[CALL TO ORDER]
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SO BEAR WITH ME WHILE I, YOU KNOW, WRAP MY HEAD AROUND ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.
I'M CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER AT 6:03 PM ON MONDAY, JUNE 22ND.
UM, BOARD MEMBER BISON NOT PRESENT.
BOARD MEMBER BECKER, THAT'S ME.
PRESENT BOARD MEMBER ORM PRESENT.
UH, BOARD MEMBER VILLALOBOS NOT PRESENT.
UH, HEY, EXCITING NEW BOARD MEMBER, BOARD MEMBER KELLY.
DO NOBODY EVER REALLY DOES ROUNDS OF APPLAUSE AT THESE, WHICH IS MAYBE SOMETHING WE SHOULD WORK ON.
UM,
BOARD MEMBER TAYLOR? NOT PRESENT.
BOARD MEMBER FRANKLIN NOT PRESENT.
AND BOARD MEMBER EUBANKS PRESENT.
JUST, UH, SQUEAKING BY ON QUORUM HERE, FOLKS.
UM, SO GIVE, GIVE ME A HEADS UP IF YOU DECIDE TO JUMP OFF THE DIET.
[PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL]
WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.GENERAL, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP FOR THIS TODAY, TIM? YES.
AND, UH, BEFORE WE GET STARTED WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT, JUST A QUICK WORD ABOUT QUORUM.
AS BOARD MEMBER BECKER SAID, WE ARE RUNNING A, A VERY SLIM QUORUM TONIGHT, AND THAT MEANS TWO VERY IMPORTANT THINGS.
IT MEANS FOR ANY ACTION TO PASS BY THE PARKS BOARD TONIGHT.
ANY ONE VOTING NO OR ABSTAINING WILL RESULT IN A FAILED VOTE.
THE OTHER THING IS FOR OUR BOARD MEMBERS, UH, ATTENDING ONLINE, PLEASE STAY ON CAMERA THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MEETING.
UH, IF Y'ALL DIP OFF CAMERA, TECHNICALLY THAT MEANS THAT WE'VE LOST OUR COURTROOM AND THE MEETING SHOULD STOP.
SO WE WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU GUYS WOULD KEEP YOUR CAMERAS ON DURING THE MEETING.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER DURING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE SOPHIE KENT, FOLLOWED BY NICOLE NETHERTON, AND THEN STEVEN BROWN, MS. SOPHIE KENT.
WE'LL MOVE TO NICOLE NETHERTON, AND THEN STEVEN BROWN AND JULIE FISHER SPEAKERS CAN SIT DOWN AT THE PODIUM AND Y'ALL WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK FROM THE TIME YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.
AND GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS NICOLE NETHERTON AND I'M THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY.
I'M HERE FOR THE THIRD TIME DURING MY TENURE TO PRESENT OUR ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT.
THE CONSERVANCY IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CREATED FOR THE BENEFIT OF PARKS FOR PS DISTRICT PARK.
IN OUR CASE, WE ARE A HARDWORKING STAFF OF 12, ALONG WITH A DEDICATED BOARD AND HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS DOING GOOD WORK FOR THE LOVE OF OUR FAVORITE PARK.
FOUNDED IN 2008 AS TREES FOR PS PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY BECAME A 5 0 1 C3 IN 2013, AND SINCE THEN, HAS PARTNERED WITH THE CITY AND OUR COMMUNITY TO HELP STEWARD AUSTIN'S FIRST PUBLIC PARK.
IN FACT, 2025 WAS THE HUNDRED 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GIFT OF THE FIRST 23 ACRES OF PEACE PARK TO THE CITY IN 1875, WHICH YOU CAN READ ABOUT IN THE REPORT.
OUR REPORT CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE, PEACE PARK.ORG ON THE WHAT WE DO PAGE.
AND EACH OF YOU WHO ARE HERE SHOULD HAVE A HARD COPY, AND HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS.
WE ARE NOW IN OUR THIRD YEAR OF OUR 25 YEAR PARKS OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT, OR POMA, WITH THE CITY THAT WAS EXECUTED IN JANUARY OF 2023.
UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE CONSERVANCY HAS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND PROGRAMMING FOR THE SEVEN ACRES OF KINGSBURY COMMONS, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES REQUIRED THROUGHOUT THE 84 ACRES IN 2025.
OUR PARK OPS TEAM WAS ON SITE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR TO HELP ENSURE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR MORE THAN 224,000 VISITORS FROM 41 AUSTIN AREA, ZIP CODES AND BEYOND, PROVIDING CLEAN RESTROOMS, FREQUENT TRASH PICKUPS, GRAFFITI REMOVAL, AND INSPECTIONS OF THE PLAYGROUND TREE HOUSE TROLL AND SPLASH PAD, OUR CONSERVATION TEAM, AND MORE THAN 1400 PEAS CORE VOLUNTEERS REMOVED HUNDREDS OF CUBIC METERS OF INVASIVE SPECIES, MULCHED, WATERED, PLANTED, AND PRUNED HUNDREDS OF PLANTS AND TREES, AND PICKED UP AND DISPOSED OF AN AWFUL LOT OF LITTER.
OUR PROGRAMMING TEAM SERVED MORE THAN 10,000 PER PARTICIPANTS ACROSS FOUR PILLARS OF FREE PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING CONSERVATION, WELLNESS, ART, AND LEARNING.
I AM PARTICULARLY PROUD OF OUR PS COLLEGE SCHOOL FIELD TRIP PROGRAM, WHICH ENGAGED MORE THAN 2,700 KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS LAST YEAR.
TWO THIRDS OF THE 22 SCHOOLS WE SERVED WERE TITLE ONE FOR WHICH THE CONSERVANCY PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION AND LUNCH.
YOU'LL NOTE ON PAGE 19 AND 20, WE HAVE PROVIDED FINANCIAL SNAP SNAPSHOTS OF OUR ORGANIZATION THAT WE HOPE ARE BOTH CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT.
THE CONSERVANCY TEAM HAS ALSO BEEN HARD AT WORK FOR THE PAST YEAR WITH A PR TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PHASE
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PLAN THAT IMAGINES NEXT STEPS TOWARDS THE CONTINUED EXECUTION OF OUR 2014 VISION PLAN.WE HOPE TO RETURN TO THIS BODY WITH UPDATES ON OUR PHASE PLAN PROGRESS LATER THIS YEAR.
WE CONSIDER OURSELVES TO BE A STURDY LEG IN THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL THAT CARES FOR OUR FAVORITE PARK.
SO THAT'S COMMUNITY, A PR, AND THE CONSERVANCY.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR COLLEAGUES AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT HELP US TO DO THIS WORK.
UM, WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TO THE CROW, TO THE TROLL AFTER IT BURNED DOWN? GREAT QUESTION.
I HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THAT UNDER, OH, WAIT.
WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MOMENTARILY.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER RULE BE STEVEN BROWN, FOLLOWED BY JULIE FISHER AND THEN AUBREY RUDDER.
MY NAME IS STEVEN BROWN AND I SERVE AS THE CHAIR OF THE GIVENS PARK ADVISORY BOARD.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT GIVENS PARK RECREATION CENTER, AND THE NEED FOR A FULLY FUNCTIONING KITCHEN.
AT OUR, UH, DURING THIS CURRENT RENOVATION PROJECT, EAST AUSTIN HAS EXPERIENCED DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT.
HISTORICALLY, PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE FEWER RESOURCES AND AMENITIES, UH, THAN OTHER PARTS OF OUR CITY.
GIBBS PARK IS NOT JUST A PARK, IT'S A GATHERING PLACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
COME HERE TO CELEBRATE, RECONNECT, AND ACCESS IMPORTANT RESOURCES.
IT SERVES AS A FLAGSHIP PARK FOR AUSTIN'S BLACK COMMUNITY AND HOST COUNTLESS EVENTS, PROGRAMS, OUTREACH EFFORTS, UH, AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.
FOR YEARS, THIS COMMUNITY HAS ASKED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS FACILITY, INCLUDING A FULLY FUNCTIONING KITCHEN.
UM, THIS KITCHEN IS NOT A LUXURY, IT'S A NECESSITY.
UH, WE HOST THANKSGIVING MEALS, CHRISTMAS EVENTS, COMMUNITY GATHERING, YOUTH PROGRAMS, SENIORS WHO GARDEN RESOURCE FAIRS.
UM, HAVING A KITCHEN ALLOWS US TO BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE IN, IN THIS SPACE, UH, THE RENOVATION PROJECT HAS ALREADY FACED DELAYS LEAVING MANY RESIDENTS CONCERNED THAT SOME OF THE SAME PATTERNS AND MISCOMMUNICATION AND NEGLECT, UH, THAT HAVE AFFECTED US IN EAST AUSTIN ARE STILL ALIVE TODAY.
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FIXING OUR KITCHEN COULD COST AS MUCH AS $750,000 REGARDLESS OF THE FINAL CAUSE.
I'M ASKING THIS BOARD TO PRIORITIZE FINDING A SOLUTION.
UM, THE REC CENTER IS ALREADY CLOSED.
THIS IS THE TIME TO DO THE UPGRADES TO THE REC, UH, TO THE KITCHEN WHILE IT'S SHUT DOWN SO THAT WE DON'T LOSE MORE TIME THAT OUR KIDS ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THE REC CENTER.
I KNOW ONE RESPONSE MIGHT BE THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FUNDS, BUT BUDGETS REFLECT PRIORITIES.
IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT EQUITY, THEN WE MUST BE WILLING TO INVEST IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE WAITED THE LONGEST AND RECEIVED THE LEAST, AND WE SHOULD, UH, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO DO THIS.
INSTEAD OF THE $25 MILLION LADY BIRD LAKE BOARDWALK, LET'S TAKE SOME OF THOSE MILLION DOLLARS AND INVEST IT INTO OUR EAST AUSTIN PARKS.
UM, AND BY THE WAY, IT'S NO WAY I COULD EVER SUPPORT A CABIN STITCH OR A PARK OVER I 35 WHEN WE'RE CAMP, WHEN WE CAN'T FIND THE MONEY TO DO THE BASIC UPGRADES OR UPKEEP OR PUT A KITCHEN IN OUR PARK WHERE SO MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS USE.
UM, I'M ASKING THAT THIS BOARD HELP RIGHT SOME OF THE HISTORIC WRONGS BY ENSURING GIVENS PARK DO NOT REOPEN.
UH, WITHOUT A FULLY FUNCTIONING KITCHEN, A PARK THAT SERVES SO MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO ANY LONGER WITHOUT A FULLY FUNCTIONING KITCHEN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
UM, COULD YOU MAKE SURE THAT, UH, TIM HAS YOUR, UH, EMAIL ADDRESS JUST IN CASE CASE SOME OF THE BOARD WANTS TO CONTACT YOU? PLEASE DO.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE JULIE FISHER, FOLLOWED BY AUBREY RUDDER, AND THEN ALYSSA VARGAS.
I'M THE CEO FOR THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF THE CITY PARKS ALLIANCE GREATER AND GREENER CONFERENCE, WHICH IS THE PREMIER INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON URBAN PARKS, PUBLIC SPACES, AND PARK PARTNERSHIPS.
THE CONFERENCE WAS CO-HOSTED BY AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION IN THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY LAST WEEK AFTER A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS.
FOUR YEARS AGO, AUSTIN WAS SELECTED BY THE CITY PARKS ALLIANCE TO HOST.
THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CONFERENCE CAME THIS FAR SOUTH AND IN TEXAS.
THIS WAS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF THE INCREDIBLE PARK CULTURE THAT EXISTS IN OUR CITY AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE DECADES OF WORK INVESTED BY PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF, VOLUNTEERS,
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NONPROFIT PARTNERS, DONORS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND ADVOCATES WHO CARED DEEPLY ABOUT AUSTIN'S GREEN SPACES.OVER FOUR DAYS, MORE THAN 1300 ATTENDEES REPRESENTING MORE THAN 200 CITIES PARTICIPATED IN DOZENS OF SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS, TOURS, AND OUTDOOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOCUSED ON URBAN PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES.
SOME OF THOSE THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN THROUGHOUT THE CONFERENCE PARK, LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE US AND CANADA TOURED AROUND AUSTIN TO LEARN FROM OUR SUCCESSES AND SHARE IDEAS FROM THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.
THE CONFERENCE ALSO PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THE UNIQUE PARTNERSHIPS THAT AUSTIN HAS THAT HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL.
A FEW EXAMPLES INCLUDE THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY AND ART AND PUBLIC PLACES.
CO-LEADING A BIKE TOUR ON THE BUTLER HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL, HIGHLIGHTING THE TEMPO PROGRAM, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER TEMPORARY ART INSTALLATIONS BY EMERGING ARTISTS INTO OUR PARK SYSTEM.
WATERLOO GREENWAY AND THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY PARTNERED ON A GUIDED WALK THROUGH DOWNTOWN HIGHLIGHTING TRANSFORMATIVE PUBLIC SPACES AND PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE CONFLUENCE AT WALLER CREEK AND THE RAINY STREET TRAILHEAD ON LADY BIRD LAKE.
AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION HOSTED A LARGE VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROJECT AT CHESTNUT POCKET PARK, WHERE PARTICIPANTS INSTALLED NATURE PLAY FEATURES, PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YEARS TO COME COLLECTIVELY, THESE EXPERIENCE DEMON, THESE EXPERIENCES DEMONSTRATED WHAT MAKES AUSTIN UNIQUE, OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO INVESTING IN PUBLIC SPACES AND A WILLINGNESS TO WORK ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE PARKS THAT SERVE EVERYONE.
AND THOSE WERE JUST A COUPLE EXAMPLES OF THE 50 TOURS AND WORKSHOPS OVER THE FOUR DAYS AS THE CONFERENCE INCLUDED, I WANTED TO THANK THE PARK AND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, CITY LEADERSHIP, AND THE MANY COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO HELP CARE FOR AUSTIN'S PARKS EVERY SINGLE DAY.
CATHERINE NAGLE, THE CEO OF THE GREATER OF THE CITY PARKS ALLIANCE, SAID THIS CONFERENCE WAS THE BEST ONE YET SINCE THEIR INCEPTION IN 2012.
HOSTING GREATER AND GREENER WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE AUSTIN'S ACHIEVEMENTS, BUT IT WAS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM OTHERS AND CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE THIS WORK POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF AUSTIN PARKS AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THIS WORK POSSIBLE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE AUBREY RUDDER, FOLLOWED BY ALYSSA VARGAS, AND THEN PATRICIA BOBBECK.
UM, GOOD EVENING PARK BOARD MEMBERS.
I'M WITH THE AUSTIN ROWING CLUB.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO GIVE YOU, UM, SOME UPDATES ABOUT THE PROGRAMMING AND ACTIVITY HAPPENING ON LADYBIRD LAKE.
FIRST, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OUR YOUTH ROWING PROGRAM.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, A RC SENT 50 ATHLETES TO COMPETE AT YOUTH NATIONALS IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA, REPRESENTING BOTH AUSTIN AND OUR COMMUNITY ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.
I WANNA GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO OUR UNDER 16, EIGHT PERSON BOAT.
UH, THE GIRLS FINISHED FIFTH PLACE IN THE NATION, A VERY, UM, REALLY GREAT, UH, ACCOMPLISHMENT.
