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[Call to Order]
IT'S 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING ON MAY 30TH, 2024.AND I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING.
UM, WE ARE MEETING IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WHICH ARE LOCATED IN CITY HALL AT 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UH, BEFORE I GO THROUGH THE ORDER OF THE DAY, WE'RE GONNA TAKE UP ONE OTHER MATTER.
UH, EVERY SIX MONTHS, THE COUNCIL, UH, ROTATES ITS SEATS ON THE DAAS.
UM, AND IT'S BEEN SIX MONTHS SINCE THE LAST TIME WE DID THAT.
AND, UH, THE ONE DIFFERENCE THAT WE'VE MADE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS IS THAT THE MAYOR PRO TIM, WILL MAINTAIN A PERMANENT SEAT, UH, IN THE SEAT JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ME FROM THE, UH, THE CITY ATTORNEY.
SO WITH THAT, WE WILL ASK THE CLERK TO COME FORWARD, AND EACH MEMBER WILL DRAW A NUMBER AND THE NUMBER WILL DESIGNATE THEIR SEAT, UH, WHEN WE COME BACK IN JULY.
SEAT NUMBER ONE IS WHERE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE CONTINUES TO SIT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
IF HE DRAWS A NUMBER ONE, EVERYONE GO BUY A LOTTERY TICKET BECAUSE WE'RE ALL WINNERS TODAY.
IF I GET NUMBER ONE AGAIN, THIS WHOLE THING IS RIGGED.
UH, MR. MAYOR, WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER? OH, I HAVE SIX MR. MAYOR? YES.
THIS CORNER OVER HERE IS A PACKAGE DEAL.
SO WHEREVER WE, WE, WE SHIFT TOGETHER.
NUMBER FIVE, TWO, TELL US, TELL US WHAT, UM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, HAS DRAWN AN EIGHT COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND, UH, CITY MANAGER, IF YOU'LL TELL US WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER DREW NUMBER FOUR.
UM, YES, ONE FOR HARPER MADISON.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTERS NINE.
SO YOU WANT US ALL TO GO OVER THERE?
COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ IS THE NUMBER THREE COUNCIL MEMBER VELA 10.
SO, UM, ALL RIGHT, THERE WE GO.
UH, WE'VE TAKEN CARE OF THAT BIT OF BUSINESS.
WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS READ NOW THROUGH, UM, UH, THE ORDER OF THE BUSINESS FOR TODAY.
UH, THE FIRST THING I'LL DO IS, UH, I'LL READ CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS INTO THE RECORD.
UH, WE WILL THEN GO TO OUR 10 O'CLOCK, UH, CONSENT AGENDA, AND WE WILL HEAR FROM SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, WE WILL THEN HAVE AN A HFC MEETING AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME.
IT'S, IT'S SET FOR 10 30, BUT WE WILL TRY TO, UH, AND WE'LL TRY TO DO THAT AS NEAR TO 10 30 AS WE CAN.
UM, THEN WE WILL HAVE AN A-H-P-F-C MEET BOARD MEETING AGAIN, UH, AT A NEAR THAT TIME, CERTAIN WE WILL GO TO POOLED ITEMS. RIGHT NOW, ITEM 1 71 AND 1 0 6 ARE THE TWO POOLED ITEMS, BUT 1 0 6 WE WILL TAKE UP AT 1:00 PM AT A TIME CERTAIN AT NOON, WE WILL HAVE OUR TIME, CERTAIN OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION AND LIVE MUSIC.
WE WILL, UH, TYPICALLY WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE'LL DO TODAY IS WE WILL HAVE THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION THAT USUALLY WILL LAST TILL, UH, 12 30, 12 35 OR SO.
WE WILL RECESS FOR LIVE MUSIC, BUT WE WILL RECONVENE AT 1:00 PM UH, THEN WE WILL GO TO THE NON-CONSENT ITEMS. UH, AND THAT WILL BE ITEM 1 27 AND ITEMS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES.
SO 1 28, 1 29, 180, AND 180 2.
WE WILL ALSO TAKE UP PUBLIC HEARINGS.
UH, A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WERE ON THE AGENDA FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.
ITEM 1 32 HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH.
ITEM 1 41 40, WHICH IS RELATED TO ITEM 1 32, IS POSTPONED TO AUGUST 29TH.
ITEM 1 33 HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH.
ITEM 1 38 HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH.
AND THE REASON I AM IS IF YOU ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AT THOSE PUBLIC HEARINGS, UH, YOU MAY NOT NEED TO BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN POSTPONED.
AND IF YOU ARE WANTING TO STILL SPEAK ON THOSE PUBLIC HEARINGS, YOU'LL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ONLY ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT.
SO AGAIN, 1 32, POSTPONE TO JULY 18TH, ONE 40, POSTPONED TO AUGUST 29TH, 1 33, POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH, AND 1 38 POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH.
WE WILL THEN, AT SOME POINT, GET TO OUR TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, WHICH ARE ZONING, UH, ZONING MATTERS, AND WE WILL TAKE THOSE UP AT THAT TIME.
WITH THAT, I WILL READ, UH, CHANGES IN CORRECTIONS INTO THE RECORD.
AND BEAR WITH ME WHEN YOU HAVE AN AGENDA THIS LONG, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS.
ITEM NUMBER ONE SHOULD READ, APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION ON APRIL 30TH, 2024,
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AND REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 2ND, 2024, AND DELETE AND REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 16TH, 2024.ITEM NUMBER THREE, AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF A COST PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT WITH DELETE, UH, CP OR GP DECKER, LLC, AND REPLACE IT WITH BCPD DECKER LP FOR THE CITY TO REIMBURSE AND SO FORTH.
ITEM NUMBER FOUR, THE SAME CHANGE AS IN ITEM NUMBER THREE.
ITEM NUMBER 10, POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH, 2024.
ITEM NUMBER 20, APPROVE A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S OFFICIAL INTENT TO REIMBURSE ITSELF FROM PROCEEDS OF TAX EXEMPT OBLIGATIONS, DELETE ISSUED BY THE AUSTIN PUBLIC FACILITIES CORPORATION, SO THAT IT READS TAX EXEMPT OBLIGATIONS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $8,500,000.
ITEM NUMBER 18, AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF DELETE THE WORDS A GROUND LEASE SO THAT IT READS NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
AND BY THE WAY, ON 18, IT GOES ON TO THE END OF THE SENTENCE.
I'M JUST NOT READING THE WHOLE THING.
ITEM NUMBER 99, WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ADDENDUM ITEM 180 4, ITEM 1 0 2, WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ADDENDUM ITEM 1 68, ITEM NUMBER 1 0 5, ADD MAYOR PRO TEM LESLIE POOLE AS A SPONSOR.
ITEM NUMBER 1 0 7, ADD COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ AS A SPONSOR.
ITEM NUMBER ONE 15, ADD COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER AS A SPONSOR.
ITEM NUMBER 1 24, WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ADDENDUM ITEM NUMBER 1 76.
ITEM NUMBER 1 32 IS WITHDRAWN.
ITEM NUMBER 1 33, POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH, 2024.
ITEM 1 38, POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH, 2024.
ITEM ONE 40, POSTPONE TO AUGUST 29TH, 2024.
ITEM 1 56, DELETE DISTRICT 10, AND REPLACE IT WITH DISTRICT TWO ON BOARDS AND COMMISSION ACTIONS.
ITEM TWO, SHOULD READ MAY 21ST, 2024.
NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION ON A 2 1 4 VOTE WITH CHAIR STONE VOTING AGAINST COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, ROBBINS SOUS AND SILVERSTEIN ABSTAINING, COMMISSIONER FARMER OFF THE DAIS, COMMISSIONER GARY, ABSENT, AND TWO VACANCIES.
THOSE ARE ALL THE CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS TO BE READ INTO THE RECORD.
UH, NOW WE WILL, UH, GO TO OUR CONSENT ITEMS, BUT LET ME BE, LET ME, UH, TELL YOU HOW WE'RE GONNA DO THIS.
UH, WE WILL HAVE, WE WILL HAVE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, UH, BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON EACH ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT THEY HAVE SIGNED UP ON, AND THE CLERK WILL INDICATE THE AMOUNT OF TIME, IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK ON A NON-CONSENT ITEM OR AT A PUBLIC HEARING, THOSE ITEMS WILL BE TAKEN UP, AND YOU, YOU'LL BE CALLED UPON TO SPEAK AT THE TIME WE TAKE UP THE NON-CONSENT ITEMS OR THE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
UNLESS IT IS JUST MORE CONVENIENT FOR YOU AND YOU WANNA SPEAK, WE WILL HEAR FROM YOU DURING THE, DURING THE CONSENT AGENDA.
PEOPLE MAY WILL BE ALLOWED TO DONATE TIME, UH, UP TO TWO PEOPLE MAY DONATE TIME TO A SPEAKER, BUT I WOULD ASK THAT YOU PLEASE GO TO THE CLERK AND LET THEM KNOW THAT NOW, SO THAT WE MIGHT WORK THAT OUT ON THE FRONT END.
UM, THE OTHER THING I WANNA SAY IS THAT, UH, DURING ANY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, INCLUDING, UH, ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, THERE IS BEHAVIOR THAT WILL VIOLATE THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING AND WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
YOU MAY NOT SPEAK OUT OF TURN.
UH, YOU MAY, IF YOU WISH, CRITICIZE A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, BUT YOU MAY NOT USE PERSONALLY DEROGATORY OR DISPARAGING REMARKS.
YOU MAY NOT DEFAME ANOTHER PERSON.
USE OBSCENE LANGUAGE, USE ABUSIVE LANGUAGE THAT IS LIKELY TO INCITE A BREACH OF THE PEACE, MAKE THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ANY OTHER PERSON OR OTHERWISE DISRUPT THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THE MEETING, SUCH AS STANDING UP AND YELLING OUT COMMENTS, UM, THAT, THAT SORT OF THING.
NOTE THAT, UH, IF YOU'RE SPEAKING ON AN A NUMBERED AGENDA ITEM, YOU MUST BE SPEAKING RELEVANT TO THAT ITEM.
AND WHILE I, UH, DON'T ENJOY DOING IT, I WILL CALL THAT OUT AS A VIOLATION OF THE RULES IN ORDER TO ASSURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE SAFE AND EFFICIENT ACCESS TO WITNESS TO COUNSEL'S DELIBERATIONS.
YOU MAY NOT SIT OR STAND IN THE AISLES OR OTHERWISE OBSTRUCT THE EXITS OR EMERGENCY EXITS.
IF YOU WISH TO DISPLAY A LARGE SIGN OR A FLAG OR OTHER
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OBJECT, YOU NEED TO DO THAT IN THE DESIGNATED AREA, WHICH IS IN THE BACK OF THE CHAMBERS.YOU MAY NOT OBSTRUCT THE VIEW OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE SEATED IN THE SITTING AREA.
SO WE ASK THAT YOU DON'T HOLD UP SIGNS OR FLAGS OR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS IF YOU'RE SEATED, UH, IN THOSE CHAIRS, UH, THERE MAY NOT BE DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE PODIUM, MEANING THAT IF YOU'RE CALLED UPON TO SPEAK, THE SPEAKER SHOULD BE THERE, UH, AND NOT A GROUP OF PEOPLE OR ANY OTHER PEOPLE.
SO, UH, AND THE OTHER THING I'LL, I'LL MENTION IS AS THE CLERK CALLS NAMES, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AS THE CLERK CALLS NAMES, THEY WILL TYPICALLY CALL IN THREE TO FIVE NAMES AT A TIME.
THAT'S NOT JUST SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW WHEREVER YOU'RE SEATED IT IS SO THAT WE CAN BE EFFICIENT AND, AND SHOW RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AFTER YOU, WHO MAY END UP BEING HERE A LONG TIME BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THE AGENDA AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SPEAKING.
SO, IF SHE CALLS YOUR NAME, PLEASE SHOW RESPECT FOR THE OTHER SPEAKERS BY GOING AHEAD AND COMING DOWN FRONT AND TAKING ONE OF THE SEATS THAT'S UP FRONT SO THAT YOU'LL BE READY TO SPEAK, UH, WHEN YOUR TIME COMES UP.
AND IF YOU, IF YOUR NAME IS CALLED AND YOU COME FORWARD AND THERE'S NOBODY AT THE MICROPHONE, GO AHEAD AND FEEL FREE TO TAKE THE MICROPHONE, IT'S YOURS AT THAT POINT IN TIME, AND JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
UM, WITH THAT, I THINK WE'RE READY TO GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT I'M GONNA FIRST RECOGNIZE OUR CITY ATTORNEY ON ITEM NUMBER 93.
ITEM 93 IS A SETTLEMENT OF A LAWSUIT.
UH, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE PAYMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL $100,941 OVER THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONER'S AWARD FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $442,500 TO RESOLVE THE LAWSUIT STYLED CITY OF AUSTIN VERSUS CSW TEN SIX ZERO ONE NORTH LAMAR.
UH, AS DISCUSSED IN A RECENT MEMO TO COUNCIL, THIS IS A 2022 CONDEMNATION LAWSUIT TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY INTEREST NECESSARY FOR CIRCUIT 8 1 1 TRANSMISSION ELECTRIC LINE UPGRADE PROJECT.
IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS PAYMENT, THE CITY WILL OBTAIN A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ITS FAVOR, ENTITLED TO THE NEEDED PROPERTY INTEREST, THUS CONCLUDING THE LAWSUIT MEMBERS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY ON ITEM NUMBER 93, WHICH IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ALRIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER, ALISON ALTER, DID I SEE YOUR HAND UP? YOU DID.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO ASK TO BE ADDED AS A CO-SPONSOR FOR, UM, 1 0 6 FOR, UH, NAMING CHRIS RILEY BEND.
ALSO WANTED TO BE ADDED FOR 1 73.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS'S ITEM RELATED TO COASTAL MAIL THEFT AND ITEM ONE 12 FROM COUNCIL MEMBER HUBBER MADISON FOR THE MOBILE COURT PROGRAM, PLEASE THANK YOU.
UM, WITHOUT OBJECTION, COUNCILMAN RAISON ALTER WILL BE SHOWN AS A CO-SPONSOR OF 1 0 6, 1 73, AND ONE 12.
AND, AND WE HAVE, WE HAVE THREE MEMBERS THAT ARE JOINING US VIRTUALLY, AND I'LL SAY TO ALL THREE OF YOU, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL DO MY BEST TO KEEP LOOKING UP, BUT IF YOU DON'T, DON'T WORRY IF, IF I DON'T CALL ON YOU, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OUT AND MAKE SURE I, I KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO TALK.
ALL RIGHT, THANK, SO, THANK YOU AND THANKS FOR, FOR JOINING US THAT WAY.
WITH THAT, I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO, UH, THE CLERK AND ASK THAT YOU HELP US NAVIGATE THROUGH OUR NON
[Public Comment (Part 1 of 2)]
OUR CONSENT SPEAKERS.THE FIRST SPEAKER WE HAVE IS REMOTE AND NEEDING SPANISH INTERPRETATION.
MARIA MORALES FOR ITEM ONE 13 AND ONE 15 FOR A TOTAL OF 12 MINUTES.
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MY NAME IS MARIA MORALES, AND I LIVE IN THE ZIP CODE 7 8 7 4 4.I WANT TO ASK YOU TO VOTE YES FOR ITEMS 113 AND 115 FOR 113.
WE NEED A PLAN OF A FLOOR INSURANCE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY IN CASE OF A FLOOD.
I ALSO WANT TO ASK YOU TO HELP THE CITY RESOURCES TO HELP US RECOVER WHEN WE ARE AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS.
ALSO IN ITEM 115, I'M IN FAVOR, AND WE NEED TO ESTABLISH POLICIES AND INCREASE ANTI DISPLACEMENT PROGRAMS AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION.
WE NEED PROTECTIONS FOR HOMEOWNERS TO PREVENT THE DISPLACEMENT OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO VOTE YES FOR ITEM 115 AND 113.
THANK YOU, JORDAN MIDDLEBROOK, ITEM 1 15, 3 MINUTES.
UM, ARE YOU ALL ABLE TO HEAR ME OKAY? YES.
UM, I'M TESTIFYING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF VOCAL TEXAS, UM, DEMANDS AROUND THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM, PARTICULARLY EXTENDING, UM, THE TIMELINE SO THAT FOLKS HAVE ADEQUATE TIME TO ACTUALLY START ACQUIRING, UM, WHAT'S NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE MARKET RATE RENTS THAT THEY'RE BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN.
UM, AND ALSO MORE CONNECTIONS TO SUPPORT.
SO, UM, JUST WANT TO TESTIFY TO INDICATE MY SUPPORT FOR THEIR DEMANDS FOR THAT PROGRAM, UM, AND ASKING YOU ALL TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION SO THAT THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM, UM, PREVENTS MORE PEOPLE FROM SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS.
THANK YOU, AND I WILL WAIVE THE REST OF MY TIME.
NALU, ITEM ONE 15 AND ONE 16 FOR A TOTAL OF SIX MINUTES.
UH, HEY, GOOD MORNING, COUNSEL.
UH, MY NAME IS SIKA NALU AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN, IN FAVOR OF THESE ITEMS, UH, ESPECIALLY ONE 15, WHICH I BELIEVE IS, UH, THE FINANCING OPTIONS TO HELP, YOU KNOW, UNLOCK HOME TWO TYPE STUFF FOR, FOR PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET, UH, A NORMAL FINANCING FROM A BANK.
UM, YEAH, I THINK THIS IS A, THIS IS A GREAT STEP.
I, I SPOKE IN FAVOR OF HOME TWO AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING, AND I THINK, UH, THAT THAT WAS JUST ONE STEP LIKE THAT WE NEEDED, BUT IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, NOT, NOT NO ONE STEP IS EVER GONNA BE ENOUGH.
SO I THINK WE NEED, UH, THIS AS WELL.
CHRISTIAN FOGARTY, ITEM 1 16, 3 MINUTES.
HELLO, UH, MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN FOGARTY.
I'M A RESIDENT OF D NINE, UM, SPEAKING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM ONE 16.
UH, LAST WEEK, I DROVE INTO AUSTIN AFTER DRIVING THROUGH RURAL WEST TEXAS FOR ABOUT SEVEN HOURS.
AND IT REALLY PUTS THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE ABOUT HOW MANY TEXANS RELY ON PRIVATE COMPANIES TO PROVIDE SEPTIC TANKS, WATER SUPPLIES, AND OTHER WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.
HERE IN AUSTIN, WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE PUBLIC UTILITIES THAT PROVIDE THESE, THESE PUBLIC GOODS AT A RELATIVELY LOW COST AND HIGH QUALITY.
AND THIS RESOLUTION IS A NO-BRAINER TO START EXPLORING HOW TO DO THAT FOR THE BARTON CREEK INTERCEPTOR IN A WAY THAT COULD SATISFY MULTIPLE VIEWPOINTS ACROSS THE POLITICAL COALITION.
UM, I HOPE THIS STUDY PROCEEDS IN A WAY THAT INCORPORATES DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES ON WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, DOES NOT PRIORITIZE ONE SIDE OVER THE OTHER.
AND, YOU KNOW, AND WE SEEMS LIKE HERE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE HOW TO FIX, EXTEND THESE WATER SERVICES TO NEW PEOPLE MOVING TO AUSTIN, UM, ENHANCING EXISTING QUALITY OF LIFE AND ALSO ADHERING TO EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, WASTEWATER IS ONE OF THOSE KIND OF INVISIBLE PUBLIC GOODS THAT PEOPLE FORGET ABOUT, BUT THIS IS A, JUST A GREAT CHANCE TO MAKE IT VISIBLE AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER OVER A PRETTY POSITIVE VISION ON A VERY ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE, BUT, YOU KNOW, PROMISING AND UNIQUE GEOGRAPHICAL PART OF AUSTIN.
UH, SO YEAH, JUST WANNA EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR IT.
THAT'S ALL THE REMOTE SPEAKERS AT THIS TIME.
FIRST UP IS LAUREN ROSS, ITEM ONE AND 15 FOR A TOTAL OF SIX MINUTES.
THEN BEN EBBY, WILLIAM BUNCH, GERARD, KENNY, ROY WHALEY.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN AND I CAN ANNOUNCE THE ITEMS IN TIME.
PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED LAUREN ROSS, BEN EBBY, WILLIAM BUNCH, GERARD, KENNY, ROY,
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I ARE YOU BEN? I, YES.BEN IS SPEAKING ON ITEM EIGHT, NINE AND ONE 14 FOR A TOTAL OF NINE MINUTES.
MY NAME IS BEN SOY, UM, UH, MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER.
UM, I'M JUST WANNA LET EVERYBODY KNOW I'M HERE, SPEAKING OF PERSONAL CAPACITY, UM, BUT I AM PROUD TO BE AN AUSTINITE.
I'M PROUD TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE LABOR COMMUNITY AS A RANK AND FILE MEMBER OF AFSCME 1624, MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA BIG SOCCER FAN.
UH, I SHARE SOMETHING WITH EVERYONE ON THIS COUNCIL, UH, EVERYONE ON THE DIOCESE THAT, UH, I LOVE THE CITY AND THE PEOPLE IN IT, AND I SEE THAT IN THE ACTIONS, MANY OF THE ACTIONS OF THE ITEMS THAT YOU'RE TAKING UP TODAY.
UM, SO I WANTED TO THANK YOU, UM, FOR PAYING ATTENTION TO ITEMS LIKE, UH, EIGHT AND NINE.
UM, AS A TAXPAYER, I, I REALIZE THAT SOME OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, MENTAL HEALTHCARE, FOOD, ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY HAPPEN AT THE TRAVIS COUNTY JAIL.
UM, IT IS, UH, SO MUCH BETTER AND SO MUCH, UH, SUCH A WISER USE OF OUR PUBLIC FUNDS.
OUR TIGHT PUBLIC DOLLARS TO DO DIVERSION PROGRAMS, TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
UH, IT'S BETTER FOR THEM, BUT IT'S ALSO GOOD FOR THE PRIORITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE REALIZE HOW TIGHT THE BUDGETS ARE.
THE STATE HAS IN ITS INFINITE WISDOM, PUT CAPS ON OUR ABILITY AND LIMITS ON OUR ABILITY TO DO THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER HERE.
AND, UH, Y'ALL KNOW THAT BETTER THAN I DO
UM, AND I SEE THIS AS ONE OF THE MANY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE TO, UH, MORE WISELY SPEND THE DOLLARS THAT WE DO HAVE, AND THAT HELPS THE COMMUNITY PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE.
I'M A PROUD RESIDENT OF D FOUR, AND I REALLY LIKE, UH, YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR COMMUNITY'S USING THE SIDEWALKS.
UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE ON, ON PROVIDING THOSE GOODS ITEMS LIKE THIS THAT KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF, UH, OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, FREE UP DOLLARS TO HELP US WITH THINGS THAT WE ACTUALLY NEED.
UH, THE OTHER ITEM THAT I REALLY WANTED TO SPEAK TO IS ONE 14.
LIKE I MENTIONED, I'M ACTIVE IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT HERE IN OUR CITY.
I THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD WHEN LARGE EMPLOYERS, LIKE THE CITY OF AUSTIN, SET A GOOD STANDARD ON THE WAY THAT IT TREATS THE WORKERS AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING, BUILDING OUT LITERALLY BUILDINGS THAT ARE GONNA SERVE US THE PUBLIC.
SO, UH, THOSE WORKER PROTECTIONS ARE EXCELLENT.
IT LETS OUR COMMUNITY KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT IN A RACE TO THE BOTTOM, BUT WE'RE GONNA HOLD A HIGHER STANDARD.
UH, WE DON'T HAVE TO, UH, HOLD OURSELVES TO THE BARE MINIMUM THAT'S REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW.
UH, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES WHERE THE STATE LIMITS YOUR ABILITY TO, UH, DO GOOD THINGS.
IT SAYS YOU CAN'T, YOU CAN'T HAVE A HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE FOR THE CITY, ACROSS THE CITY.
BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO, AND I LOVE WHEN THE CITY LOOKS FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO, YOU KNOW, IGNORE THE THINGS YOU CAN DO AND FOCUS ON THINGS, YOU CAN DO THINGS LIKE THIS WHERE YOU CAN SET A HIGHER STANDARD FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND SAY, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT WE'RE PARTNERING WITH, UH, CONTRACTING WITH PART OF THAT CONTRACT IS YOU, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A HIGHER STANDARD.
YOU'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF THESE PEOPLE.
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE OSHA, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE WATER BREAKS, UH, ESPECIALLY IN, IN A CLIMATE LIKE TEXAS.
SO AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THIS ACTION, UH, TO ALL THE, THE, THE SPONSORS, CO-SPONSORS.
THIS IS TAKING CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
IT IS SOMETHING TANGIBLE THAT WHEN YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT, WHEN I'M RIDING THE BUS, WHEN I'M TALKING TO MY NEIGHBORS, I CAN POINT TO AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS DOING TO TAKE CARE OF US.
UH, BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FEEL DISENGAGED OR FEEL IGNORED, AND HAVING TANGIBLE GOOD THINGS LIKE THIS, WE CAN POINT TO 'EM AND SAY, THIS IS HOW THEY'RE ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE WORKING CLASS.
UM, YOU KNOW, UH, BIG SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE CITY RUN AND BUILD OUT, UH, THE, THE CONSTRUCTION THAT WE'RE SEEING, UH, THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE FOR THE CITY, UH, PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO MAKE BEHIND THE SCENES WHO MAKE THIS PLACE RUN.
UH, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS KEEPING THEM IN YOUR MIND.
ROY WHALEY SIGNED UP FOR ITEM 16 27 85 AND ONE 15 FOR A TOTAL OF 12 MINUTES.
SAY THAT AGAIN PLEASE? WHAT ITEMS, PLEASE? 1 15 85 AND 1 71.
IS THAT CORRECT? OH, MY APOLOGIES.
I HAVE YOU DONATING FOR ONE 16.
I BELIEVE I'VE GIVEN MY TIME ON ONE 16 TO MR. BUNCH, BUT, UM, I WANNA START OUT WITH ITEM ONE 15 BECAUSE MY FRIEND, UH, MONICA GUZMAN, WHO IS A FREQUENT ALLY OF SIERRA CLUB AND, UH, WITH GO AUSTIN VMO
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AUSTIN, UH, SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY FOR FAMILY LEAVE.ARE YOU SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM? YES, I AM.
IS THAT ONE OF THE ITEMS YOU WAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON? ONE 15? YEAH.
JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU, YOU DIDN'T KNOW AND I DIDN'T KNOW EITHER.
WELL, I, I KNEW YOU WANTED TO HEAR IT ANYWAY, SO.
ANYWAY, IF YOU'D STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
I'M THE CONSERVATION CHAIR FOR THE REGIONAL AUSTIN REGIONAL GROUP OF THE SIERRA CLUB.
UM, AND FOR MONICA AND, UH, OWN, OWN, UH, SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE, UH, NEED TO PRIORITIZE LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSE HOMEOWNERS AND PROGRAMS. AND WHEN ASSISTING LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FOLKS IN EXCHANGE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THE ADDITIONAL UNIT MUST BE REASONABLY PRICED FOR 15 YEARS REASONABLY PRICED UNITS, OR THOSE UNITS RENTED OR SOLD TO FAMILIES WHO OWN, WHO EARN NO MORE THAN 50% OF THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME, WHO WOULD SPEND, UH, NO MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR FAMILY INCOME ON HOUSING.
AND WHEN WE GET ON THIS 50% MFI, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, WHY WOULD ASK IS THAT WE START PUTTING REAL NUMBERS TO THAT.
IT'LL BE AN ESTIMATE, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY OF US THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT 50% MFI IS 30% MFI, IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THAT NUMBER WILL NOT BE A STATIC NUMBER AND, AND FOREVER, UM, LET'S START TALKING ABOUT REAL NUMBERS SO THAT WE HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT.
SO I WANTED TO TAKE CARE OF MY FRIEND MONICA FIRST.
UM, AND THEN I, YOU KNOW, ON 180 2, WELL, IT SOUNDS GOOD.
UH, AND I KNOW THAT THERE'LL BE A GOOD PEOPLE WORKING TO MAKE IT BE SOMETHING GOOD.
UH, ALSO ON 85, THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND THE 180 8 PLUS ACRES.
UM, AND THOUGH I DIDN'T SIGN UP TO SPEAK, THANK YOU, CHRIS RILEY.
UM, NOW LET'S GET TO THE TIME LIMIT THING.
I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS.
THAT'S A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT'S A PULLED ITEM.
OKAY? I AM NOT ABLE TO SPEAK ON THE PULLED ITEM.
YOU CAN, YOU CAN, BUT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON IT WHEN IT'S, WHEN WE BRING IT UP.
AND WHEN WILL THAT BE, SIR? WELL, WHENEVER WE GET TO IT.
WELL, I ENJOY YOUR COMPANY SO MUCH, BUT I MAY HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY.
SO I WILL GO AHEAD AND SAY, MANY OF Y'ALL ARE UP FOR REELECTION, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD CAMPAIGN MESSAGE TO SAY, BLOCK WALK FOR ME.
GET YOUR FRIENDS TO BLOCK, WALK, CONTRIBUTE TO MY CAMPAIGN, SIGN UP, LINE UP, VOTE FOR ME.
AND IF YOU DO, I'LL GIVE YOU TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK TO ME AT CITY HALL.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S A WINNING CAMPAIGN MESSAGE.
I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD SEE THAT MOST OF US TRY TO BE RESPECTFUL WITH OUR TIME.
AND, AND MR. MAYOR, I KNOW THAT WE HAD A SPEAKER ON THE PHONE THAT SPOKE FOR 30 MINUTES, AND I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT WAS EVER SAID IN THAT 30 MINUTES.
YOU, AS THE PERSON RUNNING THIS MEETING, YOU HAVE THE DISCRETION TO BE ABLE TO SAY, YOU'VE ALREADY SAID THOSE THINGS, MA'AM, AS A COURTESY TO THE OTHER MANY PEOPLE IN THE AUDITORIUM THAT HAVE TAKEN TIME OFF FROM WORK OR THEIR LIVES OR WHATEVER, TO COME DOWN AND ENGAGE IN THEIR DEMOCRACY.
WHEN, AT A TIME WHEN THE DEMOCRACY IS UNDER ATTACK ACROSS OUR NATION TO COME AND SPEAK, IT'S THREE MINUTES.
NO ONE PROMISED YOU IT WAS GONNA BE EASY WHEN YOU APPLIED FOR THIS JOB.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS.
AND I WILL AGAIN SAY THANK GOODNESS THAT, AND THE LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY, WE STILL HAD THAT IN PLACE.
AND THE CITIZENS, ALMOST A THOUSANDS OF A A THOUSAND OF US SHOWED UP AND SPOKE FOR THREE MINUTES AND SAVED BARTON SPRINGS WHEN THE VOTE WAS LOCKED IN TO GO AGAINST US.
SO PLEASE DO, DO THE BASICS OF THE JOB.
WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO COME AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH YOU AND YOUR OFFICE LIKE SO MANY OF THE, UH, DEVELOPERS AND, AND THEIR, UH, MOUTHPIECES.
NO, NO INSULTS INTENDED, MICHAEL.
UM, SO WE HAVE THIS THREE MINUTES, AND WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT CAN SWAY YOUR VOTES.
COME TO IT WITH AN OPEN MIND, PLEASE.
IT'S THE HARDEST THING TO DO, IS TO
[00:30:01]
HAVE AN OPEN MIND.AND I KNOW IT'S HARD BECAUSE I STRUGGLE WITH IT.
SO DON'T COME IN HERE WITH YOUR MINDS ALREADY MADE UP.
PLEASE LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS.
AND I THINK I HAVE MORE TIME, BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT I HAVE MORE THAN I REALLY NEED TO SAY.
AND SO, AS I SAID, TO RESPECT YOUR TIME, I'M GOING TO GO SIT DOWN AND LET SOME OF MY FELLOW CITIZENS SPEAK TO YOU.
HOPE Y'ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.
YOUR NAME WAS PREVIOUSLY CALLED, IF YOU'D MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN.
AND WOULD MR. BUNCHA SIGNED UP FOR ITEM 11 61, 63, 64, 65, 74, 80, 85, 91, 1 15, 1 16, AND HAS TIME DONATED FOR ONE 16 FROM ROY.
ROY, YOU'RE HERE FOR A TOTAL OF 36 MINUTES.
UH, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS BILL BUNCH WITH SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.
UM, I WILL CERTAINLY NOT BE SPEAKING FOR 36 MINUTES CONSISTENT WITH WHAT MR. WHALEY JUST SAID, UH, BEING RESPECTFUL OF YOUR TIME AND ONLY TAKING, UH, WHAT I VIEW AS NECESSARY.
UH, BUT I SHARE IN HIS CONCERNS.
I'LL ADDRESS 1 71 THOUGH LATER SINCE THAT WAS PULLED.
UM, STARTING WITH I, I'LL JUST GO IN ORDER, STARTING WITH ITEM 11.
THIS IS EXTENDING THE MUELLER MASTER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH CATIS.
UM, AND YOUR NOTICE DOES SAY, INCREASING THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE PAID TO THE PARTIES, BUT IT DOESN'T SAY HOW MUCH AND EVERY OTHER ITEM YOU HAVE THAT HAS AN AMOUNT OF MONEY.
UH, THERE'S BEEN ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF DEVELOPER WELFARE PUMPED INTO THE MUELLER REDEVELOPMENT.
UM, IT'S TIME TO CUT THAT OFF.
UM, AS POSTED, THIS VIOLATES THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.
UH, IT ALSO VI VIOLATES, UH, THE CITY ORDINANCES THAT REQUIRE THE CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE A FISCAL NOTE ON EVERY ITEM THAT'S GONNA COST YOU SOMETHING.
THERE'S NO FISCAL NOTE POSTED.
UM, THE BACKUP ALSO IS GROSSLY DEFICIENT AND VIOLATES YOUR DIRECT GUIDANCE TO THE CITY STAFF AND MANAGER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED, THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO ASSESS AN ITEM THAT'S ON THE AGENDA.
UM, HERE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND SPECIFICALLY MOVING TO AMEND A LONGSTANDING AGREEMENT WITH THE MUELLER DEVELOPERS.
BUT WHAT'S POSTED IS JUST, WE'RE GONNA AMEND THIS SECTION THIS WAY, AND WE'RE GONNA AMEND THIS SECTION THIS WAY.
BUT THE ACTUAL AGREEMENT THAT'S BEING AMENDED IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BACKUP.
SO THERE'S NO BASIS, THERE'S NO BASELINE TO HAVE ANY WAY THAT YOU OR THE PUBLIC CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE AMENDMENTS ACTUALLY MEAN.
UM, MUELLER, AS YOU KNOW, IS ALSO TIED UP IN A TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE.
ASSUME SOME OF THAT MONEY'S, UH, INVOLVED IN THIS, UH, THAT'S NOT MENTIONED AT ALL IN YOUR NOTICE EITHER.
SO, UH, PLEASE POSTPONE THIS AND BRING IT BACK WITH A, A, A LEGALLY COMPLIANT NOTICE AND A FISCAL NOTE AND A RED LINED, UH, AGREEMENT SO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOU'RE VOTING ON.
UH, JUMPING TO ITEMS 61, WHICH, UH, ALSO, UH, RELATES TO ITEM 64 AND 65.
THIS TOTALS OVER A BILLION DOLLARS.
THESE ITEMS OVER A BILLION DOLLARS OF SPENDING TO EXPAND OUR WALNUT CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
UM, A CAPACITY FOR TREATING SEWAGE.
UM, NOW OF COURSE, WE GOTTA TREAT OUR SEWAGE, BUT THE IDEA THAT YOU'RE GONNA SPEND OVER A BILLION DOLLARS ON CONSENT WITH, AGAIN, MINIMAL BACKUP THAT EXPLAINS WHAT THIS BILLION DOLLARS IS ACTUALLY GONNA BUY US.
UM, AND ALSO BUILDING OFF OF, UH, YEARS, GOING BACK TO 2019 OR SO OF, UH, SORT OF MOMENTUM, UH, SLEEPWALKING PERHAPS, UM, TO EXPAND OUR TREATMENT PLANS.
UM, TODAY, Y'ALL CLAIM YOU'RE LOOKING FOR MONEY.
YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, UH, IMPLEMENT OUR CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN.
UH, YOU CLAIM THAT YOU'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE DROUGHT
[00:35:02]
AND WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE MEANS FOR OUR FUTURE WATER SUPPLY.BUT HERE YOU HAVE A BILLION DOLLARS OF SLEEPWALKING SPENDING WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE'RE GONNA KEEP EXPANDING.
HOW MUCH WA INCREASING HOW MUCH WATER WE PUMP OUT OF OUR DWINDLING WATER SUPPLIES WITH ROUGHLY HALF OF THAT CONVERTED INTO SEWAGE THAT IS GONNA KEEP INCREASING IN CAPACITY.
YOU NEED TO STOP RIGHT HERE AND NOT SPEND THIS BILLION DOLLARS, AND INSTEAD COMMIT OUR CITY TO DOING WHAT WE'VE DONE FOR DECADES UNTIL JUST THE LAST FEW YEARS WHERE OUR WATER SAVINGS WAS MATCHING AND OFFSETTING OUR POPULATION GROWTH.
WE'RE AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE NOW WHERE WE KNOW THE RELIABILITY OF OUR WATER SUPPLY IS NOT THERE.
IT'S A FRACTION OF WHAT WE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.
AND YET, HERE YOU ARE JUST LIKE, AGAIN, SLEEPWALKING AS IF WE'RE GONNA KEEP PUMPING MORE AND MORE WATER, KEEP GENERATING MORE AND MORE SEWAGE.
AND SO WE HAVE TO KEEP EXPANDING THESE GIANT FACILITIES AT ENORMOUS COSTS TO RATE PAYERS.
AND THEN YOU'RE GONNA TURN AROUND AND SAY, WE HAVE NO MONEY TO IMPLEMENT OUR CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN.
WE HAVE NO MONEY TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.
YOU NEED TO PUT THIS ON POSTPONED, AND YOU NEED TO TELL THE STAFF, COME BACK AND LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH FARTHER WE CAN PUSH THIS OUT UNTIL WE REALLY NEED AN EXPANDED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLAN.
AND IN THE INTERIM, WE'RE GONNA DO, MAKE, DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN AND SPEND THIS MONEY REDUCING OUR WASTEWATER CONSUMPTION, I MEAN, OUR WATER CONSUMPTION AND IN TURN, REDUCING HOW MUCH SEWAGE IS GENERATED AND HAS TO BE TREATED.
THIS IS ON CONSENT SERIOUSLY, WITH THIS SKELETAL INFORMATION.
SOME OF Y'ALL ARE NEW, YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND.
OH, THIS GOT STARTED EARLIER AND I'M, I'M JUST HERE TO ROLL EVERYTHING AND KEEP ROLLING IT ALONG.
THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE ELECTED FOR.
AND MY GUESS IS, IF YOU TAKE THAT APPROACH, UH, YOU MIGHT NOT BE REELECTED.
AND THIS IS A COMMON THEME ON ANOTHER MATTER LATER THAT I'LL GET TO.
UM, SO THAT JUST JUMPED OVER SEVERAL OF MY ITEMS. UM, ITEM 80.
OKAY? THIS IS THE ONE THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY ENJOINED BY THE DISTRICT COURT FROM IMPLEMENTING BASED ON OUR, UH, OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND CHARTER VIOLATION LAWSUIT.
UM, YOU HAVE IT PROPERLY POSTED HERE.
AND SO IT'S ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE THAT THIS IS BACK ON THE AGENDA, THAT YOU'RE HANDLING IT THE WAY, UH, THE COURT RULING REQUIRES.
UH, BUT THIS IS SPENDING 3 BILLION, EXCUSE ME, $3 MILLION TO STUDY EXPANDING THE DELIVERY OF, UH, THE TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WA WATER, AND I BELIEVE SEWAGE AS WELL.
UM, IT'S A SOUTHWEST PRESSURE ZONE, SO THAT'S PROBABLY WATER.
AGAIN, THE BACKUP IS VERY SKETCHY, BUT THIS IS IN THE BARTON SPRINGS WATERSHED, THE RECHARGE ZONE.
THIS PRESSURE ZONE COVERS THE RECHARGE ZONE FOR BARTON SPRINGS AND THE IMMEDIATE, UH, WESTERLY, UH, CONTRIBUTING ZONE THAT ALSO, AND IT AGAIN, HAS BAKED INTO THE, THIS ASSUMPTION THAT WE'RE GONNA BUILD ANOTHER SMALL CITY OUT OVER THE AQUIFER THAT'S IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE IMAGINE AUSTIN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
AND, UH, AND SO THAT'S ADDS A WHOLE WATER QUALITY AND SAVING THE LIFE SOURCE OF THIS CITY, MARTIN SPRINGS.
BUT IT'S OF THE SAME PIECE AS THE PREVIOUS ITEMS WHERE YOU'RE, AGAIN, YOU'RE SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THIS IDEA THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP EXPANDING AND DELIVERING WATER AND SEWER SERVICE WHEN WE DON'T HAVE
[00:40:01]
THAT EXP INCREASED WATER TO DELIVER IN THE FUTURE.AND ESPECIALLY IN THE BARTON SPRING ZONE, THE MANDATE TO THE STAFF NEEDS TO BE, OKAY, YES, WE'RE GONNA REDEVELOP, THERE'S GONNA BE IN MORE INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT LIKE AT BRODY OAKS THAT Y'ALL APPROVED.
UM, BUT THAT NEW DEVELOPMENT HAS TO FIGURE OUT.
AND WE AS A COMMUNITY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SERVE IT WITHOUT SPENDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
'CAUSE THIS IS JUST THE STUDY, BUT IT'S IN CONTEMPLATION OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF BIG BUILDING, BIGGER PIPES, BIGGER PUMP STATIONS, BIGGER TREATMENT PLANTS TO SERVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE EXACT PLACE THAT WE, OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SAYS, WE DON'T WANT IT, PLEASE VOTE NO ON THAT AND AT LEAST PULL IT OFF THE CONSENT ITEM AND POSTPONE IT AND GET BETTER INFORMATION.
UM, ITEM 85, WE SUPPORT THAT BUYING SOME PRESERVE LAND IN THE BARTON CREEK WATERSHED BEFORE IT'S DEVELOPED.
UH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS ON THE AGENDA.
THANK YOU FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH IT.
UH, IT IS A LOT OF MONEY, SO MAYBE Y'ALL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.
I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD, UM, ON BALANCE.
IT'S A FANTASTIC AND IMPORTANT MOVE.
ALMOST NEVER DO YOU REGRET PRESERVING CRITICAL WATERSHED LANDS, ESPECIALLY NOT ON BARTON CREEK, I MEAN, ESPECIALLY ON BARTON CREEK.
UM, THIS, AGAIN, IS IN THAT SAME MODE.
AND THE POSTING IS, YOU KNOW, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO STUDY OPTIONS RELATED TO REMOVING WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE FROM ONE THIN BARTON CREEK RESTORE PIPE CAPACITY AND TO RETURN WITH AN UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATION.
IF YOU ACTUALLY READ THE RESOLUTION, IT'S NOT, UH, RESTORING THE PIPES.
IT'S, AGAIN, THE, THE, THE PUSH IS TO EXPAND THE CAPACITY IN THE SEWER LINE THAT RUNS UP THE GREEN BELT, UH, IN THE BARTON CREEK FLOODPLAIN.
UM, IF THIS WERE AMENDED, WE'D BE EXCITED ABOUT IT.
IF IT WAS AMENDED TO SAY, LET'S MAKE SURE THIS PIPE IS NOT LEAKING.
'CAUSE THERE'S THIS PRETENSE IN THERE THAT THIS IS ABOUT CLEANING UP THE CREEK.
THIS IS ABOUT PUTTING IN A BIGGER PIPE TO SERVE MORE DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S VERY CLEAR TO INCREASE DEVELOPMENT IN ROLLING WOOD IN WESTLAKE, WHERE WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE A SOS ORDINANCE.
SO THIS IS ABOUT POLLUTING BARTON CREEK, ABOUT POLLUTING BARTON SPRINGS, AND ABOUT SPENDING THIS FIRST 3 MILLION IN CONTEMPLATION OF, OF SPENDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS MORE TO DELIVER WATER.
WE DON'T HAVE TO TREAT SEWAGE THAT WE, WE, WE, WE DON'T HAVE THE WATER TO CREATE THE SEWAGE TO TREAT.
AND AGAIN, ENORMOUS SUMS OF MONEY THAT HAS TO BE REDIRECTED TOWARDS WATER EFFICIENCY AND RE UM, THAT RESOLUTION NEEDS AMENDING OR IT NEEDS TO BE VOTED DOWN.
UM, I THINK THAT IS ALL OF MY ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
1 71 WAS PULLED OFF CONSENT, RIGHT? YES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
ZENOBIA JOSEPH, CHASE, WRIGHT, CARLOS, LEON, ANDY BROWER.
IF YOUR NAME HAVE BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME DOWN AND THEN I'LL ANNOUNCE YOUR ITEMS. PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED.
ARE YOU CHASE WRIGHT? YES, I AM.
ITEM 32, 3 MINUTES, THREE MINUTES.
CAN SOMEONE AFTER THIS SHOW ME HOW TO GET A LONG TIME, LIKE 36 MINUTES LIKE THEM? BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU, COUNSEL.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HUNGRY HILL FOUNDATION.
WE ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN LED NON-PROFIT WHO, WHOSE MISSION IS TO HELP UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS REENTERING INTO SOCIETY.
AND I'M SORRY, I'M A LITTLE SHORT WINDED HERE TODAY.
SO I HAD A FEW LITTLE POINTS HERE.
UM, HUNGRY HILL IS REALLY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE WILL BE EXPANDING WITH OUR WORKFORCE TO HELP THE UNHOUSED.
[00:45:01]
UH, WE WENT FROM 120 INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN OUR LOCAL PARKS DOWN ALL THE WAY TO FIVE INDIVIDUALS.SO THAT'S A HIGHLIGHT OF OUR MOMENT.
ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE RECEIVED HOUSING SINCE THEN.
UM, NAVIGATING CITY BARRIERS, UM, I'M GONNA JUST, WE GOT THREE MINUTES HERE.
SO, NAVIGATING CITY, CITY BARRIERS UP TO THIS POINT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT.
UH, I'VE BEEN AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS, AND I MUST SAY THIS IS THE, THE BEST I'VE SEEN IT DONE.
UH, OUR ECOSYSTEM IS REALLY SHOWING ITS POWERPOINTS AND IT ALL STARTS WITH OUR CITY OFFICIALS.
SO I'M NOT GONNA BE THE ONE HERE YELLING AT YOU GUYS TODAY WHO CAN RELAX.
UH, BUT I WANNA THANK YOU PERSONALLY.
UH, THEN, THEN, THEN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT WORKS.
WELL, WELL, I WANNA THANK YOU GUYS PERSONALLY AND, AND, AND MOVING FORWARD, UM, TO OUR CITY MANAGER.
UM, WE ARE 8% AFRICAN AMERICANS HERE IN THE CITY.
WE'VE SEEN WHAT YOU DID IN DALLAS AND WE APPRECIATE THAT WORK AND WE HOPE IT TRANSLATES DOWN HERE TO AUSTIN AS WELL.
UM, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR CITY THRIVE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR UNHOUSED MEMBERS GET THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.
BUT FURTHERMORE, ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT'S CONSIDERED UNDER-RESOURCED, LIKE MOST PEOPLE WERE IN EAST AUSTIN WHEN I GREW UP, UM, AT THAT RATE, WE KNOW IT'S NOT A ONE PERSON JOB.
SO DON'T, DON'T LET NOBODY COME UP HERE AND AND YELL AT YOU SPECIFICALLY.
'CAUSE YOU JUST GOT HERE AND SEEDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PLANTED.
WE WANNA BE ALIGNMENT WITH YOU.
AND I CAN SPEAK FOR ME AND OTHER AFRICAN AMERICAN NONPROFITS THAT ARE OUT HERE.
UH, YOU ARE ONE OF THE FIRST BROTHERS I'VE SEEN UP THERE PERIOD SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE AND I'VE BEEN HERE MY WHOLE LIFE.
UM, SO AT THAT RATE, WE WANNA SAY THANK YOU, UM, TO OUR, TO, TO OUR PARTNERS, OUR COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS.
WE WANT TO THANK THE, UH, PARTS DEPARTMENT FOR GIVING OUR OPPORTUNITY TO OUR UNHOUSED WORKERS SO THAT THEY CAN TRANSITION BACK INTO THROUGH SOCIETY, UM, THROUGH WORK OPPORTUNITIES.
WE WANNA THANK OUR PARTNERS OUT AT TWO.
WE WANT TO THANK OUR PARTNERS WITH, UH, ANY, ANY OF OUR COLLABORATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN, UH, BOOTS ON THE GROUND WITH US HERE WHILE WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING THIS CRISIS HERE IN OUR CITY, UH, OF UNHOUSED, INDIVIDUALS WHO WANNA SAY THANK YOU.
UM, WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO DIP INTO THE FACT THAT WE ARE FACING AN OPIATE CRISIS RIGHT NOW IN OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.
WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESOURCE OFFICERS CONTINUE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED SO WE CAN BE ON TOP OF THIS, UM, VIOLENCE IN OUR CITY GUN GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR CITY.
I WANT TO ASK THAT OUR PARTNERS STEP IN AND WE ALL PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN KEEP THIS DOWN AND DECREASE.
HOW WE CAN HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND'S EFFORT AND BRING THOSE INDIVIDUALS OPPORTUNITY AND RESOURCES SO THAT THEY'RE NOT OUT THERE SEEKING NEGATIVE OPPORTUNITIES.
IF ANY INDIVIDUAL WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE HUNGRY HILL, Y'ALL CAN FIND US.
THE NOIA, JOSEPH CARLOS LEONE.
ARE YOU ANDY BROWER? NO, I'M DENISE.
UM, I HAVEN'T CALLED YOUR NAME YET.
MY KIDS MA MA'AM, WE'LL GET SOMEBODY TO VISIT WITH YOU ABOUT THE NO MA'AM.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY THAT, BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED UP TO SPEAK YOUR NAME.
BUT YOUR NAME HASN'T BEEN CALLED AND WE'RE GONNA FOLLOW THE RULES.
YOU DON'T, CAN'T JUST COME UP.
IT'S EITHER TAKE US 36 MINUTES.
CAN I TAKE A MINUTE OR TWO? NO MA'AM.
WELL, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL EXPLAIN IT TO YOU SOME OTHER TIME I CAN'T SPEAK BECAUSE YOUR NAME HASN'T BEEN CALLED AND WE FOLLOW RULES.
WELL THEN WE'LL GET SOMEBODY TO TRY TO HELP YOU WITH THAT RIGHT NOW.
UM, FOLLOW I EVERYTHING TELL WELL, I'M, I'M SORRY MA'AM, BUT THAT WE'RE GONNA FOLLOW.
AND WE'LL GET SOMEBODY TO TALK TO YOU RIGHT NOW.
MA'AM, YOU NEED YOU, YOU NEED TO LEAVE CARLOS LEON.
NEXT UP, ANDY BROWER, DARCY FRAZIER AND JACOB EMERSON.
SO CARLOS LEON, FIRST AND FOREMOST FOR LETTING ME SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 77.
THIS SPECIAL FURNITURE FUNDING BECAUSE A PL CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO LAWFULLY USE IT AS DESIGNED, EVIDENCED BY DIRECTOR ROOSEVELT WEEKS AND HIS LIBRARY AND SECURITY STAFF BLATANTLY VIOLATING THEIR LIBRARY USE RULES AND YOUR RULES FOR PUBLIC USE OF CITY PROPERTIES IN MULTIPLE BRANCHES TO ABUSE THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITIES.
TO UNCONSTITUTIONALLY BAN ME PERMANENTLY FROM ALL A PL PROPERTIES DO UNLAWFULLY PUNISH ME FOR LAWFULLY TRUTH.
TELLING ABOUT THE STOLEN 2020 RIGGED ELECTION, PRESIDENT TRUMP TRULY WON COUNTING EACH AND EVERY LEGAL LEGITIMATE VOTE ONE TIME ONLY WITH EQUAL WAITING ONLY THOUGH I JUST HANDED YOU DETAILS.
NOW, A PD OFFICER ODE TOLD ME AP STAFF AT HOUSING AT TERRYTOWN ADMITTED I DID NOTHING WRONG.
MAY 13TH MORNING WHERE THEY CALLED A PL SECURITY AND A PD TO COME OUT WITHOUT WARNING TO ISSUE ME A CRIMINAL TRESPASS NOTIFICATION PERMANENTLY BANNING ME FROM ALL A PL PROPERTIES.
[00:50:02]
ODEAN SAID A PL STAFF CLAIM TO FEEL UNSAFE AROUND ME.AND A PL SECURITY SAID THE CTN WAS ISSUED BECAUSE OF THE MAY 9TH INCIDENT AT QUARRY BY FAR WEST.
THEN IN THERE HEAD LIBRARIAN MS. BROWN TOOK ISSUE WITH ME LOUDLY AND PROUDLY TRUTH TELLING 2020 MASSIVE ELECTION FRAUD OUTSIDE THE CLOSED LIBRARY, 40 FEET AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCE OFF PROPERTY.
WHEN I SUBSEQUENTLY TRIED TO SILENTLY ENTER THE LIBRARY WHEN IT OPENED, SHE DENIED ME LIBRARY USE FOR THE DAY WITHOUT JUST CAUSE I PROMISED TO HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE, MY CIVIL RIGHT AND CIVIC DUTY.
DO I WAS NOT DOING OR THREATENING ANY PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST HER, ANYONE ELSE OR THE PROPERTY.
AND I WAS NOT PREVENTING IMPAIRING OR INTERRUPTING LIBRARY USE.
SO SHE TOLD SECURITY GUY HANS DAYTON.
