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[Call to Order]
O'CLOCK ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 1ST, I WILL CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.WE ARE HAVING A BUDGET WORK SESSION AND, UH, WE WILL ALSO BE CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING.
WE ARE, UH, WE HAVE A QUORUM OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL PRESENT, AND WE ARE MEETING IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WHICH IS LOCATED IN CITY HALL AT 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UM, FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE COUNCIL.
LET ME, UH, QUICKLY AND BRIEFLY RUN THROUGH THE ORDER OF THE DAY.
UH, ITEM NUMBER ONE ON THE AGENDA IS, IS A PRESENTATION DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
THIS WILL BE A SHORT BRIEFING BY, UM, OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO ASK A COUPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT WE, WE NEED TO, UH, HAVE A, A BRIEFING BRIEFING ON.
THEN WHAT WE WILL DO IS I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER THREE, AND WE WILL ALSO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER TWO AT THE SAME TIME, UH, AT WHICH POINT WHEN THAT IS COMPLETED.
UH, THERE ARE A, A COUPLE OF MOTIONS THAT I'LL LOOK FOR AND I'LL JUST, I'LL MENTION 'EM NOW.
ONE IS, IN ORDER FOR US TO COMPLY WITH TEXAS LAW, UH, WE WILL NEED TO TECHNICALLY POSTPONE A VOTE ON THE BUDGET UNTIL WE ACTUALLY ARE GONNA VOTE ON THE BUDGET, WHICH WILL BE AUGUST 14TH.
AND THAT'S JUST A TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT AFTER WE HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, SO THAT I'LL, I'LL BE CALLING FOR A MOTION ON THAT.
BUT WE WILL ALSO BE SETTING THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE, UH, TO, UH, TODAY.
AND THAT IS, I HAVE POINTED OUT MANY TIMES AS PART OF THE TRUTH AND TAXATION LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND, UH, WE WILL DO THAT ONLY AFTER WE'VE LISTENED TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
[1. Presentation and discussion of the City of Austin Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Proposed Budget.]
I WILL TURN TO ITEM NUMBER ONE AND, UH, MS. LANG, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
CARRIE LANG, BUDGET OFFICER WITH THE FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE UNMET NEEDS FOR, UM, A COUPLE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.
UM, AND THEN WE WILL JUST BRIEFLY GO OVER THE NEXT STEPS AGAIN.
UM, SO EACH YEAR DURING THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, GENERAL FUND AND INTERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS SUBMIT A LIST OF UNMET NEEDS.
THIS LIST INCLUDES RESOURCES REQUESTED BASED ON GROWING DEMAND, EXPANDED PROGRAMS, OR IN SOME CASES, LEGAL REQUIREMENTS PER COUNCIL REQUEST.
WE WERE, UH, ASKED TO COME DISCUSS THE UNMET NEEDS SUBMITTED BY THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
SO STARTING WITH HES O UM, HES SUBMITTED EIGHT UNMET NEEDS, WHICH PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON STAFFING NEEDS TO ADDRESS INCREASED DEMANDS ON THE DEPARTMENT, ON THE PROGRAMMATIC SIDE, INCLUDING THEIR PLANNING AND, UM, OPERATIONS DIVISIONS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SHELTER MANAGEMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO REQUEST, UM, SOFTWARE FOR THE CONTIN, CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS AND PLANNING.
THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS SOME OF THE, UM, ADDITIONAL REQUESTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STAFF AND EXECUTIVE LEVEL POSITION, AND AN, AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER.
I BELIEVE THE ACTING, UM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IS HERE TO ASK, ANSWER ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR UNMET NEEDS.
LET ME ASK COUNCIL MEMBERS IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH QUE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HOUSING.
I MEAN, THE HOMELANDS, I, I'LL JUST CALL IT, HE CALL IT A DAY.
ANYBODY HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS? COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.
UM, YOU KNOW, I ASKED FOR US TO TALK ABOUT THIS TODAY BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED TO GET A SENSE OF HOW THESE UNMET NEEDS FIT INTO THE STRATEGIC PLAN, UM, FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS THAT WE NEED.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A GAZILLION, UM, DISASTERS AND, AND SITUATIONS WHERE WE'VE REALLY NEEDED TO RELY ON PS A AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD AFTER ACTION REPORTS, AND I WASN'T REALLY VERY CLEAR FROM THE UNMET NEEDS LIST WHERE THIS ALL FIT INTO THAT TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, HOW CRITICAL THESE NEEDS ARE FOR OUR PREPAREDNESS.
I'M THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR HOMELAND SECURITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
JUST TO PREFACE MY RESPONSE, IF I'M NOT COMPLETELY ABLE TO ANSWER, IT'S BECAUSE I'VE BEEN IN THIS POSITION FOR ONE WEEK.
UM, AND SO IF I AM NOT ABLE TO GET THE ANSWER TO Y'ALL, I'LL MAKE SURE THAT, UH, I GET THAT ANSWER FROM STAFF AND ALSO PLACE IT ON THE, UH, COUNCIL'S BUDGET Q AND A BOARD IF, IF NECESSARY.
UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY, UH, FULFILLS THE NEEDS OF MISSION
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CRITICAL TASKS THAT HOMELAND SECURITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CURRENTLY HAS.UM, I THINK THE UNMET NEEDS KIND OF, UH, COMES FROM, UM, HORIZON ISSUES THAT MAY BE HAPPENING OVER THE YEARS.
AS OUR CITY GROWS, WE KNOW SPECIAL EVENTS GROW, WE KNOW DIFFERENT THINGS ARE HAPPENING.
WE KNOW THERE'S AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF EMERGENCY INCIDENTS THAT WE'VE RESPONDED TO.
UM, AND SO I THINK SOME OF THAT ADDRESSES SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
BUT I DO FEEL LIKE THERE ARE STAFF, WE'RE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW OF LOOKING AT THOSE STAFF THAT ARE ON, THAT HAVE BEEN HIRED.
WE'RE STILL IN, IN THE HIRING PROCESS FOR SOME OF THOSE POSITIONS THAT WE'VE HAD PREVIOUSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE RIGHT SIZING AND GOT THE RIGHT STAFF WHERE WE NEED THEM.
I THINK, UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK SOME OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING VACANCIES RELATED TO HOMELAND SECURITY AND MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN RELATED TO A LOT OF, UH, POSITIONS THAT HAVE, UM, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY JUST DECLINED OFFERS TO SPECIFIC POSITIONS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE WANNA, WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE ELIMINATE THE VACANCY RATE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, UM, AND THEN PREPARE FOR WHAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT VACANCY RATE? IT'S THE 23% ACCORDING TO MANAGEMENT SERVICES, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THAT INCLUDES THE, UH, DIRECTOR'S POSITION.
SINCE THAT'S AN ACTING POSITION AS WELL.
DO YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW IF ANY OF THESE UNMET NEEDS WERE IDENTIFIED IN AFTER ACTION REPORTS? UM, ACTUALLY THERE WERE SOME.
SO I THINK, UM, IN THE AFTER ACTION, IN THE AUDIT FINDINGS FROM THE WINTER STORM, YURI AND I THINK MARA, UM, LAKO PLANNING WAS ONE THAT WAS IDENTIFIED.
TRAINING WAS ALSO IDENTIFIED AS A, AS AN UNMET NEED OR SOMETHING THAT A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY AUDITORS RELATED TO THE RESPONSE.
UM, I HAD PROVIDED A Q AND A, UM, REQUEST THAT HADN'T BEEN, UM, ADDRESSED YET WITH RESPECT TO, TO HE SOME, IF, IF YOU HAVE ANY THINGS THAT YOU WANNA ADD AFTER, UM, WE'RE DONE WITH THIS CONVERSATION, PLEASE ADD THEM THERE.
AND IF YOU COULD, UM, ADD IF THERE WERE THINGS THAT WERE NOT MET THAT WERE IN OR AFTER ACTION REPORTS TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
BE HAPPY TO ANY OTHER THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.
OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FULL WEEK
MS. LANG, MOVING FORWARD TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
SIMILARLY, THEY CREATED A LIST OF UNMET NEEDS TO SUPPORT GROWING DEMANDS FOR THEIR DEPARTMENT.
THESE REQUESTS INCLUDE SUPPORT IN THE WORKFORCE AND CHILDCARE DIVISIONS TO ESTABLISH AS STANDALONE DIVISIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS, AS WELL AS THE EXPANSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DIVISION.
UM, AND THEN WITHIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS, THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRING A NUMBER OF SUPPORT POSITIONS FROM ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING PROGRAM MANAGERS AND COORDINATORS, HUMAN RESOURCE AND IT STAFF.
AND THEN FINALLY, THE DEPARTMENT IS REQUESTING CONTRACTUAL INCREASES TO, TO SUPPORT SEVERAL, UH, PROGRAMS ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS AND 600,000 IN ONE TIME TO SUPPORT COOPERATIVE, THE COOPERATIVE GROCERY STORE AND NEIGHBORHOOD EQUITY, UM, ANALYSIS.
I BELIEVE THE DIRECTOR, UM, MS. ANOVIA HOLT IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY DETAILED QUESTIONS.
UM, I ALSO PULLED THIS ONE 'CAUSE THERE WERE 19 UNMET NEEDS FOR EDD, AND I BELIEVE THEY'VE EITHER RECENTLY OR ABOUT TO FINALIZE A STRATEGIC PLAN.
UM, AND I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THESE UNMET NEEDS FIT INTO THAT.
AND, AND YOU KNOW, THERE, I'M CHAIR OF AUDIT AND FINANCE AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN HERE THAT ARE RELATED TO CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AND FINANCE AND, AND, UM, OTHER THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, NEED TO BE IN PLACE.
UM, AND SO I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND KIND OF WHAT, WHAT WE'RE GIVING UP HERE AS WELL.
SO BOTH, IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THE STRATEGY AND, AND WHAT THE TRADE-OFFS ARE OF NOT FUNDING THESE NOW.
SONOVA HOLT, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
AS PART OF, UH, THE TRANSITION OF ASSUMING THE RESPONSIBILITIES AROUND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CHILDCARE, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE COUNCIL.
UH, SEVERAL DIVISIONS WERE MOVED INTO THE DEPARTMENT, UM, AROUND CONTRACTING.
AND SO THIS UNMET NEEDS WAS TO SHORE UP OUR CONTRACT MONITORING AS WELL AS ASSOCIATE PAYMENTS.
WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE IN A LIEN GENERAL FUND BUDGET YEAR, AND SO THIS TRANSITION OCCURRED, UM, PRIOR TO OUR NEW CITY MANAGER, AND I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH HIM AS WELL AS OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS TO IDENTIFY, UH, RESOURCES THAT WOULD HELP SHORE UP CONTRACT MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT AROUND THIS,
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UH, AREA IN OUR ENTIRE DEPARTMENT.UM, CAN YOU ALSO SPEAK TO THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THE GRANT COORDINATOR? YES.
IN DOING A SCAN OF OUR DEPARTMENT AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES, UH, GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE AND WE DO NOT HAVE A DEDICATED GRANT COORDINATOR.
AND IT WOULD BE, UH, A BENEFIT TO, UH, HAVE ONE SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES.
BUT AGAIN, WE DO RECOGNIZE THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE GENERAL FUND, SO IT WOULD BE A NICE TO HAVE.
UM, BUT WE, AGAIN, I DO RECOGNIZE WHERE WE ARE.
I'VE BEEN HERE 24 YEARS AND THIS IS LIKE MY FOURTH TIME IN A LEAN GENERAL FUND BUDGET YEAR.
AND CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE INTERNATIONAL, UM, DIVISION? I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD SEVERAL OF OUR SISTER CITY TRIPS AND BE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS WAYS WITH THIS WORK.
AND I, UM, YOU KNOW, NOTICED THAT OVER THE YEARS WE'VE KIND OF DECIMATED THAT PART OF THE DEPARTMENT AND, UM, COMPARED TO OUR PEER CITIES, WE'RE JUST NOT DOING WHAT WE COULD BE DESPITE HAVING OPPORTUNITIES LIKE SOUTH BY WHERE WE COULD REALLY, UM, BE PULLING IN INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AND ENGAGEMENT.
SO WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT AUSTIN HAS BEEN AND IS BECOMING MORE OF AN INTERNATIONAL FOCUS.
WE DO, UM, HAVE OPPORTUNITY ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT, THE VERTICALS.
WE DID COMMISSION A, UM, REPORT FROM TXP ON, UH, OPPORTUNITIES.
AND SO WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE THREE PRONG APPROACH AROUND DIPLOMACY CULTURE AS WELL AS BUSINESS.
SO WE ARE SEEKING PARTNERSHIPS, UH, WITH OPPORTUNITY AUSTIN AND OUR LOCAL CHAMBERS TO TRY TO SHORE UP THAT AREA.
BUT WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS INCREASING, WE'RE GETTING MORE, I'M SURE THE MAYOR CAN ATTEST MORE, UH, VISITORS IN.
AND WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF ALL THE INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES.
BUT AGAIN, I DO, WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN.
WE HAVE STAFF WITHIN OUR CULTURAL ARTS AREA THAT FOCUS ON THE CREATIVE AND WE HAVE A STAFF THAT'S CURRENTLY WORKING ON A DIPLOMACY AND THEN JUST TRYING TO SHORE UP OUR B2B COMPONENT.
BUT AGAIN, UM, WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN WITH OUR CURRENT RESOURCES.
BUT AGAIN, I'M RESPECTFUL WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT ARE THE VACANCIES RIGHT NOW? UM, I WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU.
THE VACANCIES ARE, UH, CURRENTLY ON THE CULTURAL SIDE.
UM, AND FOR OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT VERTICALS, WE ARE HIRING FROM WITHIN FOR THE MANAGERS.
BUT I CAN GET BACK TO YOU ON THE VACANCIES UNLESS CARRIE CAN HELP ME OUT.
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S SEVEN TOTAL VACANCIES IN THE DEPARTMENT, BUT WHICH, WHICH DIVISION? I JUST HAVE DEPARTMENT WIDE, SO WE CAN PUT THAT IN FORM OF A BUDGET QUESTION BECAUSE IN OUR CULTURAL DIVISION THERE ARE SOME VACANCIES THAT WE'RE HIRING FOR.
IT'S NOT JUST SUPPORT SERVICE OR THE OTHER AREAS.
I CAN PUT THAT IN FORM OF THANK YOU.
UM, I GUESS THIS WOULD BE, UM, DIRECTED TO A CM SENIO.
UM, JUST AS WE, YOU KNOW, THE CHILD COMBINING THE CHILD FAIR CARE AND WORKFORCE AND TO SINGLE DIVISION AS WE'VE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS, HAS A LOT OF PROMISE.
UM, BUT IT ONLY WORKS IF WE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES SO THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE MONITORING THE CONTRACTS WELL AND WE ARE ABLE, UM, TO BRING DOWN ADDITIONAL FUNDS, ET CETERA.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THIS WELL, SO I WOULD JUST, YOU KNOW, ASK THAT WE REALLY ARE, ARE PAYING ATTENTION IF WE'RE GONNA BE CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD, UM, WITH THIS COMBINATION, UM, THAT THAT MANAGEMENT IS SUPPORTING AND HELPING THAT DIVISION ALL THE WAY, UM, TO THE TOP.
AND I HAVE NO REASON THAT YOU WON'T.
I JUST WANNA UNDERSCORE AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE ARE, ARE TAKING CARE OF THE CHILDCARE NEEDS AND THE WORKFORCE NEEDS, AND THAT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST THERE.
UM, THE OTHER PIECE THAT I WANTED TO JUST FLAG AGAIN, WOULD BE FOR THE GRANTS, UM, FOR THE, THE SYSTEM THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE ASKING FOR GRANT COORDINATORS.
UM, I KNOW THERE'S A PROPOSAL TO PUT A GRANTS DEPARTMENT WITHIN IGRO.
UM, A COUPLE YEARS AGO I CREATED A GRANT POSITION IN THE INNOVATION OFFICE.
UM, AND I JUST THINK THAT WE ARE LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE THAT COULD BE SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY, BUT YOU NEED TO MAKE SOME INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN THAT.
SO IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THIS NOW, I DO HOPE THAT, UM, OUR, OUR LEADERSHIP IS THINKING HARD ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO BETTER POSITION OURSELVES FOR, UM, THE GRANTS COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, VERONICA PERIO, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, WE COMPLETELY AGREE THERE'S AN IMPORTANCE.
UH, UH, THE MANAGER'S OFFICE AGREES THAT THERE'S IMPORTANCE IN FOCUSING ON GRANTS FROM
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A CITYWIDE LEVEL AND NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT LEVEL.AND SO THAT WE'RE BETTER COORDINATED AS A WHOLE AS WE'RE APPLYING FOR GRANTS AS WELL, IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE THAT WE DON'T LEAVE, UH, MONEY ON THE TABLE.
AND IN RESPONSE TO YOUR, YOUR FIRST COMMENT, UH, ABOUT THE SUPPORT FOR THIS TRANSITION, WE ARE WORKING AS A MANAGEMENT TEAM TO ENSURE THAT SUPPORT, THE MANAGER AND MYSELF WILL BE WORKING WITH ANOVIA TO IDENTIFY THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE, THE TRANSITION THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS.
BUT THEN ALSO WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR UNMET NEEDS, WE, BECAUSE WE DO PRIORITIZE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CHILDCARE ALONG WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE UNMET NEEDS THAT EDD HAS PUT FORWARD IS WHAT WOULD A, WHAT WOULD A DESIRED STATE, UH, LOOK LIKE? AND SO WE WILL WORK IN, AS WE KNOW THAT WE'RE IN A LEAN BUDGET THIS YEAR, BUT WE WILL WORK ON HOW DO WE GET TO THAT STATE.
IN THE MEANTIME, IT'S IMPORTANT, UH, FROM, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THAT THERE IS THAT CONTINUUM OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FROM BEGINNING TO TO END.
AND THAT'S, UH, WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THAT CONSOLIDATION IS REALLY TRY TO EMPHASIZE THAT THAT CONTINUUM AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
BUT SHE ABSOLUTELY HAS OUR SUPPORT.
I JUST WANNA UNDERSCORE, I THINK THAT CONSOLIDATION HAS A LOT OF PROMISE, BUT WE JUST, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES BOTH FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING AND FOR THE STAFFING TO REALLY SEE, SEE THE PROMISE COME TO FRUITION.
AND MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO GET THESE QUESTIONS OUT THERE, UM, TODAY BEFORE THE HEARING.
COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALT ALTER, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.
I DID WANNA ASK ABOUT TWO ITEMS ON UNMET NEEDS LIST, THE CITYWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT MONEY WOULD, HOW WE WOULD IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGIC PLAN WITH THOSE DOLLARS.
SO WE WOULD WORK WITH OUR BUDGET OFFICE.
UM, THE, THE PREMISE BEHIND THAT WOULD BE TO LOOK ACROSS THE, UH, CITY TO DETERMINE THE OPPORTUNITY ZIP CODES ON WHERE WE COULD MAKE THE MOST IMPACT, WHETHER IT'S AROUND WORKFORCE, AROUND CHILDCARE, ET CETERA.
SO IT WAS TO HELP US DO AN ANALYSIS OF THAT, UM, BECAUSE AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WE WANNA TRY TO CLOSE THAT, UH, DESPERATE GAP.
AND, UH, FOR THE COOPERATIVE GROCERY STORE.
COULD YOU SPEAK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THAT AS WELL? SO WE HAD A PILOT, UM, UH, PROGRAM THAT WE ARE DOING THINGS.
UM, AND SO IT WOULD BE TO CONTINUE, UH, WITH THE PILOT PROGRAM AND I THINK WE'VE PROVIDED DATA ON, UH, WHERE WE ARE ON THE PILOT, BUT IF NOT, WE CAN GET THAT MEMO BACK OUT.
WHO ARE WE PARTNERING WITH ON THAT? UM, AT THE FOOD BANK OR SOMEONE ELSE? I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, THE NON-PRO, BUT YES.
YES, IT, THE PARTNER IS GO AUSTIN, BA AUSTIN? YES.
WELL THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT INFORMATION.
UH, DIRECTOR, I SUBMITTED A QUESTION IN THE Q AND A REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE.
UH, DO WE KNOW IF THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT THAT WE HAD TO DO AN AMENDMENT FOR DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS LAST YEAR, HAS THAT CARRIED OVER FOR THE CONTRACTS THIS YEAR? I DON'T BELIEVE SO, BUT LET ME DOUBLE CHECK THE BUDGET QUESTIONS TO SEE IF IT'S BEEN POSTED.
IF NOT, WE'LL GET THAT POSTED TO FOR YOU.
I THINK JUST HAVING A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MUCH WE HAVE INCLUDED FOR THOSE CONTRACTS, THE SPECIFIC BUDGETED AMOUNT WOULD BE GOOD.
SO, UM, JUST A QUICK QUESTION ON THIS.
UNMET NEEDS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, UH, THINKING TWO YEARS AHEAD AND WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STRATEGIC PLANS, OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE CONTINUING NEEDS THAT ARE UNMET IN A GIVEN FISCAL YEAR BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL THEN HAPPEN NEXT YEAR AND NEXT YEAR AND NEXT YEAR BECAUSE THAT IS THE NATURE OF A STRATEGIC PLAN.
UM, ON THESE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE UNMET NEEDS LIST, DID YOU ALL ALSO INCLUDE INFORMATION ON WHAT COULD BE ADDRESSED IN FISCAL 26 FOR EXAMPLE, OR FISCAL 27? BECAUSE, UM, THE EFFORTS ARE ONGOING.
SO WHEN WE, UM, PUT THE REQUEST OUT FOR DEPARTMENTS TO SHOW THEIR UNMET NEEDS, WE DIDN'T GIVE A SPECIFIC TIMELINE, BUT AS WE DEVELOP THE BUDGET AND WE LOOK IN AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TWO YEAR PLAN, THAT MAY BE HOW WE CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT.
SO EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT PARTICULARLY ABLE TO MAYBE FUND IN FISCAL YEAR 25, WE MAY PUSH SOME OF THAT FUNDING.
THAT IS THE GOAL AS WE DO THE TWO YEAR PLAN.
IF, IF THERE'S NOT FUNDING THIS YEAR, OKAY, LET'S PLAN FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR OR LET'S PREPARE FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
SO YOU'LL SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THAT GOING FORWARD AS WE CONTINUE THIS, THIS TWO YEAR CYCLE.
AND THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING OF TRYING TO MOVE TO A TWO YEAR CONTEMPLATION OF OUR SPENDING.
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THAT WE HAVE TO FIND THE FUNDS IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR FOR THESE ITEMS, BUT WE NEED TO KEEP THEM TOP OF MIND.SO ROLLING INTO WHAT WOULD BE THEN FISCAL 26, WE WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THAT.
YOU BRING UP AN EXCELLENT POINT.
I KNOW THAT WE ARE TAKING A LOOK AT THIS TWO YEAR BUDGET CYCLE AND I'M INTERESTED IN HOW THAT GOES, BUT WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION MANAGER? HOW DOES THAT, HOW DO WE SEE WHAT IS CURRENTLY PLANNED FOR THAT SECOND YEAR OR WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THAT SECOND YEAR? THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN.
UH, I THINK IT SHOULD SHOW UP ON THE PAGE, PARTICULARLY AROUND DEPARTMENTS AND OR IT SHOULD BE NARRATED, UH, IN THE BUDGET AND BRIEF.
I THINK, UH, AS YOU WILL HOPEFULLY UNDERSTAND, I THINK STAFF DID A VERY QUICK PIVOT, UH, TO ADJUST TO TRYING TO SHOW TWO YEARS.
AND SO SOME OF THE TWO YEAR FRAMEWORK RIGHT NOW IS PRETTY STATIC WITH ONGOING EXPENSES.
UH, AS I'VE SHARED WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, UH, MY GOAL FOR NEXT YEAR WOULD BE TO TRY TO ADDRESS, UH, THROUGH PLANNING AND PRE-BUDGET WORK AND CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNCIL AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY BEGIN TO TAKE A STAB AT, UH, MANY OF THE UNMET NEEDS THAT WE HAVE, WHICH WILL THEN BEGIN TO SHOW, UH, AN INCREASE IN SOME CASES BASED ON PRIORITIZATION AND ADVANCEMENT IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR OF GROWING AND MEETING SOME OF THOSE UNMET NEEDS YEAR OVER YEAR.
AND SO YOU WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO SEE A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN EXISTING AND THEN WHAT IS PROPOSED FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND SO THAT WOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED IN A MUCH MORE PROMINENT MANNER.
I THINK AS WE MOVE INTO NEXT YEAR, PROBABLY MORE SO THAN THIS YEAR, BECAUSE I THINK MOST OF WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR IS, UH, STATUS QUO AND MAINTAINING WHERE WE ARE AS WELL AS INCREASE IN ESCALATIONS IN SALARIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, JUST TO SHOW THAT WE'RE STILL IN THE SAME PLACE AND NOTHING'S BEING REDUCED.
YOU'LL SEE A, I GUESS AN UPTICK HOPEFULLY AND OR A DOWNWARD IN AREAS WHERE WE'VE DECIDED ARE MUCH LESS OF A PRIORITY.
AND SO WE'LL LOOK TO ENHANCE HOW WE DEPICT AND SHARE.
SO IT'S VERY CLEAR WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET AND WHAT'S NOT, WHAT'S RECURRING, WHAT IS ONGOING AND OR WHAT IS ONE TIME.
AND I'LL BE WORKING WITH ED AS WELL AS CARRIE TO REALLY KIND OF PUT A FINER TOUCH ON THIS EVOLUTION OF A TWO YEAR BUDGET.
SO YOU'LL SEE MORE PROBABLY NEXT YEAR AND YOU PROBABLY WON'T HAVE TO ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS 'CAUSE IT WILL BE MORE PROMINENT AND AND MORE ARTICULATED.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MR. COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ULTRA.
I JUST WANTED TO, UM, CLOSE BY SAYING THANK YOU TO THE BUDGET OFFICE FOR BEING VERY TRANSPARENT WITH THE UNMET NEEDS THIS YEAR.
UM, LAST YEAR WE WERE NEVER EVEN GIVEN THE UNMET NEED LIST DESPITE ASKING FOR IT IN, YOU KNOW, ITS ENTIRETY.
AND SO THAT THE TRANSPARENCY AND THE DETAIL WAS REALLY HELPFUL FOR US TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE ASKING FOR AND WHERE THEY SEE THEIR GAPS ARE.
UM, SO THANK YOU FOR, FOR THAT WORK THAT WENT INTO THAT COUNCIL ELLIS, SORRY TO JUMP IN AFTER ALISON ALTER CLOSED SO ELOQUENTLY.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO FLAG THE CONVERSATION ABOUT INTERNATIONAL DIS DIPLOMACY IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY INTERESTING TO ME.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF US THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH OUT TO OUR PEER CITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE THEY'RE EASY TO GET AHOLD OF AND WE KNOW KIND OF HOW THEIR GOVERNING STRUCTURES WORK, BUT WE'VE LEARNED A LOT IN TALKING TO SOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL CITIES.
LIKE I KNOW THERE'S A HANDFUL OF PLACES IN MEXICO THAT HAVE COME TO US AND WANTED TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND TO UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFERENT PEOPLE SHARE DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND HOW THEY TACKLE THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE AHEAD OF THEM.
AND SO I THINK THAT INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY IS JUST REALLY SOMETHING THAT GIVES US MORE INFORMATION THAN I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD LEARN FROM IT.
UM, SO I'M REALLY SUPPORTIVE IF THERE'S ANY WAY WE CAN HELP WITH THAT EFFORT.
COUNCIL MEMBER MS. LANG, I'LL LET YOU CLOSE.
THIS IS THE TIMELINE THAT WE'VE SHOWN EACH, UH, SESSION.
UM, WE WILL SEE YOU ALL, WE HAVE THE REST OF THIS SESSION TODAY AND THEN WE'LL SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK BEFORE WE GET TO BUDGET APPROVAL ON AUGUST 14TH.
UM, MEMBERS, THAT CONCLUDES THE, UH, ITEM NUMBER ONE AND THE BUDGET BRIEFING.
WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO, UH, I WANNA REMIND WHEN WE FINISH WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS THREE AND ITEM TWO, AT THAT POINT IN TIME WE WILL HAVE, UH, TWO MOTIONS THAT WE WILL TAKE UP.
ONE WILL BE TO POSTPONE A VOTE ON THE OVERALL BUDGET UNTIL AUGUST 14TH SO THAT WE CAN STRICTLY COMPLY WITH, UH, TEXAS LAW AND THE SECOND WILL BE RELATED TO THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE.
WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT AT THAT POINT IN TIME UNLESS THERE'S AN COUNCIL MEMBER.
FUENTES? YES, MAYOR, I DON'T KNOW WHEN IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO DISCUSS, BUT I JUST WANTED TO, UH, PROPOSE A TOPIC BRIEFING FOR THE TUESDAY WORK SESSION.
WHY DON'T WE DO THAT WHEN WE FINISH THE PUBLIC HEARING? WELL GO, GO AHEAD AND DO IT NOW.
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LET'S, UH, WE, WE, WE HAD NOT DECIDED WHETHER WE WERE GONNA HAVE A TUESDAY WORK SESSION.I WHAT I NOTICED IS IT BASED ON YOUR MESSAGE BOARD POSTS ON THE PRIORITY ITEMS THAT YOU'RE BRINGING FORWARD RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS AND KNOWING THE ITEMS THAT I, THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT I'LL BE BRINGING FORWARD RELATED TO HOME IS HOMELESSNESS.
AND I KNOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OTHER COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ALSO BRINGING FORWARD HOMELESSNESS RELATED BUDGET ITEMS. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IF ON TUESDAY WE HAVE A DEDICATED BRIEFING ON OUR HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
UH, PARTICULARLY WANNA DIG INTO THE DETAILS AROUND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, RAPID REHOUSING, PREVENTATIVE SERVICES, UM, AND A COUPLE OF OTHER AREAS.
I THINK WE JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, UH, FOR US TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS AND GET CLARITY.
WE WOULD'VE JUST FILED OUR BUDGET AMENDMENT, SO IT'LL BE A GREAT TIME FOR US AS A COUNCIL TO HAVE A LARGER CONVERSATION OF THE OVERALL RESPONSE SYSTEM.
AND THAT'S WHY WE SET THAT DATE AS A POTENTIAL DATE.
SO, UM, UNLESS THERE'S OBJECTION, THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO, UH, AS PART OF THE AUGUST 6TH SCHEDULED DATE.
UM, SO YEAH, THAT WAS A GOOD TIME TO BRING THAT UP AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.
COUNCIL MEMBER, ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE GO TO ITEMS TWO AND THREE? ALRIGHT, SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL
[Items 2 & 3]
NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER THREE, THE PROPOSED CITY OF AUSTIN FISCAL YEAR 20 24, 20 25 BUDGET.WE WILL ALSO TAKE UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEM NUMBER TWO AT THIS TIME WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN.
UM, MEMBERS I WILL TURN NOW TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE AND ASK FOR THEM TO HELP US NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PROCESS.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS DOTTIE MCLEAN SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER THREE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS DOROTHY MCLEAN AND I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN SINCE 1975, AND I'M CALLING TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE NOT TO CUT OR REDUCE THE LINE ITEM IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN AUSTIN HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CRIME AND ARE VERY MUCH IN NEED OF THE MONEY THAT'S ALLOWED FOR OUR SAFETY.
SO I AM ASKING OUR MAYOR AND OUR CITY COUNCIL TO PLEASE THINK OF THE IMPACT THAT THIS WILL HAVE ON ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN.
AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS DAVID JOHNSON SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
HELLO, MY NAME IS DAVID JOHNSON AND, UH, I'M WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.
I'M, I WANT TO ECHO ONE PIECE OF, OF WHAT, UH, THE FIRST SPEAKER SAID, AND THAT IS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO THINK OF EVERYONE IN AUSTIN WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE MONEY THAT IS ON THAT LINE ITEM.
THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THAT THAT IS AN ADDITION TO 35 MILLION THAT A PA WANTS TO GET LATER ON IN A NEW CONTRACT.
SO WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT 18 MILLION.
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT, THAT MONEY WILL NOT PROVIDE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
SPEAKING IS PART OF THE 8% OF BLACK PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS CITY AND
AS A RESULT OF MY OWN JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT, I CAN ONLY LOOK AT ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND SEE THAT IT IS TRUE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK OUT FOR THE LEASE OF ALL EVERYONE IS PROVIDED FOR.
ALL I ASK TODAY IS THAT INSTEAD OF SEEKING A WAY TO ADD TO A BUDGET THAT CAN NEVER BE REDUCED, ONLY TO, LET'S BE HONEST, ENTERTAIN ADDING TWICE AS MUCH OR MORE COME THE NEW CONTRACT NEGOTIATION.
CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT PEELING BACK SOME SCRAPS OF THAT MONEY THAT YOU SEEM SO INTENT ON THROWING TOWARDS A PD AND GIVE IT BACK TO THE COMMUNITY? WE HAVE NEEDS IN PARKS, WE HAVE NEEDS IN LIBRARIES, WE HAVE NEEDS IN HOUSING, LOW BARRIER ACCESSIBLE HOUSING.
WE HAVE NEEDS TO COMBAT THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE DYING IN THE STREETS BECAUSE OF DRUG SUPPLIES.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF NEEDS OUTLINED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, AND IT WOULD ONLY TAKE A DROP OF SWEAT FROM THE MONEY BROW OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO FULLY PROVIDE FOR OUR NEEDS
[00:30:01]
OR AT LEAST TO START PROVIDING FOR OUR NEEDS.SO YEAH, DOROTHY, YOU'RE RIGHT.
LET'S ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT EVERYONE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TODAY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS JORDAN MIDDLEBROOKS SPEAKING ON ITEMS TWO AND THREE, WHICH GIVE HER SIX MINUTES.
HELLO COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS JORDAN MIDDLEBROOKS AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR.
I'M GONNA ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING A LITTLE UNCONVENTION UNCONVENTIONAL IN MY TESTIMONY, AND I WANT US TO TAKE A MOMENT AND INVITE US TO DREAM FOR A, AS I SHARE A DREAM THAT I'M HOLDING I DREAM OF, MAYBE NOT A UTOPIA EXACTLY, BUT MAYBE A THROUGH TOPIA THAT TAKES US INTO A MORE JUST LOCAL ECONOMY IN AUSTIN.
WE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND SAFETY NETS THAT ALLOW US TO MEET OUR NEEDS, ACCESS EDUCATION AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING ACCESS HEALTHCARE, STAY NOURISHED, BE CARED FOR, SPEND TIME IN NATURE, BUILD COMMUNITIES, STEWARD THESE COMMUNITIES, AND STAY RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF DISASTER.
AND WHERE OUR VOCATIONS ALLOW US TO ACTUALLY SHARE OUR, OUR UNIQUE GIFTS WITH THE WORLD, WHETHER IT'S ART OR TEACHING OR COOKING.
AND THIS IS A COMMUNITY WHERE WE KNOW EACH OTHER, WHERE WE CAN HEAR AND EMPATHIZE AND UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER, AND WHERE CREATIVITY AND LEISURE AND CARE AND JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY AND CONNECTEDNESS AND BELONGING ARE ALL CENTERED IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES.
AND NUMEROUS STUDIES AND DATA HAVE SHOWN THAT ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND CARE ARE WHAT KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE AND RESILIENT.
SO I SHARED A PRETTY BIG VISION WITH YOU ALL AND JUST TAKE A BREATH FOR A MINUTE AND MAYBE YOU'RE THINKING TO YOURSELF, THAT'S A PIPE DREAM.
AND IT'S TRUE THAT MAYBE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR THAT ZOOTOPIA WON'T HAPPEN IN ITS ENTIRETY.
BUT MY HOPES AND MY ASK OF YOU ALL TODAY ARE THAT THE FOUNDATIONS WE'RE LAYING THROUGH THE BUDGET THIS YEAR ARE SMALL STEPS THAT GET US CLOSER TO THIS LOCAL AND JUST ECONOMY AT A MINIMUM THAT STARTS WITH MAKING THE INVESTMENTS OUTLINED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
I APPRECIATE THE THE SMALL TWO-ISH MILLION INCREASES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TOWARDS HOUSING.
UM, AND I ALSO KNOW THAT IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO WARD OFF DISPLACEMENT AND FARMING OUR NEIGHBORS, UM, LIKE THE SPEAKER BEFORE ME CALLED FOR, WE NEED THE INVESTMENTS THAT VOCAL TEXAS IS CALLING FOR AROUND RAPID REHOUSING, PERMANENT SUPPORTED HOUSING, AND PROVIDING THE SERVICES THAT ALLOW US TO CARE FOR OURSELVES AND MEET OUR NEEDS.
I'M ASKING THAT WE PLEASE REALLOCATE ALL OF THE 18.2 MILLION OF THE POLICE MONEY TO BE REALLOCATED TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, AND THAT WE START THINKING THROUGH WAYS TO REALLOCATE SERVICES FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY WHERE AN ARMED OFFICER ARRIVING GENERALLY HOURS LATE TO THE SCENE ISN'T WARRANTED AND ACTUALLY DOESN'T KEEP US SAFE LIKE WE SAW IN TENNESSEE WITH THE RECENT HOMICIDE OF SONJA MASSEY, MAY SHE REST IN PEACE? I'M ASKING THAT WE MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS OUTLINED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH YOU TO INVEST IN A ADJUST ECONOMY IN AUSTIN AS I HOP OFF TODAY.
IF THERE WERE NO LIMITS, WHAT WOULD YOU INVEST IN AND WHY? HOW DO THESE FURTHER YOUR HOPES AND YOUR DREAMS FOR WHAT THE CITY LOOKS LIKE FOR YOURSELF, FOR YOUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS? I'M ASKING YOU TO TAP INTO YOUR IMAGINATION.
IF THERE WERE NO LIMITS, WHAT WOULD YOU INVEST IN AND WHY? AND WHAT WOULD YOU DIVEST FROM? IF THAT LOOKS LIKE POLICING, HOW EXACTLY IS THAT FURTHERING OUR COLLECTIVE SAFETY? AND WHERE DOES THAT FIT INTO THIS VISION WHEN A POLICE RESPONSE AS WE'VE SEEN RESULTS IN HOMICIDE? THANK YOU.
NEXT SPEAKER IS IANA MEDRANO SPEAKING ON THREE.
MY NAME'S IANA MEDRANO AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY EXTREME CONCERN WITH THE CURRENT PROPOSED BUDGET.
I BELIEVE THAT A BUDGET IS NOT JUST A DOCUMENT WITH NUMBERS ON IT, BUT IT COMMUNICATES MUCH MORE.
IT REFLECTS PRIORITIES AND INTERESTS OF THOSE MAKING THE BUDGET, AND IT SHOWS WHAT, UH, THE CITY'S INVESTED IN AND WHAT FALLS TO THE BACK BURNER.
AND CURRENTLY WITH OVER 30% OF THE GENERAL BUDGET GOING TO AN INCREASE IN THE POLICE BUDGET THAT'S ALREADY LEGALLY NOT ALLOWED TO BE REDUCED.
I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS IS MESSAGING AND WHAT THIS IS COMMUNICATING TO THE COMMUNITY.
I URGE YOU INSTEAD TO ALLOCATE THE ADDITIONAL $18.2 MILLION INTO SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET ITEMS. THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET WAS CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH OVER 40 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS DOING IMPORTANT DIRECT SERVICE WORK AND WHO HAVE A TRUE PULSE ON WHAT THE CITY AND OUR COMMUNITIES NEED.
THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET URGES THE CITY TO DIRECTLY INVEST INTO COMMUNITY NEEDS, SUCH AS PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL HEALTH, FIRST RESPONSE AND MORE.
IF THE CITY, IF THE CITY COUNCIL CARES ABOUT COMMUNITY SAFETY, THEN
[00:35:01]
YOU'LL THINK ABOUT REALLOCATING THIS PROPOSED POLICE BUDGET TO THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET TO PUT THE DOLLARS INTO PROGRAMS THAT WILL IMMEDIATELY MAKE US ALL SAFER.AN INCREASE IN POLICE BUDGETS OFTEN DONE AND SAID IN THE NAME OF COMMUNITY SAFETY.
BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT COMMUNITY SAFETY, I DON'T THINK OF THE POLICE.
I THINK ABOUT COMMUNITY CARE, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.
I THINK ABOUT THE DOZENS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO COME TOGETHER DURING TIMES OF NEED, SUCH AS THEIR WIN RECENT WINTER STORMS, THE PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WHO HELP NAVIGATE, HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE THROUGH CRISES, MUTUAL AID GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO COME TOGETHER TO FEED THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND FOOD INSECURITY.
NEIGHBORS WOULD COME TOGETHER TO CHECK IN ON EACH OTHER DURING DISASTERS.
LIBRARIES WHO PROVIDE INCREDIBLE SERVICES YET ARE UNDERFUNDED RESILIENCE HUBS, HARM REDUCTION SUPPORT, COMMUNITY OWNED GROCERY CO-OPS IN DEL VIA, AND I COULD GO ON
MY POINT IS THAT THERE'S SO MUCH IMPACTFUL, IMPORTANT COMMUNITY WORK THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING DONE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED, APPRECIATED, AND FUNDED APPROPRIATELY.
BUT ALSO THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO FUND FOR MORE PROGRAMS TO INCREASE AND EXPAND THE PROGRAMS, TO DO NEW PROGRAMS THAT ARE GONNA SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR BUDGET SHOULD PRIORITIZE FUNDING WHAT THE COMMUNITY TRULY NEEDS, AND THAT'S NOT 30% OF IT GOING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET TOTALS ONLY 79.5 MILLION OR ROUGHLY 5.7% OF THE GENERAL FUND.
UM, I URGE THE COUNCIL AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND EVERYONE TO SPONSOR AND SUPPORT THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT FULFILL THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
ITEMS THAT INCLUDE ITEMS THAT FOCUS ON HOUSE HOUSING DOWN HOUSED AND PREVENTING FAMILIES FROM LOSING THEIR HOME.
BUILDING COMMUNITY SAFETY FOR ALL AND ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT RESULT IN 9 1 1 CALLS, RESPOND TO WEATHER EMERGENCIES AND PREPARE AUSTIN TO BE A RESILIENT, BE RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRIS BRADFORD SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
UH, I AM, UH, I I'M, I'M AN ATTORNEY.
I LIVE, UH, IN THE SOUTH LAMAR AREA IN DISTRICT FIVE.
UH, I AM, UH, IN SUPPORT OF, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY PROPOSAL ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
UH, I DON'T BELIEVE THE CITY HAS ENOUGH RESOURCES DEVOTED TO THIS ISSUE.
UH, AND YOU KNOW, THERE ARE VERY MANY, UH, PRIORITIES THAT THE CITY HAS TO MANAGE, BUT I THINK PUBLIC SAFETY IS CERTAINLY AMONG THE TOP OF THE LIST AND SHOULDN'T BE, UH, UH, SACRIFICED.
IT IS A BALANCE, UH, BUT I DO SUPPORT, UH, RETAINING, UH, THE PUBLIC SERVICE, UH, PUBLIC, UM, SAFETY SPENDING AND NOT CUTTING IT IN THIS BUDGET.
NEXT SPEAKER IS SASHA ROSE, SPEAKING ON ITEMS TWO AND THREE, WHICH GIVES HER SIX MINUTES.
HI, YES, MY NAME IS SASHA ROSE.
UM, THANKS FOR HAVING THIS THIS SESSION.
I WANNA ADDRESS THE CITY BUDGET AND MY CONCERNS ON, UH, NOT REALLY REALLOCATING A LOT MORE FUNDING TOWARDS HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS.
I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE SEEN THE CURRENT RECORDS.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE 967 EVICTIONS FILED IN JULY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE SOLVE HOMELESSNESS, HOW DO WE SOLVE HOMELESSNESS? THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION WITH OUR RISING RENTS AND THE RENT AND THE RATES OF HOMELESSNESS.
WE'VE SEEN THEM AND WE CAN SEE THEM ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN AUSTIN.
SO WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THESE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGETS.
WE'RE TALKING TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE OUT IN THE FIELD THAT ARE WORKING WITH THESE COMMUNITIES AND WE'VE, WE'VE, WE'VE, WE'VE DECIPHERED WHAT IS NEEDING FUNDING.
UM, WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK MORE WITH THE CITY
JUST SPEAKING FOR OUR ORGANIZATION, AUSTIN MUTUAL AID.
WE HAVE YET TO BE FUNDED FOR ANY OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE THROUGH THE CITY, INCLUDING OUR WINTER RESPONSES IN WHICH WE ACTUALLY GOT A THOUSAND PEOPLE TO, WE WERE ABLE TO SUPPORT A THOUSAND PEOPLE THIS LAST TIME.
WE CONTINUE GROWING THIS COMMUNITY EFFORT IS STRONG AND WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, WHEN WE ALSO ENSURE THAT THESE FUNDS ARE WORKING FOR US AND WITH US AS OPPOSED TO AGAINST US.
WHICH, UM, YOU KNOW, AND, AND CONTINUING TO INCREASE THE FUNDING FOR A PD WHEN WE KNOW THEY'RE COMING BACK TO THE TABLE WITH A CONTRACT ALREADY, UM, A FUNDING THAT CAN NEVER BE REMOVED IS NOT WORKING WITH US.
THE ANSWER TO HOMELESSNESS IS NOT CRIMINALIZATION.
THE ANSWER TO HOMELESSNESS IS COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, Y'ALL.
AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE THAT THIS HOUSING IS NOT AFFORDABLE FOR OUR ELDERS.
OUR, OUR, OUR OUR DISABLED PEOPLE ON DISABILITY.
[00:40:01]
NOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.WE HELP PEOPLE GET INTO HOUSING AND WE'RE GETTING, YOU KNOW, EMAILS, OH, YOU'VE BEEN SELECTED, UH, YOUR RENT IS $1,200, YOUR RENT IS A THOUSAND DOLLARS WHEN THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS ARE $800.
Y'ALL WE'RE NOT, WE'RE MISSING THE POINT HERE, WE'RE MISSING THE MARK.
YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR RENT RELIEF IN 2022 WITHOUT WITHIN ONE DAY
IN 2024, WE MANAGED TO, TO SPREAD IT OUT A LITTLE BIT FARTHER AND WE GOT IT DONE IN I THINK THREE TO FOUR MONTHS, UM, THROUGH A LOTTERY.
AUSTIN'S CURRENT WAY OF ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING IS NOT EQUITABLE.
AND WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON INCREASING OUR EQUITY IN THE CITY.
AND ONE OF THE WAYS, ONE OF THE MAIN WAYS WE CAN DO THAT IS BY FUNDING THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER ON THIS.
WE WANT YOUR SUPPORT AND THE EFFORTS THAT WE'RE DOING SO THAT WE CAN KEEP DOING THEM SO THAT WE DON'T KEEP LOSING OUR ORGANIZERS HERE SO THAT, THAT WE DON'T KEEP LOSING OUR FRIENDS ON THE STREETS.
UH, THESE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE OUT THERE AND THEY ARE INCREDIBLY VULNERABLE AND MADE MORE SO BY THESE CONTINUAL LAWS AND POLICIES THAT AREN'T PRIORITIZING THEIR NEEDS.
UM, IT'S NOT JUST, UH, INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING SOME TYPE OF DISABILITY OR, OR IT'S ALSO FAMILIES.
WE'VE GOT SO MANY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN NOW Y'ALL WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEIR HOUSING AND THEY'RE NOT LIVING IN THEIR CARS.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT AUSTIN MUTUAL AID GOT THREE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, UH, OFF THE STREETS JUST IN THE PAST MONTH THROUGH A VERY MINIMAL GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED, UM, UH, UH, A FEW MONTHS AGO.
SO WE REALLY NEED TO BE PRIORITIZING OUR HOUSING AND OUR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN AUSTIN AND INVESTING MORE MONEY INTO A PD ISN'T GOING TO DO THAT.
INVESTING MONEY INTO OUR HOUSING, RAPID REHOUSING, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, RENT RELIEF,
IF Y'ALL HAVE EVER BEEN TO OUR PAGE, OUR COMMUNITY PAGE, OUR MUTUAL AID PAGE WHERE WE SHARE RESOURCES, WHERE WE SHARE, UM, FUNDING AS WELL.
YOU CAN SEE THAT EVERYBODY IS IN THERE ASKING FOR, WHERE'S THE RENT RELIEF? DESPERATELY ASKING WHERE IS OUR RENT RELIEF AND WE CAN'T FIND IT.
3 1 1 SENDS PEOPLE TO OUR PAGE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE RESOURCES TO SEND THEM FOR TOO, FOR RENT RELIEF.
OKAY? SO WE'VE GOT LOTS OF FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.
UH, WE'VE BEEN SENT PEOPLE THROUGH A ISD WHO NEEDS SUPPORT AND FINDING HOUSING AND THERE JUST ISN'T ENOUGH FUNDING RIGHT NOW TO HELP IT.
WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE NEED TRUE, REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN AUSTIN AND WE NEED TO MAKE IT A PRIORITY.
WE NEED TO LET THAT BE 30% OF OUR BUDGET OR AT LEAST PART OF THIS 18.2 MILLION.
NEXT SPEAKER IS KAYLA REESE SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
MY NAME IS KAYLA REESE AND I'M THE ADVOCACY MANAGER WITH AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION.
I'M CALLING TO EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR THE REQUESTED 16 FTES FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND FOR FTES FOR HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE IN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
THIS IS BARELY GETTING US BACK TO WHERE WE'D BE 10 YEARS AGO, NOT EVEN GETTING US BACK TO WHERE WE'D BE 10 YEARS AGO.
IT'S REALLY JUST TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE SO THAT AUSTINITES DON'T SEE CONTINUALLY DECREASING QUALITY IN OUR PARKS.
AND IF WE DON'T GET A HANDLE ON THE HISTORIC UNDERFUNDING OF THE PARK DEPARTMENT'S MAINTENANCE, WE'LL BE IN A WORSE POSITION NEXT YEAR WITH A HEAVIER LIFT.
I BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO WRITE THE SHIP AND HEAD IN THE DIRECTION TO GET AHOLD OF THE SITUATION.
AS I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW, A PF SENT A LETTER THAT WAS CO-SIGNED BY MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING THE NEED FOR THESE MAINTENANCE POSITIONS.
AND THIS SAME ASK IS IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET THAT PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT.
HISTORY SHOWS THAT THE PUBLIC OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTS PARKS AND THE PARKS DEPARTMENTS AND WANTS USABLE PARKS.
THE DEMAND FOR PARK MAINTENANCE HAS DECREASED, UH, HAS INCREASED, EXCUSE ME, SIGNIFICANTLY DUE TO THE GROWING POPULATION AND INCREASED USE OF PARK FACILITIES AND GROWING PARK FACILITIES IN EXISTENCE, NECESSITATING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ACROSS THE CITY TO ENSURE THAT THESE SPACES ARE SAFE, CLEAN, AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL RESIDENTS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT TRULY IMPACTS EVERYONE ACROSS THE CITY, ACROSS EVERY DISTRICT, AND DETERIORATING CONDITIONS WILL IMPACT EVERYONE IN THE CITY.
PLEASE ADD THE 2.62 MILLION TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IN THIS BUDGET AND ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO CARE FOR THE GREEN SPACES THAT WE ALL AGREE ARE THE GEMS OF LIVING IN AUSTIN.
NEXT SPEAKER IS JEREMY HENDRICKS ON ITEM THREE.
GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
I APPRECIATE, UM, THE TOUGH WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING ON THE BUDGET.
UH, I'M CALLING THIS MORNING AS PRESIDENT OF THE WINDSOR HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND MY NAME IS JEREMY HENDRICKS FROM DISTRICT FOUR.
UM, AND AS SOMEONE THAT CURRENTLY
[00:45:01]
SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF THE WINDSOR HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND A FORMER MEMBER OF THE GUS GARCIA PARK BOARD, I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER VELAS BUDGET AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE A PORTABLE BUILDING AT GUS GARCIA REC CENTER.UM, I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF HIS TOP PRIORITIES AND IT'S DEFINITELY A TOP PRIORITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND, UH, ESPECIALLY OUR SENIORS HERE.
UM, THEY DO A GREAT JOB AT GUS GARCIA.
TAMIKA AB BATEMAN IS A GREAT DIRECTOR.
THEY'RE UNFORTUNATELY BUSTING AT THE SEAMS THOUGH WITH PROGRAMS BETWEEN YOUTH, TEEN, ADULT, AND SENIOR PROGRAMS. THEY'RE OFTEN TOUGH DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMERTIME WHEN THEY'RE DOING SUMMER CAMPS TO KEEP, UH, KIDS SAFE AND, UH, FROM BEING AT RISK.
AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GREATLY NEEDED BY OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
UM, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THERE'S NO POOL.
WE HAVE NO LIBRARY IN THIS PART OF TOWN, AND WE'RE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS OF OUR CITY.
AND SINCE GUS GARCIA OPENED IN 2008, IN THAT 16 YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF GROWTH AND WORK COMING EVERY DAY IN OUR AREA.
AND GUS GARCIA TRULY IS A LIFELINE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR AT-RISK SENIORS AND YOUTH.
UM, SO, UH, PLEASE ASK YOU TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS BUDGET ITEM.
IT'S NOT A HUGE COST, BUT IT'LL MAKE A HUGE IMPACT FOR FOLKS.
AND, UM, WE'RE DEFINITELY, UM, VERY APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE WITH THE BUDGET, THE TOUGH DECISIONS YOU'RE MAKING.
BUT I HOPE THAT YOU'LL MAKE THIS DECISION TO SUPPORT, UH, THE GUS GARCIA PORTABLE BUILDING AND CHEETO VELAS AMENDMENT, UM, TO REALLY HELP OUR AT RISK AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND, UH, HAVE A GREAT DAY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS RACHEL SHANNON SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
HELLO MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TODAY TO POINT AGAIN AT WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS, WHAT COUNTLESS EXPENSIVE POLICE PAYOUTS CONTINUE TO SHOW AND WHAT PAINFUL STORIES FROM ACROSS THE NATION TRAGICALLY REMIND US OF.
AND THAT IS THAT THE BASELINE FOR CREATING SAFER COMMUNITIES IS NOT AS THIS BUDGET WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE IN ANOTHER 18.2 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE MISUSE OF ARMED RESPONSES FOR SITUATIONS THAT DO NOT WARRANT SUCH.
AND THAT PUT OUR CITIZENS IN INCREASED DANGER.
THE BASELINE FOR CREATING SAFER COMMUNITIES IS INVESTING IN THE WE WELFARE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND INVESTING IN RESOURCES FOR ALL.
WE CAN'T CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE OUT OF HEALTH, HOUSING AND HEALTH CRISES, AND A TD CANNOT BE TASKED WITH SOLVING PROBLEMS WELL BEYOND THEIR MEANS.
I HEAR THAT PEOPLE ARE SCARED AND I HEAR THAT PEOPLE WANT THAT TO BE THE SOLUTION AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT.
NOT TO MENTION WE'RE ALREADY SEEING LIKELY SIGNIFICANT POLICE, UH, BUDGET INCREASES FROM THE A PA.
SO FOR THOSE WHO ARE FEARFUL OF BEING LEFT WITHOUT ADEQUATE TOOLS TO SUPPORT OUR CITY, I ASK THAT YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES AND UNDERFUNDED RESOURCES THAT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT SEEKS TO FUND FOR REAL LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS, YOUTH PROGRAMS, MORE ACCESSIBLE PARKS, VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, AND ENSURING PEOPLE HAVE ADEQUATE FOOD, SHELTER, AND HEALTHCARE, WHICH ARE ALL PROVEN TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND REDUCE 9 1 1 CALLS, EFFECTIVE TOOLS FOR RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND THE NEEDS OF OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICE PROVIDERS RATHER THAN POLICE IMPROVING OUTCOMES AND FREEING UP POLICE TO RESPOND MORE QUICKLY WHEN PEOPLE ACTUALLY REQUEST THEM MULTIPLE STRATEGIES TO REDUCING RECIDIVISM FOR THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED MUST.
WE KEEP ACTING LIKE WE DO NOT KNOW THAT SUPPORTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF AUSTIN CITIZENS BENEFITS US ALL.
IF THE CITY COUNCIL REALLY WANTS TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY SAFETY, THEN YOU'LL ALLOCATE THE PROPOSED LEASE BUDGET INCREASE TO THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, AND PUT DOLLARS IN THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL IMMEDIATELY MAKE US ALL SAFER.
A BUDGET IS A MORAL DOC DOCUMENT.
LET'S PUT OUR MONEY TOWARDS A ROBUST VISION FOR THE FUTURE.
FOR ALL AUSTINITES FOR YEARS TO COME.
PLEASE FUND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
NEXT SPEAKER IS DARREN THORNHILL SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
HI, MY NAME IS DARREN THORNHILL.
I'M THE IN, I'M THE INCARCERATION OUTREACH SPECIALIST AT TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.
AND WITHIN MY JOB, I WORK WITH OUR PARTICIPANTS TO COMPLETE THEIR COORDINATED ASSESSMENTS AND PSH PACKAGE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR IT.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY TODAY.
THRA PROVIDES HARM REDUCTION SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS.
ALMOST ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE UNHOUSED.
DESPITE OUR STAFF'S INCREDIBLE WORK, IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY AND ALIVE, CONNECT PEOPLE TO SERVICES THEY NEED WHEN PEOPLE HAVE NO ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING.
AS I SAID IN MY POSITION, I DO COORDINATE ASSESSMENTS AND PSH PACKETS.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T QUALIFY FOR THE PSH.
MANY PEOPLE I WORK WITH QUALIFY FOR BOTH PSH AND THE RAPID REHOUSING.
THEY HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT THEY TAKE BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ENOUGH PSH PEOPLE END UP TAKING RAPID REHOUSING SOMETIMES
[00:50:01]
WITH THIS RAPID REHOUSING ONLY, ONLY PAYING FOR A YEAR IS JUST SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH.UM, PEOPLE NEED MORE TIME TO GET ACCLIMATED TO THAT SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'VE BEEN ON THE STREETS FOR AS LONG AS THEY HAVE.
IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME FOR SOMEONE TO GET COMFORTABLE, AND A YEAR IS JUST NOT ENOUGH FOR ANYONE TO GET COMFORTABLE AND TRY TO STOP USING DRUGS IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
WE, I REALLY THINK THAT WE NEED TO GET THIS MONEY LIKE WE PROMISED, UM, FOR THE RAPID REHOUSING AND EXTEND IT SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE THEIR LIFE PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO CHANGE THEIR LIFE IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
UM, SO I'M JUST ASKING THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN, PLEASE DO WHAT WE'VE PROMISED AND, AND LET'S ADD MORE MONEY TO THIS RAPID REHOUSING FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THEM ALIVE, KEEP THEM SAFE, AND EVERYBODY DESERVES HOUSING.
THANK YOU FOR MY FOR THE TIME TO TESTIFY TODAY AND HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY.
SELENA SIMAN SPEAKING ON ITEM TWO.
I AM A D ONE RESIDENT AND AN ARTS COMMISSIONER FOR D EIGHT AND THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION.
I'M CALLING IN TO ASK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE ARTS COMMISSION'S BUDGET REQUEST.
VICE CHAIR SCHMUCK AND I HAVE MET WITH MANY OF YOU AND OR YOUR STAFF OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS TO SHARE THE STATE OF THE ARTS AND CULTURE ECOSYSTEM AND TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY AND FUNDING TO SUPPORT THIS VITAL SECTOR THAT IS NOT ONLY AN AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE CITY, BUT ALSO ONE OF THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF AUSTIN'S IDENTITY.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, THE HO HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX IS THE SOLE SOURCE OF MUNICIPAL FUNDING FOR ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS IN AUSTIN.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS SMALL PERCENTAGE OF HOT, BUT IT IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT FOR A CITY OF OUR SIZE AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE.
BECAUSE IT IS DERIVED FROM TOURISM, IT MUST BE USED FOR PROGRAMMING THAT ATTRACTS TOURISTS.
THIS CREATES SIGNIFICANT LIMITATIONS FOR OUR ARTISTS, SERVICE NONPROFITS, AND OUR ARTS EDUCATION GROUPS.
AND AS A RESULT, THEY CAN BE LEFT OUT OF THESE FUNDS ALTOGETHER AS COMMISSIONERS.
MANY OF US ARE ARTISTS OR ARTS ADMINISTRATORS, AND WE HEAR ABOUT THE DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES OF MANY OF OUR ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
THE COST OF LIVING AND EXPENSES AND MAKING WORK HAVE RISEN EXPONENTIALLY AND MUCH OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM THE CATASTROPHIC IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC.
TO QUOTE A SPEAKER FROM OUR JULY PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING, THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS FAILING ITS ARTISTS AND CREATIVE COMMUNITY, AND SADLY, I CANNOT SAY I DISAGREE.
OUR BUDGET REQUESTS ARE MODEST AND INCLUDE REQUESTS FOR EXPANDING THE CREATIVE SPACE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND ADDING FUNDS FOR ARTISTS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY LOWS, THOSE THAT SERVE OUR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING POPULATIONS.
CURRENTLY ABOUT 550,000 COMES OUT OF THE HOT TO PAY FOR CAD STAFFING, CULTURAL ARTS DIVISION STAFFING.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS AMOUNT COVERED BY THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND OR ALTERNATIVE FUND SOURCE RATHER THAN HOT.
SO THAT 550,000 CAN BE REINVESTED IN OUR ARTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.
THIS 550,000 COULD BE A HUNDRED ADDITIONAL $5,000.
NEXUS GRANTS, 11 MORE, $50,000 ELEVATE GRANTS OR FIVE ADDITIONAL THRIVE GRANTS, WHICH HAVE PROVEN TO BE TRANSFORMATIVE FOR THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT RECEIVE THEM.
WE ARE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU TOWARDS LONG TERM EQUITABLE SOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIES THAT BENEFIT THE ARTS COMMUNITY.
PLEASE WORK WITH US TO SERVE OUR RICH AND DIVERSE ARTS ECOSYSTEM.
I ALSO WANNA ECHO SUPPORT FOR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
BEVERLY LAZAR SPEAKING ON ITEMS TWO AND THREE, GIVING HER SIX MINUTES.
SO MY NAME IS BEVERLY LAZAR AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT.
I EMAILED COUNSEL ON TUESDAY, BUT THIS IS AN ADDENDUM, A COALITION OF ALMOST 50 ORGANIZATIONS HAS ENDORSED THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WHICH WOULD ADDRESS HEALTH, HOUSING, SUSTAINABILITY AND SAFETY INVESTMENTS THAT WOULD TAKE ONLY 5.5% OF THE CITY'S $1.4 MILLION GENERAL REVENUE BUDGET.
INCLUDED IN THIS PROPOSAL ARE INVESTMENTS IN THE CITY'S EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH FIRST RESPONSE SYSTEM THAT COUNCIL HEARD ABOUT.
UH, COUNCIL HEARD ABOUT THESE OPTIONS A FEW WEEKS AGO.
THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE, I BELIEVE, IS THE AVAILABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH RESPONDERS 24 7.
I AM URGING YOU TO FULFILL THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET IN ORDER TO PROMOTE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF CITY SERVICES AND HELP KEEP MORE PEOPLE HEALTHY, SAFE, AND THRIVING.
FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO READ A PORTION OF AN ARTICLE FROM THE METRO SECTION OF THE AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN
[00:55:02]
ENTITLED POLICE SHOOTINGS AT CRITICAL LEVEL, A POLICE SHOOTING THAT BEGAN WITH OFFICERS RESPONDING TO A MENTAL HEALTH CALL OCCURRED RECENTLY, UH, AND GIVES THE LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.POLICE FATALLY SHOT A 46-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH BREAKDOWN WHEN HE WIELDED A LARGE KITCHEN KNIFE.
AN OFFICER WITH SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING WAS DISPATCHED, BUT WAS DELAYED WHILE ASSISTING AT ANOTHER INCIDENT.
UH, THE DATE ON THIS METRO AND STATE WELL, UH, IS SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2019, UH, WHICH IS REALLY, IT REALLY SADDENS ME, UH, THE PERSON, UM, A BLESSED MEMORY IS, UH, MAURICE DE SILVA AND IT OCCURRED AT THE SPRING CONDOMINIUMS DOWNTOWN.
WHAT IS EQUALLY DISTURBING IS THAT THIS ARTICLE APPEARED FIVE YEARS AGO.
WHEN WILL THESE SITUATIONS FINALLY BE ADDRESSED? I THINK THE TIME IS NOW.
NEXT SPEAKER IS ALYSSA RAY ALSO GETTING SIX MINUTES.
ALRIGHT, SO I THINK, UH, WITH THAT WE'RE GONNA BREAK FOR LUNCH.
I'LL NEXT SPEAKER IS ARMANDO DELGADO SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
YES, MY NAME IS ARMANDO DELGADO.
I HAVE, UH, EXPERIENCED A GREAT GROWTH, A LOT OF GROWTH IN OUR CENTER FROM THE BEGINNING WHILE I WAS ON THE PRE-PLANNING COMMISSION AND ALL THAT OF THE, UH, UH, WINDSOR HILLS, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND ALL THAT.
BUT ANYWAY, WHAT WE NEED HERE IS A PORTABLE BUILDING OR BUILDINGS THAT CAN BE LOCATED ANYWHERE THAT IT CAN BE LESS EXPENSIVE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR CONNECTIONS OF WATER, SEWER, UH, WASTEWATER, ELECTRIC AND ALL OF THAT.
BUT OUR SENIOR PROGRAMS ARE LED BY SENIORS.
ALL OF OUR, UH, UH, ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE CENTER, WE HAVE TO LIMIT OUR TIME BECAUSE OF OTHER THINGS THAT THE, UH, CHILDREN AND THE, UH, THE YOUTH HAVE IN THEIR ACTIVITIES.
WE HAVE FOUR ROOMS AND THE GYM, AND WE'RE LIMITED TO AREAS OR WE'RE LIMITED IN TIME.
SO NOW WE ARE IN NEED OF SOME HELP.
OUR DISTRICT, OUR, UH, DISTRICT REP, OUR OUR COUNCILMAN, HAS BEEN VERY, VERY GOOD AT, UH, GIVING US OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK TO DIFFERENT COMMISSIONS AND, UM, WE'RE MAKING HEADWAY, BUT WE NEED SOME HELP FROM THE CITY.
UH, WE CAN HELP IN, UH, STAFFING, IN LEADING PROGRAMS, IN DOING ANYTHING THAT WE CAN, UH, TO HELP OUR CITY GROW AND IN, UH, GROW IN THE RIGHT WAY.
WE NEED TO, UH, ALSO INVEST IN OUR, IN OUR FUTURE.
AND THIS IS A GOOD START FOR INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE, UH, MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING, UH, UH, SENIOR CENTER.
UH, BUT RIGHT NOW WE NEED SOME HELP.
WE'RE EXPLODING AT THE WALLS RIGHT NOW.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME OUT AND SEE ANY, ANYTHING, ANY TIME.
AND YOU'LL SEE THE CENTER, UH, ACTIVE ALMOST SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
AND, UH, WE NEED, UH, ALL THE HELP THAT WE CAN AND, UH, SEE OUR, UM, OUR LOCATION IS AT GUS GARCIA, UH, RECREATION CENTER RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM DOLBY JUNIOR HIGH ON RUDBERG LANE.
WE HAVE SOME EXCELLENT FACILITIES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE, WE'RE WALL TO WALL RIGHT NOW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US AND LISTENING TO US.
[01:00:01]
BLESS ALYSSA RAY SPEAKING ON ITEMS TWO AND THREE, GIVING HER SIX MINUTES.THANK YOU FOR, UM, HEARING FOLKS OUT.
I JUST WANTED TO ECHO EARLIER COMMENTS OF FOLKS, UM, ASKING FOR COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
UM, WE HAVE SEEN TIME AND AGAIN, I, I AM A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZER, UM, IN ADDITION TO MY ACTUAL DAY JOB, UM, AND HAVE SEEN HOW FOLKS TIME AND AGAIN, JUST NEED RESOURCES.
THEY NEED SUPPORT FOR HOUSING, THEY NEED SUPPORT FOR FINDING FRESH AND HEALTHY FOOD.
UM, AND THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH OF THOSE FUNDS.
SO IT'S INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THAT THE PROPOSED BUDGET ALLOCATES AN ADDITIONAL 18.2 MILLION TO A PD WHEN THOSE RESOURCES ARE SO DESPERATELY NEEDED IN OTHER PLACES.
AND THE POLICE ACROSS THE CITY HAVE JUST BEEN RESPONDING TO CRIMES OF UNDER-RESOURCED AND INTENTIONALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES THAT NEED MORE SUPPORT AND NOT MORE POLICING.
NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHELLE MANNING.
NEXT SPEAKER IS ELISE WATTS SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE IN AUSTIN, AND I WANT, I, I AM HERE TO SAY THAT I DO NOT APPROVE OF ANY PERMANENT RAISE FOR THE POLICE, THE PERMANENT RAISE OF $18.2 BILLION.
UH, I THINK THAT MY MAIN CONCERN ABOUT THIS IS THAT WE CAN'T ROLL IT BACK WITHOUT ROLLING BACK EVERYTHING ELSE IN OUR BUDGET, WHICH IS ABSURD.
UH, I, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO FIX.
UM, I KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT MONEY IS THE KEY TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
I HAVE HAD INTERACTIONS WITH THE POLICE.
THE POLICE ARE OUT THERE, THE POLICE ARE IN MY COMMUNITY, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB.
THEY'RE NOT SERVING MY COMMUNITY.
UM, I HAD A CHILD BECAUSE THEY'RE MY RAINBOW FLAG, AND THE POLICE RESPONDED AND WE HAD A CLEAR VIDEO OF THE CHILD'S FACE.
NOW, TO BE CLEAR, I DON'T WANT THE COPS OUT THERE HARASSING CHILDREN, BUT I DO WANT AN INVESTIGATION THAT FIGURES OUT WHO THAT KID IS SO THAT HE'S NOT TORMENTING HIS PEERS WHO HE SEES AS DIFFERENT THAN HIM.
UH, THEY JUST DROPPED THE CASE.
THEY, THEY RESPONDED TO IT, BUT THEY DIDN'T INVESTIGATE IT.
SO THAT SEEMS LIKE A PROCESS ISSUE TO ME, NOT SOMETHING THAT DESERVES A RAISE.
UM, I WATCHED A POLICE OFFICER WATCH A DISTRACTED DRIVER DRIVE UP ONTO MY CURB AND FLATTEN THE SPEED LIMIT SIGN ON MY CURB.
IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN 10 OR 15 MINUTES LATER, I WAS STILL STANDING OUTSIDE FILLING OUT THE THREE ONE ONE REPORT ON MY PHONE.
THEY SAID THEY HAD HAD TO RESPOND TO ANOTHER CALL, WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT.
IT SEEMS PRETTY ABSURD THAT THEY COULDN'T STOP.
IF THEY WERE ABLE TO COME BACK THAT QUICKLY, THEY LET THAT PERSON GO.
NOTHING HAPPENED TO THAT PERSON.
THE OFFICER TOLD ME, DON'T WORRY, I GOT THEIR LICENSE PLATE.
DON'T WORRY IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, JUST GIVE US A CALL AND WE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.
THEY WATCHED THIS PERSON DRIVE UP ON MY CURB AND FLATTEN THE SIGN AND KEPT GOING, THAT IS NOT A GOOD JOB.
THAT DOES NOT DESERVE A PERMANENT RAISE.
UM, THERE'S CONSTANTLY SPEEDING THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BECAUSE I'VE, I'VE LOGGED THE ISSUE WITH 3 1 1 ASKING FOR, UM, MEASURES TO REDUCE THE SPEED ON THE STREET.
UM, NOW THE POLICE SHOULD BE OUT HERE, UH, ENFORCING TRAFFIC, RIGHT? BUT THEY'RE NOT, THEY'RE IN THE AREA, BUT THEY'RE NOT ENFORCING TRAFFIC.
I SEE THEM ALL THE TIME WHEN I'M ON THE ROAD, JUST PASS UP THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON THAT ARE CRAZY, CRAZY DRIVERS, SPEEDING DRIVERS.
THEY'RE NOT DOING THEIR JOB OUT THERE.
AND THE BUDGET NEEDS TO BE GOING TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
THE BUDGET NEEDS TO BE GOING TO THINGS THAT ACTUALLY RESOURCE OUR COMMUNITIES AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.
THE POLICE ARE NOT DOING THAT.
UM, IF THE POLICE CAN PROVE THAT THEY CAN DO THAT, SURE.
PLEASE DON'T MAKE IT PERMANENT.
THANK YOU, SPEAKER, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
TAKE AWAY DEREK CORTEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
[01:05:02]
HELLO, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.MY NAME IS DEREK CORTEZ, ALSO KNOWN AS DJ.
I WORK AT THE DROP IN SUPPORT.
I'M A DROP IN SUPPORT SPECIALIST AT TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE AND A LEADER WITH LOCAL TEXAS.
AS SOMEONE FRESH OFF THE STREET AND ENTERING THE RE RAPID HOUSING PROGRAM, UM, I FOUND MYSELF GOING THROUGH A LOT OF OBSTACLES AS FAR AS RUSHING TO GET MY SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.
UM, ID AND BIRTH CERTIFICATE THAT COULD HAVE HAD LED ME TO LOSING MY RENTAL.
HI RENTAL ASSISTANCE BEING DENIED FROM A BEING DENIED FROM APARTMENT COMPLEXES COMPLEX DUE TO BACKGROUND AND CREDIT CHECKS.
AFTER SEEING THE ISSUES I FACED AND STILL FACING, I'M CONCERNED FOR OTHERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, THAT ONE YEAR IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GET BACK ON OUR FEET.
I'M ABLE TO, I WAS ABLE TO GET A FULL-TIME JOB, BUT THE UNIT I WAS APPROVED FOR IS 1500 A MONTH AND IS GOING UP 2000 NEXT YEAR.
THAT'S GOING, THAT'S SOMETHING I CAN'T AFFORD.
EVEN FOR A FULL-TIME JOB, EVEN AS SOON AS THREE MONTHS, I'M EXPECTED TO START PAYING A PORTION OF MY RENT, WHICH IS INCREASING MONTH AFTER MONTH.
THIS IS STRESSFUL AND I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO END UP BACK ON THE STREETS.
WE'RE ASKING FOR $8 MILLION TO HELP ENSURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO TWO YEARS OF RENTAL FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING INSTEAD OF JUST ONE.
EVEN AS SOMEONE WHO COULD, SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THE PROGRAM BY IN, IN SECURING EMPLOYMENT, I STILL, I STILL WOULDN'T HAVE THE MEANS TO STAY IN HOUSING IF MY RAPID HOUSING ENDS IN SIX MONTHS.
AS A PARTICIPANT AT RAPID, AT TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE, I WAS WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS AND A NONJUDGMENTAL PLACE.
HARM REDUCTION SAVED MY LI MY LIFE, ALONG WITH OTHER, ALONG WITH OTHER FRIENDS OF MINE.
ONE MONTH INTO THE RAPID REHOUSING I GOT EMPLOYED WITH THRA.
I NOW RISK MY FREEDOM TO SERVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND FAMILY WHO NEED OUR HELP.
WORKING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE OVERDOSE CRISIS, WE ENSURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO LIFE SAVING SUPPLIES SO NO ONE DIES OF A PREVENTIONAL OF PREVENTABLE, UH, PREVENT OF AN OVERDOSE.
WE OFFER HARM REDUCTION SUPPLIES, OVERDOSE PREVENTIONS AND TRAINING PEER SUPPORT SERVICES FORM SHOW SH WARM SHOWERS, FOOD AND COMMUNITY AT OUR DROP-IN OUR MOBILE OUTREACH TEAM VISITS ENCAMPMENTS ACROSS AUSTIN AND GOES INTO OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES TO OFFER LIFESAVING CARE AND SUPPLIES.
I'VE SEEN OUR AMAZING WORK REFLECT FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS BY SMILES AND RESPECT THAT THEY GIVE US FROM THE WORK THAT WE DO FOR THEM.
I HEAR ASK FOR $1 MILLION ON ONGOING SUPPORTING OF THE BASELINE BUDGET FROM HIGH REDUCTION.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY.
NAOMI DELGADO SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
THIS, UH, UM, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MAYOR AND, UH, I'M, UH, UH, NAOMI DELGADO, AND I'M REPRESENTING THE SENIORS AT THE AUGUST GARCIA REC CENTER.
I'M IN FAVOR OF, UH, OF APPLYING, UH, SOME OF THAT MONEY TO, UH, UH, HELP OUR SENIORS AT THE CENTER.
I HAVE, UH, LIVED IN THIS AREA 50 YEARS WITH THE OTHER WINDSOR, UH, WINDSOR HILLS.
OUR, UH, BOUNDARIES ARE INTERSTATE, UH, UH, 35 EAST, UH, AND 180 3 NORTH, ALL THE WAY TO THE CITY LIMITS.
UH, SINCE I'VE LIVED IN THIS AREA 50 YEARS, WE'VE HAD A REC CENTER, ONE REC CENTER FOR THIS CENTER, FOR THIS AREA OF TOWN, UH, FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS.
I WAS, UH, THERE AT THE BEGINNING.
I'M A VOLUNTEER AT THAT CENTER.
I HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERING 16 YEARS WITH OUR EXERCISE PROGRAM.
OUR SENIOR PROGRAM IS EXPANDING AND, UH, SINCE WE'RE ONE OF THE LARGEST, UH, OR FASTEST GROWING POPULATION IN THE STATE, UH, WE, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE, UH, YOU APPROVE, UH, TEMPORARY, UH, PORTABLE FOR US THAT WE WOULD HAVE.
WE WE'RE, UH, REPRESENTED BY DISTRICT FOUR, BOUNDARY BY, UH, DISTRICT ONE AND SEVEN, AND OUR SENIORS, UH, REALLY BADLY NEED AN EXTRA SPACE.
'CAUSE, UH, WHENEVER THE CENTER GETS OVERCROWDED WITH ANY, UH, OF THE YOUTH, THE KIDS, UH, THE, THE WERE FIRST ONES THAT, UH, GET, UH, UH, PUT OUT ARE THE SENIORS.
[01:10:01]
WE COULD HAVE OUR OWN SPACE, WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.AND, UH, AND I THANK YOU FOR, FOR LISTENING AND, UH, UH, I THANK OUR COUNCILMAN DISTRICT FOUR REP OF ALL THE SUPPORT HE HAS BEEN GIVING US AND GUIDING US IN THE, IN THE GROWTH OF OUR OWN, UH, COMMUNITY IN THIS AREA.
WELCOME, WELCOME, AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME SEE OUR PROGRAM.
WE'VE HAD SEVERAL OF THE, UH, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY, THE DIFFERENT COMMISSIONS THAT HAVE COME OUT, AND, UH, THEY DO SEE THE NEEDS.
THE ONLY BUILDING THERE IS THE GUS GARCIA REC CENTER.
AND, UH, WE HAVE THE SPACE AND, UH, THE NEED IS, IS GREAT IN THIS AREA.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING FOR TO US, AND, UH, Y'ALL HAVE A GOOD DAY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS FRAN TU SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
YES, GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL FRAN TU.
I WORK WITH AUSTIN MUTUAL AID AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH AND SEE FIRSTHAND THE EFFECTS OF, UM, A LACK OF FUNDING FOR OUR VALIANT HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE AND THE MANY, MANY, MANY THOUSANDS OF SERVICE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE CITY.
AND ONCE AGAIN, I'M HERE TO VOICE MY PURE DISMAY AND DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE PROPOSED CITY BUDGET VERSUS THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, WHICH HAS BEEN SO WELL THOUGHT OUT.
AND, UH, LIKE SOMEONE SAID, NEARLY 50, UH, OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO.
I HAVE TO ASK MYSELF, READING OVER YOUR BUDGET, WHO DO YOU SERVE AS MANY? UH, WE'LL SAY, I HOPE TODAY IT IS BASICALLY A MORAL FAILURE.
AS I LISTEN TO THE OTHER SPEAKERS, MY HEART BREAKS, AND I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE HEARTS.
UH, SO AGAIN, WHO DO YOU SERVE? WE'RE ASKING FOR MONEY FOR OUR SENIORS, UH, MORE MONEY FOR OUR EQUITY OFFICE.
UH, AND NOW 35% OF THE BUDGET BEING GIVEN TO ONE CITY DEPARTMENT, WHICH JUST SEEMS INEQUITABLE AND, AND JUST PLAIN WEIRD.
GIVING A MERE 2% TO THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE IS, UH, DANGEROUS.
UM, AS MY COLLEAGUE SASHA SAID EARLIER, WE HAVE MORE AND MORE FAMILIES FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS.
UH, THESE ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
THIS IS YOUR JOB IS TO REPRESENT AND PROTECT AND KEEP SAFE.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
I WOULD, UM, LIKE TO REFER BACK TO 2021 EXCELLENT, UM, DOCUMENT BY MANY CITY ORGANIZATIONS, THE, UH, REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY IN WHICH THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THERE FOR CUTTING, UH, SOME OF APDS BUDGET FOR UNNECESSARY.
AND HOPEFULLY THESE HAVE BEEN CUT, BUT I WILL FORWARD IT AGAIN TO ALL YOUR OFFICES.
WE, UM, HAVE MANY THINGS IN THERE THAT WE CAN, UM, SUPERFLUOUS SPENDING MONEY ON.
AGAIN, THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT CARE ABOUT STAYING IN SERVICE AND YOU'RE MOVING ON, THINK ABOUT YOUR LEGACY.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO, WHO DO CARE, YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE BECOMING UNHOUSED.
WE NEED EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WE NEED DISPLACEMENT HELP.
WE NEED MORE HELP WITH DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ON AND ON MONEY FOR OUR SENIORS.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
MARINA GARRETT SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
HI, MY NAME IS MARINA GARRETT.
I AM ONE OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS THAT WAS A PART OF THE LAWSUIT.
UM, I DID JUST WANNA THANK YOU ALL FOR FUNDING THE COLLECTIVE SEXUAL, THE COLLECTIVE SEX CRIMES RESPONSE MODEL PROJECT.
UM, THAT IS REALLY APPRECIATED.
I DID WANT TO MAKE A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION, UM, THAT THE SETTLEMENT TERMS HAVE NOT ALL BEEN ADDRESSED WHILE MANY OF THEM HAVE OR ARE IN PROGRESS.
UM, THEY'VE NOT BEEN COMPLETELY FINALIZED AND THERE ARE STILL SOME THAT ARE ONGOING.
UM, SO I DID WANNA MAKE THAT POINT OF CLARIFICATION, BUT WE DO APPRECIATE, UM, THE FUNDING OF THAT.
THAT CONCLUDES, UM, REMOTE SPEAKERS.
I'LL NOW GO TO IN PERSON AND WE HAVE, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE A, A NUMBER THAT NEED, UH, SPANISH TRANSLATION, AND YOU'RE GONNA START WITH THAT.
SO, UM, JUDITH DIAZ HAS TIME DONATED TO HER FROM ROSARIO NAVA AND MAGDALENA ALVAREZ AND JUDITH GETS 18 MINUTES.
ONE OF OUR RULES IS THAT WE CAN ONLY HAVE ONE PERSON AT THE PODIUM.
WE DON'T HAVE GROUP STANDING AT THE PODIUM.
THANK YOU ALL, APPRECIATE YOUR BEING HERE THOUGH.
[01:15:07]
OKAY.I'M SPEAKING ABOUT ITEM THREE IN THE AGENDA.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
I AM REPRESENTING TODAY THE ORGANIZATION.
MISMA STANDS FOR WOMEN AND INSPIRED IN DREAMS, GOALS, AND ACTIONS.
THIS GROUP IS A, A GROUP OF 300 WOMEN WHO LIVED AND IN AND IN AUSTIN.
WE FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF DOMESTIC WORKERS SUCH AS CLEANING SERVICES, CHILDCARE, AND ELDERLY CARE.
WE BELIEVE THAT OUR WORK IS ESSENTIAL.
AND TODAY, SOME OF US MISS OUR, OUR WORK OR SOME OF US ASK FOR PERMISSION TO COME IN LATE SO WE CAN COME HERE AND SPEAK HEARTS TO YOU FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.
WE COME HERE TO SHARE OUR HEARTS WITH YOU, BUT FIRST OF ALL, WE WANT TO BE GRATEFUL FOR EACH AND ONE OF YOU THAT HAVE CONTINUALLY MADE THE DECISION TO WORK TOGETHER LAST YEAR AND DURING THIS YEAR, AND HOPING THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT TO BE IN FAVOR OF THE GREAT FAMILY PROGRAM IN AUSTIN.
THANKS TO YOUR HARD WORK, YOU ARE PART OF THE CHANGE FOR SEVERAL FAMILIES IN MY COMMUNITY, INCLUDING MYSELF.
WE ARE AWARE THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH YOUR LEADERS AND IN ALL DISTRICTS TO MAINTAIN A BRIDGE FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.
ALSO, THANKS TO THIS PROJECT, MANY OF THE FUTURE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO VOTED ARE TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO FOLLOW THIS PUBLIC CAREER AND ALSO TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE.
AND NOT ONLY FOR THAT, BUT TO BE HONORABLE VOLUNTEERS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
WE THANK YOU FOR BEING THAT BRIDGE THAT HELPS PROMOTE EDUCATION AND A BETTER LIFESTYLE.
AND SPECIFICALLY INTA SPECIFICALLY, THIS INVESTMENT HAS HELPED THE MOTHER OF MISMA TO CONTINUE WORKING THIS SUMMER SINCE THEY WERE ABLE TO PAY FOR CHILD PROGRAMS DURING SUMMER FOR EVEN OLDER KIDS.
THE DIRECT INVESTMENT HAS ALSO HELPED US TO HAVE MORE STABLE LIVES AND TO BE ABLE TO PAY BASIC THINGS LIKE UTILITIES, RENT, AND FOOD.
THIS IS CHANGING OUR LIVES IN A POSITIVE WAY, AND WE WANT PEOPLE THAT TO HAVE ACCESS TO THIS INVESTMENT.
[01:20:07]
DO NOT WORRY, WE ARE ALMOST DONE.BUT I WILL SAY THIS, IF YOU HAVE NOT YET SUPPORTED THIS PROGRAM, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO BECAUSE IT IS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT ALL OF YOU WILL HAVE NEXT YEAR OR DURING THIS YEAR, BUT IT'S ALL THE FUTURE GENERATIONS THAT ONE DAY THEY WILL LOOK BACK AND THEY WILL SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING THIS TYPE OF INITIATIVE AND THIS INVESTMENT ATION GRANT.
AND LASTLY, WE ASK YOU NOT TO INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR THE POLICE, BUT INSTEAD THINKING ABOUT INVESTING THESE FUNDS IN PROGRAM, IN SOCIAL PROGRAMS LIKE THE FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM THAT IS BENEFICIAL FOR AUSTIN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
NEXT SPANISH SPEAKER IS MARIA LUISA GUTIERREZ, WHO GETS SIX MINUTES SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
MY NAME IS MARIA LUISA GUTIERREZ.
I'M SPEAKING ABOUT ITEM THREE, THE AGENDA.
I'M SPEAKING TO THE IN FAVOR OF THE COMMUNITY BUDGET.
I'M REPRESENTING THE IMMIGRANTS.
I'M A MOTHER OF A SON THAT IS PART OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY.
I ALSO AM MOTHER OF A SON THAT HAS SPECIAL NEEDS.
AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE BUDGET, FOR THE COMMUNITY ARTIST, THE ARTISTES.
I AM ALSO REPRESENTING THE ART COMMUNITY, REPRESENTING THE ART COMMUNITY.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE FACING A CRISIS BECAUSE WE HAVE NO SUPPORT IN FINANCIAL MATTERS.
IT IS, UM, A SHAME BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU SEND SERVICE SAYING THAT YOU ARE REPRESENTING THE MINORITY, THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE MINORITIES AND THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES THAT ARE, UH, FACING DISPLACEMENT SOMETIMES.
BUT IT'S NOT TRUE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ART BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND EXCUSE THE WORD AND IT'S A MESS WHEN WE TRY TO REQUEST, UH, ANY TYPE OF SUPPORT BECAUSE ALL THE PAPERWORK OR ALL THE PROCEDURES, THEY DON'T COME IN OUR, IN OUR LANGUAGE IN SPANISH.
SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO ACCESS THIS TYPE OF SUPPORT.
[01:26:18]
OKAY.ALSO AS A MIGRANT, UH, I CAME TO A COUNTRY.
I CAME TO A CITY WITH THE HOPE TO CHANGE MY LIFE.
AND WHEN I CAME IN THE 1980S, THAT'S WHAT I FOUND.
I FOUND A COUNTRY THAT OPENED THE DOORS.
I FOUND A CITY THAT OPENED THEIR DOORS TO CHANGE MY LIFE, BUT LATELY, I ALSO, THAT ALSO, UH, AFFECTS MY MENTAL HEALTH.
BUT LATELY I'VE SEEN THAT WE ARE BEEN GOING BACK IN TIME.
CAN I CONTINUE? FINISH, FINISH THE TRANSLATION.
AND I'VE SEEN THAT THE, MY MY COMMUNITY, MY ARTIST COMMUNITY, MY LATIN COMMUNITY IS GOING BACK IN TIME.
AND THEN I'M NOT FINDING THAT SUPPORT.
I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM.
ARE WE FALLING INTO DISCRIMINATION ACTS? WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING.
WE DON'T NEED TO PROTEST ON THE STREETS.
WE JUST NEED TO BE UNITED AND WORK TOGETHER SO WE CAN ALL HAVE A BETTER LIFE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT AN ARTIST THINKS.
NEXT SPANISH SPEAKER IS NORMA DEL TORO SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE, AND SHE GETS SIX MINUTES.
MY NAME IS NORMA DEL TORO AND I'M SPEAKING ABOUT ITEM THREE, THE AGENDA.
I'M 65 YEARS OLD AND I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE COMMUNITY BUDGET AND FOCUS ALSO IN THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
I'M AN ACTRESS, I'M A SCREENWRITER.
I'M A WRITER AND I'M ALSO A HOUSEKEEPER.
IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, I HAVE TRIED TO BRING THEATER AND A THEATER PLACE TO THE LATIN COMMUNITY.
SOMETIMES WE DO IT WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
WE GO TO FLEA MARKETS AND OPEN SPACES.
BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE TIMES WE USING OUR OWN MONEY, MONEY FROM OUR OWN POCKETS.
WE THINK THAT CULTURE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE CULTURE ALSO REDUCE
[01:30:01]
CRIMINALITY AND CULTURE INCLUDES AND STRENGTHS.THE COM THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY.
SO I'M HERE TO ASK YOU FOR SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY BUDGET BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY BUDGET NEEDS TO HAVE AN APPROACH TO THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND THE MINORITIES AND SO THEY CAN SUPPORT AND PROMOTE CULTURE.
BECAUSE CULTURE HAS TO HAVE SOCIAL INCLUSION, CULTURE DIVERSITY.
CULTURE DIVERSITY IS A, IS A SOURCE OF INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY.
IT'S A MATTER OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY, INCLUDING CULTURE.
UH, IT'S ALSO ANOTHER MEASUREMENT FOR A CITY.
AND TO SEE ITS DEVELOPMENT CULTURE ALSO CREATES IDENTITY IN THIS WITH THE RESIDENTS.
SO INCLUDING ALL THE MINORITIES IN THE CULTURE FOR THE COMMUNITY BUDGET THAT WILL CREATE A BETTER CITY, BETTER BONDS, BETTER IDENTITY IN OUR CITY.
I'M AN OLDER ADULT NOW, BUT I'M ALSO WORRIED LIKE WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN FOR THE PEOPLE THAT'S COMING NEXT.
AND EVEN THOUGH I'M AN OLDER ADULT NOW, I THINK EVERYONE, LIKE THE YOUNG PEOPLE, THEY NEED THEIR CULTURE IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE.
AND I THINK THAT YOU CAN PROMOTE IT SO THEY CAN CONTINUE LIKE THIS, STRENGTHEN THESE BONDS WITH CULTURE AND PLEASE HELP ME, HELP ME, THAT THIS CAN BE TRUE.
WE, I'M GONNA TURN OVER TO A FINAL OR ANOTHER REMOTE SPEAKER, LOUIS GRANGER SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
MR. CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A LIFELONG AUSTINITE OF OVER 40 YEARS LIVING IN DISTRICT 10.
I COME TO SPEAK TO YOU REMOTELY TODAY AS AN OVERLY DISTRESSED CITIZEN AT THE CONTINUED DETERIORATING STATUS OF THE STAFFING AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
APDS, CURRENT ALARMING VACANCY RATE OF ROUGHLY 19% IS UNFATHOMABLE AND WELL PAST THE POINT OF CONCERN.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE MOST BASIC AND MOST IMPORTANT SERVICE A CITY CAN AND SHOULD PROVIDE TO ITS CITIZENS AND VISITORS ALIKE.
THERE IS A DIRECT AND DISTURBING LINK TO THE TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNCONSCIONABLE DECISION IN AUGUST OF 2020 TO DEFUND A PD BY REALLOCATING OVER 30% OF THEIR BUDGET, WHICH AMONG MANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS TO THE DEPARTMENT AND CITY INCLUDED, SUSPENDING CADET CLASSES FOR A YEAR, EQUATING TO THE LOSS OF HUNDREDS OF NEW OFFICERS AT A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS ALREADY UNDERSTAFFED, ALL OCCURRING WHILE AUSTIN'S POPULATION CONTINUED TO EXPAND RAPIDLY AND AN EXISTING OFFICERS WERE RETIRING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE.
THE CONSEQUENCES BRING US TO THE PRESENT WHERE A PD IS SHORT, OVER 350 SWORN OFFICERS AND OVER 250 PATROL OFFICERS.
[01:35:02]
A PD HAS ONLY ADDED 190 NET OFFICERS SINCE 2011, WHILE AUSTIN'S POPULATION HAS GROWN BY OVER 1 MILLION.IT IS BEYOND TIME TO BEGIN TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL EFFORT TO HELP REBUILD A PD TO AT LEAST WHERE IT WAS 15 YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WERE 800,000 FEWER CITIZENS.
AND, AND IRONICALLY, IT IS WHERE AUSTIN'S POPULATE APPROXIMATELY, WHERE AUSTIN'S POP TOTAL POPULATION WAS OF 109, EXCUSE ME, 790 2018 YEARS AGO IN 1997 WHEN A YOUNG MAN NAMED KIRK WATSON BEGAN SERVING AS AUSTIN'S MAYOR.
I ASKED YOU, LISTEN TO THE LAW ABIDING AND TAX PAYING MAJORITY OF THIS CITY AND NOT A SMALL, LOUD AND RADICAL FACTION OF OUR POPULATION THAT WANTS NO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN AUSTIN.
DO THE RIGHT THING, MAKE THE OBVIOUS DECISION.
APPROVE THE PROPOSED AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET INCREASE THE NEXT GENERATION OF AUSTIN.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER TWO AND THOSE WHO ARE ALSO REGISTERED ON THREE.
FIRST SPEAKER IS MATTHEW MALIKA, WHO GETS SIX MINUTES.
AND RICHARD SMITH, IF YOU'VE HEARD YOUR NAME, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.
MR. MALIKA, BEFORE YOU BEGIN, LET ME JUST SAY EMPHASIZE, IF, IF YOU'VE HEARD YOUR NAME CALLED, PLEASE MOVE ON DOWN TO THE FRONT SO THAT OUT OF RESPECT TO SPEAKERS THAT ARE COMING AFTER YOU, THAT MAY BE LATER IN THE DAY, YOU'LL BE READY TO SPEAK WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED.
SO IF YOU'VE HEARD YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME DOWN FRONT AND IF YOU, UH, THERE'S AN EMPTY PODIUM AND NOBODY'S STANDING THERE, GO AHEAD AND FEEL FREE TO STEP UP TO THE PODIUM AND BEGIN YOUR TESTIMONY.
JUST, UH, MAKE SURE WE KNOW YOUR NAME.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER.
MATT MALIKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ENDING COMMUNITY HOMELESSNESS COALITION.
I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO MAKE A REQUEST, A BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUEST TO ADD $4.4 MILLION TO THE HOMELESS STRATEGY, OFFICE BASED BUDGET, UM, BEFORE THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025 TO SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS COMING ONLINE.
AUSTINITES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS DESERVE THE BEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE SERVICES OUR COMMUNITY CAN DELIVER.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEMO IN THIS DISCUSSION IS TO ILLUMINATE THE GAP IN FUNDING, WHICH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY PROVIDERS OF OUR HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
PROVIDERS WHO HAVE SIGNED ON, UH, TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE INCLUDE THE AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE, A NEW ENTRY CARITAS OF AUSTIN LIFE WORKS, SAFE FAMILY ELDER CARE, SGI VENTURES, HOPE THROUGH HOUSING FOUNDATION AND, AND THE NATIONAL CORE.
THESE ARE ALL ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS COMING ONLINE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE WITH THE HIGHEST NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
SOMEONE HAS TO BE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS AND LIVING WITH A DISABLING CONDITION IN ORDER TO QUALIFY.
THREE IN 10 PEOPLE CURRENTLY LIVING ON OUR STREETS ARE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.
IT'S ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES IN THE COUNTRY FOR CITIES OUR SIZE.
SIX IN 10 PEOPLE LIVING ON OUR STREETS ARE LIVING WITH A DISABLING CONDITION.
ALMOST EVERYONE WHO USES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING HERE IN AUSTIN, UM, UH, IS SUCCESSFUL IN THAT INTERVENTION.
OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS DO A GREAT JOB OF PROVIDING PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND 98% OF THE PEOPLE WHO USE THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM IN OUR COMMUNITY REMAIN HOUSED AFTER TWO YEARS.
THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST RATES IN THE COUNTRY.
HOUSING PROVIDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY PLAN TO BRING ONLINE 600 UNITS OF SITE-BASED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BY THE END OF 2025.
BY THE END OF 2027, THAT NUMBER DOUBLES TO 1200 UNITS.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS BEEN A CHAMPION OF THIS STRATEGY PROVIDING, UH, PRIORITIZING INVESTMENTS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MORE FUNDING SOURCES TO ACQUIRE LAND AND BUILD HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.
AND THESE INVESTMENTS ARE CRITICAL TO BUILDING A REHOUSING SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
PROVIDERS ALSO NEED FUNDING, UH, FUNDING SOURCES TO PAY FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE NEW UNITS COMING ONLINE BY THE END OF 2025 ARE UNFUNDED FOR SERVICES.
THE SERVICES INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT,
[01:40:01]
JOB TRAINING, PEER SUPPORT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND OTHER KINDS OF CARE THAT ARE CRITICAL TO ENSURING PEOPLE CAN STAY IN THEIR HOUSING.LONG TERM CAPITAL AND SERVICE FUNDING ARE RARELY TIED TOGETHER, MEANING THAT PROVIDERS HAVE TO SCRAMBLE TO FIND MULTIPLE SOURCES OF FUNDING TO SERVE PEOPLE EXITING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE'RE ASKING THE CITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL GRANTS ARE PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO THE SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM THE CITY AND THAT $4.4 MILLION TO CLOSE THE SERVICE FUNDING GAP FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS.
IN ADDITION TO THE $4.4 MILLION FUNDING REQUEST, WE WANNA MAKE CLEAR, AND YOU'RE GONNA HEAR FROM OTHER SPEAKERS TODAY, THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO KEEP IN MIND THE ENTIRE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM NEEDS ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
THAT MEANS FOLKS EXITING RAPID REHOUSING, UM, NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A BRIDGE TO THEIR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
WE HAVE NEEDS FOR, UM, EXPANDED DIVERSION AND OUTREACH SERVICES AND NON CONGREGATE EMERGENCY SHELTER.
A FULLY FUNDED SYSTEM PROVIDES SUPPORT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL PEOPLE EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.
WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS SUPPORT TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS QUICKLY AND END IT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE JUST LOST HOUSING AND PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.
WE APPRECIATE THE CONTINUED LEADERSHIP FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN AUSTIN TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A ROBUST AND EFFECTIVE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT EXIST BETWEEN PROVIDERS, THE CITY, TRAVIS COUNTY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND A HOST OF OTHER STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED, WILL LEAD OUR COMMUNITY INTO A FUTURE WITHOUT HOMELESSNESS.
WE URGE YOU TO FULLY FUND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO'RE SERVING THROUGH PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, SO THEY KNOW PERMANENT HOUSING MEANS PERMANENT.
HONORABLE COUNCIL MEMBERS IRBY FOSTER DISTRICT THREE.
UH, I WANTED TO ASK YOU TO FUND MORE MONEY FOR REPAIRS TO FREEWAY STREET LIGHTING.
EMBED A NEW STREETLIGHT MANAGER AT TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS AND FIX THE 3 1 1 REPORTING OF STREETLIGHTS FOR IN FISCAL 25.
FIRST, IT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION TO SAY THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF FREEWAY STREETLIGHTS OUT, UNDERPASS LIGHTS OUT AND SAFETY STREETLIGHTS OUT IN OUR CITY.
IT IS AFFECTING THE SAFETY AND THE QUALITY OF OUR LIFE.
SECOND, THE CURRENT STREETLIGHT MANAGER SITS AT AUSTIN ENERGY WHERE THEY LACK ALIGNMENT WITH COUNCIL PRIORITIES.
AUSTIN ENERGY HAS BEGUN TO ACT ON THE HUNDREDS OF OUTAGES THAT I'VE MENTIONED, BUT ONLY AFTER I STARTED COMPLAINING TO SEVERAL OF MY CITY COUNSELORS AND CITY STAFF.
THEIR PRIORITIES AT AUSTIN ENERGY ARE REACTIVE AND NOT PROACTIVE.
AND SO YOU CAN SEE TWO OF MY PHOTOS OF TYPICAL OUTAGES OF THE NINE MAJOR FREEWAYS IN THE CITY.
MOST STREETLIGHTS ARE MAINTAINED BY AUSTIN ENERGY THROUGH AGREEMENTS WITH TDOT.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF STREETLIGHTS OUT.
EMBEDDING THE STREETLIGHT MANAGER AT TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC WORKS WOULD MORE ALIGN THEM WITH COUNCIL, MA, AND CITY MANAGER PRIORITIES ON FREEWAY SAFETY.
THIRD, THE 3 1 1 REPORTING OF STREET LIGHTING IS BEING MISMANAGED, I BELIEVE BY AUSTIN ENERGY.
YOU SEE MY PHOTO SCREENSHOT OF THE 3 1 1 REPORTS.
AUSTIN ENERGY ROUTINELY CLOSES THE 3 1 1 REPORTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER, UH, AND WITH THE RESPONSE, WE'LL SCHEDULE THE REPAIRS LATER.
THESE 20 OUTAGES WERE REPORTED ON JULY 26TH, BUT THEY CLOSED THEM THE NEXT DAY ON JULY 27TH, ALL OF THEM WITHOUT ACTION.
THE PROBLEM WITH CLOSING THE REPORTS RIGHT AWAY AS TPW LACKS ACCOUNTABILITY INTO AUSTIN ENERGY'S TIMELINE OF STREET ACTUAL STREETLIGHT REPAIRS CLOSING THE 3 1 1 REPORT CREATES THE ILLUSION TO CITY STAFF AND YOU THAT THE STREETLIGHT WAS REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY.
HOWEVER, REPAIRS ARE TAKING SIX MONTHS TO 12 MONTHS BETWEEN 2020 AND 23.
ROADWAY FATALITIES IN TRAVIS COUNTY INCREASED 15% IN 2023.
THE AVERAGE WAS 3.7 FATALITIES A WEEK.
50% OF THOSE FATALITIES ARE AT NIGHT ON OUR FREEWAYS.
AND, AND THAT'S ACCORDING TO TDOT CURRENT LEVELS OF SPENDING AND FREEWAY LIGHTING REPAIRS IS NOT ENOUGH IN DALLAS.
MR. BROAD NEXT TOOK SEVERAL STEPS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH COUNCIL'S HELP.
HE FUNDED A DESIGNATED STREETLIGHT MANAGER WHO PRIORITIZED THESE REPAIRS, BROUGHT OVERSIGHT AND ALIGNED THE ISSUE WITH COUNCIL PRIORITIES.
THEY THEN FUNDED MORE FREEWAY LIGHTING REPAIRS AND RAPID CONVERSION TO LED LIGHTS.
FREEWAY STREET LIGHTING NEEDS MORE FUNDS BECAUSE OF COSTLY LANE CLOSURES, WIRE THEFT AND ELECTRICAL SHORTS OF THESE AGING SYSTEMS, AND IT AFFECTS HUNDREDS OF US EVERY DAY.
I ASK THE COUNCIL TO ADD FUNDS TO FREEWAY LIGHTING REPAIRS, ADD A MANAGER AND HOLD AUSTIN ENERGY MORE ACCOUNTABLE.
THIS INITIATIVE WILL IMPROVE ROADWAY SAFETY BY SAVING LIVES.
THREE PEOPLE ARE DYING A WEEK IN OUR FREEWAYS, AND IT'S WAY TOO MANY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS NAIANA GOODFELLOW.
WHO GETS TH SIX MINUTES FOLLOWING IS MYRTLE CARTER WITH TWO MINUTES.
[01:45:01]
GETS THREE MINUTES AND JESUS GONZALEZ GETS THREE MINUTES.GO AHEAD AND COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
I'M MYRTLE CARTER AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF HEX PEACE.
UH, THE WE DO, UH, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION.
WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE GUNS OFF THE STREETS WITH THE YOUTH.
WE DO PARTICIPATE WITH THE SCHOOLS, WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND WITH THE, UH, WITH CONNECTING WITH A PD, WE TRY TO HELP PREVENT THE VIOLENCE THAT'S GOING ON.
UH, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I THINK WE DO IS BEING ABLE TO BE THERE FOR FAMILIES WHO'VE BEEN AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE, BEING ALSO IN THE COMMUNITIES, OFFERING THE COMMUNITY SERVICE TO HELP THE STUDENTS FIND BETTER WAYS TO DEAL WITH WHAT IT IS THAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.
WE ALL KNOW MOST TIMES WHEN THERE'S GUN VIOLENCE OR ANY TYPE OF VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY IS DUE TO A LACK OF SOMETHING.
MOST TIMES IT'S FOOD, IT'S SHELTER, AND IT'S ALSO EMPLOYMENT FOR PARENTS.
SO TODAY I'M ASKING THAT WE CONSIDER AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE FUNDING THAT'S NECESSARY TO ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK SO THAT THE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING THE KIDS AND THE STUDENTS AND THE YOUNG ADULTS WITH WHAT IT IS THEY NEED TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.
MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I COME THIS MORNING TO ASK YOU ALL TO PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE VIA A-T-X-A-T-X PIECE.
I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING OR WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED GUN VIOLENCE.
GUN VIOLENCE IS SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN TO THE, TO THE PERSON WHO WAS INJURED.
IT ALSO HAPPENS TO THE PERPETRATOR AND IT'S, IT'S A, UH, SYSTEMIC ASPECT OF INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS. SO YOU SAY, WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? I SAY IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE JUST IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, I'VE PERSONALLY WORKED WITH TWO FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED GUN VIOLENCE AND A CHANGE HAPPEN IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
IT IS FREQUENTLY THAT WOMEN WILL SHOW UP FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
ONE OF THE ENCOUNTERS I HAD THIS PAST WEEK WAS I HAD A FATHER REACH OUT TO ME AND SAY, CEDRIC, CAN YOU HELP OUR FAMILY? THREE WOMEN AND 12 MEN SHOWED UP FOR THEIR THIS YOUNG MAN.
WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? BECAUSE IN GENERAL, MEN DON'T SHOW UP.
BUT THAT TIME THEY DID, THAT TIME FOR ME REPRESENTED A CHANGE.
AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOW CHANGE HAPPENS, IT HAPPENS ONE PERSON AT A TIME, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.
BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE SERVICES THAT ARE SUPPORTED BY YOUR FUNDING, THEN WE CAN'T HAVE THAT AGAIN.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE I WANNA SHARE WITH YOU IS A YOUNG LADY WHO WAS BROUGHT IN BY ONE OF THE A TX, UH, TRUSTED MESSENGERS.
SHE SAID, CEDRIC, I NEVER KNEW ANYTHING LIKE THIS EXISTED.
I NEVER KNEW THAT I COULD COME AND SEE SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE ME, WHO HAS EXPERIENCES LIKE ME, AND THAT I COULD LIVE A DIFFERENT LIFE BECAUSE SOMEBODY INTRODUCED IT TO ME.
THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE FOR A TX PEACE, THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ARE IN THE STREETS DOING THAT.
MY WIFE AND I JUST, JUST, UH, PROVIDE COUNSELING SERVICES.
AND YOU SAY, WELL, OKAY, SO THAT'S TWO.
WELL, IT'S TWO THAT DIDN'T DIE.
IT'S TWO THAT DIDN'T GO BACK TO PRISON.
IT'S TWO THAT TOOK A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT THEY TOOK A CHANCE ON THEMSELVES BY GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN BECAUSE PEOPLE OF COLOR OFTEN SAY, WE DON'T DO THERAPY, WE DO CHURCH.
I ASK YOU PLEASE, PASSIONATELY, PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING HERE IN AUSTIN.
JESUS GONZALEZ, NATALIA GOODFELLOW.
OKAY, MAYER, I'M GONNA MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER THREE.
PAMELA MADE DEAR, FOLLOWED BY JJ RAMIREZ, DOUG GRECO AND MARIA ZEPEDA.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL PAMELA MADE DEAR.
[01:50:02]
I AM, I HAVE BEEN IN AUSTIN FOR OVER 50 YEARS.I STARTED AT PILLOW ELEMENTARY, WENT ON TO WEB MIDDLE SCHOOL, WENT ON TO MARTIN JUNIOR HIGH, ENDED UP AT ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL.
SO I THINK I'VE KIND OF COVERED THE GAMUT OF THE AREAS OF AUSTIN, AND I LOVE THIS CITY SO INCREDIBLY MUCH.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE CITY PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, AS PART OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT FACET OF WHAT THE CITY DOES WITH CITY GOVERNMENT.
UM, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR RESIDENTS, AND OUR FAMILIES, UM, THAT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET BE INCREASED AND WE ARE COMFORTED WITH THE $18 MILLION INCREASE THAT INCLUDES PRIORITIES SUCH AS $3.8 MILLION FOR AN INCREASED CITY SHARE OF SWORN AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE, $1.7 MILLION FOR A 4% PAY INCREASE FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, AND 350 UH, THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ADDITIONAL FTES WITHIN THE TRAINING ACADEMY.
THAT IS SO IMPORTANT, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THAT, UM, THE ACADEMIES ARE IN IN DESPERATE NEED OF FUNDING RIGHT NOW.
WE BELIEVE THIS INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR, UH, A PD WILL HAVE A BENEFICIAL, UH, IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES.
UM, OUR COMMUNITIES ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED RIGHT NOW, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU, UH, TAKING THE TIME AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOCATE THESE FUNDS TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
PLEASE PRESERVE THOSE NUMBERS AND, UH, AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY IMPROVE GOING FORWARD.
I'M AN ORGANIZER AT VOCAL TEXAS AND VOCAL TEXAS.
WE'RE BUILDING POWER WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
WE'VE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE DRUG WAR MASS INCARCERATION, OR LIVING POSITIVELY WITH HIV AND AIDS.
AND WE ARE HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON, UM, MAKING SURE THAT RAPID REHOUSING AND THE PERMANENT HOUSING BRIDGE ARE FULLY FUNDED AND THAT HARM REDUCTION IS FUNDED AND THAT COMMUNITY F UH, ALTERNATIVE FIRST RESPONSE IS FUNDED, RIGHT? YES.
I'M GONNA GIVE A BRIEF, UH, SOMETHING I SAW YESTERDAY.
YESTERDAY WE HAD A MEETING AT A LIBRARY.
THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS OUT WHO WAS OUTSIDE.
HE WAS JUST ANGRY AND HOMELESS, SO OBVIOUSLY A DANGER, RIGHT? THEY CALLED THE POLICE, THEY JUST HANDCUFFED HIM.
THEY TALKED TO HIM, LET HIM GO.
THAT, THAT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT? AS WE HEARD PREVIOUS PEOPLE HERE AND THEN, AND MAYOR, YOU'VE, YOU'VE SAID YOURSELF THAT YOU'RE READY TO, UH, SUPPORT FUNDING THE PERMANENT HOUSING.
WELL, THE ECHO JUST SAID THAT THEY NEED A SUBSTANTIAL MORE MONEY THAN MAYBE YOU WERE COMFORTABLE WITH.
WELL, THAT MONEY NEEDS TO COME FROM THIS $18 MILLION THAT YOU'RE READY TO GIVE TO A PD, THE BOOST, RIGHT? RIGHT.
THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM THAT WE'RE WE'RE, WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO FUND IT.
THAT MONEY CAN COME FROM THE, THE $18 MILLION.
WHEN I WAS HERE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND I MENTIONED THAT EVER INCREASING POLICE BUDGET, THEY CAN'T BE DEFUNDED.
YOU MAY OR GAVE A VERY VISIBLE SIGH LIKE ANOTHER PERSON TALKING ABOUT NOT FUNDING THE POLICE, RIGHT? AS I WAS JUST STATED IN THE COLLAR BEFORE, THERE'S A LACK OF OF POLICE OFFICERS.
WELL, THERE'S THOSE VACANCIES.
SO INSTEAD OF GIVING THEM MORE MONEY, HOW ABOUT WE FILL THOSE VACANCIES FIRST BEFORE WE JUST KEEP GIVING THEM MONEY THAT THEY CAN'T COME OFF OF.
SO BEFORE I LET OTHER SPEAKERS TALK AND, AND GIVE THEIR STORY, I'M GONNA CHANNEL OUR POWERFUL BEAUTIFUL VERNON JARMAN WHO IS HERE RECENTLY, WHO JUST PASSED, AND MANY OF Y'ALL MET, AND HE HAD A, AN AMAZING LAST LITTLE SENTENCE.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE LAST THING HE SAID TO Y'ALL, RIGHT? HE SAID, DON'T DO US LIKE CHARLIE BROWN.
IF Y'ALL REMEMBER THAT, YOU LAUGHED, RIGHT? Y'ALL, Y'ALL UNANIMOUSLY SAID YOU'RE GONNA FUND THESE PROGRAMS. FUND THEM, MAKE IT TWO YEARS.
DON'T SAY IT OFF AND JUST HAVE A RESOLUTION WITH NO TEETH BEHIND IT.
THEY CAN GO ANOTHER YEAR WITHOUT A ANOTHER 18.
PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT NOT HAVING ENOUGH OFFICERS.
RIGHT? YOU KNOW, I'M NOT HERE TO SAY WHAT WE NEED TO DO, BUT BEFORE WE START GIVING MORE MONEY, LET'S THINK ABOUT WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE.
LIKE I SAID LAST WEEK, FUND THE PROGRAMS UPFRONT BEFORE FUNDING THE HAMMER.
I'M A FORMER A ISD TEACHER, AND I'M FORMER COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND I'M A CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR IN AUSTIN.
THIS YEAR, TRAVIS COUNTY'S MEASURE FOR CHILDCARE AND THE PROPOSED A ISD MEASURE FOR EDUCATION WOULD PUT OVER A HUNDRED MILLION NEW DOLLARS
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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, AND SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS. WE ALSO NEED AN, AN AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION STRATEGY TO EXPAND OUR PARTNERSHIPS IN ADDITION TO A ISD TO ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTIALLY CONTAINED IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND OUR LIVING WAGE SHOULD BE SET AT AT LEAST $22 AN HOUR.
WE SHOULD FIND THIS MONEY IN THE CURRENT BUDGET RESERVES AND IN THE SWEETHEART RATES THAT LARGE INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS GET FOR UTILITIES.
THIS YEAR, AUSTIN WATER IS PROPOSING HIGHER RATE INCREASES FOR ITS LOW INCOME CAP CUSTOMERS, HIGHER, HIGHER RATE INCREASES THAN IT DOES FOR LARGE CORPORATIONS LIKE TESLA, NXP AND SAMSUNG COMPANIES THAT ALREADY HAVE BEEN OFFERED LARGE TAXPAYER SUBSIDIES.
AND DESPITE WHAT WAS SUGGESTED THIS WEEK, THESE LARGE ELECTRIC USERS HAVE TRADITIONALLY PAID LOWER RATES THAN RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC COMPANY CUSTOMERS AND HAVE FOUGHT INCREASES EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
AND AS YOU KNOW, TEXAS GAS ACTUALLY PROPOSES TO INCREASE RATES FOR HOUSEHOLDS WHILE DECREASING RATES FOR THESE SAME LARGE INDUSTRIAL USERS.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, SINCE 2016, ONLY 40% OF OUR VOTER APPROVED BONDS HAVE BEEN SPENT A PROPERLY DEPLOYED ECONOMIC STIMULUS OF THE 1.8 BILLION IN UNSPENT BOND MONEY WOULD HAVE HELPED PRODUCE EXTRA REVENUES NEEDED TO FUND CITY DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS. WE ARE PROMOTING A PUBLIC POLICY OF AUSTERITY, ASKING TAXPAYERS TO PAY MORE FOR WATER, ENERGY AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES.
WHILE WE'RE FAILING TO ACT BOLDLY TO USE OUR AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN AN AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY WITH A THRIVING MIDDLE CLASS.
NOW WE STILL NEED ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
WHY DON'T WE LEAVE OPEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A-T-R-E-A-I-S-D IS DOING IT.
IT COULD OPEN UP MORE SPACE AND MORE RESOURCES, NOT JUST FOR THESE PROGRAMS, BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND FIRE AN EMS PRIORITIES.
WE DID NOT LET VOTER VOTERS VOTE ON THE CLIMATE BOND THIS YEAR.
WHY NOT LET THEM DECIDE ON THIS? MAYOR, WE NEED TO THINK LONG TERM.
WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR WORKFORCE AND SCHOOLS NOT TO BE REACTIVE, NOT TO THINK SHORT TERM, AND NOT TO LIVE IN FEAR OF STATE LEADERS.
MARIA ZEPEDA, BARRY JONES, ANNA DUNCAN, AND LAURA ANN MARTINEZ.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.
I'M A LEADER WITH VOCAL TEXAS.
UH, I WAS HERE FOR YOUR LAST PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION AND I WANTED TO BE HERE AGAIN TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE, UH, OF THE RAPID REHOUSING AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS, WHICH REMAIN UNFUNDED IN THE CURRENT CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.
UH, THIS PAST MAY VOCAL TEXAS SOUGHT A RESOLUTION THAT EXPANDED RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM TO 24 MONTHS FROM 12 MONTHS AND ADDED A BRIDGE TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY FOR THAT RESOLUTION.
SO I THINK WE'RE ALL IN AGREEMENT ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
UH, I WANT TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF FULLY FUNDING THESE PROGRAMS BY LETTING YOU KNOW HOW I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THEIR ABSENCE.
I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN PLACED INTO A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM AFTER BEING HOMELESS FOR 10 YEARS.
I WANT TO SHARE IT WITH Y'ALL WHAT RESULTS, WHAT THE RESULTS ARE FROM NOT HAVING FULL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ATTACHED TO THESE PROGRAMS. I LOST MY APARTMENT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
I HAVE MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER, AND AT THAT TIME, I WAS HAVING SEVERE FAMILY PROBLEMS. ON TOP OF THAT, I WAS HAVING INCREASINGLY SERIOUS ISSUES WITH, WITH MY LANDLORD.
AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, I WAS COMPLETELY IN CRISIS.
I GOT TO A POINT WHERE I WAS OVERWHELMED AND I LITERALLY COULD NOT THINK ABOUT MY SITUATION ANYMORE AS I HAD NO ONE TO HELP ME WORK THROUGH THE SITUATION.
THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT LED TO ME BEING HOMELESS FOR 10 YEARS.
ANOTHER TIME, A LACK OF SERVICES SET ME UP FOR FAILURE WAS WHEN I WAS STAYING AT THE MARSHALING YARD, WHICH WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
AT THAT TIME, WE HAD SIX CASEWORKERS FOR AROUND 200 CLIENTS.
MY MEDICATION WAS STOLEN AND I WASN'T ABLE TO GET THE HELP I NEEDED FROM THE CASEWORKER THERE.
MY MENTAL STATE DETERIORATED AND I LOST MY TEMPER, WHICH LED TO ME BEING EXITED OR REMOVED FROM THE MARSHALING YARD.
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AND IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, AND I SLEPT UNDER A BRIDGE FOR MANY NIGHTS.SINCE GETTING INTO THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM, HAVING ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, IT REALLY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
UM, UH, MY SYMPTOMS ALMOST STOP ME FROM ACCEPTING THIS PPSH VOUCHER.
THAT'S HOW MUCH THEY CAN AFFECT ME SOMETIMES NOW THAT I HAVE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, IF MY SYMPTOMS FLARE UP AGAIN, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LOSING MY HOUSING.
UH, AS TO THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM, THIS IS A GOOD PROGRAM.
IT'S AN ONGOING PROGRAM, AND IT'S THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR SOME PEOPLE.
WE DON'T NEED TO UNDO ALL THAT.
WE JUST NEED TO FIX THE FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT, UPDATE IT, AND FULLY FUND IT.
COUNSEL AUSTIN NEEDS YOU TO FULLY FUND THESE PROGRAMS. WE CURRENTLY ARE INCREASING THE POLICE BUDGET BY ANOTHER $18 MILLION.
INSTEAD, IT IS CRITICAL THAT AMENDMENTS THAT ALLOCATE $8 MILLION TO RAPID REHOUSING.
AND $4.4 MILLION TO PERMIT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ARE APPRECIATE TO OUR VOTED THANK YOU.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND READ YOUR NAME INTO THE RECORD.
UM, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR WATSON, PRO MAYOR APPROACH HIM POOL ESTEEM COUNCIL MEMBERS IN AUSTIN, RESIDENT RESIDENT.
MY NAME IS LAURA ANN MARTINEZ.
I AM A MEMBER OF DISTRICT TWO, AND I'M A MEMBER OF AND LEADERSHIP IN VOCAL TEXAS.
WE ARE A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION WORKING TO HELP THE HOMELESS, THOSE WITH HIV AND AIDS AND WORKING TO COMBAT THE DRUG WAR AND MASS INCARCERATION.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY ABOUT THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM EXPANSION, WHICH YOU PASSED IN MAY THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDERFUNDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
ABOUT FIVE OF THE SIX PAST YEARS I WAS EITHER BARELY HOUSED OR UNHOUSED.
I WAS IN A PROGRAM THAT WAS NOT STABLE, LIVING IN A SHED WITH NO RUNNING WATER OR ELECTRICITY, LIVING IN SHELTERS OR EVEN LIVING IN THE STREETS, LITERALLY SLEEPING UNDER MY WHEELCHAIR.
I ENTERED A RE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM, BUT WAS REMOVED PRIOR TO ITS END AND BECAME HOMELESS AGAIN.
I ALWAYS KNEW I WOULD BE KICKED OUT BECAUSE I SIGNED A PAPER SAYING THAT I WOULD SAVE 600 OF MY $1,100 INCOME.
THE MONEY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SAVED TO, TO GO TOWARDS MY FUTURE RENT AFTER MY RAPID REHOUSING ENDED.
HOWEVER, I DON'T KNOW WHO CAN LIVE OFF OF $500 A MONTH.
I SURE COULDN'T, AND I WASN'T ABLE TO SAVE THAT MONEY, SO I WAS KICKED OUT OF THE PROGRAM.
UM, I HAD TO PAY UTILITIES, CREDIT CARD BILLS, BUY FOOD.
I ONLY GET $23 A MONTH IN FOOD STAMPS.
SO I STILL HAD TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY TOWARDS FOOD.
IT WAS TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN ASK ME TO DO THAT.
THE, THE DAY I LOST MY HOUSING, I PUT MY THINGS IN STORAGE AND EVENTUALLY I WAS SLEEPING UNDER MY WHEELCHAIR ON THE STREETS.
SOMETIMES IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE.
I NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN RAPID REHOUSING.
I ALWAYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
INSTEAD, I'M IN THE HAKA PROGRAM TODAY.
I DON'T HAVE ANY SERVICES, BUT AT LEAST I HAVE PERMANENT HOUSING.
MAYOR WATSON, YOU AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS MUST, AT LEAST ON SOME LEVEL, REALIZE THAT CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS AND PUNISHING PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY.
IN MY OPINION, THOSE WHO ARE THE CRI CRIMINALIZING THE HOMELESSNESS ARE THE REAL CRIMINALS.
YOU NEED TO PROVE TO THE CITY, TO EVERYONE IN THE, IN IT THAT YOUR VOTE FOR RAPID REHOUSING RESOLUTION IS NOT JUST LIP SERVICE AND THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO BACK IT UP WITH THE FUNDS NEEDED TO ACTUALLY RUN THE PROGRAMS. PLEASE FUND THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT LOCAL TEXAS IS CALLING FOR, FOR RAPID REHOUSING AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
PLEASE TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE $18 MILLION THAT, THAT YOU'RE GIVING TO THE A PD, UM, BECAUSE THAT MONEY IS BEING ADDED TO ALMOST A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS THEY'RE ALREADY GETTING.
ANNA DUNCAN, ELI CORTES, PAULETTE ANI, AND CORBY STRO.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.
I AM A LEADER OF LOCAL TEXAS, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE RECOVERY FOR 11 YEARS.
I WAS EXPOSED TO DRUGS FROM A VERY YOUNG CHILD, UH, DRUGS THAT CHILD SHOULD NEVER BE IN, IN THE FIRST PLACE.
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REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME THAT I OVERDOSED, UM, LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY.IT WAS ONE OF THE SCARIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE.
I WAS 18 AND I TRIED FENTANYL.
A FRIEND OF MINES INTRODUCED ME TO FENTANYL.
SHE GAVE ME A LITTLE TO TRY IN ASTER SYRINGE, BUT IT TURNS OUT IT WAS A LITTLE TOO MUCH.
I WENT BACK TO MY APARTMENT TO TRY IT, AND LUCKILY IT WAS HAPPENING.
ON THE INSPECTION DAY, THE PROPERTY MANAGER AND HER COLLEAGUES OR COWORKERS FOUND ME, PASSED OUT ON THE FLOOR.
I WOKE UP IN THE HOSPITAL NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED OR HOW I GOT THERE.
WHEN I LOOK BACK ON THE DAY, I THINK ABOUT HOW HARM REDUCTION WOULD'VE HELPED ME IF I KNEW ABOUT IT, ABOUT IT AND COULD HAVE GONE THERE.
I DIDN'T HAVE THE EDUCATION ON WHAT FENTANYL WAS AND HOW TO USE IT SAFELY.
I DIDN'T HAVE THE COMMUNITY OR THE SUPPORT, SO I WON'T, WOULDN'T END UP OVERDOSING ALONE.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT A NARCAN WAS OR HOW TO USE IT.
WE KNOW THAT HARM REDUCTION WORKS AND IT SAVES LIVES.
WE COULDN'T CONTINUE TO FUND PLACE.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO FUND PLACES AND TO, AND THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE USING DRUGS BECAUSE THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DIE.
IT DISAPPOINTS ME TO ONLY SEE 600,000 FOR A HARM REDUCTION.
WE NEED THE FULL 1 MILLION THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.
THE REALITY IS WHEN THESE PROGRAMS ARE UNDERFUNDED, AND MANY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF COULD NOT GET THE HELP THAT WE NEED.
AND RIGHT NOW, THAT MEANS AFFECTIONS AND OTHERWISE UNHEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND PROVISIONING OVERDOSE.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME INTO THE RECORD.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS ELI CORTEZ AND I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH VOCAL TEXAS.
UM, I'M RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE, AND I AM GRATEFUL TO BE HERE.
THOUGH I MUST SAY THAT THIS YEAR'S COMMUNITY INPUT PROCESS IMPEDES AUTHENTIC ENGAGEMENT.
WE WON'T SEE THE PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENTS OR BE ABLE TO COMMENT ON THEM UNTIL YOU VOTE FOR THEM.
AND THAT REALLY IMPACTS OUR ABILITY TO INFLUENCE A BUDGET THAT BELONGS TO US AS RESIDENTS OF THIS CITY.
THE BUDGET IS A MORAL DOCUMENT.
IT'S ALSO OUR OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOCATE FUNDS TOWARDS THE CRISES THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE FACING.
AND WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE PROCESS OR ACCESS TO INFORMATION SUCH AS THE UNMET NEED IN RAPID REHOUSING THAT WE'VE BEEN REQUESTING SINCE MAY FROM THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE, THAT HINDERS US FROM COLLABORATING ON A BUDGET THAT ADDRESSES THE TRUE NEEDS IN OUR CITY.
YOU'VE HEARD TODAY FROM MANY OF OUR MEMBERS ABOUT THE TRUE NEED FOR RAPID REHOUSING FUNDING THAT WE'RE FACING IN THIS UPCOMING YEAR.
UM, FOLLOWING A FLOODING OF EMERGENCY FUNDING INTO A, UM, THE PROGRAM RESULTING IN UNPRECEDENTED NEW INTAKES INTO RAPID REHOUSING, WHICH INCLUDED PEOPLE WHO ORIGINALLY QUALIFIED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, SUCH AS FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES OR FOLKS WITH LIMITED INCOME.
NOW WE'RE SEEING LOTS OF PEOPLE AFTER A LENGTHY PROCESS OF BEING ACCEPTED INTO RAPID REHOUSING, HAVING TO FIND THEIR OWN APARTMENT, FACING THEIR OWN, UM, OBSTACLES AND, AND ACTUALLY BEING PLACED INTO AN APARTMENT.
UM, NOW COMING UP ON THE END OF THEIR ASSISTANCE.
AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR ME AS AN ORGANIZER AT VOCAL TEXAS MEANS TALKING TO PEOPLE ON THE STREET WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO, HAVE THREE MONTHS LEFT OF ASSISTANCE ARE LIVING IN, UM, ARE LITERALLY SITTING IN THEIR HOMES.
I TALKED TO SOMEONE ON THE PHONE YESTERDAY.
HE, UM, WAS IN A FAMILY ELDER CARE PROGRAM.
HE HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO LEAVE HIS APARTMENT BY HIS CASE MANAGER, BUT HE HAD NOWHERE TO GO.
SO WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO? SO HE'S BEEN SITTING IN HIS APARTMENT UN UN LIKE UNASSUMING, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO NEXT, NOT KNOWING WHETHER HE SHOULD GO TO LEGAL SERVICES, NOT KNOWING HE'S SUPPOSED TO GO TO HIS LANDLORD.
HE'S BEEN RECEIVING NO ASSISTANCE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S NEXT FOR HIM.
IS THERE A SHELTER OPENING? NOTHING LIKE THAT.
HE'S JUST SUPPOSED TO LEAVE AND RETURN TO HOMELESSNESS.
AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE VISION OF THE CITY THAT I'M SURE MOST OF YOU HAVE FOR US.
SO I REALLY IMPLORE YOU TO SUPPORT THE $8 MILLION AND ASK FOR RAPID REHOUSING AND ENSURE THAT FOLKS ARE NOT RETURNING TO THE STREET.
AND I CAN'T STRESS THE URGENCY ENOUGH, ESPECIALLY IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME WHERE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE REALLY COMING UP ON THE END OF THEIR ONE YEAR ASSISTANCE.
SO NOW LET'S GET INTO THIS $18 MILLION THAT IS GOING TO A PD $18 MILLION, MOSTLY ALLOCATED FOR INCREASED POLICE PENSIONS, HEALTHCARE PAYMENTS FOR TECH AND ADMIN SERVICES.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT IMPROVED PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT, UM, IMPROVED SURVEILLANCE.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ANY OF THIS OTHER STUFF.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PAYMENTS THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PENSIONS AND HEALTHCARE FOR STAFF, UM, ON TOP OF A BUDGET THAT THEY HAVE.
THAT IS $476 MILLION, 35% OF THE GENERAL FUND.
AND WHAT REALLY FRUSTRATES ME ABOUT THAT IS THAT HERE WE ARE ASKING FOR $80 MILLION FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, 80 MILLION FOR THE ENTIRE, AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, THE BUDGET
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IS SET TO RECEIVE $4 MILLION ONLY.AND WE ARE FORCED TO COME FORWARD WITH EVALUATIONS OF OUR SUCCESS.
WE HAVE TO PROVE THAT OUR PROGRAMS ARE WORKING.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SIT HERE AND PLEAD AND BEG FOR SCRAPS OF THE, OF THE GENERAL FUND.
AND MEANWHILE, Y'ALL ARE THROWING MONEY YEAR AFTER YEAR TO A PD THROWING MONEY AT THEM.
LET'S JUST GO TO, LET'S JUST GO TO YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
L SPEAKER IS PAULETTE ANI CORBY GASTRO, CHUCK SMITH, MAGGIE DEZA.
BEFORE I START, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE DOCUMENTS I YES MA'AM, THEY'RE THERE.
I'M ONE OF THE CO-DIRECTORS OF OAK TEXAS.
UH, THE TWO DOCUMENTS THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU ARE NOT NEW.
ONE IS A SURVEY, UH, SUMMARY DOCUMENT WITH EIGHT STORIES OF RAPID REHOUSING RECIPIENTS THAT WE COLLECTED ON THE STREET.
SOME OF THOSE FOLKS HAVE LOST THEIR HOUSING, SOME OF 'EM ARE STILL IN HOUSING AND NEED MORE SUPPORT.
UM, THE SECOND DOCUMENT IS A LETTER FROM SERVICE PROVIDERS ASKING THE CITY COUNCIL FOR SUPPORT FOR INVESTMENT IN THIS PROGRAM.
I WANTED TO START BY TALKING ABOUT VERNON JARMIN.
MY COWORKER JJ MENTIONED THAT HE WAS A PERSON THAT PASSED AWAY.
HE WAS ONE OF OUR FOUNDING MEMBERS.
WE MET HIM IN 2000 AND IN 2022.
AND HE'S COME BEFORE YOU MANY TIMES ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES, BUT HE RECENTLY CAME BEFORE YOU FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE RAPID REHOUSING RESOLUTION IN MAY.
HE WAS PROMISED NOT 24 MONTHS, BUT SIX MONTHS FIRST.
THEN WHEN HE CAME UP ON SIX MONTHS, HE WAS EXTENDED TO 12 MONTHS.
THEN WHEN HE CAME UP ON 12 MONTHS, DAYS BEFORE HIS RAPID REHOUSING ENDED AND HIS LEASE ENDED, HE HAD NOWHERE TO GO.
IF IT WASN'T FOR OUR INTERVENTION AND OUR ADVOCACY WITH HIM, HE WOULD'VE BEEN ON THE STREETS AGAIN.
BUT BECAUSE WE WERE THERE AND BECAUSE WE COULD ADVOCATE, HE ENDED UP IN HAKA HOUSING AND, AND AVOIDED RETURNING TO HOMELESSNESS.
SO VERNON'S SITUATION IS NOT UNIQUE.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RIGHT NOW THAT ARE, THAT ARE COMING UP ON THE END OF THEIR RAPID REHOUSING.
AND THAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS CAMPAIGN.
WE HAVE DO DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO BRING THIS, BRING ATTENTION TO THIS.
WE HAVE HELD TOWN HALLS, WE HAVE SURVEYED THE COMMUNITY, WE'VE BROUGHT LEADERS HERE TO TALK TO YOU.
WE'VE MET WITH YOU IN PRIVATE.
WE'VE BROUGHT SERVICE PROVIDERS TO MAKE OUR CASE, BUT WE STILL HAVE NO MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THIS PROGRAM IN THE CURRENT BUDGET.
AND IT IS WILDLY DISAPPOINTING.
WE DON'T HAVE THE UNMET NEED DESPITE OUR ASKS OF THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE.
WE STILL DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT WE NEED FOR THIS PROGRAM TO CONTINUE IT TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T FALL BACK INTO HOMELESSNESS.
LOCAL TEXAS SUPPORTS THE $4.4 MILLION ASK FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
ASK WITH ECHO AND WITH SO MANY OTHERS.
WE NEEDED THAT YESTERDAY, BUT, AND WE SUPPORT THE SHELTER.
ASK MAYOR, YOU, YOU HAVE BEEN, UH, FRONT AND CENTER ASKING FOR MONEY FOR, FOR THE SHELTER SYSTEM.
WE NEED THE MONEY FOR THE BRIDGE SHELTERS.
WE CANNOT PIT THESE THREE THINGS AGAINST EACH OTHER.
RAPID REHOUSING CANNOT BE LOST BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE TWO OTHER PRIORITIES.
THESE ARE THREE PRIORITIES THAT NEED TO BE PRIORIZED TOGETHER IN THIS BUDGET.
LASTLY, I'LL SAY THAT WE'VE HEARD A LOT, UM, A LOT OF MY COWORKERS AND SOME OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE A PD BUDGET.
AGAIN, THERE IS FUNDING TO BE HAD.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS FOUND THROUGH, THROUGH HOUSING AND THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH AND THROUGH INITIATIVES THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO, TO LIVE HEALTHY LIVES.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS TO AVOID FUNDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHAT YOU GUYS ARE PROPOSING TO FUND IT.
UH, GOOD MORNING MAYOR, CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, MY NAME IS CORBY GASTRO AND I'M A PROUD RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED, UH, HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I ATTENDED CAEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MARTIN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND A PROUD GRADUATE OF AUSTIN HIGH.
I OWN AND OPERATE A TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY HERE IN AUSTIN, AND I'M HERE TODAY IN SPEAKING OF FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED $18.2 MILLION INCREASE IN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
AS A RESIDENT OF AUSTIN, A PROUD MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY, I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS INCREASE THAT WILL GIVE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT MUCH NEEDED FUNDS FOR ONGOING INVESTIGATIVE WORK FUNDS TO INCREASE POLICE PRESENCE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND ADDRESSING OVERTIME COST.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE WITH HIGH VACANCY RATES, WHICH WE ALL KNOW IS CAUSED BY ATTRITION, CONTINUING TO OUTPACE RECRUITMENT.
THIS IS A DIRECT RESULT IN THE INCREASE OF OVERTIME SPENDING
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AND VACANCY RATES AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 2020.TODAY, JUST FOUR YEARS LATER, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS FACING A STAGGERING VACANCY RATE OF 18.9%.
I URGE YOU ALL TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS PROPOSED INCREASE TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET AND SUPPORT THAN MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT SUIT UP AND SHOW UP EACH AND EVERY DAY TO KEEP THIS COMMUNITY SAFE.
I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT CITY, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
THANK YOU, MAYOR WATSON, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER.
MY NAME IS CHUCK SMITH AND I SERVE AS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AT PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY.
ON BEHALF OF OUR STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE FISCAL 25 CITY BUDGET.
WE ECHO THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WAS APPROVED AT LAST WEEK'S PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING.
SPECIFICALLY, WE ASK THAT YOU INCLUDE THE REQUESTED $2.6 MILLION TO FUND MUCH NEEDED PARK MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.
THIS FUNDING IS A CRITICAL NEED AND WOULD STILL BE JUST A DENT IN THE CLOSING.
THE GAP OF FUNDING NEEDED TO ACT ADEQUATELY MAINTAIN EXISTING FACILITIES ACROSS THE PARK SYSTEM.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH PARK IS FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR MISSION AND WE'RE PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DO TOGETHER STILL OUR ORGANIZATION AND OTHERS LIKE OURS EXISTS BECAUSE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT IS UNDERFUNDED WHEN IT COMES TO EVERYDAY MAINTENANCE FOR THE PARKS THAT ARE OPEN 16 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT PAR NEEDS ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PERFA, TO PAY PROFESSIONALS TO CARE FOR AND MAINTAIN OUR CITY'S PARKS.
WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT THE CURRENT PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDS FOR RENOVATION PROJECTS AT GIBBONS AND COLONY POOLS AND THE BARIENTOS MAC.
THEY'RE ALL WORTHY PROJECTS, HOWEVER, THOSE FUNDS ARE RESTRICTED AND THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF SYSTEMATIC SYSTEM-WIDE UNDERFUNDING UNDERSTAFFING AND UNDER RESOURCING OF DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE, PARDON NEEDS AT LEAST 16 FULL-TIME FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE POSITIONS.
THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT STAFF FOR TRASH PICKUP, RESTROOM SERVICING, GRAFFITI REMOVAL, AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT OF OUR PARKS IS FELT ALL ACROSS OUR CITY.
IF THE COVID PANDEMIC TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT'S THAT OUR PARKS ARE CRUCIAL FOR OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL, MENTAL WELLBEING.
WE SIMPLY CANNOT ALLOW PARKS TO DECLINE FOR THE LACK OF FUNDING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.
PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY IS A PARTNER IN FULL SUPPORT OF OUR COLLEAGUES AT PARD.
WE APPRECIATE MORE SUPPORT FOR PARK MAINTENANCE BY ADDING THE 2.63 MILLION FOR THESE ESSENTIAL PARD PERSONNEL.
MAGGIE DEZA, BILL BRYCE, SHARON BLYTHE, LYRIC WARDLOW, AND SUSAN SPATARO.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE YOUR MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.
MY NAME IS MAGGIE DEZA AND I'M A CURRENT STUDENT AT UT AUSTIN, A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND THE CENTRAL TEXAS ADVOCACY AND FIELD ORGANIZER FOR TEXAS RISING ACTION.
I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE COUNCIL TO ADDRESS THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS OF AUSTIN RESIDENTS AND PRIORITIZE THE ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
THE PROPOSED BASE BUDGET ADDS AN ADDITIONAL $18.2 MILLION TO THE POLICE BUDGET, DESPITE THE FACT THAT A PD IS CURRENTLY SITTING ON TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TIED UP IN HUNDREDS OF VACANT POSITIONS THAT WILL NOT AND CANNOT BE FILLED WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.
ADDITIONALLY, THE POLICE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING A NEW CONTRACT WITH THE CITY THAT PROMISES THEM MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RAISES, MEANING THAT REGARDLESS OF COUNCIL'S CHANGES, THE POLICE BUDGET WILL INCREASE TO SURPASS HALF A BILLION DOLLARS.
THERE IS SIMPLY NO REASON TO RAISE THE POLICE BUDGET EVEN IF THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY NECESSARY EXPENSES.
THAT'S WHY A MYRIAD OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ENDORSED THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND DEMAND THAT COUNCIL REALLOCATE THE ENTIRE $18.2 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL UNNECESSARY POLICE FUNDING TO COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CENTER COMMUNITY SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY LIKE RAPID REHOUSING, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, HARM REDUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE, FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANTS, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AUSTIN CLIMATE EQUITY PLAN FUNDING.
THE CIB IS FULL, THE LEAST CITY COUNCIL CAN DO TO PROMOTE EQUITY IN AUSTIN, ENSURING THAT UNHOUSED FOLKS ARE HOUSED, PREVENTING FAMILIES FROM LOSING THEIR HOMES, ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT RESULT IN 9 1 1 CALLS, BUILDING COMMUNITY
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SAFETY FOR ALL AND PREPARING AUSTIN TO BE RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.PRIORITIZING THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET IS FEASIBLE, URGENT, AND NECESSARY.
INSTEAD OF FUNNELING MORE MONEY INTO A BALLOONING POLICE BUDGET, THAT THANKS TO STATE LAW CAN NEVER DECREASE.
WE HAVE BOTH AN OPPORTUNITY AND AN OBLIGATION TO INVEST IN PROGRAMS THAT ENSURE ALL AUSTINITES CAN THRIVE.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME INTO THE RECORD.
COULD YOU READ A COUPLE MORE NAMES TOO, PLEASE? CITY CLERK? SURE.
BILL BRYCE, SHARON BLYTHE LYRIC WARDLOW.
UM, I SPENT ALL DAY YESTERDAY PREPARING A LITERARY NIGHT PRESENTATION.
I SPENT ALL DAY YESTERDAY PREPARING A VERY NICE PRESENTATION TO YOU TODAY, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU THAT BECAUSE I WAS JUST CALLED BY THE ASSISTANT PARKS DIRECTOR AND, UM, UH, LUCAS MASSEY THAT HIS NEW BOSS, ANGELA LEMINE, SAID THAT HE COULD NOT BE COUNCIL CHAMBER TODAY TO SUPPORT MY INITIATIVE.
THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR A PARKS DIRECTOR TO SAY, DON'T COME TO CITY HALL AFTER WE HAD WORKED FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS ON ALL OF THIS.
I'M SITTING BECAUSE I HAVE A SERIOUS KIDNEY DISEASE AND I AM PREVENTED FROM BRINGING DRINKS INTO THIS CHAMBER TO BE ABLE TO STAY HEALTHY IN HERE AND, AND, AND, AND AS PER MY DOCTOR'S INSTRUCTIONS, BECAUSE WE'RE STOPPED AT THE, UH, THE ENTRANCE BY THESE, BY THESE IRON GUARDS SEARCHING OUR BAGS IN OUR PURSES.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DRINK OR EAT WHEN Y'ALL SIT UP THERE? AND WAS IT SOMETHING TO EAT AND DRINK ALL THE TIME, PLUS YOUR STAFF? THAT IS RIDICULOUS AND THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.
NOW LET'S GET TO THIS CEMETERY HIRED A CONTRACTOR 34 YEARS AGO FOR A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
THAT'S WHAT HE'S CHARGING THE CITY.
YOU HAVE REJECTED THE FACT YOUR MID DEPARTMENT HAS REJECTED THE FACT IT'LL HIRE THE CEMETERY STAFF FOUR ADDITIONAL CEMETERY STAFF FOR 25 TO GET THEM TRYING TO TAKE OVER THAT CONTRACT IN 26.
WHEN THEY TAKE OVER THE CONTRACT IN 26, YOU SAY THE CITY $525,000 A YEAR, YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
THIS PROGRAM WILL NOT COST YOU A DIME, BUT THEY HAVE DECIDED TO REJECT IT.
THANK YOU MR. ADLER, FOR LAUGHING AT ME.
I MEAN, MR. RYAN ALTER, EXCUSE ME FOR LAUGHING.
I I DON'T APPRECIATE THAT, SIR.
PLEASE, MS. BLYTHE, UM, LET US HEAR YOUR, YOUR COMMENT AND, UH, YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE ABOUT IT.
THE CITY NEEDS TO CHANGE AN ATTITUDE ABOUT IT.
34 YEARS IS ENOUGH AND YOU'VE GOT A BUNCH OF CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE OUT HERE THAT DON'T GIVE A, A CRAP ABOUT ANYTHING IN THIS CITY EXCEPT YOUR OWN INITIATIVES.
AND I'M SAYING THAT FUND THE POLICE HELP THESE PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP AND STOP THIS BUSINESS OF JUST IGNORING PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME UP HERE.
THANK YOU, MS. THANK YOU, MS. BLI.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR PRO TEM COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M BILL BRYCE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT WITH DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE, AND I'M HERE TO REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT FOR FUNDING IN THE FY 25 BUDGET TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO MORE EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS.
FIRST, WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AS PROPOSED IN THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET.
IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE FUNDING NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO RECRUIT PROPERLY, TRAIN AND FILL SWORN OFFICER POSITIONS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU PROVIDE FUNDING TO SUSTAIN THE CITY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH TRAVIS COUNTY TO IMPLEMENT THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION PILOT.
MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION PROVIDES ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED AND THAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES.
AND THE CITY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH TRAVIS COUNTY IS ESSENTIAL TO ITS SUCCESS.
EFFECTIVE MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION WILL RESULT IN BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES AND A SAFER COMMUNITY.
IT WILL ALSO DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF TIME POLICE SPENDING SPEND ARRESTING AND REARRESTING PEOPLE WITH UNTREATED MENTAL WELLNESS.
FINALLY, WE ASK THAT YOU DEDICATE FUNDING NEEDED TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE HOMELESS OUTREACH IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.
IN FEBRUARY, THE DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE FUNDED AND LAUNCHED HART AUSTIN, AN OUTREACH PILOT WITH URBAN ALCHEMY, THE CONTRACT MANAGER FOR ARCH IN THE EIGHTH STREET SHELTERS.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO TEST THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HAVING EMPLOYEES OF THE SHELTER MANAGING ENTITY.
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EXPERIENCE, ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET DOWNTOWN, ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN HOUSING FOCUS SERVICES.IN FIVE MONTHS, A TEAM OF THREE HEART PRACTITIONERS MADE A TOTAL OF 1,182 INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET.
81 PEOPLE WERE PLACED IN SHELTER, 37 REUNIFIED WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
864 REFERRED FROM THE STREETS TO THE OUTDOOR OASIS COMFORT AREA AT ARCH AND NEARLY 2000 DIFFERENT SOCIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FOOD, WATER, CLOTHING, SHOES, FIRST AID SUPPLIES WERE PROVIDED, AND 85 DOSES OF NARCAN WERE ADMINISTERED.
THE SIX MONTH PILOT DEMONSTRATED THAT THE STREET OUTREACH CONNECTED TO THE SHELTERS IS EFFECTIVE AND WE'VE COMMITTED FUNDING TO EXTEND IT THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
ADDRESSING NON-EMERGENCY ISSUES WITH NON-EMERGENCY RESOURCES IS CRITICAL TO GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE SYSTEM AND ON TRACK TO RESOLVE THEIR HOMELESSNESS FASTER.
THIS INVESTMENT WILL SAVE MONEY AND RESOURCES, BUT IT WILL ALSO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES.
FUNDING A PD MENTAL A PD MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION AND THE HARD OUTREACH PROGRAM WILL IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUTCOMES FOR MANY OF AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PRIORITIZE AND FUND THESE IMPORTANT INITIATIVES IN THE FY 25 CITY BUDGET.
THE NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE WELCOME MS. RO.
THANK YOU, SUSAN SPIRO, DISTRICT EIGHT.
I'D LIKE TO LOOK FIRST AT THE, UH, POLICE BUDGET.
UM, WHAT I DID IS I LOOKED BACK TO 2 2 19, 2 20 UP UNTIL TODAY TO, AND THAT WAS THE YEAR BEFORE THE POLICE WERE DE DEFUNDED, SO LET'S LOOK AT SOME FACTS.
DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, AD'S BUDGET INCREASED 14%.
THAT'S OVER A SIX YEAR PERIOD.
DURING THAT SAME TIME, THE GENERAL FUND INCREASED BY 30%.
THE LEVY, THAT'S ALL TAXES LEVIED, INCLUDING DEBT SERVICE INCREASED 51%.
THE POLICE BUDGET REMEMBER ONLY INCREASED 14%.
THE FTE COUNT CITYWIDE INCREASED 7.3% WHILE THE, THE FTE COUNT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DECREASED 7.3 POINT PERCENT.
IF TODAY WE LOOK AT THOSE POSITIONS THAT ARE NOT FILLED, THAT NUMBER IS 26%.
THE OTHER IMPORTANT THING THAT WE KEEP HEARING IS THAT 35% OF THE BUDGET IS A PD, AND I SAY IT SHOULD BE, IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION THAT GOVERNMENTS SERVES, BUT IN 1920, IT WAS 39.9%, SO THE PROPORTION OF THE SPENDING FOR POLICE IS GOING DOWN.
THE OTHER THING IS YOU ARE LOOKING AT PROGRAMS LIKE A NEW CONVENTION CENTER.
YOU WANT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, YOU WANT PEOPLE WALKING AND BIKING.
ALL OF THAT DEPENDS ON A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
PEOPLE ARE NOT GONNA WALK AROUND DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.
IF THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE, THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE TAKING A BIKE IF THEY'RE NOT SAFE.
SO HAVING A SAFE TOWN AND A WELL-FUNDED POLICE DEPARTMENT IS REALLY NEEDED TO DO THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO.
THE OTHER QUESTION THAT ALWAYS COMES UP IS THE OFFICE OF OF IS POLICE OVERSIGHT.
AND, AND YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU ALL TALK ABOUT EQUITY.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO TREAT DEPARTMENTS EQUITABLY AND THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT BEEN TREATED EQUITABLY.
FOR INSTANCE, IN THAT, UH, BUDGET COMPARISON, THERE WERE THE TRANSFERS OUT, WHICH IS MONEY JUST RUNNING THROUGH THE BUDGET THAT IS NOT MANAGED BY THE CHIEF WENT UP 46%, IT WAS 64 MILLION.
AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE LIKE PENSIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND SURELY ONE WOULDN'T THINK THE POLICE SHOULD NOT GET PENSIONS LIKE EVERY OTHER, UM, EMPLOYEE.
UM, THE, IN TERMS OF OVERSIGHT, THERE'S THE TYPICAL MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THERE'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEN THERE'S THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT, 3.8 MILLION AND 20 FTES, AND YET THERE'S A DEMAND FOR MORE OVERSIGHT FOR THE POLICE AND THE PAYING OF OVERTIME IS THANK YOU, REQUIRED BY LAW.
OUR NEXT, NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE IF, IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM LYRIC WARDLOW.
DANIELLA SILVA, JASMINE SMITH, AND IVANA NARY.
I WORK FOR INDIAN COMMUNITY HOMELESSNESS COALITION HERE IN AUSTIN.
I HAVE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE BEING,
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UM, AN EMPLOYEE OF A LEAD COC AGENCY IN MY COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH HOMELESSNESS, AND I'M HERE BECAUSE I REPRESENT NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT MY MOTHER.I EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT AGE NINE, AND THERE'S A QUESTION THAT EVERYONE PROBABLY IN THIS ROOM HAS BEEN ASKED BEFORE IS, WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY? MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES, MY FAVORITE ONES INVOLVED BEING IN A SHELTER, AND I STAYED IN A SHELTER FOR YEARS.
I COUCH SURFED MY ENTIRE 18 YEARS OF CHILDHOOD AND TEEN YEARS WE'RE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
SO I NOW COME INTO THIS WORK UNDERSTANDING NOT JUST THE SYSTEM ITSELF, BUT ALSO HOW IT IS TO ACTUALLY EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS.
MY MOM LIVES HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
SHE'S NOW IN A PERMANENT HOUSING UNIT IN EAST AUSTIN.
I'M GLAD THAT SHE'S NOW HOUSED, BUT THAT PROCESS FOR 18 YEARS TO WATCH MY MOM WHO IS PERMANENTLY DISABLED, WHO STRUGGLES WITH MENTAL ILL ILLNESS AND DEPRESSION, THAT PROCESS TO WATCH MY MOM GET EVICTED AND STRUGGLE WITH ALL OF THESE BARRIERS WAS EXTREMELY HARD FOR ME GROWING UP.
SEEING THAT SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PLACES THAT HAD A LACK OF FUNDING OR NO FUNDING AT ALL, TO BE ABLE TO HELP HER WAS THE HARDEST THING IN THE WORLD.
TO KNOW THAT I AS HER DAUGHTER COULDN'T DO MUCH, BUT JUST OFFER HER ENCOURAGEMENT OR ASK PEOPLE FOR HELP OR TRY TO GET HER INTO MY OWN PLACE OR GIVE HER A RIDE.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I STRUGGLED WITH FOR SO LONG.
AND IN AUSTIN, I THINK THAT WE ALL NEED TO PRIORITIZE THE FACT THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE THE FIRST PRIORITY RIGHT NOW.
UM, THE CITY IS HOT TO LIVE IN.
FIRST OF ALL, TRANSPORTATION IS REALLY HARD HERE IN TEXAS, SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY IN THE THE DEEPEST NEED ARE FUNDED COMPLETELY AND THAT SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE NOT HAVING TO TELL PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREETS.
WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT WE CAN GIVE YOU RIGHT NOW.
UM, AND I'M SO, I'M GLAD THAT MY MOM HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE A PERMANENT HOUSING VOUCHER AND BEEN HOUSED, BUT THAT PROCESS AND HOW LONG IT TOOK HER, THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
AND WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE CAN SERVE PEOPLE BETTER WITH EMPATHY AND COMPASSION AND DOING IT NOW INSTEAD OF FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, 10 YEARS FROM NOW, 20 YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THERE'S A DIFFERENT ROOM AND A DIFFERENT SET OF PEOPLE LEADING THIS COMMUNITY.
UH, MY NAME IS EDDIE FRANZ AND I REPRESENT A TX PEACE HERE IN AUSTIN, AND WE SERVE MULTIPLE DISTRICTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
UM, A TXP IS A CVI BASED ORGANIZATION THAT DOES COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION WORK HERE IN THE CITY.
UM, IT IS RUN AND OPERATED BY MULTIPLE, UH, COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND OVERSEEN BY OVP.
WE AIM TO REACH A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION THAT ARE AT ULTRA HIGH RISK OF COMMITTING GUN VIOLENCE OR HAVING GUN VIOLENCE COMMITTED ON THEM.
SO WHEN WE ARE REACHING THIS POPULATION, WE ARE NOT REACHING THEM WITH DISCIPLINE.
WE ARE NOT REACHING, REACHING THEM WITH PUNISHMENT.
WE ARE REACHING THEM WITH ALTERNATIVES, REACHING THEM WITH OPTIONS FOR THEM TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH THEIR LIVES.
AND LAST YEAR, I STOOD BEFORE YOU.
MANY OF YOU HAVE, UH, HEARD ME OUT IN PERSON.
MOST OF YOUR STAFF WERE PROBABLY TIRED OF GETTING EMAILS FROM US, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO SAY WAS, UM, I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS, RIGHT? AND ON A DAY LIKE TODAY, SOMETIMES A LITTLE GOOD NEWS IS, IS IS GREAT TO HEAR.
WE'RE GONNA GIVE A LITTLE RECAP OF WHAT A TX PIECE HAS BEEN DOING IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS SINCE YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE HEARD FROM US.
UM, AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER PART WHERE IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE A SMALL ASK, RELATIVELY SMALL ASK AT THE END.
BUT FIRST, A LITTLE BIT OF THE GOOD NEWS.
WHEN WE PETITIONED COUNCIL LAST YEAR TO PUT A TXP OR SPECIFICALLY CVI ON THE LINE ITEM BUDGET, UM, WE WERE STILL GROWING.
WE WERE STILL BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE WERE STILL LOOKING FOR, UM, BRICK AND MORTAR LOCATIONS.
UM, AND WE WERE STILL TRYING TO FIND AND HIRE THE RIGHT INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO RUN THIS ORGANIZATION.
WELL, TODAY WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 20 TRUSTED MESSENGERS, WHICH ARE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS IN THIS CITY, OPERATING ON A DAILY BASIS, INTERACTING WITH THE HIGHEST RISK INDIVIDUALS THAT PRODUCE MOST OF THE VIOLENCE IN THIS CITY.
WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN THREE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.
WE HAVE ALMOST 200 PEACEFUL UNDER HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS UNDER CASE MANAGEMENT AND WRAPAROUND SUPPORT CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW.
AND WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A SMALL POPULATION DOING MOST OF THE VIOLENCE, THAT IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT JUST ENROLLED.
THEY ARE BEING CASE MANAGED AND GIVEN OPTIONS AND HELPING, UM, HELPING MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS MOVING FORWARD.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, WE HAD A 42% REDUCTION IN HOMICIDES.
NOW, I WILL NOT TAKE CREDIT FOR ALL OF THAT.
UM, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT,
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THAT ARE INVOLVED IN MAKING THAT REDUCTION, BUT A GOOD CVI PROGRAM WILL TYPICALLY GIVE YOU FIVE TO 10% EACH YEAR IN REDUCTION IN HOMICIDES.AND THIS CITY SAW 42% AND WE'RE STILL ON PACE TO BE UNDER WHAT WE WERE LAST YEAR.
WE HAVE A ROBUST E UH, ECOSYSTEM INCLUDING CITY, CITY LEADERS LIKE YOURSELF, LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUDGES, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND MANY, MANY COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
AND SO THIS YEAR I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR AN ADDITIONAL $200,000.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.
ALFREDO REYES, DANIELLA SILVA, JASMINE SMITH, IVANA NRI.
HELLO, MY NAME'S ALFREDO REYES JUNIOR.
I'M IN DISTRICT FIVE AND I'M A LEADER OF ROCO, TEXAS AND A UNITED STATES VETERAN.
I'VE BEEN UN HOUSED FOR SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS.
AND ON FEBRUARY, 2024, I WAS HOUSED THROUGH THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM.
I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT I QUALIFY FOR PERMANENT HOUSING SINCE I HAD CANCER AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES, WHICH ALSO AFFECT MY IMMUNE SYSTEM.
I INSTEAD, UH, INSTEAD I I WAS PUT IN RAPID REHOUSING SINCE IT WAS A QUICK FIX.
WHEN THE ASSESSMENT WAS DONE, I WAS, UM, I WAS ON A WHEELCHAIR AND I STILL SOMETIMES NEED A, A WALKING CANE.
SLEEPING UNDER THE BRIDGE WAS VERY PAINFUL SINCE I HAD BONE CANCER.
MY RAPID REHOUSING IS COMING TO AN END ON FEBRUARY, 2025, AND I'M UNSURE I WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.
AND IF I WILL END UP IN THE STREET AGAIN.
WE CAME TO CITY HALL AND WON ITEM 180 1, EXTENDING THE RAPID REHOUSING TO A 24 MONTH.
THIS IS A POSSIBLE BRIDGE, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, BUT THERE IS NO MONEY AROUND IT YET.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE BUDGET AND AMENDMENT THAT WILL FUND WELL.
ITEM 180 1 IN THE BUDGET AMENDMENT TO FUND SERVICES FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
I'M SURE 0.2% OF THE BUDGET IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM.
YOU NEED TO INVEST, INVEST MORE THAN 0.2% OF HOMELESS SERVICES, UH, FOR HOMELESS SERVICES TO WORK, TAKE MONEY FROM THE $18 MILLION EXTRA GOING TO A PD.
I PERSONALLY THINK THAT IF YOU WERE TO FUND, IF YOU DON'T FUND, I'M SORRY, I WAS, I PERSONALLY THINK IF YOU DON'T FUND HARM REDUCTION MENTAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS SERVICES, WE HAVE AN EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM COMING UP THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW AND MORE MONEY FOR THE POLICE WHEN NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM A YEAR LONG IS NOT LONG ENOUGH AND WE NEED ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PUT IN INTO THIS PROGRAM, THEN THE CITY NEEDS TO FUND THE TWO YEAR RAPID REHOUSING RESOLUTION EXTENSION THAT WAS PASSED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PROGRAM LASTS LONG ENOUGH FOR US TO GET CONNECTED TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT WE QUALIFY FOR.
I AM VICE PRESIDENT OF JUSTICE AND ADVOCACY FOR THE AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE, AND I STAND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COALITION MEMBERS ON THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
UM, NOW YOU'VE HEARD A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT NUANCES OF A HOLISTIC QUALITY OF LIFE FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THAT WE SAT THERE AND PUT TOGETHER FOR YOU.
I WANNA PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEART.
AND THAT IS THE INCLEMENT WEATHER RESPONSE FOR OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.
NOW, ITEM 60 FROM FUENTES SHOWS THAT YES, SOME OF IT'S FUNDED, IT GIVES THE TONE AS THOUGH, UM, THAT IS ENOUGH.
UM, FIRST AND FOREMOST, OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, WHEN THEY'RE IN THAT SPACE, COMING FROM A VERY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE, HAVING GENERATIONAL TRAUMA, THEY NEED MORE HOLISTIC SERVICE PROVISION.
THIS WOULD HELP US ON THE BACK END WHEN IT COMES TO OUR RAPID REHOUSING, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PRIORITY SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WHEN IT COMES TO, UM, INTEGRATING THEM BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.
WE HAVE THEM ALL IN ONE MOMENT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER RESPONSE.
THAT IS THE TIME TO REALLY DIG DEEP AND ENSURE THAT WE'RE SETTING THEM UP FOR SUCCESS.
IT MIGHT BE ONLY 24 HOURS THAT WE HAVE THEM, OR 12 HOURS THAT WE HAVE THEM, BUT WE CAN DO A LOT OF WORK IN THAT 12 HOURS IF WE WERE ALLOCATED ENOUGH RESOURCES.
UM, AND, AND YOU KNOW, ADDITIONALLY, IT'S NOT JUST THE SHELTERS THEMSELVES.
LIKE PEOPLE THINK THAT, OH, IT'S INCLEMENT WEATHER.
WE HAVE THE, THE INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTERS.
THERE IS AN ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FUNDED.
THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS, THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND THAT HELP US GET THEM TO SHELTERS THAT HELP US ENSURE THAT IF THEY STAY ON THE GROUND, THAT THEY'RE PROTECTED.
AND SO THAT ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM, WHEN WE TAKE A STEP BACK, NEEDS TO BE FULLY FUNDED.
IT NEEDS TO BE FUNDED IN A WAY THAT, UM, INSPIRES COLLABORATION, BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE GOT OUTTA STORM URI.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, IT WAS YOUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS BACKING UP THIS CITY.
IT WAS YOUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, IT WAS YOUR INDIVIDUALS WITH TRUCKS, MAKING SURE PEOPLE WERE TAKEN CARE OF AND HAD THE THINGS THAT THEY NEEDED.
AND THAT ECOSYSTEM, IN ORDER FOR US TO BE THE BEST PARTNERS WE CAN TO BE TO THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE OR HIAM,
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WE HAVE TO BE FUNDED.UH, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, UM, I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA SAY, BUT WITH WHAT FUNDING AS, UM, WE'RE, WE'RE REALLY STRETCHED, THEN THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY.
I KNOW WE DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT IT, BUT THE $18.2 MILLION GOING TO A PD ALRIGHT, UM, THAT WE CAN NEVER TAKE BACK.
SECONDLY, UM, HAVING THE GENERAL FUND GO TO 16.5% RATHER THAN 17% SCRAPES OFF SOME SEVEN, 7 MILLION.
THAT'S NOT, I MEAN, NOT TO SOME OF US, THAT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY TO SOME OF US, BUT THAT CAN GO TO SERVICE PROVISION.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TEAM, I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT ME WHEN I SAY THIS.
LOOK INTO THE VACANCY SAVINGS.
THERE'S $150 MILLION SITTING THERE FOR VACANCY SAVINGS THROUGH ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS.
THAT'S THE MONEY FOR THE COMMUNITY.
INSTEAD OF WASTING IT ON SPOTS THAT AREN'T, THAT DON'T HAVE BUTTS IN THEIR SEATS, LET'S USE THAT MONEY TO HELP THE PEOPLE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE AUSTIN POLICY COORDINATOR AT WORKERS' DEFENSE PROJECT, WHICH IS LOCATED IN DISTRICT ONE.
AND I'M JUST GONNA REPEAT FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE I THINK IT BEARS REPEATING THAT THE PROPOSED BUDGET ADDS ANOTHER $18 MILLION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UM, AND DUE TO STATE LAW, THIS BUDGET CAN NEVER EVER BE DECREASED.
UM, EVEN IF ALL OF THESE AMAZING PROGRAMS LIKE A TX PEACE INCREASE THEIR RATES OF SUCCESS IN PREVENTING CRIME AND INCREASING ACTUAL PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH LEADS TO DECREASED NEED FOR POLICE, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO ADJUST THE DE THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN VACANT POSITIONS BEING CUT LEFT AND RIGHT IN DEPARTMENTS ALL ACROSS THE CITY.
SO WHY IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ANY EXCEPTION? INSTEAD OF WASTEFULLY INCREASING POLICE FUNDING, ALL OF THAT ADDED MONEY MUST BE REALLOCATED TO THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET ITEMS WITH THE THREAT OF USB FOUR LOOMING OVER OUR COMMUNITY AT WORKERS' DEFENSE AND SO MANY COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS, AN INCREASE IN POLICE FUNDING MAKES US AND OUR MEMBERS FEEL LESS SAFE.
WHAT OUR COMMUNITIES NEED ARE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE, HEALTHFUL AND, UH, ACCESSIBLE GROCERY STORES, WELL-MAINTAINED PARKS, OR JUST ANY PARKS IN GENERAL, WHICH THE EAST RIVERSIDE AND MONTOPOLIS AREA IS SEVERELY LACKING.
WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE CITY SHOULD BE SEEKING TO ELIMINATE THE PROPOSED INCREASES AND FURTHER CUTS TO OFFSET ANY PLANNED RAISES SO THAT THE POLICE BUDGET DOESN'T JUST INCREASE IRREVERSIBLY.
WHAT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET DOES, AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM MANY INCREDIBLE ADVOCATES HERE TODAY, IS ACTUALLY ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY BY FUNDING YOUTH PROGRAMS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND USEFUL PARKS, VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, ADEQUATE FOOD, SHELTER, HEALTHCARE, UM, REENTRY JOBS, HOUSING AND RESOURCES FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED, UH, PEOPLE TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, AND VERY, VERY IMPORTANTLY, RAPID REHOUSING.
SO IF YOU ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT COMMUNITY SAFETY, THEN YOU'LL PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND REALLOCATE THE PROPOSED POLICE BUDGET TO INCREASE THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET ITEMS. AND THESE PROGRAMS WILL IMMEDIATELY MAKE ALL OF US SAFER.
MY NAME IS SIVAN ANRI AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR, ALSO A RESIDENT.
AS A RESIDENT, I JUST WANNA REPEAT AND I ASK YOU NOT TO INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGET AS THE CHAIR OF THE HISPANIC LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION.
I ALSO ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION WE SUBMITTED TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE SPANISH ARTS COMMUNITY AS WE HAD SOME SPEAKERS TODAY.
I'M ALSO THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AT UP TOGETHER, AND I'M HERE TO REQUEST, UM, YOU CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE FUNDING FOR THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANT.
AT $1.3 MILLION AS YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS UP TOGETHER IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT FOR OVER TWO DECADES HAS PARTNERED WITH GOVERNMENT AND PHILANTHROPY TO DISTRIBUTE CASH DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES WHILE LEARNING HOW THEY WORK TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MOBILITY GOALS.
SINCE 2018, WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED $18 MILLION IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND HAVE PARTNERED WITH MANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO DO SO.
IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, WE SELECTED 168 HOUSEHOLDS FOR THE FAMILY CIVILIZATION GRANT PROGRAM, FROM WHICH 96 OF THEM ARE BEING FUNDED BY THE CITY.
I SENT A REPORT TO MANY OF YOU YESTERDAY, UH, AND SOME OF THE BASELINE DATA THAT WE HAVE COLLECTED SHOW THAT MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
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CIVILIZATION GRANT ARE DIVERSE IN RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, AND HOUSEHOLD STRUCTURE.THE GRANTS ARE PRIMARILY SERVING FAMILIES LIVING BELOW 60% OF THE TRAVIS COUNTY MEDIUM INCOME.
ABOUT, UH, 75% OF THOSE MAKE LESS THAN $30,000 A YEAR.
WE'RE LEARNING HOW THE GRANTS ARE HELPING SUPPORT FAMILIES IN GETTING NEW JOBS, STARTING NEW BUSINESSES, AND PURSUING EDUCATION.
CONTINUING THE FUNDING WILL ALLOW US TO SUPPORT A NEW COHORT OF 96 HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE DEALING WITH OR ARE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION.
UH, THE STORIES THAT YOU HEAR TODAY ON THE POWER OF THE UP TOGETHER APPROACH ARE NOT UNIQUE, AND WE KNOW THAT THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES CAN IMPROVE THEIR LIVES IF YOU MAKE THE RIGHT INVESTMENTS.
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHT HIGHLIGHTS OF, UM, THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE DIFFERENT INVESTMENTS THAT WE HAVE MADE, UH, FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS IN THE CITY, IS THAT PEOPLE USE MONEY FOR BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD, HOUSING, MEDICAL BILLS.
UH, PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO INCREASE THEIR HOUSING STABILITY, THEY'RE ABLE TO INCREASE, UH, SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN HEALTH, WELLBEING, AND FOOD SECURITY.
INCOME INCREASES, DEBT DECREASES, AND IN SOME INSTANCES, PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO BECOME HOMEOWNERS.
PEOPLE ARE WORKING TOWARD LONGER TO, UH, LONGER TERM GOALS, SUCH AS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, MOVING TO BETTER PAYING JOBS, AND INCREASE IN SAVINGS FOR THIS 2024, UM, 2025 BUDGET CYCLE.
I ASK YOU TO ONCE AGAIN, CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE FAMILY CIVILIZATION GRANT AND ENSURE THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO PROSPERITY TO OUR RESIDENTS.
ALICIA CASTILLO, ABEL LOPEZ, BRANDON HENRY, LOUIS MEJIA, HECTOR ORDAS, AND CHASE WRIGHT.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I'M THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF POLICY AT THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT.
I'M ALSO A BOARD MEMBER AT EQUITY ACTION, UM, HERE IN AUSTIN.
AND, UM, I'M HERE TODAY, UM, COMING FROM THE CAPITOL WHERE THERE WAS A TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS MEETING THIS MORNING, WHERE ROUTINELY EVERY TIME THERE'S ONE OF THESE MEETINGS, THESE BOARD MEETINGS, FAMILY MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE COME OUT TO, UM, TALK TO THE BOARD THAT LOOKS, YOU KNOW, SIMILAR TO THIS, ABOUT THE DEATHS IN THEIR FAMILIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN TEXAS JAILS.
SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE TODAY KNEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE TRAVIS COUNTY JAIL.
NOW, I KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT'S THE STATE, THAT'S THE CAPITAL THAT'S DIFFERENT, BUT IT'S REALLY NOT BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALLOCATING, UM, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ROUGHLY 35% OF OUR BUDGET GOING TO THE POLICE, RIGHT? AND NOW WE HAVE THIS 18 MILLION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THE A PA WANTS ANOTHER 30 MILLION.
THEY WANT, UH, ANOTHER 5% INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, MAKING 40% OF THE AUSTIN GENERAL FUND GO TO THE POLICE WHO ARE CURRENTLY CREATING, HELPING ADD TO THIS CRISIS THAT WE HAVE AT OUR JAILS RIGHT NOW, INSTEAD OF INVESTING IN ALL OF THESE INCREDIBLE THINGS.
AND I'M A, YOU KNOW, EQUITY ACTION WORKED ON, UH, UH, TO BUILD THE COALITION AROUND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, AND OBVIOUSLY I ENDORSE THAT.
UM, AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT HELP CONTRIBUTE TO TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY.
UM, AYANA, LASHAWN SMITH DIED LAST MONTH IN THE TRAVIS COUNTY JAIL.
SHE, SHE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF A GAS STATION ICE MACHINE.
THAT'S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT HER.
THE REPORT FROM THE, FROM THE AG, THE REPORT FROM THE JAIL SAYS, WE, WE DON'T KNOW WHY SHE DIED.
UM, HER, HER FUNERALS TODAY, UM, I'M NOT SURE IF ANY OF YOU ARE PLANNING ON GOING TO THAT, BUT, UM, A WOMAN WHO WAS ARRESTED, UM, FOR STANDING IN FRONT OF AN ICE MACHINE, SHE'S, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING WITH OUR $18 MILLION.
AND PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY DYING BECAUSE OF THAT.
NOT ONLY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE AND TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE BY FUNDING THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY WORKING, THAT ACTUALLY HAVE EVIDENCE BEHIND THEM, BUT MAYBE Y'ALL ARE, I'M SCARED OF THE COPS.
MAYBE THAT'S WHY YOU'RE TRYING TO GIVE THEM ALL THE MONEY THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S IT, THOUGH.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S IT, BECAUSE IT, IT, IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING ELSE.
BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I'M AFRAID OF THE COPS BECAUSE OF THE HARM THAT THEY'VE CAUSED ME DIRECTLY AND MY FRIENDS DIRECTLY, UM, UH, UH, I, YOU KNOW, I I I COME OUT HERE AND I SPEAK AGAINST THEM.
AND I HOPE THAT YOU AS OUR LEADERS WHO SHARE RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS, WITH GOVERNOR ABBOTT, WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BE ABUSED AND, AND, AND HARMED AND, AND VIOLATED, UM, IN OUR TEXAS JAILS, EVEN OUR CHILDREN.
I'M, I'M A LITTLE BIT, UH, OFF KILTER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE DOJ JUST RELEASED THEIR FINDINGS THAT TJJD, THE TEXAS JUVENILE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, OF WHICH MANY KIDS ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY WERE ARRESTED BY AUSTIN POLICE, UM, ARE, ARE VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION CHILDREN.
THEY JUST CAME OUT WITH THIS PRESS RELEASE TODAY THAT THE EIGHTH AND 14TH AMENDMENT ARE BEING VIOLATED.
UM, CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 10 YEARS OLD
[02:50:01]
IN PRISONS WHO ALSO GO TO THE TRAVIS COUNTY ARE ARE ARRESTED BY, UH, AUSTIN POLICE.IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.
HI, MY NAME IS, MY NAME IS AVI LOPEZ, A TXP PROGRAM.
UH, WHAT EDDIE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SAYING IS HE'S ASKING FOR 200 K IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS DUE TO US LOSING A PORTION OF OUR FEDERAL FUNDS.
AND FOR EXAMPLE, THIS IS, UH, I WANNA OFFER A GLIMPSE.
UM, I REMEMBER I'M FROM DISTRICT FOUR, I'VE BEEN THERE FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND I REMEMBER AS A LITTLE KID, I WANTED TO GROW UP AND BE A SUPERHERO.
UM, THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I GREW UP IN, I WAS JUST SURROUNDED BY GANGS, DRUGS, GUNS, AND VIOLENCE.
AND I BECAME A PRODUCT OF MY ENVIRONMENT.
AND INSTEAD OF WANTING TO HELP AND SAVE MY COMMUNITY, I ENDED UP HURTING IT FOR A LONG TIME.
UM, EVENTUALLY, IT WASN'T JUST ME, BUT SOME OF THE HOMIES WERE LIKE, MAN, LIKE, IS THIS ALL WE'RE GONNA DO? LIKE, I'M DONE.
BUT THERE WAS NO PROGRAMS AVAILABLE, NO, NO FUNDING AVAILABLE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS LIKE ME TRY TO OVERCOME THOSE SITUATIONS.
AND A POINT IN MY LIFE, YOU KNOW, I ENDED UP BEARING A LOT OF THOSE HOMIES AND OH, SO SOME OF THEM ARE DOING 25 ALIVE BASED ON THE DECISIONS THAT THEY MADE.
AND THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS LIKE ME.
AND OBVIOUSLY THE REASON I I WORK FOR THIS PROGRAM IS BECAUSE I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PART OF THE SOLUTION AND NOT A PROBLEM, PART OF THE PROBLEM.
SO JUST CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.
YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE A BLESSING, YOU KNOW, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I MADE IT, BUT IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE.
I BELIEVE THAT WHAT THE ENEMY INTENDED FOR EVIL GOD WILL USE FOR GOOD.
AND I'M HERE AS A PRODUCT OF THAT.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THE TEAM THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS AWESOME BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO, AND 150, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, PARTICIPANTS, BUT ALSO ABOUT OVER 20 SHOOTINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THIS TEAM THAT HAVE THE INFLUENCE TO INFLUENCE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT MIGHT COMMIT THESE CRIMES.
AND TO ME, THAT'S A BLESSING BECAUSE IF I COULD BE PART OF THAT, TO ME, I CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS IT.
AND SO I BELIEVE THAT ALL THAT, YOU KNOW, THOSE OVER 20 SHOOTINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN HOMICIDE, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE'RE AT A, WHAT IT WAS LIKE A 75 LAST YEAR.
WE'RE STILL HOPING TO, YOU KNOW, BRING THAT DOWN OR, YOU KNOW, WHERE IT DOESN'T GO UP ANY HIGHER.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WE BELIEVE THAT THE DECISIONS THAT YOU MAKE, I HAVE HOPE FOR, YOU KNOW, THIS COMMUNITY STILL, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN HERE.
UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, SPEAKING ON ITEM THREE.
I AM A COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTER UNDER ATX EXPS FOR ONGOING FOR TWO MONTHS.
I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
AND AT X EXPS, UM, I, I WILL, I, I WILL SAY THAT, UM, IN THE PAST, SINCE, UH, 15 YEARS AGO, I GREW UP IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, NORTH AUSTIN AREA, TERRORIZING THE STREETS.
AND, UH, I'M GRATEFUL FOR ATPS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THOSE, THE SAME PEOPLE THAT I GREW UP TERRORIZING THE STREETS, I'M WORKING WITH THEM, BUT DOING BETTER AND JUST GROWING AND, AND IN THEIR LIVES.
UM, ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, WE STARTED, UH, HELPING OUT THE COMMUNITY.
UH, IT DID GOOD FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS, BUT LIFE, YOU KNOW, UH, FAMILY, HAVING A FULL-TIME JOB TAKES AWAY THAT.
UM, AND NOW AT XPS, I HAVE SEEN MORE SUCCESS IN TWO MONTHS, REALLY THAN I HAVE IN THE PAST 12 YEARS OF DOING THIS.
UM, SO I REALLY JUST WANNA BE HERE, SAY I'M, I'M VERY GRATEFUL.
I'M, I'M THANKFUL, THANKFUL FOR ATPS, WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN MY LIFE AND, UH, WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO OTHERS.
UM, I'M HERE WITH, UH, A TX PIECE.
UH, I INITIALLY, UH, HAD THIS WHOLE THING WRITTEN OUT OF WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY, UM, BUT I'M A, UH, I'M GONNA JUST DO THIS NATURALLY.
UM, I WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON, UM, ABOUT ROUGHLY TWO AND A HALF, TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO.
UM, WHEN I WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON, I GOT KICKED OUT OF THE SYSTEM AFTER DOING 10 YEARS WITH, UH, YOU KNOW, NO, NO INSIGHT ON HOW TO BE A, UH, A CITIZEN OR A CIVILIAN.
UM, TDC DOESN'T HAVE ANY PROGRAMS, ANY SYSTEM SET UP TO, TO WHERE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, FRESHLY HOME, THERE'S NOTHING.
[02:55:01]
AVENUES TO GET YOUR DOCUMENTS SO YOU CAN GET YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE, SO YOU CAN GET A JOB, SO YOU'LL BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THE THINGS THAT THEY DEMAND OF YOU.UM, AT XP GAVE ME THE AVENUE FOR ALL OF THAT.
UM, THEY GAVE ME THE AVENUE TO, UH, TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE COMMUNITY THAT I HELPED DESTROY.
I MOVED OUT HERE WHEN I WAS 17 YEARS OLD.
I CAME OUT HERE WITH, WITH NO, UH, WITH NO GUIDANCE OR ANYTHING.
AND, UM, WHEN I COMMITTED MY CRIMES, WENT TO PRISON, CAME HOME DURING, DURING MY INCARCERATION, I REFORMED MYSELF PERSONALLY.
UM, WHEN I GOT HOME, ALL I HAD WAS MY MORAL COMPASS TO MOVE OFF OF.
UH, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE NO NOTHING.
A TX PEACE HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING THAT I NEEDED TO, TO HELP REFORM THIS COMMUNITY.
AND NOW I'M, I'M HELPING THE PEOPLE THAT, UH, THAT WERE JUST LIKE ME.
AND, UM, I DON'T, ALL I COULD SAY IS, UH, YOU KNOW, I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT AND WHATEVER, WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR REPRESENTING A TX PIECE IS WAY MORE BIGGER THAN WHAT ANYBODY COULD JUST HEAR OR SEE.
UM, THOSE 20 SHOOTINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, I HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN ABLE TO, I WAS A PART OF FIVE OF THOSE IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS.
AND WE'RE CHANGING, WE'RE CHANGING EVERYTHING, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT.
BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, I JUST THANK Y'ALL FOR THIS MOMENT TO SPEAK AND A PEACE OF BLESSINGS TO EVERYBODY BACK AT YOU.
HECTOR ORAS, CHASE, WRIGHT ENOVIA, JOSEPH, WHO HAS TIME DONATED BY RICHARD SMITH.
CAROL GUTHRIE, WHO HAS TIME DONATED BY ROSIE HAFI.
IF YOU'VE BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.
HELLO, MY NAME IS CHASE WRIGHT.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HUNGRY HILL FOUNDATION, WHICH IS A HOLISTIC WORKFORCE, ALSO ENGAGING IN COMMUNITY BASED PUBLIC SAFETY PILOTS.
TODAY, I COME TO YOU BEFORE IN REGARDS TO OUR CURRENT INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY BASED PUBLIC SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
WHEN I SAY VIOLENCE PREVENTION, I LITERALLY MEAN COMMUNITY DRIVEN SOLUTIONS.
WE WERE CHALLENGED IN 2022 BY OUR DISTRICT ONE AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS, UM, TO CREATE A COMMUNITY DRIVEN INITIATIVE THAT ADDRESSED COMMUNITY SAFETY ISSUES IN EAST AUSTIN, NORTHEAST AUSTIN, AND CENTRAL EAST AUSTIN.
IN A TIME WHERE OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS UNDERSTAFFED.
NOT ONLY WERE WE SUCCESSFUL IN THESE COLLABORATIONS, WE ESTABLISHED AND WE ACCOMPLISHED MORE POWERFUL OUTCOMES IN THESE UNDERSERVED AND UNDER-RESOURCED AREAS THAN I'VE EVER WITNESSED.
AND I'VE BEEN HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE.
WE ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS IN POWER COMMUNITIES THAT WERE EXPERIENCING EVERYTHING FROM HIGH RATES OF GUN VIOLENCE TO PROPERTY THEFT, TO THE MOST FREQUENT CALL THAT WE ALWAYS RECEIVE, WHICH IS UNHOUSED, INDIVIDUALS SEEKING SHELTER IN THESE AREAS.
WE PROVIDED THE LIVED IN EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO CREATE COMMUNITY DRIVEN SOLUTIONS.
THESE COMMUNITY DRIVEN SOLUTIONS WERE ALTERNATIVES TO NEIGHBORS THAT WERE MOVING TO AUSTIN, WHO DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD WANNA POLICE THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THEIR LOCAL PARKS, UH, FOR THE COMMUNITY, UM, SORRY, TO THE CITY OFFICIALS, IF Y'ALL KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, THAT'S LITERALLY NEIGHBORS WALKING AROUND WITH THEIR GUNS SO THAT UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT IN THEIR AREAS IN EAST SA.
IT'S A NO-NO BACK TO THE TOPIC.
WE REALIZED EARLY ON THAT THERE WERE PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT WE COULD TAKE BY SIMPLY FACING THE REALITY.
A LOT OF CRIME IS DRIVEN BY THE LACK OF RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IT TAKES TO FUND FOUR UNIFORM OFFICERS, YOU WILL FIND THAT IT COSTS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS TO FUND 15 RESOURCE OFFICERS, INCREDIBLE MESSENGERS OR VIOLENCE PREVENTION AMBASSADORS, TRAINED FOR RISK ASSESSMENT, DEESCALATION, AND ALSO EQUIPPED WITH ACCESS TO THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM SO THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE NOT TEDIOUSLY HANDLING UNSHELTERED, UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS WHO JUST NEED RESOURCES.
AT THIS POINT, THIS INITIATIVES ARE EASY REPLICATED FOR HHF.
NOW, I WROTE DOWN WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO CALL NOT SO FUN FACTS.
NOT SO FUN FACTS, IS THAT IT ALMOST COSTS AS A WHOLE THE CITY OF AUSTIN, 1 MILLION UP TO $1 MILLION FOR EVERY HOMICIDE THAT'S COMMITTED BY A GUN.
I SAY THAT TO SAY THIS, I'VE HEARD A LOT TODAY ABOUT TAKING MONEY FROM THE POLICE.
I'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT REALLOCATING MONEY IN OTHER AREAS.
WHEN THE GENERAL SOLUTION IS A BALANCE, THERE'S A NEUTRAL, IT'S GONNA TAKE AN ECOSYSTEM, IT'S GONNA TAKE A COMMUNITY TO GET THE OUTCOMES THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
IT'S NOT GONNA TAKE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO, UH, DON'T HAVE INSIGHT OR LIVING EXPERIENCE TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.
AND NOW THAT THEY'RE WALKING OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES WITH GUNS 'CAUSE THEY FEEL UNSAFE, ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES FEEL UNSAFE.
I'D HAVE BEEN IN EVERYONE'S DISTRICT FROM ST.
JOHN'S TO EAST AUSTIN TO SOUTH
[03:00:01]
AUSTIN, AND I WITNESSED THE TYPE OF VIOLENCE THAT'S OCCURRING IN THE CITY.AND THIS IS NOT A SAFE CITY AT THIS TIME.
I'VE BEEN HERE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
I ACTUALLY HELPED CONTRIBUTE TO A LOT OF NEGLECT AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN THE STREETS THAT I WASN'T PROUD OF AFTER POST-INCARCERATION.
I'M GLAD TO SAY THAT WE FOUND A SOLUTION AND IT INVOLVES LIVED AND EXPERIENCE.
WE APPRECIATE COLLABORATIONS LIKE AT XPS, WHO ALSO SEEN THE NEED FOR DRIVEN SOLUTIONS.
THESE INDIVIDUALS, LIKE THE BROTHER THAT JUST WALKED UP HERE, I I, I STOOD WITH HIM SIDE BY SIDE.
WHILE WE FACE THESE TROUBLES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR NAME, YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.
UH, I AM FROM MEXICO CITY, BEEN IN AUSTIN'S, BEEN IN AUSTIN, UH, SINCE THE LATE EIGHTIES.
AND, UM, WE'RE TALKING HERE ABOUT UNMET NEEDS.
UM, EARLIER WE HEARD, UH, ABOUT THE, UH, FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM, UH, YOU KNOW, TALK ABOUT UNMET NEEDS.
AND FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, AUSTIN DOES NOT HAVE ITS OWN CULTURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT.
INSTEAD, IT'S A DIVISION WITHIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
UM, WE, YOU KNOW, WE CERTAINLY LOVE TO HAVE ONE.
UH, I FELT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE A PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION HERE IN AUSTIN.
UM, SO YEAH, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE OUR OWN DEPARTMENT, SOMEBODY THAT CAN ADVOCATE FOR US.
UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S A, IT'S A LONG-TERM PROBLEM HERE IN AUSTIN, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION OR SOMETHING LONG-TERM FUTURE TO RESOLVE IT.
UM, BUT SADLY THIS, THIS SITUATION, THAT SITUATION HAS CREATED CHALLENGES THAT IMPACT OUR ARTS ECOSYSTEM NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, SORRY, NONS, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS MAKING DECISION FOR CULTURE AND FOR THE ARTS.
NOW, ONE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS IS THAT THERE'S NO MONEY ALLOCATED FOR CULTURE OR ARTS IN THIS YEAR.
UM, SO THIS ISN'T ABOUT SUPPORTING CULTURE, IT'S ABOUT RESCUING CULTURE AND THE ARTS.
UH, WITHIN OUR CURRENT SYSTEM, WITHIN EDD, THERE'S NO INITIATIVE TO EVEN DISCOVER OTHER FUNDING OPTIONS OR RESOLVE THE CHALLENGES THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO THEM BY US, THE ARTISTS, AND THAT WE FACE DAY TO DAY.
UM, NOW YOU MIGHT SAY THAT THIS ISN'T TRUE BECAUSE THERE'S MONEY ALLOCATED FOR PARKS AND REC AND OTHER THINGS, BUT CULTURE ISN'T A RECREATION WHEN THE CITY KEEPS MANAGING CULTURE.
MY CULTURE AS A RECREATION, WE'RE JUST GONNA KEEP HAVING THESE CHALLENGES AND A CHOKE HOLD PRECISELY ON WHAT I DO.
UM, YOU KNOW, ALL SECTORS, ALL AREAS, UH, JUST AS LIKE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPING TEAM KEEP PLACING A CHOKE HOLD ON WHAT WE DO TIME AND TIME AGAIN, DECISIONS THAT THEY ENACT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY.
NOW, THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT'S IN PLACE TO ISSUE FUNDING HAS BEEN REDESIGNED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, NOT BECAUSE OF THEIR INITIATIVE TO CORRECT THINGS OR IMPROVE THINGS.
IT'S BECAUSE WE RAISE OUR HAND AS ARTISTS AND WE COME TO THEM AND SAY, HEY, THERE'S PROBLEMS. AND WHAT DO THEY DO? THEY SPEND MONEY EFFORTS INTO HIRING CONSULTANTS, SPENDING TIME, CREATE, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THEN THEY IMPLEMENT THEM.
AND THEN ONCE AGAIN, WE TELL 'EM, HEY, IT'S WRONG.
AND WE TELL 'EM, USE US TO USE US FOR OTHER THINGS.
USE US NOW SO THAT WE CAN MAKE IT RIGHT, THAT WE CAN MAKE IT WORK FOR US AS THE ARTIST, BUT YET IT DOESN'T TAKE PLACE.
UM, WE'VE TALKED TO THEM ABOUT, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT OTHER MODELS.
I MEAN, YOU CAN JUST LOOK DOWN THE STREET, DOWN THE ROAD.
IN SAN ANTONIO, THEY HAVE A PRETTY ROBUST LIKE SYSTEM IN PLACE.
WHY AREN'T WE DOING THAT? WHY? BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN PLACE.
GUTHRIE HAS TIME DONATED BY ROSIE HAFI.
UH, CAROL GUTHRIE WITH THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES.
I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT FOUR ITEMS. ONE IS HOLIDAY PAY, STIPEND PAY, BILINGUAL PAY, AND THEN I'M GOING TO SPEND THE LION'S SHARE OF MY TIME ON THE RETIREES.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, UH, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOLIDAY PAY FOR TEMPORARY WORKERS.
THESE ARE WORKERS THAT WORK SIDE BY SIDE BY REGULAR FULL-TIME FTES.
HOWEVER, WHEN THERE IS A HOLIDAY, THEY GO WITHOUT PAY ON THAT DAY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT GET HOLIDAY PAY.
I BELIEVE THAT BY ADDING THIS TO THE BUDGET, IT REALLY WOULD NOT BE A HUGE COST.
IT'S MORE OF A POLICY DECISION BECAUSE YOU BUDGET FOR 40 HOURS AND RIGHT NOW IF YOU'RE A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE AND THERE'S A HOLIDAY,
[03:05:01]
YOU LOSE EIGHT HOURS OF PAY.WELL, PERHAPS WE COULD, BUT THEY'VE BUDGETED AT A HUNDRED PERCENT.
SO THERE OUGHT TO BE FUNDS TO COVER THE PAY FOR HOLIDAY PAY.
SO HOPEFULLY YOU CAN LOOK INTO THAT AND, UM, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAD ALLOCATED A 10% STIPEND FOR, UH, RETENTION AND HIRING BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FILL POSITIONS AND THAT WAS PUTTING EXTRA STRESS ON THE FULL-TIME WORKERS THAT WERE PICKING UP THE SLACK.
THOSE DEPARTMENTS WERE TOLD TO ELIMINATE THAT 10% THIS YEAR.
UM, IF THEY CAN AFFORD THAT 10%, AND I KNOW THAT MOST OF THEM CAN, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THOSE FUNDS BE PUT BACK INTO THE BUDGET TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE DOING DOUBLE DUTY.
UM, IT'S ALSO TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT BILINGUAL PAY.
IT REALLY IS HARD TO TALK WITHOUT WATER AFTER ALL THIS TIME.
UH, UM, TO, TO LOOK AT INCREASING BILINGUAL PAY.
WE'VE HAD IT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW.
UH, I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO JUST FIND IF WE ARE PAYING MARKET ON THAT, AND PERHAPS WE CAN PUT THAT IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.
NOW I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE RETIREES AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
SO POST 65, RETIREES ARE BEING FORCED TO TAKE A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN, WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT, WHETHER THEIR DOCTORS ARE ON THAT PLAN OR NOT.
THEY CLAIM THAT THE FUND, UM, WAS SUFFERING AND, UH, NEEDED $18 MILLION.
CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT SAME NUMBER? I CAN'T.
UM, BUT THEY CLAIM THAT BY MOVING THE POST 65, THE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO BALANCE THIS FUND.
UH, I DISAGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE THEY KEPT CHANGING THAT NUMBER AS WE WENT ALONG.
IT STARTED AT 18 MILLION, THEN ONE DAY IT WAS AT 15 MILLION.
THE INFORMATION THAT THEY PUT OUT SHOWED THEIR INFORMATION, SHOWED THAT THERE WILL BE A DONUT HOLE FOR THE POST 65.
THAT'S THEIR PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE.
THAT WOULD COST THEM ABOUT $3,500.
AND REMEMBER, THE RETIREES HAVE NOT HAD A PAY INCREASE IN OVER 20 YEARS.
BUT THEN YOU CHECK THEIR SECOND PAGE AND NOW THE DONUT HOLE IS COVERED.
SO I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF VERY BAD INFORMATION.
UM, THEY MADE THIS A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM LAST YEAR.
UM, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN EDUCATING THE RETIREES THROUGHOUT THAT YEAR.
UH, WE KNOW THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND SO ENOUGH RETIREES DID NOT VOLUNTEER TO GO ON THIS PROGRAM.
SO THAT IS WHY THEY'RE BEING FORCED.
UM, THEY ALSO ARE MAKING CHANGES TO THE DISABILITY PROGRAM.
UH, THEY CLAIM THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT APPLIED FOR DISABILITY WERE, UM, PICKED UP UNDER THE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, WHICH IS A GREAT THING, A GREAT POLICY, UM, AND THAT THEY WERE GONNA TAKE THIS FUNCTION IN HOUSE.
UM, I REQUESTED INFORMATION ON WHAT THAT MEANT, UH, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
DO YOU HAVE A PHYSICIAN THAT'S GONNA REVIEW THESE HEALTH SITUATIONS? UH, THE ANSWER IS WE'RE WORKING ON IT WHILE WE SIT ON $500,000.
MAYBE THAT COULD BE USED TO HELP OR TO ALLOW THE RETIREES NOT TO BE FORCED TO GET OFF THE INSURANCE.
ANOTHER VERY ALARMING SITUATION IS THEY'RE ELIMINATING THE CLINIC.
THERE WAS A CLINIC FOR CITY EMPLOYEES YOU COULD WALK IN, GET CARE, NO COST, RIGHT? THAT WAS GREAT.
HOWEVER, UH, THEY CLAIM THEY WILL SAVE A MILLION DOLLARS BY EDUCATING PEOPLE TO MOVE OFF OF THE HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PLAN.
WELL, IF YOU HAVE A HIGH DEDUCTIBLE, YOU PROBABLY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER YOUR DEDUCTIBLE.
SO YOU WOULD GO TO THE CLINIC.
WELL, THEY TOOK OUT THE CLINIC, SO THAT'S NOT GONNA BE AN OPTION.
I DOUBT IF THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THEIR 1.1 MILLION, UH, DOLLAR PROJECTION.
UM, THE ALARMING THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE HERE.
THIS ISSUE IS AS A RETIREE OR SOMEONE WHO IS GOING
[03:10:01]
TO RETIRE FROM THE CITY OF BOSTON, IF YOU DON'T ACCEPT YOUR INSURANCE, YOU CAN NEVER GET ON.ENOVIA JOSEPH, SCOTT COBB, LUIS ORAS, DEAN HARRIS, LARRY EDWARDS.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
HELLO, MY NAME IS SCOTT COBB AND I WANT TO, UH, TALK ABOUT FIRST THE PROPOSED 16 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES TO WORK ON GROUNDS AND MAINTENANCE.
I WANNA POINT OUT THAT SOME OF THOSE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE TARGETED TO WORK INSIDE THE POOLS, PARTICULARLY BARTON SPRINGS.
THERE'S A SHIFT AT BARTON SPRINGS CALLED BATHROOM ATTENDANT THIS SUMMER.
ALL THE OPEN LIFEGUARD DOES IS CLEAN THE BATHROOMS ALL DAY LONG.
THAT'S A WASTE OF OPEN LIFEGUARD RESOURCES.
OF COURSE, WE ALSO NEED MORE FULL-TIME LIFEGUARDS BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE NOT FULL-TIME, WHEN WE ARE TEMPORARY, BAD THINGS HAPPEN.
TEMPORARIES CAN BE FIRED AT WILL.
I KNOW A WOMAN COMPLAINED ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT BY ANOTHER AQUATICS EMPLOYEE TO A MAN WHO IS HER SUPERVISOR.
ON THAT VERY SAME DAY, THAT MAN HAD THAT WOMAN FIRED, EVEN THOUGH SHE COMPLAINED ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE.
CHECK YOUR EMAILS, SHE SENT, SENT YOU ALL AN EMAIL THIS MORNING.
NO, NO ABILITY TO APPEAL THAT.
IF WE ARE TEMPORARIES, WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TO APPEAL IT.
THERE'S NO APPEAL FOR TEMPORARIES.
THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE OR ALL OF YOU, THE CITY ATTORNEYS, THE CITY MANAGER, YOU GUYS CANNOT APPEAL IT.
ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES CAN EXCEPT TEMPORARIES.
THE LOWEST PAID PEOPLE IN THE CITY WITH THE FEWEST BENEFITS HAVE NO RECOURSE TO APPEAL ANY DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES.
NOW, YOU COULD EASILY IMPLEMENT THAT EITHER WITH A SEPARATE SYSTEM JUST FOR TEMPORARIES TO APPEAL IT WITHIN THEIR DEPARTMENTS OR AMENDING THE CITY CHARTER, WHICH WAS ADOPTED UNDER MISLEADING LANGUAGE IN 2012.
THAT SAID, MOST CITY EMPLOYEES WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
IT DID NOT SPECIFY THAT LONG-TERM TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES WHO'VE WORKED FOR YEARS WOULD BE EXCLUDED.
THERE ARE OTHER CASES OF SEXUAL INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR OF PEOPLE BEING FIRED AND REASSIGNED.
WOMEN WHO'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT TO THEIR MALE SUPERVISORS.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU NOW KNOW ABOUT IT.
I'VE TALKED TO ANGELA BEANS ABOUT A SOLUTION.
SHE'S VERY OPEN, SHE'S LOOKING INTO IT.
BUT YOU NEED TO GIVE YOUR INPUT FOR PREVIOUS PARK DIRECTOR.
I TOLD HER ABOUT THIS 2022, SHE SHRUGGED AND DIDN'T CARE.
NOW WE MAY HAVE SOMEONE WHO DOES CARE SO WE CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND PROTECT THOSE PEOPLE WHO START WORKING FOR YOU, SERVING THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN WHEN THEY'RE 15, 16, 17.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.
MAYOR, I JUST, I WANNA FLAG THAT'S, UM, NOT GOOD NEWS IF THAT'S IN FACT HAPPENING, AND WE'LL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO IT.
I'M SURE A NUMBER OF US HERE ARE VERY DISTURBED TO, TO HEAR THAT THAT'S THE CASE.
SHE, SHE SAYS SHE'S GOING TO, OR PEOPLE WILL LOOK INTO WHAT SHE SAID.
I SAID, YOU SHOULD GET AN EMAIL TODAY AND ANOTHER ONE IN THE LATER IN THE PART OF THE WEEK.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COME TO THE PODIUM, IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND BEGIN YOUR, YOUR COMMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS LARRY EDWARDS, UM, HERE WITH A TX PEACE.
UM, LAST YEAR WHEN I GOT OUTTA JAIL, I REACHED OUT TO, AT P AT T XPS FOR RESOURCES AND SOME GUIDANCE AND SOME MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE.
THEY WAS ABLE TO MAKE ME PART OF THEIR PROGRAM.
AND NOT ONLY THAT, A COUPLE OF, AFTER SIX MONTHS OF BEING A, A PARTICIPANT IN THEIR PROGRAM, I WAS ABLE TO APPLY AND BECOME PART OF THE STAFF.
AND ON MY SECOND DAY OF WORK, WE WAS, WE WAS ABLE TO STOP SOME POTENTIAL GUN VIOLENCE IN THE NORTH AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I VERY FAMILIAR WITH.
[03:15:01]
POLICE WAS CALLED.WE WERE JUST ABLE TO JUST TALK TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND KIND OF DEESCALATE THE SITUATION.
ANOTHER SITUATION THAT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THAT, WE WAS ABLE TO STOP A FIGHT AT ICE 35 AND 180 3, A PHYSICAL FIST FIGHT.
THE DUDES WERE PUNCHING, SWINGING.
WE WAS ABLE TO COME IN AND MAYBE CONVINCE THESE GENTLEMEN THAT, HEY, PEACE MAY BE A BETTER OPTION.
JUST I WANT YOU GUYS TO THINK ABOUT SUPPORTING A TX PEACE AND WHATEVER MOVEMENT OR WHATEVER THEY'RE ASKING YOU GUYS FOR, BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S REALLY IS MAKING A CHANGE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
LUIS ORAS, DEAN HARRIS, MONICA GUZMAN, DEB NGI, KATHY MITCHELL, AND PATRICK BIXLER.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
GOOD AFTERNOON AND FEEL FREE TO BEGIN.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR, CITY MANAGER.
MY NAME IS RU GUTIERREZ AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROTO TETRO.
WE ARE A LATINO PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PRESERVING PROMOTING LATINX CULTURE, AND WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING AUSTIN WEIRD PROUDLY FOR OVER 20 YEARS, AND AS AN AUSTIN NATIVE THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR OVER THREE DECADES.
SADLY, I HAVE NEVER SEEN OUR CITY'S CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM IN SUCH A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND UTTER CRISIS.
THEREFORE, I'M HERE TO, UH, SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND ALSO THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE ARTS COMMISSION AND THE HISPANIC QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION BECAUSE THESE ARE THE ONLY SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS THAT WE HAVE AS A CITY TO STABILIZE OUR CRUMBLING ARTS ECOSYSTEM FOR THIS UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.
NOW, LIKE THE CHAIR OF THE HISPANIC, UH, QUALITY AND THE ARTS COMMISSION STATED IN HER STATEMENT EARLIER, OUR CITY IS FAILING OUR ARTISTS AT MULTIPLE FRONTS.
OVER THE PAST DECADE, MORE THAN 90% OF OUR SMALL PERFORMANCE VENUES HAVE BEEN SOLD AND GENTRIFIED, LEAVING US WITH MAYBE FOUR, FIVE PERFORMANCE VENUES FOR OUR ENTIRE CITY.
NOW, THIS IS COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT FOR THE 12TH YEAR IN A ROW, AUSTIN HAS BEEN NAMED THE FASTEST GROWING METRO AREA IN THE COUNTRY.
NOW WE ONLY DEPEND ON THE HOT TAX FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR ECOSYSTEM, AND LIKE THE CHAIR OF THE ARTS COMMISSION STATED THAT IS DOES NOT COME EVEN CLOSE TO WHAT OUR CITY NEEDS.
THE FASTEST GROWING METRO AREA IN THE UNITED STATES.
WE HAVE OVER 400 ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT APPLY FOR FUNDING EVERY YEAR.
WE NEED MORE VENUES, WE NEED MORE REHEARSAL STUDIOS, WE NEED MORE FUNDING PROGRAMS. BUT NOW AS A LATINO, I WANNA ADD THE LAYER OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC INEQUITY IN OUR FRAGILE SYSTEM.
REMEMBER THAT WE REPRESENT 30% OF OUR CITY AS LATINOS ANDOS.
OUR ONLY MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER HAS BEEN CLOSED NOW FOR THREE YEARS.
HOW IS IT THAT THE CAPITAL OF TEXAS HAS NO MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER? IT'S PRETTY UNTHINKABLE FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS LOVING MARGARITAS AND TACOS, BUT WE CAN'T EVEN HAVE A CULTURAL CENTER FOR 30% OF OUR POPULATION.
OUR CULTURAL CITY FUNDING WAS FROZEN IN 2021 BECAUSE A THIRD PARTY AUDIT DEEMED THAT SINCE THE 1970S THERE WAS A DRASTIC AND EQUITABLE FUNDING DISTRIBUTION TO MINORITY ARTISTS.
IN SIMPLE TERMS, FOR 50 YEARS, BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINO, ASIAN, ASIAN AMERICAN, MIDDLE EASTERN ARTISTS WERE BEING LEFT OUT OF THE FUNDING MATRICES BECAUSE OF THE DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN OUR FUNDING MODELS.
PROGRAMS ARE RELAUNCHED IN 2023 WITH A PRETENSE THAT THEY'RE EQUITABLE.
NOW LAST YEAR, BUT LAST YEAR I WAS HERE ALSO BECAUSE WE HAD GOOGLE TRANSLATIONS.
SO PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ARTS COMMISSION.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M MONICA GOSMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR AT GAVA GO AUSTIN BAOS AUSTIN.
WE WANNA START BY THANKING ALL OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET COALITIONS, PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS FOR PULLING TOGETHER A ROBUST, EQUITABLE AND CLIMATE RESILIENT BUDGET PROPOSAL.
WE ALSO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES FOR REQUESTING WHICH OF THE CIB COALITIONS REQUESTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE CITY'S BASED BUDGET PROPOSAL.
IN THE BREAKDOWN PROVIDED IT SHOWS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT, WE'RE PLEASED TO READ THAT THERE IS AVAILABLE FUNDING FOR THE 75,000 BUILDING COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK GRANT.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING IT INCLUDED IN THE APPROVED FISCAL 25 BUDGET
[03:20:01]
AND WORKING WITH AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH TO BUILD A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK.WE ALSO URGE YOU TO INVEST IN THE OTHER PARTS OF THE ECE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION.
WE NEED TO SEE CITY INVESTMENT IN THE WORKFORCE BEHIND THE WORKFORCE.
WE ASK YOU TO INVEST 500,000 FOR THE STARTUP COSTS FOR THE PILOT FOR COMMUNITY OWNED GROCERY COOPERATIVE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANT.
AUSTIN HAS A HIGH COST OF LIVING AND MANY IN AUSTIN ARE STRUGGLING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANT IS AN INVESTMENT IN AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MORE THAN 200 HOUSEHOLDS.
I DID SEE ON THE COUNCIL MESSAGE BOARD FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE APPEAR TO BE CURRENTLY SUPPORTING THAT.
SO THANK YOU AND I HOPE THE REST OF YOU JUMP ON BOARD TENANT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.
ACCORDING TO THE BREAKDOWN, THERE'S A MILLION DOLLARS FUNDING AVAILABLE IN THE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS ALSO APPROVED AND USED FOR TENANT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE FOR RESIDENTS WHO ARE UPROOTED FROM THEIR HOMES, THEIR COMMUNITIES DUE TO RAPID REDEVELOPMENT, LACKING PROTECTIVE MEASURES RESILIENCE HUBS.
BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE BREAKDOWN, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING.
THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION IS NOT ABOUT MAINTAINING THE RESILIENCE HUBS.
WE ARE REQUESTING COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WITH ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITIES ADJACENT TO THE RESILIENCE HUBS, WE URGE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THAT CAN BE MOVED THROUGH A FISCAL AGENT TO COMMUNITY GROUPS FOR EACH OF THE ORIGINAL SIX RESILIENCE HUBS IN AUSTIN'S EASTERN CRESCENT TO ADDRESS UNMET NEEDS OF RESIDENTS SEEKING SHELTER DURING A CLIMATE STRESSOR.
DISCRETIONARY FUNDING CAN COVER THE COST OF BASIC NEEDS, INCLUDING FOOD AND WATER, AS WELL AS PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND OTHER CRITICAL NEEDS NOT LISTED IN THE CIB BUDGET.
PROPOSAL IS HEAT MITIGATION A RECOMMENDATION FOR $2 MILLION INVESTMENT.
THERE'S A NEED TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN AUSTIN.
IMMEDIATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUCH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECENT HEAT REPORT, UNDERSTANDING HEAT IN NORTH AUSTIN, TEXAS IN ORDER TO REDUCE NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPACTS FROM ALREADY INCREASING TEMPERATURES AND URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT.
DUE TO CONSIDERABLE IMPERVIOUS COVER, WE URGE COUNCIL TO INCREASE FUNDING TO PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR STAFFING NEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH POOLS AND SPLASH PADS, AND INCREASING MAINTENANCE OF THOSE FACILITIES TO THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARIES STAFFING NEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASING USE AS COOLING SHELTERS AND OTHER HEAT MITIGATION MEASURES IN OUR DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE RUNDBERG COMMUNITY IN THE ST.
DEV NEOGI, KATHY MITCHELL, PATRICK BIXLER, TREVOR BROOKS, AND SONYA BURNS.
I STARTED BY SAYING GOOD MORNING, BUT IT IS WAY POST LUNCH.
MY NAME IS DAVE NGI AND I'M A PROFESSOR AT UT AND I'M HERE TO SHARE OUR COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE UT C CLIMATE COLLAB.
UH, THE UTC CLIMATE COLLAB IS A JOINT INITIATIVE BETWEEN THE UT AND CITY AND IT BUILDS CLIMATE AND WEATHER EXPERTISE AND INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT HAS BEEN SUPPORTING CITY STAFF, RESEARCHERS AND STUDENTS BY BUILDING AND SUSTAINING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOCUS ON WEATHER AND CLIMATE DATA.
UH, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FROM THE COLLAB IS THAT IT IS AN IMPROVEMENT OF CITY SERVICES AND ALSO LONG-TERM RISK REDUCTION.
AND THIS IS BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM, NOT AS PARACHUTE CONSULTANTS, AND WE COLLECTIVELY MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, PLAN AND PREPARE FOR THE WEATHER AND CLIMATE EXTREMES, WHETHER IT IS SUCH AS THE HEAT THAT WAS DISCUSSED OR DROUGHTS OR WILDFIRES AND STORMS. UH, FOR THIS, THE COLLAPSE FRAMEWORK IS THAT WE PROVIDE CITY DEPARTMENTS WITH ACCESSIBILITY TO THE BEST CLIMATE AND WEATHER DATA TOOLS, WHICH THEN HELP THEM TO CREATE SOLUTIONS FOR DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. THE COLLAB FUNDING MODEL HAS BEEN FOR EVERY DOLLAR CITY HAS INVESTED, UT STAFF AND RESEARCHERS HAVE PUT MORE THAN TWO, AND THEN WE ARE COLLECTIVELY ABLE TO GO AND PURSUE MORE THAN $5 MILLION IN PROJECTS IN THE PAST YEAR.
THAT HAS BEEN OUR COLLECTIVE WIN JUST IN ONE YEAR.
SO THE VALUE THAT THIS COLLABORATION BRINGS IS THAT THIS PARTICULAR FEATURE IS HELPING EVERYONE.
IT IS A FINANCIALLY VIABLE MODEL AND IT CREATES REAL AND USEFUL BENEFITS TO THE CITY.
PLUS IT ENABLES SO MUCH MORE LEARNING AND GROWTH BY ALL PARTNERS AND STUDENTS INVOLVED.
HOWEVER, WITHOUT SUSTAINED INVESTMENT, UH, FROM THE CITY, THE COLLAB WILL STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE AND THE EXTERNAL GRANTS ARE VARIABLE.
SO WE NEED CONSISTENT SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN THE TEAM AND CREATE LASTING CHANGE.
I HOPE YOU'LL CONSIDER IT AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIME.
I'M KATHY MITCHELL WITH EQUITY ACTION.
I'M HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET ITEMS, AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH SO FAR TO, UH, DIG INTO THE BUDGET WITH GOOD BUDGET QUESTIONS THAT REALLY DO ANSWER A LOT OF,
[03:25:01]
YOU KNOW, WHAT IT IS THE COMMUNITY'S TR BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.UH, I PARTICULARLY WANT TO THANK, UH, VANESSA FUENTES FOR, UH,
AND I APPRECIATE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, I'M SORRY, CITY MANAGER, BROAD NECKS FOR THE NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE BASELINE BUDGET.
EVEN IF IT'S ONLY PARTIAL FUNDING, THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE GOING AWAY.
UM, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPECIFICALLY COMMENT ON, UM, THE POLICE BUDGET ITEMS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT BETWEEN THE STAFFING MONEY AVAILABLE THROUGH VACANCY SAVINGS AND THE STUFF MONEY AVAILABLE THROUGH, UH, THE ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS, OF WHICH THE CITY, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS FOUR, THE NEW ITEMS THAT A PD WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE GET FUNDED CAN BE FUNDED FROM WITHIN EXISTING FUNDS.
UH, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT TO THE MANY WHO ARE LISTENING TODAY THAT NOTHING IN THAT 18 MILLION BUYS ANOTHER OFFICER.
SO IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE, UH, DOING THAT, THEN I THINK IF WE'RE REALLY DEALING WITH ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES, THERE ARE MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAYS TO DO THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE THINGS THAT DON'T INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGET IN A WAY THAT WE CAN NEVER CLAW BACK.
THE POLICE BUDGET SHOULD BE SEEN AS A SPECIAL CASE IN TERMS OF HOW IT IS MANAGED BY THE CITY.
THE DEC, THE, YOU CAN NEVER CLAW IT BACK.
PROVISION IN STATE LAW MAKES IT A SPECIAL CASE, WHICH MEANS THAT WHEN WE ADD MONEY TO IT, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S GETTING US SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T GET ANY OTHER WAY.
SO IN THIS CASE, UH, I'M PARTICULARLY FOCUSED ON THE KROLL REPORT OUTCOMES.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, I SPENT MANY YEARS OF MY LIFE PARTICIPATING WITH YOU IN THE ACADEMY IMPROVEMENT PROCESS THAT SADLY DIDN'T REALLY IMPROVE THE ACADEMY VERY MUCH.
AND SO WE STILL HAVE A NUTRITION PROBLEM AT THE ACADEMY, WHICH IS WHERE ALL OF THIS STARTED, 5, 6, 7 YEARS AGO.
IT WAS WITH THE CADETS WHO FILED A LAWSUIT BECAUSE THE BEHAVIORS THAT THEY SAW AT THE ACADEMY WERE SOMETHING WE SHOULDN'T BE SUPPORTING IN THIS TOWN.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO JUST POINT OUT THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE STAFF AT THE POLICE ACADEMY, DON'T DO IT WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE OUTCOME.
TREVOR BROOKS, SONYA BURNS, ANDY COCO, CAROLYN SUMS BRANDON BOONE AND JEN DRUMS. IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME DOWN, UH, AND BE PREPARED.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A PROFESSOR AT THE OBJ SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M SPEAKING AS A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL, NOT ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY, BUT IN FAVOR OF SUPPORTING THE UT CITY CLIMATE COLAB TO ADDRESS UNMET CLIMATE ADAPTATION NEEDS.
MY FIRST RESEARCH PROJECT WHEN MOVING TO AUSTIN AND STARTING AT UT IN 2017 WAS TO TAKE OVER THE CENTRAL TEXAS SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS THAT STARTED IN 1999.
WE NOW CALL THAT THE AUSTIN AREA SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS.
WORKING WITH THIS PROJECT HAS GIVEN ME, UM, A REALLY GOOD GLIMPSE OF THE TEMPORAL TRENDS RELATED TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE SUSTAINABILITY AND WELLBEING IN AUSTIN OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.
UH, IN PARTICULAR, WE SEE A REALLY CLEAR TREND LINE RELATED TO RESIDENT PERCEPTIONS AND BELIEFS RELATED TO THE CONCERN ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND FROM THE PUBLIC'S PERSPECTIVE, THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF CLIMATE ADAPTATION INVESTMENTS INTO COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THERE'S ALSO A TREND HAPPENING IN ELITE RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS LIKE UT THAT'S REALLY FLIPPING THE TOWN AND GOWN RELATIONSHIP THAT DYNAMIC ON ITS HEAD.
THERE IS A RESOUNDING BELIEF BY THOSE INVOLVED IN THIS CLIMATE COLAB THAT WE MUST MOVE BEYOND DESCRIBING AND EXPLAINING SUSTAINABILITY CLIMATE AND COMMUNITY PROBLEMS TO ACTUALLY INTERWEAVING THAT KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE WITH LOCAL EXPERTISE AND LIVED EXPERIENCE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, UH, FOR SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS. AND THIS IS THE WORK OF THE CLIMATE COLLAB.
I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF A VERY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AND AN INVESTMENT TO IMPROVE THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN THROUGH ONE OF A KIND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMIA AGENCIES, COMMUNITIES THAT ADVANCES OPEN AND INTEGRATIVE MODELING AND DEMOCRATIZES ACCESS TO THOSE MODELS, THE DATA AND THE PLANNING PROCESSES AT THE CITY LEVEL.
[03:30:01]
UH, HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE, AND I THINK THE OPPORTUNITIES TO CENTER EQUITY AND ADVANCE CLIMATE AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE ARE TREMENDOUS.THE WORK OF THE COLAB IS ALREADY YIELDING CREATIVE INSIGHTS THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE EMERGE FROM THE MORE TRADITIONAL MODELING AND PLANNING PROCESSES.
THE CITY'S PREVIOUS INVESTMENTS INTO THE COLAB HAVE LEVERAGED, AS DR.
NAGI SAID, ALREADY LEVERAGED SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL FUNDS THROUGH AGENCIES SUCH AS NASA, NSF, AND OTHERS, WHICH IS GREAT, BUT CONSISTENT INVESTMENTS BY THE CITY CAN ENSURE A MORE RELIABLE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT AND ENSURE THE CONTINUITY OF THE COLLABORATORY.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE SERVICE.
I WANNA THANK THE LEADER LEADERSHIP OF COUNCILWOMAN ALLISON ALTER IN SUPPORT OF, UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS VELASQUEZ FUENTES, UH, RYAN ALTER, AND I HOPE THAT OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS SEE THE VALUE OF THE WORK WE'RE DOING IN THE CLIMATE.
COLAB, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
MY NAME'S TREVOR BROOKS AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WORKING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ET CITY CLIMATE COLAB.
NOW, DAVE AND PATRICK HAVE KIND OF EXPLAINED WHAT THE COLAB IS MORE ELOQUENTLY THAN I COULD, BUT I WANT TO ITERATE THAT THIS FRAMEWORK AIMS TO FACILITATE DATA SHARING AND MAKE CLIMATE DATA ACCESSIBLE TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
NOW I'M CURRENTLY A DOCTORAL STUDENT RESEARCHING EXTREME URBAN HEAT.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM MY UNDERGRAD AND MOVING BACK TO MY HOME STATE OF MARYLAND, MY INITIAL PLAN WAS TO ATTEND GRADUATE SCHOOL A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO HOME.
BUT I HAD THE FORTUNATE OPPORTUNITY OF LEARNING ABOUT THE COLAB DURING ITS INFANCY.
AND I RECOGNIZED THAT THE COLAB PRESENTED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO SEE MY WORK HAVE A REAL AND TANGIBLE IMPACT ON A COMMUNITY, AN EXPERIENCE THAT WAS UNPARALLELED BY ANY OTHER UNIVERSITY.
NOW, NOT ONLY DO I HAVE ACCESS TO THE INCREDIBLE MINDS AT UT AUSTIN, BUT THIS FRAMEWORK ALSO PROVIDES DIRECT INTERACTION WITH CITY STAFF AND OFFICIALS.
THEIR INSIGHTS HELP ME SHAPE MY RESEARCH AND OFFER THE BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT NEEDED TO DEVELOP SPECIFIC DATA AND TOOLS, UH, THAT CAN BE USED TO MAKE AUSTIN MORE RESILIENT TO EXTREME HEAT AND OTHER EXTREME WEATHER, UH, PHENOMENON.
THIS POWERFUL DYNAMIC ENABLED ME TO CRAFT A UNIQUE AND COMPELLING FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION, ULTIMATELY WINNING A NASA FELLOWSHIP.
THIS FELLOWSHIP IS ORIENTED TOWARDS BUILDING A CENTRAL TEXAS CLIMATE ATLAS THAT WILL PROVIDE HIGH RESOLUTION HEAT AND AIR QUALITY DATA, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE REMEDY SCENARIOS TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN A WAY THAT'S DIGESTIBLE FOR VARYING AUDIENCES AND DEPARTMENTS TO UNDERSTAND AND USE.
NOW, THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS TO HIGHLIGHT THIS UNIQUE NATURE OF THE COLAB, A COLLABORATION THAT NO OTHER CITY OR UNIVERSITY CAN BOAST.
THIS INITIATIVE HAS ALREADY BROUGHT CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH TO AUSTIN, ENHANCING OUR CITY'S RESILIENCE, RESILIENCY TO FUTURE CHALLENGES.
HOWEVER, THIS CRUCIAL MECHANISM REQUIRES ONGOING SUPPORT WITHIN THE CITY'S ANNUAL BUDGET.
BY INVESTING IN THE COLAB, WE CAN ENSURE THAT AUSTIN REMAINS AT THE FOREFRONT, FOREFRONT OF RESILIENCY, ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF TOMORROW, TODAY IN A WAY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE WITHIN OUR WIDER COMMUNITY.
I URGE YOU ALL TO INCLUDE TO CONSIDER INCLUDING THE COLAB IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET.
AND SINCERELY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND WELCOME TO CITY MANAGER BRAD.
MY NAME IS JOHN DRMS. I'M AN ACTIVIST, A RENTER IN DISTRICT THREE, AND CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE STATE DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WOMAN FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 35 WITHIN THE TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
WHEN I MOVED TO AUSTIN NINE YEARS AGO, WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO THIS CITY WAS THE WAY THAT AUSTINITES LOOKED OUT FOR EACH OTHER AND REALLY TOOK COMMUNITY CARE TO HEART.
WHEN I NEEDED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE AS AN UNINSURED SERVER, WORKING AT THE FAMOUS CHILIES ON 45TH AND LAMAR, CITY OF AUSTIN FUNDING ALLOWED ME TO GET AN ANNUAL EXAM AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD, WHICH FOUND PRE-CANCEROUS CELLS THAT HELPED ME GET THE CARE I NEEDED AT AN AFFORDABLE COST.
THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS ALLOWED ME A PLACE TO DO RESEARCH AND EXIST IN A SPACE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MONETARY ACCESS.
THE FUNDING GIVEN TO EMANCIPET HAS ENSURED THAT MY PETS, ROSCOE AND REBA ARE VACCINATED, NEUTERED, AND MICROCHIPPED, RESULTING IN THEIR LONG HEALTHY LIVES.
WHEN WE INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY, OUR COMMUNITY FLOURISHES.
THIS IS WHY RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET AS WRITTEN AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
IN SPITE OF A RECORD ALLOCATION FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT LAST FISCAL YEAR, WE ARE DESTINED TO GIVE THEM YET ANOTHER ASTRONOMICAL SUM AT THE RISK OF CREATING BUDGET CUTS AND DEFICITS FOR OTHER SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY, LEAVING MANY AUSTINITES IN LIMBO.
AS A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT THREE, SPECIFICALLY THE ALT WHARF RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD, I HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF WHEN DPS DECIDED TO OVER POLICE OUR COMMUNITY AND HARASS PEOPLE OF COLOR.
OFTEN FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENSES, IT'S COMMON FOR PEOPLE TO SEE POLICE CARS PARKED IN COMMUNITIES, ONLY FOR A CITIZEN TO ASK THEM FOR HELP AND BE TOLD, SORRY, THAT'S NOT MY PROBLEM.
YOU HAVE TO CALL AND GET SOMEONE ELSE.
NOW, THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION IS ENGAGING IN EXTORTION FOR 35 MILLION
[03:35:01]
MORE ON TOP OF THE PROPOSED 18 MILLION TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDINANCE THAT WAS VOTED ON BY AUSTINITES.IN SPITE OF RECEIVING MILLIONS MORE IN THE LAST BUDGET, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS FAILED TO FILL VACANCIES, REFUSE TO COME TO THE TABLE ON ACCOUNTABILITY, AND FAILED TO GIVE US A REASON TO MERIT AN $18 MILLION INCREASE.
IT'S NOT A LACK OF MONEY THAT'S PLAGUING THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT RATHER A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT AND GREED FUELING THEIR REQUESTS.
AND WHILE IT'S TEMPTING TO BEND TO THE WILL AND QUIET, IM POSITION OF A MAYOR UP FOR REELECTION WHO WON BY ONLY 700 VOTES LAST TIME IN A RUNOFF.
I ASK OUR COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER TO PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS BUDGET.
WE ARE TELLING OUR CITY THAT THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OF THE INVESTMENT AND RATHER TO GIVE INTO BULLIES AND MEET THEIR DEMANDS.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.
I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH THE MOST COMPLEX MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS WHO ARE CYCLING THROUGH THE JAILS, THE STREETS, AND INAPPROPRIATE SETTINGS AND THE HOSPITALS.
SO I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A GROUP THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF OUR PLANS EVER.
UM, WHEN WE'RE DISCUSSING HOMELESSNESS AND PUBLIC SAFETY, WE HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TOO ACUTE TO VOLUNTARILY ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL SERVICES, NOT ACUTE ENOUGH FOR INPATIENT BECAUSE THEY'RE AT BASELINE.
AND YOUR BASELINE MEANS THAT YOU CANNOT LIVE SAFELY AND SUCCESSFULLY IN THE COMMUNITY.
HER OLMSTED, A PERSON IS SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE SERVICES IN THE MOST INTEGRATED, LEAST RESTRICTIVE, MOST APPROPRIATE SETTING AVAILABLE.
AND RIGHT NOW, WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHRUG AND THAT PLACE IS JAIL.
SO IN MAY, YOU HAD SOMEONE DIE WHO WAS INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL, ROBERT MUNGIA, WHO HAD CYCLED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, AND EVERYBODY AT ASH, THE POLICE INTEGRAL CARE, EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO HE IS, THE LAWYERS, THE JUDGES.
HE DIED ALONE IN A JAIL CELL WHEN HE NEEDED A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE.
AND WE HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN BE ON THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, ARE NEVER ON ANY LEVEL OF CARE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T ENGAGE.
AND THEN AT A CERTAIN POINT, WHEN YOU ARE TOO ACUTE, THERE IS NOTHING LEFT FOR YOU.
AND WE ARE NOT ADVOCATING FOR WHAT I WOULD ARGUE IS THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE PLACEMENT RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS THE STATE HOSPITAL.
SO WHEN HE DIED IN JAIL, WE HAD OVER 130 PEOPLE ON YOUR FORENSIC WAIT LIST AWAITING COMPETENCY RESTORATION, AND YOU HAD FOUR PEOPLE ON THE CIVIL WAIT LIST IN THE COMMUNITY AWAITING A COMMITMENT.
AND YOU CANNOT TELL ME THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE DID NOT MEET CRITERIA.
SO WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IS, I KNOW THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, THE CITY LEVEL ABOUT THE ASH CAMPUS, THE ASH CAMPUS IS NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND IT'S A PROBLEM.
THEY WANT AN INTENTIONAL THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY TO INCLUDE A SECURE OPTION FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT SAFE.
AND I KNOW THERE'S A DISCUSSION OF A DIVERSION FACILITY.
I THINK THERE'S A FOOTPRINT FOR BOTH, BUT THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S HEARING WHAT'S HAPPENING.
AND WHEN I'M BEING CHASED OFF OF THE CAMPUS BY THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR ASKING ME, SONYA, WHAT'S HAPPENING? THAT IS WRONG.
HE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN ALL THESE CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WORKING WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE FOR, FOR WHAT YOU DO.
ANDY COCO, CAROLYN SUMS, BRANDON BOONE, ENRIQUE SIGNS, AND CHRIS HARRIS.
MY NAME IS BRANDON BOONE AND I'M WITH THE AUSTIN URBAN TECHNOLOGY MOVEMENT.
TODAY I'M REPRESENTING A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CRITICAL BUZZ AMENDMENTS TO ADVOCATE FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT JUST ABOUT INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERMENT, IT'S ABOUT FOSTERING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND COMMUNITY STABILITY.
THIS IS WHY THE CIB IS CRUCIAL.
THE ENTIRE CIB TOTALS ONLY SEVEN 9.5 MILLION.
A MILL, 5.7% OF THE GENERAL FUND.
WHILE THE POLICE BUDGET IS PROPOSED A BALLOON TO 496.3 MILLION, WE URGE THE COUNCIL TO REALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THE PROPOSED 18.2 MILLION INCREASE IN THE POLICE BUDGET TO THE CIB.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SITTING ON TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TIED UP IN HUNDREDS OF VACANT POSITIONS THAT CANNOT BE FILLED THE NEXT YEAR.
MOREOVER, INCREASING THE POLICE BUDGET NOW LOCKS IN PERMANENT TAX INCREASES ON ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE OFFICER NIGHTS DUE TO STATE LAW.
INSTEAD OF TEMPORARY FIXES, WE NEED LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THAT INCLUDES INCREASED RAISES, DIGITAL SKILLS, AND ECONOMIC IMPACT EVERY DAY.
WITH THE FOREFRONT OF THESE PRIORITIES, WE LOSE BILLIONS AND POTENTIAL ECONOMIC GROWTH.
BY REALLOCATING FUNDS, WE CAN SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY.
SUEX WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, MENTAL HEALTH FIRST RESPONSE, OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AND REENTRY PROGRAMS. ADDITIONALLY, REDUCING THE CITY'S RESERVE FUND
[03:40:01]
BY HALF A PERCENT, FREEZE UP 7 MILLION FOR CIB PRIORITIES AND DRAWING 2 MILLION FROM THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES RESERVES FUND CAN FULLER SUPPORT THESE ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS. INVESTING IN THESE AREAS WILL ENHANCE INDIVIDUALIZED AND FOSTER A MORE REBOS AND EQUITABLE ECONOMY.WE MUST PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY NEEDS OVER AN ALREADY BLOATED POLICE BUDGET TO ENSURE SAFER, MORE PROSPEROUS, UM, AUSTIN FOR ALL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
HELLO, MY NAME IS CAROLYN SOMMES.
I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO REALLOCATE FUNDS AWAY FROM A PD AND INTO THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, ESPECIALLY TO PROVIDE 24 7 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
WHEN I WAS 24 YEARS OLD, I WAS, I CALLED 9 1 1 TO HELP WITH A NEIGHBOR'S SERIOUS LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY.
ESSENTIALLY, I, A COMMUNITY MEMBER WAS THE FIRST RESPONDER IN THIS SITUATION.
WHEN THE POLICE AND PARAMEDICS CAME, I WAS ESCORTED TO MY APARTMENT TO AWAIT THE DETECTIVE WHO I WOULD NOT MEET WITH FOR ANOTHER SIX HOURS.
THE A PD OFFICERS POSTED WITH ME, TREATED ME AS A ROMANTIC OPTION, AND PUT ME IN AN EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE UNSAFE SITUATION WHILE I WAS IN SERIOUS DISTRESS PROCESSING MY FIRST INTERACTION WITH DEATH.
I SHARE THIS EXPERIENCE TO ILLUSTRATE ANOTHER NODE ON THE SPECTRUM OF HARM HAPPENING WHEN A POWERFUL GROUP IS GRANTED NEAR IMMUNITY.
FROM ACCOUNTABILITY, I HOPE AUSTIN SHIFTS AWAY FROM THE DANGEROUS, ANTIQUATED, EXPENSIVE, INEFFICIENT, CURRENT PUBLIC SAFETY APPROACH FOR DATA-DRIVEN, EQUITABLE, SAFE, AGILE, ALTERNATIVE FIRST RESPONSE PROGRAMS. PEOPLE WANT TO DO JOBS THAT HELP NOT HARM.
I DOUBT A PD WILL EVER AGAIN ACHIEVE FULL STAFFING BECAUSE PEOPLE WOULD RATHER WORK IN ALTERNATIVE FIRST RESPONSE.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM ALL THE INCREDIBLE GROUPS WHO TESTIFIED HERE TODAY, PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO DO THE HARD WORK OF CARING AND REPAIRING DESERVE THE MOST ROBUST FUNDING FUND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET FULLY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS TESTIFIED TODAY.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR COUNCIL.
UH, I'M WITH THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
IN RECENT YEARS, THIS COUNCIL IS LARGELY LISTENED TO THE FOLKS DEMANDING YOU INCREASE POLICE FUNDING, NOT FOR ANY SPECIFIC PUBLIC SAFETY REASON, BUT PURELY DUE TO THE PERCEPTION THAT WILL HELP IMPROVE POLICE MORALE AND STAFFING.
YOU'VE GIVEN POLICE RAISES IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE REST OF CITY WORKERS, DESPITE THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO EXTEND THEIR PREVIOUS CONTRACT TO WAIT ON THE VOTER'S DECISION ABOUT POLICE OVERSIGHT.
YOU'VE EXTENDED THEM HUGE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BONUSES.
YOU'VE EVEN PAID THEM TO COME TO THE BARGAINING TABLE, ALL IN EXCHANGE FOR NOTHING.
YOU'VE ALSO GONE ALONG WITH A PD AS THEY'VE IGNORED AND SHUNNED COMMUNITY MEMBERS PROVIDING FEEDBACK ON A TRAINING CURRICULUM THAT CONTINUES TO PHYSICALLY HARM AND MORALLY DRIVE AWAY.
CADETS BUDGETING NEW CIVILIAN HIRES IN THE TRAINING ACADEMY TO REPLACE EARNEST VOLUNTEERS WITH PAID SICK OFFENSE THAT PROMISED MORE OF THE SAME DANGEROUS TRAINING.
THE OUTCOME IS A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT CONTINUES AND WILL CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE FILLING THEIR VACANCIES, MAKING LITTLE TO NO PROGRESS.
A DEPARTMENT THAT SENDS AN OFFICER INDICTED FOR BRUTALIZING PROTESTORS TO WORK SECURITY AT CITY HALL, LITERALLY TODAY, RIGHT THERE.
SO THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE OF A MISTREATED POLICE DEPARTMENT, UNDERFUNDED AND UNLOVED.
PLAGUED INSTITUTION UNWILLING TO ADAPT TO CHANGING COMMUNITY NEEDS AND VALUES DESPITE MANY OF YOUR AND OUR BEST EFFORTS.
AND SO YOU MUST ADAPT INSTEAD, STOP THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD.
RECOGNIZE THAT HUNDREDS OF THE VACANT POLICE POSITIONS WON'T BE FILLED ANYTIME SOON.
STOP SETTING ASIDE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THESE POSITIONS AND USE THAT MONEY TO FUND THE 18.2 MILLION IN PROPOSED INCREASES PLUS ANY RAISES THEY RECEIVE FROM ANY NEW CONTRACT SO THAT THE BUDGET THAT CAN NEVER COME DOWN DOESN'T GO UP SO MUCH.
IT STARVES ALL OF OUR OTHER VITAL CITY SERVICES, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT STATE LEADERS INTENDED WHEN THEY PUT THIS LAW IN PLACE.
INSTEAD, FUND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, ESPECIALLY THOSE ITEMS THAT'LL ACTUALLY INCREASE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY IN AUSTIN THIS YEAR, WHICH NONE OF THE 18.2 MILLION WILL DO.
SUPPORT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, RAPID REHOUSING, INVESTMENTS, VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, CLIMATE EQUITY, FOOD SUSTAINABILITY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FAMILY STABILIZATION PARKS, LIBRARIES, AND EXPANDING 24 7 ALTERNATIVE FIRST RESPONSE TO ENSURE THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO 9 1 1 CALLS AT THE RIGHT TIME.
IN SHORT, FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHE THE THE EXPOSED HOUSE, THE HOMELESS, AND CARE FOR THE SICK.
DON'T DOUBLE DOWN ON FAILED AND IMMORAL STRATEGIES.
THE EXPOSED JAILING, THE HOME, THE THE HOMELESS AND BRUTALIZING, THE SICK.
[03:45:01]
IS ENRIQUE SIGNS.I AM HERE AS A LEADER WITH OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CENTRAL TEXAS INTERFAITH CENTRAL TEXAS.
INTERFAITH APPRECIATES THE INCLUSION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS YEAR'S PROPOSED BUDGET AND SUPPORTS AN EXPLICIT COMMITMENT TO FUND LONG TERM JOB DEVELOPMENT TRAINING.
CAPITAL IDEA IS A, A LONG TERM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS.
HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS IN CENTRAL TEXAS TELL US THAT CAPITAL IDEA IS ESSENTIAL IN DEVELOPING A LOCAL WORKFORCE THAT STAFFS OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
INDEPENDENT STUDIES FROM UT AUSTIN INDICATE THAT THIS PROGRAM LIFTS LOW INCOME PEOPLE OUT OF WORKING POVERTY AND INTO THE MIDDLE CLASS WHILE GIVING THE CITY A SEVEN TO ONE RETURN ON ITS INVESTMENT.
LONG TERM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MAKES AUSTIN TRULY AFFORDABLE FOR THOSE WHO WORK HERE TO ALSO LIVE HERE.
IT ENRICHES OUR ECONOMY IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS LOCAL FAMILIES, PREVENTS DISPLACEMENT OF ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE CITIZENS, AND REPAYS THE CITY INVESTMENT MANY TIMES OVER.
FOR THESE REASONS, WE REQUEST THAT PART OF THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATION BE DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY FOR LONG-TERM JOB TRAINING AT A, AT A UH, LEVEL COMMENSURATE WITH WHAT THE CITY HAS DONE IN THE PAST.
ALL THE SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHOSE NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, THEY DIDN'T GET TO TESTIFY? OKAY, IN THAT CASE, MEMBERS, UH, THOSE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER THREE OR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEM NUMBER TWO.
UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER THREE.
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.
I WANNA THANK EVERYBODY WHO SPOKE ON BEHALF.
UH, I WANNA THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE COUNCIL AND AS WE'VE DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE, WE WILL NOT ACTUALLY VOTE ON THE BUDGET TODAY.
HOWEVER, TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH TEXAS LAW, WE NEED TO TECHNICALLY POSTPONE A VOTE ON THE BUDGET.
SINCE WE HELD A PUBLIC HEARING TODAY, UH, THE MOTION IS MADE TO POSTPONE, UH, THE ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 20 24, 20 25 BUDGET TO AUGUST 14TH, 2024 HERE IN AUSTIN, CITY HALL 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING BY A COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION? THE MOTION IS, UH, SUSTAINED AND, AND ADOPTED MEMBERS THAT NOW TAKES US.
UH, I WANT TO ALSO POINT OUT, YOU, YOU ALL KNOW THIS, WE'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES, BUT I WANT TO CONTINUE TO, TO POUND ON IT.
THE COUNCIL BUDGET DISCUSSION, DISCUSSIONS AND VOTING WILL, UH, BE ON AUGUST 14TH, AS I'VE JUST INDICATED AND AS THE COUNCIL JUST VOTED.
BUT WE WILL CONTINUE THOSE DISCUSSIONS ON AUGUST 15TH AND 16TH IF NECESSARY.
UH, AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S CLEAR ON THAT.
THAT CONCLUDES ITEM NUMBER THREE AND WE'LL TAKE US NOW BACK TO ITEM NUMBER TWO MEMBERS.
WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER TWO, AND THAT IS RELATED TO THE MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE.
WE HAVE A RESOLUTION AND YOU HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF YOU.
IT'S LABELED VERSION NUMBER TWO.
IT'S LABELED VERSION NUMBER TWO ON THE YELLOW SHEET THAT YOU'VE BEEN PROVIDED.
UH, THAT RESOLUTION IS TO ADOPT THE MAXIMUM PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 20 24, 20 25, BUDGET AND TAX RATE APPROVAL MEETINGS ON AUGUST 14TH, 15TH AND 16TH IF NEEDED, AND SET THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TAX RATE ON AUGUST 14TH.
THAT'S WHAT ALL THAT RESOLUTION DOES.
NOW, AS YOU KNOW, UNDER TEXAS STATE LAW, A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE MAXIMUM PROPOSED TAX RATE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER REQUIRES A ROLL CALL VOTE.
UH, SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT IF YOU'RE JOINING US VIRTUALLY, UH, WE NEED TO HAVE YOUR CAMERA TURNED ON WHEN THE VOTE IS CALLED.
THE MAXIMUM RATE THAT THE CITY CAN ADOPT WITHOUT EXCEEDING THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE SET BY STATE LAW IS 47.76 CENTS PER HUNDRED DOLLARS.
[03:50:01]
47.76 CENTS PER A HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION, WHICH INCLUDES AN INCREASE OF 3.5% FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY.IF WE GO ABOVE THAT RATE, WE MUST CALL AN ELECTION.
I'M GOING, THE MAYOR PRO TEM MOVES TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SETTING, THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE THAT COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 TO 2025 AT 47.76 CENTS PER A HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION, INCLUDING AN INCREASE OF 3.5% FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE CITY, AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR COUNCIL TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE FISCAL YEAR 20 24, 20 25, PROPERTY TAX RATE AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST 14TH, 2024 AT AUSTIN CITY HALL IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS MEMBERS, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION, ADOPTING A MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE OF 47.76 CENTS PER HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION FOR COUNSEL TO CONSIDER WHEN IT ADOPTS THE TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 24, 20 25, AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPERTY TAX RATE AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST 14TH, 2024 HERE AT AUSTIN CITY HALL.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.
UM, SO THIS NUMBER IS HIGHER THAN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
UM, CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT WE VERY QUICKLY GET A TAX UPDATED TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT BECAUSE IT LIKELY HAS A CHANGED IMPACT ON TAXPAYERS' ALMOST DOUBLE IN TERMS OF THE IMPACT? I THINK SO.
YEAH, SHE CAN, SHE CAN ADDRESS THAT FOR YOU.
I MEAN, I KNOW THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO GO, BUT I, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME TRANSPARENCY ON THIS, WHICH I'M SURE WE WILL.
I JUST WANNA ENSURE THAT, 'CAUSE I HAVE MY TOWN HALL ON MONDAY AND YES, UH, CARRIE LANG BUDGET OFFICER, UM, THE, UM, INCREASED RATE WILL RESULT IN A, UM, $188, UM, AND 2 CENT INCREASE TO THE MEDIAN HOMEOWNER.
AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET? THE PROPOSED BUDGET, UM, RATE WOULD HAVE BEEN A $102 AND 26 UH, CENTS INCREASE.
UM, AND AGAIN, IF WE CAN GET AN UPDATED TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WE'LL BEGIN WORKING ON THAT.
BUT WE, WE OUGHT TO DO THAT, BUT IF YOU DON'T MIND, MS. LANG, WHY DON'T YOU ALSO EXPLAIN WHY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BY THE MANAGER'S OFFICE AND WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE NOW VOTING ON, WHY THAT DIFF WHY THERE IS THAT DIFFERENCE? SURE.
SO, UM, WHEN WE PROPOSE OUR BUDGET, WE PROPOSE IT ON THE ESTIMATE THAT WE RECEIVE FROM, UM, THE APPRAISAL DISTRICTS.
AND, UM, WE GET THAT CERTIFIED ROLE FROM THE THREE APPRAISAL DISTRICTS, UM, AT THE END OF JULY.
SO WE RECEIVE THEM, UM, THE LAST, UH, ROLE BY LAST FRIDAY.
AND, UM, THE ROLES ENDED UP BEING, UM, WE LOST SOME, SOME EVALUATION THROUGH PROTESTS.
SO WE LOST SOME PROTEST IN, UM, THE DISTRICT'S LOST PROTESTS, AND SO THE VALUATION OF OUR PROPERTIES WENT DOWN WITH THOSE DECREASED VALUATIONS.
IN ORDER TO RAISE THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE, WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE RATE TO, UM, GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WOULD, THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO GET TO THE 3.5%.
AND ISN'T THIS ALSO THE, THE MAX, UH, PROPOSED PROPERTY ADVIL ARM TAX RATE ABOVE WHICH WE WILL NOT GO, CORRECT? RIGHT.
AND SO THE OTHER NUMBER IS SOME VALUATION BELOW THAT, THE OTHER NUMBER, THE ONE THAT YOU HAD THE PROPOSED YES, THAT WAS BASED ON OUR ESTIMATED, UH, ROLE.
FURTHER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, WHEN WE'RE CALCULATING THAT $188, IS THAT STILL APPLYING IT TO THE MEDIAN HOME VALUE? THAT WAS THE ESTIMATE? OR IS THAT ON THE NEW MEDIAN VALUE NOW THAT APPRAISALS HAVE GONE DOWN ON THE NEW MEDIAN VALUE.
GOOD QUESTIONS? ANYTHING ELSE, MEMBERS? ALL RIGHT THERE.
BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK
[03:55:01]
AND ASK THE CITY CLERK TO PLEASE CALL THE ROLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW SO THAT EACH COUNCIL MEMBER'S VOTE IS RECORDED.COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER? YES.
REGISTERED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY AND ONE, ONE PRESENT BUT NOT VOTING.
THE MOTION IS ADOPTED MEMBERS, I'M SORRY, CAST MEMBER HARPER MADISON, YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU NEED TO SAY? NO.
I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ME, I JUST TURNED ON MY CAMERA TO MAKE MR. PRESIDENT, I, I, I APOLOGIZE.
I, I'VE, I RECORDED YOUR VOTE AS PRESENT, NOT VOTING.
UM, SO MEMBERS THAT CAN, MR. MAYOR, THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE.
I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU WERE VOTING.
YES, I, WHEN YOU SAID PRESENT, I TOOK THAT AS PRESENT, NOT VOTING.
OKAY, SO FOR THE RECORD, YOU'RE VOTING YES.
ONE VOTE NO, UH, AS REGISTERED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KELLY.
AND SO THE MOTION PASSES ON A VOTE OF 10 TO ONE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER MEMBERS, THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE BUSINESS, UH, OF THIS MEETING.
I WANT TO REMIND FOLKS WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS, BOTH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC.
WE, UM, IT'S BEEN REQUESTED THAT WE USE THE TIME WE SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH, 2024, UH, FOR A WORK SESSION.
UH, THAT WILL BE A WORK SESSION THAT WILL BEGIN AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
THE WORK SESSION WILL BEGIN AT 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH A DISCUSSION RELATED TO OUR HOMELESS SERVICES, UM, ON AUGUST.
BUT LET ME ALSO PAUSE BEFORE WE GET TO THE SIXTH.
THE DAY BEFORE, THE SIXTH IS THE FIFTH.
AND, UM, AT LEAST THE WAY MY CALENDAR, IF WE'VE GOT DISCUSSION ON THAT, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN HERE ON AUGUST 5TH AT SIX O'CLOCK, THAT IS WHEN WE ARE ASKING THE PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND BUDGET IOCS BE, UH, SHARED SO THAT EVERYBODY WILL KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE AND HAVE THOSE OUT.
UH, I CONGRATULATE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT ARE PUTTING THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE MESSAGE BOARD.
PLEASE KEEP DOING THAT, PARTICULARLY AS YOU REFINE THE IDEAS THAT YOU'RE WORKING ON.
UM, I, I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK GOES INTO THAT, BUT AS YOU REFINE THOSE IDEAS AND YOU PUT THOSE, YOU UPDATE THOSE MESSAGE BOARD POSTS THAT WILL HELP US ALL MOVE FORWARD.
UH, I WILL POST TODAY, AGAIN, A REMINDER ABOUT WHERE TO SEND THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND WHERE TO SEND THE BUDGET FCS, UH, SO THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE THAT.
BUT THE, THAT OUR, OUR, OUR TARGET IS MONDAY, AUGUST 5TH AT 6:00 PM TO HAVE ALL OF THOSE IN.
THEN WE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH, BEGINNING AT 10 O'CLOCK.
THAT DISCUSSION WILL BE ABOUT HOMELESS SERVICES.
THEN THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH, WE WILL ALSO HAVE A WORK SESSION.
UH, THE PURPOSE OF THAT SESSION WILL BE FOR US TO HAVE EACH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, THE MAYOR PUBLICLY LAY OUT ANY PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENTS OR, AND OR BUDGET IFCS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THOSE QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, UM, AND IN SOME CASES PROBABLY DETERMINE WHICH ONES ARE REDUNDANT OR PROPOSALS THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE CONSOLIDATED.
AGAIN, THE MESSAGE BOARD WILL HELP US WITH ALL OF THAT, I'M SURE.
UH, THEN OF COURSE, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14TH, THAT IS THE FIRST DAY OF, UH, WHEN WE CAN VOTE ON THE BUDGET AS, AS WE JUST VOTED.
WE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT DATE RELATED TO THE BUDGET AND WE WILL HAVE THE FIRST VOTE ON THE BUDGET.
AND THE 15TH AND THE 16TH ARE ALSO SET ASIDE IF WE NEED THEM.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER, UM, I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT, YOU KNOW, SOME OF US HAVE BEEN OPERATING UNDER A VERY TIGHT BUDGET APPROACH AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN PUTTING FORWARD,
[04:00:01]
UM, AMENDMENTS THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF DOLLARS.AND SO THERE MAY BE CHANGES IF WE DO FIND THAT THERE'S MORE DOLLARS AVAILABLE THAT, THAT THOSE OF US WHO'VE BEEN OPERATING UNDER A TIGHT UM, ENVIRONMENT MAY CHOOSE TO, TO LOOK TOWARDS ONCE WE SEE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE, UM, HAVE COME OUT.
I, I AGREE WITH THE GOAL OF HAVING EVERYTHING IN FOR MONDAY, BUT, BUT WE MAY BE GETTING DIFFERENT INFORMATION NEXT WEEK, UM, THAT WILL HELP GUIDE US.
I STILL THINK WE'RE GONNA END UP ON THE TIGHT SIDE OF THIS.
UM, BUT I JUST WANNA, YOU KNOW, WE STILL HAVE THE PREROGATIVE UP UNTIL WE'RE VOTING TO, TO PUT FORWARD.
NOBODY IS TRYING TO TAKE AWAY YOUR PROACTIVE.
WE'RE JUST TRYING WORK EFFICIENTLY.
I DIDN'T, I WAS JUST TRYING TO CLARIFY TO CLARIFY THAT I WAS NOT, UM, SAYING YOU SAID OTHERWISE.
UM, LAST YEAR MS. CARRIE LANG HELPED US WITH OUR BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND, AND MANAGED THE SPREADSHEET FOR US.
ARE WE GOING TO FOLLOW THAT SAME PROTOCOL SO THAT I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF HELP THAT STAFF GIVES US ALONG THE WAY? SOMETIMES WE END UP WHITTLING DOWN A FULL-TIME TO A HALF A YEAR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE.
ARE YOU GONNA BE OUR, UM, OUR MC OF THE AMENDMENT SPREADSHEET THIS YEAR? AGAIN, THAT IS THE GOAL.
WE, WE WILL, UM, STAFF WILL WORK TO CREATE A SPREADSHEET BASED ON THE AMENDMENTS WE GET, UM, TO SHOW THE FULL COUNCIL WHERE WE ARE TICKING AND TYING TO KEEP EVERYONE UP TO SPEED.
AND I'VE, I HAVE FOUND, I LOOKED AT THE ONE THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR AND BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT THE COLUMNS OF ONGOING ONE TIME OTHER, YOU KNOW, THERE'S KIND OF A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS WILL NEED TO PLAY OUT AND SO I JUST APPRECIATE HOW WELL YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP TRACK OF THAT AND HOPE THAT, UM, WE CAN ALL GET OUR INFORMATION OUT THERE BY THE DEADLINE SO WE CAN START LOOKING AT WHAT THE FULL PICTURE IS.
THAT THAT, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I KEEP ENCOURAGING THAT AND SAYING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS IT WILL HELP US ALL IF WE EACH DO THAT SO THAT THERE'LL BE THE ABILITY TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION IN FRONT OF US AND TO, AND TO ACTUALLY, UM, THINK IT THROUGH BEFORE WE'RE ALL ON THE DAES TRYING TO MAKE, MAKE CHANGES.
SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE, ANY MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO SAY BEFORE WE ADJOURN THIS MEETING? GREAT, THANK YOU.
THANKS FOR TO EVERYBODY WITHOUT OBJECTION.
WE WILL ADJOURN THIS WORK SESSION OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 1ST, 2024.