IT'S EXCITING TO SEE AUSTIN CONTINUE TO GROW AS A ROWING CITY.
THESE ATHLETES ARE PROVING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE HERE CAN COMPETE WITH THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY, AND WE'RE PROUD TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP THEM DEVELOP BOTH ON AND OFF THE WATER.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO GROW THE PROGRAM AND EXPAND ACCESS TO ROWING FOR YOUNG ATHLETES THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
SECOND, WE HAVE LAUNCHED OUR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM.
ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PARTNERSHIPS IS WITH THE AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT REC CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER REC CENTERS.
UM, COME VISIT THE BOATHOUSE WHERE WE PROVIDE THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO ROW ON OUR ROWING BARGE, AS WELL AS, UM, GET THEM OUT ON KAYAKS AND EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND LADYBIRD LAKE.
UM, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP AND EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO INTRODUCE AUSTIN YOUTH TO THE INCREDIBLE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ON THE LAKE.
NEXT, I WANT TO PROVIDE A BRIEF, A BRIEF CONSTRUCTION UPDATE.
AS MANY OF Y'ALL KNOW, THE WATERLOO GREENWAY PROJECT RECENTLY OPENED UP AFTER YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE BOATHOUSE.
WE'RE EXCITED TO WELCOME OUR NEW NEIGHBORS AND EXCITED TO SEE PEOPLE ENJOYING THE ACCESS TO THE LAKE RIGHT UP FRONT.
UNFORTUNATELY, OUR BRIEF BREAK FROM CONSTRUCTION IS COMING TO AN END.
UM, UPCOMING WASTEWATER AND ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE PLACE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE BOATHOUSE, LIKE TWO FEET IN FRONT OF THE BOATHOUSE.
UM, WE UNDERSTAND THESE PROJECTS ARE NECESSARY AND IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS IN AUSTIN'S FUTURE.
HOWEVER, THEY WILL CREATE A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE FOR OUR OPERATIONS AND WILL LIKELY HAVE A FINANCIAL IMPACT ON OUR ORGANIZATION.
OUR GOAL IS TO REMAIN OPEN THROUGHOUT CONSTRUCTION AND CONTINUE SERVING THE PUBLIC WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS A GROWING ISSUE OF UNPERMITTED CONCESSIONS OPERATING ON LADYBIRD LAKE.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, BUSINESSES HAVE BEGUN OPERATING KAYAK AND PADDLE BOARD RENTALS WITHOUT PERMITS OR AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY.
SOME OF THESE OPERATIONS ARE NOT SMALL SCALE AND INVOLVE HUNDREDS OF KAYAKS AND PADDLE BOARDS.
UNLIKE PERMITTED CONCESSIONS, THESE OPERATORS ARE
[00:15:01]
NOT SUBJECT TO THE SAME REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, SAFETY, CONSENT, SAFETY STANDARDS, OR OVERSIGHT.WE ARE INCREASINGLY SEEING CUSTOMER SENT OUT ON THE WATER WITHOUT PROPER INSTRUCTION, WITHOUT APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT, AND SOMETIMES DURING UNSAFE LATE CONDITIONS.
THESE ARE, THEY'RE ALSO LAUNCHING FROM RANDOM PARTS OF THE TRAIL AND NOT ON ACTUAL DOCKS.
IN SOME CASES, INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING LAUNCHED WITHOUT LIFE JACKETS, PURCHASING ALCOHOL FROM THESE ON PERMITTED PADDLE CONCESSIONS.
UM, AT A RC, WE ARE ALWAYS COMMITTED TO HELPING ANYBODY WHO NEEDS HELP ON THE LAKE, BUT IT'S BECOMING A REGULAR OCCURRENCE AND A GROWING SAFETY CONCERN.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE ALYSSA VARGAS, FOLLOWED BY PATRICIA BOBBECK.
GOOD EVENING PARK BOARD MEMBER MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ALYSSA VARGAS, AND I'M THE ADVOCACY MANAGER FOR AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION.
I'M HERE TO SHARE ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AUSTIN HAD THIS WEEKEND AS THE HOST CITY FOR THE 2026 GREATER AND GREENER CONFERENCE EVERY TWO YEARS, THE CITY PARKS ALLIANCE BRINGS TOGETHER THE BRIGHTEST MINDS IN URBAN PARKS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LED BY HOST PARTNERS, AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION, AND THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY.
AUSTIN, WELCOME MORE THAN 1300 PARK LEADERS, ADVOCATES, PHILANTHROPISTS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MAKING IT THE LARGEST ATTENDED GREATER AND GREATER CONFERENCE IN THE EVENTS HISTORY WITH THE CITY AS ITS CLASSROOM VISITORS EXPERIENCE THE FIRSTHAND JOY OF WALKING OUR TRAILS, LEARNING FROM OUR CONSERVA, CONSERV,
I WANT TO THANK THE EXTRAORDINARY COALITION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT MADE THIS SHARED VISION POSSIBLE, INCLUDING THE MANY CONSERVANCIES, NONPROFITS AND PARKS ADVOCATES.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS WORK TIRELESSLY IN SHARING IN AUSTIN'S EXPERTISE ON WHAT IT MEANS TO FUND OUR PARKS STEWARD, OUR GREAT SPRINGS AND LANDS LEAD CITYWIDE VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS, EXCEL AND DONOR DEVELOPMENT, AND HAVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY LED PARK IMPROVEMENTS.
AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION WAS DELIGHTED TO TAKE PART IN THE EFFORT TO WELCOME THESE NATIONWIDE STEWARDS AND CONNECT THEM TO THE SPACES THAT WE LOVE THE MOST.
THROUGHOUT LAST WEEK, A PF STAFF AND LEADERSHIP WERE FEATURED IN AT LEAST SEVEN CONFERENCE SESSIONS, WORKSHOP TOURS, AND PEER CONVERSATIONS.
A PF ALSO CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $200,000 TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SERVICE DAY PROJECT FOCUSED ON THE PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT AND MULCHING AT CHESTNUT POCKET PARK.
UM, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD EVER EXPERIENCED BUILDING A SLIDE AND BUILDING A PLAY SCAPE, WHICH WAS ENTIRELY NEW AND FOREIGN TO ME.
UM, I HAD WORKED ALONGSIDE LEADERS FROM CANADA AND FROM SOUTH KOREA, WHO, UM, WERE VERY INTRIGUED BY OUR PROCESS HERE IN AUSTIN, AND I WAS DELIGHTED TO JUST SHARE, UM, AND THE GREAT THINGS THAT OUR CITY HAS.
ADDITIONALLY, THE ZILKER PARK METROPOLITAN PARK RECEIVED THE TOURO COMPANY URBAN PARK INNOVATION REWARD PER $50,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW SUSTAINABLE MAINTENANCE FACILITY FOR A PR TONIGHT.
IT IS AN HONOR TO EXTEND GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE.
HOSTING GREATER AND GREENER GAVE AUSTIN AN EXPERIENCE TO NOT ONLY SHARE IN OUR CITY SUCCESSES, BUT ALSO TO LEARN FROM A COMMUNITY ACROSS THE WORLD ON HOW TO BETTER INVEST IN OUR GREEN SPACES, PUBLIC HEALTH, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, ECONOMIC VITALITY, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE PATRICIA BOBBECK.
IS PATRICIA HERE? DID SOPHIE KENT ARRIVE? YES.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES FROM THE TIME YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.
HI, MY NAME IS SOPHIE KENT, AND I LIVE IN THE DISTRICT ONE EAST AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD SURROUNDING GIBBONS NEIGHBORHOOD POOL.
I'M HERE TO ASK FOR EX FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THE BUDGET IN THE NEXT, UM, CITY BUDGET FOR ADDITIONAL OPENING WEEKS DURING THE SUMMER SEASON.
THE GIVENS POOL OPENED, AS WE KNOW LAST YEAR IN 2025.
THERE WAS A LOT THAT WENT INTO, UM, YOU KNOW, GETTING THE FUNDS.
IT COST $8 MILLION AND A LOT OF WORK FROM MANY, MANY DIFFERENT PARTIES OVER MANY YEARS TO SERVE A TRADITIONALLY UNDERFUNDED NEIGHBORHOOD AND PART OF THE CITY.
SINCE IT OPENED IN 2025, THE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND AND WIDER EAST AUSTIN COMMUNITY ABSOLUTELY ADORES THIS POOL.
THE DEMAND IS THERE AND, UM, YOU KNOW, IT IS REALLY, REALLY A REFUGE IN AN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOOD IN ONE OF THE HOTTEST PARTS OF THE CITY.
THE, THE, THE ONLY SHAME HERE IS THAT IT'S ONLY OPEN 11 WEEKS A YEAR FOR THIS SEASON.
IT'S OPEN 11 WEEKS, AND WE, UM, EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I SPEAK TO IS REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE WILL BE LEFT IN LATE AUGUST AND AND THROUGH SEPTEMBER, SOME OF THE HOTTEST PARTS OF THE YEAR WHERE THE POOL HAVE ALREADY CLOSED.
THERE ARE MANY SURROUNDING POOLS AND POOLS IN OTHER PARTS
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OF AUSTIN THAT HAVE MUCH GREATER OPENING, UM, OPENING WEEKS DURING THE SUMMER.SO, UM, I'M ASK, MY ASK TODAY IS THAT YOU CONSIDER OPERATIONAL BUDGET.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT IS NOT, UM, A, A CONSTRAINT OF THE FACILITY, THAT IT'S ACTUALLY OPERATIONAL BUDGET TO BE PUT INTO, UM, CONSIDERATION TO BE ABLE TO OPEN FOR FUTURE WEEKS.
IS PATRICIA BOBBECK HERE? IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE PARKS BOARD DURING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT? THAT IS THE END OF GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
NEXT UP WE'LL DO THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES, AND I WANT TO GIVE EVERYBODY A MOMENT JUST TO REVIEW THOSE.UM, THESE ARE MINUTES FROM MAY 19TH, 2026.
I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 19TH, 2026.
UH, ANYBODY WANT A SECOND BOARD MEMBER? EUBANK SECOND.
APPROVE THE MINUTES PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for Malin’s Fountain, more commonly known as the Pease Park Troll, who reminded us that we should share water and resources with the animals that live with us. (Sponsors: Bazan, Becker) Presenter(s): Nicole Netherton, Chief Executive Officer, Pease Park Conservancy.]
GREAT.UM, LET'S MOVE ON TO, UM, THE FIRST DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM.
THIS IS ITEM NUMBER TWO, PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND APPROVE LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR MALINS FOUNTAIN, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE PEACE PARK PATROL.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE A PRESENTATION.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS NICOLE NETHERTON.
I'M THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY HERE WITH OUR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ALLISON JOHNSON.
AND THE LAST, WE ARE QUITE SAD TO BE HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT THE RECENT LOSS OF MULLINS FOUNTAIN.
THE THOMAS AMBO TROLL IN PEACE DISTRICT PARK, MULLINS FOUNTAIN WAS CONSTRUCTED BY ABOUT 150 COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN COLLABORATION WITH ARTIST THOMAS DABO AND HIS TEAM, BEGINNING IN MARCH, 2024.
LEADING UP TO THAT, THERE WAS A LONG COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS WITH A PR AND ART AND PUBLIC PLACES, AS WELL AS A SIGNIFICANT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN.
THE TROLL WAS FULLY PHILANTHROPICALLY FUNDED BY DONORS TO PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY, INCLUDING A GENEROUS LEAD GIFT FROM THE TEMO FOUNDATION.
MALIN HELD A LARGE BRONZE BOWL HER FOUNTAIN, AND SAT NEAR A ROCK ETCHED WITH A POEM WRITTEN BY DABO ABOUT SHARING WATER AND RESOURCES WITH ALL THE WILDLIFE WHO CALL THE PARK HOME.
AS I SPEAK, YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE PHOTOS OF THE TROLL THAT WERE SHARED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OUR STAFF SINCE HER LOSS.
SHE WAS 18 FEET TALL, MOSTLY MADE FROM RECYCLED REPURPOSE OR FOUND MATERIALS FOR SAFETY AND LONGEVITY.
HER INTERNAL SKELETON WAS MADE FROM 1800 LINEAR FEET OF EASTERN RED CEDAR.
THIS CEDAR WAS FROM A LOCAL FAMILY OWNED SWAMPER SAWMILL IN BASTROP COUNTY.
THE EXTERIOR CLADDING OR FUR OF THE TROLL WAS MOSTLY REPURPOSED WOOD FROM THE RESEARCH TEST TANK THAT WAS USED AT THE JJ PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.
THIS LARGE DOUGLAS FUR TEST TANK WAS CONSTRUCTED AT THE PICKLE FROM 1976 TO 1979, AND WAS REPLACED IN 2022 WHEN IT REACHED THE END OF ITS SERVICE LIFE.
YOU CAN SEE AMAZING PHOTOS OF THIS TANK ON OUR WEBSITE, PEACE PARK.ORG.
THE PICKLE TANK MADE UP APPROXIMATELY 7,500 LINEAR FEET OF MULLIN'S FUR, SUPPLEMENTED WITH WOOD FROM PALLETS DONATED FOR THE PROJECT.
MULLIN'S HEAD AND FEET WERE BUILT IN DAN DENMARK FROM REPURPOSED MATERIALS.
HER HAIR WAS MADE FROM ASH JUNIPER ROOTS COLLECTED BY A LOCAL SUPPORTER.
THE TROLL ALSO WORE A NECKLACE MADE FROM FOUND AND DONATED MATERIALS, INCLUDING FOSSILS, SHELLS, ANTLERS, AND BLUE SLAG GLASS.
HER BRONZE BOWL WAS DECORATED WITH WATER SYMBOLS AROUND THE EDGE.
SHE WAS BORN AND CELEBRATED AT A COMMUNITY PARTY ON MARCH 15TH, 2024.
AND THOUGH I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT THERE WERE PLENTY OF SKEPTICS ABOUT BRINGING THIS PROJECT TO PEACE, ONCE SHE WAS COMPLETED, ALL THE NEGATIVITY SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR.
CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE, DELIGHTED IN HER DESCRIBING HER AS SERENE, JOYFUL, AND CALMING.
CAROLINA RENS WERE KNOWN TO BUILD NEST IN HER EARS AND NOSTRILS.
WE CALLED HER OUR WATER PROTECTOR, AND SHE BECAME SOMETHING OF THE
[00:25:01]
PATRON SAINT OF PEAS WITH MANY VISITORS LEAVING OFFERINGS IN HER BOWL ON HER FIRST BIRTHDAY IN 2025.THE LEARNERS FROM LONGVIEW MICRO SCHOOL CREATED A GIANT CROWN SASH AND TROLL SCALE FLOWERS AND CAKE TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST YEAR WITH MULLIN.
MANY OF THEM SPOKE ABOUT HOW MUCH THE TROLL MEANT TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND WE STARTED WHAT BECAME A SHORT BUT MEANINGFUL TRADITION.
THE CONSERVANCY INVITED THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING MULLIN'S SECOND BIRTHDAY THIS PAST MARCH 15TH, WITH A BLUEGRASS TRIO AND SNACKS FOR FAMILIES.
MANY DONORS AND FANS CAME TO VISIT HER AND CONNECT WITH HER AND EACH OTHER IN THE SHADE.
