Feb 19, 2026 Special Environmental Commission

THE TIME

[CALL TO ORDER]

IS SIX OH FIVE.

I'M GONNA CALL THIS SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION TO ORDER.

IT IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH, AGAIN AT 6:05 PM WE ARE AT THE PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER EVENT CENTER, ROOM 14 0 5 6 3 1 0 WILLAMINA DELCO DRIVE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.

AND WE'RE GONNA START BY ESTABLISHING QUORUM AND WE'LL GO TO COMMISSIONER CHIOTT.

UM, IF YOU CAN UNMUTE YOURSELF.

WAIT ONE SECOND.

SORRY.

ONE, ONE SECOND.

WE'RE GONNA GET THE AUDIO WORKING.

COMMISSIONER CHANG.

SET.

OKAY, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

SO WE'LL START, WE'LL START IN PERSON.

UH, COMMISSIONER BRIMER.

YOU WANTED ME TO SAY SOMETHING HERE? POINT PLAY ALONG.

COMMISSIONER BRIMER IS PLAY ALONG WELL.

I, MY MIKE HAS TO PLAY ALONG.

I'M HERE.

COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN? HERE.

CAN WE, IS THE VISUAL CONFIRMATION SUFFICIENT OR DO WE NEED THE AUDIO COMMISSIONER MORE? OR WE ALSO CANNOT HEAR YOU LIKE NONE OF US.

OH, NOW I CAN HEAR YOU.

YOU HEAR MA? I CAN HEAR YOU.

SO COMMISSIONER, WE CAN HEAR BOTH.

GREAT.

COMMISSIONER CHANG HERE.

START WITH, UM, PUBLIC COMMUNICATION CHAIR.

AND COMMISSIONER MORE LES HERE IS ALSO HERE.

SO WITH THAT WE HAVE QUORUM.

UM, WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND

[PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL]

THERE IS ONE SPEAKER SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

CRAIG NAZAR.

SIGNED UP.

CRAIG, YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES.

HELLO, MY NAME IS CRAIG NAZER, UH, THE AUSTIN SIERRA CLUB.

AND I HAVE THREE THINGS I WANNA BRING UP.

THE FIRST THING I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS OUR BIRD FRIENDLY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

IT CAME TO CITY HALL AND AS PROBABLY A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, IT WAS JUST, UH, IT WENT TO A COMMITTEE AND IT WAS JUST TURNED DOWN WITH A, A, A PRINTED PIECE OF PAPER.

NOBODY SHOWED UP TO TALK ABOUT IT.

IT WAS JUST TABLED.

AND I THINK THIS IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I THINK, UH, OUR, OUR BIRDS ARE DIMINISHING AND CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALSO MAKING THINGS DIFFICULT IN THE CITY.

WE HAVE A CITY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A BIRD SANCTUARY.

AND I, THERE WHAT WAS MENTIONED, IF YOU READ THE, THE MEMO, WHAT WAS MENTIONED IN THE MEMO WAS THAT THERE WERE OBJECTIONS.

WELL, I WAS ON THE WORKING GROUP AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS.

I WAS A CHAIR OF THE ADAM ADVISORY COMMISSION WHERE WE BROUGHT IT UP LIKE THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO.

AND NONE OF THOSE OBJECTIONS EVER CAME UP IN ANY MEETING I EVER WAS AT.

AND THAT'S A PROBLEM IF PEOPLE WHO OBJECT CAN STOP THINGS WITHOUT EVER SHOWING UP TO BE A PART OF THE PUBLIC DIALOGUE, THAT'S NOT THE WAY THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK.

SO I WOULD LIKE IT IF, IF YOU COULD DO ANYTHING, IF YOU COMMISSIONERS COULD DO ANYTHING TO, LET'S GET THAT MOVING.

AGAIN, THE PEOPLE WHO OBJECT, LET'S ALL SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT IT.

LET'S COME UP WITH SOMETHING.

'CAUSE WE CAN DO BETTER THAN WE'RE DOING.

OKAY? AND THE SECOND THING I WANNA BRING UP MUCH BETTER IS RECENTLY A PAST YEAR, I THINK, UH, YOU POINTED SOMEONE TO, UH, TAKE CARE OF OUR WATERSHED RESTORATION AROUND THE CITY.

A WOMAN NAMED LIZ CARDINAL.

AND WE HAD AN EGREGIOUS MOWING PROBLEM BETWEEN PART AND WATERSHED.

AND I WAS HERE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND WE PUT SOME PICTURES UP AND SINCE THAT TIME WE DID A TREE PLANTING AND WE PLANTED A THOUSAND SAPLINGS.

WE HAD 70 PEOPLE COME OUT TO THE PARK.

UH, IT WAS A FANTASTIC EVENT.

IT WAS TREE FOLK, WHICH HAS REALLY BEEN MUSCLED UP.

BUT WE HAD, UH, KEEP US AND BEAUTIFUL.

AND IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM.

IT'S SOMETHING, IT'S ONE THING WE CAN REALLY DO LOW HANGING FRUIT TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE BECAUSE ALL THESE TREES ARE ABSORB CARBON DIOXIDE.

SO I JUST WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT BECAUSE IT WAS A GREAT EVENT.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[00:05:05]

THAT WAS ALL THE SPEAKER SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE LAST MEETING'S MINUTES.

WITH THAT, I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE NICOLE CORONA, WHO IS JOINING US AS OUR NEW STAFF LIAISON.

[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

I MAKE A MOTION.

WE APPROVED MANY MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING.

SECOND, MOVED BY BRIMER, SECONDED BY SULLIVAN.

UM, ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES.

PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

AND I SEE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL.

MOTION PASSES.

TO DISCUSSION ITEMS. ITEM NUMBER TWO, PRESENTATION ON AUSTIN YOUTH RIVER WATCH'S MISSION AND PROGRAMMING.

SO NEXT WE'RE GOING TO GO

[2. Presentation on Austin Youth River Watch’s mission and programming. Presentation by Melinda Chow and Fidel Campuzano Gonzalez, Co-Executive Directors, and Jasalyn Franco, Program Specialist, Austin Youth River Watch.]

PRESENTATION BY MELINDA CHOW AND FIDEL, UH, CAMPANO GONZALEZ, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND JALYN FRANCO, PROGRAM SPECIALIST AUSTIN YOUTH RIVER WATCH.

IS THIS, THIS IS ON.

UH, HELLO EVERYBODY.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVITING US TO PRESENT ON THE AMAZING WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.

UH, MY NAME IS FIDEL CAMPANO GONZALEZ, AND I AM CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HERE AT AUSTIN YOUTH RIVER WATCH.

I FIRST JOINED THE ORGANIZATION.

OH, I THINK WE HAVE SOME SLIDES AS WELL, IF WE HAVE THAT.

UM, I CAN CONTINUE.

'CAUSE I WAS GONNA SHARE HOW I LEARNED ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION ANYWAY.

UH, SO AT FIRST, UH, I WAS A STUDENT AT REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL.

UH, SO THAT'S, I WAS IN THE PROGRAM FROM SOPHOMORE YEAR TO SENIOR YEAR.

UM, I HEARD ABOUT IT FROM MY FRIEND JESSICA, AND ACTUALLY WE HAVE SOME OF OUR STUDENTS HERE.

AND ZOEY IS JESSICA'S DAUGHTER.

SO NOW, UH, THE NEXT GENERATION, I'M ABLE TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO PAY IT FORWARD AND CONTINUE THIS WORK NOW AS CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

UM, SO OUR MISSION WITH AUSTIN YOUTH RIVER WATCH, LET ME SEE IF THIS IS, DO WE HAVE THEM YET? YES, THAT IS THE RIGHT PRESENTATION.

SO, YEAH, SO OUR MISSION AT AUSTIN YOUTH RUBBER WATCH, UM, WE TRANSFORM AND INSPIRE STUDENTS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, COMMUNITY, AND ENGAGEMENT AND ADVENTURE.

UM, SO HERE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF OUR STUDENTS, UM, DOING MACRO AND VERTEBRATE SAMPLING, UM, AT ROY GUERRERO, SECRET BEACH.

SOME OF Y'ALL MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH THAT SITE.

UH, BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE DO TO ASSESS WATER QUALITY WITH THEM.

UM, SO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR HISTORY.

THERE WE GO.

STUDENTS, ALUMNI, STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS, OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY, AND THIS, UH, ON CREATING OUR VALUES.

SO WE WERE FOUNDED IN 1991 BY JACK GOODMAN AND WEST HALVERSON.

SOME OF Y'ALL MIGHT KNOW THOSE NAMES.

UH, THE FOCUS WAS TO KEEP AT-RISK KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL WITH A GOAL OF PROVIDING MENTORSHIP AND A PRODUCTIVE, FUN THING TO DO AFTER SCHOOL.

UH, THE MAIN ACTIVITY WHEN WE STARTED WAS WATER QUALITY TESTING.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE WERE KNOWN FOR IN THE COMMUNITY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

UM, BUT IN 2010, IN 2017, WE STARTED EXPERIENCING DROUGHTS.

UH, SO WE HAD TO PIVOT A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN ALSO WE WOULD SHOW UP TO SITES TO TRY TO DO WATER QUALITY TESTING AND THERE WOULD BE NO WATER TO TEST.

SO OUR STUDENTS, UM, AND STAFF STARTED GETTING MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT WERE THE PROACTIVE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO.

UH, SO WE STARTED TO EXPAND INTO DOING MORE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION.

UM, SO WE, IN 2020, UH, WE EXPANDED OUR PROGRAMMING, UM, TO INCLUDE YOUNG ADULTS AS WELL.

UH, SO BEFORE THEN, WE HAD ONLY BEEN WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

AND THEN IN 2020, WE STARTED INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR RIVER WATCHERS AS THEY WERE GRADUATING.

UM, SO THIS IS ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP THAT WE DO.

SO IT'S A VERY CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT, UM, TO TRY TO HELP THEM FIGURE OUT THAT NEXT STAGE IN LIFE AFTER GRADUATION.

SOMETIMES IT'S, UH, HELPING THEM THROUGH COLLEGE.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE READY TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE, SO WE ALSO SUPPORT THEM.

THERE.

A FEW OTHER HISTORY POINTS THAT I WANNA SHARE WITH YOU.

SO WE WERE FOUNDED ORIGINALLY AS, UM, COLORADO RIVER WATCH FOUNDATION.

AND IN 2016, WE OFFICIALLY CHANGED OUR NAME TO AUSTIN YOUTH RIVER WATCH.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE KNOWN NOW AS.

AND THEN, UH, WE ALSO MOVED INTO HORNSBY BEND IN 2008.

UM, SOME OF Y'ALL MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH PLAT LANE OUT THERE.

UH, SO THAT IS WHERE OUR OFFICE IS, AND THAT IS AN IN KIND PARTNERSHIP WITH AUSTIN WATERS.

SO THEY'RE ABLE TO HELP US HAVE THAT SPACE.

UM, WE CALL IT OUR ECO HOUSE FOR THE STUDENTS.

UH, SO THAT'S WHERE WE TAKE THEM AS WELL.

AND THEN, UM, YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE EVOLUTION OF OUR LOGO THROUGHOUT THE DECADES.

UM, SO WE'VE BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME.

UH, THIS YEAR IS OUR 35TH YEAR, SO THAT'S REALLY EXCITING FOR US.

I'M GONNA SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR VALUES.

UH, SO IN 2023, WE OFFICIALLY WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF SOLIDIFYING OUR VALUES.

WE HAD BEEN, UM, FUNCTIONING UNDER ALL THESE BELIEFS, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE THEM OFFICIALLY ON PAPER.

SO IN THIS PROCESS, WE INCLUDED

[00:10:01]

SO, UH, THE FIRST ONE, AND THE MAIN ONE THAT I WANNA SHARE WITH Y'ALL IS EQUITY.

UH, SO WE CONTINUE TO BE A MODEL FOR EQUITY IN THE AUSTIN NONPROFIT SPACE.

AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS OUR DISTRIBUTED DISTRIBUTED LEADERSHIP MODEL, UM, THAT WE IMPLEMENTED IN OUR ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE.

SO AT FIRST WE PUT THIS INTO PLACE WITH THE PROGRAM MANAGERS IN 2022, AND THEN MOST RECENTLY IN 2023 AT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MODEL.

AND THAT'S WHEN I JOINED THE ORGANIZATION AS CO ED WITH MELINDA.

UH, WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? EQUITY AND PRACTICE WITH OUR PROGRAMS? UH, SO FIRST OF ALL, ALL OUR PROGRAMS ARE FREE.

UH, SO OUR STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING.

WE PROVIDE ALL, ALL THE SUPPLIES THAT THEY NEED, AND WE ALSO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR THEM.

UM, SO THIS IS HUGE BECAUSE, UH, WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM THE STUDENTS.

MORE THAN HALF OF THEM WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IF WE DIDN'T PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION.

AND THAT MEANS PICKING THEM UP AT SCHOOL, TAKING THEM TO THE ACTIVITY SITE, DOING THE ACTIVITY WITH THEM, AND DROPPING THEM OFF AT HOME.

SO PARENTS DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, UH, HOW TO PICK UP THEIR STUDENTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THAT.

AND THEN ALSO, SOME OF Y'ALL MIGHT KNOW, BUT NOBODY IS ABLE TO LEARN IF THEY'RE HUNGRY.

SO WE FEED OUR STUDENTS AS WELL.

UH, WE PROVIDE THEM DINNER.

AND THEN IN, UH, STARTING IN 2020, UM, WHEN COVID WAS HAPPENING, WE STARTED DELIVERING MEALS TO OUR STUDENT HOMES.

AND WE STILL DO THAT EVERY WEEK.

SO SOME OF OUR STUDENTS NEED THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

UM, SO WE ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM THERE.

UH, SOMETIMES OUR STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM THE WHOLE TIME THEY ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OVER FOUR YEARS WITH US.

UH, SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE ADULTS THAT THEY MEET THROUGH OUR PROGRAM, UM, BECOME THEIR TRUSTED ADULTS.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO US THAT OUR STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS HAVE RELATABLE LIVED EXPERIENCE SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MEET EACH STUDENT WHERE THEY ARE.

SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL VALUES, UM, THAT WE CAME UP WITH.

SO BELONGING, UH, THIS ONE WAS VERY PERSONAL TO ME AS A STUDENT AND ALSO AS A STAFF MEMBER.

UH, SO AS I REMEMBER IN HIGH SCHOOL AS A, UH, IMMIGRANT, UH, GAY TEENAGER, I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT LIFE.

UH, SO THIS, I KNEW THAT RIVERWATCH WAS THE PLACE WHERE I COULD COME TO AND JUST BE WHO I AM.

UM, SO I KNOW THAT THAT'S ALSO THE CASE FOR SOME OTHER STUDENTS.

UM, THEY CAN JUST COME AND BE THEMSELVES.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE A PLACE WHERE COMMUNITY, UM, WHERE EVERYONE IS SEEN, VALUED AND INCLUDED.

UM, THEN THE NEXT ONE, UH, OUR FUN VALUE.

SO FUN FACT ABOUT THIS ONE IS THAT IT CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE STUDENTS.

UH, SO THAT, UH, WE'VE INTERVIEWED WELL, WE SURVEYED THEM AND THEN, UH, JUST ASKED THEM TO DESCRIBE HOW RIVER WATCH FOR THEM.

AND THIS IS THE WORD THAT STOOD OUT THE MOST.

UH, AND IT WAS MOST COMMON USED BY THEM.

SO WE DECIDED TO MAKE IT A VALUE FOR US.

AND THEN THE LAST TWO, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND LIFELONG LEARNING.

UM, SO PART OF OUR MISSION IS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT STEWARDSHIP WENT RIGHT ALONG WITH THAT.

UH, SO, AND THEN ALSO LIFELONG LEARNING.

WE'RE ALL LEARNERS OF LIFE, RIGHT? SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD IN OUR VALUES.

UM, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR IMPACT.

SO YOU'LL SEE ON THIS SLIDE, UM, THIS IS A MAP OF AUSTIN.

UH, SO MOST OF OUR STUDENTS, UM, ARE FROM THE EASTERN CRESCENT, UH, HERE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

AND YOU'LL SEE THAT THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS ARE IN THE ZIP CODES.

UH, 7, 8, 7, 2, 3, 2 4, AND FIVE THREE.

UH, FIVE THREE IS WHERE I GREW UP AND WHERE MY FAMILY STILL LIVES.

UH, SO THAT'S, UH, KIND OF UP NORTH, UH, BERG, NORTH LAMAR AREA.

UH, SO THAT'S THAT CONCENTRATION THERE.

AND THEN HERE YOU CAN SEE, UM, THIS MAP SHOWS THE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS.

UH, SO YOU CAN SEE THAT OUR WORK IS IMPACTING ALL 10 OF THOSE DISTRICTS.

UM, THE WATER DROPS ARE OUR WATER QUALITY SITES, AND THEN THE LITTLE TREES ARE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION SITES.

SO ALL OF THE WORK THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE DOING, EVEN THOUGH THEY COME FROM THE EASTERN CRESCENT, THEY IMPACT ALL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

AND I'LL PASS IT ON TO JOCELYN SO SHE CAN KEEP TELLING YOU ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS. HI EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS JOCELYN.

UM, A BRIEF HI, HISTORY OF MY TIME WITH RIVERWATCH.

IT STARTED IN 2021.

I WAS A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I WAS TALKING TO MY DAD AND HE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT A PROGRAM HE USED TO BE IN WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND IT WAS RIVER WATCH.

SO THAT'S HOW I FOUND IT.

AND SINCE THEN I'VE WORKED THROUGH DIFFERENT POSITIONS AT THE ORGANIZATION.

I STARTED OFF AS A STUDENT.

I WENT ON TO DO THEIR INTERNSHIP, AND NOW I'M CURRENTLY A PROGRAM COORDINATOR WITH THEM.

UM, SO ON THE SLIDE YOU CAN SEE THE 10 SCHOOLS THAT WE SERVE.

NINE OF THEM ARE IN A ISD AS WELL AS DELL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.

UM, AND TONIGHT WE HAVE OUR MCCALLUM AND NORTHEAST CREWS.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY SITTING OVER HERE.

UH, EACH OF OUR CREWS HAS A 10 PERSON CAPACITY BECAUSE AS FIDEL MENTIONED EARLIER, UM, TRANSPORTATION IS A VERY BIG PART OF OUR ORGANIZATION.

AND IT,

[00:15:01]

WE HAVE LIMITED TRANSPORTATION, BASICALLY.

SO WE CAN ONLY DO 10 PEOPLE PER CREW.

AND THEN HERE YOU CAN SEE OUR PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHICS.

UM, IF YOU LOOK ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THOSE ARE THE ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS THAT WE CAN SERVE IN OUR SUMMER PROGRAM.

SO ONE THING TO POINT OUT ABOUT OUR POINT OUT ABOUT OUR SUMMER PROGRAM IS THAT IT IS STRUCTURED DIFFERENTLY THAN OUR AFTERSCHOOL CREWS.

OUR AFTERSCHOOL ONES, WE GO AND WE PICK THEM UP FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SUMMER, WE HAVE THEM MEET AT A CENTRALIZED LOCATION.

SO WE CAN WORK WITH, UM, YOUTH THAT, EXCUSE ME, IN A WIDER REGION.

AND, UM, THE SCHOOLS THAT A LOT OF OUR INTERNS ATTEND ARE A, C, C AND UT AUSTIN, BUT IT, WE DON'T LIMIT IT TO JUST COLLEGE STUDENTS.

IT COULD BE ANYONE.

UM, AND THEN ON THE LEFT SIDE, I JUST WANNA POINT OUT HOW WE MAINLY SERVE BIPOC POPULATIONS.

UH, AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE STATISTICS RIGHT HERE.

HERE, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE A 100% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE.

AND THIS IS, IT JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT SUPPORT AND MENTORSHIP ASPECT IS OF OUR PROGRAM.

WE REALLY WANT TO UPLIFT OUR YOUTH.

AND, UM, SOME OF OUR ALUMNI ARE ACTUALLY HERE TODAY WHO HOLD THE, THESE POSITIONS WITH CITY OF AUSTIN, LCRA AND MANY MORE.

ACTUALLY, THEY'RE, YEAH, UH, WE'RE DIVERSING THE GREEN CAREER IN AUSTIN IS, YEAH, SORRY.

UM, NEXT I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT IMPACT.

SO HERE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF OUR STATISTICS FROM OUR STUDENTS.

WE DO SURVEYS, FOCUS GROUPS AND INTERVIEWS TO GET THESE.

AND WE WORD IT IN A WAY LIKE THIS BECAUSE OF RIVER WATCH.

SO ALL OF THESE STATS ARE BECAUSE OF RIVER WATCH, THEY FILL THESE.

SO I READ 92% FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN OUTDOOR SETTINGS, AND 92% FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS HERE, SOME MORE OF THOSE STATS.

AND WE REALLY WANNA EMPHASIZE THAT RIVERWATCH INCREASES A SENSE OF AUSTIN STEWARDSHIP AMONG OUR STUDENTS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

AND THEN AS FDO MENTIONED EARLIER, THE MAIN THING WE STARTED OFF WITH WAS WATER QUALITY MONITORING.

WE OBVIOUSLY EXPANDED SINCE THEN, BUT WE DO 20 PLUS WATER QUALITY SITES ALL IN THE AUSTIN AREA.

AND THEN THESE ARE SOME OF OUR CHEMICAL TESTS THAT WE DO, WHICH ARE SPECIFIC CONDUCT CONDUCTANCE, PH LEVEL NITRATES, AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN.

AND WE ALSO DO E COLI TESTING, WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CITY.

UM, WATERSHED PROTECTION ASKED US TO DO THIS TEST FOR US, AND WE REPORT TO THEM.

AND NOW I'LL PASS IT OFF TO MELINDA.

HI EVERYONE.

UH, I'M MELINDA CHOW, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN YOUTH RIVER WATCH.

UH, WITH THIS SLIDE, WE WERE INITIALLY GONNA SHOW Y'ALL A VIDEO, UH, BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO CUT IT FOR TIME, SO WE'RE NOT GONNA SHOW THIS VIDEO.

UM, BUT IT'S GOT A LOT OF REALLY AWESOME SHOTS OF A COMMUNITY, UH, CLEANUP THAT WE DID ALONG BARTON CREEK.

AND I RECOMMEND GOING TO OUR MATERIALS ONLINE AND WATCHING THAT VIDEO FOR YOURSELF.

UM, YEAH, SO I'M GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

YOU HEARD FROM FIDEL AND JOCELYN ALREADY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR VALUES, OUR HISTORY, UH, OUR STUDENTS, AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THEY DO.

UH, AND SO YOU'RE GONNA HEAR ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

UH, SO THIS IS 2025 DATA.

UM, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION HERE ABOUT, UH, THE WATER QUALITY TESTS THAT WE DO, THE CHEMICAL BASED TESTS THAT WE DO.

UH, DISSOLVED OXYGEN SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, DA DA DA.

UH, THOSE ARE WITH, UH, LCRA, THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY, AND THEY'RE UNDER LCRA PARAMETERS.

UM, LCRA PROVIDES US WITH SUPPLIES AND DATA MANAGEMENT IN KIND FOR DOING THAT WORK.

UM, AND FOR THE E COLI MONITORING, UH, WATERSHED PROTECTION WORKS WITH US ON THAT AND, UH, GIVES US A LOT OF ADVICE ON WHAT ARE THE PRIORITY SITES, AND THEY WANNA KNOW MORE ABOUT E COLI LEVELS AT.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IN 2025, IT WAS PAQUITO CREEK AND WALLER CREEK, UH, THAT WE DID THOSE TESTS.

UH, AND THOSE ARE DONE UNDER WATERSHED PROTECTIONS, PARAMETERS FOR E COLI MEASUREMENTS.

SO ALL OF THIS DATA IS PUBLIC.

UM, IT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN SEE ON OUR WEBSITE AND PLACES WHERE OUR WEBSITE LINKS TO.

AND IT'S ALSO SHARED DIRECTLY WITH WATERSHED PROTECTION AND ALSO WITH LCRA, MORE ABOUT OUR IMPACT, UM, BEYOND JUST WATER QUALITY.

LOOK AT THIS LIST.

UM, THERE'S LIKE TOO MUCH TO READ HERE, BUT I JUST WANNA POINT OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

SO, UH, FOR THE STORM DRAIN MARKING, UH, THAT'S ONE OF THE NEW THINGS THAT WE DID IN 2025.

SO RIVER WATCHERS GOT A WHOLE LOT OUT OF DOING THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF WORK.

IT GAVE THEM A REAL SENSE OF OWNERSHIP IN MAINTAINING THE WELLBEING OF OUR CITY.

UH, AND SO WE FEEL LIKE THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PIECE OF OUR PROGRAM.

UH, THE OTHER THING I WANNA POINT OUT IS, UH, TRASH REMOVAL.

UH, SO LAST YEAR WE REMOVED NEARLY 5,000 POUNDS OF TRASH, BUT THIS

[00:20:01]

YEAR, SO IT'S ONLY BEEN, UH, ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF, RIGHT? UH, WE HAD AN MLK SERVICE DAY, UH, JUST LAST MONTH.

AND ON THAT ONE DAY WE HAD 233 VOLUNTEERS, AND WE REMOVED OVER 3000 POUNDS OF TRASH.

SO WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY ALREADY TO EXCEED LAST YEAR'S IMPACT OF 5,000 POUNDS WITH JUST ONE DAY OF SERVICE.

SO, JUST WANNA REITERATE THIS POINT, UH, THAT YOU HEARD EARLIER.

UM, EVEN THOUGH MOST OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FROM THE EAST SIDE, THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING IMPACTS ALL OF AUSTIN.

UH, HERE'S JUST SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

UM, NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT, BUT SOME OF THEM, UM, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN US, I, I HOPE YOU DID.

UH, AT THE FORKLIFT DANCE WORKS PERFORMANCE, THE WAY OF WATER COLORADO VER UH, WE ARE PART OF THE CONFLUENCE, UH, PART OF THAT, THE, THE BIG ENDING PART, UH, THAT WAS OUT IN HOE BEND.

SO, SO MUCH OF THE WORK WE DO, HOW WE ENGAGE YOUTH, UH, TO EXPLORE A WIDE RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CAREERS, A WIDE RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL WORK, THIS KIND OF WORK WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT ALL OF THESE COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

ALRIGHT, SO A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT, UH, AND CITY OF AUSTIN.

SO WE'RE REALLY LUCKY TO BE IN A CITY LIKE AUSTIN THAT SUPPORTS PROGRAMS LIKE OURS, A CITY THAT VALUES WHAT WE CAN DO FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

UM, BACK WHEN WE STARTED WAY BACK IN 1991, UH, WE GOT, UM, SUPPORT FOR NEARLY ALL OF OUR BUDGET, UH, MOSTLY FROM AUSTIN WATER.

UH, AND THEN IN 2011 THERE WAS THAT MAJOR DROUGHT.

THOSE OF YOU THAT WERE HERE WILL REMEMBER THAT IT'S KIND OF TRUMP TRAUMATIC.

AUSTIN WATER DROPPED FINANCIAL SUPPORT, UM, OF, OF OUR PROGRAM.

BUT THANKFULLY, WATERSHED PROTECTION AND PARKS AND RECREATION JUMPED IN TO HELP, UH, SUPPORT US, BUT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO, UM, PROVIDE FULL SUPPORT FOR OUR BUDGET.

UH, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, FAST FORWARDING FROM 2021 ON TILL TODAY, UH, THE AMOUNT OF SORT, UH, SUPPORT THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING FROM CITY OF AUSTIN HAS BEEN RELATIVELY CONSISTENT, ABOUT $190,000 EACH YEAR.

UH, BUT SO HAS THE SIZE AND SERVICES OF OUR ORGANIZATION SINCE 2021.

WE HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND SINCE THEN, BUT OUR EXPENSES HAVE GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY EVERY YEAR, BECAUSE I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU THIS, THE COST OF LIVING HAS GONE UP HERE IN AUSTIN EVERY SINGLE YEAR, AND EVERYTHING ELSE HAS GOTTEN WAY MORE EXPENSIVE.

UM, WHICH IS WHY YOU COULD SEE THERE THAT THE PERCENTAGE EACH YEAR HAS GONE DOWN, UH, BRINGING THAT ALL THE WAY UP TO TODAY, THAT PERCENT TODAY IS ONLY ABOUT 15%.

UM, SO THERE'S AN ASTERISK BY THAT POINT, AND I'M GONNA EXPLAIN THAT ASTERISK, UH, ABOUT $70,000 OF THAT $190,000 WOULD NORMALLY BE FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS, AUSTIN CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS OR A CCC.

UH, BUT THAT'S STILL KIND OF TBD FOR THIS YEAR.

UM, WE DO HAVE A MEETING WITH THEM, UH, TOMORROW TO FIGURE OUT, UH, WHAT THE STATUS OF, OF, OF THAT 70,000 IS.

UH, BUT THAT 70,000 IS PART OF THE ONE 90 TOTAL, UH, THAT WAS PASSED BY CITY COUNCIL, UH, AS OUR CONTRACT IN 2024 AND ALSO FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

ALRIGHT, SO WHAT CAN WE DO WITH MORE SUPPORT FROM CITY OF AUSTIN? UM, THE CITY, AGAIN, HAS BEEN SUCH AN AWESOME PARTNER TO US, UH, AND IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE IS GREAT COMMUNITY DEMAND FOR PROGRAMS LIKE OURS.

WE CONSISTENTLY HAVE WAY TOO MANY YOUTH ON OUR WAIT LIST.

AND LAST SPRING WE HAD TO TAKE DOWN OUR SUMMER PROGRAM APPLICATION AFTER HAVING IT POSTED FOR JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS BECAUSE TOO MANY PEOPLE APPLIED AND WE HAD TO TURN AWAY ABOUT HALF OF THEM.

UH, WHICH IS REALLY DISAPPOINTING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE TO SAY NO TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

AND THE SAME CAN BE SAID ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER REQUESTS, THE PEOPLE WHO REACH OUT TO US THAT WANT WATER QUALITY DEMOS, UH, THAT WANT US TO, UH, WORK WITH THEM TO PUT TOGETHER FIELD TRIPS, UH, MAYBE LEARN ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS, RIPARIAN SPECIES, ALL OF THIS STUFF.

WE LOVE THESE REQUESTS, BUT WE'RE UNABLE TO MEET THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM.

UM, AND YOU KNOW, I REALLY WANNA POINT OUT THAT ONE OF OUR MAJOR ROADBLOCKS TO SUPPORT FOR OUR PROGRAMS IS IN FACT DIRECTLY TIED TO HOW WE'RE COMMITTED TO EQUITY.

YOU LEARNED ABOUT OUR EQUITY VALUE EARLIER, HOW WE'RE COMMITTED TO EQUITY IN PRACTICE, TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, AND STIPENDS FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.

THESE ARE EXPENSIVE THINGS TO PROVIDE, BUT IF WE DIDN'T PROVIDE THOSE THINGS, WE'D HAVE VERY DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. WE'D BE SERVING VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND PROBABLY NOT THE FOLKS THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

SO IN SUMMARY, WE REALLY WANNA SAY YES TO A LOT MORE PEOPLE.

AND WHEN WE DO, WE CAN CREATE MORE CONNECTIONS FOR OUR YOUTH, WHICH IS ULTIMATELY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT THEY MEET, THE MORE CAREERS ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES THAT THEY LEARN ABOUT THE WIDER THAT THEIR WORLD GETS.

