Mar 21, 2024 City Council Meetings

AS WE ALL KNOW, FEE AND L JUST, UH, BASICALLY DODGES THE ACTUAL GOAL AND DELAYS AND POSTPONES IT.

FIRST, WE HAVE WILLIAM BUNCH ON ITEMS 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 22, 30, 36, 39, AND 41.

YES, GOOD MORNING.

THIS IS BILL BUNCH FROM SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.

I'M JUST GONNA LIMIT MY COMMENTS TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM FIVE.

THE FEE IN LOW FOR WATER REUSE.

UM, OUR WATER SITUATION IS, IS GETTING RATHER DIRE.

UM, HAVING THESE, UH, PROJECTS DONE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.

AND, UH, THE WAY TO DO THAT IS TO REQUIRE ACTUAL PARTICIPATION ON SITE, UH, REUSE OR HOOKING UP TO THE CITY'S, UH, PURPLE PIPE SYSTEM.

UM, AND

[00:05:01]

SO, UH, PLEASE DELETE THIS AND, UH, REQUIRE ACTUAL WATER REUSE ON SITE AND IF NOT ON SITE, UH, HOOK UP TO THE CITY SYSTEM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS AN OIA JOSEPH SPEAKING ON ITEMS 12 19 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 63, 64, 65.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

COUNSEL ENOBI.

JOSEPH, MY COMMENTS ARE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO ITEM 12.

IT'S THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT $700,000 CONTRACT.

I I AM IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ITEM BECAUSE IT, THE OUTCOMES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE NOT CHANGED IN 20 YEARS OR MORE.

AND I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT IF YOU HAVE $700,000 TO SPEND TO TRY TO REACH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND OTHER MINORITIES, THAT IT WOULD BE WISE TO ASK US WHAT WE NEED.

I WOULD ASK YOU TO WITHDRAW ITEM NUMBER 26.

THAT'S THE PUBLIC HEALTH ITEM.

IT'S ASKING FOR $60,500 FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON.

AND I JUST WANNA CALL TO YOUR ATTENTION, YOUR SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2023 COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED FOUR 12 MONTH EXTENSIONS AT $20,000, AND THIS ACTUALLY IS ASKING FOR THREE TIMES THAT AMOUNT WITH NO TRANSPARENT JUSTIFICATION IN THE BACKUP AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO ITEM 27, WHICH IS THE WORK SOURCE ITEM FOR, UH, CHILDCARE.

I JUST WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE SPECIFICALLY THAT TAMARA ATKINSON ON OCTOBER 25TH, 2022, TOLD TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT SHE RECEIVED $54 MILLION FOR CHAIR CHILDCARE, WHICH WAS AN INCREASE OVER THE PAST YEARS.

SO I WOULD ASK YOU TO WITHDRAW THIS ITEM AS WELL, AND TO ACTUALLY ASK ADRIAN STIRRUP TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR CHILDCARE AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL.

I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO INCLUDE BUS STOP SHELTERS FOR ALL OF THE SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEAST AUSTIN MCD AND WALNUT CREEK AS WELL.

AND AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO I 35, I JUST WANT TO SAY MY OPPOSITION TO THE CAPS AND STITCHES IS SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I THINK IF YOU ARE GOING TO CONNECT EAST AND WEST, THEN THAT LAND NEEDS TO BE USED FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF HOUSING.

AND DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE BLACK.

A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA.

YOUR TIME HAS K THANK YOU, MS. JOSEPH.

THAT CONCLUDES REMOTE CONSENT SPEAKERS.

WE'LL MOVE TO IN-PERSON WITH BRAD INGAL ON ITEMS 21 AND 36 WITH GUS PENA AND TOM RAMSEY, JR.

ON DECK, BRAD INGAL.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT, UH, EVEN IF IT'S, IT'S BEEN CALLED WHERE YOU'RE ON DECK, SO THAT YOU'LL BE PREPARED TO, UH, GIVE YOUR COMMENTS.

PLEASE CALL THEIR NAMES AGAIN, BRAD MESSING, GUS PENA, TOM RAMSEY, JR.

NEXT WE HAVE PEDRO VILLALOBOS, ISAAC DILL, CAROL GUMTREE.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MOVE TO THE PODIUM.

STATE YOUR NAME.

MOVING ON, WE HAVE ANA ALMANZA MIRANDA BEST CAMPOS CARLOS PINON.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.

NEXT WE HAVE VALERIE MENARD, PEDRO HERNANDEZ JR.

CARMEN YANES, MONICA GUZMAN SPEAKING.

OKAY, SHE, MS. GUZMAN INDICATES SHE'S SPEAKING ON THE A HFC AGENDA THAT CONCLUDES IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.

ALL NAMES HAVE BEEN CALLED.

ALRIGHT, I'M GONNA TRY ONE MORE TIME.

IF ANYBODY'S NAME'S BEEN CALLED YOU, YOU, I'M SORRY SIR, BUT YOUR, YOUR NAME WASN'T CALLED.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE MICROPHONE.

ALRIGHT, THAT MEMBERS, THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

UH, THE CHAIR WILL RECOGNIZE

[Consent Agenda]

IT'S MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

UH, IS THERE DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? REMEMBER, THE ONLY ITEM THAT'S BEEN PULLED IS 24, AND WE WILL TAKE THAT UP LATER.

IS THERE ANY OTHER ITEM, ANYBODY WISHES TO PULL? IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN AS ABSTAINING FROM A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ? YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.

I THANK YOU.

UM, I APPRECIATE YOUR RECOGNITION.

[00:10:01]

I WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN ABSTAINING FROM 65 AND 33, PLEASE.

AND, AND, AND COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, AND, AND COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, I'LL, I'LL, AS YOU KNOW, I DO MY BEST TO LOOK UP AND PAY ATTENTION, BUT IF I MISS YOU, DON'T HESITATE TO CRY OUT.

SO I DON'T, SO I DON'T MISS YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER.

MADISON, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD? OKAY.

ANYBODY WISHING TO BE SHOWN AS RECUSING THEMSELVES FROM A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ALRIGHT, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY BEING SHOWN AS ABSTAINING ON ITEM NUMBER 65 AND ITEM NUMBER 33.

I'LL NOW RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR BRIEF COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

UH, MAYOR PRO TIM POOL, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY MAYOR.

THANKS SO MUCH.

AND COLLEAGUES, I WANTED TO SPEAK TO ITEM 39, UH, WHICH IS THE INITIATIVE THAT I'M BRINGING HERE TODAY.

UH, ON GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, IN THE FACE OF A WARMING PLANET AND WITH TEMPERATURES RISING, EXTREME WEATHER, AS WE KNOW, IS BECOMING MORE COMMON AND THE CITY MUST ACT TO MITIGATE THESE IMPACTS FOR TODAY AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

TREE LINED STREETS AND OTHER TYPES OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFER A NATURAL SOLUTION TO COMBAT THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT, PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED SHADE AND COOLING FOR OUR CITY LANDSCAPE.

AND ESSENTIAL TO THIS LANDSCAPE ARE OUR TREES.

TREES ENCOURAGE WALKING AND CYCLING AND MAKE IT SO MUCH NICER WHEN WE'RE OUT OF DOORS.

TREE, TREE-LINED ROADWAYS AND SHADED SIDEWALKS.

WALKS ARE WELCOMING AND WELCOMING.

LANDSCAPES ADD TO OUR DAY-TO-DAY ENJOYMENT AND SENSE OF PLACE, TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE.

OUR FEELING OF HOME AND COMMUNITY TREES MAKE OUR CITY BETTER AND WE, AS WE KEEP PUSHING TO BUILD A CITY THAT IS RE RESILIENT, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT DECISIONS WE ARE MAKING TODAY ARE SHAPING THE AUSTIN OF TOMORROW.

AND I WANNA SEE A WHOLE LOT MORE TREES IN OUR FUTURE WITH A STRONG AND HEALTHY URBAN CANOPY OFFERING SHADE AND SHELTER THROUGHOUT THIS CITY.

WITH THIS ITEM, WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE.

THIS ITEM PRIORITIZES PLANTING STREET TREES WITHIN AUSTIN'S PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY.

AS THE RESOLUTION SITS FORTH, IT WILL CLARIFY REQUIREMENTS AND DETERMINE THE BEST APPROACH TO MANAGE OUR RIGHTS OF WAY HOLISTICALLY TO ALLOW AND SUSTAIN NEEDED AND NECESSARY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALL FUTURE RIGHT OF WAY PROJECTS.

SO I WANNA THANK A FEW PEOPLE.

I WANNA THANK MY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE CO-SPONSORS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, ELLIS RYAN, ALTER VELAZQUEZ, AND HARPER MADISON FOR JOINING ME ON THIS ITEM.

AND I UNDERSTAND, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, DID YOU WANT TO ADD YOUR NAME? UH, I WOULD BE HONORED TO ADD MY NAME, , AND I'M HONORED TO HAVE YOU ADD YOUR NAME WITHOUT OBJECTION, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE WILL BE ADDED.

I ALSO WANNA THANK THE DEPARTMENT STAFF WHO WORKED THROUGH MANY COMPETING CITY NEEDS TO FIND THIS SHARED VISION, AND THESE FOLKS ARE COMMITTED TO OPERATIONALIZING AND SUSTAINING THESE NEW APPROACHES.

I WANNA THANK A COUPLE PRIVATE CITIZENS, JANA MCCANN AND KEVIN HOWARD FOR DAYLIGHTING THIS ISSUE LAST FALL, AND WORKING WITH MY TEAM OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS WHILE WE DID EVERYTHING WE NEEDED TO DO TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN TODAY.

AND TO THE MANY SUPPORTERS, MY THANKS, THE SUPPORTERS IN THE NONPROFIT AND BUSINESS SECTORS WHO ALSO SEE THE INTRINSIC AND ACTUAL VALUE OF OUR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, WHO ARE CHEERING FOR OUR TREES AND HOW THEY MAKE OUR CITY A MORE LIVABLE SPACE.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE, MAYOR, AND I AM SO PLEASED TO SEE IT LAUNCH TODAY.

USAGE BY, UH, COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS, IT ALSO SAVES THEM MONEY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, MAYOR PRO TEM I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON AL ALTER.

UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.

I JUST WANT TO THANK, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM POOL FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS ITEM.

IT REALLY IS CRITICAL FOR OUR CITY AND OUR LOCAL CLIMATE.

YOU KNOW, AS I LOOK OUT THE WINDOWS HERE, WHAT STANDS OUT TO ME ARE THESE BEAUTIFUL TREES THAT WE SEE, UH, ALONG OUR ROADWAYS.

AND THAT SHOULD BE THE NORM.

WE SHOULD SEE THAT EVERYWHERE IN THIS CITY.

AND SO I KNOW YOU PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

SO JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THAT.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK AUSTIN ENERGY AS IT RELATES TO ITEM EIGHT FOR GOING OUT AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN, UH, CREATE MORE DEMAND RESPONSE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WHEN DONE RIGHT, DEMAND RESPONSE NOT ONLY REDUCES, UH, ELECTRIC

[00:15:01]

SO IT'S A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

I'M REALLY EXCITED, UH, THE PATH THAT AUSTIN ENERGY IS TAKING ON THIS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HOW WE AS A CITY CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE MAXIMIZE OUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS IN THE FUTURE.

SO I APPRECIATE THEIR WORK AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ FOR BRINGING ITEM 35 FORWARD TODAY.

IT ASKS THE CITY MANAGER TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EMERGENCY CLOSURE AND BAD WEATHER PAY PROCEDURE AND REPORT BACK TO COUNCIL.

WE HAVE THE BEST EMPLOYEES IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN WHO OFTEN WORK ON OUR WORST DAYS.

AND SINCE MY TIME ON COUNCIL, WE'VE SEEN FREEZES, TORNADOES AND FLOODS, AND IN THOSE INSTANCES, OUR COMMITTED CITY OF AUSTIN PERSONNEL WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR US AND WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM ACCORDINGLY.

SO THANK YOU FOR THIS ITEM.

I'D LIKE TO BE ADDED AS A CO-SPONSOR IF POSSIBLE.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY BE SHOWN AS A, A SPONSOR.

UM, I ALSO WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER FOR INCLUDING ME AS A CO-SPONSOR ON ITEM 36, WHICH DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO EXPLORE A COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN.

THIS RESOLUTION WILL ENSURE THAT OUR CWPP, THE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN IS UPDATED TO COMPREHENSIVELY ADDRESS THE CRITICAL AREAS OF OUR WILDFIRE PROTECTION STRATEGY.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, DISTRICT SIX, WHICH I REPRESENT, HAS SOME OF THE, UH, MOST HEAVILY FORESTED REGIONS LIKE THE BALCONES CANYON LANDS.

AND THIS IS WHY I SUPPORT CRUCIAL INITIATIVES LIKE THIS ITEM THAT WORKED TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

I'VE ACTUALLY SPENT THIS ENTIRE WEEK, YOU CAN SEE I'M VIRTUAL NOW, UM, WITH FIRE CHIEFS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS AT THE TEXAS FIRE CHIEFS CONFERENCE.

THEY INVITED ME TO SPEAK AT THEIR CONFERENCE AND WILDFIRES AND THE WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE ARE A FOCUS OF WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING THIS WEEK.

AND SO I'M SO THANKFUL FOR THE CITY COUNCIL ENSURING THIS IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR DISCUSSIONS.

UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CITY MANAGERS BRIEFING ON ANY UNMET NEEDS, UM, IN THE BUDGET FOR OUR WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLANNING.

UM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER IN THE BUDGET TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS, UH, TAKEN CARE OF.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH COUNCIL, AND WITH THAT MAYOR I YIELD THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES THAN COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.

FIGHT, THE BETTER WE'RE GONNA BE PREPARED FOR PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY.

UM, WE'RE GONNA PROBABLY BE DOING MORE SPEECHES THAN WE WE HEARD FROM THE, FROM THE AUDIENCE TODAY.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AGENDAS THAT HAS A LOT IN THERE.

UM, SEVERAL OF US HAVE BEEN WORKING ON, UM, DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT ARE PART OF THIS.

UM, AND, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T CITE ALL OF THEM, BUT IT, IT, I DO, OUR STAFF WORK HARD ON A LOT OF THESE ITEMS AND, AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO, TO RECOGNIZE THEM, UM, WHEN WE VOTE.