SHE FELT THREATENED, WHO THEN TOLD HIS BOSS I HAD THREATENED HER AN EGREGIOUS ESCALATION LIE TO JUSTIFY THE CTN TO DENY ME POSITIVE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION AND IDEAS AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN PERSON.
ALSO BECAUSE SECURITY REFUSED TO HAND ME THE WRITTEN CTNI CANNOT REQUEST A CITY HEARING TO OVERTURN IT.
VIOLATING PUBLIC USE RULES FOR LIBRARIES AND CITY PROPERTIES AFFECTING US ALL.
APLS, FIRST AMENDMENT, FREE SPEECH, AND FIFTH AMENDMENT DUE PROCESS VIOLATIONS ARE BRAZEN ATTACKS AGAINST ON OUR PRINCIPLE PILLARS, SUPPORTING OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.
NEXT, REVOKE THE CTN AND VOTE NO ON ITEM 77.
ITEM 88, JACOB EMERSON, JESUS GONZALEZ, FOLLOWED BY JASON HASKINS.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE START MAKING YOUR WAY DOWN.
PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED WILL CARDWELL MARYANNE DELEON.
OKAY, WILL CARDWELL ITEM 103 MINUTES.
UH, I REPRESENT, UH, DHA CAPITAL.
UM, I'VE COME JUST TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT Y'ALL MIGHT HAVE REGARDING, UH, CONSENT ITEM 100.
UM, WHAT WE HAVE IN THIS CASE IS A RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED IN, UH, 1972, WHEREBY THE CITY COUNCIL WAS TO CONVEY A PORTION OF VACATED HODGES STREET TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER, WHICH WAS THE NEIGHBOR.
UM, FOR WHATEVER REASON THAT CONVEYANCE NEVER OCCURRED.
UH, NOW WITH THE PROPERTY HAVING CHANGED HANDS A COUPLE OF TIMES, UH, IF WE WERE TO PROCEED WITH THAT RESOLUTION AS WRITTEN, THE VACATED PORTION OF THE STREET WOULD END UP WITH A PARTY WHO NO LONGER HAS ANY INTEREST IN THE AREA.
SO AFTER SPEAKING WITH STAFF, UH, THE SOLUTION THAT WE PROPOSE IS A SIMPLE AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE THAT RATHER THAN CONVEYING IT TO THE NAMED, UH, ORIGINAL PROPERTY OWNER, THE MARY LEE FOUNDATION, WE SIMPLY ADD AND OR SUCCESSORS INTO SIGNS, MEANING THAT THE SUCCESSORS OF THE MARY LEE FOUNDATION COULD RECEIVE THE CONVEYANCE.
AND, UH, THAT WAS PROBABLY THE SIMPLEST WAY TO ACHIEVE THE LEGAL REALITY THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE 1970S WAS HOPING TO ACHIEVE.
SO TO THE EXTENT YOU'LL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER 'EM.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
I'M THE CEO OF THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL.
UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM NUMBER 1 0 5.
UM, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR STAKEHOLDER, UH, BOARD CHAIR, HONORABLE GIGI EDWARDS BRYANT, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, TARA LOWERY HART AND SUSANNA EY, WHO ARE HERE WITH ME.
UH, I WANNA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT WHY TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL SHOULD BENEFIT FROM THE CITY'S GENEROUS WAIVER PROGRAM FOR THE 2023 FESTIVAL, WHICH TAKE TOOK PLACE LAST NOVEMBER.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHY TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL SHOULD BECOME A CITY OF AUSTIN CO-SPONSORED EVENT.
UH, I WANTED TO START BY THANKING COUNCIL MEMBERS, FUENTES QUADRI, UH, RYAN AND ALLISON ALTER, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA AND MAYOR PRO TEM LESLIE POOLE FOR SPONSORING THE RESOLUTION AND TO SOME OF THE OTHER OFFICE, UH, OFFICES FOR COMMUNICATING YOUR SUPPORT OF THE SUPPORT OF THE MEASURE TO US DIRECTLY.
UH, MY COLLEAGUE, DOLLY AND AZI
[00:55:01]
AND I HAVE HAD A REALLY GREAT TIME GETTING TO KNOW YOU ALL AND YOUR OFFICES AND HAVE BEEN, UH, REALLY, UH, UH, WELCOMED BY CITY HALL.UH, THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL, MUCH LIKE OUR VIBRANT CITY, IS A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY.
SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO UPLIFTING THE VOICES OF ALL COMMUNITIES WITH A FOCUS ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
THIS COMMITMENT ALIGNS PERFECTLY WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S VALUES OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION.
UH, THE FESTIVAL CREATES A UNIQUE SPACE WHERE AUTHORS AND READERS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS CAN COME TOGETHER AND SHARE THEIR STORIES AND ID AND IDEAS.
UH, THIS FREE GATHERING OF NEARLY FI UH, 50,000 PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THIS, THE TEXAS STATE CAPITOL NOT ONLY CELEBRATES THE JOY OF READING, BUT ALSO FOSTERS A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF OUR RICH MULTICULTURAL TA TAPESTRY.
BY HIGHLIGHTING AUTHORS OF COLOR AND THEIR WORK, THE FESTIVAL ENSURES THAT VOICES THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED ARE CELEBRATED.
MOREOVER, THE BOOK FESTIVAL ACTIVELY WORKS TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS INITIATING SUCH PROGRAMS AS READING ROCK STARS.
TO BRING AUTHORS INTO A ISD TITLE ONE SCHOOLS ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE F THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL, WE'RE PROVIDING CHILDREN FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH ACCESS TO BOOKS AND INSPIRING, UH, AND AN INSPIRING, UH, EXPERIENCE, UH, BY ALLOWING THEM TO MEET THE AUTHORS IN PERSON.
THIS PROGRAM, AMONG OTHERS, DEMONSTRATES THE FESTIVAL'S COMMITMENT TO LITERACY AND EDUCATION FOR ALL REFLECTING THE CITY'S OWN GOALS OF COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT.
BY BECOMING A CO-SPONSORED EVENT, THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL WILL GAIN THE RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO EXPAND ITS REACH AND IMPACT EVEN FURTHER, ALLOWING, UH, THE ORGANIZATION TO SAVE PHILANTHROPIC DOLLARS ALONG THE WAY.
UH, THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL NOT ONLY ENHANCE THE THE FESTIVAL'S ABILITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO SOLIDIFY AUSTIN'S REPUTATION AS A CITY THAT CHAMPIONS LITERATURE, CULTURE, AND DIVERSE VOICES.
WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND ALL YOU DO.
WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS FOR ITEM 1 0 6, BUT THAT HAS BEEN MOVED TO A TIME CERTAIN OF 1:00 PM SO I'M MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM FOR ONE 15 AND ONE 16 FELICITY MAXWELL, FOLLOWED BY NOOK TURNER.
FELICITY HAS SIGNED UP FOR ONE 15 AND ONE 16 FOR A TOTAL OF SIX MINUTES.
I'M ACTUALLY SIGNED UP IN A FEW OTHER ITEMS AS WELL.
OH, MAY I SPEAK TO ALL OF THEM NOW? WE WILL CALL.
OH, YOU WANNA SPEAK TO ALL OF THEM NOW? MAY I, MAYOR? THAT'S OKAY, RIGHT? YES, WE TRY TO DO IT WHEN WE PULL 'EM.
WELL
BUT WHAT, WHAT ITEMS DO YOU WISH TO BE HEARD ON? UM, THAT'S FINE.
I'LL JUST DO ONE 16 AND ONE 15.
UM, GOOD MORNING, FULL CITY MAXWELL DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENT OR A BOARD MEMBER.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM ONE 15.
UM, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO SEE THESE FOLLOW-UP ITEMS, PARTICULARLY THE EFFORTS TO ENSURE HOME ONE AND HOME TWO TO LOW MIDDLE INCOME HOMEOWNERS.
THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH OTHER COUNCIL OFFICES AND CITY STAFF TO ENSURE THE BEST VERSION OF THIS RESOLUTION.
WE'RE EAGER TO SEE THESE EDUCATIONAL FINANCE PROGRAMS BE INITIATED AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORK SUPPORTING THIS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
UM, REGARDING ITEM ONE 16, WE ARE IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE ITEM AND EAGER TO HEAR THE FINDINGS OF STAFF REGARDING THE BEST WAY TO IMPROVE OUR WATER QUALITY AND ALLOW MUCH NEEDED REDEVELOPMENT OF OUR OUTDATED 1980S LOTS IN WEST AUSTIN.
NOOK TURNER, FRANCIS, UNA, ANITA, AINA SANCHEZ.
UM, COUNSEL, I'M ALWAYS EXCITED TO HAVE, SO WHAT'S YOUR NAME? NICK TURNER.
UM, ONCE AGAIN, I WAS LIKE, I WAS ABOUT TO SAY, I AM ALWAYS EXCITED WHEN I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU GUYS.
UM, WE PUT ON JUMP ON IT WEEK, JUMP ON IT IS AN ONGOING COMMUNITY PROGRAM THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING SINCE 1997.
UM, AND SO WE HAVE JUMP ON A WEEK COMING UP AND ONE OF OUR EVENTS ARE AT, IT'S AT WALTER ELONG PARK.
AND WE WERE APPROVED BY THE PARK, UM, LAST YEAR TO EXTEND THE CURFEW TO 11.
UM, BUT WE FOUND OUT, UM, ABOUT A MONTH AGO, A LITTLE BIT OVER A MONTH THAT IT NOW GOES THROUGH THE MUSIC OFFICE AND WE HAD TO GET THE SOUND, UM, EXTENDED FOR THAT.
SO I, I HOPE THAT EVERYONE, UM, VOTES IN FAVOR OF US GETTING AN EXTENSION FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING ON THAT.
AND ALSO, UM, WE HAVE SOME PROGRAMMING DURING JUMP ON IT WEEK, UM, THAT'S GONNA TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY.
[01:00:01]
IT'S GONNA TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY WHERE WE'LL WE'LL BE DISCUSSING, UM, THE BLACK EMBASSY.AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE BLACK EMBASSY, IT WAS PART OF A RESOLUTION THAT PASSED THROUGH COUNCIL, UM, IN 2021.
WE'RE STILL WORKING AND MOVING FORWARD ON THAT.
SO I'M GLAD I GET A CHANCE TO FINALLY SEE YOU.
MAYOR, I'VE BEEN CALLING AND TEXTING YOU.
I FINALLY GOT A CALL BACK LAST WEEK.
UM, BUT DEFINITELY I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU THERE, UM, SO WE COULD UPDATE THE COMMUNITY ON WHAT WE'RE DOING AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THE BLACK EMBASSY AND TO OUR NEW CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THE INVITE FOR BEING THERE.
ON MONDAY AT HOUSTON TILLISON, WE'LL BE HAVING COMMUNITY PANELS.
WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT, UM, WHAT WE SEE AS A COMMUNITY ON WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS REBUILDING THE COMMUNITY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, SPEAKING ON THE UPDATE OF THE BLACK EMBASSY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIVES THAT WAS IN THE RESOLUTION THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, UM, IN 2021.
SO THANK Y'ALL FOR THE TIME AND IF ANYONE WANT TO CHECK OUT, JUMP ON IT.
UM, WE RUN JUNE 2ND THROUGH JUNE 9TH.
WE DO HAVE SOME SPONSORSHIP FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN BY WAY OF THE THRIVE GRANT AND OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS.
WE DO PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH, ADULTS, COMMUNITY, AND, UM, IT, IT'S BLACK CULTURE 360 AND WE'RE WORKING ON BUILDING A SITUATION TO WHERE WE HAVE A DESTINATION LOCATION IN AUSTIN THAT BRING BLACKS BACK TO THE CITY.
AND WE STILL HAVE SOME CULTURE HERE AND LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT JUST GONE AND WE'RE A RELIC AND WE'RE OF THE PAST, WE'RE FIGHTING TO REBUILD THAT IN THE CITY.
SO IF ANYONE WANT ANY INFORMATION ON THAT IS JUMP ON IT WEEK.COM AND YOU ALSO CAN FIND OUT, UM, INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESOLUTION AND ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE BLACK EMBASSY@BLACKAUSTINCOALITION.COM.
BUT WE'RE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK AND HOPEFULLY I'LL SEE YOU THERE, UM, ON MONDAY, MAYOR.
IF NOT, WE CAN CORRESPOND AND MOVE FORWARD ON, ON WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THAT INITIATIVE.
BUT THANK Y'ALL FOR ALL YOUR TIME.
MY NAME IS ANINA ANINA SANCHEZ AND I WANT TO ASK YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEM 113.
WE NEED A PLAN OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OBTAIN FULL FLOOD INSURANCE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY IN CASE OF A FLOOD.
ALSO TO HELP US WITH CITY RESOURCES WHEN THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO RECOVER WHEN WE FACE ANY NATURAL DISASTER BECAUSE WE NEED TO RECOVER.
ALSO, I LIVE IN THE AREA OF THOSE SPRINGS AND THIS IS A FLOATING ZONE.
ALL PRICES HAVE INCREASED, FOOD HAS INCREASED.
UTILITIES, TAXES, ELECTRICITY.
PLEASE VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEM 113.
NOW SHE'S GONNA SPEAK OF ITEM 115.
WE NEED TO ESTABLISH POLICIES TO INCREASE THE ANTI DISPLACEMENT PROGRAMS AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION.
WE NEED PROTECTION FOR HOMEOWNERS TO PREVENT THE DISPLACEMENT OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
I LIVE IN THE AREA OF THOSE SPRINGS FOR 34 YEARS AGO.
[01:05:01]
BE A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION.NOW, NOT HAVING THE BASIC SERVICES SUCH AS CLINICS, FOOD STORES, CONVENIENCE STORES ON ANY SERVICES THAT I'M USED TO, TO LIVE WELL FOR MY WELLBEING.
THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING YOU THAT THIS WILL AFFECT US IN THE FUTURE.
AND WE NEED PROTECTION TO KEEP OUR HOMES.
PLEASE VOTE FOR ITEM IN FAVOR 115.
FRANCIS UNA FOR ONE 13 AND ONE 15.
AND HAS TIME DONATED BY PEDRO SANCHEZ.
ARE YOU HERE, PEDRO? PEDRO, COULD YOU RAISE YOUR THANK YOU.
UH, IT'S FOR A TOTAL OF NINE MINUTES.
UH, MY NAME IS FRANCIS UNA AND I WANNA THANK THE COUNCIL, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.
AND UH, ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM ONE 13 AND ALSO AT ONE 15.
UM, THESE TWO ITEMS MEAN A LOT TO ME.
I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FLOODING FOR MANY YEARS, AND I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD PUSHBACK AND POINTING FINGERS FROM CITY TO STATE, FROM STATE TO CITY, AND EVERYBODY POINTING AT EACH OTHER BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE A, UH, A RESPONSIBILITY.
I, UM, I'M ALSO GRATEFUL BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR, AND RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN, UH, TRAINING AND HOW TO ANTICIPATE, PREPARE, AND RESPOND TO DISASTERS, AND ALSO, UM, HOW TO TRAIN, UH, THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHICH THEY LIVE IN.
UH, YES, THIS IS A GREAT POLICY, A GREAT RESOLUTION, BUT THERE IS A, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THE TOWARDS THE SAFETY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN THE AREAS THAT ARE MORE IMPACTED BY FLOODING.
NOW THAT YOU WILL PASS THIS RESOLUTION, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA PASS IT, UM, THE NEXT STEP IS TO ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING FOR A BIGGER PREPAREDNESS THAT WHERE THE CITY IS CONNECTED TO COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE BLACK CAPTAINS, UH, PROGRAM, SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO, SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO, UM, BE STIPEND FOR THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AND BY THE WAY, THE BLACK CAPTAIN, IT'S, UM, WHERE RESIDENTS ARE BEING TRAINED SO THEY COULD BE ABLE TO PASS INFORMATION DURING A DISASTER.
AND, UM, THE CITY IS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THE RESIDENTS AND THE RESIDENTS WITH THE CITY, SO THERE COULD BE A BETTER, FASTER RESPONSE IN CASE OF A DISASTER.
AND WE ARE TRAINING THOSE RESIDENTS TO DO JUST THAT.
SO I'M ASKING THAT, UM, FOR THE BUDGET, REMEMBER THAT, UH, PARTNERING WITH, IT'S ALSO NECESSARY TO PARTNER WITH, UH, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND TO AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, UH, IN ORDER FOR, UM, IN, UH, ORDER TO ADDRESS THE TRAUMA AND THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES CAUSED BY THE, UM, CLIMATE DISASTERS.
UM, ALL OF THAT IS VERY NECESSARY BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MANY, UH, FLOODS AND WINTER STORMS AND ALL OF THIS, UH, CLIMATE RELATED, UH, TRAUMAS THAT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED.
AND I MEAN, NOBODY HAS TELLING ME, BUT I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT AFTER, UM, A STORM, UH, YOU KNOW, A RAIN OR A SEVERE, UM, THUNDER, LIGHTNING RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN WITH STROKES, WITH HEART ATTACKS, WITH, UM, PANIC ATTACKS, AND ALL OF THAT IS VERY REAL BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE GO THROUGH.
I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT I, MYSELF STAND IN FRONT OF A POND SO I COULD BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS, THAT THE WATER DOESN'T OVERFLOW THE POND AND THE WATER DOESN'T GO INTO NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, INTO THE RESIDENTS, UH, HOMES.
UH, THAT IS VERY DEAR TO ME BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN DE DEGRADED.
I HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED BY THE CAPITOL, BY CONGRESS, BY SENATE.
I HAVE BEEN, UM, I HAVE, I DON'T KNOW, I'VE BEEN FEELING LIKE I'M NOTHING WHENEVER I GO AND TRY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS.
SO, UH, THIS ITEM ONE 13 IS TO ME IS, YOU KNOW, IT TOUCHES MY HEART.
WHEN I WAS READING IT, I WAS CRYING BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR
[01:10:01]
RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR FLOOD INSURANCE FOR RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM A DISASTER.UM, I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF ONE 15, AND, UM, SINCE YOU ALREADY PASSED HOME INITIATIVE ONE AND TWO, UM, I ASK THAT YOU PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE SO RESIDENTS COULD BE PROTECTED FROM DISPLACEMENT.
UH, I KNOW, UM, I WAS READING IN GOOGLE, UH, ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS WHERE YOU CAN PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE TO PROTECT YOURSELVES AS THE CITY RESIDENTS, UH, FOR DISPLACEMENT AND ALSO THE, THE, UM, DEVELOPERS OR, UM, YOU KNOW, FROM DOING THE WRONG THINGS AND THE INJUSTICE THING.
SO READ ABOUT IT AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE IMPACT THAT IS THE RESIDENTS ARE GOING THROUGH.
I KNOW MYSELF BECAUSE I WAS DISPLACED.
I KNOW THE TRAUMA THAT IT TAKES FROM LEAVING MY HOME, MY FOREVER HOME AND GOING INTO AN AREA THAT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT, UH, I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THAT TOOK ME.
SO, UM, LIKE ADINA WAS SAYING, YOU KNOW, FINDING A PLACE FOR A DOCTOR.
I STILL DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A DOCTOR IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I MEAN, I DO 36, 37 MINUTES TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM.
UM, I CALLED THERE THREE 11 AND THEY SAID, GOOGLE, IF THERE'S A, UH, FOR THE CLINIC CLOSEST TO YOU.
SO IN ORDER FOR RESIDENCE TO BE DISPLACED, YOU COULD SAY, WITH A LITTLE BIT OF PRIDE, I, I ASK THAT YOU PUT THINGS IN PLACE THAT AT LEAST RESIDENTS KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING AND KNOW THE PROCESS OF DISPLACEMENT, BECAUSE IT IS TRAUMATIZING.
WHEN, WHEN, UM, THE REALTORS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF YOU, IT IS VERY HARD WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING AND, AND HOW YOU'RE GONNA GET THERE.
SO, UM, PLEASE READ ON, ON DEVELOPMENTS AGREEMENTS, AND PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING.
YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO BE CHAMPIONS OF, YOU KNOW, PROTECTING THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE STILL HERE.
I PANICKED WHEN THE FIRST HOME CAME, SO I STARTED LOOKING FOR A HOME BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS GONNA GO THROUGH WITH YOUR DECISIONS.
I, MYSELF, BEING AN ADVOCATE, I TOOK TIME OF THINKING, WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO CLOSE TO AUSTIN SO I COULD KEEP A JOB? I'M A SINGLE MOTHER, SO AS A SINGLE MOTHER, I BELIEVE I, YOU KNOW, I, I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO IN ORDER FOR, FOR ME TO GET SOME KIND OF, UM, ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO.
SO, UH, IT'S HARD WHEN YOU AS AN ADVOCATE ARE GETTING YOUR RESIDENTS TELLING ME, WHY DID I GIVE UP? WHY DID I STOP FIGHTING TO STAY AT MY HOUSE? YOU KNOW HOW THAT FEELS? THAT FEELS AWFUL BECAUSE I FELT LIKE I LET THEM DOWN AS A LEADER.
AND I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW YOU GUYS FEEL IF YOU FEEL IT, BECAUSE I KNOW I FELT IT WHEN MY RESIDENTS TOLD ME THAT I WAS LETTING THEM DOWN.
WHY DID I STOP FIGHTING FOR MY HOME? BECAUSE I LIVE 10 MINUTES FROM HERE, AND NOW I LIVE 30, 40 MINUTES FROM HERE.
ONE HOUR, WHENEVER I COME IN THE MORNING, IT'S ONE HOUR TRAFFIC.
SO AM I GRATEFUL THAT I MOVED? I'M GRATEFUL BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS, BUT I DO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE I HAVE RESIDENTS THAT I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT I SUPPORT AND THAT I LOVE, AND I STILL LOVE AUSTIN, AND I JUST DON'T LIKE THE POLICIES THAT ARE PUT IN PLACE WITHOUT PROTECTIONS.
I BELIEVE YOU CAN DO A LOT BETTER JUST BY LISTENING A LITTLE BIT TO WHAT WE GO THROUGH.
YOU CAN DO A LOT BETTER THAN WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
[01:15:01]
FOLLOWED BY CINDY REED, ALEXIA LE CLERK, CHRIS PAGE.IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MR. KENNY, I SEE YOU SITTING OUT THERE AND YOUR NAME WAS CALLED IN THE FIRST BATCH OF PEOPLE YOU MIGHT WANNA MAKE YOUR WAY FORWARD.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
LET ME REPEAT THOSE AGAIN REALLY QUICK.
CINDY REED, ALEXIA LA CLERK, CHRIS PAGE.
JULIAN REYES FOR ITEM 1 13, 1 15, 1 16 FOR A TOTAL OF NINE MINUTES.
DANIELLA SILVA, DAVID CHINCH, CHINCH CHIN, VALERIE MENARD, MARY KALE, DAVID REGI, ALICE WOODS, SOLE PRAXIS.
SIR, PLEASE COME ON DOWN IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, AND JUST STATE YOUR NAME INTO THE MIC HEARING AND COUNSEL.
THIS IS, I'M GERARD KENNY, ARCHITECT LONG LIFELONG AUSTINITE, AND I'M SPEAKING TO ITEM 11 AND, AND ITEM ONE 70.
AND WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ACTUALLY RELATES TO BOTH, UH, AS MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW, I CHAIRED THE, WELL, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE MILLER DEVELOPMENT SINCE IT WAS THOUGHT OF IN OUR, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES, AND CHAIRED THE CITY TASK FORCE THAT ESTABLISHED A VISION FOR MILLER THAT WAS ADOPTED BY COUNSEL.
UM, I'M IN FAVOR OF THE IDEA OF EXTENDING CATA, UH, CONTRACT TO FINISH THE JOB.
I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS THAT THEY COULDN'T COME UP WITH SPECIFIC AMOUNTS OF MONEY INVOLVED.
UH, AND SO IT MAY NEED TO BE POSTPONED TO DO THAT, BUT IT CERTAINLY NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED.
BUT THE, ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE IS THAT RECENTLY IT WAS DECIDED TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT FOR THE REPURPOSING OF THE OBSERVATION TOWER.
THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN ASSURED SEVERAL TIMES PUBLICLY THAT THE TOWER WOULD BE REPURPOSED SO IT COULD BECOME FUNCTIONAL, AND THE PLANS ARE BASICALLY DONE FOR DOING THAT, BUT, BUT IT'S BEEN CANCELED.
I'M HOPING THE EXTRA TIME WILL GIVE THE CITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AHEAD AND FIND A PERMANENT USER AND TO FUND THE REPURPOSING OF THE OBSERVATION TOWER.
THE OTHER RE THE OTHER THING I'M SPEAKING TO IS ITEM ONE 70, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE SEEMINGLY UNRELATED, UH, HANCOCK CHERRYWOOD AREA PLAN.
THE, THE RELATION, THE, THE REASON THAT IT'S RELATED TO MILLER IS THAT I KNOW THE MAYOR HAS CONTINUALLY, HAS SEVERAL TIMES TALKED ABOUT REPLICATING MILLER.
THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT REPLICATE, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF REPLICATING A PLAN, IT'S REPLICATING A PROCESS.
AND THE PROCESS OF MILLER WAS THAT THE COMMUNITY AND THE RE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND MILLER ARE THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY MADE IT HAPPEN.
WITH RESPECT TO THE HANCOCK CHERRYWOOD AREA PLAN, MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW THAT THAT PLAN, HANCOCK CENTER AND FIESTA AND THAT WHOLE, THAT WHOLE AREA, IT WILL BE BECOME CONNECTED BY THE NORTH CAP OF I 35.
SO THE NORTH CAP OF I 35 CAN BE THE CATALYST FOR BRINGING THESE TWO SIDES TOGETHER AND DEVELOPING, DEVELOPING A PLAN THAT WILL ACTUALLY BE A WIN-WIN WIN THAT IS THE DEVELOPERS WILL CAN WIN, BUT THE COMMUNITY CAN WIN.
UH, AS WELL, THE, THE, THE ADDITIONAL DENSITY AND HOUSING THAT CAN RESULT FROM AN AREA PLAN CAN BE BETTER FOR ALL THE USERS.
SO I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT ITEM ONE 70 AS WELL.
ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE, I'LL BE GLAD TO ADDRESS.
[01:20:01]
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.MY NAME IS ALICE WOODS, AND I SERVE AS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING COALITION.
AND ON BEHALF OF THAT COALITION, I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF ITEM ONE 15.
TODAY WE ARE A COALITION OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INCOME RESTRICTED, AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS, HOUSING AND POLICY EXPERTS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR AUSTIN RESIDENTS.
THE AUSTIN HOUSING COALITION DEFINES AFFORDABILITY AS ENSURING THAT RESIDENTS DO NOT PAY MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING AND PROGRAMMATICALLY THAT HOUSING BE AFFORDABLE FOR THE SPECTRUM OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, BOTH RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS WHO CANNOT AFFORD MARKET RATE HOUSING.
IN AUSTIN, WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION UNDER CONSIDERATION IN ANY PROGRAMS OR OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THE DIVERSITY OF HOUSING OPTIONS THAT WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE HOME INITIATIVE, EASILY AND PROACTIVELY AVAILABLE TO LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOMEOWNERS, HELPING THEM TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM AND HELPING TO ADDRESS AND PREVENT DISPLACEMENT.
WE ALSO WANNA STRESS THE NEED FOR INVESTMENT AND BUDGET ALLOCATION TOWARD THESE PROGRAMS IN ADDITION TO THESE POLICY CHANGES.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED WORK ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
UH, MY NAME IS DAVID COURAGEOUS.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT ITEM ONE 15 AND SUPPORT THE HOME INITIATIVE.
I AM WITH UNIVERSITY OF FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, WHERE I DESERVE AS THE CORPORATE COUNSEL AND DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE AND LEGAL, UH, BUT DON'T HOLD THAT AGAINST ME, PLEASE.
UM, WE HAVE HEARD THE CALL, UH, AND, UM, WE WANT TO HELP, UM, AND I'M SPEAKING FOR NOT ONLY UFCU, BUT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, CREDIT UNIONS IN GENERAL.
FOR THOSE OF Y'ALL THAT DON'T KNOW, CREDIT UNIONS ARE NOT-FOR-PROFIT INSTITUTIONS.
WE PROVIDE CREDIT TO THOSE WHO CANNOT OTHERWISE OBTAIN IT.
THIS ITEM SPECIFICALLY IS WHY WE ARE HERE, NOT JUST HERE TODAY, BUT IN EXISTENCE.
WE WANT TO EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL SUCCESS AND BRIGHTER FUTURES.
THAT IS WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY, EVERY CREDIT UNION IN AUSTIN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING AUSTINITES CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH THROUGH HOME OWNERSHIP, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, OWNERSHIP RETENTION.
SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, BUT I'M A FIFTH GENERATION AUSTINITE.
I CURRENTLY LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT, BUT MY ENTIRE FAMILY IS FROM DISTRICT THREE.
I HAVE NO RELATIVES THAT LIVE THERE ANY LONGER, MY GRANDPARENTS BEING THE LAST BECAUSE THEY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO LIVE IN EAST AUSTIN.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, AND WE WANT TO HELP.
WE WANT TO KEEP IS KNIGHTS IN THEIR HOMES AND HELP THEM TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES CREATED WITH THE HOME INITIATIVE, NOT ONLY FOR THEM TODAY, BUT THEIR FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE.
WE WANNA LEVERAGE OUR ROOTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION TO HELP CREATE FINANCIAL EDUCATION RESOURCES.
WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE UNIVERSITIES ALL ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS, AND WE CAN PROVIDE THOSE AND LEVERAGE THOSE PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP THE CITY OF AUSTIN AS THE UNIVERSITY SHOULD ALREADY BE DOING.
BUT WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN TO HELP.
WE ALSO WANT TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FINANCING, UH, BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTELY KEY TO PROTECTING OUR NEIGHBORS FROM RISING COSTS AND BEING ABLE TO ENJOY THE, THE BETTER ECONOMY THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY ENJOYING.
REALLY, I'M, I'M HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU.
UM, THANK YOU FOR BEING BIASED TOWARD ACTION.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING PROACTIVE STEPS TO SOLVE THE AFFORDABILITY PROBLEM TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I AM WITH WORKERS' DEFENSE, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM ONE 14.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORTH AND WANNA TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF EDUCATION FOR FOLKS IN THE ROOM WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH, UM, THE LABOR MOVEMENT.
BUT TEXAS REMAINS THE DEADLIEST CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTRY WHERE A WORKER DIES EVERY THREE DAYS.
60% OF TEXAS CONSTRUCTION WORKERS REPORT NOT HAVING SAFETY TRAINING.
ONE IN FIVE WORKERS GET SERIOUSLY INJURED ON THE JOB REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION.
YET ONLY 40% OF WORKERS REPORT THAT THEY HAVE WORKERS' COMPENSATION.
TEXAS WORKERS FREQUENTLY LABOR IN DEADLY HEAT WITHOUT ACCESS TO REST BREAKS AND DRINKING WATER, PUTTING THEM AT A GREATER RISK FOR ACCIDENTS.
[01:25:01]
41% OF WORKERS REPORT THEY DON'T RECEIVE REST BREAKS.EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR GREAT CITY TODAY IS THANKS TO LABORERS, OUR ICONIC SKYLINE, THE STRONG ECONOMY, THE ROADS, BRIDGES, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC TRANSIT LINES THAT CONNECT US ALL.
THEY ARE ONLY MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HARDWORKING PEOPLE IN BUILDING TRADES.
THESE FOLKS DESERVE SAFE, DIGNIFIED JOBS THAT PAY THEM ENOUGH NOT ONLY TO LIVE BUT THRIVE IN THE CITY THAT THEY ARE BUILDING BETTER BUILDER PROTECTIONS ENCOMPASS SAFETY, TRAINING, A LIVING WAGE, REST BREAKS, COMPLIANCE MONITORING AMONG OTHER THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT SACRIFICING THE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS OF HARDWORKING TEXANS FOR THE LUXURIES THAT WE BENEFIT FROM ALL THROUGHOUT AUSTIN.
WITHOUT THESE PROTECTIONS, WORKERS ARE FORCED TO WORK IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES WITH NO BREAKS.
THEY EXPERIENCE WORKPLACE INJURIES AT MUCH HIGHER RATES AND ARE OFTEN LEFT WITHOUT LITTLE TO NO WAYS TO HOLD THEIR EMPLOYER ACCOUNTABLE AFTER THE HARM HAS BEEN CAUSED.
UM, FOLLOWING BETTER BUILDER STANDARDS ALSO ENCOURAGES, UM, PROJECTS TO HIRE LOCAL APPRENTICESHIP FOLKS FROM LOCAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. AND AT THE PACE THAT OUR CITY IS GROWING, IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT LARGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PLAY A ROLE IN ENCOURAGING AND DEVELOPING A HIGHLY SKILLED LOCAL WORKFORCE.
SO AGAIN, I THANK YOU ALL FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
HELLO, MY NAME IS MARY KALE AND I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF PRESERVATION AUSTIN AND I CHAIR.
ITS ADVOCACY COMMITTEE PA EXISTS TO EMPOWER AUSTINITES TO SHAPE A MORE INCLUSIVE, RESILIENT, AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY CULTURE THROUGH PRESERVATION.
WE'RE HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF COUNCIL MEMBER OF ALASKA'S RESOLUTION TO ENSURE THE HOME INITIATIVE IS ACCESSIBLE TO LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOMEOWNERS AS THE ONLY CITYWIDE NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO PRESERVATION, WE ARE FUNDAMENTALLY COMMITTED TO PRESERVING COMMUNITIES, AND WE'VE HEARD MUCH TODAY ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT COUNCIL MUST INCLUDE CLEARLY DEFINED RESOURCES, TIMELINES, AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES FOR THESE MEASURES TO SUCCEED.
AS DISPLACEMENT CONTINUES TO IMPACT HISTORIC COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, PARTICULARLY IN EAST AUSTIN, COUNCIL MUST ACT URGENTLY TO STEM THESE HISTORIC AND ONGOING HARMS. WE ASK COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE THE RESOLUTION SUCCESS.
DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER AND WELCOME TO OUR CITY TO DEVELOP A DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, INCLUDING SPECIFIC ACTIONS, RESPONSIBLE PARTIES, AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES.
ALLOCATE A SPECIFIC BUDGET TO IMPLEMENT ALL ASPECTS OF THE EXPANDED HOME PROGRAM, IMPLEMENT CLEAR PROGRESS INDICATORS FOR ALL INITIATIVES UNDER THE RESOLUTION.
THE CITY MANAGER MUST REPORT THE INITIAL FINDINGS AND ONGOING PROCESS TO THE CITY COUNCIL, BUILD PUBLIC CONSULTATION SESSIONS INTO THIS PROCESS TO GATHER FEEDBACK ON THE RESOLUTION'S IMPLEMENTATION, AND REFINE THE APPROACH BASED ON COMMUNITY INPUT.
WE STRONGLY MEN RECOMMEND THAT COUNCIL ALSO LOOK AT STRENGTHENING FOOT PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON OLDER AND HISTORIC HOUSING, SUCH AS EXISTING HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS.
IN 2023, PA CO-SPONSORED A-U-I-L-I TAP REPORT WITH THE CITY'S ANTI-DISPLACEMENT OFFICE THAT OUTLINES RECOMMEND POLICIES, TOOLS, AND PROGRAMS FOR PRESERVING, PRESERVING HISTORIC AGE HOUSING, MAINTAINING AFFORDABILITY, AND STEMMING DISPLACEMENT.
WE HOPE THAT COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF WILL LOOK TO THIS REPORT AS A RESOURCE FOR ADDITIONAL SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE THE DISPLACEMENT OF AUSTIN'S HISTORIC COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE.
ITEMS 1 13, 1 15, AND ONE 16 FOR A TOTAL OF NINE MINUTES.
ALL RIGHT, SO, UM, I I'M NEUTRAL ON ITEM ONE 13, UH, AND I'M 4 1 15.
AND SO LET ME GIVE YOU MY OUTLINE.
I DID HAVE A VIDEO THAT I WANTED TO PRESENT, BUT, UH, WE COULDN'T GET IT UP IN TIME, SO I'M GONNA BE SPEAKING INSTEAD.
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED.
UM, AS FAR AS, UH, UH, THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE, THE FLOODING.
WE, WE KNOW THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAD A SECRET AGREEMENT WITH LAKE AUSTIN WEALTHY RESIDENTS TO KEEP THEM FROM FLOODING, AND THAT'S WHAT FLOODED ONION CREEK AND THE REST OF AUSTIN, WHICH THE CITY AT THE TIME, WHICH WAS UNDER A DIFFERENT CITY COUNCIL.
BUT YOU GUYS ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE.
UM, DID EMINENT DOMAIN ON MULTIPLE PEOPLE'S HOMES BECAUSE THEY WERE FLOODED TO PROTECT THE RICH.
WHAT WE HAVE AS A PROBLEM, UM, WITH FLOODING AND DEVELOPMENT AND STOPPING DEVELOPMENT, WILL, IS, IS THE ANSWER TO THAT RATHER
[01:30:01]
THAN LOOKING AT FLOODING, UH, SAVE MYSTERY CREEK AND PRE PALESTINE.UM, ON ITEM ONE 15, UM, WE HAVE A VIDEO, UH, NO VIDEO.
IT'S AVAILABLE, AVAILABLE FOR ME TODAY, BUT I'LL BRING IT IN THE AFTERNOON.
UH, ANOTHER, UH, UH, NON-CONSENT AGENDAS.
UM, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT, UH, LAND DEVELOPMENT AND MAKING, UH, HOUSING AVAILABLE FOR MIDDLE INCOME AND AFFORDABLE, THOSE ARE THE WRONG PEOPLE.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE PEOPLE ON THE STREET.
I SEE ARMY, AIR FORCE, MARINES, THE AIR AEROSPACE, EVERYTHING ON THE WALL.
AND WE'D SAY THAT WE SUPPORT VETERANS FOR MEMORIAL DAY, BUT MEMORIAL, IN MEMORIAL, Y'ALL HAVE DESTROYED PEOPLE'S LIVES AND MURDERED PEOPLE ON THE STREETS THAT ARE VETERANS USING YOUR POLICE AND THE ILLICIT SWEEPS OF PEOPLE'S EMERGENCY ITEMS, INCLUDING BEFORE THIS LAST STORM.
MY FRIENDS HAVE PERSONALLY DIED.
I JUST MET, TALKED TO ONE OF MY FRIENDS THAT LIVES DOWNTOWN.
HE IS BEEN ON DOWNTOWN FOR YEARS, AND HE HAS NO LEGS.
I I, I WOULD ASK CITY COUNCIL, HIS, HIS LEGS JUST GOT REMOVED, UM, FROM THE LAST FREEZE.
THEY CUT HIS LEGS OFF AT, UH, I FORGET WHICH HOSPITAL IT WAS.
HE SAID IT WAS A NICE HOSPITAL AND THERE WAS MAGGOTS IN HIS LEGS THAT THEY SAID THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED HIS LIFE.
'CAUSE THOSE MAGGOTS WERE ACTUALLY PERFORMING MEDICINE ON DEAD, DEAD TISSUES.
THIS IS WHAT YOU GUYS ARE, HOW YOU'RE SUPPORTING THE VETERANS.
YOU HAVE FLAGS, BUT NO ACTUAL CARING.
AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS.
THE ELICIT SWEEPS OF PEOPLE'S STUFF.
IT'S A VIOLATION OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT, 14TH AMENDMENT, THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT, AND IT'S IN SEVERAL CURRENT AND, AND PAST CASE LAWS, FEDERAL CASE LAWS YOU GUYS NEED TO GET WITH THE PROGRAM.
THE OTHER THING IS, WHEN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RAPID REHOUSING AND, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IT'S A LIE.
THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT'S A SHELTER.
WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING IS LIKE, YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE ANY LIVED EXPERIENCE.
YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOLD OUT TO YOU.
YOU'VE GOT AGENTS WORKING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES, MESSING UP MY GROUPS AND OTHER GROUPS.
WHAT HAPPENS IS PEOPLE ARE KNOCKED OUT.
THERE WAS A GUY THAT MAN THAT WAS KNOCKED OUT BY THE SECURITY STAFF AT SOUTHBRIDGE, THEY KNOCKED HIM OUT BECAUSE THEY, HE HAD SCHIZOPHRENIA AND THEY TRIGGERED HIM OUT OVER HIS MASK IN THE LOBBY.
THEY DRAGGED HIM, THE SECURITY, DRAGGED HIM OUT BY THE THEIR FEET, BY HIS FEET.
AND A PD ARRESTED HIM WITH NO MEDICAL.
TELL ME THIS IS HELPING PEOPLE.
YOU GUYS, AUSTIN'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE A BIG HEART, BUT I'M NOT SEEING IT.
UM, THE TONS OF THINGS YOU GUYS IGNORE ARE FELONIES.
AND YOU GUYS BASICALLY HAVE BECOME THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU REFUSE TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE LIKE ME.
INSTEAD, YOU PUT PEOPLE LIKE ME IN JAIL REPEATEDLY FOR SPEAKING THE TRUTH.
IF THE TRUTH IS SO CONTROVERSIAL UP HERE, AND IF WE ONLY GET TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK, HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY TAKING THAT PAYCHECK IN GOOD FAITH AND CALL YOURSELF A GOOD PERSON? HOW CAN YOU SMILE WITHOUT BEING A SOCIOPATH OR A PSYCHOPATH? I WORRY ABOUT YOU GUYS.
I REALLY DO WORRY ABOUT CHEETO.
NO, I REALLY WORRY ABOUT YOU GUYS.
IT'S OBVIOUS, AT LEAST NATASHA HARPER MADISON WAS HONEST ENOUGH TO TELL US THAT THE DEVELOPERS BASICALLY PAID Y'ALL, AND THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING WHAT THE DEVELOPERS WANT.
SO I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA VOTE ON HOWEVER YOU WANT.
YOU'RE NOT REALLY LISTENING TO US LIKE NATASHA SAID, AND I'M COOL WITH THAT TOO.
UM, MACKENZIE KELLY, THE BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS TOO.
YOU PUSH THIS AGENDA IN PROP, PROP B, YOU OR PROP A, WHATEVER THE HECK IT IS.
Y'ALL HAVE SO MANY PROPOSITIONS AGAINST THE POOR AND IN THE NAME OF HOUSING PEOPLE, WHICH SAVE, SAVE AUSTIN NOW SAID THEY'RE DOING, THEY'RE ACTUALLY CALLING, THEY'RE SUING THE CITY FOR NOT KILLING ENOUGH OF US ON THE STREET.
THERE'S ANOTHER APARTMENT COMPLEX UP ON NORTH LAMAR, SO THERE'S AN ABANDONED PROPERTY CALLED, THEY CALL A BANDO.
AND SO IT'S BEEN ABANDONED FOR YEARS.
UM, THE CITY, I TALKED TO CITY PEOPLE, THEY SAY, GOOD, I HOPE THEY ALL GOT JAIL.
YOUR, YOUR CITY EMPLOYEES ARE OUT THERE.
A VETERANS SAYING, I HOPE THE VETERANS GO TO JAIL TOO.
UM, UM, STUFF THAT THEY'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR.
THEY'RE BEING BLAMED FOR EVERY BAD THING THAT HAPPENS.
AND IF, IF SOMETHING, IF SOMEONE GOES AND DOES SOMETHING, SHOULD WE BLAME Y'ALL? LIKE, THAT'S NOT FAIR.
IF THERE'S AN INDIVIDUAL BREAKING A LAW, THAT'S ONE THING, BUT DON'T CRIMINALIZE AND DEMONIZE ALL OF US AS A BOOGEYMAN.
'CAUSE THE POOR ARE NOT KEEPING POOR PEOPLE, RICH WHITE PEOPLE DOWN IN THE CITY, THE RICH, AND YOU ARE KEEPING WHITE PEOPLE DOWN IN THE CITY.
IT, THE, THE, IT'S NOT THE POOR.
SO YOU'VE KIND OF, IT'S THAT CODE SWITCHING AND THAT THAT BLAMING THE VICTIM TYPE THING THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING.
AND THAT HATE SPEECH HAS LED TO HATE CRIMES.
WHEN Y'ALL, WHEN Y'ALL SIT THERE AND LET PEOPLE, LIKE AT THAT LAST MEETING AT THE, AT THE WOOD, WOOD LAWN BAPTIST CHURCH WHERE PEOPLE WERE SAYING, LET PEOPLE DIE OF OVERDOSE, DON'T GIVE 'EM NARCAN.
THEY, THEY WERE JUST CALLING FOR DEATH.
IT WAS A BUNCH OF WHITE MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE.
YOU WANT TO HELP WITH DIFFERENT INITIATIVES WHILE THE LOWER CLASS, YOU'RE UNDERESTIMATING THE UNDERDOG AND IT'S JUST RABID.
THE, THE RABID HATE THAT Y'ALL HAVE, MA THAT Y'ALL HAVE ALLOWED.
AND THE MEDIA HAS ALLOWED, FRANKLY, KXAN AND OTHERS, FOX NEWS AND OTHERS THAT THEY'VE, AND EVEN THE CHRONICLES AND HIT PIECES AGAINST THE HOMELESS AND PUT OUT HATE SPEECH.
NO WONDER THEY'RE BURNING OUR TENTS DOWN.
NO WONDER THEY'RE DOING DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS.
[01:35:01]
NO WONDER YOUR RESIDENTS ARE FOLLOWING IN LINE WITH WHAT Y'ALL SAY.SO Y'ALL ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LEADING US AND NOT BEING SILENT.
YOU'VE BEEN SILENT TOO LONG ON THIS.
I I SUGGEST THAT Y'ALL AVOID ANYMORE HARM TO VETERANS, WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY, TRANS GAY COMMUNITY.
I SUGGEST, AND, AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE MEDICAL NEEDS.
UH, A UH, AN ADDICTION IS A MEDICAL NEED.
UM, A MENTAL HEALTH IS A MENTAL, MENTAL HEALTH NEED.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEMONIZE THIS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE HAVE VOICES IN OUR HEADS OR WHATEVER.
THERE'S A, THERE'S SOME PEOPLE, BUT NOT EVERYBODY.
AND THOUGH SOME PEOPLE, LIKE FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S A ELDER BLACK WOMAN THAT SITS THERE VERY QUIETLY.
SHE DOESN'T DO DRUGS, SHE DOESN'T DO ALCOHOL, SHE DOESN'T NOTHING BUT SIT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE ARCH AND THERE'S NO PLACE FOR HER.
SHE'S BEEN SITTING THERE FOR YEARS IN THE, IN THE SNOW, IN THE HEAT ALL THE TIME.
SHE'S, WHATEVER HER MENTAL ISSUES ARE OR HER BOUNDARIES, SHE DOESN'T, SHE, SHE WON'T EVEN TAKE A BOTTLE OF WATER FROM ME.
I JUST TALK AND SAY HI AND AS I PASS HER BY, BUT THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HER.
AND THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE HER THAT THE CITY IS DEMONIZED AND SAID SHE'S ON DRUGS, SHE'S DOING CRIMES.
YOU KNOW WHAT, I WANNA KNOW WHEN THE LAST TIME ALL Y'ALL HAD A DRUG TEST AND A MEDICAL CHECK, BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE MENTAL.
ANYWAYS, I'LL SEE YOU THIS AFTERNOON.
Y'ALL KNOW HOW TO GET AHOLD OF ME.
UH, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS DAVID CHENIN AND I SERVE AS THE POLICY DIRECTOR FOR WORKERS DEFENSE.
WE ARE A MEMBER LED ORGANIZATION THAT ORGANIZES ALONG ALONGSIDE IMMIGRANT WORKERS TO BUILD POWER, DEMAND, RESPECT, AND JUSTICE AND DIGNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
UH, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS ON, UH, IN SUPPORT OF ITEM ONE 14.
UM, AND I WANT TO, UH, THANK THE, THE CO-SPONSORS FOR WORKING WITH US TO BRING THIS ITEM FORWARD.
UH, IN PARTICULAR COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES OFFICE, UH, AND STAFF, UH, WHO WE WORK WITH, UH, TO, UH, BUILD THIS RESOLUTION.
AND, UM, THIS RESOLUTION IS SIMPLY MEANT TO REAFFIRM A AND STRENGTHEN A COMMITMENT THAT, UH, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAVE ALREADY MADE, UM, INCLUDING THROUGH A COUNCIL RESOLUTION, UH, THAT IS REFERENCED IN THIS TEXT, UH, FROM 2019.
AND THAT COMMITMENT IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE REAL WORKER PROTECTIONS, UH, IN THE FORM OF THE BETTER BUILDER PROGRAM ON ANY AND ALL THIRD PARTY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS THAT THE CITY ENTERS INTO.
SO THE PROGRAM INCLUDES A SET OF COMMON SENSE AND LIFESAVING WORKER PROTECTIONS, UH, THAT HAVE BEEN EMBRACED BY OUR COMMUNITY AS THE BASELANDS BASELINE STANDARDS NEEDED FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN OUR AREA.
IT'S BEEN INCLUDED IN THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF PROJECT CONNECT, UH, IN MAJOR INVESTMENTS AT A CC, AT A ISD IN TRAVIS COUNTY AND AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
IT'S BEEN INCLUDED IN PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS AND EXPEDITED REVIEW PROJECTS, UH, AND EVEN THE Q2 STADIUM WHERE AUSTIN FC PLAYS WAS BUILT UNDER THE BETTER BUILDER PROGRAM.
UM, SO WE WERE HERE AT THE LAST MEETING, UH, UH, AT A PREVIOUS MEETING, UM, DISCUSSING THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY, AND WE WERE REALLY GRATEFUL THAT Y'ALL WERE BRINGING THAT FORWARD.
UH, WE HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH SEVERAL OF YOU, INCLUDING, UH, FOLKS FROM, UH, MAYOR WATSON'S OFFICE AND WITH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELAZQUEZ.
AND WE HAD SOME REALLY GREAT CONVERSATIONS, VERY ENCOURAGING YOU, COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH US, UH, ON ENSURING THAT WHEN FOLKS PARTICIPATE IN COMPLETE TRAINING FROM THAT INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY, THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOOD JOBS TO MOVE, MOVE INTO.
UM, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE, UH, TO HELP CREATE GOOD JOBS AND TO SUPPORT THOSE WORKERS THAT ARE BUILDING OUR HOMES, OUR OFFICES, OUR CITY, OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN A VERY REAL WAY.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR, UH, BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD.
I HOPE, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU ALL SUPPORT IT.
UM, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU, ESPECIALLY ON ENSURING THAT, UH, THIS POLICY IS IMPLEMENTED IN A TIMELY AND AN APPROPRIATE WAY.
AND THAT IN THAT IT INCLUDES THAT KEY COMPONENT OF BETTER BUILDER, WHICH IS THE INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY MONITORING, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMITMENTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY MADE, UH, ARE, ARE TRULY MET AND THAT WORKERS HAVE THE PROTECTIONS THAT THEY DESERVE.
[01:40:05]
DE S GOOD MORNING.MY NAME IS RNA RODRIGUEZ AND I'M AN ACTIVIST IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I WANT TO ASK YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR FOR ITEM 113 FOR A PLAN ON FINANCIAL PROGRAM TO ASSIST WITH FLOOR INSURANCE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY IN CASE OF A FLOOD.
ALSO, I NEED TO ASK THAT YOU HELP US WITH RESOURCES FROM THE CITY SO WE CAN RECOVER WHEN WE ARE AFFECTED BY A NATURAL DISASTER.
AND ALSO BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY FLOODS, ESPECIALLY IN ONION CREEK, SENIOR CITIZENS AFFECTED BY THIS.
AND I HAVE SEEN THIS IN REAL, IN IN PERSON
I WANNA TELL YOU PART OF MY STORY.
I USED TO LIVE IN THOSE SPRINGS AND NOW I'M DISPLACED.
I LIVE IN, BUT RIGHT NOW, I, THE MOTHER OF FIVE CHILDREN, IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME.
I HAVE TO LEAVE AUSTIN AND I HAVE, UH, ONE OF MY CHILDREN HAS SPECIAL NEEDS.
AND BECAUSE I LIVE IN, BUT I CANNOT HAVE MEDICAID, I DON'T HAVE ASSISTANCE.
EVERYTHING THAT SHE NEEDS, IT DEPENDS FROM ME.
SO I CANNOT HAVE ANYTHING, THE SERVICES THAT SHE REQUIRES OF MEDICAID, BECAUSE I DON'T LIVE IN TRAVIS COUNTY, AND EVERY TIME I NEED SERVICES, THEY ASK ME FOR A WARRANTY FROM MY HOUSE.
AND I DON'T HAVE A WAY TO SHOW THAT BECAUSE I LIVE IN BUTRA.
IN BUTRA, THE ACCESSING SERVICES IS VERY DIFFICULT AND I NEED TO ALWAYS ASK, UH, ACCESS SERVICES IN AUSTIN, I HAVE SEEN ALSO PEOPLE THAT GET DISPLACED TO BASTROP AND OTHERS, OTHER PLACES THAT ARE VERY FAR AWAY.
THAT'S A VERY PAINFUL SITUATION, NOT JUST FOR ME, FOR, FOR MANY FAMILIES.
[01:45:02]
AND THE SYSTEM IS, HASN'T WORKED FOR ME, AND I REALLY NEED THAT.THIS IS FIXED BECAUSE I HAVE MY DAUGHTER AND SHE'S ALWAYS A, SHE ONLY WEIGHS 125 POUNDS.
SHE HAS CEREBRAL PALSY AND SHE HAS LIKE A, A KIDNEY PROBLEM.
SO I NEED LIKE THE RESOURCES FOR HER AND I NEED TO BE COME BACK TO AUSTIN.
I THINK IN MY MIND, EVERYTHING IN MY MIND IS REALLY HARD FOR ME.