SO, UM, WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN WORK WITH US AND

[00:25:01]

WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP US ACHIEVE THIS VISION.

AND HERE'S A COUPLE OF WAYS THAT YOU CAN DO THAT.

WE'D LOVE FOR YOU TO COME OUT TO HORNS EVENT AND TAKE A HIKE WITH US ON THE RIVER TRAIL.

UM, JOIN US FOR PROGRAMMING AND MAYBE YOU GET TO BE A RIVER WATCHER FOR A DAY YOURSELF AND HAVE SOME FUN.

UM, JUST GIVE US A CALL, CONNECT WITH US ON YOUR IDEAS.

WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO MAKE THOSE THINGS WORK.

AGAIN, WE WANNA SAY YES TO A LOT OF THINGS.

COUPLE OF UPCOMING EVENTS.

UM, SO THE BUTTERMILK CREEK IN THE ST.

JOHN NEIGHBORHOOD IS OUR ADOPTED CREEK, AND APRIL 25TH IS OUR NEXT C BEAUTY CLEANUP.

UH, COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR THAT.

UH, ALSO VERY EXCITING, UH, AS, AS YOU HEARD FROM FIDEL, 2026 IS OUR 35TH ANNIVERSARY.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE A CELEBRATION OUT IN HORNSEY BEND, UH, ON MAY THE 15TH AT 6:00 PM.

UH, THANKS TO COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ.

UH, WE'LL ALSO BE, UH, BE RECOGNIZED, UH, FOR HAVING RIVER WATCH DAY THROUGH A CITY PROCLAMATION.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

ALL RIGHT, AND THANKS SO MUCH, UH, EVERYONE FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.

UH, I WANNA ESPECIALLY THANK THE RIVER WATCHERS AND ALUMS THAT ARE HERE TODAY, UH, TO, TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THIS AND TO JOIN US IN SUPPORT.

UH, PLEASE CONTACT US AGAIN WITH ANY QUESTIONS, IDEAS, OR INTERESTS IN VISITING OUR PROGRAM.

WE'D LOVE TO SEE, AND WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

NICOLE.

DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? UH, CHAIR NOLAN WAS SIGNED UP FOR TO SPEAK ON ITEM TWO.

OKAY, GREAT.

IN THAT CASE, WE'RE GONNA GO TO REMOTE COMMISSIONERS FIRST FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FOR THE RECORD, I ALSO WANNA NOTE THAT COMMISSIONER FIERRO IS ON THE DAIS.

AND WITH THAT, I'LL START WITH YOU FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

NO QUESTIONS, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.

I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS A THING, SO, AND NOW I'M LIKE, WHOA.

UH, I'LL DEFINITELY, YOU'LL Y'ALL HEAR FROM ME.

UM, YEAH, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER CHANG.

SET I NO QUESTIONS.

UM, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU, MELINDA, FOR COMING.

THAT WAS SO, SO GREAT.

UM, AND YOU GUYS DO SUCH AMAZING WORK.

UM, YEAH, I'M EXCITED TO SEE KIND OF HOW THINGS LAY OUT IN THE FUTURE.

UM, AGAIN, THANK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION AND THANKS TO ALL OF THE STUDENTS THAT ALSO CAME OUT THAT LIKE, YEAH, I WISH I WAS THERE IN PERSON.

BUT YEAH, THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER MORTA ORES.

YEAH, NO, THAT WAS AN AMAZING PRESENTATION.

I HAVE ONE QUESTION, BUT IT'S OUT OF PURE CURIOSITY.

SO HOW DO YOU ALL CHOOSE THE MONITORING, LIKE THE SITES THAT YOU USUALLY GO TO MONITOR ALL OF THESE, UH, ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS, AND IS THERE LIKE A PRIORITY WATERSHEDS WHERE YOU WILL EXPAND IF FUNDING IS ALLOWED? IS THAT, OH, HELLO.

UH, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

UH, YEAH, SO, UM, FOR THE WATER QUALITY SITES, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH LCRA ON, UH, AND THEY HELP US DECIDE WHAT THE PRIORITY SITES ARE.

UM, A LOT OF TIMES THOUGH, IT HONESTLY BOILS DOWN TO LOGISTICS.

UH, AND WHERE CAN WE GET OUR KIDS TO IN AN AFTERSCHOOL TIMEFRAME THAT MAKES SENSE AND IT'S SAFE FOR THEM TO GO TO AND BE ABLE TO LIKE, UH, REACH WATER AREAS, UM, WHERE THERE'S NOT, IT'S NOT TOO ERODED AND IT'S NOT DANGEROUS TO GO IN THERE, RIGHT? UH, SO IT'S, IT'S THAT, UH, LARGELY, UH, FOR THE RESTORATION PLACES, PLACES WHERE WE DO PLANTINGS, INVASIVES REMOVAL, A LOT OF THAT ACTUALLY IS GUIDED BY, BY Y'ALL, BY FOLKS AT WATERSHED, BY FOLKS AT PARKS AND REC, UM, BY FOLKS AT LCRA, OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT LET US KNOW, HEY, THIS AREA REALLY NEEDS SOME WORK, UH, AND SOME ADVICE.

AND WE WORK WITH OUR STAFF TO, YOU KNOW, HELP MAKE THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

UM, AND, YOU KNOW, E COLI IS, IS ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT.

UM, THE PRIORITY SITES ARE, ARE CHOSEN BY WATERSHED PROTECTION, AND THEN, UH, WE WORK TOGETHER TO HELP MAKE THAT WORK.

GREAT, THANK YOU.

AND I, I, I'M SORRY IT JUST CAME OUT TO BE, BUT I HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION.

SO, FROM YOUR LIKE PERSPECTIVE, WHAT ARE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MOST PRESENT OR PRESENT, WHAT ARE QUALITY CONCERNS YOU ARE SEEING IN AUSTIN CREEKS RIGHT NOW BASED ON ALL THE DATA YOU ALL HAVE COLLECTED? SO FROM THE WATER QUALITY DATA THAT WE COLLECT, UM, WHAT WE FIND MOSTLY IS THAT MOST OF THE WATER QUALITY IS PRETTY GOOD.

UM, WE'RE AGAIN, YOU KNOW, LUCKY TO BE IN A PLACE LIKE AUSTIN, WHERE, WHERE, UM, YOU KNOW, MOST OF THE LEVELS ARE, ARE NORMAL OR WITHIN EXPECTATION.

THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT WE HAVE FOUND SOME THINGS THAT ARE UNUSUAL CONSISTENTLY THOUGH, AND THAT'S WHEN WE GIVE WATERSHED PROTECTION AT L-C-R-A-A CALL, UH, TO COME, YOU KNOW, AND DO MORE WORK

[00:30:01]

ON THAT.

SO WE, WE'VE, WE ARE, UM, GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE EXTRA SETS OF EYES OUT THERE.

UM, IN TERMS OF PRESSING ISSUES, YOU KNOW, I ACTUALLY HAVE TO GO BACK TO, UM, I, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A QUESTION YOU ASKED, BUT EQUITY AND ACCESS, UM MM-HMM .

BECAUSE THIS IS, THIS IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON AND THIS IS WHAT WE SEE.

WE PROVIDE ALL THIS WRAPAROUND SUPPORT BECAUSE GREEN SPACES AND BLUE SPACES ARE LITERALLY INACCESSIBLE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY, UH, COMMUNITIES ON THE EAST SIDE.

UM, AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF MAPS THAT SHOW DATA OF WHERE THERE'S MORE SHADE IN TOWN.

UM, WE HAVE ACTUALLY DONE ANALYSES OF LIKE CREEKS ON THE WEST SIDE AND CREEKS ON THE EAST SIDE, AND WHAT DOES DATA LOOK LIKE AND WHAT DOES THE GREEN SPACE AND WHAT ARE THE, YOU KNOW, THE CLEANUP FACTORS THAT NEED TO GO ON.

WE DO SEE THAT INEQUALITY IN OUR PROGRAM, AND THE KIDS SEE IT WHEN THEY'RE OUT THERE.

WOW.

YEAH, THAT WAS, YEAH.

COMMISSIONER BRIMER.

YEAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

IT WAS OUTSTANDING.

UM, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN.

YEAH, I GUESS I GOTTA SAY THE SAME THING THAT, UM, I REALLY BECAME INVOLVED IN THIS WITH, UM, THE EFFORTS TO SAVE BARTON CREEK AND BARTON SPRINGS, BUT I KNOW THAT THE ISSUES AROUND THE CITY VARY.

UM, SO I'M VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE, IN MOST CASES THE AIR WATER IS GOOD.

UM, BUT, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

I'M, I, I'M VERY HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING.

COMMISSIONER LUKI.

UH, EXCELLENT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'ALL ARE DOING.

UM, UH, BEING FROM THE 7 8 7 2 3, UH, ZIP CODE, I, I NOTICED THERE'S A LOT OF ACTION OVER THERE.

UM, I KNOW THAT Y'ALL CAME TO THE, THE ECO FEST THAT WE HAD AT WINDSOR PARK, UM, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, MADE A NICE, UH, APPEARANCE THERE.

UM, I WANT TO THANK YOU KIDS FOR PUTTING IN THE TIME TO ACTUALLY DO THIS.

HOPEFULLY IT LEADS TO, UH, Y'ALL BEING, UH, GREAT STEWARDS, UH, WHEN YOU ARE OLDER AND HAVE YOUR OWN KIDS AND TEACH THEM THE SAME THING.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY PART OF THIS WHOLE IDEA.

UH, ONE THING YOU SAID A MOMENT AGO WAS INTERESTING.

UM, YOU SAID, UH, YOU CAN TRACK SHADE, UH, FROM, FROM THE CITY.

DO YOU MEAN WHERE IT IS THAT, UH, YOU'RE GOING TO THESE CREEKS OR JUST, UH, KIND OF IN GENERAL AS THE, AS THE CITY PROVIDES THAT INFORMATION? SO YEAH, THAT'S, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE TRACK, BUT THAT'S PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION TREE CANOPY IN THE CITY IN DIFFERENT PARTS.

THAT'S, THAT'S ALL I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

SORRY IF I WASN'T CLEAR ON THAT.

NO, NO, I, I I, I HAVE THIS ECO FEST, UH, EVENT AND BECAUSE WE GIVE AWAY TREES, THAT'S KIND OF THE WHOLE POINT.

UH, UH, CRAIG SAID THEY DID A THOUSAND TREES THE OTHER DAY.

WE DID 700 WHEN WE DID IT IN, UH, NOVEMBER.

BUT, UM, UH, IT'S NOT THE NUMBER, IT'S THE POINT OF DOING IT.

I THINK THAT'S THE REAL IDEAS THAT YOU SEND THESE, SEND THESE SEEDS OUT INTO THE UNIVERSE AND SAY, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? HOW DO WE MAKE CHANGE? AND IT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY EASY.

YOU FIND THE PLACES WHERE THERE'S NOT SHADE AND YOU GO PLANT TREES.

AND THEN THAT WAY YOU KIND OF CHANGE THE, THE ATMOSPHERE, UH, OF THE UNIVERSE THAT IN THAT REGARD AND ACTUALLY, UH, SHADE MAKES PEOPLE FEEL BETTER.

SO THERE'S A A RESIDUAL LONG-TERM EFFECT OF, OF THESE EFFORTS.

AND, AND I COMMEND Y'ALL FOR DOING YOUR PART.

UH, THERE'S MANY PARTS OUT THERE AND THIS IS ONE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

WATER QUALITY.

UH, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

COMMISSIONER FLURRY.

YEAH, THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH.

UH, LEARNED QUITE A BIT.

I THINK I HAD A, UM, A SMALL VIEW OF WHAT AUSTIN RIVER, UH, YOUTH RIVER WATCH WAS BEFORE.

I THOUGHT Y'ALL WERE ALONG THE RIVER, JUST CANOEING UP AND DOWN, HAVING A FUN TIME.

BUT, UM, I HOPE Y'ALL ARE DOING THAT.

UH, WE DO THAT TOO.

YEAH, THERE'S MORE .

UH, I'M GONNA HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT, BUT, UH, WHAT WAS JUST STRIKING AND AMAZING AND THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING IS WHEN YOU HERE, IT'S GENERATIONAL THAT IT'S CARRIED ON, THAT Y'ALL ARE WORKING NOW FOR THE HEROES OF CONSERVATION OF AUSTIN.

AND IT'S JUST, NOTHING IS MORE LASTING THAN THAT.

SO, AWESOME WORK.

EXCITING TO HEAR AND SEE THAT.

UM, AND THEN I DID LIKE SEEING THE VALUE OF FUN AND EXPLORE.

AND SO I, I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO SEE SOME RIVER OUTERS ON THE COLORADO, UM, TO SHARE AN EXPERIENCE, UH, THAT Y'ALL HOPE OTHERS CAN HAVE.

UH, A MEMORABLE MOMENT.

CAN YOU SHARE ONE WITH US? THERE'S SO MANY.

KNOW, THEY TOLD US, DON'T LEAVE FOOD IN THE TENTS.

SO ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEMORIES OF RIVER WATCH I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, IT WAS MY SECOND YEAR WITH THEM, AND THEY DO AN ANNUAL SPRING BREAK TRIP.

AND THAT SPRING BREAK WE WENT TO FORT DAVIS, WHICH IS IN WEST TEXAS.

AND YOU

[00:35:01]

WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HANG THEM ON THE TREE OR LIKE PUT THEM IN THE VAN, YOU KNOW, JUST DON'T, DON'T LEAVE THEM IN YOUR TENT OR OUTSIDE.

AND MY FRIEND LEFT HER BACKPACK WITH MELATONIN GUMMIES AND A BOAR SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE MELATONIN GUMMIES AND LIKE THEY WERE ALL GONE.

BUT IT WAS LIKE WRESTLING ALL ON HER TENT AND LIKE IT WAS SO SCARY.

IT WAS SO FUNNY THOUGH.

IT WAS FUNNY AFTERWARDS.

BUT THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEMORIES.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, .

BUT I DO LIKE HOW QUICKLY IT CONNECTS US.

'CAUSE I HAVE A STORY ABOUT DAVIS MOUNTAINS AND SEEING BOARS COME UP TO A CAMPGROUND AND THEN FOLKS WITH DOGS HAVING TO GET UP ON PICNIC TABLES AND KIND OF STAY, STAY, STAY SAFE.

UM, BUT YEAH, THANK YOU FOR THAT.

MM-HMM .

UM, NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

I HOPE THIS WON'T BE YOUR LAST TIME HERE.

THESE ARE PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT YOU ALL ARE INVITED TO.

YOUR VOICE IS SO IMPORTANT.

I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU ALL DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAND BECAUSE IT'S THROUGH THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BETTER PROTECT IT AND ADVOCATE FOR IT.

SO JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME BACK HERE.

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT ANY TIME.

UM, AND I ACTUALLY HAD A SIMILAR QUESTION ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER FLURRY, WHICH IS, UM, I'M LOOKING FOR A STORY, UM, THINKING ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAND.

OF COURSE MANY OF US IN AUSTIN THINK ABOUT THE COLORADO RIVER WE KAYAK THERE, BUT I'M WONDERING ABOUT A LESSER KNOWN CREEK, MAYBE THAT'S IN AN URBAN SETTING THAT IS FORGOTTEN, THAT DOESN'T GET A LOT OF ATTENTION.

HOW CAN WE BRING THAT AREA TO LIGHT AND, AND GIVE IT SOME LOVE TONIGHT? SO IF YOU HAVE A STORY OR A FAVORITE PLACE, UM, YOU KNOW, OUTSIDE OF THE COLORADO RIVER WHERE YOU ALL HAVE DONE SOME WATER QUALITY TESTING OR A FIELD TRIP, UM, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

UM, YEAH, SO OUR ADOPTED CREEK IS BUTTERMILK CREEK.

IT'S A LITTLE BITTY CREEK, UH, AND, AND SOME DAYS IT DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH WATER TO FLOW.

UM, WE HAVE BEEN STEWARDING THAT CREEK, GOSH, FOR A LONG TIME, SINCE LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN WITH RIVER WATCH FOR SURE.

UM, AND IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH TRASH WE'RE ABLE TO PULL OUT OF IT.

LIKE WE MENTIONED JUST THAT ONE DAY, LIKE OVER 3000 POUNDS THAT WE PULLED OUT.

UM, I'M SORRY, I THINK I'VE LOST TRACK OF YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT THAT'S DEFINITELY A SMALLER CREEK THAT, UM, WE CAN HELP.

AND I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THE ST.

JOHN NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD, WOULD APPRECIATE AS WELL.

YEAH, YEAH.

NO, I APPRECIATE THAT.

YEAH, I WAS JUST LOOKING TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE, THE LESSER KNOWN CREEKS, EITHER WITH A STORY, WHICH I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST GAVE AN AMAZING STATISTIC ABOUT ALL OF THE, THE TRASH THAT YOU PULLED OUT.

BUT ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT A WILDLIFE SIDING OR SOMETHING TO, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A BORE EATING MELATONIN GUMMIES, BUT YOU KNOW, , SOMETHING TO GIVE SOME COLOR AND LIFE TO, UM, THESE DOTS THAT WE SEE ON THE MAP, BECAUSE SOME OF US MAY NEVER GET TO THE PLACES THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN.

SO WE HAVE A TON OF STORIES, HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN EVEN TELL THEM ALL.

THIS ONE IS PERTAINING TO BARTON CREEK, WHICH I KNOW IS CONNECTED TO TOWN LAKE, BUT WE GO, WE WENT SNORKELING THERE.

I'M FAIRLY, THIS IS YEARS AGO, I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN IT WAS WITH THE BARTON SPRINGS UNIVERSITY AND UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE SNORKELING AND WE HAVE THE GOGGLES ON AND I SEEN A GIANT SNAPPING TURTLE, LIKE IT WAS LIKE THIS BIG, AND IT WAS SCARY.

IT LOOKED LIKE A DINOSAUR.

I LIKE TRY TO RUN AWAY FROM IT.

UM, ANOTHER COORDINATOR SEEN IT AND HE WAS LIKE, OKAY GUYS, THERE'S, JUST BE CAREFUL IT'S THERE.

I'VE SEEN A CATFISH IN BARTON SPRINGS DOING THAT SAME THING.

AND OBVIOUSLY THERE'S SO MUCH OTHER STUFF, BUT THOSE WERE THE TWO KIND OF CRAZIEST THINGS I'VE EVER SEEN.

AND BARTON SPRINGS, WE DO GO THERE A LOT.

I HAVE ENDLESS MEMORIES I COULD TALK ABOUT WITH RIVER WATCH, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER ONE THAT ALWAYS STICKS OUT TO ME.

YEAH, I CAN ALSO SHARE A FEW.

UM, BUT ONE THAT KIND OF STANDS OUT TO ME, AND IT KIND OF CAME UP WITH WHEN YOU SAID CONNECTION TO THE LAND, UM, IS ON OUR SPRING BREAK TRIP, I THINK THIS LAST YEAR THAT WE DID, WE WENT UP TO CAP ROCK AND PATO CANYONS.

UM, SO IT WAS REALLY AMAZING.

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN OUT THERE, TOTALLY RECOMMEND.

BUT I REMEMBER A STUDENT THAT, UH, AT THAT TIME I WAS COVERING PROGRAMMING, UM, SO I WAS ABLE TO ONBOARD HER.

AND THIS WAS HER SENIOR YEAR, SO SHE WAS ONLY WITH US FOR A FEW MONTHS.

UM, BUT I REMEMBER GOING ON THIS TRIP WITH HER AND WHEN WE GOT OUT THERE, LIKE SHE GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND ONE OF OUR COORDINATORS LIKE ASKED HER LIKE, HEY, HOW DO YOU FEEL? AND SHE SAID, FREE.

LIKE THAT'S WHAT HER FEELING WAS AND THAT THAT'S WHAT WE KIND OF GET FROM A LOT OF RIVER WATCHERS.

LIKE I KNOW FOR ME LIKE THAT WHEN I WAS IN THE PROGRAM, THAT'S WHAT STARTED MY CONNECTION TO THE LAND.

AND NOW I'M WORKING A LOT WITH INDIGENOUS CULTURES INSTITUTE TO KIND OF LIKE HAVE THAT SPIRITUAL CONNECTION AS WELL.

UM, AND REMEMBER LIKE AN IMMIGRANT KID FROM MEXICO, LIKE THAT'S WHERE I WAS AND THAT'S WHERE I HOPE TO CONNECT ONE DAY AGAIN.

UM, BUT JUST HAVING THOSE, UM, MEMORIES WITH OUR STUDENTS AND UH, EVEN IF THEY'RE WITH US FOR A FEW MONTHS, LIKE THAT IMPACT IS STILL

[00:40:01]

HUGE WITH THEM.

GREAT.

WELL THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU ALSO FOR FEEDING PEOPLE.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR A LONG TIME WITH THE WEEKLY MEAL DELIVERY DROP OFFS AND I THINK THAT'S SUCH A CRITICAL PART OF CARING FOR EACH OTHER.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

ON TO DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS NUMBER THREE, PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING A RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ON THE CREATION, CONTINUATION, TERMINATIONS AND STATUS OF A CONCESSION INCLUDING ISSUANCE FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR A CONCESSION IN TOWN LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK FOR INCLUSION IN THE JOINT REPORT BETWEEN THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION THAT IS PROVIDED TO CITY COUNCIL ANNUALLY.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE WRAP UP? NO, SIR.

OH SURE.

COMMISSIONER LUKI.

I JUST THOUGHT OF SOMETHING ELSE I WANTED TO SAY TO TO ALL YOU VOLUNTEERS OVER THERE.

UM, Y'ALL ARE YOUNG AND, AND UH, UH, YOU DON'T SEE YOURSELF AS DOING THINGS LIKE WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT HERE, UH, SITTING IN THIS COMMISSION, BUT THAT'S THE PATH YOU'RE ON RIGHT NOW.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CARE AND JUST KEEP ON CARING LIKE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.

DON'T EVER STOP DOING THAT AND EVENTUALLY YOUR INPUT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU'RE HAVING RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S WHERE ALL OF US STARTED IS, IS A LONG TIME AGO DOING THINGS LIKE YOU'RE DOING.

SO THIS IS YOUR POSSIBILITY AS ONE THING TO DO IN YOUR LIFE AND THAT'S GIVING BACK.

SO YOU'RE ALREADY STARTED ON IT AND CONGRATULATE YOU FOR THAT.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE.

YOU'RE WELCOME TO TO STAY AND OF COURSE COME BACK ANOTHER TIME PLEASE.

BUT THANK YOU.

UM, ALRIGHT, WITH THAT WE'RE GONNA MOVE

[3. Presentation, discussion, and action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council on the creation, continuation, terminations, and status of a concession including issuance for a Request for Proposal for a concession in Town Lake Metropolitan Park for inclusion in the joint report between the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission that is provided to City Council annually. Presentation by Karen Charles, Contract Management Specialist and Denisha Cox, Contract Management Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation.]

PRESENTATION BY KAREN CHARLES, CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST AND DANISHA COX, CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION.

WE'LL START WITH THE PRESENTATION AND THEN WE'LL MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENT.

GOOD EVENING.

TESTING, TESTING.

ALRIGHT, GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS KAREN CHARLES AND I'M THE CONTRACT MANAGER FOR THE CITY'S PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS FOR ALLOWING US TO PRESENT INFORMATION FROM THE ANNUAL CONCESSIONS REPORT THIS EVENING.

BEFORE WE BEGIN, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE A PR STAFF.

TO MY RIGHT IS, HI, GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS DANISHA COX.

I'M THE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR WITH AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO, AUSTIN CITY CODE EIGHT DASH ONE DASH SEVEN THREE REQUIRES THAT ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31ST OF EACH YEAR, THE DIRECTOR SHALL DELIVER A REPORT TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ON THE CONCESSIONS GRANTED UNDER THIS DIVISION.

THE ANNUAL REPORT PREPARED UNDER THE SECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE NAME OF EACH CONCESSION OPERATING IN TOWN LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT FOR EACH CONCESSION THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WATERCRAFTS RENTED IN TOWN, LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK, AND A STATEMENT DESCRIBING ANY PROBLEMS CAUSED OR CREATED BY A CONCESSION.

SO THIS MAP SHOWS THE NON CONCESSIONS CURRENTLY LOCATED AROUND LADY BIRD LAKE AND TOWN LAKE PARK.

THE MAP DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY, UM, ANY, THE MAP DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL THE EXISTING CONCESSIONS FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THE PARK SYSTEM, NOR ANY BUSINESSES ON THE LAKE OPERATED BY PRIVATE VENDORS.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE CURRENT CONTRACT TERMS FOR EACH OF THE CONCESSIONS.

SO JUST A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS.

AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION REQUESTED AN ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR EXTENSION FOUR ROWING DOCK, UM,

[00:45:01]

TO ENSURE THAT THE WATERCRAFT AMENITIES IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE EXTENSION AMENDMENT WILL EXPIRE OCTOBER 31ST, 2026.

AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION REQUESTED AN ADDITIONAL TWO YEAR EXTENSION FOR LONG STAR RIVER BOAT, WHICH WILL EXPIRE AUGUST 31ST, 2027.

AND THEN WE HAD A REQUEST ALSO FOR ADDITIONAL TWO YEAR EXTENSION FOR AUSTIN ROWING CENTER, WHICH WILL EXPIRE DECEMBER 31ST OR 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START OF DEMOLITION AS REFLECTED IN THE CITY'S DEMOLITION CONTRACT AND APPROVED PERMIT, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

SO IN FY 25 A PR APPROVED THE CONCESSION POLICY AND PROCEDURES THAT INCLUDED, WELL, I SHOULD SAY, LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN.

AN FY 25 A PR UPDATED THE CONCESSION POLICY AND PROCEDURES THAT INCLUDED CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHING LEGACY CONCESSIONS.

AND THIS WAS APPROVED BY COUNSEL ON NOVEMBER 6TH, 2025.

THIS GRAPH REPRESENTS THE CONCESSIONS INCOMES REPORTED EXPENDITURES AND PAYMENTS TO THE CITY FOR FY 25.

SO THE BLUE BAR REPRESENTS GROSS SALES.

THE AQUA BAR REPRESENTS REPORTED EXPENDITURES AND THE LIGHT GREEN BAR REPRESENTS CONCESSION PAYMENTS TO THE CITY, INCLUDING MONTHLY FLAT FEES AND REVENUE SHARES.

SO JUST AS A REMINDER, EPIC SUB PAYMENTS GO TO THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY AND AS OF JANUARY 1ST, 2025, TEXAS ROWING CENTER REVENUE PAYMENTS ALSO GO TO TTC AS WELL, Z OR EAGLE.

THE NET REVENUE DISTRIBUTION IS UNDER REVIEW BY AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION.

AND SO ONCE FINALIZED, THE PROCEEDS DISTRIBUTED WILL BE REFLECTED IN FUTURE REPORTS.

SO THIS GRAPH SHOWS THE TOTAL CONCESSIONS GROSS SALES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE WAS AN UPTICK FROM FY 22 FROM COVID, AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE ACTIVITY LEVEL OFF.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT UPDATES MADE BY CONCESSIONS FOR FY 25.

SO SOME OF THEIR REPORTED IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED TREE REMOVAL, SAW OR TURF GRASS REPLACEMENT OF GROW OF ROADSIDE SHRUBS, GROUND IMPROVEMENTS, DOCK AND BUILDING REPAIRS, REPLACEMENT OF DECK, RIGHT WATERPROOF ROOF, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO FACILITIES.

NOW ON THIS SLIDE WE HAVE PROVIDED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE OTHER AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION CONCESSION ACTIVITIES.

SO THERE ARE SEVERAL CONCESSIONS SET UP AT AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION GOLF COURSES.

CL CLAY KAISER AND MORRIS WILLIAMS BOTH HAVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONCESSIONS.

TEJAS GOLF IS A DRIVING RANGE.

ALL THREE PAY A PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE TO AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A FOOD AND BEVERAGE VENDOR AT LIONS GOLF COURSE AND THE REVENUE SHARE FROM THE CONCESSIONS GO TO THE SAVE HISTORIC MUNI DISTRICT FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GOLF COURSE.

AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION ALSO RECEIVES REVENUE FROM SHORT TERM PERMITS FOR COMMERCIAL USE OF PARKLAND SUCH AS VENDING OR MERCHANDISE, SALES, FITNESS, UM, TRAINERS AND PERFORMING ARTS ARTS ARTISTS.

THE PERMIT PROCESS FOR TEMPORARY CONCESSIONS IS OVERSEEN BY THE RESERVATIONS OFFICE, FORMERLY KNOWN AS A SPECIAL EVENTS OFFICE THAT TRANSFERRED TO AUSTIN ARTS CULTURE, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT OR ACME.

AND THE TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTED, UM, EQUALED $585,672.

SO AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS STAFF PRESENTED THE FY 24 REPORT TO AUSTIN'S TWO PARKS BOARD ON JANUARY 27TH, 2025, AND THE BOARD APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL.

NOW THIS SLIDE DISCUSSES THE ENVIRONMENTAL CON, UH, COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

[00:50:01]

THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REQUESTED CITY COUNCIL INITIATE A CODE UPDATE TO REFLECT A CONCESSIONS REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, SHALL INCLUDE CONCESSIONS FROM PARKS AND OTHER THAN LADY BIRD LAKE AND ALSO BE PRESENTED, UM, AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THOSE CONCESSIONS AND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL INITIATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION TO ASSIST WITH THEIR OVERALL, UM, OVERSIGHT OF THE CONCESSIONS IN ALL CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS.

THE NEW COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE SHALL INCLUDE A MEMBER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, PARKS BOARD AND OTHER RELATED COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS.

AS OF THIS REPORT, A PR HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION OR CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THESE ACTIONS.

AND THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION WAS, UM, ADDRESS THE EROSION AROUND LADY BIRD LAKE AND REPORT ON THE REVENUE USED FROM THE COMMISSIONS TO, UH, CONCESSIONS TO REPAIR THE EROSION.

A PR COLLABORATES WITH WATERSHED PROTECTION TO EVALUATE EROSION CONCERNS AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMEDIATION.

UM, REVENUE GENERATED FROM A PR CONCESSIONS IS DEPOSITED INTO THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND AND IS NOT ALLOCATED SPECIFICALLY FOR EROSION REPAIR.

AND THEN THE FOURTH RECOMMENDATION WAS TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE TWO OF THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY OR PMA UNTIL IT CAN BE EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE PARK AND THE ABILITY OF THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY TO MEET ITS ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS BASED ON ITS CURRENT FINANCES.

AS NOTED IN THE PARK OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT SECTION ABOVE TTC SUBMITTED ITS 2025 ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION DOCUMENT BY OCTOBER, 2024, DEADLINE BY THE DEADLINE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH PHASE TWO REQUIREMENTS.

IN JULY, 2025, THE CITY EXECUTED AN ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT TRANSFERRING TEXAS ROWING CENTER CONCESSIONS CONTRACT TO TTC UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PMA.

TTC NOW ASSUMES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRCS CONCESSIONS OPERATING AND MANAGEMENT SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE RULES AND REGULATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE OUTLINED IN THE POMA FOR MARINE WASTE DISPOSAL.

LONE STAR RIVER RIVERBOATS HAS ONE VESSEL WITH AN ONBOARD TOILET AS PART OF A'S CONTRACT COMPLIANCE.

A PR REQUESTS COPIES OF MANIFESTS TO ENSURE LONE STAR, UH, RIVERBOAT COMPLIES WITH STATE AND CITY REGULATIONS.

THESE MANIFESTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN REPORT SUBMITTED TO PARKS AND RECREATION BOARDS MONTHLY AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I'M ON SLIDE AS PART OF LAKE SAFETY.

A PR CONTINUES TO MONITOR CRAFT WATERCRAFT RENTALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND DURING DESIGNATED PEAK TIMES.

WE ALSO ADDRESS UNPERMITTED COMMERCIAL USE OF PARKLAND, WHICH IS MONITORED BY PARK RANGERS.

WE WILL DISCUSS UNPERMITTED ACTIVITY, UM, IN AN UPCOMING SLIDE.

THIS TABLE RECORDS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RENTALS FOR EACH CONCESSION AND FY 25 AS RECORDED IN THE MONTHLY REPORTS SUBMITTED BY EACH CONCESSION.

SO IN TOTAL ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY 9,459.

RENTALS WERE REPORTED IN NINE UH, FY 25.

NOW THIS CHART DETAILS THE TOTAL RENTALS DURING PEAK TIME OVER AN EIGHT DAY PERIOD.

SO PEAK TIMES ARE GONNA BE, UM, SPRING BREAK, MEMORIAL DAY, 4TH OF JULY, AND LABOR DAY.

THIS CHART SHOWS

[00:55:01]

TOTAL NUMBER OF WATERCRAFT IN EACH CONCESSIONS RENTAL INVENTORY.

SO THE TEXAS ROWING CENTER AND AUSTIN ROWING CLUB INVENTORIES ALSO INCLUDE ROWING SHELLS AND COACHING LAUNCHES THAT ARE USED FOR LESSONS, CLUBS, CAMPS, ET CETERA.

INVENTORY NUMBERS HAVE DECLINED SLIGHTLY SINCE FY 23.

THIS SLIDE ADDRESSES STAFF RESPONSES TO OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PARKS BOARD AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

A PR INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS IN EACH RPF.

ADDITIONALLY, A PR STAFF WORK WITH CORPORATE PROCUREMENT TO SOLICIT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS AND STAFF HAVE PUT TOGETHER HAVE PUT IN PLACE STANDARD SCOPES OF WORK AND CONTRACT COMPONENTS WHICH ARE USED FOR EACH NEW SOLICITATION AND CONTRACT.

SOME OF THE PROBLEM AREAS, CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIC ACTIONS FOR CONCESSIONS INCLUDE AN AUDIT OF AGREEMENTS WITH TTC.

SO ON FEBRUARY 5TH, 2025, THE CITY RECEIVED A REPORT CONTAINING SEVERAL ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING THE TTC OR THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY AND A PR.

IN RESPONSE, THE CITY REQUESTED AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH INTERNAL AUDIT AUDITORS TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF APRS PMA WITH TTC INCLUDING PIAS FOR THE RAINY STREET TRAILHEAD AND HOLLY STREET PROJECT.

THE AUDIT WAS CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025.

IN JANUARY, 2026, A PR RECEIVED THE A P'S INTERNAL AUDITS REPORT, DETAILING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

APR R IS REVIEWING THEIR REPORT AND DRAFTING FORMAL RESPONSES TO ADDRESS THE IDENTIFIED ISSUES.

AUSTIN ROWING CLUB ON JUNE 20TH, 2024, A PR ISSUED A RIGHT OF ASSURANCE LETTER TO AUSTIN ROWING CLUB TO CONFIRM COMPLIANCE WITH REPAIR AUTHORIZATIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

THE LETTER ALSO ADDRESSED THE OUTSTANDING SHORELINE AND WETLANDS REMEDIATION PLAN OVER FY 25 A RC WORKED TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURE AND IS COMPLETING THE FINAL STEPS OF THE PROJECT, UM, FOR THE REMEDIATION PLAN MEETINGS AND TIMELINES AND RESULTING IN A CERTIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY.

WELL, THEY DID FINISH, I'M SORRY, IN, IN SEPTEMBER, 2025 THERE WAS STILL ONE LITTLE THING LEFT WITH ELECTRICAL, BUT THEY MET THE TIMELINE AND RESULTING IN CERTIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY.

SO IN OCTOBER, 2025 THE SHORELINE RESTORATION WAS APPROVED.

EXPEDITION SCHOOL THROUGHOUT 2025 A PR DISCUSSED ALTERNATE DOCK LOCATIONS WITH TES IN SEPTEMBER, 2025, THE EXPEDITION SCHOOL REPORTED A SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT AN ENCAMPMENT NEAR THE THEIR OPERATIONS AT HOLLY STREET LAGOON.

A PR STAFF VISITED THE SITE MULTIPLE TIMES.

AS OF THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION THE PERSONS PREVIOUSLY OBSERVED NEAR THE BOAT RAMP ARE NO LONGER PRESENT.

ADDITIONALLY, ON DECEMBER 29TH, TES SUBMITTED A LETTER OF INTENT STATED STATING THERE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT THE HOLLY SHORES.

THE CONTRACT WITH TES EXPIRES APRIL 28TH, 2026, ZEER EAGLE IN FY 25.

THE ZEER EAGLE FACED SEVERAL OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES FROM JANUARY THROUGH EARLY MARCH A PF REDUCED HOURS TO COMPLETE ESSENTIAL ENGINE AND TRACK MAINTENANCE.

IN APRIL, A PR REVIEWED A RIDER SAFETY COMPLAINT.

AFTER OBSERVING OPERATIONS, THE TEAM FOUND THE RISK MINIMAL CITING PROPER SPEED AND RIDER EDUCATION.

ON APRIL 28TH.

ON AUGUST 28TH, A PF NOTIFIED A PF NOTIFIED AUSTIN PARKS AND REC OF MIDWEEK CLOSURES THROUGHOUT EARLY SEPTEMBER DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED OPERATORS AND A TEMPORARY HIRING PAUSE UNTIL AFTER ACL FESTIVAL,

[01:00:04]

A TEMPORARY WATERWAY BAN ON JULY 7TH, 2025.

THE CITY ISSUED AN EMERGENCY ORDER PROHIBITING ALL COMMERCIAL NAVIGATIONAL VOTING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY ACTIVITIES ON THESE WATERWAYS.

A PR WATERCRAFT CONCESSIONS WERE NOT WERE NOTIFIED TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS UNTIL THE BAN WAS LIFTED THE FOLLOWING DAY.

AS A RESULT, THE EXCESSIVE RAINFALL AND THE TEMPORARY LAKE CLOSURES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED OPERATIONS DURING THE PEAK JULY 4TH HOLIDAY PERIOD.

UNPERMITTED ACTIVITY, UM, UNPERMITTED COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY IN ON PARKLAND AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, A PR HAS OBSERVED AN INCREASE IN UNPERMITTED VENDOR OP VENDORS OPERATING AT THE FESTIVAL BEACH BOAT RAMP.

THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED CONDUCTING UNPERMITTED COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR COMPENSATION REFERENCING FESTIVAL, BEACH BOAT, RAMP, AND PARKLAND IN BUSINESS WEBSITES, SOCIAL MEDIA AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS USING CITY MANAGED DOCKS, RAMPS AND PARKLAND FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION.

APRS PARK RANGERS CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH LAKE PATROL WHEN POSSIBLE AND EDUCATES UNPERMITTED BUSINESSES ON CITY CODE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ON PARKLAND.

ADDITIONALLY, A PR CONTINUES TO ISSUE CEASE AND DESIST LETTERS TO BUSINESSES FOUND IN VIOLATION AND ENCOURAGES THE PUBLIC TO REPORT SUSPECTED UNPERMITTED ACTIVITY ON PARKLAND BY CONTACTING 3 1 1 BARTON CREEK CONCESSIONS FEASIBILITY ON JANUARY 24TH, 2025.

A PR STAFF INITIATED DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THE VULNERABILITY OF THE BARTON CREEK AREA, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSING ON THE RESTORATION OF CREEK BANKS NEAR BARTON SPRINGS AND AROUND THE ZILKER PARK BOAT RENTAL WATERCRAFT CONCESSION LOCATED ON BARTON SPRINGS AND ZILKER PARK OFF ANDREW ZILKER ROAD ON MARCH 3RD, 2025.

THE AUSTIN WATERSHED PROTECTION TEAM PROVIDED GUIDANCE INDICATING THAT THE CONTINUED DEGRADATION OF CREEK BANKS IS PRIMARILY DUE TO UNCONTROLLED RECREATIONAL USE BY THE GENERAL PARK VISITORS RATHER THAN A DIRECT STREAM BANK EROSION ISSUE THAT WOULD F WOULD FALL UNDER THE STREAM BANK RESTORATION PROGRAM.

WATERSHED PROTECTION RECOMMENDED A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH LED BY A PR WITH TECHNICAL INPUT FROM THE AP UM, APPLIED WATERSHED SCIENCE TEAM TO ADDRESS RIPARIAN AND CREEK HEALTH.

BARTON CREEK STREAM BANK RESTORATION.

APPROXIMATELY 230 LINEAR FEET OF STREAM BANKS WAS AFFECTED.

AUSTIN WATERSHED PROTECTION, AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION, AND THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY COLLABORATED TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO STABILIZE THE SLOPE AND PROTECT THE TRAIL.

AS OF DECEMBER, 2025, THE FOLLOWING MILESTONES HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.

SITE PREPARED OR SITE PREPARATION COMPLETED STORM DRAINAGE DRAIN INSTALLATION UNDER THE NEW SPUR TRAIL, COMPLETED PLACEMENT OF BOULDERS TO STABILIZE THE WATERLINE COMPLETED INSTALLATION OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS AND SOIL LISTS.

ONGOING SLOPE RECONSTRUCTION.

ONGOING SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION IS ANTICIPATED BY SPRING OF 2026.

SO AS WE CONCLUDE THIS PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL CONCESSIONS REPORT, WE WANNA LEAVE YOU WITH A SUMMARY OF THE CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES OF THE CONCESSIONAIRES.

SO HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE EXAMPLES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

SO NEXT STEPS.

AFTER TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION PER AUSTIN CITY CODE, WITHIN 30 DAYS OF OUR PRESENTATION, A PR STAFF WILL SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT TO BOTH THE PARKS BOARD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION FOR

[01:05:01]

A REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

THE JOINT REPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD WILL BE PROVIDED TO COUNCIL.

OUR REQUEST TODAY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION IS TO MAKE A JOINT RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING CONTINUING AN EXISTING CONCESSION, TERMINATING AN EXISTING CONTINUATION, AND ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR AN EXPIRING OR NEW CONCESSION UNDER THIS DIVISION.

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ALLOWING US TO PRESENT INFORMATION FROM OUR 2025 ANNUAL CONCESSIONS REPORT.

WE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.

UM, BEFORE WE GO INTO QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS, WE'RE GONNA GO TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS CHAIR.

THERE ARE EIGHT SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM.

THE FIRST SPEAKER IS ROBIN RATHER, AND ROBIN IS RECEIVING A DONATION OF TIME FROM ROY WHALEY.

ROBIN, YOU'LL HAVE SIX MINUTES.

CONTROL OVER, IF I WAS IN THAT SARCASTIC, BITTER MOOD, WHAT I WOULD CALL A SLUSH FUND, I'M NOT CALLING IT THAT TONIGHT, BUT YOU COULD CALL IT THAT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY SECRETIVE.

I'M ROBIN RATHER.

I LIVE IN D NINE.

AND WHAT I WANNA SAY IS IT'S, IT'S HARD TO STAND UP HERE AFTER THAT INCREDIBLE PRESENTATION, UH, BY THE RIVER WATCH KIDS.

AND IF I HAD ONE RECOMMENDATION ON THE SPUR OF MY HEAD, IT WOULD BE TO MARRY THOSE KIDS UP WITH THIS CONCESSION SITUATION SO THAT YOU WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE SOME FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US IS, AND KAREN, I SAID THIS LAST YEAR, I'M GONNA SAY IT AGAIN.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU.

IT'S A GREAT REPORT, BUT FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDPOINT, IT'S A COMPLETE NOTHING BURGER.

IT'S LESS THAN A NOTHING BURGER.

IT'S BELOW NOTHING BURGER STATUS.

AND I PROMISED MYSELF WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING, I WASN'T GONNA STAND HERE AND BE BITTER AND SARCASTIC AND EXHAUSTED.

BUT EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO, I STOOD HERE WITH MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY AND BEGGED Y'ALL TO ASK PART TO ACTUALLY PUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE CONCESSION REPORT.

WE, WE ASKED YOU AND YOU ACTUALLY MADE SOME EXCELLENT RECOMMENDATIONS.

AND WHAT YOU'RE GETTING FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE BEEN INTO, THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS IS EXACTLY NOTHING.

THERE'S VERY LITTLE IN THIS REPORT ABOUT BIODIVERSITY, ABOUT WATER PROTECTION, ABOUT SOIL SEQUESTRATION, CLIMATE MITIGATION, FLOOD MITIGATION.

THERE'S NOTHING IN HERE FOR YOU, OKAY? WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MONEY MADE OFF OUR PUBLIC PARKS, RIGHT? CONCESSION PEOPLE WORKING REALLY HARD TO MAKE MONEY.

AND THEN THE BIG QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE MILLIONS? ARE WE, ARE WE SUPPORTING OUR RIVER WATCH KIDS? ARE WE PLANTING SOME TREES? ARE WE DOING ANYTHING FOR WATER QUALITY, FOR DROUGHT? WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE MILLIONS? NOW I WANNA TALK ABOUT THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY.

LAST YEAR, OUR NEW PAR DIRECTOR HAD ONLY BEEN IN THE SEAT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, AND LAST YEAR, WE WANTED TO GIVE HIM ALL THE GRACE THAT WE COULD TO SAY, LOOK, YOU INHERITED SOME MESSED UP SITUATIONS.

THEY'RE NOT ON YOU, YOU GOTTA CLEAN THEM UP.

BUT WE TRIED TO GIVE HIM A LOT OF GRACE.

BUT THE FIRST THING HE DID WAS TO PUNT THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY AUDIT, WHICH WAS DUE LAST MARCH, MARCH OF 2025.

HE PUNTED IT ALL THE WAY.

WE STILL DON'T HAVE IT AFTER A YEAR.

I'M, I'M THINKING THIS IS GONNA BE THE MOTHER OF ALL NONPROFIT AUDITS BECAUSE IT'S TAKEN A YEAR TO PUT IT TOGETHER.

WE STILL DON'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS TO THE BASIC QUESTIONS.

THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY IS MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PUBLIC PARK LAND, AND NOBODY EXCEPT THE PARK DIRECTOR KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH IT.

ARE THEY PLANTING TREES? ARE THEY PROTECTING WATER QUALITY? ARE THEY DOING CLIMATE MITIGATION? ARE THEY FUNDING OUR RIVER WATCH KIDS? NO ONE KNOWS.

THE PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW.

I BET YOU DOLLARS TO DONUTS.

Y'ALL DON'T KNOW.

THE COUNCIL DOESN'T KNOW.

I DON'T THINK THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS THE CONTROL OVER THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY, AND BY THE WAY, AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION AND SEVERAL OTHER LARGE WEALTHY NONPROFITS THAT TRANSACT IN OUR PARKS DURING COVID, THE ADLER ADMINISTRATION GAVE THE PARKS DIRECTOR COMPLETE AND TOTAL

[01:10:01]

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS IT.

THERE'S NO ACCOUNTABILITY, THERE'S NO TRANSPARENCY.

THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN, THE PUBLIC, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, DESERVES TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

OUR NATURAL RESOURCE, OUR TREES, OUR CREEKS, OUR RIVERS, THEY DESERVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPORT AND, AND, AND TRANSPARENCY AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONERS.

I'M HERE, UM, AS RESPECTFULLY AND SWEETLY AS I CAN MANAGE TO BE, TO AGAIN BEG YOU.

Y'ALL ARE THE ONES THAT CAN ABSOLUTELY INSIST THAT WE HAVE A LEGIT CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE THIS MONEY GOES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

WHERE'S IT GOING? IS IT PROTECTING OUR WETLANDS? WHAT'S IT? ARE WE PROTECTING OUR CREEKS? WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THIS? INCREDIBLY, I THINK OF THE MONEY FROM CONCESSIONS.

I THINK OF A FAMILY, A GRANDMOTHER, PARENTS, KIDS AND GRANDKIDS THAT GO TO, TO, TO BOAT AT BARTON CREEK, AND THEY PUT THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY THAT THEY PROBABLY EARNED WORKING AT THE AIRPORT AS OR AS A CAREGIVER OR IN SOME OTHER TOUGH JOB.

I THINK OF THEIR JOY, PUTTING THEIR MONEY DOWN TO GO PADDLE A BOAT AROUND BARTON CREEK.

THAT'S THE MONEY I THINK ABOUT.

IT'S MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, LOTS OF FAMILIES, $20, $10, RIGHT? BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THEIR MONEY? I'D LIKE TO KNOW, I'D LIKE YOU TO KNOW, AND IT'S BEEN A YEAR, AND MR. PAR DIRECTOR, I REALLY RESPECT YOU.

YOU CAME TO AUSTIN WITH THE GREATEST OF QUALIFICATIONS, BUT AT SOME POINT, YOU GOTTA RESPECT THE COMMUNITIES.

ASK.

WE'RE ASKING YOU FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SHOW US WHERE EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR GOES.

THAT GOES TO THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY, TO A PF OR ANY OF THE OTHER LARGE NONPROFITS THAT ARE MAKING MONEY OFF OUR PARKS.

IF YOU CAN'T GIVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE ENVIRONMENT, IF YOU CAN'T DO SOIL SEQUESTRATION, IF YOU CAN'T PLANT TREES, IF YOU CAN'T PROTECT THE WATER, GIVE IT TO THE KIDS AT THE RIVER WATCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO, TO ME TONIGHT.

AND CLEANING UP THE LAKE ON THE SHORE AND UNDER THE WATER, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? TELL US, TELL ME, IS THIS A COUNCIL ONLY ISSUE AT THIS POINT? THEN DIRECT US THERE.

UM, THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRIS FLORES.

CHRIS, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES.

HELLO? UH, GOOD EVENING.

UH, EVERYBODY.

MY NAME IS CHRIS FLORES AND I AM FROM DISTRICT 10 COMMENTING ON ITEM NUMBER THREE.

UM, I'M SPEAKING TONIGHT AGAINST THE ANNUAL PARKS CONCESSION REPORT.

UM, THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION LAST YEAR, FEBRUARY 19TH, 2025, ARE JUST AS NEEDED TODAY AS THEY WERE THEN.

CITY CODE 8 1 7 3 REQUIREMENTS FOR ANNUAL CONCESSIONS REPORT ARE INCOMPLETE AND OUTDATED.

IN THE PARKS BOARD MEETING LAST MONTH, PARKS DEPARTMENT STAFF NOTED THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS, YOUR COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS WERE NOT ACTED ON BECAUSE YOU AND COUNCIL DID NOT FOLLOW UP WITH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.

STAFF PARKS BOARD DID NOT BLESS THE 2026 CONCESSION REPORT.

AND STAFF SAID, UM, IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE IT'S GONNA GO TO COUNCIL NO MATTER WHAT.

UM, IN, IN FEBRUARY, 2025, YOU SAID YOU WOULD CONSIDER THIS 2026 REPORT, SO LONG AS IT REFLECTS THE REQUEST YOU MADE AND THE MISSION OF THIS COMMISSION.

SO, UM, HERE WE ARE IN 2026 AND THE SAME INCOMPLETE CONCESSION REPORT IS, IS BACK.

DOES THIS MEAN YOUR COMMISSION, LIKE THE PARKS BOARD, WILL NOT BLESS THIS YEAR'S CONCESSION REPORT? THAT'S MY QUESTION TO YOU.

ARE YOU GOING TO IGNORE IT AND JUST NOT VOTE ON IT, UM, UNTIL SOMETHING GETS DONE ABOUT IT? THAT'S SOMETHING I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOU GUYS DISCUSS.

UM, IN CLOSING, I I HAVE A CIVICS QUESTION FOR YOU.

WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS AS CITIZENS? UM, IF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT DOES NOT VOLUNTARILY ACT TO REPORT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE CONCESSIONS ON THE LAKE AND DETERMINE WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FISCAL ISSUES OF ASSESSING

[01:15:01]

TELL, TELL, HELP US GET THERE BECAUSE IT'S LOOKS LIKE WE'RE AT A STANDSTILL.

YOU CAN STAND AT THE LAKE, YOU CAN LOOK DOWN AT THE WATER, YOU CAN SEE THE GARBAGE UNDER THE WATER ON, ON WHEN THE WATER'S CLEAR.

UM, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT, AND WE'RE TRYING, UM, BUT WE DON'T APPEAR TO BE CONNECTING.

GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CAROL BAXTER.

CAROL IS RECEIVING A DONATION OF TIME FROM AUBREY RUDDER.

CAROL, YOU'LL HAVE SIX MINUTES.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

MY NAME IS CAROL BAXTER.

I'M THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN ROWING CLUB.

THIS YEAR IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL FOR THE AUSTIN ROWING CLUB IN 2026.

WE HAVE ENTERED OUR 45TH YEAR AS AN ORGANIZATION WHILE HISTORICAL RECORDS SHOW ROWING ACTIVITY IN AUSTIN AS FAR BACK AS 1899, A RC WAS FORMALLY REESTABLISHED IN 1981, MAKING US THE OLDEST ROWING CLUB IN TEXAS FOR 45 YEARS.

A RC HAS BEEN A TRUE COMMUNITY ASSET TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND A DAILY STEWARD OF LADY BIRD LAKE.

WE HAVE GROWN ALONGSIDE THIS CITY FROM A MUCH SMALLER AUSTIN IN 1981 TO THE VIBRANT AND RAPIDLY DEVELOPING CITY.

WE KNOW TODAY ARC'S MISSION HAS REMAINED CONSISTENT TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE WATERWAYS OF LADY BIRD LAKE, BUT ACCESS AND STEWARDSHIP ARE INSEPARABLE BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE WATER EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE SEE FIRSTHAND THE PRESSURES FACING THE ECOSYSTEM, EROSION RUNOFF, CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS, AND INCREASED SHORELINE USE.

AS PART OF TODAY'S 2025 ANNUAL CONCESSION REPORT, I WANNA HIGHLIGHT ARC'S PERFORMANCE THIS PAST YEAR AND WHAT IT REFLECTS ABOUT COMMUNITY DEMAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.

IN 2025, WALLER CREEK BOATHOUSE GROSSED OVER $3 MILLION.

THIS GROWTH GROWTH REFLECTS STRONG ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND CONTINUED DEMAND FROM THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY TO ACCESS THE LAKE FOR RECREATION, ROWING COMPETITION AND CONNECTION.

IMPORTANTLY, THIS GROWTH HAS OCCURRED DURING A PERIOD OF EXTRAORDINARY CHANGE AROUND US.

WE HAVE REMAINED OPEN AND OPERATIONAL WHILE SURROUNDED BY MAJOR CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON RAINY STREET, THE DELL DEMOLITION OF THE CONVENTION CENTER, AND THE ONGOING BUILD OUT OF THE WATERLOO GREENWAY.

DESPITE THE DUST, THE CONSTRUCTION TRUCKS, THE BROKEN WATER LINES, AND CONSTANT DISRUPTION, A RC HAS CONTINUED TO SERVE THE PUBLIC WHILE PRIORITIZING THE PROTECTION OF THE SHORELINE AND SURROUNDING HABITAT AT THE WALLER CREEK BOATHOUSE.

ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES THIS YEAR WAS THE OPENING OF OUR NEW KAYAK DOCK.

WHILE THIS EXPANSION ALLOWS US TO REACH MORE PADDLERS AND INTRODUCE NEW USERS TO THE LAKE, THIS PROJECT HAS ALSO APPROACHED THROUGH, HAS BEEN APPROACHED THROUGH AN ENVIRONMENTAL LENS.

THE DOCK PROJECT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS SHORELINE AREAS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPACTION AND EROSION OVER TIME.

THROUGH IMPROVED DESIGN AND ANCHORING SYSTEMS, WE ARE REDUCING SEDIMENT DISTURBANCE AND MINIMIZING LONG-TERM LAKE BED IMPACT.

FOLLOWING CONSTRUCTION, WE ARE COMMITTED TO RESTORING NATIVE RES VEGETATION ALONG THE SHORELINE TO STABILIZE THE SOIL, IMPROVE HABITAT VALUE, AND ENHANCE NATURAL FILTRATION BEFORE RUNOFF EVEN ENTERS THE LAKE.

OUR INTENTION IS THAT THE SECTION OF THE SHORELINE WILL BE MORE RESILIENT AND ECOLOGICALLY SOUND THAN IT WAS PRIOR TO THE PROJECT.

WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD THAT THE DOCK IS A DA ACCESSIBLE, ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO LADY BIRD LAKE WHILE MAINTAINING ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH IS NOT AN ADD-ON FOR US AT A RC, IT'S A CORE TO WHO WE ARE UNDER OUR CONTRACT.

THE CITY REQUIRES US TO PROVIDE $40,000 WORTH OF OUTREACH ANNUALLY.

WE CONSISTENTLY MEET AND EXCEED THAT RE REQUIREMENT BECAUSE STEWARDSHIP AND COMMUNITY ACCESS GO HAND IN HAND.

THE TOTAL OUTREACH INVESTMENT FOR OUR TOP FIVE PROGRAMS ONLY IN 2025 WAS NEARLY $275,000.

WE ARE PROUD OF THAT COMMITMENT AND PROUD TO CONTINUE EXPANDING PROGRAMMING THAT CONNECTS AUSTINITES TO THE WATER IN RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE WAYS.

IN 2025 ALONE, AIR SEA VOLUNTEERS REMOVED MORE THAN 27,000

[01:20:02]

POUNDS OF TRASH FROM LADY BIRD LAKE, THAT WORK DIRECTLY PROTECTS, PROTECTS WILDLIFE, IMPROVES WATER QUALITY, AND PREVENTS DEBRIS FROM TRAVELING DOWNSTREAM INTO THE COLORADO RIVER WATERSHED.

WE CONTINUE TO ARISE PROGRAMS IN MARTIN AND MEISON MIDDLE SCHOOLS, INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO ROWING.

WHILE TEACHING RESPECT FOR THE LAKE AS A SHARED NATURAL RESOURCE, WE PROVIDED NEARLY $50,000 IN JUNIOR ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENSURE COST IS NEVER A BARRIER TO PARTICIPATION.

WE WELCOMED DEPART SUMMER CAMPERS TO EXPERIENCE ROWING AND PADDLING AT NO COST.

OUR JUNIOR PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW AND OUR ATHLETES CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.

IN 2025, A RC SENT MULTIPLE ATHLETES TO COMPETE AT YOUTH NATIONALS IN FLORIDA, PROUDLY REPRESENTING AUSTIN AND DEMONSTRATING THAT HIGH LEVEL ACADEMIC ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT CAN COEXIST WITH ENVIRONMENTAL RESPECT AND STEWARDSHIP.

FINALLY, I WANT TO SPEAK TO OUR HOME.

WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO CALL THE WATER WALLER CREEK BOATHOUSE, OUR BASE OF OPERATIONS.

THIS LOCATION SITS AT AN IMPORTANT ECOLOGICAL INTERSECTION BETWEEN WALLER CREEK AND LADYBIRD LAKE, MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, ESPECIALLY CRITICAL.

IN 2025, AIR SEA INVESTED APPROXIMATELY 50,000, $55,000 IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BUILDING AND SURROUNDING GROUNDS.

THESE INVESTMENTS REFLECT OUR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING THIS PUBLIC ASSET, WHILE SUPPORTING SHORELINE INTEGRITY AND WATER QUALITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD, A RC IS EXCITED ABOUT THE NEXT 45 YEARS ON LADY BIRD LAKE.

OUR COMMITMENT IS CLEAR, EXPANDING ACCESS WHILE PROTECTING THE ECOSYSTEM, GROWING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WHILE RESTORING SHORE SHORELINE HEALTH, AND ENSURE THAT RECREATION ENHANCES RATHER THAN DIMINISHES THE ENVI ENVIRONMENTAL VITALITY OF THE TREASURED AUSTIN RESOURCE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND YOUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP IN PROTECTING AUSTIN'S NATURAL SPACES.

AS YOU MOVE FORWARD, IT'S A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.

UH, THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CRAIG NAOR.

CRAIG, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES.

HELLO, CRAIG NAZER, AUSTIN SIERRA CLUB.

UH, SO THIS IS A STICKY PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME, BUT I THINK THE ESSENCE OF THIS IS WHAT IS A PARK.

I LIVED IN NEW YORK CITY FOR SEVEN YEARS, 1975, ON MANHATTAN ISLAND IN 1982.

AND IF I ASK YOU FOR THE NAME OF PARK IN NEW YORK CITY, YOU'RE GONNA SAY CENTRAL PARK.

I RARELY WENT TO CENTRAL PARK.

I HEARD, UH, UH, PETER PAUL MARY THERE NEVER ATE AT THE TAVERN ON THE GREEN.

IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE.

THERE WAS A REALLY SAD LITTLE ZOO WITH AN ELEPHANT WITH TOO LITTLE SPACE.

THERE'S ANOTHER PARK ON MANHATTAN ISLAND YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF, CALLED INWOOD HILL PARK.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THAT? 200 ACRES, NORTH TIP OF MANHATTAN, A WILD WOODS.

I WENT THERE EVERY DAY.

BEAUTIFUL PARK.

THERE HAD BEEN AN OLD FARM UP THERE.

THERE ARE THESE BIG HILLS.

THEY'RE OLD SHELL MIDDENS FROM NATIVE AMERICANS.

THAT, THAT, THAT WHAT THIS GUY DID WAS SPLICING.

AND THERE WAS A A, UH, IT WAS A A BUCKEYE TREE AND THEIR RED BUCKEYE BLOSSOMS, THE YELLOW BUCKEYE BLOSSOMS. AND MANY, MANY, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, HE HAD SPLICED A BRANCH OF ONE ONTO THE OTHER.

I WAS JUST, THIS, THIS PARK WAS INCREDIBLE NESTING RING NECK PHEASANTS, MANHATTAN ISLAND.

NOW THERE'S A, THAT WHEN I GO DOWN TO ZILKER PARK, UM, I USUALLY GO DOWN THERE TO EAT.

I GO DOWN TO BARTON SPRINGS, WHICH IS INCREDIBLE.

AND I, RENTING BOATS IS REALLY FUN.

YOU KNOW, WHEN BARTON CREEK ENTERS OUT, IF YOU EVER RENTED A CANOE THERE, DID YOU KNOW THAT TEXAS HAS THE HIGHEST TURTLE DIVERSITY OF ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES? AND ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE PLACES I'VE EVER BEEN TO SEE TURTLES IS RIGHT THERE WHERE THE WATER COMES OUT BECAUSE IT'S WARM.

YOU CAN SEE EVERY SPECIES.

I MEAN, THEY'RE CLEAR.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

I MEAN, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT OUR CONCESSIONS AND WE HAVE TO THINK, ARE WE GONNA TRY AND MAKE MONEY ON ZILKER PARK? I DON'T, I DON'T, I'M NOT SAYING NO CONCESSIONS.

BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THESE CONCESSIONS? WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO WITH THEM? ARE WE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY? I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING WITH A PARK.

I REALLY DON'T.

SO THINK ABOUT THIS AND, UH,

[01:25:01]

IT'S VERY DEEP.

CAN'T TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT THREE MINUTES.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TED EUBANKS.

TED, YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES.

GOOD EVENING.

JUST SITTING HERE LISTENING TO THIS DISCUSSION IS ONE WHO'S DONE THIS WORK FOR 45 YEARS AND WHO ALSO SITS ON THE AUSTIN PARKS AND REC BOARD.

SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL TONIGHT, IT STRUCK ME LISTENING TO THIS DISCUSSION THAT THE SOLUTION WAS DEVELOPED ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO.

AND AUSTIN'S ABOUT 25 YEARS BEHIND.

IF YOU GO TO A FOREST, A US FOREST SERVICE, YOU WILL FIND THE RECREATION OPPORTUNITY SPECTRUM.

THAT MODEL WAS DEVELOPED, OH MY GOD, 30, 35 YEARS AGO.

I REMEMBER WHEN THAT WE FIRST STARTED WORKING WITH THAT.

THERE'S ALSO CALLED SOMETHING CALLED THE SUSTAINABLE RECREATION MATRIX.

AND IT TAKES ALL THE RECREATIONS IN ONE HAND, WHICH AT PARTS THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND DONE A GREAT JOB IN THIS REPORT, CAPTURING AND ON THIS END FROM PUBLIC USE ARE THE IMPACTS.

AND THAT'S YOUR JOB.

AIR QUALITY, WATER QUALITY, WATER QUANTITY, BIODIVERSITY, URBAN HEAT, ISLAND MITIGATION, ALL THOSE THINGS ARE IN YOUR LAB.

AND THE WAY ONE GETS AT THE NEXUS OF THE TWO IS TO MITIGATE FOR THE IMPACTS.

THE PROBLEM WITH MITIGATION, IT COSTS MONEY.

MITIGATION COSTS MONEY.

AND ONE WAY WE HAVE THE MODEL THAT'S BEEN DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS IS FROM THE USER.

WE GENERATE INCOME FOR MITIGATION.

IF YOU'RE A HUNTER, YOU HAVE A LICENSE, AND LICENSE GOES TO THE STATE AND BLOCK GRANTS FOR LAND AND MANAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GAME.

IF YOU'RE AN ANGLER, YOU BUY A FISHING LICENSE.

SAME THING.

WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR MODEL, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE.

SO RATHER THAN SAYING WHAT'S BAD ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION, WHAT I WOULD ARGUE IS THERE'S A SOLUTION.

THERE'S A VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION, AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU RECOMMEND, AND THAT'S WHAT I PLAN TO BRING TO THE AUSTIN PARKS AND REC BOARD.

DIFFERENT AREAS ARE MAINTAINED DIFFERENTLY.

OUR LAST SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM IS JULIE FISHER.

JULIE, YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES.

HI, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.

MY NAME IS JULIE FISHER AND I'M THE CEO OF THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY.

AND WE ARE THE NONPROFIT STEWARDS OF THE ANN AND ROY BUTLER HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL AT LADY BIRD LAKE.

I'M HERE TONIGHT TO BRIEFLY EXPLAIN WHAT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY LOOKS LIKE ON THE GROUND AND HOW IT CONNECTS TO CARING FOR THE SHORELINE AROUND LADY BIRD LAKE.

THE TRAIL IS ONE OF AUSTIN'S MOST HEAVILY USED PARKS, BUT ALSO A VERY SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

EVERY DAY, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, PETS AND CYCLISTS UTILIZE THE TRAIL ALONG THE LAKE EDGE AND THE FLOODPLAIN.

SO PROTECTING WATER QUALITY AND HABITAT DEPENDS ON ONGOING STEWARDSHIP.

TTCS ROLE IS THE DAY IS IN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONAL CARE OF THE PARK UNDER OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY.

AND A LARGE PART OF THAT IS SHORELINE MANAGEMENT.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE'VE FOCUSED HEAVILY ON EROSION AREAS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECTIONS OF THE FLOODPLAIN, REPAIRING WORN SLOPES, INSTALL OF INSTALLING NATIVE VEGETATION TO HOLD SOIL IN PLACE AND RESTORING HABITATS.

SO THE LANDSCAPE ITSELF PROVIDES PROTECTION ACROSS THE ROUGHLY 300 ACRES OF PARKLAND.

HIGH USE AREAS ARE MANAGED FOR SAFETY AND ACCESS.

WHILE SENSITIVE SECTIONS OF THE SHORELINE FOLLOW THE CITY'S NATURAL AREA MANAGEMENT AND INVASIVE SPECIES STANDARDS.

THAT INCLUDES REMOVING INVASIVE PLANTS, RESTORING PRAIRIE HABITAT, PLANTING MORE THAN MORE THAN 6,400 NATIVE PLANTS, MAINTAINING RAID AND GARDENS AND OTHER GREEN STORMWATER FEATURES THAT HELP FILTER RUNOFF BEFORE IT REACHES THE LAKE.

IN SOME LOCATIONS, WE'VE ALSO TARGETED GOAT GRAZING TO MANAGE VEGETATION, MANAGE

[01:30:01]

VE VEGETATION AND REDUCE THE NEED FOR HERBICIDES.

THIS ONGOING COMMUNITY SUPPORTED WORK IS SUPPORTED WORK.

LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 3,400 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED OVER 7,600 HOURS REMOVING DEBRIS, MULCHING AND PLANTING ALONG THE LAKE EDGE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO US THAT THE TRAIL REMAINS A PUBLIC SPACE.

TTC IS A PROUD NONPROFIT PARTNER WORKING DIRECTLY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

OUR PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE.

AND OUR ROLE IS TO HELP THE CITY CARE FOR THE TRAIL AND KEEP IT ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL FUNDING CONNECTED TO CONCESSIONS, HELPS SUPPORT THAT EVERYDAY CARE REVENUE THAT PREVIOUSLY WENT TO THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND IS NOW REINVESTED DIRECTLY INTO THE PARK SUPPORTING MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION AND STEWARDSHIP.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, CONCESSIONS ARE ONLY ONE PART OF THE PICTURE.

THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY INVESTS MORE INTO PARK OPERATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK EACH YEAR THAN THE CONCESSIONS GENERATE.

THIS REVENUE GOES DIRECTLY TOWARDS MAINTAINING THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE SHORELINE AND THE SURROUNDING PARKLAND.

WE APPRECIATE THE COMMISSION'S FOCUS ON PROTECTING THE LAKE AND SHORELINE, AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THE CITY TO CARE FOR THIS SHARED PUBLIC SPACE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

WE'RE GONNA START WITH ONLINE COMMISSIONERS, UM, FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

UM, AND THEN WHEN WE ARE DONE, WE'RE GONNA TAKE A 10 MINUTE RECESS JUST TO HONE SOME LANGUAGE ON A RECOMMENDATION.

SO WE'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER CHANG.

SET.

UM, I AM KIND OF NEW TO THIS.

I THINK THIS WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR THE CITY, BUT, UM, ARE, IS THERE NO, UH, MANDATE TO SEE, UM, OR I GUESS IS THERE NO EXISTING MANDATE THAT ALLOWS CITIZENS TO VIEW EXACTLY HOW CITY MONEY IS SPENT? SO FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY, IS THERE NO WAY FOR CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THEIR, THEIR BUDGET AND WHAT THAT ALL LOOKS LIKE? GOOD EVENING.

UM, THE LI CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.

JESUS PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.

UM, YOU CAN TELL I'M AN OLD MAN 'CAUSE I TURNED ON MY FLASHLIGHT.

UM, SO THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

AND YOU KNOW, SO I GUESS THE SHORT ANSWER IS, YOU KNOW, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WE DO FROM THE GOVERNMENT STANDPOINT IS, IS PUBLIC INFORMATION IN TERMS OF OUR BUDGETING.

NOW, THERE'S A, THERE'S A COUPLE OF PIECES RELATED AS MAYBE I'LL TAKE A STEP BACK IN TERMS OF HOW SORT OF THAT NEXUS BETWEEN THE CONCESSIONS REPORT THAT WE'RE HERE PRESENTING AND THE PARTNERSHIPS AND THE CONCESSION AND THE, THE CONSERVANCIES THAT, THAT SORT OF HAD BEEN BROUGHT INTO THIS UP UNTIL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

A FEW YEARS AGO, ALL OF THE REVENUE FROM THE CONCESSIONS ON LADY BIRD LAKE WENT DIRECTLY INTO THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE CITY.

AND WHEN THEY GO DIRECTLY INTO THE GENERAL FUND FROM THE CITY, THEN ALL THE DEPARTMENTS SORT OF HAVE TO, UM, ARM WRESTLE, SO TO SPEAK, FOR, FOR FUNDING BACK TO THE DEPARTMENTS.

UH, A FEW YEARS AGO, EPIC SUP WAS A FIRST CONCESSION, HE WHOSE, WHOSE, UM, REVENUES WENT TO TRAIL CONSERVANCY AND THEN THE TRC CONCESSION.

AND, AND THIS YEAR WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA TRANSFER A COUPLE MORE, SO HAVE TRANSFERRED A COUPLE MORE.

AND THE WHOLE IDEA IS, AND AND WE AGREE THAT, THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD RATHER HAVE THAT MONEY BACK AND INVESTED IN THE PARKS AND INVESTED IN THE TRAIL.

SO PART OF THE REASON WE'VE GOT THIS STRUCTURE AS THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH, WITH TRAIL CONSERVANCY IS ALL THE MONEY THAT IS GENERATED FROM THE CONCESSION REVENUE IS, IS GOING BACK INTO THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TRAIL.

NOW, THERE'S A, THERE'S A REPORT THAT'S AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY THAT GIVES YOU A REALLY CLEAR, UH, A BREAKDOWN OF HOW MUCH MONEY IS ACTUALLY GENERATED THROUGH THE, OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH MONEY IS GENERATED FROM CONCESSIONS AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY IS.

UH, THIS TELLS YOU HOW MUCH MONEY IS BEING EXPENDED ON THE TRAIL.

SO TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, JUST, UH, IN 2025, UM, THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WAS RECEIVED BY THE TRUCK CONSERVANCY FOR CONCESSION, UH, PROCEEDS IS ROUGHLY $48,000.

UH, THERE'S A, THERE'S A LUMP SUM PAYMENT STILL DUE TO THE, TO THEM FROM LAST YEAR COMING IN, AND WE WILL COME IN AT SOME POINT IN THIS YEAR.

UM, BUT THEIR TOTAL INVESTMENT ON THE TRAIL, IT'S $851,000 IN OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, UH, $224,000 IN ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION.

AND THAT'S ALL IN THIS REPORT AS WELL.

UH, $196,000 IN FREE IN THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM AND PROGRAMMING AND, AND, AND, AND, UH, EVENTS.

SO THAT'S A TOTAL OF OVER $1.2 MILLION OF, OF, UH, REVENUE THAT WAS GENERATED BY THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY THROUGH THEIR OWN VOLUNTEER EFFORTS, THROUGH THEIR OWN PHILANTHROPY

[01:35:01]

AND, AND FUNDRAISING.

UM, AND, AND THE UP AGAINST A $48,000 REVENUE THAT THEY RECEIVED.

SO IT'S A PRETTY CLEAR, UH, GOOD NEWS STORY FOR THE CITY.

NOW, I, I THINK AT, AT OUR PARKS BOARD, REMEMBER WE AT PARKS BOARD, UH, I GUESS IT WAS LAST WEEK, WE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, SO WHAT, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY DIDN'T EXIST? WELL, IF THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY DIDN'T EXIST, WE AS THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIND THE REVENUE TO, TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY WOULD DO.

AND WE CERTAINLY WOULDN'T DO ALL THE THINGS THAT THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY DOES NOW BECAUSE WE'RE JUST NOT SET UP FOR THAT.

SO THAT'S A REALLY LONG WINDED, WINDED ANSWER TO SOME, TO THAT QUESTION.

BUT, BUT ALL OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THEY SPEND THE MONEY IS IN HERE, AND THEN THE TR THE, UM, CONCESSIONS SORT OF GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT FUNDING THEY RECEIVE.

NOW, IN ADDITION TO CONCESSION, UH, REVENUE, THE ONLY MONEY THAT'S THE CITY PAYS OUT TO OUR PARTNERS.

THE PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY HAS A, HAS A PMA AS WELL.

THEY GET ROUGHLY $36,000 FROM THE CITY TO, TO OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS FOR UTILITIES AND TRASH AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT DOESN'T COVER THE WHOLE COST, BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY RECEIVE.

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE GETS ABOUT $8,000 A YEAR FROM US TO SUPPORT THE WORK THAT THEY DO IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

THAT'S ALL THE REVENUE THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THESE PARTNERS.

UM, THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

UM, I'LL STAY JUST IN CASE.

SURE.

THERE'S, I MEAN, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A FEELING OF, UM, A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FOR, FOR A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

AND I, I THINK MAYBE PART OF THAT, I'M NOT SURE WHERE THAT, UM, LIKE BUDGET IS LOCATED, BUT I THINK PERHAPS IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO CREATE SOMETHING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ALLOWS THEM TO CLEARLY SEE HOW MUCH MONEY IS BEING GIVEN FROM THESE CONCESSIONS, AND THEN HOW MUCH OF IT COMES BACK TO SOMETHING THAT THAT IS IMPACTING THEM AND, AND THEIR PARKS THAT THEY'RE USING.

UM, BECAUSE I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY WE SAW A LOT OF, UH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS COME UP AND TALK TODAY.

SO THIS IS NOT LIKE A, AN ISOLATED ONE PERSON ISSUE.

LIKE THERE'S A AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF OF YEAH.

JUST A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, I THINK.

UM, AND I, I REALLY JUST WANNA EMPHASIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS FOR THE COMMUNITY, RIGHT? CORRECT.

SO, UM, THEY'RE THE PEOPLE THAT, THAT SHOULD FEEL LIKE THEY CAN TRUST EXACTLY WHERE THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY IS GOING.

UM, AND SO YEAH, IF, IF THERE'S A WAY TO PUT TOGETHER SOME SORT OF SMALLER REPORT THAT IS AVAILABLE TO, UM, THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THERE'S SORT OF THAT DELAY ON THE AUDIT, UM, I DON'T KNOW.

I, I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT WAYS TO PUT THAT, YOU KNOW, TO REST A LITTLE BIT LIKE, BUT IN A POSITIVE WAY.

UM, HISTORICALLY WE DON'T HAVE ANY SORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT INFORMATION THAT IS ADDED TO THIS.

NO, I, I, I AGREE.

AND, AND, AND ABSOLUTELY, YOU KNOW, WE, WE CAN DO BETTER ON THE WHOLE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE IN TERMS OF JUST SHARING MORE INFORMATION AS YOU SAY, WE HAVE THE INFORMATION.

AND NOW CERTAINLY THESE OTHER, THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE PARTNER WITH ARE NOT, WE DON'T CONTROL THEM, RIGHT? THEY'RE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND THEY HAVE THEIR OWN BOARDS AND THEY HAVE THEIR OWN GOVERNANCE THERE.

BUT IN AS MUCH AS, AS THEY'RE RECEIVING FUNDING FROM THE CITY, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT HOW THEY'RE SPENDING IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT THIS, THIS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP REPORT DOES.

AND IT TELLS YOU EXACTLY HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'RE SPENDING.

IN FACT, THOSE, THE, THE, THE, THE FOUR PARTNERS THAT I MENTIONED, UH, THE, WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I MENTIONED THEM, THE, THE PEACE PARK TRAIL CONSERVANCY, DAA AND, AND AT THIS POINT, UMOFF HAVE, HAVE CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $3.6 MILLION OF BENEFIT TO THE CITY AND FOR THOSE PARTNERSHIPS AND ALREADY ARTICULATED HOW MUCH WE'RE ACTUALLY GIVING THEM.

SO WE, WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF TELLING THAT STORY.

AND WE'RE, WE'RE PUSHING OUR, OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS TO BE EVEN MORE TRANSPARENT BECAUSE WE, WE ALSO WANNA BE, BE ABLE TO, TO, TO, TO STAND BEHIND THESE PARTNERSHIPS.

'CAUSE WE DO, YOU KNOW, WE FUNDAMENTALLY BELIEVE, I FUNDAMENTALLY BELIEVE THAT DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THAT PARTNERSHIPS ARE GOOD FOR OUR WORK.

WE CAN'T DO THE WORK OF STEWARDING THESE PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEMS BY OURSELVES.

WE JUST CAN'T COUNCIL DIRECTORS TO, TO, TO, TO, TO SEEK OUT MORE PARTNERSHIPS.

AND WE'RE DOING THAT.

AND THERE IS A PUBLIC BENEFIT THAT'S COMING OUT OF THAT.

AND I'LL ALSO SAY, THIS ISN'T JUST AN AUSTIN THING.

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING, AND THEY CONTINUE TO DO IT.

NOW, CAN WE DO BETTER AND HAVE TIGHTEN TIGHTER RELATIONSHIPS? ABSOLUTELY.

AND, AND YOU CAN ASK OUR, OUR PARTNERS ABOUT HOW WE ARE REALLY PUSHING 'EM THIS YEAR TO BE EVEN MORE TRANSPARENT TO JUST TO MAKE SURE AGAIN, THAT WE CAN, WE CAN SORT OF TAMP DOWN SOME OF THE FEARS AND CONCERNS, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS A GOOD NEWS STORY FOR ALL OF US.

UM, MY OTHER QUESTION IS, UM, RELATED TO THIS REPORT AND WHY IT IS THAT,

[01:40:01]

YEAH, YEAH.

I, I, I THINK WHAT I'LL, WHAT I'LL SAY TO THAT IS, IS HISTORICALLY WE'VE PRESENTED THIS REPORT LITERALLY, UH, IN, IN RESPONSE TO WHAT IT REQUIRES US TO DO IN THE CODE.

UM, AND YOU KNOW, THE FIRST SLIDE THAT, THAT, THAT KAREN SHARED AT THE VERY BEGINNING SORT OF TELLS YOU THAT THE, THE FOUR THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE IN THIS REPORT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE PUT TOGETHER.

AND I KNOW LAST YEAR YOU ALL HAD LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, UH, ASKING COUNCIL TO COME BACK AND, AND REQUIRE OTHER THINGS.

LIKE WE'RE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO ENGAGE IN A DISCUSSION AND, AND REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ALL AS A COMMISSIONER ARE LOOKING FOR.

AND THEN WE AS A DEPARTMENT CAN DETERMINE WHETHER THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO, UH, RIGHT NOW, THAT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT, THAT IS PART OF THIS CONCESSIONS REPORT AND THAT'S WHY WE DON'T REPORT ON IT.

BUT YOU DO AS A DEPARTMENT DO, UM, LIKE ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKS AND YOU SURE.

KEEP TRACK OF THE STATE OF CERTAIN PARKS.

I'M WONDERING IF THAT INFORMATION ALREADY EXISTS AND IF YOU THINK THAT IT'S FEASIBLE TO PUT THAT INFORMATION INTO A SINGLE DOCUMENT.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S AN ISSUE OF THE, THE DATA NOT BEING THERE.

I THINK RIGHT NOW IT PROBABLY EXISTS IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT SPOTS.

SURE.

AM I CORRECT IN, IN THAT IN TERMS OF, OF INFORMATION AND DATA WITH REGARDS TO SORT OF THE VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND THE WORK THAT WE DO ACROSS THE SYSTEM? SURE.

AND, AND WE DON'T DO THAT ALONE.

WE DO THAT WITH WATERSHED PROTECTION, WE DO THAT WITH AUSTIN WATER, LCRA AND OTHERS.

I THINK WITH REGARDS TO THE SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE CONCESSIONS, I'M NOT SURE WE HAVE THAT DATA.

AND, AND I'LL LOOK TO THE TEAM AND SEE IF THAT EXISTS, BUT I, I HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

NOW WE COULD, WE COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS.

I KNOW THAT, THAT ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE CONCESSIONAIRES HAS TO, UM, THE ONE THAT HAS AN ONBOARD BATHROOM HAS TO DO SOME ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING AND, AND, AND SORT OF SOME ASSURANCES THERE.

BUT BEYOND THAT, IN TERMS OF WHAT IS THE ACTUAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF EACH OF THESE CONCESSIONS, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE, UM, SORT OF A, A DATA SET THAT TELLS US THAT AT THIS POINT.

AND THEN WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FEASIBILITY WOULD BE, UM, TO REQUIRE THAT FROM THE VENDORS? SO WITH THEIR REPORT, THEY ALSO GIVE YOU THEIR OWN ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT THEY'VE HAD OVER THE YEAR? UH, LOOK, I, I THINK, I THINK I, I'D BE HAPPY TO, TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AND, AND, AND HEAR FROM YOU ALL ON SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT IS THAT, THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN TERMS OF THAT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

UM, AND, AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITHIN, WITHIN THE CONSTRUCT OF A CONCESSION CONTRACT, RIGHT? BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A CONTRACT THAT THAT, THAT, UM, THEY'RE ALL, UM, OPERATING UNDER THAT HAS VERY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS, REVENUE, ET CETERA.

IT DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE ANY, ANY REQUIREMENTS IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

YEAH, I I DEFINITELY THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WORTH CHATTING ABOUT.

SURE.

UM, OBVIOUSLY THE COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACTS THAT, UM, THESE VENDORS ARE HAVING ON, YOU KNOW, THE PARKLAND AND BEING THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.

I, I THINK THAT IS SHOULD BE NUMBER ONE CONCERN, BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE MAKING MONEY FOR THE PARK, IF THERE IS NO PARK THAT, THAT, I MEAN, ABSOLUTELY.

AND, AND, AND, AND I'LL I'LL I'LL SAY ONE LAST THING IN REGARDS TO THAT.

THERE, THERE'S, THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A TENSION BETWEEN SORT OF A COUPLE OF SIDES OF OUR MISSION AS A DEPARTMENT, RIGHT? AS STEWARDS OF LAND AND WATER, ET CETERA, VERSUS AS, AS BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATING A SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS TO, TO, TO RECREATE.

SO THERE IS THAT RECREATION PART, AND THEN THERE'S SORT OF THE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, CONSERVATION, ALL OF THOSE PARTS.

AND THERE'S ALWAYS GONNA BE THAT TENSION.

UM, THE, THE OTHER PIECE ABOUT CONCESSIONS, IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT US SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT, THAT, THAT OPERATE ON THE LAKE, BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT PROVIDING THESE TYPES OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC WHEN THEY VISIT, THOUGH.

SO IT, IT'S, IT'S A, IT'S A, IT'S A, IT'S ALWAYS GONNA BE AN INTERESTING, NOT A CONFLICT, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS GONNA BE SOME, SOME BACK AND FORTH WE'VE GOTTA FIGURE OUT.

BUT, BUT, BUT, BUT CERTAINLY TO YOUR POINT, WE'D BE HAPPY TO, TO, TO HAVE A CONVERSATION OR IF YOU ALL AS A, AS A COMMISSION, UH, WANNA RECOMMEND SPECIFIC THINGS THAT YOU THINK BASED ON THE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES THAT THESE CONCESSIONAIRES ARE CONDUCTING ON THE LAKE THAT YOU WOULD WANT SOME DATA ON, WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION TO SEE IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO.

THANKS SO MUCH.

YEAH, I AGREE.

I, I MEAN, I KNOW IT'S A CAREFUL BALANCE TO STRIKE, UM, BUT I DO THINK THAT THEY CAN BE DONE HAND IN HAND AND ACTUALLY ENHANCE ONE ANOTHER.

AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE, THE DIFFICULT PARTS OF YOUR JOB IS, IS LEADING THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT'S HAPPENING.

SO THE ONLY ONE, THANK

[01:45:01]

YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT.

COMMISSIONER FIERRO? NO QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER MORTA, LES.

ECOLOGICAL BASE LAND CONDITIONS.

SO IT WAS A LOT.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT AS COMMISSIONERS, WE BASE OUR INPUT AND OUR RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE REPORTS, UH, THAT WE GET.

AND WE TRUST THE CITY AND WE TRUST THE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT COME AND TALK TO US AND EXPOSE THEIR CONCERNS.

UM, SO IF THE DATA THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS IS ALL OVER AROUND, MEANING ONE PART IS IN WATERSHED DEPARTMENT, THE OTHER PART IS IN PARKS AND REC, THEN IT IS VERY EASY TO THROW THE BALLS BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS AND NOT REALLY GIVING US THE, THE, THE INFORMATION IN A WAY THAT WE CAN GET THE FULL STORY.

SO I THINK, UH, WHAT YOU SAID WAS THAT, UH, THE REPORT WAS WRITTEN BASED ON WHAT THE CODE SAID.

SO IT IS, I'M DOING WHAT IT SAID, I WASH MY HANDS AND SI LOOK THE OTHER WAY AND THIS IS IT.

AND I THINK AT, AT A, DOING THE BARE MINIMUM IN THIS TYPE OF SITUATIONS WHERE WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY WHO IS VERY, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT IT SHOULD BE, IT SHOULD BE DONE MORE WITH MORE CAUTION.

UH, AND I'VE BEEN READING THE REPORT AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO, THERE IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION, AND WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO TRY TO FIND THIS AS EASY SAID, LIKE TRY TO FIND A WAY THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

UH, AND WE HEARD THIS AMAZING PRESENTATION SAYING HOW GOOD SOME CONCESSIONS, LIKE HOW SMALL BUSINESSES DO THEY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, THEY HAVE KIDS COMING, THEY, THEY GIVE FREE CLASSES, ALL OF THIS STUFF, WHICH IS, WHICH IS AMAZING.

UH, SO I DON'T THINK AT THIS POINT WE ARE DECIDING WHETHER CONCESSIONS SHOULD EXIST OR NOT, BUT WHAT AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO, TO ANSWER I THINK IS LIKE, WHAT MEASURABLE, MEASURABLE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS SHOULD WE MAINTAIN IN THESE PLACES REGARDLESS OF CONCESSIONS ACTIVITIES? AND WE CAN, AND THIS IS WHEN LIKE, WE BECOME USEFUL BECAUSE THEN WE CAN SAY, WE CAN CHOOSE OR DETERMINE WHAT PARAMETERS WE SHOULD, UH, WE SHOULD MEASURE AND HAVE A BEFORE AND AFTER THESE CONCESSIONS.

UH, I THINK, UM, HAVING, I DON'T KNOW HOW FEASIBLE AND HOW GOOD WOULD BE FOR THE SAME SMALL BUSINESS TO PAY A CONTRACTOR TO DO THEIR ANALYSIS ON WATER QUALITY, TURBIDITY, VEGETATION COVER AFTER THEY USE THE PIECE OF PROPERTY WILL BE.

AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE THE CITY WHO AS AN ENTITY, CHECKS THE BEFORE AND AFTER OF, UM, OF GIVING THIS PIECE OF LAND, WHICH WE KNOW THAT IS THE LAND OF ALL OF US, THE COMMUNITY WHO LIVE THERE.

UH, SO I, I WAS TR REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE REPORT AND LOOKING WHAT ARE THE, THESE ECOLOGICAL BASELINES CONDITIONS, WATER QUALITY, HABITING CONDITION, BANK STABILITY, VEGETATION COVER ALL OF THESE THAT SURROUND THESE CONCESSION SITES TO GET THOSE BASELINES AND EVALUATE FUTU FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE CONTRACT OR RENEWAL OR SIMPLY SAYING NO MORE.

SO I THINK AT THIS POINT, IT'S A MATTER OF DECIDING, CHOOSING WHICH PARAMETERS WE'RE MEASURING THE BEFORE AND AFTER, AND DECIDING WHETHER, UH, A CONCESSION SHOULD BE RENEWED BASED ON HOW GOOD HOLISTICALLY, NOT ONLY HOW MUCH MONEY WE GET FROM THEM, BUT ALSO HOW, HOW GOOD THEY DO TO, TO THE SOCIETY BASED ON NUMBERS.

I THINK WE NEED NUMBERS.

WE NEED NUMBER OF KIDS THAT LEARN THIS THING OR NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WERE ABLE TO GET TRAINED ON SOMETHING, UH, IF THEY WERE PART OF ANY, UH, RESTORATION, UH, PROJECT.

UH, AND ON TOP OF THAT, THE MONEY AND ON TOP OF THAT, THE BEFORE AND AFTER IN, UH, THE

[01:50:01]

SO I THINK I, I, I TRULY FEEL EMPATHY WITH THE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME AND TALK.

AND, UH, ON MY SIDE, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I I, THAT I AM, I I AGREE AND THAT I AM GOING TO DO AS MUCH AS I CAN TO, TO HELP YOU, UH, AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND AND GET TO A COMMITMENT, TRY TO GET, UH, TRY TO GET, UH, AS EASY SAID SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE WHERE WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER.

THE ONLY THING I WANNA, WELL, I WANNA JUST START OFF BY ONE QUICK RESPONSE, WHICH IS THAT I, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT OUR TEAM IS DOING THE BARE MINIMUM.

THEY DO A LOT, AND THIS IS A REPORT THAT THEY'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH, AND THEY'RE DOING THEIR BEST TO, TO, TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE VARIOUS DEMANDS THAT WE HAVE.

SO IT ISN'T THAT OUR STAFF SAYING, WELL, WE'RE JUST GONNA DO THIS, OR I'M SAYING, WE'RE, DO THIS AND SORT OF WASH OUR HANDS.

WE CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE CARE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTION ON PARKS AND RECREATION PROPERTY THAT, THAT WE'RE STEWARDS OF.

AND AGAIN, VERY HAPPY TO ENGAGE IN A CONVERSATION AND GET SOME GUIDANCE FROM YOU ON WHAT ARE THE, SOME, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN THINK ABOUT.

AND THEN WE'LL TAKE, WE'LL, WE'LL GO BACK AND SEE IF ANY OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS COULD BE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE CURRENT STRUCTURE, WHICH INCLUDES CONTRACT CONTRACTS THAT, THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE.

UM, AND, AND, AND JUST TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT, THAT WE'RE STEWARDING THESE PROPERTIES IN A WAY THAT, THAT, THAT ENSURES THAT THEY WILL REMAIN HEALTHY AND, AND AROUND FOR THE REST OF THE, SO YEAH.

JUST ONE MORE THING.

SO IF, IF, IF THESE THINGS ARE BEING DONE, THEN WHY, UM, I DON'T REMEMBER, I'M SO SORRY.

A PERSON WHO CAME AND TALKED AND GAVE THE HISTORICAL, LIKE, UM, HOW IN 20 24, 20 25, WE HAVE ALREADY ASKED FOR A, A ECOLOGICAL BASELINE CONDITIONS AND MEASURE THESE BEFORE AND AFTER, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE.

I THINK PART OF THE REPORT WAS LAST YEAR WHEN WE PRESENTED THIS REPORT, YOU ALL AS COMMISSIONERS HAD A LOT OF ROBUST DISCUSSION ABOUT THOSE ITEMS. AND YOU, YOU'RE THE, THE, THE, I BELIEVE THE RECOMMENDATION YOU MADE WAS ACTUALLY TO COUNSEL TO, TO REQUIRE CHANGES TO THIS.

RIGHT? AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE COMPLIANT WITH THE CODE.

AND, AND AGAIN, I, IT, IT, IT, IT ISN'T THAT WE JUST WANNA DO THE BARE MINIMUM.

WE'RE JUST DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

SO IF, IF YOU HELP, IF YOU MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR US, WE'LL CONSIDER THEM.

IF COUNCIL COMES BACK AND SAYS, YOU, YOU SHOULD DO A, B, AND C, THEN WE'LL OBVIOUSLY DO THOSE THINGS AS WELL.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S GOTTA BE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN YOU ALL AND YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU ALL IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THEN, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HAPPY TO ENGAGE IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER BRIMER, THANK YOU.

YEP.

UH, THAT WAS A VERY COMPLETE REPORT AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU PUT INTO THAT.

IT WAS VERY GOOD.

UH, I GUESS GOING ON FROM THERE, I THINK THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED NOT ONLY IN THIS MEETING, BUT IN, UH, THE PARTS BOARD MEETING THAT OCCURRED, UH, I GUESS AT THE END OF JANUARY AND AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING, UH, LAST YEAR.

BUT, UH, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, JUST KIND OF CONSOLIDATE ALL THIS, THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF THE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONS IS TO CREATE A TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN THE CITY DEPARTMENTS AND THE PUBLIC, AND, UH, PROVIDE A PUBLIC FORUM TO SHARE THE CONCERNS, VOICE THE OPINIONS OF THE DEPARTMENTS, AND OPENLY STATE THEIR PLANS AND FOSTER CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THE CITY AND THE DEPARTMENTS.

AND AS, UH, COMMISSIONER, UH, OUR DIRECTOR GARY, UH, MENTIONED THE PARKS ARE THE NEXUS OF THE PUBLIC USE OF THE LAND.

AND ONE HAND THERE'S THE NEED FOR PUBLIC RECREATIONS, YOU KNOW, BALL FIELDS AND, UH, SWIMMING POOLS, SWING SETS, CONCERTS, ART.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE'S THE NEED TO PRESERVE NATURE, UH, YOU KNOW, THE TREES, GRASSLAND SOIL, RIPARIAN AREAS, THAT SORT OF THING.

AND MAINTAINING THE ECOLOGY AND THE CLIMATE OF THE AREA.

SO WE HAVE SOME CONFLICTS THERE THAT, UH, DIRECTOR AGIRI, UH, REFERENCED NOT ONLY, YOU KNOW, JUST NOW, BUT IN HIS, UH, PRESENTATION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION LAST YEAR AND AT THE PARKS BOARD.

SO WE'RE, WE'RE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THIS, HOWEVER, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT EACH FOOTFALL THAT WE MAKE IN ZILKER PARK HAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

AND THE DECISION TO ALLOW ANY TYPE OF CONCESSION WITHIN THE PARK HAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SOME SORT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY, THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION TO BALANCE PUBLIC ACCESS AGAINST THE POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE TO THE ECOSYSTEM THAT WAS DONATED BY ANDREW JACKSON ZILKER IN THE EARLY 19 HUNDREDS.

NOW, THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION'S RESPONSIBILITY IS TO ADVISE THE CITY MANAGER AND THE COUNCIL AS TO THE PROTECTION OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ENSURE THE HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF ALL THE

[01:55:01]

CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

THIS IS FOUND IN CITY CODE TWO DASH ONE DASH 1 44, AND THAT STATES THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.

AND AS I SAID, MANY OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BY THE COMMISSIONERS, THE CITIZENS WHO SPOKE, AS WELL AS, UH, MEMBERS OF THE, UH, YOU KNOW, STAFF HAVE ADDRESSED THIS THIS EVENING.

NOW THE CONCESSIONS ARE SPECIFICALLY WHAT WE'RE ADDRESSING TONIGHT.

AND AS PART OF THE CONCESSION OR PART OF THE DISCUSSION, WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED TO THESE CONCESSIONAIRES ON WHAT IS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE PREMIER HIGHEST VALUE PROPERTY AND CITY PARK WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE ABILITY TO LEVERAGE THE VALUE TO PROVIDE MONEY TO MAINTAIN AND SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT.

OKAY? SO THE QUESTION THAT HAS TO BE ASKED IS NOT ONLY ARE THE CONCESSIONS WELL MANAGED, THE FRANCHISES ISSUED IN AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE MANNER, CONSISTENT WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF EQUITY FREE ENTERPRISE, AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY PROVIDE A VALUABLE RECREATIONAL OUTLETS TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR SITUATION, BUT ARE THEY, AND THE ASSOCIATED NONPROFITS OPERATE IN AN OPEN, TRANSPARENT MANNER THAT ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO SEE HOW THE MONEY IS GENERATED BY THESE CONCESSIONS AND RECYCLED BACK TO THE PARKS TO MAINTAIN AN ENVIRONMENT.

AND FURTHER, THE CITY'S CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS SET FORTH IN VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ISSUED BY THE CITY, AND RECOMMENDED BY THIS COMMISSION AND OTHER CITY COMMISSIONS, NONPROFIT MEETINGS WHERE ALLOCATION OF FUNDING FOR CITY FUNDING FOR CITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS ARE NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

IN ESSENCE, THE QUESTION WE SHOULD BE ASKING IS JUST HOW MUCH MONEY FROM THE CONCESSIONS IS APPLIED TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE INITIATIVES WITHIN THE PARK SYSTEM AND SPECIFICALLY ZILKER PARK.

OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO REVIEW THE CONCESSIONS REPORT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT SHOULD BE SAID THAT EVERY DOLLAR SPENT, EVERY DECISION MADE IN A PARK HAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

THE DECISION TO HOLD LARGE SCALE PUBLIC EVENT WITH HAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE, A LARGE STRUCTURE HAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL COST.

CONCESSIONS INTRUDE INTO THE RIP PURINE AREAS.

FLOODPLAINS, THEY CREATE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, TRASH IMPACT, FISH, WILDLIFE, INTRUDE INTO MIGRATORY FLYWAYS AND HAVE OTHER REAL IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND BIODIVERSITY, CRASH PICKUPS, TREE PLANNING, VOLUNTEER EFFORTS, AND FREE COMMUNITY OUTREACH VIA AMENITIES ARE NOT ALWAYS ADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN MANY CASES.

THESE ARE FALSE EQUIVALENCIES.

I WOULD GO LIKE TO GO BACK TO LAST YEAR'S RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY NOW CHAIR BRISTOL, WHICH ENCOURAGED THE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT REVENUE STREAM TO FUND FUND CITY PARKS.

SO THE AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION IS NOT RELIANT ON THE GENERAL FUND FOR SUPPORT.

ADDITIONALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE AMENDMENTS TO THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WERE NOT ADDRESSED LAST YEAR.

AND FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THAT DETAILS BE ADDED TO THE AMOUNT OF SUCCESSION REVENUE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY USED TO SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENTAL EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES OF CITY PARKS.

NOW, I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AND I WASN'T GOING, BUT BEFORE I GO INTO THOSE, I WASN'T GONNA BRING THIS UP, BUT SINCE, UH, JULIE FISHER AND DIRECTOR GARY ADDRESSED THIS, I AM GONNA BRING THIS UP.

THERE WAS MENTION THAT $800,000 WAS SPENT BY, UH, THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY ON RECYCLED INTO THE BUTLER HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITY, YOU KNOW, VARIOUS PROJECTS BETWEEN 2023 AND 2025.

PARKS AND RECREATION SPENT $2,327,870 AND 61 CENTS TO THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY.

OF THAT MONEY, $425,000 WAS SPENT IN GRANTS.

THE SOURCES OF THIS INFORMATION IS A WEBSITE CALLED AUSTIN FINANCE ONLINE.

THIS IS A PUBLIC ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN GO FIND OUT ANYTHING THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN WROTE.

CHECK FOR NOW, THIS $425,000 IN GRANTS INCLUDES PUBLIC ART CONSULTING.

SO LET'S BE PERFECTLY

[02:00:01]

CLEAR, OKAY? WE SPENT $2 MILLION SINCE 2023 GIVING TO THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY AND WE GOT BACK $800,000.

NOW, WE CAN QUIBBLE OVER THIS A LITTLE BIT IF YOU WANT TO AND ALL THIS OTHER SORT OF STUFF, BUT LET'S GET REAL HERE.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE FUNDING, WE BEING THE PARK SYSTEM IS FUNDING THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY.

THEY ARE NOT LIVING OFF OF PURELY DONATIONS THAT YOU AND I SEND IN FOR $25.

OKAY? THAT'S JUST NOT HAPPENING.

SO THERE'S THAT COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT, WHAT SOURCE YOU GOT THAT FROM? I'M NOT, I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH AUSTIN.

AUSTIN FINANCE ONLINE, RIGHT? THIS IS, THIS IS A WEBSITE THAT YOU CAN GO ONTO THAT SHOWS, WHAT I'M TOLD IS, IS THIS REFERRING TO THE PARKLAND IMPROVEMENT? A IS THIS A CAPITAL PROJECT? NO, IT IS NOT.

IT IS A WEBSITE THAT IS ANECDOTALLY REFERRED TO AS THE CITY'S CHECKBOOK.

IT SHOWS WHERE ANY TIME AS A PAYMENT IS MADE BY THE CITY TO ANYONE, I MEAN ANYONE THAT IT SHOWS UP THERE, IT JUST SHOWS ALL THE OUTFLOW.

NO, I, I UNDERSTAND THAT PART, BUT I'M SORRY.

AND SO THIS IS, AND I CAN EMAIL YOU THE LINK.

YEAH, NO, THAT'D BE HELPFUL.

I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHICH PROJECT THIS IS REFERRING TO.

AND I'VE GOT, I'VE GOT SEVERAL LINKS THAT SHOW DIFFERENT PIECES OF INFORMATION.

THIS IS JUST ONE THAT WAS SENT.

WHICH ARE YOU REFERRING? OH, I'M SORRY.

I CAN'T SEE IT.

WELL, YOU CAN SEE IT NOW.

OH, IT'S GRANTS TO SUBRECIPIENTS.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING? WELL, I MEAN, I CAN, I CAN FLIP BACK AND FORTH BEHIND DIFFERENT SCREENS, UHHUH, BUT THE TOTAL IS $2.3 MILLION RIGHT NOW.

I'VE PULLED UP THE GRANTS AND YOU CAN SHOVEL THROUGH THERE AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE FOR.

SO, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THIS STUFF IS HERE.

THIS IS REALLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION.

THIS IS NOT SAUCE.

NOW CAN YOU MAKE SURE YOUR MICROPHONE IS CLOSE TO YOU, JUST SO FOLKS CAN HEAR YOU? YEAH, CAN YOU, ALRIGHT, NOW I'M GONNA GET SOME FIRST.

OH, SORRY, YOU WANNA, I, I'VE GOT ISHA GONNA JUST CLARIFYING THAT IF THIS IS, HE'S REFERRING OH, AND YOUR MICROPHONE'S OFF.

I'M SORRY.

UM, NO, I WAS JUST CLARIFYING.

HE, HE, HE SHOWED ME, UM, WHAT HE WAS LOOKING AT AND THAT'S AUSTIN FINANCE ONLINE, WHICH IS HOW THE CITY'S FINANCIAL, HOW WE MANAGE, UM, THE CITY'S FINANCES, HOW THINGS ARE PAID.

AND, AND WHAT HE WAS LOOKING AT WAS THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WENT OUT.

AND ONE OF THEM WAS THE GRANTS, WHICH HE REFERENCED.

SO IT WAS, UM, HOW WE PAY IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

SO, AND HE, IT JUST ACCOUNTS FOR IT ALL.

AND, AND YOU CAN FIND THIS SURE.

FOR ANYTHING, I'LL TAKE A LOOK IN THE CITY FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT.

SO IT'S NOT JUST PARK STUFF, I JUST SAY THIS IS, I, I REALLY FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE SAID.

AND I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

IF YOU ALL WOULD JUST, YOU ALL WOULD JUST POINT OF ORDER WHAT YOU'RE SPENDING AND WHAT YOU'RE GIVING, PEOPLE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DIG AROUND AND TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT FOR THEMSELVES.

IF YOU WOULD BE TRANSPARENT, THIS WHOLE THING WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER.

HALLELUJAH.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

I'M SORRY, WE HAVE TO KEEP IT ON THE COMMISSIONERS RIGHT NOW.

NOW I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUES.

FIRST OF ALL, DID THE PARKS DEPARTMENT APPROVE THIS THING LAST ON JULY 29TH? I'M NOT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THING YOU'RE REFERRING TO.

WELL, THIS, THIS PRESENTATION THAT YOU MADE HERE, IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT OR PARKS BOARD, UH, ON JULY 29TH OR JANUARY 29TH.

I DON'T KNOW, SOMETHING IT WAS OH, THE, THE CONCESSION REPORT TO THE PARKS BOARD.

CONCESSION.

SO THIS APPROVED BY THE PARKS BOARD? IT WAS THE DRAFT REPORT WAS PRESENTED? YES, IT WAS MM-HMM .

SO IT WAS PRESENTED, IT WAS NOT PRESENTED.

IT WAS NOT APPROVED.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S IMPORTANT.

I'LL, AND, AND I WILL CLARIFY A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT.

THIS WAS A RESCHEDULED MEETING THAT GIVEN THE RESCHEDULING AND, AND THE NEED TO, TO, TO, BECAUSE OF RULES OR ORDER IT, THE NEED TO HAVE, UM, UM, QUORUM ANY EITHER ABSTENTION OR VOTE AGAINST, WOULD'VE HAD ANY, WOULD WOULD'VE HAD ANYTHING THAT'S PRESENTED TO THEM FAIL.

SO WE WEREN'T ABLE TO, TO MOVE THOSE THINGS FORWARD.

IT WAS A MUCH SMALLER MEETING THAT HAD SOME, UH, QUORUM CHALLENGES.

I, I UNDERSTAND.

BUT IT DIDN'T PASS IS THE POINT.

IT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.

NOW, WHEN YOU'RE EVALUATING, UH, THE VARIOUS CONCESSIONS, DO YOU GRADE THEM ON THEIR ABILITY TO MEET VARIOUS CRITERIA AS FAR AS THE ENVIRONMENT GOES? I MEAN, HOW WELL THEY TREAT THE ENVIRONMENT? DO YOU EVALUATE CONCESSIONS ON THAT BASIS AT ALL? CURRENTLY, AS, AS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING CURRENTLY, THAT IS NOT PART OF THE THINGS THAT WE EVALUATE.

PROVIDE, UM, FEEDBACK AND IT'S, UH, RATED BASED ON WHAT THEY WILL DO.

THAT'S FINE.

UH, BUT EXCEPT DANISHA IS GONNA ADD TO THAT.

BUT WE DO, WE, WE'VE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION SOME OF YOUR FEEDBACK AND WE'VE INCORPORATED THAT INTO THE SCOPE OF WORK.

AND WHEN WE, UH, HAVE THEM PROVIDE A PROPOSAL, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH THE RFP PROCESS, NOW THROUGH THE LEGACY CONCESSION PROCESS, UM, THEY DO

[02:05:01]

AND WITH RFPS, OF COURSE IT'S AWARDED BASED ON TOTAL SCORE.

AND SO, BUT THAT IS HA AND HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO SCOPES THE WORK FROM PREVIOUS FEEDBACK FROM ENVIRONMENTAL AND THE PARKS BOARD.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

UM, I NOTICED THAT ABOUT HALF THE CONCESSIONAIRES ARE WORKING ON A YEAR BY YEAR CONTRACT.

IS THAT NORMAL? 'CAUSE UH, YOU KNOW, HISTORICALLY THEY'VE WORKED ON MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT, YOU KNOW, 10 YEAR, 20 YEAR, FIVE YEAR, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

HALF OF THEM SEEM TO BE WORKING ON YEAR TO YEAR CONTRACTS.

YEAH, SO NO, NOT NORMALLY THAT WOULD BE THE CASE.

UM, WE WOULD HAVE A LONGSTANDING CONTRACT GENERALLY 10, 15 YEARS, 20 YEARS.

IT DEPENDS ON THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THEY WOULD NEED TO DO ONCE IT, IT'S A NEW CONCESSION OR THEY NEED TO ESTABLISH, UM, ANY INFRASTRUCTURE OR ANYTHING AT THAT FACILITY.

UNFORTUNATELY, OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS WE'VE BEEN IN A PRECARIOUS, I'LL USE THE SAME THING, A POSITION WHERE, UM, THERE WAS SOME, UM, TRY, WE WERE TRYING TO DETERMINE, AND THIS IS THE CITY, NOT JUST THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, UM, WHO WOULD ESTABLISH THESE CONTRACTS AND THEN, UM, ESSENTIALLY GO OUT FOR BID OR HOW THEY WOULD, WHO WOULD, WHO WOULD DRAFT THEM AND, AND, UM, ISSUE THEM.

AND SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH ALSO NOW INCLUDES THE REAL ESTATE OFFICE OF THE REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

AND SO OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, UM, THEY WERE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO DETERMINE, BECAUSE THERE'S ALSO SOME CODE REQUIREMENTS, UM, WHO WOULD BE BEST TO ISSUE THESE CONTRACTS? SO DURING THIS TIME, UM, IN ORDER, SO WE WOULD HAVE CONTINUATION OF SERVICES, UM, EVEN, UH, CENTRAL PROCUREMENT THROUGH REAL ESTATE COUNSELED ONE OF OUR SOLICITATIONS.

AND SO WE CONTINUED TO EXTEND THEM.

WE'VE RECENTLY EXTENDED SOME FOR THE FACT THAT, UM, WITH A RC AUSTIN ROWING CLUB, UM, WHERE THEY LOCATED AT, UM, IS ALSO PART OF THAT, UH, RAILWAY.

AND SO WE NEEDED TO EXTEND THEM BECAUSE IT WAS STILL NEEDING TO BE DETERMINED.

UM, WOULD THEY STILL BE THERE? AND THEN ONCE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE WOULD BE A TEAR DOWN DEMOLITION AND THEN A, A REBUILD, UM, THEN WE NEED TO EXTEND IT UNTIL THEY COULD AT LEAST HAVE THROUGH THE POINT OF DEMOLITION.

SO, UM, IT, IT'S, IT IS NOT NORMAL PRACTICE.

NO, THAT'S OKAY.

I JUST, IT WAS AN ANOMALY.

I SAW WHEN I WAS REVIEWING THE, THE PRESENTATION, I WAS JUST CURIOUS, UM, IN REVIEWING ALL THE CONTRACTS, I WAS ABLE TO GET AHOLD OF, UH, THERE'S A INCONSISTENCY IN THE NATURE OF THE CONTRACTS.

NOW I UNDERSTAND THEY WERE SIGNED OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THEY'VE BEEN ROLLED OVER, BUT SPECIFICALLY THE, YOU KNOW, TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION PERSPECTIVE, EVEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THEM ARE INCONSISTENT FROM ONE CONTRACT TO ANOTHER.

AND EVEN THOUGH THEY'VE BEEN ROLLED OVER, LIKE, YOU KNOW, SAY THE FIVE YEAR PERIOD HAS ENDED, THERE'S NOT BEEN AN UPGRADE TO TRY TO GET THEM UNIFIED.

SO THE CONTRACT STRUCTURE, INCLUDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT ARE THE SAME, YOU KNOW, SO IN ONE OF THE PRESENTATIONS, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WAS THE, THE PARKS BOARD OR I DON'T KNOW, WHENEVER IT WAS, THERE WAS A MENTION BY YOU ALL, UH, THAT THERE, THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO DO THIS.

SO AT WHAT POINT ARE WE, CAN WE LOOK AT THIS AND SAY, OKAY, WELL WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE NAME OF ON THE CONTRACT, ALL THESE CONTRACTS ARE GONNA BE THE SAME.

I DON'T THINK THEY COULD ALL BE, WELL, I MEAN, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE, BUT WE'RE TRYING.

TECHNICALLY SHE SENT IT BACK AT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER, BUT I HAD OTHER ISSUES GOING ON, SO I DON'T THINK I RESPONDED BACK UNTIL THE 11TH OF NOVEMBER.

SO JUST LIKE I WAS MENTIONING EARLIER, WE'RE TRYING TO ESTABLISH SCOPES OF WORK THAT INCORPORATE, UM, THE, THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED FEEDBACK ON.

NOW WHAT I CAN SAY IS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T ESTABLISHED ANY NEW CONTRACTS AND WE'VE BEEN EXTENDING THESE, AND IF YOU'RE EXTENDING THEM FOR ONE YEAR OR TWO YEARS TO CHANGE AND, AND START HAVING THEM ADD ADDITIONAL THINGS, UM, WOULD BE HARD ON THE BUSINESS.

UM, BUT IF IT'S A NEW CONTRACT OR A CONTRACT THAT WE'RE EXTENDING FIVE TO 10 YEARS OUT, THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT.

AND SO ONCE THAT STARTS HAPPENING, UM, THE CONSISTENCY WILL BE THERE.

UM, BUT WHAT I, I RECOMMEND AND WE HAVE ASKED, UM, WE SENT QUESTIONS OVER, UM, DURING THIS YEAR AND WE WELCOME IT.

IF YOU WANNA PROVIDE US WITH GUIDELINES OR FEEDBACK OR, OR WRITTEN OUT WHAT WE COULD PUT IN THE CONTRACTS, WE WILL REVIEW THAT AND WE WILL TRY TO WORK WITH YOU AND INCORPORATE THAT LANGUAGE INTO THE SCOPE OF WORK.

UH, IN NOVEMBER OF 2025, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM, I BELIEVE IT WAS ELIZABETH FUNK, UH, ASKING FOR INFORMATION THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE INCLUDED IN THOSE CONTRACTS.

I RESPONDED BACK, I, I THINK

[02:10:01]

UH, I BELIEVE IT WENT TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.

I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE RESPONDED, SO YOU SHOULD HAVE MY, MY FEEDBACK ON THAT BY NOW TO OKAY.

INCLUDE IT.

IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO, YOU CAN FIND ME.

UH, NOW HAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTENT OF THESE CONTRACTS BEEN BENCHMARKED AGAINST PURE CITIES SUCH AS, UH, PORTLAND, SANTA BARBARA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, OR DENVER, COLORADO TO SEE IF, YOU KNOW, THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTENT THAT WE HAVE IS SIMILAR TO SIMILAR CITIES.

WE HAVEN'T DONE BENCHMARKING.

UH, ALRIGHT.

UH, WHEN WE, YOU KNOW, CONCESSIONS SOME LIKE, OKAY, LIKE SOME OF THE VOTING CONCESSIONS AS AN EXAMPLE, DRIVE THE INCREASE IN PART USAGE.

UH, SO THERE WAS A, UH, STUDY DONE BY HOUSTON TILLSON UNIVERSITY SOME YEARS BACK, UH, TWO OR THREE ABOUT THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF, UH, LADY BIRD LAKE.

UH, SO DO WE KNOW HOW THE CONCESSIONS DRIVE, COMPARE THE CAPACITY OF SILK PARK? UH, YOU KNOW, SO BY ADDING MORE CONCESSIONS OR BY ADDING ADDITIONAL BOATS OR BY DOING OTHER THINGS, ARE WE PUSHING THE CARRYING CAPACITY FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE ASPECT OF THE PARK? IS THIS IS SOMETHING, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT, UH, A PR IS LOOKING AT AT ALL? WELL, WHAT I CAN SAY IS, YES, WE, THAT STUDY WAS DONE, AND, UM, BUT I WANNA REMIND EVERYONE THAT, UM, THE CONCESSIONAIRES ARE JUST ONE PART OF USAGE AND WE HAVE CITIZENS COMMUNITY WHO COMES OUT, BRINGS THEIR OWN, UH, RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT THAT ALSO USES THE LAKE.

SO HOW WE TRY AND ACCOUNT FOR IT IS WE AT LEAST ACCOUNT BY RENTALS BECAUSE WE CAN'T ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE USAGE, UH, OF THE PARK SYSTEMS, RIGHT.

BECAUSE, AND THERE'S OTHER BUSINESSES THAT ALSO ON THE LAKE, UM, THAT RUN OFF OF PRIVATE LAND THAT HAVE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE, UM, RENTAL KAYAKS AND DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO IT'S HARD TO ACCOUNT FOR THAT.

WE CAN ONLY ACCOUNT FOR WHAT OUR CONCESSIONS DO, BUT WE HOLD THEM TO LET US KNOW, ESPECIALLY DURING THOSE PEAK PERIODS WHEN THE HIGHEST USAGE IS.

AND THEN THEY ALSO REPORT, UH, WHEN THEY GO OUT AND DO LIKE CLEANUP EFFORTS OR DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO WE'RE AT LEAST SEEING THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE, UM, WHAT IMPACT THEY MAKE.

VERY GOOD.

UH, NOW AT THE, UH, PARK BOARD MEETING, YOU CAN, UH, A UH, THING CALLED LEGACY CONCESSIONS WAS REVIEWED.

UH, AND I BELIEVE THE CONCEPT OF LU LEGACY CONCESSIONS, IS THAT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR? THAT'S CORRECT.

PROVISION, IT'S REALLY KIND OF THE INTENT, I BELIEVE IS TO PROVIDE A OUTLET FOR, UH, FAMILY BUSINESSES.

UH, MY QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH THIS IS, UM, WE WANT TO HAVE CONCESSIONS IN THE PARK IN ORDER TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, TO PROVIDE THEM RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

HOWEVER, WE WANT TO MAINTAIN A SERIES OF CONCESSIONS THAT PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE PROTECTION POSSIBLE.

UH, IS THE LEGACY CONCESSION PROVISION THAT WAS ADAPTED BY, AND I BELIEVE THIS HAS ALREADY GONE BEFORE COUNSEL AND APPROVED, SO THIS MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF RETROSPECTIVE HERE, BUT DOES IT HAVE A PROVISION TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT YOU ARE GIVING A LEGACY OR PREFERENTIAL, IF YOU WILL, STATUS TO A CONCESSION THAT MAY HAVE LESS THAN STELLAR PERFORMANCE? ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE, IT, IT, IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE, THE CRITERIA IS REALLY ABOUT, UM, THE, THE DESIGNATING THIS, THE, THE VENDOR ITSELF AS A LEGACY CONCESSIONAIRE BASED ON THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE AND THE, THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS.

UM, AND SO IT, IT DOESN'T, IT, IT DOESN'T GIVE THEM A DIFFERENT KIND OF CONTRACT OTHER THAN THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE RFP.

SO THE, THE CONTRACT THAT DANISHA WAS DESCRIBING AS WE GO IN, OR WE'RE CURRENTLY IN NEGOTIATIONS DEFINED AS A CONTRACT, WOULD STILL HAVE THE SAME PARAMETERS THAT DANISHA WAS DESCRIBING, INCLUDING SOME OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PIECES.

SO THE CONTRACT IS DIFFERENT THAN THEIR DESIGNATION AS A LEGACY CONCESSIONAIRE.

SO THEY GET DESIGNATED AS A LEGACY CONCESSIONAIRE ACCORDING TO THE CRITERIA, AND THEN WE ENGAGE IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS LIKE WE WOULD WITH ANYBODY ELSE.

NOW, THE WAY I READ THE LEGACY CONCESSION

[02:15:01]

IS THAT CORRECT? IT, IT, IT, IT, IT'S INTENDED AND, AND SOME OF THIS COMES, COMES BACK FROM SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS THE CITY WAS HAVING, UH, EVEN DURING COVID, FOR EXAMPLE, TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE PROTECT LOCAL BUSINESSES, RIGHT? UM, AND, AND HOW DO WE, AND, AND THAT SORT OF CONCEPT OF LEGACY IS NOT JUST A PARKS AND RECREATION CONCESSIONARY THING.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT AS A CITY WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO BE LOOKING AT.

SO LOCAL BUSINESS, I MEAN, THERE'S THE CONCEPT, AND I'M GONNA DRAW AN ANALOGY HERE, WHICH MAY NOT BE A HUNDRED PERCENT ACCURATE, BUT THERE'S THE CONCEPT OF THE FAMILY FARM, YOU KNOW, 40 ACRES AND A MULE, BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A FAMILY FARM IN THE BROADEST SENSE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE ALL 10,000 ACRES AND RUN BY MAJOR CORPORATIONS.

SO EVEN THOUGH A COMPANY MAY BE BASED IN AUSTIN, ARE WE PROTECTING A MAJOR CORPORATION HERE BY GIVING IT LEGACY STATUS? OR ARE WE REALLY PROVIDING, YOU KNOW, PROTECTION FOR A SMALL FAMILY? WELL, OKAY.

UM, SO THE PRIMARY CRITERIA, UM, THEY HAVE TO BE CONTINUOUSLY OWNED AND OPERATED IN THE SAME PARK LOCATION BY THE SAME PERSON, LOCAL BUSINESS OR FAMILY MEMBER OF THE PERSON OR OWNER OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS FOR AT LEAST 20 YEARS.

SO DO ALL THE CONCESSIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE LAKE FALL INTO THAT BROAD CATEGORY? NOT ALL OF THEM.

HOW MANY OF 'EM? WELL, CURRENTLY IT WOULD BE, UM, PARK EPIC SUB DOESN'T BECAUSE THEY'RE NO, AND NEITHER DID EXPEDITION SCHOOL, ZUCKER PARK, BOAT RENTAL WOOD, UM, ROWING DOCK.

YEAH, SO POSSIBLY THREE TO FOUR.

THAT, THAT'S IT.

UH, I JUST WANNA NOTE WE DO HAVE, UH, YOU KNOW, OTHER COMMISSIONS.

OKAY, I UNDERSTAND STILL AND OTHER ITEMS, SO WE CAN WRAP IT UP.

UH, I GUESS MY, THE FINAL QUESTION IS JUST HOW MUCH MONEY OF THE CONCESSIONS ACTUALLY GOES TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUFF, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH ALL THIS.

THIS IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.

THIS IS A REPORT ON CONCESSIONS.

AND THE QUESTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION HAS IS IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, WE WANNA SEE THE MONEY, A PORTION OF THE MONEY BE DIRECTED BACK TO ENVIRONMENTAL THINGS.

SO, AND SO HOW MUCH OF THIS MONEY IS GOING BACK? RIGHT? SO OF THE ROUGHLY $1.2 MILLION THAT WAS GENERATED BY CONCESSION REVENUE LAST YEAR, MOST OF THAT WENT TO THE GENERAL FUND, NOT TO PARKS AND RECREATION, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE $48,000 THAT WAS PROVIDED TO THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY FROM SUP AND FROM TRC AND THE, THE, BUT IF, IF IT'S GOING, IF IN THE FUTURE, IF ALL THESE CONCESSIONS, I MEAN, YOU SAID THERE'S LIKE EIGHT, LET'S SAY IT'S EIGHT, UH, IS GONNA BE GOING TO THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY, WHICH IS KIND OF A, LIKE A BLACK BOX.

WE'RE NOT GONNA KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY OF THE CONCESSIONS IS GOING TO REALLY, WE WE DID.

SO THIS REPORT WILL TELL YOU THAT JUST LAST YEAR, THEY INVESTED 196, UH, $224 IN ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES, RIGHT? SO THAT DIDN'T TELL US HOW MUCH CONCESSION MONEY IS GOING INTO, RIGHT? SO $224,000, THEY ONLY RECEIVED $48,000 IN CONCESSIONS.

SO THEY SPENT MORE THAN WHAT THEY RECEIVED TOTAL FOR CONCESSIONS.

SO WE, THEY GOT $48,000 FROM THE CONTRACTS, CONCESSION CONTRACTS THEY WERE MANAGING, AND THEY SPENT $196,000, OR EXCUSE ME, $224,000 ON, AND THEY GOT $2.3 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS OR THAT, THAT, SO THAT, THAT IS NOT THE CONCESSION MONEY.

SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT, WHAT THAT IS.

THOSE ARE, THOSE ARE CAPITAL PROJECTS.

SO THERE'S A, YEAH, FUNDING, THERE WAS CAPITAL MONEY FOR THE RAINY STREET TRAILHEAD FOR THE HOLLY PIERCE.

SO THOSE ARE DIFFERENT THAN, THAN WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE CONCESSIONS.

I UNDERSTAND.

AND THOSE WERE, OKAY, VERY GOOD.

THANK VERY MUCH PROJECTS THAT WE, THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT WE ACTUALLY, UH, THEY CONSTRUCTED ON OUR BEHALF, AND THAT'S WHERE THOSE PAYMENTS WENT FROM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND I'LL ADD THAT THOSE, UH, REMAIN AS ASSETS TO THE CITY COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN.

I'LL WAIT UNTIL WE PUT TOGETHER A MOTION.

COMMISSIONER LUKI.

UH, I, I ALSO WILL WAIT.

I THINK WE'VE, UH, STARTED TO BEAT THIS TO DEATH, COMMISSIONER FLURRY.

[02:20:01]

WHEN I WAS PRETTY NEW.

I LIKED HOW FIVE MINUTES INTO YOUR JOB, I THINK I WAS SIX MINUTES IN, SO A LITTLE BIT EARLIER.

BUT IT DOES FEEL, UM, I'M CONFUSED, UH, WHAT WE'RE, UH, BEING ASKED TO REMARK ON.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE IN A CHALLENGING SPOT.

I DO, UH, APPRECIATE YOU, UM, POINTING OUT COMMISSIONER BREMER THE EMAIL AND REQUEST AND, AND, AND YOU, UH, DIRECTOR FOR FEEDBACK TO GET INTO THE CONCESSIONAIRE AGREEMENTS.

THAT, THAT THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD SHARE.

AND, AND THAT Y'ALL ARE LOOKING FOR A CONVERSATION WITH US, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SURE FOR WHAT IT GOES.

AND SO I, I SEE, UM, MORE TO COME IN THE MOTION, BUT ULTIMATELY I'M GONNA, UH, PROVIDE SOME FEEDBACK, UH, THAT I MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY LAST TIME, BUT NO QUESTIONS.

I DO UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF HOW DO WE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN GENERAL PUBLIC USAGE AND CO CONCESS CONCESSION USAGE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME, STAYED LATE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

IT REALLY IS ALSO VALUABLE.

AND I THINK WHAT I'M TAKING AWAY FROM TONIGHT IS THAT EVERYONE HERE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR PARKS, ABOUT OUR CITY, ABOUT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, AND I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT ANYONE IN THIS ROOM THAT EVERYONE CARES.

SO I THINK THIS BECOMES A CONVERSATION ABOUT REBUILDING TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY AND HOW TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER AND IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAND.

UM, AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK RECREATION CAN SERVE AS AN AVENUE FOR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAND, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO KEEP ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN MIND.

AND SO, I KNOW THE DIRECTOR TALKED ABOUT THE TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO, BUT I ALSO THINK THERE CAN BE HARMONY BETWEEN THE TWO.

THE MORE THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE KAYAKING ON THE RIVER, THE MORE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEE THE BIODIVERSITY AND THE TURTLES AND, YOU KNOW, SO I THINK YES, THERE'S TENSION.

THERE'S ALSO HARMONY, AND IT'S A QUESTION OF HOW DO WE, HOW DO WE BALANCE THOSE THINGS? UM, I THINK SOME OF THE POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED IN PUBLIC COMMENT THIS TIME AROUND, UM, AND THEY WERE RAISED LAST YEAR TOO, ARE VALID AROUND, UM, AUDIT QUESTIONS WITH THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY AND OTHERS.

I'M A FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A NONPROFIT IN AUSTIN.

WE RECEIVED FUNDS FROM THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, AND WE HAD TO ACCOUNT FOR EVERY SINGLE THING THAT WE SPENT MONEY ON IN RECEIPTS, IN DATES, WE HAD TO SUBMIT THAT.

ALL OF THAT IS SUBJECT TO PUBLIC INFORMATION.

SO I'M SURE THAT INFORMATION EXISTS.

THERE'S JUST A QUESTION OF WHY IS THERE, IS THIS, THIS CONTINUED UNCERTAINTY, UM, AROUND THAT? BECAUSE I THINK IT IS AN EASY FIX.

UM, I THINK THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN INCREASE THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC, BETWEEN THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY, BETWEEN THE PARKS, AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, COME, COME TO RESOLUTION AROUND SOME OF THESE THINGS.

I THINK THAT'S A, A FAIR REQUEST.

YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF PUBLIC DOLLARS AND PUBLIC LAND.

SO I, I WOULD, YOU KNOW, ASK FOLKS TO CONSIDER THAT.

ARE WE EMPOWERED WITH THAT POWER AS THIS COMMISSION? NOT DIRECTLY FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, BUT WE ARE A CONDUIT TO THE PUBLIC.

UM, AND I KNOW SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS WERE ASKING, YOU KNOW, IF, IF WE AREN'T THE COMMISSION TO ADVOCATE IN FRONT OF WHAT, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP? UM, I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR POWER AND OUR POSITION ON THIS COMMISSION AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE ALSO IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS.

WE ARE ALL HERE BECAUSE WE WERE APPOINTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I THINK WE ALL HAVE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.

UM, SO TO THE EXTENT THAT THOSE OF YOU WHO CAME TODAY NEED TO HEAR THAT, NUMBER ONE, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CONCERNS.

NUMBER TWO, I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT IN OUR RECOMMENDATION LAST YEAR, WE DID INPUT ALL OF, I BELIEVE, THE CONCERNS THAT YOU ALL HAD AND, AND REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

UM, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THAT FELL ON DEAF EARS WITH SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.

AND SO WE CAN TAKE OWNERSHIP PERHAPS FOR NOT FOLLOWING UP MORE RIGOROUS RIGOROUSLY ON THAT.

SO I CAN, YOU KNOW, TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY ON THAT.

I KNOW SOME FOLKS HAVE FOLLOWED UP WITH EMAILS.

UM, BUT ULTIMATELY IT IS COUNCIL'S DECISION, UM, TO COMPEL THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE CERTAIN THINGS IN THIS REPORT.

YOU KNOW, THAT BEING SAID, DIRECTOR AGUIRE, LIKE THERE'S A MINIMUM REQUIREMENT OF WHAT HAS TO GO IN THIS REPORT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE PARAMETERS ON OTHER THINGS THAT YOU CAN INCLUDE.

SO I HOPE THAT YOU'RE HEARING THE FOLKS TONIGHT, BECAUSE WHILE PEOPLE HERE MIGHT NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENTIRE AUSTIN POPULATION, THEY ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF PART OF IT AND A VERY VOCAL ORGANIZED PART OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAS SHOWN UP YEAR AFTER YEAR.

SO I THINK FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT AND POLITICAL RELATIONSHIPS, IT WOULD BEHOOVE YOU TO CONSIDER HOW CAN WE TAKE THIS INPUT, WHETHER CITY COUNCIL COMPELS US TO OR NOT, AND INCLUDE THAT IN THE NEXT REPORT.

AND SO LAST YEAR WE DID ASK FOR MORE SPECIFIC, UM, ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION.

I, I ALSO DON'T SEE THAT IN THIS REPORT, TO BE CLEAR,

[02:25:01]

I'M A FOREIGN RESEARCHER, SO I UNDERSTAND, LIKE TEASING OUT THOSE DETAILS IS HARD.

BUT I DO THINK IF YOU'D COME HERE TONIGHT WITH SOME DATA THAT I DO THINK IS ALREADY COMPILED SOMEWHERE, THAT WOULD'VE BEEN AT LEAST A GOOD FAITH EFFORT THAT WE HEARD YOU LAST YEAR.

UM, NO CITY COUNCIL DIDN'T COMPEL US TO INCLUDE THIS, BUT YEAR AFTER YEAR, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ALL HAVE ASKED OF US.

SO WE MADE, MADE A BEST ATTEMPT TO INCLUDE SOME OF THAT INFORMATION.

SO I JUST OFFER THAT TO YOU ALL, UM, AS SOMETHING THAT YOU ALL CAN DO TO REPAIR RELATIONSHIPS TODAY.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT WOULD JUST REALLY, YOU KNOW, BENEFIT THE PUBLIC.

AND SO WE'RE NOT HERE AGAIN NEXT YEAR HAVING THE SAME CONVERSATION, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO BIG OF AN ASK.

UM, SO DO I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? THOSE WERE A LOT OF COMMENTS.

UM, I, YOU KNOW, HEARD SOME FOLKS SAYING, I'M NOT CLEAR WHAT WE'RE HERE TO VOTE ON TONIGHT.

CITY STAFF, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WE'RE HERE TO APPROVE OR DISPROVE OF THIS REPORT THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN.

UM, AND THERE ARE LEGAL PARAMETERS.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE IN THAT REPORT WHERE THERE IS SOME CONTENTION IS, IS THIS SUFFICIENT? SO, UM, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS IN AN APPROVAL, WHICH IS WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.

AND THEN AGAIN, IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US AS, UM, COMMISSIONERS, AS PRIVATE CITIZENS, AND ALSO EVERYONE HERE TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE HEARD BY CITY COUNCIL WHO CAN THEN TRULY ENFORCE THAT.

BUT AGAIN, BEYOND CITY COUNCIL ENFORCEMENT, I DO ASK ALL OF THOSE HERE WHO ARE, WHO ARE CITY STAFF TO PLEASE JUST, YOU KNOW, HEAR THESE CONCERNS WHETHER OR NOT CITY COUNCIL COMPELS YOU TO DO THEM NEXT YEAR.

UM, SO WITH THAT, ARE THERE ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? UM, TAKE A 10 MINUTE RECESS AND THEN COME BACK.

HEARING NONE, I'M GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SO MOVED, MADE BY SULLIVAN SECOND.

SECONDED BY BRIMER.

ALRIGHT, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WE'RE GONNA TAKE A 10 MINUTE RECESS.

WE NEED TO VOTE.

OH, I'M SORRY.

WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT.

OH, OKAY.

OR YOU CAN SAY, ARE THERE ANY, IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

OKAY, SO WE DIDN'T EVEN NEED TO DO THAT.

WELL, THEN THAT'S REDUNDANT.

UM, IN THAT CASE, IT IS 8 32.

WE ARE GOING TO RECESS UNTIL 8:42 PM THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

THE TIME IS 8 46 AND WE ARE RECONVENED, UH, WE DO HAVE A RECOMMENDATION, SO I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND READ THAT OUT.

UM, SO THIS IS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 2 0 2 6 0 2 1 9 0 0 3, THE CREATION, CONTINUATION, TERMINATIONS AND STATUS OF A CONCESSION, INCLUDING ISSUANCE FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR CONCESSION AND TOWN LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK.

WHEREAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION HAS RECEIVED A STAFF BRIEFING IN THE 2025 ANNUAL REPORT OF CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

WELL, NOW IT'S AUSTIN PARKS.

IS THAT NAME STILL VALID? DID THEY CHANGE THE NAME? IT'S AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT I BUT NO DEPARTMENT.

YEAH, NO DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE NO DEPARTMENTS ANYMORE.

COMMISSIONER FIERRO FOUR.

UM, THE 2025 ANNUAL REPORT OF CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION MANAGE CONCESSIONS ON LADY BIRD, LADY BIRD, LADY BIRD, A K, A TOWN LAKE.

WHEREAS THE ANNUAL CONCESSION REPORT IS CREATED AS THE RESULT OF A CITY OF AN AUSTIN CITY CODE PROVISION.

THE ORDINANCE STATES, UM, AN EIGHT ONE DASH 73 DEPARTMENT REPORT AND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS, A, ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31ST OF EACH YEAR.

THE DIRECTOR SHALL DELIVER A REPORT TO THE BOARD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ON THE CONCESSIONS GRANTED UNDER THIS DIVISION B.

A REPORT PREPARED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE NAME OF EACH CONCESSION OPERATING IN TOWN LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK.

TWO, AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT FOR EACH CONCESSION.

THREE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WATERCRAFTS RENTED IN TOWN, LAKE METROPOLITAN PARK, AND FOUR, A STATEMENT DESCRIBING ANY PROBLEM, ANY PROBLEMS THAT ARE CAUSED OR CREATED BY A CONCESSION.

THE BOARD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MAY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION RELATED TO ONE, CONTINUING AN EXISTING CONCESSION, TWO, TERMINATING AN EXISTING CONTINUATION, AND THREE, ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR AN EXPIRING OR NEW CONCESSION UNDER THIS DIVISION C AUSTIN CITY CODE EIGHT DASH ONE DASH 73.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION APPROVES THE 2025

[02:30:01]

CONCESSIONS REPORT.

WE'RE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THESE CONDITIONS WERE MET AND ADDITIONALLY RECOMMENDS THAT FUTURE JOINT REPORTS SHOULD INCLUDE INFORMATION FROM CONTRACTORS DETAILING THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS THEY ACHIEVED IN SPECIFIC, UH, SPECIFICALLY QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE TERMS. WE SPECIFICALLY REQUEST DETAILED METRICS REGARDING EROSION CONTROL, STREAM BREAD RESTORATION, GRASSLAND MAINTENANCE, TRASH PICKUP, WATER QUALITY, AND BIODIVERSITY.

FUTURE REPORTS SHOULD INCLUDE INFORMATION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY IN TERMS OF ACCESS AND CONCESSION USAGE.

UM, INCLUDE CONCESSIONS FROM PARKS OTHER THAN LADY BIRD LAKE.

DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE TWO OF THE PMA WITH THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY UNTIL THE FINANCIAL AUDIT IS FINALIZED AND MADE PUBLIC, AND UNTIL IT CAN BE UPDATED TO INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS FOR BIANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY BRIER.

WE'RE NOW OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? OKAY.

HEARING NONE, LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE IT TO A VOTE.

WE'LL START WITH, UM, ONLINE COMMISSIONERS.

COMMISSIONER CHANG.

SET, UH, I VOTE FOUR.

COMMISSIONER RETO EZ FOUR.

COMMISSIONER BRIMER AGAINST COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN.

IN FAVOR, COMMISSIONER LUKI IN FAVOR? UH, COMMISSIONER FLURRY, THANK YOU FOR YOU.

Y I'M TIRED.

UM, AND I ALSO VOTE FOR, SO THE MOTION PASSES.

TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PRESENTATION AND RECOMMENDATION RELATED TO POTENTIAL CITY COUNCIL ACTION THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE LARGER SIGNS INCLUDING WAY FINDING KIOSKS AND THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY THAT INCLUDE ELECTRONIC IMAGES, LIGHTS, AND OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING.

ALRIGHT, NEXT WE'RE GOING TO GO UP

[4. Presentation and Recommendation related to potential City Council action that would authorize larger signs, including wayfinding kiosks, in the public right-of-way that include electronic images, lights, and off-premises advertising. Presentation by Anthony Segura, Deputy Director, Austin Economic Development. ]

PRESENTATION BY ANTHONY SEGURA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THANKS.

GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS.

ANTHONY SEGER, AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I'M JOINED THIS EVENING WITH DEPUTY DIRECTOR, UH, JIM DALE FROM THE TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

SHOULD WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIGHT OF WAY? SO, UH, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO TALK ABOUT INTERACTIVE DIGITAL KIOSK.

NEXT, UH, SLIDE PLEASE.

SO FOR THE AGENDA, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND GOALS, SOME OF THE BENEFITS AND APPLICATIONS, FINANCIAL, CIVIC BENEFITS, ADVERTISING, CONTACT REGULATIONS, SOME AMENDMENT CHANGES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROADMAP.

AND NEXT STEPS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO BOTTOM LINE IS WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE DIGITAL KIOSKS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A WAY FINDING SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL CITIZENS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN THROUGH PROVIDING INFORMATION DATA.

AND SO IF YOU CAN THINK ABOUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO COME FROM OUT OF TOWN TO GO, WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN THIS WEEKEND, THEY'D BE ABLE TO UTILIZE SOMETHING WITH THIS, UH, DIGITAL KIOSK THAT PROVIDES A NUMBER OF INFORMATION.

SO, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S A BIG IPAD WITH A LOT OF APPLICATIONS ON THERE THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO UTILIZE NOT ONLY FOR LOCAL EVENTS, BUT ALSO TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, ABILITIES TO LOOK AT COMPANIES AND, AND RESTAURANTS AND SHOPPING, FOR EXAMPLE, AND REALLY BE AN INTERACTIVE, UH, UH, OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SAY, THIS IS WHAT'S GOING ON.

SO REALLY THE INTENT IS TO PUT THESE KIOSK IN HIGH PEDESTRIAN AREAS TO HELP PROMOTE THE LOCAL BUSINESSES, MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THROUGH DISCOVERY, NAVIGATION AND, AND HANDOFF.

BOTTOM LINE HERE IS WHEN WE ARE NOT UTILIZING IT FOR ADVERTISING, THE CITY OF AUSTIN WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CITY COMMUNICATIONS.

SO IF YOU CAN IMAGINE A COUNCIL MEMBER SHARING INFORMATION ON THIS KIOSK OR A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR, ALSO THE ABILITY TO POST JOBS ON THERE FOR OPENINGS.

UH, REALLY PROVIDING AN INFORMATIONAL HUB IS REALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THESE DIGITAL KIOSKS WILL PROVIDE FOR THE CITY.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY'RE GONNA BE INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

AND ARE REALLY GOING TO BE UTILIZED FOR THE ABILITY TO SHOW ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE BENEFITS AND APPLICATIONS.

SO OUR DIGITAL KIOSKS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH, UH, ARE ABOUT EIGHT FEET TALL AND ABOUT 800 POUNDS, AND THERE WILL BE BOLTED TO THE CONCRETE TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT, UH,

[02:35:01]

AS I MENTIONED, WE REALLY WANNA HIGHLIGHT LOCAL EVENTS, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TODAY, TOMORROW, AND, UH, ALL YEAR LONG, AS I MENTIONED, YOU'LL HAVE QR CODES ON THERE.

YOU'LL HAVE THE ABILITY TO, TO DO LIKE AN IPAD OR A TOUCH SCREEN AND, AND CHECK THE APPLICATIONS TO, TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NEXT SLIDE, LOOK AT CONCERTS AND LIVE MUSIC EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING TO PROVIDE DROPDOWN INFORMATION, PROVIDE MORE, UH, INCLUSIVE INFORMATION REGARDING THE ARTISTS THEMSELVES.

AND REALLY, AS I'VE MENTIONED, AND WE'LL MENTION, UH, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, A SEAMLESS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITHIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

AS I MENTIONED, ALSO, WE'RE WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH CAPITAL METRO ON, UH, THE PUBLIC TRYING TO ROUTES THAT ARE SURROUNDING THE AREAS FOR KIOSK, FOR THE KIOSK TO PROVIDE BESIDES SCHEDULES AND DEPARTURES, UH, BUS STOPS, BIKE SHARE LOCATIONS AS WELL.

SO TRULY AN INFORMATIONAL HUB THAT PEOPLE CAN UTILIZE, UH, FROM THEIR CELL PHONE AS WELL.

YOU'RE WONDERING HOW, GO AHEAD.

OH, WE DON'T HAVE THAT SLIDE, BUT YOU'D HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE A QR CODE THAT WOULD BE, UH, MIRRORED ONTO YOUR CELL PHONE.

AND SO IF YOU WERE TRYING TO GET TO A PLACE CALLED, OH, I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS PLACE CALLED FRANKLIN'S, WHAT IS THAT BARBECUE PLACE ALL ABOUT? YOU'D BE ABLE TO LOOK UP THE INFORMATION THERE, PUT IN, UH, THE, THE, UH, ACTUAL LOCATION, UH, NAME OF IT.

IT WOULD TELL YOU WHERE IT'S AT AND FROM WHERE YOU'RE LOCATED ON HOW TO GET THERE EASIEST.

AND SO IT PROVIDES, EVEN IF YOU NEEDED TO TAKE A BUS OR, UH, IF YOU NEEDED TO USE SOME SORT OF, UH, ADDITIONAL TRANSIT, YOU'D BE ABLE TO SEE EXACTLY HOW TO GET TO THAT LOCATION RIGHT FROM THE, FROM YOUR CELL PHONE AS IT MIRRORS ONTO FROM THE KIOSK ITSELF.

AS I'VE MENTIONED, IT'S INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, UH, ALL KIOSKS, A HUNDRED PERCENT A DA COMPLIANT, AND THEY WILL BE REVIEWED BY AN ACCESSIBLE SPECIALIST.

UH, AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE ESSENTIAL TO US THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK WITH OUR, UH, VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS AS WELL, UH, ESPECIALLY WITH TEXT AND HIGH CONTRAST MODE FOR ADDITIONAL FOCUS.

SO THEY CAN SEE THE TEXT AND GRAPHIC ELEMENTS.

AS I MENTIONED, IT'S GOING TO BE WORKING WITH THE ACCESSIBILITY SPECIALIST, ESPECIALLY IN THE RIGHT OF WAY TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE, UH, IN THE WAY OF ANYBODY AND THAT THEY DON'T PROHIBIT ANY KIND OF MOVEMENT, ANY SORTS.

AND AS I GET IT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER, I'LL EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW WE'LL HAVE ADDITIONAL MEASURES OF CONTROL TO ENSURE SAFETY, WHICH IS, LIKE I'VE MENTIONED, PARAMOUNT TO US GOING FORWARD.

HAVING A KIOSK THERE ON MLK, UH, AND 35 AREA AND WHEN THE FOOTBALL GAME ENDS AND SOME OUT OF TOWNERS GOING, WHERE AM I AT? YOU KNOW, HOW DO I GET TO WHERE I'M LOOKING FOR? TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR THE KIOSK IS REALLY WHAT THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO HELP US IN ACHIEVING.

SO, UH, THIS IS A PART OF, UH, THE, THE PRESENTATION IN TERMS OF LIGHT BRIGHTNESS AND PLACEMENT IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.

I GOT TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT A KNIT IS IN IT BEING, UH, ILLUMINATION.

SO I GOT, I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY, UH, FOCUS IN ON WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF AMBIENT LIGHT SENSORS AND CONTINGENTLY MEASURING AROUND THE SURROUNDING LIGHTS.

SO FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDPOINT, THE MINIMUM BRIGHTNESS IS GONNA BE ADJUSTABLE, AND IT'S TYPICALLY SET AT 350 NETS.

UH, THAT KIOSK THEMSELVES WILL ONLY REACH PEAK BRIGHTNESS DURING PERIODS OF DIRECT INTENSE SUNLIGHT.

UH, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, KIOSKS ARE ONLY GONNA BE LOCATED ON COMMERCIAL STREETS IN THE CITY, IN FRONT OF RETAILERS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND STREET FACING STOREFRONTS, AND NOT IN RESIDENTIAL LOCATIONS AT ALL.

SO BE ADVISED OF THAT NEXT SLIDE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE CIVIC AND AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO WHAT THE KIOSK WILL PROVIDE.

MOST IMPORTANTLY THROUGH THE, THE, THE PROGRAM ITSELF, IT'S NOT GONNA BE A STARTUP COST TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WE'RE ENTERING INTO A REVENUE COST SHARING MODEL WITH OUR VENDOR.

AND IT'S BEEN SELECTED, WE DID AN RFP, UH, DURING THE SUMMERTIME, AND WE SELECTED I SMART CITY LLC, UH, AND WE WILL DO A, A COST SHARING MODEL AFTER COSTS, UH, ARE RECOUPED FROM THEM.

SO THERE'S NO COST FROM US IN COMPARISON TO OTHER CITIES.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THEY RECEIVED A CHECK LAST YEAR ON THEIR ADVERTISING PORTION FOR OVER $3 MILLION.

SO IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE INFORMATION, BUT AT THE SAME TIME REAP A BENEFIT IN TERMS OF THE ABILITY FOR ADVERTISERS TO SHOWCASE SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO SHARE THE INFORMATION.

WE'RE GOING THROUGH A PHASED APPROACH WHERE THE INITIAL DEPLOYMENT IS GONNA BE 50 DIGITAL KIOSK WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OR TWO, WE'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND IT TO A HUNDRED.

AND SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF IDENTIFYING POTENTIALLY, UH, WHERE THESE LOCATIONS WOULD BE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

AND SO WE'VE TALKED OF COURSE TO ALL OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS TO GET THEIR FEEDBACK, AND A LOT OF THEM, IF IT'S HAVE ONE ASSURANCES THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE KIOSK IN AREAS SUCH AS SOCO AND RAINY STREET.

UH, THEY'VE ASKED FOR KIOSK TO BE AVAILABLE AT 11TH AND 12TH STREET, FOR EXAMPLE.

AND ONE OF THE EXAMPLES THAT THEY GAVE ME WAS, COULD YOU IMAGINE

[02:40:01]

MOST IMPORTANTLY HERE, THE VENDOR SMART CITY, LLC, IKE IS GOING TO DO ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE.

SO IT'S NOTHING ON THE CITY TO HAVE TO MAINTAIN THESE WE ARE, AND WITHIN OUR AGREEMENT, IF ANYTHING IS GRAFFITIED ON, UH, THEY CLAIM THESE ON A DAILY BASIS TO ENSURE THAT THEY REMAIN PROFESSIONAL LOOKING AT ALL TIMES.

AND ANY KIND OF BREAKAGE IS ALL IS IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED.

AND SO ONCE AGAIN, IT IS A NO COST TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR THIS.

AS I'VE MENTIONED, SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS, UH, ARE THE PSAS THAT WERE PROVIDED FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

AND COULD YOU, COULD YOU IMAGINE ON A COLD SHELTER NIGHT WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO FIND LOCATIONS ON WHERE TO GO, YOU'D BE ABLE TO SEE INFORMATION ON THESE KIOSKS OUTLINING AREAS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER TO GO FOR COLD SHELTER OR EVEN IN THE SUMMERTIME WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING FOR COOL DOWN SHELTERS.

THIS IS THE KIND OF INFORMATION THAT WE WANT TO BE DISPLAYED AND SHARED WITH EVERYBODY ACROSS THE SPECTRUM FOR THESE KIOSKS.

AS I'VE MENTIONED HERE, ANY OTHER UNSOLD ADVERTISING WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE CITY AT NO COST.

SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT SPACE FOR JOB PLACEMENTS, FOR JOB RECRUITMENTS AND SO FORTH.

WHAT I DO WANT TO FOCUS IN IS WHAT ARE WE NOT GOING TO HAVE IN TERMS OF ADVERTISING CONTENT AND WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS? MOST IMPORTANTLY IS, I'LL STRESS HERE, WE CAN GO THROUGH THE LIST OF THIS, BUT THERE'S NO ADS CONFLICTING WITH ANY CITY POLICIES OR INTERESTS.

SO IF, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS A VENDOR WHO WANTS TO SAY, OH, WE DON'T WANT YOU TO VOTE FOR THIS BOND IN 2026 AND WE'RE GONNA ADVERTISE ALL OVER THE KIOSK TO SAY, NO, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT ON THESE KIOSKS, WE ARE NOT GONNA HAVE ANY ILLEGAL, FALSE OR MISLEADING CONTENT.

NOTHING OFFENSIVE, UH, FOR MATERIAL, NO LOTTERY GAMBLING OR UNSAFE CONTESTS.

UH, NO POLITICAL ISSUES.

UH, NO, UH, POLITICAL ISSUE BASED OR RELIGIOUS ADVERTISEMENT WOULD BE ON HERE.

UH, TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL WILL BE PROVIDED ONLY IN AREAS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE NEAR SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, UH, AND SO FORTH.

SO IF THERE'S AREAS THAT WE HAVE FOR SIXTH STREET, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED.

UH, BUT THOSE ARE THE ONLY TIMES THAT YOU'D SEE ANY KIND OF ALCOHOL ADVERTISEMENTS ON THOSE.

NO ALCOHOL, DRUGS, FIREARMS, OR LIKE I MENTIONED, ADULT ENTERTAINMENT.

SO IN ORDER FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD, THIS, UM, PROJECT WHICH ORIGINALLY STARTED IN, IN ACTUALLY IN IFC THROUGH A RESOLUTION BACK IN 2024, UH, IN DECEMBER, UH, COUNSEL HAD SAID, WE ARE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THE OPPORTUNITY AND WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD.

AND SO AS WE'VE MOVED FORWARD, IT'S GONNA REQUIRE US TO ALTER AND AMEND CHAPTER 25 DASH 10, WHICH IS THE SIGN REGULATIONS.

AND THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE OFF-PREMISE ADVERTISING, WHICH IS WHAT THE KIOSK WOULD BE DOING PRIMARILY WITHOUT THE CHANGES, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

NOW, AS I MENTIONED, HOW IS TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORK'S GONNA BE CRITICAL TO THIS? WELL, THEY'RE GONNA BE THE ONES TO HELP OVERSEE ALL THE SITTING SPACING, IMAGE SPEED AND LIGHTING THAT THEY HAVE TO APPROVE FOR EACH ONE OF THE LOCATIONS.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING INDEPENDENTLY WITH, UH, OUR DEPARTMENTS, UH, SUCH AS AUSTIN ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION, UH, AS WELL AS OUR PERMITTING TO SEE WHAT WOULD WOULD ENTAIL FOR US TO START MOVING.

ONCE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE FIRST INITIAL 50 LOCATIONS, AS I'VE TOLD TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, EACH ONE OF THEM, WE WILL COME BACK TO THEM AND SHARE THE LOCATIONS WITH THEM PROPOSED BEFORE WE START DOING CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT.

WE'VE BEEN ALREADY WORKING WITH PARTNERS IN OUR DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE AS WELL AS THE DECK OF CHAMBERS ON PROVIDING INFORMATION.

EVERYBODY IS EXTREMELY EXCITED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION.

AND SO IT IS REALLY GOING TO BE A LABOR OF, OF OPPORTUNITY FOR TPW TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING WITHIN THE RIGHT OF WAY IS WITHIN THE M-U-T-C-D GUIDELINES.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO, IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP AND NEXT STEPS.

UM, THIS IS OUR THIRD COMMISSION THAT WE'VE GONE TO.

AS I MENTIONED, WE DID OUR VENDOR SELECTION AND CONTRACTS.

WE COMPLETED WITH, UH, IKE SMART CITY BACK IN AUGUST OF, OF SEPTEMBER.

WE'VE GONE TO THE CODE IN ORDINANCE JOINT COMMITTEE ALREADY THAT PASSED FOUR TO ONE BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2025.

UH, THESE, THE DIGITAL KIOSK HAS ALSO BEEN TIED RIGHT NOW WITH THE BILLBOARDS.

AND SO THAT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT, UM, HAS BEEN SOME OF THE CHALLENGES.

IT HASN'T BEEN NECESSARILY THE ACTUAL DIGITAL KIOSKS OR OFF-PREMISE ADVERTISING.

IT'S BEEN MORE SO THE BILLBOARDS COMPONENT SINCE THAT IS A PART OF, UH, THE SIGN REGULATION 25 DASH 10.

WE WENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN JANUARY AND IT WAS A NO RECOMMENDATION VOTE AT FOUR, AT FOUR, FOUR TO FOUR VOTES.

UH, WE ARE SCHEDULED RIGHT NOW TO, UH, GO TO COUNCIL NEXT WEEK, UH, ON THE 26TH

[02:45:01]

TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

IF ALL GOES ACCORDINGLY AND WE TO MOVE FORWARD, THEN WE WOULD START IN MARCH AND APRIL WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND CITIZEN ENGAGEMENTS.

START, START LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL 50 LOCATIONS TO START GETTING FEEDBACK TO ENSURE THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE LOCATIONS ARE GONNA BE IN A FEASIBLE LOCATION THAT'S NOT GONNA BE IMPACTED BY CONSTRUCTION.

UH, AND TO OF COURSE, GET THE FEEDBACK OF OUR CITIZENS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IF ALL GOES ACCORDINGLY.

AS WE ARE METICULOUS IN OUR, ON OUR PERMITTING AND METICULOUS IN CHOOSING THE SPOT LOCATIONS, WE ANTICIPATE, UH, OUR FIRST KIOSKS GOING UP PROBABLY SOMETIME AT THE END OF SUMMER, THE FALL OF 2026.

UH, AND SO I WANNA ENSURE EVERYBODY, AS WE'VE TALKED TO THE DIFFERENT COMMISSIONS, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE DO CORRECTLY AND WE DO IT RIGHT, UH, AND THAT WE GET AS MUCH FEEDBACK AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND, UH, I'M OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.

IF THERE'S ANYTHING, UH, RELATED TO, UH, RIGHT AWAY, I HAVE, UH, MR. DALE HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AS WELL.

I BELIEVE WE'RE ALSO GONNA GIVE A FEW MINUTES TO MIKE WAYLAN ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT.

UH, THANK YOU.

UH, GOOD EVENING.

MICHAEL WHALEN ON BEHALF OF IKE SMART CITY.

UM, FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO JOIN, UH, THE JANUARY 28TH MEETING, YOU'LL RECALL THAT WE PROVIDED A DETAILED OVERVIEW OF THE WAY FINDING KIOSK PROGRAM, GIVEN THE TIME, I'M NOT GONNA DO THAT NOW, THE COUNCIL DIRECTION THAT LED TO THE RFP AND THE LIMITED SCOPE OF THE CODE AMENDMENT SPECIFIC TO RIGHT OF WAY INSTALLATIONS CONTROLLED BY THE CITY.

AND I WANNA EMPHASIZE THAT IT'S A VERY LIMITED SCOPE IN TERMS OF THE CODE AMENDMENT.

UH, DURING THE DISCUSSION, WE SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME ADDRESSING QUESTIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE LIGHTING LEVEL LEVELS AND ILLUMINATION IMPACTS, INCLUDING AS, UH, WAS JUST POINTED OUT, THE KIOSK, AMBIENT LIGHT SENSORS AND AUTOMATIC NIGHTTIME DIMMING PLACEMENT EXCLUSIVELY IN COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS, NOT IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

A DA COMPLIANCE AND NON-VISUAL ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES.

AND I THINK I MENTIONED, UH, IKE'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL FEDERATION FOR THE BLIND COMMUNITY CONTENT AND PROMOTION OF CIVIC SERVICES AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

IKE'S PRIVACY POLICY OF NOT SELLING PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION OR ANY OTHER DATA.

THE CONTRACTUALLY GUARANTEED REVENUE TO THE CITY WITH AN ESTIMATED YEARLY AVERAGE OF $6.3 MILLION OVER 20 YEARS.

THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE, INCLUDING LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE, ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN , AND THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN.

ALSO AS WAS MENTIONED, MAINTENANCE, CLEANING AND OPERATIONAL STANDARDS WERE DISCUSSED.

I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT WE DISCUSSED ALSO THE KIOSKS PRIMARY FUNCTION AS CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE, PROVIDING WAY FINDING TRANSIT INFORMATION, CITY COMMUNICATIONS, ACCESSIBILITY TOOLS, AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING WITH ADVERTISING STRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM FINANCIALLY AT NO COST TO THE CITY.

TONIGHT, WE'RE HAPPY TO CLARIFY ANYTHING NEW OR UNRESOLVED, BUT GIVEN THE DETAILED DISCUSSION AT THE LAST HEARING, WE'LL KEEP THIS BRIEF AND REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR A TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

I WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT OF IKE WAYFINDING KIOSK IS ON THE LINE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS WELL.

UH, AS YOU MAY KNOW, SHOULD KNOW THAT IKE, UH, IS THE, UH, COMPANY, THAT ONE THAT WAS SELECTED AS THE VENDOR TO, UH, INSTALL THESE AND HAS BEEN WORKING WITH, UH, JIM BA, JIM DALE'S TEAM.

HE'S GOT A RIGHT OF WAY MANAGER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CONSISTENT WITH PRO AG, WHICH IS THE RIGHT OF WAY RULES, UH, REGARDING ACCESSIBILITY, UM, AND OBVIOUSLY WORKING WITH, UH, OTHERS IN THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THESE ARE IN THE RIGHT LOCATION.

ANALOG WAYFINDER SIGNS CONSIDERED AND PRICED.

WE'LL GO NEXT TO PUBLIC COMMENT CHAIR.

WE HAVE FIVE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.

THE FIRST SPEAKER IS CHRIS FLORES.

CHRIS, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES.

UH, GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.

UH, UH, MY NAME IS CHRIS FLORES AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT 10.

UM, SPEAKING TONIGHT AGAINST THIS ITEM, THE KIOSKS, I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS AND A STATEMENT.

UM, QUESTION NUMBER ONE, DOES THE KIOSK VENDOR AGREE TO THE TERMS, UH, OF THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION PASSED ON FEBRUARY 5TH, THE TRANSPARENT RESPONSIBLE USE OF SURVEILLANCE ACT? UH, QUESTION NUMBER TWO WERE

[02:50:01]

UM, IMAGINE IF YOU WOULD, PARIS METRO STATION SIGNS, HOUSTON MINI MURALS OR INTERSECTION SIGNS.

THESE HELP PEOPLE FIND THEIR WAY WITH NO DIGITAL, NO ELECTRICITY.

UM, I'VE STUDIED DIGITAL ADS AND KIOSK FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND I'VE COME TO THE CONCLUSION AUSTIN DOES NOT NEED THEM.

WE GET THE SAME WAY FINDING SERVICES FROM OUR SMARTPHONES.

UM, WE, UH, SUBSCRIBE, UH, EVERY HUMAN, INCLUDING THE HOMELESS POPULATION HAVE SMARTPHONES.

WE KNOW WHERE TO GO AND THE WEATHER'S BAD WHEN IT'S ICY.

WHEN CAN HEAR THE MAYOR, I CAN STAND ON CONGRESS AVENUE AND SEE THAT THE LOW LONELY BOYS ARE PLAYING THIS WEEKEND, AND I CAN GO TO GOOGLE AND HEAR THEIR SONG.

SO EVERYTHING THAT THE GENTLEMAN IS OFFERING TO PUT IN AN EIGHT FOOT, 1100 POUND THING ON A SIDEWALK, I CAN GET ON MY PHONE.

UM, UM, SO, UM, I ASKED THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION TO, UH, USE ITS ADVISORY ROLE TO PLEASE NOTE THE PUBLIC'S OPPOSITION FOR AESTHETIC PRIVACY, ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION AND USEFULNESS REASONS.

THE KIOSKS APPEAR TO BE AN ADVERTISING SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM.

THE CITIZENS JUST DON'T HAVE.

UM, 6 MILLION OVER 20 YEARS REVENUE, UM, TO THE CITY IS NOT WORTH IT, I DON'T THINK.

SO THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CRAIG NAZER.

CUT IT RIGHT THAT TIME.

HELLO, MY NAME IS CRAIG NAZER.

I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF ON THIS ISSUE.

UH, EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY.

DOES ANYONE IN THIS ROOM NOT HAVE A CELL, A SMARTPHONE ON THEM? ANYONE? MY CAR NOW HAS A, A, A INCREDIBLE MAP SYSTEM IN IT TOO.

I MEAN, EVEN IF I FORGET MY PHONE, I CAN I GET THE CARD? DOES IT? UM, YOU KNOW, MY CONCERN IS, WELL, WHY ARE THESE BEING PUT UP? AND, YOU KNOW, WHY IS FOR THE ADVERTISING, FOR THE ADVERTISING REVENUE? AND I KIND OF WONDER, IS THAT REALLY WHAT WE NEED MORE OF HERE IN AUSTIN? WE NEED MORE ADVERTISING.

UH, MY OTHER CONCERN IS THIS, AND IT'S LIGHT POLLUTION.

AND I KNOW THEY SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONLY GONNA GO IN, BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY SOMETIMES WHAT YOU NEED, I DON'T KNOW, LIKE YOU NEED A LITTLE DARK CORNER SOMETIME.

YOU NEED A LITTLE PLACE TO GO WHERE THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF LIGHT.

UH, AND WHAT I'M FINDING, YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE BIRD, THE WHOLE BIRD THING ABOUT LIGHT AND BIRDS AND EVERYTHING.

THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER THING WITH LIGHT AND INSECTS.

NOW, MAYBE YOU DON'T LIKE EGG INSECTS, BUT I LIKE FIREFLIES.

AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS WATERSHED PROTECTION.

WE DID.

DO YOU KNOW, FIREFLY LARVA LIVE IN DEADWOOD, AND IF YOU MOW YOUR CREEKS DOWN TO THE EDGE, YOU'LL HAVE NO FIREFLIES.

WHEN WE QUIT MOWING THE CREEK DOWN THE EDGE, WE HAD FIREFLIES, BUT FIREFLIES DON'T LIKE LIGHT.

IF I, I HAD FIREFLIES IN MY BACKYARD, AND THEN THE BAT NEIGHBOR BACK PUT A BIG LIGHT UP AND, AND, AND IF THOSE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE FIREFLIES LEAVE BECAUSE THEY SIGNAL EACH OTHER WITH A LIGHT.

AND YOU GOTTA ASK YOURSELF, WOULD YOU RATHER LOOK AT THE KIOSK OR WOULD YOU RATHER LOOK AT SOME FIREFLIES BLINKING AROUND? I KNOW MY CHOICE.

THANKS.

BUT I DO REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT LIBRARIES AND COMPUTERS.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ROY WHALEY.

HOW TO Y'ALL? MY NAME IS ROY WHALEY.

I'M A LONG TIME ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST HERE IN AUSTIN, AND POLITICAL ACTIVIST, I'M SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL TONIGHT OPPOSING THIS, UM, YOU KNOW, THE CITY OF AUSTIN GOES THROUGH A WHOLE THING ABOUT LIGHTS OUT AUSTIN, LET'S TAKE THE LIGHTS DOWN.

LET'S HAVE DARKNESS.

IT DOES NOT SAY, LET'S BE LIKE DALLAS AND HAVE BILLBOARDS THAT MAY HAVE A NICE DARK, UH, SOMBER, UH, ADVERTISEMENT OF A FUNERAL PARLOR, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CHANGES AND YOU'VE GOT A FREIGHT TRAIN COMING RIGHT AT YOU.

THE DAMN THING'S SO BRIGHT.

I KNOW THAT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, BUT STILL WE, AND, AND I'M NOT ONE TO QUOTE DON ZIMMERMAN VERY OFTEN, UH, AT LEAST NOT IN A POSITIVE WAY.

UH,

[02:55:01]

HE SAYS, BUT WE ALL HAVE COMPUTERS IN OUR POCKET RIGHT NOW, AND WE DO.

THE MAJORITY OF US DO.

AND WE DON'T NEED A KIOSK TO BE OUR PHONE.

WE CAN CHECK, OR WE COULD GO SO FAR OUT OF BOUNDS AS TO ASK A STRANGER WHERE WE MIGHT NEED TO GO.

I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN DENVER AND I LOVE IT THERE FOR SO MANY REASONS.

BUT ON THEIR TRAILS AND SIDEWALKS, THEY HAVE LITTLE ICONS ON THE SIDEWALK.

ONCE YOU LEARN WHAT THEY ARE, YOU CAN FIND WHERE TO GO FOR THE LIGHT RAIL.

YOU CAN FIND WHERE THERE'S A PARK, YOU CAN FIND WHERE THERE'S A PLACE TO EAT.

THEY HAVE A WHOLE ARRAY.

AND WE COULD HAVE THAT, THAT USES, OH, I CALCULATED IT, ZERO ELECTRICITY.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO DIRECT PEOPLE PLACES, BUT NOT TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE MORE MONEY.

WE DON'T NEED THESE KIOSKS.

WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER DISTRACTION.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO LIFE AND BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR OURSELVES.

I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHEN I'M IN A STRANGE PLACE, I WANT TO LOOK AROUND.

I DON'T LOOK FOR A KIOSK.

I MIGHT LOOK FOR A SIGN, I MIGHT GOOGLE SOMETHING, BUT I DON'T NEED SOMEONE TO TELL ME WHERE TO GO.

I'VE BEEN TOLD WHERE TO GO PLENTY OF TIMES ALREADY IN MY LIFE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MARY SANGER.

OH, WE NEED TWO PEOPLE TO SHOW.

THANK YOU MR. ISAN, OR DO I HAVE TO PUSH? OKAY, THANK YOU.

UM, MY NAME IS BETSY GREENBERG AND I HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CON YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE CHANGE TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE, PARTICULARLY THE PERMITTING OF DIGITAL SIGNS UP TO 86 INCHES DIAGONAL.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE VERTICAL, IT COULD BE HORIZONTAL.

IT'S JUST 86 INCHES DIAGONAL IS WHAT WAS WRITTEN IN THE DRAFT CODE.

THIS IS LIGHT POLLUTION.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

THIS COMMISSION JUST OVER A YEAR AGO SENT A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ENCOURAGING AUSTIN TO BECOME MORE BIRD FRIENDLY.

AT THE END OF 2024, THE COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION, SPECIFICALLY INCLUDING A REQUEST THAT THE MANAGER CREATE DESIGN STANDARDS TO MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF NIGHTTIME LIGHT POLLUTION.

THIS IS A STEP, THIS, UM, ORDINANCE WOULD BE A STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FOR NOW.

AUSTIN HAS A CONTRACT FOR 50 DOWNTOWN KIOSKS, AND MAYBE THAT CONTRACT, WHICH WE HAVEN'T SEEN, REGULATES THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT AND SAFETY ISSUES AND ACCESSIBILITY, BUT NONE OF THAT IS IN THE DRAFT CODE.

UM, SO THEY MAY BE LOW LEVEL LIGHTING, BUT THERE'S NOTHING IN THE ORDINANCE THAT REGULATES THE LEVEL OF LIGHTING ON THE TYPE OF, OR THE TYPE OF ADS ALLOWED.

SO MAYBE THERE IS IN THE CONTRACT, BUT NOT IN THE CODE.

AND THIS WILL ALSO ALLOW 86 INCH DIAGONAL SIGNS AT 2,500 BUS STOPS AND A GROWING NUMBER OF BICYCLE KIOSKS, WHICH IN MY MIND ARE ESSENTIALLY BIKE RACKS.

UM, IT WAS JUST 2022 THAT AUSTIN WENT TO THE SUPREME COURT, THE US SUPREME COURT IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN VERSUS REAGAN TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO AVOID OFFSITE DIGITAL SIGNS.

I RECENTLY VISITED MANHATTAN WHERE THESE DIGITAL SIGNS ARE SO PREVALENT THAT YOU BARELY NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE WALKING TOWARDS TIMES SQUARE.

WHEN YOU GET TO TIMES SQUARE, IT'S JUST LIKE, OH, IT'S JUST A LITTLE MORE LIGHTING.

UM, AND THE REST OF THE CITY.

THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT IN AUSTIN.

AND I HOPE YOU AGREE.

GREENBERG AND NOW MARY SANGER WILL SPEAK FOR THREE MINUTES.

UM, WE JUST HEARD FROM BETSY

[03:00:01]

UM, I JUST, UM, WE DITO EVERYTHING THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN SAID ABOUT THESE KIOSKS.

ONE THING I WILL BRING UP IS THAT IN, IN, UM, BERKELEY, THERE WAS A DATA GATHERING GROUP IN, UM, JUNE OF 25 WHERE THEY LOOKED AT THE, UM, THE KIOSKS THERE AND HOW THEY WERE USED, AND ESSENTIALLY CAME OUT AND SAID THAT THEY WERE BILLBOARDS AND NOT THAT MOST OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THEM WAS, UM, ADVERTISING THAT VERY FEW THERE REALLY, THERE WAS VERY FEW INTERACTIONS, BUT ALMOST ALL ADVERTISING WAS, UM, WAS DONE ON A TYPICAL DAY IN THAT CITY.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHERS, BUT I HOPE YOU ALL WILL PASS A RESOLUTION AGAINST, UM, THESE KIOSK.

THANK YOU CHAIR.

THAT CONCLUDES THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

THANK, THERE'S A QUESTION FROM THE AUDIO.

ALRIGHT, WE'RE GONNA GO TO ONLINE COMMISSIONERS FIRST FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

COMMISSIONER CHIA COMMISSIONERS, UH, REAL QUICK, ANTHONY SEGURA.

I DID WANT TO JUST CLARIFY ONE THING REAL QUICK.

UH, MR. WAYLAND HAD MENTIONED THAT THE REVENUE WAS 6 MILLION OVER 20 YEARS.

IT'S 6 MILLION ON AVERAGE PER YEAR.

SO THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO JUST CLARIFY.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER CHANG.

SET.

UH, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE, UM, COMMENTS.

I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR, UM, THE CITY ABOUT THE CONTRACT.

UM, I'M CURIOUS IF, UH, A CAMERA IS GOING TO BE INSTALLED ONTO THESE KIOSKS.

I KNOW THAT THAT'S AN OPTION.

I'M WONDERING IF THE CITY IS, IS CHOOSING TO HAVE THE CAMERAS AND THE WIFI ENABLED AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

UH, COMMISSIONER, UH, AT THIS TIME, THE CAMERAS WILL BE, UH, ON THE KIOSK, BUT ARE GONNA BE UTILIZED FOR PICTURES ONLY.

UH, NO DATA WILL BE KEPT, UH, AND EVERYTHING IS ERASED ON AN EVENING BASIS.

UH, FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, UH, I HAVE SOMEBODY FROM IKE SMART CITY, UH, LLC, WHO CAN FURTHER EXPLAIN ABOUT HOW THE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IS GOING TO, UH, ENSURE THAT THERE IS SECURITY, UH, AND THAT AS I'VE TALKED TO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, TO ENSURE THAT NONE OF THESE CAMERAS WILL BE WEAPONIZED FOR ANYTHING, IF THAT SORT.

SO, UH, IF, UH, MY REPRESENTATIVE ONLINE CAN PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE.

ANY PII OR UM, STORING ANY STORING SELLING ANY DATA, UH, FROM THOSE WIFI INTERACTIONS.

EVERYTHING YOU SAID IS CORRECT.

THE, THE KIOSKS DO HAVE THE OPTION TO HAVE SECURITY CAMERAS.

UM, THEY RECORD TO A DVR AND CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED BY EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, UM, UPON REQUEST.

UH, IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, STREAMING TO A REALTIME CRIME CENTER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT IT'S OPTIONAL AND THE CITY CAN ELECT TO NOT HAVE IT.

THERE'S ALSO A PHOTO BOOTH CAMERA, WHICH IS WHAT ANTHONY WAS REFERRING TO THAT TAKES SELFIES, UM, AND SENDS THEM TO YOUR PHONE.

BUT, UM, AGAIN, THOSE, THOSE PICTURES ARE DELETED IMMEDIATELY.

THEY'RE NEVER STORED ON THE KIOSK.

UM, AND THAT'S ALSO AN OPTIONAL FEATURE.

UM, AND THEN, UH, FINALLY THE KIOSKS DO NOT COLLECT ANY PII.

UM, THE ONLY INFORMATION THAT'S COLLECTED BY THE KIOSK IS INFORMATION ABOUT HOW OFTEN THEY'RE USED AND WHICH APPLICATIONS ARE, UM, THE MOST COMMON, MOST COMMONLY USED.

AND THAT INFORMATION IS REALLY FOR PLANNING PURPOSES FOR THE CITY.

UM, AND SO THERE, THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT, UM, DATA, YOU KNOW, DATA ISSUES.

GREAT, THANKS.

AND I KNOW, UM, WE HAD KIND OF DISCUSSED THAT IN THE LAST, UM, MEETING ABOUT THIS TOO.

UM, I'M CURIOUS IF THE CONTRACT WILL ALSO INCLUDE, UM, ENABLING THE WIFI FEATURE WHERE, UH, PEOPLE CAN CONNECT TO THE WIFI ON THE KIOSK.

THE, THE FREE WIFI IS ALSO AN OPTIONAL FEATURE, AND I DEFER TO, UM, ANTHONY ON IF THE CITY INTENDS TO, TO HAVE THAT FUNCTIONALITY.

BUT THE, UM, AGAIN, THE THE WHAT WE ARE NOT COLLECTING

[03:05:01]

UM, BUT AGAIN, IT'S A, IT'S AN OPTIONAL FEATURE AS PART OF THE KIOSK PROGRAM.

SORRY, I SHOULD HAVE MADE THAT MORE CLEAR FOR THE CITY.

ARE ARE YOU THINKING OF ENABLING THE WIFI FEATURE? THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

UH, GOOD QUESTION.

UH, WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THAT AT THIS POINT, BUT, UH, I CAN ASSURE YOU, UH, I WILL TALK TO OUR CITY MANAGEMENT STAFF TO SEE IF THAT IS SOMETHING.

PLUS WE NEED TO WORK FURTHER WITH OUR EQUITY OFFICE TO SEE, UH, IF, UH, THE DIGITAL EQUITY THAT PROJECTS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON WOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE KIOSK.

SO AT THIS POINT, I CAN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION.

UM, I'M ALSO CURIOUS, AGAIN, THIS IS FOR THE CITY.

UM, IF, UH, EPAPER WAS CONSIDERED INSTEAD OF THESE ELECTRONIC KIOSKS, I KNOW EPAPER IS USED IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT CITIES.

UM, FOR EXAMPLE, I'M FROM THE NORTHEAST, BOSTON HAS THEM, THEY'RE SOLAR PANELED.

YOU CAN ALSO CHANGE THE DISPLAY.

UM, AND BECAUSE THEY JUST REFLECT THE LIGHT, THEY ARE NOT USABLE AT NIGHT.

SO THERE IS NO LIGHT POLLUTION.

I'M CURIOUS WHY, UM, THIS KIOSK COMPANY WAS CHOSEN.

UH, WE DID A ROBUST, UH, REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND WE RECEIVED THREE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS, UH, FROM THREE DIFFERENT, UH, VENDORS.

AND, UH, THE, UH, BENEFITS THAT, UH, ARE THAT WE RECEIVED FROM, UH, IKE SMART CITY, UH, WERE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CITY IN GENERAL AND THE FEATURES, UH, THAT THEY WERE GONNA PROVIDE.

SO, UH, THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE HAD GONE WITH THEM.

CAN YOU GIVE LIKE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT THIS, WHAT THE CITY FELT LIKE THIS PROVIDED OVER A STANDARD PAPER DISPLAY OR AN EPAPER DISPLAY? SO I, I APOLOGIZE, I'M NOT TOO FAMILIAR WITH THE EPAPER DISPLAY THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO.

UH, I CAN ONLY TALK TO WHAT THE CONTRACT HAD ENTAILED AND WHY WE SELECTED SMART, UH, IKE, UH, AND PRO PREDOMINANTLY WITH THE ABILITIES, SEARCH FEATURES THAT THEY WERE OFFERING, THE SECURITY THAT THEY WERE GOING TO ENSURE THAT, UH, THE, THE, UH, KIOSK PROVIDE ON TOP OF THE REVENUE SHARING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY.

THOSE ARE THE REASONS WHY WE SELECTED THEM.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BRIMER.

THANKS SO MUCH.

COMMISSIONER FIERRO? YEAH, I ONLY HAVE, UH, THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE IS ARE, ARE THE KX GONNA HAVE ANY AI TECHNOLOGY IN THEM? ANTHONY, I CAN ANSWER THAT IF, IF YOU'D LIKE.

UH, NO, THERE ARE NO, THERE'S NO AI TECHNOLOGY IN THE KIOSKS.

OKAY, PERFECT.

THAT, THAT'S THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE THAT, UH, COMMISSIONER MORE EZ I THANK YOU SO MUCH.

UH, I THINK I ASKED ALL MY QUESTIONS LAST TIME, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY FOR NOW.

YEAH, LAST TIME AND THIS TIME I WAS EXCESSIVELY AMBIVALENT ABOUT THE ENTIRE THING.

UH, BECAUSE IF I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A BILLBOARD.

IS THAT CORRECT? I MEAN, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT BILLBOARDS.

THIS IS JUST A KIOSK TYPE OF THING.

AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS IF WE ACCEPT THIS AND WE'RE PASS A RECOMMENDATION, WE'RE NOT GONNA SEE BILLBOARD DIGITAL BILLBOARDS ALL OVER THE CITY.

IS THAT CORRECT COMMISSIONER? THAT IS CORRECT.

THESE ARE DIGITAL KIOSK ARE COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM BILLBOARDS.

AND AS, AS IT WAS ALLUDED TO EARLIER, UH, REGARDING THE SUPREME COURT, THAT WAS FOR THE DIGITAL BILLBOARDS THEMSELVES AND THE CITY IS NOT GOING TOWARDS THAT DIRECTION.

PREVENT US FROM HANDING INFORMATION OVER, UH, I HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT, LARGELY SPEAKING, THAT'S NOT REALLY THE CASE.

WHAT HAS ME WORRIED THAT I HEARD THIS EVENING WAS THE CAMERAS IN THE, UH, DEVICES.

UH, MY, UH, MY DAY JOB BEFORE I RETIRED WAS COMPUTERS.

AND, UH, I FOLLOWED THE COMPUTER BUSINESS PRETTY RIGOROUSLY NOW EVEN THOUGH I'VE RETIRED.

AND, UH, WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, IMAGES ARE DELETED AND CAN'T BE RETRIEVED AND WE HAVE THESE ROBUST SECURITY PROCEDURES THAT

[03:10:01]

UH, RECENTLY THERE'S BEEN A KIDNAPPING OF A RATHER FAMOUS INDIVIDUAL, AND EVEN THOUGH THE DATA ON THAT INDIVIDUAL'S RING CA UH, RING CAMERA WAS BELIEVED TO BE DELETED THROUGH A LOT OF PROBING, THE, UH, FBI WAS ABLE TO RECOVER IT.

UH, THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF THAT CAN GO ON AND, UH, THE COMPANY 23 AND ME, WHICH WAS FAMOUS FOR, UH, YOU SENDING IN YOUR DNA AND UH, GETTING FEEDBACK ON, YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU CAME FROM IN IRELAND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CONSIDERED SECRET AND NOT DIVULGED.

HOWEVER, THE COMPANY WENT BANKRUPT AND TECHNICALLY IT WENT, THE SECURE DATA THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS PRIVATE WAS NOW TECHNICALLY AN ASSET TO BE AUCTIONED OFF JUST LIKE THE BUILDING THEY WORKED IN OR THE COMPANY CARS OR ANYTHING ELSE.

THE GOVERNMENT CAN ISSUE A WARRANT FOR ANY DATA STORED AND PREVENT YOU FROM DELETING IT.

OR NOWADAYS THEY DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE A WARRANT DEPENDING UPON WHO REQUEST IT .

SO I'M NOT REALLY IMPRESSED BY HAVING CAMERAS IN ANYTHING FOR ANY REASON AT ALL.

AND WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE, AND I ACCEPT THE ASSURANCES YOU PROVIDE, I DON'T NECESSARILY RELY ON THE NEXT GUY TO ADHERE TO ALL THAT.

I DON'T NECESSARILY TRUST THE NEXT FEDERAL OFFICIAL THAT WALKS IN THE, INTO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT OR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OR WHATEVER DEPARTMENT YOU WORK IN TO ABIDE BY THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

AND WHILE THERE'S NO AI IN THERE RIGHT NOW, UH, FOLLOWING BUSINESS TRENDS, THERE'S PEOPLE FALLING ALL OVER THEMSELVES TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE AI TO DELIVER MCDONALD'S HAMBURGERS.

SO THE FACT THAT YOUR SYSTEM DOESN'T USE AI TODAY DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT GONNA USE AI TOMORROW.

I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT THIS WHOLE CAMERA THING AT ALL.

IT WAS IF IT WAS JUST YOU PUTTING UP AN AD ADVERTISING BEER IN FRONT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, I MIGHT GET PAST THAT.

'CAUSE I DON'T, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE ANY VESTED INTEREST IN THAT, BUT THIS WHOLE CAMERA THING HAS ME SEVERELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF SURVEILLANCE WE HAVE GOING ON AROUND HERE AND JUST PUTTING 50 OR A HUNDRED OR I DON'T KNOW, HOW MANY DO YOU THINK YOU'RE PUTTING OUT THERE? THE CITY JUST VOTED DOWN, HAVING THE LICENSE PLATE READERS IN POLICE CARS.

THERE ARE IDLE DOORDASH DRIVERS THAT ARE DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOTS WITH CAMERAS CAPTURING LICENSE PLATES OF IDLY PARKED CARS IN PARKING LOTS AND UPLOADING THEM TO DATABASES TO BE SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

I THINK WE NEED TO KIND OF LIKE DRAW THE LINE AT SOMEPLACE.

UH, YOU KNOW, SO I I, I CAN'T GET ON BOARD WITH THIS THING AT ALL.

UH, THE FACT THAT I FIND THERE'S A CAMERA IN HERE JUST IT PUSHES ME COMPLETELY OVER THE EDGE.

AND THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY.

COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN, I HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER.

I COMMISSIONER LUKI.

I AM WONDERING WHERE THIS IDEA CAME FROM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WHO THOUGHT OF THIS? DO WE KNOW? WHERE DID IT ORIGINATE? THERE WAS AN IFC FROM COUNSEL THAT WAS GENERATED IN DECEMBER OF 2024 FROM COUNSEL.

AND WHAT WAS THE THREE LETTER ACRONYM YOU JUST GAVE ME? I-O-C-I-F-C-I-F-C.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT IS, UH, INFORMATION FROM COUNSEL.

PERSONALLY THAT IDENTIFIABLE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT, OH, GO AHEAD.

ALSO, WHAT DOES PII STAND FOR? BECAUSE IT WAS REFERRED TO, IT STANDS FOR PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION

[03:15:01]

NO, PLEASE GO ON.

I, I'M CURIOUS.

I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, SO BASICALLY WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT THE ONLY INFORMATION THAT IS COLLECTED BY THE KIOSK IS INFORMATION ABOUT KIOSK USAGE.

SO, YOU KNOW, HOW MANY TIMES THEY'RE BEING CLICKED, WHICH APPLICATIONS ARE MOST POPULAR, AND ALL OF THAT INFORMATION IS OBVIOUSLY NOT ABLE TO BE TRACKED BACK TO WHO IS UTILIZING THE KIOSK.

I SEE.

SO THERE'S NO, UH, GATEWAY OF INFORMATION THAT THAT'S ABSORBING, UM, FROM ANYBODY WHO HAPPENS TO BE WALKING BY.

WHAT IS THAT GEOFENCING THING NOW THAT YOU CAN DO WHERE YOU GET EVERYBODY'S INFORMATION? UM, CORRECT.

THERE'S NO PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION BEING COLLECTED BY PEOPLE WALKING BY.

AND I ALSO DO WANNA JUST CLARIFY THAT THE KIOSKS ARE A COMPLETELY OPTIONAL, FUN, YOU KNOW, FUNCTION OF THE KIOSK.

IT, IT MATTERS, IT DOESN'T MATTER AT ALL TO US AS THE VENDOR, WHETHER CITIES ELECT TO HAVE THEM OR NOT.

IT'S REALLY MEANT TO SERVE A, A PUBLIC SAFETY PURPOSE.

BUT MANY, MANY CITIES, INCLUDING MOST OF OUR WEST COAST CITIES ELECT NOT, NOT TO HAPPEN.

UM, AND SO THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AN OPTION FOR THE CITY.

IF CAMERAS, YOU KNOW, IF THE CITY DOESN'T WANNA HAVE THE CAMERAS, HOW MANY CITIES ARE YOU IN NOW? WE ARE IN 25 CITIES, UH, NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING MANY IN TEXAS, UM, SAN ANTONIO, ARLINGTON, TEXAS, HOUSTON.

AND THEN WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED RFPS IN AUSTIN AND IN DALLAS.

ONE LAST QUESTION.

UM, WHY THIS THING IS OPERATING 24 7, I'M ASSUMING IT'S ALWAYS ON RIGHT? WHEN NOBODY'S USING IT? YES.

WHAT HAPPENS? IT'S OPERATING 24 7, SO WHEN NOBODY'S USING IT, WHAT HAPPENS? IS IT JUST RUNNING ADVERTISEMENT AND, AND, UM, COMMUNITY INFORMATION THAT THE CITY REQUESTS TO BE, UH, TO BE BROADCAST SIMULTANEOUSLY ON EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM ALL THE TIME? YES.

IT'S, IT'S GOING THROUGH THE SLIDESHOW, SO IT GOES THROUGH, BUT THAT IS CORRECT.

IT'S GOING THROUGH THE SLIDESHOW AND IT DOES, BUT IT DOES SIGNIFICANTLY DIM AT NIGHT.

UM, SO WE HAVE AN AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR INSIDE OF THE KIOSK THAT, THAT DIMS THE KIOSK THAT IN NIGHT AT NIGHTTIME SO THAT IT DOESN'T, YOU KNOW, FEEL JARRING TO THE EYES.

UM, AND THAT AD LOOP OR THE, UM, CONTENT LOOP HAS THE ADVERTISING, BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, CITY CONTENT, UH, PUBLIC ART INFORMATION ABOUT AREA NONPROFITS.

IT'S A, IT'S A MIX OF CONTENT.

WE UNDERWRITE THAT ONLY ABOUT 45% OF THE TIME ON AVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WILL ACTUALLY BE ADVERTISING.

SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THAT WAY, 55% IS LEFT FOR CITY CONTENT.

WE WORK WITH LOCAL ARTISTS, WE WORK WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS, UM, TO DISPLAY OTHER TYPES OF CONTENT AS WELL.

AND ONE LAST QUESTION.

HOW DOES THE CONTENT GET INTO THE MACHINE? IS IT DONE EVERY DAY? IS IT UPGRADED? UH, IS IT DONE BY WIFI? DOES IT, HOW DO YOU, HOW DO YOU INPUT THE DATA? YEAH, SO WE ACTUALLY ARE, OUR SOFTWARE IS A PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE BUILT BY A SOFTWARE TEAM THAT IS IN-HOUSE TO IKE SMART CITY.

AND SO THE CITY CONTENT, FOR EXAMPLE, AND IS, UM, UPLOADED THROUGH THAT, A CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, UH, ONLINE THAT WE HAVE, UM, CREATED.

SO IT IS WIFI.

SO WHEN YOU SAY ONLINE, IT IS INPUT AT, AT WHATEVER TIMEFRAME THAT IS, UH, THAT IS REQUIRED BY WHATEVER THIS CONTRACT ASKS FOR.

IS IT DAILY, IS IT WEEKLY? THE CONTENT CAN BE UP UPLOADED TO THE KIOSK, YOU KNOW, AT, AT A FREQUENCY, AT ANY FREQUENCY.

SO IF THE CITY WANTED TO SWAP OUT THEIR CONTENT EVERY SINGLE DAY, THAT'S, THAT'S AN OPTION.

UM, IT, IT, THERE'S NO LIKE CADENCE THAT THE CONTENT NEEDS TO, YOU KNOW, BE UPLOADED OR CHANGED ON.

IT CAN, IT CAN BE BASED ON WHAT THE CITY WANTS TO POST AND WHEN.

SO I'D LIKE TO NOTE THAT IF YOU CAN PUT INFORMATION IN IT, THEN I GUESS YOU CAN TAKE INFORMATION BACK OUT OF IT TOO, ALL THROUGH WIFI AND NO ONE WOULD KNOW THERE, THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY CONFIDENTIAL, YOU KNOW, CITY INFORMATION STORED ON THE KIOSK.

LIKE IF, IF SOMETHING IS BEING SHARED ON THE KI INGESTED BY THE KIOSK SHARED ON THE KIOSK, UM, IT'S INFORMATION THAT THE CITY WOULD WANT TO DISPLAY TO THE PUBLIC.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FLURRY.

YEAH, THANK YOU.

UM, FEW, UH, QUESTIONS.

UH, SO NO PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

INFORMATION WILL BE, DATA WILL

[03:20:01]

BE COLLECTED, UM, BUT OTHER DATA IS BEING COLLECTED THAT'S JUST NOT PII, IS THAT SAFE TO SAY? JUST THE ANONYMOUS AGGREGATED INFORMATION THAT I MENTIONED, LIKE HOW MANY TIMES THE KIOSK IS BEING TAPPED AND GOING FROM PASSIVE, THE MODE TO ENGAGED MODE, WHICH APPLICATIONS ARE MOST POPULAR, UM, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THIS IDEA, SO ALL ANONYMOUS AND AGGREGATED.

SO IT, IT, IT COULD BE USED, THIS IDEA OF GEO-FENCING TO JUST KINDA MAKE A, A, A GUESS, UH, YOU KNOW, A SYNTHESIS OF OF USERS WHO, WHO, WHO, WHO ARE IN THE AREA, WHO ARE AROUND IT.

UM, IT'S JUST NOT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE, BUT IT IS MAKING INFERENCES A A ABOUT WHO'S USING IT, WHO'S AROUND THE KIOSK.

IS THAT A WAY TO DESCRIBE IT? THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION COLLECTED ABOUT WHO'S USING IT.

IT'S SIMPLY JUST, UH, THE NUMBER OF, OF USERS AND, AND WHICH APPLICATIONS ARE MOST POPULAR.

OUR ONLY BUSINESS MODEL IS SELLING ADVERTISEMENTS.

UM, THERE'S NO OTHER DATA THAT WE'RE COLLECTING AND IT'S, AND WE'RE NOT, IT, YOU KNOW, THE, THE, IT'S THE EXTENT OF THE DATA THAT'S BEING COLLECTED IS WHAT I, WHAT I MENTIONED.

UH, SO WHEN YOU MENTIONED AN APP, UM, IS, IS THAT A, A CONTROLLED APP THAT'S ALSO NOT COLLECTING OR SHARING DATA? YEAH, ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS ARE, ARE BUILT IN HOUSE AND THEY'RE APPLICATIONS LIKE A WAYFINDING APPLICATION TO TELL YOU REALTIME ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE INFORMATION FOR ALL OF THE LOCAL TRANSIT IN THE, IN THE AREA.

UM, DISCOVERY APPLICATIONS, LIKE AN EAT AND DRINK APPLICATION THAT'S GOING TO LIST ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA SORTED BASED ON PROXIMITY WITH THE ABILITY TO READ REVIEWS AND, AND LOOK AT PHOTOS AND, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PRICE POINT IS AND SEND WALKING DIRECTIONS TO YOURSELF.

UM, SO THERE'S NO THIRD PARTY APPLICATIONS THAT ARE COLLECTING DATA.

IT'S ALL, IT'S ALL BUILT IN HOUSE BY IKE SMART CITY, AND WE, UM, YOU KNOW, HAVE A PRIVACY POLICY THAT OUTLINES THAT WE'RE NOT COLLECTING ANY OF THAT TYPE OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

UH, SO I GUESS WHAT CONCERNS ME A LITTLE BIT IS JUST EVEN THE DESCRIPTION THAT THIS IS A BIG IPAD, KNOWING THE FUNCTIONALITIES, ONCE THIS HAS A CAMERA, ONCE IT HAS A MICROPHONE, ONCE IT HAS THE INTERNET TO SAY IT DOESN'T HAVE AI OR IT'S NOT COLLECTING DATA, THESE ARE PRETTY DANG POWERFUL.

UM, HOW, HOW WOULD, HOW DO YOU ALL RESPOND TO THAT, THAT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, YOU SAY IT'S NOT USING AI, BUT, UM, I, I WOULD SAY WITH THE CAPABILITIES OF EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN DESCRIBED, AI IS, IS, IS BEING USED.

WE DON'T USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN OUR, UH, SOFTWARE.

UM, SO THINKING ABOUT THE ENERGY USED IN A A CELL PHONE, UM, HOW, HOW MUCH, HOW MUCH ENERGY DOES THIS KIOSK USE COMPARED TO A TYPICAL IPHONE IN A DAY? I AM NOT SURE THE USAGE OF AN IPHONE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT, UM, THE KIOSKS BASICALLY PLUG INTO A STANDARD CIRCUIT.

SO, YOU KNOW, 1 20, 2 40 IS, IS WHAT'S IN YOUR HOUSE.

UM, THAT IS THE, THE VOLTAGE OF THE POWER THAT WE USE.

AND THE, UM, MAXIMUM AMPERAGE DRAW IS EIGHT AMP, THAT 240 VOLTS.

UM, SO IT'S, IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, IT'S UNFORTUNATELY WE WOULD LOVE FOR THESE TO BE ABLE TO BE SOLAR POWERED.

IT WOULD GIVE US A TON MORE FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF WHERE WE COULD PLACE THEM.

IT WOULD ALSO BE LIKE MUCH, MUCH MORE COST EFFICIENT AS WELL AS ALL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.

UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE, THE SOLAR TECHNOLOGY JUST ISN'T THERE YET FOR THAT AMPERAGE DRAW.

UM, BUT IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT SO SIGNIFICANT THAT IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S ACTUALLY LIKE A RELATIVELY SMALL AMPERAGE DRAW CONSIDERING THE, THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE KIOSK.

I WAS GONNA SAY, I LOOKED INTO THIS LAST TIME, UM, BECAUSE I FOUND LIKE THE NUMBERS A LITTLE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE RELATIVE TO NORMAL LIFE.

UM, AND IT'S ABOUT THE SAME AS A REFRIGERATOR, LIKE PLUGGING IN A FULL-SIZED REFRIGERATOR, EACH ONE OF THEM.

UM, AND, AND SO SOLAR PANELS CAN'T RUN A REFRIGERATOR STICKING ON THAT, UM, UM, IDEA.

SO, UH, THE CITY HAS ACCESS TO A PLATFORM, IT SOUNDS LIKE, TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHAT'S BEING SHOWN ON THERE.

CAN THEY ALSO SHUT IT OFF IN A, A STORM THAT THIS ISN'T DRAWING ENERGY? WE'RE NOT GONNA SEE ADVERTISEMENTS RUN WHEN THEY, YOU KNOW, CLEARLY WON'T MAKE SENSE.

SO IF THERE EVER IS A STORM AND THERE'S AN EVACUATION ORDER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THE KIOSKS ACTUALLY WOULD, THE SCREEN WOULD BE TAKEN OVER BY THAT TYPE OF EMERGENCY MESSAGING, UM, INSTEAD OF SHOWING THE ADVERTISING LOOP.

AND THE OTHER PIECE OF THIS IS THAT THE, UM, THE KIOSK AUTOMATICALLY CAN PULL IN EMERGENCY ALERTS PROVIDED BY CMA.

AND SO, UM, LIKE THE INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM PROVIDED BY FEMA, AND

[03:25:01]

SO I DO THINK THAT'S GREAT, IT CAN HAVE THAT FUNCTIONALITY.

IT THEN JUST DOES MAKE ME THINK, WHY ISN'T THAT SERVICE OFFERED EVERYWHERE? AND SO THEN WE WOULD SEE THE GROWTH OF THESE EMERGENCY WARNING KIOSKS, WHICH MAYBE ARE NECESSARY, BUT I ASSOCIATE THAT MORE WITH LIKE A TEXT DOT, YOU KNOW, ORANGE SIGN THAT CLEARLY READS AT, UH, THAT PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO LOOK AT THAT FOR, FOR A WARNING.

SO I'M JUST A LITTLE CONCERNED ON, UM, HOW THAT WOULD GET USED IN A STORM EFFICIENTLY.

UM, SO I, I GUESS I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

I, ALL RIGHT.

THANKS FOR YOUR PRESENTATIONS.

I APOLOGIZE THAT I WASN'T AT THE LAST PRESENTATION.

SO I'VE TRIED TO COLLECT INFORMATION BEFORE COMING HERE TO BE PREPARED AND, AND LEARN MORE TONIGHT.

UM, MY GENERAL READ ON THIS ISSUE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE CORRECT, IS THAT THE CITY IS IN A BUDGET CRISIS, PROP Q FAILED, UH, AND THE CITY NEEDS MONEY.

AND SO THEY'RE LOOKING TO SEE WHERE, WHERE AND HOW CAN WE GENERATE MONEY.

AND I DO THINK THIS IS, UM, A QUESTION FOR ALL OF US WHEN WE THINK ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND A CAPITALIST SOCIETY, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH CAN WE THE TAXPAYERS FUND OUR OWN SERVICES? AND THEN HOW MUCH ARE WE, YOU KNOW, SELLING OUT TO CORPORATIONS AND FOR-PROFIT ENTERPRISES? AND I THINK WE'RE IN AN UNFORTUNATE SYSTEM, ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND UNFORTUNATE POSITION.

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE TO GET INTO, YOU KNOW, THE DETAILS OF CITY SPENDING, BUT THAT TO ME, I IMAGINE IS, IS DRIVING THE IMPETUS FOR THIS BECAUSE I THINK AS OTHERS HAVE NOTED, I DON'T SEE A GREAT PUBLIC UTILITY FOR THIS SERVICE.

I CAN HEAR YOU ALL TRYING TO ARGUE FOR THAT.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, 45% OF THE TIME THIS IS GONNA BE ADVERTISEMENTS, IT'S GONNA BE TAKING UP SPACE, YOU KNOW, ON CITY SIDEWALKS THAT WE NEED FOR PEDESTRIANS, WE NEED FOR CYCLISTS, WE NEED FOR ALL OTHER MICRO MOBILITY.

UM, IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE TAKING UP THE SPACE WHERE STREET TREES HOPEFULLY ONE DAY CAN BE PUT IN.

AND I THINK OUR REAL ESTATE DOWNTOWN IS SO PRECIOUS, UM, THAT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HOW TO BEST USE IT, THIS DOESN'T RISE TO THE TOP.

SO I UNDERSTAND YOU ALL ARE IN A TOUGH POSITION, YOU'RE TRYING TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CAUSE.

GETTING MORE MONEY FOR THE CITY IS A, A NOBLE CAUSE IN AND OF ITSELF.

BUT I THINK ON BALANCE, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT DO WE AS A PUBLIC GAIN FROM THIS AND WHAT DO WE LOSE, TO ME, WE LOSE MORE THAN WE GAIN.

UM, I KNOW OTHERS HAVE BEEN TOUCHING ON NIGHT SKIES.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S HARD TO CONVEY IF YOU HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED A TRULY DARK SKY.

I'M FORTUNATE TO HAVE GROWN UP IN PART IN BURUNDI AND CENTRAL AFRICA, BOTSWANA, AND SOUTHERN AFRICA.

MY FAVORITE PLACE IN TEXAS IS BIG BEND.

I GO EVERY CHANCE I GET.

I KNOW WHAT A TRULY DARK SKY LOOKS LIKE.

I KNOW THAT WHEN YOU LOOK UP AT THE SKY, I REMEMBER BEING A CHILD IN THE KALAHARI DESERT, THERE WERE MORE STARS THAN DARK SPACE IN THE SKY.

AND I AM SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT.

VERY, VERY FEW PEOPLE, UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS MODERN WORLD HAVE.

SO IT'S EASY IF, IF YOU'RE ACCUSTOMED TO THE CITY LIGHT IN AUSTIN, WHAT'S ANOTHER, WHAT'S ANOTHER LIGHT IN THE STREET? I UNDERSTAND THAT MENTALITY.

I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

SO ALL I CAN DO HERE IS JUST TRY TO CONVEY THE WONDER OF A DARK NIGHT SKY.

AND WHAT THAT DOES FOR US AS A PEOPLE SPIRITUALLY, WE KNOW FROM A RESEARCH STANDPOINT WHAT THAT DOES FOR OUR OWN CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, FOR THE WILDLIFE, FOR PLANT GROWTH.

YOU KNOW, YES, WE TALK ABOUT BIRDS A LOT.

THE IMPACT OF LIGHT IS ACTUALLY FAR REACHING ON ALL SPECIES, UM, INCLUDING PLANTS.

SO THE EFFECTS ARE REAL, THEY'RE WELL-RESEARCHED AND THEY'RE DELETERIOUS.

AND THEN THERE'S JUST, LIKE I SAID, THAT SPIRITUAL ASPECT THAT'S HARDER TO CONVEY, BUT IS, IS FELT.

SO, UM, 50 KIOSKS IN WHAT IS FRANKLY A SMALL DOWNTOWN AREA FOR AUSTIN IS A LOT LIKE, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT WOULD BE HIGH DENSITY, TAKING UP A LOT OF REAL ESTATE.

UM, SO THAT, THAT CONCERNS ME.

AND THEN WHEN I LOOK INTO, UM, ITS USAGE IN OTHER CITIES, I'M HEARING OVER AND OVER THE ASSURANCES THAT AI IS NOT GONNA BE USED.

HOWEVER, IN SAN DIEGO, I KNOW THAT IKE PARTNERED WITH PLACER

[03:30:01]

AI.

UM, AND SO I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS CHANGED OR IF THIS IS A LEGAL DESIGNATION THAT YOU'RE DANCING AROUND.

WELL, WE DON'T COLLECT THE DATA, BUT WE CONTRACT WITH PLACER AI, WHICH IS COLLECTING DATA.

AND UNFORTUNATELY PLACER AI HAS PARTNERED WITH GROUPS THAT TRACK PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTIONS, UM, AND HAS CREATED ABORTION HEAT MAPS.

SO WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SECURITY ISSUES FOR PEOPLE WITH THIS AI, UM, AND THAT IT'S ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WHO CONSTITUTES EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.

WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION REQUESTS ARE NEEDED FOR THAT FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDPOINT? AI IS EGREGIOUS.

UM, IT'S, IT'S FUELING OUR DATA CENTERS IN A PLACE WHERE WE ARE DROUGHT STRICKEN IN CENTRAL TEXAS, THIS IS NOT A MADE UP CONCERN.

THIS IS REAL, THIS IS HAPPENING, THIS IS THE TOPIC OF THE DAY.

UM, SO PUTTING 50 REFRIGERATORS THAT ARE RUNNING CONSTANTLY DOWNTOWN LIKE THAT, THAT COST IS REAL.

AND I THINK THERE ARE OTHER COSTS THAT ENERGY COSTS INCLUDED THAT WE'RE NOT MAYBE FULLY UNDERSTANDING OR SEEING OR BEING PRESENTED WITH, AND SOME OF WHICH WE DON'T KNOW.

UM, HAVING THE CAMERAS AS A BUILT-IN CAPABILITY I DO THINK OPENS THE DOOR FOR ABUSE.

HAVING THE WIFI, I THINK EXPOSES IT TO POTENTIAL HACKERS.

YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THE CITY OF AUSTIN SAYS WE'RE NOT GOING TO KEEP THE DATA, OTHER PEOPLE, I THINK COULD, COULD ACCESS THAT.

SO FROM AN ENERGY STANDPOINT, FROM A LIGHT POLLUTION STANDPOINT, FROM A MICRO MOBILITY STANDPOINT, FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT, UM, I JUST, I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS.

I DO APPLAUD YOU ALL FOR BEING CREATIVE AND WANTING TO GENERATE INCOME FOR A CITY WHEN WE NEED IT, BUT I THINK IF WE'RE BEING REALISTIC ABOUT WHAT REALLY SUPPORTS OUR UNHOUSED POPULATION, WHAT REALLY HELPS US IN AN EMERGENCY, YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T THIS, ISN'T IT.

I THINK OUR MONEY CAN BE BETTER SPENT ELSEWHERE TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS.

UM, SO I, I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT, BUT THOSE ARE, THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.

DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? OKAY, WITH THAT, I DO HAVE A RECOMMENDATION.

I HAVE, YEAH, TWO MORE POINTS.

YEAH, THAT I'D LIKE TO KINDA RIFF OFF ON WHAT YOU SAID.

YOU MENTIONED HAVING WIFI IN THERE.

WHEN YOU HAVE WIFI, YOU CAN HAVE SECURITY BY HAVING A PASSWORD AND THAT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM LOGGING IN, RANDOM PEOPLE FROM LOGGING IN AND ACCESSING YOUR DATA.

IT'S A SECURITY FEATURE, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE PUBLIC WIFI LIKE THIS, THERE IS NO PASSWORD.

THAT MEANS ANYONE CAN GET ON.

THAT MEANS WHEN I SAY ANYONE, I MEAN ANYONE.

SO WHEN YOU LOG IN, EVERYTHING YOU SEND OUT OVER YOUR CELL PHONE IS NOW PUBLICLY AVAILABLE UNLESS YOU'VE GOT SOME METHOD TO ENCRYPT DATA END-TO-END ENCRYPTION, MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE END-TO-END ENCRYPTION.

SO YOU'RE OPENING ALL OF YOUR COMMUNICATIONS, ALL YOUR CELL PHONE CALLS, DATA TRANSFERS ARE AUTOMATICALLY OPEN TO WHATEVER HACKER HAPPENS TO BE SITTING IN THE CHAIR NEXT TO YOU, NEXT TO THIS THING WITHIN RECEPTION.

SO THAT'S ONE THING.

SO, YOU KNOW, HAVING WIFI SOUNDS LIKE A BENEFIT, BUT YOU'RE BASICALLY OPENING YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO WHOEVER IS SITTING NEAR YOU.

SECONDLY, YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE, UH, YOU KNOW, THE ABORTION THING.

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE ABOUT, AND I'M NOT GONNA GET INTO ABORTION, BUT LET'S USE THAT AS AN EXAMPLE.

PEOPLE HAVE USED NOT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE IN INFORMATION, BUT HAVE COLLECTED LITTLE PIECES OF RANDOM INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS DATABASES AND BEEN ABLE TO TRACK PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LEAVING THE STATE IN ORDER TO ACCESS ABORTION IN OTHER PLACES.

THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO NARROW IT DOWN TO SAY, FIVE PEOPLE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS WHO ARE TRYING TO CROSS INTO NEW MEXICO.

WELL, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEM IS OVER 80 AND IN A HOSPITAL, THE OTHER ONE'S A GUY.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU KIND OF, THIS PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION IS NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY.

YOU CAN PULL INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT DATABASES AND NARROW IT DOWN TO A SMALL COHORT OF PEOPLE AND

[03:35:01]

IDENTIFY THEM.

SO AGAIN, THIS THING WHERE, OH, WELL, WE'RE NOT COLLECTING PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION, THAT'S NOT ALWAYS TRUE.

YOU CAN, WITH SUFFICIENT SLEUTHING, YOU CAN ACTUALLY NARROW IT DOWN TO A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

SO I'M AGAIN, VERY, YOU KNOW, CAUTIOUS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THIS THING.

WELL, WE'RE NOT COLLECTING PERSONAL INFORMATION.

IT'S LIKE, YEAH, WELL MAYBE, BUT MATCHED WITH OTHER DATABASES YOU CAN NARROW DOWN A LOT OF INFORMATION.

SO COMMISSIONER KRUEGER, WE'RE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TILL 10.

AND DID YOU WANNA EXTEND THE PUBLIC MEETING? THANK YOU.

I WAS JUST DONING THAT, UM, I'M GONNA MOVE TO EXTEND THE, UM, PUBLIC MEETING TO 10:10 PM DO I NEED A SECOND? SECOND.

AND THEN DO WE NEED TO VOTE? OKAY.

ALL IN FAVOR OF EXTENDING THE PUBLIC MEETING TO 10:10 PM PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALRIGHT, UM, I SEE, UM, BRIER KRUGER FLURRY, UM, ONLINE COMMISSIONERS.

WOULD YOU MIND RAISING YOUR HANDS AGAIN? CHANGSA FIRO, UM, MUTO LES AND THEN ALL THOSE OPPOSED, UM, SULLIVAN AND LUKEY.

SO MOTION PASSES.

UM, WE'LL TRY AND BE QUICK.

UM, ALRIGHT, SO WE'VE GOT A RECOMMENDATION AND I'LL READ IT.

WHEREAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WAS GIVEN A PRESENTATION BY THE INTERACTIVE KIO KIOSK EXPERIENCE IKE SMART CITIES, UM, THE FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026, REGULAR SCHEDULED, REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING AND ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND FROM CITY STAFF WAS REQUESTED AT THAT MEETING TO BE PRESENTED AT THE FEBRUARY 19TH, 2026 MEETING.

AND WHEREAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION SUPPORTS STRENGTHENING THE RIDERSHIP AND EXPERIENCE FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT AND WHEREAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION BELIEVES AMENDING CODE CHAPTER 25 10 WOULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR LARGER ELECTRONIC WAYFINDING SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS, AS THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN AN INCREASE FROM RESOLUTION 20 24 12 12 DASH 1 38 FROM WAYFINDING KIOSKS SHOULD NOT HAVE SCREENS EXCEEDING 65 INCHES AND FOR TRANSIT STATIONS TO 75 INCHES TO CURRENTLY RECOMMENDING 86 INCHES.

AND WHEREAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION IS CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASING ENERGY CONSUMPTION DURING A TIME WHEN THE CITY IS ALSO CALLING FOR REDUCTION IN ENERGY USE AND SUSTAINABILITY.

AND WHEREAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION SUPPORTS THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, UH, 2 0 2 5 0 4 2 4 DASH 55, THAT HIGHLIGHTED VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS REGARDING THE RAPID GROWTH OF DATA CENTERS AND THEIR HIGH ENERGY USE AND WATER CONSUMPTION.

THESE SIGNS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO GEOFENCE LOCATIONS AND ELICIT INTERACTIONS WITH USERS THAT COULD PROVIDE THE VENDOR WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF DATA.

AND WHEREAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGREES WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR ALICE WOODS AND HER STATEMENT THAT THIS WOULD BE A QUOTE, SEISMIC CHANGE IN THE CITY'S REGULATIONS AND OPENS THE DOOR FOR AN INCREASE IN OUTDOOR DIGITAL ADVERTISING.

AND WHEREAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOGNIZES VERY LITTLE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT HAS OCCURRED ON AN ISSUE DESERVING OF MORE TRANSPARENCY.

AND THEREFORE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY UPHOLDS THE CURRENT CODE REGARDING BILLBOARDS AND DIGITAL SIGNS.

NOT WE CAN NOR CHANGE IT.

ENSURE NO DIGITAL BILLBOARDS ARE ALLOWED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

IF AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION, THE CITY ALLOWS FOR THIS CODE CHANGE, THEN THE VENDOR WILL EXPLORE OPTIONS TO MAKE EACH KIOSK SELF-SUFFICIENT WITH SOLAR OR OTHER ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OPTIONS.

ALLOW THE CITY TO SHUT DOWN KIOSK AND BILLBOARD OPERATION DURING STORMS, HEAT WAVES OR OTHER EVENTS THAT REQUIRE ENERGY TO BE SAVED OR REDUCED.

ENSURE THAT DATA ON USERS OR PASSERSBY IS NOT COLLECTED EVER.

REDUCE LIGHT POLLUTION BY LIMITING HOURS OF OPERATION TO ONLY BE ACTIVE WHEN PUBLIC TRANSIT IS OPERATING.

LIMIT THE USE OF THESE SIGNS TO THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR AND UNIVERSITY AREAS, UT AND ST.

EDWARDS ONLY.

UM, AND ALSO REMOVE OR DISALLOW CAMERA FUNCTIONALITY OF THE KIOSK.

THERE A SECOND.

SECONDED BY BRIMER.

ALRIGHT, SO WE'LL GO TO A VOTE.

UM, COMMISSIONER CHIN SET.

I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.

IF I AM AGAINST THEM ALL ACROSS THE BOARD, UM, THIS IS LIKE PUTTING PARAMETERS IN PLACE FOR IT, BUT AM I LIKE VOTING DOWN THE PARAMETERS AS WELL OR AM I LIKE, DO YOU GET WHAT I'M SAYING? I'M NOT SURE THAT I DO.

UM, IS IT POSSIBLE, HAVE WE ALREADY INITIATED A VOTE? IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE DISCUSSION BEFORE VOTE? OKAY.

YEAH, LET'S GO AHEAD AND DISCUSS.

SO, UM, COMMISSIONER FLORY WROTE THE PREPONDERANCE OF THIS.

I'LL LET HIM SPEAK TO KIND OF HIS INTENTION BEHIND IT.

SO THAT KEY LANGUAGE OF IF THE CITY COUNCIL UPHOLDS IT THEN, AND SO MAKING A CLEAR STATEMENT THAT WE DON'T WANT THE COMMISSION TO CHANGE THE SUR UH, THE CITY CODE, BUT SHOULD IT DO THAT THEN THESE ARE THE PARAMETERS, UM, IN PLACE.

OKAY, GOTCHA.

SORRY, I'M A, I'M A

[03:40:01]

LITTLE TIRED.

UM, OKAY, SO IN THAT CASE THEN I VOTE IN FAVOR OF MM-HMM ANY OTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE COMPLETE THE VOTE? ALWAYS GOOD TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE VOTING ON, SO THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

COMMISSIONER BRIMER FOUR.

ALRIGHT, SO, UM, CHANG VOTES, VOTES YES.

COMMISSIONER FIERRO FOUR, COMMISSIONER MUERTE EZ FOUR AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER SULLIVAN FOUR.

COMMISSIONER LUKI FOUR, COMMISSIONER FLURRY AND I ALSO VOTE FOR MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU ALL.

ALRIGHT,

[5. Appoint an alternate member to the Joint Sustainability Committee.]

SO NEXT, OKAY, WE'RE LOOKING TO APPOINT AN ALTERNATE MEMBER TO THE JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE.

UM, SO COMMISSIONER CHEN, CAN YOU EXPLAIN, GIVE AN UPDATE ON THAT? YEAH.

UM, SO I AM THE ONE WHO SERVED LAST YEAR.

UM, I THINK I ONLY ENDED UP HAVING TO BE AN ALTERNATE ONCE, UM, BUT I JUST, SINCE WE HAVE A BUNCH OF NEW COMMISSIONERS WANTED TO OPEN THE FLOOR, IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO DO IT, THEY'RE MORE THAN WELCOME.

IF NO ONE WANTS TO DO IT, THEN I'LL JUST CONTINUE.

IS ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED? I SERVED IN THAT POSITION BEFORE.

IF SOMEONE ELSE WANTS IT THAT HASN'T SERVED BEFORE, I'M FINE WITH THAT.

IF YOU KNOW SHE'S CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE HER TO PASS ON IT, I'LL, I'LL DO IT AGAIN.

I THINK I WAS DOING IT FOR TWO YEARS AND WENT ONCE, SO IT'S NOT A, AND I'M RETIRED SO IF NOT AN IMPOSITION ON ME, SO I'LL, I'LL DO IT IF THAT'S THE CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER.

YEAH, THANK YOU.

IS ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED? OKAY, UM, IN THAT CASE I'LL GO AHEAD AND NOMINATE COMMISSIONER BRIMER AS THE ALTERNATE AND THEN DO WE NEED A SECOND AND THEN A VOTE? ALL RIGHT, SO I NOMINATE COMMISSIONER BRIMER TO SERVE AS AN ALTERNATE FOR THE JSC.

I'LL SECOND SECONDED BY SULLIVAN.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.

AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS.