[Proclamation – Parks and Recreation Month – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes]
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I'M VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN'S MAYOR PRO TEM, AND REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT TWO ON AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
AND I'M JOINED HERE TODAY WITH MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA HARPER MADISON, AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBER MARK UCHIN.
AND WE ARE EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE JUNE AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH, AND TO CELEBRATE THE INCREDIBLE IMPACT OF THAT OUR PARKS HAVE ON THE LIVES OF AUSTINITES ALL ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY EVERY SINGLE DAY.
FROM THE CONVENIENCE OF HAVING A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK TO GET TO, TO THE BEAUTY OF OUR VAST GREEN BELT, AUSTIN'S PARK SYSTEM IS ESSENTIAL TO AUSTIN'S VIBE.
THANK YOU TO DIRECTOR JESUS AGIRI, THE ENTIRE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, STEPHANIE HAYDEN HOWARD, AND OF COURSE OUR ENTIRE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND OUR PARK PARTNERS.
YOUR WORK IN MAKING OUR PUBLIC SPACES TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PARKS REMAIN THE CORNERSTONE OF AUSTIN'S CONNECTION, HEALTH AND WELLBEING IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY.
I DO WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THAT DESPITE OUR INCREDIBLE WORK AND THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE MAKING, THERE'S ALWAYS MORE WORK TO BE DONE.
UH, JUST LAST WEEK, THE TRUST OF PUBLIC LAND RELEASED ITS ANNUAL PARK SCORE, AND OUR CITY DROPPED 10 SPOTS.
THAT'S 10 SPOTS THAT WE SLID, AND WE HAVE TO USE THAT AS A CALL TO ACTION, A CALL TO ACTION, TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN OUR PARKS AND TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO TO, TO MAKE OUR CITY SO SPECIAL THAT WE CONTINUE AND REALLY SCALE OUR INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SPACES, BUT WE CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT FALL BEHIND WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SURE THAT EVERY AUSTINITE HAS ACCESS TO QUALITY ACCESSIBLE PARK SPACES.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I DO ALSO WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THAT I'M PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT THE FIR THE CITY'S FIRST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND COMING TO ONION CREEK AND THE DISTRICT TWO COMMUNITY, THAT'S GONNA BE REALLY A TESTAMENT TO OUR BELIEF THAT PARKS SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER YOUR AGE OR YOUR ABILITY.
SO I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT THAT'LL BE THE FIRST OF ITS TIME COMING TO OUR CITY.
AS WE LOOK AHEAD, LET'S MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR PARKS REMAIN A SOURCE OF PRIDE AND JOY FOR AUSTINITES.
SO WITH THAT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO DIRECTOR AGUIRE AND RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE WORK OF OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AND EVERYONE THAT WORKS EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THE DIVISION.
WHEREAS THE PARKS AND RECREATION IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING AUSTIN.
WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ENCOURAGES PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES BY PROVIDING SPACE FOR POPULAR SPORTS, HIKING TRAILS, SWIMMING POOLS, AND MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.
AND WHEREAS OUR PARKS AND NATURAL RECREATION AREAS ENSURE THE ECOLOGICAL BEAUTY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE A PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO CONNECT WITH NATURE AND TO RECREATE OUTDOORS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES MAYOR PRO TEM, ALONGSIDE MY CO COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UCHIN AND HARPER MADISON, ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE, 2025 AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, YOU KNOW, DECLARING A DAY IN A MONTH OR, UH, A TIME PERIOD FOR AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
SO GREAT CELEBRATION FOR ALL THE WORK THAT WE DO.
AND AS AM MAYOR PRO TEM SAID, ALL THE WORK THAT WE DO MAKING, UH, COMMUNITIES THRIVE, BEING JUST, UH, AND SUSTAINABLE.
BUT IT REALLY IS A GREAT, UH, A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE ALL OF OUR STAFF AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
SO I REALLY WANT TO THANK THEM AND, AND, UH, EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE RESIDENTS FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK THEY DO ON BEHALF OF THEM.
AND A QUICK ONE RIGHT HERE, PLEASE.
[Proclamation – RichesArt Gallery Day – To be presented by Council Member José Velásquez]
DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.I AM COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE QUEZ FROM DISTRICT THREE.