WE BROUGHT OUT HER LONGVIEW SASH AGAIN FOR THE SPECIAL OCCASION IN THE SENSE OF DELIGHT AND JOY CONTINUED UNTIL THE MORNING OF THURSDAY, MAY 21ST.
I RECEIVED A CALL FROM OUR OPS STAFF A LITTLE BEFORE 7:00 AM REPORTING A FIRE.
I CONFESS, I IMAGINED SOME SINGED WOOD, NOT THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION WE FOUND MULLIN HAD BEEN TOTALLY CONSUMED BY A FIRE THAT WAS REPORTED TO 9 1 1 AROUND 5:30 AM BY PASSERSBY WHO COULD SEE THE FLAMES FROM LAMAR.
THE DAMAGE WAS THANKFULLY LIMITED JUST TO HER AREA, AND EIGHT SMALL TREES THAT WERE DAMAGED HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE SITE EARLIER THIS MONTH.
WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE REPORT FROM THE ARSON INVESTIGATION.
HER BOWL WAS THE ONLY PART OF THE SCULPTURE THAT WAS ABLE TO BE SALVAGED.
THE RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTIVE AND EXPRESSIVE OF REAL GRIEF.
THE CONSERVANCY HAS RECEIVED MESSAGES OF SADNESS AND ANGER AT THE DESTRUCTION AND WASTEFULNESS OF THIS LOSS, AND WE HAVE RECEIVED MANY BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS AND STORIES OF THE COMMUNITY ENJOYING THIS ARTWORK AND SHARING MALIN WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
IT IS A BEAUTIFUL YET UNFORTUNATE EXAMPLE OF HOW LOSS OFTEN BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN HUMANITY.
THIS ARTWORK WAS INSURED BY THE CONSERVANCY, AND WE ARE CURRENTLY IN CONSERV IN CONVERSATION WITH OUR INSURERS, DONORS, AND THE ARTIST TO DECIDE WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN NEXT.
THE MAJORITY OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO'VE SPOKEN WITH US HAVE BEEN VOCAL THAT THEY WOULD LIKE THE CONSERVANCY TO REPLACE THE TROLL IF WE ARE ABLE TO.
BUT WE HAVE NOT COME TO ANY DECISIONS ABOUT THIS YET.
WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PARK AND THE COMMUNITY TO FIND HEALING THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE.
AND SO WE ARE HOLDING AN EVENING FOR MULLIN THIS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24TH.
ALL OF YOU ARE INVITED TO TRY AND REMEMBER THE 800 DAYS OF JOY WE HAD WITH HER IN THE PARK, RATHER THAN JUST THE ONE DAY OF TRAGEDY.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE MULLIN'S STORY AND FOR JOINING THE COMMUNITY AND THE CONSERVANCY IN OUR SADNESS WITH HER LOSS.
UM, ANY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS? WHAT TIME ON THE 24TH? SIX 30 TO EIGHT 30.
I WAS ONE OF THE SKEPTICS OF THE TROLL.
I ALSO LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM IT, SO IT WAS, UH, UH, IT WAS A NEIGHBOR.
BUT, YOU KNOW, OVER TIME, OVER THE YEAR, THE TWO YEARS, UM, AS I WATCHED THE WAY FAMILIES AND CHILDREN RELATED TO THE, THE ARTWORK, I REALLY CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT IT.
UM, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I LIKED IT OR NOT, IT, IT'S IRRELEVANT, MY GRANDKIDS DID.
AND SO, UH, I THINK IT IS A TERRIBLE LOSS AND AN INFURIATING EVENT.
UM, AND IT DOES, I THINK FOR ALL OF US THAT LIVE AROUND PEACE PARK, REALLY SORT OF HIGHLIGHT NOT ONLY, UM, THE THE WONDERFUL ADVANTAGE WE HAVE WITH SUCH A HISTORIC PARK, BUT THE RISKS IT FACES.
UM, AND I HOPE THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEXT STEPS, NEXT DISCUSSIONS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ALL TO COME, COME TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT HOW WE MITIGATE FOR THOSE RISKS TO THE DEGREE THAT IT'S POSSIBLE.
UM, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE LOCATION OF WHEREVER A REPLACEMENT WOULD BE PUT, UM, THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION WAS SORT OF HIDDEN, BACKED UP OVER OFF OF, UH, PARKWAY.
AND, UM, AS YOU KNOW, IT, UH, DOESN'T GET A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT FIVE IN THE MORNING,
AND SO, UM, I, I, I SINCERELY HOPE WE DO FIND A WAY TO REPLACE THE TROLL, UM, AND WORK ON HOW WE CAN DO IT SO THAT WE'RE BETTER PROTECTED IN THE FUTURE.
MAYBE EASTERN RED CEDAR AND DOUGLAS FIR ISN'T,
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ARE WITH PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY, AND I'LL BE THERE ON THE, WHAT IS IT, NIGHT? WEDNESDAY.ANYONE ELSE? UM, I WAS THERE ACTUALLY AT THE, UH, THE OPENING IN MARCH OF 2024 WITH MY DAUGHTER, WHO WAS I THINK NINE AT THE TIME.
I DID NOT ACTUALLY TELL HER THAT THE TROLL BURNED DOWN BECAUSE I THOUGHT SHE WOULD BE VERY SAD ABOUT IT.
AND THEN SHE HAS YOUTUBE, SO SHE FIGURED IT OUT ANYWAY.
UH, BUT WE'LL
UM, UH, WE'LL DEFINITELY BE THERE IF THERE IS A NEUTRAL FOR THE NEXT ONE.
AND I'M SURE THAT THE BOARD WILL BE VERY SUPPORTIVE IN ALL THE WAYS THAT WE CAN BE IF AND WHEN THAT TIME HELPS.
SO WE HAVE A LETTER, UM, THAT WE HAVE WRITTEN TO THE CONSERVANCY, AND I'M JUST GONNA READ IT OUT LOUD, AND THEN WE WILL, UH, VOTE ON WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO, YOU KNOW, GIVE IT TO THEM.
UM,
DURING HER TIME IN PEACE PARK, FROM THE MOMENT MALIN WAS UNVEILED IN MARCH, 2024, SHE CAPTURED THE IMAGINATION OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
CREATED BY DANISH ARTIST THOMAS DABO, WITH THE HELP OF 150 AUSTIN AREA VOLUNTEERS.
MALIN WAS MORE THAN A SCULPTURE.
SHE WAS A SYMBOL OF CREATIVITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND OUR CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD.
BUILT FROM MORE THAN 80% RECYCLED, REPURPOSED, AND FOUND MATERIALS, INCLUDING RECLAIMED WOOD FROM LOCAL SOURCES.
SHE STOOD AS A REMINDER THAT BEAUTY CAN EMERGE FROM WHAT OTHERS MIGHT OVERLOOK WITH A BOWL IN HER HANDS.
MADELINE CARRIED A SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT WE SHOULD SHARE WATER AND RESOURCES WITH THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE ALONGSIDE US.
HER GENTLE REMINDER THAT IT ALWAYS MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU FILL THE FOUNTAIN UP AGAIN, INSPIRED COUNTLESS VISITORS TO REFLECT ON THEIR ROLE AS CARETAKERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ONE ANOTHER.
WHILE WE ARE DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF MALON, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE JOY, WONDER, AND CONNECTION SHE BROUGHT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THE LOVE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE FELT FOR HER IS A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK OF THE PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY AND THE DEDICATED CARETAKERS WHO ENSURED THAT SHE REMAINED A WELCOMING PRESENCE FOR ALL WHO VISITED.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING AND NURTURING A SPACE WHERE IMAGINATION, ART, NATURE, AND COMMUNITY COULD COME TOGETHER.
WE JOIN OUR NEIGHBORS IN HONORING MALLON'S LEGACY, AND THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS SHARED STORIES, PHOTOS, DRAWINGS, AND MEMENTOS.
THE MEMORIES MELON HELPED US CREATE, AND THE VALUES SHE REPRESENTS WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON WITH GRATITUDE, THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD.
UM, BUT BEFORE WE CAN GIVE YOU THAT LETTER, WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT.
WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE, OH, HOLD ON.
ALL RIGHT, LET ME, LET ME READ IT OUT FIRST.
WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, UH, LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM ALLEN'S FOUNTAIN, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE PEACE PARK TROLL, WHO REMINDED US THAT WE SHOULD SHARE WATER AND RESOURCES WITH THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE WITH US.
SECOND, FROM THE NEW BOARD MEMBER.
UM, ALL RIGHT, LET'S TAKE A VOTE.
ALL IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR HAND.
WOULD'VE BEEN A REAL DOWNER IF IT WASN'T
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.
[3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the permanent use of 9,852 sq. ft. of parkland at Palm Park and temporary work area use of 2,585 sq. ft. of parkland at Palm Park, not to exceed a total of 700 calendar days, total mitigation to be paid by Austin Water is $1,897,883. (Sponsors: Bazan, Becker) Presenter(s): Stacy Gould, P.E., Project Design Engineer, Pape-Dawson and Kevin Koeller, P.E., Managing Engineer, Austin Water.]
NEXT UP ON THE AGENDA, SLIGHTLY MORE CONTENTIOUS ONE, I SUSPECT.UM, PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND APPROVE A RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO IMPROVE, TO APPROVE THE PERMANENT USE OF 9,852 SQUARE FEET OF PARKLAND AT PALM PARK AND TEMPORARY WORK AREA USE OF 2,585 SQUARE FEET OF PARKLAND AT PALM PARK.
UH, NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF 700 CALENDAR DAYS, TOTAL MITIGATION TO BE PAID BY AUSTIN WATER OF, UH, $1,897,883.
AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR THIS AS WELL, MR. CHAIR.
WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENTER ON THE SIDE.
OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTER WILL BE MARCUS DE LEON.
MR. DELEON, YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES FROM THE TIME YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.
MY NAME IS MARCO DEON IN AUSTIN KNIGHT, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THIS AGENDA, A MARS, UH, MEMBER OF THE EAST TOWN LAKE CITIZEN NETWORK ASSOCIATION OUT OF EAST AUSTIN, THAT WAS FORMER IN 1974, AND OFFICIALLY REGISTERED WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN 1978.
THAT KIND OF GIVES IT OUR LEGACY.
WHEN I READ HERE THAT THE CITY ASKING CITY
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COUNTY TO APPROVE A PERMANENT USE OF OVER 9,000 SQUARE FEET OF PARKLAND AT PALM PARK, IN ADDITION TO USING THE 2,500 SQUARE FOOTAGE THAT'S OVER CLOSE TO 13,000 PART OF PALM PARK.I'M JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW SMALL PALM PARK IS NOW.
HOW MUCH IS THAT GONNA BE GONE FOR A WHILE? FOR WHAT, 700 DAYS AND THEN 9,000 OF THAT'S GONNA BE GONE PERMANENTLY? IT REMINDS ME IT WAS GOING ON IN THE NATIONAL AGENDA BY THIS ADMINISTRATION AT WASHINGTON THAT STARTED TO WIPE OUT WHAT BLACKS CONTRIBUTE TO AMERICA.
AND THEN, UH, IN PRISON THERE WERE THOUSAND, THOUSAND ROUND PEOPLE AND REPORTING THEM.
JUST KIND OF WIPING THAT OUT FOR ME.
PARKLAND IS VERY SACRED, AND I THINK CITIZENS OF AUSTIN LOVE THEIR PARKS IN AUSTIN, AND THEY'RE SACRED.
BUT IN PALM PARK IS SACRED, VERY SACRED TO OUR COMMUNITY.
AS CHICANOS, IT'S MORE SACRED.
I THINK ANYTHING ELSE AS A CHILD OF, OF, OF A, OF CONSERVATIONIST FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AS A FIRST NATION PERSON IS APPALLING TO ME THAT SOMEONE WOULD GIVE UP ANY PARK, ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO PARKLAND, PERIOD.
JUST WHAT HAPPENED WITH, WHEN, WHAT HAPPENED IN BARTON SPRINGS IN THAT PARK.
I THINK WE JUST CANNOT DO THAT.
YOU KNOW, ENGINEERS ARE WONDERFUL, INTELLIGENT INDIVIDUALS.
THEY'RE MATH GENIUS, AND I'M SURE THEY COULD FIND ANOTHER ROUTE.
IT MAY COST MORE MONEY, BUT THEY CAN'T FIND ANOTHER ROUTE.
WHY GIVE THAT UP? SOMETHING IS SO SACRED TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN PARKLAND.
WE ALREADY HAVE A LITTLE MANHATTAN ACROSS THE STREET CALLED RAINY.
THEY HAVE A REAL TINY PARK THAT REMINDS ME OF, OF, UH, CENTRAL PARK IN NEW YORK.
I JUST AM VERY MUCH APPALLED THAT, THAT THIS BOARD OR ANY CITY COUNCIL CAN ACTUALLY CUT AWAY A PARK PIECE OF PARKLAND IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY DISHEARTENING FOR ME TO HEAR THIS AND TO READ THIS.
THAT PARK'S NOT THAT VERY BIG.
ANYTHING YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THAT MEANS IT'S LIKE LOOKING AT SOMETHING THAT IS THERE, BUT IT'S NOT THERE.
WE CAN'T PLAY IN IT, WE CAN'T WALK, WE CAN'T ENJOY THE BIRDS OR THE SQUIRRELS THAT GO THERE, OR THE LEAVES THAT FALL ON IN THE FALL.
THINK ABOUT WHAT PARKS MEANS TO THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN AND THINK WHAT IT MEANS TO US AS CHICANOS LIVING IN EAST AUSTIN.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD ON THIS ITEM? THAT IS THE END OF PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
I THINK WE'RE READY FOR THE PRESENTATION NOW.
UM, GOOD EVENING PARKS BOARD MEMBERS.
I'M PAUL BOOKS PRINCIPAL PLANNER WITH AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION.
TONIGHT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD A CHAPTER 26 APPLICATION FOR AUSTIN WATERS, REQUEST FOR THE PERMANENT USE OF 9,852 SQUARE FEET OF PARKLAND AT PALM PARK, AND TEMPORARY USE OF 2,585 SQUARE FEET FOR UP TO 700 DAYS.
THIS REQUEST INCLUDES A MITIGATION PAYMENT OF $1,000,897 AND 800, OR SORRY, 1,000,897, UH, $883 TO THE PARKLAND MITIGATION FUND.
THIS APPLICATION IS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE RELOCATION OF CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTED BY TDOT'S IH 35 CAPEX CENTRAL PROJECT.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, OUR TEAM HAS WORKED THROUGH A DETAILED COORDINATION PROCESS TO GET TO THE PROPOSAL THAT WE BRING TO YOU TODAY.
THAT INCLUDED BIWEEKLY MEETINGS WITH THE WATERLOO GREENWAY CONSERVANCY, AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION, AUSTIN WATER, AND TXDOT, AS WELL AS SEVERAL ONSITE DISCUSSIONS.
UM, THE MOU POSTED IN BACKUP TODAY REFLECTS THOSE COMMITMENTS, PARTICULARLY THE REQUIREMENT THAT ADEQUATE CONSTRUCTION ACCESS TO PALM PARK BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT.
SO PALM PARK IMPROVEMENTS CAN CONTINUE ON SCHEDULE, AS WELL AS THE ALLOWANCE OF PARK AMENITIES ON PORTIONS OF THE PERMANENT USE AREA.
AND THE PRESENTATION YOU'LL SEE TONIGHT SUMMARIZES ALTERNATIVES EVALUATED REASONING BEHIND THE NECESSARY CHANGE OF USE OF PARKLAND AND MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL HAND IT TO TONIGHT'S PRESENTER, STACY GOLD WITH PAYPAL.
[00:40:01]
SURE.SORRY, I HAD TO FIGURE THAT OUT FOR A SECOND.
UM, I'M STACY GUD WITH P DAWSON, UM, AND I'M PRESENTING TODAY ON BEHALF OF AUSTIN WATER.
UM, KEVIN KOHLER WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND TODAY.
SO I AM JOINED BY JAMIE BURNETT, AUSTIN WATER PIPELINE, CIP.
TODAY WE'RE HERE FOR AN AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DECLARATION OF USE REQUEST RELATED TO THE REQUIRED AUSTIN WATER, UM, RE UTILITY RELOCATIONS FOR THE I 35 CAPEX, UM, PROJECTS.
UM, SPECIFICALLY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
UM, AND SO I WILL WALK THROUGH, UM, WHY THE RELOCATIONS ARE, ARE NEEDED, UM, THE ALTERNATIVES THAT WERE EVALUATED, UM, THE SPECIFIC PARKLAND DECLARATION OF USE BEING REQUESTED AND THE MEASURES THAT WERE INCLUDED TO, UM, MINIMIZE THE IMPACT TO PALM PARK.
SO OUR AGENDA AT THIS POINT IS TO, UM, TALK ABOUT AWESOME WATERS PROJECT OBJECTIVES, UM, KIND OF, UH, I THINK PAUL GAVE A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO THE, THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT.
BUT JUST REVIEW WHAT'S BEEN, UM, KIND OF ONGOING THROUGH ALL THE, THE PARTIES THAT ARE INVOLVED.
UM, AND THEN, UM, THIS, SO WE'RE GONNA GO THROUGH, UH, UH, THE 16 INCH WATER LINE AND A 12 INCH, UH, WASTEWATER LINE, UM, THE ALIGNMENT OPTIONS FOR, FOR BOTH OF THOSE.
AND THEN THERE'S A 66 INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAINE, UM, THE ALIGNMENT OPTIONS FOR THOSE.
UM, AND THOSE RESULT IN A, A WA A COMBINED WATER LINE AND WASTEWATER DECLARATION OF USE, SHAFT DEC DE DECLARATION OF USE, A SUBTERRANEAN DECLARATION OF USE, AND A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION DECLARATION OF USE.
AND THEN WE'LL GO OVER A SUMMARY OF ALL THOSE AT THE END.
SO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT HERE, JUST FOR, FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNAWARE, UM, UH, I 35 CAPEX CENTRAL, UM, GOES FROM TWO 90 DOWN TO 71.
IT'S BROKEN INTO A SERIES OF THREE PROJECTS.
UM, THERE'S THE UNIVERSITY PORTION, THE DOWNTOWN PORTION, AND LADY BIRD LAKE.
LADY BIRD LAKE IS ALREADY UNDER CON UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
UM, AND SO WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS THE DOWNTOWN PORTION, UM, THAT IS BOUND BY MLK, UM, DOWN TO, UH, HOLLY WITH UTILITY RELOCATIONS EXTENDING DOWN TO LAMBE.
UM, SO AS WE GO THROUGH, UM, WHAT YOU SEE ON THE, ON THE LEFT IS A RENDERING, UM, YEAH, IS A RE RENDERING OF THIS SECTION THAT'S DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF PALM PARK.
UM, AND SO AS YOU LOOK AT THAT, WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS THAT THE FRONTAGE ROAD AND THE MAIN LANES ARE GOING TO BE DEPRESSED.
AND SO THEN THEY'RE GOING TO GO DOWN TO GO UNDER THE FOURTH STREET CAT METRO, UH, RED LINE.
AND SO WHAT YOU SEE IN THE ORANGE, IT BECOMES A, A, A RETAINING WALL.
UM, THAT RETAINING WALL IS HELD BACK BY A, A SERIES OF DRILL SHAFTS, AND THOSE KIND OF COME INTO PLAY AS TO, TO WHAT'S FORCING THE RELOCATIONS FOR AUSTIN WATER.
UM, AND SO IF WE KIND OF LOOK AT THAT SAME VIEW, UM, BUT NOW YOU'RE LOOKING NORTH ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, YOU SEE THE MAIN LINES GOING DOWN AND YOU'RE, YOU CAN SEE THE, THE WALL A LITTLE MORE WITH AN SUP IN FRONT OF PALM PARK.
SO SHARED USE PATH IN FRONT OF PALM PARK, UM, THAT, SO THE TRAIL WILL CONTINUE NORTH AND SOUTH, UM, BUT THERE IS A, YOU KNOW, KIND OF A DROP OFF ON THE OTHER SIDE.
SO AUSTIN WATERS PROJECT, UH, OBJECTIVES, UH, UH, ARE TO PROVIDE AWESOME WATER CUSTOMERS WITH A RELIABLE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM THAT IS ACCESSIBLE, UM, TO RELOCATE WATER AND WASTEWATER LINES IMPACTED BY PROPOSED I 35 CAPEX PROJECT INTO MAIN REQUIRED, UH, REQUIRED FIRE FLOWS.
THE DECLARATION OF USE REQUEST IS FOR A WATER LINE AND WASTEWATER LINE DECLARATION OF USE OF 7,903 SQUARE FEET, A SHAFT DECLARATION OF USE OF 833 SQUARE FEET, SUBTERRANEAN WATERLINE, UM, DECLARATION OF USE OF 1,116 SQUARE FEET, AND A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION DECLARATION OF USE 2,585 FOR A TOTAL OF 12,437.
SO, AS PAUL ALLUDED TO, WE'VE HAD, UM, A LOT OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, UM, BETWEEN AUSTIN WATER, AUSTIN PARKS, AND REC WATERLOO, GREENWAY CONSERVANCY,
[00:45:01]
AND TXDOT.UM, SO, UM, TDOT HAS HELD, UH, AS SUB HAS HELD TWO PALM DISTRICT INTERAGENCY MEETINGS.
UM, THAT'S THE 7 31 AND THE 1113 DATE.
UM, AND THAT'S MORE AT A, A LEADERSHIP LEVEL.
UM, THOSE TWO MEETINGS ARE, UM, THE, UM, MEETING WITH WALLER CREEK.
UH, WE MET WITH THE WALLER CREEK, UH, LOCAL GOVERNMENT CORPORATION BOARD AND PRESENTED, UM, BOTH AS TEXO AND DESIGNERS, UM, FOR AUSTIN WATER.
AND THEN, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'VE MET ON SITE, UH, AS WELL WITH AUSTIN WATER PARKS AND TXDOT, UM, TO DISCUSS, UM, CONSTRUCTION NEAR THE HERITAGE TREE THAT IS AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF PALM PARK.
UM, AND SO, BUT THE MAJORITY OF OUR, OUR INTERACTION AS AGENCIES HAS BEEN THROUGH, UM, THESE BIWEEKLY MEETINGS THAT YOU SEE THAT'S KIND OF LINE ITEM TWO THERE AS STARTED BACK IN SEPTEMBER.
AND WE'VE MET BIWEEKLY, UM, UNTIL TODAY, UM, TO, TO, TO KIND OF GO THROUGH WHAT'S POSSIBLE AND, AND TO LIMIT IMPACTS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
SO FIRST WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT THE WATER LINE AND WASTEWATER LINE RE RELOCATIONS.
UM, SO AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE BOTTOM PICTURE HERE, UM, THERE ARE A SERIES OF, WE, WE SAW THE WALL IN THE, IN THE RENDERING.
AND SO IF WE LOOK AT THE, THE WALL, THAT WALL REQUIRES DRILL SHAFTS.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT THE PINK CIRCLES ARE THAT YOU SEE ON, ON THE BOTTOM.
AND SO, UM, FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES, THERE HAS TO BE AN EQUIVALENT DIAMETER SHAFT BACKWARDS, UM, FROM THAT DRILL SHAFT.
SO WE CAN'T PUT ANYTHING DIRECTLY BEHIND THIS DRILL SHAFT.
SO THOSE ARE 70, YOU KNOW, SAY THEY'RE SEVEN FOOT TO EIGHT FOOT DRILL SHAFTS.
YOU ALSO CAN'T PUT ANYTHING IN THE NEXT SEVEN TO EIGHT FEET BEHIND THAT IN ORDER TO CONSTRUCT THEM TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SAFE FOR THE UTILITY LINES THEMSELVES.
UM, SO THAT THAT CLEAR SPACE ELIMINATES A LARGE PORTION OF THE RIGHT OF WAY THAT WOULD'VE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR UTILITIES TO RELOCATE.
UM, AND SO THEN AS WE GO BACKWARDS, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE IN THE PINK DRILL SHAFTS IS THE EXISTING WATERLINE.
THAT'S THE BLUE, THE BLUE LIGHT ON THAT GOES STRAIGHT THROUGH.
ALL OF THAT IS THE EXISTING WATERLINE.
UM, THE WASTEWATER LINE IS SLIGHTLY BACK TOWARDS THE RIGHT OF WAY.
UM, BUT IT, IT CONFLICTS WITH, UM, THE OTHER UTILITIES AT THIS POINT.
AND SO, UM, SO NOW WE'RE GONNA KIND OF TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT AND KIND OF HOW WE WENT ABOUT TRYING TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE RELOCATION FOR THOSE TWO ITEMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN CONFLICT WITH, WITH WHAT'S THERE.
UM, SO THIS IS A, UM, UM, A VERY SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF AUSTIN WATERS WATER MAP.
UM, WE'VE TAKEN IT DOWN TO JUST THE AREA OF INTEREST.
UM, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, UM, YOU KNOW, PLACEMAKER ON THE, ON THE NORTH THERE, WHICH IS PREVIOUSLY THREE WALLER, UM, AND TO THE SOUTH OF THAT IS PALM PARK.
UM, AND SO IF YOU LOOK AT THIS RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A, THERE'S A LOOPED WATER SYSTEM AROUND, UM, ALL, ALL OF THIS AREA.
AND WHAT THAT DOES IS IT, IT LOOPS SYSTEMS AND WATER CREATE BETTER, MORE RELIABLE WATER PRESSURE, WHICH IS IN TURN, WHICH IN TURN IS BETTER FOR FIRE PROTECTION.
UM, AND THEN WE HAVE ENHANCED WATER QUALITY 'CAUSE WE DON'T HAVE DEAD ENDS WITH STAGNANT WATER.
UM, AND THEN ALSO IT ALLOWS FOR OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY.
SO IF YOU HAVE A A, A BREAK IN THIS LINE ANYWHERE, YOU CAN BACK FEED CUSTOMERS FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION, UM, FOR MAINTENANCE AS WELL.
IF, SAY IT WASN'T A BREAK, YOU JUST WANTED TO DO MAINTENANCE, HAVING THAT LOOPED SYSTEM PROVIDES CONTINUITY OF SERVICE TO AUSTIN, AUSTIN WATER CUSTOMERS.
SO WITH I 35, UM, IMPROVEMENTS, UM, BECAUSE THE CAT METRO, UH, LINE IS ALSO GOING TO BE AFFECTED GRADE WISE, UM, THE LINES ALONG FOURTH STREET, UH, AND FROM FOURTH STREET TO CESAR CHAVEZ ARE, ARE ALL AFFECTED, UM, BY THE, BY THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS.
AND SO AS WE LOOK AT THIS, UM, SPECIFICALLY IN FRONT OF PLACEMAKER, THE DRILL SHAFTS, UM, THE WAY THAT THE WALL COMES IN, THERE'S ONLY FIVE FEET OF SPACE LEFT FOR UTILITIES.
UM, AND SO WE EVEN WITHIN THAT FIVE FEET, AUSTIN WATER PREVIOUSLY HAD WATER AND WASTEWATER, UM, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE THE WATER BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FIT.
UM, AND SO IN FRONT OF PLACEMAKER, THERE'S GOING TO BE A GAP.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A CONTINUOUS LOOP.
[00:50:01]
IT JUST GOT CUT.AND SO WHAT, WHAT WE STARTED TO LOOK AT IS WHAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BRING THE LOOPING BACK, UM, TO PROVIDE THIS CONTINUITY OF, YOU KNOW, UM, PRESSURE AND FIRE PROTECTION TO AUSTIN WATER CUSTOMERS.
UM, AND SO WHAT IT REQUIRES IS IT'S RECREATING THESE, THIS BIGGER LOOP AND THEN SMALLER LOOPS.
UM, AND THE PLACE THAT WE CAN RECREATE THAT LOOP IS ALONG THIRD STREET.
UM, BUT IN ORDER TO HAVE IT ON THIRD, IT HAS TO GO, IT HAS TO GO IN THE RIGHT OF WAY OR NOT THE RIGHT OF WAY.
UH, IT HAS TO GO PARALLEL TO I 35.
UM, AND AGAIN, THERE'S NOT SPACE FOR THAT.
SO THAT MOVES IT BACK ONTO PALM PARK.
UM, SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT'S HAPPENING THROUGHOUT HERE.
UM, THERE'S NOT ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENTS OUTSIDE OF LIKE FIFTH OR CESAR CHAVEZ, BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T RECREATE THE LOOP HERE.
IT DOESN'T PROVIDE THE WATER RESILIENCY WITHIN THIS AREA.
SO IT, TAKING THE LOOP SOMEWHERE ELSE DOESN'T, IT DOESN'T, IT DOESN'T WORK.
UM, AND SO FOR THIS OPTION, THIS IS THE REQUIRED RELOCATION.
AND SO WE CREATE A SERIES OF THREE SMALLER LOOPS, ONE ON THE BOTTOM, AND THEN ONE BETWEEN FOURTH AND FIFTH, AND THEN ONE SPECIFICALLY, UM, AT THE RAIL LOCATION FOR THE PLACEMAKER PROPERTY.
UM, SO THAT'S KIND OF THE, THE WATERLINE RELOCATION SECTION, THE WASTEWATER LINE, UM, THAT GOES ALONG THE FRONT OF I 35.
UH, AGAIN, THIS IS A SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF AUSTIN WATER'S WASTEWATER SYSTEM, UM, JUST THE AREA THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
AND SO IF YOU KIND OF LOOK AT THIS, IT PICKS UP A, A WASTEWATER SERVICE FROM PLACEMAKER, TAKES IT SOUTH.
WE PICK UP PALM PARKS WASTEWATER SERVICE AS WELL, AND IT GOES SOUTH.
SO AGAIN, THIS SECTION IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY THOSE WALLS THAT ARE COMING IN, UM, AND, UM, KIND OF THE, THE PUSHING OF THE ROAD TO, TO THE WEST.
AND SO THIS IS KIND OF THIS, THE WHOLE LINE ON THIS SECTION IS ALSO IMPACTED.
AND SO WE LOOKED AT A VARIETY OF WAYS TO RELOCATE THIS.
UM, SO THE FIRST OPTION WE LOOKED AT WAS, UM, ACTUALLY REVERSING THE FLOW FROM PALM PARK, GOING AND MAKING IT GO NORTH AND THEN TAKING IT AT GRAVITY LINE ACROSS THE THIRD.
UM, AND THEN THREE WALLER WOULD COME DOWN, OR, OR PLACEMAKER WOULD COME DOWN TO THE SAME, SAME LOCATION AND ALL ACROSS AT THIRD STREET.
UM, THE ISSUE WITH THIS IS THAT AS YOU GO ACROSS, UM, YOU ARE AT A HIGHER ELEVATION.
AND THEN TO GET UNDERNEATH WALLER CREEK, THE, THE BOTTOM CHANNEL OF WALLER CREEK IS AT AN ELEVATION OF 4 34.
UM, AND SO WE CAN'T, UH, ONCE WE GO UNDER, WE CAN'T TIE INTO THE EXISTING SYSTEM ON THE OTHER SIDE BECAUSE IT'S BUFFET IT.
UM, AND SO WE'VE ESSENTIALLY, WE, WE CAN'T MAKE A GRAVITY LINE GO ACROSS HERE AND MEET THE ELEVATIONS.
UM, SO THE SECOND ITEM THAT WE, UM, PROPOSED WAS TO PUT A GRINDER PUMP FOR THE BATHROOMS ON PALM PARK SITE, UH, AND THEN TAKE THAT UP TO THIRD AND ACROSS.
AND SO THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO GO UNDER WALLOW CREEK.
UM, AND SO, UM, THIS OPTION WAS NOT SELECTED, UM, BECAUSE AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF DIDN'T APPROVE IT, UM, DUE TO MAINTENANCE CONCERNS.
AND REALLY THAT'S A NOT HAVING A, A CONTINUOUS SOURCE OF FUNDING TO OPERATE A GRINDER PUMP.
AND SO THE REQUIRED WASTEWATER LINE RELOCATION THEN BECOMES REINSTATING THE GRAVITY FROM PLACEMAKER DOWN TO, UM, CAESAR CHAVEZ.
UH, AND, AND THAT REQUIRES THE LINE TO BE PUSHED BACK ONTO, UM, PALM PARK PROPERTY.
SO KIND OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, KIND OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IS THAT YOU HAVE THE DRILL SHAFT WALL ON THE, ON THE, ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, THERE'S A, THERE'S AN OFFSET OF EQUAL DIAMETER, AND THAT'S THE AREA THAT WE CAN'T HAVE ANY UTILITIES LOCATED IN.
AND SO THERE'S FIVE FEET OF SPACE LEFT.
WITHIN THAT FIVE FEET, FEET IS TELECOM GAS AND ITS, UM, SO TRAFFIC SIGNALS IS ITS.
UM, AND SO THEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY.
AND THEN THERE'S A 25 FOOT EASEMENT THAT HAS, UM, THE WATER LINE, UH, ON TOP AND THE WASTEWATER ON BOTTOM.
UH, THE DEPTH OF THE WATER LINE IS APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET DEEP, UM, AND THE WASTEWATER IS, IS 12.
[00:55:01]
SO IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACTS OF, OF THIS RELOCATION, UM, WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT WITH WATERLOO GREENWAY, UM, AND KIND OF WORKED THROUGH, UH, WITH AUSTIN PARKS AND REC AND WATERLOO GREENWAY CONSERVANCY WAS TO, THE WATER LINE WILL BE ENTIRELY BORED.UM, SO IT'LL ALL BE TRENCHLESS.
UM, SO THE BOAR PITS ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF PALM PARK.
UM, AND SO THE WATERLINE WILL GO UNDERNEATH ALL OF THE TREES, UM, AND IT WILL HAVE, IT WON'T HAVE ANY SURFACE DISTURBANCE.
UM, SO THE WASTEWATER LINE IS GOING TO BE BOARD FOR 95% OF, OF THE WAY ACROSS.
THERE WILL BE ONE, UM, AREA WITHIN THE PARK THAT IS OPEN.
UM, WE CAN'T TRENCH ALL THE WAY ACROSS BECAUSE WE NEED TO TIE IN THE SERVICE FROM THE BATHROOMS AT PALM PARK.
UM, AND SO WE NEED AN OPENING IN THAT CASING TO TIE THAT SERVICE IN.
UM, SO AS MUCH AS WE COULD, WE, WE MADE IT TRENCHLESS.
UM, BUT WE NEED AN OPENING TO TIE THE BATHROOM IN.
UM, SO THE CRITICAL, CRITICAL ROOT ZONES AREN'T IMPACTED BECAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY UNDERNEATH THE ROOT ZONES OF THE TREE.
AND THEN THE ONE OPEN SPACE IS ACTUALLY, UM, CENTERED IN BETWEEN THE HERITAGE TREE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK AND THE HERITAGE TREE AT THE, AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER.
UM, SO THERE, THAT OPENING IS SPECIFICALLY SELECTED TO BE IN AN AREA THAT'S NOT IMPACTED BY EITHER OF EITHER OF THOSE TREES.
UM, TO LOW IMPACT TO NATURAL RESOURCES ARE ANTICIPATED.
UM, THERE IS AN EXISTING FIRE HYDRANT AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE PARK, UM, THAT WILL BE REPLACED.
UM, AND THEN THE WASTEWATER LINE, UM, AGAIN PROVIDES SERVICE TO THE PARK, UM, AND AUSTIN WATER CUSTOMERS.
UM, THERE IS ALSO LANGUAGE IN THE DECLARATION OF USE, UM, THAT I BELIEVE THAT IS ATTACHED, UM, TO THE AGENDA.
AND WHAT WE'VE DISCUSSED IS, IS, UM, AUSTIN PARKS AND REC IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH, UM, THEIR PARK PROGRAMMING OF, OF SHRUBS AND KIND OF A BORDER BORDER OF THOSE.
AND, AND AS THEY KIND OF DISCUSS WITH AUSTIN WATER WHAT CAN BE APPROVED, UH, PROGRAMMING WITHIN THAT PARKLAND AREA.
UM, SO THE PROPOSED OPTIONS MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF ECM SECTION 5.3 0.0, AND WOULD MINIMIZE ALL IMPACTS TO THE PARK.
SO THE SECOND, UM, UTILITY LINE THAT, UH, OR THE THIRD UTILITY LINE THAT IS HERE IS A, IS A 66 INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN.
UM, SO THIS, UH, IS LOOKING FOR A, A SHAFT DECLARATION OF USE, WHICH IS THE, UM, UH, THE PURPLE RECTANGLE WITH THE CIRCLE.
UM, SO IT'S THE PURPLE RECTANGLE WITH THE CIRCLE INSIDE OF IT THAT IS THE SHAFT, UM, UH, DECLARATION OF USE.
AND THEN THE SUBTERRANEAN IS THE, THE LONGER RECTANGLE IN THE WILL THAT, THAT GOES, UM, FROM THE SHAFT KIND OF TOWARDS I 35.
UH, AND THEN, UM, THE TEMPORARY USED, UH, IS THE YELLOW AND THE PINK COMBINED.
UM, AND SO THE, THAT THE PINK SHADING AREA, UM, IS NOT USED.
IT'S NOT INTENDED FOR, UM, EQUIPMENT OR MATERIAL STORAGE.
UM, THAT PINK AREA IS GOING TO BE KEPT OPEN AS A SHARED ACCESS TO THE PARK FOR CONSTRUCTION, UM, FOR BOTH AUSTIN PARKS AND RECS CONSTRUCTION AND, UM, THE AUSTIN WATER CONSTRUCTION.
SO THE PINK AREA IS AN OVERLAPPING ACCESS, EASEMENT ACCESS AREA THAT WILL BE USED BY BOTH CONSTRUCTION TEAMS. SO JUST IN GENERAL, THIS IS KIND OF THE, THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS, THIS LINE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE EXISTING DOWNTOWN WATER CROSSINGS, UM, THERE'S A 24 INCH WATERLINE THAT CROSSES SOUTH OF CESAR CHAVEZ.
UM, THIS IS A 66 INCH WATER LINE THAT CROSSES AT THIRD STREET, AND THEN NORTH OF THAT IS A 12 INCH LINE AT 12TH STREET AND A 24 INCH LINE UP BY MLK.
SO THE 66 IS BY FAR THE LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE, UM, HERE IS CRITICAL, UM, WATER FEED TO EAST AUSTIN.
UM, AND SO IT, IT, IT'S A VERY CRITICAL FACILITY FOR THE AUSTIN WATER SYSTEM.
SO JUST TO KIND OF GO BACK TO WHAT'S FORCING THE RELOCATION IN THE, IN THIS, IN THIS SCENARIO IS, YOU KNOW, AS WE, AS WE KIND
[01:00:01]
OF SAW THE RENDERING AT THE BEGINNING, THE MAIN LANES ARE, ARE GOING TO BE DEPRESSED.AND SO AS YOU LOOK AT WHERE THE EXISTING LINE IS CURRENTLY, THE EXISTING LINE WOULD BE, UM, OBVIOUSLY UNDER THE GROUND.
UM, BUT THE GROUND IS BEING CUT BY 60 FEET.
UM, AND SO WHERE THE 66 INCH LINE THE EXISTING LINE ENDS UP IS, IS AT IT'S ABOVE THE GRADE OF THE MAIN LINES.
SO IT'D BE LIKE A FLOATING, FLOATING PIPE.
UM, AND SO THAT KIND OF FORCES US TO ENTER THIS, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT A 66 INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN? SO WE LOOKED AT A SERIES OF ALTERNATIVES, UM, THE FIRST BEING, UH, UH, TO RELOCATE, UM, THE EXISTING 66 GOES FROM SIX SIX FROM FIFTH STREET DOWN, UM, KIND OF LIKE ACRO, UM, PARALLEL TO WALLER CREEK AND THEN ACROSS THIRD.
UH, AND SO WE THOUGHT, WHAT, WHAT IF WE PICK IT UP AT FIFTH STREET INSTEAD OF THIRD STREET? UM, AND SO THIS ONE WASN'T SELECTED, UM, BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ADEQUATE SPACE ON FIFTH STREET TO PLACE A, A, A 30 FOOT DIAMETER SHAFT.
UM, AND THEN, UM, THE, THAT'S PRIMARILY DUE TO, UM, A, A LARGE, UH, AT AND T HAS A LARGE, UM, COMMUNICATIONS HUB KIND OF ON, ON THAT EAST SIDE OF FIFTH STREET THAT LIKE PREVENTS US FROM PUTTING THAT SHAFT OVER THERE.
UM, AND THEN, UM, THE WASTEWATER IS ACTUALLY COMING FROM WEST TO EAST UNDER THE NEW, UM, RELOCATION.
UH, AND IT HAS A, UH, A LARGE SHAFT, UH, UM, WITH A, A TUNNEL.
UM, AND AGAIN, WATER'S A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO MOVE THAN WASTEWATER.
SO THE SECOND ONE WE LOOKED AT WAS TO GO DOWN CESAR CHAVEZ.
UM, SO WE FOUND KIND OF A, A PLACE WHERE WE THOUGHT WE COULD PUT THE SHAFT, WHICH IS IN THE, THE RED BOX OVER THERE.
UM, THE ISSUES, UM, THAT WE ENCOUNTERED KIND OF WITH THIS ALTERNATIVE AND WHY IT WASN'T SELECTED IS THERE'S NOT ADEQUATE SPACE ON CHAVEZ FOR TUNNELING OPERATION.
UM, AND WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN SUBSEQUENT SLIDES IS THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER, UM, AREA, UM, WITHIN THE TECH STAT RIGHT AWAY THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR, UM, FOR THAT OPERATION, UM, UNDER THE RECOMMENDED SCENARIO.
UM, AND SO THEN THERE'S ALSO A SIGN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO EXISTING UTILITIES, UH, WITHIN THIS LOCATION.
UM, AND THEN ROAD CLOSERS OF CAESAR CHAVEZ WOULD BE REQUIRED.
AND THIS IS THE KIND OF PRIMARY, UM, TRUCK TRAFFIC IN AND OUT OF, OF, OF DOWNTOWN.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, UM, AUSTIN ENER, AUSTIN ENERGY IS, UM, AS PART OF THE RE UM, IMPROVEMENTS HAS, HAS, HAS HAD TO RELOCATE THEIR PROPOSED DUCK BANK, UM, THROUGH DOWNTOWN INSTEAD OF GOING, UM, UP AND DOWN I 35.
AND SO THEIR PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE IS CAESAR CHAVEZ.
UM, SO WHILE IT'S NOT SHOWN IN, IN THIS PICTURE, THERE WILL ALSO BE A VERY LARGE DUCT PAINT GOING DOWN CESAR CHAVEZ THAT WOULD TAKE ANY AVAILABLE SPACE FOR OUR WATERLINE TO, TO GO.
THE THIRD ALTERNATIVE THAT WE ARE INVESTIGATING, UM, IS, UM, TO GO FROM THE EAST SIDE, UM, UH, ON THIRD STREET, WHICH IS, UM, WHERE THE PROPOSED RELOCATION STARTS, UM, GO TOWARDS PALM PARK, UM, AND THEN CONTINUE TO SECOND STREET.
UM, ALL OF THIS WOULD BE SUBTERRANEAN, SO THERE WOULDN'T BE, UM, THERE WOULD BE VERY LITTLE IMPACT TO PALM PARK.
UM, WE, WE WOULD JUST BE A HUNDRED FEET BELOW YOU.
UM, SO IT DOESN'T, THERE'S NOT REALLY, UH, ANYTHING THERE.
UM, THE REASON THAT THIS WAS NOT SELECTED IS, IS DUE TO SCHEDULING, UM, THIS COMPLEXITY OF A, OF A, OF A TUNNEL, UM, REQUIRES TIME.
UM, AND TXO HAS A, A VERY AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE FOR, FOR ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS.
UM, AND SO THERE'S JUST A LARGE NUMBER OF UNKNOWNS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FEASIBILITY OF THIS CONSTRUCTION.
UM, SO, UM, WE'RE MISSING, UM, GEOTECHNICAL DATA TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS.
UM, AND THEN, UM, THE, THE UTILITY RELOCATION SITE ON, ON SECOND STREET IS ALSO, UH, KIND OF AN UNKNOWN.
UM, AND SO WITHIN THE TEXTILE TIMEFRAME, UM, GIVEN THE DATA THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, THIS IS NOT AN OPTION AT, AT THIS TIME.
[01:05:01]
KIND OF NARROWED IT DOWN TO, OKAY, WE NEED TO, WE NEED TO PICK IT UP IN, IN THIRD STREET.UM, SO WE LOOKED AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS FOR SHAFTS.
UM, AND AGAIN, IF, IF WE KIND OF TAKE A LOOK AT A VERY SIMPLIFIED DRAWING OF, OF THE UTILITIES WITHIN THIRD STREET, UM, BUT THAT'S A GENERAL REPRESENTATION OF, OF WHAT IS THERE.
AND SO IF WE TRY TO PLACE THE SHAFT ENTIRELY WITHIN THIRD STREET, UM, IT ACTUALLY OVERLAPS WITH THE EXISTING 66, AND THAT MEANS THAT IT WOULD, IT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT, IT WOULD BE OUTTA COMMISSION.
UM, AND WE CAN'T TAKE THAT LINE OUTTA COMMISSION FOR LONGER THAN TWO WEEKS, OR WE, WE FAIL TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO EAST AUSTIN.
SO THAT'S NOT, UM, THAT'S NOT A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE.
UM, THEN WE LOOKED AT, YOU KNOW, COULD WE JUST TAKE A SMALLER PORTION, UH, UM, KIND OF LOOK, UM, AND SO WE PUSHED THE SHAFT, UM, DOWN OFF OF THE 66, UM, BUT STILL KIND OF WITHIN THIRD STREET RIGHT AWAY.
UM, AND THE ISSUE BECOMES HERE, AND THE REASON IT WASN'T SELECTED IS EVEN IF WE COULD DO THIS AND COMMS, IT WOULD MAKE COMMS AND ELECTRIC RELOCATE.
UM, BUT THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE FOR THEM TO GO THAT IS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH EITHER THE 66 INCH, THE 60 INCH STORM, ALL OF THE UTILITIES ON THE SOUTH SIDE OR, OR OUR PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION SHAFT.
UM, SO AGAIN, IT'S NOT A VIABLE SOLUTION.
AND SO THIS ONE WASN'T SELECTED.
SO THE REQUIRED RELOCATION, UM, THAT, UH, IS SHOWN HERE IS TO HAVE THE SHAFT, UM, KIND OF PARTIALLY WITHIN PALM PARK AND, AND PARTIALLY WITHOUT OUTSIDE OF PALM PARK IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.
AND, UM, IT ALLOWS FOR THE 66 INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN TO STAY, UM, IN SERVICE.
AND IT MINIMIZES CONFLICTS WITH EXISTING UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO JUST KIND OF FROM A A SECTION VIEW, THIS IS WHAT THAT EASEMENT LOOKS LIKE.
THE SHAFT EASEMENT, UM, GOES FROM THE SURFACE TO A HUNDRED FEET DEEP.
UM, AND SO THEN THE SUBTERRANEAN EASEMENT IS JUST, UH, YOU KNOW, AS WE TAKE THE LINE FROM THE SHAFT ACROSS I 35, ALL OF THAT IS TRENCHLESS.
AND SO THAT'S JUST A, A SUBTERRANEAN EASEMENT THAT IS A HUNDRED FEET BELOW THE PARK.
UM, SO IT DOESN'T IMPACT ANYTHING AT THE SURFACE.
UM, AND SO IN THIS VIEW, YOU ALSO SEE THE 12 INCH AND THE 16 INCH.
SO, UH, KIND OF IN SOME OF THOSE VIEWS, IT LOOKS LIKE THE TWO ARE OVERLAPPING, BUT THEY'RE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EASEMENT BECAUSE ONE IS A HUNDRED FEET UNDER THE GROUND OR DECLARATION OF VIEWS BECAUSE ONE IS A HUNDRED FEET UNDER THE GROUND AND ONE IS AT THE SURFACE.
SO, UM, PALM PARK HAS, UM, PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS, UM, AS WELL.
UM, AND SO FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES, UH, AGAIN THE, THE PINK IS OUR SHARED ACCESS.
UM, AND SO, UM, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE COMING IN FROM THIRD STREET, WE'LL BE ABLE TO TURN INTO PALM PARK, UH, AND THEN GO BACK OUT, UM, FOR PART OF THE DURATION.
UM, WE MAY BE ABLE TO COME THROUGH THIRD STREET OUT TO, UM, THE FRONT EDGE ROAD, BUT THE, THAT'S KIND OF CONDITIONAL TO THE CRANE.
UM, AND SO KIND OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT PREVIOUSLY, UM, IS, UM, YOU KNOW, HAVING THIS, THIS LARGER AREA TO WORK WITHIN.
UH, SO TXDOT IS CLOSING ALL OF THAT SOUTHBOUND FRONTAGE, UH, ROAD TO THE SIDE THERE.
UM, AND SO NOT ALL OF THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR, FOR THIS CONSTRUCTION.
UM, BUT A LARGE PORTION AROUND THIRD STREET IS, UM, AND THAT IS WHAT GIVES US THE AREA THAT'S REQUIRED FOR AN OPERATION LIKE THIS.
SO MINIMIZING THE IMPACTS, UM, WE ARE TUNNELING UNDER THE EXISTING TREE, UM, AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER, UM, AGAIN, A HUNDRED FEET BELOW IT.
UM, AND SO THAT CRITICAL ROOT ZONE WILL NOT BE IMPACTED.
UM, THE WATER TRANSMISSION DEPTH IS A HUNDRED FEET.
UM, AND THEN, UM, THE WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN WILL PROVIDE, UH, AUSTIN WATER CUSTOMERS WITH RELIABLE SERVICE AND FIRE PROTECTION, INCLUDING PUMP PARK.
UM, SO FROM, UH, A SURFACE VIEW, JUST KIND OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, UM, THAT SHAFT WILL HAVE TWO MANHOLES, UH, COVER COVERS THAT COME TO THE SURFACE.
[01:10:01]
DOTS AND THE, THE TOP IMAGE.UM, AND SO JUST KIND OF AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A MANHOLE LOOKS LIKE IS THAT THE, THE BOTTOM LEFT IS ACTUALLY THE MANHOLE THAT'S IN PALM PARK.
UM, AND SO IT'S THAT WITH, YOU KNOW, KIND OF A LITTLE SURFACE AROUND IT.
UM, THE IMAGE ON THE RIGHT IS ACTUALLY IN FRONT OF THE LONG CENTER, AND THAT IS A, THAT IS A LARGE TUNNEL SHAFT.
UM, AND SO WHAT YOU SEE FROM THE SURFACE IS A SERIES OF THIS ONE HAS FIVE, UM, MANHOLES.
UM, THE ONE IN THE PARK WILL HAVE TWO.
UM, AND SO FROM A SURFACE YOU CAN STILL RUN OVER IT.
UM, THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO BOUNDARY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IT IS JUST A, A SURFACE MANHOLE.
UM, SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
UM, SO THE SHAFT LOOKS LARGE IN THE PICTURES, BUT MOST OF THAT SLAB IS BURIED UNDER THE GROUND.
AND WHAT COMES TO THE SURFACE IS, IS TWO MANHOLE LIDS, SO THE SUMMARY OF THEIR CRUSTED PARKLAND.
UM, SO THERE'S NO FEASIBLE AND PRUDENT ALTERNATIVE TO THE USE OR TAKING OF SUCH LAND HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.
AND THEN THE PROGRAM, UH, OUR PROJECT INCLUDES ALL REASONABLE PLANNING, MINIMIZED HARM TO THE LAND AS A PARK, RECREATIONARY, SCIENTIFIC AREA, WILDLIFE REFUGE, OR HISTORIC SITE RESULTING FROM THE USE OR TAKING AS LOTS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED.
SO ALSO WATER REQUEST A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL OF PERMANENT USE OF 9,852 SQUARE FEET OF PARKLAND AT PALM PARK AND TEMPORARY WORK, UH, AREA OF 2,585 SQUARE FEET OF PARKLAND AT PALM PARK, NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF 700 CALENDAR DAYS.
UM, AND A TOTAL MITIGATION TO BE PAID BY AUSTIN WATER IS $1,897,883.
UM, DURING CONSTRUCTION, UM, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH AUSTIN PARKS AND REC AND WATERLOO GREENWAY CONSERVANCY, UM, TREE.
WE'VE DONE TREE PROTECTION WITH AUSTIN PARKS AND REC, UM, ARBORIST.
UM, THE TRAIL ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED TO THE NEW, UM, TRAIL AND THEN, UM, THE PLACEMAKER DRIVEWAY AND, AND THE DRY ACCESS DRIVEWAY TO, UM, PALM PARK WILL BE MAINTAINED.
UM, AND THEN WE WILL MAINTAIN, UM, CONSTRUCTION ACCESS FOR, FOR BOTH PROJECTS.
UM, SEPTEMBER, 2027 IS THE ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION START FOR WATER WASTEWATER AND WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN RELOCATION.
UM, IN DECEMBER, 2029 IS THE INSTALLATION OF FINAL SURFACE AMENITIES PLAYGROUND WITHIN THE EASEMENT AREAS AFTER THE CAPEX PROJECT CONSTRUCTION.
UM, SO ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION, UH, END OF PARK, UH, IS OPEN TO PUBLIC IN 2029, SO THE TWO CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES WILL OVERLAP, BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD TO GET THAT TO WORK TOGETHER.
UM, THIS IS THE PROJECT TEAM, SO, UH, WE'RE OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.
THAT WAS, UH, UM, A VERY DETAILED PRESENTATION.
I APPRECIATE IT AND I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL PUT INTO SORT OF EXPLORE THE, THE RANGE OF EXPLORATION THAT YOU DID ON ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SETTLING.
IT'S CLEAR YOU PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO IT.
UM, AND WITH THAT, I WILL OPEN IT UP TO THE BOARD FOR QUESTIONS AND JUST A REMINDER, IT'S QUESTIONS BEFORE DISCUSSION.
SO ANY, ANYONE? YEAH, I, I HAVE, I MIGHT HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ACTUALLY.
SO FROM THE TAIL END OF YOUR PRESENTATION, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE AREA THAT YOU ARE ASKING TO BE PERMANENTLY USED, UH, FOR THIS PROJECT, THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE COVERED UP AND LIKE IT'S, IT'S GOING TO TO BE OPEN AS PARKLAND TO THE PUBLIC.
AGAIN, IT'S JUST THAT THE OWNERSHIP IS KIND OF CONVEYED OVER FROM, UH, A PR OR LIKE CITY OF AUSTIN TO, UM, I GUESS I'M MISSING WHAT'S THE ENTITY THAT'S GOING BE DONE? AUSTIN WATER.
BUT THE INTENTION IS TO, AFTER THE CONSTRUCTION IS DONE SO BY 2029, THAT THE, THAT LAND IS REUSED AGAIN AS PARKLAND.
SO, UM, THE, I MEAN, THE CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE IS OBVIOUSLY ALWAYS
UM, BUT, UH, THE INTENTION IS YES FOR ALL OF THAT PARKLAND TO BE OPEN BACK TO PARKLAND.
SO THE, THE, THE WATERLINE AND THE WASTEWATER LINE THAT ARE ON THE FRONT ARE, ARE COMPLETELY BURIED.
[01:15:01]
THE MANHOLE, UM, THAT WAS GOING TO BE PROPOSED THERE.AND SO WE'RE TYING THE PALM PARK SERVICE DIRECTLY TO THE WASTEWATER LINE WITHOUT A MANHOLE.
SO THERE'LL BE NO SURFACE, UM, THERE WON'T BE ANYTHING VISIBLE AT THE SURFACE FOR, FOR THE TWO, THE TWO ON THE FRONT.
UM, AND SO, UM, AUSTIN WATER IS WORKING THROUGH THE MEMORANDUM WITH AUSTIN PARKS, UM, TO, UM, DISCUSS WHAT CAN AND CAN'T BE PLACED ON TOP OF, UM, THE WATER AND WASTEWATER LINE.
UM, BUT THERE WILL BE A, A FENCE ON THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY, UM, THAT IS PART OF THE, THE PALM PARK PARK DESIGN.
UM, AND, AND SO THAT BARRIER FENCE WILL, THAT WILL BE WITHIN AUSTIN WATERS EASEMENT.
SO IT, IT'S, IT'S KIND OF A, IT, IT'S DIFFERENT
UM, IT'S NOT REALLY KIND OF AN A ON A TYPICAL AUSTIN WATER EASEMENT WHERE THERE WOULD, OR DECLARATION OF USE WHERE THERE WOULD BE NOTHING IS ALLOWED ON TOP OF THIS.
AND, UM, A FOLLOW UP QUESTION TO THAT, WHEN WELL LET, LET ME SWITCH TO, UM, UM, SOMETHING ELSE.
THERE IS A YELLOW AREA AND THERE IS A PURPLE AREA.
I BELIEVE THE YELLOW AREA WAS, UH, THE, THE TEMPORARY REQUEST THAT THAT'S WHERE THE, UM, THE SHAFT WAS GOING TO GO DOWN.
AND THEN THE PURPLE AREA, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SAW THAT.
UM, THE EXTENT OF IT, IT, DOES IT GO ON THIRD STREET AND THEN COMES DOWN, UM, PARALLEL TO I 35? OR CAN WE BRING BACK PICTURE, UM, GO BACK UP BACK A LITTLE BACK MORE.
THERE'S A BIGGER ONE ON THE YEAH, THAT, YEAH, THAT ONE.
SO IF I UNDERSTAND THAT CORRECTLY, SO THE, THE YELLOW AREA, THAT'S LIKE PROBABLY THE 2,800 SQUARE FOOT, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN MM-HMM
AND THEN THE PURPLE IS THE LARGER AREA.
AND THE REASON THAT IT IS LARGEST, BECAUSE IT'S A STRIP THAT GOES NORTH AND THEN IT COMES DOWN SOUTH, MAYBE THE LENGTH OF PALM PARK THAT, YEAH.
SO THE, THE ONE ON THE RIGHT, UM, UM, THERE IS A, IT SAYS 25.
SO THE 25 FOOT, IS THAT, IS THAT WATERLINE AND WASTEWATER LINE EASEMENT? THAT IS FOR THE WHOLE, THAT'S THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE PARK.
SO THAT IS, UM, THAT'S, THAT, THAT'S THE FIRST ONE WE TALKED ABOUT.
AND SO THEN THE SECOND ONE IS THE SHAFT IS ACTUALLY PARTIALLY IN THIRD STREET RIGHT AWAY AND PARTIALLY WITHIN PALM PARK.
SO THAT'S A 30 FOOT DIAMETER SHAFT.
AND SO THAT STAYS WITHIN THAT PERMANENT EASEMENT, THAT'S THE SMALLER RECTANGLE.
UH, AND THEN THE, ALL THE YELLOW OUTSIDE IS, UM, TEMPORARY.
UM, I'M ABLE TO ARTICULATE THE, THE FOLLOW UP QUESTION NOW IN MY MIND A LITTLE BETTER.
CAN YOU TELL ME IN YOUR WORDS SINCE, UH, MY ASSUMPTION COMING INTO THIS WHEN YOU SAID THAT IT'S PERMANENTLY GOING TO BE CONVEYED OVER THAT, UM, IT, IT'S JUST GOING TO BE AN EASEMENT AND LIKE, KINDA LIKE A, UM, A NO MAN'S LAND THAT LIKE, IT'S BASICALLY RESERVED USE FOR AUSTIN WATER, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE REINCORPORATED BACK INTO THE PARKLAND.
SO, UM, PEOPLE VISITING THE PARK, THEY WOULDN'T NOTICE IF THIS IS OWNED BY AUSTIN WATER OR AUSTIN, UH, PARKS.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IN YOUR OWN WORDS, WHY WOULD YOU LIKE THAT TO BE CONVEYED OVER TO AUSTIN WALK? UM, BECAUSE THERE IS A PERMANENT STRUCTURE UNDER THE SURFACE, RIGHT? AND SO WE, UM, IF WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE ANYTHING UNDER THE GROUND THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM BUILDING SOMETHING, WE'VE CHANGED THE USE, RIGHT.
SO IN GENERAL, I I, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S, WE'VE CHANGED THE USE, UM, AND SO YOU COULDN'T, YOU COULDN'T COME BACK AND, YOU KNOW, DECIDE TO BUILD A SHED THERE.
YOU KNOW, IT, IT'S, IT'S RESERVED IN THAT MANNER, UM, BUT STILL AVAILABLE FOR
[01:20:01]
GRASS AND PLAY ABOVE IT.I, I GUESS, UH, SIMILAR TO LIKE, IF YOU OWN LIKE A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT, UM, IT'S LIKE AN EASEMENT BASICALLY.
SO WE HAVE A, YOU KNOW, LIKE IN MY BACKYARD, RIGHT? I HAVE A PUBLIC UTILITY DRAINAGE EASEMENT DOWN THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE.
THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAD.
SORRY, I TOOK A LITTLE BIT, UH, MORE TIME THAN I THOUGHT, BUT THANK YOU.
UM, OTHER QUESTIONS? QUESTION? YOU ANSWERED IT.
ANYONE, WOULD ANY OF OUR VIRTUAL BOARD MEMBERS LIKE TO SPEAK UP? OKAY.
I HAVE NUMEROUS, UM, THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I, UM, I DO HAVE ONE PRELIMINARY QUESTION ABOUT THE MAP.
WHAT THE LAST THING YOU SHOWED, THE LAST SCHEMATIC, UH, ABOUT THE 12 INCH AND THE 16 INCH MM-HMM
WHERE IS THAT GOING? UH, IS THIS ORIENTED NORTH, SOUTH? OH, NORTH IS UP.
UH, SO WHERE IS THAT GOING? SOUTH? SO THE WASTEWATER CONTINUES YEAH.
UM, SO AGAIN, WE HAVE A, UM, AN EASEMENT ACROSS PALM SCHOOL THAT WE'RE, WE'RE REQUESTING.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEIR, THEIR TEAM AS WELL.
UM, AND SO, UM, AS IT COMES DOWN, UM, FROM THERE, THERE'S GOING TO BE A, A SHAFT, UH, A TUNNEL SHAFT, UM, IN THE PALM SCHOOL PARKING LOT, UM, THAT WILL ACTUALLY CONVEY THAT, UM, WASTEWATER DOWN A HUNDRED FEET AND UNDER MM-HMM.
NEATH, UM, THE WALL, UM, OUT TO A, A LARGER WASTEWATER TUNNEL THAT WILL BE IN THE FRONTAGE ROAD.
UM, SO WE NEED, WE NEED A PLACE TO COLLECT THAT.
UM, AND SO WE NEED TO COLLECT CESAR CHAVEZ.
WE NEED TO COLLECT THE FLOW FROM, UH, PLACEMAKER AND PALM PARK AND PALM, UM, PALM SCHOOL GOES INTO CESAR CHAVEZ.
UM, AND SO THAT, THOSE HAVE TO BE COLLECTED A POINT WHERE WE CAN THEN TRANSFER THEM OUT INTO THE I 35 AREA WHERE THERE'S A VERY DEEP TUNNEL OF WASTEWATER THAT'S PROPOSED.
BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE, WE HAVE LIKE A HUNDRED FOOT, ANOTHER A HUNDRED FOOT SHAFT THAT'S WASTEWATER IN THE PALM SCHOOL PARKING LOT.
UM, THIS IS A QUESTION ABOUT FUNDING.
IT IS THE, IS THIS PART OF THE FOUR POINT, WHATEVER IT WAS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT NUMBER.
BILLION THAT'S GOING FOR THE CENTRAL EXPANSION.
DOES THAT MONEY GO FROM FEDERAL TO YOU, OR ARE YOU PAYING FOR IT? SO THIS IS THE CITY UTILITY PAYING FOR THIS BEING REQUIRED BY TXDOT.
THIS IS REIMBURSABLE BY TXDOT.
MY QUESTION THEN IS I'VE GOT THE HISTORIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT DONE UNDER SECTION 1 0 6 SITTING RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF ME.
BY THE WAY, I ALSO SERVE ON THE, UH, TRAVIS COUNTY PALM SCHOOL, UH, STEERING COMMITTEE.
THIS HAS NEVER BEEN BROUGHT TO US.
WE'VE NEVER HEARD ONE WORD OF THIS.
UM, SO IF YOU WANNA KNOW WHY I'M GOING TO VOTE, THE WHY I AM, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS, UM, IF THIS IS FEDERAL MONEY AND IT'S PART OF THE I 35 EX, I'M KINDA LOOKING
AND THEREFORE, WHEN THE RESOURCE ASSESSMENT WAS DONE UNDER SECTION 1 0 6, THEY DID AN INTENSIVE SURVEY OF PALM SCHOOL AND SAID IT WAS ELIGIBLE UNDER CRITERIA A, BUT THIS KIND OF WORK IS NOT MENTIONED IN THAT DOCUMENT.
THIS IS COMING AFTER THE SECTION 1 0 6 RESOURCE ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN FINISHED, CORRECT.
[01:25:02]
OR HAS IT BEEN AMENDED? I DON'T BELIEVE IT HAS.THAT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE PLACE, I BELIEVE.
I MEAN, IF YOU'RE GONNA BE TUNNELING, ET CETERA, AND IT'S A SECTION 1 0 6 OR EVEN A DT FOUR F, YOU'VE GOT ARCHEOLOGY, YOU'VE GOT A NUMBER OF OTHER FEATURES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS THAT COME INTO PLAY.
AND I'M NOT HEARING THAT IN THIS PRESENTATION.
YOU MAY HAVE ALL THAT COVERED AND I DON'T KNOW, BUT RIGHT NOW I, AND THE BOARD DOESN'T KNOW.
OH, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY YOU GOT, SORRY, JUST A REMINDER TO FRAME IT AS A QUESTION, SINCE WE'RE IN THE QUESTION ANSWERING PART, THERE'S A QUESTION MARK ON THAT.
FOLLOW UP QUESTION, IS THERE ANY OF THAT COVERED IN THE MOU THAT WASN'T COVERED IN THE PRESENTATION? PROTECTION OF HISTORIC ASSETS REFERRING TO THE PALM SCHOOL? YES.
UM, THE MOU IS SPECIFIC TO THE PALM PARK, UM, AREA.
I AM GONNA GO BACK TO MY, IF I CAN.
SO WE'VE GOT THE, THE, I BELIEVE QUESTION MARK, WE HAVE THIS STRAIGHT ABOUT THE FUNDING.
YOU AGREE THAT WE, IT, IT IS ULTIMATELY REIMBURSABLE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THEREFORE, UH, IT POTENTIALLY MIGHT INVOLVE SECTION 1 0 6, CORRECT? YES.
SO IS, IS CHRISTIANA ONLINE? NO, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
'CAUSE WE, I BELIEVE WE HAVE TEXT ATTENDANCE ONLINE.
MR. FARN, ONE OF THE, SORRY, I JUST SAID GO AHEAD.
MICHAEL FARN, IF YOU COULD UNMUTE, UH, THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? THIS IS, UH, MY MI MICHAEL FARM.
I'M PART OF THE, THE, THE CAPEX TEXTILE TEAM.
UM, I HEARD THE QUESTION, UM, WE MIGHT HAVE TO, UH, FOLLOW UP ON THAT WITH THE, THE TEXTILE ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM.
AND I BELIEVE SOME ASSESSMENT WAS, UH, DID TAKE PLACE, BUT I'M NOT SURE THE EXTENT OF IT.
UM, AS YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE, THE ENTIRE CAPEX PROGRAM WENT THROUGH THE, UM, THE SCHEMATIC, UM, ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE STAGE.
SO I'M NOT SURE YOU KNOW, HOW THAT WAS CAPTURED.
UM, SO, UM, UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T GIVE YOU A, A A YES OR NO ANSWER.
UM, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO, UH, FOLLOW UP.
AND MICHAEL, CAN YOU CLARIFY, UM, COORDINATION WITH PALM SCHOOL? UM, WE, OH, OKAY.
UH, SO FOR AS FAR AS PALM SCHOOL, WE DID HAVE A COUPLE, UM, I, I, I RECALL WE HAVING TWO, UM, UH, INTERAGENCY MEETINGS INVOLVED WITH THE PALM SCHOOL.
AND I KNOW, UH, JUDGE BROWN WAS ALSO INVOLVED.
THE, WHERE WE LEFT OFF WAS, UM, THE, THE QUESTION REGARDING THAT DRIVEWAY THAT CONNECTS TO THE FRONT FURNITURE.
UM, AT ONE POINT, UM, THE CONVERSATION, UM, WAS, UM, YOU KNOW, IF, IF WE ARE REMOVING THAT DRIVEWAY ALTOGETHER OR NOT.
SO THAT, I BELIEVE THAT'S STILL AN ON ON ONGOING QUESTION.
UH, SO IF THAT DRIVEWAY WAS REMOVED, THEN PALM SCHOOL WOULD HAVE TO, UM, UH, KIND OF GET THEIR ACCESS THROUGH THE CESAR CHAVEZ.
UM, SO THAT'S WHERE WE STAND AS FAR AS HOMESCHOOL COORDINATION.
NO, I THINK I'D RATHER GO ON TO THE DISCUSSION PART.
UM, THAT'S, THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.
UH, DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE QUESTIONS? ANYONE ONLINE? UM, OKAY.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE DISCUSSION PORTION OF THIS
[01:30:01]
TOPIC.WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO DISCUSS? I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, YES, I WOULD LIKE TO, DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION? DO WE, UM, WE CAN DISCUSS BEFORE MAKING A MOTION, CAN'T WE? OR MAKE THE MOTION.
THANKS FOR REMINDING ME, TIM SLASH ROBERT.
UH, WELL, IT SORT OF ACTS LIKE A, LIKE A NESTING DOLL SITUATION.
SO RIGHT NOW DISCUSSION IS LIMITED TO THE POSTING AGENDA ITEM.
AND UH, IF THERE WERE A MOTION ON THE TABLE, THEN DISCUSSION WOULD BE FURTHER LIMITED TO THAT, THE MOTION CORRECT.
HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE, THE POST-IT GENERAL LANGUAGE AND THE MOTION WOULD BE ALMOST IDENTICAL.
SO SIX OF ONE IS REALLY WHAT I HEAR YOU SAYING.
UM, YEAH, I CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION THEN IF THAT'S THE CASE.
UM, I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO, UH, APPROVE RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE PERMANENT USE OF 9,852 SQUARE FEET OF PARKLAND AT PALM PARK AND TEMPORARY WORK AREA USE OF 2,585 SQUARE FEET OF PARKLAND AT PALM PARK, NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF 700 CALENDAR DAYS, TOTAL MITIGATION TO BE PAID BY AUSTIN WATER OF $1,897,883.
AND NOW WE CAN DISCUSS THE MOTION, OH WAIT, I NEED A SECOND.
UH, AND NOW WITH A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WELL, I'M GONNA POSE IT, UH, THE MOTION, UH, I DID PICK UP ON THAT
AND, AND I WANNA MAKE SURE CLEAR, UH, I'M CLEAR ABOUT WHY, UH, YOU'RE AWARE OF THE HISTORY OF PALM PARK.
AND I HOPE OUR STAFF, I KNOW THEY ARE, THAT ARE HERE, ARE VERY AWARE OF THE HISTORY.
UM, NOT JUST OF THE 1928 PLAN, BUT THE BUILDING OF PALM SCHOOL IN 1892, WHERE THAT WAS A PLAYGROUND.
UM, ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE THAT I'M PART OF FOR PALM SCHOOL, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING MARCO, SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM WHO'S AN ALUMNUS OF THAT SCHOOL, WHEN IT WAS GOING AND PLAYED IN THAT PARK, AND PLAYED IN THAT SWIMMING POOL THAT HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED.
I THINK PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MATTERS, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF SECTION 1 0 6.
IT'S MEANT TO BRING EVERYONE IN.
THAT'S WHY BECOMING A CONSULTING PARTY TO SECTION 1 0 6 ISN'T THAT DIFFICULT.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE DOZENS AND DOZENS OF CONSULTING PARTIES IN THIS, BUT IF WE HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD FROM SOME OF THE ASSOCIATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS IN EAST AUSTIN ABOUT WHAT THEY FEEL ABOUT ANY IMPACT AT ALL TO PALM PARK, THEN I THINK WE'VE REIGNED ON OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS BOARD MEMBERS IS THE GREATER WELFARE OF ALL RECREATIONISTS IN AUSTIN THAT'S IN THE CHARTER.
AND SO I'M THINKING BROADLY ABOUT THIS.
I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR A WATER LINE.
I ALSO UNDERSTOOD THE NEED FOR A GIANT POWER LINE GOING DOWN THROUGH BRENDAN AND PARK, OR ALONG THE SIDE OF BRENDAN AND PARK.
I UNDERSTAND THE WATER LINE THAT'S GOING THROUGH, I THINK IT'S A WATER LINE THROUGH THE FOOD FOREST, BUT ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE IMPACTING HISTORICAL SITES IN EAST AUSTIN, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
AND EVENTUALLY SOMEBODY HAS TO SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, IF WE LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF EAST AUSTIN, THIS IS KIND OF A PATTERN.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
PERHAPS THIS TIME, IF WE ALL AGREE THAT PALM PARK IS OUR INDEPENDENCE HALL, I'VE WORKED THERE IN PHILLY INDEPENDENCE HALL ON THE LIBERTY BELL.
DO YOU THINK WE'D BE DOING THIS THERE? NO, BECAUSE WE PLACE FAR MORE IMPORTANCE ON THOSE SITES THERE THAN WE DO ON PALM PARK.
AND THAT'S WHY I WILL OPPOSE THIS.
WOULD ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBERS LIKE TO DISCUSS BEFORE WE MOVE TO VOTE? FOR ME, THE, THE DECISION TURNS ON WHETHER OR NOT THE PUBLIC'S USE OF THE PARK WILL BE IMPACTED LONG TERM.
AND SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE PROBABLY ABOUT A TWO YEAR PERIOD OF TIME IT SOUNDS LIKE, WHERE THEY'LL BE DOING A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION.
BUT AFTER THE END OF CONSTRUCTION, WE'RE REALLY TALKING, IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A COUPLE OF MANHOLES LIKE THAT IT REALLY WON'T IMPACT THE PUBLIC'S USE OF THE PARK.
AND IN FACT, IT WILL PROVIDE WATER AND
[01:35:01]
WASTEWATER SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS OF EAST AUSTIN.SO FOR ME, LIKE I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT FOR ME, I DON'T UNDERSTAND, I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE HILL TO DIE ON BECAUSE ULTIMATELY THE PUBLIC'S FOR, ON A LONG-TERM BASIS, THE PUBLIC'S USE OF THE PARK IS NOT GONNA BE, WILL, WILL BE UNCHANGED.
IT WILL, THE PUBLIC WILL STILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE LAND AND THE ONLY, THE ONLY THING WILL BE THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO BUILD ANYTHING ELSE ON TOP OF IT.
'CAUSE THERE'LL BE STUFF HAPPENING UNDERGROUND.
SO THAT'S WHY I WOULD VOTE FOR IT.
'CAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT THIS, IN THE LONG TERM, THE LONG HISTORY OF THE PARK IS GONNA IMPACT THE PUBLIC'S USE OF THE PARK OR TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC.
UM, I THINK THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTIONS I ASKED BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC.
IF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CASE, THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A HARD NO FOR ME.
UM, BUT NOW, UM, IT'S, IT'S DEFINITELY, IT'S DEFINITELY GOOD THAT THE PUBLIC WILL RETAIN ACCESS TO IT.
BUT I ALSO HEAR, UM, UM, COMMISSIONER EUBANKS POINT ABOUT THE PROCESS OF IT.
AND, UM, I MEAN, PALM SCHOOL IS SOMETHING I PASSED BY AND I'VE SEEN IT AND IT LOOKS LIKE, UH, OF, OF A HISTORICAL VALUE.
UH, JUST THAT I WAS NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH IT AS, UH, SOME MEMBERS MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
SO THAT'S THE CONFLICT THAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW.
ANYONE ELSE? UM, WELL FOR MY PART, I ALSO APPRECIATE THE, UH, THE POINTS OF VIEW RAISED HERE.
AND I MEANT WHAT I WAS SAYING EARLIER, I ACTUALLY VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DID.
CLEARLY, LIKE EXTRA EFFORT GONE, THAT HAS GONE INTO REALLY THINKING THROUGH ALL THE POSSIBILITIES AND TRYING TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS IN A VERY SENSITIVE, CLEARLY IN A VERY SENSITIVE PART OF THE CITY.
UM, SO I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND I UNDERSTAND, I AGREE VERY MUCH WITH BOARD MEMBER MERIT THAT, UH, THAT I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE TO REALLY MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OVER TIME SO THAT THE PARK REMAINS OPEN AND AVAILABLE AGAIN IN THE LONG TERM.
I ALSO, UH, AM HIGHLY COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT, UH, PRETTY MUCH EVERY MONTH WE GET UP HERE AND WE GET TO DEAL WITH SOME ASPECT OF THE TEXT I 35 EXPANSION, THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON TAKING
AND, UH, I MEAN, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF WE'D HAVE ANYTHING TO DO AS A BOARD IF THEY WEREN'T DOING THAT
UM, THERE'S, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING EVERY WEEK WHILE THEY HIDE.
YOU STOMP ALL OVER THE CITY, UH, FOR A PROJECT THAT I AM, AND I SUSPECT MANY PEOPLE IN THE CITY ARE NOT PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT SINCE IT'S MOSTLY GOING TO, UH, WORSEN ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY SAY THAT IT'S GOING TO SOLVE.
SO I JUST WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
UM, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT A LOT UP HERE SINCE WE USUALLY JUST DEAL WITH THE DOWNSTREAM RAMIFICATIONS OF IT.
BUT WE'RE HERE AND, UH, THERE'S NOT MANY PEOPLE UP HERE FOR QUORUM AND ONE OF THEM IS NOT GONNA VOTE FOR THIS.
SO I'M THINKING I MIGHT ACTUALLY JOIN BOARD MEMBER EUBANKS IN THIS ONE, NOT BECAUSE I DON'T APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE.
BUT BECAUSE I SORT OF WANT A LODGE, A PROTEST VOTE AGAINST TDOT, AND THIS SEEMS LIKE THE BEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.
UM, I ALSO THINK THIS IS GOING TO GO THROUGH WHETHER THIS BOARD VOTES FOR IT OR NOT, BECAUSE IT'S A NECESSITY BECAUSE PEOPLE IN THIS CITY NEED WATER AND WE HAVE FANTASTIC PEOPLE DOING THIS WORK.
SO THAT'S SORT OF WHERE I'M LANDING ON IT.
UM, ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO SAY? I GUESS THE LAST POINT I'D LIKE TO MAKE THERE IS I, I HEAR BOARD MEMBER
I'M JUST SO EXCITED I FINALLY GOT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT TEXT DOT UP HERE.
CAN'T WAIT TO RUN THIS THING NEXT TIME.
WHO KNOWS WHAT I'LL SAY? UM, WELL I GUESS WITH THAT, UM, LET'S TAKE A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THAT'S THREE.
AND THEN ALL THOSE ABSTAINING.
MOTION BAILS WITH A VERY SMALL QUORUM.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE PRESENTATION OR THANK YOU ALL THREE OF YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND YOUR TIME TODAY.
IT'S A LITTLE MORE EXCITEMENT THAN WE'VE HAD UP HERE IN A WHILE.
[4. Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department community engagement events, planning updates, development updates, maintenance updates, program updates and administrative updates. (Sponsors: Bazan, Becker) Presenter(s): Adena Long, Deputy Director, Austin Parks and Recreation.]
ON.[01:40:01]
ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS A, UM, STAFF BRIEFING, UH, ITEM FOUR STAFF BRIEFING ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS, PLANNING UPDATES, DEVELOPMENT UPDATES, MAINTENANCE UPDATES, PROGRAM UPDATES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES.THAT'S MY FAVORITE PART, NOT JUST 'CAUSE WE'RE CLOSE TO THE END BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS, IT'S ALWAYS LIKE THE FUN HIGHLIGHT REEL OF HOW THINGS ARE GOING.
UH, GREAT JOB ON THE ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER.
'CAUSE THIS IS A VERY THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE LIKE TIM APPLE.
THIS IS AGUIRE, UH, DIRECTOR OF BOSTON PARKS AND RECREATIONS.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THE ROBUST DISCUSSION AND, AND I APPRECIATE SORT OF THE, THE WIND UP TO THIS PRESENTATION BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY OUR OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT THE DEPARTMENT, UH, HERE IN AUSTIN.
AND, AND AS YOU MAY IMAGINE, UH, THINGS ARE PRETTY BUSY NOW THAT WE HIT.
WE, WE HAVE HIT SUMMER SEASON AND, AND FOLKS ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO, TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ALL OUR, UH, ALL THE RESIDENTS OF BOSTON IN, IN THE SUMMER SEASON.
SO WANNA PROVIDE A FEW UPDATES HERE, UH, AND THEN I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
UM, UH, OUR RECREATION SERVICES, LIKE THE REST OF THE TEAM IS REALLY GEARED UP.
UH, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO DO IS TO PROVIDE, UM, SEVERAL SUMMER MEALS PROGRAMS DURING THE SUMMER.
UM, WELCOME OUR PARTNER AT HEB FOR THE BEN BANANA BOAT BASH.
UM, SAY THAT FOUR TIMES IN A ROW, UM, AT SIX OF OUR SUMMER PLAYGROUND SITES WHERE WE HAD KIDS THAT, OF COURSE ENJOYED BANANAS, HEALTHY SNACKS, SOME, UH, BOOK FOR SUMMERTIME READING, UH, ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, UH, HOSTING THE MOST RECENT CLASS OF CADETS, UH, AND A FEW HUNDRED KIDS FOR KICKBALL AND OTHER GREAT ACTIVITIES TO KICK OFF THE SUMMER SEASON.
UM, OUR NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION HOSTED A PRESCRIBED BURN AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH, UM, INCLUDING BASIC AIR OPERATIONS OVER WALTER E. LONG, UH, INCLUDED PILOTS, FIREFIGHTERS AND STAFF FROM 10 AGENCIES COORDINATING THIS REALLY IMPORTANT PRACTICE, UH, THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
UM, UH, COMMUNITY RECREATION, LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN STUFF HAPPENING THERE.
WE HAD A SPRING LEGO CLUB, MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION, CINCO DE MAY FESTIVITIES AND WATER AEROBICS, UH, AT THE SENIOR CENTERS.
SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING HAPPENING ACROSS THE CITY AND ACROSS THE COMMUNITY RECREATION, UM, UH, DIVISION, THE AQUATICS DIVISION HAS BEEN SUPER BUSY.
IN ADDITION TO, TO HIRING, UH, CLOSE TO A THOUSAND LIFEGUARDS TO, TO BEGIN POOL OPERATIONS.
UH, ALSO HELPED, UH, PREPARE THE CITY LIKE THE REST OF THE AUSTIN PARK AND RECREATION STUFF.
AND YOU'LL HEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THIS, YOU'VE HEARD A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT, ALREADY ABOUT GREATER GREENER.
BUT OUR TEAM REALLY WAS PROUD TO HELP OUR SYSTEM SHINE, AND WE HEARD SUCH GREAT, UM, FEEDBACK FROM, FROM FOLKS INCLUDING, UH, THE WORK THAT WAS DONE AT, AT, UM, BARTON SPRINGS AND DEEP EDDIE ALSO, UH, HAD OUR FREE DAY, UH, JUNE 6TH, UM, AT BARTON SPRINGS.
NOW, UNFORTUNATELY, AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, BARTON SPRINGS WAS IMPACTED BY, UM, THE, THE VERY WELL NEEDED AND, AND APPRECIATED RAIN, BUT IT TENDS TO HAPPEN VERY QUICKLY, WHICH CREATES SOME CHALLENGES, BUT THE POOL REMAINS CLOSED, UH, WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS OF WATERSHED PROTECTION TO DO WATER QUALITY TESTING, BUT THAT SHOULD BE OPEN TOMORROW.
UM, AND, UH, AS A TESTAMENT TO, TO HOW, UH, HISTORIC OUR SITES ARE AND, AND WELL AGED DEEP EDDIE POOL, UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO CLOSE BECAUSE WE HAD SOME CHALLENGES THERE.
SO, UH, REALLY APPRECIATE THE PARKS AND RECREATION AQUATICS TEAM FOR CONTINUING TO, TO WORK ON, UH, MAINTAINING THOSE, UH, AMAZING AMENITIES, UH, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
UM, YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS ALREADY.
THE, THE SECOND PHASE OF THE WATERLOO WATERLOO GREEN BAY CONSERVANCY OPENED, UH, THE BEGINNING OF JUNE HAD LOTS OF FOLKS COME OUT, UH, INCLUDING, UH, UH, OUR FEDERAL CONTINGENT CONTINGENCY THERE, UH, WHICH WHICH CELEBRATED AN $11 MILLION GRANT TO THIS PROJECT, UH, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE, TO THE FUNDING THAT WAS COMING THROUGH THE CITY AND THE, UM, PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY.
SO A LOT OF EXCITING ACTIVITIES.
UH, IT WAS A REALLY BUSY DAY BECAUSE ALSO ON THAT DAY, UH, THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER ALSO REOPENED.
SO MANY OF US HAD TO GO FROM ONE PARTY TO THE NEXT PARTY TO JUST CONTINUE CELEBRATING.
BUT, UH, IT WAS SUCH AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE VIBRANCY OF DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ON THAT SATURDAY WITH FOLKS GOING ALL ACROSS THAT SECTION OF THE CITY, BUT ALSO REMINDS US HOW MUCH ACTUALLY HAPPENS IN THAT SECTION OF THE CITY.
SO PROJECTS LIKE THE ONES YOU JUST HEARD ABOUT, UH, HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.
UM, OUR ASSET MANAGEMENT DIVISION, UH, OUR DIVISION MANAGER, ACTUALLY RACHEL MORRIS, REPRESENTED THE DEPARTMENT AT THE ANNUAL, UH, CHAMBER FEDERAL ADVOCACY TRIP IN WASHINGTON DC.
UH, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE'VE HAD PARKS PROJECTS RECEIVED, UH, SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL FUNDING, INCLUDING $6 MILLION IN COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING.
SO IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO GO AND MEET WITH OUR, UH, FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES AND CONTINUE TO SHARE THE GOOD STORIES OF THE WORK THAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
UM, AGAIN, YOU HEARD A LOT ABOUT, UH, GREATER GREENER AND, AND IT, THIS REALLY WAS, UH, A, UM, A MOMENT OF PRIDE FOR THE CITY, A FEW DAYS OF
[01:45:01]
PRIDE FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND, AND THE RAIN COOPERATED.SO EVERYTHING LOOKED REALLY GREEN, UH, AND REALLY BEAUTIFUL.
BUT, BUT AGAIN, I WANNA THANK ALL OF, OF COURSE, OUR, OUR, UM, UH, THE CO-SPONSORS WITH THE TRAIL CONSERVANCY, WITH, UH, THE PARKS FOUNDATION AND THE WATER GREENWAY CONSERVANCY, BUT ALSO, UH, ALL OF OUR TEAM, UH, AND YOU, YOU, YOU HEARD MENTION OF 50 TRIPS AND TOURS AND, AND MANY OF THOSE WERE LED BY AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF.
WE HAD AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF, UH, ALSO CONDUCTING, UH, WORKSHOPS AND, AND REALLY THIS, THIS WAS ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND IN FACT, UH, FOLKS AGAIN FROM CANADA AND, AND KOREA AND OTHER PLACES COMING TO LEARN FROM AUSTIN, COMING TO LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF AUSTIN.
BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, UH, WE LEARNED A LOT FROM THEM.
UH, WE, WE WERE WORKING REALLY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE CELEBRATE OUR CITY, WE ALSO SHARED ALL OF THE STORIES AND ALL OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAD IN MAKING SURE, UH, THAT FOLKS CAN SEE.
NOT JUST THE THINGS THAT WE'RE, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT, BUT ALSO THINGS THAT WE CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH.
SO THAT WAS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY.
SO I THANK ALL THE STAFF FOR DOING THAT.
UH, I ALSO, UM, WOULD BE REMISS TO, TO, TO, IF I DIDN'T REMIND THE BOARD THAT, THAT OUR NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT DEAN LONG ACTUALLY SITS ON THE CITY PARKS ALLIANCE BOARD, WHICH IS THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT, UH, CREATES AND PUTS THIS, UH, CONFERENCE ON EVERY TWO YEARS.
UM, THE NEXT ONE WILL BE IN ATLANTA.
UM, I MENTIONED THE, THE GREATER GREENER PIECE.
LOTS OF STUFF ON, ON GREATER GREENER.
I MENTIONED ALL THE, ALL THE VARIOUS, UH, ACTIVITIES AND VARIOUS, UM, UH, LEARNINGS ALL ACROSS.
UH, AND THIS JUST GIVES YOU A SNAPSHOT OF THAT.
LOTS AND LOTS OF, LOTS OF EXCITING THINGS.
WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BOTH THE, THE CITY MANAGER AND THE MAYOR.
THE CITY MANAGER WELCOMED EVERYBODY TO AUSTIN.
AND THEN OUR MAYOR PARTICIPATED IN A MAYOR'S PANEL, UH, AND TALK PRETTY PASSIONATELY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PARKS, UH, TO THE COMMUNITY.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
AND WE HAVE TO END WITH BARTON SPRINGS 'CAUSE WE'RE, YOU KNOW, HOPING IT'LL OPEN TOMORROW.
IT WELCOME, UH, THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.
ANY QUESTIONS? GREATER GREENER CONFERENCE LOOKED VERY COOL.
VERY IMPRESSIVE THAT WE HOSTED THAT.
OKAY, UH, ANYWAY, ANYTHING FROM THE, THE ONSCREEN CROWD.
UM, WITH THAT WE'LL CALL THE STAFF BRIEFING OF YOU.
UM, LAST THING WE HAVE BEFORE WE ADJOURN, ANY FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS FROM THE CROWD, THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP AT THE NEXT MEETING? I EVENTUALLY, ALL RIGHT, WE'LL CHECK, WE'LL, WE'LL ASK AGAIN IN A MONTH.
UM, WITH THAT, I AM GOING TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
IT IS 7:50 PM ON MONDAY, JUNE 22ND.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND THANKS