* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:00:02] HI EVERYONE. GOOD MORNING. [Proclamation – National Women’s Small Business Month – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes] MY NAME IS VANESSA FUENTES AND I'M PROUD TO SERVE AS YOUR MAYOR PRO TEM. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY AS WE KICK OFF NATIONAL WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH. OVER THE YEARS, WOMEN HAVE TAKEN A TREMENDOUS STEP IN THE BUSINESS WORLD. WOMEN IN AUSTIN NOT ONLY INCREASED BUSINESS INCLUSIVE INCLUSIVENESS AND DIVERSITY, BUT THEY ALSO EMPOWER OTHER YOUNG WOMEN TO CHALLENGE POLICIES THAT LIMIT ACCESS. I ENCOURAGE US ALL TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES BY SPEAKING OUT, PROMOTING AWARENESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, CHANGING POLICIES, OR SIMPLY SHOPPING AT ONE OF THE HUNDREDS OF STORES THAT WE HAVE AND BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE ALL ACROSS OUR CITY. IT'S NOW AN HONOR TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS WOMEN WHO OWN AND LEAD BUSINESSES ARE A DRIVING FORCE OF INNOVATION AND RESILIENCE, BRINGING FRESH IDEAS, BOLD LEADERSHIP, AND MEANINGFUL IMPACT TO A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES. AND WHEREAS ENTERPRISES FOUNDED AND OPERATED BY WOMEN CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES BY OFFERING VALUABLE SERVICES, GENERATING EMPLOYMENT, PRIORITIZING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, AND SERVING AS ENGINES OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND TRANSFORMATION. AND WHEREAS WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS FREQUENTLY REINVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, SUPPORTING SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, AND LOCAL INITIATIVES, MAKING THEIR BUSINESSES NOT ONLY ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTORS, BUT ALSO VITAL COMMUNITY ANCHORS. WHEREAS THE MONTH OF OCTOBER OFFERS A DEDICATED TIME TO SPOTLIGHT AND HIGHLIGHT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS TO DISMANTLE REMAINING BARRIERS IN EQUITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO PURSUE BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT. NOW THERE, NOW, THEREFORE, I, VANESSA FUENTES MAYOR PRO TEM, ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER, 2025 AS NATIONAL WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH. YAY, . ACCEPTING THE PROCLAMATION. WE HAVE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANN EATON. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. I'M ANNIE EATON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WITH AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THE PROCLAMATION TO HONOR NATIONAL WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH. ON BEHALF OF AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I WANNA THANK MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PRO TEM FUENTES, AND THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING NATIONAL WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH. MM-HMM . WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS ARE A DRIVING FORCE OF INNOVATION AND RESILIENCE, STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES BY CREATING JOBS, SUPPORTING LOCAL INITIATIVES, AND SERVING AS ANCHORS OF OPPORTUNITY. NATIONALLY, 42% OF ALL US BUSINESSES ARE WOMEN OWNED, EMPLOY OVER 9 MILLION PEOPLE AND GENERATE MORE THAN 2 TRILLION WITH A T EACH YEAR. MM-HMM . AND TEXAS RANKS AMONG THE TOP STATES FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES WITH AUSTIN. AT THE HEART OF IT, RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN, WE SEE EVERY DAY HOW WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS BRING BOLD LEADERSHIP, FRESH IDEAS, AND LASTING IMPACT ACROSS EVERY INDUSTRY. THIS MONTH IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, BUT ALSO TO RECOGNIZE THAT BARRIERS STILL EXIST TOGETHER. WE MUST CONTINUE TO DISMANTLE THOSE BARRIERS AND EXPAND PATHWAYS FOR WOMEN TO START, GROW AND THRIVE IN BUSINESS. SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RECOGNITION, AND THANK YOU TO THE MANY WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS, ENTREPRENEURS, MOMPRENEURS, SOLOPRENEURS, WHO DO THE THING EVERY DAY IN AUSTIN TO INSPIRE US AND MAKE US STRONGER. WONDERFUL. CONGRATULATIONS. DO YOU PHOTO RIGHT FRONT HERE? YEAH, IF YOU'D LIKE TO HOLD THE CONFIRMATION ON. PERFECT. 