UM, AND I COULD NOT BE MORE BLESSED AND HONORED TO BE RECOGNIZING ONE OF OUR CULTURAL TITANS HERE IN AUSTIN.
UM, MY DEAR FRIEND, RICH HAS THE ONLY BLACK OWNED ART GALLERY IN AUSTIN, AND IT'S ALSO IN EAST AUSTIN AND
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ALSO IN DISTRICT THREE.RICH HAS SPENT A LIFETIME ENRICHING CULTURE, BRINGING FOLKS TO THE TABLE, AND GROWING OUT THE ARTS IN AUSTIN.
HE'S A MENTOR AND A LEADER, A DEAR FRIEND TO MANY OF US, AND HAS CREATED SPACE FOR THE BIPOC COMMUNITY TO FEEL SEEN, HEARD AND UPLIFTED.
AND HE ALSO HAS SOME OF THE DOPEST COURSES AND CLASSES AT HIS SHOP, THINGS THAT I HAVE NOT EVER SEEN AROUND AUSTIN, BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BRING, WHEN LIVED EXPERIENCE CLASHES WITH ART CLASHES WITH CULTURE CLASSES, WITH, WITH EAST AUSTIN.
SO NOW IT'S AN HONOR TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS RICHARD SAMUEL, THE FOUNDER OF RICH'S ART GALLERY, AUSTIN'S ONLY BLACK OWNED ART GALLERY, TRANSFORM PERSONAL PASSION INTO A PLATFORM THAT CHAMPIONS ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, CULTURAL EXPRESSION, AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT.
AND WHEREAS SINCE OPENING THE GA, SINCE OPENING THE GALLERY HAS HOSTED OVER 800 EVENTS WELCOME MORE THAN 40,000 VISITORS AND PAID OVER 680 ARTISTS CREATING ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE, IMPACTFUL AND CREATIVE SPACES IN THIS CITY.
THEY ALSO HOSTED A, UM, AN EVENT, A LITTLE FUNDRAISER FOR A GENTLEMAN THAT GOT ELECTED TO THE DISTRICT THREE OFFICE.
SO I'M SURE THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT PUT ME OVER THE TOP
UM, AND WHEREAS RICH'S ART GALLERY HAS BECOME A CULTURAL SANCTUARY, FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE BIPOC IDENTITIES ARE CELEBRATED AND UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES ARE UPLIFTED THROUGH VISUAL ARTS, MUSIC, FASHION, AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES.
AND WHEREAS RICHARD SAMUEL HAS LED THE WAY IN REDEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CULTURAL ENTREPRENEUR IN AUSTIN, BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ART AND COMMUNITY AND OFFERING CONSISTENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL TALENT TO THRIVE.
AND WHEREAS THE GALLERY HAS BUILT A CREATIVE MOVEMENT, NOT JUST A SPACE ANCHORED IN DIVERSITY, STORYTELLING AND ACCESS RICHES ART IS A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF PURPOSE-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP AND CULTURAL RESILIENCE.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ, ALONG WITH, UM, WITH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA HARPER MADISON, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE DAAS AND THE MAYOR KIRK WATSON OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 5TH, 2025 AS RICHES ART GALLERY DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UH, THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE, ABSOLUTE HONOR.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S CRAZY TO THINK HOW LIFE WORKS TO WHERE WE SAT DOWN AND HAD COFFEE FROM THE FIRST TIME I MET YOU, UH, TO HAVING THE FUNDRAISER TO, TO, TO BEING HERE NOW.
UH, IT'S A TESTAMENT TO PERSISTENCE AND PERSEVERANCE.
UH, TO BE THE ONLY BLACK OWNED GALLERY IN THIS CITY REALLY GAVE MY LIFE A LOT, A LOT OF PURPOSE.
UM, AND TO FIND OUT IT WAS ONE OF TWO IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS WHEN WE FIRST OPENED.
UH, IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE HONOR TO SERVE THE CITY IN THIS WAY.
SO I APPRECIATE YOU, BROTHER, APPRECIATE YOU.
AND WE TAKE A PHOTO IN FRONT OF THE, WITH THE PROCLAMATION IN FRONT OF US, AND EVERYBODY FOUND ONE JUST CRIED AROUND.