SO I WANNA TALK ABOUT SEVERAL DIFFERENT ITEMS. UM, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE WORK ON THE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN.

I'M REALLY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT ITEMS 22 AND 23 FROM STAFF AND THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING, UH, MY RESOLUTION FOR ITEM 36.

ALL OF THESE ARE RELATED AS COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY SAID TO THE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN UPDATE, WE CREATED OUR CURRENT PLAN, UM, IN 2013 AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED IT THE YEAR AFTER.

UM, THIS WAS A, A RESPONSE TO THE CATASTROPHIC FIRE IN THE AUSTIN AREA IN 2011.

WE LEARNED FROM THAT EVENT THAT WE HAVE A REAL NEED TO BE PROACTIVE AND PREVENTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO WILDFIRE.

AND THAT IS NO LESS TRUE TODAY.

AFTER 10 YEARS, IT IS TIME TO IDENTIFY NEW GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE CWPP TO CONTINUE TO EFFECTIVELY GUIDE OUR WILDFIRE EFFORTS.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED MOST OF THE GOALS THAT WERE IN THAT PLAN, UM, IN TERMS OF APPROACH AND STRATEGY.

AND WE NEED TO RETHINK REGIONALLY HOW, UM, WE ARE GONNA TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.

THE VERY FIRST LINE OF THE BRIEFING PAPER OF THE 2014 VERSION, WHICH IS OUR CURRENT PLAN, SAYS WILDFIRE IS EVERYBODY'S FIGHT.

THAT HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT MOTTO FOR ME IN MY WORK ON WILDFIRE PREVENTION.

UM, AND I THINK IT ACKNOWLEDGES THE NEED FOR PLANNING WITHIN AND ACROSS DEPARTMENTS AND ACROSS THE REGION.

THIS IS NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS TO PAY ATTENTION TO.

WHAT ITEM 36 DOES IS REALLY, UM, ASK THE CITY MANAGER TO EMPOWER OUR DEPARTMENTS TO PLAY AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THIS PLAN.

UM, AND NOT JUST THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WE'VE ALSO ASKED THAT THIS PLAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE IMAGINE AUSTIN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ITS SUCCESSOR, AS WELL AS RELATED CITY PLANS THAT TOUCH ON THIS, SUCH AS URBAN FOREST PRE-PLAN AND HAZARD MITIGATION ACTION PLAN.

THE MORE THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY, AND THAT INCLUDES OUR INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WILDFIRES EVERYBODY'S

[00:20:01]

SO, THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES AND STAFF FOR YOUR CONTINUED ACTIONS THAT RECOGNIZE THIS IMPORTANCE.

PLEASE, THAT WE HAVE, UH, RECEIVED A GRANT THAT WE'RE ACCEPTING AS WELL AS COLLABORATING WITH TRAVIS COUNTY ON THIS.

UM, I'M GONNA JUMP AROUND A LITTLE BIT HERE ON TOPICS, BUT I WANNA, UM, THANK COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES FOR BRINGING FORWARD ITEM 38, WHICH PROPOSES CHANGES TO OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAM.

AND I'M PLEASED TO CO-SPONSOR THIS.

THIS IS ONE OF MANY STEPS WE'VE BEEN TAKING TO ENSURE THAT WE IMPROVE OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND MAKE AUSTIN AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE.

UM, WHILE I FULLY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, I DO WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO SPEAK ABOUT AN OUTSTANDING ISSUE THAT RELATES TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND BEING FAMILY FRIENDLY.

WHEN WE ADOPTED SIX WEEKS OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR ALL SWORN EMPLOYEES, WE DID NOT ADDRESS THE ORIGINAL CHALLENGE THAT WAS RAISED BY OUR FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS.

NAMELY THE NEED TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF LEAVE TO ACCOMMODATE THE PHYSICAL RECOVERY AFTER CHILDBIRTH AND BE PHYSICALLY READY TO RETURN TO WORK.

ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S CURRENT POLICIES, BIRTHING FIREFIGHTERS ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO WORK ON THE FIRST DAY.

THEY MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN CLEARED TO START EXERCISING.

THIS IS PROBLEMATIC ON MANY LEVELS.

UM, AND TODAY, I I SIMPLY WANNA FLAG THIS ISSUE.

UM, I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND I APPRECIATE, UM, THE INITIAL TALKS, BUT I, I DID WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS WE ADOPT, UM, ANOTHER ITEM RELATED TO MAKING, UM, IMPROVING BENEFITS, UM, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO SEE A SOLUTION FOR, UM, IF WE WANT THE CITY TO BE CONSIDERED A SUPPORTER SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYER.

UM, ITEM EIGHT, WHICH MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER MENTIONED, UM, FOCUSES ON DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAM, UM, FROM AUSTIN ENERGY.

AND I WANNA SAY THAT I'M GLAD TO SEE THIS PARTICULAR ITEM COMING FORWARD.

AMONG THE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION'S WORKING GROUP FOR THE AUSTIN ENERGY GENERATION PLAN.

DEMAND RESPONSE WAS A KEY STRATEGY.

UM, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, UM, FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS.

GOOD DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAMS CAN REDUCE LOAD SERVING ENTITY RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS IN PEAK AND GRID STRESS HOURS, INCREASE ELECTRIC OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY AND REDUCE WHOLESALE MARKET PRICES AND REDUCE TOTAL UTILITY RESOURCE AND CAPITAL COSTS.

DEMAND RESPONSE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDERUTILIZED AND UNDER COMPENSATED.

UM, AND SO I'M REALLY PLEASED TO SEE THAT WE ARE FIGHTING FUNDING THIS TYPE OF INVESTMENT, WHICH WILL IDENTIFY WAYS THAT WE CAN EXPAND THAT.

AND I HOPE THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GENERATION PLAN PROCESS, THAT THIS WILL BE A KEY ELEMENT OF WHAT WE LOOK AT.

AND THEN FINALLY, AGAIN, SWITCHING TO A TOTALLY DIFFERENT TOPIC, I WANNA, I HIGHLIGHT ITEM 28, WHICH OUR STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME, UM, WHICH RELATES TO VARIOUS CHILDCARE CONTRACTS.

UM, THESE ARE INCREASING DIRECT ACCESS TO C CHILDCARE, PROVIDING CRITICAL TRAINING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD STAFF, FUNDING CULTURALLY COMPETENT EDUCATION FOR PARENTS, AND PROMOTING SCHOOL READINESS FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN.

WE KNOW THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY SEE THE BENEFITS FROM THESE TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DIRECTLY REACH THE PARENTS AND THE CHILDREN IN WHAT WE CALL A TWO GENERATION APPROACH.

UM, IT'S NOT ONLY A MORAL IMPERATIVE THAT WE FUND THESE PROGRAMS, BUT A FINANCIAL IMPERATIVE AS WELL.

UM, THESE MA INVESTMENTS DO MAKE OUR FAMILIES WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY STRONGER, AND I WANNA THANK AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THEIR WORK ON THESE AGREEMENTS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE GOOD WORK THAT WILL COME FROM THESE PARTNERSHIPS.

UM, I KNOW THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE REALLY THANKFUL FOR OUR SUPPORT, WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO HELP MANY MORE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

COUNCIL MEMBER, WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER OF VELASQUEZ, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

AND LAST WILL BE CLOSING US OUT.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

I THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, YOU CERTAINLY COVERED ALL OF THE GOOD ITEMS WE HAVE ON TODAY'S CONSENT AGENDA.

I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT ONE IN PARTICULAR, WHICH IS ABOUT EXPANDING HEALTH COVERAGE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES WHEN IT COMES TO FERTILITY CARE AND FOSTER CARE ASSISTANCE.

THIS IS AN AREA THAT BUILDS OFF OF WORK FROM OUR FORMER MAYOR, STEVE ADLER.

AND, UH, HIS TEAM, UH, MICHAEL MCGILL WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN, IN LEADING THE CHARGE IN THIS EFFORT.

AND WE TOOK A LOOK AT OTHER CITIES, OTHER COUNTIES, AND THEIR HEALTH COVERAGE OPTIONS.

AND WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT THIS REALLY IS AN AREA WHERE THE CITY OF AUSTIN STANDS TO LEAD AND OFFERING THIS AS A BENEFIT FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.

UM, I ALSO WANNA MENTION, I BELIEVE AFSCME IS HERE.

THEY WERE, UM, NOT ABLE TO SPEAK TODAY, BUT THEY DO.

THEY ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM.

UH, SO I'M EXCITED FOR US TO, TO MOVE FORWARD IN REDUCING BARRIERS AND OBSTACLES FOR FAMILIES WHO WANT TO EXPAND, UH, THEIR FAMILY.

AND THIS ALSO WILL ENSURE THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS A COMPETITIVE EMPLOYER AS WELL.

SO I, I THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT TODAY.

ITEM 35, THE COUNCIL WILL PRIORITIZE THE WELFARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES BY IMPLEMENTING COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY PROCEDURES AND EQUITABLE COMPENSATION BY ENSURING THAT BY ENSURING THAT OUR EMPLOYEES FEEL SUPPORTED, WE LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE IN SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

UM, COLLEAGUES, IT IS A GREAT DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT A NUMBER OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

UM, WITH

[00:25:01]

THIS RESPONSIBILITY BEGINS WITH SAFEGUARDING THE WELLBEING OF OUR COMMITTED EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE AS FRONTLINE RESPONDERS DURING CRISIS AND CALAMITY.

THANK YOU TO MY CO-SPONSORS, COUNCIL MEMBER, FUENTES COUNCIL MEMBER MARVELLA COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE DEDICATED MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP OF AFSCME FOR, UM, UH, FOR THEIR CONSISTENT ADVOCACY.

ON BEHALF OF OUR UNION FAMILY, THANK YOU TO OUR HR LEADERSHIP FOR THEIR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR CITY EMPLOYEES.

THANK YOU TO MY, UH, TO THE DISTRICT THREE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR ALL OF HER HUSTLE ON THIS ITEM.

AND FOR, UH, HUSTLING ON BEHALF OF OUR EMPLOYEES, LIZETTE MELENDEZ TO CEDRIC BAKER, CARLOS VERA, AND JARED MENDEZ OF OUR GUARDRAIL CREW, SOUTH DISTRICT AND TO JEREMY MORRIS, THOMAS RUTI, ANO ANO RADO, AND ROBERT GOMEZ OF THE ASPHALT CREW SOUTH DISTRICT AND TO ALL OF OUR TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC, UH, PUBLIC WORKS CREWS.

I GOT YOUR BACK, UM, ON ITEM 65.

UH, I AM THRILLED TO SEE THIS MONUMENTAL OPPORTUNITY COME TO COUNCIL.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT MOMENT FOR DISTRICT THREE, AND I AM GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF IT.

THE PURCHASE OF, UH, TOKYO ELECTRON PROPERTY ALLOWS US TO PRIORITIZE HOUSING NEEDS OF THE HARDWORKING AUSTINITES WHO KEEP THIS CITY GO, UH, GOING, INCLUDING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVANTS SIMULTANEOUSLY, IT OFFERS AN AVENUE FOR LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES TO THRIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND, AND IT WILL BE ADDING UPWARDS OF, OF 1100 UNITS OF HOUSING TO AN AREA THAT HAS BEEN RAVAGED BY DISPLACEMENT AND UNAFFORDABILITY, WHILE ALLOWING US TO KEEP OUR AMBITIOUS COMMITMENTS MADE TO THE COMMUNITY.

WITH THE 2017 STRATEGIC HOUSING BLUEPRINT, ONE OF THE GREATEST ASPECTS OF THIS ACQUISITION IS THAT WE ARE THE DRIVERS.

AND WITH INTENTIONALITY, DISCIPLINE, THOUGHTFULNESS, AND A FOCUS ON ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION, WE CAN LEVERAGE THIS OPPORTUNITY INTO CREATING A VIBRANT, AFFORDABLE, TRANSIT FRIENDLY COMMUNITY THAT SUSTAINABLY SERVES THE NEEDS OF MANY AND WORKS TO, UH, TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF DISPLACEMENT.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT, I WILL KEEP AFFORDABILITY, DEEP AFFORDABILITY, AND MEANINGFUL LOCAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT AT THE FOREFRONT.

AND THAT IS THE, IS MY COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AND LAST, BUT DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY NOT LEAST, ITEM 33, AUSTIN HAS BECOME A, AN ATTRACTIVE CULINARY DESTINATION BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE, NOT ONLY FROM AUSTIN, BUT THOSE THAT CAME TO AUSTIN AND WERE INSPIRED TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY WAY, BY WAY OF A FOOD TRUCK.

FOOD TRUCKS ARE SENT ARE A CENTRAL COMPONENT OF THE CULTURE OF AUSTIN.

SMALL AND MICRO BUSINESSES ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE AUSTIN ECONOMY, AND WE CAN NEVER UNDERESTIMATE HOW NECESSARY FOOD TRUCKS AND THEIR OWNERS ARE TO THE STORY OF OUR GREAT CITY.

THEY SERVE AS INCUBATORS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND OFFER ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS A LOW OVERHEAD FIRST ENTRY POINT INTO AUSTIN'S VIBRANT FOOD SCENE.

CONSIDER ICONIC AUSTIN LATINX FEMALE OWNED ESTABLISHMENT LIKE VERA CRUZ, WHICH STARTED AS A HUMBLE FOOD TRUCK IN EAST AUSTIN, AND HAS SINCE BLOSSOMED INTO A THRIVING ENTERPRISE, EMPLOYING NUMEROUS AUSTINITES AND ENRICHING OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHERS, THOUGH NOT YET ICONIC, PROVIDE A NECESSARY INCOME TO SUPPORT OUR AUSTIN FAMILIES.

TODAY WE ARE CLEARING NUMEROUS ANTIQUATED AND TEDIOUS HURDLES FOR SMALL AND MICRO BUSINESS OWNERS WITH A MAJOR EMPHASIS ON TIME AND MONEY, BOTH, UH, BOTH OF WHICH CAN EXIST ON EXTREMELY SLIM MARGINS IN THE FOOD TRUCK UNIVERSE.