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1. ONE MORE. THANK YOU. ONE RIGHT HERE PLEASE. THANK YOU. MM-HMM. 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1. OKAY, GREAT. ALRIGHT, ONE MORE. PERFECT. NICE. THANK YOU. HI, [Proclamation – National Co-op Month – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes] EVERYONE. GOOD MORNING. I'M VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN'S MAYOR PRO TEM, AND I'M HERE TODAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, FIRST AND FIRST AND FOREMOST THAT MANY OF US HAVE OFTEN EXPERIENCED OR HAD SITUATIONS WHERE WE, WHERE WE HAVE FELT VOICELESS OR UNHEARD. BUT WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT A BETTER WORKPLACE IS POSSIBLE. COOPERATIVES OFFER AN EXCITING ALTERNATIVE. BUSINESSES RUN BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHERE DEMOCRACY AND DIGNITY ARE BUILT INTO THE BUSINESS MODEL ITSELF. AND IF I'M BEING HONEST, I BELIEVE THEY REPRESENT THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN'S LOCAL BUSINESS ECONOMY. [00:05:02] SO TODAY I'M THRILLED TO JOIN YOU IN CELEBRATING NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH AND RECOGNIZING EVERYONE WHO'S BRINGING DEMOCRACY INTO THE WORKPLACE EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND A SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO THE CITY'S VERY OWN AND VERY FIRST, UH, GROCERY STORE CO-OP THAT WE ARE PILOTING IN DELL VALLEY. AND WITH THAT IS MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION TO ANTHONY SEGURA, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS COOPERATIVES ARE PEOPLE-CENTERED, ENTERPRISES BUILT ON THE VALUES OF DEMOCRACY, EQUITY, AND SOLIDARITY, WHERE MEMBERS COLLECTIVELY OWN AND CONTROL THE ORGANIZATION TO MEET THEIR SHARED ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL NEEDS. AND WHEREAS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR GLOBAL AND ENDUR OF THE GLOBAL IMPACT AND ENDURING RELEVANCE, THE YEAR 2025 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF COOPERATIVES HIGHLIGHTING THE ESSENTIAL ROLE CO-OPS PLAY IN CREATING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES AROUND THE WORLD. AND WHEREAS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, COOPERATIVES CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE RESILIENT AND EQUITABLE LOCAL ECONOMY, SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ETHICAL FOOD SYSTEMS, RENEWABLE ENERGY ACCESS, UH, AS WELL AS WORKER ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND NEIGHBORHOOD BASED ENTREPRENEURSHIP, EXCUSE ME, WORKER OWNERSHIP AND NEIGHBOR, NEIGHBORHOOD BASED ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO HELP BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES. AND WHEREAS EACH OCTOBER NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE AND ELEVATE THE IMPACT OF CO COOPERATIVES IN SECTORS RANGING FROM AGRICULTURE AND HOUSING, TO FINANCE, RETAIL AND CLEAN ENERGY, RECOGNIZING THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMIC JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND COMMUNITY WEALTH. NOW, THEREFORE, I VANESSA FUENTES MAYOR PRO TEM ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 25, OCTOBER, 2025, AS NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM. UH, I'M ANTHONY SE, THE INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR AU AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. UH, ON BEHALF OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO THANK, UH, MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PRO TEM PUENTES, AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING NATIONAL COOPERATIVES. MONTH, UH, COOPERATIVES ARE PEOPLE-CENTERED, ENTERPRISES BUILT ON DEMOCRACY, EQUITY, AND SOLIDARITY. THEY EMPOWER MEMBERS TO MEET SHARED NEEDS WHILE STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. THIS YEAR'S RECOGNITION IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL AS 2025 IS DESIGNATED THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF COOPERATIVES UNDERSCORING THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF THESE COMMUNITY DRIVEN BUSINESSES. AND RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN, CO-OPS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY, SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FOOD SYSTEMS, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND WORK OWNED BUSINESSES. WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND THE TEXAS RURAL COOPERATIVE WITH, UH, WHICH PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COACHING TO HELP PEOPLE LAUNCH COOPERATIVES IN AUSTIN. SO, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE AUSTIN COOPERATIVE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FOR ASSISTANCE IN HELPING AUSTINITES DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF COOPERATIVES TOGETHER WITH TURNING INITIATIVES, IDEAS INTO THRIVING COMMUNITY OWNED BUSINESSES. TODAY'S PROCLAMATION HONORS THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS AND REAFFIRMS OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A MORE INCLUSIVE AND RESILIENT ECONOMY. THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR LOCAL COOPERATIVES FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DO. VERY GOOD. 3, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1 MORE. BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU. RIGHT HERE PLEASE. 3, 3, 1, 3, 2, 1. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. [Proclamation – Roots & Wings Festival – To be presented by Council Member Ryan Alter] GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. I AM COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER HERE ALONGSIDE SOME OF OUR STAFF WITH THE AUSTIN CLIMATE AND ACTION RESILIENCE DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT. WE'RE, WE'VE RENAMED EVERYTHING, SO I'M STILL WORKING ON IT, BUT, UH, JUST REALLY WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TODAY TO, UH, RECOGNIZE ARBOR DAY AND MONARCH APPRECIATION DAY HERE IN AUSTIN. SO I HAVE A PROCLAMATION, UM, THAT I'M GOING TO PRESENT. I'M GONNA LET YOU HOLD THIS, BUT FIRST I HAVE A FEW THINGS I'D LIKE TO, TO TALK ABOUT. SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SEE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE HERE IN AUSTIN. AND BECAUSE OF THAT, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN [00:10:01] EVER TO RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE, UH, THE DIVERSITY WE HAVE HERE THAT WE WANT TO PROTECT. UH, WE DO THIS THROUGH A, A HOST OF WAYS, WHETHER IT'S JUST CARING FOR OUR, OUR PARKS OR OUR CREEKS OR THROUGH OFFICIAL EVENTS LIKE ARBOR DAY AND MONARCH APPRECIATION DAY. UH, AND I THINK WHAT DRAWS SO MANY PEOPLE TO AUSTIN, WHAT MANY OF US WHO ARE BORN HERE LOVE ABOUT THE CITY ARE THE TREES. THE GREEN SPACES, UH, ARE THE RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH THIS CITY, THE CREEKS. AND WE WANNA DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT THOSE, YOU KNOW, BY CULTIVATING LOCAL ENGAGEMENT AND POWER AND EMPOWERMENT, UH, WE CAN SUPPORT HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY LED EVENTS BOTH THROUGH, UH, THE CLIMATE IN ACTION RESILIENCE, UH, DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, LIKE FREE FOLKS AND OTHERS WHO HELP KEEP AUSTIN GREEN AND THRIVING. AND, AND BY DOING SO, UH, YOU KNOW, WE ALSO FOSTER A SENSE OF PLACE A A PLACE WHERE WE CAN ALL GO AND ENJOY AND, AND PROMOTE OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. YOU KNOW, I THINK DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE ALL SAW THE VALUE OF THESE GREEN SPACES. AND BEING ABLE ON A HOT SUMMER DAY TO BE ABLE TO FIND YOUR, FIND SOME SHADE UNDER A TREE IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE CAN ALL RELATE TO. SO WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO DO TODAY, AND IF YOU JUST WANNA HOLD THAT THE OTHER WAYS, UM, IS READ THIS PROCLAMATION, SO BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS KNOWN NATIONALLY FOR ITS OUTSTANDING PARK SYSTEM, ENHANCED BY A RICH FOREST CANOPY AND A DIVERSE BUTTERFLY POPULATION. AND WHEREAS TREES AND POLLINATORS ARE VALUED BY ALL OF AUSTIN'S RESIDENTS FOR THE ESSENTIAL ROLES THEY PLAY IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES, CONNECTING US TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, COOLING OUR CITY, AND IMPROVING OUR AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE. AND WHEREAS AUSTINITES CONTINUE TO VALUE THE BENEFITS OF NATURE TO OUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING, THE DILIGENT EFFORTS TO CHAMPION EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NATURE FOR ALL AUSTINITES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT. AND WHEREAS AUSTIN HAS ACHIEVED TREE CITY USA RECOGNITION FOR 