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COUNCIL MEMBERS NATASHA HARPER MADISON, JOSE VELAZQUEZ, CHE BAYLA, RYAN ALTER, CRYSTAL LANE, MIKE SIEGEL, PAIGE ELLIS, ZOE CADRE, MARK UCHIN, CITY ATTORNEY DEBORAH THOMAS, CITY CLERK ERICA BRADY AND CITY MANAGER TC BROADNAX.
[Call to Order]
MORNING EVERYBODY.I AM MAYOR PRO TEM VANESSA FUENTES.
IT IS 10:00 AM ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH, 2025.
WE HAVE A QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL PRESENT AND WE, LET'S SEE, NO ONE IS APPEARING VIRTUALLY AND I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
WE ARE MEETING IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
MAYOR WATSON IS ABSENT TODAY ON CITY BUSINESS.
IF I FAIL TO CALL OUT THAT HE'S ABSENT TODAY ON, ON THE VOTE FOR ANY ITEM.
LET THE RECORD REFLECT HE'S OUT TODAY.
THE COLLEAGUES' ORDER FOR TODAY, WE WILL START WITH CHANGES IN CORRECTIONS.
CURRENTLY WE DO NOT HAVE ANY ITEMS PULLED AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY ITEMS POSTPONED.
ITEM 20 HAS A VERSION THREE AND ITEMS 24 AND 25 HAVE A VERSION TWO IN THE BACKUP.
WE ALSO HAVE LATE BACKUP FOR ITEM 14, ITEM 20, I MENTIONED ITEM 24 AND 25 AND ITEM 37, JUST WANNA HIGHLIGHT, HAS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST ITEM 38 HAS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST.
AND ITEM 41 IS PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE WILL THEN TAKE UP VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON REGISTERED SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES IF AN ITEM IS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA ANYONE REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON.
THE POLLED ITEM WILL BE CALLED WHEN THE ITEM IS HEARD.
AFTER SPEAKERS WILL HAVE BRIEF REMARKS FROM ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH CURRENTLY CONSISTS OF ITEMS ONE THROUGH 27 AND ITEM 43.
WE WILL THEN CONSIDER ANY PULLED ITEMS. AND AS I'VE MENTIONED, WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE ANY ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED.
AND AFTERWARD WE'LL GO INTO NON-CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH INCLUDES ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND A PUBLIC HEARING.
AT 10 30 OR SOON AFTER, WE WILL CONVENE THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING AT NOON.
WE'LL PAUSE AT 12 O'CLOCK TO TAKE UP PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS AND THEN RECESS FOR LIVE MUSIC.
IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS LEFT, WE'LL RETURN TO THOSE ITEMS AND THEN CONSIDER ZONING AGENDA ITEMS. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS SO FAR? ALRIGHT, SO WITH THAT
[Consent Agenda]
CITY CLERK, MAY YOU PLEASE CALL THE SPEAKERS FOR OUR CONSENT AGENDA? YES.ITEM NUMBER FIVE, I HAVE STEVEN SWANSON, ITEM SIX, JENNIFER ROBO, ALSO FOR ITEM SEVEN.
ITEM 10, JENNIFER ROBO, AND 14 ON DECK ASLAN HOLIER.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO, AND, UM, I'LL BE SPEAKING ON SEVERAL ITEMS, SO I'LL INTRODUCE MYSELF JUST ONCE.
UH, ITEM NUMBER SIX IS A CONTRACT TO SCHINDLER ELEVATOR CORPORATION FOR $12.2 MILLION FOR ES ELEVATOR AND ESCALATOR REPAIR AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AT AUSTIN BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
AND I'M SPEAKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR DECLINING SALES TAX REVENUE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND IN INVESTIGATING THIS COMPANY, I SEE THAT THEY ARE HEADQUARTERED IN NEW JERSEY.
THEY HAVE OFFICES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
AND TO ME THIS INDICATES BOTH A HIGH LEVEL OF OVERHEAD COSTS AND, UH, A CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS THAT IS GOING TO BE FUNDED IN A DIFFERENT STATE.
AND AS WE'RE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO STRETCH THE REVENUE THAT WE HAVE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO FUND LOCAL, WHETHER IT'S AUSTIN OR TEXAS BUSINESSES, BECAUSE
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THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE TAKE OUT OF OUR CITY BUDGET GOES TO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REINVEST THOSE DOLLARS.HERE IN AUSTIN AND IN TEXAS, I, I'VE ALSO LEARNED THAT, UH, THIS COMPANY USES PROPRIETARY PARTS.
AND SO ONCE WE ENGAGE IN A CONTRACT WITH THIS COMPANY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WANT TO WORK WITH THIS COMPANY.
AND SINCE THE PARTS THAT THEY'RE USING ARE ONLY GOING TO BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THEM.
SO ADDRESSING THIS NOW WHILE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE ANY OTHER TEXAS BUSINESSES THAT CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICE, I THINK WOULD BE INCREDIBLY PRUDENT.
I'LL CONTINUE ON WITH NUMBER SEVEN.
UH, THIS IS A CONTRACT TO ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR $13.2 MILLION.
AND THIS IS ENTERPRISE LEVEL LICENSING, MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THE CITY'S GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM PLATFORM.
AGAIN, MY CONCERNS HERE COME DOWN TO OUR SALES TAX REVENUE, BUT IT ALSO, UH, GOES BEYOND JUST THAT.
UH, IT'S WHETHER OR NOT WE NEED TO BE SPENDING NEARLY $13.2 MILLION FOR THIS SERVICE.
THE COMPANY THAT WE ARE CONTRACTED WITH IS IN CALIFORNIA, AND I UNDERSTAND WE DO HAVE AN EXISTING CONTRACT WITH THIS GROUP, BUT MANY OTHER TEXAS GOVERNMENTS USE FREE AND OPEN SOLUTIONS THAT ARE BASED HERE IN TEXAS.
SO EVEN IF THERE'S A COST TO TRANSITION TO ANOTHER SERVICE, IF WE ARE TRANSITIONING TO A FREE OPEN SOURCE SOLUTION, THAT COMES WITH A NUMBER OF TREMENDOUS BENEFITS.
WE'RE SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT IN TEXAS BY SUPPORTING BUSINESSES THAT ARE HERE IN TEXAS, AND WE'RE ALSO ALLOCATING OUR FUNDS TO OTHER PURPOSES INSTEAD OF VERY LARGE CONTRACTS WITH OUT OF STATE BUSINESSES.
AND THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING OUR TAX DOLLARS CLOSE TO HOME AND ONLY SPENDING THOSE THAT WE NEED TO BE SPENDING.
AM I CLEAR TO TALK NUMBER FOR 10? 10? GO AHEAD.
THIS IS FOR CARBON CREDIT BROKER SERVICES.
AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CONTEXT OF WHAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS DOING WITH OUR MONEY, UM, THERE'S A LACK OF TRUST BETWEEN COUNCIL, HOW Y'ALL ARE SPENDING OUR DOLLARS AND CITIZENS.
AND THIS IS A CASE WHERE WE'RE REALLY WALKING THE LINE.
IT'S A MILLION DOLLARS FOR CARBON CREDIT BROKER SERVICES.
THERE IS QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THESE SERVICES ARE EVEN WORTH THE DOLLARS WE SPEND ON THEM.
THERE WAS A STUDY IN 2023 THAT REVEALED THAT 94% OF CREDITS HAD NO BENEFIT TO THE CLIMATE.
A MILLION DOLLARS IS A LOT TO SPEND FOR NO BENEFIT.
ALSO PAYING FOR CARBON CREDITS IS VERY CLOSE TO PAYING FOR INDULGENCES.
THIS IS A SYMBOLIC ACT THAT OFFERS FORGIVENESS, BUT WITHOUT ACTUAL MEANINGFUL SACRIFICE.
AND HERE WE'RE NOT EVEN PURCHASING CARBON CREDITS, BUT DIRECTLY, BUT THEY'RE THROUGH BROKER SERVICES AND THAT CREATES A LEVEL OF OPACITY THAT DOES NOT ENCOURAGE ANY TRUST.
IF THE CITY WANTS TO ENCOURAGE MORE CLIMATE FOCUSED ACTIVITIES, LET'S ENCOURAGE MORE REFORESTATION.
HERE IN AUSTIN, WE USED TO HAVE AN AMAZING PROGRAM, THE WILDLIFE AUSTIN PROGRAM, WHERE RESIDENTS WERE ABLE TO GET THEIR YARDS CERTIFIED AS WILDLIFE HABITATS.
THIS IS A VERY LOW COST WAY FOR THE CITY TO ENCOURAGE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, AND IT WAS CANCELED.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS PROGRAM COME BACK.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE OTHER WAYS FOR THE CITY TO TAKE THIS MILLION DOLLARS AND INVEST IT DIRECTLY INTO THE CITY INSTEAD OF ROUTING IT IT THROUGH BROKERS WHO HAVE THEIR OWN ULTERIOR MOTIVES.
YOU MIGHT, YOU CAN STAY THERE 'CAUSE I DON'T WANNA CALL YOU IN A SECOND.
UM, I'M HERE AS A 30 YEAR, UH, VOLUNTEER IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
I WAS ON THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
I'M HERE ON ITEM NUMBER FIVE, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH CONTINUING, UH, WORKING WITH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS.
AND I JUST WANTED TO, UH, EXPRESS MY EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME HOW IMPORTANT, UH, THE IMAGINE AUSTIN PLAN IS.
PRIORITY PROGRAM NUMBER THREE.
UM, I HELPED, UH, PARTICIPATE IN WRITING IT.
UH, I'M NOT SURE WE KNOW IF IT'S BEING FOLLOWED OR BEING IMPLEMENTED EFFECTIVELY AND, UH, CONSIDERING, UH, THE RECENT, UH, CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND PROPOSITION Q AND HOW WE RELATE TO SERVING TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS AND,
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UH, THE CONDITION, UH, OF OUR SCHOOL PLANNING CHALLENGES IN OUR COMMUNITY, UH, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE CITY COUNTY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT AUTHENTICALLY WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO SERVE THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THAT, THE PROPOSITION FOR THAT, THE, UH, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE IMAGINE MOS PLAN THROUGH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE.AND I'M HERE TO ENCOURAGE THAT YOU DO WHAT YOU CAN TO BRING THAT ALIVE.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE SHOULDN'T AND OUR KIDS BEING EDUCATED, WE SHOULDN'T JUST BE TALKING ABOUT A ISD, WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT THE CITY.
WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT THE COUNTY.
WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT OTHER ENTITIES THAT IF THEY TRULY WERE WORKING TOGETHER AS PROVIDED FOR IN STATUTE AND AS PROVIDED FOR THE IMAGINE AUSTIN PLAN PRIORITY PROGRAM NUMBER THREE, UH, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE CONDITION WE HAVE NOW IN THE WAY OUR KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES ARE BEING TREATED IN EDUCATION.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE AND I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL, UH, SINCERELY TAKE A LOOK AT, UH, THE IMAGINE AUSTIN PLAN AND WHAT IT CAN DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I AM SPEAKING FOR I IRE JUNK REMOVAL AND RESALE, AN AUSTIN BASED WOMAN OWNED LICENSED HAULER.
I'M ADDRESSING ITEM 14, A CONTRACT FOR RESIDENTIAL DUMPSTER AND BULK COLLECTION FOR 500 MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES, UH, WITH TEXAS DISPOSAL SYSTEMS RECOMMENDED FOR AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY TO SUPPORT ZERO WASTE 2040 BULK DIVERSION ISN'T ACHIEVED BY DUMPSTERS ALONE.
ONCE ITEMS HIT ROLL OFF DUMPSTERS, GOOD FAITH RECYCLING IS RARELY FEASIBLE.
I REP BID BULK ONLY BECAUSE UPSTREAM MODEL WORKS DESIGNATE A CONSOLIDATION AREA TWICE MONTHLY, SWEEPS 24 HOUR, UH, OVERFLOW SORT BEFORE ANYTHING REACHES THE DUMPSTER AND SEND ITEMS TO THE RIGHT DOWNSTREAMS MATTRESSES TO A RECYCLER FURNITURE TO A FREE OR LOW COST COMMUNITY MARKET AND METALS AND E-WASTE GO TO A COMPLIANT FACILITIES WHILE TDS ACTUALLY HANDLES THE TRASH.
WE CURRENTLY OFFER BULK SERVICES FOR SEVERAL MULTIFAMILY OPERATORS AND VOLUNTEERED AT MOVE OUT A TX TO SEE HOW STATIONS AND FURNITURE MARKETS COULD WORK.
WE HOLD A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE CITY BULK BRUSH CONTRACT, WHICH HAS BEEN UNUSED FOR 18 PLUS MONTHS DESPITE OUR INVESTMENTS.
MEANWHILE, ON-DEMAND BULK HAS FRUSTRATED RESIDENTS AND INCREASED LANDFILL FLOW.
UH, WE KNOW FIRSTHAND THE IMPLICATIONS AND THE LACK OF GOAL ACHIEVEMENT, UH, BASED ON TDSS PRICE SUBMISSION AND THEIR LISTING, THEIR LANDFILL AS THE ONLY DROP OFF LOCATION.
NO CLEAR PATH FOR BULKY RECYCLABLES.
MY SITE TOUR STAFF CONVERSATIONS, I KNOW PAIRING DUMPSTER SERVICE WITH TRUE BULK DIVERSION REMAINS OPERATIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY MISALIGNED WITH A SINGLE PRIME STRUCTURE SPECIALISTS LIKE I REP WHERE EFFECTIVELY SIDELINED.
AND THIS LEAVES ME TO BELIEVE THAT BULK WILL GET WASTED AND BUSINESSES LIKE OURS COULD BE HURT.
MY ASK, APPROVE THE CONTRACT DIRECT A RR TO RUN A 90 DAY PILOT, UH, WITH THE PRIME AND DIVERSION FIRST BULK SPECIALIST LIKE IRE FOR 50 PROPERTIES, UH, AND HAVE KPIS ON THAT.
UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ITEM 15, JENNIFER ROBO, AND THEN ITEM 20 BILL BUNCH AND CARLOS LEON.
THEN ITEM 21, JASON HASKINS, JENNIFER ROBOSHO AND SHOSHANA KRIEGER.
GOOD MORNING AGAIN, I'M JEN ROBOSHO.
I'M SPEAKING ITEM 15, WHICH IS A CONTRACT FOR $1.9 MILLION TO RADIANT RESEARCH FOR MAINTENANCE SUPPORT AND UPGRADES OF METER TESTING SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE AT AUSTIN ENERGY.
UH, AGAIN, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT KEEPING OUR TAX DOLLARS AS CLOSE TO HOME AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS FOR US TO ADDRESS THE SALES TAX REVENUE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE CITY.
IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THIS COMPANY IS HEADQUARTERED IN INDIANA AND I'M AWARE THAT WE HAVE BOTH TEXAS ALTERNATIVES AS WELL AS LOCAL AUSTIN METRO COMPANIES THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES.
I DO APPRECIATE THAT THIS CONTRACT IS BEING SOURCED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS.
I THINK THAT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE US TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THOSE BIDS AND SEE WHO WE HAVE FROM AUSTIN.
AND IF WE AREN'T REALLY STRATEGICALLY SOURCING LOCAL COMPANIES AND THOSE BIDS, THAT NEEDS TO BE A TOP PRIORITY WHEN WE'RE PUTTING OUT THOSE RFPS FEES, THIS CONTRACT IS GOING TO LOCK US IN WITH HARDWARE INTEGRATIONS.
AND SO MAKING A WISE DECISION NOW IS GOING TO ENSURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO UNWIND ANY OF THESE DECISIONS LATER.
TAKING A LONG-TERM THINKING APPROACH THAT WEIGHS OUR LOCAL INVESTMENTS IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TAX TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT WISELY
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AND THAT EVEN THE SIMPLEST THINGS LIKE THE OVERHEAD COSTS FOR THE COMPANIES THAT WE ARE PAYING ARE STAYING HERE LOCALLY.SO LET'S ENSURE THAT WE ARE SPENDING WISELY, THAT WE ARE DOING MORE WITH LESS AND THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING OUR LOCAL OPTIONS FIRST AND FOREMOST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY HERE IN MAINTAINING AS MUCH SALES TAX REVENUE AS POSSIBLE.
I'D LIKE, CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION REAL QUICK BECAUSE CERTAINLY YOU, YOU'VE GIVEN SIMILAR TESTIMONY OVER A COURSE OF ITEMS AND YES, I AM GENUINELY CURIOUS TO KNOW.
YOU, YOU TOUCHED ON THIS BEING A, A COMPETITIVE PROCESS AND SO THE OPTIONS TYPICALLY ARE, LET'S SAY THERE IS A LOCAL THAT'S NOT CHOSEN THAT WOULD TYPICALLY INDICATE THAT THE LOCAL OPTION WAS MORE EXPENSIVE.
AND IN A TIME WHEN WE ARE CLEARLY, UH, GOING TO BE NEEDING TO MAKE CUTS ACROSS THE CITY, HOW WOULD YOU BALANCE SPENDING MORE LOCALLY VERSUS SPENDING LESS, YOU KNOW, TAKING THE LOWEST COST EVEN IF IT'S OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN? WELL, WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY HOW MUCH THE COST DIFFERENCE IS, IT IS HARD TO MAKE THAT BLANKET DECISION NOW, BUT I DO THINK THAT WE WANNA BE LOOKING AT WHERE ARE THOSE DOLLARS GOING, SPENDING MORE, BUT KEEPING THOSE DOLLARS HERE LOCALLY FEEDS BACK INTO OUR LOCAL SYSTEM AND THAT'S THE COST.
NOW THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE COST DOWN THE ROAD WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE SAME.
IT COULD GO UP WITH THE OTHER COMPETITOR, IT COULD GO DOWN HERE LOCALLY.
THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABILITY THROUGH THAT.
THERE MAY BE WAYS IN WRITING THESE CONTRACTS IN ORDER TO, UH, INCENTIVIZE BIDS LOCALLY TO SET UP MAYBE A LONGER TERM CONTRACT THAT ENCOURAGES A BETTER PRICE OVER TIME.
AND I THINK THESE ARE JUST DISCUSSIONS THAT NEED TO BE FRONT OF MIND GIVEN THE NUMBER OF OUT-OF-STATE CONTRACTS THAT WE SEEM TO HAND OUT.
IT JUST DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS IS FRONT OF MIND.
THIS IS WHY I SPEAK ABOUT IT FREQUENTLY.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.
WE APPRECIATE THE TESTIMONY THAT'S BEEN GIVEN.
IF YOU COULD STATE YOUR NAME AND WHICH ITEM YOU'RE SPEAKING ON FOR THE RECORD.
SOY CARLOS LEON, FIRST AND FOREMOST S FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO ITEM 20.
LIBRARY COMMISSION ISSUES TO ADDRESS REGARDING APLS DENIAL OF PHYSICAL ACCESS RULES STILL BEING UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH YOUR SUPERSEDING RULES FOR PUBLIC USE OF CITY PROPERTIES.
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, STEPHANIE HAYDEN HOWARD SAID SHE WAS WORKING ON THOSE RULES AND WOULD SEND CITY AUDITOR A SUMMARY WHEN THE UPDATE IS COMPLETED YET TWO MONTHS LATER.
THERE'S ZERO PUBLIC EVIDENCE OF THAT THOUGH.
A PL SAID DECEMBER 31ST, 2024.
THERE CTN POLICY HAD BEEN RECENTLY REVIEWED, UPDATED, AND IS AWAITING SIGN OFF FOR FINALIZATION.
THUS HAYDEN HOWARD APPEARS TO BE STONEWALLING.
YOU JUST LIKE INTERIM DIRECTOR HANNAH TERRELL PER YOUR OFFICIAL JOB POSTING FOR A NEW A PL DIRECTOR.
A FIRST REVIEW OF CANDIDATES OCCURRED OCTOBER 3RD.
WHO DID THAT? AND HOW, WHAT PROCEDURE CRITERIA AND METRICS WERE USED TO ENSURE ALL APPLICANTS WERE EQUALLY EVALUATED? HOW MANY APPLIED? WHO ARE THEY? WHO'S STILL BEING CONSIDERED? WHAT ARE NEXT STEPS AND TIMELINE FOR THAT PROCESS? MY PIS FOR THAT INFORMATION HAVE GENERATED NOTHING IN RESPONSE.
THEREFORE, IS THE SEARCH RIGHTLY OPEN TO FINDING AND HIRING THE BEST FITTING HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE? OR IS IT WRONGLY GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS FOR A PRESELECTED ONE? INSTEAD OF WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY AND POLITICAL CAPITAL ON LOGO FAILURE, CITY MANAGER BROAD NECKS SHOULD BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE SEARCH MECHANICS AND PROGRESS TODAY BECAUSE TWO DAYS AGO, PROP Q VOTERS SAID NO TO BLINDLY TRUSTING HIM AND YOU BECAUSE THE NEW DIRECTOR WILL AFFECT AUSTINITES CITYWIDE FOR YEARS TO COME.
HIRING THE RIGHT RULE FOLLOWING LAW ABIDING LIBRARY LEADER REQUIRES YOUR ATTENTION NOW.
UH, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR PRO TIM COUNCIL MEMBER OF CITY MANAGER.
MY NAME IS JASON JALEN PEARL HASKINS AND I'M HERE TODAY, UH, TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 21 AND 23.
UM, I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AS AN INDEPENDENT HOUSING ADVOCATE.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I HAVE AN EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN, REGULATION AND OPERATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF TYPES AND FUNDING SOURCES.
I'M SPEAKING IN ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT OF BOTH ITEMS 21 AND 23 AS THEY ADDRESS IMPORTANT MEASURES THAT I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR FOR A WHILE, BUT IN BOTH CASES
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I DON'T THINK THEY GO FAR ENOUGH AS IT PERTAINS TO ITEM 21 ON THE RHDA LEASE ADDENDUM.I SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS, UNJUST IMBALANCES OF POWER THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS IN PARTICULAR HAS GLEEFULLY PERPE PERPETRATED.
I STRONGLY CONS RECOMMEND WE CONSIDER BOTH MINIMUM STANDARDS AND INCENTIVES FOR HIGHER PERFORMANCE.
SO IT ASKS FOR AN AMENDMENT TO DIRECTING STAFF TO INCLUDE SOME OF THESE MEASURES DISCUSSED AS SCORING ITEMS FOR ADDITIONAL POINTS IN THE REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.
HOWEVER, THIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY NOT AN RHDA PROBLEM.
THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL LEASES AND IF ANYTHING, MOST RHDA RECIPIENTS ARE ALREADY DOING BETTER.
SO PART OF THIS EFFORT NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTING THESE PROTECTIONS FOR ALL RENTERS IN THE CITY.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS, THE PROTECTION OF WHICH NOT ONLY AFFIRMS AND SUPPORTS THE DIVINELY ENDOWED DIGNITY OF OUR NEIGHBORS, BUT ALSO REDUCES THE BURDEN THAT POVERTY, HOUSING, AND SECURITY AND HOMELESSNESS HAVE ON ALL OF US THROUGH SPENDING ON EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS, MALNUTRITION, JAIL STAYS, MALICIOUS ENFORCEMENT, DECREASED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY, AND MANY MORE ISSUES SINCE WE ONCE AGAIN SAW THIS WEEK THAT THE COLD HEARTED AND SELFISH SHOULD RATHER PAY THE HIGHER HIDDEN COSTS THAN TAKE DIRECT ACTION.
WE NEED MEASURES THAT WILL REINFORCE HOUSING STABILITY IN THE FACE OF GREED AND EXPLOITATION WHILE THE MAJORITY OF RHA RECIPIENTS ARE ALREADY ON BOARD AND OUTPERFORM THE AVERAGE LANDLORD BY A WIDE MARGIN.
ACCOUNTABILITY IS CRITICAL AND IS ONE OF THE FOUR PILLARS OF SOUND HOUSING SUBSIDY POLICY, JUST AS WE HAVE CONTINUED TO LEAD THE MULTIFAMILY INDUSTRY ON SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCY, CONSTRUCTION, WORKERS RIGHTS, ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSIVE DESIGN, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND SO MANY OTHER CRITICAL AREAS.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO LEAD IN THIS AS WELL.
PLEASE PROCEED STATING YOUR NAME AND ITEM YOU'RE SPEAKING ON FOR THE RECORD.
UH, MY NAME IS SHOSHANA KRIEGER AND I'M THE PROJECT DIRECTOR OF BASTA BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING TENANT ACTION OR BUS.
UM, THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY TESTIMONY TODAY.
UM, AS AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS ESCALATE, UM, AT BASA WE HAVE BEEN SEEING WITH THE TENANTS WE WORK WITH AND OUR MEMBERS DISTURBING TRENDS OF JUNK FEES, LANDLORD BULLYING, EVICTION INCREASES, UM, AND OTHER SUCH INJUSTICES FOR TENANTS.
IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX YEARS SINCE THE TENANT PROTECTIONS FOR CITY FUNDED RHDA PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN EXAMINED AND UPDATED, UH, THAT IS WOEFULLY TOO LONG.
UM, THIS ITEM WILL INITIATE THAT PROCESS, WHICH IS LONG OVERDUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THE CITY IS INVESTING IN HOUSING, WE'RE NOT JUST INVESTING IN DEVELOPERS, BUT WE'RE INVESTING IN HOUSING THAT ACTUALLY SERVES THE NEEDS OF RENTERS ON THE GROUND, THAT RENTERS ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE STAKEHOLDER PROCESS TO COME AND WE WANNA THANK ALL OF THE COUNCIL OFFICES WHO HAVE WORKED ON THIS ITEM.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER AND FUENTES.
UM, AND VELAZQUEZ NOT FORGETTING YOU.
UM, AND ESPECIALLY I WANNA THANK, UH, MELISSA LER FROM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE'S OFFICE, WHO HAS REALLY DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB OF MAKING SURE, UH, THAT BOTH, UH, TENANT ADVOCATES AND DEVELOPERS, UH, UH, PERSPECTIVES ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ITEM.
THANK YOU FOR ITEM OH, GO AHEAD.
I'M JEN ROBO AND SPEAKING HERE ON ITEM 21, WHICH IS THE RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT TENANT PROTECTIONS RESOLUTION.
AND THIS LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A MULTI-MONTH PROCESS, SO I'M THRILLED TO SEE THAT THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF TIME FOR FEEDBACK AND TO REALLY THINK THIS THROUGH WELL BECAUSE WE DO WANNA MAKE SURE THAT AS WE ARE, UH, LOOKING TO ADDRESS JUST THE PROGRAMS ITSELF AS WELL AS ANY SPENDING DECISIONS THAT WE'RE DOING.
SO TRANSPARENTLY THE, UH, RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WE DO SEE A PROBLEM WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE NOT MATCHING THE RISING COSTS IN RENT THAT WE'RE SEEING IN AUSTIN.
AND WHILE THIS PROGRAM IS SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING PEOPLE WHO ARE RECEIVING THAT ASSISTANCE, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THIS IN THE BROADER CONTEXT AS WELL.
UH, ANY SORT OF REGULATIONS CAN BE USED AS PILOTS TOWARDS ANY OTHER PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS IN AUSTIN IN GENERAL, IF WE'RE GOING TO BE REGULATING RENTAL POLICIES, I THINK WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR PROTECTIONS FOR ALL RENTERS.
AND I THINK A BIG PART OF THAT IS THE TRANSPARENCY IN THE COST OF RENTING HOMEOWNERS.
UM, I, MYSELF AND MAHO HOMEOWNER, I SUSPECT MANY OF YOU ARE AS WELL.
AND WE'VE SEEN THAT THERE'S A LOT OF TRANSPARENCY IN THAT PROCESS.
WE KNOW WHAT COSTS CONTRIBUTES TO OUR OVERALL MONTHLY BILLS, AND THIS IS THE TRUTH IN LENDING PRACTICE, AND I DON'T SEE A TRUTH IN RENTING PRACTICE.
THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER MENTIONED THAT THERE'S JUNK FEES IN RENTS.
WE HAVE INSURANCE COSTS AND TAXES WHEN YOU'RE A RENTER AND THOSE THINGS GET LUMPED INTO AN OVERALL BILL, WHICH MAKES
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IT DIFFICULT TO TELL WHAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY PAYING FOR.UM, BEYOND THAT, I DO HAVE CONCERNS WITHIN THIS RESOLUTION THAT WE ARE SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE BOND ELECTION.
I KNOW THERE'S ONE PLANNED FOR NEXT NOVEMBER, SO WHATEVER COSTS YOU'RE LOOKING TO EXTRACT THROUGH THE BOND ELECTION, BE VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THAT.
RENTERS ARE GOING, I MEAN, VOTERS ARE GOING TO PUSH BACK.
MOVING ON TO ITEM 22, PAUL BARRETT, ARE YOU HERE? PAUL? YOU HAVE TIME DONATED BY LIZ MARTA.
AND AS YOU STARVE, YOU CAN STATE YOUR NAME AND WHICH ITEM YOU'RE SPEAKING ON FOR THE RECORD.
I'M RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN STRONG SUPPORT OF ITEM 22.
I WANT TO PUBLICLY CONGRATULATE MR. AVI ON HIS APPOINTMENT TO LEAD THIS VITAL OFFICE.
THE OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT OFFICE FOR OUR CITY'S GOVERNANCE, AND ITS INTEGRITY IS PARAMOUNT.
THIS APPOINTMENT COULD NOT BE MORE TIME SENSITIVE.
YOUR OWN OFFICE, MR. AUDITOR JUST PUBLISHED ITS OCTOBER, 2025 AUSTIN SMBR PROGRAM AUDIT.
THAT REPORT CONFIRMS THE CITY'S COMPLIANCE AND DATA SYSTEMS ARE IN SYSTEMIC CRISIS.
I AM HERE TO CORROBORATE THAT FINDING MY PRO BONO ANALYSIS OF THE CONVENTION CENTER CONTRACT, WHICH THIS COUNCIL APPROVED TWO WEEKS AGO, IS THE PATIENT ZERO CASE STUDY FOR THIS AUDIT.
YOUR AUDIT FINDING NUMBER THREE, FOUND INCOMPLETE DOCUMENTATION AND NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE CONTRACTORS COMPLY WITH M-W-D-B-E POLICIES.
MY AUDIT FOUND THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE, A 96.6 WBE SHORTFALL, AND A 93.3 MBE SHORTFALL ON A $1.6 BILLION CONTRACT.
THIS IS A $200 MILLION COMPLIANCE DEFICIT THAT PROVES YOUR OCTOBER, 2025 REPORT IS REMARKABLY ACCURATE.
I'M HERE TO STATE ON PUBLIC RECORD.
I WILL SUBMIT MY EVIDENCE-BASED DOCUMENT ON THIS SYSTEMIC FAILURE TO YOUR OFFICE TODAY.
I AM DELIVERING YOU THE CLEAR CASE THAT CONFIRMS YOUR OWN WORK.
I AM CONFIDENT MR. AVI, AS THE CO-AUTHOR OF THAT SMBR AUDIT UNDERSTANDS THE GRAVITY OF THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.
AND WE'LL GIVE THESE CORROBORATING FINDINGS, THE IMMEDIATE, RIGOROUS, AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION DAY AND THE CITY'S CITIZENS OF AUSTIN DESERVE.