THIS ITEM NOT ONLY HELPS US MODERNIZE OUR PROCESSES, BUT IT ALSO MAKES THE PROCESS MORE ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE, AND EQUITABLE BY ENSURING CULTURALLY PROFICIENT LANGUAGE ACCENTS ACCESS TO BE CONSIDERED THROUGHOUT THE PERMITTING PROCESS.

IF WE WANT TO REMAIN A VIBRANT HUB OF CULINARY INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, THEN IT'S TIME FOR US TO REEVALUATE OUR PERMITTING PROCEDURES AND EXPLORE MORE COST EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, AND EQUITABLE ALTERNATIVES THAT SUPPORT RATHER THAN HINDER THE GROWTH OF OUR LOCAL FOOD TRUCK INDUSTRY.

I WANT TO THANK THE DI UH, OUR DISTRICT THREE POLICY ADVISOR, VICTORIA HALL, FOR ALL OF HER DILIGENT WORK ON THIS ITEM, WHICH STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO.

I'D LIKE TO THANK MY CO-SPONSORS, MAYOR WATSON, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, COUNCIL MEMBER KARI,

[00:30:01]

AND MOST RECENTLY, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES FOR THEIR SUPPORT ON THIS ITEM.

AND GRA TACOS ARMER I, AND WITH THAT I SAY LET THEM COOK .

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECOGNITION, MR. MAYOR.

AND I'D LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR, UH, FOR OFFERING SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR ONE ANOTHER TODAY.

THAT'S MOSTLY WHAT I WANTED TO DO AS WELL.

UM, SO I HAVE SOME BRIEF REMARKS AND A FEW ITEMS FROM OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

TODAY I'M EXCITED FOR US TO PASS ITEM NUMBER 29 REGARDING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.

WITH A ISD, IT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND IMPROVING OUR CITY'S MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE, SPECIFICALLY AROUND OUR SCHOOLS.

OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES SHOULD ALWAYS FEEL SAFE AND WELL CONNECTED TO THEIR SCHOOLS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER SCHOOL HOURS.

BY INVESTING IN SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, WE ARE COMMITTING TO OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A CITY TO ENHANCE SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND CONNECTIVITY WITH OUR COMMUNITIES.

UH, ADDITIONALLY, I'D LIKE TO EXTEND A THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DAAS FOR YOUR WORK ON SEVERAL INITIATIVES.

I'M GONNA BE REPEATING SOME OF THE THANKS, UM, SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE EXPRESSED, BUT I THINK IT'S WELL WORTHWHILE.

UM, WITH ITEM NUMBER 35, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ FOR LEADING A RESOLUTION ON PRIORITIZING THE WELLBEING OF OUR ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES, ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR EMERGENCY PAY PROCEDURES.

UM, I THINK IT DEMONSTRATES OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY DURING CHALLENGING TIMES.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ENSURE OUR WORKFORCE'S NEEDS ARE ALWAYS MET AND THAT THEIR EFFORTS ARE RECOGNIZED.

I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT MAYOR PRO TEM POOL'S INITIATIVE ON ITEM NUMBER 37 REGARDING A FORWARD THINKING APPROACH TO URBAN PLANNING THAT INTEGRATES GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY AND WORKING TOWARDS OUR CLIMATE EQUITY GOALS.

UM, LASTLY, I'D LIKE TO EXPRESS MY EXCITEMENT FOR ITEM NUMBER 31, THE SUBMITTAL FOR A STATE INFRASTRUCTURE BANK LOAN TO FUND THE I 35 CAP AND STITCH PROJECT.

SECURING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THIS PROJECT IS CRUCIAL FOR US TO MOST EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS CONGESTION AND IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY IN OUR CITY.

THIS WEEK, MY STAFF CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE THAT LISTED THE TOP 30 STREETS TO VISIT IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, AND I WAS VERY HONORED TO SEE THAT RIGHT HERE IN THE HEART OF DISTRICT ONE, IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE CULTURAL DISTRICT THAT EAST 11TH STREET WAS NAMED NUMBER THREE IN THE NATION.

SO SEEING AN 11TH AND 12TH STREET CAP INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT WILL BE A HUGE WIN FOR OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND FOR MOBILITY IN THE AREA, AND FRANKLY FOR FINALLY HAVING TRUE EAST WEST CONNECTIVITY.

THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THIS HISTORIC I 35 PROJECT AND FOR YOUR PRESENTATIONS DURING WORK SESSION.

UM, THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES, CITY STAFF.

LET'S KEEP DOING THE WORK, Y'ALL.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

UH, THANK YOU MAYOR.

UH, FIRST OFF, I WOULD, UH, ASK TO BE A CO-SPONSOR ON ITEM 39, A MAYOR PROAM POOLS ITEM.

I THINK THAT'S JUST AN EXCELLENT ITEM AND BE BEYOND JUST THE STREET TREES.

I THINK A MORE THOUGHTFUL AND HOLISTIC LOOK AT HOW WE'RE USING THE RIGHT OF WAY AND MAKING SURE THAT, THAT, THAT WE'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

I JUST THINK THAT'S A GREAT ITEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN AS A CO-SPONSOR WITH WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THAT AREA IS TREMENDOUS.

AND, UH, THEN BRIEFLY, WE HAVE, UH, AN ITEM, ITEM 34 ON TODAY'S AGENDA.

UH, UH, AGAIN, UM, CO-SPONSORING WITH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER THE, UH, WE'VE PASSED THE EQUITABLE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AND THAT'S GONNA BE COMING BACK TO US.

BUT WITHIN THAT, AT CRESTVIEW, THERE WAS ALREADY AN EXISTING TOD, UH, AND ITEM 34 WOULD ESSENTIALLY HARMONIZE THE, UH, CURRENT CRESTVIEW TOD WITH THE, UH, THE ETOD THAT'S MOVING FORWARD.

UH, EXCITED ABOUT THAT, THAT'S GONNA CREATE A LOT OF, UH, HOUSING, UH, OPPORTUNITY AND, UH, IT'S GONNA MAKE THAT, UH, AREA JUST LOOK AND FEEL, UH, ULTIMATELY A LOT BETTER.

AND AGAIN, I'VE GOTTA THANK, UH, MAYOR PROAM POOL AND HER STAFF FOR WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH ME ON THIS ITEM.

AND THANK THE, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AS WELL, UH, FOR ALL, ALL, ALL THEIR WORK ON IT.

UM, AND THEN FINALLY, I WANT TO REITERATE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER OF ELASTIC'S COMMENTS WITH REGARD TO THE PURCHASE OF THE TOKYO ELECTRON PROPERTY ON EAST RIVERSIDE.

THAT IS A BIG CHUNK OF LAND.

IT'S GOING TO FULFILL A LOT OF DIFFERENT NEEDS THAT THE CITY HAS, AND IT'S GONNA BE RIGHT NEXT TO A, UH, TRANSIT STOP FOR, UH, PROJECT CONNECT.

UH,

[00:35:01]

UH, I'M VERY, UH, HAPPY THAT THE, AGAIN, CREDIT TO THE CITY MANAGER TO CITY STAFF FOR JUMPING ON THAT OPPORTUNITY AND SNATCHING UP THAT PROPERTY, UH, BECAUSE WE CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD WITH THAT PROPERTY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

IT'S 10:35 AM ON MARCH 21ST, 2024.

COUNCIL MEMBER, ANYTHING ELSE? COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

UH, MEMBERS WITH THAT AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL RECESS THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, UH, MEETING AT 10:35 AM AND I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.

WE ARE MEETING AS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A HFC IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT AUSTIN CITY HALL 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET, AND HAVE A MAJORITY OF, UH, WE HAVE ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS FOR A HFC PRESENT AND I'LL RECOGNIZE STAFF.

GOOD MORNING, MR. PRESIDENT MADAM VICE PRESIDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

MY NAME IS JAMIE MAY, I AM THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TODAY ON YOUR AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD AGENDA.

YOU HAVE ONE ITEM AND THIS IS A, UH, COMPANION ITEM TO, UH, WHAT WAS JUST APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ITEM NUMBER 65 FOR THE PURCHASE.

AS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA MENTIONED THE PURCHASE OF, UH, PROPERTY ON EAST RIVERSIDE.

UH, AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION IS EXCITED TO INVEST IN THIS PROPERTY AND TO BE PART OF THIS ACQUISITION AS WE KNOW THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP LARGE AMOUNTS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THIS PROPERTY ALONG WITH ALL OF THE OTHER AMENITIES THAT, UH, UH, DIRECTOR, UH, VELA MENTIONED.

UH, I OFFER THIS ON CONSENT MEMBERS.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF WITH REGARD TO THIS ITEM? I'LL, UH, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING? I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION.

I HAD A QUICK COMMENT.

OKAY.

DO YOU WANNA DO THAT NOW OR YOU WAIT TILL AFTER SPEAKER? I CAN DO IT AFTER SPEAKER.

OKAY.

UH, THEN I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK AND ASK THEM TO CALL UP ANY SPEAKERS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE.

FIRST REMOTELY, WE HAVE JOSEPH ON ITEM AFC ONE MAYOR COUNSEL SLASH DIRECTORS.

I'M ENOVIA JOSEPH.

MY COMMENTS AS IT RELATES TO THIS $27 MILLION PROJECT CONNECT ANTI DISPLACEMENT FUNDING IS THAT HISTORY MATTERS.

AND I JUST WANT COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ IN PARTICULAR TO RECOGNIZE THAT ON OCTOBER 17TH, 2019, COUNCIL REZONE THE EAST RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR.

IT WAS 1,308 AFFORDABLE APARTMENT UNITS THAT WERE GREEN LIT, IF YOU WILL, IN OCTOBER 23RD, 2019, HALTING DISPLACEMENT ON THE EAST RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR.

THERE WAS AN ARTICLE BY UT LAW PROFESSOR HEATHER WAY, ELIZABETH MUER AND JAKE WEGMAN, WHICH SAID THAT THIS WAS A GREEN LIGHT FOR THE LARGEST TENANT DISPLACEMENT PROJECT ALONG THE EAST RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR AND ONE OF THE LARGEST IN AUSTIN'S HISTORY.

AND IT DID NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

SO ESSENTIALLY YOU ARE SIMPLY REPLACING THE UNITS THAT YOU REMOVED IN 2019, MARCH, 2021, YOU HIRED NEFERTITI JACKMAN AS THE FIRST ANTI DISPLACEMENT OFFICER AFTER YOU DISPLACED THE TENANTS.

SO I WOULD ASK YOU TO BE TRANSPARENT AND TO INCLUDE THIS HISTORY AS YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT.

AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO VISIT THIS AREA.

IT'S NEAR THE DOLLAR GENERAL, AND RIGHT NOW IT'S LIKE A GARBAGE DUMP NEXT TO THE DOLLAR GENERAL.

IT'S LIKE AN ENCAMPMENT THAT HAS BEEN ABANDONED.

I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT MATTERS AS WELL.

AND ON THE, AND MAYOR ADLER'S 2020 ADDRESS, HE DID MENTION THE DELIBERATE SEGREGATION AND COMPOUNDED LACK OF INVESTMENT OVER GENERATIONS IN HIS 2020 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS.

AND SO I JUST WOULD ASK YOU TO BE TRANSPARENT AND TO BE HONEST, AND TO REMIND COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE, THAT AFTER YARD FALL WAS MURDERED.

SHE'S THE ONE THAT SAID WE NEED TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

SO PLEASE LEAD BY EXAMPLE, PUT THE HISTORY IN THE RECORD AND PLEASE DON'T JUST USE THIS SITE TO TRY TO GET FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR PROJECT CONNECT.

I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO MAKE MY COMMENTS AND WOULD ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THE HISTORY AND THANK YOU.

I READ MAYOR WATSON LIKENS THE PROPOSED HOUSING TO THE MUELLER NEIGHBORHOOD, UNAFFORDABLE TO MANY AND A COMPONENT BEING WORKFORCE HOUSING.

NEXT IN PERSON WE HAVE MONICA GUZMAN.

MS. GUZMAN, GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

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

AUSTIN VAMOS AUSTIN GAVA AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOKYO ELECTRON PURCHASE.

ACCORDING TO THE PROJECT CONNECT TIMELINE, FISCAL 24 IS THE FOURTH YEAR.

HOWEVER, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CITY IS STILL MORE OR LESS IN YEAR TWO WHERE FUNDING FOR LAND ACQUISITION IS KEPT AT 23 MILLION, 4 MILLION LESS THAN THE PROPOSED 27 MILLION.

[00:40:01]

SINCE WORKFORCE HOUSING IS GENERALLY ACCEPTED TO BE AFFORDABLE TO FOR 80 TO ONE 20% MEDIUM FAMILY INCOME, WHICH EXCEEDS THE MFI RANGES FOR ANTI DISPLACEMENT FUNDS, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT USING SAID FUNDS FOR PAYING PART OF THE LAND ACQUISITION COST.

WE ALSO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AFFORDABILITY OF THE PROPOSED HOUSING.

WILL IT BE AFFORDABLE TO CURRENT DISPLACED RESIDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING AT OR BELOW 60% MFI? WILL IT BE AFFORDABLE TO RESIDENTS WHO MIGHT OR WILL BE DISPLACED BY THE PROJECT CONNECT BLUE LINE? HOW MANY UNITS, IF ANY, WILL BE AFFORDABLE FOR THE 30 TO 80% MFI RANGES SHOWN ON THE PROJECT CONNECT ANTI DISPLACEMENT DASHBOARD.

HOW DID THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SCORE ON THE PROJECT CONNECT RACIAL EQUITY ANTI DISPLACEMENT TOOL? SINCE THE RACIAL EQUITY, UH, ANTI DISPLACEMENT ASSESSMENT IS NOT POSTED IN THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS WE REQUESTED BE POSTED FOR REVIEW.

IF THE RACIAL EQUITY ASSESSMENT HAS NOT BEEN DONE, WE ASK YOU TO POSTPONE YOUR VOTE TO ALLOW TIME FOR COMPLETION OF THIS NEEDED ASSESSMENT.

THESE QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS ARE CRITICAL CONSIDERING THE PROPERTY SITS IN DISTRICT THREE, WHERE ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S DEMOGRAPHIC DASHBOARD STATES, 75% OF THE DISTRICT ARE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME LEVEL AND IT'S LOCATED AT OR NEAR THE BORDER FOR THE MON TOPLESS NEIGHBORHOOD, A COMMUNITY AT OR BELOW 50% MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS REMOTE.

UH, FRAN TTU WITH AUSTIN MUTUAL AID.

I AM, UH, IN THE STREETS WORKING WITH, UH, THE UNHOUSED AND I WOULD SAY THAT THE NUMBERS ARE INCREASING BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I TOO STAND WITH MONICA AND, UM, SIGNED UP NEUTRAL.

WENT AFTER LISTENING TO SOME OF THE CALLERS WOULD ASK THAT YOU POSTPONE THE VOTE SO THAT WE CAN, UM, KNOW THAT YOU HAVE, UH, MADE PROVISIONS FOR DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING OF THESE 1100 UNITS.

I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAD A SMALL SHELTER IN THE BASE OF ONE OF THE BUILDINGS NEXT TO THE CITY OFFICES.

I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAD A DEMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THOSE BEING DISPLACED.

AND HAVE THERE BEEN PROVISIONS MADE FOR THOSE BEING DISPLACED? WHAT ARE THOSE? I THINK I HEARD, UH, MAYOR WATSON MENTION WORKFORCE HOUSING.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS NOT, NOT THE SITUATION FOR MOST PEOPLE ARE LIVING AT 30, UH, YOU KNOW, 30 TO 60% THEY WERE ABLE TO PAY.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE CONSIDERATION.

WE ARE FOLLOWING THIS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE, UH, ASKING OTHERS TO, UH, SPEAK UP.

THAT CONCLUDES ALL A HFC SPEAKERS, BOARD MEMBERS.

THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE A HFC, UM, SPEAKERS.

IS THERE, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND AND THEN, UM, I'LL GO TO COMMENTS.

ALRIGHT, COUNT, UH, BOARD MEMBER CADRE MOVES ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH IS THE ONE ITEM.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY, UH, BOARD MEMBER VELA? UH, ANY ANYBODY WISHING TO BE SHOWN AS ABSTAINING FROM A VOTE ON THE A HFC? OKAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, BOARD MEMBER KELLY, I WILL SHOW YOU AS ABSTAINING.

UH, THANK YOU.

I'M SORRY.

I JUST SAID THANK YOU.

OH, GOOD.

WELL, I'M NOT USED TO HEARING THAT, SO IT'S, UM, I, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU SAID.

UH, NO.

I, I APPRECIATE, UM, ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN, SHOWN RECUSING THEMSELVES ON A VOTE.

ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN VOTING? NO.

ANY DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED.

UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PUBLIC HEARING TO ITEM NUMBER 44 IS NOW OPENED AND I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK.

UM, WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION IS ADJOURNED AT 10:44 AM MEMBERS, I CALL BACK TO ORDER THE, UH, CITY COUNCIL, THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 21ST.

IT IS 10:44 AM UH, WE WILL NEXT GO TO OUR NON-CONSENT ITEMS, WHICH ARE PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. MEMBERS I WILL CALL UP ITEM NUMBER 44,

[44. Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance renaming “Kellam Road” to “Circuit of the Americas Boulevard” under City Code Chapter 14-5 (Street Name Change).]

WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS ON ITEM 44 MEMBERS.

THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 44.

SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 44 AND THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT.

ITEM NUMBER 44 MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE IS THEIR DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 44.

HEARING NONE WITHOUT, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

ITEM NUMBER 44 IS ADOPTED.

UH, WE'LL NOW GO TO ITEM NUMBER 45

[45. Conduct a public hearing and approve a resolution reauthorizing the South Congress Preservation and Improvement District]

AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

[00:45:01]

ON ITEM NUMBER 45, I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.

WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SPEAKERS FOR 45 AT THIS TIME.

MEMBERS, THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 45.

SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ON ITEM NUMBER 45, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE REMOVES ADOPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 45.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 45 WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM NUMBER 45 IS ADOPTED.

WE'LL GO TO ITEM NUMBER 46

[46. Conduct a public hearing and consider a resolution related to an application by Austin Leased Housing Associates V, LLLP, or an affiliated entity, for housing tax credits for a multi-family development to be financed through the private activity bond program and to be known as Sage at Franklin Park, located at or near 4605 South Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, Texas 78744.]

WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 46 AND I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK.

WE DO NOT HAVE SPEAKERS ON 46.

THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 46.

SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ON ITEM NUMBER 46, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE MOVES ADOPTION.

IT IS SECONDED BY COUN, BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 46? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.

ITEM NUMBER 46 IS ADOPTED.

ITEM NUMBER

[47.Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 relating to the North Burnet/Gateway Regulating Plan.]

47, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 47, WE HAVE RICHER, SUBTLE, SIGNED UP FOR ITEM 47.

MR. SUTTLE, ARE YOU WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 47? THAT CONCLUDES OUR ITEM 47.

UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION THERE, NO ONE ELSE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND MR. SU IS NOT PRESENT.

IS THERE ANY WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ON ITEM NUMBER 47, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE MOVES ADOPTION IS SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PRO TIMM.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 47? MAYOR PRO TIMM, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED, JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS IF, IF I COULD, UM, BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THIS IS THE CREATION OF A RESEARCH AND SCIENCES SUB-DISTRICT FOR THE NORTH BURN GATEWAY PLAN.

IT'S RESPONSIVE TO AUSTIN AS AN EMERGING NATIONAL LIFE SCIENCES HUB.

THIS IS SUCH AN EXCITING PROSPECT FOR OUR CITY.

IT'S SUPPORTED LOCALLY BY COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY AUSTIN, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AND MANY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

I'M PARTIAL TO THE NORTH BURN GATEWAY AREA.

OF COURSE, IT IS THE CENTRAL JEWEL IN DISTRICT SEVEN, BUT IT IS FURTHER ENVISIONED AS A REGIONAL DESTINATION AND AS SUCH A JEWEL FOR CENTRAL TEXAS AND BEYOND THE NORTH BURNETT GATEWAY REGULATING PLAN, LIKE ALL OF OUR LIVE, WORK AND PLAY AREAS NEEDS CONTINUAL CARE AND ATTENTION TO RESPOND TO THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF AUSTIN AND THE REGION.

SO THIS IS NOT THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN AND NOR WILL IT BE THE LAST.

SUCH UPDATES ARE A MATTER OF COURSE TO ENSURE A BENEFIT TO THE WORKERS, RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, THE TRANSIT SYSTEM, AND TO OUR CITY AS A WHOLE.

SO I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS MOMENT, MAYOR, TO, TO APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS OF MY COUNCIL, COLLEAGUES, STAFF PLANNING COMMISSIONERS, AND THE COMMUNITY TO SECURE THE FUTURE FOR THIS AREA.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY.

THANK YOU, MAYOR PROAM.

ANY COMMENTS WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM NUMBER 47 IS ADOPTED, UH, MEMBERS.

THAT TAKES US TO OUR 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, BUT IT AIN'T 12 O'CLOCK.

SO, UM, WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF AUSTIN, TEXAS WILL BE IN RECESS UNTIL 12 O'CLOCK.

UH, WHEN WE WILL TAKE UP OUR 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, WHICH IS GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.

UH, MEMBERS, IT IS 10 48 WITHOUT OBJECTION.

WE ARE IN RECESS.

HERE WE GO.

[12:00 PM - Public Communication: General]

IT'S 12 O'CLOCK NOON AND ON MARCH 21ST, 2024, I WILL CALL BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.

UH, WE HAVE, UM, A 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, WHICH IS OUR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS, UM, MEMBERS AND, AND, AND PUBLIC.

WHAT I ANTICIPATE WE WILL DO IS WE WILL GO WITH OUR 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN WHEN THAT IS COMPLETED, WE WILL, UH, RECESS, UH, HAVE OUR, EXCUSE ME, OUR LIVE MUSIC.

UH, AND I ANTICIPATE THAT, UH, WHEN WE RECESS, WE'LL RECESS UNTIL OUR TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN.

AS WE BEGIN THIS GENERAL PUBLIC COMMUNICATION, I WANNA MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING, UH, AND, AND WHAT ACTIVITY WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

UH, DURING THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

PEOPLE MAY NOT SPEAK OUT OF TURN.

YOU MAY CRITICIZE A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, BUT YOU MAY NOT USE PERSONALLY DEROGATORY OR DISPARAGING REMARKS.

YOU MAY NOT DEFAME ANOTHER PERSON.

USE OBSCENE LANGUAGE OR USE ABUSIVE LANGUAGE THAT IS LIKELY TO INCITE PEOPLE IN A BREACH OF THE PEACE.

YOU MAY NOT MAKE THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON OR OTHERWISE DISRUPT THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THE MEETING, SUCH AS SCREAMING COMMENTS OR YELLING COMMENTS OUT OF ORDER FROM, UM, WHEREVER YOU MIGHT BE IN THE CHAMBERS.

UM, ALSO SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE

[00:50:01]

PUBLIC HAVE A SAFE AND EFFICIENT ACCESS TO WHAT, UH, THE COUNCIL MIGHT BE HEARING AND WHAT WITNESSES MIGHT BE SAYING.

YOU MAY NOT SIT OR STAND IN THE AISLES OR OTHERWISE OBSTRUCT THE EXITS OR EMERGENCY EXITS.

IF YOU WISH TO DISPLAY A, A SIGN OR A FLAG OR A PROP OR OTHER OBJECT, YOU MUST DO SO IN THE DESIGNATED AREA, WHICH IS IN THE BACK OF THE CHAMBER OF THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

UH, YOU MAY NOT HOLD UP SIGNS IN YOUR SEATS AND I SEE A COUPLE OF SIGNS THAT PROBABLY ALREADY VIOLATE THAT.

UM, INCLUDING NOT, NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO ME, BUT I'LL, UH, POINT OUT A SIGN.

UH, THOSE SIGNS NEED TO BE LOWERED IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN THE SEATS OR YOU CAN GO TO THE BACK OF THE CHAMBERS BECAUSE, UH, WE DON'T WANT TO BLOCK OTHER PEOPLE'S VIEW AND YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW YOU'RE DOING THAT.

SO THAT'S WHY WE, UH, ASK THAT YOU NOT DO IT AT ALL.

ITEMS NEED TO MEASURE NO MORE THAN 23 BY 28 INCHES RECTANGULAR IN A RECTANGULAR AREA.

YOU MAY NOT OBSTRUCT THE VIEW OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE SEATED IN THE SEATING AREA, AS I'VE JUST INDICATED.

AND THERE MAY NOT BE DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE PODIUMS. SO IF A SPEAKER IS CALLED ON TO SPEAK, THAT SPEAKER MAY BE AT THE PODIUM, BUT YOU MAY NOT HAVE OTHERS ACCOMPANYING THAT SPEAKER AT THE PODIUM.

SO IF THE VI RULES ARE VIOLATED, AND I'M NOT ANTICIPATING THEY WILL, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S CLEAR.

IF THE RULES ARE VIOLATED, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO, MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CHAMBERS AND YOUR TIME MAY BE CUT SHORT AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR.

SO WITH THAT, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING AND FOLLOWING THOSE RULES.

I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE TO CALL THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP FOR OUR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH OUR REMOTE SPEAKERS.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS NAZAR DOER.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY.

MY NAME IS AZAR DOWA.

I AM ZACHARIA DOAR FATHER, THE YOUNG MAN THAT GOT STABBED IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN FEBRUARY THE FOURTH.

THE REASON MY SON WAS STABBED IS AN ACT OF A CRIME OF A MALICIOUS MAN THAT SAW A PALESTINIAN FLAG.

AND TORIA AND MY SON TRUCK, HE TRIED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE CIVIL RIGHTS THAT WE HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN OR WE WERE PARTICIPATING IN CITY OF AUSTIN.

THANK GOD MY SON SURVIVED IT.

AND I REALLY THANK EVERYBODY THAT CALLED AND CHECK AMONG MY SON AND GAVE THEIR SUPPORT TO US.

AND THAT'S WHY I EXPECTED REALLY FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN PEOPLE AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND EVERYBODY IN THE UNITED STATES TO DO THIS IS WHAT WE STAND FOR.

STAND WITH HUMANITY AND STAND WITH THE OPPRESSED.

THIS ACTION UNFORTUNATELY CAME IN RETALIATION OF WHAT HAPPENED IN GAZA WHEN AN ACTION WAS TAKEN FROM HABA AGAINST, UH, ISRAEL.

ISRAEL RETALIATED VIOLENTLY AGAINST A CIVILIAN PEOPLE.

THEY WERE, THEY WERE INNOCENT THAT HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

THIS ACTION IS NOT JUSTIFIABLE.

IT IS EXACTLY LIKE I AM.

TRY IF I REACTED TO WHAT MY, WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SON AND WENT INTO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND TRIED TO TAKE ACTION TO REVENGE FOR WHATEVER THAT MAN, MAN THAT HAVE DONE TO MY SON, THIS IS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE BY ANY LAWS OR ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING IN THIS WORLD.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WE CALL IT FOR A CEASEFIRE TO SHOW EVERYBODY THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES IS STANDING WITH, THE OPPRESSED IS STANDING FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.

NO INDIVIDUAL AND NO OTHER COUNTRY CAN TAKE ACTION BY THEIR OWN SELF TO RETALIATE AGAINST A MAN ACTION.

THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, NOT BY THE UNITED STATES AND NOT ACCEPTABLE WELL BY, UH, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

AND I REALLY FEEL THERE IS A HUGE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.

IF THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN IS REQUIRED,

[00:55:01]

MAYBE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO EXPLAIN FOR YOU.

THANK, THANK YOU, SIR.

THE HISTORY OF WHAT HAPPENED.

THANK YOU SPEAKER.

YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE WILL NOW MOVE TO IN PERSON.

FIRST WE HAVE VALERIE MENARD WITH OMAR GECK WHEN YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, IF YOU'LL JUST COME FORWARD.

UM, GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I AM THE PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR POES, COLORADO RIVER CONSERVANCY AND A VOTER IN DISTRICT ONE.

TODAY I WANT TO TALK ABOUT GENTRIFICATION BECAUSE IF YOU ASK THE WORKING CLASS FROM EAST AUSTIN, THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT IT IS THEIR BIGGEST PROBLEM.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE GOING FROM BEING UPWARDLY MOBILE HOMEOWNERS TO RENTERS AND UNHOUSED AND POLICIES LIKE HOME WILL ACCELERATE THAT AND ACCELERATE GENTRIFICATION.

SO AS WE SEE IN THIS FIRST SLIDE, TO GIVE A BIT OF HISTORY, WE ALL KNOW THE 1928 MASTER PLAN, SEGREGATED EAST AND WEST AUSTIN, PLACING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR NEXT TO POLLUTING INDUSTRIES ON THE EAST SIDE.

DECADES LATER, WEST AUSTIN WAS DESIGNATED AS THE WATERSHED PROTECTION ZONE WHILE EAST AUSTIN BECAME THE DESIRED DEVELOPMENT ZONE.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN 2024? THERE'S BEEN A LONG HISTORY OF DISINVESTMENT IN EAST AUSTIN LEADING TO CHEAPER LAND THAT DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS, ET CETERA, NOW WANT TO DEVELOP TO MAKE MASSIVE PROFIT.

HOME WILL HELP WITH THAT.

MASSIVE PROFITS DON'T COME FROM BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHICH IS WHY DEVELOPERS DON'T AND WON'T BUILD IT.

HOME OFFERS NO INCENTIVE OR REQUIREMENT.

SO TO CLAIM THAT IT WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF, OF AFFORDABLE UNITS IS ILLOGICAL AND UNTRUE.

IN CASE I WASN'T CLEAR, THIS IS HOW GENTRIFICATION CAME TO AUSTIN.

IT BEGAN WITH A HISTORY OF DISINVESTMENT IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT THAT PRODUCED LOW LAND COST IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT THAT EQUALED HIGHER PROFIT MARGINS FOR DEVELOPERS.

ADD TO THAT DEREGULATION OF THE MARKET, INCLUDING UPZONING POLICIES LIKE HOME AND FINALLY BUILDING MARKET RATE LUXURY HOUSING IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT, THAT DEVELOPERS THAT DESTROYS LOW INCOME HOMES AND DRIVES UP PROPERTY TAXES.

WHEN DEREGULATION HAPPENS, THERE IS AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR PROFIT MARGINS AND THEN AN INCREASED RISK OF DISPLACEMENT.

CITY COUNCIL IS PASSING A POLICY TO LET INVESTORS AND DEVELOPERS BUILD MARKET RATE LUXURY HOUSING, DISPLACING OUR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

THAT THIS IS NOT JUST MERELY CONJECTURE, BUT FACTS BASED ON ROBUST RESEARCH POLICIES LIKE HOME ACCELERATE GENTRIFICATION.

AND WE'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN IN EAST AUSTIN WHERE AFFORDABLE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING USED TO EXIST HOME WILL DENY WORKING CLASS AUSTINITES A SENSE OF SECURITY, THE DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP, AND A CHANCE FOR UPWARD MOBILITY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.

THIS WILL BE HOME'S LEGACY.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN IT HAPPEN TO EAST AUSTIN.

PLEASE DON'T MOVE FORWARD WITH HOME, BUT INSTEAD RETHINK IT.

OMAR GAVI WITH NA HASAN ON DECK.

YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED AND YOU'RE ON DECK.

PLEASE COME FORWARD.

GETTING KILLED IN THE PALMS OF OUR HANDS ON THESE SCREENS.

YEAH, I'D LIKE TO START BY SAYING THAT ANY ARAB DESCENDING PERSON WHO GETS UP HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE DOES SO WITH A CERTAIN DEGREE OF FEAR.

WE HAVE FEAR OF RETALIATION, UH, FEAR OF BEING DOXED, FEAR THAT WE'RE GONNA BE LABELED SUPPORTERS OF TERRORISM AND FEAR THAT WE'RE GONNA BE LABELED ANTISEMITIC.

AND I JUST WANT TO CORRECT THIS CONSTANT AND STUPID MISLABELING AND CHALLENGE EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM TO SIMPLY PULL YOUR PHONE OUT AND LOOK UP THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD SEMITIC.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME OR ANY OTHER ARAB DESCENDING PERSON TO BE ANTI-SEMITIC.

WHEN THE BLOOD IN OUR BODIES IS LITERALLY SEMITIC, OUR PEOPLE COME FROM THE SAME EXACT SOIL AND WE ARE NATIVE TO THE SAME LAND.

WE CONTINUOUSLY CALL REFERENCE TO OCTOBER 7TH WHEN IN REALITY THE PRESENT ISSUE HERE STEMS FROM A PROBLEM THAT STARTED IN 1948 WHEN AMERICA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM OUTWARDLY REJECTED SURVIVING VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST FROM ENTERING THIS COUNTRY.

IT IS WILDLY IRONIC THAT AFTER 166 DAYS, 40,000 TONS OF EXPLOSIVES USED 70% OF ALL OF THE STRUCTURES DESTROYED.

AND OVER 30,000 CIVILIANS SLAUGHTERED THAT WE CONSTANTLY SEE

[01:00:01]

WE HAVE JEWISH HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS OLDER THAN THE STATE OF ISRAEL CALLING FOR A CEASEFIRE.

YET OUR OWN GOVERNMENT SOMEHOW DOES NOT GET THE MESSAGE BECAUSE WE ARE TOO DRUNK ON THE WEALTH OF THE WAR ECONOMY.

IF THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED AT ALL WITH THE SAFETY OF HOSTAGES, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE UTILIZED TWO TIMES THE DESTRUCTIVE FORCE THAT WAS USED IN HIROSHIMA TO TRY TO BRING THEM TO SAFETY.

IN CASE YOU NEED A REMINDER THAT ENDED A WORLD WAR, THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER THAT A STRATEGIC DEPLOYMENT OF TACTICAL FORCES TO NEUTRALIZE SPECIFIC TARGETS AND SECURE ANY HOSTAGES WAS EVER A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT.

THERE IS HOWEVER, OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT WOMEN, MEN, AND CHILDREN ARE BEING SUBJECTED TO SLAUGHTER AT THE EXPENSE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO TEST EXPERIMENTAL WEAPONRY ON A CIVILIAN POPULATION.

TO MY JEWISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THIS ROOM AND ACROSS THE WORLD, AND TO THE PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT HERE AND BEYOND, WE'RE SIMPLY ASKING YOU TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY THIS TIME.

AND IN ADDITION TO DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES, DEMAND A CEASEFIRE.

THIS ONLY WORKS WHEN WE LISTEN TO EACH OTHER AND THIS ONLY WORKS WHEN WE CALL FOR PEACE.

THANK YOU HASAN WITH HAMZA.

SAY ON DECK AS WELL.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS NABI HASSAN AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX A HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE DAYS OF GENOCIDE.

45,000 PEOPLE MURDERED, 15,000 CHILDREN SLAUGHTERED, AND 25,000 ORPHAN HAS NOT COMPELLED YOU AND IS APPARENTLY NOT ENOUGH TO COMPEL YOU TO CALL FOR A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION THAT RELEASES HOSTAGES ON BOTH SIDES.

IT IS NOT LOST ON US THAT NONE OF THE WHITE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY ARE SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION.

SO IN AN EFFORT TO APPEAL TO YOU, I'M BRINGING YOU STORIES OF CHILDREN THAT LOOK LIKE YOU IN HOPES THAT MAYBE, MAYBE YOU WILL JUST CHANGE YOUR MIND.

THIS IS FIVE-YEAR-OLD FES FE KHARI WITH HIS BLONDE HAIR LIGHT-SKINNED BLUE EYES.

THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION FORCES STORMED VESSELS HOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, DRAGGED HIS PARENTS OUT AND EXECUTED THEM, AND SEVEN MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY IN FRONT OF HIM.

HIS PREGNANT MOTHER.

SEVEN MONTH PREGNANT MOTHER WAS SHOT BY ISRAELI SOLDIERS IN THE STOMACH.

SILE IS NOW AN ORPHAN.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THIS FA FADI IS STARVING.

UH, 30 PLUS CHILDREN AND COUNTING HAVE ALREADY DIED OF STARVATION IN ZA.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SIDRA MATTAR SIDRA DIED OF BOMBS OF EXCESSIVE GAS AND BOMBS THAT SUFFOCATED HER BOMBS THAT WERE FUNDED BY MAI AND YOUR TAX DOLLARS.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

5-YEAR-OLD FOUR, SORRY.

4-YEAR-OLD.

4-YEAR-OLD SJA JEANETTE, US FUNDED ISRAELI OCCUPATION FORCES USING INTERNATIONALLY BANNED CHEMICAL WEAPONS.

DID THIS TO HER FRAGILE FACE AND BODY WHEN THEY BOMBED THE REFUGEE CAMP THAT SHE WAS DISPLACED TO A REFUGEE CAMP.

SHE WAS DISPLACED IN A REFUGEE CAMP WITH HER INJURY.

SHE WAS FORCED TO FLEE FROM HER FATHER FROM ALFA HOSPITAL, WHICH THE IOF IS CURRENTLY ATTACKING.

AS I STAND HERE AND SPEAK AGAIN TO THE WHITE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, I COULD NOT TELL YOU THE COLOR OF HER SKIN OR HER HAIR BECAUSE THE ISRAELI ATTACKS ON HER HAVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO DETERMINE.

BUT I URGE YOU, PLEASE CONSIDER HER HUMANITY JUST THE SAME.

MAYOR WATSON, YOU'VE CALLED EFFORTS TO PURSUE THE CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION AS DIVISIVE.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT PART OF OPPOSING GENOCIDE AND NOT MURDERING, MURDERING CHILDREN IS YOU FIND DECISIVE, DIVISIVE, BUT ONE DIFFICULT THINGS CAN BE DIVISIVE.

GRANTING WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE WAS DIVISIVE.

THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT WAS DIVISIVE, BUT REAL LEADERS WORKED THROUGH IT.

WE'RE URGING YOU.

PLEASE TAKE LEADERSHIP HERE.

SECONDLY, YOU USE THIS AS A SMOKE SCREEN.

THIS ISSUE IS ACTUALLY NOT DIVISIVE.

SIX MONTHS OF POLLS HAVE CONFIRMED AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS, INCLUDING YOUR CONSTITUENTS HERE IN AUSTIN, ARE SUPPORTING A CEASEFIRE.

IN FACT, A FEBRUARY, 2024 POLL CONDUCTED BY THE INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL POLICY AND UNDERSTANDING SHOWED THAT EVEN AMERICAN JEWS ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUPPORT A CEASEFIRE THAN NOT.

SO THAT THERE'S ANYONE CAUSING NEEDLESS DIVISION HERE ON SOMETHING THAT HAS A BROAD AGREEMENT AND SUPPORT.

IT IS YOU MAYOR WATSON TO THOSE OPPOSING THE CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION.

WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO WILL NOT FORGET.

HISTORY WILL JUDGE YOU ISRAEL'S GENOCIDE AND REZA IS BEING DOCUMENTED IN UNPRECEDENTED, UNPRECEDENTED WAYS.

AND WHEN YOU'RE ASKED DOWN THE LINE WHAT YOU WITH YOUR PRIVILEGE AND POWER DID IN THE 10TH LARGEST CITY IN AUSTIN, ALL YOU'LL HAVE TO SAY IS THAT YOU CHOSE TO OPPOSE A RESOLUTION.

THANK THAT.

END THE MASTER ORDER OF CHILDREN.

BE FIRED NOW.

HAMZA WITH SCOTT BRA ON DECK.

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

HAM HAMZA SA WITH SCOTT BRAMER ON DECK.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY FORWARD.

SCOTT BRAMER WITH SUSANNA ALMANZA ON DECK.

[01:05:04]

GOOD DAY.

AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS SCOTT BRAMMER.

I'VE BEEN HERE IN THE AUSTIN AREA FOR SIX YEARS.

I LOVE TEXAS.

I LOVE TEXAS BARBECUE.

I LOVE TEXAS FOOTBALL AND I'VE ENJOYED BEING ABLE TO SEE YOU, THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AT WORK OVER THESE LAST FEW WEEKS.

I ALSO HAPPEN TO HAVE A TEXAS LACEY DOG, STATE DOG OF TEXAS.

I'M TOTALLY INTO THIS TEXAS THING.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW I'M ALSO A THIRD GENERATION UNITED STATES MARINE.

I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MY LIFE BUILDING MISSILE DEFENSE IN OVER SIX COUNTRIES, AND THAT INCLUDES THREE YEARS IN ISRAEL.

I'M PRESENTLY A CYBERSECURITY EXECUTIVE AND IT IS WITH ALL OF THAT CUMULATIVE EXPERIENCE THAT I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT THERE ARE SOME OTHER CHOICES THAT YOU COULD CONSIDER THAN A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT CAN GET US ON THE PATH TOWARDS SOMETHING GOOD.

FOUR MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN HOSTAGES AND GAZA.

THREE OF THEM SURVIVED, ONE OF THEM DID NOT.

I ACTUALLY LEARNED THAT MY FAMILY MEMBER DIED WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THIS ROOM ONE MONTH AGO.

WHEN I GOT UP TO LEAVE THAT DAY, UH, TO GO BE WITH MY FAMILY.

UM, A VOICE IN THE ROOM SAID, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE THEY WERE LOOKING AT ONE OF MY SIGNS.

YOU KNOW, YOUR FAMILY COULD COME HOME IF YOU WOULD AGREE TO A CEASEFIRE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEMATIC ELEMENTS TO THAT IDEA.

AGAIN, FOUR MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN HOSTAGES.

YOU HAVE SEEN MY FAMILY.

THEY ARE INTERNATIONAL NEWS.

THEY HAVE APPEARED IN NOT ONE BUT TWO TERRORIST VIDEOS.

I USE THE WORD TERROR DELIBERATELY.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN A HAMAS ABDUCTION VIDEO, AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN A PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD HOSTAGE VIDEO WHERE OUR 12-YEAR-OLD WAS HELD AT GUNPOINT AND MADE TO SAY SOME SPECIFIC THINGS.

I NEED THE COUNSEL TO UNDERSTAND.

THERE ARE MORE COMBATANTS AT STAKE IN THIS ENTIRE SITUATION THAN YOU MAY REALIZE, AND SOME OF THEM TAKE PRIDE IN BEING EXTREMIST.

36,000 ATTACKS, 36,000 ROCKETS, MORTARS, ARTILLERY SHELLS, OR BOMBS FROM DRONES AND BALLOONS HAVE COME FROM GAZA IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

IF YOU WANT TO AVERAGE THAT OUT, THAT'S FIVE ATTACKS PER DAY OVER THE LAST 19 YEARS.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO LIVE IN THAT KIND OF AN ENVIRONMENT.

UH, I CAN CALL MYSELF WITH LEGITIMACY.

A WORLD-CLASS EXPERT IN MISSILE DEFENSE.

THIS HAS TO STOP.

THESE ROCKET ATTACKS HAVE TO STOP.

ROCKETS ARE UNGUIDED.

THEY ARE INDISCRIMINATE WEAPONS.

INSTEAD OF A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION, WHICH WE DO ALL WANT TO GET TO, THERE ARE SOME PATHS THAT YOU COULD TAKE ON THAT WAY.

YOU COULD CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES.

YOU COULD CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF TIE HOSTAGES.

THERE'S STILL 10 OF THEM YOU COULD CALL FOR MEDICAL CARE TO GET TO THE HOSTAGES.

YOU COULD CALL FOR THE RED CROSS TO BE ALLOWED TO SEE THE HOSTAGES.

IF YOU WANT TO BE IMPARTIAL, YOU COULD SAY, LET THE RED CROSS SEE PRISONERS OF WAR AS WELL.

YOU COULD ALSO CALL FOR VOTING RIGHTS FOR GOINS.

YES, THANK YOU, SIR.

I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY EVER HAVE.

HEART AND IN THE END, WE WILL OVERCOME THE ANNUAL CESA CHAVEZ MARCH WILL BEGIN AT 10:00 AM SATURDAY, MARCH THE 30TH, AT QUE THE ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH AWARDS DINNER WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, MARCH THE 30TH AT 6:00 PM AT THE VANIS RECREATION CENTER PO.

NEXT SPEAKER IS SUSAN ZA WITH CHA ON WELCOME.

EXCUSE ME, BUT I HAVE MY TIME.

OKAY, AND JOHN, NOW YOU CAN START THE CLOCK.

MAYOR CESAR CHAVEZ WAS BORN MARCH THE 31ST, 1927 IN YUMA, ARIZONA.

CESAR CHAVEZ WAS A LATINO FARM WORKER, LABOR LEADER, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, AND CRUSADER FOR SOCIAL CHANGE.

CHAVEZ WAS CO-FOUNDER OF THE UNITED FARM WORKERS, WHICH ADVOCATES FOR BETTER WAGES AND SAFER WORKER CONDITIONS ON AMERICAN FARMLANDS.

CESAR CHAVEZ IS MORE THAN A SYMBOL AND A ROLE MODEL FOR FARM WORKERS AND THE CHICANO MEXICANO COMMUNITY.

CESAR CHAVEZ DEMONSTRATED THE NEED FOR ALL WORKING PEOPLE TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE PRESSED AND EXPLOITED, WORKING FOR DIGNITY ON THE JOB AND IN THE COMMUNITY, INCREASING DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS FOR WORKING PEOPLE, CHALLENGING THE POWERFUL AND DEFENSE OF THE POWERLESS.

AUSTIN RESIDENTS HAVE CELEBRATED THE LIFE OF CESA CHAVEZ AND HIS SELFLESS DEDICATION FOR FARM WORKERS AND WORKERS' RIGHTS, ECONOMIC JUSTICE, CIVIL RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, PEACE, NON-VIOLENCE, AND EMPOWERMENT OF THE POOR AND DISENFRANCHISED.

AS CESA CHAVEZ ONCE SAID, WE HAVE A POWER THAT COMES FROM THE JUSTICE OF OUR CAUSE, SO LONG AS WE'RE WILLING TO SACRIFICE FOR THAT CAUSE.

SO LONG AS WE PERSIST IN NON-VIOLENCE AND WORK TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF OUR STRUGGLE, THEN MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WILL RESPOND FROM THEIR

[01:10:01]

THERE WILL BE HONORING AMANDA HOSTEL, MARIA SANCHEZ, VALERIE MENARD, MARIE GUTIERREZ, ANNA GIRE, FRANCIS UNA, MONICA DE GUZMAN, SHARON AND KIM PATTON, JORDAN PALMER AND ANNA PATALA.

VIVA LAA CHAVEZ AND ME HAVE A CEASE FIRE IN PEACE IN THE WORLD.

NEXT WE HAVE CHAZ MOORE WITH FRANCIS ION DECK.

UM, GOOD MORNING CITY COUNCIL, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FELLOW ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE.

I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH THE HEAVY HEART, WITH THE WEIGHT OF INJUSTICE, BUT ALSO WITH THE FIRE OF CONVICTION.

THE SITUATION IN GAZA, THE ONGOING GENOCIDE PERPETUATED AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, DEMANDS OUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, OUR UNWAVERING SOLIDARITY, AND OUR FIERCEST ADVOCACY FOR PEACE.

AS AN ADVOCATE, AS AN ACTIVIST DEDICATED TO THE DISMANTLING OF SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE RECOGNIZE AND CONFRONT THE BRUTAL REALITY FACED BY PALESTINIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

FOR TOO LONG, THEY HAVE ENDURED UNIMAGINABLE SUFFERING.

THE LIVES TORN APART BY VIOLENCE, DISPLACEMENT, AND THE RELENTLESS ONSLAUGHT OF OCCUPATION.

THE IMAGES AND STORIES EMERGING FROM GAZA ARE NOT JUST STAT, ARE ARE NOT JUST STATS OR HEADLINES.

THEY'RE THE CRIES OF MOTHERS MOURNING THEIR CHILDREN, THE ANGUISH OF FAMILIES TORN APART, AND THE RESILIENCE OF THE PEOPLE REFUSING TO BE ERASED FROM HISTORY.

WE CANNOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO THEIR SUFFERING, NOR CAN WE REMAIN SILENT IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE.

IT IS TIME FOR US AS A CITY, AS A COMMUNITY TO TAKE A STAND FOR PEACE, FOR JUSTICE, FOR HUMANITY.

WE MUST CALL UPON OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ADOPT A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION, TO DEMAND AN END TO THE BLOODSHED AND COMMIT ACTIVELY WORKING AND, AND TO COMMIT ACTIVELY WORKING TOWARDS A JUST AND LASTING SOLUTION IN THE CRISIS IN GAZA.

BUT OUR SOLIDARITY CANNOT END WITH WORDS ALONE.

WE MUST ALSO TAKE CONCRETE ACTIONS TO HOLD THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATROCITIES IN GAZA ACCOUNTABLE.

THIS MEANS DIVESTING FROM COMPANIES THAT PROFIT FROM THE OCCUPATION REFUSING TO REMAIN COMPLICIT IN THE OPPRESSION OF PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND ADVOCATING FOR POLICIES THAT PROMOTE PEACE, EQUALITY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL.

I KNOW THAT THE PATH MAY SEEM DAUNTING AND THAT THE FORCES OF INJUSTICE MAY SEEM INSURMOUNTABLE, BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE HOPE, TO LOSE FAITH IN OUR ABILITY TO CREATE A BETTER WORLD.

OUR SOLIDARITY, OUR RESILIENCE, AND OUR UN RAVING COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE ARE THE SPARKS THAT WILL IGNITE THE FLAMES OF CHANGE.

SO I URGE YOU, MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS, TO HEED THE CAUSE FOR JUSTICE ECHOING FROM EVERY CORNER OF OUR CITY.

STAND ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY, STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF GAZA AND STAND FOR PEACE.

IN THE WORDS OF THE GREAT NELSON MANDELA, IT ALWAYS, IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL IT'S DONE.

LET US PROVE THAT PEACE IS POSSIBLE, THAT JUSTICE IS ACHIEVABLE AND THAT LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRYING UP OVER HATE.

AND BEFORE I GO, I JUST WANT TO, TO TO POINT OUT THE FACT THAT, UM, THIS RESOLUTION, UM, THAT CALLS FOR A CEASEFIRE ALSO ASKS FOR THE HOSTAGES TO BE FREE, RIGHT? SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT AS YOU LISTEN TO PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING UP HERE TALKING ABOUT DON'T DO A CEASEFIRE, THEY HAVEN'T EVEN READ THE RESOLUTION.

THEY HAVEN'T TALKED TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ASKING YOU TO DO THE RESOLUTION.

RIGHT.

AND I, I CAN'T, I CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING THIS.

I THINK IT IS TELLING THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE ADVOCATING FOR THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED ACROSS THE SEA ARE STILL HUMANE ENOUGH TO ASK FOR THE HOSTAGES TO BE FREE.

UM, SO YEAH, I'LL, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

THANK YOU SIR.

OUR LAST SPEAKER IS FRANCIS PINON, FOLLOWED BY FRANCIS UNA.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

I HAVE SLIDES SO PLEASE DON'T START MY TIME UNTIL THEY GO OUT.

BECAUSE THEY WILL MAKE MORE MONEY.

UM, GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR WATSON, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS CARLOS PINON AND I'M A PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT DER.

TODAY I WANNA SHARE A BIT ABOUT WHO'S PROFITING FROM GENTRIFICATION AUSTIN AND WHY MIDDLE CLASS AND RICH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FROM THE EASTERN CRESCENT ARE PUSHING FOR HOME PHASE TWO.

'CAUSE I'D LIKE TO BE CLEAR, COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHOSE FAMILIES SET ROOTS HERE THAT HAVE REMAINED OVER MULTIPLE GENERATIONS ARE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THESE UPSELLING EFFORTS THAT ONLY BRING LUXURY DEVELOPMENT IN DISPLACED, LONGSTANDING COMMUNITIES.

WHO SUPPORTS THE HOME INITIATIVE? IF YOU REMEMBER THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE IN FAVOR OF HOME AT THE OCTOBER AND DECEMBER COUNCIL MEETINGS.

IT WASN'T THAT WAS BORN AND RAISED IN EAST AUSTIN.

RATHER, IT WAS THE HOMEOWNERS FROM CENTRAL AND WEST AUSTIN WHO WON'T SUFFER THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF DISPLACEMENT AT THE HANDS OF UP SONY.

LIKEWISE, THE ORGANIZATIONS YOU SEE ON THIS SLIDE ARE PUSHING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE MARKET RATE AND LUXURY HOUSING

[01:15:01]

IT'S APPARENT TO OUR COMMUNITIES THAT THE INVESTOR BACKED DEVELOPERS ARE BEHIND THIS INITIATIVE.

ONE ORGANIZATION THAT'S BEEN AS STRONG CPO PROPONENT IS TEXANS FOR REASONABLE SOLUTIONS, WHICH WAS FOUNDED BY, UH, SAN FRANCISCO TECH BILLIONAIRES AND NICOLE AND LUKE SIK.

WHAT ELSE HAVE THESE SELF-PROCLAIMED PRO-HOUSING BILLIONAIRES FUNDED? AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THEY DONATED A SIGNIFICANT MONEY TO THE SAVE AUSTIN NPAC, WHICH BAND CAMPING AND DEEPLY HURT OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS HERE IN AUSTIN.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE INITIAL DRAFT OF THE HOME RESOLUTION CITED RESEARCH BACKED BY THE MERCATUS INSTITUTE AS PROOF OF WHY THIS IS A GOOD POLICY.

THE MERCATUS INSTITUTE IS A LIBERTARIAN AND CONSERVATIVE THINK TANK FUNDED BY THE COACH BROTHERS WHO ARE INFAMOUS CONSERVATIVE FUNDERS THAT MADE THEIR FORTUNE FROM OIL.

IF YOU ARE A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER WHO CALLS YOURSELF A PROGRESSIVE, PERHAPS CONSIDER IF AND WHY THE POLICIES YOU'RE IMPOSING ONTO YOUR CITY ALIGN WITH WHAT CONSERVATIVE THINK TANK'S PEDAL.

LASTLY, I WANNA SHARE THAT THE LIVY MOVEMENT WAS STARTED BY RICH WHITE YUPPIES IN TECH AND DEVELOPERS IN SAN FRANCISCO TO DISRUPT TENANT ORGANIZING OVER THE KNOWLEDGE THAT DEREGULATION WOULD NEVER HELP LO INCOME TENANTS OF COLOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MARKET, AS STATED BY ALEXANDER FERRE, A PLANNER AND RESEARCHER AT THE AN LA BASED TENANT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION CALLED STRATEGIC ACTIONS FOR A JUST ECONOMY Y BISM HAS SINCE ITS CONCEPTION, BEEN A PROMISE THAT WE DIDN'T NEED TO REDISTRIBUTE ANYTHING.

WE COULD JUST MAKE MORE PROPERTY.

THE YIMBY MOVEMENT, WHICH SHOULD BE RENAMED YES IN YOUR BACKYARD SINCE YOU NEVER REALLY SEE ITS PROMOTINGS COME FROM MINORITIZED COMMUNITIES, IS A PRO GENTRIFICATION TRICKLE DOWN HOUSING AGENDA THAT HARMS WORKING CLASS RESIDENTS UNDER THE GUISE OF THIS FORM OF HOUSING IS A SOLUTION FOR US ALL.

THAT'S WHY BIG REAL ESTATE AND TECH COMPANIES LOVE MBS.

IT'S QUITE EASY TO PRETEND YOU'RE DOING A GOOD THING IN ENGINEERING, A DE DEREGULATORY FRAMEWORK THAT YOU PROFIT FROM AND PURPORT TO PROVIDE HOUSING, BUT ONLY FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO ADJUST THE MARKET TO WHIMS. ANTHONY DAMIANO, A HOUSING RESEARCHER AT THE CENTER FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS, UH, WHO FOUNDED 2020 THAT NEW BUILDS IN MINNEAPOLIS INCREASED RENTS BY 6.7% IN LOWER PRICE HOUSING.

WHILE IT'S SLIGHTLY DECREASING, RENTS IN HIGH PRICE UNITS NEARBY, PUTS IT SUCCINCTLY.

ENACTING POLICIES LIKE HOME IS AKIN TO THROWING A PEBBLE IN THE OCEAN COMPARED TO THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE NEED.

THE QUOTES HAVE CITED TODAY, COME FROM AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED LAST WEEK IN THE NEW REPUBLIC BY MICHAEL FRIEDRICH, WHO DEBUNKS BISM A MOVEMENT SO COZY WITH THE REAL ESTATE AND THE RIGHT WING AND WHO STATES THAT THE SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING CRISIS IS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC.

NOT A MATTER OF TECHNOCRATIC TWEAKS.

I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE COMMUNITY CAN BRING THE VERY SOLUTIONS YOU NEED TO YOU COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS AND OVERLAY ON THE EASTERN CRESCENT TO PROTECT IT FROM LUXURY DEVELOPMENT THAT DISPLACES LONGTIME RESIDENTS AND ACTUALLY BUILDING DEBRIEF, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT 30 TO 50 MFI.

BLUE HARMON PLAYER, A WRITER, HE'S A VOCALIST.

THANK YOU FRANCIS.

AIA FRANCIS AIA.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR NOON SPEAKERS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH MEMBERS.

THAT CONCLUDES THE SPEAKERS FOR OUR UH, 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL BE IN RECESS UNTIL TWO O'CLOCK.

BUT, UH, WE WILL NOW SET UP FOR LIVE MUSIC.

HAVE OUR LIVE MUSIC MOTHER'S DAY WITHOUT OBJECTION.

WE ARE IN RECESS.

[Live Music Birdlegg]

HE'S BEEN QUOTED AS A NATURAL PERFORMER WITH BOUNDLESS ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM THAT WAS WRITTEN UP IN LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE AND HE HAS A STRONG FOLLOWING IN THE AUSTIN AREA.

HE WAS BORN IN PENNSYLVANIA.

HE RELOCATED TO CALIFORNIA WHERE HE BEGAN PERFORMING WITH SOME OF THE BEST BLUESMEN IN THE OAKLAND SAN FRANCISCO AREA.

PEOPLE LIKE SUNNY RHODES MASALA, TALBERT HASKELL, COOL PAPA SADDLER AND MISSISSIPPI JOHNNY WATERS.

HE'S CURRENTLY BASED IN AUSTIN AND SO BIRD LEG AND THE TIGHT FIT BLUES BAND APPEAR REGULARLY AT PLACES LIKE THE SKYLAR LOUNGE, GREEN HALL, FAT CAT LOUNGE, PLACES LIKE THAT.

HE'S APPEARED AT FESTIVALS INCLUDING THE EAST SIDE KINGS FESTIVAL, THE SAN FRANCISCO BLUES FESTIVAL, BLUES MASTERS AT THE CROSSROADS, LUCERNE AND BLUES AT SEA, AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL VENUES TRAVELING YEARLY TO BRAZIL, SPAIN, AND SCANDINAVIA.

HE WAS NAMED BLUES HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR BY THE BAY AREA BLUES SOCIETY AND HE WAS NOMINATED FOR AN AUSTIN MUSIC AWARD IN 2021.

HE'S RECORDED THREE ALBUMS. HIS SELF-TITLED 2013 ALBUM WAS TWO VOTES AWAY FROM SECURING A GRAMMY NOMINATION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO BIRD LEG AND THE TIGHT FIT BLUES BAND.

TAKE IT AWAY.

THIS IS AN ORIGINAL SONG BY THE WAY.

[01:20:18]

WELL I SAY DRAW IN YOUR LIP, TAKE YOUR HANDS UP OFF YOUR HEAD.

I JOIN YOUR LIP, TAKE YOUR HANDS UP OFF YOUR HEAD BECAUSE YOU KNOW DAMN GOOD.

WELL I AIN'T ABOUT TO LIVE LIKE THIS.

YOU ALWAYS RAISING SAND AND TO FILL MY LIFE WITH MISERY.

OH, YOU ALWAYS RAISING SAND AND TO FEEL MY LIFE WITH MISERY.

YOU GOTTA LEARN HOW TO SMILE NOW AS I'M ABOUT TO SET YOU FREE NOW I DONE TOLD YOU ONCE.

COME ON WITH THE DRILL.

I DONE TOLD YOU WHAT'S UP.

I AIN'T ABOUT TO TELL YOU TWICE THERE YOU GOTTA LEARN HOW TO SMILE.

NOW PUT SOME IN MY LIFE NOW.

I DONE TOLD YOU ONCE.

LITTLE CLEAR NOW.

I DONE TOLD YOU ONCE.

YOU GOTTA LEARN HOW TO SMILE NOW.

LIFE I DONE TOLD YOU ONCE.

I AIN'T ABOUT TO TELL YOU TWICE NOW.

I DONE TOLD YOU ONCE.

TELL YOU GOTTA LEARN HOW TO SMILE NOW.

THIRD SON HAVING IN MY LIFE.

SO I SAID JOIN YOUR LIPS, TAKE YOUR HANDS UP OFF YOUR HEAD.

JOIN YOUR LIPS, TAKE YOUR HANDS UP OFF YOUR HEAD.

Y'ALL KNOW HOW YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU KNOW DAMN WELL I AIN'T ABOUT TO LIVE LIKE THIS BECAUSE YOU KNOW DAMN WELL I AIN'T ABOUT TO LIVE LIKE THIS.

YOU NO DAMN GOOD.

WELL I AM ABOUT TO LIVE LIKE THIS.

[01:25:13]

LEMME TALK.

COME OVER HERE WITH ME.

I'VE BEEN SUMMONED.

YES.

'CAUSE I WANNA DO SOMETHING NICE.

YES.

GOT A COUPLE OF OUR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE WITH US.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS AND COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES ARE HERE.

AND AS I HAVE POINTED OUT MANY TIMES, ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT BEING IN AUSTIN IS THE LIVE MUSIC.

YEAH.

FOLKS LIKE YOU.

AND SO I GET TO MAKE A SPECIAL PROCLAMATION ALONG WITH THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS TODAY, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS IS BLESSED WITH MANY CREATIVE MUSICIANS WHOSE TALENT EXTENDS TO VIRTUALLY EVERY MUSICAL GENRE.

AND WHEREAS OUR MUSIC SCENE THRIVES BECAUSE AUSTIN AUDIENCES SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC, GOOD MUSIC PRODUCED BY LEGENDS, OUR LOCAL FAVORITES AND NEWCOMERS ALIKE.

AND WHEREAS WE ARE PLEASED TO SHOWCASE AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ARTISTS.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 21ST, 2024 AS BIRD LEG DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.

CONGRATULATIONS SIR.

APPRECIATE YOU TELL US WHERE.

NOW I, I ANNOUNCED WHEN I WAS INTRODUCING Y'ALL SOME OF THE PLACES YOU PLAY, BUT IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO HEAR YOU IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS, WHERE CAN WE SEE YOU? GO TO THE SKYLAR LOUNGE NEXT SATURDAY.

SATURDAY, A WEEK FROM NOW.

SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, SECOND SATURDAY.

SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH AT SKYLAR LOUNGE.

I DON'T LOUNGE, DON'T REMEMBER THE DATES, BUT I KNOW IT'S THE SECOND SATURDAY OF THE YOU AND ME BOTH.

I CAN COUNT UP TO TWO, I CAN COUNT UP TO TWO.

I GET TO ONE AND A HALF TIRED.

I LIKE THE WAY YOU DO IT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET'S GIVE ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO BIRD LEG.

THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS, THEY JUST DID IT.

THEY DO A GOOD JOB.

I'M GLAD I WAS PLAYING WHEN YOU'RE DOING IT, .

I APPRECIATE THAT MAN.

HAVE TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, BUT MEMBERS, I'VE BEEN TOLD DURING OUR RECESS THAT ON ITEM NUMBER 10, WE DID NOT HAVE, UH, ALL OF THE BACKUP POSTED THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN POSTED.

CAN WE GET A PICTURE? OH YEAH.

Y'ALL COME UP AND GET A PICTURE WITH US AND EVERYBODY.

IT'S TWO O'CLOCK.

I WILL CALL BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, UH, ON MARCH 21ST, 2024.

WE HAVE BEEN IN RECESS, UH, BUT WE ARE NOW READY FOR OUR TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN WHICH OUR ZONING, WELL ACTUALLY BEFORE I DO THAT, WE DO

[10. Approve a resolution finding the use of the competitive sealed proposal method of contracting, as authorized by Subchapter D, Chapter 2269 of the Texas Government Code, is the project delivery method that provides the best value to the City for the Ullrich WTP Inherently Safer Disinfection Conversion project. [Note: MBE/WBE goals will be established prior to issuance of this solicitation]]

SO THE MAYOR PRO TIM MOVES THAT WE RECONSIDER THE VOTE BY WHICH ITEM NUMBER 10 WAS ADOPTED.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ SECONDS THAT MOTION.

AND IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, ITEM NUMBER 10, UH, IS TO BE RECONSIDERED.

THE MAYOR PRO TIM NOW MOVES THAT WE ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 10 AND IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER? YES, I CAN GO UP.

LET ME PULL UP ITEM NUMBER 10.

YES, THAT'S WHAT IT IS, BUT I WANT TO, I WAS GOING TO READ IT IN THE RECORD.

APPROVE A RESOLUTION FINDING THE USE OF COMPETITIVE OF THE COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSAL METHOD OF CONTRACTING AS AUTHORIZED BY SUB CHAPTER D.

CHAPTER 2, 2 6 9 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE IS THE PROJECT DELIVERY METHOD THAT PROVIDES THE BEST, BEST VALUE TO THE CITY FOR THE URICH WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

INHERENTLY SAFER DISINFECTION CONVERSION PROJECT.

UH, THE NOTE WAS THAT M-B-E-W-B GOALS WILL BE ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO THE IS ISSUANCE OF THE SOLICITATION.

THE, THE, THE RESOLUTION WAS NOT IN THE BACKUP.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION?

[01:30:01]

UH, ITEM NUMBER 10 HAS, IS ADOPTED.

[2:00 PM - Zoning and Neighborhood Plan Amendments (Public Hearings and Possible Action)]

NOW WE WILL GO TO OUR TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN AND I'VE LOST MS. HARDEN.

I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE ANYTHING ELSE.

THERE SHE IS.

ALL RIGHT.

UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I'M JOY HARDEN WITH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

YOUR ZONING AGENDA BEGINS WITH ITEM NUMBER 48 C 1 4 20 23 0 0 5.

THIS ITEM WILL BE OFFERED AS CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS WITH THE MOTION SHEET BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

UM, THAT HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED AND THE APPLICANT IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN THE MOTION SHEET.

AND I JUST WANNA STATE, I KNOW MAYOR, UM, THIS MORNING YOU SAID YOU'LL TAKE 24 AFTER THE ZONING INC AGENDA, BUT I DO WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW 24 IS RELATED TO THIS ITEM AND IT'S THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.

UM, ITEM AND MEMBER AND MEMBERS, WHAT I INTEND TO DO IS GET US THROUGH ALL OF THE ZONING ITEMS AND THEN WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM 24.

OKAY.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

ITEM 49 IS C 1 4 20 23 0 1 5 0.

THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 50 IS C 1 4 20 23 0 1 4 9.

THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 51 IS C 1 4 20 23 0 1, 2, 1.

THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 52 IS C 1 4 2 23 0 1, 3 1.

THIS, UM, THERE'S AN INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT FOR THIS ITEM.

ITEM 53 IS C 1 4 20 23 0 0 5 0.

THIS ITEM BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT.

FIRST READING ONLY TO INCLUDE THE AMENDMENTS IN THE MOTION SHEET THAT'S BEEN DISTRIBUTED.

ITEM 54 C 14 20 23 0 0 4 9.

AGAIN, THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT.

FIRST READING ONLY TO INCLUDE THE AMENDMENTS, UM, IN THE MOTION SHEET THAT'S BEEN DISTRIBUTED.

AND THESE TWO ITEMS, BOTH 53 AND 54 WILL BE BROUGHT BACK FOR SECOND AND THIRD READING CONSIDERATIONS AT YOUR APRIL 4TH COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 55 IS, I'M SORRY, 50, 57.

OH, I WAS AT 53 AND 54.

DID I SAY THE WRONG NUMBERS? YOU DID 50.

YOU MEANT 55 AND 50.

WHY DON'T YOU 53 IN 54 WAS CONSENT ON FIRST READING ONLY WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT EVERYBODY HAS IN FRONT OF THEM.

MM-HMM, 54 IS CONSENT ON FIRST READING ONLY WITH THE AMENDMENT AND MOTION SHEET THAT EVERYBODY HAS IN FRONT OF THEM.

AND THEN 53 AND 54 WILL BOTH BE BROUGHT BACK AT YOUR APRIL 4TH.

UM, ITEM 55 IS NPA 20 23 0 0 1 5 0.04.

THERE'S A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, TO YOUR APRIL 4TH COUNCIL MEETING.

AGAIN, POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, TO YOUR APRIL 4TH COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 57 IS C 14 H 20 23 0 1 43.

THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 58 IS NPA 20 23 0 0 1 8 0.05.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

UM, JUST TO NOTE, STAFF DID NOT RECOMMEND THIS ITEM, BUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION DID RECOMMEND THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST.

SO WHAT IS MOVING FORWARD ON ALL THREE READINGS IS THE MF SIX NP.

UM, ITEM 60 IS NPA 20 23 0 0 2, 0 0.01.

SECOND AND THIRD READINGS, THE RELATED REZONING IS ITEM 61 C 14, 20 23 0 0 4 3.

SECOND AND THIRD READINGS.

ITEM 62 IS C 14 20 23 0 0 9 6.

SECOND AND THIRD READINGS.

AND THEN MOVING ON TO YOUR ADDENDUM.

ITEM 71 IS C 1 4 20 23 0 0 4 4.

UM, THIS CASE DOES HAVE A RELATED NPA, WHICH IS ITEM 73 ON YOUR AGENDA.

ITEM 72 IS C 1 4 2 2 3 0 0 4 6.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT.

THIRD, READING ITEM 73 NPA 2 23 0 0 2, 0 0.03.

ITEM 74 IS NPA 20 23 0 0 2.

3.02.

UH, THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE, AND I'LL READ IT QUICKLY.

AND THIS CONCLUDES THE READING OF YOUR AGENDA, OF COURSE IS AT YOUR DISCRETION.

AND MAY OR WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS.

I'M SORRY.

AND WHAT LAST WE HAVE SPEAKERS? YES.

UM, MEMBERS, I'M GOING TO ASK FOR A MOTION FIRST SO THAT WE HAVE A MOTION OUT AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.

[01:35:01]

UH, ITEM 48, ALL THREE READINGS WITH THE MOTION SHEET THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU.

THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

49, ALL THREE READINGS 50, ALL THREE READINGS, 51, ALL THREE READINGS 52 AND INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT 53.

FIRST READING ONLY WITH, UH, WITH THE MOTION SHEET THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU.

AND 54 FIRST READING ONLY WITH A MOTION SHEET IN FRONT OF YOU.

THOSE WILL BE BROUGHT BACK.

BROUGHT BACK ON APRIL 4TH, 55 AND 56, UH, POSTPONEMENT TO APRIL 4TH, 2020 4, 57.

ALL THREE READINGS, 58, ALL THREE READINGS.

MF SIX, MP 60 IS SECOND AND THIRD READING 61 IS RELATED.

THAT SECOND AND THIRD READING, 62 IS SECOND AND THIRD READING.

71 IS THIRD READING.

ITEM 72 IS THIRD READING, 74 IS ON THIRD READING.

IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

I'LL NOW ASK THE CITY CLERK TO, AND THE MOTION IS TO ADOPT.

I'LL ASK THE CITY CLERK TO CALL ON THE SPEAKERS.

WE DO NOT HAVE ANY REMOTE AT THIS TIME.

WE'LL START WITH DEWEY PETITE ON ITEMS 24 AND 48 WITH HIS NOIA, JOSEPH AND LEE EDWARDS ON DECK.

THANK YOU, SIR, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND FEEL FREE TO TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.

MY NAME IS DEWEY POTI, UH, MAYOR WATSON.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

I APPRECIATE Y'ALL HEARING ME OUT ON A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME AND MY NEIGHBORS.

UH, YOU'RE ASKING, BEING ASKED TO APPROVE OF A ZONING CHANGE, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A HOTEL BEING, UH, HOTEL AND RESTAURANT BEING PLACED BETWEEN TWO RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, WITH NO ADEQUATE PROTECTION AGAINST NOISE.

MY CONCERN IS NOISE.

WE LIVE DIRECTLY ACROSS 2222 IN BILL CREEK FROM WHERE THIS NEW HOTEL WILL BE.

AND, UM, WHEN I FIRST SHOWED UP TO THE ZONING AND PLATINUM COMMISSION TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN ABOUT LIMITING NOISE, OUTDOOR NOISE, I CAN JUST IMAGINE THEM HAVING, WELL, THERE'S AN OUTDOOR POOL ENVISIONED FOR RIGHT DIRECTLY ACROSS, BE ABLE TO SEE IT FROM MY BACKYARD ABOUT TWO OR 300 FEET AWAY.

UH, KIDS PLAYING.

I LOVE KIDS.

BUT, UH, GENERALLY THEY GENERATE ABOUT 85 DECIBELS OF NOISE.

UM, THERE IS, WHEN I FIRST APPEARED BEFORE THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS HERE, I WAS APPROACHED BY A MEMBER OF, UH, ONE OF THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS WHO HAD NEGOTIATED RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS WITH THE DEVELOPER AND SAID, OH, WE'VE GOT PREDICTIONS, UH, PROTECTIONS ON NOISE IN HERE, 75 DECAL IN IT.

UM, AND I, UM, THINKING THAT WAS INADEQUATE, I WENT AND TALKED TO MY NEIGHBORS AND SAID, WE REALLY NEED A RESTRICTION ON OUTDOOR AMPLIFIED NOISE.

UH, YOU'LL HAVE AN EXHIBIT HERE, UH, FIRST YOU CAN SEE HIGHLIGHTED IN PINK.

THIS IS WHERE I AND MY NEIGHBORS LIVE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE DEVELOPMENT.

MY HOUSE IS THE ONE THAT MOST RIGHT ON THE PEAK THERE.

AND SO WE WOULD BE THE CLOSEST RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOR TO THIS PROPERTY, TO THIS NEW HOTEL.

UH, THE COURTYARD PEOPLE WILL ALSO BE VERY CLOSE ABOUT THE SAME DISTANCE, UH, BUT THEY HAVE A LOT OF BUFFERS OF ONE.

THEY'RE UP OVER THE HILL AND THEY GOT A LOT OF VEGETATION, A LOT OF BIG TREES BETWEEN THERE.

WE HAVE NOTHING BUT A VALLEY BETWEEN US.

NOW THIS IS BEING PRESENTED.

I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY.

YOUR TIME UP.

AND THIS IS GOING FORWARD ON CONSENT.

THANK YOU, SPEAKER.

NEXT SPEAKER.

DAVID'S HCA HEALTHCARE'S.

IS ZENOBIA JOSEPH WITH LEE EDWARDS, MARIO CANTU AND RAY COLLINS ON DECK.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE GO TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME BEFORE YOU BEGIN.

YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ZIA JOSEPH LEE EDWARDS, MARIO CANTU, AND RAY COLLINS.

UH, MY NAME IS RAY COLLINS.

I CHAIR THE, UH, SOUTH MINCH NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CONTACT TEAM, AND I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 62.

TODAY I'M RETURNING TO OUR EXHIBIT A, WE RECEIVED BY EMAIL ON MARCH 3RD.

AND WE'LL PRESENT THE ITEMS UNRELATED TO ST.

DEFECTS I'VE ALREADY COVERED ORALLY AND IN WRITING.

ALL THESE ITEMS ARE NEGOTIABLE, BUT RATHER THAN NEGOTIATING, THE APPLICANT INSISTS THAT THE CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP HCA HEALTHCARE ENTERED INTO WITH THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF TEXAS WHEN THE DIOCESE FORMED ST.

DAVID'S FOUNDATION AS PART OF THE PURCHASE PRICE IS ADEQUATE.

UH, THIS IS NOT A TRUE STATEMENT.

SOUTHWOOD BICYCLISTS RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF ST.

DAVID'S HCA

[01:40:01]

HEALTHCARE PLATTING A BIKE LANE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE HOSPITAL.

PUD THIS EASEMENT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE CITY TO MAKE THE CONNECTIONS TO BIKE.

ROUTE 35 AND BERGSTROM SPUR ON THE SOUTH AND SAVES PASSAGE UNDER BEN WHITE TO THE NORTH AND INTO THE GA GLENDO NEIGHBORHOOD.

ALSO UNDER THE HEADING OF MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT.

AND BECAUSE OF CONNECTIONS OF NEIGHBOR HOOD OFFICERS TO CAPITAL METRO, THE CONNECT CONTACT TEAM RECOGNIZED THE VALUE OF ST.

DAVID'S HCA HEALTHCARE PROVIDING BUS PASSES TO THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND PROPOSED THAT AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT.

AFTER INTERVIEWING THE PRINCIPAL OF ST.

ELMO'S ELEMENTARY AND BEING WELL AWARE OF THE EFFECT OF AUSTIN'S HEAT ON THE STUDENTS, THE CONTACT TEAM PROPOSES THAT ST.

DAVID'S HCA HEALTHCARE PROVIDE 10 PERGOLAS TO SHELTER 25 STUDENTS EACH DURING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

LIKEWISE, THE PRINCIPAL IS DISTRESSED AT THE CONDITION OF THE SCHOOL'S SOCCER FIELD USING THE TERM ANKLE BREAKER TO DESCRIBE ITS CONDITION.

I'M SORRY SIR, BUT THANK YOU.

MM-HMM, , YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

THAT CONCLUDES NOON, OR I'M SORRY, 2:00 PM SPEAKERS.

ALL NAMES HAVE BEEN CALLED.

SAY THE LAST PART AGAIN.

AT THIS TIME, ALL THE NAMES HAVE BEEN CALLED.

OKAY, GREAT.

I JUST DIDN'T HEAR YOU.

APPRECIATE THAT.

MEMBERS, THAT'S ALL SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS. UH, THIS IS BEING OFFERED AS A CONSENT AGENDA.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? YES, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, I AND I WILL ASK IN A MOMENT FOR ABSTENTIONS RECUSALS AND NO VOTE VOTES, BUT COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR DISCUSSION.

ARE YOU ON? IF YOU ARE, MAYBE YOU WEREN'T MEANT TO SPEAK.

YEAH, YEAH, NO, GO AHEAD.

SAY TALK, TALK TO US.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU'D COME FORWARD.

CAN YOU, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, COULD YOU SEE ABOUT YOUR MICROPHONE? OKAY.

WOULD YOU PASS THAT OVER? CAN YOU GET THAT TO HIM? WE'RE BRINGING A WIRELESS MIC TO COUNCIL MEMBER VILLA.

OH, HE'LL START SINGING NOW.

CAN CAN I WALK AROUND THE ROOM? YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I WAS WORRIED ABOUT.

NEVER GIVE ME THE MIC LIKE THAT.

I CAN SEE THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE AS YOU SAW THEM COMING TOWARDS YOU.

UM, UH, I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS IF THE DEVELOPMENT'S GONNA BE ON, UH, BERKMAN.

AND I'VE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, UH, POTENTIAL, UH, TRAFFIC, UH, IMPROVEMENTS, TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, UH, ON BERKMAN.

AND I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU COULD, UH, UH, UH, UH, GO THROUGH SOME OF THE PROPOSED, UH, ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT TRANSPORTATION IS LOOKING AT.

UH, THANK YOU.

A WARRANT FOR A PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL OR, OR A PHP ALTOGETHER.

UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

AL BARUA, INTERIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC RUSH DEPARTMENT.

SO A COUNCIL MEMBER.

UH, SINCE THE LAST DISCUSSION IN THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING, WE HAD GONE BACK INTERNALLY AND DISCUSSED A LOT OF OPTIONS.

AND ONE OF THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT SOME OF THE IMPROVED CROSSING ACROSS BURMAN DRIVE.

AND WE LOOKED INTO SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS, ONE OF THEM BEING A BARKMAN DRIVE AND PATTERN INTERSECTION.

AND WE, FROM TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS HAD ACTUALLY DONE A SIGNAL WARRANT ANALYSIS AT THAT INTERSECTION A FEW YEARS BACK.

AND THAT INTERSECTION IS WARRANTED FOR SIGNALIZATION.

AND THE NEXT STEP IS HOW DO WE FIND FUNDING? SO WE LOOKED INTO SOME OF THE FUNDING OPTIONS AND ONE OF THE OPTIONS WAS TO USE THE STREET IMPACT WE FUND.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE OPTIONS, BUT WE NEED SOME SUPPLEMENTED FUNDING TO FULLY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT THAT SIGNAL.

AND WE ARE LOOKING INTO THE OPTIONS, HOW WE CAN FULLY FUND THAT SIGNAL.

AND ONCE WE ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING, WE WILL GO INTO DESIGN OF THAT SIGNAL AND HOPEFULLY CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEXT, UH, YEAR OR SO.

AND THE OTHER INTERSECTIONS THAT WE LOOKED INTO WAS, UM, SHA FOLK ROCKY AND EMBARKMENT DRIVE, I THINK CURRENTLY THAT IS, UM, A PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL OR A PHB.

AND THE, THE QUESTIONS OR THE REQUEST FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS TO CONVERT THAT TO FULL SIGNAL.

SO WE ARE LOOKING INTO THAT, UH, SIGNALIZATION AND FROM TPW, WE ARE GOING TO INITIATE DATA COLLECTION THIS FALL AND EVENTUALLY, UH, CONDUCT A SIGNAL WARRANT ANALYSIS.

AND THE OTHER LOCATION THAT WE LOOKED INTO WAS AT NORRIDGE, UM, INTERSECTION WITH BARKAN DRIVE.

AND WE ARE ALSO GOING TO DO THE DATA COLLECTION THIS FALL SO THAT WE CAN ASSESS IF THERE IS GONNA BE

[01:45:01]

UM, COMING FALL, WE ARE GOING TO DO AN OPEN HOUSE, UH, IN THE, UH, IN THE WINDSOR PARK COMMUNITY JUST SO THAT WE CAN GET FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ANALYSIS AND POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS.

I I REALLY, UH, APPRECIATE THAT.

AND I JUST WANNA SAY, I THINK I MISSPOKE.

THERE ARE ACTUALLY ITEM 74 AND 75, NOT, UH, 49 AND, UH, AND 50.

UM, APPRECIATE THE TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC WORKS, UH, EFFORTS ON THIS.

I KNOW THE COMMUNITY WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO HEAR.

UH, AND JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT, YOU KNOW, BERKMAN DRIVE BETWEEN TWO 90 AND 51ST, UH, HAS ONE STOPLIGHT IN THE ENTIRE, UH, STRETCH RIGHT THERE.

AND THE SPEED LIMIT IS 30 MILES PER HOUR.

UH, WHEN YOU GO NORTH OF BERKMAN DRIVE, UH, WHERE A NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL IS NOW MULTIPLE STOP SIGNS, I THINK IT'S A 25 A MILE PER HOUR, UH, SPEED LIMIT WHEN YOU GO SOUTH OF BERKMAN, DRIVE INTO THE MUELLER NEIGHBORHOOD, 25 MILE PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT, AND YOU'VE GOT A STOP SIGN LIKE EVERY OTHER STREET.

UH, SO, UH, AGAIN, I, I'M, UH, I'M GLAD THAT, THAT THERE'S SUCH, UH, EMPHASIS AND FOCUS ON TRAFFIC CALMING ON BERKMAN DRIVE, UH, IN MUELLER AND THEN NORTH OF WINDSOR PARK.

BUT AGAIN, THE FOLKS IN WINDSOR PARK KIND OF, WE, WE HAVE NOTICED THAT.

AND, AND THERE'S A REAL DESIRE TO, TO CALM TRAFFIC, TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE SAFE CROSSINGS.

AND I THINK THOSE ADDITIONAL STOPLIGHTS, I MEAN, IF THE WIN A PATENT IS WARRANTED, I, I WILL, I WILL BE PUSHING FOR THAT AND I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN DO TO GET, UH, THAT, THAT FUNDING AND THEN THE ONE AT SUFFOLK ANDRO ALSO, UH, WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL.

BUT, UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO, UH, TO TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC WORKS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING, UH, THE ANALYSIS THAT YOU DO, UH, LATER THIS YEAR.

UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER AND THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL.