[00:00:03]
[Call to Order]
10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025, AND I WILL CALL TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.UH, WE ARE MEETING IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WHICH ARE LOCATED AT CITY HALL, WHICH IS AT 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND WE HAVE A QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL PRESENT BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL.
UH, SO LET ME RUN THROUGH HOW WE'RE GOING TO, UH, CONDUCT THE MEETING TODAY.
UH, I'M GONNA READ HERE IN JUST A SECOND, CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS INTO THE RECORD.
UH, THEN I WILL, UH, THEN WHAT WE WILL DO IS WE WILL GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, THERE HAVE THE ONLY ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN TECHNICALLY PULLED FROM THE AGENDA ARE THOSE ITEMS RELATED TO THE BUDGET.
THOSE ARE ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX.
WE WILL TAKE UP, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND THEN WE WILL, UH, GO TO WHAT ARE BROADLY LABELED NON-CONSENT ITEMS. THOSE INCLUDE ITEMS RELATED TO IMMINENT DOMAIN AND THE PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT WE WILL CONDUCT, UH, BY 12 O'CLOCK, UH, OR AT 12 O'CLOCK, REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE AGENDA.
AT 12 O'CLOCK, WE WILL PAUSE SO THAT WE CAN TAKE UP OUR TIME, CERTAIN POSTING, WHICH IS PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.
WE WILL PROBABLY TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK THERE.
WE WILL RECESS, UH, WE WILL HAVE LIVE MUSIC, AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK AND I, AND, AND I'LL, I'LL MAKE THE CALL ON THAT AS WE GET TO IT.
WE HAVE A TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN AND THAT ARE, THOSE ARE OUR ZONING ITEMS. MY INTENTION WOULD BE THAT WE WILL TAKE UP THE BUDGET ITEMS, ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX, UH, AT THE, AT THE END OF THIS REGULAR SCHEDULED AGENDA.
HOWEVER, IF DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY WE, UH, FINISH A, A, A SECTION AND WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT ALL WE HAVE LEFT ARE THINGS THAT ARE TIME CERTAINS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN OR THE TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ON THOSE ITEMS, FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX AT THOSE TIMES SO THAT WE HAVE AN EFFICIENT USE OF OUR TIME.
SO THAT'S, UNLESS THERE'S QUESTIONS, YES.
I WOULD JUST ASK BEFORE WE TAKE UP THE BUDGET ITEMS THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH OUR SUB QUORUMS, SO A RECESS BEFORE, WELL, WE WE'RE GONNA TAKE A RE WE WILL TAKE OUR, OUR TYPICAL NORMAL RECESS, UH, AROUND THE 12 O'CLOCK TIME.
AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AT, WE'LL COME BACK AT LIKE ONE 10 THE WAY WE TYPICALLY DO, BECAUSE ABOUT 12, WE'LL BE TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT TO 1230.
SO THAT GIVES US ABOUT 45 MINUTES.
SO, MEMBER, UH, MEMBERS, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? GREAT, THEN, UH, LET ME READ INTO THE RECORD CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS ITEMS. 30 48, 49, 50, 51, AND 54 HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA ITEMS. 30 48, 49, 50, 51, AND 54 HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA.
ON ITEM NUMBER 57, IT SHOULD ADD COUNCIL MEMBER PAGE ELLIS AS A SPONSOR OF THAT ITEM.
AND AGAIN, THE ONLY ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX, AND THOSE ARE ITEMS RELATED TO OUR BUDGET.
[Consent Agenda]
GO TO, UH, SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.I WANT TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE HAS ON ITEM NUMBER 44, HE HAS DIRECTION THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR BACKUP DIRECTION TO THE MANAGER'S OFFICE WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 44.
SO WHEN THE CHAIR ACCEPTS A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IT'S READ, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE'S DIRECTION ON ITEM NUMBER 44 WILL BE A PART OF THAT MOTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT?
[00:05:01]
OKAY.WITH THAT, I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO THE CITY CLERK TO HELP US, UH, BY CALLING OUT PEOPLE TO SPEAK ON THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED.
IT'S REALLY HELPFUL TO US IF YOU MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT SO THAT WE KNOW YOU'RE HERE.
AND IF THERE'S A, AN OPEN CHAIR IN FRONT OF ONE OF THESE MICROPHONES, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND TAKE THAT, AND THEN WE'LL CALL ON YOU IN ORDER, AND YOU CAN STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE CITY CLERK.
FIRST FOR ITEM ONE, I HAVE MIKE MINZ AND TIOS BELAY.
PLEASE GO AHEAD, JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
UH, I LIVE IN, UH, DISTRICT ONE, AND I'M WITH THE US AFRICAN INSTITUTE.
UH, GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND, UH, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
UH, OUR ORGANIZATION, US AFRICAN INSTITUTE, UH, IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT, UH, EMPOWERS, UH, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, UH, IN AUSTIN AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.
AND TODAY, UM, I'M HERE TO URGE, UH, ALL OF YOU TO NOT CUT FUNDINGS FOR, UH, UH, UH, CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICE AND ALSO, UH, LEGAL IMMIGRATION SUPPORT FOR, UH, THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES.
UH, OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE ALREADY, UH, CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND DISCRIMINATION AND INCREASINGLY HARSH IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT ALREADY, YOU SEEING, UH, THOSE SUPPORTS AND, AND CRITICAL, UH, SOCIAL SUPPORTS, UH, TO, UH, NOT ONLY TO OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, UH, BUT ALSO, UH, UH, THE RESIDENTS OF, UH, AUSTIN, UH, WOULD DEEPEN THE, THE STRUGGLE OF, UH, OUR COMMUNITIES AND ALSO LIMIT OUR COMMUNITY'S ABILITY TO STAY SAFE, INFORMED, AND STABLE.
AND SOCIAL SERVICE AND LEGAL IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE ARE NOT EXTRA.
THEY ARE ESSENTIAL, UH, TOOLS, UH, THAT KEEP OUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THEIR RATES, ACCESS PROTECTION, OBTAIN LEGAL SUPPORT, AND NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT SHAPE THEIR DAILY LIVES.
WHEN THESE SERVICE ARE DEFUNDED, PEOPLE FALL THROUGH, UH, THE CRACKS AND THE, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY FEELS THE IMPACT.
UH, AUSTIN IS A CITY OF IMMIGRANTS, AND OUR STRENGTHS COMES FROM THE PEOPLE WHO CONTINUE TO BUILD THEIR LIVES TODAY AND IN, IN THE FUTURE HERE IN AUSTIN.
IF WE WANT AUSTIN TO REMAIN A WELCOMING CITY FOR ALL OF US, WE MUST PROTECT THE PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW, UH, ALLOW, UH, IMMIGRANTS IN ANOTHER RE RESIDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS.
AND I URGE YOU ALL, UH, TO SUPPORT, UH, ALL THESE, UH, UH, SOCIAL SUPPORTS AND THEN CRITICAL IMMIGRATION SUPPORT PROGRAMS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I HAVE A REMOTE SPEAKER FOR ITEM TWO QUA BRUCE.
MS. BREWSTER, ARE YOU THERE? I AM HERE.
HI, COUNSEL AND MAYOR, MY NAME IS QUA AND I'M ACTUALLY SPEAKING ON THE ITEM FOUR.
I THINK THAT I MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED.
SORRY, WE'LL NEED TO CALL ON YOU LATER.
IF YOU SIGNED UP ON ITEM FOUR, WE'LL NEED TO CALL YOU LATER.
YES, THANK, SORRY ABOUT THAT, MA'AM, YOU ONLY SIGNED UP ON ITEM TWO.
MA'AM, IF YOU'RE STILL THERE, YOU ONLY SIGNED UP ON ITEM NUMBER TWO.
DO YOU WISH TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER TWO? NO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
I, BRAD, ARE YOU THERE? PLEASE GO TO THE NEXT ONE.
MONICA GUZMAN, ITEM EIGHT, AND THEN BRENT DAVY FOR ITEM 13.
I THEN HAVE BILL BUNCH FOR ITEM 23.
I, ALL RIGHT, MY NOTES ARE NOT QUITE WHERE THEY NEED TO BE, BUT GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
I'M MONICA GUZMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR AT GAVA, SHARING THOUGHTS
[00:10:01]
FROM VARIOUS COMMISSIONERS IN THE REVISED BYLAWS TEMPLATE, SPECIFICALLY ARTICLE SEVEN, ITEM J, LINES 31, 2, 34.THERE IS VERBIAGE ABOUT LIMITING SPEAKERS TO THREE MINUTES AND NO LESS THAN TWO MINUTES PER AGENDA ITEM.
AND THERE WAS CONCERN ABOUT PRESENTERS.
HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO GIVE PRESENTATIONS IN SUCH A SHORT TIME? UM, AND, AND THAT IS THE MAIN THING, IS ALLOWING THE COMMISSIONS OR THE COMMISSIONERS TO SET THOSE RULES.
THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT, UM, SORRY, IN MY, LIKE I SAID, MY NOTES ARE A LITTLE BIT OUT OF IT HERE, LIKE THE, THE BOARD OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS.
LIKE I SAID, THESE WERE TEXTED TO ME.
BUT BASICALLY THEY'RE USED TO SOMEBODY ELSE SETTING THEM, NOT COUNCIL, HAVING A ONE SIZE FITS ALL, AND THEY'RE JUST CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO PRESENT.
AND I BELIEVE FOR ANYTHING GOING TO BE OA AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, OTHERS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY REALLY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE AMOUNT OF TIME NEEDED FOR PRESENTERS.
AND, UH, THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US.
IT'S ACTUALLY ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC HOW OPEN THIS COUNCIL IS.
UM, I AM A RECOVERING ADDICT, AND I'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE REHAB PROCESS AND I'VE BEEN INTERFACING WITH A BUNCH OF ASSISTANCE, YOU KNOW, FROM STATE, LOCAL, UH, RISE, COMMUNITY NAVIGATION CENTER, UM, THE WORKS.
AND ONE OF THE ISSUES, THIS IS RELATED TO THE WORK, UH, WORKFORCE BOARD AND THE CITY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH IT.
UM, I THINK THERE MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE.
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT I FOUND COMING UP FREQUENTLY, UM, IS EVEN AMONG THE WORKFORCE CLERKS RIGHT, THAT I'M INTERFACING WITH, IS ALL OF THESE NOTIFICATIONS ARE SENT BY MAIL TO PEOPLE, AND THEY'RE, THESE PEOPLE ARE TYPICALLY TRANSIENT.
YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH DIFFERENT HOUSING SITUATIONS.
UM, I DIDN'T GET A NOTICE ON MY SNAP MEETING TILL AFTER THE SNAP MEETING
SO, UM, MAYBE THE CITY CAN PUT SOME PRESSURE WITH THE STATE AND DEVELOP A SOLUTION THERE, AND YOU MIGHT EVEN SAVE SOME MONEY DOING IT.
UH, BILL BLANC, UH, SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE, UH, DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M HERE SPEAKING ON ITEM 23, WHICH IS $12 MILLION, UH, FOR A COUPLE OF CONTRACTORS TO HELP MANAGE WATER AND WASTEWATER, UH, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
UM, THAT BUDGET IS WAY BIGGER THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.
UM, THE ONE PROJECT THIS MENTIONS, AND IT'S FOR MANAGING A BUNCH OF 'EM, IS THE BIGGEST ONE IN THE WATER WASTEWATER UTILITIES BUDGET.
THAT'S THE WALNUT CREEK WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
THAT IS A PROJECT THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE PUT ON HOLD.
UH, WE'RE NEVER GONNA NEED THE SCALE OF EXPANSION, UH, FOR THAT $1.1 BILLION PROJECT.
WE'RE AT A TIME AT RECORD OR NEAR RECORD, UH, MUNICIPAL BOND INTEREST RATES.
EVERY SINGLE CAPITAL PROJECT THAT YOU HAVE THAT'S NOT URGENT SHOULD BE PUT ON HOLD.
CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE THIS IS NOT PART OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET, UH, BUT THESE PROJECTS ARE DRIVING THESE WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE INCREASES, AND THAT'S DIRECTLY AFFECTING THE BUDGET.
UH, AT MINIMUM, YOU SHOULD POSTPONE THIS ITEM UNTIL YOU REEVALUATE YOUR WA YOUR CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY WITH MAYOR WATSON'S ANNOUNCEMENT LAST NIGHT ABOUT, UH, BASICALLY ABANDONING THE, UH, AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROJECT, WHICH IS THE BIG KAHUNA IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR WATER FORWARD PLAN.
UH, I HOPE THIS IS, THIS IS A RADICAL RE SHIFT IN REALIGNMENT THAT WE CAN ALL CELEBRATE TOWARDS CONSERVATION AND REUSE INVESTMENTS.
UM, AND THIS, THIS ITEM RIGHT HERE POINTS DIRECTLY TO THAT BECAUSE THOSE PROJECTS THAT WILL SAVE OUR WATER FUTURE AND MAKE US SUSTAINABLE AREN'T THESE BIG, BIG GIANT CAPITAL PROJECTS.
THEY'RE DOING A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF THAT'S SMALL SCALE, AND THAT'S EMBRACING THE COMMUNITY TO, UH, THANK YOU FOR DIFFERENT WATER CULTURE.
I'M GONNA TRY BRAD MASSENGILL ONE MORE TIME.
[00:15:05]
BRAD, ARE YOU THERE? BRAD? OKAY.MR. MASSING ALSO SIGNED UP FOR 18 AND 20.
BRAD, ARE YOU THERE? YEAH, SORRY, I'M A LITTLE DISORGANIZED HERE.
UM, I, ITEM 20 AND IN THE ITEMS AFTER IT UP TO 20 STREET, THE, THE ITEM THAT, UH, MR. BUNCH WAS JUST DESCRIBING, UM, I AGREE THERE, THERE'S, THERE'S A LOT MORE ROOM FOR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ROLL THESE OUT.
THAT'S, THAT'S A BIG EXPENDITURE, UH, ON THE PART OF THE CITY.
AND THE OTHER OUTLIER, AND THIS IS SOMETHING I I MENTIONED YESTERDAY, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE BIG TIE IN PROJECTS AND AND LARGE, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, THEY INVOLVE OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUR RESOURCES TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN.
AND SOME OF THOSE RESOURCES AND PEOPLE CAN BE USED ELSEWHERE TO DO THINGS THAT ARE MORE CLOSER TO THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR ITEM 44, MEGAN MEISENBACH.
HI, THIS IS MEGAN MEISENBACH IN THE JUDGES HILL NEIGHBORHOOD IN GOOD DAY, MAYOR WATSON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT OF ITEM 44.
AS A RESIDENT AND MEMBER OF THE ADJACENT NEIGHBORHOOD, AND ACTUALLY PART OF STEAD PRESERVATION, DISTRICT D IS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT WILL HAVE IMPACTFUL REDUCTIONS IN THE CITY BUDGET, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
THE PROPERTY TAX, UH, DOLLARS FROM WEST CAMPUS WILL BE DIVERTED FOREVER TO A PRIVATE ENTITY BY THIS MEASURE.
AND THESE TAX DOLLARS ARE, ARE PROPOSED TO BEING, UM, TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CITY BUDGET BASED ON OLD DATA.
AND IN YOUR BACKUP, IT SAYS, WITH A HIGH AMOUNT OF ERROR DUE TO THE SMALL SAMPLE SIZE, ET CETERA.
THE, THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME IS NOT MEANINGFULLY SIGNIFICANT.
IT SAYS IN, UM, APPENDIX B, OF COURSE, YOU DON'T EXPECT STUDENTS TO REALLY HAVE A HIGH INCOME.
SO CALLING IS A POVERTY AREA, IS NOT REALLY, UM, TRANSPARENT.
ALSO, NONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE ADJUSTMENTS NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE UNIVERSITY AREA AREA OVERLAY, WERE NOT INFORMED AT THE FORMATION OF THIS DISTRICT.
SO BASED ON THESE ITEMS, I HOPE YOU'LL POSTPONE ITEM 44 TILL DECEMBER WHEN WE HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT MORE FULLY.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION, UH, TODAY.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO AGAIN REQUEST A POSTPONEMENT FOR ITEM, UH, NUMBER 44 UNTIL DECEMBER'S COUNCIL MEETING WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK OUR QUESTIONS OF STAFF MEMBERS.
SECOND, I AGREE THAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE IN FEAR OF LOSING THEIR HOMES, BUT NOT BECAUSE OF LOW INCOME DISPLACEMENT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
WHAT WE FEAR ARE RISING TAXES, INCOMPLETE, INCOMPATIBLE ZONING WITHIN OUR BOUNDARIES, AND BEING SQUEEZED OUT OF OUR HOMES FOR OVER DEVELOPMENT.
WE ARE SURROUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AREA HERE.
I ALSO AGREE THAT HPD SERVE AN IMPORTANT PURPOSE, YET PUTTING ONE IN THE CAMPUS, UH, OR IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT APPROPRIATE GIVEN THE DYNAMIC FOR THE UT AREA.
UH, HPDS WERE CREATED FOR LONG-TERM, UH, HOMEOWNERS EXPERIENCING LOW INCOME DISPLACEMENT, BUT THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, THE UNO AREA HAS BEEN ONE OF SUCCESS, AND H HP D DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE AS GOOD A TRACK RECORD AS SOME OF THE CITIES.
YOU KNOW, IT ADDS BUREAUCRACY, IT'S LOW DOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WHERE THEY'RE IMPLEMENTED.
AND IF OUR GOAL IS TO LOWER RENT AND OWNERSHIP PRESSURES ON STUDENTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS SLOWING DOWN DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALATION IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.
IN ADDITION, THE CAMPUS HPD WOULD DIVERT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUTURE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE AWAY FROM ESSENTIAL CITYWIDE SERVICES, AND THEY WOULD BE LOCKED INTO ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE, HEAVILY ENLISTED AREAS IN THE CITY INSTEAD OF BENEFITING COMMUNITIES THAT ACTUALLY NEED THE PROGRAM.
UH, ESTABLISHING HPD HERE MISUSES THE TOOL DESIGNED FOR
[00:20:01]
AT RISK LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM, NOT AREAS DOMINATED BY CONSTANT STUDENT TURNOVER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.ALSO FOR ITEM 44, I HAVE JOEL MCNE, MICHAEL MCCONE, AND THEN ITEM 52, BILL BUNCH.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF SAFE HORNS.
I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
WE ARE ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT ON THIS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND.
I DID A QUICK POLL LAST NIGHT BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING AT THE DATA THAT THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT FOR LOW INCOME AND THE BENEFITS OVER 150 PARENTS REACHED OUT IN A QUICK REQUEST FOR INFORMATION LAST NIGHT.
TO ME, THE AVERAGE ROOM IN WEST CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING, WHICH MAKES UP THE MAJORITY OF HOUSING IN THIS AREA, IS $2,200 PER BED.
THAT ALSO IS ANOTHER FEE FOR TWO TO $300 FOR PARKING.
THERE WAS A FUNNY LITTLE FEE FOR GREEN SPACE, WHICH THAT PROPERTY DOESN'T EVEN HAVE GREEN SPACE.
UM, THE AVERAGE PARENT IS PAYING PARENTS ARE CO-SIGNERS.
SO THE FACT THAT THIS AREA IS CALLED LOW INCOME, REALLY THAT IS CURIOUS TO US.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WANNA UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BENEFIT IS TO STUDENTS FOR HPD, WHICH THEY ARE THE PREDOMINANT CITIZENS OF THIS AREA.
WHAT WE EMPHATICALLY NEED MOST FROM ALL OF YOU IS TO PLEASE HELP US IN ADDRESSING MOLD ISSUES IN THESE PROPERTIES.
WE HAVE MOLD ISSUES, WE HAVE PHYSICAL SECURITY ISSUES, ACCESS CONTROL, VERY POOR MAINTENANCE, NO OVERSIGHT.
SAFE HORNS HAS PREDOMINANTLY BEEN THE OVERSIGHT AND THE PEOPLE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR STUDENTS THAT MAKE UP THIS IMPORTANT AREA OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, THE AVERAGE UNIT IS COLLECTIVELY $6,600 A MONTH.
SOME ARE $8,800 A MONTH FOR AN APARTMENT THAT THEN REQUIRES YOU TO PAY FOR PARKING UTILITIES THAT ARE DEALING WITH ELEVATORS THAT DO NOT WORK.
GARAGE GATES THAT DO NOT, THAT ARE NOT SECURE DOORS, ACCESSIBLE EXTERIOR DOORS THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE.
I'VE NOT BEEN HERE IN A WHILE.
A MAYOR, LAST TIME I WAS HERE, I WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU AND, UH, CELL PHONE WENT OFF.
OF COURSE, IT WAS THE WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE, AND I BELIEVE TO GET THIS ITEM TO BE, UH, POSTPONED, I'M GONNA NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET FROM THE LONE RANGER, BUT IT'S NOT AN IMPOSSIBLE, UH, ASK.
WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.
WE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY.
IT IS AN IMPLEMENTATION TOOL THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED, BUT ONCE YOU START GETTING A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE THE NEIGHBORS AND THE ADJACENT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS ALL CONFUSED AND CONCERNED, IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD TO THEN SAY, WELL, UH, LET'S GO AHEAD WITH SOMETHING.
LET'S BE LIKE WE DID WHEN WE CREATED UNO AND UNIVERSITY AREA PARTNERS BROUGHT IT TO YOU, WRAPPED IN A BOW WITH THE AGREEMENT OF SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT YES, THROUGH COOPERATION, COLLABORATION, AND COMMUNICATION, WE CAN CREATE A BETTER PLAN.
I AGREE THAT ALL OF THESE, WE HAVE MANY PROBLEMS IN THE UNIVERSITY IN EVERY OVERLAY.
UH, IT'S 20 YEARS OLD, IT HAS CHA TAKEN PROPERTY THAT WAS VALUED AT $5 TO $25 A SQUARE FOOT TO WELL OVER 700 TO 800, EVEN A THOUSAND DOLLARS A SQUARE FOOT.
WE HAVE BROUGHT 80% OF THE STUDENT BODY BACK TO THE CAMPUS, SO THEY'RE NO LONGER TRYING TO GET TO CLASS ON BUSES THAT GET CLOGGED ON OUR FREEWAYS.
SO IT'S A VERY HUMBLE REQUEST.
HAVE IT MEETINGS THE FIRST WEEKEND, DECEMBER, AND COME BACK TO THIS COUNCIL AT YOUR DECEMBER 11TH MEETING AND HAVE A VOTE ON WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.
SO UNIVERSITY AREA PARTNERS BEEN IN BUSINESS A LONG TIME.
WE WERE, UH, DESIGNATED AS A FIRST PEDESTRIAN DOMINANT ZONE BY THE CITY COUNCIL BACK IN 1996.
SO PLEASE, JUST A LITTLE TIME TO DISCUSS THIS.
THANK YOU, MR. MCCOMB, MR. BUNCH.
THANK YOU MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
BILL BUNCH, UH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE, UM, HERE SPEAKING ON ITEM 52, UH, WHICH I'M EXCITED
[00:25:01]
TO SUPPORT WHOLEHEARTEDLY.UH, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A $35,000 GRANT FROM KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL TO AUSTIN.
RESOURCE RECOVERY TO HELP THE CITY BUY MORE PUBLIC WASTE AND RECYCLING BINS.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT Y'ALL SHOULD BE DEMANDING OF YOUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS.
UM, AND I WOULD JUST WANT TO DRAW THE INCREDIBLY SHARP CONTRAST, UH, BETWEEN THIS NONPROFIT AND THE AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION, WHICH IS A BIG NEWS STORY TODAY IN THE AUSTIN FREE PRESS, ABOUT, WHICH I ENCOURAGE YOU AND EVERYBODY TO READ, UM, THIS NOT SMALL NONPROFIT, YOU KNOW, $200,000 IN ASSETS, AND THEY'RE GIVING YOU A $35,000 GRANT.
THEY'RE GIVING US TAXPAYERS A $35,000 GRANT TO HELP US WITH SOMETHING IMPORTANT.
AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION BRINGS IN $8 MILLION OR SO EVERY SINGLE YEAR OF MONEY FROM USING ZILKER PARK, OUR PARK.
THEY'RE SITTING ON $25 MILLION THEREABOUTS.
OUR PARKS ARE NEGLECTED, ESPECIALLY IN THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN, EVERYWHERE OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN WHERE YOU'RE FUNNELING ALL THE MONEY, YOU NEED TO DEMAND THE REAL AUDIT THAT WE WERE PROMISED OF THESE NONPROFITS OPERATING IN OUR PUBLIC PARKLANDS AND TAKING OUR MONEY AWAY RATHER THAN BRINGING IT TO US AND CONTRIBUTING.
THAT'S THE THEORY THAT WE EMBRACE THESE NONPROFITS BECAUSE THEY'RE HELPING US DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR THE PUBLIC.
THEY'RE DOING IT AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU FOR ITEM 55, CARLOS LEON, AND THEN ITEM 58, PAUL BAHAR, LIZ MARTA, BILL BUNCH, AND CHRISTOPHER PAGE.
PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED.
SO CARLOS LEON, FIRST AND FOREMOST FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO ITEM 55 A PL DIRECTOR SEARCH ISSUE IN HER APPLICATION.
HANNAH TERRELL CLAIMS SHE HAS DEMONSTRATED UNPRECEDENTED LEADERSHIP WHILE OVERSEEING AND DIRECTING IN AN INTERIM CAPACITY AS DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES FOR THE AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY IS A SUPERIOR COMMUNICATOR WHO VALUES THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIP BUILDING THAT PROMOTES TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY AND PRIORITIZES BEING RESPONSIVE TO ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR REQUESTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS, LIBRARY CUSTOMERS, ADVOCACY GROUPS, OR PARTNER FUNDING STAKEHOLDERS.
NO, HER ACTIONS TELL THE TRUTH, THOUGH YOUR SUPERSEDING RULES FOR PUBLIC USE OF CITY PROPERTIES.
RULE SIX H SAYS, A DIRECTOR MAY DENY PHYSICAL ACCESS ONLY TO THE SPECIFIC LIBRARY BRANCH WHERE THE VIOLATION OCCURRED.
TERRELL HAS NOT FOLLOWED SIX H, NOT REVISED LIBRARY USE RULES TO COMPLY WITH SIX H AND NOT PUBLICLY ADDRESSED HER ALLEGED SIX H CRIMINALITY TO NEITHER HEED MY WARNINGS NOR ENACT MY SOLUTIONS, SHE HEARD AND SAW IN PERSON AT LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETINGS.
THOSE FACTS SPEAK TO TERRELL'S MERIT AND FITNESS, WHAT YOUR MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE RULE 4.02 A REQUIRES TO CHOOSE THE NEXT DIRECTOR.
YET YOUR HIRING MANAGER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, STEPHANIE HAYDEN HOWARD, HAS NOT FOLLOWED UP WITH CITY AUDITOR REGARDING MY ALLEGATIONS OF WRONGDOING AGAINST TERRELL SINCE SAYING SEPTEMBER 8TH.
I WILL SEND YOU A SUMMARY ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND WE HAVE COMPLETED THE UPDATE.
THUS, HAYDEN HOWARD APPEARS TO BE STALLING TO FALSELY KEEP TERRELL IN GOOD STANDING DURING THE HIRING PROCESS, THREATENING THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEARCH SCANDAL.
CLOUDS ARE DARKENING OVERHEAD.
BILL BUNCH, DISTRICT FIVE SAVE SPRINGS ALLIANCE ON ITEM 58, WHICH IS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD BY MY PERSONAL COUNCIL MEMBER, RYAN ALTER AND A FEW OTHERS, UM, WHICH I APPRECIATE THE RESPONSIVENESS HERE TO THE REPORTING ON THE FINANCIAL MISDOINGS WITH YOUR OFFICE HOLDER ACCOUNTS, UM, AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE FUNDING FOR YOUR, UH, INDIVIDUAL OFFICES.
PLEASE DO THIS, BUT YOU'VE BEEN TELLING THE VOTERS ALL OF YOU PRETTY MUCH SINCE PROP Q WAS SO SEVERELY TROUNCED
[00:30:01]
THAT YOU'RE GONNA TRUST THE VOTERS, THAT YOU'RE GOING TO, UH, INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY THAT NEEDS TO GO TO THE WHOLE BUDGET.YOU ARE SITTING THERE DOING NOTHING WHILE YOUR STAFF HAS TOLD YOU THAT THEY'RE GONNA KEEP ALL OF THE BUDGET DETAILS ON THE CONVENTION CENTER PROJECT SECRET UNTIL 2027, AND YOU'RE REFUSING TO LET THE VOTERS VOTE ON IT.
THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE HEIGHT OF FINANCIAL DISRESPECT AND UNACCOUNTABILITY.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT STEP, BUT IT'S IT'S A MICRO MOVE IF YOU'RE ACTUALLY SERIOUS ABOUT WAKING UP AND FINDING SOME FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRUSTING THE VOTERS AS OUR MAYOR HAS PROMISED.
ARE YOU PAUL? YEAH, I HAD SOME TIME, YES.
IS LIZ MARTA HERE? OKAY, FOUR MINUTES.
UH, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS PAUL BAHAR AND AUSTIN RESIDENT.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFUL STRUCTURE OF ITEM 58.
IT REFLECTS A COMMITMENT TO INSTITUTIONAL CLARITY THAT RESIDENTS VALUE, AND IT CREATES AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION FOR STRENGTHENING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, I'VE SPENT SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME REVIEWING CITY PUBLISHED MATERIALS, CONTRACTS, COMPLIANCE REPORTS, AMENDMENT HISTORIES, AND AUDIT FINDINGS.
ONE CONSISTENT THEME IS THAT CLEAR PREDICTABLE PROCEDURES ARE HELPFUL FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED, STAFF COUNSEL, AND THE PUBLIC.
THAT'S WHY I'M GLAD TO SEE AUDIT AND FINANCE FINANCIAL SERVICES IN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INCLUDED DEVELOPING THESE OFFICE HOLDER POLICIES.
THEIR INVOLVEMENT, UH, HELPS ENSURE THE RESULT WILL BE GROUNDED IN BEST PRACTICES AND CONSISTENTLY APPLY.
UM, IF I MAY OFFER ONE SUGGESTION, AS THESE OFFICE HOLDER POLICIES ARE DEVELOPED, THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALIGN THIS SAME LEVEL OF CLARITY, UM, WITH LARGER FINANCIAL PROCESSES, UM, THAT RESIDENTS FOLLOW MOST CLOSELY MAJOR CONTRACTS, COMPLIANCE REPORTING, AND SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS.
TWO MODEST STEPS COULD HELP REQUESTING THAT FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE CITY AUDITOR RETURN EARLY NEXT YEAR WITH A BRIEF OUTLINE OF HOW MAJOR CONTRACT COMPLIANCES, M-B-E-W-E-B-E PERFORMANCE AMENDMENT HISTORY AND TOTAL OBLIGATIONS CAN BE MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE.
SECOND, ENSURING THAT SAME CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY APPLIED TO OFFICE HOLDER POLICIES IS REFLECTED IN HOW THE CITY COMMUNICATES PROGRESS ON ITS LARGEST AND MOST CONSEQUENTIAL FINANCIAL DECISIONS.
ADDITIONALLY, MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO CREATE A SIMPLE STANDARDIZED PUBLIC REPORTING TEMPLATE FOR MAJOR CONTRACTS.
ONE THAT INCLUDES COMPLIANCE STATUS, AMENDMENT HISTORY, AND KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS IN A CLEAR, CONSISTENT FORMAT.
THIS KIND OF TEMPLATE WOULD MAKE INFORMATION EASIER FOR RESIDENTS TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT STAFF IN PRESENTING UPDATES MORE EFFICIENTLY.
THANK YOU COUNCIL FOR THE TIME.
UH, CLEAR CONSISTENT PROCESSES, STRENGTHEN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT THE WORK YOU DO EVERY DAY.
GOOD MORNING, BILL BUNCH AGAIN, UH, DISTRICT FIVE SAVE SPRINGS ALLIANCE ON ITEM 76, WHICH IS COUNCIL INITIATED PROPOSAL TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO, UH, INSTALL SOME FINANCIAL BEST PRACTICES IN PREPARING THE BUDGET.
UM, OBVIOUSLY THIS IMPORTANT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, UH, VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.
UM, IT SHOULD, YOU SHOULDN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.
YOU NEED TO START DOING FINANCIAL BEST PRACTICES TODAY AT THIS MEETING
[00:35:02]
BECAUSE YOU'RE STARING AT APPROVING A BUDGET THAT'S A TINY BIT OF TWEAKAGE FROM THE PREVIOUS ADOPTION.WHEN YOU ARE ASSUMING PROP Q WOULD PASS, THE VOTER MANDATE IS CLEARLY FOR SOMETHING VERY, VERY DIFFERENT.
AND YOU NEED TO POSTPONE ACTION AND DO FINANCIAL BEST PRACTICES RIGHT AWAY, AND THAT INCLUDES PUBLIC INPUT THAT'S MEANINGFUL.
AND THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A RUSH JOB.
THERE'S NO OPEN MINDS HERE EXCEPT ON VERY SMALL PIECES OF THIS BUDGET.
SO PLEASE, FINANCIAL BEST PRACTICES RIGHT NOW.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL SPEAKERS FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UM, MEMBERS, WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS, UH, ASK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, REMEMBER THAT ITEM NUMBER 44, UH, WHICH WE'VE HEARD COMMENT ON, HAS DIRECTION ATTACHED TO THAT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
UH, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
UH, HE'S INDICATED HE WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, SO I'LL RECOGNIZE HIM, UH, WHEN WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
SO IS THERE MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ? UH, I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY.
UM, AND BEFORE SPEAKING, ITEM 44, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR LEADING ON ITEM 58.
UM, I THINK THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT ITEM TO BRING FORWARD.
BUT, UH, ITEM 44, I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR COMING TODAY.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH, WITH MIKE, WITH, UH, WITH, WITH TRACY, WITH WITH MEGAN YESTERDAY, UH, ABOUT THE ITEM.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR HARD WORK.
UH, WHILE THE ITEM IS BEING LED BY THE AUSTIN HOUSING DEPARTMENT, OUR GOAL IS TO WORK WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE WEST CAMPUS AREA TO ACHIEVE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY GOALS, AND SPECIFICALLY BEING, UH, ACCESSIBLE, SORRY, EXPANDING HOUSING ACCESS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL.
UM, AND THEN WE, WE HAD BROUGHT FORWARD A MOTION AS THE MAYOR HAD MENTIONED, UH, FOR FURTHER DIRECTION TO ENSURE STAFF MONITORS CENSUS THIS DATA TO RETURN IF THERE ARE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO USE THIS TOOL IN OTHER PLACES IN THE FUTURE.
UH, THE, THE MOTION ALSO ASKS STAFF TO RETURN TO HAVE A PUBLIC CONVERSATION ABOUT THESE POTENTIAL TOOLS.
AND I, AND I VERY MUCH ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE A PART OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
SO, ONE, I WANNA, I ONCE AGAIN REAFFIRM THIS AS I DID YESTERDAY.
THIS ITEM, NOTHING CHANGES WITH THIS.
WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW STAFF TO ENGAGE AND ANALYZE THE RIGHT TOOLS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY MEET ITS NEEDS.
UH, AND THAT'S WHERE MORE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
SO WHETHER IT BE UAP OR, OR THE MANY NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, AROUND THE AREA, LIKE JUDGES HILL, UH, VERY MUCH WELCOME THIS CONVOS.
I JUST WANTED TO, UH, COMMENT ON ITEM 40.
THIS IS AN ACQUISITION BY, UH, PARKS OF ABOUT TWO ACRES, UH, CLOSE TO A BREAKER.
AND LAMAR, IT'S SOMETHING THAT, THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR SOME TIME.
JOHN EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND THE CONGREGATION THERE, UH, MOTHER MINERVA, UH, IS GOING TO BE, UH, SELLING, UH, UH, THE TWO ACRES TO, UH, THE, UH, THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FUTURE PARK.
THIS IS AN AREA THAT IS A PARK DEFICIENT.
UH, AND, UH, AND, AND I KNOW THAT THE, THE CONGREGATION IS ALSO COMMITTED TO, THAT'S THEIR PART AND THEY'RE GONNA TAKE CARE OF IT, AND THEY'RE GONNA LOVE IT, AND THEY'RE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT IT'S A GOOD PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THE, THE CHILDREN IN THE AREA AND FOR THE FAMILIES IN THE AREA.
SO, UH, AGAIN, THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT, UH, UH, SMALL BUT IMPORTANT STEP.
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK, UH, THE, THE, THE CHURCH AND, UH, PARKS FOR, UH, WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
AND, AND AS, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL AS WELL.
'CAUSE IT'S ON THE BORDER OF, UH, D FOUR AND D SEVEN, AND IT'S GONNA HELP, UH, A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THAT AREA.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
UM, I WANTED TO THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD.
I, I ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO JOINING THE UPCOMING AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE SO THAT, UM, I CAN DAYLIGHT SOME OF THE SPECIFIC IDEAS THAT, UM, WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING REGARDING, UM, THESE CHANGES.
UM, I KNOW THAT WE ALL SUPPORT, UH, STRENGTHENING FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN OUR COUNCIL OFFICES AND ORGANIZATION WIDE.
UM, IT'S AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD REBUILDING PUBLIC TRUST AND DEMONSTRATING RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
UM, AND I, I AM PERSONALLY OF THE PHILOSOPHY THAT WE ARE WHERE WE ARE, AND WHEN WE KNOW MORE, WE DO MORE.
AND I AM SO HAPPY WITH THE SHIFTS THAT I HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND COMING TOGETHER AROUND THESE MUCH NEEDED CHANGES.
[00:40:01]
IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO, TO ABSTAIN FROM A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM ANY ITEM THAT'S ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANYONE WISHING TO BE SHOWN VOTING? NO.I WISH TO BE SHOWN VOTE VOTING NO ON ITEM 44.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO BE SHOWN VOTING NO ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? VERY GOOD.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN BEING SHOWN VOTING NO ON ITEM NUMBER 44.
ALL RIGHT, MEMBERS, THAT WILL TAKE
[Items 59 - 61]
US TO ITEM NUMBER TWO.UH, ITEM NUMBER 59, ITEM NUMBER 60, AND ITEM NUMBER 61.
UH, THOSE ARE IMMINENT DOMAIN ITEMS AND I WILL STATE, UH, THE, UH, MOTION THAT I WILL ACCEPT, UH, ONCE WE'VE HEARD FROM PUBLIC COMMENT, MR. BUNCH, I BELIEVE YOU'RE, YOU'RE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON 59 AND 60, SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME FORWARD, MR. BUNCH HAS, UH, WAIVED HIS RIGHT TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 59 AND ITEM 60 MEMBERS WITH RESPECT TO ITEMS 59 60 AND 61.
LET ME FOR THE RECORD THOUGH, UH, CHECK WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
THERE'S NO ONE ELSE SIGNED TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 59 60 OR 61, IS THAT CORRECT? CORRECT.
MEMBERS WITH RESPECT ITEMS 59 60 AND 61, THOSE ARE ALL NON-CONSENT CONDEMNATION ITEMS. UH, THE MOTION THAT I WILL ACCEPT IS A MOTION TO THE EFFECT THAT THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES THE USE OF THE POWER OF IMMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY SET FORTH AND DESCRIBED IN THE AGENDA FOR THE CURRENT MEETING FOR THE PUBLIC USES DESCRIBED THEREIN.
IS THERE SUCH A MOTION? MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.
DISCUSSION, HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.
UH, ITEMS 59 60 AND 61 ARE ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER VELA TEMPORARILY OFF THE DIETS MEMBERS THAT WILL NOW TAKE US TO THE PUBLIC AND MR. MAYOR WITHOUT DUE RESPECT THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON VIRTUAL YES.
WELL, UH, I I, IF I DON'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I'M COUNTING YOUR VOTE.
UH, WHEN YOU'RE PRESENT, I COUNT YOUR VOTE SO YOUR, YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED.
COUNCIL MEMBER VALA, UH, INDICATES THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF ITEMS 59 60 AND 61.
UH, IT WILL NOT CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE.
I MOVE THAT HE BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF 59 60 AND 61.
IT'S SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
DISCUSSION, HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA WILL BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF ITEMS 59 60 AND 61.