THANK YOU FOR ITEM 23, CAROLYN WILLIAMS, BARRY JONES, ANNA DUNCAN, MEL LEBLANC, CARRIE ANN SMITH, JASON HASKINS AND SHOSHANA KRIEGER.
MY NAME IS CAROLYN WILLIAMS. I AM A LEADER AT VOCAL TEXAS.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK AND ASK THAT YOU VOTE YES ON ITEM 21 AND 23, BUT I WILL BE SPEAKING ONLY ON ITEM 23.
WHEN I WAS 65, I WAS EVICTED AND NOT GIVEN A REASON WHY.
I WENT BEFORE A JUDGE AND TALKED ABOUT THIS INJUSTICE AND LACK OF EVIDENCE, EVIDENCE FOR EVICTION, BUT THEY SIDED WITH THE APARTMENT AND WENT THROUGH WITH THE EVICTION.
THIS CAUSED ME TO FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS.
SINCE THEN, I STRUGGLED WITH MANY FORMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION.
THIS INCLUDED DENIALS FOR RENTAL HISTORY DUE TO EVICTION.
MY SON HAD MISDEMEANORS AND WAS LIVING WITH ME.
SO WE HAD, WE GOT DENIED AND ISSUES WITH MY CREDIT FROM FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS.
I WANT TO REPEAT THAT BECAUSE MY SON HAD MISDEMEANORS.
WE WERE REJECTED FROM HOUSING.
IF SOMETHING LIKE RHODA, RHDA WAS AROUND AND ENFORCED IN THE TIME I WAS HOMELESS, I WOULD HAVE AVOIDED HOMELESSNESS AND A LOT OF TRAUMA.
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WE ARE FIGHTING TO STOP DISCRIMINATIONS AGAINST PEOPLE WITH RECORDS.WE DESERVE ALL, WE ALL DESERVE HOUSING AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES.
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT VOTE YES TO REINFORCE RDA IN OUR CITY SO WE CAN GET ONE STEP CLOSER TO ENDING DISCRIMINATION IN THE HOUSING PROCESS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
I'M A LEADER WITH VOCAL TEXAS.
UH, I LIVED IN IN DISTRICT TWO AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEMS 21 AND 23.
UP UNTIL RECENTLY, I WAS HOMELESS AND ON A WAIT LIST, HOUSING WAIT LIST FOR 10 YEARS, MUCH OF MY TIME BEING HOMELESS WAS SPENT STANDING IN LINES WITH OTHER HOMELESS PEOPLE WAITING FOOD, CLOTHING, OR OTHER RESOURCES.
THE PEOPLE I WAS IN LINE WITH WOULD TALK ABOUT THEIR STORIES OVER AND OVER.
I HAVE A FELONY AND THEY DON'T GIVE HOUSING TO FELONS, SO I DON'T APPLY FOR HOUSING ANYMORE.
THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION FOR HOMELESSNESS IS HOMELESSNESS, IS TO GET PEOPLE IN HOUSING.
AND THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM.
IN SEPTEMBER, 2024, I APPLIED FOR AND WAS PLACED IN THE MARSHALING YARD SHELTER.
ONCE INSIDE, I WAS PUT THROUGH WITH THE COORDINATED ASSESSMENT, BUT WAS WARNED THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE WERE BEING PLACED INTO HOUSING.
ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS I HEARD AGAIN, WAS BECAUSE OF CRIMINAL RECORDS.
MANY PEOPLE APPLIED BUT VERY FEW WERE ACCEPTED IN.
IN CONSEQUENCE, THE MARSHALING YARD STAYED FULL AND NO NEW PEOPLE WERE BEING ADMITTED.
DURING MY TIME BEING HOMELESS, I'VE SEEN TIME AND AGAIN HOW THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE, BUT THE AID SELDOM GETS TO THOSE IN WHO NEED IT SHORTER LOOK BACK PERIODS FOR RECORDS, ENSURE A SECOND CHANCE HOUSING AND GIVE PEOPLE HOPE THAT THEIR MISTAKES DO NOT DEFINE THEM FOREVER.
OUR RHDA IS SUPPOSED TO OFFER THOSE SHORTER LOOK BACK PERIODS AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN STAY IN HOUSING AND THAT WOULD BE GREAT IF THE POLICY WAS UPHELD.
THAT'S WHY WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY FOR RHDA PROPERTIES.
THAT WAY WE CAN ENSURE ENFORCEMENT.
PLEASE VOTE YES ON ITEM 21 AND 23.
WE CANNOT END HOMELESSNESS BY EXCLUDING PEOPLE WITH RECORDS.
I'M READING A STATEMENT TODAY FROM JOHN CRUZ.
UM, HE WASN'T HERE, HE WASN'T ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY.
UM, HE'S A 48-YEAR-OLD, HAVE BEEN LIVING ON THE STREETS EVER SINCE HE WAS 12 YEARS OLD.
HE MADE MISTAKES, BUT HE'S GOTTEN BETTER NOW.
HE APPLIED AT SUNRISE HOUSINGS AND TO WAITING ON THE WAITING LIST FOR SIX TO SEVEN MONTHS.
THEN FINALLY GOT A HOUSING VOUCHER.
HE THOUGHT THAT HE WAS GONNA BE ABLE TO GET A APARTMENT SOON, BUT HE WAS ON THE WAITING LIST FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS BEFORE HE EVEN GOT HOUNDS.
HE WAS APPLYING FOR APARTMENTS AND WAS NEVER HEARING ANYTHING AND EVEN TRIED APPLYING FOR APARTMENTS BY HIMSELF.
BUT HIS CASE MANAGER SAID, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
BUT, UM, HE NEVER GOT ANY HOUSING OR ANYTHING CAME UP.
SO HE KEPT ASKING WHY WAS, WHY WAS HE NOT GETTING, WHY WAS HE NOT HEARING ANYTHING? AND HIS FOURTH CASE MANAGER TOLD HIM BECAUSE OF HIS RECORD IS KEEPING HIM FROM GETTING HOUSING AND HE KEPT TRYING TO GET A CHANCE TO JUST TO BE UP OFF OF THE STREET.
UM, IT TOOK HIM THREE YEARS FOR HIM TO GET HOUSING BECAUSE OF HIS RECORD.
HE WAS CALLED IN THE CITY TO CHANGE THAT, THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WITH RECORDS TO GET OFF THE STREET.
EVERYONE DESERVES A CHANCE TO BE IN HOUSING DESPITE OF THEIR BE DESPITE OF WHAT THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH AND THE STEREOTYPES THAT THEY PUT UP ON.
PLEASE, UM, APPROVE ITEMS 21 AND 23, THE ROTA POLICIES.
I AM A LEADER WITH VOCAL TEXAS AND I AM CURRENT YOU TO VOTE YES ON ITEMS 21 AND 23, BUT I'LL BE MOSTLY SPEAKING ON ITEMS 23.
UM, I MOVED TO AUSTIN A FEW YEARS AGO.
UM, THE FIRST YEAR I WAS SLEEPING ON THE STREETS.
THE FOLLOWING YEAR I WAS IN THE MARSHALING YARD.
UM, PRIOR TO ME MOVING TO AUSTIN, I HAD MY OWN, MY OWN APARTMENT, BUT EVENTUALLY, UM, A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER I GOT EVICTED.
[00:35:01]
LIKE IT WAS JUST UNFAIR FOR ME THAT I BECAME HOMELESS AGAIN.UM, RATHER, OR NOT THAT I'VE BEEN EVICTED OR HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD.
UM, IT JUST MADE MY HOUSING MORE UNSTABLE, UM, THAN EVER.
UM, BUT SINCE I GOT HERE, IT IS JUST, THINGS JUST BEEN WORSE FOR ME.
I MOVED OUT HERE TO GET AWAY FROM ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP.
UM, AND IT IS, IT IS, IT'S REALLY HARD.
UM, AS I LOOK AROUND MY COMMUNITY, AROUND MY NEIGHBORS, IT IS A SHAME TO ME THAT SO MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS, UM, ARE UNHOUSED BECAUSE OF THEIR CRIMINAL RECORD.
UM, EARLIER THIS YEAR, UM, I HAVE DONE SOME OUTREACH WITH MY FELLOW FOCAL TEXAS LEADERS AND WORKERS AS WELL TO PASS AROUND PETITIONS.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO AND I'M HERE TODAY WITH VOCAL TEXAS.
AT VOCAL, WE FOCUS ON BUILDING PEOPLE POWER TO END HOMELESSNESS, MASS INCARCERATION, THE DRUG WAR, AND HIV AND AIDS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK THAT YOU VOTE YES ON ITEM 21 AND 23, BUT I'LL BE SPEAKING ON 23.
EARLIER THIS YEAR IN APRIL, WE LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN FOCUSING ON DEEPLY AFFORDABLE UNITS AND MAKING SURE JUSTICE IMPACTED FOLKS WITH RECORDS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SECOND CHANCE HOUSING.
THIS CAME FROM OUR DIRECTLY IMPACTED LEADERS, SOME OF WHO YOU JUST HEARD FROM TODAY, TELLING US THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY'RE FACING ON THE STREETS.
SOON AFTER WE REALLY DOVE INTO RHODA AND HOW THIS SEEMED TO REALLY ALIGN WELL WITH OUR MISSION.
THE POLICY FROM 2019 AND AFTER HAD SHORTER LOOKBACK PERIODS, HAD GREATER PROTECTIONS TO HELP PEOPLE STAY HOUSED THAT ARE COMING OUT OF HARD TIMES.
AND WE WERE REALLY EXCITED TO LOOK INTO EXPANDING THIS AND, BUT WE REALIZED THAT THE CURRENT POLICIES ARE NOT ACTUALLY BEING ENFORCED ON MANY ACCOUNTS.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WRONGFULLY EVICTED, THEIR LEASE ADDENDUMS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED WITH THIS INFORMATION MIXED WITH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE ON THE STREETS WITH RECORDS.
WE CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT DEVELOPERS TAKING CITY DOLLARS ARE NOT FOLLOWING THEIR OWN POLICIES AND DENYING PEOPLE WRONGFULLY DENYING PEOPLE WITH RECORDS WRONGFULLY.
ADDITIONALLY, WHEN PEOPLE ARE DENIED, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GET AN APPEALS NOTICE.
OUR IMPACTED FOLKS HAVE REPORTED THAT.
ONE, THEY'RE NOT EVEN GETTING A NOTICE OF DENIAL, AND TWO, THEY'RE DEFINITELY NOT GETTING A NOTICE OF THE RIGHT TO APPEAL.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THESE DEVELOPERS ARE IN COMPLIANCE SO PEOPLE KNOW THEIR RIGHTS.
PASSING THIS ITEM WOULD ENSURE THAT WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO TRULY HAVING HOUSING FOR ALL NON-COMPLIANCE RESULTS IN MORE PEOPLE BECOMING HOMELESS AND PEOPLE ON THE STREETS WITH RECORDS NOT QUALIFYING FOR HOUSING.
WE CANNOT END HOMELESSNESS BY EXCLUDING PEOPLE WITH RECORDS.
NOT TO MENTION THE LACK OF HOUSING AVAILABLE LEAVES VULNERABLE FOLKS TO BE VIOLENTLY SWEPT.
THE VIOLENCE SWEEPS THE CITY IS IMPLEMENTING ALONGSIDE DPS IS CAUSING TRAUMA.
THE REAL SOLUTION IS, IS ONLY HOUSING AND HOUSING FIRST.
SO AGAIN, I'M ASKING THAT YOU VOTE YES ON ITEM 23 TO HELP ENFORCE RHODA AND ON 21, UM, TO HELP EXPAND IT AND MAKE THINGS MORE EQUITABLE.
UH, SHOSHANA KREER WITH BOSSA.
UM, ANOTHER RESOLUTION, UH, RELATING TO, UH, CITY FUNDED RHODA, UH, PROTECTIONS.
UM, AS WE ALL KNOW, PROTECTIONS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT IF THE PROTECTIONS ARE ONLY ON PAPER, UH, THEY ARE MEANINGLESS.
AND SADLY, BO OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS ENCOUNTERED, UM, A NUMBER OF PROPERTIES WHERE THE LANDLORDS ARE NOT GIVING THOSE TENANT PROTECTIONS TO TENANTS.
AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS LARGELY TURNED A BLIND EYE, UH, TO THIS REAL, REAL PROBLEM.
AND, UM, THAT HAS LEFT, LEFT US PRETTY DESPONDENT, UM, OVER, UH, THE QUALITY OF HOUSING THAT THE CITY IS FUNDING.
UM, THIS ITEM WILL HOPEFULLY ADDRESS THAT BOTH NOW, BUT ALSO CREATING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE COMPLIANCE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED WITHIN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT SO THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.
AND SO THAT EVERY TENANT WHO LIVES IN ONE OF THESE PROPERTIES GETS THE LEASE ADDENDUM, WHICH LAYS OUT THE PROTECTIONS THAT EVERY APPLICANT, UM, GETS, UH, NOTICES OF DENIAL IF THEY ARE DENIED.
AND THE, THE RULES RELATING TO CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS ARE FILE, UH, FOLLOWED AS THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT.
UM, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW, UH, THE,
[00:40:01]
UH, COMPLIANCE PROGRAM IS BUILT OUT IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.UM, WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE NEW HOUSING DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, DEAN, UM, AND HER, UH, HER ALREADY TAKING SOME STEPS TO MOVE THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
UM, WE WANNA THANK AGAIN ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, WHO WORKED ON THIS ITEM, UM, ESPECIALLY COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL, UM, IN CARRYING THIS ITEM FORWARD.
ALRIGHT, JASON JOHN PAUL HASKINS SPEAKING ON IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 23, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FOR COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING FOR THE CITY'S RHDA, UH, WHICH IS THE PRIMARY AND MOST SUCCESSFUL MEANS BY WHICH THE CITY FUNDS CONTRIBUTE TO THE CREATION OF NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES.
WHEN THE PROGRAM STARTED, ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE WAS TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENTS FUNDED PRIMARILY BY OTHER SOURCES, ESPECIALLY LOW-INCOME HOUSING TEST CREDITS OR HUD PROJECT-BASED VOUCHERS.
THIS MEANT THAT THE PROJECTS ALREADY HAD A MORE INTENSE COMPLIANCE INSPECTION AND OVERSIGHT PROCESS BY A LARGER, MORE ESTABLISHED STATE OR FEDERAL ENTITY.
SO THERE WASN'T AS MUCH NEED FOR THE CITY TO DUPLICATE THAT WORK.
HOWEVER, WE HAVE MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS SINCE THE START OF OUR HDA AS THE FUNDING AND REGULATORY LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED.
THERE ARE MORE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TODAY THAT RESULT IN A MORE DIVERSE CAPITAL STACKS AND UNIQUE DEAL STRUCTURES, AND THE CITY HAS MATURED IN ITS OWN HOUSING PRIORITIES WITH INTERESTS THAT MAY NOT BE DUPLICATED IN OTHER, UH, REGULATIONS.
SO THE NEED FOR DEDICATED COMPLIANCE WITHIN THE ALLISON HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND A AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION HAS ARISEN AS WE SEE PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH OUR HDA WITHOUT STATE OR FEDERAL MONEY.
AS SMALLER COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECTS COME ONLINE, UH, AND BECOME MORE COMMON.
AND AS WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR CITY CRITERIA.
UH, BUT AGAIN, THE RESOLUTION DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN MY OPINION.
THIS NEEDS TO GO BEYOND JUST THE LEASE ADDENDUM.
WE NEED COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING FOR OHDA SMART HOUSING AND THE DENSITY BOGANS PROGRAMS AS WELL.
RHJ AND OHJ HAVE WHAT I HAVE OFTEN TOUTED AS A BEAUTIFUL PUNITIVE MECHANISM.
SINCE THE FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED AS FORGIVABLE, LOW OR ZERO INTEREST LOANS, NON-COMPLIANCE CAN EASILY RESULT IN INTEREST BEING RECAPTURED AND FORGIVENESS RESCINDED.
WHERE IS THE RECAPTURE FOR THE DENSITY BONUS PROGRAMS? WHO IS CONFIRMING THAT THE AFFORDABLE UNITS BUILT IN RAINY STREET AREN'T SITTING VACANT OR AS HOA STORAGE ROOMS WHO IS INSPECTING FOR THE ACCESSIBLE UNITS REQUIRED BY SMART HOUSING THAT EXCEED THE BUILDING CODE AND TDHA REQUIREMENTS? WHILE I BELIEVE THE MAJORITY OF CURRENT RHA SHIPMENTS WILL WELCOME AND GLADLY WORK WITH THIS EFFORT TO THOSE WHO DON'T, TO THOSE FEW WHO ARE TRYING TO GAIN THE SYSTEM FOR PROFIT, I SAY GOOD RIDDANCE AND GET OUT OF, GET THE HELL OUT OF OUR WAY.
FRANCIS, ARE YOU THERE? HELLO? YEAH, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
UM, HI, MY NAME IS FRANCIS RUSSELL.
UH, I AM A MEMBER OF DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'M A UT DOCTORAL STUDENT, AS WELL AS A LONGTIME MEMBER OF STREET FORUM.
STREET FORUM IS A MUTUAL AID GROUP, UM, OF HOUSED UNHOUSED PEOPLE WHO COME TOGETHER FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD, COFFEE, HYGIENE ITEMS, CAMPING SUPPLIES, AND MUCH MORE, UH, TO UPWARDS OF 150 TO 200 PEOPLE EVERY SUNDAY MORNING IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.
UH, THROUGH THIS VOLUNTEER WORK, I'VE MET DOZENS OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY SWEEPS.
UM, PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT DURING STATE AND CITY SWEEPS, THEY HAVE LOST VITAL DOCUMENTS, MEDICATIONS, PHONES, AS WELL AS SENTIMENTAL AND HIGH VALUE ITEMS. MOVING THESE ITEMS MAKES REAPPLYING FOR HOUSING OR JOBS ALL THAT MUCH HARDER.
THEY ALSO OFTEN RE-TRAUMATIZE THOSE IMPACT IMPACTED MANY OF WHOM ARE DISABLED OR WHO WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.
AND THE REPORTING ON SWEEPS IN THE CITY OFTEN REINFORCES EXISTING STIGMA AGAINST UNHOUSED, UNHOUSED FOLKS, WITHOUT PAINTING A FAIR AND COMPLETE PICTURE OF THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION.
FREAKS ARE DEHUMANIZING AND VIOLENT AND THEY DO NOT SOLVE HOMELESSNESS OR EVEN STOP ENCAMPMENTS, WHICH INEVITABLY POP UP IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AFTER THESE SWEEPS.
AS THERE ARE NO MORE HUMANE OR SAFE SHELTERS LEFT FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO COVER UP THE EXISTENCE OF HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTIN BY TRASHING PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS AND ASKING THEM TO GO FURTHER INTO THE WOODS WHERE THEY RISK INJURY AND A LACK OF SERVICES, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT OF THIS ISSUE.
THERE ARE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH SUPPORTIVE RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY TO MEET THE IMMENSE NEEDS OF THE FAL WOUNDS OF PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS HERE.
AS LONG AS STREETS ARE STILL HAPPENING IN AUSTIN, THERE ARE STILL SO MANY WAYS TO MAKE THESE MORE COMPASSIONATE AND EVEN POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE.
MANY OF THOSE COULD BE ENSURING THAT THERE IS ENOUGH SAFE AND DIGNIFIED SHELTER, UH, BEFORE CONDUCTING MASS SWEEPS.
TELLING PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN GO TO AN ALREADY SEVERELY OVERCROWDED MARSHALING YARD IS NOT OFFERING SOLUTIONS.
UH, ANOTHER THING COULD BE LIMITING TICKETING AND ARRESTS, NOT HAVING A PD OR ICE AT SWEEPS.
GETTING ADVANCED NOTICE FOR CITY SWEEPS AND FOR ALL POSSIBLE STATE SWEEPS.
UH, AND OF COURSE NOT DESTROYING PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS.
I URGE, URGE YOU TO LISTEN TO MANY PEOPLE IMPACTED AND CREATE COMPASSIONATE GUIDELINES.
[00:45:01]
I'M GONNA SWITCH OVER TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS REALLY QUICKLY.CONTINUING ON ITEM 24, ELI CORTEZ, VINCENT VALENTINO, JENNIFER ROBOSHO, KATE GRAZIANI, ALFREDO REYES JR.
HEY, UH, GOOD MORNING COUNSEL.
I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE AND A, UH, PROUD ORGANIZER AT, YOU CAN MOVE THE MIC A LITTLE CLOSER.
AND, UH, PROUD ORGANIZER AT VOCAL TEXAS.
UM, WE HAVE, UH, WE WERE JUST MADE IN SHOCKED AT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF GOVERNOR ABES AND IN TROOPS TO CONDUCT ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS, AS I'M SURE MANY OF YOU WERE.
UM, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY AS THE CITY TO STEP UP AND OFFER COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE, MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WERE SAFER, THAT THEY WERE KEPT OUT OF HARM'S WAY.
AND INSTEAD, OUR CITY ANNOUNCED A SEPARATE THREE WEEK ENCAMPMENT SWEEP PLAN, UM, WHICH FURTHER, UM, EXPOSED PEOPLE TO RISK OF CRIMINALIZATION, TO TICKETS, TO ARRESTS, UM, FORCING FOLKS FARTHER AND FARTHER INTO THE WOODS.
UM, AND I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHEN, WHEN PEOPLE ARE TOLD TO MOVE SOMEWHERE AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO, OUR SHELTERS ARE FULL.
IT, IT LITERALLY PUSHES THEM INTO PLACES WHERE THEY'RE HIDING.
WE HAD TWO UNHOUSED PEOPLE DROWN LIKE TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THEY HAD, THEY WERE HIDING IN A CREEK BED.
IT RAINED AND IT FLOODED, AND THEY DIED.
THIS IS A DIRE, DIRE SITUATION.
UM, OUR CITY TOUTS THAT OUR OUR CITY SWEEPS ARE SOMEHOW MORE HUMANE THAN, UM, STATE SWEEPS, AND THAT WE'RE CONNECTING PEOPLE TO RESOURCES AND TO SHELTER.
WE DO NOT HAVE AVAILABLE SHELTER BEDS.
WHEN PEOPLE GET CONNECTED TO A SHELTER BED.
OUR SHELTERS ARE KICKING PEOPLE OUT FOR THE SMALLEST INSTANCES.
UM, AS, AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE FELT LIKE WE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO THE CRISIS AND CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE, WHO HAD BEEN SWEPT.
UM, IN MY TIME OUT IN THE STREET IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS, I'VE MET PEOPLE WHO WERE TOLD, UM, THAT, THAT EITHER GOT NO NOTICE AT THEIR ENCAMPMENT.
UM, I SPOKE TO A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS TOLD TO LEAVE HIS THINGS LIKE HE, THEY TOLD HIM, YOU CAN TAKE THIS BACKPACK.
IF YOU GRAB THESE OTHER THINGS, YOU'RE GONNA GET A TICKET.
UM, SO THAT'S, THAT'S NOT HOW, AND IT MIGHT, WE MIGHT HAVE SOME SUCCESS, SUCCESS STORIES WHERE THESE POLICIES ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED, BUT IT'S NOT HAPPENING ACROSS THE BOARD.
WHEN WE'RE OUT AND WE'RE TALKING TO FOLKS, THEY'RE NOT HAPPENING.
WE HAD A LEADER THAT WAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TODAY.
UM, AND HE, UM, HE, HE WAS IN HIS, ACTUALLY, I'M GONNA FINISH THAT IN THE SECOND HALF OF OF MY SPEECH.
MY NAME IS VINCENT VALENTINO AND I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF BEING UNHEARD, UNSEEN AND TREATED AS DISPOSABLE.
I'M SPEAKING NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR EVERY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN PUSHED FROM PLACE TO PLACE WITH NOWHERE SAFE TO EXIST.
I'M A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I'VE LIVED IT NOT ONCE, NOT FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT CONTINUOUSLY SINCE I WAS 15 YEARS OLD.
I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO SURVIVE HOMELESSNESS, AND I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO LOSE EVERYTHING TO A SWEEP.
LESS THAN A MONTH AGO AT MY CAMP OFF RIVERSIDE IN THE WOODS, I EXPERIENCED YET ANOTHER SWEEP.
WE WERE GIVEN ONE HOUR TO CLEAN EVERYTHING OUT, AND WE DIDN'T EVEN GET THAT FULL HOUR.
WHEN I RETURNED, EVERYTHING I OWNED WAS DESTROYED.
MY CLOTHES, MY IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, MY DOGS RECORDS, ALL CRUSHED.
AND AMONG THOSE THINGS WERE MY LITTLE SISTERS' ASHES.
THAT'S SOMETHING NO ONE CAN EVER REPLACE.
THAT DAY BROKE SOMETHING INSIDE ME.
I WASN'T JUST LOSING MY BELONGINGS, I WAS LOSING MY PROGRESS, MY STABILITY, MY HOPE.
IT SENT ME MULTIPLE STEPS BACK, FORCING ME TO START OVER AGAIN, JUST TO REPLACE WHAT HAD ALREADY BEEN MINE.
IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I DIDN'T MATTER, LIKE MY LIFE, MY MEMORIES AND MY GRIEF WERE MEANINGLESS.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S NO HUMANITY IN THAT.
SWEEPS LIKE THESE DON'T SOLVE HOMELESSNESS.
THEY TAKE AWAY PEOPLE'S DIGNITY, SAFETY AND A LITTLE BIT OF STABILITY.
THEY'VE MANAGED TO BUILD, THEY DESTROY TRUST AND MAKE IT EVEN HARDER FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE ARE PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO DESERVE CARE, COMPASSION, AND THE CHANCE TO REBUILD OUR LIVES.
WHAT WE NEED INSTEAD ARE REAL SOLUTIONS, MORE OUTREACH, MORE UNDERSTANDING MORE PATIENTS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE NEED CITY OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO COME TO US, NOT TO CLEAR US OUT, BUT TO LISTEN TO HELP US GET INTO SAFE SPACES WITHOUT TEARING APART THE ONLY HOMES WE HAVE.
SO I'M ASKING, NO, I'M DEMANDING THAT WE STOP TREATING HOMELESSNESS LIKE A NUISANCE TO BE SWEPT AWAY.
START TREATING IT LIKE THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.
IT TRULY IS BECAUSE UNTIL OUR CITY CHOOSES COMPASSION OVER CRUELTY, THIS CYCLE WILL KEEP BREAKING LIVES AND BREAKING HEARTS.
MY NAME IS ALFREDO REYES JUNIOR.
I'M AN ORGANIZER FOR VOCAL TEXAS.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON WHAT, WHAT I HAVE WITNESSED ON THE SWEEPS FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS.
I'VE BEEN SEEN AND TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST OTHER THINGS, OTHER BELONGINGS, MEDICATION, ET CETERA, UM, NOT KNOW AND NOT RECEIVING ANY KIND OF SERVICES OR OFFERED ANY KIND OF SERVICES AND, AND HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS NOT KNOWING HOW TO, HOW I COULD HELP 'EM,
[00:50:01]
IT IT, IT BROKEN MY HEART.I'M ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO STOP THE SWEEPS AND FUND WHAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY NEED.
LIKE HOUSING VOUCHERS, SHELTER BEDS, STORAGE FOR PEOPLE, BELONGINGS, SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IN HARM REDUCTION.
I HAVE BEEN PRESENT A FEW ON A FEW SWEEPS AND HAVE ASKED IF THEY HAVE GIVEN NOTICE.
I'VE ACTUALLY TALKED TO THE POLICE OFFICERS AND HAVE INTERVIEWED THEM AND TALKED TO THEM AND HAVE IT ON VIDEO.
AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY'RE THERE JUST TO UPHOLD THE LAW, THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE 'EM NOTICE.
UM, AND THIS IS ANOTHER SOLUTION FOR HOMELESSNESS.
SINCE WE HAVE, UH, SINCE SINCE SAVE AUSTIN.
NOW CAMPAIGN BAN WENT INTO EFFECT IN 2021.
IT HOMELESSNESS HAS SKYROCKETED.
CITY LEADERS HAVE BEEN TELLING AUSTINITES THAT BEFORE THEY CLEAR THE CAMPS, THEY GIVE NOTICES AND OFFER SERVICES AND HOUSING.
AND AS YOU WILL HEAR FROM FOLKS TODAY, THAT'S NOT TRUE.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENS, IT, IT NOTICES IS THAT, UM, THE NOTICES ARE NOT CONSISTENT GIVEN THE SWEEPS ARE VIOLENCE.
POLICE BRING IN BULLDOZERS AND THROWING UP WITH ALL THEIR BELONGINGS.
NOT JUST THAT, BUT DRAGGING THEM OUT OF THEIR TENTS WHILE THEY'RE THERE.
WE HAVE A NO, THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.
ENOUGH SHELTER BEDS WHERE PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING IN THE STREET, UM, SWEEPS PEOPLE IN A RISK AND OF DEPORTATION WHEN A PD RUNS THEIR NAMES AND GIVES A TICKET TO FOR CAMPING.
AND IF THE PERSON HAS A AN ICE HOLD, THEY'LL BE, THE ICE WILL BE ALERTED AND THEY'LL BE DETAINED.
ITEM 24, WHICH IS OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH EXPANSION, RELU RESOLUTION.
IT'S DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO PRIORITIZE, EXPAND, AND ALIGN STREET AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH OPERATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE WISEST WAY TO SUSPEND OUR RESOURCES.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR US TO BE ADDRESSING IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
WE HAVE A HOUSING FIRST POLICY, AND I'D LIKE TO ILLUSTRATE WHY I THINK THIS IS PROBLEMATIC.
IT'S LIKE HAVING A HOSPITALIZATION FIRST POLICY FOR THE ILL AND PROVIDING DRUGS TO ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS INSTEAD OF TREATING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES.
AUSTIN'S HOMELESSNESS IS NOT JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE HOUSES, IT'S BECAUSE THAT THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS PREVENTING THEM FROM QUALIFYING FOR HOUSING, STAYING IN THEIR HOUSING, STAYING SOBER, HOLDING A JOB, AND PROVIDING FOR THEMSELVES.
WITH THE WAY THAT AUSTIN ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM, WE'RE ON TRACK TO BECOME A WELFARE STATE.
AND I THINK THIS IS THE WRONG APPROACH I ENVISION IN AUSTIN WHERE PEOPLE'S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH ARE ADDRESSED.
AND SO THAT WAY THEY'RE ABLE TO WORK TOWARDS THEIR OWN GOALS WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE LEADING THEIR LIVES INSTEAD OF RELYING ON THE STATE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THEIR WELFARE TO ENSURE THAT WE SPEND WISELY AND THAT WE ARE BUILDING TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY AND LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TREATING THE ROOT CAUSES AND NOT SIMPLY FINDING PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE, BUT MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO FIND THOSE PLACES TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN AND STAY IN THOSE HOUSES ON THEIR OWN.
I WANNA SEE US INVESTING IN PEOPLE, NOT JUST INFRASTRUCTURE, MAKING SURE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE BECOMING, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND THAT THEY'RE NO LONGER STUCK IN THIS CYCLE OF RELYING ON OTHERS FOR CHARITY, BUT THAT THEY THEMSELVES ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE WHAT THEY WANT FOR THEMSELVES IN THEIR OWN LIVES.
PLEASE, LET'S INVEST WISELY IN THE ROOT CAUSES AND NOT JUST THE SYMPTOMS. THANK YOU.
I AM GONNA CALL A FEW MORE PEOPLE ON ITEM 24.
I AM WITH BOCO, TEXAS AS WELL.
AND UM, I'M PLAYING A VIDEO WITH MY TIME.
FROM WHAT I HEARD, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A NATIONAL GUARD, A PD AND HIGHWAY PATROL.
UM, I CAN TELL THAT THIS USED TO BE LIKE A PRETTY LARGE CAMP, BUT I DON'T SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE.
YEAH, A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT UP AND LEFT.
YOU KNOW, THEY, OF COURSE THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THREATENING TO, UH, IF WE DON'T GO FOR A LONG-TERM REHAB, WHICH PROBABLY, UH, SOME OF US, UH, DON'T HAVE, UH, NO PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS AT ALL, YOU KNOW, BUT, UH, THEY THREATENED US WITH THAT OR, OR, OR ARE JAIL, UH, IF WE STAYED AROUND AND S**T.
SO EVERYBODY, A LOT OF PEOPLE PACKED UP AND LEFT, MAN, SO, YEAH.
DID THEY DO, DID THEY, DID THEY, WHEN THEY CAME AND TOLD Y'ALL THAT THEY WERE GONNA LIKE POSSIBLY COME AND DO THIS SWEEP OR WHATEVER, DID THEY LIKE OFFER HOUSING OR THEY NO, THEY DIDN'T OFFER US ANYTHING.
UH, ALL THEY SAID WAS, UH, WE HAD TWO TO FIVE DAYS TO GET UP OUTTA HERE.
[00:55:01]
HAVEN'T YOU LEFT? I DON'T HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.UH, I DON'T HAVE, I DON'T GOT NOTHING.
I GOT A BUNCH OF MY STUFF THAT I HAVE IT, IT'S ALL OVER HERE.
AND I, I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER PLACE TO PUT MY STUFF.
I DON'T HAVE NO, UH, FAMILY THAT I CAN GO RUN TO AND, AND UH, YOU KNOW, MOVE IN WITH THEM, YOU KNOW, AND IF I DID, I'M PRETTY SURE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS, BUT THEY DIDN'T OFFER US ANY KIND OF ASSISTANCE OR ANYTHING, YOU KNOW.
UH, I THINK AT ONE TIME THEY PROBABLY SAID, MENTIONED THE MARSHALING YARD, BUT YOU KNOW, AS WELL, GO TO PRISON, MAN.
YOU KNOW, THE WAY THEY GOT THAT SET UP, MAN, IT LOOKS LIKE JUNK AND ALL THAT.
BUT YOU, IN REALITY, UH, A LOT OF THESE GUYS, THEY GO SCRAPPING FOR METAL AND ALL THAT STUFF BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY DO, YOU KNOW? YEAH.
THAT'S HOW THEY MAKE THE MONEY.
AND, AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S BE, IT'S BETTER THAT WAY THAN GOING OUT AND, AND BREAKING INTO S**T AND BEING A CRIMINAL.
AND, YOU KNOW, GO OUT AND SCRAP OR WHATEVER.
IT'S, IT'S AN HONEST LIVING, YOU KNOW? YEAH.
AND THEN YOU HAVE NINE SECONDS LEFT OF YOUR TIME.
WE'LL SAVE THE SECOND ONE FOR THE OTHER ITEM.
UM, I'M ALSO GONNA BE PLAYING A VIDEO FOR MY, FOR THIS ITEM AND I'M PAULETTE SULTANI, UH, CO-DIRECTOR OF VOCAL.
JUST WHAT YOU'RE WEARING OFF WHAT I'M WEARING.
I GOT JUST ONE SEAT BAG, ONE BLANKET, ONE PAIR OF SHOES AND THERE'S ALL I GOT.
AND, AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT FOR THEM TO DO THAT.
IF THEY GOTTA GO CLEAN UP, YOU KNOW, THEY GOTTA CLEAN UP ALL THE TRASH AND EVERYTHING.
NOT JUST GO IN, PICK UP THE TENTS AND ALL THAT, THROW 'EM IN THE TRASH AND LEAVE YOU, LEAVE YOU WITHOUT NOTHING.
DID THEY LET YOU GO GET YOUR STUFF OR TELL YOU THAT YOU COULD DRIVE SOME THINGS? ALL THEY TOLD ME TO GET WAS MY MEDICINE.
THEY TOLD ME, GO GET YOUR MEDICINE AND, AND WE'LL JUST CLEAN UP AND WE YOU GONNA CLEAN UP.
BUT I THOUGHT THEY WERE GONNA CLEAN MY, AROUND MY TENT.
WELL, AROUND MY TENT THERE'S NO TRASH BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS CLEANING UP.
BUT NOW THAT'S TRASH IS STILL THERE.
WHAT WOULD YOU WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT, ABOUT WHAT THAT'S LIKE AND WHERE, KIND OF WHERE YOU'RE AT NOW? WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT IT'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE, UH, SOMETIME WE GOT FOOD, SOMETIME WE DON'T, WE HAVE TO GO HERE AND GO THERE AND MY FRIENDS, THEY GO PANHANDLE, YOU KNOW, FLY SIGNS, WHATEVER.
BUT LIKE ME, I LIKE TO HELP THE HOMELESS AND I GO AROUND, UH, GETTING FOOD, YOU KNOW, FOOD PANTRY AND I, I PROVIDE FOR ALL OF US AS I GET MY DISABILITY CHECK AND I GET FOOD STAMPS.
MY DIS DISABILITY CHECK AND MY FOOD STAMPS, I BE ABLE PROVIDE FOR ALL OF US.
Y'ALL TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.
AND NOW IT'S LIKE YOU CAN'T, 'CAUSE ALL THAT STUFF GOT TAKEN AWAY.
BUT, UH, I FIGURED A WAY HOW TO GO AROUND AND SEE IF I COULD GET SOME MORE CLOTHES.
LAST NIGHT MY FRIEND WENT TO SLEEP.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE NO BLANKETS AND THEY WERE FREEZING.
IT WAS FREEZING COLD THAT NIGHT.
AH, IT DROPPED DECEMBER, SO DROPPED A LOT.
AND GO AHEAD SIR, PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 24.
I CARE ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AT, AT EVERY, IN EVERY AGE CATEGORY.
UH, I'VE FOCUSED MY ENERGY ON THE STUDENT HOMELESS ISSUE.
AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, I'M THE CREATOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN HOMELESS STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND, AND I'M THE PERSON THAT'S DOING THE OUTREACH AND MARKETING AMONG CITY DEPARTMENTS AND COUNCIL OFFICES WHO CAN PUT IT IN THEIR, IN THEIR NEWSLETTER AS WELL.
IN SPEAKING TO THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE RECENTLY, THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WILL ALLOW AND FUTURE EFFORTS TO COUNT IF THERE ARE SOME HOMELESS STUDENTS WHO ARE IN THE COMMUNITY AND NOT IN SCHOOL.
WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A, AN UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THAT ISSUE.
WE EXPECT THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF STUDENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS, EXPERIENCING HOMELESS ARE PART OF SOME FAMILY NETWORK THAT MIGHT JUST BE ONE FAMILY MEMBER, A PARENT OR NOT.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND FOR ME, BECAUSE THE, THE TRE, THE TAX, UH, RATE ELECTION DID NOT SUCCEED AND THAT WAS GONNA HELP FUND SOME OF THESE GROUPS THAT WORK ON THIS, THAT DO VERY IMPORTANT WORK.
UH, I'M LOOKING AHEAD AND IF THE BUDGETS DON'T IMPROVE OVER TIME WITH SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAX, WE'LL BE HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT FUNDS WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THE HOMELESS ISSUE.
BUT FROM, I'M ALMOST LOOKING AT IT FROM THE CONTEXT OF, OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS,
[01:00:01]
WHICH IS UP TO 25 AND STUDENT HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS UP TO 18.AND WE WANNA THINK ABOUT THAT AS YOU SOME, SOME OF YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE HOMELESS WHEN YOU'RE A CHILD OR A TEENAGER, IT'S MORE LIKELY, MUCH MORE LIKELY THAT YOU'LL BE ONE WHEN YOU'RE AN ADULT.
SO A STRATEGY THAT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING IS THAT WE NEED TO TRY TO, UH, REDUCE OR END ADULT HOMELESSNESS.
AND THAT STARTS WITH TRYING TO ADDRESS STUDENT HOMELESSNESS, WORKING WITH A IC, WHICH YOU DO IN OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.
CONTINUING WITH ITEM 24 JD OLSON, JESUS GONZALEZ AND SAVANNAH LEE.
UH, THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND I'M HERE WITH EQUITY ACTION TESTIFYING NEUTRALLY ON ITEM 24.
THIS MORNING WHEN I SAT DOWN TO WRITE MY TESTIMONY, I READ THE ITEM AND WAS STRUCK BY THE VALUES BEHIND THE INTENTION OF THE ITEM.
VALUES WERE ABOUT TO CONTEND WITH AS WE FACE THE SWEEPS OF CAMPS ACROSS THE CITY.
AS YOU KNOW, THE ITEM STATES DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO PRIORITIZE, EXPAND, AND ALIGN THE OPERATIONS OF STREET AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND SHOULD EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANT OF VITAL AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES, CONNECTIONS AND HOUSING.
THE VALUES THERE SHOW A DIRECT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE CITY THAT IT WANTS TO PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY CARE AND GET UNHOUSED.
PEOPLE HOUSED THAT IN STEEP CONTRAST WITH THE FACT THAT THE STATE HAS BEGUN TO ENACT SWEEPS ON CAMPS ACROSS THE CITY USING DPS AND THE TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD.
AND THAT THE CITY THEN RELEASED A MEMO FOR ITS OWN THREE WEEK PLAN TO SWEEP AUSTIN CAMPS.
JUST DOESN'T SIT RIGHT WITH ME.
YOU CAN'T DO BOTH, RIGHT? YOU CAN'T USE THE VIOLENT ARM OF THE STATE TO REMOVE PEOPLE FROM THE ONLY HOMES THEY KNOW WHILE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGING THE NEED THEY'RE IN AND A DESIRE TO HELP.
THOSE TWO THINGS ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED.
THIS SORT OF PARADOX IN COMBINATION WITH THE FACT THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT VALUES-BASED PROCESS, AND WHICH WE DECIDE IF WE FUND THAT VIOLENT ARM THROUGH A $218 MILLION POLICE CONTRACT WHILE CUTTING VITAL SERVICES FOR THE UNHOUSED.
OR IF WE PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTHS ARE AND ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF FOLKS IN PREVENTATIVE WAYS THAT WE KNOW WORK HAS LEFT ME A LITTLE AT A LOSS
SO I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO STAND ON YOUR VALUES, STAND AGAINST THESE SWEEPS, ELIMINATE TICKETS AND ARRESTS THAT WORSEN THE LIVES OF OUR NEIGHBORS, AND DO NOT ALLOW A PD OR ICE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SWEEPS.
IF YOUR STATED GOAL IS TO HELP PEOPLE, THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS NOT ACTIVELY HARM THEM.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
UM, I'M A MEMBER OF LOCAL TEXAS, AND I'M GONNA TELL YOU ABOUT A SWEEP THAT I WENT THROUGH.
UM, I'VE BEEN LIVING OUTSIDE SINCE COVID AND I WAS RECENTLY SWEPT OUT, UM, OFF OF, ON TOPLESS, BUT IT WASN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD BEEN THROUGH ONE OF THESE SWEEPS.
UM, I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THE CITY IS SUPPOSED TO COME GIVE NOTICE AND, AND THEN PUT YOU UP IN A SHELTER ONCE THEY COME.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND AUSTIN RECOVERY, WHICH I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE REALLY RECOVERING, UM, CAME OUT THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND I HAD HEARD THROUGH THE CAMP THAT SOMEONE WAS COMING TO DO THE SWEEP.
UM, ONCE THEY GOT THERE, THEY STARTED TELLING PEOPLE TO GET ONE BAG AND TO GO AND, UH, GO TO THE VAN.
AND BY THE TIME I GOT, THEY GOT TO ME AND MY WIFE.
UM, THEY THREW AWAY ALL OF OUR CLOTHES, OUR PICTURES, IDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES, YOU KNOW, MY LAPTOP.
UM, AND, YOU KNOW, OTHER PERSONAL BELONGINGS.
THESE THINGS ARE, YOU KNOW, THESE THINGS.
I NEEDED TO GET A JOB AND GET MYSELF OUT OF THIS SITUATION.
UM, SOME LADY FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN SAID BECAUSE THE VAN WAS FULL, THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME AND MY WIFE BACK TO GET US INTO A SHELTER.
AND AS OF TODAY, I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE CALL.
UM, AFTER THEY LEFT, WE HAD NOTHING.
WE JUST WANDERED AROUND THAT NIGHT AND, UH, TRIED TO FIND A SAFE SPOT TO SLEEP, YOU KNOW, UM, IS, SO IS, IS THIS Y'ALL SOLUTION TO TAKE EVERYONE'S STUFF AND LEAVE THEM WITH NOTHING ON THE STREETS WHEN YOU CAN TAKE THE SWEEP MONEY AND PUT IT TOWARDS TEMPORARY HOUSING OR UNTIL LONG TERM SOLUTIONS OR FIGURE IT OUT.
YOU SAY YOU'RE PUTTING PEOPLE IN HOUSING, BUT I DON'T SEE IT.
[01:05:01]
GOOD DAY.MY NAME IS JESUS GUADALUPE BENYA GONZALEZ.
I AM AN IMMIGRANT AMERICAN AND MY EXPERIENCE, UH, I'M WORKING WITH AUSTIN MUTUAL AID AND I'M ALSO STARTING MY OWN, UH, NONPROFIT CALLED MY URBAN ECHO.
AND MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE SWEEPS IS, UH, THEY'RE NECESSARY.
I'VE HAD SOME OF MY FRIENDS RAPED IN MURDER IN SOME OF THESE, UH, CAMPS.
UH, SOMEONE USED TO HIDE, SOMEONE HID THEIR GUN IN MY TENT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.
SO I UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITIES FOR SOME OF THESE SWEEPS.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IS, UM, THEY'RE NOT VERY, UH, HUMANE AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE MORE VOLUNTEERS TO BE PRESENT AT SOME OF THESE SWEEPS.
'CAUSE WHEN I WAS HOMELESS, I NEEDED SOMEONE TO HELP ME MOVE MY STUFF.
I NEED HELP SOMEONE TO HELP ME GET MY STUFF TO STORAGE.
WE HAVE, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE, WE HAVE VALLEY CAN STORAGE THAT'S FULL.
YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO EXPAND ON SOME OF THESE HOMELESS SERVICES WHERE WE CAN STORE OUR ITEMS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
'CAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE ALL FULL AND THEY'RE SATURATED.
SOME OF THESE, UH, SERVICES FOR THEIR UNHOUSED TO HELP THEM GET, UH, INTO HOUSING ARE VERY SATURATED.
AND THE WEIGHT IS, YOU KNOW, UH, BECOMING LONGER.
AND, UM, I FEEL LIKE WE ALSO NEED TO RAISE THE BAR FOR OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.
I DON'T THINK BEING THE CODEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT IS REALLY GOOD FOR, UH, NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COLLECTIVES.
SO I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO ASK YOU, YEAH, INVEST MORE IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MAYBE OPEN A CONVERSATION TO HOW CAN WE CAN HAVE THESE NECESSARY SWEEPS IN A MORE HUMANE WAY WHERE PEOPLE AREN'T SPENDING $200 ON A TENT AND LOSING IT.
'CAUSE UH, WEATHER IS GOING TO BE A FACTOR.
AND WHEN I WAS HOMELESS, A TENT REALLY SAVED MY LIFE.
I HAVE ONE MORE REMOTE SPEAKER FOR 24 HALIMA FOSTER.
I'M WITH COMMUNITY POWERED A TX.
I AM BORN AND RAISED HERE IN AUSTIN, AND I WANTED TO SPEAK, UM, THE CRUELTY OF THE SUITES AND IN EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SWEEPS AS MANY OF THE OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT.
UM, THEN THERE IS A NEED FOR OPEN ADDITIONAL STORAGE.
UH, WE NEED TO ELIMINATE THE TICKETS AND ARRESTS.
WHY WOULD YOU PUT MORE OF A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING? UH, A PD AND ICE AT THE SWEEPS IS ABSOLUTELY UNNECESSARY.
AND PLEASE STOP DESTROYING PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS.
ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS ALSO I HAVE HAD IS THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO GET, UH, ACCESS TO THEIR MEDICATION, THEIR IDS, TO ACTUALLY GRAB THE IMPORTANT ITEMS SO THAT THEY HAVE TO GO AND LOOK THEM UP AGAIN AND TRY AND, AND GET THESE THINGS.
THIS INCLUDES LIFE SAVING MEDICATIONS AND PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER.
I ALSO WANTED TO NOTE THAT WHEN SOMEBODY'S ID IS TAKEN, THERE'S LIMITED TO ONLY 10 TIMES.
I BELIEVE IT'S THE SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, ONLY 10 TIMES IN THEIR LIFETIME ARE THEY ALLOWED TO ACTUALLY REPLACE THAT.
SO YOU GUYS ARE, ARE STOPPING THEIR ABILITY TO GET BACK INTO SOCIETY AND WORK AGAIN.
SO IF YOU WANT TO SEE PEOPLE ACTUALLY THRIVE, PLEASE DO ACTUALLY LISTEN TO WHAT VOCAL TEXAS HAS REQUESTED.
THEY HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, THEY KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED.
UM, WE JUST NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY DOING THE HARD WORK AND ADVOCATING.
OKAY, I'M GONNA MOVE ON TO ITEM 25 AND I HAVE SOME REMOTE CALLERS THERE AS WELL.
HI, MY NAME IS GABRIELLE RETTI AND I AM WITH TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE, AND I'M ALSO A DISTRICT FOR RESIDENT.
I'M CALLING IN TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE INTENSITY AND VICIOUS NATURE OF THE SWEEPS THAT OUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AND HAVE BEEN EXPRESSING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED A SOLUTION THAT BENEFITS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW, I'M CONCERNED THAT WE HAVE AN APPROACH THAT IS BENEFITING PEOPLE WHO ARE HOUSED, WHO ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH SEEING HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREET AND SEEING LITTER INSTEAD OF HAVING
[01:10:01]
A SOLUTION THAT REALLY BALANCES THE NEEDS OF HOUSED AND UNHOUSED RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ENCAMPMENTS, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT WE ARE PUSHING PEOPLE BACKWARDS BY CONSTANTLY SWEEPING WHERE THEY ARE STAYING.
PEOPLE ARE RETURNING TO THEIR SPOTS WITH NONE OF THEIR ID DOCUMENTS THERE, THEIR MEDICATIONS MISSING, THEIR CLOTHING MISSING, AND THESE ARE PEOPLE ALREADY LIVING IN CLEAR POVERTY CONDITIONS WHERE REPLACING YOUR THINGS IS ABSOLUTELY WHAT FEELS LIKE AN INSURABLE TASK AT TIMES.
WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO PUT PEOPLE IN THIS CONSTANT POSITION, ESPECIALLY IF THE GOAL IS TO MOVE PEOPLE FORWARD AND HELP PEOPLE GET INTO HOUSING BY TAKING IDS, MEDICATIONS, ANY SHREDS OF STABILITY, WE ONLY WILL DO A DISSERVICE TO THIS GOAL OF MOVING PEOPLE TOWARDS HOUSING.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SHELTER AS IT IS.
OUR SHELTERS ARE OVERCROWDED AND MANY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO STAY IN SHELTERS FOR FEAR OF CONFLICT WITH OTHER RESIDENTS.
PEOPLE LIVING IN EXTREMELY CLOSE CONDITIONS LIKE IN A MARSHALING YARD, WHICH IS AN OPEN WAREHOUSE WHERE PEOPLE ARE SMACKED UP RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH, UM, AND OTHER UHT UH, TRAUMATIC ISSUES.
THIS IS NOT THE BEST CONDITION TO STAY IN, AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING NOT TO STAY IN.
I LEAD THE OUTREACH TEAM AT TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE THAT CONNECTS WITH HUNDREDS OF OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.
I SPENT YEARS HEARING CONCERNS FROM PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND PEOPLE WHO ARE HOUSED LILY'S GROUPS OFTEN SEEM AT ODDS.
MY EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME THAT MOST OF US WANT THE SAME THING.
WE ALL WANT TRANSPARENCY, SAFETY, AND A PATH FORWARD.
WE WILL NOT ACHIEVE THESE MUTUAL GOALS.
WITH THE CURRENT APPROACH THE GOVERNOR AND CITY HAVE IMPLEMENTED, NO ONE THINGS ARE BEING MET.
I WANNA BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND.
AS THE PRESS RELEASES AND MEDIA REPORTS ARE NOT CAPTURING THE REALITY OR GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION, THE STATE IS REFERRING TO THEIR APPROACH AS CLEARING ENCAMPMENTS.
BUT THIS LANGUAGE DOES NOT CONVEY WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS FOR OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, BOTH OF US WHO WORK ON THE GROUND WITH THE TERM SWEEP.
BECAUSE THIS PROCESS LITERALLY SWEEPS VITAL DOCUMENTS, MEDICATION, SURVIVAL GEAR, SENTIMENTAL ITEMS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, PEOPLE AWAY.
I'VE TALKED TO DOZENS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE WOKEN UP BY BULLDOZERS WHO WERE WOKEN UP BY BULLDOZERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AS THE SUN WAS COMING UP.
THEY WERE NOT GIVEN TIME TO GATHER THEIR VITAL DOCUMENTS AND NEED TO OBTAIN HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT.
IN MOST CASES, PEOPLE WERE GIVEN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES TO GATHER THEIR BELONGINGS AND HAD TO WATCH ALL OF THEIR LIVE POSSESSIONS BE THROWN INTO A DUMPSTER.
THIS IS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE FORCED TO HIDE DEEPER IN THE WOODS, OFTEN NEAR CREEPS THAT COME WITH A RISK OF FLASH FLOOD IN PLACE AND IN PLACE.
THAT'S DIFFICULT FOR OUTREACH WORKERS TO FIND.
PEOPLE I'VE WORKED WITH AND LOVED DEEPLY HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THE SWEEPS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE MAY HAVE DIFFERENCES IN OPINION ABOUT THE SOLUTIONS FOR HOMELESSNESS, BUT I HOPE WE CAN AGREE THAT THE GOAL IS TO CREATE PATHWAYS FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE FORWARD.
SUSTAINABLE CHANGE REQUIRES SOLUTIONS THAT PROMOTE EMPOWERMENT AND AUTONOMY.
YOU WILL LIKELY HEAR OPPOSING ARGUMENTS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A SWEEP AND ACCEPTED SHELTER, BUT YOU WILL NOT HEAR ABOUT WHAT THE CONDITIONS OF THOSE SHELTERS ARE.
I IMPLORE YOU TO ASK YOURSELF WHY PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS OVER THE SO-CALLED SHELTER.
YOU'VE SEEN MEMOS FROM THE CITY THAT ALLUDE TO TRANSPARENCY, BUT I DON'T KNOW A SINGLE OUTREACH WORKER THAT HAS BEEN INVITED TO ENSURE THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH REMAIN IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.
WE'VE BEEN DESPERATELY TRYING TO BUILD THANK YOU.
WE CAN USE THIS MOMENT TO WORK TOWARDS HALIMA FOSTER.
I HAVE TO SAY EVERY SINGLE THING THAT THE LAST SPEAKER SAID WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY AND ELOQUENTLY STATED.
IT IS CRUEL TO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THESE ITEMS. THESE SWEEPS ARE JUST TOO ALL ENCOMPASSING.
THEY DEFINITELY SHOULD ALLOW THE ADVOCATES AT THE TABLE WHEN THESE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.
AND ALSO, KURT WATSON, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL YOU OUT DIRECTLY AND TELL YOU THAT IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR YOU TO DO A, A PHOTO OP AND GO TO THE SWEEPS AND PRETEND LIKE YOU'RE ACTUALLY CONCERNED WHEN ALL OF THE POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN SET FORTH ARE NOT THE CASE.
AND PLEASE, PLEASE STOP USING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PRESSURES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR USING THEM AS A SCAPEGOAT WHEN YOU GUYS HAVE JUST AS CRUEL OF POLICIES.
ALLOWING THE A PD TO TREAT PEOPLE IN SUCH A INHUMANE MANNER IS UNACCEPTABLE.
[01:15:01]
PLEASE START WORKING ON HAVING BETTER STORAGE SPACE FOR THEM, GIVING THEM MORE TIME TO, UH, ROUND UP THEIR ITEMS WHEN THEY'RE, UH, HAVING A SWEEP AND YEAH, NOT TAKING SOMEBODY'S ID AND MEDICATION.THAT SEEMS LIKE SOME PRETTY BASIC HUMAN KINDNESS AND JUST COMMON SENSE.
UM, PLEASE DO BETTER AND ALSO SUPPORT VANESSA FUENTES AMENDMENTS THAT SHE PUT FORTH ON THESE ITEMS. SHE HAS BEEN SITTING AND TALKING WITH THESE FOLKS AND LISTEN TO THE ADVOCATES WHO ALREADY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
OKAY, WE HAVE SOME MORE IN-PERSON SPEAKERS ON ITEM 25.
I AM AN ORGANIZER AT FOCAL TEXAS AS A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
UM, I TO CONTINUE WHERE I LEFT OFF IN THE FIRST HALF, UM, LOOK, WE UNDERSTAND THAT STATE LAW MANDATES THAT ENCAMPMENT SUITES HAPPEN.
WE KNOW THAT OUR CITY HAS TO RESPOND, THAT WE HAVE TO, UM, COMPLY WITH STATE LAW, BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
UM, YOU'VE HEARD FROM FOLKS THAT HAVE COME FORWARD TODAY, UM, FOLKS WHO ARE NOT GETTING NOTICED, FOLKS WHO ARE TOLD, UM, DAVID WHO'S, WHOSE VIDEO YOU WATCH, WHO WAS TOLD THAT, OH, WE'RE JUST GONNA CLEAN UP.
AND THEN HE CAME BACK AND HIS TENT WAS GONE.
UH, WE HAVE A, WE HAVE WINTER WEATHER COMING UP THAT OUR MUTUAL AID GROUPS WHO ARE THE ONES BEARING THE BRUNT OF RESPONDING TO UNHOUSED FOLKS OUTSIDE ARE PREPARING FOR.
UM, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE PEOPLE ARE BECAUSE IN KIM AND SWEEPS ARE, UH, SCATTERING FOLKS ACROSS THE CITY, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE DEEPER IN THE WOODS, HARDER TO FIND, HARDER TO FIND, UH, TO GET ON TEXAS, A BUS LINE THAT WILL TAKE THEM TO A TRINITY CENTER OR SUNRISE OR THE NEXT NAVIGATION CENTER.
UM, THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN IS DIRE AND STATE LAW ACTUALLY DOES HAVE LENIENCY IN THE WAY THAT WE PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE.
AND THE WAY THAT OUR CITY DECIDES TO DO AN ENCAMPMENT SWEEP, MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS ARE PROTECTED.
GIVE THEM THE TIME TO GATHER IT.
BRING OUT WAGONS FOR THEM TO CARRY THEIR THINGS.
LIKE MAKE SURE THAT THEY, LIKE, ASK THEM WHAT THEIR MEDICATIONS ARE, PUBLISH THE LOCATIONS AND THE TIMES THAT YOU'RE GONNA DO SWEEP SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY, COMMUNITY AND SERVICE PROVIDERS CAN ACTUALLY RESPOND TO THEM AND BE THERE AND SUPPORT.
LIKE WE HAVE FOLKS HERE THAT ARE READY TO, TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS.
UM, AND WE JUST CAN'T CONTINUE DOING THIS LOOP WHERE WE'RE THROWING PEOPLE'S ITEMS AWAY.
WE'RE FACING, UM, A BIG QUESTION MARK AS TO WHAT KIND OF SERVICES REPORTS WE'RE GONNA HAVE NEXT YEAR.
WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GONNA HAVE EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS OR IF WE'RE GONNA HAVE ADDITIONAL SHELTERS.
SHELTERS TO CONTINUE TO DO THESE ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS IN THE WAY THAT THEY'RE HAPPENING.
AND SETTING PEOPLE FURTHER AND FURTHER BACK IS, IS CRUEL.
AND IT'S JUST SETTING OUR OUR CITY BACK.
SO WE HAVE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.
UM, AND WE'RE READY TO DO THAT TOGETHER.
CAN WE DO THE VIDEO? UM, HI VINCENT VALENTI AGAIN.
I'M GOING TO READ A POEM THAT I ACTUALLY WROTE RECENTLY IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THIS.
IT IS CALLED THE CITY SWEEPS US AWAY.
THEY COME AT DAWN WHEN THE WORLD STILL PRETENDS TO SLEEP.
BRIGHT VESTS, COLD HANDS, THEIR SHARP, THEIR VOICES SHARP AS WINTER.
THEY CALL IT CLEANING UP AS IF HUMAN STRUGGLE, STRUGGLE WERE LITTER, AS IF OUR HOPE WERE DEBRIS CLOGGING THE ARTERIES OF THEIR STREETS.
I STAND IN THE CHILL WATCHING MY LIFE PILED INTO TRASH BAGS.
THE BLANKET THAT ONCE SMELLED FAINTLY OF RAIN.
THE FEW LETTERS I'D KEPT TO REMIND ME I MATTERED.
A HALF BROKEN DREAM FOLDED INTO THE DIRT.
THEY SAY, YOU CAN'T STAY HERE.
I WANT TO ASK, WHERE CAN I, THEY DON'T SEE WHAT IT COSTS ME TO START AGAIN.
TO REBUILD, TO REBUILD FROM WHAT LITTLE THE WIND LEAVES BEHIND TO TO SLEEP WITHOUT THE COMFORT OF PERMANENCE.
EVERY TIME THEY SWEEP, THEY'RE NOT CLEANING SPACE, THEY'RE CLEARING PEOPLE.
AND WITH EVERY SWEEP, I LOSE MORE OF MYSELF.
HOW AM I TO FIND STABILITY WHEN THE GROUND ITSELF IS NEVER MINE TO STAND ON WHEN PROGRESS MEANS CARRYING EVERY FRAGILE STEP IN MY OWN TREMBLING HANDS ONLY FOR THE CITY TO COME AND TAKE THAT PATHWAY AGAIN, I AM NOT DIRT BENEATH THEIR BROOM.
I AM THE BREATH THAT STILL FOGS IN THE COLD MORNING AIR, THE PULSE THAT REFUSES TO STILL BENEATH THEIR INDIFFERENCE.
BUT SOME NIGHTS WHEN THE WIND HOUSED THROUGH MY NEW NOWHERE, I WONDER HOW MUCH MORE I CAN REBUILD BEFORE EVEN HOPE GIVES UP TO SHELTER.
I'M GONNA PLAY MY SECOND VIDEO.
KATE GRAZIANI WITH VOCAL TEXAS.
[01:20:01]
THANK YOU AND COLLEAGUES ON THIS ITEM FOR YOUR AWARENESS.THE CITY CLERK HAS INFORMED ME THAT A VIDEO FOR THIS ITEM CONTAINS LANGUAGE THAT SOME LISTENERS MAY FIND OBJECTIONABLE.
C-A-R-L-T-I-Z CARD DI THEN UM, SO WHAT HAPPENED JUST NOW? THEY JUST, UH, KICKED US OUT OF THE, OF OUR CAMP AND WE EVEN KICKED OUT SIX TIMES.
NO S**T DID THEY DID WHEN THEY'RE DOING THE SWEEPS JUST NOW, RIGHT? THEY'RE LITERALLY DOING IT RIGHT NOW.
DID THEY OFFER YOU ANY KIND OF HOUSING OR ANYTHING? NO.
EVERY TIME WE ASK 'EM WHERE WE GO, IT AIN'T THEIR PROBLEM.
SO THEY SAID IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM.
ONCE YOU SAID, AND SO I SEE YOU GOT YOUR DOG HERE, THAT'S ALL YOU WERE ABLE TO GET THAT OUR CLOTHES.
THEY, THEY TOOK TWO, TWO BUGGIES FULL OF STUFF FROM US, TWO BASKETS FULL OF STUFF I SAW OVER THERE AS LAUGHING.
YEAH, THEY WERE LAUGHING AS THEY WERE TAKING IT AWAY AS LAUGHING.
UH, I'M SORRY THAT HAPPENED TO YOU, MAN.
UM, IS THERE, DID THEY, DID THEY HAPPEN TO TAKE ANYTHING OF VALUE OR WHAT, WHAT LIKE WHAT WERE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAD? JUST OUR CLOTHES AND OUR F*****G STUFF THAT WE HAD LIKE THAT.
ANYTHING WE HAD IN OUR BASKETS, YOU KNOW.
THEY SAID, YOU TAKE WHATEVER YOU CAN CARRY AND YOU HAVE TO GO.
I'M, AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE YOU NOWHERE TO GO? THEY JUST SAID MOVE.
WAS THERE ANYTHING POSTED LIKE NO TRESPASSING, ANYTHING LIKE THAT? NO, NONE OF THAT.
SO, AND YOU GUYS ARE JUST IN THE WOODS? JUST IN THE WOODS.
'CAUSE YOU GUYS ARE DOING THEIR JOB.
WE'RE JUST MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE FOLLOWING CITY ORDINANCES.
YOU DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE DOING ANYTHING.
THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS POSTED OR THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB.
LET ME, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.
I DON'T MEAN TO BE RUDE, BUT YOUR JOB AS AN OFFICER IS TO ENFORCE THE POLICY AND THE RULES.
SO IF THERE'S NO RULES AND POLICIES ARE SAID, THEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO POST SOMETHING UP IN THREE GIVEN THREE DAY NOTICE.
YEAH, THEY'RE, I THOUGHT A POLICY.
MY NAME IS ALFREDO RE IS AN ORGANIZER FOR VOCAL TEXAS.
THOSE VIDEOS YOU SAW, I WAS THERE WHEN THAT HAPPENED.
UM, WE WERE BASICALLY TOLD THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW ANY POLICIES.
AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE PEOPLE A, A WARNING, AT LEAST LET THEM KNOW, KIND OF COME OUT AND TAKE, TAKE THEIR BELONGINGS.
AND LIKE I TOLD 'EM, THEY WERE SAYING THEY WERE THERE TO ENFORCE THE LAW.
I THOUGHT THE LAWS WERE FOLLOWING POLICIES THAT WERE MADE BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT STAS ME THAT I HAVE TO WITNESS THIS.
AND NOT JUST THAT, BUT I, I, I'VE BEEN SWEATING MYSELF WHEN I WAS HOMELESS.
THEY TOOK ALL MY BELONGINGS, YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK ME TO GET MY F*****G, EXCUSE ME, MY LANGUAGE, MY, MY SOC MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE FROM, FROM PUERTO RICO A YEAR.
IT TOOK A LONG TIME FOR ME TO GET MYSELF BACK IT WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW.
I WAS LUCKY THAT BOCO, TEXAS GAVE ME A PART-TIME OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THEM AND BE ABLE TO BE HERE TO SPEAK UP FOR PEOPLE CAN WHO CAN'T SPEAK UP.
IT'S A SHAME THAT WE ARE, WE'RE SITTING HERE TALKING ABOUT SHOOTING PEOPLE'S STUFF WHERE THEY HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.
I ACTUALLY WITNESSED SOMEBODY WHO WAS ACTUALLY THERE.
THEY GAVE 'EM TWO MINUTES AND THEY WERE TRYING TO GET AS MANY THINGS AS THEY COULD BECAUSE THEY HAD THEIR, THE MEDICATIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, AND THEY WERE JUST DRAGGED OUT OF THE TENT WITH THEM BEING IN IT.
THAT'S THE PICTURE I'M TRYING TO PAINT TO YOU GUYS.
IT SUCKS THAT I, I HAVE TO WITNESS THIS AND ME FEELING HELPLESS, NOT BEING ABLE TO HELP 'EM.
AND THE LITTLE BIT OF HELP THAT WE WERE GETTING.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE WOULD GO TO PERKS WHEN WE WERE HOMELESS TRYING TO GET HELP.
EMS WAS THERE CONNECTING US WITH PEOPLE IN PLACES THAT'S LIKE THE PROP Q THEY NOT GO THROUGH.
SO I'M LIKE, JESUS, WHAT KIND OF HELP ARE WE GONNA GET? THERE IS NO HELP.
WE'RE NOT BUILDING NEW SHELTERS.
WE'RE NOT MAKING, WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING.
ANGEL X, PAULETTE, SANI, JESUS GONZALEZ, JD OLSON, SAVANNAH LEE.
I'M ONE OF THE CO-DIRECTORS OF VOCAL TEXAS.
I, UH, HAD SOMETHING PLANNED TO SAY, AND I WILL BE HONEST THAT I'VE SEEN THESE VIDEOS AND I'VE HEARD THE STORIES THAT OUR TEAM HAS BROUGHT INTO OUR TEAM MEETINGS.
AND EVERY DAY THAT THEY'RE ON OUTREACH, THEY'RE HEARING THESE STORIES AND WATCHING THIS AGAIN, AND HEARING JD AND HEARING VINCENT'S STORIES.
I HOPE THAT THOSE STORIES ARE WEIGHING AS HEAVILY ON YOU AS THEY ARE ON ME.
[01:25:02]
THEY'RE COURAGEOUS FOR, FOR TRYING TO STAND UP AND SHARE THEIR STORIES WHEN SO MUCH OF WHAT THE CITY HAS SAID AND WHAT OUR MEDIA IS REPORTING ON IS ACTUALLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN PEOPLE'S LIVES ON THE STREETS RIGHT NOW.SO I WANNA, UM, I DO WANNA SAY THAT WE REGISTERED NEUTRAL ON THESE ITEMS. UH, VOCAL TEXAS DID, BUT WE DO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO REDUCE HARM, THE HARM OF THESE SWEEPS.
THE NUMBER ONE WAY THOUGH TO DO THAT IS BY INVESTING IN HOUSING AND SERVICES AND IN CARE.
AND SO I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU TODAY AFTER THE ELECTION, PROP Q HAS FAILED.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AS A CITY MOVING FORWARD? WE HAVE SOME TOUGH CHOICES TO MAKE, BUT WE CANNOT WALK AWAY FROM THE COMMITMENTS THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THEY'RE GOING TO INVEST IN THESE THINGS.
BECAUSE SWEEPS, AS YOU'VE HEARD OVER AND OVER TODAY, ARE NOT THE WAY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
WE HAVE TO INVEST IN MORE HOUSING, MORE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, MORE HOUSING VOUCHERS, MORE SHELTER, MORE STORAGE SO PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS DON'T END UP IN DUMPSTERS.
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS THAT OUR CITY HAS TO MOVE FORWARD THAT ARE NOT SWEEPS.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TODAY.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO FIND MONEY AS WE TALK ABOUT OPENING UP THE CITY BUDGET.
LOOK INSIDE THE COFFERS OF A PD THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE WE'VE POURED SO MUCH MONEY INTO A PD.
CAN WE FIND SOME MONEY THERE TO PUT INTO THE THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY PUBLIC SAFETY? PLEASE HELP US FIND MONEY FOR THE THINGS THAT WILL ACTUALLY SOLVE HOMELESSNESS.
MY NAME IS JESUS GUADALUPE BEN GONZALEZ.
I'VE BEEN HOMELESS IN MULTIPLE STATES, AND ONE OF THE STATES I'VE BEEN HOMELESS IS COLORADO.
I LIVED IN DENVER FOR TWO YEARS AND THE WEATHER ALMOST KILLED ME.
SO I COMMITTED CRIME AND I WENT TO JAIL.
AND THAT IS THE FACT THAT A LOT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS LIVING ON THE STREETS, UH, HAVE TO LIVE WITH.
I BELIEVE WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT DENVER IS DOING, WHERE THERE ARE CITY SANCTIONED CAMPSITES.
I INTERVIEWED ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AT ONE OF THESE CITIES, ST.
CAMPSITE, AND HE TOLD ME FOR 50 INDIVIDUALS IT COSTS 'EM $250,000 AND THAT WILL GET THEM OFF THE STREETS.
AND IN WEATHERPROOF TENTS, I BELIEVE ST.
FRANCIS, UH, ORGANIZATION IS THE, THE MANAGING ORGANIZATION OVER THESE CITY SANCTIONED CAMPSITES IN DENVER, COLORADO.
AND THEY HAVE REALLY HELPED THE, I GUESS, THE OHIO COMMUNITY UP THERE.
YOU KNOW, WEATHER MATTERS NOW AND WE NEED, UH, WELL, ALL THE SERVICES ARE SATURATED.
A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT GONNA MAKE IT TO THE, UH, WARMING CENTERS.
AND WE NEED, AND WE HAVE LIKE A CULTURE WHERE WE DON'T WANT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS SHELTER IN PLACE AND REALLY TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
UH, ONE OF THE ISSUES I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH, 'CAUSE I DO A LOT OF CAMP SUPPORT.
I GO TO THESE CAMPSITES AND I PASS OUT, YOU KNOW, WOOD PROPANE AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT A LOT OF THE CITY ARE KIND OF LIKE, UH, THEY DON'T LIKE IT WHEN I DO THAT.
UH, SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF, UH, OPEN UP, UH, MAYBE SOME CONVERSATION TO WHERE IT WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR INDIVIDUALS TO, UH, SHELTER IN PLACE AND MAYBE OPEN UP CONVERSATIONS FOR MORE CITY SANCTIONED, UH, CAMPING SITES LIKE THEY HAVE OVER THERE IN DENVER, COLORADO, WHO HAVE REALLY HELPED.
WE DO HAVE ONE MORE REMOTE SPEAKER FOR ITEM 25.
I, I'D LIKE TO JUST USE THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME TO READ, UM, A QUOTE FROM SOMEBODY, UH, WHO I TALKED TO THIS PAST SUNDAY, UM, ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE SWEEP.
UM, HE SAID THAT THEY SWEPT AND A PD TRIED TO TAKE HIM TO JAIL.
THEY TOOK AN EIGHT MAN TENT, TARPS, GOERS, COWBOY HAT, A SUITCASE.
HE HAD NEW SHOES, A GUITAR, A BOOK HE WAS USING TO RELAX HIS MEDICATIONS, AN ELECTRIC BIKE, HIS ID AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, HIS WATCH HAND WASHING MACHINE FOR HIS CLOTHES.
A BAG OF TOOLS, TWO PAIRS OF RAY BANDS THAT WERE GIVEN TO HIM BY ONE OF HIS FRIENDS WHO HAD PASSED AWAY, UH, $800 IN CASH AND SOME THINGS THAT HE WAS GONNA SELL TO TRY AND MAKE ENDS MEET.
THEY ALSO TOOK, UM, HIS COAT, UH, THAT HE'S HAD BECAUSE HE'S ANEMIC FOR FIVE YEARS.
UH, HIS WINTER COVERALLS, PROPANE HEATERS, AND A PROPANE STOVE, A QUILT COMFORTER AND A FLUFFY
[01:30:01]
BLANKET.SO JUST REITERATING WHAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HERE HAVE SAID, A LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE AT CAMPS, UM, ARE NOT JUST TRASH, RIGHT? IT'S THINGS THAT HELP THEM MAKE MONEY, THINGS THAT HELP THEM SURVIVE THE WEATHER, UM, AND STAY WARM AT NIGHT.
WE HAVE BILL BUNCH, THEN ITEM 43, CAROL BAXTER, ADAM DELEON, PAUL SEDNA.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.
UH, BILL BUNCH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE, UH, FROM DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS PROPOSAL TO WAIVE A $140 FEE FROM THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, UH, TO BENEFIT AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION FOR A SCREENING OF A FILM IN DISTRICT FIVE GARRISON PARK.
UM, THE BACKUP DOESN'T TELL US WHAT THE FILM IS.
I'M GONNA GUESS THAT IT'S ROBERT REDFORD'S CLASSIC, UH, INDECENT PROPOSAL, UH, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.
$140 FOR AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION TO CLAW AWAY FROM THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT IS ABOUT 80% FUNDED BY LIVE NATION TICKETMASTER, AND RECEIVES MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE ACL FEST IN ER PARK, AND PROBABLY SOME CUTS FROM LIVE NATION'S OPERATIONS IN WALLER CREEK PARK.
WATERLOO PARK, AND THIS WEEKEND AT THE FOOD AND WINE FEST, UH, ON AUDITORIUM SHORES.
THEY, THEIR IRS FILINGS SHOW THAT THEY'RE SITTING ON $24 MILLION ACCUMULATED FUNDS AND Y'ALL HAVE NO MONEY FOR PARKS.
ALL OF THAT MONEY IS MONEY THAT SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THIS CITY AND TO PAR DIRECTLY, NOT TO THE PARKS FOUNDATION.
Y'ALL ARE SAYING, TELLING THE PRESS YOU HEARD THE VOTERS.
YOU'RE COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY, YOU'RE COMMITTED TO FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
Y'ALL NEED A RESOLUTION ON YOUR NEXT AGENDA.
A ASKING, DEMANDING THAT PARKS FOUNDATION GIVE BACK AT LEAST 20 OF THAT $24 MILLION TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY.
AND YOU CAN START WITH THIS 140 BUCKS TODAY.
I'M HERE ACTUALLY AS A CO-FOUNDER AND A BOARD MEMBER OF ALA.
WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT, UH, MRS. DOROTHY LOPEZ BARNETT, ONE OF THE OWNERS OF ZILKER PARK, UH, UH, SPEAKING NEUTRAL ON ITEM 43.
UH, JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT I THINK WE'VE LOST THE INTENT OF WHAT IT IS WE'RE TRYING TO DO BY ACKNOWLEDGING A LEGACY BUSINESS.
UH, AND SADLY, YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO UTILIZE, UTILIZE U UTILIZE A LOSS OF ICONIC SMALL BUSINESSES HERE IN AUSTIN RATHER THAN TRYING TO PRESERVE AND TO SAVE THEM.
UH, THE BARNETTS, AS YOU'LL HEAR FROM THIS MORNING, HAVE HAD THAT CONTRACT FOR OVER 57 YEARS, UH, AND FOR THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS HAVE ONLY GOTTEN 12 MONTH EXTENSIONS ON THEIR CONTRACT.
ON, UH, CONTRARY, THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CONCESSION AND VENDORS WHO HAVE RECEIVED CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATIVELY FOR 15 YEARS OR 20 YEARS.
AND I THINK THE ITEM THAT'S BEFORE YOU HAS BECOME SO CONVOLUTED.
AND RATHER THAN TRYING TO PROTECT THESE ICONIC SMALL BUSINESSES, WE'RE SORT OF NOW SIDETRACKING AND FOCUSING ON THESE POMAS AND NONPROFITS AND OTHER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.
I THINK THE MAIN POINT OF CONTENTION HERE IS THERE'S A LACK OF TRUST WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP AT PARK AT PARKS.
THERE'S BEEN A REVOLVING DOOR WITH WHOEVER LEADS THAT DEPARTMENT.
AND RIGHT NOW, THE WAY THIS RECOMMENDATION READS IS THAT YOUR PAR DIRECTOR HAS SOLE AUTHORITY.
IT'S NO SECRET THERE'S BEEN A REVOLVING DOOR.
YOU HAVE THESE PREVIOUS, UH, POMA DIRECTORS COMING TO SERVE NOW AS A DIRECTOR OF PARKS RECREATION, OR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OR SOME OF THESE PAR DIRECTORS HAVE GONE NOW AND BECOME LEADERS IN THESE POMA ORGANIZATIONS.
AND SO THAT REALLY IS THE BOTTOM LINE HERE.
THERE'S A LACK OF TRUST BECAUSE OF THIS ONGOING TURNOVER.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT ZILKER PARK BELONGS TO EVERYBODY.
[01:35:01]
IT DOESN'T BELONG TO ONE DISTRICT OR TWO, IT BELONGS TO ALL OF US.SO I HOPE YOU'LL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION TODAY.
I'M GONNA CALL SOME MORE SPEAKERS FOR ITEM 43.
DOUG, ARE YOU HERE? YES, YOU HAVE TIME DONATED BY AUBREY RUDDER.
FOUR MINUTES FOR MR. SIMMER AND CHRIS FLORES.
MY NAME IS CAROL BAXTER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN ROWING CLUB.
I WANNA THANK THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR BEING SUCH VALUED PARTNERS FOR SO MANY YEARS.
SINCE 1988, WE'VE BEEN PROUD TO OPERATE ON LADY BIRD LAKE THROUGH OUR LONGSTANDING CONCESSION AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY.
FOR NEARLY FOUR DECADES, WE'VE WORKED HARD HAND IN HAND WITH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THE SPACE WELCOMING, ACTIVE, AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL AUSTINITES.
WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THE COUNCIL CONSIDER INCLUDING NONPROFITS LIKE OURS AND THE LEGACY DESIGNATION PROCESS.
WE HAVE PROVEN OVER DECADES OUR DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO EQUITY ACCESS AND TO THE LONG-TERM CARE OF PARKLAND AND WATERWAYS.
OUR MISSION TO MAKE ROWING, PADDLING AND ACCESS TO THE LAKE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.
EVERY YEAR WE ENGAGE THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS THROUGH YOUTH PROGRAMS, SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS, VETERAN INITIATIVES, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
WE'VE TAUGHT STUDENTS FROM MARTIN AND MEISON MIDDLE SCHOOLS PROGRAMS FROM UT AND ST.
EDWARDS WORKED WITH ADAPTIVE ATHLETES AND VETERANS AND HELPED KEEP LADYBIRD LAKE CLEAN THROUGH ONGOING STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS.
WE'RE PROUD TO BE BASED IN DISTRICT NINE, BUT OUR OUTREACH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND DOWNTOWN.
WE HAVE AUSTINITES ACROSS ALL 10 DISTRICTS WHERE ACTIVE MEMBERS AND PARTICIPATES IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS. 49 MEMBERS FROM DISTRICT 1 24 IN DISTRICT 2 83 IN DISTRICT 3 28, IN DISTRICT FOUR 70 IN DISTRICT FIVE, 40 IN DISTRICT 6 39 IN DISTRICT 7 88 IN DISTRICT EIGHT, A HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVEN IN DISTRICT NINE AND 90 IN DISTRICT 10.
IN ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT, WE ALSO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY.
IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 ALONE, WE RETURNED OVER 277,000 IN REVENUE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
WE BELIEVE AUSTIN ROWING CLUB COMBINES PUBLIC ACCESS, COMMUNITY, ENVIRONMENTAL CARE, AND FINANCIAL RETURN TO THE CITY, WHICH EMBODIES WHAT A LEGACY DESIGNATION REPRESENTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF PARTNERS WHO MAKE AUSTIN PARKS AND LAKES THRIVE.
UH, GOOD MORNING, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, THE ALL MARINE CLUB WAS ESTABLISHED MORE THAN 40 YEARS AGO AS A NONPROFIT.
WE SUPPORT OVER 350 MEMBERS NOW.
WE'VE STORED BOATS IN THESE DISPARATE LOCATIONS.
MEMBERS' BACKYARD, THE DUPLEX WAREHOUSE, BESIDES THE STATESMAN BUILDING, DEEP BETTY POOL, YMCA'S PROPERTY, THE YOUTH HOST OF WHERE WE BUILT A FLOOR OVER THE INDOOR POOL.
OUR CURRENT BOATHOUSE HAS WORKED OUT WELL.
AUSTIN ARC HAS REALLY BEEN A PART OF THE FABRIC OF THIS CITY.
WE'VE ASSISTED IN THE CREATION OF THE UT MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CREWS.
THE ARK'S REPUTATION GREW HAVING SPAWNED OTHER CLUBS IN WACO, DALLAS, HOUSTON, GALVESTON COLLEGE STATION, AND EVA CLUB IN COLORADO.
AND OF COURSE, THE TEXAS ROWING CENTER.
WE'VE CREATED THE AUSTIN AQUAFEST SPRINTS.
REMEMBER, AQUAFEST RECALL THE TEXAS SESQUI, I CAN'T SAY IT.
SESQUICENTENNIAL PARADE ALSO CELEBRATED 150 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
WE, UH, DRESSED IN PERIOD COSTUMES AND CARRIED A FOUR PERSON BOAT DOWN CONGRESS AVENUE.
WE HOSTED A LEARNED TO ROW EXPERIENCE FOR SOME MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS HOUSE, INCLUDING LEGENDARY GIB LEWIS, WHO ALSO, OF COURSE WANTED TO BE IN THE STROKE SEAT.
I GUESS THE HYPNOTIC FEELING ROWING CAN PROVIDE.
DREW NOTED PHYSICISTS TO OUR CLUB AND THE LIKES OF BRYCE DEWITT AND NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON LIKELY GAVE THEM TIME TO CONTEMPLATE THE QUANTUM UNIVERSE.
AUSTIN ROW CLUB HAS HOSTED, BEEN HOSTING AT LEAST TWO OR THREE REGATTAS EVERY YEAR FOR MANY YEARS.
BRING CREWS FROM ALL OVER THE US TO ENJOY OUR PERFECT ROWING LOCATION.
MANY OTHER GOOD THINGS COME OUT OF AUSTIN ROARING CLUB'S REACH PRO OUTREACH PROGRAMS. WE'VE WORKED WITH A-S-A-I-S-D AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.
OUR JUNIORS PROGRAM IS VERY POPULAR AND SOME OF THESE MEMBERS GO ON TO ROWAN COLLEGE.
ARCA PARTNERS WERE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE EAST TOWN LAKE CITIZEN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR EVENT EVENTS SUCH AS THE SPRING FITNESS FESTIVAL AND OUTDOOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL.
WE HOST MEMBER, THE FOLKS AT, UH, MACBETH USING OUR BARGES TO TAKE OUT THEIR MEMBERS.
WE PARTICIPATE, EXCUSE ME, PARTICIPATED IN THE WARRIOR GAMES IN SAN ANTONIO SEVERAL TIMES IN THE FORM OF AN ERDA, UH, WHEREBY VETERANS CAN SEE WHO CAN PULL,
[01:40:01]
UH, 1000 METERS FASTER THAN THE OTHER.ISM SAID THAT ROWING IS A LIFETIME SPORT.
I'M EVIDENCE OF THIS 44 YEARS AND STILL ROWING.
IN CLOSING, WE WOULD ENCOURAGE THIS COUNCIL TO CONSIDER US AS ONE OF THE LEGACY CONCESSIONAIRES.
EVEN THOUGH WE BE NONPROFIT, WE HAVE SHOWN WE ARE PART OF AUSTIN'S FABRIC AND WE'RE NOT GOING AWAY.
AND, AND, AND REMEMBER, JUST SAY ROW MR. BUNCH.
UH, GOOD MORNING BILL BUNCH, UH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.
UM, DISTRICT FIVE, UH, URGING Y'ALL TO POSTPONE THIS ONCE AGAIN AND GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.
UH, THIS IS A PARKS POLICY AROUND CONCESSIONS THAT'S PUSHING FURTHER, UH, THE WHOLE PROCESS OF CONCESSIONS, NEW CONCESSIONS, EXPANDED CONCESSIONS, RENEWALS ON CONCESSIONS INTO THE BACK ROOM, UH, NOT TRANSPARENT, MORE OPAQUENESS.
AND Y'ALL JUST ARE TELLING THE PUBLIC YOU'RE READY FOR TRANSPARENCY.
YOU'RE DELEGATING YOUR AUTHORITY THAT YOU NEED TO HOLD ONTO TO PROTECT AND MANAGE OUR PUBLIC PARKLANDS, ESPECIALLY OUR PUBLIC PARKLANDS AROUND LADY BIRD LAKE.
UH, WE HAVE SOME EXCELLENT CONCESSIONS, UH, THAT FUNCTION WELL AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL.
UH, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A CITY CHARTER THAT BINDS YOUR ACTION.
AND THAT CHARTER SAYS EXACTLY, YOU CANNOT SELL, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE ALIENATE PUBLIC PARKLAND WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL.
YOU HAVE A POLICY BEFORE YOU THAT SAYS, PERMANENT CONCESSIONS POLICY, LEGACY, CONCESSIONS POLICY.
NOBODY HAS A RIGHT PERMANENT LEGACY OR EVEN LONG TERM TO OPERATE, MAKE MONEY, HIDE HOW MUCH THEY'RE MAKING ON OUR PUBLIC PARK LAND, AND NOT HAVE THAT VIOLATE THE CITY CHARTER AND VIOLATE WHAT ALL OF Y'ALL ARE SAYING IS YOU CARE ABOUT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS HAS WASTE AND MONEY EXPORTED FROM OUR PARKS WRITTEN ALL OVER IT, NOT MONEY BROUGHT TO THE TABLE TO HELP OUR PARKS.
AFTER THE NEXT SPEAKER, ROBIN RATHER, LARISSA HUFFMAN.
I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 43.
I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE VOTE NO, UM, AND DO NOT INVITE A REWRITE OR A RE-REVIEW OF IT.
UM, PARKS DIRECTOR AGUIRE DID NOT PRESENT THE RED LINE DOCUMENT TO THE BOARD THAT REVIEWED THIS THING.
UM, WE DIDN'T SEE IT UNTIL IT APPEARED BEFORE YOUR EYES.
IT APPEARS ON THE SURFACE AS A SIMPLE LEGACY CONCESSION ITEM, BUT ON CLOSER EXAMINATION, IT TAKES THE PUBLIC SAY, OUT OF CONCESSION BUSINESS, DISREGARDS PARK MASTER PLANS AND EXCUSES PARK STAFF FROM TAKING GIFTS FROM CONCESSIONAIRES.
IF IT'S DONE UNKNOWINGLY, IN A NUTSHELL, IT SILENCES THE PEOPLE FROM HAVING A SAY ON HOW OUR PARK LAND IS RENTED.
AND IT'S A HUGE POWER GRAB BY AN UNELECTED CITY OFFICIAL TO DO AS HE PLEASES AT HIS DISCRETION WITH OUR PARK LAND.
PLEASE VIEW THE FAILURE OF PAR PROPOSITION Q AS A DEMAND FROM THE PEOPLE TO NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF THE GOVERNANCE PROCESS AS A PARKS WATCHDOG.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THE COLLECTIVE CITIZENRY KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR PARKS.
PLEASE REMIND HIM OF THIS AND VOTE NO.
UH, GOOD MORNING COUNSEL AND CITY MANAGER.
I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR ANY GROUP, ALTHOUGH I'M A MEMBER OF MANY GROUPS THAT WOULD AGREE WITH WHAT I'M GONNA SAY.
UM, I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO A COMPLETE NO ON THIS ITEM BECAUSE IT'S THE EPITOME.
THIS ITEM IS THE VERY EPITOME OF WHY SO MANY PEOPLE VOTED NO ON PROP Q BECAUSE THEY FEEL YOU DO WASTEFUL SPENDING AND THEY FEEL THEY CAN'T TRUST YOU BECAUSE OF IT.
THIS IS THE DEAL WE'VE ALREADY ASKED AND ACTUALLY BEEN PROMISED AN AUDIT ON
[01:45:01]
THESE VERY ISSUES.UH, PAR DIRECTOR AGUIRE HAS SAT ON IT OR KILLED IT.
THIS IS THE PLACE TO START IF YOU WANNA AUDIT INEFFECTIVE, INEFFICIENT POLICIES.
WHAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE IS SOMETHING GOOD FOR AN ICONIC SMALL BUSINESS HISPANIC OWNED THAT'S BEEN IN ZORA PARK FOREVER, LITERALLY SINCE THE SIXTIES.
WHAT IT'S BECOME IS A CONVOLUTED POLICY STATEMENT THAT DOES NOTHING BUT ADVANTAGE.
VERY AFFLUENT NONPROFITS WHO HAVE BEEN QUESTIONABLE THEIR POLICIES AND THEIR PRACTICES AND THEIR FINANCIALS ARE QUESTIONABLES.
IT KILLS ME TO SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO MY COLLEAGUES IN VOCAL TEXAS TALK ABOUT SWEEPS.
WHEN YOU'RE LETTING THESE NONPROFITS SITS SIT ON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHILE OUR PARKS ARE FALLING APART IN OUR WHOLE BUDGETS IN A DEFICIT, PLEASE PULL THIS ITEM.
CLEAN UP THESE NONPROFIT ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE NOT BENEFITING THE CITY.
IF THESE ARE GOOD DEALS, HAVE THE TRANSPARENCY AND SHOW US THE GIVES AND THE GETS.
WE'VE BEEN ASKING THAT FOR A LONG TIME, Y'ALL HAVE JUST BEEN IGNORING IT.
WE WANNA COME BACK STRONG FROM THE PROP Q VOTE.
WE WANNA PULL BACK TOGETHER AND SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. THIS RIGHT HERE IS THE PLACE TO START AUDIT THIS THING RIGHT NOW.
THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL'S, UH, THIS OUR MAYOR, PRO TEM AND COUNCIL, UH, BOBBY LAVINSKY WITH SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE.
UM, I AM GOING TO AGREE A LOT WITH WHAT MR. SANA SAID.
UH, I THINK HE HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD THAT THERE'S AN UNDERLYING ISSUE HERE, UH, WITH WHO'S MAKING THE DECISIONS AND HOW THESE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.
UM, THERE'S ALSO AN ISSUE OF THIS POLICY REALLY COLLAPSING A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS INTO ONE DOCUMENT THAT REALLY NEED TO BE SEPARATE CONVERSATIONS.
THAT FIRST QUESTION WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE PARKS IS ACCEPTABLE.
UH, THERE'S A NEW ERA OF CONCESSIONS IN THE PARKS BASED PARTIALLY ON THE STATE LIMITS ON THE GENERAL FUND, BUT IT COMES WITH THE QUESTIONS OF HOW MUCH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS THESE CONCESSIONS WILL HAVE, AND, UH, HOW MUCH SPACE ARE WE'RE GONNA BE RETAINING FOR JUST TRANQUIL SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE PARKS.
THE NEXT QUESTION BECOMES, WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION TO OVER SUCH COMMERCIALIZATION? WHEN YOU HAND THE DECISION OVER TO THIRD PARTIES, YOU INHERENTLY INTRODUCE A PREDETERMINATION THAT PARK SPACE MUST GENERATE REVENUE.
UM, AND ALL BUSINESSES HAVE THAT BASIC MODEL THAT THEY MUST GENERATE, GENERATE REVENUE TO SURVIVE.
UH, THEN YOU HAVE THE QUESTION OF WHO BENEFITS FROM THAT REVENUE IF CONCESSIONS ARE MANAGED BY THE CITY, THAT QUESTION IS CLEAR.
ALL REVENUE WOULD GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE AND THE GENERAL FUND TO BE GUIDED BY YOU AS THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES.
UM, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE NONPROFITS SHARE IN THAT REVENUE BY THE INHERENT NATURE OF IT, IT IS ULTIMATELY, UM, ACCOUNTABLE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THOSE NONPROFITS AND TO THEIR DONORS, WHICH I THINK IS KIND OF AN UNDERSTATED, UH, UH, ASPECT OF NONPROFITS, UNELECTED PARTIES.
UM, THEY'RE ALL IN UNELECTED PARTIES, WHICH, UH, LETS, UM, WHICH WE SHOULD BE CANDID THAT THOSE DONORS ARE WEALTHIER AND THEY TEND TO HAVE MORE ACCESS THAN A TYPICAL RESIDENT WOULD HAVE.
AND, UH, APPROACHING THEIR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, THE LEGACY ISSUE, UH, IS ALSO, UM, YOU KNOW, KIND OF UNRELATED AND SHOULD BE PART OF A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION, UM, AS MR. BUNCH STATED THAT, YOU KNOW, THE, THE REAL ISSUE IS HOW DO WE HAVE FAIR AND EQUITABLE PROCESSES? AND IF YOU'RE LOCKING IN PEOPLE, YOU'RE NOT HAVING A FAIR AND EQUITABLE PROCESS.
ITEM 43, I HAVE DOROTHY LOPEZ, BARNETT AND LAURA MASSENGALE.
IS ADAM DE LEON HERE? HERE? ADAM HAS DONATED TIME TO LAURA, SO IT'LL BE A TOTAL OF FOUR MINUTES.
WHERE DO YOU WANNA SIT? UM, I'LL SIT RIGHT HERE AND YOU CAN SIT THERE AND I HAVE A, I HAVE A POWERPOINT THAT SHOULD GO WITH THE DIGITAL, GET MY POWERPOINT.
I'M GONNA GO FIRST AND THEN I WANT YOU TO CLICK THROUGH THE POWERPOINT.
STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WHICH ITEM YOU'RE SPEAKING ON.
HI, MY NAME IS LAURA MASSENGALE AND I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 43.
WE'RE WAITING FOR THE POWERPOINT TO BE LOADED.
UM, SHE'S GONNA CLICK THROUGH THE POWERPOINT
DID THAT WORK? ARE YOU CLICKING? OKAY, GOOD.
SO, UM, I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S WORK ON THIS ITEM.
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A PRESENTATION AS TO WHY WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE LEGACY BUSINESS AWARD FROM PRESERVATION AUSTIN LAST YEAR AND THE ICONIC FAMILY
[01:50:01]
BUSINESS AWARD FROM THE AUSTIN BUSINESS JOURNAL.INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, I GAVE THIS PRESENTATION TO THE TOURISM COMMISSION FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN MIKE TI WAS ON THE BOARD AND WAS JUST FORMING ZILKER 3 5 1.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF ZILKER PARK AND, AND LIKE WE ARE THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL, WE ARE ALSO DEFINED BY OUR BOATING CULTURE.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, UH, FOR MEETING WITH US A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND, UM, OFFERING YOUR SUPPORT AND, UM, TELLING MY 80-YEAR-OLD MOTHER THAT YOU WOULD SIGN A PROCLAMATION FOR OUR BUSINESS.
I HOPE THAT'S STILL ON THE TABLE.
UM, SO, UM, IF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BACKDOOR DEALS, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
WE HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE DELAY IN OUR CONTRACT BY SOMEONE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES AT OR WITH PAR TO INFLUENCE THE DELAY IN OUR CONTRACT ONE YEAR AT A TIME FOR SIX YEARS.
TRY RUNNING A BUSINESS ONE YEAR AT A TIME FOR SIX YEARS BECAUSE OF THIS.
MY ASK FOR YOU TODAY IS TO STRONGLY CONSIDER CHANGING THE LANGUAGE OF THE NEW POLICIES BEING PUT FORTH BY THE DIRECTOR AND ASK YOURSELF, IF YOU HAD A HISTORICAL BUSINESS, WOULD YOU BE COMFORTABLE HANDING OVER SOLE AUTHORITY TO THE THIRD PERSON TO HOLD THE PAR DIRECTOR POSITION IN TWO YEARS? WHO'S GOING TO HAVE THAT JOB NEXT AT HIS SOLE DISCRETION IS PEPPERED THROUGHOUT THE NEW POLICIES AND MANAGED BY PART OR A ASSIGNEE IS SO AMBIGUOUS.
WE TAKE EXCEPTION TO THAT LANGUAGE AND RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR THOSE CHANGES TO BE MADE OR REMOVED BEFORE PASSING AND PROTECT US FROM MORE YEARS OF DELAY.
IF YOU PASS IT WITHOUT THESE CHANGES, WE WILL TAKE IT TO MEAN YOU DON'T SEE AN ISSUE WITH THE LANGUAGE AND IT WILL NOT NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS GOING FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION, AND I INVITE YOU TO, UH, LOOK AT ALL OF THESE, UM, ART INSPIRED DRAWINGS THAT WE'VE COLLECTED OVER THE YEARS, UM, REFLECTING HOW WE HAVE REALLY INFLUENCED THE CULTURE OF AUSTIN.
THERE'S NOT A PICTURE, UM, ADVERTISEMENT THAT YOU CAN FIND THAT DOES NOT HAVE, UM, A PICTURE OF OUR BOATS ON BARTON CREEK.
DO WE HAVE ANY MORE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? YEAH.
UH, DOROTHY LOPEZ BARNETT, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
SERVICE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND TO ALL OF ITS CITIZENS.
UH, NOT JUST A FEW, BUT ALL OF US.
I WAS REALLY TOUCHED BY THE, UH, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND BEING ON THE STREETS AND JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY IN THE 1950S AS A YOUNG CHILD, I WAS HOMELESS AND ON THE STREET AND NOW I'M NOT.
YOU KNOW, AND SO YOU CAN GET OFF THE STREET IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.
AND PLEASE CONSIDER TODAY THAT WE ARE NOT PROTESTORS.
WE'RE NOT HERE TO HARANGUE YOU OR ANYTHING, BUT WE ARE PROTECTIVE PROTECTORS OF OUR PLACE IN AUSTIN AND OUR FAMILY ARE CONSIDERED OURSELVES PROTECTORS OF ZILKER PARK.
AND AS YOU KNOW, I REPRESENT ZILKER PARK BOATS.
WE STARTED WITH NINE CANOES AND NOW HAVE OVER 200 WATERCRAFT.
THIS IS OUR FAMILY BUSINESS OWNED AND OPERATED FOR AFTER OVER 57 YEARS.
AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, WE WERE THE FIRST VOTING CONCESSION ON WHAT WAS THEN TOWN LAKE, AND NOW THREE GENERATIONS OF OUR FAMILY HAVE WORKED THERE OR DO WORK THERE.
AND WE ARE THE SMALLEST VOTING CONCESSION AND HAVE THE SMALLEST FOOTPRINT.
MAYAS TODAY IS, AS YOU CAREFULLY CONSIDER THAT WHAT THE WORD SOLE AUTHORITY MEANS IN ITEM 43.
IF IN TRYING TO CREATE A ONE SIZE FITS ALL RULE SOLE AUTHORITY COULD BE A HEAVY HAMMER
[01:55:01]
IF USED BY THE WRONG PERSON.I ASK THAT THE LANGUAGE THAT SUPPORTS A CHECK-IN BALANCE SYSTEM BE USED WITH MORE AUTHORITY TO CITY MANAGER OR COUNCIL.
I'VE BEEN ON BOARDS AT THE CITY, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVEL, AND I'VE TAUGHT WRITING AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AT A CC FOR ALMOST 25 YEARS.
WE ARE A DESTINATION IN AUSTIN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, MAYOR PROTO, THAT CONCLUDES ALL SPEAKERS FOR CONSENT.
HAS ANYONE'S NAME BEEN CALLED THAT HAS NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM? OKAY.
SEEING NONE, COLLEAGUES, WE ARE BACK AT THE CONSIDERATION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE WILL BE PULL, WHICH IS THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IT STANDS, IS ITEMS ONE THROUGH 27 AND ITEM 43, WE'LL BE PULLING ITEM NUMBER 24.
THIS IS THE HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES OUTREACH.
UH, THERE IS AN AMENDMENT THAT IS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD BY COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN THAT WE WILL NEED TO CONSIDER AND I BELIEVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR STAFF.
SO THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IT STANDS IS ITEMS NUMBER ONE THROUGH 27 WITH ITEM 24 BEING PULLED AS WELL AS ITEM 43.
COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS WHO WISH TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ANY OF THE ITEMS BEFORE WE MOVE IN TO CONSENT REMARKS? YES.
CAN THE RECORD SHOW COUNCILMAN VELASQUEZ ALTER AND FUENTES VOTING NO ON ITEM 43 AND MAYOR PROAM? I'D LIKE TO ABSTAIN ON 43.
WITH COUNCILMAN SIEGEL ABSTAINING ON ITEM 43.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE TABLE? ARE THERE ANY REMARKS THAT COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL.
UM, I WANNA SPEAK BRIEFLY TO ITEM, UH, 43, UH, WHICH WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FROM, UM, SOME OF THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
UH, THIS IS AN ITEM RELATED TO COMPLIANCE WITH OUR RESIDENTIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, UH, GUIDELINES, ALSO KNOWN AS RHODA.
THIS IS, UM, A RESOLUTION THAT'S FOCUSED ON AFFORDABILITY IN CITY FINANCE PROPERTY AND REALLY DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE OF THE HOUSING BONDS THAT OUR VOTERS HAVE APPROVED.
UM, I REALLY WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CITY COUNCIL ESPECIALLY, UH, LONGER SERVING MEMBERS LIKE COUNCILMAN HARPER MADISON AND COUNCILMAN ELLIS HAVE REALLY LED AUSTIN, UM, TO BUILD THOUSANDS OF UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN RECENT YEARS.
AND MANY OF THESE UNITS ARE, ARE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE AND I REALLY WANNA PRAISE HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF AS WELL FOR, FOR CARRYING THAT FORWARD.
UM, THE RHODA PROGRAM SERVES, UH, PEOPLE WHO ARE EARNING 50% OR LESS OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
UM, BUT IN ADDITION TO BUILDING THESE THOUSANDS OF UNITS OF HOUSING, WE'VE ALSO PROMISED, UH, THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN AND TENANTS IN PARTICULAR THAT WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF THEM WITH THESE CITY FINANCED, UH, PROPERTIES.
AND THAT'S ONE AREA WHERE WE NEED, UM, BASICALLY MORE SUPPORT FOR STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, BORROWERS FROM CITY FUNDS ARE COMPLYING WITH OUR POLICIES.
AND SO, ITEM, UH, 23 TOGETHER WITH ITEM 21.
UH, IT'S A COHORT OF US COUNCIL MEMBERS, CADRE, ALTER VELASQUEZ, AND FUENTES.
WE'RE MAKING SURE WE'RE GETTING RESULTS OUT OF EXISTING CITY FUNDED PROPERTIES AND ALSO MAKING UPDATES TO PROTECT HOUSING APPLICANTS MOVING FORWARD.
UM, REALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT AUSTINITES WHO EARN LESS THAN 50% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME CAN LIVE IN CITY FUNDED PROPERTIES AND ARE PROTECTED WHILE THEY'RE THERE.
THE KEY HERE IS THE LEASE ADDENDUM.
UH, YOU HEARD SOME TESTIMONY ABOUT THIS.
THIS IS THE MECHANISM, HOW WE TAKE CARE OF TENANTS ABOVE AND BEYOND THE MINIMUMS OF TEXAS LAW.
WE MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT EVICTED WITHOUT CAUSE.
WE MAKE SURE THAT TENANTS CAN ORGANIZE.
UH, WE MAKE SURE THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ARE ADDRESSED.
AND SO THIS IFC WILL SUPPORT STAFF AS THEY DEVELOP A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY TO ENSURE THAT EVERY TENANT IN A ROTA PROPERTY HAS A LEASE ADDENDUM.
UH, ALSO IT WILL CREATE AN, A COMPLIANCE PLAN FOR THE CITY.
IT WILL INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS AND IT WILL ALSO HAVE A TESTING STRATEGY.
WE'RE CALLING IT SECRET SHOPPER TO MAKE SURE THAT BORROWERS ARE, UM, REALLY FOLLOWING THROUGH ON WHAT THEY'VE PROMISED TO DO.
SO, I WANNA THANK THE TENANT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS THAT IDENTIFIED THE ISSUES THAT LED TO THESE TWO RESOLUTIONS, UH, TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS AND CITY STAFF WHO HELPED CRAFT THE POLICY AND PARTICULARLY, UH, COUNCIL STAFF, INCLUDING KAYLA SIMON AND MELISSA BEELER, UH, WHO GOT US TO THIS FINAL, UH, PROJECT.
UM, THESE TWO ITEMS THAT INCORPORATE ALL THE STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK.
SO, UH, THANK YOU COLLEAGUES AND I HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT THIS ITEM.
I'M GONNA MAKE QUICK COMMENTS ABOUT ITEM 21.
UM, I'M HONORED TO BRING FORWARD ITEM 21, WHICH REAFFIRMS OUR COMMITMENT TO BUILDING AN EQUITABLE INCLUSIVE AUSTIN, A CITY WHERE
[02:00:01]
EVERYONE CAN ACCESS HOUSING THEY CAN AFFORD.OUR CITY HAS BEEN WORKING HARD, INVESTING IN AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING THROUGH THE RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, BETTER KNOWN AS ROTA, UH, ACQUIRING LAND REHABILITATING PROPERTIES, AND CONSTRUCTING NEW UNITS.
WE KNOW THE HOUSING LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING.
FEDERAL PROTECTIONS ARE UNCERTAIN IN RECENT STATE ACTIONS LIKE SENATE BILL 38 WILL SPEED UP EVICTIONS, MAKING LOCAL PROTECTIONS EVEN MORE URGENT.
OUR RENTERS DESERVE TO KNOW WE HAVE THEIR BACKS.
THAT'S WHY THIS RESOLUTION OUTLINES A PROCESS TO UPDATE THE ROTA PROGRAM GUIDELINES BY SUMMER 2026, WHICH WILL INCLUDE EXPLORING STRONGER TENANT PROTECTIONS TO PREVENT EVICTION, TO GUARD AGAINST MIDDLE LEASE RENT HIKES, APPLICANT PROTECTIONS, INCLUDING FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
UH, IMPROVE SCREENING CRITERIA FOR KNOW YOUR RIGHTS INFO AND STREAMLINED ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM SO WE CAN KEEP THESE DEVELOPMENTS VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE.
IMPORTANTLY, THE CITY WILL ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING TENANTS, DEVELOPERS, PROPERTY MANAGERS, AND ADVOCATES TO SHAPE THESE UPDATES.
THIS ENGAGEMENT CAN ALSO HELP US LEARN ABOUT OTHER FUNDING NEEDS BEYOND CAPITAL HOUSING DOLLARS TO SUPPORT OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY AS THEY FACE THEIR OWN CHALLENGES IN CHANGING HOUSING MARKETS.
THIS RESOLUTION HELPS ENSURE THAT OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING INVESTMENTS NOT ONLY PRODUCE UNITS, BUT ALSO PROTECT THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THEM.
ENSURE OUR COMMUNITY CAN ACCESS THEM, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
UH, AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK, UH, EVERYONE WHO IS A PART OF THIS WHOLE JOURNEY IN THIS PROCESS.
UH, EVERYONE FROM OUR PROFESSIONAL HOUSING STAFF, UH, UNDER RECOMMENDATIONS, I WANNA THANK MY CO-SPONSORS, MAYOR PRO TEMP FUENTES COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, SIEGEL ALTER AND THE JOSE VELAZQUEZ.
UM, I WANT TO THANK, UH, GIVE ALL THE LOVE TO MELISSA BEELER FROM MY STAFF, UH, ON HER WORK ON THIS ITEM.
I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COUNCILOR SAL HAD MENTIONED AND, UH, SOME OF THE SPEAKERS.
AND THEN I WANNA MENTION, UH, THE FOLKS WHO CAME AND, AND TESTIFIED FROM BASTA AND VOCAL TX.
UH, YOU KNOW, I, I THINK THE, THE WORK THAT THESE GROUPS DO, UH, OFTEN GOES UNDER THE RADAR, BUT, BUT IT'S SO IMPORTANT AND IT'S, IT'S A, IT'S A WORK, UH, OF, OF LOVE FOR CITY AND COMMUNITY.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BALTER.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO FORGIVE ME FOR HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF JELLY IN MY BELLY.
UH, THE, THE COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, I'M HAYDEN.
UM, I WANTED TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY REAL QUICK TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW ITEMS ON THIS CONSENT AGENDA AS WELL.
UM, I'M GONNA START WITH ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
UM, IT BASICALLY IS ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF DOUBLE DOWN, EXCUSE ME, ON OUR WORKFORCE, UM, TRAINING COMMITMENTS.
AND SOMETHING I WANTED TO ADD THERE.
SO ALONG THE LINES OF THIS ONE, THIS IS, UH, SPECIFICALLY AROUND INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY AND OUR FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT OUR WORKFORCE, I OFTEN THINK ABOUT HOW WHILE THESE ARE CRITICAL POSITIONS AND YOU KNOW, WE FORESEE AND ANTICIPATE THE NEED FOR THEM WITH ALL THE MAJOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS COMING UP, I THINK WE MISSED SOME OPPORTUNITIES AROUND WORKFORCE.
UM, FOR EXAMPLE, DID YOU KNOW THAT HAIR BRAIDERS DON'T REQUIRE LICENSURE, BUT THERE'S PROBABLY A HUNDRED GALS BRAIDING HAIR IN OUR INCOME RESTRICTED HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS AROUND TOWN RIGHT NOW.
SO THAT'S A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY.
BARBERING, THAT'S A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY.
THERE ARE FOUR, SIX FIGURE JOBS ON THE JOB BOARD RIGHT NOW FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, UM, THAT TRAIN AND DEPLOY PEOPLE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SERVICE.
ALANDRA $126,000 A BUTLER, $192,000, A VALET, PRIVATE CHEF, ET CETERA.
AND IN DOING JUST A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH, I DETERMINED THAT EVERY SINGLE CALENDAR YEAR, THEY'RE AT LEAST 42% SHORT FOR ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES.
'CAUSE NOBODY'S TRAINING FOLKS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SERVICE.
WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU IRONED A LINEN NAPKIN? THERE ARE SKILLS THAT WE LOST ALONG THE WAY THAT WE NO LONGER POSSESS, BUT FAMILIES WITH AFFLUENCE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER REAL GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, LONG-TERM GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT WITH GREAT BENEFITS, WE'RE NOT TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN, UM, FOLKS FOR THOSE POSITIONS.
SO, JUST WANTED TO PUT IT ON THE RADAR THAT AS WE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE, QUADRUPLE DOWN ON OUR WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS, LET'S RECOGNIZE THAT NOT EVERYBODY'S GONNA GO INTO CONSTRUCTION AS A POTENTIAL CAREER AND REALLY EXPAND ON OUR ABILITY TO BE INNOVATIVE AROUND WORKFORCE.
UM, UH, DISTRICT ONE, UH, IS GONNA BE THE BENEFICIARY OF SOMETHING AWESOME, UH, ON THIS CONSENT AGENDA TOO.
IN THAT COLONY PARKS RECEIVING, UM, SOME FUNDS TOWARDS DISPLACEMENT MITIGATION STRATEGY, THIS IS THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS MAKING AND DISPLACEMENT MITIGATION.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MODEL FOR OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO PREEMPTIVELY PLAN FOR MITIGATING
[02:05:01]
DISPLACEMENT.WE TALK A LOT ABOUT DISPLACEMENT AND GENTRIFICATION.
WE DON'T TALK ENOUGH ABOUT HOW, I MEAN, GUYS, GENTRIFICATION IS FORMULAIC.
THERE'S LITERALLY VARIABLES AND EQUATION AND THEN AN ANSWER ON THE OTHER END OF IT.
AND THE ANSWER ON THE OTHER END OF IT IS PEOPLE WITH LESSER MEANS ALWAYS LOSE.
UM, SO MITIGATING DISPLACEMENT IS ON, IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY, BUT IT HAS TO HAPPEN ON THE FRONT END.
WE HAVE TO PREEMPT DISPLACEMENT.
YOU DON'T FIX IT AFTER IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED.
UM, I'D LIKE TO GO ON TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER.
AND THEN I'D ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE OUR NEW CITY AUDITOR.
AND LASTLY, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK BRIEFLY TO, UM, OUR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE, WITH THE COUNTY AROUND WORKFORCE.
BUT THIS IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DISTINCTLY RECOGNIZE HOW WE WORK IN DIRECT CONJUNCTION WITH THE COUNTY FOR NO OTHER REASON.
UM, WE'VE GOTTEN SOME CALLS LATELY ABOUT, UM, AND THIS SPECIFICALLY IS ABOUT LANDFILL STUFF, LANDFILL MITIGATION.
TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY IN THIS SITUATION IS THE COUNTY, NOT THE CITY.
BUT TOO MANY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS DON'T RECOGNIZE THAT AS SEPARATE ENTITIES.
WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE SAME, UM, PURVIEW.
UM, THE PARAMETERS UNDER WHICH THEY OPERATE IN WHICH WE OPERATE ARE DIFFERENT.
AND SO RECOGNIZING THAT WHILE WE ARE SEPARATE ENTITIES, MUNICIPAL ENTITIES, WE DO OFTEN WORK TOGETHER.
AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE WITH TRA TRAVIS COUNTY TO HELP BENEFIT OUR CONSTITUENTS CONSIDERING WE SHARE THEM.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I, UH, JUST WANNA START BY THANKING ALL THE SPEAKERS WHO CAME OUT TODAY, WHETHER IT WAS TALKING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS OR, UH, OUR PARKS.
I REALLY APPRECIATE, UH, EVERYBODY TAKING THE TIME.
I KNOW IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO COME DOWN HERE AND, AND DO THAT.
UM, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT, UM, ITEM 25 BROUGHT FORWARD BY MY COLLEAGUE HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ.
UH, REALLY JUST HELPING TO BRING MORE TRANSPARENCY AND HOPEFULLY EFFICACY TO OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH EFFORTS.
UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT FIVE, THEY WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON.
WHAT, WHEN THEY CALL 3 1 1 OR NINE ONE ONE, YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING BEYOND THAT.
AND I THINK THIS WILL HELP CREATE A LITTLE MORE TRANSPARENCY AROUND THAT.
UH, AND SO I APPLAUD THOSE EFFORTS AND ANY EFFORTS REALLY WE CAN DO TO BRING THAT KIND OF TRANSPARENCY, NOT ONLY WITHIN THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, BUT THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND THEN THE WORK, UH, BY COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL AND, AND CADRE ON, UH, YOU KNOW, BUILDING ON SOME OF THE WORK WE DID AROUND GETTING RID OF JUNK FEES OUT OF, UH, RENTS.
YOU KNOW, TOO MANY PEOPLE WILL GET HIT WITH THESE FEES THAT THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT, UH, UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE.
OR THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO PAY AN APPLICATION FEE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY'RE ABOUT TO SIGN THEIR CONTRACT AND THAT'S WHEN THEY REALIZE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN MANDATORY FEES THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT.
AND SO, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO TRY TO HIGHLIGHT AND, AND GET THAT INFORMATION OUT EARLIER TO SAVE PEOPLE MONEY, MAKE THEM MORE INFORMED SHOPPERS, UH, I THINK IS REALLY GONNA BENEFIT, UH, OUR RENTERS AND, AND THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE REALLY JUST TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET WHEN IT COMES TO AFFORD THEIR HOUSING.
SO THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH FOR THAT WORK.
WE, WE WILL NOW HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION, MAYOR PRO TEM.
I WANTED TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ON ITEM NUMBER 43 AND PROVIDE A LITTLE CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND.
IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC, WE FOUND THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF ARTS AND MUSICS PROGRAMS GOING ON IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN THAT NEEDED A LOT OF ASSISTANCE.
SO WE GOT OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND CREATED SMALL GRANTS.
AND OUT OF THAT CONVERSATION CAME THIS IDEA OF WHAT IS A LEGACY BUSINESS FOR AUSTIN, TEXAS? HOW DO WE SUPPORT OUR LOCALS, OUR MOM AND POP SHOPS, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY, MAKING IT BETTER FOR DECADES? AND SO THAT LANGUAGE CAUGHT ON AND I THINK AS WE SEE, UM, YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY GROW AND AS WE SEE SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES THAT FOLKS FACE AND THAT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES SOMETIMES FACE CLOSURE, THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR LOCALS AND OUR MOM AND POPS AND HELP MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO RUN, ESPECIALLY SMALL BUSINESSES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
SO OUT OF THAT CONVERSATION IS WHERE YOU SEE THAT ZILKER BOATS DID RECEIVE AN AWARD FROM ANOTHER GROUP SAYING THAT THEY, THEY ARE A LEGACY BUSINESS.
THEY ARE SOMEONE THAT WE SEE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
[02:10:01]
THAT HAS DONE THE GOOD WORK THROUGH MANY, MANY GENERATIONS.AND THAT'S WHERE THIS CONVERSATION AROUND HOW DO WE SUPPORT FOLKS THAT ARE HELPING TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN OUR PARK SPACE, OFTENTIMES WITH THEIR OWN DOLLARS.
SO I WAS EXCITED TO SEE WHERE THIS CONVERSATION WENT.
I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE OF BUSINESSES THAT WILL QUALIFY WITH THIS LANGUAGE.
WE DON'T KNOW QUITE YET WHAT IT'S GOING TO MEAN FOR HOW, HOW LONG SOME OF THESE SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE IN THEIR SPACES.
BUT WE WANT TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE WHAT MAKES AUSTIN SPECIAL, ESPECIALLY OUR, OUR WATER SPORTS AND OTHER SORTS OF EVENTS THAT HAPPEN ON THE RIVER, LIKE LAKE CLEANUPS AND OTHER THINGS OF THAT SORT THAT MAKE AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL AND KEEP IT SPECIAL.
SO I KNOW THAT THERE IS STILL GOING TO BE A FURTHER CONVERSATION TO THIS, BUT WE FOUND OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY AS YOU HEARD FROM OUR SPEAKERS TODAY, THAT DOING ONE YEAR INCREMENTAL EXTENSIONS TRYING TO DO THE NORMAL RFP PROCESS, SOMETHING THAT USUALLY ONLY QUALIFIES FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, MAKES IT VERY HARD FOR THESE SMALL BUSINESSES TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY DO IN OUR PARK SPACE.
THEY'RE PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE, THEY SERVE A GREAT COMMUNITY, GOOD.
A LOT OF PEOPLE GO BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND THEY GO FOR BIRTHDAYS AND THEY GO FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.
AND A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES IN AUSTIN WANNA COME AND VOLUNTEER WITH THEM WHEN THEY DO LATE CLEANUPS.
AND SO I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS PROGRAM MOVE FORWARD.
IT'S NOT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION 'CAUSE WE'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE UMBRELLA OF LEGACY BUSINESSES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THE FOLKS THAT ARE DOING THIS BY ROLLING UP THEIR OWN SLEEVES, COORDINATING WITH THEIR COMMUNITY, AND DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO MAKE OUR CITY BETTER.
SO I'M EXCITED TO BE SUPPORTING ITEM NUMBER 43 TODAY.
UM, COLLEAGUES ON ITEM 43, I'LL BE SHOWN AS VOTING NO.
AND JUST WANTED TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS ON THAT.
MY NO VOTE IS ON THE CONCERNS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP FROM THE TESTIMONY TODAY ON THE TERMS AND AGREEMENTS AS PART OF THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE CONCESSIONS POLICY IN OUR CITY PARKS AND NOT A REFLECTION OF THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE SERVICES THAT ARE PART OF THAT, UH, AGREEMENT.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO YES, COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN.
I'M GONNA HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 19 THAT NOBODY HAS BROUGHT UP TODAY, WHICH IS MONEY OWED TO THE C-T-C-E-Q FOR WORK DONE, UH, ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO.
UM, AND SO FOR THIS ONE, REALLY JUST TO THANK CITY STAFF FOR HELPING US UNDERSTAND THIS THE LAST TWO WEEKS DURING Q AND A AND OTHERWISE, UM, AND REALLY JUST TRYING TO MINIMIZE OUR RISK GOING FORWARD TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE PAYING REASONABLE AMOUNTS FOR THIS INCREDIBLY OLD GRANT THAT FOR IT SOUNDS LIKE EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES WE WERE UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH.
AND THEN GOING FORWARD, WE'LL HAVE WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A BETTER PROCESS OR POLICY FOR ADDRESSING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES.
AND THEN JUST TO, UH, ECHO A LOT OF WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS SAID ON ITEM 43, UH, MY UNDERSTANDING IS, AND I UNDERSTAND WE HEARD A LOT OF CONCERNS TODAY ABOUT POMAS AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE'S GONNA BE SOME, UM, REVIEW OR OTHER EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THOSE OP ARE, ARE OPERATING AND GIVE US MORE INSIGHTS THERE.
UM, AND THAT WE'VE GOTTA MAKE SOME DECISIONS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TO THE DEGREE THAT WE WANT TO, UM, UH, WELL, I'LL JUST SAY THAT, THAT WE'VE GOTTA, UH, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR, BOTH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND OUR DIRECTORS AND OUR LEADERSHIP, UH, STAFF AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY.
AND MY SENSE IS THAT, THAT AFTER VISITING ON THIS NOW THREE TIMES, THIS IS, UH, A PRETTY GOOD AGREEMENT FROM WHERE I'M SITTING.
SO WITH THAT SAID, THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TE THANK YOU COLLEAGUES.
COUNCIL BUR CADRE HAS MADE THE MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, YES, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, SORRY.
UM, JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON, UH, ITEM TWO, WHICH IS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH, UH, INTEGRAL CARE, UH, AND OTHER PARTNERS TO EXPAND THE, UH, PSYCH PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SERVICES, UH, AVAILABLE THROUGH INTEGRAL CARE TO GO TO A 24 7 AVAILABILITY.
THE, THE PROGRAM, UH, ESSENTIALLY IS A PLACE WHERE WE CAN TAKE PEOPLE, UH, WHO ARE EXPERIENCING, UH, A MAJOR, UH, MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, UH, A MAJOR PSYCHIATRIC EVENT.
UH, AND NOW IT WILL BE, UH, OPEN 24 7.
IT ALSO EXPANDS, UH, FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT THROUGH A PILOT PROGRAM, UH, FOR, UH, ABOUT 90 DAYS OF, UH, TREATMENT.
AGAIN, WE'RE SLOWLY KIND OF PUTTING TOGETHER A BETTER AND MORE, UH, ROBUST, UH, MENTAL, UH, HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.
AND AGAIN, I'M GLAD TO SEE IT MOVING THROUGH.
COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY HAS MADE THE MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
[02:15:01]
CONSENT AGENDA.WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED WITH THE NOTED CHANGES AS WELL AS ON ITEM NUMBER 43.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ ALTER FUENTES VOTING NO.
COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL ABSTAINING.
AND WITH THE MAYOR OFF THE DAIS.
NOW THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
[12:00 PM - Public Communication: General]
THAT, WE ARE NOW PAST OUR NOON PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMUNICATION CITY CLERK.
PLEASE CALL THE NAMES OF THE SPEAKERS LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
IF YOU HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED, PLEASE COME DOWN AND TAKE A SEAT.
WHEN IS YOUR TURN, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
ALL SPEAKERS PRESENT HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY.
LIAM, LIAM, FARMER, SILVER, WHITE MOUNTAIN.
ALSO, IF YOU CAN MINIMIZE CONVERSATIONS, IF YOU CAN MINIMIZE CONVERSATIONS AS YOU'RE EXITING THE CITY HALL CHAMBER, PLEASE.
WE ARE STILL CONTINUING FORWARD WITH OUR MEETING AND WE'LL BE HAVING PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CONVERSATIONS IN THE CHAMBER.
I'M GONNA CALL THOSE NAMES ONE MORE TIME.
LIAM FARMER, SILVER WHITE MOUNTAIN, SCOTT COBB, PLEASE PROCEED.
UM, DID Y'ALL, Y'ALL SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A HANDOUT FROM THE CITY CLERK FROM ME.
SO, UM, I LEARNED THAT THE WAY YOUR WASTEWATER BILL IS CALCULATED IS THAT THERE'S A THREE MONTH PERIOD OF TIME, UH, AND THEY AVERAGE THOSE THREE MONTHS.
UM, SOME OF Y'ALL PROBABLY KNOW THIS ALREADY OR PROBABLY ALL Y'ALL, BUT, UM, THEY WANNA GET AN AVERAGE DURING THE LOW PERIOD SO THAT IT'S NOT SKEWED BY PEOPLE THAT WATER THEIR LAWNS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WELL, THIS JANUARY, WHICH WAS DURING THAT PERIOD, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM AUSTIN WATER THAT I HAD A CONTINUOUS WATER USAGE, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE MY ROOMMATE'S TOILET WAS RUNNING FOR TWO DAYS.
AND THIS REALLY SKEWED MY WATER BILL FOR THAT MONTH.
AND BECAUSE IT WAS DURING THE WASTEWATER AVERAGING PERIOD, IT WAS AVERAGED INTO WHAT WAS CALCULATED FOR MY WATER USAGE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
UH, I GOT IN TOUCH WITH AUSTIN WATER AND THEY GAVE ME A REBATE BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT WAS AN INCORRECT OVERCHARGE.
AND THEY ALSO SAID THAT OTHER PEOPLE WILL CALL IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY'LL, IT'S THEIR PRACTICE TO GIVE THOSE PEOPLE REBATES.
UM, SO I GUESS I HAVE TWO ASKS, WHICH IS FOR NEXT YEAR, 'CAUSE WE'RE NEARING THE WASTEWATER AVERAGING PERIOD, CAN IT BE CHANGED SO THAT IF THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM OF AUSTIN WATER, UH, FLAGS YOU FOR USAGE ABOVE NORMAL FOR THAT KIND OF THING, LIKE A RUNNING WATER, UM, THAT IT WON'T BE AVERAGED INTO YOUR NUMBER.
AND THEN THE OTHER ONE IS THAT SINCE YOU HAVE THE DATA POINTS, SINCE IT'S AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM THAT SENT IT OUT TO ME, THAT CAME ORIGINALLY FROM AUSTIN WATER SAYING, HEY, YOU HAVE AN ABNORMAL USAGE.
IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO, UH, TO USE THAT SET OF, UM, EMAILS TO DETERMINE WHO HAS BEEN OVERCHARGED THIS YEAR AND ALSO ISSUE A REBATE.
AND, UM, IT WASN'T A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT FOR ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT, UM, PEOPLE MIGHT APPRECIATE IT.
UM, AND THEN, SO THAT WAS MY MY ASK.
AND THEN ALSO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT, UH, THE, UM, THE WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES AND KIND OF, UM, UH, THE, THE PRIVATE SERVICE INDUSTRY.
AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
UM, I'VE WORKED FOR CATERING COMPANIES AND I THINK YOU WOULD FIND A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE, THEY HAVE LIKE A PARTIAL SKILLSET, BUT THAT MIGHT BE A PLACE WHERE THE CITY COULD COME IN AND, AND DETERMINE, WELL, THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE COULD HELP THEM KIND OF LEVEL UP THEIR SKILLSET, UH, TO GET SOME OF THESE JOBS.
AND OVERALL, AND, UM, I DON'T KNOW, I MET A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WAY 'CAUSE YOU HAVE TEMPS AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE PART-TIME AND, AND EVERYBODY'S KIND OF TRYING TO GET TO THAT NEXT LEVEL.
SO I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO TARGET.
ON OCTOBER 7TH, THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE IN WHICH ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON RIDICULOUSLY DECLARED THAT.
AND HERE I QUOTE, CORRUPTED IDEOLOGIES LIKE TRANSGENDERISM IN ANTIFA ARE A CANCER ON OUR CULTURE AND HAVE UNLEASHED THEIR DERANGED AND DRUGGED UP FOOT SOLDIERS ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
I KID YOU NOT LAUGHTER WOULD BE APPROPRIATE AT THIS POINT.
[02:20:01]
THEN GOES ON TO NOTE THAT HE HAS QUOTE, INSTRUCTED HIS OFFICE TO INITIATE SWEEPING INVESTIGATIONS INTO RADICAL LEFTIST ORGANIZATIONS.WELL, I'M HERE TODAY TO PERHAPS SAVE HIS OFFICE SOME LEGWORK AND HOPEFULLY SOME TAXPAYER DOLLARS AS WELL.
MY NAME IS LEAH MATHESON FARMER.
I'M A SOFTWARE ENGINEER AND A SCREENWRITER, AND I LIVE IN KYLE.
I CANNOT SPEAK TO MATTERS OF TRANSGENDERISM AS MY IDENTITY IS CISGENDER.
ALTHOUGH I DOUBT EVEN THE GOOD FOLK IN THE TRANS COMMUNITY COULD SUCCESSFULLY DEFINE SUCH A MEANINGLESS NONSENSE BOOGEYMAN TERM AS TRANSGENDERISM.
BUT I CAN AUTHORITATIVELY AND VEHEMENTLY SPEAK TO ALL THINGS ANTIFA.
THAT'S BECAUSE I'M A PROUD AND LOUD MEMBER OF ANTIFA.
IN FACT, I'M A THIRD GENERATION ANTIFA OPERATIVE.
MY GRANDFATHER DAVID WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF ANTIFA.
HE CARRIED OUT THE ANTIFA MISSION, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ANTI-FASCIST CAMPAIGN OF THE ALLIED POWERS BY SERVING AS A CARTOGRAPHER FOR THE US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DURING AND AFTER WORLD WAR II.
NOW, IT MAY HAVE BEEN KNOWN AS THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR BACK THEN.
I'M NOT CERTAIN THEY KEEP CHANGING THE NAME.
DAVID'S DAUGHTER ELEANOR, MY MOTHER WHO LEFT THIS WORLD ON THE 4TH OF JULY LAST YEAR, CONTINUED FURTHERING THE RADICAL ANTI-FASCIST AGENDA THROUGHOUT HER LIFE.
AT THE 1968 DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN CHICAGO, SHE PARTICIPATED IN A SERIES OF PROTESTS THAT WERE INTIMATELY ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENCE.
NOT BY THE PROTESTORS MIND YOU, BUT BY THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE AND THE NATIONAL GUARD WHO PROVOKED TEAR, GASSED, BEAT AND UNJUSTLY ARRESTED NUMEROUS VICTIMS, MY MOTHER AMONG THEM, HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED.
TODAY I OPENLY FLY THE ANTI-FASCIST BANNER, WHICH IT SHOULD BE NOTED IS A STAR-SPANGLED BANNER.
AS A COMMITTED ANTIFA FANATIC, ALSO KNOWN AS AN AMERICAN PATRIOT.
AND NOW THAT I'VE ADMITTED MY ANTIFA AFFILIATION, I'D LIKE TO EXTEND AN INVITATION TO ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO MIGHT BE SO INCLINED.
IF YOU FEEL DUTY BOUND TO PLACE ME UNDER ARREST, PLEASE DO SO.
NOW I'LL PAUSE TO ALLOW ANY POSSIBLE ATTENTION DETENTION TO OCCUR PEACEFULLY.
BUT I'M NOT FINISHED SPEAKING AND I DO NOT YIELD MY TIME.
I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THAT THE OFFICERS ARE CORRECTLY REFUSING TO OBEY UNLAWFUL ORDERS AND DECLINING TO VIOLATE MY CIVIL RIGHTS.
I'VE ENGAGED IN SOME ABSURD HUMOR TODAY.
BUT I ASSURE EVERYONE THAT I AM NOT AN UNSERIOUS CLOWN.
AND MY POINT IS DEADLY SERIOUS.
THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, I MENTIONED THAT THIS TIME I WILL BE SPEAKING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO ARE MOONLIGHTING AT CERTAIN DEPARTMENT STORES.
I'VE OBSERVED A LOT OF THE L LEOS.
THEY'RE USUALLY ON THEIR CELL PHONES.
INSTEAD OF BEING OBSERVANT OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE THERE AS A DETERRENT, THEY SHOULD REMEMBER THE OATH THAT THEY TOOK.
IT NEEDS TO APPLY EVERYWHERE THEY'RE WORKING.
I GUESS WHEN THEY TAKE AN OATH TO SERVE AND PROTECT, IT DOESN'T APPLY WHEN THEY'RE MOONLIGHTING.
I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THEY CAN EASILY DISCONNECT THEMSELVES FROM THE OATH THAT STATES TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND SERVE WITH INTEGRITY.
THE PUBLIC DOESN'T WANT TO BE ANOTHER STATISTIC LIKE THE THREE VICTIMS AT THE TARGET IN NORTH AUSTIN.
THAT INCLUDED A 4-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL.
ALSO THE SHOOTING AT THE WALMART IN EL PASO AND THE ONE AT THE SHOPPING CENTER IN FAR SOUTH AUSTIN.
UH, I WAS ASKED TO BABYSIT MY GRANDSON BECAUSE THE OTHER GRANDMOTHER WAS, THE MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER WAS ILL FOR FOUR DAYS, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY.
AND I SAID, OH LOOK, IT WORKED OUT IN MY FAVOR.
'CAUSE I DON'T WANT MY GRANDSON TO BE ANOTHER STATISTIC.
I WAS SUPPOSED TO COME ON MY OWN.
BUT MY SON DIDN'T TRUST ME BEING A 70-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER TAKING CARE OF HIM OVER HERE AND DRIVING OR SO HE HAD TO COME ALONG.
AFTER SCOTT KA, WE HAVE JIM GRAHAM, KATIE GRAHAM, JENNIFER BARNES, AND CASSIE CLINTON.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.
I WORK AS A LIFEGUARD FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I SPOKE TO YOU IN DECEMBER WITH TWO OTHER LIFEGUARDS TO WOMEN ABOUT RETALIATION, SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION IN PARKS AND RECREATION AQUATICS DEPARTMENT.
IN JANUARY, SOMEONE FILED AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT SAYING, I'M UNDERMINING PARD MANAGEMENT.
LATER, THREE MANAGEMENT PEOPLE, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THAT DOCUMENT, FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT ME IN RETALIATION.
CITY OF AUSTIN HIRED A LAW FIRM
[02:25:01]
TREATY OAK EMPLOYERS LAW FIRM GROUP FOR $20,000 TO INVESTIGATE ME.THEY DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE WOMEN WHO SPOKE TO YOU, THEIR ALLEGATIONS FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS.
AND ONE HAS STILL NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED.
IF YOU LOOK AT THESE, THIS DOCUMENT ISSUE ONE IS TOTALLY FALSE.
I DID NOT CREATE ANY INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS.
I DID NOT DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
ISSUE NUMBER TWO, THE CURRENT ASSISTANT PARKS DIRECTOR CLAIMS I FILED AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT HER SEEKING SEXUAL FAVORS FROM TEENAGE LIFEGUARDS.
I DID NOT FILE THAT IT WAS ANONYMOUS.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF IT ACTUALLY EXISTS.
BUT YOU DO NOT RETALIATE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO FILE COMPLAINTS ANONYMOUSLY OR IN PERSON.
I HAVE FILED THEM COMPLAINTS IN PERSON.
BUT RETALIATING AGAINST THOSE PEOPLE, DISCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM REPORTING THESE INCIDENTS.
I GUARANTEE YOU, IF THIS INVESTIGATION THAT THE CITY IS PAYING $20,000 FOR TAKES ANY ACTION AGAINST ME, YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSING THE SETTLEMENT.
I DO NOT TAKE THIS KIND OF BS NUMBER THREE, THERE'S ANOTHER PERSON ALSO MAKES A RETALIATION CLAIM AGAINST ME.
YOU CANNOT RETALIATE AGAINST MAKE THESE ALLEGATIONS THINKING THAT YOU KNOW WHO DID SOMETHING WHEN YOU'RE TOTALLY WRONG.
EVEN IF YOU'RE HAPPEN TO BE RIGHT AND YOU GET THE RIGHT PERSON.
AND YOU'RE GUESSING IT IS ANONYMOUS, YOU DO NOT RETALIATE.
DO NOT RETALIATE EVEN IF THE UNDERLYING ALLEGATIONS PROVE TO BE TRUE.
SO I DO HAVE A VISUAL THAT I I SEND TO THE CITY CLERK.
UM, UH, I AM HERE TO URGE THE COUNCIL TO ACT ON THE PLANNING COMMITTEE'S 2024 RECOMMENDATION TO LOWER DECAL LIMIT FOR MECHANICAL NOISE AT RESIDENTIAL AREAS FROM 70 DECALS TO 45.
IF YOU ZOOM IN ON THE CHART OR IF YOU CAN JUST LOOK AT THE CHART, UH, YOU CAN SEE THAT AUSTIN'S, UH, SOUND LIMITS IN TERMS OF SOUND ENERGY ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN OTHER CITIES.
UH, CURRENTLY, UH, 16 TIMES HIGHER THAN HOUSTON'S 30 TIMES HIGHER THAN DALLAS'S.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS BECAUSE THE DECIMAL SCALE IS A EXPONENTIAL SCALE, RIGHT? SO GOING FROM SIX 70 IS NOT A 15 OR 16% INCREASE.
UM, I HAVE LIVED AT MY HOME IN HYDE PARK FOR 17 YEARS AND MY WIFE AND I ARE THANKFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RAISE OUR SONS THERE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR 15 OF THOSE YEARS.
BUT ABOUT, UH, TWO, TWO YEARS AGO, A UH, RES, UH, RESTAURANT NEARBY INSTALLED TWO 15 TON HVAC UNITS ON THE ROOF OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT, 12 FEET ACROSS THE ALLEY FROM THE BACK OF MY HOME.
THESE UNITS NOW, UH, CONTINUOUSLY EMIT 75 TO 80 DECIBELS OF OF NOISE ENERGY, UM, THE BACKYARD OF OUR HOME.
SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A HAIR DRYER GOING A FEW FEET AWAY.
UH, AND THE NOISE IS CONTINUOUS AND CAN BE HEARD FROM EVERY ROOM INSIDE OF OUR HOUSE.
UM, WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT.
UM, THERE'S A DETAILED LONG STORY THERE.
UM, BUT, UH, AT A HIGH LEVEL, THE POLICY BY WHICH THEY ENFORCE THE CURRENT PERMISSIVE NOISE LIMIT, UM, IS SUCH THAT IT, I DON'T THINK IT'S POSSIBLE FOR A ROOF MOUNT HVAC TO ACTUALLY FAIL.
UH, UNDER THE CURRENT GUIDELINES, ALONG WITH 10 OF OUR NEIGHBORS, WE SENT A LETTER TO THE OWNER OF THE, UH, RESTAURANT AND TO THE DEVELOPER OF THE PROPERTY ASKING THEM TO INSTALL A SOUND REDUCING BARRIER, UH, AROUND THE HVAC UNITS.
UM, WE ALSO OFFER TO PAY FOR THAT INSTALLATION.
THE RESPONSE WAS AFTER SOME BACK AND FORTH.
BASICALLY, DSD APPROVED IT AS IT IS CODE ENFORCEMENT'S NOT TAKING ACTIONS.
THEREFORE, NEITHER SHOULD WE, UM, NOT THEIR PROBLEM.
AUSTIN IS GROWING, UH, CERTAINLY, AND THE CHOICES THAT YOU MAKE NOW, UH, WILL AFFECT QUALITY OF LIFE FOR, FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
UM, AS THIS OWN COUNCIL, AS YOUR OWN COUNCIL HAS CITED, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAS RECOMMENDED A NIGHTTIME NOISE LIMIT OF 40 DECIBELS AS A MATTER OF HEALTH.
UM, IT'S ALSO BEEN SHOWN THAT CHILDREN, UH, IN NOISY ENVIRONMENTS PERFORM LESS WELL ON SCHOOLWORK THAN CHILDREN IN, IN THEIR, THAN THEIR PEERS.
[02:30:01]
SURVEY, AFTER SURVEY, UH, NOISE COMES IN AS THE SECOND OR THIRD MOST IMPORTANT DETERMINANT OF, OF URBAN QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER AIR QUALITY.UM, IN CONCLUSION, DO WE REALLY THINK THAT A NOISE LIMIT IN AUSTIN THAT IS A HUNDRED TIMES HIGHER THAN ATLANTA'S OR DENVER'S, OR 300 TIMES HIGHER THAN SEATTLE'S IS THE RIGHT ANSWER FOR AUSTIN? UM, AND ARE YOU WILLING TO BET THE FUTURE OF THE CITY ON THAT? THANK YOU.
PLEASE PROCEED WITH STATING YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M FAMILIAR WITH THIS GENTLEMAN.
UM, AND I'VE LIVED IN HYDE PARK WITHIN DISTRICT NINE FOR 17 YEARS, WE'VE LOVED RAISING OUR TWO BOYS IN SUCH A PEACEFUL, HISTORIC, AND CLOSE KNIT NEIGHBORHOOD.
AS JIM MENTIONED RECENTLY, A FORMER POST OFFICE ADJACENT TO MY HOME WAS REPURPOSED TO A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH THREE RESTAURANTS REQUIRING FREQUENT TRASH COLLECTION.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK THE CITY TO CREATE AN ORDINANCE REGULATING WHEN COMMERCIAL DUMPSTERS CAN BE EMPTIED NEAR RESIDENTIAL HOMES SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AROUND FOUR 30 IN THE MORNING.
AND AS EARLY AS 4:15 AM A COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER ABOUT 30 FEET FROM MY PROPERTY LINE IS EMPTIED.
THE NOISE IS THUNDEROUS THE SOUND OF THE TRUCK AND THE METAL AND BEEPS.
IT'S LOUD ENOUGH TO WAKE UP MY HOUSEHOLD AND OUR NEIGHBORS.
THIS IS NOT AN OCCASIONAL ANNOYANCE.
IT'S A RECURRING DISRUPTION THAT AFFECTS OUR SLEEP, HEALTH, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE WHEN AUSTINITE TOLD ME IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY.
AND MY ANSWER IS, WHY AUSTIN'S NOISE ORDINANCE DOESN'T CLEARLY COVER THE SITUATION AROUND COMMERCIAL DUMPSTERS.
NEAR PRIVATE PROPERTY STEPS AWAY FROM HOMES THAT LEAVES AUSTINITES WITHOUT REAL PROTECTION.
IN A CITY THAT VALUES LIVABILITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER.
THIS IS A GAPING HOLE IN OUR CITY CODE WORTH FIXING.
MANY OTHER CITIES, INCLUDING DALLAS, SAN ANTONIO, AND HOUSTON, ALREADY HAVE CLEAR LIMITS AROUND COMMERCIAL WASTE COLLECTION NEAR RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
TYPICALLY PICKUPS CAN ONLY HAPPEN BETWEEN 7:00 AM AND 10:00 PM WHICH SOUNDS VERY REASONABLE.
THERE'S NO REASON AUSTIN CAN'T DO THE SAME.
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY THIS.
BUT WITH REGARD TO NOISE ORDINANCES, PLEASE.
DALLAS, MY AUSTIN, IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER A SIMPLE FAIR APPROACH.
NUMBER ONE, SET QUIET HOURS, NO DUMPSTER PICKUPS BETWEEN 10:00 PM AND 7:00 AM WHEN NEAR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
APPLY THIS TO ANY DUMPSTER WITHIN ROUGHLY 150 FEET OF A HOME.
THREE, HOLD BOTH HAULERS AND PROPERTY COUNTERS ACCOUNTABLE THROUGH FINES.
SO ENFORCEMENT IS SHARED AND EFFECTIVE.
IT'S NOT ABOUT STOPPING BUSINESSES FROM OPERATING, IT'S JUST ABOUT BALANCING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY WITH RESIDENTS RIGHT TO PEACE IN THEIR OWN HOMES.
AS WE KNOW, AUSTIN'S GROWING QUICKLY AND MORE OF US ARE LIVING NEAR MIXED USE AREAS.
THIS WILL CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY WITH THE RECENT PASSAGE OF DENSITY.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT GROWTH DOESN'T COME AT THE COST OF LIVABILITY.
A CLEAR ORDINANCE WOULD MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR COUNTLESS OTHER RESIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY FACING THE SAME ABSURD EARLY MORNING WAKE-UPS.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR CONSIDERING THIS COMMON STEP, COMMON SENSE STEP TOWARD KEEPING AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOODS LIVABLE.
I'M GRATEFUL TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I JUST WANNA, UH, RESPOND BRIEFLY TO THE LAST SPEAKER.
UM, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN, MS. GRAHAM.
UM, I REPRESENT DISTRICT SEVEN, WHICH, UH, NOT QUITE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WE'VE BEEN FIGURING OUT HOW TO TRACK DOWN WITH EACH DUMPSTER PROVIDER, HOW TO GET THEM TO CHANGE THEIR SCHEDULE.
BUT, UM, I WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT MY OFFICE IS ACTUALLY MEETING WITH DSD TO LOOK AT HOW WE MIGHT UPDATE OUR CODE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
AND I WANNA INVITE YOU TO CONTACT MY OFFICE TO, UH, WORK WITH US ON THIS.
AND COUNCILLOR SIEGEL, WE ALSO HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES IN DISTRICT TWO WITH DUMPSTERS BEING AT VERY EARLY HOURS IN THE MORNING AND DUMPSTER PICKUP.
SO CERTAINLY, UM, WELCOME TO SUPPORT YOU.
YES, PLEASE RECEIVE, THESE ARE PICTURES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
MY NAME IS CASSIE CLINTON AND I AM HERE TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL PAUSE THE APPROVAL PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT PSH BAILEY AT STANE AT 5 5 1 6 HUMMINGBIRD LANE.
FIRST, THIS PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY PRESENTED TO YOU AS A MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT ALONG A MAJOR TRANSPORT CORRIDOR STNY LANE WITH INGRESS AND EGRESS ACCESS THROUGH STNY LANE.
AND FOR THAT REASON, THE PROJECT'S CALLED BAILEY AT STANE.
HOWEVER, AFTER APPROVAL, THE DEVELOPER MOVED THE PROJECT OFF THAT CORRIDOR AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE DEVELOPER IS NOW PURSUING ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL FOR A SINGLE FAMILY
[02:35:01]
LOT REZONING TO PUSH THE PROJECT FURTHER INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND FURTHER AWAY FROM THE MAIN TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR SOUTH LANE.WITH THIS NEW PROPOSAL, THE ONLY ACCESS POINT TO THIS 104 UNIT DEVELOPMENT WITH OVER 250 PEOPLE IS A NARROW 18 FOOT WIDE NEIGHBORHOOD STREET WITH NO SIDEWALKS, NO CURBS, AND NO GUTTERS.
THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVED AND IT POSES SERIOUS TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY RISK TO BOTH CURRENT RESIDENTS AND FUTURE TENANTS.
SECOND, SEVERAL NEIGHBORS WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE PROPERTY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED AS REQUIRED BY CITY CODE.
THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION DENIED RESIDENCE, THEIR LEGAL RIGHT TO REGISTER AS INTERESTED PARTIES AND PREVENTED THEM FROM RAISING SAFETY AND FLOOD RISK CONCERN DURING THE APPROVAL PROCESS.
THIS WAS A CLEAR PROCEDURAL FAILURE AND THAT NEEDS TO BE AMENDED.
FOR INSTANCE, SEVERAL HOMES LOCATED AT 3 0 1 WEST DA LANE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED PER THE LIST OF ADDRESSES THE CITY'S THE CITY PROVIDED.
FINALLY, THE DEVELOPER HAS REPEATEDLY NEGLECTED A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY THAT SITS IN THE FLOODPLAIN.
AND THESE ARE THE, THE PICTURES THAT I HAVE, UH, THAT I GAVE, UM, ALLOWING IT TO ACCUMULATE TRASH AND CREATE ONSITE FIRE.
THIS CREATES AN UNACCEPTABLE RISK AND A, EXCUSE ME, AN UNACCEPTABLE RISK AND A FLOOD AND FIRE HAZARD FOR SURROUNDING HOMES.
THE CITY SHOULD NOT IGNORE A PROJECT THAT INCREASES THE RISK OF FLOOD OR FIRE.
SEVERAL CALLS HAVE BEEN MADE TO 3 1 1 AND THE PROPERTY REMAINS IN DISREPAIR.
FOR THESE REASONS, I URGED THE COUNCIL TO REVIEW THE EXISTING APPROVAL PROCESS AND HALT ANY REZONING ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS UNTIL A FULL REEVALUATION OF THE PROJECT SITE PLAN, PUBLIC NOTIFICATION PROCESS, AND FLOOD AND EROSION IMPACT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
WE ALL SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE WELL-PLANNED HOUSING, BUT THIS PROJECT AS CURRENTLY LOCATED AND MANAGED, DOES NOT MEET THAT STANDARD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO KEEP AUSTIN'S GROWTH BOTH SAFE AND FAIR.
I'LL BE AROUND AFTER SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
UM, MY NAME IS JENNIFER BARNES.
I AM A LONGTIME AREA AUSTIN RESIDENT, EXCUSE ME, AUSTIN AREA RESIDENT OF THE TWO MILE AUSTIN ETJ.
AND I ATTEND SCHOOL IN AUSTIN AT A CC.
I'M HERE TO DISCUSS MY CONCERNS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER CAMERAS OR APRS THAT REMAIN INSTALLED ACROSS THE CITY.
DESPITE THE DECISION OF THIS COUNCIL NOT TO RENEW ITS CONTRACT WITH FLOCK SAFETY, THE A LPR VENDOR THAT OWNS AND OPERATES THESE CAMERAS.
THE COUNCIL HAS PREVIOUSLY HEARD IN GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT GUTHRIE OKLAHOMA, A CITY THAT ENDED ITS FLOCK CONTRACT LAST APRIL, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REMOVE ITS CAMERAS.
IT WAS DISCOVERED MONTHS LATER THAT THE CAMERAS WERE STILL RECORDING AND STILL ADDING THAT SURVEILLANCE DATA TO FLOCK SERVERS.
FOUR DAYS AGO, NOVEMBER 3RD, SENATOR RON WYDEN AND CONGRESSWOMAN RAJ KRISHNAMURTI SENT A LETTER TO F-C-C-F-T-C CHAIRMAN ANDREW FERGUSON CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO FLOCK'S NEGLIGENT CYBERSECURITY PRACTICES.
THE LETTER STATES BY NOT REQUIRING INDUSTRY STANDARD MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION OR MFA TO SECURE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTS, FLOCK HAS NEEDLESSLY EXPOSED AMERICAN SENSITIVE PERSONAL DATA CAPTURED BY THE COMPANY'S SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS TO THEFT BY HACKERS AND FOREIGN SPIES AND UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS THROUGH MULTIPLE DOCUMENTED INSTANCES OF UNAUTHORIZED PASSWORD SHARING.
THIS MEANS THAT IF A POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT CHOOSE TO OPT INTO MFA, IT IS EASIER TO SHARE A FLOG PASSWORD WITH THEIR BUDDY ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAN IT IS TO SHARE YOUR NETFLIX PASSWORD WITH YOUR ROOMMATE.
IN ADDITION, THE NEWS SITE 4 0 4 MEDIA HAS REPORTED THAT FLOCK ACCOUNT CREDENTIALS HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR SALE IN A RUSSIAN CYBER CRIME FORUM, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT USERS.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK, YOU CAN BUY A FLOCK ACCOUNT PASSWORD AND POSSIBLY ACCESS CAMERAS WITH EXPIRED CONTRACTS THAT REMAIN INSTALLED AS, AS THE CAMERAS IN AUSTIN MAY POSSIBLY CONTINUE STILL BE RECORDING, WHICH THERE IS HISTORICAL PRECEDENT FOR THIS.
SHOULD TAR TERRIFY ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WITH A STALKER? I URGE THE, I URGE THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO REMOVE ALL A LPR CAMERAS IN THE CITY.
THEY ARE EASILY ABUSED AND THE DATA COLLECTED CAN BE EASILY COM COMPROMISED BY MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS WITH ILL INTENT.
AS LONG AS THE A LPR CAMERAS REMAIN INSTALLED, IT IS
[02:40:01]
POSSIBLE FOR STALKERS ABUSIVE PARTNERS AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED IN BAD BAD ACTORS TO TRACK THE MOVEMENTS OF PEOPLE IN AUSTIN.MAY PRETEND THAT CONCLUDES ALL NOON SPEAKERS.
UM, BUT I JUST WANNA LET THE SPEAKER KNOW THAT, UM, MY OFFICE RECEIVED, UH, CONFIRMATION FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT 39 OUT OF THE 40 CAMERAS HAVE BEEN DEINSTALLED AND THERE'S A PLAN TO, TO DECOMMISSION THE LAST ONE.
I LOVE WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE REAL TIME UPDATES.
COLLEAGUES, THAT NOW CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.
ALL SPEAKERS PRESENT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE WILL NOW, UH, MOVE INTO RECESS.
I WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT WE STILL, WHEN WE RECONVENE, WE WILL HAVE THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING.
WE'LL ALSO TAKE UP PULLED ITEM 24, WHICH IS THE HOMELESSNESS STREET OUTREACH ITEM, AND WE'LL CONSIDER THE NON-CONSENT ITEMS 28 THROUGH 34.
UH, SO WE'LL COME BACK AT 1:45 PM THAT'S 1:45 PM WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL RECESS AND RETURN AT 1 45.
TO CONTINUE OUR COUNCIL MEETING, I INVITE EVERYONE TO STICK AROUND AND LISTEN TO MUSIC FROM ALEX COOK, ALEX KOCH.
[Live Music]
HONOR TO INTRODUCE OUR, UH, CELEBRATED, UH, LOCAL MUSICIAN TODAY, MR. ALEX KOCH.SO PLEASE WELCOME TO THE STAGE A TRUE AUSTIN ORIGINAL, A MASTER OF JAZZ, WORLD MUSIC AND FEARLESS IMPROVISATION.
UH, NATIVE TEXAN AND A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN JAZZ HALL OF FAME.
ALEX KOCH HAS SPENT OVER FIVE DECADES PUSHING MUSICAL BOUNDARIES ACROSS CONTINENTS AND GENRE.
A MEMBER AND FORMER COMMITTEE MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN MUSICIANS UNION, ALEX KOCH, HAS BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR FAIR WAGES FOR MUSICIANS.
ALEX IS ALSO ONE OF THE FIRST AUSTIN RESIDENTS TO HAVE A COMPLETELY SOLAR POWERED STUDIO.
I HEAR, UH, IN 2020 ALONE, ALEX WAS INDUCTED INTO THE AUSTIN JAZZ SOCIETY'S HALL OF FAME, AWARDED THE JAZZ AT ST.
JAMES AD MANION AWARD AND NOMINATED FOR TEXAS STATE MUSICIAN, UH, PERFORMING IN TRIO TODAY WITH MICHAEL STEVENS ON BASS AND MASUI JONES ON DRUMS. AND AGAIN, TONIGHT AT THE ROSETTE THEATER ON AVENUE B WITH THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED ALEX KOCH AND CARL MICHELLE SEXTET.
THIS IS A COMPOSITION OF OPTIMISM.
[02:49:49]
TAKE THAT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES.ALRIGHT, GIVE IT UP FOR ALEX KOCH, MICHAEL STEVENS, AND MASU JONES.
[02:50:04]
SO HERE'S WHERE I DO THE, UH, THE FUN PART.UM, THE ALEX KOCH DAY PROCLAMATION, UH, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS IS BLESSED WITH MANY CREATIVE MUSICIANS WHOSE TALENT EXTENDS TO VIRTUALLY EVERY MUSICAL GENRE.
AND WHEREAS OUR MUSIC SCENE THRIVES BECAUSE AUSTIN AUDIENCES SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC PRODUCED BY LEGENDS, OUR LOCAL FAVORITES AND NEWCOMERS ALIKE, WHEREAS WE ARE PLEASED TO SHOWCASE AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ARTISTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE SIEGEL, ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 6TH, 2025 AS ALEX KOCH DAY IN AUSTIN.
YOU WANT ANY FOR YOU? OH, THANK YOU.
AND A COUPLE WORDS, UH, A COUPLE
THIS IS KIND OF A SHOCK TO ACTUALLY BE HERE.
UH, 'CAUSE I HEARD IT COMING UP.
IT'S JUST ALWAYS LIKE, UH, IT'S JUST, JUST ANOTHER GIG.
BUT THIS ONE'S PRETTY SPECIAL.
AND, UH, THEY ASK, UH, ON THE THING TO HAVE A RULE OF THE DAY OR SOMETHING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO IMPART.
SO MINE WAS TO CULTIVATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ART, AND THAT'S NOURISH YOUR INTERESTS.
AND, AND THAT CAN BE ANY, I'M PARTICULARLY, YOU KNOW, FOND OF JAZZ AND JAZZ MUSICIANS.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE I KNOW.
BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, NOURISH YOUR OWN INTERESTS.
AND THAT COULD BE, UH, LITERATURE, THEATER, DANCE, PAINTING, SCULPTURE.
GO AND NOURISH YOUR OWN CREATIVITY DOING THESE THINGS.
AND THEN GO TO A CONCERT, GO TO A MUSEUM, GO TO A PLAY, GO TO A DANCE PERFORMANCE, LIKE NOURISH THE ARTISTS THAT ARE HERE.
UH, GROWING UP AUSTIN REALLY HELPED ME PREPARE TO BE A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN.
AND THERE WERE SO MANY PLACES TO PLAY.
AND, UH, THE AMOUNT OF PLACES THERE WERE TO PLAY ON A REGULAR BASIS, WE WOULD PLAY, I THINK ONE YEAR I HAD TWO DAYS OFF THE WHOLE YEAR, AND WE WERE PLAYING TWO OR THREE GIGS A DAY.
UM, AND, AND ALSO JUST THE COLLEAGUES THAT YOU HAD.
I MEAN, BEFORE WE HAD SOCIAL MEDIA, WE HAD TO GO OUT AND PUT POSTERS UP AND YOU'D GO TO OTHER PEOPLE'S GIGS AND TELL 'EM WHERE YOU WERE PLAYING.
AND IT WAS MUCH MORE A FABRIC OF LIFE.
I FIND PERSONAL, UH, IN A HUMAN KIND OF WAY.
UH, MORE THAN HAVING TO, UH, LEARN HOW TO DO, UH, YOU KNOW, ALL THE THINGS WE'RE HAVING TO DO AS MUSICIANS NOWADAYS.
UM, IT, IT'S AMAZING WHEN YOU CAN BE A FULL-TIME MUSICIAN AND YOU CAN HAVE OTHER FRIENDS THAT ARE FULL-TIME MUSICIANS.
THAT'S A REALLY, UH, SPECIAL THING.
AND THERE WERE A LOT MORE OF US, IT SEEMS LIKE.
I KNOW THERE'S YOUNGER PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING IT AND, UH, THEY FIND THEIR OWN WAY.
UM, AND JUST EVEN WE WEREN'T ALWAYS, WE'D BE OUT PUTTING UP POSTERS OR, UH, AND WE WOULDN'T ALWAYS SEE ALL JAZZ MUSICIANS.
WE'D SEE MUSICIANS, ALL KIND OF MUSICIANS, BUT EVERYBODY KIND OF HAD THIS PASSION AND THAT PASSION, STOKED PASSION AND STOKED YOUR INSPIRATION TO DO THESE THINGS.
SO IT WAS REALLY A FABRIC OF AUSTIN AND I REALLY, UH, THANKED THE COUNCIL AND, UH, THE CITY FOR, UH, SUGGESTING OUR TO BE PAID FOR WHAT WE DO.
ALSO WITH THE LOCAL 4 33, OUR MUSICIANS UNION.
THEY'VE, THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB THERE.
UM, I'VE ALWAYS LIVED IN DIFFERENT PLACES.
I'VE LIVED IN WASHINGTON, DC BOULDER, COLORADO, UH, TORAH, DELMAR, SPAIN, PARIS, FRANCE, AMSTERDAM.
AND I'VE ALWAYS TAKEN THESE SEEDS OF TEXAS MUSIC WITH ME.
AND PEOPLE RECOG RECOGNIZE TEXAS AND AUSTIN MUSICIANS, SOMETIMES SURPRISINGLY MORE SO THAN I WOULD FIND THEY WOULD HERE IN OUR OWN TOWN.
UH, JUST TO GO THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY AND HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT TONY CAMPISI OR TOMAS RAMIREZ OR, UH, YOU KNOW, FRIENDS THAT I GREW UP WITH.
UM, AND, UH, FINALLY, I THINK IT'S REALLY RARE THAT YOU MAKE, MAKE IT BY YOURSELF.
SO, I MEAN, ALL THE WAY ALONG THE WAY, IN THE OLD DAYS, I REMEMBER GOING TO ROYO AND WE HAD PLAYED AT SOME CLUB AFTER HOURS OR SOMETHING, AND THE GUY SAID, OH, I HEARD YOU LAST NIGHT.
JUST LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT, THINGS LIKE THAT.
YOUR NEIGHBORS COMING UP TO YOU AND GO, WE HEARD YOU PRACTICING.
WILL YOU LEAVE YOUR WINDOW OPEN? 'CAUSE WE REALLY ENJOYED LISTENING TO WHAT THE BAND WAS DOING, OR, UH, THAT'S REALLY THE FABRIC OF AUSTIN FOR ME.
[02:55:01]
THAT THERE'S MUSIC EVERYWHERE HERE IN THE CHAMBERS AND IN THE GROCERY STORES.UH, THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THE TUNE, I WROTE OPTIMISM.
I GREW UP, AND SOME OF MY FAVORITE MUSIC WAS, UH, RAAN ROLAND KIRK, JOHN COLTRANE, CHARLES MINGUS.
AND THEY WERE REALLY, UH, MUSIC ABOUT, UH, FREEDOM AND CIVIL RIGHTS.
WE REALLY THOUGHT WE WERE ON A PATH THAT WAS NEVER GONNA GO BACK.
SO IT SEEMED APPROPRIATE TO, TO BE OPTIMISTIC STILL AND PLAY THAT TUNE.
I I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERY, EVERYBODY HERE.
I MEAN, NIKKI, AND, AND, UH, I REALLY JUST, UH, THIS IS KIND OF YOUR DAY TOO.
I JUST WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT THE ENCOURAGEMENT THAT EVERYBODY'S CONSTANTLY SEEM TO BE GIVING ME.
AND, AND THE COLLEAGUES CHRISTOPHER, I MEAN, ART AND, AND POETRY.
IT'S JUST, IT'S JUST AN AMAZING PLACE.
IT IS 1:47 PM WE, OUR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS RECONVENING TO RESUME THE MEETING OF AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES.
[24. Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to develop a plan to prioritize, expand, and align the operations of street and community outreach for individuals experiencing homelessness and should emphasize the importance of vital and mental healthcare services connections and housing.]
MENTIONED EARLIER, WE WILL BE TAKING UP PULLED ITEM, ITEM NUMBER 24, WHICH IS THE HOMELESSNESS STREET OUTREACH ITEM BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.AND THEN WE'LL GO INTO RECESS TO CONVENE AS THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
FROM THERE, WE WILL TAKE UP PULLED ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA AND THEN GO INTO ZONING.
SO WITH THAT, WE'LL NOW HAVE BEFORE US.
WE HEARD SPEAKERS EARLIER TODAY ON THIS ITEM, CAN I GET A MOTION MOTIONED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, THIS ITEM IS NOW UP FOR CONVERSATION.
AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, I BELIEVE YOU HAD SOME QUESTIONS.
UH, I'D LIKE TO CALL, UH, DIRECTOR GRAY, PLEASE.
HOW ARE YOU TODAY, SIR? DOING WELL.
HOW ARE YOU? I'M DOING ALL RIGHT.
I SAW YOU JAMMING IN THE BACK OVER THERE, SO I HOPE I, I HOPE THAT VIBE IS STILL GOING.
AND WE'RE NOT DAMPENING IT WITH ANY OF THIS.
UH, SO WE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS EARLIER, UH, AND I JUST WANTED TO ASK, JUST TO BE ABLE TO HELP DRAW A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE STATE AND WHAT THE STATE IS DOING AND WHAT WE ARE DOING.
CAN, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT OUR, UM, CITY'S PROCESS AROUND ENCAMPMENT MANAGEMENT? YES, SIR.
UH, SO DAVID GRAY, DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN HOMELESS STRATEGIES AND OPERATIONS.
SO ON NOVEMBER, I'M SORRY, ON OCTOBER 20TH, OUR OFFICE INITIATED A THREE WEEK LONG ENCAMPMENT MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE THAT WAS GEARED TOWARDS TRYING TO CLEAN UP AS MANY ENCAMPMENTS AND GET AS MANY PEOPLE INTO SHELTER OR HOUSING IN ADVANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER.
UM, SO WE ANNOUNCED THIS INITIATIVE ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH.
I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED, UH, THEIR INITIATIVE OR THE RESULTS OF THEIR INITIATIVES ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST.
SO, UH, WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE GOVERNOR'S INITIATIVE WHEN WE LAUNCHED.
I KNOW THERE WAS SOME COMMENTS ABOUT HOW THE CITY TRIED TO FOLLOW THE STATE.
WE DID OUR THING INDEPENDENT OF THE STATE.
UH, AND WE FOLLOW OUR STANDARD PROCESS, WHICH IS TO SEND OUT OUTREACH FIRST, UH, ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE, UH, IN ENCAMPMENTS, OFFER THEM SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, GIVE THEM TIME TO COLLECT THEIR BELONGINGS, THEIR VITAL DOCUMENTS, THEIR KEEPSAKES, UH, AND THEN PROCEED WITH CLEANUP AND ENFORCEMENT, UH, IF NECESSARY.
AND IF I CAN, I'M, I'M HAPPY TO JUST SHARE SOME QUICK STATS ABOUT THE CURRENT OPERATION.
I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION BEFORE, SIR, BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT THOUGH, SIR, IT IT TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, UM, AND, AND IT'S NOT, THIS IS NOT MY UNDERSTANDING, SO I'M JUST, I WANT, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR, ARE WE ARE NOT CALLING ICE TO GO WITH OUR POLICE OFFICERS TO ENCAMPMENTS, ARE WE? NO, SIR.
JUST ONE QUESTION THAT CAME UP.
DID YOU WANNA SHARE THE DATA? OH, YES.
BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE DATA OF THE OUTREACH THAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR.
YOU KNOW, PART OF THE TESTIMONY WE HEARD TODAY WAS THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION THAT IS HAPPENING WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE, UM, IN THE ENCAMPMENTS.
[03:00:01]
CONSIDERATION AS TO HOW WE MIGHT BETTER PREPARE AND NOTIFY FOLKS WHEN YOU ALL BE MAKING THOSE VISITS? ANY THOUGHT PROCESS ON THE COORDINATION WITH OUR PARTNERS ON THEM, ALSO BRINGING THEM IN TO ALSO HELP COORDINATE AND SUPPORT? YES, MA'AM.SO AGAIN, AS PART OF THIS OPERATION, WE'VE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO GO OUT AND NOTIFY.
I EVEN SAW IN, IN SOME OF THE VIDEOS THAT WERE SHARED, PEOPLE SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY CAME OUT THREE DAYS AGO AND TOLD US TO GET OUR STUFF AND OFFERED US SHELTER.
AND I CHOSE NOT TO LEAVE BECAUSE I HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.
UH, BUT I, I THINK THE KEY PIECE THERE IS THAT WE WERE THERE THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE AND GAVE PEOPLE AMPLE NOTIFICATION.
AND THEN EVEN WHEN WE COME ON SITE FOR THE CLEANUP DAYS, UH, WE STILL GIVE PEOPLE AN EXTRA 30 MINUTES TO GATHER WHATEVER THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE GATHERED.
UH, BUT AT SOME POINT WE DO HAVE TO START THE, THE CLEANUP OPERATION.
UH, I DO THINK ONE OF OUR LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE IS BEING MORE INTENTIONAL ABOUT ENGAGING OTHER OUTREACH PARTNERS.
WHAT WE'VE HEARD IN THE PAST IS SOMETIMES THE OUTREACH PARTNERS DON'T LIKE TO BE PART OF THE ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP OPERATIONS BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT.
UH, AND SO THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY WE LET THIS AS A CITY INITIATIVE.
UH, BUT MOVING FORWARD, IF WE DO AN OPERATION LIKE THIS, AGAIN, WE MOST DEFINITELY WILL BE ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
AND YOUR UPDATE ON THE OUTREACH? SURE.
SO JUST A KIND OF QUICK UPDATE, AND THIS IS TOTALS.
AS OF YESTERDAY, UH, WE VISITED 585 SITES.
WE ENGAGED AROUND 950 INDIVIDUALS.
SOME OF THOSE ARE REPEAT ENGAGEMENTS.
UH, WE'VE SHELTERED 144 PEOPLE, AND I WAS JUST NOTIFIED BY MY SHELTER TEAM THAT WE ACTUALLY TOPPED 150 SHELTER ENTRIES TODAY.
WE ALSO CONNECTED AN ADDITIONAL 76 PEOPLE TO SERVICES.
SO ESSENTIALLY, ONE IN EVERY FOUR PEOPLE WHO WE'RE COMING IN CONTACT WITH ARE EITHER RECEIVING SHELTER OR THEY'RE RECEIVING SERVICES.
BY COMPARISON, WE'VE DONE 21 ARRESTS, WHICH REPRESENTS 2% OF THE TOTAL POPULATION THAT WE'VE ENGAGED WITH.
UH, AND THEN A PD HAS ALSO ISSUED 64 CITATIONS.
THE CITATIONS ARE PART OF OUR STRATEGY AROUND SERVICES.
THESE ARE CLASS C MISDEMEANORS.
AND SO WHEN WE ISSUE THE CITATION, UH, THAT PERSON IS THEN BROUGHT TO OR REFERRED TO THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT, WHICH IS A NON FEE-BASED COURT, AND ALSO PROVIDES HOMELESS SERVICES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
AND SO WE, WE TRY TO LEVERAGE THE CITATIONS AS ANOTHER, UH, ENGAGEMENT AND SO SERVICE OPPORTUNITY.
BUT I, I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO SHARE THE STATISTICS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU ALL AND THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT WE DO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PROVIDE SHELTER AND SERVICES.
TO DATE, WE HAVE NOT HAD TO TURN AWAY ANYBODY BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SHELTER BEDS.
IN FACT, TODAY WE STILL HAVE 40 SHELTER BEDS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO WE COME IN CONTACT WITH.
SO, UH, WE HAVE SHELTER BEDS, WE'VE ALWAYS HAD SHELTER BEDS DURING THIS OPERATION.
WE'RE BRINGING PEOPLE INTO SHELTER, AND WE'RE MAKING THE SERVICE CONNECTION.
I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE DOING ENCAMPMENT MANAGEMENT THE RIGHT WAY.
COLLEAGUES, ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM? COUNCILMAN DUCHEN, YOU HAVE AN AMENDMENT THAT YOU'D LIKE TO LAY OUT? I, I DID HAVE A QUESTION HERE.
PRETEND, UM, NOT A QUESTION SO MUCH AS A COMMENT.
UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT WAS A TAKEAWAY FROM ME THAT I KEPT HEARING REPEATEDLY AND, YOU KNOW, FORGIVE THIS STRAY AWAY FROM THE DIRECT SUBJECT MATTER HERE, BUT I'M HELPING A FRIEND IN JAMAICA NAVIGATE HAVING LOST ALL THEIR DOCUMENTS, UM, DURING HURRICANE MELISSA AND JUST HEARING PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.
MY PURSE WAS STOLEN IN HOUSTON IN SEPTEMBER.
IT TOOK ME THREE MONTHS TO GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DMV TO GET A NEW LICENSE.
AND THEN THE CREDIT CARD, IT JUST REALIZING HOW DISRUPTIVE IT IS TO LOSE ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF DOCUMENTS, UM, IT JUST PUT AN ASTERISK IN MY HEAD FOR WHAT WE CAN DO AS A MUNICIPALITY MOVING FORWARD.
I KNOW DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY COURT OFFERS SOME STORAGE OPTIONS AND THINGS.
THEY EVEN STORE MEDICATIONS FOR FOLKS, WHICH IS ANOTHER REALLY IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN'T LOSE IF YOUR, UM, YOUR CAMPSITE GETS CLEANED.
UH, I, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE TO PUT AS AN ASTERISK, LIKE A POINT OF CONSIDERATION FOR US SHOULD REALLY BE GETTING PEOPLE'S DOCUMENTS STORED SOMEWHERE.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
AND EVEN JUST LITTLE STUFF THAT WE TRY TO DO OUT OF THE DISTRICT ONE OFFICE, WE BUMP INTO A STORAGE ISSUE.
ARCHIVAL STORAGE IS A WHOLE THING.
UM, BUT THAT WAS THE, THAT WAS MY BIGGEST TAKEAWAY TODAY WAS, YOU KNOW, LOSING THOSE THINGS CAN REALLY SET PEOPLE BACK.
AND THAT'S A BIG PART OF THE REASON WHY WE DO OUR OPERATION THE WAY WE DO IT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE TIME TO GATHER ALL THOSE VITAL RECORDS, YOUR IDS, YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS.
UH, FOR OUR OUTREACH TEAMS, THEY ACTUALLY GO OUT WITH BAGS.
SO IF PEOPLE NEED A SAFE WAY TO STORE THOSE, THEN WE MAKE THAT AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE.
UH, AND THEN FOR FOLKS WHO COME INTO SHELTER, IF THEY DON'T HAVE THOSE THINGS ALREADY, ONE OF OUR FIRST ORDERS OF BUSINESS WHEN THEY COME INTO SHELTER IS TO HELP THEM GET THEIR IDS, THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES.
UH, YOU KNOW, THE, THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN RIGHT NOW IS MAKING IT A LITTLE BIT CHALLENGING TO GET SOME OF THE FEDERAL
[03:05:01]
DOCUMENTATION, BUT, BUT WE'RE IN THE QUEUE AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ALL OF THE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, UH, BECAUSE YOU NEED THOSE DOCUMENTS, NUMBER ONE, JUST FOR LIFE, BUT ALSO FOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES.YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE TO TRULY REACH A POINT OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
UM, I'VE GOT ONE QUESTION FOR DIRECTOR GRAY.
YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE 40 SHELTER BEDS AVAILABLE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS ACCOUNTING FOR THE DISSONANCE THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WERE APPARENTLY UNABLE TO GET SHELTER BEDS? UH, OR, OR AT LEAST TESTIFIED TO THAT VERSUS IS THERE AN EBB AND FLOW IN THE SUPPLY AND AT THE MO AT THE MOMENT THAT THEY NEEDED? WE JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN TO HAVE ANY OF THAT MOMENT.
FOR EVERYBODY WHO WE'VE ENGAGED WITH IN THIS OPERATION, IF THEY'VE WANTED A SHELTER BED, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SHELTER.
UH, SO WE, WE HAVE NOT HAD A MOMENT DURING THIS OPERATION WHERE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET PEOPLE INTO SHELTER THE SAME DAY.
UH, NOW IF WE ENGAGE WITH SOMEBODY LATER IN THE DAY AND A SHELTER INTAKE HAS WOUND DOWN, WE'LL GET THEM INTO SHELTER FIRST THING THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
BUT, UH, LACK OF BEDS HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE FOR US FOR THIS OPERATION.
I HAVE A, AN AMENDMENT THAT I WANT TO INTRODUCE.
UH, AND FIRST I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ FOR OFFERING THIS IFC.
I THINK IT BUILDS AN IMPORTANT WORK THAT THE CITY'S ALREADY UNDERTAKEN THAT DIRECTOR GRAY AND HIS TEAM HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO ADDRESS THIS VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE OF ADDRESSING OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.
UM, AND I THINK THE SUBSTANCE OF THE INSTRUCTION IN THE IFC APPEARS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, INCREDIBLY WELL INTENTIONED, UH, AND VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH THE STRATEGY THAT HAS BEEN OUTLAID BY, UM, THE HS OFFICE MANY TIMES.
SO HOPEFULLY MY AMENDMENT IS ALSO INTERPRETED AS WELL-INTENTIONED.
UM, IT DOESN'T AFFECT ANY SUBSTANCE ACCESS ASPECTS OF THE IFC, BUT THERE IS REFERENCE TO THE 25 26 BUDGET AND THE EXPANSION OF FUNDS ALLOCATED THAT WAS VOTED ON, BUT THE COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS.
SO I'M, UH, REQUESTING THAT, UH, BASED ON RECENT EVENTS THAT WE REMOVE THOSE REFERENCES FROM THE IFC.
AND, UH, MY HOPE IS THAT JUST MAKES WHATEVER WE'RE SIGNING ONTO FACTUALLY CORRECT.
SO I'M GONNA ASK TO SEE IF, UM, YES, COUNCIL VELASQUEZ WILL ACCEPT IT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
UH, AND, UH, I APPRECIATE HIS SUPPORT ON THIS.
SIR, I, I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S UNDERSTANDING AROUND THE AMENDMENT.
UH, COLLEAGUE, THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPTING THE AMENDMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN? SEEING NONE, IT STANDS AMENDED.
WE ARE NOW BACK AT ITEM 24 AS AMENDED.
I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ TO CLOSE.
UM, THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, COLLEAGUES.
I BROUGHT FORWARD ITEMS, UH, 24 AND 25 BECAUSE EVERY, AT EVERY CORNER OF THIS CITY, UH, I'VE HEARD THE SAME CALL.
AND THAT IS A NEED FOR MORE CO COMPASSIONATE AND ROBUST STREET OUTREACH.
UH, YOU'VE HEARD THE SAME MESSAGE TODAY FROM MANY OF THE ADVOCATES AS A CITY WERE LONG OVERDUE IN MEETING THAT NEED AND THE URGENCY AND HUMANITY, UH, WITH THE URGENCY AND HUMANITY IT DESERVES.
OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH DIRECTOR GRAY IN THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
AND THESE ITEMS ARE ABOUT STRENGTHENING HOW WE SHOW UP.
THEY AIM TO REDUCE HARMS AND TRAUMA THAT TOO OFTEN ACCOMPANY OUTREACH WHEN HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES OR SOCIAL SERVICES AREN'T AVAILABLE.
AND WHEN TRANSPARENCY WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS IS LACKING DURING ENCAMPMENT MANAGEMENT, UM, I'LL SAY THIS A THOUSAND MORE TIMES, WE CANNOT LOSE THE HUMANITY IN THIS CONVERSATION.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORS, AND THEY DESERVE NO LESS COMPASSION OR DIGNITY THAN ANY OTHER AUSTINITES.
UH, THANK YOU TO THE D THREE POLICY ADVISOR, UH, MOCO FOR ALL OF HER HUSTLE AND COMPASSION ON THIS ITEM.
UH, I AM DEEPLY, DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO OUR CO-SPONSORS AND TO THE MANY STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE WORKED TO SHAPE THESE ITEMS SO THAT THEY, UH, SO THAT THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND THOSE WHO, WHO SERVE THEM EVERY DAY ARE TRULY AT THE CENTER OF OUR EFFORTS.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ COLLEAGUES, THE ITEM 24 IS BEFORE US AS AMENDED.
ANY OBJECTION TO ADOPT? ITEM 24.
SEEING NONE THAT STANDS APPROVED WITH COUNCIL, WITH, UH, MAYOR WATSON DIOCESE.
[10:30 AM - Austin Housing Finance Corporation Meeting]
WILL NOW MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM.IT IS EXACTLY 2:00 PM WITHOUT OBJECTION.
I'LL RECESS THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND CONVENE THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING.
IT IS 2:00 PM WE'RE IN AUSTIN CITY HALL, 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET.
I AM VICE PRESIDENT VANESSA FUENTES, FILLING IN FOR PRESIDENT KIRK WATSON, WHO IS ABSENT TODAY ON BUSINESS.
I'LL TURN IT TO STAFF TO, FOR THE TWO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. WELCOME MANDY DE MAYO.
[03:10:01]
PRESIDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MANDY DE MAYO, UM, AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.YOU HAVE TWO ITEMS ON YOUR AGENDA.
THE FIRST IS APPROVING THE LAST FOUR MEETING MINUTES OF A HFC FOR AUGUST 13TH, AUGUST 28TH, SEPTEMBER 11TH, AND SEPTEMBER 25TH.
THE SECOND ITEM IS APPROVING THE, UM, PAYOFF OF A MORTGAGE ON A PROPERTY THAT A HFC OR A SUBSIDIARY OWNS.
IT IS 32 UNITS AND THE PAYOFF AMOUNT IS APPROXIMATELY $2.4 MILLION.
I OFFER BOTH OF THESE ITEMS ON CONSENT.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER ELLIS.
ANY ANY DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? CLERK, ANY SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT ITEMS? THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS SEEING NO SPEAKERS, NO DISCUSSION ON THE ITEMS. ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA? SEEING NONE.
THE CONSENT AGENDA STANDS APPROVED WITH PRESIDENT WATSON OFF THE DIOCESE ON CITY BUSINESS.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THE A HFC AGENDA.
IT IS NOW 2:02 PM AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MEETING.
IT IS NOW TWO 2:00 PM I CALL THE MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL BACK TO ORDER.
[28. Approve an ordinance relating to the appointment of municipal court judges.]
WILL NOW CONSIDER THE NON-CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. THESE ARE ITEMS 28 THROUGH 32.THESE ARE ITEMS FROM OUR CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES.
I'LL CALL ON THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE OF EACH COMMITTEE TO LAY OUT EACH ITEM.
SO FOR ITEM 28, I'LL RECOGNIZE CHAIR VELAZQUEZ.
I MOVE APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE CLERK.
DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON ITEM 28? OH, THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE.
ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVING ITEM 28.
ITEM 28 STANDS APPROVED WITH MAYOR WATSON OFF THE DIOCESE FOR
[29. Approve the Audit and Finance Committee’s proposed audit plan for calendar year 2026.]
ITEM 29.SINCE THE MAYOR IS OUT, I'LL RECOGNIZE VICE CHAIR ALTER.
CAN YOU PLEASE LAY OUT THE ITEM? YES, I MOVE.
ADOPTION OF ITEM 29, WHICH IS THE AUDIT FINANCE COMMITTEE'S AUDIT PLAN.
MOTIONED BY VICE CHAIR ALTER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN VELASQUEZ CLERK.
ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? YES.
I DO NOT SEE HIM IN THE CHAMBER.
ALRIGHT, THE ITEM IS BEFORE US.
ANY DISCUSSION ON ITEM 29? SEEING NONE.
ANY OBJECTION TO PASSING ITEM 29? I'LL JUST SAY THIS IS OUR, GONNA BE OUR FIRST AUDIT PLAN WITHOUT CORY STOKES LEADING THE, THE WAY.
SO JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE HER ON HER RETIREMENT.
AND OF COURSE, WE'VE ALREADY CONGRATULATED JASON, SO WE'RE NOT GONNA CONGRATULATE YOU AGAIN.
ALRIGHT, ITEM 29 IS APPROVED WITH MAYOR WATSON.
[30. Approve a resolution reappointing Dick Lavine to the City of Austin Employees Retirement System Board, Place 4.]
30, VICE CHAIR.YES, THIS IS I, I MOVE ADOPTION OF ITEM 30, WHICH IS THE REAPPOINTMENT OF DICK LEVINE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM BOARD.
SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS CLERK.
DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS.
ALL RIGHT, COUNSEL, ANY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE, ITEM 30.
ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVING? ITEM 30.
ITEM 30 STANDS APPROVED WITH MAYOR WATSON OFF THE WE'LL NOW MOVE
[31. Approve a resolution re-appointing of Dr. Michael Granof to the Austin Police Retirement System Board of Trustees.]
ON TO ITEM 31.I MOVE ADOPTION OF ITEM 31, WHICH IS THE REAPPOINTMENT OF DR. MICHAEL GROFF TO THE AUSTIN POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, CITY CLERK.
DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS.
ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE DIOCESE? SEEING NONE.
ANY OBJECTION TO PASSING? ITEM 31.
ITEM 31, STANDS APPROVED WITH MAYOR WATSON.
[32. Approve a resolution appointing Jie Le to the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund Board of Trustees.]
ITEM 32, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN.UH, MAYOR PERAM, I APPROVE A RESOLUTION APPOINTING GIA LEE TO THE AUSTIN FIREFIGHTERS RETIREMENT FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, COLLEAGUES.
ANY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE.
ITEM NUMBER 32 STANDS APPROVED WITH MAYOR WATSON OFF THE ALL RIGHT.
