Jul 24, 2024 City Council Budget Work Session

JUST TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T DO OKAY.

WELL THEN LET ME, I'LL, I'LL THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I, I'LL GO AHEAD AND START.

I GUESS I JUST HEARD YOUR PRESENTATION.

A QUESTION I DIDN'T HAVE, BUT I, I NOW HAVE IS WHY WAS THE AGREEMENT WITH A PA CHANGED? SO THAT WE DECREASED THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT A PA WAS TAKING AT, OR ABOUT THE SAME TIME THAT WE WERE RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS, UH, WITH INTAKE AND, AND THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT WE HAD.

WE DON'T, WE NEED THEM TO BE TAKING, UH, THAT NUMBER OR MORE.

I'M GOING TO DEFER TO, I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT, THE ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER.

I, I SEE HIM RIGHT OVER THERE.

THANK YOU, MR. BLAND.

GOOD MORNING, DON BLAND, CHIEF ANIMAL SERVICE OFFICER.

UH, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, UH, THAT WAS, UH, INITIATIVE THAT, UH, ANIMAL SERVICES NOR THE LEGAL STAFF, UH, SUPPORTED.

UH, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT, UH, A PA HAD PRESENTED AND, UH, COUNSEL, UH, MOVED THAT FORWARD.

SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT A PA ASKED THAT THERE WILL BE A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THEY WOULD TAKE AND A DECREASE IN THE CONTRACT? YES, SIR.

BECAUSE IT, IT, I MAY HAVE THIS WRONG, BUT IT, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS SAYING WE WILL STEP UP AND TAKE MORE ANIMALS IF, UH, THE CITY WANTS US TO TAKE MORE ANIMALS.

IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCE? UH, FOR A FEE, YES, SIR.

YES, MEMBER, TIM, AND IF I REMEMBER, SOME OF THE CONCERN AT THE TIME WAS THERE WAS CRITICISM OF A PA AND ITS CONTRACT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT TAKING AS MANY ANIMALS, AND THAT WAS RELATED TO, CAN YOU REMIND ME WHY A PA WAS NOT TAKING AS MANY ANIMALS? I THINK THE REFERRALS TO A PA HAD FALLEN OFF BY THE CITY.

DO I HAVE THAT MAYBE INCOMPLETE, OR IS THAT ACCURATE? NO, WE, THEY, THEY, UH, WERE STILL, THEY WERE PULLING AS MANY ANIMALS AS THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION.

UH, THEY WERE NOT TAKING AS MANY BEHAVIOR ANIMALS AS THEY'D TAKEN IN THE PAST BECAUSE OF THEIR CAPACITY AS WELL, BUT THEY FELT THAT THEY NEEDED TO HELP.

UH, THERE WERE OTHER CITIES THAT WERE IN MORE NEED THAN WE WERE AT THAT POINT, AND THEY WANTED TO BRANCH OUT.

AND THAT WAS ALSO WHEN THEY MOVED FROM TAKING THE FIVE COUNTY AREAS TO ANYWHERE.

AND I THINK THEY ARE BACKING OFF ON THE TAKING FROM THE OTHER COUNTIES.

BUT I THINK MAYOR, AT THIS POINT, IN ORDER TO GET TO THE NUBBINS OF THAT, UH, DISAGREEMENT, CONVERSATIONS WITH A PA WOULD CERTAINLY BE, BE HELPFUL.

WELL, SURE.

I, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING, BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE DOING IS PUTTING US IN A SITUATION WHERE WE, WE NEED TO BE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION.

NOT CLOSE INTAKE THE WAY WE'RE HAVING TO DO AND NOT DO SOME OF THE, THE ADDRESS, SOME OF THESE ISSUES WHERE IT'S NOT AS SUCCESSFUL AS WE MIGHT LIKE THEM TO BE, IF IN FACT WE HAD A PA TAKING MORE ANIMALS.

SO, SO I, I PROBABLY, I SHOULDN'T HAVE STARTED WITH THAT QUESTION, BUT IT, IT, IT INTERESTED ME KNOWING WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE THE CURRENT FEELING AND MOOD OR UNDERSTANDING ABOUT WHAT WE MIGHT COULD DO WITH A PA.

SO LET'S FORGET WHY ANYTHING HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

LET'S JUST LOOK TO THE FUTURE FOR A SECOND AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO US IF WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO

[00:10:01]

IS THAT RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT, SIR.

UH, WE, THIS, THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAVE OFFERED RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS, UH, DOLLARS TO TAKE ANIMALS UP TO $500 AT ONE POINT FOR ANY LARGE DOG, AND 250 FOR ANY SMALL DOG AND CAT.

AND WE HAD FOUR ANIMALS LEAVE UNDER THAT.

THAT WAS IT.

UM, SO, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE, WE DID HAVE TRANSPORTS THAT WE WERE USING, UH, PRIOR TO ALL OF THE RECENTLY, UH, WHEN BEFORE ALL THE OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY FELL APART.

AND, UH, THEY WERE PULLING ANIMALS FROM US, AND WE HAD A GOOD STREAM GOING UP NORTH, AND THEY QUIT PULLING FROM US BECAUSE WE MAINTAINED OUR LIVE EXIT RATE OF, YOU KNOW, WHERE OTHERS HAVE NOT.

SO LIKE, JUST, JUST, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT LAST MONTH, OUR, OUR LIVE EXIT RATE WAS 96.65.

AND WITH, THEY HAVE, WHEN THEY DO HAVE A RARE OPENING, THEY'RE PULLING FROM ONE OF THE OTHER CITIES IN TEXAS THAT HAS LOST THEIR NO KILL STATUS.

IF YOU LOOK AT LAST MONTH, EL PASO WAS AT 75, HOUSTON AT 74, SAN ANTONIO 82, AND DALLAS AT 79.

SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S US BEING WHERE WE'RE AT HAS, HAS AFFECTED THEM HELPING US AS WELL.

SO WHAT WOULD WE NEED TO DO? AND WHAT, AND HAVE YOU DONE ANY ANALYSIS OF COSTS, SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUDGET, WHAT WOULD THE AGREEMENT NEED TO LOOK LIKE AND FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE WITH A PA AND WHAT WOULD THE COST BE, UM, IF WE WANTED TO TRY TO FIT OUR CURRENT DEMAND? WELL, I THINK THAT, UM, WE, WE HAVE SECURED SHELTER PLANNERS OF AMERICA, AND THEY ACTUALLY WERE HERE ALL DAY YESTERDAY WITH US WORKING ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO FROM A, YOU KNOW, FACILITY STANDPOINT AND STAFFING STANDPOINT.

AND THEY'RE CRUNCHING THOSE NUMBERS.

AND IN ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS WE'LL GET THE RESULTS.

BUT THAT'S GONNA REALLY HELP US A LOT IN PLANNING FOR MOVING FORWARD.

BUT I THINK THAT, UH, IF YOU LOOK AT, WE, WE HAVE TO VOTE ON A BUDGET.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, WE HAVE, UM, YOU KNOW, USED THESE BOARDING FACILITIES AND WE HAD A PILOT BOARDING AGREEMENT WITH A PA PREVIOUSLY, AND THAT'S WHAT INITIATED THIS.

WE ASKED THEM AGAIN, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO BOARD FOR US, UH, AT THE, THE, THE SAME AGREEMENT THAT WE HAD BEFORE.

AND THAT'S WHEN THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD PULL THE ANIMALS AT, AT THE COST.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY PRESENTED.

AND WE JUST SAW THAT YESTERDAY AS WELL.

AND HOW MUCH WAS THAT? UH, NO MORE THAN 2 MILLION.

UM, LET'S TALK ABOUT ADOPTION OF FOSTER PROGRAMS. DO WE NEED MORE, UH, COORDINATORS FOR ADOPTION AND FOSTER? YES, SIR.

UH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND THE AMOUNT THAT THEY HAVE TO HANDLE, UH, WITH, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 514 ANIMALS THIS MORNING IN FOSTER.

AND WITH OUR ONE AND A HALF PEOPLE, THAT'S A LOT TO TAKE CARE OF.

HOW MANY DO WE, WHAT WOULD YOUR RECOMMENDATION BE IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL ADOPTION OF FOSTER? WE HAD ASKED FOR, UM, I THINK IT WAS 2.2 AND A HALF ADDITIONAL, YES, SIR.

TWO AND A HALF ADDITIONAL FOR THE RO FOSTER RESCUE COORDINATORS.

TO A SINGULAR INDIVIDUAL TO WEAR THE THORNS.

CAST MEMBER HARPER MADISON, DO YOU WANNA FOLLOW UP? UM, NO, SIR, MR. MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT LINE OF QUESTIONING.

UM, I, UH, JUST FOR A LITTLE BIT OF BACK, I'M AN ANIMAL LOVER, YOU KNOW, AND, AND MY FIRST CAMPAIGN, I WAS SO PROUD THAT I GOT FOUR PAWS FROM THE ANIMAL FOLKS.

AND SO, UM, A PART OF MY CONCERN HERE IS THINKING ABOUT, UM, TO YOUR POINT, MR. MAYOR, LET'S NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

WHAT ARE THINGS GONNA LOOK LIKE MOVING FORWARD? UM, AND SO AS WE ACQUIRE MORE HUMANS IN THIS TOWN, IT APPEARS AS THOUGH WE ARE ACQUIRING MORE ANIMALS TOO.

AND I'M JUST REALLY DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SITUATION BEING UNTENABLE.

IF IT ALREADY IS, IT ONLY GETS WORSE FROM HERE.

AND SO I'M JUST, I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE SOLUTIONS LOOK LIKE, AND I JUST REALLY WANNA BE A PART OF THAT, UM, PROCESS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD IN A WAY THAT'S, UM, PRAGMATIC.

YOU KNOW, I, I, I THINK THE PRAGMATISM PART SOMETIMES GETS LOST IN THIS CONVERSATION, AND WE EXCLUSIVELY ZERO IN ON THE COMPASSION COMPONENT.

BUT I CAN'T HELP BUT ADMIT THAT WHEN I HEAR THAT WE'RE GIVING $500 FOR ONE DOG TO AN ORGANIZATION, I THINK ABOUT HOW MANY SCHOOL CLOTHES A KID COULD GET WITH 500 OR GO TO SUMMER CAMP FOR 500, OR, YOU KNOW, THE DOLLARS REALLY MATTER.

AND I, I'VE, I'VE HESITATED TO ENGAGE IN THIS CONVERSATION, MOST ESPECIALLY.

'CAUSE I THINK MR. BLAND, YOU'VE DRAWN A LOT OF CRITICISM.

I PERSONALLY THINK YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE LEADERSHIP AT THE SHELTER.

I THINK YOU INHERITED SOMETHING THAT WAS A TRICKY SITUATION, AND YOU'VE DONE YOUR BEST, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

BUT WE CAN'T JUST KEEP PUNTING OUR RESPONSIBILITY WHEN WE GET CHALLENGES

[00:15:01]

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US TO ALL WEAR THE THORNS AND REALLY JUST HAVE SOME DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AS A COMMUNITY ABOUT THE BEST APPLICATION OF OUR RESOURCES MOVING FORWARD.

AND WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE DOING A DISSERVICE.

I CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE WHEN I GO TO THE SHELTER WITH MY KIDS AND I OVERHEAR VOLUNTEERS TALK ABOUT A DOG THAT'S BEEN IN A CRATE FOR 23 HOURS.

IT BREAKS MY HEART.

AND I JUST, WHEN YOU GUYS HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DOGS DEVOLVING INTO NOT BEING ADAPTABLE BECAUSE OF BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS, I REALLY DO THINK AKIN TO HOW IT IS WHEN YOU LOCK PEOPLE UP, YOU LOCK ANIMALS, PEOPLE AND ANIMALS ACQUIRE BEHAVIORAL COPING MECHANISMS THAT ARE NOT GOOD.

AND I, I'M CONCERNED, DEEPLY CONCERNED.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SAY ON MY WAY OUT IS THIS CHALLENGE WAS ONE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO START TO IMPLEMENT SOME SOLUTIONS WITH.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE, UH, ALBATROSS WE HANDED YOU.

AND MY HOPE IS THAT WE, AS A BODY, OUR STATE DELEGATION, WE ALL REALLY FIGURE OUT THIS VERY IMPORTANT CHALLENGE THAT WE COLLECTIVELY AS A, AS A COMMUNITY.

COUNCIL MEMBER, OTHER COUNT, OTHER MEMBERS.

WANTED TO, UH, ASK ABOUT THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. BLA, APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

UM, I JUST WANT TO ECHO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, HARPER MADISON'S, UH, COMMENTS.

AND, UH, I ALSO WANTED TO, UH, EMPHASIZE THAT THE SHELTER BEING CLOSED TO NEW, UH, UH, ANIMALS REALLY AFFECTS MY DISTRICTS AND HER DISTRICT.

UH, BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE THE, YOU KNOW, STRAY DOGS IN PARTICULAR, THE LARGE DOGS IN PARTICULAR.

UH, SO THAT IS A REAL, REAL CONCERN TO ME.

UH, I THINK THERE'S A PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, VERY SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN WITH HAVING, UH, THE ANIMAL A SHELTER, UH, CLOSED.

AND, UH, WE REALLY HAVE TO, UH, GRAPPLE WITH THAT.

AND WE NEED TO DO THAT SOONER WITH LATER.

SOONER THAN LATER.

MY QUESTION, THOUGH, WAS ABOUT THE, UM, SPAY AND NEUTER.

UH, I KNOW, UH, LAST YEAR I HAD A, A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO, UH, BOOST THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT WENT TO, UH, OUR, UH, CONTRACTOR THAT HANDLES A SPAY AND NEUTER.

AND I JUST WANTED TO SEE HOW'S THAT GOING, BECAUSE I CONTINUE TO HEAR, UH, ABOUT LIKE A THREE MONTH WAIT TIME OR SO FOR A SPAY OR NEUTER APPOINTMENT.

AND, AND ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, I, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA BUILD ENOUGH KENNELS TO, TO GET OUT OF THIS.

I I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE DIRECTION LONG TERM.

UH, WE'VE GOTTA HAVE A VERY AGGRESSIVE SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM, AND WE'VE GOT TO HAVE, UH, THE MICROCHIPS, UH, UH, ANIMALS WITH MICROCHIPS SO WE CAN, CAN GET THEM BACK TO THEIR OWNERS.

I MEAN, LONG TERM.

I THINK THAT'S THE WAY OUT OF THIS SITUATION.

AND I JUST WANTED TO, UH, GET AN UPDATE ON HOW THOSE TWO ASPECTS OF OUR ANIMAL SHELTER ARE GOING.

UH, THE SPAY AND NEUTER, HOW THE WAIT TIMES.

AND THEN, UH, ANYTHING, UH, NEW OR ANY NEW INFORMATION ON THE, UH, UH, MICROCHIP? YES, SIR.

UH, THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT, UH, WERE PROVIDED FOR OUR SPAY AND NEUTER BUDGET ARE BEING UTILIZED.

AND, UH, OUR, OUR PARTNERS ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.

THEY STILL ARE HAVING TO COUNSEL CLINICS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SURGEONS ON CERTAIN DAYS.

UH, BUT WE HAVE SEEN, UH, THE, THE BILLING COMING THROUGH IS, IS DEFINITELY HIGHER THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.

UH, WE HAVE, UH, SIGNED A CONTRACT IN AN AGREEMENT, AND Y'ALL APPROVED LAST WEEK FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, UH, THE GOOD FIX PART OF THE GOOD GREATER GOOD CHARITIES.

AND, UH, THEY ARE GONNA DO THEIR FIRST, UH, LARGE SCALE CLINIC HERE THE THIRD WEEK IN, UH, NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.

SO, UH, THEN THEY'LL DO ANOTHER ONE IN, IN DECEMBER, EXCUSE ME, SEPTEMBER.

AND THEN THEY'LL DO ANOTHER ONE IN DECEMBER, JANUARY.

AND MOVING FORWARD, THEY PLANNED ON ABOUT SIX CLINICS, UH, THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR AS WELL.

AND THOSE CLINICS ARE THE, UH, JUST KIND OF BIG SPAY AND NEUTER EVENTS, RIGHT? WHERE FOLKS CAN BASICALLY BRING, UH, THEIR ANIMALS TO A CERTAIN, UH, LOCATION AND HAVE THAT ANIMAL, UH, SPAYED OR NEUTERED.

YES, SIR.

TH THEY'LL GET, UH, SPAYED AND NEUTERED, VACCINATED, UH, MICROCHIPPED.

ALL OF THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SAME TIME.

IT'LL BE A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.

THEY'LL DO ABOUT 1200, THE FIRST CLINIC, UH, ABOUT 250 A DAY, UH, SO ABOUT 1200, 1,250.

AND THEN, UH, THEY'LL RAMP UP TO 500 A DAY, UH, IN THE NEXT CLINIC.

THAT'S, UH, GOOD TO HEAR.

UH, UH, AGAIN, THAT'S A, A COMPLAINT THAT I HEAR FROM A LOT OF, UH, UH, MY CONSTITUENTS IS JUST, UH, THE WAIT TIMES FOR THE, UH, THE, THE SPAY NEUTER, UH, HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE.

AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OTHER, UH, PLACES DON'T HAVE, UH, THE, THE WAIT TIMES, UH, THAT, THAT WE DO.

UM, UH, SO, AND, UH, ALL RIGHT, WELL, THAT'S, THAT'S THE, UH, I JUST

[00:20:01]

THANK YOU, UH, UH, VERY MUCH.

UH, DIRECTOR PLAN.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.

THANK YOU, MR. PLAN, MS. LANG, I'LL GO BACK TO YOU.

MAYOR, IF I COULD, UM, INTERJECT REALLY QUICKLY.

WE HAD A, UH, LATE UPDATE TO SLIDE 14 IN YOUR PACKETS.

THE CLERK'S GONNA PASS AROUND A VERSION TWO.

WE'VE ALSO POSTED THIS TO THE WEBSITE SO THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS TO IT.

PAGE 14, YOU SAID? YES.

SLIDE 14, THE HUMAN RESOURCES SLIDE.

YES, SIR.

I JUST WANT TO, UH, I JUST WAS TRYING TO EMPHASIZE THAT.

I'M SO SORRY MS. LANG.

I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

I JUST REALIZED I HAD ONE OTHER QUESTION FOR MR. BLAND.

DID HE ALREADY LEAVE? NO, HE'S, HE'S STILL THERE.

I, I COULD JUST, UM, YOU CAN STAY PUT.

THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS THE LAST TIME I WAS AT THE SHELTER, I COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE HOW MANY ANIMALS WERE IN CARE FOR RESPIRATORY RINGWORM.

AND THEN THE OTHER LITTLE SECTION FOR CARE, I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR CARE COST.

AND SO IF MAYBE SOMETIME WE COULD GET A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR THE CARE COSTS.

'CAUSE THEY CAN'T ADOPT 'EM OUT UNTIL THEY'RE HEALTHY, COULD YOU? AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I NEED RIGHT THIS SECOND, BUT EVENTUALLY IT BE, LET'S, LET'S GET THAT ON THE THANK YOU.

THE Q AND A.

THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

ALRIGHT, MS. LANG, I REALLY MEAN IT THIS TIME.

IT'S BACK TO YOU.

PERFECT.

SO THE NEXT, UH, POINT OF DISCUSSION WILL BE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, UM, THE VIOLENT PREVENTION PROGRAMS. UM, AND SO WE ARE DISCUSSING, UM, THE A TXP PROGRAM.

IT IS $1.3 MILLION IS REALLOCATED IN FISCAL YEAR 25 TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.

IT IS A COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM, AND THEN THERE'S ADDITIONALLY 2.4 MILLION, UM, IN FEDERAL AND CITY FUNDING FOR, FOR THE HARVEST TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 26.

UM, THE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON AN MOU, UM, TO DO FUNDING FOR, UM, UM, ADDITIONAL TRAUMA RECOVERY PROGRAMS. AND, UM, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH HAS SECURED OTHER, HAS OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR VIOLENT PREVENTION.

SOME ARE MA MOST ARE MAINTAINING FISCAL YEAR 24 FUNDING.

SOME HAVE REDUCED FUNDING, UM, THAT WAS REALLOCATED TO A TXP.

UM, THERE'S ALSO, UM, THOSE THAT ARE MAINTAINING FUNDING INCLUDE ME CARTE MUSEUM COUNCIL AT COUNCIL ON AT YOUTH RISK LOCK ARMS FOR, FOR LIFE AND LIFE OF NEWS YOUTH ANEW PROGRAM COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ.

UH, THANK YOU MR. MAYOR.

UM, HOW DOES THE 1.3 COMPARE TO LAST YEAR? LET ME PULL THAT UP.

AND AS I'M PULLING THAT UP, I'M GONNA SEE IF PUBLIC HEALTH WANTS TO COME DOWN.

GOOD MORNING.

FUENTE WITH AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, THAT IS A $200, $200,000 REDUCTION FROM LAST FISCAL YEAR, FROM THIS FISCAL YEAR.

AND, AND WHAT, UH, WHAT WAS FUNDED LAST YEAR THAT'S NOT GONNA BE FUNDED THIS YEAR? SO WHAT IS NOT GONNA BE FUNDED THIS YEAR WILL BE, UM, SOME OF THE SMALLER COMMUNITY ROOTED GRANTS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY FUNDED WITH ONE TIME FUNDING.

SO THAT WOULD BE A COUNCIL ON AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAM, A-Y-W-C-A PROGRAM, A SUNRISE COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

SO AGAIN, SMALLER CONTRACTS AND ONE CONTRACT WITH YWCA FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES.

AND I HAVE, UH, ONE MORE, AND IT'S A THREE PART.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR OVP AND, UH, WHAT WAS ONE TIME AND WHAT IS ONGOING? THE TOTAL, AND WE ALSO NEED TO CONSIDER THAT SOME OF THE FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION HAS BEEN FEDERAL EARMARKS AND ALSO ONE TIME FUNDING.

UM, SO IN FISCAL YEAR 24, THERE WAS, THIS IS ACCOUNTING FOR THE BUDGET STABILIZATION RESERVE FUNDING, UM, AND ALSO THE FEDERAL EARMARKS 4.239.

SO IN GENERAL FUND, AND I WOULD JUST WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME OF THE FUNDING OF THAT FEDERAL EARMARK WILL BE USED IN THE FUTURE YEAR IS 1.6.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER BURAL ALTER WAS ALSO PART OF IT.

UH, COLLEAGUES JUST WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT I'M SO PLEASED TO SEE CONTINUED FUNDING FOR THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER NEAR THIS COUNCIL AND OUR TRAVIS COUNTY, UH, PARTNERS AT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

WE WERE THE FIRST CITY COMMUNITY IN THE STATE TO BRING A TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER.

I WAS REALLY PLEASED TO, TO BE PART OF THAT EFFORT.

UM,

[00:25:01]

UM, BUT US STANDING UP THE FIRST TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER IN THE, IN THE STATE, UH, AS A RESOURCE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME WAS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT, BUT WHAT WAS CRUCIAL AS PART OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS IS HOW ARE WE GONNA SUSTAIN FUNDING FOR IT? AND WHAT I KNEW THEN WAS THAT ONCE WE GOT IT STARTED, ONCE WE GOT IT LAUNCHED, THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DRAW DOWN FEDERAL DOLLARS.

AND SO I WANNA THANK CONGRESSMAN DOGGETT, WHO HAS SECURED MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS OF FUNDING FOR US TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS FOR THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER.

THE TRC UH, WAS RECENTLY UTILIZED WHEN WE HAD THE GUN SHOOTING IN ROUND ROCK.

IT SERVED AS A RESOURCE FOR OUR ROUND ROCK COMMUNITY.

SO JUST KNOW IT IS, IT'S A REGIONAL BENEFIT FOR US.

SO I'M PLEASED TO SEE THAT IT'S CONTINUED FUNDING AND JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE SUCCESS SO FAR.

AND I DUTY NEED TO CORRECT MYSELF.

YES, IT IS.

IN TERMS OF CONTRACTED OUT FUNDING, IT IS $2.6 MILLION.

WHAT WE ARE ANTICIPATING FOR FISCAL YEAR 25, ACKNOWLEDGING THE FEDERAL EARMARKS AND ACKNOWLEDGING SOME OF THAT BRSF, UH, FUNDING.

IT'LL BE 2.82.

THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TIM.

AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT COUNCILOR MEMBER VELASQUEZ WAS ASKING ABOUT THE, UH, THE SMALL CONTRACTS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED.

COULD YOU ALSO GIVE US INFORMATION ON, UM, THE REASONS WHY THEY'RE NOT? LIKE, ARE THEY BEING FUNDED THROUGH A DIFFERENT STREAM? YOU HAD MENTIONED FEDERAL GRANTS, UM, WHEN YOU PULL ALL THAT TOGETHER, UM, AND THEN I ALSO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT THE PARTICIPATION RATE ON THE CONTRACTS SURE WAS.

SO WE CAN SEE HOW, UM, HOW THEY WERE USED.

WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU WITH MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF COURSE ON THAT.

UM, SO THE ORIGINAL COMMUNITY ROOTED GRANTS WERE FUNDED THROUGH ONETIME FUNDING.

THE CITY, THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE THOSE CONTRACT WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS, UH, AND SMALLER FUNDS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY.

SO THAT IS THE REASON WHY THOSE ARE, THOSE SMALLER CONTRACTS ARE ENDING.

SO THEY WERE ALWAYS IN, SO THEY'RE ENDING WITH US, BUT THEY ARE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

AH, WE'LL HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK WE WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN KNOWING.

AND THEN I KNOW THAT WHENEVER A GRANT IS FUNDED ONE TIME, THE DIOCESE ALWAYS, AND STAFF ALWAYS THINKS IN TERMS OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS PROGRAM AFTER THE FUNDING IS ENDED.

AND WE DON'T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE.

UM, BUT WE DO HAVE EFFORTS TO TRY TO, UM, FIND FUNDS TO CONTINUE IF THE PROGRAM IS VIABLE OR TO DIRECT TO, UM, OTHER POTENTIAL REVENUE SOURCES THAT MAY BE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE A A, A GOOD PROGRAM.

UM, AND SO THAT INFORMATION MAY BE HELPFUL TO US AS WELL.

MAYOR PRO TIM.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

UM, SO I'M REALLY, YOU KNOW, PLEASED TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHERE WE'VE LANDED WITH THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

WHEN, WHEN CREATED THIS IN THE FISCAL YEAR 21 BUDGET AND IT LAUNCHED IN THE 21.

YOU KNOW, WE KNEW IT WAS GONNA TAKE SOME TIME TO GET THINGS UP AND, AND I WANNA, YOU KNOW, FLAG THE, THE WORK THAT COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES DID ON THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR INTAKES AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO SERVE AN EXTENSIVE BASIS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WELL AHEAD OF THEIR CONTRACTS.

UM, AS SHE MENTIONED, THEY WERE ABLE TO REALLY STEP IN TOGETHER WITH A TX PEACE WHEN OUR REGION HAD THE SHOOTING AT FOR JUNETEENTH IN A WAY THAT REALLY REFLECTED, UM, THE APPROACH THAT WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE TO, TO VIOLENCE, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT REQUIRES THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OR IN THE VICINITY EXPERIENCING THE TRAUMA, THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO SEEK HELP SO THAT THEY DON'T TURN AROUND AND RESORT TO, TO GUN VIOLENCE THEMSELVES.

UM, I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY AS WE, AS WE LOOKED AT GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IN JUNE TO TO MEET WITH A TX PEACE, UM, WITH, WITH THE, THE PARTNERS WHO ARE IN THERE, UM, YOU KNOW, AND, AND THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING, UM, TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

AND THEY'RE SORT OF JUST GETTING STARTED, BUT WE CAN ALREADY SEE REDUCTIONS, UM, IN SHOOTINGS THAT ARE NOT HAPPENING AND, AND CHANGES IN THOSE PARTICULAR COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY'RE OPERATING.

SO I'M PLEASED THAT WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT INVESTMENT, BUT I AM, I AM STILL CONCERNED, UM, WOULD LIKE GREATER CLARITY THAN WHAT YOU JUST PROVIDED ON, UM, THE BUDGET COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR 25 TO FISCAL YEAR 24 AND WHAT IS BEING SPENT ON WHAT, UM, YOU MENTIONED, CARRIE MENTIONED THAT, UM, IRONICALLY CARRIE MENTIONED THAT THE COUNSEL ON, UM, HIGH RISK, HIGH RISK YOUTH, UM, WAS BEING FUNDED.

AND THEN YOU SAID IT WASN'T BEING FUNDED.

SO CAN WE CLARIFY? AND I MET WITH THEM AND THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE NOT BEING FUNDED, AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME CLARITY.

THERE WERE TWO CONTRACTS WITH THE COUNCIL ON, AT-RISK YOUTH.

THERE WAS ONE FOR $400,000 AT VARIOUS CAMPUSES, AND THEN THERE WAS A SMALLER CONTRACT FOR ONE CAMPUS, AND THAT WAS AT

[00:30:01]

$65,000.

SO THE $65,000 CONTRACT IS THE ONE THAT IS NOT CONTINUING, BUT THE $400,000 CONTRACT IS CONTINUING.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT CARRIE? YES.

UM, 'CAUSE I MET WITH THEM THE OTHER DAY AND THEY'RE CONCERNED THAT THEY'RE LOSING THE 500 OR 500,000, 400,000 MM-HMM.

SO, UM, IF WE COULD MAKE SURE OF THAT.

AND THEN FOR YMCA, HOW MUCH IS GOING AWAY THERE? THAT WAS $300,000.

AND THAT WOULD'VE FUNDED WHAT? UM, THAT WAS FUNDING MENTAL HEALTH THERAPEUTIC SERVICES TO AT-RISK YOUTH.

AND FOR SUNRISE? SUNRISE WAS 65,000.

UM, AND THEN FOR THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE, UM, IN THE BUCKET, AS I UNDERSTOOD IT, IT'S A $2.6 MILLION BUDGET FOR OVP.

IS THAT WHERE YOU YES.

THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE STAFF, BUT 2.6 IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING THAT GETS CONTRACTED OUT.

IF WE COULD GET, UM, I, I BELIEVE I'VE ALREADY ASKED FOR THIS IN THE BUDGET, BUT IF I DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR THIS IN THE Q AND A, UM, CAN WE GET A, A CLEARER BUDGET, YOU KNOW, WITH THE STAFFING AND THE OTHER PIECES AND WHAT IS ONGOING AND WHAT IS ONE TIME MONEY? UM, BECAUSE AT VARIOUS POINTS IN TIME, WE'VE HAD TO DO ONE TIME MONEY.

UM, AND I, I, I DON'T WANT THE COUNCIL TO BE SURPRISED IF THAT 1.3 MILLION FOR, AT XPS, FOR INSTANCE, IS ONLY ONE TIME MONEY THIS YEAR, AND THEN WE'RE STRUGGLING TO FIND IT NEXT YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE CASE.

UM, BUT I WANT US TO BE REALLY CLEAR ON THAT.

'CAUSE THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT I THINK IS WORKING REALLY WELL IN THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR, UM, WE'RE GONNA REALLY SEE THEM COME INTO THEIR OWN, UM, AS THEY HAVE THEIR PERSONNEL ON THE GROUND AND THEY'RE REALLY ABLE TO, UM, DEEPEN THE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND COUNCILMAN BRO, THAT IS ONGOING FUNDING AT 1.3.

UM, BUT WE ARE, WE DO HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE REQUESTING AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTING THAT THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, BUT THEN THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER IS ONE TIME MONEY OR OVER TWO YEARS IS MONEY OVER TWO YEARS? YES, IT'S MONEY OVER TWO YEARS.

UM, WERE THERE ANY ADDITIONS MADE TO OV VP'S BUDGET THIS YEAR? OR WAS IT, I THINK THERE WAS THE ONE TIME $500,000 FROM COUNCIL MEMBER OF VELASQUEZ FOR AT XPS.

THAT IS ONGOING.

AND THEN WERE THERE REDUCTIONS IN THE BUDGET BUDGET? THERE WERE NO REDUCTIONS IN THE BUDGET.

BUT WE JUST REALLOCATED THAT, THE SMALLER GRANTS, ET CETERA, TO THE CVI PERMIT.

CORRECT.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ? I'M SORRY, MS. DID YOU SAY THAT THAT, THAT THAT IS ONGOING? THE, THE, THE C THE ONE, THE 1.3 FOR CVI IS ONGOING FUNDING.

AND YOU HAD MENTIONED THE LOCK ARMS FOR LIFE PROGRAM AS ONE OF THE ONES THAT WAS GOING TO BE CONTINUED.

IS IT BEING FUNDED AT THE SAME, UH, DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST? IT WILL HAVE A $30,000 REDUCTION.

SO PREVIOUSLY WAS 180 AND NOW IT WILL BE ONE 50 MOVING FORWARD.

AND HAS THAT BEEN COMMUNICATED? I KNOW THAT'S A, A CONTRACT THAT WE PUT OUT.

AND SO HAS THAT BEEN COMMUNICATED TO THE FOLKS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE THAT CONTRACT LOCK ARMS FOR LIFE? I BELIEVE IT HAS, BUT IF NOT, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS COMMUNICATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THAT'D BE GREAT.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT.

NOT REDUCED, BUT I THINK WE'RE ALL PROBABLY GOING TO SEE SOMETHING HERE THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE NOT REDUCED, AND WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE PRIORITIES.

BUT THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO TALK? YEAH.

OH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, DO YOU HAVE YOUR HAND UP? GO FOR IT.

I DID, MAYOR.

UH, JUST, UH, FOLLOWING UP, I I WANTED TO ECHO, UH, MY, UH, COLLEAGUE'S COMMENTS ON THE CVI, UH, PLANS WE'RE, WE'RE REALLY LIMITED IN, FOR EXAMPLE, IN GUN CONTROL MEASURES, UH, WHAT WE CAN DO TO, TO GET GUNS OFF THE STREET, KEEP GUNS OFF THE STREET.

UH, THESE CVI PROGRAMS, I THINK ARE A REALLY INTERESTING AND INNOVATIVE APPROACH.

IT'S NEW THOUGH.

AND SO MY QUESTION WAS, DO WE HAVE ANY DATA OR ANALYSIS, ANY KIND OF DELIVERABLES, FEEDBACK FROM THE PROGRAMS ON WHAT THEY'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, HOW THEY'RE DOING? UM, AND I ASKED THIS JUST 'CAUSE THEY ARE NEW AND, UH, I, I JUST WANNA REALLY LEARN WHAT, UH, THE IMPACT IS AND, AND KIND OF UNDERSTAND, UH, WHAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY DOING ON THE GROUND.

WE DO HAVE SOME INFORMATION.

UM, THERE'S A VERY DETAILED RESPONSE.

UM, THEY HAVE SERVED OVER 285 HIGH RISK YOUTH.

THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PREVENTED OR DEESCALATED 52 POTENTIAL SHOOTINGS.

UM, THEY'VE PROVIDED OVER 80 HOURS OF COUNSELING SESSIONS, UM, OVER 1700 HOURS OF RELATIONAL INTERACTIONS TO BUILD TRUST AND FOSTER POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

UM, THEY'VE HELPED 26 PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE HOUSING ASSISTANCE, UM, AND CAN GO, I CAN GO FURTHER ON THAT LIST IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO GIVE YOU THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL.

I, I CAN WE MAKE THAT A, A, A BUDGET QUESTION? SURE.

JUST SO, SO, UH, I, I'LL MAKE SURE AND, AND, UH, AND SEE

[00:35:01]

IT AND FOLLOW UP.

AND AGAIN, IF ANY REPORT OR ANY, UH, DOCUMENTATION, UH, WOULD BE ALSO GREATLY APPRECIATED.

SO, SO, UH, PLEASE, YEAH, PLEASE PUT THAT ON THE MESS.

NOT THE MESSAGE BOARD, BUT ON THE Q AND A.

THAT'D BE GREAT.

ANYTHING MORE? COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

THANK YOU, UH, MAYOR.

ALRIGHT, ANYTHING ELSE WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC HEALTH? AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.

THANK YOU, COUNSEL.

THANK YOU, UH, MS. LANG.

UH, IT'S ALL YOURS.

UM, THE NEXT DISCUSSION IS, UH, POLICE COLLECTIVE SEX CRIMES RESPONSE MODEL.

THIS SLIDE HERE SHOWS THE RECOMMENDED FUNDING FROM THE COMMISSIONS FROM, UM, WOMEN.

AND YOU SEE THIS HERE.

UM, THIS ALSO SHOWS THE, UH, WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET IN THE POLICE BUDGET, AND WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE POLICE'S UNMET NEEDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.

UM, AND THIS IS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PERF REPORT, UM, FOR THE RESPONSE MODELS.

ALRIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ALLISON ALTER, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ.

UM, CAN STAFF COME UP WHO ARE WORKING ON THIS STAFF? UM, SO, UM, FIRST OF ALL, CAN YOU JUST GIVE US A VERY, VERY QUICK RECAP OF WHAT THE COLLECTIVE SEX CRIMES RESPONSE MODEL IS, WHERE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS CAME FROM, AND HOW MANY PEOPLE FOR HOW LONG HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT? CERTAINLY.

UH, FIRST OF ALL, MY NAME IS HANNAH SANKO.

I KNOW I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND IN FRONT OF MANY OF YOU IN THE PAST, UM, SOME FOR THE FIRST TIME HERE TODAY.

UM, I AM A SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVOR, OF WHICH I REPORTED MY SECOND ASSAULT, UM, HERE TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, IN WHICH MY CASE WAS ULTIMATELY CLOSED VIA EXCEPTIONAL CLEARANCE WITH THE PROSECUTION DECLINED.

UM, I ALSO COME TO THIS DISCUSSION IN A U UNIQUE POSITION AS ONE OF THE LEAD PLAINTIFFS THAT BROUGHT LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY, UM, WITH THE HOPE AND INTENTION TO BRING REFORM AND CHANGE TO THE SYSTEM THAT WAS FAILING SURVIVORS IN THE PAST.

UM, UPON SETTLEMENT OF THE LAWSUIT, AS WELL AS, UH, THE REPORT FROM THE POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM AND THEIR NUMEROUS RECOMMENDATIONS, THERE WAS A LAUNCH OF THE COLLECTIVE SEX CRIMES RESPONSE MODEL PROJECT.

UM, IT INCLUDES OVER 120 ITEMS OF REFORM AND CHANGE, UM, THAT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING.

UM, THIS PROJECT WAS STOOD UP JUST ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO.

UM, I'M ALSO IN THE UNIQUE POSITION AS SERVING AS A PROJECT MANAGER, UM, ON THIS PROJECT, I COME WITH A DEEP BACKGROUND IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, COMPLIANCE, PROJECT MANAGEMENT.

UM, THERE ARE CURRENTLY ROUGHLY 40 MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS WORK OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

UM, HALF OF THOSE MEMBERS ROUGHLY ARE A PD PERSONNEL, AND THE OTHER HALF ARE ADVOCATES, OTHER PARTNER AGENCIES THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED THEIR TIME TO THIS WORK, THE DEDICATION TO ENSURE THAT SURVIVORS OF THE PAST OR THE SURVIVORS OF THE FUTURE DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE SYSTEM THAT THE SURVIVORS OF THE PAST HAVE.

UM, SO THESE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUESTS THAT, UM, WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO CONTINUE THE WORK.

AND CAN YOU PROVIDE SOME, YOU OR, OR THE LIEUTENANT, UM, LOU, IF YOU COULD, UM, HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT'S NOT BEEN MET IN THE BUDGET BEYOND SORT OF, OF JUST THE BUCKET, BUT TO HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT SURE.

FOR KEEPING THE COMMITMENT THAT WE MADE TO THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS.

AND INFORMED, UM, BY EXPERTS IN THIS FIELD THAT ARE NOT, NOT POLICE OFFICERS.

UM, SO FOR THE FUNDING REQUESTS THAT ARE PRESENTED, UM, I WOULD SAY 95% OF THAT IS ORIENTED AROUND FOUR SPECIFIC ITEMS. THE VERY FIRST IS THE TRAINING, CURRICULUM, DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY.

AND WITH THOSE FUNDS, IT WOULD BE, UM, ENGAGING THIRD PARTY EXPERTS IN THIS SPACE TO COME IN AND ASSIST WITH, UM, REDEVELOPING CURRICULUM AND TRAINING ASSOCIATED WITH SEX CRIMES FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AT ALL LEVELS.

THAT WOULD BE AT THE CADET LEVEL, THE SEX CRIMES UNIT, DETECTIVE BOOTCAMP LEVEL.

UM, IT WOULD ALSO CREATE CURRICULUM FOR ANNUAL RECURRING TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THIS WORK AT A PD ON A RECURRENT, ON A RECURRING GO FORWARD BASIS.

UM, I WILL ALLOW THE, UH, LIEUTENANT TO SPEAK ABOUT DETECTIVE STAFFING AND RETIRED DETECTIVES.

AND IF I MAY, I THINK, UH, WE FOCUS ON REFORMING AND IMPROVING POLICY, UM, THE WAY WE SUPERVISE OUR DATA AND METRICS, AND THEN ALSO TRAINING.

AND I THINK TRAINING IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT.

UM, UH, AT TIMES WE CAN, UH, BEING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PEACE OFFICERS, UM, KNOW ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER.

UM, THIS ONE, I THINK THERE'S AN AWARENESS, A DEEP AWARENESS THAT IN ORDER TO TO IDENTIFY AND ADOPT BEST PRACTICE, UM, WE NEED TO BE GETTING IT BE ADVISED

[00:40:01]

AND SO, UM, TO GET, TO GET THE BEST IS THAT'S WHAT MAKES UP THIS REQUEST AND THIS ASK, UM, THAT'S A CRITICAL PART.

AND, AND THE TRAINING SETS THE STAGE.

WE OFTEN FIND WITH OUR POLICE OFFICERS, UM, THEY WANT TO DO RIGHT BY SURVIVORS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO, UM, INCREASE HARM.

AND THEN IT'S ALL ABOUT TRAINING THEM AND SETTING THEM UP FOR SUCCESS, UM, TEACHING THEM THE RIGHT MATERIAL SO THAT FROM THAT VERY FIRST CONTACT, UM, A SURVIVOR WHO'S HAD THE, THE BRAVERY, THE COURAGE TO COME AND REPORT THAT THEY'RE BEING TREATED, UM, APPROPRIATELY AND WE'RE NOT DOING ADDITIONAL HARM.

UM, SO THIS IS A, YOU KNOW, CRITICAL ASK.

AND LIKE MS. KEL SAID, WE'VE, WE'VE DONE SO MUCH OF THIS WORK, WE'VE COME SO FAR.

UM, THE, YOU KNOW, I, THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE THE CITY SPENT SOMETHING LIKE 70 AND 80% OF, OF THE COST.

AND FOR US TO COME THIS FAR, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S CRITICAL TO JUST CONTINUE AND, UM, IT, IT'S ONE OF THESE ENDEAVORS THAT ISN'T ONGOING FOREVER.

THERE IS AN END POINT, AND I THINK THAT THE OUTCOMES AND WHAT WE ACHIEVE THROUGH THAT ARE GONNA BE, UM, AMAZING.

AND THE NATION IS WATCHING WHAT WE DO AND HOPING THAT IT IS SUCCESSFUL AND HOPING THAT WE'RE REPLICATE IT.

UM, SPEAKING TO THE DETECTIVE STAFFING, UM, I, WE'RE ALL AWARE OF THE STAFFING, THE CRITICAL STAFFING ISSUES THAT A PD FACES AND THAT ARE SIMILAR NATIONWIDE.

UM, WE, WE, YOU KNOW, RECRUITING IS AN ISSUE.

WE CAN'T JUST MAKE MORE DETECTIVES, UH, BUT WE DO HAVE DETECTIVES THAT ARE RETIRING AND THAT ARE INTERESTED IN CONTINUING THIS WORK.

THEY'RE COMMITTED TO IT.

AND SO WE BELIEVE THAT A PRAGMATIC, SUSTAINABLE MODEL TO ADDRESSING THIS STAFFING ISSUE THAT'S GOING TO BE PROBABLY, UH, SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH FOR YEARS TO COME IS THE HIRING OF RETIRED DETECTIVES.

UM, AND, AND AT THE HOURLY RATE THAT WE'RE GIVING 'EM, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE BARGAIN.

UM, THEY COME TO THIS WORK WITH LITERALLY AN ENTIRE CAREER WORTH OF EXPERIENCE.

UM, WE DO IN THE SEX CRIMES UNIT.

UM, THEY ARE INTRODUCED TO THE TRAUMA-INFORMED, VICTIM LED TRAINING, AND, UM, HAVE BEEN PRACTITIONERS OF IT.

AND SO WE ARE CAREFUL AND SELECTIVE ABOUT WHO WE PICK, BUT THIS MONEY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALLOWS US TO, UM, HIRE THESE RETIRED DETECTIVES TO DO WORK THAT FREES UP OUR, OUR PIECE OF OUR CURRENT DETECTIVES FOR LIKE FELONY WORK.

AND SO THEY CAN BE TASKED WITH, UM, COMPLIANCE WORK AND MISDEMEANOR INVESTIGATIONS.

UM, ALSO ON FOLLOWING UP, WE'VE CAUGHT UP WITH OUR, OUR SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EX EXAMS, BUT IT, IT'S, THERE'S A MONUMENTAL TASK IN, IN GOING THROUGH THESE AND FINDING OUT DID IT RESULT IN EVIDENCE THAT WE CAN ACT UPON AND FINDING THESE SURVIVORS THAT, YOU KNOW, TO, TO TRY TO GET THEM TO REENGAGE IN THE PROCESS SO THAT THESE COULD RESULT IN ARRESTS OF PERPETRATORS AND, AND PROSECUTION.

UM, THESE DETECTIVES, YOU KNOW, WE, WE, WE FILL THIS GAP WITH OVERTIME.

I'M GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE DETECTIVES THAT ARE OVERWORKED, THAT ARE WILLING TO WORK FOR THE OVERTIME RATE, BUT THIS RATE THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, UH, TO BE ABLE TO HIRE TWO TO THREE RETIREES, THEY'RE WORKING AT A RATE THAT'S ABOUT A THIRD OF WHAT WE, WE PAY WHEN OUR DETECTIVES CAN AND DO WORK OVERTIME.

SO I THINK IT'S, IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT.

UM, THAT'S, THAT'S THE RELATED TO THE DETECTIVE STAFFING LINE ITEM.

UM, THE THIRD BULLETS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT MANAGEMENT.

UM, JUST AS FOLKS WOULDN'T PUT ME IN A POLICE OFFICER UNIFORM AND SEND ME ON THE STREETS AND ASK TO DO THAT JOB, UM, IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE FOR US TO ASK POLICE PERSONNEL TO COME IN AND BECOME A PROJECT MANAGER OVERNIGHT.

CAN I ASK YOU TO MOVE THAT JUST A LITTLE BIT? CERTAINLY.

THAT BETTER? I HEAR YOU.

BUT IT'D MAKE IT EASIER FOR, OKAY.

UM, THERE'S ALSO ELEMENTS OF A CHALLENGE COIN TO BE ABLE TO AWARD MEMBERS OF THE UNIT, UM, FOR, FOR DOING GREAT WORK.

AND SO THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLSET IS ONE THAT IS CERTAINLY UNIQUE, UM, AND REQUIRES SOMEBODY THAT IS SKILLED IN THAT SPACE.

UM, THIS IS A HIGHLY COMPLEX PROJECT, UM, WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT DYNAMICS, UM, EMOTIONS, UM, AND A LOT AT RISK IF WE DON'T GET IT RIGHT.

AND SO THE THIRD BULLET REALLY IS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR THIS PROJECT BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE AND COMPLEXITY.

UM, THE FOURTH ITEM IS THE SURVIVOR SURVEY.

THIS WAS EXPLICITLY, UM, CALLED OUT BOTH IN THE PER RECOMMENDATION REPORT AS WELL AS, UH, A REQUIREMENT IN THE SURVIVOR SETTLEMENT, UM, LAWSUIT.

AND SO, UM, THAT'S THE, THE FOURTH ITEM, UH, VOLUNTEER COMPENSATION AS MENTIONED.

UM, PREVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE COMING TO THIS WORK SIMPLY ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS.

AND SO TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE, UM, SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION OR STIPEND THAT IS, UM, AT LEAST RECOGNIZING THEIR WORK, EVEN IF IT'S NOT SAY, AT A FAIR WAGE PER SE.

UM, THAT'S WHAT THAT ASK IS ASSOCIATED WITH.

AND THEN THE LOWER ITEM THERE AROUND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH MATERIALS, UM, IT'S REALLY ITEMS TO BE ABLE TO, UM, PURCHASE RESOURCES, BOOKS FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

[00:45:01]

UM, SO THOSE ARE THE SPECIFIC BUDGET CALLOUTS FOR FY 25.

THANK YOU, UM, VERY MUCH.

AND I DO WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, CHIEF HENDERSON'S, UM, COMMITMENT TO THIS PROJECT AND HER REALLY LEANING INTO BOTH THE PROJECT.

UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE APOLOGY, UM, BACK IN JANUARY, WHICH WAS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT.

UM, AND CHIEF HENDERSON HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, SHOWING UP TO EVENTS WHERE THE MOVIE THAT, UH, ABOUT THE SURVIVORS HAS BEEN SHOWN AND HAS JUST, YOU KNOW, I'VE HEARD MANY, MANY OF THE SURVIVORS SAYING, I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE SITTING NEXT TO THE CHIEF OF POLICE, YOU KNOW, AS WE'RE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS.

SO, SO I REALLY WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND, AND, YOU KNOW, WHILE WE'RE CHOOSING A CHIEF OF POLICE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THIS WORK, UM, CONTINUES.

AND I HOPE THAT, UM, THE DIOCESE WILL JOIN ME IN, IN COMPLETING THIS COMMITMENT THAT WE'VE MADE TO THE SURVIVORS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND, AND HELPING US, UM, GO FROM BEING CALLED OUT IN NATIONAL MEDIA AS A FAILURE IN THIS REGARD TO BEING, UM, THE LEADERS.

SO THIS IS A VERY SMALL, UM, INVESTMENT.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, ABOUT 200,000 IN ONE TIME AND, AND ABOUT 200,000 IN RECURRING, UM, TO REALLY, UM, COMPLETE SOMETHING AND, AND, AND SET IT UP.

UM, I DO HAVE ONE FINAL QUESTION, AND I'M NOT SURE WHO CAN ANSWER THIS OR IF THIS HAS TO BE, UM, SENT BY ATTORNEY CLIENT, BUT, UM, IT'S MY BELIEF THAT WE ARE REQUIRED BY THE LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT TO FUND THIS.

UM, SO I WAS SURPRISED TO NOT SEE IT FUNDED IN THE BASIC BUDGET, BUT I, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, UM, WHAT THOSE REQUIREMENTS ARE FROM THE SETTLEMENT, UM, WITH THIS REGARD.

UM, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY THE TRAINING, UM, AND THE SURVEY, UM, AND THE DETECTIVE STAFFING, UM, SHOULD AT MINIMUM BE COVERED AND REQUIRED BY THE SETTLEMENT, UM, THAT WE ALL AGREED TO ON THIS DAIS FOR THOSE OF US WHO WERE THERE, AND I CAN'T SPEAK TO IT NOT BEING FUNDED.

AND THEN IT PUTTING THE CITY AND US AT RISK FOR NOT FULFILLING THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.

AGAIN, SPEAK TO OUR, OUR ATTORNEYS, BUT I, I DO FEEL CONFIDENT IN SAYING THAT WITH THE, WITH THE CONTINUING SUPPORT THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR THAT, WITH, WITH WHAT WE ACHIEVE FOR THIS PROJECT, THAT I THINK IT WILL SATISFY WHAT WE COMMITTED TO IN, IN THE SETTLEMENT.

UM, WE'VE GOT OVER 44 MEMBERS FROM INTER-AGENCY INTERDISCIPLINARY, THAT ARE ALL COLLECTIVELY AGREEING UPON EACH ITEM THAT WE WORK THROUGH TO APPROVE IT.

AND SO IT REALLY IS A TRUE CONSENSUS APPROACH TO IT.

SO, UM, I DO THINK THAT WE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY AT THE END OF THIS THAT WE'VE, WE'VE DONE WHAT WE PROMISED TO DO, THANK YOU.

AND I, I AND A COUPLE OF COLLEAGUES HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE LUNCH WITH, UM, THE WORK GROUP OR THE WORKING GROUP LEADERSHIP.

AND, AND I HAVE TO SAY I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY HOW WELL THEY'RE WORKING TOGETHER.

AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAD FOLKS FROM A PD AND FOLKS FROM THE COMMUNITY, UM, REALLY COMPLIMENTING EACH OTHER AND REALLY FEELING LIKE THEY WERE MOVING CONSTRUCTIVELY TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES THAT EVERYONE FACED.

AND WITH A FEELING THAT IF WE ACTUALLY LEANED INTO THIS, THAT WE WOULD MOVE THE NEEDLE SIGNIFICANTLY.

SO, UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ, ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? OKAY, THANK YOU BOTH.

OFFSET SOME OF THOSE, SOME OF THOSE, UH, COSTS AS RECRUITING BECOMES, UM, UM, A BETTER OPTION.

APPRECIATE, APPRECIATE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE THIS MORNING, MS. LANG.

SO THE NEXT TOPIC WILL BE POLICE, UH, OVERTIME.

AND, UM, WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN THIS, IN THIS SLIDE AND THE CHART IS THE, UM, OVERTIME THAT POLICE HAS USED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

UM, HIGH VACANCY RATES IN PARTICULAR HAS RESULTED RESULTING FROM ATTRITION AND, UH, HOW THAT ATTRITION HAS OUTPACED.

RECRUITMENT IS A PRIMARY FACTOR THAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE INCREASED OVERTIME SPENDING FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AS YOU'LL SEE IN THE TABLE, UM, THE VACANCY RATES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS INCREASED SINCE 2020.

UM, THEIR OVERTIME HAS INCREASED AS WELL.

IF YOU LOOK AT 2020, IT WAS AT 22 MILLION.

THE ESTIMATE FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR IS AT, UH, 47.8 MILLION.

NOW IT IS NOTED THAT, YOU KNOW, THE VACANCY SAVINGS DOES OFFSET SOME OF THAT OVERTIME EXPENSE.

SO THE INCREASED VACANCIES THAT WE'RE SEEING, WE'RE COVERING SOME OF THAT OFF THAT OVERTIME COST WITH THE VACANCY SAVINGS THAT THEY'RE HAVING.

UM, THE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS, UM, LOOKING AT SOME LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

WE THINK THAT ONCE WE GET INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE ASSOCIATION, THAT WILL HELP

[00:50:01]

UM, CON CONCURRENT CADET CLASSES IS SOMETHING THAT THE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN, UM, IMPLEMENTING OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF CYCLES, CREATING A CAREER PATH FROM NINE ONE ONE CALL TAKER INTO A CADET, AS WELL AS THE RECRUITING BONUSES THAT THEY'VE OFFERED TO CADETS.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS PUT IN PLACE, UM, TO ADDRESS RECRUITING AND RETENTION.

UM, AND, AND, UM, WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT, THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TO HELP THEM MANAGE, UM, THEIR BUDGET EVEN AS THEY'VE SEEN THIS INCREASE IN, IN OVERTIME COSTS.

QUESTIONS MEMBERS, COUNCILMAN RYAN ALTER.

THANK YOU, KERRY.

I'M, I'M CURIOUS, JUST LOOKING AT THE ESTIMATED BUDGET FOR THIS BUDGET, IT HAS, OUR ESTIMATE FOR WHAT WE ARE BUDGETING IS 25.7 MILLION, BUT THEN WE THINK IT'S GONNA ACTUALLY BE 47.8.

SO WHERE DOES THAT EXTRA $22 MILLION COME FROM? WE'RE MANAGING IT WITH THEIR VACANCIES, SO THEIR VACANCY SAVINGS, UM, IS OFFSET.

AND WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH, UM, MICHELLE AND THE TEAM TO LOOK AT HOW THEIR VACANCIES HAVE COME IN VERSUS, YOU KNOW, THE VACANCY SAVINGS THAT THEY'RE SEEING AND THEIR OVERTIME THAT THEY'RE, THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY, UM, THE OVERTIME EXPENSE THAT THEY'RE SEEING.

UM, AND THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN DOING VERY WELL WITH MANAGING THAT OVERTIME COST WITH THE VACANCY SAVINGS THAT THEY, THAT THEY'VE GENERATED.

AND IS THAT, JUST LOOKING HISTORICALLY, THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ONE-TO-ONE, UNLESS I'M JUST READING THIS NOT PROPERLY.

IT, IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO REALIZE IN VACANCY SAVINGS VERSUS WHAT THE OVERTIME COST IS, THOSE AREN'T MARRYING UP THAT OVERTIME IS MORE, BUT MAYBE WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU SAY SWORN OVERTIME BUDGET, IS THAT A SEPARATE, WE HAVE A, A SEPARATE BUCKET FOR O OVERTIME AND THEN WE'RE SUPPLEMENTING THAT WITH VACANCY SAVINGS? OR WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY SWORN OVERTIME BUDGET? YEAH, SO WE DO HAVE A, A SEPARATE SPECIFIC LINE ITEM FOR SWORN OVERTIME, UH, IN THE BUDGET VERSUS OVERTIME FOR CIVILIANS AND VERSUS OTHER LINE ITEMS THAT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR.

WELL, THE ESTIMATED, UM, I DON'T KNOW WHY IT SAYS ESTIMATE, BUT 15.8 MILLION, UH, IS THE SWORN OVERTIME BUDGET FOR 2024.

BUT DEPARTMENTS AREN'T CONSTRAINED TO THE BUDGET BY LINE ITEM.

THEY'RE CONSTRAINED BY THEIR BUDGET AT THE BOTTOM LINE.

SO THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET, THEY SHOULD NOT EXCEED THAT.

BUT IF THEY'RE HAVING VACANCIES HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY PROJECTED, SO THEY HAVE MORE VACANCY SAVINGS THAN WHAT WE BUDGETED, UM, THEY'RE, UH, AT, IT'S AT THEIR DISCRETION TO SPEND THAT VACANCY SAVINGS, UM, ON OVERTIME OR, UM, TEMPORARY SERVICES, NOT FOR POLICE OBVIOUSLY, BUT IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS, YOU'LL SEE WHEN THEY HAVE HIGH VACANCIES, THEY MIGHT BRING IN A LOT OF TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES OR INCREASE THE HOURS OF THEIR EXISTING TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES TO COVER THE SERVICE GAPS.

AND IS THAT BUDGET FUND, AS IT WERE WITHIN EACH PROGRAM OR WHERE, WHERE WOULD THAT NUMBER SHOW UP? WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE POLICE BUDGET, WHERE WOULD THEIR OVERTIME BUCKET BE? SO WE DO BUDGET IT BY PROGRAM.

YOU CAN LOOK AND OPEN BUDGET A TX AND DRILL DOWN AND, AND SEE SWORN OVERTIME, UM, AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL AND AT THE PROGRAM LEVEL.

AND SO, AND, AND YOU, I THINK YOU SAID THIS, BUT I JUST WANNA SAY IT BACK TO YOU TO MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING.

CLEARLY WE'VE GOT A VARIOUS PROGRAMS HERE, BUT WE'VE GOT THE PERSONNEL COSTS THAT WE THINK FOR OUR SWORN OFFICERS ARE GONNA COST X MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SEPARATELY.

WE HAVE AN OVERTIME FUND THAT WE KNOW WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO DRAW ON JUST BASED ON OVERTIME COSTS.

BUT THEN WE'RE SAYING WE KNOW THAT ONE'S NOT GONNA BE ENOUGH, AND SO WE'RE GONNA PULL FROM THE PERSONNEL BECAUSE WE HAVE VACANCIES AND WE ASSUME THAT THOSE TWO TOGETHER ARE GOING TO MEET OUR NEED.

IS THAT A, A FAIR ASSESSMENT? MM-HMM.

LOOKING HISTORICALLY, HAS THAT BEEN RIGHT IN LINE OR HAVE WE HAD MORE NEED THAN THOSE TWO FUNDS PROVIDE? OR THE OPPOSITE? HAVE WE BEEN SLIGHTLY, WHEN YOU ADD UP THE VACANCY SAVINGS PLUS THE OVERTIME, HAVE WE HAD, UH, A SLIGHT EXCESS? WHAT HAS IT LOOKED LIKE HISTORICALLY? I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD, UH, BUDGET QUESTION WE GET TO GETS YOU, GET YOU THE ANSWER THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

WELL, I WILL ASK IT.

WHAT, HOW DO THESE NUMBERS FACTOR IN OR THE, THE ASSESSMENT OF THIS COST? ARE WE ASSUMING THAT WE'RE GONNA HIRE THE 117 CADETS AND THAT WILL LOWER OUR OVERTIME NEED? OR IS THIS BASED ON CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS? YOU SAY THIS, THIS ISN'T BUDGET, THIS IS, HI, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

UM, OKAY.

[00:55:04]

UH, YES.

AND SO THAT'S BASED ON OUR CURRENT STAFFING, STAFFING LEVELS.

WE DO HAVE PROJECTED OUT WHAT WE ANTICIPATE OUR VACANCY RATE IS GOING TO BE.

THEN WE ALSO FACTOR IN OUR CURRENT CADETS THAT ARE IN CADET CLASS WHEN THEY ARE THEN GOING TO GRADUATE AND BECOME SWORN PEACE OFFICERS.

AND IT'S FROM THOSE DIFFERENT AREAS IN WHICH WE'RE ABLE TO ALLOCATE OR UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR VACANCY SAVINGS IS GONNA BE AND THEN HOW WE'RE ABLE TO OFFSET OUR OVERTIME WITH THAT VACANCY SAVINGS.

AND, AND WE HAVE 117 AS OUR CADET NUMBER.

IS THAT A FAIR GUESS OF WHAT WE, WE THINK, YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT AROUND THERE? THAT IS, THAT IS CORRECT.

SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A CLASS THAT'S IN SESSION THAT I BELIEVE IS, UH, HAS 58 CADETS, AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER CLASS THAT JUST STARTED A WEEK AND A HALF AGO THAT HAS 64 4 CADETS.

SO WE'RE KIND OF RIGHT AT THAT ONE.

WONDERFUL.

20 MARK.

MM-HMM, .

AND WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN, UH, THE COST OF A NEW OFFICER OR JUST ANY OFFICER VERSUS IF WE WERE TO PAY OVERTIME FOR THAT POSITION THAT THEY ARE FILLING? I KNOW OVERTIME IS, IS ONE AND A HALF, BUT THEN YOU'VE GOT YOUR OTHER CITY COSTS, WHETHER THAT'S HEALTH INSURANCE OR, UH, THE PENSION.

HOW DOES THAT ONE AND A HALF LINE UP TO AN ACTUAL OFFICER COST? AND I CAN, I CAN HELP IF YOU DON'T MIND, CHIEF ON THAT.

THEY'RE VERY SIMILAR.

SO THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO, UH, THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM THAT'S OFF OF BASE WAGES, NOT OVERTIME.

SO WE DON'T PAY THAT ON OVERTIME.

UM, OF COURSE THE HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS, YOU ONLY PAY THAT ONCE, WHETHER SOMEBODY'S WORKING OVERTIME OR NOT.

UM, UM, SO WHEN YOU TAKE THAT, THOSE THINGS INTO ACCOUNT, THE, THE TOTAL COST OF AN OFFICER, UM, AND FIREFIGHTER AND PARAMEDIC FOR THAT MATTER, COMES OUT TO BE ABOUT 1.5 TIMES THEIR BASE SALARY.

AND SO IF YOU PAY OVERTIME INSTEAD OF HAVING THAT PERSON, IT'S ABOUT, IT'S ABOUT EQUAL.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU OFTEN SEE THE, THE OVERTIME EXPENSES, EATING UP, THE SAVINGS FROM THE OFFICERS BECAUSE WE, WE NEED THOSE SLOTS FILLED.

UM, AND SOMETIMES I THINK, UM, WE MIGHT EVEN HAVE TO MANDATE OVERTIME TO, TO FOLKS WHEN THE VACANCIES GET REALLY HIGH, BUT WE NEED THOSE SLOTS FILLED.

AND SO THE, THE OVERTIME DOLLARS TEND TO EAT UP THE, UH, THE VACANCY SAVINGS IN THOSE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS.

MY LAST QUESTION IS ON THE TRANSFERS DEBT SERVICE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS, THERE'S A ABOUT A $7 MILLION JUMP THERE.

WHAT, WHAT'S THAT ADDITIONAL COST DRIVER IN THE POLICE BUDGET? CORRECT.

SO, UM, IN, IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE POLICE'S BUDGET TRANSFERS AND OTHER, UM, THE POLICE'S, HR AND PIO IS SITTING OUTSIDE OF THEIR BUDGET.

THAT'S IN, THAT'S IN SUPPORT SERVICES, BUT THEY'RE STILL DIRECTLY CHARGED FOR THOSE SERVICES.

AND SO THOSE INCREASES TO HR AND PIO, AGAIN, IS DIRECTLY CHARGED BACK TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SO THEY'RE PAYING DIRECTLY FOR THAT, BUT THAT ALSO INCLUDES ALL THE INCREASES FOR C-T-E-C-T-M, UM, WIRELESS, YOU THINK ABOUT THEIR FUEL AND FE FLEET COSTS, THE INCREASES TO THOSE.

UM, AND I HAVE A FULL LIST, UM, C-T-A-C-T-M, ALL THE SUPPORT SERVICES COSTS THAT, THAT ARE IN THE SUPPORT SERVICES FUND THAT'S ALLOCATED TO THEM.

WIRELESS FUEL FLEET, AND WORKERS' COMP.

I'LL PROBABLY SUBMIT A QUESTION JUST TO UNDERSTAND THAT 7.5 MILLION THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR CHART OF WHAT THE, THE NEW TRANSFERS ARE.

I'M, YOU'VE GIVEN A PRETTY GOOD BREAKDOWN, BUT JUST TO BETTER UNDERSTAND, OKAY.

WHY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT A ALMOST 10% INCREASE AND I'M, I KNOW COST DRIVERS ARE UP, INFLATION'S UP, SO I JUST WANNA BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT.

UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHIEF.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CARRIE.

AND IN THANK COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON TER, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

SAVINGS? SO HAVE ANY OTHER PARTS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE REDUCED IN ORDER TO FUND THIS LEVEL OF OVERTIME? GOOD MORNING.

UM, I WANTED TO JUST CLARIFY, SO, UM, ARE THERE OTHER BUCKETS THAT ARE BEING USED TO COVER THAT OVERTIME EXPENSE BEYOND THE OVERTIME BUCKET AND BEYOND THE VACANCY

[01:00:01]

I'M MICHELLE SCHMID.

I'M THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER? NO, IT'S, UM, PRIMARILY THE PERSONAL SAVINGS, THE VACANCY SAVINGS FROM THE, UM, VACANT POSITIONS.

UM, AND THEN I DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION I WANTED TO GET CLARITY ON WITH RESPECT TO AN UNMET NEED FOR A PD.

SO MAYBE WHEN FOLKS HAVE FINISHED ASKING ABOUT A PD OVER TIME BEFORE WE MOVE ON FROM A PD, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND DO THAT? OKAY.

UM, SO THERE'S AN UNMET NEED FOR ABOUT 160,000 THAT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT, UM, AVOCA GRANT AND VICTIM SERVICES AND EMDR PROGRAM.

CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IS AND, AND WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THAT, PLEASE.

AND BEFORE YOU START SPEAKING, I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO SPEAK UP.

IS THIS BETTER? MUCH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SO I MAY HAVE TO ANSWER THIS THROUGH A COUNCIL BUDGET QUESTION TO GET THIS CORRECT, BUT IF I RECALL, IT'S A REQUIRED MATCH ON THAT GRANT THAT THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO PICK UP IN THE FY 25 BUDGET IF WE'RE AWARDED THE GRANT.

AND I WOULD NEED TO SEE WHERE WE ARE IN THAT PROCESS.

WE TYPICALLY, UM, DO NOT RECEIVE FINAL, UM, CONFIRMATION ON THE AWARDS UNTIL RIGHT AROUND THE BUDGET ADOPTION TIME.

SO, UM, SO IF, IF YOU, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THE QUESTION IS THERE, SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE SUBMIT ONE ON MY BEHALF THAT WILL GET ME THE ANSWER FOR THAT, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

AND IF YOU COULD KEEP MY OFFICE APPRISED, WE'VE HAD TO DO THIS IN THE PAST FOR THE VOCA ONE WAY, UM, OR ANOTHER, BUT I'M ASSUMING IF WE GET A LARGER GRANT FROM BOCA THAT YOU'LL FIND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY SO THAT WE CAN MATCH IT.

BUT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF WE, IF WE KNOW DURING, DURING THE PROCESS.

UM, AND THEN ANOTHER QUESTION I HAD HERE, UM, WAS WE'RE GONNA TALK IN A MINUTE ABOUT A FD AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION BEING AN ISSUE.

ARE THERE CHALLENGES WITH WORKERS' COMPENSATION PA LIKE PROCESSING OF, OF PEOPLE THROUGH THAT PROCESS OR GIVING THEM, UM, THE BENEFITS THAT THEY SHOULD BE GETTING THAT ARE IMPACTING POLICE STAFFING AS WELL? UH, YES, MA'AM.

THAT IS, THAT IS CORRECT.

AND SO JUST FROM THE NATURE OF, OF OUR JOBS, WE HAVE QUITE A FEW OFFICERS THAT SUSTAIN INJURIES, AND WHEN THE PROCESS MAYBE ISN'T AS FLUID AS IT COULD BE, THEN IT EXTENDS THE TIME THAT THE OFFICER IS EITHER ON NO DUTY OR ON LIMITED DUTY BECAUSE OF THAT RECOVERY PROCESS THAT THEY NEED TO NEED TO GO THROUGH.

AND SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ABOUT 62 OFFICERS THAT ARE EITHER IN A, IN A LIMITED DUTY OR NO DUTY STATUS DUE TO, UH, PENDING WORKERS' COMP PROCESSING.

SO I ASSUME THAT WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT THAT IN MORE DETAIL SINCE THAT WAS GIVEN AS ONE OF THE LONG TERM SOLUTIONS FOR FIRE.

I'M ASSUMING THAT THAT PROCESS CHANGE IMPACTS ALL SWORN OR, OR BROADER.

UM, SO WE CAN TAKE THAT UP IN THE NEXT CONVERSATION.

THAT, SO THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

COUNCIL MEMBER CORY, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON TER ASKED MY QUESTION.

I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE $22 MILLION COMES FROM, AND IT WAS ANSWERED THAT IT, IT CAME FROM VACANCY SAVINGS.

THAT'S CORRECT.

COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER APOLOGIES.

I, I FORGOT I HAD ONE OF THE QUESTIONS, BUT FOR THE CALL TAKERS, I KNOW WE HAVE VACANCIES, AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL NOT FULLY STAFFED.

WE'RE DOING A LOT BETTER.

AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING.

I IT'S A REALLY ENCOURAGING, UH, TREND.

I'M JUST CURIOUS IF, IF WE WERE TO EVEN APPROVE ADDITIONAL FTES IN 9 1 1, SINCE WE ALREADY HAVE VACANCIES, WOULD THAT JUST, WOULD THOSE JUST BE MORE VACANCIES OR WHY, WHY WOULD THAT RESULT IN MORE CALL TAKERS? I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, SINCE WE'RE NOT THERE YET, WHY, WHY WE ASK FOR MORE? UH, YES SIR.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

SO WE ARE JUST ABOUT THERE AS FAR AS BEING FULL WITH OUR NINE ONE ONE CALL TAKERS.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE CURRENTLY TRAINING A GROUP AND SHOULD EVERYONE PASS THAT TRAINING CYCLE, WE WILL ONLY HAVE THREE VACANCIES IN OUR NINE ONE ONE CALL TAKERS.

AND SO WE, WE DEFINITELY NEED IT JUST FROM THE GROWTH OF THE CITY IN AND OF IT IN AND OF ITSELF, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ALL THE ATTENTION THAT WE HAVE INVESTED INTO OUR NINE ONE ONE AND OUR CALL TAKERS, WE ARE, WE ARE JUST ABOUT AT THE FULL, FULL MARK.

SO IT'S, UH, IT'S, THANK YOU.

VERY PROUD OF IT.

I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT IT'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK THAT FAR.

THAT'S GREAT.

THAT'S AWESOME.

AND NOW I'M GLAD YOU REMEMBERED ONE LAST QUESTION SO THAT YEAH, WE CAN GET THAT OUT THERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHIEF.

YES MA'AM.

CAST MEMBER VELA, YOU HAVE YOUR HAND UP.

IF WE GOT OUR STAFFING LEVELS UP, WE COULD POTENTIALLY GET OUR OVERALL PERSONNEL EXPENSES DOWN ON THE SWORN SIDE.

UM, COUPLE OF, UH, UH, OF QUESTIONS.

SO HIGHER STAFFING LEVELS, I GUESS IT, IT'S, IT'S AN, I'VE HEARD THIS DISCUSSED.

[01:05:01]

I, I GUESS THAT'S, AND I'M SORRY I'M MAKING THAT A STATEMENT, BUT LET ME, THAT'S A QUESTION.

COULD WE DO THAT? IN OTHER WORDS, IS THERE A LEVEL OF, UH, VACANCY, IF WE CAN GET DOWN TO 5%, 6% VACANCY, W HOW WOULD THAT BALANCE OUT? ARE WE SAVING MONEY AT, AT A CERTAIN, UH, LEVEL OF, UH, OF VACANCIES? THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO, BECAUSE THE VACANCY SAVINGS THAT WE ARE SEEING IS OFFSETTING THE OVERTIME COST.

AND SO IT IS A BALANCING OF THOSE TWO THINGS.

UM, AND SO WHEN, WHEN THE VACANCIES GO DOWN, THEN WE'LL BE PAYING FOR THE ACTUAL OFFICERS THAT ARE STAFFED.

SO IT'S PRETTY MUCH OFFSET.

THERE, THERE'S NOT SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS TO BE, UH, SEEN AT, LET'S SAY LIKE A 93%, 95%, UH, BECAUSE OF THE, THE, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THE ONE AND A HALF TIME, BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY, UH, CORRECT, UH, UM, PENSION FUNDING COSTS.

UH, I, I, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS LAST YEAR, UH, WHAT ARE OUR PENSION FUNDING COSTS, WHICH WAS PURSUANT TO, I BELIEVE, UH, A BILL THAT, THAT, UH, WENT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE TO SHORE UP THE, THE PENSION FUND.

I I, LAST YEAR, THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR, UH, UH, WHAT ARE OUR, UH, OBLIGATIONS, UH, FOR FUNDING THE POLICE, UH, PENSION FUND.

I CAN HELP WITH THAT.

COUNCIL MEMBER, ED VAN NINO, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

UM, SO LEGISLATION WAS PASSED IN THE 87TH LEGISLATURE TO REFORM THE POLICE SYSTEM.

IT DID INCLUDE A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER BENEFIT FOR NEW HIRES, NEWLY HIRED OFFICERS.

UM, AND IT ALSO INCLUDED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN CITY CONTRIBUTIONS TO GET THE SYSTEM TO A LEVEL OF SUSTAINABILITY REQUIRED BY THE, UM, THE TEXAS PENSION REVIEW BOARD.

UM, CITY CONTRIBUTIONS, UM, WERE PHASED IN OVER THREE YEARS, AND SO WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A SIGNIFICANT INCREMENTAL INCREASE THE LAST THREE YEARS.

UM, BUT NOW THAT THE PHASE IN IS OVER, WE SHOULD SEE THAT, UM, LEVELING OUT.

AGAIN, OVERALL, THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTIONS, UM, THERE'RE NOW TWO PARTS TO IT.

THERE'S THE UN THE, THE, WHAT WE CALL THE PAYMENTS TO PAY OFF THE, THE UNFUNDED LIABILITY.

WE CALL IT THE LEGACY LIABILITY, BUT WE HAVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT PAYMENT THAT GOES TO FUNDING PAYING OFF THAT, THAT UNFUNDED LIABILITY.

AND THEN WE HAVE A SEPARATE PERCENTAGE BASED CONTRIBUTION THAT GOES TO PAYING, UM, WHAT'S CALLED THE NORMAL COST OF THE BENEFIT.

YOU KNOW, PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.

IT'S ABOUT 32, 30 3% OF PAY.

SO FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT'S PAID OUT, ABOUT 33 30 3 CENTS IS CONTRIBUTED TO THE, UH, THE PENSION SYSTEM.

AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE, WHAT THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THAT IS, UM, WE CAN GET THAT FOR YOU.

BUT DID WE HAVE, AGAIN, PURSUANT TO THE LEGISLATION WE HAD, AGAIN, WE HAVE OUR NORMAL AND REGULAR, UH, PENSION PAYMENTS THAT WE MAKE PURSUANT TO, AGAIN, FORMULAS.

BUT WE DID, WE HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL, UH, AGAIN, FOR THE UNFUNDED, IT IS SPECIFICALLY TO SHORE UP THE, THE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WERE COVERED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

'CAUSE THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM SOME OF THE COUNCIL BUDGET QUESTIONS FROM LAST YEAR.

YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK YOU CAN, YOU CAN LOOK AT IT AS A SUPPLEMENTAL, BUT IT'S A LONG TERM SUPPLEMENTAL.

UM, WE'VE PUT THAT UNFUNDED LIABILITY ON A 30 YEAR PAYOFF.

SO WE HAVE A PAYMENT SCHEDULE JUST LIKE, UH, YOU MIGHT HAVE A PAYMENT SCHEDULE ON YOUR HOUSE, A 30 YEAR MORTGAGE, YOU'VE GOT A PAYMENT SCHEDULE.

UM, WE'RE ON THE SAME TYPE OF SCHEDULE TO PAY OFF THAT UNFUNDED LIABILITY OVER 30 YEARS.

SO THERE WAS NO KIND OF ONE TIME PAYMENT OR, YOU KNOW, SHORT TERM LIKE THREE YEAR SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS WHEN THE, THE, EVERYTHING THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE, THE PENSION FUND LIABILITIES WERE LONG TERM, UH, UH, AGREEMENTS.

THEY WERE ALL LONG TERM.

AND THE ONLY THING THAT WAS SHORT TERM WAS THAT PHASE IN THAT THE, WE AGREED WITH THE PENSION SYSTEM THAT THE CITY'S INCREASE IN CONTRIBUTIONS WOULD BE PHASED IN OVER THREE YEARS TO AVOID THE BUDGET SHOCK OF DOING IT ALL AT ONCE.

THAT, I GUESS, WOULD BE THE AMOUNT, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE THE SHORT TERM INCREASE THAT WE'RE SEEING.

UH, NOT, UH, UH, EXCLUDING THE LONG TERM KIND OF A STRING OF PAYMENTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE.

RIGHT? YES.

AND WHERE ARE WE IN THAT THREE YEAR? THIS WAS THE PHASE IN THIS, THIS IS THE FINAL YEAR OF THE PHASE IN THIS CURRENT BUDGET YEAR? YES.

THE FINAL YEAR OF THE PHASE.

MM-HMM, .

THAT WE'RE NOT GONNA BE, UH, MAKING THE PAYMENT THE SAME PAYMENT THAT WE MADE THIS BUDGET YEAR? NO, IT, IT'LL BE THE SAME.

UH, AND IF, UH, AND LET'S PUT THAT AS A, AS A BUDGET QUESTION TOO.

UH, WE'RE GONNA SUBMIT ONE ON A SIMILAR VEIN, BUT, UH, JUST IN TERMS OF WHAT WERE THE AMOUNTS OVER THOSE THREE YEARS, THAT TEMPORARY, UH, PHASE AND, UH, AND THEN AGAIN, SO, BUT PRESUMABLY IN THIS COMING BUDGET YEAR

[01:10:01]

IT'LL ACTUALLY BE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER.

THE, THE, THE PHASE IN WAS, YOU KNOW, HYPOTHETICALLY, UM, WE HAD A 12 MILLION, I'M JUST MAKING UP NUMBERS, RIGHT.

BUT WE HAD A $12 MILLION INCREASE IN CITY'S CONTRIBUTIONS.

THE FIRST YEAR WE PAID 4 MILLION MORE.

THE SECOND YEAR WE PAID 8 MILLION MORE.

THE THIRD YEAR WE PAY 12 MILLION MORE.

AND THEN ONCE WE HIT THE 12 MILLION, THAT'S WHERE WE LEVEL OUT.

UM, SO THE, THE, THE, THE PHASE IN WAS JUST TO AVOID HAVING TO TRY TO COVER THAT HUGE INCREASE ALL IN ONE YEAR.

AND WE SPREAD IT OUT OVER THREE YEARS, BUT THIS IS THE, THE FINAL YEAR, WE'RE NOW AT THE, THE LEVEL THAT WE NEED TO BE AT FOR THE NEXT 27 YEARS TO PAY OFF THAT UNFUNDED LIABILITY.

I, I'M SORRY, I WAS MISUNDERSTANDING THAT I THOUGHT THERE WAS A TEMPORARY KIND OF STREAM OF PAYMENTS THAT WE WERE MAKING JUST TO KIND OF SHORE IT UP, BUT NO, THIS IS JUST THE OPENING KIND OF STAGES OF A LONG-TERM, UH, A COMMITMENT THAT WE'RE MAKING TO THE PENSION FUND.

ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS ITEM? THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU, CHIEF.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

THANK YOU, MS. LANG.

NEXT, NEXT WE'LL DISCUSS FIRE OVERTIME.

UM, AND, UM, WHEN WE LOOK AT FIRE OVERTIME, UH, MANDATORY FOUR PERSON STAFFING CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE PRIMARY DRIVERS IN THEIR OVERTIME SPENDING.

UM, THEY ARE CONTINUING TO SEE SOME INCREASED OVERTIME EXPENDITURES BECAUSE OF THE, UM, INCREASING TREND OF ON THE JOB INJURIES THAT THEY'VE BEEN SEEING IN THE RECENT YEARS.

UM, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT AT LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS IS A PILOT PROGRAM WITH A THIRD PARTY VENDOR TO ASSIST IN, UM, REDUCING THE LEAVE TIME ASSOCIATED WITH WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS. UM, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, UM, IS, IS GOING TO BE STARTING.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HRD, THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO BEGIN, UM, TO BEGIN THAT PILOT PROGRAM.

AND AS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TER MENTIONED, IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE USED ACROSS, UM, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS, UM, AS A PILOT PROGRAM.

SO WE'LL BEGIN LOOKING AT IMPLEMENTING THAT.

UM, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN PARTICULAR, THEIR VACANCY RATES HAVE GONE DOWN, BUT WITH THE INCREASE IN ON THE JOB INJURIES, WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THEIR, UM, SWORN OVERTIME COSTS.

AND SO THAT OFFSET THAT WE HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN ABLE TO SEE IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS POTENTIALLY IN, UM, VACANCY SAVINGS, OFFSETTING SOME OF THAT OVERTIME EXPENDITURES.

WE'RE NOT SEEING IT AS, UM, UH, A PARTICULAR OFFSET FOR, FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AS A ONE-TO-ONE OFFSET COUNCILOR ALLISON ALTER AND THEN MAYOR PRO.

TIM, THANK YOU, CHIEF, WAS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO SAY BEFORE WE BEGIN OR ARE YOU COMING ANSWER? OH, I THOUGHT YOU, I, I'M JUST READY TO GO.

I WASN'T, I'M GLAD, I'M GLAD YOU'RE, I'M GLAD YOU'RE OUT THERE.

HE'S JUST RUNNING TOWARD THE FIRE.

YOU'RE, YOU ARE WELCOME.

I JUST, UM, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING YOU WANTED, YOU WANTED TO SAY.

UM, SO IN THE CASE OF THE OVERTIME EXPENDITURES FOR FIRE, UM, WHERE THEY'RE UP CLOSE TO 21 MILLION VERSUS THE 15 EIGHT, UM, HOW IS THAT BALANCE COVERED IN THEIR BUDGET SO FAR FOR FISCAL YEAR 24? BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE VACANCY SAVINGS AT THE SAME LEVEL? GOOD MORNING, MR. CITY MANAGER, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, I'M SORRY, I APOLOGIZE.

I DIDN'T EVEN HEAR THE QUESTION.

I WAS READY TO GO AND I SAT DOWN, I LOST MY CHAIN OF THOUGHT.

SORRY, .

UM, I WANTED TO KNOW, UM, HOW YOU PAID FOR THE BALANCE, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR OVERTIME EXPENSE AND YOUR BUDGETED OVERTIME IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF VACANCY SAVINGS, OR WAS IT ALL FROM VACANCY SAVINGS? I BELIEVE THE MAJORITY WAS FROM SSON SAVINGS.

I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY OR HOW WE PAID FOR , NOT SSON SAVINGS, CRANK IT DOWN, BUT RENELL PAULSON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COUNCIL MEMBER.

ARE YOU REFERRING TO THIS CURRENT YEAR OR PREVIOUS YEARS? THIS YEAR? THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING A COMBINATION OF REDUCTIONS, SWEEPING AS MUCH AS WE CAN OUTTA COMMODITIES AND CONTRACTS, UM, TO COVER SOME OF THAT DIFFERENCE.

AND AT THIS POINT, WE ARE STILL WORKING ON TRYING TO COVER THAT DIFFERENCE.

MATERNITY LEAVE TO 12 WEEKS FOR, UM, THE WOMEN WHO GIVE BIRTH IN THE DEPARTMENT.

SO, SO COLLEAGUES, YOU KNOW, WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE THE VACANCY SAVINGS IN FIRE.

WE DON'T, UM, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN, AS I MENTIONED AT A PRIOR WORK SESSION, TRYING TO GET THEM TO PUT ASIDE $50,000 TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN HAVE

[01:15:01]

AND, AND WE HAD ALL THE POLICY CHANGES GOING AND THEN THEY CAME BACK AND SAID, WE HAVE TOO MUCH OVERTIME, SO WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

SO SOMETHING'S BROKEN HERE.

UM, AND, YOU KNOW, UM, I'D LIKE TO HAVE A MORE OF A DISCUSSION OF WHY WE'RE SEEING THIS OVERTIME SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A STRUCTURAL FIX HERE.

UM, SO CAN YOU SPEAK TO MORE WHY YOU THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THE OVERTIME? IT'S NOT NECESSARILY COMING FROM VACANCIES IN THE WAY THAT IT IS FROM POLICE.

WE, WE HAVE INCREASING ON THE JOB, ON INJURIES ON THE JOB.

AND BECAUSE DUE TO THE INCREASE IN INJURIES, UM, IT CAUSED OUR OVERTIMES TO GO UP AT WELL, AND WHY ARE WE HAVING THE INJURIES INCREASE? BECAUSE WE WORK IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS SIMPLY GETTING HURT, UH, ALONG WITH THE PAY INCREASE THAT THE MINIMUM RECEIVE THROUGH THE CONTRACT THAT CAUSED, UH, INCREASE IN OUR OVERTIME USAGE AS WELL.

SO THE INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT WASN'T BUDGETED FOR THE OVERTIME COUGH, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, IT WAS NOT BUDGETED.

UH, STEPS ALONG THE LINE.

SO FOR THAT PARTICULAR REASON WHY I WAS ASKING SO MANY QUESTIONS AT OUR LAST MEETING ABOUT EMS AND WHETHER, WHETHER IT WAS COVERED, SO WE WOULDN'T REPEAT THAT.

UM, YOU KNOW, IT, IT, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN TRUE THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS DO A DANGEROUS JOB.

WHY ARE WE SEEING A CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE INJURED? I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY WE'RE SEEING A CHANGE, BUT, YOU KNOW, GOING ON FIRE CALLS, GOING ON, MEDICAL LIFTING, PATIENT, UH, UM, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

UH, FIREFIGHTER JUST, I MEAN, JUST WE JUST HAVE AN INCREASE IN INJURY.

THE MORE AND MORE WE HIRE PEOPLE JUST GET HURT.

UH, THE FIRE SERVICE IS A DANGEROUS CAREER.

UH, AND SO THE MORE AND MORE FIREFIGHTER PUT THEMSELF IN HARM'S WAY TO TRY TO S HIM PROPERTY, THE INCREASE IN CALL VOLUME INCREASE OF THE MERCY THAT THESE FIREFIGHTERS GO ON IT CAUSE INJURIES.

SO, I MEAN, OKAY.

UM, I WANNA JUST CALL MY COLLEAGUE'S ATTENTION TO, IN 2017 WHEN I CAME ON THE DAIS, WE HAD HIGHER OVERTIME, WE HAD HIGH VACANCIES AT THAT TIME, AND FIRE ACTUALLY HAD TO COME TO CITY COUNCIL AND ASK FOR THREE OR $4 MILLION INCREASE IN THEIR BUDGET TO COVER THEIR OVERTIME.

UM, AND AT THAT TIME WE FOUND THERE WERE A LOT OF MANAGEMENT THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE, IF THAT'S THE CASE IN THIS, IN THIS TIME PERIOD.

UM, BUT WITH CITY MANAGER, I THINK WE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE A FULL UNDERSTANDING HERE OF WHY WE HAVE THIS OVERTIME AND WHAT WE CAN DO.

I, I SEE THAT THERE'S A PROCESS HERE FOR THE WORKERS' CAMP, UM, AND I WANNA TRY AND UNDERSTAND THAT A LITTLE BETTER, UM, FOR THAT.

UM, SO WHAT WOULD THIS THIRD PARTY VENDOR BE ASSISTING WITH? WELL, BEFORE, BEFORE WE GET THAT, I'D LIKE TO ALSO ADD NOT ONLY THE FIREFIGHTER INJURIES UP, BUT WE HAVE A MANDATORY FOUR AND FOUR STAFFING AND NOT THE STAFF TO SUPPORT THE FOUR AND FOUR STAFFING.

SO WITH THE MANDATORY FOUR AND FOUR STAFFING, FOUR IN THE TRUCK AND FOUR ON THE ENGINE, THAT ALSO, UH, AND BACKFIRE THEM BECAUSE OF THE FOUR AND FOUR STAFFING THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON OUR, UH, OVERTIME.

NOW THE QUESTION ABOUT THE, WHAT THE THIRD PARTY VENDOR WOULD DO IS OUR GOAL IS OUR BELIEF THAT IF WE, UH, USE THE THIRD PARTY VENDOR READY TO REBOUND, THEY CAN ASSIST US IN HELPING, UH, OUR MEMBERS EITHER BE SEEN BY THE DOCTOR, GET TREATED, UH, MORE EXPEDITED THAN WHAT THEY'RE BEING TREATED NOW, ESPECIALLY FOR THEIR KNEE INJURY, BACK INJURIES AGAINST INCIDENT AND THEIR DISCRIM INJURIES, UH, WAS TAKING SO LONG FOR MEMBERS TO RETURN BACK TO FULL DUTY SERVICES.

SO WHAT, AS I'VE BEEN TOLD THROUGH THE VENDORS, THEY HAVE A LIST OF DOCTORS OR DOCTOR NETWORK WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO SEND THESE FIREFIGHTERS TO, TO BE SEEN, UH, MUCH QUICKER SO THEY CAN GET TURN TO DUTY.

SO CAN YOU GIVE EXAMPLES OF WORKERS' COMP BEING USED IN A WAY THAT THE BUDGET OFFICE OR WHOEVER BELIEVES FIREFIGHTERS COULD HAVE RETURNED TO WORK SOONER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN THAT HAS LED TO THIS PROPOSAL? UH, AS FAR AS TURN TO WORK SOONER, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN A FIREFIGHTER GET INJURED, LET'S SAY FOR EXAMPLE IF FIREFIGHTER BAKER, UH, PULLED HIS BACK, UH, ON THE INJURY, UH, AND IF I NEED SURGERY BEFORE I GET SURGERY, I NEED TO SEE A, UH, PHYSICAL THERAPIST.

THERE'S OTHER STUFF I NEED TO GO TO, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT I DO NEED THAT SURGERY.

AND, BUT SOME OF THAT IS, UH, DELAYING THE PROCESS AND THEN IT'S INCUMBENT ON ME AS A FIREFIGHTER THAT'S INJURED TO MAKE SURE THAT I FOLLOW A STEP WHENEVER I CHANGE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, IT START MY UNDERSTANDING IT START THE SYSTEM OVER AGAIN, BACK TO THE BEGINNING.

AND SO WE HOPING WITH THIS VENDOR, UH, WITH THE LIST OF DOCTOR THAT THEY SAY THEY CAN PROVIDE IT WOULD REDUCE SOME OF THOSE REPEAT,

[01:20:01]

AND COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, SUSAN, UM, OUR HR DIRECTOR IS HERE, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING WITH, UM, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN PROBABLY SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE, UM, PILOT PROGRAM.

I LOOK LIKE I NEED READY REBOUND WITH MY BOOT ON.

I'M, EXCUSE ME.

UM, READY REBOUND IS A VENDOR THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED.

THEY'RE A SOLE SOURCE VENDOR AND THEY'RE ONE THAT WORKS PRIMARILY WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

TO DO THIS VERY THING IS TO GET OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SERVANT BACK ONLINE QUICKER, UM, AND HELP THEM NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

WHAT IS TRANSPIRED IS EXACTLY BUILDING ON WHAT CHIEF BAKER SAID.

THERE CAN BE DELAYS, THERE CAN BE DELAYS BASED ON DENIALS THAT, UM, CERTAIN SERVICE PROVIDERS WEREN'T THERE TO APPROVE IN THE STATUTORY TIMEFRAME, CERTAIN CARE.

SO THE CARE GETS DENIED AND THEREFORE THE PROCESS YOU HAVE TO REAPPLY AND THE PROCESS JUST ADDS TIME AND TIME AND TIME.

SO WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS A COUPLE THINGS.

WE'RE HOPING TO INTRODUCE, READY, REBOUND TO CONCIERGE THAT CARE TO MAKE SURE THE PROVIDERS ARE THERE THAT CAN, THAT TAKE TEXAS WORKERS' COMP, THAT CAN NAVIGATE PEOPLE THROUGH THE SYSTEM, HELP THEM GET TO THEIR NEXT STEP WITH REGARDS TO THEIR RECOVERY, AND NAVIGATE THROUGH MORE QUICKLY AND EXPEDIENTLY AND DEFINITELY BE IN AN, UH, PRE-INJURY CONDITION OR AT MAXIMUM MEDICAL IMPROVEMENT, IS WHAT WE CALL IT IN WORKERS' COMP TO GET THEM THROUGH THAT PROCESS IN MUCH LESS TIME.

WE THINK THAT THERE'S ROOM TO DO THAT.

ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE GONNA WORK TO RESTRUCTURE OUR RFP.

CURRENTLY WE USE SEDGWICK AS A THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR US BEING SELF-INSURED.

AND WHAT WE HOPE TO DO IS BE ABLE TO APPROACH IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

CURRENTLY WE USE ANY WILLING PROVIDER, WHICH IS A CHOICE, BUT WE CAN STRUCTURE IT IN A PANEL, UM, UH, A PANEL SETTING UNDER TEXAS WORKERS' COMP LAW THAT WILL ALLOW US DIRECT TO DIRECT CARE MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY.

AND, UM, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO RESTRUCTURING THAT RFP TO DO THAT VERY THING.

READY REBOUND IS A VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENT THOUGH TO HELP US IN THAT CONCIERGE SERVICE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH, TO GET PEOPLE BACK AND TO, UM, REDUCE ANY EXTENDED, UM, TYPE OF TIMEFRAMES THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING.

SO, THANK YOU.

UM, SO IT, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S BOTH A PROBLEM OF WE HAVE A LOT WHO ARE INJURED, BUT THEN THEY'RE STAYING INJURED LONGER, SO THAT NUMBER IS YES, HIGHER AND THEY'RE STAYING HIGHER BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE CARE AND THEY CAN'T GET THE SURGERIES, ET CETERA, BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN APPROVED WITHIN A TIMEFRAME.

IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS WHERE THOSE CASES THAT ARE LONGER.

EXACTLY.

UH, WITHOUT THOSE ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, WE DO WORK ON OVERTIME.

SO, UM, YOU KNOW, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS AN ISSUE ACROSS ALL THREE SWORN, UM, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS LEADING IN THIS REGARD.

UM, TO THE EXTENT THAT WE ALSO NEED SOME LEGISLATIVE FIXES TO THE STATE SYSTEM, I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONSIDER, UM, WHETHER THAT NEEDS TO BE PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE, UM, AGENDA.

UM, I DID ALSO WANNA ASK THOUGH, SINCE OVERTIME HAS BEEN HIGH, UM, THIS IS PROBABLY NOT, BUT FOR THE, SINCE OVERTIME HAS BEEN HIGH, YOU KNOW, FOR SEVERAL YEARS, NOT JUST THIS YEAR, UM, WHETHER WE HAVE THE RIGHT STAFFING LEVEL, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT HAVING MORE FTES, UM, MIGHT BE A MORE COST EFFICIENT AND BETTER, UM, FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS.

AND I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND IF WE HAD HAD DONE, UM, THE MATH TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF ADDING, SAY ANOTHER 10, 15 FIREFIGHTERS OR 20 FIREFIGHTERS, THEN PAYING AN EXTRA 4 MILLION IN OVERTIME IN TERMS OF HOW WE'RE BUDGETING MOVING FORWARD, IF THAT WOULD CREATE ENOUGH, UM, SLACK IN THE SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE OVERALL COST AS WELL AS REDUCE THE WORKLOAD BURDEN ON OUR FIREFIGHTERS.

UH, YES MA'AM.

I BELIEVE THAT INCREASING THE FTES WILL SUPPORT IN REDUCING THE OVERTIME AND THE FATIGUE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS.

BUT IF WE ALL NEED TO KEEP IN MIND, HOWEVER, INCREASING THE STAFFING LEVEL, UH, IT STILL WILL TAKE TIME TO TRAIN THOSE FIREFIGHTERS.

TAKE APPROXIMATELY, UM, 12 TO 16 WEEKS TO TRAIN DEPENDING ON WHAT YEAR WE STARTED TRAINING, UH, TO GET THOSE WOMEN INTO THE FIELD.

AND WE ARE GOING TO, CAN HOLD ABOUT 40 TO 45 MEMBER PER CLASS.

UH, SO WE NEED APPROXIMATELY ABOUT A HUNDRED PLUS OR MINOR FIREFIGHTERS.

UH, BUT ALSO IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT EVEN, UH, RIGHT NOW,

[01:25:01]

YOU KNOW, WHAT WE DID YESTERDAY, WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TOMORROW.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS STILL FUNCTIONING.

WE WILL NOT CLOSE DOWN IN THE FIRE STATION.

THE FIREFIGHTER FIREFIGHTERS, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE COMMITTED AND SOME ARE TIED AND SOME ARE EXHAUSTED.

UM, BUT THEY ARE JUST COMMITTED YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CITY.

IS THERE SOMEONE IN THE BUDGET OFFICE COULD HELP US THINK THAT THROUGH? BECAUSE PRESUMABLY I COULD TAKE A MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE OVERTIME BUDGET AND SAY, I WANNA HAVE NINE FIREFIGHTERS.

AND SO WE DO WHAT? LOOK AT THAT.

AND WE DO WORK WITH THE, UM, FIRE, UM, FINANCE FOLKS, BUDGET FOLKS, TRYING TO FIND THAT OPTIMAL POINT.

'CAUSE I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, LIKE THERE'S SOME POINT WE'RE HAVING OVERFILLED FIREFIGHTERS SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO RUN OVER TIME WHEN WE HAVE A VACANT SLOT.

UM, COULD BE CHEAPER.

AND SO WE NEED TO TRY TO HIT THAT SWEET SPOT.

I THINK WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD HANDLE ON IT, BUT WE'VE SEEN A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC THIS YEAR WHERE WE'RE SEEING MUCH HIGHER INJURY RATES AS THE CHIEF MENTIONED, THAN WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST.

I DON'T THINK WE'D BE SEEING THIS OVERTIME ISSUE.

I THINK WE WOULD'VE GOT IT DIALED IN PRETTY WELL IF THE INJURY RATE WAS, WAS MORE TRADITIONALLY WHAT WE HAD WE HAD BEEN SEEING.

AND SO, UM, WE, WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT AND, YOU KNOW, EVA EVALUATE IF WE THINK THE CURRENT LEVEL OF INJURIES IS GONNA BE MORE THE, THE FUTURE OR IF WE THINK THIS IS JUST A BLIP AND THAT HAS TO GO INTO THE MATH ABOUT WELL, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT IS THE RIGHT LEVEL? UH, WE DON'T CURRENTLY STAFF MINIMUM STAFFING.

SO IN OTHER WORDS, MINIMUM STAFFING FOR A FIRE ENGINE IS FOUR PERSON STAFFING TIMES THREE SHIFTS.

THAT'S, THAT'S 12 PEOPLE IS THE MINIMUM STAFFING.

UM, I BELIEVE WE STAFF AT 16, IS IT 16 CHIEF? THAT'S CORRECT.

SO WE ARE ALREADY OVERSTAFFED SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE GET SICK OR THEY'RE ON VACATION, WE DO HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT CAN FILL THOSE SLOTS WITHOUT RUNNING OVER TIME.

AND TYPICALLY WHAT WE SEE IS WHEN THE VACANCY RATE GETS REALLY HIGH, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

AND SO WE END UP RUNNING A LOT OF OVERTIME.

UM, LAST YEAR, AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, THE VACANCY RATE WAS ONLY 1.2%.

SO GIVEN OUR PREVIOUS KIND OF CALCULATIONS AND EXPERIENCE, WE THOUGHT THE AMOUNT WE BUDGETED FOR OVERTIME WAS THE RIGHT LEVEL.

BUT THEN WE'VE BEEN SURPRISED WITH HOW MANY OUT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE OUT ON SICK LEAVE WE'VE SEEN THIS YEAR COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS.

SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO REEVALUATE THAT.

UM, MOVING FORWARD, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY'RE DOING TOO MUCH OVERTIME AND SO THEY'RE MORE, THE WORKLOAD IS HIGHER AND SO YOU'RE GETTING MORE INJURIES.

AND SO LIKE THERE WOULD BE AN ADDED BENEFIT OF ADDING THE FTES BECAUSE YOU WOULD BE REDUCING SOME OF, OF THE WORKLOAD THAT WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT.

UM, YOU ALSO COULD BE PREPARING FOR THE WORK WEEK REDUCTION, EVEN IF WE DON'T IMPLEMENT IT THIS YEAR BY HAVING SOME OF THOSE EXTRA PEOPLE BEGINNING TO BE IN THE SYSTEM.

I THINK THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES, THAT'S ALL POSSIBLE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER AS WE LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER.

SO IF YOU COULD IDENTIFY WHO THE RIGHT PERSON WOULD BE TO TALK THIS THROUGH WITH ME, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

I DON'T WANNA SUGGEST SOMETHING THAT MAKES NO SENSE, SO IF WE COULD TALK THROUGH IT, THAT'D BE GREAT.

GO DOWN TO 51 WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, IF WE COULD GET TO A POINT OF STASIS THAT MAY HELP WITH THE, UM, THE VARIOUS, UM, VARIOUS DIFFICULTIES THAT FIREFIGHTERS CONFRONT WITH A REALLY DANGEROUS JOB.

MAYOR PRO, TIM, CHIEF, COULD YOU TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE, UM, NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED AND HOW, UM, HOW MANY WAS IN A, A NORMAL WEEK AND THEN I THINK WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A REDUCTION OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND WHERE WE ARE NOW AND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING, UH, POTENTIALLY FOR, UM, IN THE FUTURE? YES, UH, FIREFIGHTERS TODAY HERE IN AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT WORK 24 HOURS ON FOUR EIGHT HOURS OFF WITH EQUATES TO APPROXIMATELY 53 HOURS PER WEEK, UH, THROUGH THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATION, UH, LOOKING AT WORK REDUCTION TO, UH, I THINK IT'S 50 HOURS OR 51 HOURS PER WEEK, 52 HOURS PER WEEK, WHICH EQUALS TO TWO ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES PER FIREFIGHTER PER YEAR.

SO EACH FIREFIGHTER RECEIVE AN ADDITION TO CANDIDATES RELIEF DAYS, UH, TO TAKE OFF AND WORK.

AND THE CHALLENGE WITH THAT, ONCE THOSE FIREFIGHTER RECEIVES, THOSE TWO CANDIDATES TAKE OFF WORK.

NOW I HAVE TO FIND A FIREFIGHTER TO HIRE TO REPLACE THE FIREFIGHTER WHO TOOK OFF AND WORK.

AND ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT, THOSE FIREFIGHTERS WHO'S ON TER DAY, THEY GET FIRST SHOT AT WORK IN OVERTIME.

UH, SO I'M, I'M LAYING YOU OFF FROM WORK ON TER DAY THEN NOW I'M GONNA CALL YOU TO HIRE YOU BACK ON OVERTIME 'CAUSE YOU OFF ON KE DAY TO BACKFILL.

I FIGURED THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME INTERPLAY BETWEEN A REDUCED WORK WEEK, EVEN IF IT'S ONLY ONE HOUR, UM, AND THE STEP UP NEEDED IN OVERTIME BECAUSE YOU STILL HAVE THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS A WAY WITH THE ADDITIONAL STAFFING AND A REDUCTION IN OVERTIME AND POTENTIALLY A REDUCTION OF ONE HOUR DOWN TO WE'RE AT 52,

[01:30:01]

IS THIS A SENSE OF THE, THE THINKING THAT YOU HAVE AS WELL? CHIEF? MY MY THINKING IS ONCE WE REDUCE, UH, THE STAFF AND KNOW, KEEP IN MIND EVEN WHEN WE MOVE FORWARD TO REDUCE OR INCREASE THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE FIREFIGHTER TAKEOFF, IT'S GONNA TAKE US AN APPROXIMATELY 25 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS JUST TO MAKE, IT'S GONNA TAKE US APPROXIMATELY 25 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ONCE WE IMPLEMENT THE TWO CANDIDATES JUST TO KEEP AT STATUS FLOW, JUST SEE NO CHANGE IN OUR OVERTIME, UH, TO HAVE 2 25 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS JUST TO MEET THAT NEED.

AND WITHOUT THAT, WITH THAT'S ABOUT $2.5 MILLION I THINK IT IS.

MY NUMBER MAY BE OFF A LITTLE BIT.

UH, WITHOUT THOSE 25 ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS TO SUPPORT THOSE FIREFIGHTERS TAKING TWO ADDITIONAL DAYS OFF, IT'S ABOUT 2.6 MILLION IN OVER TIME TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

UH, BUT, BUT THE GOAL OF REDUCING THE WORK WEEK FOR THE FIREFIGHTER IS TO HELP THOSE FIREFIGHTERS DEAL WITH THE, THE STRESS OF THE JOB, RIGHT? WHETHER IT BE PTSD RELATED POST-TRAUMATIC, UH, SYNDROME RELATED OR JUST OVERALL FATIGUE OF THE, THE FIREFIGHTERS BEING OVERALL FATIGUED AND, AND TRYING TO GET THAT WORK DONE.

AND, AND, AND, AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE FIREFIGHTER, THE FIRE SERVICE, NOT JUST IN AUSTIN, BUT ALL ACROSS AMERICA HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN MENTAL ILLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH, UH, RELATED, UM, ISSUES GOING ON WITH FIREFIGHTER TODAY ALONG WITH, UH, POST-TRAUMATIC, UH, POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

IT, IT'S JUST A CHANGE IN THE PARADIGM.

IT'S SOMETHING I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND WE ARE VERY SYMPATHETIC TO YEAH, THAT SITUATION ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

UM, SWORN AND UNSWORN FOLKS.

LAST BUDGET, I THINK WE DID INCREASE, UM, MENTAL HEALTH, UH, OPTIONS AND PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY FOR, UM, FOR FIRE.

UM, AND I'M GLAD WE DID THAT AND WE SHOULD CONTINUE FIND WAYS TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND EXPAND IT.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE, THE REDUCTION OF AN HOUR, WHICH WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL TWO DAYS A YEAR AS YOU POINT OUT, UM, THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE AT THE STATION, UH, WITH INCREASED ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR FOLKS ARE HEALTHY, UM, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY, UM, COULD LEAD TO, I I THINK THE PLACE WE ALL WANNA BE, WHICH IS A REDUCTION IN PHYSICAL INJURY AND OFF THE JOB FOR WORKERS' COMP REASONS AND HOSPITALIZATION.

AND I IMAGINE THESE INJURIES ARE PRETTY COMPLEX.

I KNOW WHENEVER THE BACK IS INVOLVED, IT CAN BE REALLY PAINFUL AND REALLY LONG TIME TO HEAL.

UH, NOTHING SIMPLE ABOUT IT.

UM, AND THEN, UM, IF WE ARE ABLE TO STEP UP OUR HIRING AND WE NEED ADDITIONAL, UH, FOLKS HIRED ACROSS THE BOARD IN, IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY, INCLUDING OUR 9 1 1 SYSTEM.

SO THAT WHOLE SYSTEM, THAT WHOLE ECOSYSTEM IS ALL INTERCONNECTED AND INTERRELATED.

AND I, AND I, UM, I'M VERY INTERESTED IN, IN THE MOVEMENT FORWARD AND THE PROGRESS THAT WE ARE MAKING.

IT'S, IT IS HAPPENING.

IT'S, IT'S KIND OF SLOW SOMETIMES, BUT I DO SEE IMPROVEMENTS AND MAYOR, I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE THOSE STRIDES FORWARD.

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT REDUCING BY ONE HOUR, UH, THE FIREFIGHTER'S SCHEDULE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE, THERE ARE, UM, LIMITATIONS POTENTIALLY TO WHAT WE CAN DO THIS YEAR, BUT I THINK THAT THE CONVERSATION AROUND, UH, PHYSICAL SAFETY, NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED AND, UH, THE LEVEL OF STAFFING WILL GET US TO THAT PLACE WHERE WE NEED TO BE BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE CITY CONTINUES TO GROW AND OUR NEEDS CONTINUE TO GROW AND WE REALLY NEED TO STAY A PACE OF THEM.

SO WHAT, WHAT THE SYRIA HAS COMMITTED AND I SUPPORT THE CITY COMMITMENT IN REDUCING THAT ONE HOUR REDUCTION SEPTEMBER, 2025.

UH, WHAT WOULD YOU PUT ANY, ANY SAVINGS, UH, TOWARD, UH, IN, IN THE, IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET? UH, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

SO WE ARE HEADING IN THAT DIRECTION.

YES, I THINK THAT'S TRUE.

AND I, AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT, CHIEF.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

THANK YOU MEMBER.

TIM, DO OUR VIRTUAL MEMBER JUST COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

UM, CHIEF, ASSUMING THAT WE DO HAVE SOME POTENTIAL SAVINGS FROM, YOU KNOW, WORKS COMPENSATION, UH, FOR EXAMPLE, REFORMS THAT, THAT, UH, ARE BEING PUT INTO PLACE,

[01:35:01]

ASSUMING WE HAVE SOME SAVINGS TO GIVE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, I HAVE THREE IMMEDIATE UNMET NEED THAT I WOULD PUT THAT SAVING TOWARDS.

ONE WOULD BE FOR OUR ACCREDITATION PROGRAM SO WE CAN BE THE BEST IN CLASS AS WE ARE CLAIMING TO BE HERE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND ACROSS AMERICA.

SO I WOULD PUT SOME MONEY TOWARDS THE ACCREDITATION PROGRAM ALONG WITH OUR, UH, THREE SHIFT COMMANDER AID.

WE NEED AID FOR THE SHIFT COMMANDER.

I'M STILL AMAZED HOW CITY THIS SIZE DO NOT HAVE, UH, BATTALION AID OR SHIFT COMMANDER AID TO SUPPORT US IN OUR MISSION OF GOING ON THESE EMERGENCY CALLS.

AND THE THIRD, UH, WOULD BE TO SUPPORT THE TWO AREA TRUCKS THAT I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR SINCE 2018.

UH, SO IF WE DID HAVE SOME MONEY FOR THE UNMET NEED, THOSE WOULD BE MY TOP THREE PRIORITIES THAT, THAT I SUBMITTED TO THE CITY MANAGEMENT BUDGET OFFICER AND THE AERIAL TRUCKS, WOULD THOSE BE REPLACEMENT AERIAL TRUCKS OR WOULD THOSE BE ADDITIONAL, UH, AERIAL TRUCKS? ACTUALLY IT WOULD BE THE STAFFING, THE STAFFING, STAFFING PHOTOS, AERIAL TRUCK.

UH, MY UNDERSTANDING THE CITY HAS ALREADY, UH, PURCHASED THOSE TWO AREAS.

TRUCK WE REQUESTED.

I JUST NEED TO GET THE STAFFING FOR.

AND WOULD IT, AGAIN, ASSUMING SAVINGS, UH, WOULD IT BE, UH, POSSIBLE TO POTENTIALLY, UH, PREPARE FOR THOSE, UH, KELLY HOUR, UH, KELLY DAYS, UH, THAT, UH, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY ACCELERATE, UH, THE, UH, THE BEGINNING OF THE, OF THE KELLY DAYS? UH, I'M NOT SURE THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE OR NOT POSSIBLE.

I WOULD NEED LOOK INTO THAT, BUT I KNOW, UH, COME SEPTEMBER, 2025, WE WILL IMPLEMENT THOSE TWO KELLY DAYS.

SO AGAIN, LET ME JUST MAKE IT CLEAR, UH, IF YOU'RE TELLING ME AND COUNCIL MEMBER THAT YOU'RE GONNA GIMME SOME MONEY TODAY, UH, THANK YOU FOR THAT.

BUT LEMME TELL YOU WHAT I PUT THAT MONEY, I'LL PUT THAT MONEY TOWARDS ACCREDITATION, I'LL PUT THAT MONEY TOWARDS THE AERIAL TRUCK PERSONNEL AND I WILL PUT THAT MONEY TOWARDS THE, UH, SHIFT COMMANDER.

A THANK YOU VERY MUCH CHIEF.

APPRECIATE IT.

YES, THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, THEN FOLLOWED BY MR. MEMBER MAYOR KELLY.

UM, AND THANK YOU CHIEF FOR YOUR RESPONSES.

I ACTUALLY HAVE JUST A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

ONE, I'M REALLY, UM, I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO PICKING BACK UP THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

UM, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S BEEN SOME HEARTBREAKING ACTIVITY WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND LOSING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT VERY RECENTLY.

UM, AND I, I THINK I'M HEARING SOME MURMURINGS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TOO.

SO I THINK IT'S TIME TO REVISIT THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

UM, BUT TO YOUR POINT ABOUT INCREASED INJURY, I'D LIKE TO SORT OF PULL ON THAT THREAD THAT I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, UM, POSED.

LIKE, WHY ARE PEOPLE GETTING INJURED MORE? I PERSONALLY AM VERY CLUMSY AND I'M PRONE TO INJURY.

SO, UM, TO THE YOUNG LADY WHO CAME UP IN HER BOOT, LIKE I HAVE A, I HAVE A STEADY SUPPLY OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, UM, THAT SAID THOUGH THESE PEOPLE ARE FIT, THEY WORK OUT ALL THE TIME, THEY EAT WELL.

I AM ALSO CURIOUS WHY THEY'RE GETTING INJURED, BUT I HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT, I WAS GARDENING THE OTHER DAY AND NEARLY MURDERED MYSELF WITH THE HEAT.

I WAS THINKING TO MYSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE IF I WAS WEARING FULL TURNOUTS RIGHT NOW? I WONDER IF THE SUMMER MONTHS ADD TO ADDITIONAL HEALTH NEED BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT, YOU KNOW, RESPONDING TO CALLS IN FULL TURNOUTS AND A HUNDRED PLUS DEGREE WEATHER.

I'M QUITE SURE THERE ARE SOME, I CANNOT SAY THERE ARE INCREASING INJURY DUE TO HEAT RELATED, BUT WE DO HAVE FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE DOING TRAINING CADETS WHILE THEY'RE DOING TRAINING AND WHILE WE ARE ON EMERGENCY SCENE THAT SPIRITS HEAT EXHAUSTING OR HEAT RELATED INJURIES, UH, OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR MEMBERS ARE HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE.

MM-HMM, AND DURING THIS HEAT RELATED, UH, CONDITION WE HAVE, WE EXPERIENCE HERE IN TEXAS, UH, WE MAKE SURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OUR MEMBERS STAY HYDRATED.

WE ROTATE OUR MEMBERS OUT ON THESE EMERGENCY SCENE, SWAP OUT CREWS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WHEN NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE OUR MEMBERS ARE ARE HYDRATED PROPERLY.

UM, BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE INCREASE OF INJURIES, UH, I DON'T KNOW, IT'S A GENERATION DIFFERENCE.

I DON'T KNOW.

YOUNGER MEMBERS GETTING HURT MORE, THE OLDER MEMBER GETTING HURT MORE.

IT, I'M A, YOU TRYING TO SAY WE BUILT DIFFERENT, Y'ALL GENETICALLY SUPERIOR.

I I'M OLD MAN.

I'M, I'M OLD MAN, FINE.

SO, UH, IT, IT IS JUST THE, THE JUST SO MUCH GOING ON WITH THESE INJURIES, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO STAND HERE AND SAY THIS IS THE REASON THAT IS THE REASON, IS IT HAPPENING ACROSS THE BOARD IN TERMS OF NATIONAL STATISTICS? ARE MORE FIREFIGHTERS JUST GENERALLY GETTING INJURED OR WE, THE CITY OF AUSTIN AS THE 10TH MAJOR METRO HAVE A PROBLEM.

I BELIEVE IT'S ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

UH, INJURIES ARE UP WITH FIREFIGHTERS, UH, WHETHER DUE TO HEAT RELATED IN THE SUMMERTIME, WHETHER DUE TO, UH, JUST TO CALL VOLUMES TO CONTINUE TO GO UP

[01:40:01]

BACK, INJURIES, MEMBERS LIVING, EVEN MEMBERS USING PROPER TECH, UH, LIFTING TECHNIQUES.

UH, FIREFIGHTING IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAREER.

I'M VERY FAMILIAR, YOU KNOW, I WAS ADJACENT TO IT FOR TWO DECADES.

UM, SO THE OTHER QUESTION THAT I HAVE SORT OF, UM, AS A SEGUE FROM WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED ABOUT INJURIES.

SO I RECEIVED, AND I GUESS WE PROBABLY ALL DID THIS INVITATION FROM HINGE HEALTH.

UM, IT'S A PART OF OUR BENEFIT PACKET AND YOU CAN DO PT, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I'M IN THERE DOING MY PT, I NEED IT, MY KNEES ARE BAD.

AND SO THEN I'M THINKING ABOUT PREVENTION, PHYSICAL THERAPY, MASSAGE, CHIROPRACTIC, ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU DO TO MANAGE AND GET BACK, YOU KNOW, RAPID RECOVERY KIND OF A THING.

DO WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH, LIKE A CASE MANAGEMENT SITUATION WHERE, OKAY, YOU HAVE THIS SLIP DISC THING, THE ORTHO SEES YOU THEN, AND BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, THEN YOU'RE ON LIGHT DUTY FOR THIS.

IS THERE A, LIKE A SPECIFIC PROTOCOL FOR THE EVOLUTION OF INJURY RECOVERY? UH, TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND I THINK WE COULD COLLECT SOME DATA FROM THAT, IF SO.

UH, TO MY KNOWLEDGE IT IS.

HOWEVER, UH, ALSO WE HAVE A VERY ROBUST PEER FITNESS PROGRAM.

WE HAVE TRAINED PERSONNEL WHO KNOW HOW TO DO PHYSICAL FITNESS TO GO OUT AND TRAIN OUR MEMBERS, STARTING WITH OUR RECRUIT CLASS, UH, TO HELP US STAY FIT.

AND THEN THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE ABOUT THAT IS, UH, AGAIN, ADJACENT TO OUR HEALTHCARE STUFF, THE CITY OFFERS SOME INCENTIVES ABOUT, UM, LIKE SMOKING CESSATION, IF YOU HAVE SLEEP APNEA, GOING TO DO A SLEEP STUDY OR THESE KINDS OF THINGS LIKE PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE STUFF AND JUST LIKE INCENTIVES ON WEIGHT LOSS AND, YOU KNOW, UM, HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

IS THAT A THING THAT Y'ALL DO, LIKE CHALLENGES OR SOME SORT OF FINANCIAL INCENTIVE OR SOME SORT OF INCENTIVE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAINTAIN PEAK HEALTH? I DON'T KNOW.

WE HAVE A CHALLENGE.

WE, WE, WE DO OUR MEMBERS, BUT OUR MEMBERS TO MY KNOWLEDGE AWARE, AWARE OF, OF WELL AWARE OF THE SMOKING SENSATION OTHER PROGRAM THAT CITY OFFERED THROUGH OUR UH, WELLNESS CENTER.

THOSE WERE ALL MY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU MR. MAYOR.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY? YEAH, UH, I'M SORRY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION AND THANK YOU CHIEF BAKER.

I KNOW THAT UH, INJURIES ARE HAPPENING MORE AND MORE IN THE FIRE SERVICE, BUT I JUST WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE'VE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE START OF THE FIRE SERVICE WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO US TODAY TO PREVENT INJURIES.

SO I HATE TO THINK WHERE WE WOULD BE HAD WE NOT, YOU KNOW, COME UP WITH SOME OF THOSE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS FACE.

BUT I GUESS I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED OVER HERE AT MY FIELD OFFICE BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE GOT YOU STAFFING FOR THE AERIAL LAST YEAR AND SO I'M HOPING FOR A LITTLE MORE CLARITY ON THAT.

I'M PRETTY SURE MY COLLEAGUES ARE PROBABLY MAYBE A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT FURTHER? YES, WE RECEIVED, UH, GIMME, GIMME ONE SECOND.

LET ME DOUBLE CHECK WITH MY, WE DID NOT GET STAFF.

WE GOT TWO AERIAL TRUCKS THOUGH, RIGHT? OKAY.

UH, WE DID NOT GET THE STAFFING FOR THE AERIAL TRUCK, BUT WE GOT THE AERIAL TRUCKS.

THAT'S IT.

CORRECT? YES.

SO LAST YEAR I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER I BROUGHT FORWARD A RESOLUTION TO GET YOU ALL STAFFING FOR THAT AERIAL FIRETRUCK AND THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE CONFIRMED THAT WE DIDN'T NEED A RESOLUTION BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE STAFFING ANYWAY.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SPECIFICALLY PERHAPS FROM OUR INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OVER PUBLIC SAFETY IF HE'S AVAILABLE OR FROM THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO ME.

IT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO CO-SPONSORED THAT.

AND I WANNA KNOW WHERE THE DISCONNECT WAS RELATED TO THE STAFFING REQUIRED FOR THAT, UH, AERIAL.

WELL I THOUGHT THE RESOLUTION WERE FOR, TO INVESTIGATE FUNDING FOR STAFFING, NOT TO NECESSARILY GET THE STAFFING, BUT I WOULD, I WOULD DOUBLE CHECK AND GET BACK WITH YOUR OFFICE ON THAT.

YEAH, I MEAN I'LL PULL THE TRANSCRIPT BACK FROM ONE I DID LAST TIME.

UM, BUT I WAS PRETTY SURE WE WERE ASSURED THAT WE DIDN'T NEED A RESOLUTION FOR THAT BECAUSE THE STAFFING WAS THERE.

MAYBE ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES HAS A BETTER MEMORY THAN I DO, BUT THAT WAS WHAT I RECALLED.

COUNCIL MEMBER, THIS IS CARRIE LANG.

UM, AND MY RECOLLECTION IS THAT THE, UM, DIRECTION WAS TO ORDER THE TRUCKS, BUT IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS FOR THE TRUCKS TO THAT'S CORRECT.

BE, BE DELIVERED.

AND SO UPON THE TIME THAT THE TRUCKS WILL BE DELIVERED, THE UH, RESPONSE FROM THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER IS THAT WE WOULD WORK TO PREPARE TO HAVE STAFFING AT THE TIME THAT THE TRUCKS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BE ONLINE, WHICH I THINK WOULD, THE PLAN WAS FOR POTENTIALLY FISCAL YEAR 26 FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

OKAY, THAT MAKES SENSE THEN.

IS THIS FOR THE SAME AERIAL FIRETRUCK OR IS THIS FOR A NEW AERIAL FIRETRUCK? IT'S FOR THE, IT'S MY, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, IT'S FOR THE SAME AREA OF FIRETRUCK.

UM, I MEAN I'M GONNA GO BACK AND REVIEW EVERYTHING RELATED TO THAT AS WELL JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT I AM UP AND UP ON WHERE WE WERE ON THAT.

SO I GUESS MY NEXT QUESTION IS, IF IT'S NOT IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, BUT IT IS STILL A NEED,

[01:45:01]

LIKE MS. LANE SAID IT TAKES A APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS TO TWO YEARS AND IN SOME CASES LONGER THAN TWO YEARS FOR THE TRUCK TO BE BUILT.

IT'S A FIRETRUCK SHORTAGE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND EVERY FIRE DEPARTMENT ALL ACROSS COUNTRY ARE COMPETING WITH THESE MANUFACTURERS GET THESE TRUCKS BUILT.

SO, UM, YOU KNOW, THE OLD SAYING OF YOU BUILD IT, THEY SHALL COME.

SO ONCE THE TRUCK IS HERE, UH, IT'S MY BELIEF THAT THE FUNDING WOULD BE THERE TO STAFF IT.

SO CHIEF, YOU AND I HAVE BEEN TO THE CONFERENCES TOGETHER, WE'VE TALKED TO THE SAME BUILDERS OF FIRE TRUCKS.

WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE THERE.

I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT.

I GUESS I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IN THE FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET, WE WILL HAVE AN EARMARK FOR STAFFING FOR THAT AERIAL BECAUSE THE WAY THAT IT CAME ACROSS EARLIER MADE ME SEEM LIKE IT WAS NEEDED NOW.

AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE INTEND ON HAVING IT IN 2026 WHEN WE HAVE THE ARRIVAL OF THE AERIAL FIRETRUCK.

OKAY, SO COUNCIL MEMBER, I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WORK WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO CONFIRM WHEN THE, THE AERIAL WILL BE READY AND AVAILABLE AND WE WILL PLAN ACCORDINGLY TO WHEN IT WILL BE READY AND AVAILABLE.

OKAY, THAT'S GREAT.

THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU CHIEF.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

A FINE JOB.

KEEP IT UP .

MR. MAYOR, THAT QUESTION THAT I FORGOTTEN, I'M SORRY.

I APPRECIATE THAT EXPLANATION.

UH, I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT OUR ACCREDITATION.

UH, YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE ME, I AM NOT ENTIRELY FAMILIAR WITH THAT PROCESS, BUT IT SORT OF SURPRISES ME THAT THE 10TH MAJOR METRO ISN'T ACCREDITED AS A DEPARTMENT.

CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS? THE CITY OF AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT, UH, LOST ITS ACCREDITATION, I THINK 2016 OR 2017.

UH, THE ACCREDITATION IS A PROCESS WHERE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN DEMONSTRATE NOT ONLY IT WORTH IN THE FIRE SERVICE, BUT IT DEMONSTRATE TO, UH, THE ELECTED OFFICIAL AND TO OUR STAKEHOLDER COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE SAY WE'RE DOING.

WE ARE MEETING OUR RESPONSE TIME.

WE HAVE ENOUGH OR, OR THE ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF APPARATUS FIRE STATION TO MEET THE GOALS OF THE CITY.

SO BY BEING A ACCREDITED DEPARTMENT, IT IS ALSO HELP US, UH, WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBER WHEN WE DO COME FOR OUR BUDGET TO SHOW YOU THAT WE ARE GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR BUDGET AND WE ARE MEAN THE NEEDS OF THE CITY OR IN SOME CASES AT SELLING THE NEEDS OF THE CITY THAT WE ARE A BEST IN CLASS OR THE BEST IN CLASS, NOT ONLY IN THE STATE, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

UH, WE ARE A CLASS ONE ISO INSURANCE SERVICE OFFICE, UH, CITY AND THERE IS NOT MANY DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE BOTH ACCREDITATION AND ISO RATING.

SO ONCE WE DO BECOME AN ACCREDITED AGENCY ALONG WITH OUR ISO RATING, WE'LL DEMONSTRATE TO THIS BY THE COUNCIL TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE INDEED THE BEST IN CLASS FIRE SERVICE.

I'M CURIOUS HOW A FIRE SERVICE GOES ABOUT LOSING ACCREDITATION THOUGH.

LIKE WAS IT A PUNITIVE THING OR YOU, SINCE THERE'S A FINANCIAL ASK ATTACHED TO IT, WAS IT A LAPSE BY WAY OF MONEY OR A LAPSE BY WAY OF PERFORMANCE? THERE ARE MANY WAYS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN LOSE THE ACCREDITATION OR BE DEFERRED.

I'M NOT SURE HOW AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT LAW ACCREDIT AGENTS, I DON'T RECALL THE CONVERSATION THAT I MAY HAVE HAD WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED HERE.

UM, IF YOU WANT THEN A MINUTE LOTS HAS HAPPENED.

YOU I'LL, I'LL HAVE MY STAFF THROW IT IN THE Q AND A.

COUNCILMAN MORALES, VERY SHORT FOLLOW UP.

I APPRECIATE THE MAYOR LETTING ME JUMP IN HERE AT THE END, BUT ON THAT LINE OF QUESTIONING THAT SEEMS TO LINE UP WITH THE CITY'S PLAN TO BUILD FIVE NEW FIRE STATIONS.

DOES IT SEEM LIKE SLOWER RESPONSE TIME WAS WHY THIS, YOU KNOW, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY COUNCIL AT THAT TIME, WHICH PREDATES ME TOO, UM, SAID LET'S GO AHEAD AND BUILD MORE STATIONS SO THAT WE CAN REACH OUR RESIDENTS FASTER.

DOES THAT SEEM TO ADD UP FOR YOU? I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH CREDITATION TONIGHT.

I JUST CANNOT SPEAK ON WHAT HAPPENED IN 20 16 20 17.

OKAY, SOUNDS GOOD.

I JUST DUNNO.

IT'S POSSIBLE, BUT I, I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

I'M GETTING A WHISPER THAT IT WAS, SO I'LL I'LL LOOK INTO IT TOO AND MAYBE WE CAN COME UP WITH THAT ANSWER OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

OKAY, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

KELLY, DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION? I DID, AND I'M NOT IN THE ROOM, SO I'M JUST CURIOUS IF, UM, CHIEF NICKS FROM THE ASSOCIATION IS AVAILABLE TO COME UP FOR A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

HE'S, HE'S HERE, BUT THAT, THAT'S DON'T, HE'S STANDING RIGHT BACK THERE.

I THINK, I THINK THAT REFLECTION OFF HIS HEAD.

YEAH, THAT'S A ARE YOU ASKING THE CHIEF THIS TO COME DOWN? YEAH, THAT'S, I THINK SHE JUST DID.

I'M JUST CURIOUS IF YOU COULD GIVE US A PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT MIGHT HELP YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN REGARDS TO SOME OF THE UNMET NEEDS IN THE BUDGET.

MORNING COUNSEL.

GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU CHIEF NICKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

[01:50:01]

OH, THANK YOU.

UM, YEAH, I MEAN MY, EVERYTHING THE CHIEF IS ASKING FOR AND UNMET NEEDS IS SORELY NEEDED.

UH, AND I WAS ADVOCATING FOR THOSE IN PAST YEARS.

UH, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE AERIAL SEPARATELY, BUT I'M ADVOCATING NOW FOR, UM, SOMETHING THAT'LL HELP MENTAL HEALTH AND FIREFIGHTERS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF US KNOW THAT WE HAD A SUICIDE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THAT WAS MENTAL HEALTH RELATED SUICIDE.

WE'VE HAD THREE OTHERS IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND, UH, WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN SOME TALK ABOUT A WORK WEEK REDUCTION.

BUT TO GET A WORK CREEK REDUCTION, IT REALLY HAS TWO COMPONENTS.

ONE COMPONENT IS REDUCING WORKLOAD TO REDUCE WORKLOAD, YOU NEED TO INCREASE FTES.

TO YOUR POINT, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.

THE OTHER PART IS THE SCHEDULE CHANGE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE BOTH TO REALLY HAVE THE FULL EFFECT OF THE WORK CREEK REDUCTION TO PROVIDE BENEFIT TO THE FIREFIGHTERS.

UH, WE KNOW THAT WE'RE GONNA START THE WORK CREEK REDUCTION ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.

HOWEVER, IF THE FTES ARE NOT IN THE PIPELINE BY THEN, WE DON'T GET THE FULL EFFECT TO THE FIREFIGHTERS.

SO WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IS THAT WE USE SOME OF THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING TO, I MEAN, IT'S ABOUT $1.75 MILLION TO START THAT CADET CLASS NOW BEFORE THE WORKWEEK REDUCTION COMES IN, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1ST.

AND THEN BY THE TIME SEPTEMBER 1ST ROLLS AROUND, WE WILL HAVE THE FULL EFFECT, THE WORKWEEK REDUCTION IN TERMS OF REDUCING WORKLOAD AND CHANGING THE SCHEDULE TO DO ONE AND WITHOUT THE OTHER.

GIVE YOU THE FULL EFFECT IN TERMS OF THE, OKAY, GO AHEAD.

OH, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WHEN YOU GET DONE, I'D LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THE AERIAL AND THEN I'LL BE FINISHED WITH MY QUESTIONS.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU.

NO, I WAS MOVING TO THE AERIAL ACTUALLY.

UM, AND THE AERIAL, MY REMEMBRANCE IS DIFFERENT.

UH, THE AERIAL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE BUDGET SEVERAL YEARS AGO, UH, AS A PARTIAL YEAR FUNDING.

AND THE STAFFING WAS, AND SO WE ALREADY HAD THE AERIAL AND WE ALREADY DO HAVE ONE OF THE AERIALS NOW.

UH, WE'VE HAD IT FOR YEARS.

AND SO ALL WE NEED IS THE STAFFING TO PUT A FRONT LINE.

IT WAS ACTUALLY, THE STAFFING WAS IN THE BUDGET FIVE YEARS AGO AND THEN IT WAS TAKEN OUT, IT WAS MOVED TO PARTIAL YEAR FUNDING, THEN TAKEN OUT THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR.

I THINK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOLE TRIED TO PUT IT BACK IN AND THERE WAS A LOT OF, UM, COMPETITION FOR THOSE DOLLARS THAT DIDN'T OCCUR.

SO MY REMEMBRANCE, AND I THINK IF YOU REVIEWED THE TRANSCRIPTS, IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT THE AERIAL, THAT ONE AERIAL IS, IS AVAILABLE NOW AND WE'RE NOT WAITING FOR IT TO COME IN FROM BEING PURCHASED.

SO IF WE WERE TO PROVIDE THE STAFFING DOLLARS TODAY AND THE CHIEF COULD CONFIRM THAT FOR CONSULTING WITH HIS, UH, STAFF, UH, WE COULD, WE COULD PUT THAT FRONT LINE, UH, IN, UH, APPARATUS IN THE SERVICE RELATIVELY QUICKLY.

WE'RE JUST WAITING ON THE STAFFING FOR THE, UH, THE, THE APPOINT FOR THE STAFFING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU COLLEAGUES FOR, UM, FOR HUMORING ME WITH ALLOWING HIM TO COME UP.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY IN SAYING THAT, I DON'T MEAN ANY CRITICISM OF ANYBODY.

IT'S VERY COMPLICATED OVER TIME TO REMEMBER THESE SORT OF THINGS, BUT I THINK ABOUT IT QUITE A BIT.

SO HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT CLARITY.

AND THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AGAIN IN THE NEXT SLIDE.

THANK YOU CHIEF.

UM, MS. LANG, NEXT WE WILL DISCUSS PARKS AND RECREATION, UM, THEIR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.

UM, IN FY 25, THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR PARKS MAINTAINS THEIR CURRENT STAFFING AT 110 POSITIONS OR FTES FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE.

UM, WE, UM, PARK STAFF AND THE FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT DID A RECENT ANALYSIS COMPARING THE PARKS GROUNDS MAINTENANCE PORTFOLIO AND SERVICE LEVELS FROM FISCAL YEAR 20, UH, 2014 TO AND FISCAL YEAR 2023, ANNETTE FIVE NEW POSITIONS OR FTES WERE ADDED.

UM, BUT THIS DID NOT KEEP PACE WITH THE SERVICE DEMANDS, UM, ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW ACREAGE THAT WAS, UH, UH, BROUGHT UNDER MANAGEMENT.

645 NEW ACRES WERE INCREASING IN PARK LAND AND THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE MADE TO EXISTING PARKS, UM, PARKS DID UM, SUBMIT AN UNMET NEED FOR 1.5 MILLION ONGOING AND 16 NEW GROUNDS MAINTENANCE FTES TO RESTORE, UM, SERVICE FREQUENCIES TO WHAT THEY HAD AT THE FISCAL YEAR 14 LEVELS.

UM, THESE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES KIND OF SHOWS THAT, UM, THOSE CHANGES YEAR OVER YEAR WHEN WE COMPARE 2014 TO 2023, THE SERVICE LEVELS THAT WERE, UM, PROVIDED AT 2014 FOR MOWING, YOU CAN SEE LEVEL TWO AND 2014 AND LEVEL THREE, UM, AT 32% AND 63% COMPARED TO WE ARE DOING PRIMARILY LEVEL THREE IN 2023.

[01:55:02]

AT RESTROOM SERVICES ARE LITTER, TRASH, AND RECYCLING SERVICES.

WE ARE PRIMARILY DOING LEVEL TWO SERVICES, UM, FOR, UM, RESTROOM LITTER AND RECYCLING SERVICES IN 2023.

SO HAPPY TO BRING THE PARKS TEAMS, THE PART TEAMS UP, UM, TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

I KNOW THERE'S GONNA BE A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS HERE, SO WHO WANTS TO START OFF? OKAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A FEW QUESTIONS, SO I'LL, I'LL ASK THE FIRST COUPLE THAT I HAVE AND I MAY NEED TO RAISE MY HAND AGAIN TOWARD THE END.

UM, SO OBVIOUSLY SEEING AN UNMET NEED LISTED AT $1.5 MILLION IS, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING I THINK A NUMBER OF US ARE INTERESTED IN, IN TAKING A LOOK AT.

UM, I KNOW THERE'S WORK THAT AUDIT AND FINANCE HAS DONE UNDER ALLISON ALTER'S LEADERSHIP TO TALK ABOUT LEVEL OF MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE OVER THE YEARS, SO I APPRECIATE HAVING THE INFORMATION OF THE, UM, SURVEY THAT HAD BEEN DONE BETWEEN 2014 AND 2023.

UM, I DID NOTICE IN THE WAY THAT THE BUDGET IS LISTED, IT APPEARS THAT ONE OF THE POSITIONS FOR HOMELESS RESPONSE UNIT IS MOVING OVER TO THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE.

SO I KNOW THAT OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, EVEN THOUGH CAMPING HAS NEVER BEEN ALLOWED IN PARKLAND, UM, IT WAS NEVER THE CASE.

EVEN AS THE RULES CHANGED BACK AND FORTH, UM, THAT PARKS STILL FOUND A NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT LEVEL OF SERVICE WAS BEING ADDRESSED AND THERE WAS SOMEONE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE PARKS PROGRAM TO BE ABLE TO HELP WITH ANY SORT OF ENCAMPMENT ISSUES.

UM, WITH THAT POSITION BEING MOVED OUT, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS COULD BE A YES AND CONVERSATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO HAVE SOMEONE IN HSO ASSISTING WITHOUT NECESSARILY PENALIZING THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, WHO REALLY HAD TO SWITCH GEARS IN REAL TIME AND ASSIGN A DIVISION MANAGER TO THAT LOCATION.

CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NEEDS AND IF YOU'RE LOSING, UM, A POSITION THAT COULD BE HELPFUL IN OTHER WAYS FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND LAND MANAGEMENT? YES.

UH, GOOD AFTERNOON.

ANGELA MEANS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

YES, WE HAVE TRANSFERRED A, A POSITION OVER TO OUR HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE, BUT OUR DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS, UH, FOUR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO HOMELESSNESS ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP, AND THEY'RE FAMILIAR WITH OUR PARK SYSTEM, AND SO THEY'RE ABLE TO GET INTO THE SPECIFIC AREAS WHERE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED, UH, THE NEED.

WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE, ALONG WITH THE AUSTIN PUBLIC OR AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND SO AT THIS TIME, UH, WE ARE, BECAUSE OF THE COLLABORATION, WE HAVE NOT SEEN A LOSS, UH, BECAUSE OF THE POSITION THAT IT WAS TRANSFERRED TO.

UH, HSO, UH, THEY'RE VERY, UH, TIGHT PARTNERS WITH US.

WE MEET WITH THEM OR SPEAK WITH THEM, IF NOT DAILY, WEEKLY, AND SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

OKAY, THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR.

I KNOW THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE HAS BEEN DOING GREAT WORK, AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT LOSING ANY, UM, HOURS AND ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO, TO STILL WORK IN NATURAL RESOURCES WITH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.

UM, AS THESE TWO DEPARTMENTS COLLABORATE TOGETHER, UH, A SIMILAR NOTE, IT APPEARS THE, THERE'S TWO POSITIONS FROM THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS THAT ARE MOVING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

CAN YOU SPEAK A BIT ABOUT WHY THEY'RE GOING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT? I CANNOT SPEAK TO THAT, BUT I WILL SAY, UH, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL AREAS WHERE WE HAVE TRANSFERRED, UH, POSITIONS OUT OF, UH, THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS INTO JUST FOR BETTER ALIGNMENT.

AND, UM, THIS MAY BE ONE OF THEM, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SPECIFICS TO THAT.

AREAS, WE DO PARTNER WITH THE, UM, OUR PARTNER DEPARTMENTS.

SOUNDS GOOD.

I WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

AND THEN, AS FAR AS YOUR LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND FACILITIES AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO BE RAMPING UP.

UM, AS FAR AS LAND MAIN MAINTENANCE, THERE'S A, A HIGH CONCERN OF MINE AS A LOT OF FOLKS SHOULD FEEL IF THEY'RE REPRESENTING AREAS ON THE EDGES OF TOWN, WHETHER THEY'RE EAST, WEST, NORTH, SOUTH, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LAND THAT WE'RE ACQUIRING IS NOT GOING UNDER MAINTAINED.

UM, WILDFIRE RISK IS, IS HUGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE AS WE BALANCE THE NEEDS OF BUYING MORE LAND AND BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN IT.

UM, WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND LAND MANAGEMENT IN, IN THAT REGARD FOR YOUR BUDGET THIS YEAR? IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT WE TAKE A LOOK AT.

WE ALSO PARTNER WITH THE, UH, FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THIS, THIS ISSUE.

UH, WE DO PRESCRIBE BURNS AND ON THE EDGE OF THE, UH, COMMUNITY JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING RESPONSIBLE, UH, IN PROTECTING ALL OF OUR, OUR, OUR LAND.

AND SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR US.

UM, BUT WE DO, LIKE IN OTHER

[02:00:01]

THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.

DO I SEE CARRIE LANG HAS HER HAND ON THE BUTTON? YES.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER.

SO THE, UM, AUSTIN CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS WAS MOVED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS PART OF THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

SO WE MOVED ALL OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INTO EDD, AND THAT WAS, THAT'S WHY THAT TRANSITION HAPPENED.

AND ARE THOSE POSITIONS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, YOU KNOW, EDUCATIONAL POSITIONS, IF THEIR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, OR ARE THEY START, YOU KNOW, BEGINNING POSITIONS FOR FOLKS INTERESTED? THOSE POSITIONS WILL CONTINUE THE WORK OF A CCC.

UM, AND THEY MANAGE THAT PROGRAM SO THEY'LL MAKE SURE THAT THE CONTRACTS CON THAT, UH, SUPPORT THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE.

SO I BELIEVE THAT PROGRAM REALLY, UM, FUNCTIONS ON CONTRACTING OUT WITH OTHER PARTNERS, UH, UM, IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THOSE PART, THOSE PARTICULAR POSITIONS WILL CONTINUE THAT CONTRACTED WORK.

THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

I'LL JUST FLAG FOR MY COLLEAGUES, THE, THE UNMET NEED OF THE 16 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES IS SOMETHING I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN US FINDING A WAY TO DO.

SO I HOPE THAT WE'LL, WE'LL THINK ABOUT THAT AS WE BALANCE OUR PRIORITIES MOVING FORWARD.

THANKS.

COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

I WANT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, YOU KNOW, THE, THE KEY WORD IN, IN CARRIE'S PRESENTATIONS, THIS WILL HELP GET US THERE, RIGHT? WHEN IN AUDIT AND FINANCE WE LEARNED THAT WE ARE 96 FTES SHORT AND FROM A MAINTENANCE PERSPECTIVE.

SO THIS IS ONLY A SIXTH OF THE NEED TO GET US JUST BACK TO 2014 LEVELS.

SO I WANTED TO ASK YOU SPECIFICALLY, IF WE WERE TO APPROVE THESE FTES, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THE, THE MATERIALS, UM, CARRIE PROVIDED, IT SEEMS LIKE PRIMARILY THEY'LL BE DOING A LOT OF THE LITTER TRASH, JUST KEEPING OUR PARKS CLEAN.

IS THAT, THAT WOULD BE CORRECT.

SO IF WE WERE TO RECEIVE THE 16 FTES, THAT WOULD TAKE US BACK TO THE 2014 LEVELS, AND THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE SERVICE LEVELS.

AND SO, UH, BASED ON THE PRESENTATION THAT YOU SEE, UH, FOR EXAMPLE, RESTROOM SERVICING IN 2014 WAS PRIMARILY COMPLETED AT A LEVEL ONE.

AND AT THIS TIME WE ARE AT A LEVEL TWO.

SO THE 16 ADDITIONAL FTES WOULD TAKE US BACK PRIMARILY BACK TO A LEVEL ONE IN REGARDS TO, UH, RESTROOM SERVICING AND THROUGHOUT, UH, THE DIFFERENT, UH, AREAS.

UM, I ALSO WANNA HIGHLIGHT THE, THE FOUR TEMPORARY POSITIONS THAT WERE PRIMARILY STAFFED OR, UM, YEAH, STAFFED TO HELP CLEAN UP OUR ABANDONED CAMPSITES WITHIN OUR PARKS.

UH, IT'S AN ISSUE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE SEE A LOT IN DISTRICT FIVE, AND SO THAT'S A VERY HIGH PRIORITY FOR MYSELF, MY CONSTITUENTS, TO ENSURE THAT THESE AREAS, UH, THAT ARE OUR PUBLIC SPACES REMAIN CLEAN AND ACCESSIBLE.

AND SO, UH, IT'S MY HOPE WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO, TO CONTINUE THOSE TEMPORARY POSITIONS, MAKE THEM PERMANENT.

I DO WANNA SWITCH GEARS ON YOU A LITTLE BIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT PARKLAND ACQUISITION.

AND WE'RE GONNA BE SUBMITTING A, A BUDGET QUESTION THAT WILL LOOK HISTORICALLY AT OUR PLD DOLLARS AND, UH, WHAT, WHEN HOUSE BILL 1526 CAME INTO EFFECT, WHAT, WHAT TYPE OF EFFECTS THAT HAD, BECAUSE ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS THERE IS THAT INSTEAD OF GETTING THE DOLLARS AT THE SITE PLAN STAGE, WE'RE HAVING TO WAIT UNTIL THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.

AND SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE THIS GAP IN PARKLAND DEDICATION FUNDS, UH, AS WELL AS JUST THE MAGNITUDE OF WHAT THOSE FUNDS ARE.

BUT I WAS HOPING YOU COULD HELP TALK ABOUT WHERE PARKLAND DEDICATION FUNDS FIT INTO OUR LAND ACQUISITION, BOTH STRATEGY AND JUST HOW WE HAVE DONE IT, WHERE IT HAS FIT.

FOR PURCHASING LAND COMES FROM BONDS.

UH, IN THE PAST WE HAVE RECEIVED AROUND 20 MILLION, ANYWHERE BETWEEN 19 TO $25 MILLION ANNUALLY, UH, IN PARKLAND DEDICATION FUNDS.

UH, WE USE THOSE FUNDS TO SUPPLEMENT OUR LAND ACQUISITION.

SO OUR LAND ACQUI ACQUISITION IS PRIMARILY FUNDED WITH BOND FUNDS.

AND IN THE 2018 BONDS, WE RECEIVED, UH, NEARLY $50 MILLION FOR LAND ACQUISITION.

AND SO WHAT WE DO IS WE TAKE BOTH THE BOND FUNDS ALONG WITH THE PLD, AND THAT'S HOW WE MOVE FORWARD WITH SECURING LAND.

AND WOULD YOU SAY THAT THEY, THEY KIND OF GO HAND IN HAND, LIKE YOU, THE, THE BOND DOLLARS ARE A GOOD START, BUT THE PARKLAND DEDICATION MONEY KIND OF PLUGS IN THE HOLES AND VICE VERSA? PARKLAND DEDICATION CAN'T BE DONE WITHOUT THAT.

IS THAT, I WOULD SAY SO THE BULK OF THE FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE FOR, THAT WE NEED

[02:05:01]

AND SO OUR PLD IS DEFINITELY USED TO, UH, CLOSE THAT GAP.

AND CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PARTS IDENTIFIED LAND NEEDS OR, OR WHERE WE HAVE THOSE, UM, AREAS OF THE CITY THAT ARE NOT WITHIN THAT ARE PARKLAND DEFICIENT? YES.

SO OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE A PARKS AVAILABLE FOR ALL CITIZENS WITHIN A WALKING DISTANCE.

AND SO IN THE URBAN CORE, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE INDIVIDUALS BE ABLE TO WALK TO, UH, THEIR PARK WITHIN A FIVE MINUTE, UM, PERIOD OF TIME.

AND OUTSIDE OF THE URBAN CORE, WITHIN 10 MINUTES, WE ARE CURRENTLY AS A CITY, UH, AT 70%, WE'VE ACHIEVED THAT RATE AT A 70% RATE, BUT THERE ARE PARTS OF THE CITY, UM, THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AS DEFICIT.

AND SO AS WE PLAN ON OUR LAND ACQUISITIONS, WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE OUR DEFICITS ARE, AND THAT'S WHAT DRIVES US TO THE AREAS, UM, OF, OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

AND WOULD YOU SAY THERE'S ONE AREA OF THE CITY OVER ANOTHER THAT IS MORE PARKLAND DEFICIENT THAN OTHERS, OR IS IT UNIFORMLY SPREAD OUT? I WOULD SAY IT'S UNIFORMLY SPREAD OUT.

THERE ARE AREAS, UM, IN THE CITY, UH, I WOULD SAY, I WANNA SAY THE NORTH NORTHEASTERN AREA, UM, THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED.

BUT I WOULD JUST IN GENERAL, IT'S ALL OVER THE CITY.

UH, WELL, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHTS ON THAT AND, UM, LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING ADDRESS THIS CRITICAL NEED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

QUESTIONS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

UM, I WANTED TO GET A GREATER CLARITY ON THE TEMP POSITIONS.

SO IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THERE'S A GROUP OF 10 POSITIONS THAT WE HAD FROM ONE TIME MONEY IN THE FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET, AND THAT'S NOT CONTINUING.

BUT THEN WE'VE ALSO HEARD DISCUSSION OF THE HOMELESS POSITIONS BEING TEMPORARY.

ARE THOSE TWO SEPARATE BUCKETS OF PEOPLE OF PEOPLE, OR ARE THEY THE SAME OR, AND HAVE THEY BOTH BEEN CONTINUED? SO THE ONE THAT'S BEING TRANSFERRED TO HSO, THAT'S A PERMANENT POSITION.

THAT'S ONE, UH, SOURCE.

THE FOUR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES THAT WE REFERENCE, THAT IS THE FOUR THAT WE HAVE IN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT THAT, UH, HANDLES OUR ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS THAT ARE NON-ACTIVE.

BUT ARE THEY BEING REFUNDED ON A TEMPORARY BASIS IN THIS BUDGET OR ARE THEY NOT FUNDED CURRENT CURRENTLY FOR, UH, THE CURRENT BUDGET, WE HAVE FUNDING FOR IT.

FOR FY 25.

WE'RE, THEY'RE IN, WE'RE IN DISCUSSION.

AND SO, UM, IT IS A PRIORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

IT'S A PRIORITY FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE THAT SERVICE BECAUSE IT IS A NEED.

SO I'VE SEEN A LOT OF NUMBERS FOR PARKS, SO I'M, I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED HERE.

WE HAD A, I THOUGHT WE HAD SOME TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES THAT WERE FOR THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE, FOR THE RESTROOMS AND LITTER THAT WERE ALSO NOT BEING FOR CONTINUED.

IS THERE ALSO FOR, FOR HOMELESSNESS OR IS IT JUST THE FOUR? NO, THERE'S, THIS IS THE FOUR FOR THE HOMELESS, FOUR MAINTENANCE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, THAT'S THE 110 FTES.

AND WE ALSO HAVE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES THAT WE UTILIZE IN OUR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AREAS.

SO IF WE TALK ABOUT WANTING, UM, 16 FTES TO GET BACK TO THE SERVICE LEVEL, THEN WE ALSO NEED THE FOUR, UM, TEMPORARY, AT LEAST AT A TEMPORARY BASIS, IF NOT ON AN ONGOING BASIS? THAT'S CORRECT.

YOU PRESENT THE BUDGET, WE WANTED YOU TO TELL US, WELL, WHAT LEVEL OF SERVICE ARE WE GETTING FOR THE MONEY THAT WE'RE DEVOTING TO THIS? AND I'M NOT SURE, ARE YOU, I'M NOT SURE WE'RE AT THE SAME LEVEL AS LAST YEAR.

AND SO, UM, WHEN WE, WHEN WE THEN LOOK AT THE, YOU KNOW, I, I, WE HAD MEETINGS IN, IN AUDIT AND FINANCE AND AS CHAIR OF AUDIT AND FINANCE, WE WORKED WITH, UM, MS. LANG AND THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO COME UP WITH AN AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SERVICE LEVELS ARE.

UM, AND, YOU KNOW, JUST IN CASE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE NOT IN OUR DISCUSSIONS AND NOT IN FINANCE, YOU KNOW, REALLY WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW IS WE ARE NOT DELIVERING SERVICES AT THE LEVEL, UM, THAT WE WERE DELIVERING THEM IN 2014.

JUST LOOKING AT A COUPLE MEASURES.

THERE'S OTHER SERVICE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO THAT ARE NOT CAPTURED HERE.

SO THIS IS SIMPLY LOOKING AT MOWING AND LOOKING AT RESTROOM AND LITTER ABATEMENT.

AND WE'RE NOT EVEN AT LEVEL ONE WHERE WE WERE, OR LEVEL TWO WHERE WE WERE IN 2014.

UM, AND THE CALCULATIONS ARE THAT WE NEED 16 FOR THAT.

THE HOMELESS, UM, ENCAMPMENT ISSUE WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THAT, I HAVE, UM, YOU KNOW, ASKED WHAT OUR SERVICE LEVEL WOULD BE THIS YEAR WITH THE GIVEN BUDGET AND TO KNOW THAT, UM, AND I'M, I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHETHER THE SERVICE LEVEL THAT IS BEING, UM, PROPOSED FOR THIS YEAR.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY MINUS THE FOUR HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT, UM, ASSIGNED MAINTENANCE WORKERS.

UM, BUT ON THESE CHARTS, WE HAVE 2023.

AND, AND REALLY WHAT WE'D ASKED IN THE AUDIT AND FINANCES, WHEN

[02:10:01]

I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

YEAH, I UNDERSTAND.

UM, I WOULD SAY WE ARE PRIMARILY AT WHAT YOU, WHAT'S REFLECTED ON THE SLIDE FOR THE, UH, ESTIMATED 2023 TODAY CURRENTLY.

SO, UM, OKAY.

UM, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT WHAT THE RESTROOMS ARE LIKE.

WE'VE ALL WALKED BY THE PARK AND SEEN THE GRASS, YOU KNOW, UP ABOVE, WELL ABOVE OUR ANKLES AND PEOPLE TRYING TO PLAY ON IT.

UM, AND I THINK THAT, UM, WE, WE REALLY DO NEED TO FIND A WAY, AT MINIMUM, TO GET BACK TO 2014.

AND WE NEED A PLAN, UH, MOVING FORWARD AND CITY MANAGER, YOU KNOW, WE TALKED AND YOU SAID YOU WERE READY AND YOU WERE GONNA TELL US HOW WE WERE GONNA DO THIS.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.

AND, UH, I DON'T REMEMBER THAT DIRECT STATEMENT OR CONVERSATION, BUT I WILL CLEARLY, UH, ANSWER, UH, PROBABLY NOT JUST FOR PARKS AND REC BECAUSE I, I HEAR IN UNDERTONE IN A BROADER CONVERSATION, UH, AROUND, UH, MAINTENANCE, UH, UM, BUDGET ONGOING FUNDING VERSUS ONE TIME FUNDING.

ODDLY FUNDING QUITE A FEW THINGS THAT ARE TYPICALLY ONGOING WITH ONE-TIME FUNDING LEADS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT I'M HEARING, UH, IN MY FIRST, UH, ITERATION OF CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNCIL AROUND BUDGET.

UH, EVEN THE DISCUSSION AROUND THE FIRE, UH, STAFFING, WHETHER FOREPERSON, UM, STAFFING AND THE OVERTIME CONVERSATIONS WITH POLICE AS WELL AS FIRE I, I THINK DEMONSTRATES, UH, AT LEAST TO ME, THAT THERE, THERE PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE A GREATER CONVERSATION AROUND, UH, BASIC AND ORDINARY LEVELS OF SERVICE ACROSS, UH, ALL OPERATIONS, UH, AND HOW WE FUND THOSE, UH, IN SOME CASES AS OPPOSED TO FUNDING NEW ITEMS. UH, AND, AND STARTING TO FOCUS ON THE UNMET NEEDS AREAS.

AND SO IN THIS REGARD, UH, YOU KNOW, HAVING A CONVERSATION AROUND, UH, TEMPORARY STAFFING, PARTICULARLY AROUND HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS AND CLEANUP, WHICH I KNOW IS A BIG ISSUE, UH, OUTSIDE OF PARKS, BUT ODDLY, UH, IN TRAILS AND OTHER AREAS WHERE, UH, IN SOME CASES YOU CAN'T SEE AND FIND, UH, PLACES TO ENJOY THE OUTSIDE, I THINK, UH, WE PROBABLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE FUND THAT NOW, TRYING TO GET FROM 2014 LEVELS, UM, OR BACK TO 2014 LEVELS IN 2024 IS AN ODD STATEMENT AND COMMENT IN AND OF ITSELF TO HAVE IN 2024, AS IF THAT IS AN UNFOUND AND UNRECOGNIZED NEED AND EXPERIENCE.

AND SO THE ISSUE OF GOING TO 16, UH, POSITIONS ALL AT ONCE IS PROBABLY ROUGHLY TWO AND A HALF TO $3 MILLION IF YOU ADD THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR THE PEOPLE.

UH, AND, AND IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE, I, I THINK THAT'S GONNA BE CHALLENGING, UH, IN MY OPINION.

AND SO THE PLAN WILL NOT SPECIFY, WE CAN PUT IN THE BUDGET COMMENTS AND COME BACK AND ADDRESS, HERE'S WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE, BUT IT WOULD DEFINITELY NOT BE, UH, UNLESS COUNCIL WANTED AND OR DIRECTED AND OR WE FOUND RESOURCES TO DO, UH, 16 POSITIONS, UH, SPECIFICALLY, UH, TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ALL IN ONE FELL SWOOP.

UH, WE'D HAVE TO COME BACK AND REVISIT THAT, UH, BASED ON AVAILABLE FUNDING.

BUT SAME CONVERSATION AROUND ANIMAL CARE, UH, AND WHAT WE COULD OR SHOULD BE DOING.

UH, THERE, I I THINK THERE'S A BROADER, UH, CONVERSATION THAT I NEED TO MAKE SURE I'M HEARING GOOD DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL ON WHERE YOU WANNA LEAN INTO TO, TO DEAL WITH HISTORICALLY UNDERFUNDED AREAS, UH, BECAUSE THOSE THINGS SHOULDN'T SKIP A BUDGET YEAR IF IN FACT THEY'RE THAT IMPORTANT IN THEIR PRIORITIES OF THE COUNCIL.

AND SO I WOULD SAY I'VE HEARD THIS CONVERSATION, I THINK I'VE SEEN THE WORK THAT STAFF IS PREPARED, UH, AND I SEE THE NEED THAT STILL IS OUTSTANDING.

AND IF COUNCIL'S GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION IS TO TRY TO FIGURE THAT OUT DURING THIS YEAR, UH, THEN WE'LL GO BACK AND FIGURE THAT OUT AND BRING YOU THE OPTIONS AND LAY OUT, UH, NOT JUST WITH THIS, BUT ANY OTHER THING THAT WE BELIEVE IS DOABLE.

UH, BUT I'D LOVE TO HEAR THAT AND I'M HEARING IT AROUND THIS AREA.

UH, BUT I WANNA PUT ON OUR REALISTIC GOGGLES AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THOSE CHOICES AND PRIORITIES COME, UH, AT SOME DEFICIT TO SOME OTHER AREA.

AND IF THOSE ARE THINGS THAT YOU'D LIKE US TO GO BACK AND EXPLORE, WE WILL DO THAT.

THAT KIDS ARE GETTING INJURED ON OUR FIELDS AND OR JUST DON'T PLAY ON THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR CONDITION.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MEDICINE AND COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

UH, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

I ACTUALLY JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION, AND IT'S ABOUT GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, BUT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT SPORTS FIELDS MAINTENANCE.

I GET A LOT, A LOT, A LOT OF COMPLAINTS, AND AT LEAST HALF OF THEM HAVE THE SUBJECT LINE, ANKLE BREAKER.

UM, WE HAVE REAL CONCERNS

[02:15:01]

AND THEN HAVING OUR KIDS DO LIKE AWAY GAMES AND GO TO WEST AUSTIN AND HAVE PRISTINE, WELL KEPT FIELDS AND THEY CAN'T GET OUT OF THE EAST SIDE WITHOUT SNAPPING SOMETHING.

SO I'M JUST, I, I GUESS WHILE I RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE MOVING INTO THIS SORT OF SCARCITY PROTECTION OF OUR LIMITED RESOURCES, EVERYTHING IS FINITE.

I GET IT.

BUT I'D LIKE TO KNOW, HOW DO I RESPOND TO THOSE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS? 'CAUSE I GET THEM OFTEN.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

I WILL SAY THAT THIS IS PART OF THE SAME CONVERSATION WE'RE HAVING.

AND SO OUR GRAIN GROUNDS MAINTENANCE STAFF, UH, THE LEADERSHIP LOOKS AT THE ENTIRE CITY WHEN THEY'RE, WHEN THE, IF THEY HAVE TO REDUCE A SERVICE LEVEL IN A PARK MM-HMM.

OR ON AN ATHLETIC FIELD, TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE COORDINATING WITH THE TEAMS THAT ARE AT THE FACILITY IF THERE ARE SPECIAL EVENTS OR IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC GAMES THAT ARE GOING TO OCCUR.

UH, SO IT'S AN AREA WHERE WE TRY TO STRETCH THE DOLLARS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS YOU HAVE THOSE INSTANCES THAT YOU'RE HEARING THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT.

UM, TO YOUR POINT ABOUT STRETCHING THE DOLLARS, JUST OUTTA CURIOSITY, DO Y'ALL FOLLOW SOME SORT OF MASTER CAP? LIKE HOW DO YOU KEEP UP WITH THAT INFORMATION? YES, THEY HAVE A SCHEDULE, UM, OKAY.

FOR, FOR MOWING AS WELL AS THE SERVICING OF ALL OF OUR PARKS.

OH, NO, NO, I MEANT, I'M SORRY.

HOW DO YOU KEEP UP WITH ALL THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, GAMES, PREPARATION FOR, LIKE, HOW DO Y'ALL KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THAT? THE MANAGEMENT APP, THE SPECIFIC SITE KEEPS TRACK OF ALL OF THAT.

UNDERSTOOD.

AND THEN MY OTHER QUESTION ABOUT THAT IS WHAT MECHANISM DO WE HAVE? SO SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED RECENTLY WHERE I WAS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH A FRIEND AND THEIR PARK WASN'T MAINTAINED FOR WHATEVER THE REASON IS, BUT THEY HIRED A PRIVATE SERVICE TO COME IN AND CLEAN IT UP BEFORE THE ACTIVITY TOOK PLACE.

NOT EVERYBODY CAN DO THAT, OBVIOUSLY.

I, I'M CURIOUS THOUGH ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WELL-MEANING DO GOODERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE LOOKING AT OUR POCKET PARKS AND ALLEYS AND THINGS THAT NEED SOME ATTENTION, BUT THE CITY HAD HADN'T MADE ITS WAY OUT YET.

HOW DO PRIVATE DOLLARS HELP TO EXTEND OUR LIMITED RESOURCES IN THAT WAY? DO WE HAVE A THING, LIKE, I KNOW WE HAVE LIKE A KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL, BUT I MEAN, SOMETHING THAT DIRECTLY GOES TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN SUPPORT OF OUR EFFORTS TO KEEP OUR PARKS AND GREEN SPACES MAINTAINED? WELL, YES.

WE HAVE SEVERAL PROGRAMS WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS.

UH, AND IT COULD BE THROUGH ADOPT A PARK OR, UH, JUST ON SOME OF THE OCCASIONS WHERE WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS COME IN TO, UH, CLEAN UP ON A SATURDAY OR, OR, OR ASSIST WITH THAT, WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR, UH, OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH, UH, VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS, UH, SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY GROUPS.

AND SO WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS.

SOME OF THOSE INCLUDE MAINTENANCE, UH, SUPPORT, OTHERS DO NOT.

I THINK, UM, WELL, I CAN APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE'S MONEY? MM-HMM.

LIKE, I THINK WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT, MORE TREASURE.

THAT GOES TOWARDS PART THAT'S, YOU KNOW, IF, IF WE COLLECTIVELY APPRECIATE HAVING ACCESS TO THESE GREEN SPACES, WE ALSO HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE CITY CAN'T DO EVERYTHING FOR ALL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.

UM, IN WHICH CASE, I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT DO WE HAVE A MECHANISM FOR PRIVATE CITIZENS TO PAY INTO A FUND OF SORTS THAT HELPS THE CITY OVERALL OUTSIDE OF CONSERVATORIES, OUTSIDE OF ORGANIZATIONS.

IS THERE A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, I CAN DIRECTLY OUTSIDE OF THIS 5 0 1 C3 CONTRIBUTE TO THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR CITY'S PARKS AND, YOU KNOW, GIVE THE DOLLARS DIRECTLY? IS THAT A THING WE HAVE? I DO NOT.

I'M NOT AWARE THAT WE HAVE ONE.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.

UM, SO I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS.

THE FIRST IS ABOUT THE PLAY FOR ALL PARK IN SPRINGWOOD PARK IN MY DISTRICT.

I WANTED TO KNOW IF WE HAD AN UPDATE ON THAT, OR IF WE'D BEEN ABLE TO PARTNER WITH A NOT-FOR-PROFIT SO THAT THEY COULD RAISE THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING NECESSARY TO START THAT PARK.

SO I'LL START WITH THAT QUESTION.

I DO NOT HAVE THAT ANSWER FOR YOU, BUT I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.

THAT'S GREAT.

AND THEN MY OTHER QUESTION IS RELATED TO THE PARD BUDGET, UM, AND CEMETERIES.

SO THIS WAS A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH OUR PRIOR PARKS DIRECTOR RELATED TO BURIAL SERVICES.

I'M WONDERING IF IT INCLUDED HIRING FTES FOR THOSE POSITIONS IN LIEU OF USING CONTRACTORS.

THAT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF OUR UNMET NEEDS.

WE ARE, UH, WE HAVE EIGHT POSITIONS THAT WE ARE, WE WERE INTERESTED IN SPECIFICALLY FOUR CEMETERY.

FOUR OF THOSE WERE FOUR, UH, THE BURIAL SERVICES IN LIEU OF THE CONTRACT.

THESE EMPLOYEES OUTRIGHT.

SO COULD YOU TALK TO ME SO THAT MY COLLEAGUES AND I COULD BETTER UNDERSTAND, UM, WHAT COST SAVINGS THAT WOULD PROVIDE IN LIEU OF UTILIZING CONTRACTS? BECAUSE I'M UNDERSTANDING IT'S SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS IF WE WERE TO JUST HIRE

[02:20:01]

IF YOU GIVE ME A MINUTE, PLEASE.

OH, ABSOLUTELY.

MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, LUCAS MASSEY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE PARKS.

UM, SO WE, WE DO HAVE A DETERMINED AGREEMENT THAT IS SCHEDULED TO END AT THE END OF NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

AND MOVING TO AN, AN INTERNAL, UM, FTE PROVIDED SERVICE, UH, AT THIS POINT WOULD SAVE US, UH, ROUGHLY ABOUT HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.

THE, THE TOTAL AGREEMENT IS FOR A MILLION AND EXITING THAT AGREEMENT, UM, AND ADDING FOUR, FOUR FTES FOR, UH, IN TERM OF SERVICE IS, IS IT ABOUT THAT MUCH? SO YOU SAID HALF A MILLION.

I'M SORRY, YOU CUT OUT.

THAT'S, THAT'S CORRECT.

SO IT'S HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN SAVINGS.

AND OF THOSE 16 FTES THAT ARE IN YOUR UNMET NEEDS, HOW MANY OF THOSE INCLUDE THE ONES RELATED TO CEMETERY AND BURIAL SERVICES? THE 16 DO NOT INCLUDE, UH, THE CEMETERY STAFF, IF THAT'S ALL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE.

THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.

AND COLLEAGUES, I MAINLY BRING THIS UP BECAUSE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO I TALK TO IN THE COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY DON'T REALIZE THAT THIS IS A SERVICE THAT THE CITY PROVIDES.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED AND WE SHOULD CONTINUE IT.

SO I WANT TO JUST SIGNAL TO YOU ALL THAT I PLAN ON BRINGING SOMETHING FORWARD RELATED TO THE NEEDS OF THE CEMETERY AND THE BURIALS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE RECOGNITION, MAYOR.

COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.

UM, SPECIFICALLY AROUND SECURITY CAMERAS.

I JUST WANTED TO ALSO FLAG, UM, I'VE BEEN TALKING TO MY OFFICE ABOUT SECURITY IN PARKS, AND SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE STAFF WAS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SOME QUESTIONS THAT WE MAY SUBMIT INTO THE PORTAL.

UM, ANY, ANY ISSUES WITH PEOPLE KIND OF MESSING WITH FACILITIES AT NIGHT? UM, BREAK-INS, VANDALIZATION, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT WE KNOW SET THE DEPARTMENT BACK WHEN THEY HAVE TO ADDRESS THEM? I KNOW WE'VE SEEN AN EMAIL RECENTLY ABOUT, UM, VEHICULAR BREAK-INS NEAR BARTON SPRINGS POOL.

UM, ZILKER PARK UNFORTUNATELY IS AN AREA WHERE SOME PEOPLE TEND TO GO AT NIGHT.

AND FOR SOME REASON IT SEEMS LIKE, UM, WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN ENSURE SAFETY OF, OF ANYTHING THAT'S IN THAT AREA.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE CONSTRUCTION CREWS IN THE AREA, AND WE KNOW THAT CONSTRUCTION JOB SITES TEND TO BE A FOCUS, AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE EVERY, EVERY, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING FOR THE CITY IS SAFE AND WE'RE NOT SETTING OURSELVES BACK ON THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

UM, I'M ALSO REALLY GLAD TO SEE THE DEPLOYMENT OF SOME OF THE SECURITY MEASURES THAT WE HAD DONE LAST YEAR.

UM, WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE THROUGH THE BUDGET A NUMBER OF THE LARGE ROCK BOULDERS TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM, IN THIS CASE, MUDDING ON THE FIELDS.

PEOPLE WERE GOING INTO CIRCLE C METRO PARK WHEN IT WOULD RAIN, AND THEY WOULD PULL DONUTS AND TEAR UP THE GRASS.

AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE A CITY, UM, PROGRAM WHERE THE SOCCER FIELDS ARE LEASED THROUGH ANOTHER GROUP.

AND SO THERE WERE KIDS THAT COULDN'T PLAY SOCCER.

WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE.

UM, SO THOSE ARE OPTIONS THAT ARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND MORE COST EFFECTIVE IN AND WHERE THEY'RE APPROPRIATE.

I REALIZE IT'S NOT GONNA BE ONE SIZE FITS ALL FOR EVERY PARK ABOUT WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.

I KNOW THERE'S OTHER PARKS I'VE SEEN WHERE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PARKING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANNA ENJOY IT.

AND I WANNA BE MINDFUL THAT THAT FIX IS NOT GONNA WORK IN EVERY SINGLE PARK SPACE.

BUT I HOPE TO BRING FORTH SOME MEASURES AND, AND GET SOME MORE UNDERSTANDING THROUGH THE Q AND A PORTAL ABOUT SECURITY AND JUST WHAT THE GENERAL NEEDS ARE AND IF THOSE ARE BEING MET THROUGH THIS BUDGET AS WELL.

SO THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

UM, DIRECTOR MEANS WHAT UNMET NEEDS OF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT WERE MET IN THIS BUDGET.

WE HAVE THREE UNMET NEEDS AND NONE OF THEM WERE MET AT THIS TIME.

UM, THERE WAS ALSO, UM, A GRANT IN THE, THAT WAS APPLIED FOR, FOR LAND MANAGEMENT.

WAS THAT RECEIVED? DO YOU KNOW? I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

WE'LL CHECK WITH, NO, WE DO NOT.

NO, IT WAS NOT RECEIVED.

I'LL, IF SOMEONE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH ME OKAY.

ON THAT.

ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M SORRY, MAYOR.

UH, ARE WE, UH, LEAVING PARKS? UH, TOTAL? WE ARE.

I, I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS JUST FOR MAINTENANCE, BUT I DID HAVE A QUESTION ON THE GUS GARCIA RECREATION CENTER.

I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY UPDATES ON THE COST OF, UH, OF PUTTING A PORTABLE OUT THERE AT GUS GARCIA REC CENTER PENDING A PARKS BOND THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY EXPAND, UH, THE, THE REC CENTER.

WELL THEN, UM, FIRE AWAY.

UH, UH, THANK YOU.

I JUST WANTED TO SEE, UH, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING ON AT THE GUS GARCIA, UH, RECREATION CENTER, UH, YOUTH PROGRAMS, UH, UH, SENIOR, UH, PROGRAMS. AND THERE IS A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE.

IT'S BEEN IN, UH, PLANNED FOR, UH, SOME TIME NOW.

AND, UH, I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF WE HAD, UH, AN ESTIMATE ON THE COST OF ADDING A PORTABLE, UH, TO THAT SPACE.

SO, SO THAT THE, UH, THE SENIORS, UH, IN THE RECREATION PROGRAM, UH, COULD USE IT.

UH, I, I KNOW I, I'VE ASKED THIS AND

[02:25:01]

COUNCIL MEMBER BAYLA, WE ARE, UH, FINALIZING THAT RESPONSE TO YOUR BUDGET QUESTION.

AT THIS TIME, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT, UH, IT'S ROUGHLY $671,000 TO PUT THE PORTABLE, BUT WE'VE HAD, WE HAVE A, A BREAKDOWN ON WHY IT'S THAT AMOUNT THAT DOES INCLUDE STAFFING.

IT DOES INCLUDE ONE TIME, UH, FUNDING.

SO JUST THE PORTABLE ITSELF, UM, IS CLOSER TO AROUND 300 TO $350,000.

AND THE PORTABLE ITSELF WOULD BE, UH, POTENTIAL DEBT FINANCE? I BELIEVE SO.

I JUST WANTED TO SEE, IN OTHER WORDS, THAT WOULD, UH, COULD GO, UH, ON, UH, DEBT FINANCE.

IT WOULD NOT COUNT TOWARD OUR, UH, UH, OUR TAX RATE.

OUR GENERAL TAX RATE.

AGAIN, I, I'M, I'M STILL UNDERSTANDING THAT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF, IF FINANCE, UH, UH, IF ANYBODY COULD SPEAK TO THAT IN PARTICULAR IN TERMS OF THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDS THAT WE COULD USE FOR THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL INVESTMENT IN THE PORTABLE, I, WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT.

I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE, UH, ELIGIBLE FOR DEBT FINANCING.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT AND GET BACK WITH YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

UH, OKAY.

UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE UPDATE ON THE PRICE.

APPRECIATE IT.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

AND JUST ON THAT NOTE, FIRST OFF, WANTED TO FLAG IF WE CAN HAVE THE INFORMATION REGARDING DEBT FINANCE, UH, FINANCING TOOLS AVAILABLE DURING THE WORK SESSION WHERE WE DISCUSS THE FINANCING, UH, POLICY, WHICH I FORGET, I THINK IT'S TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK MAYBE, OR THURSDAY.

UM, BUT I JUST WANTED TO FLAG, 'CAUSE THE, I ALSO HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS ON WHAT WE CAN USE A CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION FOR.

UM, SO JUST WANTED TO FLAG THAT FOR STAFF.

ALRIGHT, WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON FROM PARKS.

THANKS ALL TO ALL OF YOU, MS. LANG.

UM, NEXT WE HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE.

THE BUDGET FOR HSO FOR THEIR GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS $30.3 MILLION, UM, IN FISCAL YEAR 25 WHEN, UM, THIS SLIDE HERE SHOWS A BREAKDOWN OF THEIR BUDGET BASED ON THEIR PROGRAM AREA OF FOCUS.

UM, AND SO YOU SEE, UM, AGAIN, THIS IS THEIR GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

HOMELESS SHELTERS IS AT 13.8 MILLION, AND I WON'T GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE LINE ITEM.

UM, THEIR OPERATING BUDGET THAT FUNDS THEIR, UM, STAFF AND, UM, THE OPERATING COST FOR THEIR STAFF IS, IS AT 3.3, BUT RAPID REHOUSING IS AT 4.5, AND THEN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS AT 6.3 MILLION.

WHY DON'T I START, MR. GRAVE, I, I WANNA START WITH, UH, THE CLOSING OF THE MARKETING YARD, WHICH IS SET TO CLOSING IN THE SPRING OF 25.

AND WANNA START WITH YOUR, WHAT, WHAT ARE THE PLANS AND WHERE WILL I FIND THE MONEY, UH, IN THE BUDGET FOR US TO MAINTAIN NEEDED EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS AND INCLUDE IN THAT? I THINK, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE SOME REMAINING A RPA FUNDING THAT WOULD HELP IN TERMS OF CAPITAL, BUT, BUT I'M NOT, I DON'T THINK THAT IT APPLIES TO PROVIDING SERVICES, SO, OR OPERATION OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY.

WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT? SURE.

YES SIR.

AND GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND MR. CITY MANAGER.

UM, DAVID GRAY, THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

UH, WITH RESPECT TO THE MARSHALING YARD, WE ARE STILL ON TRACK PER COUNCIL DIRECTION TO CLOSE THE MARSHALING YARD BY MARCH OF 2025.

IN TERMS OF HOW WE GET THERE, WE'RE CURRENTLY PROCEEDING WITH OUR CURRENT, UH, OPERATIONS, BUT BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER, WE WILL BEGIN LIMITING INTAKE TO THE MARSHALING YARD, FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON WELCOMING CLIENTS THAT HAVE A PERMANENT HOUSING RESOURCE, WHETHER THAT'S A VOUCHER FOR OUR HOUSING UNIT OR THEY ARE WAITING TO REUNITE WITH FAMILY OR GET AN APARTMENT.

UH, IN DECEMBER, WE WILL CEASE ALL NEW INTAKE TO THE MARSHALING YARD WITH THE GOAL OF ENSURING THAT ALL OF OUR CLIENTS WHO ARE IN SHELTER AT THAT TIME GET HOUSED EITHER IN PERMANENT HOUSING OR RELOCATED TO ONE OF OUR OTHER SHELTERS.

UM, WE ARE SIMULTANEOUSLY STILL LOOKING FOR OTHER PERMANENT SHELTER OPPORTUNITIES TO REPLACE THE BEDS THAT WE'RE GONNA LOSE AT MARSHAL YARD.

YOU MAY, AND BY PERMANENT SHELTER, YOU MEAN A PERMANENT PLACE THAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA NEED TO CLOSE FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS? CORRECT.

UH, AS YOU MIGHT RECALL, A FEW MONTHS AGO, COUNCIL ALLOWED US TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION TO ADD 100 NON CONGREGATE SHELTER BEDS AT CAMP ESPERANZA.

SO THIS WOULD BE A, A, A SHELTER THAT WE WOULD KEEP OPEN IN PERPETUITY, UNLIKE MARCHING YARD, WHICH IS, UH, A TEMPORARY SHELTER.

[02:30:01]

UH, AND SO WE'RE IN THAT PROCESS NOW OF WORKING WITH THE OTHER ONES FOUNDATION TO FINALIZE THAT CONTRACT AND GET THOSE SHELTER, UH, HOMES IN INSTALLED.

UH, AND WE DO ANTICIPATE THOSE UNITS BEING ONLINE BEFORE WE GET TO MARCH, 2025.

SO THE WORK NOW HAS BEEN TO IDENTIFY AT LEAST 200, UH, ADDITIONAL PERMANENT SHELTER BED OPPORTUNITIES.

UH, MR. MAYOR WITH RESPECT TO FUNDING THAT'S CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR SHELTER WITHIN ARPA, WE STILL HAVE ABOUT, UH, A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN $400,000 THAT WAS ALLOCATED TO EMERGENCY SHELTER.

UH, THAT'S A BALANCE TO COMMIT.

UM, PART OF THAT IS DUE TO WHEN WE, WHEN WE CAME TO COUNCIL SEEKING THE EXTENSION FROM MARSHALLING YARD, WE HAD ASKED FOR A MILLION DOLLARS COUNCIL AUTHORIZED US FOR 500,000.

SO WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A BALANCE TO COMMIT.

ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE ABOUT $8 MILLION IN HOME ARP FUNDS THAT CAN BE USED TO ACQUIRE AND DEVELOP NON CONGREGATE SHELTER.

AND IT HAS TO BE NON CONGREGATE SHELTER.

IT CANNOT BE CONGREGATE, RIGHT.

LIKE THE MARSHALLING YARD.

SO OUR SHELTER TEAM HAS BEEN MEETING WITH PROVIDERS SCOURING LAND, LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO, UH, RESPONSIBLY INVEST THOSE DOLLARS TO BRING NEW BEDS ONLINE.

AND HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO, TO INVEST THAT MONEY? THE HOME ARP DOLLARS HAVE TO BE SPENT BY 2030.

OH, OKAY.

THE ARPA DOLLARS HAVE TO BE ENCUMBERED BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR AND SPENT BY THE END OF 2026.

WHAT ABOUT SERVICE NEEDS ON WHERE WE ARE ON PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING? ON PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WE'RE CURRENTLY PROJECTING A $2.1 MILLION UNMET NEED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS THAT WILL COME ONLINE, UH, LATER THIS YEAR AND IN 2025.

UM, AND THOSE UNITS ARE APPROXIMATELY A HUNDRED, IT'S ABOUT 105 UNITS SPREAD OUT ACROSS DIFFERENT PROPERTIES.

SO THOSE ARE, THOSE ARE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BEDS THAT HAVE HAKA VOUCHERS TIED TO THEM.

THEY'RE IN THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE, BUT THERE ARE NO SUPPORTIVE SERVICE DOLLARS TIED TO THEM.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE WOULD USUALLY STEP IN, IS ENTER INTO CONTRACTS FOR THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR CLIENTS WHO ARE HOUSED IN THOSE UNITS.

LET'S GO BACK ON ON, ON EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS AND TRYING TO REPLACE THE MARSHALING YARD.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T REPLACE THOSE BEDS AND HOW THAT, A, WHAT HAPPENS JUST WITH REGARD TO EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS, BUT B, WHAT HAPPENS WITH REGARD TO RAPID REHOUSING AND THE HEAL INITIATIVE? YES, SIR.

SO IF, IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO RELOCATE OUR MARSHALING YARD CLIENTS INTO A PERMANENT HOUSING DESTINATION OR REUNITE THEM WITH FAMILY, WE WILL MOVE THOSE CLIENTS TO ANOTHER ONE OF OUR SHELTERS.

MORE LIKELY THAN NOT, WHAT THAT'S GONNA MEAN IS TAKING ONE OF OUR TWO BRIDGE SHELTERS, EITHER NORTH BRIDGE OR SOUTH BRIDGE, AND RESERVING BEDS IN THOSE SHELTERS FOR CLIENTS THAT ARE REMAINING AT MARSHALING YARD.

WE USE THE BRIDGE SHELTERS TO FACILITATE OUR HEAL INITIATIVE, WHICH IS OUR COMPASSIONATE AND ENCAMPMENT CLOSURE PROGRAM.

I THINK JUST A, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WE ANNOUNCED THAT WE MOVED OVER 60 PEOPLE FROM FOUR SEPARATE ENCAMPMENTS INTO THOSE SHELTERS.

UH, SO IF WE HAD TO TAKE THOSE BEDS OFFLINE, THAT WOULD HAVE THE CONSEQUENCE OF SLOWING OUR COMPASSIONATE ENCAMPMENT CLOSURES THROUGH HEEL.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, THANK YOU.

FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, DIRECTOR GRAY.

CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH, AND I APPRECIATE YOU MENTIONING AND COLLEAGUES JUST WANNA UNDERSCORE 2.1 MILLION UNMET NEEDS FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SUPPORTS AND, AND SERVICES.

SO THAT IS, IS SIGNIFICANT.

UM, DIRECTOR GRAY, CAN YOU, UM, CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH RAPID REHOUSING AND THE FINANCIAL CLIFF THAT WE HAVE, UM, WITH THAT EFFORT, PARTICULARLY WITH THE ARPA DOLLARS AND, UM, WELL LET, LET'S START THERE.

HOUSING IS STABILIZED WITHIN THEIR RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM UNTIL WE'RE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THAT PATHWAY TO GET THEM INTO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

SO, UH, AS YOU SAW IN THE SLIDE THAT MS. LANG PRESENTED A A MOMENT AGO, WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN GENERAL FUND SUPPORTED RAPID REHOUSING.

BUT THROUGH ARPA WE HAD OVER $42 MILLION SUPPORTED RAPID REHOUSING.

SO 85% OF THE CITY'S INVESTMENTS IN RAPID REHOUSING IS THROUGH THAT ONE TIME AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS.

SO WHEN THAT MONEY RUNS OUT, WE WILL RETURN BACK TO OUR PRE COVID BASELINE OF RAPID REHOUSING FUNDING.

WHERE OUR OFFICE IS AT NOW IS WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR VENDORS PER COUNCIL DIRECTION TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO'S CURRENTLY IN A RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM BUT TRULY NEEDS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE

[02:35:01]

NEXT MONTH, WE WILL BE COMING TO COUNCIL SEEKING AUTHORIZATION TO ATTACH SOME ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO OUR ARPA FUNDED RAPID REHOUSING CONTRACTS.

WE BELIEVE THAT THOSE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS WILL ALLOW THOSE CONTRACTS TO BE FULLY FUNDED FOR FY 25.

HOWEVER, THOSE VENDORS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT ANY NEW CLIENTS.

SO THOSE DOLLARS THAT WERE ADDING TO THE CONTRACTS ARE JUST TO SUPPORT THE CLIENTS WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE PROGRAM.

THERE'S NO MORE ROOM IN THOSE PROGRAMS TO WELCOME ANY NEW CLIENTS.

SO IF COUNCIL WANTED US TO TRY TO BRING NEW PEOPLE INTO OUR RAPID REHOUSING INITIATIVES, THAT WOULD NECESSITATE AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FROM COUNCIL.

AND HOW MUCH WOULD YOU RECOMMEND WOULD BE NEEDED? WHAT IS THE UNMET NEED WHEN IT COMES TO RAPID REHOUSING? WE, WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT.

I MEAN, I THINK PART OF THE CHALLENGE HERE IS THE INITIAL THEORY AROUND INFUSING RAPID REHOUSING WITH ARPA DOLLARS WAS TO ADDRESS A, A SURGE OR A BACKLOG THAT WAS AMPLIFIED DURING COVID WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE LOSING THEIR JOBS AND, UH, LOSING THEIR STABILITY AND, AND JUST DEALING WITH COMPOUNDED ISSUES.

UH, SO NOW THAT ARPA IS GOING AWAY, WE WOULD GET BACK TO THAT BASELINE.

UM, WE'RE HAVING SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND WITH ECHO AROUND JUST RAPID REHOUSING AND HOW THAT STRATEGY FITS WITHIN OUR LOCAL HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES THAT WOULD TRULY BE SUPPORTED THROUGH RAPID REHOUSING? BECAUSE THERE'S A SENSE THAT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WE'RE SUPPORTING NOW REALLY NEED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, RAPID REHOUSING IS NOT THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR THEM.

UH, ONCE WE HAVE THAT SYSTEM MODELING WORK DONE, WHICH SHOULD BE DONE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, UH, I THINK OUR OFFICE WILL BE BETTER PREPARED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

ANY, UM, ANY POSSIBILITY THE SYSTEM MODELING CAN BE DONE BY AUGUST? WHEN ARE WE VOTING ON THIS BUDGET? AUGUST 8TH? YES, MA'AM.

OUR POLICY UNIT LEAD JUST RETURNED FROM VACATION AND I WAS IN HIS EAR YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS, THIS.

WONDERFUL.

SO YES, WE, WE RECOGNIZE, AND AS WELL AS OUR COLLEAGUES AT ECHO, RECOGNIZE THAT WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE GET THIS INFORMATION TO COUNCIL IN TIME FOR YOU ALL TO MAKE YOUR BUDGET DECISIONS.

AND COLLEAGUES, JUST AGAIN, WANNA EMPHASIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IS AND HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE TAKEN A VERY BOLD AND DECISIVE, UH, STEP IN ALLOCATING OVER A HUNDRED MILLION OF OUR AMERICAN RESCUE ACT PLAN DOLLARS.

AND, WHICH HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE AND WHY WE CAN NOW SAY WE'LL HAVE OVER A THOUSAND NEW PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS COME ONLINE BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

UM, BUT THAT DOES PRESENT SOME SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN HOW WE ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

AND WE CAN'T HAVE GOTTEN TO THIS PLACE WHERE WE HAVE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT LEVERS IN, IN MOTION, ALL THESE INVESTMENTS IN PROGRESS TO NOT CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON THAT, ESPECIALLY AT THIS CRITICAL TIME.

SO I, UH, CONTINUE TO HAVE HOMELESSNESS AS ONE OF MY TOP BUDGET PRIORITIES AND LOOK FORWARD FOR THE SYSTEM MODELING THAT COMES BACK FOR STAFF.

AND, UM, AGAIN, JUST WANNA MAKE A PLUG THAT TO ME, THIS IS A TIME THAT WE SHOULD MAINTAIN OUR RESERVE FUNDING LEVELS AT WHAT WE ENDED LAST YEAR IN ORDER FOR US TO HAVE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS AVAILABLE TO INCREASE OUR SUPPORTS FOR ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.

PROVIDERS, THEIR PROPS FOR WORKING TOGETHER TO BRING IN MORE MONEY.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, I'VE GOT A FOLLOW ON QUESTION AND THEN I'LL, UH, CALL ON COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, UH, UH, CADRE HERE.

UM, WHAT DO YOU THINK, UM, THE CHANCES ARE, OR IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FEDS WILL COME BACK WITH A NEW, UH, SURGE OF FUNDING FOR THE STATES AND CITIES FOR HOMELESSNESS? THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE AND FRANKLY, A GLOBAL ISSUE.

AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS DOING WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY SWIMMING UPSTREAM AGAINST A REALLY STRONG CURRENT GOING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE CAN'T, AS WE KNOW, WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

AND IT WAS A HUGE BENEFIT AND RELIEF TO GET THE RELIEF THROUGH ARPA AND SO FORTH.

SO WHAT DO YOU, IS THERE MOVEMENT IN, UH, IN CONGRESS TO CONTINUE THIS? WHAT, WHAT MIGHT YOU KNOW, ABOUT THE FUTURE FUNDING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL? YES, MA'AM.

SO, SO A COUPLE OF THINGS ON THAT POINT, MAYOR PRO TEM.

UH, ONE IS LAST YEAR THROUGH THE WORK OF ECHO, OUR LOCAL CONTINUUM OF CARE WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO RECEIVE A LARGER APPROPRIATION, UH, FOR HOMELESS SERVICE FUNDING, SPECIFICALLY PSH SERVICES THROUGH THE FEDERAL NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY.

UH, THAT'S THE FIRST TIME IN A, IN A WHILE THAT OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE WAS ABLE TO GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

AND SO I, I DO WANT TO GIVE OUR, OUR COLLEAGUES OVER AT ECHO AND OUR OTHER SERVICE

[02:40:01]

AND AS A MEMBER ON THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, THAT'S ALWAYS OUR GOAL, IS TO FIND WAYS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE APPLICATION TO TRY TO GET MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS, UH, INTO AUSTIN.

I KNOW OUR OUR CITY MANAGER IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROCESS BECAUSE HE HAD SOME EXPERIENCE DRAWING DOWN MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS DURING HIS TIME IN DALLAS.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO REPLICATE THAT PROCESS IN AUSTIN.

WHAT WE'VE ALSO SEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DO IS INCREASE SUPPORT FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND STATES THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, UH, I'M SORRY, THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

AND SO STATES THAT HAVE ADOPTED, UH, THAT THAT EXPANSION PROGRAM, UNFORTUNATELY WE'RE NOT ONE OF THOSE STATES.

AND SO OUR CITY, UH, DOESN'T FULLY BENEFIT FROM THOSE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS.

UH, THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR PEER CITIES WHO ARE IN A SIMILAR POSITION TO AUSTIN.

UH, WE TALK A LOT WITH DALLAS AND SAN ANTONIO AND HOUSTON AND OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE NATION.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN IN CLOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS THE FEDERAL AGENCY THAT BRINGS TOGETHER HUD AND, AND ALL THE OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT DO FUNDING IN THIS SPACE, UH, TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AROUND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE, WE DON'T HAVE A HUGE CLIFF OR AS SEVERE OF A CLIFF WHEN ARPA RUNS OUT.

UH, I, I REALLY WISH I COULD PREDICT EXACTLY WHAT CONGRESS IS GONNA DO, AND UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T.

UH, BUT I, I DO PLEDGE THAT OUR OFFICE WILL REMAIN PROACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THESE DISCUSSIONS TO TRY TO MITIGATE, UH, ANY FISCAL CLIFF FROM THE END OF THE ARPA FUNDS.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FOR THE FUNDRAISING SUPPORT FROM, UM, PRIVATE SECTOR AND NONPROFITS? INITIALLY, A FEW YEARS AGO WE HAD TALKED ABOUT HAVING THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL, UH, AND ONE OF THOSE LEGS WAS, UM, PRIVATE SECTOR, AND I THINK THE OTHER WAS NONPROFITS.

WHERE ARE WE WITH THAT? YES, MA'AM.

SO THAT, THAT WAS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE, THE CORE PILLARS FOR CREATING A HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE HERE IN AUSTIN ALSO, UH, WAS TO TRY TO BRING IN MORE PRIVATE SUPPORT, UH, WHETHER IT'S, IT'S KIND OF LOW LEVEL SUPPORT OR MEGA DONATIONS.

WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY, OUR LOCAL FOUNDATIONS, UH, ARE ENGAGED IN THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.

UH, I'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY MANAGER AROUND THIS, AROUND WANTING TO RECONVENE SOMEWHAT OF A FUNDER'S TABLE WITH THE CITY, THE COUNTY, OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES, AS WELL AS OUR LOCAL FOUNDATIONS AND OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO TALK MORE, UH, STRATEGICALLY ABOUT THE AREAS OF THE SYSTEM THAT WE'RE GONNA INVEST IN AND SUPPORT.

AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE FOLKS WHO ARE DOING THE WORK CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE FUNDING FOR THEIR PROGRAMS AND THEIR SERVICES AND THEIR STAFF IS GONNA CONTINUE.

UM, AND SO WE'RE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF CONVENING THOSE TABLES.

UH, IN ADDITION TO THAT, UH, WE HAVE ALSO STARTED MAKING REAL PROGRESS.

UH, WE'VE HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS WITH COMPANIES LIKE INDEED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO, UH, AS A ACT OF GOOD FAITH HAVE ALREADY MADE REALLY SOLID INVESTMENTS IN OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

AND SO, UH, AS WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER THE, THE STRUCTURE, WE'RE ALSO MAKING INROADS IN THE WORK.

AND, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED AND GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF OUR LOCAL FUNDERS WHO ARE COLLABORATING WITH THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS STABLY HOUSED, AND THEN ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT HAVE CAUSED THEM TO BECOME HOMELESS.

AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO, WHO HAVE ASKED US MOST FERVENTLY IN OR, UH, TO, FOR US TO DO THAT, UH, ON THEIR BEHALF.

UM, THE LAST PIECE I WANTED TO, UM, CHECK IN ON WAS ESSENTIALLY THE DIVISION OF LABOR AND FUNDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND OUR MISSION, WHICH IS, UM, PRETTY EXPANSIVE LIKE FACILITIES AND THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS FOR HOUSING, UM, BUT DOESN'T NECESSARILY GO TO TREATMENT AND MEDICAL CONCERNS THE WAY CENTRAL HEALTH AND OUR UM, UH, HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND SO FORTH, UH, CAN PROVIDE.

SO WHERE ARE WE WITH THAT DIVISION OF LABOR AND THAT ROUND TABLE THAT THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER HAD, UM, ORGANIZED AND KICKED OFF, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A REALLY WISE, UH, EFFORT BECAUSE THE CITY OF AUSTIN CAN'T AGAIN BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE.

HEALTH AND INTEGRAL CARE AND TRAVIS COUNTY AND OTHERS BACK TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE, UH, JOINTLY INVEST IN SUPPORTING, UH, INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND THEIR PATHWAYS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

YOU KNOW, I, I THINK EVER SINCE THE MCKINSEY FIASCO, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT, UH, EVERYBODY TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO HEAL, REFLECT ON THAT EXPERIENCE AND FIGURE OUT WAYS TO REENGAGE.

I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT SOME OF OUR CORE PARTNERS AT CENTRAL HEALTH AND EVEN US HERE AT THE CITY, WE HAVE SOME NEW LEADERSHIP MM-HMM.

THAT HAVE BEEN WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT WAYS THAT WE CAN GO FAR TOGETHER INSTEAD OF GOING SHORT, SEPARATE.

UH, AND SO WE'VE, WE'VE STARTED THAT WORK NOW OF REBUILDING THOSE TABLES.

UH, ONE OF MY DELIVERABLES TO OUR CITY MANAGER IS THAT PLAN FOR HOW DO WE GET, UH, AS PART OF THAT FUNDER'S TABLE GET CENTRAL

[02:45:01]

AND I, AND I KNOW THAT BOTH INTEGRAL CARE AND CENTRAL HEALTH ARE INTERESTED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE LEADERSHIP HAD SAID AS MUCH IN MEETINGS THAT I'VE HAD WITH THEM.

UM, IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR FORWARD PROGRESS WAS DELAYED.

UM, I DO REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN REENGAGE IN A REALLY, UH, ROBUST WAY SO THAT 'CAUSE THE ISSUES AND THE CONCERNS DIDN'T GO AWAY, EVEN IF OUR FORWARD PROGRESS STALLED OUT.

SO WE DO HAVE SOME GROUND TO MAKE UP.

UM, IT IS REAL IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE THE ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE BOARD AND IT WORKS BOTH WAYS.

THOSE GROUPS SHOULD, SHOULD BE REACHING OUT TO US AND WANTING TO WORK WITH US AS WELL, UH, FOR US TO MAKE ANY APPRECIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS.

AGAIN, WE CAN'T, THE CITY CAN'T DO IT ALL.

AND, AND IF I COULD JUST MAYBE CLARIFY, WHILE WE HAVEN'T HAD A DIRECT CONVERSATION AROUND FUNDING, OUR PARTNERSHIP IS EXTREMELY STRONG.

WE'RE IN CALLS EVERY WEEK WITH TRAVIS COUNTY STAFF ON TOPICS LIKE THE TRAVIS COUNTY SUPPORTIVE HOUSING INVESTMENTS AND THOSE, UH, THOUSAND UNITS THAT WE'RE PLANNING TO COME ONLINE.

UH, WE'VE BEEN IN CLOSE CONVERSATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH CENTRAL HEALTH AND INTEGRAL CARE AROUND EVERYTHING FROM MAKING SURE WE HAVE NARCAN IN OUR HOMELESS SHELTERS TO MAKING SURE THAT CLIENTS WHO ARE SEEN ON THE STREET HAVE A DIRECT CONNECTION, UH, INTO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND PHYSICAL HEALTHCARE THAT THEY NEED.

INTEGRAL CARE IS PART OF OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH STREET TEAM.

UH, WE ENGAGED WITH THEIR STAFF DIRECTLY.

IN FACT, JUST LAST WEEK, ONE OF THEIR STAFF MEMBERS AND I JOINTLY RESPONDED TO A CALL FOR SERVICE.

AND SO, UH, ALTHOUGH WE HAVEN'T RECONVENED THE SPECIFIC FUNDERS TABLE, WE DO WORK IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY EACH AND EVERY DAY.

NO DOUBT.

AND THE, UM, THE PROFESSIONALS ON ALL SIDES ARE REALLY ENGAGED AND IT'S WORK OF THE HEART AND LIST.

ANYBODY FEEL LIKE THIS IS JUST A PESSIMISTIC CONVERSATION? WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES.

UM, THERE IS A LOT RIDING ON THESE STRIDES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO THE CONSORTIUM OF GOVERNMENTAL, NON-GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE SECTOR TO MAKE ADDITIONAL PROGRESS.

AND I KNOW, UM, I THINK I SPEAK FOR THE S THAT WE ALL ARE, ARE, UH, HOPING THAT THAT WILL IN FACT CONTINUE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE WAS NEXT WITH A QUESTION.

YEAH, I HAD ONE QUESTION, BUT I DID NOTICE COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON HAD HER HAND UP BEFORE I DID.

SO SHE CAN GO AND THEN I'LL GO RIGHT AFTER.

THAT'S OKAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

FIRST NEXT STEP IS FIGURING OUT ANOTHER PLOT OF LAND OR SITE WHERE WE COULD STAND SOMETHING LIKE THAT UP.

MEMBER, UH, KARIE.

UH, SO I HAVE A QUESTION AND IT'S SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE TOOTH PARTNERSHIP.

THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP.

UM, A PART OF OUR SUCCESS THERE.

I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF WE ARE ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO GIVEN THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT THEY HAVE WITH THE STATE, SOME OF THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT THEY OTHERWISE WOULD'VE HAD, THEY DIDN'T.

SO US BEING ABLE TO BRING IN, UH, THEY PARTNERED WITH PLUGIN HOUSE TO DO THOSE PREFAB INSULATED, IT WAS WILD TO WATCH.

THEY TOOK THIS STRUCTURE AND IN FOUR HOURS WITH TWO ALLEN WRENCHES AND THREE PEOPLE HAD A HOUSE.

AND THEM BEING ABLE TO DO THAT FOR LESS THAN $15,000, GET 'EM IN MASS QUANTITY AND FAST TIMING, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THE DIRECT CONNECTION WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN CHINA AND ALL THAT.

I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT ARE OUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE, I MEAN, THAT WAS A PILOT THAT GREW INTO THIS THING WHERE WE HOUSED ALL THESE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE BY WAY OF JUST AN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAD ACCESS TO.

SO I JUST WONDER HOW MUCH MORE ROOM THERE WILL BE GIVEN OUR LIMITED RESOURCES TO REALLY JUST TAP INTO SOMETHING WE HADN'T DONE BEFORE.

CALL IT A PILOT OR WHATEVER THE THING IS.

BUT HOW MANY MORE OPPORTUNITIES ARE BEFORE US? LIKE THE PLUGIN HOUSE TWO COLLABORATION? YES, MA'AM.

UH, YOU KNOW, THAT THOSE KIND OF PROJECTS ARE ALWAYS FUN.

AND ACTUALLY THE A HUNDRED UNITS THAT WE'RE CO-FUNDING WILL BE PLUGIN HOUSE.

LIKE, UH, SO IF YOU WANT TO COME TO THE BUILD DAY AND BE A PART OF THAT WITH US, WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU GET THE INVITATION TO, TO JOIN US.

YOU KNOW, WE, WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ALL THE TIME INTERNALLY AMONGST OUR STAFF AND THEN WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.

IT'S THAT BALANCE OF HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BUILD FAST AND MAKE SURE IT'S AFFORDABLE AND MAKE SURE THAT THE STRUCTURES THEMSELVES ARE DURABLE AND RESILIENT.

I THINK WITH, WITH THE TOOTH PILOT, WITH PLUGIN HOUSE HAS DEMONSTRATED IS THAT WE CAN HIT ALL THREE OF THOSE CORDS.

UH, I WILL SAY OUR SHELTER TEAM PROBABLY GETS TWO OR THREE EMAILS A WEEK, UH, FROM ANOTHER HOUSING VENDOR THAT HAS A VERY SIMILAR IDEA.

AND SO WE'RE ALWAYS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO WAY AND LEARN AND TALK TO OTHER CITIES ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM THE BIG SPRUNG SHELTERS TO THE, THE PLUGIN HOUSE OPPORTUNITIES.

UH, SO THAT'S ALWAYS FOREFRONT ON OUR MIND.

UH, I THINK OUR KIND OF

[02:50:01]

UH, AND THAT'S BEEN THE REAL WORK OF OUR SHELTER TEAM TO DATE HAS BEEN IDENTIFYING A, A SOLID LOCATION WHERE WE COULD STAND UP MORE HOMES LIKE THE ONES YOU'RE DESCRIBING.

I, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE THERE AND I COULDN'T AGREE MORE ABOUT YOUR RAPID REHOUSING VERSUS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT ASSESSMENT 'CAUSE I AGREE ENTIRELY AND ALSO ABOUT THE LAND ACQUISITION COMPONENT.

DURING THE COURSE OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE'RE HAVING, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT MY DISTRICT, THE NORTHEAST PLANNING DISTRICT, SOME OF OUR 7 8 7 0 2 A THING THAT WE DO FIND OURSELVES WITH THE BENEFIT OF IS LAND, BUT NOT NECESSARILY A SOLID PLAN FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH A PROJECT THAT WOULD COVER THE INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS.

AND SO THAT'S A PART OF MY NORTHEAST PLANNING DISTRICT ISSUE IS THAT SO MUCH OF IT IS UNDEVELOPED.

NOBODY WANTS TO BE THE FIRST DEVELOPER TO TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THEN IT STILL SITS LANGUISHING.

AND SO I JUST WONDER IF MOVING FORWARD, HOW MANY PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, UM, YOUR OFFICE AND MY OFFICE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN HELP FIGURE OUT BRIDGE THAT GAP SOMEHOW.

MAYBE IT'S A COUNTY CONTRIBUTION.

MAYBE WE TALK TO THE FOLKS AT OUR STATE LEVEL DELEGATION ABOUT REALLY HELPING US GET THE INFRASTRUCTURE OUT THERE SO THAT WE CAN TAKE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DUPLICATE IT TO FLIGHT EFFORT.

'CAUSE I REALLY DO SEE US MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS, GETTING THE STRUCTURES, MAKING 'EM AFFORDABLE.

TO YOUR POINT, I WROTE IT DOWN, UM, FAST, SAFE, DURABLE.

WE NEED FAST, SAFE, DURABLE HOUSES THAT WE CAN AFFORD TO DEPLOY, UM, SUSTAINABLY.

AND SO I, I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO JUST CONTINUING THAT LEVEL OF THE CONVERSATION.

'CAUSE I REALLY DO THINK IT TAKES OUT, SOME OF THE OTHER STUFF IS COMPLEX, RIGHT? LIKE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS, WHO HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES, ALL THE OTHER, THOSE THINGS ARE COMPLEX.

PUTTING A STRUCTURE TOGETHER, THAT'S NOT HARD.

HOW MANY OF THE NOT HARD THINGS CAN WE GET DONE, YOU KNOW, AS WE NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX COMPONENTS.

YES MA'AM.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE'S ALREADY THERE.

AND IF I, IF I COULD ADD JUST ONE MORE QUICK LAYER TO THAT.

ANOTHER PIECE OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE RECENTLY EMBARKED ON AS A HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE IS THE LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT PIECE.

YOU KNOW, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, HERE IN AUSTIN WE HAVE NOW SOMEWHAT OF AN OVERSUPPLY AND VACANT APARTMENT UNITS AND NEW APARTMENT DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE BEING BUILT THAT ARE TOO FAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TO STOP.

AND THOSE APARTMENT OWNERS ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY LEASING UP THOSE UNITS.

AND SO OUR, OUR POLICY UNIT HAS ALSO TAKEN ON SOMEWHAT OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PLAYING LANDLORD ENGAGER.

UH, AND WE'VE BEEN HAVING SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS WITH LANDLORDS ABOUT TAKING UNITS THAT ARE MARKET RATE UNITS, BRINGING PRICES DOWN AND BEING ABLE TO HOUSE RAPID REHOUSING CLIENTS IN THOSE UNITS.

UH, AND SO THOSE UNITS ARE ALREADY BUILT.

SO WE SOLVED THAT PROBLEM.

WE SOLVED THAT PROBLEM TOO.

UH, IT'S JUST BEEN A MATTER OF MAKING SURE THAT AS WE BRING OUR CLIENTS INTO THESE APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, WE WRAP THEM WITH THE RIGHT LEVELS OF CASE SUPPORT SO AS TO NOT CAUSE ANY OTHER, YOU KNOW, UNDUE CONSEQUENCES FOR OTHER RESIDENTS IN THOSE PROPERTIES.

BUT REALLY WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE LANDLORDS AND THE APARTMENT OWNERS ASSOCIATION FOR BEING WILLING TO COLLABORATE WITH US IN THAT INNOVATIVE WAY.

THAT'S MAGNIFICENT.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ADDING THAT ADDITIONAL UPDATE.

THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

'CAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DO THINK ABOUT, IT'S CERTAINLY NOT FOR YOU, BUT AS A, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES THAT ARE THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY DONE.

YOU CAN'T STOP.

WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO WITH IT NOW THAT THE MONEY'S GONE? SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT ADDITIONAL LAYER OF CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU MR. GRAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

I WILL MAKE MY, UH, QUESTION AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU DO, DAVID, AND AND YOUR DEPARTMENTS.

UH, WHEN IT, WHEN IT COMES TO THE $2.1 MILLION IN, IN UNMET NEEDS AROUND PSH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, DOES, DOES THAT INCLUDE THE $1 MILLION, UH, ONE-TIME FUNDING THAT CAME FOR DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE? UM, LAST BUDGET? NO, SIR.

SO THOSE DOLLARS WE'RE LOOKING TO ATTACH TO THE, AT-HOME INITIATIVE AND JUST TO KIND OF REFRESH SOME FOLKS ON WHAT THAT INITIATIVE IS, THAT'S A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE CITY.

SPEAKING OF COLLABORATIONS BEING REPORT AT HOME IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE CITY, UH, THE COUNTY, CENTRAL HEALTH, INTEGRAL CARE, ECHO, HAKA, AND CARITAS.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE HERE BEING NOT ONLY PROVIDING THE PSH FUNDING, BUT ALSO BRINGING THE MOBILE HEALTH CLINICS ON SITE, UH, AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, WRAPPING PEOPLE AROUND WITH, UH, UH, SOMEWHAT OF A HIGHER DEGREE OF, OF CARE.

UH, SO SINCE THOSE PSH DOLLARS WERE ONE TIME DOLLARS AND NOT ONGOING DOLLARS THAT WE WOULD TYPICALLY WANT TO GRANT OUT FOR ONGOING NEEDS, UH, WE FELT LIKE IT WAS MOST APPROPRIATE TO ATTACH THAT TO THE AT-HOME INITIATIVE, WHICH ALREADY HAD SOME FUNDING IN IT.

SO, SO, SO IT DOESN'T GO TOWARDS THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AT ALL, THEN? IT JUST GOES TOWARDS THE AT-HOME INITIATIVE, WHICH YOUR, WHICH YOUR, WHICH YOUR SOCIAL SERVICE.

SO THE AT-HOME INITIATIVE IS STILL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE AN IMMEDIATE FISCAL CLIFF THE, THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

UH, FOR PSH, IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN THAT BY ATTACHING THE $1 MILLION THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO, TO ALLOCATE FOR US LAST CYCLE BY ATTACHING THAT TO AT HOME, IT ALLOWS US TO LEVERAGE THOSE DOLLARS IN A WAY THAT STRETCHES THE TIMELINE MUCH MORE THAN JUST GRANTING THAT OUT AS ONE TIME FUNDS THAT WOULD ONLY BENEFIT SOMEBODY FOR ONE YEAR,

[02:55:01]

THANK COUNCIL MEMBER CODRE.

COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.

I JUST FIRST WANNA START BY ECU ECHOING.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REALLY HIGH PRIORITY.

I OBVIOUSLY FOR MYSELF, BUT GIVEN THE ATTENTION IT'S GOTTEN TODAY, YOU KNOW, OF, OF OUR ENTIRE, UH, COUNCIL, I WANTED TO ASK WHAT YOU'RE SEEING AS IT RELATES TO FAMILY BASED HOMELESSNESS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

FAMILY BASED HOMELESSNESS IS AN URGENT AND RAPIDLY GROWING NEED IN OUR C COMMUNITY.

IN FACT, IN, IN OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR STREET OUTREACH TEAM AND SUNRISE NAVIGATION CENTER, WHICH MANAGES, UH, KIND OF A HOMELESS HOTLINE OF SORTS, UH, WHAT WE'RE CONSTANTLY HEARING IS THAT, UH, FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

UH, THERE ARE NO SHELTER BEDS IN THE CITY FOR FAMILIES.

AND IN FACT, OVER AT SALVATION ARMY, I THINK THEIR WAIT LIST RIGHT NOW IS AROUND, UH, 200, UH, HOUSEHOLDS WAITING FOR THOSE LIMITED SHELTER UNITS.

UH, FAMILIES ARE NOT SHOWING UP, UH, AT NAVIGATION CENTERS.

THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY CALLING THE CITY OUTTA FEAR OF POTENTIALLY LOSING THEIR KIDS.

AND SO IT'S A LOT OF COUCH SURFING.

UH, IT'S A LOT OF SLEEPING IN CARS OR STAYING AT HOTELS OR THE BENEVOLENCE OF ANOTHER COMMUNITY PARTNER OR, OR FAMILY MEMBER.

SO THAT CONTINUES TO BE A VERY REAL AND, AND URGENT AND PRESSING NEED FOR US.

AND AS WE THINK ABOUT NEW SHELTERS AND SHELTER EXPANSION, WE HAVE BEEN THINKING THROUGH HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE INCLUDE FAMILY BEDS AS, AS PART OF THAT CONVERSATION, GIVING THE RAPIDLY GROWING UNMET NEED THERE.

AND YOU TOUCHED ON IT A LITTLE BIT, THE THE NAVIGATION CENTER ISSUE OR, OR WHERE THAT FITS INTO OUR, OUR SERVICE DELIVERY.

UM, YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE YOU AND, AND THE MANAGER AND, AND DEPUTY CITY MANAGER CAME OUT AND, AND GOT TO SEE, UH, WHAT WAS GOING ON AT SUNRISE AND THE SERVICES THEY'RE PROVIDING THERE AND, AND THE LEVEL OF NEED THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS FOR THESE SERVICES AND, AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING FROM ACROSS THE CITY TO THIS SINGULAR LOCATION BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY LOCATION AVAILABLE TO DO THIS.

AND SO, UM, I GUESS MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WHAT, WHAT DO WE NEED AS IT RELATES TO NAVIGATION CENTERS OR, OR WHAT IS THE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAD THE MAGIC WAND, HOW WOULD YOU LOOK FORWARD INTO EXPANDING THAT OPERATION? OUR, OUR GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO HAVE, UH, TWO ADDITIONAL NAVIGATION CENTERS IN AUSTIN.

SO THIS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE SUNRISE NAVIGATION CENTER DOWN SOUTH THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO.

UH, IDEALLY WE WOULD HAVE ONE IN NORTH AUSTIN, ONE SOMEWHERE CENTRAL SLASH DOWNTOWN, AND THEN CONTINUE TO HAVE A PRESENCE DOWN SOUTH.

NOT NECESSARILY AT THAT LOCATION AT SUNRISE, BUT STILL HAVE A LOCATION DOWN SOUTH.

AND PART OF THE, THE REASON FOR THAT, FRANKLY, IS AS YOU MENTIONED, A LOT OF PEOPLE EVERY DAY ARE MIGRATING TO SOUTH AUSTIN, BEN WHITE, MIN CHAKA TO GET ACCESS TO THEIR HEALTHCARE, COLLECT THEIR MAIL, GET THEIR CAN OF NARCAN, GET THEIR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, GET SOME FOOD, AND THEN THEY'RE RETURNING BACK TO THEIR ENCAMPMENT.

UH, WE FEEL LIKE IT'S IN OUR CLIENT'S BEST INTEREST TO, UH, NOT FORCE THEM TO HAVE TO TRAVEL EVERY DAY FROM WHEREVER THEY'RE AT IN THE CITY DOWN SOUTH.

YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SAME LEVEL OF CARE AND CLOSER PROXIMITY TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE CAMPING, WE THINK THAT WE COULD HAVE SOME REALLY SOLID OUTCOMES FOR OUR CLIENTS.

WE ALSO THINK THAT IT HAS A BETTER BENEFIT FOR JUST THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

IT REDUCES, UH, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO YOU SEE KIND OF VISIBLY HANGING OUT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR TRYING TO CAMP OUT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE NAVIGATION CENTER.

UH, SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A, A POPULATION DISTRIBUTION.

UH, WE HAVE MADE SOME INROADS AND SOME PROGRESS IN THIS.

UH, WE'VE BEEN SPEAKING WITH SUNRISE LEADERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP AT SOME OF THE OTHER, UH, SPACES WHERE WE THINK WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PILOT THIS CONCEPT, UH, TO SEE IF OUR HYPOTHESIS IS TRUE.

UM, SOME, SOME, SOME GOOD OLD AB TESTING, UH, AND THE SUNRISE LEADERSHIP IS WILLING TO ENGAGE WITH US.

AND, UH, FOLKS AT SOME OF THESE SITES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT ARE ALSO WILLING TO ENGAGE WITH US.

UH, I'M NOT PRIVY AT THIS TIME TO, TO TALK ABOUT IT IN MUCH MORE DETAIL, UH, BUT THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR OUR OFFICE, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO, TO SEE IF THINGS CAN COME TOGETHER OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE, UH, A NEW NAVIGATION SITE SOON.

SOME OTHER INTERVENTION, WHAT IS, IS THERE A REQUIREMENT THAT THEY TAKE THAT INTERVENTION, OR, AND I KNOW IT SOUNDS KIND OF ODD ON ITS FACE, YOU KNOW, WHY, WHY WOULD SOMEONE NOT? BUT I HAVE SEEN, UH, NOT ONLY HERE, BUT OTHER PLACES WHERE THE CHALLENGE THEY HAVE WITH THAT PARTICULAR INTERVENTION OF THE, THE PLUGIN HOMES IS THAT SOMEONE, UH, SEES IT MORE AS HOUSING THAN SHELTER AND DOES NOT MOVE ON TO THAT NEXT INTERVENTION.

UM, AS WE TALK ABOUT SHELTER AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE THE PLUGIN SHELTER TINY HOMES.

I'M CURIOUS, DO WE HAVE WITHIN OUR, UH, POLICIES, OR AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION, IF SOMEONE IS IN THAT SETTING, AND LET'S SAY THEY BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR RAPID REHOUSING OR, UM,

[03:00:01]

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE WAIT LIST THAT GROWS.

UH, I THINK YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THE OTHER ONES FOUNDATION HAVING THAT PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.

AND SO I'M CURIOUS HOW WE ACCOUNT FOR THAT AS WE THINK OF IT AS A SHELTER AND NOT AS A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

WE, WE'VE TALKED TO CAMP ESPANZA STAFF ABOUT THIS VERY, UH, PHENOMENON WHERE PEOPLE WILL COME INTO THEIR TINY HOME SHELTER VERY QUICKLY, BEGIN TO THINK OF IT AS LIKE, THIS IS, THIS IS MY SPACE.

AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR THEM TO MOVE ON TO A HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA WORK TO, TO GET THEM COMFORTABLE WITH TRANSITION.

I, I WILL SAY THAT SAME PHENOMENON SOMETIMES EXISTS ON THE FRONT END TOO.

I HAD SPOKEN ABOUT, UH, THE SHIPMAN WHO WE HELPED GET OFF THE STREET CORNER AND INTO THE ARCH ON FRIDAY.

UH, AND IT JUST TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF WORK SOMETIMES TO GET PEOPLE COMFORTABLE WITH LEAVING, UH, WHATEVER THE ENVIRONMENT IS THAT THEY'RE IN, UH, AND WILLING TO WALK WITH US INTO, TO SOMETHING NEW AND TO TRUST US THAT WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF THEM INTO THAT, THAT SOMETHING NEW.

YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT THE TWO STAFF HAVE, UH, REMINDED ME IS THAT A LOT OF IT IS AROUND JUST SETTING VERY CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.

UH, I DON'T KNOW THAT TOOTH REQUIRES ANYBODY TO MOVE ON.

I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK IN WITH THEIR LEADERSHIP AROUND THEIR POLICY FOR, FOR THAT LOCATION.

UH, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THEY WORK WITH THE CLIENTS AND MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THE MOVE HAPPENS, IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE CLIENT FEELS PREPARED FOR, THEY'RE SUPPORTED IN THAT TRANSITION BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT SOMEBODY TO MOVE AND THEN FEEL SO UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE NEW SPACE THAT THEY THEN REGRESS AND NOW THEY'RE BACK OUT ON THE STREET.

UH, SO THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF HANDHOLDING THAT THAT COMES WITH GETTING PEOPLE AT THE TINY HOMES.

UH, I, BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD OF A CASE WHERE SOMEBODY HAS COMPLETELY REJECTED EVERY OTHER OPPORTUNITY AND HAS MADE CAMP ESPERANZA OR SIMILAR TINY HOME STRUCTURES THAT ARE PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR.

THANK YOU, SIR.

MEMBERS, WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

THANK YOU, SIR.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK.

APPRECIATE YOU MS. LANG.

THAT'S RIGHT.

SO, UM, NEXT WE, UM, I KNOW MY SLIDES DOWN THERE WAS, UH, WHAT WAS THIS SIMPLIFIED PLAN DESIGN FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES PCP.

NEXT WE'LL TALK ABOUT HUMAN RESOURCES AND, UH, OUR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

UM, THE NEW EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FOR 2025.

UM, AND SO, UM, CHILDCARE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE EXPANDED IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

UM, A NEW FERTILITY BENEFIT WILL BE INTRODUCED IN 2025, UM, SIMPLIFIED PLAN DESIGN FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES.

SO, UH, THE NEW BENEFIT WILL, WILL NO LONGER HAVE THE TIERED PLAN FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS.

AND THEN, UM, THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM FOR POST AGE 65 RETIREES, RETIREES SAVINGS WILL INCLUDE A $0 DEDUCTIBLE AND COPAYS.

UM, THE RETIREES WILL HAVE ACCESS TO FREE PROGRAMS, AND THEN A NETWORK OF MEDICARE MEDICAL PROVIDERS FOR RETIREES WILL REMAIN THE SAME AS THE CURRENT NETWORK.

AND I LIKE TO ASK SUSAN, THE HR DIRECTOR TO COME UP AND SPEAK MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS THAT ARE COMING FORWARD WITH THE 2025 PLAN.

AFTERNOON MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.

I'M SUSAN SINS.

I'M THE NEW HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR HERE AT THE CITY OF LARGO, AND REALLY PLEASED TO BE WITH Y'ALL.

UM, YES, WE'VE GOT SOME NEW BENEFITS AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

UM, OUR CHILDCARE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS HAVE EXPANDED.

WE HAD THAT PILOT PROGRAM, UM, ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

WE HAD 160 EMPLOYEES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT, AND CURRENTLY WE HAVE 320 EMPLOYEES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT $5,000, UH, STIPEND TO ASSIST IN THEIR CHILDCARE SERVICES.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED HOW EMPLOYEES ARE EMBRACING THAT.

AND I KNOW THEY FEEL IT IS A, A VERY IMPORTANT BENEFIT HERE AT THE CITY.

UM, WE ALSO HAVE THE FERTILITY BENEFIT THAT'S GONNA BE NEW.

IT'S UP TO $20,000, UM, FOR THOSE QUALIFYING MEDICALLY.

AND, UM, WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO OFFER THAT, EXPAND INTO THAT BENEFIT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SEEKING TO, UM, START A FAMILY, HAVE A FAMILY, AND ALL THE JOY THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT.

[03:05:01]

OH, EXCELLENT.

OUR PLAN DESIGN WE ARE MAKING, WE'RE SIMPLIFYING IT.

THERE WERE TEARS AND IT WAS JUST CONFUSING AND FRUSTRATING TO PEOPLE.

SO WE ARE COLLAPSING THAT INTO THAT $15 COPAY.

AND, UM, IT, I KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY GONNA APPRECIATE THAT 'CAUSE IT'S JUST EASIER TO USE THE BENEFIT.

THE BIG THING HERE I KNOW IS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

OUR RETIREES 65 AND OVER HAVE AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY WITH MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

UM, IT'S SOMETHING WHERE WE PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN BENEFITS TO GIVE THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.

SO OUR RETIREES CONTINUE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IN COMING, UM, FROM OUTSIDE CITY OF AUSTIN, THAT'S SOMETHING MY PREVIOUS, UM, THE, UH, MEDICARE ELIGIBLE RETIREES WOULD BE LOOKING FORWARD TO IS THAT OPPORTUNITY TO QUALIFY AT 65 AND OVER ON THE RETIREE PLAN.

SO IT IS DOING A MANDATORY, UM, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THAT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE 65 AND OVER, WE HAVE 4,500 THAT ARE, UM, ELIGIBLE FOR THAT 1500 CURRENTLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, 3000 WOULD BE GOING ON IT.

AND THE GIFT OF THAT IS THAT THERE IS A, AN ENHANCED PLAN DESIGN.

THEY HAVE NO COPAY, NO DEDUCTIBLE, AND THE, UH, PROVIDER NETWORK IS JUST IDENTICAL TO THE PROVIDER NETWORK THEY HAVE NOW, AND THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT PREMIUM SAVINGS FOR INDIVIDUALS.

FOR A SINGLE RETIREE GOING FROM THEIR CURRENT SELECTION ON A PPO TO THE MEDICARE PLAN, THEY WOULD BE SAVING $672 A YEAR IN PREMIUM DOLLARS.

AGAIN, WITH THE, WITH A BETTER PLAN DESIGN AND WITH IDENTICAL PROVIDER NETWORK.

AND THOSE GOING FROM THE CURRENT DUAL PPO TO THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, PPO WOULD BE SAVING $3,952 A YEAR IN PREMIUM SAVINGS.

SO IT'S A, IT'S A WONDERFUL BENEFIT THAT WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO OFFER AND HAVE TO, UM, MAKE, REALLY MAKE MANDATORY FOR THOSE RETIREES BECAUSE THEY'LL BE ADVANTAGED IN SO MANY WAYS.

SO LET ME HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

LET ME BEGIN IF, IF, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

I WANNA START WITH THE, THE, THE RETIREE PLAN.

AND I WANNA START WITH THE CONCEPT THAT THE CITY, UH, ORIGINALLY HAD A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, YOU COULD VOLUNTARILY BECOME A PART OF THIS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM AND THAT CHANGED TO A MANDATORY PROGRAM.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THE DECISION WAS MADE TO REQUIRE PEOPLE TO DO THIS AS OPPOSED TO MAKE IT VOLUNTARY? YES.

IT, IT, ADDITIONALLY TO WHAT I HAD MENTIONED, IT SAVES ABOUT $18 MILLION A YEAR, UM, FOR THE PLAN.

AND THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PLAN, FOR THE PLAN RESERVES.

AS WE ALL KNOW, MEDICAL COSTS ARE SO EXPENSIVE.

THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS DONE AN EXEMPLARY JOB HOLDING, UM, THE PREMIUMS FOR EMPLOYEES STABLE.

AND THIS IS A WAY THAT WE CAN DO THAT AND, AND OFFER AN ENHANCED BENEFIT TO OUR RETIREES 65 AND OVER.

SO LET ME SAY THIS BACK TO YOU AND SEE IF I GET THIS RIGHT.

THE FIRST STEP WAS TO SEE IF PEOPLE WOULD VOLUNTEER TO DO THIS.

AND THE HOPE WAS THAT THEY WOULD VOLUNTEER TO DO THIS BECAUSE THERE WASN'T GOING TO BE A CHANGE IN THE DOCTORS.

UM, AND, AND SOME OF US FEEL LIKE, WE REMEMBER PEOPLE SAYING, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO, YOU'RE NOT GONNA LOSE YOUR DOCTOR.

AND THEN PEOPLE CLAIM THAT WE DID LOSE DOCTORS, BUT THERE WAS NOT GONNA LOSE DOCTORS.

THERE WAS GONNA ACTUALLY BE A DECREASE IN THE PREMIUM.

UM, YOU WEREN'T GONNA HAVE A DEDUCTIBLE OR COPAY MM-HMM.

, BUT PEOPLE DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR IT FOR WHATEVER REASON.

AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, THE CITY WAS NOT GOING TO GET A SAVINGS OF $18 MILLION.

UH, TO, TO HOW WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE PLAN.

THAT COULD BE USED FOR WHAT, WHAT COULD THAT MONEY BE USED FOR? THE $18 MILLION IS REALLY THERE TO PAY FOR THE PLAN.

UM, WE NEED TO HAVE A RESERVE.

WE'RE SELF-INSURED, SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE AT LEAST THREE MONTHS OF RESERVES AND, UM, A MONTH OF PAYMENTS IS ABOUT $20 MILLION.

SO, UM, WE LOOK TO HAVE OUR RESERVES AT LEAST HAVE 60 MILLION AND MAYBE A LITTLE, A LITTLE BIT MORE IS ALWAYS GOOD, YOU KNOW, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE, UM, BEING RESPONSIBLE FISCALLY AND,

[03:10:01]

SO, UM, I THINK I'D LIKE TO EXPAND ON WHAT YOU JUST SAID, PLEASE.

YES, WE DID HAVE A, A VOLUNTARY, UM, PILOT OF THIS PROGRAM AND WE DID A 1500 OUT OF THE 4,500 THAT JOINED US.

WE, UM, DEFAULT TO YOUR BENEFITS.

SO, UM, IF PEOPLE ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR BENEFITS, THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE PAUSE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE NEW BENEFITS ARE.

SO I THINK SOMETIMES WE FALL INTO, UNLESS THERE IS SOME TYPE OF REASON WHY PEOPLE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BENEFITS, IF THEY SEE BENEFITS ARE VOLUNTARY IN NATURE, THEY TEND TO KEEP WHAT THEY'VE HAD JUST BECAUSE THEY KEEP WHAT THEY'VE HAD.

AND WE'VE NOTICED THAT OVER, UM, THAT I'VE BEEN IN HUMAN RESOURCES OVER 25 YEARS AND THAT'S, THAT'S A PHENOMENON.

AND PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE HAPPY THEY STAY.

SO, SO, BUT LET'S, UH, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MANDATORY MOVEMENT.

, NOW THAT THEY HAVE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A MANDATORY MOVEMENT.

I WANT TO ASK, AND I JUST WANT CLARITY.

I'M NOT SURE, I JUST WANT CLARITY, AND I WANT CLARITY FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW BEING TOLD YOU, I KNOW YOU'RE HAPPY, BUT WE'RE GETTING READY TO MAKE YOU CHANGE.

NUMBER ONE IS, WILL THERE BE ANY ADDITIONAL COST TO A RETIREE? NO.

WILL THERE BE ANY DECREASE IN BENEFITS TO A RETIREE? NO.

DO THEY GET TO KEEP THE DOCTOR THAT THEY'RE USING OR THE, THE DOCTORS THAT THEY'VE BEEN USING, DOES IT CHANGE IN ANY WAY? WHO WOULD BE OUT OF NETWORK FOR THEM ONCE WE MAKE THIS, THIS CHANGE FOR THEM? THERE IS NO CHANGE.

SO ON, ON THE PREMIUM SAVINGS, THAT'S FOR, TELL ME HOW THAT WILL WORK.

OKAY, SO INDIVIDUALS THAT CURRENTLY ARE NOT ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, I WAS QUOTING, UH, WE HAVE A TIERED PROCESS FOR RETIREES.

SO IF YOU HAVE 20 YEARS OF TENURE WITH THE CITY, THAT'S, THAT'S, THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS THAT WAS NEED TO HAVE A A, A BASE FOR MY, UM, PREMIUM SAVINGS.

SO AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS, UM, GOING FROM SINGLE THAT IS NOT ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TO SINGLE ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WITH 20 YEARS AND OVER WITH THE CITY WILL SAVE $672 A YEAR IN PREMIUM.

THAT'S FOR A SINGLE PERSON FOR DUE AND DUE WILL BE RIGHT AT $4,000, RIGHT AT RIGHT AROUND $4,000.

CORRECT.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, THANK YOU.

AND WELCOME.

YEAH, I SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT TOO.

WELCOME.

NO PROBLEM.

THANK YOU, .

UM, I'M THRILLED TO, TO HAVE THIS DEDICATED, UH, PRESENTATION ON EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

I THINK WE'VE MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS THIS YEAR AND THANK YOU CITY MANAGER AND STAFF FOR, FOR THIS PRESENTATION.

UM, COLLEAGUES I DO WANNA HIGHLIGHT THE ADDED FERTILITY BENEFIT IS A CONTINUED WORK THAT, UH, MAYOR ADLER BROUGHT FORWARD WITH, UH, MICHAEL MCGILL RUNNING LEAD ON HIS TEAM, AND ONE THAT, UH, I SPONSORED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND SEVERAL OF Y'ALL CO-SPONSORED.

UM, US BEING ABLE TO SHARE WITH CITY WORKERS THAT THEY'LL HAVE A NEW FERTILITY BENEFIT IS INCREDIBLE NEWS.

UM, THINK IT REALLY HELPS US BECOME MORE OF A FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKPLACE AND A PREFERRED WORKPLACE FOR MANY AUSTINITES.

UH, 20,000 IS A GOOD FIRST STEP AS A BENEFIT.

I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT, UH, INCREASE OVER TIME.

YOU KNOW, EXPANDING FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY GOING THROUGH FERTILITY IS A VERY COSTLY, UH, PROCEDURE AND TREATMENT.

AND SO I THINK 20,000 IS A GOOD FIRST STEP, BUT CERTAINLY WOULD WANNA SEE THAT INCREASE MOVING FORWARD.

UM, AND I'M GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT THE CHILDCARE, UH, EFFORTS AND KNOWING THAT MORE EMPLOYEES ARE NOW, UH, WORKING WITH THE CITY IN, IN THEIR CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS.

SO THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER, ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE NEXT ITEM? OKAY.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

WHEN WE LOOK, WE THINK ABOUT HOW IT IS THAT WE APPROACH EMS OVERALL IN THE CITY.

THANK, THANK YOU AND WELCOME .

ALL RIGHT, MS. LANG, TAKE US TO THE NEXT THING.

SO NEXT WE'LL HAVE OUR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES EMS DEPARTMENT TALKING ABOUT THEIR DOWNTOWN AREA COMMAND.

UM, EMS DID SUBMIT AN UNMET NEED FOR A NEW DOWNTOWN, UM, COMMAND DISTRICT TO RESPOND TO ELEVATED CALL VOLUMES IN THE AREA ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.

THIS GEOFENCED, UH, UH, SERVICE WILL BE FOR THREE SWORN POSITIONS AND OVERTIME COSTS AT $992,000 AND ONE TIME COST FOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT.

AND I'LL ASK THE CHIEF AND CHIEF OF STAFF TO COME DOWN TO TALK ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

YES, OF COURSE.

UM, SO I GUESS I CAN JUST START BY GIVING, JUST GO FOR IT, THE DESCRIPTION HERE.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER, ACT LIKE WE ALL NEED A TOURNIQUET.

COME ON FOR LETTING ME, UH, TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS.

UM, SO

[03:15:01]

UM, THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF US OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS TO THINK ABOUT THINGS DIFFERENTLY, UM, THAN UTILIZING AMBULANCES AS THE PRIMARY RESOURCE BECAUSE THEY TRULY ARE OUR MOST EXPENSIVE AND MOST VALUABLE ASSET, UM, THAT WE CAN DEPLOY.

WHEN WE TOOK A DEEP LOOK AT THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT DOWNTOWN, WE SEE A SIGNIFICANT SPIKE IN VOLUME AS EXPECTED ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY NIGHTS TO THE TUNE OF SEVERAL THOUSAND CALLS OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, WHICH WHEN BROKEN DOWN, UH, AVERAGES TO ABOUT ONE CALL PER HOUR ON A THURSDAY AND A FRIDAY AND A SATURDAY NIGHT.

WHEN YOU THINK OF THAT AND YOU COMPARE IT TO THE AVERAGE AMBULANCE UTILIZATION OF BETWEEN ONE TO TWO HOURS PER CALL, WE ARE BASICALLY DEDICATING TWO OF THOSE AMBULANCES DOWNTOWN JUST TO RESPONDING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

AND THAT'S TAKING THOSE AMBULANCES OUT OF SERVICES FOR OTHER AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT NEED THEM.

I'VE SPOKEN TO SOME OF YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE WAYS THAT WE LOOK AT OUR RESPONSE TIMES, AND THAT WE DO IN FACT TAKE SOME AMBULANCES FROM THE PERIPHERY OF THIS COMMUNITY AND BRING THEM INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHEN WE SEE CALL SPIKES.

AND SO THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO TAKE DIFFERENT RESOURCES AND USE THEM TO FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF THAT DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

THE WAY THE PROGRAM WOULD BE DESIGNED IS THAT WE WOULD BASICALLY GEO-FENCE THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, MUCH LIKE WE DO DURING THE SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST FESTIVAL.

AND WE WOULD TAKE SOME OF THEIR ASSETS THAT WERE PROVIDED TO US BY COUNCIL SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO CREATE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN TREAT PATIENTS IN PLACE, UM, AWAY FROM THE CROWDS AND WHATNOT, AND UTILIZE SMALL, UH, POLARIS TYPE VEHICLES THAT CAN CARRY A PATIENT THAT WOULD GO TO THESE ENTERTAINMENT VENUES AND WHATNOT, ASSESS THE PATIENTS, AND THEN POTENTIALLY EITHER TRANSPORT THEM TO THAT AREA WHERE WE CAN GET A BETTER SENSE OF, CAN WE USE A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT? CAN WE FIND A DIFFERENT RESOURCE FOR THEM THAT THEY MIGHT NEED? CAN WE TAKE THEM TO THE SOBERING CENTER? SO FOR EXAMPLE, 10% OF OUR PATIENTS THAT WE TRANSPORT TO THE HOSPITAL, 10% OF THOSE CALLS ARE GOING TO THE SOBERING CENTER.

WE DON'T NEED TO USE AN AMBULANCE FOR THOSE CALLS.

WE CAN UTILIZE OTHER RESOURCES AND FREE UP THOSE, THOSE, UM, THOSE AMBULANCES FOR OTHER RESOURCES.

SO IN OUR CURRENT PLAN, IT WOULD STAFF THAT, UM, TRAILER THAT WE ACQUIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, UM, THROUGH OUR COUNCIL INITIATIVE FOR SAFER SIXTH STREET, UH, WITH SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS THAT COULD TREAT IN PLACE, AND WE WOULD STAFF THREE, UH, UTVS OR U UM, THEY'RE BASICALLY MINI AMBULANCES, IF YOU WILL, UH, THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DEPLOY OUT ON SIXTH STREET AND RAINY STREET AND, AND ELSEWHERE.

WHAT'S THAT TRAILER CURRENTLY USED FOR RIGHT NOW? THE, THE TRAILER'S PRIMARILY USED FOR SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST.

SO IT JUST SITS MOST OF THE TIME, MUCH OF THE TIME.

WE'VE ONLY RECEIVED IT A FEW MONTHS AGO.

WE RECEIVED IT JUST BEFORE SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST THIS YEAR.

AND SO THE LOGISTICS OF TRYING TO GET IT DEPLOYED, IT WAS WITHIN A WEEK OF SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE PLACEMENT AND WHAT THE BEST LOCATION WAS, MAKING SURE THERE'S ADEQUATE FOOTPRINT.

UM, WE KIND OF HAD IT IN RESERVE, BUT AS WE ANTICIPATE WHAT SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST LOOKS LIKE FOR THE COMING YEAR, THAT TRAILER WILL BE PUT INTO SIGNIFICANT USE.

IT CAN HOUSE FOUR PATIENTS IN AN ENCLOSED ENVIRONMENT.

UM, THERE'S FOUR BAYS, IF YOU WILL, INSIDE THE TRAILER, UH, WHICH IS NORMALLY ADEQUATE FOR US, UH, WHEN WE SEE THAT VOLUME SPIKES DURING SOME OF THESE MORE HIGH, HIGH PROFILE ENTERTAINMENT TYPE THINGS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO IN A TENT RIGHT NOW.

BUT THE TENT IS OVER, UH, IT, IT'S, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO FLOOR TO IT, SO WHEN IT RAINS, THE WATER COMES IN AND WHATNOT.

AND SO IT REALLY IS A WAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BETTER ADDRESS, UM, THE, UH, THE ADVERSE WEATHER AND WHATNOT.

BUT, BUT TO YOUR QUESTION, NO.

CURRENTLY IT IS PRIMARILY USED FOR THAT.

WE ANTICIPATE WE'LL PROBABLY DEPLOY IT FOR OTHER LARGER EVENTS THAT COME THROUGH THE CITY.

UM, BUT BECAUSE IT'S SO NEW, WE HAVEN'T REALLY ANTICIPATED, BUT IT COULD BE, BUT IT COULD BE USED TO OPEN UP, UH, THIS PROCESS AND OPEN UP THE, THE USE LESS AMBULANCES IN DOWNTOWN.

I, THAT WAS THE INTENT WHEN WE KIND OF ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED THIS, THIS PROGRAM WAS THIS POTENTIALLY COULD BE USED IF WE DID AN ASSESSMENT FOR THOSE, UH, FOR THIS TYPE OF A PROGRAM.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED FOR.

MAYOR PRO, TIM, THANKS AND GOOD TO SEE YOU, CHIEF.

UM, COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS PROGRAM EXPANDING UP TO THE DOMAIN AREA? YEAH, SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S INTERESTING FOR US TO TRY TO NAVIGATE THAT.

THE, THE DOMAIN I THINK I'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH SEVERAL OF YOU IS REALLY A, UM, IT'S BECOMING A SECOND DOWNTOWN, AND IT REALLY IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON PUBLIC SAFETY IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, IN TERMS OF HOW IT IS THAT WE CAN, UH, CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES IN, IN THOSE AREAS.

UM, AND THAT WE'RE NOT TAKING THEM FROM SURROUNDING, UH, AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY TO RESPOND AGAIN, TO POTENTIALLY, UH, INDIVIDUALS THAT DON'T NEED AN AMBULANCE.

AND SO WE COULD, UM, AS POTENTIALLY PART OF THIS PROGRAM, IF, IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL, TAKE A

[03:20:01]

AND, AND I'LL ADD AS WELL THAT OUR INTENT WITH THIS PROGRAM IS TO TAKE THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE GONNA BE IN THIS PROGRAM AND TRAIN THEM AS MENTAL HEALTH PARAMEDICS.

AND SO THEY WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO SERVE IN THAT ROLE TO BE ABLE TO GO AND TRY TO FIND, AGAIN, WE DON'T WANNA TAKE MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS TO THE HOSPITAL UNNECESSARILY.

SO IF THERE'S OTHER RESOURCES THAT WE COULD UTILIZE AND, AND HAVING THESE TYPES OF RESOURCES THAT CAN ASSESS WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS.

UM, AND AGAIN, AS YOU, IF YOU MENTIONED THE DOMAIN IS ANOTHER PLACE WHERE THERE'S A LARGE VOLUME OF CALLS, UM, PARTICULARLY ON THE LATE NIGHT EVENINGS WHERE THE REALITY IS THEY PROBABLY DON'T NEED A TRIP TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM.

WE COULD PROBABLY COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION IF WE HAD THE RESOURCES TO DEPLOY THERE.

AND MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE WILL SPEAK, UM, MORE SPECIFICALLY TO THE AREA THAT'S IN HIS DISTRICT DOWNTOWN, BUT HE AND I ARE IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE NEED BOTH DOWNTOWN AND AT THE DOMAIN, THE, UM, THE BENEFITS THAT THIS EXPANSION WOULD BRING.

CAN YOU KIND OF GIVE US A SENSE OF THE DOLLAR FIGURE IMPACT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT? I THINK IS IT TWO CAPTAINS THAT WE NEED, OR THAT MAY BE IN A DIFFERENT CATEGORY, BUT THE EXPANSION THAT'D BE NEEDED FOR, FOR THIS ADDITIONAL SERVICE LEVEL? SO THE, THE CURRENT PROPOSAL THAT THE UNMET NEED REALLY FOCUSED ON THE DOWNTOWN AREA TO SPEAK TO THE DOMAIN, I WOULD WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU AND CONSULT WITH OUR FINANCE TEAM.

UM, BUT, UH, AS I BELIEVE WAS ON THE SLIDE, WAS THREE FTES, UM, AND A TOTAL OF ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS IN, IN COSTS, UM, FOR A TOTAL OF 10 STAFF MEMBERS.

NOW EVALUATING THAT AND, AND WHAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT WOULD BE WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD ADEQUATELY COVER RAINY AND SIXTH AND HAVE THE STAFFING IN PLACE FOR THAT ALTERNATIVE, UM, TREATMENT CENTER AT THE PATIENT COLLECTION POINT.

UM, AND THEN WE WOULD UTILIZE AMBULANCES IN THOSE CASES THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.

AND I AGREE THAT THE DOWNTOWN AREA IS THE, THE FIRST PRIORITY.

NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE LEVEL OF SERVICES THAT OUR RESIDENTS HAVE COME TO EXPECT AND APPRECIATE.

UM, WHAT I DON'T WANNA SEE IS US TO LEAVE BEHIND THE FACT THAT THE DOMAIN AREA IS RAPIDLY, UH, CATCHING UP.

IT'S NOT AS BAD, BUT, UM, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO GET IT IN A IN FRONT OF THAT IF WE WERE TO MAKE THESE SERVICES AVAILABLE AND EXPAND IN THESE AREAS.

WHAT COST REDUCTION DO YOU THINK WE MIGHT HAVE IF WE'RE, WE WERE NOT, FOR EXAMPLE, TAKING PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE IRAN TIME AND THE REDEPLOYMENT OF THE MEDICS FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET TO, LET'S SAY THE DOMAIN? YEAH, I, I THINK THAT WE COULD, UM, LOOK AT WHAT OUR DEPLOYMENT PROCESS IS.

UM, THE REAL BENEFIT HERE IS LOOKING AT REDUCING, UH, THE CURRENT WORKLOAD AND, UM, UTILIZATION OF THE AMBULANCES.

THE REALITY IS THAT BOTH DOWNTOWN AND ALSO TO A DEGREE IN THE DOMAIN THAT THOSE AMBULANCES, WHICH I THINK IN THEORY WERE DESIGNED FOR RESIDENTS AND, AND, AND CARING FOR FOLKS, ARE REALLY BEING UTILIZED FOR THOSE ENTERTAINMENT TYPE FUNCTIONS.

AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT AN AMBULANCE IS NOT ON SIXTH STREET, DEALING WITH SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NOT NEED A TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL, AND THEN THERE IS A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY THAT COMES IN SOMEWHERE ELSE DOWNTOWN FOR A RESIDENT, AND THAT AMBULANCE HAS TO COME FROM ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY.

UM, WE, WE REALLY DO STRIP OUR AVAILABILITY OF AMBULANCES DURING THOSE HOURS.

AND I THINK THAT THE DOMAIN HAS VERY SIMILAR ISSUES OF PULLING RESOURCES TO THAT AREA, THAT RETAIL SLASH, YOU KNOW, ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

AND WHAT OUR PRIORITY IS TO TRY TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN THE PERIPHERY OF THE DOMAIN THAT LIVE IN THE PERIPHERY OR IN DOWNTOWN, UM, THAT MIGHT NEED RESOURCES THAT AREN'T PARTICIPATING IN THOSE ENTERTAINMENT AND RETAIL TYPE FUNCTIONS.

AND I'LL ASSURE YOU THAT THE CONVERSATIONS WE ARE HAVING AS A PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERSHIP TEAM, UM, NOT JUST IN EMS, IS THAT WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY HOW IT IS THAT WE CAN BETTER HANDLE THE GROWTH AT THE DOMAIN.

UM, BECAUSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS PLANNED AT THE TIME REALLY DID NOT FORESEE FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT THE VOLUME OF, UH, CALLS THAT WE ARE SEEING.

AND IT'S NOT JUST EMS, IT'S LAW ENFORCEMENT, DO WE NEED TO LOOK AT REPLICATING SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE USE DOWNTOWN IN SOME SORT OF A WAY IN THAT PART OF THE CITY.

AND SO, JUST TO, TO PUT A CAP ON MY COMMENTS, REALLY, IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS ENSURING THAT WE DON'T DEGRADE THE LEVEL OF SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THAT AREA JUST BECAUSE THERE IS AN UPTAKE, UPTAKE, UPTICK IN ACTION NECESSARY IN THE ENTERTAINMENT AREAS.

SO WE'RE, WE NEED TO HAVE NEW RESOURCES IN THOSE AREAS SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE A

[03:25:01]

THAT IS EXACTLY, I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER.

OKAY, GREAT.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M SAYING.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

UH, NO QUESTIONS, JUST MORE COMMENTS.

UH, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW COMMAND CENTER.

I'VE, I'VE DONE QUITE A FEW, UH, RIDE ALONGS WITH EMS, AND I ALWAYS FELT LIKE THERE WAS A VOID.

UH, AND I KNOW ALL THE GREAT WORK THEY ALL DO, ESPECIALLY ON WEEKENDS.

AND I WAS READING THE COMMUNITY IMPACT ARTICLE, UH, THAT WAS TALKING ABOUT A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT OUR OFFICE IS BRINGING FORWARD.

UM, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING LIKE 50 FOLKS WERE SAVED BY EMS ON RAINY STREET.

WE KNOW THAT'S BEEN AN ISSUE IN THE PAST.

WE'VE HAD SOMEONE REACH OUT TO OUR OFFICE, UH, SAY HOW EMS SAVED THEIR LIFE, UH, ONE NIGHT.

UH, SO I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

COUNCIL MEMBER, ANYTHING, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER? UM, I JUST WANNA UNDERSCORE THAT THIS IS NOT A QUESTION JUST FOR THE DOMAIN OR THE DOWNTOWN THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE HAVE TRIED TO DIVE INTO RESPONSE TIMES IN MY DISTRICT, THE DOMAIN PULLING AMBULANCES FROM MY DISTRICT IS OFTEN THE CULPRIT.

UM, AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN SOMEONE HAS A HEART ATTACK IN DISTRICT 10, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO AN AMBULANCE, AND IT'S NOT BEING CALLED, UM, TO THE DOMAIN BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SERVICES IN, IN DOMAIN.

AND IT'S A VERY SERIOUS CHALLENGE, PARTICULARLY FOR PARTS OF TOWN THAT HAVE A LOT OF GEOGRAPHY THAT THEY'RE COVERING, UM, FOR THE FEW AMBULANCES THAT WE HAVE.

TO UNDERSCORE THAT YOU GAVE A GR A REALLY GREAT ANSWER, BUT YOU TALKED IN TERMS OF IF YOU'RE USING AN AMBULANCE IN DOWNTOWN, THERE MAY BE A RESIDENCE IN DOWNTOWN THAT MAY HAVE A NEED FOR THAT AMBULANCE.

RIGHT? BUT NOW YOU'VE, YOU'VE USED UP THE AMBULANCE, BUT WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER IS SAYING IS, IS RIGHT.

I THINK, AND THAT IS ACTUALLY AND MAY BE DRAWN AN AMBULANCE FROM SOME OTHER PART OF THE CITY.

AND, UM, AND THAT'S WHY HAVING A A TACTICAL APPROACH, UM, MAY MAKE SENSE.

YES, SIR.

OTHER, OTHER THOUGHTS ON THIS ITEM BEFORE WE, UM, MOVE ON? YES, COUNCILOR PROPER MADISON, UH, THOUGHTS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY A QUESTION.

IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE I JUST REALLY THINKING ABOUT LONG-TERM CAPACITY.

UM, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY IN MY CIRCLE WHO, WHO LIVES FURTHER NORTH, HE'S LIKE, MAN, OUR SKYLINE IS GROWING AND STRETCHING, ISN'T IT? AND SO JUST THINKING AHEAD, I JUST WANNA MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE'RE PREPARED.

AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT WE'RE BRINGING THIS UP NOW AND PREEMPTING, YOU KNOW, INSTEAD OF, IN SOME WAYS WE'RE RETROFITTING OUR CITY, BUT IN THIS WAY, I, I APPRECIATE US GETTING OUT IN FRONT OF IT.

GOOD.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.

THANK YOU, CHIEF.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK.

THANK YOU, MS. LANG.

HEY, YES, COUNCILOR ALTER.

UM, BEFORE WE WRAP UP ON THE GENERAL FUND, I JUST WANTED TO CALL MY, UM, COLLEAGUE'S ATTENTION.

I JUST NOTICED YESTERDAY, SO I'M NOT GONNA TALK ABOUT IT IN DEPTH TODAY, BUT I JUST NOTICED THAT THERE'S A VERY, VERY LARGE NUMBER OF UNMET NEEDS FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, UM, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS WHERE WE MOVE CHILDCARE AND WORKFORCE, UM, TOGETHER.

SO IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN A LOOK AT, UM, THOSE THAT UNMET NEEDS AND, AND YOU CARE ABOUT WORKFORCE AND CHILDCARE, UM, OR WHAT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS TRYING TO DO ON A NUMBER OF SCORES, THERE'S LIKE 18 DIFFERENT UNMET NEEDS I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT AT THOSE.

THANK YOU, MS. LANG.

SO THOSE WERE THE TOPICS THAT WERE BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION.

UM, JUST TALKING NEXT STEPS, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE, UH, A FEW, UH, WORK SESSIONS COMING FORTH NEXT WEEK.

UM, WE PLAN ON DISCUSSING OUR ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENTS AND, UH, THE CAPITAL BUDGET.

UM, AND, UM, THEN WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH, UH, THE AUGUST.

ACTUALLY WE HAVE, I'M MISSING A DATE.

WE HAVE JULY 30TH.

YEAH, I NEED TO ADD THAT TO THE TIMELINE.

WE HAVE JULY 30TH WHERE WE'LL TALK ABOUT CAPITAL AND ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENTS AND THEN AUGUST 1ST.

UM, AND UM, THEN WORK SESSIONS ON THE SIXTH AND EIGHTH AND, AND MEMBERS, THIS WORKED OUT WELL.

I THINK THAT WE SENT QUESTIONS AND AREAS OF INTEREST, UH, TO MS. LANG IN ADVANCE.

AND WE HAD SET LAST TIME, WE LAID OUT THE, THE TIMELINE AND THE TIMELINE I PUT ON THE MESSAGE BOARD HAS THE DATE, AND I'M NOT REMEMBERING OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT HAS THE DATE THAT WE HAVE, HAVE, HAVE AS A TARGET ABOUT IDEAS THAT WE, THINGS THAT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WITH REGARD TO THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.

I'LL REMIND EVERYBODY OF THAT, BUT I JUST WANNA REMIND EVERYBODY OF IT RIGHT NOW TOO.

YES, MS. LANG, UM, THE DATE THAT WAS SET WAS FRIDAY.

GOOD.

UM, IF YOU ALL COULD GET IT TO US TOMORROW OR FRIDAY, THAT WOULD HELP STAFF PREPARE.

UM, WE ARE HAPPY TO GET IT FRIDAY, BUT IT WAS REALLY TIGHT TO GET YOU ALL THE PRESENTATION TODAY.

SO ANYTHING THAT COULD, WE WANNA GET YOU ALL THE BEST INFORMATION POSSIBLE, SO

[03:30:01]

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY.

YEAH, THANK US IN ADVANCE, HUH? OKAY.

UM, MEMBERS, WE ARE, WE HAVE A SECOND ITEM ON OUR AGENDA AND THAT IS THE THREE O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN FOR THE COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION WHERE WE WILL CONDUCT A COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION AND RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS, UH, 24 25 PROPOSED BUDGET.

SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL WILL BE IN RECESS UNTIL 3:00 PM IT IS ONE 30.

THANKS EVERYBODY.

UH, I WILL CALL BACK TO ORDER THIS WORK SESSION OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.

IT IS 3:00 PM ON JULY 24TH, 2024.

UH, WE ARE CONTINUING TO MEET, UH, IN THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT AUSTIN CITY HALL 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET.

UH, THIS IS ITEM

[2. Conduct a community input session to receive public comment on the City of Austin Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Proposed Budget.]

NUMBER TWO ON OUR AGENDA, WHICH IS A COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION.

UH, WE WILL CONDUCT A COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CITY OF AUSTIN FISCAL YEAR 20 24, 20 25, PROPOSED BUDGET.

I WANT TO INDICATE FOR, UH, THE PUBLIC THAT THERE WILL BE TWO OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY INPUT.

ONE WILL BE ON AUGUST 1ST AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, AND ONE WILL BE AT AUGUST 14TH AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

WITH THAT, UM, MEMBERS WILL GO STRAIGHT TO COMMUNITY INPUT AND I WILL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE AND ASK THE CITY CLERK TO HELP US THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

THAT DRAIN RESOURCES FROM SOCIAL SUPPORTS THAT ARE ALREADY DISGUSTINGLY UNDERFUNDED, GIVEN THE OVERWHELMING NEEDS OF OUR CITY'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY REMOTE SPEAKERS JUST YET, SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND START WITH IN PERSON ZENOBIA JOSEPH, JJ RAMIREZ, ALFREDO REYES, JR.

BARRY JONES.

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

LET ME SAY THOSE AGAIN AND THEN I'LL CALL A FEW MORE.

ZENOBIA.

JOSEPH, JJ RAMIREZ, ALFREDO REYES, BARRY JONES, DEREK CORTEZ, JOEL COLE, ANNA DUNCAN, AVERY RYDER, LESLIE ALEXANDER.

OKAY, I AM GONNA GO, I THINK WE HAVE SOME REMOTE SPEAKERS.

I'M GONNA SWITCH OVER THERE REAL QUICK.

CANDACE COSTED.

HI, GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS CANDACE.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN AUSTIN AND I'M A PROUD MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE STUDENT.

I SPENT TWO AND A HALF YEARS WORKING IN HOUSING HOMELESS SERVICES AND I'M NOW A CRISIS COUNSELOR WORKING IN A PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SETTING.

I AM SEEING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON THE PROPOSED CITY BUDGET BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF FEELING EMBARRASSED ABOUT THE SCARCITY OF RESOURCES WE HAVE TO OFFER THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO NEED THE MOST.

AND IT'S BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO AFFORD TO LIVE IN MY NATIVE CITY WITH THE POPULATION I SERVE.

IT SHOULD NOT BE CONTROVERSIAL TO EXPECT THAT OUR TAX DOLLARS WOULD BE SPENT ON PRIORITIES SUCH AS COST OF LIVING, WAGE ADJUSTMENTS, COMMUNITY HEALTH, AFFORDABLE, BASIC NEEDS, ACCESSIBLE HOUSING, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, AND SAFETY FOR ALL.

HOWEVER, THESE PRIORITIES ARE NOT REFLECTED BY THIS PROPOSED BUDGET.

RESPECTFULLY, 4.4% OF A $1.4 BILLION BUDGET.

BEING DEDICATED TO SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACTS IS TRAGIC, BUT ONE 10TH OF A PERCENT FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES.

WHILE 35.1% IS BEING DEDICATED TO A PD IS A PUBLIC AFFRONT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AS A FORMER HOUSING CASE MANAGER, I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW CRIMINALIZING HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WORSENS THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS AND SABOTAGES EFFORTS TO SECURE THEIR RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENT.

VITAL DOCUMENTS, WHICH CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING FOR CLIENTS AND THEIR CASE MANAGERS TO OBTAIN AND HOLD ONTO, ARE OFTEN NEEDLESSLY DISPOSED OF DURING ENCAMPMENT SUITES, WHICH EXACERBATES THESE ISSUES.

I HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH MENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS THAT PERFORMED THEIR JOB DUTIES ACCEPTABLY ACCORDING TO THE WAY THEY WERE TRAINED.

HOWEVER, THE RECENT KILLINGS OF MELISSA PEREZ AND SONYA MASSEY HIGHLIGHT THE GRAVE DANGERS TO OUR CURRENT PROTOCOL OF OUR CURRENT PROTOCOL OF HAVING OFFICERS FREQUENTLY INTERVENE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

COUNTLESS CIVILIAN FATALITIES EVERY YEAR SERVE AS A REMINDER THAT HALF OF PEOPLE KILLED BY POLICE HAVE A DISABILITY AND A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF POLICE BRUTALITY VICTIMS ARE RACIAL MINORITIES.

IN APRIL, A TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY RESPONDING TO A ROUTINE WELFARE CHECK KILLED A MAN AT COMMUNITY FIRST VILLAGE, A HOUSING COMPLEX FOR THE FORMERLY HOMELESS FOR ACTING ERRATICALLY.

I SAY ALL OF THIS, NOT BECAUSE I COME TO YOU WITH HATE IN MY HEART FOR FIRST RESPONDERS TRYING TO DO THEIR JOBS, BUT BECAUSE WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE SO MANY VALUABLE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THIS CITY THAT ARE MORE QUALIFIED, MORE APPROPRIATE, LESS LIKELY TO RETRAUMATIZE, LESS LIKELY TO PHYSICALLY HARM, AND LESS LIKELY TO ESCALATE THOSE IN NEED OF CRISIS ASSISTANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS, I URGE YOU TO READ THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET I SHARED AND TO LISTEN TO THOSE ADVOCATING FOR ALTERNATIVE FIRST RESPONSE EFFORTS.

DO NOT BE SWAYED BY EMPTY PROMISES OF PUBLIC SAFETY

[03:35:01]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION, YASMINE SMITH.

HELLO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THIS IS YASMINE SMITH, VICE PRESIDENT OF JUSTICE AND ADVOCACY FOR THE AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE.

AND YOU SHOULD KNOW BY THE SOUND OF MY VOICE AND THE AFFILIATION, WHICH I HAVE, WHAT I AM HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, UM, INCLUDING ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FUNDED AS QUOTE UNQUOTE ONE TIME, UM, AMOUNT, YEAR OVER YEAR TOTAL IS ONLY 79.5 MILLION OR ROUGHLY 5.7% OF OUR GENERAL FUND.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE NEW CITY MANAGER HAS JUST ARRIVED, UM, AND THIS BUDGET IS LARGELY JESUS GARZA IS DOING, BUT WE CANNOT WAIT A YEAR FOR AUSTIN TO GET BACK ON TRACK AND EXCESS POLICE FUNDING CANNOT BE UNDONE AFTER UNDER STATE LAW.

THE ITEMS OF THE CIB IF FUNDED WILL CONTINUE AUSTIN'S TRACK RECORD AS A SAFE, UH, CITY, ONE OF THE SAFEST IN TEXAS.

MANY OF THESE ITEMS WILL RELIEVE POLICE OF TASKS THEY DO NOT NEED TO DO AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO, LIKE RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.

MANY OF THESE ITEMS WILL PREVENT THE KINDS OF FAMILY CRISIS THAT GENERATE 9 1 1 CALLS, LIKE VIOLENCE PREVENTION, UH, PROGRAMMING AND FAMILY STABILIZATION FUNDING.

MANY OF THESE ITEMS WILL CREATE ORDER AND PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY FULLY FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT SERVICES THAT MAKE OUR CITY BEAUTIFUL, INTERESTING, AND A PLEASURE TO LIVE IN.

THESE ITEMS INCLUDE, UH, EQUITY OFFICE, THEY'RE VERY HOLISTIC.

EAST AUSTIN PERFORMING ARTS FUNDING, TENANT ROAD RELOCATION ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE, STREET OUTREACH, UH, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, UM, AND, AND THE LIKE.

WE COME TO YOU AS A HOLISTIC COALITION THAT INCLUDES THE LIKES OF THE URBAN LEAGUE, UM, EQUITY ACTION, GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP, ER, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, SUSTAINABLE FOOD CENTER, AND YOUR VERY OWN PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION.

WE STAND TOGETHER IN COALITION WITH OUR PARTNERS AND WITH THIS COMMUNITY ASKING YOU TO EQUITABLY ALLOCATE TAXPAYER MONEY.

WE ARE OPEN AND, AND, AND ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE, UH, MEETINGS WE ALREADY HAVE SCHEDULED.

AND FOR ALL THOSE OTHERS, PLEASE BE AWAITING, UM, OUR COMMUNICATION.

THANK YOU AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

KAYLA REESE? YES.

HI, MY NAME IS KAYLA REESE AND I'M THE ADVOCACY MANAGER WITH BOSTON PARK FOUNDATION.

UM, AND I AM CALLING TO SPEAK ABOUT THE NEEDED MAINTENANCE POSITIONS FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

UM, THERE ARE 16 POSITIONS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND FOUR POSITIONS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE, UM, WITHIN THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT THAT ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED.

WE HEARD EARLIER TODAY, UM, FROM THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE PARKS AND REC THAT THE CITY'S WORKING TOWARDS PARKS AND WALKING DISTANCE FOR ALL CITIZENS.

AND THE CITY, CITY SHOULD NOT ONLY WANT PARKS FOR PEOPLE TO WALK TO, BUT PARKS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO WALK TO AND ENJOY.

THAT MEANS WELL MAINTAINED PARKS.

AND WITHOUT INVESTMENT IN MAINTENANCE, PEOPLE WILL NOT WANNA GO TO THE PARK.

SO THIS CITY HAS FOUGHT SO HARD FOR THE DEMAND FOR PARK MAINTENANCE HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AS THERE HAVE BEEN MORE PARKS.

AND WITH NEW POOLS AND NEW CENTERS OPENING IN THE NEXT YEAR, WE WILL ONLY SEE THE CURRENT STAFF MORE STRAINED.

THIS REQUEST FOR 16 FTES FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND FOR FTES FOR THE HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM ARE NOT NEW.

THEY WILL NOT INCREASE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE.

THOSE ARE JUST WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE.

THIS IS DESPERATELY NEEDED AND IT SHOWS A HISTORIC UNDERINVESTMENT IN PARKS AND RECREATION.

THE REQUEST FOR NEW MAINTENANCE POSITIONS IS NOT A NEW REQUEST.

IT JUST HAPPENS THAT RIGHT NOW WE NEED AS MANY AS 16, UH, REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND FOR FTES TO KEEP THE LEVEL OF MAINTENANCE WE HAVE.

I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR'S TIME AND EFFORTS ON THE BUDGET.

THANK YOU HEIDI SCHOCK.

HI, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS HEIDI MACH.

I'M A D FOUR RESIDENT AND AN ARTS COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT SEVEN, AND I AM CURRENTLY THE VICE CHAIR OF THE ARTS COMMISSION.

I'M CALLING IN TO ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE ARTS COMMISSION'S BUDGET REQUEST CHAIR LINA ISMAN AND I HAVE MET WITH MANY OF YOU OR YOUR DESIGNATED STAFF MEMBER OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS TO SHARE THE STATE OF THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM AND TO ADVANCE POLICIES AND FUNDING

[03:40:01]

TO SUPPORT THIS CRITICAL SECTOR THAT IS NOT ONLY AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE CITY, BUT ONE OF THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR IDENTITY.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX IS THE SOLE SOURCE OF MUNICIPAL FUNDING FOR ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS IN AUSTIN.

WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE THIS SMALL PERCENTAGE OF HOT, BUT THIS IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ENOUGH FOR A CITY OF OUR SIZE AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE.

AND IT MUST BE USED FOR PROGRAMMING THAT ATTRACTS TOURISTS.

SO SOME ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OUR ARTISTS SERVICE NONPROFITS AND ARTS EDUCATION GROUPS ARE LEFT OUT OF THAT POT ALTOGETHER AS COMMISSIONERS.

MANY OF US ARE ARTISTS OR ARTS ADMINISTRATORS, AND WE HEAR ABOUT THE PRECARIOUS POSITION MANY OF OUR ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE CURRENTLY IN.

AS YOU KNOW AND HAVE HEARD FROM EARLIER SPEAKERS TODAY, THE COST OF LIVING AND MAKING WORK IN AUSTIN HAS RISEN EXPONENTIALLY AND MANY GROUPS ARE STILL RECOVERING FINANCIALLY FROM COVID CLOSURES.

AT OUR JULY COMMISSION MEETING, ONE OF THE MORE THAN 20 MEMBERS WHO SPOKE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT SAID, PLAINLY AND ACCURATELY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS FAILING ITS ARTISTS AND CREATIVE COMMUNITY.

OUR BUDGET REQUESTS WERE MODEST AND INCLUDE REQUESTS FOR EXPANDING THE CREATIVE SPACE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND ADDED FUNDS FOR ARTIST SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY FOR BETTER LANGUAGE TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES.

PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE REQUESTING ABOUT 550,000 THAT CURRENTLY COMES OUT OF THE HOT POT TO PAY FOR CAD STAFFING.

THAT'S THE CULTURAL ARTS DIVISION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS AMOUNT COVERED BY THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND FOR STAFF RATHER THAN HOT SO THAT THAT 550,000 CAN BE REINVESTED INTO OUR ARTS ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

THIS COULD MEAN A HUNDRED ADDITIONAL NEXUS GRANTS, 11 $50,000 ELEVATE GRANTS, OR FIVE ADDITIONAL THRIVE GRANTS, WHICH HAVE PROVEN TO BE TRANSFORMATIVE FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE RECEIVED THEM.

AS ALWAYS, WE'RE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU TOWARDS LONG-TERM EQUITABLE SOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIES THAT CAN SUPPORT OUR ARTS ECOSYSTEM.

I REALLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I ALSO, UH, CO-SIGN ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WHO ARE, WHO ARE ASKING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.

CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND NUMEROUS LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA STORIES COVERING AUSTIN AND HOW IT HANDLES SEX CRIMES AND THEIR VICTIMS. FURTHER, THE CITY HAS A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO UPHOLD THE SETTLEMENT TERMS OF THE LAWSUIT THAT WERE BROUGHT AGAINST THEM.

DOUG GRECO.

I'M DOUG GRECO, A FORMER A ISD TEACHER AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND A CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR IN AUSTIN.

TRAVIS COUNTY'S MEASURE FOR CHILDCARE AND THE PROPOSED A ISD MEASURE FOR EDUCATION WOULD, IT WOULD PUT OVER A HUNDRED MILLION NEW DOLLARS INTO SCHOOLS, WORKFORCE, AND FAMILIES ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

THE CITY OF AUSTIN NEEDS TO BE JUST AS BOLD AND INVEST IN ADDITIONAL 40 MILLION IN EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE STRATEGIES IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

THIS SHOULD INCLUDE ADULT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS, ESL PROGRAMS, SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS. WE ALSO NEED AN AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION STRATEGY TO EXPAND OUR PARTNERSHIPS BEYOND A ISD TO ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTIALLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, SUCH AS DELL VALLEY ROUND ROCK, LEANDER, MAYNARD, EAMES, PFLUGERVILLE, AND OUR LIVING WAGE SHOULD BE AT LEAST SET TO $22 AN HOUR IN 1999.

AS A TEACHER ON THE EAST SIDE AT WHAT WAS JOHNSTON HIGH, A PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST NAMED TA VASQUEZ CAME INTO MY CLASSROOM AND SAID, DOUG, I WANNA HOLD A HOUSE MEETING WITH YOUR STUDENTS.

AT THE TIME, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A HOUSE MEETING WAS, BUT IT CHANGED MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

AFTER TWO YEARS OF ORGANIZING HOUSE MEETINGS AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT AT JOHNSTON, WE BROUGHT THE SCHOOL OFF THE LOW PERFORMING LIST FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL YEARS.

WE NEED TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT REBUILDING THE MIDDLE CLASS IN AUSTIN.

WE ARE THE FASTEST GROWING CITY FOR MILLIONAIRES.

OUR INCOME INEQUALITY CONTINUES TO INCREASE AND OUR PERCENTAGE OF BLACK AND LATINO FAMILIES CONTINUES TO DECREASE.

MAYOR WATSON, OVER THE 27 YEARS SINCE YOU WERE FIRST ELECTED, WORKING FAMILIES HAVE BEEN PUSHED OUT OF AUSTIN AND OUT OF THE MIDDLE CLASS A ISC AND TRAVIS COUNTY ARE PROPOSING BOLD INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE AND WE SHOULD DO THE SAME.

DELIA PACOS.

HI.

I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY THANKING THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL FOR PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SPEAK TODAY.

MY NAME IS DR.

DELIA PASCO AND I'M A PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AT ST.

EDWARDS UNIVERSITY.

I SERVE AS A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT AND CO-CHAIR OF THE OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COLLECTIVE SEX CRIMES RESPONSE MODEL, KNOWN AS THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT.

I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT FUNDING FOR THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL BUDGET PROPOSAL AFTER YEARS OF SYSTEMATIC FAILURE AND UNREST SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE, TWO

[03:45:01]

THIS PROJECT IS ONLY A YEAR AND A HALF INTO THE THREE YEAR PROJECT SCOPE IN WHICH OVER 120 ELEMENTS OF REFORM ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE THE HANDLING OF SEX CRIMES IN OUR COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE FOR THE SURVIVORS THAT CHOOSE TO REPORT THE POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM KNOWN AS PERF PRODUCED A 182 PAGE REPORT WITH OVER A HUNDRED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE.

AFTER A DEEP DIVE AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT SEX CRIMES UNIT AND THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND SPECIFICALLY THE OUTREACH AND PARTNERS PARTNERSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE C-R-M-C-S-C-R-M PROJECT.

WE'LL LAUNCH A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT CAMPAIGN TO INTRODUCE A NEW WEBSITE WITH RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS STARTING AUGUST 1ST, 2024, AND RUNNING FOR ONE YEAR.

THIS CAMPAIGN FOCUSES ON EMPOWERING SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BY HIGHLIGHTING THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM, WHETHER OR NOT THEY CHOOSE TO REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE PSA WILL BE BROADCAST THROUGH RADIO DISPLAYED THROUGH DIGITAL AND PRINT ADS AND PLACED ON CITY BUSES.

NOT ONLY IS THIS PROJECT POSITIVELY IMPACTING THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S ALSO CREATING, UH, THE NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE.

AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE LEADERS IN THIS SPACE, BUT ONLY A FUNDING CONTINUES.

CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE TO PRIORITIZE THE FUNDING OF THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT.

IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR WAS SIX OUT OF THE 10 COUNCIL MEMBERS SIGNING ON AS CO-SPONSORS TO THE ITEM.

THIS WAS ITEM NUMBER 50 OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

FURTHER, THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN ADDITIONALLY PUT FORTH A FORMAL RECOMMENDATION TO SUPPORT THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST.

IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, WE MUST FINISH THE WORK THAT WE'VE STARTED.

SURVIVORS DESERVE BETTER AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN NEEDS TO LEAD THE WAY BY PRIORITIZING THE FUNDING OF THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT.

FISCAL YEAR 2025 FUNDING REQUESTS ARE EXPECTED TO COVER THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW CADETS AND SEX CRIME UNIT DETECTIVE TRAINING, THE HIRING OF RETIRED DETECTIVES TO ASSIST WITH THE WORKLOAD OF THE SEX CRIMES UNIT FUNDING TO CREATE AND DEPLOY A SURVIVOR SURVEY UPON CASE CLOSURE.

PROBLEMS DOWN THE LINE EACH YEAR, BECAUSE IT IS GONNA GET MORE EXPENSIVE, THE LESS PREVENTION THAT WE DO.

AND THE HIRING OF AN OUTSIDE PROJECT PROJECT MANAGER OVER QUA BREWSTER.

HELLO, MY NAME IS QUA BREWSTER, UM, AND I'M JUST CALLING IN SUPPORT OF I'M, I'M REID IN DISTRICT ONE AND I'M JUST CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANT.

UM, HOPING THAT IT'S INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET, EXPANDED AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.

UM, IT REALLY DOES HELP FAMILIES IN AUSTIN, UM, WITH AFFORDABILITY.

WE KNOW THAT THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE FACING HOMELESSNESS BEING EVICTED FROM THEIR HOMES, SO WE JUST WANT TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF.

UM, I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR, THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK, UM, VANESSA FUENTES FOR SPEARHEADING AND ALWAYS BEING IN SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANT.

I JUST THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THAT.

CARMEN JANNIS.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TODAY.

AND, UH, I WANNA SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF WHAT MANY OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE, UH, SAID.

UM, CARMEN JANNIS.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GO AUSTIN BAMO AUSTIN, BUT ALSO SPEAKING TO YOU AS A DISTRICT NINE RESIDENT AND WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE, UH, AVA'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.

UM, WE HAVE SENT A COPY TO ALL OF YOU AND MANY OF THESE, UH, PRIORITIES ARE ALSO LISTED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WHICH WE ARE ALSO SUPPORTING.

I WANNA ENCOURAGE YOU ALL THAT EVEN THOUGH RESOURCES ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED IN THIS CYCLE, UH, MANY OF THE ITEMS ON THIS LIST ARE VERY SMALL IN COMPARISON TO THE MONEY AND TROUBLE.

THEY CAN SAVE US IN THE LONG TERM.

THEY'RE ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS AT THE POINT OF PREVENTION.

THEY ARE ADDRESSING SERVICES WITH CHANGES THAT MAKE THEM MORE EFFICIENT.

UH, OUR INVESTMENTS IN EARLY CHILDCARE ARE THE INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABILITY AND WORKFORCE THAT YOU ALL OFTEN TALK ABOUT, BUT THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN ACTUALLY FUNDED OR IMPLEMENTED IN POLICY.

AND SO IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT THIS BUDGET TRANSLATE INTO ACTION AROUND THOSE PRIORITIES THAT HAVE BEEN SO IMPORTANTLY STATED.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AND IDENTIFY WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY LEVERAGE WHAT YOU HAVE ON THE GROUND TO LOWER YOUR COSTS IN SOLVING THESE

[03:50:01]

AND AS AN INDIVIDUAL, I WANNA SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS COMMISSION'S, UH, RECOMMENDATION, UH, TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS.

THEY STATED, PARTICULARLY THAT HALF MILLION DOLLARS FOR CITY STAFF.

IF YOUR CITY STAFF IN THE CULTURAL ARTS DIVISION GO AWAY, THERE WILL STILL BE ARTISTS IN AUSTIN.

BUT IF THOSE ARTISTS CAN'T STAY IN AUSTIN, YOUR CULTURAL ARTS DIVISION WILL BE CLEARED AWAY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE A PURPOSE ANYMORE.

YOU CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT THE PEOPLE.

AND THERE IS NO CULTURE IN AUSTIN WITHOUT THE CREATIVES.

THERE IS NO CREATIVITY WITHOUT AFFORDABILITY.

SO WE MUST MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS.

WE NEED THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY, TASK TAX TO PAY FOR ART, NOT CITY STAFF.

THAT'S Y'ALL'S JOB.

SO I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.

YOU HAVE TOUGH CHOICES AHEAD OF YOU.

I ONLY EVER FACED IT AS A QUALITY OF LIFE.

COMMISSIONER, I MADE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THIS COUNCIL, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE IT.

IN YOU, PLEASE REFLECT THE PRIORITIES THAT WILL GET US INTO COST SAVINGS AND BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE FUTURE.

THAT IS ALL THE REMOTE SPEAKERS I HAVE AT THE MOMENT, SO I'M GONNA GO BACK TO IN PERSON.

AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THE NAMES WEREN'T HEARD, SO I'M JUST GONNA REPEAT THE NAMES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY CALLED.

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

THANKS.

AND, AND WHAT SHE JUST SAID IS, IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, GO AHEAD AND COME TO THE PODIUM.

UH, TAKE A SEAT HERE ON THE FRONT ROW OR, UH, OR NEARBY.

AND IF THERE'S NO ONE AT THE PODIUM, EVEN THOUGH YOUR NAME MAY HAVE BEEN THE SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH NAME CALLED, IF THERE'S NO ONE AT THE PODIUM, GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND JUST IDENTIFY YOURSELF.

THANKS, MAYOR X NOIA.

JOSEPH, JJ RAMIREZ.

ALFREDO REYES, JR.

BARRY JONES, DEREK CORTEZ.

PLEASE COME FORWARD AND IF YOU COULD STATE YOUR NAME AS WELL, PLEASE.

UH, AFTERNOON, COUNSEL.

MY NAME IS JJ RAMIREZ.

I'M AN ORGANIZER AT VOCAL TEXAS, AND WE'RE ORGANIZING PEOPLE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY HOMELESSNESS, MASS INCARCERATION, HIV, AND AIDS IN THE DRUG WAR.

AND, UH, WE'RE HERE TODAY TO, TO SAY THAT THE CURRENT BUDGET IS, UH, AN EXEMPLARY, EXEMPLARY EXAMPLE OF HOW HOMELESSNESS IS NOT, UM, AT THE FOREFRONT WHEN YOU HAVE 35% OF THE ENTIRE BUDGET GOING TO POLICE AND 0.2, GOING TO THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE.

IT'S, IT'S RIDICULOUS.

UM, WE COUNSEL, WE, WE VOTED TO GET A HOMELESS, UH, RAPID REHOUSING ORDINANCE PUT THROUGH A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WITH NO FUNDING ATTACHED TO IT YET WE HAVE TO REALLY, REALLY PUT OUR MONEY THERE.

WE HAVE TO, THERE CAN'T BE A CONTINUALLY EXPANDING POLICE BUDGET.

LIKE WHEN'S THE CUTOFF? 40%, 50, 60%.

IT CAN NEVER GO DOWN.

WE KNOW THIS.

WE HAVE TO REALLY ALLOCATE OUR MONEY ACCORDINGLY AT THE UPSTREAM PART OF THE PROBLEM.

NOT, NOT WITH THE HAMMER AT THE END.

UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF OUR MEMBERS CAN MAKE IT TODAY, BUT I KNOW PEOPLE WHO, WHO ARE GETTING EVICTED RIGHT NOW, WHO HAVE DISABILITY, WHO ARE IN POWERED CHAIRS, WHO HAVE, HAVE X AMOUNT OF MONEY AND GETTING EVICTED FROM THEIR RAPID REHOUSING, UM, VOUCHER PROGRAM WHO QUALIFY FOR PERMANENT HOUSING, BUT ARE PLACED INTO THIS TEMPORARY RENT ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT'S AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.

AND THE BRIDGE PRO, THE BRIDGE TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS ATTACHED TO THAT RESOLUTION.

WE HAVE TO FUND THAT.

WE HAVE TO FUND THAT BEFORE WE START ARRESTING PEOPLE, BEFORE WE CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE FOR HOMELESSNESS, BEFORE WE CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE FOR DRUG USE.

LIKE WE HAVE TO PUT PEOPLE INTO HOMES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A KIND COMPASSIONATE HEART ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THIS STREET.

LIKE I'VE BEEN THERE, I'M FROM AUSTIN, I WAS HOMELESS IN AUSTIN.

LIKE I, IT'S, WE WILL BE HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THESE PROGRAMS RATHER THAN CRIMINALIZING THEM.

THE, THE POLICE BUDGET WILL ALWAYS NEED MORE MONEY.

LIKE IT, THERE ALWAYS NEED MORE MONEY.

THEY, OVERTIME, THERE WAS TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THERE ALWAYS GONNA BE A REASON WHY THEY'LL NEED MORE MONEY AND IT CAN NEVER GO DOWN.

LIKE I SAID, WHEN'S THE CUTOFF AT 40% OF THE ENTIRE BUDGET, ONE POINT WHATEVER BILLION DOLLARS WE HAVE TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS, RIGHT? ADDITIONALLY, THE, THE UNITS THAT ARE COMING ONLINE, THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT, A THOUSAND SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THAT SERVICES DRASTICALLY IMPORTANT.

LIKE THERE'S, THERE'S MONEY THAT HA THAT NEEDS TO BE SPENT THERE RATHER THAN PUTTING IT INTO POLICE AND EVER EXPANDING BUDGET.

WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THE MOST NEED IN THIS, IN THIS CITY.

LIKE YOU'LL BE HEARING FROM PEOPLE LIKE WE, THESE PROGRAMS NEED TO BE FUNDED.

WE'VE ALREADY PUT A RESOLUTION SAYING THAT WE'LL EXPAND THE RAPID REHOUSING TO TWO YEARS WITH A BRIDGE ATTACHED TO PERMANENT HOUSING.

THAT LIP SERVICE ALONE AIN'T GONNA DO IT.

WE HAVE TO FUND IT 2% OF THE ENTIRE BUDGET TO THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE.

POINT TWO, EXCUSE ME, 0.2% IS, IS RIDICULOUS.

WE HAVE TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY.

AND THAT EVER BALLOONING POLICE BUDGET IS A GOOD WAY TO START THERE.

THEY ALREADY GOT THEIR EXPANSION.

LAST BUDGET SESSION, WHAT?

[03:55:01]

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

HELLO COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS DEREK CORTEZ, ALSO KNOWN AS DJ.

I'M A DROP-IN SUPPORT SPECIALIST AT, UH, TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.

UM, I BELIEVE IN HARM REDUCTION BECAUSE HARM REDUCTION HELPED ME OUT WHEN I WAS HOMELESS AND STRUGGLING IN MY, UH, DRUG ADDICTION.

UM, I WAS .

SO BEING UM, OUT ON THE STREETS AND ACTUALLY GETTING HOUSED IS SOMETHING THAT I STRUGGLED WITH FOR A LONG TIME.

UM, NOW THAT I WORK AT THE DROP-IN AT HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE, I SEE A LOT OF, UM, STIGMA THAT THE HOMELESS HAS HERE IN AUSTIN.

AND I FEEL THAT IT'S NOT RIGHT.

SO AS, AS WORKING IN THE DROP-IN SUPPORTS, UH, DROP THE DROP-IN.

SORRY, I'M GETTING NERVOUS.

YOU'RE ALRIGHT.

SO, HOW HARM REDUCTION HELPS OUT IS WE BETTER TRUST.

WE BUILT SELF, UH, SELF-ESTEEM, BETTER CONNECTION WITH SERVICES.

UH, WE ARE ASKING FOR 14, I MEAN $400,000 INCREASE OF OUR BUDGET.

UM, ALSO WORKING IN THE DROP-IN LAST WEEK, WE SAW 218 PEOPLE OUT OF THAT.

WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE THERE AT THE STAFF.

SO WE WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN BUILD MORE IN OUR STAFF TO HELP SERVE MORE OF THE COMMUNITY.

UM, SO ASKING FOR MORE FUNDS.

WE'RE TRYING TO, UM, HELP OVERDOSE PREVENTION, MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS, BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE WE WORK WITH.

INCREASE ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY AS SERVED BY ADDING OUTREACH CAPACITY AND MORE PRESENCE TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

I, I'M, I'M BEING HELPED SOMEWHAT, BUT WE ALL NEED MORE FUNDING.

HELLO MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

HOW YOU DOING TODAY? GOOD, THANK YOU.

UM, MY NAME IS ALFREDO REYES, UH, JUNIOR, AND I'M A VOCAL TEXAS LEADER, UH, VOCAL TEXAS LEADER OF THE UNITED STATES VETERAN.

MANY LOCAL MEMBERS AND LEADERS HAVE RAPID REHOUSING, INCLUDING MYSELF.

FOR MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT CHALLENGES PEOPLE FACE WITH RAPID REHOUSING.

I MYSELF GOT REHOUSED AND MOVED INTO THE APARTMENT IN FEBRUARY OF 2024.

MY PARTNER AND I APPLIED SEPARATELY FOR HOUSING, BUT IF WE PUT, WE GOT PUT TOGETHER FOR CONVENIENCE SAKE, WE WERE ALSO TOLD, UM, IT WAS A LOT LESS PAPERWORK.

RIGHT NOW, OUR RAPID REHOUSING IS FOR $1,495 PER MONTH, WHICH I CAN'T HARDLY PAY.

AND IT COVERS A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE RENT THROUGH OCTOBER, AND THEN 75 OF THE RENT IN NOVEMBER.

AND THEN 50% OF THE RENT AFTER THAT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE ONE YEAR OF THE PROGRAM, AFTER I'M SUPPOSED TO TAKE OVER A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE RENT TO MOVE IN.

WE WERE CHARGED THE FIRST MONTH, RENT A DEPOSIT, AND A SECOND DEPOSIT FOR THE SERVICE DOGS.

AND NOBODY COULD EVER PAY.

I I CAN'T PAY THIS ON MY OWN.

WHEN WE MOVED, WHEN WE MOVED IN, THERE WAS NO WASHER, NO DRYER, A REFRIGERATOR.

WE WERE TOLD THAT NOT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE CONDITION, BECAUSE WE MIGHT LOSE OUR PLACE.

WE'RE JUST NOW SETTLING IN.

IT'S BEEN FIVE MONTHS AND I'M STILL LOOKING FOR A JOB.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE UNOFFICIAL CONSEQUENCES OF ME HAVING A FELONY IN MY BACKGROUND IS PREVENTING ME FROM FINDING A JOB THAT ALSO, THAT ONE, THEY WILL COVER THE RENT.

WE'RE HAVING ISSUES WITH OUR UTILITIES BEING PAID, AND WE'RE ALL ALMOST HALFWAY THROUGH THE FI UH, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE A YEAR ISN'T LONG ENOUGH RIGHT NOW.

ONE OF US IS WORKING AND THE OTHER ONE'S APPLYING FOR WORK.

WE DON'T WANT TO STAY IN OUR CURRENT APARTMENT BECAUSE THE CONDITIONS, AND IF OUR PLAN FALLS THROUGH, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'LL DO.

WE MIGHT END UP BACK IN THE STREETS, BACK UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE.

PEOPLE I TALKED TO IN THE STREETS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS I'M HAVING.

I'M LIVING IN THE EDGE KNOWING, NOT KNOWING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AFTERWARDS.

I'M FEELING LIKE I'M RESTRICTED INTO THE PROGRAM.

I IF, IF I WOULD HAVE WAITED, MAYBE I WOULD HAVE HAVE HAD A REAL CHANCE TO GET PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AS I WAS PROMISED.

'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT I WAS PROMISED ORIGINALLY, AND THAT'S WHAT I QUALIFY FOR.

OUR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UH, UM, ENDS IN FEBRUARY AND WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE, UH, FOR A YEAR.

WE'RE IN JULY AND WE HAVE TO START PAYING RENT IN NOVEMBER.

WE CAN'T AFFORD IT.

A A LONG, A YEAR IS NOT LONG ENOUGH AND WE NEED, UH, ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PUT IN INTO THIS PROGRAM.

THEN THE CITY NEEDS TO FUND TWO YEAR RAPID REHOUSING SOLUTION EXTENSION THAT WAS JUST PASSED.

AND TO MAKE SURE THE PROGRAM LASTS LONG ENOUGH FOR ALL OF US TO BE, GET CONNECTED TO THE PRIMARY SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT WE QUALIFY FOR.

AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY SEEING THAT WE'RE ONLY GETTING 0.2% OF THE, OF THE BUDGET FOR, FOR HOMELESSNESS.

IT WAS, IT WAS, IT WAS VERY ALARMING TO ME BECAUSE WE, REALITY, IT BOTHERS ME THAT MY, MY PEOPLE THAT I, THAT HELPED ME OUT WHEN I WAS IN THE STREET ARE NOT BEING HELPED.

AND

[04:00:01]

UM, REALITY, WE NEED THE HELP.

'CAUSE THIS IS A CRISIS.

COUNCIL MEMBERS.

UH, GOOD AFTERNOON.

UH, MY NAME IS BARRY JONES.

I'M A LEADER WITH VOCAL TEXAS.

UM, I WAS, I JUST ENDED A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS ON THE STREETS OF AUSTIN.

UM, I JUST GOT HOUSING ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

UM, SO WHY DON'T, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, VOCAL TEXAS CAME TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND WE WERE ASKING FOR CHANGES TO THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM.

WE WANTED TO ENHANCE THE, THE PROGRAM BY INCREASING THE VOUCHER PERIOD UP TO 24 MONTHS.

AND IT ALSO LINKING THE PROGRAM TO PERMANENT SUPPORT, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, UH, THAT RESOLUTION PASSED THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY.

SO WE'RE ALL IN AGREEMENT HERE AS TO WHAT THE CHANGES THAT ARE NEEDED ARE.

UM, UH, NOW WE'RE BACK AT COUNCIL AND WE NEED THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO STEP UP AND MAKE THOSE CHANGES REAL BY FULLY FUNDING THESE CHANGES.

UM, TURNING PEOPLE OUT ON OF THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM BACK OUT ONTO THE STREET, UH, IS IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY AND WE DON'T NEED MORE HOU HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREET AT THIS TIME.

UM, THE PEOPLE IN HOUSES ARE UPSET ABOUT IT.

NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT, UH, WHAT IT DOES TO US.

UM, MYSELF PERSONALLY, OVER 10 YEARS, UH, I LIVED OUTSIDE WHEN IT WAS 110 DEGREES.

I LIVED OUTSIDE WHEN IT WAS EIGHT DEGREES.

UH, I HAVE KNOWN SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HI HIT BY CARS CROSSING THE STREETS, TWO OF THEM FATALLY.

UM, I'VE KNOWN PEOPLE THAT WERE BEATEN UP, INCLUDING MYSELF.

UH, I'VE KNOWN PEOPLE THAT WERE HELD UP AT GUNPOINT.

I'VE KNOWN PEOPLE THAT WERE ASSAULTED BY MACHETES AND KNIVES.

I'VE KNOWN PEOPLE THAT WERE RAPED AND I'VE KNOWN A FEW PEOPLE THAT WERE KILLED IN THEIR SLEEP.

SO WE CAN'T KID OURSELVES ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO PUT SOMEBODY OUT OF THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM BACK OUT IN THE STREET.

THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

UM, WE'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO, TO POLICE OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM.

THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IS BY PUTTING PEOPLE, GIVING PEOPLE A CHANCE TO GAIN PERMANENT HOUSING, STABLE HOUSING, WHERE THEY'RE NOT A BOTHER TO OTHER PEOPLE.

AND, AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED THIS, THIS FUNDING FOR THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM.

THANK YOU MAYOR COUNCIL.

I'M ENOVIA JOSEPH.

MY COMMENTS, AS THEY ALWAYS ARE IN THE CONTEXT OF TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, WHICH PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RACE, COLOR, AND NATIONAL ORIGIN.

YESTERDAY I ACTUALLY PICKED UP THE DAILY TEXAN AND THERE'S A STORY ABOUT PROJECT CONNECT.

I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE $300 MILLION THAT THE STAFF CONTINUES TO REFER TO IS FRAUD.

FRAUD IS WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY MISREPRESENTING THE FACTS.

I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT ON MARCH 9TH, 2020, PAGE 29 OF THE JOINT PROJECT CONNECT PACKET, IT SPECIFIED THAT THAT FUNDING WAS ONLY GOING TO BE THERE IF IT WAS CONTINGENT ON WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID.

SO THERE'S NO BLANK CHECK FOR $300 MILLION.

WHAT I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT SECTION FIVE OF THE CITY CHARTER ACTUALLY SPECIFIES A MASS TRANSIT ELEMENT.

AND IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT YOU ARE GOING TO FUND EVERY ELEMENT OF THE CITY CHARTER, ALL OF THE ELEMENTS.

AND SO WHAT I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT ON PAGE 1 45 OF THE BUDGET, YOU SPECIFY $550,000 FOR MOVABILITY TO TAKE ELUSIVE CARS OFF THE ROAD.

SO YOU HAVE PRIORITIZED WHITE CHOICE RIDERS ONCE AGAIN, AND THERE IS NOTHING IN THE BUDGET FOR THE TRANSIT DEPENDENT MINORITIES.

I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER, YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT HOMELESSNESS THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE OVER SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE HOMELESS THAN OUR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

AND THAT'S THE ECHO 2022 REPORT.

SO WHAT I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE, MAYOR RESPECTFULLY, IS THAT YOU ARE WAREHOUSING THE NEGROES IN SOUTHEAST AUSTIN.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU MUST RECKON WITH IS THAT YOU MADE A DEAL WITH THE GOVERNOR FOR $65 MILLION.

THE MARSHALING YARD HOUSES 300 PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE 200 OVER AT CAP ESPERANZA PLUS YOU WANNA PUT 700 MORE THAT'S

[04:05:01]

OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE.

THAT IS NOT AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING.

I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO DO MORE FOR BLACK PEOPLE.

I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE $1.1 MILLION THAT'S SPECIFIED ON PAGE 1 0 1 OF THE BUDGET FOR THE NORTHEAST AUSTIN DISTRICT PLAN IS A FORCE.

I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE MISREPRESENTING THE FACTS.

THERE'S A FEBRUARY 6TH, 2024 AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP SLIDE TO THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION BOARD THAT ACTUALLY SPECIFIES THE GREEN LINE FUTURE WITH A DOTTED LINE.

IF YOU LOOK IN YOUR BUDGET, YOU'LL SEE SPECIFICALLY THAT IT IS A SOLID LINE FOR THE GREEN LINE.

THE GREEN LINE IS UNFUNDED IN 2017 AND 2018.

CAPITAL METRO TOLD COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE FUNDED, BUT THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS LOCALLY BECAUSE IT DOES NOT MEET THE RIDERSHIP AS IT RELATES TO OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE SPECIFICALLY AT THE LIBRARY, MORE SECURITY IS NOT THE ANSWER.

PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED NEED TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE THEIR DEVICES JUST LIKE THE WHITE CHOICE WRITERS ON THE METRO RAIL PLATFORM.

AND SO I WOULD ASK THE, THAT YOU ACTUALLY OPEN UP THE PORTS THAT YOU PROVIDE MORE PHONES.

THERE'S ONE BOOTH IN THE CENTRAL LIBRARY AND DO MORE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL GLADLY ANSWER THEM AT THIS TIME.

THANK YOU MS. JOSEPH.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

I HAVE ONE, I HAVE A REMOTE CALLER BACK ON THE LINE, SO I'M GONNA CALL JORDAN MIDDLEBROOK.

YOU MAY NEED TO REPEAT THAT.

JORDAN MIDDLEBROOKS.

HELLO? HELLO.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, YES WE CAN.

HELLO.

UM, I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT MY, I'M CALLING TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR, UM, THE DEMANDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.

UM, I KNOW THAT YOU HEARD FROM MANY FOLKS FROM VOCAL TEXAS ASKING FOR, UM, INCREASED FUNDING FOR RAPID REHOUSING AS WELL AS, UM, OTHER HOUSING SOLUTIONS.

UM, I'M ASKING THAT YOU TAKE ACTION TO IMPLEMENT WHAT'S LINED OUT IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.

THAT MEANS PROVIDING MORE SERVICES AND SUPPORT IN TERMS OF FUNDING, DO THINGS LIKE DECRIMINALIZATION, HOUSING, UM, CARE FACILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, UM, SPECIFICALLY SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

THE PROPOSED 18 MILLION INCREASE IN THE POLICE BUDGET, UM, IS NOT WHAT'S GOING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE FOR CONTINUING TO POLICE AND HARM BIPOC COMMUNITIES WHERE I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR.

UM, AND I'M EXPECTING THAT WE ARE USING THE FUNDS FROM OUR BUDGET TO ACTUALLY CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES INSTEAD OF CREATE MORE HARM THROUGH INCARCERATION.

UM, SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE NOT INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGETS, UM, I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS GOING TO ACTUALLY GET OUR COMMUNITIES TO A PLACE WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO BE CARED FOR.

UM, AND INSTEAD USE THAT 18 MILLION ALLOCATION TOWARDS SERVICES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, UM, SERVICES THAT SUPPORT OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS AND PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS AS WELL AS INCREASE FUNDING FOR RAPID REHOUSING.

SO FOLKS STOP SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS.

UM, THANK YOU.

I WILL GO BACK TO IN PERSON, JOEL COLE, ANNA DUNCAN, AVERY RYDER, LESLIE ALEXANDER, VICTORIA MARSHALL, PAULETTE NEY.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

PLEASE COME FORWARD.

THEY'RE MENTALLY DISABLED.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS JOEL COLE.

I'M A LEADER WITH LOCAL TEXAS.

UH, I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR $8 MILLION FOR FUNDING FOR RAPID REHOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UH, FOR THE 24 MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND FOR THE CREATION OF A PAS, UH, BRIDGE TO PUBLIC SUPPORTIVE, UH, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

UM, I WAS HOMELESS FOR 10 YEARS IN THIS CITY.

UM, AND UH, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE.

I GOT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

UH, WHEN I GOT MY PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, UM, I WAS ABLE TO FOCUS ON MYSELF, GET SOBER, UM, YOU KNOW, WORK ON MY MIND, BODY AND SOUL.

UM, AND FOR ME, YOU KNOW, I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE, I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I SEE THEM EVERY DAY, UH, WITH MY JOB AND WHAT I DO WITH VOCAL.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE WAY WORSE OFF THAN ME THAT HAVE RAPID REENTRY HOUSING.

OKAY? THESE PEOPLE ARE IN WHEELCHAIRS.

[04:10:01]

IT'S, IT'S JUST SO SAD BECAUSE I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE WHAT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE, I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

I KNOW WHAT THE DIFFERENCE CAN DO.

AND I SEE THAT THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO WAY FOR THESE PEOPLE THAT DESERVE AND NEED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO GO FROM RAPID REENTRY TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF ASSESSMENT EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO DURING THE RAPID, UH, RAPID REENTRY HOUSING DURING THE, THE, THE YEAR THAT IT IS TO ASSESS THEIR NEEDS, TO ASSESS WHAT THEY NEED.

UM, THERE NEEDS TO BE BETTER CASE MANAGEMENT.

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF ROAD INTO PERMANENT SPORTS HOUSING FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

UH, BECAUSE WHEN YOU THROW THESE PEOPLE BACK OUT ON THE STREET, HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS.

OKAY? EVEN IF THEY'RE GOING BACK TO THE SAME AREA, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THAT AREA.

THERE COULD BE COMPLETELY NEW DANGEROUS PEOPLE IN THAT AREA THAT THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.

THEY'RE GONNA LOSE ALL THE STUFF THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCUMULATE.

OKAY? THAT WILL MENTALLY DESTROY A LOT OF PEOPLE, OKAY? THEY HAVE TO START FROM GROUND ZERO WITH NOTHING IN THE ELEMENTS.

AND IT'S JUST SAD.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS POLICE BUDGET.

I MEAN, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THEY ALREADY GOT EVERYTHING THEY NEED.

I MEAN, REALLY? YOU GUYS KNOW THAT? I MEAN, BUT YEAH, THAT'S ALL I GOT.

MY NAME IS ANNA DUNCAN.

I AM A VOCAL TEXAS LEADER AND I'VE BEEN IN TEXAS, AUSTIN, TEXAS FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW.

I'M CURRENTLY STAYING AT THE MARSHALL YARD AT THIS PRESENT MOMENT.

UM, TO ME, RAPID REHOUSING, EXTENSION, I'LL GIVE YOU THAT.

THE POLICE BUDGET, NOT SO MUCH.

UM, UM, WHEN I CAME TO AUSTIN, I THOUGHT I WOULD BE PREPARED FOR LIVING A BETTER LIFE, BUT I GUESS NOT.

I GUESS I WAS WRONG, BUT HEY, WHAT CAN I SAY? I'M JUST MOVING FORWARD, MOVING, UM, LIVING A BETTER LIFE AS I CAN.

UM, AT THIS PRESENT MOMENT, I FEEL LIKE WITH THE POLICE BUDGET, HMM, IT'S, IT'S ABOUT THE SAME WHERE I COME FROM.

THEY TRYING TO INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGET, UM, AND WHATNOT.

I AM, I USED TO BE A DRUG ADDICT, NOW I'M 11 YEARS CLEAN.

UM, I USED TO BE A ALCOHOL ADDICT, 11 YEARS CLEAN AS WELL.

UM, BEING OUT HERE IS, UM, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY DRAINING.

UM, IT IS, IT'S A LOT HAPPENING ALL AT ONCE.

UM, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE JUST GOTTA CARE FOR OURSELF AND HOPEFULLY ONE DAY Y'ALL CAN SEE THAT RAPID REHOUSING, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS WHAT WE NEED.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS PAULETTE SONIA.

I'M THE CO-DIRECTOR OF LOCAL TEXAS.

THANK Y'ALL FOR HAVING US.

UM, VOCAL TEXAS IS A PART OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.

WE'RE PROUD TO BE A PART PART OF THAT COALITION FIGHTING FOR HEALTH SAFETY HOUSING SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS AUSTIN.

TODAY I WANTED TO START BY TELLING YOU A STORY ABOUT A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WE DID YESTERDAY OUTSIDE OF THE EIGHTH STREET SHELTER.

WE CALLED A PRESS CONFERENCE THERE BECAUSE WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE STORY OF A RESIDENT THAT IS LIVING THERE.

UM, SHE RECENTLY BECAME HOMELESS.

SHE'S 63 YEARS OLD.

HER NAME'S LESLIE, 63 YEARS OLD IN A POWER WHEELCHAIR.

HAD BEEN LIVING IN AN APARTMENT FOR A YEAR WITH RAPID REHOUSING AND HAD QUALIFIED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, BUT HAD BEEN PLACED IN RAPID REHOUSING.

SO SHE WENT FROM THE STREETS INTO RAPID REHOUSING, AND THEN NO MATTER WHAT ANYBODY DID TO TRY TO STOP HER FROM BEING EVICTED AND LOSING HER HOUSING, SHE BECAME HOMELESS AND ENDED UP BACK AT THE EIGHTH STREET SHELTER.

SO YESTERDAY WE CALLED A PRESS CONFERENCE TO HIGHLIGHT HER STORY AND TO HIGHLIGHT HOW IMBALANCED IT IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET GROW WHILE THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE IS GETTING 0.2% OF THE GENERAL FUND.

WE THINK THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

WE KNOW WHAT OUR CITY NEEDS AND WE KNOW WHAT VULNERABLE PEOPLE NEED ACROSS OUR CITY.

ARE WE TRULY CARING AND COMPASSIONATE? ARE WE TRULY A CARING AND COMPASSIONATE CITY? IF PEOPLE CAN BE ON THE STREETS FOR 10 YEARS, WE HEARD TWO SPEAKERS TODAY TALK ABOUT HOW THEY HAD BEEN HOMELESS FOR 10 YEARS

[04:15:01]

IN AUSTIN.

HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY BE OKAY WITH THAT? WE'RE ASKING YOU TODAY TO TAKE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, THESE SUGGESTIONS, SERIOUSLY, THAT ARE IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.

WE NEED, WE'VE BEEN CALLING FOR $8 MILLION TO GO TOWARDS RAPID REHOUSING TOWARDS THIS RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED IN MAY $8 MILLION TO GO TOWARDS EX EXPANDING THAT RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 24 MONTHS AND ENSURING THAT THERE'S A BRIDGE FOR PEOPLE WHO QUALIFIED FOR PSH TO ACTUALLY BE PUT INTO PSH.

WE'RE ALSO ASKING FOR $4 MILLION TO GO TOWARDS SERVICES FOR THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE COMING ONLINE.

IF WE DON'T GET THE FUNDING FOR THOSE SERVICES, HOW WILL ANYBODY BE ABLE TO GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED IN THOSE UNITS? I ALSO WANTED TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE $1 MILLION ASK THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, FOR HARM REDUCTION.

SO WE ARE, WE PARTNER WITH THE TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.

WE SUPPORT THEIR WORK AND WE NEED THAT FUNDING TO BE IN THE BASELINE BUDGET THIS YEAR.

THEY CAN'T KEEP COMING BACK HERE ASKING FOR MONEY OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THEY NEED THAT TO BE A PART OF THE CITY PLANNING EVERY YEAR SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY PREVENT OVERDOSES AND SAVE LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THEN LASTLY, I WANTED TO CALL ATTENTION TO, UH, THE $827,000 THAT ARE ALLOCATED IN THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET AROUND THE, UH, COUNCIL FIRST FOR FIRST APPEARANCE, LOCAL TEXAS JUST SIGNED ONTO A LAWSUIT WITH THE A CLU OF TEXAS, UM, SUING TRAVIS COUNTY AROUND THE COUNCIL AT FIRST AROUND NOT PROVIDING COUNSEL FIRST APPEARANCE.

SO WE REALLY SUPPORT THAT, ASK AND NEED THAT TO MOVE FORWARD.

MARIA RA, MUNG CHI CATHERINE CHAMBLEE.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, JUST PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE MICROPHONE.

WELCOME.

HELLO, MY NAME IS MUNG CHI AND I'M A PARTNERSHIP MANAGER AT UP TOGETHER, A BIPOC LED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT IS PARTNERED WITH PHILANTHROPY, GOVERNMENT AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO INVEST DIRECTLY IN PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES.

I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN.

I WANNA THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANTS AND WORKING TO ENSURE ALL FAMILIES CAN THRIVE IN AUSTIN.

I'M HERE TODAY TO ADVOCATE FOR THE CONTINUATION AND EXPANSION OF THIS INITIATIVE, AS WELL AS TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET OVERALL, SPECIFICALLY, I URGE YOU TO PERMANENTLY INCLUDE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANTS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN BUDGET AND ALLOCATE $3 MILLION TO INVEST IN MORE FAMILIES EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.

UP TOGETHER BEGAN INVESTING IN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN CENTRAL TEXAS IN 2018.

AND SINCE THEN, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL PHILANTHROPY AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WE HAVE INVESTED OVER $19 MILLION IN MORE THAN 8,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN AUSTIN.

FROM THESE INVESTMENTS, WE CONTINUE TO SEE POSITIVE IMPACTS.

PARTICIPANTS REPORT REDUCED STRESS, IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH, INCREASED HOUSING STABILITY, AND AN INCREASE IN INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT.

THEY ALSO REPORTED INCREASED FOOD SECURITY AND SOME ALSO DEVELOPED CLOSER CONNECTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

THE MAJORITY OF PARTICIPANTS SAID THAT THE CASH INVESTMENTS HELP THEM MEET THEIR SHORT AND LONG-TERM GOALS.

THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANTS ARE A VITAL TOOL TO ADDRESS POVERTY AND MAKE SURE AUSTIN RESIDENTS CAN STAY IN THEIR HOMES, REACH THEIR GOALS, AND THRIVE.

THIS MAY, WE LAUNCHED THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANTS TO DISTRIBUTE $1,000 PER MONTH FOR 12 MONTHS TO 168 NEW FAMILIES UP TOGETHER HAS BEEN PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PHILANTHROPY ON THIS INITIATIVE.

PAYMENTS STARTED IN JUNE AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NEXT MAY.

HOWEVER, WITH THE COST OF LIVING INCREASING SHARPLY IN OUR CITY, MORE FAMILIES EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP URGENTLY NEED ACCESS TO DIRECT ASSISTANCE.

NOW FOR THIS 2024 TO 25 BUDGET CYCLE, I URGE YOU TO PERMANENTLY ALLOCATE $3 MILLION TO CONTINUE THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANTS AND ENSURE THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO THE PROSPERITY OF OUR FAMILIES.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO, TO SPEAK TODAY ON SOMETHING THAT I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT.

MY NAME IS CATHERINE CHAMBLEE.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN.

I'M ALSO AN AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER VOLUNTEER.

I CURRENTLY HAVE ONE OF OUR FORMER BEHAVIOR DOGS AT MY HOME.

UM, THE RESULTS OF THE CITY BUDGET SURVEY INDICATED ANIMAL SERVICES AS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR AUSTINITES THAT SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN AUSTIN'S BUDGETING PRIORITIES.

AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER CURRENTLY HAS ONLY ONE PHYSICAL LOCATION.

THAT PHYSICAL LOCATION HAS FEWER KENNELS TODAY THAN THE, THE LOCATION THAT IT MOVED FROM IN 2011.

13 YEARS LATER, IT IS WOEFULLY

[04:20:01]

UNDERSIZED.

THE CITY OF AUSTIN ADDED APPROXIMATELY 579,000 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE BETWEEN THE YEARS 2010 AND 2020.

THAT'S 33% GROWTH.

WITH THOSE PEOPLE CAME PETS.

YET OUR SHELTER FACILITY HAS REMAINED STATIC.

AS THE MOST RECENT AUDIT SUGGESTED, THE CITY OF AUSTIN ENJOYS THE STATURE OF A CALLING ITSELF THE LARGEST NO-KILL CITY IN THE NATION.

BUT WE NEED ACTION BEHIND THOSE WORDS.

THE SHELTER AT ANY GIVEN TIME IS UNDERSERVED WITH FOSTER STAFF, WITH MARKETING PERSONNEL, AND WITH ANIMAL CARE WORKERS TO NAME JUST A FEW.

THERE'S SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH EMPLOYEES TO ACCOMPLISH ALL THE TASKS AT HAND.

I HAVE WRITTEN YOU ALL ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS REGARDING THE AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER, MOST NOTABLY BEGGING IN 2021 NOT TO APPROVE THE NEWEST AND MOST CURRENT CONTRACT WITH AUSTIN PEST ALIVE.

THAT IS A PA IT WAS GUARANTEED TO LEAD US EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

A CITY SATURATED IN RESCUE PETS, MANY OF WHICH DID NOT ORIGINATE, ORIGINATE IN AUSTIN.

THAT AGREEMENT WITH A PA PLACED AN TREMENDOUS TOLL ON OUR SHELTER, BOTH IN TERMS OF HOW MANY FEWER ANIMALS, A PA POLLS, AS WELL AS HOW MANY ANIMALS FROM OUTSIDE THE CITY.

COME HERE TO COMPETE WITH OUR PETS IN AUSTIN.

A HUGE DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR OUR SHELTER.

THAT AGREEMENT IS A DONE DEAL NOW, BUT GIVEN THAT THE CONTRACT IS IN PLACE FOR 25 YEARS, I ASK YOU WHAT THE CITY IS GOING TO DO TO SUPPORT AUSTIN'S PETS IN THOSE 25 YEARS.

THE SHELTER STAFF, ITS VOLUNTEERS, THE AUSTIN PUBLIC, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, AUSTIN'S PETS DESERVE TO HAVE A FUNCTIONING SHELTER.

IT CANNOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THE CITY'S SUPPORT.

AND THAT SUPPORT STARTS WITH YOUR PROPER FUNDING OF THE SHELTER.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SHELLY LIBA, MARY GORUN, MONICA GUZMAN, EMILY LEBLANC, SHAUNA FOX.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

WHEN I SPOKE HERE FIVE YEARS AGO, I DIDN'T NEED MY READER GLASSES, SO THIS IS GONNA BE A CHALLENGE.

MY NAME IS SHELLY LEAVE AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR.

I HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEER AT AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER SINCE 2019.

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THIS COUNCIL HAS VOTED TO INCREASE THE BURDEN OF NO KILL ON AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER WITHOUT PROVIDING THEM WITH THE NECESSARY STAFF TO CARRY OUT THIS MISSION HUMANELY.

IT HAPPENED IN 2018 WHEN THE LIVE RELEASE RATE WENT FROM 90 TO 95% AND AGAIN IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR WHEN COUNCIL AUTHORIZED A FINER TO FOSTER PROGRAM.

BUT PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME WHEN COUNCIL DID NOT GIVE A A C MORE RESOURCES AND STAFF HAPPENED IN LATE 2021.

WHEN COUNCIL DIRECTED CITY STAFF TO ALLOW A PA TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS IT IS REQUIRED TO PULL FROM A A C BY ABOUT HALF.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, A PA IS REQUIRED TO PULL ANIMALS FROM A A C IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FREE USE OF THE TEALIGHT PROPERTY.

A A C NEEDS MORE STAFF TO CARRY OUT.

ITS NO-KILL MISSION.

OUR VET SERVICES TEAM HASN'T BEEN GIVEN ANY ADDITIONAL STAFF IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

WE NEED MORE VET TECHS.

OUR FOSTER TEAM HAS TWO AND A HALF FTES, HARDLY ENOUGH TO MEET THE DEMAND.

AND OUR ANIMAL CARE STAFF IS ALREADY UNDERSTAFFED IF THEY WERE ONLY CHARGED WITH CLEANING KENNELS.

BUT THEY DO SO MUCH MORE LIKE CUSTOMER INTERACTIONS WITH THE ANIMALS, MOVING ANIMALS AROUND THE SHELTER, RESTOCKING SUPPLIES, LAUNDRY DISHES, YOU NAME IT.

I HEARD THE MAYOR SAY THIS MORNING, LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT THE PAST.

LET'S MOVE FORWARD.

AND IN GENERAL, I AGREE WITH THAT SENTIMENT, BUT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL TO AVOID THE MISTAKES THAT WE MADE IN THE PAST IN THAT NOVEMBER, 2021 RESOLUTION WHERE COUNCIL INSTRUCTED STAFF TO ALLOW A PA SIGNIFICANT DECREASE OF SUPPORT OF A A C ONE OF THE JUSTIFICATIONS IN THAT RESOLUTION.

AND I QUOTE, TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY AND VARIETY OF ADOPTABLE PETS FOR AUSTINITES COUNCIL GAVE A PA PERMISSION TO BRING IN ANIMALS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE AND BEYOND AND LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE NOW.

SO PLEASE CONSIDER THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THE DECISIONS ON THE ANIMALS ALREADY MADE IN AUSTIN ALREADY HERE IN AUSTIN.

IN ADDITION TO A VERY ROBUST SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM, I BELIEVE THE ANSWER TO THE CONSTANT OVERCROWDING CRISIS IS TO PROVIDE OUR CITY SHELTER WITH THE RESOURCES AND STAFF IT NEEDS TO CARRY OUT ITS NO KILL MISSION HUMANELY.

WE NEED THIS COUNCIL TO SUPPORT OUR SHELTER, OUR CITY SHELTER IN AUSTIN'S PETS, PLEASE INCREASE THE STAFFING BUDGET FOR A A C AND I WANNA THANK, UH, COMMISSION OR COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON FOR COMING TO THE SHELTER A FEW WEEKS AGO.

SHE DIDN'T ADOPT A CAT, BUT I APPRECIATE HER COMING AND COUNCIL MEMBER VALESQUEZ CAME, UH, WHEN WE HAD A MICROCHIP CLINIC LAST SUMMER OUT IN THE HEAT AND I MET YOU THEN.

SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT.

SPECIFICALLY THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.

EXCUSE ME.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND

[04:25:01]

COUNCIL.

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

AUSTIN BAMO, AUSTIN GAVA AND GAVA RESIDENTS BEGAN MEETING WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS YESTERDAY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR MEETINGS TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND FOR THOSE WE HAVEN'T SCHEDULED YET, WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON.

GAVA SUPPORTS ALL SPEAKERS ADVOCATING FOR COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS TODAY.

WE URGE YOU TO BUILD A ROBUST BUDGET, AN EQUITABLE BUDGET, A CLIMATE RESILIENT BUDGET, INVEST IN STABILITY AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE FOR OUR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE STABILITY OR RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.

INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT THE WORKFORCE BEHIND THE WORKFORCE SO THAT FRONTLINE HOSPITALITY WORKERS ARE ABLE TO BE AT WORK.

AS OF TODAY, THE CAPITAL AREA WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS, CHILDCARE SUBSIDY HAS MORE THAN 5,000 ON THE WAIT LIST, MORE THAN 5,000.

FOR THOSE ON THE WAIT LIST, IT'S AN ESTIMATED 24 MONTHS BEFORE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS REACHES OUT TO THEM FOR ENROLLMENT.

WE'VE BEEN LUCKY THIS WEEK WITH COOLER THAN USUAL TEMPERATURES.

WE ALL KNOW THAT WON'T LAST.

INVE VEST IN THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF AUSTINITE.

ENSURING ACTIVATED COOLING SHELTERS, THE BRANCH LIBRARIES AND REC CENTERS ARE WELL PROMOTED USING MULTILINGUAL COMMUNICATION AND OPEN UNTIL AT LEAST 10:00 PM BACK IN JUNE.

I WAS AT A COMMUNITY MEETING AT GARCIA JUST BEFORE NINE O'CLOCK AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 96 DEGREES.

EXPAND THE FAMILY CIVILIZATION GRANT, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MORE THAN 200 HOUSEHOLDS.

IN CLOSING AS A D FOUR RESIDENT WITH NO REFLECTION ON GAVA OR ANY OTHER GROUP I WORK WITH OR REPRESENT NOW OR IN THE PAST, I'LL READ A STATEMENT FROM DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT SHARON BLISS.

I WAS AT CITY HALL TODAY AT NOON TO REGISTER TO SPEAK.

I WAS TOLD THEY'RE CLOSED AT 9:00 AM AND I'M NOT ABLE TO SPEAK.

THERE'S MISCOMMUNICATION BY CITY STAFF LAST NIGHT AT THE NORTHWEST RECREATION CENTER AT THE DISTRICT SEVEN BUDGET TOWN HALL MAYOR PRO TOWN POOL.

AND CARRIE LANG SAID THE MEETING TODAY STARTS AT 3:00 PM AND SPEAKER REGISTRATION WOULD CLOSE AT 2:15 PM LIKE SHARON, MANY HEARD THE SAME OR SIMILAR MESSAGES INCLUDING ME.

AND WHEN ATTEMPTING IN PERSON TO DO IN PERSON REGISTRATION AFTER NINE 15 THIS MORNING, THEY HEARD A DIFFERENT MESSAGE.

WE NEED CLARITY FROM THE CITY, NOT VAGUE COMMUNICATION.

WHEN WE READ OR HEAR THE MEETING STARTS AT THREE.

IT IS REASONABLE TO EXPECT REGISTRATION TO STAY OPEN UNTIL 45 MINUTES PRIOR.

COUNCIL APPROVED PRIORITIZING THE FUNDING OF THE CSM CRM PROJECT WITH SIX OF YOU SIGNING ON AS CO-SPONSORS.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

MY NAME'S EMILY RUDNICK LEBLANC AND I'M THE CO-CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE AND RESOURCE TEAM.

THAT'S OUR COMMUNITY COORDINATED RESPONSE MADE UP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTORS, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, AND SURVIVORS.

I'M ALSO A SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON ISSUES RELATED TO SEXUAL ASSAULT AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE IN AUSTIN FOR TWO DECADES.

I'VE BECOME BEFORE THIS BODY SEVERAL TIMES TO ALERT YOU ALL TO WHAT IS GOING WRONG.

I'M HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU WHAT'S GOING RIGHT.

IN TWO DECADES OF PUSHING FOR JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS, I'VE RARELY BEEN ABLE TO SAY THAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE WERE AT THE TABLE, ESPECIALLY AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHILE DETECTIVE SERGEANTS, SOMETIMES EVEN A COMMANDER MAY BE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING, OFTEN THE OTHER FOLKS IN THE CHAIN OF COMMAND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE THE INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT SURVIVORS WERE BELIEVED AND OFFENDERS WERE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

BUT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE TABLE.

NOW THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT IS A TRUE COLLABORATION WITH EXPERTS, SURVIVORS, COMMUNITY AGENCIES, AND A PD ALL WORKING TOGETHER TOWARD THE SAME GOALS.

AND WE'VE HAD SUPPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER FROM EVERY LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP AT A PD.

I'LL REMIND YOU THAT THE PROJECT IS A RESULT OF THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS THAT THE CITY HAS TO UPHOLD THE SETTLEMENT TERMS OF THE LAWSUITS BROUGHT AGAINST THE CITY FOR THE ABHORRENT HANDLING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES BY THE CITY IN THE PAST.

IN ADDITION, THE PERF REPORT, WHICH WAS ORDERED BY THIS BODY, PRODUCED AN 182 PAGE REPORT AT THE REQUEST OF THIS COUNCIL WITH OVER A HUNDRED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE AFTER A DEEP DIVE OF THE A PD SEX CRIMES UNIT.

AND THIS PROJECT IS POISED TO IMPLEMENT THOSE CHANGES.

THE AIM OF THE PROJECT IS TO CATAPULT AUSTIN'S RESPONSE TO SEX CRIMES FROM A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT TO A NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE.

AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE TABLE TO DO JUST THAT.

I'M THEREFORE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT THE FUNDING FOR THE C-S-C-R-M PRIORITIES IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

I HOPE THAT EACH OF YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT THE PROMISES YOU MADE TO SURVIVORS AS THE LAWSUITS WERE SETTLED, WERE MADE AND ACCEPTED IN GOOD FAITH.

IN APRIL, THIS

[04:30:01]

YOU'VE GOT A DREAM TEAM READY TO MAKE GOOD ON THOSE PROMISES.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FUND IT.

HEATHER SIN, SCOTT COBB, SUSAN PATARA.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALL OKAY, I'M GONNA PLEASE JUST, I CAN SPEAK NOW.

YES, JUST A MINUTE.

CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME? BECAUSE WE CAN'T HEAR ALL THE SPEAKERS IN THE BACK.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

UH, MY NAME IS MARY GAVRON AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR MORE FUNDING AND BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN AUSTIN.

UM, MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR ABOUT 50 YEARS.

MY SON WAS BORN HERE.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE WITHIN A GIVEN YEAR.

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM WHO KNOW THIS IS TRUE ON A PERSONAL LEVEL AS THE PARENTS AND MY HUSBAND SITTING BEHIND ME AS THE PARENTS OF A SON WHO LIVES WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

MY HUSBAND AND I EXPERIENCE THIS DAILY.

SONYA BURNS A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE.

SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW HER NAME HAS STATED, AND I AGREE.

BULLET ONE.

WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO WAIT FOR A STANDARD OF IMMINENT DANGER TO SELF OR OTHERS FOR A PERSON TO RECEIVE A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE.

NEXT, FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT LIVE SAFELY AND SUCCESSFULLY IN THE GREATER COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY ARE QUOTE, TOO ACUTE TO ENGAGE MEANINGFULLY IN INVOLUNTARY SERVICES BUT NOT ACUTE ENOUGH FOR INPATIENT CARE.

END QUOTE, WE MUST PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET THEIR TRUE LEVEL OF NEED.

FOR SOME THIS MEANS QUOTE, SECURE AND END QUOTE AND SECURE SHOULD NOT MEAN JAIL.

WE'VE BEEN THERE.

THAT'S WHERE OUR SON WENT WHEN WE CALLED ON AN IN INCIDENT AT THE HOUSE, WHICH WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO HIS MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION.

WE MUST BE PERSON CENTERED AND PROVIDE SERVICES APPROPRIATE TO A PERSON'S TRUE LEVEL OF NEED.

THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE FAR TOO OFTEN WE WAIT FOR AN ARRESTABLE OFFENSE AND FAR TOO FREQUENTLY THAT ALSO MEANS THERE'S A VICTIM FOR THOSE WHOSE QUOTE, BASELINE END QUOTE IS THEY CANNOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF LIVING IN THE GREATER COMMUNITY LEST THEY BE ARRESTED.

WE MUST HAVE OPTIONS FOR THEM TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND PURPOSE AS A VALUED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THOSE PEOPLE LIKE MY SON, LIKE OUR SON.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS TODAY, 36 YEARS OLD AND ONLY GOD CAN HELP.

AND SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT ARE TRYING THEIR BEST TO DO THE JOB THAT I WANT THE CITY TO HELP THEM WITH.

JUST IDENTIFY YOURSELF PLEASE.

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

WILL DO.

HI.

UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL AND MAYOR.

MY NAME IS SHAYNA FOX AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CARRIE, THE COUNCIL ON AT-RISK YOUTH.

UH, WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 25 YEARS.

WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE CITY FOR ABOUT 20 OF THOSE, UM, MOST RECENTLY THROUGH THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

SO I'M ACTUALLY HERE TODAY TO SAY THANK YOU, UM, AND TO REALLY KIND OF HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE IMPACT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH OVP AND WHAT WE INTEND ON DOING THIS NEXT YEAR WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU ALL.

SO THIS LAST YEAR ALONE, WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH OVER 2000 HIGH RISK STUDENTS ALL AROUND AUSTIN, UH, WITHIN A ISD.

AND THESE ARE SPECIFICALLY KIDS THAT ARE HIGHEST THAT, THAT SHOW THE HIGHEST LIKELIHOOD OF ENTERING INTO JUVENILE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

AND WE SERVE AS A PREVENTION FOR THAT.

SO AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM MULTIPLE PEOPLE TODAY, UH, PREVENTION IS KEY.

UH, THE ROI ON THIS IS REALLY WONDERFUL IN THAT IT COSTS US ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS PER STUDENT.

THAT SAME STUDENT THAT GOES ON TO OFFEND, IT'S ABOUT $180,000 A YEAR.

SO, UM, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT, UM, ON BEHALF OF CARRIE, OUR STAFF, OUR BOARD, AND OUR 2000 HIGH RISK STUDENTS THAT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH THIS YEAR, WE REALLY APPRECIATE, UH, YOUR ONGOING INVESTMENT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO REALLY PROVING OURSELVES

[04:35:01]

AND SHOWING OUR IMPACT.

SO THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

UH, MY NAME IS SUSAN SPATARO.

AS YOU HEARD, THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION IN TERMS OF SIGNING IN AND SHARON BLYTHE DID NOT GET TO SIGN IN.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU WHAT HER, HER TESTIMONY WOULD BE AT THE BEGINNING OF MINE.

THE PARK DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY RUNS THE CEMETERIES IN AUSTIN.

THEY CONTRACT BURIAL SERVICES CURRENTLY AT A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

THE PARK DEPARTMENT REQUESTED TO BUDGET EIGHT EMPLOYEES, ONE TO, UH, TAKE OVER OR REPLACE THE OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR.

BUT THERE IS APPARENTLY AN ERROR IN THAT SUBMISSION BECAUSE IT REALLY ONLY TAKES FIVE EMPLOYEES, ONE SUPERVISOR, AND FOUR STAFF.

SO IF IN FACT THIS COULD BE RESUBMITTED TO THE BUDGET AND LOOKED AT IT, THIS SAVES A CLEAR $500,000.

IN OTHER WORDS, WE CAN STAFF IT FOR 500,000 INSTEAD OF CONTRACTING OUT FOR A MILLION.

SO THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE EASILY LOOKED AT.

THERE WAS AN ERROR IN FILING SO THAT, THAT WOULD BE WHAT SHARON WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU.

NOW WE'RE GONNA GO TO MY TESTIMONY, .

UM, TYPICALLY WHAT, WHAT YOU SEE TODAY AND AT EVERY ONE OF THESE HEARINGS IS THOSE THAT RECEIVE MONEY WANT MORE AND THOSE THAT ARE PAYING IT WANT TO PAY LESS.

AND THAT'S OF COURSE THE BIND THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT.

BUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING THE BILLS ARE WORKING AND THEY CAN'T COME HERE TODAY.

SO THERE'S A HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE STRESSED TO THE LIMIT JUST PROVIDING FOR THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE COSTS ARE GOING UP.

YOU ARE CERTAINLY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THAT, BUT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TAXES AND THE FEES.

AND AS MUCH CONVERSATION GOES TO AFFORDABILITY.

THIS BUDGET IS NOT AN AFFORDABILITY BUDGET.

IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE.

AND I ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THAT AND SEE IF YOU CAN IN FACT, UM, BRING IT DOWN.

THE, UH, OTHER THING THAT I WOULD LIKE, TWO MORE POINTS I'D LIKE TO MAKE AND, AND THAT IS I ASKED AT ONE OF THE BUDGET HEARINGS, UM, IF IN FACT THERE WAS ANYTHING IN THIS BUDGET OR THE 26TH TO TAKE CARE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FOR HOME ONE AND TWO, EITHER A PLAN OR MONEY, AND WAS TOLD BY YOUR STAFF THAT THERE WAS NOT.

AND I FIND THAT REALLY TROUBLESOME.

SO I WOULD HOPE THAT AT LEAST YOU WOULD START A PLANNING PROCESS AND FIND OUT WHAT THE COST OF THAT IS BEFORE THOSE PROGRAMS GO FORWARD.

UM, I, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT I THINK OF IS, YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT ALL THESE TALL BUILD BUILDINGS IN THE UP ZONING AND YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT LADDER TRUCKS TODAY, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH LADDER TRUCKS OR FIRE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THAT KIND OF GROWTH THAT'S IN HOME? SO I, I WOULD LIKE IT IF YOU WOULD LOOK AT THAT.

THE THIRD THING I REALLY WANNA TALK ABOUT IS THE POLICE BUDGET BECAUSE IT'S BEEN MENTIONED SO MANY TIMES TODAY.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS ONE OF THE MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE POLICE ARE RIGHT ON TOP OF THAT.

DO PEOPLE CARE ABOUT POLICE? YOU BET WHEN THEY CALL 9 1 1.

THANK YOU MS. PETRO, APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

THANK YOU MAYOR.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED WHO ARE, WHO ARE DOWN THE FRONT ALREADY AS WELL.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, HAS YOUR NAME BEEN CALLED SIR? YES.

OKAY, THEN, THEN GO AHEAD AND FEEL FREE TO USE THE MICROPHONE.

HAVE Y'ALL'S NAME BEEN CALLED? YES SIR.

MINE MINE'S, YES.

OKAY, VERY GOOD.

IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED AND THE MICROPHONE'S EMPTY, FEEL FREE TO MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE MICROPHONE.

THANK YOU SIR.

SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

HELLO, MY NAME IS SCOTT COBB.

I WORK AS A LIFEGUARD FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, JULY 12TH.

I SPOKE IN FRONT OF Y'ALL TRYING TO GET YOU TO SUPPORT BILINGUAL PAY FOR CITY OF AUSTIN LIFEGUARDS BECAUSE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ABOUT 31% OF THE PEOPLE SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH AT HOME.

AROUND 20% ARE IMMIGRANTS WHO WERE BORN IN ANOTHER COUNTRY AND ABOUT 11.4% ARE PEOPLE WHO DESCRIBE THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITY AS LESS THAN VERY WELL.

THAT IS FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S OWN WEBSITE.

UH, IN THE PAST, LIFEGUARDS HAVE NOT HAD BILINGUAL PAY BECAUSE WE'RE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES.

I SPOKE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AT THE JUNE MEETING OF THE PARKS BOARD.

ANGELA MEANS WAS IN THE ROOM AND HEARD MY DESCRIPTION.

AND ON MONDAY, ANGELA MEANS ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WILL BE BILINGUAL PAY FOR LIFEGUARDS IN THE FUTURE.

SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE PEOPLE AT THE POOLS GETTING PAID BILINGUAL PAY THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF AUSTIN, HELPING TO MAKE THE POOLS A MORE EQUITABLE WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO

[04:40:01]

USE THE POOLS.

SO I WANT TO THANK THE ANGELA MEANS ABOUT THAT.

AND WHAT THAT ALSO SPEAKS TO IS THE QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP IN A PARKS DIRECTOR.

ANGELA GOT THAT.

AND SHE HAS ONLY BEEN HERE FOR A MONTH OR SO.

SO I URGE YOU AND WHEN YOU HIRE THE NEXT PARKS DIRECTOR, HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT EQUITY AND CONCERNED ABOUT LABOR ISSUES.

MOVING ON TO ANOTHER ISSUE, WE STILL WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE FULL-TIME LIFEGUARDS.

WE HAD IT 13 TWO YEARS AGO.

UH, LAST YEAR THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS WITHDRAWN AT THE LAST MINUTE, UH, THAT WOULD'VE ADDED SEVEN MORE AND COST 350,000.

SO EACH ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME LIFEGUARD IS $50,000.

SO I URGE YOU TO ADD 1, 2, 3, MAYBE UP TO SEVEN BECAUSE WE NEED THOSE PEOPLE AT THE POOLS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A FULLY STAFFED, EXPERIENCED LIFEGUARDS WORKING FULL-TIME, GETTING BENEFITS, GETTING HEALTHCARE.

EVENTUALLY WE WANT TO HAVE 25 AND TO 50.

THAT'S THE GOAL SET BY PAR IN THE MASTER PLAN.

WE'RE AT 13 NOW.

SO IF YOU CAN ADD MORE OF THAT ALSO, LIFEGUARDS AND ALL TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES DO NOT GET HOLIDAY PAY.

WE CAN ACCRUE PAID TIME OFF WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE PAID TIME OFF ACCRUED.

YOU, YOU TAKE TWO WEEKS OFF FROM THE VACATION IN THE SUMMER AND YOU'RE NOT WORKING AT ALL.

OR IF YOU, IF YOU HAVE ACCRUED TIME OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, YOU TAKE IT OFF AND IT DOESN'T REDUCE THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT YOU WORK OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

IF YOUR HOURS ARE REDUCED BY NOT WORKING, YOU MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF HEALTH INSURANCE.

THANK YOU SIR.

SO IT REALLY IMPACTS PEOPLE.

HELLO.

GOODBYE MAYOR .

HELLO COUNCIL MEMBERS.

UM, I KNOW SOME OF YOU, SOME OF YOU KNOW ME.

UM, IT WAS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO BE HERE.

IT ALWAYS IS .

AND MA'AM, COULD YOU TELL US YOUR NAME? I'M ABOUT YOU.

SHE'S FOREVER, POSITIVELY IMPACTED THE CITY AND I WISH WE WOULD RECOGNIZE HER.

SORRY, I'M, I'LL EXPLAIN THAT TO YOU.

MY NAME'S HEATHER SIN.

I'M ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS FROM THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

I'M ONE OF ONLY TWO DISABLED PLAINTIFFS.

UM, MY DISABILITIES ARE NOT THE CANE YOU SEE ME WITH.

THEY'RE INVISIBLE.

SO, UH, HERE I HAVE SOME DIFFICULTY, UH, HERE AND IN HERE.

SO THANKS FOR SOME LENIENCY.

IF I STRUGGLE, UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE 'CAUSE THERE'S A TIME ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET, SPECIFICALLY THE POLICE SPENDING.

I'M HERE TO ASK YOU ALL TO PLEASE REMAIN STEADFAST IN UPHOLDING THE LEGAL AGREEMENT THAT WAS PARTIALLY DRAFTED BY YOUR OWN LAWYERS AND APPROVED BY THIS COUNSEL.

PRIORITIZING THIS COMMITMENT WILL ACTUALLY SAVE THE CITY MONEY IN THE LONG RUN BECAUSE THE BIGGEST DETERRENT TO CRIME IS ENFORCING THE LAW AND THE BEST MEDICINE FOR VICTIMS IS PREVENTING THE INJURY.

THIS WILL ACTUALLY HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT ON CITY BRANDING, WHICH HAS A LARGE CHUNK IN THERE THAN ANY AD CAMPAIGN FOR THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL.

I HAVE A TENDENCY TO, UH, SPEAK MY MIND AND IT'S OFFENSIVE TO SAY, BUT DO YOU WANNA GO TO A SHOW KNOWING YOU MIGHT GET RAPED AFTERWARDS AND THEN DESTROYED BY THE POLICE? UM, .

THAT'S WHY I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT IN 10 YEARS.

A COMMITMENT WAS MADE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO US IT WAS ONLY ONE ROOM OVER THE CITY.

REPRESENTATIVES GOT IN FRONT OF TV CREWS, I WAS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO THEM AND SAID, WHAT A TRAVESTY.

THIS WAS TOUTED ALL THE WORK THE CITY'S DONE AND WHAT THEY ARE GONNA DO.

IT WAS IN THIS VERY ROOM WITH THIS COUNCIL.

SOME OF THESE MEMBERS, I WAS SITTING RIGHT BACK THERE, THERE BALLED UP IN A FETAL POSITION SOBBING WHILE FORMER MAYOR ADLER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS SAID WITH BIG EYES HOW TERRIBLE OUR EXPERIENCE WAS.

HOW YOU WANNA MAKE SURE IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

BUT SIGNING OFF ON THAT AGREEMENT WASN'T THE END.

THIS TAKES A LOT OF LITTLE STEPS.

PLEASE STAY WITH US.

I WANNA SAY THANK YOU PUBLICLY.

IT'S IMPOR THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME TO INTERIM CHIEF ROBIN HENDERSON.

IF YOU'VE SEEN A PICTURE CIRCULATING, UH, SOME, UH, CITY WEBSITES, I THINK OF HER HUGGING SOMEONE.

THAT WAS ME.

THAT IS THE FIRST TIME IN A PRETTY TRAGIC LIFE.

THE FIRST TIME IN 50 YEARS I HAVE REQUESTED AND HAPPILY HAD PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

THAT AMAZING WOMAN PLANTED A TINY SEED OF MAYBE THAT, MAYBE THAT MAYBE I HAVE WORTH THAT MAYBE I CAN CALL THE POLICE WITHOUT THEM HURTING ME.

[04:45:01]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. MAY I FINISH THANKING YOU REALLY QUICKLY? PLEASE? WE'LL, UH, GO RIGHT AHEAD.

I DO WANNA THANK YOU BECAUSE, UM, ALL OF YOU 'CAUSE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AREN'T GIVEN A VOICE.

WE'RE ONLY PLACATED.

SO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND FOR GIVING ME EVEN A COUPLE MINUTES TO BE HEARD.

PLEASE STAY WITH US AND PRIORITIZE THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR.

NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE.

MAYOR HEATHER.

HEATHER, I JUST WANTED TO, UM, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

I WANTED TO JUST, UM, THANK YOU AND ALL THE SURVIVORS AND WE MAY HAVE ANOTHER ONE, UM, SPEAKING AS WELL.

UM, BUT I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT THIS AND YOU GUYS HAVE JUST BEEN IN THERE FOR YEARS NOW, AND YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT AND HOPEFULLY THE REST OF THIS BODY THAT WE WILL, WE WILL GET THIS DONE AND I WILL BE BRINGING THE AMENDMENT, UM, TO, TO FULFILL THE FUNDING OBLIGATIONS.

ALYSSA DALMAN, CATHERINE CHALEY, MARIA EDA, VICTORIA MARSHALL.

HELLO, MY NAME IS ALYSSA DAHMAN AND I'M A CITIZEN OF DISTRICT TWO AND SPEAKING AS A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL WHO ALSO WORKS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.

I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE UT CITY CLIMATE COLAB, WHICH IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE CITY AND UT TO BUILD CLI TO BUILD A CLIMATE DATA AND INFORMA INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK.

THIS FRAMEWORK SUPPORTS CITY STAFF, CITY, UH, RESEARCHERS AND STUDENTS BY BUILDING AND SUSTAINING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH A FOCUS ON CLIMATE DATA.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FROM THE UT CITY CLIMATE COLAB IS THE IMPOR IMPROVEMENT OF CITY SERVICES AND LONG-TERM RISK REDUCTION.

THIS IS BECAUSE WE CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, PLAN AND PREPARE FOR THE WEATHER AND CLIMATE EXTREMES THAT WILL COME TO, WILL COME OUR WAY IN THE FUTURE.

THIS FRAMEWORK PROVIDES THE CITY, CITY DEPARTMENT'S ACCESSIBILITY TO THE BEST CLIMATE RESEARCH AND DATA TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS AND ALSO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT ARISE FROM CITY, CITY, THE CITY'S MAJORS, DEPARTMENTS.

HOWEVER, THIS EFFORT WILL NOT HAPPEN ON ITS OWN.

IT TAKES TIME, IT TAKES FOCUS, IT TAKES RESOURCES TO DISCOVER THE QUESTIONS AND THE ISSUES, AND THEN CREATE AND DESIGN SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS.

WE DO NOT CONSIDER THE UT CITY CLIMATE CO LAB AS JUST A COLLABORATION, BUT ALSO AS AN INVESTMENT.

AN INVESTMENT THAT IS ALSO A BARGAIN AS IT'LL COST MILLIONS TO PAY CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP THE TYPE OF PRODUCTS THAT THE COLAB WILL ACTUALLY CREATE.

WITH THE POWER AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THIS FRAMEWORK WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE CLIMATE DATA INFORMATION TO CITY DEPARTMENTS TO IMPROVE THEIR PROCESSES AND MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS.

THERE IS A NEED, A NECESSITY TO IMPROVE OUR RESILIENCE AS A CITY TO WEATHER AND CLIMATE RE EXTREMES.

AUSTIN IS GONNA CONTINUE TO FACE THESE EVENTS AND WE MUST ENSURE A CITY IS RESILIENT TO WHAT IS TO COME.

STRONG COLLABORATION BETWEEN CITY STAFF AND CLIMATE RESEARCHERS IS ESSENTIAL, AND THE, THE UT CITY CLIMATE COLLAB NURTURES THIS DYNAMIC.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE PRESENTED TO THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL AND RECEIVED A UNANIM, A UNANIMOUS POSITIVE SUPPORT FROM THEM.

THIS IS WHY I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT, SUSTAIN THIS POWERFUL COLLABORATION TO SUPPORT ACCESSIBILITY OF CLIMATE INFORMATION, TO SUPPORT RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY, TO SUPPORT GREENER INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN.

I APPRECIATE AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

AVERY RYDER, LESLIE ALEXANDER, JULIA VAUGHN, ALEXANDER ORA LOPEZ.

SO SANKA .

GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M MARIANA LOPEZ, A DISTRICT THREE RESIDENCE WITH UNIQUE INSIGHTS INTO OUR CITY'S CLIMATE RESILIENCE EFFORTS.

UM, MY EXPERIENCE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S OFFICE OF RESILIENCE AND MY CURRENT ROLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS WHERE I'M ESTABLISHING AN EXTREME WEATHER ADAPTATION LAB AS PART OF THE UT CITY CLIMATE, COLAB HAS GIVEN ME A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF OUR CLIMATE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AS A CITY.

I WORK CLOSELY WITH THE UT CITY CLIMATE COLAB TEAM, BRINGING ACADEMIC RESEARCH WITH PRACTICAL CITY PLANNING.

DURING MY TIME WITH THE CITY, I OBSERVED STAFF CONSTANTLY JUGGLING COMPETING PRIORITIES WITH LIMITED BANDWIDTH TO TAKE ON NEW RESEARCH.

THEY'RE EAGER TO INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE INTO THEIR PROJECTS, BUT OFTEN LACK ACCESS TO THE LATEST TOOLS AND BEST PRACTICES.

THIS IS WHERE THE UT CITY CLIMATE COLAB BECOMES INVALUABLE.

THE COLAB BRINGS TOGETHER LOCAL EXPERTS DEVELOPING TOOLS FOR AUSTIN SPECIFIC SHOCKS AND STRESSORS WITH CITY STAFF, CRAFTING, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

[04:50:01]

STRATEGIES.

THIS COLLABORATION CREATES A SEAMLESS CYCLE WHERE STAFF DISCUSS THE PROJECT NEEDS AND RESEARCHERS PROVIDE TAILORED SOLUTIONS IN INFORMED POLICY DECISIONS.

FOLLOW.

MOREOVER, THIS PARTNERSHIP BREAKS DOWN DEPARTMENTAL SILOS FOSTERING CITYWIDE COLLABORATION.

CRUCIALLY, THIS APPROACH CAN REDUCE CITY SPENDING ON EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS FOR RESEARCH PLANNING AND ALSO HELP WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRANT WRITING FOR IMPLEMENTATION.

THE COLAB PROVIDES THESE SERVICES MORE EFFICIENTLY WITH A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF AUSTIN'S UNIQUE CONTEXT AND ALREADY ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY RELATIONS TO CONTINUE THIS WORK AND SECURE A RESILIENT FUTURE FOR AUSTIN.

THE UT CITY CLIMATE COLLAB NEEDS SUSTAINED FUNDING IN THE ANNUAL CITY BUDGET.

BY FUNDING THE COLLAB YOU'RE INVESTING IN TAILORED TOOLS AND SOLUTIONS, EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES, AND A MORE RESILIENT AUSTIN.

UH, I ALSO WANNA SAY, UM, PERSONALLY WITHOUT REPRESENTING, UM, ANY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT I, UM, WORKED WITH OR WORKED FOR THAT, UM, I ALSO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

HELLO AND GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS ANG DER.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10 AND A STUDENT RESEARCHER AT UT AUSTIN.

I ALSO WORK WITH DIFFERENT COMMUNITY GROUPS AND DO RESEARCH ON SEVERE WEATHER IN CITIES.

I AM SPEAKING TODAY TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WORKING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF UT C CLIMATE COLAB AS A UNIQUE RESOURCE THAT OUR CITY HAS DEVELOPED FOR CLIMATE STUDIES AND APPLICATIONS.

AS YOU HEARD, UT C CLIMATE COLAB IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE AND UT TO BUILD A DATA AND INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK FOR SHARING AND MAKING CLIMATE DATA ACCESSIBLE.

WHEN I STARTED MY RESEARCH, UH, I WAS INTENDING TO FOCUS MY RESEARCH ON HOUSTON AND PHOENIX AS THEY HAVE MORE DATA.

HOWEVER, SINCE LAST YEAR, I GOT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CLIMATE COLLAB AS A RESOURCE AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO INTERACT WITH DIFFERENT CITY OPERATORS, FINDING THE RESOURCE.

I HAVE CHANGED MY RESEARCH FOCUS TO AUSTIN AND AM DEVELOPING AND TESTING NEW TOOLS AND MODELS THAT CAN HELP WITH SEVERE WEATHER PREDICTIONS FOR AUSTIN.

MY RESEARCH IS AN EXAMPLE THAT CO-OP SUPPORTS RESEARCH SUPPORTS STUDENTS AND BUILDS COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS.

MY WORK AND THOSE OF OF OTHER STUDENTS WHO CAN FOCUS MORE ON AUSTIN CLIMATE ISSUES WILL HELP LONG-TERM RISK, RISK REDUCTION, AND IMPROVE CITY SERVICES BECAUSE, UH, WE WE WILL MAKE BETTER DECISIONS AND PLAN BETTER AS WE YOU, WE WILL USE THE BEST CLIMATE RESEARCH AND, UH, AND DATA TO SOLVE PROBLEM PROBLEMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM CITIES, MAJOR DEPARTMENTS.

AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT I USE COLAB AS AN INFRASTRUCTURE AND HAVE RESEARCH FUNDING OBTAINED FROM FEDERAL SOURCES AND WANTED TO SHARE THAT COLAB AS A SUSTAINED INFRASTRUCTURE RESOURCE WITHIN THE CITY WILL ALLOW FOR MORE SUCH RESOURCE THAT AUSTINS, THAT IS AUSTIN CENTERED, WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD BE FOR HOUSTON OR OTHER BIGGER CITIES.

WHAT AUSTIN HAS IS UNIQUE AND I, I WANT TO URGE, UH, I AND I URGE THE RESPECTED COUNCIL TO FIND A WAY TO SUSTAIN IT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

DEWEY SMITH, BOBBY LEVINSKY.

LESLIE VAHE, NIKITA, VE.

GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS DE WE SMITH.

UM, I'VE ENGAGED WITH COUNCIL BEFORE, BUT IT WAS IN MY ROLE AS A COMMISSIONER WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION.

THAT IS NOT MY JOB TODAY.

TODAY I'M COMING BEFORE YOU AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE SAFE ALLIANCE, AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR AND TO APPEAL TO YOU FOR CONTINUED FUNDING FOR THE COLLECTIVE SEX CRIMES RESPONSE MODEL PROJECT.

MANY HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE ME ON THE MINUTIA OF IT, THE LEGALITY, THE BEST PRACTICES, AND THOSE REASONS WE SHOULD DO IT.

I'M SPEAKING TO YOU AS A SURVIVOR AND I'M HERE TO SHARE THAT I NEED TO PERSONALIZE THIS AND HUMANIZE THIS FOR YOU.

I WAS ASSAULTED BY GUNPOINT IN 1993 AND SURVIVED AND THRIVED BEYOND THAT.

IT TOOK A DECADE FOR THEM TO TAKE THE EVIDENCE FROM MY CASE AND FIND A DNA MATCH FOR THE PERSON WHO MADE THE CHOICE TO ASSAULT ME TO BE BROUGHT TO

[04:55:01]

JUSTICE.

I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN CONTINUING FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT, YOU HAVE THE POWER AND YOU HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE MORE OF ME, PEOPLE WHO ARE SURVIVING AND THRIVING.

AND THAT IS A POWERFUL POSITION FOR YOU BECAUSE THE CONTINUATION OF THIS PROJECT IS ONE OF FEW THINGS THAT WILL COME PAST YOU THAT IS AGNOSTIC OF RACE, MENTAL CONDITION, HOUSING STATUS, AGE, GENDER ORIENTATION, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, OR DISTRICT ANY AUSTINITE COULD BE A VICTIM.

AND WITH YOUR HELP, ANY AUSTINITE CAN BE A SURVIVOR.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

UM, THANK YOU MAYOR WATSON AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

UH, MY NAME'S NIKITA VE.

I'M VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES WITH THE SAFE ALLIANCE.

UH, MANY OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH SAFE.

IF ANYONE IS NOT, OUR NAME IS OUR MISSION TO STOP ABUSE FOR EVERYONE.

WE PROVIDE SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

AND WE DO THAT THROUGH OPERATING OVER 20 DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS. ALL OF OUR SERVICES ARE OFFERED CONFIDENTIALLY AND AT NO COST TO SURVIVORS.

SAFE ALLIANCE IS A LONGSTANDING MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCE AND RESPONSE TEAM.

THE SART AND AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN THESE SPACES, SAFE CONTRIBUTES TO COMMUNITY WIDE CONVERSATIONS AND SERVES AS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN THE AREA OF PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

SAY, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF SAFE TO STRONGLY ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY TO INVEST IN THE CS CRM PROJECT.

THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT IS LARGE AND FAR REACHING, BUT ALSO ATTAINABLE AND IT EVALUATES HOW THE POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORMS REPORT OF 100 PLUS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE MAY BE IMPLEMENTED ON A LOCAL LEVEL.

AND THROUGHOUT THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT, THE GROUP MEMBERS, WHICH INCLUDES SAFE ALLIANCE, EVALUATES HOW TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS. THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECTS WORKS ON IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES FOR APDS CONTACT WITH VICTIMS, HOW PATROL CAN RESPOND TO OUTCRY OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, WHAT TRAINING WILL BE MOST RELEVANT FOR OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOW WE CONDUCT OUTREACH, POLICY EVALUATION, AND HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL OF THIS WORK THROUGH A DATA AND METRICS WORK GROUP THROUGH THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT.

WE HOPE THAT THESE BEST PRACTICES ARE IMPLEMENTED INTO A COUNTYWIDE RESPONSE AND THEN MAINTAINED LOCALLY THROUGH THE AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY SART TEAM.

THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT GOALS ALLOW THE CONTINUATION OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO PREVENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND RESPONDING IN A TRAUMA INFORMED WAY.

IF SOMEONE SAYS THAT THEY ARE HURT, SAFE, FULLY SUPPORTS THIS FUNDING OF THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT AND THANK YOU TO THE CITY, UM, MEMBERS AND THE MARRIOTTS AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON HOW THE CITY OF AUSTIN CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

DEWI SMITH FOR SHARING HER PERSONAL STORY, UH, TODAY, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING SHE'S DONE IN A PUBLIC PLATFORM LIKE THIS.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL.

I'M LESLIE VARGAS.

I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER FOR THE SAFE ALLIANCE.

UH, WE ARE ASKING FOR BUDGET AMENDMENTS, UM, TO BE FILED TO ADDRESS THE UNMET NEEDS IDENTIFIED FOR THE SEXUAL ASSAULT REFORM PROJECTS THAT START AT PAGE 120 OF THE STAFF REPORT ON UNMET NEEDS.

THAT'S THE CCRM PROJECT MY COLLEAGUES AND MY BOARD MEMBER HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT.

UM, THESE PRO THESE PROJECTS ARE A PRODUCT OF THE SETTLEMENT OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT BROUGHT BY SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

WHILE THE SETTLEMENT COULDN'T ANTICIPATE THE LINE ITEM DETAILS MS. SKO PRESENTED EARLIER TODAY, UM, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT FAILING TO FUND CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT WILL, UM, MEAN THAT THE CITY IS ITS BEST.

IT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING.

THE PURPOSE OF THE SETTLEMENT, UM, OR WORSE MAY BE IN BREACH.

I WILL LEAVE IT TO MS. THOMAS TO ADVISE YOU ON THAT.

BUT SOMETHING I DO KNOW, UM, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE PART OF THE LAST COUNCIL THAT APPROVED THAT SETTLEMENT, IT WAS NEVER REALLY JUST ABOUT THE LAWSUIT, THE FACTS OF WHICH WERE APPALLING AND HORRIFYING TO EVERYONE WHO READ THEM FROM DAY ONE.

IT WAS ABOUT DOING THE RIGHT THING, THE DECENT THING, AND THE SAFE THING, AND IT WAS ABOUT THE SURVIVORS.

I THINK THAT, UM, HAVING VISITED WITH MANY OF YOU TO SHARE THE DIFFICULT BUDGET AND PROGRAM CUTS SAFE HAS HAD TO MAKE OVER THE SHARE.

I DON'T ENVY THE BUDGET PROCESS IN FRONT OF YOU, AND I HAVE A LOT OF EMPATHY FOR THE HARD CHOICES YOU HAVE TO MAKE.

UM, BUT THE ISSUE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SITS AT THE NEXUS OF OUR CITY'S MOST BASIC PRIORITIES, PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND DUE PROCESS, GENDER EQUITY.

AND WHILE OUR MOVEMENT HASN'T ALWAYS ADDRESSED IT, AND OUR TABLES HAVEN'T ALWAYS REFLECTED IT, RACIAL EQUITY AS WELL, GIVEN THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT TO BLACK WOMEN, I WANNA THANK MY BOARD MEMBER, UH,

[05:00:01]

AND I WANNA THANK HER FOR HER BRAVERY.

UM, PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PRIORITIZE THIS ACCORDINGLY.

UM, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY AND ALSO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY.

THANK YOU, SAMANTHA.

OH, SAMANTHA MCCOY, KELLY MACK MCWILLIAMS. THANK YOU MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR TIME.

SEE IF I CAN WRAP THIS UP.

UM, MY NAME IS KELLY MCWILLIAMS AND I'M ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN LAWSUIT.

I WAS 15 YEARS OLD WHEN I WAS ASSAULTED.

A PD ASKED ME WHAT I WAS WEARING AND IF, IF I REMEMBER SAYING THE WORDS, NO, SADLY, THIS CONTINUES TO BE THE NORM.

I WAITED 19 YEARS FOR JUSTICE.

I WORK FULL-TIME AND I HAVE A FIVE-YEAR-OLD SON.

TAKING TIME OUT OF MY DAY TO COME REMIND YOU OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS IS NOT ONLY TIME CONSUMING, BUT AN INCONVENIENCE AND A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THE FAILURES THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS IMPOSED UPON ITS SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU ALREADY TRIED TO BRING BACK ART ACEVEDO, AND IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR US MAKING NOISE, WE WOULD BE BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED.

I AM HERE TO PLEAD THAT YOU ADHERE TO THE ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT TERMS MADE AND ALLOCATE THE FUNDS AS ORIGINALLY PROMISED.

AVERY RIDER, LESLIE ALEXANDER, VICTORIA MARSHALL, MARIA , JULIA VAUGHN, ALEXANDER.

GOOD AFTERNOON, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

MY NAME IS SAMANTHA MCCOY AND I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK AS A SURVIVOR OF RAPE AND AN ADVOCATE FOR THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT.

AS A SURVIVOR, I EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND A SYSTEM THAT WAS NOT THERE FOR ME, AND SPECIFICALLY A JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT I WOULD NEVER FIND JUSTICE IN.

THROUGHOUT THE REPORTING AND INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS, I WAS STRUCK BY HOW POORLY THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING AND HOW DEEPLY THE SYSTEM WAS FAILING SURVIVORS.

I WALKED AWAY FROM THE REPORTING AND INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS, TRULY DEFEATED AND FEELING MORE ALONE THAN WHEN I DID, UH, BEGAN THE JOURNEY OF REPORTING.

UNFORTUNATELY, I'M NOT THE ONLY SURVIVOR WHO HAS SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF OUR SYSTEM.

COUNTLESS SURVIVORS WHO HAVE BRAVELY COME FORWARD TO SHARE THE MOST PAINFUL MOMENTS WERE MET WITH SIGNIFICANT GAPS WITHIN OUR REPORTING AND INVESTIGATIVE PROCESSES.

YEARS AFTER MY OWN ASSAULT, I'M FINALLY SEEING CONCRETE PROGRESS SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.

I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF JOINING THE SART AS AN INDEPENDENT SURVIVOR, AND I HAVE FURTHER BEEN WELCOMED TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT, LENDING MY VOICE AS A SURVIVOR TO HELP IMPROVE THE VERY SYSTEMS I ONCE DOUBTED SO DEEPLY.

I SEE PASSIONATE INDIVIDUALS IN THE C-S-C-R-M WHO ARE WILLING TO HAVE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS, AND I HAVE WITNESSED TRUE CHANGE IN HOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS IN A MORE SURVIVOR CENTERED WAY.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE WORK THAT THE C-S-C-R-N IS DOING WILL CHANGE LIVES.

IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE C-S-C-R-M PROJECT FUNDING DID NOT MAKE THE INITIAL PROPOSAL AFTER YEARS OF SYSTEMIC FAILURE AND AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF SURVIVORS WHOSE LIVES WERE SEVERELY ALTERED.

WITH OVER 120 ELEMENTS OF REFORM BEING IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE THE HANDLING OF SEX CRIMES AND ONLY A YEAR AND A HALF INTO THIS THREE YEAR PROJECT, IT IS CRUCIAL FUNDING IS PROVIDED.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUD FUNDING REQUESTS ARE EXPECTED TO COVER THINGS SUCH AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW CADET AND SEX CRIMES UNIT.

DETECTIVE TRAINING FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT WILL ENSURE WE ARE SUPPORTING THE DEDICATED ADVOCATES WORKING ON THIS PROJECT WHO ARE TIRELESSLY FIGHTING TO FIX A SYSTEM THAT HAS HARMED SURVIVORS FOR DECADES.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, FUNDING WILL ENSURE THAT ALL REFORMS WILL BE PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED.

SURVIVORS DESERVE SO MUCH MORE THAN THE WAYS IN WHICH WE'VE BEEN TREATED, AND WE OWE IT TO OUR COMMUNITY TO FINALLY TREAT THEM THE WAY THEY DESERVE.

THANK YOU FOR THIS YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

MAYOR.

ALL THE REGISTERED SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED, I'M SORRY, SAY THAT AGAIN.

ALL REGISTERED SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED ALL RIGHT.

I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO CALL THE NAMES OF SPEAKERS THAT YOU PREVIOUS CALLED AND THEY DIDN'T APPEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMEBODY HADN'T ARRIVED SINCE WE STARTED.

YES MA'AM.

THAT'S

[05:05:01]

EVERYONE.

MAYOR ALL THEN CAN I, I WANTED TO CATCH IT BEFORE THEY LEFT.

AL.

OKAY, GO AHEAD.

UM, I JUST WANTED TO, UM, INVITE MY COLLEAGUES IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, UM, IN JOINING AS A CO-SPONSOR OF MY AMENDMENT, UM, TO FUND THE BALANCE OF THE C-S-C-R-M, UM, TO PLEASE, UM, LET ME KNOW ASHLEY FISHER AND MY OFFICE WILL BE WORKING ON IT.

UM, AND THERE MAY BE SOME VOCA, UH, PIECES THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AS WELL.

'CAUSE THERE WERE TWO PAGES IN THE UNMET NEEDS.

UM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

YES, THANK YOU, MAYOR.

UM, I'LL BE REACHING OUT.

I WANNA MAKE SURE WE WORK ON THAT TOGETHER.

MEMBERS, UH, BECAUSE COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ALTER HAD WANTED US TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO BE BE HERE UNTIL FIVE O'CLOCK OR AFTER, UM, THEY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS, WITHOUT OBJECTION, RECESS, THIS WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL UNTIL FIVE O'CLOCK WHEN WE'LL COME BACK TO SEE IF ANYBODY HAS MADE IT DOWN TO, TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEIR PUBLIC COMMENT.

SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE ARE IN RECESS UNTIL 5:00 PM IT IS 4 35 MEMBERS BECAUSE I LIKE TO STAY ON TIME.

I'M GONNA CALL BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION.

IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK ON JULY 24TH, 2024.

BUT WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO, UM, I'M GOING TO ASK THAT THE CLERK'S OFFICE CALL NAMES, BUT LET'S WAIT JUST A MINUTE OR TWO BEFORE WE ADJOURN, PLEASE.

AVERY RIDER, LESLIE ALEXANDER, VICTORIA MARSHALL.

MARIA EDTA.

CATHERINE CHAMBLEE.

UH, SHE SPOKE, I BELIEVE, UH, JULIA VAUGHN ALEXANDER.

I DON'T BELIEVE ANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE HERE, BUT WE'RE GONNA WAIT BEFORE WE ADJOURN.

WE'RE GONNA WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES, MR. MAY?

[Additional Item]

UM, WHAT WE HAVE A SECOND.

UM, DO YOU MIND IF I TAKE A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE? UH, GO AHEAD.

LESLIE ALEXANDER, VICTORIA MARSHALL, MARIA ZAPETA, JULIA VAUGHN, ALEXANDER.

I APPRECIATE IT.

WE HAD A CALLER EARLIER, HER NAME IS TANIKA BREWSTER, AND SHE WAS CALLING, UM, TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET.

AND I JUST, I DIDN'T GET THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE TIME TO GIVE HER A BIG SHOUT OUT, BUT WE TALKED SO FREQUENTLY ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS.

AND A COUPLE YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE ICE STORM TOOK OUT THE NATURAL GAS AT MOUNT CARMEL, TANIKA BREWSTER AND HER NEIGHBORS GOT TOGETHER AND FORMED THE MOUNT CARMEL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ALONGSIDE BASTA AND SOME OTHER ADVOCATES AND SUPPORTERS.

AND I JUST WAS SO PLEASED TO SEE HER HERE A COUPLE YEARS LATER, STILL GOING STRONG, FIGHTING HARD, ADVOCATING FOR HER COMMUNITY.

AND AS A PERSON WHO HAD NEVER HAD ANY INTERACTION WITH MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT BEING ONE OF OUR REGULAR, UM, CONTRIBUTORS, IT, IT JUST REALLY MADE MY HEART SING.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

GET IN THE FIGHT AND STAY THERE.

AND I JUST, I WANTED TO GIVE HER A THANK YOU FOR STAYING IN THE FIGHT AND ENCOURAGE OTHER PEOPLE TO, TO DO THE SAME.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

THANK YOU MAYOR, FOR THE RECOGNITION.

WHILE WE'RE WAITING HERE, I JUST WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MY DAUGHTER WHO'S TURNING 15 ON FRIDAY.

UM, THIS WILL BE HER FOURTH BUDGET THAT HER MOM HAS GONE THROUGH, AND I JUST WANNA THANK HER FOR HER PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING AS IT HAPPENS AROUND HER BIRTHDAY EVERY YEAR.

UM, EVERY YEAR, MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN GREAT ABOUT WISHING HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AND I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT AND DO THAT AGAIN TODAY.

SO THANK YOU FOR, FOR, UH, ALLOWING ME TO DO THAT.

GOOD DEAL.

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HER.

THAT'S GREAT.

WHY DON'T YOU CALL THE NAMES AGAIN? YES, MA'AM.

AVERY RYDER.

EVERYBODY GOOD?

[05:10:01]

I THINK THEY MAY NOT BE COMING.

MAYOR.

YEP.

I'M JUST GONNA, I'M GONNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY FEELS COMFORTABLE.