[62. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance adjusting the City’s boundary limits by disannexing approximately 0.314 acres of land out of the John Jackson Survey, Abstract Number 450, located at 12919 On the Lake Road, Austin, Travis County, Texas under Texas Senate Bill 1844 (89th Regular Session). Case number: C7d-2025-0001. The property is in Austin’s full purpose jurisdiction in Council District 10. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. (Part 1 of 2)]
IS A PUBLIC HEARING WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 62.THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN.
I'LL TURN TO THE CLERK AND ASK IF THERE IS ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 62.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS, MAYOR MEMBERS, THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 62.
UH, SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 62.
AND I'LL NOW ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.
UH, THE MOTION IS ADOPTED ON ITEM NUMBER 62.
[63. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20151217-099 to extend the term of Homestead Preservation Reinvestment Zone No. 1 by 10 years and increase the City’s tax increment amount to be deposited into the tax increment fund for development, construction, and preservation of affordable housing, adopting a preliminary financing plan supplement for the extension term, and amending Ordinance No. 20190411-006 to appoint the Mayor as chairman of the board of directors of the zone and clarify the chairman’s term. Funding: increasing the reinvestment zone increment from 20% to 40% directs a larger share of captured property-tax revenue to the zone fund. The City’s voter-approval rate will increase slightly to generate the same amount of property tax revenue for operations and maintenance and for debt service. The typical homeowner impact would be marginal, while the change provides additional resources for affordable housing.]
PUBLIC HEARING WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 63.THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS MEMBERS.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON ITEM NUMBER 63.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 63, AND WE WILL CONSIDER THE ORDINANCE.
IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION IS MADE BY THE MAYOR PRO TIM, IS IT SECONDED? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
IS THERE A DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.
UH, THE MOTION IS ADOPTED ON ITEM NUMBER 63.
ITEM NUMBER 64 IS ALSO A PUBLIC
[64. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance adjusting the City’s boundary limits by disannexing approximately 1.02 acres of land out of the W.M. Brown Survey, Abstract Number 72, located at 1404 Rockcliff Road, Austin, Travis County, Texas under Texas Senate Bill 1844 (89th Regular Session). Case number: C7d-2025-0002. The property is in Austin’s full purpose jurisdiction in Council District 8. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact.]
HEARING.WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 64.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS MEMBERS.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON ITEM NUMBER 64.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ON ITEM NUMBER 64, THE MAYOR PRO TIM MOVES APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THE ORDINANCE IS ADOPTED ON ITEM NUMBER 64 MEMBERS.
THAT COMPLETES ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE NOT SET FOR A TIME CERTAIN.
UH, WE HAVE A 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, WHICH IS OUR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS.
SO WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND WE DO IS THAT WE RECESS UNTIL THE 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN, UM, AND WE WILL COME BACK FOR OUR PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.
MY HOPE IS THAT WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO IS COME BACK FOR PUBLIC COMMUNICATION, RECESS FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME, UH, FOR LIVE MUSIC.
UH, DEPENDING UPON WHERE WE STAND ON THINGS, WE MIGHT JUST COME RIGHT BACK AFTER LIVE MUSIC, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO DO SOME PUBLIC COMMENT OR VISIT WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL STAFF BEFORE THE TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN.
AND IF THE TWO O'CLOCK AT TWO O'CLOCK, OF COURSE WE WILL TAKE UP OUR TIME CERTAIN THEN AND WE WILL COME BACK FOR THE BUDGET ITEMS. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION? WE ARE IN RECESS UNTIL 12 O'CLOCK PROMPTLY.
IT IS NOW 10:44 AM AM THANKS EVERYBODY.
[00:45:01]
GOOD[12:00 PM - Public Communication: General]
AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.IT'S NOON, UH, ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025, AND I'LL CALL BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS, UH, REGULAR MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
WE HAVE A 12:00 PM TIME CERTAIN, AND THAT IS OUR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.
AND SO I WILL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK AND ASK THE CITY CLERK TO HELP US WITH GENERAL PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.
WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN THE REMOTE QUEUE RIGHT NOW, SO I'M JUST GONNA CALL THE IN-PERSON SPEAKERS, MARINA ROBERTS, ELIZA MAY MARBURY, RICK SMITH, SAM DELGADO, AND BY UTILIZING THE IT LOOKS OR ENOUGH, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BEGIN.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR, AND I'M WITH THE NO APRS COALITION REPRESENTING OVER 30 ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL, AUSTIN DS, ALA, VOCAL AND OTHERS.
IF YOU WERE A CORPORATION WHOSE PROFIT MODEL RELIED ON THE COLLECTION AND BROKERING OF OUR DATA, YOUR PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO CIRCUMVENT THE NEED TO OBTAIN THE INFORMED CONSENT OF CONSUMERS IN HARVESTING THAT DATA.
WHAT A LPR COMPANIES LIKE FLOCK DO IS DRESS UP THEIR NAKED PROFIT MOTIVE FOR SOMETHING WE DON'T WANT IN THE SHEEP'S CLOTHING OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
IF YOU BELIEVE THESE CORPORATIONS ARE MORE INVESTED IN PUBLIC SAFETY THAN THEY ARE IN DOLLARS, YOU'RE BEING HOODWINKED AND YOU'RE LETTING YOUR CONSTITUENTS FOR THE BILL FOR YOUR CREDULITY.
BUT FLOCK IS A SYMPTOM OF THE REAL PROBLEM, WHICH IS THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS THE FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENT OF HAVING A POLICE OFFICER TAIL UNITE AND DAY IN THEIR CRUISER.
WITHOUT A WARRANT, THIS WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT WE HAVEN'T YET REACHED THE SAME CONCLUSION ABOUT ALPS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO NEW AND SO VERY PROFITABLE DESPITE THE FALSE ASSURANCES YOU'RE BEING OFFERED ABOUT GUARDRAILS.
FIVE MINUTES OF RESEARCH PRODUCE VIDEOS OF YOUTUBERS LIKE BEN JORDAN ABLE TO HACK INTO A LPR CAMERAS IN SECONDS.
THE UK'S ENTIRE A LPR DATA SET WAS STOLEN BY RUSSIAN HACKERS AND SOLD ON THE BLACK MARKET.
COPS WITH ACCESS TAKE SCREENSHOTS OF A LPR DATA AND TEXT IT TO THEIR BUDDIES IN ICE.
THESE ARE NOT MINOR ISSUES THAT CAN BE RESOLVED WITH GUARDRAILS WHILE FLOCK TOUTS MISLEADING STATS FROM STUDIES FUNDED BY THE COMPANY.
IN REALITY, NO INDEPENDENT RESEARCH HAS BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM A MEASURABLE IMPACT ON CRIME RATES FROM ALPS.
FLOCK COMPETITOR ACTS ON QUIETLY STIPULATES IN THEIR CONTRACTS THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF ACCURACY IN THEIR PRODUCTS.
BUT EVEN IF THESE COMPANIES DIDN'T HAVE TO LIE ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF MASS SURVEILLANCE, DO YOU BELIEVE TRADING OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES IS WORTH IT? COPS COULD SOLVE A LOT MORE CRIMES IF THEY COULD ENTER YOUR HOME WITHOUT A WARRANT, BUT WE DREW A LINE A LONG TIME AGO IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE CIVIL LIBERTIES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN DEMOCRACY.
DON'T HAND AN ASPIRING DICTATOR THE KEYS TO AUTHORITARIANISM AND CALL IT GOOD GOVERNANCE.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO FLAG, UM, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDERS.
YOU HAVE HEARD FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS ON THIS ISSUE, BUT, UM, OUR CORRESPONDENCE WAS BEING MISDIRECTED.
UM, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, BUT WE HAVE A VERY BROAD COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE.
I'VE KNOCKED DOORS ON THIS ISSUE FOR MONTHS, AND I'VE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH AUSTINITES WHO INTUITIVELY UNDERSTAND THE HARM OF THIS TECHNOLOGY AND THE HARM OF MASS SURVEILLANCE AND DATA COLLECTION WITHOUT GAR, YOU KNOW, ANY KIND OF REAL SECURITY.
UM, AND I WOULD REALLY STRONGLY URGE YOU NOT TO INCLUDE ANY MASS SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY OR ANY EXPANSIONS OF MASS SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY IN THE BUDGET THAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO APPROVE AND TO REJECT ANY PROPOSALS IN THE FUTURE THAT WOULD SEEK TO REINSTATE APRS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I CALLED ALL IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.
EVERYONE ELSE WAS REMOTE AND NO ONE HAS JOINED THE REMOTE QUEUE.
OKAY, UH, WELL IN THAT CASE, UH, MEMBERS, UH, THAT WILL CONCLUDE OUR 12 O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN.
THE NEXT THING ON THE AGENDA IS OUR TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN.
SO WHAT I'M GONNA RECOMMEND IS THAT, UH, WE RECESS UNTIL TWO O'CLOCK, UH, AND WE WILL HAVE OUR LIVE MUSIC.
AND SO, UH, WE, WHEN WE RECESS, UH, THEY'LL SET UP FOR LIVE MUSIC.
WE'LL HAVE LIVE MUSIC, BUT WE WILL RETURN AT 2:00 PM UH, FOR OUR TIME CERTAIN.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, AT 12:04 PM WE ARE RECESSED UNTIL TWO O'CLOCK.
[Live Music]
EVERYONE.WELCOME TO CITY HALL SESSIONS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I'M, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CHITO VELA HERE WITH MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER CRYSTAL LANE.
AND IT IS A PLEASURE TO WELCOME RAGAB BASH TO CITY HALL.
UH, RAGAB BASH IS AN ECLECTIC GARAGE BAND SHOWCASING A STABBING AND DISTORTING OFF KILTER STYLE CROWD PLEASING, ORGANIZED CHAOS, AND ALL HANDS ON DECK APPROACH TO VOCAL HARMONIES.
[00:50:01]
ACCORDING TO MUSIC CRITIC JACK ANDERSON, UH, INSPIRED BY POST-PUNK JAZZ AND INDIE ROCK GENRES, RAGGA BASH COMBINES BOLD DYNAMICS, INSTRUMENTAL INTERPLAY, AND VIBRANT STACCATO SEQUENCES TO CREATE THEIR UNIQUE SOUND.RAGGA BASH RELEASED THEIR DEBUT ALBUM, LOTUS EER IN 2023 AND ARE CURRENTLY PREPARING TO RECORD THEIR SOPHOMORE EFFORT.
LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING THE MUSIC.
PLEASE GO AHEAD AND, AND TAKE IT AWAY.
I, WELL, THAT, THAT WAS GREAT.
THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR THE SHOW.
UH, PLEASE, UH, INTRODUCE YOUR YOURSELF AND, AND, AND THE BAND MEMBERS.
THANK YOU, G THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
WE JUST SO EXCITED TO BE HERE AT AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
UM, TO MY LEFT, WE'VE GOT, UH, JOSH LEVINE ON TRUMPET.
UH, WE'VE GOT K POWELL OVER THERE ON BASE, UH, MARTIAL ATWATER ON DRUMS, AND ALEX OXFORD MOTON ON, UH, KEYS AND
YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON INSTAGRAM.
WE'LL PLAY MORE SHOWS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
[00:55:01]
A NEW SONG.WE'VE NEVER PLAYED IT BEFORE, AND WE'RE RECORDING OUR SECOND ALBUM RIGHT NOW.
SO JUST REALLY HAPPY TO BE HERE, A SHOW AND ANY UPCOMING SHOWS, ANY, UH, PLACE THAT PEOPLE CAN GO AND SEE YOU LIVE.
I DUNNO IF WE HAVE ANYTHING IN THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE SOMETHING IN JANUARY HOLE IN THE WALL, BUT, UH, NOTHING IMMEDIATELY
UH, WELL, IT, IT'S A, A PLEASURE, UH, UH, LOVE THE SOUND AND, UH, LET ME READ THE RAGGA BASH DAY PROCLAMATION.
AND WHEREAS OUR MUSIC SCENE THRIVES BECAUSE AUSTIN AUDIENCES SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC PRODUCED BY LEGENDS, OUR LOCAL FAVORITES AND NEWCOMERS ALIKE.
AND WHEREAS WE ARE PLEASED TO SHOWCASE AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ARTISTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CHITO VELA WITH KRIS LANE ON BEHALF OF MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL, UH, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 20TH, 25 AS RAGAB BASH DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
WELL, THANK YOU'ALL, UH, SO MUCH, UH, UH, UH, GREAT SOUND AND, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO, TO CATCHING YOU, UM, UH, LIVE, UH, UH, SOMEWHERE ELSE AT, AT SOME POINT.
BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING DOWN TO CITY HALL AND, AND PLAYING CITY HALL SESSIONS.
THANK, LET'S GET A A, A PHONE.
WE, WE CAN COME OVER HERE AND JOIN WHATEVER Y'ALL.
[2:00 PM - Zoning and Neighborhood Plan Amendments (Public Hearings and Possible Action) (Part 1 of 2)]
EVERYBODY.IT'S TWO O'CLOCK ON, UH, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 AND I WILL CALL BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR THIS REGULAR MEETING, THE CITY COUNCIL.
WE ARE AT OUR TWO O'CLOCK TIME CERTAIN AND I WILL CALL ON MS. HARDEN.
WE HAVE A QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL PRESENT.
THANK YOU MAYOR COUNCIL, I'M JOY HARDEN WITH AUSTIN PLANNING.
HERE IS ZONING, A NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT AGENDA BEGINS WITH THE ITEM FIVE IN PA 20 23 0 0 0 5 0.01.
THIS ITEM'S OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
THE RELATED REZONING IS ITEM 66 C 1 4 20 24 0 0 1 5.
AGAIN, THIS ITEM'S OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM 67 IS C 1 4 20 25 0 0 2 9.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM 68 IS C 14 20 25 0 0 5 7.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS WITH THE FOLLOWING MOTION.
UM, THIS IS LONG AND I HAVE TO READ THE WHOLE THING.
I JUST WANNA SAY THE GIST OF THE MOTION IS A SEVEN FOOT WIDE VEGETATIVE BUFFER THAT WILL BE PROVIDED UM, ALONG THE EAST PROPERTY LINE, BUT I WILL READ THE WHOLE MOTION SHEET.
UM,
ADD A NEW PART TWO AND PART THREE AS FOLLOWS AND RENUMBER THE REMAINING SECTIONS ACCORDINGLY.
PART TWO, THE PROPERTY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY COMBINING DISTRICT ESTABLISHED BY THIS ORDINANCE IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS.
A SEVEN FOOT WIDE VEGETATIVE BUFFER SHALL BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED PARALLEL TO AND MEASURED FROM THE EACH PROPERTY LINE.
IMPROVEMENTS PERMITTED WITHIN THE BUFFER AREA ARE LIMITED TO LANDSCAPING, FENCING, DRAINING AND UNDERGROUND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAY BE OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN OR SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED IN THIS ORDINANCE.
PART THREE EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY RESTRICTED UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, THE PROPERTY MAY BE DEVELOPED AND USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMUNITY, COMMERCIAL GR BASED DISTRICT AND OTHER APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY CODE.
AND AGAIN, WITH THAT, UH, ITEM 68 IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 69 IS C ONE FOUR H 20 25 86.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 70 IS C 1 4 20 25 0 0 7 8.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS A STAFF POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM 71 IS C 1 4 9 3 0 4 7 RCA.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM 72 IS C 1 4 20 25 0 0 5 3.
THIS ITEM'S OFFERED AS A POSTPONEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
THIS ITEM IS OFFERED AS A STAFF POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR DECEMBER 11TH COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM 74 IS NPA 20 25 0 0 0 8 0.01.
WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
IT WAS APPROVED FIRST READING AT YOUR OCTOBER 23RD COUNCIL MEETING AND APPROVED ON SECOND READING AT YOUR NOVEMBER 6TH COUNCIL MEETING.
WE ARE OFFERING THIS ITEM FOR CONSENT.
THE RELATED REZONING IS ITEM 75 C 4 2 25 0 0 4 9.
[01:00:01]
AGAIN, WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM AND WE'RE OFFERING THIS ITEM FOR CONSENT.AND THIS CONCLUDES THE READING OF THE ZONING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.
AND AS ALWAYS, THIS IS AT YOUR DISCRETION.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. HARDEN? ALRIGHT, MEMBERS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.
LET ME READ THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THEN I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
ITEM 65 66 AND 67 WOULD BE A POSTPONEMENT TO DECEMBER 11TH, ITEM 68 WITH THE MOTION THAT MS. HARDIN READ INTO THE RECORD WOULD BE CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS 69, ALL THREE READINGS 70, 71 AND 72.
ALL WOULD BE POSTPONEMENTS TO DECEMBER 11TH AS WOULD BE 73 A POSTPONEMENT TO DECEMBER 11TH.
ITEM 74 AND 75 ARE BEING OFFERED FOR THIRD READING.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION MOTIONS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.
IT IS SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL.
I'LL NOW TURN TO THE CLERK TO SEE IF WE HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
I'M GONNA START WITH ITEM 74 IN PERSON.
SPEAKERS NO ONE HAS CALLED IN REMOTELY YET, SO WE HAVE NO REMOTE SPEAKERS.
KIM BARKER, RICH HAYMAN, CHRISTOPHER PAGE.
CHRISTOPHER, ARE YOU HERE? I SEE HIM WALKING IN RIGHT NOW.
JENNY GRAYSON, ARE YOU HERE? OKAY.
CHRIS PAGE WILL HAVE SIX MINUTES WHEN HE MAKES HIS WAY DOWN HERE.
PLEASE BEGIN WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
JUST PUT YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNSEL FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION TODAY.
I'VE LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE PROPERTY, UH, BORDERED BY ROSEWOOD HARGRAVE BEDFORD AND SEOUL WILSON FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS AND HAVE SPOKEN TO DOZENS OF NEIGHBORHOODS ABOUT THIS REZONING CASE.
SO I COME TO YOU WITH MY OWN PERSONAL THOUGHTS AS WELL AS REPRESENTING SOME OF WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM NEIGHBORS.
I AM OPPOSED TO REZONING THE ENTIRE PROPERTY COMMERCIAL MIXED USE AS IS INCLUDED IN THIS APPLICATION.
BUT I'M SUPPORTIVE OF MUCH OF THE DEVELOPER'S PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT APPLICANTS TYPICALLY ASK FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT OF REZONING CASES AND THAT IN EXCHANGE FOR ENTITLEMENTS, IT'S COMMON FOR THEM TO ENGAGE IN A RESTRICTED COVENANT WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ADDS SOME LIMITATIONS TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED.
UM, BY THE PROPOSED NEW ZONING, MY NEIGHBORS AND I WANTED A RESTRICTED COVENANT TO GUARD AGAINST WHAT WE VIEW AS A WORST CASE SCENARIO IN THIS CASE, UM, IN WHICH THE HISTORIC BUILDING WOULD BE DEMOLISHED AND AN INAPPROPRIATE COMMERCIAL USE BUILT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
WE TRIED DILIGENTLY TO ENGAGE IN SUCH AN AGREEMENT, BUT THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN UNWILLING.
THE APPLICANT HAS MET WITH US WHEN ASKED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN PROACTIVE IN WORKING WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR SEEKING RESOLUTION TO OUR CONCERNS.
I WISH THIS PROCESS WERE DIFFERENT AND THAT THE APPLICANT HAD BEEN MORE COLLABORATIVE AND OPEN WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD UP UNTIL TODAY.
THAT SAID, I CAN SEE A WORLD IN WHICH YOU APPROVE THIS REZONING APPLICATION AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, I WANT TODAY TO BE A TURNING POINT TO A BETTER AND MORE COLLABORATIVE AND PROACTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE APPLICANT.
UM, AS OF YESTERDAY AFTERNOON IS COMMITTING TO MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH US.
A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO MOVE ACCESS OFF SOLE WILSON STREET AND UNDERSTANDING THIS LOCATION IS WITHIN A FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD, MAKING SURE THAT USES OUR SOUND AND LIGHTING IS COMPATIBLE WITH THAT SETTING.
WE'RE EAGER TO SEE THE HISTORIC SCHOOL RETAINED AND REHABILITATED AND FOR THE BUILDING TO LIVE A NEW LIFE WITH A NEW USE THAT HONORS HIS PAST AND FITS COMPAT WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PAGE.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE? SIX MINUTES.
UM, SO I'VE SENT YOU ALL A LETTER.
UH, IF YOU'RE NOT AWARE OF THAT, PLEASE UH, VIEW YOUR INBOX.
UM, I'LL SHARE THE CONTENTS OF THAT WITH YOU.
NOW, RESPECTFULLY, AND AS I'M SURE EVERYONE HERE UNDERSTANDS WHAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO OUR COMMUNITY IS AN UNENFORCEABLE LETTER TO BE READ INTO THE RECORD.
IT WAS SENT TO US ON THE EVE OF THE FINAL HEARING AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATION AND MULTIPLE POSTPONEMENTS.
IT'S ACTUALLY THE SECOND UNENFORCEABLE LETTER THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN ONLY TWO YEARS.
THE FIRST WAS PRESENTED BY MR. SU'S COLLEAGUE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2023, AND IT EPITOMIZES HOW THE APPLICANT'S MONTHS LONG UNWILLINGNESS TO NORMALIZE, OR SORRY, IT EPITOMIZES THE APPLICANT'S MONTH, MONTHS LONG, UNWILLINGNESS TO NORMALIZE ANY OF THE GROSS OVERREACH THAT'S ATTEMPTED IN THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR CLARITY.
UH, LISTING ON THE NATIONAL HISTORIC OR THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES IS HONORIFIC AND DOES NOT REGULATE LAND USE OR PRESERVATION.
IT'S DISPOSABLE AT WILL, NOR DOES ANY, UH, NOR DOES FILING APPLICATIONS FOR COMPETITIVE TAX CREDITS AND GRANTS.
BY CONTRAST, MUNICIPAL HISTORIC ZONING DOES WHILE PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT TAX EXEMPTIONS THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR LOWER RENTS.
UM, THE APPLICANT NOT ONLY OPPOSES HISTORIC ZONING, BUT THEY ALSO OPPOSE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
[01:05:01]
TO NOT OPPOSE HISTORIC ZONING.SHOULD THE CASE GO BEFORE THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION AND THEY OPPOSE A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT THAT WOULD'VE ALLOWED THEM TO SELECTIVELY ADOPT COMPONENTS OF HISTORIC ZONING.
WHAT'S PROPOSED IS THE DISCONTINUATION OF FR RICE'S LEGACY AT THIS SITE, WHICH GOES FOR ALMOST A HUNDRED YEARS AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF A NEARLY CENTURY LONG HISTORY, UH, INTO DECORATION, MERE DECORATION IN TERMS OF SOUND.
THE APPLICANT, UH, HAS MEASURED NOISE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO LIMIT THEIR ABILITY TO FULLY EMIT UP TO 70 DECIBELS AT THEIR PROPERTY LINES.
IT'S SUCH A REASONABLE THING TO ADJUST THAT AND THEY WERE UNWILLING TO DO SO IN TERMS OF TRAFFIC.
UM, THEY'VE INDICATED IN THEIR LETTER TO YOU THAT THEY'RE GOING TO WORK WITH CAP METRO ON A BUS STOP FACILITY.
WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS IS REPLACING THE EXISTING BUS STOP THAT THEY PLAN TO TEAR OUT SO THEY CAN CONSTRUCT A DOUBLE WIDE CURB CUT THAT ALIGNS WITH THEIR REQUESTED CS BASE ZONE.
UH, WHICH ACCORDING TO CODE IS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE OF A SERVICE NATURE THAT HAS OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OR TRAFFIC SERVICE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTS.
MOREOVER, WITHOUT REASON, THEY REFUSE TO RELINQUISH THEIR CURB CUT INTO AN A SMP LEVEL ONE STREET THAT RUNS INTERIOR TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO THAT'S A 3.15 ACRE CS PROPERTY THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR THAT SENDS ALL OF ITS TRAFFIC ONTO AN AS SMP ONE STREET.
IN TERMS OF USE, THEY'VE LISTED 38 USE RESTRICTIONS, BUT 19 OF THOSE WERE ALREADY IN PLACE FROM THE ROSEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.
UM, ADDITIONALLY, TWO RESTRICTED USES WERE RELAXED OR ELIMINATED.
AND MS. SHIPMAN'S LIST IS PRESCRIBED, UNILATERALLY NOT NEGOTIATED, AND IT RETAINS HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE USES LIKE HOTEL TELL.
IN TERMS OF DURABILITY, MERE APPLICATIONS AND VAGUE OPERATIONAL INTENTIONS HAVE NO REGULATORY POWER.
THEY'RE EASILY ERASED BY AMENDMENTS, RE REVOCATIONS RESALE OR THE MERE FAILURE TO FOLLOW THROUGH, WHICH IS WHAT THEY'VE DONE SO FAR.
IT'S HOW EVASIVE AND UNCOMMITTED INVESTORS WEAVE A MARKETABLE NARRATIVE WHILE GUARANTEEING THEIR PROFIT, MAXIMIZING LIQUIDITY.
AND IT'S WHY RESIDENTS WITH A LONG-TERM INTEREST IN THEIR COMMUNITY DEMAND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS, WHICH ARE STANDARD PRACTICE ELSEWHERE IN THE CITY.
THERE'S LOTS OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.
WHAT PART OF CREATIVE REUSE IN TOWNHOUSES TOWNHOUSE CONSTRUCTION REQUIRES A 1.62 ACRE PROPERTY THAT'S ZONED SF THREE ON THE INTERIOR OF A NEIGHBORHOOD TO BE CHANGED TO CS.
IT DOESN'T, THERE'S NO JUSTIFICATION FOR CS.
WHY NOT LR INSTEAD OF CS, WHICH IS FULLY ALIGNED WITH THE APPLICANT'S STATED INTENTIONS AND PRESERVES AT LEAST SOME INCENTIVE TO PARTICIPATE IN DENSITY BONUS PROGRAMS. WE'VE SUGGESTED IT.
WHY RESIST HISTORIC ZONING THAT EXEMPTS A HUNDRED PERCENT OF CITY PROPERTY TAX ON A HISTORIC, UH, PRESERVATION PROJECT? THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
WHY ASK FOR AN NPA TO GET A PLUMB DESIGNATION FOR MIXED USE INSTEAD OF NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE? AND OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY RECENTLY REJECTED, UH, A SIMILAR NPA BACK IN 2015 BECAUSE IT SENT ALL OF ITS TRAFFIC INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD.
I DON'T KNOW WHY THEIR LOGIC CHANGED.
WHY REFUSE ANY BINDING COMMITMENT TO RULES THAT ARE FULLY ALIGNED WITH THE APPLICANT'S NARRATIVE.
WHY ALIENATE THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH YOU HOPE TO SUCCESSFULLY OPERATE A BUSINESS BY MISINFORMING THEM AND REFUSING TO GENUINELY COLLABORATE? WON'T APPROVAL OF THIS CASE SET A PRECEDENT THAT ACCELERATES THE DISPLACEMENT BY ENCOURAGING PREDATORY BUYERS AND PREDATORY REZONING ON SINGLE STORY NATURALLY OCCURRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT'S THAT EXISTS ALL AROUND IT.
THE MOST OBVIOUS EXPLANATION FOR THE APPLICANT'S CONDUCT IS THAT THEY SEEK MAXIMUM IMMEDIATE PROFIT OFF A PURCHASE OPTION PLUS, UH, COMBINED WITH A REZONING.
THEY WANNA STREAMLINE THE REFINANCING TO SOAK UP THAT VALUE.
AND WHEN IT'S CONVENIENT, THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO SELL IT AS UNTAILORED AS POSSIBLE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
CONSISTENT, REASONABLE REQUESTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE COMMUNITY.
INSTEAD OF COLLABORATION, THEY UTILIZE A HYBRID OF HAM-FISTED SCHOOLYARD NEGOTIATION TACTICS AND PRIVATE LOBBYING.
DURING DISCUSSIONS, THEY'VE SHOWCASED A BRASS INSENSITIVITY AT THE DYNAMIC LOSS AND ADVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR MONTHS, WHAT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN A PRODUCTIVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WAS TREATED LIKE AN INVOLUNTARY AND INEFFECTIVE GRIEVING PROCESS.
IT'S AMPLIFIED THE NEGATIVE FEELINGS AND I'LL HAVE MORE TO SAY ON THE NEXT ISSUE.
AARON COLLINGER, KENNETH WALLACE, BILL BUNCH, KIM SHIPMAN.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
[01:10:03]
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL.I LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A STONE'S THROW FROM THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION.
BACK IN 2015, A ISD OFFLOADED THIS PROPERTY AND THE ZONING WAS CHANGED TO ACCOMMODATE THE CAN ACADEMY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ADMINISTRATION OFFICES INSIDE OF THE BUILDING.
THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF ORIGINALLY CHANGING HALF OF THE PROPERTY TO CS ZONING.
THERE WAS NO PURPOSE FOR ANYTHING, BUT THAT IT RETAINED A CIVIC USE.
THIS OCCURRED IN THE MIDST OF THE CODE NEXT PROJECT AND THE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CALL IT HOME AMENDMENTS OR HOME AMENDMENTS PROJECT.
UM, THERE WASN'T ANY THAT I COULD FIND, UM, DISCUSSION IN THOSE REWRITING PROJECTS THAT WOULD INCREASE, UM, THE, THE, UH, UM, COMMERCIAL USES IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
OPTIC COAST DESIGN INCORPORATED WAS FIRED, I BELIEVE.
UM, AND THEN IT WOULD, IT WAS CONTINUED ON AS THE HOME AMENDMENTS.
UM, OPTIC COAST WAS CELEBRATED FOR THE WORK THEY DID IN SAN DIEGO BEFORE THEY WORKED WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
UM, AFTER THEIR PROJECT WAS DONE IN SAN DIEGO, THEY WERE CRITICIZED FOR OVERBURDENING THE VULNERABLE.
I THINK THAT'S THE CASE THAT WE HAVE HERE, THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS BEING WHITTLED AWAY AT.
I'M KIM SHIPMAN WITH TOPO, AND I WANTED TO TAKE MY TIME TO, TO FIRST EXPRESS THANKS TO SHARON MAYS OF THE D ONE OFFICE FOR FACILITATING, UM, CONVERSATIONS WITH THE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE KNOW THAT, THAT WE ARE OPERATING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE WANTED TO READ OUR LETTER INTO THE RECORD, UM, THE, TO THE HOMEWOOD HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD, UM, FOR THIS COUNCIL, AS WELL AS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, IN THE FUTURE.
UM, I'LL TRY TO BE CONDENSED SINCE OUR TIME IS SHORT.
UM, SO THERE MAY BE ELEMENTS OF THE LETTER THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THAT, THAT I'M NOT COVERING.
UM, WE WANTED TO CLEARLY OUTLINE THE COMMITMENTS WE ARE MAKING, UH, IN THE REHABILITATION AND ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THE HISTORIC ROSEWOOD SCHOOL.
AS THEY TAKE SHAPE, THESE COMMITMENTS COME AS A RESULT OF THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SOME OF THEM WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE.
SOME WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE SITE PLAN AND OTHERS IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER PROCESS THAT WE ARE IN NOW.
UM, SOME ARE OPERATIONAL THINGS THAT WE WILL CARRY FORWARD AS STEWARDS OF THE PROPERTY, WE ARE COMMITTED TO REHABILITATION, REUSE OF THE SCHOOL.
THIS INCLUDES BOTH THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, THE HISTORIC CHARACTER, THE STRUCTURE GUIDES, BOTH OUR DESIGN WORK AND OUR APPROACH TO REUSE.
WE ALSO WILL LOOK TO SEE IF IT IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECORDED, THE TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION AND PURSUE THAT PATH IF APPROPRIATE.
AND BECAUSE THE SCHOOL WILL STAY LARGELY INTACT, IT PROVIDES, UH, ITSELF, UH, THE CLASSROOMS, UM, AS A GREAT SMALL SPACE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT, UH, SMALL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, AND CREATIVE USERS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT TOPO IS, HAS EXPERIENCE WITH.
HAVE YOU SUBMITTED THAT LETTER? I, I CIRCULATED IT TO COUNSEL AND, OKAY.
SO IT'S BEEN CIRCULATED THE LETTER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S, WE NEED TO JUST MAKE SURE IT'S PART OF THE RECORD.
UH, I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE, AND I'M SPEAKING TO OPPOSE, UH, THIS REZONING IN SUPPORT OF THE HOMELAND HEIGHTS NEIGHBORS.
BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER IS UNWILLING TO COMMIT TO ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENTS FOR MODEST COMMUNITY BENEFITS, THEY'VE NOT BEEN OPERATING IN GOOD FAITH TO MAKE THE CASE FOR WHY THIS PROPERTY SHOULD BE GRANTED EXTRAORDINARY ZONING ENTITLEMENTS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT.
WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB STEWARDING OUR SCHOOL SITES, WHICH ARE HISTORIC AND PUBLIC ASSETS
[01:15:01]
THAT BELONG TO THE LARGER AUSTIN COMMUNITY.WE CANNOT RELY ON UNENFORCEABLE PROMISES FROM DEVELOPERS.
OKAY, MOVING ON TO ITEM 75, BRAD MASSENGILL.
I KEEP GETTING HUNG UP ON, UH, IT'S NOT ON PURPOSE.
IT'S, IT'S, WE'RE IN A TECH CAPITAL WORLD.
THESE THINGS HAPPEN, UH, AS, AS YOU ALL WELL KNOW, UM, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND THIS IS A, A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION THAT THIS BLARING RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF BUDGET CUTS AND THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING WITH THE SCHOOLS, UH, PASSING THIS RIGHT NOW AND LETTING THIS SLIDE INTO A COMMERCIAL STATUS IS JUST SETTING IT UP TO BE SOLD OFF AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO TURN INTO SOMETHING UNCONTROLLABLE.
THAT'S WHY FOLKS KEEP TALKING ABOUT RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND, UH, UH, ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE DEVELOPER AND ALL THESE THINGS.
THERE'S, THERE'S NO GUARANTEES THE WAY TEXAS LAW IS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW, THAT ONCE YOU PUT THAT C ON THE ZONING, THAT IT'S GONNA TURN INTO SOMETHING THAT'S TOTALLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, I WISH Y'ALL WOULD TURN THIS ONE DOWN OR AT LEAST KICK IT DOWN THE ROADWAYS.
CONTINUING WITH 75 KIM BARKER, RICH HAYMAN, CHRISTOPHER PAGE, AND AGAIN, IT'S JENNY GRAYSON HERE, AND MONICA GUZMAN.
UM, I REALLY WENT VERY QUICKLY THROUGH THAT, UM, WHAT I HAD SAID EARLIER.
SO I JUST WANT TO READ MY LAST PARAGRAPH A LITTLE BIT SLOWER AND THEN TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BUILDING.
UM, MY NEIGHBORS AND I ARE VERY EAGER TO SEE THE HISTORIC SCHOOL RETAINED AND REHABILITATED, AND FOR THE BUILDING TO LIVE A NEW LIFE WITH A NEW USE THAT HONORS ITS PAST AND FITS COMPATIBLY WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND WE'RE, WE REMAIN WILLING TO WORK WITH TOPO TO THAT END, AND I, I AT LEAST DO, AND I I DO KNOW THAT OTHERS DO AS WELL.
UM, WITH MY NEXT MINUTE AND 20 SECONDS, I'M GONNA TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BUILDING.
THE HISTORIC ROSEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPENED IN EAST AUSTIN DURING THE ERA OF SEGREGATION FOLLOWING THE AUSTIN CITY PLAN OF 1928 THAT CALLED FOR PUBLIC SERVICES FOR BLACK RESIDENTS TO BE LOCATED EAST OF EAST AVENUE.
THE SCHOOL BEGAN FORMING IN THE EARLY 1930S WITH MULTIPLE LAND ACQUISITIONS.
BETWEEN 32 AND 35 CLASSES WERE FIRST HELD IN FRAME BUILDINGS THAT WERE MOVED TO THE SITE, INCLUDING THE WHEATVILLE SCHOOL BUILDING AND AN ADDITIONAL BUILDING PREVIOUSLY LOCATED AT HOUSE PARK.
IT WAS OFFICIALLY NAMED ROSEWOOD IN 1932 AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF AUSTIN COLORED TEACHERS.
AND THE SCHOOL GREW QUICKLY WITH ENROLLMENT INCREASING DRAMATICALLY AS THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS WERE CONSTRUCTED.
THAT PERMANENT SIX ROOM BRICK BUILDING WAS COMPLETED IN 36, FUNDED IN PART BY THE PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION, AND IT, OVER THE DECADES, IT CONTINUED TO GROW AND ADAPT WITH THE SCHOOL EXPANDED IN 1940 AND, UM, AS WELL AS 51 56.
AND THROUGH THE, I THINK, 1960S, IT TRANSITIONED TO THE FR RICE SCHOOL IN THE MID 1980S AS AN ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, NAMED IN HONOR OF, UM, A ONE-TIME PRINCIPAL OF THIS SCHOOL, FRIENDLY R RICE, THE BUILDING RETURN BRIEFLY TO ELEMENTARY USE BEFORE BEING SOLD TO TEXAS CANYON 20 2003.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT BUILDING AND I'M GLAD WE'RE KEEPING IT.
UM, SO REPEATING SOME OF THE QUESTIONS SO THAT, I MEAN, YOU REALLY SHOULD THINK ABOUT THESE.
WHY DO YOU NEED CS HERE? THERE IS LITERALLY NO RATIONAL BASIS FOR IT.
WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD THAT QUESTION MULTIPLE TIMES.
THEIR BEST ANSWER WAS THAT THEY WANNA MAKE CERAMICS, UM, WHICH THEY ALREADY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO ON THEIR SOUTHERN BUDDING CS ZONED PROPERTY.
GENERALLY, CS IS INCOMPATIBLE FOR THIS KIND OF A SPACE UNLESS IT'S HIGHLY TAILORED, AND THEY'VE SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO TAILORING.
ANOTHER THING THAT IS PROBABLY MORE PUZZLING THAN ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD IS WHY WOULD YOU BUY A SPLIT ZONED PROPERTY WHEN THE WHOLE AREA IS TEAMING WITH UNOCCUPIED
[01:20:01]
CS ZONED PROPERTY? IT'S ONLY TO REALIZE A VALUE GAIN BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE LAWYERS' FEES AND FILING FEES WOULD BE A LOT LESS THAN THE PROFIT THAT THEY'LL SOAK UP WITH THE REFI CONS.UM, GOING BACK TO THE PART I DIDN'T FINISH.
CONSISTENT, REASONABLE, ACHIEVABLE REQUESTS FROM THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN MET WITH TOTAL DISREGARD.
INSTEAD OF COLLABORATION, THEY UTILIZED A HYBRID OF HAM-FISTED SCHOOLYARD NEGOTIATION TACTICS AND PRIVATE LOBBYING.
DURING DISCUSSIONS, THEY'VE SHOWCASED A BRASH INSENSITIVITY TO THE DYNAMIC LOSSES AND ADVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SCHOOLS THAT WE'RE LOSING, THE FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED, INCLUDING OUR LIBRARIES, OUR PARKS FOR MONTHS, WHAT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN PRODUCTIVE.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WAS TREATED LIKE AN INVOLUNTARY AND INEFFECTIVE GRIEVING PROCESS, AND IF PREDICTABLY AMPLIFIED FEELINGS OF DISTRESS AND RESENTMENT, IF THIS CASE IS APPROVED WITHOUT ANY MODIFICATION, IT INVIGORATES A VILE NOTION THAT COMMUNITIES IN OUR PART OF THE CITY LACK THE RIGHTS AND AGENCY OF OTHERS, THAT THE GLIMMER OF ONE INVESTOR CAN OUTSHINE THE MULTI-GENERATIONAL VISION THAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS CREATED FOR ITSELF.
THAT THE LADDER OF OPPORTUNITY IS BUILT ON OVERPRICED COFFEE CUPS INSTEAD OF THE TRANSMISSION OF SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT LAST A LIFETIME.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO REJECT THE REZONING AND NPA AND ITS CURRENT FORM, RELIANCE ON DIALOGUE AND COLLABORATION THROUGH PUBLIC PROCESS HAS YIELDED NOTHING.
AND THEIR UNJUSTIFIABLE OVERREACH CONFLICTS WITH THE CORE PRINCIPLES AND MUNICIPAL ZONING CODE.
EQUITY BASED PRESERVATION PLAN ADOPTED JUST LAST YEAR, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE DISTRICT, WHICH HAS ONGOING WORK.
IMAGINE AUSTIN, THE ROSEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, WHICH OUR COMMUNITY HAS SUPPORTED AND DEFENDED EVERY TIME IT'S BEEN CHALLENGED.
AND THERE IS WISDOM IN THAT PLAN THAT THE CITY IS STILL TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH ELSEWHERE.
AND THE GENERATION A TX INITIATIVE AS WE LOSE ANOTHER SCHOOL, IS THIS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT PLACE, ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO RAISE A CHILD WHERE OUR PARKS ARE CLOSED, OUR POOLS ARE CLOSED, OUR SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED.
I HAVE TWO AND AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE OUTREACH TO OUR ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE HAVE KNOCKED ON DOORS, EVEN ON THE BORDER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD INTO THE BOOKER T UH, HOUSING COMPLEX.
WE HAVE REACHED OUT, WE HAVE MET IN PERSON, WE HAVE MET WITH THE APPLICANT CONSTANTLY.
AND WHAT WE'VE GOTTEN IS NOTHING.
I AM ALSO COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH WHATEVER WE'RE LEFT WITH AT THE END OF THIS, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT YOU HAVE.
YOU HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE, BUT ALL OF YOU HAVE A CHOICE RIGHT NOW TO MAYBE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL DIALOGUE TO MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR TOOLBOX, BUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING IN YOUR TOOLBOX THAT CAN PREVENT A HUNDRED YEAR OLD SCHOOL FROM BEING WIPED OUT AND TURNED INTO AN ALMOST DISNEY LIKE FEATURE THAT YOU ERPS THE RICH HISTORY OF EAST AUSTIN AS DECORATION.
I MEAN, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT TURNING SCHOOL SUPPLY CLOSETS INTO NARNIA DOORS.
THEY DON'T WANT TO TURN OFF AMPLIFIED SOUND NEXT TO NEIGHBORS.
THEY WANT THEIR TRAFFIC TO GO WHEREVER THEY WANT IT TO GO, AND IT'S PROBABLY NOT GONNA BE THEM WHO DIRECTS IT.
IT'S GONNA BE SOMEONE ELSE WHO BUYS IT.
WE'VE SEEN THIS TOO WITH SPRINGDALE GREEN, WHICH WAS A HUGE LAND BUY UP REZONING TURNED INTO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, AND RIGHT NOW THERE'S ABOUT 900,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY THAT HAS SAT VACANT FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF.
THERE'S ANOTHER NEW COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON WEBER V ROAD RIGHT NEAR THIS PROPERTY.
IT'S HAD ALMOST IDENTICAL SPACE IN TERMS OF SPACIOUSNESS AND, YOU KNOW, UH, HOOKUPS AND ALL THAT UNOCCUPIED FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF.
MY ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD IS RINGED IN CS ZONING.
AND THAT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE SEGREGATION HAS PASSED OF AUSTIN AND HOW IT'S SPRINKLED INTENSE LAND USES INTO NEIGHBORHOODS TO BREAK THEM UP.
THERE'S AN INCINERATOR THAT USED TO BE ACROSS THE STREET AND SCATTERED ASH ON HOMES.
EVERY DAY THERE'S A DUMP SITE THAT OUR NEIGHBORS LIVE OVER, AND IT, THE REMEDIATION WAS NEVER EVEN COMPLETED, BUT WHEN THEY DISCOVERED IT, THEY HAD TO CUT DOWN EVERY TREE AND COVER IT WITH CLAY.
THIS IS THE HISTORY THAT PEOPLE HAVE SURVIVED THROUGH THAT KEPT A SCHOOL GOING FOR A HUNDRED YEARS, EVEN WHEN IT WAS SOLD OFF FROM THE DISTRICT.
AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THE BEST USE WE HAVE FOR TODAY IS NARNIA CLOSETS? I DON'T THINK SO.
[01:25:09]
HI, COUNSEL.UH, RICH HAMAN, DISTRICT NINE.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAIN TO OPPOSE THIS, UH, REZONING.
AND I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE HOMEWOOD HEIGHTS NEIGHBORS.
I WANT TO ELABORATE ON A POINT THAT I MADE AT THE END OF MY COMMENTS ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM, THAT WE CANNOT RELY ON UNENFORCEABLE PROMISES FROM DEVELOPERS.
WE KNOW FROM THE HISTORY OF MANY PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS IN THIS CITY THAT PRIVATE ENTITIES CHANGE THEIR PLANS TO MEET CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS.
IT IS, THEY, THEY DO NOT REPRESENT THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
IT IS THE ROLE OF OUR GOVERNMENT, OF OUR CITY GOVERNMENT AS STEWARDS OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST, TO ENSURE THAT COMMU THAT DEVELOPMENT RESULTS IN AND SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT JUST GOING ALONG WITH WHAT THE DEVELOPERS WANT WITH PROMISES THAT ARE UNENFORCEABLE IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, DOES NOT ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
I HAVE ON THE LINE JOSHUA COLLIER.
UM, JUST SPEAKING OUT, UH, IN, ON THIS MATTER, UH, TO ONE SUPPORT ALL THE, THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE SHARED, UH, I LIVE ON THE SAME STREET AS SEVERAL OF THE SPEAKERS, SA WILSON, UM, NAMED AFTER ONE OF THE EDUCATORS, UM, FROM EAST AUSTIN.
UM, AS IS THE SCHOOL IN IN QUESTION HERE.
AND, UM, I WAS BORN IN AUSTIN.
INCREASINGLY, UM, PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT, BUT I, WHEN I WAS LITTLE, LIVED IN EAST AUSTIN AND TO SPEAK TO, UM, THE FACT THAT, UM, AS MOST PEOPLE WHO'VE SPENT ANY TIME IN AUSTIN KNOW THIS PART OF THE CITY, UM, HAS BEEN AFFECTED, UM, MORE THAN OTHERS AND IN UNFAIR WAYS, UM, BY DEVELOPMENT.
AND WE ALL KNOW, AT LEAST IN THEORY, THAT THE LAW SHOULD BE APPLIED EQUALLY, UM, TO ALL THOSE WHO COMMIT SEX.
AND OF COURSE, IN THE CASE OF LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCES IN AUSTIN, THAT UNFORTUNATELY HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE.
AND SO, AS PREVIOUS SPEAKERS ALLUDED TO, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO APPLY, UM, THESE ORDINANCES IN TERMS OF LAND USE AND, AND ALSO TO ADDRESS THE BLATANTLY, UM, I THINK IT WOULD BE FOUND WITHOUT BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT OR, UM, TO BE, UM, THE USE OF CHANGING ZONING TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF PROPERTY, TO ENRICH A VERY FEW PEOPLE AT THE EXPENSE OF MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO IN A VERY UNITED WAY, HAVE I THINK MADE VERY LOGICAL ARGUMENTS, UM, ABOUT WHY, UM, THIS CHANGE IS NOT NECESSARY AND WHY THIS SPACE IN PARTICULAR IS SIGNIFICANTLY, UM, IMPORTANT TO THE HISTORY OF AUSTIN.
AND SO THANK YOU ALEXANDRIA ANDERSON.
ALEXANDRIA, ARE YOU THERE? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PROTON FUENTES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ALEXANDRIA ANDERSON.
I'M CO-CHAIR OF THE EAST MLK CONTACT TEAM.
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE HOMEWOOD HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
THEIR CONCERNS AND THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS.
THEY, THEY HAVE OUTLINED OUR AREA WITH ITS CLOSEST PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN HAS SEEN SOME OF THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF REZONING AND UPZONING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
THOSE PROPOSALS SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT YOU SEE TODAY AND HAS BEEN PROVEN BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN DEMOGRAPHER REPORTS HAVE LED TO SOME OF THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF DISPLACEMENT AT TRIGGER SPECULATIVE SALES AND RISING PROPERTY VALUES.
THESE ARE THE SAME CONCERNS OF THE FAMILIES THAT LIVE IN HOMEWOOD HEIGHTS, BOOKER T AND THE ROSEWOOD AREA.
ALTHOUGH THE DEVELOPER'S, ATTORNEY, ATTORNEY HAS SHARED THAT THIS IS NOT A SPECULATIVE SALE, AND THAT THE FIRM INTENDS TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC STRUCTURE THAT HAS NOT BEEN SHOWN IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE COMMUNITY, WITH ACTIONS, THESE AREAS FOR DECADES HAVING GIVEN ND INTENDS WILL CONSIDER, AND IT'S JUST BEEN WORDS AND NOT ACTION.
[01:30:01]
NEIGHBORS THAT FAMILY IN THIS AREA ARE FRANKLY SICK AND TIRED OF GETTING SCREWED OVER UNTIL BOTH WEBSITES ABOUT US PAGE.THEY BELIEVE THAT RESPONSIBLE GROWTH MEANS CREATING SPACES THAT BOTH OUR COMMUNITY CAN GROW AND PAY TRIBUTE TO.
ITS ROOT INTENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS NEEDED IN OUR AREA, AND THAT ONLY COMES WITH COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH THE COMMUNITY AGREEING TO COLLABORATE, COLLABORATE, AND MEET WITH THE MINIMUM ASK OF THE NEIGHBORS, WHICH I THINK IS ONLY FOUR, WOULD BE PAYING TRIBUTE TO THEIR ROOT TFO.
PUT ACTIONS BEHIND THEIR WORDS, SIGN THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT BECAUSE WE ARE OVER FALSE PROMISES.
CLON, CLONINGER, KENNETH WALLACE, BILL BUNCH.
MY NAME'S AARON K CLONINGER LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT'S, UH, UH, A NICE PROVISION THAT WOULD EASE THIS IF WE DIDN'T HAVE COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC FED ONTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STREET.
ALSO, COMPATIBILITY IN GENERAL, THIS PROPERTY IS HEMMED IN BY RESIDENCES, SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS AND THE BOOKER T WASHINGTON TERRACES.
THE REASON WHY I WOULD, BECAUSE OF THE STATE OF NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW, URGE YOU TO EITHER DO AN INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT OR A NO VOTE IS LARGELY THESE THINGS.
BUT I'D ALSO LIKE TO INCLUDE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PERIL OF FUTURE POSSIBILITIES.
UM, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE STATE HAS PASSED SENATE, IT BILL EIGHT 40, WHICH GOES FAIRLY UNINTERRUPTED AS OF YET IN AUSTIN.
AND IT TAKES CASES LIKE THIS TO UNDERSTAND IT.
IF THE DEVELOPER WERE TO SEEK A, A HIGHER HEIGHT ALLOWANCE IN THE FUTURE, THEY HAVE A, A, A, PHASE A, PHASE B, AND PHASE C.
THE PHASE C EVIDENTLY WAS, UH, ORIGINALLY WHERE THEY PLACED THE RESIDENTIAL.
NOW THERE'S NO CLAIMS AS TO HAVING ANY RESIDENTIAL.
AND SO THAT PHASE C, THE EASTERN MOST PART OF THE PROPERTY IS A BIG RECTANGULAR SQUARE RIGHT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THAT WOULD BE A REAL PITY IF Y'ALL WERE INVOLVED IN SETTING UP FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.
OKAY, MAYOR ALS ZONING SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED.
ALRIGHT, MS. HARDEN, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU WANT SAY SOMETHING.
UM, YES, STAFF JUST RECEIVED THIS FROM THE APPLICANT.
UM, SO FOR THE LAST ITEM, ITEM 75, AS YOU KNOW, THE APPLICANT'S REQUESTING C-S-M-U-C-O-N-P, UM, AND THE CO THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY WOULD LIMIT THE HEIGHT, UH, TO NO MORE THAN 40 FEET AND PROHIBIT 27 USES.
AND THAT'S IN YOUR STAFF REPORT.
THE APPLICANT ALSO WANTS TO PROHIBIT SOME ADDITIONAL USES THAT I'D LIKE TO READ INTO THE RECORD, AND THOSE ARE AUTOMOTIVE CELLS, BED AND BREAKFAST GROUP, ONE BED AND BREAKFAST GROUP TWO, COMMERCIAL OFF STREET PARKING, OFFSITE ACCESSORY PARKING, OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT AT PET SERVICES.
AND I'D JUST LIKE TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD, PLEASE.
YEAH, BUT IT WASN'T, I DIDN'T READ IT INTO, BUT WE'RE, WE DON'T NEED TO DO THAT.
YEAH, MR. PAGE DOESN'T GET THE CALL OUT FROM THE, THE AUDIENCE.
AND SO THIS WAS NOT IN, IT WAS NOT IN THE ORDINANCE AND BACKUP.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THESE ADDITIONAL USES.
UM, IN THAT CASE, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT THE, UH, MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES THOSE ITEMS THAT MS. HARDIN JUST READ INTO THE RECORD.
SO, UH, IS THERE A MOTION TO AMEND COUNCIL MEMBER VELA MOVES TO AMEND THE MO THE CON MAIN MOTION, WHICH IS TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN, UH, MEMBERS, WE WILL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO AMEND THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH WILL BE, AND, AND THE MOTION THAT HAS BEEN TO AMEND IS THAT THE ITEMS THAT
[01:35:01]
MS. HARDEN JUST READ INTO THE RECORD AS RESTRICTIONS ON THIS ITEM WILL BE RESTRICTIONS ON THE ITEM.THE MOTION TO AMEND HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
IS THERE DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION? UH, THE MOTION TO AMEND IS ADOPTED, UH, WITH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, TEMPORARILY OFF THE DIOCESE AND, AND NOT ON VIRTUALLY.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD? I THINK THAT'S IT.
COUNCIL MEMBER BAILEY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED, MS. HAR, HOLD ON JUST A SECOND.
UM, AND, AND I'M LOOKING AT THE LETTER FROM MS, UH, SHIPMAN.
AND, UH, I UNDERSTAND THEY'VE, THEY'VE ALREADY SUBMITTED THE APPLICATION FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, UH, THAT PROCESS.
UH, AND AGAIN, I'M NOT INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THAT, THAT PROCESS, BUT SPEAKING TO THE POTENTIAL, THE FUTURE OF THE, THE BUILDINGS, JUST THEORETICALLY, IF THEY WERE TO WANT TO DEMOLISH ONE OF THE BUILDINGS ON THAT PROPERTY, UH, WHAT WOULD, WHAT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN? IN OTHER WORDS, DOES THAT NEED TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL TO, TO A, A DEMOLITION PERMIT FOR, FOR ONE OF THOSE BUILDINGS? SO, UH, I'LL SAY TWO THINGS, AND KIM, IF YOU WANNA ASSIST, UM, SO I'LL SAY TWO THINGS TO THAT.
UM, THE PROCESS THAT THE APPLICANT IS PROCEEDING WITH IS A STATE PROCESS, NOT THROUGH THE CITY AS, UM, THE NEIGHBORHOOD STATED AS WELL, BUT IF A BUILDING PERMIT OF ANY TYPE IS PULLED, IT WOULD GO THROUGH THE HISTORIC, PER OUR HISTORIC PROCESS, THEN THAT WOULD GO, IF THEY WERE DE DEMO DEMO DEMOLISHING THE STRUCTURE, OF COURSE, THAT WOULD BE ELEVATED ALL THE WAY TO THE COUNCIL.
IF THAT'S WAS THE CASE, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE.
HOWEVER, EVEN ANY BUILDING PERMIT WOULD BE LOOKED AT BY OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE, BECAUSE IF THEY'RE MODIFYING THE STRUCTURE, WE WANNA SEE THAT.
AND, AND THAT'S JUST WHAT I WANTED TO CONFIRM.
'CAUSE UH, CLEARLY WE ALL WANT TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
AND AGAIN, THE, THE APPLICANTS CLEARLY WANT TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT, ABOUT THE, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN OR NOT.
BUT IN OTHER WORDS, EVEN AGAIN, LET'S SAY THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, IT CHANGED HANDS AND THE NEXT OWNER WANTED TO COME AND, AND TEAR THE BUILDINGS DOWN, THEY HAVE TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THE PROCESS AND COME TO COUNCIL.
AND, AND I'M NOT, I'M GONNA SPEAK FOR MYSELF.
UH, THAT IS NOT A DEMOLITION PERMIT THAT'S GONNA BE APPROVED BY, I MEAN, BY FROM MY END, YOU KNOW, SO, SO AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO OFFER, IT WOULD BE DOUBTFUL THAT THAT WOULD BE SUPPORTED BY STAFF, AND THAT WOULD BE OUR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL AS GREAT.
AND, AND I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE, THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, WE, WE, MY INTENT JUST SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF, OF MYSELF, AND I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON AND, AND HER STAFF ABOUT THIS.
I MEAN, EVERYBODY'S INTENT IS TO PRESERVE THIS, UH, UH, HISTORIC PROPERTY AND, AND MAKE IT AN, AN ASSET FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NOT MAYBE LIKE A LEGAL KIND OF PROMISE, THE REALITY IS THAT THE PATH TO ANY DEMOLITION COMES THROUGH COUNSEL.
AND, UH, AGAIN, I'LL SPEAK FOR MYSELF.
I WOULD NOT BE SUPPORTIVE OF A DEMOLITION, UH, UH, PERMIT, UH, GOING FOR THOSE BUILDINGS.
SO JUST GIVEN THAT I FEEL VERY, VERY COMFORTABLE WITH, WITH, UH, THE, WHAT THE, WHAT THE, UH, APPLICANT, UH, HAS, UH, LAID OUT, I CAN ADD THAT WHILE LISTING TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER IN AND OF ITSELF DOES NOT PROVIDE LOCAL PROTECTION LIKE A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, IT DOES HAVE, UM, IMPLICATIONS FOR KIND OF ENHANCING THE CRITERIA.
SO IF, IF IT WAS LISTED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER AND IT WERE TO COME TO OUR OFFICE, IT'S AUTOMATICALLY ELIGIBLE.
UM, BUT IT ENHANCES ITS ELIGIBILITY.
AND, AND I KNOW, I KNOW JUST ENOUGH ABOUT THIS TO KIND OF, YOU KNOW, MESS, MESS IT UP.
BUT IN, IN TALKING WITH THE, THE, THE ST.
JOHN'S, UH, UH, ASSOCIATION, THE, THE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, UH, THEY WERE INTERESTED IN THAT NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY THAT THAT, THAT THEY LIKED THAT DESIGNATION, UH, BECAUSE THEY INTENDED TO BOTH A, PRESERVE THE BUILDING AND DEVELOP KIND OF OTHER LAND AROUND IT.
AND, AND SO AGAIN, THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY SIMILAR CONTEXT TO WHAT WE'RE TALKING TO THE ASSOCIATION ABOUT.
UH, YOU KNOW, MONTHS BACK, UNFORTUNATELY, THE FIRE HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING, BUT I'LL, I'LL LEAVE THAT THERE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT ON THE RECORD AND THANK YOU.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, MS. HARDEN? ALRIGHT, UH, MEMBERS, THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
IT WOULD BE TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED.
IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO ABSTAIN FROM A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED? IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM A VOTE ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? IS THERE ANYONE WISHING TO BE SENT, SHOWN AS VOTING NO ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? AGAIN, MEMBERS, THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE THE
[01:40:01]
CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED WITHOUT OBJECTION.THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED IS ADOPTED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, UH, OFF THE DAIS AND, AND NOT, UH, PRESENT VIRTUALLY MEMBERS.
THAT CONCLUDES, UH, ALL OF OUR TIME, CERTAIN TWO O'CLOCK ZONING ITEMS. UH, THE NEXT ITEMS THAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA ARE ITEMS FOUR OR FIVE AND SIX RELATED TO THE BUDGET, UH, WITH THE INDULGENCE OF THE COUNCIL.
WHAT I WOULD ASK IS THAT WE RECESS UNTIL THREE O'CLOCK SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN GET READY ON THE BUDGET ITEMS AND PEOPLE WILL, UH, KNOW THAT WE'RE GONNA TAKE UP PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ON THOSE ITEMS AND WE WILL TAKE UP THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ON ALL OF THE ITEMS AT ONE TIME.
SO THEN WE CAN GO INTO OUR DELIBERATIONS, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE CITY COUNCIL OF AUSTIN IS IN RECESS UNTIL 3:00 PM GOOD LUCK.
[4. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20250813-005 adopting the City of Austin Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, beginning on October 1, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2026, to reflect reduced projected property (ad valorem) tax revenues resulting from the voters not approving the property tax rate adopted by the City Council and making corresponding changes to budget expenditure allocations. (Part 1 of 2)]
IT'S THREE O'CLOCK ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025, AND I WILL CALL BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.UH, THE NEXT ITEMS WE'RE GONNA TAKE UP ARE ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX.
UH, IN ADDITION TO THE MEETING THAT WE'RE HAVING TODAY, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HEAR, UH, FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX, WE'VE HAD ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK ON THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET.
WE HAD A WORK SESSION TUESDAY DURING WHICH WE HEARD FROM ALL SPEAKERS, AND WE HAD A MEETING ON WEDNESDAY IN WHICH WE INCLUDED, UH, A PUBLIC HEARING WHERE WE HEARD FROM ALL SPEAKERS ON THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET.
IN ADDITION TO HEARING FROM SPEAKERS ON A SPECIFIC BUDGET AGENDA ITEM, WE'VE ALSO, WE ALSO HAVE MEETINGS POSTED FOR TOMORROW, WHICH IS THE 21ST, MONDAY THE 24TH, AND TUESDAY THE 25TH.
HOWEVER, FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, I WANT TO AGAIN EMPHASIZE THAT THOSE MEETINGS WILL ONLY BE HELD IF THE COUNCIL DOES NOT GET TO THE NEEDED NUMBER OF VOTES IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENTS BEFOREHAND, AND NEEDS TO HAVE THOSE MEETINGS FOR THE REQUIRED VOTES TO PASS THE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA.
IF COUNCIL GETS TO THE NEEDED VOTES BEFORE ANY OF THOSE MEETINGS, WE WILL BE CANCELING THOSE REMAINING MEETINGS.
ALSO FOR TODAY, IF COUNSEL CAN GET TO A VOTE ON THE AMENDED BUDGET BY 10:00 PM TONIGHT, WE WILL RESET.
IF WE CANNOT GET TO A VOTE ON THE AMENDED BUDGET BY 10 O'CLOCK TONIGHT, WE WILL RECESS AND WE WILL CONTINUE THE MEETING TO TOMORROW.
IF THAT HAPPENS, WE WILL CANCEL THE SEPARATE MEETING THAT'S POSTED FOR, FOR TOMORROW SO THAT WE DON'T END UP HAVING OVERLAPPING MEETINGS IF IT COMES TO THAT.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF WE DON'T HAVE A VOTE BY 10 O'CLOCK TONIGHT AND WE RECESS AND COME BACK TOMORROW, IF WE DO THAT, WE WON'T HAVE SPEAKERS TOMORROW SINCE WE WILL HAVE ALREADY HAD THEM FOR THIS MEETING TODAY.
AND THAT'S JUST A CONTINUATION OF THE MEETING.
THEREFORE, IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TODAY, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO RATHER THAN WAITING FOR THE OTHER POSTED MEETINGS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
AS TODAY MAY BE THE LAST GUARANTEED OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE AMENDMENT ITEMS THAT ARE BEFORE US TODAY.
AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX.
WE WILL, UH, DO THAT IN ORDER, BUT WE'RE GONNA TAKE UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE WE GO TO A DISCUSSION BY THE COUNCIL ON THE BUDGET.
SO I'LL NOW TURN TO THE CITY CLERK AND ASK YOU TO PLEASE, UH, FEEL FREE TO START CALLING PEOPLE'S NAMES.
FIRST SPEAKER MARIA UNDA, ITEM FOUR.
MARIA, ARE YOU THERE? GONNA SEND HER BACK.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WATSON AND CITY AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS PATRICIA NUNEZ AND I HAVE BEEN A BILINGUAL PUBLIC, UH, SCHOOL TEACHER AND, UH, ADVOCATE, UM, IN THE AUSTIN AREA FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.
I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S CONTINUED TO ASK FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S CONTINUED SUPPORT, FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ACADEMIA,
UM, AS A LONGTIME COLLABORATOR WITH ACADEMIA, I CAN ATTEST TO THE POWERFUL LEARNING SPACE THIS PROGRAM CREATES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
IT IS NOT A TYPICAL, UH, CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT.
IT IS A COMMUNITY SPACE WHERE CULTURE, LANGUAGE, AND IDENTITY ARE HONORED AS CENTRAL TO LEARNING FOR STUDENTS THIS SPACE, UM, THIS IS THE SPACE WHERE THEY SEE THEIR HISTORY, THEIR HOME LANGUAGE, AND THEIR FAMILY KNOWLEDGE TREATED AS ASSETS, UM, TO TOWARDS ACADEMIC, UH, GROWTH.
ONE OF THE GREATEST STRENGTHS OF ACADEMIA
[01:45:01]
IS A DEEP LEVEL OF PARENT INVOLVEMENT.FAMILIES ARE NOT ONLY INVITED INTO THE LEARNING, BUT THEY ARE CO-CREATORS OF IT.
PARENTS PARTICIPATE AND SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE THROUGH CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT WITH RE AND GAIN SUPPORT WITH RESOURCE NAVIGATION, UH, FOR BEING RESIDENTS OF THE CITY, THIS VIBRANT CITY.
UM, I ALSO THINK THAT IT'S A SPACE WHERE PARENTS WALK ALONGSIDE THEIR CHILDREN AS PARTNERS IN EDUCATION, WHICH STRENGTHENS FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS, UM, AND OFFERS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE FROM TRADITIONAL SCHOOL SETTINGS.
UH, SO FOR MANY PARENTS, ACADEMIA PROVIDES A WELCOMING SPACE WHERE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES ARE VALUED AND ESSENTIAL TO THE CHILDREN'S SCHOOL SUCCESS.
UH, THE BILINGUAL PROGRAMMING THAT ACADEMIA THANK YOU MUCH OFFERS IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH.
THAT'S ALL THE REMOTE SPEAKERS WE HAVE IN THE QUEUE.
SO I'M GONNA SWITCH OVER TO IN PERSON FOR ITEM FOUR, I HAVE BRIDE AND SUMMERS, JANICE BOOKOUT, A LOKI SHAW, TREY SALINAS, RICH HAMAN, PLEASE COME DOWN IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M BRIAN SUMMERS, PRESIDENT OF AFME LOCAL 1624, THE UNION FOR CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEES.
UH, AS I'VE TOLD YOU THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK, WE HAVE FIVE PRIORITIES.
TWO INCLUDE THE PROGRESSIVE COLA.
SO I WANNA THANK THE CITY MANAGER, THE BUDGET OFFICE, AND COUNCIL FOR SUPPORTING THESE.
WE ALSO WANT TO INCLUDE BAD WEATHER PAY AND THE STIPEND FOR ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES.
SO I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ FOR ADDING THAT BACK INTO THE CONVERSATION.
THE TWO PRIORITIES THAT ARE LEFT ARE ACTIONS.
WE WANT THE CITY TO EVALUATE WHERE WE CAN GET MORE MONEY FOR THE REST OF THE CITY FROM THE POLICE BUDGET, AND THAT'S GOING TO TAKE LEADERSHIP.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE WANT THE SE THE CITY TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF PUBLIC DOLLARS BECAUSE WE'RE IN AN INEVITABLE CONFLICT.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RUN INTO THIS EACH YEAR, AND SO TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO START.
I ALSO WANNA ADDRESS CONSOLIDATIONS AND EFFICIENCY AND OPTIMIZATION.
'CAUSE AFTER THIS BUDGET IS ADOPTED, WE'RE GONNA BE HEADING DOWN THAT ROAD.
I THINK THE KEY TO SUCCESS FOR THAT PLAN IS THAT WE ARE ALL PARTNERS TOGETHER.
COUNCIL, WHEN YOU'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY MANAGER, YOU'RE RIGHT TO PUT YOUR BENCHMARKS AND AND PRIORITIES ON THAT.
WHAT IS YOUR DIRECTION FOR MEASURING SUCCESS? THE CITY MANAGER WORKING WITH COUNCIL AND AFSCME, PLEASE CONTINUE TO GIVE US CLEAR COMMUNICATION AND GUIDANCE ON THE PROCESS.
AND FOR US, WE'LL NEED TO MAKE SURE EMPLOYEES FEEL SAFE AND PREPARED AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
BUT ALL OF THIS HAS TO BE PREDICATED ON SHARED GOALS TOO.
HAS TO BE ON ENSURING STABILITY FOR THE CITY'S BUDGET, DEFINITELY ENSURING JOB SECURITY, FAIR TREATMENT AND COMPENSATION FOR WORKERS, AND ENSURING IT'S NOT JUST CIVILIAN WORKERS CARRYING THE LOAD.
I HOPE THAT WE CAN ALL COMMIT TO A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON GOOD FAITH AND SHARED VALUES.
AND SO WE HOPE TO SEE THAT LEADERSHIP STARTING TODAY.
UM, HELLO, MY NAME IS AOKI SHAW AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED WORKERS OF INTEGRAL CARE.
I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO THANK MAYOR WATSON FOR HIS AMENDMENT AND INCLUSION OF EXPANSION OF EM COT INTO THE CITY OF BOSTON FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECOGNITION OF THE VALUE OF THE WORK THAT WE DO AS A VITAL PART OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM IN AUSTIN.
UNFORTUNATELY, 1 MILLION WON'T BE ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN 24 7 EM COT.
THE ANNUAL OPERATING COST TO KEEP EM COT RUNNING AROUND THE CLOCK IS 3 MILLION TO BE AT OUR BEST.
SO WE ARE ASKING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO FULLY COVER THESE COSTS SO WE CAN MAINTAIN QUALITY 24 7 SERVICES AND AVOID LAYOFFS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER IF THE CUTS AND PARTIAL FUNDING THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO HOUSING AND EMS ARE TRULY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.
ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS WORK TOGETHER IN COLLABORATION ON THE GROUND TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR ALL AUSTINITES, I WOULD LIKE TO UPLIFT THE POSSIBLE SOLUTION CUTS TO VACANT POSITIONS.
WHILE YOU'RE ASKING SOCIAL SERVICE AND OTHER PA PUBLIC SAFETY PROVIDERS TO DO MORE, LESS A PD HAS NOT BEEN CONSIDERED AT ALL FOR PLACES THAT MIGHT BE GENERATE SAVINGS.
IF HOUSING MENTAL HEALTH IDD AND EMS ARE ALL WORKING AT FULL CAPACITY, THERE'LL BE LESS NEED FOR POLICE OVERTIME IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WE NEED BALANCE IN THE SYSTEM AND THIS BALANCE WILL LEAD TO A BETTER SOCIETY.
I WOULD LIKE TO UPLIFT THE NEED TO KEEP THE OTHER INTEGRAL CARE CONTRACTS INTACT AS WE ARE AN WE, AS WE ARE ANOTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY AND MAKE SENSE FOR THESE CONTRACTS TO BE EXEMPT AND FOR INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENTS FOR THESE SERVICES TO BE EXPLORED AS THE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD AUTHORITY OF THE AREA.
WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR THE COMMUNITY.
OUR SERVICES ARE KEY TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND HEALTHY.
OUR CONTRACTS AT INTEGRAL CARE INCLUDE SERVICES FOR ADULT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, HOUSING, SUBSTANCE USE, AND CRISIS RESPONSE.
OUR EMPLOYEES DELIVER THESE SERVICES EVERY DAY TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH EXPERTISE AND COMPASSION.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MORE FUNDING, MORE WORKERS, AND MORE PROGRAMS AS WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN HIT HARD BY FEDERAL AND STATE CUTS.
I URGE ALL OF COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THIS IN FULL, IN FULL FUNDING FOR 24 7 EM.
[01:50:12]
UH, GOOD AFTERNOON COUNSEL.THE MESSAGE FROM VOTERS IS CLEAR.
AUSTINITES WANT THE COUNCIL TO EXERCISE MORE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
IT IS NOT FISCAL FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO HOLD UNSPENT FUNDS IN ONE PART OF THE BUDGET WHILE NOT FUNDING COMMUNITY PRIORITIES AND KEY SERVICES FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, THUS ENDANGERING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL RESIDENTS.
I'M TALKING OF COURSE ABOUT THE POLICE BUDGET.
COUNSEL NEEDS TO INVOKE SECTION FOUR B OF THE POLICE CONTRACT AND PROPORTIONALLY REDUCE ITS OBLIGATIONS TO A PD SHARE OF THE BUDGET.
TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE IRRESPONSIBLY NOT BEING PUT TO THEIR INTENDED USE, WHICH IS TO IMPROVE THE DEPARTMENT'S RECRUITING AND TRAINING PROCESSES.
THE HUNDREDS OF VACANT OFFICER POSITIONS ARE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN PROGRESS ON THIS FRONT.
THIS IS A CLEAR CASE WHERE SIMPLY THROWING MORE MONEY AT AN ISSUE DOES NOT FIX IT.
THEREFORE, THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO IS TO REALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO WHERE WE HAVE A REASONABLE CHANCE OF MAKING PROGRESS ON COMMUNITY PRIORITIES SUCH AS FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THE PROMISING HEADWAY WE'VE BEGUN TO MAKE ON OUR HOMELESS STRATEGY.
AS THE MAYOR POINTED OUT IN HIS WATSON WIRE IN OCTOBER, WE CAN'T LET THOSE GAINS SLIP THROUGH OUR FINGERS.
THE FUNDS STRANDED IN THE POLICE BUDGET NEED TO BE PUT TOWARDS MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND PRODUCTIVE USES ON COMMUNITY PRIORITIES, INCLUDING FULLY FUNDING SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, RAPID REHOUSING, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH EMS, AND PARKS AND SUPPORTING OUR CITY WORKERS.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT COUNCIL TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MITIGATE THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT THAT THE PREVIOUSLY PROPOSED BUDGET PUTS US IN.
YOU MUST ACT NOW ON SECTION FOUR B OF THE POLICE CONTRACT.
CONTINUE ON WITH ITEM FOUR, DANIELA SILVA, SAVANNAH LEE, ELI CORTEZ, ROXANNA HERDON, ALFREDO REYES.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M THE AUSTIN POLICY COORDINATOR AT WORKERS' DEFENSE ACTION FUND.
IN TODAY'S POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE ARE GETTING KIDNAPPED OFF THE STREETS AND HOMELESSNESS IS BEING CRIMINALIZED NATIONWIDE.
OUR NEIGHBORS ARE FACING CONSTANT DANGER AND IT IS THE DUTY OF THIS COUNCIL TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO KEEP THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN SAFE.
EVERY DEPARTMENT IS BEING ASKED TO MAKE CUTS AFTER THE FAILURE OF PROP Q, WHICH MANY PEOPLE FELT THEY COULDN'T VOTE FOR.
AFTER COUNCIL AGREED TO SUCH A BLOATED POLICE BUDGET, KNOWING THAT WE WOULD BE FACING A DEFICIT THIS YEAR.
IF EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE SACRIFICES, WHY SHOULD THE POLICE DEPARTMENT MAKE, UH, BE ANY KIND OF EXCEPTION? I WANT MY TAX DOLLARS TO FUND LAWYERS FOR IMMIGRANTS, DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO KEEP PEOPLE OF ALL RACES AND NATIONALITIES OFF THE STREETS.
THE HUNGRY HILL RESOURCE CENTER THAT PROVIDES VITAL ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES TO MANY OF OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS AND MANY OTHER PROGRAMS. I DON'T WANT MY TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT ON THINGS LIKE AI SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS ALPS OR THE 300, UH, POLICE DEPARTMENT VACANCIES, UH, DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET THAT NEEDS TO REMAIN FLAT THIS YEAR.
OUR COMMUNITY, OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY NEEDS THE SAFETY THAT COMES FROM ROBUST EMS PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS RATE RENT STABILIZATION, AND THE ABILITY TO PAY THEIR BILLS.
THAT IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY THAT OUR COMMUNITY WANTS FUNDED, AND IT CAN ONLY BE DONE BY REALLOCATING MONEY FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, MAKE THE FISCALLY AND MORALLY CORRECT DECISION AND REALLOCATE MONEY FROM PD TO FUND ALL OF THE OTHER FORMS OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT OUR COMMUNITIES SO HEAVILY RELY ON.
I'M HERE WITH EQUITY ACTION AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I HAD PLANNED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT TODAY, BUT THEN I SAW SOME OF THE CUTS THAT CAME OVERNIGHT AND WHEN WAS REMINDED OF SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS WEEK ON TUESDAY, A QUESTION CAME FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER THAT I THINK ENCAPSULATES THE CHOICE THAT'S BEING MADE TODAY AND THE ATTITUDE THAT GOT US HERE.
THE QUESTION WAS SOMETHING TO THE TUNE OF CAN WE CONSIDER CITATIONS AS A SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE CITY? WHAT I HEARD WAS, CAN WE USE THE POLICE FORCE TO EXTRACT MONEY FROM THE LEAST OF US IN ORDER TO AVOID MAKING CUTS TO SAID POLICE FORCE? I WOULD SAY THAT WAS SHOCKING, BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY TRUE.
THAT IS THE ETHOS OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODY WHO FUNDS THE POLICE TO THIS DEGREE WHILE MAKING CUTS TO RAPID REHOUSING AND EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
THIS WEEK, YOU'VE HEARD OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY WANT THEIR SERVICES FUNDED AND WANT THE POLICE BUDGET TO REMAIN STABLE BECAUSE IT'S THE FAIR THING TO DO.
WHILE A QUESTION IS DIRECT, AS THE ONE THAT CAME FROM THE DIOCESE THIS WEEK AND MAY BE GRADING, AT LEAST IT'S HONEST
[01:55:01]
AT LEAST IT GETS TO THE HEART OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, WHERE YOU'RE CHOOSING BETWEEN PROVIDING AID, HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, AND FOOD TO FOLKS IN AUSTIN, OR ADDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR A PD WHILE ASKING EVERYBODY ELSE TO MAKE SACRIFICES.I'M NOT SURE WHY ANY OF YOU GOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS.
I CAN SAY FROM MY EXPERIENCE, PEOPLE GENERALLY BEGIN THIS JOURNEY BECAUSE THEY LOOK AROUND AND THEY CARE DEEPLY ENOUGH ABOUT THE PLACE THEY LIVE THAT THEY WANT TO GIVE OF THEIR TIME TO MAKE IT BETTER.
THAT'S WHY I, THAT'S WHAT I ASSUME EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM IS DOING.
I HAVE TO OR I WILL LOSE MY MIND IF THAT'S WHY YOU'RE HERE.
I WOULD URGE YOU TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE'RE ALL SAYING, IF NOT IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
ALL THAT'S BEING SAID REALLY IS DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT US? CAN'T YOU FUND THE CITY IN A WAY THAT TELLS US THAT YOU CARE ABOUT US? CAN'T YOU SHOW US THAT YOU WOULD RATHER SEE THE FOLKS OF THIS CITY HOUSED AND FED THAN TICKETED AND ARRESTED? THAT IS WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF THIS ISSUE.
YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN A CHOICE TO MAKE.
AND ALL WE'VE DONE THIS WEEK IS ASK YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT ONE.
I'M AN ORGANIZER OF VOCAL TEXAS AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
UM, IT IS UNDENIABLE THAT OUR FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION IS CARRYING OUT A CLEAR AGENDA TO ATTACK THE MOST VULNERABLE AND POOR IN THIS COUNTRY AND DISMANTLE SAFETY NETS AND LONG-TERM HOUSING RESOURCES.
WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD THAT CLARITY WHEN WE ENTER THE CITY'S BUDGET PROCESS, BUT NOW WE'RE IN IT AND WE CAN'T DENY IT.
WE ARE FACING MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR REDUCTIONS IN OUR FEDERAL HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
UH, THAT MEANS, UH, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS LOSING THEIR HOUSING VOUCHERS, UM, SHELTER IN HOMELESSNESS, FUNDING BEING SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED AND A GUARANTEED RETURN TO A BOOM IN HOMELESSNESS THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN SINCE.
COVID, WE NEED TO BE MOVING EVERY SINGLE RESOURCE AND DOLLAR TO HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS RIGHT NOW.
WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE SET ASIDE CRITICAL AND CRUCIAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO A TAX RATE ELECTION YEAR AFTER YEAR.
THIS DA IN FRONT OF ME AND BEFORE SHOWS ITS SOLIDARITY WITH POLICE.
THERE'S ENDLESS SUPPLY OF FUNDS FOR POLICE RAISES, FOR POLICE QUALITY OF LIFE, FOR IMPROVED SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY.
AND YOU CHOOSE A PD OVER US EVERY SINGLE TIME, EVERY YEAR DESPITE LOWER CRIME RATES, DESPITE 300 VACANCIES IN THE DEPARTMENT.
AND DESPITE THE GROWING NEED AND HUNGER IN YOUR DISTRICTS, THE CRISIS THAT WE'RE FACING IS NOT GOING TO BE SOLVED BY POLICING.
COMMUNITY SAFETY IS NOT POLICING.
YOUR POLICE ARE NOT GONNA GET PEOPLE INTO A SHELTER.
YOUR POLICE ARE NOT GONNA MAKE SURE THAT OUR FAMILIES ARE FED IN THIS CITY.
AND FEDERAL CUTS THAT ARE COMING TO OUR SHELTERS, PERMANENT HOUSING RESOURCES, HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, ARE NOT GOING TO BE SUPPORTED BY POLICING.
WE NEED TO INVEST IN REAL SOLUTIONS THAT KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED AND WITH ACCESS TO TRUE CARE AND SERVICES.
AND RIGHT NOW, WE JUST CON OUR CITY JUST CONDUCTED A THREE WEEK SWEEP EFFORT.
UM, THERE ARE PEOPLE TODAY THAT ARE HIDING FROM POLICE IN CREEK BEDS AND THERE'S A FLOOD WARNING RIGHT NOW.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TO THOSE PEOPLE.
AND I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE Y'ALL GONNA DO ABOUT IT? WHAT, WHAT ARE YOU IN THIS DO IN THIS BUDGET TO STAND UP FOR YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR RESUME? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'M AN ORGANIZER FOR VOCAL TEXAS.
I WAS HOMELESS FOR SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS NOW I'M HOUSED THROUGH THE RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM, WHICH ENDS IN JANUARY.
I'M SO UPSET BECAUSE PROPER PROP Q FELL AND THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CUTTING SNAP MEDICARE HOUSING MONEY.
THAT MEANS FEWER PEOPLE WILL GET ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES I GOT.
MORE PEOPLE ARE ON THE STREET WILL SUFFER AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WILL SUFFER.
FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS I HAVE BEEN DOING OUTREACH AND CAMPS THAT HAVE BEEN SWEPT.
I'VE HEARD STORIES AND WITNESSED PEOPLE NOT BEING DESTROYED.
PEOPLE LOST THEIR SURVIVAL GEAR, IDENTIFICATION PICTURES AND THEIR BELONGINGS IS HORRIBLE.
LAST WEEK WE CAME TO THE CITY COUNCIL WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SWEPT.
THOSE PEOPLE SHARE THEIR STORIES AND ASKED THE CITY TO STOP THE SWEEPS AND INVEST IN THINGS LIKE SHELTERS AND RAPID REHOUSING AND WHICH HELPED ME GET OFF THE STREET AND SAY, WE'RE BACK HERE TODAY.
BECAUSE WHILE SHELTERS IN RAPID REHOUSING AND OTHER MANY THINGS GET CUT BY THE MILLIONS, A PD BUDGET REMAINS EXACTLY THE SAME AS I ASK MYSELF.
HOW CAN THAT BE? A PD HAS 330 VACANT POSITIONS THAT CAN BE, THAT CAN NEVER BE SEEN TO BE FILLED.
THAT MEANS MONEY IS JUST SITTING ON USE.
WHY NOT REALLOCATE MONEY TO, UH, TO HELP PEOPLE? TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION IS ATTACKING POOR PEOPLE AND CUTTING HUD.
WHY NOT HELP US? WHY DO YOU THINK IT WILL? WHY DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IF POOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE LESS ACCESS TO FOOD, SHELTER AND FACING MORE PO POLICING? I WILL LEAD, IT WILL LEAD TO MORE SWEEPS, TICKET AND ARREST.
YOU SAID HOMELESSNESS IS A PRIORITY ON YOUR BUDGET, BUT ALL I HAVE BEEN SEEING IS JUST CUTS ONLY A FEW INVESTMENTS ON THE TABLE.
THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD REALLOCATE MONEY AWAY FROM A PD AND PUT IT TOWARDS HOUSING SERVICES AND CARE FOR PEOPLE.
[02:00:01]
DOUBLE DOWN ON FUNDING POLICE AT THE EXPENSE OF SHELTER BEDS, RAPID REHOUSING VOUCHERS, SERVICES AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, AND MANY CRITICAL OTHER PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE.THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT HELP ME.
CONTINUING WITH ITEM FOUR, HANS MAVERICK, CHRIS HARRIS, BENJAMIN SANTOS, BILL BUNCH.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PROES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10 AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON.
TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN SPENDING AND INVESTING.
SPENDING IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU USE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT HAS ALREADY OCCURRED.
INVESTING IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU USE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PREVENT A PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING IN THE FIRST PLACE.
IN THIS CONTEXT, SPENDING MEANS GIVING EVEN MORE MONEY THAN LAST YEAR TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
INVESTING MEANS SPENDING MONEY ON THE KINDS OF SERVICES THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ENCOUNTERING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SOMETHING I THINK GETS MISSED TOO OFTEN IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POLICE ENCOUNTERS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND HOMELESSNESS, IS THAT THOSE SITUATIONS ARE USUALLY TEMPORARY.
THE RIGHT KIND OF INTERVENTION AT THE RIGHT TIME CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
WHAT'S MORE POLICING IN THIS COUNTRY HAS AN INVIDIOUS HISTORY OF DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGETING, TARGETING PEOPLE OF COLOR, UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE, POOR PEOPLE, AND PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
I KNOW A LOT OF FELLOW IS AUSTINITES WHO HAVE GOTTEN BACK ON THEIR FEET WITH THE HELP OF CITY PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS PREVENT ARREST.
BEING ARRESTED BY CONTRAST AND SPENDING TIME JUST A FEW DAYS IN JAIL OFTEN MEANS LOSING EVERYTHING.
YOUR JOB, YOUR HOUSING, AND YOUR PROPERTY.
THE PROGRAMS I'M ASKING Y'ALL TO SUPPORT, GO TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS STAFFED BY FOLKS WHO HAVE THEMSELVES DEALT WITH BEING UNHOUSED AND RELATED CHALLENGES.
THESE ORGS ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO UNDERSTAND AND HELP PEOPLE OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES.
WHILE I'M UP HERE, JUST A REMINDER THAT ONE GROUP OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT ABSOLUTELY DON'T NEED ANY OF OUR MONEY ARE THOSE AI TECH SURVEILLANCE CORPORATIONS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, PLEASE.
UM, I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING EQUITY ACTION.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND I'M HERE TO SAY SOMETHING PREDICTABLE, UH, WHICH IS THAT, UM, THIS BUDGET NEEDS TO KEEP THE POLICE BUDGET FLAT AND THE DOLLARS SAVED FROM THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE IN REAL WAYS TODAY.
AND I AM PERSONALLY EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED BY THE EXTENT TO WHICH, UH, THE HOOPS THAT THIS BODY WILL JUMP THROUGH, UH, ITSELF.
UH, THE, THE HOOPS IT WILL HAVE THE STAFF JUMP THROUGH AND THE HOOPS IT WILL MAKE, UH, THE, THIS COMMUNITY, UH, AND, AND THOSE THAT CARE ABOUT IT JUMP THROUGH IN ORDER TO AVOID EVEN A VERY MINOR CUT, UH, TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET, WHICH OF COURSE WE KNOW IS NOT ACTUALLY A CUT.
IT'S SIMPLY KEEPING IT FLAT FROM LAST YEAR.
AND, AND AGAIN, FOR WHAT REASON? NONE, NO REAL REASON HAS BEEN GIVEN, UH, NO, NO REASON THAT INVOLVES ACTUALLY HELPING PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR NOT TAKING $13 MILLION HAS BEEN GIVEN.
AND, BUT WE DO KNOW ALL THE THINGS THAT THAT $13 MILLION CAN FUND.
WE'VE HEARD MANY EXAMPLES JUST IN THE SPEECHES TODAY, MUCH LESS THE SPEECHES, THE LAST TWO DIFFERENT DAYS THAT YOU'VE HEARD.
AND I JUST WANNA BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FISCAL SIDE OF IT.
BEYOND THAT, WHICH IS, UM, THIS COUNCIL HAS TALKED ABOUT, THE CITY STAFF HAS TALKED ABOUT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, REGULAR TAX INCREASE ELECTIONS IN ORDER TO ADDRESS ONGOING BUDGET SHORTFALLS.
UH, THAT WAS BEFORE THOSE CONVERSATIONS STARTED, BEFORE TRUMP TOOK OVER AGAIN AND STARTED CUTTING ALL THESE PROGRAMS. WELL, THAT'S OFF THE TABLE.
SO WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? UH, YOU HAVE A PART OF A BUDGET THAT CAN NEVER COME DOWN.
UH, AND IF YOU KEEP RAISING IT, UH, YOU ARE CONSIGNING THIS CITY, UH, TO AUSTERITY FOREVER.
AND JUST KNOW EVERY $13 MILLION DOES MATTER.
UH, IT MATTERS TO PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO WILL BE FED AND HOUSED, UH, RATHER THAN YOU JUST FUNDING EMPTY CHAIRS FOR POLITICAL REASONS.
MY NAME IS BENJAMIN CHANCE HOST AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
UH, I'D LIKE FIRST LIKE TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT YOU'VE HEARD SO FAR.
UM, I'M HERE TODAY TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO RAISING THE POLICE BUDGET
[02:05:01]
AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO INVEST IN THE LONG-TERM FISCAL HEALTH OF OUR CITY AND THE COMMUNITY OF AUSTIN.I READ THAT THE BUDGET PROPOSED IN JULY HAS SINCE BEEN AMENDED TO SAVE 9,000 OR $9 MILLION BY RESTRUCTURING OVERTIME SCHEDULING.
I'D LIKE TO COMMEND YOU FOR THAT.
WITH THAT SAID, I BELIEVE FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO APDS BUDGET ARE NECESSARY AND ETHICAL.
TAKE FOR INSTANCE, THE FACT THAT SWORN OFFICERS STAND TO RECEIVE A 50% HIGHER WAGE INCREASE COMPARED TO OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES.
SENATE BILL 23 OF THE 87TH LEGISLATURE REQUIRES US TO HOLD ELECTIONS BEFORE REDUCING OUR REALLOCATION OR OR REALLOCATING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET.
SO EVERY DOLLAR ALLOCATED TOWARDS THE APDS ALREADY INFLATED BUDGET WILL BE A DOLLAR THAT WON'T FUND PREVENTATIVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS IN THEIR FAMILIES.
WRAPPING UP WITH ITEM FOUR, CHRISTOPHER PAGE, ASHLEY COPELAND, BEN SOTHEBY, MONICA GUZMAN, ALICIA CASTILLO, PLEASE BEGIN WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
UM, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US COUNCIL AND MAYOR.
I'M THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR THE CENTRAL TEXAS PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION, AND I PREPARED A STATEMENT, UH, REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE STAND TODAY ON SO MANY ISSUES, UM, MANY NOT ALL OF US AGREE ON.
UH, ONE THING THAT I KNOW THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND AGREE ON IS THAT WE LOVE THE CITY AND THAT WE WANT AUSTIN TO THRIVE AND TO REMAIN SAFE, AND WE WANT IT TO BE A WELCOMING HOME FOR ITS RESIDENTS.
THAT SHARED BELIEF IS WHAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER TODAY, AND IT'S WHAT BRINGS ME HERE TODAY.
ON BEHALF OF CENTRAL TEXAS PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION, THE COMMISSION RECOGNIZES THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAKE THAT SHARED GOAL POSSIBLE IS OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
THEY SHOW UP EVERY DAY IN UNPREDICTABLE HIGH PRESSURE SITUATIONS SO THAT THE REST OF US CAN GO ABOUT OUR LIVES WITH CONFIDENCE AND SECURITY.
THEIR COMMITMENT IS THE BACKBONE TO THE SAFETY.
IN AUSTIN, THE COMMISSION SUPPORTS SUSTAINING AND STRENGTHENING FUNDING FOR OUR CITY'S FIRST RESPONDERS.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT ANOTHER LINE ITEM, BUT IT'S A FOUNDATION ON WHICH EVERY OTHER PRIOR PRIORITY SHOULD REST FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH.
TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION, NONE OF IT WORKS WITHOUT OUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
IN MY POSITION AT THE COMMISSION, I SEE FIRSTHAND THE DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM, AND COMPASSION THAT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS DEMONSTRATE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I ALSO SEE THE STRAIN PLACED ON THEM WHEN RESOURCES DO NOT KEEP ON PACE WITH THE DEMAND.
INVESTING IN THEIR WELLBEING, READINESS AND CAPACITY IS NOT JUST AN INVESTMENT IN THEM, BUT IT'S AN INVESTMENT IN OUR CITY.
TODAY WE ASK THAT YOU PRIORITIZE A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND THAT THEY CONSISTENTLY, UH, SORRY THAT OUR BUDGET REFLECTS THE ESSENTIAL ROLE THESE INDIVIDUALS PLAY IN OUR CITY'S HEALTH, SAFETY, AND FUTURE.
THEY CONSISTENTLY SHOW UP FOR US AND I ASK TODAY THAT WE SHOW UP FOR THEM.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, MS. GUZMAN.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M MONICA GOSMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR AT GAVA READING A RESIDENT STATEMENT.
MY NAME IS QUA BRU BREWSTER AND I WANT TO SPEAK AGAINST THE CURRENT BUDGET PLAN THAT PROBABLY MEANS A $38 MILLION LOSS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES.
THE IMPROPER ALLOCATIONS OF THESE FUNDS MEANS MORE STRAIN AND STRESS ON AN ALREADY UNAFFORDABLE AUSTIN.
YOU NEED TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE AND NOT FOR THE FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS AND DEVELOPERS.
WE ARE LOSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THERE IS AN INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS AND THE LAWS OF THESE PROGRAMS MEANS YOU'VE CHOSEN PROFIT OVER PEOPLE.
THOSE OF US DIRECTLY AFFECTED ARE CREATING VALUABLE SOLUTIONS, BUT THE CUT IN THE BUDGET WILL MAKE IT HARDER FOR A LASTING CHANGE.
GAVA HOPES THAT THE COUNCIL TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE TRUST AND BUILD ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE COMMUNITY'S MOST IN NEED OF BASIC SERVICES AND CRITICAL PROGRAMS. GAVA URGES YOU TO PRIORITIZE THE NEEDS BROUGHT UP IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO IDENTIFY SOURCES OUTSIDE OF THE GENERAL BUDGET TO RESTORE FUNDING TO THOSE YOU CANNOT FUND INSIDE IT.
UM, MY NAME IS ALICIA CASTILLO.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT IN A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
UM, WE ARE SUPPORTIVE AND AND THANKFUL TO THE COUNCIL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE IN THE PAST TO FUND CRITICAL SERVICES LIKE, LIKE IMMIGRANT LEGAL
[02:10:01]
SERVICES, LIKE, UM, EMERGENCY RENT, UM, ASSISTANCE, UM, LIKE THE YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMS, UM, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY, LIKE THE HUNGRY HILL, UH, DAY PROGRAM THAT SERVES SO MANY DISTRICTS IN THE CITY.AND WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE SLASHING OF THOSE SERVICES IN THIS BUDGET.
AND WE'RE ALSO OPPOSED TO ANY PROPOSAL THAT MIGHT COME OUT THAT PUNTS THE DECISION ABOUT WHETHER TO REALLOCATE FUNDING FROM VACANCIES AND OVERTIME TO SUPPORT THESE CRITICAL SERVICES THAT PUNTS THAT DECISION TO MIDYEAR.
AND THE REASON WE ARE SO VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO THAT IS BECAUSE HB 1900 PASSED IN THE 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION MAKES IT SO THAT WHATEVER BUDGET YOU PASS TODAY FOR THE POLICE CANNOT BE REDUCED.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF THE LAW THAT IS TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT'S, UH, OFFICIAL INTERPRETATION OF HB 1900 THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REDUCE, UH, THE BUDGET TODAY.
AND WE ARE ASKING YOU TO KEEP IT FLAT.
UM, I'LL SAY PERSONALLY, IT IS REALLY SHOCKING AND FRUSTRATING TO BE IN AN ERA WHERE IT FEELS MORE POLITICALLY PALATABLE FOR US TO SLASH UM, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS THAN IT DOES TO SLASH VACANCIES THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR TWO YEARS.
UM, THAT'S REALLY OFFENSIVE TO THE CONSCIENCE.
UM, SO I WANTED TO MENTION THAT.
BUT ALSO JUST NOTE THAT WHEN, UM, THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION'S SECRET POLICE DESCEND UPON THE CITY, PEOPLE WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS.
PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS BECAUSE THEY WILL BE AFRAID TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES.
AND THAT'S WHEN WE NEED THINGS LIKE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
THAT'S WHEN WE NEED, UH, IMMIGRATION LEGAL RESOURCES IN THE CITY.
UM, NOT THE POLICE WHO WILL ONCE AGAIN PROBABLY PEPPER SPRAY ME WHEN I'M OUT THERE PROTESTING THE SECRET POLICE.
SO, UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND NOT ANYONE ELSE.
UM, I WANNA THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THE WORK THAT HAS GONE IN IN THESE, THESE SHORT FEW DAYS INTO, UH, ADDING AND PROPOSING SOME CHANGES THAT TRY AND PRESERVE AS MUCH OF OUR SOCIAL SAFETY NET AS WE CAN.
I WANNA ECHO WHAT WAS JUST SAID, UH, BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT FISCAL PRUDENCE IS, IT IS THAT AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION BEATS A POUND OF CURE.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO PAY FOR THINGS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, AND IT IS BETTER TO TAKE CARE OF OUR NEIGHBORS.
IT IS BETTER TO TAKE CARE OF IT IN A PREVENTION EARLY ON THAN IT IS TO PAY TO CLEAN UP THE MESS.
IT'S CHEAPER TO KEEP SOMEBODY HOUSED THAN TO REHOUSE THEM AFTER THEY'VE ALREADY LOST A HOME THAT THEY LIVED IN.
IT IS CHEAPER TO VACCINATE OUR COMMUNITY THAN IT IS TO HAVE MASS OUTBREAKS THAT WE HAVE TO SCRAMBLE AND, AND DEAL WITH.
THIS IS THINGS THAT YOU KNOW, YOU ALSO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS.
UH, I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY'S ASKING FOR ANYTHING RADICAL.
WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS A BALANCE, A SMOOTHING OUT.
ALL THE BURDEN SHOULDN'T BE BORE BY CERTAIN SECTIONS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES.
UH, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO AFSCME'S UH, PRIORITIES.
I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF THAT UNION.
UH, I REALLY DO FEEL FOR OUR, UH, CITY MEMBERS AS THEY FACE UNCERTAIN TIMES.
I ALSO FEEL FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS WE FACE UNCERTAIN TIMES AND UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC TIMES IS WHEN WE MOST NEED A SOCIAL SAFETY NET.
THAT IS WHAT WILL PRESERVE OUR TAX BASE.
THAT'S WHAT'S GONNA PRESERVE THE FOLKS WHO GO TO THE, THE RESTAURANT AND SPEND MONEY.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HEARD MANY TIMES ABOUT THE FICKLE NATURE OF SALES TAX REVENUE.
THE WAY WE BOLSTER OUR COMMUNITY IS BY TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER.
AND I WANNA SEE THOSE PRIORITIES REFLECTED TO EVERY EXTENT POSSIBLE IN THE BUDGET THAT Y'ALL PASS.
I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT MY, MY FELLOW AUSTINITES WANT.
MOVING ON TO ITEM FIVE, RICH HAMAN, ANGELA BALENZUELA.
I, UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNSEL.
I'M A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT NINE.
IN JUST ABOUT AN HOUR FROM NOW, I'LL BE HEADING TO LOCKHART TO TEACH AN URBAN STUDIES CLASS AT THE WOMEN'S PRISON.
THERE, THE STUDENTS ARE AMAZING AND THEY'RE WORTH THE RUSH HOUR DRIVE TO LOCKHART TWICE A WEEK.
AND BY THE WAY, THIS IS A VOLUNTEER GIG I'M TALKING ABOUT.
ALL OF MY STUDENTS ARE EITHER FROM POOR BACKGROUNDS, FORMERLY HOMELESS, OR HAD MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
YET THEY ALL CAME FROM COMMUNITIES THAT DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE SERVICES TO ADDRESS THESE STRUGGLES.
INSTEAD, THEIR ISSUES WERE LEFT TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
[02:15:01]
A SYSTEM IS REALLY A DIFFERENCE OF FUNDING PRIORITIES.WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE SOCIAL SERVICES FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE, NOT IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING ON POLICING.
THANK YOU FOR ITEM SIX, RICH, HAMAN, BRENT, DAVEY, MR. CHA PASSING THE MAYOR.
ALL SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANKS FOR ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE AND, AND COMMENTING ON THIS.
UM, MEMBERS, AS YOU JUST HEARD, WE HAVE HEARD FROM ALL OF THE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP ON ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX.
UM, I WANT TO KIND OF GET A FEEL FOR THE COUNCIL.
UH, WE CAN EITHER RIGHT NOW, UM, GO AHEAD AND GET A MOTION OUT ON THE TABLE AND BEGIN THE DISCUSSION OF THAT MOTION, INCLUDING ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANY MIGHT BODY MIGHT HAVE.
UM, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S IS READY TO GO TO THAT, I GUESS IS WHAT I'M, UH, I'M ASKING ABOUT.
IN THAT CASE THEN, UM, IF, WELL, OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF WILL COME FORWARD, UH, MEMBERS, THAT'LL TAKE US TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 2 5 8 3 5, BY WHICH WE ADOPTED THE CITY'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26.
WE CONDUCTED A HEARING ON THIS YESTERDAY, AND WE ALSO ALLOWED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM, UH, JUST NOW.
THE BASE MOTION THAT I WILL ACCEPT IS TO ADOPT VERSION TWO OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH INCLUDES AS EXHIBIT A, THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ADOPTED BUDGET.
AFTER THAT MOTION IS MADE, WE WILL TAKE UP ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE MOVED ORDINANCE THAT'S RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
AND THEN COUNSEL AMENDMENTS TO THE MOVED ORDINANCE AS AMENDED, UH, BY THE STAFF AMENDMENTS.
SO LET ME WALK THROUGH THAT AGAIN.
THE MOTION IS, AND I'LL, I'LL, I'LL ASK FOR THE, THE MOTION IN A MINUTE, BUT THE MOTION IS, UH, IT WILL BE TO AMEND, IT WILL BE TO, IT'LL BE VERSION TWO OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH INCLUDES THE EXHIBIT A, THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ADOPTED BUDGET.
AND THEN WHAT WE WILL DO IS WE WILL TURN TO STAFF FOR THE STAFF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
AND THEN WE WILL TAKE UP ANY COUNCIL AMENDMENTS TO THE MOVED ORDINANCE AS AMENDED BY THE STAFF AMENDMENTS.
UM, IS THERE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE? AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 2 5 0 8 1 3 0 0 5 ADOPTING THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26.
IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL.
IT IS SE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
WHAT WE WILL DO NOW IS WE WILL HAVE A STAFF PRESENTATION OF THE STAFF RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
CARRIE LANG, DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE ON YESTERDAY EVENING.
AND THEN AGAIN, THIS MORNING WE GAVE A MEMO THAT WALKED THROUGH, UM, SOME OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO THE BUDGET FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
UM, I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF SLIDES TO TALK THROUGH THOSE AMENDMENTS.
UM, AND SO WHAT YOU'LL SEE HERE IN THIS FIRST SLIDE IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE REDUCTIONS THAT WE ARE, UM, WE ARE RECOMMENDING FOR US TO GET TO A BALANCED BUDGET.
WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL ITEMS, WHETHER OR NOT THOSE WERE ITEMS THAT WERE, UM, INCLUDED IN THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED, UH, PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET OR ITEMS THAT WERE, UM, INCLUDED IN BASELINE FUNDING FOR SOME OF, FOR, FOR SOME OF THE, UH, STAFF AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED BUDGET EARLIER THIS YEAR.
UM, THIS FIRST ITEM THAT YOU SEE UP HERE, AND I WON'T GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE ONE, BUT THIS FIRST ITEM IN PARTICULAR IS MOVING SOME OF THE FUNDING FOR THE FUNDING FOR NAVIGATION SERVICES TO THE HOPE FUND.
AS IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, THE HOPE FUND WAS CREATED, UM, FULLY IN THIS FISCAL YEAR.
WE HAVE APPROPRIATION THAT SHOULD BE COMING IN DECEMBER FOR THE HOPE FUND, AND THAT WILL GIVE THAT $500,000 INSTEAD OF BEING IN THE GENERAL FUND TO THE HOPE FUND.
THE, UH, ADDITIONS THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING INCLUDE,
[02:20:01]
UM, THE NON CONGREGATE SHELTERS AT 2.9 MILLION.THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT YOU SEE HERE AT 200,000, THAT IS THE GENERAL FUND PORTION OF THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
THERE IS 2 MILLION IN THE HOUSING TRUST FUND THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE FUNDED, UM, FOR ONE YEAR FOR, FOR THAT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES.
UM, THE 2.5 MILLION FOR, UM, TO ELIMINATE BROWNOUTS FOR EMS SWORN, UH, STATIONS, AS WELL AS 1 MILLION FOR THE OTT PROGRAM.
UM, THEN THERE IS $120,000 FOR THE, UM, CHILD ADVOCACY SERVICES IN WILLIAMS COUNTY.
AND FOR, TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITIES, THERE ARE FOOD PANTRIES AT TITLE ONE SCHOOLS AS WELL AS HOME DELIVERY MEALS FOR, UM, OUR OLDER COMMUNITY.
THOSE ARE THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING, UM, BE ADDED TO OR BE CHANGED FROM THE CITY MANAGERS.
UM, RECOMMENDED PROPOSED FOR, FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
SO MEMBERS, WHAT WE'LL DO, FIRST OF ALL, UM, I, I, I, I'LL GET A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE STAFF AMENDMENTS FOR CLARITY PURPOSES.
WHAT I THINK WE WILL DO IS WE WILL THEN GO TO COUNCIL AMENDMENTS.
AND THE COUNCIL AMENDMENTS WILL BE MOTIONS TO AMEND THE STAFF AMENDMENT.
NOW I'M DOING THAT SO THAT WE HAVE CLARITY THAT THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE, WE'RE ADDRESSING.
AND, AND SO I, I'D LIKE TO GET A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE STAFF AMENDMENTS, AND THEN I'LL RECOGNIZE FOR DISCUSSION, DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE, THE STAFF AMENDMENTS THAT MS. UH, DIRECTOR LANG JUST LAID OUT? C CAN IS A MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER L IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, THIS IS THE TIME THAT WE CAN TAKE TO ASK QUESTIONS.
COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.
UM, I HAD MY FIRST QUESTION FOR, FOR ED.
COULD YOU CLARIFY THAT AS IT RELATES TO THE A PD BUDGET, IS IT LOCKED IN AT THE LEVEL SET TODAY OR IS THERE ROOM FOR MOVEMENT? UH, I THINK YOU'RE QUESTIONING IN REGARD TO THE, UH, STATE STATUTE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW THE A PD BUDGET TO BE LOWERED FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT.
SO THE, THE BENCHMARK THERE IS THE BUDGET THAT WAS APPROVED FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.
AND SO AS LONG AS OUR FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET, WHETHER IT BE THE ADOPTED BUDGET OR AMENDED BUDGET, 'CAUSE WE CAN AMEND THE BUDGET ANY COUNCIL MEETING, AS LONG AS WE DON'T GO BELOW THE FISCAL YEAR 25 APPROPRIATION, WE ARE NOT IN VIOLATION OF THAT STATUTE.
AND COULD YOU, COULD YOU REMIND US WHAT THAT, UH, NUMBER WAS FOR, FOR FISCAL YEAR 25, OR, SORRY, 24? UH, I, I BELIEVE THE, UH, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO YEARS WAS A, WAS ABOUT 12.3 MILLION.
CUT IT IN JUST THE GENERAL FUND.
UH, WE BELIEVE WE NEED TO ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SOME OTHER NON-GENERAL FUND POLICE DEPARTMENT FUNDS.
AND THE DELTA, THERE WAS ABOUT NINE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS.
SO IN OTHER WORDS, THE FY 26 TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR POLICE ACROSS VARIOUS FUNDS IS ABOUT NINE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN WHAT IT WAS IN FISCAL YEAR 25.
UM, AND THEN I HAVE A QUESTION FOR CARRIE.
UM, COULD YOU EXPLAIN IN THE PROPOSED BASED BUDGET, UM, COULD YOU EXPLAIN ANY CUTS THAT HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED TO THE POLICE BUDGET? YES.
SO, UM, THE POLICE DID HAVE, UM, A $9 MILLION REDUCTION IN OVERTIME.
UM, AND THAT WAS BASED ON, UM, THE RESTAFFING MODEL THAT THE, UH, CHIEF PUT INTO PLACE IN, IN FISCAL YEAR 25.
AND THAT CARRIED OVER TO, TO RESULT IN $9 MILLION OF ANNUALIZED SAVINGS.
UM, THERE WAS $500,000 IN SAVINGS WITH THE MOVE, UM, OF THE BLUE SANTA WAREHOUSE TO A CITY FACILITY.
UM, I BELIEVE THOSE WERE THE TWO MAJOR ONES.
AND LET ME DOUBLE CHECK AND MAKE SURE I, I DON'T, I DIDN'T MISS ONE.
OKAY, SO ABOUT 9.5 MILLION IN RE IN REDUCTION.
THE LAST ONE WAS, UM, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS HISTORICALLY HAD THE TRAVIS COUNTY JAIL ILA IN THEIR BUDGET, AND WE MOVED THAT OUT TO THE FUND LEVEL, AND I BELIEVE THAT WAS 16.1 MILLION.
OKAY, SO THAT IS WHAT, 25.1 MILLION? YES, 25.6 I BELIEVE.
UM, AND THEN MY LAST QUESTION, UH, AS IT RELATES TO ALL THIS, UH, I, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR CHIEF DAVIS IF SHE'S, SHE'S HERE.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR CHIEF DAVIS REALLY QUICK.
[02:25:09]
UH, THANK YOU, CHIEF.UM, I JUST HAD A QUESTION ON, ON, UM, AS IT RELATES TO CUTS.
IF, IF, IF A PD HAS ANY ADDITIONAL CUTS, LET'S SAY IT'S 2 MILLION, 4 MILLION, 6 MILLION, 8 MILLION, 10 MILLION, I'M THROWING AROUND NUMBERS, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE A PD AND AND, AND THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO? WELL, I THINK I KIND OF GO BACK TO WHEN I WAS HIRED BY ALL OF YOU HERE, UM, JUST A YEAR AGO AND ALL THE CHANGES AND THAT YOU WANTED TO SEE HERE WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND I DO FEEL THAT I HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN RESPONSIBLE WITH THIS BUDGET THAT I HAVE.
UM, LOOKING AT THE CHANGES WE'RE DOING, IMPLEMENTING THE RESEARCHERS THAT WE'VE BROUGHT IN, WE HAVE BARRY DUNN RECOMMENDATIONS.
WE ARE GOING TO DO THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THERE'S GONNA BE A BUDGET AND A COST TO THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.
AND SO AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD AND GETTING PROS, PRO PRO PROGRESS HERE, WHICH I FEEL WE ARE, AND SO ANYTHING FROM THIS BUDGET WOULD TAKE AWAY FROM THAT PROGRESS.
AND, UH, I JUST WANNA SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU AS OUR MASTER OF, UH, PROCEDURE.
UM, THE SUB QUORUM I'M WORKING WITH HAS, UH, A PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR THE STAFF MOTION.
HAS ANYONE SEEN THAT? SO, UM, I'M JUST SHARING THAT NOW.
I, I'M GONNA START WITH QUESTIONS.
BUT PROCEDURALLY, I JUST WANNA GIVE YOU A HEADS UP THAT WE ARE GONNA PROPOSE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
UM, AND THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE BUDGET TEAM FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.
UM, I WANTED TO START WITH THE, UH, PROPOSED ADDITIONS.
UM, UH, DIRECTOR LANG, IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN, UM, THE $2.9 MILLION FOR NON CONGREGATE SHELTERS.
AND, UM, IN PARTICULAR, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROVIDERS FOR SHELTERS.
WE HAVE THE OTHER ONES FOUNDATION, WE HAVE FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES, UH, WE HAVE THE SAFE ALLIANCE.
UM, SO IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN, UH, GIVE US A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT OF, YOU KNOW, WHO WOULD QUALIFY FOR THIS FUNDING STREAM IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET? THERE WAS, UM, $5.1 MILLION, I BELIEVE, FOR EMERGENCY SHELTERS, AND THAT INCLUDED THE DOLLARS FOR, UM, UH, THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION AND SEVERAL OTHER AGENCIES IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET THAT WAS RELYING ON THE TRE.
UM, AND WITH THAT CHANGE, WITH THE TRE NOT PASSING AND THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OTHER ONE'S FOUNDATION, I BELIEVE, UM, THE CITY HAS ALREADY, ALREADY, UM, PAID INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT SITE.
AND THOSE DOLLARS WOULD ALLOW FOR THE OTHER ONES FOUNDATIONS TO CON TO OPEN UP THAT DEVELOPMENT.
UM, THAT 2.9 MILLION WAS FOCUSED ON THAT SITE VERSUS THE OTHER DOLLARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED, OR WOULD THAT WERE NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE TRE.
AND THEN IN TERMS OF THE OTHER PROVIDERS, UH, THEY WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE RECEIVING FUNDS UNDER THIS PROPOSAL? CORRECT.
UM, AND THEN IN TERMS OF THE EMS ITEM, UM, EMS SWARM OVER TIME TO ELIMINATE BROWNOUTS $2.5 MILLION, UM, YOU KNOW, PREVIOUSLY WE UNDERSTOOD THAT, UH, $4.3 MILLION WAS NEEDED TO PREVENT BROWNOUTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF AVOIDING BROWNOUTS AND ALSO AVOIDING OTHER MAJOR CUTS, UH, TO EMS PROGRAMS. SO IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE THREE, $4.3 MILLION NUMBER AND THE 2.5 MILLION NUMBER.
UM, WHEN EMS CREATED THEIR ENHANCEMENT REQUEST DURING THE PROPOSED BUDGET PROCESS, THEY WERE LOOKING HOLISTICALLY AT THEIR PROGRAMMING, UM, INCLUDING BROWNOUTS AS WELL AS, UM, THE ACADEMY AND RECRUITING FUNCTIONS.
AND SO WE BROKE DOWN THOSE COST, UM, TO SHOW WHAT WAS SPECIFICALLY NEEDED FOR, UM, ELIMINATING THE STATION BROWNOUTS, THE FUNDING THAT WAS NEEDED FOR THAT VERSUS THE OTHER, UH, PROGRAMMATIC FUNCTIONS.
AND SO, UM, THAT 2.5 MILLION REPRESENTS THE DOLLARS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO, UM, ELIMINATE THE STATION BROWNOUTS, UM, IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR.
UM, AND THEN MOVING ON TO, UM, WHAT WE CALL EM COT.
UM, UH, IN THIS STAFF PROPOSAL, UH, $1 MILLION IS PROPOSED FOR EXPANDED MOBILE CRISIS OUTREACH TEAM.
AND OUR UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT, UM, THE ACTUAL BUDGET NUMBER TO GUARANTEE 24 7 EM COT WAS, UH, ROUGHLY $3.08 MILLION.
UH, COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE, THE $1 MILLION RECOMMENDATION IN THAT CONTEXT, PLEASE? SURE.
AS WE WERE TALKING TO, UM, STAFF ABOUT THE EM COT FUNDING AND THE POSSIBLE, UM, NEEDS RELATED TO THAT FUNDING, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS WOULD ALLOW
[02:30:01]
FOR EM COT TO CONT TO CONTINUE THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES THAT THEY'RE DOING RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPANDED SERVICES THAT I THINK THEY DID BEFORE FISCAL YEAR 25.UM, AND THAT WOULD, THIS 1 MILLION WOULD ALLOW FOR THAT CONTINUED SERVICE.
AND, UH, THE CONVERSATION THAT I BELIEVE HAS BEEN HAD WAS BETTER UNDERSTANDING, UM, THE DATA BEHIND THE 24 7 REQUEST AND UNDERSTANDING WHETHER OR NOT, UM, THE DATA SUPPORTS THE 24 7 OR IF THERE'S A WAY TO EXPAND THE HOURS, UM, WITH, WITH THESE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT THEY, THAT WE'VE INCLUDED.
AND THEN, UM, ON THE, UH, PROPOSED ADJUSTMENTS AND REDUCTIONS, UM, IF YOU COULD SHARE, I GUESS FIRST OF ALL, I'LL GIVE AN OVERVIEW, UH, OF, UM, HOW YOU CAME TO THESE RECOMMENDED ADJUSTMENTS AND REDUCTIONS.
UM, AS WE LOOKED AT, UM, THE ITEMS THAT, OR AS WE FEEL LIKE WE HEARD FROM THE COUNSEL ON THE ITEMS THAT WERE PRIORITY, UM, WE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE MAJOR PRIORITIES WERE, UM, INCLUDING FUNDING FOR HOMELESSNESS, PARTICULARLY, UH, EMERGENCY SHELTERS AS WELL AS, UH, PSH.
UM, WE UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE WAS, UH, A NEED TO ADDRESS THE EMS, UH, BROWNOUTS, AND WE UNDERSTOOD THAT PART OF THAT NEED OR PART OF THAT PRIORITY INCLUDED, UM, WORKING THROUGH AN UNDERSTANDING OR MAKING SURE WE HAD FUNDING FOR MOT, UM, WITH THE LIMITED DOLLARS THAT WE HAD AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE BALANCED AND KEPT AS MUCH OF THE PRIORITIES IN PLACE.
WE LOOKED AT HOW WE COULD ADDRESS THOSE SPECIFIC PRIORITIES WITHOUT, UM, COMPLETELY REMOVING ALL THE OTHER THINGS.
BUT IT DID TAKE A REDUCTION IN SEVERAL AREAS.
UM, AND SO WE, WE LOOKED AT WHAT DEPARTMENTS HAD WHAT WE ALREADY PUT INTO PLACE FROM DEPARTMENTS.
WE ALSO, UH, LOOKED AT THE AREAS OF HOMELESSNESS THAT WE, WE THOUGHT WE COULD BALANCE OUT AND CONTINUE TO SERVE AT THE, THE BASELINE LEVELS.
AND SO THOSE ARE THE GENERAL IDEAS THAT WE LOOKED AT AS WE TRIED TO COME UP WITH THE CORRECT BALANCE OF DOLLARS TO REDUCE AS IN COMPARISON TO WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO INCREASE.
UM, MAYOR, I BELIEVE NOW, UM, THE DIOCESE HAS IN FRONT OF THEM, UM, THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION AS WELL AS THE EXHIBIT THAT GOES WITH IT.
UM, SO, UH, OF COURSE I'M, I'M HAPPY TO DEFER TO OTHER QUESTIONS OF YEAH.
COUNCIL MEMBER IS IN, IN FAIRNESS, HAS STAFF, IS HAS STAFF SEEN THIS? I, I I MEAN THEY'VE SEEN THE, THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT, BUT THIS IS JUST PRODUCED.
SO, UM, WHAT I, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO IN, IN, IN FAIRNESS TO THE SUB QUORUM AND BEING RECOGNIZED TO HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT'S NOW JUST HITTING THE DAAS AND, AND I'M, I WANNA BE FAIR IN THAT, BUT I THINK IT'S ONLY APPROPRIATE FOR STAFF FOR, FOR THE REST OF THE COUNCIL YES.
AND FOR STAFF TO HAVE HA HAVE A MOMENT TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT WHAT'S IN THIS YES, SIR.
AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE QUESTIONS OF ST THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT THIS SUBSTITUTE MOTION DOES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHY WE RELY ON THEM.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, YOU'RE THE ONLY, WELL, AND, AND NOW THE MAYOR PRO TEM, DO Y'ALL WANNA DO QUESTIONS BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK AND ALLOW THE STAFF TO LOOK AT THIS? UH, MY QUESTIONS ARE RELATED TO THE STAFF AMENDMENT, SO, OKAY.
BEFORE WE CONSIDER THE SUBSTITUTE.
THE COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, WHAT'S YOUR SITUATION, MS. MAYOR? I DON'T WANNA DISRUPT THE PROCEEDS, BUT I HAVE QUESTIONS NOW TOO.
THEN, THEN WHAT WE'LL DO IS, IS I TELL YOU WHAT, LET, LET'S DO, JUST SO THAT STAFF HAS AN IDEA OF WHAT'S IN THIS THING, AND THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT'S IN IT.
WHAT I'M GONNA RECOMMEND WE DO IS THAT WE RECESS UNTIL FOUR 30.
AT THAT POINT, WE'LL COME BACK AND I'LL RECOGNIZE THE MPRO.
TIM FOR QUESTIONS ON THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, UH, ACTUALLY, I RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ FIRST, THEN THE MAYOR PRO TIM, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE ARE IN RECESS UNTIL 4:30 PM ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, IT'S FOUR 30 ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025, AND I WILL CALL BACK TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AT THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
MEMBERS, UM, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT, THAT I WANT TO CLEAN UP BEFORE WE GO, UH, BACK INTO, UH, ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX.
[02:35:01]
UM,[62. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance adjusting the City’s boundary limits by disannexing approximately 0.314 acres of land out of the John Jackson Survey, Abstract Number 450, located at 12919 On the Lake Road, Austin, Travis County, Texas under Texas Senate Bill 1844 (89th Regular Session). Case number: C7d-2025-0001. The property is in Austin’s full purpose jurisdiction in Council District 10. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. (Part 2 of 2)]
WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS ON ITEM NUMBER 62, DURING THE BREAK, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT ON ITEM NUMBER 62, THE ORDINANCE IN THE BACKUP HAS THE INCORRECT EFFECTIVE DE EFFECTIVE DATE.THE DATE SHOULD BE DECEMBER 1ST, 2025.
SO THE MAYOR PRO TEM MOVES THAT WE RECONSIDER THE VOTE BY WHICH ITEM NUMBER 62 WAS ADOPTED.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, ITEM NUMBER 62 WILL BE CONSIDERED.
UM, THE NOW, UH, THE MAYOR PRO TEM MOVES THAT ITEM NUMBER 62 BE ADOPTED WITH THE EFFECTIVE DATE BEING DECEMBER 1ST, 2025.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
UH, UM, ALL THOSE IN, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, UH, THAT ITEM IS ADOPTED WITH THE EFFECTIVE DATE BEING DECEMBER 1ST, 2025, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER LANE AND COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE BEING TEMPORARILY OFF THE DAAS, UH, MEMBERS ON ITEMS
[2:00 PM - Zoning and Neighborhood Plan Amendments (Public Hearings and Possible Action) (Part 2 of 2)]
ON ITEMS NUMBER 74 AND 75, WHICH WERE TWO ZONING ITEMS. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON HAD TO BE TEMPORARILY OFF SCREEN, AND SO SHE WAS NOT COUNTED IN THAT VOTE.SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF ITEMS 74 AND 75.
UH, IT WILL NOT CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELA MOVES AND COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL SECONDS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF ITEMS 74 AND 75.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION? UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON WILL BE SHOWN VOTING IN FAVOR OF ITEM 74 AND 75 MEMBERS.
THE MANAGER IS ASKED THAT WE GIVE HIM A COUPLE MORE MINUTES.
UH, SO WHAT I'M GONNA DO, I WAS HOPING THAT THAT WOULD TAKE A LITTLE LONGER THAN IT DID, UM, BUT Y'ALL ARE VERY EFFICIENT, SO THANK YOU.
UH, WE WILL BE, UH, WE'LL STAND AT RECESS, BUT I HOPE EVERYBODY KIND OF STANDS BY THEIR CHAIRS, UH, UNTIL FOUR 40, UH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'RE IN RECESS.
THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL WORK GOING ON ON THE NUMBERS.
UH, I KNOW THAT, UH, SURPRISES EVERYBODY.
UM, BUT SO, BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A, A THOROUGH AND A THOUGHTFUL PROCESS, I WANNA MAKE SURE I GIVE THE MANAGER'S OFFICE AND OUR FINANCIAL STAFF ENOUGH TIME TO GO THROUGH THOSE NUMBERS, UH, INCLUDING THE NEW NUMBERS OR THE NEW PROPOSALS THAT THEY'VE SEEN.
SO, UH, WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GONNA BE IN RECESS UNTIL FIVE O'CLOCK.
TRY TO GIVE EVERYBODY ANOTHER 15 MINUTES, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK.
WE, WE'LL START WITH QUESTIONS THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAD, BUT I ALSO, I, I KNOW MR. VINO CAN PROBABLY ANSWER ALL OF THEM, UH, WITH HIS HANDS TIED BEHIND HIS BACK.
BUT IN CASE WE NEED, WE NEED THEM, WE, WE'LL WANT THEM, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU.
THE CITY COUNCIL IS IN RECESS UNTIL 5:00 PM IT'S 4:43 PM NOW, CALL BACK
[4. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20250813-005 adopting the City of Austin Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, beginning on October 1, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2026, to reflect reduced projected property (ad valorem) tax revenues resulting from the voters not approving the property tax rate adopted by the City Council and making corresponding changes to budget expenditure allocations. (Part 2 of 2)]
TO ORDER THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, 5:23 PM ON, UH, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 MEMBERS, WHEN WE TOOK A BREAK, IT WAS SO THAT, UM, OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT A DOCUMENT THAT, UH, WAS PROVIDED TO THEM AND HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS.UH, BUT WE, WHEN WE BROKE, WE WERE GONNA HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, AND I WANT TO GO BACK TO THOSE.
UH, MY MEMORY WAS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, FOLLOWED BY THE MAYOR PRO TIM, AND THEN I DON'T REMEMBER WHO ELSE HAD PUNCHED THE BUTTON, AND FOR SOME REASON IT'S BEEN CLEARED HERE.
SO IF YOU WANNA SPEAK AGAIN, UH, PUT YOUR NAME UP THERE AND, UH, BUT WE'LL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, UH, AND, AND YOU'VE GOT THE FLOOR.
UH, MY FIRST QUESTION IS FOR, UH, CHIEF LUCK, AND WHILE HE'S COMING DOWN, I, I, I GUESS I CAN ASK STAFF, UM, ON THE, ON THE OTT MONEY, CAN YOU CLARIFY IF THE PROPOSED, UH, 1 MILLION FOR OTT WOULD HELP ACHIEVE THE 24 7 RESPONSE, AND IF NOT, WHAT IS THAT 1 MILLION GUARANTEE?
[02:40:04]
THANKS, COUNCIL MEMBER.UM, SO THE 1 MILLION, MY UNDERSTANDING IS, WOULD ALLOW FOR OTT TO CONTINUE THE SERVICE LEVEL THAT THEY, THEY BEGAN, UM, IN MID FISCAL YEAR 25.
SO THEY DID HIRE UP SOME ADDITIONAL STAFF BASED ON THAT ONE TIME, UM, FUNDING THAT WE PROVIDED IN FISCAL YEAR 25.
AND IT WOULD ALLOW FOR THAT ADDITIONAL, UM, EXPANDED HOURS.
I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXACT EXPANDED HOURS, BUT IT WILL CONTINUE THE SERVICES THAT THEY BEGAN MID MIDYEAR.
UM, CHIEF, UH, WE ASKED EARLIER, OR SOMEBODY ASKED EARLIER OF STAFF, UM, ABOUT THE 2.5 IN FUNDING FOR EMS. CAN YOU SHARE IF AND HOW THE, THAT PROPOSED 2.5 FUNDING FOR EMS, UH, SWORN OVERTIME WILL, WILL IT ELIMINATE THE BROWNOUTS? THE, THE 2.5 MILLION IN FUNDING GIVES US THE RESOURCES WE NEED IN ORDER TO, TO, WELL, I'LL SAY ENSURE, BUT BASED ON THE CURRENT RUN, UH, MAINTAIN ALL OF OUR STATIONS OPEN AND FUNCTIONING WITH AMBULANCES IN THEM.
CERTAINLY WE CAN NOT PREDICT WHAT THE, THE FUTURE YEAR MAY HOLD OR ANY OF THOSE OTHER THINGS, BUT BASED ON OUR CURRENT PROJECTIONS, THAT WOULD BE ADEQUATE FOR US TO KEEP THOSE, UH, THOSE STATIONS OPEN.
THANKS, CAST MEMBER, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, AND COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
UH, COLLEAGUES WANTED TO START WITH THE STAFF'S PROPOSAL FOR THE AMENDMENT THAT THEY ARE OFFERING, UM, FOR THE BUDGET.
WE WERE EMAILED THIS, THE STAFF AMENDMENT LAST NIGHT, I THINK AROUND 11 O'CLOCK.
SO I WANNA FIRST THANK FOR OUR STAFF AND PUBLIC WHO PERHAPS ARE WATCHING, UH, JUST APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE BECAUSE WE'VE HAD LESS THAN 24 HOURS TO DELIBERATE WHAT STAFF HAS COME UP WITH, AND THEN HAVE ALSO WORKED ON AN ALTERNATIVE AMENDMENT, UM, THAT LAYS OUT DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN FUND OUR PRIORITIES.
SO, UM, I WANT JUST WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THE TIME HERE BECAUSE WE ARE BEING VERY THOUGHTFUL AND INTENTIONAL AND DISCIPLINED IN HOW WE APPROACH THIS BUDGET.
AND SO WANTED TO SHARE THAT OUT.
SO STAFF HAS PROPOSED TAKING OUR PRIORITY AMENDMENTS THAT WE DISCUSSED, OR PRIORITY AREAS THAT WE DISCUSSED YESTERDAY AND PUT FORTH BEFORE US A $7.2 MILLION AMENDMENT THAT, UM, THAT, YOU KNOW, LAYS, I MEAN, IT LAYS OUT HERE ON PAGE ONE, THE AREAS IN WHICH WE WOULD INVEST IN.
MY MAIN ISSUE WITH THIS IS THAT NOWHERE DURING YESTERDAY'S CONVERSATION DID WE SAY, PULL IT FROM PARKS OR PULL IT FROM HOMELESSNESS.
AND YET WHAT WE SEE WITH STAFF IS RECOMMENDING IS THAT IN ORDER TO FUND OUR PRIORITY AREAS, THEY HAVE PULLED MORE THAN HALF OF IT FROM HOMELESSNESS INVESTMENTS, AND THEY'VE ALSO DECREASED HALF OF THE NEW PARKS INVESTMENTS.
AND SO I'M REALLY WANTING TO FOCUS ON THE AREAS THAT STAFF IS PROPOSING TO REDUCE IN ORDER TO FUND AREAS THAT WE HAVE DEEMED PRIORITY, INCLUDING A PORTION OF THE M COT 24 7 MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE, AS WELL AS EMS. UM, SO I GUESS FIRST AND FOREMOST, BEFORE I GO THROUGH MY LINE OF QUESTIONING HERE, I, I JUST WANTED TO ASK STAFF IF THEY COULD, IF THERE'S ANY OTHER CONTEXT OR INSIGHT THAT THEY WANNA PROVIDE AS TO WHY THE REDUCTIONS THAT ARE PROPOSED HERE TO FUND OUR PRIORITY AREAS LEAN SO HEAVILY, HALF OF IT BEING HOMELESSNESS, AND THEN AN ADDITIONAL 1 MILLION FROM PARKS.
TALK US THROUGH WHY YOU IDENTIFIED THOSE AREAS VERSUS LOOKING THROUGH OTHER PARTS OF CITY DEPARTMENTS FOR EFFICIENCIES.
SO AS WE BEGAN LOOKING AT, UM, HOW TO REBALANCE THE BUDGET OR WHAT THE OPTIONS WERE, WE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PRIORITIES FOR MOVING FORWARD INCLUDED, UM, THE NON CONGREGATE SHELTERS AS WELL AS THE, UM, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AMONG THE OTHER ITEMS THAT YOU MENTIONED.
UM, AND SO WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT WAYS TO BALANCE THOSE THINGS, WE HAVE LOOKED AT, WE ALREADY LOOKED AT A NUMBER OF THE, UM, AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES THAT WERE IN THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED, UM, PROPOSED THAT WE GET, THAT WE GAVE ON NOVEMBER 7TH.
WE WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT A NUMBER OF THE PRIORITIZATION ITEMS AND SEVERAL OF THOSE ITEMS. UM, EVEN THOUGH WE, WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE PROPOSED BUDGET PROCESS, THOSE ITEMS WERE PUT IN PLACE IN MAY DEPARTMENTS RECOMMENDED THOSE CHANGES IN MAY OF THIS YEAR.
AS WE CONTINUED TO MOVE THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND BEGAN THIS FISCAL YEAR, SEVERAL OF THOSE ITEMS, UM, ARE NO LONGER VIABLE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.
ONE, AS THE DEPARTMENT STARTED DOING THEIR OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 26, WE GAVE THE, UH, INSTRUCTION TO STAY AT FISCAL YEAR 25 LEVELS, AND THEY STARTED LOOKING AT HIRING POSITIONS THAT THEY MAY HAVE HELD BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT REDUCED IN THE BUDGET
[02:45:01]
PROCESS.UM, SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS WERE ONE-TIME DOLLARS AND WERE NOT VIABLE FOR FISCAL YEAR 26.
SO WE COMBED THROUGH SOME OF THOSE PREVIOUS, UM, RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE LOOKED AT WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE, UM, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO OTT EMS. THOSE WERE THE PRIORITIES THAT WE UNDERSTOOD COUNCIL TO HAVE FOR, UM, OUR UPDATED RECOMMENDATION.
UM, WE RECOGNIZE THAT, UM, THERE ARE SOME GIVE AND TAKE IN, IN, UM, THE RECOMMENDATION WE PUT FORWARD, BUT WITH PART IN PARTICULAR, THOSE ADDITIONAL 10 POSITIONS WOULD ALLOW FOR THEM TO CONTINUE THE WORK.
UM, IN MY MIND, THAT WOULD MEAN THAT WE WOULD STILL LOOK AT YEARS TWO AND THREE AND FOUR OF THIS FORECAST PERIOD TO SEE HOW WE COULD POTENTIALLY ADD MORE RESOURCES TO PAR, BUT WE WERE COMMITTED TO DOING AT LEAST THOSE 10 THIS YEAR.
I THINK THIS IS JUST A, UM, AN OVERVIEW OR A RE A RECOMMENDATION THAT ALLOWS OR, OR, UM, APPRECIATES THE GIVE AND TAKE THAT WE HAVE TO DO BECAUSE OF THE FISCAL, UM, RESTRAINTS THAT WE HAVE AND JUST CHOOSING WHAT WE THINK WE COULD IMPLEMENT IN THIS FISCAL YEAR.
WERE, AND, AND JUST FOR COLLEAGUES, YOU KNOW, PART OF WHAT I, OUR SUB QUORUM REFERENCE THROUGH THIS PROCESS WAS THE PRIORITIZATION LIST THAT STAFF DEVELOPED IN PART OF THE EARLIER BUDGET PROCESS.
AND IN THAT, YOU KNOW, DEPARTMENTS WERE ASKED FOR THEIR OWN AREAS IN WHICH THEY WOULD RECOMMEND CUTS.
AND AS MS. LANG LAID OUT HERE, THIS INFORMATION IS OLD NOW 'CAUSE IT WAS LAST DONE IN MAY.
AND SO I GUESS MY NEXT QUESTION IS WAS WERE THE DEPARTMENTAL LEADERS ASKED TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AS PART OF CONSIDERATION FOR THIS UPDATED BUDGET PROCESS? WE DID NOT ASK DEPARTMENTS TO GO BACK AND GIVE MORE OR UPDATED CUTS.
UM, WHAT WE DID WAS WE LOOKED AT THE ONES THAT WERE STILL LISTED AND WE ASKED QUESTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENTS, UM, BUT WE DID NOT GO BACK AND GIVE NEW INSTRUCTION TO PROVIDE NEW REDUCTIONS, UM, FOR THIS BUDGET 2.0.
I AM WORRIED ABOUT NOT HAVING THAT BUILT INTO OUR PROCESS HERE, KNOWING THAT WE'RE POISED TO ADOPT A NEW BUDGET AND NOT KNOWING, KNOWING THAT THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES TO THE CITY AND HOW WE OPERATE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THAT WE DON'T HAVE OUR DEPARTMENTAL LEADERS WEIGHING IN ON AREAS THAT THEY SEE AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR, FOR EFFICIENCIES OR AREAS TO REPRIORITIZE.
UM, WHICH IS WHY I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT THE STAFF HAS LAID OUT BECAUSE THERE'S A NUMBER OF REDUCTIONS, CONTINUED REDUCTIONS WITHIN HOMELESSNESS AND PARKS.
AND SO I'M WONDERING IF DIRECTOR GRAY IS HERE SO HE COULD SPEAK TO SOME OF THE REDUCTIONS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED HERE ON THE HOMELESSNESS FRONT.
THE FIRST ITEM I'D LIKE TO GO THROUGH IS THE RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE THE HOMELESSNESS NAVIGATION SERVICES TO HOPE FUND.
AND THE HOPE FUND WAS A, A NEW FUND THAT WAS CREATED, I BELIEVE JUST IN THE LAST YEAR.
AND IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL, UH, MS. LANG, IF WE COULD GO OVER HOW THE, THE HOPE FUND IS FUNDED AND HOW IT GETS ITS REVENUE SOURCES.
I PAUSED BECAUSE, UM, I'M TRYING TO THINK THROUGH HOW TO BEST DESCRIBE, BUT THE HOPE FUND IS FUNDED PRIMARILY THROUGH TPI DOLLARS, UM, AND, UM, THOSE DOLLARS, AND I'M GONNA LEAN TO ED TO SEE IF HE CAN GIVE THE, IF HE HAS THE DETAILS OF HOW THOSE DOLLARS ROLL THROUGH FOR TPI TO HOPE, JUST SO THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TOURISM PIT, THE COUNCIL ESTABLISHED.
AND SO, UM, THERE'S A DIFFERENT PROVISIONS NOW IN GENERAL, WHEN THE CONVENTION CENTER IS UP AND RUNNING, TO THE EXTENT THEY, UH, PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO, UH, EVENTS TO COME TO AUSTIN AND OCCUPY THE CONVENTION CENTER, THE TOURISM PIT CAN, UM, REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR THE INCENTIVES THAT WE'VE HAD TO PAY IN ORDER TO GET EVENTS TO COME HERE.
AND OF COURSE, THOSE PEOPLE THEN USE HOTELS.
SO THAT'S KIND OF HOW THE FUNDING CYCLE WORKS.
COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT AS THE TOURISM BID STARTS, UM, PUTTING OFF REVENUE, THAT THAT REVENUE WOULD GET DEPOSITED INTO THE HOPE FUND.
AND THAT FIRST DEPOSIT, WHEN WAS THAT? BECAUSE IT WAS RECENT.
SO THE FIRST DEPOSIT WILL, UM, COME IN ON A DECEMBER 11TH ON THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
THAT'S WHEN WE PLAN ON BRINGING FORWARD.
AND IS IT, WHAT AMOUNT IS THAT? WILL THAT BE WE ANTICIPATE $942,000.
DIRECTOR GRAY, IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THE REDUCTIONS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED HERE BY THE CITY MANAGER ON AREAS WHERE WE CAN REALLOCATE DOLLARS.
UH, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CUTS TO HOMELESSNESS SERVICES, INCLUDING AROUND RAPID REHOUSING, REDUCED FUNDING FOR THE BRIDGE, SHELTER, LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT, HOMELESSNESS, DIVERSION SERVICES, CAN YOU, AND AS WELL AS EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
CAN YOU TALK THROUGH WHAT THESE
[02:50:01]
REDUCTIONS, PROPOSED REDUCTIONS WOULD DUE TO OUR HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM? YES, MA'AM.UH, DAVID GRAY, DIRECTOR AUSTIN HOMELESS STRATEGIES AND OPERATIONS.
UH, SO AS YOU MAY RECALL, UH, EARLIER THIS YEAR, COUNCIL DIRECTED OUR OFFICE TO LAY OUT, UH, SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR LOCAL HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
UH, AND SO STAFF PRESENTED THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS IN JUNE.
UH, THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS IN TURN INFORMED WHAT STAFF BROUGHT TO COUNCIL IN AUGUST FOR THE BUDGET THAT YOU ULTIMATELY ADOPTED.
BUT WITH PROPOSITION Q FAILING, WE'VE NOW HAD TO READJUST AND REPRIORITIZE, UH, WHAT WE THINK IS MOST CRITICAL FOR US TO SUSTAIN.
UH, AS I HAD MENTIONED ON YESTERDAY, OUR TOP PRIORITY RIGHT NOW IS TO DO NO HARM TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE'VE ALREADY INVESTED IN AND THINGS THAT WE ARE ALREADY BUILDING.
UH, AND SO WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN FOR US IS FIRST SUSTAINING OUR INVESTMENT IN THE MARSHALL YARD EMERGENCY SHELTER, SO WE DON'T LOSE THOSE 287 BEDS THAT WE CURRENTLY OPERATE.
THE SECOND IS CON IN CONTINUING OUR INVESTMENTS IN NEW SHELTER BEDS, PARTICULARLY ONES THAT THE CITY HAS ALREADY INVESTED FUNDING IN.
UH, I THINK, AS MS. LANG ALLUDED TO EARLIER TODAY, WE'VE INVESTED ABOUT A MILLION AND A HALF INTO, UH, THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SHELTER BEDS OUT AT THE ESPERANZA COMMUNITY.
UH, AND WE'RE AWARE THAT IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND ONGOING OPERATING DOLLARS FOR THAT INVESTMENT, UH, NOT ONLY MIGHT WE NOT SEE THE NEW HUNDRED BEDS OUT AT THE ESPERANZA COMMUNITY, BUT THE EXISTING HUNDRED BEDS MIGHT ALSO BE FORCED TO CLOSE.
THE THIRD IS INVESTMENTS IN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AT THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS FUNDED.
UH, THIS IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT WE BELIEVE NOW FOR US TO CONSIDER THAN IT WAS WHEN WE FIRST ADOPTED THE BUDGET, BECAUSE IN THAT TIME, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SHIFTED THEIR FUNDING PRIORITIES AND THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING, UH, HOW MUCH COCS CAN SPEND ON PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
UH, AND SO ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT FOR US TO SUSTAIN OUR INVESTMENTS THERE.
THE OTHER BIG THING THAT WE DID THIS PAST YEAR IS GET MORE UPSTREAM OF HOMELESSNESS BY INVESTING IN HOMELESS PREVENTION SERVICES, HOMELESS DIVERSION SERVICE, LAND SERVICES, LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT, ET CETERA.
UH, THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT WAS PRESENTED LAST NIGHT AND DISCUSSED TODAY, AS YOU MENTIONED, UH, ELIMINATES THE ONGOING FUNDING FOR THOSE SERVICES FROM THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
OUR OFFICE DOES HAVE OUR EXISTING CONTRACTS THAT ARE FUNDED WITH ONE-TIME FUNDS.
UH, WE CAN SUSTAIN THOSE CONTRACTS THROUGH FY 26, SO WE'D STILL BE OKAY THIS FISCAL YEAR.
HOWEVER, WE'D HAVE TO RECONSIDER IF WE'RE GONNA PROVIDE ONGOING FUNDING FOR THOSE INVESTMENTS NEXT FISCAL YEAR OR IF WE'RE GONNA GET OUT OF THE, THE BUSINESS OF PROVIDING THAT MINIMAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING THAT OUR OFFICE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE DO.
SO I'LL, I'LL PAUSE RIGHT THERE, MAYOR PROTE, TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE ME TO CLARIFY.
WELL, I MEAN, IF YOU COULD SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO THE RAPID REHOUSING, THE 1 MILLION REDUCTION IN RAPID REHOUSING BEDS, THE 750,000 REDUCTION IN BRIDGE SHELTERS, THE 600,000 REDU REDUCTION IN LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT, 500,000 REDU REDUCTION IN HOMELESSNESS DIVERSION SERVICES.
THOSE SPECIFIC REDUCTIONS WOULD IMPACT THE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
SO FOR THE 1 MILLION, UM, ELIMINATION IN THE RAPID, THE NEW FUNDING FOR RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS, UH, THAT WOULD LEAVE US WITH OUR EXISTING BASELINE OF ABOUT 4.8 MILLION FOR RAPID REHOUSING, WHICH MAKES UP 8% OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICES BUDGET.
UM, WE'VE HAD TO PAUSE RAPID NEW RAPID REHOUSING INTAKES THIS FISCAL YEAR, OR I GUESS LAST FISCAL YEAR TO TRANSITION PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE ONE-TIME ARPA FUNDED RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS INTO THE ONGOING GENERAL FUND FUNDED RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS SO THAT THOSE CLIENTS DIDN'T EXIT THE ARPA PROGRAMS BACK INTO HOMELESSNESS.
BECAUSE OF THAT PAUSE AND NEW INTAKES, THE, THE BACKLOG FOR THE RAPID REHOUSING HAS GROWN.
UH, THIS MILLION DOLLARS WOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO ADDRESS SOME OF THAT BACKLOG.
UH, SO WITHOUT IT, THE, THE BACKLOG REMAINS WE'RE, WE'RE, WE WILL STILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE RAPID REHOUSING, UH, AS A CITY FUNDED PROGRAM.
UM, BUT OUR ABILITY TO CATCH UP IS, IS GONNA BE LIMITED.
IN ADDITION, I I HAD SPOKEN ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHIFTING THEIR FUNDING PRIORITIES, UH, THAT SHIFT IN FUNDING PRIORITIES ALSO AFFECTS FEDERALLY FUNDED RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS IN OUR COMMUNITY TOO.
UH, SO WE ARE GONNA SEE SOME RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS THAT ARE NOT CITY FUNDED, THEY'RE FEDERALLY FUNDED.
[02:55:01]
PROGRAMS MAY LOSE THAT FEDERAL FUNDING.SO JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE 750,000 FOR BRIDGE SHELTERS, UH, THOSE DOLLARS WOULD HAVE ENABLED US TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO OUR NORTH BRIDGE AND SOUTH BRIDGE CLIENTS TO HELP THOSE CLIENTS MOVE ON INTO HOUSING.
IT ESSENTIALLY IS, IS THE OUTPUT, AND IT ALLOWS US TO FREE UP MORE BEDS IN THE BRIDGE SHELTERS.
SO WHEN WE DO OUR HEAL INITIATIVES OR THE ENCAMPMENT CLOSURES, WE HAVE BEDS TO PLACE PEOPLE INTO.
AND SO BY REMOVING THIS 750,000, UM, WE WON'T HAVE FUNDING FOR THAT DEDICATED HOUSING SUPPORT AT THE BRIDGE SHELTERS.
UH, AND SO IT JUST, IT SLOWS OUR BED TURNOVER AT THE SHELTERS, THE LOSS OF $600,000 IN LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT.
UH, AGAIN, WE HAVE OUR EXISTING CONTRACT WITH HOUSING CONNECTOR.
IT'S FUNDED FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, SO IT WOULDN'T HAVE AN IMPACT ON US THIS FISCAL YEAR.
UH, BUT IF WE WEREN'T ABLE TO IDENTIFY FUNDING FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR, UH, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO REEVALUATE IF WE KEEP THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH HOUSING CONNECTOR.
UH, AND THEN THE 500,000 FOR HOMELESS DIVERSION SERVICES, UH, WE HAVE OUR EXISTING CONTRACT FOR THE WAYFINDER PROGRAM THAT'S GOOD FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
SO WE'RE, AGAIN, WE'RE COVERED FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
WE ALSO HAVE ONE EXTENSION ON THAT CONTRACT, SO WE'RE ASSUMING WE, WE GET FUNDING NEXT FISCAL YEAR AT OUR BASELINE.
WE'LL HAVE THAT PROGRAM COVERED IN Y 27 AS WELL.
SO FOR THE LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT AND THE HOMELESSNESS DIVERSION SERVICES, WE HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO HOLD US OVER FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
AND THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I WANTED TO DIG INTO IS, UH, IF WE COULD GET CHIEF LITZ BACK, I JUST WANNA TALK THROUGH THE OVERTIME FOR EMS AND, AND BETTER UNDERSTAND, UM, THE PROPOSAL THAT IS BEFORE US.
THIS TO ME, IS KEY, AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE, 'CAUSE CHIEF LUCK, YOU MENTIONED FOR THE RECORD THAT HAVING THIS AMOUNT THAT STAFF IS PROPOSING WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO KEEP US FROM HAVING TO HAVE BROWNOUTS AMBULANCES THAT ARE NOT IN USE DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES.
AND THAT AMOUNT WOULD BE 2.5 MILLION THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE ASSOCIATION SAYS IS NEEDED FOR, TO PREVENT BROWNOUTS.
UM, AND IT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS IN THE PRIOR THE ENHANCEMENTS LIST THAT, THAT WAS SHARED WITH US EARLIER THIS SUMMER.
SO CAN YOU JUST TALK US THROUGH THE DIFFERENCES THERE AND, AND WHAT OTHER CONTEXT WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF AND HOW THIS 2.5 MILLION IS SUFFICIENT TO ELIMINATE BROWNOUTS? SURE.
SO, UM, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WAS WE LOOK AT WHAT OUR SPEND WAS, UH, LAST YEAR, UM, IN TERMS OF HAVING ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND ALL THE INITIATIVES THAT WE HAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT.
UH, MOVING FORWARD, IT WAS A HIGHER AMOUNT.
UM, WHEN WE LOOK AT KIND OF THE NEED FOR US TO FOCUS IN ON THESE CORE SERVICES AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE, UM, ADEQUATE STATION COVERAGE ACROSS THE COUNTY, THE 2.5 MILLION REPRESENTS WHAT IT WOULD, WHAT IT WOULD REQUIRE FOR US TO, UM, UH, TO HAVE THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO, UM, ENSURE THAT WE HAVE AN AMBULANCE IN EVERY EMS STATION.
UM, THE DIFFERENCE THAT YOU SEE BETWEEN THAT AND SAY THE 4.4 MILLION, UM, REPRESENTS, UH, THE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT REPRESENTS THE EFFORTS THAT WE WERE MAKING TOWARDS OUR, UH, ONBOARDING AND RECRUITING EFFORTS, UH, TO REALLY ADDRESS THE ONGOING VACANCIES.
UM, WHAT WE'VE SEEN AND IN OUR DISCUSSIONS IS WE KIND OF WEIGH THE, THE PROS AND CONS AND WHERE BEST TO ALLOCATE OUR RESOURCES.
UH, WE WERE RUNNING, COMING INTO 2025 WITH A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS ON OUR RECRUITING LIST THAT WE WERE TRYING TO BRING ON BOARD.
UH, AND, AND THE INCREASED COSTS AS I DESCRIBED EARLIER, OF, UM, BOTH RECRUITING, BUT EVEN MORE SO, THAT ONBOARDING AND THE LONG TIME THAT IT TAKES FOR US TO BRING PEOPLE FROM, UH, JOINING THE DEPARTMENT TO BECOMING FULLY PRODUCTIVE, UH, WITHIN THE WORKFORCE.
UM, OUR CURRENT ACADEMY RIGHT NOW THAT WE HAVE GOING ON IS, IS 17, WHICH IS DRAMATICALLY LOWER THAN WHAT WE HAD SEEN, 20, 25 WITH ACADEMIES, UH, UP TO 41 INDIVIDUALS.
AND SO AS WE LOOK AT, UM, THE TIMELINE FOR BRINGING THOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS, UH, FULLY ONLINE AND FULLY PRODUCTIVE, AND WE LOOK AT WHAT THIS YEAR WOULD LOOK LIKE GIVEN WHERE WE ARE AT, UM, YOU KNOW, ALREADY INTO THIS FISCAL YEAR OF THE NEED TO DO RECRUITING AND THEN APPLICATION PROCESS, AND THEN ONBOARDING, TRYING TO BE REALISTIC ABOUT HOW MANY NEW PEOPLE WE WOULD ACTUALLY BRING ON IN THIS FISCAL YEAR THAT THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO DO.
AND SO WE'RE NOT AT A PLACE FROM A, UH, PIPELINE PERSPECTIVE AS WE WERE IN THE BEGINNING OF 2025.
UH, WE NEED TO PRIME THE PIPE THIS YEAR.
WE NEED TO PUT A LOT OF EFFORTS INTO OUR RECRUITING, UM, AND GETTING BACK OUT INTO THE NATIONAL STAGE, GETTING BACK OUT INTO THE COMMUNICATIONS OF, UH, THE GREAT WORK THAT WE'RE DOING HERE IN AUSTIN.
[03:00:01]
PIPELINE AND THEN WE'LL WORK THROUGH THE WORK WITH THE CITY MANAGER, THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, LOOK AT OUR OWN STRUCTURE TO SEE THEN HOW DO WE TAKE THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN THAT STARTING PIPELINE AND ACTUALLY BRING THEM ON BOARD INTO THE COMING YEARS.I, I GUESS I'M JUST, BECAUSE AT THE BEGINNING YOU SAID THAT THE REST OF THE 4.4 MILLION WAS FOR RECRUITMENT, BUT YOU JUST ALSO SHARED THAT THE NEED TO PRIORITIZE RECRUITMENT.
SO HOW, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO PRIORITIZE RECRUITMENT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING THAT IS NEEDED FOR THOSE EFFORTS? YES.
SO THE BULK OF THAT WAS REALLY THE ONBOARDING PIECE AND THE ACADEMIES.
UM, AND SO I'M, I'M KIND OF MAYBE, UM, BLENDING THOSE TOGETHER A LITTLE BIT.
RECRUITING AND ONBOARDING IN THE ACADEMY PIECE.
UM, IT'S REALLY GONNA BE A LOT OF MARKETING.
IT'S GONNA BE A LOT OF, UM, GETTING OUR TEAMS BACK.
WE REALLY TRIMMED OUR TRAVEL LAST YEAR AS WELL, AND SO WE WERE NOT MARKETING OURSELVES AT SOME OF THE LARGE NATIONAL AND LARGE REGIONAL CONFERENCES, UH, ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WE, UM, AND SO WE WANT TO GET BACK OUT THERE AND TRY TO, UH, AGAIN, REINVIGORATE, UM, THE COMMUNITY, UM, TO COME TO AUSTIN, UM, AND, AND SET SOME REALISTIC TIMELINES AS WE'RE OUT THERE OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR US MOVING FORWARD.
UH, IT, IT IS A LONG PROCESS FOR US FROM START TO FINISH TO GET FOLKS TO COME TO AUSTIN AND, AND WHAT WE SEE SOMETIMES IS INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT TO COME TO AUSTIN.
IT, IT'S A, IT IS A LONG PROCESS AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO EVALUATE THOSE PROCESSES TO WORK THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR HOW IT IS THAT WE CAN STREAMLINE THAT PROCESS, UH, AS WE GO INTO FISCAL YEAR 2027.
CAN YOU PROVIDE MORE DETAILS SPECIFICALLY HOW THAT PORTION OF FUNDING, THE GAP FUNDING THAT WOULD'VE GONE TO ONBOARDING FOR THE NEW MEDICS GOING THROUGH ACADEMY? HOW, LIKE, IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT FUNDING, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT ONBOARDING SPECIFICALLY? SO, UH, WE WOULD LOOK AT, OR, OR WE ARE LOOKING AT, RIGHT, THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT SAY ARE IN QUEUE TO POTENTIALLY JOIN US IN AN ACADEMY.
UM, AND IN ORDER FOR, FOR US TO REALLY GET TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE FROM A STAFFING PERSPECTIVE AND TO FILL OUR VACANCIES, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO OUR ACADEMY SUCCEEDS, UH, THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE DEPARTING THE DEPARTMENT.
AND AS WE GROW, UM, WE HAD REACHED THAT PERIOD IN 2025 WHEN WE WERE HAVING, YOU KNOW, 30 TO 40 INDIVIDUALS PER ACADEMY, UM, AT TIMES, UH, WHERE WE ARE AT NOW, UM, WITH THOSE LOWER NUMBERS, UM, WHAT IT DOES FOR US FROM AN ONBOARDING PERSPECTIVE IS IT KEEPS US WHOLE, AS WE REALLY START TO RETHINK THAT STRATEGY OF, OF GOING INTO FUTURE FISCAL YEARS AND HOW IT IS THAT WE CAN CHANGE THE WAY THAT WE DO ONBOARDING AS A DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE, UM, IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER, GETTING OURSELVES TO BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE LARGER ACADEMIES, UM, AND, AND HAVE THAT PIPELINE BUILT UP TO BE ABLE TO, TO, TO STAFF THOSE ACADEMIES AS WELL.
I JUST, YOU KNOW, I, I'M, I'M STRUGGLING HERE IN, IN UNDERSTANDING HOW HAVING A REDUCTION IN THE FUNDING THAT EMS NEEDS FOR RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING, BUT KNOWING THAT WE HAVE A 15% VACANCY RATE WITHIN THE EMS DEPARTMENT AND KNOWING THE IMPORTANCE OF US RECRUITING AND HAVING THAT PIPELINE AS A WAY TO OFFSET THE OVERTIME FUNDING THAT WE ARE ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO ADDRESS WITH THIS AMENDMENT.
I MEAN, THOSE TWO GO HAND IN HAND.
SO IF WE'RE REDUCING THE PORTION THAT'S FOCUSED ON RECRUITMENT, YOU KNOW, WE WILL AL EVERY YEAR WE'LL HAVE TO COME BACK AND ADD MORE FOR OVERTIME BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GETTING THE NECESSARY AMOUNT OF, OF MEDICS THROUGH THE PIPELINE.
I MEAN, ANY, ANY THOUGHTS ON, YEAH, I, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US IN THIS, THIS COMING YEAR, I SHOULD SAY THE, THIS EXISTING YEAR HERE TO REALLY WORK WITH THE TEAM, UM, WORK WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, REALLY WORK TOWARDS, I THINK AS MANY OF THE OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS ARE SEEING IS WHAT IS, HOW CAN WE RETHINK OVERALL? UM, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE IS THE, AS I'VE SAID, THE EXPONENTIAL GROWTH THAT WE'RE SEEING IN OUR DEPARTMENTS, UH, OR CERTAINLY IN OUR DEPARTMENT.
AND, AND THAT'S A UNIQUE CHALLENGE FOR US, UM, TO, YOU KNOW, WE ARE UP MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN SEATS, STAFF IN SEATS FROM WHEN I STARTED IN, IN 2022.
THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE HERE IS AS MUCH ABOUT DEALING WITH THAT GROWTH AS IT IS WITH DEALING WITH, WITH TURNOVER.
UM, AND SO IT'S A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT MECHANISM FOR US AS WE LOOK TO NOT JUST MAINTAIN THE TURNOVER, WHICH IS HISTORICALLY WHAT MANY OF THESE AGENCIES HAVE DONE, RIGHT? WE, WE HAVE ENOUGH FOLKS COMING THROUGH AND END TO MAINTAIN US IN THE SIZE THAT WE ARE TODAY OR THE SIZE THAT WE WERE IN 2022.
BUT IF WE ARE GONNA GROW THE DEPARTMENT AS QUICKLY AND AS WE, WE, WE NEED TO SEE IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE, UH, THOSE, THOSE INITIATIVES THAT YOU HAVE FUNDED OVER THE YEARS, THOSE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US, WE'RE GONNA NEED TO VASTLY EXPAND, UM, THAT RECRUITING PIECE AND VASTLY EXPAND THAT ONBOARDING PIECE.
AND SO THAT REQUIRES US TO REALLY BUILD A SOLID INFRASTRUCTURE.
YOU KNOW, WHEN I, WHEN I SPOKE, UH, EARLIER THIS WEEK,
[03:05:01]
YOU KNOW, THIS YEAR FOR US IN 2026, FISCAL YEAR 2026 IS, IS A LITTLE BIT OF ABOUT BACK TO THE BASICS.I THINK MANY DEPARTMENTS ARE GOING THROUGH THAT SAME THING OF LOOKING AT OUR OVERALL INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'VE GROWN BY, BY SEVERAL HUNDRED, OVER A HUNDRED NEW POSITIONS SINCE I CAME HERE.
AND, YOU KNOW, OUR OVERALL OPERATIONS HAVE GROWN BY ALMOST 50%.
UM, WE NEED TO TAKE A PAUSE, UM, AND, AND REALLY THINK THROUGH, DO WE HAVE ALL OF THE PIECES THAT WE, WE HAVE IN PLACE FROM A RECRUITING PERSPECTIVE, FROM AN ONBOARDING PERSPECTIVE, FROM ALL OF THE OTHER PIECES THAT WE HAVE THAT OPERATE SO MUCH IN THE BACKGROUND TO SUPPORT THAT EXPONENTIAL GROWTH THAT YOU GUYS HAVE, HAVE SO GRACIOUSLY FUNDED US OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
AND I THINK THAT TAKING THIS FISCAL YEAR TO REALLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A, OF A RESET FOR OURSELVES, MAINTAIN WHERE WE ARE AND UNDERSTAND HOW DO WE, UH, PROPERLY MAKE SURE THAT COMING INTO FISCAL YEAR 2027, GIVING THE FINANCIAL CLIMATE THAT WE ARE IN, THAT WE HAVE BUILT OUT A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MECHANISM FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE GROWTH, MEET THE DEMAND OF THE COMMUNITY, UH, MEET THE, THOSE PROGRAMS THAT YOU HAVE FUNDED, UM, AND, AND HAVE US ON A GOOD TRAJECTORY TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT WE'RE SERVING THE GROWTH OF AUSTIN AND THE RESIDENTS IN OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU CHIEF FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND FROM FINANCIAL STAFF, UM, SOME OF THESE ITEMS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOURS JUST TO, UM, FULLY WE HAVEN'T LAID OH, OKAY.
SHOULD WE WAIT FOR THAT? YEAH, WHY DON'T YOU WAIT ON THAT.
I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT DOESN'T COME OUT YET.
UM, JUST WANTED TO, I, I SAW THE TALK ABOUT THE SOBERING CENTER, THE CUT, THE 125,000 CUT.
UH, AGAIN, I KNOW THE ANSWER IS THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF OF FUNDS, BUT WHAT WAS THE THINKING KIND OF BEHIND THAT, THAT THAT 125 CUT, I KNOW THAT IT, IT HAD THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL CAME OUT WITH THE, UH, ADDING, UH, 500,000, UH, AGAIN, WHICH WAS DOWN FROM THE PROP Q AMOUNT AND, AND NOW WE'RE DOWN TO THE, THE 3 75.
JUST KIND OF THOUGHTS ON THAT.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS, UM, THAT THE TEAM FROM THE SOBERING CENTER, UM, MADE A, A, UM, PRESENTATION IN AUGUST THAT INDICATED THAT THEIR FUNDING NEEDS, UM, WERE THE 3 75 FOR THE YEAR, THE ADDITIONAL 3 75 FOR THE YEAR, NOT AN ADDITIONAL 5 MILLION FOR THIS COMING YEAR.
SO WE MADE THAT ADJUSTMENT BASED ON THAT INFORMATION.
NOW, AN ADDITIONAL 500,000, UH, CORRECT.
UH, THE, UM, AND I WAS THAT, UH, THE SOBERING CENTER, UH, THEY HAD A BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT.
UH, THE CENTRAL HEALTH, AGAIN, JUST KIND OF FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION, UH, FOR, FOR OURSELVES AND FOR THE PUBLIC, UM, CENTRAL HEALTH, UH, HAS, UH, GIVEN THE SOBERING CENTER A $600,000 CONTRACT TO HELP WITH SOME OF THE, UM, THE, WHAT THEY CALL THE HOLDOVER.
IN OTHER WORDS, FOLKS THAT ARE TAKEN TO THE SOBERING CENTER FOR CRIMINAL DIVERSION OF PURPOSES, BUT THEN, UH, AT THE SOBERING CENTER, UH, REALIZE THAT THEY NEED MUCH DEEPER SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.
AND THE SOBERING CENTER HAS BEEN, UM, DOING THIS KIND OF ON A REALLY AD HOC BASIS WITH VERY LIMITED RESOURCES.
CENTRAL HEALTH IN THE PAST YEAR HAS STEPPED UP TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
AND NOW THIS YEAR IS REALLY, UH, A STEPPING OF, AND, AND MY CONCERN WITH THAT, THAT THAT CUT THERE ALSO WOULD BE THAT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO OPERATIONALIZE THE, THE, THE, THE, THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES WITHOUT THE KIND OF THE BASE SUPPORT FROM, UH, FROM THE, THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
UM, SO I WOULD HATE TO, TO LOSE KIND OF CENTRAL HEALTH OR I, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THERE'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE KIND OF THE, THE DOWNTOWN, UH, UH, THERE IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE, THE DOWNTOWN PUBLIC SAFETY PUZZLE THAT, UH, I WOULD HATE TO, UH, TO LOSE THAT ADDITIONAL BENEFIT FROM THE, THE, THE CENTRAL HEALTH, UH, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT'S JUST VERY HARD TO GET INTO, UH, INDIGENT, UH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, UH, CARE.
UH, BUT, UH, ALRIGHT, I'LL, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
UM, I THINK THAT COVERS THE QUESTIONS ON THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
UH, WE WILL NOW GO TO AMENDMENTS TO THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET.
[03:10:02]
YEAH, I KNOW.UH, SO, SO LET ME REMIND EVERYBODY WHERE WE ARE.
WE HAVE MADE A MAIN MOTION, AND THAT IS TO, AND, AND, AND UNFORTUNATELY THE WORD AMENDED GETS USED A LOT HERE.
BUT THE MAIN MOTION IS TO AMEND THE BUDGET THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PASSED.
COUNCIL PASSED A BUDGET, UH, THAT BUDGET INCLUDED A TAX RATE THAT REQUIRED A TAX RATE ELECTION.
AND SO WE ARE HERE TO AMEND THAT BUDGET.
SO THE, THE ORIGINAL MOTION, THE MAIN MOTION WILL BE A MOTION TO AMEND THAT BUDGET.
WE NOW HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO THAT WHICH IS RECOMMENDED BY THE STAFF, AND THAT WILL BE THE FIRST ITEM WE TAKE UP.
THE COUNCIL AMENDMENTS WILL BE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE STAFF RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT.
AND UNLESS SOMEBODY WANTS TO START WITH SOMETHING ELSE, AND I'M NOT SEEING ANYBODY DOING THAT, I'M GOING TO GO IN THIS ORDER, I'M GONNA FIRST CALL ON COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER FOR HIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
I WILL THEN GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, FOLLOWED BY THE MAYOR PRO TIM.
AND I'LL, UH, THE NEXT IN LINE WOULD BE COUNCIL MEMBER LANE.
UM, BUT CA BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THOSE AMENDMENTS ARE GOING TO BE WITHDRAWN.
BUT I'LL, I'LL WAIT TILL I GET TO YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT'S THE CASE.
COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL, I HAVE ONE, AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
AND THEN THERE'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S ALSO ONE BY COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, UH, AND I, AND I MISSPOKE THE YEAH, I MEAN, I'LL, I WANNA CHECK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.
YEAH, WELL, THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO IS I'LL CALL 'EM OUT BECAUSE I KNOW WE'VE, WE'VE ALL BEEN MOVING AROUND, SO WE'LL, WE'LL, I'LL, I'LL BE REAL FLEXIBLE ON TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THOSE.
SO, UM, A ACTUALLY, THE FIRST AMENDMENT THAT I'M GOING TO BRING FORWARD IS ONE THAT IS FROM, FROM ME.
AND, AND FOLKS, YOU HAVE THE YELLOW COPY AND IT'S, IT'S LABELED ITEM FOUR, MOTION SHEET 2 11 20 25.
AND I'M GONNA READ THIS SO THAT THE PUBLIC, MR. MAYOR, IF I MAY I YES, MA'AM.
IN, IN THE WAY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO, AND THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING, AND I CAN'T TAP IN LIKE I WOULD LIKE TO.
DID, DID, DID, DO YOU? NO, I GOT NOTHING.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T MISS YOU OPPORT PARTICULARLY RECOGNIZE THAT I'M HERE.
AND I APPRECIATE YOU LETTING ME, REMINDING ME.
SO THE FIRST, SO HERE'S THE ORDER.
UM, YOU KNOW, OUR SUB QUORUM HAS A SUBSTITUTE.
WELL, THAT'S, I, THAT'S WHY I WAS LOOKING RIGHT AT YOU.
OH, I THOUGHT YOU UNDERSTOOD THAT.
AND THAT'S WHY I WAS LOOKING AT YOU WHEN I WAS SAYING I, I DON'T SEE ANYBODY A ASKING FOR IT.
DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION? YES, SIR.
WELL THEN I, THEN HERE'S THE ORDER.
I WILL, BECAUSE YOU'VE INDICATED YOU WANNA DO THAT.
I'M GONNA RECOGNIZE YOU ON A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
AND SO WE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT WE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS ADOPTED MEMBERS.
YOU'LL RECALL THAT IF, IF A SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS MADE, AND THIS WILL BE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, IT WILL BE A MOTION TO REPLACE OR SUBSTITUTE THE MOTION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL MAKES.
IT WILL BE TO REPLACE OR SUBSTITUTE THE STAFF RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET.
WE HAVE A, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THAT ALREADY.
IF, AND, AND THE DEBATE WILL BE THEN ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION AND WHETHER WE WANT TO ADOPT THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, WE WILL VOTE ON NOT THE SUB TO ADOPT THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, BUT ON WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL BE SUBSTITUTED.
IN OTHER WORDS, WILL IT REPLACE THE STAFF RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT AND THAT, AND, AND THAT WILL BE THE FIRST VOTE.
IF IT IS VOTED TO REPLACE THAT, THEN WE WILL HAVE IT AS THE AMENDMENT.
AND IF THERE'S OO OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THAT, THOSE WILL ALSO BE OFFERED UP AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED ON A PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
AND, UH, I'M GONNA DESCR DESCRIBE IT BRIEFLY.
UH, A CLEAN COPY IS COMING DOWNSTAIRS BECAUSE, UH, DURING THE LAST BREAK WE MET WITH CITY STAFF AND THEY GAVE US A COUPLE NOTES.
[03:15:02]
UM, IT'S LARGELY WHAT ISN'T ON THE DAIS, BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE CHANGES.UM, THE INTENTION OF THIS SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS TO FULLY FUND SOME OF COUNCIL'S SHARED PRIORITIES, INCLUDING EMS EM COT, UH, BETTER SERVICES AT PARKS AND ITEMS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES, LIKE BAD WEATHER PAY, AND ALSO, UH, TO IMPROVE WILDFIRE MITIGATION.
SO THOSE ARE SO BASICALLY ENHANCED INVESTMENTS ON THE EXPENSE SIDE.
AND THEN ON THE PAY FORCE SIDE, UM, OUR SUB QUORUM FELT THAT SOME OF THE CUTS WERE, UM, VERY PAINFUL AND, AND ESPECIALLY TO THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE, UH, SOME OF THE PARKS, CUTS AND OTHER CUTS.
AND SO THE INTENTION IS TO REPLACE SOME OF THE PAY PAY FORS THAT ARE IN THE STAFF MOTION.
UM, SO I WILL DESCRIBE AS WE'RE WAITING FOR THE DOCUMENT, THE KEY CHANGES TO INVESTMENTS.
SO, UH, TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION 19, WHICH IS THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SWORN OVERTIME TO ELIMINATE BROWNOUTS, WE PROPOSE SPENDING $3 MILLION INSTEAD OF 2.5 MILLION TO ADDRESS PART OF WHAT CHIEF RETS, UH, REFERRED TO ABOUT IMPROVING OUR ABILITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN, UH, NEW CADETS.
WE ALSO PROPOSE ADDING A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE EM COT EXPANDED MOBILE CRISIS OUTREACH TEAM ITEM, SO THAT IT WOULD GO UP TO $2.086 MILLION.
AND FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, THAT WOULD ENABLE THE PROGRAM TO TRULY OPERATE 24 7, UM, I HAVE AGREED TO REDUCTIONS INTO A COUPLE OF THE FOOD ITEMS TO FREE UP A LITTLE MONEY.
SO REDUCING THE FOOD PANTRIES ITEM TO 150,000 A YEAR, REDUCING THE HOME DELIVERED MEALS TO OLDER ADULTS TO 100,000 A YEAR.
BUT THEN ADDING BAD WEATHER PAY FOR ESSENTIAL CITY EMPLOYEES, $152,000, ADDING DENTAL BENEFITS FOR PART-TIME TEMP EMPLOYEES, THAT'S ABOUT $119,000.
AND THEN ADDING A MILLION DOLLARS TO WILD FIRE MITIGATION, THEY WOULD BE PAID FOR THROUGH THE URBAN FOREST REPLENISHMENT FUND.
SO THOSE ARE THE ENHANCEMENTS TO THE STAFF PROPOSAL.
ON THE, ON THE, UM, YOU KNOW, PAYMENT SIDE, WE PROPOSE REDUCING FUNDING FOR IMAGINE AUSTIN BY $2 MILLION.
WE PROPOSE VACANCY SAVINGS FOR POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS OF $1 MILLION.
UM, WE DO PROPOSE TRANSFERRING FROM THE RESERVE FUND, $2 MILLION.
UM, BUT WE'VE REMOVED A LOT OF THE CUTS THAT WERE IN, UH, THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
AND, UH, THOSE ARE APPARENT, UM, IN, IN THE ATTACHMENT THAT'S ACTUALLY NOW BEING DISTRIBUTED.
UM, IN ADDITION, WE WANNA CUT FEWER POSITIONS FROM PARKS, FROM THE STAFF AMENDMENT.
SO INSTEAD OF REDUCING THE MANAGER'S PROPOSAL, UM, BY 10 EMPLOYEES, WE PROPOSE ONLY CUTTING FIVE.
UH, WE WANNA, UM, REDUCE THE CUT TO RAPID REHOUSING.
SO INSTEAD OF CUTTING 1 MILLION, WE WANNA REDUCE IT TO A $500,000 REDUCTION.
UM, AND THEN THERE'S A NUMBER OF CUTS THAT ARE BASED ON THE SERVICE PRIORITIZATION REPORT THAT ARE BASICALLY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS CHART.
UM, I KNOW THERE'S GONNA BE QUESTIONS AND, YOU KNOW, I, MY, MY PEERS IN THE SUB QUORUM CAN ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS MORE BROADLY, BUT BIG PICTURE, WE WANNA STRENGTHEN EMERGENCY RESPONSE EMS AND EM COT.
WE WANNA IMPROVE OUR PARKS MAINTENANCE, WE WANNA TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, AND WE WANT TO IMPROVE WILDFIRE MITIGATION WITHOUT CUTTING SO DEEPLY INTO HSO AND OTHER, UH, ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS. COUNCIL MEMBER, BEFORE I GO TO, UH, PEOPLE THAT ARE SIGNED UP TO ASK QUESTIONS, UH, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR ON SOMETHING.
ON THE REDUCING FUNDING FOR IMAGINE AUSTIN, I HEARD YOU SAY THAT YOU REDUCED THAT BY 2 MILLION.
YOUR, THE VER ONE OF THE VERSIONS THAT I HAD BEFORE HAD IT AT 2 MILLION.
THE VERSION I WAS JUST HANDED HAS IT AT 1 MILLION.
UH, WHAT NUMBER ARE WE DEALING WITH? OKAY, MY APOLOGIES.
UM, I, UH, I THINK AT THE, UH, MANAGER'S, UH, RECOMMENDATION, WE HAVE REMOVED THAT TO REDUCE THAT TO $1 MILLION.
THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
UM, I WANTED TO JUST ASK FINANCIAL STAFF TO GET SOME CLARITY ON A COUPLE OF THESE NEW ITEMS. UM, THE, I'M JUST GONNA START TOWARDS THE TOP.
THE WILDFIRE MITIGATION WITH THOSE DOLLARS,
[03:20:01]
ARE THOSE FUNDING CONTRACTED POSITIONS OR WOULD THOSE FUND NEW FTES TO DO THIS WORK? I SEE CHIEF BAKER WORKING HIS WAY DOWN.JOEL BAKER, AUSTIN FIRE, FIRE CHIEF, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER THAT WIFI MITIGATION.
I HAVE A LIST HERE, UH, TO START WITH.
IT IS TO FUND ADVERTISEMENT FOR BILLBOARDS, UH, FOR VARIOUS ADVERTISEMENT, UH, INITIATIVE, UH, TO, UH, TO HELP US IDENTIFY WILDFIRE HAZARDS IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS SOFT VARIOUS SOFTWARES.
OUR ANNUAL FIRE ASIDE SOFTWARE ALONG WITH SCHEDULING SOFTWARE TO HELP US SCHEDULE, UH,
ALSO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY SERVERS.
UH, IT'S A CENTRAL DATABASE SHARING PLATFORM FOR AWARENESS FOR FIRST RESPONDER AGENCIES, VARIOUS AGENCIES THAT WE USE.
ALSO TO HELP US GET FIVE SHELTERS AND PACKS, WHICH IS A-N-F-P-A 7 19 77 COMPLIANCE FOR REGIONAL WILDFIRE POLICY, UH, THAT WE SHOULD HAVE IN PLACE IS ALSO TO HELP US WITH WIE COLE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND OUR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT W CODE AND ALSO FOR EMBER'S INITIATIVE ZONE COMPLIANCE.
THAT'S WHAT THE FUNDING IS FOR.
SO I, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT USING ONE TIME DOLLARS THAT THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR WE WOULDN'T HAVE AN ONGOING NEED FOR THESE EXPENSES.
IT'S NOT FOR, UH, FTES OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.
UH, MOVING ON TO IMAGINE AUSTIN, THE REDUCTION IS LISTED IN THE ONGOING, SHOULD THAT BE ONE TIME BECAUSE IT'S A ONE TIME CIP TRANSFER? YES, THOSE ARE ONE TIME FUNDS.
JUST WANNA CONFIRM ON THE VACANCY SAVINGS IS MY UNDERSTANDING, SINCE THIS IS KINDA, THIS WOULD BE UP TO THE MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT, BUT ESSENTIALLY IN PRACTICALITY, WHAT THIS WOULD LOOK LIKE IS IF A POSITION, LET'S SAY RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOU CALCULATE YOUR VACANCY SAVINGS, YOU THINK THAT A POSITION MIGHT BE OPEN FOR THREE MONTHS AND SO YOU FUND NINE MONTHS WORTH.
BUT TO DO THIS, YOU MIGHT SAY, ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GONNA HOLD THAT POSITION OPEN FOR FIVE OR SIX MONTHS AND THEN FILL IT SO THAT THERE IS A SAVINGS ACHIEVED IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
IS THAT A KIND OF ACCURATE WAY HOW THIS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED? YES, THAT IS ACCURATE.
UH, AND THAT WOULD BE, AS IT'S MENTIONED, CITYWIDE, THERE'S NO, NO REQUIREMENT IN THIS THAT IT WOULD BE FOR A SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT.
IT'S LISTED AS CITYWIDE THE, UM, SAVINGS FROM ANY VACANCIES IN OTHER FUNDS.
ENTERPRISE FUNDS CANNOT BE USED FOR THE GENERAL FUND.
SO WE WOULD PRIMARILY LOOK AT GENERAL FUND AND SUPPORT SERVICES FUND.
WITH THE STIPULATION FOR VACANT POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS, I SEE THE MANAGER'S SHAKING HIS HEAD, SO I MANAGER THANK YOU.
SO THAT I THINK IS WHAT THE NOTES SAY.
AND I THINK THE INTENTION WAS TO LOOK AT VACANCIES THAT WERE TWO YEARS OR MORE.
AND AS I THINK I DESCRIBED, UH, IN CONVERSATION, UH, THOSE TYPES OF VACANCIES THAT ARE TWO YEARS OR MORE, UH, ARE ALREADY ACCOUNTED FOR, UH, IN OUR NORMAL, UH, SALARY, UH, SAVINGS OR VACANCY SAVINGS AS WE LOOK ANNUALLY, BECAUSE THAT IS EITHER A CHOICE AND OR WHAT IS CONSISTENTLY HAPPENING GIVEN THE TYPES OF PHYSICIANS AND THE DIFFICULTY TO FILL THEM.
THOSE COSTS, UH, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, ARE ALREADY COUNT ACCOUNTED FOR, NO DIFFERENT THAN YOUR EXAMPLE COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER OF SOMETHING THAT NORMALLY TAKES TWO MONTHS TO FEEL THAT WE MAY ACTUALLY WANT TO EXTEND TO FIVE.
WHAT'S CALCULATED IN THE CURRENT VACANCY SAVINGS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE NORMATIVE THREE, UH, MONTHS.
SO, UH, AS I'VE INDICATED THE NORM AND HOW THAT'S GROSSED UP ACROSS THE CITY, WHETHER GENERAL FUND OR NOT, IS THE NUMBER, I
[03:25:01]
THINK ED KIND OF WALKED THROUGH AN EXAMPLE OF.AND SO MY UNDERSTANDING AND MY INTENTION WOULD BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AS YOU DESCRIBED, WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN TO REALIZE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY COUNTED FOR.
AND THAT WOULD MEAN TO EXTEND THE LENGTH OF WHAT IS NORMAL, UH, WHETHER IT'S ALWAYS BEEN VACANT FOR TWO YEARS, OR IF THERE'S ONE THAT'S BEEN VACANT FOR ONE YEAR, THAT WOULD'VE ALREADY BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR IN OUR OVERALL NUMBER.
SO THOSE NUMBERS WOULD ALREADY EXIST.
SO AGAIN, I THINK THE NOTE SAYS THAT, BUT IN PRACTICAL, IN REALITY, WE'D HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE STARTED WITH AND WHAT WE NORMALLY SEE.
UH, THEN I SEE THIS, UH, TRANSFER FROM THE RESERVES THAT'S ALSO PUT IN ONGOING.
SHOULD THAT BE ONE TIME? YES, THAT WOULD BE A ONE TIME TRANSFER.
UH, GOING DOWN, THESE ARE ALL IN THE EXISTING, UH, 500,000 REDUCTION FOR RAPID, WE COVERED REDUCTION IN PARKS, WE COVERED THIRD PARTY CONTRACTS.
THIS AUSTIN HUMAN RESOURCES, COMMODITIES AND CONTRACTUALS.
CAN YOU JUST HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS? I'M GONNA ASK SUSAN SINS TO COME UP FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.
REBECCA KENNEDY WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, WE'VE LOOKED AT OUR CONTRACTUAL AND COMMODITIES BUDGET AND IDENTIFIED POTENTIALLY $75,000.
IT'S MAINLY COMING FROM PRINTING COSTS.
WE'D BE LOOKING AT REDUCING OUR COMPUTER SOFTWARE BUDGET, UM, OUR POSTAGE BUDGET, UM, OFFICE FURNISHING.
SO WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT JUST THE THINGS THAT AREN'T ALREADY COMMITTED FOR CONTRACTS AND SEEING WHAT WE COULD PULL FOR THE 75,000.
AND WOULD THOSE BE ONGOING SAVINGS OR ONE TIME? IT APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING, SO IT WOULD BE A, LOOKS LIKE A PERMANENT REDUCTION TO OUR BUDGET.
AND THEN THE SUR UH, COST SAVINGS FROM REDUCING CONTRACTS FOR FACILITY MAINTENANCE OFFSET BY INCREASED IN-HOUSE STAFFING, UH, FOR 441,000 FACILITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
UH, CAN ED OR SOMEBODY SPEAK TO WHAT THIS IS? UH, GOOD EVENING DEAR ALEXANDER, DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN FACILITY MANAGEMENT.
UM, THE IMPACT OF THAT WOULD BE FIVE TO ALMOST 10%, UH, REDUCTION IN SOME OF THE SERVICE IN OUR CONTRACTS.
AND ALSO IT'LL IMPACT SEVERAL DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES LIKE HVAC, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, LANDSCAPING, CUSTODIAL SECURITY.
WITH THAT SAID, THEN WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE WHICH, WHICH THINGS WE DON'T DO.
LIKE RIGHT NOW WE'RE DOING, UH, THE NAVIGATION CENTER, UH, THAT'S SECURITY.
I, THAT'S A SECURITY, SO THAT'S CONTRACTED LANDSCAPING.
WE DO LANDSCAPING FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT, THAT WILL IMPACT, UM, GOING FORWARD.
AND WHEN IT MENTIONS THAT IT'S OFFSET BY INCREASED IN-HOUSE STAFFING, WHAT I HEAR YOU SAYING IS THESE ARE JUST MAINTENANCE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE THAT WE JUST WON'T CONTRACT FOR TO ACHIEVE THE SAVINGS, BUT, WELL, I DON'T HAVE, I DON'T HAVE LANDSCAPING.
I DON'T HAVE ANY HOUSE LANDSCAPING.
SO I'LL HAVE TO CONTRACT THAT.
UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH ON THE FINANCIAL SERVICES, REDUCE THE BUDGET CONTRACTUALS IN THE ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING PROGRAM.
UM, CAN SOMEONE SPEAK TO THAT? ALL RIGHT.
KIM LAVAR, DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN FINANCIAL SERVICES.
UH, SO THE AMOUNT, UM, THERE WAS THE, THE, THE STAFF RECOMMENDED REDUCTION IN OUR IT SERVICES, UM,
[03:30:02]
THAT IS MAINTAINED IN THIS, IN THIS SUB QUORUM PROPOSAL THAT WOULD IMPACT, UH, A NUMBER OF OUR, UM, CURRENT AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES, UM, DECREASING HOURS ON THE PROJECTS THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTING.UM, IT ALSO IMPACTS SOME OF OUR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR IT NEEDS, IT ALSO IMPACTS, UM, UH, THE PROCESSES.
UH, THERE'S A, AN EFFORT TO HELP RESOLVE SOME, I DON'T WANNA GET TOO, LIKE INSIDE BASEBALL IN THE WEEDS ON TERMINOLOGY, BUT, UH, SOME VARIOUS PROCESSES THAT SUPPORT ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, UM, INCLUDING MOST RECENTLY IN, UH, IN MOST RECENTLY LAUNCHED WORKDAY, UM, TO HELP ENSURE THAT DATA IS, IS FLOWING BETWEEN THOSE SYSTEMS. UM, SO IT'S OVERALL IT HAS A, A POTENTIAL IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEMS. UH, WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUPPORT SERVICES, UM, IT DOES PROVIDE, UH, WOULD PROBABLY DECREASE HOURS BY ABOUT 15% AMONGST VARIOUS TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES THAT WE USE.
UM, IT'S ALSO WOULD IMPACT, UM, VARIOUS FUNDS THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE FOR CONSULTING SERVICES AND LEGAL SERVICES THAT WE USE TO SUPPORT ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION.
SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ALIGNED TO A SINGLE DEPARTMENT.
UM, IT'S VERY OFTEN THAT A, A DEPARTMENT WILL ENCOUNTER A SITUATION WHERE THEY NEED LEGAL OR OTHER CONSULTING SERVICES TO, TO HELP THEM HANDLE WHATEVER THAT SITUATION MAY BE.
AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO THAT.
AND FINANCIAL SERVICES OFTEN STEPS IN TO PROVIDE THOSE FUNDS TO HELP THEM CARRY THEM THROUGH.
SO THAT WOULD DEFINITELY IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT, UM, DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE ORG.
UM, SO THAT, AND THAT INCLUDES THAT 2 75, THE FAN, THE SUPPORT.
SO THAT WAS THE 2 75, UM, ON THE ACCOUNTING.
AND I FORGOT TO COVER THE ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING PART, I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
UM, THERE, THAT INCLUDES BUDGET WE HAVE FOR CONSULTANTS THAT ASSIST THE REVIEW OF OUR ELECTRIC AND GAS RATE CASES.
IT WOULD ALSO REDUCE, UM, BUDGETS FOR LEGAL SERVICES RELATED TO REVIEW OF FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS.
UM, AND, UM, THERE WAS ALSO $170,000 IN RENT, UH, INCLUDED IN THERE, UM, THAT WE USED TO HELP, UH, THAT WAS ALREADY REMOVED FROM OUR BUDGET, UM, THAT WE USED TO HELP, SIMILAR TO THOSE OTHER CONSULTING CONTRACTS THAT WE, I NOTED THAT WE USED TO HELP, UM, OTHER DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE ORG.
UM, THAT IS ALL THE ALSO A SIMILAR SITUATION.
UH, I MEANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. OLIVAR.
UM, I MEANT TO ASK IT UP TOP ON THE, UM, URBAN FOREST REPLENISHMENT FUND.
CAN SOMEONE JUST REMIND ME HOW MUCH IS IN THAT FUND CURRENTLY? HOW MUCH WOULD THIS MILLION IMPACT? AND I'M, I'M, IT'S NOT A YOU QUESTION
YOU CAN DOUBLE CHECK MY MATH ON THAT.
AND I GUESS WHILE THAT IS BEING LOOKED UP, I JUST WANNA CONFIRM THAT THIS, THIS MILLION DOLLARS WOULD OTHERWISE AT SOME POINT BE USED FOR TREE PLANTING.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S WHAT THIS FUND IS, YES.
LEMME LOOK UP THE LANGUAGE FROM THE, UH, AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION.
AND I'M ALSO HAPPY TO PROVIDE SOME CLARIFICATION AS WELL, SINCE IT WAS ONE THAT I ADVOCATED FOR.
UM, I'M OPEN TO ANY YEAH, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
IF YOU, IF YOU HAVE ANY, WHEREVER IT COMES FROM.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE JUST NEED A CLARIFICATION FROM STAFF.
UM, I KNEW THAT THERE WAS SOME EQUIPMENT COSTS LIKE SOFTWARE TO MAKE SURE THAT WILDFIRE RISK IS BEING ASSESSED AND ADDRESSED IN A STRATEGIC MANNER.
UM, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING WAS IT WAS MORE ABOUT DEBRIS AND PRUNING RATHER THAN, UM, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS OR MAYBE INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.
THE CRITERIA MANUAL STATES THAT PAYMENTS TO THE URBAN FOREST REPLENISHMENT FUND MAY BE USED FOR OFFSITE TREE PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE, PROMOTING TREE CARE AND PRESERVATION, URBAN FOREST CONSERVATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CITY TREE PROTECTION AND MITIGATION REGULATIONS.
WELL THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
[03:35:02]
THIS ONE'S, THIS ONE'S TOUGH.I, UM, I'LL, THE GOAL, I, I SHARE THE GOAL.
I THINK WE NEED MORE FOR EMSI THINK WE NEED MORE FOR MCO T UM, AND LESS HARM TO HOMELESSNESS.
I DO HAVE CONCERN OF MOVING $3 MILLION OR FUNDING 3 MILLION OF THIS WITH ONE TIME REVENUE, WHICH MEANS NEXT YEAR WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PLUG THAT HOLE PLUS THE HOLES THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE.
UM, THAT BEING SAID, THERE'S A REASON WHY WE HAVE A RESERVE FUND AND IT'S FOR SITUATIONS LIKE THIS.
UM, UH, YEAH, I'M, I'M GONNA HAVE TO, I'LL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT, BUT I APPRECIATE THE, THE CLARIFICATION.
COUNCIL MEMBER, CAN I ASK A QUESTION AND, AND THE, THE, UH, FOLKS SPONSORING THIS, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND, BUT I'LL ALSO ASK THE FINANCIAL STAFF IN LOOKING AT, FOR EXAMPLE, UM, REDUCED FUNDING FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND IT HAS AN ONGOING GENERAL FUND ONGOING EXPENDITURE REDUCTION OF A HUNDRED THOUSAND, BUT THEN IT TAKES FROM ENTERPRISE FUNDS
WOULD YOU EXPLAIN HOW THAT WORKS? SORRY, WHICH NUMBER WAS THAT? WELL, JUST, I'M, I'M USING AN EXAMPLE.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THEM IN HERE.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU LOOK DOWN, UM, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 LINES, IT SAYS REDUCE FUNDING FOR FAC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES, THIRD PARTY CONTRACT FOR ONE TEXAS CENTER.
UH, SO WHAT WE CALL OUR SUPPORT SERVICE AND INTERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, THEY PROVIDE SERVICES TO OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS, ALL OF THEM.
AND TO RECOUP THEIR COSTS, WE HAVE COST ALLOCATION MODELS.
UH, SO THEIR COSTS ARE ALLOCATED OUT NOT JUST TO THE GENERAL FUND, BUT TO ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENTS AS WELL.
UM, AND SO WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SPREADSHEET IS REFLECTING THAT ON AVERAGE ABOUT HALF OF THE COST OF THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE PROVIDED BY THE GENERAL FUND.
SO ABOUT HALF AND THEN, AND THEN YOU DOUBLE THAT FOR THE ENTERPRISE FUND? THAT'S CORRECT.
UH, SORRY, THE OTHER HALF WOULD COME FROM THE ENTERPRISE FUND.
UH, WHAT, BUT IT TAKES MORE THAN, IT'S DOUBLE BECAUSE IT'S REFLECTING THE IMPACT THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE SUPPORT SERVICES FUND OR THAT DEPARTMENT'S OTHER FUND, A FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FUND OR, UM, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FUND.
SO THE, THE FULL IMPACT TO THAT DEPARTMENT WILL BE TWICE THE IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND.
'CAUSE I KNOW IN THE AMENDMENT THAT I BROUGHT FORTH THAT WAS SPECIFIC TO EMS, OVER TIME WE WORKED WITH Y'ALL ON THE FORMULA THAT IS USED TO BETTER PULL OUT THE PORTION THAT IMPACTED THE GENERAL FUND.
UH, WE REALIZED IT'S MANY OF THESE SERVICES GO ACROSS GENERAL FUND AND ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENTS, BUT THE AMENDMENT, WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD THE AMOUNT, THE TOTAL AMOUNT WAS REALLY FOCUSED ON IMPACTS TO THE GENERAL FUND.
AND SO I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, FOR ANY OF THESE SERVICES THAT GO ACROSS TO THE ENTERPRISE, I AND STAFF WITH HAVE TO SHARE WITH THIS CONTEXT.
IF THERE, IF THERE'S A RATIONALE ON WHY WE SHOULD KEEP THE ENTERPRISE PORTION OR THE FUNDING TO CONTINUE THE ENTERPRISE WORK, I WOULD BE TOTALLY OPEN TO THAT.
YOU KNOW, WE REALLY FOCUSED IN ON GENERAL FUND IMPACT, UM, GIVEN WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW WITH THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET, BUT CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A FORMULA THAT CAN BE UTILIZED TO EXTRACT THE SPECIFIC IMPACT AMOUNT TO THE GENERAL FUND OVERALL MANAGER.
AND SO IT SOUNDS SIMPLE AND I THINK, UH, ERIC TRIED TO DESCRIBE IT AND, AND I WAS TRYING TO SHARE WITH THE MAYOR, AT LEAST MY UNDERSTANDING OF IT.
AND SO AS ERIC SAID, THE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS PROVIDE SERVICE TO EVERYONE.
AND SO WHETHER IT'S ONE EMPLOYEE, TWO OR 10, UNLESS THE ENTERPRISE FUND IS PAYING FOR IT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE IT IS SOLELY RELATED TO THEM, IN THIS CASE FOR THESE TYPES OF SERVICES, IT'S BASICALLY A SHARED COST.
SO IN THEORY, THE SIMPLE WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS IN ORDER FOR THE GENERAL FUND TO LET'S SAY A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS AND, AND LET'S SAY IT'S A POSITION AS DARRELL TALKED ABOUT, OR CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.
SO IF EACH POSITION WAS WORTH A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, UH, IF YOU JUST CUT ONE POSITION, YOU WOULD ONLY GET $50,000 FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND 50,000 SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
SO IN ORDER TO GET A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND, YOU'VE GOTTA CUT TWICE AS MANY
[03:40:01]
POSITIONS.SO YOU'D HAVE TO CUT TWO TO BASICALLY GET A FULL, UH, A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
AND SO, UH, THEN AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE ONE POSITION FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND ONE FOR THE OTHER.
AND SO, UH, I DON'T THINK WE CAN TEASE IT OUT THE WAY YOU'RE DESCRIBING IT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THOSE POSITIONS ARE FUNDED LIKE THAT.
THE DISTINCTION HERE BEING IS THAT WE PAID SPECIAL CARE AND ATTENTION TO NOT IMPACT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.
SO THESE SERVICES ARE CONTRACTS EITHER FOR CONSULTANT WORK, UM, OR OTHER TYPE OF, UM, THIRD PARTY SERVICES.
SO, YOU KNOW, HOW DOES IT, HOW DOES THAT INTERPLAY WORK WHEN IT'S THAT TYPE OF SERVICE? CORRECT.
I'M GIVING YOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE FUNDING MECHANISM.
SO EXAMPLE IS IF THEY SPEND $500,000 ON CONTRACTS, IF YOU WANTED TO SAVE $500,000 IN THE GENERAL FUND, YOU'D NEED TO CUT A MILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE ONLY 500,000 OF THAT WAS COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
AND THE OTHER 500 IS COMING FROM THE OTHER FUNDS.
AND SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE FOR THE $150,000, THE ENTERPRISE FUND RELATED COSTS ARE 300, WHICH IS DOUBLE THAT AMOUNT.
AND SO WE WERE JUST TRYING TO EXPLAIN AND SHARE WITH THE MAYOR WHY THERE WERE COSTS SHOWING UP IN THE OTHER FUNDS IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO CUT THAT AMOUNT TO GET TO THE $150,000.
THE RESULTING IMPACT IS THE OTHER COSTS THAT GOT YOU, THAT ARE IN NEWER AND WOULD ACTUALLY SHOW UP IN THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
IS THAT, I THINK, YEAH, I GUESS I NEED MORE HELP ON THIS BECAUSE SOME OF THE SERVICES FOR, FOR EXAMPLE, MAINTENANCE FACILITY, IF IT'S ACROSS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS AND IT'S ACROSS ENTERPRISE FUNDS, IF THAT CONTRACT AMOUNT WENT FROM 10,000 DOWN TO LET'S SAY 3000 'CAUSE WE'RE KEEPING JUST THE ENTERPRISE FUND, WOULDN'T WE JUST REDUCE THE SCOPE OF SERVICE FOR, TO ACCOUNT FOR THE WORK THAT'S RELATED TO ENTERPRISE RELATED NEEDS AND FUNCTIONS? AND, AND I'LL DEFER TO CARRYING THEM IF IN FACT IT'S MORE COMPLICATED THAN I'M EXPLAINING.
I WAS GIVING YOU A GENERAL ANSWER FOR HOW AND WHY IT SHOWS UP IN OTHER FUNDS IF THE POSITION IT, IT, IT FUNCTIONS LIKE THAT.
UH, AGAIN, UM, I'LL DEFER TO WHERE THE CONTRACT COSTS ARE AND WHERE WE SPEND THE DOLLARS.
SO YOU SEE THE SAVINGS BASED ON THE REDUCTION OF THE FUNCTION.
SO IT'S, IT'S, IT'S BUDGETED IN THE SUPPORT SERVICES FUND.
AND WHEN YOU MAKE THAT REDUCTION IN THE SUPPORT SERVICES FUND AND THAT FUND GOES DOWN $300,000, BUT THE IMPACT OF THAT $300,000 SAVINGS IN THAT FUND IS ONLY $150,000 SAVINGS TO THE GENERAL FUND.
AND BECAUSE OF HOW THE ALLOCATIONS WORK, IT IS NOT ONLY IN VERY SPECIFIC SPACES, IS IT WHERE THE COST OF A SERVICE PROVIDED BY INTERNAL SERVICES THAT IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENT.
FOR EXAMPLE, FINANCIAL SERVICES HAS PROCUREMENT STAFF EMBEDDED INTO VARIOUS ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENTS.
THAT FUNCTION IS CHARGED DIRECTLY BACK TO THAT ENTERPRISE.
HOWEVER, ALL THE OTHER PROCUREMENT STAFF AND FINANCIAL SERVICES IS ALLOCATED ACROSS THE CITY BECAUSE THEY SUPPORT ACROSS THE CITY.
SO IF THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN PROCUREMENT, IT WOULD BE A $300,000 REDUCTION IN FINANCIAL SERVICES, BUT IT WOULD BE $150,000 SAVINGS TO THE GENERAL FUND.
CAN CAN I ASK THAT? WELL IT, IT SOUNDS LIKE CERTAINLY THE IMPACT IS, WOULD BE GREATER IN WHAT WE'RE, WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING HERE, BUT, UM, COLLEAGUES, WE REALLY CENTERED IN ON GENERAL FUND IMPACTS.
'CAUSE WE WANTED TO PAY SPECIAL CARE TO THE BALANCE OF, UH, ONE TIME COST AND ONGOING VERSUS WHAT WE WOULD NEED TO PULL FROM RESERVES.
SO, UM, YOU KNOW, IF ANYTHING, YOU KNOW, THIS JUST INDICATES HOW WE'RE ALL LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE, THE NUANCES WITH OUR CONTRACTS AND SERVICES ACROSS GENERAL FUND AND ENTERPRISE.
I WISH WE WOULD'VE HAD MORE TIME TO UNPACK THIS WITH CITY STAFF.
THIS AMENDMENT WAS PUT FORTH AS IN RESPONSE TO THE CITY'S AMENDMENT, WHICH WE WERE DELIVERED LATE LAST NIGHT.
SO WE'RE WORKING WITH, YOU KNOW, 12 HOURS OF, OF WORK TIME HERE TO DEVELOP THIS AND WE'RE STILL WORKING THROUGH THE DIFFERENCES.
AND SO JUST WANTED TO OFFER THAT CONTACT CONTEXT FOR EVERYONE.
CAN I ASK A QUESTION, MAYOR PRO TIM REAL QUICK? AND THEN, UH, BUT WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND, UH, THE LAST ITEM ON PAGE ONE OF THIS, REDUCE FUNDING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR IT STAFFING AND OFFICE RELOCATION SERVICES, THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE CONTRACTUAL, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT.
YEAH, I, THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
I JUST, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T MISH HERE.
UM, AND, AND BEFORE I GO TO COUNCILMAN S AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, I, I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.
[03:45:01]
MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE MANAGER WAS SAYING WHEN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT VACANCY SAVINGS AND HOW THAT WORKS.UM, BECAUSE HE SAID YOU SAID WE WOULD HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT BECAUSE, AND, AND HE, AND LET ME SAY THIS BACK AND, AND SEE IF I'M GETTING IT RIGHT.
CURRENTLY THE WAY THIS IS WORDED IS IT WOULD BE TO LEVERAGE VACANCY SAVINGS POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.
BUT AS I'VE UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SAYING THIS WEEK, IF IF A POSITION'S BEEN VACANT FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME, WE'RE ALREADY NOT, UH, PUTTING MONEY INTO THAT.
SO THERE'S NOT A SAVINGS THERE.
IF YOU SAY WE WE'RE GONNA TRY TO DO IT FROM VACANCY SAVINGS FOR SOMETHING THAT'S TWO YEARS IS IS THAT CORRECT? YES.
WE ALREADY ADJUST THE VACANCY SAVINGS REQUIREMENT KNOWING THAT THERE'S A LONG-TERM VACANCY THAT WE HAVE.
SO IF WE WERE GOING TO SAY, IF WE WERE GOING TO HAVE VACANCY SAVINGS, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE FOR POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN OPEN AS, AS THE MANAGER SEEMED TO INDICATE THREE MONTHS, TWO MONTHS, THREE MONTHS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND YOU MANAGER, YOU INDICATED YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
I'M, I'M NOT SURE I UNDER COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT IS YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO DIFFERENT TO OUR, AND MY QUESTION IS TWO PARTS TO IT.
WHAT DOES THAT DO TO OUR, OUR STAFFING OF PEOPLE IF WE'VE GOT A TWO MONTH OR THREE MONTH AND, AND WE HAVE TO EXTEND THAT AND WHAT DOES THAT DO TO OUR WORKFORCE AND OUR ABILITY TO RE RECRUIT PEOPLE FOR THAT WORKFORCE? AND WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE IN THOSE AREAS? SO SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY TO WHAT WOULD NEED TO CHANGE OR WHAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT? UM, AND THANK YOU FOR ASKING THE QUESTION.
UM, WE WOULD HAVE TO, AS I GAVE THE EXAMPLE, UH, REQUEST THAT IN SOME CASES WE REVIEW AND TOUCH AND UNDERSTAND ANY HIRING, BASICALLY A HIRING FREEZE, A CHILL FOR POSITIONS OR A JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY YOU WANT TO FILL IT.
UH, AND EXTEND THE NORMAL TIME THAT WE TYPICALLY HAVE GRANTED AND OR WE ASSUME FOR THAT VACANCY TO EXIST.
AND SO, AGAIN, AS AN EXAMPLE, IF A FACT THE NORMAL TURNAROUND TIME IS TWO OR THREE MONTHS, WE MAY SAY, OKAY, BUT I NEED YOU TO HOLD THAT FOR TWO ADDITIONAL MONTHS.
OR YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU NEED TO GO AHEAD AND FILL THAT BECAUSE IT'S MISSION CRITICAL.
AND WE DO THAT ON A SELECTIVE BASIS, WHICH AGAIN, UH, WE WOULD DO JUST TO ENSURE THAT WE COULD, I GUESS, STRETCH TO THE NUMBER AT SOME POINT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
AND SO IT WOULD MEAN AN INTERVENTION WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN AND IT MAY SHOW UP DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE DEPARTMENT, WHAT THE POSITION WAS.
WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH HR AND THE DIRECTORS TO UNDERSTAND, UH, AND MAKE THE REQUEST, UH, RIGHT UP FRONT THAT WE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, UH, AND, YOU KNOW, CREATE PROCESSES THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO MAKE SURE WE COULD, UH, ENSURE THAT WE ARE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND WE'RE CONTROLLING, UH, THE SPEED AT WHICH THINGS GET UH, FILLED.
SO AGAIN, UH, WE WOULD DO OUR BEST TO TRY TO NOT HAVE ANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON OPERATIONS.
IT WOULD JUST MEAN MORE PEOPLE DOING MORE LONGER BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A PERSON NEXT TO THEM AND OR A FUNCTION THAT'S BEING DONE, UH, BY SOMEONE ELSE.
COUNCILMAN ELLISON AND COUNCILMAN ALTER.
I THINK MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED WITH OKAY, WITH THIS CONVERSATION, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF WE HAVE THINGS THAT ARE IN THIS SERVICE PRIORITIZATION THAT WE'RE SELECTING FROM THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING THE FULL PICTURE AND UNDERSTANDING THE, THE FULL POTENTIAL IMPACT OF SOME OF THESE CHANGES.
AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT'S BEING SHARED BETWEEN ENTERPRISE FUNDS THAT COULD BE BETTER ALLOCATED WITH ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
I THINK THAT'S A CONVERSATION I'M WILLING TO HAVE.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TER, I JUST WANTED TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT AND I, I GET THAT, LIKE, LET'S SAY IT'S WORKDAY, RIGHT? WHERE WE SHARE THAT COST, IT'S A CONTRACT ACROSS, UM, ENTERPRISE AND GENERAL FUND.
AND SO THAT'S, THAT'S A SHARED COST, BUT I'M, I'M GONNA OVERSIMPLIFY THIS, BUT LET'S SAY FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, THEY MANAGE FIVE GENERAL FUND BUILDINGS AND THEY MANAGE FIVE ENTERPRISE BUILDINGS.
ARE WE UNABLE TO SAY JUST DON'T MANAGE THE GENERAL FUND BUILDINGS AND ONLY HAVE A GENERAL FUND IMPACT? OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE, IF WE WANT TO HAVE THE GENERAL FUND SAVINGS, YOU CAN'T MANAGE ALL 10 OF THOSE BUILDINGS.
SO A LOT OF OUR ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITIES FOR SURE ARE MULTI-DEPARTMENTAL.
SO THAT ADDS A, A WRINKLE TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
BUT, UM, WE CERTAINLY COULD JUST NOT CUT THE GRASS AT OUR FIRE STATIONS AND SAVE MONEY JUST IN THE GENERAL FUND.
[03:50:01]
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN.I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT, UH, A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT LINE ITEMS HERE.
IS THERE SOMEBODY FROM PLANNING I CAN TALK TO TO UNDERSTAND, UH, WHAT THE CURRENT SUNK COST IS OF OUR INVESTMENT IN THE IMAGINE AUSTIN UPDATE? OR PERHAPS BUDGET OFFICE NOTES OFFHAND? GOOD EVENING.
LAURA MIDDLETON PRATT, DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN PLANNING.
UM, AND SO THE QUESTION IS JUST HOW MUCH HAVE WE SPENT TO DATE? YEAH, MAYBE YOU CAN JUST EVEN PROVIDE A BIT OF CONTEXT FOR WHAT THIS ITEM, WHAT THE TOTAL COST OF THIS ITEM IS.
THIS, THERE'S A $1 MILLION, UH, REDUCTION THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED HERE.
SO I'M JUST CURIOUS, HOW DOES THIS, UH, WHAT SORT OF FINAL PRODUCT WILL WE WIND UP WITH WITH THIS $1 MILLION REDUCTION AND WHAT SORT OF THE SUNK COST TO DATE OF INVESTING IN THE TOTAL COST OF THE PLAN UPDATE? UH, SURE.
SO IN THE FY 24 BUDGET COUNCIL APPROVED THE $3 MILLION.
AND SO WITH A $1 MILLION REDUCTION WE WOULD GO BACK AT AND JUST, UH, RESCOPE THE PROJECT.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD, UM, TO EXECUTING THAT RESPOND TO A FUTURE PLACES MAP PROCESS.
UM, WE HAVE A TEMPORARY STAFF THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY COVERING WITH THE CIP FUNDING AND A REDUCTION JUST MEANS A RESCOPE.
AND SO WE WOULD WORK WITH THE CONSULTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD A VIABLE, UM, IMPLEMENTATION PLAN OF THE IMAGINE AUSTIN UPDATE AND SOMETHING THAT THE RESIDENTS COULD BE PROUD OF AND THAT COUNCIL COULD BE PROUD OF.
WE DO THINK THAT WE COULD MAKE THE PROJECT WORK, UH, MAKE THE, THE UPDATE WORK WITH A $2 MILLION BUDGET LINE ITEM.
THAT'S THE MAIN THING I WAS WORKING TO COLLECT THAT WE STILL GET A PRODUCT THAT, THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT WOULD BE VALUABLE TO YOUR TEAM, UM, BUT ALSO BE ABLE TO SAVE WHAT WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY A, A ONE-TIME EXPENSE HERE.
THE, THE NEXT QUESTION I'VE GOT IS REGARDING THE, UH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS, THE THIRD PARTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS.
THIS IS WHERE I BELIEVE THERE'S A CHANGE FROM REDUCING THESE FROM $110,000 TO ALMOST HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.
AND UH, I'D LIKE TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE, IF THE PURPOSE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS TO HELP ESSENTIALLY CREATE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE CITY TO PROVIDE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POTENTIALLY SALES TAX, PROPERTY TAX, CONSTRUCTION, WHATEVER THOSE THINGS ARE THAT HELP US, UM, PROJECT OUT IN THE FUTURE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES WE NEED.
WHAT'S THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATION OF TAKING THIS DOWN? ANOTHER, UH, COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER? THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
ANTHONY SRA, INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE CONTRACTS THAT WE ARE BRINGING DOWN ARE THE ONES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE WITH OPPORTUNITY AUSTIN AND THE DECK OF CHAMBERS.
AND SO THEY'RE PARTNERS WITH US IN RECRUITING, BUT WE WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO DO OUR OWN IN-HOUSE RECRUITING THAT WE CURRENTLY DO, UH, AND STILL WORK WITH THEM.
IT'S JUST THESE CONTRACTS WOULD BE, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR, UH, OPPORTUNITY OFFSET REDUCED.
UH, WELL I'M CONFUSED 'CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO
UH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE IMPACT WOULD BE NEGLIGIBLE IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ON THE ACTUAL WORK THAT, UM, THE CONTRACTS WOULD OTHERWISE PRODUCE OPPORTUNITY.
AUSTIN STILL DOES RECRUITMENTS, UH, OF COURSE WITHIN THE REGION, SO, UH, I'M NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO SAY THAT IT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE DEPARTMENT OR THE CITY 'CAUSE THEY'RE STILL GONNA DO THE RECRUITMENTS.
UH, WE JUST MAY NOT HAVE AS STRONG OF A PARTNERSHIP AS WE HAD WITH THEM BEFOREHAND.
UH, IS THAT THE ONLY THING OUT OF THE, UH, IT LOOKS LIKE THREE DIFFERENT ITEMS HERE THAT ARE LISTED WOULD BE ADVERSELY IMPACTED? CORRECT.
WE WOULD REDUCE THE CHAMBERS OR THE DECK OF CHAMBERS CONTRACTS BY A, A SMALL PORTION, BUT THEY WOULD STILL BE WORKING WITH US ON OUR BUSINESS AND RETENTION GOALS THAT WE HAVE SET OUT FOR THEM.
SO IT WOULD BE A SLIGHT IMPACT.
THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
UH, THE LAST QUESTIONS I'VE GOT ARE ABOUT THE URBAN FOREST REPLENISHMENT FUND.
UH, I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS SAID THAT WE'VE GOT ABOUT $11 MILLION IN THAT FUND.
WHAT IS THE MECHANISM FOR REPLENISHING THE REPLENISHMENT FUND? I, I'M SORRY, I WAS JUST CLARIFYING, UM, WITH STAFF ON,
[03:55:01]
EXCUSE ME, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REDUCTION, IT ALSO INCLUDES THE CREATIVE SPACE ASSISTANT PROGRAM REDUCTION, AND THAT WOULD BE A ACME, UM, CONVERSATION THAT IS NO LONGER IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS MOVED OVER TO ACME.SO I'M GONNA ASK THE DIRECTOR TO COME DOWN.
UH, THE, UH, REDUCTION THAT YOU SEE FOR OUR CREATIVE SPACE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WOULD REDUCE OUR CURRENT PROGRAM, WHICH IS THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BY 500,000, LEAVING $1.1 MILLION, UH, TO BE ABLE TO, UH, AWARD AROUND 18 SPACES THIS YEAR.
UH, THE ELIMINATION WOULD ELIMINATE THE PROGRAM MOVING FORWARD IF IT, IT'S A PERMANENT REDUCTION.
SO THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IF IT'S A ONE TIME OR IF IT'S A PERMANENT BECAUSE THAT WOULD SPELL THE END OF THE PROGRAM.
AND IN TERMS OF, UH, HELP ME IN A VERY LAYMAN WAY, UNDERSTAND WHAT'S THE IMPLICATION OF NOT AWARDING THOSE, UH, OF REDUCING THE AWARDS? SO THIS IS FOR OUR CREATIVE SPACES AND IT IS A, A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY WHERE WE PROVIDE, UM, SPACES FOR OUR CREATIVES THROUGHOUT AUSTIN.
UM, IF WE DID NOT REDUCE, WE WOULD STILL JUST REWARD 26.
SO IT'S AN APPROXIMATELY, UH, SEVEN, UH, SPACES THAT WILL NOT RECEIVE FUNDING THIS YEAR.
UH, SO WE WOULD BE IN A GOOD PLACE AT LEAST TO BE ABLE TO STILL PROVIDE, UH, 18 AWARDS THIS YEAR.
UM, THE APPLICATIONS ARE, ARE OPEN AT THIS TIME AND WE KNOW THAT IT IS A PRIORITY, UH, FOR OUR CREATIVES.
SO WE WILL WORK WITH THEM THIS YEAR AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
UM, I'D LIKE TO JUST TOUCH ON THE URBAN FOREST REPLENISHMENT FUND.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE GOT AN ANSWER YET FOR SURE.
THE, UH, SOURCE OF REVENUE IS DEVELOPER MITIGATION FEES.
SO, UM, WHEN THEY DO A PROJECT THAT REQUIRES TAKING DOWN TREES, THEY PAY INTO THE FUND SO THAT WE CAN REPLENISH THOSE TREES SOMEWHERE ELSE.
AND DO YOU KNOW ROUGHLY HOW MUCH GOES INTO THAT FUND A YEAR? I CAN VERY SHORTLY.
I KNOW THAT LAST YEAR IT LOOKS LIKE WE INCREASED OUR OUTPUT OF THAT FUND FROM ABOUT THE RESOLUTION, UH, TO LIKE A LITTLE OF OUR MILLION DOLLARS AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER YEAR WE'D SPEND ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS OUTTA THAT FUND.
SO THERE'S A QUESTION TO SAY THAT I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT, ABOUT HOW QUICKLY WE'RE PUTTING MONEY IN VERSUS HOW QUICKLY WE'RE TAKING MONEY OUT.
SO I AS YOU'RE, AS YOU'RE GETTING TO THAT, MY NEXT QUESTION ABOUT THAT FUND IS, UH, JUST TO MAKING SURE THAT IT'S HOW RESTRICTIVE THE USE CASES ARE FOR THAT FUND.
I HEARD CHIEF BAKER SAY FOR INSTANCE, WE MIGHT PUT UP BILLBOARDS, WHICH MIGHT BE A MARKETING OR ADVERTISING EXPENSE.
I'M WONDERING, AND THE USE CASES THAT ARE LISTED THERE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, IT WAS OFFSITE TREE PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE, PROMOTING TREE CARE AND PRESERVATION, URBAN FOREST CONSERVATION, AND ENFORCING THE CITY TREE PROTECTION AND MITIGATION REGULATION.
SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT WE DO HAVE BILLBOARDS, IT HAS TO BE ABOUT ONE OF THOSE FOUR ITEMS. IS THAT A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OR DO WE HAVE MORE LATITUDE THAN I THINK HERE? COUNCIL MEMBER KEITH MARS, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
I CAN HELP WITH SOME OF THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE FUND.
THAT FUND FOR MANY YEARS WAS MANAGED BY THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AUSTIN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
SO THE, THE, THE FUND IS A DEVELOPMENT, UH, EXACTION WHEN TREES ARE REMOVED AND THEY CAN'T BE PLANTED BACK, UH, A FEE IN LIEU IS PAID INTO THAT.
THAT FUND IS VOLATILE BECAUSE IT'S DEPENDENT, UH, HEAVILY ON ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
THAT FUND DID HAVE A LARGE INFLUX OF FUNDING DURING, UH, PEAK DEVELOPMENT HERE IN THE, THE, THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
WE HAVE SEEN THOSE MONIES COME DOWN.
UH, THERE IS A SPEND PLAN FOR THAT FUND.
UH, IT'S CURRENTLY MANAGED, UH, STILL WITHIN, WITHIN THE CITY.
AND WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER, UH, WITH OFFICE OF CLIMATE RESILIENCY TO GET YOU THE FUND BALANCE.
NOT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE, HOW THE FUND IS USED.
SO RULES ESTABLISHED THAT THERE'S, UH, THERE HAS TO BE, UH, A NEXUS, UH, OF HOW THOSE MONIES ARE SPENT AND THAT'S WHY THOSE, UH, IT NEEDS TO BE, UH, IT NEEDS TO BE, THERE'S PROPORTIONALITY ALSO HAS A NEXUS BETWEEN THE TREE BEING REMOVED OR TREES BEING REMOVED AND THEN A PUBLIC GOOD AROUND TREES.
THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THINGS LIKE TREE PLANTING, UH, WILD LAND, UH, OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION, LAND MANAGEMENT, UH, TREE CARE, AS LONG AS THERE IS A NEXUS BETWEEN THOSE THINGS.
AND, UH, WE HAVE USED THE PHONE FOR THOSE PURPOSES OVER TIME.
[04:00:01]
OKAY.SO IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A BIT MORE BROADER THAN I THAN I READ IT OUT TO BE, THAN JUST TREE PLANTING.
THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I'VE GOT.
SO I'LL LOOK FOR WHATEVER THE, UH, WHENEVER YOU'RE ABLE TO SHARE THE UPDATE FOR, UM, THE NET IN AND OUT FOR THAT FUND.
SO THE, UH, THE DEVELOPMENT FEE, REVENUE BUDGET IS 3.5 MILLION IN FY 26, UM, WITH PLANNED TOTAL REQUIREMENTS OF 5.8 MILLION.
UM, BUT AS IS JUST SHARED, IT DOES FLUCTUATE WITH DEVELOPMENT.
SO IN 2024, THOSE FEES ARE ABOUT 7.8 MILLION.
THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, I JUST WONDER IF I COULD GET MS. MILTON PRATT BACK.
UM, WHAT YOUR QUESTION, AND I MIGHT HAVE JUST MISSED THIS, I WAS LISTENING IN THE BACK 'CAUSE I WAS RUNNING BACK AND FORTH THE, I I HEARD COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN ASKED HOW MUCH MONEY HAD BEEN SPENT TO DATE.
WAS THERE A NUMBER? IT'S ROUGHLY ONE 40,000, 140,000 TO DATE.
UM, THE IMAGINE AUSTIN RESOLUTION WAS JUST PASSED A FEW MONTHS AGO.
AND SO NOW WE'RE RAMPING UP WITH OUR CONSULTANT AND WE, I ASSUME HAVE A SIGNED CONTRACT THAT WOULD ENVISION SOME OF THE OTHER SPENDING.
BUT ARE WE ON THE HOOK TODAY FOR ANY MONEY OVER 140,000? LIKE IF WE, IF WE SAID WE'RE GONNA WAIT A YEAR OR TWO, DO WE HAVE TO PAY ANY MORE MONEY OUT THE DOOR OR ARE WE 140 IN AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
WE'VE ENCUMBERED 2.24 MILLION.
UM, BUT I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE CONTRACTS FOR THAT, BUT ARE THOSE FOR THINGS THAT IF WE DECIDE NOT TO DO CORRECT, WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY.
SO IF WE CANCELED THE CONTRACT TODAY, CAN ANYONE COME TO US AND SAY, YOU OWE US $200,000 OR $300,000.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ANDREA BATES HAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
WE HAVE RECENTLY STARTED WORKING WITH A CONSULTANT AND I DO NOT THINK WE HAVE RECEIVED AN INITIAL INVOICE.
AND SO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT TO DATE REFLECTS MOSTLY THE PRE-PLANNING.
WE HAVE ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT AND OBLIGATED A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE CIP FUNDS AND THE CONSULTANTS HAVE PRODUCED SOME BILLABLE HOURS THAT I THINK WE HAVEN'T BEEN INVOICED FOR YET.
AND SO IF YOU WERE LOOKING WHAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE PERHAPS ARE MOST OBLIGATED TO SPEND, THERE WOULD BE SOME ADDITION ABOVE THE ONE 40, BUT PROBABLY IN LIKE THE LIKE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, NOT, NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, IT WOULD BE A SMALL, RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT.
I JUST WANNA UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ACTUAL SPEND TO DATE IS.
UM, AND I SEE THE MAYOR, YES, BECAUSE I MEAN, CUSTOMER ALTER BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT.
HE'S ASKING IF WE HAVE A CLAUSE IN OUR CONTRACT THAT ALLOWS US TO BACK OUT OF A PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED CONTRACT, I WOULD ASSUME SO BECAUSE HOW ELSE ARE WE GONNA TRIM 10% OFF OF ALL OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS? SO IF YOU CAN PLEASE CONFIRM FOR THE RECORD, I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO THE BUDGET OFFICE FOR THEIR EXPERTISE OR FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THE EXPERTISE ON HOW CONTRACTS ARE NORMALLY DRAFTED.
MOST OF OUR CONTRACTS DO HAVE A CLAUSE WHERE WE CAN, UM, BASED ON BUDGETARY BUDGET AVAILABILITY, MAKE, MAKE, UM, OR BACK OUT OF THOSE CONTRACTS.
I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUALITY OF THEM, BUT THERE'S PROBABLY SOMETHING IN THAT CONTRACT THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT.
I THINK WHAT ANDREA WAS INDICATING WAS THERE HAS BEEN SOME WORK DONE, NOT SAYING THAT THEY CAN'T REDUCE THE AUTHORITY FOR THAT CONTRACT, BUT WE WOULD BE ON THE HOOK TO PAY FOR WHATEVER HAS BEEN DONE THUS FAR.
BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S MOSTLY SERVICE CONTRACTS, SO IF WE STOPPED ASKING THEM TO BILL OR TO DO ANYTHING, THEY WOULD STOP BILLING US AND THAT WOULD BE JUST LIKE A LAWYER.
I JUST WANTED TO GET CLARIFICATION.
ALRIGHT, MEMBERS, UM, MEMBER TIM, I ONE.
I JUST, COLLEAGUES WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE AMENDMENT THAT'S BROUGHT FORWARD BY OUR SUB QUORUM COUNCIL MEMBERS, ELLIS VELASQUEZ AND SIEGEL.
THIS AMENDMENT WAS DRAFTED AS YOU ALL VERY WELL AWARE IN RESPONSE TO THE STAFF AMENDMENT THAT IS BEFORE US.
AND SO THERE ARE A FEW AREAS IN WHICH WE'RE, WE'RE STILL LEARNING AND WORKING OUT WITH STAFF BASED ON THE FEEDBACK THAT THEY'RE PROVIDED.
BUT I MEAN, I THINK THIS REALLY GETS TO THE, THE POINT OF OUR AMENDMENT WAS THAT WE, WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE'VE ALL SHARED OUT OUR SHARED PRIORITIES
[04:05:01]
AND WE'RE PLEASED TO SEE THAT COMMITMENT IN ENSURING THAT WE'RE ABLE TO IMPROVE AND BETTER OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES.UH, BUT WHAT WE WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH AS IT RELATES TO THE STAFF AMENDMENT WAS THE AREAS IN WHICH IT SOUGHT TO REDUCE AND CUT TO BE ABLE TO FUND THOSE SHARED PRIORITIES.
SO OUR AMENDMENT REALLY IS FOCUSED ON LOOKING AT OTHER AREAS THAT WE CAN PULL DOLLARS FOR IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE, TO ADD MORE FUNDING FOR PARKS TO ADD MORE FUNDING FOR HOMELESSNESS, AS WELL AS ADDING FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION AND INCLUDING KEY BENEFITS FOR CITY WORKERS.
THIS ALSO PRESERVES THE SOBERING CENTER, UH, REDUCTION THAT WAS MADE IN THE STAFF AMENDMENT AND STAVES OFF THE REDUCTIONS IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND RAPID REHOUSING.
AND AGAIN, THIS REALLY IS JUST ABOUT FINDING OTHER AREAS FOR US TO CUT.
CERTAINLY WE'RE, WE'RE HAVING A REALLY GREAT CONVERSATION WITH STAFF ON THE IMPACTS OF WHAT THAT MIGHT MEAN.
WE'RE OPEN TO FURTHER CONVERSATIONS AND DELIBERATIONS ON HOW WE MIGHT BEST REALLOCATE OUR FUNDS TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO FUND OUR HIGH PRIORITY SERVICES.
BUT JUST WANTED TO ADD SOME CONTEXT TO THE RATIONALE BEHIND OUR AMENDMENT.
UH, MY, MY SENSE RIGHT NOW WOULD BE TO TRY AND MERGE THE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT WITH THE STAFF.
I I, I KIND OF WOULD LIKE TO, TO, AND AGAIN, I'M JUST THE SUGGESTION, UH, BUT TO TRY AND KIND OF COORDINATE THEM BECAUSE I MEAN, THERE'S SOME CUTS THAT I DON'T THINK ARE REALLY, UH, UH, UH, FEASIBLE.
UH, AND, AND THERE'S SOME OTHER, UH, UH, SOURCES.
THERE'S SOME CUTS THAT THEY LEFT ON THE TABLE THAT WERE IN THE STAFF, YOU KNOW, IN OTHER WORDS, I, I DON'T THINK WE'RE, WE'RE, IF, IF, AGAIN, MAYBE GIVE STAFF A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO KIND OF WORK THROUGH BOTH DOCUMENTS AND COME BACK WITH A KIND OF A CONSOLIDATED PROPOSAL.
I MEAN, I HATE TO, TO TO, TO PAUSE THAT, BUT JUST TO, I, I'M, IT'S, IT'S TOUGH TO TRACK ALL THE DIFFERENT CHANGES HERE FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE DAIS RIGHT NOW.
AND I, I FEEL LIKE IF WE TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO KIND OF MERGE, UH, UH, UH, THE DOCUMENTS AND COME UP WITH KIND OF A, A, A, A VERSION TWO KIND OF STAFF SUGGESTION, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THERE AND, AND GET THIS DONE TONIGHT.
COUNCILMAN MORALES, I JUST WANTED TO FLAG THAT OUR SPREADSHEET INCLUDES ALL OF THE CATEGORIES THAT STAFF HAD.
SO THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY HAD PROPOSED PUTTING IN THAT WE REDUCED, WE ACTUALLY INCREASED A NUMBER OF THOSE FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AND THEN FOUND OTHER WAYS TO COME UP WITH THOSE CUTS THAT WEREN'T NECESSARILY, UM, CUTTING INTO THE PARK LAND OF GROUND MAINTENANCE AS MUCH.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME THINGS WE LEFT ON THE TABLE AND THERE'S SOME THINGS WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY THEY WOULD PREFER NOT TO HAVE CUT.
SO OURS KIND OF DOES ABSORB STAFF'S ORIGINAL PROPOSAL.
YOU PROBABLY OUGHT TO RESPOND TO THAT.
AND, AND, AND I THINK JUST FOR CLARITY, AND I THINK THE WORK THAT STAFF HAS DONE AND OBVIOUSLY HAS SHARED MULTIPLE TIMES, PROVIDED TO YOU LATE LAST NIGHT.
UM, JUST TO GIVE SOME CONTEXT, UM, WHEN WE FIRST MET AND SHARED OUR FIRST RECOMMENDATION, UH, AND PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO THIS CHARACTERIZATION OF WHAT WE CUT, UH, THE FIRST AMENDED BUDGET, UH, WAS ONE, A CUT THAT BROUGHT US DOWN FROM 109 MILLION BACK TO THE ORIGINAL BASELINE WHERE WE KIND OF STARTED.
AND THEN BASED ON OUR BEST UNDERSTANDINGS, I BELIEVE, OF WHAT WAS PRIORITIZED IN THE TRE, WE LIFTED UP AND PUSHED FORWARD SEVERAL ITEMS, UH, IDENTIFIED PARTICULARLY AROUND HOMELESSNESS AS WELL AS, UM, PARKS.
UH, AND, AND CARVED OUT FROM THAT, UH, ADDITIONAL AMENDED BUDGET, AN ADDITIONAL $7.2 MILLION IN THOSE CATEGORIES THAT WE BELIEVE WAS WHAT WE HEARD AND THOUGHT THROUGH PRIORITY WITHOUT A LOT OF CONVERSATION WITH COUNCIL.
SO CLEARLY NOTED UPON SHARING THAT I THINK WE HEARD FROM COUNCIL AND I THINK WHETHER IT WAS THE MAYOR AND OTHERS AROUND WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CONVERSATION AND WHERE YOUR PRIORITIES WERE AS A COUNCIL, UH, PARTICULARLY AROUND, UH, HOMELESSNESS.
UH, NOTWITHSTANDING BEING VERY SPECIFIC IN THE COMMUNICATION ABOUT WE WANTED TO DO SOME THINGS WITH TOOTH OR NON CONGREGATE SHELTERS AND PUBLIC SUP, I MEAN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
WE WALKED AWAY WITH THE PRIORITIES BEING HOMELESSNESS AND EMS, UH, I WISH WE WOULD'VE HEARD, OBVIOUSLY PARKS AND RECREATION.
IT WAS AN ASSUMPTION THAT SINCE WE DIDN'T HEAR, AND I ASKED THE QUESTION A COUPLE TIMES, DID THEY ARTICULATE THAT THEY
[04:10:01]
WANTED TO DO MORE IN PARKS IN THIS SECOND ITERATION? BUT IT WAS NOT PUT FORWARD AS A PRIORITY.SO THEREFORE THAT'S WHY THOSE RESOURCES AS WELL AS QUITE HONESTLY, THE HOMELESS DOLLARS OF OUR FIRST AMENDED BUDGET IN THOSE KEY AREAS, WE THOUGHT THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO FIND ADDITIONAL MONIES, STAFF'S PRIORITY OR COUNCIL'S PRIORITIES WERE THE TWO BIGGER AREAS THAT YOU ILLUMINATED, WHICH WERE THE TOOTH SHELTER AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND MAY NOT HAVE WANTED TO DO THOSE OTHER THINGS.
SO THAT'S WHY WE REALLOCATED THOSE TO THOSE NOT STATING, IF COUNSEL WOULD'VE SAID, HEY, WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE, BUT WE WANT YOU TO GO AND FIND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THESE OTHER THINGS IN HOMELESSNESS AND DON'T TOUCH THESE 'CAUSE WE LIKE THOSE, THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE WOULD'VE WENT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THE CONTEXT OF THAT AND WOULD SAY, GOING FORWARD, IF THERE IS A CLEAR ARTICULATION OF WHAT YOUR PRIORITIES ARE AND OR ANYTHING WE MIGHT LAY OUT, WE WOULD LOVE TO JUST HEAR 'EM THAT WAY SO THAT WE CAN THEN ACCOMMODATE AND FIND WAYS TO MEET WHAT YOU WANT TO GET.
BUT I JUST WANT TO GIVE SOME COLOR TO WHY THAT HAPPENED.
AND AGAIN, THOSE THINGS WERE IMPORTANT TO US, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE, UH, LESS IMPORTANT THAN TRYING TO FIND SUSTAINABLE REVENUES FOR THE TWO BIGGER, UH, NON CONGREGATE SHELTERS.
AND SO AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, 'CAUSE THAT WAS OUR INTENTION, IT WASN'T TO REMOVE WHAT WE HAD ADDED.
IT WAS REALLY TO TRY TO GET WHERE Y'ALL WANTED TO GET.
SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT JUST FROM STAFF'S PERSPECTIVE, THAT I THINK DAVID HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF SHARING WITH YOU THE PRIORITIES.
UH, AND THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.
BUT AGAIN, AS WE TALKED, WHEN WE STARTED THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION, UH, I THINK WE WERE UNDER THE REALITY OF WE'VE GOTTA DO THINGS DIFFERENT.
WE'VE GOTTA FIND WAYS TO MAKE SOME TOUGHER CHOICES AND TO CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT COMES BEFORE US WITHOUT ANY SACRIFICE IN SOME RESPECT.
UH, WE TOOK THE PRIORITIZATION THAT COUNCIL SHARED WITH US LAST WEEK AS THAT WAS YOUR STATEMENT OF THAT'S WHAT YOU REALLY WANTED TO DO.
AND WE GOTTA MAKE TOUGH CHOICES AND WE PIVOTED.
AND SO AGAIN, IF WE MISREAD THAT, WE WILL APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR THINKING THAT.
AND SO I, THE CLARIFICATION TODAY HAS LEFT US WITH YOU WANTED TO DO BOTH.
AND SO I THINK THIS AMENDMENT AND IS SUGGESTED GIVING US SOME TIME TO RECONCILE THEM TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT WHERE WE COME BACK.
UH, I THINK THAT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE NOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WANTED TO DO, IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE HAD INITIALLY RECOMMENDED MEMBERS, THIS IS THE, THE KEY QUESTION.
AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF WE GET PAST THIS QUESTION, THEN EVERYTHING ELSE OUGHT TO MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY AT THAT POINT BECAUSE A LOT OF AMENDMENTS PROBABLY DON'T MATTER ANYMORE.
UM, SO, UM, I, WITH, IF THERE'S NOT AN OBJECTION TO AT LEAST THE EFFORT TO, TO CORRESPOND THESE, IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION TO THAT, WHAT MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE IS THAT WE GIVE AT LEAST AN HOUR, UH, FOR OUR STAFF TO LOOK AT THIS AND, AND, AND REPORT BACK TO US.
UH, WHICH WOULD MEAN, YOU KNOW, LET'S SAY, UH, EIGHT O'CLOCK.
UM, BECAUSE THEN I THINK WE, WE WOULD BE IN A POSITION IF IN FACT THIS CAN BE WORKED THAT WAY IN A WAY THAT THE COUNCIL ALSO AGREES, UM, THEN, THEN IT WOULD MAKE, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE.
SO UNLESS THERE'S OBJECTION OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE IN RECESS UNTIL I DID WANNA COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE MANAGER.
AND, AND THANK YOU MANAGER FOR SHARING YOUR, YOUR, YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEEDBACK.
AND IT JUST REALLY ILLUMINATES THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'RE NAVIGATING THIS SECOND TYPE OF BUDGET PROCESS AND, AND WE'RE LEARNING AS WE GO THROUGH IT.
AND US, YOU KNOW, IT'S HELPFUL FOR US TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GUYS 'CAUSE IT REALLY, UH, UNDERSCORES THE VALUE OF US AFFIRMING WHAT WE AGREE WITH AND WHAT STAFF IS BRINGING FORWARD AND PROVIDING MORE DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE ON WHERE WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN THE CUTS COME FROM.
AND I CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE THAT THAT WAS AN AREA THAT, UM, THAT I, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER CAN PROVIDE MORE OF THAT ON THE DIOCESE AS PART OF THESE PUBLIC DELIBERATIONS AND JUST HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO THE OVERALL PROCESS.
BUT JUST WANNA SHARE MY APPRECIATION FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
WE REC WE RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE HARD WORK THEY ALL ARE DOING AND KNOW THAT US, YOU KNOW, GOING THROUGH THE, THIS PROCESS OF CUTTING AND REALLOCATING AND WANTING TO ENSURE THAT OUR PRIORITIES GET THE FUNDING THEY DESERVE, IS, IS JUST THAT, IT'S JUST PART OF, OF US DELIBERATING.
AND, UM, JUST WANNA AGAIN, SHARE MY GRATITUDE, UH, FOR ALL THE WORK THEY ALL ARE DOING.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
AND, AND COULD WE CHANGE THE SCREEN SO THAT, UH, WE DON'T HAVE THE, THE FLOW CHART UP THERE? THANK YOU MR. RAINER, BECAUSE THAT MEANS I CAN'T SEE YOU GUYS.
YEAH, I AM JUST, YOU KNOW, I'M SO TIRED AND I KNOW, AND I WANT YOU TO OFFER ME THIS
[04:15:01]
MOMENT OF PURPOSE AND PRIVILEGE.YOU DIDN'T TELL ANYBODY THAT I HAVE THIS TOBO INJURY, BUT I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO SIT UP.
YOU GUYS, GUYS, WE CANNOT SIT HERE ALL NIGHT.
NO, WE'RE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO.
AND THAT, AND THAT'S WHY I SAY WE, WE'LL BE DONE BY 10 O'CLOCK TONIGHT NO MATTER WHAT.
AND, UM, BUT MY HOPE IS THAT IF WE TAKE AN HOUR, WE COME UP WITH A BETTER RESULT AND ONE THAT IS OF, OF GREATER CONSENSUS.
UH, MR. MAYOR, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IF I MAY, YOU ARE THE SMARTEST PERSON ON THAT DESK, AND YOU'VE BEEN TELLING US ALL NIGHT, I COULDN'T WIN THAT VOTE.
SO WHAT I WOULD SAY IS,
YOU KNOW, THIS, NOT THIS, THIS IS NOT HAPPENING TONIGHT.
SO YOU WERE AS A CHAIR, AS A MAYOR, PLEASE JUST CALL IT.
UH, WELL, I, I, I, I APOLOGIZE TO COUNCIL MEMBER.
I VERY MUCH WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
BUT I, I WANT TO, I WANT US TO TRY TO GET IT DONE, UH, IN A WAY THAT THERE'S GREATER CONSENSUS BY THE COUNCIL THAT RESPECTS THE WORK THAT HAS GONE IN BY ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND BY OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF.
AND I THINK THE BETTER PART OF VALOR IS TO TAKE, GIVE THEM AN HOUR TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE ABLE TO DO.
AND IF WE DECIDE WE CAN'T DO IT, WE'LL COME BACK TOMORROW.
BUT, UM, I WANT US TO TRY TO AT LEAST TRY TO GET THERE.
ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WILL BE HELPFUL IN THAT REGARD IS MEMBERS, IF YOU HAVE AN AMENDMENT THAT YOU WERE PLANNING ON OFFERING AND YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING AT ALL TO THIS DISCUSSION, YOU'LL KNOW WHETHER YOUR AMENDMENT IS LIKELY TO BE NEEDED OR WANTED OR NECESSARY.
SO KEEP THAT IN MIND BECAUSE YOU MAY COME BACK AND ASK ME TO PULL YOUR AMENDMENT AND THAT WOULD SPEED THINGS UP AS WELL.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THE SITUATION YOU'RE IN, BUT I'M GONNA TRY TO GET US, UH, TO A, TO A VOTE TONIGHT WITH THAT, I APPRECIATE YOU MR. MAYOR.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE IN RECESS UNTIL EIGHT O'CLOCK.
IT IS 7:01 PM FOLKS, UH, WE'RE WAITING ON SOME THINGS TO BE PRINTED OUT AND, UM, AND WE'LL, WE'LL BE BACK.
UM, JUST SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL HAD THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, ALTHOUGH HE EXPLAINED HIS MOTION AND WE DISCUSSED IT AND DEBATED IT AND DID WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT YOU WITNESSED.
AND SO THERE'S NOT A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO SUBSTITUTE.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT WHAT I ANTICIPATE IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
IT WILL BE A STAFF SUBSTITUTE, BUT WE WILL MAKE A MOTION TO UTILIZE VERSION TWO OF THE STAFF AMENDMENT, AND IT'LL BE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO THE, THE, THE MA THE MOTION THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING TO AMEND.
SO JUST NOW, I KNOW Y'ALL WERE SITTING THERE WONDERING WHAT I, WE WERE GOING TO DO.
SO I, I I'VE THOUGHT I'D JUST SHARE THAT WITH YOU.
AND I, AND I WILL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL SO HE CAN MAKE A MOTION.
UM, THE, I'M TOLD, TOLD BY THE MANAGER, THEY'RE PRINTING IT RIGHT NOW.
I ANTICIPATE SOMEBODY'S GONNA DISAGREE WITH WHAT I JUST SAID, SO YOU, YOU JUST FEEL FREE TO COME UP.
UH, IT'S 8 38 AND ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025, AND
[04:20:01]
I'LL CALL THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL BACK TO ORDER.UH, WHEN WE TOOK A BREAK, THE BREAK THAT WE TOOK WAS, WE HAD BEEN DISCUSSING A POTENTIAL SUBSTITUTE MOTION, UH, THAT WAS LAID OUT BY COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL.
AND THERE HAD BEEN DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS AND SOME DEBATE ON THAT.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL NEVER MADE A MOTION, SO TO SUBSTITUTE THAT, UH, AMENDMENT FOR THE STAFF AMENDMENT THAT WAS MADE, THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD.
UH, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WITHDRAW OR TABLE, UH, ANY MOTION IN THAT REGARD.
WE NOW HAVE IN FRONT OF US AN EXHIBIT E, WHICH IS LABELED EXHIBIT E, FINAL STAFF AMENDMENTS AS OF 8:00 PM 1120.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, UH, MEMBERS, IT IS A FIVE PAGE DOCUMENT.
AND I'M GONNA ASK, UH, THE FINANCIAL STAFF TO DESCRIBE THIS FOR US.
UH, WHEN WE BROKE, IT WAS, UH, WE, THEY, THEY WERE GOING BACK TO, TO WORK ON WHETHER THEY WERE ABLE TO SYNCHRONIZE, UH, OR CORRESPOND THE POTENTIAL SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT HAD BEEN LAID OUT WITH THEIR PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
AND SO I'LL, UH, TURN IT OVER TO THE DIRECTOR TO GIVE US A DESCRIPTION.
UM, STAFF HEARD YOU ALL LOUD AND CLEAR AND, UM, WE WENT BACK AND WORKED ON, UM, HOW DO WE COMBINE, UM, THE TWO AMENDMENTS INTO ONE THAT SHOWS AND FUNDS THE PRIORITIES THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS.
UM, AND I WILL WALK THROUGH THE CHANGES THAT WERE, THAT ARE IN FRONT OF US.
THE FIRST IS, UM, THE DECREASE IN THE HSO GENERAL FUND BY 900,000.
IN ORDER TO, UM, FUND THOSE ITEMS THROUGH THE HOPE FUND BY 900,000, WE'LL BE REDUCING, UM, THE ORIGINAL REDUCTION FROM THE SOBERING CENTER SO THAT THE SOBERING CENTER IS FULLY FUNDED AT 2 MILLION I 3 MILLION AT $3 MILLION.
UM, THEN WE ARE GOING TO REDUCE THE JOB TRAINING, UM, THE REENTRY WORKFORCE TRAINING AT $500,000, REDUCING RAPID REHOUSING BY $500,000, REDUCING FUNDING FOR BRIDGE SHELTERS BY 250,000, REDUCING LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT BY 600,000, REDUCING OUR HOMELESS DIVERSION BY 500,000, DELAYING THE FIVE NEW, UH, POSITIONS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE, REDU OR FULLY FUNDING 15 POSITIONS FOR PARK GROUND MAINTENANCE, REDUCING THE FUNDING FOR PARKS ATH ATHLETIC FIELDS AT 375,000.
WE ARE GOING TO BE REDUCING THE FUNDING FOR THIRD PARTY CONTRACTS FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AT A HUNDRED THOUSAND, AS WELL AS REDUCTIONS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR IT STAFFING AT ONE 50.
THE GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO THE HOUSING TRUST FUND WILL BE REDUCED AT 1.2, $1.1 MILLION, AND THEN THERE'LL BE A REDUCTION IN THE HOUSING TRUST FUND, UM, FOR $539,000 FOR TO ELIMINATE THE TAX AND ESTATE PLANNING PILOT.
WE WILL THEN REDUCE THE HOUSING TRUST FUND, UM, $600,000, UM, FOR THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
GIVEN THAT FUNDING $3 MILLION TOTAL FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 26, REDUCE THE THIRD PARTY CONTRACTS IN EX ECONOMICS DEVELOPMENT, A TOTAL $220,000 REDUCTION FOR A 110.
DO $110,000 IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND.
WE WILL REDUCE THE, UM, PLANNING.
UH, THIS IS ONE TIME FUNDING FOR $1.5 MILLION INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
ALSO REDUCING HUMAN RESOURCES, COMMODITY AND CONTRACTUALS FOR $75,000.
THE TOTAL REDUCTIONS $151,000 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT WILL HAVE A REDUCTION IN THEIR, UM, CONTRACTS FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT TOTAL, $882,000 FOR A $441,000 REDUCTION TO THE GENERAL FUND.
AND THEN CONTRACTUALS AND COMMODITIES AND FINANCIAL SERVICES AT $270,000 TO THE SUPPORT SERVICES FUND IMPACTING THE GENERAL FUND, $135,000, $550,000
[04:25:01]
IN FINANCIAL SERVICES REDUCTIONS FOR SUPPORT SERVICES.UM, WITH A GENERAL FUND IMPACT OF $275,000.
WE'LL BE REMOVING THE PLANNING POSITION.
UM, ONE PLANNING POSITIONS FOR A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS SAVINGS TO THE GENERAL FUND CONTRACTS, UM, ACROSS THE GENERAL FUNDS.
WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR SOFTWARE CONTRACTS, THE WORK THAT WE PLAN ON THE SAVINGS WE CAN ANTICIPATE RECEIVING THROUGH OUR IT OPTIMIZATION, THE $406,000 THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR FUNDING FOR NON CONGREGATE SHELTERS AT 2.9 MILLION.
UM, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, 202,000 IN THE GENERAL FUND.
AND, UM, 2 MILLION IN THE HOUSING TRUST FUND.
EMERGENCY, UH, EMS OVERTIME AT $3 MILLION.
CHILD ADVOCACY AT $120,000 FOOD PANTRIES, UH, $150,000, AS WELL AS, UM, HOME DELIVERY MEALS FOR OLDER ADULTS, A HUNDRED THOUSAND BAD WEATHER PAY STIPEND, 152,000 DENTAL BENEFITS FOR PART-TIME TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES, 120,000 EMERGENCY VET SERVICES, A HUNDRED THOUSAND.
UM, WE WILL BE INCREASING THE FUNDING FOR, UM, WILDFIRE THROUGH THE FIRE, UM, URBAN FOREST REPLENISHMENT FUND AT A MILLION DOLLARS.
AND THEN THERE'S THE STAFF AMENDMENT TO REDUCE, UM, D FIVE BUDGET BY $71,000 TO INCREASE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE BY THAT SAME AMOUNT.
THOSE ARE THE STAFF AMENDMENTS THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET MEMBERS.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ, DO YOU HAVE QUESTION? OKAY, ANY, ANY QUESTIONS? ONE YES.
CAN I ASK, CONFIRM A STAFF RECOMMENDATION? 17 IS THE 1.51 TIME REVENUE.
AND, AND I, AND I'D LIKE TO CONFIRM THAT THE WORKFORCE SAVINGS THAT WE SAW IN THE POTENTIAL SUBSTITUTE, UH, MOTION THAT WE DISCUSSED, THAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN HERE, UH, AS, AS PART OF ANY REDUCTIONS OR SAVINGS.
THE VACANCY SAVINGS REDUCTION, VACANCY SAVINGS IS NOT IN THIS, IN THIS AMENDMENT.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? YES.
I MOVE THIS AS THE, UH, BASE AMENDMENT.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SIEGEL HAS MOVED TO SUBSTITUTE WHAT IS LABELED EXHIBIT E, FINAL STAFF AMENDMENTS AS OF 8:00 PM ON NOVEMBER 20TH.
TO SUBSTITUTE THIS FOR THE STAFF, RECOMMEND RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN MOTION, UM, THE MAYOR PRO TIM SECONDS THAT, UH, DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO THE MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE.
AND THE VOTE WILL ONLY BE ON WHETHER OR NOT WE REPLACE WHETHER OR NOT WE, WE USE THIS TO SUBSTITUTE STAFF'S, UH, EX EXHIBIT D WITH THIS EXHIBIT E.
UM, IS THERE DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION? THE MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE IS ADOPTED MEMBERS THAT WILL TAKE A, THAT NOW MEANS THAT EXHIBIT E IS THE MOTION.
I I IS A, IS THE AMENDMENT TO THIS.
AND I KNOW THIS SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT IT IS THE AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET.
NOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OF AMENDMENTS THAT ARE REALLY DIRECTION.
I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS THAT DEAL IN NUMBERS AS SUCH, BUT WE DO HAVE BUDGET DIRECTION.
THE FIRST ONE WE WILL TAKE UP IS LABELED ITEM FOUR, MOTION SHEET ONE FOR MAYOR KIRK WATSON, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025.
AND THAT IS RELATED TO THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE USE OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER, CITY MANAGER TO DETERMINE A UNIFORM PROCESS FOR PROCURING SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS AND CITY DISTRIBUTED GRANTS.
I'M NOT GONNA READ THE WHOLE THING.
THIS WAS LAID OUT, I GUESS YESTERDAY.
UH, I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF WATSON AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE.
IT'S SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
IS THERE DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION, WATSON.
MOTION TO AMEND NUMBER ONE IS ADOPTED.
AND FOR THE RECORD, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON IS JOINING US VIRTUALLY, AND SHE IS ALSO VOTING, UH, ON THESE ITEMS. THE NEXT PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS LABELED ITEM FOUR, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025.
[04:30:01]
MOTION, ONE.COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.
UH, THIS IS, WAS ALSO LAID OUT YESTERDAY.
IT'S HAVING THE AUDITOR, UH, HELP US CATALOG SOME OF OUR NEW AND PRIOR WORK ON EFFICIENCY AND THEN HELP US GET THAT INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.
AND I MOVE ADOPTION, UH, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, CADRE IS THEIR DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION, ALTER AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE IS ADOPTED.
THAT WILL NOW TAKE US TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
ALSO DISCUSSED YESTERDAY, JUST FOR US TO BE ABLE TO, UH, WORK WITH OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS SO THAT THEY CAN HELP US IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PRIORITIES AND SAVINGS MOVING FORWARD.
IT IS SECONDED BY, UM, I'LL, I'LL SECOND THE MOTION.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION WITHOUT OBJECTION, ALTER.
MOTION TO AMEND NUMBER TWO IS ADOPTED.
MEMBERS, I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER MOTIONS TO AMEND THE MAIN MOTION, BUT I WANNA VERIFY THAT BECAUSE WITH ALL THAT'S GOING ON TODAY, I WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR.
SO WE'VE NOW CONSIDERED THE STAFF AMENDMENT, AND THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
UH, THAT IS THE, NOW THE MAIN, THAT IS THE STAFF, MAIN STAFF AMENDMENT.
WE'VE CONSIDERED THE COUNCIL AMENDMENTS TO THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, AND WE'RE NOW READY TO VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER FOUR, AMENDING THE CITY'S ADOPTED CITY'S FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26 BUDGET AS IT'S BEEN AMENDED BY THE STAFF AMENDMENT AND BY THE COUNCIL AMENDMENTS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE SO THAT EACH COUNCIL MEMBER'S VOTE IS RECORDED? MAYOR WATSON, I MAYOR PER FUENTES? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN? YES.
THERE BEING 11 AYES AND ZERO NAYS.
THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 2 5 0 8 1 3 0 5 TO AMEND THE CITY'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 TO 2026 AS AMENDED IS APPROVED ON A VOTE OF 11 TO ZERO.
FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN A PART OF A BUDGET CYCLE WHERE WE'VE ALL VOTED FOR THE BUDGET.
UM, WELL, WE OUGHT TO QUIT WHILE WE'RE AHEAD.
UM, UH, I DIDN'T WANNA LOOK DOWN THAT DIRECTION.
MEMBERS, UH, ITEM FOUR IS ADOPTED ON ALL THREE READINGS.
[5. Ratify the property tax increase reflected in the amended Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.]
WE WILL NOW CONSIDER ITEM NUMBER FIVE TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET.THIS IS NOT THE VOTE ON AMENDING THE TAX RATE.
WE WILL TAKE A SEPARATE VOTE ON AMENDING THE TAX RATE AFTER THIS VOTE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE AMENDED FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26 BUDGET ADOPTED BY COUNCIL TODAY? COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS MOVES ADOPTION.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LANE MEMBERS, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE AMENDED FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE WITHOUT OBJECTION.
UH, THE MOTION TO RATIFY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE REFLECTED IN THE AMENDED FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26, BUDGET PASSES ON A VOTE OF 11 TO ZERO.
[6. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20250813-001 adopting and levying a property (ad valorem) tax rate for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 to reduce the tax rate to the voter-approval tax rate.]
NOW TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER SIX TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 2 5 0 8 1 3 DASH 0 0 1, BY WHICH WE ADOPTED AND LEVIED A PROPERTY OR AD VALOREM TAX RATE FOR THE, FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 25, 20 26.WE ARE AMENDING THAT ORDINANCE TO ALIGN IT WITH THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE, WHICH
[04:35:01]
IS WHAT THE CITY'S TAX RATE IS REDUCED TO.NOW, THAT PROP PROPOSITION Q DID NOT PASS MEMBERS, THIS WILL BE A ROLL CALL VOTE, AND THE MOTION WILL INCLUDE LANGUAGE PROVIDED BY LAW.
I WANT TO NOTE THAT WHILE THIS LANGUAGE INCLUDES THE WORD INCREASE, THAT IS EFFECTIVELY IN REFERENCE TO LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE, THE AMENDED TAX RATE IN THE ORDINANCE WE ARE ADOPTING TODAY IS ACTUALLY A 5 CENT DECREASE PER A HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION FROM THE TAX WE ADOPTED IN AUGUST, AND IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE VOTERS IN PROPOSITION Q.
THE MOTION THAT I WILL ACCEPT IS AS FOLLOWS.
I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF $0.52 PER HUNDRED DOLLARS VALUATION, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 8.4% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE AND THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 2 5 0 8 3 0 1.
IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION IS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.
IT IS SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, SO I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO PLEASE CALL THE ROLL SO THAT EACH COUNCIL MEMBER'S VOTE IS RECORDED.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
COUNCIL MEMBER, WE, YOU'RE, YOU'RE MUTED.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, YOU'RE MUTED.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN? YES.
THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ORDINANCE, ADOPTING A PROPERTY TAX RATE PASSES ON A VOTE OF 11 TO ZERO.
SOME COMMENTS ON THE BUDGET? YES.
UM, MEMBERS, THAT CONCLUDES THE THREE ITEMS THAT WE NEEDED TO VOTE TO ADOPT AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET, UH, FOLLOWING THE, THE DEFEAT OF PROPOSITION.
UH, I'M GOING TO ASK IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET, UH, PLEASE LET ME KNOW BEFORE WE DO THAT.
I WILL SIMPLY SAY AND, AND NOT GIVE A LONG SPEECH, BUT I WANT TO SAY THE DEEPEST THANKS, UH, TO OUR VOTERS, UH, THE VOTERS THAT ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS, THE VOTERS THAT, UH, TOLD US.
I MEAN, THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF A VOTE.
AND WE SAID, I SAID THE NIGHT WE PASSED THIS, UH, WE ORIGINALLY PASSED THE BUDGET, THAT IT WAS NOW TIME TO TRUST THE VOTERS.
I BELIEVE THE BUDGET THAT THE BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT WE JUST ADOPTED, UH, REVEALS THAT WE TRUSTED THE VOTERS, WE HEARD THE VOTERS, AND WE REACTED, UH, TO THE VOTERS.
BUT I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE VOTERS FOR ENGAGING IN, IN THE ELECTION AND FOR SENDING THE MESSAGE.
I ALSO WANNA SAY A DEEP THANKS TO THE MANAGER AND HIS STAFF.
UH, THE, THE FINANCIAL STAFF THAT'S SITTING HERE IN FRONT OF US, UH, HAS DONE A REMARKABLE JOB OF, OF HELPING US GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO GET TODAY.
AND WE, WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU.
AND, UH, WE KNOW HOW MUCH WORK YOU'VE, YOU'VE PUT INTO IT.
AND I ADD TO THAT THE, THE, THE GENERAL STAFF OF THIS CITY, OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF, IS REALLY WONDERFUL.
AND IT WORKS VERY, VERY HARD AND DOES A LOT OF THINGS THAT NOBODY KNOWS AND GETS RELATIVELY LITTLE CREDIT FOR IT MOST OF THE TIME.
BUT EVEN DURING A BUDGET PROCESS LIKE THIS, WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO SORT OUT WHAT WE DO TO MAKE SURE WE CAN PROVIDE SERVICES WELL TO THIS VERY SUCCESSFUL CITY THAT WE LIVE IN, UH, THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND ENERGY AND EMOTION AND EFFORT THAT YOU'VE PUT INTO IT, I, I, I, I FEEL I SPEAK FOR EVERYBODY WHEN I SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CITY STAFF FOR THE ROLE YOU PLAY.
UM, AND THEN FINALLY, I'M GONNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL.
UM, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK AND, UH, AND, AND INCLUDING TONIGHT THE LEVEL OF WORK THAT THE, THE, THE, THE DISCUSSION AND DEBATE HAS BEEN VERY HEALTHY.
AND ONE THAT OUR, OUR CONSTITUENTS, I, I HOPE CAN BE PROUD OF.
SO I WANNA SAY A THANK YOU TO EACH MEMBER OF, OF THE COUNCIL AND, AND, AND YOUR LEVEL OF COMMITMENT TO THIS JOB.
[04:40:01]
RECOGNIZE THE MAYOR PRO TIM, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER CON.DURING THIS BUDGET PROCESS, MY NORTH STAR WAS CLEAR TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO PROTECT THE SERVICES THAT KEEP AUSTINITE SAFE, HOUSED AND STABLE.
WE PRIORITIZED EMS FUNDING TO HELP IN STAFFING SHORTAGES BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE IN A CRISIS, NO AMBULANCES SHOULD SIT EMPTY.
WE SECURED A 24 7 MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE BECAUSE ACCESS TO LIFESAVING CARE SHOULD NEVER DEPEND ON THE TIME OF DAY.
WE FUNDED FOOD PANTRIES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND SENIORS AND DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE LONGEST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN AMERICAN HISTORY BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY DUE TO POLITICAL GRIDLOCK.
AND WE PROTECTED OUR MOST EFFECTIVE HOMELESSNESS SERVICE PROGRAMS BECAUSE OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS DESERVE STABILITY AND A DIGNIFIED PATH FORWARD.
WE KNOW THAT THE TOUGH DECISIONS AREN'T OVER, BUT MY COMMITMENT REMAINS WITH THE AUSTINITES.
WE REPRESENT THE SERVICES THEY DEPEND ON THE MOST, AND THE WORKERS WHO KEEP THEM RUNNING.
THANK YOU TO EVERY AUSTINITE WHO MADE THEIR VOICE HEARD, TO OUR DEDICATED CITY STAFF, AND TO EVERY PARTNER WHO HAS HELPED SHAPE THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE DISTRICT TWO TEAM FOR THEIR ENDURING AND ENDLESS SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS ELLIS AND ALTER.
UM, YEAH, I, I WANT TO JUST KIND OF KICK THIS OFF WITH JUST DEEP APPRECIATION, UH, FOR EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN A PART OF THIS PROCESS.
EVERYONE WHO'S COME TO CITY HALL TO, TO SPEAK ON, ON THE BUDGET, WHETHER IT WAS THE FIRST TIME WE DID THE BUDGET OR THIS TIME, UH, WHETHER YOU, YOU VOTED IN THE TRE ELECTION OR NOT, UM, REGARDLESS OF YOU'VE, HOW YOU VOTED ON IT.
UM, BUT JUST, JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING A PART OF THE PROCESS.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES AUSTIN SO SPECIAL, IS PEOPLE DEEPLY CARE ABOUT THE CITY AND THEY HAVE SUCH A LOVE FOR THE CITY.
UH, YOU SEE THAT THROUGH OUR CONSTITUENTS, VOTERS, YOU SEE THAT THROUGH, UH, THE STAFF IN FRONT OF US.
UH, SO DEEP APPRECIATION FOR CITY STAFF, UH, FOR ALWAYS DOING THE HARD WORK.
UH, MUCH APPRECIATION JUST TO, TO COUNCIL STAFF, MA MAYOR, AND COUNCIL STAFF.
UH, YOU GUYS WORK Y'ALL'S TAILS OFF.
YOU GUYS MAKE US LOOK AS GOOD AS, AS WE DO.
YOU MAKE JOSE LOOK, LOOK GREAT.
YOU MAKE EVERYONE ON THIS COUNCIL LOOK SO GREAT.
THAT'S WHY, THAT'S WHY I WENT THERE.
HE WASN'T SUGGESTING IT TAKES EXTRA WORK.
UH, BUT, BUT, BUT REALLY, I, I, I, I DO SO APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, COUNCIL STAFF, UM, FOR ALL THEIR WORK, UH, THAT, THAT, THAT Y'ALL DO.
UH, AND, AND WANT TO THANK YOU KNOW, ALL MY COLLEAGUES, UH, WHETHER, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE A PART OF MY, MY BUDGET SUB QUORUM, THE, THE FIRST BUDGET THIS YEAR, OR THE, OR THE SECOND, OR MAYBE WE WEREN'T A PART OF ANY BUDGET SUB QUORUM.
BUT, YOU KNOW, DURING MY, MY ALMOST THREE YEARS ON THE COUNCIL, THERE'S OFTEN THINGS WE, WE ALL AGREE ON.
AND AT TIMES THERE'S THINGS THAT WE DISAGREE ON.
BUT WHERE COUNCIL ALWAYS COMES TOGETHER, UH, IS THIS, ONCE AGAIN, LOVE FOR THIS CITY, LOVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY, AND MAKING SURE WE DO RIGHT BY AUSTIN TONIGHT.
SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE SAW.
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS SEEN, IN MY OPINION, WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET OR ANY ITEM THAT WE BRING FORWARD.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT WE SEE WHEN IT COMES TO TONIGHT'S BUDGET.
UH, AND I KNOW THIS COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO LOVE THE CITY, UH, AND, AND DO THE WORK FOR THE CITY.
SO THANK Y'ALL FOR, FOR EVERYTHING.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, COUNCIL MEMBER LANE.
I'M REALLY PROUD OF THIS BUDGET.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT MORE ITEMS THAT IF THERE WERE A FEW MORE DOLLARS THAT WE WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE ABLE TO SPEND IN A WAY, UM, THAT SERVED OUR PUBLIC AS BEST POSSIBLE.
BUT SINCE WE WERE AT 3.5%, WE SAID WE HAVE TO ABSOLUTELY MAKE THE MOST OF THIS.
WE HAVE TO MAKE AS MANY TOUGH CUTS AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MAKE EACH DOLLAR STRETCH AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
I THINK THIS BUDGET REFLECTS SOMETHING THAT TAKES CARE OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
UH, AND WE'RE SHOWING UP FOR THEM THE WAY THEY ALWAYS SHOW UP FOR US.
SO, LIKE OTHER FOLKS HAVE SAID ABOUT CITY STAFF, YOU KNOW, NO MATTER HOW BIG THE TASK, NO MATTER HOW LONG THE WORK DAY IS, UM, WE'RE ALWAYS HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET IT DONE AND WE GET IT DONE RESPONSIBLY.
UM, I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE MILLION DOLLARS FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION THAT WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO DO.
I THINK KEEPING OUR PUBLIC SAFE FROM WILDFIRE IS ONE OF MY HIGHEST PRIORITIES AS I DO THIS WORK.
UM, EMS IS GETTING MORE MONEY FOR OVERTIME, AND EM COT IS GONNA BE ABLE TO PRODUCE MORE HOURS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO FOLKS IN NEED WHEN THE MOMENT COMES.
AND WE ALSO GOT TO DO SOME WORK FOR PART-TIME TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
WE WEREN'T ABLE TO TAKE IT AS FAR AS WE WANT TO, SO I JUST WANTED TO FLAG THAT ALTHOUGH WE WERE ABLE TO DO, UM, $120,000 FOR 84 AND NEW, OR 84 NEW EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY FOR 12 MONTHS OR LONGER, UM, THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT NEED.
THE ACTUAL COST OF BEING ABLE TO DO MEDICAL AND DENTAL FOR OUR PART-TIME EMPLOYEE, PART-TIME TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE STAFF, UM, IS TWO TO $3 MILLION.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING I'M GONNA CONTINUE TO WORK ON AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS BUDGET NOW
[04:45:01]
THAT IT'S BEING IMPLEMENTED.AND I REALLY WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LEADERS IN PROVIDING THE BEST WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND THE BEST BENEFITS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
SO I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE TODAY, BUT IT WON'T END HERE.
I KNOW THIS IS A BIT OF DEJA VU, GETTING TO DO ANOTHER BUDGET IN ONE, UH, IN ONE YEAR.
BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GO THROUGH THIS EXERCISE AND WE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST, UM, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DELIVERING FOR THE PUBLIC.
SO I'M PROUD OF ALL THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LANG.
I JUST WANT TO START WITH, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS PROCESS WAS VERY TRUNCATED AS WE ALL HAVE, UH, EXPERIENCED, AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE WISH, UH, WE COULD HAVE EXPLORED MORE UNDERSTOOD, UH, BETTER AND, AND TOOLS WE WISH WE HAD AVAILABLE.
AND, AND ONE OF THOSE THAT I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT HERE FOR A MOMENT AS WE LOOK TOWARDS OUR NEXT BUDGET, WHICH IS GOING TO BE, I BELIEVE EQUALLY AS DIFFICULT, IF NOT POTENTIALLY MORE, UH, IS WE HAVE TO BEND THE COST CURVE, AND WE HAVE TO DO THAT ACROSS OUR DEPARTMENTS.
UH, BUT WE HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS.
AND, AND AS, UH, CHIEF, YOU, THERE ARE MULTIPLE CHIEFS BACK THERE, UM, CHIEF DAVIS IN THE MIDDLE, YOU TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE REFORMS, UH, Y'ALL ARE WORKING ON.
ONE OF THE ONES I REALLY WANT US TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON IS, UH, WITHIN THE BARRY DUNN REPORT ABOUT, UH, HOW WE CAN UTILIZE ALTERNATIVE, UH, NON-SWORN RESPONSE TO HELP MAKE THAT, UH, SERVICE DELIVERY BETTER AND POTENTIALLY AT A LOWER COST.
I KNOW YOU'RE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT, UH, BUT I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT WORK.
I KNOW COUNCILOR VELASQUEZ HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING ON THIS, AND SO THROUGH HIS COMMITTEE, UH, WOULD LIKE TO, TO CONTINUE, UH, MOVING THAT FORWARD.
BUT, UM, I ALSO WANT JUST TO, YOU KNOW, THAT THIS, THIS EXPERIENCE TODAY DIDN'T CERTAINLY HAPPEN IN A VACUUM.
YOU KNOW, IT, IT, AS MUCH AS WE ALL LOVE BEING HERE, UM, I I, I WISH WE WEREN'T RIGHT.
I, I FOUGHT FOR PROP Q BECAUSE, UH, IT WASN'T JUST A, A POLICY DEBATE.
IT WAS A LIFELINE FOR MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, NEIGHBORS SLEEPING ON THE STREETS, SENIORS TRYING TO DECIDE BETWEEN GROCERIES AND PRESCRIPTIONS.
UH, FAMILIES RELYING ON PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS JUST FOR THE BASICS.
AND IT WOULD HAVE LET US TAKE BETTER CARE OF OUR CITIES, WHETHER THAT'S THE PARKS OUR KIDS PLAYING, THE TRAILS WE WALK, THE AIRS WE BREATHE, UH, WOULD'VE STRENGTHENED DMS STRENGTHENED FIRE SO THAT WHEN ANYONE DIALS 9 1 1, THAT RESPONSE GETS THERE FAST.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S NOT POLITICS.
UH, THAT'S JUST THE BASIC PROMISE THAT WE MAKE TO OUR PEOPLE.
UH, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING, NOT BECAUSE OF BAD LUCK, BUT OFTEN BECAUSE OF DECISIONS MADE OUTSIDE THIS CHAMBER, WHETHER THAT'S WASHINGTON DC OR RIGHT UP THE STREET.
AND SOME OF THOSE SERVICES HAVE JUST DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN.
AND WHEN I TALK TO THESE FAMILIES WHO ARE LITERALLY AT A BREAKING POINT, WHAT THEY HAVE CONVEYED IS, YES, THEY ARE TOUGH, BUT THEY ARE INCREDIBLY TIRED.
UH, THEY'RE, THEY'RE MAXED OUT THAT EVEN IN THIS SQUEEZE, THEY DO VALUE WHAT THE CITY DOES VALUE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS VALUE, OUR WORKERS WHO KEEP THIS CITY RUNNING, BUT HAVE SAID, YOU NEED TO DO MORE WITH LESS.
AND SO THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SPENT THE TIME SCRUBBING EVERY CORNER OF THIS BUD BUDGET JUSTIFYING EVERY USE OF OUR DOLLARS, SHOWING OUR MATH TO THE PUBLIC.
AND, AND I THINK OUR BUDGET STAFF HAS DONE THAT THREE TIMES OVER, UH, NOW.
BUT I JUST, I DON'T WANT US TO FORGET THAT THIS BUDGET DOES HAVE CONSEQUENCES.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE REAL SERVICES THAT WE HEARD ABOUT, UH, THAT PEOPLE DEPEND ON THAT WILL GO UNMET.
PEOPLE WILL POTENTIALLY EVEN FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS.
AND THAT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE FAILED, IT'S BECAUSE THEIR COMMUNITY JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CATCH THEM.
AND THAT IS REALLY CONCERNING.
BUT WHAT IS REALLY I'M EXCITED TO SEE IS WHAT WE WERE UNITED ON.
AND THAT WAS PROTECTING OUR EMS MEDICS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP SAVING LIVES, HOLDING THE LINE ON HOMELESS INVESTMENTS, INVESTING IN OTT SO THAT PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CAN GET THAT HELP THEY NEED.
AND SO, GOING FORWARD, WE'RE NOT JUST GONNA TALK ABOUT TRUST, WE'RE GONNA REBUILD IT BRICK BY BRICK WITH
[04:50:01]
DASHBOARDS,AND ON DAYS LIKE TODAY, IT WILL, IT WILL JUST HURT.
BUT WE OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN TO LOOK THEM IN THE EYE AND SAY, WE HONORED EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR YOU GAVE US.
WE FOUGHT FOR EVERY SERVICE WE COULD SAVE.
AND WE NEVER FORGOT WHO WE WORKED FOR.
COUNCIL MEMBER LANE AND COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN.
I ALSO WANNA START BY THANKING OUR CITY STAFF, AND IN PARTICULAR, BUDGET OFFICE DIRECTOR CARRIE LANG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR ERIC NELSON, AND CFO AT NO, FOR YOUR DILIGENCE, YOUR LONG HOURS OF HARD WORK, AND MAKING YOURSELVES AVAILABLE TO US TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS LITERALLY AROUND THE CLOCK, SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ARRIVE AT CONSENSUS AS A COUNCIL AND MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
UH, I ALSO REALLY WANNA THANK MY COLLEAGUES IN OUR SUB QUORUM AND THE REST OF THE DIOCESE FOR BEING OPEN TO COLLABORATING, RESPECTING EACH OTHER'S PRIORITIES, AND ALSO UNDERSTANDING THE SACRIFICES THAT WE EACH HAVE TO MAKE IN ORDER TO MEET THIS MOMENT.
AND FINALLY, I GENUINELY VERY MUCH WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS ENGAGED SO ACTIVELY THROUGHOUT THIS CHALLENGING BUDGET PROCESS.
YOUR VOICES HAVE BEEN AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO REMAIN ON THE RIGHT PATH AS A CITY, WHILE NAVIGATING SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT WE FOUND A WAY TO FUND CHILD VICTIM SERVICES ACROSS OUR ENTIRE CITY, INCLUDING INVESTING OUR FAIR SHARE TOWARDS THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER.
I'M RELIEVED THAT WE ARE ABLE TO FUND FOOD INSECURITY ASSISTANCE THROUGH FOOD PANTRIES AT TITLE ONE SCHOOLS AND HOME DELIVERED MEALS TO OUR SENIORS THROUGH MEALS ON WHEELS.
I'M ALSO GRATEFUL THAT COUNCIL COALESCED AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITIES THAT INCLUDE EXPANDING OUR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSE, KEEPING ENOUGH AMBULANCES ON THE ROAD TO REACH US ALL, KEEPING OUR EYES ON AND KEEPING OUR EYES ON ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS NEEDED TO CONTINUE IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES AND IN EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THEM.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW OUR WORK DOESN'T END HERE.
UM, MY PRIORITIES REMAIN CLEAR, KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS WITH SOLUTIONS THAT ARE COMPASSIONATE AND EFFECTIVE, CONTINUING TO WORK AND SUPPORT OUR CITY'S WORKERS, AND OPTIMIZING OUR RESOURCES ACROSS THE BOARD TO MAKE OUR CITY'S OPERATIONS MORE EFFICIENT, TRANSPARENT, AND RESPONSIVE, WHILE ENABLING US TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR COLLECTIVE VALUES.
MOMENTS LIKE THESE, UNFORTUNATELY, ARE A REMINDER THAT WHEN RESOURCES ARE SCARCE, IT REALLY DOES TAKE ALL OF US GOVERNMENT, NONPROFIT, SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORS WORKING TOGETHER, COMING TOGETHER, AND SHOWING UP FOR EVERY MOMENT.
OUR HARD WORK WILL CONTINUE, AND IT WILL TAKE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US TO KEEP SHOWING UP AND HELP US MAKE THIS CITY THE BEST PLACE FOR US ALL TO LIVE IN AND THRIVE.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN SAID BY EVERYBODY HERE ALREADY, BUT I WANNA START BY JUST COMMENDING OUR INCREDIBLE CITY STAFF FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK.
I KNOW THAT EVERYBODY HERE ON THE DAIS, UH, AND REALLY ALL OF OUR STAFF ARE IMMENSELY THANKFUL.
WE'VE GOT AN INCREDIBLY STRONG TEAM OF PEOPLE TO WORK THROUGH THIS PROCESS BECAUSE CITY BUDGETS ARE A COMPLICATED THING, AND I'M LEARNING EVERY DAY ABOUT HOW TO NAVIGATE THAT AND YOUR IMPRESSIVE EXPERTISE AND, AND A LOT OF DEDICATED WORK AND LONG HOURS HAS MADE THOSE DISCUSSIONS POSSIBLE.
UH, I ALSO WANNA THANK MY COLLEAGUES, I, THE DAS, FOR TAKING UP THE CITY BUDGET, AGAIN, WITH CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THE CITY'S PRIORITIES AND CONCERNS.
UH, PROBABLY DON'T NEED TO REMIND ANYBODY, BUT I DID NOT VOTE FOR THE PREVIOUS BUDGET.
I VOTED NO BECAUSE, UH, NOT BECAUSE THE PROGRAMS THAT I PREFERRED WERE ABSENT, BUT BECAUSE I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE HOW WE WERE MEETING THIS PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING TIME.
UH, MY SENSE WAS BEFORE THIS YEAR, WE WROTE A DECADE OF RAPID GROWTH, WHICH LED TO A LOT OF EXPANSION IN OUR CITY SERVICES.
UM, PROGRAMS THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN NEEDED IN THE PAST BECAME VITAL PRIORITIES AND, AND BASIC SERVICES ALSO, TO GROW VERY QUICKLY, TO MEET WITH INCREASING DEMAND.
UM, AND WE NEEDED TO MOVE QUICKLY AND OFTEN SAY YES.
AND WE'RE SIMPLY IN A DIFFERENT PLACE.
WE'RE A DIFFERENT PLACE THAN WE WERE BACK IN 2019, OR EVEN IN A DIFFERENT PLACE WE WERE TWO YEARS AGO.
CITY REVENUE ISN'T INCREASING AT A, AT A BREAKNECK PACE.
AND MANY OF OUR SERVICES, WHILE STRAINED, ARE CATCHING UP TO OUR NEEDS.
AND THIS IS A BIG CHANGE FOR ALL OF US, FOR OUR ENTIRE CITY.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS CHANGE DID AFFORD US THOUGH THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS PRIORITIES, TO IDENTIFY SAVINGS, AND TO TAKE AN IMPORTANT STOCK OF WHAT'S WORKING AND WHAT'S NOT.
AND SO I THINK THE PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET THIS YEAR MARKED A MOMENT TO RESET AND REBUILD.
MY SENSE WAS THAT PROP Q'S FAILURE SHOWED HOW CONCERNED LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE WHEN IT COMES TO HOW WE SPEND MONEY HERE.
[04:55:01]
AND I BELIEVE MY COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE TAKEN A FIRST AND IMPORTANT STEP TO RESTORING TRUST WITH THOSE CONSTITUENTS.THIS BUDGET STRENGTHENS PUBLIC SAFETY.
IT PROVIDES FIRST RESPONDERS WITH RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES.
IT INVESTS IN PARKS AND GREEN SPACES THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS RELY ON.
IT ALSO REFOCUS MONEY ON HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES, ALLOWING THOSE PROGRAMS TO WORK BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE MOST.
AND SO NOW FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT'S A TIME TO JUST LOOK AHEAD.
CITY HALL HAS GOT TO STILL WORK ON ADDRESSING THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT THAT KEEPS, UH, OUR SPENDING UNDER CONTROL.
OTHERWISE, WE MAY FIND OURSELVES BACK IN THE SAME SPOT AS WE WERE THIS YEAR.
AND SO I'M GRATEFUL THAT OUR CITY MANAGER AND OTHER STAFFERS HAVE BEGUN TO ALREADY IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE WE CAN CONSERVE FUNDS.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO EXPANDING THAT EFFORT WITH AN AUDIT OR OTHER STUDIES THAT LOOK HARD AT EACH AND EVERY PUBLIC DOLLAR AND EXPENSE.
IT'S OUR JOB TO SET UP AUSTIN'S FOR SUCCESS OVER THE NEXT DECADE, AND THAT WON'T BE POSSIBLE UNLESS WE CONTINUE TO PUT THIS FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER.
UM, I'M CHECKING ON ONE THING BEFORE WE ADJOURN, BUT I NEED TO GET SOMEBODY'S ATTENTION.
MEMBERS, IF Y'ALL JUST HANG ON ONE, PLEASE COME UP HERE.
UH, HANG ON ONE SECOND WHILE I, I DOUBLE CHECK ONE THING.
SO WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THIS KIND OF PROCESS AND YOU HAVE AS MUCH, UH, CHANGE AS WE'VE HAD, I SAT HERE AND I, I WANNA BE CLEAR WITH MY COLLEAGUES.
I WAS LISTENING TO EVERYTHING YOU HAD TO SAY, BUT I GOT MYSELF WORKED UP ABOUT WORRYING ABOUT SOMETHING.
I JUST WANTED TO DOUBLE CHECK IT.
UM, THAT JUST, I JUST, I, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP TONIGHT IF I HADN'T CHECKED ON THAT.
UH, THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS I WANT TO SAY, UH, A SPECIAL KIND OF THANKS TO ERIC NELSON WHO, UM, TOMORROW AT 10 O'CLOCK, UH, OR OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I'M NOT GOING TO, UH, BUT, BUT SOMETIME IN THE MORNING, UH, HE'S GONNA BECOME A NEW FATHER.
AND, UM, AND SO THAT'S THE REAL REASON WE'RE GETTING DONE TONIGHT.
UH, BUT WE WANNA SAY CONGRATULATIONS.
WE, WE PRAY EVERYTHING GOES BEAUTIFULLY.
AND, UH, TOMORROW NIGHT, YOU'RE AS TIRED AS YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.
UM, MEMBERS, UM, WE GOT NOTHING ELSE TO TALK ABOUT UNLESS YOU ALL JUST WANT TO TALK.
UM, SO, UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, UH, THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU ALL WITHOUT OBJECTION.
UH, THIS, THIS, UH, REGULAR CALL MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL IS ADJOURNED AT 9:17 PM THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER MADISON, FOR STICKING THERE WITH US.