UNITS BY RIGHT ON EACH OF THESE SMALLER LOTS, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SAYING IF YOU BUILD TWO TO THREE UNITS ON THOSE SMALLER LOTS, YOU WOULD NO LONGER BE SUBJECT TO OUR MCMANSION RULES WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ELIMINATING MINIMUM SITE AREA AND BUILDING COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.

ALL WHILE KNOWING WE ARE BASICALLY POWERLESS TO ENFORCE OUR EXISTING S T R RULES ALL WHILE KNOWING THAT EVERYDAY AUSTINITES WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO ACCESS LOANS WITH OUR RISING INTEREST RATES.

BUT SPECULATIVE BAD ACTORS AND PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM IN THAT AREA.

ALL WHILE KNOWING THAT WITHOUT ANY PRESERVATION REQUIREMENT, THIS WILL INCENTIVIZE THE DEMOLITION OF EXISTING HOMES TO BUILD NEWER, BIGGER, MORE EXPENSIVE STRUCTURES AND SEND MORE HOMES TO THE LANDFILL.

THESE FACTORS WORKING IN COMBINATION WITH ONE ANOTHER HAVE THE REAL POTENTIAL TO LEAD TO PREDICTABLE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES.

BELIEVE THIS RESOLUTION IS MUCH MORE DRASTIC AND GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN ANYTHING OUR STAFF BROUGHT TO COUNCIL FOR A VOTE DURING THE CODE NEXT OR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REWRITE PROCESS.

AND LET ME REPEAT THAT.

I BELIEVE THIS RESOLUTION IS MUCH MORE DRASTIC AND GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN ANYTHING OUR STAFF BROUGHT TO COUNCIL FOR A VOTE DURING THE CODE NEXT OR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REWRITE PROCESS.

BECAUSE I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS ITEM TODAY AND EIGHT OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SIGNED ON AS CO-SPONSORS.

I WON'T BE OFFERING ANY AMENDMENTS.

BUT SINCE I KEEP HEARING THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF CONVERSATION AND I WANT TO TAKE, UM, THAT AS WHAT IS INTENDED, I DO HOPE THAT OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF WILL INDEED ENGAGE IN REAL MEANINGFUL AND COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATIONS.

SO CITY MANAGER, YOU KNOW, AS WELL AS I DO THAT WE HAVE TERRIFIC STAFF AND WE ARE BUILDING UP OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

I HOPE THAT OUR PLANNING STAFF WILL INDEED BE GIVEN THE SPACE AND OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WORK AND TO USE THEIR PLANNING EXPERTISE AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SKILLS TO EXPLORE SOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIES FOR MITIGATING THOSE CONSEQUENCES.

INCLUDING LOOKING AT WAYS TO MINIMIZE DEMOLITIONS, MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR THESE NEWER, BIGGER STRUCTURES TO SIMPLY TURN THEM INTO STRS, MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR SEEING NEIGHBORHOODS BE OVERWHELMED BY HUGE MCMANSIONS THAT DON'T ACTUALLY ADD ANY DENSITY OF P PEOPLE, JUST DENSITY OF BIGGER STRUCTURES.

AND TO FIGURE OUT HOW EVERYDAY O AUSTINITES CAN ACTUALLY BENEFIT FROM THESE CHANGES TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS CAPITAL AND EXPERTISE TO REALLY SHARE IN PROSPERITY, NOT JUST BE FORCED TO CASH OUT TO PRIVATE INTERESTS.

COUNCIL MEMBER CHAIR RECOGNIZES, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

THANKS MAYOR.

AND UM, FOR CTM, THERE'S SOMEONE ON THE WEBEX LINK THAT IS UNMUTED THAT I CAN HEAR BACKGROUND NOISE ON.

SO JUST WANTED TO FLAG, THERE'S A CALL IN USER, UM, WHO IS NOT MUTED AND I CAN HEAR, UH, BACKGROUND NOISE.

UH, COLLEAGUES JUST WANTED TO SHARE, UM, MY GRATITUDE TO COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS INITIATIVE.

IT IS A BOLD INITIATIVE THAT IS A LONG TIME COMING AND I OFTEN THINK ABOUT, WOW, WHAT, HOW DIFFERENT AUSTIN MIGHT LOOK LIKE IF WE HAD PASSED THIS TYPE OF LAND USE REFORM A DECADE AGO.

CUZ NOT A WEEK GOES BY THAT I DON'T HEAR FROM A COMMUNITY MEMBER OR A FRIEND ABOUT HAVING TO LEAVE OUR CITY BECAUSE THEY COULD NO LONGER AFFORD TO LIVE IN OUR CITY.

OR WHEN I MEET CITY WORKERS WHO DO NOT, WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO LIVE IN THE CITY THAT THEY WORK IN.

AND I THINK WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER AS A CITY.

OBVIOUSLY THE STATUS QUO IS NOT WORKING.

AND SO BY PASSING THESE BOLD LAND USE REFORMS, WE ARE TAKING THE MUCH NEEDED STEPS.

AND COUNCILOR POL, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRONG

[07:00:01]

LEADERSHIP.

I'VE APPRECIATED HOW YOU'VE ROLLED OUT THIS INITIATIVE AND, AND HAVE INITIATED THIS CONVERSATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE MY GRATITUDE.

US NOW TO ITEM 1 25 AND I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL ON ITEM 1 25.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, THERE YOU'RE, THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION.

I WAS JUST GONNA ECHO, UM, COUNCILWOMAN FUENTES, UM, OBSERVATION THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF BACKGROUND NOISE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS CAN HEAR IT IN CHAMBERS, BUT WE CAN OVERHEAR PEOPLE'S CONVERSATION AND DISHES CLING AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS HAPPENING IN THE BACKGROUND.

SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO POINT THAT OUT TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT, UH, ARCHIVED.

OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION THAT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED THAT WE ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 1 26? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? SAY NO.

NO.

THE MOTION PASSES WITH TWO NOS.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER AND COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY FOR THE RECORD.

THANK YOU ALL.

THAT WILL TAKE

[125. Approve a resolution initiating amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to modify requirements pertaining to water and wastewater service extension requests and cost participation.]

THANKS MAYOR.

AND I WOULD MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEM 1 25.

MOTION IS TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 1 25.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY THE MAYOR PRO TIMM.

UH, IS THERE DISCUSSION? WELL, LET ME ASK, WE GOT, WE, WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, IS THAT RIGHT? YES, THERE IS ONE SPEAKER, ANNA AGUIAR.

OKAY, SORRY.

AND BILL BUNCH IS, IS, IS MR. BUNCH SIGNED UP OR NOT TO BE IMPOSED TO 1 25? HE'S RIGHT HERE.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING HE WAS SIGNED UP ON 1 25.

I DON'T WANT, I HAVE HIM LISTED AS WANTING TO SPEAK ON 1 26 EARLIER THIS MORNING, BUT IF HE'S HERE, HE'S HERE.

BUT I DON'T BILL, BUT DID YOU SIGN UP ON 1 25? OKAY, I FIGURED.

UH, PLEASE GO AHEAD.

THE PROCESS KIND OF CONSISTENT WITH, UH, ITEM 92, AND IT SHOULD BE DEEP SIXED BY YOU, UH, AS ITEM 92 WAS.

GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS ANNA AGUIRE.

I'M THE IMMEDIATE PASS, UH, CHAIR OF THE SOUTHEAST COMBINED NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CONTACT TEAM AND THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOODS COUNCIL.

BUT I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR THEM TODAY.

I'M SPEAKING AS A D TWO RESIDENT AND A DOVE SPRINGS RESIDENT.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE ITEM 1 25, WHICH ALLOWS CODE TO NO LONGER REQUIRE THE ENVIRONMENTAL OR LAND USE COMMISSIONS TO REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL OR FOR CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST WATER AND WASTEWATER EXTENSIONS INTO BARTON SPRINGS AND LAKE AUSTIN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER AREAS SUCH AS NORTHERN BASTROP COUNTY.

AS THE PAST ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER, I RECALL A CASE SUPPORTING A REQUEST TO PLACE A WASTEWATER LINE IN A CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE ALONG THE CREEK IN FAR SOUTHEAST AUSTIN.

AS A RESULT OF MY SERVICE ON THE FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE IN RESPONSE TO THE 20 13 20 15 CATASTROPHIC FLOOD EVENTS, I KNEW THIS WAS NOT A GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE.

IF NOT FOR THIS BIDDING PROCESS, A WASTEWATER LINE WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHIN A CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE.

WITHOUT A BIDDING PROCESS, AUSTIN RESIDENTS WILL HAVE NO SAY ON CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES SUCH AS THIS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. BUNCH.

AND AFTER MR. BUNCH IS MADELINE MATHIS.

THANK YOU MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS BILL BUNCH AGAIN WILL SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE, URGING YOU TO VOTE NO OR POSTPONE THIS ITEM, UH, WHICH WOULD REVERSE OVER 40 YEARS OF CITY OFFICIAL POLICY THAT THE PRESUMPTION IS WE WILL NOT EXTEND WATER, SEWER AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE INTO THE BARTON SPRINGS WATERSHED.

UH, THAT WAS LATER UNDER MAYOR WATSON EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL OF OUR DRINKING WATER WATERSHEDS, UM, UH, AND THAT THAT PRESUMPTION WOULD BE POLICED BY THIS COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC AND THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEFORE YOU AND BEFORE THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

UM, THIS HAS WORKED BEAUTIFULLY.

UM, MOST OF THESE THAT WANT TO SEEK, UH, AN EXTENSION TO DEVELOP MORE INTENSIVELY IN OUR WATERSHED, UH, DON'T EVEN COME BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'LL BE DENIED, UH, OR THEY FALL OUT ALONG THE WAY.

OR IF THEY ACTUALLY MEET, UH, SOME STANDARDS AND THE THE STAFF RECOMMENDS THEM, THEN THEY GET APPROVED WITHOUT MUCH FANFARE AS ITEM SIX DID BY Y'ALL EARLIER TODAY.

UH, SO THIS ISN'T TAKING UP TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.

UH, THIS IS DEFINITELY IN THE CATEGORY, UH, OF A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM.

ONLY THE SOLUTION MEANS CUTTING THE PUBLIC OUT OF

[07:05:01]

UM, AS Y'ALL KNOW, THE STATE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO CUT BACK OUR AUTHORITY TO MANAGE GROWTH GRANDFATHERING NEW LEGISLATION THIS SESSION.

AND THAT MAKES THIS POLICY EVEN MORE CRITICAL FOR YOU, THE COUNCIL TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER AND REVIEW EXTENSIONS OF WATER AND SEWER INTO BARTON SPRINGS WATERSHED.

WHAT THAT WATER AND SEWER TURNS INTO CONCRETE TURNS INTO FERTILIZER, IT TURNS INTO SEWAGE THAT POLLUTES OUR SPRINGS.

PLEASE DON'T DO THIS.

I DON'T, I HONESTLY DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S ON YOUR AGENDA.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

BARBARA MACARTHUR IS, WAS SO NO.

UM, MADELINE MATHIS AND ROY WHALEY, LET, LEMME ASK A QUESTION EXCEPT FOR THIS, UH, YOUNG WOMAN HERE.

EVERY, UH, THESE PEOPLE SPOKE IN THE MAIN ON CONSENT WHEN WE HAD SPEAKERS FOR CONSENT AND NON-CONSENT AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

WHAT, WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW? THEY'RE COMING UP AND SAYING THAT THEY DIDN'T GET TO SPEAK.

WE, YOU SPOKE, DIDN'T YOU? ON THE LAST MR. WHALEY ON OH, PARDON.

THAT WAS ON A DIFFERENT NUMBER.

YOU SPOKE IT ON THE CONSENT AND NON-CONSENT AGENDA, DIDN'T YOU? I SPOKE, BUT I DIDN'T SPEAK ON EVERYTHING THAT I SIGNED UP FOR AND THIS WAS NOT ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT I ADDRESSED.

BUT THAT, BUT THAT, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE WAY WE SAID WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO.

UM, DO THIS, I'M GOING TO GRANT AN EXCEPTION BECAUSE MAYBE I WAS UNCLEAR, BUT, UH, FOR YOU UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

BUT, UM, WE DIDN'T, WE DIDN'T SET THIS UP SO THAT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS YOU GET TO SPEAK ON CON CONSENT AND THEN COME BACK AND SPEAK ON THIS A SECOND TIME.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

I APOLOGIZE TO YOU.

UM, MY BACKGROUND IS ACTUALLY WORKING FOR THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN WHICH I OVERSAW WASTEWATER DRINKING WATER, WETLAND AND STATE LANDS.

AND FLORIDA HAS A LOT OF ISSUES WITH SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS MENTIONED FOR CHANGING THIS AMENDMENT WAS TO ACTUALLY MAKE AND IMPROVE THE ABILITY TO REGULATE SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS.

BUT BY INCREASING THE, UM, OR BY GETTING RID OF THE COST PROHIBITION FOR LARGER PIPING AND STUFF, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE LARGER SPILLS.

A BIGGER PIPE IS GONNA HAVE MORE WASTEWATER.

AND PUTTING IT IN A CRITICAL DRINKING WATER ZONE WILL ACTUALLY CAUSE A LOT MORE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TO OUR AQUIFER AND OUR DRINKING WATER AND OUR ABILITY TO KIND OF FILTRATE THAT AND IT'LL REALLY DECREASE THE, UM, LIFE OF OUR WATERS AS WELL.

THE SPRINGS OVER IN FLORIDA HAVE ACTUALLY GONE DOWN SO MUCH FROM SANITARY SUPER OVERFLOWS THAT THEY HAVE THESE BAD ALGAE BLOOMS. AND I KNOW AUSTIN HAS HAD SOME OF THOSE ALGAE BLOOMS THAT KILL AND CAUSE AMOEBA THAT CAN LITERALLY CONTAMINATE AND CAUSE BRAIN INJURY AND OTHER THINGS.

SO I THINK PASSING THIS AND MAKING IT SO THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE REGULATED AND HAVE THE OVERSIGHT OF THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO REALLY INCREASE THE, UM, HARM TO THE PUBLIC AND NOT JUST IN THAT AREA, BUT TO OUR AQUIFER AND OUR DRINKING WATER OVERALL.

AS SOMEONE WHO USED TO REGULATE IT AND HAD YEARS OF EXPERIENCE REGULATING IT, IT'S NOT IF IT'S GONNA HAPPEN, IT'S WHEN IT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FUNDING FOR STATE REGULATORS TO HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE ON THE GROUND TO INSPECT THESE THINGS IN FAST ENOUGH TIMES AND PIPES FAIL.

THAT'S JUST THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION.

SO NOT HAVING THE OVERSIGHT OF THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE THOSE BIG FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IS REALLY JUST GONNA CAUSE MORE HARM IN THE LONG TERM.

I DON'T WANNA PUT THIS ON THEM.

THAT'S TOUGH TO FOLLOW.

, RELAX.

ROY WHALEY CONSERVATION CHAIR FOR THE AUSTIN REGIONAL GROUP, THE SIERRA CLUB AGAIN.

UM, AND WHAT SHE SAID, UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU KNOW, SO, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING, WATERSHED'S ONE OF OUR MY FAVORITE DEPARTMENTS, AND

[07:10:01]

I WANT TO KEEP IT WHERE IT BELONGS ON YOU, ON THE PEOPLE THAT GOT ELECTED TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS AND OUT IN THE OPEN WHERE WE CAN ADDRESS IT.

MR. BUNCH WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAYS, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH VERY OFTEN.

SO ON THOSE TIMES WHEN IT IS IMPORTANT, LET'S DO IT IN THE OPEN AS A COMMUNITY TOGETHER BECAUSE IT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE OVER THE YEARS.

IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE GOING FORWARD.

WE NEED TO HAVE THIS OPEN IN THE DAYLIGHT DISCUSSION.

PLEASE SAY NO TO THIS.

THANK YOU, SIR.

AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

CERTAINLY.

THAT CONCLUDES THE SPEAKERS.

ALL RIGHT, MEMBERS, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 1 25.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING IN OPENING? OKAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.

I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR WATERSHED.

I'M NOT SURE IF IT WOULD BE, UM, FOR KATIE CO OR FOR LIZ JOHNSTON AS THEY'RE COMING FORWARD.

UH, I'M GOING TO NOTE THAT, UH, AND I SAID THIS EARLIER, BUT I WANT TO NOTE IT AGAIN THAT COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES IS, UH, OFF THE ES ON IMPORTANT CITY BUSINESS AND, UM, I WANT TO NOTE THAT FOR THE RECORD.

COUNCIL MEMBERAL ALTER YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

I APPRECIATE YOU BEING WITH US.

UM, SO CAN YOU TELL ME, WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS ITEM AS A PRIORITY FOR THE WATERSHED DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT? UH, KATIE, CO.

ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER.

GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, MAYOR COUNCIL.

UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION.

UM, HOW DO I ANSWER THIS? IT'S, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S COME UP AS A STAFF PRIORITY FOR WATERSHED.

AND AS I UNDER UNDERSTAND IT, NOT FROM OUR, OUR COLLEAGUES AT AUSTIN WATER, I CERTAINLY RECOG RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S COUNCIL'S PREROGATIVE TO HELP SHAPE THE PRIORITIES THAT WE NEED TO TAKE IN TERMS OF POLICY IN OUR CITY AS FAR AS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

UM, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO SHARE SOME CONCERN THERE ARE SCRS THAT WITH THE CURRENT LEVEL OF OVERSIGHT THAT EXISTS WITH, WITH COUNSEL, UM, HAVING OVERSIGHT ON THESE REQUESTS, UM, THERE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CASES WHERE THIS HAS BEEN USEFUL OVERSIGHT FOR US, AND WE CAN SHARE SOME EXAMPLES IF, IF THAT'S HELPFUL.

UH, THAT SAID, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF EFFICIENCIES THAT CAN BE FOUND WITH BETTER PROCESS.

AND SO WE RECOGNIZE THAT THAT IS PART OF THE ATTEMPT THAT'S BEING MADE HERE.

I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO SHARE SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF WHERE THIS, UM, HAS BEEN HELPFUL.

THE LIZ JOHNSTON WATERSHED PROTECTION, AND I BELIEVE THIS INFORMATION IS ALSO IN THE Q AND A BACKUP.

UM, AND SO, AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED BECAUSE SOME PROJECTS HAVE MULTIPLE SCRS LIKE WATER AND WASTEWATER AND SOME DON'T.

BUT, UM, AND IN THE LAST 10 YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN, JUST CHECKING MY NUMBERS, UM, UH, 12, LET'S SEE, IT'S A LITTLE AGAIN, A LITTLE BIT.

SO, UM, SIX PROJECTS WERE AT LEAST ONE BOARD RECOMMENDED AGAINST THAT DID NOT PROCEED.

SO THOSE WERE SOME, UM, UM, RECENT ONES THAT, UH, HAD A LOT OF, UH, CONCERN THAT, UM, DID NOT PROCEED, UM, PARTIALLY RELATED TO THE SERVICE EXTENSION REQUEST.

SO HAVING THE COUNSEL HAVE TO APPROVE HELPED IN THAT PROCESS, I WOULD SAY YES.

BUT, BUT LET ME, I JUST WANNA MAKE, SO I'M, I'M CLEAR YOU, UH, THE WATERSHED DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THE, THE WATER DEPARTMENT.

CORRECT.

IF THERE WAS A REQUEST, YOU DIDN'T FEEL AS A, AS A DEPARTMENT THAT YOU COULD OPPOSE OR REQUIRE AN EXTENSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHATEVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL, WHATEVER ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDED TO BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S NO DAMAGE, UNINTENDED DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT, DO YOU NO ONE MUZZLED YOU, I GUESS I'M ASKING, OR DID YOU FEEL YOU HAD TO STEP BACK AND JUST LET WATER DO WHAT IT WANTED? THE ONLY REASON WATERSHED WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE, THE DECISION IS IF WE ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.

AND AT UNDER, SO YOU'RE NOT CONSULTED CURRENT PR PROCESS IS THAT WE ARE ONLY BROUGHT IN IF THERE IS A COUNCIL, UM, ACTION REGARD.

YOU'RE NOT CONSULTED WHEN THOSE EXTENSION REQUESTS COME TO COUNCIL, CORRECT? CORRECT.

WELL, WE ARE WHEN THEY COME TO COUNCIL ONLY.

OF THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS, AND I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY GIVEN THE PROCEDURES THAT ARE NOT UNDER THE CURRENT PROCESS.

SO IT, SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT IF IT WASN'T ON THE PATH TO COUNCIL, THEN THE WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY BE PART

[07:15:01]

UM, AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, DO YOU BELIEVE APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM WOULD STRENGTHEN OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTION OF OUR WATER SUPPLY AND WATER QUALITY? IT IS, IT WOULD NOT BE A STRENGTHENING OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

UM, AND YOU BELIEVE, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, THAT THE OVERSIGHT HAS BEEN HELPFUL IN ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT FOR WATERSHED IN THE CURRENT PROCESS.

THAT OVERSIGHT WITH COUNSEL HAS BEEN HELPFUL.

UM, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY PROBLEMATIC SCRS THAT COUNSEL HAS DENIED IN RECENT HISTORY? I, I WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK, UM, AT THAT.

I DON'T HAVE IT AT THE MY FINGERTIPS RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S FINE.

UM, WERE THERE OTHER SCRS THAT NEVER MADE IT TO COUNCIL BECAUSE AFTER BEING SCHEDULED OUT FOR A COMMISSION VOTE, THEY NEVER CAME TO COUNCIL DUE TO A LACK OF SUPPORT? YES, THERE WERE.

I BELIEVE SIX.

I CAN CONFIRM THAT NUMBER THOUGH.

AND DID THE VIOLENT CROWN AMPHITHEATER REQUIRE AN SCR? IT DID.

UM, SO MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT KAYLA CHAMPLIN, AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR WITH THE AUSTIN WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, REPORTED THAT THE VIOLENT CROWN AMPHITHEATER, S E R WOULD'VE MEANT 16,000 FEET OF WASTEWATER AND WATER LINES CROSSING BARTON CREEK AND POSSIBLY WILLIAMSON CREEK TWO CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONES.

AND SO IN FEBRUARY OF 2022, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CLINICIAN UNANIMOUSLY DENIED THAT REQUEST.

DOES THAT SOUND ACCURATE? THAT IS CORRECT.

MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRAVIS COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY, THE SAVER SPRINGS ALLIANCE, THE AUSTIN ZOO, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, AS WELL AS RESIDENTS OF THE AREA, ASKED THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION TO DENY VIOLENT CROWN'S REQUEST.

I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF, BUT DOES THAT ALIGN WITH WHAT YOU RECALL? THE, THAT THAT SOUNDS CORRECT.

AND IF WE REVERSE THIS EXISTING POLICY, THAT PUBLIC HEARING AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO TESTIFY TO DECISION MAKERS ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS WOULD BE NO LONGER, EXCUSE ME, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

I'M TRYING TO SPEAK AND WHEN YOU'RE SPEAKING RIGHT IN MY EAR, I CANNOT, HE'S, HE'S THERE.

HAVE THE CONVERSATION.

SO IF WE REVERSED THIS EXISTING POLICY, THAT PUBLIC HEARING AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO TESTIFY TO DECISION MAKERS ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS WOULD NO LONGER BE PART OF THE PROCESS AND INSTEAD THE DECISION WOULD BE ENTIRELY ADMINISTRATIVE BY STAFF.

IS THAT CORRECT? UM, CORRECT.

AND ARE THERE ANY PROCEDURES AT THIS POINT? IF WATERSHED AND THE WATER DEPARTMENT DISAGREE, IF IT DOESN'T COME TO COUNCIL, WE HAVE INTERNAL PROCESSES, UM, TO MEET AND DISCUSS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN ALIGNMENT ON OUR RECOMMENDATIONS CURRENTLY.

BUT WE HAVE GOTTEN RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE COME TO US THAT YOU DISAGREE AND THEY'RE NOT RESOLVED BEFORE THEY COME IN THE PAST.

TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM UNTIL, UH, AUGUST 31ST.

UM, AND I THINK WE'VE WORKED ON SOME OF THOSE PROCESSES, SO COLLEAGUES, UM, YOU KNOW, I WOULD REALLY ASK THAT WE CONSIDER A POSTPONEMENT.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES HERE WITH 196 ITEMS. UM, YOU KNOW, I WOULD ASK FOR THE ABILITY TO REALLY LOOK AT THIS MORE CLOSELY.

UM, YOU KNOW, WITH SOS RAISING THE ALARM, BEING VERY, UM, YOU KNOW, THE, THE FOLKS THAT WE'VE LOOKED TO HISTORICALLY, UM, TO CONSERVE OUR AQUIFER AND OUR WATER SUPPLY, UM, THEY'RE SAYING THAT THIS IS A DIRECT ASSAULT ON OUR CORE POLICIES FOR PROTECTING BARTON SPRINGS.

I THINK THAT SHOULD GIVE US PAUSE.

IT CERTAINLY GIVES ME PAUSE.

UM, AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THE, THAT WE SHOULD, UM, YOU KNOW, TAKE SOME MORE TIME FOR THIS.

AGAIN, WE HAD 196 ITEMS AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE ALL FEELING THAT THAT WAS TOO MANY.

UM, BUT I THINK IT IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR A POSTPONEMENT.

UM, I DO REPRESENT AN AREA WHERE THIS WOULD HAVE A VERY BIG IMPACT.

I HAVE EXAMPLES OF SCRS THAT WERE VERY IMPORTANT EVEN, UM, IN RELATION TO OTHER ITEMS THAT WE DEALT WITH TODAY.

AND SO I DO THINK, UM, THAT A POSTPONEMENT WOULD BE IN ORDER, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION, AND I HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL PROVIDE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THIS IS NOT AN ITEM THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH.

THERE WAS NO OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE DEEPER CONVERSATIONS WITH WATERSHED, ET CETERA.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE POSTPONE.

COUNCIL MEMBER, DOES YOUR, YOUR MOTION, DOES YOUR MOTION TO POSTPONE HAVE A DATE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO POSTPONE IT TO? UM, WELL ABSENCE THE INABILITY TO DO IT INDEFINITELY.

I WOULD SAY THE AUGUST 31ST MEETING, I WILL BE, UM, ON CITY BUSINESS AT THE SEPTEMBER 14TH MEETING.

THE, THE MOTION, UM, THERE'S A MOTION.

HANG ON ONE SECOND.

THERE'S A MOTION

[07:20:01]

IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA SECONDS.

THE MOTION.

I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL ON THE MOTION AND THEN I'LL, I'LL HAVE A COMMENT.

UM, SO I WANTED TO ASK ACM INTERIM ACM ROBERT GOODSON QUESTIONS.

IS THAT SURE.

APPROPRIATE AT THIS POINT? THANKS MR. GOODE FOR COMING UP AND, AND TELL EVERYBODY WHY I'M, WHY I'M CALLING YOU UP.

WHAT IS YOUR PURVIEW ON THIS? YOU ARE THE ACM FOR SURE.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING ? I HAVE BOTH WATERSHED AND WATER IN MY PORTFOLIO.

SO I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SCRS AND WASTEWATER AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN DENIES SCRS.

UM, CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO EVERYBODY WHAT AN SCR IS? SERVICE EXTENSION REQUEST FOR, FOR WATER AND WA AND AND OR WASTEWATER? IN OUR SERVICE AREA, WATER HAS A SERVICE AREA DEFINED BY WHAT'S CALLED A CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE, CCN, AND BY LAW, WATER IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SERVICE WITHIN THAT SERVICE AREA.

AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS A POLICY OF WANTING GENERALLY, UM, TO PUT WASTEWATER, FOR EXAMPLE, INTO THE PIPES AS OPPOSED TO SPRAYING IT ON THE GROUND OR ALLOWING, UM, IF THERE ISN'T THE ABILITY TO EXTEND THE SERVICE, THEN A DEVELOPER OR A PROPERTY OWNER WOULD HAVE TO CREATE ITS OWN PACKAGE PLANT ON ITS SITE AND DO ITS OWN WASTEWATER, UH, ELIMINATION.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT VERY WELL CUZ THIS IS NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE, WHICH IS WHY I WAS HOPING THAT YOU COULD KIND OF DRAW THE PICTURE FOR FOLKS.

CERTAINLY IT IS, WE PREFER TO HAVE A CENTRALIZED TREATMENT RATHER THAN, UM, LAND APPLICATION THAT IS SOME, SOME SOMETIMES USED AND OR SEPTIC SYSTEMS. SO DOES DENYING SERVICE FOR AN SCR, IS THAT A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING? WELL, FOR WATER, AGAIN, WE'RE REQUIRED WITH AN RCC AND TO PROVIDE SERVICE.

WATERSHED LOOKS AT IT LIKE YOU ALL ARE DEBATING FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT.

SO THEY'RE LOOKING TO ENSURE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS ARE MET IN ALL, IN ALL AREAS AS WELL AS WASTEWATER, SCR.

IS IT MORE OF A PROTECTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT TO HAVE WASTEWATER ELIMINATED OFF OF A SITE THROUGH A CITY OWNED, UH, PIPE? THAT'S A CHALLENGE.

I MEAN, WE, WE WOULD SAY YES IN MANY CASES, BUT IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE APPLICATION AS WELL.

INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT'S, BUT BY AND LARGE IT SEEMS SAFER TO PUT WASTEWATER RUNNING THROUGH A PIPE AND GOING INTO OUR WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. SURE.

I, I WANNA GO AHEAD AND GET SOME COMMENTS INTO THE, INTO THE RECORD.

UM, IS WATERSHED INVOLVED IN SITE PLAN REVIEW WHEN BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE? YES.

UM, IF SCR APPROVALS, AS HAS BEEN INDICATED HERE BY OTHER STAFF, IF THERE'S SUCH A PROBLEM, WHY DON'T ALL SCRS COME TO COUNCIL? I THINK THERE ARE LIKE 400 OF THEM.

WELL, IN A YEAR.

THE POLICY HAS BEEN WHEN WE'RE IN ENVIRONMENTALLY SINCE AREA DRINKING WATER PROTECTION ZONES, THOSE ARE SPECIALLY TREATED AND THEN WE BRING THOSE TO COUNCIL.

THAT'S BEEN THE, THAT'S BEEN THE CODE THAT, THAT THIS ITEM LOOKS TO INITIATE AN AMENDMENT CHANGE THAT WILL GO THROUGH A PROCESS AND, AND THROUGH, AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER ON 1 26, IT STARTS THE PROCESS AND THERE'LL BE A LOT OF WORK GOING FORWARD ON HOW THAT LOOKS BEFORE IT COMES BACK TO COUNSEL.

WHEN WE DENIED THE T LAB TO THE VIOLET CROWN, WHAT HAPPENED? THEY GOT THEIR TLA DIDN'T THEY? I DON'T, I'M NOT AWARE OF THAT.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY, THEY DID GET IT FROM T C E Q.

YEAH, I KNOW.

UM, AND IT FEELS LIKE IT'S PREFERABLE FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO BE THE JURISDICTION PROVIDING IN THAT INSTANCE.

UM, BUT WE DID DENY IT.

UM, I, I WILL TELL MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DIOCESE THAT MY STAFF WAS WORKING WITH AUSTIN, THE WATER UTILITY AND WATERSHED PROTECTION, UH, BOTH OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS TOLD, TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD CREATE A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS GOING FORWARD, UM, TO A ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT ARE BEING RAISED HERE.

IS THAT TRUE? YES.

SO GOING THROUGH THE, IN THE CODE INITIATION FROM NET THIS POINT FORWARD, WE'LL WORK ON A PROCESS TO BRING BACK TO COUNCIL THAT YOU'LL SEE IN ADOPTING THOSE CODE CHANGES THAT WILL SHOW THAT COLLABORATIVE PROCESS.

WE WANT TO HAVE WATER, WE WANT TO HAVE WATERSHED INVOLVED AND WATERSHED BOTH OF 'EM, THEY'RE ALL MY WES.

WE WANT TO HAVE THAT COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP GOING FORWARD TO LOOK AT THAT.

SO YES, THAT WOULD BE, SO WE DON'T HAVE STAFF IN ONE DEPARTMENT AT ODDS WITH STAFF AND ANOTHER DEPARTMENT.

AND I KNOW THAT THAT WAS AN ISSUE EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT WE WERE ABLE TO RESOLVE.

THANK YOU MR. CITY MANAGER.

I, UH, BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE,

[07:25:01]

I'LL, I'LL ASK YOU TO CLOSE.

PROJECTS TO COST PARTICIPATE WHEN BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S LARGER THAN THEY NEED FOR THE PROJECT.

WILL THAT WORK FOR YOU? UM, MEMBERS, I, I'M GONNA SET, I WANT TO SAY A COUPLE THINGS ABOUT THIS RESPECTFULLY, UH, TO COUNCIL MEMBER POOL BECAUSE AS MR. BUNCH POINTED OUT, UH, I WAS AROUND WHEN WE, UH, DID SOME OF THIS.

IN FACT, WHEN WE CREATED THE, I SEE SOMEBODY ELSE OUT THERE, MAYBE I SEE SOMEBODY ELSE OUT THERE THAT KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

UM, THE DRINKING WATER PROTECTION ZONE.

AND WE CREATED THIS POLICY, UH, AND IT WAS A POLICY DONE SO THAT WE WOULD HAVE EYES ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WHEN WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED TO HAVE EYES ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BECAUSE OF THE VERY SENSITIVE DRINKING WATER PROTECTION ZONES THAT WE WERE, WE WERE ADDRESSING.

AND, AND I APPRECIATE MR. GO GOOD'S ANSWERS, BUT IN EVERY INSTANCE, IF IT WAS GOING TO BE BETTER OR, UH, WE, WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED TO DO THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE IT BETTER.

THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF FACTORS THAT GO INTO THE CONSIDERATION THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD MAKE.

UH, THAT'S, THAT'S PART OF THE, THE PROCESS, IF YOU WILL, WHEN IT COMES TO COUNSEL, IS TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE OPTIONS AND ALL OF THE CRITERIA.

UM, SO I I JUST WANNA POINT THAT OUT THAT IT'S WORKED AND IT, IT'S WORKED FOR A LONG TIME.

UM, NOW ANYBODY ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? I'M GONNA CALL OKAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER? NO, NO, NO.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, THEN COUNT, THEN THE MAYOR PRO TIM, AND THEN I'LL CALL ON, UH, THE CAST MEMBER TO CLOSE.

UH, I, I SECONDED THE CONTINUANCE.

THERE'S NOTHING IN THE BACKUP.

I, I I'M JUST, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS 196 ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

I, I JUST, I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION.

I, RIGHT NOW, I FEEL LIKE TO MAKE AN INFORMED VOTE, UH, AND I WOULD LIKE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO MAKE AN INFORMED VOTE.

UH, I, I, I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE SEEN AS KIND OF LIKE A, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT OR NOT.

I, I JUST, I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT NOW TO, TO MAKE A DECISION.

MAYOR PRO TIM JUST WANTED TO DAYLIGHT MY THOUGHTS.

I'M GONNA SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE IN THIS INITIATIVE NO MATTER HOW THE VOTES GO.

UM, AS SOMEONE WHO GETS A LOT OF SCRS THAT ARE GENERALLY PRETTY CLOSE TO MY DISTRICT, UM, YOU KNOW, IT, IT STRIKES ME THAT THERE COULD BE A BIT OF INCONSISTENCY IF WE JUST SAY COUNCIL GETS THE ABILITY TO VOTE THEM UP OR DOWN.

I'M SOMEONE THAT BELIEVES FIRMLY IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES.

AND IF THERE'S ISSUES WITH THE PROCESS, THEN COUNSEL MAY NEED TO DIRECT, YOU KNOW, WHAT CRITERIA AND WHEN THINGS ARE APPROVED AND WHEN THEY'RE DENIED.

UM, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT STAFF WOULD NEED TO APPROVE ALL OF THEM OR DENY ALL OF THEM, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THIS CONVERSATION THROUGH MOST OF CENTRAL AND EAST AUSTIN BECAUSE IT'S NOT IN THE DRINKING WATER PROTECTION ZONE.

AND SO AT THAT POINT, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF IS ALREADY WELL VERSED IN LOOKING AT WHAT THE, UM, WHAT THE BENEFITS OR, OR WHAT, UM, CONSEQUENCES MIGHT COME FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TAP INTO THE LINES.

UM, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING AND ALONGSIDE A LOT OF SCIENTISTS THAT CARE A LOT ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AS WELL, UM, I I AM CONCERNED ABOUT TREATMENT ON SITE AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ENOUGH OVERSIGHT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ENOUGH FOLLOW UP IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG.

WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT HOW SOME OF OUR, YOU KNOW, NEIGHBORS FURTHER TO THE WEST, WE HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THEY APPROVE PERMITS FOR WATER DISCHARGE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

UM, I THINK THESE ARE ALL VERY VALID CONVERSATIONS.

I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THERE'S PARITY AND EQUITY IN WHO GETS EXTENDED SERVICE AND WHO DOESN'T.

AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO RUN INTO AN ISSUE WHERE COUNCIL IS JUST UP AND DOWN VOTING, UM, BECAUSE THEY LIKE SOMEONE OR THEY DON'T LIKE SOMEONE, OR, YOU KNOW, ONE NEIGHBOR HAS MORE POWER THAN THE OTHER.

SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE IRONING OUT CONSISTENCIES AND THAT WE REALLY KNOW THAT OUR STAFF KNOWS COUNCIL'S DIRECTION AND INTENT WITH HOW WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WE DON'T END UP WITH ONSITE TREATMENT GOING AWRY OR HAVING SEPTIC OVERFLOW AND IT'S JUST NOT CAUGHT FOR A LONG TIME.

THOSE, THOSE ARE ALSO VERY DAMAGING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

I'LL, I'LL REC, I, I, HERE'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IF, IF WITH WITH PERMISSION IS I'M GOING TO ASK COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

THIS IS THE, THIS IS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MOTION TO POSTPONE AND, BUT THAT'S GONNA BE THE FIRST VOTE WE TAKE IS ON WHETHER OR NOT TO POSTPONE UNTIL, UH, AUGUST 31ST.

SO I'M GONNA ASK COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, AND THEN I'M GOING TO GO TO THE MAKER OF THE MOTION AND, AND, AND ACTUALLY HAVE A CLOSE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER.

THAT'S THE ANGELS HAVE SHOWN UP .

FINALLY, FINALLY, TODAY THEY SHOWED UP.

I, THAT'S GREAT.

SO FIRST OF ALL, UM, I'LL JUST START OFF.

THE RESOLUTION DOES NOT AFFECT THE SLS ORDINANCE OR HOW IT'S APPLIED TO DEVELOPMENT.

IT DOES CHANGE THE REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE EXTENSION REQUEST TO COME TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AND ALLOWS WASTEWATER

[07:30:01]

THIS REQUIREMENT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL AREA OF TOWN THAT'S OVERLAPPED BY THE E T J AND THE DRINKING WATER PROTECTION ZONE.

THE DRINKING WATER PROTECTION ZONE HAS SOME OF THE MOST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL CODE, AND THAT ALONE HAS SUCCESSFULLY SERVED TO LIMIT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPERVIOUS COVER.

WHAT I'M HEARING TODAY HERE IS IT STAFF, I ODDLY, AND, AND I HOPE I'M WRONG ABOUT THIS, MAY NOT FEEL SUFFICIENTLY AUTHORIZED TO UPHOLD THOSE RESTRICTIONS.

SO, CITY MANAGER, I WOULD LIKE TO CHASE THAT BACK.

OUR OFFICE ASKED AUSTIN WATER, HOW MANY SAR HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO COUNCIL IN THE PAST THREE YEARS AND HOW MANY WERE DENIED.

AUSTIN WATERS STATED THAT NINE SCRS HAD BEEN, HAD BEEN BROUGHT PREVIOUSLY, ALL WERE APPROVED, NONE WERE DENIED.

IF AN SCR IS DENIED, THE APPLICANT'S ONLY OPTION IS TO GET A PERMIT IS ISSUED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

NONE OF THESE ALTERNATIVES GIVE CONTROL TO THE CITY.

AND WE HAVE HAD FAILURES IN PAST YEARS THAT DISCHARGE WASTE INTO OUR MOST SENSITIVE WATERWAYS.

ALLOWING A LARGE PROJECT TO CONNECT TO OUR WASTE WATER SYSTEM ENSURES THAT THE WASTE IS TREATED TO THE CITY'S STANDARDS AND NOT DISCHARGING QUESTIONABLE WATER INTO OUR LOCAL WATERWAYS.

THAT'S A WHOLE GOAL OF THIS.

THAT ASIDE, AND I REALLY WANNA EMPHASIZE THIS POINT, THESE ARE NOT POLITICAL DECISIONS.

THESE DECISIONS NEED TO AND SHOULD BE MADE BY EXPERT STAFF WHO ARE AWARE OF THE BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS OF EXTENDING THE SERVICE.

COUNCIL MEMBER.

I, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER TO CLOSE, AND THEN WE WILL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE UNTIL AUGUST 31ST.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? UM, I, I GUESS I JUST, YOU KNOW, WANTED TO SPEAK TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN A POSTPONING MM-HMM.

I'D LIKE TO CALL MR. BUNCH UP PLEASE.

SO, MR. BUNCH, YOU'VE BEEN, UM, COMMITTED TO PROTECT OUR WATER QUALITY AND WATER SUPPLY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

YOU'VE HEARD SOME OF OUR DISCUSSION OF THE PROS AND CONS OF THIS STEP.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY SPEAK TO ANY OF THE PROS OR CONS WE'VE DISCUSSED SO FAR THAT YOU THINK WOULD HELP US IN MAKING OUR DECISION TODAY? UM, AND, AND MAYBE SURE.

YOU KNOW, WHY WE SHOULD POSTPONE? YES.

UM, THROUGH THAT PUBLIC PROCESS WITH WATERSHED PROTECTION, BALANCING THE WATER UTILITIES GOAL, WHICH ALMOST ALWAYS IS JUST TO EXPAND ITS CUSTOMER BASE, GOING THROUGH THE PUBLIC PROCESS, WE GET GOOD DECISIONS, DECISIONS THAT PROTECT THE WATERSHED.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL TO SAY THE ONLY OPTION BESIDES EXTENDING THE UTILITIES IS A T LAP PERMIT FOR T C E Q.

UH, SOMETIMES THERE'S AN OPTION TO, UH, RE OBTAIN SERVICE FROM ANOTHER PROVIDER.

SOMETIMES THE DEVELOPER IS DEAD IN THE WATER BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET A T LAP PERMIT ON THE RECHARGE ZONE.

THEY CAN, THE RULES ALLOW IT, BUT IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SHOW THAT YOU CAN PROTECT THE AQUIFER AND BARTON SPRINGS IRRIGATING TREATED SEWAGE ON THE RECHARGE ZONE, THE LAST TIME SOMEBODY TRIED TO DO THAT, WE WERE ABOUT TO BEAT THEM ON THAT FIGHT, AND THE CITY STEPPED FORWARD AND ACTUALLY BOUGHT THE LAND, AND NOW IT'S A HUNDRED PERCENT PRESERVED.

THAT WOULD'VE NEVER HAPPENED, UH, IF WE HAD JUST GAVE, GIVEN THEM A SEWER.

UM, THEY CAN DO SEPTIC SYSTEMS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, OH, SCARY SEPTIC SYSTEMS. BUT THAT'S A MUCH LOWER DENSITY, UH, DEVELOPMENT THAT GOES ON SEWER SYSTEM, UH, ONSITE, UH, SEPTIC SYSTEMS. ONE HOUSE PER 2, 3, 5 ACRES.

MUCH LOWER IMPACT THAN A GIANT MEGA INTENSIVE, HIGHLY IMPERVIOUS COVER DEVELOPMENT THAT'S, UH, REQUIRED THAT, THAT DESPERATELY NEEDS OUR SEWER SERVICE.

TLA HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED FOR THE VIOLET CROWN AMPHITHEATER.

THAT MONSTROSITY WOULD BE BUILT IF WE GIVE THEM SEWER SERVICE AND WATER SERVICE, IT WILL, RIGHT NOW THEY'RE SCREWED WITHOUT IT.

AND I THINK THERE'S, I HOPEFULLY NOBODY ON THE ES THAT THINKS THE VIOLET CROWN AMPHITHEATER IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT I PROMISE YOU THE WATER UTILITY WOULD WANNA SERVE THEM IF WE DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING IT TO YOU HERE.

SO THE EACH CIRCUMSTANCE IS UNIQUE AND REQUIRES LOOKING AT THE FACTS.

AND SOMETIMES, YES, THE RIGHT ANSWER IS TO PROVIDE CITY SEWER SERVICE, BUT WE GET TO THAT RIGHT ANSWER WITH THE OVERSIGHT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THE COUNCIL.

LET'S LET THE COUNCIL MEMBER ASK QUESTIONS IF SHE HAS QUESTIONS.

AND

[07:35:01]

TO BE ABLE TO THINK ABOUT THIS.

WELL, I THINK WITH SOME ADDITIONAL POSTPONEMENT, WE CAN DEFINITELY ENGAGE WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND LOOK AT THIS ISSUE MORE CLOSELY.

LOOK AT THE TRACK RECORD, LOOK AT THE VIOLET CROWN AMPHITHEATER EXAMPLE, WHICH IS A REALLY GOOD ONE.

LOOK AT THE HAYES COMMONS DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS PENDING RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S ONE THAT WE HAVE FOUGHT OFF TWICE BEFORE, OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

IT'S A HORRIBLE DEVELOPMENT THAT THE DEVELOPER REFUSES TO SCALE BACK MEET REASONABLE STANDARDS.

IT'S LIKE FIVE MILES FROM OUR CURRENT UTILITY.

SO IF WE EXTEND SERVICE, WE'RE OPENING UP A VAST OTHER AREA OF THE RECHARGE ZONE FOR INTENSIVE URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

SO, UH, YES, I WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND WE CAN DO THAT WITH A POSTPONEMENT.

AND I THINK FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I'M STILL TRYING, STRUGGLING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT PROBLEM EXACTLY WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE.

I UNDERSTAND THERE'S AN ISSUE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IF WE'VE AGREED TO EXTEND IT, IT'S AN APPROPRIATE PLACE, IT MAKES SENSE, BUT IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS CUZ NOT EVERYWHERE ON THE BO BORDERS EQUALLY.

RIGHT.

PROBLEMATIC THAT WE WOULD WANNA BE ABLE TO EXTEND THE SERVICE AND THEN THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT ADDRESSING.

UM, BUT AGAIN, I'M NOT FULLY UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM.

I DON'T KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

I KNOW YOU HAD THREE CO-SPONSORS.

IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS SO THAT WE CAN REALLY UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM THAT THIS IS TRYING TO SOLVE.

UM, BUT I WOULD REALLY ASK MY COLLEAGUES THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE 196 ITEM AGENDA.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

WE ALL CARE ABOUT THE WATERSHED.

I, THEY'RE CLEARLY EQUITY ISSUES, BUT I'M NOT SURE THE SOLUTION IS TO TAKE AWAY THE, THE PROTECTIONS, UM, OVER THE DRINKING WATER.

IT MAY BE THAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT IF THERE, IF THERE ARE ISSUES IN OTHER PARTS OF TOWN WHERE WE NEED TO HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT THAN WE SHOULD ADD, UM, THOSE STEPS, UM, THERE AS WELL IF THEY'RE, IF THEY'RE APPROPRIATE.

BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VET AND TO THINK ABOUT TODAY.

SO AGAIN, I WOULD VERY MUCH ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF WE CAN, UM, HAVE MORE TIME, UM, TO THINK ABOUT IT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE RUSH HERE.

THAT WAS THE CLOSE.

ANYTHING NEW THAT, THAT, THAT WAS, I'M GONNA LET YOU CLOSE AGAIN IF YOU NEED TO, BUT, UH, I'M, I'M BEING DEFERENTIAL HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

I I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT THE AUSTIN, AUSTIN WATER UTILITY DID DENY THE WATER LINE FOR VIOLET CROWN AND, UM, THE REASON VIOLET CROWN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION NO, NO, NO, NO.

THE VIOLET MR. BUNCH.

NO, NO.

WELL, LET'S GET THE FACTS.

NO, NO, NO.

YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT.

UH, SO THE AUSTIN WATER UTILITY DID, DID DENY THAT LINE FOR WATER TO THE VIOLENT CROWN, AND THE FACT THAT VIOLENT CROWN NEVER CAME TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL IS BECAUSE OF THE STAFF'S WORK.

UM, THE, THE PROBLEM THAT IS IN FRONT OF US HERE, I THINK, MAYOR, IS THAT, UM, THE CONCERNS ARE RELATED TO THE SOS BARTON SPRINGS VULNERABLE AREA OF TOWN.

AND, AND IT, THIS PIECE, UH, IS PROTECTED BY THE ORDINANCE THAT THAT WATERSHED IS PROTECTED BY THE ORDINANCE, BUT THE SCRS IN THE GREATER AUSTIN AREA DO NEED SOME ASSISTANCE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY, MORE EXPEDITIOUSLY, AND HOPEFULLY LESS EXPENSIVELY.

SO I, I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY.

I DON'T WANNA I DON'T WANNA FIGHT WITH YOU, BILL.

I I REALLY DON'T.

BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHAT HE'S ADVOCATING FOR AND WHAT WE WERE THE LARGER ISSUE THAT WE WERE, UH, HOPING TO ADDRESS.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR HAND.

DO YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING ANYMORE? AGAIN, I REALLY, YOU KNOW, THAT'S HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS.

THERE ARE SOME CONSEQUENCES AND THERE MAY BE SOME WAYS TO SPEED THAT UP.

AND AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THE FACTS OF HOW LONG THIS IS TAKING AND HOW PROBLEMATIC IT IS WHEN IT'S NOT A CASE THAT'S PROBLEMATIC.

UM, SO IF IT'S TAKING MORE TIME AND IT'S A CASE WHERE IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, THEN IT'S DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

UM, BUT, BUT IN THE TWO WEEKS THAT WE'VE HAD WITH 196 ITEMS, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE, YOU KNOW, TO LOOK INTO ANY, ANY OF THAT.

AND AGAIN, I THINK, I DON'T KNOW WITH BUDGET THAT WE'LL BE FULLY ABLE TO VET IT, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER DECISION THAN WHEN WE WOULD MAKE, UM, TONIGHT THE MOTION BEFORE US IS A MOTION TO POSTPONE TO, UH, THIS ITEM 1 25 TO AUGUST 31ST.

[07:40:01]

ALL THOSE OPPOSED, RAISE YOUR HAND FOR MAYOR.

I'M, I'M FOR THE POSTPONE.

YOU'RE VOTING FOR THE POSTPONE? YES.

I GOTCHA.

UH, THERE BEING SIX YESES ON THE MOTION.

THREE.

NO, UH, I'M SORRY.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, HOW DID YOU VOTE? I VOTED IN OPPOSITION TO THE POSTPONEMENT.

THERE BEING FOUR VOTES, UH, IN OPPOSITION AND I'LL, I'LL CALL OUT THOSE VOTES IN JUST A SECOND.

AND ONE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES OFF THE DIOCESE, THE MOTION TO POSTPONE PASSES THE VOTE.

SO FOR THE RECORD IS IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION WAS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON AL ALTER, MAYOR WATSON, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER AND COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ, THOSE VOTING? NO, WERE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL MAYOR PRO TIMM COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE AND COUNCIL MEMBER HARBOR MADISON.

AND AS I INDICATED, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES WAS OFF THE DIAZ.

UH, MANAGER, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR, FOR, UH, FUTURE FORMER CITY MANAGER SAY, I FEEL STRONGLY BOTH WAYS.

UH, I, I MEAN, I THINK THAT, UH, WHAT, WHAT I'D LIKE TO HAVE IS THE OPPORTUNITY FROM THE COUNCIL BEFORE WE BEGIN A, A, A COMMUNITY PROCESS IN TERMS OF WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE IN TERMS OF THIS SERVICE EXTENSION REQUEST IS PLEASE GIVE ROBERT MYSELF TIME TO WORK WITH WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND THE WATER UTILITY.

UH, WE HAVE A NEW DIRECTOR THAT'S NOT EVEN BEEN THERE A YEAR, AND LET'S SORT THROUGH WHAT THE PROCESSES ARE THAT WE'RE USING NOW, SO WE IDENTIFY ANY WEAKNESSES IN WHAT WE'RE DOING.

THAT IS WHAT SOMETHING WAS INTIMATED A MINUTE AGO THAT SOMEHOW WATERSHED WAS, UH, NOT ALLOWED TO EXPRESS FULLY WHAT THEY BELIEVE NEEDED TO BE DONE.

SO WE NEED TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND THEN WE WANNA WORK WITH EACH OF THE COUNCIL OFFICERS THAT ARE INTERESTED ON THIS AS WE GO FORWARD FOR THAT POSTPONEMENT.

CALL UP ITEM NUMBER ONE TWENTY EIGHT, THE PRIMARY COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER MADISON, YOU WISH TO BE HEARD? UH, YES, PLEASE, MAYOR, YOUR HONOR, I, I'M JUST TRYING TO GET SOME CLARITY, UM, AS TO THE, UH, CITY MANAGER'S, UH, POSITION THERE.

MANAGER MEMBERS.

I'LL

[128. Approve a resolution directing the exploration of a South Shore Cultural District and associated planning and financing.]

UH, SO I GUESS FROM A PROCESS PERSPECTIVE, IF WE VOTE AS A BODY TO POSTPONE, DOES THIS MEAN THAT WE RESET THE QUORUMS? I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, AND WE'LL HAVE TO GET ADVICE FROM COUNSEL ON LEGAL COUNSEL ON THAT.

CAN WE, WE VOTED TO POSTPONE IT, SO WHAT YOU GOT? ALL RIGHT.

ITEM NUMBER 1 28.

THE PRIMARY SPONSOR IS COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

UH, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE FOR A MOTION ITEM.

MOTION TO ADOPT ITEM 1 28.

THE MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE TO ADOPT.

ITEM 1 28 IS, IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.

UM, AND I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO ITEM 1 28.

I MOVE ADOPTION OF KELLY AMENDMENT ONE FOR ITEM 1 28 MEMBERS.

YOU HAVE ITEM 1 28, AND COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY PROVIDED THIS TO US AT THE WORK SESSION ON TUESDAY.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ.

UH, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE ON THE MOTION TO AMEND.

YEAH, I'M, I'M HAPPY TO ACCEPT COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY'S AMENDMENT, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING ON THIS ITEM.

NOW GO TO ITEM NUMBER 1 29.

THE MOTION, UH, THE MOTION TO AMEND PROPOSED MOTION TO AMEND BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HA.

THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT IT WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE MOTION TO AMEND IS ADOPTED.

AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE IS ADOPTED.

WE'LL GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH IS TO ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 1 28 AS AMENDED.

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION, HEARING? NO OBJECTION.

ITEM 1 28 IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

WE'LL

[129. Approve a resolution relating to the City’s S.M.A.R.T. Housing Program, and initiating amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development Code) to update the S.M.A.R.T. Housing Program.]

I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ, UM, ON ITEM NUMBER 1 29 AS THE PRIMARY SPONSOR.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, AND, UH, COLLEAGUES, IF YOU'LL BEAR WITH ME.

I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 10 PAGES OF NOTES TO GO THROUGH ON THIS, SO PLEASE, PLEASE.

OF THE ENTIRE LDC AMENDMENT PROCESS.

UM, COLLEAGUES, I'M EXCITED TO BRING THIS FORWARD.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT, UH, I RAN ON WAS, UH, BRINGING MORE AFFORD, UH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING ONLINE QUICKLY.

UH, THIS RESOLUTION IS A RESULT OF SEVERAL MONTHS OF CONVERSATIONS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS REGARDING OUR CITY CITY'S OLDEST AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM.

THE SMART PRO, UH, SMART HOUSING PROGRAM WAS INTENDED TO PROVIDE EXPEDITED REVIEW AND FEE WAIVERS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S FALLEN SHORT AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS.

THE PROGRAMS FEE WAIVE FEES ARE LISTED OUT IN THE LDC, MEANING THAT EXEMPTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS FOR MANY NEW FEES REQUIRES THE COMPLETION

[07:45:01]

THIS ITEM LOOKS TO SIMPLIFY THE LDC BY INSTEAD INCLUDING THE WAIVE FEES AS PART OF THE ANNUAL FEE ORDINANCE.

COUNSEL WOULD APPROVE THIS AS PART OF THE YEARLY BUDGET.

ADDITIONALLY, IT CALLS FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COST OF WAIVING THE EXPEDITED REVIEW FEE FOR SMART HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS TO BETTER INFORM FUTURE, UH, UH, FUTURE WAIVERS OF THE FEE, THE RESOLUTION SPEC SPEC.

SPECIFICALLY REQUEST AN UPDATE ON THESE AMENDMENTS AT THE SEPTEMBER HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE.

GIVEN THAT CITY STAFF AT THE DIRECTION OF CHAIRWOMAN HARPER MADISON WILL BE PRESENTING THEIR RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO EXISTING DENSITY BONUS PROGRAMS, INCLUDING SMART HOUSING.

THE, THE SEPTEMBER TARGET DATE IS SIMPLY A CHECK-IN FOR STAFF TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE.

UM, AS THE HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE IS HAVING BROADER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DENSITY BONUS PROGRAMS, I UNDERSTAND, UH, THAT REQUEST WILL LIKELY TAKE ADDITIONAL TIME TO COMPLETE THE AMENDMENTS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING THEIR WORK AT A FUTURE COMMITTEE MEETING.

YESTERDAY, I SHARED VERSION TWO OF THIS, YES, UM, VIA THE MESSAGE BOARD.

THE LATEST VERSION PROVIDES ADDITIONAL DIRECTION, THIS CITY MANAGER ON HOW TO LIST THE WAIVE FEES UNDER THE PROGRAM IF FEASIBLE, THE CITY MANAGER IS ASKED TO LIST THE FEES THAT ARE NOT WAIVED.

INSTEAD OF THOSE THAT ARE, THE INTENT IS TO PROVIDE FURTHER PREDICTABILITY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS, UM, SO THAT THEY CAN MOVE, UH, SO THEY CAN MORE ACCURATELY ESTIMATE THE CITY FEES THEY WILL PAY, UH, WITH ANY GIVEN AFFORDABLE PROJECT.

UH, I WANT TO THANK MY CO-SPONSORS, RYAN ALTER, UH, NATASHA HARPER, MADISON VELA, UH, MY POLICY ADVISORS, YUDY AND JAYLEN AND THE CITY STAFF FOR ALL THEIR HELP.

AND WITH THAT, I MOVE ADOPTION COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ MOVES ADOPTION OF, UH, ITEM NUMBER, UH, 1 29 VERSION TWO.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO ITEM 1 29.

I MOVE ADOPTION OF KELLY AMENDMENT ONE FOR ITEM 1 29 MEMBERS.

YOU HAVE AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE IN FRONT OF YOU, AND IT WAS PROVIDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY ON TUESDAY.

THE MOTION TO AMEND IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO AMEND WITHOUT OBJECTION? THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED.

WE GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH IS THE ADOPTION OF ITEM 1 29 AS AMENDED.

ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM 1 21 29 IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.

COUNCIL MEMBERS.

ITEM NUMBER

[148. Approve the proposed bylaw amendment for the Parks and Recreation Board to eliminate the Financial Committee.]

1 48.

CHAIR CALLS UP ITEM NUMBER 1 48 MEMBERS.

THIS WAS PULLED OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA BECAUSE IT WAS AN ITEM THAT WAS BROUGHT TO US, UH, BY A COMMITTEE.

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, WHO CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE, WHICH MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION.

I MOVE PASSAGE OF ITEM 1 48, WHICH IS AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS OF THE PARKS AND REC RECREATION BOARD.

IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL.

THE MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION HEARING? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM 1 48 IS ADOPTED.

WE WILL NOW GO

[190. Approve an ordinance establishing a police reserve force.]

TO ITEM NUMBER ONE 90.

UH, THE CHAIR WILL RECOGNIZE, UH, HANG ON ONE SECOND.

MY NOTES ARE MESSED UP.

THE CHAIR WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER ON ITEM ONE 90, MOVE ADOPTION OF ITEM ONE 90.

UH, THE MOTION IS MADE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ TO ADOPT ITEM ONE 90 MEMBERS.

I'LL NOW RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ONE 90.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.

UH, MEMBERS, UH, THE AMENDMENT IN FRONT OF YOU WOULD PUT A SUNSET DATE OF TWO YEARS AFTER APPROVAL, UNLESS APPROVED BY COUNCIL NOW.

AND A MOTION TO ADOPT THE MOTION IS TO ADOPT THE AMENDMENT, UH, BY CADRE.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION? SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.

UH, IS THERE DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO AMEND BY CADRE WITH THAT OBJECTION? THE MOTION TO AMEND BY CADRE IS ADOPTED.

CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ITEM ONE 90.

MAYOR.

THIS ITEM, OR THIS AMENDMENT JUST SIMPLY ENSURES THAT THE POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE UTILIZED FOR THIS RESERVE FORCE ARE OFFICERS THAT WERE HONORABLY, HONORABLY, RETIRED, OR DIDN'T REALLY, UM, HAVE ANY ISSUES UPON THEIR RETIREMENT.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION? SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.

IS THERE DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? THE MOTION TO AMEND BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER IS ADOPTED MEMBERS.

THAT TAKES US BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION, UH, WHICH IS TO ADOPT ITEM

[07:50:01]

ONE 90 AS AMENDED.

IS THERE OBJECTION TO THE MOTION WITH THAT? OBJECTION.

ITEM ONE 90 AS AMENDED IS ADOPTED.

WELL NOW GO TO ITEM 1 95, WHICH IS AN ITEM FROM A COMMITTEE.

COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER'S, AMENDMENT COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.

RYAN ALTER.

LET ME ASK A QUESTION.

WAS YOUR AMENDMENT IN THE BACKUP? YES.

BUT I'M SAYING THAT WELL, I'M, I'M REALLY CONVINCED BY THAT.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.

I'M GONNA READ IT INTO THE RECORD.

EVEN WITH THAT ABSOLUTE ANSWER THAT YOU GAVE ME.

UM, IT'S, IT'S, IS IT, IT GOT EMAILED OUT? YEAH.

IT'S IT'S IN OUR EMAILS.

IT'S NOT IN THE BACKUP.

WELL THEN LET ME READ IT INTO THE RECORD.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO SAY? NO.

IS AN ITEM THAT WAS PULLED CAUSE IT CAME TO US FROM A COMMITTEE.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER'S, UH, AMENDMENT IN SUBSECTION B LINE THE, THE, THE FOURTH LINE DOWN, BEGINNING WITH THE SENTENCE, ALL RESERVED POLICE OFFICERS SHALL BE, HE HAS ADDED BE HONORABLY RETIRED IF APPLICABLE, AND SHALL HOLD A AND IT GOES ON TO THEN SAY, SH AFTER SHALL HOLD A PERMANENT PEACE OFFICER LICENSE ISSUED UNDER CHAPTER 1 7 0 1 TEXAS OCCUPATIONS CODE, THEN IT ADDS ALL RESERVE.

POLICE OFFICERS SHALL COMPLETE THE TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE POLICE CHIEF AND THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SUBSECTION D.

IT ADDS A SENTENCE AT THE END OF THE PARAGRAPH.

PRIOR TO APPOINTING ANY MEMBER OF THE POLICE RESERVE FORCE, THE POLICE CHIEF SHALL ENSURE THAT THE PROPOSED MEMBER ONE DID NOT SEPARATE FROM A PREVIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WHILE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR MISCONDUCT, AND TWO, HAS NOT BEEN SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY DEMOTED INDEFINITELY, SUSPENDED OR OTHERWISE TERMINATED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FOR IMPROPER USE OF FORCE, UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION OR DISHONESTY MEMBERS.

LET ME ASK, NOW THAT I'VE READ THAT IN THE RECORD, IF THERE IS ANY MEMBER THAT WISHES TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE BY WHICH ITEM? ONE 90 AS AMENDED WAS ADOPTED.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

WELL, THAT, THAT TAKES CARE OF ITEM 1 91 95

[195. Approve a resolution related to amendments to Title 25 (Land Development Code) that are indirectly connected to City Council-initiated Code amendments.]

UH, I'LL RECOGNIZE, UH, EITHER COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON OR COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN, UH, ALTER ON 1 95.

IT CAME FROM THAT COMMITTEE.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, DO YOU WANT TO MOVE ADOPTION OF 1 95? I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ADOPTION OF ITEM 1 95.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND CHAIR.

I APPRECIATE IT.

ITEM 1 95 IS, UH, THE MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON TO ADOPT ITEM 1 95.

IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON 1 95? IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.

ITEM 1 95 IS ADOPTED MEMBERS THAT TAKES CARE OF THE ITEMS THAT WERE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THE ITEMS THAT WERE PULLED FOR THE RECORD I WANT TO READ, UH, CAUSE IT INVOLVES THE PUBLIC KNOWING WHEN THERE MIGHT BE TIME TO COMMENT.

I WANT TO READ SOME OF THE, I WANT TO READ SOMETHING RELATED TO WHAT WE DID ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

UH, PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEM NUMBER FOUR, AMENDS THE COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE.

ITEM 1 45 SETS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR AUGUST 16TH, 2023 AT 10 10:00 AM AT CITY HALL, AND THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

ITEM 1 46 SETS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR AUGUST 1ST, 2023 AT 3:00 PM AT CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

AND THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ALSO ON AUGUST 1ST, THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THE MAXIMUM PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE, AND THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT AS WELL.

ADOPTING A MAXIMUM TAX RATE IS A PRELIMINARY STEP NECESSARY BEFORE THE CITY CAN ADOPT THE ACTUAL PROPERTY TAX RATE AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.

I ALSO WILL POINT OUT, ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT PART OF THE AGENDA, AS I INDICATED EARLIER IN THE DAY, THAT ON JULY 26TH, THERE WILL ALSO BE AN OPPORTUNITY AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT WITH REGARDS TO THE BUDGET WITH THAT MEMBERS.

I THINK IN ORDER TO, TO E UM, EXPEDITE AND ALLOW STAFF, MORE STAFF TO GO HOME AS WE FINISH THINGS, UH, WHAT I THINK I WILL DO, UH, UNLESS THERE'S OBJECTION IS CALL UP,

[10:30 AM - Austin Housing and Finance Corporation Meeting]

I'LL, I'LL RECESS THE MEETING

[07:55:01]

OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AND WE WILL, UH, CONVENE THE MEETING OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION WITH WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CITY COUNCIL.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING? I, I DID.

UM, I ACTUALLY, I WAS JUST LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR AND I WANTED TO GET SOME, UH, VERIFICATION, BUT I ALSO JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE AND SAY THAT WE HAVE AN ODDITY AMONGST US AND THAT WE HAVE THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MYSELF, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA AND COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, WE'RE ALL BORN ON THE SAME DAY, UM, SEPTEMBER 28TH.

UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO PUT IT OUT THERE THAT I'D LIKE VERY MUCH FOR US TO PLAN A, A JOINT SOMETHING FOR THE THREE OF US, UM, THERE WITH HER.

I WAS BORN ON SEPTEMBER.

PUT THAT ON THE RADAR.

I I WAS BORN ON SEPTEMBER 28TH.

ARE YOU KIDDING? NO, I'M KIDDING.

I JUST WANT A PARTY.

UM, WELL, IF, IF, IF WE'RE, YEAH, I HAD YOU.

DID I? YEAH.

GOOD.

UM, WELL, SINCE WE'RE TALKING BIRTHDAYS MM-HMM.

, AND YOU TOOK THAT POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I WANNA SAY, UH, FIRST OF ALL, TODAY IS THE ACTUAL BIRTHDAY OF OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER HAS SU REGARDS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JG.

SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND TOMORROW, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER WILL BE OLD ENOUGH TO DRINK .

UH, TOMORROW IS COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER'S BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

AND SUNDAY IS COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ'S BIRTHDAY.

SO THIS, THIS IS, UH, I'M SURE HOW, UH, THE THREE OF US REALLY WANTED TO CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAY TODAY.

HE ALREADY SNUCK ME SOME DRINKS.

GETTING SOME WORK DONE.

THERE YOU GO.

AND MAYOR.

YES, I CELEBRATED A BIRTHDAY OVER THE BREAK.

DID YOU REALLY? I DID.

NOBODY'S SINGING, RIGHT? NOBODY'S SINGING RIGHT NOW.

UM, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

WE HAVE RECESSED THE MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.

I NOW CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, AND I'LL RECOGNIZE STAFF TO GIVE US, UH, A BRIEFING.

GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT, UH, BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

MY NAME IS JAMIE MAY.

I'M THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, UH, ON THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA.

YOU HAVE FIVE ITEMS. I'LL WALK THROUGH THOSE FIVE ITEMS AND OFFER ALL FIVE ON CONSENT.

THE FIRST ITEM IS THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE LAST THREE AH, HSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS.

THE SECOND IS THE APPROVAL OF A RFQ OR REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, UH, TO BE AWARDED TO STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND JCM VENTURES, UH, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR 5 5900 SOUTH PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD, UH, PROJECT IN DISTRICT TWO.

THE THIRD IS THE ISSUANCE OF, UH, FIVE 50 MILLION IN PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS, UH, TO THE, UH, SEABROOK HOUSING LP, WHICH IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 35 15 35 11 MAINOR ROAD.

UH, THAT IS OUR SEABROOK SQUARE DEVELOPMENT.

UH, THAT IS PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS.

BY THE WAY, JUST TO BE FAIR, CLEAR, UH, THE FOURTH IS AN AMENDMENT TO AN ISSUANCE OF A PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND, UH, FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

THIS IS, UH, LOS POES DE LA GUERRERO, UH, PRI, FORMERLY KNOWN AS GO VALLEY TERRACE.

UH, THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE, UH, AMENDMENT, CHANGING SOME NA DATES, UH, AND JUST CORRECTING SOME ERRORS.

UH, THE FIFTH ITEM IS, UH, THE AUTHORIZATION, UH, FOR AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION TO PURCHASE, UH, THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT RYAN DRIVE 69 0 9 RYAN DRIVE FROM AUSTIN ENERGY.

UH, THIS WAS, THIS HAD A SISTER, UH, AMEND ITEM ON THE CITY, UH, COUNCIL AGENDA, UH, WHICH WAS APPROVED, UH, JUST MOMENTS AGO.

UM, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF COUNCIL MEMBER KELLEY? NO, BUT I HAVE SOME NO VOTES.

NEXT TIME I'LL JUST PUT MY BEACH CHAIR BY THE PODIUM.

WELL, I, I FIGURED THAT, SO I, I'LL COME TO YOU ON THAT IN JUST A SECOND.

YOU, UM, HE HAS OFFERED THIS, THE, ALL THESE ITEMS AS PART OF A CONSENT AGENDA.

UH, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW.

UH, WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS ASK FOR A MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE WILL THEN GO TO SPEAKERS AND AT THAT POINT, UM, WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, LET'S JUST GO TO THE SPEAKERS AND DO THAT.

AND THEN I, I, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO PULL SOMETHING, WE CAN DO THAT.

WE'LL GO TO THE SPEAKERS ON TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A H F C.

SO, NOIA JOSEPH, MS. JOSEPH, SHE'S BEEN ON THE LINE SINCE THIS MORNING, SO I DON'T KNOW.

WELL GO TO, GO TO THE NEXT ONE, THEN COME BACK AND WE'LL DECIDE.

OKAY, WE'LL COME BACK TO HER.

UM, MONICA GUZMAN,

[08:00:24]

UM, GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M MONICA GOSMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR AT GAVA.

GO AUSTIN, VAMOS AUSTIN.

I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE DOVE SPRINGS DISTRICT TWO RESIDENTS.

WE SUPPORT APPROVING TRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, JCM VENTURES.

WE ALSO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT STAFF TIME AND EFFICIENCY WHEN REVIEWING RFPS BECAUSE THE SECOND HIGHEST SCORING DEVELOPER, THE OTHER QUALIFIED APPLICANT, DMA AND JSA DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES, PROVIDED AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO QUESTION A EIGHT.

EXCUSE ME.

QUESTION EIGHT, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW YOUR PROPOSED PROPERTY MANAGER WILL AFFIRMATIVELY MARKET THE DEVELOPMENT TO LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS OF COLOR.

IT CLEARLY STATES THAT, LEMME REPEAT THAT.

HOUSEHOLDS OF COLOR WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY LIVED IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, PART OF THEIR RESPONSE, WHICH I'LL SPARE YOU, BUT IT, THEY INCLUDE WHITE, NON-HISPANIC SINCE WHEN ARE WHITE, NON-HISPANIC PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THAT BEING SAID, IF YOUR VOTES ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO APPROVE, UM, J C M, WE URGE YOU TO NOT APPROVE THE OTHER APPLICANT.

UM, SO, AND GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE SCORING THE ANSWERS.

XENOBI.

JOSEPH, MAYOR, DIRECTORS, UM, ZIA JOSEPH, WELCOME.

MY COMMENTS ARE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO ITEM FOUR AS IT RELATES TO THE 5 2 25 JANE LANE.

I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT IT'S 1.8 MILE WALK TO EAST SIDE MEMORIAL.

AND WHILE I RECOGNIZE THAT MY COMMENTS WON'T CHANGE THE PROGRESS OF THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT ON JUNE 3RD, 2018, CAPITAL METRO ELIMINATED THE BUS SERVICE TO EAST SIDE MEMORIAL.

AND PICK UP SERVICE IS NOT A VIABLE SOLUTION BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO WAIT ON HOLD ANYWHERE FROM FIVE MINUTES TO 60 MINUTES.

AND IF YOU HANG UP, THEN YOU HAVE TO START OVER WITH YOUR HOLD TIME.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU'RE MAKING THESE DECISIONS REGARDING THE LOW INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, THIS ONE SERVES 30% TO 60% AREA MEDIAN INCOME.

THE 97 UNITS, IT'S 23,200 TO $46,380 TODAY.

AS IT RELATES TO ITEM FIVE, THAT'S THE 69 0 9 RYAN DRIVE ITEM.

IT IS IN FACT, AND I AGREE IT'S A SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW, UH, THE FAIR MARKET RATE.

UH, THIS 3.3 MILLION 5.5 ACRE TRACT IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN THE ONE ACRE, 3.8 MILLION DETENTION POND IN HYDE PARK, WHERE LIGHT RAIL WILL SERVE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE RIDERS FOR THIS PROJECT CONNECT.

AND SO, WHILE IT IS CERTAINLY A DEAL OVER IN RYAN, I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT 1934 RUTLAND, YOU PUT 100 PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE A COMMITMENT TO PUT THAT MANY UNITS IN THIS AREA WHERE THE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM, THE METRO RAPID BUSES SERVE AT THE SAME DENSITY FOR LOW INCOME RIDERS.

BECAUSE AS IT STANDS TODAY, SOUTH OF US 180 3, THE BUSES RUN RAPID AND NORTH OF US 180 3.

IT IS SUBSTANDARD SERVICE WHERE WE'RE HAVING TO CROSS IN HIGH SPEED ROADWAYS AND WAIT 30 MINUTES TO CROSS TO THE WEST SIDE.

OR THE WHITE SIDE OF TOWN.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL LET LET MR. THEM AT THIS TIME.

THAT CONCLUDES CA H HEP C.

UM, OKAY, MEMBERS, LET'S, UH, I'LL NOW ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ.

IS THERE A MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER VELA MAKES THE MOTION TO ADOPT IT.

IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

UH, I WILL NOW ASK IF THERE'S ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN ABSTAINING FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN AS RECUSING THEMSELVES FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANYONE WISHING TO VOTE? NO.

AND THAT'S YOUR CUE? YES.

SORRY, I ALMOST JUMPED THE GUN THERE.

YEAH, WELL, UM, I WOULD, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY LIKES VOTING NO AS MUCH AS YOU .

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN AS VOTING NO ON ITEMS THREE THROUGH FIVE.

[08:05:01]

IS GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS IN YOUR AGENDA.

ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY WILL BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ITEM THREE, FOUR, AND FIVE.

Y'ALL WANT TO ABSTAIN, RECUSE, OR VOTE NO ON ANYTHING? ALL RIGHT.

UM, IS IT GOOD? OKAY.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, I DON'T WANNA MISS YOU.

DO YOU WANT TO BE SHOWN AS ABSTAINING, RECUSING, OR VOTING NO ON ANYTHING? NO, SIR.

THANK YOU CHAIR FOR ASKING.

VERY GOOD.

UH, THE MOTION, THE MOTION IS TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ.

IS THERE OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ? HEARING NONE.

THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY BEING OR BOARD DIRECTOR, BOARD MEMBER KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING NO ON ITEMS THREE, FOUR, AND FIVE WITHOUT OBJECTION, I'LL ADJOURN THE AUSTIN HOUSING AND FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING AT 6:06 PM I NOW RECONVENE THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:06 PM MEMBERS, WHAT I'M GONNA DO

[Public Hearings and Possible Actions]

I BELIEVE THAT STARTS AT PAGE 1 25.

ITEMS 1 33.

NO, I'M SORRY, I GOT IT WRONG.

THAT SETS PUBLIC HEARINGS.

ONE 50.

YEAH, HERE IT IS.

IT'S ONE 50.

PAGE 29, 1 50 THROUGH 1 61.

ALTHOUGH ITEM NUMBER 1 61 WAS POSTPONED.

SO WITH THAT AND ITEM ONE 50 IS POSTPONED.

WITH THAT, I WILL CALL UP ITEM ONE FIFTY ONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.

WE OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 51.

UH, MADAME CLARK, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 51? NO.

UM, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 51 MEMBERS.

DO I HAVE A MOTION ON ITEM 1 62? MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

IT IS SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PRO TIMM.

IS THERE OBJECTION OR DISCUSSION ON ITEM 1 62? WITHOUT OBJECTION.

ITEM 1 62 IS ADOPTED.

UH, NOW WITHOUT OBJECTION, I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 51 52.

UM, I, I COULDN'T, YEAH, I CAN COUNT THAT.

UH, MADAM CLERK, IS THERE ANYONE SCHEDULED TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR ITEM 1 52? NO.

UH, WITHOUT, BECAUSE THERE'S NO ONE SET TO SPEAK, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 52 MEMBERS, THE ACTION ITEM FOR ITEM 1 52 IS ITEM 1 63.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT? ITEM 1 63 MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

IS THERE DISCUSSION? ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM 1 63 IS ADOPTED.

ITEM 1 53 WAS POSTPONED.

ITEM 1 54 IS TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND THEN CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE.

UM, I WILL, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 54.

MADAM CLERK, IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 54? NO.

UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 54 AND WE WILL NOW CONSIDER THE ORDINANCE.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE UNDER ITEM 1 54? COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, RYAN AL ALTER MAKES THE MOTION.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, IS THERE A DISCUSSION? IS THERE ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM 1 54 IS A ADOPTED MEMBERS.

I'LL PULL UP ITEM 1 55.

UH, ITEM 1 55 IS, UH, A PUBLIC HEARING AND WE WILL CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE, AND THE ACTION ITEM WILL BE 1 64.

MADAME CLERK, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 55.

MADAME CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? NO.

UM, THERE BEING NO ONE TO SPEAK, WE WITHOUT OBJECTION.

WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM ONE FIFTY FIVE.

I NOW CALL UP ITEM ONE SIXTY FOUR, WHICH IS THE ACTION ITEM.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 1 64.

MAYOR PROTI MOVES TO ADOPTED AS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

IS THERE DISCUSSION? ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM NUMBER 1 64 IS ADOPTED.

WE'LL NOW GO TO ITEM NUMBER 1 56 WITH WHICH IS BOTH THE PUBLIC HEARING AND TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 56.

MADAME CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED TO SPEAK UP? NO.

UH, THERE IS NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ON ITEM

[08:10:01]

1 56, CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE FOR AN A MOTION ON ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE.

SECOND COUNCIL MEMBER POO'S ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE.

IT IS SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PROTI.

ANY DISCUSSION? ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM 1 56 IS ADOPTED.

UH, I WILL NOW WITHOUT OBJECTION, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 57.

MADAME CLERK, IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO BE HEARD ON ITEM 1 57? NO.

THERE BEING NO ONE TO BE HEARD ON ITEM 1 57 WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 57, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT? ITEM 1 57 MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER.

SECOND AMEND, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

UH, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM 1 57 IS ADOPTED, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 58.

UH, IS THERE ANYONE, MADAM CLERK, WISHING TO BE HEARD ON 1 58? NO.

THERE BEING NO ONE TO BE HEARD ON ITEM NUMBER 1 58.

UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

THE MAYOR PRO TEM MOVES ADOPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 1 58.

I DO.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

ANY DISCUSSION? ANY OBJECTION YOU WISH TO BE HEARD? WELL, IT WAS ORIGINALLY MAYOR PRO TE'S ITEM, I I WANNA SPEAK TO MY VOTE.

I I HAVE COMMENTS, BUT IF YOU WANNA MAKE YOURS AND I'LL CLOSE IT OUT.

SURE, THAT'S FINE WITH ME.

UH, CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER.

SO I ABSTAINED ON THE INITIATION OF THIS ITEM IN ORDER TO SEE THE FINAL ORDINANCE LANGUAGE.

UM, THE ORDINANCE ITSELF IS SOMETHING I COULD SUPPORT, BUT WHEN COUPLED WITH ALL THE VARIOUS CHANGES THAT WERE INITIATED EARLIER TODAY WITH ITEM 1 26, I HAVE REAL CONCERNS THAT THIS WILL NO LONGER SIMPLY TREAT THREE TO FOUR UNITS TO THE SAME REVIEW PROCESS AS SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, BUT WE WILL NOW REDUCE THE REVIEW FOR THESE UNITS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY DRAMATICALLY CHANGING THOSE RULES AND ALLOWING THOSE UNITS TO GET BIGGER BY NO LONGER BEING SUBJECT TO THE MCMANSION ORDINANCE AND TO BUILD THOSE NEWER, BIGGER UNITS ON MUCH SMALLER LOTS.

SO I'M GONNA BE VOTING AGAINST THIS ITEM TODAY.

MAYOR PORTIA, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE ON ITEM 1 58.

1 50, 1 50, 1 50, 1 53 AND 1 60, 1 59 AND 1 61.

I AM VERY EXCITED FOR THIS MOMENT.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR YEARS, AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER.

UM, YOU KNOW, AS, AS WE TAKE ON THIS WORK AS A S I'M CONTINUALLY TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO SIMPLIFY AND STREAMLINE THE PROCESS OF BUILDING HOMES IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND SO I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT WHAT THIS DOES IS BRING THREE PLEXES AND FOURPLEXES INTO THE SAME REVIEW PROCESS THAT SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND DUPLEXES WERE ALREADY PARTICIPATING IN.

SO STAFF ALREADY KNOWS HOW TO REVIEW, UM, THESE PROPOSALS.

AND SO I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'VE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPLEMENT THIS FIRST PHASE OF OUR SITE PLAN LIGHT RESOLUTION.

THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE COMING LATER ON THAT PERTAINS TO THE FIVE TO 16 UNITS THAT ONE OF THE SPEAKERS EARLIER HAD MENTIONED.

UM, THIS IS REALLY EXCITING TO ME BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY GOT SOME OF THESE PROCESSES BUILT.

THIS JUST MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUILD SMALLER HOMES AND MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES TO BE ABLE TO DO SO.

AND SO I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT ALL THE WAY DOWN THE LINE, WE'RE FINALLY HERE TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE.

THANKS.

THANK YOU MAYOR PRO.

TIM, IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? SHE, SHE WAS CLOSED.

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTION OF 1 58 AND I WILL SHOW COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER AS VOTING NO WITHOUT OBJECTION.

ITEM NUMBER 1 58 IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING SHOWN VOTING NO MEMBERS.

ITEM 1 59 WAS POSTPONED.

ITEM ONE 60, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER ONE 60.

MADAM CLERK, IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO BE HEARD ON ITEM ONE 60? RICHARD SUTTLE? UM, HOW WERE YOU GOING? HOW WERE YOU GOING TO PUSH US? CAUSE NOW I MAY MAKE MY DECISION NOW.

KNOW THAT, UM, JAKE OH, SORRY.

GO AHEAD.

MORE JACOB, EMERSON AND SWEET GWENDOLYN.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST NAME? SWEET.

AH, UM, I THOUGHT THAT WAS SETTLED.

SO, AND MAYOR, VERY QUICKLY ON ITEM 1 59 AND 1 53, THEY ARE POSTPONED, BUT TO WHAT DATE AND ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN? WELL, I NEED TO RELY ON STAFF.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT, UH, THEY NEEDED ACTION NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO POSTPONE THEM.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THEY WERE POSTPONED BY STAFF.

SO, UM, STAFF HELPED ME OUT, UH, IN ANSWERING THAT QUESTION ON ONE 50.

HOW ABOUT ONE 50? DO YOU NEED THAT AS WELL? YES.

SO I DON'T, UH, JOY HARDEN.

UM, BUT BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, I, I WANNA CLOSE OUT ONE 60.

IS THERE ANYBODY

[08:15:01]

ELSE WISHING TO BE HEARD ON ITEM ONE 60? NO MORE SPEAKERS WITHOUT OBJECTION.

WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM ONE 60.

UH, I'LL NOW ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT.

ITEM ONE 60 IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, ANY DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW? ANY OBJECTION YOU WISH TO TALK? YES SIR.

YEAH, PLEASE.

UM, I JUST WANNA, I WANNA THANK CITY STAFF FOR GETTING THIS BACK TO US THIS YEAR, AND I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON FOR SPONSORING THIS RESOLUTION LAST SUMMER THAT GOT US HERE TODAY.

UH, THIS ORDINANCE HAS A PROMISE OF RENEWING THE MOST FAMOUS AND MOST HISTORIC QUARTER IN AUSTIN, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE IN DISTRICT NINE.

UH, IT'LL UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING MORE KINDS OF USES TO WHAT IS NOW A STRIP OF MOSTLY SHOT BARS THAT SAID IDLE THROUGHOUT MOST HOURS OF THE DAY.

IT WILL ALSO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC LOOK AND FEEL OF THE STREET WHILE RESTORING THE MIX OF BUSINESSES AND ATTRACTIONS THAT ONCE MADE SIXTH STREET A VIBRANT AND BUSTLING DISTRICT FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS.

I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICTS VALID CONCERNS, UH, AROUND INCREASING DEVELOPMENT PRESSURES THAT THE RED AND I WERE TREASURED VENUES AND LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THIS PART OF DOWNTOWN.

UH, MY OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO FIND COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS, UH, THAT PROTECT OUR LIVE MUSIC CULTURE AND PROMOTE A WELCOMING DOWNTOWN FOR ALL AUSTINITES.

WE HAVEN'T YET.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM ONE 60 IS ADOPTED MEMBERS ON ITEM 1 56.

I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY, UH, OUR LEGAL COUNSEL THAT IN THE BACKUP THERE WERE TWO ORDINANCES.

ONE WAS A PLANNING COMMISSION ORDINANCE THAT WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, BUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION ORDINANCE, THE DIFFERENCE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NON GERMANE TO THE ORDINANCE.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO IN THE BACKUP, UH, WE NEED TO INDICATE WHICH ONE WE VOTED, UH, FOR.

SO, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL MOVES THAT WE CAN RECONSIDER THE VOTE BY WHICH ITEM 1 56 WAS ADOPTED AT, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER AND WITHOUT OBJECTION.

ITEM 1 56 IS BEING RECONSIDERED.

I'LL NOW RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE FOR A MOTION ON ITEM 1 56.

I MOVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE MOVES THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON ITEM 1 56.

IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

ANY DISCUSSION? ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM 1 56, THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS ADOPTED.

I WOULD NOW ASK STAFF TO COME FORWARD AND TALK TO US ABOUT 1 50, 1 53, 1 59, AND ONE 60 IN TERMS OF A DATE.

MAREN COUNSEL, RON GARBER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.

HANG ON ONE SECOND.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, DO YOU WISH TO BE HEARD? YES, SIR.

I, I I WAS HOPING THAT THERE WAS GONNA BE MORE TIME.

IT TURNS OUT ACM SENIO CAME TOO FAST.

I WAS JUST GONNA ASK RESPECTFULLY, IT'S SIX 18.

WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR DINNER? WELL, WHAT YOU GOT ? WELL, NOT MUCH TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BUT I'M ASKING, YOU KNOW, I I AM STARTING TO GET HUNGRY AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES AREN'T ALSO, SO I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT WE CAN PLAN FOR.

UM, WELL, THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION.

IT IS.

LET'S GET, LET'S GET THIS DONE AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A 20 MINUTE BREAK.

HOW'S THAT? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

ITEM NUMBER ONE 50 STAFF WOULD LIKE TO POSTPONE TO SEPTEMBER 14TH.

ITEM 1 53.

STAFF WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POSTPONE TO SEPTEMBER 14TH AND THE SAME FOR 1 59.

SO ALL THREE POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 14TH.

WHAT ABOUT 1 61 I 1 61? MY SCREEN DOESN'T GO THAT FAR.

ALSO WITH THE RODEOS POD.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS CHANGED TO SEPTEMBER 14TH AS WELL.

I HAVE SEPTEMBER 14TH IN MY NOTES AS WELL.

IT WAS CHANGED.

SO ONE 50 AND 1 61 ARE CHANGED POSTPONED TO THE 14TH.

WELL, IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE 1 50, 1 53, 1 59 AND 1 61.

THE RECOMMENDATION OF STAFF OR THE DESIRE OF STAFF IS THAT THEY BE POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 14TH, IS THAT CORRECT? I'M BEING TOLD THAT 1 61 IS ACTUALLY AUGUST 31ST.

THE REMAINING THREE ARE TO SEPTEMBER 14TH.

OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION.

1ST OF SEPTEMBER, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO POSTPONE ITEMS 1 50, 1 53 AND 1 59 TO SEPTEMBER 14TH.

IT'S MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

DISCUSSION.

THE MOTION PASSES

[08:20:01]

AND ITEMS 1 50, 1 53 AND 1 59 ARE POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 14TH.

I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO POSTPONE ITEM 1 61 UNTIL AUGUST 31ST.

SET MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

IS THERE A SEC? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

DISCUSSION OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION.

UH, THE MOTION PASSES AND ITEM 1 61 IS POSTPONED TO AUGUST 31ST MEMBERS.

IT IS SIX 20.

UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE IN RECESS UNTIL 6 45.

AT WHICH POINT WE WILL TAKE UP ZONING MATTERS US HOW MANY, UM SURE.

SPEAKERS WE HAVE AND, UM, HOW MANY DISCUSSION ITEMS YOU'RE EXPECTING? YES, I I SURE CAN.

IT IS MY, UH, MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE ONE DISCUSSION ITEM AND THAT IS, UM, THE BOARD AND TRACK AND I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M RIGHT ABOUT THAT, RIGHT? THE ANSWER IS YES.

YES, MAYOR.

THAT WILL BE A DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT ITEM AND THEN THE COUNCIL WILL DECIDE THAT ITEM WILL BE TAKEN UP TODAY.

THAT THAT'S RIGHT.

AND, AND HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? IF YOU CAN TELL US, MADAM CLERK, ON ALL ITEMS ZONING ITEMS, A TOTAL OF 25 AND EIGHT OR A LITTLE MORE ON 180 AND 180 1 ARE 4 180 AND 180 1.

I'LL JUST STATE COUNSEL THAT, UM, MANY OF THESE ITEMS ARE BEING POSTPONED.

SO THE SPEAKERS, WE JUST BE SPEAKING TO THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT.

SO WE MAY NOT HAVE AS MANY SPEAKERS.

FAIR ENOUGH.

BUT THAT'S THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.

AT OUR, UH, ZONING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN SECTION OF OUR AGENDA, AND I WILL RECOGNIZE STAFF, MS. HARDEN, UM, FOR YOU TO START TALKING TO US.

WE'RE IN RECESS UNTIL 6 45.

CITY COUNCIL, UH, WE ARE, IT IS 6 45 AND WE HAVE A QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL PRESENT.

UH, WE ARE

[2:00 PM - Zoning and Neighborhood Plan Amendments (Public Hearings and Possible Action)]

THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNSEL JOY HARDEN WITH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

YOUR ZONING AGENDA BEGINS WITH ITEM NUMBER 1 66 C 14 20 23 0 0 0 4.

THIS ITEM DOES HAVE A VALID PETITION, SO WE'LL REQUIRE NINE VOTES.

UM, AND THERE IS AN OPPOSITION SPEAKER HERE.

UH, THIS REQUEST IS FROM SF TWO TO SF THREE AND WAS SUPPORTED BY STAFF AND BY COMMISSION.

SO WE ARE OFFERING THIS FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS, BUT OF COURSE THIS IS UP TO YOUR DISCRETION.

ITEM 1 67 IS C 14 R 8,133 RCA.

THIS IS THE BRODY OAKS RESTRICTED COVENANT AMENDMENT AND THERE IS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR NEXT FULL COUNSEL MEETING OF AUGUST 31ST.

AGAIN, APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR AUGUST 31ST COUNSEL MEETING.

ITEM 1 69 IS N P A 20 22 0 0 0 5 0.02.

THERE'S A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER TO YOUR AUGUST 31ST COUNCIL MEETING.

AGAIN, POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER TO YOUR AUGUST 31ST COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 1 71 IS N P A 20 22 0 0 2 1 0.02.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

AGAIN, THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM YES, ITEM 1 73 IS C 14 20 21 43.

THERE'S A JOINT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND APPLICANT TO YOUR AUGUST 31ST COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 1 74 IS C 14 20 22, 0 1, 0 2.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT, UM, WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT FOR 1 74.

AND THAT IS AMEND PART TWO OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE RENUMBERING AS NECESSARY TO INCLUDE SECTION B AS FOLLOWS, B, A BUILDING SETBACK SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED ALONG THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE MEASURING AS FOLLOWS, 1 25 FEET WIDE EXCLUDING THE WESTERN MOST 106.06 FEET.

AND NUMBER TWO FIVE FOOT WIDE, EXCLUDING THE EASTERN MOST 70 FEET.

AND WITH THAT, UM, THIS CASE IS AGAIN, IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT

[08:25:01]

ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 1 75 IS N P A 20 22 0 0 0 8 0.01.

THERE IS A NEIGHBORHOOD POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR AUGUST 31ST COUNSEL MEETING.

AGAIN, NEIGHBORHOOD POST MOM REQUEST TO YOUR AUGUST 31ST COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 1 77 IS C 1 4 20 23 0 0 33.

THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 1 78 IS C 8 14 97 1 1 15.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT.

FIRST READING ONLY.

ITEM 1 79 IS C 14 20 23 0 0 3 9.

THERE'S A NEIGHBORHOOD POSTPONE REQUEST TO YOUR AUGUST 31ST COUNSEL MEETING.

ITEM 180 IS NPA 20 22 0 0 1 6 0.02.

THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT.

AGAIN, THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED AS DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT.

ITEM 180 2 IS C 14 20 23 0 0 54.

THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 180 3 IS C 14 20 22 0 1 55.

THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 180 4 N P A 20 22 0 0 3 0 0.01.

THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 180 5 IS THE RELATED REZONING.

THIS CASE, THIS CASE DOES HAVE OPPOSITION, UH, OPPOSITION SPEAKER AND THIS.

BUT, UM, THIS CASE WAS SUPPORTED BY COMMISSION, UM, AND STAFF.

UM, AND WE ARE OFFERING THIS FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS WITH THE FOLLOWING MOTION AMEND PART TWO OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE TO REMOVE RESTAURANT GENERAL FROM THE LIST OF PROHIBITED USES OF THE PROPERTY.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS, UM, OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS WITH THAT AMENDMENT.

UM, BUT THIS DOES, UM, HAVE AN UAL SPEAKER.

SO OF COURSE THIS IS UP TO YOUR DISCRETION.

ITEM 180 6 IS C 8 14 0 6 0 1 75 0.04.

THERE'S A NEIGHBORHOOD POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR AUGUST 31ST COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 180 7 IS C 14 20 23 0 0 0 8.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 180 8, HIS N P A 20 22 0 0 0 5 0.01.

THERE IS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR SEPTEMBER 14TH COUNCIL MEETING.

AND AGAIN, THERE'S AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR SEPTEMBER 14TH COUNCIL MEETING.

AND THAT CONCLUDES THE READING OF THE ZONING AGENDA.

CAN I ASK A COUPLE QUESTION OF COURSE QUESTIONS? YOU, YOU MENTIONED TWO UHHUH, I THINK.

1 66 AND 180 5 THAT YOU IN, WHICH IS RELATED TO 180 4, OBVIOUSLY.

AND 180 4 IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

, BUT, UH, SO 1 66, 180 4 AND 180 5.

, YOU INDICATED THOSE TWO, YOU KNEW THERE WERE SPEAKERS, RIGHT? UH, YES SIR.

, UH, STILL OFFERING THEM ON CONSENT, BUT YOU KNEW THERE WERE SPEAKERS.

, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU ALSO ON ONE AND IT, UH, JUST WITH 1 66, THAT DOES HAVE A VALID PETITION, SO IT WOULDN'T NEED NON VOTES, BUT YES SIR.

YOU'RE EXACTLY CORRECT.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

AND THEN ON UM, 180 4 AND 180 5, YOU INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT.

DID YOU INDICATE THERE WAS A PROPOSED AMENDMENT ON ANOTHER ONE OF THEM? UH, 5 0 6 AND 5 0 8 WEST.

I READ AN AMENDMENT INTO THE RECORD, RIGHT? WHAT? NO.

TELL ME THE NUMBER AGAIN.

UH OH.

YES, THAT WOULD BE 1 74 , UH, 1 74.

OKAY, MEMBERS, Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MS. HARDEN? WHAT I THINK, UM, I WOULD RECOMMEND MEMBERS IS THAT WE OFFER A CONSENT AGENDA AND CALL UP SPEAKERS TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WE READ IT, UH, BECAUSE WE DO KNOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS ON WHAT STAFF IS RECOMMENDING, UH, WITH REGARD TO CONSENT AND MS. HARDEN, STICK WITH ME HERE CUZ I'M GONNA CALL FOR A MOTION, UH, AND THEN, UH, GET, GET IT ALL OUT THERE.

SO I WANNA MAKE SURE I GET THIS RIGHT.

THE CONSENT AGENDA MEMBERS WOULD BE ITEM 1 66 REQUIRING NINE VOTES.

ITEM 1 67 TO POSTPONE TO AUGUST 30TH, 1 68 TO POSTPONE TO AUGUST 30TH.

ITEM 1, 6 30 FIRST.

I THOUGHT I HEARD AUGUST 30TH.

I MEANT 31ST.

ALL, IF YOU HEAR ME SAY AUGUST 30TH, YOU KNOW, I MEAN AUGUST 31ST.

DID I SAY IF I SAID 30TH? DID I? YES.

WELL THAT'S BECAUSE THAT'S COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON'S BIRTHDAY.

OKAY, , UH, AUGUST 31ST.

[08:30:02]

UM, ALL RIGHT, 1 67, I'LL, I'LL START OVER.

1 66 BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

1 67 AND 1 68 POSTPONED TO AUGUST 31ST.

1 69 WOULD BE POSTPONED TO AUGUST 31ST, ONE 70 POSTPONED TO AUGUST 31ST, 1 71 AND 1 72.

CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

1 73 POSTPONED TO AUGUST 31ST.

1 74.

IT WOULD BE ADOPTED ON ALL THREE READINGS WITH THE AMENDMENT.

1 75 POSTPONED TO AUGUST 31ST.

1 76 POSTPONED AUGUST 31ST.

1 77.

PASS ON ALL THREE READINGS.

1 78.

CONSENT ON FIRST READING ONLY 1 79 POSTPONED TO AUGUST 31ST.

180 2.

CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

180 3, ALL THREE READINGS, 180 4 AND 180 5 ON ALL THREE READINGS WITH 180 5 HAVING AN AMENDMENT.

180 6 POSTPONED TO AUGUST 31ST, 180 7, ALL THREE READINGS.

180 8 POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 14TH AND 180 9 POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 14TH.

REMEMBER, I'M GOING TO ASK THE CLERK TO CALL UP THE SPEAKERS THAT WE HAVE HERE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS I JUST READ IT AFTER THE SPEAKERS.

I WILL CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND.

I'LL ALSO CALL IF ANYBODY WANTS TO PULL SOMETHING OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS I READ IT.

WE'LL CALL FOR SPEAKERS ON THAT.

I'LL DO THE NORMAL THING THAT I NORMALLY DO WITH ABSTENTIONS RECUSALS AND THEN I'LL GET TO NOS AND, UM, AND THEN I, AND THEN WE'LL, WE'LL HAVE A DISCUSSION IF NECESSARY AND VOTE.

AND THEN WE WILL GO TO ITEMS 180 1 AND 180 180 AND 180 1 WITH THAT MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS SIGNED UP ON THE ITEMS THAT I LISTED THAT WOULD BE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? YES.

UM, IS KAREN FERNANDEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 1 66, MS. FERNANDEZ FERNANDEZ AND I AM THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE MATTHEWS LANE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SPEAKING TODAY ON 74 14 SHERWOOD ROAD.

I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY OUR NEIGHBORS POSITION.

UM, OUR PETITION READS THAT WE ARE ONLY IN SUPPORT AS FSEP TWO.

UM, BUT JOHN CONNOR IS A LONGTIME RESIDENT AND ALL THE NEIGHBORS APPROVE OF HIS REQUEST TO BUILD ONE ADDITIONAL UNIT ON THE LOT.

AT THE TIME, WE WERE TOLD THAT SF TWO WOULD BE ALLOWED IN ADU.

SO THUS WE STATED WITH THE PETITION AND STAYED WITH SF TWO, BUT WE'RE WILLING TO ALLOW AN SF THREE IF THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY HE COULD ADD THE ADDITIONAL UNIT.

ALL OF THE NEIGHBORS THOUGH, ARE AGAINST THE APPLICATION AS FILED BY THROWER DESIGN TO SUBSIDE INTO FIVE LOTS AND WITH UP TO 10 UNITS.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR MR. CONNOR'S POSITION AND ASSURING EVERYONE THAT THE APPLICATION WAS NOT HIS INTENTION AND WITH A MISTAKE BY VICTORIA, THEN YOU WOULD HAVE A 100% PETITION SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU.

ALL THE NEIGHBORS HOPE THAT MR. CONNOR KEEPS THIS PROMISE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A CASE THAT IS GONNA BE AFFECTED BY YOUR PASSAGE OF 1 26 TODAY.

THIS IS WHY THE CITY'S PUSH FOR DENSITY AND DISREGARD FOR OWNER'S RIGHTS PUTS THE BURDEN OF HOME OWNERS TO ENFORCE THEIR DEED RESTRICTIONS.

LONGTIME RESIDENTS HAVE ALWAYS RESPECTED THOSE LIMITS AND THE NEW NEIGHBORS THAT WE'VE HAD HAVE ACTUALLY COME HERE FROM OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS TO DIS TO GET TO THE GREEN SPACE AND HAVE THAT PROTECTION OF A UNIT LIMIT NUMBER WITHIN THE THEIR DEED RESTRICTION.

WE HAVE NEIGHBORS WHO ARE CURRENTLY BRINGING SUIT TO ENFORCE THOSE RESTRICTIONS, BUT HAS TO BE DONE ONE AT A TIME AGAINST EACH INDIVIDUAL BUILDER.

THE CITY HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND UNTIL VERY RECENTLY USED TO RESPECT THOSE RESTRICTIONS WHENEVER A SUBDIVISION CASE OR REZONE CAME TO TO THEM.

NOW WE ARE TOLD AGAIN THAT WE HAVE TO, UM, FIGHT AND TAKE IT TO COURT TO ENFORCE BECAUSE THE CITY DOES NOT CONSIDER IT WHEN REZONING OR SUBDIVIDING.

I THINK IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO SAY THAT WE, THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THEM IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS.

I SAY THIS BECAUSE

[08:35:01]

LAST NOVEMBER I ATTENDED A BOARD OF VARIOUS MA'S MEETING.

THANK YOU SPEAKER.

YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED, BUT WE WERE TRYING TO ENFORCE THE SETBACKS AND UNIT NUMBER LIMITS, MA'AM.

NEXT SPEAKER IS ZENOBIA JOSEPH SPEAKING ON 1 73.

THANK YOU MAYOR COUNSEL, I'M ZENOBIA JOSEPH, I AM SPEAKING TO THE MERITS OF 1 73.

THAT'S 1 21 21 NORTH IH 35.

I WOULD JUST ASK ONCE AGAIN AS I HAVE IN THE PAST THAT BEFORE THIS ITEM COMES BACK BEFORE YOU, THAT YOU CONSIDER PROJECT CONNECT AND TRANSPORTATION IN THIS AREA.

I WILL USE THE REST OF MY TIME JUST TO ADDRESS A TECHNICAL ISSUE AND CONCERN THAT I HAVE RESPECTFULLY MERIT THE WAY THAT YOU HANDLED TODAY'S MEETING WAS AD HOC AND IT WAS NOT FAIR.

YOU GAVE BILL BUNCH DONATED TIME AND NONE OF THAT IS WRITTEN DOWN.

SO MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD JUST ASK FOR FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS, NOT FAVORITISM.

AND SO DOING, I WOULD ASK, MAY I APPROACH TIM ELLIS TO HELP YOU PUT THIS IN WRITING? PUT THE PROCESS IN WRITING SO THAT SPEAKERS KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND ALSO WHAT TO EXPECT FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS.

AND I WILL JUST TELL YOU AS A POINT OF REFERENCE THAT ON JUNE 1ST AND JUNE 8TH, I ACTUALLY TESTIFIED.

AND ON JUNE 1ST, I WAS IN PERSON AND I SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC HEARING.

AND THAT WAS THE DEATH SAW HEARING AND THE CLERK TOLD ME I NEEDED TO SPEAK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.

AND WHEN YOU ASKED IF ANYBODY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, SHE DIDN'T EVEN GIVE YOU MY NAME.

AND SO THAT IS GOING TO BE THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO SPEAK AT THE BEGINNING.

THEN AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN YOU GET THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE SIGNED UP AND PUT OUR NAME IN THE RECORD.

AND SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT ON JUNE 8TH, THAT'S WHEN I SENT YOU THE ONE PAGER THAT WENT TO HUD AND I MENTIONED THAT CO-MINGLING, THE PUBLIC HEARING ACTUALLY DENIES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THOSE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

SO IT'S VERY CONVOLUTED, IT'S VERY UNFAIR TODAY'S, UH, MEETING THE WAY YOU HANDLED IT.

AND I HOPE MOVING FORWARD THAT YOU'LL PUT THE PROCESS IN WRITING SO THAT WE CAN HAVE FAITH IN THIS PROCESS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL GLADLY ANSWER THEM AT THIS TIME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR, YOUR HELP.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVICE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS ANDRE SCRO SPEAKING ON 1 61, 1 67 AND 1 68, 1 60.

I'M SORRY, WHAT? THAT'S POST PHONE ITEMS. IT'S A RADIO RIGHT? SO THEY CAN SPEAK ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT.

SO THERE'S THREE ITEMS FOR POSTPONE.

ONE OF THEM.

SAY THE NUMBERS AGAIN PLEASE.

1 61, 1 67 AND 1 68.

1 61 IS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE SOS.

AND THAT WAS POSTPONED BECAUSE THE REZONINGS WERE POSTPONED.

WERE GOING TO BE POSTPONED.

SO THAT'S THE BRODY.

GOD, DID YOU RUN THROUGH, I APOLOGIZE, THROUGH 1 61 WHEN YOU GAVE US THE PRESENTATION OR DID YOU START WITH 1 66? I DID START WITH 1 66.

I SEE.

UM, SO WE DIDN'T NEED TO TABLE IT CUZ IT WAS GONNA BE POSTPONED, BUT IT WAS ON CHANGES IN, BUT WE'VE ALREADY ACTED ON ONE UHHUH.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN ACTED UPON.

IT IS A RELATED ITEM THOUGH.

WHAT WAS THE SECOND ITEM YOU MENTIONED? CLERK 1 66, 1 67 AND 1 68.

OKAY, THEN, THEN I'VE GOT IT.

BOBBY LAVINSKY, 1 67 AND 1 68 KAREN FERNANDEZ ON 1 66.

WHOEVER'S HERE TO SPEAK, LET'S DO IT.

SO ANDRE SCRO CAN SPEAK ON 1 67 AND 1 68 ON DECK IS MADELINE MATHIS ON 1 67 AND 1 68.

BILL BUNCH ON 1 67 AND 1 68.

GOOD TESTIMONY.

ROY WHALEY ON 1 67 AND 1 68.

MEGAN MEISENBACH ON 1 67 AND 1 68.

MARK DUGAN 1 67 AND 1 68.

BARBARA MACARTHUR, 1 67 AND 1 68.

[08:40:04]

SARAH URBY ON 1 69 AND ONE 70.

CHRIS, PAGE 1 75 AND 1 76 JANE RIVERA, 1 75 AND 1 76.

MONICA GUZMAN, 1 75, 1 76, 180 8 AND 180 9 MR. PAGE, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD SINCE SHE CALLED YOUR NAME.

YES, YOU'VE BEEN CALLED WATCH.

STEP UP TO THE MICROPHONE.

IT'S KINDA LOW FOR ME IN SUPPORT OF, UH, POSTPONEMENT OF 1 75 AND 1 76.

TRYING TO GET, UH, ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE ROSEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD CONTACT TEAM, KINLEY HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND HOMEWOOD HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS THE APPLICANT.

THANKS.

I'M NOT SPEAKING ON 180 8 OR 89.

I'LL WAIT FOR FIVE MINUTES.

THANK YOU MR. UM, LORRAINE ATHERTON, 1 79 BEN THOMPSON, 180 4 AND 180 5.

THOSE ARE THE CONSENT ZONING.

CONSENT SPEAKERS.

THANK YOU MEMBERS.

I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS I READ IT INTO THE RECORD.

IS THERE A MOTION MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE? IS THERE.

IT'S SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PRO TIM.

UH, IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN ABSTAINING FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AS I READ IT? ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN AS RECUSING THEMSELVES FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? NOT, NOT ON THIS.

IT REALLY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY .

UM, ALL RIGHT.

SO, UM, NOBODY'S GOING TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

UM, MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IT WAS READ.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? THE OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED AS READ.

UH, FOR THE RECORD, LET'S SHOW THAT THERE WERE 10 VOTES, UH, ON ITEM 1 66, UH, WHICH HAD A VALID PETITION.

AND ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS, UH, IT PASSED, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES WAS OFF THE DAIS ON IMPORTANT CITY BUSINESS THAT WILL NOW BRING UP ITEMS 180 AND 180 1.

UM, THIS IS, UM, AS SHE STATED, ITEM 180 N P A 20 22 0 0 1, 6 0.02.

AND ITEM 180 1 C ONE FOUR, I CAN'T EVEN READ THE NUMBER.

WHAT, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO IS WE TREAT IT, UM, AS A COMPLETE HEARING WHERE THE DISCUSSION OF THE MERITS AND IF ANYBODY WANTS TO DISCUSS WHY THERE OUGHT TO BE POSTPONED OR DONE, UH, AS PART OF THAT OVERALL DISCUSSION, UH, OUR RULES DON'T ALLOW FOR, UH, OUR, OUR RULES WOULD NORMALLY SAY THAT YOU GET FIVE MINUTES FOR THE APPLICANT AND THEN WE GO INTO THOSE THAT ARE IN FAVOR AND THOSE THAT ARE OPPOSED.

UM, C 14 20 22, 0 1, 21 BOARD AND TRACKED, UM, THIS ITEM WAS DISCUSSED AT FIRST READING AND THEN AGAIN AT SECOND READING, THE CASE IS PREPARED FOR THIRD READING WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT.

AND THAT AMENDMENT READS, A 75 FOOT VEGETATIVE BUFFER SHALL BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED AS MEASURED PARALLEL FROM AND ALONG THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY LINE ADJACENT TO THE PRO PRESERVE ALLOWABLE DEVELOPMENT.

AND THE BUFFER IS RESTRICTED TO MULTI-USE TRAILS, FENCINGS, EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE, REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE.

ALL ALLOWABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE VEGETATIVE BUFFER AREA SHALL BE LOCATED IN THE NORTHERNMOST PORTION AND SHALL AVOID HERITAGE TREES AND SLOPES GREATER THAN 15% EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY MANAGER.

UM, SO WE DO HAVE THAT AMENDMENT.

UM, BUT WE ARE, UM, OFFERING THIS CASE WE'RE DISCUSSION POSTPONEMENT AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS REQUESTING A POSTPONEMENT TO THE AUGUST 31ST COUNCIL MEETING AND THE APPLICANT IS A POSTPONE, IS OPPOSED TO THAT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST.

AND WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM THERE.

YES, MA'AM.

THANK YOU MEMBERS.

UH, IF, UNLESS THERE'S OBJECTION THE WAY I WOULD INTEND TO HANDLE THIS MATTER, UH, BECAUSE IT IS, IT IS PREPARED FOR PASSAGE ON THIRD READING, BUT THERE HAS BEEN THE REQUEST FOR A POSTPONEMENT.

UH, WHAT I'M GOING TO,

[08:45:01]

UH, THE LAST TIME WE DID THIS, WE ALLOWED, UH, THE APPLICANT TO HAVE FIVE MINUTES AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OPPONENT TO HAVE FIVE MINUTES.

UH, I'M GOING TO, UNLESS THERE'S OBJECTION, DO THAT AGAIN AND THEN WE'LL HAVE PROS, CONS, FORS, AND FOR AND AGAINST.

AND THEN, UH, THREE MINUTES FOR THE, UH, THE OPPONENT TO SUM UP AND THREE MINUTES FOR THE APPLICANT TO CLOSE OUT.

SO I'LL CALL NOW FOR THE APPLICANT IF THE APPLICANT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNSEL, MAYOR MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

MY NAME'S RICHARD SUTTLE.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT TONIGHT.

UM, HOPING FOR THIRD AND FINAL READING AS AMENDED.

THE ONLY ISSUE THAT CAME UP, UH, AT THE, AT THE LAST MEETING WHERE WE HAD DEBATE AND DISCUSSION WAS THE BUFFER BETWEEN THIS TRACT AND THE PRESERVE.

WE'VE GONE FROM A 60 FOOT BUILDING SETBACK TO A 75 FOOT VEGETATIVE, UH, STRIP.

AND, UM, AND, AND WE'RE IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT.

I GOTTA FIGURE OUT HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS CUZ I, I'M, I WANNA WORK WITH YOU.

NORMALLY WE TALK ABOUT THE POSTPONEMENT FIRST.

WE ARE IN OPPOSITION TO THE POSTPONEMENT.

THIS CASE HAS BEEN ON FILE FOR A YEAR.

WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS.

UM, WE'VE HAD CHANCES TO TALK ABOUT IT ALL ALONG THE WAY.

FIRST, SECOND READING, AND I JUST DON'T THINK ANYTHING BENEFICIAL WILL COME FROM A PROLONGING OF THE DISCUSSION OF THIS CASE.

SO WE OPPOSE IT AND WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD.

IN NO WAY DOES THAT MEAN WE'LL EVER STOP TALKING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AS WE GET INTO THE PLANNING AND SITE PLANNING OF THE, OF THE PROJECT.

BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE, AND THANK YOU MEMBERS.

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, MR. SUTTLE? UM, AND, AND I UNDERSTAND THIS IS, THIS IS NOT A PUD UH, SO WE KNOW WE CAN'T, UH, WE'RE LIMITED.

THE, THE COUNCIL IS LIMITED IN TERMS OF KIND OF THE, THE, THE, UH, ISSUES THAT WE CAN ADDRESS, YOU KNOW, WITHIN THE ZONING.

UH, I UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, UM, DARK SKY, MEANING THE, THE DARK SKY REQUIREMENTS TO KEEP THE, THE LIGHTS AS LOW AS POSSIBLE IN THE AREA AS WELL AS ANY, UH, POTENTIAL THREATS TO, UH, TO BIRDS.

IN TERMS OF THE, THE GLAZING, UH, ON THE WINDOW, UH, AGAIN, I, I KNOW THAT WE CAN'T, UH, BIND, UH, THOSE CONDITIONS, BUT JUST, UH, IS THE APPLICANT WILLING TO, UH, COMPLY WITH THE DARK SKY, UH, WINDOWS, I MEAN, I'M SORRY, DARK SKY LIGHTING AND ANY KIND OF, UH, YOU KNOW, BIRD PROTECTIONS THAT WOULD BE DEEMED NECESSARY? AGAIN, I KNOW THIS IS NOT, UH, AN EXTREMELY TALL, UH, BUILDING AND IN MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT GONNA BE A GLASS TOWER, UH, AS WELL, BUT I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.

THAT THAT IS CORRECT.

AND FOR THE RECORD, YES, IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION AND FOR THE REST OF COUNCIL, WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CODIFY THE DARK SKIES LIGHTING AND THE REFLECTIVITY OF GLASS THAT IS NORMALLY IN THE AREA AND WHICH IS 20%.

UM, WE VIEW THOSE AS DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS THAT COULD BE MODIFIED THROUGH PDA, UH, WAS UNABLE TO CONVINCE THE LAW DEPARTMENT OF THAT.

SO WHAT I WILL TELL YOU ON THE RECORD HERE IS THAT WE WILL COMPLY WITH THE DARK SKIES REQUIREMENTS IN THE DESIGN STANDARDS OF THE CITY CODE AND THE REFLECTIVITY OF 20% OR LESS THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE CODE AND THAT WILL BECOME PART OF THE PROJECT.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

HAD ANY AGREEMENT ABOUT COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

COUNCIL MEMBER BAILEY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

UH, IS THERE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OPPONENTS OF THIS BEFORE YOU START? HOLD, HOLD ON.

UH, SO MAYOR, ARE YOU COMBINING THE CON CONVERSATION OF THE, OF THE POSTPONEMENT REQUEST WITH THE ACTUAL, MY, MY FEELING IS THAT THE COUNCIL WILL WANNA MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER IT GOES FORWARD AS PART OF THE POSTPONEMENT OR AHEAD OR MERITS GO AHEAD, GO AHEAD.

UH, OKAY.

SO FIRST OF ALL, OF COURSE, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT THE NEIGHBORHOOD POSITION.

I WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT, UH, UM, OUR NEGOTIATIONS NEVER GOT TO COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

OUR NEGOTIATIONS BROKE DOWN ON, ON THE HEIGHT, WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS, UH, AND THAT'S WHERE IT BROKE DOWN.

WE NEVER HAD A DISCUSSION, WE NEVER

[08:50:01]

THE REASON I'M ASKING, AND WE'RE ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT, ARE THREE THINGS.

ONE IS AN INQUIRY INTO THE VALIDITY OF THE BOARD AND TRACK BEING EXEMPTED FROM THE RIVER BLUFF, UM, FROM THE RED BLUFF, UM, WATERFRONT OVERLAY IN 1986.

UM, WE ARE ALSO ASKING FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY AND STATEMENT FROM, UH, WATERSHED PROTECTION.

THE LAST TIME I ASKED FOR THAT WATERSHED CAME UP AND THEY SAID, WE DON'T DO THAT.

BUT THEY DO DO THAT OVER THE EDWARDS AQUIFER.

THEY'RE REQUIRED TO DO THAT OVER THE EDWARDS AQUIFER.

SO IF HERE ON THE EAST SIDE, THE WATER'S THE SAME, WATER QUALITY'S THE SAME.

SO THE PROTECTION OF THE WATER SHOULD BE THE SAME.

SO WE'RE ASKING FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION ON THE ZONING.

THE SECOND ONE IS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR A POSTPONE OF THIS CASE, ONCE AGAIN, TO HAVE THE APPLICANT RETURN TO THE TABLE.

NOW SHOW THE, THE DOCUMENT.

UM, THIS IS OUR POSITION.

WHAT YOU'RE GONNA SEE RIGHT NOW, I GAVE THIS TO YOU LAST TIME, BUT I WANT THE PUBLIC TO SEE IT TOO.

AS YOU CAN SEE, UM, W WE HAVE A LIST OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

YOU DO NOT SEE THESE EAST CONSERVANCY THERE.

IT WAS NEVER THERE.

MR. SUTTLE JUMPED THE GUN.

WE NEVER GOT TO A DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

WE GAVE HIM THIS AND HE CAME BACK WITH A, A PIECE OF PAPER THAT HE GAVE YOU ALL WHERE HE INCLUDED THE CONSERVANCY IN ORDER TO NEUTRALIZE OUR COUNCIL MEMBER.

HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

SO WE'RE ASKING FOR YOU TO HAVE THE APPLICANT COME BACK TO THE TABLE AND REALLY DISCUSS, CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION, NOT ONLY OF THE, UH, ZONING PARAMETERS, BUT THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT'S OUR COMMUNITY BENEFITS TARGET.

AND THE CONTACT TEAM BY ORDINANCE IS THE AUTHORIZED VOICE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE WERE IN NEGOTIATIONS BOTH WITH COUNCIL MEMBER OF VELAZQUEZ AND WITH SUBTLE, AND THEY BROKE WITH US AND WENT AROUND US.

SO THE THIRD REASON THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT IS FOR, FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE VALIDITY, THE PROPRIETY AND THE LEGAL STANDING OF COUNCIL MEMBERS.

VELASQUEZ'S RECUSAL, AS YOU CAN SEE BY THIS, THAT RECUSAL IS A FICTION.

HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS CASE AT ALL.

I FEEL THAT, THAT A, A, A FICTITIOUS RECUSAL LIKE THIS IS GONNA PUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IN JEOPARDY GOING IN THE FUTURE.

THIS IS TERRIBLE PRECEDENT TO SET.

SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT.

BUT REALLY WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO DO IS FOR YOU TO SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD POSITION.

PLEASE DO NOT PUT 120 FOOT BUILDING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

I ALREADY HAVE TALKED TO THEM.

WE'RE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE, WE'RE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 120 AND 60.

I KNOW THAT MY CONTACT TEAM IS WILLING TO NEGOTIATE SOMETHING, BUT NOT 120 FOOT BUILDING.

AND CERTAINLY THIS WHOLE FICTION OF THE RECUSAL IS, IS, IS PUTTING ALL OF US IN, IN A JEOPARDY.

AND WE NEED TO INVESTIGATE THAT.

WE NEED TO FIND OUT IF, IF, IF THAT IS ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE THE OFFICIAL NEGOTIATORS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS WAS OUR POSITION AND THE DEVELOPER WENT AROUND US AND NEUTRALIZED OUR COUNCIL MEMBER.

NOW, PERSONALLY, I HAVE MY OPINION, UH, ABOUT THAT, BUT I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

SO I'M ASKING YOU ALL TO POSTPONE THIS UNTIL, WHAT, WHAT DID YOU SAY? UH, JOY, AUGUST 31ST.

AUGUST 31ST, GIVE A CHANCE FOR THE, FOR THE ETHICS COMMISSION TO DO THEIR WORK.

UM, UH, UH, GIVE A CHANCE FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND AND OUR LAWYERS TO LOOK AT THE, UH, UH, WATERFRONT OVERLAY AND ITS VALIDITY BECAUSE WE THINK THAT IT'S THAT, THAT IT WAS DONE ILLEGALLY.

UH, AND THEN OF COURSE, UM, BRING IT BACK TO THE TABLE.

Y'ALL WILLING TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE AND TALK SO THAT WE CAN COME BACK WITH A WIN-WIN INSTEAD OF THIS? WE DON'T WANNA POSTPONE IT.

, WE'RE ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT.

IT'S UP TO YOU.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT I SAID LAST TIME I WAS HERE? THIS WHOLE THING, UH, THIS RECUSAL THING IS, IS IS SHOWING A LOT OF CORRUPTION HERE.

A LOT OF MANIPULATION.

CALL THOSE WHO ARE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION.

THANK YOU SIR.

MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WOULD CALL THOSE WHO ARE SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE APPLICATION.

THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS IN FAVOR.

[08:55:01]

UM, GARY BABBIT ON 81 80 AND 180 1.

HI, I THINK THERE WAS CONFUSION.

I'M GARY BABBITT, DISTRICT THREE MONTOPOLIS.

UM, I AM SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE DEVELOPMENT AS PROPOSED.

I LISTENED TO THE PREVIOUS READING, THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, THE CONCERNS FOR CHANGING THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, CONCERNS ABOUT GENTRIFICATION, CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC.

SOMETIMES THESE CONCERNS ARE IN GOOD FAITH.

SOMETIMES THEY ARE TRIED AND TRUE RESISTANCE.

ALL OF THEM I THINK, ARE ROOTED IN A FEAR OF CHANGE.

I JUST WANT TO ADD A VOICE FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

I'M EXCITED FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT.

I'M EXCITED FOR A CHANGE.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THIS PARKING LOT TURNS INTO.

SERIOUSLY TAKING AN INDUSTRIAL SITE AND PARKING LOT AND TURNING IT INTO A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE, WORK, EAT, AND PLAY.

A HUNDRED PERCENT APPROVAL FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT IS ITS OWN COMMUNITY BENEFIT.

THIS MORNING I WENT FOR A RUN THROUGH ROY G. PARK ACROSS THE ON TOPS BRIDGE.

I HOPE ONE DAY SOON THERE WILL BE SOMETHING WAITING FOR ME ON THE OTHER SIDE.

THANKS.

MARIO CANTU 180 1 AND IT HE IS AGAINST.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.

YES, GO AHEAD.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.

HELLO, THIS IS MARIO CANTU FROM SOUTH AUSTIN.

I JUST WANTED TO MENTION TO COUNSEL THAT, UH, IT'S GONNA BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT OR IMPACT IN THIS AREA, THE WATER QUALITY.

UH, YOU KNOW, Y'ALL SPENT A LOT OF TIME TODAY TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABILITY AND HOUSING STOCK IN AUSTIN TODAY, AND THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THAT'S A BIG THING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

ALSO, WHEN IT COMES TO APPLICANTS, UH, THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES WHERE THEY, THEY DO CHANGE THINGS AT THE LAST MINUTE AND A LOT OF TIMES THE CONTACT TEAMS ARE NOT NOTIFIED OF THESE THINGS.

THERE'S A HISTORY OF THAT THAT THAT TAKES PLACE IN THIS TOWN.

AND, UH, I WOULD ASK YOU TO, TO REALLY DIG DEEP INTO THAT AND GIVE, UH, THE CONTACT TEAM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO THE TABLE WITH THIS APPLICANT AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

AND LET'S JUST SEE WHAT COMES OUTTA THAT.

THANK YOU VALERIE MENARD AGAINST ON 180 1.

GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR WATSON.

MY NAME IS VALERIE MENARD AND I'M THE PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR THE COLORADO RIVER CONSERVANCY.

A PROJECT OF VE I'M TESTIFYING TODAY TO PLEAD WITH YOU TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM.

THIS IS THE LAST STAND FOR DISTRICT THREE.

SO I'M ALSO ASKING COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO DO NOT REPRESENT IT TO PROTECT IT.

NOT ONLY WILL THE BOARD AND TRACK DEVELOPMENT CAUSE MASSIVE DISRUPTION TO THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY, GOVALLE JOHNSON TERRACE, IT WILL DEGRADE OUR BEAUTIFUL PRISTINE COLORADO RIVER OPENING THE FLOODGATES FOR MORE DEVELOPMENT.

WHY IS DEVELOPMENT UNCHECKED BY THIS COUNCIL WITH 95% IMPERVIOUS COVER, THIS PROJECT WILL FURTHER CONTRIBUTE TO RISING TEMPERATURES WHEN YOU ONLY LOOK WEST TO PHOENIX, WHERE TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN ABOVE 150 DEGREES FOR MORE THAN A MONTH.

NOW CONSIDERED AN URBAN HEAT ISLAND, THE CAUSE HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO MASSIVE CONSTRUCTION OVER DECADES.

DO WE WANT THAT FOR AUSTIN? BUT THE BIGGER REASON TO POSTPONE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD AND TRACK DEVELOPMENT IS THE UNDER UNDEMOCRATIC MANNER IN WHICH IT HAS BEEN HANDLED AND THE BAD PRECEDENT IT SETS THROUGH UNDERHANDED EFFORTS.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ HAS BEEN SILENCED TODAY AND IS UNABLE TO REPRESENT DISTRICT THREE, AND I DON'T BELIEVE HE DOES SO WILLINGLY.

BUT BECAUSE HE'S BEEN SILENCED, YOU, HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND YOU WILL HAVE THIS LEGACY.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR DISTRICT AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION? PASSING THIS ITEM WILL LEAVE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS VULNERABLE TO THE SAME TACTICS.

BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION.

YOU DO HAVE TESTIMONY FROM THE RESIDENTS WHO VOICED THEIR CONCERNS ON FIRST READING, BUT HAVE ALSO OFFERED A COMPROMISE.

A 60 FOOT HEIGHT, A 65% IN PREVIOUS COVER, RATHER THAN 95, A HUNDRED FOOT, NO BILL BUFFER RATHER THAN 75 FROM THE COLORADO RIVER PRESERVE.

THEY'RE ALSO ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT FOR AN INQUIRY INTO THE VALIDITY OF THE BOARD AND TRACK BEING EXEMPTED FROM RED BLUFF WATERFRONT OVERLAY AND AN INVESTIGATION TO VALIDITY AND, AND PROPRIETY.

UH, CONCERNING COUNCIL MEMBER VLOCK, THIS RECUSAL, PLEASE HONOR THESE REQUESTS BECAUSE OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE CANNOT AND POSTPONED THIS DEVELOPMENT.

OKAY, WE'RE MOVING TO IN-PERSON BILL BUNCH.

[09:00:02]

REGISTERED AGAINST ON DECK IS ROY WHALEY, REGISTERED NEUTRAL.

COUNCIL MEMBERS BILL BUNCH, LET'S SAY OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.

WE'VE BEEN, UH, SUPPORTING THE NEIGHBORS, UH, THROUGH THIS PROCESS WITH SOME, UM, LEGAL ASSISTANCE HERE AND THERE.

UH, THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS, AS I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE POSTPONEMENT.

UM, I THINK THERE IS A VERY REAL ISSUE ABOUT WHETHER THIS TRACT WAS PROPERLY EXCLUDED FROM THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY, UH, BACK IN 1986.

I DO THINK THAT, UH, MERITS FURTHER RESEARCH BY THE NEIGHBORS WITH US HELPING AND BY YOUR OWN STAFF SO THAT YOU GET, UH, THE IN, UH, INPUT THAT YOU NEED INDEPENDENTLY.

UM, THIS IS A SPECTACULAR STRETCH OF RIVER.

UM, SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN OVERLOOKED BY THE COMMUNITY FOR FAR TOO LONG.

IT'S A FREE FLOWING PART OF OUR RIVER ABOVE WHERE THE CITY'S WASTEWATER DISCHARGES COME INTO THE RIVER.

UH, THE BIRD AND FISH AND PLANT DIVERSITY THERE IS JUST EXTRAORDINARY.

UM, A NEW, UH, SPECIES OF PLANT WAS JUST DISCOVERED THERE A FEW YEARS BACK.

UM, IT REALLY DOES DESERVE, UH, CLOSE ATTENTION BY ALL OF YOU.

I DON'T SEE WHAT, UM, YOU KNOW, ANOTHER FOUR WEEKS OR SO OF POSTPONEMENT, UH, ANY HARM THAT WOULD BE DONE THERE.

AND I BELIEVE MR. GIANNIS HAS MADE IT A GOOD CASE THAT, UH, THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED SOME TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS IN ADDITION TO THE, THE QUESTION ABOUT THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY APPLICATION.

ROY WHALEY SPEAKING ON 180 AS NEUTRAL MEGAN MEISENBACH REGISTERED AGAINST ON 180 AND 180 1.

FOLLOWING IS MARK DUGAN AGAINST 180 AND 180 1 BARBARA MACARTHUR AGAINST 180 1.

FOLLOWING IS BOBBY LAVINSKY REGISTERED AGAINST ON 180 1.

MY NAME IS BARBARA MACARTHUR.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TONIGHT.

IN REALITY, THE ONLY REASON THERE IS AN INDUSTRIAL ZONING AT THE BORDEN SITE IS BECAUSE IT IS IN EAST AUSTIN.

WE KNOW THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF ZONING ABUSE IN THIS AREA RATHER THAN GRANTING THIS EXCESSIVE DEVELOPMENT REQUEST FOR DRAMATICALLY INCREASED HEIGHT, NEXT TOUR TO THE COLORADO RIVER PARK WILDLIFE URA, YOU NEED TO BRING EQUITY TO THIS PART OF TOWN.

I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND.

THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT OF LUXURY APARTMENTS AND HOTELS ABUTTING A FRAGILE ENVIRONMENTAL WETLAND HABITAT AREA.

SURELY YOU COULD ADD THIS PROPERTY INTO THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY OR CRAFT AN AMENDMENT OVERLAY TO PROTECT THIS SITE WITH THE SAME PROTECTION YOU GIVE TO THE REST OF THE RIVER, RATHER THAN APPROVING ZONING THAT WOULD PROVIDE A CLEAR PATH TO REPURPOSING THE GO VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD AS DOWNTOWN EAST.

I'M SAD THAT YOU'RE SO WILLING TO ERASE THESE COMMUNITIES.

NEXT SPEAKER IS BOBBY LAVINSKY.

REGISTERED AGAINST ANNA AGUIRE, REGISTERED AGAINST 180 AND 180 1.

ON DECK IS MONICA GUZMAN, REGISTERED AS NEUTRAL ON 180 AND 180 1.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS ANNA AGUIRE.

I'M THE MEDIA PAST CHAIR OF SOUTHEAST COMPANY NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, CONTACT TEAM, AND THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOODS COUNCIL.

I AM SPEAKING ON THE BEHALF OF THE CONTACT TEAM ON ITEMS 180 AND 180 1.

THE CONTACT TEAM VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN SUPPORT OF THE GOLD VALLEY JOHNSON CHAIR'S CONTACT TEAM AND REQUEST THE CITY COUNCIL.

CONSIDER POSTPONING THE THIRD READING UNTIL THE FOLLOWING TESTS ARE COMPLETED.

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE VALIDITY, PROPRIETY AND LEGAL STANDING OF COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ'S RECUSAL UNLESS AND TAKES PLACE AND AN INQUIRY BEING MADE INTO THE VALIDITY OF THE BOARD TRACK BEING EXEMPT FROM THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S POSITION FOR A POSTPONEMENT IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM TIME TO EXPLORE THESE TWO POINTS AND TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF THE COLORADO RIVER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, WHICH WE WOULD CONSIDER OUR VERSION OF ZILKER PARK EAST OF 5 35 EAST AUSTIN NETS DESERVE EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS

[09:05:01]

AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

MONICA GUZMAN, FOR THE RECORD, I'M OPPOSED TO 180 AND 180 1.

I HAD TO REGISTER NEUTRAL DUE TO SO MANY ITEMS, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE TOPIC BOX.

GOOD EVENING, ARIAN COUNSEL.

I'M MONICA GOSSMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR AT GAVA.

GO AUSTIN, VAMOS AUSTIN.

I'LL START BY READING GAVA LEAD CLIMATE RESILIENCE ORGANIZER IN DOVE SPRINGS.

D TWO RESIDENT FRANCIS'S STATEMENT.

I'M AGAINST ITEMS 180 AND 180 1 ON THE BOARD AND TRACK.

AND THE DAMAGES DEVELOPMENT WILL CAUSE TO THE NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE WILDLIFE AT THE ANIMAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND THE RUNOFF WATER THAT WILL AFFECT THE QUALITY OF WATER.

NOT TO MENTION EROSION OF THE COLORADO RIVER.

MORE IMPERVIOUS COVER INCREASES LOCALIZED FLOODING THAT AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS ANIMALS IN GREEN SPACE.

I'M TAKING MY GAVA HAT OFF AS A DOVE SPRINGS RESIDENT.

THESE ITEMS ARE AN EXAMPLE OF MY CONCERNS.

I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH ALL OF YOU.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE WOULD IT MAKE TO INCLUDE ME AND MY NEIGHBORS IN THE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT ME, MY HOME, NOT BEING AFRAID OF YOUR DECISIONS AND HOW IT'S GOING TO AFFECT ME, MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, OR HOW LONG BEFORE I LOSE MY HOME.

WE DESERVE TO FEEL HEARD.

WE DESERVE TO SEE YOU TAKE ACTIONS EFFECTIVELY.

WE DESERVE TO SEE YOU IN COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR THE FULL EVENT AND NOT JUST GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE, THEN LEAVE.

GAVA SUPPORTS THE RESIDENCE OPPOSITION AND STANDS WITH THE RIVER BLUFF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AS OPPOSED TO ITEMS 180 AND 180 1 REGARDING THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

WE'RE CURIOUS, HOW MANY OF YOU TOOK UP OUR INVITATION TO SHARE WITH US ABOUT THE LAST TIME YOU VISITED THIS RIVERFRONT AND THIS TRIBUTARIES LIKE COUNTRY CLUB CREEK.

SHARE ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF NATURE, ABOUT THE WILDLIFE YOU'VE SEEN? THE INVITATION STILL STANDS BECAUSE IF YOU'RE SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPER INSTEAD OF THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT IN THE WILDLIFE, YOU MAY NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MUCH LONGER.

COUNCIL MEMBERS FUENTES AND ALISON ALTER FOR STANDING WITH THE COMMUNITY AT SECOND READING.

WE URGE YOU AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS TO STAND WITH THEM TODAY.

VOTING DOWN THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR THE THIRD AND FINAL VOTE.

REMEMBER THE EAGLES, HERONS AND OTHER WILDLIFE, THE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS, AND THE COMMUNITY.

AND WE DO SUPPORT THE POSTPONEMENT.

CHRISTIE STEVENS SPEAKING ON 180, REGISTERED AGAINST CHRISTOPHER BROWN ON DECK AGAINST MARY ENGLE AGAINST 180 AND 180 1.

FOLLOWING IS FRANCIS UNA.

GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS.

UH, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

I'M A KNOWN, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATE.

MY NAME IS MARY ENGLE AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE CONTACT TEAM.

AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR A POST POSTPONEMENT PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ABOUT THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY NEED TO BE EXPLORED A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

IT'S THE SAME WATER THAT'S IN WEST AUSTIN.

AND WHY WAS THIS PROPERTY TAKEN OUT OF THAT WATERFRONT OVERLAY? SECONDLY, THE PRECEDENT OF HAVING A 120 FOOT BUILDING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AREA IS, UH, CONCERNING AND THERE MIGHT BE A ROOM FOR COMPROMISE, WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON TO GRANT A POSTPONEMENT.

AND THIRD, THE IRONY OF THIS ALL IS THAT THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL LATER ON CAUSE DISPLACEMENT OF THE RESIDENTS THERE AND THE GENEROUS, UH, DONATION TO THE EAST SIDE CONSERVANCY FOR HELPING PEOPLE PAY THEIR BACK TAXES ACTUALLY WON'T GO VERY FAR.

IT'S LIKE THROWING A COUPLE NICKEL IN A WISHING WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE RECORD.

MS. COULD NOT BE HERE.

SHE DID NOT HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO STAY LIKE MANY OF US.

SO IT WAS HER STATEMENT THAT I READ TO Y'ALL.

I UNDERSTOOD THAT.

JEFFREY BOWEN AGAINST 180 AND 180 1 JONATHAN DAVIDSON AGAINST 180 AND 180 1 NOAH EV AGAINST 180 AND 180 1 CRAIG NAOR AGAINST 180 1.

THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE SPEAKERS.

AFTER THE SECOND READING, YOU HAD I THINK MAYBE THREE LETTERS FROM BUSINESSES, UH, NEAR THIS DEVELOPMENT.

UM, AS I INDICATED, I WILL ALLOW THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THOSE IN OPPOSITION TO SPEAK AND THEN ALLOW, UH, THE APPLICANT A REBUTTAL.

MR. GIANNIS, DO YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING ELSE? I'LL ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK AND THEN I'M GONNA ALLOW THE APPLICANT TO HAVE A REBUTTAL.

[09:10:13]

AND YOU HAD THE GENTLEMAN THAT SPOKE IN FAVOR.

THAT'S FOUR.

SINCE THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THERE HAS BEEN NOT ONE SPEAKER O OTHER THAN THOSE FOUR WHO HAS, UM, SUPPORTED THIS PROJECT.

AND LIKE I TOLD YOU THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, THIS CITY COUNCIL, YOU, YOU ALL NEED TO REPRESENT ALL OF US, NOT JUST THEM.

AND HE REPRESENTS THE 1%, BUT WE ELECT ALL OF YOU.

AND LIKE I SAID, GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

SO THIS ZONING CASE, LIKE THE ZILKER ZONING CASE, IS RELATED TO GOVERNANCE, IS RELATED TO THE RULES THAT YOU, UH, PUSH BACK BECAUSE, BECAUSE YOU GOT SO MUCH PUSHBACK ABOUT IT.

THIS IS ABOUT DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

AND ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE FICTION OF A RECUSAL IS SOMETHING THAT WE, ALL OF US AS A COMMUNITY, AS A POLITICAL BODY NEED TO REALLY EXAMINE.

IS IS THERE ANY ETHICS TO THAT? IS THERE ANY, LIKE, IT'S NOT THE LETTER OF THE LAW THAT WE LIVE BY.

IT IS THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW THAT WE LIVE BY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY TO Y'ALL EXCEPT DON'T PUT 120 FOOT BUILDING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE ARE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THAT ONE 20 AND 60, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT IF YOU PASS IT ON THIRD READING, WE CAN IF YOU BRING IT BACK ON THE 20, UH, ON, UH, IN AUGUST AND WE MIGHT HAVE A DEAL.

DUDE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE.

OH, AND UH, I, I DO WANNA RECOGNIZE MAYOR, UM, THAT YOU HAVE RESPONDED TO OUR CRY FOR MORE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

UH, AND YOU KNOW, UH, I I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH AND THAT IS REAL DEMOCRACY, GOVERNMENT BY ALL OF US.

THANK YOU MR. YANAS.

MR. SUTTLE, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU, UH, TO CLOSE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

UH, WE'RE TAKING A INDUSTRIAL ZONE INDUSTRIAL USE SITE, CHANGING IT TO A MIXED USE WITH RESIDENTIAL, A COMMUNITY BENEFITS PACKAGE THAT WAS CHOSEN.

NOT FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN THEY OFFERED BOTH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FUNDS TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM BEING DISPLACED IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS TRACT IS ON AVERAGE 800 FEET AWAY FROM THE RIVER.

ANYWHERE FROM 1,011 HUNDRED FEET TO 700 FEET.

WE'VE GOT AN APPROPRIATE NEW BUFFER.

THAT WAS, UH, AFTER DISCUSSING IT WITH YOU BOTH THE PARKS, WE MET WITH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT ONSITE, WALKED THE ENTIRE SITE, CAME UP WITH THE 75 FOOT VEGETATIVE STRIP, NOT A BUILDING SETBACK, WHICH WAS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE OVER THE FIRST TIME.

AND THEN WE'LL ASK, WE ASK TONIGHT THAT YOU NOT POSTPONE IT AND THAT WE FINISH THIS PHASE OF THE PROJECT INC.

SO THAT WE CAN START PLANNING FOR THIS.

UM, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

THANK YOU, MR. SUTTLE MEMBERS, UH, THAT TAKES US TO A MOTION AND DISCUSSION.

IS THERE A MOTION WITH REGARD TO THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBER REVELLA.

I THINK A MOTION TO APPROVE, UH, ON, UH, THIRD READING MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA TO APPROVE ON THIRD READING.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

UH, THE MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE IT ON THIRD READING WITH THE AMENDMENT, UH, THAT WAS DECLARED, UH, BY, UH, STAFF DISCUSSION.

YOU WANT TO COUNCIL MEMBER VENO? I MEAN, I THINK IT'S A GOOD PROJECT.

THE HEIGHT HAS NO EFFECT ON THE RUNOFF.

IT HAS NO EFFECT ON THE SANCTUARY.

UH, IT HEIGHTS JUST NOT A PROBLEM.

AND IT'S GONNA BRING A LOT OF, UH, HOUSES.

IT'S GONNA BRING, UH, A GOOD NEW PLACE FOR FOLKS ON THE EAST SIDE, NOT JUST THE, THE NEAR EAST SIDE, BUT THE FARTHER EAST SIDE EAST OF 180 3.

UH, SUPPORT THE PROJECT AND MOVE PASSAGE.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER.

IMPROVEMENTS WITH THE BUFFER WITH THE 75 FEET.

UM, I FIRST WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, THE

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APPRECIATE THE APPLICANT AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PARK STAFF WORKING, UM, TO ADDRESS THAT.

I'M GONNA BE VOTING NO, I, I CONTINUE TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS, WITH THIS PROCESS HERE.

UM, BUT I DO WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, THE EFFORTS MOVING FORWARD ON THAT ITEM THAT WE DISCUSSED LAST TIME.

THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? UH, RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED RAISE YOUR HAND.

THERE BEING SEVEN IN FAVOR.

ONE IN OPPOSITION.

AND THAT'S, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.

OH, I'M SORRY.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, HOW DID YOU VOTE? FAIR? I VOTED IN FAVOR.

I'M SORRY IT'S GETTING LATE IN THE DAY.

UM, ALTHOUGH I DO IT ALL DAY LONG, SO I APOLOGIZE.

UM, THERE BEING EIGHT IN FAVOR.

ONE OPPOSED AND THE RECORD WILL REFLECT.

THAT'S COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ HAS RECUSED HIMSELF AND COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES IS OFF THE S ON IMPORTANT CITY BUSINESS.

THE MOTION TO ADOPT ON THIRD READING AS AMENDED PASSES.

THEY'RE BEING I'M SORRY.

BEFORE WE ADJOURN, I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO CONGRATULATE JOY HARDEN.

AS Y'ALL KNOW, SHE HAS BEEN SERVING AS THE INTERIM ZONING OFFICER FOR SOME TIME NOW AND HAS REALLY LED THIS PROCESS WELL.

SO THANK YOU JOY.

AND WE'RE EXCITED THAT SHE IS NOW THE PERMANENT ZONING OFFICER.

GOOD JOB.

WELL EARNED.