[34. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance relating to the Statement of Intent to Increase Gas Rates proposed by Texas Gas Service; authorizing the City’s ongoing participation as a member city of Cities Served by Texas Gas Service Company in the proceedings before the Railroad Commission of Texas related to the proposed rate increase; authorizing engagement with counsel and consultants for Texas Gas Service Cities, including authorizing settlement of the rate case; requiring reimbursement by Texas Gas Service of rate case expenses; and providing notice of the ordinance to Texas Gas Service. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact.]
34 IS A PUBLIC HEARING WITHOUT OBJECTION, I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON ITEM 34? THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS THERE BEING NO SPEAKERS AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, I WILL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING MEMBERS
[03:15:01]
THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 34.THIS IS A TEXAS GAS SERVICE ITEM COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER MAKES THE MOTION.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVING ITEM 34? YEAH.
COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN, IS IT POSSIBLE, IS ANYBODY FROM TGS HERE THAT WE COULD ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS? IS THERE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE? YES.
SEE LARRY GRAHAM IN THE AUDIENCE WHO IS MAKING HIS WAY TO THE DIOCESE COLLEAGUES, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE AND THIS WILL REQUIRE SEVEN AFFIRMATIVE VOTES ON THIS ITEM.
I'M LARRY GRAHAM WITH TEXAS GAS SERVICE AND I'M JOINED BY JUDY HITE, WHO'S OUR, UH, MANAGING ATTORNEY.
I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I WANTED TO RUN BY TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND AND GET CLARITY ON THIS BEFORE WE PROCEED.
UH, FIRST MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT TGS HAS PROPOSED THREE SEPARATE RATE INCREASES THIS LAST YEAR.
UH, HAS THIS FREQUENCY HAPPENED BEFORE? UM, WE FILED A RATE CASE A YEAR AGO THAT WAS, UM, SETTLED LAST WINTER.
WE FILED THE ANNUAL GRIP, WHICH IS NOT A RATE CASE.
THEN WE FILED THIS RATE CASE, BUT THIS RATE CASE WAS MAINLY TO CORRECT SOME ISSUES FROM THE PREVIOUS RATE CASE AND ALSO TO CONSOLIDATE THE SERVICE AREAS, UM, ACROSS THE STATE.
UM, WELL, ONE, ANOTHER QUESTION I'VE GOT IS WHETHER, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE CURRENT, UH, RATE STRUCTURE YOU HAVE IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE TYPICALLY SEE WITH OUR WATER UTILITY AND ELECTRIC UTILITY, WHERE I MIGHT CHARACTERIZE A BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE IN TERMS OF, UH, PERHAPS DEEMPHASIZING CONSERVATION OR, UM, FOCUSING ON, UM, MAYBE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC RATE PAYERS.
UH, WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT CHARACTERIZATION OR, OR IS THAT, UM, DO YOU SEE IT BEING MORE IN LINE WITH HOW ELECTRIC AND WATER ARE OPERATED? YEAH, I, I, THIS QUESTION HAS COME UP MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS.
'CAUSE AS YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE CITY OWNS AND OPERATES THE ELECTRIC UTILITY AND THE WATER UTILITY.
SO YEAH, THE, THE RATE STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE IS MORE OF A TRADITIONAL UTILITY RATE STRUCTURE.
SO I WOULD SAY IT IS DIFFERENT.
I DISAGREE WITH THOSE WHO SAY THAT IT DIS UM, INCENTIVIZES CONSERVATION.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE MORE GAS PEOPLE USE, THE HIGHER THE BILL IS.
I WILL SAY IN THIS FILING THAT WE MADE WITH THE CITY IN JUNE, RIGHT, WE INCLUDED A PROPOSAL FOR, UM, A LOW, A SPECIAL RATE FOR LOW INCOME CUSTOMERS, AND WE DID HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR ASSISTANCE FOR, UM, CUSTOMERS WHO NEEDED HELP PAYING THEIR BILLS.
AND AGAIN, THOSE, I MEAN, TO BE QUITE CANDID, THOSE PROPOSALS WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON AND THEY ARE THE REALLY, THE DIRECT RESULT OF THE FEEDBACK WE'VE GOT FROM THE CITY, THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION AND OTHERS.
I, IT SOUNDS LIKE I NEED TO GO DO A BIT MORE INVESTIGATION ON THOSE PROGRAMS. UH, I, I, AND I GUESS ALONG THOSE LINES, UM, ONE OF MY CONCERNS WAS IT LOOKED LIKE WE WERE, WHETHER THEY'RE LOWER OR OTHERWISE, HIGHER INCOME RESIDENT, UH, CUSTOMERS.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE WERE ASKING IN THIS, UH, PROPOSAL HIGHER RATES FROM RESIDENTIAL VERSUS COMMERCIAL.
AND IS THERE A LOGIC YOU CAN HELP ME UNDERSTAND BEHIND THAT? WELL, I, I MAY DEFER TO JUDY, AND, AND BY THE WAY, YOUR COUNSEL IS HERE TOO, SO JUST, JUST SO YOU KNOW, UM, ON, ON THAT ISSUE, WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE EVERY RATE CASE IN PREPARATION IS A CLASS COST OF SERVICE STUDY.
AND WE, THE, THE, THE STUDY IS DONE TO DETERMINE, FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE COST SHOULD THE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS BEAR, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE COST SHOULD COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS BEAR INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS, ET CETERA.
AND SO THERE'S ALWAYS AT A RATE CASE, SOME RECONCILIATION, RIGHT? WHAT HAPPENS OVER TIME IS YOU MAY HAVE ONE CLASS THAT OVERPAYS OR ONE CLASS THAT UNDERPAYS.
SO THERE, THERE PROBABLY WAS A TRUE UP BASED ON A VERY RECENT CLASS OF COST ADJUSTMENT STUDY.
WELL THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE, UH, IS THAT COST, IS THAT COST OF SERVICE STUDY AVAILABLE? OH YEAH, SURE.
OKAY, THEN WE'LL, WE'LL INVESTIGATE AFTERWARDS.
UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP WITH THOSE QUESTIONS.
COUNCILOR RODIN, WOULD YOU LIKE CITY STAFF TO COMMENT ON
[03:20:01]
THIS ITEM? UH, IF THEY HAVE ANY INPUT ON THE NATURE OF EITHER OF THOSE QUESTIONS, THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC.IF THEY HAVE A MOMENT TO DO THAT.
IS THERE SOMEONE ON CITY STAFF WHO'S AVAILABLE? WAIT, LET MARIA COME DOWN.
FOR MY UNDERSTANDING, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE DENYING THE RATE CASE.
UH, MAYOR PROTO, WE ARE RECOMMENDING DENIAL AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU.
IN TERMS OF RESIDENTIAL VERSUS COMMERCIAL, IN TERMS OF, UH, HOW IT COMPARES TO HOW WE'RE STRUCTURING ELECTRIC AND WATER HERE VERSUS SOME OF THE COMMENTS I MADE EARLIER, AND THEN I GUESS THE FREQUENCY OF RATE INCREASES OR PROPOSED RATE INCREASES RELATIVE TO HISTORY.
COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN, COLLEAGUES, ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? IT'S BEEN MOTIONED AND SECONDED.
ANY OBJECTION TO APPROVING THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE.
MAYOR WATSON, OFF THE DIOCESE.
[2:00 PM - Zoning and Neighborhood Plan Amendments (Public Hearings and Possible Action)]
YOU.WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO ZONING COLLEAGUES.
THESE ARE ITEMS 35 THROUGH 42.
I WILL RECOGNIZE JOY HARDIN WITH CITY STAFF FOR A PRESENTATION ON THE ZONE ZONING CONSENT AGENDA.
THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL.
I'M JOY HARDEN WITH AUSTIN PLANNING.
YOUR ZONING AGENDA BEGINS WITH ITEM NUMBER 35 C 1 4 20 25 0 7 8.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS A STAFF POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR NOVEMBER 20TH COUNCIL MEETING.
THIS ITEM'S OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM 37 IS C 1 4 9 3 0 0 4 7 RCA A.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR NOVEMBER 20TH COUNCIL MEETING.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS A POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR NOVEMBER 20TH COUNCIL MEETING BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY.
ITEM 40 IS NPA 20 25 0 0 0 0 0 8 0.01.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT, SECOND READING ONLY.
THIS ITEM WILL BE RETURNING AT YOUR NOVEMBER 20TH COUNCIL MEETING FOR THIRD READING CONSIDERATION.
THE RELATED REZONING ITEM IS ITEM 41 C 1 4 20 25 0 0 4 9.
AGAIN, THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT, SECOND READING ONLY, AND WILL BE RETURNING AT YOUR NOVEMBER 20TH COUNCIL MEETING FOR THIRD READING CONSIDERATION.
AND LASTLY, ITEM 42 IS C 1 4 20 25 0 0 7 0.
THIS ITEM'S OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR NOVEMBER 20TH COUNCIL MEETING.
THIS CONCLUDES THE READING OF THE ZONING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT AGENDA, AND AS ALWAYS, THIS IS AT YOUR DISCRETION.
THANK YOU, MS. HARDIN, COLLEAGUES, THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTS OF ITEMS 35 THROUGH 42.
THAT IS ITEM 35 IS A STAFF POSTPONEMENT TO NOVEMBER 20TH.
ITEM 36 IS A APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO DECEMBER 11TH.
ITEM 37 IS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TILL NOVEMBER 20TH.
ITEM 38 IS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO DECEMBER 11TH.
ITEM 39 IS A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY CONST MEMBER CORY TO NOVEMBER 20TH.
ITEM 40 IS CONSENT, SECOND READING ONLY.
ITEM 42 IS APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO NOVEMBER 20TH.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 40 AND 41 ON SECOND READING ONLY? POSTPONE ITEMS 35, 37, 39 AND 42 TO THE NOVEMBER 20TH AGENDA AND POSTPONE ITEMS 36 AND 38 TO THE DECEMBER 11TH MEETING.
MOTION BY COUNCIL BUR CADRE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LANE, CITY CLERK.
MAY I PRETEND WE DO? SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT FOR ITEM 39, WE HAVE HELEN GABER, RON, LUKE, CHARLES DEUR, AND PHYLLIS DAY.
SHALL I READ THOSE ONE MORE TIME? YES.
RON LUKE CHARLES DE COURT, PHYLLIS DAY, YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED.
PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.
I HAVE KIM BARKER, SAMUEL GOUP, CHRISTOPHER PAGE.
[03:25:01]
AND SHANE JOHNSON, THANK YOU.AS YOU MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHICH ITEM YOU'RE SPEAKING ON.
I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 40.
UH, THE NEIGHBORHOOD APPRECIATES THAT MAYOR AND COUNCIL, OR NOT MAYOR, BUT COUNCIL IS, UH, LISTENING TO OUR CONCERNS.
WE CONTINUE TO ASK THAT THE SITE BE REZONED ONLY AS MUCH AS IS APPROPRIATE WITH THE CHARACTER AND SCALE OF THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES.
DOING SO WOULD ALSO MATCH THE DEVELOPER'S PLANS FOR THE SITE AS HAS BEEN SHARED WITH US.
AS I MENTIONED ON WHEN I WAS HERE TWO WEEKS AGO ON FIRST READING, THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALSO WANTS TO ENGAGE IN A RESTRICTED COVENANT TO ENSURE THAT WHAT THE DEVELOPERS VERBALLY DESCRIBING, UM, WILL IN FACT BE WHAT HAPPENS ON THE SITE, AND THAT IT WILL BE COMPATIBLE AND APPROPRIATE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON APPROACH ACROSS ALL DISTRICTS, SO WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR THE SAME THING.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD, UM, THAT I SPEAK OF IS A COALITION OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE ADJACENT STREETS, UM, THAT, THAT FRONT THIS PROPERTY.
UM, SOME ARE RENTERS THAT LIVE IN THE BOOKER T PROJECTS, SOME ARE HOMEOWNERS, UM, WHO HAVE BEEN IN THEIR HOMES FOR 40 YEARS.
IT'S A AND SOME PEOPLE ARE NEW, UM, RENTING OR BUYING.
SO IT'S, IT'S A MIX OF PEOPLE AND WE'RE ALL IN ALIGNMENT.
WE CONTINUE TO, UM, ADVOCATE FOR THREE MAIN ASKS.
THE FIRST BEING A COMMITMENT TO RETAIN THE HISTORIC ROSEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
THE SECOND BEING THAT PARKING AND VEHICULAR ACCESS IS LIMITED TO THE TWO MAIN ROADS ABUTTING THE SITE INSTEAD OF THE SMALL DEAD END NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS, UM, THAT FACE INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THE THIRD IS THAT AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY USE IS INTEGRATED INTO THE PROJECT.
THE SITE HAS BEEN A CIVIC USE SINCE THE 1930S AND GIVEN ITS LOCATION, UM, IN A STRING OF EAST SIDE JEWELS LIKE MILLENNIUM YOUTH ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, AND THE EAST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL AND YELLOWJACKET STADIUM THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, UH, SOME SORT OF A CIVIC COMMUNITY USE TO BE INTEGRATED INTO THE SITE.
UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS SAM GAULD, UH, MEMBER OF THE THIS COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
UH, WHEN I SPOKE HERE BEFORE YOU TWO WEEKS AGO, UH, IT WAS ON BEHALF OF SOME OF THE FAMILIES OF BOOKER T WASHINGTON.
TODAY I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT ON BEHALF OF A SPECIFIC FAMILY, UH, MY COUSINS BRANDON AND KELLY BLOCK AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN, A 7-YEAR-OLD BOY AND A 5-YEAR-OLD GIRL.
TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER I SPOKE HERE, I WAS INVITED OVER TO THEIR HOUSE FOR DINNER AND THEY SHARED WITH ME THAT AFTER A LONG STRING OF THINGS THAT HAVE ERODED THEIR BELIEF IN THE ABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT, UH, AND BE ON THE SIDE OF FAMILIES, THEY HAD DECIDED TO BEGIN LOOKING TO MOVE ELSEWHERE.
THEY MOVED HERE 10 YEARS AGO, UM, DRAWN BY THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN AUSTIN, BUT HAVE NOT FELT SUPPORTED SINCE IN THE PURSUIT OF GROWING A FAMILY HERE.
WHILE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE REZONING AMENDMENT OF THIS ONE WOULD CHANGE THEIR MIND, UH, I DO BELIEVE THAT IF AUSTIN CONTINUED TO MAKE CHOICES PROTECTING THE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES, UM, PERHAPS THOUGH THEY'D BE PERSUADED.
AND I'M REMINDED OF THE WORDS OF COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON TWO WEEKS AGO IN WHICH, UH, SHE SHARED THAT, UM, WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE BEST DAYS, THE MILLENNIUM YOUTH COMPLEX.
UM, NUMBER ONE, THANK YOU TO THE D ONE OFFICE FOR, UH, IT'S TIME AND INTENTION ON THIS MATTER.
I THINK, UH, I'VE REALLY SEEN THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SITE, AND WE GENUINELY DO WANNA WORK TOGETHER WITH, UH, THE ENTIRE CITY, UH, BUT ESPECIALLY THE COMMUNITY, UH, THAT'S IMMEDIATELY AROUND IT, MOST DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY SOME OF THESE POTENTIAL CHANGES.
UM, WHEN THE, WHEN THE APPLICANT INITIALLY PRESENTED THEIR CASE TO OUR COMMUNITY, THEY SIGNALED A VAGUE INTENT TO PRESERVE THE SCHOOL BUILDING AND LIMIT NEG LIMIT NEGATIVE EXTERNALITIES ON ADJACENT RESIDENCE.
SUBSEQUENT CONVERSATIONS TOOK A U-TURN AS THEY EXPLICITLY REFUSED TO COMMIT TO ANY CORE ELEMENT OF THEIR NARRATIVE, EVEN WHEN THOSE COMMITMENTS, UH, WOULD BE ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL TO THEM.
PRESENTLY, IT LOOKS LIKE TOPO WANTS TO MAXIMIZE LIQUIDITY ON A PROJECT THAT THEY HAVEN'T STARTED ON HISTORIC LAND
[03:30:01]
THAT THEY DON'T EVEN ACTUALLY OWN.UM, THEY'RE ATTEMPTING OR THEY'VE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO STONEWALL RESIDENTS WITH A MIX OF MISREPRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS THAT ARE ENTIRELY UNRESPONSIVE TO VERY REASONABLE AND RESOLVABLE ISSUES RAISED BY OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, AS IT'S BEEN STATED, THIS PROPERTY GOES BACK TO THE 1930S WHEN IT WAS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT WAS CREATED WHEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WERE SEGREGATED AT THE TIME SELF ADVOCATED TO GET A SCHOOL.
AND FROM THAT TIME UNTIL NOW, IT HAS HAD CIVIC USE.
THERE ARE THREE LAYERS, UH, OF PROTECTION THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE WHEN A ISD SOLD THE PROPERTY TO PRIVATE CHARTER SCHOOL IN 2003.
UH, AND TWO OF THOSE THREE LAYERS ARE SOUGHT FOR DISMANTLING THROUGH THIS APPLICATION.
UH, THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES WITHIN OUR CODE, UH, WHICH WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR WHAT THE APPLICANT HAS DESCRIBED AS THEIR ALLEGED PROJECT.
UH, LR IS MUCH MORE REASONABLE THAN CS.
UH, AND IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE, WHICH IS A MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE DESIGNATION FOR THE FORM.
UH, WE ARE SEEKING A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT TO TAILOR THIS.
CONTINUE WITH ITEM 40, TAYLOR HIGGINS, AARON COLLINGER, BRAD MASSENGILL, AND MONICA GUZMAN.
UM, THIS SITE HAS KIND OF FOUR SIDES.
THE WEST END COMES TO A POINT AT THE INTERSECTION OF HARGRAVE AND, AND ROSEWOOD.
AND, UM, ON THE EAST SIDE IS BEDFORD AVENUE.
UH, WE WOULD LIKE THE CURB CUT FOR ANY COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT IF THIS DEVELOPMENT IS TO GO THROUGH.
AND BY THE WAY, I SUGGEST YOU VOTE NO AT THIS POINT.
UM, IF, IF THIS DEVELOPMENT GOES THROUGH, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEIR CURB CUT IF THEY REALLY NEED ONE ON THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO BE ON BEDFORD INSTEAD OF SOL WILSON BECAUSE, UM, THE CIRCULATION OF CARS THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS ALREADY A PRESSURE.
WE'VE SPOKEN TO THE, UM, THE, THE ROADS DEPARTMENT OF, UM, STAFF AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THEY COMMUNICATE THAT THE, UH, THE, THE, UH, DRIVER'S VOLUME ON THE ROAD IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT.
UM, AND THEY DON'T FORESEE A, A HUGE CHANGE.
BUT, UH, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO AVOID GOING DOWN TO THAT PINPOINT CORNER OF INTERSECTION OF ROSEWOOD AND HARGRAVE BY GO DRIVING THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND, UM, WE GET PEOPLE THINKING THAT THEY'RE GONNA FIND A CUT THROUGH AND THEN THEY END UP IN THE DEAD END.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, SO COMPROMISE, RIGHT? UH, IF THEY NEED MORE CURB CUTS FOR, UH, FUNCTIONAL COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT, THEN PUT IT A LITTLE CLOSER TO ROSEWOOD BECAUSE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET ON HARGRAVE OR, UH, NOT HARGRAVE BEDFORD, THERE IS SOME, UH, MIXED USE PROPERTY ALREADY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, MR. MASSENGALE.
I'M, I'M BRAD MASSENGALE FROM D THREE.
UM, IN LIGHT OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT EARLIER TODAY, UH, TRYING TO GET MORE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX FOR, UH, PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT, UM, THESE FUTURE LAND USE MAP CASES WHERE YOU'RE CHANGING PROPERTIES FROM CIVIC OR, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, FAMILY HOUSING OR WHATEVER INTO COMMERCIAL WITH STATE LAWS LIKE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW, WE'RE SETTING UP A, A, A SITUATION TO WHERE WE'RE GONNA BE POTENTIALLY DISPLACING LOTS OF PEOPLE WHEN THESE HUGE PROJECTS SWOOP IN.
IF THE ECONOMY DIPS IN THESE PROJECT, THESE, UH, PROPERTIES GO ON, ON THE MARKET TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE AUSTIN'S BEST INTENTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO, UH, HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
UM, I I, I, I REALLY THINK THAT Y'ALL SHOULD HOLD OFF AND THERE SHOULD BE MORATORIUM ON ALL THESE FUTURE LAND USE MAP ALTERATIONS UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE INVENTORY IS
[03:35:01]
ON APARTMENTS.THERE'S SO MANY COMING ONLINE RIGHT NOW.
I THINK WE'RE OVERBUILDING AND WE'RE POTENTIALLY PUSHING MORE PEOPLE OUT THE BACK DOOR AND INTO THESE SITUATIONS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.
UH, UH, YOU KNOW, WHERE PEOPLE ARE ENDING UP, OUT OUTSIDE OR IN SUBSTANDARD HOUSING AND, AND IT PUSHES DOWN, YOU KNOW, PE PEOPLE GET FROM ONE ECONOMIC THING LAYER TO, TO THE ONE BELOW, AND IT PUSHES THOSE PEOPLE OUT AS AFFORDABILITY CHANGES.
UM, SO I, I REALLY WOULD ENCOURAGE Y'ALL TO, UH, TO NOT, TO NOT PASS THIS.
ALL SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR ZONING CONSENT.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LANE.
DOES ANY MEMBER WISH TO ABSTAIN FROM A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN? UH, I WISH TO ABSTAIN ON 40 AND 41, PLEASE.
ITEM 41, KIM BARKER, SAMUEL GALLUP, CHRISTOPHER PAGE, SHANE JOHNSON, TAYLOR HIGGINS, ERIN COLLINGER, BRAD MASSENGILL, AND MONICA GUZMAN.
THE, HI, MY NAME'S AARON K INGER.
UM, SO FOR 41, A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITY ASKS TO THIS DEVELOPER FOR, IF, IF THEY DO GO AHEAD.
UH, WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF THE CIVIC SPACE, UH, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
AND, UH, IN, IN THAT SPIRIT, WE SEE, UH, UH, A LOT TO DO AROUND CELEBRATING DR.
UM, HE WAS, UH, A MOVER AND A SHAKER ON THE EAST SIDE.
UM, THE STUDENTS, UM, LOVINGLY CALLED HIM PROFESSOR RICE.
AND, UM, HE DID A LOT OF STUFF, UM, WHERE HE GOT THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED.
HE, UM, HE PAID, UM, SCHOLARSHIPS OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET FOR KIDS TO GO TO, TO CAMP AND TO, TO GO TO SPORTS LEAGUES.
HE, UM, HE STARTED COMMUNITY GARDENS AT THE ROSEWOOD SCHOOL, WHICH STARTED AS A ONE ROOM SCHOOL.
THE, THE SCHOOL BUILDING ON THIS PROPERTY IN QUESTION WAS A ROOSEVELT ERA PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT, BUT IT'S NOT DOCUMENTED, JUST LIKE A LOT OF THEM.
THEY SHARED WORKERS AROUND AND, UM, POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF, UH, SEGREGATED EAST SIDE, IT WAS, IT WAS NOT DOCUMENTED.
UM, BUT IT IS A, A FINE PIECE OF CONSTRUC CONSTRUCTION.
THERE'S NOT A CRACK IN THAT SLAB THAT I SAW WHEN WE WALKED THROUGH.
UM, DR. RICE, THANK YOU, MR. PAGE.
UM, SO BECAUSE THIS ITEM IS ABOUT FUTURE LAND USE, UH, I THINK IT'S KIND OF IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW LAND USE HAS BEEN GOING ON AROUND THIS AREA.
UM, THE WILLIE MAKI LIBRARY HAS BEEN SHOT FOR THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR.
UH, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CLOSED FOR SIX MONTHS, AND I KNOW PERSONALLY MY KIDS CAN'T GO THERE, AND THEY HAVE, YOU KNOW, ALWAYS GONE THERE WHEN IT WAS OPEN.
UM, OAK SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH IS IN DISTRICT THREE, WAS LOOKING AT A $47 MILLION CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CAMPUS.
IT'S CURRENTLY, IF YOU DRIVE BY IT, YOU'LL SEE THE CONSTRUCTION IS NOW FROZEN.
UH, A ISD ANNOUNCED THE CLOSURE OF THAT SCHOOL AND THAT 48 MILLION OR $47 MILLION INVESTMENT IS NOW BEING RETRACTED.
WE SPENT $4 MILLION BRINGING IN TONS OF EARTH DOING, UH, FOUNDATION LAYOUT, AND ALL OF THAT IS A WASTE.
AND WE ARE LOSING A SCHOOL AND WE ARE LOSING THAT INVESTMENT.
UH, THIS SCHOOL, THE TEXAS CAN ACADEMY IS ANOTHER THING THAT WAS OPERATING UP UNTIL JUNE OF THIS YEAR.
THAT'S ANOTHER SCHOOL THAT'S BEING CLOSED.
UH, CIVIC USE THAT'S BEING LOST.
UH, WE HAVE SEEN THIS CONSISTENTLY IN RECENT YEARS WHERE, UH,
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INVESTMENT GROUPS COME IN, SEEK ZONING CHANGES TO ARTIFICIALLY CHANGE THE VALUE OF DIRT AND PRODUCE NOTHING FOR THE COMMUNITY.I WILL TELL YOU PERSONALLY, UH, MY KID HAS NOWHERE TO GO.
MY NEIGHBOR'S KIDS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.
THE RESIDENTS AT BOOKER T HAVE NOWHERE FOR THEIR KIDS TO GO.
UH, THERE ARE SOME PARKS THAT ARE OPEN.
GIS PARK, THEIR POOL WAS CLOSED FOR YEARS, YEARS AT A TIME BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIX THE LEAKS IN THAT.
THE CITY HAS NOT PRIORITIZED THIS PART OF THE CITY.
AND IT'S CLEAR, AND IT'S NOT A NEW THING.
IT'S BEEN GOING ON LONG BEFORE I EVER MOVED HERE, LONG BEFORE EVEN MY PARENTS WERE BORN.
UM, BUT YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THAT TODAY.
AND SO, UH, PLEASE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HELP US ADVOCATE FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF EVERYONE IN THIS SPACE.
UM, THIS, THIS, UH, THIS PROJECT OR THE, OR THE LOCATION IS PRETTY EMBLEMATIC OF WHERE WE'RE AT WITH AUSTIN RIGHT NOW.
AND, UM, LOSING OUR HISTORY AND OUR CULTURE AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
YOU KNOW, IF WE DON'T START STANDING UP FOR THESE, THESE SMALL AND SHRINKING POCKETS OF WHAT MAKES AUSTIN, AUSTIN, WE'RE GONNA END UP WITH NOTHING BUT GLASS TOWERS AND CROWDED STREETS AND UNLIVABLE.
UM, AS CHRIS WAS SAYING THERE, THE, THERE'S PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THIS AREA, IS NEGLECTED FOR, FOR A LONG TIME, AND NOW THERE'S PROSPERITY ALL AROUND AND IT'S JUST INSTEAD OF, UH, TRICKLING DOWN, IT'S TRICKLING ON.
AND, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM VERY, UH, IN KEEPING WITH AUSTIN'S SPIRIT.
UM, SINCE I'VE LIVED HERE UP UNTIL RECENTLY, WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN PROUD OF OUR FRIENDLINESS AND OUR OPENNESS AND OUR COMPASSION.
AND I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE THIS COUNCIL AND THEIR DECISIONS, ESPECIALLY IF WITH THESE, UH, ZONING CASES, REFLECT THAT INSTEAD OF JUST RUBBER STAMPING THINGS.
BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS HIRED A BUNCH OF REAL ESTATE LAWYERS SLASH LOBBYISTS AND THEY'VE THROWN A BUNCH OF MONEY DOWN ON SOME ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS, AND THEY DON'T WANNA GO BACK ON THEIR INVESTMENT.
THAT'S NOT HOW DEMOCRACY SHOULD WORK.
WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE IN OUR PLACES.
OKAY, MAYOR TIM, NOW ALL SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR ZONING CONSENT.
IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT JUST CONFIRMING EVERYONE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT AND TO SPEAK.
COLLEAGUES, THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE US TODAY ON ZONING ARE ITEMS 40 AND 41 ON SECOND READING ONLY POSTPONEMENT OF ITEMS 35 37, 39 42 TO NOVEMBER 20TH, AGENDA AND POSTPONEMENT OF ITEMS 36 AND 38 TO THE DECEMBER 11TH MEETING.
THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LANE.
COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN HAS INDICATED THAT HE WISHES TO ABSTAIN FROM ITEMS 40 AND 41.
IS THERE ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE VOTING NO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANY DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
UM, THERE'S A, A ZONING CASE THAT WE DISCUSSED HERE TODAY THAT'S IN DISTRICT ONE.
I JUST, I, I ACTUALLY, THIS IS FOR MY COLLEAGUES.
I JUST REALLY WANNA STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO HEAR OUT THE NEIGHBORS, HEAR OUT THE APPLICANT FOR THE ZONING CASE IN QUESTION OVER NEAR BOOKER T.
UM, AND, UH, THE MILLENNIUM, SORT OF LIKE, I DID THIS, UM, INTERVIEW WITH CHAD FROM THE MONITOR LAST WEEK, AND HE WAS ASKING ME ABOUT THE SEATS AND THE MILLENNIUM THEATER.
AND LIKE I TOLD HIM, IF YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT SEATING IN THE MILLENNIUM THEATER, THEN THE CONVERSATION IS THE WRONG ONE.
'CAUSE THAT'S THE LEAST OF OUR CONCERNS.
AND SO WHEN YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS CASE, KIND OF LIKE I SAID FROM THE, THE DAYS RECENTLY, THINK ABOUT THE ECOSYSTEM THAT SURROUNDS IT AND REFLECT ON THE 7 8 7 0 2 POLICY THAT I WROTE.
THIS IS ONE OF LITERALLY LIKE 19 CRITICAL ASSETS IN THE AREA.
AND THEN JUST SOMETHING ELSE I WANTED TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR.
BOOKER T IS INCOME RESTRICTED, MOUNT CARMEL'S, INCOME RESTRICTED.
SEVERAL OTHERS ARE INCOME RESTRICTED.
BUT THE WAY THAT THAT WORKS IS, UM, ONCE YOUR APPLICATION WITH HUD EXPIRES, YOU CAN GO TO MARKET RATE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY INCOME RESTRICTED.
SO IN A 1.7 MILE RADIUS, I HAVE SIX INCOME RESTRICTED HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS THAT VERY WELL COULD TURN INTO MARKET RATE HOUSING.
UM, THE, THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT CASE CAN'T JUST BE ABOUT THAT CASE.
'CAUSE THERE'S TOO MUCH TO CONSIDER IN THE
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OVERALL BIGGER PICTURE.IT'S A BIG CHESS BOARD AND THE PIECES MOVING AROUND HAVE DIRECT EFFECTS, IMPACTS AND DISRUPTIONS FOR REAL PEOPLE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE DIOCESE? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN ABSTAINING ON ITEMS 40 AND 41 AND MAYOR WATSON.
ABSENT THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AT THIS REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL ADJOURN.
WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 2:36 PM THANK YOU.