WHAT THING I COME, I KNOW BECAUSE I ACTED FROM AUSTIN AND I COME, I KNOW AT MANY RESOURCE, BUT WHEN I ASKED FOR INTEGRAL CARE AND I NEED ASSISTANCE FOR MY DAUGHTER, SHE ASKED ME FOR WARRANTY AND EVERYTHING.
EVERY TIME I NEEDED SOMETHING, I NEEDED ROOM TO AUSTIN.
AND WHY THE OTHER FAMILY, THE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY HAVE THE SPECIAL, SPECIAL NEED.
THE, THE PEOPLE, OLD PEOPLE AND THE OTHER FAMILY NOT HAVE ANYTHING.
SO I, IT IS BROUGHT MY HEART AND I SAY THANK YOU.
ITEM ONE 15, JULIE WOODS, CELINE RENDON, CARLOS PINON, BETHANY, CARSON, FRAN TATTOO.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE LET US KNOW YOU'RE HERE AND MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.
LUIS OTE LUGO LUGO FELIC LIK TU AND EDGAR HANDEL.
LUIS OLUGO DISTRICT ATE, UM, HERE IN SUPPORT OF ONE 15.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO GIVE CAPITAL ACCESS, BUT I THINK IT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN WE DON'T JUST TRY TO LIKE, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, PAY LIP SERVICE TO PROVIDING CAPITAL ACCESS, BUT STILL MAKE THE, THE PROCESS OF SUBDIVIDING A HOME AND TRYING TO BUILD THE SUB TOP AND THE TOP OF IT A TWO YEAR PROCESS THAT IS LIKE A PHE AND TASK THAT ABSOLUTELY NO ONE WILL WANT TO GO THROUGH.
AND WE'LL STILL INSTEAD JUST CONTINUE SELLING TO A DEVELOPER AND NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN LIVES.
SO LET'S JUST NOT, NOT JUST GIVE THEM MONEY, BUT MAKE IT MAKE IT SO EASY THAT THEY CAN TAKE CONTROL OF THAT PROCESS BY THEMSELVES.
UM, DO WE ALSO SPEAK INTO THE O OTHER, OTHER ITEMS MAY OR JUST ONE 15 IF IT DEPENDS WHAT ONE 15 AND ONE 16.
UH, OTHER THING IS, UH, I THINK WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT DISPLACEMENT AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT EQUITY, BUT FUNDAMENTALLY THE ONLY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY WE POUR INTO DISPLACEMENT, IF WE CONTINUE ONLY POURING LITERALLY ALL THE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION PRESSURE ONTO THE EAST SIDE, WE'RE STILL GONNA COME UP WITH THE SAME OUTCOMES WE'VE HAD FOR THE LAST 40, 60 YEARS OF POLICY.
UH, THINGS LIKE THE WASTEWATER PIPING AND THE WAY THAT IT'S BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, PUMPED THROUGH THE GREEN BELT WAS A BE BASICALLY CUT BACK IN THE, THE, YOU KNOW, THE LAST, UH, CENTURY TO SET THAT DECIDED THAT IT WAS WORTH, IT WAS A WORTHY SACRIFICE TO PUMP POOP WATER INTO THE GREEN BELT AND ALL CAUSE ALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION THAT IT HAS IF WE GOT TO BLOCK HOUSING IN THE RICH NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND I THINK THERE'S LIKE A BETTER PATH FORWARD.
WE CAN NOT PUMP POOP WATER INTO THE GREEN BELT AND BUILD HOUSING IN THE RICH NEIGHBORHOODS.
I THINK IT'S A WIN-WIN THERE FOR US.
AND I REALLY HOPE YOU GUYS PASS THIS AND, AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER IMPLEMENTS IT IN THE KIND OF, UH, AGGRESSIVE FASHION THAT WE NEED TO, SO WE CAN BUILD HOUSING IN A LOT OF THE HIGH AMENITY NEIGHBORHOODS, IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN SOUTHWEST AUSTIN.
HI, I AM EDGAR HANDEL, UH, LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE, UM, VICE PRESIDENT OF AURA.
UM, I'M IN FAVOR OF ITEM ONE 15.
UH, I WAS VERY MUCH, UH, VERY MUCH RESONATED WITH ME WHEN I SAW THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND THE AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE AND LABOR UNIONS, UH, COME OUT WITH A YES AND RESPONSE TO THE HOME INITIATIVE, WHICH SAYS, WHICH SAID THAT, UM, YES, WE NEED MORE HOUSING AND WE NEED MORE ABILITY TO BUILD SMALLER HOMES, BUT WE ALSO, IT'S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE, UM, THINGS LIKE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE EDUCATION.
AND, UH, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, UM, THERE'S PROPOSED CASE MANAGEMENT HERE FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED, UH, HELP USING THESE PROGRAMS SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST ACCESSIBLE TO THE WEALTHY.
UM, THE SUBDIVISION PROCESS, AS I HEAR, IS DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE, AND THAT'S NOT REALLY THE WAY IT NEEDS TO BE IF WE WANT HOME TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO LOW INCOME AND MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE.
UH, I, I GREW UP IN A WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOOD TO, UM, HISPANIC, PALESTINIAN IMMIGRANTS AND, UH, THERE ARE PEOPLE THERE THAT I KNOW FROM MY HOME COMMUNITY THAT ARE, UH, LOW INCOME, BUT THEY HAVE LAND AND THEY HAVE EQUITY AND THEY CAN'T
[01:50:01]
REALLY USE IT THAT WELL.AND I WISH THEY DON'T LIVE IN AUSTIN.
'CAUSE I'M NOT FROM AUSTIN, THOUGH I'VE LIVED HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME AT THIS POINT.
BUT I WISH THAT THEY WERE DOING THESE THINGS IN MY HOMETOWN BECAUSE I THINK IT COULD REALLY HELP PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR HOMES OR PEOPLE WHO ARE AGING IN, UM, 50, 60-YEAR-OLD HOMES THAT ARE FALLING APART AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO, UM, I THINK IT'S, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I HOPE THAT WE FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S A PROGRAM THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.
UH, ON ITEM ONE 16, I ALSO SEE THIS KIND OF AS PART OF THE SAME COIN, WHERE IF WE DO WANT TO MAKE THINGS MORE EQUITABLE AND FAIR ACROSS THE CITY, THEN DEVELOPMENT CAN'T JUST HAPPEN IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS.
I THINK THAT MOVING AND IMPROVING OUR WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND KEEPING IT OUT OF THE, THE CREEKS AND THE GREEN BELTS IS, UM, DEFINITELY A WIN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT IT'S ALSO A WIN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR EQUITY IF WE CAN BUILD MORE HOUSING IN PLACES THAT HAVE TRADITIONALLY EXCLUDED PEOPLE.
AND IN THE END, I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE EASTERN CRESCENT AND IN GENTRIFYING NEIGHBORHOODS FROM DEVELOPMENT AND, UM, PEOPLE SEEKING TO MOVE TO AUSTIN, WHICH IS HAPPENING AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.
SO, UM, YOU SAID ONLY ONE 15 AND ONE 16, RIGHT? CORRECT.
UM, WELL, UH, THAT'S ALL I HAD TO SAY ON THOSE TWO ITEMS. UH, THANK YOU AND LET'S, YOU KNOW, PURSUE THESE HOLISTIC HOUSING SOLUTIONS.
ONE 15, CRAIG NASER, AMBER, SEAN ATKINS, STEVEN SHAY, REBECCA LEONARD, ABBY GILFELLEN.
IF I'VE SAID YOUR NAME, PLEASE MOVE DOWN TOWARDS THE FRONT AND THEN JUST STATE YOUR NAME IN AT THE PODIUM, PLEASE COME TAKE THE MICROPHONE AND GIVE US YOUR NAME.
UH, IS IT ONE 15 AND 1 71? IT'S 1 15, 1 70.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, MR. NAZER.
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS.
AND OUR ORGANIZATION WAS VERY SUSPICIOUS THAT HOME TWO WOULD, UH, REALLY WORK EQUITABLY AND AFFORDABLY.
AND WE'RE STILL SUSPICIOUS BECAUSE, UH, BECAUSE THAT'S SORT OF THE NATURE OF HU OF, OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION ON THIS EARTH.
UH, WHEN YOU LOOK THROUGH HISTORY MANY TIMES THERE'S BEEN A, A, A, A GROUP ON TOP EXPLOITING THE PEOPLE UNDERNEATH.
SO THE GROUP ON TOP HAD A LOT MORE RESOURCES, A LOT MORE FREE TIME, A LOT MORE WEALTH.
AND, YOU KNOW, I'M A MUSICIAN AND WHEN YOU STUDY MUSIC, IT'S REALLY PRETTY INTERESTING.
SOME OF THE GREATEST MUSICIANS IN THE WORLD, WHEN MUSICIANS HAD TIME TO, TO COMPOSE AND WORK ALL THIS STUFF OUT.
IT WAS IN THE LATE 18 HUNDREDS WHEN EUROPEAN CULTURE WAS ESSENTIALLY IN CONTROL OF THE WORLD AND DRAWING THE RESOURCES ALL OVER THE WORLD BACK INTO TO, TO EUROPE.
NOW THAT'S VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE I THINK AMERICA IS KIND OF COMING THROUGH THAT TIME AGAIN WHERE WE'RE GETTING A BIGGER SEPARATION BETWEEN THE WEALTHY AND THE POOR AND WHAT I THINK THAT IT IS CAUSING ANOTHER TIME LIKE THAT.
IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN THAT TOP PLACE, YOU MAY HAVE THE TIME TO STUDY MUSIC.
YOU MAY HAVE THE TIME TO BE A PROFESSIONAL DANCER, YOU MAY HAVE THE TIME TO MAKE AUSTIN WEIRD.
AND I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH EQUITY.
IT'S HAS TO DO NOT JUST IT, IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PEOPLE WITH A DIFFERENT IDEA OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE ON EARTH.
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY, IT'S ABOUT HAVING A FAMILY.
IT'S ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE LOVE TO GARDEN AND SOME PEOPLE THEY BECOME LANDSCAPERS.
WE HAVE HAD SOME GREAT LANDSCAPE PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN, BUT THEY DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.
IT'S A HOT JOB AND IT'S GETTING WORSE BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
PLEASE THINK ABOUT ALL THIS AND FIND A WAY YOU'VE PASSED HOME TOO.
FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT EQUITABLE.
FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT SO IT DOESN'T DRIVE MORE PEOPLE OUT OF AUSTIN.
UM, I I I'M GONNA HAVE THE CLERK.
HOW MANY NAMES HAVE YOU CALLED THAT, THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE HERE? I THINK THERE'S FOUR PEOPLE WAITING.
UM, CALL, CALL THOSE NAMES SO WE CAN GET A, A SHOW OF HANDS IF THE NAME'S BEEN CALLED AND IF THEY'RE WAITING TO SPEAK IF YOU'VE ALREADY, IF YOU'VE ALREADY CALLED THEIR NAME.
[01:55:04]
SEAN ATKINS.AND WHAT'S EARLIER YOUR NAME, SIR.
AND WHAT'S YOUR NAME? MY NAME IS STEVE SHAY.
AND AND YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED? YES.
SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO MEMBERS IS THE TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE DOWN FRONT WHOSE NAME HAS BEEN CALLED.
THOSE WILL BE THE, THE TWO SPEAKERS WE WILL HEAR FROM BEFORE WE PAUSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND WE GO TO OUR 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN PUBLIC COMMENT.
UH, AS A REMINDER, WE WILL GO TO THE 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, UH, WHEN THAT IS COMPLETED.
WE WILL RECESS, UH, UNTIL ONE O'CLOCK, AT WHICH POINT WE HAVE ANOTHER TIME CERTAIN.
AND THAT ONE O'CLOCK, UH, THAT ONE O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN IS ON ITEM 1 0 6.
WE WILL TAKE THAT UP, UH, AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
AND THEN, UH, WE WILL COME BACK TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO, AS PART OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
SO WITH THAT, I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING.
I JUST WANT TO DO A LITTLE TIME MANAGEMENT.
OUTSTANDING AND GOOD MORNING, UH, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
AS I SAID, MY NAME IS STEVEN SHAY AND I'M HERE WITH SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, AND I FLEW IN FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ITEM ONE 16.
UH, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO REDEVELOP BARTON CREEK MALL FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS WITH IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, UH, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT THE WASTEWATER PIPE WILL NOT SUPPORT ADDITIONAL CAPACITY.
AND FOR THIS REASON, THE REDEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN STALLED.
THE MALL CAMPUS IS 120 ACRES, WHICH INCLUDES PARCELS OWNED BY OTHERS.
AND AS YOU KNOW, THE SITE IS LOCATED FIVE MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN AUSTIN AND HAS ACTIVE BUS SERVICE.
CLEARLY, THE SITE'S POTENTIAL IS UNREALIZED AND STUCK IN AMBER.
DUE TO CONSTRAINTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, WE ENVISIONED A VIBRANT REDEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED HOUSING AND IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS THAT HAVE COME INTO EFFECT.
SINCE THE MALL WAS BUILT IN 1981, I'VE HEARD NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CONSIDERED PORTIONS OF THE EXISTING PARKING LOT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
HOWEVER, ANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT FACES THE SAME ROADBLOCKS AS OURS, SPECIFICALLY A LACK OF WASTEWATER CAPACITY.
IMPORTANTLY, ANY FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT WOULD COMPLY WITH CITY CODE FOR WATER QUALITY PROVISIONS.
WE'RE EXCITED THAT THIS RESOLUTION NOT ONLY SEEKING TO MOVE THE WASTEWATER PIPE OUT OF THE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE CREEK, BUT ALSO BUILDING A NEW PIPE THAT WOULD PROVIDE CAPACITY TO ALLOW OUR PROJECT AND OTHERS TO REDEVELOP IN A MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS WAY, PLEASE APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION AND IN NOVEMBER RETURN WITH A PLAN THAT HELPS ENCOURAGE LANDOWNERS LIKE SIMON TO REDEVELOP UNDER CURRENT CODE AND FURTHER THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S GOAL OF MORE HOUSING CLOSER TO THE CITY CENTER.
UH, REBE, REBECCA LEONARD WITH LIONHEART.
UH, WE ARE LAND PLANNERS, URBAN DESIGNERS, AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.
I'M ALSO A RESIDENT AND A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, UH, IN AUSTIN.
UH, RECENTLY, UH, WORKED WITH MANY OF YOU ON THE, UH, THE REDEVELOPMENT FOR OF BRODY OAKS AND THE PUD THAT WENT ALONG WITH THAT.
AND SO, UH, CAME HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM NUMBER ONE 16, UH, THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION THAT WILL REMOVE WASTEWATER FROM BARTON CREEK.
TWO MAIN REASONS I SUGGEST THAT Y'ALL SUPPORT THIS IS, UH, BY REDUCING THE RISK OF, UH, CONTAMINATION AND LEAKS IN THE CREEK.
OF COURSE, UH, WE IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE, OF THE WATER IN BARTON CREEK, WHICH WAS A VERY IMPORTANT, UH, ELEMENT OF THE BRODY OAKS REDEVELOPMENT.
UH, IT ALSO INCLUDES, IT ALSO IMPROVES THE HEALTH OF HUMANS AND WILDLIFE FOR THAT AREA.
BUT IN ADDITION, I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, UH, IN THIS PART OF THE CITY, MOST OF WHICH WAS DONE 40, 50 YEARS AGO, IS NOT REALLY IN ALIGNMENT WITH TODAY'S REGULATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL ETHOS.
AND WE DISCOVERED THIS, UH, DURING THE BRADY OAKS, UH, PROJECT.
WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY IT IS TO TAKE SOME OF THESE SITES THAT WERE DEVELOPED UNDER PREVIOUS CODES AND UPDATE THEM TO CURRENT CODES.
UM, THE TO DO REDEVELOPMENT IS NOT A CHEAP AND EASY THING TO DO, THOUGH, UH, IT REQUIRES DENSITY AND IT REQUIRES, UH, CAPACITY, UH, WITHIN, UH, THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT.
SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT, UH, THE GREEN DOTS THAT ARE IN IMAGINE AUSTIN, UH, CAN BE IMPLEMENTED BY INCREASING THE CAPACITY, UH, IN THIS WATER LINE AS WELL.
UH, MEMBERS, WE'RE GOING TO PAUSE
[02:00:01]
THE, UH, CALLING OF NAMES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, UH, UNTIL, UH, AFTER WE FINISH THE TIME CERTAIN AND THE BRIEF RECESS, AND THEN THE ONE O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, UH, BEFORE WE GO FORWARD, I, I WOULD JUST WANNA REITERATE THE, THE RULES OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT I READ EARLIER TODAY.SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE NOT BEEN HERE, BUT THEY, I'LL, IF I NEED TO, I'LL REMIND FOLKS OF THOSE AS WE GO FORWARD.
YOUR NAMES ARE YOU, YOU KNOW THE ORDER IN WHICH YOUR NAMES WILL BE CALLED.
I SEE SOME PEOPLE, IT, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO, UH, COME FORWARD ALREADY AND SPEAK.
IF YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, IF YOU WOULD, UH, BE PREPARED TO MAKE YOUR WAY FORWARD, UH, WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED OR EVEN BEFORE YOUR NAME IS CALLED, WE WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
MADAM CLERK, IF YOU'LL START ON OUR 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
GREG STOKER, FOLLOWED BY HANNAH YOSHIMOTO AND THEN HANNAH BARCO.
MAKE YOUR WAY FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
HELLO, MY NAME IS GREG STOKER AND I'M A FORMER UNITED STATES ARMY RANGER.
I HAVE A BACKGROUND IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE, AND I CONDUCTED FOUR COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS TO AFGHANISTAN DURING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR.
I NOW DO GEOPOLITICAL ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY, AND I'VE RISEN TO A MODEST PROMINENCE IN THAT ARENA BY THE SIMPLE VIRTUE OF BEING ACCURATE.
I ALSO DO A BIT OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISM, BUT DON'T WORRY, I WON'T BORE YOU WITH THAT.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN WASTING MY TIME OR YOUR TIME BY TRYING TO GET YOU TO CARE ABOUT THE 15,000 CHILDREN THAT ISRAEL HAS QUITE OBVIOUSLY AND INTENTIONALLY TARGETED WITH KINETIC STRIKES.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY MORE CHILDREN SLAUGHTERED WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS AND THAT BASED OFF CRUDE DEATH RATES FROM COMPARABLE CONFLICTS.
SIR, IF I CAN JUST PAUSE HIS TIME FOLKS, WE NEED EVERYBODY TO HAVE ORDER IN THE CHAMBERS.
SO I'M GOING, THIS IS ONLY OUR FIRST SPEAKER AND WE'RE ALREADY DOING THIS.
HANG ON ONE SECOND FOLKS, IF YOU'RE TALKING AND YOU'RE NOT STANDING AT THE PODIUM, IT'S NOT WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE DOING.
WHY ARE YOU DOING MONEY FOLKS? WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO SAVE SEATS? THEY, THEY ALLOWED EVERY WEEK IT FEELS LIKE WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A NEW RULE.
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE IN THE MIDDLE THAT ARE CONTINUING TO TALK, EVEN AS I ASK YOU TO QUIT TALKING, I'M ASKING YOU TO QUIT TALKING.
SOMEONE IS SPEAKING WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH HIM OR NOT, HE HAS THE FLOOR AND I'M GONNA ASK THAT WE MAINTAIN ORDER SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A PUBLIC COMMUNICATION PROCESS THAT IS MEANINGFUL.
SIR, I APOLOGIZE THAT I HAD TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT WE NEED TO GET CONTROL OF THIS, UH, YOUR TIME.
YOU, YOU, IT DIDN'T COST YOU ANY TIME, SO PLEASE CONTINUE.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY MORE CHILDREN SLAUGHTER WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS THAN THAT BASED OFF CRUDE DEATH RATES FROM COMPARABLE CONFLICTS.
BUT IF THAT DOESN'T BOTHER YOU YET, PROBABLY NEVER WILL.
SO I'M JUST HERE TO STATE THAT YOU'RE BACKING A LOSING HORSE THAT IS NOW THE GREATEST STRATEGIC LIABILITY TO THE UNITED STATES GLOBAL INTERESTS.
THE IDF HAS BEEN OPERATIONALLY DEFEATED IN BOTH GAZA AND THE NORTHERN FRONT IN SOUTHERN LEBANON.
I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET INTO THAT OBVIOUS MILITARY REALITY.
THAT FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE MOSSAD, RAHM BEN BARAK, SAID ON MAY 18TH AND I QUOTE THE WARREN GAZA IS AIMLESS.
WE'RE FORCED TO RETURN TO FIGHTING IN THE SAME AREAS, LOSING MORE SOLDIERS, LOSING ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE, DAMAGING RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES AND CAUSING THE ECONOMY TO COLLAPSE.
WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN UNQUOTE, THEY'VE SUCCEEDED IN NOTHING BEYOND SHOWING THE WORLD THEIR CRUELTY AND THEREBY MAKING THE PALESTINIAN LIBERATION CAUSE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE, ISRAEL WILL CONTINUE TO BE ISOLATED AND WILL BECOME A PARIAH STATE.
THE QUESTION IS, WHEN WILL YOU DO WHAT YOU CAN TO PRESSURE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO STOP THIS MADNESS FOR OUR OWN SELFISH INTERESTS? BECAUSE OF THIS CATASTROPHE AND ABSOLUTE FAILURE AND LEADERSHIP FROM POLITICIANS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, THE WORLD IS TURNING AGAINST US.
MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN, CROWN PRINCE OF SAUDI ARABIA.
OUR TRADITIONAL ALLY IN THE REGION IS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS TRAVELING TO IRAN TO BEGIN REPAIRING RELATIONS WITH THAT REGIME.
NON-WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE NOW LOOKING TO CHINA WITH ITS MASSIVE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE IN RUSSIA RECENTLY VINDICATED BY ITS INEVITABLE VICTORY IN UKRAINE FOR ALLIANCES AND LEADERSHIP.
WHILE OUR HYPOCRISY ABOUT WESTERN VALUES, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE RULE OF LAWS PLAIN FOR ALL TO SEE, THERE WILL BE IRREPARABLE CONSEQUENCES FOR AMERICAN INTERESTS BECAUSE OF THIS.
THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, WHICH WAS BOTH FOUNDED AND FUNDED BY THE US
[02:05:01]
AND BRITAIN AND IS MEANT TO PROJECT WESTERN HEMEN HEGEMONY ACROSS THE GLOBE, HAS NOW TURNED ON AN ALLY.IT WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS OWN JUDICIAL LEGITIMACY.
AND WE ARE NOW TRYING TO DISCREDIT THE ICC WHEN THE ICC WAS VITAL FOR DECLARING PUTIN A WAR CRIMINAL AND THEREBY GIVING CAUTIOUS BELLY FOR US EXPANDING THE WAR IN UKRAINE.
OUR GLOBAL INSTITUTIONS ARE CRUMBLING AND BECAUSE OF IT, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE OUT TO CHINA.
WE'RE GONNA LOSE OUT TO RUSSIA AND BRICKS AND FOR WHAT? IF YOU CARE ABOUT THAT, NOT THE CHILDREN, NOT THE CIVILIANS, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
ISRAEL HAS ALREADY BEEN STRATEGICALLY DEFEATED.
WHY ARE WE GOING DOWN WITH IT? I'LL BE BACK AFTER SUMMER RECESS TO SAY, I TOLD YOU SO.
STOP THE KILLING AND THE MADNESS CEASEFIRE NOW IT'S THE ONLY WAY FORWARD FOR US.
I AM A QUEER OKINAWA AND JEWISH AND MY PRONOUNS ARE THEY THEM.
MAYBE MORE IMPORTANTLY TO YOU, I'M A DISTRICT ONE RESIDENT OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND A SO-CALLED OUTSIDE AGITATOR TO MY FELLOW COMRADES, FIGHTING FOR A FREE PALESTINE OUM OR PEACE B UNTO YOU.
TO OUR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL WHO HAVE REFUSED TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, BEG AND PLEAD FOR A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION SHAME ON EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.
I AM HERE TODAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE AND SPECIFIC LEAGUE OF GAZA.
I'M HERE TO HONOR THE OVER 40,000 MARTYRS WHO HAVE BEEN UNJUSTLY MURDERED BY THE ISRAELI APARTHEID REGIME.
I AM HERE TO STAND FOR THE 138 PLUS UT STUDENTS AND AUSTIN RESIDENTS, INCLUDING MYSELF, WHO HAVE BEEN UNJUSTLY ARRESTED OVER THE LAST FIVE WEEKS.
IT IS NOT LOST ON ME THAT I WAS VIOLENTLY ARRESTED DURING PASSOVER, A JEWISH HOLIDAY THAT COMMEMORATES WHEN WE AS A PEOPLE WERE LIBERATED FROM SLAVERY.
AS A COLLEGE STUDENT FROM PITZER RECENTLY SAID, TO BE JEWISH IN A TIME OF GENOCIDE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE A DUTY AND A RESPONSIBILITY TO SPEAK UP.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CLAIMS THAT THESE PROTESTS HAVE BEEN FUELED BY ANTISEMITISM.
THIS IS SIMPLY A FALSE NARRATIVE PUSHED TO DISCREDIT THE MOVEMENT CENTERED AROUND PALESTINIAN LIBERATION.
THE ONLY THREAT TO MY SAFETY ON THE DAY OF MY ARREST WAS THE DISPROPORTIONATE POLICE PRESENCE ORDERED BY UT ADMINISTRATORS.
MANY JEWISH COMM COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN LOUDLY SUPPORTING LOCAL PALESTINIAN ORGANIZERS AND WE WILL NOT STOP.
MY JEWISH FAITH CALLS ON ME TO STAND, STAND AGAINST OPPRESSION WHEREVER IT MAY OCCUR, AND TO ORGANIZE FOR THE FREEDOM OF ALL PEOPLE.
IT IS BECAUSE OF MY JEWISH IDENTITY AND NOT IN SPITE OF IT THAT I HAVE BEEN COMPELLED TO JOIN THIS INTERFAITH MULTIRACIAL MOVEMENT FOR PALESTINIAN LIBERATION.
I SIMPLY REFUSE TO SIT BY AND BE SILENT AS A GENOCIDE IS BEING COMMITTED IN MY NAME AND WHILE MY ARREST AND MY TIME IN JAIL WERE TRAUMATIZING.
IT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE HEARTBREAKING REALITY THAT THE PEOPLE OF GAZA HAVE BEEN FACING.
SEVERAL DAYS AGO, 45 PALESTINIANS WERE KILLED WHEN ISRAEL BOMBED TENTS IN A SAFE ZONE IN RAFA.
WE NOW KNOW THAT SOME OF THOSE VERY BOMBS WERE MANUFACTURED RIGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
THESE ARE TWO QUOTES FROM SURVIVORS.
WE WERE SITTING DOWN IN PEACE.
WHEN WE SUDDENLY HEARD AN EXPLOSION, IT WAS SO SUDDEN THE BOMBS CAME DOWN WITHOUT A WARMING WARNING.
WE SAW TENTS ON FIRE AND HAD TO IMMEDIATELY RECOVER DISMEMBERED LIMBS AND DEAD CHILDREN.
SECOND QUOTE, THEY SAID, THESE WERE SAFE ZONES.
THE OCCUPATION IS DESPICABLE AND CRIMINAL.
JUST LIKE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU SITTING UP THERE AND PRETENDING TO LISTEN TO US.
I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE THE DAY THAT YOU DESERVE CEASEFIRE.
NOW, FREE PALESTINE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
YES, IF YOU CAN YOU PAUSE THE VIDEO PLEASE? THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
ON APRIL 5TH, TWO UT STUDENTS, ONE OF WHICH WAS DRESSED IN TRADITIONAL MUSLIM ATTIRE, WERE ATTACKED BY THREE ASSAILANTS WHO MOCKED AND TAUNTED THE VICTIMS YELLING ISLAMOPHOBIC HATE SPEECH BEFORE ATTACKING AND INJURING THEM.
I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ONE OF THE STUDENTS SINCE THAT DAY.
LAST MONTH I CALLED ON YOU ALL TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS HATE CRIME, TO SUPPORT THE VICTIMS AND SHOW US ALL THAT YOU ACTUALLY GIVE A CRAP ABOUT ARABS, MUSLIMS, BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, AND I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS MAYOR, THE A PD HATE CRIME REVIEW BOARD UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLASSIFY THIS AS A HATE CRIME ON MAY 9TH BEFORE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AND YOU'VE BEEN DEAD SILENT.
YOU HAVE FAILED THESE VICTIMS. YOU HAVE SHOWN THEM THAT THEY DO NOT MATTER AND PROVEN TO THEM THAT THEY ARE NOT SAFE IN THIS CITY BECAUSE THEY ARE MUSLIM, BROWN, OR BOTH.
IF YOU WERE TRYING TO HIDE YOUR RACISM FROM PUBLIC VIEW, YOU FAILED.
UT PRESIDENT J HARTZEL FAILED THESE VICTIMS BY STAYING SILENT TOO.
HE THEN FAILED THE REST OF HIS STUDENT BODY SHOWING THE WORLD JUST HOW MUCH MONEY HE SPEAKS FOR HIM.
HE WOULD RATHER HAVE U-T-P-D-A-P-D
[02:10:01]
AND DPS ATTACK HIS OWN INNOCENT STUDENTS THAN TO ALLOW THEM FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO PROTEST A GENOCIDE.APPARENTLY ENOUGH WEALTHY DONORS SUPPORT ISRAEL CAN'T LOSE THAT MONEY.
RIGHT? THIS IS WHY IT'S A LOCAL ISSUE.
ON APRIL 24TH AT UT WI EYEWITNESS MOUNTED DPS ON CLYDESDALE'S RAM AND CHASE DOWN STUDENTS, I SAW POLICE AND RIOT GEAR SHOVE THE CROWDS OF STUDENTS KNOCKING DOZENS OF PEOPLE DOWN LIKE DOMINOES, CAUSING BLEEDING AND INJURY, TACKLING PEOPLE AT RANDOM, DRAGGING THEM OUT TO ARREST THEM.
IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NO ONE FROM UT OR THIS CITY GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO PROTECT THESE STUDENTS FROM THE PHYSICAL VIOLENCE THEY WERE ENDURING AND WOULD CONTINUE TO ENDURE ON APRIL 29TH.
ONCE AGAIN, I WATCHED POLICE IN RIOT GEAR WITH ASSAULT RIFLES, CIRCLE UNARMED STUDENTS WHO WERE CALLING FOR PEACE USING THEIR VOICES THE WAY WE'RE SUPPOSED TO.
I SAW PEOPLE, I SAW POLICE ATTACK AND DRAG PEOPLE AWAY TO BE ARRESTED.
I WAS ARRESTED, MISTREATED AND NEGLECTED IN JAIL, BUT SO MANY PEOPLE WERE TREATED SO MUCH WORSE.
IT'S CLEAR SOMETHING WAS NEVER THERE OR HAS BROKEN WITHIN YOU ALL SINCE YOU BECAME POLITICIANS.
WHERE'S YOUR HUMANITY? HAVEN'T YOU SEEN ENOUGH DEAD PALESTINIAN CHILDREN, DECAPITATED BABIES LIKE YOU SAW IN MY VIDEO THAT ARE WELL DOCUMENTED, BURNED BODIES, SCRAPS OF HUMAN FLESH WHERE A PERSON ONCE STOOD BLOWN OFF LIMBS, PEOPLE TAKING THEIR LAST BREATH, AGONIZING SCREAMS OF LOSS.
HAVING YOU HAD ENOUGH? WE'VE HAD ENOUGH TO LAST MANY LIFETIMES.
WE'VE ALSO HAD ENOUGH OF SPEAKING TO YOUR FOREHEADS.
WE ARE FINISHED WAITING FOR YOU TO CATCH UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND OPPOSE AN ACTIVE GENOCIDE.
WE DECLARE PEOPLE'S RESOLUTION.
YOUR VOICES WILL BE, OUR VOICES WILL BE HEARD WITHOUT YOU.
ENJOY YOUR VACATIONS YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IN THE LAST OF US IN THIS ROOM.
UNTIL THEN, GO F**K YOURSELVES FREE.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
MY NAME IS BRYCE BENJAMIN AND I'M A CYBERSECURITY ENGINEER IN DISTRICT THREE OF AUSTIN UNOCCUPIED ANOS LAND.
FOR EIGHT MONTHS, WE WITNESSED A GENOCIDE THAT UNFOLD UPON THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE IN HU, BUT THE PART OF ISRAEL WITH AT LEAST 36,000 PALESTINIAN CIVILIAN DEATHS AND COUNTING DAYS AFTER THE ICJ ORDER, ISRAEL TO HAL HIS MILITARY OFFENSIVE IN RAFA SAFE ZONE THAT DOES DESIGN BY THE IDF INITIALLY.
ISRAEL THEN PROCEEDED THE BOMB BRAFA, AND WITHIN FOUR DAYS HAS MURDERED, BURNED ALIVE, OR DECAPITATED.
66 PALESTINIAN MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN, AND INFANTS LIVING IN TENTS.
MAYOR WATSON, ON FEBRUARY 7TH, 2024, YOU MADE A LINKEDIN POST THAT SAID A PROPOSED RESOLUTION OF OFFICER CITY COUNCIL WENT OUT REALISTICALLY IN THE VIOLENCE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE.
IN 2003, THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL LED BY MAYOR GUS GARCIA, PASSED A RESOLUTION TO URGE PRESIDENT BUSH TO NOT TAKE UNILATERAL PREEMPTIVE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST I IRAQ.
MAYOR GARCIA STATED THAT ALL POLITICS ARE LOCAL AND THE RE, RE, RE ITSELF STATES THAT MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ WILL COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT A TIME WHEN THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS STRUGGLING.
THOSE KINDS OF MEMBERS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE IRAQ WAR, JUST LIKE THE ISRAELI GENOCIDE AND KZA, IS A LOCAL ISSUE THAT WOULD AFFECT THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
THEY UNDERSTOOD THE NECESSITY TO LISTEN TO THE DEMANDS AND NOT ALLOWED TAX DOLLARS TO BE USED FOR FOREIGN WARS OR GENOCIDES.
NOW I SEE FROM THIS COUNCIL IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE.
INSTEAD OF INSIGHTFULNESS, I SEE IGNORANCE INSTEAD OF EMPATHY, I SEE APATHY.
INSTEAD OF COURAGE, I SEE COWARDICE BY NOT PASSING CEASE FIVE RESOLUTION.
TO AVOID DIVIDING AUSTIN, THIS INACTIVITY HAS MADE AUSTIN MORE DIVIDED THAN EVER.
WE HAVE HAD PALESTINIAN ARAB AND MUSLIM CITIZENS SUFFER ISLAMOPHOBIC HATE CRIMES THAT INCLUDE THE OF ZARIA
WE HAVE SEEN VIOLENT OPPRESSION OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH BY THE A PT AGAINST STUDENT PROTESTORS AT UT, RESULTING IN MORE THAN A HUNDRED ARRESTS OF STUDENTS AND AUSTIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
BY REFUSING TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION IN FEAR OF ASSIGNING MORE HATE IN THIS COMMUNITY, YOUR OUTNESS HAS ONLY ENCOURAGED MORE ANIMOSITY, MORE VIOLENCE, AND MORE DISTRUST.
JUST LIKE THE VIETNAM WAR, THE ALGERIAN LIBERATION MOVEMENT, THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY MOVEMENT AND THE WARSAW GHETTO UPRISINGS HISTORY WILL ABSOLVE THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT AGAINST INTIMIDATION, HATE, RACISM, AND CENSORSHIP, PROCEEDING WITH LIBERATION OF OPPRESSED PEOPLE.
CONVERSELY, HISTORY WILL NOT ABSOLVE THIS CITY COUNCIL FOR REFUSING TO LISTEN TO THEIR CITIZENS.
WHEN THE SOUTHERN COLONIAL STATE OF ISRAEL IS DEFEATED AND POWER STATE IS FREE FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA WITHIN OUR LIFETIME, THEN IT'LL BE THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN THAT WILL BE ABSORBED BY HISTORY.
ARE YOU HERE? MICHAEL IS REMOTE.
ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, A MOVIE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE WAS RELEASED.
THANK YOU TO THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR HEATING ITS WARNINGS
[02:15:01]
AND IMPLEMENTING CLIMATE FRIENDLY POLICIES.TODAY I'M MOURNING YOU ABOUT ANOTHER INCONVENIENT TRUTH, ONE THAT IS UGLIER AND MOVING FASTER.
IN THE PAST MONTH OR TWO, WE HAVE SEEN A WAVE OF PROTERRA ACTIVISTS TAKE OVER COLLEGE CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT THESE ARE WELL-FUNDED, WELL ORGANIZED NATIONAL MOVEMENTS.
THEY WEAR THE SAME MASKS, THEY WEAR THE SAME YAAR RAFFA SCARVES.
THEY DRESSED LIKE HAMA TERRA AND YA.
WE ARE HAMAS TO ANYONE WITH AN EARSHOT ON CAMPUSES THROUGHOUT THE US.
IT'S ALREADY FOUND IDENTICAL PAMPHLETS THAT INSTRUCTED PROTESTORS ON HOW TO ESCALATE.
THE PROTESTORS ARE BACKED BY QATAR, AEN AND HAMAS.
IT'S ESTIMATED THE QATAR HAS INVESTED A TRILLION DOLLARS IN THIS ANTI-WESTERN SOFT WAR.
WHY DO THESE SUPPOSED ACTIVISTS NOT PROTEST AGAINST RUSSIA'S UNPROVOKED WAR IN UKRAINE OR NORTH KOREA STARVING ITS PEOPLE, OR WHEN HAMAS MURDERS THEIR OWN CI CITIZENS IN ORDER TO STEAL AIDS AND RESELL IT TO GAMS AT MASSIVELY INFLATED PRICES? IT'S BECAUSE THE GOAL IS NOT SOCIAL JUSTICE.
IT'S A DEMONIZED JEWS THE WEST AND ENCOURAGE ATTACKS HERE ON AMERICAN SOIL.
THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH PEACE.
THAT METHOD OF ACTIVISM IS TO DENY REALITY.
AS THIS IS HAPPENING, THIS PRO HAMAS KARATE HAS BECOME SO GOOD AT GASLIGHTING.
THEY CAN MAKE IT A PROFESSION.
THEY'VE TURNED THE WORD CEASEFIRE INTO A DOG WHISTLE, JUSTIFYING ANYTHING FROM VANDALISM OF JEWISH OWNED BUSINESSES TO RAPE AND MURDER.
AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IS NOT SAFE.
THE PROMA CROWD IS QUICK TO TOKENIZE A FEW JEWS WHO AGREE WITH THEM.
I ASK YOU TO REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE WOMEN WHO OPPOSE THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN TO VOTE IN THE US OVER A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
THANKFULLY, THOSE ANTI SUFFR JETS WERE PROVEN WRONG.
THE PROTERRA CROWD WILL DECRY THE TRAGIC CIVILIAN DEATHS IN GAZA AND NOT EVEN POINT THE FINGER AT HAMA, WHO BRAGS ABOUT DELIBERATELY PUTTING CIVILIANS IN HARM'S WAY.
AN EXAMPLE FROM HERE IN THE US IS JANITORS WERE BEING KEPT HOSTAGE.
IN HAMILTON HALL AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, THE TERRORISTS SYMPATHIZES CLAIM THAT THEIR PROTESTS WERE PEACEFUL.
THEY DID DENIED THAT THEY SUPPORT TERROR WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SCREAMING GLOBALIZE THE ADA.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, AUSTIN IS INCLUDED IN THIS GLOBALIZATION.
AS SOMEONE MUCH SMARTER THAN ME SAID, WHEN SOMEONE SHOWS YOU WHO THEY ARE, BELIEVES THEM, THESE PROTESTORS HAVE CLEARLY SHOWN US WHO THEY ARE.
THEY CALLED FOR A MILLION MORE OCTOBER 7TH, A DAY WHEN HAMAS MURDERED 1200 PEOPLE.
MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS, JEWS, AMERICANS, FILIPINOS, TI CANADIANS, MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN, EVEN DOGS.
THIS IS WHAT HAMAHA SUPPORTERS IN THIS COUNTRY, IN THIS CITY, SOME OF 'EM, THE VERY ROOM WHO WILL SPEAK TODAY WANT TO DO RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN.
WE HAVE BEEN WARNED THEIR ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN VIOLENT.
THEY CALLED FOR MORE VIOLENCE.
THERE ARE SIGNS IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW THAT INCITE VIOLENCE.
LISTEN TO THEM, BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL DO.
ENOUGH OF ENTERTAINING LIVES AT CITY HALL.
POLLSTER POLL SHOWS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE THEM.
THANK IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING THIS GASLIGHTING FOR WHAT IT IS AND IGNORING CALLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FARCE.
DO THIS TO PREVENT A TERROR ATTACK IN AUSTIN.
MAYOR, I HAVEN'T CALLED FOLKS.
I HAVEN'T CALLED WE A SPEAKER.
I HAVEN'T CALLED THE NEXT NAMES YET.
WELL, ARE THE, ARE YOU ANA CONFIT? I'M SANNA YUSEF, BUT I, FROM WHAT I SAW ON THE LIST, I WAS NEXT.
SO I HAVEN'T CALLED THE NAMES YET.
SO PLEASE WAIT FOR FOR US TO CALL YOU ANA CONFIT MORGAN DAVIS.
ARE YOU HERE? OKAY, ON ANA, PLEASE COME DOWN.
I COME FROM A LINEAGE OF ORTHODOX RUSSIAN JEWS.
MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER WAS SCARED TO INTERACT WITH NON-JEWS BECAUSE OF THE 17 MEN IN HER FAMILY WHO HAD BEEN MURDERED IN PEN POLAND IN THE EARLY 19 HUNDREDS.
THEY WERE MURDERED FOR BEING JEWISH.
HER FEAR WAS A FEAR IS JEWS JUSTIFIABLY HOLD DEEP IN THEIR PSYCHE TO BE PERSECUTED FOR WHO YOU ARE IN YOUR BLOOD AND IN YOUR BONES.
AS ERIC ANDRE SAID, YOU DO NOT NEED TO CUT OFF PEOPLE'S WATER SUPPLY IN THE NAME OF JEWISH SAFETY.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BOMB UNIVERSITIES BOMB AMBULANCES IN THE NAME OF JEWISH SAFETY.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BOMB CHILDREN IN THE NAME OF JEWISH SAFETY.
I UNDERSTAND EITHER YOUR FINANCES OR YOUR EGOS DO NOT PERMIT YOU THE MORNING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MOURNING AND RAGE DUE TO THE GOD THE GENOCIDE AND APARTHEID HAPPENING TO PALESTINIANS.
I HEAR YOUR SILENCE REGARDING THE HATE CRIMES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
MISUSE OF LOCAL TAX DOLLARS USING CAP METRO BUSES AS COOLING STATIONS FOR A PD DURING PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS AND LACK OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR THE COMPLETE DISRESPECT
[02:20:01]
OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF WOMEN WHOSE HIJABS WERE FORCIBLY REMOVED IN THE TRAVIS COUNTY JAIL ON 4 29.HOWEVER, YOU ARE BEHOLDEN TO THE SAFETY AND NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS OF YOUR CITY.
AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS STORY STORY TIMES FOR CHILDREN, FOR COUNTRIES SUCH AS JAPAN, UKRAINE, AND GERMANY.
I THOUGHT I WOULD HOST A PALESTINE STORY.
TIME FOR TODDLERS, UH, WITH KITES.
JUST BEFORE THE KITE ZILKER KITE FESTIVAL MOM, LIBRARIANS UNDERSTOOD THEIR POLICY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AFTER THEY RECEIVED CALLS AND THREATS FROM A SMALL BUT LOUD GROUP OF ANTI PALESTINIANS WHO WERE THREATENING, WHO WERE THREATENED BY THE IDEA OF PEOPLE CELEBRATING PALESTINIAN CHILDREN.
THEIR THREATS CREATED ENOUGH TENSION TO CONCERN LIBRARY STAFF TO CALL FOR HEIGHTENED SECURITY.
TWO POLICE CARS AND UPPER MANAGEMENT PRESENCE AT A TODDLER STORY TIME, A TODDLER STORY TIME LIBRARIANS UNDERSTAND PALESTINIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXIST SAFELY IN ALL SPACES.
THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION, WHICH INCLUDES HOSTAGE RELEASES, SENDS THIS SAME MESSAGE THE A DL SITES, THAT IN THE LAST 22 YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN ZERO HATE CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST JEWS BY ISLAMIST OR LEFT WING PARTIES.
PERPETRATORS OF ANTI-SEMITIC HATE CRIMES IN THE USA SINCE 2002 HAVE BEEN 100% RIGHT WING.
YOUR SILENCE PERPETUATES THE SAME KIND OF FEAR THAT JEWS KNOW TOO WELL.
THERE IS NOT A BETTER ANSWER TO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE AT THE END OF IT, PALESTINIAN AND JEWISH SAFETY IS ALL INTERTWINED.
MY NAME IS ROSANNA AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A SCREENSHOT OF ISRAEL'S TERRORISM SINCE THE 1940S.
IT'S A SCREENSHOT BECAUSE WE COULD SPEND A LIFETIME AND NOT GET OVER WITH THEIR TERROR ATTACKS.
LET'S START IN 1946 WITH THE KING DAVID HUEL BOMBING.
IT WAS DONE BY ERGON AND HANA AND LEHI TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.
THEY WERE ZIONISTS MILITARY FORCES KNOWN AS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.
URIAN AND HANIN, WHO LATER BECAME PRIME MINISTERS OF ISRAEL.
WERE PART OF THESE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS GIVING US THAT THE US WILL DEAL WITH SOME TERRORISTS.
OVER 700,000 PALESTINIANS WERE ETHNIC CLEANSED.
OVER 500 TOWNS AND VILLAGES WERE WIPED OFF THE MAP.
15,000 PALESTINIANS WERE KILLED IN HORRIBLE MASSACRES LIKE ENE, WHERE VICTIMS WERE MADE RAPED AND KILLED.
DO YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT SYSTEMATIC RAPE? PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN BEING RAPED SINCE 1948.
MEN WERE PUT IN ROCK TO BE PARADED BEFORE BEING KILLED.
PREGNANT WOMEN'S STOMACHS WERE OPEN, AND THAT'S WHERE A CHILD WAS ACTUALLY BURNED, ALIVE AND THROWN IN AN OVEN.
ZO MASSACRE, 200 PALESTINIANS WERE KILLED.
MEN WERE LINED AGAINST IN THE SYMMETRY ROLE AND SHOT.
THERE ARE MASS GRIPES UNDER WHAT? AT A BEACH RESORT TODAY, HANES MASSACRE.
IN THE 19 56, 200 400 PALESTINIANS KILLED IN THE ISRAEL ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED GOLAN HEIGHTS.
THOUSANDS OF SYRIANS WERE KILLED, INJURED, AND DISPLACED IN THE 19 2 8 19 82 INVASION OF LEBANON, WHERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS AND LEBANESE CIVILIANS WERE KILLED IN BR SHALA ISRAELI BACKS MALICIOUS KILT BETWEEN 2000 AND 3,500 PALESTINIAN AND LEBANESE IN TWO DAYS.
HORRIFIC ACTS OF SLAUGHTER, MUTILATION, AND RAPE WERE COMMITTED.
THE IBRAHAM MASSACRE IN 1994 BY OV GOLDSTEIN, AN AMERICAN ISRAELI EXTREMISTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CANAS MOVEMENTS, WHO TODAY RAFI, WHO WORKS IN THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, FOLLOWS THAT MOVEMENT.
SO IT IS ACTUALLY A TERRORIST GOVERNMENT IN ISRAEL DURING THAT ATTACK.
IN 1994, BARAL GOLDSTEIN SHOT OF 29 PALESTINIANS, AS THEY PRAYED IN A MOSQUE IN 1996, THE KNDA MASSACRE IN SOUTH SOUTHERN LEBANON.
THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION FORCES, OR THE ISRAELI TERRORIST FORCES SHELLED A UNITED NATIONS COMPOUND, WHERE OVER 800 CIVILIANS HAD SOUGHT REFUGE BECAUSE ISRAEL TOLD THEM TO EVACUATE AS THEY DID TODAY.
IT IS NOT NEW FOR THEM TO BUMP UN COMPOUNDS AND HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS.
THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR DECADES.
THE KILLINGS IN RAZA SINCE 2008, WHERE THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED.
THE MASSACRES ON A DAILY BASIS, THE CURRENT GENOCIDE WHERE WE ARE ENTERING ALMOST EIGHT MONTHS OF MASSACRES, COMMITTED DAILY THAT WE CAN'T EVEN KEEP UP.
AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE RULING A FEW DAYS AGO, ASKING THE ISRAELI TERRORIST FORCES TO STOP BOMBING
[02:25:01]
NOT SOME DEBUNKED THEORY.THEY ACTUALLY BEHEADED BABIES.
I LEFT MY CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE TENTS.
I CAME BACK PANICKING AS I HEARD AIRSTRIKES.
I FOUND MY SIX CHILDREN THAT COULDN'T FIT IN THE TENTS.
I'M SORRY, BUT YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
PLEASE COME FORWARD, 'EM FORWARD.
STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
DO YOU HAVE THE SLIDES? THERE YOU GO.
UM, COULD YOU PLAY THE, THE LITTLE AUDIO CLIP? OH, OKAY.
ALRIGHT, SO FOR THE RECORD, THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER WHO WAS SCHEDULED, UM, DID NOT FEEL SAFE ENOUGH TO APPEAR HERE AND SPEAK.
UM, I CAN'T GET OUTTA MY MIND.
A CHILD CAME IN ALIVE, LITERALLY BURNT TO THE BONE.
IF THEIR HANDS WERE CONTRACTING.
PEOPLE HAVE EXPLOSIVE INJURIES AND WE'RE GIVING THEM TYLENOL.
WE'RE GIVING 'EM IBUPROFEN FROM AN ARM THAT'S BEEN BLOWN OFF OR BURNS TO 30% OF THEIR BODY.
ANOTHER DOCTOR I SAW A BOY, HE RAN INTO A BURNING TENT TO HELP HIS MOTHER WHO COULDN'T WALK BECAUSE OF THE FIRE.
TODAY WHEN THE FIRE DISTINGUISHED, WE WENT BACK TO LOOK FOR THEM.
WE FOUND 'EM HUGGING DEAD IN CHARRED, A JOURNALIST IN GAZA.
WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST FEW MONTHS PLEADING WITH YOU TO HAVE THE MOST BASIC AND MINIMAL MORALITY TO PASS A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF THE MOST VULNERABLE, WHO ARE FACING THE MOST UNIMAGINABLE HARM AND DESTRUCTION THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
BECAUSE EVERY DAY THERE IS NOT A CEASEFIRE.
THE STREETS OF GAZA ARE LITTERED WITH CORPSES.
UM, CAN YOU PLAY THE VIDEO TO THE RIGHT OR NO? OKAY.
ANYWAY, THE INHUMANITY AND SUPREMACY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM IS SHOCKING.
NOT EVEN FOR A CEASE FIRE THAT PLACATES EVERYONE.
THIS IS A BASIC LIKE, I CAN'T, I DON'T EVEN HAVE WORDS FOR THIS.
IT'S DEEPLY FRIGHTENING TO WATCH AS A BROWN MUSLIM PERSON TO WATCH OTHERS JUSTIFY AN EGG ON SLAUGHTER, OFFENDED BY EVERYTHING BUT ASHAMED BY NOTHING.
THIS WEEKEND, PALESTINIAN CHILDREN, MOTHERS, FATHERS, BURNED ALIVE FOR ALL OF US TO SEE.
FACES ERODED, CHILDREN BEHEADED, MELTED, AND CHARRED BODIES.
THERE IS AN ISRAELI BLOCKADE OF LIFE SAVING AID.
HOSPITALS AND WORKERS ARE CONSTANTLY UNDER ATTACK, RENDERED DYSFUNCTIONAL BY THE IDF.
THERE'S INSURMOUNTABLE AND OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE FOR THIS.
IMAGINE YOUR FAMILIES HAVING TO SLEEP IN THESE TENTS AS REFUGEES BURNED ALIVE UNDER THE SOUND OF CONSTANT DRONES SLEEPING IN UNIMAGINABLE SUFFERING AND FEAR JUST TO DIE.
ANYWAY, THESE BONDS ARE KNOWN TO KILL FAMILIES AS THEY EAT, PLAY STAND IN LIVES, STAND IN LINES FOR FOOD AND WATER, EVACUATE IN MATERNITY WARDS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY SLEEP.
BY NOT CONDEMNING THE DEATHS OF THESE CHILDREN, BUT BEING MORE THAN ABLE TO CONDEMN OTHERS, WE SEE YOU'RE DEEP SEATED INHUMANITY.
IT'S NICE TO SEE PEOPLE STARTING TO FINALLY PAY ATTENTION ABOUT THIS.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR MONTHS, BUT YOU ARE SILENT IN YOUR SILENCE.
YOU'RE SHOWING THAT YOU'RE MORE THAN OKAY WITH THIS BEING NORMAL.
BY NOT CONDEMNING THE SLAUGHTER OF CHILDREN, MOTHERS, FATHERS, AND RESULTING HATE VIOLENCE IN AUSTIN.
DUE TO THIS, IMPUNITY SHOWS THAT THIS IS MORALLY ACCEPTABLE TO YOU.
WHY? BECAUSE YOU VIEW THESE PEOPLE AS LESS EQUAL.
WHAT'S THE EXCHANGE RATE FOR YOU? HOW MANY PALESTINIAN DEATH DO AN ISRAELI BEFORE YOU CALL IT OUT IS WRONG WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO MAKE AN EQUIVALENCY BETWEEN THOSE WHO WANT ENDLESS SLAUGHTER TO STOP VERSUS THOSE WHO WANTED TO CONTINUE.
YOU'RE SAYING SOME LIVES SIMPLY DON'T MATTER.