34 YEARS BY MEETING THE PROGRAM'S FOUR REQUIREMENTS, A TREE BOARD OR DEPARTMENT, A TREE CARE ORDINANCE, AND ANNUAL COMMUNITY FORESTRY BUDGET OF AT LEAST $2 PER CAPITA AND AN ARBOR DAY OBSERVANCE AND PROCLAMATION. AND WHEREAS I URGE ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT EFFORTS WHICH PROTECT AND NURTURE NATURE IN OUR CITY, THUS IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME DURING THE EIGHTH ROOTS AND WINGS FESTIVAL CELEBRATING ARBOR DAY AND MONARCH APPRECIATION DAY. SO NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER ON BEHALF OF THE ME CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 9TH, 2025 AS ARBOR DAY AND MONARCH APPRECIATION DAY IN AUSTIN. AND THEN, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF Y'ALL WOULD LIKE TO SAY A QUICK WORD. SURE. CERTAINLY. PERFECT. THANK YOU. GRAND RISING. MY NAME IS AMANI LUPER AND I AM WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S, UH, CLIMATE ACTION AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM IN THE URBAN FORESTRY TEAM. UH, I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO BE THE COORDINATOR OF THIS YEAR'S ROOTS AND WINGS FESTIVAL. UM, IT'S OUR, LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S OUR EIGHTH ANNUAL, UH, CELEBRATION OF NATURE, AND IT'S ALL ACROSS AUSTIN. WE'VE GOT AMAZING EXPERIENCES THIS YEAR FOR ALL AUSTINITES OF ALL AGES. UM, OVER 16 DAYS OF POSSIBILITIES, UH, BETWEEN OCTOBER 18TH, SATURDAY TO SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, ENJOY WHILE LEARNING ABOUT TREES AND POLLINATORS, UM, AND JUST VARIOUS ASPECTS OF NATURE, REALLY EVERYTHING THAT KEEPS, UH, MOTHER EARTH GOING RIGHT. YOU'LL SEE WHEN YOU VISIT OUR WEBSITE, UM, ROOTS AND WINGS FEST.COM. AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE THANK THE MAYOR. WE THANK THE COUNCIL, UH, FOR RECOGNIZING THE ROOTS AND WINGS FESTIVAL AND FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE, UH, AUSTIN'S AMAZING CONNECTION TO NATURE AND TO ITS PEOPLE. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. WELL REALLY APPRECIATE IT. APPRECIATE THAT. AND WE'LL TAKE A QUICK PICTURE. YEAH. GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. HEY, GOOD TO SEE ZACH. MM-HMM . FEELS LIKE THE STEP STONE PODIUM. LET'S DO IT. YOU GOT THIS IN, IN MY POCKET. . FANTASTIC. ALRIGHT, HERE WE GO. 3, 2, 1, 1, 1 MORE TIME. 3, 2, 1. BEAUTIFUL. ALRIGHT. THANK Y'ALL. WOW. HOPE IT'S, UH, SMASHING. [Proclamation - Code Compliance Month - To be presented by Council Member José “Chito” Vela] GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. I'M COUNCIL MEMBER CHIEF VELA. PROUD TO REPRESENT A DISTRICT FOUR HERE WITH, UH, DIRECTOR OF, UH, THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, UH, DEPARTMENT, UH, KEITH MARS TO CELEBRATE CODE COMPLIANCE MONTH. UH, CODE IS ONE OF THOSE, UH, BELOW THE RADAR ACTIVITIES [00:15:01] THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, YOU REALLY DON'T SEE IT UNTIL, UH, THERE'S A PROBLEM THAT ARISES AND CODE COMES INTO TO HAVE TO, TO DEAL WITH THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT PROPERTIES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. UH, I'VE WORKED WITH, UH, WITH DIRECTOR MARS AND, AND, UH, WITH, UH, MANY DIFFERENT CODE OFFICERS ON A LOT OF, UH, PROBLEM, UH, PROPERTIES. UH, YOU HAVE A HOUSE THAT IS ABANDONED, UH, AND TURNING INTO, UH, YOU KNOW, ANIMALS AND, AND, UH, A DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY. YOU HAVE BUILDINGS THAT ARE ABANDONED AND, UH, TURNING INTO A, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY DANGER, UH, FOR THE, THE COMMUNITY AROUND THEM. UH, THE CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS ARE THE ONES THAT, THAT COME IN THAT CHECK ON THINGS THAT BOARD UP THE BUILDINGS THAT SECURE THE PROPERTY, UH, FENCE IT, AND ULTIMATELY, IF NECESSARY, EVEN DEMOLISH THE PROPERTY WHEN, UH, THE, THE SITUATION, UH, CALLS FOR THAT. UH, AND, AND IT, IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT SERVICE THAT THE CITY OFFERS. LIKE I SAID, IT KIND OF GOES BELOW THE RADAR, UH, BUT, UH, WHEN THERE'S A PROPERTY CLOSE TO YOU THAT'S CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS, UH, IT CAN BECOME A, A REAL, UH, CRITICAL SITUATION. UH, SO, UH, AGAIN, I WOULD JUST WANNA RECOGNIZE ALL OUR CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS. THEY HAVE A, A TOUGH JOB. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THEY'RE, THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS, UH, WELCOME ON THE PROPERTIES THAT THEY, UH, SHOW UP TO. UH, BUT THE WORK THAT THEY DO IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AUSTIN, UH, CONTINUES TO BE A, A, A SAFE, UH, YOU KNOW, WELL, UH, UH, MANAGED WELL KEPT CITY, UH, AND THAT THAT WE DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF UNNECESSARY, YOU KNOW, FIRES OR, OR, UH, NUISANCES AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, UH, LIKE THAT. SO I JUST WANT TO GIVE A, A REAL SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE, UH, OUR CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS. UH, I SEE THEM AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS ALL THE TIME, YOU KNOW, TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THIS PROBLEM AND THAT PROBLEM. AND, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THEIR COMMUNICATION AND THEIR ENGAGEMENT. AND LEMME GO AHEAD AND TURN IT OVER TO, UH, UH, DIRECTOR MORRIS AND, AND FOR ANY, UH, ADDITIONAL WORDS. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER BAYLA. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBERS. UH, I'M THE, UH, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, KEITH MARS, AND WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER AND, UH, ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT, UH, I THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE THAT WE SERVE. UH, WE TAKE THIS WORK VERY SERIOUSLY. PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE HEART OF EVERY CO COMPLIANCE OFFICER, UH, AND KEEPING OUR CITY SAFE, OUR COMMUNITY VIBRANT AND PROSPEROUS. AND WE TAKE THAT MISSION VERY SERIOUSLY AND ARE, UH, GRATEFUL, UH, TO BE OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU. AND, UH, LET ME GO AHEAD AND, AND READ THE, UH, THE PROCLAMATION THEN, UH, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH THE ENFORCEMENT OF CITY CODES AND ORDINANCES. AND WHEREAS AUSTIN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES CODE COMPLIANCE TEAM PROVIDES FOR THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELFARE OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF AUSTIN BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, COLLABORATION, AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDINGS, ZONING, HOUSING, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS. AND WHEREAS CODE COMPLIANCE TEAM MEMBERS SERVE AS FRONTLINE AMBASSADORS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, WORKING DILIGENTLY TO EDUCATE RESIDENTS RESOLVE VIOLATIONS AND UPHOLD STANDARDS THAT PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR CITY. AND WHEREAS OCTOBER IS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY AS CODE COMPLIANCE MONTH, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CODE COMPLIANCE AND TO HONOR THE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH INTEGRITY AND COMMITMENT. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL CODES, PARTICIPATE IN NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS, AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE A SAFE AND VIBRANT CITY FOR ALL. NOW, THEREFORE, I, UH, CHITO VELA, COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT FOUR ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, UH, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL DUE, HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER, 2025 AS CODE COMPLIANCE MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. SO, ALL RIGHT, CODE. AND AGAIN, A BIG THANKS TO ALL OUR, UH, CODE, UH, OFFICERS. I'VE WORKED WITH A LOT OF THEM DIRECTLY. THEY'RE ALWAYS SO GOOD ABOUT YOU COMMUNICATING AND, UH, RESPONDING. AND AGAIN, I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORTS AND, AND YOUR LEADERSHIP, UH, AND, UH, IN, IN KEEPING THE, THE CITY, UH, UH, A SAFE AND, AND HEALTHY PLACE AND KEEPING OUR ENVIRONMENT SAFE AND HEALTHY. SO THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH. THANKS SIR. ALL GOOD LITTLE PICTURE. YEAH, WELCOME. HEY, LOOK AT THAT. GOOD JOB. JOB TAKING CARE OF YOU. THANK YOU, ROB. GOOD STUFF. GOOD STAFF. I KNOW CAN HAVE Y'ALL STEP UP HERE. OH, STEP UP IN FRONT. YEAH, IF YOU DON'T MIND. NO, NO, NOT AT ALL BETTER. RIGHT IN FRONT. YEAH. GET THE, GET THE NEW LOGO IN THE MIDDLE THERE. . LOCK THE CAMERA. ALRIGHT GUYS, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAN. THEY'RE ALWAYS AT THE MEETING. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. [Proclamation – National Retirement Security Month – To be presented by Council Member Paige Ellis] I'M AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER PAIGE ELLIS, AND I'M GLAD TO [00:20:01] BE HERE TO HELP RECOGNIZE NATIONAL RETIREMENT SECURITY MONTH IN AUSTIN. SAVING FOR RETIREMENT MIGHT NOT ALWAYS FEEL URGENT IN OUR BUSY LIVES, BUT IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS WE CAN MAKE IN OUR FUTURE. WELLBEING AND PEACE OF MIND. FINANCIAL LITERACY AND LONG-TERM PLANNING GIVE PEOPLE THE FREEDOM TO MAKE CHOICES LATER IN LIFE. WHETHER THAT'S TRAVELING, SPENDING MORE TIME WITH FAMILY, OR SIMPLY LIVING WITHOUT FINANCIAL STRESS. THIS PROCLAMATION HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING AHEAD, PARTICIPATING IN RETIREMENT PROGRAMS, AND MAKING USE OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE OFFERED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN. FOR OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS. WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT OUR CITY VALUES THE LONG-TERM SECURITY OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDES TOOLS TO HELP THEM MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. SO TODAY WE HONOR EVERYONE FROM HR PROFESSIONALS TO FINANCIAL EDUCATORS WHO HELP AUSTINITES PREPARE FOR A STABLE AND SECURE RETIREMENT. AND WITH THAT, I'M PROUD TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 25TH AS NATIONAL RETIREMENT SECURITY MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS SAVING FOR RETIREMENT IS CRUCIAL TO OUR FUTURE OVERALL WELLBEING AND SECURITY AND PROMOTING FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR RETIREMENT PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL. AND WHEREAS MOST PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES NEED TO CONSIDER MULTIPLE SOURCES OF RETIREMENT INCOME, AND MANY OF WHICH REQUIRE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND THOUGHTFUL PLANNING. AND WHEREAS NATIONAL RETIREMENT SECURITY MONTH HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING FOR A FINANCIALLY SECURE FUTURE, ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN EMPLOYER SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS AND PROMOTES WISE MANAGEMENT OF RETIREMENT RESOURCES FOR BOTH EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS PROUD TO OFFER COMPREHENSIVE RETIREMENT PLANNING RESOURCES, OFFERING OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS VALUABLE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY. NOW, THEREFORE, I PAY JEALOUS ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, THE MAYOR OF AUSTIN, TEXAS DUE, HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER, 2025 AS NATIONAL RETIREMENT SECURITY MONTH. AND NOW I WILL TURN IT OVER TO SERGEANT NATHAN BLAKE, THE CHAIR OF THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION COMMITTEE FOR SOME REMARKS. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS. UM, ON BEHALF OF THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, WE ARE HONORED TO REPRESENT, UM, THE WORKFORCE OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN. UM, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE. WE HAVE, UH, DEBBIE FLEMING HERE AS OUR TREASURER. WE HAVE GAIL RAY HERE AS OUR PLAN EXTRAORDINAIRE, AND DEPUTY CFO, UM, DIANA, DIANA THOMAS. UM, THE COMMITTEE IS REALLY DEDICATED TO HELPING EVERY PERSON IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN WORKFORCE, UM, RETIRE, UM, SUCCESSFULLY FINANCIALLY. UM, WE HAVE TWO DEDICATED REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE BOTH, UH, FLUENT IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH. AND OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO HELP EVERY AUSTIN EMPLOYEE RETIRE FINANCIALLY SECURE. SO WE'RE VERY HONORED TO, UH, ACCEPT THIS AWARD, UH, THE PROCLAMATION, AND, UH, WE'RE HAPPY TO SERVE. THANK YOU. THAT'S GREAT. THANK YOU. DO YOU WANNA DO A PHOTO? LET'S DO IT. YEAH. COME ON IN FRONT OF THE FOOT. MICHELLE WOULD, THAT'S GREAT. OH, GREAT. I'LL SCOOT IN HERE, BUT IF I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL OF THEM, NO ONE WILL KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE. . AND CAN WE YES. PERFECT. THANK YOU. HERE WE GO. 3, 2, 1, MOVE JUST A TAD. 3, 2, 1. ONE MORE. TWO, ONE. GREAT. THANK YOU. FANTASTIC. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.