COUNCIL MEMBER, I CAN BARELY SEE YOUR FACE.
[Distinguished Service Award – Anna Bryan-Borja – To be presented by Council Member Ryan Alter]
GOOD MORNING.I AM COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER HERE FOR AN EXCITING DAY.
ALWAYS A BITTERSWEET DAY WHEN WE DO ONE OF THESE, IT'S A DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO HONOR ANNA BRIAN BORJA ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER A MANY YEARS, I THINK 28 YEARS AT AUSTIN WATER.
UH, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF REPRESENTING ANNA, UH, WITHIN DISTRICT FIVE.
AND IT IS, IT'S KIND OF FUNNY, I USED TO WORK WITH ANNA'S HUSBAND, ROB OVER HERE, AND WHEN I STARTED RUNNING FOR OFFICE, HE SAYS, OH, YOU KNOW, MY WIFE WORKS FOR AUSTIN WATER.
AND SHE'S LIKE, KIND OF HIGH UP AND LIKE, AND I WAS LIKE, OKAY.
AND END UP GETTING HERE AND HERE SHE IS, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR NUMBER TWO SPOT.
AND OH, WELL, WE DEAL WITH YOU ALL THE TIME,
SO, UM, I'M GONNA HAND IT OVER TO, UH, DIRECTOR ROLSON.
BUT, UH, REALLY WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE CITY.
I'VE ONLY GOT TO, UH, WITNESS A GLIMPSE OF IT, BUT KNOW THAT YOU'RE ON EXCITING THINGS AND REALLY JUST APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
UM, IT, IT'S MY HONOR TO STAND HERE TODAY,
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UM, AND JUST SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT, UH, ANNA BRIAN BAUER AND HER DISTINGUISHED, UH, NEARLY 28 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, INCLUDING 21 WITH AUSTIN WATER, AND 11 YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN WATER EXECUTIVE TEAM.UH, AFTER STARTING HER CITY CAREER IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR AND AUSTIN ENERGY, ANA JOINED AUSTIN WATER IN 2004, WHERE SHE LED THE STARTUP OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT DIVISION.
SHE SERVED IN LEADERSHIP ROLES AS INTERNAL AUDIT MANAGER, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, AND UTILITY CHIEF SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICER BEFORE BECOMING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES IN 2020.
IN THAT ROLE, ANA LED MANY STRATEGIC INITIATIVES FOR AUSTIN WATER AND HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN POSITIONING THE UTILITY TO TACKLE THE COMPLEX CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME.
ANA ALSO SERVED AS AUSTIN WATERS LIAISON TO CITY COUNCIL AND WORKED CLOSELY WITH COUNCIL OFFICES ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES.
AMONG HER MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ANA CHAMPIONED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFECTIVE UTILITY MANAGEMENT AND INDUSTRY FRAMEWORK FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, FOR WHICH ANA HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS AN INDUSTRY LEADER.
AND AUSTIN WATER HAS WON AWARDS.
ANA LED THE CREATION OF AUSTIN WATER'S FIRST STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE STAFFING PLAN PROCESS IN 2018, SHE HAS CONTINUED TO GUIDE THE EVOLUTION OF AUSTIN WATER'S COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED STRATEGIC PLAN WITH INPUT FROM ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION.
ANA OVERSAW THE CREATION OF AUSTIN WATERS ETHICS INITIATIVE, WHICH PROVIDES COMMUNICATION, TRAINING, AND MONITORING RESOURCES TO HELP EMPLOYEES KEEP IT ETHICAL.
ANA LED THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM AND SERVED AS INCIDENT COMMANDER, DEPUTY INCIDENT COMMANDER AND PLAN SECTION CHIEF AND INCIDENTS.
FROM 2013 TO 2025, ANA SPONSORED AUSTIN WATERS FIRST BUILDINGS LONG RANGE PLAN, WHICH RESULTED IN THE STRATEGIC ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY ON HUNT DRIVE TO BECOME AUSTIN WATER'S FIRST CONTROL CENTER.
ANA OVERSAW THE EXPANSION OF AUSTIN WATER SECURITY MANAGEMENT TEAM, BRINGING CONTRACTED STAFF IN-HOUSE AND MAKING SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE.
ANA PROVIDED STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN THE 2024 COUNCIL ADOPTION OF THE NEW GO PURPLE PROGRAM AND UPDATES TO WATER FORWARD AND THE WATER CONSERVATION AND DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANS.
ANNA WAS APPOINTED BY CITY COUNCIL IN 2023 TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE AUSTIN PUBLIC FACILITIES CORPORATION, WHICH ASSIST THE CITY IN FINANCING, REFINANCING, OR PROVIDING PUBLIC FACILITIES.
AND ANA SERVED ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR AUSTIN WATER WOMEN'S NETWORK AND HAS BEEN A MENTOR TO MANY ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING ME IN RETIREMENT, ANA WILL SPEND MORE TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, ESPECIALLY ROB, UH, HER DAUGHTER, THEIR DAUGHTER, GRACE, AND THEIR SON ZACH, WHO'S HERE WITH US TODAY.
UM, PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING ANNA ON HER WELL EARNED RETIREMENT AND THANKING HER FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO AUSTIN WATER AND ACROSS THE CITY.
UM, ANNA, SORRY, JUST ONE MORE THING.
UH, ANNA'S LE ANNA, YOUR LEGACY WILL CARRY ON IN THE WORK THAT WE DO EVERY DAY.
AND NOW WE GET TO DO THE OFFICIAL PART.
SO I'M GONNA HAND THIS TO YOU.
FOR NEARLY 28 YEARS OF UNRETIRING UNTIRING SERVICE NOW SHE IS RETIRING
AND FOR LEADING THE WAY IN PREPARING THE UTILITY TO MEET THE COMPLEX CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME ON O'BRIEN, BORJA IS DESERVING OF PUBLIC ACCLAIM AND RECOGNITION.
SO THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND TO IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION THEREOF ON THIS FIFTH DAY OF JUNE, 2025.
AND WE HAVE, YES, WE HAVE, WE HAVE ONE, UH, SURE.
WE HAVE ONE MORE GIFT FOR YOU, WHICH IS, UM, A TEXAS FLAG THAT WAS FLOWN OVER THE CAPITOL FOR YOU, IN YOUR HONOR BY SENATOR SARAH ECKHART'S OFFICE.
AND, UH, AND THE CERTIFICATE SAYS IT WAS FLOWN ON SIGN DYE.
ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SAY? WELL, GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER IT IS A SPECIAL HONOR TO RECEIVE THIS TODAY FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBER WHO, UM, REPRESENTS THE DISTRICT WHERE I LIVE.
UM, I DO WANNA THANK MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND ROB, MY SON ZACH, AND MY DAUGHTER GRACE FOR SUPPORTING ME AND ENCOURAGING ME THROUGH SO MANY, UH, LONG HOURS, UH, WHILE I WORKED AT THE CITY.
UM, I'VE HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO APPEAR BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL DURING MY CAREER.
AND THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 1998 WHEN I PRESENTED AN AUDIT TO THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.
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LOOKED REALLY DIFFERENT BACK THEN,UM, I HAVE STAYED IN WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR ALMOST 28 YEARS BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND I BELIEVE IN PURSUING THE COMMON GOOD.
AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
UH, LASTLY, I DO WANNA THANK MY WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL COLLEAGUES WHO ARE HERE, WHO HAVE ALSO ENCOURAGED ME, SUPPORTED ME, AND UPLIFTED ME OVER THE YEARS.
AND I AM 100% CONFIDENT THAT AUSTIN WATER AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FULFILL THAT MISSION OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
LET'S SNAP A PICTURE REAL QUICK, ROBIN.
ALRIGHT, WHAT DO WE DO? GET A PICTURE.
THE PODIUM'S GONNA BE A LITTLE, THERE WE GO.
Y'ALL COULD EXIT TO THE RIGHT.
[Proclamation – Black Culture Month – To be presented by Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison]
MORNING, AUSTIN, TEXAS.I AM THE PROUD COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT ONE ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS NATASHA HARPER MADISON.
AND WE DO A THING ON COUNCIL DAYS WHERE WE GET TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE FOR EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE, RECOGNIZE PEOPLE FOR BEING PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE UNDENIABLY ESSENTIAL.
AND ON OCCASION, I GET TO DO ONE THAT TOUCHES ME PERSONALLY.
AND SO TODAY I GET TO DO ONE THAT TOUCHES ME PERSONALLY IN THAT IF YOU'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN, TEXAS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, YOU KNOW, SHARONDA ROBINSON AND THE FORCE THAT SHE IS AND, YOU KNOW, A DECENT COMMUNICATIONS AND YOU KNOW, I, I CHUCKLE WITH PRIDE EVERY TIME SOMEBODY GOES, YOU KNOW WHO YOU NEED TO CALL
AND SO ON MY WAY INTO REPRESENTING ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, I HADN'T HAD ANY POLITICAL EXPERIENCE.
UM, AND SO MS. SHARONDA AND I ONLY KNEW ONE ANOTHER FROM LIKE BLACK SPACES, AND SO I SAID I WANTED TO RUN, AND SHE DIDN'T DISCOURAGE ME.
SHE SAID, ARE YOU SURE? AND I SAID, I, I, I BURNED THE SHIPS, LET'S GO.
AND SHE GOES, OKAY, IF YOU'RE GOING, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
AND I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT PERSONAL CAVEAT IN THERE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHILE I'M ABOUT TO RECOGNIZE ON PAPER ALL OF THE DOCUMENTED, UM, CON CONTRIBUTIONS OF AA MS. SHARONDA TO OUR COMMUNITY, I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE TALK ABOUT THE PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS.
AND SO, AS A PERSON WHO ENTERED A SPACE THAT I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE, MISS SHARONDA HAD BEEN HERE AND, AND AROUND A COUPLE TIMES AND WAS HONESTLY OFFERING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE WHAT IT WAS THAT I WAS STEPPING INTO.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, AS I AM DEPARTING VERY SOON, I GET TO TELL MY SUCCESSOR SOME OF THOSE SAME THINGS THAT YOU OFFERED ME.
AND I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO DO THAT.
AND SO THAT SAID, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
AS WE RECOGNIZE AN AGENCY THAT HAS HELPED SHAPE AUSTIN FOR THE BETTER FOR THE PAST, AND I WANT Y'ALL TO COUNT 'EM 30 YEARS, THREE ZERO.
SINCE 1995, AUSA COMMUNICATIONS HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PARTNER TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, COLLABORATING WITH DEPARTMENTS LIKE AUSTIN ENERGY, AUSTIN WATER AVIATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTS AND RECREATION PLANNING, PUBLIC WORKS, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING PLANNING, AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SOLACE SOLID WASTE SERVICES, AND THE CONVENTION CENTER AND CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
THEIR WORK HAS SPANNED MORE THAN 10, AND I'M GONNA SAY IT TWICE.
B BILLION, 10 BILLION IN MAJOR PUBLIC PROJECTS ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS FROM ROADWAY EXPANSIONS AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO HOUSING HEALTH EQUITY FOCUSED ENGAGEMENT.
AND I MIGHT PUT A REAL BIG ASTERISK ON THAT ONE.
IN A CITY LIKE AUSTIN WHERE WE TOUT EQUITY AS ONE OF OUR PRIMARY VALUES, IT DOESN'T WORK IF YOU DON'T SHOW IT WITH YOUR ACTION.
AND WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY BY WAY OF AN AGENCY LIKE AN ADISA WHO REALLY GETS OUR COMMUNITY TO DO IT RIGHT.
AND I APPRECIATE THAT SO VERY MUCH.
AISA LED COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR THE ROBERT MUELLER REDEVELOPMENT, EAST 11TH AND 12TH STREET REVITALIZATION, HELPING PRESERVE AND UPLIFT HISTORIC BLACK DISTRICTS IN EAST AUSTIN FOR 25 YEARS.
THEY SUPPORTED AUSTIN ISDS OUTREACH EFFORTS AND HELPED DELIVER OVER 3 BILLION IN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, INCLUDING TARGETED SUPPORT FOR OUR SMALL, LOCAL AND MINORITY CONTRACTORS.
BECAUSE THEY'RE THOUGHTFUL, THEY'VE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EQUITY CENTERED APPROACH.
EARNING 2013 ROSA PARKS DIVERSITY AWARD FROM THE HEART OF TEXAS WOMEN IN TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER
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IN 2022 AND 23, THEY OFFERED A PRO BONO COMMUNICATION SUPPORT TO FINDING HOME A TX.IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE EFFORT, I SAY LOOK UP THE INITIATIVE.
UM, PRO BONO MEANS A LOT WHEN YOU'RE AN ORGANIZATION LIKE A SHARONDA ROBINSON WHO, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T GET TO THIS PLACE WITHOUT HARD WORK AND ACQUIRING ALL THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL.
I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE EQUATE BEING A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, AN ACTIVE, ENGAGING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY WITH SOMEHOW YOU'RE SO SUPPOSED TO ALSO BE POOR.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO EARN A FAIR WAGE FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
SO WHEN I SAY PRO BONO, I JUST REALLY WANNA CALL OUT THAT THAT'S AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS OPTED TO GIVE OF THEMSELVES AND THAT MEANS A LOT TO OUR COMMUNITY WHEN YOU COULD DO OTHERWISE.
I'M GRATEFUL TO CELEBRATE AND HONOR YOUR WORK.
I WANNA TALK ABOUT $480 MILLION TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY.
THIS WAS DURING A TIME WHEN OUR MAYOR SAID PROUDLY HOMELESSNESS IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE AND CAUSE AND CONCERN IN OUR CITY.
AND AISA COMMUNICATIONS HELPED LEAD US THROUGH THAT CHALLENGING TIME IN OUR CITY.
CEO SHARONDA ROBINSON HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE HONORS, PROBABLY TOO MANY TO CA TO RECALL HERE, UM, FOR HER CIVIC LEADERSHIP, INCLUDING THE KEY TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN 2023.
JUST SO Y'ALL KNOW, IT DOESN'T OPEN ANYTHING, BUT IT'S A MAGNIFICENT HONOR TO RECEIVE IT AND CONTINUES TO SERVE ON BOARDS AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE NEIGHBORHOOD LONGHORNS PROGRAM, PBS AUSTIN, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, ZACH THEATER.
I WANT YOU TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE WHEN YOU CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THE BOARDS AND THE COMMISSIONS AND YOU CONTINUE TO SHOW UP EVEN WHEN YOU'RE BUSY.
THAT MEANS ALL ALONG YOUR HEART WAS IN THE WORK.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT TESTAMENT.
SO I'M GONNA CLOSE THIS OUT BY READING THE OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION.
AND FORTUNATELY SOMEBODY ON TEAM AISA 'CAUSE THEY DON'T MESS AROUND, BROUGHT A FRAMED VERSION.
WHEREAS AISA COMMUNICATION UNDER THE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP OF CEO SHARONDA ROBINSON HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PARTNER IN MORE THAN $10 BILLION WORTH OF TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS, RANGING FROM ROADWAY EXPANSIONS AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING TO PUBLIC AND REDEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY CENTERED PUBLIC AFFAIRS INITIATIVES, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN A CITY LIKE AUSTIN THAT'S GROWING SO QUICKLY.
UM, WHEREAS SINCE 1995, AISA COMMUNICATIONS HAS GUIDED POLICY MAKERS IN LAUNCHING SUCCESSFUL MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
AISA COMMUNICATIONS HAS LED COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS FOR AUSTIN ISD FOR 25 YEARS PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN PASSING AND BUILDING MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN TOTAL SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF A SMALL LOCAL MINORITY CONTRACTOR OUTREACH PROGRAM FROM 1996 TO 2000.
AND WHEREAS A DECENT COMMUNICATIONS HAS LED ENGAGEMENT ON SIGNIFICANT CITY OF AUSTIN PROJECTS SUCH AS THE MUELLER REDEVELOPMENT JUMP ON IT, ONION CREEK PARK MASTER PLAN, EAST 11TH AND 12TH STREET REDEVELOPMENT, SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL AND MASTER PLANS FOR AUSTIN'S PARKS IN ADDITION TO PLANNING CORRIDORS LIKE EAST RIVERSIDE DRIVE, SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE, UM, FOR YOU, NEWCOMERS SOCO IT HAD A NAME BEFORE THIS ONE WAS A PART OF THAT FOSTERING A MORE INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED AUSTIN.
AND WHEREAS AN ACTIVE ADVOCATE FOR EQUITY AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION, INCLUDING CRITICAL FUNDRAISING FOR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE BLACK AUSTIN DEMOCRATS, BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND THE BLACK LEADERS COLLECTIVE AND HELP LAY FOUNDATION FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS BLACK MAMAS A TX.
AND WHEREAS WE RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FACE FROM RISING COSTS TO LIMITED ACCESS TO CAPITAL.
AND WE REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO CREATING A CITY WHERE EVERY ENTREPRENEUR HAS A FAIR SHOT AT SUCCESS.
WHEREAS A DECENT COMMUNICATIONS CORE VALUE IS CARING.
AND THE CEO SHARONDA ROBINSON AND TEAM, INCLUDING OUR INTERN AND TEAM, HAS EXTENSIVE POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT AND COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY, EXTENDS TO NUMEROUS NONPROFIT BOARDS, INCLUDING THE NEIGHBORHOOD LONGHORNS PROGRAM, PBS, AUSTIN BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, AND ZACH SCOTT THEATER.
TODAY MS. ROBINSON HELPS US LEAD COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS ACROSS SECTORS TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS RAISING $480 MILLION FROM 2022 TO 2023.
AND WHEREAS IN 2023, SHARONDA ROBINSON WAS AWARDED THE KEY TO THE CITY BY THE AUSTIN MAYOR STEVE ADLER, HONORING HER LIFELONG CONTRIBUTIONS TO CIVIC LEADERSHIP, ADVOCACY AND INCLUSIVE STORYTELLING THAT HAVE SHAPED AUSTIN'S PAST AND CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE ITS FUTURE.
NOW, THEREFORE, I COUNCIL MEMBER NATASHA HARPER MADISON, ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BODY FOR THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AND OUR MAYOR KIRK WATSON, DO HAVE THE
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DISTINCT HONOR TO SAY THAT TODAY, JUNE 5TH, 2025 IS ADISA COMMUNICATIONS DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.AND I HOPE YOU'LL IMPART SOME WORDS ON US.
YOU'RE ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPEAKERS, SO BRING IT.
UM, I JUST WANNA SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN SPECIFICALLY HAS GIVEN ME AS A WOMAN AND ENTREPRENEUR TO HELP SHAPE THE FABRIC OF THIS COMMUNITY.
I ALSO WANNA SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO MY AMAZING TEAM.
I HAVE DON WESTON HERE WITH ME, WHO'S MY VICE PRESIDENT, AND WE'VE HAD INTERNS AT OUR ORGANIZATION SINCE 1997.
AND TREY LYNN PARKER REPRESENTS A LONG LINE OF PEOPLE WHO WE HELP SHAPE IN OUR INDUSTRY TO GO OUT AND DO GREAT THINGS.
UM, IT IS NOT LOST ON ME THAT IT WAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE SMALL MINORITY BUSINESS PROGRAM THAT GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO, TO BEGIN TO DO WORK FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
IT CREATED ACCESS AND OPENED A DOOR TO OPPORTUNITY.
UM, WE GOT THE PHONE CALL BECAUSE WE WERE ON THE LIST.
UM, AND SO I JUST WANT TO REAFFIRM THE COMMITMENT OF, UM, OUR CITY LEADERS AND OUR FOLKS WHO WORK ACROSS THIS ENTIRE CITY THAT, UM, THAT COMMITMENT IS POWERFUL AND IT'S TRANSFORMATIVE.
AND I ALSO WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE A PARTNER WITH YOU OVER THESE PAST 30 YEARS.
UM, IT HAS BEEN THE JOY OF MY LIFE TO HELP INFLUENCE WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE GOOD GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE GOOD GOVERNMENT IS GOOD FOR US ALL.
AND SO WITH THAT, AGAIN, I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR BEING ABLE TO BE HONORED TODAY TO BE RECOGNIZED, AND WE JUST LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT, UH, 30 YEARS IN THE JOURNEY.
MR. BURDEN, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE US FOR THIS PRETTY PHOTO? I WOULD LOVE TO GET YOUR PHOTO.
YOU FIRST PINK PEARL AND YOU GOT, YOU NEED THAT? OH, OH YES.
YOU MIND IF I STAND? MAY I TOUCH YOU? SO MAYBE COUNCIL IN THE MIDDLE.