THOSE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC.
COMMENT, UH, TIME CERTAIN OF NOON WITHOUT OBJECTION.
WE ARE IN RECESS UNTIL ONE O'CLOCK.
[02:30:01]
THE CITY COUNCIL'S IN RECESS UNTIL ONE O'CLOCK.[Live Music CasinoATX]
WE'RE IN FOR A TREAT TODAY.AS YOU CAN ALREADY TELL, UH, BY JUST THE WARMUP.
UH, CASINO A TX IS A RAPPER, WRITER AND PRODUCER WHO SPECIALIZES IN, IN WRITING AND PERFORMING.
HE'S WON SEVERAL AWARDS OVER THE YEARS FOR PERFORMING SOLO AND WITH GROUPS AND IS KNOWN FOR MAKING CLUB PARTY TRACKS AS WELL AS MUSIC THAT IS LACED WITH CLEVER NERD AND POP CULTURE REFERENCES.
HE'S MOST PROUD OF HAVING WON A GROWING THE TRADITION AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO AUSTIN'S HIP HOP AND BEING SHOWCASED IN THE TEXAS MUSIC HISTORY MUSEUM.
LIKE AUSTIN SLOGAN OF KEEP IT WEIRD.
HE IS A RAPPER WHO CAN EMBRACE HIS NERDY SIDE WHILE MAINTAINING A SHARP EDGE CASINO.
A TX PARTNERED UP WITH SEVERAL LONGTIME MUSIC FRIENDS AND OPENED A PRODUCTION COMPANY CALLED RAW WIT THE DOLL THAT SPECIALIZES IN PRODUCING SONGS, MAKING THE BEATS, AND WRITING THE SONGS.
CURRENTLY THEY'RE WORKING WITH SEVERAL AUSTIN BASS RAPPERS AND R AND B SINGERS DOING EVERYTHING FROM MAKING THEIR MUSIC TO HELPING THEM THROW RELEASE PARTIES AND SHOOTING MUSIC VIDEOS.
THEIR STUDIO KNOWN AS THE STASH SPOT IS BASED IN NORTH AUSTIN, OFF NORTH LAMAR.
AND I'VE GOT A, A DEAL HERE THAT I WANNA MAKE SURE.
IS THIS YOUR RULE? THE RULE IS EVERYBODY PARTY TOGETHER LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW.
THAT'S HIS, THAT, THAT'S THE RULE.
SO LET'S PARTY CASINO A TX, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
WE DON'T NEED THESE MIC STANDS.
LET'S GET THOSE OUT THE WAY NOW.
UM, WITH A LOT OF DISARRAY AND UPSETTING THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW, WE LIKE TO TRY TO BRING GOOD ENERGY.
SO LET'S TRY TO DO THAT TODAY.
I PRETTY MUCH GREW UP RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN ON THE NORTH SIDE, AND UH, MY GRANDMA USED TO ALWAYS TELL ME, IF YOU'RE LOOKING GOOD, YOU'RE PROBABLY FEELING GOOD.
SO IF YOU LOOKING GOOD TONIGHT, LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE REAL QUICK.
WE TRY TO KEEP IT EASY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE LIKE TO GET GET IT GOING A LITTLE BIT.
YOU READY? I MAKE IT LOOK EASY CATCH ON DECK.
THAT'S HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY.
HEY, NOW FEEL FREE TO GET UP AND DANCE A LITTLE BIT.
IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT GAME FRESH, STRETCH TO DEATH.
GIRLS GET I MAKE, I MAKE IT LOOK EASY TO GAME FRESH.
CASI, YOU KNOW I'M BLACK GIRLS STAY.
JUST LIKE A I AND YOU WANT YOUR SISTER ON MY G SIR, YOUR UHUH ALWAYS KEEP PLAYER ACTING LIKE THIS.
SL I GRIND FOR MY CHEESE AND I ALWAYS KEEP IT PLAYER.
YOU ACTING LIKE THE LITTLE PLAYER OFF.
CAN YOU JUST A SOME LOVE RAPPING JUST TO GIVE SOME BUZZ.
HE GIVING ME 1:00 AM THE HARDER YOU ARE JUST A LIP NOODLE.
I KEEP IT LIKE PROS VERSUS JOE'S.
'CAUSE MY SHOE CAME FRESH, FRESH, FRESH TO DEATH.
LET'S GO GIRLS AGAIN, LET'S GO.
OKAY, STRETCH TO CASH ON DECK.
[02:35:01]
AN STILL OH FOUR, WAITING ON THE PAYCHECK.MAKE MY OWN IS EXTRAORDINARY IN THE MORTUARY WHILE I'M EARNING PENSION.
ONLY NOTHING LIKE I WAS O JAMES.
I'M JUST LIKE A BLACK REPUBLIC.
YOU WANT JUST A CUSTOMER, YOU'RE JUST, AND NOT ON ONE NIGHT HER, YOU ARE A SIN.
I WALK WITH THE LIP, YOU WALK WITH SOME TIPS.
YOU WERE JUST A CHAMP WITH YOU.
HIT YOUR BLOCK AND NAKED SHAKE.
I'M JUST LIKE, HAMMER, LIKE TO MAKE THEM DANCE.
YOU'RE LIKE, HAMMER WHITNEY FELLA SUPER BROKE WITH STUPID PANTS BECAUSE MY SHOE GAINED FRESH, FRESH STRESS TO DEATH.
HEY, HEY, APPRECIATE SMACK ALL TO LETTING US DO IT.
HEY, I MAKE THIS FOR THE CITY, CITY OF AUSTIN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, CARTERVILLE MAYOR SIX, BABY.
NOW LEMME SEE IF I CAN MAKE THIS LOOK EASY.
I'M GONNA MAKE A PROCLAMATION HERE 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 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 DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 30TH, 2024 AS CASINO A TX DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
WHERE, HOW CAN WE FOLLOW YOU ON SOCIAL AND, AND AND WHERE CAN WE HEAR YOU? UM, EXTREMELY EASY TO FIND.
LITERALLY YOU COULD GOOGLE CASINO, A TX.
IT'S GONNA ASK YOU, DO YOU MEAN CASINO TEXT? JUST SAY YES.
IT'LL TAKE YOU TO ALL OF MY SOCIAL MEDIA SITES.
UM, ALL OF MY, I'M ON EVERY SINGLE STREAMING PLATFORM.
AND WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE WORKING.
ALRIGHT, LET'S HOPE, LET'S HOPE WE'RE OUTTA HERE.
BUT, UH, DEFINITELY I'LL BE PERFORMING AT, UM, UH, JUMP ON WEEK SO YOU CAN CATCH ME OUT ON, OH YEAH, SURE.
UH, YOU CAN CATCH ME ON JUNE 5TH AND YOU CAN CATCH ME AGAIN ON JUNE 8TH.
UM, UH, JUNE 5TH IS GONNA BE AT THE MILLENNIUM YOUTH CENTER.
NICK TURNER WAS HERE TODAY AND MENTIONED IT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CASINO A TX.
ALL RIGHT FOLKS, WE'RE GETTING READY TO START.
IF I COULD GET Y'ALL TO COME TO ATTENTION.
WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
IT'S 1:00 PM AND I WILL CALL BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
I, BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET ANYBODY'S ATTENTION ALL DAY LONG.
SO LET ME SEE IF I CAN START NOW.
COULD I GET EVERYBODY TO, HEY FOLKS, YOU, SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW, YOU MAY, MAY NOT KNOW THIS, YOU'RE AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
UH, SO THAT I CAN CALL US BACK TO ORDER.
AS I INDICATED, IT'S 1:00 PM ON, UH, MAY 30TH, 2024.
AND I'M CALLING BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
AND WE'RE MEETING IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, UH, THREE OH AT CITY HALL.
3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AS I INDICATED.
UH, WE HAVE A ONE O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, AND
[02:40:01]
THAT WILL BE FOR ITEM[106. Approve an ordinance naming a segment of the Shoal Creek Greenbelt Trail located between West Avenue and 5th Street as “Chris Riley Bend”; waiving the requirements of City Code Chapter 14-1, Article 4; and directing the City Manager to update documentation, maps, and signage. ]
NUMBER 1 0 6.AND I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER ON ITEM 1 0 6.
COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
YOU KNOW, TODAY, REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE EVERYBODY HERE TO TALK ABOUT FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS RILEY.
YOU KNOW, DEDICATING A PARK OR PUBLIC FACILITY IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DO EVERY DAY.
IT IS A HIGH HONOR RESERVED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE AN EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTIN.
AND TODAY'S A SPECIAL DAY BECAUSE ITEM 1 0 6 RECOGNIZES A LIFETIME OF EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE TO AUSTIN BY RENAMING PART OF THE SHOAL CREEK TRAIL AS THE CHRIS RILEY BEND IN HONOR OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS RILEY.
SO, FIRST I WANNA RECOGNIZE, AS WE ALL SAW, FORMER COUNCILMAN O'REILLY IS HERE TODAY, AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.
AND I WANNA THANK ALL THE FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS FOR JOINING US.
UH, WE, MY OFFICE HAS RECEIVED SO MUCH SUPPORT, UH, FOR CHRIS IN THIS RECOGNITION AS CLEARLY, YOUR WORK TOUCHED SO MANY AND THERE IS A LOT OF LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR AUSTIN.
CHRIS RILEY SERVED ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FROM 2009 TO 2015 AS ONE OF THE PREEMINENT FORCES FOR IMPROVING BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE, REDUCING CAR DEPENDENCE, ENHANCING URBAN SPACES, AND EXPANDING OUR URBAN TRAIL NETWORK, INCLUDING, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LIMITED TO THE SHOAL CREEK TRAIL.
AT A TIME WHEN FEW AUSTINITES LIVED DOWNTOWN AND EVEN FEWER COULD IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT A CAR, CHRIS SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR REPLACING PARKING SPACES WITH PATIOS ESTABLISHED AUSTIN'S VIVA STREETS SE I ALWAYS MISPRONOUNCE THIS WORD, SELO, AND DISTRIBUTED COPIES OF DONALD SCHOOP'S BOOK, THE HIGH COST OF FREE PARKING TO ANYONE WHO WOULD READ IT, CHRIS WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN AUSTIN PASSING THE SAFE, THE SAFE PASSING ORDINANCE, THE BICYCLE MASTER PLAN, AND LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE ALL AGES AND ABILITIES NETWORK WE CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON TODAY, WHILE MANY MORE OF US NOW SEE REDUCED CAR USAGE AND BETTER BIKE PET INFRASTRUCTURE AS OBJECTIVELY GOOD AND COMMON SENSE.
THAT WAS CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE WHEN CHRIS WAS ON THE COUNCIL.
HE WAS TRULY AHEAD OF HIS TIME AND HIS WORK DID NOT START OR END WITH HIS TIME ON THE CITY COUNCIL BEFORE BEING ELECTED.
CHRIS CO-FOUNDED THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND SERVED AS PRESIDENT FOR FIVE YEARS, SERVING, SERVED ON THE AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION BOARD FOR FIVE YEARS AND SERVED ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR SIX YEARS, INCLUDING TWO YEARS AS THE CHAIR.
SINCE LEAVING COUNCIL, CHRIS HAS CONTINUED HIS COMMUNITY ACTIVISM, INCLUDING SERVICE TO BIKE AUSTIN SAFE STREETS, AUSTIN, DOWNTOWN AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, OLD AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, CONGRESS FOR THE NEW URBAN NEW URBANISM, CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER AND AUSTIN GIANT CHESS.
THIS SECTION OF TRAIL THAT WE ARE NAMING HAS SPECIAL MEANING TO CHRIS AND WE OWE ITS CURRENT STATE TO HIS WORK.
BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER HIS TIME ON CITY COUNCIL, AFTER BEING WASHED OUT IN THE 1981 MEMORIAL DAY FLOOD, IT'S STOOD DERELICT FOR YEARS.
CHRIS'S TIRELESS ADVOCACY ULTIMATELY LED TO RECONNECTING DOWNTOWN WITH THE REST OF THE HISTORIC SHOAL CREEK GREENBELT.
IN THE FUTURE, THIS BEND WILL CONNECT FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AUSTINITES TO THE LIFE AND WORK OF CHRIS RILEY.
WE ON THE CITY COUNCIL STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US, AND IF WE CAN ADVANCE CERTAIN URBAN MOBILITY AND HOUSING POLICY, IT IS ONLY BECAUSE WE ARE BUILDING UPON THE FOUNDATION BUILT BY THE LIKES OF CHRIS RILEY.
INDEED, EVERYONE WHO RIDES ROADS OR WALKS AROUND AUSTIN HAS BENEFITED FROM CHRIS'S WORK.
SO, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL WHO REACHED OUT TO SUPPORT ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HERE TODAY TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.
MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCILMAN VELA ELLIS CADRE FOR CO-SPONSORING.
AND CHRIS ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL CITY OF AUSTIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
YES, I AM SORRY, MR. MAYOR, IF I MAY, CAN I ADD MY NAME TO THAT CO-SPONSORSHIP WITHOUT OBJECTION? UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION.
COUNCILMAN HARPER MADISON WILL BE SHOWN AS, UH, BEING A SPONSOR OF ITEM NUMBER 1 0 6.
MAYOR, THIS IS COUNCIL MEMBER LEY.
IS THERE ANYBODY I'D LIKE TO ALSO BE
[02:45:01]
ON? LEMME ASK.LET, LET, LET, CHRIS, WE'RE REALLY GONNA FIND OUT SOMETHING HERE.
IS THERE ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T WANNA BE A SPONSOR?
AND, AND BY THE LOOKS OF IT, WE WOULD HAVE A COUPLE OF PREVIOUS CITY COUNCILS ALL SIGN ON IT.
UH, IT'S, IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE SO MANY FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, IN THE CHAMBERS WITH US.
WE HAVE TO, UH, TURN TO THE CITY CLERK HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS, UH, WHAT APPEARS TO BE A UNANIMOUS ITEM,
SO, AGAIN, WE HAVEN'T HAD THIS HAPPEN YET WHILE I'VE BEEN MAYOR THIS TIME, BUT WE'LL JUST FIND OUT WHETHER THEY TALK US OUT OF IT.
UH, UH, SO, UH, LET, LET'S CALL ON SOME FOLKS AND, AND I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK.
THANK YOU MAYOR ADAM GREENFIELD.
PLEASE COME ON DOWN AND STATE YOUR NAME INTO THE PODIUM.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, ADAM GREENFIELD.
UM, THIS IS, THIS IS A GREAT DAY.
UM, CHRIS'S IMPACT ON THE CITY HAS BEEN PROFOUND.
HIS IMPACT ON SO MANY OF THOSE WHO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE IN THIS CITY HAS ALSO BEEN PROFOUND AND MANY OF US.
IT'S, UH, REALLY A LIFE HONOR, MYSELF INCLUDED, TO CALL CHRIS, UM, A FRIEND.
UH, I, I JUST WANNA SAY TODAY WE HONOR CHRIS WITH, WITH THIS DEDICATION TOMORROW AND, AND ON FROM THERE, LET US HONOR CHRIS WITH GOOD DECISIONS, GOOD POLICIES.
'CAUSE I THINK THAT'S, THAT REALLY MAKES CHRIS VERY, VERY HAPPY.
CHRIS WAS RIGHT ABOUT THE DIRECTION OSSER NEEDS TO GO LONG BEFORE IT WAS POPULAR TO BE RIGHT.
AND SO I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY GRATIFYING TO SEE SO MANY OF THE SEEDS THAT CHRIS PLANTED, UM, COME TO FRUITION DURING THIS COUNCIL'S TERM.
AND I THINK WE ARE GONNA CONTINUE TO SEE THAT WHERE INTO THE FUTURE.
UM, AND I WANNA SHARE WITH YOU THAT I'VE HAD THE INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, TO WORK FOR CHRIS RILEY WHEN HE WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
AND I'VE ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF REMAINING HAVING HIM REMAIN AS A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE.
UM, WHEN I STARTED WORKING FOR HIM, I GOT A FRONT ROW SEAT TO POLICYMAKING.
I WAS IN SCHOOL AT THE TIME LEARNING ABOUT CITY PLANNING AND LEARNING ABOUT POLICYMAKING, AND THEN I WAS ALSO IN AN OFFICE WORKING ON IT, DEALING WITH IT ON THE GROUND.
I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE, BOTH TO THE JOB AND TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I LEARNED ABOUT FOCUS ON GOOD POLICY AND DOING WHAT'S RIGHT BOTH FOR CONSTITUENTS AND FOR THE CITY AT LARGE.
I LEARNED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE AND CONS CONSIST OF CONSISTENCY WITH CURRENT GOALS AND WITH A VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
AND I LEARNED THAT TENACIOUSNESS AND CONTINUING TO WORK TOWARD A GOAL THAT MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE OR IMPOSSIBLY FAR AWAY IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
UM, NOW ALL THESE YEARS LATER, I GET TO SEE A LOT OF THE RESULTS OF THAT WORK, AND I SEE HOW CLEARLY IT WAS IMPORTANT, UM, THAT, THAT CHRIS HAD THOSE ATTRIBUTES WHEN HE WAS WORKING FOR THE CITY.
UM, SO MANY OF THE THINGS HE WORKED ON THEN, AS WE'VE HEARD, HAVE COME TO FRUITION AND SO MANY ARE, ARE BEING WORKED ON RIGHT NOW.
HE WORKED ON PARKING REFORM, A PERSONAL FAVORITE OF MINE.
WE ALL KNOW
UM, CLIMATE POLICY WAS, WAS, WAS, WAS PART OF OUR, OUR EVERYDAY CONVERSATION.
UM, AND I I WANNA POINT OUT THAT WE OFTEN SAY THAT CHRIS WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME, BUT I ACTUALLY THINK HIS TIMING WAS JUST RIGHT, BECAUSE IF HE HADN'T BEEN SAYING THESE THINGS AND LAYING THE GROUNDWORK AT THAT TIME, UM, WE WOULDN'T BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
UM, SO THE SUCCESSES THAT AUSTIN HAS SEEN AND THE NAMING OF THIS TRAIL IS SUCH AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO HONOR CHRIS, I WANNA THANK YOU ALL, UM, FOR THAT WORK AND FOR ALL THE GREAT POLICY CHANGES YOU'RE CONTINUING TO MAKE AND CONTINUING TO WORK ON.
UM, IF CHRIS HADN'T DONE THE WORK HE'D DONE, I WOULDN'T BE THE SAME PERSON AND, UH, AUSTIN WOULDN'T BE THE SAME CITY.
I, UH, A FEW OF THE POLICY A WE ALL WANTED TO SIGN UP.
UH, YOU KNOW, WE COULDN'T NOT SIGN UP EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT.
COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? OH, I'M SORRY.
I JUST TALKED TO A COUPLE OF US, UH, ON THE POLICY SIDE, YOU KNOW, POLICY ADVISORS FOR CONFIDENTIAL ONE SIGN UP BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY CHRIS AND BEEN WITH HIM OVER THE YEARS.
AND SO I'M JUST SAYING WE'RE NOT ALL GONNA SPEAK.
WE JUST WANT WANTED TO, COULDN'T NOT SIGN UP.
VERONICA CASTRO, DERA, RAMI CO LEWIS LEFT.
COME ON DOWN IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, IF THERE'S AN EMPTY MIC, IT'S YOURS.
[02:50:02]
UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL.UH, I AM SOMEWHAT BREAKING A UNWRITTEN RULE ABOUT CURRENT COUNSEL STAFFERS TESTIFYING IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL ON ITEMS, BUT I FELT LIKE THIS WAS ONE OCCASION WHERE IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO DO SO.
UH, LIKE MY COLLEAGUE TIMOTHY BRAND, UH, UH, DIVIN LOEFFLER AND OTHER FOLKS, UH, WHO ARE STILL IN THIS OR WORKING IN THIS BUILDING RIGHT NOW.
UH, I WORKED ON HIS FIRST CAMPAIGN AND HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING HIS, UH, UH, QUESTIONNAIRE WRITER.
UH, SO I HAD A FRONT SEAT TO ALL OF THE BRILLIANT, INCREDIBLY IN-DEPTH AND COMPLEX POLICY KNOWLEDGE THAT, UH, UH, CHRIS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE.
UH, I REMEMBER DRIVING DOWNTOWN TO GO TO HIS CONDO AT NIGHT SO THAT WE COULD GO OVER EVERYTHING I'D WRITTEN DURING THE DAY, EACH EVENING.
AND I REMEMBER THINKING, WHO LIVES DOWNTOWN
AND, AND VERY, VERY SORT OF SURPRISED.
THERE'S CONDOS HERE, THERE'S SOMEBODY WHO LIVES HERE.
AND, UH, OF COURSE THINGS ARE, YOU KNOW, DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT TODAY.
AND I'VE GOTTEN TO SEE THAT OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE IN THE CITY.
AND I CAN SEE JUST HOW MUCH CHRIS HAS BEEN A PART OF THAT.
THE WORK THAT I, UM, AM PRIVILEGED TO DO TODAY.
I'M CONSTANTLY SURPRISED BY HOW OFTEN, YOU KNOW, I'LL BE TALKING WITH TIM OR SOME OTHER FOLKS AND SAY, WOW, THIS IS BUILDING OFF SOMETHING CHRIS DID, RIGHT? OR THIS IS BUILDING, THIS IS EXTENDING WHAT HE'D WORKED ON PREVIOUSLY.
SO IT'S MY TREMENDOUS PLEASURE AND HONOR TO BE HERE, TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS INCREDIBLE ITEM.
I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY, UH, TO HONOR CHRIS, AND I'M GLAD TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE TO SEE IT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
UM, I'M HERE IN MY PERSONAL TIME AND CAPACITY SPEAKING AS A FORMER CITY HALL STAFFER FOR COUNCIL MEMBER RILEY.
YOU KNOW, CHRIS REALLY CHANGED THE COURSE OF MY LIFE, AND HE REALLY CHANGED HIS CONTRIBUTIONS OVER TIME, HAS CHANGED THE LIVES OF A LOT OF PEOPLE IN AUSTIN.
HE GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND GROW AS A CHIEF OF STAFF WORKING AT CITY HALL, SHARING HIS KNOWLEDGE AND CHALLENGING ME IN SUBTLE AND MAYBE NOT SO SUBTLE WAYS, UH, TO FIND UNIQUE SOLUTIONS TO LONGSTANDING AND NEW CHALLENGES THAT WE CONTINUE TO FACE FROM THE POLICY ARENA.
AS I LOOKED BACK AT EMAILS, HIS FIRST EMAIL TO ME ABOUT THE SHOAL CREEK TRAIL GAP WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER HE WAS, UH, FIRST SWORN IN AS A COUNCIL MEMBER IN 2009.
AND THE LAST ONE WAS FIVE YEARS LATER AS WE FINALLY GOT A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ONTO A CITY COUNCIL AGENDA.
SO THIS WAS ALWAYS A PRIORITY FOR HIM, THIS PARTICULAR TRAIL.
AND THERE WERE SO MANY MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH CITY STAFF AND STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT HOW DO WE GET THIS DONE? HOW DO WE GET THIS DONE IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY? AND THAT'S, UH, GETTING THAT TRAIL GRAB OVER THE FINISH LINE.
BUT THIS PROJECT'S SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME IS JUST ONE OF MANY THAT'S REPRESENTATIVE OF WHO CHRIS IS.
HE'S AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR SAFEWAYS TO MOVE AROUND AUSTIN.
HE'S A PERSISTENT AND LIFELONG PUBLIC SERVANT WHO HAS GIVEN MUCH OF HIS TIME AND ENERGY TO THE CAUSES HE BELIEVES IN, AND HE WANTS TO SEE AND CREATE A BUILDER AND BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY.
MANY OF HIS IDEAS AND POLICY POSITIONS WERE SEEN AS THE EDGE OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE BACK THEN, AS WAS MENTIONED.
BUT TODAY IT'S BEEN AMAZING TO SEE SO MANY OF THOSE BECOME THE MAINSTREAM, BECOME CORE ELEMENTS OF THE CITY'S ADOPTED POLICIES AND PLANS OF WHAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS.
AS I'VE CONTINUED MY CAREER AFTER WORKING WITH CHRIS, UH, I REALIZED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, I TOOK AWAY THE CURIOSITY TO CHALLENGE EXISTING THINKING AROUND DIFFERENT POLICY TOPICS, HIS ATTENTION TO DETAIL, VERY SPECIFIC ATTENTION TO DETAIL, TO ALL THINGS.
UH, UNDERSTANDING HOW SPECIFIC WORDS YOU CHOOSE TO USE CAN REALLY INFLUENCE AND CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THE CONVERSATION THAT'LL STICK WITH ME AS I ACHIEVE THE HIGH TRY TO ACHIEVE THAT HIGH STANDARD THAT HE SET FOR HIMSELF AND OTHERS.
YOU KNOW, AS WAS MENTIONED, IT'S SAID TODAY THAT WE STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS.
THESE ARE BUILDING UPON THE IDEAS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US.
CHRIS HAS MADE A GIANT INTANGIBLE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY, AND HIS MANY YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE PUSHED US FORWARD IN SO MANY WAYS, ACROSS SO MANY POLICY AREAS.
I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TODAY THAT SPONSORED THE ITEMS, SUPPORTING IT AND BRINGING IT FORWARD SO CHRIS CAN GET THIS RECOGNITION TODAY AND SEE WHAT KIND OF IMPACT HE'S HAD AS WE CONTINUE TO STAND ON HIS SHOULDERS, CONTRIBUTING TO A SAFER, HEALTHIER, MORE SUSTAINABLE PLACE THAT WE ALL DESIRE AND THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY DESERVES.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME AND FOR AUSTIN.
CHRIS, MIKE TI, JULIE MONTGOMERY, LUISA BRUMATE, FELICITY MAXWELL.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST NAME YOU CALLED? MIKE TI.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE PEOPLE HEAR THEIR NAME.
UH, I'M HERE TODAY, UH, CAN'T REALLY READ MY NOTES TO, UH, RECOGNIZE CHRIS AS A LOCAL BOY.
UM, I'M ON BEHALF OF HIS CLASSMATES FROM CAIS AND O HENRY AND AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL.
WE HAVE WATCHED CHRIS BE AN AMAZING COMMUNITY LEADER, CIVIC
[02:55:01]
LEADER ON, ON ALL KINDS OF GREAT IDEAS, BIKES, PARKS, URBAN PLANNING AT THE BEGINNING.THESE ALL SEEM LIKE NEWFANGLED IDEAS, BUT I'M SO DELIGHTED THAT A LOT OF THESE IDEAS HAVE COME TO FRUIT WITH THIS COUNCIL, AND I JUST WANTED TO TRY TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY SHIRT TODAY WAS SELECTED.
IT'S GOT A LITTLE ARMADILLO RIDING THE BICYCLE, AND I THOUGHT THAT REFLECTED CHRIS'S ROLE.
HE'S A NATIVE OF AUSTINITE, HE'S A BIKE.
HE, HE'S SO MUCH MORE, BUT WE ARE SO PROUD AND HONORED TO HAVE CHRIS AS A LOCAL BOY.
UH, MY NAME IS JULIE MONTGOMERY.
I'M ALSO HERE BREAKING THE RULE ABOUT, UH, THE UNOFFICIAL RULE ABOUT COUNCIL AIDS, NOT SPEAKING.
UM, BUT I JUST, I JUST HAD TO BECAUSE I WILL NEVER FORGET, UH, MY, I WENT TO A BIKE AUSTIN MEETING IN MAYBE 20 12, 20 13 IN THAT TIMEFRAME.
AND, UM, I WAS NOT SUPER INVOLVED IN CITY ADVOCACY AT THAT POINT, UM, JUST KIND OF DIPPING MY TOES IN IT.
UM, BUT SITTING COUNCIL MEMBER, CHRIS RILEY WAS THERE IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.
AND I JUST REMEMBER BEING SO EXCITED TO SEE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL TAKING AN INTEREST IN THE THINGS THAT I CARED ABOUT SO MUCH.
AND IT REALLY INSPIRED ME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT POWER AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE THAT, UH, CITY COUNCIL CAN MAKE IN EVERYBODY'S LIVES AND IN MAKING OUR CITY A SAFER AND A HAPPIER PLACE.
UM, AND SO JUST THANK YOU FOR OVER A DECADE OF INSPIRATION, CHRIS.
AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR CITY.
HI, FELICITY MAXWELL WITH AURA.
UM, I, OF COURSE DIDN'T, THINKING OF HOW WE COULD HONOR CHRIS WANTED TO GO BACK TO THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE ALL OF OUR KNOWLEDGE LIVES IN THIS CITY.
SO I FOUND WHAT HE WROTE IN DECEMBER OF 2018 OR 2008 WHEN HE ORIGINALLY WAS PLANNING TO RUN FOR COUNCIL.
AND THE DIRECT QUOTE IS, I'M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL TO OFFER PROVEN LEADERSHIP IN THE DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD AND TO DELIVER THE KIND OF CREATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT AUSTINITES DEMAND AND DESERVE ADDING.
NOW I'M READY TO TAKE MY SERVICE TO THE NEXT LEVEL, AND I'M ASKING FOR THE SUPPORT OF A BROAD RANGE OF AUSTINITES TO HELP ME DO MORE, TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY'S QUALITY OF LIFE.
HOW APTLY THIS DESCRIBES CHRIS'S INTENTIONS AND HIS LEGACY ALL THESE YEARS LATER, WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH HIS SERVICE TO THE CITY AND HOW MUCH WE HAVE BENEFITED FROM HIS LEADERSHIP.
SO THANK YOU, CHRIS, ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PARKING REFORM NETWORK, ALL OF THE ADVOCACY YOU'VE DONE OVER THE YEARS, WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF YOU AND YOUR SERVICE.
I'VE CALLED ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR 1 0 6.
I'M SORRY, I HAVE CALLED ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR ONE SIX.
UH, UH, MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THAT THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP.
UM, UH, I DIDN'T HEAR ANYBODY AGAINST THIS, SO I THINK WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
UM, LET ME ASK IF THERE, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER FOR A MOTION ON ITEM NUMBER 1 0 6.
PASSAGE OF ITEM 1 0 6, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER MOVES PASSAGE OF ITEM 1 0 6.
IT SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, UH, DISCUSSION, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
UM, I JUST WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT, UH, SOME OF THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS, UH, TO THE CITY AND OUR COMMUNITY FROM CHRIS RILEY, UH, AND WHY WE ARE HONORING HIM TODAY.
UH, AND THEN, AND I GUESS THE MOST UP-TO-DATE CONTRIBUTION IS HAVING ALL OF US ON THE SAME PAGE ON A, ON AN ITEM
UH, CHRIS WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, UH, GRADUATING FROM AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL, UH, BEFORE TEMPORARY LEAVING TOWN, UH, TO ATTEND A SMALL UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CALLED HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
UH, THOUGH HE CAME BACK TO US AS SOON AS HE COULD TO GO TO SCHOOL AT UT LAW, UH, HE WOULD GO ON TO, TO FIND, TO FOUND DANA THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IN 1997, UH, AND SERVE AS ITS PRESIDENT, UH, FOR FIVE YEARS.
HE ALSO SERVED AS OUR PLANNING COMMISSIONER, UH, A PLANNING COMMISSIONER FOR SIX YEARS, INCLUDING TWO AS CHAIR.
AND HE FURTHER SERVED IN THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION, THE WATER CONSERVATION TASK FORCE AND THE, AND THE STREET SMARTS TASK FORCE.
HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF NONPROFITS, INCLUDING THE AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION, ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC TRUST, AND THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER ASSOCIATION.
AND OF COURSE, HE WAS ONE OF OUR PREDECESSORS SERVING IN AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, WHERE HE ADVOCATED FOR BETTER TRANSIT HERE FOR CONDITIONS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS AND MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
MANY OF THE PROJECTS INITIATIVE HE WORKED ON, WE CONTINUE TO STAND ON HIS SHOULDERS AND BUILD ON HIS, AND BUILD ON HIS SUCCESSES TO THIS DAY.
UH, SO FOR THESE REASONS AND MANY MORE, UH, I'M SO HAPPY TO DEDICATE THE CHRIS RILEY BEND ON THE SHOAL CREEK GREEN BELT TRAIL TODAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCILMAN ELLIS.
A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK WHEN THE SAFE STREETS CAMPAIGN REALLY LAUNCHED, UH, MY CHIEF OF STAFF, JULIE, WHO SPOKE EARLIER, AND I WENT OVER TO, TO THE TWO DOOR HOUSE IN PEACE PARK, AND WE WERE THERE FOR THAT LAUNCH, AND WE GOT REALLY EXCITED.
WE SAID, WE'RE GONNA RIDE OUR BIKES DOWN THERE, IT'S GONNA BE GREAT.
WELL, AFTER THE EVENT ENDED, WE HEADED OUR
[03:00:01]
WAY BACK TO CITY HALL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD GET HERE, AND WE GOT LOSTSO WE HAD TO TURN AROUND AND WE BUMPED INTO CHRIS RILEY AND WE SAID, HEY, CAN YOU HELP US GET BACK TO CITY HALL? AND HE DID
AND SO WE JUST REALLY APPRECIATE HOW MUCH YOU'VE BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY FOR EVEN JUST THE SMALLEST MOMENT IN ANYBODY'S DAY TO REALLY BE THERE AND, AND TO BE A GREAT, UH, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER MAYOR, PRO TEM.
WELL, I WANNA ADD MY APPRECIATION ALSO, UH, AND GRATITUDE FOR CHRIS RILEY'S WORK HIS MANY DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE LEGACY THAT HE LEAVES ON OUR URBAN TRAIL SYSTEM, ALONG WITH HIS COMMITMENT TO SAFER STREETS FOR BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
CHRIS BROUGHT HIS VISION OF AUSTIN AS AN ACTIVE URBAN OASIS TO LIFE, AND WE NOW SHARE IN THAT LEGACY ALONG SHOAL CREEK TRAIL AND THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MEMBERS? THE YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER VALA JUST WANTED TO ADD MY VOICE AND I, I WANNA SAY, AS SOMEONE WHO WAS INTERESTED IN PUBLIC POLICY AND FOLLOWING POLITICS IN THE TWO THOUSANDS, UH, HE WAS ONE OF THE VOICES THAT I HEARD.
UH, HE WAS THE KIND OF THE ORIGINAL URBANIST.
I DON'T EVEN THINK THAT THE TO TERM WAS COINED AT THE TIME, BUT HIS ADVOCACY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS AND GOOD URBAN DESIGN REALLY RESONATED WITH ME AND IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I'M ON THE DAIS TODAY.
UH, GREATLY, GREATLY APPRECIATED.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, THIS MAY BE AN A CITY HALL MYTH, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT HIS COUNCIL PARKING SPACE WAS CONVERTED TO A BICYCLE PARKING SPACE.
SO EARLIER WHEN, WHEN RAMEY WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD GO OVER HIS, UH, QUESTIONNAIRES AND HIS ANSWERS ON QUESTIONNAIRES AS THEY WERE HEADED BACK, I, I THOUGHT, HOW DID THEY DO THAT ON THE BICYCLE
UH, AND, AND IT'S, IT'S SO GREAT TO SEE A, A PIECE OF THE, OF THE BIKE TRAIL THAT YOU FOUGHT SO HARD FOR NAMED IN YOUR HONOR.
DID I SEE A, A MEMBER THAT'S VIRTUALLY WITH THEIR HAND UP? NO.
THEN, UM, MEMBERS, THAT CONCLUDES THE DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM.
THIS IS A SPECIAL ITEM, UH, AS, AND WE ALL FEEL THE JOY OF IT.
SO, UM, UH, CUSTOMER RILEY, UH, TYPICALLY WHAT WE DO IS, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SOMETHING PASSES, BUT ON THIS, SOMETHING LIKE THIS, UM, WHERE EVERYBODY WANTS TO EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION FOR YOU, THE WAY THAT WE ALL DO, UM, MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION, IT'S TO ADOPT ITEM 1 0 6, AND THERE'S A SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION, PLEASE RISE.
COUNCIL MEMBER RILEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? I JUST WANT TO THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND TO ALL THOSE SPEAKERS AND EVERYBODY HERE.
I, I, I, I, I, I MOVED AND TOUCHED AND I, I, I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT.
UM, I, IT, IT, UH, I DIDN'T HAVE ALL THAT SUPPORT.
I WISH I'D HAD SOME OF THAT SUPPORT WAY BACK.
GREAT ANSWER IS GREAT TO HAVE IT.
I YOUNG, YOU KNOW, Y'ALL TALKED ABOUT STANDING ON THE SHOULDER, ON THE SHOULDERS OF OTHERS, AND I FEEL LIKE I OWE EVERYTHING WE DID TO SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE SO INTEGRAL TO EVERYTHING WE WERE DOING, UM, YOU KNOW, AND MANY OF WHOM ARE HERE IN THE ROOM TODAY.
AND I, AND, UH, I CAN'T THANK EACH OF YOU ENOUGH FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE, UH, TO MAKE MY LIFE SO SPECIAL.
UM, AND TO BE HERE TODAY TO REFLECT BACK ON.
AND, UH, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH.
YOU, YOU MEAN A LOT TO US, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.
UM, NOW TO MAYBE NOT AS JOYOUS
UM, WE, WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE, AND OF COURSE, SO MANY, UH, DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER RILEY, GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU MEAN TO US.
[03:05:02]
MEMBERS.[Public Comment (Part 2 of 2)]
WHAT WE WILL DO NOW IS WE WILL GO BACK TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, PUBLIC COMMENT, AND, UM, I WOULD ASK THAT THE CLERK, UH, CALL OUT THE FIRST FEW NAMES, AND SO WE GET PEOPLE COMING DOWN.FOLKS, IF I COULD ASK, UM, IF I COULD ASK YOU, PLEASE TAKE YOUR COMMENTS OUTSIDE.
PLEASE GO AHEAD FOR ITEM ONE 16, AMANDA SOAR.
RICHARD SU, RICHARD SUTTLE, DANIEL KAMAN, MELVIN REN.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE.
FOLKS, CAN I GET EVERYBODY TO COME TO ORDER? WE, WE HAVE A SPEAKER, SO I'D APPRECIATE EVERYBODY COMING TO ORDER.
IT'S, IT'S FUN TO SEE EVERYBODY, UH, BE EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING IN THIS ROOM.
UM, UH, GOOD MORNING, UH, MARIN, OR GEEZ LOUISE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MARION COUNCIL.
UH, I WORK FOR A SHOAL CREEK CONSERVANCY AS THEIR PROJECTS AND POLICY MANAGER.
UM, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT ITEM ONE 16, WHICH INITIATES A PROCESS TO REMOVE A WASTE, MOVE A WASTEWATER PIPE OUT OF BARTON CREEK IN ADD THAT NEEDED CAPACITY TO ALLOW RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS IN WEST AUSTIN, ROLLING WOOD AND WESTLAKE HILLS TO REDEVELOP.
UH, THIS ITEM IS CRITICAL AS IT RECOGNIZES THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
AS THE REGION GROWS, THE REGION WILL GROW AND PRETEND OTHERWISE IS NOT GREAT.
AND, UH, AS IT'S GROWING, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF BARTON CREEK.
THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS REGARDING IMPERVIOUS COVER AND SOS WATER QUALITY DO NOT CHANGE.
AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE A INCREASE IN WATER QUALITY IN THIS WATERSHED.
AND AS THE REDEVELOPMENT OCCURS THAT THIS ALLOWS, WE GET TO UPDATE SOME OF THOSE PRE SOS, UM, PARCELS AND OLDER PROPERTIES WILL NOW COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITH MORE RECENT AND STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.
MORE BROADLY, SEWER PIPES DO NOT BELONG IN CREEKS.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF OUR CREEK CITYWIDE.
I HOPE THIS CAN SPARK A LARGER CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE TREAT OUR CREEKS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, INCLUDING NOT ONLY BARTON CREEK, WHICH TENDS TO GET THE MOST ATTENTION OUT OF ALL THE WATERSHEDS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, BUT ALSO OUR MORE URBAN DEVELOPED AND HEAVILY IMPAIRED URBAN CREEKS SUCH AS SHOAL CREEK.
WE CANNOT HOPE TO RESTORE OUR CREEKS TO A CONTACT RECREATION SAFE STANDARD WHILE WASTEWATER PIPES RUN THROUGH THEM, WHICH INEVITABLY LEAK AND INCREASE E COLI IN THE WATER.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY THIS ITEM PRESENTS TO ALLOW US TO RECTIFY YEARS OF MISTAKES IN THE WAY WE TREAT OUR CREEKS AND ENVIRONMENT IN AUSTIN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU, OF COURSE, ESPECIALLY TO AFER AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS FOR WORKING SO HARD ON THIS.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE, THE TERRACE, WHICH IS A PROJECT AT THE CORNER OF LOOP 360 AND MOPAC.
AND WE'RE HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF AND OFFERING ASSISTANCE AS A RESOURCE IN THE STUDY.
PROPOSED IN NUMBER ONE 16 IN NINE, AS FAR BACK AS 1995, WE STUDIED THIS VERY ISSUE AS THIS PROJECT WAS COMING FORWARD.
AND IN 1995, THE COUNCIL PASSED ANOTHER RESOLUTION, INSTRUCTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT TO, UM, DO SOME WATER QUALITY STUFF AND TO INCREASE CAPACITY.
AND, AND THE COUNCIL AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FINANCING OF CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS LINE, WHICH THEN DID.
THE CONSTRUCTION DID OCCUR IN 1997.
AND, UM, AS PART OF THAT AGREEMENT, THE, WHEN THE OWNER AGREED TO MAKE THE IMPROVEMENTS, THE CITY AGREED THAT IT WOULD NOT MAKE ANY NEW WATER WASTEWATER COMMIT OR WASTEWATER COMMITMENTS, RESERVATIONS, OR OTHER TYPES OF ALLOCATIONS, OR INCREASE THE UPSTREAM LIFT STATION PUMPING RATES SO AS TO CAUSE THE BARTON SPRINGS LIFT STATION TO EXCEED CERTAIN CAPACITIES.
AND THAT WAS A SAFEGUARD, BOTH FOR MY CLIENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE DOING SOME WORK FOR THE CITY, THAT WE WEREN'T GONNA OVER OVER SURCHARGE THESE LINES.
AS PART OF THAT STUDY, WE STUDIED THE LINE AND THE LATERALS, WHICH YOU WILL FIND WHEN YOU, WHEN THIS STUDY GETS GOING, IT'S NOT JUST THE LINE IN THE CREEK, BUT THE LATERALS GETTING TO IT, THAT LEAK.
WE HAD FIELD TRIPS WHERE WE WOULD FIND STUFF COMING OUT INTO THE CREEKS.
BUT ANYWAY, ALL THAT BEING SAID, MY CLIENT STANDS READY TO BE A RESOURCE IN THIS STUDY AND, UM, BE HAPPY TO SHARE ANY INFORMATION ON THOSE AGREEMENTS BACK IN 95 AND 97.
AMANDA SWAR, MELVIN REN, SARAH JACKSON,
[03:10:01]
BARBARA SCOTT, HELEN MILLER, DANIEL RONAN, CHARLES VETO.IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I'VE CALLED ALL THE NAMES FOR CONSENT, MAYOR.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
HAS YOUR NAME BEEN CALLED? IT CERTAINLY HAS, BUT NOT FIRST.
WELL, I SAID COME, PLEASE COME FORWARD IF IT'S AN EMPTY MICROPHONE, IT'S YOURS.
UM, AND HELLO MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER ASSOCIATION.
IT'S BEEN A LOVE FEST FOR CHRIS RILEY.
I JUST WANNA LET Y'ALL KNOW HE USED TO BE OUR CHAIR, 2006 2008.
UH, I AM A VIKING INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HERE AT THE ASSOCIATION, SO I'M HAPPY TO, UH, LIVE OUT HIS LEGACY.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF, UH, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1 72, AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATION EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER ASSOCIATION TO SET FORTH TERMS AND OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADVISORY VISION PLAN FOR THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER CAMPUS.
AND I REALLY JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK, UH, EARLIER TODAY WE HAD TWO MEMBERS OF LIBRARY STAFF IN, UH, OUR PRESENT IN OUR PRESENCE TO, UH, TO, TO BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS, UH, AGENDA ITEM.
THAT'S, UH, HANNAH TERRELL, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR PUBLIC SERVICES, AS WELL AS CODY SCOTT FACILITIES PROCESS MANAGER FOR THE LIBRARY.
AND OF COURSE, TO, UH, OFFER MY THANKS TO DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES ROOSEVELT WEEKS.
ALSO IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY IS, UH, OUR PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, CHARLES PTO, UM, WHO IS ALSO, OF COURSE, A LARGE SUPPORTER OF OUR ORGANIZATION.
UH, WE OF COURSE, UH, THE ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1979 ON DECEMBER 27TH TO PROTECT THE DEMOLITION OF AUSTIN'S ORIGINAL PUBLIC LIBRARY, UH, WHICH WAS GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED FOR AN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT TO BUILD AN 1978 FOX BUILDING.
WHAT ENSUED WAS, UH, THE ABILITY FOR AUSTINITES TO COME AROUND THEIR HISTORY AND STEP UP TO PROTECT, UH, NOT ONLY OUR HISTORY, BUT OUR PRESERVATION LEGACY HERE IN, UH, IN AUSTIN.
AND, UH, THIS AGREEMENT THAT YOU, UM, WILL BE APPROVING FOR, UM, AUTHOR, AUTHOR AUTHORIZATION RATHER AND NEGOTIATION, WILL ALLOW US TO REALLY SERVE THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY TO, UH, FUNDRAISE FULLY FOR THE BROADER VISION OF AN EXPANDED AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER CAMPUS THAT IS MERGING THE ORIGINAL 1933 BUILDING AND THE 1978 BUILDING AS ONE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER.
SO, UH, REALLY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, UH, YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY, THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER, AND, UH, WE STAND WITH YOU AS WELL AS, UH, WITH THE AUSTIN, UH, LIBRARY FOUNDATION TO, UH, SUPPORT OUR LIBRARIES AND, UH, OUR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AT THIS CRITICAL TIME IN OUR DEMOCRACY.
AND I, HOW YOU DOING? I'M MELVIN LAND, UH, MAYOR, UM, ASSISTANT MANAGER AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, UH, BARBARA SCOTT AND HELENA MILLER AND MARGARITA DEERA.
MY WIFE HAD TO LEAVE ALONG WITH SARAH JACKSON.
UH, BUT I WANNA BRING OUT, AND ONE IS I'M SUPPORTING, THIS IS THE ADAMS WITH COLONY PARK.
UH, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, UH, WAVE, PROBABLY TOO LONG.
UH, BUT I WOULD SAY TO YOU THAT, UH, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT BARBARA SCOTT HAS BEEN THE ANCHOR TO WHAT WAS GOING ON BACK IN 2012.
FEBRUARY 12TH, 2012, UH, THE CITY CAME TO OUR COMMUNITY AND ANNOUNCED THAT THEY HAD A $3 MILLION GRANT, WHICH WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE COMMUNITY ACTUALLY BECAME AWARE OF A GRANT.
AND ORIGINAL CORE TEAM WAS BARBARA SCOTT, HELEN MILLER, UH, MARGARITA DETO, AND MYSELF, ALONG WITH A GENTLEMAN BY THE NAME OF BRANDON WHO, WHO STEPPED DOWN AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME.
BUT THE KEY WAS THAT CORE TEAM MET WITH, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND STAKEHOLDERS EVERY WEEK FROM TWO, FROM THE 2000 FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT UNTIL 2000 DECEMBER, 2014.
EVERY WEEK, THE CORE TEAM PULLED TOGETHER, UH, THE, AND SELECTED THE DESIGNER DESIGN TEAM, AND THEY CREATED A, UH, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITY OUTREACH PLAN THAT THE CITY SHOULD LOOK AT AND USE BECAUSE
[03:15:02]
IT WAS THE MOST EFFECTIVE OUTREACH.AND JUST LIKE TODAY OR LAST, THE LAST HOLIDAY, WE SERVED 300 TURKEYS.
WE PASSED OUT TO THE DIFFERENT FAMILIES, AND YOU HAVE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.
WE ALSO HAVE NEXT TO IT 80 PLUS ACRES DEALING WITH, UH, PARKLAND.
AND IN NOVEMBER, YOU'LL BE INVITED OUT TO HAVE THE DEDICATION OF, OF A SWIMMING POOL THAT WAS NOT ON THE SITE OF ANYONE AT THE TIME.
SOMETIME PROBABLY NEXT YEAR YOU'LL BE INVITED OUT FOR THE HEALTH CENTER THAT WAS NOT ON THE SITE AT ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
AS A RESULT OF THE DILIGENCE OF BARBARA SCOTT, HELEN MILLER, UH, THEY'VE STAYED WITH US ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND, AND WE'RE STILL INVOLVED TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD.
UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT INFORMING THE CORE TEAM WE'RE DEALING WITH CENSUS TRACK 22 0 1, 22 0 2, 22 0 8, 22 11, 22 12.
IT'S, IT IS A MINORITY MAJORITY, UH, AREA.
IT HAS A SUPERS SATURATION OF TAX INCOME, LOWER LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROPERTIES HAS A SUPERS SATURATION.
I MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN WE PUT THE DEVELOPMENT TOGETHER, IT MAY ALLOW FOR MORE HOMES USING THE TAX INCREMENT, UH, PROCESS.
UH, SO I WANNA MENTION THAT TO YOU BECAUSE IT TOOK A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME WHEN ONE COULD LOOK AT IT AND SAY, IF IT'S GONNA BE A PROJECT IN EAST AUSTIN, WE HAVE TO GO BY THE HISTORY OF EAST AUSTIN AND SAY THE 1920S DIDN'T CHANGE WHAT TOOK PLACE OVER THE LAST YEARS.
UH, AND, AND THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.
AND THANK YOU EVERYBODY THAT HAD TO LEAVE TOO.
THANK YOU ALL SPEAKERS WERE CALLED MAYOR.
MEMBERS, UH, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE BEEN CALLED, UH, WITH REGARD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[Consent Agenda]
ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.AND WHEN I HAVE A SECOND, THEN WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION.
THE MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, I JUST WANNA POINT OUT, MEMBERS WILL NOT INCLUDE ITEM 90.
ITEM 90 HAS TO BE BROUGHT UP AND TAKEN UP AFTER WE HAVE HAD THE A-H-P-F-C MEETING.
SO, UH, JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL NOT INCLUDE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE MOVES ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.
WITH THAT, I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, THE, THE ORDER THAT I'M GONNA GO IN ON REMARKS, UH, BEFORE WE THEN TAKE THE VOTE WILL BE COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, THE MAYOR PRO TIM, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
AND THEN I'LL, I'LL KEEP MOVING THROUGH.
UH, SO COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ALLISON, ALTER YOUR RECORDS.
MR. MAYOR, YOU SAID IF WE'RE OFF CAMERA AND YOU CAN'T SEE US, I'VE BEEN RAISING, RAISING MY HAND.
SO I WAS TRYING TO SECOND, WELL, WE ALREADY HAVE, WE ALREADY, WE ALREADY, I DON'T WANNA SPEAK.
I JUST WANNA SAY RESPECTFULLY THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMMENTS I WANNA MAKE TODAY, AND I THINK THERE ARE SOME REALLY GOOD FRIENDS ON THE DAIS WHO ARE GONNA SPEAK ON MY BEHALF TODAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND.
SO I'LL NOW GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER, THE MAYOR PRO TIM, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
UM, COLLEAGUES, I WANTED TO IDENTIFY ITEM 51, WHICH INITIATES A QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY FOR AUSTIN'S FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.
THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME PRIORITY OF OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL, AND I KNOW THAT THE RESULTS WILL BE ILLUMINATING FOR US AS POLICY MAKERS.
WE KNOW WITH CERTAINTY THAT ADDITIONAL TRANSFORMATIONAL INVESTMENT IS NEEDED TO SOLVE OUR CHILDCARE CRISIS FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.
AND TWO WEEKS AGO, TRAVIS COUNTY TOOK A PIVOTAL STEP, AND THEY'RE POISED TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT TO DO JUST THAT.
I ANTICIPATE THAT THIS STUDY WILL AFFIRM THE NEED FOR THIS INVESTMENT, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OTHER INSIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THAT EMERGE SO WE CAN BEST SERVE OUR LOCAL FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS.
I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 83, UH, WITH RESPECT TO TREE FOLKS, THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF USING CITY LAND TO HELP ADVANCE OUR MISSION TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
I'M REALLY PLEASED TO SEE THIS EXPANSION OCCUR AND WISH TREE FOLKS THE BEST OF LUCK IN THEIR WORK.
I ALSO WANNA NOTE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL IMPORTANT PARK INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING RENOVATIONS AND ACQUISITIONS, AS WELL AS A VERY IMPORTANT AND LARGE WATER QUALITY LAND ACQUISITION FOR THE MARFORD PROPERTY IN ITEM 85.
UM, THIS IS KIND OF A DOUBLE AGENDA, SO THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTHER ITEMS THAT I COULD HIGHLIGHT, BUT I DID WANT TO RAISE THOSE FEW.
COMMISSIONER ALTER, UM, I, IF YOU ARE WATCHING VIDEO IN THE CHAMBERS, PLEASE TURN OFF THE SOUND.
SORRY, I, I, I JUST, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS IN HERE.
UM, CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT THEN.
UH, THEN I'LL RECOGNIZE THE MAYOR PRO TIM, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, ELLIS.
[03:20:01]
I WANT JUST TO TOUCH ON, UH, REALLY QUICKLY.UM, THIS IS REMOVING THE WASTEWATER PIPE FROM BARTON CREEK.
I'M REALLY PLEASED TO SEE THAT WE WILL FINALLY REMOVE THIS WASTEWATER PIPE FROM THE CREEK.
WASTEWATER PIPES DON'T BELONG IN CREEKS.
THEY ALSO IMPERIL LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS AND CAUSE HARM TO PEOPLE AND FISH AND WILDLIFE.
REMOVING THIS PIPE FROM THE CREEK BED OFFERS A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS BECAUSE THE PIPE'S CAPACITY WAS CONSTRAINED.
IT HAS PREVENTED SEVERAL OLDER PROJECTS FROM BEING REDEVELOPED.
A REDEVELOPMENT OF THESE OLDER PROJECTS WOULD PROVIDE HIGHER WATER QUALITY STANDARDS, LOWER IMPERVIOUS COVER, AND VALUABLE COMMUNITY ASSETS LIKE PARKLAND AND TRAILS THAT CHANGE BEGINS TODAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AUSTIN WATER'S PROPOSAL IN NOVEMBER.
AND WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD.
COUNCIL MEMBER, OH, I'M SORRY.
ITEM ONE 15, I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.
THIS IS THE, UM, ACCESS TO, UM, TO, UH, RESOURCES ITEM.
I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS INITIATIVE AND FOR THE AMAZING PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL THE CO-SPONSORS WITH HOMEM, WE APPROVED POLICIES THAT ARE RECOMMENDED IN THE UPROOTED REPORT, AND BY THE ANTI DISPLACEMENT TASK FORCE, SPECIFICALLY, SMALLER MINIMUM LOT SIZES, MORE UNITS BY RIGHT, AND THE ABILITY TO SUBDIVIDE.
LAST YEAR, WHEN WE STARTED WORKING ON HOME ONE AND TWO, WE KNEW THAT A CRITICAL COMPONENT WOULD BE MAKING SURE THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE POLICIES.
NOW, WITH THIS ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND AFFORDABILITY INITIATIVE, WE CAN EMPOWER FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO ADAPT AND PROSPER IN OUR EVOLVING CITY.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE CAN HELP FAMILIES STAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THEY HAVE LONG CALLED HOME.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF A A RP, TEXAS PRESERVATION, AUSTIN, LOCAL LENDERS TECHNICAL EXPERTS, AND A RANGE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, WE CRAFTED THIS INITIATIVE TO KEEP AUSTIN ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE.
WE ARE EMPOWERING HOMEOWNERS TO PRESERVE THEIR WEALTH AND PROPERTY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND GIVE LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME HOME BUYERS A FIGHTING CHANCE IN AUSTIN.
I'D LIKE TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO SAM JAVA ON MY STAFF WHO WORKED SO CLOSELY WITH COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ'S OFFICE.
MY THANKS AND APPRECIATION GO TO THE CO-SPONSORS CITY STAFF AND THE ARRAY OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HELPED CRAFT AND BRING THIS, THIS INITIATIVE FORWARD.
AND THEN MY LAST ITEM, MAYOR, IS ITEM 1 0 6, AND THIS IS THE SHEFFIELD NORTHWEST DISTRICT PARK ITEM.
I WANNA ADD MY APPRECIATION AND GRAD, I'M SORRY, NOT 1 0 6, I READ THE WRONG NUMBER.
ITEM 58, THIS IS THE, UH, NORTHWEST PARK ITEM.
I'M SO EXCITED THAT WE'RE MOVING THIS CONTRACT FORWARD TO COMPLETE THE RENOVATION OF THE BEVERLY SHEFFIELD NORTHWEST DISTRICT PARK POOL FOR ALL WHO ARE FOND OF THIS POOL.
THE PARKS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN KEEPING THE FACILITIES TOGETHER WITH STOP GAP MEASURES FOR TOO MANY YEARS.
IT'S BEEN IN THE WORK SINCE ABOUT THE TIME I WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2014.
I TRULY APPRECIATE OUR STAFF'S DETERMINATION TO DO WHAT THEY COULD.
WHILE THE LARGER PROJECT WAS SCOPED AND FUNDED, NOW WE ARE READY FOR THE BIG PUSH AND WE'RE PUTTING OUR BOND DOLLARS TO WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF DISTRICT SEVEN AND THE ENTIRE CITY.
I'M GRATEFUL TO OUR STAFF FOR DELIVERING ON THIS PROMISE AND TO THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR PATIENTS, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE OUR BELOVED NORTHWEST DISTRICT PARK WHEN ALL THE WORK IS DONE.
THANK YOU MAYOR FOR TIM COUNCILMAN RYAN ALTAR, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.
AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
UH, FIRST I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 1 74, WHICH I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND EX EXPEDIENCY AND RAISING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR OUR SENIORS.
YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT THIS ELEMENT OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IS ALSO NOT FORGOTTEN IN OUR CONVERSATION.
AND, UH, FOR INCLUDING THE AMENDMENT THAT I HAD PUT FORWARD SO THAT WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR SO SENIORS KNOW THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING THEM, UH, BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO AGE IN PLACE.
I REALLY WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THAT.
I ALSO JUST WANT TO QUICKLY NOTE ITEM 85, WHICH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER TALKED ABOUT, UH, PURCHASING THAT TRACT OF LAND TO HELP WITH OUR WATER CONSERVATION, WATER QUALITY
[03:25:01]
NEEDS.UH, THIS IS A REALLY EXCITING PURCHASE THAT WE HAVE.
AND WITH THIS PURCHASE, WE WILL HAVE, UH, LESS THAN $10 MILLION LEFT IN THAT FUND TO GO FORWARD.
AND SO AS WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATIONS LIKE WE HAD ON TUESDAY, IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THESE THINGS, UH, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS TO DO IT.
SO I APPRECIATE OUR WORK AND WE'LL PASS IT ALONG.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.
I'M REALLY GLAD TO BE ABLE TO BRING FORWARD ITEM NUMBER ONE 16 ABOUT THE WASTEWATER LINE AND DISTRICT EIGHT THAT IS CURRENTLY IN BARTON CREEK.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE MAYOR PRO TEMS COMMENTS ON THAT.
I KNOW OUR OFFICES HAVE WORKED VERY CLOSELY ON THIS ISSUE.
UM, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT'S NECESSARY.
WE NEED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH AUSTIN WATER STAFF AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BETTER RIGHT SIZING OUR ABILITY, UH, TO MOVE TOWARD THE FUTURE.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ISSUES, WHETHER THEY'RE WATER AND WASTEWATER LINES, WHETHER THEY'RE LAND DEVELOPMENT USES THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS IN DISTRICT EIGHT, UM, A LOT OF WHICH ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH OUR CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.
SO THAT HAS CREATED SOME DIFFICULTY IN HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MANAGING GROWTH MOVING FORWARD, BUT ALSO, UM, AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN HAVE A NEW AND FRESH CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE WANNA SEE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OF EVERYBODY IN AUSTIN, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES BARTON CREEK.
UM, SO THERE'S MULTIPLE PROJECTS THAT HAVE, UM, BEEN DISCUSSED THAT HAVE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPONENT THAT RIGHT NOW CAN'T PROCEED FORWARD.
I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT DISTRICT EIGHT IS ABLE TO DO ITS PART, UM, TO LEVERAGE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING BETTER TO, TO MITIGATE TRAFFIC AND DIFFERENT LAND USES.
LIKE ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SAID TODAY, UM, THE BARTON CREEK MALL RIGHT NOW HAS A BUS ROUTE.
IT GOES ALL THE WAY FROM BARTON CREEK TO BULL CREEK.
UM, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WORKING ON EXPANDING, HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT CAN SERVE MORE PEOPLE.
BUT THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE WE HAVE BEEN IN SOUTHWEST AUSTIN AND WHERE WE'RE GOING IN SOUTHWEST AUSTIN IS VERY FRESH, AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WANNA GET CREATIVE ABOUT HOW TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. UM, I ALSO WANNA MAKE SURE TO THANK, UH, JULIE MONTGOMERY IN MY OFFICE AND AHA PHILLIPS AND MAYOR PROTE POOL'S OFFICE.
THEY PUT IN A TON OF WORK TO, TO WORK ON THIS RESOLUTION AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S BEING HANDLED IN, IN A SENSITIVE AND APPROPRIATE MANNER.
AND SO I APPRECIATE THEIR WORK ON THAT ISSUE.
NUMBER 1 73 IS AN ITEM THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD ABOUT MALE THEFT.
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COMMUNITIES ALL OVER AUSTIN ARE DEALING WITH.
WE'VE WORKED WITH CONGRESSMAN LLOYD DOGGETT IN HIS OFFICE.
SO YOU'LL SEE IN BACKUP TWO LETTERS THAT HE AUTHORED AS WELL AS A RESPONSE LETTER FROM SOMEONE WHO WORKS WITH THE US POSTAL INSPECTION SYSTEM, WHICH IS THE, UM, THE SAFETY AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, UH, MONITORING ARM OF USPS.
SO THEY CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS, UM, AND THAT IT IS, IS NOT GETTING BROKEN INTO, AND PEOPLE AREN'T, UM, FALLING VICTIM TO SOME OF THE SITUATIONS THAT CAN OCCUR WHEN MALE THEFT HAPPENS.
THIS ITEM DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO REACH OUT TO COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF MALE THEFT ON OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO DISCUSS INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
IT CREATES AN EDUCATION AND PREVENTION BASED PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN LEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON, WHICH IS WHEN WE SEE THESE CRIMES SPIKE.
THIS HAS FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS FOR IDENTITY THEFT CHECK FRAUD, AND HAS RESULTED IN THE ASSAULT OF MAIL CARRIERS.
ONE NEIGHBORHOOD IN DISTRICT EIGHT HAS SPENT $175,000 OF ITS OWN MONEY TO REPAIR AND REPLACE POSTAL DELIVERY BOXES, BUT ASSAILANT, USING STOLEN ARROW KEYS HAVE CONTINUED OVER THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND, A THOUSAND COMMUNITY DELIVERY BOXES IN A SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD WERE CLEANED OUT.
THE BLUE COLLECTION BOXES IN THAT SAME NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN HIT EACH OF THE PAST FOUR WEEKENDS.
MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS ALSO REPORT RECEIVING GRADUATION AND BIRTHDAY CARDS, WHICH ARE TORN OPEN AND CHECKS REMOVED.
ANOTHER CONSTITUENT ISSUED A PERSONAL CHECK TO PLAY TO PAY A BILL.
THE CHECK WAS STOLEN, WASHED BY SUSPECTS, AND CASHED FOR THREE TIMES THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT THAT WAS ON THE CHECK.
AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS HAPPENING, NOT ONLY IN MY DISTRICT, BUT THIS IS OCCURRING ALL OVER TOWN.
THIS ITEM SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.
IT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO BETTER MANAGE ITS FACILITIES, CONTROL ACCESS TO UNIVERSAL ARROW KEYS, AND TO RAMP UP EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A SECURE ALTERNATIVE.
LAST YEAR, THE USPS LAUNCHED PROJECT SAFE DELIVERY DESIGNED TO SECURE MAIL DELIVERY BOXES AND PROVIDE ARROW KEY ALTERNATIVES.
BUT THAT PROGRAM HAS NO DEDICATED FUNDING, NO BENCHMARKS, AND THE USPS HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON WHEN THESE SYSTEMS WILL BE DEPLOYED IN THE AUSTIN AREA.
SO TODAY WE SAY THIS IS SIMPLY NOT ACCEPTABLE.
AND BEFORE I CLOSE MY REMARKS, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ADDED TO A CO-SPONSOR ON ITEM ONE 15 AND 1 0 5.
UM, 1 0 5 IS THE FEE WAIVER FOR THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL, AND I WOULD LOVE TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL $500 TO THAT FEE WAIVER TO HELP OFFSET THOSE COSTS.
[03:30:01]
MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL, SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT, UM, WHEN IT TAKES PLACE IN THE FALL.IT'S A REALLY, REALLY GREAT EVENT THAT BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER AND HAS WONDERFUL PROGRAMMING.
SO I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING OVER THE YEARS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, COUNCIL MEMBER RE WILL BE SHOWN AS A SPONSOR OF THOSE TWO ITEMS. THANK YOU.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.
THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.
UH, AND I'M GONNA SWITCH IT UP.
I'M GONNA ASK TO BE ADDED TO A, UH, AS A CO-SPONSOR FROM ITEM ONE 15 FROM, UH, FROM COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE WILL BE SHOWN AS A SPONSOR OF THAT ITEM.
AND NOW I'LL GET INTO MY, UH, CONSENT REMARKS.
UH, AND I'M GONNA BE SPEAKING ON FOUR DIFFERENT ITEMS. SO WE'RE GONNA BE HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT,
UM, SO THE FIRST ITEM I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
UH, TODAY MARKS AN EXCITING MILESTONE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY, COUNTY CENTRAL HEALTH AND INTEGRAL CARE TO ADDRESS THE GROWING CRISIS OF MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN TRAVIS COUNTY BY THE CREATION OF A MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION PILOT.
I BROUGHT FORWARD A RESOLUTION LAST YEAR TO, TO KICKSTART THE PROCESS OF EXPLORING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AND FINANCING OPTIONS FOR THE PILOT, AND BROUGHT FORWARD THE, UH, ACCOMPANYING BUDGET AMENDMENT TO FUND THE FIRST YEAR OF THE THREE YEAR PILOT.
UH, I THINK JUDGE BROWN SAID IT BEST.
THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN OUR COUNTY, IS A JAIL.
THE PILOT WILL EXPAND SERVICE HOURS AT INTEGRAL CARE PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SERVICES, UH, TO 24 7 OPERATIONS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO A PRESCRIBER ONSITE, AND 23 HOUR OBSERVATION SERVICES AND, AND REPURPOSE INTEGRAL CARE'S 15TH STREET CRISIS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR A THERAPEUTIC DIVERSION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ACCESS FOR UP TO 90 DAYS OF CARE, INCLUDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, PEER SUPPORT, AND WORKING TOWARD CONNECTION, UH, TO STABLE EXIT OPTIONS THROUGH HOUSING FOCUSED CASE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
THIS WILL ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICE ENTITIES TO HAVE A CONSISTENT, CONSISTENT PLACE TO TAKE INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS, UH, FOR SERVICES INSTEAD OF JAIL OR A HOSPITAL.
UH, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY COUNTY COLLEAGUES, UH, COUNTY JUDGE BROWN, COMMISSIONER ANN HOWARD, UH, FOR THEIR ADVOCACY AND VISION ON THIS PILOT.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES HERE ON THE DAIS, UH, THAT CO-SPONSORED MY INITIAL RESOLUTION.
CONS, COUNCILWOMAN FUENTES, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, AND MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, POOL, UH, AS WELL AS ROBERT KINGDOM AND HIS TEAM OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT.
I'LL MAKE THESE ONES REALLY BRIEF.
UH, WE'VE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY ON FINDING, UH, WAYS TO SUPPORT, UH, THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT AND ALL OTHER CULTURAL HERITAGE DISTRICTS.
AND I'M GLAD THAT WE FOUND AN OPTION AFTER WORKING WITH STAFF AND MY COLLEAGUES.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DON'T STOP HERE, THOUGH.
WE NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR CULTURAL AND HERITAGE DISTRICT ACROSS THE CITY.
UH, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER COLLABORATION WITH STAFF AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS.
UH, ITEM ONE 70, UM, YOU KNOW, SOME THINGS ARE ABOUT VISION AND PREPARATION FOR ACTION.
UH, THE CHERRYWOOD AND HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE A VISION FOR THE AREA SURROUNDING TDOT'S PROPOSED CHERRYWOOD CAP ONE THAT'S INTEGRATED WITH ITS SURROUNDING PHYSICALLY SURROUNDINGS, PHYSICALLY, ECONOMICALLY, EQUITABLY, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY.
THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY IN THIS AREA WITH MANY FUTURE PARTNERSHIPS, NOT ONLY WITH OUR INVESTMENTS IN THE FUTURE I 35 CAPS AND STITCHES, BUT ALSO TO BUILD MORE HOUSING NEAR A FUTURE RED LINE STATION.
UH, I'M PROUD TO BRING FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORTIVE EFFORTS TO PLAN THE AREA SURROUNDING THE CAP THROUGH TECHNICAL AND DESIGN ASSISTANCE IDENTIFIED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY.
UH, AND, AND, AND AN EFFORT LIKE THIS NOT ONLY REQUIRES COMMUNITY BUY-IN, BUT ALSO CITY BUY-IN AND PROPERTY OR OWNER BUY-IN.
AND I'M PROUD WE'RE ALL, UH, ON, ON OUR WAY WITH THAT.
UH, SO I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF FOR THEIR SUPPORT ON THIS EFFORT.
I WANNA THANK PROPERTY OWNERS AND I WANT, I WANT TO THANK TIRELESS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, UH, ON THIS.
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY CO-SPONSORS ON THE ITEM, UH, MAYOR WATSON, UH, AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, VELA HARPER MEDICINE AND RYAN TER.
AND THE LAST ITEM I'LL SPEAK ON, ON THIS CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEM 1 72.
I JUST WANNA THANK THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR WORK AND COLLABORATION ON THIS.
AND I JUST WANNA SAY I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PARTNERSHIP IN PLAY, UH, AS THERE PLANS FOR THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER CAMPUS TO MOVE FORWARD.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
I WANTED TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORTS.
MY THIRD ITEM THAT I BROUGHT FORWARD AS A COUNCIL MEMBER RELATED TO FLOOD RESILIENCE AND PREPARATION.
AND, UM, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND ONE THAT IS TOP OF MIND FOR US, AUSTINITES, AS WE KNOW, WE ARE IN FLASH FLOOD ALLEY.
UM, AND SO AS WE KNOW DISASTERS ARE INCREASING, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE STRENGTHEN AND BECOME A MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITY.
AND THIS ITEM LOOKS AT OFFSETTING COSTS FOR FLOOD INSURANCE, AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF OTHER OUTREACH EFFORTS AND, UM, INITIATIVES TO HELP US
[03:35:01]
MITIGATE THE RISK AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY BETTER PREPARE.I WANNA GIVE A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO FRANCIS UNA FOR HER ADVOCACY EFFORTS ON, ON FLOOD RESILIENCE.
AND I ALSO WANNA SHARE WITH YOU THAT OUR CITY MANAGER, UM, THIS IS BREAKING NEWS.
WE JUST GOT THIS NOTIFICATION, UH, JUST YESTERDAY, UM, THAT BECAUSE OF OUR FLOOD MANAGEMENT EFFORTS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CITY THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN UPGRADED ON OUR, UM, ON OUR RATING SCALE, UM, WHICH WILL RESULT IN A 25% DISCOUNT FOR MOST OF THE PREMIUMS, UM, FOR POLICY HOLDERS IN OUR CITY, WHICH IS JUST INCREDIBLE NEWS.
AND JUST WANNA THANK THE CITY AND CITY STAFF FOR ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS AROUND FLOOD MANAGEMENT AND FLOOD PREPARATION.
UM, BECAUSE THOSE EFFORTS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, AND WE CAN ALREADY SHOW SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK COUPLED WITH TODAY'S ITEM, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON OUR RESILIENCE EFFORTS.
SO I JUST WANNA SHARE MY APPRECIATION.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
UH, COLLEAGUES REGARDING ITEM ONE 15.
I DON'T NEED TO REITERATE THE VERY NECESSARY COMMUNITY FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED, UM, THROUGHOUT HOME DELIBERATIONS.
I BELIEVE THAT HOME MOVES US CLOSER TO INCREASING, UM, INCREASING AND DIVERSIFYING OUR HOUSING SUPPLY.
AND I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTAND OUR COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS.
THE REALITY IS THAT THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT COSTS AND HURDLES ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING AN ADDITIONAL UNIT, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE BEING PROACTIVE IN TRYING TO MAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY ACCESSIBLE TO HOMEOWNERS AT ALL INCOME LEVELS AND TRY TO MITIGATE DISPLACEMENT OF LONGTIME AUSTINITES FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL MEASURE WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING AUSTIN AN AFFORDABLE PLACE FOR EVERYONE.
BUT BY THINKING THROUGH THESE ISSUES HOLISTICALLY AND PUTTING MULTIPLE TOOLS, SUPPORTS, AND SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO OFFER LOW AND MODERN INCOME RESIDENTS MORE OPTIONS.
I STARTED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH MY FIRST HOME RELATED RESOLUTION BACK IN DECEMBER, WHICH ASKED STAFF TO LOOK INTO WAYS TO PROVIDE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME FOLKS WANTING TO BUILD AN A DU.
AND TODAY'S RESOLUTION BUILDS ON THAT BY LOOKING INTO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO ALLOW HOMEOWNERS ACCESS TO CAPITAL, SEEKING OUT WAYS TO STREAMLINE AND REFINE CITY PROCESSES, AND BY MAKING SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS FULLY INFORMED ABOUT HOW THEY CAN ACCESS ENTITLEMENTS THROUGH HOME AND PROTECT AND GROW GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
THANK YOU TO THE DISTRICT THREE POLICY ADVISOR, SAMANTHA, EXCUSE ME, VICTORIA HALL AND SAM, UM, AND SAM FROM COUNCIL MEMBER POOL'S OFFICE FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS ITEM.
THANK YOU TO THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE, AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HELP US CRAFT THIS ITEM.
I'M TRULY EXCITED ABOUT THIS ITEM AND I WANT TO THANK MY CO-SPONSORS, MAYOR PRO TE POOL, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, VELA, HARPER MADISON, AND RYAN ALTER, AND THE NUMEROUS FOLKS THAT WERE ADDED JUST RECENTLY, AND THE NUMEROUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HELPED OUT.
I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT SO OUR CITY CAN BE PRO HOUSING AND ANTI DISPLACEMENT, AND A TRULY AUSTIN FOR ALL.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KELLY.
I'M GONNA MAKE A FEW COMMENTS ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
UH, WITH REGARD TO, UH, ITEM 32, FUNDING FOR CAREER TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR UNHOUSED RESIDENTS.
UH, HUNGRY HILL AND MR. CHASE RIDE, UH, MAKE A HUGE IMPACT, NOT ONLY FOR DISTRICT ONE, BUT ACROSS THE CITY, AND VERY PLEASED TO CONTINUE THE SIGNIFICANT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND HUNGRY HILL.
UM, ITEM, UH, ONE 12, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURTS MOBILE PRO COURT PROGRAM.
AFTER A VERY SUCCESSFUL PILOT, UH, THIS IS A VITAL PROGRAM THAT CONTINUES TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO SERVICES AND PROVIDE EQUITABLE AND MEANINGFUL SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AND SHOWS THAT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY OF COURT IS REALLY A PILLAR OF OUR HOMELESSNESS, UH, RESPONSE SYSTEM.
UH, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THEM ON POTENTIALLY EVEN EXPANDING THAT MISSION.
THEY'VE DONE GREAT ON THEIR, UH, UH, DIVERSION PROGRAMS, UH, WITH RE UH, WITH REGARD TO A LOT OF MISDEMEANORS.
UM, ITEM ONE 15, UH, UH, AGAIN, COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ ITEM, AN EXCELLENT ITEM AS WE INITIATE AND BUILD UPON SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR OUR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME HOME HOMEOWNERS.
IN RESPONSE TO OUR RECENT LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE CHANGES.
THIS ITEM IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARDS ENSURING THAT ALL OF AUSTIN BENEFITS FROM MORE ATTAINABLE HOUSING OPTIONS.
OUR HOPE IS THAT THERE ARE AFFORDABLE HOME OPTIONS FOR ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND LIFESTYLES AVAILABLE IN EVERY PART OF THE CITY.
HIS RESOLUTION GOES A LONG WAY TO MAKING SURE THAT'S POSSIBLE.
UM, ITEM 1 65, RELATED TO THE CITY PROCESSES, UH, AND REGULATIONS FOR, UH, SMALL, UH, FOOD BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS, THE GOAL OF THE INITIATIVE IS TO HELP LESSEN BARRIERS TO STARTING A SMALL FOOD BUSINESS IN AUSTIN AND ENCOURAGE GROWTH AND PARTICIPATION IN OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
[03:40:01]
ITEMS IN THERE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD.RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A, UH, IT'S DIFFICULT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF REGULATORY BARRIERS TO BEING ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD FOR, UH, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL.
AND THEN FINALLY WITH, UH, ITEM 1 66 REGARDING, UH, SUCCESSION PLANNING AND EDUCATION, UH, FOR OUR COUNCIL.
SUCCESSORS IS AN ITEM THAT COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR A LONG TIME.
I'VE TALKED TO HER MANY TIMES ABOUT IT.
UH, EVERY PERSON SWORN INTO THESE OFFICERS SHOULD BE SET UP FOR SUCCESS SO THEY CAN SHOW UP AND BE THE BEST REPRESENTATIVE FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS.
SHE IS IMPLEMENTING, UH, SOME PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES TO HELP TRAIN US, TO HELP PREPARE US TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE COME ON THE DAIS, WE ARE READY TO GO AND READY TO WORK FOR OUR, UH, CONSTITUENTS.
AND THEN FINALLY, WITH JUNE APPROACHING, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON AND THE ENTIRE COUNCIL REALLY WELCOME EVERYBODY TO JOIN THE DISTRICT ONE TEAM IN CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH.
THERE WILL BE EVENTS ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND LEADING UP TO JUNE 19TH, AND THEY WILL BE, UH, PROMOTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND VIA OTHER MEANS.
UH, PLEASE JOIN AND SHARE ALL THE WONDERFUL EVENTS THAT ARE GONNA BE HAPPENING TO CELEBRATE, UH, JUNETEENTH AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN AUSTIN.
AND AGAIN, IT'S STILL A, A, A POINT OF PRIDE THAT IT HAS BECOME WHAT WAS A TEXAS CELEBRATION, IS NOW A NATIONAL FEDERAL HOLIDAY AND A NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF, UH, FREEDOM.
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.
AND BY THE WAY, YOU'RE, UM, YOU HAVE MULTIPLE HALOS TODAY.
I'M COMING AT YOU ALL FROM FORT WORTH AT THE TEXAS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, AND SO I'M IN THE EXHIBIT HALL HAVING THE COUNCIL MEETING, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE WITH ALL THESE HALOS.
UM, I WANTED TO VOCALIZE MY CONSENT, NO VOTES.
UM, THOSE ARE 12 14, 15, 20 NINES, 45, 85, 1 14, AND ONE 15.
AND I WANTED TO TAKE JUST A MOMENT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA HARPER MADISON, FOR HER THOUGHTFUL ITEM ABOUT COUNCIL TRANSITIONS.
I FIRMLY RECALL HOW WE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WHEN I GOT ELECTED, AND I WAS GIVEN VERY LITTLE GUIDANCE OR MATERIALS AND ABLE TO, UM, HAVE A GOOD CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLAN TO TRANSITION INTO OFFICE.
AND SO I, I WOULD NOT WISH THAT ON MY WORST ENEMY.
AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT YOUR ITEM WILL HELP US BE THE REPRESENTATIVES FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, UM, YOUR TIME TO SPEAK TODAY, OR THE TIME TO SPEAK TODAY.
UH, MEMBERS, THAT CONCLUDES THE DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED THAT WE ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN ABSTAINING FROM A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN RECUSING THEMSELVES FROM A VOTE ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, I HAVE YOU VOTING NO ON 12 14 15 29, 45, 85, 1 14 AND ONE 15.
IS THERE, DID I MISS ANYTHING? THAT IS CORRECT, SIR.
I TRIED TO SPEAK SLOW ENOUGH SO YOU COULD GET IT ALL YOUR DAY.
ANYBODY ELSE WISHING TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ANY OTHER ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? WITH THAT, THE CONSENT WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING ON THE I NO, ON THE ITEMS THAT I PREVIOUSLY READ.
UM, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS.
COUNCIL, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO AT THIS POINT IS RECESS, THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND GO INTO THE A HFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING.
AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL RECESS THE MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AT AT 2:04 PM MEMBERS.
[10:30 AM - Austin Housing and Finance Corporation Meeting]
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, AND I'LL RECOGNIZE STAFF.GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL.
I'M THE TREASURER OF THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.
FOLKS, IF YOU'RE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND YOUR LAST NAME IS NOT DE MAYO, YOU SHOULDN'T BE TALKING.
MANDY DE MAYO TREASURER AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.
YOU HAVE TWO ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
THE FIRST ITEM IS AUTHORIZING A HFC TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ACQUISITION OF A 64 UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX IN NORTH AUSTIN, D FOUR KNOWN AS CIELO AT NORTH DOMAIN.
UM, THIS AUTHORIZES US TO, UM, INVEST $1.625 MILLION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AFFORDABLE CENTRAL TEXAS IN THIS ACQUISITION.
THE SECOND ITEM IS A CONTRACT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES WITH GUIDEHOUSE INC.
UM, AND THIS CONTRACT IS $447,780,
[03:45:02]
AND THE CONTRACT IS TO ASSIST, UH, STAFF WITH UNDERWRITING PROGRAM GUIDELINES, UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES, UM, RELATED TO OUR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. I OFFER THESE ON CONSENT.MEMBERS, WHAT I'M GONNA DO, BECAUSE THERE'S AN AMENDMENT BEING PROPOSED ON ITEM NUMBER TWO, IS I'M GONNA TAKE THEM UP SEPARATELY.
UM, ALTHOUGH, UH, WE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE THROUGH THEM PRETTY QUICKLY.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. MAYO? ALRIGHT, IN THAT CASE, LET'S TAKE UP, UH, A HFC ONE MEMBERS.
I HAVE FILED THE DOCUMENTS TO RECUSE MYSELF ON THIS ITEM.
UM, I WILL NOT BE VOTING ON THIS ITEM AND RECUSE MYSELF.
PRIOR TO MY BEING MAYOR, I INVESTED MONEY WITH THE AUSTIN HOUSING CONSERVANCY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PARTIES THAT'S INVOLVED IN THIS, UH, UH, DEAL.
SO I WILL NOT BE VOTING ON THAT.
UM, LET ME ENTERTAIN, BUT I, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER, I MEAN, BOARD MEMBER RYAN ALTER SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER CADRE TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER ONE.
IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER ONE? NO, MA'AM.
THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALRIGHT, WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THAT'LL TAKE US TO, WITH, WITH THE MAYOR RECUSING HIMSELF FROM A VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER ONE.
UH, ITEM NUMBER TWO, UH, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AND THEN WE WILL CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT MOTIONS MADE BY, UH, BOARD MEMBER ALT RYAN ALTER TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER TWO.
IT'S SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER VELA.
UH, THE CHAIR WILL NOW RECOGNIZE BOARD MEMBER ALTER FOR A PROPOSED MOTION TO AMEND.
I HAVE A MOTION FOR DIRECTION THAT I'LL SPEAK TO IF I GET A SECOND.
IS THERE A SECOND? A SECOND ABOUT, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
AND JUST REAL BRIEFLY, THIS IS ADDING DIRECTION THAT AS WE LOOK AT THESE GUIDELINES TO OUR ROTA PROGRAM FOR THEM TO CONSIDER, UH, EVICTION PREVENTION POLICIES, DATA, UH, COLLECTION AND SHARING, UH, AS WELL AS LOOKING AT OUR FEES TO, UH, POTENTIALLY HAVE THOSE WRAPPED IN WHEN WE'RE CALCULATING RENT SO THAT, UH, WE DON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, THIS EXPLOSION OF FEES OUTSIDE OF OUR, UH, MFI RENTS, AS WELL AS JUST LOOKING AT HOW WE MIGHT SOLICIT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS, LOOKING AT THE CAPITAL AND THE SERVICES TOGETHER INSTEAD OF KIND OF THE ISSUE WE FOUND OURSELVES WITH SOME OF OUR FUTURE PROJECTS.
AND WITH THAT, I MOVE ADOPTION OF MOTION NUMBER ONE.
BOARD MEMBER RYAN ALTER MOVES ADOPTION OF MOTION NUMBER.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY MEMBER, UH, VELA, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE APPARENTLY STAFF HAS DISCUSSION? YEAH, MAY I INTERJECT? I HAVEN'T SEEN, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE CHANGES TO THE MOTION THAT I RECEIVED.
I THINK IT WAS POSTED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD YESTERDAY.
UM, WE HAD SPOKEN WITH YOUR STAFF.
WE HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE WORDING OF THE INTRODUCTORY LANGUAGE ABOUT INCORPORATING THIS, UH, THESE VERY SPECIFIC ITEMS IN THE SCOPE OF WORK, BECAUSE THE SCOPE OF WORK IS, UM, ALREADY FINALIZED.
MANY OF THESE THINGS, I, I WANNA BE CLEAR, MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE WORK THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING AND WILL UNDERTAKE IN CONCERT WITH THE GUIDEHOUSE WORK, BUT MAY IN FACT BE OUTSIDE THE LETTER OF THE SCOPE OF WORK.
AND ONE OF THE ITEMS, DATA COLLECTION AND SHARING IS KIND OF A THIRD COMPANION PIECE, A THIRD PHASE, UM, OF OUR CONTEMPLATED CONSULTING WORK WITH GUIDEHOUSE.
SO AGAIN, NOT IN THE SCOPE OF WORK.
IF THERE, WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE DIRECTION.
THESE ARE ALL ITEMS THAT WE, UH, CERTAINLY SUPPORT AND ARE CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING.
GA, I, I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.
UM, I'M HAPPY TO STRIKE IN THE CONSULTING SCOPE OF WORK OR IF I CAN AMEND MY AMENDMENT.
I HATE TO DO THAT ON THE FLY HERE, BUT, UM, I, I HATE FOR YOU TO DO THAT ON THE FLY.
UM, IF WE COULD JUST, UM, STRIKE THE SCOPE OF WORK LANGUAGE AND, UH, DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER, UM, TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS PART OF THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. ALRIGHT, WELL, I APOLOGIZE, PAUL.
APOLOGIES FOR THE WORDSMITHING ON THE FLY.
I AM GOING TO MOVE TO AMEND MY, WELL, HANG ON.
UM, UM, I WANNA GET THE LANGUAGE BEFORE WE TAKE A MOTION.
THE CITY MAN, THE LANGUAGE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND, AND MR. MAYO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS RIGHT, IT WOULD READ THE CITY MANAGER'S DIRECTED TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS YEP.
WE NEED TO, YEAH, THAT'S FINE.
UM, ME MEMBERS, WE, WE, WE REALLY SHOULDN'T DO THIS
[03:50:01]
RYAN ALTER MOVES TO AMEND HIS AMENDMENT SO THAT IT READS IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH, THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED, UH, TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS AND THEN GOES FORWARD.I'LL SECOND THE MOTION, UH, TO AMEND.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT? YES, MAYOR PRO.
TIM, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE PIECE THAT MR. MAYO SAID TO BE SURE TO ELIMINATE WAS ALSO ELIMINATED IN WHAT YOU WERE WELL, SHE THINKS, I BELIEVE SO.
THE SCOPE OF WORK, RIGHT? THAT WAS THE MAIN CONCERN.
THE KEY, THE KEY WAS TAKING OUT THE SCOPE OF WORK ESTIMATE, CORRECT.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION? THE MOTION TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED.
THAT'LL TAKE US BACK TO THE MOTION TO AMEND.
IS THERE OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO AMEND AS AMENDED BEING NO OBJECTION.
THE MOTION TO AMEND IS ADOPTED.
THAT WILL TAKE US BACK TO ITEM NUMBER TWO AS AMENDED.
THE MOTION IS TO ADOPT IT AS AMENDED.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM NUMBER TWO IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED.
UM, MEMBERS, THOSE ARE ALL THE MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL ADJOURN THE MEETING OF A HFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT 2:12 PM I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE
[10:30 AM - Austin Housing Public Facility Corporation Meeting]
AUSTIN HOUSING PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT 2:12 PM AND RECOGNIZED STAFF.MANDY DEO AUSTIN HOUSING PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION.
WE HAVE TWO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
FIRST ITEM IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 4TH AND APRIL 18TH, 2024.
AND THE SECOND ITEM IS AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A-H-P-F-C.
UM, PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS, MULTIFAMILY REVENUE BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 114 UNIT, UM, MULTIFAMILY PROJECT TO BE DEVELOPED BY GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND DISTRICT THREE, KNOWN AS A SQUALA NUEVA.
AND THIS IS RELATED TO ITEM 90 ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, WHICH WE'LL TAKE UP NEXT.
ANY ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NO, MA'AM.
UH, MEMBERS, THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER TWO OR ITEM NUMBER ONE.
SO I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS ONE AND TWO AS PART OF A CONSENT AGENDA.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PRO TIM IS THERE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON TER, WERE YOU SECONDING IT OR DO YOU WANT TO TALK? OKAY, GOOD.
UM, UH, MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED TO ADOPT ITEMS ONE AND TWO ON A HFP, A-H-P-F-C ONE AND TWO.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION? THOSE ITEMS ARE ADOPTED.
THOSE ARE ALL THE MA MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
A-H-P-F-C BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 2:13 PM I'LL NOW CALL BACK TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE, THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
IT IS 2:14 PM UM, WE WILL TAKE UP FIRST
[90. Approve a resolution authorizing the issuance of Austin Housing Public Facility Corporation’s Multifamily Mortgage Revenue Note (Escuela Nueva) Series 2024A-1 and Multifamily Mortgage Revenue Note (Escuela Nueva) Series 2024A-2 in an aggregate principal amount up to $35,000,000 to Escuela Nueva LLC, or an affiliated entity, and approving the execution of related documents in substantially the form attached to the resolution, to provide financing for the development of a multifamily housing development to be known as Escuela Nueva located within the city of Austin at or near 2013 Montopolis Drive, Austin, Texas 78741.]
ITEM NUMBER 90, WHICH YOU JUST HEARD IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE VOTE WE TOOK ON A-H-P-F-C ITEM NUMBER TWO, AND I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 90.COUNCIL MEMBER VELA MOVES TO APPROVE IT.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
IS THERE DISCUSSION? IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? YES, MAYOR.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURE.
AND THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON OUR OFFICE, AND I JUST WANTED TO, UH, SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF IT.
UH, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS ABOUT WHAT IS AND IS ISN'T AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WHAT WE WANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO LOOK LIKE, AND, UM, WHAT ACTUALLY IT TAKES TO GET IT DONE.
UH, I MEAN, GNDC HAS THEIR TRACK RECORD SPEECH FOR THEMSELVES.
THEY, I MEAN, THIS IS A, THIS IS A NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, UM, TRYING TO DO THINGS THAT ARE, UH, HARD.
UH, THIS IS HARD WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.
AND IT'S BEEN VERY, IT'S BEEN A LOT.
THEY, THEY ARE, UM, VERY CREATIVE IN HOW THEY FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT THINGS TOGETHER.
AND IT'S BEEN A VERY ROUGH, UH, SPELL TO GET THROUGH PROJECTS RECENTLY BECAUSE OF INTEREST RATES.
THIS IS A, BECAUSE IT'S A 4%, UM, IT'S TIED, IT IS MORE SUBJECT TO, UH, INTEREST RATES THAN MOST, UM, YOU KNOW, 9% TAX CREDIT PROJECTS, FOR EXAMPLE.
SO, I MEAN, JUST WATCHING THEM WORK, UM, AND FIGURE STUFF OUT AND PUT JU DEALS TOGETHER, THIS IS REALLY WHAT IT TAKES.
SO I THINK AS WE, AS WE HAVE THESE OTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT AFFORDABLE, WHAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE AND HOW WE GET IT DONE, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND LOOKING AT THIS, THIS PROJECT FOR WHAT DENSITY MEANS, WHAT HEIGHT MEANS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THIS IS A DAY DAYCARE MIXED USE.
[03:55:01]
WHAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR.THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES TO GET IT DONE, AND THEY NEED THE SUPPORT.
THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR 90.
UM, MEMBERS, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS ON ITEM NUMBER 90.
UM, I WILL ENTER, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, IS THAT CORRECT? YES.
UM, I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BY, BY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS? ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM NUMBER 90 IS APPROVED.
UM, MEMBERS, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO FOR TIME MANAGEMENT PURPOSES IS WE GO TO ITEM 1 71, AND THEN WE GO TO OUR TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, AND THEN WE GO TO THE OTHER, THE, THE REMAINING MATTERS.
UM, SO I'LL, I'LL CALL UP RIGHT NOW.
[171. Approve an ordinance adopting rules and procedures for City Council meetings, public hearings, and appeals.]
ITEM NUMBER 1 71 MEMBERS.UH, I'M GONNA, WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS GET A MOTION ON ITEM NUMBER 1 71, UH, AND GET, GET IT OUT ON THE TABLE, AND THEN WE WILL CALL ON SPEAKERS.
YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE IN YOUR PACKET, UH, VERSION NUMBER TWO.
UH, VERSION NUMBER TWO, UH, WAS, UH, WHAT IT, WHAT IT DOES IS IT MAKES A CLARIFYING CHANGE.
THE CLARIFYING CHANGE RELATES TO ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE ON CONSENT AGENDA THAT COME FROM A CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES.
UH, WHAT, WHAT IT VERSION ONE DID WAS IT SAID, ITEMS THAT ARE CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES WOULD BE OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE'S A, THAT'S A LITTLE VAGUE BECAUSE IT COULD MEAN THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD A BRIEFING ON IT AND THEREFORE THERE WAS CONSIDERATION OF SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE.
SO WHAT, UH, WHAT THIS DOES IS IT SAYS THAT IF THE COMMITTEE VOTES TO RECOMMEND IT TO THE COUNCIL, THEN IT WOULD NOT BE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
UM, AND WHAT I'LL, WHAT I'LL DO IS I'LL GET THE MAIN MOTION FIRST AND THEN WE'LL GO TO SPEAKERS.
UH, MAYOR PRO TEM MOVES ADOPTION OF ITEM 1 71.
IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
WITH THAT, I WILL TURN TO THE, UH, CLERK'S OFFICE TO CALL ON OUR SPEAKERS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR WILLIAM BUNCH.
JULIAN REYES, CRAIG NASER, FELICITY MAXWELL.
AGAIN, IF YOU'RE HERE, MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT, AND IF THERE'S AN OPEN MICROPHONE, FEEL FREE TO TAKE IT AND BEGIN TALKING.
HELLO, MY NAME IS CRAIG NASER, AND, UH, MY ONE OBJECTION TO THIS IS THE TWO MINUTE SPEAKING LIMIT.
I'VE BEEN DOING, SPEAKING FOR A LONG TIME IN FRONT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AND I'VE HAD THREE MINUTES AT TIMES AND TWO MINUTES AT TIMES, AND ONE MINUTE AT TIMES.
TWO MINUTES IS DIFFICULT DEPENDING ON THE SUBJECT.
NOW, THE REASON I LIVE IN AUSTIN IS BECAUSE, UH, I GREW UP ON THE SHORES OF LAKE ERIE.
IT TURNED INTO A CESSPOOL AS A LITTLE KID.
I WATCHED IT AND I MOVED A COUPLE PLACES IN THE COUNTRY, CAME DOWN HERE, LIVED IN A HOME FOR MY GRADUATE DEGREE WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING, AND MY CAR HAD NO AIR CONDITIONING.
AND BARTON SPRINGS WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
AND SO THEN IN THE 1990 ALL NIGHT CITY COUNCILS MEETING THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT, I WAS ALARMED.
I WENT DOWN THERE, OVER 900 PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, AND EVERYONE GOT THREE MINUTES.
AND THE MEETING ENDED AT SEVEN IN THE MORNING.
THAT'S WHY I LIVE HERE, BECAUSE NO ONE SHOWED UP TO SPEAK IN MY LITTLE TOWN OF ASH BULAH.
NOW DOWN HERE IN AUSTIN, LOOK WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE MEETINGS.
LOTS OF PEOPLE SHOW UP TO SPEAK, AND IF YOU GIVE THEM THREE MINUTES, WHAT YOU FIND OUT IS A WHOLE LOT OF 'EM DON'T USE THAT THREE MINUTES.
BUT IF YOU GIVE THEM LESS AND LESS AND LESS, THEY GET MORE AND MORE ANGRY.
NOW, ONE OTHER ASPECT ABOUT THIS IS EMAIL.
THERE WAS NO EMAIL BACK IN 1990, AND NOW WE HEAR WHERE YOU CAN SEND US AN EMAIL.
I SENT YOU GUYS ALL EMAIL ABOUT A, SOMETHING COMING UP.
I HAVE NO CLUE IF YOU READ IT OR IF YOU EVER, ALTHOUGH THANK YOU, RYAN ALTER SENT ME BACK A, A MESSAGE.
BUT THAT, THAT'S KINDA LIKE A FAKE THING, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE, WE'LL, SEND US AN EMAIL AND THEN WE WILL IGNORE IT.
IT'S NOT ON THE RECORD, IT'S ON A RECORD HERE.
IF YOU STAND UP AND SPEAK, YOU SAY, I SAID THAT A COUPLE YEARS AGO.
OR I SAID THAT A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND YOU DID.
SO I THINK THREE MINUTES, REALLY,
[04:00:01]
THAT SHOULD BE YOUR JOB TO SIT HERE AND LISTEN.NOW, I'VE ALSO BEEN A PRESIDENT ON A A, A CHAIR ON A COMMISSION.
AND ONE THING YOU CAN DO TO SHORTEN MEETING TIMES IS SHORTEN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSION SPEAK.
SO ANYWAY, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.
TIME'S TRICKY, BUT I THINK THAT'S THE IMPORTANT THING ON HERE.
THE OTHER RULES LOOK PRETTY GOOD TO ME.
I DIDN'T TAKE MY THREE MINUTES.
UH, BILL BUNCH WITH SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.
UM, CERTAINLY APPROPRIATE THAT YOU TAKE THE STEP TO MAKE YOUR PROCEDURES, UH, COMPORT WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, AS WELL AS THE CITY CHARTER.
UH, APPRECIATE YOU MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.
UH, WANNA SPEAK FIRST TO THE PROPOSED CHETO VELA AMENDMENT, WHICH, UH, VIOLATES THE TEXAS OVAL MEETINGS ACT.
UH, BY NOT STICKING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT TIME LIMITS BE ON A GIVEN ITEM BASIS, UH, THE STATUTE IS CLEAR ON THAT.
THE JUDGE, TWO DIFFERENT JUDGES NOW HAVE CONFIRMED THAT.
UM, AND THAT AMENDMENT WOULD TAKE YOU AWAY FROM THAT.
YOU HAVE OTHER TOOLS TO ADDRESS PEOPLE WHO TRY TO SIGN UP ON TOO MANY ITEMS, UH, VIOLATE DECORUM, DON'T SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT TO, TO MANAGE, UH, THAT SORT OF RARE OCCASION WHEN PEOPLE ABUSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, UM, YOUR ORDINANCE AS PROPOSED.
I THINK THE TWO MINUTES IS, MIGHT BE MARGINALLY MIN BARE MINIMUM LEGAL.
I WOULD ARGUE THAT IT'S ON MANY OCCASIONS IT'S NOT.
IF IT'S AN IMPORTANT ITEM, LIKE A BILLION DOLLAR SPENDING OR A COMPLEX ITEM THAT'S NOT REASONABLE.
UH, YOU REALLY NEED TO GO BACK TO WHAT HAS BEEN THE STANDARD FOR THIS CITY, THIS COMMUNITY FOR DECADES, IN THREE MINUTES.
AND THEN MAYBE, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A WHOLE LONG PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST 20 OR SO, LIKE IN PREVIOUS ITERATIONS, UH, WOULD GET LESS.
UM, BUT YOU NEED TO START WITH A BASELINE OF THREE MINUTES, UH, NOT THE, THE PALTRY TWO MINUTES.
UM, AND AGAIN, YOU COULD PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHARTER AND MEET MORE FREQUENTLY, HAVE SHORTER MEETINGS THAT WAY RATHER THAN CUTTING OUT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
UM, THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE ALSO, I BELIEVE IS NOT LEGAL IN THAT IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE SITUATION OF WORK SESSIONS WHERE YOU ACTUALLY DELIBERATE ON AN ITEM.
UH, THE STATUTE SAYS YOU HAVE TO LET PEOPLE SPEAK AT THE SAME MEETING WHERE AN ITEM IS CONSIDERED.
UM, NOW A LOT OF THINGS THAT Y'ALL DO LIKE THE, THE, THE WORK SESSION THIS WEEK, YOU'RE SIMPLY GETTING INFORMATION FROM STAFF.
YOU'RE ASKING QUESTIONS, YOU'RE NOT DELIBERATING.
BUT WHEN YOU START DELIBERATING, DELIBERATION BY DICTIONARY DEFINITION IS CONSIDERATION.
AND CONSIDERATION IS THE KEY TERM IN THE STATUTE.
AND ONCE YOU CROSS THAT LINE, YOU HAVE TO LET PEOPLE SPEAK AT THE WORK SESSION BEFORE OR DURING THE CONSIDERATION OF THE TIME OF, OF THE ITEM.
UM, AND SO IT'S, THAT'S THE PLAIN LANGUAGE.
THE INTENT OF THE STATUTE ALSO MUST, MUST BE MAD.
SO I'M AGAINST, UH, ITEM 1 71 AS IT STANDS.
UM, AND FOR THE REASONS, UH, THAT, UH, BILL BUNCH, UH, MENTIONED, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT, UM, THE PRIMARY GOAL OF GOVERNMENT IS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE AND ITS ROLE IS TO, UM, SUPPORT FOR THE MEGO SUPPORT, UM, FREE SPEECH, THE RIGHT TO PEACEABLY ASSEMBLE, AND THE RIGHT TO ACCESS, UH, OUR GOVERNMENT TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION IS TYRANNY.
I'LL PROBABLY KNOW THAT FROM, UM, TO AMERICAN HISTORY.
UM, WE, TODAY, WE WEREN'T, PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO SPEAK WEREN'T ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING, INCLUDING MYS WEREN'T ALLOWED IN THE ROOM.
UM, THAT'S A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT THAT WAS VIOLATED TO TODAY.
Y'ALL CREATED MORE LITIGATION POSSIBILITIES AND LIABILITIES FOR THE CITY, AND MORE INCREASE IN INSURANCE FOR THE CITY TO OPERATE AS MORE AND MORE LITIGATION IS PENDING.
YOU CAN'T, IF YOU GUYS CANNOT GET EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM TO PARTICIPATE IN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MEETINGS, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, THEN YOU NEED TO RENT OUT THE, THE AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER AND
[04:05:01]
MAKE SPACE.THAT'S NOT THE PEOPLE'S PROBLEM.
Y'ALL SHOULD ALLOW US TO SPEAK.
UM, AS FAR AS TIME, YOU KNOW, THAT ONE MINUTE'S NOT GONNA DO ANYTHING.
PEOPLE SPEND THAT TIME JUST THANKING YOU GUYS THINKING SO AND SO AND SO, AND, AND THAT, AND THAT'S NO GOOD.
YOU NEED TO UPHOLD YOUR, YOUR SWORN OATH TO DEFEND THE PEOPLE IN THE CONSTITUTION.
YOU ALL SWORE AN OATH, ALL OF YOU, INCLUDING ANN MORGAN.
YOU NEED TO ALLOW FREE SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ACCESS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION.
SO YOU GUYS NEED TO UPHOLD YOUR SWORN OATHS.
UM, WHAT ELSE? UH, SO THE SECURITY BULLYING PEOPLE, A PD BULLYING PEOPLE HERE IS ALSO PART OF THAT EQUATION.
WE NEED ACCESS TO THE, TO THE GOVERNMENT BULLYING PEOPLE BECAUSE Y'ALL DON'T WANT TO HEAR UNPOPULAR SPEECH OR YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR DIVERSE OPINIONS.
YOUR ROLE, UH, IS TO SERVE US, ALL OF US, NOT NOT YOUR CERTAIN CONSTITUENTS THAT YOU LOVE AND, AND THE, THE, THE LOW MELON AND, UH, HIGH HIGH BANK ACCOUNT, PEOPLE WITH HIGH CREDIT RATINGS DRIVING TESLAS.
YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THE LITTLE PEOPLE BECAUSE THE LITTLE PEOPLE THAT Y'ALL HAVE UNDERESTIMATED ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GONNA BE Y'ALL'S DOWNFALL.
UM, SO YEAH, I'M AGAINST, UH, I'M AGAINST 1 71 AS IT READS.
BRAD MASONVILLE, CINDY REED, ALEXIA LA CLARK.
I'M WITH THE, UH, SOUTH AUSTIN CREEK ALLIANCE.
I'M THE HEAD OF, UH, THE BIRD STREETS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, UM, AND, UH, GREATLY, UH, FREQUENT PARTICIPANT IN CITY COUNCIL STUFF.
AND I THINK IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT THAT WE RETAIN AS MUCH CITIZEN COMMUNICATION AS POSSIBLE.
THIS IS A, THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO TALK.
IT'S REALLY, Y'ALL ARE SUPER BUSY.
THERE'S SO MUCH BUSINESS GOING ON.
TRYING TO GET A, A FACE-TO-FACE OR EVEN A FACE TIME MEETING WITH ONE OF Y'ALL IS PRETTY HARD.
SO THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE REALLY HAVE TO TALK TO YOU.
UM, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE Y'ALL TO, TO KEEP THE RULES AS THEY ARE.
CINDY REED, ALEXIA LE CLERK, CHRIS PAGE, ENOVIA, JOSEPH MAYOR.
I'VE CALLED ALL THE NAMES FOR 1 71.
UM, MEMBERS, THE, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANNA POINT OUT IS THAT, UH, WHAT IS REFERENCED IN TERMS OF THE ONLY TIME THAT'S WHERE THERE'S A REFERENCE, THERE ARE TWO TIMES WHERE THERE'S A REFERENCE TOWARD TIME, UH, IN THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
ONE IS ON, UH, GENERAL CITIZEN COMMUNICATION, WHICH REMAINS THE SAME AS WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.
UH, AND IT EXPRESSLY STATES THREE MINUTES.
THE ONLY OTHER PLACE IS IT MAKES A REFERENCE AND, AND IT MAKES A REFERENCE THAT THE FLOOR WOULD BE TWO MINUTES.
UH, IN THE PAST, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, UH, IN FAIRLY RECENT PAST, THAT, THAT THERE WERE TIMES WHEN, UH, THERE WOULD BE A LIMIT OF ONE MINUTE PLACED ON WHAT SPEAKERS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK.
SO WHAT THIS DOES IS IT RECOGNIZES, UH, UNDER THE LAW, COUNSEL'S RIGHT UNDER THE OPEN, UH, MEETINGS ACT TO ADOPT REASONABLE RULES REGARDING, UH, TIME AND SAYS, BUT, BUT IT, IT MAKES CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC THAT AT NO TIME WILL WE ESTABLISH LESS THAN TWO MINUTES FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK.
UM, SO IT, WHEN WHEN PEOPLE SAY IT, IT ESTABLISHES THAT AS TWO MINUTES.
IT'S JUST, IT'S JUST THE FLOOR.
UM, WITH THAT, UH, WE HAVE, I, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, COUNCIL MEMBER VALA, I'M GONNA RECOGNIZE YOU BECAUSE I, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WE HAVE TWO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
THERE WAS A REFERENCE TO YOUR PROPOSED AMENDMENT, BUT I, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE YOU ON YOUR PROPOSED AMENDMENT, UM, AND, AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO WITH THAT.
UH, UH, THANK YOU MAYOR AND I, I JUST, UH, I'M GONNA WITHDRAW MY AMENDMENT.
I JUST WANNA MAKE A NOTE THAT THE AMENDMENT THAT I WAS, UH, PROPOSING ESSENTIALLY CODIFIES, UH, ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION KP 300, A 2020 OPINION, WHERE THE, THE BLANCO COUNTY ATTORNEY WROTE TO ASK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, UH, ESSENTIALLY WHETHER THERE COULD BE A, AND I'M GONNA QUOTE PERMITS, A COUNTY TO LIMIT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME IT GIVES A SPEAKER TO ADDRESS ALL DESIRED AGENDA ITEMS. SO THIS QUESTION WAS SPECIFICALLY ASKED OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS THAT, THAT THE CODE DOES AUTHORIZE
[04:10:01]
A GOVERNMENTAL BODY TO ADOPT REASONABLE RULES REGARDING THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO ADDRESS A BODY, INCLUDING, UH, TIME LIMITATIONS THAT THE BODY MAY ADOPT A RULE CAPPING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC HAS TO ADDRESS ALL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA IF THE RULE IS REASONABLE.I JUST DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE THERE'S ESSENTIALLY A FILIBUSTER.
YOU KNOW, SOMEONE CAN TAKE, YOU KNOW, TWO MINUTES ON THE 30, UH, INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. CONSENT WOULD BE AN INDIVIDUAL ITEM AND ESSENTIALLY GET 60 MINUTES.
UH, WE HAVE AMATEUR COMEDIANS THAT COME AND, AND THERE'S JUST MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT I, I THINK THAT COULD BE, UH, MANIPULATED, UH, AND ESSENTIALLY SERVE TO DISRUPT AND REALLY QUIET THE VOICE OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO SPEAK.
AND I RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S VERY HARD TO COME DOWN HERE AND SPEAK EVEN.
IT'S HARD TO, TO SPEAK, UH, ON, ON THE PHONE.
YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOTTA CALL IN, YOU'VE GOTTA WAIT.
UH, AND I, I, I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH, UH, ONE PERSON OR ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE DOMINATING THAT TIME, UH, ESSENTIALLY TO THE EXCLUSION, UH, OF OTHERS.
UH, I'M GONNA PULL THE AMENDMENT BECAUSE I THINK THAT INHERENTLY WITHIN THE STATUTE, THE PRESIDING OFFICER, THE MAYOR OR THE MAYOR PRO TEM, GIVEN THE SITUATION, HAS THE LEGAL RIGHT TO LIMIT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME THE SPEAKER GETS.
UM, WE HAVE TWO OTHER AMENDMENTS.
ONE IS BY ME AND ONE IS BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.
I, I'LL GO TO MY AMENDMENT FIRST.
UM, AND MEMBERS, YOU HAVE THE, THE SHEET, THE YELLOW SHEET ON THAT, THE, WHAT THAT IS, IS IT'S A CLEANUP SO THAT ADDENDUMS CAN BE FILED THE WAY WE CURRENTLY DO ADDENDUMS, UH, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE UPCOMING MEETING AND TAKES OUT, UH, WHAT IS A VESTIGE OF AN OLD PRACTICE OF IT BEING PUBLISHED, UH, SIX DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
SO THAT'S WHAT THAT AMENDMENT DOES.
AND I WOULD MOVE ADOPTION OF WATSON MOTION TO AMEND NUMBER ONE TO ITEM 1 71.
IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
IS THERE A DISCUSSION? UH, YES.
I'M SORRY, MAYOR, I DON'T HAVE A COPY OF THAT.
UM, I, I APOLOGIZE 'CAUSE THAT, THAT, THAT'S TRUE.
YOU WOULDN'T HAVE ONE, UH, MOTION.
WHAT IT SAYS IS MOTION SHEET NUMBER ONE.
I MOVE TO AMEND VERSION TWO OF THE ORDINANCE STARTING ON LINE 72 TO READ AS FOLLOWS, SUBPART CAPITAL D THE CITY MANAGER SHALL PUBLISH THE AGENDA 13 DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
AND THERE IS THEN A, IT DELETES THE REST OF THAT PHRASE FURTHER.
SO THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO STILL DO THE ADDENDUM YES.
THE WAY WE WOULD CURRENTLY DO THAT FRIDAY OR MONDAY BEFORE THE MEETING.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO THE MOTION TO AMEND WITHOUT OBJECTION? THE MOTION TO AMEND IS ADOPTED.
THAT WILL TAKE US TO ALLISON ALTER MOTION TO AMEND, UH, NUMBER ONE FOR ITEM ONE.
71 AS ITEM 1 71 IS AMENDED, AND I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.
UM, SO I WOULD MOVE TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO ADD THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE TO THE END OF PART SIX B IN ORDER TO ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PULL AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UM, THIS WOULD READ ON NUMBER B, PART FIVE, IN WHICH SIX OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
UM, THE PRIOR PRACTICE WAS TWO OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNING UP COULD, UH, PULL AN ITEM OFF OF CONSENT.
AND I HAVE RAISED THAT, AND I BELIEVE THIS AMENDMENT STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN EMPOWERING ENGAGEMENT AND EFFICIENCY OF OUR MEETINGS.
AN ITEM PULLED FROM CONSENT FOCUSES ATTENTION AND CREATES A SLIGHT PAUSE THAT OVER THE YEARS, IN MY EXPERIENCE, CAN PROVE VERY USEFUL.
UM, IN THE PAST, AS I MENTIONED, IT WAS TWO PEOPLE THAT MAY BE TOO LOW.
UM, THAT'S WHY I HAVE PUT IT AT, AT SIXTH.
UM, I THINK THIS MOTION ALSO MEANS THAT OUR STAFF AND THE OTHER PUBLIC THAT ARE HERE FOR ITEMS WHERE YOU HAVE FEWER THAN SIX PEOPLE SIGNED UP, UM, THEY CAN COME TO COUNCIL, BE HEARD, AND MOVE ON.
UM, ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA IS TO ALLOW OUR STAFF TO MOVE ON WITH THEIR DAY.
UM, AND WHEN WE HAVE ITEMS ON THERE THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN SIX SPEAKERS, THAT STARTS TO ADD UP AND TAKE UP A LOT OF STAFF TIME, THAT IS VALUABLE, KEEP OUR STAFF AWAY FROM DOING THEIR IMPORTANT WORK.
UM, AND SO I THINK THAT THERE'S A BALANCE HERE THAT WE OUGHT TO STRIKE.
SO I WOULD MOVE, UM, APPROVAL OF, UM, MY AMENDMENT MEMBERS.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER HAS MOVED AMENDMENT ALTER AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE, PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO ITEM NUMBER 1 71 IS THEIR DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM.
WHAT I WOULD SAY, UH, IS THAT I'M NOT SURE IT'S NECESSARY FOR TWO REASONS.
[04:15:01]
PRACTICE, UH, THE, THE PRIOR PRACTICE WAS THAT, UH, AND AFTER, RIGHT AFTER THE PANDEMIC, THERE WAS A CHANGE WHERE, UH, PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ONCE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.AND THAT WAS THE PRACTICE THAT THEN WAS BROUGHT FORWARD, UH, STARTING IN JANUARY OF 23.
UM, SINCE WE ARE EXPRESSLY SAYING IN THIS ORDINANCE THAT SOMEONE CAN SPEAK ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, IT PRECLUDES THE NEED TO PULL SOMETHING OFF, UH, SO THAT A, SOMEBODY WILL ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM AS WELL.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, ANY COUNCIL MEMBER AT ANY TIME CAN PULL AN ITEM OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND THEREFORE IT'S, IT'S OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
AND, AND IF IT'S DETERMINED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER OR THAT, THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN SIX PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP, UH, AND THAT'S A, A GOOD REASON TO DO IT THEN, OR EVEN MORE THAN TWO, UH, YOU CAN DO THAT.
UH, THE WAY THIS ALSO IS WORDED IS THAT YOU COULD HAVE SIX PEOPLE THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF IT.
YOU COULD HAVE, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN SIX PEOPLE THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF IT, BUT THAT PULLS THE ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UM, AND, AND SO I, I, I BELIEVE THE ITEM IS UNNECESSARY, BUT I'LL LEAVE IT TO THE WILL.
YES, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
I'M SORRY, I WAS JUST WAITING FOR A SECOND TO, TO DISCUSS, BUT I, I ACTUALLY INITIALLY HAD THE SAME NOTION OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT MIGHT BE THE RIGHT NUMBER? AND THE MORE I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT A MEETING LIKE TODAY WHERE WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO COME AND ACTUALLY WANT TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING, WHETHER THEY'RE FORWARD OR AGAINST IT, AND THEN GET ON THEIR DAY.
AND IT SEEMS LIKE IF WE HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT GET PUSHED TO BEHIND, BEHIND THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE'RE FORCING PEOPLE TO WAIT HERE LONGER TO SPEAK WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE SAW PEOPLE HERE TODAY SAY, OH, I, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SPEC SPOKEN ON THIS, BUT IT WAS PULLED.
AND SO I JUST THINK FOR THE FLOW, YOU KNOW, WE ARE STILL IN A LITTLE BIT OF A NEW DYNAMIC AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO GET THE BALANCE AND MAYBE REVISIT THIS ISSUE GOING FORWARD.
BUT I THINK JUST AS WE HAVE SEEN EVEN HERE THAT NOT NEC NOT SETTING THAT ARBITRARY CAP OR, OR PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL ALLOW FOR US TO KIND OF FLOW A LITTLE BETTER.
SO MY 2 CENTS, UM, THANK YOU IS, IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION TO AMEND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES SECONDS, THE MOTION TO AMEND.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO AMEND? YES.
COUNCILMAN RA AND ALTER, I'LL LET YOU CLOSE.
SO THERE'S PART OF WHAT YOU SAID THAT, THAT I, THAT I DIDN'T FOLLOW AND, AND JUST, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, UM, HAVING EXPERIENCED IT WHERE WE WERE CALLING FOLKS, PULLING ITEMS OFF CONSENT, I THINK IT REALLY DID FLOW.
UM, EVEN IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE, 30 PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING AND SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF AN ITEM, UM, YOU KNOW, THEY VERY OFTEN WANNA SEE US VOTE, UM, YOU KNOW, AND RAISE OUR HAND ON AN ITEM AND, AND KNOW THAT IT PASSES.
UM, AND, AND I JUST, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES OUR OUR CITY GREAT IS OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
IT'S OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL AND ONE OF THE PLACES THAT WE SEE THAT IS AT COUNCIL AND, UM, YOU KNOW, IT IS OUR, OUR, OUR ROLE TO LISTEN.
UM, AND I THINK THAT THIS PARTICULAR APPROACH, UM, IS MORE CONDUCIVE TO MOVING FORWARD, UM, WITH THE MEETINGS EFFECTIVELY.
I DON'T KNOW, LETS PEOPLE KNOW THAT IF THEY DO BRING IN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF FOLKS, THAT THAT THEIR ITEM WILL BE PULLED, UM, FORWARD AND THAT CAN WORK IN, IN LOTS OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
UM, I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY CONSTITUENTS, UM, THAT THEY WOULD VERY MUCH VALUE.
UM, AND, YOU KNOW, IN MY EXPERIENCE, IT HAS MADE OUR, HAS BEEN A POSITIVE FOR OUR MEETINGS AND THAT WE DO NEED TO GET A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN ENGAGEMENT AND EFFICIENCY.
UM, MEMBERS, THE MOTION IS TO ADOPT ALLISON ALTER MOTION.
UH, I'M SORRY, MOTION TO AMEND NUMBER ONE TO ITEM NUMBER 1 71.
UH, RAISE YOUR HAND, THOSE OPPOSED TO THE MOTION.
THE MOTION TO AMEND FAILS, UM, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR.
THAT WILL NOW TAKE US BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH IS TO ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 1 71 AS AMENDED BY WATSON MOTION TO AMEND NUMBER ONE.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? YES, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND, AND, AND I APPRECIATE THE GRACE OF MY COLLEAGUES.
I'VE BEEN SICK ALL WEEK AND, UM, WAS NOT ABLE TO BE THERE AT WORK SESSION OR I WOULD'VE ASKED SOME OF THESE CLARIFYING QUESTIONS
[04:20:01]
DURING WORK SESSION.UM, IN PART FOUR, UM, I THINK IT'S NUMBER, UM, F UH, MAYOR, IT SAYS NOT MORE THAN TWO BRIEFINGS MAY BE PLACED ON A COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT THAT IS FOR AN AGENDA OF A COUNCIL MEETING OUT OF A WORK SESSION.
YES, IT SAID THAT'S WHY IT'S PLACED UNDER A THURSDAY COUNCIL MEETING.
I JUST WANTED TO, TO CLARIFY THAT.
UM, COLLEAGUES, I HAVE LOOKED, SPOKEN WITH LEGAL ABOUT WHETHER WE COULD, UM, MOVE OUR COMMITTEE REPORTS TO CONSENT, UM, AND WAS ADVISED THAT THAT IS NOT A, A, UM, A POSITIVE WAY FORWARD.
SO I DIDN'T BRING THAT AMENDMENT.
UM, YOU CLARIFIED THIS EARLIER, MAYOR ON THAT, UM, THE INTENTION FOR PART SEVEN WITH THE TWO MINUTES WAS THAT THAT WAS A FLOOR.
UM, SO I APPRECIATE YOU, UM, CLARIFYING THAT FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU INTENDED IT AS A FLOOR.
I THINK THAT THREE MINUTES IS, UM, THE RIGHT AMOUNT.
UM, AND, AND VERY CERTAINLY WOULD, UM, RECOMMEND THAT FOR OUR BUDGET PROCESS IN JULY, THAT WE MAKE CLEAR THAT WE ARE GONNA GIVE PEOPLE THREE MINUTES.
SO THERE'S NOT AMBIGUITY ABOUT HOW MUCH TIME, UM, PEOPLE ARE GONNA HAVE, UM, IN THAT PROCESS MOVING FORWARD.
UM, AND THEN FINALLY, I, I WANTED TO, UM, ASK ABOUT, I KNOW THIS DOESN'T NEED TO BE IN THE PROCEDURES, UM, BUT I WILL ONCE AGAIN, UM, SUGGEST THAT THERE IS VALUE IN MOVING OUR WORK SESSIONS AND SOME OF OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS INTO THE BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOMS. UM, THE LAYOUT OF THE ROOM IS MUCH MORE CONDUCIVE, UM, FOR COLLABORATION, UM, AND WORKING TOGETHER.
UM, AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, JUST, IT'S A DIFFERENT SETTING THAN WHEN YOU'RE IN THE COUNCIL MEETING.
UM, AND I WOULD JUST RECOMMEND THAT WE CONSIDER, UM, TRYING THAT OUT AND SEEING HOW WE LIKE THAT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION MEMBERS? THE MOTION ON ITEM NUMBER 1 71 IS TO APPROVE ITEM 1 71 AS AMENDED.
UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO ABSTAIN, PLEASE.
ITEM 1 71 IS APPROVED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING SHOWN AS ABSTAINING.
WHAT WE'LL NOW DO IS GO TO THE ZONING MATTERS
[2:00 PM - Zoning and Neighborhood Plan Amendments (Public Hearings and Possible Action)]
AS SOON AS I CAN FIND IT.AND, UM, GUESS WHO I'M RECOGNIZING?
I'M JOEY HARDEN WITH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
YOUR ZONING AGENDA BEGINS WITH ITEM NUMBER 1 41, SHE 1 4 20 22 9.
AND THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 42 IS NPA 20 23 0 0 1 5 0.04.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT.
THE RELATED REZONING IS ITEM 1 43 C 1 4 20 23 0 1 1 7.
AGAIN, THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT.
ITEM 1 44 C 1 4 20 24 0 0 3 0.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 45 IS C 1 4 20 22 0 1 62.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT.
ITEM 1 46 IS C 1 4 20 24 0 0 2 6.
THIS ITEM WAS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 47 IS C 1 4 20 24 0 0 2 9.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 48 IS C 1 4 2 2 4 0 0 3 1.
THIS ITEMS OFFER FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 49 IS NP 20 23 0 0 2 2.
THIS ITEM IS RELATED TO ITEM 1 57, AND THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION ITEM.
ITEM ONE 50 IS NPA 20 23 0 0 1 5 0.06.
THIS ITEM WILL BE OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
THE RELATED REZONINGS ITEM 1 51 C 1 4 20 23 0 1 5 6.
AGAIN, THIS ITEM WILL BE OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 52 IS C 1 4 20 23 0 0 9 5.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS WITH THE FOLLOWING MOTION.
AND THAT READS AMEND PART TWO OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS, BA 10 FOOT WIDE VEGETATIVE BUFFER SHALL BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED ALONG THE PROPERTY LINES.
IMPROVEMENTS PERMITTED WITHIN THE BUFFER ARE LIMITED TO DRAINAGE, UNDERGROUND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS, BIO FILTRATION PONDS AND COMPONENTS IN THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAY OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND C READS, A 50 FOOT BUILDING SETBACK SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED
[04:25:01]
ALONG PROPERTY LINES ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY ZONED URBAN FAMILY RESIDENCE SF FIVE OR MORE RESTRICTIVE.AND AGAIN, UM, ON ITEM 1 52 WITH THAT MOTION, UM, THIS IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 53 A C 1 4 20 24 0 0 2 4.
THIS ITEMS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 54 IS NPA 20 23 0 0 1 5 0 5 SH THERE'S THE NEIGHBORHOOD POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR JULY 18TH COUNCIL MEETING.
THE RELATED RE IS ITEM 1 55 C 1 4 20 23 0 4 1 SH AGAIN, THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED AS A NEIGHBORHOOD POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR JULY 18TH COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM 1 56 C 4 9 6 2 7 R CT, THIS ITEM'S OFFERED FOR CONSENT AND JUST TO NOTE, THIS IS IN DISTRICT TWO, NOT DISTRICT 10.
AND THAT WAS NOTED ON CHANGES IN CORRECTIONS.
UM, ITEM 1 57 AND C 14 20 23 0 0 3 4.
THIS ITEM IS RELATED TO ITEM NUMBER 1 49.
THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION ITEM.
UM, THIS DOES HAVE A VALID PETITION, SO IT WILL REQUIRE NINE VOTES TO PASS ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 1 58 IS C 1 4 20 23 0 1, 0 9.
THIS ITEM WILL BE OFFERED FOR CONSENT.
ITEM 1 59 IS C ONE 40 H 20 23 0 1 3 7.
THIS ITEM WILL BE OFFERED AS A STAFF POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR JULY 18TH COUNCIL MEETING.
AND THE ADDENDUM ITEM IS, UM, NUMBER 180 3 C 1 4 20 23 0 1 0 6.
UM, THIS ITEM DOES HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BOBA.
SO, UM, WE CAN OFFER FOR CONSENT WITH HIS MOTION OR, UM, OKAY, I SEE YOU'RE HEAD COUNCIL, MAYOR.
SO WE WILL PULL THIS FOR DISCUSSION FOR COUNCIL MEMBER VELA TO, UH, MAKE HIS, UM, MOTION.
AND WITH THAT, THIS CONCLUDES THE READING OF THE AGENDA, AND AS ALWAYS, THIS IS AT YOUR DISCRETION.
CAN LET ME ASK A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS.
COURSE, MAKE SURE I GOT THINGS RIGHT.
IS THAT FOR ALL THREE READINGS OR ON FIRST READING? FIRST READING.
UH, THOSE ARE CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
OH, CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
UH, 1 54 AND 1 55 IS WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT.
THOSE ARE NOT BEING OFFERED ON CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
THOSE ARE POST BOTH OFFERED TO BE POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH, UHHUH
AND THEN ON 1 56, TELL ME AGAIN WHAT YOU SAID.
SO THIS IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT.
IT'S A RESTRICTED COVENANT, AND SO IT'S JUST ONE READING.
AND I WAS JUST NOTING THAT THE AGENDA HAD IT AS DISTRICT 10, BUT IT'S IN DISTRICT TWO.
AND WE HAD NOTED THAT ON CHANGES IN CORRECTIONS, BUT THAT WAS JUST AGENDA READING, BUT IT'S CONSENT.
AND THEN NUMBER 1 58 IS FIRST READING, ONLY 1 58 IS FIRST READING ONLY.
MEMBERS, WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS READ A PROPOSED READ INTO THE RECORD, A PROPOSED, UH, CONSENT AGENDA, AND ACCEPT A MOTION ON THAT.
UM, AND MS. HARDEN, AS YOU CAN TELL, I I, I HAD DIFFICULTY ON A COUPLE OF THESE, SO MAKE SURE I GET IT RIGHT.
ITEM NUMBER 1 41, CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
1 42 AND 1 43 INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT, 1 44, ALL THREE READINGS 1 45.
FIRST READING ONLY 1 46, ALL THREE READINGS, 1 47, ALL THREE READINGS, 1 48, ALL THREE READINGS ONE 50 AND RELATED ITEM 1 51, ALL THREE READINGS, 1 52, ALL THREE READINGS WITH THE MOTION THAT WAS READ INTO THE RECORD BY MS. HARDEN.
1 53, ALL THREE READINGS, 1 54 AND AND 1 55 RELATED.
1 55 POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH, 1 56 CONSENT.
AND WE ONLY NEED ONE READING ON THAT.
UH, FOR PASSAGE, 1 58, CONSENT ON FIRST READING ONLY 1 59 A POSTPONEMENT TO JULY 18TH.
MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA, I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, IT MAKES THE MOTION.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ.
IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? YES, MA'AM.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE EAST RIVERSIDE OLD TOR COMBINED NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AREA CONTACT TEAM.
THE CONTACT TEAM VOTED TO OPPOSE THIS ZONING CHANGE BECAUSE MEMBERS OF THE EAST RIVER COMBINED CONTACT TEAM DEVOTED YEARS
[04:30:01]
TO CREATING THE IRAQ NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AND THE EAST RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR PLAN.BY APPROVING ZONING CASE C 14 20 22 0, ZONE 90, THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL HAVE IGNORED THE INTENT OF THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN TO CREATE A PLAN FOR FUTURE GROWTH IN THE EAST RIVERSIDE AREA.
AUSTIN CITIZENS WILL BE JUSTIFIABLY SKEPTICAL OF ANY FUTURE PROJECTS BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO PLAN FOR GROWTH.
THAT WAS THE ONLY REMOTE SPEAKER FOR CONSENT.
SO I'LL MOVE TO IN PERSON ON ITEM 1 41, PAT GRINE, FOLLOWED BY FELIX RAMIREZ AND THEN MARIO CANTU.
HI, I'M PAT GRINE AND I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 1 41.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF A GROUP OF RIVERSIDE FARMS ROAD PROPERTY OWNERS WHOSE, UH, HOMES ARE ADJACENT TO OR VERY NEAR THE CROMWELL PROPERTY.
WE CAN'T SUPPORT THIS ZONING CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE EXTREMELY NEGATIVE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE ON OUR CLOSE KNIT SEMI-RURAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT I'M HERE TO SAY WE WILL NOT OPPOSE IT.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT WITH THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY THROUGH THEIR REPRESENTATIVE LEAH BOJO OF THE RENER GROUP FOR OVER A YEAR.
DURING THAT TIME, BOTH SIDES HAVE MADE CONCESSIONS, BUT ULTIMATELY WHAT THEY OFFER DIDN'T ADDRESS ENOUGH OF OUR CONCERNS.
AND WE AS PRIVATE HOMEOWNERS SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE TIME, ENERGY, AND UPFRONT MONEY.
WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY WANT AND NEED TO MAKE PROFITABLE USE OF THEIR LAND.
AND AFTER, OVER A YEAR OF NEGOTIATIONS, THEY SHOULD KNOW WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US.
DEFINITELY HEIGHT AND SETBACKS ARE IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY SINCE OUR ADJACENT PROPERTIES ARE 20 FEET LOWER IN ELEVATION THAN THEIRS.
BUT OTHER THINGS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT, LIKE NOISE LIGHTS, REFLECTIVITY, PRIVACY, SECURITY, TRASH, AND PROTECTING THE COUNTRY, CLUB CREEK TRIBUTARY THAT RUNS BETWEEN THEIR PROPERTY AND OURS.
THIS IS THEIR BUSINESS, BUT THIS IS OUR HOME.
I'VE LIVED ON RIVERSIDE FARMS ROAD FOR MANY YEARS, AND DURING THAT TIME, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS WORKED COLLABORATIVELY AND WELL WITH OUR OTHER CORPORATE NEIGHBORS, INCLUDING TRAMMELL CROW, THE IRON WORKERS UNION, THE CASEY FAMILY FOUNDATION, VERITAS FAMILY PARTNERS, SVAG, AND TOKYO ELECTRON.
WE WANT TO HAVE THAT SAME KIND OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CURRENT AND ANY FUTURE CROMWELL PROPERTY OWNERS.
WE'VE TOLD THE APPLICANTS THROUGH LEAH BOJO THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN INFORMAL AGREEMENT WITH THEM TO WORK TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY AND AS GOOD NEIGHBORS DURING SITE PLANNING, BUILDING AND BEYOND ON THEIR BEHALF.
SHE HAS AGREED WE WILL GO ON RECORD TODAY SAYING WE WILL HONOR SUCH AN AGREEMENT, AND WE HOPE THAT HERE TODAY THEY WILL MAKE A COMMITMENT TO DO THE SAME KNOWING THAT NOTHING BINDS EITHER OF US, BUT GOODWILL, HONOR AND INTEGRITY.
MARIO CANTU, AND IF YOUR NAME, IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
YES, MY NAME IS FELIX RAMIREZ.
I'M HERE TO OPPOSE THE SONY CHANGE FROM THE CASE, UH, 1 46 IN
THIS IS A CHURCH AND WE, WE ARE AT THAT CHURCH SINCE ONE YEAR AGO.
AND, BUT THE CHURCH WAS BUILT IN 1970.
THEY HAVE BEEN THERE 44, I MEAN 54 YEARS, UH, TILL NOW.
AND WE, WE TRY TO KEEP THAT CHURCH.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE OWNERS WANT TO BUILD SOME APARTMENT, BUT WE HAVE SOME DEMOGRAPHICS FOR THIS SONG.
I MEAN, THIS ZIP CODE THERE ARE 3044 SIX, I MEAN 446 APARTMENTS IN THAT ZIP CODE.
AND AUSTIN BUILT, BUILT 20 3043 FOUR APARTMENTS IN 2033 AND WAS THE CHAIR PLACE IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY FOR BUILDING APARTMENTS.
SO WE TRY TO DO, UH, COMMUNITY SERVICE.
WE, WE MAKE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT INDEED, UH, BUILDING IN THE, IN THE AREA.
AND NOW WE ARE, UM, A LOT OF THE, UH, NEIGHBORS TO USE THE FOOT, UH, SOCCER FIELD AND BASKETBALL COURT
[04:35:01]
EVERY WEEKEND.SO WE TRY TO KEEP THAT BUILDING, I MEAN THAT CHURCH BECAUSE IT'S FROM A COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND I KNOW THE, THE APARTMENTS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT I THINK CHURCHES ARE IMPORTANT TOO.
THERE ARE NO MORE THAN 10 CHURCHES IN THAT ZIP CODE, THE, UM, LATINO CHURCHES.
SO THERE ARE ALMOST TEAM OR SPEAKING SPEAK ENGLISH PEOPLE.
SO I THINK WE, WE TRY TO KEEP THAT CHURCH WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SO WE ASK THE AUTHORITIES TO, UH, KEEP IN MIND THAT EVERY, EVERYTHING IN, IN A CITY COULD BE IN BALANCE.
SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TO PUT THIS, UM, OPPOSITION TO THAT CHANGE IN THAT AREA.
GOD, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THE SCRIPTURES, UM, BUT UH, GOD, HOUSE IS A GATE OF HEAVEN.
YOU JUST BE A PART OF THIS OR YOU JUST BE PART OF THE BLESSING.
I'M WITH CHAIR OF THE SOUTH CONGRESS CONTACT TEAM.
I JUST WANNA BRIEFLY TOUCH UP ON, UH, THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE PROBABLY HAD A THOUSAND TIMES PROBABLY IN THE LAST WEEK OR MONTH.
AND IT'S REGARDING AFFORDABILITY FOR OUR CITY.
UH, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND AND THAT, UH, WE GET SUPPORT FOR AFFORDABILITY.
AND I, I'M NOT JUST TALKING JUST AFFORDABILITY, BUT REAL PORTABILITY FOR OUR AREAS, UH, OUR CITY AND FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE LIVING OUTSIDE OF HOMES THAT ARE LIVING IN THE GREEN BELT, THAT ARE LIVING ON SOUTH CONGRESS, THAT ARE LIVING IN BEN WHITE, THEY'RE LIVING ALL DIFFERENT PLACES OF AUSTIN.
UM, AND THERE'S ANIMALS, THERE'S DOGS, THERE'S CHILDREN, THERE'S MOTHERS, AND THERE'S FATHERS AND THERE'S FAMILIES.
AND WE, WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
AND SO I ASK THAT WE MAXIMIZE AFFORDABILITY WHEN THE, WHEN THE CHANCE COMES UP TO EACH ONE OF YOU IN YOUR DISTRICT, THAT WE MAXIMIZE THE AFFORDABILITY IN ORDER FOR US TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL.
THAT IF WE'RE GONNA HAVE SOMETHING SET UP TO WHERE WE CAN'T MOVE THESE INDIVIDUALS UNLESS WE HAVE THIS SET UP OVER HERE, WHAT'S OVER HERE NEEDS TO BE SET UP SO IT'S AFFORDABLE.
SO THEN WE CAN HAVE ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE LIVING IN A CREEK OR LIVING IN A WATERSHED OR ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THIS AREA.
I ASK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, ESPECIALLY INDIVIDUALS THAT, THAT ARE ON THE COUNCIL, THAT HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE AND ARE HERE NOW THAT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE THAT ARE VETERANS AND KNOW A LOT ABOUT THIS, TO HANDLE THIS AND TAKE CARE OF THIS, YOU KNOW, AND, AND, AND A FAIRLY QUICK TIME AND MANNER.
AND ALSO RESPECT THAT, UH, WE, WE DO HAVE CITIZENS THAT ARE WORKING HARD TO HAVE AFFORDABILITY FOR THIS CITY AND THAT WE REACH OUT TO EACH ONE OF YOU TO GET THAT SUPPORT.
AND THEN SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT FOR 1 59, BRAD MASSING AND MARY KALE, MS. ADAM, THE PROPOSAL IS TO POSTPONE IT TO JULY 18TH, SO IF YOU SPEAK ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT, GREAT.
UM, I APPRECIATE THAT THIS HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
I'M ON THE BOARD OF PRESERVATION AUSTIN AND I CHAIR THEIR ADVOCACY COMMITTEE.
I NEED YOU TO STATE YOUR NAME.
I PROBABLY, OH, SORRY, I PROBABLY SCREWED THAT UP BY SAYING SOMETHING TO YOU.
RIGHT, MARY KALE AND, UM, THIS ITEM IS ABOUT THE CY AND HOUSE IN EAST AUSTIN.
UM, WE ON PRE AT PRESERVATION AUSTIN ARE, UM, WE'RE SUPPORTING THE POSTPONEMENT.
WE, UM, HOPE THAT YOU'LL VOTE FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR THIS PROPERTY.
IT'S ELIGIBLE FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION AND LISTING ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER AS WELL AS LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION.
THE STAFF REPORT FOR THE CASE IDENTIFIED ITS FULL VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL STYLE, UM, WHICH IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY RARE IN OUR CITY.
AND ITS HISTORIC ASSOCIATION WITH CARPENTER AND BUILDER CHARLES SINSON.
UM, AND WE, I I WANNA REMIND PEOPLE TOO THAT, UM, PROPERTIES LIKE THE CY AND HOUSE HAVE HOUSED EAST AUSTIN'S WORKING CLASS, AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MEXICAN AMERICAN RESIDENTS FOR DECADES.
AND WITH EACH OLDER AND HISTORIC HOME, WE LOSE, THE DE DISPLACEMENT OF THESE COMMUNITIES IS CEMENTED.
SO WHEN THIS COMES UP FOR VOTE ON JULY 18TH, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT, UH, HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR IT.
I JUST WANT TO CLAIM A BRAIN FART.
[04:40:01]
I SIGNED UP FOR ONE 40, UH, 59 AND 47 AND I KIND OF MIXED THE TWO UP, SO, OKAY.
APPRECIATE YOU LETTING US KNOW AND, AND, AND REALLY APPRECIATE YOU NOT JUST TAKING A POSITION.
MAYOR, I'VE CALLED ALL THE CONSENT SPEAKERS.
MEMBERS, UH, YOU'VE HEARD, UH, ALL OF THE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WAS READ, AND THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA.
LET ME ASK IF THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION, UH, WITH REGARD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN ABSTAINING ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN RECUSING THEMSELVES FROM AN ITEM THAT'S ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING ME, SIR.
I'D LIKE TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON 1 49 AND 1 57.
1 49 IS NOT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, NOR IS.
AFTER HER HEARING ALL THAT TESTIMONY, YOU'RE STILL A NO, NO, I'M, I'M TEASING.
ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AT 1 57 AND 1 49 ARE NOT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? THEY'RE NOT.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, AND I, I MEAN REALLY WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
UH, THAT WILL NOW TAKE US TO 1 49.
[Items 149 & 157]
UM, MS. HARDEN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.I, WE TYPICALLY DO THESE TOGETHER, BUT I'LL SEPARATE 'EM.
TELL ME HOW YOU WANT TO PROCEED.
UM, MIGHT, MIGHT BE, I'LL JUST LAY OUT 1 49.
THIS IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.
WELL, WHY WOULD YOU TYPICALLY DO IT? AND NOW YOU'RE NOT I'LL DEFER TO THE COUNCIL.
WHAT, WELL, WHAT, WHAT IS IT? WHY IS IT YOU WOULD WANT TO DO THAT? TELL, BECAUSE WE MAY, WELL, UH, THE THREE MINUTES EACH ITEM, I WOULD TYPICALLY JUST LAY IT OUT AT ALL AT ONCE.
IS THAT HOW WELL FEEL, FEEL FREE TO LAY 'EM OUT, BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO LET PEOPLE SPEAK THAT'S ON EACH ITEM'S.
THEN I WOULD LIKE TO DO IT THE SAME WAY THEN, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH Y'ALL.
WE'LL, WE'LL FOLLOW YOUR LEAD.
UM, SO ITEM 1 49, IT'S RELATED TO 1 57.
IT'S NPA 20 23 0 0 2, 0 0.0 2 1 0 6 0 1 18.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 1 0 6 AND ONE 18 RED BIRD LANE.
THE NM PA CASE CONSISTS OF ONE LOT REQUESTING OF FUTURE LAND USE.
MAP PLUMB CHANGE FROM SINGLE FAMILY TO MIXED USE.
THE REMAINING PROPERTIES PROPOSED TO BE REZONED IN THE RELATED ITEM 1 57 ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS MIXED USE ON THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP.
SO AGAIN, THIS IS ONLY A PLUMB CHANGE FOR ONE LOT.
WHILE THE LOT DOES NOT HAVE FRONTAGE ON SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE, IT IS PART OF A LARGER PROPOSED UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT FOR MIXED USE PROJECT WITH WHICH DOES FRONT SOUTH CONGRESS, SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE AS IDENTIFIED AS AN ACTIVITY CORRIDOR IN THE IMAGINE AUSTIN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE PROPERTY IS HIGHLIGHTED ON PAGE 1 28 OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, UH, AS A REDEVELOPMENT PARCEL.
THE SITE IS INDICATED AS PART OF THE COMPACT ACTIVITY CENTER ALONG SOUTH CONGRESS BETWEEN UL TORF AND STATON LANE, WHERE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT IS SUPPORTED AND COULD ACCOMMODATE NEARLY 15,000 MORE RESIDENTS THAN THE EXISTING SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENT PATTERN THAT IS TYPICAL TO THE AREA.
SO AGAIN, STAFF SUPPORTS THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST OF MIXED USE TO LILY USE MAP.
MOVING ON TO THE RELATED ITEM OF 1 57.
THAT CASE NUMBER C 1 4 20 23 0 0 3 4 54 2 SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 1 0 6, 1 16 AND ONE 18 RED BIRD LANE IN 54 0 2, 50 54 0 8, AND 54 12 SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE AND ONE 11 WEST MOCKINGBIRD LANE.
IT IS CURRENTLY ZONED SF TWO C-S-M-U-M-P-C-S-M MBU AND THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING CS M-U-B-C-O DB 90 NMP.
THE SUBJECT REZONING AREA IS APPRO APPROXIMATELY 2.72 ACRES AND IT'S LOCATED ON SOUTH CONORS AVENUE BETWEEN REDBIRD LANE AND WEST MOCKINGBIRD LANE.
THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE SITE ALONG RED BIRD LANE IS DEVELOPED WITH A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENT AND A PREVIOUS AUTOMOTIVE SALES USE.
WHILE THE NORTHERN PORTION IS UNDEVELOPED, THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING A DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD CONSIST OF APPROXIMATELY 250 MULTIFAMILY UNITS AND 9,600 SQUARE FEET.
[04:45:01]
PEDESTRIAN ORIENTED USES AND INTENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DB 90.COMBINING DISTRICT DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM, WHICH REQUIRES THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING STAFF IS RECOMMENDING CS MUV CO DB 90 MP BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS, LAND USES IN ALONG SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE ARE IN TRANSITION FROM UNDEVELOPED TRACKS TO THOSE THAT INCLUDE MIXED USE AND MULTIFAMILY RESIDENCES.
THERE IS EXISTING CS ZONING LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE AS WELL AS SOUTH OF THE PROPERTY.
SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE IS A CORE TRANSIT CORRIDOR AND THE SITE IS LOCATED WITHIN ONE QUARTER OF A MILE OF THREE PUBLIC TRANSIT BUS STOPS.
IT IS, UH, IT IS CURRENTLY SERVED BY TWO CAPITAL METRO BUS ROUTES, INCLUDING A METRO RAPID BUS ROUTE.
AND SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE IS ALSO DESIGNATED AS A PROJECT CONNECT CORRIDOR FOR THE FUTURE EXTENSION OF THE PROPOSED ORANGE LINE.
AND WITH THAT, I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF IN THAT CASE WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 49 AND I, I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 57.
WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS ASK, UH, PEOPLE, THE WAY WE'RE GONNA DO THIS IS THOSE THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM, I'M GOING TO ASK TO MAKE A FIVE MINUTE PROPO, UH, FIVE MINUTE PRESENTATION, THOSE OPPOSED TO THE ITEM TO MAKE A FIVE MINUTE PRESENTATION.
AND THEN WE WILL GO TO THREE MINUTE PRESENTATIONS BY FIRST THOSE IN FAVOR, THEN THOSE OPPOSED.
AND THEN WE WILL ALLOW FOR A WRAP UP AND REBUTTAL BECAUSE BOTH OF THESE ITEMS ARE RELATED.
UH, WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS ASK, WE'RE GONNA HAVE, I'LL LET YOU SPEAK ON BOTH OF THEM, UH, BUT IF YOU CAN JUST SPEAK TO THE, THE MERITS OF BOTH ITEMS IN THE ONE TIME.
UM, IF THAT, IF THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.
SO WE WILL START WITH A PRESENTATION BY THE APPLICANT.
UM, AND THEN WHOEVER IS IN OPPOSITION, IF YOU WILL PLEASE PICK YOUR PRE PRESENTER FOR A FIVE MINUTE PRESENTATION TO IN OPPOSITION.
IT'S ALL YOURS IF YOU'RE FOR IT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE HERE TODAY.
MY NAME'S AMANDA SWORE ON BEHALF OF THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY.
JUST WANTED TO SHOW A COUPLE OF PICTURES TO WHAT STAFF WAS MENTIONING.
SO THIS IS THE PROPERTY WITH, UH, MOCKINGBIRD ON THE NORTH, SOUTH CONGRESS ON THE EAST, AND REDBIRD ON THE SOUTH.
UH, PUTTING INTO A PICTURE WHAT MS. HARDIN WAS MENTIONING.
THE ONE PIECE THAT IS CHANGING FROM, UH, FROM SINGLE FAMILY FUTURE LAND USE MAP TO MIXED USE.
IT IS THE KIND OF THE HOLE IN THE LARGER PIECE THAT WILL ALLOW FOR A UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROPERTY.
UH, THIS IS THE LIST OF CONDITIONAL OVERLAYS.
UH, THIS CASE WAS ON YOUR AGENDA BACK IN DECEMBER.
UH, THIS PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED IN MARCH FOR A VM U2 PROJECT.
THERE IS A SITE PLAN IN REVIEW.
UH, WE DID HAVE TO POSTPONE THIS TO ALLOW, UH, DV 90 TO BE PASSED.
AND SO THAT IS WHERE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.
THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED IT AT PLANNING COMMISSION.
UH, THIS REALLY LAYS OUT EVERYTHING THAT MS. HARDEN SAID THIS, THIS IS A, IF NOT HERE, WHERE TYPE OF A SITE.
WE ARE LOCATED ON A COURT TRANSIT CORRIDOR ON AN IMAGINE AUSTIN CORRIDOR WITHIN, UM, EAST, WEST AND NORTH SOUTH RAPID TRANSIT, NOT JUST, UM, SELDOM SERVICE LINES.
THIS, UH, PROJECT WAS, UH, AS STAFF MENTIONED ORIGINALLY 250 UNITS.
WE DO HAVE A SITE PLAN AND AS WE'VE GONE THROUGH THAT, IT'S APPROXIMATELY 275 UNITS.
WE DID WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CONTACT TEAM.
THEY ASKED US TO UTILIZE THE 50% MFI, SO WE WILL BE DOING 10% OF THE UNITS AT 50% MFI.
SO THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE 28 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AT 50% MFI IN A LOCATION OF THE CITY THAT HAS AMAZING TRANSIT.
UM, WITH THAT I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
MEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? GREAT, THANK YOU.
UM, OPPOSITION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
HEY Y'ALL, UM, I HAVE A PRESENTATION.
MASSENGILL THE 1 47, I MEAN 1 49 1.
SORRY, DID I GO WITH MY DYSLEXIA AGAIN? UM, HI Y'ALL.
I'M WITH, UH, THE BIRD STREETS OF PLEASANT HILL NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP AND, UH, SAVE MYSTERY CREEK AS WELL AS A BOARD MEMBER OF, UH, SOUTH AUSTIN CREEK ALLIANCE.
AND WE'RE HERE TO, IN OPPOSITION TO THIS, WE HAVE A VALID PETITION, SO WE WON'T TRY
[04:50:01]
TO TAKE THAT UP TODAY.UM, WE, WE, BESIDES THE VALID PETITION, OUR, OUR, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD OF 70 HOMES, WE ENDED UP WITH OVER 45 PEOPLE SIGNING ONTO A PETITION.
SO IT'S PRETTY MUCH UNANIMOUS THE WAY THE THE NEIGHBORHOOD FEELS ABOUT THIS.
UM, I'M GONNA START WITH THE, UH, ANATOMY OF THE DEATH OF A CREEK.
BACK IN THE 1930S, THE BIRD STREETS WAS A LITTLE FOUR SQUARE BLOCK NEIGHBORHOOD AND SOUTH OF TOWN, WAY OUT IN THE BOONIES.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS THE NORTHERN END OF A HUGE MEADOW THAT IS SURROUNDED BY PRESENT DAY LITTLE TURTLE CREEK TO THE NORTH AND WEST AND OLD SAN ANTONIO HIGHWAY ON THE EAST.
THIS, THE CREEK ON THE LEFT IS OUR MYSTERY CREEK.
IT FLOWED FROM SOUTH OF PRESENT DAY, WILLIAM CANNON NORTH TO THE BIRD STREETS NEIGHBORHOOD AND ONTO LITTLE TURTLE CREEK, A TRIBUTARY OF WILLIAMSON CREEK.
ALL THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SUBDIVISION SOUTH OF STANE HAVE BEEN BUILT ON TOP OF THE OLD STREAM BED.
AND THE TWO COMPANION CREEKS ARE LONG SINCE VANISHED.
ALL THE REMAINS OF A ONCE MILES LONG CREEK IS A THREE BLOCK LONG SECTION.
TRAVELING FROM SOUTH SIDE OF REDBIRD LANE TO LITTLE TURTLE CREEK, THERE'S A SMALL ARTESIAN SPRING AT THE 300 BLOCK OF REDBIRD LANE.
IT'S ABOUT 120 FEET FROM THE 1 0 6 REDBIRD LANE PROPERTY MYSTERY CREEK TRAVERSES ON ITS WAY TO WILLIAMSON CREEK.
THE CRITICAL ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE IS WELL WITHIN THE 150 FOOT PERIMETER PRESCRIBED BY THE CITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT.
THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THIS SPRING TO MYSTERY CREEK MEANS IT AS WELL, IS A CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE.
SINCE THE ONLY PATH FOR THIS SPRING'S OUTFLOW IS VIA MYSTERY CREEK THROUGH THE 1 0 6 REDBIRD LANE PROPERTY ON ITS WAY TO WILLIAMSON CREEK, IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO WILLIAMSON CREEK THE CREEK AT THE, WAIT ONE MORE, SORRY.
REDBIRD IS HOME TO ONE OF THE LARGEST COTTONWOODS IN SOUTH AUSTIN.
COTTONWOOD TREES ARE GREAT INDICATORS OF NEARBY SPRINGS.
THIS MASSIVE COTTONWOOD TELLS US MYSTERY CREEK IS SPRING FED AS A SPRING FED EPHEMERAL STREAM.
MYSTERY CREEK IS PROTECTED BY STATE LAW.
ANY EFFORTS TO BLOCK, DIVERT OR CHANNEL IT ARE FORBIDDEN BY SOME OF THE OLDEST LAWS ON THE BOOKS.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT DEFENDING MR. CREEK FROM PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN PAST DECADES.
LITTLE FOUR APARTMENTS PICTURED HERE HAD TO SHRINK ITS PROPOSED FOOTPRINT.
WHEN IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE CREEK, A NATIONAL SELF STORAGE COMPANY DROPPED THEIR PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY WHEN THE CREEK WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION.
WE'VE ALSO CALLED IN HERITAGE OAK AND PECAN TREES ON THE 5,400 SOUTH CONGRESS SITE THAT WERE BEING ILLEGALLY CHOPPED DOWN.
WE HAVE VIDEO, SAME, SAME DEVELOPER, AND THE HISTORIC BUNGALOWS ON THIS PROPERTY WERE ILLEGALLY DESTROYED AND THE RUBBLE WAS PILED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF MYSTERY CREEK.
LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PICTURE HERE.
ALONG WITH, WITH THE MOUNTAIN OF SAWDUST, THE CHOPPED TREES CREATED THIS MASSIVE DEBRIS, DEBRIS PILE STARTED.
THE INEVITABLE SEDIMENTATION OF MYSTERY CREEK ADD THE FALLEN LIMBS FROM THE LAST TWO MAJOR FREEZES.
AND YOU HAVE A BEARABLE DAM BACKING UP FLOOD WATER INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IN ADDITION, MYSTERY CREEK IS CATCHING ALL THE SEDIMENT FLOWING DOWN FROM REDBURN LANE.
IT IS DYING A SLOW DEATH BY STAGNATION.
THAT BRINGS ME TO MY ORIGINAL STATEMENT, THE ANATOMY OF THE DEATH OF A CREEK.
THERE'S AN EPHEMERAL CREEK A THERE'S AN EPHEMERAL CREEK FLOWING UNDER MASSIVE TREES.
TREES THAT SOAK UP LOTS OF WATER AND POTENTIAL FLOOD WATER AND CREATE SHADE CAM PEE THAT COOLS THE IMMEDIATE AREA BY SEVERAL DEGREES.
CHOP DOWN THE HUGE BEE, CHOP DOWN THE HUGE WATER, STORING TREES AND PILE DEBRIS IN THE PATH OF THE CREEK.
NOW YOU HAVE WATER BACKING UP JUST LIKE A BEAVER DAM.
IT STAGNATES AND GOES WIDE AND FLAT AT WHICH POINT SEDIMENT STARTS FILLING IN THE CREEK CREEK BED.
THIS IS THE CURRENT SITUATION ON RED BIRD LANE WATER.
I DIDN'T KNOW I COULD DO VIDEO.
UH, UH, ANYWAY, THE CREEK FLATTENS OUT ENTIRELY SENDING SHEETS OF FLOOD WATER INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES.
I'M SORRY SIR, THAT, BUT YOUR INITIAL TIME HAS EXPIRED.
UM, MEMBERS, I MAY HAVE BEEN UNCLEAR ON WHAT I WAS SAYING.
WE OPENED BOTH PUBLIC HEARINGS BECAUSE THEY'RE RELATED, UH, BECAUSE
[04:55:01]
WE'RE TRYING TO OPERATE WHERE PEOPLE GET TO SPEAK ON BOTH ITEMS. UH, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY WAS THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON BOTH ITEMS, WHICH MEANS THEY BASICALLY GET SIX MINUTES.BUT I WAS PLEADING WITH THEM THAT IF THEY DON'T NEED THE FULL SIX MINUTES, THAT THEY, UH, USE WHATEVER, WHATEVER TIME THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE NEED.
SO IF YOU'LL DO IT THAT WAY, I'D APPRECIATE IT.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM.
MAYOR, THERE IS NO ONE SIGNED UP IN FAVOR.
THAT'S THE EASIEST SIX MINUTES WE'VE HAD SO FAR.
THOSE IN OPPOSITION FOR ITEM 1 49, TANYA PAYNE AND THEN THOMAS ROBINSON.
IF THEY'VE ONLY SIGNED UP ON ONE ITEM, IT'S THREE MINUTES.
IF THEY'VE SIGNED UP ON BOTH, IT'S SIX MINUTES.
MOVING ON TO THOSE WHO SIGNED UP FOR BOTH ITEMS. LINDSEY STEEPLES, THOMAS HENDRICKS, ANDREA MCCARTNEY.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT.
IF IT'S AN EMPTY MICROPHONE, YOU OWN IT, SO GO FOR IT.
HELLO, MY NAME IS TANYA PAYNE AND I LIVE ON IN DISTRICT FIVE.
AND I WILL BE VERY FAST TODAY
UH, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL.
I KNOW THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN FLOODING BY YOUR ACTIONS TODAY.
I KNOW YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT WATER QUALITY AND AIR QUALITY BIODIVERSITY, ESPECIALLY IN, UH, YOUR UPCOMING, UH, BOND PROPOSAL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET IT CHEAP.
YOU CAN JUST VOTE NO AND MAINTAIN THE SPRING AND PROTECT THE LANDS AROUND IT.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO JUST HAVE SOMETHING SLIGHTLY SMALLER.
I'M GIVING MY TIME TO BRAD MASSI.
THAT, THAT, THAT'S NOT HOW IT OPERATES.
UM, WELL I DID IT OVER THERE, BUT THAT, BUT COME UP.
APPARENTLY WE WEREN'T AWARE OF IT.
IF I TOOK FIVE MINUTES, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS TELL TIME.
UM, BUT I FEEL A LITTLE WELL, I'M, I'M SORRY THAT YOU FEEL THAT WAY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK MA'AM? WHAT ITEMS, WHAT ITEMS HAS SHE SIGNED UP ON? BOTH 1 49 AND 1 57.
SO, SO YOU'LL HAVE, YOU'LL HAVE UP TO SIX MINUTES.
I'M CONTINUING WITH MR. CREEK.
UH, UH, MY NAME'S ANDREA MCCARTNEY.
MR. CREEK'S A DILAPIDATED IN A DILAPIDATED STATE.
IT WASN'T BEFORE THE CURRENT PROPERTY OWNER'S ACTIONS IMPACTED IT SO NEGATIVELY FOR THE APPLICANT.
APPLICANT TO CLAIM THIS IS NOT A CREEK AND WORTHY OF OUR PROTECTION IS A FABRICATED SCENARIO OF THEIR OWN MAKING, REWARDING SUCH BEHAVIOR WITH BONUS PROGRAMS AND THE LIKE, SEEMS PATENTLY UNFAIR TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND AN AFFRONT TO OUR NATURAL HERITAGE AND THE TREES WE LOVE SO MUCH.
AT A TIME WHEN THE CITY'S PREPARING TO EMBARK ON A CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN WITH ESTIMATES OF OVER A BILLION DOLLARS TO BE SPENT ON THE ACQUISITION OF GREEN SPACE.
TO LET THIS PROPERTY LEAVE THE PROTECTION OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN FOR THE TOD WOULD BE AN ACT OF SHEER HYPOCRISY.
MYSTERY CREEK IS A MAJOR ASSET TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE CITY, AS ARE ALL THE UNNAMED CREEKS AND EPHEMERAL STREAMS AROUND TOWN, ALLOWING US TO GO FORWARD.
KNOWING THE IMPORTANCE THESE CAPILLARIES HAVE ON OUR GREATER WATER WATERSHED CIRCULATORY SYSTEM IS TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT WE ALREADY HAVE SOME OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO OVERCOME.
THE LOOMING CLIMATE CATASTROPHE, DESTROYING PARTS OF NATURE WE ALREADY HAVE TO PURSUE A TECHNOLOGICAL OR REAL ESTATE FUELED FIXED TO THESE PROBLEMS IS NOT A HEALTHY WAY TO PROCEED.
UH, PLEASE DENY THIS REQUEST TO AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.
UM, THANK YOU BETSY GREENBERG.
LAUREN ROSS M KINCH SOLE PRAXIS
[05:00:02]
AFTER SOLE IS BILL OLIVER, JULIE WOODS.SIGNED UP FOR BOTH ITEMS WAS SIX MINUTES.
I'M READING THESE ON BEHALF OF BRAD MASSING.
I WOKE UP THE NIGHT BEFORE LAST TO FIND 10 FIRETRUCKS SURROUNDING THE PROPERTY AT 5,400 BLOCK OF SOUTH CONGRESS.
THERE WERE 20 FIREFIGHTERS OUT THERE.
IF IT HADN'T BEEN A RAINY DAY, THE FIRE IN THAT STRUCTURE COULD HAVE EASILY SPREAD THROUGHOUT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I MIGHT BE HOMELESS RIGHT NOW.
THE HOUSE ON THE 1 0 6 REDBURN LANE PROPERTY HAS BEEN SQUATTED IN, ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS.
WHEN THE APPLICANT BOUGHT THAT HOUSE, IT WAS PER A PERFECTLY GOOD HOUSE.
I KNEW THE OWNER AND HE MAINTAINED IT WELL.
THE APPLICANT IS CLAIMING IT IS AN ABANDONED HOUSE.
IT IS NOT BEING MAINTAINED BY THE APPLICANT.
THEY HAVE BEEN LETTING IT FALL INTO DISREPAIR SO THAT THEY CAN CLAIM IT IS IN.
IT IS AN ABANDONED HOUSE WHEN IT COMES TIME TO DEMOLISH IT.
IT'S A HISTORIC STRUCTURE AND WE'LL NEED A SPECIAL PERMIT TO TAKE DOWN.
THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE STRUCTURE THAT CAUGHT FIRE THIS WEEK.
WE'VE HAD A SPATE OF MALE THI GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
TURNS OUT THE MALE STEELERS HAVE BEEN HOLDING UP IN ONE OF THE PROPERTIES ON REDBIRD LANE.
WE'VE ALSO BEEN HEARING TALES OF OTHER PROPERTIES.
THE APPLICANT OWNS ONE SUCH PROPERTY, APPARENTLY HAD AT LEAST 30 PEOPLE SQUATTING THERE WITH NO ELECTRICITY OR WATER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS CONCERNED.
THE OWNERS SEEM TO BE IGNORING THE PROBLEM.
THEY APPARENTLY HAVE UNRENTED UNITS ALL OVER TOWN WITH NO SORT OF SYSTEMATIC SECURITY.
SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER BEFORE CONSIDERING GIVING A DENSITY BONUS TO A PROJECT THAT WILL YIELD ONLY A HANDFUL OF SLIGHTLY AFFORDABLE UNITS.
THE 1 0 6 REDBIRD LANE PROPERTY.
THANKS TO THE NEWLY PASSED HOMES INITIATIVE, THIS LOT COULD SUSTAIN OVER 40 TRULY AFFORDABLE UNITS.
IF THE GOAL IS TO GET MORE AFFORDABILITY CLOSE TO THE CORE, THIS OPTION WOULD ALLOW THIS PROPERTY TO STAY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
MICRO CABINS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SEEMS LIKE A MUCH BETTER FIT.
THE APPLICANT MAY CLAIM UNDUE HARDSHIP DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND ENERGY THEY'VE PUT INTO DESIGNING AND SITTING ON THIS PROJECT.
BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THIS IS THE THIRD SITE PLAN FOR THIS PARTICULAR PARCEL.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE INITIAL PROJECT MANAGER ACTUALLY CAME OVER TO MY HOUSE TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THE PROPERTY.
THEY, THE PROJECT THEY WERE PROPOSING AND I WAS ASKING FOR AND WAS ASKING FOR MY INPUT.
WE WALKED TO THE PROPERTY AND WE TALKED ABOUT MAKING SURE THE CREEK WAS INCLUDED IN THEIR PLANS.
THEY WERE DEFINITELY ACKNOWLEDGING THE CREEK'S EXISTENCE AT THAT POINT.
HE GOT BACK, UH, TO ME, TELLING ME THAT THEY HAD DECIDED TO PUT IN A GREEN SPACE THAT INCLUDED THE CREEK AND WOULD BE A GREAT AMENITY TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT.
A PROJECT THAT WOULD'VE BEEN MUCH SMALLER.
IT WOULD'VE BEEN AN APPROPRIATE SIZED PROJECT WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BEING TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
I THINK SUBSEQUENT CITING ATTEMPTS THAT LURE THE LURE OF THE DENSITY BONUS HOUSING OFFERED WITH AFFORDABILITY UNLOCKED MADE THEM CHANGE THEIR MIND AND DECIDE TO UPZONE THE PROPERTY.
INSTEAD, IT'S, AT THIS POINT, THEY PUT ALL THEIR EGGS IN ONE BASKET.
THEIR ORIGINAL PLAN WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AND MOST LIKELY COMPLETED BY NOW.
BUT THE TEMPTATION OF THESE EXTRA STORIES WAS TOO MUCH FOR THEM TO RESIST.
THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A GAMBLE AND SHOOT FOR A LARGER RETURN ON INVESTMENT ON THIS PROPERTY WITHOUT DOING THEIR HOMEWORK.
IF THEY HAD DONE THEIR HOMEWORK, THEY WOULD'VE REALIZED THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED MYSTERY CREEK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THE PREVIOUS PROJECT MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THE CREEK IN EARLIER DISCUSSIONS.
THEY KNOW IT WAS THERE, YET THEY WENT AHEAD WITH THEIR PLAN ANYWAY.
THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER.
IN THE PAST, I I WORKED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO A VENTURE ADVENTURE CAPITALIST.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED IN THAT JOB WAS TO DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE.
AND THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A GUARANTEED RETURN ON INVESTMENT, UNFORTUNATELY FOR THIS OUTFIT.
THEY FORGOT THOSE SIMPLE LESSONS AND WENT FULL SPEED AHEAD WITHOUT ACTUALLY HAVING A CLEAR PATH TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO.
THEY SHOULD HAVE QUIT WHEN THEY WERE AHEAD AND MADE SOMETHING THAT WOULD'VE BEEN APPROPRIATE.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THEIR DECISION MAKING.
WE WILL GAIN NOTHING FROM THIS AND HAVE EVERYTHING TO LOSE.
THE IRONY IS, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN MY PERSONAL SITUATION, I'LL BE SURROUNDED BY NEW CONSTRUCTION AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE NO MATTER WHAT.
I'VE GOT NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT.
THERE ARE VACANT LOTS ON THREE SIDES OF ME.
I'M GOING TO BE SURROUNDED AT SOME POINT.
I'M DEFINITELY NOT DOING THIS FOR MYSELF.
THIS PROJECT MIGHT NOT EVEN BE FINISHED BY THE TIME I'M 75 YEARS OLD.
SO I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT MY TAXES GOING UP.
SO YOU MIGHT ASK YOURSELF, WHY AM I GOING TO ALL THIS EFFORT JUST TO BE OBSTINATE OR STUBBORN? THE TRUTH IS OF THE MATTER IS I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND IGNORING THESE ISSUES WILL BE LEAVING AN EVEN BIGGER MESS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS WHEN THEY FIND THEMSELVES AS AN IN AN UNLIVABLE CITY WITH NO WATER, NO TREES SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLASH FLOODING AND FIRES WITH AN INABILITY TO ENSURE THEIR HOMES ARE, AS INSURANCE COMPANIES PULL OUT OF THE MARKET DUE TO POTENTIAL CL CLIMATE CATASTROPHE, PAYOUTS, PAYOUTS, THEY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD, YOU CAN'T TRANSFER TITLE ONE IN TEXAS WITHOUT INSURANCE.
WE NEED TO CONSIDER FUTURE GENERATIONS.
WE NEED TO TAKE THE TIME AND SPEND THE EFFORT TO LOCATE
[05:05:01]
ALL THESE MINUSCULE PIECES OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND ENSHRINE THEM IN SOME WAY TO MAKE THEM INVI INVIABLE INTO THE FUTURE.FUTURE GENERATIONS ARE COUNTING ON US TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
PAST GENERATIONS FAILED TO NOTICE OR ACT ON ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING US TODAY.
LET'S NOT BE THE UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.
OUR NATIVE AMERICAN FRIENDS TEACH US TO LOOK OUT FOR THE FUTURE UP TO SEVEN GENERATIONS.
WE NEED TO TAKE THAT LESSON TO HEART.
PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY, KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD.
I THINK SOME OF US WOULD LIKE TO SEE KEEP AUSTIN FLOWING.
AND I JUST WANNA ADD, UM, ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITY POWERED A TX THAT WE ALSO OPPOSE, UM, THIS CHANGE.
I KNOW THAT WE HEAR COUNCIL TALK ABOUT, OH, WE'RE GONNA HELP WITH FLOOD INSURANCE AFTER WE ALREADY PASS THE HOME INITIATIVE OR OTHER THINGS THAT WORSEN FLOODING.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO DO THINGS FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE AFTER WE DESTROY TREES THAT ACTUALLY PROVIDE SHADE AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND, AND ALLOW OUR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS TO STAY.
UM, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT INSULATED FROM THE EXTREME HEAT, THE EXTREME WEATHER, UM, EVENTS THAT WE'RE SEEING.
UM, I THINK WE'RE ALL VERY TIRED OF JUST HEARING TALK ABOUT HOW, UH, COUNSEL IS GOING TO, UM, TRY TO MITIGATE A PROBLEM THAT THEY'VE CREATED.
AND SO I HOPE YOU WON'T CREATE ANOTHER PROBLEM AND DESTROY MYSTERY CREEK.
CITY COUNCIL SAVE MYSTERY CREEK, UM, AND FREE PHILISTINE.
SO I'M AGAINST ANY DEVELOPMENT AT THIS POINT, UM, THAT TEARS DOWN TREES.
I'M SORRY, BUT YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF.
UM, SO I'M AGAINST ANY DEVELOPMENT AT THIS POINT WHEN, UH, WHEN IT'S, WE HAVEN'T HAD AN AUDIT TO SEE HOW MUCH OF THE CAMPAIGN COMP CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ALL THE, THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR, UH, WERE PROVIDED BY DEVELOPERS.
WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH PO RENTEE IN THE PAST.
THE PAST CITY COUNCIL MEMBER THAT GOT OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DONATIONS FROM THE DEVELOPERS THAT DESTROYED RIVERSIDE.
UM, THERE'S A CONDO RIGHT THERE ON SOUTH CONGRESS OFF REDBIRD.
IT'S IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND IT, IT HAS DEGRADED THE, THE ENVIRONMENT THERE.
IT, UH, AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS LOW INCOME HOUSING, BASICALLY A SHANTI THAT WAS DESTROYED, THAT BRAD MASSENGILL, UH, THAT MENTIONED WHEN THEY'RE CUTTING THE VIDEOS OF 'EM CUTTING DOWN TREES AND ALL THAT, WHEN WE'RE HAVING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN AUSTIN, IT KEEPS GETTING HOTTER AND HOTTER.
YOU CANNOT CUT DOWN TREES FOR DEVELOPERS.
WE'RE, WE HAVE A HEAP SIGNATURE WHERE ALL THE STORMS GO AROUND US OR BURNED UP BECAUSE WE'RE, WE'RE JUST LIKE A, A BIG PROCESSOR, HEAT CONDUCTOR INSIDE OF A COMPUTER WITH ALL THESE SKYSCRAPERS AND, AND GLASS AND CONCRETE DOWNTOWN.
OUR LOCAL WEATHER AFFECTING MY GARDENS, WE'RE AFFECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
UH, THE ABILITY FOR THE, THE, THE AQUIFER TO RECHARGE.
UM, WE, WE REALLY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL, WE HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL TALK, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION.
UM, WHAT THE DEVELOPERS ARE DOING IS THEY'RE BUYING IN.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE NOT EVEN AUSTINITES.
LET'S JUST ADMIT THAT MOST OF THE DEVELOPERS, UNLIKE THE GUADALUPE, UH, GROUP THAT WE TALKED TO EARLIER, UM, THAT THAT SPOKE EARLIER, MOST OF THESE DEVELOPERS ARE FROM OUT OF TOWN LIKE DOMINION AND STUFF.
AND I KNOW YOU KNOW WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT.
'CAUSE YOU PROBABLY ALL GOT CHECKS FROM THEM.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE DEVELOPING OUR CITY AND HYPER DEVELOPING OUR INFLATION TO WHERE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.
AND IT'S DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CHANGES THAT Y'ALL MAKE.
AND THEY CONTINUE TO MAKE WITHOUT PROPER CITIZEN INPUT.
WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE FIVE OR SIX MINUTES.
I'M A FORMER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST FROM BAYLOR UNIVERSITY.
I'VE TESTED WATER THROUGH TEXAS WATCH, UM, AND THROUGH AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST ALL OVER THE STATE OF TEXAS, GROUNDWATER, UM, POLLUTION, HAZARDOUS HAZARDOUS WASTE.
AND, UM, I, I, I JUST, ALL I SEE IS THE CITY GOING AFTER PEOPLE, UH, OF COLOR AND OF POVERTY, CUTTING DOWN MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF TREES IN FIELDS TO GET TO PEOPLE DESTROYING PARKS, DESTROYING, LITERALLY USE OLD PARKS THAT THEY DON'T WANT IT TO.
AND GIVING 'EM TO DEVELOPERS TO CREATE MORE APARTMENTS.
WE DON'T NEED MORE APARTMENTS.
WE DON'T HAVE A HOUSING SHELTER.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF HOUSES IN SOUTHWEST AUSTIN THAT WERE JUST BUILT THOUSANDS OF HOUSES.
THERE'S PLENTY OF EMPTY CONDOS AND BUILDINGS.
THE CITY LITERALLY HAS HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF ACRES IN BUILDINGS THAT Y'ALL DON'T EVEN USE.
UM, THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO HOUSE PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY THE LOW INCOME.
I'M, I'M REALLY TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE, UH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THOSE ACTUALLY, THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY A METRIC.
THE METRIC IS LOW INCOME HOUSING AS PART OF THE HOUSING, UH, IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
THE HUD IT'S, IT'S PART OF, UM, THE TAX CODE.
SO LOW INCOME HAS A, HAS A CEILING WHERE
[05:10:01]
YOU'RE EXEMPT FROM TAXES.AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AGAIN, IS THE YUPPIES THAT WE WANNA BRING IN, THAT YOU KEEP INVITING OF AND GIVING, GIVING, UH, TAX INCENTIVES TO PEOPLE LIKE THE DOMAIN AND TO, UH, THE RIVERSIDE.
WE'VE SEEN HOW THE DEVELOPMENT WORKS WHERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE DISPLACED OF LOW INCOME AND PEOPLE THAT ARE MINORITIES.
EVERY MINORITY ON THIS, ON THIS CHEETO, ALL OF YOU GUYS, UH, UH, QUADRI, ALL OF YOU GUYS, Y'ALL NEED TO DEFEND MINORITIES BECAUSE YOU'RE WHITENING THE CITY.
YOU'RE PART OF THE WHITENING OF THE CITY WHERE IT'S FOR RICH WHITE PEOPLE ONLY.
UM, THE OTHER THING I WANNA MENTION IS THE, WITH THE CREEKS AND THE STREAMS IN AUSTIN AND WHAT ADLER WAS TELLING US WITH THE BOIL WATER NOTICES.
SO LITERALLY WHAT WE HAD WAS CONTAMINATION OF THE WATER, NOT, NOT SEDIMENT.
YOU CANNOT BOIL OUT, UH, SEDIMENT AND SAND OUT OF YOUR WATER.
WHAT WE HAVE IS CONTAMINATED WATERWAYS BECAUSE THE SEWERS ARE PLACED IN THE CREEK.
AND I HEARD SOMEONE SPEAK ABOUT THAT EARLIER, AND THAT WAS A, A ECONOMIC THING.
IT'S EASIER TO USE GRAVITY FED, UH, SEWERS AND PUT 'EM IN THE, IN OUR, IN OUR GREEN BELTS AND DOWN IN OUR, OUR CREEK BEDS.
BUT THAT NEEDS TO BE UNDONE NOW.
WE GOTTA SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO UNDO THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE POLLUTING OUR ENVIRONMENT.
AND THE THE WATER IS NOT SAFE FOR AN ANIMAL TO BE IN.
NOT SAFE FOR A DOG TO DRINK WITHOUT DYING.
NOT SAFE FOR A HUMAN BEING TO BE IN WITHOUT GETTING A FRESHWATER AMOEBA AND, AND GIVE 'EM A BRAIN ANEURYSM.
WE'VE, WE'VE CREATED A DIRTY, NASTY CITY AND WE HAVEN'T DONE ENOUGH ON EDUCATION AND TO TELL PEOPLE STOP POLLUTING.
WE HAVEN'T DONE A LOT OF, OF EDUCATIONAL REACH OUT TO, TO, TO, TO NOT MESS, MESS WITH TEXAS.
AND YOU GUYS ARE MESSING WITH TEXAS.
YOU'RE MESSING WITH AUSTIN AND I'M AGAINST ALL OF THAT STUFF.
SO SAVE MR. CREEK AND FREE PHILISTINE.
I'M, I'M BILL OLIVER AND I'VE BEEN IN DISTRICT THREE FOR OVER 50 YEARS, RIGHT?
I HOPE I'M NOT THE OBLIGATORY, UH, COMEDIAN FOR THE DAY.
BUT I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF MYSTERY CREEK IN THE BIRD STREET NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, FROM MY F EARLIEST MEMORIES, THREE YEARS OLD, GETTING A SPANKING FROM MY MOTHER FOR WAITING IN THE CREEK IN WEBSTER GROVES, ST.
IT WASN'T SO MUCH THE WAITING PART, IT WAS THE WINTER AND I CAME IN LATE, BUT I WAS ABOUT THREE YEARS OLD AND I WAS BONDING WITH THAT VERY CLOSE CREEK NEARBY, VERY SMALL CREEK ABOUT THE SIZE OF MYSTERY CREEK.
AND I'LL FAST FORWARD FIVE OR SIX YEARS LATER, WE'RE IN HOUSTON, SOUTHWEST HOUSTON, BRIAR GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE BRIAR GROVE DITCH CALLED AND WE WENT DOWN THE BRIAR GROVE DITCH.
AND YOU'D CATCH SEA TURTLES AND FROGS DOWN THERE, BUT NEVER YOUR PARENTS.
IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO TAKE HUCKLEBERRY FINN AND GUITAR AND CHUCK BERRY.
THAT CREEK WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE BUFFALO BIO, WHICH WAS PRETTY SPOOKY.
BUT MOST OF THE TIME WE WERE AT THE LOCAL CREEK.
IT WAS A DITCH TO MOST OF THE PEOPLE.
AS PROFOUND AS THE TALL BUILDINGS ARE TO THE RICH PEOPLE THAT ARE BUILDING OUT OVER THIS, WIPING OUT THOSE LITTLE CREEKS.
NOW THE SUN COMES UP AND THE BIRDS ARE SINGING FREE TO CELEBRATE THE RAIN AND THE MAGIC OF MYSTERY CREEK.
IT IS THE BATTLE FOR BIRDS STREETS ON PLEASANT HILL.
THERE'S A SOUTH AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S LIVING STILL BATTLE FOR BIRD STREETS ON MOCKING BIRD, BIRD STREETS.
RED BIRD AND BLUE BATTLE FOR BIRD STREETS AND MYSTERY CREEK BATTLE FOR BIRD STREETS.
BUT THE SUN'S GOING DOWN AND THE CONDOS ARE GOING UP.
[05:15:01]
GET BY.IT'S THE BATTLE OF BIRD STREETS ON PLEASANT HILL.
MOCKING BIRD, BIRD STREETS, RED BIRD AND BLUE BATTLE FOR BIRD STREETS FOR MYSTERY CRE, BATTLE FOR BIRD STREETS.
MR. MAYOR, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT LAST SPEAKER.
THAT WAS A REALLY PRETTY SONG
AND THEN ALSO, I THINK I MIGHT HAVE MISSED A VOTE 'CAUSE I HAVE A SEPARATE WAY TO TAKE CARE OF A PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUE IF I MISSED A VOTE.
CAN WE RECONSIDER, PLEASE? WELL, WE WILL AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME.
NO APOLOGIES TO THE DRIFTERS ON THAT.
CHECK REMOTE REALLY QUICKLY, MS. THOMPSON.
OKAY, MAYOR, I'VE CALLED ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR 1 49 AND 1 57.
UH, IN THAT CASE, WHAT WE WILL DO IS ASK MR. MASSENGALE TO COME FORWARD AND CLOSE ON BEHALF OF THOSE OPPOSED TO THE ITEM.
AND THEN WE'LL HAVE, UH, THE SUMMATION IN FAVOR.
UM, THE BIRD STREETS NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUR FRIENDS HERE WITH US TODAY.
WE'RE NOT ANTI-DEVELOPMENT PEOPLE, BUT IT'S PEOPLE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW WE AS CITY HANDLE OUR EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS, SPECIFICALLY OUR SPRINGS AND EPHEMERAL CREEKS.
WE'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIZE OF THIS PROJECT AND OTHERS LIKE IT THROUGHOUT TOWN.
THEY'RE BEING PLACED IN OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS WITHOUT INFRASTRUCTURE TO HANDLE SUCH LARGE UNDERTAKINGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE APPLICANT IN THIS CASE DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE OR WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF 275 MULTIFAMILY UNIT PROJECT ON OUR TINY 70 HOME NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE HAVE 10 NEW KIDS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, NEW BURNS, TODDLERS, SCHOOL AGED KIDS.
WE WANT OUR STREETS TO STAY RELATIVELY SAFE.
270 UNITS IS AN AWFUL LOT OF DRIVERS ON OUR STREETS.
WITH THE NEW DIVIDING MEDIAN ON SOUTH CONGRESS, ANYONE LEAVING THE SITE WILL BE FORCED TO USE OUR STREETS TO GO NORTH.
SINCE TURNING LEFT ONTO CONGRESS IS NO LONGER OPTION, NORTH IS WHERE ALL THE WORK IS.
WHEN I'M WALKING MY DOGS, I ROUTINELY MEET NEW PEOPLE WALKING ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FROM ADJACENT NEIGHBORHOODS.
THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME COMMENT.
THEY LOVE WALKING AROUND IN CORNER INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY'RE OUT OF IN THE COUNTRY.
WHEN I MENTION OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE, THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME COMMENT.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THEN MAYBE YOU DON'T KNOW IT, BUT THE BIRD STREETS NEIGHBORHOOD IS A LITTLE SLICE OF AUSTIN FROM THE FORTIES.
IT'S SO GREEN AND FULL OF BIRDS AND WILDLIFE.
TO IGNORE THESE FACTS IS BASICALLY TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT ANY NEIGHBORHOOD IN AUSTIN HAS A DISTINCT CHARACTER, FLAVOR, OR VIBE.
WHY IS THAT PHRASE SO PROMINENT IN CITY CODE IF IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY MEANING? THE DISTINCT CHARACTER OF THE BIRD STREETS NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD BE IRREVERSIBLY CHANGED BY ALLOWING A PROJECT OF THIS SIZE TO PROCEED.
A SMALLER PROJECT LOCATED TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE SOUTH CONGRESS WITH ADEQUATE ALLOWANCE FOR A MYSTERY CREEK AND ITS EASEMENT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE.
INSTALLING LIMESTONE BARRICADES ON RED BIRD AND MOCKINGBIRD LANES COULD PROTECT THE BIRD STREETS AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FROM THESE ENCROACHMENTS.
WE ALSO DON'T WANT ANY MORE LARGE TREES DESTROYED.
THE FACT THAT THE APPLICANT STILL HASN'T PAID UP FOR THE EARLIER INFRACTIONS REGARDING THE HERITAGE TREES CHOPPED DOWN ON THIS SIDE SIX YEARS AGO, DOESN'T MAKE US REST ANY EASIER.
THEIR LACK OF JUDGMENT HAS BEEN THE HALLMARK OF THEIR TENURE AS OUR NEIGHBOR TO EMPHASIZE THIS THEME, THERE'S THE MATTER OF THE STRUCTURES ON THE PROPERTY, WHICH WENT INTO EARLIER.
UM, THIS PROPERTY'S BEEN TOTALLY NEGLECTED FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS.
THIS IS THEIR THIRD SITE PLAN.
THE FIRST ONE WAS FAIRLY REASONABLE.
THE SECOND ONE, I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY REASONABLE AS WELL.
BUT AS SOON AS THE DENSITY BONUS OF AFFORDABILITY CAME ALONG, THEY DROPPED THAT PLAN AND
[05:20:01]
WENT FOR THIS.AND NOW WE'RE STUCK DEFENDING MYSTERY CREEK.
SO PLEASE SAVE MYSTERY CREEK AND YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO CLOSE ON BEHALF OF THOSE IN FAVOR.
UM, ALTHOUGH MOST OF THESE ITEMS ARE SITE PLAN ITEMS, UM, NOT ZONING ITEMS, WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS LAND USE AND THE APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR THAT.
WE DO HAVE A SITE PLAN IN, UM, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE KNOW THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH DRAINAGE AREA THAT GOES TO THIS TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT A CREEK.
IT IS FAR LESS THAN 64 ACRES, WHICH CONSTITUTES CREEK AT SEVEN.
AS, UH, ENVIRONMENTAL STAFF SET AT PLANNING COMMISSION, THEY HAVE SENT SOMEBODY OUT TO THE SITE THERE.
THEIR DETERMINATION WAS THAT THERE ARE NO CEFS ON THE PROPERTY.
WE ARE DESIGNING THIS TO, UM, SAVE TREES AND REALLY BRING MORE NEIGHBORS TO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND PROVIDE HOUSING IN THIS AREA OF TOWN THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE IT IS APPROPRIATE.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
THOSE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND WE'VE HAD A CLOSING, UM, BY THOSE IN OPPOSITION.
AND BY THOSE IN FAVOR WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ITEM 1 49 AND 1 57.
THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE CLOSED.
UH, WHAT THE CHAIR INTENDS TO DO IS TAKE UP A MOTION ON THOSE ITEMS SEPARATELY.
UH, BEFORE WE TAKE UP ANY MOTION, LEMME RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ FOLLOWED BY THE MAYOR PRO TIM.
IS THERE ANYBODY FROM WATERSHED HERE? DO YOU MIND COMING UP FOR A SECOND? GOOD AFTERNOON.
COUNCIL MEMBER EZ, DIRECTOR OF THE WATERSHED DEPARTMENT.
I, I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF YOU COULD HELP ILLUMINATE, UH, SOME OF THE, SOME OF THE CONCERNS, UM, OR, OR THE CITY'S POSITION ON SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THE COMMUNITIES HAD AND ALSO SOME OF THE STATE STATEMENTS THAT MS. SWAR MADE TOWARDS THE END OF HER TESTIMONY.
UH, GENERALLY I'M GONNA JUST HIGH LEVEL AND THEN I'LL PASS IT ON TO OUR STAFF MEMBER.
THEY'RE GETTING MORE TECHNICAL, BUT A LOT OF THE CONCERNS THAT YOU HEARD ARE I ITEMS NORMALLY WE WILL SEE DURING SITE PLAN PROCESS.
WE DON'T ACTUALLY GET IN THE SPECIFICS OF THAT.
UH, SO I'M GONNA PASS THAT ON TO, UM, LESLIE LILY TO SPEAK ON THAT.
HELLO, LESLIE LILY, ACTING ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER, UH, FOR WATERSHED, UM, RELATED TO THIS PROPERTY, UH, BASED ON STAFF FIELD VISITS AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE SITE.
THERE IS NOT ANY, UH, CLASSIFIED WATERWAY ON THE SITE.
THERE'S NO FLOODPLAIN ON THE PROPERTY AND THERE IS NO IDENTIFIABLE CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES ON THE SITE OR WITHIN 150 FEET, WHICH IS THE BUFFERED AREA THAT WE USE TO BASE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION REGULATIONS ON.
SO THE WATER IS POTENTIALLY RUNOFF.
IT SOUNDS LIKE THE, THE GRADING OF THE GEOGRAPHY THERE.
COULD YOU MAYBE SPEAK TO THAT? AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN RAINING A LOT, SO GREAT.
LESLIE LILY WATERSHED PROTECTION, THE WATER THAT RUNS THROUGH THE CHANNEL ON SITE, UM, IT'S NOT AT THIS POINT DETERMINED MAYBE WHERE THAT WATER IS FROM.
WE WOULDN'T MAKE ANY KIND OF ASSESSMENT LIKE THAT AT A ZONING CASE STAGE.
UH, WE WOULD POTENTIALLY ASSUME THAT IT IS RUNOFF FROM ADJACENT PROPERTIES OR JUST CONVEYING THROUGH THIS SITE RIGHT FROM OFFSITE DRAINAGE.
AND, AND I THINK I HAD ONE OTHER QUESTION FOR MS. HARDEN.
MS. HARDEN, WHEN YOU WERE READING THIS CASE INTO THE RECORD, THERE WERE A WHOLE LOT OF, UM, INITIALS AND IF YOU COULD REITERATE THOSE.
THE ZONING THAT EXISTS ON THIS SITE CURRENTLY IS WHAT I'D LIKE TO HAVE US REMINDED ABOUT.
AND THEN I'LL ASK YOU WHAT THAT MEANS.
UM, SO THEY HAVE A SF TWO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE ZONING, CSMU.
SO THEY WANNA KEEP THAT SAME BASE ZONING DISTRICT MOVING FORWARD, BUT ADD THE DB 90 TO ALLOW FOR THE DENSITY BONUS.
SO THEY HAVE A-C-S-M-U AND THEN THEY HAVE A PORTION THAT A-C-S-M-U-C-O-N-P AND THAT, THAT HAS A CONDITIONAL OVERLAY.
UM, SOME OF THEIR CONDITIONAL OVERLAY USES ARE MOVING FORWARD ON THIS SITE AS WELL.
AND SO BASICALLY, CAN THIS SITE BE REDEVELOPED WITH THIS ZONING? YES.
AND SO WITH THE, WELL, I GUESS WITH BOTH ZONINGS, BUT YES, WITH THE DB 90, IS THAT, SO THE SITE CAN ALREADY BE DEVELOPED AND WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO IS TO ADD SOME HEIGHT AND ALSO YOU MENTIONED
[05:25:01]
DB 90 MM-HMM.SO YES, NOW I UNDERSTAND BETTER.
SO THEY WANNA DO A UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT.
AND SO INSTEAD OF HAVING THREE SEPARATE ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS AND TWO OF THOSE ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS ON THE SITE ALREADY HAVE A BASE ZONING DISTRICT OF CS.
SO IT'S JUST THAT ONE PARCEL THAT THEY NEED THE, UH, FUTURE LAND USE MAP CHANGE AND UM, A JUMP TO THE CS.
UM, AND SO YES, SO TWO OF THE THREE ALREADY HAVE THE BASE ZONING, BUT THEY ARE ASKING TO HAVE A BASE ZONING OF CS ON ALL OF THEM.
AND IF YOU DEVELOP TO THE DB 90, THAT'S ALL OF, YOU KNOW, YOU WOULD HAVE TO DEVELOP TO THE DENSITY BONUS WITH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVISIONS.
AND SO THAT'S THE PIECE THAT'S A REAL PLUS FOR THE CITY, RIGHT.
IS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPONENT.
AND IN ORDER THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR THAT IN ORDER TO BUILD TO ANY ADDITIONAL HEIGHTS, THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO DEVELOP TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PIECE.
AND I, AND I THINK YOU POINTED OUT THAT THIS PROPERTY IS JUST OFF OF SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE.
I THINK SOME OF IT FRONT SOUTH CONGRESS IS A CORRECT, SO MIGHT FRONT SOUTH CONGRESS, THE ONLY PIECE THAT'S JUST RIGHT OFF SOUTH CONGRESS IS THE PIECE THAT THEY HAVE THE SF TWO.
BUT AS THEY DO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT, THE ACCESS AND ALL OF THAT WILL BE ON THE COURT TRANSIT ROADWAY AWAY.
AND THAT, THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED TO FOCUS ON, THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT ON THIS SITE.
AND THE AFFORDABILITY COMPONENT IS A BIG PIECE FOR, FOR THIS STATUS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ? OKAY.
UH, WELL THEN WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS WE'LL GO BACK TO ITEM NUMBER 1 49 AND, UH, THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION, UH, TO APPROVE THE STAFF AND PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO GRANT THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST FOR MIXED USE LAND USE.
IS THERE MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ SECOND OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBER VELA? IS THERE DISCUSSION ON THAT ITEM? IS THERE ANY OBJECTION WITH WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE ITEM IS ADOPTED.
WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING NO ON THE ITEM MEMBERS THAT WILL TAKE A AND COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING NO.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, UH, BEING OFF THE DAIS AND, AND NOT PARTICIPATING VIRTUALLY AND ALL DUE RESPECT, MR. MAYOR, I'M ALSO VIRTUAL, BUT I WAS NOT A NO, I, I UNDERSTAND THAT.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER IS NOT PRESENT ON THE DIOCESE OR VIRTUALLY RIGHT NOW, IS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY.
UM, SO THIS REQUIRED A SUPER, JUST WANTED TO SAY FOR THE RECORD, 'CAUSE I KNOW THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS.
THIS REQUIRED A SUPER MAJORITY OF NINE VOTES AND IT DID RECEIVE THE NINE VOTES.
1 49 DID NOT, BUT 1 57 WILL UHHUH
UM, SO NOW WE'RE GONNA MOVE TO 1 57, WHICH WILL REQUIRE A SUPER MAJORITY FOR IT TO PASS.
ITEM NUMBER 1 57 IS THE ZONING ITEM.
AND SO WE WILL NOW TAKE THAT UP.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE STAFF AND PLANNING COMMISSION? RECOMMENDATION MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
IS THERE A DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO ITEM 1 57? WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM NUMBER 1 57 IS APPROVED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER MCKENZIE KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING NO ON 1 57 AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, UH, BEING ABSENT.
ALL RIGHT, NOW, MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON WAS NOT PRESENT FOR VOTING PURPOSES WHEN WE PASSED THE ZONING CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, SHE HAS ASKED TO BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE ZONING CONSENT AGENDA.
I'LL MOVE THAT SHE BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? WITHOUT OBJECTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON WILL BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IT WAS ADOPTED.
HER VOTE DOES NOT CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER FOR CALLING THAT TO MY ATTENTION MEMBERS.
THAT WILL NOW TAKE US TO ITEM NUMBER 180 3.
AND, AND MS. HARDEN, I'LL ASK YOU TO COME FORWARD AND, UM, AND REPRESENT ITEM NUMBER 180 3.
UM, THANK YOU AGAIN, JOY HARDIN, PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
UM, THIS IS ITEM 180 3 C 1 4 20 23 0 1, 0 6 L RAKER.
[05:30:01]
UM, HAVE LI FROM LI TO L-I-P-D-A AND I AM GOING TO DEFER TO COUNCIL MEMBER BARLA ON WELL, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE, THEY CAN ASK THE QUESTIONS.
WITH REGARD TO 180 3 MEMBERS, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS GET A MOTION, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VELA HAS A PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
UM, HE, HE, THE, THE WAY WE WILL DO THIS IS HE HAS A MOTION.
WELL, I'LL, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER VELA FOR A MOTION, AND AS PART OF THAT MOTION FOR THE ITEMS THAT HE'S PROVIDED TO YOU IN THE YELLOW SHEET, UH, TO BE A PART OF THAT MOTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED ON ITEM 180 3.
AND I WOULD MOVE TO, UH, APPROVE, UM, UH, ITEM, UH, 180 3.
HE, HE MOVES TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 180 3 WITH THE ALLOWANCE OF A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 120 FEET AND THE ALLOWANCE OF A MAXIMUM FAR OF THREE TO ONE.
IT'S SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ PUBLIC COMMENT.
DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP ON ITEM 180 3? NO, MA'AM.
UH, MEMBERS, THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP.
I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 180 3.
UM, AND THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE.
WE'VE ALSO RECOGNIZED THAT THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
PUBLIC HEARINGS OPENED AND CLOSED.
AND NOW, MEMBERS YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU, UH, THE COUNCIL MEMBER VELAS MOTION ON 180 3.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON 180 3? ANY OBJECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION? I ITEM YOU WANNA SPEAK? VERY.
COUNCIL MEMBER AVAILABLE BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE BRIEFLY.
MAYOR, I, I JUST WANT TO, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IN THIS CASE IS REALLY MIMIC THE, UH, DOMAIN ZONING THAT IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THIS PROPERTY.
THIS IS A WAREHOUSE INDUSTRIAL AREA THAT IS, UH, ADJACENT ACROSS THE STREET, UH, FROM THE DOMAIN.
AND, UH, UH, WE'RE, WE'RE ESSENTIALLY KIND OF TRYING TO, TO MIMIC.
UH, I ALSO WANTED TO JUST, UH, THANK THE, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH, UH, UH, MR. HENRY GILMORE AND, AND, AND THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY.
THEY'RE GONNA BE DEDICATING A ONE ACRE, UH, PARK, UH, AS PART OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROPERTY WHEN IT REDEVELOPS.
UH, AND THERE WILL ALSO, UH, UH, POTENTIALLY BE OTHER PUBLIC BENEFITS THAT ARE, THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
I JUST WANT TO, UH, UH, THANK THEM FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS AND, AND I FULLY SUPPORT, UH, THIS, UH, PROJECT.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, UH, MEMBERS, YOU'VE, UH, THAT IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION IN THE SECOND WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ITEM NUMBER 180 3 IS MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING ABSENT.
UH, FOR CLARITY PURPOSES, I WANNA BE CLEAR ON 1 49 AND 1 57, THE VOTE WAS COUNCIL MEMBER MCKENZIE KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING NO.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING SHOWN ABSENT ON BOTH OF THOSE ITEMS, BUT EVERYONE ELSE WAS IN FAVOR FOR PURPOSES OF THE RECORD.
ALL RIGHT, MS. HARDEN, DO YOU GOT ANY MORE WORK FOR US? I DO NOT.
THE, UM, THAT'S A GOOD ANSWER.
THE, THE LAST ITEM WAS SECOND READING ONLY.
I SHOULD HAVE, I SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELAS MOTION WAS FOR SECOND READING ONLY.
AND AND THAT'S HOW IT WAS LAID OUT ORIGINALLY.
THANK YOU FOR CALLING THAT TO MY ATTENTION.
ALRIGHT FOLKS, THAT TAKES CARE OF THE ZONING ITEMS. UH, WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO NON-CONSENT ITEMS. THE FIRST ITEM WE WILL TAKE UP IS ITEM 1 27.
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, UH, WE'VE GOT, I, I GOTTA FIGURE OUT HOW WE WANT TO DO THIS.
UM, LET, LET ME ASK IS, IS THERE ANYONE FROM STAFF THAT'S PREPARED HERE? HERE'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO.
UH, INSTEAD OF TAKE GOING TO 1 27, LET COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, I'M GONNA RECOGNIZE YOU ON 180 2.
AND THEN, UM, I WANNA MAKE SURE, BECAUSE THE OTHER ITEMS WE HAVE, UH, IT, IT IS COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, AND I WANNA MAKE SURE, UH, EVERYBODY'S PREPARED ON THAT.
SO I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES ON ITEM, UH, 180, I'M SORRY, IT'S 180 1.
[181. Approve a resolution related to rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing (PSH) and to collaborations with partner agencies as recommended by the Housing and Planning Committee and the Public Health Committee.]
SURE.I MOVE TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE RAPID REHOUSING AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND TO COLLABORATE WITH PARTNER
[05:35:01]
AGENCIES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.AND, AND COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, I ASSUME YOU WANNA MAKE THAT AS, UH, MAKE THE SECOND TO THAT MOTION.
SO, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES MOVES APPROVAL OF ITEM 180 1.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM NUMBER 180 1 WILL BE ADOPTED, UH, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING, EXCUSE ABSENT MAY, EXCUSE ME.
OH, YOU DO? I APOLOGIZE, PLEASE.
MY STAFF IS TELLING ME YOU HAVE SPEAKERS ON ITEM 180 1.
I THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME TOO, RIGHT? I DO.
OKAY, WELL, WE, WE'VE, WE'VE CONFIRMED IT.
LET'S GO
AND WE WILL GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION.
AND I APOLOGIZE FOR JUMPING AHEAD OF YOU.
MAYOR, I HAD TO FLIP THE PAGE.
UH, JULIAN REYES, FOLLOWED BY PAULETTE ANI AND THEN TONY CARTER.
PLEASE GO AHEAD IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED.
MY NAME IS PAULETTE SULTANI AND I'M THE CO-DIRECTOR OF VOCAL TEXAS AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
VOCAL TEXAS IS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION WORKING TO END HOMELESSNESS, THE DRUG WAR, MASS INCARCERATION, AND AIDS.
VOCAL TEXAS IS HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM THE PASSAGE OF ITEM 180 1.
ITEM ONE 15, THE EQUITY OVERLAY ITEM ITEM ONE 12, THE DAC MOBILE COURT ITEM.
AND WE'RE IN SUPPORT OF THE AUSTIN FOR PALESTINE COALITIONS.
ASK FOR COUNCIL TO TAKE ACTION AS MANY CITIES HAVE TO STOP THE GENOCIDE IN PALESTINE.
TODAY, I'LL FOCUS MY COMMENTS ON ITEM 180 1.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER AND THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOUSING COMMITTEES FOR MOVING FORWARD IN MOTION LAST WEEK TO IMPROVE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS IN AUSTIN, RAPID AUSTIN'S RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN MARKET RATE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE EXITING HOMELESSNESS.
THIS PROGRAM SIMPLY ISN'T WORKING FOR SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE EXITING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY.
MANY AUSTINITES WHO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING END UP LIVING IN RAPID REHOUSING AND LANGUISH THERE WITHOUT ANY OF THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.
MANY FACE A REVOLVING DOOR BACK INTO HOMELESSNESS AFTER SIX TO 12 MONTHS WHEN THE RAPID REHOUSING ENDS AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE OVER THEIR MARKET RENT APARTMENT OF 1400, 1600, $1,700 EVEN.
AND WHILE THIS PROGRAM IS AN IMPERFECT PROGRAM, IT'S A VERY CRITICAL INTERVENTION THAT WE RELY ON IN AUSTIN, WHICH IS WHY WE'VE BEEN ORGANIZING TO FIX IT AND WHY WE'RE SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS RESOLUTION MOVE FORWARD TODAY.
WE LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN BACK IN APRIL, UH, TO FIX RAPID REHOUSING AND HOUSE, HOUSE WIN HOUSING FOR THE POOR.
YOU'LL, YOU'LL, YOU'LL HEAR FROM SEVERAL OF THEM TODAY ABOUT ALL OF THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE TO MOVE, TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THIS.
UM, WE'VE MET WITH YOUR OFFICES.
WE'VE TESTIFIED AT CITY HALL, WE'VE HOSTED TOWN HALLS, SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS HAPPENING TODAY.
AND WE'RE ASKING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL PASS ITEM 180 1.
THEY'RE GREAT DIRECTIVES IN THE MOTION OR IN THE RESOLUTION, BUT IT SPECIFICALLY TALKS TO, SPEAKS TO TWO THINGS THAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RAISING.
ONE THAT THE RAPID REHOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS FAR TOO BRIEF, AND WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT 24 MONTHS OF ASSISTANCE IS, IS OFFERED TO PEOPLE.
AND TWO, THAT MANY PEOPLE HOUSED IN RAPID REHOUSING OFTEN NEED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND QUALIFIED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
SO WE NEED TO BE BRIDGING THOSE PEOPLE INTO THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT THEY QUALIFIED FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WE ASK THAT YOU PASS ITEM 180 1 TODAY, AND WE HOPE TO SEE THE CITY COUNCIL MATCH THIS RESOLUTION WITH URGENT INVESTMENTS IN RAPID REHOUSING TO ENSURE 24 MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING FOR THE SERVICES FOR THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE COMING ONLINE THIS YEAR.
WE REALLY NEED TO SEE THOSE FUNDS MATCHED THROUGH THE BUDGET SESSION, AND WE'LL BE BACK TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT, ABOUT THAT THAT SOON.
[05:40:02]
AND ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS WITH VOCAL TEXAS.UM, I'M GLAD TO BE HERE TODAY.
UM, I WAS HOMELESS FOR SEVEN YEARS BEFORE I GOT INTO THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT WHILE I WAS HOMELESS.
UM, ME AND MY FIANCE, JENNIFER, WE CURRENTLY HOUSED IN REHOUSING.
I FIRST BECAME HOMELESS AFTER THAT.
I DID STAY IN SALVATION ARMY WHEN I FIRST BECAME HOMELESS, AND THEN IT, IT DIDN'T WORK OUT BEFORE I GOT RAPID.
WE HAD BEEN STAYING OUT IN THE WOODS BECAUSE ALL OF THE AUSTIN A PD AND DPS COME SWEEPING CAMPS MOVING US FURTHER AND FURTHER BACK.
AND I HAD DONE THE HOUSING ASSESSMENT A BUNCH OF TIMES, BUT I NEVER SCORED HIGH ENOUGH, EVEN THOUGH I STRUGGLE WITH DRUGS, DRUG USE AND MENTAL HEALTH.
EVEN THOUGH LAST DECEMBER I EVEN WENT TO A TREATMENT, I SHOULD BE IN PERMIT SUPPORTING HOUSING WHERE I CAN GET MORE SERVICE AND SUPPORT.
THE LAST ASSESSMENT I DID, I HAD TO DID, UH, DO IT WITH MY, WITH JENNIFER, WHICH IS MY FIANCE IN 2023.
UH, I HAD SOMEONE IN DECEMBER COME TO ME AND SAID, YOU HAVE IT.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY WAS TALKING ABOUT.
AND IT WAS FROM A FAMILY ELDER CARE SAYING THAT THEY GOT ME INTO THE PROGRAM.
SO RIGHT NOW I'M IN AN APARTMENT THAT THEY PUT ME IN.
I'M PAYING 1700 A MONTH AND IT'S ONLY FOR 12 MONTHS.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD BE DOING, I WOULD, WOULD BE DOING AFTER THAT BECAUSE WITH MY TWO JOBS, I CANNOT AFFORD 1700 A MONTH PLUS A FAMILY.
EVEN THOUGH I WORK TWO JOBS, MY CASE MANAGER TOLD ME TO FIND A DIFFERENT APARTMENT BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THE RENT.
LUCKY I JUST RECEIVED HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOOD JUST GAVE ME A ONE YEAR VOUCHER FOR PERMANENT HOUSING YESTERDAY.
I THINK IT IS RAPID REHOUSING IS GOOD FOR THE PRO, UH, FOR SOME PEOPLE, BUT IT'S NOT ALL WHAT IS CUT UP TO BE RAPID REHOUSING.
PEOPLE JUMP ON IT REAL QUICK JUST SO THEY CAN GET A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.
BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WORKS WITH 'EM, THEIR CASE MANAGERS AND STUFF IS NOT PHYSICALLY TRAINED IN WHAT THEY DO BECAUSE THEY ARE TOLD ONE THING AND THEN WE HAVE TO DO ANOTHER.
AFTER JULIAN IS KATE NIA AND THEN LAURA ANN MARTINEZ, MAYOR WATSON MAYOR PRETEND POOL AND THE ESTEEM COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS LAURA ANN MARTINEZ, AND I'M LEADERSHIP IN A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION, VOCAL TEXAS.
AND I'M HERE AS A MEMBER OF COUNT COUNCILMAN COUNCILWOMAN FUENTES DISTRICT.
WE ARE FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF AN UN OR UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATION.
AS AN UNHOUSED PERSON, WORRIED ABOUT WHEN AND IF YOU EAT AGAIN OR WHERE YOU'RE GONNA, WHETHER YOU'RE GONNA SLEEP IN A BED AGAIN.
I DON'T THINK THAT, UM, I, I DIDN'T THINK I COULD STAND UP FOR MY RIGHTS AS AN UNHOUSED PERSON, BUT AS A PREVIOUSLY UNHOUSED PERSON, I FEEL UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO ADDRESS ITEM ONE, NUMBER 180 1 ON THE AGENDA.
AFTER MY PARTICIPATION IN THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM, I SUFFERED A SECOND TIME OF BEING HOME UNHOUSED, WHICH WAS A RESULT OF MY DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM.
BECAUSE OF NOT COOPERATING WITH THE PROGRAM RULES, THE RULE THAT I BROKE WAS NOT TO SAVE $600 A MONTH OF MY LESS THAN $1,100 A MONTH INCOME.
NOW, DURING THE SECOND PART OF HOMELESS OF HOMELESSNESS, I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN MY, UM, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND THEREFORE, I, WHICH I'VE STILL LIVE IN TODAY, AND I I JUST RECENTLY, UM, CELEBRATED A YEAR OF BEING IN THAT PROGRAM.
I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR HAVING PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
AND I REALLY THINK THOUGH THAT THE, THE PROGRAMS NEED TO, THE, THE, UH, SERVICES NEED TO BE CONTINUED
[05:45:01]
ALL THE WAY THROUGH UNTIL WE RECEIVE OUR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.BECAUSE GOING OUT AND BECOMING HOMELESS AGAIN IS VERY, VERY, VERY HARD.
UM, I, I FEEL LIKE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO TELL THIS CITY, THESE, THESE, THIS, THESE COMMUNITIES, THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT THE CITY CARES ABOUT ALL OF ITS POPULATIONS, WHETHER POPULAR OR NOT THAT YOU CARE.
PLEASE VOTE YES TO ITEM 180 1 AND TO EX, UH, TO EXTEND THE LENGTH OF THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM TO REACH THE BRIDGE TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
UH, JULIAN REYES, UM, I'M A MEMBER OF THE PRESS, SO ACTUALLY I'M A MEMBER OF THE CHALLENGER STREET NEWSPAPER FOR 12 YEARS.
UH, AS MOST OF YOU GUYS KNOW, YOU'VE ALL, MOST OF YOU HAVE BEEN, UH, READ THE PAPER.
UH, THERE'S LOTS OF STORIES ABOUT, UM, THINGS THAT WE, THAT PEOPLE THAT, THAT, UH, THE CITY STEPS ON EXPERIENCE, UM, WERE EVICTED THROUGH THE CITY, THROUGH THE COUNTY, UM, THINGS LIKE THAT, THROUGH COVID EVICTIONS AND WHATNOT.
THE MORATORIUMS BEEN, UH, RAISED, UH, LIFTED.
I MEAN, UM, SO I SPENT, UH, LIKE 20 YEARS ON AND OFF THE STREETS, UH, HOMELESS.
UH, THE CITY SAW FIT TO SEND POLICE TO SHOOT MY DOG WHILE I WAS HOMELESS, UH, IN COLD BLOOD.
UH, I'VE BEEN THROUGH ALL OF THIS STUFF.
UH, I'M, I'VE BEEN DOCUMENTING THE CITY'S BRUTAL SWEEPS, UH, PEOPLE OF COLOR, UH, INDIGENT PEOPLE FOR, I DON'T KNOW, EIGHT YEARS OR SOMETHING.
THE CITY AND DPS, UM, AND THE CONSTABLES ALL INVOLVED, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ALL INVOLVED IN DISPLACING AND, AND, UH, DEBILITATING PEOPLE TO DEATH WITH THE DEATH TOLL OF THREE TO 500 OR MORE PEOPLE PER YEAR KILLED ON THE STREETS OF AUSTIN DUE TO CITY POLICIES.
UH, I'M ACTUALLY AGAINST THE, UH, 180 1 BECAUSE, UM, ARE WE ON 180 1? YES.
I HAVE TO MAKE SURE SO MANY ART ITEMS, UM, BE BECAUSE IT, SO, BECAUSE OF THE PERSON THAT'S GONNA BE SPEAKING, UM, IN THE VIDEO.
BUT LIKE, I, I MET A, A MAN THAT HAD PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
UH, THE SYSTEM FAILED AND NOW HE OWNS, NOW HE OWES $15,000.
HE'S $15,000 IN DEBT AFTER HIS EVICTION.
THIS MAN YOU'RE ABOUT TO SPEAK, UH, TO RIGHT NOW, HIS NAME IS, UM, JACK, AND HE'S IN A NORTH AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
HE'S BEEN THROUGH RAPID REHOUSING AND HE IS BEING ABANDONED.
HE, THEY, THE CITY'S TURNED, OR THE, THE, UH, AUSTIN URBAN LEAGUE HAS TURNED OFF SEVERAL PEOPLE, INCLUDING HIS, UH, ELECTRICITY.
HE HAS HAD NO AIR CONDITIONING THE ENTIRE TIME HE'S BEEN THERE.
THERE'S A WHOLE APARTMENT COMPLEX OF, OF PEOPLE ABOUT TO BE EVICTED, UH, THROUGH THIS RAPID REHOUSING PROJECT.
UH, GO AHEAD AND PLAY THE VIDEO AND LET IT PLAY THROUGH VIDEO.
IT, IT'LL PLAY THROUGH, THROUGH YOUR TIME.
ALL THE HERE, WELL, I'VE GOT A THREE DAY, I GOT AN EVICTION NOTES IN THE MAIL RIGHT NOW.
OF COURSE, I GET HOUSING THROUGH SOUTH RIDGE, WHICH IS THROUGH THE CITY, WHICH IS THROUGH A A UL OR WHATEVER.
UM, THE RAPID REHOUSING, RIGHT, RAPID REHOUSING, UM, CAME IN ON DECEMBER THE 24TH, I BELIEVE.
AND, UH, OR SO MY, THAT A LITTLE BIT AFTER
UM, AND UNDER THE PRETENSE THAT WE WERE GONNA, ORIGINALLY, THEY TOLD US WE WERE GONNA GET FOR FREE YEAR RENT, GET ON OUR FEE, AND THEN IT WENT TO THREE MONTHS.
AND AFTER THREE MONTHS, YOU HAVE TO PAY 10%.
YOU KNOW, IT GOES UP 5% EVERY MONTH, WHICH IS FINE UNTIL YOU'RE PAYING THE WHOLE THING, JUST GETTING PEOPLE ON THEIR FEE.
UH, I GOT A THREE DAY EVICTION NOTICE YESTERDAY.
IT SAYS, UH, ADVANCE NOTICE TO VACATE FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT, UTILITIES, OR OTHER SUMS. UM, MY NAME AND ADDRESS, THREE DAY NOTICE TO VACATE FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT, UTILITIES LEASE, LEASE CONTRACT DATE IS, THANK YOU, SIR.
SO YOU'RE NOT GONNA LET THE LADY PLAY OUT? NO.
THAT THE TIME LIMIT HAS PASSED.
MARIA RA, DEREK CORTEZ, VERNON JARMIN.
SO, ALFREDO, COUNCIL MEMBER, MY NAME IS ALFREDO REYES.
MANY VOCAL LITTLE, UH, VOCAL TEXAS MEMBERS AND LEADERS HAVE RIVALRY HOUSING, INCLUDING MYSELF.
I WAS HOMELESS FOR SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS, SLEEPING UNDERNEATH A BRIDGE.
UM, I ORIGINALLY GOT MY COORDINATED ASSESSMENT IN JAIL AND WAS OFFERED, UM, THAT THEY WERE PROMISED ME THE PERMANENT HOUSING, BUT INSTEAD I GOT THE, UM, RAPID REHOUSING BECAUSE I HAVE BONE CANCER AND I ALSO, I'M A VETERAN.
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SEPARATELY APPLIED SEPARATELY FOR HOUSING, BUT IT FEELS LIKE WE GOT IT TOGETHER.WE WERE EVEN TOLD IT WAS A LOT LESS PAPERWORK.
BUT I WILL SAY IT WAS VERY CONFUSING PROCESS.
IT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO GET HOUSED.
UH, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE RAPID REHOUSING.
I'M HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE SURVEY PROJECT VOCAL CHECKS.
AS LEADERS COMPLETED IN MARCH FOR MONTHS, WE WERE, UH, TAKE, UH, TALK, TALKING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES PEOPLE WERE FACING IN RAPID REHOUSING.
SO WE DECIDED TO SURVEY PEOPLE AND GATHER MORE DATA.
WE WERE SEARCHING FOR NUMBERS AND WE WANTED TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH RAPID REHOUSING AND THE PROBLEMS THEY WERE FACING, LIKE MYSELF.
SO FOR THREE WEEKS, VOCAL TEXAS, UH, LEADER SPOKE TO A THOUSAND OF PEOPLE IN SERVICE PROVIDERS, THE LIBRARY, THE STREETS, AND THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
AND WE WENT TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND IT WAS THE SAME STORY.
DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH RAPID REHOUSING.
HERE'S SOME OF THE FEEDBACK WE'VE HEARD.
THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WERE SURVEYED RECEIVED RAPID REHOUSING FOR LESS THAN A YEAR, AND THEY WERE EXPECTED TO TAKE OVER THEIR FULL MARKET RATE RENT, OFTEN 1,200 TO 1,500 WHEN PEOPLE WERE EXPECTED TO TAKE OVER THEIR RENT OR EVEN PORTION OF THEIR RENT.
THIS LED TO PEOPLE BEING KICKED OUTTA THEIR PROGRAM AND BEING EVICTED.
MANY PEOPLE REPORTED BEING DENIED HOUSING OR STRUGGLING TO FIND HOUSING DUE TO EVICTION HISTORIES.
MANY, UH, OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED CHALLENGES DUE TO FAMILY NEEDS, CHILDCARE PAY, CHILD SUPPORT, LACK OF ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH NEEDS, LACK OF SERVICES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT AND DISCRIMINATION.
WE PUBLISH, UH, SOME OF THE STORIES ON OUR SURVEY PROJECT AND DROPPED IT OFF AT YOUR OFFICE TODAY WE'RE ASKING YOU TO VOTE YES ON ITEM 180 1 TO FIX RAPID REHOUSING AND INVEST IN BRIDGE TO PERMANENT HOUSING.
AND GOING THROUGH THE STRUGGLES LIKE I HAVE, I SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND FOR THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY OF AUSTIN.
MY NAME IS TAYLOR CARTWRIGHT AND I'M A LEADER WITH VOCAL TEXAS.
I'VE BEEN AN AUSTINITE FOR OVER 25 YEARS, AND IN THE PAST 11 I WAS HOMELESS.
I WAS CONSIDERED A CHRONICALLY HOMELESS PERSON, UM, DUE TO LOSING A FAMILY MEMBER AND THEN, UM, JUST HAVING A BROKEN FAMILY AFTER THAT.
UM, ONE OF THE MOST HEARTBREAKING AND HORRIBLE THINGS IS DRIVING THROUGH AUSTIN NOW AND SEEING THE ENORMOUS HOMELESS POPULATION.
SEEING PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THEIR OWN TRAGEDIES AND WONDERING, HOW DO WE FIX IT? HOW DO WE HELP THEM? WHAT CAN WE DO? 'CAUSE EVERYBODY, NOBODY WANTS AUSTIN TO BE IN THIS TYPE OF STATE.
THE THE VOUCHERS THAT I RECEIVED THROUGH RAPID REHOUSING WAS ONLY GRANTED A YEAR.
BUT BEING CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, I WAS ON THE STREETS FOR 11.
AND TO TRANSITION FROM BEING HOMELESS INTO BEING A WORKING CITIZEN, I NEEDED SPECIAL SUPPORT.
I NEEDED SOMEBODY THAT WAS MORE TRAINED, MORE SPECIALIZED, BE ABLE TO HELP ME REALLY NAVIGATE MY WAY INTO BEING PRODUCTIVE AND, AND DO WHAT I NEED TO DO.
UM, ONE YEAR TO DO THAT, I ALSO, WHEN I WAS ON THE STREETS, I HAD, UH, COMMITTED A FELONY FROM UNTREATED PTSD, AND IT KEPT ME FROM GETTING JOBS.
IT, IT KEPT ME FROM BEING ABLE TO APPLY TO APARTMENTS AND BE APPROVED, AND I ONLY HAD A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING.
UM, I, I THANK, I THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY SECURE A VOUCHER AND GET APPROVED BY AN APARTMENT TODAY, BUT IT WAS VERY, VERY, VERY CLOSE TO ME GOING BACK OUT TO THE STREETS AGAIN.
AND NOBODY WANTS TO SEE ME PACK OUT THERE, BUT, UM, I, I AM IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 180 1 AND SAY, WE DO NEED LONGER TIME.
WE DO NEED MORE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, AND WE, WE NEED TO MAKE AUSTIN WHOLE AGAIN.
UH, SO OF PRAXIS WITH COMMUNITY PART A TX DISTRICT THREE COMMUNITY.
PART A TX WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTS FOCAL TEXAS LEADERS IN THEIR CALL TO FIX THE RAPID REHOUSING VOUCHER SYSTEM, INCLUDING 24 MONTHS WITH A VOUCHER, CASE MANAGEMENT AND ABRIDGED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
ON MY DRIVE HERE, I WAS SPEAKING WITH A COMMUNITY PARTY TX MEMBER WHO'S A BLACK ELDER IN LONGTIME EAST AUSTINITE AND EXPERIENCED CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS FOR OVER A DECADE.
QUICK REMINDER TO Y'ALL, THAT MANY MEMBERS OF THE DISPROPORTIONATELY BLACK UNHOUSED COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN WERE MADE HOMELESS DUE TO PREVIOUS GENTRIFICATION POLICIES PASSED BY YOUR PREDECESSORS, LIKE THE DESIRED DEVELOPMENT ZONE.
AND SOMEDAY SOMEONE WILL SAY THE SAME ABOUT THE HOME INITIATIVE AND OTHER UP ZONINGS Y'ALL GRANTED FOR DEVELOPERS AND INVESTORS NOT LONG AGO.
BACK TO THE ELDERS EXPERIENCE, AFTER SHE HAD THE COURAGE TO LEAVE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIP, SHE LIVED IN A SAFE SHELTER.
SHE GOT A RAPID REHOUSING VOUCHER AND EXPERIENCE WHAT THOSE OF US CLOSE WITH THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY, NO IS A COMMON EXPERIENCE WITH THESE VOUCHERS.
AFTER LIVING IN RIVERSIDE FOR A YEAR, HER VOUCHER EXPIRED.
[05:55:01]
TOO HIGH, AND SHE RETURNED TO CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.THIS IS WHY PEOPLE DON'T LEAVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND MUTUAL AID.
AFTER MANY MORE YEARS ON THE STREETS, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET AN AFFORDABLE APARTMENT AT 30%.
MFI JUST THIS PAST YEAR, HER EXPERIENCE WITH THE RAPID REHOUSING VOUCHER HAPPENED YEARS AGO.
I WANT Y'ALL TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE RAPID REHOUSING ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED A LONG TIME AGO.
WHY WASN'T IT? COUNCIL HEARS ONE THING FROM CITY EMPLOYEES AND EXECUTIVES OF CONTRACTING AGENCIES AT THE TOP, THEY HEAR A ROSY PICTURE WITH DATA ON HOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING SERVED, HOW THINGS ARE GOING, AND THEN THE FOLKS AT THE BOTTOM AND ON THE FRONT LINES WHO ACTUALLY ARE TRYING TO ACCESS OR RECEIVE SERVICES KNOW THAT THE REALITY IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.
BUT THESE ARE THE VOICES THAT ARE EXCLUDED AND IGNORED IN THE DECISION MAKING AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCESSES.
WHEN Y'ALL TRIED TO GIVE MCKINSEY A HUGE CONTRACT WITH, UH, MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, AND WE SAID, YOU ALREADY HAVE COMMUNITY TELLING Y'ALL WHAT TO DO, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE MEANT.
LISTEN TO DIRECTLY IMPACTED ORGANIZERS LIKE VOCAL TEXAS LEADERS THEY SEE, AND THOSE OF US, US WHO ORGANIZE ON THE STREETS SEE EXACTLY HOW THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RESPONSE SYSTEMS ARE FAILING.
THIS RESOLUTION AROUND RAPID REHOUSING VOUCHERS CAME FROM THE COMMUNITY.
THIS IS WHAT BOTTOM UP POLICY COULD CREATE REAL SOLUTIONS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THE IMPLEMENTATION ALSO NEEDS TO HAVE FRONTLINE ORGANIZERS AND DIRECTLY IMPACTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THE DECISION MAKING ROOM, MAKING SURE THAT IMPLEMENTATION IS EFFECTIVE.
THE SAME THING GOES FOR WHAT Y'ALL DID EARLIER TODAY, FUNDING, UH, FOR HOMEOWNERS DISPLACED BY HOME, UM, AND FOR FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY USE THE ENTITLEMENTS GRANTED BY HOME, UM, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS.
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF AN EQUITY AND ANTI DISPLACEMENT OVERLAY.
UM, WHEN IT COMES TO THE PREVIOUS INVESTMENTS, CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM WHERE HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE PROPERTY TAX BURDENED AND AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE ENTITLEMENTS AND HAVE ADVOCATES OF THEIR SIDE WHO CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND ADDRESS BARRIERS IN REAL TIME.
FOR THE EQUITY OVERLAY, WE DEMAND A COMMUNITY-BASED PROCESS TO DETERMINE PROTECTION, ZONING CHANGES, INVESTMENTS AND TOOLS IN AREAS AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT.
IF ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT CHANGES THAT Y'ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE NOT COMMUNITY BASED IN THEIR CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION, IF THEY DON'T HAVE DIRECTLY IMPACTED COMMUNITY, MORE ORGANIZERS INVOLVED, IT WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE AND IT WILL NOT WORK.
CELINE
I'M A SUPPORTER OF VOCAL TEXAS AND I WORK AS OUTREACH DIRECTOR WITH AWESOME MUTUAL AID.
I'D LIKE TO SAY I'M IN FULL SUPPORT, 100% OF CEASEFIRE PALESTINE, AND LET'S MAKE YOUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN PROUD WHEN THEY LOOK BACK IN HISTORY AND SEE THAT YOU WERE THE CITY COUNCIL THAT VOTED FOR THE HUMANE THING TO DO.
I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN ITEM 180 1 REGARDING NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS, STAR RAPID REHOUSING AND PERMIT SUPPORT PORT OF HOUSING PROTOCOLS.
AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM MANY WHO'VE BEEN NAVIGATING THESE SYSTEMS, THEY ARE BROKEN AND NOT FULLY SERVING THE PEOPLE SO DESPERATELY SEEKING HOUSING.
I'M ALSO HERE TO SPEAK TO THOSE UNABLE TO JOIN US TODAY, BUT WHO I HEAR FROM EVERY DAY, THEY'RE BEATEN DOWN, DISHEARTENED, SCARED, AND ON THE RUN, WE HAVE TALKED IN HERE BEFORE ABOUT THE CRIMINALIZATION OF BEING MARGINALIZED AND POOR.
A PD AND DPS HAVE FULL REIGN TO PUNISH PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST TRYING THEIR BEST TO STAY OUT OF THE ELEMENTS AND TO SURVIVE.
I MUST AT THIS, UH, JUNCTURE MENTION THE TOWN HALL, WHICH, UH, MY COUNCIL MEMBER OF RYAN ALTER SO BRAVELY HOSTED IN HIS DISTRICT AND IN THE DISTRICT OF THE MOST AMAZING AND HEROIC SUNRISE NAVIGATION CENTER, I PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER TO FINISH SEVERAL GRANT COMPLIANCE REPORTS, BUT FELT THE NEED TO SHOW UP TODAY TO COUNTER THE MOSTLY SAN MEMBERS WHO WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE, UH, UM, MIC AND SPEW THEIR VITRIOL.
PEOPLE ON THE STREET ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES USING DRUGS.
PEOPLE ON THE STREET ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES IN OUR CITY WHO ARE SOMETIMES VIOLENT.
FURTHER, PEOPLE ON THE STREET ARE NOT ALL TAKING DRUGS AND ARE VIOLENT.
BESIDES, DO WE WANT TO BE A SOCIETY THAT THROWS STONES INSTEAD OF COMING TOGETHER TO FORM SOLUTIONS? UH, BRIEFLY, 1 49, UH, ONE 50 AND, UH, THE ALL-NIGHTER, UM, ONE 40 AND 1 59.
UM, MY BROTHER IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER FOR THE CITY AND HE'S BEEN EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR WATER SUPPLY FOR A DECADE AND IS LIKE MANY OF US, UH, LIKE I JUST SPOKE TO MY, MY, UH, WONDERFUL REAL ESTATE AGENT TODAY ABOUT AFFORDABILITY.
UH, WE'RE SEEKING OTHER PLACES TO MOVE AND, AND MY BROTHER IS, YOU KNOW, HE, HE'S A LEADER IN HIS COMMUNITY.
[06:00:01]
HE'S A TENNIS PRO.HE HAD THIS GREAT BLOG UNTIL PEOPLE STARTED GETTING RUDE ON IT ABOUT TENNIS.
AND THINK OF THE POTENTIAL WITH SOMEONE LIKE HIM, WITH TWO GREAT SONS OF GREAT FAMILY LEAVING, YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH POTENTIAL LEAVING BECAUSE OF THE WATER CONCERNS.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONSIDER CONSIDERING 180 1.
BEN SOBE, MAYOR, I'VE CALLED EVERYONE FOR THIS ITEM MEMBERS.
THOSE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 180 1.
UH, I WILL NOW RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES FOR A NEW MOTION.
I MOVE TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION RELATED TO RAPID REHOUSING AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND TO COLLABORATE WITH PARTNER AGENCIES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.
COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MEDICINE.
I ASSUME YOU WANT TO MAKE THE SECOND SHE MAKES THE COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
SECONDS THE MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES IS THERE.
DISCUSSION COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.
JUST WANNA THANK ALL OF OUR ADVOCATES OF VOCAL TEXAS FOR COMING OUT TODAY AND RAISING YOUR VOICE.
I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR ADVOCACY AND YOUR EFFORTS AND STAND WITH YOU AND ENSURING THAT AS WE AS A COUNCIL DELIBERATE THE BUDGET IN THE COMING MONTHS, THAT WE ENSURE THAT WE'RE MAKING THE NECESSARY INCREASES IN INVESTMENTS IN RAPID REHOUSING AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND SERVICES.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ITEM NUMBER 180 1 IS ADOPTED, UH, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON BEING ABSENT.
[127. Discussion and possible action related to placing proposed City Charter amendments on the ballot for a November 2024 special election.]
WILL TAKE US BACK TO ITEM NUMBER 1 27.UH, YOU'LL RE YOU'LL RECALL THAT ITEM NUMBER ONE TWENTY SEVEN IS A POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO CITY CHARTER AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER, 2024.
THE MOTION, UH, THAT WE DISCUSSED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AND THAT WAS BROUGHT UP IN THE WORK SESSION, UH, WAS A DISCUSSION AROUND THE IDEA THAT WHAT WE WOULD DO TODAY IS WE WOULD GIVE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO COME BACK TO US AT THE JULY 18TH MEETING WITH, UH, BALLOT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT WORD IS, BUT BALLOT READY ITEMS THAT WE COULD ADOPT AND MOVE FORWARD, UM, WITH ALSO RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING, UH, AT THE SAME TIME, THOSE ITEMS THAT COULD BE, COULD BE HANDLED BY WAY OF ORDINANCE AND OR, OR NOT, AND OR, BUT, UH, OR RESOLUTION.
SO THAT WOULD BE THE MOTION THAT I WILL ACCEPT AFTER WE LISTEN TO PEOPLE THAT, UH, ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
THANK YOU MAYOR WILLIAM BUNCH.
HE HAS TIME DONATED BY ROY WHALEY.
IF ROY IS STILL HERE, I DON'T SEE EITHER MR. BUNCH OR MR. WHALEY.
JULIAN REYES, BOBBY LEVINSKY AND FELICITY MAXWELL.
ARE ANY OF THOSE PEOPLE PRESENT? CALL THEIR NAMES.
ALRIGHT, WELL YOU'RE HERE NOW, SO COME ON.
I'LL JUST CALL THE NAMES AGAIN REALLY QUICKLY, PLEASE.
JULIAN REYES, BOBBY LEVINSKY, AND FELICITY MAXWELL.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS BILL BUNCH,
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO STEP WAY BACK FROM VIRTUALLY ALL OF THESE CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
UM, ALMOST ALL OF 'EM, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE, UH, REASSIGNMENT OF YOUR ATTORNEY TO ANSWER TO THE COUNCIL RATHER THAN THE MAYOR MANAGER, UM, ARE DESIGNED TO REDUCE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE COUNCIL, REDUCE TRANSPARENCY OF CITY OPERATIONS, AND REDUCE EVEN FURTHER.
THERE'S A VERY NARROW RANGE THAT WE HAVE OF LOCAL DIRECT DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE REFERENDUM AND RECALL.
UM, THE STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE FOR SIGNATURE GATHERING, IF YOU THINK THEY'RE EASY, YOU'VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR HISTORY THE LAST 20 YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY FEW INITIATIVES.
UH, THE ONES THAT HAVE GOTTEN ON THE BALLOT LOTS, YOU KNOW, STARTED BUT NEVER GOT THERE.
UH, PEOPLE APPROVED SOME OF 'EM AND THEY VOTED DOWN SOME OF 'EM.
[06:05:01]
BUT THEY SERVE AS A CRITICAL CHECK ON YOUR POWER WHEN THERE'S GRIDLOCK AT CITY HALL, WHEN THERE'S UNDUE INFLUENCE OF TOO MUCH REAL ESTATE MONEY, AS WAS THE CASE WITH SAVE OUR SPRINGS INITIATIVE.UM, AND IF THERE'S SOME EXTREME EXAMPLE WHERE A COUNCIL HAS MISBEHAVED OR IS COMPLETELY OUTTA STEP WITH THE, THEIR CONSTITUENTS ON RECALL, THERE'S NO RECALL THAT HAPPENED IN DECADES THAT I KNOW OF.
SO WHAT ARE Y'ALL AFRAID OF? WHY ARE YOU GONNA BASICALLY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RECALL ONE OF YOU? WHAT ARE, WHAT MESSAGE ARE YOU SENDING TO THE COMMUNITY? PLEASE DON'T GO FORWARD WITH THAT BECAUSE ALL YOU'RE DOING IS MAKING IT CLEAR.
YOU WANT ALL OF THE POWER, NOT JUST 99% OF IT, BUT A HUNDRED PERCENT OF IT.
THE STUFF COMING FROM STAFF TO FOR CLEANUP, MAKE IT CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW.
STATE LAW CHANGES ALL THE TIME.
THE CONSTITUTION LESS OFTEN, ALTHOUGH WE GET LOTS OF THOSE, BUT OUR CHARTER SHOULD SAY WHAT WE WANT IT TO BE.
SO SAYING WE'RE GONNA AMEND OUR CHARTER TO MATCH A STATE STATUTE THAT COULD BE CHANGED NEXT YEAR OR THREE YEARS, OR FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.
WE NEED TO LEAVE IT AS IS AMENDING THE CHARTER TO SAY THAT YOUR RULES CAN BE ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION RATHER THAN ORDINANCE.
SO IT'S NOT ENFORCEABLE LAW THAT'S REDUCING YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY SAYING YOU CAN BE LAWLESS IN HOW YOU RUN YOUR STUFF.
I'VE CALLED ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
THANK YOU MEMBERS, THAT THAT CONCLUDES, UH, THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 1 27.
THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION THAT WILL DIRECT THE STAFF TO RETURN TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE JULY 18TH MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WITH PREPARED ITEMS TO ALLOW COUNCIL TO VOTE TO PLACE ITEMS ON THE BALLOT OR AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OR ISSUES BY RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE.
IS THERE A MOTION, MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ? IS THERE A DISCUSSION? YES.
I JUST WANNA PREVIEW FOR EVERYBODY.
I AM WORKING WITH THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND WILL POTENTIALLY, WHEN WE COME BACK IN JULY, UH, HAVE OPTIONS THAT GROUP SOME OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, EVEN IF THEY POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE BEEN AN ORDINANCE, IF IT COULD BE GROUPED INTO, UM, A SINGLE ITEM.
UH, I THINK THAT IS JUST WORTHY OF, OF OUR CONVERSATION AND, AND THOUGHT SO, UH, JUST WANT TO PUT IT OUT THERE NOW SO THERE'S NO SURPRISE LATER.
YEAH, AND, AND, AND, AND YOU BROUGHT THAT UP AT THE WORK SESSION AND, UH, I CONSIDER THAT TO BE PART AND PARCEL OF THE MOTION YOU JUST MADE, WHICH WAS WOULD BE THAT THEY WOULD BRING IT BACK TO US IN A WAY THAT WE COULD PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.
AND IF THERE'S QUESTION OR IF, WHAT I WOULD ALSO ASK ABOUT THAT IS THAT IF, IF WE'VE GOT A TWO SUBJECT RULE PROBLEM OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THAT THAT IS CLO IS A CLOSED QUESTION.
AND, AND I GET WHY WE WANT TO, WHY WE MIGHT WANT TO BUNDLE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS OF ITEMS, BUT IF THERE'S A CLOSED QUESTION, PROVIDE US WITH THE OPTION SO THAT THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF IT'S BUNDLED, THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF IT WAS NOT BUNDLED, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE, UH, A DEFINITIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT AND BE PREPARED TO VOTE ON SOMETHING AND NOT NEED TO TRY TO AMEND IT, UH, AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
IS THAT, AND THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH WHAT YOU'RE THINKING, RIGHT? GOOD DEAL.
MAYOR PRO TIM, AND WE ALSO, I THINK IT WAS ON TUESDAY, TALKED ABOUT THERE ARE SOME CHANGES.
UH, I THINK MS. WEBSTER SAID THERE'S SOME CHANGES THAT COULD BE HANDLED AS HOUSEKEEPING AND TO THE EXTENT THAT SHE CAN, YOU WERE PLANNING TO SEPARATE THOSE OUT AND TALK TO US ABOUT THOSE, UM, IN JULY AS WELL.
SO WE MAY BE ABLE TO ACT ON THOSE MORE QUICKLY.
AND THE MOTION, UH, MAKES REFERENCE TO, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS WITH REGARD TO SPECIFIC ITEMS THAT THAT COULD BE HANDLED BY, UH, RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU MAYOR FOR THAT RECOGNITION.
AND THANK YOU FOR REALLY LAYING THIS OUT SO THAT THE PUBLIC COULD UNDERSTAND OUR VOTES TODAY.
I PLAN ON VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, AND THEN WHEN STAFF COMES BACK WITH, UM, WHAT THEY HAVE FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AT, IT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT.
AND SO I JUST WANT THE, THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT I AM VOTING YES ON THIS BECAUSE I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT COMES
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BACK TO US.YEAH, THIS, THIS, SO, SO THE PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS SO THAT WE'LL HAVE A MORE DEFINED SET OF ITEMS TO VOTE ON, UH, WHEN THE TIME COMES, SO THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A BETTER FEEL FOR WHAT IT IS WE'RE ACTUALLY VOTING ON.
SO THANKS FOR EMPHASIZING THAT.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION IN THAT CASE? UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ITEM NUMBER, UH, 1 27 IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, UH, ABSENT.
[128. Approve an ordinance amending City Code Section 2-1-206 (Joint Sustainability Committee) to add a representative from the Austin Travis County Public Health Commission.]
1 28.UH, ITEM 1 28 IS A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.
IN THE ABSENCE OF THE CHAIR OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, I WILL TURN TO THE VICE CHAIR OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
AND I MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM TO APPOINT ANTHONY SEGURA TO A NEW SEAT ON THE ACE, UH, GOVERNING BOARD.
AND I THINK WE HAVE STAFF HERE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.
AND THIS ITEM WAS RECOMMENDED FROM RIGHT? THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.
I'M FILLING IN FOR OUR CHAIR
YEAH, NO, THAT'S WHY I RECOGNIZED YOU, BUT I THINK WE'VE, YOU'VE MADE A MOTION ON A DIFFERENT ITEM.
UH, ITEM 1 28 IS TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE, UH, THAT WOULD AMEND, UH, CITY CODE, THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE TO ADD A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION, UH, AS OPPOSED TO ITEM 180, WHICH IS RELATED TO THE APPOINTMENT OF ANTHONY SEGURA.
SO, UH, WE DID NOT GET A SECOND ON, ON YOUR PRE PREVIOUS MOTION.
WELL, LET ME WITHDRAW THAT AND THEN MAKE THE APPROPRIATE MOTION, WHICH TO IS TO APPROVE THE BYLAWS AMENDMENTS OF THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE, WHICH IS ALSO COMING FROM THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
UM, WE ARE, I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE TO SEE IF WE HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP ON ITEM 1 28.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO ITEM 1 28 WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM NUMBER 1 28 IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING ABSENT.
[129. Approve the bylaws amendments of the Joint Sustainability Committee.]
IS ALSO FROM THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE AND I'LL RECOGNIZE THE VICE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE.ITEM 1 29 IS TO APPROVE THE BYLAWS AMENDMENTS.
THIS IS THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE ALSO.
AND IT IS BYLAWS AMENDMENTS RED LINE.
AND IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? SECOND BY CAST MEMBER CADRE.
IS THERE, UH, ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 1 29? NO, MA'AM.
THERE BEING NO ONE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 1 29.
IS THERE DISCUSSION BY COUNSEL? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ITEM NUMBER 1 29 IS ALSO ADOPTED.
THAT WILL TAKE US TO COUNT TO ITEM NUMBER 180,
[180. Approve a resolution appointing Anthony Segura to the Austin Convention Enterprises Board.]
WHICH THE MAYOR PRO TEM HAS PRACTICED HER MOTION.AND I GAVE YOU A, A GLIMPSE AT IT.
YEAH, THIS IS ALSO, I'M SCROLLING DOWN TO IT.
THIS IS ALSO FROM THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TO FILL A NEW SLOT THAT WE HAD CREATED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO ON THIS GOVERNING BOARD OF THE ACE BOARD AND THE PERSON BEING, UH, UH, RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR APPOINTMENT AS ANTHONY SEGURA TO THE AUSTIN CONVENTION ENTERPRISES BOARD.
IS, IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 180? THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL WITH REGARD TO ITEM 180 IN THAT CASE? WITHOUT OBJECTION, ITEM NUMBER 180 IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING ABSENT.
UH, WE WILL NOW GO TO PUBLIC HEARINGS.
THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING THAT IS, UH, THAT WE WILL CALL UP.
KEEP IN MIND THAT ITEM 1 32, 1 40 AND ONE 30 HAVE, UH, 33, I'M SORRY, HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.
1 32 POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH, ONE 40, WHICH IS RELATED TO ITEM 1 32, POSTPONED TO AUGUST 29TH AND 1 33 POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH.
[134. Conduct a public hearing to receive comment on the City’s revised Citizen Participation Plan as part of the Fiscal Year 2024-2029 Consolidated Plan process, which is required for the City to secure federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.]
I WILL CALL UP IS ITEM NUMBER ONE THIRTY FOUR.AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 34.
I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
DO WE HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? I HAVE ONE SPEAKER IS ANOVIA
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JOSEPH.ALL RIGHT, MEMBERS, UH, THOSE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 1 34.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 34.
[135. Conduct a public hearing to receive comment on the City’s draft Fiscal Year 2024-2029 Consolidated Plan which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the City’s application for federal funding.]
TAKE US TO ITEM NUMBER 1 35.UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 35.
I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I HAVE ONE SPEAKERS AND NOIA JOSEPH, MS. JOSEPH, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
MAYOR MEMBERS, UH, NO ONE ELSE HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 1 35.
AS A RESULT OF THAT, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 35.
WE WILL NOW GO TO ITEM NUMBER 1 36,
[136. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending Section 25-8-700 to modify requirements for compatibility buffers and waiving Sections 25-1-501 and 25-1-502 related to initiating and reviewing amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development).]
UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION.I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 36 AND TURN TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
YES, MAYOR, I HAVE SOME SPEAKERS.
WILLIAM BUNCH, JASON HASKINS, FELICITY MAXWELL, MR. BUNCH, MR. HASKINS OR MS. MAXWELL, ARE YOU PRESENT? MR. BUNCH? MR. HASKINS, MS. MAXWELL IN THAT CASE, UM, THAT'S ALL SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? YES, MA'AM.
THEN WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 36, AND THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE, UH, RECOMMENDED BY 1 36, MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE PASSAGE OF ITEM? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE PASSAGE OF ITEM 1 36 WITHOUT COUNCIL MEMBER VELA? I'M SORRY.
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT MADE YOU DO AS A MATTER OF FACT, AND THAT'S WHY I WAS LEANING OVER TO A VOTE.
UH, COUNCILMAN BAILEY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED, UH, BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE, UH, YOU HAVE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
UH, I JUST WANT, THIS IS, THERE ARE SOME RELATIVELY MINOR SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES, BUT IT, IT'S REALLY KIND OF A CLEANUP OF THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE COMPATIBILITY BUFFER.
UH, THE FIRST 10 FEET WOULD BE THE, THE, THE SCREENING ZONE.
AND AGAIN, WE'RE CLARIFYING WHAT CAN GO IN THE SCREENING ZONE.
AND AGAIN, ON THE, THE AMENDMENT IS LANDSCAPING OR GARDENS, FENCES PASS, UH, UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE IF IT'S DEEMED NECESSARY.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE THEY CAN PUT THE UTILITIES IN, THEN, THEN SO BE IT.
THAT, THAT'S GONNA BE UP TO AUSTIN WATER, AUSTIN ENERGY, UH, BIKE RACKS, AND THEN GROUND FLOOR, PRIVATE COMMON AND PRIVATE PERSONAL OPEN SPACES, WHICH IS BASICALLY KIND OF SOMEBODY'S KIND OF PATIO DOOR COULD POTENTIALLY OPEN UP TO THERE AND THERE WOULD BE, UH, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT THE IDEA BEING THAT WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP VERY NON-INTRUSIVE, UH, UH, NON, UH, PROBLEMATIC USES THERE.
AND THEN THE NEXT SECTION WOULD BE THE, UH, THE, UH, UH, LORD, THE RESTRICTIVE ZONE WHERE, UH, THERE ARE, UH, REQUIRED PLANTINGS REQUIRED, UH, DIFFERENT.
SO IT'S REALLY JUST A, A CLEANUP AND A CLARIFICATION.
UM, PLANNING HAS LOOKED AT IT.
UM, AND, UH, UH, UH, MS. LINK, UH, HAD LOOKED AT IT AND ACTUALLY WE GAVE IT TO HER AND SHE GAVE BACK TO BETTER, TO, TO US, UH, IN AN IMPROVED VERSION.
AND, UH, I WOULD, UH, UH, MOVE TO ADD THE AMENDMENT TO THE ITEM ME MEMBERS.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA MOVES TO AMEND I.
ITEM NUMBER 1 36 WITH, UH, THE MOTION SHEET THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU.
IS THERE A SECOND? AND SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS? UH, COUNCIL MEMBER? KELLY, DO YOU WISH TO BE HEARD? YES, SIR.
UM, YOU KNOW, AS I'M VIRTUAL TODAY, IT OCCURS TO ME THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS AMENDMENT.
AND SO I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S SOMEWHERE THAT IS POSTED PUBLICLY, NOT JUST FOR MY BENEFIT, BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AS WELL, WHO ARE FOLLOWING ALONG AT HOME.
UM, IT, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S POSTED IN THE BACKUP, YES.
UM, IT'S POSTED IN THE BACKUP.
ALRIGHT, WITH THAT BEING THE CASE, UM, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THE MOTION TO AMEND BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA? WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THE MOTION TO AMEND IS ADOPTED.
THAT TAKES US BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION ON ITEM NUMBER 1 36, WHICH IS THE APPROVAL OF ITEM 1 36 AS AMENDED WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ITEM NUMBER 1 36, AS AMENDED IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING ABSENT.
[137. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a maximum off-street motor vehicle parking limit for properties zoned central business district and downtown mixed-use and an administrative process to exceed the maximum parking limit under certain conditions.]
NUMBER 1 37.UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 37,
[06:20:01]
AND I WILL, UH, TURN TO THE CITY CLERK TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYONE THAT'S SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.I HAVE ONE SPEAKER, FELICITY MAXWELL.
MS. MAXWELL, MS. MAXWELL, THOSE BEING ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
UH, WE WILL, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 37.
UH, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.
ITEM 1 37 MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.
UH, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON ITEM NUMBER 1 37? COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
UM, THIS IS A GREAT, HUH? NOT THAT LONG.
IT'S NOT LIKE LAST WEEK, COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER VALLA ELLIS DID BETTER TO BE AS LONG AS AS, AS AS I DID.
BUT, UH, NO, IT, IT'S A, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT ITEM 1 37.
IT'S A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
UH, I THINK PASSING THESE CHANGES ARE IMPERATIVE TO PROJECT CONNECT, UH, APPLICATION, UH, YOU KNOW, AS WE KNOW, PARKING DOWNTOWN HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR BIGGEST WEAKNESSES, UH, FOR FEDERAL, FOR FEDERAL GRANT COMPETITIVENESS.
UH, SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR CITY STAFF FROM FROM TPW, UH, AND THE PROJECT CONNECT OFFICE, WORKING CLOSELY WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND DEVELOPING A CODE CHANGE THAT ACHIEVES, UH, SO MUCH CONSENSUS.
AND I WANNA REMIND US THERE'S MORE TO DO IN FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION CHANGES TO ENCOURAGE PARKING REDUCTIONS DOWNTOWN.
UH, WE STILL NEED TO REQUIRE DECOUPLING OF PARKING FROM RESIDENTIAL UNITS, UH, AS ALREADY REQUIRED, UH, BY THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD OVERLAY.
UH, AND I'M ALSO VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE, OF THE FURTHER PARKING CHANGES.
RECENTLY, RECENTLY RECOMMENDED BY FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS RILEY, WHO WE, WHO WE CELEBRATED EARLIER TODAY, UH, WHICH ARE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE UULI TAP PROCESS, UH, OR, OR DESIGNATED PARKING STRUCTURES TO BE CONVERTED TO FUTURE USES.
UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH STAFF, UH, TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT THAT'S ALREADY UNDERWAY, UH, TO IMPLEMENT MANY OF THE ULI TAP PARKING RECOMMENDATIONS IN A COMPREHENSIVE DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS INITIATIVE.
UH, WHILE THE PRELIMINARY PROJECT CONNECT APPLICATION DEADLINE IS THIS SUMMER, UH, I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH THAT WE CAN'T SLOW DOWN ON OUR COMPREHENSIVE DENSITY BONUS CHANGES AND EO EFFORTS, WHICH INCLUDE MORE WORK ON PARKING DOWNTOWN.
UH, SO I JUST WANNA EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT OUR NEXT TIMELINES WILL BE.
UH, AND I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DAAS FOR THEIR SUPPORT, UH, FOR TRANSIT ORIENTED LAND USE CHANGES, UH, IN DOWNTOWN.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION WITHOUT COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY? UH, I'M JUST GONNA SAY THAT I OBJECT AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE, BE SHOWN AS VOTING.
YOU'LL BE SHOWN VOTING NO WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ITEM 1 36 IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING NO, AND I'M SORRY, UH, IT WAS 1 37.
WE'VE ALREADY PASSED THAT 1 36 WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ITEM 1 37 IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING NO AND WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING ABSENT.
ITEM 1 38 WILL, WILL BE POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH.
AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE WONDERING IF YOU'RE GONNA GET TO TALK ABOUT THE POSTPONEMENT WHEN WE FINISH THESE ITEMS, UH, THAT AREN'T BEING POSTPONED, I'M GONNA COME BACK TO THEM AND SEE IF ANYONE WANTS TO SPEAK ON THOSE.
[139. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan to include the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Typologies.]
1 39, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 39 AND I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.I HAVE TWO SPEAKERS SIGNED UP.
ALRIGHT, WITH THOSE BEING THE ONLY TWO PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 39.
UM, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER ONE, NUMBER 1 39.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? COUNCIL MEMBER CODRE REMOVES APPROVAL OF ITEM 1 39.
IT IS SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PRO TIM, UH, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY? I WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON THIS ITEM.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION? ITEM 1 39 IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY BEING SHOWN VOTING NO AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER BEING ABSENT.
[182. Conduct a public hearing to consider direction to the City Manager regarding the development of an environmental investment plan to address climate change, sustainability of City operations, and community resiliency.]
US TO ITEM NUMBER 180 2.WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 180 2 AND I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
THANK YOU MAYOR ADAM GREENFIELD, LEWIS DEANGELO, EDGAR HANDEL.
[06:25:02]
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.ADAM GREENFIELD HERE WITH SAFE STREETS AUSTIN, UH, SPEAKING ON ITEM 180, UH, 180 2 REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENT PLAN.
UH, THIS IS A, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.
UM, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
UH, WE NEED TO REALLY RAPIDLY ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS IN, IN AUSTIN.
UM, AND, AND THIS IS HOW WE DO IT WITH, WITH BIG IDEAS.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU, UH, THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS FUENTES QUE RYAN AL ALTER, ALICE AND ALISON AL ALTER FOR SUPPORTING THE SAFE STREETS AUSTIN, UM, CITY LEAP PROPOSAL FOR, UM, LANE CONVERSIONS ON AUSTIN'S ARTERIALS, UH, TO MAKE SPACE FOR, UH, BUSES AND, UH, PROTECTED BY PLANES.
THIS IS THE KIND OF BIG THINKING THAT REALLY GETS THE PUBLIC EXCITED AND WE'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF ACTION THEY WANT OUR CITY, UH, COUNCIL TO TAKE.
IT'S ALSO THE KIND OF ACTION THAT SOME OF OUR PEERS ARE TAKING, INCLUDING, UH, I DUNNO IF YOU ARE FOLLOWING WHAT'S HAPPENING IN PARIS THESE DAYS IN FRANCE, BUT THEY, THEY ARE ALREADY ACTING UPON THESE BIG IDEAS AND THE PUBLIC ARE, ARE REELECTING, UH, THE, THE ELECTEDS THERE WHO, WHO ARE VOTING FOR THIS.
UH, I THINK IT IS TIME FOR THE CAPITAL OF TEXAS TO JOIN THE CAPITAL OF FRANCE IN, IN TAKING THESE, THESE BIG, BOLD, UH, LEAPS FORWARD.
UH, I JUST ALSO WANT TO ADD, UM, THE FINANCIAL PIECE OF THIS.
SO WHEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN DID A LANE CONVERSION OF THE LONGHORN DAM FROM A FOUR TO THREE LANE FOR SHARED USE PATHS, IT TOOK FOUR MONTHS TO MAKE BACK THE COST OF THAT PROJECT IN COMPREHENSIVE CRASH COST SAVINGS TO SOCIETY.
UH, YOU COULD ARGUE THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO DO CITY LEAP A A TX.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
KAYLA REESE, ROY WHALEY, CRAIG NASER, JULIAN REYES.
UH, I'M THE CONSERVATION CHAIR OF THE STATE CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB, PRESIDENT OF AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS, UM, AND ALTERNATE ON THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE AND ON THE WORKING GROUP FOR NATURAL, UH, UH, NATURAL SYSTEMS. FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK RYAN ALTER FOR COMING TO US AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS AND TALKING TO OUR GROUP ABOUT THIS.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND IT'S VERY NICE WHEN THAT GETS OUT INTO THE PUBLIC.
IT'S VERY NICE FOR YOU TO DO THAT.
THE FIRST THING IS, AND THIS IS ALSO AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS AND SIERRA CLUB, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM ON CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE FIAT POWER PLANT WITHOUT CLOSING THE FIAT POWER PLANT, IT, ALL THIS OTHER STUFF IS PRETTY MINOR AND I KNOW THAT'S A TOUGH PROBLEM, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, THAT THAT'S ALL THE GROUPS I WORK WITH.
THAT'S WHAT I HEAR ALL THE TIME.
SECOND THING IS, AND THERE'S SOMETHING ON THE, UH, JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION THAT, AND THIS IS BECAUSE I'M ALSO ON THE ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION.
AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY REALLY NEEDS A TRANSFER STATION TRANSFER STATION IN NORTH AUSTIN.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE'LL GET ELECTRIC TRUCKS TO WORK AND THEY'RE FREE FROM TCEQ RIGHT NOW.
THOSE $700,000 TRUCKS ARE FREE.
THEY WILL WORK BEST IF WE HAVE THE TRANSFER STATION.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU CONSIDER THIS AS A TOP CHOICE IN, IN WHAT WE'RE DOING.
I THINK THE PARD LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN IS NOT A GOOD CHOICE FOR THIS.
UH, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY, AND I'VE SENT IT A DETAILED EMAIL ABOUT THIS THAT I HOPE YOU ALL READ.
IT'S REFERRING TO SCIENTIFIC PAPERS.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE WRONG THING TO DO AND WE OPPOSE THIS BACK IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
UM, IT'S BASED ON A FALSE HISTORICAL ASSUMPTION OF WHAT THE HILL COUNTRY LOOKED LIKE AND, AND OUR AREAS TO THE WEST, PARTICULARLY THE SELECTIVE THINNING AND FUEL REDUCTION DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SUCCESSION OF PLANTS GROW INTO A FULL CLIMAX FOREST, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S AN OAK JUNIPER WOODLAND THAT'S ONLY LIKE 40 FEET TALL.
IT'S NOT A RAINFOREST, BUT IT'S A FOREST.
NONETHELESS, FIRE MOVES MORE SLOWLY THROUGH FOREST AND THROUGH GRASSLAND.
SO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FIRE IF YOU HAVE HEALTHY FORESTS,
[06:30:01]
OKAY, PRESCRIBED FIRE.THERE'S NO HISTORIC EVIDENCE THAT PRESCRIBE THAT FIRE MOVED THROUGH THE HILL COUNTRY WITH ANY FREQUENCY, PARTICULARLY THE FOREST THERE.
CO2 SEQUESTRATION ABILITY IS DAMAGED FOR YEARS WITH WITH CONTROLLED BURNS.
THEY'VE PROVEN THAT I HAVE THE SCIENTIFIC PAPER IN MY BACKUP.
YOU CAN READ THE REST IN THERE.
IT'S A GREAT THING AND ALL OVERALL.
BOBBY LAVINSKY, SCOTT JOHNSON, ROBERT BOWLER AFTERNOON COUNSEL.
UH, AND THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
I'M A D FOUR HOMEOWNER, A 12 YEAR AUSTINITE.
AND AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN WAITING TODAY, I'M BECOMING A BIGGER FAN OF THE TWO MINUTE LIMIT.
UM, I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR TODAY OF ITEM 180 2, THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENT PLAN.
UH, BASED ON THE WORK OF THE RESEARCH ORG PROJECT DRAWDOWN, I'D LIKE TO SHARE SOME SPECIFIC SCIENCE BASE RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHERE TO FOCUS RESOURCES TO THEIR MOST EFFECTIVE FOOD SYSTEMS AND TRANSPORTATION FOR FOOD SYSTEMS. THERE'S THREE KEY AREAS.
THERE'S HIGH EMISSION PROTEINS, FOOD WASTE AND TAKEOUT PACKAGING THAT CONSISTENTLY DEEMED THE HIGHEST SOURCES OF BOTH EMISSIONS AND PLASTIC GARBAGE.
SO WE NEED TO INCENTIVIZE CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES TO LEAN INTO PLANT RICH OFFERINGS.
WE NEED TO, UH, NEED MAJOR RESOURCES BEHIND IN INITIATIVES THAT PREVENT FOOD WASTE BOTH AT HOME AND AT RESTAURANTS.
AND WE DEFUND A CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN WHICH THE PACKAGING FOR FOOD FOR OUR TAKEOUT IS NOT DEEMED DISPOSABLE.
BUT THERE IS A SYSTEM, A CONVENIENT WAY TO, TO REUSE THAT YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE COMPANY DELIVER ZERO FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THE SYSTEM IN THE TRANSIT WORLD.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOMMEND THE CITY LEAP INITIATIVE THAT WAS JUST ANNOUNCED BY SAFE STREETS.
AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION IS AUSTIN'S BIGGEST SOURCE OF GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS.
UM, IT IS HOW WE GET AROUND, UM, IN A SHORT CITY LEAP WOULD DEDICATE ON EACH OF OUR MAJOR ROADWAYS ONE LANE EACH WAY TO EITHER DEDICATED TRANSIT AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES OR, UH, PROTECTED CYCLING PATHS.
UH, LIKE ANY TRANSIT IMPROVEMENT, THERE ARE LOTS OF GOOD EFFECTS HERE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, AIR QUALITY, GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, EFFECTIVE USE OF ROAD SPACE, A BUS THAT RUNS FASTER THAN THE CAR TRAFFIC THAT IT GETS STUCK IN TODAY.
UM, AND FOR REAL LIFE PREVIEW, BARTON SPRINGS ROAD HAS HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL PILOT ON THIS KIND OF ROAD, RIGHT SIZING.
THEY SAW LESS SPEEDING AND FEWER CRASHES.
YOU GET MORE SPACE FOR THE PETTY CABS AND SCOOTERS AND BIKES THAT AUSTIN IS KNOWN FOR AND KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHIER.
UH, MORE THAN 70% OF PEOPLE PUBLIC, UH, GOT HAD PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THESE CHANGES AND IT INCREASED CAR TRAVEL TIMES WHEN YOU TOOK OUT A LANE A WHOPPING THREE TO 30 SECONDS.
SO THAT'S BASICALLY NO SACRIFICE IN CAR EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU GIVE THESE LANES TO PUBLIC TRANSIT AND TO, TO BIKES.
ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY IS GONNA BE OUR GENERATION'S WORLD WAR II AND WE NEED THAT KIND OF LEVEL OF INVESTMENT IN THIS.
AND, UM, I THINK WE CAN KEEP DOING THIS.
I'VE CALLED ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM, MAYOR.
UM, MEMBERS THAT, UH, CONCLUDES ALL THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS ON ITEM NUMBER 180 2.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 180 2 AND IT WILL BE COMING BACK.
WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ON TUESDAY AND UH, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER TO CLOSE THIS OUT.
YES, I WANNA SAY ONE QUICK THING.
YOU KNOW, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THIS PAST WEEKEND TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH MY FAMILY HOW TO LAKE TRAVIS.
AND TWO THINGS WERE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO US.
ONE, IT WAS JUST UNBEARABLY HOT, UH, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE HAVE SEEN COME EARLIER AND EARLIER EVERY YEAR.
AND SECOND, JUST LOOKING AROUND EVEN WITH THE RAIN WE'VE HAD, THE LAKE WAS ALARMINGLY LOW EVEN FOR, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER.
AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOTHING NEW FOR ANYONE WHO EXPERIENCED LAST SUMMER OR THE SUMMER BEFORE THAT OR THE SUMMER BEFORE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST A NEW TREND AND THE WARNING SIGNS ARE STARING US IN THE FACE.
OUR DROUGHTS ARE BECOMING DEEPER AND LONGER AND EVERY YEAR IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING HOTTER AND HOTTER.
UM, AND SO WE CAN'T SIT IDLY BY AND PRETEND THIS IS GONNA SOLVE ITSELF.
WE CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS AND WE HAVE THE POWER TO BE THE SOLUTION.
THAT'S WHY WE LAUNCHED THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENT PLAN.
WHY WE ASK THE QUESTION, WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR OUR ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS TO BE MORE THAN JUST WORDS ON PAPER? THAT'S WHY MY OFFICE COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES VELASQUEZ, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLISON ALLISON ALTER, ARE PRIORITIZING THE PRESERVATION OF LAND AND CONSERVATION OF WATER, BOTH OF WHICH WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY MORE OF, UH, IN WHICH WE HAVE A RISK RICH HISTORY IN DOING NONE SO, UH, THAN 25 YEARS AGO BY OUR MAYOR.
[06:35:01]
SO THANKFUL TODAY THAT WE DID, UH, IT'S WHY WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD INVEST IN MORE TREES, MORE SOLAR, UH, AND REDUCE VEHICLE EMISSIONS AND THE DEVASTATING IMPACTS OF FLOODING.AND I KNOW THESE ARE PRIORITIES THAT WE ALL SHARE.
AND SO I WANT TO THANK THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE.
I WANNA THANK OUR STAFF, UH, FOR THEIR DILIGENT WORK ON IDENTIFYING ACTIONABLE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS AND NOW FOR THE PUBLIC, FOR THOSE WHO STUCK IT OUT FOR ALL DAY, TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS, UH, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THE RIGHT PRIORITIES AND THE RIGHT INVESTMENTS GOING FORWARD.
COUNCIL MEMBER MEMBERS, UM, THAT WILL NOW TAKE US.
[Items 132, 133, 138, 140]
BACK TO ITEM 1 32, 1 33, 1 38, AND ONE 40.THOSE ITEMS ARE BEING POSTPONED.
1 32 TO JULY 18TH, 1 33 TO JULY 18TH, 1 38 TO JULY 18TH.
EVERYBODY GET READY FOR JULY 18TH, UM, ONE 40 TO AUGUST 29TH.
UM, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IF WE HAVE SPEAKERS HERE, THEY'RE ALLOWED TO SPEAK, BUT YOU WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT, NOT ON THE ITEM ITSELF.
IF YOU'RE FOR THE POSTPONEMENT, I GUESS YOU CAN COME TELL US.
IF YOU'RE NOT FOR THE POSTPONEMENT, COME AND TELL US WHY.
AND SO ON ITEM, I'LL CALL UP ITEM ONE THIRTY TWO AND WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC WITHOUT OBJECTION.
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 32.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS FOR 1 32.
THERE BEING NO SPEAKERS WITHOUT OBJECTION.
WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 32.
ITEM 1 33, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 33.
IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON 1 33? YES, MAYOR, I HAVE SOME SPEAKERS SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT FOR 1 33.
JULIE WOODS, WILLIAM BUNCH, WHO DOES HAVE TIME DONATED IF ROY WHALEY IS HERE.
AND THEN XENOBI JOSEPH, ARE ANY OF THE PEOPLE WHOSE NAME WAS JUST CALLED PRESENT? CALL THEIR NAME PLEASE.
WILLIAM BUNCH, ZENOBIA JOSEPH IN THAT CASE.
UH, MEMBERS, THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS, ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT WITHOUT OBJECTION.
WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 33.
UH, IT'S BEING POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH WITHOUT OBJECTION.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON 1 38 AND I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK.
I HAVE ONE SPEAKER, JASON HASKINS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 1 38.
IT'LL BE POSTPONED TO JULY 18TH.
ITEM NUMBER ONE 40, WHICH IS RELATED TO ITEM 1 32, IS PRESENTLY BEING POSTPONED TO AUGUST 29TH.
UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER ONE 40 AND TURN TO THE CITY CLERK.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS FOR ONE 40.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TO THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT ON ITEM ONE 40.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER ONE 40 MEMBERS.
UH, UNLESS THERE'S SOMEONE POINTS OUT SOMETHING ELSE TO ME, I BELIEVE THAT COVERS ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS REGULAR SCHEDULE MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL ADJOURN AT 4:59 PM THAT WAS THE GOAL, GUYS.